Emmerick’s Choice

Book 4 of Vampire Wars

Published by CR Guiliano

Copyright © 2015 CR Guiliano

All Rights Reserved.

Digital Edition

Cover Designer: SelfPubBookCovers.com/BeeJavier

This book is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

License Notes

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Warning: This book contains material that is only suitable for mature readers.

Chapter 1

Emmerick tried not to drag his feet as he shuffled down the hall to the alpha’s office. He hated being summoned by Kylor and wondered what he’d done now to warrant the attention. He’d barely been promoted to a low level kedge under Lead Kedge Pherson. Had he screwed up already? He wracked his brain, trying to think of anything he might have done or said that justified Kylor sending for him. He tried to console himself that he would, no doubt, be beckoned regularly by the alpha master as one of his inner circle. Once he reached the closed door, he took a deep breath and knocked. Whyl, one of Kylor’s other kedges answered, ushering Emmerick inside and then left, closing the door behind him. Emmerick stood just inside, head down and tilted to the side, tensing when Kylor spoke.

“Come on in, Emmerick.”

He glanced up to see both the pyrinas of the clan seated in front of Kylor’s large desk. Shit! Emmerick wasn’t fond of vampires. For that matter, he hated them with a loathing so strong, that sometimes it was difficult to hold in the anger. His mother and father had been killed by a vampire clan, and Emmerick had barely escaped with his life. The reason for their deaths still filled Emmerick with heartache and guilt, haunted his dreams—terrifying nightmares that woke him up covered in cold sweat, his heart beating wildly, and gulping great lungful’s of air. It destroyed him inside to know his older brother had been forcefully mate bonded to the depraved master vampire of the clan his family had found sanctuary with…and then Barratt was slain when he’d attacked the master.

His whole family, wiped out, leaving Emmerick to survive on his own. He knew his father had been searching for a dyad clan, but he never found one before he died. To this day, Emmerick didn’t understand why his parents bonded with a vampire in the first place, instead of staying rogue while they searched for others of their kind. Emmerick considered himself lucky he’d been found by Kylor and his clan, though he’d almost left when he found out Samuel and Bladen were part of it. Instead, he just avoided the small pyrinas.

Emmerick couldn’t help his distaste for the whole species, even though he knew the two small vampires had nothing to do with the tragedy in his life. Those events had happened a long time ago, a past he tried hard not to think about. But, he might have been a bit of an asshole to Bladen when the pyrina had made a pass at him. Okay, he’d been a total dick, and cruel too. Seemed now he was to be punished for it, though he didn’t know why Samuel would be here too. He walked forward and then stood uncomfortably to the right of the small vampires, eyes on the floor. Kylor intimidated him like no other. The alpha master was huge and powerful and Emmerick didn’t ever want to do anything that would make Kylor angry with him.

“I have a task for you, Emmerick. Samuel and Bladen would like to go into town and do some shopping. As the rest of my kedges are tied up with organizing the next clan raid, I would like you to escort them, and make sure they return safely.”

Emmerick’s heart skipped a beat and he jerked his gaze up, stunned that the alpha would trust him with such an assignment. Kylor had to know it was dangerous for the pyrina vampires to go to town, to be seen by the humans. It was even dangerous for the dyads, since they looked like vampires with their unusual pupil-less eyes. But dyads weren’t small and helpless like pyrinas were. Not all humans were against them, but enough that it could cause problems. “S…sir?” Emmerick wouldn’t question his alpha, but he really didn’t want to do this. Of course, he had no choice. You didn’t refuse an order from Kylor, even if his alpha knew Emmerick didn’t like vampires. When Kylor had taken him in, he’d told the alpha master what had happened to him and his family. The clan that had killed his parents and brother was on Kylor’s list as a target, so Emmerick knew a day would come where the master that had destroyed Emmerick’s life would suffer for what he’d done. Emmerick only hoped he would be a part of that raid. That’s why he’d worked so hard to become a kedge.

“Samuel knows which stores will tolerate their presence and yours. You only need to be there to make sure they are not harassed or attacked in any way. Can I trust you to do this?”

Emmerick just nodded, pulling his thoughts back to the task at hand, his stomach cramping at having to be in the company of not one, but two vampires. He only hoped their excursion into town wouldn’t take too long. The quicker the mission, the better as far as Emmerick was concerned.

“And, Emmerick, Jytis will be going with you. Jytis told Pherson he wanted to go along to get some field experience even though he’s still a whelp.”

Kylor’s additional instructions made Emmerick want to groan in misery. Out of all the males here, he had to pick the only one that Emmerick was tongue-tied around. The one male that Emmerick found attractive and couldn’t get off his mind. Fuck! This was going to be the evening from hell, he just knew it. Once dismissed, they all exited Kylor’s office and Emmerick immediately arranged his features into a stoic, no-nonsense mask. He’d get through this, and then hope it never happened again. What a shit assignment!

“We’ll meet you by the front doors in about fifteen minutes.”

Bladen’s voice was clipped and sharp and he sounded annoyed. Obviously, the little vampire wasn’t any happier at Emmerick escorting them, than he was. He ignored the look of sadness on Samuel’s face and gave a silent nod and strode off. He had to get ready himself. He’d change into his leathers, the ones that allowed him to secrete various weapons on his body without them being detected. He was certain this trip to town was going to cause problems and he wanted to be ready. He might not like Bladen or Samuel, but he would do as Kylor ordered and keep them safe until they returned to the compound. He wasn’t even sure how he was going to handle Jytis being near. Not only was he a were spirit, but he was a whelp, too young for the attraction Emmerick felt.

When Emmerick reached the front door, no one else had arrived yet. He waited, getting agitated as time passed. While he paced the foyer, he was joined by Dair and Kymone. Emmerick always felt awkward and uncomfortable around Dair now, ever since the male had been demoted from lead kedge and punished for killing two innocent vampires. Not that he cared about the vampires. Good riddance, as far as he was concerned. He gave the bigger dyad and his mate a nod.

“What has you pacing, Emmerick?”

Emmerick shrugged. “The alpha has me taking Jytis, Bladen, and Samuel into town.” Emmerick watched as surprise came over Dair’s face, an unusual expression for the stoic, normally brooding male.

“Jytis? Why? He’s just a whelp.”

“Jytis told Pherson he wanted to have some field experience. At least that’s what the alpha said.” Personally, Emmerick felt Jytis was too young and naïve to be going and it looked as if Dair agreed when he huffed and shook his head. But he didn’t say anything else. Both males gave a wave and exited the house, no doubt to go on a run, since Kymone was were and needed to get out occasionally. Emmerick began his pacing again, annoyance filling him.

Soon, he saw Bladen and Samuel walking towards him, but he only had eyes for Jytis, who was following in their wake. The were was just so gorgeous, especially clothed in black leathers that hugged his lithe frame. Emmerick’s heart pounded, but he managed to keep from making a fool of himself by drooling over the male. He gave the two small pyrina’s a nod and then led the way out to one of the clan’s many vehicles. He chose the closest and got in the driver’s seat. He waited long enough for the others, and tried not to bite his lip when Jytis took shotgun next to him. When the doors were shut, he could smell the scents coming from all of them. Jytis had an unusual fresh scent, like the mist off a waterfall mixed with the heady aroma of tilled earth. Not a combination Emmerick would have thought he’d be attracted to. The only scent Bladen and Samuel carried was a dark, spicy one and, though not unpleasant, Emmerick rolled his window down a little.

It would take about forty minutes to get to the small town nestled on the other side of the hills from the compound. Emmerick had only been there a handful of times. He didn’t like crowds, never had. The vampire clan he was from wasn’t large, but the master had been greedy, and most of the clan had to live together in small rooms with little comfort, while the master had the rest of the estate. He and his family had to share with two other vampire families. The younglings had been cruel, stealing food and blankets, bullying and making fun of both Emmerick and his brother. Those assholes hadn’t known Emmerick and his family were dyads, which was fine by Emmerick, since they would have made fun of that too. Being unable to transform was a nightmare, his father too worried about them getting caught. Emmerick’s were spirit was strong, as was his vampire spirit, and he’d struggled as a youngling. It wasn’t until the master mated his brother that they were moved from the crowded quarters. But then Barratt had attacked Master Mirado and lost the battle. The retribution had been swift, the master’s kedges breaking in and executing Emmerick’s parents in front of him. It was the one youngling, Briley, who never bothered Emmerick or his brother that helped him escape, losing his life as well, for helping Emmerick.

“We’d like to hit the mall first.”

Samuel’s voice yanked Emmerick out of his morbid thoughts. He just nodded, turning on his left signal to head down a side road that would take them to the small strip mall the town had. Before becoming part of Kylor’s clan, Emmerick had lived just outside of Seattle. He was used to a big city with malls that were huge, not this pathetic excuse for one. Not that he’d been to those malls often, not with a controlling vampire like Master Mirado. But the small strip of stores was just fine with him, because it meant less people. He parked away from the other cars, making sure there would be an unobstructed exit in case they needed it. He was nervous enough, but growled when Bladen and Samuel exited the vehicle and started for the mall without waiting for him. “Come on.” Glancing briefly at Jytis, Emmerick hurried after the two vampires, muttering under his breath about idiot pyrinas and shit jobs.

Emmerick didn’t bother chewing the two small vampires out for not waiting for him, since he was pretty sure they wouldn’t bother listening to him anyway. He just needed to stay close and silent. Aggravated, he followed the two into a store, closely watching the reactions around them. Most of the humans stared or rushed away, but Emmerick didn’t feel any hostility. Within minutes, he was bored out of his mind. Emmerick never cared for shopping, a task he much rather let others do. For that matter, shopping wasn’t something he had much experience with from the way he’d grown up. He frowned at the pyrinas, annoyance and envy filling him. Their life was a breeze compared to what he’d endured.

He staunchly ignored Jytis next to him as they wandered after the vampires. Not only was the whelp too young for Emmerick, but Jytis never showed an ounce of interest in return. Probably because he was not mature yet. Jytis still had trouble with his transformations, and Emmerick knew his attraction to the young were was beyond inappropriate. He just didn’t know what to do about it.

When Samuel and Bladen moved to the dressing rooms to try on their items, Emmerick followed them. He gave the nervous attendant a glare, the woman scurrying off in fear. That suited Emmerick just fine. He found a bench to sit on to wait until the pyrinas were done with trying on their clothes. When Jytis sat next to him, Emmerick tensed. The small were was a temptation Emmerick didn’t need. “I’m going to hit the head. Keep a sharp eye out.” Emmerick stood quickly and exited the store in search of the bathroom. Humans parted before him like he had the plague, but Emmerick didn’t care, ignoring their stares and fear. After he found the restroom and finished his business, he washed his hands and then leaned forward on the counter to stare at himself. “You need to get over it, Em. That little were is not for you. He’s too young, not interested and you don’t need to get into trouble messing with him.” Emmerick gave a snort at the lecture he’d given himself. It might be the truth, but it didn’t mean Jytis wasn’t going to still be on Emmerick’s mind.

When he heard footsteps rushing by, he left the bathroom to see the strip mall in chaos, humans fleeing past him. His heart sinking, he broke into a run back to the store he’d left the pyrinas in, with Jytis guarding them. When he got there, it was to see at least a dozen huge humans surrounding the pyrinas and two massive humans holding Jytis by the arms, the little were struggling to get away. Rage filled Emmerick and he growled, pulling his long sword out and dropping into his fighting crouch as several of the humans noticed him. He was woefully outnumbered, and sent a mental cry of help to Kylor.

Unfortunately, as hard as Emmerick fought, he couldn’t beat them, the humans too numerous. Gods, they were like roaches, for every one he cut down, two took his place. And even though Emmerick was a dyad, making him stronger and faster, it wasn’t enough. Soon, he was covered in several deep slashes, blood soaking into his clothing. He could feel himself getting weaker, but was unwilling to transform and give away what he was. Minutes later, he was on the ground, his sword ripped from his grip and a large human’s hand around his throat, his arms and legs being held down by others. He struggled to break their hold, thrashing desperately, but it was useless. The human squeezed his neck tighter, cutting off his air. Trying to breathe, he bucked and lurched, panic setting in, but the human squeezed harder. Losing the fight, he glanced at Jytis and the pyrinas sadly, his failure at protecting them making him feel inadequate and helpless, just as he did when his parents had been murdered. Right before he lost consciousness, he watched a tall vampire approach, the humans bowing to him. Fuck, but they were in trouble.

Chapter 2

Emmerick felt awareness come back to him, and he did what he’d been trained to do. Don’t move, don’t change his breathing, don’t even let his eyes flutter, until he’d assessed his surroundings and knew the danger. The first thing he noticed was water dripping somewhere, and closer, the sound of labored breathing. Quiet footsteps, as if someone were pacing. Subtly, he took a deep breath, scenting the rancid odor of unwashed bodies, the tang of blood, the pervasive stink of vampires and the fetid aroma of rot, decay, and death. A dungeon then. None of that was unfamiliar. He’d been going on raids with Kylor for the last five years, even before becoming a kedge, and had been in many dungeons.

What was different was him. He was trussed up like the human’s Thanksgiving Day turkey. His wrists were shackled, the metal cutting into the skin, as he hung from the ceiling, his ankles tied as well, and his feet dangling inches from the floor, if the lack of solid ground beneath his toes was any indication. His arms, shoulders and neck ached, which told him he’d been in this position for a while. Cold air caressed his neck, and he wanted to clench his teeth, knowing his long hair had been chopped short. His whole body was cold, the chill sinking into his bones and he knew his clothes had been taken, which meant his weapons were gone. Not that he was in a position to use them. Pain radiated from the cuts and bruises he had, but he ignored it, more concerned with his dire situation.

“I know you’re awake, Emmerick.”

It took everything Emmerick had not to shudder at the voice he thought never to hear again. Hatred heated him from the inside out, the need to silence that voice overwhelming.

Master Mirado.

He finally opened his eyes when the cold tip of sharp steel pushed against the tender underside of his chin, raising his head. At the end of a long sword…his sword, was the one vampire Emmerick despised more than any other. The vampire responsible for the death of Emmerick’s family. The master hadn’t changed, still tall and lean, his dark hair cascading down his shoulders, his ice blue eyes looking emotionless and forbidding. Dressed impeccably as always, Master Mirado stared at Emmerick. If he could have, Emmerick would be fidgeting under such a penetrating gaze. He couldn’t read the master’s expression, his face a stony mask, but he did scent the smugness that radiated from the vampire. Emmerick had no doubt he was in for a world of hurt. But he had two advantages over Master Mirado. One, he was a dyad, able to transform into stronger and deadlier forms. Something he had failed to remember and had cost his parents their lives. The other advantage was Kylor. His alpha master would be coming, he knew it. If not for him, definitely for the little pyrinas and the were whelp, Jytis. Emmerick just didn’t relish Kylor’s anger at his failure.

Still giving Master Mirado an impassive stare, hiding his emotions and challenging the male, Emmerick tried to sense Jytis and the pyrinas. He’d not smelled them, but the other odors of the dungeon were strong enough to drown out their scents. He stopped suddenly when the master’s lips twitched.

“You’ll not find your friends here.”

Emmerick’s heart raced and one side of Master Mirado’s mouth lifted at Emmerick’s discomfort. If the master didn’t have them in the dungeon, then where were they? Trying to contact Kylor in his head, he was met with silence, though the blood bond was as strong as ever. Emmerick needed to think, to find a way out of this, locate the others and escape. But he was finding it difficult with Master Mirado staring at him.

“Since I was robbed of Barratt, the ungrateful bastard dying after I bonded him, you will take his place, even if you are not as pleasurable looking as your brother.”

Those words made Emmerick’s stomach cramp. No way, by the gods, would he allow himself forcibly mated to the vile creature in front of him. No, he’d go the way his brother had, attacking the master. He might even win, since he was a highly trained dyad, and not a vampire, even if he was facing a very strong master. “I will not submit to you.” Emmerick spoke for the first time, his rage too great to keep silent.

“You’ll do whatever I command, or your friends will suffer terribly. Is that what you want? They are all so small and puny. Easy to hurt…easy to kill.”

Emmerick couldn’t muster any concern for the pyrinas, but Jytis was another matter. Emmerick cared about the young whelp, but the idea of Master Mirado owning him made his stomach churn dangerously. When he remained silent, the master came closer and to Emmerick’s horror, tucked his head against Emmerick’s neck and inhaled deeply. Emmerick kicked out his bound ankles, but tied and hanging as he was, couldn’t manage to do more than swing a little before Master Mirado’s arm shot out to hold him still.

“You will submit to me, Em. And when I own you, you will learn your place.”

Emmerick growled loudly at the master using his nickname. The nickname only Barratt had ever used. His gums itched and his were spirit clawed to be free. But Emmerick couldn’t allow it. Not now. Not with Master Mirado leaning against Emmerick’s naked form. He sucked in a gasp when the master fondled him, revulsion traveling through him, making a hard shudder work its way down his bound body. When he didn’t harden, the master gave his balls a vicious twist, making Emmerick grunt in pain, and then the master stepped back, his arctic blue eyes flashing with anger. Sick fucker! If—no, when—Emmerick got loose, he was going to tear the vampire to shreds.

Emmerick blinked a few times, the pain in his balls making his eyes water. He wouldn’t give the vampire the satisfaction of seeing him react. Thanks to Dair’s training, Emmerick could take a lot of pain. He would endure whatever the master had in store for him, and when the master released him from his shackles, Emmerick would show the loathsome creature just how dangerous Emmerick really was.

Emmerick’s sword was still in Master Mirado’s hand and he moved back further so he could run the sharp tip down Emmerick’s front, from neck to groin, cutting enough to draw small beads of blood, but not enough pressure to actually hurt. Emmerick ignored the slight sting, hoping his lack of response would anger the master enough to try and take him now. But it didn’t work, Master Mirado just staring at him for a minute more, before turning to throw Emmerick’s sword on a worn table, outside the bars, that held Emmerick’s clothes and other weapons. Master Mirado waved at a human to lock the enclosure door and then left the dungeon. Emmerick’s heart slowed and he took a relieved breath, ignoring the human that stationed himself at the entrance to the dungeon.

