The Crimson Lotus, New York's most exclusive night club. Normally one had to be either rich or famous enough to even get a chance to wait in the queue. But tonight is about as far from normal as it could get. Before I get too far in my rambling I should probably introduce myself. My name is Jason Alexander Sinclair, during the day I'm a detective for New York's finest. Working on special interests cases. Which is mundane speech for supernatural investigations. Thirty years ago the supernatural started to show up in our world once more. Panic ensued but a peace was attained within just a few short years. I'm especially attuned for this work, I'm a practitioner. User of the arcane arts, some people are lucky enough to be born with this gift. I say it's more of a curse but alas we don't get to choose our genetics. I'm rustled from my thoughts when a man to my left lightly nudges my shoulder. He's rather tall, being around six foot three, standing almost four inches higher than me. His brown hair is cropped short in a Marine approved style. Square jaw and the brightest blue eyes you could imagine. This is David, one of my best friends and coworker. He turned to the force after being Honorably Discharged after the war. His voice is gruff, not showing the man's truly kind nature "Jason you look dead. You're in New York's finest club. Live a little, it's not like you have a piece waiting for you at home."

That one stung, I'd say I'm recently single but that would be a lie. It's been six months since Jennifer left and I haven't quite bounced back since. But he is right, it's not healthy for me to be forlorn like this. And under any other circumstance I would do as he said but I'm working. I fix him with a light glare, my emerald eyes fiercely staring him down. And in a low whisper that I made sure that only he could hear due to the blaring music I spit out "I'm working David. You may only answer to one boss but I have many. This place is run by Vamps and I need to make sure they are following the Accords."

David rolls his eyes at me, he doesn't understand the Conclaves. How could he? He is no Magus. He honestly believes that it's the might of humanity's militaries that keeps them safe. And while nuclear weapons are a great deterrent, the supernatural has very little else to fear from humanity. It's the combined efforts of the various conclaves and the Church who does the real work. His hand clasps my shoulder and he shoves a cold beer into my hand. God I hate beer but David wouldn't take no as an answer, so I quickly down the swill. He couldn't even swing for high quality beer, Bud Light is what he handed me. "Now Jason, you're going to get on that dance floor and you will bring someone home with you. I'm tired of seeing you mope around the office."

A breathless sigh leaves my lips as I force myself to my feet. Before I even realize it I'm dancing. Some hip hop artist is blaring over the speakers and I quickly dance to the beat. Once I get my body into motion I use the distraction to force my senses outward. A rather simple spell but very effective. Within seconds I can tell exactly how many people are in the club. Two hundred and seventy five, each with their own unique aura. Most of the customers are supernatural in some form. I feel several fae dancing rhythmically. I may be a good dancer but I'm nothing compared to the fae. Several lycans are by the bar trying to pick up a dryad. Each taking their own attempt as if they were trying to show up each other. The dryad seemed amused if anything, as if this is a regular occurrence. I quickly change my focus once I feel the two succubi entertaining what appears to be a half-demon. No need to see the private rooms so I narrow my focus down to just the dance floor and bar. Nothing seems out of the ordinary for a supernatural zone. My concentration leaves me and I'm quickly snapped back to my body. A seductive voice caresses my left ear, a warm silky voice that promised pleasures unknown to the mundane. Her hand is placed at my hip. "Well you're certainly new here. I definitely would have recognized you if you've come here before."

A primal hunger was in her cadence, my body reacted burning with need. It took only a moment before I felt as if my blood had frozen in my veins. She completely escaped my sense, she was able to effectively blind my third eye. A breath gets caught in my throat as I turned slightly to face the woman. Unearthly beautiful is how I would describe her. Perfect porcelain skin not a single blemish could be seen, and a lot of her was to be seen. A form fitting red dress hugs at her curves, a small little number that stretches the term legal let alone modest. Long flowing white hair cascades down past her creamy shoulders. A sheen of bright red lipstick covers a pair of lips that make promises that shouldn't be said in public. And for the briefest moment her eyes flashed a brilliant crimson. 

Fuck. A vampire, the apex predator of the supernatural world. I take a calming breath, I can't risk showing fear. That would only go to exciting her further and making me dinner even faster. Once my heartbeat returns to a more normal rate I reply, my voice calm and confident. "First time for anything, may I get your name?"

