Wolf Blood Moon

By

Dana Littlejohn

Copyright © 2020 by Dana Littlejohn

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher/author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, September 2020

Dana Littlejohn

www.DanaLittlejohn.com

authordanalittlejohn@gmail.com

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Wolf Blood Moon

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Epilogue

The End

Wolf Blood Moon

By Dana Littlejohn

Tag line:

Could attending a Halloween party for work be the worst thing and the best thing that could happen to you at the same time?

Blurb:

The newspaper that Daniyah Tyler worked for had been brought out by a big conglomerate. The entire staff had been replaced except for her and one other person. When her new boss showed up in her office, she was sure it was her turn to be fired. Instead, he sent her on assignment to Chicago to cover a Halloween party for the paper. Daniyah knew that refusal could jeopardize her job but would accepting jeopardize her very life?

Chapter One

“Hey Tyler, you got a minute?”

Daniyah Tyler looked up from her computer. Her boss’s head was in her doorway. Immediately, she pressed her lips together to stop her jaw from dropping hoping her shock didn’t show on her face.

“Uh, sure, Mr. Evans. What do you need?”

Mr. Evans took the chair in front of her desk. Daniyah watched him with a raised brow willing her heartbeat to slow down.

“Tyler, I know I haven’t said much to you since I’ve been here...”

Much? Try nothing. I wasn’t even sure you knew my name!

“But your work has not gone unnoticed.”

Daniyah’s eyes widened. “Sir?”

“I know that over the last year since I’ve come on board, I have done a lot of, umm... Shall we say, re-vamping? I’m aware that it has been a little tough on the remaining staff. Would you agree?”

Re-vamping! You’ve fired everybody that used to work here except me and Ryan!

“Yes, sir, I would. Only Ryan and I remain from the old staff.”

“Ryan? Oh, yes, Edwards. Well, I’m sure you’re wondering what brings me to your door.”

“Yes, sir, I am.”

Uh-oh, here it comes. Daniyah closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“As you know I have hired new people since I came here and when I launched our online version to bring in new readers.”

Mr. Evans paused. Daniyah realized he was waiting for her to respond. She obliged with a nod and he continued.

“Well, the stats from the online paper indicate that your column gets the most hits in a day from a weekly column.”

Daniyah’s eyes popped open. “Huh?”

Mr. Evans chuckled. “Yes, Tyler, it would seem that your lighter side of the news has quite the fan base. With all the drama going on in the world a very large demographic looks forward to reading your weekly article. I’d like to expand that demographic into the Chicago area.”

Daniyah shook her head to help push her shock to the side.

“How are we going to do that, sir?”

“Well, this little town is less than an hour away from Chicago. Perhaps a minor change to the title is all that’s needed to pull them in. We could change it from ‘what’s happening near Battlesville’ to ‘what’s happening in your area’ and then we could add a few popular Chicago hashtags to pull their people toward it. What do you think?”

“That- that would be great, Mr. Evans,” she answered, barely containing her excitement.

“Great! With Halloween coming this weekend I think this is the perfect opportunity to add them to the paper as followers. I know of a party there and I want you to cover it. Can you drive out there for the party?”

“Sure, I can do that.”

Mr. Evans stood and offered Daniyah his hand. “Excellent! The paper will reimburse you for the mileage, of course, and we will purchase the ticket and the VIP pass so you can be privy to all the good stuff behind the scenes. It will be a costume party and you have to be dressed. Go ahead and take off now so you can find a costume. I know it's short notice and all, but I’m sure you’ll be able to find something appropriate. When you get to work tomorrow, I’ll have the tickets for you. I’ll see you on Monday with an article in hand, afterward right?”

“Absolutely!”

Daniyah stared at her boss as he left the room and continued to stare at the door even after he was gone. A slow smile touched her lips and she spun in her chair happily. She quickly saved the document she had been working on and left for the day. Rushing from the building, Daniyah turned the corner and stopped her in her tracks.

“Damn, girl. Where’s the fire?” a man said when she crashed into him.

The man caught Daniyah by the shoulders to stop her from falling.

“Oh! Ryan, I didn’t see you. Thanks.”

“Obviously. You were moving too fast to see anything. Where are you going in such a hurry?”

Daniyah smiled. “The boss gave me the rest of the day off to find a costume. I’m doing a story on a Halloween party in Chicago.”

“Oh, hell no! A party in Chi-Town! Girl, you have to take me with you. I bet the honeys will be overflowing out there.”

Daniyah laughed. “Sorry, Ryan. No can do. The job is paying for the whole thing.”

Ryan sputtered. “What kind of friend doesn’t take her pal to a party with them?”

“One that isn’t looking for any kind of honeys. I’m going to observe not to have fun.”

Ryan rolled his eyes. “Who doesn’t go to a party and not have fun?”

“One that is going on her boss’s dollar. This is a business trip, Ryan.”

“Well, that just sucks. I don’t want to be anyone of those. At least promise me that if some half-decent guy runs up on you, you’ll take him up on his offer.”

Daniyah’s smile dropped. “Seriously? We’re back on that again?”

Ryan put a soothing hand on Daniyah’s shoulder. “My bad. You know I’m only looking out for you, Dani. You’re a great girl and you’d make some guy a fantastic wife one day. I just don’t want you to stay gun shy just because you came across one too many jerks.”

Daniyah gave him a soft smile. “I know, Ryan and thanks, but I’m good. Really, I’m okay being single.”

Ryan gave her a look with twisted lips.

Daniyah laughed and put her hands up. “Okay, fine. I will remain open to the possibility of someone new, but I am not going to be actively looking.”

Ryan smiled. “That’s good enough for me.  Now, hook me up, girl! Take me with you.”

Daniyah clasped her friend’s arm and led him down the block. “Sorry, dude. I still can’t do it, but I will buy you lunch.”

“Not the same, but my mama didn’t raise no fool. I’m not about to turn down free food.”

Chapter Two

Daniyah frowned at the directions Mr. Evans printed off for her. She tossed the paper onto the passenger seat. Grumbling to herself, she continued to follow the dark road along the river until she spotted the lights of a building in the distance.

“About time,” she mumbled.

Moments later she pulled into the parking lot and maneuvered the car beneath one of the few light posts.

“Dang, they couldn’t spend a little more money on lighting? It’s bad enough they’re out here in the sticks the least they could do is light up the place so we can easily find it,” she muttered with an eye roll.

Daniyah pulled the collar of her cloak higher to protect her neck from the crisp air blowing off the water. The music inside the establishment reached her as she moved closer to the building. She stopped just short of the steps and stared at the door.

“Are you deciding whether or not to attend the party?”

Daniyah spun around to the silky male voice questioning her. Dark hair hung pass the high collar of his cape in loose waves combed away from his pale forehead and ears. He was the epitome of dark and mysterious and the most handsome man she’d ever seen. The man didn’t seem to mind that she openly looked him over. Piercing eyes stared directly at her when she finally met his gaze. His smile instantly heated her core. It took her a moment to find her voice to answer his question.

“Uh, no, I’m going inside. I was just checking out the building. The architecture looks pretty old, but it’s really cool.”

