Captivated

I began to wonder if I was missing something about the whole mating thing. We’d shared blood. We’d made love. Then why weren’t we already bonded? Maybe it was because they’d taken blood from my neck and not thighs. I continued reading, feeling a little unsettled and confused.

The process is extremely painful, and the Hybrid would need to care for their mate for the following twenty-four hours. On rare occasions, if their bond isn’t strong enough, the human could die… along with their Hybrid mate.

Hell, now that was disturbing. What If I wasn’t strong enough? I had visions of the three of us dying because of me. I continued reading.

Once fully mated, the human would take on all the Hybrid’s abilities. Demons feared a Hybrid couple more than any other supernatural being. Against them, the demon had no chance of survival. Together, they’d keep watch for any signs of demonic presence on Earth. All Hybrids have their territories to watch over, although sometimes they do band together if one region experiences large amounts of demonic activity. A Hybrid can only be killed if they receive any kind of injury to their heart. Their mate would also perish, unable to survive without their other half.

This was becoming more distressing the deeper I read into their histories. I felt Luca and Salvatore brush my mind. Damn our telepathic link. They’d been able to pick up on my anxiety. Before I discussed this with them, I needed to get it straight in my head.

On rare occasions, vampire twins were ideal candidates to become Hybrids. They would already have a strong bond and be extra powerful. Because of their closeness, the twins would share absolutely everything, including their mate. They’d be cared for with love, devotion, and passion. And once the human became fully mated with the Hybrids, they would have an unbreakable and solid union. No demon would stand a chance against them. In order for twins and their mate to complete the bonding ritual, they must all join as one.

What the hell? Did this mean both of them inside me at the same time? I really did panic then. I wasn’t certain I’d be able to cope with that. But then if I didn’t, I’d be condemning all three of us to death. Oh, God. What would I do?

There was a time of danger for both Hybrids and their mates, though. When they finally locate their human, any demons close by would pick up their scent too. Without the human’s knowledge, they’d secrete pheromones in large quantities when their potential mates were near. There would only be a certain amount of time for the Hybrid to get to their mate before the demon. If that were to happen, and the demon had the human in his thrall, all their goodness would vanish and be replaced by evil… also culminating in the death of the Hybrid.

I slammed the book shut. I couldn’t bear to read anymore. So many scenarios ran riot in my head that it gave me a blinding headache. I shook my head and rubbed at my temples to alleviate it. This only made it worse.

“What’s wrong, Angelina?”

I jumped at the sound of Salvatore’s gentle concern. The twins hovered anxiously in the doorway. This was probably the time where I asked questions because I’d drive myself insane if I left it to fester.

* * *

Salvatore

We felt Angelina’s pain acutely. Something had disturbed her. We’d discovered a minor demon in the park close to her old home. He was easy to kill, but we realised he’d be back soon.

“We have to complete the mating ritual with her before long, Sal. I don’t think we can afford to wait too much longer.”

I agreed with my brother. “Let’s get back to her. I hate to think of her anxious about something.”

We took to the skies and headed home. When we entered the library, the sight crushed our hearts. Angelina was curled up on a chair, clutching at the book containing our history. The headache which assaulted her caused us physical pain too. Something a Hybrid rarely experienced.

Luca picked her up and we took her directly to our private apartments. He placed her in between us on a sofa in our living area. She still clutched at the book.

“We need to tell her now, Sal. This is killing me seeing her so distressed.”

“I can hear you both. And yes, we really need to talk.”

She was angry, and who could blame her? We should have been honest right from the start. This conversation was going to be one of the most difficult we’d ever had.

“What do you want to know?” I asked her.

“This… mating ritual. I… um…”

We picked up her hands and placed soft kisses on them. As one, we held onto them.

“It says in that book that we have to…” She pulled her hands away and got up, sitting on the sofa opposite us.

Luca moved to stand. I placed a restraining hand on his arm.

“Leave her, Luca. She needs this space between us.”

“Is it right that we all have to have sex at the same time as part of this thing?” Her words were rushed, her face flaming with colour.

“Yes,” I responded, “it’s the only way for this to work.”

“How… I… I’m not certain I can do this. But I don’t want us to die, either.”

Luca responded. “Yes, bella. It’s the only way for it to work. It will be a pleasurable encounter. I promise you.”

“I don’t quite know how to ask this,” she mumbled.

My heart constricted a little more. I shared an expression of understanding with Luca.

“You can ask us anything. Luca and I will answer honestly. We love you so much already, Angelina. We will never do anything to hurt you.”

“So, how actually…”

“One of us will lie on the bed, so you can ride us. The other will enter you…”

“NO. No way.”

She stood up. Damn, she was so afraid. Her heart was thudding so loudly that we could both hear it. We went to her and led her back to the sofa, holding her protectively between us as she shook. This situation had to be rescued, or there would be no future for any of us.

“Angelina,” I continued, stroking her hair as Luca kissed her cheek, “you have enjoyed our lovemaking so far, haven’t you?”

She nodded.

“This will be as exquisite as everything we have already shared.”

“Sal is right. You react to us so beautifully. Always so wet and ready for us.”

“But my ass… I don’t know. What if I can’t fit you both in me? What if I split?”

If this had not been such a serious subject, I may well have laughed out loud.

“You were made for us. The fates created the three of us to be partners. Lovers. Friends. We will ensure that there is much foreplay between us before we join as one. Never be afraid of us.”

She relaxed a little at my words. There was still something on her mind.

“Talk to us, bella. Please, don’t hold back.”

“Thanks, Luca.” I smiled over the top of her head.

“What about afterwards?”

“What, the blood taking?” I had to rein in my cock at that point. Taking blood from her was one of the most erotic things I’d ever done.

“No. I’m more than happy with that. Just thinking about it turns me on,” she admitted shyly. “It’s the following twenty-four hours I’m worried about. The pain I can deal with if you’re both here to help me through it. I’m more afraid that I may not be a strong enough partner for you.”

She fell silent for a moment. Then she looked from Luca to me. Her eyes were filled with tears.

“I’m falling for you both and am terrified that if I’m weak that you’ll die too.”

Luca and I realised that she loved us as much as we loved her. It was going to take her time to say the word out loud, but it would be worth waiting for. We needed to be strong for her and help her through this.

“You won’t die. You are a strong woman, Angelina. More than worthy to be our mate.”

“Believe in what Sal says, bella. You are more than we’d ever hoped for in our wildest dreams. You’ve made us complete.”

“What will it be like?” she asked.

I took over. “It happens to clear the toxins from your body. The pain you experience will be your blood combining with ours. I know we’ve shared blood already, but this is different. This is permanent. Once the conversion begins, there will be no turning back.”

“When you say toxins, what exactly does it mean?”

This was the part I’d been dreading. It was intrusive and embarrassing for the one being converted. “You will experience severe vomiting which will cleanse your body of impurities. And you will sweat profusely, too.”

“Oh, God,” she groaned. “I really, really hate being sick.” Her face was deathly pale when she looked at us.

“We will be there to care for you. You will never be left alone,” I assured her.

“But to see me like that… won’t it make me less attractive to you?”

We shook our heads. I cupped her face between my hands, Luca caressed her hair. “It will make us love you more.”

“Absolutely. Believe what Sal says. It means that you’re committed to being with us for eternity. It will make our love for you even stronger.”

She shook her head and let loose a nervous giggle. “I guess we’ll see once the twenty-four hours is up. Can you allow me a few more days to come to terms with this?”

“Of course,” we said.