Quiet Laughter

The Author wishes to thank Tae for her helpful information and of course Redaura.
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“S’what happened next?” Maynard giggled. The other two males in the red marble tub splashed the vampire and began scolding him.

“You were standing outside the door with me, you ought to know.” Royal replied in defense of her blushing brother. “Master walked out, we came in and decided let’s all enjoy the climate controlled indoor plumbing and take a bath.”

“Then y’all two furballs came in.” Maynard added. The two red haired werewolves splashed the vampire again. One of the two men innocently leaned over to peek at the nude female Fae across from him and received at swift kick to the shin with a dirty look attached from her brother.

“And you brought some sake and got fraello drunk enough to kiss and tell.” Royal said as Tighe yawned and leaned on his sister for support.

“I’m not drunk.” He argued. “I have a buzz that has allowed me to be relaxed enough to tell the latest tale of Karnik debauchery.”

“He’s drunk.” The two werewolves told one another. Tighe kicked at the two brothers again and nearly slipped underneath the water.

“Easy there, little fairy.” Maynard said catching Tighe around the shoulders before his sister could move to rescue him. “Wouldn’t wanna get y’wings wet now.”

Tighe blushed as the vampire gave him a flirty wink. He shoved Maynard’s arm off of him and slid closer to Royal. The two brothers exchanged secret looks with one another.

“We haven’t introduced ourselves, have we?” One of the two identical men extended a hand to Tighe. “I’m Kazumi Hikaru and the perv next to me is my brother, Itsuki.”

“Tighe Abracomas.” He replied shaking Kazumi’s hand.

“Maynard, last name optional.” May informed everyone with a grin.

“Royal Kimura.” She managed to say before the Hikaru’s twins dark eyes began to dance and one, probably Itsuki, squealed.

“I knew you were a Fae but I didn’t know you were Japanese....” Itsuki exclaimed. “We’re Japanese too!”

“Do you dye your hair like we do?” Kazumi inquired mildly.

“No, I’m a true blond.” Royal snickered.

“Can I check?”

“Itsuki no baka!” Kazumi screamed smacking his twin’s shoulder at the same moment Royal kicked him. Tighe gave him a drunken look of outraged while Maynard chortled.

“So how did the two of yall become werewolves?” Maynard asked once peace was reestablished. Tighe nodded pulling the floating tray of sake toward him for a drink.

“Yeah, really.” Royal added. “If memory serves and times haven’t changed, Japan doesn’t have any were-animals.”

“It’s a long story.” Kazumi replied.

“Not really.” Itsuki told everyone pulling the sake tray away from Tighe and toward himself. “Master Karnik bought us in Nagasaki and sent a werewolf to pick us up.”

“We got sick on the ship over.” Kazumi added without missing a beat while his brother sipped his drink. “Half the humans on board did.”

“So, fearing Master Karnik’s wrath over losing his Japanese toys, he bit us and we got better.” Itsuki said with a smirk and a casual shrug. “We arrived last week and Master was pretty happy.”

“I can just imagine his type of happy” Tighe slurred.

“Abracomas-san, before you came we were Master’s favorites.” Kazumi revealed with a small grin. “So you do know.”

“Aw, do I detect some jealousy?” Maynard inquired with a snake like grin. “Does the fuzz balls miss our Master’s attention?”

“Oh hell no!” Itsuki and Kazumi exclaimed at the same time.

“Abracomas, you can have the Master’s favor.” One twin told him as the other nodded enthusiastically and said, “Keep it, keep it.”

“Sticks and stones may break our bones.” Kazumi told everyone.

“But silver whips and chains can kill us.” Finished Itsuki.

“Pussies.” Royal muttered under her breath. “So, how did the two of you learn English if you’ve only been here for a week?”

“We learned on the ship.” Itsuki responded as Tighe pulled the tray back to him and began drinking more sake. The Asian cut his eyes toward Tighe before continuing, “You won’t believe what you can get for a blow job and a quickie.”

Tighe choked on the sake and his sister seemed amused as she pulled the alcohol away from her brother. Maynard chuckled at the werewolf’s obvious antics.

“I would have thought you were old enough to know the ways of the world we live in.” Kazumi commented to Tighe. He turned to Royal, “You are a bad elder sister.”

“FYI: She’s younger than Tighe.” Maynard announced with a bit of pride. Royal smirked as the Hikaru twins gaped at her and her brother began cackling.

“Don’t look so surprised.” She told them. “Tighe has more Fae blood than I do and it makes him a tad naïve. If it makes you feel any better, he was the one who told me about the birds and the bees.”

“Birds and bees lay eggs.” Tighe announced before promptly passing out. Royal was fast enough to ensure her brother’s safety this time.

