Call of the Wylde Read online

  Colette related everything that happened to Niam and Kirstie to the dark haired druid. A couple of times, she stopped and he retrieved them snacks and drinks. He laughed and urged her to continue. At the end, she set down her plate and leaned back. “Then Niam sent me to give you the torc while chasing my own lead.”

  “You’re well versed in genetics, since you deal with fertility issues?” Owain asked suddenly.

  “The basics with an emphasis on fertility. Why?”

  “Niam told you I’m a doctor, right?” Seeing her nod, he continued. “I’m doing private research. My brothers and myself privately fund it. It’s dealing with genetic makeup of vampires and to see if it’s reversible, especially since we know that vampires are made, not born.”

  “You’re hoping to find a cure for you and your brothers?” Colette scooted closer, her interest evident.

  “Well, for two of my brothers and myself.” He waved away the words she was about to say. “I know that Niam doesn’t mind being a vampire, but it’s the idea of being able to stop other vampires, even if he’s finally embraced his vampire life. Would you be interested in being my assistant for a while?”

  “What’s in it for me?”

  “You get to indulge in some pure research, spend time with me, and hopefully make the vampires forget who you are and what you are, so you can go back to your old life in a couple of months or so.”

  “Can I have a day or two to consider this? It’s a bit overwhelming realizing I can’t just go home again.”

  Owain nodded as he stood up. “Definitely. Why don’t we get dressed, retrieve your luggage from my car and I’ll answer some of your questions.”

  Colette joined him, letting her towel drop. “Sure.”

  He watched her swagger past him and he chuckled as she winked. “Trying to tempt me to play some more, Col?”

  “Whatever works, O.”

  “Did you just call me, O?” Owain asked in disbelief.

  “Damn straight. You call me Col, I call you O, as in the big O,” she chuckled as she grabbed various pieces of clothing and covered her nakedness. Owain followed her, his eyes roving over her body.

  “Just not in public. I’ll never live it down.”

  “But you could live up to it.”

  “That’s not a challenge.”

  “It could be one, if you live a little,” Colette teased as she turned the corner to pull on her clothes.

  Owain hesitated for a moment. Did he really think he was able to handle this maddening, desirable woman? More importantly, did he want to handle this? His private mission wasn’t easy and it was dangerous. If he had told his brothers how many people were after him, they’d have had him cease and desist his work. However, he couldn’t, not when he was so close.

  The gnawing sensation grabbed his attention. It was time to feed on something more than regular food. Their sexual play had burned off the last of the vampire’s blood and now left him with a hollow feeling. Silently, he made his way back to the kitchen. Grabbing a couple pints of plasma, he punctured them and sipped them cautiously. Drinking them cold wasn’t pleasant, but it helped him to maintain control when he’d rather feed on the deliciously sexual Colette. He thought about his reaction to the woman, as well as his seeing her with the torc. Though his brother had found happiness with Kirstie, it didn’t mean that he would have the same chance. He knew that and accepted that though his brother thought Colette might be the one to break his curse, he might not be blessed in such a manner.

  Owain tossed the empty plastic bags into the trash and went outside to where his car was parked. The night air held a slight chill, the desert land cooling off in the darkness. Inhaling deeply, he released some of his concerns into the starry night sky. Opening the trunk of the car, he removed Colette’s suitcases. He hadn’t told her that they’d only be in Cairo another few days, then moving to where the evidence was leading, but at least they’d have some time to enjoy the sights of Egypt. Well, that was if the local vampires didn’t seek her out.

  “Let me take that,” Colette said, breaking into his thoughts as her hand brushed his, taking control of her suitcase. “How long will we be staying here before your research leads us elsewhere?”

  “Depends. Some of my research is being verified through a cûntoír. Once the historical part is confirmed, we’ll know the next destination.” He looked at her, taking in her beauty by the moonlight.

  “Makes sense. What’s your theory, doctor?” she asked nonchalantly. “Can you share what you’re trying to do?”

