Clove : Book 4 of Lord Emperor Vampire Series
folder
Vampire › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
22,836
Reviews:
795
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Vampire › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
22,836
Reviews:
795
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Blue Metal
I was stuck on this chappie all week! Then, shazam!!! Oooooh, it's getting tense.
ENJOY!
The goal was to get the book done by this Thursday (Nov 8) it ain’t going to happen. I have to return the office laptop on Friday, when I’m stuck either waiting for time at the local library or…if I get a nice severance package, I’ll replace the computer that got stolen. Writing is my saving grace in this traumatic period of my existence.
So I really appreciate the r&r from the Loyal, old and new. Thank you. Mauh, kisses and huggs. Lone_child; rosei; rosemary; ayachan; laur; milkxness; violetstorm; crimson vixen; steph291; k; marin liliz; and twitch
Milkxness
Q: Why don’t Claudius and Xavier mindfuck the Regency Council so they don’t remember that X told them about the broken covenant?
A: Not good to mess up the heads of your future allies. Doesn’t look good on the resume. Heheheh Besides, the Covenant is considered an internal Vampire Nation matter.
Crimson Vixen
Q: What is Lanseng? And Elf? I know you call him a Blood but what Blood Race does he hail from.
A: Lanseng (Lanny/Blueberry) [aside: have you noticed that everyone seems to have multiple nicknames….what’s up with that? Geees] any hoooo, Lanseng is a member of the Blood Collective, known by the rest of the Blood Nations as Seers. They see what is, what was and what will be – but they won’t tell you a damn thing about it until it’s on your ass. I’m going to say they are like ectoplasm until they have to go into the physical world. Lanseng’s physical characteristics were designed to appeal to the next Hashmalliam, however the strength of his power/energy turned him into a 6ft, 11inch blue hair, tanned sufer looking dude.
Hope this helps. Tah
Chapter 179: Blue Metal
There was a hand stroking my belly. Rubbing at me, easing the stabbing pain in my stomach. I over ate. A groan reached my ears. No, that was me. I felt sick. I was in an apple orchard and I was uncomfortably stuffed – with cakes. And hard liquor. I raised a hand toward my forehead. This is why I stuck to beer. My hand got intercepted and a warm face pressed against the side of my head and soft wet lips kissed my temple. I was warm…and wet.
“Armor…”
Wet? I opened my eyes and realized that I was propped up against my big hunk of Vampire in the bathtub. We were all toasty warm and steamy from the heat of the water and the bubbles. A bubble bath. That wasn’t what I expected from him. Not that I didn’t like this. I snuggled back against him.
“Beautiful…you are a little tease.”
“Not really.”
“You still drunk?”
“Hummmm. Cakes are good, but my stomach aches a bit.”
“Too much of a good thing. When I forbade you sweets, I did not take into consideration how wickedly decadent you would look in the middle of them.”
I snorted. I heard a splash and felt a sea sponge glide over my chest. Armor guided it’s cleansing motion up and down with just the right amount of pressure to get my horniess back. Ha, as if it ever left.
My hair was soaking wet but clean. I ran a hand over it. He caught it and kissed the back of my hand. “I had a hell of a time getting the icing out of your ear.”
“And how did you happen to do that?”
Armor shifted, turned my head by my chin and lapped at the shell of my ear. I just shivered. “You taste good. I want you, Little One. I want you in my arms. I want to see your face as I relearn all there is to know about you.”
“Here?”
“Why not?”
“You almost drown last time.”
“That was then, this is now.” Armor nibbles. Hmmmm.
Now is good. Now is real good. “Just relax, Little One. Let me do all the work.”
“I’ve heard that one before.”
“How about this?” Apparently, Armor had been playing a bit whilst I was passed out. He hunched down a bit in the water, spread my legs to the sides of the tub and breeched my defenses with one smooth easy stroke. GAAAAAHnnnnhhhhh. I’d bitch at him later. His left hand came up and cupped my neck stretching my torso up and back against him. The back of my head rested on his shoulder. Thrust. I cried out to the tiles. My voice echoed back to me. “I like this…this brings back memories of the early days.”
Thrust.
The early days were rape. “You and that will of yours fought me and fought me.”
Thrust.
“I couldn’t help but admire you, desire you even more. I wanted to win you.”
Thrust. Gurgle.
“I just thought of what it would be like when your will ran in harness with mine. The glory we would experience.”
Drool slipped out of the side of my mouth as I stared unfocused at the ceiling.
“I was not disappointed. You are a force to be reckoned with, Xavier.” Armor began to play with the push button start. He moved me like I was a toy. His hips humped up and he hit the pleasure zone. I just melted…and drooled in more places than my mouth.
I felt his lips nuzzle the side of my neck. That got me moving. His arms tightened for a brief instant and then he let me go. It took my considerable will to lift myself off his cock. I was nearly boneless. Hahha. I was hard as a rock and weeping like a dandelion with its head popped off. Oooh, disturbing imagery.
I turned toward my hunk of burning love. His eyes were flaming red. I was breathing hard. My hand shook as I reached up and wiped the warm drool off my face and neck. That just wasn’t sexy. Or maybe it was. Armor’s eyes traced my skin where my fingers trailed. I smiled evilly and ran my fingertips down to my right nipple. It was hot and pulsing through Marcus’ nipple shield. “Suck it.”
