Currents

BLOODLINES: CURRENTS

MecheleArmstrong

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This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Copyright © April 2007 byMechele Armstrong All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 0978-1-59632-453-4 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML,MobiPocket , and MS Reader Printed in theUnited States of America Editor: ErinMullarky Cover Artist: April Martinez

www.loose-id.com Chapter One

HenriBaptiste rode down a well-worn path to Madeleine’s chateau, or at least the one he thought

belonged to his former lover. His horse’s hooves raised up the dust. The small village he’d passed nearLourdes was in a dire need of rain. It was infinitely better to see the mountains than the monstrosity they’d built inParis . He madea face thinking about the newEiffelTower . After living so long without it, he wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to it towering aboveParis . He rounded the bend, now able to make out the cozy sandstone farmhouse. It had to be where Madeleine and her husband had settled after leaving Henri’s service. Clang.Clang.Clang. Henri stopped at the loud bangs coming from the back of the house near a small barn. It sounded like metal on metal. He would start with whoever was making all the noise. Surely they could tell him where Madeleine lived, if this wasn’t it. He swung down from his horse, leaving it to graze. Sweat beaded on his face as the afternoon sun burned down. Summer was warm even here, causing Henri’s skin to prickle and itch. He didn’t enjoy daytime trips, but this couldn’t be helped. The note had said to come as quickly as he could, that she was dying Wildflowers dotted the paths being visited by several colorful butterflies. He watched them wildly flit around for a second. Sweat ran down his neck. He would be glad when all the affectations of the Victorians went completely out of style, even if they did serve to block the sun from his sensitive skin. At least things could move to lighter fabrics. Having lived as long as he had, it was a sure thing styles would change, pinging back from conservative to liberal. Thankfully, suits had gotten plainer with the revolutions, but then ascots had come into favor. He tugged on his. It was a nuisance. Around the corner of the house, he stopped short. A man, wearing breeches and nothing else, raised his hammer and slammed it down on the anvil. His other hand held a clamp of some kind, which held whatever he was hitting so it wouldn’t jump around at being hit. He was doing some blacksmith work, but doing it unlike any man that Henri had seen. The lack of clothing alone was enough to throw him. It wasn’t done in this era, working without being fully dressed. The man’s muscles flexed and relaxed with his work, and he was tanned enough to show this lack of required clothing wasn’t a one-time affair. His long golden hair ran down his bare back contained in a ponytail much longer than fashion dictated. His muscles rolled under his skin as he brought the hammer down again. Sweat ran down his torso. Schlepping his tongue across that man’s stomach would be a salty, tasty treat. Henri’s cock swelled and surged as he watched the man elegantly moving, smashing the hot metal. What was he making? The man’s neck twisted as he looked to where Henri stood, showing no surprise that someone stood there. His face was a painter’s dream, long with high cheekbones and arresting blue eyes. Full lips parted to show even white teeth, a rarity for the times. “Allo.”The man spoke first in fluid deep tones. “Are you going to stand there and look all day at me? Perhaps I should charge for my show.”

Henri’s cheeks warmed at being caught staring. Damn, the man had him almost flushing as if he were a school boy, which was something he hadn’t even done as a schoolboy. “No. I...came to visit a friend.” Henri caught himself before he almost answered him in his original language, instead of in the French he’d spoken for so many years. The man’s lips pulled back into a grin, revealing more teeth. “That’s good to know.” The man’s long lashes fluttered down to cover his eyes, but Henri didn’t miss the heated look the man gave before they closed. Henri’s heartbeat quickened. Yet another thing that set this man apart in his time. Overt sexuality for the same sex was frowned upon in most circles. Who was this man? “I’m here to see Madeleine. Is this her house?” Henri took three steps toward the young man, who looked to be in his early twenties, if not eighteen or nineteen. In the distance, a bird called mournfully. “Yes. Yes, this is her house. Are you a friend of hers?” Henri nodded, his question onwho the man was still unanswered. “As payment for watching my show...” His pony tail swayed, containing his lion’s mane of hair. That loose golden mass would slide so softly across Henri’s body. “...how about getting me a drink?” “All right.I’m HenriBaptiste , by the way.” “A pleasure, Henri.I’m Nathan. There’s a bucket over there.” He pointed with long fingers. His hands were callused, well worn. The pleasure was all Henri’s. He found his intrigue growing as he walked to the metal bucket to draw some water. As he walked back, Nathan hammered more. Watching each blow ricocheting through Nathan’s body, Henri’s lust surged, too. He’d never viewed blacksmithing as a sexy chore even when he’d seen it often, but this man’s smoldering looks and body could change his mind. Would it be rude to have a tryst while visiting your dying former lover? Bucket inhand, striding back to Nathan, propriety stepped in to cool the embers of his lust. This man was at Madeleine’s house. Surely, she hadn’t taken on a lover after her husband had passed away. Especially one so much younger than her. “Is Madeleine here? You said this was her house.” Nathan took the dipper from the bucket and sipped. A look of pure pleasure rushed across his face as his throat moved, drinking down the water. Henri swallowed, unable to look away from the man. This close, he could smell somethingminty mixed with sweat. And nothing had ever been sexier. Their eyes met, clicking together. It was like metal to flint, striking a fire in Henri’s gut that roared to life, popping and crackling. Nathan’s eyes widened in surprise, telling Henri he felt the current sizzle between them, too. Nathan lowered the dipper while catching a drop from the corner of his lip with his tongue. Henri leaned in, about to have a taste of the man, when a voice called from the house. “Nathan, where are you?” The voice was soft, hoarse.

Nathan dropped the dipper into the bucket, still staring straight at Henri. Putting one hand on either side of Henri’s face, he gently brushed his lips across Henri’s. The simple kiss made Henri’s body clench, especially his already hard cock. “That’s Madeleine.” Turning on his heels, he headed for the house. “Coming,Maman .” Henri stared after Nathan’s well-formed backside, glad to be going out of the irritating sunlight, until the words he’d spoken digested. Maman? ***** Nathan dipped a cloth in the bowl that sat on the small wooden dresser and pressed it against his mother’s head. He’d carried her back to bed from wandering the house. He’d needed to work, to pound something into a useful shape, both for himself and for their livelihood, but didn’t like leaving her alone long for this reason. Her hand came up to grasp his, though with little power behind it. “You were out dressed in that? Nathan, you know Jacques is looking...” She coughed violently, her breath rattling and wheezing in her chest. Her bony hand tightened around his wrist, shaking with the effort. “Maman.Don’t worry. He won’t catch me.” He wiped her brow, patting it much as she had when he was sick as a child and had a fever. The change of roles hadn’t escaped his notice. So frail. He swallowed; her mortality was never more apparent. She hadn’t been the same since his father had passed on a year ago. She had accepted her coming death already. The only problem was,he hadn’t. “Nathan, you must be careful.” She dropped her hand from his wrist to the bed where it lay limply. A rustle sounded in the doorway, reminding him of the man who’d come to call. How could he have forgotten Henri? His presence had overtaken Nathan as if a hand had grasped him, touching from head to toe. He’d never had anything happen similar to that, and he’d endured many strange senses from people. “A man’s here to see you,Maman .” “A man?” she rasped, her breath still moving shrilly through her nose. At least she hadn’t coughed up blood this time. He always watched for any sign his mother might be gettingbetter , even as futile as it was. Shifting to his feet, he got up and moved so that the man would be in his mother’s line of sight. The low baritone resonated in the stillness. “It’s Henri, Madeleine.” Her eyes lightened as a small smile graced her lips. “Henri. I wasn’t sure you’d come.” How long had it been since his mother had smiled that way? Over a year, he was sure. Any man who could do that had to be a great one and had earned Nathan’s respect already. But who was he? How did he know Nathan’s mother? Henri stepped more into the room, his presence taking it over. Damn, Henri wasn’t large by any means, but it was all Nathan could do not to step back. Nathan

towered over Henri, making him shorter than two meters. But somehow his presence made him seem bigger than he was. He was bulky, but Nathan could see the muscles working with every movement. This was a man whose strength would surprise everyone. The turbulent emotions echoed within Nathan’s head. He was a man in crisis, though he didn’t accept his limitations. What had happened that left the dark circles around such a pensive face? Long lashes along with brown eyes, full lips, and an olive complexion rounded out by dark hair completed the most arresting face he’d ever seen. It was too off-center to be considered very handsome, and too beautiful to be ugly. And Henri wore his hair longer than convention dictated, as Nathan did. “Of course, I would come.” Henri moved to the bed to kiss her cheek. It was another tally mark earning respect from Nathan. Besides being fascinating, Henri didn’t act as if she was a pariah or might be contagious as so many who visited did. “You asked me to.” Nathan’s head came up to stare at his mother. “When did you ask him to come see you?How?” His mother’s smile turned up bigger. “Nathan, you know mothers must have some secrets from their sons. It matters not how I got him word. Please, bring him some wine. His mouth must be parched from his journey.” Henri shook his head, clasping his mother’s hand in his own. “I’m fine,Maddy . I was sorry to hear about Francois.” Nathan had never heard anyone call his motherMaddy . His eyes shifted from the man to watch his mother’s reaction. The smile wavered, and a tear snuck out of the corner of her eye. She always cried when talking about Nathan’s father. “It was his time.” Her gaze went to the windows. He should carry her outside later today. She’d always loved the outdoors. Maybe it would help her spirits. He’d do anything he thought would help her, would make her happier. “Perhaps I shall have some water later.” Henri’s husky voice sent a shiver down Nathan’s spine, reminding him of Henri’s reaction to Nathan drinking outside. Nathan would share it and more if Henri asked. But surely such a man wouldn’t thwart convention in those ways, would he? “Nathan, I...need to speak with Henri alone, please.” His mother’s voice rang stronger, more sure of itself, than it had been in ages. “Maman.”Nathan frowned. She didn’t have much strength anymore. He didn’t want her to wear herself out. And what did she have to say that he couldn’t hear?Probably something about Jacques.The bastard. And Nathan could take care of that situation, could take care of himself. He didn’t need protection, no matter how good looking the protector was. “Leave us. Please.” Sighing, Nathan went over to kiss his mother’s cheek. He couldn’t deny his mother anything, never had been able to. This brought him closer to Henri. The draw, even in his mother’s presence, awed him. He wanted to rub his body all over Henri’s as if he were a large cat.Dammit . Would that thrill Henri or disgust him? “I’ll be right outside.” He turned on his heels and left the room before he did something like almost kiss Henri again.

***** Madeleine patted the seat beside her. “Have a seat, Henri.” Her face scanned his. He looked as he had when she’d known him so many years ago, while she knew she looked different. Age and disease had wrecked her body. His familiar scent had washed into the room with his entrance. He’d always smelled of earth to her.Something deep and rich, vibrant. Only dark circles ringing his eyes marred the looks she knew so well. She hadn’t forgotten how good-looking he was. But his pinched face and ringed eyes were signs of his trouble. “Things have not gone well for you lately.” Heswore, the reaction he’d always given when she had sensed his mood. “You always could sense me so well. Are you in pain,Maddy ?” A smile, one that probably looked secretive, graced her lips. She’d always been able to sense others’ emotions. It gave her the ability to tell people what they needed to hear. It had come in handy as a young English girl taken from the streets and sold to a prostitution house inParis . It was where she’d been dubbed Madeleine. She hardly ever thought of that English girl with the other name anymore. It wasn’t who she’d become. “A fair amount.Not bad. What troubles you?” She leaned forward in the small bed. Her room was one of the few with windows. How she loved to look outside; it was why her bed sat where it did in the room. Not that it mattered now, when she could barely enjoy the view, but at least she’d lived to see Henri come around. “I...” His eyes reached down to capture hers. They had always reminded her of warm chestnuts. “I should be listening to you right now. You had something to tell me. And I can ease your pain. I brought something with me, in case you needed it.” She waved a hand, struggling to sit up, before ceasing, to lay there. It was all she was able to do after having been up searching for Nathan. The big poster bed had been so lonely since Francois’s death, but it tired her out to walk any distance. She’d awakened to find Nathan gone, and had worried Jacques had come for him before her help could arrive. The clang of the hammer had eased the worry, until she’d thought about how carelessly Nathan took the threat. From the time he was a little boy, he’d always defied convention. She shouldn’t have expected any less--after all, Nathan was her progeny--but in her old age and with the present danger, it was concerning. “Anything for the pain will take away my mind. I’m not dead yet. Right now, talk to me.” He sighed, his powerful chest blowing up and down. He’d always been the strongest man she’d ever known. Until she’d met her husband, Henri had been the handsomest, too. He wasn’t conventionally good looking, but something about him drew the eye. “I lost a student.To another vampire.” His fists clenched in his lap. “He regards humanity as a sport. Lots of humans will suffer because Lang will make it so.” “You aren’t responsible for your student’s actions beyond what you teach. You give them the lessons. They must be the ones to learn it, to take it to heart. You can’t control what they do after that.” “They ran from me. I cannot find them.” His jawtightened, the barely controlled anger never more evident. The emotion washed over her, she closed her eyes against its strength,then opened them to regard him. Henri couldn’t kill what he couldn’t find. And that would frustrate him most of all. He’d unleashed

something and now couldn’t contain it. “You mustn’t let this get to you.” Henri would find them. The student would suffer more than the vampire who’d taken them away. “If only it were only that. There’s more. I’m...” His eyes took on a stark longing and angst. “I cannot control my animal anymore.” Her eyes widened. Those who’d been with Henri while she’d been there had many discussions about the nature of the vampire. Her empathetic skills had made her and Henri closer than most of his lovers, who he’d also fed from. Henri’s vampire side had always threatened to overwhelm his humanity. He’d fought the battle since he’d been made. Both were strong, and both struggled for control. As strong a vampire as Henri was, the loss of his control to the beast would be an atrocity. “You will find your center, my friend. You always do.” His laugh was bitter. “Not always.” She’d known that Henri had done things in his past that he considered horrendous. He rarely spoke of it, but the group of people who had once served him decided he’d massacred humans in the past. The good the man did in the present had overridden what bad they’d thought he’d done. Henri targeted animalistic vampires who never thought twice about the humans they killed. Back then, she’d gotten the impression that sometimes Henri’s beast snapped and took over. But that it didn’t happen too often. Would it happen now? A coughing spell enveloped her as her mind panicked. She’d counted on Henri to be able to help. If he were in this much danger of losing control, he might not be able to assist Nathan. He might not be able to keep her son safe. He patted her back, helping her to drink some water. The coolness washed away the metallic taste of blood. It came more often now. She didn’t know how vampires stood it. Nathan burst in the door, swinging it wide open, letting it hit the wall. “Maman, are you all right?” He rushed into the room to her side. “Leave us,” she croaked, coughs still barking from her throat as she sputtered water. Henri grabbed a rag and mopped her up. She saw his nod to her son, the look saying, “I’ll take care of her.” Mumbling, Nathan slammed the door. Even with Henri’s assurances, he didn’t like it. She’d hurt Nathan, which was not her intention. Why must he be as damn proud as his father? Of course, that pride had been one of the things that had attracted her to Francois. Henri’s gaze lingered on the doorway before turning back to her. A spark flashed in his eyes. Desire raced against the turbulent emotions racing around him. Henri was attracted to her son. It should bother her. But all she could think was that it made things so much easier. Henri would be more willing to do as she asked. He’d do it regardless because she asked it. But someone he could be intimate with would get more of the attention that was needed for Nathan to survive. Was the interest shared by her son? She’d have to watch and see. But it would be the answer to her prayers. Her chest burned from the coughing fit even as her mind raced with the possibilities.

Once she’d regained control over her rebellious body, she breathed deeply. She had no choice but to enlist Henri’s help. He was all she had. Maybe they would somehow help each other. Nathan had inherited her talents and more. Perhaps the extra something would be of use to the warrior human in Henri. “He’s a good boy.My Nathan.” She nodded her head to the door. “Hmm.Why didn’t you ever tell me you had a son?” Henri settled back down beside her. “When I first saw Nathan, I had no idea that’s who he was. I figured you’d have told me you had a child.” “We didn’t tell you because we were supposed to limit our contact with you.” She took his hand in hers. His had no wrinkles, no brown splotches, was tough, yet smooth. Strength emanated from it. “You told us not to contact you unless it was an emergency.” He nodded his head back and forth. “So I did. With both of you having knowledge of me and the climate, it seemed best at the time. But you could have shared your good news with me.” “Henri, I hadn’t thought of you in years.Until I met Jacques.” If only she could spit out the man as easily as she spit out his name.“AndBellario .” “Who are they?” “Bellariois like you. Jacques serves him.” She stared at the dark wooden footboard over the sea of quilts and white linens. Nathan worried so much about her getting cold. Lately, the coldness came from the situation more so than the weather. “Bellariois a vampire? I had sensed one near here. He’s not of my line, though.” “Yes,Bellario is a vampire.” Her eyes clouded over with tears. “He wants my son.” She grasped his hand tighter, nails raking across it. “Please. You must help Nathan.” She couldn’t allow Nathan to be taken byBellario . Henri’s eyebrows furrowed. “Bellariowants Nathan?Why him?” “I don’t know. But Jacques makes Nathan’s life hell here on earth. He torments him, using everything that Nathan is against him.” She coughed lightly, trying to take a shallow breath so as not to start the coughing fit again. “The resentment of the upper class still festers in places, even here so far removed from the city. We’re seen as those with money because we bought this land. Jacques wants our village to see Nathan as a witch.As evil. You’ve seen how he is, he’s not evil, he’s...different.” And to most, anything different was bad. It was the way of the world. He ran a hand through his hair. “But that doesn’t make sense. There are lots of humans around here. And why don’t they take him?” “I only know what I see. What I sense.Bellario wants my son, wants his blood and body for himself.” Since she’d met him a few months ago when she could still travel, she’d known the longing in him and hadn’t known what to do about it. There was no struggle to control his beast inBellario . He let it rage. He would hurt Nathan, would make him a vampire and let Nathan’s animal spin out of control. Thank God, she’d still had her brain, her memories, and had been able to get a note to Henri. “And Jacques will sacrifice anything to getBellario what he wants.” She sensed that he wanted to torture and hurt her son, especially, because ofBellario’s interest.

“What do you want me to do, Madeleine? You know I’ll do anything you ask.” His thumb roamed over her hand. “Does Nathan know of my kind?” She licked her cracking lips, trying to bring up some moisture. Henri instantly handed her the cup and let her wet her parched mouth. He would help her. She swallowed the water down her aching throat. It was such a relief to know that for sure. A few tears pricked her eyelids. “No, he has no knowledge of vampires beyond what he thinks is simple folklore.” She and Francois had chosen not tell him the truth of vampires’ existence. They’d had no idea one would settle near their village. “I want you to save Nathan from them. Don’t let them have him. And...” She broke off, hesitating. “...if they get him, you make him a vampire. Be his maker.His teacher.” Chapter Two

Henri idly churned the goat’s milk, sitting outside on the steps to the house. The sky was darkening. Nathan was tending to Madeleine. She’d been exhausted after their talk, but relief had seeped copiously from her whole being. Her worry for Nathan had been keeping her here. How long would she last now that she trusted Henri to help him? In truth, Henri should have been overjoyed at the turn of events. Madeleine had put the object of his arousal into his care. Why didn’t that thrill him? Because Nathan’s situation was so similar to the one he’d recently lost. His churning speeded up violently. He had no idea where Lang had gone with his student. All avenues of finding them had proved fruitless. Lang’s last act before they’d run had been to terrorize a young woman with whips and knives. Henri had found her body, a little too late to save her, as he’d been too late to save his student from joining Lang. He’d never lost a pupil to another vampire before. He should have killed Lang upon first meeting him instead of trying to assess his animalistic nature. What if the same thing that had happened came to pass with Nathan? Or worse, suppose Henri lost control? The beast was close to the surface these days. No. He’d keep Nathan close by and keep him safe. Henri’s cock surged up at the thought of guarding Nathan’s body while against it. The boy stirred him, no doubt about it. Not that he was a boy. No, Nathan was all man. However, he didn’t think that’s what Madeleine had meant when she’d told Henri to look after him. Of course, Madeleine had always been practical. Henri heard the footsteps and scented Nathan, still smelling of mint and sweat. He must bathe more often than the standard to keep his scent so fresh. “What didMaman talk to you about?”

Nathan sat next to him on the steps, not mincing words. His legs closed together, and his arms folded against his chest. He’d put on a shirt with his breeches, looking more the man of the age than the Bohemian he’d seemed earlier. And yet somehow he still managed to flaunt a sexuality that most couldn’t even bring to bear wearing less and trying. Henri shifted, trying to accommodate the growing bulge in his pants. “That is between Madeleine andI .” Even in the dying light, Henri saw his eyes narrow. “She’s my mother.” Henri nodded. “And always will be. But even a mother has her secrets. If she wants to tell you, she will.” “Bastard.”Nathan looked away from him, his foot tapping on the step. Henri made a noise of affirmation. He’d always been one since the day of his birth. “What are you doing out here?” “Talking to you.” “It’s dark.” Henri stated the obvious. Most humans didn’t care for nighttime. Their lack of night vision and the blackness made them uncomfortable. He usually was left alone if he went outside. Of course, inParis , there were some places with gas lighting. Out here, it was all candles. “I like the night. Why are you churning out here?” “Same as you.I like the night.” The night was when his powers reigned supreme, when the annoying sun ceased to torment him. It made himitch, made his skin prickle when he was out in it. He’d have to deal with the daytime sun this trip. Jacques was human. Therefore, anything bad he brought about would happen during the daytime. Turning back to face him, Nathan leaned back on the step and put his hand on his knee. “How long are you staying?” “I don’t know.” There wasn’t a plan. He would need to take blood soon. He’d fed before leavingParis , but hunger would soon rear its head, which was not a good thing in the state he’d been in lately. His eyes focused on Nathan’s neck, watching the pulse flutter there. Nathan would make a supreme feast. He shook the thoughts off, turning his head so that he wasn’t looking at Nathan’s skin. Nathan inspired too many lusts in him to fight along with keeping the clamp on his beast. “Are you staying untilMaman dies? That could be a while.” “I don’t know.” Madeleine wasn’t long for the earth. She hadn’t asked him to turn her, nor would she, not with her husband having gone over already, though Henri might offer. He hadn’t made up his mind yet. Francois had never wanted it for himself. He’d told Henri once, if he was dying, to let him pass away. Madeleine had already asked for her son, but only if his life was expiring. “Is there anything you do know?” Nathan let out an exasperated sigh. “And will tell me?” “The butter’s done.” “I’ll try and contain my excitement.”