  Owain leaned against his car and let out a soft sigh. “It’s not easy, but yeah I can. Let’s get inside and make something to eat. Then I’ll tell you more about what I’m doing.”

  Colette followed him in. He showed her where she could put her suitcases and then left her there to settle in. Owain walked into the kitchen and rummaged through the cabinets and freezer to find something edible to make that wasn’t a snack. Finally finding enough ingredients to make a family favourite dish, Owain started dicing the carrots and onions as he placed rice into a rice cooker. It wasn’t often he entertained, but he wanted Colette comfortable while he told her exactly what his research entailed.

  He started to cook the onions, carrots, peppers, and other chopped vegetables in a deep frying pan when Colette entered the kitchen. He looked at her, realizing she had changed into a well worn pair of jeans and a tee shirt with the phrase, “I have PMS and a gun, any questions?” Chuckling, Owain handed her a fruit juice. “Nice shirt.”

  “A gift from my mentor. She said I had some violent tendencies that needed to be expressed.”

  “Knows you well?”

  “Too well at times. But then there’s the fact that she’s capable of anything herself,” Colette responded, sipping the cool, orangey-red fluid. “This is great. What’s in it?”

  “Tangerines, grapes, oranges, and pomegranates.” Owain sipped from his own glass. “It’s one of the more refreshing fruit juice blends out there.”

  Colette eyed him and looked a bit nervous. “Can I ask you a question, Owain?”

  He stirred the vegetables once, covered them with the lid to the frying pan, then turned to face her. “Sure, what is it, Col?”

  “Can you eat regular food for nutrition?” Colette blushed from her neckline through her hair. “I know that sounds like a pretty silly question, but I’ve never had a chance to ask these things of any vampire, not even Niam.”

  Chuckling, Owain motioned for Colette to sit at the table as he sat opposite her. “Definitely, I just need the blood to maintain certain levels of life. I should’ve known that the others didn’t give you a fact sheet on vampires. What do you know about the vampires you hunt?”

  Colette swallowed another sip of juice, leaned back and closed her eyes. She was tired. It had been a long day and she’d been up most of the night. “Well, I know I can sense a vampire. They ring hollow against the soul meter.”

  “Ah, you have an inborn talent of knowing when one is a vampire versus anything else. That’s good to know. Helps to keep you alive.”

  “I know there are different types of vampires, but I’m not quite sure what they are.”

  Owain got up, refilled their glasses and checked on the meal in the frying pan before answering. “There are three categories, actually.” Sitting down, he continued. “There are life force or psychic, emotional, and blood vampires. Why only these three, I’m not sure. However, beyond needing those energies to sustain, they eat and drink like normal people. They even get sick, but not as bad as regular humans.”

  “So are they undead like people insist, or are they genetically different?” He noticed how she seemed to be really absorbing what he was telling her. She really seemed to be trying to understand. This was a good sign in his book.

  “That’s the question of the moment. I can tell you what I know based on my research.” Seeing her nod, he explained. “There are genetic anomalies. Some of them seem to be inherent in the original DNA, b
ut then somehow triggered by either magick or a vampire’s bite. Then there’s the change that occurs once they’ve been transformed.”

  “So, you’re trying to find out how the various vampires are formed and perhaps be unmade?”

  Owain went to cabinet next to the stove, removed two plates, and then filled with them with the fragrant food from the pan. Handing Colette a plate of food and sitting down, he answered. “Basically, that’s the case. Nevertheless, it’s also a matter of why they were created. Was it something in the DNA of man that caused it or was it something else that made this happen? That’s why it’s not just genetic research.”

  “Sounds interesting. I’d still like some time to think about it, especially as it requires me to move from Van Helsinger to Vampire Helper.”

  Owain laughed and covered Colette’s hand with his own. “Well, not quite. I still take out the bad vampires. There are some who only feed when they need to, but never to the point of killing. Those vampires I leave alone as they seem to be law abiding.”

  “You mean they’re not all out to rule the world ala the Blade movies?”

