Gypsy Designs Ch. 10

Vince pulled Sophie to his side protectively when Barton and Damone turned their gaze toward her.

"You two are part of the corruption that's happened to my granddaughter," Barton snapped, the venom of his words obvious. "If it hadn't been for twisted perverted people like you, and that miserable brother of yours. My Evelyn would still be alive, not cursed in hell for giving birth to this disgusting slut," he snarled, flinging his arm to point at Gypsy.

Damone seemed to swell with rage, noticing a single drop of blood sliding along the column of Gypsy's throat. Caydn had nicked her intentionally with his teeth. The droplet slid down over her collar bone, hesitating before moving over the curve of her breast, Caydn's mouth following its path.

"She's beyond redemption," Damone growled when Caydn flashed him a quick smile, the glow of their presence glinting off of the sharp incisors before lowering his head, raking them over the soft flesh of her breast teasingly.

"Kill her! Kill all of them," Barton bellowed throwing his arms in the air as if he was able to conjure the heavens to descend upon them all.

Lucien quietly stepped forward, mentally chastening Caydn for pushing the situation to this level. "How might I ask, do the two of you intend such a large order when you're nothing but projected images that have the same substance as air?" he asked, one brow raised waiting for an answer.

"Damone I can assure you when you faced Phillip, it was sheer coincidence you managed to do the minor damage you seem to think you did," he chuckled. "Allow me to give you some food for thought. If you ever think of coming here physically, things will not be as simple as your small mind believes them to be. Then and now Phillip's a mere child in comparison to myself," he said smoothly, his voice deepening, the vibrations of power rolling off his body as though waves crashing along the shore.

"I stand here as a guardian, as you know," he said with a slight smile. "Facing me will be as though facing the very devil you seem to be searching for. Only the results will not be of your making, nor liking. Be forewarned, I'm tiring of your games quickly. Tread very carefully unless you're in a hurry to meet your maker."

When Lucien throw his hands forward the flash momentarily blinded Gypsy, but she did see the expression of shock that flashed across the faces of both Barton and Damone before the images shattered into particles and vanished.

Vince stepped forward frowning, "why in the hell didn't you do that before? You obviously were able to and not allow this fiasco to take place," he demanded, when Lucien turned around slowly.

"Vince I know this is uncomfortable for you and Sophie. The disruption of your lives and your home, but once you calm down I'm sure you'll understand how important it is to not show everything in your hand so quickly," Lucien said meeting his eyes meaningfully.

"No one's ever known how deep into the dark arts Damone had delved, it would be beneath me to assume he hasn't learned some dangerous tricks along the way," he explained. "It's obvious the projection was the work of both of them, since it wavered when Barton was losing control of his emotions. This might've been a trick to make us think neither is strong enough alone or it might be fact, we don't know yet."

"The strategies of hunting and being hunted are never black and white," Christian said stepping forward. "If it was then over the centuries there would've been little need for you to have formed a bond with those such as ourselves," he said motioning to the entire group. "Think of how many things would've never had a chance to take place. Angelique might not be your granddaughter, as Phillip might never have come into Jaz's life," he said gently seeing Vince and Sophie both nod their understanding.

"Speaking of my lovely wife I think I'll retire to Christian's, and give her and Angelique a call," Phillip smiled resting his hand on Sophie's shoulder.

Meghan noticed Christian had not taken his eyes off of Caydn and Gypsy, touching his arm she felt the tenseness of his body. Meeting his eyes, when he looked down at her she nodded, seeing the exhausted droop to Gypsy's shoulders and the look of concern on Caydn's face.

"I think we should leave so Gypsy and everyone can get some needed rest," she said softly, squeezing Sophie's hand before she followed Vince inside.

Hearing everything said and happening around her, Gypsy kept her eyes locked on her hands. They not only felt different, they looked different to her. Nothing was the same to her. She heard the questions filtering through her mind from Caydn and Lucien both as the two men stood silently watching her.

"I think we stopped anything Damone might have been able to do," Lucien said quietly, reassuring Caydn. Turning he looked down the drive, watching the fading tail lights of the SUV as the others left.