“Yes, it is. It’s been here for a very long time, but they keep it in good condition.”

“So, you’ve been here before.”

“Oh yes. Many times. They have annual masquerade parties at Halloween and New Year’s”

Daniyah caught a glimpse of pointed teeth in his mouth when the man smiled at her.

“I am Magnus,” he said with a slight bow.

“Hi, I’m Daniyah. You’re a vampire, right? Nice costume.”

Magnus’s grin widened. “Thank you. May I ask what yours is?”

Daniyah released the clasp at the top of her cloak and opened her arms.

“Ahh, a pirate. A very good choice. Many female pirates were tall, elegant, and voluptuous women like you,” he told her.

Daniyah was taken back by the compliment and couldn’t help but smile.

“Thanks. It was actually one of the only costumes the store had left. My search was at the last minute,” she explained with a shrug.

Magnus’s head tilted. “Out of curiosity, what were the others?”

“Umm, a clown and Minnie Mouse.”

Magnus laughed. Daniyah quickly decided she liked the sound.

“Well, I must say although those lovely legs may have looked good in that short dress that Minnie Mouse wears, I am glad you chose the pirate. Shall we?”

Magnus walked ahead of her to knock on the door. A princess opened the door almost immediately and the music washed over them like a wave as they walked inside. Daniyah stood in the foyer with Magnus taking in the sights and sounds.

“I am glad you decided to come. I’m sure we will run into each other again,” Magnus said close to Daniyah’s ear.

Erotic shivers raced down Daniyah’s spine at his words. Magnus walked away and disappeared into the crowd before she turned to a small room near the door. A woman dressed as Elvira took her cloak in exchange for a ticket and then Daniyah turned to the sea of people mixing and mingling.

Daniyah took a mental note of the people in the room. The costumes ranged from the macabre to erotic. She immediately felt like her costume was a little out of place as she slowly moved through the crowd. She straightened the long sleeves of her fitted shirt and gave the wide cuffs a tug. Daniyah smoothed invisible wrinkles from her shirt nervously and adjusted the long plastic sword that dangled from her side and continued to the bar across the room.

“Yes, ma’am, what can I get you?” the bearded lady behind the bar asked over the music.

“How much are the drinks?”

“The drinks are complimentary. What can I get you?”

Daniyah smiled. “Well, in that case, give me a top-shelf Long Island Iced Tea.”

The bearded lady nodded. Daniyah scanned the crowd bobbing her head to the beat of the music until she felt the soft thud of the glass near her arm.

“Thanks. By all the cars in the parking lot, I thought there would be more people in here, but the dance floor isn’t that crowded,” Daniyah mentioned to the bartender.

“This is not the dance floor, this is just the bar area,” he/she explained with a rough laugh. “The main dance floor is that way.”

Daniyah’s gaze followed the fat finger of the bartender. She nodded her thanks and headed in that direction. A strobe light flickered on the wall over the Deejay’s table and a small disco ball hung over the large dance floor. The rainbow lights along the ceiling pointed to the mirrored ball and bathed the crowd on the dance floor in tiny rainbow circles. Daniyah sipped her drink and danced into the room toward an empty seat. From her new spot, she could see the entire room.

Scanning the area carefully, she made more notes of every sight and sound for her article. She spotted Magnus through the dancing people. Her drink stopped in mid-air before her next sip. The cape around his shoulders no longer blocked her view of his body. Her first impression of the man had changed for the better.

Magnus stood at the opening to the room that Daniyah just left. He leaned casually on the door with a drink in his hand. Black leather pants gripped his narrow hips and genitalia. A snug-fitting, long sleeve shirt enhanced his muscular torso leaving little to the imagination. The flashing rainbow lights bounced all over his handsome features when he turned to look around the dance floor.

Daniyah lifted a brow then followed Magnus’s gaze. When nothing out of the ordinary caught her attention, she brought her gaze eyes back to Magnus. A small yelp left her when she jumped spilling her drink when she turned back to see Magnus looking back at her. The lights danced in his silvery eyes making them sparkle. They were like no eyes she had ever seen. They seemed to be entrancing her. The tingly feeling of arousal started to build in her groin. The music seemed to lower and the space between dancers developed a tunnel vision-like effect as they stared at each other across the room. Daniyah pulled in an unsteady breath.

Magnus broke his apparent hold on her when he walked away from the door. The rapidly blinking lights in the room made it look as though he moved in slow motion. Daniyah watched him until he disappeared through a heavy blood-red curtain. With a shaky hand, she finally took a sip of her drink.

“Wow, I definitely have to mention how good the atmosphere and drinks are at this party in my article,” she said with a chuckle.

Daniyah sat back on the sofa and continued to scan the crowd. Suddenly someone plopped down beside her.

“Hey! Great party, huh? Are you having a good time?”

The woman beside her wore a pretty black and emerald green Victorian-style dress. She fanned the glistening top of her heaving breast.

“Yeah, it’s cool so far, but I just got here a little while ago,” she answered. “Your dress is beautiful, by the way.”

“Thanks! I ordered it offline a few months back. You know the longer you wait the greater your chance to get stuck with something dumb,” the girl said with a laugh.

Daniyah nodded. “Yeah, I know. Have you been here for a while?”

“Yes, I got here earlier in the evening.”

“Do you know what’s behind that red curtain?”

The woman looked where Daniyah nodded and smiled. “Sure, that’s the VIP section. I didn’t get a ticket for that part, so I haven’t been there, but I have heard people talking about it. They say it’s really live up in there,” she added with a lecherous wink.

Daniyah looked at the room again and emptied her glass. “Well, I have a VIP ticket. Maybe I should go check it out.”

The woman’s eyes widened. “Maybe? Girl, what are you still doing out here? People are saying it’s worth the extra money. I’m mad I didn’t get one!” she added with a laugh.

And the mysterious Magnus is in there, too.

Daniyah put her glass on the small table near the sofa as she stood. “Well, you’ve sold me. I’m going to head on in there. Thanks for the info.”

The woman waved goodbye as she walked toward the curtained room. Inside was like night and day from the party held on the other side. A woman sat on a tall stool just inside. The black and white satin bustier she wore showed off massive cleavage and the black skirt barely covered her thighs showing off her black thigh high stockings as she crossed her legs. Smiling, the woman nodded when Daniyah flashed her VIP pass.

“Welcome,” was her only greeting.

The room smelled heavy of burning incenses. The low base of the bluesy, sultry tones thumped in time with her heartbeat. The people on the smaller dance floor were scantily dressed and much closer to one another. They moved in a slow and sensual rhythm touching and groping different body parts of their partners.

Daniyah nodded her approval of the cleverness of a sound reduction curtain instead of a door and filed it in her mental database to mention later. Her pulse pounded in her neck in time to the seductive beats. Spying a red lounge chair through the people, she headed toward it. Skirting the dance floor, she sat down for a better look at the dancers. The people, men with men, women with women, and hetero couples, moved in ways that were best left behind closed doors.

Her eyes widened as she watched the simulated sexual movements intertwined with the dance moves. Daniyah grinned but decided she’d leave this scene out of her storytelling as she sat back to enjoy the erotic scene unfold. The dancing became seedy, sultry, and primal. It had been a long time since she’d fulfilled any of her own base instincts. Watching the intense, physical interactions brought those erotic sensations that lay dormant inside her back to the forefront of her body.