In his position, he couldn’t see much beyond what was right in front of him, but he’d figured out the labored breathing he’d heard was several slaves around him. And all of them were vampires. The guard the master left behind was pure human, if abnormally large, and Emmerick didn’t know what to think of that. Master Mirado had never bothered with humans before, believing them below him, an inferior species. He didn’t even have blood slaves like so many other clans did. Or, at least, he hadn’t when Emmerick had been part of his clan. He leaned his head down and turned it, only to see a few bodies covered in rags on the floor. He didn’t even know how many of them were alive. He turned his head the other way to see more of the same. It was hard to count how many were there since they were huddled together for warmth. None moved, or acknowledged him, and Emmerick suspected they were drugged. He sighed as he lifted his head again. He was stuck here until Master Mirado decided to release him.

~~~

From his hiding place deep in the shadows, Aelwyn watched the master leave, and then stared at the large male shackled to the ceiling. Master Mirado was in idiot. Did he not sense he had a dyad dangling there? Of course, Aelwyn might not have figured that out either if he didn’t know the male was, not only vaguely familiar, but his mate, the male’s scent calling to him. He bit his lip, wondering how the fates could give him a mate who was as much a prisoner as he was. What were they thinking? Aelwyn might not be drugged and behind bars, but he was just as enslaved as the male chained in the enclosure.

Aelwyn scanned the vampires in the slave pen, looking for signs of alertness, as he always did. The master was so bent on replacing most of his vampires with the enhanced humans he’d been creating, he didn’t keep track of how many vampires there were in the cage. When a vampire showed signs of coming around, Aelwyn, along with his best friend, Cabe, and a few other vampires, released them, and cared for them until they healed. Some chose to join Aelwyn’s little band of rebels—the brave ones anyway. Most were too afraid to help, hiding away in the mansion, and usually ending up back in the slave pen and in even worse shape. Some didn’t make it that far. Aelwyn had cleaned up more than one dead vampire, at the hands of Master Mirado and his human guinea pigs.

The most important thing was Master Mirado, in his arrogance and ambition with his human experiments, didn’t realize the drugs he’d obtained and used on those humans, broke the blood bond when used on his vampires. Aelwyn had been shocked when it happened to him, but had concealed the fact to protect himself. He didn’t even want to think what else the drug was doing to him. Unlike the humans, it didn’t seem to make the vampires bigger or stronger, but Aelwyn had noticed a few changes within himself beyond the blood bond breaking. He just never mentioned it to anyone, even Cabe. To keep the master ignorant to the effect the drug had on him and the others, Aelwyn, Cabe, and the rest of the vampires with him, pretended to continue their obedience, even submitting to the master’s punishments. He was sure the master who ruled this clan would be surprised to know a lot of the vampires were bonded to Aelwyn, which had been Aelwyn’s plan all along. To gather enough vampires to him until he could challenge the master and defeat him, setting them all free.

But the big male in the slave pen changed all that. He was Aelwyn’s mate, which meant Aelwyn needed to get the dyad out of Master Mirado’s clan. And he wouldn’t leave his vampires behind. Not when they’d been through so much and were so brave and loyal, and were bonded to him. Aelwyn had always kept his master power under tight control, not wanting Master Mirado to sense it and think to challenge Aelwyn. But, he’d heard what Master Mirado had said to the dyad male, and he couldn’t allow what the master had planned. Not just because the big male was his mate, but if Master Mirado did successfully mate with the dyad, it would make him much stronger and harder to kill. He just didn’t know how he was going to get the dyad—or any of them—out of the compound.

Aelwyn slid further into the shadows, before turning and pacing down a vacant tunnel, up a long set of crumbling stone steps, to an old, rusted metal door. This was their way in and out of the dungeon without being detected. Slowly, Aelwyn opened the door so that it wouldn’t squeak. Then slipped through the small opening into another hall. At the end of this hall was the kitchen at the back of the mansion. He stopped, hidden behind a corner, long enough to listen, and when only silence greeted him, he strode into the room.

Cobwebs filled the corners, dust on many surfaces, crusty remnants of food scattered on the counters and the evidence of rodents over the dirty floor. Master Mirado had abandoned the pleasure of human food a long time ago, in favor of blood alone. Only the mutant humans ate, and what they consumed made Aelwyn shudder. He didn’t want to think about some of the vampires that had disappeared altogether. Aelwyn made his way to the pantry door and knocked softly on it three times. The worn door was cracked open just enough to allow Aelwyn’s thin body in and shut quickly.

“You didn’t find any vampires awake?”

Aelwyn shook his head. “No, they are all still unconscious, but we have a new problem.” Cabe’s green eyes widened and Aelwyn suddenly had his friend’s face buried in his neck. When Cabe stepped back, he grabbed Aelwyn’s upper arms and stared into his face.

“Who is that I scent? He’s not vampire. Gods, he smells…delicious.”

Aelwyn was eternally thankful he knew enough about dyads to know they always had two mates, or he’d be growling in possessive jealousy and wanting to rip his best friend’s head off his shoulders. “The master has a new prisoner.” With the others gathered around him, Aelwyn didn’t feel like divulging the fact that the male was definitely not a vampire. And he certainly didn’t want to confess the dyad was his mate. He needed to hush Cabe before he said too much. He pulled his arms from Cabe’s grip and gave him a look he knew his friend would interpret as keep your mouth shut for now. The very subtle nod from Cabe told Aelwyn his friend understood. “The master has a big male in shackles and we need to get him down.” Several of his vampires growled, angry at the treatment, even if that prisoner was a stranger to them.

“He’s not the only new prisoner.” Cabe pointed at Brom. “Brom was summoned to feed two pyrinas and there was a were whelp there as well. Master is holding them in that room attached to his own.”

“They refused to feed from me and the master has them handcuffed to the bed.”

That complicated things, but Aelwyn nodded. “I heard the master talking about the male’s friends. That must be them.” They were running out of time. If the master planned on mating the dyad, he would do it soon. “Brom, you and the others see if you can get the pyrinas and were out of there and down to the root cellar. Cabe and I will see if we can free the male in the dungeon.” Brom nodded and all the vampires left silently. The root cellar was the one place guaranteed they wouldn’t be found. Aelwyn and Cabe had come across it by accident and he was sure Master Mirado didn’t know about it.

“Okay, what’s going on?”

By Cabe’s reaction to the scent of the dyad, he was not just Aelwyn’s mate, but Cabe’s as well. That actually pleased Aelwyn. Cabe and he were not mates, but had enjoyed each other’s bodies on several occasions. If they could get the new prisoners free, maybe Cabe and Aelwyn could claim the male. But that thought was for later. First, they needed to free the dyad and his friends, and figure out a way out of Master Mirado’s compound.

“Aelwyn?”

Cabe’s voice broke through Aelwyn’s thoughts and he stared at his friend. “The male is a dyad, Cabe.” From the puzzled look on Cabe’s face, he’d never heard of a dyad, which wasn’t unusual. Dyads were not common knowledge. Aelwyn only knew about dyads from the older male dyad that had been part of Master Mirado’s clan several years ago. Before that dyad and his mate were killed by the master. The male had two sons, but Aelwyn had only ever seen them once, and he didn’t know what had happed to them. Aelwyn sighed, knowing they didn’t have time for him to go into a lengthy explanation. “Dyads have two spirits, one vampire, one were. They always have two mates. I knew when I scented him, he was my mate. But I think he is yours as well.” Cabe’s green eyes rounded and his friend stepped back in shock.

“But, I thought those were myths. I remember my father talking about dual spirits when I was a youngling. He never called them dyads, though.”

“They go by that name as well, and they are real. Come on, we need to get going and see if we can get the male out of the slave pen.”

Chapter 3

Samuel pulled at the cuffs holding him to the headboard, but they were too tight for him to get loose. He glanced over at Bladen and Jytis, both trying to pull from the shackles holding them. “Jytis, do you think you can transform, and get free?” Silently, Jytis shrugged his shoulders, then closed his eyes to concentrate. Samuel watched the young one shimmer, his body twisting, but after several minutes of struggling, Jytis slumped in defeat. He opened his slitted eyes, and shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Samuel. I can’t.”

“Don’t worry, Jytis. We’ll find some way to get out of here.” How they were going to do that, Samuel didn’t know. He jerked his head to the side when the door to the room slowly opened. He watched as several vampires snuck into the room, one staying by the door to keep watch. He recognized the one who had been brought to feed himself and Bladen, but the rest were strangers. They were all slim, almost emaciated, their eyes hallow with pain and despair.

“My name is Brom, and we’re going to get you out of here.”

Two of the bigger vampires came forward, in their hands were obviously homemade keys, and a few minutes later, Samuel was upright, rubbing his wrists, Bladen and Jytis standing close by, doing the same. Jytis’s canines had dropped and he growled when one of the vampires came too close. Samuel would have chuckled at the cute display of aggression if their situation wasn’t so dire. “What’s the plan, Brom?”

“Right now, we’re to get you down to the root cellar to meet with Master Aelwyn, and the big vampire you were captured with.”

Samuel gave Bladen and Jytis a warning look not to correct the vampire. There was no need for anyone here to know that Emmerick was a dyad. He turned back to Brom. “Master Aelwyn? Is he the master of this clan?” Samuel didn’t think so, or they would not have been freed and meeting with this master. Brom confirmed his suspicion when he shook his head.

“No, the master of this clan is Master Mirado. Master Aelwyn will explain. Come on, follow me.”

Slowly, they trailed the vampire, the rest falling in behind them. They had to stop and hide several times, as abnormally large humans strode by, and a few kedges. They finally made it to a kitchen that looked unused, and then into a pantry in the back. Brom pulled a shelf off the wall and pushed a hidden door open. He led them down a narrow set of stairs, past a broken door, and into a room with nothing but old vegetables and dust.

“Master Aelwyn, Cabe, and the vampire should be here shortly.”

Samuel nodded, even as he pushed Bladen and Jytis against a wall to wait. He wasn’t sure whether this was a trap, and being a pyrina, he would be hard-pressed to protect Bladen and Jytis if these vampires attacked. However, they were ignored as the few vampires mumbled among themselves. Two had slumped to the floor, leaning against the wall as if the trip had been too much for them. Samuel could feel the hunger many of them had, a clawing starvation, and worried that he and the others would become a meal.

Samuel glanced around the room as they waited, noting the only way out was back through the door they had come through. He wasn’t sure what the vampires had in mind, and worried about Bladen and Jytis. He could see Bladen was shaking, his eyes darting here and there. He stepped back until he was leaning against the other pyrina, offering as much comfort as he could. Jytis was scared, the acrid scent of his fear burning Samuel’s nose. He had to be terrified for Samuel to pick up the odor. He wanted to grab the were whelp’s hand, but Jytis had pushed himself back against the wall, trying to curl up on himself. Samuel moved enough to block him completely from the strange vampires in the room. It was best he could do under the circumstances.

His attention was caught when Emmerick entered the room, followed by a tall vampire with blond hair and brown eyes, and smaller vampire with brown hair and green eyes. The moment all three came close, Emmerick placing himself in front of Samuel, Bladen, and Jytis, he realized the two vampires that had brought Emmerick here were Emmerick’s mates, and the tall one was a master. He stared at the large dyad’s tense back, and wondered if Emmerick was aware of those facts. The tall vampire must be Master Aelwyn that Brom had mentioned.

Chapter 4

Emmerick stirred when the scent of vampires grew stronger. He lifted his head, scanning the dungeon as best he could, but there was no movement. He blinked a few times, wishing Master Mirado would return before what strength Emmerick had left him. He jerked when he heard soft steps coming toward him and strained to see. Two vampires came into his view, and he stared as one dispatched the human guard quickly and without a sound, snapping his neck in seconds. Once getting rid of the guard, they moved closer to the enclosure and while one watched the door to the dungeon anxiously, the other crouched down and picked the lock to the cage.

Both were gorgeous, a vampire trait that irked Emmerick. The taller one had light blond hair, cut short, which surprised Emmerick and had the deepest brown eyes Emmerick had ever seen. The other was shorter, with light brown hair, also short, and large green eyes. Their skin was pale, like porcelain, even smudged with dirt. Both were lithe, but looked as if they’d missed a meal or two and both were dressed in tattered and stained clothes. Something stirred in Emmerick’s chest, but he ignored it, suspicion filling him.

When the door swung open, they quickly entered and took a few minutes to check the vampires huddled on the floor around Emmerick, before coming to him. Wary, Emmerick tried to pull back, but it was useless with no leverage, his body swinging helplessly. The green-eyed vampire grabbed a decrepit cot and pulled it over, so the other could step on it and get to the chains holding Emmerick to the ceiling. He suddenly found himself falling, the smaller vampire grabbing him to keep him from slamming to the floor and easing him down, his strength surprising Emmerick. He shuddered at the cold hands holding him, jerked his body, and scooted back from the vampire’s touch. His arms and hands were numb, his shoulders starting to burn at the new position.

“Hold still.”

Emmerick growled at the hissed command, but stopped trying to struggle away. Both vampires worked quickly to remove the chain and the rope securing his ankles, and gently getting rid of the cuffs from his raw and bleeding skin. Emmerick stretched, wincing as blood began to flow again, his skin beginning to tingle. He shook out his arms and hands and inspecting the skin ripped away at his wrists. The deeper cuts on his body had begun to heal, the scabs cracking at Emmerick’s motions. None were deep enough to impede him.

“Here.”

Emmerick looked up to see the younger of the vampires extending his clothes and weapons to him. He snatched them from the vampire’s hands and stood shakily. He dressed as quickly as his unsteady limbs, and clumsy fingers, would allow. He sheathed his daggers, but kept his sword in his hand, narrowing his eyes at the vampires staring at him. One looked vaguely familiar, but then the blood-suckers all looked alike to him, except for Master Mirado. And Kylor’s pyrinas. Which brought up where his charges were. “Where are the pyrinas and were?” Both vampire’s eyes grew round at Emmerick’s low voice and he growled, making them jerk. The older one quickly pushed the younger one out of the enclosure and beckoned for Emmerick to follow him. Neither had said another word, and Emmerick wasn’t going to trust them, so didn’t move from his spot. “Not until you tell me where my friends are and why you’re helping me.”

“We’re taking you to them now.”

Emmerick glanced around and huffed. He really didn’t have a choice but to follow the vampires, who were currently waiting for him at the entrance to a dark tunnel. Emmerick squeezed the hilt of his sword, growled in annoyance and stalked towards the vampires that had released him. They would be easy to pick off if they were leading him into a trap. Emmerick dropped his incisors in case they bumped into any other vampires, though his sword, leathers and sheer size would give away he wasn’t a member of this clan if the tattered clothes and lack of weapons of the two in front of him were any indication.

The tunnel led to a long set of decrepit stairs and a metal door, which the vampires slipped through quickly. Emmerick staunchly ignored his notice of the two perfectly rounded asses in front of him as he ascended the steps. Emmerick had to push the rusted door open further to fit through and cringed at the screeching it made. The vampires didn’t wait and headed down a hall before stopping at the end. They appeared to be listening and Emmerick held his breath for a moment, his enhanced hearing picking up nothing but the scurrying of small rodents. Emmerick took a deep breath, but all he scented were the vampires in front of him, mold, dust and rotting food.

When the taller vampire waved, they all rushed across an abandoned kitchen, headed for the pantry. Once inside, Emmerick wrinkled his nose at the scent of decay and the pervasive odor of the vampires next to him, though their scents were different than the pyrinas. Lighter somehow, not the dark spicy scent Samuel and Bladen carried. The blond one smelled like cocoa and mint, the younger, brown-haired one had the fragrance of coffee and cinnamon. Emmerick didn’t know what to make of it, so dismissed it from his thoughts, choosing instead to concentrate on where they were taking him.

The pantry was large, but with Emmerick’s size, it felt confined and he didn’t know these vampires, his senses on high alert. He watched in surprise as the blond vampire, who he realized was a master, pulled an empty shelf from the wall and then pushed at the plaster behind it until a hidden door scraped open. The entrance was dark, but Emmerick could see the flicker of torchlight lower down and deeper into the hole. There appeared to be stairs leading down, and the scent coming from the opening was a mixture of vampire, dirt, decaying food and under that, the odor of Jytis and the pyrinas. Emmerick pushed past the vampires, shuddering as his body brushed against theirs and hurried down the stairs. At the bottom was another door, this one so rotted, it haphazardly hung off its hinges. Emmerick pushed it aside and strode into the room beyond. He scanned it quickly, finding eight other vampires there and Jytis and the pyrinas towards the back. He growled and made his way to them, the vampires scurrying away from him…and his sword.

“Are you all right?” He inspected the pyrinas and Jytis for injuries, but except for a haunted look on Bladen’s face, and the fear on Jytis’s, and a few bruises, they didn’t appear to be hurt. Emmerick immediately placed himself between the vampires crowded into the cellar and Jytis, Bladen and Samuel. He narrowed his eyes, his sword at the ready. When the two vampires that had released him came forward, Emmerick tensed. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen now, but there was no way he was leaving his charges until they got out of this mess. While they had made their way here, he’d tried again to reach Kylor, but the blood bond remained silent.

“My name is Aelwyn. I’m master to the vampires here.”

Emmerick snorted. A master Aelwyn might be, but the vampire was obviously enslaved just like the rest of them. “Master Mirado owns this clan.” Not that he was defending the foul master, but no way did he believe these vampires were bonded to the thin, blond in front of him.

“So he thinks. Master Mirado has been abducting humans and experimenting with some unknown drugs on them. He’s been giving it to us vampires, as well. I don’t know where he’s getting the drugs, but he doesn’t know that it has broken the blood bond between him and the vampires of this clan. These vampires…” Emmerick watched the pretty blond wave at the vampires in the room. “…are bonded to me. The drugs seem to mutate the humans here, making them larger, stronger and puppets to Master Mirado’s whim.”

“That doesn’t make sense. How could these drugs you speak of, break the bond with the master, yet not with you?”

“I really don’t know. Maybe it dissipates or something. Master Mirado keeps everything locked away, and we’ve been unable to find out more.”

Emmerick barely heard the exchange between Samuel and the master vampire, his mind stunned at his thoughts. Pretty blond? Where the hell had that idea come from? The vampire was pretty, nothing different there, most vampires were gorgeous. But that was just it, Aelwyn was a vampire. Emmerick didn’t like vampires. Hated them, in fact, and sure didn’t trust them. He had no clue what this master had in store for them. Why bring them to a cellar with no way out? And Master Mirado was going to figure out Emmerick wasn’t in the dungeon soon. He growled in annoyance, realizing they were no better off, even if he was free from the bindings that had held him, and had his weapons back. He didn’t know what to think of the other information Aelwyn had shared. He’d not heard of a vampire using experimental drugs on his clan and humans. He did know Kylor would be interested in such information, which made it even more imperative that they escape from Master Mirado’s compound.

“Stand down, Emmerick.”

Emmerick turned and looked over his shoulder to see Samuel scowling at him, suddenly realizing he’d been growling continuously. He glanced at Bladen’s pale face behind Samuel. Jytis was further in the corner, looking scared to death. Emmerick remembered the briefing from Kylor when Dair had rescued Kymone and the others, including Jytis. The whelp had been held prisoner before and this was probably bringing back bad memories. For that matter, he’d heard Bladen had been treated more like a slave than a clan member, he’d just not cared. Samuel was already a part of Kylor’s clan when the alpha master had found Emmerick. He eased up his stance, but didn’t take his eyes off the vampires crowding the room. He tensed when Samuel pushed past him, unhappy with the vampire’s recklessness. He stepped forward, intent on putting himself back between Samuel and the strange vampires, but Samuel held up his hand and glared at him.

“You’re not helping, Emmerick.”

Emmerick snorted at Samuel’s attitude, the little pyrina acting as if he were a master, but Emmerick backed up, too annoyed to bother fighting with the little shit. He still made sure he was between the unknown vampires and Jytis and Bladen. If Samuel wanted to risk himself, so be it, but Emmerick would cut down every vampire in here to keep Jytis safe. He watched intently as Samuel approached the tall, blond master vampire. Then stunned the hell out of himself when he gave a low snarl at the little pyrina, a possessiveness he’d never felt before overcoming him. When Samuel looked back at him, Emmerick turned away. How embarrassing and why would he care of Samuel was close to the blond—to Aelwyn. Where the fuck had the sudden possessiveness come from? And what the hell was wrong with him? He took a deep breath when Samuel turned back to the blond, trying to calm the need to pull Samuel away from Aelwyn.

“My name is Samuel. I’m pyrina to Kylor. Do you know if there is a way out of here?”

The blond—Aelwyn—shook his head, looking worried. It only confused Emmerick more when the vampire kept flicking glances at him, and the green-eyed vampire was actually staring at him. Was Aelwyn expecting Emmerick to save them? He skipped his gaze over the strangers, noting every one of them looked at Emmerick with a hopefulness that made his stomach churn. What the fuck? He wasn’t here to rescue them! He had his hands full just figuring out how to get himself and his charges out of here. Especially with Master Mirado intent on mating him, and the blood bond with Kylor silent. It suddenly occurred to him, that he wasn’t the only one blood bonded to Kylor. “Have any of you been able to contact Kylor?” When they all shook their heads, Emmerick gritted his teeth. Why couldn’t they reach the alpha master?

Emmerick didn’t want a repeat of the past, as he looked at the others in the room. Master Mirado had killed Briley, when he’d helped Emmerick escape the first time he fled Master Mirado’s clan. Which meant, when he escaped, he needed to take the others with him, no matter that he didn’t want to. He might not like vampires, but he’d regretted Briley’s death, and would feel even worse if these vampires lost their lives to free him. He wasn’t sure why he felt that way, especially about the two that had freed him from the dungeon, but there was no denying it. There had to be a way to escape this compound without bloodshed, he just couldn’t come up with anything more than fighting their way out.

Emmerick ignored the vampires talking and those hovering in a circle around the master. He glanced around, before moving to check what he’d determined was a root cellar. The vampires stumbled back as he approached them, scared of his sword. Emmerick closed his eyes for just a moment, allowing his senses to expand. He didn’t feel any animosity or hostility from the vampires surrounding them, not that he trusted them. He could feel a pull of some sort, his vampire spirit towards Aelwyn, his were spirit intent on the green-eyed vampire—Cabe. He wasn’t going to think about what that could mean right now and pushed it to the back of his mind. He did trust his instincts, even confused as he was about the attraction he couldn’t seem to shake.

When he opened his eyes again, it was to see Aelwyn and the darker vampire staring at him with identical expressions Emmerick didn’t want to interpret. He sheathed his sword and continued to survey the room. It was quickly apparent, the only way out was back up the stairs and into the pantry, bringing them back into the main part of Master Mirado’s mansion. Emmerick wondered if he even could fight his way out, but when he looked around, it was easy to see he couldn’t. Not if he wanted to help the vampires held here. And why he would do that, he didn’t know. He’d never cared about vampires before, and certainly not ones that belonged in Master Mirado’s clan, ones that had forsaken him and his family, though none of these vampires looked familiar. But he couldn’t leave them behind.

