Carter

I sit beside Rena, her touch warm against my cold skin. I feel her pulse beneath my fingertips, a steady rhythm that calls to the beast within me. My body still trembles from the loss of blood, the pain in my stomach a constant throb.

“Rena,” I begin, my voice hoarse and raspy. “I...I need to feed.” I trail off, my fangs extending at the thought of what I must do. I hate to ask, but I have no choice.

Her eyes, wide with concern, meet mine. She knows what I’m asking for, and I see the hesitation in her gaze. I can’t blame her; I’m asking her to offer herself to me.

“I understand. If you need to… just be gentle.” Rena stammers, her voice barely audible.

I lean closer, my senses heightened by the scent of her blood, sweet and inviting. I catch the rapid beat of her heart, its rhythm a siren’s song to my starved body. With a final breath, I close my eyes and press my lips against the tender skin of her neck.

A shiver runs through me as I feel the warmth of her pulse under my mouth. I open my jaws, my fangs extending, sharp and ready. I bite down, piercing her skin, and the taste of her blood explodes on my tongue. Rich and warm, it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

Rena gasps, a soft sound that resonates with a mix of pain and pleasure. I feel her body tense under my touch, but she doesn’t pull away. I drink deeply, it flows down my throat, reviving me. Her hands, once trembling, now glide through my hair, her fingers entwining in the strands as if seeking purchase. As I continue to drink, a wave of pleasure washes over me, originating from where our bodies connect. The sensation catches me off guard, intensifying the hunger that rages within.

I groan, the sound vibrating against her skin, causing her to moan in response. Her scent, a heady mixture of fear, desire, and the metallic tang of blood, envelops me, driving my hunger to new heights. I want more, not just her blood, but her submission, her surrender.

“Carter,” she breathes.

I pause, my fangs still buried in her neck, the warmth of her blood coursing through me. I feel her pulse quicken beneath my lips, a response to the growing need in my own body.

“Rena,” I murmured against her skin, my voice a low growl. “Do you trust me?”

Her eyes, now hazy with passion, find mine. “Yes, I do,” she whispers, her breath catching.

With a gentle motion, I pull away, my fangs sliding from her neck with a soft, wet sound. I savor the taste of her on my tongue, the lingering warmth of her blood mixing with the cold night air. Her neck bears two small puncture wounds, a mark of our connection, and my mouth waters at the sight.

I gaze into her eyes, seeing the confusion and desire swirling within their depths.

“I want to take you, Rena,” I confess, my voice rough with need.

Rena’s eyes widen at my words, but she doesn’t shy away. Instead, her hand moves to the hem of her jacket, her fingers fumbling slightly as she begins to pull it off.

“Then take me,” she whispers, her voice filled with nervous anticipation.

I nod, my eyes never leaving hers as I lean in, my breath ghosting over her exposed collarbone. My fingers find the edge of her shirt, and with a gentle tug, I start to lift it over her head. The fabric slides smoothly, baring her body to my hungry gaze.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmur, my voice gravelly.

Rena’s hands move to my hoodie, her fingers tugging at the hem, a mix of determination and nervousness in her eyes. I raise my arms, letting her pull the garment over my head, my eyes never leaving hers. Her hands glide along my skin, sending shivers down my spine, and I suppress a groan.

“Carter,” she breathes, as she takes in my torso, defined by the shadows and moonlight. “You... you’re...”

“Yours,” I finished for her, leaning closer. “All yours, Rena.”

She leans in, her lips brushing against mine, a tentative touch that sends sparks of electricity through my body. I deepen the kiss, my hands threading through her hair, holding her close. Her taste, a blend of blood and desire, ignites my hunger further.

As our kiss intensifies, I guide her back towards the altar, my body urging for more. Her hands explore.

With a surge of adrenaline, I sweep her into my arms, her weight barely registering as I clutch her to me. She locks her legs tight around my waist, fingers digging urgently into my shoulders, and I revel in the electric contrast—her blazing heat pressed desperately against my icy flesh.

Moving with preternatural speed, I lead her toward the altar, my gaze locked on hers. The stone platform, once a haven for prayer, now becomes our private sanctuary.

I lower her onto the cool surface, but instead of laying her down gently. I flip her around, my movements swift and sure. Rena’s eyes widened in surprise as her back pressed against my chest, her ass nestled against my cock. I lean forward, my body caging her, my breath warm against her ear.

“You taste even better than I imagined,” I whisper, my voice rough with desire.

“And I want more,” I moan softly, my fangs retracting as a different hunger takes hold.

With trembling fingers, I fumble with the button of my jeans, my movements hindered by our entangled positions. Finally, the button pops open, and I slide the zipper down, freeing my straining length.

As I adjust my position, Rena hands reach behind her, searching, and she presses her ass further into my rock-hard erection. Rena’s fingers brush against my hardness, and she lets out a soft gasp.

“Carter, please...” Her words trail off, her breath hitching as she pulls her panties to the side, exposing her wetness to the cool air.

I waste no time, my need for her is overwhelming. With a growl, I slid into her in one swift thrust, her warmth enveloping me. Rena’s eyes flutter shut, and a deep, throaty moan escapes her lips.

