Bleeding Nights

Selwyn yawned and stretched from his bed of pillows the moment the sun started to set and once again bring the quiet activity of night. He grabbed up his coat from where he had discarded it sometime in his sleep and stood to stare about him with restful satisfaction. He was relieved that Gavin had let him spend the night since he rather suspected that Ancel had had some sort of city wide alert for his presence and this way he’d not had to duck and hide when he should have been sleeping.

As if his thoughts had summoned the red headed lord a shadow fell across the sleeping room floor and he looked up at the smiling male.

“So did you sleep well?” Gavin’s question was casual as he crossed the room to throw a companionable arm about the hybrid’s shoulders.

“Yeah, I slept the best I have in years,” he admitted comfortably with a smile to match his host’s own. “By the way I suspect I am to pay my respects to my mother…do you know where she is?” the question was added after the admission and he glanced hopefully at the older vampire. After all it would do him absolutely no good to miss an appointment with the female who had practically raised him by herself, with some small help from Miska, and it could quite possibly be painful to his health.

“Of course I know, as a matter of fact I am supposed to bring you there as soon as you’ve fed and if you’re not hungry then I am to bring you even sooner,” Gavin informed him and started to steer him from the room.

Selwyn laughed, “ I do not need to feed, though a cigarette to calm the nerves would be appreciated.” The fact that he was still not fond of human blood was his personal secret and he intended to keep it that way until absolutely necessary.

“Right, because I am going to be the target of Bronwren’s ire when she smells smoke on her precious cub,” the other drawled sarcastically as they reached the outer door of the warehouse. He gave a dramatic shudder at the thought, after all the snow leopard shifter got rather dangerous when it came to her cub or her mate.

Selwyn sighed, “Fine then I guess I’ll just shift to help take the edge off,” the tone was pouty but soon the permanently twenty-one year old male was back to looking like a timber wolf that had just entered adulthood. He directed a lupine grin up at his exasperated guide and trotted ahead out of the door before trotting back to Gavin’s side to emphasis his impatience.

“Okay, okay, we’re going already,” the vampire grumbled and began a light jog away from his territory and into the larger part of Cascade. “You’re lucky I don’t get a leash and collar out,” he added playfully and laughed out loud at the startled and indignant glare his threat earned him.

The two of them made quite a sight as they playfully bounded up the wharf and towards the park, one or the other occasionally tweaking the end of a tail or nipping at fingers to start a brief mock fight.

Ancel nearly sighed aloud when Kazan pushed open the door and padded into the study with damp hair, bare feet, and clad only in loose sleeping pants. He had hoped that his bonded would stay asleep awhile longer, just so that he could finish a few things up without getting the disapproving glare that he was getting. “Look I am up early because I want to be, it has nothing to do with you,” he growled trying to forestall the lecture he saw building behind those blue eyes and bent his head to his papers once more.

Kazan gave an elegant stretch that displayed his muscled upper body to its full advantage before he set himself on a corner of the desk. “Of course,” he said carelessly and shrugged as he ran a hand through his tousled hair in a lazy effort to tame it. “And I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that the demands of council are wearing on your last nerve, and even the deep sleep that your kind succumbs to has been restless,” he added with flippant sarcasm and did not even flinch as a heavy paper weight collided with his head. He turned his gaze to fully fix his master with a fake wounded look that also took in the absolute exhaustion that was evident in little ways that he should not care about but did nonetheless. He would have loved to blame all of his concern on the blood bond; however, he knew that at least a small amount was due to the fact that his wolf saw the vampire as pack.

“Let it go Kazan,” Ancel warned in a voice that was a far cry from his usual silk smooth and glacier cold tone of voice. A small part of his mind wondered why he even bothered when the werewolf rose from his perch and wandered around behind him to put his head level with his ear. The smell of the rustic blood roused the beast in him and he nearly snarled when Kazan clamped heavy arms about his torso to keep him still.