Caydn felt as if every nerve in his body was on edge, waiting for her to look up and tell him herself she was okay. Closing his eyes he breathed in deeply, absorbing her scent. She was aroused, her scent spoke volumes to the darkness he held in check within himself at all times.

Glancing toward Lucien, he reached for her hand, he stopped when she groaned as their fingers entwined. Meeting his friend's eyes he knew they'd not been as lucky as they'd thought, or hoped.

"Caydn what's happening to me?" she asked softly, her voice almost pleading. "I feel like I should see blisters on my skin. It's on fire, but doesn't hurt," she shook her head. "I know that doesn't make sense but I can't explain it," she said looking up to meet his eyes, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment at her thoughts.

"The son of a bitch," Lucien growled deeply, having heard her words and seen the dangerous expression that flashed across Caydn's face. Closing his eyes, focusing his mind toward the two of them, he could see that electrical charges jumping as if arching from a live power line, confirming what he was afraid of. "When she touched you it transferred, catching both of you in the web," he explained when Caydn looked up, his eyes now totally black, the once band of warm brown lost in the obsidian.

Gypsy looked from Caydn to Lucien. Seeing the fierce glow of Caydn's eyes, she backed up suddenly, stopping at the growling deep in his throat.

"Please tell me what's happening," she looked at him, hoping he'd say something, anything. "Caydn you've got to make it stop," she cried, a tear slipping from her eye, unheeded down her cheek.

Lucien moved quickly, stepping between the two, pushing Gypsy back. At the moan that escaped her lips from the contact, he grabbed Caydn's hands just as they began to curl into claws. Locking his eyes with Caydn's he bared his own fangs, using his immense strength to hold Caydn's hands frozen in the air.

"You can't allow this my friend," he said squeezing his hands to emphasis his words. "Damone intended for you to lose control. If she doesn't die outright from the physical and mental overload of passion, you'll be pushed and drain her. Eventually killing her in the process," he said firmly. Hearing her gasp, he wished she hadn't heard everything he said.

"Are you trying to tell me Damone succeeded with what ever he was trying to do? We just didn't know it?" she said stepping around Lucien, her hand moving to his arm. She ground her teeth together the minute she'd touched him. The electrical pulses shooting through her body making it feel as if an inferno was building in her very core.

Caydn's eyes moved from her hand to meet Lucien's. "Now you're tangled in it also?" he asked, his voice a low dangerous growl. He released the breath, he'd been holding when Lucien shook his head no. "Why isn't it affecting you also?"

"I didn't say I didn't feel it," Lucien said seriously, shrugging his arm away from Gypsy's grasp. "I'm just stronger and have the ability to fight it where as you obviously don't," he explained.

She felt tears rush to her eyes, her skin feeling as if it was crawling over her body. "Would one of you tell me what the hell's wrong with me!" she choked out, giving into the soft sobs she felt closing her throat. "Can't you make it go away?" she pleaded, looking at Caydn.

"Call Christian back maybe he can fix it," she said moving her hands to rub her arms only to drop them, groaning at the contact. Shaking her head in confusion she looked from one to the other, silently begging them to tell her something.

Caydn dropped his head, knowing the answer before Lucien could reply. "Christian's no older or stronger than I am," he said quietly, feeling Lucien's grip on his hands lessen, as he regained control over himself. "He's also mated, so being here would cause a serious conflict."

Lucien nodded, having already thought of that before Gypsy mentioned it. This was something the three of them were going to have to deal with until it ran its course, which was hopefully soon.

"I agree, and we need fewer complications instead of more. You have my word that I'll stand guard," he said meeting the eyes of his closest friend for centuries. "First you need to feed and feed well. I also suggest as quickly as possible," he said glancing at Gypsy who was shivering and panting beside them.

"I wish the two of you wouldn't talk about me as if I wasn't standing right here," she snapped her eyes open glaring at them both. "What ever the hell has to be done do it and be damn quick about it," she frowned, a soft moan escaping her, when she stomped her foot.

Caydn stepped back, willing himself not to reach for her just yet. He knew he'd have to feed to be able to control the animal within himself, also for the strength he'd need.

"I know you've used the room since you've been here," he said glancing at Lucien who nodded. "Gypsy I need you to go with Lucien. I'll be as quick as I can," he said, silently acknowledging the men Lucien had stopped near the front of the estate. They waited for his convenience unknowingly.

