Blood Runs Through the Heart Read online

  As she came up for air this time, she dove and gulped a breath of air before she went back under the water. The sun melted the back of her head, but that didn’t hurt as bad as her face. Searching under the water, she looked for anything to cover her skin. Long grass waved with the current on the river bottom. Raven pulled some large pieces away, wrapping her arms in the seaweed grass. The cooling sensation relived the pain from her charred skin. A few more diving attempts and most of her body was wrapped in this miracle grass. Memorizing the layout of the river with each dive, she concluded that getting back in the hole would be a challenge. The current was too strong. Greenage caught her eye at the edge of the water. It was a bush that hung over the water. She swam underwater until reaching the low-hanging branches. Coming to the surface, she breathed in the air. The air stung her lungs, but she wasn’t on fire. She grabbed the branch and floated underneath.

  “Please, help me,” She pleaded.

  Raven’s entire body ached by the time the moon shone over the river. She healed the bones but was too weak to fix the burns. Half her face was gone, and her whole left hand was bones. She needed blood. Swimming to the other side of the river, she crawled her way through the mud. Raven’s leg, damaged with her pants, scorched into the back of her leg. She was unable to stand. She started to claw her way through the brush.

  An hour later and Raven only managed a quarter of a mile. Creeping at such a slow pace over limbs and branches became an impossible mission. She thought about Brandy Lee being alone and how she fell in love with the woman. Memories surfaced of the sweet taste of her lips. Moans so delicious that they drove her over the edge and into an explosive orgasm. The thoughts of their first time eased the pain. Her mind shifted to her mentor, Queen Lana. How she wished she had studied harder under her. She was a second mother figure to her, and an essential person in her life. Her short life.

  Raven’s body collapsed. The world faded to gray. She fought the unconscious state that loomed close by, but it was too much. Her vision became blurred, her lips dry. She rolled over to her back. Something black hovered over her. Fear beat in her heart. This was it. She was going to die. The blur that filled her vision was about to eat her for dinner, and she was the main course. A bear? A panther? It didn’t matter. She prepared herself for the end.

  Something grabbed at her shirt, and then she felt her body be dragged over stumps and roots. She tried to look back at the massive animal pulling her through the woods, but she couldn’t see past her nose. Maybe baby bear cubs were waiting for her arrival so they could devour her body in the luxury of their den. In and out of reality, with groans escaping during the conscious moments, she looked up at the trees catching glimpses of the moon.

  Her body dumped in some bushes like unwanted trash. Her eyes closed tight, waiting for the kill. Nothing. The animal that dragged her over a mile through the woods was gone. She inhaled a breath. She coughed, and blood filled her mouth. That can’t be good! She thought.

  Time escaped her as she rolled over, landing face first in the dirt. She groaned in pain and could hear voices close by. Her ears could neither tell who was speaking nor the words, but she could make out the sound of women talking. Maybe, Brandy Lee. She mustered all her strength and yelled. “Bran . . .” before the dryness in her throat strangled her words. Fuck! Come on, Raven! This may be your only chance. The thoughts yelled at her. Get up, Bitch! Another inside scream.

  She mustered all her strength, pushing up on one knee. She reached, finding an ankle. Her burned fingers wrapped around and squeezed with all her might. Her head pushed through the bushes to see the most beautiful golden eyes staring down at her. Brandy Lee. The fear in the young girl’s eyes told it all. She looked like a monster.

  21

  Just Breathe

  “I can’t stop the bleeding,” Brandy Lee replaced the red-stained cloth with a fresh white one. Blood seeped from the gaping holes. “Raven, look at me. How do I help you?” She watched as the scared woman's eyes fluttered open.

  “Blood.” The one word whispered out. Raven’s backpack was lost in the underground current, along with the remaining bags of blood.

  “No. No. Open your eyes. Peggy, we need blood. Give me my bag.” Brandy Lee searched through her bag, finding the red vial of blood. She broke it over Raven’s lips.

  Raven kept her eyes closed, but she drank the blood with earnest. The two ladies waited to see if there was a change. Raven stayed the same. No strength gained. No healing. Nothing.

  “Isn’t that wolf’s blood? She needs human, a pure animal, or another vampire.” Peggy said.

