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PrologueVenice, 1592A loud crashing noise wrenched Allegra from her peaceful slumber. She sat up in bed, her heart racing wildly. A mournful wailing followed. Her blood pounded rapidly, fear bubbling up inside her.
"Allegra! Awaken, Allegra," a serene, soothing voice beckoned.
Allegra pushed the curls from her eyes and timidly peered about her. Nothing. 'Tis only the wind! She slumped against the pillows and sighed in relief.
The terrace doors rattled violently.
"No! 'Tis not a dream, you're perfectly lucid," she whispered, eyes fixed on the trembling doors. They burst open, crashing against the pale stucco walls. She recoiled, pulling the bedcovers up to her chin.
A man stood on the threshold, his sable cloak whipping about his imposing form. The moonlight cast its blue glow over his long, dark curls, his face obscured by shadow. "I seek your company. Permit me entrance to your chamber," he uttered. His voice was like a lover's caress; soft, silky and mysteriously seductive.
Allegra shook her head. "N--no!" She scrambled from the bed and backed away. If he had a mind to, he could march straight inside!
As though reading her thoughts, he said, "Sweet Allegra, I must obtain your permission to enter your chamber." He raised his right hand and motioned to her. "Come to me."
She turned and hurried toward the opposite doorway.
"Don't forsake me!" His anguished words halted her flight.
No! Don't listen to him, Allegra! Helpless, she turned and looked at him. The bright glint in his yellow eyes pierced hers, sending a shudder right through her. "Come," he repeated. She movedtoward him, vaguely aware of picking up her feet. Before she realized it, she was standing before him.
This can't be real! Fear curled through her limbs and making them weak. 'Tis only a dream! It cannot be anything else!
"Oh, Allegra, 'tis a very vivid dream." No man had ever spoken her name so intimately. How did he know it?
"What do you want from me?"
"Your surrender ... fair damsel."
Icy fingers clutched at her shoulders, crushing her against his steely form. He smelled of fine musk cologne and something else she couldn't quite distinguish. His frosty breath fanned her cheek and then her ear. "Don't run," his words whispered at her ear. "Don't fight me, you'll never win." His lips moved over the column of her neck, his tongue flicking over the pulsing jugular vein. "You should realize you're powerless to hide from me, sweet Allegra." His teeth grazed her flesh.
"P--please don't hurt me. Please." She felt like a coward for uttering the words.
He drew back and looked into her eyes. Gone was the yellow-gold spark, his gaze now obsidian. "You're my captive, not my dinner."
His face was exquisitely beautiful in the slanting moonlight and shadow. Each superbly sculpted angle was perfect in detail. She touched his determined jawline with trembling fingers. "I ... I know you." She tried to remember where she'd seen him. "I can't remember..."
His thick lashes lowered slightly and golden fire leapt from his eyes, as they turned yellow again. "I'm only in your dreams."
Allegra nodded hesitantly, stroking his velvet doublet. "Yes. You're my paramour when I..." Her words faded away. "Is this another dream?"
"Yes, we already concluded that," he replied. "Everything is real in the dream."
"Oh." His words served to confuse her more.
"Have I frightened you terribly?" His eyes scanned her face.
"I ... I don't understand..."
"Don't be distressed."
"Oh." She didn't know what to say.
"Are you going to invite me inside your residence?"
"Oh! I--I don't know--"
"You can trust me."
"I ... Indeed." She motioned inside. "Yes. Please come in."
"You don't appear very eager."
"Please, you're welcome. Anytime." She forced a smile.
He buried his hands in her hair, pulling her head back. Tears misted her eyes, and she felt them roll down her cheeks. He lowered his head, kissing her tears away. His lips moved down over her throat, his teeth scraping her skin.
"Don't!" she protested, instinctively knowing what he was about to do.
"Relax and take pleasure in it, my sweet." His tone was gentle. His sharp teeth slowly sank into her neck and excruciating pain exploded through her. She tried to scream, but he cupped his hand over her mouth, muting the sound.
Oh, God! Help me! This creature is going to kill me! I'm going to die! I don't want to die! I don't! No!
Shhhh. Hush, he telepathically relayed. He raised his head a little, his tongue sweeping over the bite. Hush now. He passed his hand down over her eyes and then scooped her up and carried her to the four-poster bed, gently placing her down.
His lips lightly brushed over hers, and then over her eyelids and cheeks. He drew back. Allegra forced her eyes open, peering up at the male leaning over her. "Why are you warm now?" The answer came to her right after the words left her month. He simply gave her a nod. A semblance of a smile touched his lips when his gaze strayed over her face. He found her freckle-covered nose and heart-shaped face amusing, no doubt. Many said she looked odd.
"Most women tell you this because they're jealous of your beauty. I adore the freckles on your nose, and your face is exquisite." He picked up a fat curl, wrapping it around his index finger. "And what's not to like about your raven locks?" His mind-reading abilities startled her.
"What ... who are you?" A hand went to her throbbing neck.
"I am Gabriele."
His gaze tugged at her. Allegra felt lightheaded and alarmingly excited. She fought the urge to touch his beautifully chiseled face. "W--what do you want from me, Gabriele?"
"Everything. I want everything." His pale fingers traced her lips, which trembled beneath the warmth of his touch. His mouth lowered gradually. "Right now I want to lay with you and take pleasure between your thighs."
"Ooh." Allegra felt the air constrict in her throat. Arrows of fire darted to her center and moisture pooled at her sex.
His mouth gently brushed over hers and she responded instantaneously. He growled in response, burying his fingers in her hair. Hot pleasure stabbed at her insides and she shuddered. She went to place her arms around him, and they melted right through him. She opened her eyes to find herself alone.
Allegra sat up, her breathing labored. She wiped the sweat from her brow with the cuff of her nightrail.
God, what's troubling me? She touched her aching throat and gasped when her fingers made contact with a wet, sticky substance. Blood! She brought her fingers to her nose and inhaled. Yes, 'tis blood, but this can't be, I must be going mad!
Allegra cast another glance about her, sensing a presence.
"Gabriele. Gabriele." She laughed. "At least your imaginary man has a decent name, Allegra."
"Ah!" Unseen fingers moved up her thinly clad thighs. Something wrenched her down the bed, pushing her gown up about her waist and spreading her thighs wide. Hot breath scorched her mons and a tongue sinuously stroked between her satiny folds. Slowly over her taut clit it rolled, back and forth, up and down, dipping deeply, persistently stroking. Heat curled through Allegra, searing every nerve ending in her body. Fear turned to rapture and she thrust up against his unseen mouth, crying out in unadulterated bliss.
His hot mouth loved her throbbing flesh thoroughly and relentlessly.
Yes, that's it ... let go, he telepathically relayed.
A shattering orgasm overcame her and she arched up to meet her tormentor's savage mouth, the bed sheets crumpling in her tightly clenched fingers as moans tore from her lips.
As Allegra lay there struggling to catch her breath, she stared at the embellished ceiling, the soft moonlight reflecting off its pale surface. "Show yourself, damn you!"
Nothing.
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