“Not a bad looking sight, huh?”

Daniyah looked to her left. A pirate stood beside the couch looking down on her. She nodded as she admired his costume and its similarity to her own. The pirate’s slender physique and feathery blond hair were very attractive in an angelic-looking way.

“Mmm-hmm, not bad at all,” Daniyah agreed.

The pirate smiled at her. “Mind if I join you?"

She looked at him for a moment with a raised brow. “No, please, join me,” she said scooting over to make room.

“Great. I was about to get another drink. Can I grab you one?”

Daniyah thought for a moment. “Why not! It’s a party, right? I’ve got plenty of time to come down before driving back to my hotel.”

“Right! What were you drinking?”

“I had a Long Island.”

“Great! Be right back.”

Daniyah watched the pirate disappear through the small crowd. She giggled when she spotted him pushing back toward her.

Wow, this guy looks good coming and going.

“Thanks, umm...” she started when he handed her the drink.

“My name is Jack. Nice to meet you.”

Daniyah shook Jack’s outstretched hand. “I’m Daniyah.”

The soft shock that slithered up her arm at their connection made her gasp. She looked at their hands with wide eyes, then to Jack’s uncovered blue eye before she slowly pulled her hand free.

“I like your costume,” Jack said with a laughing grin taking the seat beside her. “I guess great minds think alike,” he added bumping her shoulder playfully.

Daniyah smiled. “Yeah, it would seem so.”

“Here’s to pirates,” Jack said holding up his glass.

“To pirates,” she echoed and clicked her glass to his.

They sipped their drinks while Daniyah focused on a specific couple. Their every movement mesmerized her. They touched openly, kissed, and gazed into each other's eyes lovingly. The sensual and erotic scene woke something inside her.

They must be a couple. People who just met can’t have such a connection. Can they?

The people danced around to the changing music opening a space that brought her attention to a different couple. A woman moved seductively up and down a man’s body. The suspenders he wore over his naked torso did not block access to his nipples as the woman moved back and forth to lick them. The man stood still accepting her attention. Daniyah watched intently feeling her own nipples tingle in response. She cut a look at Jack to gauge his reaction to the couple. When Jack turned a suggestive wink her way, she quickly returned her attention to the dance floor. Heat rose on her cheeks. Daniyah took several gulps from her cup and shifted in her seat trying to relieve the pressure building in her groin.

Bringing her attention back to the couple, she watched as the man turned and bent his partner forward. The woman’s micro skirt lifted even higher showing the curvature of her naked bottom beneath as she palmed the floor. A soft gasp left Daniyah’s lips as the man slid his hands down his woman’s back to rest on her hips. Following the slow, rhythmic beat of the music, he ground against her ass as he held onto her. Envy stirred within her inner being as she watched the woman being dominated by her lover. Visions of herself being bent over like that with a strong and powerful lover behind her worked its way into her mind’s eye. The move called to her baser needs and reminded her that it had been more than a year since she had taken a lover.  Jack touched her hand making her jump.

“Huh? I’m sorry did you say something, Jack?”

“Yeah, I was asking you if you were here alone.”

Daniyah nodded. “Oh, yes, I am. This is actually a work thing.”

“You’re working?”

Daniyah nodded, taking a sip from her glass. “Yes, I am a reporter. I’m doing a story on this party,” she explained, turning back to the couple.

Jack’s smile came and went before he responded. “Sounds like a fun job. Going to parties and writing about them. I wish I could get paid for doing that. Maybe you should have some extra fun to add a little spice to your article.”

Daniyah turned back to Jack. His soft and smooth voice filled with the lust Daniyah suddenly appealed to her.

“Maybe. What did you have in mind?”

“Oh, I’m sure we can come up with something fun to add to your article.” Jack clicked his glass to Daniyah’s and smiled. “Drink up, my friend and we can really get this party started.”

Daniyah shrugged. “What the hell.” She finished the rest of her drink in two long gulps. A sudden rush of heat covered her body like waves against the shore. When it passed, the cute little pirate looked a little fuzzy.

Jack chuckled. “Daniyah, why are you looking at me like that?”

She shook her head and laughed. “I’m fine. Just a little dizzy. It’s been a while since I have really drunk more than one drink while out. I guess the two Long Islands are getting to me.”

“I see. Well, maybe you just need some air. Come on.”

Jack grabbed Daniyah’s arm and led her to the back of the room to a sliding glass door. The cool air hit Daniyah in the face but didn’t make her feel better. Jack quickly walked her outside.

“Slow down, Jack. Where are we going?”

Jack didn’t answer but continued to pull her away from the building. Daniyah shivered as the air chilled around her. She started to feel nauseous as she stumbled along. Her vision had not improved, but she could hear voices close by.

“What’s going on, Jack? Who are they?”

Jack jerked her forward, almost pulling her off balance, but he didn’t answer. Daniyah tried to yank her arm away, but she had no strength in her arms. The music faded behind them. Her coordination faltered as she staggered beside him.

“Jack, let go of me! You’re hurting my arm. Where are you taking me? Help! Someone help!”

"Don’t waste your time screaming. No one will hear you over the music from this far away from the house," Jack finally said.

Daniyah ignored him and tried yelling again, but it made her head swim even more. Jack yanked on her arm again. She yelped as she finally lost her balance.

“Shit. You’re heavier than you look. Help me you morons before I drop her!” Jack called out.

Daniyah gasped as rough hands grabbed her breasts and her crotch. She tried to push the hands away but couldn’t fight them off. Her extremities felt like dead weight. Pulling and tugging abruptly removed her clothes exposing her body to the cold air making her shake even more. The slimy hands that pawed at her body left goo behind with each pass over her skin. Obvious licks from someone’s wet tongue lapped the flesh on her inner thighs. She screamed again, but this time a hand covered her mouth.

“Stop it, you idiots! This is not the place for all that. There will be time to fondle her later. Right now, the master requires us to get her to the lake for the ritual while the moon is high,” Jack told them in a loud voice.

Ritual? Oh my god, what have I gotten myself into?

Her vision had not cleared, but she tried to see who was helping Jack as one of them approached her. His body seemed abnormally formed with ultra-skinny torsos and large legs as they came toward her. Extra hands hoisted her body into the air by holding on to each limb as Jack led the way. Daniyah tried kicking herself free, but neither her arms nor legs would cooperate.

The people carrying her bounced her up and down as their unsteady gait moved along the uneven terrain. Her nausea worsened. She forced her eyes to stay open hoping to remember the route if she had a chance to escape their grasp. Voices grumbled ahead of them. She turned to see a group of people waiting. When they reached the group, the men stopped and lowered her to the ground. Someone quickly rushed over to her, its grin showing off pointed brown teeth before a pronged tongue flicked out of its mouth.

This has got to be a nightmare. This can’t be real. Please let this be a hallucination.

“Stop it! Get over there and help them,” Jack shouted.

She finally let her eyes close, but a sudden flash of heat warming the left side of her body made her open them again.

