In the Dark

Heliotropic II: In the Dark Mardi Ballou All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2006 Mardi Ballou

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Chapter One Remote Back Country, Vampires’ Sector, Planet Earth, Winter 2758, C.E. Val Cutter awoke right after his internal clock registered sunset and gazed at his still sleeping partner, Paul de l’Astre. Val savored these moments before coming to full consciousness, before he and Paul had to gear up for another night of eluding Ideg Retkove and his minions. Right about now, Val felt as if he’d spent the better part of eternity keeping out of Retkove’s clutches, even though they’d only been on the run about half a year. Without Paul in his life, things would be grim. Paul had brought so much to him… Val reached out to touch Paul’s face only to have his wrist nearly sliced open on the sharp edge of a very ugly wooden stake. “What the --” Now completely conscious, Val drew his hand back and rubbed the abrasion left by the stake. Exerting all his will to stifle a full body shudder, he propped open the coffin top and cautiously peered around. Though he’d gotten away from sleeping in coffins before he and Paul had been forced to run from Retkove, now he found them to be among the more reliable shelters for the two of them in unfamiliar safe houses. He shook his head ruefully. Even coffins might not always be reliable. Obviously, one of Retkove’s men had gotten close enough to Val and Paul to destroy them. By leaving the stake planted in the wide coffin between the two men rather than stabbing them in the heart, the sneak was continuing Retkove’s cat and mouse tactics. He wanted to play with them, to let them know he’d destroy them -- on his own terms, in his own time and place. Val pried the stake out of its hole in the floor of the coffin, and, with a curse, crushed it to splinters, which he flung aside. Though Paul would be angry if he were

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not told about this latest threat, Val knew it would only upset Paul, who didn’t have Val’s long experience of dealing with scum like Retkove. Fortunately, Paul was still asleep. Val gathered his wits and steeled his face so Paul wouldn’t suspect anything was wrong. When Paul stirred, almost awake, Val tenderly stroked his face, once again appreciating the other man’s breathtaking beauty. Paul’s lids fluttered. “Been up long?” he asked drowsily. “Not long, but definitely hard,” Val quipped, moving so his erection nudged Paul’s high, tight cheek. “Mmm,” Paul murmured. “I’d say that feels pretty long and hard.” He took hold of Val’s hand, splayed his fingers over his own erection and nudged it into Val’s palm. “Now look what you’ve done. I guess your condition is contagious.” “Show off,” Val whispered. He nibbled on the nape of Paul’s neck and appreciatively fondled his lover’s hard cock. Then, thinking about the stake and the fact that they had to make tracks tonight, he pulled back and lightly smacked Paul’s butt. “We’ve got to get going.” Paul turned. “No time for a quickie?” Val groaned. Much as he’d love to spend the whole night making love with Paul, even taking the time for a quickie might be pushing things. But, as his mentor had often said, even in life or death matters, there was no sense in going off half-cocked. “We’ll make time.” Paul, who still retained some of his Apollan agility, rolled over in the tight space of their shared daytime coffin, drew Val into his embrace and kissed him with rising passion. In his transformation to the vampiric state, Paul had lost many of the features special to natives of his home planet, Apoll’ex. One of the hardest losses to accept -- for both of them -- was the Apollan mouth glands that made Val feel he’d been bathed with sunshine each time they kissed. But even without this, Paul’s kiss still thrilled Val -though he knew any sense of sunshine was now more emotional than physical. Even after all they’d been through together, Val still found being with Paul as teeth-rattling, edge-of-his-seat fascinating as in those first moments of mutual

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discovery. Though Paul, who’d longed to return to his sun-worshipping planet, Apoll’ex, had initially refused vampiric transformation, his imminent death had forced Val to perform the necessary process. Now, despite the initial resistance, Paul had taken to being a vampire. “Hungry?” “For all of you,” Paul growled. “Feed or fuck first?” Val asked. With his fangs and his penis throbbing, he knew there was no wrong answer. Paul grinned at him. “Both,” he mouthed, before lowering his lips to Val’s jugular and licking him. Though vampires got most of their nutrition from the bottled products derived from human blood, many, like Val and Paul, enjoyed recreational feeding. Music to Val’s ears. He rolled from his side to his back and opened his legs to accommodate Paul, who moved between them as he continued to tongue Val’s neck. Val shivered with anticipation at the touch of Paul’s tongue combined with the feel of his erection rubbing against Val’s. “Oh, yeah, just like that,” Val encouraged. He locked Paul in his leg embrace, then bent his knee and raised his leg to give Paul greater access for the ensuing cock play. Paul, evidently in a playful mood, moved his hips so his erection massaged Val’s side to side and up and down. Since Paul had been so ill when they first got together, Val had initially been the more aggressive partner. Now he was happy to see things become more equal, as Paul took the lead the way he did this night. Val felt a surge of excitement when Paul’s fangs broke skin, and he began to feed. The pulse of blood going through him while he and Paul pleasurably rubbed each other’s erections nearly made him come -- far too fast even for a quickie. Val gritted his teeth to hold on. He wanted to feed, too, before they both climaxed. “Oh, yeah,” he moaned, his hands on Paul’s head, holding his lover pressed to him.

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Before he’d met Paul, Val had dismissed tales of the Apollans’ legendary sexual prowess as hype. They weren’t. With his foot, Val stroked the crease of Paul’s butt, which caused him to break the feed, look up, and howl with pleasure. Now Paul moved his hips to maximize the pressure both on his crease and on his cock. Val was, of course, more than happy to accommodate. “You done feeding?” he asked. Val wanted to get his fangs into his lover. Paul licked his lips. “Almost.” He resumed sucking on Val, expertly coordinating his feed with the frottage that had both men’s cocks hard enough to smash concrete. Now that he was in Paul’s arms, Val felt his sense of urgency to run dissipate. What could be wrong in a world where such pleasure was possible? Why couldn’t the two of them just spend the night locked in erotic sensuality? As if he sensed Val’s question, Paul licked his lover’s wound to heal it and looked up. “I’m not letting myself forget this is a quickie.” For a moment, he looked so sad, Val wanted to assure him everything would be all right. “Your turn.” The men, after much practice, had managed to perfect rolling over without breaking their intimate contact. Once on top of Paul, Val lowered himself to feed with a sigh. Though the sunlight was long gone from Paul’s blood, Val, with the lips and tongue of a lover, still tasted the memory of its rays with every mouthful. Rubbing his own flat, hard abdomen against Paul’s, Val savored the delicious friction between them at every point. Though Paul’s fully erect sex was longer and thicker than his own, they were well matched. The ridges and folds of each meshed perfectly, creating a breathtaking level of intimate pleasure. Even their balls were superbly compatible -- large, taut, firm. Paul’s scent, the musk of his sexiness still tinged with elusive hints of sunshine, surrounded Val. With his hands on Val’s ass, Paul urged him on, encouraging him to move faster, harder, mingling their flesh ever more intimately. Nearly overwhelmed with sensation, Val called out his joy. After sealing Paul’s puncture wound with a kiss, he raised his head and shouted out praises to his lover to

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the moon and the sky above. Paul tightened his hold on Val and zagged just right. Val was going to come, which he announced with another series of hoots and barks. Paul followed him in moments, the two of them spurting come all over their naked stomachs and chests, then having another lick fest. Sated for the moment, the two men lay in each other’s arms, sharing their satisfaction in companionable silence. But reality could only be held at bay for a short time. “You know we’ve got to leave,” Val said, nuzzling Paul’s neck. Paul moaned. “Can’t we ever take one night off?” Shit, he hated the fugitive life he’d forced on Paul. Unfortunately, in the game of survival that pitted them against Retkove, there were no timeouts. “No, we’ve got to keep moving. If we stay anywhere for more than one night, Retkove’s men will find us. That can’t happen yet. Not until I find the proof that will free me -- and, best bonus, destroy him.” For the past six months, since Val had transformed Paul and the two of them had escaped Retkove’s compound, they’d been on the run. Making the circuit of safe houses, the places set up by the anti-Retkove underground in the vampire community, they’d been able to stay only one night in each place. Worst of all, they hadn’t yet been able to locate any of the evidence they needed to put Retkove away. But Val was determined. He’d see Retkove destroyed -- and make it up to Paul for all he’d lost.

*** Much as he loved Val, Paul couldn’t completely keep his homesickness for his home planet at bay. Now, after they had to cut short the afterglow of their loving to hustle out of their hiding place, Paul had to contend with everything that most pained him about this sojourn on Earth. Apoll’ex, his home planet, was everything the Earth wasn’t: civilized, beautiful, peaceful, fertile. Though the Earth’s Human and Shifter Sectors, which he’d never seen, might be superior to the Vampire Sector in any and all of these areas, he retained a strong cynicism about anything to do with this godsforsaken planetary flotsam.