Armor pulled me toward him. I opened my knees so I was straddling his waist and I felt his pulsing cock rub at the crevasse between my globes. “Yes, My Lord.” Submission was never so sexy… or hot…or…ohholycraphehadatongueonhim. I arced up into his mouth. My plan of carnal temptation almost got sucked out my nipple. I reached behind me and guided his cock back to my portal. I remember doing this the first time. I think I cried the entire time and I sucked at it, in a bad way. I sat back on his cock, taking him deep.
My voice cried out in pure sensation. He slurped off my nubbin. “Take me any way you want, Little One. Command me to your pleasure.”
I swear I burst into blue sexual flames. I also lost all language skills, however grunting and pants were still a great communicator. I didn’t try to hide my expressions of ecstasy in my hair. I let Armor watch the pleasure he wrung out of me…that he forced out of me so long ago. My fangs descended of their own accord. Armor’s came out too. I’d never kissed fanged before. We sliced each other’s mouth open unintentionally but we were too far gone for it to really matter.
I fucked myself on his cock. He held my torso steady and watched as I spiraled higher and higher. Just as he hit my prostate a final time, I gave one last gasp and began to orgasm, he fanged me deep. It hurt…in a good way. I shuddered.
“Pretty!”
He took hold of my hips and began to thrust up into me, anxious to receive his own reward. He had his mouth full of my neck but I heard that breathy hitch. I grit my teeth and forced myself tight around him. He fell off my neck as he came. I wrapped my arms around him and sank my own fangs into that long expanse of neck. He cried out and snaked his hand into my hair, pressing me tighter to him like he was holding a nursing child. The urgency slowly faded. I retracted my fangs and licked his wounds closed. A spit slicked thumb rubbed at my own fang marks on my neck. My flesh pebbled as the cool air of the bathroom caressed me.
“I think I am going to have to get you drunk more often.” His chest rumbled and he laughed.
I rested my forehead against his neck and just breathed in the real heady scent that was all his….and Marcus’. I felt him slip out of me. His hands came up and slowly rubbed at my lower back. “You okay, Little One.”
“I’m with my stupid fuck. I couldn’t be better.”
A heard a splash of water and opened on eye to find him dipping the sponge back into the tub. The warm scented water was poured over my shoulders and down my back. I smiled and snuggled closer to him. Uh… “Armor, not that I’m complaining, but why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to watching the Covens?”
“Claudius sent me home. My appearance really wasn’t a calming influence. Marcus has a deadly reputation amongst the Covens. I doubt any of those we found were alive when I went on a rampage nine years ago and culled, but they have heard of Marcus. He has a deadly reputation. He earned it, but he’s not too happy with it right now.” More spongy goodness was wiped up and down my back. “Besides, Hades was glad to see the back of me.”
“What the hell was he doing now?”
“I think he was jealous.”
“Jealous? Of what?”
“The Coven Fledglings were more afraid of me than him. And…Liam was there chatting me up.”
“Liam was hitting on you?” I pushed myself upright to look at his face.
“He is treating me like Jerry Springer. I do not want to hear his problems with Hades. I still hold a grudge against him for Father and for Sex.”
“They are such a soap opera. Don’t waste time on Hades. Sex and Father knocked some sense into him. They’re good. They wouldn’t be invited to go on a family vacation or anything with Sex but…”
Armor sighed. My entire body moved with his. “Roles that they were familiar with and relied upon are reversed. It’s as Hades said. Liam is trying to get back to his human shepherd boy and Hades is trying to show him the vampire he has become. If they trusted each other, they should just share.”
Enough of them. “What time is it?”
/Where the hell are you!/ Nightshades voice rang in my head. Holy crap. I had a lingering hangover and that pure piercing shout just echoed like a ringing bell. I grimaced and grabbed at my temples.
“Little One?”
/Tone it down. What do you want?/
/The Regency is at Hades. Where the hell are you?/
“Shade…The Regency Council is at the club.”
/Tell Claudius to get them started on the interviews. I’ll be there…/ Armor shifted and I slid down his chest and legs. Plop! Ooooh. Some boy was really happy to see me. /…eventually./
/I heard that. Ick, you perverted bastard. I’ll pass the message on. Get your sore ass down here pronto./
/Yah, yah./
I flattened my hand against Armor’s stomach and pushed him up against the tile wall. I took the sponge and other urgent matters into my own hand. Needless to say, we were a little late.
/Smug bastard./
/Jealous much?/
/Yah./
I was stunned as the Queen’s reply.
/Don’t worry about it. Testosterone overload is getting to me. I’ll take care of business when things calm down./
/Shade?/ I knelt down and hugged her around her neck. /I didn’t mean to be mean./
/Too many babies and I got none of my own. Not all Hellcats are ready to leave immortality behind. Maybe it’s time for me to have some kits./
/You better introduce him to the family before you do something. He’s got to pass muster./
/Like you asked me./
“Well you kind of hated Armor at the time.”
/You were a drooling idiot. You still won’t let him in./
“What do you mean?”
/Hidden triggers. Marcus offered to help you find and block those triggers./
/He hurt me so bad back then. I’ve forgiven him…or I’m trying to forgive him./
/You turned down desperate help. You aren’t as forgiving as you think./
“Point taken, your Majesty.”
/Now, don’t get all pissy on me./
“Trust be, Shade. You’ll know when I get pissy. How goes it?”