“What’s happening, Jack? “

“Tie her to the spikes in the center of the circle,” Jack told his flunkies then he turned to address Daniyah. “I’m sorry, Daniyah. It’s not my decision. I’m just doing what I’ve been told. We're paying homage to our master and you're here to help us,” he explained matter-of-factly.

The creatures spread her arms and legs wide to tie each limb to the ground.

Daniyah shook her head. “What are you—”

“You’re going to be sacrificed to my master, the great Wolf God," Jack explained waving his hand to the sky. "The blood moon is high, and he is ready to receive you."

“Your master?”

“Yes. Every full moon we sacrifice someone to him so that he will continue to let us live a long life with power, but tonight is special,” Jack continued leaning closer to her. “Because this fall has been so warm this full moon is a blood moon. It doesn’t happen that often, so we like to call it the Wolf Blood Moon. When that happens, we offer him a woman, someone he could mate with. Someone beautiful and strong, that would appeal to him,” he added with a grin.

Daniyah recoiled. She turned her eyes upward. The large, bright orange moon hung overhead lighting the sky. She had hoped to catch the sight of it before it started to wane, but this was hardly the way she wanted to see the beautiful phenomenon.

"I promise, you won’t feel a thing,” Jack told her in a soothing voice. “When the drug I gave you takes full effect your limbs will feel numb. You’ll still be awake, but not really."

Daniyah turned wide eyes to him. The evil gleam in Jack’s eyes sent panic rushing through her.

“If you don’t fight and just let him have you, you might even enjoy it. You will be ripe for him to have you so it shouldn’t be too bad on your body."

Her heart pounded hard. She tried screaming again, but the sound was barely audible. After swallowing a few times to lubricate her throat she tried speaking again.

“Why me, Jack? Why’d you pick me?” she whispered.

“It’s nothing personal, Daniyah. I was actually starting to like you. You were just the one he chose to send over.”

Daniyah blinked rapidly to wet her drying eyes. “He? He who?”

“Haven’t you figured it out yet?”

Jack suddenly let out a mocking laugh. Daniyah figured her confusion must have shown on her face.

“Damn, he was right. No one ever thinks of their boss. Haven’t you guys ever wondered what happened to all the people at your job? People just started leaving every month and you guys never see again or hear from them again? No one ever questioned what happened to them?”

“I thought—”

“Oh, I get it. You probably thought he fired them, or they got transferred.” Jack scoffed and went on. “Damn, Mr. Evans was right. The people in that town really were ripe for the pickings. He always picks the perfect place to get sacrifices, that's for sure.”

As the comprehension of Jack’s explanation sank in, a wave of nausea made her dizzier. Daniyah closed her eyes again. Jack grunted and his voice sounded far away when he spoke again.

“Okay, get her clothes off.”

Someone placed a blindfold over her eyes. She turned her face to and fro.

“No!”

Another pair of eyes yanked at the flimsy costume blouse. The buttons popped off and the shirt lay open exposing her chest. She gasped. New goosebumps rose on her skin as she started to shake.

“Good. Now mark her so I can get her ready.”

Daniyah bit her lip. In her mind’s eye, she knew she struggled against the ropes that held her in place, but her body would not move. The hands were back on her touching, groping, and caressing her body. The horrible scraping licks caused sharp pains on the inside of her leg.

“Ouch. Stop it. Please stop.”

It was painful to speak. She could barely hear herself. Someone gripped her bra at the top of each cup and tore it apart. Wetness immediately closed around her left breast. Daniyah tried to scream again but to no avail. The gooeyness of the creature’s mouth slid over her nipple, but the barbed tongue that followed hurt like a paper cut with each pass. Tears sprang to her eyes as the creature moved back and forth sucking her breasts. The sensation left behind a strange mix of disgust and pleasure.

Abruptly her panties were ripped away and someone was between her legs. The face pressed against her sensitive core was not gooey and didn’t feel deformed. Soft hair brushed her inner thighs as gentle kisses touched her clit. Daniyah pressed herself into the grass trying to move away. Her body betrayed her letting out a staggering moan. Slow licks by a small, non-jagged tongue followed. It seemed to go on forever. The tension built in her abdomen and heat rose in her groin. The gentle licking stopped, and aggressive sucking directed on her clit took its place. Her body shook with bliss, but just as she was ready to explode everything stopped.

“Damn, I hope the master chooses me to take over. I would love to have you,” Jack said over her belly. “All right, she’s ready for the master. Everyone to their places, it’s time. We must start the incantation to call the master forth while her endorphins are high.”

Daniyah’s eyes popped open behind the blindfold. She groaned with frustration and her body ached from the unreleased orgasm.

The creature's murmurs filled the air around. She couldn’t understand anything they were saying and that didn’t change when Jack’s voice joined them. Suddenly the murmurings turned into screams.

Daniyah took in a breath and squeezed her eyes tight. Her heartbeat raced as the dizzying sensation of falling rapidly into a downward spiral grew within her. Agonizing screams surrounded her. She jumped beneath her bonds at the heavy thuds that landed beside her. Everything inside her said to run for her life but the bonds and horrible nausea held her in place.

Tears slid from her eyes. Loud swishing sounds moved above her head to the left and to the right. More painful noises followed, and bodies continued to fall around her. Just as abruptly as they started, all the yelling stopped. An eerie silence followed except for someone’s nearby heavy breathing.

Daniyah swallowed loudly and waited for her life to end. To her surprise, the restraints on her ankles and wrists were loosened with an abrupt chop to each area that made her jump again.

“Get up, Daniyah. We must hurry.”

The voice gave her pause. She’d heard it before.

Magnus?

The blindfold was stripped away, and her suspicions were confirmed.

“Can you walk?” he asked.

Daniyah tried to move her arms and legs, but they would not comply. She shook her head.

“No.”

Magnus quickly gripped her hand and hoisted her body over his shoulder. Daniyah bounced on his rescuer’s shoulders as he ran across the field and the fear and panic finally pulled her into darkness.

Chapter Three

Daniyah groaned as her senses came back online one by one. She tried to get up but couldn’t.

“What the hell!”

Daniyah tried moving around, but there didn’t seem to be any room. Her body was folded uncomfortably in a cramped area and bouncing painfully in darkness. She sighed with relief realizing she was not bound, but something still restricted her movements. Maneuvering her hand from beneath her she fingered the objects holding her down. They were soft but there seemed to be a lot of them. When the movement abruptly stopped, she gasped and put her hand back where it was.

“Oh no. What now?”

A sudden slam made her jump. A few moments later, the weight on top of her started to lighten. When her head was finally uncovered, she blinked a few times to take in her surroundings. She was on the floor in the back seat of a car surrounded by coats and jackets.

"Are you alright? How do you feel?"

Daniyah looked up past the arm that still removed coats from around her. Magnus smiled down at her. He uncovered her arms so she could help him.

"I think I may throw up, but besides that, I think I’m okay," Daniyah finally replied. “Where are we?”

Magnus removed coats from around her feet and then pulled her up and out the car.

“I’ve brought you back to my house. You will be safe here.”

Daniyah nodded, rubbing her arms. She twisted her body at the waist to the left and right. Turning away from the car, she finally threw up.