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On occasion, Paul’s thoughts wandered and he imagined how wonderful his life would have been if he hadn’t undertaken the doomed space expedition that had stranded him here. Of course then he’d never have met Val Cutter, the sole redeeming grace he’d found on this orbiting hellhole. After the two men telescoped their gear to fit a small pack and took a quick nutritional feed of tepid bottled blood derivative, they set off. Between this safe house and the next they’d chosen, they planned to raid one of Retkove’s databases. Or rather Val would. Despite Paul’s transformation and assumption of total vampiric powers, Val continued to treat him as if he were still fragile, in need of protection. This hovering bugged Paul and was the one thing he would change about Val if he could figure out how. Tonight, Paul was going to prove his abilities to Val once and for all. Paul, whose peaceable Apollan tendencies would cede to vampiric aggression for his part in Val’s quest, mentally prepared to do battle, if needed. Val had managed to secure the guards’ schedule for the targeted data storage facility and could time the raid for when Retkove’s protective layer was at its weakest. No need for violence unless it was unavoidable. “Ready?” Val asked him. Both men were clothed in black canvassiac, a strong, inexpensive fabric that adjusted to the climatic conditions so they didn’t require heavy garments to deal with the bone-penetrating winter cold. Paul, who’d struggled to survive during the summer when he’d arrived, thought with a shudder of how Apollans would fare in the Earth’s bleak sunless winter. Fortunately, as a vampire, he could endure what all other Apollans would die from. Of course, now basking in his beloved sunlight would kill him. “Let’s go, man. You’re sure tonight’s storage is the site of the records you need to clear you?” All their previous leads had resulted in dead ends. Val’s lip curled, and he looked uncomfortable. “Shit, Paul. If I tell you I’m ninetynine percent sure, you’ll tell me you’ve heard that before.”

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“Retkove’s a wily bastard,” Paul pointed out needlessly. “It’s like he’s one step ahead of us and keeps shifting his data to different sites.” Val shrugged. “Hell, that bastard has paranoia down to such a fine art, it’s the bedrock of his whole system. So, yeah, it feels like he’s one step ahead of us at every move. But if he really were, he’d have his men try to grab us at a safe house.” “Do you really believe they wouldn’t succeed?” Val smirked. “Maybe they would. But it would cost them plenty. No way I’d let them get their grubby hands on you, Paul.” He was about to retort that he could take care of himself, thank you very much, but Paul figured Val had too much on his mind to deal with his true strength. For now, he’d let the comment go unanswered. They’d packed up the meager supplies they took with them to each safe house and were headed to the door when Paul tripped over a pile of wood splinters. “What’s this?” Val shrugged. “Just some wood. Whoever was here before didn’t clean up, and we don’t have time to now.” Paul felt the burning in his gut that told him something was off. “This stuff wasn’t here when we arrived. I’d have noticed and probably cleaned up.” “Come on. We were both so dead on our feet, we fell into the coffin.” Paul could just feel the tension coiling in Val as he said these words. Scumshit, he wasn’t going to back off. “No, we weren’t. We looked around, wanted to make sure we were safe.” He folded his arms in front of him and stood rooted to the spot. “I’m not going anywhere else until you tell me why those wood splinters are there.” Val didn’t answer for several moments, during which he probably tried to formulate a response that Paul would accept. Well, Paul wasn’t about to accept anything less than the total truth. He raised an eyebrow and stood his ground. “Let’s not make a big deal about this,” Val started. Great, Paul thought. He’s explaining away the answer before he even says it.

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“What am I not supposed to make a big deal about?” Then Paul knew. He swallowed back rising nausea. “Retkove’s man was here, in the safe house with us.” He’d said the words. Now he hoped somehow Val would convince him he’d guessed wrong. Val’s silence said it all. Paul dropped to the floor and hugged his knees. “Retkove’s man was here, and you chose not to tell me.” Val rolled his eyes. “Don’t play into his hands this way, Paul. Don’t let him fuck with your mind like this. Yeah, the man was here. Yeah, he planted a stake in the coffin between us.” “A stake in the coffin between us.” Paul wished his sense of hearing weren’t so acute. “If he really wanted us dead, we would be.” Val’s voice slapped him like a faceful of acid. “I for one refuse to engage in his shitty game. We’re okay and we’re going to continue to be okay. We’re going to win this game, Paul. Don’t let his petty little forays psych you out of believing in us.” Paul knew Val was right. If they were going to let Retkove get to them, they might as well put their hands up in the air, walk to his headquarters, and surrender. None of which they were about to do. “Right. Let’s go and get what we need to destroy the bastard.” Paul hoped his voice sounded as determined as his words. Since they had a huge distance to cover before they got to Retkove’s storage, the two men sped through the cold, dark night. Val looked up at the cloud-filled sky and frowned. “I’d be tempted to fly, but those noxious clouds would sap our energy.” “Noxious clouds?” Paul asked. Still upset about Val’s earlier omission, he just didn’t want to deal with any more blows to his ability to cope. But was there no limit to the unpleasantness of Earth? “What kind of noxious clouds?”

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“They’re filled with toxic gases the humans tried to send to outer space years ago. They’ve become trapped between layers and, when they come close to the Earth the way they are now, they make flying impossible.” “I thought nothing could hurt vampires except the weapons you’ve warned me about -- a wooden stake to the heart or any form of pure sunlight.” Paul’s voice hitched on the name of what had been central to his existence. Val shifted. “Yeah, well, these gases wouldn’t really hurt us in the way they hurt humans and shifters. When the clouds drift over their sectors, people and shifters all hide in shelters with special air filter masks on their faces until the danger has passed. But flying among the clouds, we’d have to use extra energy to block the poisons, which smell horrible and make us itch.” Val’s face contorted as if he were fighting off the effects of the toxins right now. “Thanks, but no thanks. Walking sounds fine.” The paths they traversed were so empty Paul could have believed the Vampire Sector was observing the same caution as the other sectors to protect against the noxious clouds. Engrossed in their plans, neither man talked much as they hurried along. As expected, they found the data storage area they’d targeted free of security guards. At least this part of Val’s information appeared accurate. Now if only their luck held and the data Val needed turned out to be here, an end to the running would be in sight. If the data were there and the guards didn’t arrive too early… Both men sat hunched over the computer. Proceeding quickly but following each step, which he had Paul read out from a card, Val disabled the computer security system. Paul couldn’t help admiring Retkove’s state-of-the-art equipment. Even on the technologically advanced Apoll’ex, equipment such as Retkove had at this facility would have been impressive. Much as he despised feeling impressed by anything that Retkove had or did, his hardware merited notice. “Just one more step and I’ll be able to hack into the program I need,” Val whispered exultantly.

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Could Paul dare allow himself to hope that, this time, it would all go right? He held his breath as Val typed the carefully stolen code into the machine and -A cacophony of bells and whistles pierced the silence with high, ugly shrieks. Sirens wailed, red lights pulsed, and rapid drumbeats that mimicked running feet and rushing heartbeats exploded around them. “What the --” Val sprang up and sputtered as metal arms sprang out of the computer and clamped around his and Paul’s arms and legs. “Do you believe this shit?” Scumshit. Even worse than coming up empty-handed, they’d been caught. How could this have happened? There’d be lots of time later to speculate. Right now, he and Val had to get out. “Hard to doubt.” Paul wished he could deny the reality of the steel bands binding them and pulling them slowly but steadily closer to the pulsing core of the computer. “I think this machine wants to invite us in so we can get to know how it works. Or maybe the goal is to grind us to a pulp.” “An offer I have no problem refusing.” Val bit his lip. “I’m going to focus on breaking away from this thing. As soon as I get myself free, I’ll get you out.” The time had come. Paul wasn’t about to wait for Val to free him. Using a combination of vampiric focus and Apollan determination, Paul visualized the metal arms breaking apart. He concentrated so hard, he felt his veins bulge from the effort. Apollo’s butt, the cursed machine was far stronger than he’d imagined. Not that he was about to give up -- but he had to work harder than he’d expected to free himself. Flex and visualize. His efforts became much stronger when he heard the noise of approaching men -- Retkove’s guards, he assumed. The clatter of metal on metal, the menacing whirr of weapons gearing up, a smell of acrid burning. Astral dung, he needed to get free now. The guards would complicate the process unbearably. Just as Retkove’s men were closing in, Paul cracked his bonds and freed himself. In moments, he’d managed to do the same for the still struggling Val. “How’d you manage --?” Val started to ask, but Paul hushed him. “We need to focus on getting the hell out of here. Later, I’ll explain all.”