Henri chuckled, hoisting the churn and taking it inside the house where a single candle burned. Nathan provided a bowl in which to put the butter. Henri held the churn while Nathan pulled it out with a wooden spoon. Nathan got a bit on his hand, and he brought it up to his mouth. His tongue slid out to sweep the creamy substance into his mouth. Henri stared, mesmerized by the little movement. Nathan puckered, his tongue rushing out again. Sparkling eyes met Henri’s. He’d known Henri was watching. The tip of his tongue exited his mouth to slowly caress his top lip all the way across it, circling down and doing the same thing to his bottom lip. All the while, he kept his eyes locked with Henri’s. Henri couldn’t look away. Dammit. Nathan shouldn’t play a game such as this. Lust rose up in Henri, drawing his breath from his lungs. His cock tightened back to fullness. The monster surged forward, urging Henri to take what he wanted, take what he needed, both body and blood. Henri struggled against its base desires. Nathan’s head came up, his jaw growing slack. His eyes widened, first, with passion hues, and then with confusion. He had felt Henri’s beast rise. That was something not possible for a human. Even Madeleine, when she’d been at the peak of her powers, hadn’t been able to sense his halves and where they met or parted ways. Henri swallowed as they maintained eye contact, both of them speechless. His blood raced around his veins even as the beast inside roared to have its due, to haveitself appeased. He took a step toward Nathan, his hands reaching out. Madeleine whimpered in the other room. It broke whatever was linking them. “I’d better check onMaman .” Henri clamped down on the beast that roared its displeasure. He’d almost lost control of it.If he’d taken Nathan that way... “Yes. Yes. I’m going...out.” Henri let the door slam behind him as he stalked out into the night. An occasional goat bleated in the darkness. What had happened? ***** Nathan rubbed a wet cloth over his mother’s forehead. He rinsed it out again in the bowl next to her bed,then reapplied it. She drifted off into a restless sleep with one last murmur. She was getting worse. In the last few hours that Henri had been here, Nathan had seen decline. Much as he wanted to deny it, she was losing her fight with the sickness, whatever it was.

His body sagged. He could do nothing to help her. She’d given up ages ago, except for something that had seemed to hold her here. Now he knew what the last thread holding her here had been: seeing Henri Baptiste one last time. His mother had refused to tell him anything about where she’d met Henri and what she’d talked to him about. The latter he couldguess, the whole mess with Jacques.Maman thought he was in a lot of danger from the idiot bastard. The former, he didn’t have any idea where his mother could have met such a man. He walked to his room, stripping the ruffled shirt from his body. The cool air brushed it softly, bringing upgoosebumps as the hairsraised . The scents of the night filled his little space of the house. Wildflowers grew not too far away. Their sweet scent sometimes reached him, but not tonight. He could smell the earthiness of the goats and other animals. The fat of the candle burning made his nostrils flare. He should blow it out and not be so wasteful. One puff ofair, and out it went. He sank onto his bed, tossed and turned a few minutes before heading out into the night. He could see enough by the moon to go to the barn, where he lay in the hay, in the quiet, away from his dying mother. What had happened earlier with Henri? Nathan could feel people’s emotions, could tell what they were feeling. But the crackling desire inside Henri had reached inside him and grabbed him as nothing ever had before. His erection had increased threefold. That was saying something, as hard as he’d been since Henri had arrived. His whole body had taken onan energy . Had he been able to get to Henri as quickly as his body willed it, within seconds he would have had his clothes off and him down on the floor. And he didn’t even know for sure Henri’s preferences yet. They’d exchanged some smoldering looks, a brief kiss, but that meant nothing. He of all people knew that. He slipped down his pants, exposing his lower half to the night’s cooler air. If only Henri were here. Longing seeped through him. He closed his eyes, guilt rushing along with it. His mother was dying and even then, he couldn’t be the man society wanted him to be. But his mother only cared because of the dangers. She’d told him up until the last six months to behimself . His hand went the base of his cock, stroking up along the underside. Finger tightening, he cupped himself, moving his hand up around it as if it were a channel. Too dry. He needed more friction. A water bucket rested nearby from where he’d washedhimself off earlier, not wanting to do it in the house. He grabbed some soap, lathering himself up, the other hand supplying drops of water from the basin. His hand went back to cupping, to running up and down his girth, speeding up the pace. His hips bucked

with the sensations. This was better. Best would be Henri’s hand.Or his mouth.Or Nathan’s cock penetrating him. He could imagine looking up into Henri’s face as he pleasured him with his mouth. Henri’s dark eyes would appear even darker. He’d be like a God’s feast, splayed out for Nathan’s pleasure. Nathan would kiss up his muscular olive thighs to take that hard member in his mouth until Henri rocked further back into Nathan, who would move Henri in and out until he came. Nathan’s come spurted out in a stream, almost catching him by surprise. Thoughts of Henri had driven him over the edge. He panted. He’d caught his howl in time by biting his lip. What would it be like to come with Henri? Washing himself off, he headed back to the house. Was he making a mistake with being attracted to HenriBaptiste ? Would it be the same one he’d made with the bastard, Jacques St. Croix? ***** Jacques groaned as he sped up the pace.Bellario’s shaft glistened in the light of the moon streaming in the windows. He swirled his tongue around the hefty organ, suckling it all the way back into his mouth. Bellario’sfingers tugged on Jacques’s own shaft, tightening around it asBellario’s climax hit.Bellario’s load shot into his mouth as Jacques himself erupted, dousing the bed andBellario’s talented hands with his come. Still in the thrall of his orgasm, it barely registered whenBellario shifted his weight, lifted his head, and brought it down near Jacques’s pelvis. But whenBellario’s fangs sank into his thigh, he noticed. “Damnnnn.”Jacques twitched from the pain.Bellario didn’t want to feed while sex was going on, but it was a hell of a lot more pleasurable to combine the two than it was for him to feed afterwards as he preferred. At least he’d picked the thigh this time. Jacques was tired of wearing bandages on his neck to disguise the feedings. As he drank,Bellario grasped Jacques’s limp flesh with a meaty fist. Even spent as Jacques was, the touch made his eyes roll back, and the hurt drifted back to second place in his mind. Bellariofinished feeding, pulling both mouth and hand from him. He pulled his body away so that it no longer touched Jacques. Bellariosat up, leaning back on the pillows that had been procured for him by Jacques. The dead couple who’d served as a meal had no need of them now. “What is the status on my boy?” Jacques’s hands tightened in irritation.Bellario could go from sex to business with a speed akin to race horses. And this whole interest in Nathan was a big annoyance.“My boy”, his ass. “The village is up in arms over all his displays of skin. And that his mother is so sick. I’m not having trouble convincing them he’s a witch. They are looking for someone to blame for her sickness.” The witch trials in other places

had ended long ago. But in small rural pockets similar to this one, with someone who knew how to work people, sentiment could still get riled up. “It’s going too slowly.” “I don’t understand why you don’t take him by force. It wouldn’t be that hard.” They could have Nathan with them by the morning ifBellario would let him do it his way. “Ahh, but Madeleine is a respected member of the community. Her passing will ignite the flames you’ve been fanning.”Bellario thoughtfully stroked his chin. “Take him before he’s been ostracized, and the community might rally around him. That would create too much...drama. I’d prefer to avoid that.” Jacques huffed. “I still don’t understand why you want the boy. I told you, he’s nothing.A nobody.” His voice took on bitterness that even he could hear. “To you, perhaps.To you.” Jacques frowned. If only everyone saw Nathan the way he did. Why was he so important to the vampire? Jacques clamped down on memories that were best left as that. Two curious boys had experimented once upon a time.Until Nathan had gotten high and mighty and rejected him.I cannot ignore the evil in you any longer. Not after that girl . Jacques shook off Nathan’s voice echoing in his head. “I still don’t get it.” There was nothing special about him, except that he was a pain in the ass. “Perhaps we should help his mother along to her...end.” “Nathan hasn’t left her side for long since his father died. He’s a mama’s boy.” Bellarioshrugged, his wide shoulders seeming even broader in the small space. Jacques looked him up and down. He re-hardened. The man was “pure sin”, as Jacques’s mother used to say. His body was muscular and he had dark hair, eyes, and skin. His eyes seemed to see right into one’s soul. He was a contrast to Nathan if there ever was one. Not that Nathan meant anything to Jacques anymore. “Service me again, and I’ll let you feed.” He grinned up at the man with a sexy twist to his mouth. Bellarioarched a brow. “You are getting a little arrogant, my human servant.” He hissed the last word. “I feed when I want. Not because you let me.” Jacquesswallowed, his hand clenching. He refused to bow before anyone, although, a little groveling never hurt. Not when it meant keeping your blood in your body. He presented his neck. “Hungry?” Bellarioglowered, his fine face ugly with the effort. “I’m fine for now. You don’t have to understand why I want Nathan. But I want him. And you’ll deliver him to me when it’s time. Or, I’ll break your fucking neck.” Jacques pulled back his throat. He’d known once he’d thrown in withBellario , there would be no backing out. “We will have him.” He cocked his head to the side. “Once we have him where we want him, what do you intend to do with him? Kill him?” The latter was spoken hopefully. Even if he didn’t get the pleasure, perhaps,Bellario would let him watch. “Kill him?”Bellario guffawed. “I’d rather kill you.”

Jacques moved inches away from the vampire. “You’re not going to kill him?” Damn. There went that hope. “I want him to be mine. I will turn him. He’ll become my lover.” Jacques folded his arms across his chest. “What about me? You said you’d turn me when I delivered Nathan.” And he’d assumed they’d stay lovers after they were both vampires. No way was he sharing with that freak of nature. He’d heard the term on a trip with his father to a bigger city. It applied to Nathan. It had also been where he’d found more out about men. But when he’d tried to share that knowledge with Nathan, he’d been rebuffed.Stupid bastard. “I will, my boy. I’ll make you a vampire as soon as I have Nathan in hand.” Dammit.Bellario said nothing about remaining together after Jacques had been turned, unlike Nathan, who he had plans for. It didn’t look as if he’d be asked to share with the freak. What was so damn special about the stupid blond man? Just because he liked to go without clothes when hecould, and he said whatever he wanted. He didn’t understand the vampire’s obsession. “Go. Work to bring me what is already mine. I’ve sensed another vampire in the area. I don’t know who it is, but we must work faster to secure my boy.”Bellario stretched out, uncurling his body. Jacques watchedBellario’s muscles unfurl with frustration. His shaft sprang back to attention. Not that the bastard would do anything about it. He’d bring Nathan toBellario and become a vampire. Then, he’d find a way to make Nathan pay for his rejection.Even if that meant taking outBellario . There’d be no happily ever after or riding off into the sunset for the blond-haired bastard. Chapter Three

Henri turned over for about the hundredth time in the last couple of hours alone. After walking around in the night, trying to scent out the other vampire, he’d come back to find Madeleine and Nathan both sleeping.Bellario was probably in hiding. He didn’t understand the vampire’s interest in the single human. Henri couldn’t get comfortable. There seemed to be rocks under his pallet. He’d refused Nathan’s bed and made up a nest of blankets on the floor. The real reason he couldn’t sleep was because he couldn’t get the human out of his head, not something that had ever happened before. Light snores erupted from Nathan’s bed, which sat down the hall. He was so close. Too close. Nathan had made his preferences obvious to Henri’s well-developed psyche. He didn’t have a problem with having sex with a man. His overt sexuality was tempting. Henri could wake him and take full advantage of the early morning erection that most men attained. But, somehow, fucking while Madeleine lay dying in the same house seemed rude.The human side of Henri still had propriety, no matter how much that was a dying ideal. The animal side had no such qualms. It wanted to throw Nathan down and make him Henri’s immediately. It wouldn’t have waited this long except that Henri’s human side had so far managed to keep control. Make Nathan yours.

Why, whenever he looked at Nathan, did his beast roar “mine?” Since the first moment he’d met the man, something in him thought Nathan belonged to him no matter how hard Henri tried to ignore it. There was a good explanation for that. One he refused to entertain. Nathan could be his mate. No, it was impossible. He’d given up on findingthat eons ago. For all he’d done, Henri was never meant to locate that part of him. It couldn’t be that he’d find it in his former lover’s son. And especially not now, when each day he struggled, about to lose control of the leashed animal inside him. The last time he’d been so close to losing it... He closed his eyes. No, he wouldn’t lose control this time.Never again. The fact remained that each time he’d gone through this, he’d lost the fight in the end. And humans had paid the price. Some vampires could harness their beasts under humanity. How Henri envied them, even when he’d been the one to create them. Some vampires never even tried to keep themselves under control. Those were the ones Henri made sure never saw another night. Nathan stirred things deep within in him that had never been touched before. Things he didn’t want to admit. It’spure lust and nothing more. A lie. He knew it, even as he tried to convince himself otherwise. Up until now, he’d always been brutally honest with himself as he’d been with others. Lying wasn’t going to be believed now. With a sigh, he rolled over again, his cock standing at rigid attention. What was the big deal? Nathan was under his care, attracted to him, and he was attracted to Nathan. Sex shouldn’t be a problem. Was the boy a virgin? Would he be the first to breach him? He rolled over to the other side, pressing his cock into the mattress. It would feel so good pressed into Nathan. His eyes shifted to the place where Nathan’s snores still echoed through the house. The beast reared up much as if it were a stallion on two legs. Take him. Claim him. No. He’s yours. Take what’s yours.

Henri gritted his teeth together. Lust filled every orifice of his body. His blood surged through in a mad rush around the pathways. His breathing deepened and quickened to rapid pants. The last vestiges of humanity shook themselves off as the beast took over completely. Henri’s chest moved up and down in a low growl, the sound of it more animal than human even to his own ears. His body shook as his human fought to regain control. Blood lust joined the desire. He couldn’t control the two cravings waging war on his humanity. He could hear the pumping sounds of the vitae rolling around the two humans in the house. It sounded like raging rivers, accompanied by the drumbeats of their hearts. He could take all the blood. It would feed his hunger. First, the lust could be sated by pounding into Nathan,then, the all-consuming blood hunger could be sated by sinking his fangs in deep. He salivated. His breath pushed out from his lungs with effort, the slight air tickling his throat through his open mouth. He scented them, the disease overwhelming Madeleine’s scent. But, Nathan, oh, Nathan, smelled similar to aminty dessert. Henri licked his lips, bringing the scent as much as he could into his nose. He’d never smelled anything so sweet, so delectable. He pushed himself to his feet, leaping off the bed, letting out another low growl. His body flexed, muscles honed. His hair prickled as his senses went on alert. No more snores came from Nathan. Silence reigned. Was he awake? Did Nathan think to hide from him? Henri chuckled. As if anyone could evade him for long. He’d run him down, find him wherever he crouched. Let the beast have its due. He moved the few steps to where he could see Nathan still resting in bed. He lay still, as if he were a bunny evading the fox. It wouldn’t help him. Nothing could save him now. Henri grabbed the foot poking out from under the blankets. Nathan turned to look at him, arching a brow. No fear. There was no scent of it, no hint of it in the young man’s face. Nathan should be afraid. Had he showed even an ounce of panic, Henri had no idea what would have happened next. The beast had always liked the fear. It exalted in it. But there was none to be had in Nathan. He looked calm, as if men came stalking into his room every night. Nathan’s clear eyes met his. “You want me.” It wasn’t a question. Henri snarled, not an answer but as close to one as Henri could give at the moment.

He struggled against the beast, his human side knowing the wrongness, wanting to warn the young man to run. Of course, if Nathan ran, his beast would hunt him down. Nathan took the sound for the affirmation it was. “I want you.But not now.” Six simplewords, and the beast scampered down. It settled back within Henri, letting the human side retake control. Henri gasped in stunned amazement, able to think beyond the blood lust and desire in his mind. Nothing had ever pacified his animalistic side as this did, except for acting on it. Nathan’s eyes glittered as his hands shook slightly. He balled them into fists, throwing back his head. And Henri knew why his beast had settled down. Nathan had somehow drawn off some of the emotion. Not much at all. But that small amount had been enough to bring Henri back to himself. “What did you do?” Nathan struggled, his body giving another little quiver. His lips twitched. “I don’t know.” He stopped shaking, getting control over the turbulence wandering around his body. “I don’t know.” Before Henri could speak, Madeleine called from her room in a low whisper. “Nathan. Henri.” ***** Nathan didn’t look at Henri as they crossed the threshold into his mother’s room. Her chest rose and fell, but with considerable effort. “Maddy?” Henri reached her side first. He looked back at Nathan and shook his head. Henri moved around to the other side of the bed, taking her hand in his. “Maman.”Nathan reached to grasp her other hand. It didn’t hold his back for the first time ever. Swallowing, he passed his thumb over it. “Henri.” She gasped for breath as if she were a fish pulled from a stream. “Henri.” “I’m here,Maddy .Right here.” “Take...care of him. Don’t make him.Only to save his life.” “You have my word, my friend.” He leaned down to softly kiss her cheek. A half-smile formed on her lips. “Ease me.My pain.” Henri’s eyes widened with unconcealed surprise. “After I talk to Nathan.” Her eyes slowly closed. “No.Maman!” Nathan’s fingers tightened on her hand. He wasn’t ready. Not for this. “Calm yourself.” Henri’s eyes blazed. “Don’t upset your mother.” Her eyes slowly reopened.

Nathan’s breathing eased back to normal. She wasn’t gone. Thank God. “Nathan.” Her words came with much more effort and somewhat slurred. “Good boy. Be what you are. Don’t...don’t let them get you.” A single tear escaped his eye and slipped down his cheek. He leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. After rising back up, he kept his head by her, holding her hand. One last sigh, and her eyes closed shut again. He turned slightly to look at Henri. “Is she?” “No. She’s resting.” He walked out of the room and came back with syringe. “What’s that?” Nathan frowned. “It’s morphine. It will ease her pain.” Henri met Nathan’s eyes steadily. “She didn’t want to use it while she still had things to say. But she gave me permission to use it now. I’d brought it in case she needed it.” He injected her arm,then they settled back into silence. How long they stayed that way, Nathan had no idea. Time crawled by as if it had been days. He stayed for a while with his head down by her, listening to her erratic breathing. Henri stayed with him. He sat on the bed beside her, stoic, holding her hand and whispering words of comfort occasionally, but mostly letting Nathan do any talking. Somehow, his presence helped Nathan with his loneliness. Even though he did want to offer Henri a bath so he wouldn’t itch so much. Sitting in the muted light from the dusty window, Henri had scratched at his clothes often. The windows darkened as night fell. Nathan barely noted when Henri left the room. He’d left a few times,fetching water for Nathan. This time, he came back with soup and a piece of bread. “Here. Eat this.” “I’m not hungry.” Henri extended his hand further to hold it out. “You’ve been in here all day, eating nothing. You’ll do your mother no good if you pass out from hunger.” Nathan blew out a breath. “Are you always this sensible?” He took the bowl of soup and dipped the bread in it. “Pretty much.”Henri tipped his head to the side. “I never am.” “Somehow I figured that.” Henri ambled back to the other side of the bed. “Her breathing grows more erratic.” “I know. I can hear it.” It had sounded worse and worse as the hours passed. She’d also begun groaning as if something in her hurt, even with the morphine that Henri had administered. Nathan had debated sending Henri for a doctor. But his mother hadn’t wanted treatment. So he’d given up the idea.

By the time Henri found one, it would probably be too late anyway. Henri’s voice softened into a deeper baritone that was somehow soothing. “She’s not got long, Nathan.” He took a big bite of the now soup-soaked bread. It tasted good, making him realize how hungry he was. “I know that, too.” They lapsed into silence while Nathan ate. He finished, but didn’t want to leave his mother to even take the bowl out of the room. If it happened, when it happened, he wanted to be with her. When Henri came to get the bowl, Nathan touched his arm.Sparks tossed off from the mere brief contact of skin. “Thank you.” “It was nothing.” “I don’t mean for the soup. You’ve stayed here today.To be with her. And me.” Henri shrugged, heading for the door. “You’d better get something to eat, too. You must be famished.” Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Henri eat since he’d been there. “I’m fine, Nathan.” He walked out without a backwards glance. Maybe he’d eaten when Nathan hadn’t been with him?But what? Nathan hadn’t noticed any food missing. He turned back to his mother. Her chest rose and fell witha slowness , as if it couldn’t quite expand. He took her hand again, stroking it. Shemoaned, the sound hideous in the stillness. Maybe he should have gotten a doctor. The sounds continued from his mother. She was sounding more and more as if she was in pain.Dammit . Henri came back in with another needle. He retook his space by the bed, giving her morphine in the other arm. They listened to her moan for a few minutes. It was all they had to help her, and it wasn’t enough. Henri looked thoughtful, a hand stroking his chin. “Go out of here for a bit. You need a break.” “I don’t want to leave.” Nothing Henri could say would make him leave his mother’s side. “You haven’t pissed all day. You’re going to hurt yourself. Take a small break. I’ll be here with her.” Henri motioned at the door with his hand. Nathan let out a long drawn out sigh. “She sounds as if she’s in pain. I can’t help her, Henri.” Nathan ran a hand through his tangled hair. “I can’t help her.” His voice threatened to break, but he managed to get the words out. “Nathan.” Henri’s voice sounded orderly and full of purpose. “Go. Take care of your own needs.” Nathan did have to go. The urgent need was the only reason he’d leave the room. He looked at his mother one last time. Amidst the quilts and blankets, she looked so damn small. Much smaller than the boy he’d been remembered her. “I’ll be back in a minute. If anything happens...”

