Midian Evolution

I hated flying. Because of the cloudy weather, I could travel in the plane without my coffin, but it didn’t help. Before, I’d felt too confined and airsick, now I felt free-floating and airsick. Woozily, I sat down opposite Alucard and shut my eyes.

His cool fingers touched my face. “You are sick,” he said, sounding half disgusted and half confused. “How can you be sick, girl? Your stomach doesn’t work like that anymore.”

“I don’t know,” I moaned. “I hate it.”

“Look at me,” he commanded.

I looked into those beautiful, luminous eyes, instantly losing myself. No struggle, no thought of self-preservation, just sweet surrender.

You don’t get airsick. You don’t get seasick. You don’t get sick at all, Seras.

“I don’t get sick,” I repeated.

I lost eye contact. Blinking, I sat back. His words flowed around in my brain. I knew he’d influenced me, changed me. More high-handedness, but at least I had relief now.

He looked out the window now, expression distant, almost dreamy.

“Master? Will you please make your hair black again?” I asked.

“Why?” He didn’t abandon his view.

I didn’t pursue it any further. Any reason I gave wouldn’t match up to the mysterious, dramatic statement he made to Integra.

Now that I didn’t feel sick, I felt bored. Studying him seemed good entertainment, so I capitulated to the greed of my eyes.

Leather-wrapped masculinity… Looking at his powerful legs, I thought back to having one shoving against me in a hard rhythm. I twinged inside, growing warmer. If he did it again, I’d liquefy. Now that I knew the feeling, I wanted more.

Could I ask for it?

As I watched him, he tilted his head and sniffed the air. His eyes slid to mine. My heart just hammered in my chest. He could smell me, smell my arousal. He knew. I expected a leer, a comment, anything to show me his superiority. Instead, Alucard shivered. Again, I felt that awful frission of his anxiety.

Something about this mission truly upset him, and I began to suspect it had something to do with me sexually.

“You might as well tell me,” I said, using my softest voice. “I know you’re worried about something.”

“I never worry.” His cold denial shut communication down quite effectively.

How could I help my master if he wouldn’t even admit he wanted or needed help? He frustrated me so much.

“You hate lies, yet you lie to me,” I replied, knowing I courted disaster. “Whatever it is, it’s bad.”

His lips peeled back, revealing his blood teeth and his temper. “Disrespectful little fledgling. When I want you to know something, I’ll inform you.”

Even expecting the rebuff, it stung. I hung my head. If I looked at him I would show him my hurt, and I wanted to keep at least some of my pride. He had such control over me, such power.

While I had my head pointed down, I checked my watch. We’d arrive at Inverness Airport in twenty minutes or less, thank God. Our mini-transport vehicle in the hold would give me a chance to burn off some frustration. Integra promised I could drive it. She didn’t know I didn’t have a license and I hadn’t informed.

From my coat I retrieved the travel brochures. Walter thought we might have time to look at the sights. I loved to idea of being lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster. She probably didn’t even exist, but that wasn’t the point. The point was just looking. Such things excited me.

Silly, really, a monster wanting to see other monsters. The irony didn’t escape me.

I decided to try and alleviate a little hunger before touchdown. Digging around in the carry bag Walter packed for us, I found the cold storage side and retrieved a bag of blood. Apathetic over the type, I just tore the tube stopper off and drank. O-Negative, I decided after a moment. My favorite and master’s too.

Just as I had the last swallow in my mouth, his voice startled me into looking at him.

“Is that the last O-Negative?” he asked, sounding displeased.

My cheeks puffed out and my soul guilty, I made a quick check and nodded.

“Then, you’d better figure out how to get O-Negative blood to me, or I’ll be quite unpleasant to deal with.” He looked back out the window, his expression dark.

God, I’d had enough of his silly moping. The world hadn’t come to an end just because he’d lost an argument with Sir Integra. So, instead of swallowing, I got up, stood over him and began to lean down. He turned his head just in enough time, allowing me to meet his lips while his surprised expression still lingered.

My heart flipped over several times and threatened to stop.

He had firm but soft lips, and they parted for me easily. I let the blood flow into his mouth slowly, not wishing to spill a drop of his precious O-Negative.

You clever little-. He grabbed my head, holding me down to drink all I offered in a flat second. His tongue slid between my lips, searching every bit of my mouth, seeking every drop, every taste.

The sensation made me melt. Hot and cold, slick upon slick. The flavor of his power intoxicated, stole all independent thought or movement. My knees gave out and I collapsed upon him, but he didn’t stop.

Alucard locked sturdy arms around me, pulling down. Hard struck soft, making me arch and tear away from his lips with a gasp. He sunk his teeth into me, striking over the curve of my breast. Don’t play with fire, he growled in my mind, shoving against me.

Master!

You remember it now? Don’t forget it.

He thrust upward again, even harder. I wailed with the violent pleasure, grabbing at his sides. His teeth birthed a line of heat all the way to my junction, electrifying the very place that enjoyed his rough attention. My fingertips became stinging pain as I tried to grip him, and my blood teeth ached.

My body met a padded chair. Stunned by the sudden stop, I opened my eyes. Master stood over me, panting, his hands clenching and unclenching. Eyes blazing, he stalked away from me toward the rear of the plane.

I couldn’t help the tears. They fell no matter what I did. Wiping, I found blood on my hands.

Sniffling, I dug around in the travel bag and got a container of hand wipes. I’d seen Walter put them in there. The cold aloe soothed my enflamed face, removed the evidence of unnatural tears. It couldn’t help the frustrated burning in my body, however.

I retrieved my cell phone. With shaky hands, I managed to punch Walter’s private number. He answered on the second ring. “Alright, Miss Victoria?” he asked, his soft, kind voice a beacon to safe harbor.

“Already discouraged,” I admitted in a voice as tremulous as my grip on the phone. “Walter, what do men want?”

He made a humming sound. “If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you,” he teased.

It worked. I managed a laugh. “I’m already dead.”

“Which is why I can threaten you with impunity,” Walter chuckled. “Do you honestly want to know what men want?”

“Yes!” I zipped up the bag and put my seatbelt on. The plane seemed to be descending. “For God’s sake, tell me!”

“I would, but you want to know what Alucard wants, not men in general,” he said. “Am I right?”

“Yes, and I hate that I do.” I kicked the seat my master had once occupied, and it broke loose of its bolts. “And why am I asking you anyway? You don’t know!”

Walter chuckled again, deep and rich. “I really don’t,” he admitted. “But, I will tell you this; you seem to be doing just fine without that knowledge. Don’t drop your courage in the dirt. He’s always admired bravery; first with Sir Integra and now with you. Seems like a safe way to continue, don’t you think?”

A renewed sense of hope swept through me. “Thanks, Walter. You always know just what to say.”

“Old men are like that. Keep in touch, Miss Victoria.”

We hung up at the same time. As I tucked the tiny phone into my purse, I caught sight of my pantyhose. They were ruined, torn into non-existence at my inner thighs, ripped and frayed anywhere I’d come into contact with my master’s clothing. I’d look like a rape victim coming off this plane.