“And that gentlemen, is where at least I conclude this bath.” She told everyone as she swam out of the tub and pulled herself and her unconscious brother out of the tub. The twins both whistled at Royal as she dried herself and Tighe off before wrapping first her brother then herself in a towel.

“Hey Kimura-chan, if you ever need help washing your back call me.”

“Itsuki no baka!” Kazumi screamed smacking his twin.

“If you ever wish to be a eunuch, I’ll take you up on that offer.” Royal tossed over her shoulder and left as Maynard began to laugh.
______________________________

“Remind me never to get drunk.” Tighe moaned from underneath his nest of blankets and pillows. From her perch on top of his dresser, Royal chuckled.

Almost an hour ago, she had carried her unconscious brother into his room and tucked him in bed then left to grab herself a bite to eat. Thirty minutes ago, Royal had returned to discover her brother’s bed seemingly empty but upon a closer examination, the Fae found Tighe had awoken, rearranged his bedding so as to make it appear he wasn’t in bed and promptly fell asleep.

“My head feels like that jerk drilled holes in it.” He muttered. “I have this nappy taste in my mouth and my stomach feels like the grapes from this morning decided to go to war with the salad.”

“Yes fraello, you are currently hung over.” Royal replied. “Do you want me to get you some soup? The cooking staff made some nice chicken soup for everyone.”

A single violet eye peeked out from beneath the covers, “This place has a cooking staff?”

“Yes fraello, the Master has a cooking staff.” Royal responded with a smirk. “Where do you think your new friends the Hikaru twins get their food? They certainly can’t hunt for it.”

“Why not?”

“Because the Master doesn’t let any of his toys outside. They’d run off on him and then he’d have to send me to kill them.” Royal replied offhandedly.

“If I ran away, would you...kill...me?” Tighe asked in a tiny voice. His sister leapt down off of the dresser and knelt down in front of him.

“Of course not fraello.” Royal said inserting some affection into her voice. She brushed back the blankets and hugged him, “I couldn’t ever do that. You’re my treasured and beloved elder brother. You’re all the family I have.”

“But you have a vow with him, don’t you?” Tighe asked. “One that makes you obey him?”

Royal’s expression turned dark, “Yes, or else I would have sliced his...bloody head off for the hell he’s putting you through.”

“It’s okay.” Tighe said with a laugh. He pulled away from their embrace and flipped the covers back over him, leaving one eye revealed to a careful observer. “I get to spend time with you, don’t I?”

“Right now you do.” Royal replied leaping backward and landing gracefully on top of his dresser, “But the moment Master Karnik commands me back to Santo Leonard, I’m going to have to go.”

“Maybe I can go too.” Tighe argued. “My promise was to stay with you not him.”

“And he can’t stop you from slipping between realms...”Royal grinned. Got to admit, he sure knows how to manipulate rules. She wasn’t about to be outdone. “I’m sure Master understands that for a Seelie-born Fae to break a vow is death.”

“And I doubt he’ll wish to part with his new favorite” His single revealed eye danced with glee and both siblings busted into a fit of giggles.

“Sounds like ya’ll two are having fun.” Maynard said breezing into the room with a covered tray. As he set the tray down inches from Tighe’s concealed head, Royal glared at him from her perch.

“What were you and your older brother discussing that has ya’ll in such a state.” He inquired. Royal glanced at her brother before answering.

“Master Karnik.”

“Speakin’ of the Master,” Maynard drawled as he wandered the room, examining the drapes. “He wants to see you.”

“Where?”

“North wing, the observatory.” He replied and before the last syllable was uttered, Royal was gone. Maynard tisked as he sat down at the foot of the bed.

“Yura bad influence, little fairy. Ever since you came, she’s become such a show-off.”

Tighe chuckled, “And I’ve become a bit of a lush.”

“Dawling, you’re not a lush.” Maynard chortled. “A lush would be raiding the kitchen for the cookin’ sherry.”

“Remind me never to get drunk again.” Tighe replied with a groan. Maynard spotted his eye near the tray and patted his head.

“Aw but you’re such a cute little boozehound.” He told him sweetly and Tighe chuckled. “So, wanna know what Ah’ve brought ya?”

“It’s chicken soup.”

“Aww, and here Ah was goin’ to surprise you.” Maynard pouted as he took the tray cover off with flourish.

Tighe crawled out from under the covers and looked down at the soup before him. Maynard noticed his hair was tousled boyishly and acted a little sleepy, as if he had just woken up.

“You look like shit.” The vampire announced just as Tighe took a spoonful of soup. The Fae sputtered for a moment before gulping down the mouthful and laughing.

“I’ll take your word for it.” Tighe replied and began to eat once more. His disregard made the vampire concerned.

“You’re all pale.” Maynard announced. The Fae gave him a look as if to say ‘Look who’s talking’.