“I’ll call you back quickly.” Henri nodded. “I promise. Take your time, though.” Nathan ran out of the house to take care of what he needed to.Please don’t let anything happen while I’m gone . He took a moment after washing his hands to splash some water on his face, needing the freshness. Then, he hurried back to the room. Henri greeted him with a nod. Nathan took his place, relieved that he still saw a movement within her chest. He grasped her hand tightly, stroking it within his own. After a minute of sitting in silence, Henri cocked his head, watching her. Nathan focused on the quilts, eyes darting to and fro from there to his mother’s breathing. “Nathan.” “What?” Henri shook his head back and forth, frowning. His eyes looked so serious. “She’s gone.” Her chest no longer moved up and down. It lay still. “But she was breathing a second ago.” Henri reached over the bed to pat his shoulder. “It happens quickly. Know she’s no longer in pain. She’s at peace.” Nathan did know that. It was a good thing. “I’m glad she’s not hurting anymore.” He’d hated the idea that she was suffering. But the loss hit him square in the stomach as it rolled. He came close to losing the soup he’d eaten. Only sheer force of will backed it down. He took a deep breath, trying to work through his insides. He was alone in the world. There was no other family. His mother and father had been all he’d had. He didn’t even have any friends. Jacques had turned them all against him. The village had tolerated him only because of who his parents were. God, he’d miss her. She’d been his confidant as much as his mother. Warm arms enveloped him tightly, bringing him against a hard body. A large hand pushed his head into an ample chest. His nostrils took in the comforting scents as they soothed him as much as the arms did. Nathan wrapped his arm around the standing, shorter, wider man. It only worked because he was sitting. There was no give in the body against him. Leaning into Henri, he buried his face against him as Henri had urged him to do. Henri was warm, a contrast to the coldness that had seeped under Nathan’s skin. He wanted to lose himself in that warmth for the rest of the night. Henri tucked his head over Nathan’s. His hand slowly ran around Nathan’s upper back, patting him at times. They stayed that way a long while. Nathan wasn’t sure how long. He had never known a comfort embrace from anyone other than his

parents. His three lovers up until now had not been into giving anything of that sort, even when his father had died, and he’d needed to draw strength from someone. They’d fucked him, quickly moving away so that no one caught them. Henri didn’t seem to care if anyone spied what they were doing. They weren’t even involved, but Henri did more for him than anyone else would have. Nathan was the one to pull away first. “I’m...” Henri’s finger made a quick journey to Nathan’s mouth. “Don’t.” The contact singed Nathan’s lips. Nathan sighed. He couldn’t look at the bed, couldn’t look at her. “Tomorrow...” “We’ll have to make arrangements.” Henri walked to the bed, hands slowly wrapping the quilt up around her body. “What are you doing?” “I’m wrapping her in the quilt.” It looked rather as if it were a shroud. Nathan moved over to look at her face one last time. He gently closed her eyes. Henri held the edge of the cloth in his hand, waiting for Nathan to either move away or help. Getting through the next few days would be the hardest of his life. And, of course, there was figuring out what he’d do with the rest of his life. “Are you leaving?” Nathan’s voice sounded hollow. Now that his friend was gone, Henri probably wouldn’t stick around. “Not yet.” Henri finished. His mother was completely wrapped up in the blankets. It was as if Henri had done this before, had practice at it. “You don’t have to stay. I know...I know my mother asked you some things. But you don’t have to. I can take care of myself.” “I know you can, Nathan. But I will stay a little while longer. SeeMaddy buried. See you settled.” “What did she mean...‘don’tmake him.Only to save his life.’” Somehow the words had stuck with him, as if they were important somehow. Only he didn’t know how. “Don’t worry about that now. We’ll talk before I leave.” Henri ushered Nathan out of the room. “We have much to discuss.” Nathan took one last look before Henri closed the door. Why did he have the feeling that the words she’d spoken had been about him? And what did they mean? Chapter Four

Nathan went through the motions the next day. He did chores, cleaned, did everything he was expected to do despite his mother’s loss. Everything went on much as it did when his mother was alive. Somehow, it seemed as if something should have stopped, slowed down, or something. But time marched on.

The small solitary farm they lived on, so out of touch with the industrial society, had never been more out of place to him. The farm his mother and father had settled was self-supporting with the goats and a few chickens, so he’d not had to have contact with anyone. He’d done some blacksmithing.Again, an activity that was becoming out of place in the larger society, though some, especially in his village, preferred the old ways of life. Regardless, it gave him an enjoyable place to vent his frustrations. The funeral was even worse than he’d imagined. She was buried in the cemetery at the small Catholic church in a nearby village, next to his father. Villagers came to pay their last respects. It was all a blur of people sweeping past him. Henri stayed with him through it all. Two dazed days had passed since the funeral. Nathan sat outside, looking up to the bright sunshine. His body heated with its enveloping warmth. He let out a deep sigh. He liked the outdoors as much as his mother had. His neck prickled, the skin wrinkling up. He lifted his head..Someone watched him. Trying not to look as if he were doing it, he surveyed around the area, looking for signs of who it was. Henri cleared his throat from somewhere behind Nathan, who hadn’t even heard him approach. The man had feet like a barncat’s . “Whoever is out there bestmake themselves known.Now.” His tone brooked along as if it was unaccustomed to being argued with. Jacques sauntered into view. “Who’s he?” He jerked a finger toward Henri. It wasn’t the most polite way to ask. But Jacques had never been much for protocols. “A friend ofMaman’s .”Nathan didn’t bother to stand, staring up at Jacques with his eyes opened to Jacques’s true personality. Damn, how could he have ever thought the bastard was a friend, or anything more, for that matter? He might be good looking, with his black hair and bulging biceps, but he had the personality of an adder. Not that Nathan knew any of that kind of snake personally, butMaman had told him about them once. “I’m a friend of Nathan’s, too.” The harshness in Henri’s voice didn’t escape Nathan’s notice. He looked back as Henri scratched his stomach. The man needed to bathe more. He stayed itchy all the time.Or at least in the daytime. He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen him scratch at night. But all day long, his fingers plundered. For the first time since his mother’s death, Nathan eyed those long fingers.And hardened at the thought of them under his breeches. He tossed off the thought. The man was probably thinking Nathan was a sad loon and couldn’t wait to be rid of him. Somehow, the thought of Henri leaving made Nathan more miserable. And then, something smacked against Nathan’s mind. It didn’t come from within, but descended over him like some black cloud.Anger.Vile and slithering as if it were a worm all around him. The force of it was leveling. Had he been on his feet, it would have staggered him. It was a good thing Jacques wasn’t worth getting up for. It came from Henri.

Nathan glanced back again, turning so he could see both Jacques and Henri. What the hell was that about? Henri didn’t know Jacques well enough to know what an asshole he was. Certainly, he didn’t know him well enough to conjure up this strong of an emotion. Of course, Henri had been speaking to Maman ... There had been no love lost between Jacques and her. The emotion filtered into him, but only slightly. He didn’t know how to take it all in, nor could he. There was too much of it. A littletaste, and it almost choked him. Nathan bit back the bile. Emotions swirled around him.Dark ones. His fists clenched, fighting against the sensations. A pickaxe gleaming in the sun caught his eye. He could use it. Sink it in Jacques’s head.No . His fingers drew up so tight they hurt.No . Slowly, he backed down the emotion. It was hard work, and his face tensed with the strain of it. He’d never before been able to siphon off emotion in such a large dose. Before, he’d only been able to sense it and take a drop of it. This was more of a sip. Nathan wasn’t sure how he closed the portal, but he did, stopping the flow of the negative emotion. “You all right, you freak?” Jacques growled.“And stranger, if I were you? I’d leave. You have no business here.” “On the contrary, boy.I have every business here. And I’ll stay for as long as I want.” Henri’s smile was mirthless until his eyes glanced at Nathan. “Are you all right?” He moved to take a step toward him. Nathan waved him back to his original spot. “I’m fine.” In truth, he wasn’t. His heart raced along. Henri’s eyes worriedly kept glancing back to him. God, the strong negative emotions in this man must be overwhelming for him to deal with. Nathan couldn’t imagine what it was to live day in and day out with those strong feelings churning up inside him. He’d only had a swallow. And it had almost resulted in an attack on the man standing before him. How did Henri keep control? Better yet, what did he do when lost control? Nathan shivered. He didn’t want to know. Jacques’s smug chuckle brought both of their attentions back to him.“Might not be good for your health to stick around.” Henri, withoutpausing an instant, said, “Haven’t you heard? There’s a spring near here that’s wonderful for health.Quite restorative. You ought to try it. It’s inLourdes .” Nathan couldn’t bite back his snicker. Jacques growled. “Shut up, freak.” Henri’s now cool eyes began to cloud up with anger again. It rippled from him. Nathan couldn’t take any more. Not this soon. It passed from the man in obvious waves.Go home, Jacques . With considerable effort, Henri bit out through pursed lips, “Go home to your Master. Tell him he won’t get the boy.” Nathan’s hand fell into his lap.Master?Boy?

Jacques backed up, keeping his eyes on Henri until he turned tail and moved as fast as he could away from Henri and Nathan. Henri sat down by Nathan as he glared at him. Henri didn’t say anything, so Nathan started. “Want to tell me what that was all about?” “Not really.” “Well, you’re going to.” “Not likely.” Nathan gaped at him.The nerve of the pompous bastard. “That comment was about me. I need to know what it means.” “When you’re ready, I’ll tell you everything, Nathan. But not right now.” “I’m ready now.” Henri shook his head. “No. You aren’t. You lost your mother. You’re grieving. We’ll talk soon. I promise.” “Not soon enough.” Nathan shrugged to his feet. “You’re treating me as if I am a child.Or an imbecile. You act as if you must protect me. And you don’t have to. Who is Jacques’s Master?” Henri remained silent. “I want to know,dammit .” He stepped closer to the man who was withholding information that was vital to what was going to happen. “Hit me if it will make you feel better.” Henri puffed out his chest, giving Nathan an ample platform to plant a fist. Nathan snorted, turning to step away. Henri grabbed his wrist. The instant Henri’s fingers madecontact, a charge went up Nathan’s arm. It was as if lightning had hit, and sizzled up to his shoulder. Every nerve in Nathan’s body energized. Henri’s suddenly deep breathing told him that Henri had felt it, too. “I will tell you, Nathan. I neither think you are a child or an imbecile. But it’s not the right time now.” He let go of Nathan’s arm. “When will it be?” He rubbed the arm that still tingled from the touch. Nothing had ever affected him so much. “When will you tell me?” “I don’t know.When you’re ready.” Henri pushed a hand through his hair as he stood and stepped around to be in front of Nathan. “I have a proposition for you that we do need to discuss.” Nathan drew back his head. “What is it?” “Come back toParis with me.” *****

Henri watched Nathan’s eyes widen with surprise. What would have startled Nathan more than what he’d said? Inviting him to the bedroom? Henri closed his eyes a second, collecting himself from the images that brought to mind. He was going to enjoy getting Nathan in bed. “Come again?” Nathan’s mouth drew up to purse his lips. He looked at Henri with so many questions reflected on his face and in his eyes. Henri wanted to lean in for a kiss, but managed to hold down the impulse. His body shuddered with the effort. Nathan had been through a lot, so Henri was trying to give him time. But damn, he wanted him. His dreams had become mainly those of the blond Adonis. Adonis had nothing on Nathan because no man or woman had ever tied Henri up in knots as Nathan did. Each moment he spent fighting it saw his lust grow exponentially. He needed to get Nathan under him before he lost control completely of his beast, and his beast satisfied all the longings rolling around within him. “I said, ‘Come toParis with me.’” Nathan shook his head so forcefully it was a wonder his teeth didn’t rattle around. “I can’t.” “Why not?”He knelt down to put himself at eye level with Nathan. Why wouldn’t the man want to get away? A cow lowed from somewhere on the farm. The sound was almost haunting. “Uhn.”Nathan’s eyes captured Henri’s with their stormy blue depths. He’d never seen such troubled eyes. “I can’t.” “Nathan.” “What?” “You can.” Nathan’s Adam’s apple moved convulsively as he swallowed. He pushed to his feet to move away from Henri. “No.” He walked over to the fence, placing his hands on the wood to squeeze. The tension rolled his shoulders. His muscles tensed from the effort. He clutched the fence so hard, his knuckles whitened before he relaxed. “No.” “Why not?”Henri followed him, coming to a stop at his side. Nathan’sminty fresh scent wafted to his nostrils, which flared. “Mamanand Papa bought this place right after they were married.” Henri scratched his stomach.Blasted sunlight. That was not what he’d expected Nathan to say. He didn’t offer any comment, waiting for Nathan to continue. “There was nothing here. It was all rock and grass. It was wild.” Nathan stroked along the top rail. “They built it.With their own hands.So you see, I can’t leave it.” “Again, I ask, why not?” “Because...this was my parent’s dream.To settle here.”His voice deepened and became rough. “If I leave, then, what they did means nothing.” He clenched the fence tightly again before releasing it. “It would all mean nothing.”

“Posh.” Nathan’s hand stilled, and his head turned to face Henri. “What?” His voice was as stiff as his body had become. “That’s not true, and you know it.” “It is true.” Henri drew in a breath. “You leavinghas nothing to do with your parent’s dreams. But even if it did, what’s your dream, Nathan? Do you really want to settle down here?” “It’s my parent’s...” “Ah-ah.”Henri took Nathan’s arm in his hand, ignoring how the current went from his wrist to his elbow with such a simple touch. How did Nathan affect him so much? He’d had lovers before who hadn’t made him shiver in delight. All this boy had to do was touch his arm, and it excited him beyond measure. “I didn’t say anything about your parents. I asked you what you wanted.” Nathan shrugged off Henri’s arm. “I like it here.” “That’s not what I’m asking. I’m asking what you want. What you dream about.” Henri moved a small step closer to close the gap between them. He wanted to touch this man. Being so close and not was driving him insane. “If you could go anywhere, be anything, what would it be?” Nathan remained silent, his eyes clouded with darkness. “Would you travel?” Nathan’s head swiveled to meet Henri’s eyes. Henri didn’t have to be psychic to see the anticipation. “You want to travel.” “I didn’t say that.” Nathan’s voice rumbled low. A bird twittered in the distance amid the goats bleating. “You didn’t have to. Your eyes told me.” Henri looked off to the horizon, to the clouds milling around the sunshine. “I could take you traveling.” Nathan said nothing. “Your parents wouldn’t want you to sacrifice your dreams for theirs. I could take you wherever you wanted to go.Egypt .TheAmericas.Asia . The world would be ours to explore.” Nathan snorted. “Why would you want me to travel with you?My extraordinary good looks winning you over?” “Actually,your winning personality.” They both laughed, relaxing the built up tension. “Henri, I know you mean well, but this is my parents’ dream. I can’t abandon it. Not yet.” Henri sighed. So the man was loyal. Not a bad quality, though it put him in harm’s way right now. There

was little he could do to convince Nathan of that without full disclosure, so with another frustrated sigh, he said, “Very well.” He could suggest a groundskeeper, but that would involve money. And Nathan would most likely be too proud to accept any of Henri’s. “You can go.” Nathan nodded to him. “I know my mother asked you to keep an eye on me. But I’m fine. You don’t have to worry.” Little did Nathan know, but he did. Damn, Nathan should know about the danger he was in. But Henri would honor his friend’s request not to tell him unless Nathan’s life was in danger, and he had to be made a vampire. “I’m not going anywhere for now. Come on. Let’s see what’s in the larder for lunch.” Henri’s stomach rumbled. He was going to have to find a food source soon. The beast shouldn’t be as hungry as he was now, much less hungrier. He watched the pulse beats on Nathan’s neck before shaking it off. Nathan’s blood would be as sweet... No. No. He couldn’t think such things. ***** Bellariostifled a bored yawn as he stared out the frosted windows of the small stone chateau. Not that he could see much through the murky hand-blown glass. This place was not what he was used to. He longed for his huge estate outsideLisbon . Yes, that was the helm of civilization. Not this little piss-poor French hamlet. Contemptuously, his eyes swept around the bedroom. It wasn’t fit for a man such as him. And it was the best they had. What had drawn him to the wilds nearLourdes in France, where not even a healing spring discovered by young girl who’d had religious visions could convince him this area wasn’t backwards and lowbrow? A man. He was chasing after a man of all things. But not any man. Bellariohad waited a century to find him. Years ago, he’d met a priest, a rather unremarkable man, except for his latent abilities. He’d had the ability to sense emotion, to filter it, to draw the emotion into himself. Bellariohad quaked, finding out on a whim of fate what the man hid from everyone else. The poor priest thought himself a demon. AllBellario could think of was the power the man had, and how much that would be increased by making him a vampire. He’d be a vampire underBellario’s control ifBellario made him. This man could draw off the power of victims, making them weak and tractable. There’d be less work that way. He could draw emotions from enemies, making them useless in a fight. The potential Bellario saw had been so endless. Only the simple, idiotic priest had used a dagger to end his own life beforeBellario could turn him. The stupid man had decided hell and damnation for his suicide were better than eternal life as a vampire. Bellario couldn’t wrap his head around it. Not that he believed in hell, but the good priest sure had, therefore condemning himself when he’d committed such a grievous sin. He’d robbedBellario of a prize.

Bastard. But he’d known since one such man existed, there had to be more of his ilk.Bellario needed only to find another one and ensure he’d get this one. He’d enlisted his minions, vampires he’d made and humans. He’d tracked down rumor after rumor. Nothing had ever panned out. Until a human who’d once served the high and mighty HenriBaptiste had come to work forBellario . His lip curled at Henri, the poser Frenchman, who was really from one of those wild countries that Bellario hated visiting. He’d never had the pleasure of meeting him, but had heard enough about the man to never want to. The human had told him of a woman who’d once served Henri. This woman had seemed to sense Henri’s moods, knowing how to tend to him. Then, she’d married another human and moved away, leaving Henri behind. Henri had let her go, not somethingBellario ever did. Once a human served him, they only left him for the grave. Intrigued by the suggestion of her powers,Bellario had tracked her down, overcoming great difficulty in doing so. It had taken him years to discover the woman and her husband had settled nearLourdes . But, find her he had. The sickness had taken her over before he’d gotten there. He’d railed against fate because her powers weren’t what he was looking for. Maybe at her peak, she could’ve developed them, with time and training as a vampire. But by the time he’d found her, she was well past her prime. And then, her son had come around the corner. Nathan was what he was looking for. He had no idea what he could do. Not thatBellario knew exactly, either. But Nathan possessed the same powers as his priest had. And Bellario would have him, make him a vampire and have his powers at his disposal for eternity. He would not lose this gem to suicide. It was why he’d chosen to take Nathan after his mother died and use the people of the village to create the need of the situation. He’d planned it out elaborately, putting each cog into motion. “Bellario!” Jacques’s voice madeBellario turn away from the window next to which he stood. He sighed. What was the panic now? The whiny human had started to grate onBellario’s nerves. He thought things about eliminating Nathan, whichBellario watched carefully. Fear ofBellario would prevent Jacques from acting on those thoughts. Jacques was an easy mark to manipulate, and not that bright.Bellario had known he could use the man’s hatred to bring him Nathan. “What is it, Jacques?” The man was getting tiresome. He’d be glad when he was done with him. Then, he could kill him. “We might have a problem.” Jacques hurried up near to the window. His eyes squinted at the light being let in the bubbled glass. “Does being in the sun hurt you?” Bellariowaved a hand.“Doesn’t hurt.” All it did was aggravate him. Sort of like Jacques. “What problem?” “A man is staying with Nathan.”

“So?” “He sentyou a message.” Bellariostilled, his body going slack. “Me?” “Yes.” Jacques tittered back and forth, pacing nervously. “Dammit, tell me what he said.Exactly.” “He said, ‘You won’t get the boy.’” Jacques shook his head. “He told me to go tell my Master.” “How does he know about me?” He grabbed Jacques’s shoulder, his hand catching the moving target and shaking it. “What have you told people?” “I’ve told no one. I swear it. Not about you.” “Who is he?” He let loose of the smaller man’s shoulder. Jacques didn’t have the sense to have told anyone about his dealings withBellario . Something else must be at work here. “Nathan said this man was a friend of his mother’s. I didn’t know the old bat had any friends.” Bellario’sback stiffened.It couldn’t be .“A friend of his mother’s?” He whipped around, his head turning quickly toward Jacques. “What does he look like? Did he say his name?” “He’s nothing.Some stocky, dark-skinned man. He’s not even as tall as Nathan and didn’t look too bright either.” Jacques fingered a window seal. “He didn’t say a name.Nor did the bas...Nathan.” Jacques had a lot of nerve about accusing someone else of not being smart. “Why hadn’t you heard of this before? The old woman was buried two days ago. Didn’t you go to the funeral? Check out who paid their respects? Work the crowd against Nathan as you’ve been instructed to do?” Nathan needed to believe his life was in danger. That way, whenBellario offered him a future, he’d take it. Jacques’s silence was his answer. “Dammit, you’re supposed to be keeping an eye on my boy.” Not letting some other man get close to him. Especially the one whoBellario suspected the man might be. Bellarioturned away from Jacques, reeling over this new turn of events. “No. It cannot be.” Surely the old woman wouldn’t have contacted Henri. They’d been out of touch so long. And what had the old woman known? Obviously, she’d recognized whatBellario was. Maybe she hadn’t been as sick as he’d thought. “I’m telling you, he’s nothing to worry about.Unless he takes Nathan somewhere. That’s what I’m worried about, why I’m here.” Jacques thrust an arm out. “We need to move. Move fast and hard before they flee.” Bellariocracked a hand down on the stone windowsill. The sound echoed through the small house. Jacques jumped,then swallowed noisily.Bellario spoke, each word enunciated to make Jacques understood their full impart, “If that man is who I think, we do have to worry about him.” “Who do you think he is?” Jacques’s lips twisted in a sneer. Apparently, he didn’t think much of Henri as a threat.

