Call Of The Dark

Lazarus went out to hunt for dry branches even though the sun was dangerously coming up. If he didn't go back inside the cave soon, he could end up burning his skin, but Emma's comfort was extremely important. The mate had kicked in so severely that he couldn't deny it even if he wanted to. He realized that he could never deny it right from day one. He was only denying himself.

He looked up at the cave's mouth and saw Nephie perched at the roof. She lowered her big head to stare at him and tilted it as if asking him as to where he was going, leaving Emma all alone. Lazarus jumped on Titan. "I am going to find dry branches. Emma is cold," he explained, satisfied that she was there to take care of her. Saying that he kicked Titan into a gallop.

Nephie let out a deep sigh. Her breath clouded in front of her. She flared her wings wide and shot in the air. Soon she was flying above him.

"Go back, Nephie!" he growled. "She is alone!"

But Nephie didn't listen to him. She flew south and was out of sight within a few minutes. Anger bubbled inside his chest. Lazarus scowled at her. He traced to the nearest thicket that was there. All the trees were damp. His worries increased as the rays of the sun came up. He traced to the next thicket where once again, the trees were damp. Not a single dry branch. Suddenly, he heard a screech above him and saw Nephie carrying a pile of logs in her claws in the cave's direction.

He shook his head and then traced back to the cave. Nephie came soon after. She dropped the logs in front of him and went to sit on the roof like a guardian. He picked up the logs and carried them all inside. Emma was sitting huddled up in a corner. His chest squeezed for her. He opened his cloak and wrapped it around her. "I will start a fire soon, Emma."

She nodded and he couldn't help but press a kiss on her temple. He rushed to make fire. He had never been the kind to make fire or care for anyone because he was so used to being cared for. But now he felt that he could do everything for this little mortal out here. The word 'mortal' pinched him inside. But he shoved those emotions. He would figure out something.

As soon as the fire crackled to life, he spread fur in front of it. "Come here, Emma," he said, going to her. She held his extended hand and got up. She looked so weak that he grabbed her by her shoulders and brought her to sit on the fur. He smoothed her hair back and said, "You said you will forgive me, won't you?"

"No, I won't," she replied and before she knew it, her hand was on his cheek. His eyes were a dull red, which meant he needed blood. "Are you hungry?" she asked, baring her neck on purpose.

Lazarus swallowed down his dry throat when his gaze locked on her pulse point. She was irresistible, but how could he even have a drop of her blood when she was so weak. "I am fine," he said in a very low voice. "It is you who needs nourishment." He leaned in her hand and kissed her palm.

The saddlebag was lying beside the fur. He grabbed it and took out meat wrapped in a cloth. "That's all I could manage," he said. An oat loaf was next. "And this." He picked up a long, sturdy stick and skewered meat in it. He roasted it over the fire while making sure that it didn't get overly cooked.

Emma was feeling so weak that she lowered herself to the fur and watched him cooking for her. His skin appeared golden as the amber light of fire danced on him. His lips looked so red that if she bit them slightly, she was sure they would bleed. His beautiful golden hair was like a crown and they fell over his face as he worked over the food. She had this urge to tuck them behind and place a kiss on his cheeks. Only one red mark was visible on his right cheek. But why wasn't it healing? She saw it when he had returned to take her from Shira's place.

The meat was cooked and Lazarus warmed the oat bread. He turned to her and plucked small pieces of meat to give her after wrapping them in bread. She had flipped on her belly, propped both her elbows up and rested her chin on them. She opened her mouth as he gave her the food. She would chew it and her heart surged with warmth. More than her, it was him who loved feeding her. She lifted her legs up behind and moved them lazily as she chewed on the meat. "Won't you eat this?" she asked.

"No…" she replied and gave her more. He was enjoying watching her eat it. He thought he could never get tired of watching her eat. He wiped the crumbs off her lips and said, "This was all I could manage…"

"And it's more than enough," she said. She got up in the cat position and then crawled up to him. He chuckled and pulled her in his lap. She rested her head against his chest as he continued to feed her. "Where did you go?"

He remembered the inn owner and his chest rumbled with an angry growl. "It's of no concern. Don't worry."

"Will you trace me to Wilyra?" she said, drawing lazy circles on his chest. It was impossible to stay away from him.

"Are you feeling well?" he asked with a frown. He just didn't want to take chances with her health.

"I am sure I will by the time evening falls. So will you trace me there?"

His throat bobbed. "We will see." He realized that he didn't want this beautiful time he was spending with her to stop.

She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his chest. He stopped breathing because this was not just a casual kiss. This one was full of desire. For him. How could a girl make him feel so needy just with a kiss? "Emma, you are weak and if you kiss me more, I am sure you would end up beneath me. I am going to do something with you."

"Will you do naughty things with me?" she asked, raising her eyebrow up.

Lazarus poked his tongue in his cheek as he gazed at her intensely. "How dirty are you thinking?"

"As dirty as it gets?"

Lusty little piece. "Maybe you can define it for me."

She opened her legs slightly. Taking his hand, she placed it on her belly and started taking it lower, lower, lower.

"Fuck!" he growled as his fangs lengthened. "I could devour you there and suck you. Would you allow me, Emma?"

"There's only one way to test it?"

He grabbed her sex with his large hand. "I will have to take a raincheck on that Emma."

She pouted. "Why?"

"Because you need a lot of rest. And if I start, I am afraid I won't stop."