“Seriously.” The vampire exclaimed, Tighe sighed and set down his spoon. “Y’got these circles coming up under y’eyes an’ y’look tired.”

“Maynard, tell me something.” Tighe inquired. “Does You-know-who let you outside this place?”

“Master Karnik? Yeah, sometimes.” He replied. “I usually head out with Arun or one of the other guards.”

“So if I wanted to walk around outside, I’d just have someone with me?”

“Hate to be the one t’bust y’little bubble, but there ain’t no way yer gonna be goin’ outside.” Maynard laughed. Tighe’s face fell as the vampire continued.

“At least, not without Master Karnik there with you...and he’s not one for moonlit strolls.”

“No, he’s more of a moonlit Gokanma” Tighe replied sourly.

“A what?” Maynard asked with a frown.

“Rape devil.” The Fae answered with a shrug and Maynard began laughing.

“Don’t let him hear you say that.” The vampire told him in between giggles. “But if y’ask me, Go-can-ma fits him to a T!”

They shared another laugh until Tighe went back into a serious mood moments later.

“I miss the sun.” the Fae sighed. “Do you miss it?”

“Heck no.” Maynard replied immediately. “When I was growin’ up, I hated sunrise ‘cause it meant I’d be plowin’ m’pappy’s field or listen to some speech ‘bout fire and brimstone.”

“I never knew either of my grandfathers.” Tighe confessed. “My maternal grandfather lived long enough to get my grandmother pregnant, who was human and not his wife. Then he dumped my mom on aforementioned wife before going off to lead a suicidal charge. And no one has a bad thing to say about him.”

“Ni~ice.” Maynard commented. “What about y’other pappy?”

“Remember Danu?” Tighe asked when Maynard nodded, he continued, “My paternal grandfather was her champion. I remember Athayr telling me—er athayr is a real polite way of saying ‘father’ in the Fae tongue.”

“I kinda got that.”

“Anyway, the story went that before my grandfather came around, Danu used to terrorize mortals. As the Queen, she could get away with summoning lightning to blast human civilizations to dust.” Tighe told Maynard. “The Atlantian and Minoan empires are perfect examples. The Atlantians thought since they knew Fae’s were weak against iron that they could enslave my race.”

“Let me guess, Queenie prove them wrong.”

“Eh, Grandmother Danu looked at them and busted up laughing...then busted up their island.” Tighe replied with a wince. “By the time the Minoan’s came around, the current queen Titania was born but Danu was pretty much the same. I think the reason why the Premiere Lady doted me was because of my grandfather was kind to her as a child.”

“Sounds like you’re everyone’s favorite.” Maynard commented with a coy look. “Queenie’s, her daughter, the Master .”

“I don’t think I count as Grandmother Danu’s.” Tighe said with a laugh. “She never saw Athayr or myself as anything but the children of her champion...and the woman who stole him away.”

“Danu had a thing for your pappy, huh?”

“No. She had a thing for my family.” Tighe corrected. “Even after she stepped down as queen, she always made it to Court any time my father or I were present. She was there when I was presented to Titania. Hell, she even crashed my parents’ wedding.”

“Do you or your father look like your pappy?” the vampire asked and the Fae nodded.

“She had a thing for your pappy.” Maynard retorted and before Tighe could argue, he asked, “So what’s the story ‘bout the Minnow people.”

“Minoan, Min-O-N.” Tighe corrected. “They were a pretty advance people who lived in ancient Greece.”

“So what pissed Danu off ‘nough to destroy’em?” Maynard asked genuinely intrigued.

“It simply comes down to sharing.” Tighe replied. “The Fae wanted Minoan art and the Minoans didn’t want to give any away unless she handed over some of her people as slaves.”

Tighe paused and ate more of his soup before continuing. “Danu would have done it in a heartbeat, except they wanted my grandfather as a slave as well. Guess she really did have a thing for him.”

“So she got mad that the Minnows wanted her boy toy..” May asked cutting Tighe off before his train of thought led him away from the story.

“Min-O-N.” Tighe opened his mouth about to go into another Fae logic fueled speech when he shook his head and then went on with the story. “So Danu blew off some steam by erupting the Thera volcano. Little did she know that her daughter got in on it by directing the resulting tsunami.”

“Sounds like they had fun.” Maynard said with a chuckle. Tighe shrugged.

“I’m Seelie born, I’m all for forgiveness and order.” He revealed. “What happened with the Minoans wasn’t nice, caused worldwide chaos and hurt thousands. It’s more of an Unseelie thing.”

“So you forgive me for the things I did at your sister’s house?” Maynard cooed. He leaned over and quickly kissed Tighe on the cheek. May darted to the other side of the room before Tighe could shove him away.