~~~

Aelwyn watched the tall dyad move around the room. He was magnificent, the way he held his sword as if it were a part of him, the gracefulness of a predator, even the perpetual scowl had Aelwyn’s body trembling. He could feel Cabe quivering next to him, probably in the same state of awe as himself. Gods, what he wouldn’t give to feel all that strength under his hands and mouth. His fangs ached to sink into the lightly tanned skin. The wild scent that came off of Emmerick was intoxicating and Aelwyn had to struggle to remain in the present and not get caught up in fantasies involving himself and the gorgeous male.

But despite Emmerick being his mate, Aelwyn was still tense and wary, his heart only slowing a little after the big dyad sheathed his sword. He had to protect the vampires bonded to him. The dyad obviously didn’t like vampires by the way he was being so guarded, and Aelwyn had noticed the dyad’s attention to the young were in the room. He could feel the jealousy and possessiveness coursing through him, even if he had no claim on the male. He didn’t know him, despite him seeming familiar. The more he watched Emmerick, the more something niggled at his mind. He knew he’d seen this dyad before, but the only ones he’d ever met were….

Aelwyn gasped and quickly turned away when Emmerick glanced at him. He grabbed Cabe’s elbow and pulled him to a corner, Cabe sputtering at the sudden movement. He leaned in to whisper in Cabe’s ear. “That is one of the dyads that used to belong to Master Mirado. One of the sons.” He felt Cabe’s body twitch next to him. Cabe hadn’t been in Master Mirado’s clan long, only a few years, well after the dyads were gone. Aelwyn himself had only been bonded to Master Mirado a few months before the old dyad and his mate were executed. He hadn’t known what happened to the sons, but had heard from others why his friend and his mate were killed by Master Mirado. The master had tried to mate the older son, had actually succeeded, and then killed him when the young dyad had attacked the master. The older dyad and his mate were executed as retribution. He didn’t know if that was true or not, but that’s when things had started to change in the clan.

Cabe didn’t say anything, thankfully. Now was not the time to get into a discussion about the dyad. Even as Aelwyn watched the big male inspect the cellar, he knew he wouldn’t find anything to help them escape. He’d been there, done that. Several times. The only way out was back up into the kitchen and into the main part of the house. The large glass door in the kitchen, leading to the overgrown gardens, was sealed, as were all the windows. The only exit that wasn’t was the front door, which was heavily guarded by Master Mirado’s mutated humans, and the kedges loyal to him.

Aelwyn glanced around at the vampires in the room. They might be able to fight the humans, but Aelwyn wasn’t sure he wanted to take the risk. Most of the vampires were unhealthy, nearly starving, some still injured from Master Mirado’s attentions. And they weren’t fighters. Aelwyn had been a kedge in the clan he came from, before being banished as a master, so knew how to fight. Cabe had been heir apparent to his father, an aristocrat of some sort, before fleeing his home clan. To this day, Cabe had never told him why he’d run from his father. But his friend was not a warrior.

The growl that came from Emmerick brought Aelwyn out of his thoughts and he struggled to keep a smug smile off his face at the dyad’s obvious frustration. He could have saved the male the trouble, but it seemed Emmerick wasn’t inclined to talk to him, or any of the other vampires. He didn’t even speak with the pyrinas that had been captured with him. Aelwyn let out a small gasp when the big dyad suddenly stood in front of him, invading his personal space, his amber eyes sparking as he glared at Aelwyn. He vaguely noticed he didn’t need to look up at the dyad, both standing tall. However, Aelwyn was willow thin compared to Emmerick’s considerable bulk.

“How many of the vampires are still bonded to Master Mirado? And how many humans does he have here?”

Aelwyn’s tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth having the big male so close to him, his wild scent overwhelming Aelwyn, making his fangs ache and his cock harden. Fuck! That was all he needed right now. He mentally shook himself and answered the dyad. “Master Mirado has maybe a dozen loyal vampires, mostly kedges. I’m not sure about the humans. He keeps most of them separated and guarded on the third level. Both humans he’s captured recently and the ones he’s already experimented on. Only the humans he can control guard the house. He has a human witch up there too, though I’ve not seen her since he brought her here.”

“And all these vampires are bonded to you?”

Aelwyn turned to the pretty pyrina with white hair and pale blue eyes. “Yes. Cabe and I rescued them from the slave pen where we found him.” Aelwyn tilted his head at Emmerick.

“Do you think they are strong enough to fight our way out of here?”

Aelwyn sighed. “I don’t know. Most haven’t fed in days and are weak. Some are still healing from what Master Mirado did to them. The humans Master Mirado has drugged are strong, but clumsy and stupid.” And vicious, but Aelwyn didn’t add that. Aelwyn could feel the tension vibrating off the large dyad as he stared over Aelwyn’s shoulder at the door leading to the kitchen. When it appeared the male had made a decision, Aelwyn waited. He might be a master vampire, but this was a dyad, a dual spirit much stronger than Aelwyn. A warrior, and Aelwyn suspected, a kedge as well. Whatever Emmerick wanted to do, Aelwyn would do what he could. Anything to get them out of this place…all of them. He remembered Emmerick asking if any of them had been able to reach Kylor, whoever that was, and it did make him wonder if dyads bonded to masters, like vampires. His old dyad friend had never mentioned that part of dyad culture.

Chapter 5

Standing this close to the master vampire was a mistake. The cocoa and mint scent of the male invaded Emmerick’s senses, causing his body to react, which in turn pissed him off. He could also smell the odor of arousal coming from the vampire. He wanted to be revolted by the vampire being attracted to him, but found himself inhaling more of the blond male’s scent. He mentally shook his head. He had no business being attracted to a vampire! The creatures were loathsome and cruel. Sneaky and untrustworthy.

Murderers.

Emmerick gritted his teeth, his incisors cutting into his bottom lip as his mind raced. Now was not the time to worry about his reaction to the vampire, or the male’s reaction to him. He needed to figure out a way for them to get out of here. With difficulty, he pushed the inappropriate mutual attraction to the back of his mind and stared at the door to the cellar. He’d examined the whole room, and that door was the only way out. But beyond that was Master Mirado. If what the vampire said was true, a dozen vampires would not be difficult to eliminate. It was the mutated humans that Emmerick needed to worry about. They had bested him at the mall, and he didn’t fancy a repeat of that humiliation.

He glanced back at Jytis, noting the continuing fear in the were’s eyes. He didn’t think he’d get much help from the young one. Pyrinas were useless when it came to fighting. Which left the master standing in front of him and the other vampires in the room. Most looked barely able to stand, their injuries obvious. Emmerick growled in frustration. Kylor’s silence didn’t help. If he could contact his alpha, there was hope they could be rescued, even if that rubbed Emmerick’s pride the wrong way. Better a bruised ego and Kylor’s disappointment in him, than a mating to Master Mirado and death.

Emmerick’s attention was diverted when the smaller vampire that had released him from the dungeon moved to the master’s side, his scent of coffee and cinnamon wafting towards Emmerick, mixed with arousal as well. The vampire’s green eyes flicked to him for only a moment before he addressed the other male.

“Aelwyn. We need to do something now. Master Mirado is going to figure out his prisoners have disappeared soon, if he doesn’t already know. We need to get out of here.”

When Aelwyn put his arm around the green-eyed one’s—Cabe’s—shoulders, Emmerick almost snarled. What the fuck? Were these two lovers? Mates? And why did that bother Emmerick so much? It wasn’t like they were his, were they? No! They couldn’t be his. Fate wouldn’t fuck with him like that. Any mates he had would be dyads or weres, not humans and certainly not vampires!

“I know, Cabe.”

“Come on, if the only way to get out of here is back through the house, we might as well move.” Emmerick didn’t like the plan, but it was all they had. He, again, pulled his sword from its back sheath and a dagger for his other hand, for added insurance. He wasn’t looking forward to taking on those enhanced humans, but if what Aelwyn said was true, they weren’t very clever. Perhaps Emmerick could out-smart them as he’d not done at the mall. He had been taken by surprise then, never having encountered humans like the ones he’d fought. He was an accomplished warrior. Dair’s training had been brutal, and the former kedge had taught him how to fight dirty as well. “Jytis, stay with me.” He’d keep the small were spirit right by him and he glared at the pyrinas, indicating they should stay close as well. It didn’t escape his notice that both Aelwyn and Cabe frowned when Jytis, Samuel and Bladen got near him.

Much to his surprise, all manner of weapons suddenly appeared in the hands of the vampires, from old swords, to a few daggers and kitchen knives, and even one rusty battle ax. Several vampires had makeshift clubs. He noted that Aelwyn and Cabe had nothing, but he’d seen the master snap the human guard’s neck with his bare hands, so maybe that was his preferred way of fighting. Emmerick stubbornly refused to acknowledge how hot that was. Emmerick led them back up the stairs and into the pantry before stopping to listen. Silence greeted them, and Emmerick slowly pushed the door open to reveal the empty kitchen. Quietly, they left the pantry and Emmerick waved Aelwyn forward. He’d moved to the large glass door, all of them plastered to the wall and watching for any movement.

“We can’t go out that way without breaking the glass and bringing all of Master Mirado’s kedges and the human guards down on us. He’s sealed every exit except the front door, including the windows.”

Emmerick nodded at Aelwyn’s whisper, his mind occupied with the new information. If all the exits were sealed except that one, then the front door was the only way they could go. Which meant they could be seen at any moment by the human guards Master Mirado had positioned in the mansion. Emmerick wanted to growl in frustration, and almost jumped when Aelwyn placed his hand on Emmerick’s arm. His touch was cool and somewhat calming, not to mention making Emmerick’s insides flutter and his body to harden. Emmerick was surprised his skin wasn’t crawling with the contact. But for once, Emmerick didn’t pull back, revolted by the touch of a vampire. He also refused to acknowledge the sensations coursing through him at Aelwyn’s gesture. He hated vampires, no matter how sexy they might be. Besides, right now, he needed to concentrate on getting them all out of here, not on the feelings roiling inside of him.

Emmerick knew Master Mirado’s manor well, having lived here before his escape years ago. Only the mutated humans were a new factor. Taking the lead again, he guided the contingent of vampires and Jytis further down the wall and around a corner, into the dining room. Across the room was the archway to the foyer and across and beyond the foyer was the huge lounge, complete with a grand piano. On the right, past the archway and out of sight, were the double front doors. Master Mirado always did love his luxuries and wealth. Emmerick had never hinted to anyone, including Kylor that he knew how to play that piano, Master Mirado making him take lessons, and then forcing him to play while the master tried to woo Emmerick’s brother. It hadn’t worked, and Barratt had lost his life. Emmerick viciously pushed the memories back. He had no time to wallow in self-loathing and guilt right now. He had Jytis and the vampires to save.

He froze when he heard voices, rough and belligerent. When the clang of swords and grunts of fighting suddenly rang out. Emmerick backed up into the shadows, pushing Jytis, the pyrinas, and surprisingly, Aelwyn and Cabe, behind him. He squeezed the hilt of his sword, keeping it at the ready and waited, listening to the fighting going on in the foyer. Every minute or two, he’d catch a glimpse of the combatants, noticing it was the huge humans Master Mirado had experimented on. They were attacking each other, which surprised Emmerick, but Aelwyn had said they were stupid. After some time, Emmerick’s heart beating wildly and his dual spirits clawing to come out to protect those they felt belonged to him, the sounds of battle lessoned, until there was only silence.

Emmerick’s whole body jerked when he heard Master Mirado’s voice, the anger clear, as he ordered his kedges to clean up the mess. From the sound, the master was standing at the top of the wide steps to the upper levels, levels Emmerick never wanted to see again. Emmerick pushed back further into the shadows of the dining room, when there was the sound of boots thundering. Emmerick just caught the movement of vampire kedges and additional humans as they dragged the dead humans away.