Jacques was an idiot. Better men than Jacques had fallen to Henri’s feet in a dust pile.Bellario might not think Henri could best him, but he’d damn well be concerned about the man being in the same province with him. “A man named HenriBaptiste .” “So?” Jacques shrugged his shoulders. “Who the hell is that?” “He’s an ancient vampire. He’ll be a bother.”Bellario cradled his hand, which was still clenched in a fist; though healing nicely, the scrapes that had permeated the skin.“A big bother.” Henri wouldn’t be thrilled withBellario’s plans for Nathan.Henri’d decided that humans were worthy of saving a thousand years ago. Something about them being no challenge as prey. He’d started hunting and killing the more animalistic of their kind.Bellario bet eliminating the pudgy Egyptian would be worth quite a lot in reputation among their brethren. When they left, he’d have the new talent of Nathan under his control and HenriBaptiste would be but a memory in the vampire world. Chapter Five

“I don’t like to speak ill of people. But he’s...odd.” The WidowBadeau’s mouth pursed up into a sour pucker much like her pinched, wrinkled face. She looked like an old grape, wrinkled and faded. “Madeleine was a fine woman even with the airs she put on. But that son o’ hers is strange.” Her black skirt rustled as she moved along the dirt pathway. The dust rose up in a small cloud. Several people standing about nodded their heads in agreement. Nathan had quite a reputation in the village.Too bad for him, yet good for what Jacques had to do. No one made eye contact, and one disagreed. It was still the early stages of the plan, but it was going along better than he’d expected. Jacques nodded his head somberly as he stood outside the small Catholicchurch amid a group of villagers. He fingered his ascot, trying not to pull the knot out, but he loosened it some. Sentiment was already whipping up faster than he could get it out. “That he is. We’ve all seen...him...with no shirt.” He wrinkled his nose as if in disgust. Severalwoman tittered as though dismay filled them. One pulled out a small lace fan and started fanning. “It’s scandalous the way he roams about the countryside.” Madame Beauchamp smoothed down her billowing skirt, which covered her behemoth ankles and trunk-like legs. Her ample bosom heaved. She’d probably never seen her husband without his shirt, or breeches for that matter. “I hate to even speak it aloud.” Jacques held a hand over his heart. “It can’t be true. Whatever will we do, if it is?”What a bunch of fools . “What?” Monsieur Beauchamp, looking like a tall lance, took two steps to join his wife’s side. That was a rare sight. Usually, he spent as much time away from her as possible. Or, when he was near her, he was well into his cups. “What can’t be true?” “Maybe --” Jacques hushed his voice to a low whisper so everyone crowded in closer around him. “--he’s not only odd.” Someone smelled nasty. The fumes burned Jacques’s nose with their sour stench. The whole small group looked at him with saucer-sized eyes.

Someone managed to stammer, “Whatever do you mean?” Was he going to have to spell everything out for the stupid fucks? Maybe getting the townspeople in a huddle to talk hadn’t been a good idea, either. He tried to breathe through his mouth. “Maybe he’s...evil. His mother did pass away from that mysterious illness. Maybe...” “What?” WidowBadeau sidled closer.A goat’s bell rung from a nearby farm amid the bleating of many. Yes, he must have to lay everything out. What had happened to guessing games? “He could be a demon.In league with the devil himself.” Jacques dipped down to turn his head and look each one in the face before staring at the path. Wildflowers now dotted it in a haphazard fashion. Cramming one up his nose would help with the scent of the unwashed lot of them.Bellario had started insisting that he took more care with his washing. If this was what he’d smelled like before, no wonder. “His mother’s illness came so soon after his father’s. Bothparents dead, what?Within a year?” Hushed whispers sounded all around as a butterfly flew in between them. Yes, this was going to be easy, especially with what he had in mind to do tonight. “We could have evil right here near our village.” Jacques shook his head. “We’ve been lucky so far, but now he’s out of family to kill.” The group exploded into conversations and comments. “It’s true! Bothparents dead like that.” “Him going around all naked.It’s not natural, I tell you.” “He’s got shifty eyes, he does.” “He acts different than anyone else.” Madame Beauchamp eyed Jacques. “Whatever could we do against this menace?” A red kite’s lonely cry sounded across the sky. It drifted on the winds up above them, a silhouette among the few clouds. The bird of prey was a hunter, like Jacques. The corner of his mouth turned up into a smile. “We eliminate it.” ***** Henri watched as Nathan pounded metal a few feet away. Each stroke of his hammer onto the anvil was sure and methodical as he pulled the metal into a recognizable shape. It was amazing to watch, and not merely for Nathan’s skill. His actions showed off his body. Henri should be helping with other chores, but had found himself spellbound whenever Nathan did his blacksmithing. Henri’s gaze traveled down Nathan’s shirt-covered back. He’d had to convince Nathan to stay dressed, much to his hidden disappointment. They’d be pushing their luck if Nathan stripped, even as much as Henri wanted to see his exposed skin. Even covered, the muscles rippled and pulled deliciously. His bared biceps conveyed how strong he was as he lifted and lowered the hammer. Nathan’s waist tapered into thin hips and one toned, rounded ass.

His legs were wide apart, showing off their contours. His hair flowed down to his shoulder blades in a mass of waves contained in a ponytail. Henri shifted in his seat on the wooden fence. His cock hung heavy between his legs. He ached to take the man in front of him. Hell, he wanted him in front. They could do it over the fence. Not a proper first time, though. Did Nathan have a virgin ass? Not that it mattered to Henri, though it would make things interesting. He’d have to take it slow. It had been a while since Henri had had a virgin of either sex. Dammit, if only Nathan would go toParis . There, Henri wouldn’t have to worry about Jacques and Bellario even if they pursued them; in Henri’s abode, they’d be safe. And he could seduce Nathan at his leisure. It had now become not a matter of whether he would, but when he would. An ember popped in the fire, burning in the pit set up by Nathan’s anvil. He rubbed his tongue along the dry roof of his mouth.Patience. He’d bide his time and wait for Nathan to realize there was nothing for him here. Nathan didn’t want the life his parents had had. And there was nothing wrong with that. Eventually, Nathan would see it. He needed time to heal from his grief. But knowing that didn’t make Henri’s wanting any easier to deal with. The light had shone freely in Nathan’s eyes when Henri had asked about traveling. And there was so much that Henri could show him of the world. Of course, that was provided that Nathan wanted... Hell, what was he doing? The beast had been getting the better of him for months. Now, a blond god had entered his life, and he was ready to go gallivanting off? No, he needed to get a handle on the horrible things that rested inside of him before he’d be able to be anything to Nathan, even if that’s what Nathan wanted. Somehow he was going to have to tame his beast before it erupted. Maybe Nathan could help? He sighed. No mortal could have the powers that Nathan seemed to. The loss of emotion as it had poured forth had been evident. It had drifted into Nathan. He didn’t understand it, but what he’d thought happened, couldn’t have. It wasn’t possible for a human to have those powers. He’d seen some strange things over his long life and never had he encountered anyone, man or vampire, who could do what Nathan seemed to. There had to be another explanation. Nathan blew out a heavy breath. Sweat rolled down his face as he turned toward Henri, soaking his clothes. The air was hot and even more so by the fire. “Need some water?” Henri asked.Can I strip you down and take you? With a cough, he covered the noise of pleasure that had tried to creep free of his throat. “Sure.” Henri hopped off the fence rail and sauntered to get Nathan a drink, much as he had the first day they’d met. A small animal that he didn’t get a good look at scampered away into the grasses.Probably a

marmot or something similar. Nathan sipped the water from the dipper before pouring the remainder on his head. He shook, spraying water everywhere before he scooped out another dipperful of water and took another small drink. Henri chuckled, wiping off a drop from his cheek. “Feel better?” “No.” With a sudden movement, he tossed the water in the dipper at Henri, soaking his hair and shirt. “Now I do.” Henri glared through the drips running over his eyelids. “What’d you do that for?” He swabbed at his face. Nathan grinned, his face easing into that boyish look that had been missing the past few days. “You looked hot. I wanted to help.” “That’s bull.” “Nah.The bull’s over there.” Nathan’s face turned playful as he waggled his fingers in the pasture’s general direction. In the dying light of the day, he was beautiful. The sun cast him in gold embers that looked as if they would consume him, setting off the natural tanned glow of his skin. Henri couldn’t find his breath. He couldn’t take his eyes away from Nathan and didn’t want to even if he could. Nathan’s face changed from joyous and playful to seductive. The look he gave was pure “Come fuck with me.” And Henri was only too happy to oblige. He couldn’t resist him, not with that look on his face. The beast clamored for Henri to take him. To set his seal upon Nathan’s being. He’d take a kiss.Nothing more for now. He couldn’t deny himself that. They each took steps toward the other to meet in a frenzied mating of lips. Arms and bodies slid together in a melding. Even as their bodies connected, the dipper fell to the ground, hitting a rock with a resounding clang. Nathan tasted of sun-ripened berries with cream. Henri could barely keep pace with Nathan’s mouth as he plundered it. Their tongues waged a war that both would win. Henri’s heart pounded, his breath coming in raging gasps. Nathan clasped his butt in both hands, pulling Henri even closer to his hot body. Henri’s cock rubbed against Nathan with a side-to-side motion. Nathan’s hard cock rubbed across Henri in a similar fashion. The contact inflamed Henri. He reached one hand down to mimic Nathan’s grasp, putting his hands on Nathan’s ass. The other hand reached up to tangle and play in that golden mane of hair. It was thick and soft under his exploring fingers. Henri’s hand roamed over Nathan’s ass to his lean hips, before pressing around to the front where

Nathan’s breeches had tented. He let out a soft sigh. Henri’s pointer finger barely skimmed down Nathan’s cock. It jerked as did Nathan’s whole body. “Grasp it, damn you.” When Henri took it in hand as Nathan had ordered, Nathan moaned. The low sound made Henri’s hand clutch harder. His hand scraped across Nathan’s engorged cock through the material of his pants.“So thick and hard.” “For you.” Henri’s head came up at what Nathan had revealed. Nathan’s lips swiped in to kiss him tentatively, then deeper. Henri kept his hand squeezing and touching. A dog barked in the distance as Henri heard a horse’s steady footsteps. Despite the rage welling up in him at being interrupted, Henri pushed against Nathan’s broad shoulders with one hand, releasing his cock with the other. “Nathan.” “What?” Nathan looked dazed, his eyes dark and hazy. “Someone’s coming. We have to stop.” Not that he wanted to. But he’d come close to taking Nathan as if he were an animal out in the yard over the fence he’d thought about earlier. That was not how their first sexual encounter should go. Something about this man made him abandon all logic and sense, which were his prized possessions. “So? Let them come.” Nathan tried to pull him back into the embrace. And damn him, he wanted to go. His beast reared up. Henri clenched his hands by his side, pulling completely away from Nathan. “No.” Henri frowned at Nathan’s tightening face. Nathan was getting angry at him. “Nathan, you...we...you’re in danger. You can’t let people see you do this. They don’t understand.” Being a vampire and bisexual, he’d learned when to flaunt and when to hide years ago. Nathan was young. He hadn’t learned that sometimes keeping things quiet meant you got to live another day. Nathan rolled his eyes. “I don’t care.” “I do. People do not understand two men together. Especially here.” Nathan started to speak, but Henri waved him off. “I’m not sayingit’s right. Or fair. But that’s the way it is right now. And sometimes it’s dangerous for those who can’t understand to see you doing things like this.” “I don’t care what people think of me.” Henri shook his head. “I know. I usually don’t either, when I’m back inParis . But in dangerous times and places, you need to be wary.” Maybe usingParis as being more open and liberal would convince Nathan to leave his smaller hamlet. “InParis , things are a little less conservative than here.Much less conservative.” Thankfully, the Victorian age was winding down. It would be interesting to see what the next millennium brought with it. “That doesn’t matter.”

“It does when there are dangers where you are.” “Jacques isn’t a big deal. He’s mostly talk. He won’t hurt me. Nor will anyone else here.” And Jacques’s boss is, and he will. “There’s a lot more to it than that. More to Jacques than what you know.” “I wish you’d tell me, instead of being cryptic.” “All in good...” “Time.”Nathan picked up the dipper from the ground. “I know.All in good time.” He threw the dipper into the bucket and stalked off toward the barn. Henri pinched the bridge of his nose. This was going well. The horse passed by the house without stopping. Henri didn’t recognize the rider.Dammit . If only the rider had taken another route, then they wouldn’t have been interrupted. He’d leave Nathan to stew over things for a while. He was hungry. Tonight, he would have to hunt. ***** Nathan wiped his face with a wet cloth before walking over to kick a metal piece to a buggy his parents owned. “Ow. Shit.Ow .” He rubbed his throbbing appendage. Served him right for getting all worked up. His cock still rested hard between his thighs, reminding him of just how worked up he’d gotten. The man’s tongue had been like molten lava in his mouth. Had they completed,Mt.Vesuvius wouldn’t have been able to compete with the explosion. But it wasn’t only that which had him bothered. He was tempted by Henri. Tempted to fuck him, to do all the things that he and Jacques had done, and those they’d never progressed to, which he almost wasn’t sure men really did with each other. Henri turned him on as no one ever had. Henri tempted him in other ways. Henri’doffered to show him the world. How many times had he and his mother discussed history and the other countries out there beyondFrance ? His favorite book, a rarity in these times for people to own, was a book of the world. It talked about countries and had maps. He’d often taken that book into the barn and lay on the floor for hours looking, touching and dreaming. Nathan might have lived near the same village all his life with the same people, but his mind had often taken journeys to far-off places that he’d read or heard about. Henri had been to them. Not that they’d talked about Henri’s history all that much, but he was worldly. A couple of times his French had sounded halting, as if it wasn’t his first language. He most definitely didn’t look French, not with his dark skin.

Could Nathan leave this place behind, though? His parents had worked so hard to make it here. If he abandoned their farm, hadn’t they worked for nothing? He surveyed the barn, craning his head to peer from top to bottom.So many memories. And if he left, he’d be leaving them as well as what they’d struggled for. Respectability. That was what the farm was all about. What living in such a remote place hadsought. They’d both come out of poverty and perilous situations. Nathan had heard the stories once he’d been old enough. They’d wanted better lives for themselves and ultimately, their child. His hand pushed back his messed up, wet hair. His mother wouldn’t have wanted him to sacrifice himself to uphold his parent’s memory or continue what they’d found to be important. Up until the last year, she’d encouraged him to be true to himself. And it had only stopped then because of her fear. She’d known his sexuality wasn’t of the norm. She’d never discouraged him from pursuing anything and everything he wanted. That wouldn’t have changed. What did he care about? Henri had asked. Only one thing had come to mind at the first question. Being with Henri. Which was ludicrous.He hadn’t known the man long enough to want this. But he did. It was a dangerous thing. Look where it had taken him with Jacques. Of course, Jacques and Henri couldn’t be more different. With a purposeful step, he strode from the barn to seek out the object of his desires. Darkness had overtaken the sun. It was hard to see, but Nathan managed to find the house. He pushed open the door. “Boy, it’s... Henri?” Henri wasn’t in sight. No one answered his calls. “Henri?” He grabbed a lantern from its usual place and lit it. Swallowing heavily, he searched. It hadn’t gone well outside, but Henri couldn’t have left. No, his bags sat in his room. He’d gone out. At night.To take a stroll. The man had odd habits. You go out at night.

Not as late or for as long as Henri did. And Nathan took a lantern with him unless the moon was bright, or it was a short trip. He walked into his room. The book he’d been thinking about earlier sat up on his dresser between two boxes. He set the lantern down and pulled the book out. Sinking to the floor, he ran his fingers over the smooth, embossed cover. He opened it gently, always careful with it. On the cover read a handwritteninscription:

ToMaddy and Francois, Life is but a journey. Good luck. HB.

HB.Nathan’s hand touched the gentle script.HB. HenriBaptiste . He’d read the inscription for years, but never knew where the book had come from. ***** Jacques crept under cover of night, plodding along the rocky landscape. He held a dimly-lit lantern in one hand. His wagon rested back at the path, pulled over in the woods. He couldn’t have people seeing him out like this. Stepping in a hole, he cursed the rugged landscape. He shook his ankle to clear out the pain. Then, he cursed Nathan for making all of this necessary. Yes, the blond man was going to pay for every slight he’d ever committed. That brought out Jacques’s good humor. Approaching a fence, he grinned.Monsieur and Madame Beauchamp’s farm. Their goats and sheep rustled nearby in the pasture. One of the goats bleated nervously, followed by the “bah” of a sheep. They knew something was out there. And it was the last thing they’d ever know. His other hand carted a large bag of grain.A special bag. He found the animals bunched up in a corner far away from the house. There weren’t any candles lit inside. TheBeauchamps were sound asleep by now. Jacques tossed the seeds in the trough and on the ground at the animals’ feet. What didn’t get consumed

tonight would be by early morning before their owners came to feed them. Most of them would get sick and perish from thismidnight snack. There would be nothing to explain their deaths. No wounds that would indicate an animal attack. That was the most usual cause of mass death for livestock. And there would be too many of them for natural causes. Without explanation, a reason behind their deaths would be looked for. And when helped along by him, the villagers would find their culprit. Nathan. He scurried back to the wagon he’d hidden in the darkness. Driving quickly, he neared the Widow Badeau’s . Stopping the horses, he bounded from the wagon, leaving it several meters away. He’d probably onlyhave time to hit these two places. So he’d better make every minute count. And he’d better not get caught. There was more where this came from if these two hits weren’t sufficient to create the reaction he wanted. He grabbed another bag of grain and also, a piece of meat, both laced with poison. The dog barked and sprang up to him first. “Napoleon,” he crooned. The dog quieted as he recognized Jacques’s voice. Jacques had done work for the dear widow a month ago. The dog knew him well, but, unfortunately for the dog, not wisely. Napoleon liked everyone. Jacques dropped the meat from his hand on the ground in front of the sheep dog,who lapped it up. Within a few seconds, the dog lay down, panting and whining. Jacques ran for the pen of goats, scattering the grain in the trough and on the ground as he’d done at the Beauchamp’s. He made sure the stupid animals were aware of it falling among them. Reaching his wagon, he tossed the empty sack in the back with the first one. Settling in the seat, he cackled as he cracked the whip to get the horses moving. He’d done it. Bellariohad secured the poison from his sources. He’d balked at first, but Jacques had told him this was the only way to make sure they got Nathan where they wanted him. Nathan would be blamed for all of this. Jacques would see to it. He’d already laid the foundation. And Nathan wouldn’t survive. Fuck that. IfBellario tried to save the bastard, Jacques could turn the people on toBellario’s secrets. After all, they’d believed Nathan a demon when he wasn’t one. Why wouldn’t they believeBellario was a creature of the night? Jacques would sic the whole angry horde on Nathan. There’d be nothing left forBellario to turn. He’d see to that. Chapter Six

Henri’s eyes searched the night, capturing all within his gaze. Snuffling noises indicated an animal foraging to his right. To his left, an insect warbled a night song. Above, the stars twinkled merrily beside a scant moon. He’d come to a conclusion. There was nowhere to eat in this fucking hamlet. There were no prostitutes that he could find at work anywhere. He wasn’t sure where to look for the other ways he fed and wasn’t sure they existed in this small town life. His stomach rumbled. He patted it, trying to ease the ache. Time was running out. He needed to consume blood, or else the thinning control he had on his beast would fade, and his animal would rise. The whole town would be in jeopardy then.Perhaps, even neighboring ones. How many had he had gone through last time before his consciousness had come back?Best not to even think about it. I will find a meal. The goats and cows on Nathan’s farm were starting to look damn good. The beast reared up, bellowing that there was food right in front of him in all the sleeping houses in the village and surroundings. Not to mention the man who consumed his thoughts. No one’s blood would taste as good as Nathan’s right now. And he could take it and more. Animal blood wasn’t as good or nutritious as human blood for vampires. He could take blood from animals and had before. Hell, he’d had rats during a desperate time in his life. But it didn’t sate him as well, leaving the beast the chance to rise. People didn’t make good prey. They were easy.Too damn easy. That was why he’d given up the hunt so many years before. But, he still needed their blood. He snapped a branch from a tree. He’d go back to Nathan’s and take some animal blood. It would help fight his hunger a little, but would it be enough? Scents billowed to him on the night breezes as he stalked back home. Henri drew them all into his nose, sniffing wantonly.Human scents. Animal scents. Passing by one place, something bitter struck him. He passed by that one as quickly as he could. Then, an interesting smell reached him. Blood. The copious scent tickled his nostrils and his fancy, luring him. There was something else, a warring sensation of who lurked with the blood. He’d sensed it since he’d come to Madeleine’s. As if he were a fish on the end of a line, he followed the intoxicating smell. It grew stronger and stronger until he was standing in a clearing. The second thing he’d sensed also strengthened in magnitude until it was beating at his skull. He blocked

the wings battering his mind. A man knelt by another man. The second man lay on the ground, his throat slashed and leaking blood. The first suckled greedily. “Hello,Bellario .” He might be wrong, but this was the strongest vampire presence he’d sensed nearby, soBellario was a logical conclusion. The man didn’t flinch, nor even turn to acknowledge Henri’s presence. He’d felt him approach just as Henri had felt him standing here. “Hello, Henri.”Bellario did look up then, his mouth full of red. “I had no idea you’d join me tonight. I would have gotten more of a meal.” He openly surveyed Henri. “I thought you’d be bigger.” “I’m not joining you.” Henri took two steps before he stopped himself from getting too close to the blood that beckoned. The coppery scent was singing a siren’s song he couldn’t resist. He wanted to fight, but the pull was immense. It had been too long since he’d eaten. He should have taken something before now, even if it was animal blood. “And I could say the same about you.” He sized up his opponent.Bellario was tall for a man of the time, a couple of inches taller than Henri. He was muscular and fit. His psyche flew out of him, seeking entrance to Henri’s mind.Bellario had strength. He’d been around a while. Power hunger seeped out of every pore ofBellario’s body, as carnal hungers most likely seeped from Henri. “Pity.”Bellarioducked his head, eyes still on Henri, licking a smear of blood. “It’s still warm.” He curled his tongue around the liquid before closing his mouth. Henri’s knees trembled with the force of not falling to them as he fought the urge to take the kill from Bellario .Attack him. Seize it . His beast raged against the stupidity of not claiming the meal.The human’s already dead. You didn’t kill him, what does it matter? And you’re hungry. Feed me! Forcing back his pooling saliva from his mouth, Henri snarled. “I want you to leave Nathan alone.” “Ah. There it is.The threat to leave alone the boy already in the game.” Hetsked . “I expected better from you.Something more original at least. I thought you’d be a challenge.” “How about fuck off?” Crude, not his usual, but Henri couldn’t get control of himself. And fighting his inner animal the way he was, it didn’t bode well for a fight withBellario . He would need all his skills to take on the vampire, who was older than most Henri fought. He wanted that blood in front of him, though. He bared his canines.“That original enough for you?Enough of a challenge?” Bellario’ssmile was honey-sweet, though slightly bloodstained.“Not hardly .” He rose to his feet. “I will not leave him alone. He’s going to be mine.” “The hell he is.” Clenching his hands so tight his fingernails almost drew blood, Henri paced in front of Bellario , the motion helping to rein in the monster inside. He had to concentrate beyond what lay in front of him. “Why?So many young men in the village.Why that one?” “You can’t feel his power? The great HenriBaptiste can’t tell what he has?”Bellario stood as if he were a sentry over the body. “You would disappoint me if you can’t sense what the boy has inside.” Blood.Henri shook his head quickly on that thought, more for himself thanBellario .Bellario wasn’t of his