  “What about your blood?” Brandy Lee asked in hope.

  “No. My blood will kill her. Maybe we can find an animal. I will go look outside.” Just as she unzipped the tent, thunder roared across the sky. Lightning slammed into the ground, inches from the tent. “What the hell?” She exclaimed as she fell back on her butt.

  Brandy Lee turned her head back to see a storm brewing on the horizon. Everything was pitch black. There was no way they could find any animals in that storm. A moan brought her attention back to Raven.

  Her skin was the color of bleach. Gurgles emerged from the back of her throat, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath. Then she stopped. Silence. No gurgling; no breaths. Silence. The blood stopped running through her heart. Raven was dead.

  “Nooo!” Brandy Lee screamed. She came to her knees and started pumping Raven’s chest. She counted out loud with each thrust down. “One, two, three . . . Thirty!” She breathed into her mouth. She repeated. “One, two, three . . . Thirty!” She breathed into her mouth twice again. Her hands pumped hard. “You are not finding your way back to me, only to die. Start your heart back up.” Brandy Lee felt a hand on her upper arm. She shrugged her shoulder, pushing it away. There was no stopping until Raven’s heart was beating on its own again. A breath passed from Brandy Lee’s mouth into Raven’s, and it happens. Raven arched her back and inhaled deeply. She was alive.

  The raging storm blew the sides of the tent relentlessly. The bottom felt like it was lifting with each gust. It sounded like a train was coming through the campground with the loud whistle blowing like it was on full throttle. In the distance, the branches cracked under the wind pressure. The trees uprooted, slamming to the ground and causing the earth to shake. If one toppled on the tent, well, there was no time to think about that.

  With a massive twirl, the wind unzipped the front of the tent. Peggy struggled to her feet while Brandy Lee fell atop of Raven for protection. In a fight for her life, Peggy pulled down hard on the zipper. The wind was putting up a significant front of resistance. One hard last yank and the tent closed. Peggy sat there on her knees, her head lowered in a state of exhaustion.

  Brandy Lee raised off Raven to find her looking up at her. “Hey there. Welcome back.”

  “Hi,” Weakness in her words evident. “I’m thirsty.”

  Brandy Lee touched the side of her face that remained healthy. The decision got made before she asked herself the question. It won’t change her condition. It would quench her thirst but not heal her. She wanted Raven to drink from her.

  Slipping her fingers around the back of Raven’s head, she lifted her head and placed her arm to her mouth. “Drink, my love.” The look she received from Raven was one of confusion and fear. Brandy Lee repeated her words. “Drink. It is okay.”

  Raven’s fangs extended and dug into the flesh. She drained the red liquid. Pressing in harder, she fed. It tasted so good, and Raven was having problems controlling her need. A tingle rippled over her skin. The feeling grew stronger as she filled her belly with the sweet nectar. Her fingers stung as nerves connected back together. Raven was healing slowly, and she was recovering.

  The woman she loved was feeding on her. The blood dripped down the sides of her lips. She was so eager it was erotic. A sensation settled in her center, and Brandy Lee moaned. With eyes closed, her fingers tangled in Raven’s hair as she struggled to hold Raven’s head up. Brandy Lee closed her eyes tighter. Whatever Raven was doing to her felt good. She bit her lip, but it didn’t help. Jesus. About to come, she tossed her head back. She didn’t scream her climax; it was silent. Waves of electric pulses shot through her body. She came in silence.

  Brandy Lee opened her eyes to meet emerald eyes looking at her. Was she being watched? By Raven or Peggy? A blush crossed her face but disappeared fast. Her jaw dropped open. Raven was healing. The side of her eye enclosed, and the skin repaired to new. Her hand became covered in veins and nerves, connecting like a road map.

  “Peggy, come here,” Brandy Lee said. “Hold her head up.” She pulled her arm away from Raven’s mouth. Raven groaned in disagreement. Brandy Lee looked deep into Raven's eyes, and she could see the strength and glow back in her. Pulling her blonde hair to the side, she noticed Raven’s eyes widen.

  The vampire shook her head.

  Brandy Lee leaned over, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. “Yes,” A husky voice whispered. She leaned over, and when the fangs pierced her jugular, she released a low growl that vibrated through the tent. Her hands twisted the blankets beneath her to stay upright. It didn’t hurt. Once again, it was erotic.

