"Am I dreaming?" she asked before he brushed sensual, thin lips against hers. "Or, am I daydreaming?" She snickered as his grip tightened around her plush body.

"I assure you, beautiful, this is far from a dream," he replied as he approached a double wooden door that had been left ajar. Quickly, the handsome devil strode into the room and placed her on a large four-post bed with sheer bloodred curtains. She giggled as the bed seemed to swallow her up, and she reveled in the feeling of the satin and silk brushing against her skin. She blushed as Vukasin lay beside her.

"It has been too long," she whispered as he brushed his hand lightly against her cheek, causing goose bumps to rise over her delicate flesh. "My life, just seems so complicated right now," she said with a frown. "Sometimes I don't know whether I'm coming or going."

Vukasin grinned. "I assure you, on this night, my lady, I shall have you coming," he said softly before splaying moist kisses along her neck. Her core clenched as beads of moisture clung to the fevered triangle between her thighs.

"Where have you been?" She smiled and playfully nudged her handsome suitor.

"You never cease to bring joy into my existence," he said before parting her lips with his tongue. Althea groaned as his large hand crept to the nape of her neck, pulling her against his hard body.

"We've been battling our own demons," the wolf murmured huskily. "Something pursues you. We've been trying to keep the force here, in this realm, instead of letting it spill out into yours. Unfortunately, I fear she grows too strong for us."

"I hate to say this, but I think whatever it is you're talking about visits me in my dreams. I just met with it in the corridor, not long before running into you."

"I'm so sorry," Vukasin replied. "Perhaps we shouldn't make love, not now."

"I need to feel your touch. After what I've just been through, do not deprive me of that." She lowered her hand to the large bulge of his pants and squeezed.

He growled--at least, she thought she heard him growl. Breaking the connection to look into his eyes, she gasped. Silver eyes peered at her. He smiled, revealing a pair of incisors that reflected the candlelight.

"Do I frighten you?" Vukasin asked before brushing a lock of hair away from her eyes.

"No, I'm not frightened," she whispered, as her heart beat hard against her ribcage. "I--what the hell is happening?" she asked in confusion. "Something doesn't feel quite right to me

"Well, my dear. You have once again crossed over into our realm, body and spirit. Usually, when you fantasize or dream, your spirit roams, leaving your body behind. This time, I'm afraid, you are actually here, in the flesh."

Just then an insistent knock came at the door.

"Open up, Vukasin," a deep voice urged. "What are you doing in there with her!"

"I knew it would be only a matter of time," Vukasin grumbled, rising to his feet. "Can't we just stake him and get it over with?" the wolf said casually as he opened the door.

"I heard that!" An equally tall man stormed into the wolf's chambers, and crossed his arms. Althea marveled at the handsome fellow, the vampire, who'd given her many nights of erotic pleasure. In fact, both creatures went out of their way to sate her otherworldly desires and were equally handsome.

"Quinton," she murmured, as the pale vampire strode in her direction. His alabaster skin almost seemed to glow in the dimly lit room. He was around the same height, maybe even taller than Vuk, and equally muscular. His white hair was combed back away from his face and hung to the small of his back. The black suit he sported contrasted richly with his skin tone.