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For once, Val shut up and listened, though a mixture of surprise and confusion showed on his face. He grabbed Paul by the hand and led him to the exit farthest from the knot of guards headed their way with stun guns blazing. “This way.” Unfortunately, a brute of a vampire stepped in from the outside and blocked the optimal exit route. An evil grin lit up his bearded face. Dressed in the Retkove uniform, the guard appeared to be a throwback -- a Neanderthal, but of giant stature. He reached into a carrier filled with thick, sharp stakes. The man mountain took up all the space of the opening out to freedom. If they backed away from him, Val and Paul would land smack in the midst of the other guards. Either way, they risked getting staked. “Halt!” the Neanderthal bellowed. His words stopped Val, Paul and the other approaching guards. “I’ll handle this from here,” he ordered. Paul had to think fast. Hoping Val could read his mind, Paul said, “I guess we might as well give up.” Val, after only a slight eye roll, seemed to get it. “I’m sad that we’ve come to the end of our road. How about a farewell kiss?” Relief flooded Paul’s heart. Val had understood and was opening his arms to embrace Paul. As their lips met, Paul could feel Val’s heart hammering as hard as his own. They needed to make the kiss look convincing which, thankfully, never posed a challenge for him and Val. For a moment, it seemed the brute would ogle them and let them keep kissing until dawn. Then he apparently decided to take control of the situation and stepped closer to the lovers. “Enough of that shit. Mr. Retkove wants to see you.” He tried to wedge his beefy hands between the two men to pry them apart. The guard’s momentary distraction was what Paul had hoped for. Whirling quickly, he kneed the giant in the gonads at the same time that Val grabbed a stake and smacked him over the head. Hands over his crotch, whimpering in a surprisingly highpitched voice considering his size, the giant went down in a heap.

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Paul and Val hotfooted it out of Retkove’s enclave. They kept running until they’d put at least ten miles between themselves and any pursuers, stopping only when they felt assured no one had been following for miles. When it came to actual exertion, Retkove’s guards tended to fade fast, though he had enough to bring in a B group fairly quickly. “How are you doin’?” Val asked breathlessly. Paul, who could have kept running for ten more miles without stopping, just shrugged. “You want a break, we can take one.” Val surveyed the empty stretch of beach they’d come upon and nodded. “Time to regroup.” They continued on a bit until they found a likely place to pause. In the shelter of a ruined ancient boardwalk, they collapsed onto the sand and sat huddled together, cross-legged. “Paul, you did okay,” Val started. He clapped his hand on Paul’s knee. “I guess I must be coming into my full strength. As in, I don’t need protection any more.” When Paul saw how hard Val had to work to digest that piece of news, he almost regretted blurting it out. But his instincts told him Val did better pulling the bandage off the wound quickly rather than slowly. He could, of course, be wrong. “I guess that’s true.” Val’s subsequent smile seemed mostly happy. Paul breathed with relief. He could cross the need to confess his strength off his list, he hoped. The next task should be far easier. After all, all they had to do was get Retkove off their backs and clear Val’s name so they could stop running. Easy. “What the hell do you think happened back there?” Val looked puzzled. Paul also knew that Val stressed learning from mistakes -- and never repeating any, especially the life-threatening ones. “Looks like either your information about the guards’ schedule was incorrect -or someone who knew our plans betrayed us.” Val looked at him. “Which do you consider the more likely scenario?” “Who gave you that information about Retkove’s facility?” “Why?” Val’s brow furrowed.

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“My gut feeling is that you -- we -- were betrayed. I figure whoever supplied the information is a likely candidate for betrayer.” Val shook his head. “Normally I’d agree with you because you’re thinking logically. But when we’re dealing with Ideg Retkove, normal logic is worth less than stale blood. His brain is wired funny, and he operates from a perspective that’s off kilter. Though I hate to admit it, the guy is brilliant -- a brilliant, warped deviant.” Paul made a face. “You know what tonight tells me, bud?” Val asked. “Avoid giant brutes carrying caches of stakes?” Val chuckled. “Not bad advice. But, seriously, Plan A is not working out. To succeed at freeing myself -- us -- from Retkove’s hold, I’m going to need to find a new tactic.” “Make that we, partner. We have to find a new strategy because we’re in this together. Sometimes I get the feeling that you still consider me as defeated and helpless as I was when we first met. But Val, I’m totally healed now. I’m strong physically and my mental power is better than ever. On Apoll’ex, I was a principal strategist for the governing council.” From the way Val grinned at him, Paul suspected his words had flown right over his lover’s head. Paul would have to dig in his heels and keep hammering at Val until the other man got it before the niggling dissatisfaction seriously messed up what was good between them. Despite the danger they’d just been in, the long run to escape, the danger they were still in, and his obvious lack of progress in meeting his goals, Val felt strangely good. Also, with all the adrenaline coursing through him, he felt strangely but wonderfully horny. Somehow, he figured he could attribute both feelings to the man by his side. “Well, partner, I don’t know about you, but for me, higher level thinking is directly linked to sexual satisfaction.” Even as he said the words, the closure of his pants bulged out with evidence of arousal. Paul raised one perfectly arched brow. “What, your brains are in your cock?”

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Val wet his lips. “Au contraire, mon ami. They say the brain’s the biggest sex organ. Though, not to brag, but my cock’s a fair size…” “I’ll be the judge of that,” Paul claimed, reaching to Val’s crotch and squeezing the evidence. “Hmm, in your case, I’d say the cock is the biggest sex organ.” “My understanding is that the judge’s mouth can do a more accurate assessment than the judge’s hand,” Val quipped, “though the judge’s hand ain’t bad.” Hell, Paul was like a living, breathing wet dream. Everything about him resonated sex. “Are you trying to sway the judge?” “Right. Sway him, rock him, fuck him. Any chance I get.” Val uncrossed his legs, and opened himself up to give Paul easy access. Hard as Val was, there was no sense in playing hard to get. He pressed his hands firmly into the sand to keep himself upright while Paul did his thing. Paul didn’t need to be invited twice. In a flash, he had his hand on Val’s pulsing erection, which currently strained the fabric and hooks of the garment closure. Oh, yeah. “Hmm,” Paul murmured. “Look what came up while we were running. No wonder you wanted to take a break.” Paul felt the hard-on as if he were trying to take measurements for a silk cock sheath. Val wanted some slam-bam, but he’d already learned Paul would not be rushed -- which was sometimes a good thing. Ah. “What are these funny little lumpy things my fingers discern along the surface of your, as they say in novels, straining shaft?” Val groaned. In a moment, his dick would split the fucking closure open and all the bits Paul mentioned would go flying. “I find your Earthling garments fascinating,” Paul murmured as he pressed down on one of the hooks, nearly sending Val into the stratosphere. “I’ll open the damn things,” Val muttered, sitting upright and moving his hands to perform the chore.

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Paul grinned evilly. “You must allow me. View it as part of my education for living on this godsforsaken planet. How does one open these primitive fasteners?” He experimentally tugged one. “You’re killing me here,” Val hissed. Paul patted Val’s erection, which sent sensation shooting through his veins and up and down his nerve endings. “I think I may have figured out how to work these queer closers,” Paul commented. Moving with infinite slowness, he slipped one tiny metal hook from its holder, sliding it over Val’s engorged shaft. Val bit his lip to keep back the roar that threatened to erupt from his poor, tortured self. “How many of those hooks are there?” he panted out. Paul chuckled. “How do I hook thee? Let me count the ways.” Val regretted asking, especially because the fiend must have taken a whole minute to count the eight remaining hooks. “Now I’ll open the second.” Paul moved even slower than before. A man had his limits, and Val had exceeded his. He took his closure in hand and ripped the damned thing open, freeing his pulsing cock. Geez, he’d have come if Paul opened one more of the hooks. Paul raised an eyebrow. “Impatient, aren’t you?” Val gritted his teeth. “I’ll get you back for the hooks.” “More promises.” Playful as Paul could be, Val knew he’d make it all up to him with the magic manipulations of his mouth. Val felt a moment’s chill before Paul lowered his head over his crotch and, at long last, took Val’s hard-on into his hot mouth. Val let out a sigh of relief and looked down for a moment at his amazing lover. Paul’s long blond hair fanned out around his head like a golden aura as he worked his way slowly and methodically up and down Val’s shaft. Ripples of pleasure fanned out from Val’s cock as Paul alternately licked him, sucked him, nibbled on his tender skin, and took the occasional love bite. Seeing Paul move, feeling him, smelling his masculine musk -- Val couldn’t have chosen which