“Well aren’t you just a doll!” he squealed before Tighe threw his bowl and the contents remaining at his head. Maynard ducked and the bowl shattered against the wall.

“That’s not very nice.” The vampire tisked at the blushing Fae. “And here I was going to go out and buy you some nice pants...”

“I’m not going to wear women’s underwear!” Tighe screamed and threw a pillow off the bed at him. May dodged the purple projectile with ease.

“Only good boys get to wear women’s under clothes and you’re being naughty.” May purred. Tighe dazzled the vampire with a laugh followed by a smile.

“Well shit. There just might be a nice guy underneath that cross dressing persona.” He replied.

“Don’t count on it.” Maynard said with a wink. I still want to fuck you through the floor and have you all over me like you were with Master Karnik.
______________________________

Karnik never did order Royal back to Santo Leonard. Instead, he sent a blond haired, blue eyed witch in the Fae’s place. Royal wasn’t even aware Karnik employed other females beside herself, and it rather disturbed her that she lacked that knowledge.

Tighe spent his time mostly familiarizing himself with his new home. He found the castle wasn’t too much unlike the bastion he inherited from his father. Both were divided into four areas: the north wing was where the were-animals housed themselves; the south wing was where the human residents which included the cooks, cleaners, bath attendants and miscellaneous others resided; the east wing was where Tighe’s and the rest of what the Fae dubbed ‘the harem’s’ rooms were. Only Royal and those loyal to Karnik had rooms along the outside wall. Everyone else stayed inside.

The west wing, Tighe learned, was where Karnik slept. In daylight hours, a series of barred doors blocked the passages. The Fae teleported passed the wooden and spiked silver gateways. He couldn’t make it beyond the newest door: one of iron. At night, Karnik would unlock the doors and pluck up the first of the harem he came across. Or remained...

Tighe still felt bad ditching Itsuki and Kazumi Hikaru two nights in a row.

“Explain to me why we’re doing this?” Royal asked a week later as she crept after her brother, Maynard and the Hikaru twins.

“Tighe and Itsuki want to know what’s in the Master’s room.” Kazumi whispered. “I’m not about to leave those two bakas alone and Tighe says you and him can do that vanishing thing with two other people if you’re together.”

“So why is Maynard here?” Royal inquired as they approached the first set of doors: ash wood.

“Because I miss Master.” The vampire replied with a gleeful smile. “He’s been neglectful.”

Royal gave him a strange look as she used one of her hair pins to pick the lock. Tighe and Itsuki cheered when the door swung open. The five of them crept down dimly lit hallway, took a left at a statue of a Roman centurion and climbed a set of stairs before approaching the next wooden door: oak.

“Why do you suppose he has different types of wood doors?” Itsuki inquired as Royal picked the lock. He held up a lantern to shed more light on the door for Royal.

“Different vampires are more susceptible to different type of wood.” Maynard explained. “Notice I’m not touching that door. A splinter from that and I bleed like a stuck pig.”

“Different types of wood?” Tighe said with a snicker. “I only thought there was one type.”

The lock sprang open as Royal turned and smacked her brother. Maynard chuckled as Tighe rubbed the back of his injured head.

“You need to quit hanging out with the pervs.” Royal told her brother as she cautiously opened the door. She kept one hand on Itsuki’s arm, in case she needed to get away with him quickly while Tighe nervously grasped Kazumi’s hand.

“Clear.” Royal announced and the red head pouted when she removed her hand. Tighe kept a hold of Kazumi’s hand as they walked in.

“Royal-chan, what was your parents’ job in Japan?” Itsuki inquired as they rushed down another dim hallway. “Our kasan was a seamstress and our tousan was a fisherman.”

“Tighe and my kasan was a noblewoman and my tousan was a samurai.” Royal told him. “The sword I carry was his until him and kasan were murdered by a group of six highwaymen. They tried hurting Tighe and I killed every last one of them.”

She stopped at a set of stairs and pointed at her exile marks, “That’s why I have these and can’t go to the realm of the Fae.”

“That’s unfair.” Kazumi hissed. “You were protecting your brother and yourself.”

“That’s the only reason I’m alive.” Royal replied. “Everyone knew what had happened. The queen knew the moment our mother died. She knew what went on in my head and Tighe’s. So instead of being completely destroyed by painful dismemberment and eaten by a monster, Titania marked me, set me up moneywise and set me loose.”

“Exile beats death any day.” Maynard commented and they continued toward the next door. When the five reached it, Royal saw they had to change their game plan.

“This wasn’t here the last time.” Itsuki said running his hand along the iron door. “How did Master Karnik install this door so fast? Tighe and I were right here not two days ago.”

“It looks like the exact same door from when he and I were here.” His brother added examining the door. “But it’s all iron, not silver.”