line, so reading his mind was a little harder, and Henri had strong mental faculties and was older. Henri’s shields were firmly in place, soBellario probably hadn’t caught the slip. If he had, it would be disastrous. There were too many waysBellario could use it. Henri took a deep breath. What wasBellario talking about with Nathan? What did he know? “I feel your animal. It’s leashed for the moment. But it wants free.So strong.”Bellario reached down to turn over the nameless young man. He cupped a hand to hold some blood out to Henri. “Look at your prey. Look how easy it is. You can take all their blood. And what fine dining they are.” Henri shook his head. “No. I am more than that.” He panted, his heart rampaging to keep up with the needs of his body. “You’re an animal. As we all are.” “No!” Henri shook with resistance. He would not go over and lick the blood fromBellario’s hands. He was better than that.Not an animal.Never an animal. He pushed down the beast with all the might his psyche had. Two vampires came in range to Henri’s senses. Straightening, he watched warily for them to approach, moving into a fighting stance. “Stacking the odds?” Bellarioshot out a laugh like a bullet from a pistol.“Hardly. As if I’d need to do that. I...was still hungry.” He shrugged his shoulders, the movement shaking his tunic. He smoothed it down, along with his breeches. “I needed more.As you do.” Before Henri could deny it, the others came within sight range into the clearing. They hesitated when they spotted Henri. They were newly made, only a few weeks old if that, but they could tell he was older and strong. Both had weak psyches. Both let the blood thirst rule whenBellario didn’t. Both were no more than the rats Henri had once fed on. Henri’s eyes narrowed. They needed elimination. Bellariourged his cohorts forward. “Come on. Come on now.” They had within their clasp a struggling girl. She was only about eight or nine, wearing her night clothes. They had probably taken her from her bed near her sleeping parents. They would be none the wiser until morning. DamnBellario . His kind would prey on children, but most preferred adults due to the amount of blood. Children were smaller. However, most communities wouldn’t miss a child or two at this time, which is why they were sometimes the preferred hunt. Families were large. Children still died often. It was slowly changing with the industrial age. Which meant vampires would soon have to change, too. Bellariowouldn’t live long enough to have to change. The young vampires sidled forward, pushing her sobbing frame in front of them. When she sawBellario , she stopped the noises, though her eyes widened, and her resistance grew. The vampires were stronger than she was. “I needed a dessert.”Bellario winked at Henri.“Something small.” He impatiently motioned them forward. “Come here, little one. Did they get you out of bed? You look cold. We must get you warmed up.” His voice was melodic and pleasant as he lied to the girl. With an unbelieving look, she approached slowly, still being shoved forward by the minions. She dug in

her little bare heels to no avail. She shook her head wildly, blond hair scattering. No. This couldn’t be happening. Not again. Henri shook off his stupor from fighting what was inside him as well as the vampire in front of him. Last time, he hadn’t been there to stop the attack, simply seen what had been done. But with his beast trying to control him, with his hunger what it was, the girl looked scrumptious to him. Her blood would be sugary. Bellarioput his hand on the girl’s arm. “Hold.” Henri growled loudly. The minions took a step back as Henri took a slanting step toward them. “What, are you going to stop me?”Bellario arched a brow. It went under his hair. “Or do you want to join me? You know what tender flesh and sweet blood there can be.” Henri stopped a mere step away from the girl. His mouthbared again, showing teeth.“Sweet blood.” He rumbled another noise before he managed more words. “I’ll join you. We’ll have a feast.” Bellario’sdark eyes glittered in the scant moonlight. “I never would have thought I’d share a meal with you. Not HenriBaptiste .” He pushed the compliant, frightened girl out to him. “I’ll even be a good host and offer her first to you.” One hand gripped her shoulder. “Maybe we can work out something about Nathan while we feed.”Bellario’s heart sped up with his lie. He had no intentions of working anything out about Nathan. He did plan to take out Henri, whether in a fight or an ambush. Henri grabbed the girl asBellario let her go. Instead of grasping her to feed, he pushed her behind him. “Unlikely.” His small knife came out as the minions set upon him. Young and inexperienced, they were no match for his speed and skill. Several stabs later, they lay on the ground. It wouldn’t kill them. The spilling of their blood would only incapacitate them long enough for him to take on their master. “Henri, you don’t want to fight me. I sense you.Your animal.Your struggle. Join me. Don’t do this.” “I do want this.” Henri panted heavily, watchingBellario’s every move. “You don’t know me. Don’t ever think you do.” Bellariosneered.“Pity. I had hoped we could work this out in a more civilized way.” He moved a step backward. “I must take leave of you now.” “Not until...” A whimper behind him made Henri’s head snap around to look. One minion had managed to heal himself enough to grab at the girl’s ankles. Snarling, he was trying to get her foot into position and bite her. He needed to replenish what Henri had spilled. She kicked, whimpers escaping her as she tried to move away. Her face beseeched Henri to assist her. “Please. No.” She continued to struggle. His mouth snapped at her heel before she managed to pull it away “Dammit.” Even as he headed for the young one, Henri’s head swung back toBellario . He ran for the trees. “We’ll fight another time. Perhaps Nathan will join us on our next encounter. He’ll

be mine.” Bellariodisappeared into the night as Henri stomped the vampire’s head to the ground. Keeping his foot on top of the other vampire’s head, Henri pried his hands from the girl’s foot. He could have pursued Bellario , could have hunted him. Instead, he had to take care of these two and return the girl safely to her bed, but at least, he’d get a decent meal. With their tests of each other over,Bellario wouldn’t be so at ease next time. And neither would Henri. ***** Nathan looked up as the door was yanked open. He’d been sitting in the dark, enjoying the night sounds, doing some reflecting on what had happened and what was to come. His greeting died before it passed through his lips. Henri stalked in, slamming the door behind him. The house shook with the force of it. Nathan lit the lamp he’d kept handy for when Henri returned. Henri’s appearance did nothing to reassure Nathan that anything was well. The older man’s eyes glittered in the low light. His hair lay tousled on his head. His whole body clenched and didn’t release. Tension radiated from him. Nathan had seen him high strung and pissed before. This was an extreme emotion, even beyond that. He tumbled toward Nathan without saying a word. Nathan swallowed. The silence was disconcerting. He rubbed a hand down his bare chest and stomach. The emotions rolling off of Henri rumbled around the room. They were turbulent, thick, raging, so much so it was as if they hung in mid-air. Taking a deep breath, Nathan skimmed off the top. Having done it a few times now, he had a little more control over his actions. Even so, the emotions crashed into him, making him groan with the force that they impacted. He’d managed to close the gate of his mind before taking too much. Again, he was awed by how much control Henri had to possess to have these feelings and stay sane. How did he do it? It was all Nathan could do not to charge around and tear up the room. And he’d only imbibed a bit. Henri stopped pacing a few meters from Nathan. His head swung around to gaze at him. The eyes were still wild, but slightly calmer. Henri was taking himself back over. “What did you do?” Nathan shrugged his shoulders. He wasn’t sure hecould explain it, nor would Henri believe him. Henri’s eyes followed the movement before centering on his throat. “I don’t know.” If only he had more power, or more control of what he did have. He could help Henri. Right now, not enough was being pulled off to make much of a difference. But how could he change it? He wasn’t even sure how he took in the emotions to start with. Experimenting could be dangerous for both of them. And he wasn’t sure that Henri would let him willingly into his mind. “You shouldn’t play with things that you don’t know enough about.” Nathan couldn’t help a grin, even with the situation at hand. “I can’t help myself.”Especially where Henri was concerned. He’d have had sex with him in the open today, damn the consequences, if Henri hadn’t stopped them.

“You’re going to get hurt.” “By who?You?” Henri slammed a fist into the wall. The sound ricocheted harshly around the room.“Yesss. Me.” Nathan stood up, approaching Henri with two small steps until he stood right in front of his shaking form. “You won’t.” Henri’s head shook almost imperceptibly. “You don’t know that. You don’t know anything about me.” His chest rose and fell with his heavy breathing. He was almost panting. “Yes. Yes, I do know you.” Nathan knew enough. Somehow, he sensed goodness that lurked behind the turbulent emotions, behind the monster, which would keep Henri from ever truly hurting him. Henri would die first before letting that happen, which was something he didn’t know about himself. Couldn’t he sense that part of his psyche?The sanity? No, he must not be able to. Henri thought himself a monster, and fought it daily. One day, Nathan would have to teach him about his inner self so that he’d truly believe he was more than the danger inside. Nathan raised a hand, cupping Henri’s face. He stroked the strong jaw gently with his thumb.Crazy thinking. Who said they’d be in each other’s company long enough for Nathan to show Henri anything? Not to mention Henri, sophisticated world traveler, probably didn’t want to be shown anything by the country bumpkin. Henri leaned into the caress as if starved for Nathan’s touch. Nathan’s cock engorged more, springing up between his thighs. His hand trembled. Henri wanted his touch. Nothing could have made him more turned on or bolder than that. He held Henri’s head, diving in for a kiss. He kept it light, gentle, his mouth merely skimming along Henri’s, who tasted of something metallic. It was not unpleasant, especially when mingled with the taste that was uniquely Henri. Nathan lost himself in the kisses. Henri’s hand came around to caress the back of Nathan’s head. The light touch jangled along his nerves. Henri pulled back to murmur, “Are you sure about this?” His hand wound through Nathan’s hair. “Oh, yes.” His hands enveloped Henri in an embrace. He stroked along Henri’s firm buttocks. Henri’s cock shifted into him, pressing against his clothed skin. Oh, they needed to be naked. Nathan shoved his own cock into Henri, his hips thrusting forth, meeting Henri’s slow pace. Henri grasped the top of Nathan’s pants and motioned them down his hips. Nathan helped to free himself, his cock enjoying the cool night air that wrapped around it as soon as it was freed. Henri’s admiring eyes toward his body warmed him even more, until his body was raw heat. Immediately after his own pants were kicked off his ankles, Nathan grabbed the bottom of Henri’s shirt. “Your turn.” He’d get to see the body he’d dreamed about. Batting away Nathan’s hands, Henri hurriedly pulled the shirt over his head and unclasped his pants to

let them fall down to the floor. Henri was magnificent. There was no other description. The clothes made his bulk look as if he was pudgy. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him. He was firm, muscular. Dark hairs sparsely broke the otherwise smoothness of his skin. And between twotree trunk-like thighs stuck out a huge cock. Not that Nathan had seen many, but it seemed large.A sheen of moisture graced the tip of it. He wanted his body everywhere on Henri’s. “Done looking?” Henri arched a brow. “Oh, yes.For now.” He could look upon Henri forever. But right now he wanted his hands to go where his eyes had been. Henri had him in his arms quicker than Nathan could move to get to him first. Their mouths dueled as theirbodies clasped together, rubbing side to side. Henri’s body was so hot in the coolness. He smelled of earth and of night. Another scent rested behind those two. It was coppery, heavy and thick, familiar, but Nathan couldn’t identify it. There was also a slight burning scent, as though Henri had been near a fire or ashes. Both of those were more evident up close. Henri pulled him even closer and the smoothness of Henri’s body made Nathan let out a moan, which Henri took inside his own mouth. Their bodies meshed together to join almost as one. Nathan couldn’t catch his breath, so frenzied had their kissing become. “Yes. Yes.” He dipped his body down to brush his cock against Henri’s. Henri grunted and pressed his cock back against Nathan’s. Flurried motions soon had their hips thrusting in time with each other, rubbing their cocks together. “Bed.”Henri’s hands were all over Nathan’s body. His mouth barely lifted from Nathan’s. Was he crazy? No way was Nathan letting him go even to travel a few steps to the bedroom. “Here.” “Bed.Don’t make me carry you.” Nathan snorted.“As if you could.” They were both so evenly matched withmuscles, neither would be able to lift the other. Who would come out on top wrestling? They’d have to find out. Not playing fairly, Nathan grasped Henri’s cock in firm hands. Henri’s whole body lifted up,breath rushing out of his lungs. Nathan squeezed tightly around it. “Here.” “Fine.”Henri’s voice came strangled, rough and raspy. Nathan sank to his knees, keeping his hands on Henri’s member. More fluid leaked from the tip to drip onto Nathan’s finger. He lifted his hand, twirling the tip into his mouth before sucking on it.“Sweet.” He pressed a small kiss to Henri’s end, making Henri’s eyes roll back in his head. He then sucked Henri more fully into his mouth, bearing down on him with suction. Henri wobbled but kept on his feet with a soft grunt. Nathan puckered his mouth, steadily moving up and down along Henri’s length. He lost track of how many times he took it in. When his hands reached around to fondle Henri’s balls from behind, Henri lost it. His hips shimmied. He thrust his cock so far down Nathan’s throat Nathan almost gagged, but he managed not to at the last second. Not pulling back in the slightest, Henri took over the rhythm, making it

fast, making Nathan take Henri’s cock far down his throat as long as he could, until with one harried thrust, his come shot into Nathan’s mouth. It took several jerks to expend it all. Nathan took in every drop, milking Henri’s flesh for as long as he could. He pulled his mouth away from the now flaccid cock. “You do taste sweet.” He ran his tongue over his lips, taking in every salty taste. “Hmmmm.”Henri lowered himself to the floor to clutch Nathan into his arms. Their bodies rested against each other Would Henri do the same to him now? His lovers to date hadn’t been talented in that respect. They’d mainly gone to sleep after anything they’d done, or left him alone. He’d been left to finish himself too many times to count. One of Henri’s hands dropped to cup Nathan’s erect cock.“Ohhh.” He shifted his hips, giving Henri better access. Henri’s firm touch almost had him shooting a load then and there. So Henri was going to pleasure him. That, combined with what he’d given Henri, made his throat constrict. Henri would be the perfect lover. Henri’s hips rocked against him. “Nathan.” “Yes?” “Have you ever been with a man?” “Yes.” Nathan blew out a deep breath. His heart hummed along a pulsing melody.“Not a pleasant subject, though, especially right now here with you.” Henri ruffled his hair with his free hand. “I know it’s awkward. But I need to know how far you’ve been. I don’t want to hurt you. Or make you uncomfortable.” Henri moved the second hand down to join the first. They cupped and tickled his rod and balls. Each touch brought him closer to some edge, but didn’t take him over it.Dammit , he wanted to plummet across. “You...won’t...hurt me.Ahhhh.” The potent sensations had never been this electric before.Let me come . Before he could complete what he wanted, Henri had him flipping over onto his stomach. Henri’s erection had already returned. His once soft cock now stood as hard as it had been before. Nathan drew up to ask him what exactly he was doing back there to be sure he knew what would come next. But Henri’s hands found Nathan’s ass and his balls again, making thinking difficult. Nathan wiggled with the touching of his sensitive flesh. Henri’s hands knew where to touch to cause the ultimate in sensation. The hand on Nathan’s ass shifted, one finger finding his hole. Nathan tensed as the finger probed inside. “Relax. I’m preparing you.” Nathan’s thrusting stilled.“For you?”

Henri’s finger dipped in again to toy with the outer edges. “Yes. You said you’d been with a man before.” Nathan’s muscles tried to push the invading finger out. “I have.” A second finger pushed in with the first. Nathangasped, his body lifting up before coming down. “Henri.” The fingers slipped out. The hand that was caressing Nathan’s balls moved away. “Nathan. What have you done with a man?” He hung his head down. He tried to count to twenty to get his mind clear enough to answer. “We...sucked each other.Touched.” He’d had three lovers. They’d handled each other’s cocks and used their mouths on each other.Once Jacques had said something about ass fucking. It had been after he visited the city, but Nathan had been disenchanted with him already by then. It had been when Nathan had told him the sexual experimentation between them would cease. He hadn’t put it past Jacques to say untruths to make Nathan look as if he were a fool, so he wasn’t sure how accurate the information he had was. “That’s it?” Henri sounded incredulous. Nathan’dseen enough farm animals to know what male and female did. But he’d never seen or talked to anyone about two men besidesJacques, and his experience had severe doubts cast upon it. “Of course that’s it.” Henri patted Nathan’s backside gently, his fingers lightly gliding over the skin. “So you’re a virgin.” Nathan blinked. “Let me show you. Let me take you.” Henri left his side, going into the kitchen without a lantern. Nathan heard him rustling around. He came back with lard. “Not the best for this. But it will do.” He had a bowl in the other hand with soapy water and a cloth, which he sat on the floor near to where Nathan rested. Nathan lifted up on his side. He watched Henri open the lard container. “You’re cooking something?” Henri chuckled. “No.” He twirled a finger. “Flip back over.” Nathan did so slowly. “You’re going to cook me, aren’t you?” The comment didn’t come out as flippant as he’d wanted. “No.” Henri’s hand pressed into Nathan’s back before turning him over the opposite of the way he’d ordered Nathan to go. He lowered down to slowly kiss him. Their mouths fused in a dance of longing and precision. Nathan’s heart was pumping by the time it finished. “You said you trusted me.” “I do, Henri. I do.” He did, even if this situation was not what he’d expected of it.

Henri’s eyes crackled with a fire that rooted deep in Nathan’s soul. He’d follow Henri to the end of the earth if he asked. “Then, flip over and let me show you the other ways a man can love another man.” Swallowing at the word “love,” Nathan turned quicker this time, landing on his stomach with a breath. His body was still tense. Henri was going to breech his ass. His hands touched so gently on Nathan’s back, he almost jumped. That hadn’t been where he’d expected them. “Shhhh.”Henri’s hands kneaded the muscles, easing him into relaxing. Something warm and gooey slid into his hole. It oozed in, sinking down. The finger slid in behind it, now slippery as it pressed down. “You’re still so tight. Is this better?” Once he got past the shock, it was better. In fact, the finger was so slippery and probing, it was pretty damn good. “Yes.” The finger pulled in and out, in and out. “Ohhh.” A second finger joined the first. They stretched him, sliding as the first one had. There was pressure, especially at first, but it was almost sweet, as if pleasure took it over. They soon were all the way in him. And that’s when one of Henri’s fingers bumped something.Something that had Nathan writhing in ecstasy. “Oh, shit.” Several more touches, and Nathan’s hip bucked. Henri’s fingers moved away from it. “What the hell is that?” “Don’t know. But it feels damn good, doesn’t it?” Desire oozed from Henri. He’d been turned on before, now he was even more so. That took Nathan to new heights in his own passion. “Hell, yes.” A third finger joined the first two.Definite stretching and pulling on the walls of his anus with this. But still, this was unique pleasure that turned him inside out. Continuing to probe with his fingers, Henri’s other hand wrapped under Nathan’s leg to find his cock. Coated in the lard, the hand pulled on him, creating a channel in his hand to slide Nathan’s cock in and out of. The lard made him slide so easily. When the fingers inside encountered the magical place again, Nathan couldn’t keep in his groans. Never had anything excited him more. Henri’s hands kept teasing, doing sensational things. His orgasm shattered his entire being as his cock shot it out across Henri’s hand. Over and over, his hips pumped until there was nothing left. All the fingers and hands withdrew from him. Nathan lay on the floor, sated beyond anything. Henri wiped off the lard from his hands,then washed them in the bowl.

“That was incredible.” Nathan shook his head. “There’s more.” Henri lay on the floor beside him, wrapping his body around Nathan’s. “When you’re ready, I’ll show you.” “More?” Henri nodded. “Men put their cocks up there, don’t they?” Nathan should have been embarrassed by the question and his crude language, but he wasn’t. Not with the man who’d found such a place in Nathan’s body with his fingers. Not with the man he’d shared such emotion with and who hadn’t fled from him in his darkest time. Not with the man who Nathan was beginning to know through the sense of his emotions. And Nathan needed to know for sure if Jacques spoke the truth. Henri would tell him. “Yes, they do.” “You want to do that to me.” “Yes.” Henri kissed him, gently. Nathan’s hole was a little sore from the three fingers. “It’s going to hurt.” “Not if we do it right.” “You wanted to do it tonight.” Henri shrugged, the motion moving them both. “It wasn’t the right time. You weren’t expecting what I did. Soon, it will be right. And I’ll take you all the way.” Nathan sighed. He rolled into Henri’s body, pulling him even closer. “Do I get to do that to you with my cock?” “Sure.” “Good.” Nathan drifted off to sleep, wrapped in Henri’s arms, more content than he’d been in a lifetime. Chapter Seven

The morning sun crested high in the sky by the time Jacques made it to the village. And things were already running smoothly with his plan. The whole village was abuzz with the mysterious deaths of the livestock. A group of them stood outside the small Catholicchurch in the courtyard. “It’s a demon at work, I tell you.” “I knew he never liked me. This proves it.”