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sensual element turned him on more. Fortunately, he didn’t have to. When Paul alternately licked and blew on the sensitive skin of Val’s glans, he moaned with ecstatic pleasure and got lost in the intimate delight. Oh, yeah, he was supposed to be thinking of a solution to their problems, right? Thinking? Geez, he was lucky he could remember his name right about now. Once he came his mind would clear and be freed up for inspiration to strike. He could only hope that would be the case. Because right now, his ability to think was going south fast… ahh, what was Paul doing to his balls? Kind of fondling them with his long fingers, encircling and squeezing hard while he tongued the thick vein up the center of his cock. Man, he could have sat on this freezing beach with Paul sucking his cock forever. Except it felt too good to last forever. He could have sworn Paul was on the verge of swallowing his cock, taking Val into his mouth and, fuck, that was exactly where Val wanted to be right now. Deep in Paul, his cock surrounded by Paul’s warmth and wetness, all Val’s sense organs alive and exploding with ecstasy like he was a fuckin’ fire cracker and Paul was setting off all his fuses with his teeth, lips, and tongue. Val did not want to come yet. He did not want these glorious sensations to end. He was going to hold on, he’d think about whatever the hell he’d said he’d think about… Paul traced Val’s balls with his fingernail and then gave another squeeze -- and Val lost it. He came like a son of a bitchin’ house on fire, pumping out his seed like he was the fountain everyone made their wishes in. Paul held him, swallowed his come, then licked him dry. Only then did Paul rise to kiss him on the lips. The two men held each other for a long time, cocooned in the intimacy of what they’d shared. Finally, reluctantly, Paul broke the kiss. Time to get serious and discuss their situation. “So what did you come up with?” “A load of come,” Val responded. Paul’s mouth quirked up in his sexy smile. “I know about that. What else? What brilliant solution have you come up with?” “You scoff, unbeliever.”

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“I scoff?” Paul’s smile got broader. “I have in fact come up with an idea that qualifies as brilliant.” “I’m all ears.” “Oh, no, you’re definitely not.” Val wanted to start listing all the parts Paul included, but, in view of the reality of their situation and Paul’s serious expression, he figured they should get down to business. “On reflection, I agree with your gut instinct from before. So if one or more of our current contacts has betrayed us, we need to get someone we can one hundred percent trust to help us deal with Retkove. At the same time, we have to be sure we don’t do anything to set the Vampires’ Council against us even more. Remember how their representative rescinded his offer to help after I escaped from Retkove’s dungeon?” “How could I forget? You went ballistic when you found out the Council wouldn’t help us against Retkove because you’d escaped. Of course, if you hadn’t escaped, I’d have died.” “Which we have to make them understand. Fortunately, the guy I’ve decided to call is reliable. He can help us all around.” Paul nodded. “That sounds great. But, how can we be sure we can trust anyone who’d help us with Retkove?” “I know what you mean. But I’m completely sure we can trust him. Trey Duke. It’s so obvious now, I can’t believe I didn’t think of calling him before.” “Trey Duke?” Paul repeated. “Okay, I’ll bite.” “Promises, promises.” “Later,” Paul said. “Who’s Trey Duke, and what makes you think we can trust him?” Val thought for a moment. “Trey Duke is a tech genius. He’s helped design and maintain many of Retkove’s computers and most of his supplementary equipment. And he’s the go-to guy for the Council’s tech.”

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“Okay, so he’s a state-of-the-art tech guy. You still haven’t answered my most important question. If he’s one of Retkove’s men, how can you trust him?” Val couldn’t keep putting off Paul’s very legitimate question. “Trey’s not exactly one of Retkove’s men. Though he’s worked lots for him, he remains an independent contractor. Trey is firm about holding on to that status. Retkove is just one of his clients -- like the Council.” Paul nodded. “Okay, that counts in his favor. But I still don’t see why you’re so ready to trust him. I’m assuming this guy is a vampire?” Val nodded. “Oh, yes. Except for some of the fiends who work for Retkove and have the ability to function during daytime hours, everyone in this sector is a vampire.” “Right,” Paul said. “We know vampires come in many varieties -- the good, the bad, and the decidedly ugly. Give me a break here. Why exactly do you trust Trey Duke so much?” Val might as well spit it out. “I’ve got to be straight with you. It’s been a long time, Paul, but Trey was my previous lover.”

Chapter Two Paul didn’t like Val’s idea, not one little bit, which he promptly told Val. Val looked puzzled. “I should have thought of Trey Duke from the start. I probably didn’t only because he’s my ex, and I’ve put him out of my mind. Hell, that’s been over for so long…” “How long?” Val shrugged. “I don’t know. A year or so.” “That doesn’t sound like very long in Earth terms.” Val actually rolled his eyes. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re acting jealous. But you told me Apollans don’t experience destructive emotions like jealousy. Hell, you guys don’t even have exclusive relationships. All for one and one for all. Or did I get that wrong?” “You did not get that wrong,” Paul spat out. “Apollans don’t experience jealousy. I’m an Apollan. I’m not fuckin’ jealous.” Paul could swear Val was trying to keep from laughing, which made him even angrier. Val put an arm around his shoulder, which Paul shrugged off. “Honestly, Paul, there’s nothing to feel jealous about.” “I don’t feel jealous.” Actually, Paul was hard pressed to name the emotion he did feel and wished he didn’t. He sulked and fretted all the way to the safe house, rejecting Val’s efforts at conversation. Though he was an Apollan in his heart and soul, a scary suspicion took root in Paul’s heart. What if, through his vampiric transformation, he’d become enough of an Earthling to fall into their bad habits? What if he was now prey to the emotions he saw ravage the beings around him in this pestilential world? Up until tonight, he’d been spared the pain of the feelings now

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playing havoc in his gut, his heart, and his head. Realizing his new vulnerability smacked him in the face, made him understand the full extent of all he’d lost. The enormity of his loss was almost too much for him to deal with now, so he focused on the immediate cause of his pain. Why in heliohell was Val’s last lover the only possible candidate to get them out of their current mess? And why hadn’t Val even mentioned Trey Duke until tonight? The more Paul thought about Trey Duke and Val’s intention to bring his ex-lover into their lives, the more Paul’s gut roiled with burning pain. Maybe he’d be able to talk Val out of this misguided effort to get them help. But Val insisted. “Paul, really, Trey’s the guy. And you have no reason to worry.” He gazed deep into Paul’s eyes, but Paul managed to look away and remain firm in his objections. Nevertheless, he knew they had to do something desperate to get out of their current situation. After all, given the trap he and Val had almost succumbed to, they had to figure Retkove was catching on to their patterns of action -- and also upping the ante in his cat and mouse play. By waiting until the last possible moment to commit to choose a safe house, they had a shot at evading Retkove’s men for a little longer. But in light of Retkove’s overwhelming numbers and resources, they had to question how long their luck would hold. No matter how much Val tried to reassure him on the trek to the next safe house, Paul held on to his misery. By the time they got to their destination, dawn threatened. For the first time since they’d come together, neither spoke of making love -- not even the quickest of quickies. “How are you even going to be able to contact this Trey Duke?” Paul asked as he wearily shucked his clothes and climbed into the coffin. Val’s face took on that shut-down, don’t-ask-questions look that Paul resented. “I have my ways.” He rolled over, his back now a barrier rather than an invitation. Scumshit. Did that mean Val had somehow continued to be in touch with Trey during all the time they’d been together?

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Val, loudly snoring, obviously wasn’t feeling any sort of pain right now. More miserable and lonely than he’d felt at any time since becoming a vampire, Paul rolled over on his side. Though his ass wedged up against Val’s, there was none of the usual warmth -- let alone heat -- between them. Paul welcomed the oblivion that soon claimed him.

*** When Val arose the next night, his erection preceded him. On automatic pilot, he pushed open the coffin lid, rolled over to the still sleeping Paul and brushed his aching dick against the other man’s butt to nudge him awake. Then Val remembered that he and his lover hadn’t exactly gone to sleep on good terms. Fuck, what was it with this emotional relationship shit? He’d never expected things would so quickly get so complicated between him and Paul, his perfect, soul mate lover -- especially because Paul’s Apollan identity was so important to him. “Still not getting it right, eh?” Val cringed at the familiar voice. He grabbed the outside of the plain pine coffin and, wishing he could linger with Paul but having to delay that gratification, hauled himself to a sitting position. “How’d you get here so fast, Trey?” Standing over the coffin’s occupants was Trey Duke, the ex-lover Val believed could save him and Paul -- and the biggest pain in the ass in the Vampire Sector. Maybe on the entire planet. Damn, but it was good to see him again. Trey rose so Val couldn’t miss taking in his expensively tailored silk and leather jumpsuit. “Some of us are too busy to loll around in such luxury.” He scornfully regarded the bare-bones coffin. Val, naked and not quite alert, was clearly at a disadvantage in any battle of wits, so he figured he might as well get Trey’s inevitable ribbing over with. After all, Val had summoned Trey with the lase-page he’d given him when they broke up, saying, “Call me, anytime.” Val had never before used the page. Paul, still in the deep sleep of the recently transformed, hadn’t stirred yet. Once Val had himself vertical, complete with bobbing hard-on, he climbed over the edge of