“I thought alchemy was a lost art.” Tighe muttered. “How in Unseelie hell did the bastard get a fucking alchemist?!”

“Maybe he’s an alchemist.” Royal replied. “I heard him gloating to another vampire that he was almost two thousand years old.”

“Dayamn.” Maynard hissed.

“That’s pretty old.” Kazumi murmured while his twin muttered a series of impressive Japanese curses.

“Shit, he’s about my age.” Tighe exclaimed. The twins and Maynard looked at him stunned silence.

“What?” the Fae replied as his sister studied the door, her hair pin and her hands.

“Exactly when were you born?” Maynard demanded.

“Well, I’m not too sure.” Tighe replied. “Ever hear of the Babylonians?”

Maynard’s choked noise was answer enough.

“I heard I was born the month they called Simanu, but that doesn’t really mean anything. I’m probably still a bit older than him, at least...”

“Fraello, quit calculating your age and give me your shirt.” Royal interrupted upon resolving the situation.

Tighe gave her a strange look and began untucking his shirt from the slacks Maynard bought for him when Itsuki whipped his shirt off. The Asian man grinned and flexed his pecks as she jerked the shirt from his hands with a wry look.

“You said this door wasn’t here two days ago, right?” Royal inquired as she tore the shirt into strips and wrapped them around her fingers and hands.

“Yeah, this one was supposed to be silver.” Itsuki replied. “I remember because Tighe cracked a joke about it.”

“Hm.” Then Royal sighed as she began picking the lock. “It sounds to me like the Master knows you’ve been prowling around here.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it.” Kazumi responded. “I wouldn’t even be surprised to discover he’s expecting us.”

The offhanded comment gave Tighe a start and he began holding the werewolf’s arm to him like a scared child would their stuffed animal. Maynard noticed this and pulled Tighe into a comforting hug, freeing the Asian’s arm.

“Don’t worry, dawlin’. I’ll protect you.” Maynard purred as he petted the terrified Fae. “If t’Master’s waitin’ for us, you can just pop y’self and one of the puppy’s outta here.”

The lock sprang and Tighe pushed himself out of May’s arms with a jubilant cheer as Itsuki pushed open the door and held it for everyone to enter. As the vampire passed him into the next hallway, he noticed the werewolf shooting him a nasty glare.

Another rival?

They made it through a silver door and following hallway was full of steel armor half-hazardly strewn across the floor. Royal tripped once and Kazumi caught her by the arm to keep her from falling on the metal that would have burned her at the slightest touch.

“I don’t like this.” Tighe announced in a sing song tone as they tiptoed through the mess. “Let’s just forget this whole thing and go on a kitchen raid.”

“No way are you backing out of this!” Kazumi hissed. “It was you’re idea in the first place.”

“Come on, Tighe-san” Itsuki begged. “We’re almost there, I can feel it.”

“I don’t doubt your werewolf senses but my Fae senses are telling me something’s wrong.” Tighe replied and Royal agreed.

Up a winding staircase of dark stone lit only by the sparse torch scones and the lantern they carried waited the final door. To look at it, the French doors appeared not the least bit portentous. The windows were opaque smoky glass, the paneling was a fusion of iron, silver and copper.

“Is the door locked?” Tighe whispered and a chuckle from beyond the door answered him.

“Why no, little one.” Answered the hauntingly familiar voice as the door cracked open. “Step into my parlor.”

Everyone except Maynard exchanged frightened looks with one another while the vampire walked up and held the door open for everyone.

“Is it just me, or does this scream set-up to anyone else?” Itsuki inquired as Tighe grabbed a hold of his arm like it was a stuffed animal and he was a frightened child.

Karnik narrowed his eyes. "Not stopping to play?" He said with deceptive cheer. "And here I waited for you to turn up."

“We might as well go in.” Royal replied taking a firm hold of Kazumi’s arm. “You two bakas wanted to see inside anyway.”

“Yeah and now no one’s going to be in trouble for trespassing.” Maynard added as Royal walked inside.

“I want my mommy!” Tighe cried as Itsuki dragged him in and Maynard shut the door behind them.

Karnik leaned back in his seat. "How good of you to drop by." He was smirking, just a little. It grew broader. He watched their expressions fall even further. "Anything in particular you wished to see?”

Tighe looked around the room. For some reason, he thought Karnik’s private area would be more... What he saw he didn’t expect.

Karnik sat in a wingback chair upholstered in purple velvet with an unread book in his lap. The stone walls were covered from floor to ceiling with books, all neatly shelved with their red leather covers oiled with care. The room was illuminated with an impressive chandelier with candles lit with cold magical flames.

“I would have never figured you for a book worm.” Tighe commented and Itsuki nodded vigorously.

