Blood Lust

CHAPTER EIGHT





He roused from a slight haze, realizing himself alone with Seth. One thing leapt to mind. “Receiver?”



Seth spoke heavily. “I feared this.”



“What?” With the heat of arousal abating, he shivered from the cold.



“Let me see to your comfort first.” Seth departed in that swift manner that made it seem he just vanished. He returned from above more sedately, with what looked like a Japanese brazier with a cord. Placing it and plugging it in close to the bed, he adjusted settings and the thing glowed to wonderfully warm life. “Long, long ago, a few of the royal familial houses of vampires set out to breed humans from a genetic line that showed the strong trait to understand our kind.” He sat on the bed’s edge and held out his arm in invitation. “Come get warm.”



“I don’t like the sound of this already.” Isaac balked, holding his place despite the beckon from his lover and the heat.



“I will not see you suffer the cold when I may help it,” Seth replied. “Come let me warm you.”



Isaac complied begrudgingly, sensing he’d further regret capitulation very soon. Allowing Seth to settle them in the bed, his head on his lover’s hard shoulder, he looked at that compelling face. “Okay. Tell.”



“Those houses created a line of humans far more special than they could have hoped. The resulting generations became more and more in tune with our kind until they just ‘knew’ us. Our nature, our wants and personalities, at times even our identities.”



“Psychics?” In spite himself, he found the notion intrigued.



“Not precisely. They sensed and interpreted without much conscious consideration. Innately knowing those of us they could trust or not.”



Many things made terrible sense to Isaac in that moment. “Oh God.”



Seth held him tighter as he continued. “When the Vampire Council learned of it, they ruled it illegal and the Receivers were scattered. Underground groups of humans who knew of us eventually learned of their existence, and in an effort to impede the success of my species, hunted and killed any of the bloodline they could.” He stroked Isaac’s back with lazy, yet unmistakable intent to soothe and seduce. “Over the centuries, descendants have surfaced. They are greatly sought after and treasured for their natural desire and talent to please us.”



“You told me other vampires would come seeking what attracted you.” He sat up, feeling used. “That’s all you wanted. A hot lunch you wouldn’t have to convince to make himself the main course.”



Sitting up as well, brows lowered, muscles dancing along his jaw, Seth argued, “You attracted me before I realized the blood you carried. You were a paradox. Taking the initiative, but submissive. Brave, and still frightened. Intensely sexual without even knowing it.”



Angry now, he got out of the bed. “How fucking convenient for you. Finding some kind of genetically subservient whore living next door.”



“Your people were always kept in pampered privilege.” His burgundy eyes caught the glow of the brazier, making them appear to have flames in their depths.



“Kept?” Isaac laughed without humor. “So we’re high class whores. I feel much better about it all.”



“Not whores,” he countered impatiently, the words emerging quickly, “blood courtesans.”



Isaac thought said liquid might squirt out his nose. “That’s so much different. I’m all warm and fuzzy now.”



Seth ran a hand over his face in a disarmingly human expression of frustration. “Elizabeth concealed her change, feigned aging and faked her demise. She worked for a very long time trying to gather the Receivers. Her intentions to protect them from vampires who would have mistreated them backfired. With so many in concentration, slaver factions attacked, stealing as many as possible. Now she’s traveling, seeking the scattered that might have made it to the New World.”



“I recognized her through my ancestry?” It boggled his mind. “Wait, if the Receivers came from the old world, I can’t possibly…Oh.” His Great-Great Grandmother on his mother’s side hade moved with her husband from Buckinghamshire, England. No longer in the presence of such a potent royal, Isaac reverted to form. “Sounded like she was cruising for tail. With the term ‘woo’ used loosely.”



Seth stood, still naked and in an intimidating state of arousal. “It’s natural to seek what gives pleasure.”



Thinking of the things he’d allowed, Isaac said, “It’s not natural to offer your blood to someone. Must have been struck stupid by heredity.”



“Humans give their blood on a regular basis, to nourish the tissues of others and give life.” He stepped closer. “How is what you’ve done with me wrong?”



Isaac shook his head. “From where I stand, this whole thing sounds like I’ve become the cherry in the whorehouse. More will come, won’t they?”



“Yes.” Seth reached for him, ignoring the weak slap of resistance before drawing Isaac into his arms. “But, I have marked you with my scent. Lawful vampires can do nothing against your will.”



Having that hot erection pressed between their bodies had Isaac’s mind taking a slow, sexual U-turn back to their previous business. Staring up at his lover’s face, he asked, “What about unlawful ones?”



Seth’s gaze lowered to his mouth. “I’ll deal with them.”



“You can’t be around all the time.” Recalling the way Seth had tasted, he found his hands coming up to settle upon his lover’s narrow hips.



“Vampires born can walk in the day. Den with me.”



He hadn’t seen the bucket, but he sure as hell got caught full in the face with the proverbial cold water. “That has to be vampire speak for ‘let’s move in together’.” When he tried to escape Seth’s hold, the embrace tightened. Isaac glared at him. “You can’t say something like that and expect me not to require some alone time at the least.”



“It should not upset you that I seek to protect you.” The low, reasonable tone clearly told Isaac the man - vampire - had no intention of letting his takeout get cold.



“I don’t give a shit what bloodline I come from, man. I’m not some slave for your use. Anybody’s use.”



“I don’t offer slavery,” Seth returned. “I want to see you honor your nature. Search yourself, boy, and tell me the idea of pleasing me does not wake your desire.”



Although he hated it, his dick twitched. The thin fabric of his bottoms provided almost no barrier. Seth must know it effected him. “You turn me on and know it. Doesn’t change the fact I have free will about indulging it.”



Seth released him and kind of vanished. Rather than wait to see where the vampire had gone, Isaac made for the stairs, horribly dreading the walk half-naked and barefoot in the snow.



“Look at me.”



The command stopped him cold for the complete dominion in it. He froze with his foot on the first step. Unable to resist, he turned. Seth lay stretched out upon the bed, one large hand working his erection. It glistened with a sheen of that delightful fluid. Isaac’s cock went marble hard, his gut clenched and his legs threatened to fail him.



“God, no.”



“It’s who you are, Isaac. I’ve been alone my entire life. End that for me.”