She comes closer pressing her body against mine causing me to stiffen in more than one way. I pray that she fails to notice but once I feel her hand trail down my stomach I know that to be futile. Her mouth is by my ear breathing heavily in hunger, be that lust or otherwise, which is not helping my libido in any form. The words come out soft and full of need "Anastasia. And who are you~"

I try to answer but all that comes out is a moan. Anastasia's tongue darts out caressing my earlobe and starts trailing down to my neck. I try fighting the arousal burning liquid fire in my veins. It's then a thought flits through my mind. Why fight it? She certainly won't risk execution by draining me. And if her actions are any judge, the night will certainly be memorable. I feel all my muscles relax and can feel her shiver of victory. She had me and she knew it. I also couldn't find it in me to care, I would certainly enjoy being under her ministrations. A little blood seemed well worth it. I finally am able to form coherent words "Jason, it's a pleasure to meet you" I put a bit of extra emphasis on the word pleasure allowing the thinly veiled offer to be known clearly. A smirk falls upon my lips when I see her shudder involuntarily. Seems like I'm not the only one who is entranced. 

Here's a small fact about vampires, they love blood. Specifically blood filled to the brim with magical energy. It's how they sustain their immortality, even the mundane have a bit of energy in their blood. But a practitioner is teeming with mana. Vampires are drawn to us like moths to a flame. Normally this is very bad for us. We generally want to remain unnoticed, but to hell with that I'm certainly enjoying being noticed right about now. Everything about her body is driving me crazy, and she's allowing my hands to roam around her dangerously. 

I would soon lose any and all control that I have. I want to take her. To claim her and allow her due fill of my life essence. My arousal is immediately doused as if ice water were poured down the front of my pants. I quickly send my senses out and feel a massive buildup of magical power, and anything this large would be far from beneficial for my health. I quickly snap back into my body and barely have time to activate my protective sigils before an explosion rocks the club. 

I feel the blast rock against my barrier, tensing against the strength for a few moments before tearing through it like tissue paper. I'm not sure when I did, but I wrapped Anastasia up in my arms bringing her to the ground using my body to protect her against the blast. Pain blossoms throughout my body as the heat of the explosion lashes my back. Anguished screams pour out of my mouth as the flesh begins to melt from my bones. Within a moment the magic is gone leaving the club silent. I collapse to the ground whimpers of agony echoing through the near silent club. I fight off unconsciousness and try to take stock of the situation. It seems as if the explosion was contained to the dancefloor and nowhere else. Turns out that buildup was no mistake, someone planned this and wanted to make a point. They had to be skilled, that much power and such relatively fine control. I feel my head turn quickly and my eyes are now upon Anastasia's. Slight concern is clearly visible on her face as her lips move but no words escape. I reach up and touch the side of my head feeling a wet, sticky substance leak down. Blood. That's why it's so quiet my eardrums must be ruptured. Anastasia's eyes turn to a deep crimson and she stiffens. Sitting up straight and completely unmoving, it's rather eerie to witness. Oh fuck the blood, and she was quite obviously trying to sate that hunger with me earlier. My eyes droop, unable to fight anymore to remain awake. The last thing I remember is Anastasia bringing her wrist down to my mouth as I slowly drift into oblivion.

Unconsciousness is never a pleasant experience for a practitioner, once the restraints of our mortal mind are loosened we become one with the supernal. We become one with magic itself and it’s hard to retain our sense of self. When we head to sleep we have to cast spells so that our mind can rest and retain itself without effort. It’s like swimming up the current, being washed with the sensations of every practitioner on the planet. Our very life force can be used up if we’re not careful, thankfully I’m very good at this. What most young practitioners don’t realize is that we can use magic while in the Supernal world. Not only that but we are much, much stronger here. Our mortal body is no longer shackling our power, and we can use as much of it as we want with no repercussions. With a quick application of my will I feel my form start to take shape, no longer am I a flowing mass of pure mana. If one were able to see the pure Supernal, which only practitioners are gifted, I would now be a glowing outline of my body. Much better from the formless cloud I was before, far easier to retain my mental faculties when I have a form. The Supernal world is breathtaking, even after experiencing it so many times I cannot quite fathom its beauty. First, there’s no sun in the Supernal world but nonetheless it’s quite easy to see. All around is vast expanses of vermillion. It’s as if you’re floating for there is no ground, just the open beauty of pure, undiluted magic flowing around you. Oh, and making sure you think of it flowing around you is critical. Once you see yourself as one with the Supernal you’re done for. Your mind will inevitably deteriorate as your very being turns into the very magic we use to cast spells. I soon start to feel the shackles of my mind reign in the power of the Supernal. Coaxing it back into my mortal body, it seems like my time here is drawing short. My seemingly endless supply of magic starts to reach its limits, back to my normal reserves. And then came the blackness. 