“You haven’t been feeding properly,” the wolf’s tone was a rough growl and it bit at Ancel’s instincts and pride in a way that the other’s usual tone never did.

“I have too been feeding properly,” he protested with a low hiss that the other was clearly ignoring since he never slackened his hold. Of course through the blood bond they shared he could control the other’s mind and force him to let go, but then he’d have to earn the other’s reluctant respect and loyalty all over again. Not that he was quite sure why the opinion of a lesser being was so important to him, and he really had no clue when he had started to look at Kazan as a companion rather than as a pet.

“Of course you have,” the sarcasm dripped from the words to form puddles of acid on the desk, “Which is why you’re not completely oblivious to everything but the smell of my blood.” At this the arms tightened even more and he deliberately laid his head against the nonexistent pulse in the vampire’s neck. Truthfully he knew that what he was doing was dangerous in the extreme but he also knew that if he did not force the issue the other would most likely go without feeding again. As for any risks to himself, well he was a six hundred-year-old alpha werewolf so his blood regenerated faster than the slaves kept for the purpose of an easy meal.

Ancel felt his resentment grow with his hunger and he gave a growl of annoyance that was nearly as deep and rough as the one Kazan responded with. “Let go and get the hell out of my study before I kill you,” he threatened with a red tinted glare at the male who was just begging to have his jugular ripped out. Naturally he would not actually kill his most valuable asset, nor could he without most likely dying himself…damn blood bond. Of course the other did not have to know that so he kept the glare and let more red bleed into it.

Kazan gave a laugh and hauled the distracted vampire from his seat with an ease that worried him past tolerance. ‘When was the last time he fed?’ the thought was quiet and no one but himself would hear it voiced. “Kill me then, after the way you’ve been treating yourself you obviously won’t mind when your half of our bond kills you as well,” he dared with a sneer. He was hoping he could goad the other into doing what his instincts were insisting upon by now, though he also knew those same instincts would keep him from coming too close to death. Besides, if the master vampire gorged on his blood then he would not have to worry about his health for about a week and a half, plus it would invigorate him to the point where he might actually leave the mansion.

Ancel gave a loud growl before lunging forward and fastening his fangs in Kazan’s neck, luckily the sudden move knocked the werewolf back into the chair so neither of them would be falling down anytime soon. The blood that raced its way onto his tongue was hot and spicy rather like cinnamon, but it was also slightly bitter due to the concern and worry he had caused his wolf with his neglect. He drew a deeper drink of the rich substance that was already working its way throughout his body and slowly felt his mind start to clear from the rage and the hunger.

Despite the rough and almost painful penetration of the fangs into his jugular Kazan stayed still and even mentally encouraged his bonded to drink more. Honestly you would not think he would have to goad and trick a master vampire who was only slightly younger than himself to feed, but clearly it needed to be done and the lupine in him was satisfied that his pack was being cared for. So both vampire and wolf were in varying states of bliss even as the blood loss was getting to Kazan’s head.

After a few moments more Ancel rose from his feeding and licked the bleeding wounds closed with a purr of contentment before he allowed himself to collapse in a boneless heap against Kazan’s chest and listen to him breathing. “You’re an idiot and I should beat the hell out of you,” he growled, albeit it was without the heat that he wanted to convey.

Kazan’s chuckle was slightly breathless and he shook his head, “Well my Lord you can also be called an idiot for not taking care of yourself, and as for beating the hell out of me…that would be impossible since I am the guardian to the gates of Hell.” The name Cerberus was one that those inside and outside the mansion had given to the huge black wolf that guarded the doors to the hall, ironically it was also the name of the broadsword that he often wore strapped to his back in both forms. He sighed as he felt his strength return and gave the vampire on top of him a small nudge to make him move. Now that he’d made Ancel feed he himself needed the refreshing hot meat and blood of a new kill…perhaps a large buck in the woods would fill his stomach and settle his need to kill.