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the coffin and, after a moment’s hesitation, fell into an embrace of welcome with Trey. He was gratified to feel Trey’s corresponding bulge. Evidently the other man wasn’t quite as cool as he acted. “You’re lookin’ good, Trey,” Val said, taking in the other man’s polished appearance. Val had always been a sucker for sculpted, chiseled features such as Trey and Paul had in common. Trey had his chestnut brown hair expensively shaped and trimmed. His eyes, the brown of mellow old whiskey, gleamed. The two men were hugging again when Paul arose and frowned. Trey nodded in his direction. “Who’s this?” “Paul de l’Astre,” Paul announced icily. “Val and I are lovers. Who are you?” Val had never before seen Paul behave like a character from a poorly written comedic sketch, and the sight was startling -- and endearing. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the time to indulge in “endearing” now. “Pleased to meet you, Paul de l’Astre. I’m Trey Duke. Your lover issued me an urgent summons.” Trey actually mock bowed in Paul’s direction. Fuckin’ marvelous. Val’s life could easily go down the tubes in moments and the two men he needed to work with were acting like prima donnas. Even though he’d been the one to organize this emotional minefield, Val couldn’t believe how quickly he’d lost any semblance of control. “Let’s get dressed and have a wake-up drink.” Val winced, realizing he sounded like the host at a zero-star roadside inn. Looking impossibly dignified despite his delicious naked dishevelment, Paul stomped off to the corner of the room where his clothes lay discarded. Following his own advice, Val joined Paul and dressed. “I don’t like this man being here,” Paul whispered. As if it mattered that he whispered. Trey, like any other seasoned vampire, could hear even the softest sounds. Val sighed. “I really can’t deal with this now. Give us a chance to come up with a plan. Once you hear Trey’s brilliant ideas, you’ll understand why I turned to him. You need to trust me on this. My motivation for calling him is to save our hides. As long as

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we’re hovering at survival level, we’re not going to make any progress in clearing my name and bringing Retkove to justice.” A variety of emotions swept over Paul’s face -- sadness, cynicism, mistrust, hope. Paul’s lack of trust hit Val like a sucker punch to the gut. He couldn’t focus on saving them both and fulfilling Paul’s demands. But shit, he couldn’t risk what he and Paul had together -- love like theirs didn’t come along more than once in an eternity. Paul actually sniffed and thrust his chin out. “Trust might be easier to come by if you hadn’t just sprung Trey Duke on me.” “Trey and I had some history together, but Paul, you’re my present and my future. Don’t ever doubt that.” Did Val just imagine it or did Paul really melt? His mouth puckered, and Val wanted to kiss him and forget all the other shit. “Okay. For the moment.” Both of them now fully dressed, though looking ragged next to Trey, they walked hand in hand over to him. “So what do you have to drink in this joint?” Trey looked around hungrily. “Just the usual derivative shit,” Val said. The safe houses were supplied to meet basic needs, but there were definitely no frills. At least this place had a primitive cooling unit to store blood products. This place also had glasses, which meant the men didn’t have to drink out of tubular containers. Seated at a table across the room from the coffin, they took a few moments to nourish their bodies. “I don’t remember ever seeing you around these parts,” Trey said to Paul. “I’m from the planet Apoll’ex.” Trey’s brows shot up. “Really? I’ve never met a vampire from there.” Paul scowled. Val shook his head. “It’s a long story, Trey, one we don’t have time for right now.” Trey nodded in agreement. “I definitely want to hear the story. But Val’s right, which doesn’t happen very often either. From the looks of you two and the sound of his SOS, we’d better get right down to business.”

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Val brought Trey up to date on how he’d landed in Retkove’s clutches. Skimming over Paul’s story, which he’d leave to Paul to tell later, Val ended with an account of his imprisonment in Retkove’s dungeon and how he’d broken out to save Paul. “Don’t forget to tell him about the Vampire Council,” Paul coached. “What about the Council?” Trey asked. Val rolled his eyes. “Their rep, a lawyer named Dexter Boland, told me not to break out of the dungeon and assured me the Council was interested in helping. Of course, if I’d waited for them to get their asses in gear, Paul would have been a goner. Unfortunately, with their usual blindness, they’re counting it against me that I busted out of the dungeon -- so they’re after us, too.” Trey stroked his chin with his long fingers. When Val finished, he shook his head. “Sounds like you’re both in deep shit. Why doesn’t that surprise me? Val, you always had a stake up your ass when it comes to Ideg Retkove.” Their disagreement about Retkove was one of the reasons he and Trey had broken up -- though far from the only one. “I’m not about to get into a discussion with you about Retkove and his ilk. All I’ll say is he imprisoned me under false pretenses, and he nearly killed Paul with his experiments. Not to mention he’s a slimy, corrupt piece of scum who gives evil a bad name.” Trey rolled his eyes. “I remember all about your principles, Val. And your tendency to think you’re the only one who has any.” “I certainly wouldn’t be working to help Retkove expand his holdings,” Val grumped. “Are you also so dead set against Retkove?” Trey asked Paul. Paul snorted. “The man shot down my space vessel in violation of every universal treaty and killed everyone on board but me.” He looked at Trey as if he’d been the one who brought down the rocket. “Maybe he considered your vessel a threat?”

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Paul’s mouth narrowed into a grim line. “Our mission, well publicized throughout the universe, was a peaceful exploration. But it seems he wanted an Apollan to run medical experiments on.” “Between subjecting Paul to severe sunlight deprivation and taking his bodily fluids, Retkove nearly killed him,” Val interjected. “When he discovered we were together, he tried to accelerate the process by burying him alive. If I hadn’t transformed Paul just in time, he’d be dead.” Trey considered this in silence as the men ingested another round of blood.

*** If only Trey Duke weren’t such a magnificent specimen. Then Paul chided himself. Of course any man Val would get involved with would be attractive. To his relief, now that Trey was actually with them, Paul felt less edgy about having him along than he had before, though far from relaxed. Still, Trey’s presence changed the whole dynamic of his being with Val, and Paul found this hard to stomach. With everything he’d gone through in the past few months, he deserved a break. The gods obviously didn’t agree. “I’m tired of having to run every night,” he admitted. “With this constant pressure, we haven’t been able to make any progress in proving Val’s innocence. As long as we have the threat of Retkove and the Vampire Council over our heads, we seem to be stuck.” Val and Trey looked at him. Paul realized he hadn’t so clearly articulated these thoughts before, so no wonder Val didn’t understand how he felt. “You don’t have to worry for tonight,” Trey said. “I’ve been able to completely cloak the existence of this place, so Retkove’s men won’t find it.” He looked around scornfully. “Hell, if you don’t mind living in such reduced circumstances, you can stay here for a few nights -- catch your breath.” Though it was pretty primitive, at this moment Paul found the prospect of staying in one place for more than one night a relief. “That sounds great.”

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Val shook his head. “Except I can’t clear my name sitting on my butt. I need to get free of Retkove’s hold on me so we can both start living.” Trey nodded. “Gotcha. What you’re saying isn’t impossible, but I’ve gotta think. How much time can you give me?” “An hour -- tops,” Val growled. Trey laughed harshly. “Patience never was your long suit. Well, no promises on being fast, but I’ll come up with something good. In the meantime, Paul, I’d love to hear about Apoll’ex. If it were possible for a vampire to survive there, I’d head to your planet for a dream vacation. But tell me, is it really as amazing as the hype says?” So many memories and images sprang to Paul’s mind. “Nothing you’ve ever heard on Earth can begin to describe the glory of Apoll’ex.” “Prove it.” Paul bristled at this challenge, though Trey was hardly out of bounds. Curiosity about his home planet was common throughout the universe. “Apoll’ex is a small planet, where every resource and every being is devoted to the worship of the sun,” Paul said by way of introduction. “The sun,” Trey repeated, a note of longing in his voice. Paul realized Trey probably felt the same nostalgia for the sun as he’d seen in Val and other long-time vampires. That prospect made Paul, who faced a similar future, shiver. “Yes, we worship the sun, and the sun sustains us. The sun is the basis of the paradise we live in.” “Paradise? That’s even stronger than I’ve heard Apoll’ex described. But what do you mean? How do you worship the sun?” Trey asked. Remembering his lost home, Paul smiled, sadly at first. But then the energy of the place came back to life in his heart, giving him strength and confidence. Jealousy? Maybe this Earthling emotion had forced its way into his consciousness, but he could push it back out. “We worship the sun in many ways, both in what we do and what we are.” His smile grew as memories rushed back to his consciousness. “I still don’t understand,” Trey said.