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

The first thing I notice when I return to my mortal body is that I am in a completely unknown room. The bed I am lying in is far more comfortable than the one currently in my apartment. Quite obviously made of memory foam unlike my stiff boxspring, I honestly don’t feel like leaving the bed. The sheets are made of the smoothest silk, wherever I am the owner is quite obviously wealthy. I let out a breath to steady myself as I let my senses expand out past my body. I’m alone in the room, and it’s lavishly furnished. A fifty-six inch flatscreen television covers the wall in front of me. I continue pushing my senses forward expanding as far as I can and my breath is taken away from me. This house, no mansion is a better term, is massive. A three story behemoth of a building surrounded by vast tracts of land. Quite obviously I’m out of the city proper at this point. I also feel a slight sense of dread fill me, I know this house. Hell practically every supernatural entity in the state will. The manor of the Vasiliev family of vampires, a russian vampire family and more importantly the most powerful currently active in New York. I’m obviously not being treated as a prisoner due to my current sleeping arrangements, but having the attention of the Vasiliev family is not ideal. “You are quite interesting to watch Jason” A familiar female voice echoes through my ear causing me to snap back into my mortal body once again. The light surge of arousal courses through my veins and I have to suppress a shudder. I rolled onto my side, now realizing that I am completely bare for the world to see. Lying to my left, looking completely weightless is Anastasia. This time I cannot keep my jaw from dropping, I thought she was breathtaking while wearing clothes but like this she might as well be a goddess. She is not completely naked but the sheer white negligee is completely transparent. A teasing smirk is on her face obviously noticing my eyes trailing down her body. Her back arches thrusting her chest out for me to see. Her breasts are a perfect porcelain white tipped with bright pink and very erect nipples. I manage to tear my gaze away from her perfect breasts and continue trailing down her body. Her body had a look of softness to it as if she were a cloud given form, but I knew better than to believe that. I know the instant I touch her I’ll be feeling highly dense muscle, if she wanted to she could reach over and tear my head off my body with the most minimal effort. Everything about her is built to ensnare and kill. “Oh I see that you really like what you see.” I bite my lower lip suppressing a moan from leaving my lips as her hand brushes over my hardness. My blood runs cold when her hand grasps me from my base and tightens. Not enough to cause pain, but enough to quite clearly convey her threat. “As much as I would like you to ravage me Jason, I think we both need some answers to what happened last night at my club.” 