The master vampire gave an annoyed sigh of his own before crawling off his wolf and helped him to his feet. “Fine, fine go hunt,” he grumbled even as the human form shifted flawlessly into the huge wolf that struck absolute terror in all of the residents of Cascade, excepting for himself of course. “I also need you to track down Selwyn and bring him here…I also give you leave to bring anyone that opposes you so tell Shadow when you plan on fetching him,” he added just before the large form vanished out the door. Despite not getting an acknowledgment from him Ancel knew that Kazan was just as eager for this long over due meeting as he was. The door slipped shut soundlessly and rather than remain cooped up in his study the vampire stood and opened it again so that he could go into the garden and enjoy the night sounds. Perhaps he would even go into town and see how his favorite territory was doing for himself, after all it was a good idea to remind those lesser beings and masters who was in charge. ‘Yes, I think I’ll pay a visit to my playground,’ he thought to himself as he drew on a simple black jacket and boots. His faded black jeans and casual button up were not what he typically wore outside his mansion, but there was a first time for everything and he was feeling rather lazy.

“Come on Selwyn,” Gavin gestured impatiently to make the wolf hurry up the steps to the small garden in front of a small brick house. He knew that the younger male was feeling nervous despite the fact that Miska had gone home that morning and had probably spent hours calming and reassuring her mate over the fate of her lost cub, well that and covering her own ass for not bringing him right away. “You cannot be frightened of Bronwren of all people when you face down Ancel and Kazan without blinking an eye,” he pressed the hybrid through the gate.

”That’s easy for you to say, she’s not your mother,” the mental lyrics held a note of defeat to them and he trotted up the steps behind the vampire as if in the hope that he would act as a shield, willingly or otherwise.

Gavin gave a laugh and reached his hand to ring the doorbell, a rather useless gesture as the door was flung open before he could so much as touch it. He blinked slightly startled before he fixed a smile on his lips and greeted the woman cheerfully, “ Hullo, Bronwren!”

Bronwren in human form was nearly as intimidating as when she was in her leopard form, with long wavy black hair, cobalt blue eyes, and an impressive height of five foot nine. All in all a rather beautiful female with an aura of strength and a no nonsense stare, of course she could often be just as much trouble as her mate and her cub. “Hullo Gavin, why don’t you and Selwyn come in and we can talk without a bunch of gossips listening in,” she greeted them calmly enough, but glared at a few screech owls that blinked down at her before taking flight.

Once both males were inside and the door was closed behind them Selwyn shifted into his human form and stood wincing with no small amount of dread. He had the odd feeling that one or the other of them was going to be slapped, or even perhaps both of them. “Hi, ‘Wren,” he greeted timidly when her eyes roved over him before stopping and pinning him in place. He’d never called her mom even though she’d taken him in at five years old when his change had first came over him and he’d attacked his abusive drug dealer of a father after the son of a bitch had beaten his birth mother to death. He remember that she taught him everything he needed to know about being a thief and the two of them had stayed with a gang of kid thieves for two to three years before the then sixteen year old Bronwren had grown too big to stay with the gang. They’d taken their earnings from the gang boss and moved to Cascade where being a pair of professional thieves had gotten them enough money both from stealing for themselves and stealing for clients to get a nice apartment. It wasn’t long after that Bronwren had been doing her typical vampire stalking when she ran into Miska, the two were not automatically mates or even friends since the panther shifter’s attitude pissed off the normally neutral snow leopard shifter. The first time they had a run in Bronwren had gotten into a fight and gotten her ass handed to her since Miska was already two hundred years older than she was, of course the lesson didn’t stick and she often came home with bruises and cuts. Though it was later noted that nothing was ever severe and no bones were broken. Then eleven years ago he’d gotten a commission to break into the master of Cascade’s mansion and she had helped him to disappear for awhile, though not one year later she had heard the news he’d attracted the attention of another powerful master.