/Well, they know you’re not lying. Those that made it out…those fledglings are deeply wounded. They didn’t have brothers to rely on. I have helped those I could. There are many who won’t last the month. There are a few who won’t last the week./
“Thank you, your Majesty.”
/Make Orel Wessel pay, Blood Emperor./ Nightshade bowed her massive head slightly then wandered off back along the wall to oversee the proceedings.
It was close to nine o’clock. We would have been here sooner but Armor started helping me dress and basically got into my pants again. Right now, he looked pretty spiffy in a sepia tone suit. I needed to get that man back into red leather. I had on a dark charcoal suit with a baby blue shirt. I had on the most hideous tie I have ever seen. It looked like a baby hurled on it in Technicolor day-glo barf and the best part is that it glowed in the dark. It was one of many Christmas and birthday presents I was given en mass by my winglets. It was ugly but I was proud to wear it. I stroked my tie. I got kids.
Armor spent fifteen minutes lulling me to sleep by messing with my hair. He had it artfully arranged and elaborately decorated with a re-made silverish Eastern Lycan hair clip that I had melted about two seconds after Ping had gave it to me. I didn’t need the warning not to do it again.
An annoyed voice sounded off to our right. “Do I even need to ask what the hell you were doing? You were just supposed to go and get him.”
Armor’s arms came around my waist from behind. “I got him. Several times in fact.”
Liam’s face froze. He wasn’t expecting relaxed and happy Armor. I could only assume that Armor was Mr. Broodypants while I was missing in action.
“Liam. Nice to see you. How have you been?” I flashed happy fang at him.
He scowled, “Not in the best moods right now to put up with your bullshit.”
Armor stepped between us. Broodypants was back. “Then I suggest you go somewhere else.”
Liam shook his head and lifted at hand toward Armor, “Sorry. My problems have nothing to do with you. The Hunters serve a purpose, but I have never been buddybuddy with them and I’m a little unnerved with so many now knowing that the Golden Phoenix is Hades lair. Shayne is looking for you, Little Emperor. Marcus is needed with Claudius. You are going to have to teach him how to mindfuck. It would be so much easier if he would just ask for help.”
I tilted my head back and Armor pressed his lips to my forehead. “Time to work.”
“Later.”
“Think of me.”
“Often.”
“Please, guys. Don’t rub it in.” Liam let out a big sigh. I followed his eyes right to the eternal teenager. He sighed again.
“Liam, if you’re going to do that all night…”
“I’ve never pined for someone before and I can tell you right now, it sucks.”
“Sorry Praded, but I got bigger fish to fry right now.”
“You have one objection, but it’s got clout. Work on it and our friends in grey just might be a memory. Oh, and remember, the Regency doesn’t need to know about the brothers or Armor. Need to keep your street creds.”
I blinked. Street creds? Oooookay. I turned away from him. Father was standing with some of the Regency Council. The look I got was less than inviting. /Where have you been?/
/At home./
/This is your meeting./
/I needed to be with the kids and Armor./
He pursed his lips and nodded then turned back to the small grey haired Hunter who was speaking to him. Shayne was easy to find. Blond Amazon center stage. There had to be at least one hundred and fifty fledglings here. I found that a little disconcerting. I knew Armor and Marcus had culled…I shivered…all the lost fledglings nine years ago after Freddie tried to make me a bargaining chip. This worked out roughly to one lost fledlging a month. That in itself was too much. From what I could see, no one here was ‘made wrong’. This was more along the line of loose fangs. The established Houses used the Coven as a dumping ground, or a garbage pile.
“Lady Regent.”
Shane turned toward me. She was in her battle gear. I knew this because I had seen it enough growing up. Any one else would think it was regimental dress. I flicked my eyes around quickly. All the Hunters were where dressed for trouble. “What are you now? Emperor or not?”
“Officially, Claudius is still Emperor. I’m just CEO of Shadoe Inc, but I am Head of the House of Von Drachenfeld.”
“Lord then?”
“That will cover a multitude of sins.”
“I always knew you were the devil’s cabana boy. You look…satisfied. So does big and tall over there.”
“He should.”
“Okay, just crossed my comfort zone.”
“Why you loaded for bear?”
“Just because I trust you, baby brother, doesn’t mean I’m stupid. I can see what you want to do with these poor kids…and that’s what they are. Some don’t even know how to drink. I can’t see the rest of the Nation embracing them.”
“The status quo doesn’t really fit anymore.”
“You’re shaking up things.”
“That’s what the cabana boy does. That’s why I need the Regency to go after Orel Wessel. I can’t fight a war on two sides. Absorbing the coven into the House of Von Drachenfeld is just a stop gap measure. This breaking of the Covenant can’t continue.” I could feel Shayne’s eyes on me. “They were given an option. I was given protection. I could have died so many times that first year. I didn’t have a Machiavellian organization waiting in the wings to snatch me to the darkness if I stepped out of sight of my family. These…kids, didn’t have a chance.”
“I thought you’d say that. Come here, there is someone you need to speak to.” Shayne lead me through the groupings of young vampire. The seas parted before her. Shayne is impressive even without the Hunter battle gear. I heard the whispers about the white hair. Even though they were cast off to the streets, they had hear of Marcus, Claudius and the white demon of death. Sex.
Well the young vampires watched tv.
A pale frail girl leaned against a post. She should be sitting down. “Marissa.”
Big brown anime eyes turned towards us. My heart clenched. She was not long for this world…and she didn’t want to stay in it anyways. Her eyes found me and widened. “No…”
“Marissa.”