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Paul nodded. How could he express what he meant in a way these two Earthling vampires could begin to understand? Probably an example of “doing” would be easier for them to get their minds around than an example of “being.” “One thing we do in our worship is we often start our day with what we call the salute to the sun.” He looked at both men. “I could explain it, but it would be much better to show you.” He frowned. “Usually, though, we do this with five or seven men in a group, and there are only three of us. But I think we can make it work.” Trey looked at Val. “Do you have any idea what he’s talking about?” Val laughed. “Not a clue. But Trey, one thing I’ve learned. Any time Paul wants to show me anything from Apoll’ex, I’m always real happy I said yes.” “Okay.” Trey sounded skeptical. Now Paul had to get his mindset right, to clear his mind and heart of the jealousy that had so consumed him. Holy helio, until this crisis, he hadn’t realized how much Earthling emotions had begun to color him. Even if he could never return to Apoll’ex, he wanted to reclaim his true identity. Jealousy wasn’t part of it -- not for him and not for Val. With Trey here, with him asking questions about how things were on Apoll’ex, Paul realized the time had come to take the next big step forward in his relationship with Val. Performing the salute to the sun meant he and Val had to let Trey intimately join them. On Earth Paul had gotten used to the exclusivity of loving only Val. With Val and Trey looking intently at him, Paul realized he couldn’t continue dithering. Looking hard at Val, he said, “You have, of course, heard that there is no exclusivity of sexual partners on Apoll’ex. We all belong to each other.” Val and Trey looked at each other. “It’s hard to imagine,” Val said. “Yes, well, Earth would be hard for an Apollan to imagine,” Paul replied. In his voice he heard an echo of all he’d been through, all the adjustments he’d made. Now, with these two men here and recollections of home flowing through him, Paul felt himself revitalized. He would bring this to Val and Trey, perhaps help to create a touch of Apoll’ex here on its opposite.

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“We start off bowing to each man in our circle.” Paul demonstrated how to perform this small but essential part of the ritual. “Bowing? You mean like to nobles?” Both Val and Trey looked as if they’d drunk a batch of sour blood which, for some perverse reason, amused Paul. “Not exactly. We’re all equal on Apoll’ex -- equally noble. The bow is an acknowledgement of the respect we have for each other and for the source of all, the sun.” Paul bowed again, and this time the other two men emulated him. “Next, we bow together to the sun.” The sharp talons of regret stabbed Paul as he said these words. Would he ever again bow to his beloved sun, marvel at its glow, or feel the warmth of its rays? “We can bow to the moon instead,” Val said quickly. “Hell, it reflects the sunlight, so that’s almost as good, right? Besides, we’re going to have to keep this indoors. It’s winter now, not a pleasant time for outdoor play. I’m sure on Apoll’ex, you’d be outdoors for this ritual, right?” “Right.” Paul owed it to Val not to let any uncharacteristic sadness depress everyone further than their situation already did. “Of course,” he lied. “On the count of three, let’s all bow to the moon.” They did. “At this point, each man, aroused by the sun, would be fully ready to participate in the circle salutation.” Paul was definitely not aroused. A quick visual crotch check revealed no one else was either. “Just bowing to the sun turns Apollans on?” Trey sounded incredulous. Paul nodded sadly. “Yes, but the chemistry and physics behind the process are too complicated for me to explain right now.” “Fascinating. I sure do want to hear all that some day.” “Not right now. Let’s improvise so we can continue.” Val looked hungrily at Paul. “On the rare times when a cloud obscures the great sun,” Paul said, “we perform the grand frottage embrace. Many men favor doing this step even if already erect.”

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“I love it when you talk fancy dirty,” Val said. “Hell, I’m starting to get turned on already.” Whatever else happened, it was great having Val’s talent for almost instantaneous hard-ons to rely on. Now to the concrete details of the ritual. Paul directed Val to stand between him and Trey. He stood facing Val, with Trey directed to embrace Val from behind. Then, Paul kissed Val just as he had often before. Only this time, at the same time Trey was licking the nape of Val’s neck. Paul experienced a flicker of distaste and anxiety before the more familiar feelings of the sun salute began to grow. Val was fully erect in moments. While they deepened their kiss, Val pressed his impressive bulge against Paul’s groin, which had the desired effect. Paul’s cock grew thick and long under the stimulation. Paul opened his eyes to peek at what was going on behind Val. Trey appeared completely engrossed in his own movements, arching so his penis wedged between Val’s cheeks. Val began to exaggerate his movements to accommodate the stimulation coming at him from both sides. Though they could well have continued this way and reached most pleasant climaxes, such was not in the protocol of the sun salute. Now that each man had a full erection, Paul directed them to split apart so they could regroup. Both other men groaned in protest but obeyed. Now came the living chain, which, according to Apollan mythology, symbolized reaching from the home planet toward the sun. “To create this position, we form into a series of divine triangles. The number three is one of the sacred numbers in Apollan worship.” “I like that,” Trey said. “My name comes from the number three, so it’s always been lucky for me.” Val grinned. “And buddy, you’re about to get really lucky. It’s just been Paul and me since we met. You’re our first third.” “I’m honored.” Trey raised his hand as if in a mock toast.

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Paul, anxious to see if he could modify the beloved ritual to his new circumstances, bit back a surge of impatience. “Now if you’ll bear with me just a few moments, we need to assume the proper positions. In rituals, position is everything.” “Speaking of baring with you,” Val said, “isn’t it about time we chuck the unnecessary wardrobe?” Paul, who felt a niggle of annoyance at Val’s flippancy -- but because it detracted from the ritual, not because of any residual jealousy -- concentrated on what he needed to do to make the sun salute work best for them all. Oh, what the hell. They were on Earth now, and nothing they did here would ever be the same as on Apoll’ex. “There are prescribed ways to disrobe for rituals. But we aren’t wearing the same clothes as Apollans do. There’s no sun, no sacred music. So let’s improvise. Gentlemen, disrobe.” Paul could have sworn the other two men raced to see who could get naked the fastest, which left Paul to finish last. The three men stood magnificently erect facing each other. Yes, Trey Duke definitely aroused Paul. Not the same as Val, but still in a delicious lustful way he wouldn’t have given two thoughts to on Apoll’ex. “Now it will take a bit of maneuvering, but given we’re all close in height, we are easily going to enter the triple divine six nine. Meaning each of us will give and receive simultaneously. Gentlemen, on the floor.” The two men, looking startled but pleased, lay down facing each other on their sides. Paul shifted them to form an L, with Val and Trey lying on their sides. Paul then lay down on his side and, stretching between Val and Trey, formed the hypotenuse joining the two legs of this erotic triangle. His heart hammering at the prospect of reenacting an Apollan rite, he opened his legs to give Val access to his erection, bent his head back and opened his mouth to take in Trey’s cock. Paul sensed Trey take Val into his mouth. He experienced a momentary frisson of jealousy which, considering where his mouth and cock were, struck him as inappropriate and ridiculous. Still, he felt it for a moment. Then he focused on being and acting like the Apollan he really was.

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It behooved him to get over any misgivings and throw himself whole heart and body into the ritual at hand -- which he promptly did. To his relief and surprise, the emotions he’d experienced at home under the sun’s benevolent rays once more took root in his heart. Paul loved participating in this sort of position. The erotic sensations of both sucking the large, fully aroused penis of one beautiful man and being sucked by another would culminate in a world-rocking sun-raising orgasm. Maybe he’d even be part of the magic that could bring the sun back into his world. But he didn’t want to think that far ahead yet. Trey was only the second vampire Paul had ever been with erotically, and he found himself comparing Trey’s cock with Val’s. Both were exceptionally long and thick, which Paul of course appreciated. But Trey’s penis did not have the foreskin both his own and Val’s had, which intrigued Paul. With his tongue and teeth, Paul explored this new for him kind of organ, where the glans was permanently exposed and available. Before he’d taken Trey into his mouth, Paul had snuck a look. Trey’s glans had bobbed temptingly before him, ripe and full looking as a deep purple summer plum. Paul’s first impulse had been to take a bite of the tasty-looking treat, but he’d restrained himself sufficiently to lick and tongue before engaging in teeth play. The drop of pearly fluid poised in the slit of Trey’s glans had beckoned temptingly to Paul, who hadn’t resisted. Mmm, Val was tonguing Paul’s scrotum, taking little bites and nibbles of his achingly hard balls. Paul shivered in ecstasy, opening himself up wider and arching deeper into Val’s mouth. With his talented tongue, Val darted between Paul’s balls and his rod. Now when Val closed his hot wet mouth over Paul’s hard-on, he cupped Paul’s balls and squeezed hard. Paul felt sweat break out on his forehead and between his legs. He wanted to put his hands on Val’s head and hold him exactly where he most desired him, but in this position, he didn’t have that kind of freedom. Nonetheless, he adored once more being part of a divine six nine.

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Maybe having Trey Duke in their lives was going to work out after all.