“Therewas no animal marks on ‘em. They lay there, dead.” “What’s going on?” Jacques feigned concern and ignorance as he marched up to the same group he’d talked to yesterday. “My sheep and goats!”Madame Beauchamp keened with a wail. “Most were dead when we came out this morning.” She’d always liked drama. Next, she’d probably throw herself on the ground and writhe. Monsieur Beauchamp’s face contained lines etched in it as if it were made of granite. “All are dead now.” He rubbed his face with his hands. All theBeauchamps hadwere the animals. They’d now have to replace them, which wouldn’t be easy, as they had not much else to trade. The villagers would band together and help where they could. But the coming winter would be lean for the family. WidowBadeau’s face contorted so that she resembled a ghoul.“Goats all dead.And Napoleon. He was dead by the fence. He must have been protecting my animals from the brute.” Like theBeauchamps , WidowBadeau had had little since her husband had passed on. The next year wouldn’t be easy. She had no children to help with the hardships created by the loss of her animals. Jacques put a hand over his chest as if he had grave concern. He’d known the families he’d picked would see the situation as he wanted them to, and be quick to assign blame. Yes, his whole plan was coming together now. “All your animals are dead? How can that be?” “It was him.That Nathan.” The widow spat on the ground as if his name dirtied her mouth. “Are you sure?” Jacques put his foot on a stone by the path. This was going better than he expected. They’d mentioned Nathan’s name without his prodding. “What else could it be?” Madame Beauchamp sniffed. “Maybe a bear?”Jacques waved a hand. “They do sometimes come down from the mountains.” “There were no animal marks or tracks or nothing. All the goats lay dead. Not a mark on Napoleon.” Jacques blew out a heavy breath, shaking his head. “Well, that’s something else. I knew that Nathan was trouble.”In more ways than one.The bastard. A voice piped up from the back. “He’s a demon. He’s possessed.” From the middle.“He’s a witch.” Jacques nodded, keeping his mouth in a frown. “I think you’re right. I hated to even say it before. But I think this proves it.” Other places had given up on notions of witches and chasing them out, but here, they still were discussed. “We should get him.” Monsieur Beauchamp hefted his fist into his other hand with athwap . “What do you mean?” WidowBadeau kicked out a foot, springing up her lacy skirt. “How can we get him?” “We should teach him that witches got no place in this village. Burn him out. Burn out the demon.” A young man about Nathan’s and his own age popped up with a horrified look. Philippe and Nathan had

once hung out together a lot. Now he was on the side of those who would condemn him.Interesting. Yes, fire would be a good way for Nathan to die. Jacques grinned before composing himself to look more serious. “We do need to get rid of him before he kills again. Who could be next?Maybe your children?” Several gasps went through the ladies of the group. The men grunted, clasping their wives closer. “Let’s get him.” “We’ll go tonight. His powers will be weaker at night.” Shit. Jacques had never heard that idea before. Most were scared of the night, and with good reason. Bellario’s powers would be stronger then, and he’d be aware of what Jacques was doing. Jacques was merely supposed to get the villagers riled up enough to put Nathan in danger, soBellario could offer him safety. He wasn’t supposed to be plotting an attack to kill the blond-haired nuisance. “We should go now.Before he attacks again.” “But won’t he be easier to get at night?” Jacques shook his head. “One never knows.But best to take him out before he does anything more.” Beauchamp nodded along with several others in the crowd. “We should get the bastard now. Not wait. I thought the night was when the powers were strongest, anyway.” Jacques sighed deeply with relief. He’d averted that crisis. “There is another man staying with Nathan.” “We’ll get him, too.” A snarl rang up. Henri was a vampire. From what Jacques had heard, the only way to kill one was decapitation, but that was folklore. Jacques didn’t know if it was true. He patted his large knife. He’d take care of the squat man if he tried to get in their way. With the mob he had with him, this was going to be easy. Jacques would go afterward toBellario and tell him about the mob. He’d lay the blame at Henri’s feet. That Henri had killed the livestock for food, whipping the villagers up to go after Nathan. Even if Henri survived this, Bellario would deal with him for causing his loss. And Jacques would come out a winner, getting an eternal life for his service without Nathan. “Let’s collect our weapons. And go get the witch!” A chant of, “Get the witch!” sounded throughout the crowd. Jacques followed as the farmers collected what weapons they had. Torches were lit. “We’ll set that house on fire. Burn it to the ground. And if Nathan tries to come out, or that other man--” Beauchamp hefted a pitchfork. “We’ll get him.” ***** Henri smacked his lips, turning over. The hard floor was cool despite the blankets that had gotten tossed on him at some point in the night. Nathan had gotten them so they wouldn’t get too chilly. They would have moved to a bed, but the only bed big enough for two wasn’t one they were comfortable using. And

they’d both wanted to spend the night in each other’s arms. So the floor it had been. He wrapped his legs and arms around Nathan, snuggling him closer. With one hand, he pushed Nathan’s hair back from his face. Nathan snored lightly. He kicked out a leg, his morning erection pressing against Henri’s thigh. The rush of desire that engulfed him was surprising. They’d both come to completion last night. But his desire hadn’t been quenched. He still wanted Nathan with a force that would move mountains. Nathan’s eagerness combined with a true innocence captivated him. He’d wanted to plow himself up into Nathan’s firm folds until he released. But he hadn’t wanted to hurt Nathan, which, considering his virgin status, he could do if he did not properly prepare him. They’d play for now, until Nathan was ready to take him both physically and emotionally. The former, he could have been ready last night; the latter was what needed to be waited for. Nathan had eagerly talked about taking Henri, which had caused him to shiver. Few men that Henri had been with ever did that. Now, he only had to convince Nathan to go toParis and everything would work out. He’d keep Nathan safe fromBellario while showing him pleasures beyond his imagination and showing him the world. Perhaps he’d take Nathan toRome afterParis . He could introduce him to Bastian, an incredibly stable vampire he’d made years before. God, how he envied Bastian.Bastian didn’t have to fight the intense demons of his vampire, or at least not all the time. He didn’t struggle with it day to day as Henri did. Bastian had his own trials to deal with, including a fear that he’d always be too late to save those he cared for. Bastian constantly tried to make it up to those he’d let down, though they were long gone. Henri yawned, closing his eyes. His feelers drifted out. His eyes snapped open. Most of the time he couldn’t sense humans from any distance.He could only read them when they were in close proximity to him. But this was a mob. There were so many humans packed together with so many raging emotions, they were easily detectable. And they were heading this way. ***** Nathan woke with a start. Henri shook him frantically. “Nathan. Nathan. Get up.” Tension rolled underneath the even tone of his voice, and off of him. “What? What’s wrong?” Nathan scrubbed at his face, trying to work the sleep from his system. He’d planned on a much more leisurely awakening than this. “There’s a mob coming.Villagers.” Henri pulled on a shirt. “They’re close by.” “What?” Nathan sat up. The blanket fell down into his lap. “How do you know?”

“I just do.” Henri yanked on breeches as rapidly as he could. “Nathan, get dressed. We have to get out of here.” Nathan quickly pulled on his clothes. “What’s a mob doing coming here?” He tried to peek around Henri. Henri growled, his face scanning from a window. “They’re here.” The bubble of sounds reached him as a rock sailed through the window. Glass littered the wooden floor. “Witch!Witch!” “Demonspawn .” “You’ll burn in hell.’ Nathan pulled on his shoes before pushing to his feet. “What are they doing?” He tucked in his shirt. It was a normal thing to do when things weren’t normal at all.Dammit , what was going on? “They’re carrying torches.Pitchforks.” Henri turned to look at him. “Jacques is with them.” “I don’t understand this. These are my...people.” Or at least they had been. They’d always thought him strange, but not considered him evil. What had happened? Jacques. Somehow he’d rallied the village against him. Henri patted his sagging shoulder. “Jacques has done this. From the cries, they think you’re a demon or a witch.” Smokey scents burned through the air. “I think they intend to burn you out.” “I know these people.” They were those he’d known all his life.Grown up with. Through the window, he spotted Jacques at the helm of the throng. PhilippeMastoban was off to one side. Two of the men he’d had as lovers were in the mob. Nathan balled his hands into fists.“How? Why?” Henri gripped his face in strong hands. “It’s not about you. He’s done this. Listen to me, Nathan. We’ll get out of this. But I need you together.” Nathan nodded. Later, he’d deal with everyone he knew turning against him. Provided they survived. Crackling sounds surrounded them. The mob had set the house on fire. The house his parents had built with their bare hands. Everything they’d worked for, and these people were ripping it apart because he was different, and because of the ramblings of a vicious man. Nathan clenched his fists together. These people wanted him to die. They wanted him to either be killed by fire or by one of them when running out of the house. Henri had surveyed the entire perimeter. “In the back of the house, there aren’t as many people; only looks as if there are two, nor has the fire spread as much back there.” He pointed a finger to a window. “We can bust out through there and get to the woods before they catch us.” “And if we can’t?” The smoke was staring to fill the room. Nathan coughed, the acrid scent burning his nostrils. Flames licked the underbelly of the house, becoming more and more visible.

“We can’t stay here.” Henri’s eyes glittered as emotions poured from him. “And if they catch us, we fight.” He patted Nathan’s shoulder again, handing him a handkerchief. “Hold this around your nose. It will help. I will protect you, Nathan.” He pressed the cloth against his face. It helped only slightly. For the first time since he’d awakened, fear left him. Henri would protect him. And with the rage coming from the man, God help the villagers. ***** Henri burst through the window, rolling to a crouch, retaking his feet within seconds. Nathan jumped out behind him. The man who’d stood sentry ran at Henri with a scythe clutched in his outstretched hands. “To the forest, Nathan.”Henri turned to meet his foe. Nathan’s voice rose. “I won’t leave you.” He stepped closer to Henri. Henri huffed as the man wielded the scythe, striking at him. Damn stubborn fool. Nathan would get himself killed among these people. Henri could handle himself. He grabbed the pole of the tool, surprising the farmer. Yanking it completely out of his hands, Henri now brandished the farming implement in front of him as the farmer once had. These people were agriculturists and simple folk, not fighters. Not like Henri. It would be easy to take them all out. His beast roared up.Take his head off. Take his head off.Blood. Laughing maniacally, Henri took two steps toward the man, who fell, trying to get away. The man scrambled on hands and knees away from him. Henri raised the scythe. The blood lust roamed freely about his veins and head. They’d tried to hurt Nathan, and for this, they would pay.With their lives.With their blood.All of them. Henri’s chest heaved. A touch on his elbow turned him away from his prey. “Don’t.” Nathan’s blue earnest eyes captured him. Even as much as they’d hurt him by betraying him -- Henri had seen and sensed the hurt inside -- Nathan still protected them. He didn’t want Henri to hurt them, and knew he could. The person they’d come to kill was the only thing standing in the way of the mob’s deaths, because Henri was ready to kill them all. No. Henri turned to face the second sentry, who approached them with a raised hoe. “Don’t.” He snarled the words, jutting up his lip into a sneer. The beast cried,Do , urging the man to tempt Henri to kill him. If he started killing, he wouldn’t stop. Not for a long while. The man stopped, swallowing, looking at Henri with panic on his face.

Nathan pulling at his elbow, Henri backed up until they reached the thicket of the woods. His beast wrapped around Henri’s heart and ribs, pounding the muscle, compressing the bones until it hurt.You could have a feast on these. Don’t leave them to hurt the boy again. You must protect him . “Come on, Henri. They aren’t worth it.” Nathan tugged harder on him, pulling him even farther backward. Emotion flipped off the surface as Nathan moaned, stumbling. There had been a slight suck of current. Nathan had again taken a little bit off the top of his feelings. It wasn’t enough, but he had tried to help Henri bring about control. Henri pushed his beast down with everything he had within him, though he hesitated a moment before he turned to follow Nathan. The blood of all these sheep-like people called to him. He could hear it flooding their bodies like rivers, pooling where their bodies needed it. And he wanted it. He wanted them dead for what they’d tried to do. No. He would not kill these people. No matter what they’d done. They’d been manipulated. As much as they’d hurt Nathan, killing them would hurt him further. As well as making lots of questions for Henri to answer. The battle with his beast cost him. As he turned to follow Nathan, more people converged around the back of the house, figuring out something was going on back there. They came to stop them from escaping. Jacques shouted, “No!” The popping sound registered as Henri stumbled. Someone had a pistol. Several more shots rang out. He wasn’t sure if it was the same weapon. A fire exploded across his back in several spots. He didn’t miss a step, keeping pace with Nathan. Footfalls started out behind them, fast and furious, along with calls of “Get them.” They set a quick pace, trying to get far enough ahead of the mob. When they reached a small farm nearby, a horse nickered at them from behind a wooden fence. “Ever ride bareback?” Nathan whistled to the large bay. The horse’s ears cocked back as he surveyed them before heading their way. “It’s been a long time.” Henri straightened his back, pushing on it, wiping any blood on the back of his breeches. His blood loss had weakened him, especially because he’d not had a full stomach. He didn’t know how much longer he would have been able to keep up with Nathan if they hadn’t found the ride. He had to keep his wounds hidden from Nathan. Somehow, he’d find a meal to replenish the blood. In a few hours, they should have healed completely. The bay sauntered over to the fence near where they stood. “The couple who lives here sometimes let me ride him for giving them shoes for him, so he knows me.” Nathan swung aboard, offering his arm to

Henri. Henri took it, pulling himself up. A deep moan escaped his lips. A wound had reopened. His healing must be going slowly, probably due to his lack of sustenance. Either that or he’d been shot more than he’d thought. The two vampires had helped, but their blood had been secondhand. “Are you okay? You’re looking a little pale for you.” Nathan glanced back with a look of concern. He wrapped his arms around the taller man. “I’m fine. We best be off before they catch up.” Even riding double with plenty of breaks for the big-boned gelding, they would be able to get away from the mob,who traveled on foot. They’d be miles away in no time. The horse cantered off. Nathan found a streambed at Henri’s request. They traveled it to camouflage their tracks. It was almost nightfall before they stopped for longer than a few minutes. Henri sat on the ground after getting off the horse, breathing deeply. Yes, there were more wounds than he’d thought. He’d known of two. There must be more than that. He hadn’t finished healing, though itwas close, probably needing another hour for completion. Nathan swung down, letting the horse go. The bay trotted a few feet away to graze. “Are you all right?” Nathan’s worried eyes probed his. “You don’t look so good.” Henri’s hand crept around to his back before whipping it back to his front. He couldn’t investigate the damage now, or how far it had healed. He’d have to get some strength to go off alone. “I’m fine. Need to rest a moment.” He’d used his psyche to block his pain from Nathan. It had taken considerable effort, but he didn’t want to Nathan to know he was hurt. Luckily, his beast had been settled down for the ride. He never would have been able to block on both fronts. “You keep reaching for your back. I noticed it earlier. Let me see.” Nathan attempted to go around him. Henri pushed Nathan away, keeping his back from view. “I’m fine,dammit . Leave me alone.” Nathan walked a step away.“Fine. If that’s the way you want it.” But instead of moving away, he dashed behind Henri. Shit. Henri closed his eyes as he heard Nathan’s curse. “You’re wounded. You should have said something.” “It’s nothing. And we had to get away.” He opened his eyes as Nathan’s hand touched his shirt. “It’s notnothing . But...” Nathan’s voice sounded puzzled. “What’s wrong with your blood? It’s all pink.” He lifted Henri’s shirt before quickly dropping it. Mentally, Henri cursed again. He’d suspected the truth would have to come out, but had been trying to follow Madeleine’s wishes. He turned to face Nathan, who was backing away from him.“Those wounds. They’re almost healed. What the hell are you?”

Chapter Eight

Nathan stared at the man before him.No, not a man. Five wounds lay open on his back. They had to have been bullet wounds, but now they were mere scrapes. His shirt was covered in blood, but not any blood that Nathan had ever seen before. No man could heal that fast, bleed that color. What was he? Henri took a step toward him. “Nathan, listen to me.” “No. You tell me what you are right now. There’s no way those wounds could have healed that much.” Nathan quelled his shaking hands. What a night this had been. He’d been betrayed by those he’d thought were friends and lovers. Now, he’d encountered...he didn’t even know what to call Henri anymore. “Sit down.” Henri’s voice was gruff.Authoritative. “No.” Nathan wasn’t going to sit and be a duck ready for the taking. Henri grunted before he spoke. “I saved your ass this morning. If I’d wanted you dead, I could have let your people take you. Sit down so we can talk.” Henri probably needed to sit. He still looked weak, though he was better than he’d looked on the rest breaks they’d taken. Nathan had thought it was worry about the mob that had made him look that way, but it must have been the wounds he’d suffered. Keeping his eyes on Henri, he settled down on the ground. Henri lowered himself with effort. He winced, making Nathan do the same. He must have been in considerable pain all day, too. Yet, he’d never said a word, running,then riding with Nathan until they were far enough away to have a measure of safety. “Are you going to be all right?” “I’ll be fine. I need to heal.” Henri stretched out before speaking again. “Nathan, this is going to sound unbelievable. I need you to keep your mind open.” Nathan nodded. “I’ll try.” What the man would tell him, he had no idea. “I’m a vampire.” Nathan stared into the earnest man’s face, waiting for the rest of the joke. Then, he laughed. Of all the things he had imaginedHenri would say, this was completely unexpected .“A what?” “A vampire.”Henri listed off several terms in what sounded as if they were other languages.“A creature of the night.Of the dead, according to the tales.” “I know the term. They’re myths.” Nathan would check Henri for head injuries after seeing to his wounds. He and his mother had discussed folklore as well as travel, so he did know what Henri spoke of. She’d never told him how she knew so much about such creatures. Henri leaned back with a satisfied smile as if he knew a secret. “No. Most of the folklore about us is myth. But we do exist.” Nathan eyed Henri’s head, looking for dents. But that wouldn’t explain the blood or the wounds’

healing. Could he be telling the truth? Or was he nuts? “You’re serious.” “Yes.” Nathan lifted his head to stare back into Henri’s eyes. He met them head on. The man believed what he said. This was ludicrous. It couldn’t be. “You’re crazy.” “How do you think I healed? I was shot, Nathan. How else could the wounds be almost gone? In another hour, you’ll never know they were there. Why does my blood look so different than yours?” More silence reigned, except for the night sounds. Insects chirped nearby, along with an occasional hoot of an owl. The horse nickered and stamped a hoof. Nathan swallowed, his throat moving along the spittle. “Do you drink blood?” Somehow, he was processing this insane declaration, which led to questions. Henri had never eaten anything in Nathan’s presence. And they’d been together a while now. His own stomach rumbled, reminding him he’d had nothing to eat all day, save a few berries at one of their stops to rest the horse. “I do. But only from willing donors.” And the man had to have plenty of volunteers. “So you don’t kill people as the myths say you do?” A split second hesitation, but Nathan saw it.“Most of the time, no.” Most.That didn’t mean all. He’d have to find out more there. “How long do you live?” “I can only be killed by another vampire.” “Humans can’t kill you?” Nathan moved a rock from under his ass. “No.” “Well, that’s good. The villagers couldn’t have hurt you then.” Henri had had nothing to worry about back at the house. He could have run, leaving Nathan behind. Nathan had been the one in danger. He could die. But Henri had been there to protect him. “They hurt me.” Henri pointed to his back. “But they couldn’t kill me. I heal faster than humans do. I would have already healed by now, but I...haven’t been taking meals as I should since I came to stay with you.” No. No, it couldn’t be. “DidMaman know? What you are?” “Yes. Yes, she did.” A light breeze gust ambled up, bringing with it smells of the wildflowers that must be growing nearby. She’d always liked wildflowers. Why hadn’t she told him?“How? How did she find out?” His mother could never have been knowingly involved with a vampire, could she? “It’s a long story, Nathan. But she knew. Your father knew me and what I am, too.”

“Mamanalways said a man brought them together. Were it not for him, they never would have met. That was you.” “It was me. They worked for me, which is how they met. They fell in love while in my employ. But, they were also my friends.” Nathan kicked out a leg, digesting new concepts about his mother and father. The sun’s dying rays cast lights and shadows on the ground. It wouldn’t be long before darkness fell. “I’d better start a fire. It’s going to be dark soon.Unless we aren’t staying here for the night.” Henri struggled to his feet. “I think we’ll be all right here for a few hours. We’ve traveled many kilometers and covered our tracks. The horse needs to rest.” He took a wobbly step. “You stay here. Heal yourself. We can talk more after the fire is going.” After collecting the necessary wood, Nathan started a small fire. The tiny glow it put out was hardly a glimmer. But it gave off some light, making it better than nothing at all. “Can you see in the dark?” Henri had stayed put while Nathan had foraged, telling Nathan he wasmore weak than he tried to let on. “I can.” So Henri hadn’t needed the fire. “That’s why you go out in the night?” Henri had gone out every evening since he’d been at Nathan’s house. The breeze changed directions, blowing the smoke toward them rather than away. The heavy scent swamped them before dispersing. His house.It was gone. Nathan shook it off. He wouldn’t think of it tonight. “Well, sunlight doesn’t agree with me. It won’t kill me. But it makes me uncomfortable. So I prefer the night.” All the scratching that Nathan had noticed.That was the cause. “That’s not part of the lore, or at least what I’ve heard.About the sunshine doing anything to you.” Henri chuckled. “No, it’s not. Maybe one day it will be. The tales change down through the years. But the only two constants that are real for my kind are blood and immortality.” “How were you made? Who made you into a vampire?” Henri’s eyes glittered in the weak light. Even so, Nathan could see them get a far away look. His memories had taken him to a place where Nathan wasn’t. “It happened long ago inEgypt . A Pharaoh, which was the name for a king in those days, had me in his service. His daughter’s handmaiden took a fancy to me. She made me what I am.” Nathan swallowed. Henri had liked women in the past. Did becoming a vampire change you that much? “You liked women?” “Becoming a vampire made me open to sex with men and women.” Oh. Nathan poked at the fire. “So you’re Egyptian? Not French? HenriBaptiste is a French name.”