Aelwyn and Cabe were plastered to his back, and making his heart race even more. One of them had grabbed his tunic, clenching it tightly in their fists. He remained silent, waiting for the opportune time to make a break for it. Once they were free, he’d put as much space between himself and these two vampires that affected him so strongly. He didn’t want to admit that they might be his mates, both his were spirit and vampire spirit in a frenzy whenever the vampires were close. He couldn’t have vampires as true mates.

~~~

Aelwyn tried to comfort Cabe, keeping an arm around his scared and shaking friend. Cabe had his fists wrapped in the material of Emmerick’s tunic, his green eyes darting everywhere. Aelwyn glanced back to see all his vampires with similar expressions. Even the pyrinas and were spirit were frightened. When Master Mirado’s loud voice echoed around them, Aelwyn waved at his vampires to move closer to the corner of the room, even as Emmerick pushed them all further into the shadows.

Aelwyn continued to rub his hand in soothing circles on Cabe’s back as he waited to see what Emmerick would do. He had to concentrate on not holding his breath, while his heart raced. When there was finally silence, he felt Emmerick’s body relax some where it was leaning against him. He didn’t think the dyad even knew he was doing it. Despite the desperate situation they found themselves in, he couldn’t stop the reaction of his body every time he was near the big male. Only true mates caused such a response, and Aelwyn was both pleased and nervous to know the large dyad was his mate. If Emmerick didn’t like vampires, would he reject himself and Cabe? Aelwyn’s chest clenched at the possibility.

He was pulled from his worries when Emmerick stepped forward, Cabe being pulled along by his grip on the big dyad. Aelwyn followed silently, the were spirit and pyrinas close behind him, his rebel vampires following. Emmerick stopped and glanced over his shoulder at them all. His eyes latched onto Aelwyn’s and he sucked in a breath at the male’s beauty. Seriously, right now was so not the time to get all goo-goo eyed over the dyad.

“Stay here.”

Aelwyn nodded at Emmerick’s low whisper and pried Cabe’s hands from Emmerick’s shirt, pulling him back against his chest. Emmerick frowned, but turned back, before lifting his sword and stepping silently towards the archway. Aelwyn’s heart raced, knowing the danger they were in, and Emmerick might be seen at any second. He had to clench his muscles from jumping forward to protect his mate. He had no claim on Emmerick. Not yet. He could feel Cabe trembling in his arms, and knew that his friend probably wanted to protect Emmerick just as much he did, even if the smaller vampire had no clue how to fight. Emmerick paused at the edge of the entryway and Aelwyn couldn’t help holding his breath this time. The big dyad leaned forward and peeked around the corner into the foyer and quickly pulled his head back.

Emmerick glanced back at them and lifted his finger to his lips, indicating they all needed to be silent. Like they weren’t already frozen in fear, making no move or sound. Aelwyn could feel the fright pulsing through the blood bond from the vampires behind him. He only hoped their escape was near. He wasn’t sure how many of the vampires would survive if they were discovered and once again imprisoned. He already felt guilty for leaving the unconscious ones behind in the slave pen. But there was nothing he could do to save them.

He was brutally pulled from his thoughts when Emmerick darted forward and the clang of swords echoed in the room. There were shouts which cut off quickly. But not quickly enough, as far as Aelwyn was concerned. Looking back, he waved for three of his stronger vampires to follow him and moved swiftly towards the fight going on out of their sight. Cabe’s whimper made him pause for a second and he stepped back to hug the smaller male to him for only a moment, before letting him go and pushing him back to stand with the small were and the pyrinas.

He rushed to the arch, his eyes taking in the battle before him. There were several humans on the floor, either dead or badly injured, but what caught and held his attention was the ferocious way the dyad moved, slicing through the humans, muscles clenching as he swung his sword, the way his amber eyes glowed with a fierceness Aelwyn had never seen. It was a magnificent spectacle, but his dyad was outnumbered and already bleeding from several cuts. His dyad? A rage Aelwyn had never felt before raced through him and he growled as his claws extended. Without rational thought, he lunged forward, impaling the human that was trying to bring a huge club down on his mate’s head. Slashing sideways, the human screamed and Aelwyn was moving onto the next even before the human hit the floor.

Minutes later, the battle was over. Breathing heavily and ignoring the pain in his side from a deep gash, Aelwyn looked around. Sorrow filled him to see all three of the vampires bonded to him were among the dead. He glanced up at Emmerick to see the dyad scowling at him. Confusion filled him, wondering why the male was angry. Aelwyn could no more stand by while Emmerick fought, then cease to breath. He was his mate. He would protect him with his life.

“Come on. We need to get out of here before Master Mirado figures out what happened.”

Aelwyn nodded and went to the arch to beckon the rest of them to follow him. Cabe rushed to Aelwyn, hugging him tightly, making Aelwyn flinch in pain. Cabe jerked back, seeing the blood that soaked Aelwyn’s shirt under his arm, before staring up in horror at him. Aelwyn pulled Cabe forward and kissed his forehead, trying to reassure him. He turned when he heard a low snarl, to see Emmerick’s amber eyes flashing. Was the dyad jealous? Aelwyn had to keep the wicked smile from his face. Now he had a way of getting to the dyad. If Cabe and he could drive the male crazy with lust, maybe he would look beyond the fact they were vampires, and claim them anyway.

“Someone’s coming.”

Aelwyn swung around at the white-haired pyrina’s words and grabbed Cabe’s hand, to pull him to the front doors. They all rushed forward, intent on getting out of the mansion. There was a scuffle as several pair of hands tried to unlock and open the doors, until Emmerick growled loudly, pushing everyone back before breaking the lock with his bare hand and shoving the doors open. Aelwyn couldn’t stop the rush of desire that enveloped him at Emmerick’s show of strength. He stumbled forward when he felt a thread of white light pierce his mind. The blood bond glowed red in his head, pulsing with the emotions of his tiny clan. But this light was altogether different and Aelwyn didn’t know what it was.

He was pushed forward as they poured out into the circle drive, and all, but one of the vampires bonded to Aelwyn took off running. He couldn’t blame them, but hoped they would find safety and then search him out. If they wished to move on, not staying with Aelwyn, he would break the bond, allowing them to go where they desired.

Just as Emmerick, Aelwyn and Cabe, the pyrinas and were spirit, and his last vampire hurried forward to get out of the clearing, there was a tremendous roar of fury behind them. Aelwyn spun around to see Master Mirado coming down the steps with six of the largest humans Aelwyn had ever seen. He felt himself being shoved behind Emmerick along with the others, and wanted to let out a growl of his own. He was quite capable of fighting alongside his mate! No matter that he was injured and could feel the warmth of his blood dripping down his side.

“You’re going nowhere, Emmerick.” Master Mirado turned to the humans. “Kill the rest, but bring the big one to me.”

The humans surged forward, and Aelwyn wondered if they could make a break for it. When he briefly glanced at the others, he knew they wouldn’t get away. The pyrinas and were spirit were small, and Larkeen, the vampire that had stayed with Aelwyn was one of the weakest. Larkeen hadn’t fed in almost a week, allowing the others to feed before him. There was no way they could get away. Aelwyn’s stomach clenched as the humans advanced on them. He wanted to scream at the lecherous grin on Master Mirado’s face, but had no more time to think, when he heard Emmerick grunt in pain.

Chapter 6

Emmerick watched as the large humans circled them and he glared at Master Mirado. He grunted when one of the humans lunged at him, swinging a thick club and connecting with his ribs before he could block the blow. He heard the crack, and knew several had broken. He could transform and heal, but it was so ingrained to remain hidden, he didn’t think about doing so. “You will never get your filthy hands on me!” Emmerick would rather die, then let Master Mirado mate him. Emmerick swung his sword, ignoring the pain in his side and lopped off the head of the human that had hurt him. Growling, he pushed at the others, giving himself some room to move and went after another human.

Using every skill Dair had ever taught him, Emmerick slashed, lunged, dipped and parried, slowly wearing the human mutants down, killing several. By the time there were only three left fighting, Master Mirado was frowning and exhaustion was pulling at Emmerick, making his movements sluggish. But he couldn’t let his guard down. He almost cried out when one of the humans lunged forward, but not at him, at Aelwyn. As much as Emmerick didn’t want the feelings coursing through him for the two appealing vampires, he couldn’t help the overwhelming protectiveness he felt. He’d seen the blood, knew Aelwyn was injured. He roared, falling on the human and slitting his throat.

He dropped the dead body and risked a glance at the others he was defending. Aelwyn looked ready to rip anyone near him to shreds, his dark brown eyes flashing, his fangs bared as he hissed in anger. Emmerick ignored how much that display turned him on. The others just looked scared, Cabe’s fear making Emmerick’s chest ache. Jytis appeared to be trying to transform, but Emmerick knew the were would be too vulnerable since it took him so long to do so. “No! Jytis, no!” He was having enough trouble shielding them without having to worry about Jytis being killed in mid-transformation.

He watched as Aelwyn saw what was happening and the vampire rushed over to Jytis, grabbing ahold of him to keep the whelp from changing. Emmerick pushed the relief away, knowing they were still in extreme danger. Emmerick kept the last two humans and Master Mirado in his sights, herding the others behind him towards the trees. If he could get that far, they could try and make a break for it, fleeing into the thick foliage and hiding. At least the others could, while Emmerick held off the humans. A vampire’s sense of smell was not nearly as strong as a were spirit’s, and not even close to a dyad’s, and humans were worthless in tracking.

It took a long few minutes, but soon, Emmerick had the two humans in front of him, and the vampires and were at the tree line. “Run!” He growled, crouching down to be ready for the humans advancing on him. When it looked as if the humans were going to circle around him and follow the others, he heard Master Mirado stop them.

“No! Leave them! I want the big one. Bring him to me.”

The humans separated, one on either side of him, making it difficult to have both of them in his sights. As he tried to figure out what to do, another large human and two vampire kedges came out of Master Mirado’s manor. The master waved them forward, and Emmerick knew he would lose this fight. At least the others were gone, leaving him to concentrate on protecting himself, even if it was a lost cause. Anger filled him to know that Master Mirado would, once again, ruin his life. The disgusting master had killed his family, then abducted him and coveted him in place of his dead brother. Now he’d interfered in Emmerick finding his mates, even if they were vampires. If Emmerick got out of this alive, he would, at least, consider claiming his mates, despite his hatred of the entire species. It didn’t really matter, since there was no way he was going to live through this.

He was suddenly grabbed from behind and yanked back, his sword ripped from his hand, one of the humans having made his way behind him while he’d been distracted. He still had his dagger, and swung it over his shoulder, trying to sever the hands holding him. A cry in his ear told him he’d found his mark, but the human didn’t let go. He swung around, trying dislodge the human, until the man wrapped his thick arm around Emmerick’s neck and squeezed. He was surprised at the human’s strength, and spots swam in his eyes. He couldn’t black out. Not now! He struggled and clawed at the man’s arm, but that only resulted in the human tightening his hold around Emmerick’s neck. Blackness invaded the edges of his vision.

~~~

Aelwyn watched from behind a large tree as Emmerick waited for the humans to get near him. Aelwyn’s heart was racing, his breath ragged as he took in what was happening. It was when another large human and two of Master Mirado’s kedges came out of the house that he knew he needed to do something. He couldn’t count on the others. He’d told them to run, but they were hiding behind him. Cabe, he knew would be unwilling to leave him, and apparently the ones that had been captured with Emmerick weren’t leaving either. Larkeen was nearby as well, probably too weak to run. He wanted to growl at the disobedience, but didn’t have the energy. All his thought was on saving Emmerick.

When a hand landed on his shoulder, he jumped, turning and grabbing the neck of the one who’d touched him, his claws piercing flesh. The white-haired pyrina was trying to pry his hand off and he quickly let go. “Sorry.” He hoped he hadn’t hurt the young vampire too much. He could see beads of blood, but the pyrina only waved off his apology.

“My alpha master is coming.”

Oh shit! A dyad alpha master? Coming here? Just the thought scared the bejeezes out of Aelwyn. He’d heard stories about alpha masters and their strength. Their magic. He’d failed to protect Emmerick. Would the alpha master consider that a reason to end Aelwyn? All thoughts left his head when he turned to see a human strangling his mate. Aelwyn saw red, giving a loud roar, he lunged into the clearing, claws out and stabbed the human over and over and over, until he slumped and released Emmerick. For good measure, and because he knew he wasn’t in his right mind, his rage driving him, Aelwyn raked his claws across the human’s neck, slicing his head nearly off his shoulders before he stepped over Emmerick’s unconscious body, hovering there and hissing at anyone who even looked like they were going to get near.

Confusion filled him as several large jungle cats rushed past him, attacking the kedges, and humans. The two largest of the cats advanced on Master Mirado. The master stumbled back on the steps to his mansion, the fear on the master’s face surprising, yet satisfying. When a stranger came out of the woods and approached, Aelwyn hissed again, crouching even further down to cover Emmerick’s body. No one was touching his mate!

“Calm yourself, vampire. I mean him no harm. My name is Pherson. I’m Emmerick’s lead kedge.”

Aelwyn didn’t care who the male was, no one was touching his mate! He was distracted when he heard an ear-piercing scream, and whipped his head around to see the two cats ripping Master Mirado to pieces. A warmth filled his chest to know the vile male got what he deserved. He turned back to the stranger standing nearby to see he hadn’t moved. Good for him, since Aelwyn would defend Emmerick to his last breath.

“Who do we have here?”

Aelwyn’s eyes darted over to see a huge, naked male staring at him. That’s when he noticed several naked males surrounding him. He watched as another male came up to the one who’d spoken and handing him a pair of pants, the others falling back. Aelwyn’s heart was beating fast, his body trembling at the loss of blood, his head dizzy. The white thread in his mind was still there, but weaker than it was before.

“That’s Aelwyn, a master vampire enslaved by Master Mirado.”

Aelwyn glanced over to see the white-haired pyrina approach the large male, standing by his side, and not even coming to the male’s shoulder. Was this the alpha master Samuel had mentioned? Aelwyn’s head was swimming, but he remained over his mate, ready to defend Emmerick. When he swayed, he felt hands grabbing him and hissed, until he realized it was Cabe. He slumped against his friend, grateful for his support.

“My master is hurt. Can you help him?”

Aelwyn wanted to growl at Cabe’s question. He didn’t need help, and didn’t appreciate Cabe clarifying he was a master. He only needed to make sure Emmerick was safe. That’s all that mattered.

“We can. Cimon can care for his injury, and he needs to feed.”

Aelwyn’s eyes were getting blurry and he shook his head, blinking to clear his vision. He couldn’t let down his guard. Not until he knew Emmerick would be okay. “My mate. I have to protect my mate.” He hated how weak his voice was, and had surprised himself at revealing who Emmerick was to him.

“Mate?”

“Yes, Alpha. Both Aelwyn and Cabe are Emmerick’s mates.”

Aelwyn felt Cabe jerk against him and he almost wanted to laugh. He could only imagine the shock on Cabe’s face. How did the little pyrina know? Aelwyn’s eyes drooped, his body beginning to slide down in Cabe’s arms. He was fast losing any strength he had. “W…will you keep…keep him safe?” With great difficulty, Aelwyn straightened and stared at the big male. There was a surprised look on his face, but then he nodded at Aelwyn.

“You have my word, Aelwyn.”

Aelwyn had no clue how strong a dyad’s word was, but by some instinct, he believed the big male. He slumped against Cabe, the last of his energy draining from him. He felt Cabe lower him to the ground next to Emmerick’s unconscious body. With the last of his reserves, he laid his hand on the dyad’s chest and smiled at the heartbeat he felt under his palm, before darkness overtook him.

Chapter 7

Emmerick paced his room. It had been four days since the attack on Master Mirado’s compound. When he’d regained consciousness, and transformed a few times to heal, Kylor had called him for a debriefing. He informed Emmerick that the master was no more. Emmerick had been happy at the news, even if he wished he’d been the one to kill the vampire. Then Kylor had told him he knew that Aelwyn and Cabe were his mates. That had thrown Emmerick for a loop. He’d suspected, but didn’t want to admit it to himself. When Kylor asked if he wished to see them, he’d refused. He hadn’t even asked if Aelwyn was all right. He tried to tell himself he didn’t care, but it was a lie. He growled, picking up a glass on the table as he walked by and throwing it across the room, watching it shatter against the wall.

He’d never wanted mates, and certainly not vampire mates. He honestly thought there would be no mates for him. He was big and clumsy, had little compassion and no humor. He had very little self-worth, and the humiliation he felt over his hair being cut short just added to his lack of self-confidence. He’d turned himself into a fighting machine, the one sure thing he could control, when his whole life felt out of control. The brutal schedule he followed also helped relieve the ache of not saving his family. He was alone, and liked it that way. He knew Jytis wasn’t his mate, even being attracted to the whelp. He had asked if the little were was all right, and was told Jytis was fine, though he was having nightmares. Kymone was caring for him, much to Dair’s annoyance. Emmerick hadn’t seen Samuel or Bladen since returning, and he was just fine with that. He was sure they blamed him for the whole ordeal. He did, so why wouldn’t they?

Kylor had been especially interested in the information about Master Mirado’s unusual activities. Kylor had already spoken with Aelwyn, Cabe and the vampire, Larkeen. What little Emmerick had found out was nothing new. His alpha had sent Pherson and a couple of other kedges back to Master Mirado’s mansion to gather as much information about the drugs the master was experimenting with and to destroy the compound. The humans had also been destroyed, along with Master Mirado’s loyal kedges. The human witch had been found in a room that had obviously been converted to a lab. She’d been dead and apparently, she’d been that way for a while, and—Emmerick shuddered—been used as a food source for the mutated humans, along with several remains of dead vampires.

Emmerick stopped pacing in front of the window and stared out, his thoughts in a chaotic jumble. He could see several dyads roaming the clearing around the estate, some going into the forest, some coming out. He just caught Dair and Kymone transforming before heading into the trees. Emmerick hadn’t left his room since talking with his alpha, too afraid he might run into Aelwyn or Cabe. Larkeen was still in the infirmary, and Kylor had told him Cimon was beyond exasperated because Aelwyn should be there too. It was when Kylor told him he’d fed all three vampires, and blood bonded them to him, that Emmerick had lost it. He’d growled at Kylor.

He’d growled at the alpha master of the clan!

Emmerick had been stunned when Kylor, not only didn’t punish him for such disrespect, but told him he understood. It seemed neither Darrian, nor Hillier especially liked that he fed Samuel and Bladen. But everyone knew pyrinas had to feed from a master vampire to survive, so Emmerick couldn’t figure out either human’s dislike of Kylor’s actions. Emmerick didn’t think he’d ever understand the human mind. It didn’t matter, since Kylor’s reassurance couldn’t be equated to Emmerick’s situation at all. Aelwyn was a master and Cabe and Larkeen were not pyrinas. Emmerick felt a growl bubble in his chest and suppressed it. He had to remind himself that everyone who was part of Kylor’s clan, had to be blood bonded to the alpha master. He just didn’t like it, which, in turn, made him angry.

Emmerick started pacing again, the spirits within him agitated at Emmerick’s refusal to claim his mates. It would be a huge mistake for Emmerick to give in to the instinct coursing through him. There would come a day when he’d resent the vampires, tied to a species that had hurt him so badly, had destroyed his family. Master Mirado might be gone, but Emmerick would never forget what the loathsome master had done. Vampires could not be trusted. They would sooner stab you in the back, or drain you dry, than look at you, and Emmerick would rather die, than have, not one, but two vampires as his mates. Or so he told himself. Emmerick ignored the little voice in his head reminding him that Aelwyn had saved his life. Twice. He’d been stunned when Kylor told him what Aelwyn had done when Emmerick had lost consciousness.