*** Until he actually experienced it, Val had never expected to have Paul’s cock in his mouth at the same time his own cock filled Trey’s mouth. Hell, he’d never imagined he and Trey would ever be intimate again. Showed the limits of his imagination. Even though he knew orgies were business as usual on his lover’s planet, he’d certainly never thought he’d be in a threesome with Paul and Trey. But now that the three of them were together, Val couldn’t imagine anything more natural. Vive la nature! Paul. No matter his vampiric nature now, no matter how far he’d come from his native Apoll’ex, Paul was still the epitome of sunshine to Val. When he tasted Paul, whether it was his blood, his dick, his balls, his ass, his come, even the drop of pre-come that Val treasured, he felt filled with sunlight. As to Trey, the man was everything Val could have wanted in a lover before he experienced being with Paul. Trey gave one hundred ten percent -- which he also took, but Val couldn’t blame him for that. Not anymore. They shouldn’t have broken up. If they hadn’t, Val would never have fallen into the trap that landed him in Retkove’s clutches. Of course, then he’d never have met Paul. Life was funny like that. But now that the three of them were together, Val found himself wishing he didn’t have to choose -- and that he could keep this ménage together. In very different ways, he loved both of these men. Paul was his soul mate, no doubt. But Trey had been special to him and brought something extra, something welcome, to him and Paul. At least Val thought so. Question was, could they tolerate each other once they completed this ritual? Judging from the way Paul and Trey were moving, they were doing far better than tolerating each other right now. Trey was on the receiving end of the glorious pleasure of having Paul suck his dick. Did Trey also experience the sensation of sunshine from Paul’s mouth on his cock that always startled Val? At that thought, Val’s cock pulsed harder, inspiring Trey to graze his fangs along the thick vein on the

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underside. Val groaned both from the sheer pleasure of the sensation and from the memories being with Trey evoked. Paul, who evidently sensed Val’s growing excitement, grew larger and harder, filling Val’s mouth with his increased arousal. Val took in Paul’s special, sun-kissed scent, one of the signals that his lover was rapidly approaching his climax. Perfect timing, for with the pleasurable sensations rocketing through him, Val knew he’d soon explode in his own orgasm. Would Trey join the two of them? Were they so well matched they’d all come together? It didn’t matter all that much to Val, who equally enjoyed both simultaneous and sequential climaxes, but he knew Paul would take it as a good portent if they did. From the increasing pressure of Trey’s mouth on his pulsing cock, Val knew Trey was close too. He always got that interesting little twitch right as he was going to come. Funny, Val remembering that right now. Like firecrackers launched at the same precise moment, the three men did what would make Paul happy and came close enough to each other to be simultaneous. Val let go of his own come, which Trey energetically swallowed, just as Paul, with thrusts and arches of his hips, spurted his seed into Val’s mouth in a series of powerful hot pulses. Groaning but keeping his mouth clamped around Paul’s still erect cock, Val gave himself up to the complete, draining release. He sensed and felt Trey seize up into his own orgasmic spasms. The three men, moving as one, proceeded to lick each other’s cocks dry. Then they lay together in a moment of rare peace. Trey was the first to break the triangle. “That should make the sun rise.” Though Val knew he meant the words as a joke, Paul’s disappointed face showed how flat that joke fell. Trey just didn’t understand what the sun meant to Paul and how homesick he was. He couldn’t blame Trey for his ignorant faux pas. After all, he’d only just met Paul and had no experience of Apollans. But Val wanted to make it better. “We didn’t raise the sun, but the moon looks a hell of a lot brighter than it did before.”

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Paul’s weak smile told him he appreciated the effort. Paul propped himself up on one elbow. “That, gentlemen, was a preliminary ritual to get things started.” Trey raised a brow. “I’m impressed.” He looked from Val to Paul. “Actually, I’m more than impressed. Paul, Apoll’ex sounds so amazing, this tech guy can’t begin to find the right words to express thanks for the foretaste of what a visit there would be like.” A note of longing unlike anything Val had ever heard before came into Trey’s voice. Paul’s smile grew wider. “Perhaps in the future, there will be a way to invite you and Val to partake more deeply of our ways.” “Damn, I sure hope so. I really mean that, Paul.” Trey thought for a moment. “I appreciate your generosity in taking me into your intimacy. I may not be the most intuitive guy, but I know you and Val here have a special bond.” He punctuated his words by touching the two others. Val had a moment of thinking things were going better than he’d expected. The sudden chirping of one of Trey’s gadgets punctured a hole in that fantasy and brought the mood crashing down around them. Trey frowned. “I disabled them for all but the most urgent message sources. I’d better see what this is.” With a groan, he lifted himself up and staggered over to where he’d dumped his clothes. He picked up a black miniature communicator, pressed a button, and peered at the screen. Then he muttered something to himself, punched a few more buttons, and watched. “Holy shit!” “What is it, Trey?” From the expression on Trey’s face and in his voice, Val figured something big was going on. Trey looked at both men. “Seems the Apollans sent a rescue rocket to look for Paul.” His eyes large and his face paler than Val had ever seen before, Paul sat bolt upright. “What? They know I’m alive?” Val felt like he’d just been sucker punched to the gut and could only guess how weird Paul must feel at hearing this news. Now that there was no way for Paul to return to Apoll’ex, it must break his heart to know the Apollans had sent a rescue mission. Val

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put an arm around Paul’s shoulders, which Paul promptly shrugged off. He rose and stalked over to Trey. “How do you know this?” “Shit, man, I hate to be the one who has to tell you this. It seems Ideg Retkove got wind of the rocket entering Earth’s atmosphere and shot it down.” “Shot down? This is monstrous. But, how do you know this was an Apollan rescue ship sent for me?” Paul appeared pale, shocked, worse than at any time since he’d been transformed. “The Apollans have sent a protest to the highest authorities on Earth and the Interspace Council. Evidently they have been looking for you.” Trey continued to read the data as it came in. Paul held his head as if in the most horrendous pain. “Another Apollan rocket shot down by that monster.” He glared at Val and Trey. “What are we waiting for? We have to stop him, once and for all. He’s killed all the men in another crew.” Trey shook his head. “Not quite all. Evidently there was one survivor. From what I can piece together, Retkove has captured him and is subjecting him to some medical experimentation.” “A survivor?” Paul clenched his fists. “Gentlemen, we have to rescue him. Now.”

Chapter Three Paul’s feelings rioted chaotically, but one thought rose loud and clear from the morass. His fellow Apollans knew he’d survived the wreck of his rocket and were trying to rescue him. If only they’d arrived sooner. The regret that swept over him made the earlier jealousy look like a romp in the sunshine. The nagging reminder that Val wouldn’t be in his life without all that had happened tempered his pain. Most of all, he had to act, immediately. He wasn’t about to let another Apollan suffer the same appalling fate he had. If it was the last thing he ever did, Paul would rescue the man and help him get back home. Though planning to spend a night of respite from the constant pressure of Retkove’s pursuit, in light of the news, Val, Paul and Trey rapidly switched gears. If Paul had his way, they’d find their way to Retkove’s lab, where he held the Apollan, tonight. “Do we know the prisoner’s name?” Paul asked Trey as they braved the atmosphere’s noxious clouds to fly to Retkove’s beach. Trey consulted his screen. “Soleil DuCosmos. Do you know him, Paul?” “Actually, I do,” Paul snapped. “Soleil is a very young man. He must have only recently qualified for space excursions -- and look what’s happened.” The men completed their own travel in silence. They came to Earth just outside the barricades demarking Retkove’s property. “Every moment we delay puts Soleil DuCosmos further at risk,” Paul hissed. He couldn’t bear to think of Soleil’s suffering. Paul had been in agony from sunlight deprivation during the summer, when some of the sun’s rays came to Earth each day. Now, the dead of winter, had to be far worse. Soleil risked a quick, tormented death as the cells in his body collapsed in on themselves from the absence of sunlight --

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assuming Retkove didn’t kill him outright with his cursed experiments or his sadistic games. Trey and Val both looked at him as if he’d lost hold of his senses. “I’m all for action, too,” Val said, “but not before we have a clear picture of what’s going on. Paul, let’s give Trey a chance to determine the big picture. Trust me, we’ll be much more effective in rescuing Soleil DuCosmos when we know precisely what we’re up against.” “What’s to know?” Paul’s voice rose. “I may have lost many of my Apollan instincts, but I can sense Soleil DuCosmos is close to expiring. I say we rescue him first and deal with Retkove after.” Val and Trey both started talking at once, but Paul paid no attention. He shut out the sounds of their voices and went deep inside himself, summoning a link that would guide him to where his fellow Apollan lay convulsed in tortuous spasms. Paul figured that between his native Apollan intuition and his vampiric skills, a clear sense of DuCosmos should come to him. At first there was nothing. Paul feared that somehow he’d lost even more of his Apollan qualities and skills than he’d been aware of, and he grieved. If he hadn’t had Soleil to worry about, in the face of the exact dimensions of his loss, he’d have given himself up to utter despair. But Paul had a responsibility to try to save the man who’d put himself at such risk in a failed attempt to rescue him. Paul would have all the time in the world to grieve his losses later. He only hoped those losses wouldn’t also include Soleil DuCosmos. Paul flung himself on the hard-packed dirt of the road beyond the perimeter of Retkove’s holdings and offered up every prayer and petition he’d ever learned. Nothing. Paul looked down the road to where Val and Trey stood, heads together, focused on him. Paul knew Val would go to any lengths to pull him from the quicksand that threatened to swallow up his soul, but, ultimately, he faced this catastrophe alone. Only he knew what it meant for an Apollan to be imprisoned by Retkove in this wretched world.

