Blood Lust

No beta. Sorry for the dumbass.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Isaac waited until the sun began to sink before descending into his lover’s underworld. Seth had risen and stood naked beside his wide bed, long, liquid onyx hair flowing around his wide shoulders.

“Have questions, boy?”

Walking toward his lover, he replied, “Where did all those things upstairs come from?”

Seth displayed no modesty or discomfort. “Some belonged to me. Some came into my possession by other means.”

He met his man’s gaze. “Such as?”

“I see that suspicion.” Seth swept his large elegant hands through his liquid-looking hair. “Yes. Some are trophies.”

Vulnerable and angry, he demanded, “Victims?”

Seth seemed to shimmer closer like the scary vampire from the safe house. “Yes, boy.” He reached out to touch Isaac’s face, smoothing his hand along his jaw. “But, one’s human nature no more equates to innocence than a vampiric nature translates to evil.”

Isaac stepped back, conflicted. “You’ve killed?”

Seth sat upon the bed, seeming tired. Meeting Isaac’s gaze he answered, “More times than I can count.”

Despite the ambitious brazier, he shivered, suddenly chilled. “Just like that? More times than you can count?”

Seth rose, seeming to dominate the space around them. “I don’t often explain myself. For you I make exceptions.” He closed the space between them and reached out to curve one large hand around Isaac’s nape. The warmth and palpable, latent power in it went straight to his groin. His lover seemed to study him before continuing. “I first killed out of rage and a sort of transformation madness. Someone I thought cared for me betrayed me, and I lacked the governing principles to curb my thirst and anger. Later, after I matured and healed, I killed enemies. Sometimes strangers I knew had killed their kind or mine.” After a short pause, he admitted, “At times I fought in wars for causes I believed in, and sometimes simply as an outlet for violence.”

“Killing for the sake of killing?” He reached up and pulled Seth’s hand away from him.

“Am I so different from many hailed as heroes?” His eyes caught the flickering candlelight or shone with a fire of their own. “War is death and pain distilled to their purest forms. The motivation behind it pales when faced with the results.”

“I don’t know you.” His vulnerability swamped him in a wave.

“You know the best of me and I won’t hide the worst.”

Isaac’s stomach rebelled. He almost hurled. “That’s what scares me.” He whipped around and rushed up the stairs.

The pack, all seated on their haunches, rose to allow him passage. Heartsick, he trailed his fingers over their fur as he bolted.

As he emerged, his instincts kicked in and he reached out to the vampire from the house in D.C. I need protection.

Isaac yelled and staggered backward as the creature rather materialized. Wearing simple Eastern garments, he swept Isaac into his arms. My loyalty is sacrosanct.

The ride back to his house passed in confusion and indecision. “What about her? And will this put you at odds with him?”

“Madam knows I have repaid my debt over three times. Wth Seth? Yes.”

Cold air touched him. “Your voice is sex in sound.”

The vampire set him upon his feet in the living room. “My name is Konstantin.”

Isaac stared at the vampire who had frightened him so much before in D.C. He opened himself. “You want comfort from me.”

Konstantin replied, “Yes, receiver.”

Lost in the newness of it, Isaac responded, “Take me to bed.”

Konstantin carried him to bed. He draped himself over Isaac. The scent of him wrapped him to distraction. “You are a jewel.”

Isaac flinched as the door flew open and banged against the door. Seth strode in, wearing only low-riding jeans. “He belongs to me, Konstantin.”

Crawling out from under his erstwhile guardian, he protested, “I’m my master, not you.”

Seth held up his hand. “Vampire, go away.”

Konstantin looked to Isaac. “Bid me stay or go.”

The air seemed to shiver as Isaac responded, “Stay, Konstantin.”

Isaac woke alone. His first thoughts went to Konstantin. Scary vampire, but ally nonetheless.

He walked down into the basement of his house. Freshly tilled dirt marked a wide section. Kneeling, he placed his hand upon it and reached out. I know you’re there.

I serve and protect you, receiver.


Yes, receiver.

Isaac relaxed knowing he had a guard dog ready.


Seth arrived at the next sunset. Isaac refused him.

“I told you the lack of welcome was a myth,” the vampire said.

Isaac replied, “Consider it manners.”

“I’ll make allowances, boy. To an extent.”

Isaac slammed the door.

He wrote like a machine and had Konstantin for company. Poppy acted like an animal overly stimulated, and the pack made frequent visits.

The Russian proved an enlightening companion. The pack whined and sidled in submission, scratching at the door for admission, then whining and yelping to find their freedom.

Isaac didn’t know how to not miss his lover. Neither did he know how to go back to him.

Sunset of the fourth evening, he watched Konstantin glide into his bedroom. “Freakin’ spins me out that you don’t scare the hell outta me anymore.”

The very intimidating vampire replied, “You are receiver, Isaac. Just remaining close to you soothes me.”

“I appreciate it. I’ve become nocturnal, and I’m conflicted about Seth.”

Konstantin’s onyx eyes flashed. “It honors me to protect you. All the same, Seth reserves the right to your mind and body.”

Isaac swung his legs over the bed’s edge. “I’m to spend the rest of my life as a possession?” His rebellious rage mounted. “Fuck you, Kon! Fuck Seth!” His temper could withstand no more. “Watch this.”

Wearing only pajama pants, he descended and walked out the front door to trudge through the snow. The cold seemed to burn.

Immediately, Seth and Konstantin appeared.

“Boy, please - ”

“Receiver - ”

Isaac glanced back and forth between them. “I get this. One has his dick mired. The other his mind in the dirt.” He turned and tramped through the snow up onto the porch. “Guess the unknown parties pose less threat. Go away.”