One day, he would have to hear the whole detailed story of how Henri had been made. He shook his head. Here he was talking to a vampire and believing him. Why wasn’t he having more trouble with this? Because of the way his day had started out, and that this man had saved his life. He trusted him more than he had anyone beyond his parents. And it explained a lot of the things he knew and couldn’t reconcile. “My Egyptian name is hard to pronounce. And it didn’t fit in. I came toFrance years ago. I love this country. I adoreParis .” Henri’s smile was soft, wistful looking. “I needed to fit in if I were going to live there for any time as I wanted to. So I found a French name and adopted it.” “It suits you.” The fire popped out an ember from its orange glow. Henri’s smile grew wider. They sat in silence a few more minutes. “Nathan?” “Yes?” “How are you doing? It’s been quite a day.” Focusing on Henri’s vampirism had taken his mind off the whole hellish morning and trip. His excitement had been so great in escaping thehorde, he hadn’t had time to think about it. “I...I don’t know.” “Jacques turned your townspeople. They aren’t bad. He used them.For his own means.” “They wanted to believe him. Or they wouldn’t have.” Nathan rubbed his arms, a sudden chill popping up the goose pimples on them. “They burned the house.”His parents’ labor of love.Gone. It had been steadily on fire when he’d last looked back. Not only had they burned his last connection to his parents along with any memories he’d have kept of them, they’d wanted to burn him alive. “They were going to kill me.” Henri’s arms were suddenly there, wrapping around him, pulling him into his warm body. He rubbed Nathan’s arms, warding off the chill that progressed from the inside out “They can’t take away your memories of your parents.” He tapped Nathan’s head. “Those will always be with you.” His grip tightened to almost painful levels. “I would never let them kill you.” “Why? Two...two of my lovers were with the mob. I...they wanted me dead even after what we shared. Why are you helping me?” Nathan closed his eyes, his body shaking. He lashed out at the only person who was there. “Why the hell are you doing this?” Henri stroked his back in silence. Nathan broke his hold, pushing away from the stronger man. “No. It’s only because ofMaman . That’s why you saved me. That’s why you’re doing all of this.Because of a promise to her.” Somehow all the hurts of the day had boiled up into one giant pot, and this one sent it bubbling over. It wasn’t fair. He wasn’t truly angry with Henri. But he needed to let something out, or he’d explode. Henri let him go; that was the only way he’d gotten free. “Maddydid ask me to protect you...” Nathan’s throat closed up. His eyes misted over. So there it was. The truth he’d known. The only reason his savior protected him was his mother. It had nothing to do with him, nothing to do with any connection between them. He’d been a fool to think there was anything special there.

Henri cleared his throat, bringing Nathan’s attention back to the speaking man. “...But she never told me to make love to you, Nathan.” He seemed to have more to say, but Nathan couldn’t listen to anymore. “Oh, was it for pity then? The poor broken man who’d lost his mother.Such a country idiot. Did you have a good laugh?” Nathan’s whole being was as raw as a piece of meat from each happening of the day. “You’re not broken. You’re grieving. And what we shared...” Henri shook his head. “It went beyond coupling. I know you know that.” Nathan’s eyes briefly shut,then reopened. “Why did you do it? Fuck me? Save me?If not only for Maman .” “I did it for you.” Henri moved back toward him, putting a hand on his knee. “Let me finish this time and listen to every word.Maddy may have told me to look after you. But that’s not why I made love to you. Or even fought so hard to keep you safe. I did all that because...” His hand squeezed Nathan’s knee. “Because I find you enthralling. I did it because of you, Nathan. Not for any other reason.” “You do? Find me enthralling?” He’d never heard anyone describe him as anything else but strange. “Yes.” “Henri?” “What?” “The night you came back, and we...I was going to take you up on going toParis . In a few weeks, I would have gone with you.” He’d needed time at the house to finish out his grief, to say goodbye. The time had now been denied him. But his parents wouldn’t have wanted him to stay there forever, losing his own dreams. Henri’s hand moved along his thigh. “That is good to hear. I’m sorry the villagers forced your hand much sooner than you’d planned, and for what they did. I will take you back toParis with me. I’ll show you everything.” “Have you healed completely? Let me look.” Nathan pulled back, motioning for Henri to turn around. Henri presented his back. “They are much better.” “Yes, they are. Only a scratch remains. They’ve healed so much even from when I saw them last.” Nathan reached out and touched Henri’s now smooth back. His finger circled where the holes in his skin had been. “Luckily, they shot me in the back, and the bullets didn’t exit.” “What will happen to the lead?” Nathan hadn’t even thought there’d be bullets left inside Henri. “I’ll have a surgeon remove them one day.If my body doesn’t absorb them. Sometimes a vampire’s body can break down lead.” Henri stretched out his arms. “Good thing, too, up until coming here, I’d been feeding regularly. Had I been without filling meals for months, so many wounds would have felled me. Even one might have.” Henri turned back around, pulling his shirt down to his pants.Too bad.

Nathan had liked the view. What a sexy man, even hurt as he was. Henri lay back on the ground, pulling Nathan down with him. “How would it have put you down?” Nathan snuggled into Henri’s hard body. Somehow, even with what had happened, Henri still made him more secure than he ever had with anyone. “I would have gone into a healing sleep. Only blood or a long time passing would have brought me out.” Henri moved his hand to Nathan’s back. “It’s how our bodies deal with blood loss from wounds.” “You...still need to feed, though, don’t you?From losing so much blood?” He tripped over the words. What was he doing? Was he going to offer himself up? How did a vampire feed? Somehow getting to the blood inside didn’t sound pleasant for the one giving it. “I will be slightly weak until I do. I’m fine enough for now. Don’t worry.” Nathan swallowed. The man had done so much for him. It was only a little blood. “You could feed from me.” It was right to do this for him. Henri would never hurt him. Henri’s hand stilled from where it had been weaving circles on Nathan’s back. “You don’t have to do this. You owe me nothing.” “I know.” Nathan leaned his head back, exposing his throat. “But I want to. I want to give you that which you need.My blood.” He put his hand on the side of Henri’s face. “Please let me.” He pulled Henri’s head down close. Henri’s intake of breath tickled under his hand. Henri’s tongue came out to glide across his upper lip. His hands traveled down to Nathan’s waist. “All right then.” One firm hand grasped Nathan’s cock under his breeches, and the other slid them down to his knees, exposing him to the air. Nathan hissed at the rolling sensations rocking across him. Henri’s mouth lowered to kiss a spot on his neck below his ear. It traveled down, kissing and nipping along the tender flesh. Henri centered on a spot to the side, before clamping down with his teeth and excising a small cut. He slurped and sucked as his hand still massaged Nathan’s cock. After a minute or so of feeding, with a flip of his tongue, Henri closed the wound. He continued to kiss and touch until Nathan’s orgasm rose and exploded, shooting his seed into Henri’s ready hand. Nathan’s body trembled, quivering with the fierceness of his release. He rose up, his hand going to Henri’s breeches. Henri’s hand grabbed his, laying on top of it, stopping him from undoing anything. “No.” “Why? I want to...” “I know that you do, Nathan. And I want you to do that and more to me.With me. But, we still must be on alert. And if I’m being...touched that way, I won’t be as conscious of things around me as I need to be.” “But, we’re safe. And you did that to me.” “I wanted to feed from you while bringing you pleasure as I did. And I did need the blood.” Henri’s

thumb stroked his hand. “But until we make it back to my house inParis , we’re still in danger.” Nathan scoffed. “The mob wouldn’t follow us here. And neither would Jacques.” Jacques was a lazy asshole. He wouldn’t pursue them this far on his own. Henri pulled Nathan’s hand back and pressed a kiss on the palm. “Did you ever see a man with Jacques?Tall.Big.A Spaniard.” “Once.”Jacques had come out to the farm to see his mother. Nathan had been out, coming back while they were still there. The man’s eyes had seemed as if they’d peered into Nathan’s soul. He’d been too interested in Nathan, asking him things, making him uncomfortable. It was right after that, that his mother had become so scared about his actions and about Jacques hurting him. He met Henri’s eyes. This man had something to do with everything. “Who is he?” “His name isBellario . He’s a vampire. Like me.” “What does he want?” Henri’s eyes shuttered down.“Only one thing.” “What is it?” “You.” ***** “When I find you, Jacques.I’m going to kill you.”Bellario’s horse made his way across the dark landscape.Bellario was tracking Henri and Nathan, but nighttime that had settled upon the land made it more difficult. His predatory eyes and ears sought any sign that they’d been through there. He’d been woken in the afternoon by a vampire minion, who’d informed him that a mob had burned down Nathan’s house. Nathan and Henri had fled on foot.Bellario had had to go out in the cursed daytime to make sure his prize didn’t escape too far away. “You think you’re so smart, Henri.” He growled. The horse nervously sped up at the sound. Henri thought he’d get away with his prize. They’d be heading for Henri’s house inParis , thinking they’d be safe there.Bellario wouldn’t let them reach there. He would possess Nathan. And Henri would die for attempting to keep him fromBellario . Jacques had fled. He’d heard enough when he’d arrived at Nathan’s house to know Jacques had incited the mob to go after Nathan. Damn the man.Bellario had had to go after Nathan and Henri first, but once his possession had been gained, Jacques was a dead man. The trail had been easy at first. Drops of Henri’s blood had scattered along the ground, making following them even easy for humans. They wouldn’t recognize it for what it was even as they trailed it, butBellario did.Vampire blood. Henri had been wounded. He’d heal, but unless he fed, the wounds would weaken him. And he’d never feed from Nathan, who didn’t know about their kind. Henri and Nathan had stolen a horse from a neighboring farm, making their pace faster and harder to follow. There,Bellario had ditched his minion, taking a much needed feeding of his own. Knowing that

Jacques was close to producing Nathan in the situation he’d wanted, he’d not fed recently, anticipating feeding on Nathan’s blood while he turned him. With Henri’s obvious wounds and riding double on the horse, they would have to take breaks and stop along the way. That would slow them down enough forBellario to catch up. Surely, they didn’t intend to ride all the way toParis tonight. It was a long journey to do in the time they had left in the day. And Nathan was human, making himmore frail than vampires. And the horse, being overloaded, would need the few hours’ rest. Yes, they’d stop along the way to sleep, andBellario would find them. He weaved his horse down a streambed, his nose searching for their scents. Wading down a river might confound human trackers. But the wet banks clung to scents, making them last longer, which was perfect for a vampire nose. Henri would be on guard against him and be sending out feelers to detect him before he got too close. He’d need the element of surprise to secure his prize without bloodshed. He sensed them.Nearby. His nose twitched, drawing in their scents. Leaping from the horse, he let it go. The horse would make too much noise. He approached them, making as little sound as he could. He was upwind from them until the breeze shifted. Freezing, he cursed the wind currents. It would blow his scent right to Henri’s nose, alerting him to who lurked there.Not that Henri didn’t already know he was there from his psychic feelers, but in case he didn’t,Bellario hadn’t wanted to give him more of a chance to sense his presence. The wind shifted back. What had it told Henri? He took a deep whiff of the wind blowing his way. Henri and Nathan’s scents still rested on the breezes. Along with a new one. A familiar one. Jacques was approaching from the other direction. Chapter Nine

“Me? Why the hell would he want me?” Nathan stared at Henri while shaking his head. Damn, his whole life with little interest from men, and suddenly, he had two after him. One was evil, and one was something he wasn’t sure he understood yet. He trusted Henri, but didn’t understand the vampire in him. Yet. He would, with lots of time to explore. He looked at Henri’s tight body.Lots of time. “Because of your powers.” Nathan stared into the flickering flames of the fire, not meeting Henri’s intense gaze. They danced around, twirling over themselves as if they were children playing. “What powers?” Henrisnorted, the sound soft and full of humor. “Don’t play stupid.Because you aren’t.”

“I don’t know how I do what I do. I can sense people’s emotions. I always have been able to.” “Most people can’t do that, Nathan.” “I know.” “Your mother could.” Nathan picked up a small rock, twirling it in his hands. Flecks sparkled in the light of the fire, shining like the stars up above them in the sky. His fingers tumbled over the rough edges. “I know.” “What you have goes beyond what she could do.” Henri watched as Nathan fooled with the rock. Nathan could sense his gaze. “I’ve never seen in anyone what you have.” “It didn’t start until...you.” While there had been twinges before, he’d never controlled the absorption of emotion until he’d come into contact with Henri. He turned the rock over and over. A man as sophisticated and worldly as Henri had never seen anything like him. That couldn’t be good. Maybe he was a freak as Jacques said he was. “You’re not a freak. You’re different. ButBellario knows about your powers. He knows what you can do. And he wants you.” A shiver raced along Nathan’s spine. Being wanted by Henri was a good thing. Being wanted byBellario was not.“Not for a good card game, eh?” He looked to Henri’s face. His smile turned bitter. “No. He’ll make you a vampire to use you. He has plans for you, my friend.” Nathan dropped the rock to the ground where it made a soft plunk.Bellario could turn him? Could Henri? “How are vampires made?” “A person must...die. All their blood must be drained. Only a vampire can do that. Then, at the last breath or soon after, the human must feed on a vampire’s blood. With the blood comes the power.” “So you...could....” Henri could make him a vampire. But why hadn’t he offered? It would have solved a lot of trouble withBellario’s pursuit of him. What were Henri’s intentions? Nathan swallowed convulsively. Beyond attraction, what did they have? They’d been interrupted before either of them could talk about the future. Henri might not want a little human along for the ride once he’d filled Nathan a few times. And the notion of Henri leaving him hurt much more than it should. Somehow, he’d fallen for the Egyptian. How had that happened? He closed his eyes before opening them so Henri wouldn’t notice. Worst of all, what was Nathan going to do about it? Henri held up a hand. His nostrils twitched as he turned his head this way and that. Rushes at Nathan’s mind told him Henri was searching with his mind. He was looking for intruders, for pursuers. “What is it?” Nathan whispered, trying to peer into the darkness lit only by moonlight. If only he could see. “Bellario.He’s near.” Henri took a big whiff of air, the sound like a hiss of a snake. “Jacques is, too.” He cocked his head to one side. “They come in opposite directions. They aren’t together.” He leaped to his feet, motioning to Nathan as he whistled for the horse. “Come, we must ride.”

The horse stayed where he was despite Henri’s imitation of Nathan’s whistle. Nathan slowly stood. “No.” “What do you mean ‘no’? We must go.” Henri’s eyebrows rose as if he couldn’t believe Nathan had denied him. Nathan’s head slowly began to shake his negation. “I’m not going to run from them the rest of my life. It’s those two? No more?” Henri’s mouth set in a grim line ready to disagree. “Yes. But now is not the time to fight them.” “Why? No better time than the present. We can take them. You’re healed, right? All full of my bloody goodness?” Nathan pulled up his arms to tighten up his muscles and show off. “You takeBellario . I’ll handle Jacques.” Henri looked skeptical. “I don’t want to run away all the time. I want this to be over. Here and now.” His teeth clenched so tightly it hurt. “And I owe Jacques.”For so many things. Most of all Nathan owed him for the upheaval he’d created in Nathan’s life. All he’d had to do waswait , and Nathan would have left town. Jacques never would have had to see him again. He hadn’t had to sell him out toBellario . “We could get toParis ...” “Even if we could reachParis before they caught us, they’ll still come there. They’ll lie in wait for us, catch us unawares. Better we confront them here, where we at least know they’re on their way, and they don’t have anyone else with them.” “Are you sure? It could be nasty.And dangerous.” “I live for danger.” Nathan puffed out his chest. Rolling his eyes, Henrihuffed a breath, much like the sounds of annoyance Nathan had heard from people over the years.“Fine. Jacques comes from that way.” He pointed in a direction. “You face there, I’ll face here. We’ll have a standoff.” “Shouldn’t we try and gain some sort of an advantage?” Henri looked around, surveying the landscape. “How do you propose we do that? There’s no good place to hide. And we can’t hide fromBellario . He’ll sense us.” “I don’t know.Something higher maybe. The high ground is always better to have.” Nathan had read that once somewhere. “This ground’s flat here.” Henri’s eyes scanned around before going up.“A tree.” Several trees bore low branches. “That would work!” Nathan picked up a few little rocks. “Who’s going to get here first, you think?” “Jacques is closer.” “Good.” He made a small pile of little rocks in case he needed a distraction. “I’ll sit here. You climb the tree. And we’ll surprise the hell out of him. Then, we’ll deal withBellario .”

“Bellariowill know where I am. The same trick won’t work on him. And he’s getting closer all the time. We may be dealing with them both, especially as he’ll sense Jacques coming toward us.” “We can do it.” Nathan held out his hand to shake. Henri did so after a moment’s hesitation. Henri climbed a few feet into a tree where he was hidden by the green leaves. Not that Nathan could tell the color, but they were leaves. Henri rested over a spot in front of Nathan, who crouched down low to the ground. He would have to get Jacques to that spot for Henri to spring onto. It’s the perfect plan. Nathan peered into the darkness, seeking any sign of Jacques’s approach. After what seemed as if hours had passed, he chanced speaking. “Are you sure Jacques is out there?” He’d never liked to wait. He tapped a hand on the ground, tossing up a rock. Crouching was going to get uncomfortable if he did it for too long. Maybe later, Henri would do another massage. His cock poked up to show his approval of that idea. Henri spoke in a hushed whisper. “I’m sure.” “How sure?” “Very sure.” “Can you seebetter as a vampire?” The moon cast a faint glow over the ground, the only thing allowing Nathan to see at all. Jacques would be having the same problem. But wouldBellario ? “I can. Hear and smell better, too.” “Hmmph. Aren’t you lucky?” Considering all the times I could scent your arousal dripping in my presence, I’d say so. The words were almost growled. Nathan’s head came up with a start, considering he had an erection right now. If only he could look up at the man in the tree to see his expression, but he didn’t dare. You’re teasing me. Perhaps. The seriousness the man displayed most of the time had shown Nathan that he didn’t tease or play often. A warmth spread across Nathan’s stomach. He teased me. That was special. His cock tightened even more. His head shot up straighter. The last few sentences of banter hadn’t been spoken aloud. They’d been speaking in each other’s minds. How the hell had they done that? He didn’t have long to ponder anything. Jacques stepped out of the trees surrounding them.Holding a gun. You didn’t tell me about the gun. My nose isn’t that sensitive. I’m coming down.

No. We have the advantage with you being up there. I’ll tell you when. Or at least, they should still have an advantage if things worked out. Nathan’s heart pounded as his palms sweated. The gun made all bets go crazy. He straightened up from his crouched position. Henri would tell him when this was all over, why they could talk in each other’s mind, but it was rather helpful about now. They could plot with no one knowing what they said. Stupid man would never seen Henri coming. “Hello, Jacques.” “You’re one hard son-of-a-bitch to kill.” Jacques leveled the weapon at him. “But I think now I’m going to get my wish.” Nathan scrambled back a step or two, grabbing a few small stones to take with him from his pile. “You can try.” His stomach rose. How dare Jacques want him dead? It wasn’t fair to be so cruel just because he hadn’t wanted to be with Jacques again. What a sad little man. “This gun says I’ll succeed. Hey, where’d your fuck buddy go?The one who you left town with. He get tired of you already, you lousy lay?” The growl sounded in Nathan’s head. The rage bubbled up in Henri.Great. Henri mad was good for fighting, but if he became too enraged, he’d make mistakes. Calm down. “Or maybe he died. People do tend to do that to you.” Jacques laughed. “We did fill him full of holes back at your house.” “Shut up.” Nathan shouldn’t have given him the satisfaction but couldn’t control his outburst. “You know I killed a bunch of animals in your name, right? Made you look as if you were the demon you are, you freak.” Nathan. Henri sounded impatient. Let him walk a little further. Nathan backed up again, making Jacques take halting steps forward. “You’re a no-good, freak of a bastard, who I’m going to enjoy putting a hole in.” He aimed the gun, took another step. Now.Bellariois closer than I sensed before! One more step. “It was so easy to get the villagers against you. They all hated you. Everyone did. Who’d want a freak like you? Not as a neighbor.Or for fucking.” Nathan stayed silent, egging Jacques on to talk more and more. As long as he kept walking, things would work out fine. Jacques took the step they’d needed at the same time thatBellario bellowed, “Jacques!” Jacques swung around to face one angry vampire, backing off from the perfect spot Henri had been in to drop onto him. “Shit.” Nathan took up a fighting stance. This was not going according to the plan.

Shit. Henri dropped down from the tree. “Hello,Bellario .” Before anyone could move further, Jacques’s face twisted, his mouth curling upward.“Fucking freak.” And he aimed the gun at Nathan.Blam. Definitely not according to plan, was Nathan’s last thought as red-hot pain exploded across his chest. ***** Henri heard the gun blast, saw Nathan fall to the ground. “Nathan!” He was at his side in two steps. Blood poured from a wound in his chest. “Nathan!” He shook him a little, pulling aside his shirt to see the gaping edges marring his perfect skin. Nathan roused to consciousness. “I’m shot.” His breathing came high and frenzied with rasps along the airwaves. White rage clouded Henri’s eyesight. Nathan had been hurt, and the one who had done that would pay. Henri turned at a strangled sound from behind them as the gun landed by Nathan’s outstretched arm. Bellariohad Jacques by the neck. His mouth was clamped to him, biting, as Jacques struggled weakly against him. Good. At least the bastard would be taken out of this world. Not anything he wished on humans, but this one deserved to die a thousand times over. However, the damage had been done. Nathan was dying. His air croaked from his chest in a sound that labored his breathing. It scratched along Henri’s nerves. He cradled him closer.“Shhhhhhhh.” Time was running out. He had to save Nathan, had to turn him. He couldn’t...wouldn’t lose him now, not after he’d found him. He clutched Nathan even tighter. So this was what love was. Nathan wasn’t the only one dying. Henri’s heart was being ripped into pieces. The acknowledgement hit him like a sack of grain. He loved Nathan. With all his being. Bellariodropped Jacques’s body as if it were a child’s rag doll, letting out a low growl. “Get away from him. He’s mine.” He bared his fangs at Henri. Henri arched a brow at the challenge. “Not in this lifetime.” The beast rose up atBellario trying to claim what was his. Nathan is ours. His whole body tensed around his own anger asa coldness seeped along his skin. Sweat broke out in cooling pools, chilling him further. “You’ll never have him.” He released Nathan as gently as he could, not wanting to hurt him. As it was, Nathan groaned. Getting to his feet, Henri flexed his arm muscles as he took a defensive stance in front of Nathan. He tried to keep his control dead center. “You’ll regret this, Henri.”Bellario stalked in front of him, snarling. “You’ll regret going up against me.”