  “Not even close, Col. Most of them just want some kind of general acceptance by the world of man. To know they’re not evil, just biologically different. Like how Neanderthal man is different from Homo sapiens. Yes, there are some vampires who’d like to have power, but it’s not the norm.”

  Colette nodded and ate some more of her supper. “So basically, what you’re saying is that not all vampires are bad, just like not all humans are.”

  Owain nodded. “Exactly.” His eyes glanced up at the clock above the sink and he groaned. “Bed. It’s bedtime. I need some serious sleep.”

  “I thought you vampires weren’t really affected by the whole sunrise thing,” Colette teased.

  “We’re not. But I’ve been up for close to twenty-four hours. I desperately need some sleep.” Owain picked up their empty plates and glasses to wash them in the morning. “I’ll take you to your room, then I’ll switch on the security alarms so we’ll know if anyone comes this way.”

  Colette followed Owain as he shut off the lights and led her to her room. Watching his long-legged stride, she inhaled deeply. She still wanted this man with a passion that surprised even her. Over the past few months, it amazed her that she could want a man, much less a vampire with this intensity. She barely knew the man, but something about him already tugged at her heartstrings. Maybe it was because of what she knew from Davyd O’Connor, a cûntoír and Helsinger trainer, maybe it was from seeing Kirstie and Niam together. Either way, she knew that working with him would provide her with some time to get her personal life together and perhaps make a decision on whether or not it was time to go back into research, as she always wanted.

  When he opened the door to her room, Colette made a decision. She didn’t want to sleep alone tonight, nor did she think he did. As Owain went to move past her, she placed her hands on either side of his chest, pinning him to the open door. “Yes?”

  Colette said nothing as she slid her hands up under his tee shirt, slowly lifting it up as her lips grazed his. Her fingernails lightly raked over his nipples, causing him to growl lowly while his dark eyes watched her every movement. “What do you want, Col?”

  “Shh, no talking. Just feel.” Her mouth trailed down his jaw as she tugged his shirt off. Then, having room to move, Colette began to kiss down his chest, taking her time to suckle on his brown, flat nipple. Gently nipping it, she began sliding her body against his, her covered, puckered nipples rasping against his skin.

  Owain moaned. Smiling, Colette lapped her tongue further down his chest. Once she reached his belly button, her hands quickly made short work of his button fly jeans. Her hands clasped his cock as her mouth slid around the head, caressing it with both tongue and lips. Again, his moan could be heard.

  “Col, stop, please.”

  Her mouth barely lifted. “Why? I want to see your face as I pleasure you.” Her blue eyes took in his darker ones. “You want me to do this. Why resist?”

  “Because we both know what’ll happen.”

  “Ain’t it great?” She winked as her lips slid past the head and slid his shaft deep in her mouth. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the taste of this man before her. The hint of male, musk, and the heady aroma of desire. Easing herself up his shaft, she stopped and swirled her tongue around his ever-expanding shaft.

  “You’re going to kill me before I find a damn cure, woman,” he groaned as his fingers fisted in her hair, urging her onward to take him faster. “I can’t believe you’re this insatiable.”

  “I can’t believe you think you’re not.”

  Then her mouth continued to make love to his cock. Her tongue licked it; her teeth teased it with small nipping bites as she slid up and down. His heavy panting turned her on like nothing she ever experienced before. With a slight hum, she took him as deep as she could and cupped his scrotum, massaging lightly.

  She felt him lose control at that point. Tugging on her hair, Owain showed her that he wanted her to stand up. “Bed, now,” he panted as he pushed walked against her body, undressing her as they went the short distance. Colette smiled at him as she helped him, then moaned as his hands captured her puckered nipples. “Yes, Owain, yes,” she moaned back as his mouth covered one.

  Her body was beneath his warm one. She felt his heartbeat against her skin as his mouth slid to the other nipple, laving it with attention. There was something about this man that just turned her on and made her want something she hadn’t been able to define. Even though she barely knew him, in some ways she knew him better than she knew herself. Then she knew nothing as his fingers slid deep inside her wet sheath.