Karnik chuckled, amused. "What did you have me figured for?" There was a telling silence. "Come now. Surely you have all had thoughts."

“I figured you kept a collection of torture devices and a six foot fountain of blood in the corner.” Royal replied and Itsuki had to quickly grab Tighe to prevent him from hitting the floor when his legs gave out in shock at his sister’s ghastly imagination.

“Eh, ah knew y’wasn’t some fool who’d fell off the turnip wagon.” Maynard told him and added with a wink. “Y’my Master.”

“You are a sick henjin” Kazumi said to Maynard then turned and addressed Karnik. “I offer no opinion concerning you, Master Karnik. You gifted my twin and I with a much better life than one we would have received and thus it is not my right to assume a single thing concerning you.”

“Right, we’re happy little Japanese puppies.” Itsuki added. “But I thought you were heatless and soulless and didn’t do anything but fuck pretty boys.”

Karnik laughed, a genuine amused and surprised laugh. "One can not spend all of one’s life killing and maiming. Not even I."

“Yeah, after awhile you’ll run out of victims or the maimed’ll die which certainly isn’t a good thing if one is spending their life doing such things.” Tighe replied. “Books are good ‘cause if you want to maim and kill a character over and over, then all you have to do is re-read the same thing over and over and over...”

“Fraello, he gets the idea.” Royal interrupted.

Karnik quirked his head to one side. "You are cute. Come here."

“No-no-nono.” Tighe replied shaking his head violently clutching Itsuki’s arm to the point of pain.

Karnik’s smile faded, and he beckoned. "Don't make me go over there to get you."

Itsuki and Tighe both let out simultaneous eeks. Then the Fae clenched his eyes shut and kept shaking his head. Before Royal could take matters into her own hands, Itsuki pulled Tighe over to Karnik, exchanging a look with his twin who nodded.

Karnik watched Tighe squeak, and his lips curved, his eyes stayed emotionless. He snagged Tighe with one hand and pulled him to perch precariously upon his lap with the half opened book.

"Itsuki. Kazumi You may go." He leaned back in the chair taking Tighe with him, tickling him under the chin. "I bet you have a lovely reading voice.”

Kazumi dragged his twin toward the door Maynard had opened and held for them when Tighe burst into tears. It gave both werewolves a pause and they looked to Royal for answers to their unspoken question. She motioned them out the door and Maynard slammed the door once they were out.

“Fraella!” Tighe screamed struggling against Karnik as he kicked his feet fruitlessly.

Karnik wiped Tighe’s tears on the edge of Tighe’s own sleeve. "Don't get the book wet."

“Go to hell!” the Fae snapped at him.

Karnik tugged Tighe’s hair sharply. "Books are worth more than you."

Royal saw the moment when Tighe’s tears of fear and physical pain changed to ones of hurt and depression. Royal couldn’t recall the last time she saw her beloved brother cry in that way.

“Master, I think y’hurt his feelings.” Maynard said quietly. He knelt down in front of Karnik and Tighe and placed a comforting hand on the Fae’s arm.

See me. I don’t think you’re worth less than a buncha dead trees and cows.

Karnik cupped Tighe’s chin, raised his face to his and watched the tears flow. "You're upset this book would get more at the auction house than you?"

“No.” Tighe sniffed. “You’re scary and pulled my hair.”

Royal doubted her Master would appreciate her brother’s lie by omission and babyish act. Or the tears, I don’t think he likes the drippy look.

Karnik laughed. "I am always scary. Yet you do not always cry." He pulled Tighe’s hair again because he could, then scratched Tighe’s head and rubbed his back, amused as the Fae practically purred.

“I see you found his weak spot.” Royal said with a hidden smile. “Rub in between his eyebrows and he goes to sleep.”

“I love you too, fraella” Tighe moaned arching into Karnik’s touch and dislodged Maynard’s hand.

"It is too early to sleep." Karnik continued to caress Tighe’s head.

"Of course a book does not do this," he said after a moment of watching Tighe writhe in his lap, almost spilling the precious book. Maynard caught it.

He had an idea. "Royal you are dismissed."

“Master?” she asked with a puzzled frown. What the hell is he thinking?

“You are dismissed.” Maynard replied cheerily. “Shoo shoo, ah’ll take care o’ya brother.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Royal muttered and left for Itsuki and Kasumi’s room. Waiting for possible doom was always best when you had someone to wait with....

"Do you like to read?" He asked the squirming pile of Fae in his lap.

“Depends on the...language.” Tighe mewed as Karnik hit a particularly nice spot. “French and English are kinda like books at home. German reads like it sounds, a harsh coughing. Don’t get me started on Japanese.”

"Latin." Karnik said. "A first edition." He worked the tender lump and hauled Tighe back onto his lap as he almost fell off.