“No…they are coming…I’m sorry. I…”
I stepped closer but she positioned herself behind the post and squeezed her eyes shut. “You have nothing to fear here. You are among friends who want to help you.”
“No one can help me now. I should have stayed in my cell.”
“Marissa? What’s wrong.”
“The doctors put something in my head. Something to track me. They know where we are now…they’ll be coming. You have to get me out of here.” Marissa twisted back around the post. “I felt it turn on. I saw you and it turned on.”
She staggered toward and grabbed at my lapels. “Kill me. Take my head and move it away from here. Lord Emperor…please, don’t let them use me to kill more of us. I never thought I would breathe free air again I don’t want to be our destruction.”
I caught her. Her blood hunger was so low. She was past the stage of blood starvation. Nothing would save her. She looked all of seventeen. “Please, Lord Emperor…don’t let them win.”
I dragged her close to me. “I won’t Marissa. Close your eyes. Let me see what they have done to you.” I brought my finger to her forehead. God. Skell was lucky compared to this poor girl. Not everyone of Orel Wessel was into man on man action, but this poor child. I saw the face of her maker. A red. Long shaggy brown hair, pale ethereal flesh and dark dark brown eyes. Nathan. He wooed a virgin with poetry and tales of forever. He fucked her and tossed her to the cold street. Conquest was over. Time to move on. Her life had turned to hell after that. Orel Wessel caught her. There was surgery to the back of the skull. That is were the tracker was located. It burned ice cold when it activated.
She was in agony now. “You’ve been a good girl Mari. You’ve done nothing wrong. Would you like me to send you to God?”
“Please…I just wanted to be loved. I can’t stand it anymore…”
“Find your happiest memory, Mari.”
She opened her eyes and stared up at me. “God doesn’t want me. If I could kill any of them, I would. They hurt so many for no reason.”
I stilled. “I can stop your physical pain, Marissa. If you truly wish to kill them, I can grant your wish. It would mean your soul.”
“If it stops even one of them from doing this to one of us again…I give you my soul.” Her voice was weak but the strength of conviction came through.
“Back away Shayne.”
“Xavier…”
“Back away now.” I shook my head. This was what I was meant to do. It just kind of clicked in now. To every season there is a reason and mine just came to me.
I knelt down, lowering the physically broken girl at my feet. I found my center and felt that hold hard ball that had been my comfort for the past five years. I knew what it was – now. I just used to think it was fear. It was my armor. On the beach, each of us were different. Xavier was blue light for healing. Sex was white flame for purity. Azreal was red blood for life. I was sliver blue metal. I called on that cold core. Wings slide out my back ripping Xavier’s shirt and suit coat to shreds. They didn’t sound like leaves. They didn’t ring like chimes. They were the grinding metal on metal sound of a tank tread.
Marissa’s last thoughts were of her laying her head on her mother’s lap on a ratty brown couch. Her mother sang softly as she stroked her hair. I held out my right hand and the pale, faint pink ribbon of a soul fluttered toward me. I lifted my left and closed around an invisible hilt. Endellion. I pulled her into this world. She belonged in my hand
I yanked Marissa’s soul and ended her torment. She lurched once then fell back to the cement floor. The pale ribbon wrapped around Endellion’s black blade. It felt like I got an electric shot up my arm right to my heart. I grunted out loud and staggered forward. The tip of the blade dug into the floor.
/Feed me souls. I will keep you pure and strong, my Hashmalliam./
“Xavier?”
I dropped to one knee and with my right hand I touched the back of Marissa’s skull. I sent a pulse of Hand of Light shorting out the tracker. It was already too late. Orel Wessel knew where we were.
I stood upright. There was like an energy connection following between the sword and my chest. I could feel the Hand of Light feeding off it. It was recharging quicker than by feeding off of blood. Endellion was a soul eater. I closed my eyes and called on the silver blood armor that had come to me back on the beach. It materialized on me like a comfy shirt and pants. I opened my eyes again.
The floor around me was empty. Marissa lay before me like the sacrifice she had offered to be. “They will die for you Marissa.”
“What is going on!” Claudius stood on the small dais the Regency Council had gathered at.
“The time of talking is over. Orel Wessel is coming.” My words rang out loud and strong. They were backed up by the sound of gun fire above us. The enemy was upon us. “Hunters, you are with us now whether you want to be or not. Orel Wessel has counted you as an ally and you will share our fate. Loyal! It’s time to roll out the death carpet. Non-combatants clear the area!”
I stared up toward the door that lead to the stairwell that would bring them down to us. “Skell!” I turned toward Claudius. He stared at the naked sword then past it to the gleaming metal breast plate then my wings. “How?”
“Lord Hashmalliam!” I looked past Claudius to see the blue hair of my Seer bow to the ground.
“Blueberry.” I grinned down at him. He popped his head up, one red eye peeking through his mass of hair. “I only need one word from you, Lanny. You have foreseen this. Do I get to love you later tonight?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation.
Good.
“Skell…”
The family came up behind me. Armor. Claudius. Hades and…the First Hashmalliam. I turned and bowed my head toward William the Conqueror. “Endellion extends her greetings, brother.” He paled.
The sounds of gunfire grew louder. A Loyal fell backwards from the bottom of the stairwell. Orel Wessel was here. I felt power surge through me out into my metal wings. I glowed with Hand of Light. Blue flame flashed into my eyes as the first familiar and hated glimpse of Orel Wessel grey poured out into the basement. My fangs dropped.