It didn’t matter. He was sure the only reason Aelwyn had risked himself like that was because of the mating pull, not because he gave a damn about Emmerick himself. And wasn’t that ironic? Emmerick hated vampires, but wanted mates to want him despite the drive to claim. It didn’t even make sense in Emmerick’s head, and he doubted anyone else would understand. Kylor had his two mates, both human, but he’d welcomed the bond, even pursued it if the rumors about him chasing Hillier down were true. Several of the dyads in the clan had one of their mates, again, all accepted with open arms and open hearts; celebrated as the gift true mates rightly were. Emmerick couldn’t bring himself to be happy about Aelwyn and Cabe, fighting the mating pull with everything in him. It just couldn’t be, no matter how his spirits ached for them.

~~~

Aelwyn pulled his fangs free from Kylor’s wrist, containing the shudder that threatened to rush down his spine. It wasn’t that Kylor’s blood was unpleasant, far from it, but Aelwyn would just rather be drinking from his mate. He’d learned quickly that Cabe’s blood was not as filling or satisfying as a dyad’s, plus the other vampire was not Aelwyn’s mate, even if they cared deeply for each other. Aelwyn loved Cabe in his own unique way, had slept with the male many times, but it wasn’t the connection he knew he would have with Emmerick. That Cabe would have with Emmerick as well. He just didn’t know how to convince Emmerick to claim them.

He’d thought to make Emmerick so jealous, that his lust would override his reservations. Except, that was kind of hard to accomplish when neither he, nor Cabe, had seen the beautiful male since they got here. It was like the dyad had disappeared into thin air. When Aelwyn had asked Kylor about Emmerick, the alpha master had said to be patient and Emmerick would come around. Patience and Aelwyn didn’t actually get along, and he wasn’t so sure Emmerick would change his mind. He wondered, once again, if what had happened to Emmerick was the reason for him to detest vampires with such a deep loathing and to the point of rejecting his mates. He’d not mentioned to Kylor that he knew Emmerick, preferring to keep that to himself. Well, knew who Emmerick was, he’d only met him that one time, years ago, when they both had still been younglings in Master Mirado’s clan.

He wished he could talk to the male, let him know he’d been friends with Emmerick’s father. But he wasn’t sure that would be wise. Emmerick had to have suffered terribly when his family was killed, and was still suffering. Aelwyn could understand, a little anyway. His family had turned their backs on him when the master of his home clan had learned Aelwyn was a stronger master and banished him. Well, all his family except his younger brother, Hywell. But Hywell was still a youngling, and had no say on what happened to Aelwyn. His brother tried to reason with their father and the master, but had been punished for doing so. Aelwyn didn’t even know if his family still lived.

Aelwyn thanked Kylor and then left the alpha master’s office. The dyad’s blood was so strong, that Aelwyn would not need to feed for at least a week, a bit longer for Cabe. It seemed Aelwyn being a master vampire meant having to feed more often. He walked down the hall, peeking in the media room to see if Cabe was hanging around. He didn’t see his friend, so kept going. Energy buzzed through him, making him edgy. The wound to his side still ached, the healing progressing slowly. He’d thought it would be healed by now with Kylor’s blood running through him, but Cimon had said he’d waited too long to have it seen to, causing it to become infected. Vampires, like dyads and were spirits, usually didn’t get human diseases, but injured badly enough, infections could still invade their bodies. Larkeen was still in the infirmary healing from the extensive wounds Master Mirado had inflicted on the vampire.

Aelwyn turned down the hall to the living room, made his way across to a door at the bottom of the stairs to the upper levels. This door led to the infirmary. He’d go spend some time with Larkeen. The hurt vampire was no longer bonded to him, opting to be blood bonded to Kylor until he was healed. Aelwyn knew Larkeen was anxious to get back to his family’s clan and would leave when he was able. He didn’t know where Cabe was, and really didn’t want to be around his friend right now. Cabe was taking Emmerick’s rejection much harder than Aelwyn. Maybe because Aelwyn still harbored hope that Emmerick would realize what he was missing by not claiming them. Cabe was a lot more sensitive than Aelwyn, had less self-confidence. Aelwyn couldn’t count the number of times he had to assure Cabe that Emmerick’s rejection was not because Cabe was unworthy. A reassurance he wasn’t even sure was true. Did Emmerick think Cabe, and himself, were undeserving to be claimed?

He pushed the doors leading to the infirmary open and glanced around. Larkeen was three beds down on the left and he headed in that direction. He had to pass Cimon’s desk, and paused, clearing his throat to get the dyad’s attention. When Cimon looked up, Aelwyn gave him a smile, keeping his fangs hidden. He didn’t know why, but he felt awkward showing fang around the dyads. Vampires couldn’t retract their incisors like dyads could. “How is he?” He watched Cimon glance briefly towards Larkeen, then pull a folder in front of him. Flipping it open, he scanned it for a moment, before looked back up at Aelwyn.

“He’s doing well. The broken bones in his hands have healed completely, and I’ve started him on physical therapy. The burn marks and whip cuts will take longer with the infection, but his body hasn’t rejected the IV of antibiotics, so I’m confident he will fully recover, though he will have extensive scars. It’s times like this, I wished vampires could transform to heal. If he’d been a dyad, he would already be whole and without scars to show he’d been injured at all.”

Aelwyn tamped down on his anger over Cimon implying dyads were superior to vampires. He knew the dyad didn’t mean it that way. He watched Cimon narrow his eyes at him.

“And, speaking of infected injuries, how are you feeling?”

Aelwyn wanted to roll his eyes. Cimon had been hounding him to stay in the infirmary to tend to the gash in his side, but Aelwyn had refused. He didn’t want to be stuck in the infirmary, leaving Cabe on his own and no way of seeing Emmerick. Not that it mattered. Cabe was wallowing in self-pity and depression, and Emmerick was nowhere to be found. “I’m fine, Cimon. An occasional twinge when I turn too far to the right, but other than that, it’s healing well.”

“Good, good. You’ll let me know if that changes, right.”

It wasn’t a question and Aelwyn almost snorted at Cimon’s order. Instead, he nodded, then moved off to visit with Larkeen.

Chapter 8

Emmerick shuffled towards the doors to the clan house, watching Kylor a few feet in front of him. Emmerick had never seen his alpha so angry or upset, the power of the alpha master pulsing around them in waves, making the very air vibrate, and causing everyone close enough to slump under the heaviness of it. Even Hillier was a few steps away from the big male, unwilling to touch him in his current state. Kylor was so agitated, that it was affecting everyone through the blood bond as well. Emmerick could feel it, the bond thrumming in his head, giving him a headache. He only hoped that Darrian, who was waiting just inside the doors, and Hillier could help Kylor calm down. Emmerick understood why Kylor was so distraught, even if it was affecting everyone else and making them exceedingly uncomfortable.

This last raid was bad. Really bad. Sorrow and anguish weighed Emmerick down as well. They’d lost four dyads to death, and that wasn’t even the worst of it. What they’d found once they breached the compound still made Emmerick’s stomach churn. Every room of the manor filled with the dead. Nothing but younglings, whelps and human children. All of them covered in bite marks, and most of them with flesh torn and consumed, blood staining the floor, walls and even the ceiling. The stench had been overwhelming, causing several dyads to run from the mansion, losing what was in their stomachs. It had been a close call for Emmerick, but he’d managed to keep from vomiting, though he’d gagged a few times. Emmerick never wanted to see such a sight again. He was never going to be able to scrub the ghastly images from his brain.

He passed through the doors, intent on getting to his room and trying to rid himself of the memory of such senseless destruction and death. So caught up in his thoughts and emotions, and the heavy weight of Kylor’s anguish, he wasn’t watching where he was going and ran into someone. Automatically, he grabbed the person’s arms, keeping them from falling. When he looked to see who he’d almost run over and to apologize, his eyes locked with large green ones, shock on Cabe’s face at being held by Emmerick. His first instinct was to let go, shove Cabe away from him and run. But he couldn’t do it. His were spirit was in a frenzy, clawing at him to claim the vampire in front of him, the turmoil in his mind more than he could handle.

He pushed Cabe back until the vampire hit the wall, pinning him with his body and then took his mouth in a fevered kiss. The instant Emmerick tasted Cabe, his senses went into overdrive, the coffee and cinnamon scent invading his nose. The vampire had gained some weight, giving Emmerick a hard, slightly muscular body to press against. He could smell Cabe’s arousal, feel the hard length of the male against his thigh. Burying his fingers in the soft hair, Emmerick tilted Cabe’s head, slotting their mouths more firmly together, and sweeping his tongue in deep. The moan that came from the small male only heightened Emmerick’s need, causing him to rock against the vampire, placing a thigh between Cabe’s legs for the vampire to rut against.

When Emmerick realized he was mindlessly pulling on Cabe’s clothes, and in very real danger of taking and claiming the male right there in the front foyer, in front of anyone nearby, he jerked back, stunned at losing control. He’d been avoiding his mates for weeks, and the moment he was near one, he was ready to rip the male’s clothes off and sink into his body with both cock and fang. Emmerick shook his head, trying to clear the lust coursing through him. Cabe’s large green eyes were dazed, and Emmerick thought it a very sexy look on the male. But moments later, Cabe was frowning, a myriad of emotions crossing his expressive face, from confusion, to disappointment, anger, misery, finally settling on obvious hopelessness. When tears filled Cabe’s beautiful eyes, Emmerick felt about two inches tall. He reached for the vampire, but Cabe jerked away and ran, headed for the stairs to the second level.

“Well, that went well.”

Emmerick spun to see Samuel standing behind him, his arms crossed over his chest, as he glared at Emmerick, his words filled with disdain and contempt. He scowled at the pyrina, ignoring Samuel’s sarcastic comment and headed for the garage. On the far side was the door to the back of the estate. Emmerick needed to transform and run. His thoughts were in chaos, and he could still taste Cabe on his lips, see the despondency in his gorgeous eyes. All Emmerick’s reasons for denying his vampire mates didn’t seem to be as important as they had before in the wake of Cabe’s agony. He needed to gain some perspective, needed to think.

He hit the back of the garage and stripped quickly, not caring where his clothes landed. He transformed, picking a cheetah form for the speed. He took off, crashing into the underbrush. He ran, and ran. And then ran further, trying to clear his mind, but the sight of Cabe’s devastated expression wouldn’t leave his thoughts. He hated vampires, but even he knew that Cabe and Aelwyn had nothing to do with the death of his family. Even being part of Master Mirado’s clan. They’d been victims as much as Emmerick’s brother and parents had been to the master’s manipulations and cruelty.

Emmerick broke from the trees to see the ocean in front of him. He skidded to a stop in the sand, his breath ragged, his heart racing. He sat, staring at the waves gently washing on the shore, letting his mind go blank. And still, the images of his mates floated behind his eyes. Emmerick growled and transformed to an eagle and took off. He flew out over the ocean, letting the air currents carry him further and further from Kylor’s compound. When his wings grew tired, and his mind had finally settled, he turned back. He realized, he was hurting himself as much as he mates, denying the gift that fate had given him. So what if his mates were vampires. He’d deal with it. He had to. They were his, whether he wanted them or not, and it was time to claim what was his.

~~~

Aelwyn dropped to his knees, grabbed his head and moaned when the white thread in his mind pulsed brightly, then dimmed, leaving behind a massive headache. Just as he was stumbling to his feet, Cabe came crashing into the room they had been assigned and shared. Aelwyn spun around to see Cabe’s face streaked with tears, his clothes rumpled in disarray. “What happened? What’s wrong?” He staggered over to his lover and grabbed him, pulling Cabe into his arms. The smaller vampire was shaking badly. Aelwyn caught the scent of Emmerick on Cabe, strong enough to know the male had touched Cabe.

“Nothing.”

Cabe buried his face in Aelwyn’s neck, unwilling to talk, his fists buried in the back of Aelwyn’s shirt as he clung to him. Aelwyn knew Cabe. Once the male calmed down, he would spill what had happened. The vampire never could hold in his feelings. Aelwyn pulled Cabe to the bed and maneuvered them both until they were lying next to each other, Cabe still in his arms. He stroked his hand over Cabe’s back, up and down, soothing him, even as he wondered what had upset Cabe so much. He just knew Emmerick was behind Cabe’s distress.

“I don’t understand, Aelwyn? I was going out for a walk and Kylor and the others were coming in. The alpha master looked angry, felt…enraged, the blood bond pulsing with anguish, so I moved to be out of his way. I turned around and Emmer…Emmerick ran into me. He grabbed me, and the next thing I know, he pinned me to the wall and was kissing me within an inch of my life. Oh, Aelwyn, it was glorious! But then he stopped, and…and…I ran here. I couldn’t take any more rejection. I just don’t understand. Why doesn’t he want us?”

Rage filled Aelwyn at the way Emmerick had treated Cabe, to raise his hopes and then crush them, as if Cabe didn’t matter, wasn’t worth his time. He choked the anger down, knowing Cabe didn’t need it, or the jealousy Aelwyn felt at Emmerick kissing Cabe. What he wouldn’t give to have that dyad kiss him. But the longer he lay there, with Cabe’s hot tears on his neck, the angrier he got. Emmerick had no right to treat Cabe like something to play with, then when he got bored, throw away. And, before this day was over, the dyad moron was going to hear about it!

It wasn’t long before Cabe cried himself to sleep, and Aelwyn carefully extracted his body out from under the smaller male. He went and took a shower, hoping to cool some of the fury and resentment that was filling him, then dressed and quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind him. He didn’t know where Emmerick’s room was, but he knew who to ask. He only hoped Samuel knew Emmerick’s whereabouts and would be willing to help him.

As he made his way down the corridor, then the stairs, he noticed the mansion was strangely quiet. He’d not bumped into anyone, which was unusual. Nobody was in the living room, and when he crossed the large expanse and made his way down the hall to the media room, he was shocked to find it empty. He didn’t think he’d ever seen the room unoccupied the entire time he’d been here. He checked the infirmary in the basement to find it empty, even Cimon wasn’t there. Larkeen had finally been allowed to leave a few days ago, the vampire asking Kylor to break the blood bond so he could return to his clan.

Losing patience, Aelwyn retraced his steps and checked the kitchen, only to find a few female dyads solemnly fixing dinner. When he asked if they knew where Samuel or Emmerick were, they shook their heads silently.

Huffing in irritation, he left the kitchen and stood in the living room once more, hands on his hips, wondering where everyone was. As he gazed around, pondering where else to look, he saw a short hall near the back of the room. If he remembered right, that led to the garage. Could his wayward mate be in there? He strode across the hardwood floor and down the hall to find a closed door. He opened it and stepped into a cavernous area filled with vehicles of all kinds. He shut the door behind him and made his way along the back wall. The only thing to greet him was the odor of grease and oil, echoing silence except for the fall of his boots, and several rows of empty SUV’s, motorcycles, and a couple of golf carts.

He turned back, trying to think where else he could look when he heard a door open behind him. He swung around to see Emmerick coming into the garage from outside. He was naked, making Aelwyn’s heart skip a beat. The large room was dim, with no lights on, but as a vampire, and a master at that, Aelwyn could see perfectly in the dark. There was a fine sheen of sweat on Emmerick, and Aelwyn guessed he’d been on a run. He raked his gazed over the male, noticing the disheveled hair, dark circles under his eyes, lines of worry and stress, and few faint lines where he was healing from wounds. But despite all of that, he was still stunningly beautiful. Tall, with broad shoulders, tapering down to a trim waist, long legs, a flat, ripped stomach and muscles everywhere. The cock that hung from his pelvis was impressive, even flaccid, making Aelwyn’s mouth water.

He hadn’t noticed Aelwyn yet, which had given him the time to admire his mate, seeing him naked for the first time. Aelwyn shook his head, trying to get rid of the fog of lust and remember he was pissed off at the dyad. But when Emmerick leaned down to pick up a pile of clothes Aelwyn hadn’t seen, he couldn’t stop the low groan at the perfect ass pointed towards him.

Emmerick dropped the clothes and spun around and Aelwyn found himself caught in Emmerick’s intense amber eyes. He froze, forgetting, once again, why he was here, and had been searching for Emmerick in the first place. Then he blinked and remembered he was here to give the large dyad a piece of his mind for treating Cabe like trash, and denying them as his mates. Ignoring his racing heart, he moved forward until he was right in front of the naked male. Emmerick hadn’t made a sound, didn’t retreat, and just stared at him. Aelwyn gritted his teeth, his fangs digging into his bottom lip. He needed to keep it together, not succumb to the need to pounce the dyad. He wasn’t here for that, and Emmerick didn’t want him or Cabe anyway.

“You…you have some…you….how could you…” For fuck’s sake! Aelwyn couldn’t manage to get out what he wanted to say and growled. He closed his eyes, turned his head away, and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before speaking. “You need to stay away from Cabe. You’ve hurt him enough. I don’t want to hold him while he cries himself to sleep because you’re a bastard anymore. We’re going to leave. I can’t…can’t have Cabe hurting, knowing you’re our mate and…” Aelwyn sucked in a lungful of air when he felt gentle fingers touch his chin.

Emmerick pulled his face back up, forcing him to look into his eyes. Aelwyn didn’t want to and kept his lids tightly shut.

“Open your eyes.”

Emmerick’s low, husky voice sent a shudder of need down Aelwyn’s spine, and he opened his eyes to stare at the large male. There was concern on the dyad’s face, and his amber eyes were filled with a mountain of emotion. Aelwyn saw regret and sadness there, which surprised him. But then, maybe Emmerick regretted that he couldn’t—wouldn’t—claim Aelwyn and Cabe, and that they were leaving. That was most likely it. Emmerick had made it abundantly clear he didn’t want them. That’s what prompted Aelwyn to decide they needed to go somewhere else, find a vampire clan to join. The further they were away from Emmerick, the better for all of them.

Before Aelwyn could say anymore, or leave the garage, Emmerick leaned forward and brushed his lips over Aelwyn’s. Aelwyn’s heart stuttered and his body grew hot at the soft lips moving over his. But he couldn’t give in, couldn’t allow this. He tore his face away and glared at the big dyad. “What are you doing?” This was the same thing he’d done to Cabe. Kissed him, then walked away. Well, Aelwyn was stronger than Cabe, and angrier. He was a master and he wouldn’t fall for Emmerick’s games! He wasn’t confused over why Emmerick didn’t want them, He didn’t care. As far as he was concerned there was no excuse good enough for Emmerick to reject his fated mates.

He stepped back, out of Emmerick’s reach. “You can’t reject us, then think you can play with our emotions by kissing us. Mating doesn’t work that way.”

“I know.”

‘You know? You know? Then what the fuck are you doing, Emmerick?” What the hell was wrong with the male? Despite his vow to not care, Aelwyn did want to know why Emmerick thought it okay to reject them. But he couldn’t have a conversation with Emmerick standing there in nothing but his skin. It hadn’t escaped Aelwyn’s notice that Emmerick was now aroused, he’d just been ignoring it. Aelwyn crossed his arms over his chest and waited. But before Emmerick could say anything, the door from the house to the garage opened, a light flipping on, and a dozen or more dyads poured into the space, some running to vehicles. The large garage doors began to open, the grinding screech hurting Aelwyn’s ears.

Aelwyn stepped even further away from Emmerick, intent on getting out of the garage before he was noticed. He backed up, only to run into what felt like a brick wall. He swung around to find himself face to chin with Kylor. The huge dyad leader was frowning, his gaze going back and forth between Emmerick and Aelwyn.

“Have you decided?”

When Emmerick nodded, Aelwyn huffed, wondering what they were talking about. Decided what?

“It’s about time you got your head out of your ass. Go on. We’ll be okay without you on this mission. You have a mission of your own.”

Kylor finished his comments and stalked off, Hilliar behind him, to an SUV and left. Soon, the garage was once more empty, the giant doors closing against the setting sun. Aelwyn turned to Emmerick for an explanation, to see the big male getting dressed. Not willing to wait, and heartily tired of all the confusion, he swiveled around and started for the door to the house. He’d go back to his and Cabe’s room and start packing. There was no need to stay where they weren’t wanted. Before he could take more than a few steps, Emmerick grabbed his arm, stopping him. The grip was firm, but gentle, however, Aelwyn didn’t want Emmerick touching him. He just couldn’t handle it right now. He jerked his arm out of the dyad’s hold and continued towards the door.

“Aelwyn, wait.”

“No.” Aelwyn kept walking until he suddenly found himself shoved against the wall, Emmerick’s big body pinning him. He struggled to get away, only for Emmerick to shove a leg between his, holding him still and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “What are you doing? Let me go!”

Chapter 9

Emmerick was pretty sure this wasn’t the best way to convince Aelwyn he was ready to claim his mates. He also couldn’t help his body from reacting at the way Aelwyn’s was wriggling against his. The vampire’s ass was firmly pushed against his groin, making him ache to sink into Aelwyn’s body. He leaned his forehead against the back of Aelwyn’s head, waiting for his vampire to calm down. His vampire. Never would Emmerick dreamed those words would cross his mind. This close to Aelwyn, Emmerick could feel his vampire spirit burning with the desire to claim, to own and possess, Aelwyn’s intoxicating scent of cocoa and mint, invading his nose.

When Aelwyn finally settled, his breath coming out harsh with exertion, Emmerick waited just a little bit longer. “Will you listen to me now? Without running away?” Emmerick wanted to chuckle at the growl that escaped his mate, but refrained, pretty sure that would only make things worse.

“I’m not the one who ran!”

Emmerick sighed, his breath causing Aelwyn’s blond hair to move and tickle his nose. “No, you’re right. I was the one who ran. Ran and hid. I have no excuse, but I’ve come to realize…I can’t live…can’t… thrive, without you and Cabe. To be honest, I’m slowly dying inside to be without you both.” Emmerick felt Aelwyn’s body relax, so he leaned back, allowing the vampire to turn in his arms. The master’s brown eyes were so dark, so deep, Emmerick felt as if he could drown in them.

“I’ve been angry at vampires for a long time, Aelwyn. They killed my family. It’s taken me while, but I know you and Cabe had nothing to do with that. Master Mirado…he…he took my brother, forced a mating on him against his will. And when Barrett attacked him, he kil… killed him. Then had my parents executed…in front of me.”

It took more energy than Emmerick thought possible to reveal what happened to his family. He’d tried so hard to push the memories away, to forget what had happened when he was younger. But, no matter what he did, his past still haunted him. “I was unable…I couldn’t…didn’t…save them.” Emmerick could feel the shame once more swamping him, even as he met Aelwyn’s eyes. To his surprise, there was compassion in Aelwyn’s gaze, where Emmerick thought he’d see condemnation and disdain. Or pity. Emmerick hated pity.

