Simone: Desires of Blood, #5

By Ethan Radcliff

Book 5 of Desires of Blood will not let you down.
Beautiful, deadly and deceitful Simone has re-entered Royce Bellamy's life. She's his maker, the vampire who turned him. With her comes her lover of the moment, Grayson a deadly vampire-shifter. Simone's got a date with the devil, she's promised to help him.
Meet Lucian, the devil, who every few thousand years, tries to gain entrance to the world above. This time, he's hoping to rule what he's been forbidden. But Simone gets bored far too easily and Grayson's not taking the bone Lucian's thrown him.
Enter Cross, a vampire hunter who encounters Simone as she's fleeing hell. She oozes sex and takes the vampire hunter to her bed. He'll never be the same. Begin the journey. Read the series, Desire of Blood: Vampire, Warlock, Jackal, and Shapeshifter.

****Adult content, graphic sex, hot vampires, shifters, werewolves, demons, jackals and witches****

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bitten Press LLC
• Release date: Oct 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536533545

Ethan Radcliff

BIO: My name is Ethan Radcliff and I've been writing since I was a kid. I love creating and tried my hand at art, not bad, but not good enough. A guy's gotta eat. Through high school, I wrote erotic stories, kept them in a notebook and let a few girlfriends read them. I played football, baseball and ice hockey, but my brain never stopped thinking of sex. I guess most guys think about it all the time. I decided to put my thoughts into prose. I had been on face book for a while and never did anything interesting until I started to see all the writers. What really caught my attention were the poets, especially some of the ones posting erotic prose.  I was intrigued, men who were writing erotic romance, I knew it was time to get out the old notebook and throw on some poetry. I was surprised at the response. I’ve often been asked what inspires my writing. Sometimes it’s a photograph, a sunset or an attractive woman. The jiggle of a full ass or heavy breasts will set my mind in motion. Sometimes, out of nowhere, an idea will come to mind. I record and write down my thoughts constantly. I want to thank Bitten Press and the two lovely ladies who run it for encouraging me to go for it and I did. I also need to thank a very patient and lovely friend Kendall Blackburn Barnett who is my PA and putting up with my antics. I want to thank all the wonderful people who read what I write. And the lovely ladies who help get the word out there about my writing. As you know, I’m an elusive fellow, smiles, perhaps that’s part of my charm. Who knows what the future holds? My first short story is The Taming of Molly Jenkins. It’s hot. Is it based on personal experience? Don't we all pull from real life? The next short story is The Wait, Brit’s undoing...that I hope you'll enjoy. Since those early works, many more have evolved including a paranormal series, Desires of Blood, DOM, The Collaring of Molly Jenkins and my first novel A Man of Honor.  Two thousand and sixteen brings more full-length novels and I will always venture into new erotic genres. Thank you for listening and to all those who are enjoying my poetry, thank you. Ethan Radcliff

Book preview

Prologue

Let there be darkness

79 A.D.

Hunger rose in her throat. Bile threatened to choke her and burn her esophagus. She hadn’t eaten in days, and her life hung by a thread. The acrid smell of lava penetrated the air. Had she survived the eruption?

Mt. Vesuvius had been active for months. The minor earth tremors around the mighty volcano had been an occurrence all people of Pompeii lived with, and the Scholars predicted the mountain would open and spew its contents over the land soon, yet no one listened. The pleasure city of Pompeii, located on the Mediterranean Sea, became one of the most sought-after playgrounds of the rich and licentious. It was lauded as a paradise or sewer, depending on your status.

Simone was purchased as a small child and trained as a sex slave. She had lived a luxurious life, although many bought-and-paid-for women weren’t as lucky. She couldn’t remember her family and knew no other way of life. When she was of age, she was groomed to be one of the finest whores in Pompeii.

Some of the prostitutes practiced the black arts, piquing Simone’s interest. Two courtesans were professed witches. Being a curious child, she let them rear her as an apprentice. When she became fifteen, she began to feel her powers rise, and she embraced the darkness that entered her. Each day she practiced using her powers. At first, she used her magic to do small tricks: elevating small animals and bringing dead flowers back to life. With each surge of energy, she grew stronger, soon learning the more she used her abilities, the stronger they became.