“Let’s Dance.”
* * *
ENJOY!
The goal was to get the book done by this Thursday (Nov 8) it ain’t going to happen. I have to return the office laptop on Friday, when I’m stuck either waiting for time at the local library or…if I get a nice severance package, I’ll replace the computer that got stolen. Writing is my saving grace in this traumatic period of my existence.
So I really appreciate the r&r from the Loyal, old and new. Thank you. Mauh, kisses and huggs. Lone_child; rosei; rosemary; ayachan; laur; milkxness; violetstorm; crimson vixen; steph291; k; marin liliz; and twitch
Milkxness
Q: Why don’t Claudius and Xavier mindfuck the Regency Council so they don’t remember that X told them about the broken covenant?
A: Not good to mess up the heads of your future allies. Doesn’t look good on the resume. Heheheh Besides, the Covenant is considered an internal Vampire Nation matter.
Crimson Vixen
Q: What is Lanseng? And Elf? I know you call him a Blood but what Blood Race does he hail from.
A: Lanseng (Lanny/Blueberry) [aside: have you noticed that everyone seems to have multiple nicknames….what’s up with that? Geees] any hoooo, Lanseng is a member of the Blood Collective, known by the rest of the Blood Nations as Seers. They see what is, what was and what will be – but they won’t tell you a damn thing about it until it’s on your ass. I’m going to say they are like ectoplasm until they have to go into the physical world. Lanseng’s physical characteristics were designed to appeal to the next Hashmalliam, however the strength of his power/energy turned him into a 6ft, 11inch blue hair, tanned sufer looking dude.
Hope this helps. Tah
Chapter 179: Blue Metal
There was a hand stroking my belly. Rubbing at me, easing the stabbing pain in my stomach. I over ate. A groan reached my ears. No, that was me. I felt sick. I was in an apple orchard and I was uncomfortably stuffed – with cakes. And hard liquor. I raised a hand toward my forehead. This is why I stuck to beer. My hand got intercepted and a warm face pressed against the side of my head and soft wet lips kissed my temple. I was warm…and wet.
“Armor…”
Wet? I opened my eyes and realized that I was propped up against my big hunk of Vampire in the bathtub. We were all toasty warm and steamy from the heat of the water and the bubbles. A bubble bath. That wasn’t what I expected from him. Not that I didn’t like this. I snuggled back against him.
“Beautiful…you are a little tease.”
“Not really.”
“You still drunk?”
“Hummmm. Cakes are good, but my stomach aches a bit.”
“Too much of a good thing. When I forbade you sweets, I did not take into consideration how wickedly decadent you would look in the middle of them.”
I snorted. I heard a splash and felt a sea sponge glide over my chest. Armor guided it’s cleansing motion up and down with just the right amount of pressure to get my horniess back. Ha, as if it ever left.
My hair was soaking wet but clean. I ran a hand over it. He caught it and kissed the back of my hand. “I had a hell of a time getting the icing out of your ear.”
“And how did you happen to do that?”
Armor shifted, turned my head by my chin and lapped at the shell of my ear. I just shivered. “You taste good. I want you, Little One. I want you in my arms. I want to see your face as I relearn all there is to know about you.”
“Here?”
“Why not?”
“You almost drown last time.”
“That was then, this is now.” Armor nibbles. Hmmmm.
Now is good. Now is real good. “Just relax, Little One. Let me do all the work.”
“I’ve heard that one before.”
“How about this?” Apparently, Armor had been playing a bit whilst I was passed out. He hunched down a bit in the water, spread my legs to the sides of the tub and breeched my defenses with one smooth easy stroke. GAAAAAHnnnnhhhhh. I’d bitch at him later. His left hand came up and cupped my neck stretching my torso up and back against him. The back of my head rested on his shoulder. Thrust. I cried out to the tiles. My voice echoed back to me. “I like this…this brings back memories of the early days.”
Thrust.
The early days were rape. “You and that will of yours fought me and fought me.”
Thrust.
“I couldn’t help but admire you, desire you even more. I wanted to win you.”
Thrust. Gurgle.
“I just thought of what it would be like when your will ran in harness with mine. The glory we would experience.”
Drool slipped out of the side of my mouth as I stared unfocused at the ceiling.
“I was not disappointed. You are a force to be reckoned with, Xavier.” Armor began to play with the push button start. He moved me like I was a toy. His hips humped up and he hit the pleasure zone. I just melted…and drooled in more places than my mouth.
I felt his lips nuzzle the side of my neck. That got me moving. His arms tightened for a brief instant and then he let me go. It took my considerable will to lift myself off his cock. I was nearly boneless. Hahha. I was hard as a rock and weeping like a dandelion with its head popped off. Oooh, disturbing imagery.
I turned toward my hunk of burning love. His eyes were flaming red. I was breathing hard. My hand shook as I reached up and wiped the warm drool off my face and neck. That just wasn’t sexy. Or maybe it was. Armor’s eyes traced my skin where my fingers trailed. I smiled evilly and ran my fingertips down to my right nipple. It was hot and pulsing through Marcus’ nipple shield. “Suck it.”