“God... harder, please,” she breathes, her hands gripping on the edge of the altar.

I begin to move, my hips thrusting in a primal rhythm. The air is cold against my back, but her body is a furnace, burning with desire. I push deeper, my cock throbbing as it fills her.

“Oh... fuck...” Rena’s moans echo through the church, each one spurring me on. I can feel her muscles clench around me. With each powerful thrust, our bodies collide, the sound of skin slapping against skin mingling with our ragged breaths. The air grows thick with our mingled scents—a heady mix of arousal and sweat. I lean forward, my hands bracing on either side of her shoulders, caging her in.

With a low growl, I claim her lips, cutting off her gasps with mine. Her taste, a tantalizing blend of blood and desire, sends a jolt of need straight to my core. My hips move in rhythm with the kiss; each thrust a promise of more.

When I finally pull away, her lips are swollen from our kiss, her breath ragged and desperate against my mouth. I know I should be gentle, but the beast within demands more. I give in to the primal urge, driving into her with renewed fervor. Her back arches below me, a keening cry tearing from her throat as I hit that spot deep within.

“Oh—Carter, right there!”

The sound of my name on her lips, breathless and desperate, pushes me closer to the edge. My fingers dig into her hips hard enough to bruise, anchoring her in place as I pound into her.

The altar groans beneath us, ancient stones protesting our sacrilege. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind, a distant church bell tolls the hour, but I’m beyond caring. All that matters is Rena—her heat, her scent, the way her body welcomes me like a long-lost home.

“Come for me, be a good kitten,” I growl against the curve of her neck, my fangs grazing the marks I left earlier.

Her whole-body tenses, muscles clenching around me so tightly I see stars. A shattered moan escapes her as she shatters, trembling violently in my arms. The sensation triggers my own release. I bury myself to the hilt, a guttural groan ripping from my chest as I spill into her warmth.

For a long moment, neither of us moves. Our ragged breaths echo through the empty church, an intimate symphony in this house of God.

Slowly, gently, I ease out of her. Her legs wobble dangerously, and I catch her before she can slump forward onto the cold stone.

“Easy, kitten” I murmured, turning her to face me. Her cheeks are flushed, lips swollen and red. Her hair is wild, tangled from my fingers. She looks thoroughly debauched—and impossibly beautiful.

A satisfied smile curves her mouth. “That was...” She trails off, at a loss.

“I know. I should have warned you—when we feed on each other, it brings intense pleasure.” I brush a stray lock of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. My fingers linger on the mating marks on her neck, already beginning to heal. “Are you alright? I wasn’t too rough?”

She shakes her head, a breathless laugh escaping her. “I’m more than alright.” Her palm settles flat against my chest, over the steady beat of my heart—a habit she’s developed, seeking reassurance in its rhythm. “Are you? Your wound...”

I glance down at my abdomen. The gash has closed completely, thanks to her blood. Only a faint pink scar remains, disappearing as I watch.

“Fully healed,” I assure her. “Thanks to you.”

I help her down from the altar, supporting her weight when her knees buckle slightly. A mischievous glint enters my eyes as I notice the state of her clothes—skirt bunched around her waist, panties askew. I take a moment to appreciate the view before gently righting her clothing with careful, reverent hands.

Lowering myself down, I pull Rena with me, settling her between my legs until her back rests against my chest. Her head tucks beneath my chin, fitting perfectly in the hollow of my throat. I wrap my arms around her; one hand splayed protectively across her stomach.

“Where exactly are we?” Rena’s voice comes soft and hesitant.

“Mmm?” I hum, my lips brushing against her hair.

I glanced around, really looking at our surroundings for the first time since we stumbled inside. The church stretches high above us, its vaulted ceiling lost in shadow. Faded frescoes adorn the walls—saints with solemn faces, their features worn smooth by centuries. Iron chandeliers hang from chains, their candles long extinguished. Moonlight filters through tall windows, casting patterns across the stone floor.

“We’re in Elaris,” I murmured into her hair.

Rena shifts, craning her neck to look up at me. “And in the morning? What then?”

I hold her gaze, a dissatisfied huff escaping me. “We rest tonight. Both of us need it.” I brush a knuckle along her jaw, feeling the faint flutter of her pulse beneath the skin.

She nods slowly, but her brow stays furrowed that familiar crease I’ve come to recognize. I wait, patient, giving her the space to voice whatever weighs on her mind.

She hesitates, biting her lower lip. “The pendant. What did Cameron mean about its power? What does it actually do?”

“Honestly? I don’t know.” I lean my head back against the cool stone of the altar behind us, staring up at the vaulted ceiling.

Rena’s hand slides over mine where it rests on her stomach. Her touch is oddly grounding.

The church falls silent around us, the only sounds of our breathing, and the distant whisper of wind through cracked windows. Moonlight streams through the stained glass, casting colored shadows across the worn stone.

My mind drifts to Cameron, to the pendant now tucked safely in my pocket.

How did he find us? What did my father want? And most pressing of all, what does the diary Rena found reveal?