Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(33)

“Oh, come on now, Jenner,” Arys taunted. “This won’t be the first time you’ve gotten off to me. We both know what this is really about.”

The temperature around us rose several degrees in response to Jenner’s immediate anger. His fists clenched, and he hissed, “Fuck you,” before storming up the steps to the stage.

“What the hell was that about?” I whispered as Jenner announced us to the crowd.

“Cheap shot. Don’t worry about it.”

I resisted when he tugged me up the stairs. “Did you have a thing with him or something?”

“No. Geez, Alexa, I haven’t f**ked everyone in my past.”

Before I could question him further, Arys dragged me into the spotlight where I stood numb, like a deer in the headlights. The audience was silent, watching us curiously. Their energy hummed like a swarm of insects. I rubbed my arms as if that would wipe the annoying prickle of it away. My mouth was so dry I couldn’t swallow. Stage fright gripped me hard as I stared at the onlookers staring back at me. I was sure I’d faint right then and there. Like the fight arena, most of the audience was human. However, I noted an increased vampire presence compared to the earlier show. Shaz was out there. The blinding spotlight kept him hidden in the dark, but I could feel his wolf’s energy.

Jenner stood backstage in the shadows just beyond the stage lighting. I couldn’t see him, but I could feel the weight of his gaze. He was going to be pissed when I vomited all over the place.

Arys was smooth, acknowledging the crowd with a glance and then dismissing them entirely. He turned me to face him, putting the onlookers to my right. My gaze darted from the spotlight where we stood to the chaise lounge several feet away. Overwhelmed wasn’t the right word.

‘I can’t do this,’ I seized hold of the mental door between us and slammed it open.

‘Trust me.’

Lifting my hand, Arys kissed my palm before doing the same to my fingertips. I was painfully aware of the many eyes upon me, watching for my reaction. A gasp slipped out, embarrassingly loud in the silent theatre.

Heat started in the center of my hand. A familiar push of dizzying energy accompanied the growing warmth. I began to relax. It had been a while since Arys had manipulated me, and I almost fell under his thrall, unaware that it was happening.

I stared into his eyes, tumbling headlong into those drowning midnight orbs. Turning my arm to expose my wrist, he dragged his lips over the pulse beating there, never breaking eye contact.

‘Aw, Arys, no fair.’ I tried to say the words aloud, but his actions had stolen my breath. All I mustered was a barely audible, “Why?”

“Because you’re mine,” he said for the benefit of the crowd. To only me, he whispered through my mind, ‘I want you to enjoy this.’

The fear and unease dissolved with every touch of his mouth on my skin. It was a dirty move for Arys to turn his power on me that way. I fell under his influence, becoming the glamoured victim he wanted me to be. The vampire essence within me was no match for Arys. Not until death.

I too had wielded this power over someone else. It felt amazing to be on either side of the vampire and victim power play, at least until the high wore off. Then came the remorse and awkward moments with friends. Or maybe that was just me.

The warm, wet touch of his tongue commanded my full attention. He sucked at my wrist, plumping the veins nicely. Anticipation thrilled through me as I waited to see if he would bite so soon. The audience was tense, wondering the same thing.

Arys knew how to work the rush though, and he ever so gently dragged his fangs over my flesh instead. The growing heat crawled up my arm to engulf my whole body. I had no idea how far Arys was willing to take this. And as the haze of lusty need gripped me, I didn’t care.

The seconds felt like hours under his careful touch. Leaving my wrist unmarked, Arys moved to the sensitive inner crook of my elbow. Again, he teased my senses with a flick of his tongue. If having me beg for his bite was what he wanted, he would make it happen.

It no longer occurred to me to be unnerved by the watching crowd. Only one person had seen Arys and me in action. He was currently numbing out in the audience, saddled with security. How would Shaz feel watching now that he wasn’t part of it?

Soft music began to play, echoing throughout the theatre. It broke up the stillness but encouraged the mood. Only when Arys pressed his lips to mine did I realize I was holding my breath. It slipped out as a ragged sigh.

His kiss was aggressive, a commanding assault on my mouth. Desire flared its wings wide within me, tickling my insides like butterflies. Deep within my core, I felt it, a yearning for him that could never be matched nor fully sated.

“Do you feel that?” He whispered against my lips. “I’m inside every part of you.”

The power built harder, faster and stronger every time we called it together. It had started to feel second nature, which was a nice change from the earlier confusion and mayhem.

Arys’s pupils were huge, excitement making his eyes a deep, drowning black. Nobody would be left untouched by the high when he was done here. I tried to pull him in for more, but he avoided my grasp, slipping around to stand behind me. His chest was firm against my back. Pulling my hair aside, he stripped me of the choker, baring my neck. His arms went around me. Holding me tight, Arys breathed deeply of my scent. He groaned, a low sound rife with hunger, a sexy murmur in my ear.