Armor pulled me toward him. I opened my knees so I was straddling his waist and I felt his pulsing cock rub at the crevasse between my globes. “Yes, My Lord.” Submission was never so sexy… or hot…or…ohholycraphehadatongueonhim. I arced up into his mouth. My plan of carnal temptation almost got sucked out my nipple. I reached behind me and guided his cock back to my portal. I remember doing this the first time. I think I cried the entire time and I sucked at it, in a bad way. I sat back on his cock, taking him deep.
My voice cried out in pure sensation. He slurped off my nubbin. “Take me any way you want, Little One. Command me to your pleasure.”
I swear I burst into blue sexual flames. I also lost all language skills, however grunting and pants were still a great communicator. I didn’t try to hide my expressions of ecstasy in my hair. I let Armor watch the pleasure he wrung out of me…that he forced out of me so long ago. My fangs descended of their own accord. Armor’s came out too. I’d never kissed fanged before. We sliced each other’s mouth open unintentionally but we were too far gone for it to really matter.
I fucked myself on his cock. He held my torso steady and watched as I spiraled higher and higher. Just as he hit my prostate a final time, I gave one last gasp and began to orgasm, he fanged me deep. It hurt…in a good way. I shuddered.
“Pretty!”
He took hold of my hips and began to thrust up into me, anxious to receive his own reward. He had his mouth full of my neck but I heard that breathy hitch. I grit my teeth and forced myself tight around him. He fell off my neck as he came. I wrapped my arms around him and sank my own fangs into that long expanse of neck. He cried out and snaked his hand into my hair, pressing me tighter to him like he was holding a nursing child. The urgency slowly faded. I retracted my fangs and licked his wounds closed. A spit slicked thumb rubbed at my own fang marks on my neck. My flesh pebbled as the cool air of the bathroom caressed me.
“I think I am going to have to get you drunk more often.” His chest rumbled and he laughed.
I rested my forehead against his neck and just breathed in the real heady scent that was all his….and Marcus’. I felt him slip out of me. His hands came up and slowly rubbed at my lower back. “You okay, Little One.”
“I’m with my stupid fuck. I couldn’t be better.”
A heard a splash of water and opened on eye to find him dipping the sponge back into the tub. The warm scented water was poured over my shoulders and down my back. I smiled and snuggled closer to him. Uh… “Armor, not that I’m complaining, but why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to watching the Covens?”
“Claudius sent me home. My appearance really wasn’t a calming influence. Marcus has a deadly reputation amongst the Covens. I doubt any of those we found were alive when I went on a rampage nine years ago and culled, but they have heard of Marcus. He has a deadly reputation. He earned it, but he’s not too happy with it right now.” More spongy goodness was wiped up and down my back. “Besides, Hades was glad to see the back of me.”
“What the hell was he doing now?”
“I think he was jealous.”
“Jealous? Of what?”
“The Coven Fledglings were more afraid of me than him. And…Liam was there chatting me up.”
“Liam was hitting on you?” I pushed myself upright to look at his face.
“He is treating me like Jerry Springer. I do not want to hear his problems with Hades. I still hold a grudge against him for Father and for Sex.”
“They are such a soap opera. Don’t waste time on Hades. Sex and Father knocked some sense into him. They’re good. They wouldn’t be invited to go on a family vacation or anything with Sex but…”
Armor sighed. My entire body moved with his. “Roles that they were familiar with and relied upon are reversed. It’s as Hades said. Liam is trying to get back to his human shepherd boy and Hades is trying to show him the vampire he has become. If they trusted each other, they should just share.”
Enough of them. “What time is it?”
/Where the hell are you!/ Nightshades voice rang in my head. Holy crap. I had a lingering hangover and that pure piercing shout just echoed like a ringing bell. I grimaced and grabbed at my temples.
“Little One?”
/Tone it down. What do you want?/
/The Regency is at Hades. Where the hell are you?/
“Shade…The Regency Council is at the club.”
/Tell Claudius to get them started on the interviews. I’ll be there…/ Armor shifted and I slid down his chest and legs. Plop! Ooooh. Some boy was really happy to see me. /…eventually./
/I heard that. Ick, you perverted bastard. I’ll pass the message on. Get your sore ass down here pronto./
/Yah, yah./
I flattened my hand against Armor’s stomach and pushed him up against the tile wall. I took the sponge and other urgent matters into my own hand. Needless to say, we were a little late.
/Smug bastard./
/Jealous much?/
/Yah./
I was stunned as the Queen’s reply.
/Don’t worry about it. Testosterone overload is getting to me. I’ll take care of business when things calm down./
/Shade?/ I knelt down and hugged her around her neck. /I didn’t mean to be mean./
/Too many babies and I got none of my own. Not all Hellcats are ready to leave immortality behind. Maybe it’s time for me to have some kits./
/You better introduce him to the family before you do something. He’s got to pass muster./
/Like you asked me./
“Well you kind of hated Armor at the time.”
/You were a drooling idiot. You still won’t let him in./
“What do you mean?”
/Hidden triggers. Marcus offered to help you find and block those triggers./
/He hurt me so bad back then. I’ve forgiven him…or I’m trying to forgive him./
/You turned down desperate help. You aren’t as forgiving as you think./
“Point taken, your Majesty.”
/Now, don’t get all pissy on me./
“Trust be, Shade. You’ll know when I get pissy. How goes it?”
/Well, they know you’re not lying. Those that made it out…those fledglings are deeply wounded. They didn’t have brothers to rely on. I have helped those I could. There are many who won’t last the month. There are a few who won’t last the week./
“Thank you, your Majesty.”