Magnus reached into the car and handed her a sweater. Daniyah wiped her mouth and tossed the sweater to the side.

“Thanks. That back seat is super uncomfortable, by the way,” she said with an eye roll.

Magnus laughed softly and the sound made Daniyah smile.

“I imagine a Fiat would be. I’m sorry I had to stuff you back there like that, but it was the closest vehicle to the building. I couldn’t waste time going around to the other parking lot for your car. I had to cover you with as many coats as I could from the coatroom to mask your scent.”

Daniyah looked at him with a raised brow.

“You’re cold.”

She blinked a few times at the random statement then looked down. Heat quickly filled her cheeks. She pulled the torn shirt back around to cover her breast, but her lower body was still exposed.

Magnus reached into the backseat again, pulled out a long, dark fur coat, and put it around her shoulders.

“Come. Let’s get out of the night air.”

“Thank you.” She picked up pace beside him following him indoors. “Magnus, what did you mean when you said you had to cover my scent?” she asked.

"They have marked you, Daniyah. That means they can track you by your smell.”

“Marked me? What are you talking about?”

“You were probably drugged as well.”

Magnus walked through the kitchen into the living room. He extended his hand to the sofa.

“What do you remember from tonight?”

Daniyah took a seat and frowned as she thought. “Not too much actually. My bread is banging. The more I try to think about it the more it hurts,” she mentioned rubbing her temples.

Magnus sat beside her and put his hand on her knee. “Please try. It’s important.”

Daniyah sat back. “Well, I remember meeting you before going inside. I remember meeting Jack in the VIP and watching the dancers, but it starts getting fuzzy after that. Little stuff pops into my head. Being cold, a monster, the moon...”

“Were you drinking while you were in VIP?”

She nodded. “Yeah, Jack got me a drink.”

“Did you go with Jack to the bar for that drink or did he go get it for you?”

Daniyah thought for a moment. “I think Jack went to the bar and came back with drinks.”

Magnus nodded also. “Just as I thought. Jack obviously drugged you so you couldn’t resist during the ritual. His fellow minions have an extremely refined sense of smell. They will be able to track you.”

Daniyah’s eyes widened. “What? You said I was safe here.”

“You are. All the different scents coming from those coats I dumped on you masked your scent from them. I decided to bring you to my house because it would buy me some time and it is the only place. I could keep you safe. They were not so willing to let such a beautiful sacrifice get away."

Magnus’s gaze lust-filled gaze made her core pulse with desire.

"Do—Do you think they are still after me?"

Magnus shook his head. "Not those particular ones. I've taken care of them, but yes, there will be others that will come for you."

She swallowed hard knowing what he meant by ‘took care of them’.

"What time is it? How long did it take to get to your house?"

"About three hours. We are in Indianapolis. The sun will come up soon."

She gasped. “What! I was stuffed on the floor of that back seat buried under a bunch of coats for three hours? Shit! No wonder I’m sore.”

“I would like to explain what happened tonight.”

“Good because I have no idea why Jack would drug me.”

“Jack was a demonite. The other guys that were with him weren’t guys at all. They were demi-demons. They were created by the head demon to be flunkies for the demonites they work for. They are too grotesque to pass as humans, so they slink around doing the dirty work for them at night away from the eyes of society,” Magnus explained.

Daniyah’s brows furrowed. “Jack was a demonite? What’s—”

“A demonite is a human who worships a demon. They have a quid pro quo relationship. Jack is a minion to the demon in the lake. They call him the Wolf God.”

Daniyah stared at Magnus for a few minutes. “You’re serious?”

“Yes, I am. Those creatures were real. That sacrificial ritual they were about to do to you was also very real.”

Daniyah twisted her lips.

“I’m very serious, Daniyah.”

“Wolf God? Does he howl at the moon or does he just look like a wolf?” she asked in a teasing tone.

“He is called the Wolf God because he once took the shape of a wolf many years ago in another place. Humans and my kind alike hunted him in his wolf form after he killed many humans in the area. He brought too much attention to his kind with his minions. He was almost killed by one of my brothers and went to that lake to recoup. I found him about twenty years ago and have been fighting him since. He doesn’t quite have his strength back that’s why he only sends his minions out at the full moon when he is at his strongest.”

Daniyah fell back against the couch. “Well, what the hell did they want with me?”

“They needed your blood and your body. They would've pierced both of your wrists and let your blood drain into the bowl to mix it with a few other ingredients. Once the concoction is complete, they offer the drink to their master. Once he drank it, he would be bonded to you and can take you as his mate. The Wolf God can only take a mate when the blood moon is high.”

Daniyah’s eyes widened and her hand went to her mouth covering her gasp.

“Their master would have then possessed one of his minions' bodies to perform all kinds of depraved acts on you,” Magnus continued. “His lovemaking is harsh on the humans he chooses, and a few have even killed themselves.”

“Oh my God,” she whispered.

“You would have his baby and then he would then give his minions your body. Once they’ve had their baby a demonite takes it away to raise it and the demon takes the mother into the lake to feed on.”

Daniyah leaned forward with her arms wrapped around her stomach.

“The offspring of this demon become very powerful people. One has even reached the White House in recent years,” Magnus concluded.

Repulsion and shock soared through her at his words. “I think I may be sick again,” she finally said. “That explains a lot about the state of our country, but it doesn’t explain why they wanted me? Of all the women they could have chosen, why choose me?”

“What do you do?”

“I write the lighter side of news for a small paper across the bridge from Chicago in Battlesville.”

Magnus nodded. “Is the paper online as well?”

“Yes.”

Magnus smiled. “Well, you are precisely the type of person that could help them in their cause. They could get what they want from this world with you as an ally.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can only surmise that your online column at the paper would give them worldwide access to draw more followers to them.”

Daniyah eased into the sofa. “Oh my gosh,” she muttered, palming her chest.

“Also, your physical beauty cannot be denied. The demon is male and takes a male body to mate. It makes sense that he would want a woman that he desires. Your caramel-colored skin is smooth and unmarked, and you are tall and seductively made. Not to mention your beautiful amber eyes dance with the light of intelligence when you speak with those luscious full lips of yours. It’s obvious you don’t realize how magnificent you are, Daniyah.”

Daniyah’s body warmed at Magnus’s words. No one had ever described her with such enduring terminology and never so nonchalantly.

Magnus left the couch and moved to the bar at the far end of the room. Magnus removed a large crystal decanter filled with a dark red liquid from under the bar and filled two glasses.

Daniyah narrowed her eyes as she observed him.

Magnus just saved me from unimaginable horrors and he’s fixing us a drink like it was no big deal. Who is this guy? Why did he save me? What does he want from me?

Magnus returned to his spot on the couch and handed her a glass. Daniyah looked into the glass and then to Magnus with a raised eyebrow. Magnus smiled at her and his eyes sparkled with amusement.

“You are safe with me, Daniyah. I mean you no harm.”

She swirled the glass and hesitated for another moment before taking a tentative sip. The chilled liquid was flavorful and unlike anything she had ever tasted. It coated her throat and lit up her senses leaving behind a warm feeling that put all her nerves on high alert. Blood soared through her body to fill her loins until they pulsed with life.