Hope became a reality, and Simone was confident she’d find a way out of the life she’d been forced to live. So, she kept her powers of darkness hidden, even from the two witches who preened her.

Ruled and governed under Roman law, the town of Pompeii flourished. But then, the unexplained murders began. The victims were found with their necks ripped open, making it hazardous to venture alone at night. Most inhabitants pushed aside the crimes. Like any big city, there was always a dark side.

Simone had been called to the home of a high-ranking Roman senator. They were hosting an orgy, and this would be her first notable affair. Inside, her heart pounded because she loathed the life forced upon her. However, this could be her means out of Pompeii. If she was noticed by a rich man or even a wealthy couple needing some spice in their lives, they might take her into their home as a slave. There, maybe, she’d have some semblance of a family. She could only hope.

As hopeful as she was, she dressed and groomed with care. Then two house guards walked with her through the city streets. Any woman walking the streets alone at night was nothing more than a target for the seedier residents of the city. Also, with the new wave of murders, Madame needed to protect her, as she was a valuable asset.

As they walked, the earth rumbled under their feet, and they could hear the mount screaming in the background. Every so often, the top of Vesuvius would light up as it spewed small chunks of lava. The sight was beautiful and frightening, though many said there was nothing to worry about since she’d been active for years.

She’s angry tonight, one guard commented.

Simone stopped, gazed up at the sky, and saw the hot lava pouring down the mountain’s brim. She could also smell its heated anger. She addressed one of the guards. Yes, and I wonder if the scholars are right. Vesuvius sounds ready to burst. Perhaps we’re all idiots. Maybe we should heed their warning and get the hell out of here, she answered.

The other guard laughed. And leave Paradise? Where would we go? Rome? I hear it’s almost impossible to get employment there.

Simone wrapped her mantle tighter around her. I’d love to live in the hills, raise goats, and grow olives, she said.

My lady, perhaps tonight you’ll meet a rich farmer. Not all people attending, I hear, will be from Rome, the first guard said.

We can all dream, she said quietly.

The mountain rumbled again. That’s if we all live to see another day, she said, stopping again and looking toward the mountain. When she turned around to continue walking, chaos ensued.

She remembered little past her conversation with the two guards when they were ambushed.

Pompeii consisted of narrow alleyways between the numerous establishments. While walking through the intricate streets, it was here that their attackers cornered them. Her two guards, large and burly, were thrown like children’s dolls around the dark alley. She was thrown against a hard stone wall. Darkness was heavy, and the moon was a sliver of light in the evening sky.

Their screams of anguish echoed through the dark narrow streets. Those who might be walking the streets in the darkness ran from trouble, not to it. Simone knew they were on their own as she tried to get up, attempting to run for her life. But she ached from the force at which she was thrown. She crawled around on the dirt, trying to focus and get up, but a large, booted foot held her down.

She raised her head.

The light from the moon barely lit the sky but, for a moment, gave her enough light to make out their attacker.

One man.

Covered in blood with eyes crimson, glowing in the dark.

Large fangs protruded from his gums, now glistened with blood, which dripped down to his chin.

He eyed her curiously. Then one large hand grabbed her by the throat, picked her up from the ground, and pushed her against one of the walls of the buildings. He held her effortlessly, used his free cold hand to touch her hair, and ran a taloned finger over her lips. Dropping his fingers from her face, he lifted the silk toga she wore over her hips.

I’ll play with you first. You’re a fine one, pretty and delicious-smelling. Is that mint I smell? I do remember what mint smelled like, he said.

Please, she whimpered. Please don’t kill me.

Kill you? Ah, maybe I won’t kill you. I’m not sure if I will, but right now, I’m going to fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before.

He smelled of rotting corpses and stale blood. The odor assaulted her senses, causing her to gag. When Simone had a better view of him, fear took hold.