“It’s not your fault, Emmerick. You couldn’t stop Master Mirado, and your father knew what was going to happen. There was nothing you could do.”

Emmerick didn’t believe Aelwyn, but then the vampire’s words sunk in. “Wait, how do you know my father knew what was going to happen?” Emmerick stepped back, but kept his hands on Aelwyn so the master couldn’t flee. Seeing the vampire’s cheeks turn a pale pink was astonishing. Emmerick didn’t think vampires could blush like that. “Aelwyn?”

“I knew your father. He was a friend, before he died.”

Emmerick let go of Aelwyn, stumbling back, shocked that the master vampire standing before him knew his father. “Why...why didn’t you say something?” Emmerick could feel his anger rising. “Why did you lie to me?!” Aelwyn’s brown eyes flashed, a scowl coming over his features, and he bared his fangs.

“I never lied to you, Emmerick. I haven’t seen you since we came here! You’ve been cowardly hiding from us, refusing us! I would have told you before, if you’d been brave enough to…”

Aelwyn trailed off, and Emmerick’s anger turned to cold realization. The vampire was right. He’d been a coward, too worried about his hate for all vampire kind, to realize what was right in front of him. “I’m sorry.” Aelwyn waved off his apology, even as he avoided looking Emmerick in the eye.

“It doesn’t matter. Not now.”

The defeat in the vampire’s voice gutted Emmerick. He’d caused this. By denying his mates, he’d hurt both Aelwyn and Cabe. And himself. He felt a determination fill him, his vampire spirit raging to claim the master in front of him, his gums itching, his claws threatening to extend from his fingertips. But when he reached for Aelwyn, the vampire sidled to the side and began walking away; his shoulders slumped in misery.

Emmerick growled and went after him, grabbing Aelwyn, spinning him around and shoving him, once more, against the wall. He didn’t hesitate, but swooped in and took the vampire’s mouth, crushing their lips together and devouring the master. His first taste of Aelwyn was exquisite, and he delved for more, caressing his tongue in every recess of the vampire’s mouth, rubbing over the master’s fangs. Aelwyn struggled for all of two seconds before he was grabbing Emmerick, pulling him closer, and kissing back.

Emmerick didn’t want to claim his mate in the dirty garage, but was unwilling to let him go. He pulled the thin vampire closer, feeling a hardness answering his own. He broke the kiss when his incisors and canines descended, and nuzzled into Aelwyn’s neck, struggling not to bite and seal them together. He wanted more, wanted to be buried inside the vampire, claiming him from the inside, out.

Emmerick picked Aelwyn up, tossing the thin master over his shoulder, ignoring the vampire’s squeak of surprise, and carried him outside. The forest was infinitely more intimate, and cleaner. He strode quickly into the trees, searching for a soft place to lay his mate down. He found a large blanket of moss under an ash tree. He carefully laid Aelwyn on the soft lichen, and stared at the exquisite sight in front of him. He’d been such a fool! To deny the beauty before his eyes. With difficulty, he pulled back his fangs to speak. “I’m going to claim you. Then, I’m going to go claim Cabe. I will not be without my mates any longer.” He watched Aelwyn’s brown eyes grow darker with desire, almost making Emmerick smile. But he didn’t, knowing his behavior had hurt them all so much. He was thankful that Aelwyn didn’t argue with him, even if he had a right to do so.

As he stared down at the master, he began removing his clothes. Aelwyn was frantically pulling his own garments off, until he was gloriously naked. The vampire’s pale skin shone in the weak moonlight, all smooth and hairless. His body was thin, but Emmerick knew that belied how strong vampires actually were. Aelwyn stretched, reaching his arms out for Emmerick and his body responded, his cock growing harder and throbbing, even as he pulled his pants down and off. Once naked, he kneeled down, caressing his hand across all that expanse of soft skin. Having been so repulsed by vampires for so long, Emmerick had no idea what one looked like under their clothes. Aelwyn was perfect—flawless.

Emmerick leaned down and laid his body over Aelwyn’s, the skin to skin contact pulling a moan from both of them.

“Emmerick.”

The harsh whisper enflamed Emmerick’s vampire spirit, his heart pumping even more blood to his cock, the head leaking the pre-cum lubricant that would ease Aelwyn’s body for penetration. Emmerick took Aelwyn’s mouth again, gently this time, exploring and committing the master’s taste to memory. He delved his fingers in Aelwyn’s blond locks, thrilled at the silky texture. Emmerick wanted to arch his back when Aelwyn ran his hands down his spine, goose bumps following in the wake of his vampire’s touch, but there was no way he was going to break the kiss he was sharing with his mate.

Emmerick moved slightly, rubbing his engorged shaft against Aelwyn’s, the master spreading his legs to give Emmerick room. “You feel so good, so right,” Emmerick whispered against Aelwyn’s lips. Emmerick would be as gentle as he could for however long he was able, but a dyad’s mating was volatile, and he knew he would lose control soon. He finally broke the kiss when he could no longer hold his incisors back. He stared down at the vampire he was soon going to claim, shifting so his body would prepare Aelwyn before Emmerick could no longer hold back. He grazed a knuckle across the master’s cheek, marveling at the flush that stained the vampire’s face. “You are truly beautiful. I am so sorry I denied you.”

Aelwyn remained silent, but Emmerick could see the hurt in those dark brown eyes. He would spend the rest of his very long life making up for that pain. Emmerick’s body was fairly vibrating with need, the necessity of sinking his shaft into the vampire, connecting their bodies which would bond them together for life, along with his saliva when he bit into Aelwyn’s skin and drank his essence. He leaned down to nuzzle against Aelwyn’s neck, licking the slightly damp skin, before nibbling on the lobe of Aelwyn’s ear.

Unable to hold back for another second, Emmerick pulled his hips back, lined his cock up to Aelwyn’s entrance and pushed forward, burying himself in one long, smooth thrust. Aelwyn’s eyes widened, and he hissed, throwing his head back as Emmerick bottomed out. Emmerick froze as Aelwyn’s body throbbed around his engorged cock, the walls soft and tight.

When Aelwyn widened his legs, Emmerick growled, his control snapping. He pulled back, before thrusting forward again, hard and fast. And again, and again, the rhythm brutal and violent, his body intent on owning Aelwyn’s, his vampire spirit roaring in his ears at claiming his mate. His incisors and canines dropped to their full length, almost touching Emmerick’s chin, his body dripping sweat as he moved.

Aelwyn had pulled his legs up, and Emmerick grabbed them, throwing them over his shoulders, allowing him to go even deeper into his mate. Emmerick shifted long enough to grab Aelwyn’s arms, wrapping his hands around Aelwyn’s wrists and pinning them above his head, causing his slim mate to arch his back, displaying Aelwyn for Emmerick’s pleasure. When Emmerick looked down to where they were connected, he could see Aelwyn’s cock was thick and swollen, the head an angry purple. How ego stroking was that? Emmerick growled, wishing he could fuck and suck his mate at the same time, his mouth watering at just the thought.

As Emmerick felt his orgasm barreling toward him, he growled again, the speed of his thrusts increasing. Aelwyn was meeting every one and hissing repeatedly, his fangs bared. When the master’s dark eyes locked on Emmerick’s, he tilted his head. “Do it!” Aelwyn lunged upward, sinking his sharp fangs into Emmerick’s shoulder, and Emmerick roared as his climax swamped him. His thrusts became erratic as he deposited his seed as deeply into his mate as he could. When Aelwyn withdrew his fangs and licked the wound, Emmerick let go of his wrists, pulled him closer and sank his fangs into the soft skin of Aelwyn’s shoulder. He jerked, setting them as another orgasm rushed through him. Aelwyn cried out, and Emmerick felt the warmth of his vampire’s semen wetting his belly, Aelwyn’s channel rhythmically milking his spurting cock.

Emmerick pulled his fangs and roared as he continued to fill his mate with his seed, claiming him thoroughly and feeling the bond snap into place, Aelwyn’s emotions swamping him as he jerked his hips with the last of his climax. Drained, Emmerick dropped down on his elbows, placing small kisses all over Aelwyn’s sweaty face, before turning them to the side. He leaned forward, taking Aelwyn’s mouth in a tender kiss, his softening cock still buried within his vampire mate.

Emmerick could feel his vampire spirit humming contentedly inside of him, even as his were spirit grew more agitated with need. He had another mate to claim.

Chapter 10

Aelwyn was completely spent, his body lethargic, his limbs rubbery. Never in his life, would he have thought a dyad claiming would be so…intense. He could feel Emmerick in his mind, the big male’s emotions strong, and all over the place. What Aelwyn noticed the most was Emmerick’s sorrow at hurting him and Cabe. The guilt he carried, at not only denying both of them, but his failure at saving his family. But what surprised Aelwyn the most, was the affection he could feel. Affection for him.

Even with Emmerick claiming him, Aelwyn thought it would take a long time for Emmerick to fully accept him and Cabe as mates since they were vampires. Aelwyn knew he was already attracted to the big dyad, even without the mating pull. Emmerick was big, strong, gorgeous, and deadly. A combination that Aelwyn found intoxicating. Now, Emmerick was his mate, and Aelwyn had every intention of making the dyad as happy as he could. When Emmerick’s cock slipped from him, he sighed. He could feel Emmerick half dozing next to him, his arms tightly holding Aelwyn, as if he were afraid to let go. Aelwyn almost wanted to laugh. No way would he leave his mate, not now that they were bonded.

Emmerick turned, pulling Aelwyn on top of his expansive chest, and absently running his fingers through Aelwyn’s hair. Aelwyn wanted to purr like a cat. He peppered little kisses on Emmerick’s chest, reveling in the muscles that twitched at his touch. He wondered if Emmerick would ever allow him within his body.

“Maybe.”

Aelwyn almost jumped at Emmerick’s whispered voice, the big dyad chuckling. Aelwyn couldn’t help but smile at the joy he heard in Emmerick’s laugh. He hoped to hear that for the centuries they would be together.

“Come on, mate. I have another to claim.”

Aelwyn groaned as he sat up, his body aching from the violent claiming. A claiming he would be happy to repeat. He slipped off Emmerick and rummaged around for his clothes. He needed a shower badly. Once they were both dressed, Aelwyn regretting all that skin being covered, Emmerick took his hand and they headed back to the manor. When they entered the garage, it was to see the missing vehicles still gone. Aelwyn hoped that Kylor’s mission was going well.

They made their way up the stairs to the second level, and Emmerick turned to look at Aelwyn, still holding his hand.

“I need to shower too, before I come to Cabe. Once I claim him, we can move you both to my room. As a kedge, I reside on the third floor.”

Aelwyn nodded, he remembered Kylor telling him that the kedges, along with himself and his mates, Cimon, and Samuel had their rooms another level up. “I’ll go shower and let Cabe know you are coming.” Aelwyn could see a few dyads wandering around, and caught Samuel going down the stairs on the other side of the living room below them. Emmerick leaned forward and kissed him, right there in front of everyone, and Aelwyn’s heart skipped a beat. To be accepted in private was wonderful, but for Emmerick to stake his claim in front of others made Aelwyn’s chest tight with overwhelming emotions. He hadn’t expected it, never thought it would happen, and couldn’t help but be pleased.

“Go, get clean. I’ll be there shortly.”

Aelwyn nodded and watched Emmerick walk up the next set of stairs, that stunning ass swaying before his eyes. He had to drag his gaze away, amazed at how drawn he was to Emmerick. He bit his lip to know he was going to his room, and Cabe would be able to tell he’d been claimed. He needed to make sure his friend knew that Emmerick was coming to claim Cabe as well.

He turned and made his way back to his assigned room, his mind on what had happened between him and Emmerick. He’d despaired the dyad would come around as Kylor said he would. Now, he was mated, Cabe was soon to be mated, and Aelwyn couldn’t be happier. When he reached his room, it was to find it empty, the bed still rumpled where Cabe had lain. He checked the bathroom, but Cabe was not here. Anxiety started to steal into Aelwyn’s chest, wondering where his friend could have gone. He touched the bed to find it cold, meaning his friend had been gone for a while.

“What’s wrong? I can feel your panic.”

Aelwyn jerked, and stumbled back to sit on the bed, upon hearing Emmerick’s voice in his head. He hadn’t known dyads could do that.

“It’s a mate thing. What’s wrong?”

Aelwyn wasn’t sure how to do it, but thought about his worry that Cabe wasn’t in the room. He suddenly felt Emmerick’s rage at one of his mates missing—an unclaimed mate. Before Aelwyn had a chance to react, Emmerick was at his door, slamming it open, and glancing around the room.

“Where would he have gone?”

Aelwyn could feel Emmerick’s frustration at not knowing Cabe well enough to anticipate where he might have gone. For that matter, Aelwyn wasn’t sure either. Cabe didn’t really like hanging in the media room, the mated dyads just reminding them that Emmerick had rejected them. He jerked his head to stare at Emmerick when he heard the big dyad groan, his face full of regret. Aelwyn went to him, wrapping the large male in his arms. “It’ll be okay. We’ll find him and you can claim him.” Aelwyn wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince Emmerick or himself.

Emmerick engulfed Aelwyn in his arms, giving Aelwyn the strangest feeling of protection, which didn’t make sense since he was a master vampire, strong in his own right. But he liked it. He inhaled deeply, letting Emmerick’s scent calm him as he let his mind follow the blood bond he had with Cabe. He’d almost forgotten that, when the white thread of the mate bond pulsed so much stronger.

Aelwyn gasped, when he realized the white thread was the same that had invaded his mind when he’d first come across Emmerick. He’d have to think about that later, after they found Cabe, wondering if that’s why he was so drawn to Emmerick, even over the mating pull. Poking further, he could vaguely feel Cabe’s sorrow, and his determination to do…what? Aelwyn pushed harder, then cried out when it became clear that Cabe was intent on ending his life. Aelwyn’s stomach turned and he was dangerously close to losing whatever was in his stomach.

Emmerick roared in anguish when he caught Aelwyn’s thoughts, and Aelwyn felt his dyad’s skin ripple, Emmerick’s were spirit close to the surface. Aelwyn couldn’t let that happen. Not now. They needed to concentrate on finding Cabe. He squeezed Emmerick harder, holding on as he worked his way closer to Cabe’s mind, trying to determine where the vampire had gone. A blood bond wasn’t like a mating bond, the connection only giving a master vampire the limited ability to control his clan, and feel some of the stronger emotions their clan felt, and locate them depending on how strong the bond was. Well, most blood bonds. Kylor, being an alpha master dyad, had stronger abilities when it came to the blood bond between him and his clan. Aelwyn had been surprised when Kylor bonded Cabe to him, but Aelwyn’s bond didn’t break. Aelwyn didn’t know that a vampire could have two blood bonds at the same time, but suspected it had something to do with the drugs Aelwyn and Cabe had been subjected to by Master Mirado. Then it hit him.

Kylor!

Chapter 11

“Emmerick, Kylor can feel Cabe better than me, their blood bond stronger.”

Emmerick grew still, then Aelwyn heard the alpha master in his head.

“Aelwyn. Emmerick. Whyl and Pherson tracked Cabe to the old alpha mansion. Go.”

Emmerick stepped back and grabbed Aelwyn’s hand as he dragged Aelwyn from the room, Aelwyn’s head pounding at the power of Kylor’s mind.

“I know where the old mansion is.”

They hurried down the stairs and out the front door. Emmerick stopped and began to strip, several dyads coming out and doing the same. Aelwyn growled and then hissed at others seeing his mate naked. Emmerick turned towards him, grabbing Aelwyn’s upper arms and making him look at him.

“Dyads, like were spirits, don’t care much about nudity. Don’t worry. I’m going to transform. Please don’t freak out.”

Aelwyn never saw Emmerick’s father transform, and wasn’t sure what to expect. He stepped back, and covered his eyes when there was a blinding white light in front of him. He kept his eyes squeezed shut when he sensed numerous flashes of the same brightness around him, before it faded away. He slowly opened his eyes to see several different, large animals around him, most predators, and two with wings taking to the sky.

But in front of him was the biggest and prettiest horse he’d ever seen. All black, with a long mane and tail, and shiny hooves. Not that Aelwyn had ever seen any horses, except in pictures. “Emmerick?” The horse nodded, then whinnied at him.

“Climb on my back. We need to hurry before I lose control of my were spirit in its need for Cabe.”

Aelwyn eyed the size of Emmerick, wondering how he was supposed to get up there. Aelwyn had never been close to a horse, much less rode one. He turned when he heard someone approaching from behind him. He stepped closer to Emmerick when he saw it was the dyad, Dair. The male was scary as hell, and even in the short time Aelwyn had been here, he’d heard about Dair’s infamous temper. Behind the big dyad was a small were spirit with grey eyes and black curls.

“I’ll give you a boost up.”

Aelwyn had never heard Dair speak before, his voice gravelly and deep. The were spirit came up next to him, wrapping an arm around the large dyad, and tucking himself under the male’s arm.

“Mine.”

Aelwyn wanted to laugh at the growl of possession from the small male. He pointed at Emmerick. “Mine.” The were relaxed and grinned at him. Aelwyn smiled back, then had to catch himself from landing on his face, when Emmerick butted his head against his back.

“Let’s go!”

Dair walked up and cupped his hands together, leaning down so Aelwyn could step into them. Emmerick’s anxiousness was invading him again, so he placed his foot in Dair’s and then nearly yelled as the big dyad lifted up and almost rocketed him up and over the other side of Emmerick. He managed to catch himself and flipped his right leg over Emmerick’s back. He’d barely thanked Dair and grabbed Emmerick’s mane before his mate was surging forward, the other dyads in their animal forms following.

He had to lean forward, and grab more handfuls of hair to keep from sliding off his fast moving mate. If the situation wasn’t so dire, Aelwyn would be reveling in the wind in his hair, and the powerful male between his legs. But now was not the time, though Aelwyn had every intention of finding out if Emmerick would be willing to do this again. Maybe along the beach Aelwyn knew was a couple hundred miles to the west of Kylor’s compound.

“Of course, my mate. Once Cabe is safe and mine!”

It wasn’t long before they entered a clearing, a huge, dilapidated mansion in front of them. The place looked ominous in the dark, the moon shining down on the black, empty windows, stained walls, and crumbling stone. Aelwyn shuddered as Emmerick came to a halt. Aelwyn slid off his mate’s back, and stared up at the gloomy and pretentious building. “What is this place?”

“This was once the alpha clan house, when Kylor’s father, Koanne was alpha master, before Koanne built the current manor. Koanne kept those he was angry with here. When Kylor challenged his father and became alpha master, he had the manor refurbished, abandoning this one and moving the remaining clan members there. This place holds bad memories for many of the clan.”

Aelwyn turned when his mate spoke, only to bare his fangs—again—to see Emmerick naked in front of everyone. Emmerick’s lips twitched, and Aelwyn could feel his amusement, even as another dyad came over and handed Emmerick a shirt and sweats. Aelwyn frowned, unimpressed with his mate’s humor. Before he could berate his mate, Emmerick dressed and was headed for the mansion. Aelwyn growled and hurried to follow the big dyad.