Gypsy took a few steps and stopped after Caydn vanished into the darkness. Tears ran from her eyes, her hands curling into tight balls only to open and flex instantly.

"Lucien please, make it stop," she whispered, meeting his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat when he stepped forward, scooping her into his arms, moving swiftly around the corner of the house to a door hidden behind the brick wall surrounding the hot tub.

Closing the outer door behind them, bolting it securely, he reached for the inner door, before putting her down. He couldn't help but chuckle when she gasped seeing the large bedroom Caydn had furnished for him when he'd bought the estate.

The stone walls were covered with lengths of varying colored fabrics, used to prevent the dampness from seeping through. In the center of the room was a massive bed, the covers thrown aside from when he'd awoken earlier.

Holding her breath she looked around. A dim light spilled from what imagined was the bathroom, leaving the room in dark shadows. She glanced at Lucien who only shrugged his shoulders, tossing his leather jacket on the back of a large over stuffed chair in what appeared to be a sitting area.

"Should I even ask if that's what I think it is?" she said her eyes huge, almost filling her face while she stared at what looked like a torture table, cuffs included. "I think this is a side of Caydn I've never seen before," she laughed nervously.

"This is my room, and yes that is what you think it is," he smiled proudly, remembering how hard it had been to get it through the doorway, hundreds of years before.

Walking over to the sitting area, her teeth grinding with ever movement she made. "I guess I can say then I'm seeing a side of you I never thought to see," she attempted to laugh casually, only for it to end in a low groan when she sat on the arm of a chair.

"Will you please explain to me what's happening? Caydn doesn't want to tell me, I know because he's closed himself off and I can't think clearly enough to try and find out," she admitted meeting his eyes. "Just tell me and please be honest. I need to know what to expect, I'm sick of surprises."

Lucien rubbed his brow, trying to think of how to explain it without shocking her anymore than he knew she would be no matter what. "I'm sure you've heard of an aphrodisiac?" he asked bracing him self to look at her, hoping he wasn't looking as embarrassed as he felt.

At her nod, he took a deep breath. "The easiest way to explain it is think of Damone's spell as a magical aphrodisiac times ten," he said falling back into a chair with a sigh. "I need you to listen to me and listen closely," he said leaning forward, propping his elbows on his knees.

"Everything you've ever thought or have been taught that falls along the lines of conservative, throw it out the window," he said quickly, holding his hand up when she opened her mouth, a flush covering her cheeks rapidly. "Your body is now beyond your control. Your inhibitions need to be a thing of the past if you want to survive this, as well as Caydn coming through it without losing his mind and control," he said seriously.

"Why's my skin crawling as if it's covered in ants?" she said quietly looking at her hands, afraid to touch them.

"You need to be touched," he said honestly. "The spell was based on your being a 'whore'. I'm not saying you are, but that was what Damone based his wording on," he explained cutting her off before she could protest.

"Tonight you'll need to forget anything you've ever learned about being a prim proper young lady as I know your father taught you to be. Your ability to out last this and come out unharmed will depend on you being able to step beyond that, allowing yourself to feel and act as though you're a whore," he said solemnly.

She held her breath, absorbing the words, beginning to recognize the burning deep inside, the same rush of heat and feelings she felt when making love with Caydn. Looking up she blushed, hating Lucien had to explain it to her as if she were nothing more than an innocent school girl, which she basically was.

"It's almost dawn, how can you stand guard when the sun's up and beating down on the outside door?" she asked trying to file away as much information as she could before Caydn returned.

Lucien sighed, closing his eyes. "Gypsy I'll have to be here," he said quietly. "In the room, in case Caydn's control slips. I'll have to be here to protect the both of you during this."

********************

Caydn opened the door to Lucien's room from the stairwell hidden inside the house. Having heard part of the conversation he wondered what explosive reaction she'd have when she saw him.

"Gypsy, Lucien and I have always jokingly said 'what happens in his dungeon, stays in his dungeon', but those words have never been as true as they are now." He said meeting the eyes of his friend, having resigned himself to what he knew was required.