  Arching into him, she moved in time with his questing, seeking fingers as they slid in and out of her. The need, the desire pooled in that area, causing her to whimper. “Owain, please.”

  “Please what, Col?”

  “Fuck me.”

  “With pleasure.” He shifted until he was above her. With one hard thrust, his cock was buried in her pussy. “Oh baby, you feel so damn good.”

  Both of them felt the pleasure build as they matched thrusts. Colette’s legs wrapped around his waist, locking them together. As the precipice of climax loomed before her, she stroked his cheek. “Tá tú pléisiúr.”

  “As you are my pleasure,” Owain answered. “Come with me.”

  Colette let herself go, allowing him to catch her and hold her to him as they both plummeted in release. After a couple of minutes, she began to squirm beneath Owain, wanting to find a slightly more comfortable position. He complied with a knowing male grin. Once she was resting her head on his chest, she smiled at him, her breathing returning to normal. “I think we’re both ready for bed now.”

  “You think?” He stifled a yawn. “Where did you learn to speak Irish Gaelic?” “Riana, one of my best friends in the world. Why?” “I love how you give it your own unique twist,” he chuckled. She smacked him. “You mean my American accent.” “But of course. Oiche mhaith, Col.” His eyes closed as his breathing evened out. “Sleep well too, O.”

  Chapter Four

  >The opening sequence to Sandman by Metallica woke up Colette. Reaching over, she rummaged one-handedly for her pack that held her cell phone. Feeling the vibrating piece of plastic and metal, she pushed the button, lifting it to her ear. “What the fuck do you want at this ungodly hour?”

  “Nice way to greet your soul sister. And for your information it’s not an ungodly hour, considering it’s almost one o’clock,” the female voice chuckled on the other end. “Let me guess, you got laid.”

  Colette yawned into the phone. “Love you too, Sis. Why are you calling?”

  “I’m going to be underground for a while.”

  “What?” She sat up and rubbed at her eyes with her free hand. “Riana Sinclair, what the fuck is going on?”

  “I’m on a quest and things are getting a bit deep. I’m fine though. I left a message for Ki
rstie.” There was a slight pause. “Her wedding was fantastic, wasn’t it?”

  “Don’t change the subject, though I shouldn’t be surprised you attended and neither me nor Kirstie recognized you. What’s the quest and why are you in danger?” Colette looked at her side and noticed Owain had abandoned her, which in this case was good. She wanted to have privacy as she dealt with this situation.

  “I’ve been asked to excavate a known Celtic area for a couple of artifacts.”

  “And?” Colette asked. Growling, she continued. “Ri, don’t hold back. I’m on a case myself, but dammit, I need to know in case anything happens. You know the deal. I’m not your second for nothing.”

  “Tá a fhios agam, I know.”

  The pause was longer and Colette heard some background noise. It sounded like Riana was at her desk looking for the paperwork. This meant she hadn’t left her home yet. Good. “Where are you headed exactly?”

  “I’m going to a little known site in Belgium. Then after that, I’ll be heading to Dublin for a week,” Riana answered. “You can contact Eileen for any more information. She’s got my underground schedule.”

  “I see. Why aren’t you taking her along? Or at least one of the nemeton?”

  “Too risky. I have special permission from the Belgian government, with the deal that they get the goodies. Only, there’s one goody they can’t have.”

  Colette sighed. “Something of Morrigu’s?”

  “Give the sexpot a cock, she got it right!”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Um, we both know I don’t swing that way, but thanks for the offer. You’d be tempting,” Riana chuckled. “How are things in Cairo?”

  Knowing what was being asked, Colette smiled softly. Riana would come and protect her if she was needed. Though Riana preferred not to speak much about the preternatural world, she had told others in their grove on the various aspects, including protection. “It’s been taken care of. Now I’m helping out on a genetic and historical research project.”