Whoa!

Daniyah lay with her head back enjoying the feelings her new favorite drink induced in her. She forced her brain to take control and make her mouth work.

“This drink is amazing.”

“I’m pleased and relieved that you like it.”

“So, tell me, Magnus. Where do you fit into all of this? Are you the type of guy that hangs out at parties rescuing folk from demonites?”

Magnus chuckled. “No, not really.”

Oh my God. I love this stuff. I have to find out what it is.

Daniyah took another sip as she waited for Magnus to elaborate.

“And...”

Magnus laughed.

“Mmm.” The soft, seductive sound that made her smile.

“Wait! Did you hear that?”

“Hmm?”

“Quickly, go upstairs,” Magnus said pointing in the direction.

“Wait, huh?”

Suddenly the demons rushed into the room and burst through the windows. Daniyah yelped at the intrusion tossing her glass into the air. Magnus pulled her off the couch and shoved her toward the steps. She stumbled up a few steps and watched in horror as the demons advanced toward him. Magnus immediately pulled a sword from under the sofa and swung on the first demon cutting it in half. The body fell to the floor and burst into flames.

Magnus backed up to take a stance at the end of the couch blocking the area in front of the staircase. Demons staggered around the room in obvious sniffing motions. They moved slowly in straight lines around both sides of the sofa toward him. Magnus planted his back foot and leaned side to side when each one came within reach of his deadly swing.

Daniyah’s jaw dropped. She quickly covered her mouth but it didn’t stop the squeal from escaping.

“Daniyah, go upstairs. I do not want you to see this,” Magnus said over his shoulder.

Daniyah jumped. “Oh! Umm, okay. I just—”

Before she could take a step, Magnus moved super fast through the room swinging his sword with deadly accuracy chopping every demon in sight. Daniyah’s mouth dropped again. Several more demons entered through the window to pile on top of him. Daniyah gasped and backed up a step. The remaining demons jumped in the fray to completely cover him. Fear welled up inside her as tears stung her eyes.

Suddenly Magnus burst from the pile to his feet with a roar tossing demons into the air. He grabbed the closest one to him and turned its head until it popped off its body. He reached for another demon and ran it through with his sword. Lifting his weapon, he twisted his body at the waist in a deadly arc killing the last few that surrounded him. Magnus stood in the middle of the room with burning ash all around him, breathing hard, still standing is his swing pose.

Daniyah plopped down to sit. Holy shit!

Magnus faced the door and the window for a few more moments waiting for more demons to appear, but none did. Bringing his attention back to the steps, he lowered his sword and stared directly at her.

“Daniyah, I asked you to go upstairs. I did not want you to see me like that.”

“I—I was, but—”

Magnus returned his sword to its hiding place and made his way back to her.

“Forgive me. Your mind must be going a mile a minute. I can see how this whole ordeal would be overwhelming for you. Come, I will show you to the bathroom so you can clean up while I’ll take care of downstairs.”

Daniyah nodded and followed him up the stairs.

“You may use this room. I believe there is clothing in the closet. Feel free to use whatever you like after your shower. I will be downstairs when you are done.”

Magnus opened the door and then closed it behind him. Daniyah removed the fur coat and her tattered clothes and walked directly to the bathroom. She started the shower, stepped in, and exhaled as the warm water rushed over her torso. After a few minutes, she leaned forward to direct the water down her back.

“Okay, Daniyah, is this really a hard decision? I mean, what kind of life do you really have without Magnus? Hmm. Okay, girl, pros, and cons. I live in a small town, work at a dead-end job doing fluff pieces on a small-town paper with no one to love me. Pitiful con. Would anyone even miss me if I were gone.” She rolled her eyes. “Okay, well maybe Ryan would notice, but do I want to live the rest of his life with only my college friend to care if I live or die?” She pressed her lips together. “Not to mention the possibility of demonic minions coming after me for the rest of my life. That’s a definite con.”

Daniyah shifted her position away from the water to lean against the wall. “Okay, pros. What are the pros of being with Magnus? Well, he’s into me, that’s good to know. He can protect me, and he wants to. That’s a definite pro. No one has ever affected me like he does, but is that really him or the wine?” She chuckled. “Or does that even matter. He’s super cute. I can definitely see myself looking into that handsome face forever, that’s for sure.” She wiped away the liquid that misted into her face. “Oh man, what is really going on with me.”

Daniyah let out a slow breath and washed up. She left the bathroom in search of something to wear. Opening the closet, she smiled.

“Ohh,” she said removing a nightie from the closet. “Beautiful,” she muttered bringing the garment close to her. The light flowing material glided in the air as she spun around. “Obviously, he has had women at this house before.” Abruptly she stopped and shook her head. “Nope. Don’t go down that road. Whoever was here was before your time.”

She quickly slipped into the silky negligee and returned downstairs. The room looked as clean as it did when they first arrived and Magnus stood at the bar. He turned and smiled when he saw her.

“Daniyah, you look beautiful. May I?” he asked opening his arms.

She closed the distance between them accepting his hug.

“Come sit with me. I will try to make sense of this night. Here, finish your drink.”

Daniyah nodded accepting the glass he handed to her.

“A long time ago I was told that I would find my true mate on this day at that very party. The Seer in our community didn’t mention who she was or what she even looked like, only that I would know her when I saw her. When I saw you standing outside the party I was unsure at first because you were outside, contemplating entering, but once I saw you inside watching those dancers with all that pent up passion burning within those magnificent brown eyes of yours I knew it was you.”

Daniyah finished the delicious liquid in two swallows. Magnus’s explanation eased through the erotic fog the drink had formed around Daniyah’s consciousness. Its meaning fueled the fire already burning inside her. She opened her mouth to tell him something, but a lustful wave assailed her body. Her stuttered groan left her lips instead and she leaned back against the sofa again.

“Do you really like the drink, Daniyah?”

Daniyah wanted to scream, Oh God yes! but she was afraid that only a moan would come from her mouth if she opened again. Instead, she nodded instead. Magnus took the glass from her and her eyes popped open. He put the glasses on the coffee table across from the couch then turned back to her.

“How do you feel?” Magnus asked.

Daniyah smiled. “I feel incredible. What kind of wine is this? It was delicious.”

“It was blood wine.”

When Magnus’s words made it through the fog surrounding her head panic joined the feelings surging through his body.

“Did you say blood wine? As in there was blood in the wine?” Daniyah looked into the empty glass then shook her head disbelievingly. “What the hell Magnus! Why would you give me wine that has blood in it?”

Magnus left his seat on the couch to position himself on the floor before her.

“Daniyah, don’t be angry with me. The blood will heal you and help me to remove the demon mark from your body. As long as their mark remains on you, they will be able to find you wherever you go.”

Daniyah looked down at Magnus’ handsome face hovering between her legs. Her breathing quickened the longer Magnus sat there.

“How—how did they mark me?”

Magnus pushed her thighs apart and touched the dark red marks on both sides. Daniyah's eyes widened.

“I’m assuming they made these scrapes on your skin. They have tasted your flesh. That’s how they found us. They will be able to track you as long as you’re alive.”