Witches spoke of such creatures. She thought the pale skin, crimson eyes, and sharp elongated eye teeth belonged to creatures of myth and legend and only existed in tales and stories. Vampires didn’t exist. Yet holding her in his grasp was a vampire. She let the lids of her eyes flutter and close. This was a nightmare. She’d obviously been hit on the head by their attacker and was hallucinating.

No, she was dying.

Death, she realized, was imminent. Tears ran down her cheeks.

But then he spoke, causing reality to crash in on her.

"Shh, I like you, little one, no need to cry. I may give you a gift when I’m finished. I assure you, when I am done fucking you, you may ask for more."

He held her by the neck, and her feet were completely off the ground. His grip was steady, and she couldn’t help but notice his brute strength.

Two cold taloned fingers breached her body and slipped inside of her cunt. One thought entered her mind as his cold, smooth-taloned fingers invaded her. He was going to rip her apart. Instead, he sought her nub of skin between her thighs and played with it expertly. Simone’s body betrayed her as an undeniable hunger rose deep within her inner core.

Again, he spoke, assuring her this was no dream. How wet you are, my beauty. My cock will relish your heat.

His fingers slipped from her, spreading her wide as his cock rammed deep. She gasped.

Simone should be screaming in fear. Instead, her body ignited. She was on fire. Passion rose, and desire consumed her. She took him deep, her pelvis pushing down on his cock with each thrust he delivered. He was right: she’d never been fucked like this. He left her with no comparison or preparation for the orgasm building deep inside her belly.

Simone no longer saw the creature fucking her. She was blinded by the pleasure he delivered. That pleasure rose, taking her to a mind-blowing plateau, and then pleasure took control. He kept it up, the deep plunges until she was there, until her body began to rip apart, but the best was yet to come.

He was surprisingly gentle when he pushed her head to the side and kissed her neck. He ran his tongue slowly down over the large pulsating artery in her neck, exuding exquisite carnality. The creature sucked at her skin, causing shivers to sprinkle down her spine. Her pussy ached for release as her body continued its erotic journey as, her heartbeat violently in her chest. Her body was on the verge of shattering, and for a split second, the haze cleared as he let out a loud growl. Then reality hit as she experienced a sharp sting on the skin of her neck.

He bit her.

He was sucking her blood.

She gasped. By the gods! Simone screamed as her orgasm washed over her. Over and over again, her body convulsed, and her cunt contracted. Repeatedly, her insides convulsed. She could count the orgasms she’d had in her lifetime. This was more. She’d take this gratification to the grave with her.

Exhausted and spent, she murmured, What have you done to me.

I’ve given you what most humans will never experience. You will never forget me, and now I’ll give you, even more to remember me by. He bit her again. This time she felt more than a sting; now, she screamed in pain. She could hear his sucking. By the gods, he was drinking her blood. Terror engulfed her. He was killing her. No, please, no, her mind pleaded. This wasn’t supposed to happen. No, no, and then her world went dark.

He was next to her when she awoke, lying together in a dirt-filled box. The air around her was heavy, and she felt entombed. Her hands went to push at the sides of her prison, and it was then that she realized her bed of dirt lay atop the stone. Confusion addled her brain.

Darkness nestled around them, and the cool dampness felt good on her skin. Her first thoughts were of her fear of being enclosed in small close places. Strangely, she liked the confines of the box around her. Even the creature bedside her didn’t cause her any fear. The smells which had caused her to wretch now pleased her strangely. It was as if fear itself didn’t exist for her anymore.

Simone’s eyes searched the area around her, and that’s when she spied the crack in the stone of the sarcophagus. Through that small crack, soft light filtered over one of her hands. But she didn’t see the light of day. It was dusk. Why was she anxious for the evening to commence?

A rumbling in the earth overshadowed her excitement. The ground beneath them began to thunder and immediately followed the screams and the trampling sounds of people running in the streets. It was then she realized how astute her hearing had become. Her sense of smell detected an acrid odor as the air around her heated up. Vesuvius.