The beast moved within Henri, fanning up his rage and frustration.Mixing up his emotions. Henri howled with the onslaught. He couldn’t fight two battles at once, unable to control his animal and take onBellario .Bellario was the more important fight. He had to get back to Nathan.Had to save him. The best way to do that was to kill the interloper. Henri let the beast rage loose and unbound. His teeth gritted, wanting to sink into flesh and rend it to the bared bone underneath. He crouched before springing ontoBellario , tackling him, tearing with hands, snapping his jaws, trying to get a mouth-hold upon the squirmy vampire. Bellariotwisted his body, trying to escape, digging in with his hands before he knocked his head down to butt Henri. Hurt imploded in Henri’s skull. He ignored it, gnashing teeth, ripping into the flesh ofBellario’s shoulder along with his clothes.Bellario’s shock emanated from him. He hadn’t expected full body contact. “Nooooo!”Bellarioscreamed, wriggling his hips. “You’re crazy.” “You’ll die...” Bellariobrought something down on Henri’s head. He bashed with it, slamming it down three times before Henri loosened his hold.Bellario struggled free, his shoulder leaking blood. “I thought you were supposed to be civilized.” Henri didn’t answer, but leaped for him again now that the pounding no longer echoed along his skull. Must kill.Must kill. Bellarioraised his arms, the rock that he’d banged on Henri’s head tightly clutched in his hands. Must kill.Must kill. A clicking sound, so quiet Henri almost didn’t hear it, was followed by a bang that the whole forest heard. Bellariolooked down at the blown out hole in his gut. His head swung to Nathan, who held Jacques’s gun. “You shot me.” Nathan lowered it, collapsing back down to the dirt. “I missed. I aimed for your head.” Henri sprang, this time coming down with his body fully onBellario’s . The momentary weakness of the blood loss from the wound cost him. Henri had attached himself and wouldn’t let go beforeBellario gathered his senses. Not even whenBellario shook, nor when he screamed did Henri’s hold loosen. Only when ash had eatenBellario up did Henri release what he couldn’t hold. His breath galloped from his nose in short bursts. Must...get...kill...control must...kill...get...kill...control...Nathan. Nathan. Nathan. On shaking legs, he maneuvered to his lover.Had to get control for Nathan. He shoved the blood lust, shoved his beast, back into its dark hole. Nathan’s breath rattled around his chest. A gurgle popped out along with red-tinged spittle. His heart stopped pumping.

Henri grabbed Nathan’s head, forcing it back, lowering his own head. His teeth clenched a spot, sinking into Nathan’s flesh. He took the little remaining blood up in short suckles. Cradling Nathan’s head more upright, he opened the skin on his arm with his teeth. With his thumb keeping Nathan’s mouth open, he trickled his own blood over Nathan’s pale lips. Drop after drop of his vitae spilled in as Nathan swallowed. Nathan’s breath caught. His heart pounded again. As his eyes shot open, he coughed heavily. Henri patted his back, letting go of his tight hold. It had been too damn close. He’d almost lost him. Never again. “The moon’s still out, but it looks as if it were daytime.” Nathan struggled to sit further up. Henri helped brace him so he wouldn’t fall backward.“The sounds.God.” He clasped his ears with his hands. “It’s so loud. Everything’s loud.Even me.” Henri stroked gently along his back. “You’ll adjust. Give it time.” As Nathan trembled, he kept him close. “You made me.A vampire.” It wasn’t accusatory.A simple statement. Nathan could sense the changes in himself. “Yes.” Henri steeled himself for whatever reaction the man might have. Anger, sadness, joy, they all were possible. “You saved my life.” “Yes. You were dead.” “Why? Why save me?” Henri pulled him as close as he dared. Nathan would not be as coherent as usual for a few hours as his powers kicked in. He had so much to adjust to, especially with his senses. It was best not to attempt anything strenuous until most of the adjustments had gone through. Would Nathan still be able to be empathetic, sensing feelings? Would he be able to draw off emotion? What new powers might he turn up with? Suppose his animal was too... No, he wouldn’t let that happen. Nathan would learn control.From him. But what if Nathan didn’t want to be with him? It wasn’t anything they’d ever talked about. “I know I’m fucked up in the head. But I know I asked you why you saved me,” Nathan whispered. “And you didn’t answer.” And Nathan deserved an answer not the silence, but what to say? “Because...I...” How did one say what had never been said from one’s own lips before? “I love you, Nathan.” Nathan trembledmore . With surprising strength, he pulled Henri’s head to his to claim his lips. Henri tasted the metallic flavor of blood.His own. Nathan parted his lips with his tongue before pulling back. “I love you, too.”

Nathan rubbed his neck where the bite wound was already healing. His gunshot would be healed by morning, sooner if they found a meal. “I’d kill those who hurt you.” Henri’s rage rose up as if it were a rearing stallion inside of him, threatening to break free. No. Not now. He clamped down on it, taking the reins, trying to jam it back into its compartment. The light feeler startled him as emotion rolled back through the psychic tentacle. Henri’s rage eased into something he could manage. His eyes sought Nathan’s as he shuddered, working to keep control of himself. Henri rubbed his arms, making soothing sounds. That answered that question. Nathan could ingest his emotions still. And he’d done a damn fine job of it. Rarely was Henri so at ease as he was now. Nothing was trying to break free from its leash. “Are you all right?” “I am. How do you live with that?Day after day?” Henri shrugged. “I just do.” With Nathan able to take away his emotion, maybe he’d live under better control. They’d have to take that one step at a time, though. Who said Nathan would even want to be with him forever? Nathan fought against the new sensations, emotional and sensory, before relaxing and taking them in slowly. “In time, you’ll learn to control your senses so you don’t overload.” “Will you help me?” Maybe Nathan would want to be with him. It was a start at least. Henri rested his temple on Nathan’s. “Of course.” Chapter Ten

Nathan watched as Henri shut the door to his room. “I like your house.” He lowered himself to the bed in one resounding bounce. Henri waved a hand as he pulled out a decanter of wine. “It suits me.” He poured the red liquid into a small glass. It did more than suit. Henri owned a large house in the heart ofParis . It was triple the size of Nathan’s little farmhouse. “You’re taking wine? I didn’t think we could eat or drink anything but blood.” They had arrived inParis an hour ago. Henri’s servants had seemed glad to see him and had fussed over Nathan. “I take a little wine on occasion. We can eat small amounts of food. Anythingmore, and you get sick.” Henri took a sip, lowering himself to a padded chair. “I’ll have to make the food I eat count. Make it something I enjoy.Something sweet.” Being a vampire

was a little overwhelming at first. Nathan was slowly adjusting to his increased senses. They’d stayed where he’d been made until sounds no longer hurt, until the light didn’t make him blind. “I’m sure you’ll find something.” Henri set down his glass with a clink. “Speaking of eating, are you hungry?” Nathan grinned, his eyebrows wiggling up and down. Henri arched his own eyebrow. “I meant for blood.” “I know what you meant.” Nathan slid up and off the bed. “But I know what I mean.” He stalked over to Henri, settling himself between Henri’s thighs. Henri laid his head on Nathan’s stomach. “Are you sure you are up for it? You’ve been through a lot today.” Nathan reached down to grasp Henri’s arm and pull up his hand. He stuck the hand on his erect cock. “I’m up for it.” Henri’s hand roamed, squeezing and touching. “I see.” “And I need to...feel someone love me.” The hand stopped. “I need you to love me.” Nathan planted his legs further out. “Please.” The hand went back to massaging. “Of course I will.” Nathan’s hips swung in and out as he panted. And with each breath, it brought new scents. Things he couldn’t have noticed before. Sweet smells like the rolls baking in the kitchen.The overripe smell of grapes on the table. And the heady scent of Henri’s arousal. Nathan’s breathscissored in and out of his mouth. “You’re leaking. I can tell now.” Henri gave his balls a squeeze. “Cheeky.” “Damn right, I am. But I’m right.So sweet.Salty.” He couldn’t wait to bury his face in Henri and get himself coated with Henri’s scent. Henri pushed him slightly back. “Let’s go to the bed.” “You have a thing for beds, don’t you?” Nathan followed behind him, enjoying his view of Henri’s nice ass. Henri chuckled. “They’re comfortable. But they’re not the only places I have sex.” He turned as he reached the bed. “Oh, really?” “You’ll be finding out.Everywhere.Might take me years to show you.” “Decades.”Nathan stopped in front of Henri, looking at the man he’d taken as his own. Henri’s dark hair was disheveled. His clothes were rumpled and dirty from their journey. And, somehow, he had an air of sophistication pulsing from him that no one could take away. Long lashes came down to shade those mahogany brown eyes. And without a doubt, Nathan could look into that face for an eternity and never

get bored. “We should probably clean up. Your sheets are so clean.” They had briefly dusted off when they’d come in. Henri’s servants had been concerned with any wounds and hearing about what had happened. Henri treated them like friends, insisting that he and Nathan hadn’t needed assistance. The sheets looked so soft. He reached a finger to touch the material. It flowed under them. “They’re silk.” Henri pulled Nathan to him, his fingers lifting the bottom of Nathan’s shirt. Nathan looked down at the material. He’d never seen silk before. “We could clean each other.” He waggled brows at Henri. “That was my intention.” He grasped the top of Nathan’s breeches in one hand, hurriedly undoing them. “Good.” Nathan quickly divested himself of his pants. Henri left, coming back with a basin of water and a cloth. Nathan helped Henri shuck off his clothes. His eyes took in Henri’s nakedness. The man could look so good clothed, but naked, he was magnificent. Picking up the washcloth, Nathan proceeded to wring out the water. Henri’s eyes watched his every move. Nathan gently rubbed the cloth against Henri’s cheeks, sponging off his face. He moved down to Henri’s neck and broad shoulders. Blood and grime had coated him wherever the skin had been exposed. Each drop of blood that Nathan wiped away reminded him of how Henri had saved him.Three times today. He rinsed the rag, wringing out the extra water again. “Thank you.” “For what?”Henri let out a grunt as the cloth grazed a nipple. “Saving me.”Nathan flicked the cloth across the other nipple. They were such a deep brown color. Henri chuckled. His chest moved under Nathan’s roving hands. “Somehow, I have a feeling it won’t be the last time.” Nathan scrubbed across Henri’s tight stomach. “You’re probably right. Trouble finds me.” Henri snorted. “After this, you must take your first meal.” “I can’t feed from you only?” “You could. Secondhand vampire blood isn’t always as good as human blood. You might have to feed more often.” “I want to feed from you.For now.” He didn’t know if he could bite someone else. The idea of blood had seemed gross at first, but he was starting to like the idea, probably because he was getting hungry. “All right.” “Turn around. So I can get your back.” He rinsed the cloth out again as Henri did what he’d asked, before running the cloth down the back of Henri’s muscular torso. There was nothing to show that Henri had been wounded. Not a mark marred that perfect olive-toned skin.

The muscled clenched as Henri shifted his weight. “Nathan, are you having problems controlling your beast?” “Not too bad. I can feel...urges that I didn’t know I had. But I can control them.” He glanced down where he’d put the washcloth. “Why?” “Because with what we are about to do and with you feeding from me only, I need to know about your vampire side.” Reaching Henri’s ass, Nathan rinsed again before cleaning across the cheeks. They tensed under his fingers. Nathan lingered, rubbing his hands over the taut skin before running the cloth down Henri’s thighs and calves. With a strangled sound, Henri started talking again. “But I think yours will be a mostly stable part of you. Probably to offset the emotions you are able to take in.” It made sense. With the negative emotions he could siphon off, a stable vampire side would help him keep control even when the emotions were overwhelming, as they were with Henri. Nature had compensated for the abilities. Nathan knelt, leaning back. “Turn around. I’ll finish your front.” Henri turned, putting his erect cock at face level. Nathan couldn’t take his eyes from it, even as his hands slipped down to Henri’s feet to clean the fronts of his legs. He ran the cloth up instead of down, briefly touching Henri’s cock. The flesh jerked. He danced the cloth over and over it again and again. Henri moaned as the cloth fell to the floor. “I think I’m done.” Before Nathan could move his mouth to encircle Henri’s cock, Henri put one hand on his shoulder and the other went down to grab the cloth.“My turn.” He tossed the cloth in a basket, retrieved a second one and dunked it in the water. After wringing it out, he stroked the wet rag down Nathan’s cheek. Disappointment at not getting Henri’s cock in his mouth quickly turned to anticipation. “You’re going to clean me?” He shivered, not from the cool cloth coming into contact with his skin, but at the idea of Henri’s hands on him. “Oh, yes.” Henri took little swipes down Nathan’s face. The chilly, somewhat rough cloth left his skin tingling. His cock swung heavily as he tilted slightly. “Did you think I wouldn’t give you the same treatment?” “I...I didn’t know.” Of course Henri would. Nathan would have to stop underestimating him. Henri stroked down his neck to a nipple. The cloth circled it, brushing against the pebbled center with precision. The other side got the same treatment. As he rinsed out the cloth, Henri’s eyes were trained on him. The cloth returned, wetter as it moved across his abdomen, Henri’s fingers skittering across with it. Nathan’s cock moved with his hip thrust. A quick look down revealed a shiny head on Henri’s. He’d leaked more to replace what had been wiped away earlier. Nathan wanted to taste him up and down. “Nathan. Turn around.” Nathan swung as Henri continued the cloth moving along the skin of his back. “Your skin is so smooth.” He scrubbed at a spot. “Oops, that’s a freckle.”

“They don’t come off.” “Neither does my skin.” Nathan tried to look back to see Henri’s face. The cloth picked that moment to run over his ass so it took a minute to get his breath back. His skin was sosensitive, the slightly rough cloth energized it. His toes curled as he straightened up. “What do you mean?” “I’m Egyptian originally. People know I’m not French when they look at me. Some...would have nationalities not...interact with each other. And being with a man...most people do not understand that.” “I know. I may be from a small place, but I do know.” Without being asked, Nathan turned around. “I’m not most people. I don’t care what you are, or that you have a cock, too. It’s what’s in you that counts .” That was one thing his mother had stressed to him as they’d learned about other places and folklore. And it was a creed he intended to live by. He’d been considered odd and strange all his life, so he wasn’t about to target people for the simple thing of color or place of birth. And he’d always known his sexuality was different. His mother had known, too and had encouraged him to be himself. “You’re blond.Blue-eyed.Different than me.Most older vampires are used to dealing with those of differing backgrounds, but people, humans, can be cruel.” “The past day has taught me that.” Yet, his tone was even. He couldn’t find it in himself to hate the villagers. His hands clenched by his side. He didn’t like what they’d done, but it had given him to Henri much sooner than if they’d been left alone. “It may not be easy sometimes.” Henri’s face was etched with a grim look. “Life never is.” “Hmmm.”Henri dipped the cloth and then, put it to Nathan’s cock. He wrapped the cloth around it, gently stroking. His finger brushed the tip. Nathan’s head tilted back, his body arching backwards. They must be done talking because no way could he think like this. The cloth cleaned him thoroughly before going away. “Let’s take this to the bed, now that we’re clean.” That was more than fine with Nathan, who wanted Henri to put his hands back, cloth or no cloth. Both of them stretched out on the bed. Nathan draped an arm across Henri’s torso. Even as brown as his skin got in the sunshine, Henri’s was so much darker. The contrast of their skin together excited him. Henri leaned in, his lips hungrily meeting Nathan’s. Henri’s tongue slipped between Nathan’s lips to delve intimately into his mouth, exploring every nuance. Henri tasted bitter and sweet with the wine he’d had. It didn’t get any better than this. Except that it did.

Henri’s hand skimmed along his hip before clasping Nathan’s erect cock in his palm. He slid up and down. Nathan’s thighs splayed open, as did his mouth, with a startled grunt. Nathan’s eyes rolled back in his head at the sensations. Flames touched his cock, burning him, exciting him. Henri pulled back, dropping his hand from Nathan. “Hey.” Nathan opened his eyes, protesting weakly the loss of the touching. Henri chuckled, patting Nathan’s knee. “I’ll be back.” “Where are you going?” Henri slipped over to a dresser. He opened a drawer, pulling out a wooden box. Back at the bed, he set the box down. He rinsed off his hand with the bowl of water, which still rested on a little table. Sitting back down, he pulled a small bottle out of the box containing a yellowish liquid. Nathan eyed the bottle as Henri opened it. “What’s that?” Henri poured an ample amount on his hands, rubbing the liquid between them.“Olive oil.” His hands settled back on Nathan’s cock, rubbing the oil around him. Like the lard had back at his house, it made Nathan slippery, making him glide through Henri’s hand.“ Oohhh.” Henri tightened his hands, making a channel for Nathan to speed through. The bottle was within reach, so he gritted his teeth to concentrate on getting it and not on Henri’s hand. Shaking hands poured out a copious amount on his palm. The oil was slightly chilled as it was sitting at room temperature. He rubbed his hands together to warm it up. Henri pulled his thigh to the side, his heavy cock hanging within easy reach of Nathan’s oily hands. “Something you...” Henri’s fingers tightened, making Nathan jerk with pleasure. “...want?” “Perhaps.” His fingers settled on Henri’s cock. His cock slid in the groove of Nathan’s hand until his pinky finger touched the base of it. Henri’s hips moved forward, bucking. Now Henri’s eyes rolled back in his head. Nathan groaned. Henri was so strong, so serious. And yet, when Nathan touched him, it was as if he had the power, which was something Nathan enjoyed. He wanted to bring this man all the pleasure in the world. And somehow, he was going to. Nathan set a nice quick pace, focusing on his hands touching Henri and trying not to concentrate on Henri’s hands touching him. Both panted heavily, and hearts were going wild. Without warning, Nathan dropped his hands away from Henri’s slick engorged cock. He hesitated briefly. Was he ready for this? He was.With Henri. “Henri.” “What?” Henri’s chest pushed up and down with considerable effort. “What is it?” His fingers stilled, staying on Nathan’s cock, but resting.

“I...I want you to take me.” Henri shuddered. The sign that Henri was so turned on made Nathan shudder with him. “Are you sure?” “Yes.” Henri’s hand dropped completely away. “Flip over.” His voice dropped huskier as he motioned with his hand. Nathan flipped over, his ass exposed. He closed his eyes, listening to Henri’s breathing and rustling around. The light drip of something into his ass caused Nathan’s eyes to open. Henri was drizzling olive oil. He leaned to plant a kiss on one ass cheek before nipping it lightly. “Hey.” Nathan looked back at him and grinned. “Do that again.” “Don’t worry.” Henri did it again. “I will, but I don’t bite...much.” Nathan snorted.Again with the playing. How much Henri trusted him with his lighter side was obvious. “You’re a vampire.” “So are you.” Henri stroked with gentle fingers. One finger gently rimmed around the outside of the hole, circling the muscles. Nathan’s mouth dried. The finger dipped inside. Nathan’s muscles clenched. The finger stayed, going no further but refusing to be pushed out by Nathan’s movements. After a moment, the muscular contractions stilling, the finger pushed in a bit more. Nathan kept his breathing even. So far, nothing hurt, but they had done this part before. “Yes, I am.” A second finger rubbed the outside of his hole. Nathan bit his lip as the second finger pushed down deep, and he stretched to accommodate it. He reached down inside himself, looking for that part of him that had been brought up to the surface by this man. The second finger delved deeper. A third finger probed, going down. Henridrizzled more oil. And there itwas, the button that Henri had pushed last time. Nathan couldn’t hold back a cry as intense sensations pulled him into bliss. He’d shot his semen on the sheets.“Ohhhhh.” Henri slowly pulled out his fingers. He wiped them off with the cloth. He depleted much of the bottle of oil, drizzling even more in Nathan’s ass. “If this hurts at all, say something. It shouldn’t hurt if I do it right.”

Nathan nodded, biting down on his lower lip. He shook as Henri’s hands grabbed his hips, positioning him and clambering over him. Henri nipped the side of Nathan’s neck where his hair didn’t rest, as it was pulled to the other side. “Relax.” “I’m trying.” Nathan shifted his body further up on the bed. He took a deep breath to calm himself. Henri nipped again, sucking at the spot. He moved his hips slowly. Something probed at the opening of Nathan’s hole.Henri’s cock. It slid in centimeter by centimeter. Nathan sucked in a breath.His backspasmed . Nothing had prepared him for this. He stretched around Henri’s cock. But the oil and deliberate motions made the sensations quite exquisite. Henri’s breath blew against his neck. “More?” “Yes.” Henri’s body carefully pushed forward, until he was housed completely in Nathan. Henri began to move up and down, up and down, thrusting within him. Each movement grew in strength. The magic button flew off again, making Nathan’s whole body contract. He shifted back, making Henri go in even deeper. “My God.”Henri’s hips beat a rhythm on him, each thrust speedier than the last. As Henri’s body flexed convulsively, he yelled Nathan’s name. Panting, he fell on top of Nathan’s back.“My God, my mate.” Nathan lay under him, in the security that was being next to Henri’s body. Henri had explained that some vampires believed they had mates much as the other animals of prey did, such as wolves and hawks. “I love to hear you call me that.” “No one has ever brought me this much, Nathan.No one.” Henri slid off to lie beside him. His hand stroked deftly through Nathan’s hair as he held him. “My last letter from an old friend said that he’d come across an old mating ritual of our kind.” Nathan drew away to look at him.“A vampire ritual?” Henri nodded. “Perhaps we should pay him a visit. Check into this.For us.” “Later. We will later.” Nathan snuggled up to Henri, his hand tracing a circle on Henri’s side. For now, he’d be content with the man he loved, who’d teach him all about being a vampire. The rest of the story would come later.

Michele Armstrong

Writing stories and poetry as a hobby,Mechele graduated fromVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity with a degree in Religious Studies and Social Welfare. Although there were challenges with work and family, the need to write and be published, to share her passion for books was always there. During a rainy weekend at the beach reading several romance novels she fell in love, not with the hero, but with the genre again. So began a two-year adventure of doing what she loved most, creating worlds with strong heroines and enchanting heroes that will keep you turning pages until the end. Living inVirginia with a husband, kids, dog, and fish,Mechele finds time to share her vivid imagination and ability to tell stories of adventure, love, lust, and everything in between. VisitMechele on the Web at http://www.mechelearmstrong.com, or email her at [email protected].