  Peggy felt the strength in Raven’s neck grow until she could release the hold. Wrapping her hand around Brandy Lee’s head, she pulled her closer. With her face buried under the blonde hair, Raven ate. She healed. But at the expense of Brandy Lee, she weakened and collapsed on top of her. Raven pulled away, as fangs retracted from the artery. Her head flung backward, and she screamed. Brandy Lee’s blood trailed down the sides of her mouth. With the face and hand healed, Raven looked anew, refreshed, and stronger than ever before.

  Raven picked up Brandy Lee and laid her down. She felt for a pulse. Good. It
was strong.

  “What’s the matter with her?” Peggy asked, placing a pillow under her head.

  “She passed out. Her pulse is strong, but her blood needs to replace itself.” Raven answered.

  “Will she be a vampire now?” Another question by Peggy.

  “No, we can’t change she-wolves. I took a lot of blood from her. I don’t know how her blood healed me. It’s impossible. A she-wolf’s blood is no good to vampires. It lacks a DNA strand that can heal us or help us get stronger. I don’t understand.”

  Peggy looked at the glow radiating from Raven. “Whatever the reason, it changed you. Maybe it’s the royal blood that runs through her, and that’s why you healed from it.”

  “I guess.” Raven's attention got pulled back to Brandy Lee when the woman moaned. “Hey, are you waking up for me?”

  “Uh-huh,” Brandy Lee murmured. “Why am I so tired?”

  “You worked hard at helping me get better. Get some sleep.” Raven snuggled in beside Brandy Lee, spooning her. The storm slowed outside.

  Peggy took a quick peek. The sun was only an hour away from rising. “Hey guys, the storm has almost ceased. I will check the surrounding area and make sure no trees will fall on us. Make sure the blank panther left.”

  Raven lifted her head. “Did you say black panther?”

  “Yes, she was here earlier. We got attacked by Theo earlier. I don’t know from where the panther came. It was as if she dropped from the sky, but she saved us from Theo. I am sure she was looking for her next meal, but her timing couldn’t have been better. Just as we were about to die at the hands of Theo, she attacked him and dragged him into the forest. She killed him.”

  “Umm, that is odd. A black panther? Something dragged me through the woods and dropped me off in that bush.”

  “She has shown up at the best times, and she hasn’t eaten us yet. We have been lucky. Okay, I’ll be back.” Peggy said before disappearing out of the flap of the tent.

  Raven spooned Brandy Lee again. Soft snores emerged from a tired woman. Raven rubbed her head. “You saved me, Brandy Lee, and not just by your blood. When I was about to give up and die, all I could think of was how I needed to get back to you. You put the drive in my heart.” Raven tucked a strand of hair behind the sleeping beauty’s ear. “I’m falling in love with you. No, that’s a lie. I’m in love with you.” Raven laid her head down on her pillow.

  “I love you too!” The whisper escaped into the night.

  Cuddling closer, Raven smiled.

  22

  Almost There

  Heaviness Heaven.

  Raven awoke with the heaviness of a leg draped over her body. An arm laid across her stomach and blonde hair covered her chest. She was in heaven. Is this a dream, or did this beautiful creature tell me she loved me last night? What if she doesn’t remember? At this very moment, Raven wished they were back in their hometown of San Francisco sitting by the bay and watching the stars in each other’s arms. Oh, but those were daydreams. The truth was that they remained surrounded by a forest, miles from home, and most likely with trouble ahead. Raven sighed.

  Brandy Lee stirred. “You okay?”

  “Perfect.” Raven gave the truthful response.

  “Where’s Peggy?”

  “She went back out again to scope the area. How do you feel?” Raven pushed the hair away from her face.

  “You tell me?” Brandy Lee replied in a husky voice.

  Raven rolled to her side, her lips inches apart. A hand traced down Brandy Lee’s thigh in a gentle touch. Her legs opened, and Raven moaned with pleasure at the giving. “Look at me,” Raven ordered. She watched the golden eyes get heavy-lidded, passion turning them to a smoky color. “Don’t close your eyes. Watch me.” Raven got rewarded with a deep throaty moan.