/Make Orel Wessel pay, Blood Emperor./ Nightshade bowed her massive head slightly then wandered off back along the wall to oversee the proceedings.
It was close to nine o’clock. We would have been here sooner but Armor started helping me dress and basically got into my pants again. Right now, he looked pretty spiffy in a sepia tone suit. I needed to get that man back into red leather. I had on a dark charcoal suit with a baby blue shirt. I had on the most hideous tie I have ever seen. It looked like a baby hurled on it in Technicolor day-glo barf and the best part is that it glowed in the dark. It was one of many Christmas and birthday presents I was given en mass by my winglets. It was ugly but I was proud to wear it. I stroked my tie. I got kids.
Armor spent fifteen minutes lulling me to sleep by messing with my hair. He had it artfully arranged and elaborately decorated with a re-made silverish Eastern Lycan hair clip that I had melted about two seconds after Ping had gave it to me. I didn’t need the warning not to do it again.
An annoyed voice sounded off to our right. “Do I even need to ask what the hell you were doing? You were just supposed to go and get him.”
Armor’s arms came around my waist from behind. “I got him. Several times in fact.”
Liam’s face froze. He wasn’t expecting relaxed and happy Armor. I could only assume that Armor was Mr. Broodypants while I was missing in action.
“Liam. Nice to see you. How have you been?” I flashed happy fang at him.
He scowled, “Not in the best moods right now to put up with your bullshit.”
Armor stepped between us. Broodypants was back. “Then I suggest you go somewhere else.”
Liam shook his head and lifted at hand toward Armor, “Sorry. My problems have nothing to do with you. The Hunters serve a purpose, but I have never been buddybuddy with them and I’m a little unnerved with so many now knowing that the Golden Phoenix is Hades lair. Shayne is looking for you, Little Emperor. Marcus is needed with Claudius. You are going to have to teach him how to mindfuck. It would be so much easier if he would just ask for help.”
I tilted my head back and Armor pressed his lips to my forehead. “Time to work.”
“Later.”
“Think of me.”
“Often.”
“Please, guys. Don’t rub it in.” Liam let out a big sigh. I followed his eyes right to the eternal teenager. He sighed again.
“Liam, if you’re going to do that all night…”
“I’ve never pined for someone before and I can tell you right now, it sucks.”
“Sorry Praded, but I got bigger fish to fry right now.”
“You have one objection, but it’s got clout. Work on it and our friends in grey just might be a memory. Oh, and remember, the Regency doesn’t need to know about the brothers or Armor. Need to keep your street creds.”
I blinked. Street creds? Oooookay. I turned away from him. Father was standing with some of the Regency Council. The look I got was less than inviting. /Where have you been?/
/At home./
/This is your meeting./
/I needed to be with the kids and Armor./
He pursed his lips and nodded then turned back to the small grey haired Hunter who was speaking to him. Shayne was easy to find. Blond Amazon center stage. There had to be at least one hundred and fifty fledglings here. I found that a little disconcerting. I knew Armor and Marcus had culled…I shivered…all the lost fledglings nine years ago after Freddie tried to make me a bargaining chip. This worked out roughly to one lost fledlging a month. That in itself was too much. From what I could see, no one here was ‘made wrong’. This was more along the line of loose fangs. The established Houses used the Coven as a dumping ground, or a garbage pile.
“Lady Regent.”
Shane turned toward me. She was in her battle gear. I knew this because I had seen it enough growing up. Any one else would think it was regimental dress. I flicked my eyes around quickly. All the Hunters were where dressed for trouble. “What are you now? Emperor or not?”
“Officially, Claudius is still Emperor. I’m just CEO of Shadoe Inc, but I am Head of the House of Von Drachenfeld.”
“Lord then?”
“That will cover a multitude of sins.”
“I always knew you were the devil’s cabana boy. You look…satisfied. So does big and tall over there.”
“He should.”
“Okay, just crossed my comfort zone.”
“Why you loaded for bear?”
“Just because I trust you, baby brother, doesn’t mean I’m stupid. I can see what you want to do with these poor kids…and that’s what they are. Some don’t even know how to drink. I can’t see the rest of the Nation embracing them.”
“The status quo doesn’t really fit anymore.”
“You’re shaking up things.”
“That’s what the cabana boy does. That’s why I need the Regency to go after Orel Wessel. I can’t fight a war on two sides. Absorbing the coven into the House of Von Drachenfeld is just a stop gap measure. This breaking of the Covenant can’t continue.” I could feel Shayne’s eyes on me. “They were given an option. I was given protection. I could have died so many times that first year. I didn’t have a Machiavellian organization waiting in the wings to snatch me to the darkness if I stepped out of sight of my family. These…kids, didn’t have a chance.”
“I thought you’d say that. Come here, there is someone you need to speak to.” Shayne lead me through the groupings of young vampire. The seas parted before her. Shayne is impressive even without the Hunter battle gear. I heard the whispers about the white hair. Even though they were cast off to the streets, they had hear of Marcus, Claudius and the white demon of death. Sex.
Well the young vampires watched tv.
A pale frail girl leaned against a post. She should be sitting down. “Marissa.”
Big brown anime eyes turned towards us. My heart clenched. She was not long for this world…and she didn’t want to stay in it anyways. Her eyes found me and widened. “No…”
“Marissa.”
“No…they are coming…I’m sorry. I…”
I stepped closer but she positioned herself behind the post and squeezed her eyes shut. “You have nothing to fear here. You are among friends who want to help you.”
