Free Awakening by A.C. Warneke

gone.
    Lost in his musings, he bumped into someone. As she stumbled backwards, his hands shot out and grabbed her around the arms, steadying her. Figuring it was one of the Calix cleaning maids, he grinned and looked down, meeting the vibrant eyes of the girl who had been lying on Adam’s bed. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the bite marks on her neck, confirming that she was, in fact, the same girl. “Good God you are alive.”
    The girl stared up at him and blinked her large, hazel eyes in confusion. After a moment, a delicate line formed between her brows as she frowned, “And you look exactly like Adamanteros.”
    “We are twins,” he said mindlessly, still staring at her, examining her face for any indication that she was Thraell , or at the very least Calix . There were no fangs, her eyes, her hazel eyes, still sparkled with life. True, her lips were a little ashen but fluids would take care of that. His eyes remained on her lips as she spoke and he had the sudden and inexplicable urge to taste her.
    “Why does it surprise you that I’m alive?” she asked, her brows knitted together in confusion. He found her utterly adorable.
    Slowly, a smile curved his lips as he leaned against the wall and looked down at her. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he inhaled deeply, drinking in her scent. There wasn't even the slightest hint of the Calix taint; she was still very much human. Opening his eyes, he looked over the girl’s features once more, looking for any indication that she was perhaps a new breed of Calix , which would be amazing and unlikely. Apocritae bit humans and changed them, there was no other option. Yet Adam had bit this human and she was just as human as she was before, with that tempting sweetness just beneath the surface.
    Takin g another deep breath, he was startled to realize that there was something different about her, something that called to him and demanded his submission, which was ridiculous. He did not submit to anyone, least of all a puny human. Yet for all of his protests he could not tear his eyes away from her….
    He felt his cock hardening and he made no effort to conceal the effect she was having on him. “My brother has quite the… stamina.”
    Blushing, she lowered her lashes slightly and smiled, “Yes, I know.”
    “Then you must understand my shock,” he continued smoothly, his voice low and alluring. She was completely unaware of the raging erection pressing against the front of his leather pants. Annoyed that she didn't react at all, he reached between his legs and adjusted the damn thing, frowning when she didn’t even blink. Needing her to acknowledge him, he put his hands on her shoulders, pleased when she looked up at him with curiosity in her hazel eyes. “I am amazed that you were able to walk out of his bedroom; that you are able to walk at all.”
    Her eyes sparkled with laughter as she asked, “Then I should be flattered?”
    “ Definitely,” he nodded, sliding his hands down her arms until he held her hands in his. As he bent his knees so his eyes would meet hers at her level, he repeated, “Most definitely.”
    He brought her hands up to her lips, about to kiss the flesh of the girl who managed to survive, but she was wrenched away. Standing to his full height, he grinned as he saw the possessive expression on his brother’s face as Adam wrapped his arm around Celeste’s waist, tucking her under his arm and holding her to his side. With an unrepentant grin, he crooned, “Good morning, Adam. Please introduce me to your friend.”
    “ This is my brother Auberon,” Adam said, squeezing her a little tighter. “Auberon, Celeste.”
    The girl held out her delicate hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    Auberon felt his brother’s possessiveness without needing to see the taut line of his jaw and that made Auberon all the more anxious to fee d from her. But before he was able to take her hand, she turned and lifted the once offered hand, cupping