“La-tin.” Tighe drawled. “Mother language of most, if not all, European languages. Roots in the Roman empire, language of science and-” The Fae shivered, “You want a translation of a Latin book?”

"No. You are going to read it. Aloud. I am sure you will find it most educational." He stopped petting and pulled the book from Maynard’s hands and dumped it into Tighe’s lap.

He frowned and turned the red volume over in his hands before setting it down. He gingerly opened the volume and blushed bright red at the image on the first page that sat right under the title of the book: Kama Sutra. Maynard laughed at Tighe.

Karnik smirked and nibbled on Tighe’s ear. "Pick a position"

“Oh hell fucking...” the Fae gasped wide eyed before Maynard’s long drawn out whine covered up the last of his words.

“But Master, you’re always paying attention to him.” The vampire pouted. “Ever since the fairy came here, it’s always been about him. Tighe this and Tighe that.”

Karnik turned his face to Maynard. He didn't know whether to laugh or gloat. "You have to admit he has novelty value. And is damn cute."

Maynard pouted and crawled up to him, somewhat roughly knocking Tighe to one side so that the vampire could dominate his master’s vision.

“Don’t y’think ah’m cute, Master?” he inquired with an infuriating coy look. Tighe winced at the blatant flirt. It was kinda sad to the Fae that Karnik would rather have someone who definitely despised the attention instead of a person that practically oozed supplication.

Karnik glared down at Maynard as Tighe balanced precariously on his knee and then pulled hard at the vampire’s eyebrows, pinching the skin as well. "No."

Maynard cried out in pain, echoed briefly by Tighe before he vanished from sight. He reappeared, slamming into the door and screamed when he made contact with the iron inside. Both vampires picked up the scent and hiss of singed flesh with their enhanced senses over Tighe’s quiet sobs.

Karnik figured out what had happened and began to laugh, releasing Maynard’s eyebrows in the process. "Trying to teleport?" He asked smugly.

“Fucking Unseelie fuck...” Tighe hissed in pain as he fell on his butt. He shoved his scorched palms under his arms and rocked himself as he cursed. “Titania’s fucking Tits! Owie owie ow....”

“Hey pixie, y’alright over there?” Maynard asked as he held his injured face.

Karnik kicked Maynard in the face and sniggered. "Toasted Tighe." He announced gleefully. "Tasty for tea." He stood up, deliberately stepping on Maynard on the way, and picked Tighe up, biting at his neck.

The Fae went limp as he gasped out in pain. He felt Karnik’s tongue lap at the puncture marks and a shiver went through his body. As his eyes drifted shut, Tighe saw Maynard look at him forlornly cuddling the fallen book.

Karnik licked his lips and nibbled at his neck before noticing that Maynard had saved the expensive book.

"Good save." He walked over and dumped Tighe on the chair, pulled the book away from Maynard and tossed it to the Fae.

“Ah always aim to please.” Maynard cooed as Tighe blinked up lethargically. The Fae blearily looked down at the book sitting in his lap surprised, as if it suddenly appeared there.

Karnik idly flipped through the book, allowing it to fall open at a random page. He tickled Tighe under the chin. "Read."

He snagged Maynard with his other hand and kissed him, all teeth and tongue and cold saliva.

Maynard moaned as Tighe blinked up at him then down at the book, blushing at the colorful picture across from the ornate words. He shook himself out of his languid stupor and began to read.

“You sense the proud warrior is prepared to vanquish you. Surrender! Offer her your belly like the wolf.” He said in Latin.

Karnik grabbed the bodice of Maynard’s dress, corset bones and buttons flying everywhere. "Still feeling neglected?" He purred.

“Oh, no.” Maynard gasped, his eyes darkening with desire. Tighe’s cheeks darkened from a light pink to a darker rose color, his Fae senses picking up the subtle scent change of the lust filled vampire. He kept his eyes firmly on the pages of the book and kept reading.

"You slut." With one yank Karnik ripped the remains of Maynard’s dress away.

At the sound of Maynard’s gasp, Tighe looked up from the book and his eyes filled with the vision of Maynard’s body. Pink and pale white scars slashed across his back and crisscrossed his legs. Lithe muscles flexed as he stepped out of his ruin dress.

The Fae felt his body’s temperature soar a few degrees, focused mainly in his cheeks, as Maynard lowered his dark colored eyes demurely as he stood exposed before his Master.

Karnik pointed to the floor. "Face down."

Maynard dropped to the floor, using his hands to catch himself.

"It has been a while." Karnik mused, looking at the pale marked body laid out before him.

He moved away, and smirked as Maynard risked a peek, watching him shudder as he picked up two different colored, lit candles. He started pouring the hot wax at the base of Maynard’s skull, letting the two colors run together, forming patterns, and gradually building layers up.

