Blood Lust

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE



Isaac regretted sending Kon away in anger. He missed his platonic preternatural companion. As he thought about it, he glanced at the monitor clock and realized the sun had set while he worked on his mystery project. “Hey, lazybones, didn’t think you’re the type to sleep in.” He listened to rustling of the bed. Standing, he typed a few final things onto the manuscript, saved, pushed back his chair to stand then turned.



His heart jerked and jumped in his chest seeing his lover. Seth swayed on his feet, glowing eyes glassy, usually swarthy complexion oddly pale. “Not … lazy.”



Rushing to close the distance, Isaac said, “I can see. Sorry for that.” He steadied his lover as he swayed. The ragged groan Seth gave sounded distinctly sexual despite his illness. “I thought vampires were beyond getting sick. What could be wrong?”



Seth’s lashes lowered as he gazed down at Isaac. “I know what ails me.”



Confused by Seth’s rising scent of arousal and his clearly threatened health, Isaac demanded, “Then tell me. What do I do? Is there someone I can call to help?”



“He’s skulking, hoping for your favor. Summon back your Russian,” he responded slowly. “Please, boy.”



Kon, forgive me. I need you.



May I enter? Kon’s unmistakable ‘voice’ answered.



Seth had to close his eyes to summon his ability to return the contact, it seemed. Yes.



Again with the swift appearance. Isaac flinched, then spoke, “Something’s wrong with him, Kon. Please, what can we do?” His heart began to thump erratically. Now that he had help, it felt as if all his strength departed.



Kon lifted Seth as if he weighed no more than a child and placed him upon the bed. His large, once-frightening hands with their black claws moved gently as he held Seth’s face in his hands and looked down at him. In a gentle tone he asked, “Vampire, do you recognize this?”



“I suspected.” Seth’s shaking intensified.



“Then, you know I can do nothing except free you if he does not accept.” Kon stood straight.



“I understand.” Seth shivered violently.



“What?” Isaac stepped closer, angry and frightened for his lover. “What’s this ‘free you’ shit?” He sat on the bed’s edge and lifted Seth’s hand, holding it to his chest. His lover’s eyes closed, and he rumbled in an unmistakable expression of sexual excitement.



Kon placed one large hand on Isaac’s shoulder. “Seth suffers mating fire. Vampires born recognize a mate in the form of a tether they may deny and walk away from, or accept. Those made must endure mating fire. If you accept him, he will pass through it. Deny him, and he shall endure considerable agony until someone places him beyond it.”



“’Beyond it’ sounds bad.” Isaac’s mouth had gone dry and he longed for option three.



Kon, dressed as if he’d had come from lounging in front of a fire rather than out in the elements, bowed. “Receiver, vampire, my thoughts shall remain with you as I return to my place.”



As rapidly as Kon had joined them, he vanished.



Seth’s nails dug into Isaac through his shirt. His glossy eyes caught and held Isaac’s gaze. “If you choose to refuse me, I understand. Until such time, you may lessen my suffering.”



He pounced on that. “How?”



“Let me have you as I wish.”



“Done.”



Seth dragged him down on top of him, hauling him in for a rough, deep kiss. It went through him like a broadside. His entire body came alive, dick hardening and skin tightening.



His lover’s reaction cost him an inkling of fear. Seth shredded his clothes getting him naked. In a microsecond, his lover had become as bare. Then, his cock received the hot, wet pull of Seth’s mouth. Wordless cries ripped from him. Isaac’s body caught fire. On his back, holding his lover’s head, he watched. “Ah yeah, man.”



Seth released him and rolled him over. “I have to fuck you.”



Hot, ready and receptive, Isaac spread his thighs as he knelt. The smell of his lover permeated the sheets. Fierce excitement motivated him. “Make it good for me, Seth.”



“I will make you scream and beg.” The big, blunt tip of him pushed against Isaac’s asshole, slick and hot.



It popped inside. Isaac yelled, “Fuck!”



“That’s next.” Seth eased forward.



Isaac broke a sweat. “Man, you’re so big. I’m gonna split.”



“No, boy. I won’t hurt you.” He growled, pushed in and hot semen pelted Isaac inside. “Mmmm. Nowhere near ready to stop fucking you.”



Isaac swallowed hard. “I don’t think I can handle any more.” His erection jerked even as he spoke. Sweat dripped onto his forearms as he leaned forward to cushion his head on them.



Seth stroked his sides. “Accommodate me. Keep taking my cock and cum.”



His dick bounced upward, hard and needy. “It’s like you’re tearing me in two.”



Beginning to move, Seth growled and thrust. “Take me, boy.”



He closed his eyes, existence narrowed to the big cock in his ass. It skidded over and bumped his prostate, shooting sensation through him even as he worried his body might split in half. “I am.”







Isaac roused to Seth nipping his butt and fingering his asshole. “God.” Libidinous input wracked him. “Not sure I can manage.”



Seth shifted him onto his back, lifted his legs. “Please.”



Isaac panicked. “No, no, no. Not again. Uhngggg.” His mental processes faded as his lover entered his body. “Seth, omigod, remember I’m mortal.”



His lover’s burgundy eyes burned with amber flames as he gazed down, “I remember. Remember I love you.”





Five days.



Isaac dragged himself from the bed. Starving, thirsty and in dire need of a piss, he had to crawl up the stairs to at least reach the ground floor bathroom. He could barely stand as he drained his bladder. Dancing lights floated in his vision. Afterward, he washed his hands, sank to his knees and rested his head against the cool edge of the bathtub.



Kon had reappeared to tell he had cared for Poppy and the pack. At least Isaac had not abandoned them in this haze.



Staggering into the kitchen, he downed the contents of the refrigerated pitcher. His eyes refused to focus. Blindly, he scooted the pitcher and glass onto the counter. Closing the door, he sank to the floor.



From the lair came Seth’s plaintive summons, “Isaac, I need you.”



He half-crawled, exhausted and frightened. At the apex of the steps, he forced himself upright. Descending, he saw Seth on the bed, writhing. His big body twisted the sheets.



Isaac watched for some moments. “What … do you … need from me?”



Seth’s gaze cut through him like a razor. “I need you as a mate. Will you have me?”



His powerful lover in a position of vulnerability, and his own emotions assailed him. “I don’t know about this, Seth. Not like you.”



Seth closed his eyes. “I know I am willing to die if you refuse.”



Isaac laid down in the bed with Seth. “I don’t know much. I do know if someone offers their life, I should accept their suit.” He sighed. Feeling it, he said, “I want you, Seth."