“No one can help me now. I should have stayed in my cell.”
“Marissa? What’s wrong.”
“The doctors put something in my head. Something to track me. They know where we are now…they’ll be coming. You have to get me out of here.” Marissa twisted back around the post. “I felt it turn on. I saw you and it turned on.”
She staggered toward and grabbed at my lapels. “Kill me. Take my head and move it away from here. Lord Emperor…please, don’t let them use me to kill more of us. I never thought I would breathe free air again I don’t want to be our destruction.”
I caught her. Her blood hunger was so low. She was past the stage of blood starvation. Nothing would save her. She looked all of seventeen. “Please, Lord Emperor…don’t let them win.”
I dragged her close to me. “I won’t Marissa. Close your eyes. Let me see what they have done to you.” I brought my finger to her forehead. God. Skell was lucky compared to this poor girl. Not everyone of Orel Wessel was into man on man action, but this poor child. I saw the face of her maker. A red. Long shaggy brown hair, pale ethereal flesh and dark dark brown eyes. Nathan. He wooed a virgin with poetry and tales of forever. He fucked her and tossed her to the cold street. Conquest was over. Time to move on. Her life had turned to hell after that. Orel Wessel caught her. There was surgery to the back of the skull. That is were the tracker was located. It burned ice cold when it activated.
She was in agony now. “You’ve been a good girl Mari. You’ve done nothing wrong. Would you like me to send you to God?”
“Please…I just wanted to be loved. I can’t stand it anymore…”
“Find your happiest memory, Mari.”
She opened her eyes and stared up at me. “God doesn’t want me. If I could kill any of them, I would. They hurt so many for no reason.”
I stilled. “I can stop your physical pain, Marissa. If you truly wish to kill them, I can grant your wish. It would mean your soul.”
“If it stops even one of them from doing this to one of us again…I give you my soul.” Her voice was weak but the strength of conviction came through.
“Back away Shayne.”
“Xavier…”
“Back away now.” I shook my head. This was what I was meant to do. It just kind of clicked in now. To every season there is a reason and mine just came to me.
I knelt down, lowering the physically broken girl at my feet. I found my center and felt that hold hard ball that had been my comfort for the past five years. I knew what it was – now. I just used to think it was fear. It was my armor. On the beach, each of us were different. Xavier was blue light for healing. Sex was white flame for purity. Azreal was red blood for life. I was sliver blue metal. I called on that cold core. Wings slide out my back ripping Xavier’s shirt and suit coat to shreds. They didn’t sound like leaves. They didn’t ring like chimes. They were the grinding metal on metal sound of a tank tread.
Marissa’s last thoughts were of her laying her head on her mother’s lap on a ratty brown couch. Her mother sang softly as she stroked her hair. I held out my right hand and the pale, faint pink ribbon of a soul fluttered toward me. I lifted my left and closed around an invisible hilt. Endellion. I pulled her into this world. She belonged in my hand
I yanked Marissa’s soul and ended her torment. She lurched once then fell back to the cement floor. The pale ribbon wrapped around Endellion’s black blade. It felt like I got an electric shot up my arm right to my heart. I grunted out loud and staggered forward. The tip of the blade dug into the floor.
/Feed me souls. I will keep you pure and strong, my Hashmalliam./
“Xavier?”
I dropped to one knee and with my right hand I touched the back of Marissa’s skull. I sent a pulse of Hand of Light shorting out the tracker. It was already too late. Orel Wessel knew where we were.
I stood upright. There was like an energy connection following between the sword and my chest. I could feel the Hand of Light feeding off it. It was recharging quicker than by feeding off of blood. Endellion was a soul eater. I closed my eyes and called on the silver blood armor that had come to me back on the beach. It materialized on me like a comfy shirt and pants. I opened my eyes again.
The floor around me was empty. Marissa lay before me like the sacrifice she had offered to be. “They will die for you Marissa.”
“What is going on!” Claudius stood on the small dais the Regency Council had gathered at.
“The time of talking is over. Orel Wessel is coming.” My words rang out loud and strong. They were backed up by the sound of gun fire above us. The enemy was upon us. “Hunters, you are with us now whether you want to be or not. Orel Wessel has counted you as an ally and you will share our fate. Loyal! It’s time to roll out the death carpet. Non-combatants clear the area!”
I stared up toward the door that lead to the stairwell that would bring them down to us. “Skell!” I turned toward Claudius. He stared at the naked sword then past it to the gleaming metal breast plate then my wings. “How?”
“Lord Hashmalliam!” I looked past Claudius to see the blue hair of my Seer bow to the ground.
“Blueberry.” I grinned down at him. He popped his head up, one red eye peeking through his mass of hair. “I only need one word from you, Lanny. You have foreseen this. Do I get to love you later tonight?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation.
Good.
“Skell…”
The family came up behind me. Armor. Claudius. Hades and…the First Hashmalliam. I turned and bowed my head toward William the Conqueror. “Endellion extends her greetings, brother.” He paled.
The sounds of gunfire grew louder. A Loyal fell backwards from the bottom of the stairwell. Orel Wessel was here. I felt power surge through me out into my metal wings. I glowed with Hand of Light. Blue flame flashed into my eyes as the first familiar and hated glimpse of Orel Wessel grey poured out into the basement. My fangs dropped.
“Let’s Dance.”
* * *