“But I didn’t see Jack when—”

“Jack and two others that were at the site where I found you were still human. They are dead and can’t come for you, but the demi-demons regenerated and came here to get you. They will do so again in time and continue to seek you out to get back in the good graces with their master. In order to save you, I must take their mark from you and connect you to me instead.”

Daniyah’s breathing accelerated. “How—how are you going to do that?”

Magnus smiled again, but this time it was a mischievous one with a lustful edge to it. Still looking into Magnus’s eyes Daniyah watched as he pushed the delicate fabric up to her waist. She took in a sharp breath as he pressed his mouth to the junction between her legs. The warm wet heat of Magnus’s mouth on her vulva was incredible! His lips and tongue worked together to bring her extraordinary pleasure. Magnus held her gaze as she stared into his passion-filled eyes while he expertly flicked her clit.

A massive shudder passed over her body and her head fell back. She gripped the sides of Magnus’ head, her fingers playing in the silky dark strands. A moan from Magnus drifted up to Daniyah’s ears and fueled her already fast pace to ecstasy. She fisted the soft strands.

Magnus sucked harder and faster seemingly sensing her end was near. Daniyah filled the air around them with another erotic moan until her pent pent-up passion finally broke loose.

Chapter Four

Endless moments passed after Magnus swallowed all evidence of her release. When Daniyah’s ragged breathing returned to normal, Magnus took his place beside her to pull Daniyah close. She rested her head on his shoulder and let Magnus hold her for a while before her curiosity finally broke the tender silence.

“Magnus, what are you?”

Magnus sighed and then his large hand caressed her head.

“I am a vampire, Daniyah.”

Daniyah let out a slow deep breath and let the meaning of his words sink into her mind.

“Are there a lot of you?”

“Yes, my clan is very large and we live all around the world.”

“What do you want with me?” she asked after a few more moments.

“The vampires keep the demons in check, so they don’t kill off the humans. When that happens, I am one of the few that have the skill to deal with them.”

She gasped as quick memories flashed in her mind of his recent battle.

“I have been without a mate for a long time, Daniyah. The combination of my strength and insatiable lust dictates that I must be careful who I bring to my bed,” Magnus said continuing. “I need a woman that is my physical equal so that she will be able to handle my prowess while I am making love to her.”

A lustful shiver went through Daniyah’s body at Magnus’s words. Her body was still recouping from the fantastic orgasm Magnus had given her and yet she felt her loins heating again.

“I wanted to ask the council to be released from my duties as a demon regulator.”

Daniyah lifted her head. “But why? If you are one of the gifted ones, they need you to keep the balance, why would you want out?” she asked.

“Because I am lonely. Being a regulator is a demanding position. You are constantly on the move. Although I have been at this place for many years, my duties leave me with little time mate.”

“Oh.” Daniyah eased back down to return her head to Magnus’ shoulder.

“My clan is very large and we are spread out all over the world. There are many with different gifts,” Magnus continued. “The council consists of vampires that represent each of those gifts. At our yearly meeting in the Mojave Desert about fifty years ago my meloncholey was noticed and I was granted permission to have a wife. The Seer on the council told me I would find her at the party we were at tonight in a hundred and fifty years. I began to make my way east and found this house twenty years ago so I could fight the demon of the lake.”

“Wait. Back up,” she said sitting up. “What are you saying? You have been waiting one hundred and fifty years...for me?”

Magnus smiled and caressed her face. “Daniyah, I would have waited one thousand years to have a lifetime with you.”

Daniyah’s breath caught.  Shaken by his words and his touch she eased back down to Magnus’ shoulder and then pulled the arm that was around the couch around her.

“Once I realized who you were at the party, I lured you into the VIP section. I wanted to approach you in a more intimate setting. I saw you watching the dancers. I wanted to smell your arousal so bad that I went around the long way around the dance floor so I wouldn’t interrupt your line of sight. Unfortunately, by the time I reached your seat, you were gone.”

Magnus’s grip tightened around Daniyah’s shoulder.

“I searched the whole room and when I couldn’t find you, I went out the back door. That’s when I saw you stumbling behind Jack in the distance. I was furious when I realized what was going on.”

Daniyah put her hand on top of Magnus’s fingers.

“Magnus...”

Immediately Magnus lifted his hand. “Forgive me, Daniyah. The thought of them wanting you for their ritual and the things I know they would have done to you... I couldn’t let that happen. Not when I had already claimed you for myself.”

Magnus took in a slow, deep breath then abruptly pushed Daniyah to a sitting position, turned her toward him, and captured her lips in a rough, dominating kiss. Daniyah melted into to commanding kiss loving how powerful and strong Magnus was. When he broke the kiss Daniyah saw the unquestionable sparks of lust dancing in his eyes.

“Daniyah, the blood I gave you has healed your body and removed the mark of the demons, but they have tasted you and will still be able to track you.”

Daniyah hadn’t noticed until then that the painful scrapes on her breasts and thighs were no longer hurting. All other feelings fell to the wayside in the wake of her growing excitement.

“I can save you from all of them permanently. I can take care of your boss, the lake demon, and all of his minions, but you must be mine for me to do that. I cannot fully protect what is not mine. The blood has not only healed you, but its effect on you has also told me that you are capable of being my mate. The pleasure it gave you as you drank only happens when you are compatible with a vampire. Any other human would have died when the blood entered his system,” Magnus explained quickly.

“Magnus, I—“

“We have already done two of the three steps to make you mine, Daniyah,” Magnus continued.

“Two of the three?“

Magnus grabbed both her hands and brought them to his lips to kiss them. “Yes, there are three things that a vampire must do to make a human his mate for life. One is to test the human by giving her the blood of a vampire elder. If she survives then he has passed the first test.”

“Oh.” Daniyah didn’t want to think of what happened to the humans who didn’t pass the first test.

“The second is to taste your flesh to make you a part of me. I have tasted you,” he paused to bring his face close to rest their foreheads together, “and now you are a part of my soul,” he finished in a softer voice. “I know all about you now. Your likes and dislikes and I think you’re wonderful. The Seer was right to send me to you. We are perfectly matched and meant to be. I will give my all to you and go above and beyond to make you happy if you allow me.”

Daniyah swallowed hard as another tingly sensation surged through her body.

“The only other thing left to do is to join our bodies as one. So, I am asking you now, Daniyah, will you be my mate? Will you let me make love to you and complete the third step?”

Magnus slipped his arms around her waist pulling her into a lover’s embrace. His raw sexuality and power pulsed like an aura around him drawing Daniyah toward him even more. Being in his arms sent her senses into a frenzy.

Is this such a hard decision? Above all, Magnus is offering me his love, affection, and protection forever. That’s a long time for someone that doesn’t die. Isn’t that the biggest pro of all?

Magnus adjusted his arms around her and exhaled.

Daniyah smiled. Oh yes. I could do this forever.

“Yes, Magnus.”

Daniyah felt Magnus’s body tense slightly before he released her.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m saying yes to your question. I will be your mate, Magnus.”