The sharp slap to his cheek jerked him out of his musing and he stared at her without much startlement since he had predicted this would happen; however, when she drew him into a crushing hug he glanced at him companion for help. Of course he got none as the other was busy trying not to laugh.

“Ten years, you damned cub. Ten fucking years,” she hissed into his neck even as her eyes spoke of how glad she was that he was here and mostly safe.

“‘Wren, baby why don’t you let the Puppy go so that he can breathe,” Miska suggested with amusement from where she stood in the archway to the sitting room. Naturally this got her a look from both the “puppy” in question and her mate who was reluctant to release her adopted cub and she shrugged in a nonchalant way as though to say she had tried.

Her advice was eventually followed and Bronwren reluctantly let go of Selwyn, “Take your shoes off and come in,” she said brusquely and nodded to where two pairs of shoes already sat near the door. The males followed her orders meekly without the merest protest that the wooden floor would freeze their feet off since the house was always kept rather cold.

“Keep the socks, we don’t have any extra slippers,” came the cheery advice from Miska as she disappeared back into the kitchen when a pot threatened to boil over once more. Bronwren made sure they were settled on the couch before slipping her head into her mate’s domain to see if there was anything she could do to help. “Out, out, go talk to your cub and scold the vampire for being so late. Besides what do you know about making sesame roast duck, and carrots?” the order was friendly despite the swatting of Bronwren’s head with a wooden spoon, which caused a small shriek and compliance.

She wandered back into the sitting room rubbing her head and looking a bit sheepish before she deposited herself in an armchair. “Never argue with a chef when they are in their element,” she advised the males with an air of wounded pride.

Selwyn rolled his eyes and chuckled, “Particularly when they can turn everything in the kitchen as weapon to be used against you." Having witnessed several of these bouts between the two he wondered whether or not Bronwren would ever take her own advice. He vaguely noticed that the sounds in the kitchen were getting quieter and he was feeling tired, most likely because he hadn’t fed, but he kept up with Bronwren’s questions and left out parts from his ordeal that he felt she needn’t know about.

Shadow watched outside of the small house with a small smirk of satisfaction, she could feel the energies inside and decided that such different psyches would keep her craft fed for a long time to come. Of course being an energy mage, though some said vampire, was hard work and she was slightly starved to keep her in line at all times. Which was the only reason she was waiting for that stupid mutt to finish gorging himself on his kills and come join her.

“You really should guard those thoughts better, Shadow,” the familiar growl did not even make her jump as she had felt him behind her before he had even spoken. She smirked and turned around to gaze at the still half naked werewolf, some small part of her that was still female with female needs admitted that he was quiet beautiful to gaze on, even with all of the scars that littered his upper body and arms. Of course the rest of her, which had been consumed by perfecting her craft, only saw and felt his nearly ancient and yet powerful energy, it also felt the remnants of Ancel’s power that was linked to the werewolf through their blood bond.

“Of course, Kazan,” she said with enough false sweetness to make him growl loudly again and glare death at her.

“Enough, children,” came a voice that startled both of them and they glanced into the shadows to stare at Lord Ancel as he strode towards them on soundless feet. “Shadow, I did not let you out to antagonize Kazan, so I suggest you get to work,” he scolded with that icy calmness that could most likely even scare the Devil.

She was in no mood to be beaten, and even her hungry powers shrunk away from the swirl of energies that surrounded him, so she nodded and complied. “Yes Master,” she added the verbal confirmation even as she began to drain the energy of those in the house. She figured that the two pure shifters would be out in a little bit, the hybrid would be next, and last would be the pure vampire, of course she knew that she didn’t have that much time which is why Kazan was there. He would finish off the hybrid and the vampire so that she would not waste too much of her powers and they would transport the captives to the mansion. For some minutes she concentrated until they all heard two exclamations of shock and the very soft thud of a body on wood. ‘Finally those damn cats are out,’ she thought to herself even as her craft continued to siphon power from the four occupants of the house, of course soon she would be stuffed and both females would be fine in a day or so. She idly noted that Ancel nodded to Kazan who then entered the house with all the smoothness of a cat himself.

