Into the Depths

ALEXANDER

^OFF THE COAST OF PERTH, 1923^

We remained in that position for what felt like forever. It wasn’t a typical human posture, but it was comfortable for us. She was leaning back against me, my hands resting gently on her hips.

We conversed in hushed tones, her attention alternating between our chat and the salty sea breeze. As the sky darkened, the stars lighting it up, she tilted her head back to look at me. A faint smile danced on her lips.

“I finished the book,” she shared.

“Did you like it?” I asked.

“Yes.” She nodded in affirmation.

“That’s great. I’ll get you another one in Australia. You can learn English.”

She nodded again, softly this time. “Thank you.”

She fell silent for a moment before resting her head back against my chest. I flexed my fingers on her hips, and a smile spread across her face.

“I think it’s time for me to beat you at chess again,” she announced, her voice laced with playful mischief.

I laughed. “I think it’s time for me to show you who’s boss again. Let’s make it interesting this time. Let’s bet.” I whispered close to her ear. “Want me to get you a drink while you set up?”

She turned around in my arms, leaning back as I instinctively grabbed the railing behind her, effectively trapping her. She smirked up at me, her body pressing lightly against mine.

“This time, I get to decide the stakes,” she said, her dark eyes sparkling with challenge.

I grinned, lowering my head until our noses were almost touching. My gaze fell to her full lips. I yearned to kiss them, to feel their softness against mine. My hands found her waist, holding her tightly, my fingers digging into her curves.

She giggled and wriggled. I lowered my head to her neck, my lips hovering over the sensitive spot where I had first bitten her. I hummed against her neck, relishing the way she tensed in anticipation. I could feel her emotions—joy, hunger, and determination—swirling within her.

“All right,” I murmured, pressing my lips lightly to her pulse point. I felt her shiver.

She seized the opportunity to slip from my grasp, laughing as she darted away across the deck. I smirked, enjoying watching her more than she probably knew.

While she went to get our board, I poured her a glass of whiskey and set up a table on the deck. The other passengers had long since retired to their cabins, and I could hear the crew in their quarters and on lookout posts, shivering and smoking against the night wind.

Aya returned, the chessboard in her hands. The wind whipped around us, but she didn’t react. Her light clothing would have shocked any human, but she felt nothing.

She sat across from me, humming as she set up the board. She only did that when she had a strategy. She was planning something new, and I was eager to see what it was.

When everything was ready, she took a slow sip of her whiskey and leaned back, crossing her legs. A sly grin played on her lips. I mirrored her expression.

“Your move.” She spun the board so the white pieces were on my side. I smirked and made my first move.

I loved the spark of excitement in her eyes as she leaned forward, made her move, and then raised her eyebrows to look at me, daring me to counter her.

“What’s the bet?” I asked.

She thought for a moment as I made my next move. Then her dark eyes met mine, glittering with challenge.

“If I win, you have to tell me what you’re feeling for a whole day,” she proposed provocatively. I raised my eyebrow.

“You only have to ask, Aya,” I told her softly.

She tilted her head to one side, studying our game. “You always know what I’m feeling. It’s only fair.”

“You’re right. So no need for a bet or a deal. Just ask me.”

“How would you feel if I asked you to teach me to hide my emotions from you?” I could sense her nervousness as she asked, her hesitation, and a hint of fear.

The fear stung. She had no reason to fear me.

“I love knowing what you’re feeling; it’s the maker’s way of protecting the vampires they turn. Also, any humans who have ingested their blood. We’re hunters but protect our own, especially our families. And you are my chosen family. A maker who disregards his turned vampires is a bad pureblood.”

She stared at me as I spoke.

“What if I want to keep a secret from you?”

“What secret?” I tried to hide the disappointment in my voice.

She was fixated on the game board, her anxiety palpable. I could feel her unease, even if she tried to hide it.

“Suppose I have a feeling I’m not ready to share,” she whispered, moving her castle piece.

I looked at the game board, then back at her. “I can teach you to mask your emotions. It’s not an easy task, but it’s possible. However, it shouldn’t distract you from managing your hunger.”

She nodded, a wave of relief washing over her. “Thanks, Alex,” she said, and I couldn’t help but smile, even as guilt gnawed at my insides.

We continued the game in silence for a while.

“What are you feeling right now?” she asked, her head tilted to one side.

I hesitated before answering. “I feel like swimming with the dolphins. I could teach you how to fish.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Really? Can we do that? Let’s go!”

I laughed as she jumped up from her chair and ran toward the railing.

“Easy there, little bird,” I said, catching her hand. “We can’t just jump off the side of the ship. We might scare the humans.”

She smirked at me, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Let me show you how it’s done,” I said, leading her to a secluded part of the deck where the crew wouldn’t spot us. I took off my shirt, grinning when I noticed her eyes lingering on my bare chest.

“We wouldn’t want to get our clothes wet, would we?” I teased.

She shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. “All right, but no peeking.”

“I can’t promise that,” I replied, smirking at her.

She rolled her eyes and turned away, unbuttoning her blouse. As it fell from her shoulders, she untied her trousers, letting them drop to the deck. She was left in nothing but light cotton undergarments.

I tried not to stare. I really did. But it was impossible.

She was stunning—her skin smooth and dark, her body curvy and long-legged, her waist cinched.

Before I could second-guess myself, she dove off the deck, disappearing into the dark water.

I quickly undressed and followed her. To humans, the ocean at night was a terrifying abyss. But for us, it was a world of ultraviolet hues, the moonlight reflecting off the water particles.

I spotted her in the distance, her body moving effortlessly through the water. I caught up to her easily, pulling her toward me by her waist. Her eyes sparkled, her fangs gleaming in a wide grin.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, letting me guide her toward the pod. As we got closer, she slipped from my grasp, her emotions overflowing with awe and joy. Seeing her like this, I couldn’t help but smile.

I was slowly making it up to her. She grabbed onto a dolphin’s dorsal fin, laughing as it pulled her along. I followed, watching her with quiet admiration.

The pod was playful, diving and leaping in the waves. She was completely captivated. When she finally let go, she floated back to me. I took her hand, guiding her toward the surface.

The moonlight made the water droplets on her skin glisten. She pushed her wet hair back, her chest heaving from the excitement. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around my waist, her hands gripping my body.

My hands found the tops of her thighs, holding her securely. Her dark eyes met mine, her lips parting slightly. Those lips.

My hand moved up to cup her cheek, my thumb tracing her lower lip. She shivered at my touch.

“I’m going to kiss you,” I whispered.

Her legs tightened around my waist. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer.

Her emotions were raw and intense—desire, hunger, need. She wanted me.

I didn’t hesitate. I pressed my lips to hers, pulling her body against mine. She tasted like salt and sweet intoxication.

Her lips were soft, yet fierce. I bit down gently, her soft moan sending a wave of heat through me. Her tongue tangled with mine, her body pressing against me, seeking more.

My grip on her thighs tightened, a deep groan escaping me as she tugged at my hair. Her fangs grazed my lip, drawing blood.

She gasped at the taste, her crimson eyes locking onto mine. My blood dripped from her lips, her breath ragged. There was something dangerously erotic about it.

“We shouldn’t,” she whispered, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

I cupped her face, wiping the blood from her lip with my thumb. “We should. And we will, Aya. As long as you’re with me, I’ll kiss you whenever I want.”