  “Raven, you know I climaxed when you were drinking from my arm.”

  “Tell me about it.” Raven knew the drinking of a vampire was an aphrodisiac. She wanted Brandy Lee to tell her, and she wanted to be in complete control. Her energy level was high. A finger slipped inside the silk panties, rolling her finger up and down the wet folds. “Someone’s wet. Now, tell me about that climax.”

  “It started as a tingle down below, and then it was everywhere. As blood pumped from me, my clit throbbed. So bad that I needed to release.”

  “Oh, I like that.” Raven rolled a finger over her clit, and Brandy Lee gasped. “Is your clit throbbing now?”

  “Oh, yes. It is.” Brandy Lee closed her eyes as a wave of wants and needs flooded her.

  “Open your eyes.” Now, this is the third order coming softer and with a deep rattle. Raven’s wetness was already pooling. This woman couldn’t be any sexier. “Show me your breasts.” Raven sucked in air when the top crept up, and two cherry nipples teased. “Beautiful. I will take the right one in my mouth. Keep your eyes open as I suck. Promise?”

  “Yes.” Brandy Lee breathed.

  Raven flicked her tongue over the nipple while glancing up. She buried her face into the small breast, devouring the nipple. Her teeth scraped it ever so lightly. Brandy Lee pushed her hips into her. Raven pulled back.

  “So eager.”

  “Please.”

  “Say my name.”

  “Please, Raven.”

  “You wanted me to tell you how you feel?”

  “Yes, Raven. Tell me.”

  “You are warm and wet. I can feel your clit throbbing, waiting for me to touch it. You have my finger covered in your juices. Mmm, and your hole is trembling. You want me inside fucking you.”

  Brandy Lee grasped Raven's upper arm. “Oh, god, please.”

  “First, this clit. Let me tell you how it feels.” Raven rolled her thumb over the hardened bud. Brandy moaned out. “It’s hard and pulsating.” A more prolonged, louder moan released. “That sounded delicious.” Raven slipped her finger inside. Brandy Lee bucked towards her. “Still eager, I see. You are tight and soft inside.”

  “Fuck! I am going to come.”

  “Look at me, Brandy Lee. Let me see you come.” Raven picked up a rhythm pace. In and out until she felt the onset of a climax. Her finger sunk deep. Raven watched the woman unravel while she rode her orgasm to the end.

  “No more.” Her body spent. Brandy Lee collapsed.

  After recovering, Brandy Lee turned the tables and caught Raven off guard. She was on top of her and straddling her stomach. Her wet thighs were slick with juices. Raven’s arousal was at the limit, so, whatever the woman on top of her had in mind, it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge.

  “My turn.” Brandy Lee looked down.

  Raven smiled. “I am all yours.”

  After their lovemaking, Raven and Brandy Lee fell back asleep. Exhaustion ravaged them from the extra activities, but a familiar voice woke them up.

  “You wanna play?” Peggy said with a giggle.

  Both ladies lifted their heads, and in unison, their voices rang out. “No.” Remembering the last time Peggy asked them to come out and play, they laughed.

  “Then how about some food?” Peggy knew the second question would get more response.

  “Now, that’s a yes. We’ll be out in a moment.” Brandy Lee answered for the two of them. “I’m starved.” They watched the brown hair beauty slip out the tent flap.

  Raven pulled Brandy Lee into a deep kiss once they were alone again. Passion built. It was Brandy Lee that had the strength to pull away. The hunger roaring in her stomach was overwhelming the desire in her heart. “I’m starving.” The accent placed on each word.

  “You’re always starving.” Raven smiled. “I love you.” She whispered.

  “I love you. But I love food too.” She smiled.

  “Okay, okay. Dumped for a meal again.” They laughed.

  The ladies finished the food Peggy prepared, while then packing up the camp. They were looking at a night’s hike before reaching the outskirts of the castle that housed the she-wolves. The plan was to contact the council by the next night, to prove Brandy Lee was an heir of the royal family and then get the kill order removed. It seemed simple, but the ladies knew better than to think it would be anything other than a challenge. First, they hoped they didn’t get killed on the spot. Then, there was the council of the vampires. If they found out Brandy Lee is close, or if they were the ones who ordered the kill, then WWIII would break out.