Maynard and Tighe hissed in unison. One in pain, the other in sympathy. Tighe trembled and his voice wavered as he read the next line in the book.

"Want me to stop?" Karnik asked. With no warming Karnik moved the focus of his wax from Maynard’s bald head, to the back of his thighs and enjoyed watching him squirm.

“Never.” The vampire rasped. This pain, this is affection. I shall show my devotion by showing my Master my pain...

Tighe blocked his physical hearing and focused on the faint whispers of his Fae senses. What are you trying to tell me? He wondered. Tighe closed his eyes and listened.

Tighe’s eyes shot open and he gasped at the words he heard. This pain, this is affection. I shall show my devotion by showing my Master my pain...

Karnik lashed out, catching Maynard’s tender buttocks with his nails. He watched the blood trickle before deepening the wounds and adding wax.

“Oh yes.” Maynard hissed and Tighe did his best to hide behind the leather volume in his hands. The coppery scent of blood permeated the room and the Fae grew ill.

Karnik turned to Tighe, licking Maynard’s blood from his lips. "You've stopped reading." He smirked, and inflicted more scratches across Maynard’s buttocks, liberally coating them in wax. "Do you want to stop and watch?"

Tighe whimpered and curled his body as small and tightly as he could behind the book. His stomach turned from the scent of blood and the words whispering inside his mind.

More. Harder, deeper. Give me more pain so I can scream the love you feel.

Karnik chuckled at Tighes discomfort and plucked the book from his unresisting fingers. "What is the matter little one?" He placed the book on the side and sunk his fingernails all the way into Maynard’s cheeks.

Tighe’s scream came at the same moment as Maynard’s and the Fae curled into a ball, shielding his head and neck with his arms the best he could.

“Me, Master.” Maynard rasped. “Focus on me.”

Karnik snorted. "I think you talk too much." He said to Maynard. He ripped off a throw and used it to gag Maynard. "Now be a good boy and lie still."

The vampire smiled behind the makeshift gag, ignoring the sound of Tighe’s faint sobbing.

"That's better." Karnik patted Maynard’s butt before grabbing his leg and twisting it so he could easily bite down on the inner thigh.

Maynard moaned as razor-sharp canines thrust past the thin layer of his skin and slipped into the insignificant flowing river of his vein. Blood throbbed to the surface as the vampire heard a tiny voice off to the side whisper…

“No-no-no-no…”

Karnik grinned up at Tighe. Want a taste? He chose a different place, biting just above the knee, fangs scraping bone.

Tighe curled further into himself, clasping his arms over his ears in a vain attempt to stop the telepathic and physical voices from reaching him. Maynard screamed for his Master’s attention, bucking futilely against him.

Karnik growled and thrust one dry finger into Maynard’s arse, sucking hard on the bite wound. He moved up Maynard’s body, using his nails and his mouth to draw blood until he was biting the back of Maynard’s neck.

The pinned vampire made pained noises behind the gag as he arched up into the intrusive digit. He didn’t cry, but tears ran down from his eyes. Maynard cut his eyes toward Tighe and saw only a shivering mass of clothing and a peek of lavender hair.

Karnik removed his finger and eased his cock in, hissing slightly at the dry burn before biting Maynard on the neck, savaging the wound.

Maynard moaned, relishing the sharp feel of his skin fracturing from Karnik’s unprepared penetration. His skin was on fire from the mauling, sensitizing it to the slightest of pressures and motion.

Karnik began thrusting, only thinking of his own pleasure, Maynard’s neck now a bloody mess of tendons and ripped veins.

The vampire’s grunts and moans were muffled by the saturated gag. His own blood drizzled into his screaming mouth. His body now fully claimed by Karnik, Maynard was surprised to find his mind wandering in the direction of Tighe.

Would he be as demandingly savage, the vampire wondered. Or would he be gentle and sweet as his blood tasted? Would Maynard himself be the dominant or would Tighe lead him?

As Karnik thrusting became faster and more erratic he sunk his fingernails into Maynard’s tender flesh on his sides. With a grunt of satisfaction Karnik came. He lay for a few moments, weight pressing Maynard into the floor and lapped at the sluggish blood from Maynard’s neck.

"Still feeling ignored?"

The question startled him, so caught up in his reverie but Maynard recovered quickly.

“No Master.” He sighed.

Karnik chuckled. "Then you may retire. And take the Fae with you as he is..." Karnik cast the cowering form a disdainful look "Currently useless."

“Yes Master.” Maynard replied reverently. Without a care for his unclothed state, the vampire gathered up Tighe in his arms and departed Karnik’s chambers, leaving his ruined clothes behind as a memento.