She felt her body begin to throb simply at the sound of his voice. Grinding her teeth together since she was beyond words at the moment, she dropped her head in a defeated nod. A blush rushed to cover her cheeks, a tear slipped to linger on her lashes.

"Come to me," Caydn said softly, reaching for her. His fingers entwined with hers as she stepped into his arms, he hated the look of defeat that flashed across her face.

Her skin was on fire instantly, a wild fire rushing to consume her at their first contact. A deep groan escaped her, his arms came around her pulling her firmly against his body. Closing her eyes, she gave into the churning need to touch him. Her hands yanking the leather tie from his hair roughly, pulling his mouth down to hers.

Lucien moved from the room silently. Stepping into the bathroom he piled clean towels on the counter, suspecting the shower would be needed before it was over. Hearing her moan of release he tightened his hands into fists, fighting the tingling that coursed through his own body, a result of her touching him. Blocking his mind from his body, he over came the need even he felt.

Caydn ran his hands down her sides, his mouth devouring hers savagely. Moving his hand from her hip to slid directly between her thighs, the heat burning his hand on contact. Her explosive groan escaped their locked mouths as she shuddered violently, experiencing the first orgasm of what might be the first of hundreds.

Pulling her hands from his hair, he stepped back, reaching for her shirt. Pulling sharply, he ripped the buttons from the sweater, scattering them across the thickly carpeted floor. "You're not going to need this," he flashed an evil smile when she gasped. "The less touching you, the less painful it will be at times," he explained.

Sliding her hands under his shirt, she moved it up over his chest. "I'm going to say the same goes for you since you feel it to," she said firmly, daring him to object.

Lucien stepped from the bathroom, shaking his head. "I suggest for my sanity as well as a way of keeping down arguments. Both of you need to get rid of everything that can rub against your bodies intensifying the fucking spell," he said through clenched teeth.

Gypsy shook her head, laughing bitterly, stepping back from Caydn. "Leave it to a man to come up with the logic of 'strip naked and no one will argue'," she snapped sarcastically, kicking her shoes off. She smiled innocently when they landed near Lucien's feet.

"I don't think at anytime while I explained this did I mention the need to be a shrew or a bitch," Lucien growled at her, making Caydn throw his head back laughing.

Caydn tossed his shirt over a chair. Kicking off his shoes, he glanced at Lucien who glared at him. "I think we can use that as a meter to her frustration and tolerance level," he laughed and growled when she slapped his chest sharply.

"If you want my clothes off, take them off yourself," she said fighting the urge to groan when his eyes moved over the curves of her bra, her nipples pushing painfully against the lace confines of it.

Stepping forward he reached behind her, not touching her except to unhook her bra. He smiled seeing her eyes snap open, the lace dragging across each engorged nipple as it fell free. Her body shuddered violently, her hands clenching into fists.

"Be nice to each other, there's too many hours left to start playing games of spite now," Lucien snapped seeing the two at a stand off, each of their bodies demanding satisfaction.

Gypsy watched Caydn drop to his knees in front of her, his hands moving toward the waistband of her jeans. She held her breath feeling the deep stirring and twisting inside her body. Jumping back as his hands were about to touch her, tears running down her face, when the full reality of it all struck her hard.

"Can't you just make this stop? Make me go to sleep and wake me when it's over?" she pleaded looking from Cadyn to Lucien. Small sobs escaped her when she saw the look of resignation on Lucien's face, and the animalistic primal glow radiating from Cadyn's eyes.

Moving across the room, Lucien stepped behind her. Gripping her arms gently, arching her back, her head resting on his shoulder.

"Gypsy you have to remember what I told you," he said quietly his eyes meeting Caydn's when he heard the low controlled growl. "You have to forget everything you've been taught. Push it out of your mind and find the seductive side of yourself and let it free," he told her, frowning when she shook her head no violently, Caydn unsnapped then unzipped her jeans.

"Draw from your past experience, reenact them with Caydn," Lucien told her, his hands holding her, bracing her trembling body, the fabric of her jeans raking down her ultra sensitive skin.

"I can't," she sobbed, the remaining words lost in her emotions.

"You have to," Lucien said firmly, his voice rising, as he fought the pull of the desire that radiated from her.