A beautiful smile accompanied a joyful light in Magnus’s eyes. At that moment Daniyah realized she always wanted to see it there. Magnus pulled her back into his embrace for another kiss. He pushed his tongue into her mouth. Their tongues danced together for a while. Magnus abruptly sucked her tongue into his mouth reminding her of when his talented mouth was between her legs. The tender almost loving connection he showed her earlier was gone. The clear purpose of this kiss was to ignite the embers of desire within her and it was working.

Magnus’s erection grew between them, hard and insistent. She boldly rubbed against it wanting to feel their bodies connect. Daniyah hugged him gripping at the muscles on Magnus’ back and tugging on his shirt. Abruptly Magnus broke the kiss. Daniyah gasped and looked at him wide-eyed. Her mouth opened to protest, but Magnus touched her lips with a finger. Daniyah swallowed her words and waited. Magnus scooped her from the floor, moved around the sofa, and laid her down.

Daniyah watched Magnus’ hands intently as they opened each button painstakingly slow. She bit her lip and fought back the urge to rip the shirt off him. Finally, he revealed his pale and solid chest to her. Small, dark swirls of hair reached across from one muscular pec to the other. Daniyah’s shifted her gaze as Magnus undid his pants. His long, thick cock sprang free when he pushed them and his underwear to the floor. Magnus stood quietly before her. Daniyah looked at him for a few moments more before Magnus removed her nightie then leaned forward to cover her body with his own.

“You will be happy and safe with me Daniyah and you will want for nothing in my care,” he promised her.

Daniyah smiled. Magnus lowered his face to the crook of her neck and sniffed loudly. When his head rose to look at her again, his eyes had changed. The sparkle in his eyes was replaced by a fierce almost predatory look. Daniyah swallowed hard.

“M- Magnus, are you okay?”

The silver in his eyes turned crimson as he smiled. “Never better,” he growled.

Daniyah gasped softly.

Magnus slipped his hands beneath her ass and flipped her roughly to her stomach. He hoisted Daniyah up by the waist and all but tossed her over the arm of the couch. Though frightened at Magnus’s sudden change, exhilaration sored through her. She hung over the couch with her ass in the air feeling exposed and vulnerable wanting whatever was going to happen more than words could say.

The weight on the couch shifted and Magnus’s footsteps lead away from her. Magnus returned quickly and the immediate pressure against clit made her jump. Slowly he inserted a finger into her. Back and forth Magnus slid his finger into her slippery core. Daniyah moaned shamelessly.  He added another finger and then another sending more thrilling sensations through her body. Finally, when the fingers were removed, they were replaced by his thick cock.

“Oh!”

Daniyah gripped the arm of the couch. She tried to relax, but the fingers had not truly prepared her for the wholly intimate, erotic, and wonderful feeling of Magnus’s erection. A soft growl drifted to her ears when he began moving inside her and Magnus’s growl grew louder. Daniyah pushed back to meet him stroke for stroke moving her quickly toward a powerful orgasm. Goosebumps rose on her skin at each lightning strike of pleasure that waved over her.

Magnus gripped her shoulders and pressed into her even more. Another ripple of pleasure rushed through Daniyah’s body. Suddenly something exploded within her that stole his breath and sent her to the next level of ecstasy. She groaned. Magnus continued to thrust into her, pounding hard, gripping her shoulders roughly.

As her orgasm loomed near, Daniyah hoped she was giving Magnus as much pleasure as he was giving her. She reached beneath them to grip Magnus’ balls as they swayed back and forth against her. To her delight, Magnus let out another primal growl.

“You feel so good,” Magnus said in a strained voice. "So tight and hot. You will make me an excellent companion, Daniyah."

Magnus’ words of endearment added to the exquisite feelings he gave her and pushed Daniyah over the edge of bliss. Once again, she shouted her joy as her body shook with another release.

Magnus continued to pump into Daniyah’s heated core with a death grip on her shoulders. His stamina did not give way. Daniyah hung over the back of the couch, shaky and exhausted, enjoying the after-effects of her orgasm. His continued administrations kept her excitement levels on high alert giving her waves and waves of continuous pleasure. Daniyah lost track of how long Magnus stroked her. It seemed to go on forever. She lost count of how many times she had come. Just as exhaustion threatens to claim her, Magnus’s cock exploded deep inside her.

“Now, my beautiful Daniyah, I make you mine forever,” Magnus breathed heavily next to her ear.

The searing pain of Magnus’s teeth on her neck lasted on a moment. She gasped just as the darkness that separated her from her new life had claimed her.

Epilogue

“Hey, Daniyah, I know you’re about to leave, but you got a minute?”

“Yeah, come in Ryan. What’s on your mind?”

Ryan took the seat in front of her desk. “I was just thinking, since you’re the boss now, maybe you shouldn’t be working as hard as you do.”

Daniyah turned away from her computer. “Uh-huh. And why do you say that?”

“Yeah, I mean, there is no reason for you to do extra work around the office, right? That’s what we’re for. Ever since Mr. Evans left you’ve cleaned up this place and hired some really good reporters, too. Someone has to be going out of town doing stories, right?”

Daniyah smiled at her friend. “Ah, so that’s what this is about. Halloween is next week and that party in Indianapolis is happening.”

“All I’m saying is that you already have your hands full with updating the online paper daily, checking everyone’s articles and you’ve got Magnus now. You shouldn’t have to take time away from your personal life to go out of town for a story.”

“I’m touched that you care so much about my personal life, Ryan.”

“Hey, what are friends for,” Ryan replied in an amused tone. “Truth be told, I’ve always been on team boyfriend for you,” he added with a lecherous wink.

“You are absolutely right, Ryan. I will send someone to cover that party. Thanks for the idea. I’m sure Bennett will be glad to do it,” Daniyah said and turned back to her computer.

Ryan’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

Daniyah laughed. “I’m kidding. I already got your ticket to the party and the VIP room. What kind of friend would I be to keep you away from honeys at a party?” Daniyah asked coming around her desk.

Ryan laughed and let Daniyah lead him from the room. “You scared me for a minute there, Daniyah.”

Daniyah walked them to the front door and smiled when she saw Magnus waiting in the car. She turned to her friend and hugged him.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got you. I just have two things in the way of advice that I want you to follow, Ryan,” she said pulling away.

“What’s that?”

“Get your own drinks and stay away from pirates.”

Daniyah laughed at her friend’s confused expression and waved goodbye as Magnus drove them away.

The End

About Dana Littlejohn

Where sensual erotic romance is always waiting for you.

I am Dana Littlejohn, author of sensual erotic romance. You will find that I write contemporary romances with just a hint of another genre to take it away from the ordinary. My stories will touch your heart and your soul and make your body feel like it's being touched, too.

Imagination will take you places your money can not. I invite you into my world with open arms to see my imagination run wild...

Come along for the ride as I go on an imaginary trip into my world. You'll enjoy every minute of this wild ride.

Also by Dana Littlejohn

Ivy’s Hot Shots

Aphrodite's Day Off

The Power of the Bayou

Wolf Blood Moon

The High Road Club

The Beast Within

Tri-Romance

The Right Choice

Seven Year Switch

His Favorite Dessert

Negasi’s Princess

Third Place Is The Best Place

Watch for more at https://www.danalittlejohn.com/