Aelwyn could feel Cabe along the blood bond, his friend scared; his emotions chaotic. But, still, the determination was there to end his suffering. Aelwyn couldn’t let that happen. Not when Emmerick had already claimed him and was ready to claim Cabe as well. He pushed past Emmerick, only to have his mate grab his arm and pull him back.

“Careful.”

He hissed in annoyance, but realized quickly that Emmerick had just kept him from falling through some rotted wood on the porch. Even the stair he was standing on was groaning threateningly. He stepped up on the porch, careful to avoid the decaying wood, and made his way to the front door, Emmerick nearly plastered to his back. The doorknob was missing and Aelwyn pushed the weathered wood open. He stared into the pitch black interior, thankful, as a vampire, he could see just fine in the dark.

The foyer was choked with ivy, weeds, and vines, every surface thick with dust. Aelwyn held his breath, listening and hearing nothing. He glanced down to see footprints in the dirt on the floor, confirming Cabe had come this way. They needed to find the vampire quickly, his desperation growing through their blood bond. Aelwyn followed the footprints, even as Kylor’s voice in his head told him where Cabe was hiding. They made their way up a marble staircase, the banister and steps dirty, and chipped, to a second level. The footprints led them to the left, down a hall with a rotting and odorous carpet, covered in dust and stains Aelwyn didn’t even want to contemplate.

Several doors down, on the left, the footprints stopped. Aelwyn tried the door to find it locked. He banged on the wood and shouted Cabe’s name, but only silence greeted him. Emmerick growled next to him, before pushing Aelwyn aside and then kicking the door open. Emmerick’s strength was such a turn on, but Aelwyn dismissed the thought as he rushed into the room. At first glance, it appeared to be empty, but in the shadows on the far side of a large bed, in the corner, was Cabe. He was hunched down, and curled up. Aelwyn wanted to hurry forward and pull the smaller vampire into his arms, but Emmerick was faster, darting past Aelwyn and grabbing Cabe from the floor.

The big dyad sat on the old bed, cradling Cabe in his arms, even as his friend cried and struggled to get free. Aelwyn came forward and kneeled in front of them, trying to hush Cabe when he saw a vial in his friend’s hand. He pried Cabe’s fingers open to take the small glass bottle away from him. Aelwyn’s stomach clenched with a sickening realization when he saw the lettering on the vial.

There were very few things in the world that could kill a vampire, the old human movies way off base. Sunlight didn’t hurt them, though they could get sunburned thanks to their naturally pale skin. Garlic and holy water did nothing. A stake through the heart would kill anything, and deep injuries could get infected. But the vial Cabe had, and Aelwyn wondered where the hell his friend had gotten it from, was a poisonous substance that attacked the essence of a vampire, though it was harmless to humans and weres. It caused a vampire to starve to death no matter how much blood they consumed.

And the vial was empty.

“Cabe! What have you done?” Aelwyn grabbed Cabe’s arms and shook the other vampire, beyond angry that Cabe would attempt to harm himself. And not just because Emmerick had changed his mind, either. Even if Emmerick had never claimed them, Cabe’s death would have left Aelwyn all alone.

“What is that?”

“Poison. He’s poisoned himself.” Emmerick’s roar of anguish shook the walls of the room, drawing in several dyads, all who stepped aside when Kylor came into the room, followed by Cimon and Hillier. Kylor pulled Aelwyn from the floor and took the vial from him, glancing at it before handing it to Cimon.

“Emmerick. Let Cimon see your mate.”

Emmerick was howling continuously, rocking with Cabe in his arms. Aelwyn’s friend was still crying, and struggling against Emmerick’s hold. “Cabe! Stop it!” Aelwyn was more angry than upset, furious that Cabe would do this, and terrified of losing his best friend and Emmerick’s other mate.

“Aelwyn, you need to calm your mate.”

Aelwyn climbed onto the bed next to Emmerick and wrapped him in his arms. He then bit down on Emmerick’s shoulder, effectively cutting off Emmerick’s wailing. Emmerick froze, with Aelwyn’s fangs buried in him. Aelwyn fed, forcing his thoughts of comfort along their mating bond, until Emmerick’s tense body relaxed. He pulled his fangs from Emmerick’s skin and licked the wound closed, just noticing that his bite from before had left a mating mark on Emmerick’s shoulder.

“Cimon.”

Aelwyn stayed close as Cimon came forward. Cabe had also stopped struggling, laying limply in Emmerick’s embrace, tears still leaking down his face. Cimon took Cabe’s hand, his incisors dropping and he pricked the tip of Cabe’s finger, licking up the small bead of blood. He worked his mouth, his eyes closed in concentration. Before he could say anything, Cabe began to mutter.

“I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t…”

Cimon looked over at Kylor. “There is no poison in his system.”

Kylor nodded once and then ushered everyone out of the room. He turned back at the door, staring at Emmerick. “Claim him.” He then shut the door, leaving them alone. Aelwyn wasn’t sure how this was going to work. He’d thought Emmerick claiming him in the woods had been an unusual spot for such an activity, but as he looked around, it was clear that Cabe’s claiming was going to be in an even more unusual place. “Stand up.” Emmerick stood at Aelwyn’s urging, Cabe still in his arms. Aelwyn got off the bed, then pulled the covers completely off, to find clean white sheets underneath. He pulled them straight and pointed. Emmerick nodded, and laid Cabe down. Cabe was blinking rapidly, his face a mask of confusion.

Aelwyn glanced at Emmerick, to see the dyad’s jaw twitching, his hands in fists at his side. He could scent Emmerick’s arousal, even with everything that had happened. Cabe’s disappearance, the fear that he’d poisoned himself, and the overwhelming relief that he’d been unable to go through with it. Even with all of that emotional upheaval, Emmerick was hard behind his zipper. Aelwyn smiled at his mate, then crawled up on the bed to sit next to Cabe. He brushed his dark hair from those beautiful green eyes.

“I couldn’t…I poured it out, Aelwyn. I…I didn’t have the courage…”

Cabe was staring up at him, pleading with his eyes for Aelwyn to understand, to forgive him. “Cabe. Don’t ever scare me like that again.” Cabe nodded, then looked over at Emmerick when the big dyad growled.

“I’m sorry.”

Aelwyn pushed back quickly when Emmerick pounced. He couldn’t participate in the claiming, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t watch. He was sure Emmerick and Cabe together would be a wondrous and sexy sight.

Chapter 12

Emmerick couldn’t stand it any longer. With nearly losing his mate before he claimed him, and knowing he was the cause of Cabe’s attempt, Emmerick’s were spirit was in a frenzy to take what belonged to him and keep him safe. He growled when Cabe whispered his failure, unhappy that it had even come to that. He dropped down to cover Cabe’s body, taking his mouth in a brutal kiss, and pulling at his clothing. His patience nonexistent, he allowed his claws to extend and literally ripped the material from Cabe’s body.

Once he had his mate naked, Emmerick stood back up and removed the t-shirt and sweats from his body, as he drank in the sight of all that smooth skin in front of him. Cabe was smaller than Aelwyn, but just as exquisite. And he was just as hard as Emmerick, his long, thin cock leaning against his stomach. Emmerick’s mouth watered, and he dropped to his knees as he grabbed Cabe’s legs, bringing his groin closer. He leaned down and swiped his tongue from Cabe’s balls up the length of his cock, the shaft twitching at his touch. Using one hand, he pulled the appendage close and lapped at the slit, Cabe’s musky pre-cum bursting over his taste buds.

Cabe’s legs grew restless, his thigh muscles trembling as Emmerick worshiped his cock. Emmerick pushed Cabe’s legs wider with his shoulders, and sucked the head of his cock into his mouth, laving his tongue around the cap, and rubbing his bottom lip on the sensitive bundle of nerves under it. Cabe groaned, his hands fisting in Emmerick’s hair, hanging on for dear life. As much as he was enjoying what he was doing to his mate, his were spirit was clawing to get to the actual claiming.

Emmerick finally pulled off of Cabe’s cock, obscene slurping sounds making his heart race even harder. When Cabe growled at him, he almost laughed. Except, this situation was serious. Between how he’d treated Cabe, which led to his instability, and Cabe’s attempt on his own life, Emmerick couldn’t find any humor right now. He needed to claim the vampire, protect him, keeping him safe. Emmerick had no clue if he could ever learn to love these two males, not with them being vampires, but he already cared about Aelwyn, the affection genuine, and once he got to know Cabe, he was sure he would feel the same for the younger vampire.

Emmerick crawled up onto the bed, kissing his way up Cabe’s body, and pulling Cabe further onto the bed. Cabe’s skin was silky smooth under Emmerick’s lips, making him nip before licking the sting away. Cabe twitched and writhed under Emmerick’s ministrations. His gums were itching, and it wouldn’t be long before he lost control. He made sure to keep Cabe’s legs wide open, and positioned himself so the lubricant dripping from his slit would do its job before Emmerick lost the last thread of his resistance. He saw Aelwyn in his peripheral sight and turned his head. Aelwyn was watching them intently, the jeans he had on straining over the bulge in the front of them. Emmerick shot out an arm and curled his hand around the back of Aelwyn’s neck to pull him close enough to kiss. Emmerick’s vampire spirit hummed at the taste of his mate, and he delved deep, sucking Aelwyn’s tongue into his mouth. Aelwyn groaned, almost falling on Cabe as he leaned into the kiss. Emmerick broke the kiss, breathing harshly. “Pleasure yourself while I claim Cabe.” Emmerick turned his attention back to Cabe as Aelwyn hurriedly opened his jeans and pulled out his hard cock, stroking it as he watched them.

Cabe was staring up at him, his chest rising and falling fast, his beautiful green eyes scared and uncertain. Emmerick caressed his finger up and down Cabe’s cheek. “I’m so sorry, little one. I never should have denied you. You’re mine, and I should have been happy to claim you. I’m not making that mistake again. I’m going to claim you, Cabe. And then I’m going to spend the rest of my life making you and Aelwyn happy.” Cabe’s face changed as Emmerick whispered to him, from tentative fear to the most gorgeous smile of desire Emmerick had ever seen, his green eyes darkening with lust.

Emmerick growled at the sight, dropping down to take Cabe’s mouth, even as he thrust forward and buried himself all the way inside his mate. Cabe cried out, Emmerick swallowing the sound as he reveled in the tight hold around his cock. The walls of Cabe’s channel rippled at Emmerick’s invasion, and he pulled back, only to thrust forward again. He couldn’t wait, couldn’t give Cabe time to adjust to him. It wasn’t possible. The small vampire raised his legs, wrapping them around Emmerick’s hips, allowing Emmerick to go deeper still. He kept up the brutal rhythm, the need to own Cabe foremost in his mind. He held tightly to Cabe’s shoulders, sure he was going to leave bruises on his mate’s pale skin, and glad of the possessive marks announcing Cabe as his.

Emmerick could feel Cabe’s hard cock pulsing under his stomach. He leaned up, never stopping the driving of his hips and grabbed Cabe’s shaft, stroking it to match his thrusts. Seconds later, Cabe screamed as his orgasm overtook him, his seed spurting so hard from him that some landed on his face, before lunging up to latch onto Emmerick’s neck and biting down hard. Cabe’s channel tightened almost painfully around Emmerick’s shaft, the walls squeezing rhythmically and causing Emmerick’s cock to swell even thicker, as Cabe drank from his vein. When Cabe withdrew, and tightened his legs around Emmerick, he roared as he struck, burying his fangs deeply into Cabe’s shoulder as his climax began. He jerked to set his fangs, sealing his lips around the wound to draw the exquisite taste of his mate’s essence from him, even as his hips stuttered erratically while he filled his mate with his seed.

The bond between them snapped into place, twining with his bond to Aelwyn, both pulsing brightly. Emmerick finally pulled his fangs from Cabe’s throat, licking the wound closed. He could feel Aelwyn’s satisfaction and glanced over to see his other mate leaning against the headboard, his eyes closed, his spent cock still resting in his hand, his semen covering his fingers, jean covered thighs and the sheets. When he look back down, it was to see Cabe out cold, soft snores coming from his little vampire. Well, Emmerick grinned. He’d never fucked someone into unconsciousness before. Emmerick’s chest wanted to puff up with pride. He gently pulled his flagging cock from Cabe’s body, his mate never stirring.

