Blood Vane

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It had been a week since they returned from Emory university hospital. A week in which Alistair had been able to find out nothing and consequently been unable to punish anyone for the assault.

Royal snuggled up behind his increasingly grouchy boyfriend on the couch, nuzzling his neck and rubbing Alistair’s shoulders until he finally felt some of the tension start to drain from his lovers body.

Alistair sighed with relief as the nimble fingers dug into his shoulders. It had been an awful week for him.He hated feeling powerless,and the situation and lack of evidence had really begun to grate on his nerves.Guiltily, he supposed that he had probably neglected Royal while he had been so wrapped up at work.

The blond head dropped forward to give Royal better access to his neck and the judge took advantage of the situation to scoot closer, so that his chest was flush against Alistair’s back and the growing bulge in his crotch nudged the mans sexy ass.

He nipped at Alistair’s ear then soothed the small hurt with his tongue. Alistair groaned and leaned back into him. It felt so good to have that strong solid body cradling his.

Hot breathe danced along his neck, causing the tiny hairs there to stand on end. He shivered as Royal’s fingers ghosted across his abdomen and settled to pluck at his nipples.

“I want you.” Royal growled softly in his ear. Alistair didn’t need any more convincing than that.

Alistair stood and held out his hand to his lover. Royal took it and let Alistair pull him to his feet and then guide him toward the bedroom.

Gently, Alistair pushed the big man down on the bed; letting his eyes roam freely over his body. Royal was flushed and nearly panting already. The large erection straining in his jeans bearing witness to the fact that he did indeed want Alistair quite badly.

Alistair stripped slowly, watching Royal watch him. Observing how the dark eyes went impossibly black as he stripped his shirt off. Savoring the minute gasp that caught in his lovers throat as he unbuttoned his jeans and lowered the zipper.

He resolved that tonight he would forget about Hillbern and all the bullshit that went with it. Tonight, Alistair’s only concern would be just how loudly he could make the man currently lounging on his bed scream.

There would be plenty enough time tomorrow to worry about things he couldn’t control anyway.

The next morning :::::::::::::::::::::::

Thomas Vane was sitting on his bunk minding his own business when the world turned topsy turvy on him. He had been using his spare time to draw in a small sketch book that one of the art teachers had been kind enough to provide to him when he heard an innocent voice yelling “mail call.”

Unlike most of the other boys inside Hillbern, Blood almost never got any mail so he didn’t bother to move. Why go looking for something if you already know its not there? So it was with no small surprise that he greeted the sight of a guard scowling at him as he stuck his head in his cell and waved a letter.

For a second he just stared at the man confounded. Who in the world would be writing to him? His father most certainly wouldn’t. They hadn’t spoken for over a year. He had no real friends on the outside. Tentatively, Blood reached out and accepted the letter as though he expected it to start ticking at any moment.

Really, he should have known that he wouldn’t be lucky enough to have it be something as straightforward and simple as a bomb.

Gingerly Blood looked at the back of the unidentified envelope. It didn’t feel threatening.

Turning the letter over his gaze settled on the top address curiously. Immediately his forehead wrinkled with confusion and his eyes went wide.

Was this some kind of sick joke. Unbelieving he stared at the dark black lettering that seemed to mock him against the pristine white paper. Shaking his head in disbelief, Blood closed his eyes and then looked at it again. No, no matter how much he might wish it was the name he saw there was not a hallucination.

The letter dropped from his suddenly numb fingers to flutter gently to his bunk.

Blood blinked and then blinked again. Nothing changed. The letter remained still stubbornly there and the name emblazoned across the top was still unmistakably Ezra Blackfeather.

Blood closed his eyes against the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions provoked by that name. His hands clenched into fist as he murmured one word.

“Grandfather.”


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Alistair Boot was actually whistling as he entered his outer office the next morning. A night spent flouting responsibility coupled with some rollicking debauchery had done his attitude a world of good.

Zoë grinned as she saw him come through the door. “Well,” She giggled, “its looks like someone had a pleasant evening.”

Alistair grinned back and waggled his eyebrows at her. “I did indeed.”

“I don’t suppose you took any pictures for your loyal but neglected secretary?” She pouted.

“Nope.” He smirked.

“Selfish beast.” Zoë grumbled.

Alistair kissed her on the cheek. “Maybe next time.”

“Promises, promises.” Zoë groused as she handed him a cup of coffee. “Oh, by the way, you have company this morning.”

Alistair looked confused. “I had an appointment?”

“No,” Zoë explained, “he just came in and asked to talk to you. I just showed him in.”

“Who is it?” Alistair asked.

“The Cooper boy.” Zoë answered , still looking a little disgruntled about the pictures. “Micky Cooper.”

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“So Mr. Cooper,” Alistair said as he studied the obviously nervous boy, “What can I do for you?”

Micky squirmed in his seat underneath the intense gaze of the warden. “Well Sir,” He mumbled, “Its not so much a what as it is a who.”

Alistair leaned in closer. The boy was speaking so low that he wasn’t sure if he had heard him right. “Speak up son.” He demanded. “I cant help you if I cant hear you.”

Two burning red spots appeared on Micky’s cheeks. “I-I wanted to talk to you about what happened to Roddy.” He stammered.

Alistair felt his heart rate accelerate. Maybe this would be what he needed to settle his assault case.

“Go on.” He encouraged, “If you know anything I need to know what it is.”

Micky chewed his bottom lip nervously. “No one will know that I talked to you right?”

Alistair shook his head no. “Whatever you say will never leave this office. You have my word.”

Micky took a deep breathe as he seemed to make his mind up about something. “Well Sir,” He said hesitantly, “its about Seth Edwards.”


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In the outer office Zoë was just finishing up a phone call with the mother of one of the inmates. Apparently, the woman was suffering from the delusion that her son was current being held prisoner in a luxury resort. She had complained about everything from the quality of the food to the roughness of the sheets that her son's delicate skin had to rest on. Zoë sighed with relief when she noticed someone coming through the door of her office. If she had to talk to this woman much longer, she would be in danger of losing her temper big time

Thankful for the reprieve she hung up the phone, telling the complaining parent that she had to go.

Gratefully, she smiled up at the pale, blond young man that had happened along to save her. “What can I do for you dear?”

Seth Edwards shuffled nervously on his feet. “I-I need to see the warden about my assignment in the infirmary. Miss Abigail said she would like for me to start as soon as possible.”

Florence Abigail had taken a liking to Seth and had requested him as an assistant. The boy had been surprised but pleased when she had stopped him in the halls to ask if he would like the job. No one had ever though Seth was good enough to be trusted with anything important before. It had seemed like a good enough reason to come to see the warden. Although there were other reasons, he reflected.

“Well,” Zoë pursed her lips, “He’s with someone right now, and I don’t know how long it might take.”

The tiny redhead gestured to the chair beside her desk. “You can wait or if you have something else to do
you could come back later.”

Sonny Edwards turned on his most charming smile as he slinked down into the indicated chair. He had no intention of going anywhere just yet. Not when there were things he needed to know.

“That’s ok.” Sonny drawled coolly as his eyes raked over the door to Alistair‘s office. “We’ll wait.”


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