Direct to the point it seems, I sit up but her hand stays right where it is causing me to panic a bit. Seems like I’ll be having this entire conversation under the threat of castration. I feel myself begin to soften in her hand, the fear started to set in and took over my arousal. “Oh no, we can’t have that now can we?” This time I can’t stop the moan from leaving my lips as her hand begins to slowly pump. Blood immediately rushes back to my crotch leaving me at full mast once more, damned hormones betraying me at all times. “There we go much better, now tell me Jason who and what are you?” I do my best to keep my voice even and steady but the slow and steady movement of her hand made that impossible. A fucking viscious smirk is on her face, she knows exactly what I’m feeling and knows it gives her the advantage in our verbal spar. “I am Jason Sinclair, a special investigator with the New York City Police Department.” A gasp of pleasure escapes my lips as her thumb glides over the tip of my arousal. A soft giggle leaving from her sinful lips. She is enjoying torturing me like this “We will get to that in a moment hon, I meant what kind of supernatural being are you.” Fuck, her hand speeds up at my moment of hesitation causing me to lose a bit of my control. “I’m a Practitioner.” I grip the sheets tightly as she keeps up with her motions. “Well that certainly explains why I’m so entranced by you. Why you smell oh so delicious. Now why were you in my club last night?” My breathing becomes heavy as lust courses through me. My mind becomes a haze and that’s when it hits me. She’s using Allure on me, sure most of it is her current actions but the feelings are so intense because of her magic. And I can’t risk casting a spell on threat of castration. Looks like I have to ride this one out to its completion and hope I don’t die. “Two reasons, first a coworker dragged me to the Lotus. And second the Conclave told me to check the area for anyone breaking the Accords.” Her grip tightens and a dangerous glint appears in her eyes “So I’m not to be trusted? Do you truly believe I want war?” I quickly sputter out a response trying to save my manhood as swiftly as possible “No, not you. They didn’t tell me much. The conclave never does, I think I was supposed to be there to stop whoever planned to bomb the Lotus.” Her grip lightens as she returns to her rather enjoyable torture. Not that I would ever admit it to her or any living being. “Hmm you speak the truth, interesting. Why did you help me? You had to know what I am, so why put yourself at greater risk?” I raise an eyebrow at her question shouldn’t it have been obvious? “I’m a cop Anastasia. It’s quite literally my job to protect others at the cost of myself. Sure I’m a detective but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m sworn to serve and protect. You’ve done nothing wrong. So the question is really, why wouldn’t I save you?” 

Her hand stops its motions and a floored look appears on her face, her hand never left my still erect length but I can see her mulling over my previous statement. Soon she levels a seductive look my way and climbs into my lap. I can feel her heat brushing against me coating me with her need. Her voice was breathless, soft gasps leaving as she begins to slowly grind against me. She wraps her arms around my neck and leans in close to my neck gently kissing the skin. Our moans filled the room, but she still hasn’t bitten me yet. At this point there is no stopping her. Anastasia’s lips brush against my ear almost lovingly her soft moans echoing in my ear sending delightful shivers down my spine. She speaks, her breath just above a whisper but the words are just as powerful as a proclamation none the same. “You are mine Jason Sinclair. You’ve partaken in me and now I shall indulge myself with you. No other shall break this bond that we will create.” My eyes widen knowing the gravity of what she said but I have no time to voice any dissidence. Her fangs dig deep into the flesh of my neck, directly piercing my carotid artery. My entire body goes numb with pleasure and loud moans filled the room, I can feel her taking my blood in long gulps. Her body shakes with pleasure, her back arching as she apprehensively pulls away from my neck. A droplet of blood trails from the right corner of her mouth, her eyes a brilliant crimson. In that moment I didn’t care about her binding us together, I didn’t care about the repercussions from the various Conclaves. Hell I didn’t even care about my position in Special Interests. All I cared about was the woman currently straddling my waist. I could blame it on a number of things. I could blame the bonding, or her allure. Hell I could blame the aphrodisiac coursing through my blood. But those would just be excuses, I am first and foremost a man. A man who hasn’t felt a woman’s touch in over six months and here is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and she’s throwing herself at me. I know there are ulterior motives, I know that this is a mistake. But damn it, this is a mistake I’m more than happy to make. I wrap my right arm around her waist and quickly turn us over. Her eyes widen a bit at the sudden change in position but I give her no time to react before plunging myself inside of her. I half expected her to stop me but instead her legs wrap around my waist forcing me deeper inside of her. A howl of a moan escapes my lips as her insides squeeze me for all I’m worth. I knew I wouldn’t last long, a combination of the lack of touch and edging she gave me just moments ago. I can feel her emotions through our fledgling bond, she doesn’t need nor want this to last long. She much like me just wants the release, for our bond to be completed and our lives to change. My hips move quickly desperately trying to find my own completion her moans driving me absolutely crazy. As I felt myself come to my finish I did truly try to pull myself out of her, but her legs gripped me tight as iron and forced me deep inside her as I climaxed. With that our bond was sealed. Permanently. That was how I, Jason Alexander Sinclair became bonded to Anastasia Vasiliev.