He shifted to the side, pulling Cabe close. Emmerick was not a cuddlier. Never had been, but the need to have his mate close was undeniable. When he felt Aelwyn pushing up against his back, he reached behind him to draw the master closer. Emmerick sighed in contentment, knowing he now had both his mates bonded to him. He would keep them safe, maybe even learn to love them, and never let them out of his sight. If anyone had told him he would have two vampire mates, he would have torn out their throat. But now that it was a fact, Emmerick couldn’t imagine not having both these males belonging to him, and in his life.

~~~

Aelwyn tried to hold in his exuberance over Emmerick claiming him and Cabe, but it was hard. He wanted to skip, and twirl, and laugh at the sky. Cabe had no compunctions, his friend walking next to Emmerick, talking a mile a minute. That Emmerick was holding both their hands filled Aelwyn with such joy, he couldn’t stop the grin that spread over his face. Emmerick was smiling down at Cabe, though he wasn’t saying much. Aelwyn could feel Emmerick’s contentment, though he hoped true happiness would replace that soon.

They made their slow way back to the manor, after sleeping the rest of the night away. Emmerick had taken them both again when the sun had come up, and Aelwyn would be sore for a while. It was well worth it. When Emmerick had heard that he and Cabe had slept together in the past, his amber eyes had grown impossibly dark with lust. Aelwyn would talk with Cabe, and see if his young friend would be willing to lay with him and let Emmerick watch them. From Emmerick’s reaction to the news, he would enjoy it immensely.

When they came to the manor, it was to see it in chaos, dyads running everywhere. The garage doors were open, several SUV’s pulling out. Emmerick squeezed his hand before letting go and striding up to Kylor, who was on the porch, Hillier next to him. Aelwyn didn’t see Darrian, but he’d heard the human didn’t go on missions with his mate. Aewlyn waited as Emmerick talked with the alpha master, Cabe moving to stand next to him. When he glanced down, it was to see Cabe’s worried look. “Emmerick is kedge, Cabe, you know that. He goes on missions with Kylor. He may have to leave.” He could see Cabe was not happy with that information, but neither of them would ever stand in the way of Emmerick’s job as a warrior.

Minutes ticked by, and then Emmerick came back to them, his face set in the expression Aelwyn had seen so much of, the smile gone now.

“There’s a vampire clan being attacked by another. I have to go. Samuel will take you to my room. I’ll be back.”

Emmerick leaned in, grabbing both of them and giving them each a hard kiss. He pulled back, staring hard at them.

“I will be back.”

Aelwyn’s heart skipped a beat at what he saw in Emmerick’s gold eyes. The dyad cared. He could see it. He nodded, grabbing Cabe’s hand as Emmerick rushed off to jump in an SUV headed out. He turned when he saw Samuel coming down the steps towards them. When he reached them, he could see fear in the small pyrina’s eyes.

“Come on. I know Emmerick expected me to take you to his room to wait, but none of the mates like to do that. They gather in the play room to support each other. It makes it easier on me for them all to be in one place.”

Aelwyn didn’t know a lot about pyrinas since Master Mirado didn’t have any in his clan, so he was unsure what Samuel was talking about. They followed the small vampire inside and to the play room, which was filled to capacity. Aelwyn didn’t know there were so many mates here. Cabe pushed closer to him, the vampire not comfortable in crowds. He wrapped his arm around his friend, and moved them to stand at an unoccupied wall. As a master vampire, Aelwyn could feel the high level of anxiety that permeated the room. When he looked over at Samuel, it was to see the pyrina slumped in a corner, his eyes closed and his mouth stretched with strain, Bladen standing next to him. Aelwyn had never met the other pyrina, but could see he was worried about Samuel.

As Aelwyn surveyed the room, he noticed a lot of unhappy looks directed at himself, Cabe, and even Samuel and Bladen. Some faces were downright hostile. It wasn’t hard to figure out the dyads were angry about vampires. Aelwyn wondered if maybe it would be better for him and Cabe to wait in Emmerick’s room, as his mate had said. He didn’t like what he was seeing.

When the grumbling started, and some of the dyads had moved closer to the pyrinas, and him and Cabe, Aelwyn started getting worried. When a large dyad pushed forward, glaring at them, Aelwyn bared his fangs. He would protect himself and Cabe, though he doubted he could get through all the large bodies to help Samuel or Bladen.

“Enough!”

Everyone froze at the booming voice, and Aelwyn jerked to see Dair at the door to the play room, his hands on his hips and a glower on his face. He felt Cabe tremble at the sight and pulled the smaller vampire into his arms. Aelwyn fervently hoped Dair didn’t lose his temper, because if he did, there was going to be bloodshed. As Dair stood there glaring at those in the room, Darrian came in, a frown on his face as well.

“You are all mates here. Remember that. The vampires here are mated to dyads, your friends, your brothers, and Samuel and Bladen are Kylor’s pyrinas. None of them have done anything wrong, and I will not have you bullying them, threatening them, or giving them a hard time. If I hear of any aggression towards them, I will be speaking to Kylor, and you will not like his reaction.”

Aelwyn wanted to cheer the master mate, but then Dair was behind him, giving weight to his words. Dair pointed at Samuel and Bladen, then pointed at him and Cabe. Samuel nodded and made his way over to stand next to them, pulling Bladen with him, and Dair following. The big dyad stood in front of them, crossing his arms over his broad chest. Aelwyn wondered where the dyad’s little were mate was, but figured Dair didn’t want his mate in any danger.

It was hours before they heard anything, Dair never moving from his stance. When excited chatter erupted, Aelwyn figured the dyads had returned. Most of the dyads hurried from the room, and Dair finally moved away from them, exiting the room as well. Aelwyn and Cabe had sat on the floor and now stood. Aelwyn grabbed Cabe’s hand and left the play room after the others. There were dyads filling the foyer, then wandering off when their mates appeared. Aelwyn was tall, but not tall enough to look over the heads of the dyads to find Emmerick. He kept Cabe close, it too easy for him to be knocked over from the press of bodies.

Suddenly, the foyer cleared when Kylor came in. He was covered in blood, but appeared unharmed, and as always, Hillier was right by his side. Aelwyn’s eyes rounded when a large group of vampires were led in, kedges surrounding them. When they passed close to Aelwyn and Cabe, he could see the despicable condition the vampires were in, and his heart went out to them, knowing firsthand what they must have gone through. Before he had a chance to think anything more, Cabe cried out, yanking his hand from Aelwyn’s and running towards the front door. Aelwyn chased after him, only to see Emmerick coming in, his shirt soaked in blood and limping.

Aelwyn’s heart lurched, hoping his mate was not hurt and the blood on him was not his own. When he reached them, Cabe had pulled Emmerick’s arm over his shoulder, giving their mate support. Emmerick looked exhausted. Aelwyn took his mate’s other side, and between them, they got Emmerick up the stairs to the third floor and Emmerick’s room. Cabe ran to the bathroom to grab a wet rag while Aelwyn removed Emmerick’s clothes. Once bare, Aelwyn saw the only injury his mate had was a gash on his thigh that was already starting to knit together. “Emmerick, transform.” Aelwyn had learned dyads healed faster when they let their were spirit take over.

Aelwyn shielded his eyes as the white light filled the room. When he looked again, it was to see an enormous black jaguar lying on the bed, in the place of Emmerick. The white light shone again, making Aelwyn squeeze his eyes shut and when it faded, Emmerick lay there, breathing heavily, his leg healed except for a thin, red line. Cabe had come back into the room, his green eyes round with shock, and the wet washcloth forgotten in his hands. Aelwyn wasn’t sure why Cabe was acting that way, until he remembered his friend had never seen Emmerick transform. “Beautiful, isn’t he?” Aelwyn’s words snapped Cabe out of his fog, and the smaller vampire grinned at him, nodding his head roughly.

Aelwyn beckoned Cabe closer and took the wet rag from his lax hands so he could wipe the residual blood from Emmerick. His mate lay on the bed, one arm covering his eyes, as Aelwyn wiped him down. He could feel Emmerick’s fatigue, and figured his mate didn’t have the energy for a shower. Once done, he tossed the rag towards the bathroom and began to strip. Cabe saw what he was doing, and followed his example. Leaving their clothes on the floor, they crawled up onto the bed, one of them on each side of their big dyad. Aelwyn grabbed the duvet and covered them, before snuggling into Emmerick’s side. Emmerick didn’t move, and Aelwyn could sense his mate had succumbed to the exhaustion and fallen asleep. He wrapped his arm around Emmerick’s broad chest and twined his fingers with Cabe’s. Aelwyn might not like that Emmerick had to fight alongside the alpha master, but he knew, he and Cabe would be here to take care of him.

Chapter 13

Emmerick stirred, feeling warm and content. He blinked his eyes open, staring at the ceiling. When he tried to move, he found he couldn’t with both his mates plastered to his sides. He lay there, allowing his thoughts to wander. He never believed he would find his mates, or even deserve them. And, certainly he wouldn’t have thought they would be vampires. But as Emmerick held Aelwyn and Cabe against him, he wouldn’t have it any other way. He realized, he cared deeply for them both, and maybe—someday—he would be able to relieve the guilt of rejecting them in the first place.

His thoughts turned to his parents and his brother, and he wondered what they would think about him bonding to vampires. Perhaps it was better they weren’t around, though Emmerick suspected his father would be okay with it since Aelwyn had said they were friends. He realized, somewhere along the way, he’d let go of his hatred for all vampire kind. When they had infiltrated the vampire clan earlier, Emmerick had been sickened by the conditions in which many of the vampires were living. They weren’t in cages, or dungeons like so many, but they were starving and scared, abused and subjugated, just the same. Before meeting his mates, Emmerick wouldn’t have cared about their condition, and would have followed Kylor’s orders without regard to the victims they were rescuing. Emmerick had been shocked to see Cimon in a rage, the dyad going after the master vampire and tearing him apart. Emmerick had never seen Cimon so bloodthirsty before. The male was a healer after all.

Emmerick had gladly carried out Kylor’s order to burn the place to the ground. He had to admit, if only to himself, that he was anxious for his mates to make the acquaintance of the other vampires now at the compound. He wasn’t stupid. He’d seen the wary and sometimes hostile looks his mates received from a lot of the dyads. Even Samuel and Bladen were occasionally subjected to the hatred, even after all the years Samuel had been here, and Bladen’s quiet and gentle nature. Emmerick held in a growl. He’d protect his mates with his life, and Samuel and Bladen too. Something he never would have done before meeting Aelwyn and Cabe. Emmerick turned and kissed the top of Cabe’s head, then turned and kissed Aelwyn’s blond locks. He closed his eyes and smiled, knowing he would have a long and happy life with his vampire mates.

Sneak peak at Jathyn’s Spirits, Book 5 in the Vampire Wars series

Chapter 1

Jathyn glared at the two males silently escorting him to the huge manor he’d been scoping out for the last week. He hadn’t meant to get caught, but then he wasn’t the stealthiest dyad around. Raised in a vamp clan that had died out, he’d been on his own since he was barely thirteen, still a youngling and naive to the world. His mother had been stifling and overprotective, leaving Jathyn with few skills and little knowledge of anything outside their small clan. Jathyn hadn’t understood why until she told him he wasn’t a vampire, but a dyad, just like her. And apparently dyads were special, and coveted as slaves by most vampire clans. Also according to his mother, the master of the clan was not his father. Jathyn had been so confused and angry. He felt betrayed by, not only his mother, but the male who he’d called father for more than a decade.

The master had been quite old, his power waning even before Jathyn was in his teens. He’d mourned the day the master died, his mother dying soon after, but couldn’t manage to regret that they were gone. The rest of the clan, all old vampires like the master, soon moved on, either dying as well or leaving to find another clan and master to bond to. Jathyn had been abandoned, none wanting to care for the dead master’s progeny. Jathyn’s mother had taken her secret to the grave, never telling anyone that Jathyn was not blood to the master. Jathyn had no clue what they would have thought if they knew he was a dyad. He idly wondered if his father had known he wasn’t truly his son. Somehow, Jathyn didn’t think so. Master Errandes was not the most understanding of vampires, and if he thought Jathyn wasn’t his, Jathyn was sure the old master would have done something about it. Banishment, execution…something. The master was never a warm, caring person, but Jathyn had felt his love, even if vaguely.

He’d been searching for a dyad clan for years, not even knowing if such a thing existed. His mother had never explained exactly what a dyad was, other than he was one and to never reveal that fact. He’d found out about this compound in the town on the other side of the hill and he’d hoped this one was what he’d been looking for, though the information he’d secured was that it was a vampire clan, and that they kept mostly to themselves, only coming into town occasionally. It was one such vampire in town that had made it possible for Jathyn to follow him and find the compound, the vampire’s large size giving Jathyn hope that he’d found what he’d been searching for all these years.

But other than size, these males didn’t look like more than ordinary vampires to his inexperienced eyes, so the rumor he’d been given might be true and they were nothing more than another normal clan. The vampires towered over him, but his mother had said he was small for a dyad. His hair was the same white-blond as hers, that attribute being the reason the master had mated with his mother in the first place, or so she said, the old master enamored with her beauty. She never mentioned his real father, and what he looked like, whether he had the light hair as well, or if Jathyn got his amber eyes from him since his mother had amber eyes as well. So many questions unanswered and the lonely and lost feeling Jathyn felt grew.

He watched the vampires out of the corner of his eye, finding himself quite impressed with their abundance of muscles and vibrant hair. One had fire-red tresses with blond highlights, the other with hair so black, it shown blue in the sunlight, though he noticed a small smattering of dark brown around the vampire’s face. The black-haired vampire also had a precisely trimmed goatee and mustache, the first Jathyn had ever seen. Jathyn’s own hair was cut much shorter for easier care. They didn’t volunteer their names, or speak at all for that matter and Jathyn didn’t ask. He had no idea what was to happen to him, and already his mind was racing, trying to figure out how to get away. He didn’t want to have fallen in with a vampire clan that held dyads as slaves, like his mother warned him about.

They reached the large, double doors, a porch wrapping around the vast mansion. Whoever this clan was, they certainly weren’t hurting for money. When the doors opened, Jathyn was quickly guided through an expansive living room, past a large media room filled with noise and voices, and down a hall to another door. The black-haired vampire knocked and they were ushered in by yet another large vampire, this one with long, dark, copper hair.

Behind the desk was the largest vampire Jathyn had ever seen, also with long copper hair. Off to his right was a human, the man scowling at him, his blue eyes cold and unwelcome. He was draped carelessly over a couch, a large stack of papers in his lap. Behind the massive vampire was another human, the dark-haired man rubbing the vampire’s shoulders. Jathyn assumed this guy must be the vampire’s mate, or possibly a servant. Growing up, the master he’d thought his father had a few vampire servants and even a couple of blood slaves. Jathyn’s mother hadn’t allowed him around them for some unknown reason, though he had his own personal blood slave provided by the master.

Walsh had been with him since Jathyn had been an infant youngling and Walsh only a toddler. He’d left Walsh in the motel room in town while he investigated the compound. His blood slave was a were spirit, small and fragile, and Jathyn didn’t want anything happening to him. The male was more a friend, practically a brother, then a slave anyway and Jathyn cared a lot about him. Walsh had loyally followed Jathyn everywhere in his search for a dyad clan, never once complaining. Not that he would. Walsh had been mute since Jathyn could remember. He didn’t know what happened to the rest of the servants and blood slaves when the master died and all the other vampires had died or left.

“Alpha, we found this male wandering the perimeter.”

Goosebumps rose on Jathyn’s arms at the low, vibrating pitch of the vampire’s voice. Only dyads had that resonance, or so his mother told him. His heart skipped a beat, wondering if he’d finally found a dyad clan. He felt his eyes widen in awe when the male behind the desk stood. Holy hell, he had to be close to 6’ 5” tall! Jathyn barely made it to 5’ 8” with shoes on. A flick of the vampire’s hand had the two gripping him, releasing their hold and leaving. That left him with the vampire and two humans and the other large vampire who was lounging against the wall in the corner, his arms crossed over his chest and a smirk on his face.

“What’s your name, young one?”

The huge vampire had that same low timbre to his voice, causing a shudder to travel down Jathyn’s spine. “Jathyn, master.” The vampire had to be a master. He was exceptionally beautiful, with his long auburn hair, gold eyes, chiseled face and muscular body. Jathyn could feel the power coming from the male. His amber eyes were darker than Jathyn’s own, and much more intense, making Jathyn feel as if the master could see into his very soul.

“Sit down, Kylor. You’re scaring him.”

Jathyn grinned at the human standing next to the vampire and dwarfed by his size. “No he’s not, he’s just so damn tall.” Jathyn slapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes widening, mortified he’d spoken out of turn. “I’m sorry, I tend to speak before thinking.” Jathyn dropped his gaze and tilted his head. He jerked back up to stare at the vampire standing by the wall when he laughed.

“Oh, he’s going to get along great with Samuel.”

The big vampire sat down, shooting a glare towards the other, though it didn’t look as if he was really mad. He waved at a chair, and Jathyn nervously perched on the edge, clasping his hands in front of him.

“So, tell me, Jathyn, why were you skulking around the boundary to my compound?”

Jathyn watched as the human that had been standing next to the vampire, came around to sit on the edge of the desk. Having the attention of two large vampires and two humans was making Jathyn tense. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure whether it was a good idea to bring up dyads at all, especially the fact that he was one.

~~~

Kylor stared at the young dyad, sensing his apprehension and uncertainty. Kylor and his clan had just returned from a raid, and Kylor’s mind was on the rescued slaves in the infirmary. Cimon had just come to let him know how they were doing when Emmerick and Whyl had brought the male to him.

It was a bit unsettling to Kylor, since the number of vampires, weres and dyads to find his clan had increased. Just a week ago, they’d pulled three rogue vampires in, all of them from a vampire clan that had been attacked and destroyed. Kylor had already been fielding several calls from the vampire council, wanting know why vampire clans were attacking each other. Kylor had snorted at their ignorance. Vampires had been challenging each other for territory and power since Kylor could remember. Why the council thought things had changed, he didn’t know. Fools!

“Hillier, Darrian, why don’t you head off while I speak to this male. Just make sure you’re…available…later.” Kylor gave his mates a significant look, ensuring they knew what his intentions were. He’d not had the opportunity to take either of them for almost three days now, and his need was nearly overwhelming. There would be no gentleness when he finally had his mates naked and under him. Darrian grinned at him, making Kylor’s heart skip a beat, and Hillier gave the smoldering look that never failed to have Kylor’s body hardening. With great effort, he kept it from happening and glared at his smug mate. Both finally strutted out of his office and Kylor took a large, slow breath to calm himself.

“Do you want me to leave as well?”

Kylor shook his head, ignoring Cimon’s amused tone. “Report.” Cimon nodded and proceeded to tell Kylor that one of the rescued slaves had died, two were critical and the other three would be fine once their injuries healed. All were humans, and Kylor sighed, knowing he would be unable to let them go. He couldn’t risk humans finding out about his kind. When Kylor and his clan had rescued Darrian, he’d taken the female slaves to a human hospital and left them there. They had all been unconscious and never saw Kylor’s dyads. Since that day, he’d set up a part of one wing in the mansion for the humans that were too injured for human healing, or had witnessed his dyad’s transforming. There were eight of them housed there, including the humans that had been rescued with Dair’s mate, Kymone. One of the occupants was quite vocal about being held against his will. Kylor wasn’t really worried about the mouthy man since one of his dyads informed him, the human was his mate. They would sort things out.

He waved Cimon off and turned his attention back to the dyad in front of him. Jathyn’s eyes were large and he was biting his bottom lip. Kylor leaned back, narrowing his eyes at the young male. “Where are you from?” He hoped that he didn’t have another scared, naïve dyad on his hands. They seemed to be coming out of the woodwork lately, causing Kylor to be suspicious and double his patrols. By the way the dyad blushed, continuing to chew on his lip, he was reluctant to speak to Kylor. “Relax. No one here is going to hurt you.” Sometimes, it didn’t pay for Kylor to be so intimidating, this being one of those times. “Samuel, I need you in my office.”

Kylor knew with Samuel being a pyrina, he was able to calm new arrivals down, even humans. Cimon had never been able to explain why Samuel’s pyrina powers were manifested when he had no mate. Kylor knew there was a thin, weak mating bond Samuel carried, tied in with another bond that Kylor had not been able to discern. Samuel had asked that Kylor not reveal what he’d sensed, and Kylor had agreed. But whatever it was, it allowed Samuel’s senses to expand exponentially. No matter the cause, Kylor was pleased to have the pyrina in his clan. Bladen had no bond but Kylor’s blood bond, and was younger than Samuel. Kylor hoped, that when Bladen found his mate, that he too, would be useful in keeping Kylor’s clan balanced and calm. Especially as it grew with not only dyads, but vampires and weres, and even the witch housed with the humans.

A soft knock made Jathyn jump, right before Samuel entered. The little pyrina tilted his head in a quick submissive acknowledgment before flopping down in the chair next to the new dyad. “Samuel, this is Jathyn. Jathyn, this is Samuel, my pyrina.” Kylor had been mildly surprised at the strength of Samuel’s powers, and fairly annoyed that the pyrina sensed so much about Kylor himself. He was unable to keep anything from the vampire, and Samuel had become like a confidant to him. Kylor didn’t like showing weakness, even in front of his mates, but Samuel had a way of breaking down Kylor’s walls, exposing his worries, fears, and insecurities. They’d created a tentative relationship of mutual trust and respect, and Kylor was convinced if, or when, Samuel finally found his mate, his powers would grow extensively. Kylor wasn’t sure he was looking forward to that day, or not.

“Hey, Jathyn. Have you come to join Kylor’s dyad clan?”

Kylor almost chuckled at the shocked look on Jathyn’s face. Leave it to Samuel to get right to the heart of things. Sometimes, where Kylor assumed too much or let his suspicions guide him, Samuel realized the truth. And, once again, showed how vital he was to Kylor’s clan.

“Um, I’ve b…been looking…looking for a dyad clan for years. I never thought I’d find one. My mother said they were out there, but she didn’t know any. She grew up in a vampire clan before being mated to Master Errandes.”

“Where’s your clan, now, Jathyn?”

“Uh, well, the master was old and died. My mother died shortly after. The rest of the clan was a bunch of old vampires too, and most left to go find another master. Some died. I’ve been on my own since I was thirteen. No one wanted to take me with them, or care for me.”

“So, you’ve been alone and wandering for…?”

Kylor silently listened to Samuel converse with the young dyad, getting more information than Kylor thought he would. But, then again, Samuel had a way about him that invited confidence and security.

“Uh…almost eight years now, I guess.”

Jathyn’s face grew red and he ducked his head. Kylor watched Samuel place a hand on the young male’s arm, giving comfort. Kylor was no good at easing others discomfort, except his mates. As much as he cared about his clan, his alpha master status wouldn’t allow him to show weakness of any kind, including a softness for his clan members. Only Darrian and Hillier, Cimon, and possibly Samuel, had ever seen that side of him.

“It’s okay, Jathyn. You don’t have to be embarrassed. You’re not the only one to have such a past. You do know you’re a dyad, right?”

Jathyn nodded at Samuel, and Kylor relaxed further, giving a light sigh. At least the young one wasn’t another who thought themselves a vampire and having to learn the hard way, they were not. Like Dair. It had taken months to get his former lead kedge and friend to accept that he could transform into any warm blooded animal and his were spirit had been fairly weak. Now, with Kymone as his mate, his were spirit was much stronger. Kylor just couldn’t trust Dair any longer. Kylor had hoped, once Dair had become part of his clan, that the stability would ease Dair’s temper. It hadn’t, and now Kylor had to keep Dair’s short fuse in mind when scheduling assignments for him. Even Kymone could barely calm Dair down when he lost his temper.

“Samuel, why don’t you give Jathyn a tour of the compound, and then assign him a room on the second floor? Once he’s settled, bring him back here.” Samuel nodded at him, giving a brief tilt to his head before urging Jathyn to follow him. Kylor would need to blood bond the young male, and Samuel knew that, even if his pyrina didn’t really understand. Samuel, and Bladen, as pyrinas, had to be blood bonded to him, and feed from him, to survive. It wasn’t so with the rest of his clan, but Kylor refused to have members he couldn’t control.

The young dyad stood, then gave a much deeper tilt and held it. Kylor stood and came around his desk, placing his hand on the back of Jathyn’s neck and giving his acceptance. He smirked at Samuel when the vampire rolled his eyes. His pyrina liked to push the envelope, never following rules or protocol, but sometimes, those rules were necessary, even if Kylor was more lax than a lot of vampire masters. It was Kylor’s affection for Samuel that kept the pyrina from getting in trouble for being a brat most of the time. Kylor shook his head in amusement as the two left his office.

About the author:

CR Guiliano is an avid reader which logically morphed into the love of writing. She writes in many genres, but is most happy writing the love between two men (or more!) She makes them work hard for their HEA and considers herself an expert in angst. CR finds her favorite form of writing is in serials, where she can continue to write about characters who have captured her heart and hopes have captured her readers as well.

You will usually find CR cuddled up to her laptop creating stories to entertain, inspire and bring your emotions to the surface. CR has a huge warren of plot bunnies that is growing every day and can’t wait to fill out each story idea and share them all with her readers.

CR was proudly nominated in the Goodreads Best Anthology Nominations and was thrilled to be included with the many talented writers from the same Anthology.

CR is a committed advocate for the GLBTQ community and does her best to change society’s attitudes, one mind at a time. You can learn more about CR Guiliano and her stories at the following locations and feel free to drop her line as she loves to hear from anyone interested in her or her writings:

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