He stirred next to her. His large hands grabbed her, pushing her aside as he tried to rise. Do you smell that? he bellowed. That’s the mountain. He was now sitting next to her, and she could see him plainly in the dark. Had her eyesight become that astute?

He no longer resembled the creature she’d encountered the night before. This man was absolute male perfection with amber eyes and pale unblemished skin. Simone was now more confused than ever.

He pushed with all his strength and shattered the stone above them. Simone saw they were in a kind of catacomb. He stood quickly and bared his fangs. Vesuvius! She’s become alive. We need to get out of here or be entombed before the hot lava burns us to a crisp.

Simone adjusted her eyes again and focused on him. He was of average height with dark wavy hair and the body of Adonis. This was her attacker?

I don’t understand. Where are we? Are you saying that the mountain is erupting? The whole town could be buried, she said. Her mind was now reeling.

The creature took her by the hand and pulled her along the dark corridor into the dusk. A thick layer of soot was coating the streets, which became broader as they moved along the narrow streets. People were coughing and falling to the ground, begging for help. Yet, she could breathe, or was she? Finally, he pulled her into a vacant shop.

Welcome to my world. To eternal darkness and immortality, don’t thank me now, he smiled.

Both hands went to her throat. The pain she felt was excruciating as her hands went over the open wounds he’d left after taking her blood. Her throat was parched, and the dryness was overwhelming. But there was more; there was insatiable hunger.

What have you done to me? she asked, her voice shaking with audible fear.

He put both his hands on her shoulders. I have no time to explain. It seems the mountain has finally opened, and we need to flee. We have a few nemeses. Fire is one, along with wood and silver.

I don’t understand, she cried.

You don’t need to. I’m getting out of here. You do what you please. And by the way, you can only walk in darkness. The sun will destroy you. And the hunger will worsen. You’ll figure out how to feed, he laughed. We all do.

He bowed, then disappeared, leaving her standing there, alone, and hungry. She cowered in the corner of the small shop, confused and in pain. He reappeared for a second, bowed, shot her one last threatening look, and whispered vampire, and then he was gone.

No, she whimpered. No! Why hadn’t he killed her? Instead, he’d made her what he was. Simone closed her eyes. She was dreaming. Had it all been a bad dream?  Nothing had changed when she opened her eyes again, and the acrid smell filled her nostrils. She panicked, not knowing what to do as she ran through the soot-covered streets.

She encountered chaos. In the distance, the sky was ablaze with spewing lava. Vesuvius had indeed erupted. She ran and kept on running. With little time to spare, realization entered her mind. It wasn’t evening dusk but dawn, and she had to get out of the city.

Oh, God, she was hungry. The hunger tore at her throat and her stomach. She smelled the lava and watched the hot embers spew onto the streets as she ran through the city. She managed to avoid the falling embers, remembering the horrid creature’s words as to what could destroy her.

As she ran through the maze of streets, she came to a market square and stopped in front. The storekeeper was pulling in his wares. When he entered his small shop, she followed. Hunger rose in her belly, and the thirst she was now experiencing was overwhelming. A hand went up to her mouth. The upper portion of her gums ached, and she had no control over the fangs, which managed to break through the bone and skin of her gums. There was no hiding what she was, and she saw the horror in his eyes when the realization hit the merchant.

Simone had no control. She was already in vampire persona and lunged for the merchant, ripping his neck open and drinking what blood she could. She’d drained him dry of his life’s vital nectar in less than a minute and let his body fall to the floor. Staring down at the dead man, she felt no remorse as she wiped his blood from her lips. His blood had somewhat appeased her hunger.

When she returned to the street, people ran in all directions. She felt the heat seconds before comprehending the source. Lava was but a few feet from her, and daylight threatened. She remembered his words; the sun will destroy you. Self-preservation took hold. Mind over matter was powerful, and Simone learned fast just how formidable it was. Her body folded and lifted into the air.

She was flying.

How was it possible?

Long black wings carried her through the acrid air. She was a bat. Legends were obviously based on truth, and she sure