Page 45 of Zodiac Hybrids

Who was I to tell her no, when she presented such an enticing invite.

I had to be honest with myself for a minute and ask, when I stepped outside tonight, having already found the safe refuge of my room, isn’t this what I’d been hoping might happen? My perfect baby doll, alone and exposed. Wouldn’t I be lying if I said I’d just wanted fresh air, and that I hadn’t imagined every possible consequence?

My fangs extended in my mouth, and I didn’t bother to retract them this time. I likely couldn’t have if I tried, considering my heart was well aware that I didn’t want to.

I kept telling myself I was afraid of her—afraid of what I might do to her—but that was absurd. I’d never been gentle with anyone before. There was no reason to start resisting my urges now. I was in control. Giving in wasn’t a loss of agency. It was an indulgence.

Maybe that was the moon talking, but I didn’t care anymore.

Enough lies. Enough hiding.

I stood in dead silence, holding my breath and staying perfectly still, as I heard the rustling of drying off with her towel. I rolled my fingers into a fist, then I watched and I waited.

Do a good job, Baby Doll.

Chapter 27

Even though I was completely alone, I felt so naughty and exposed skinny dipping in the hot spring at night. Sure, it was protected by thick walls, and sure it was segregated by gender, so there wasn’t any risk of my professor walking in on me, but I’d never done anything like this, and it was exciting and freeing to just have new experiences. What was normal for most people felt so taboo and exciting to me. Being naked in open air was its own kind of heart racing rush.

I wrapped my towel tightly around my breasts, and I folded it over itself to secure it there. I closed my eyes and listened to the chirp of crickets, enjoying the late night ambience and solitude. The beautiful moonlight paired with the sounds of the forest relaxed my soul, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

It was fine that everyone had rejected me tonight. That was probably for the best. If anything, it just meant I got to pamper myself a little for once.

Upon nudging open the bamboo door, holding my towel with one hand and undoing the latch with the other, I stepped out onto the cold stepping stone path. I shut the door as quietly as I could, then started towards the locker room.

A hand was over my mouth before I could scream, and I was against the bamboo wall in an instant, pinned by the rock hard body of my attacker. My arm was twisted behind my back, forcing me still, then sharp pain exploded in my neck when teeth pierced my neck. The sudden feeling of suction made my stomach wretch, and tears instantly bloomed in my eyes.

A vampire? Is that what this is? Is one of my club mates a vampire? Or is this just one of the countless monsters that hunts the world around Graves on the night of the full moon?

I jerked, but my assailant had me very firmly in his grasp. My screams were nonexistent under the squeeze of his palm over my mouth, while the scent of sage overpowered the sulfur-like scent of the natural hot springs. My towel fell to the ground at my feet, coming loose in the tussle, and I squeezed my eyes shut, terrified of what might come next.

Just as quickly as he’d caught me, my attacker ripped his fangs from my neck with an elated exhale of pure relief. The sudden blood loss left me dizzy, disoriented, and scared all at once.

He released me abruptly, then he spun me around and shoved me back against the ridges of bamboo stalks. My eyes widened in shock the second before his lips covered mine.

Marcus?

The flavor of my own blood tinged with his perfect lips bombarded my senses, and I was too shocked to process any of it.

A vampire. Marcus is a vampire.

Somehow, understanding that took the fear out of the equation. Like I finally knew and understood something. Or maybe somewhere in my gut, I just trusted him, and I knew he wouldn’t kill me. Would feeding me back my blood like this turn me into a vampire too? Is that what was happening.

That wouldn’t be so bad. I could be just like him. Imagine if I was immortal and powerful. The professor wouldn’t worry about hurting me. Marcus wouldn’t either. Yeah, that wouldn’t bother me.

I relaxed into his arms, and I sank into his kiss, and he seemed happy to let me reciprocate. I’d nearly forgotten I was naked until I felt him pressing up against my lower abdomen, teasing me with the friction of his cotton jeans covering something thick and hard.

But I kept my eyes closed, just focusing on all of these sensations. I should have been mad and I should have been scared, but something about his kiss was comfort and perfection that I couldn’t quite define. His tongue felt right in my mouth and his fangs, as he brushed my skin with those smooth, blood-soaked canines, made me shiver.

I was lost in lust as he squeezed my breasts that more than filled his hands. He ground his jeans against my nethers, and the friction against my clit elicited a low moan from my throat. I was lost in his flavor and holding onto him to keep from collapsing under the fog of desire and blood loss.

“Do you want me to take you in your room, or do you want me to fuck you right here?” He growled, low and uncompromising. I may have had the option to do neither—to go back to my room alone, and sleep in an empty bed—but I had no interest in anything other than letting him get me off right now.

“Here.” My voice was barely more than a squeak. I wrapped my hand around his wrist, and he let me lower it down my body, over my soft torso, until I had him cupping me between my legs. He resumed kissing me as he slipped his finger inside me, stopping at the first knuckle, and rubbing gentle circles just barely at the entrance.

He held me against him, while he undid the latch on the door to the bath. He kept my lips occupied as he started walking me back into the hot springs. I stepped backwards into the pool. He followed me, submerging us both until we were waist deep.

His grip on me tightened, suddenly and to the point of pain. I jerked back slightly, but he was near frozen as he held me in a vice grip. His lips were still but remained against mine, and in the smallest, subtlest movement, the feel of his body changed.