Gavin was the first to notice Kazan as he entered the house even as he and Selwyn moved Bronwren and Miska into more comfortable positions on the couch. ‘This is bad,’ the rational thought reared up just as he pushed Selwyn behind him and bared his fangs at the werewolf who looked a bit startled at the challenge before he laughed.

“Come now, are you really going to challenge me over three pathetic beings?” he demanded as he eyed the red headed vampire with contempt, he knew that Gavin had no power over wolves or any large predator, instead his animal was the kestrel and other falcons, so he was not worried. Not to mention due to the energy drain and the fact that being bonded to Ancel gave him an increase in power made it so he could beat the young almost master.

“I have granted Sanctuary to these three, Selwyn in particular,” Gavin growled back as he made sure that he kept his eyes on the wolf. He knew that declaring such a thing to the territory master’s bonded was almost like challenging the master himself, but he found that he didn’t care. Almost a second later he began to think that perhaps he did care when Kazan laughed in a way that did not belong to him, and apparently Selwyn cared too since he could not stop a small whimper from escaping his throat.

“Oh really? You would do something so stupid when I have given you more freedoms than any other in my territories?” the cruelly amused demand was not hard to place and both males nearly fainted against each other in shocked terror. Neither had remembered that Lord Ancel could communicate from his bonded, as a matter of fact they were pretty sure he was the only vampire who could perform such a feat. In the next moment Gavin didn’t think anything since he had a crushed throat and bitten neck, while his wrist were sprained, he had also been knocked out cold by a hard blow to the temple.

Selwyn continued to hold his ground and bared his natural teeth when Kazan/Ancel stalked forward. It made them stop for a second and then with a cold smile Ancel left and only Kazan remained. Of course his smile was nearly a cruel and cold as his master’s, but it held more wildness in it. “Oh, look the puppy’s still trying to be a grown up wolf,” he jeered and grabbed a pale wrist.

Selwyn ignored everything that told him to not put up a fight and tried to twist out of Kazan’s hold, of course this encouraged the alpha to break the wrist in his grasp which wrung a hoarse cry from the blonde before he tried to bite him. This earned a laugh as well as cracked and broken ribs when the older male flung him into a wall in the kitchen.

“Give it up, Puppy,” Kazan advised as he stalked into the kitchen and knelt in front of the dazed and in pain hybrid, “This is going to end with you prisoner, the only thing you control is how broken you get before hand.”

Red bled into his already glowing glare and he landed a kick on Kazan’s jaw that forced the werewolf’s head back, but unfortunately did not stun him as a feral gaze rested on him as the older male rubbed his jaw.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” came the annoyed sigh as his ankle was captured and examined before being broken with a loud snap. He let out a scream at that one and his vision darkened as the pain and the energy drain finally caught up with him. Soon he was unconscious on the floor with the rest of his adopted pack.

Shadow entered the house to stand staring down at all the beings that had fed her power with slight bewilderment. “I don’t understand why the hybrid took so long to knock out,” she grumbled aloud as she glared down with gray eyes at the incapacitated form.

“I do,” Ancel said as he entered behind her, “Hybrids have two distinct energy signatures, when one is drained then the other comes to the forefront and gives them that extra will to hang on. Also you weren’t prepared for this since you’ve never encountered a hybrid before.” He stared down at the mess and rolled his eyes though in truth he was pleased with how his wolf had handled the situation, he picked up Gavin and Bronwren and then motioned the other two to pick up Miska and Selwyn respectively. “Come on, the car’s waiting outside and we can go home and get our newest guests situated,” with that they exited through the door and left without having to deal with anyone else.