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When the first indication of a link with Soleil came to him, Paul almost mistook it for the beating of his own heart. But the sound was far fainter than Paul’s current healthy heart rate. And, with a start, Paul realized he’d picked up the clue he’d been searching for. Soleil DuCosmos still lived, and Paul would be able to rescue him -- but only if he moved quickly. Paul arose and silently signaled his companions to join him. “Where is Soleil?” Val asked. “He’s somewhere in Retkove’s private area of the lab,” Paul said, the words and memory of the place turning his stomach. “Soleil is in a very fragile condition. We need to get to him immediately, or we may be too late.” “Getting into Retkove’s section of the lab is far from trivial,” Trey said. “He regards the lab and the work his science fiends conduct there as ‘the crown of his enterprises.’ His words.” Paul’s heart sank at the possibility of their coming so close and not being able to complete the rescue, then he forcibly pushed that thought from his consciousness. He wouldn’t fail. “I’m going in, with or without you. Now.” Passionate as Paul was when they made love, Val considered him pretty laid back in most of the other areas of his life. But when it came to this rescue operation, his lover was on fire with determination. Val committed himself, heart and soul, to making this work. Instinctively, he knew that, if the rescue failed, his relationship with Paul would be doomed because Soleil’s death would throw Paul into a bottomless depression. Now Val drew on all his strengths and everything he’d ever learned to come up with a plan. “Let me see who’s patrolling the perimeter tonight,” Val said. “I’ll find out who’s on duty, and then I’ll know exactly how we should proceed.” Trey nodded in agreement. Val had expected Paul would be pleased that he’d come up with a strategy, but Paul scowled. “We cannot delay. Soleil DuCosmos is dying as we drag our heels here.”

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Val bit back an impatient reply. “We’re not going to help him any if we race in and get ourselves destroyed.” He put his hands on Paul’s shoulders and actually shook him, which didn’t feel good. Paul looked unpleasantly surprised -- whether from being shaken or from Val’s words wasn’t clear. But after giving Val a really nasty look, Paul seemed to come to his senses. “How much time will it take?” he asked through gritted teeth. Val glanced at his time measure. “The patrol should reach the lab entrance nearby in one minute. That’s how long it will take.” “One minute.” Paul snorted. “All right. One minute. But if you don’t get the necessary information, I’m going in after that -- any way I can.” That said it all. Val, determined to come away from this night with Paul safe, peered into the dark to locate the guards. As he’d expected, two were rapidly approaching -- Jack and Marc, two of his best buddies. In fact, these two had covered for him when he wanted to be alone with Paul. He in turn had been more than happy to cover for their fuck breaks. “Guys,” he whispered loudly. They stopped talking and looked instantly alert. “Who goes there?” Val couldn’t believe they actually said that. Well, maybe one day they’d be able to look back on this night and laugh. “Val Cutter.” “Val, you son of a bitch. Where the hell have you gotten to? Old Man Retkove looks like he’s drinking vinegar blood whenever anyone mentions your name,” Marc said. “Guys, I need to ask you a favor, a big one. We understand there’s an Apollan imprisoned here.” “Yeah, Retkove’s keeping the poor bastard under lock and key in his personal area. Guards twenty-four seven. That means he’s bringing in the ghouls for the hours vampires can’t take.” Jack scowled. “We need to get to the Apollan.”

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“No can do, man.” Marc shook his head. “You know us. We’d do anything for you, Cutter. Anything but that.” Val saw how tight Paul was, fists clenched, mouth clenched. “Look, you remember Paul when he was here, right? Retkove near finished him off. He’s afraid the same will happen to Soleil DuCosmos, only, with nobody around to save him, this Apollan will die -- and for guys from there, dying like they do here without the sun is worse than what happens to our kind if we get caught in the sun.” Both Marc and Jack looked sick at the prospect. “Really, man. What you’re asking is impossible.” Marc looked pained to say these words. Paul threw himself to his knees in front of the barrier. “I’m begging. We have no time now to negotiate, but I promise, if you help me save him, I will find a way to reward you. But if he dies, the universe will hear why.” Jack and Marc took a step backward, almost as if repelled by a great force. Val had no idea what rewards or punishments Paul had in mind, but he had no doubt his lover would follow through. Val put his arms on Paul’s shoulders and drew him to his feet. Paul’s coiled tension communicated to Val, who felt a burning in his gut. They had to save Soleil. “Jack, Marc, I promise you this. Help us save Soleil and we’ll bring down Retkove. We’ll also make sure the Council knows you helped. That should take care of whatever sentence you’re serving out here.” “Sounds good, if we survive,” Marc muttered. “I’d love to see Retkove down. That would be worth risking my neck for. I’ll help. What about you, partner?” Jack looked at his lover. “Like I’d let you risk your fool neck without me to watch your rear end.” Jack said to Marc, “There appears to be a breach in the fence. We’d better investigate.” So saying, he shorted out the electric current that made the fence a lethal weapon. “You might choose to enter here,” he said, indicating a safe point. Val pushed Trey and Paul in front of him, then followed. “There’s no breach, just a short,” Marc retorted. “I’ll fix it. Much later.”

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The two men were conferring about the breach while Val, Paul, and Trey slipped through.

*** Being back in Retkove’s territory sickened Paul. His mouth soured at the painful memories the beach -- far harsher and bleaker in the winter than it had been last summer -- evoked. Only the prospect of saving an Apollan could have induced him to return. Getting onto the property had been easy. But now, as they approached the primary source of Paul’s nightmares, Retkove’s lab, he felt himself breaking out in the cold sweat of anxiety. What if they failed to rescue Soleil DuCosmos? What if he was exposing them all to mortal danger and their mission was doomed? If the rest of Retkove’s holdings were only sparsely guarded tonight, the lab was the exact opposite. Four guards armed with stake-tipped weapons and automatic flame sparkers formed a formidable barricade. Could these guards also be friends who’d be willing to look aside for Val? “I don’t know any of these guys,” Val whispered to Paul and Trey. Now that he was close to the lab, Paul struggled to bite back his visceral memory of pain. Soleil DuCosmos, though growing fainter by the moment, still called to him. Paul had to hold on to his strength and determination to save the Apollan. “Strategy time,” Trey said. “Paul, do you think you can manage in there by yourself?” Paul swallowed hard and shook his head. “Not knowing exactly what Soleil’s condition is, I need one of you to come in with me to guard us while I assess how to rescue him.” “That’s what I thought. I’ve got an idea. I’ll distract the guards while you and Val go in and rescue the Apollan.” Val looked at him. “How are you going to distract them?”

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Trey grinned. “I’ll just sashay up to that cute one over there and mention that I’ve learned some secret Apollan sex games. I have a feeling that’ll get his interest. Once he follows me, the others won’t be able to resist.” Paul felt a surge of new respect and gratitude for Trey. He knew Trey could be playing a very dangerous game here. Far from following Trey, the first guard might reject his advances and hurt him. But they had to get the guards away from the lab so he and Val could get in. “Thank you,” he told Trey and kissed the man on the lips. Trey, who kissed him back, winked at Paul and assumed a come-hither look. Then with an exaggerated hip swivel, Trey went over to the biggest guard and whispered in his ear. From the grin that lit the guard’s face, Paul knew this part of the plan was going to work. Hidden in the shadows, Paul and Val watched the unfolding scene. The first guard had abandoned his weapons and, holding Trey by the hand, summoned the three other guards to him. Two guards whooped, dropped their weapons, and prepared to move away with Trey and the first. But one of the guards held firm. Shit. Even one armed guard would complicate their mission. Trey, doing a sexy strip tease, led the three guards to a spot down the beach, away from the lab. Paul realized Trey couldn’t make too big a deal about pulling away the fourth guard or he risked messing up what he’d accomplished. The three guards, following Trey like a Pied Piper, tossed their clothes aside as they went. The fourth took out some sort of communicator and started to punch in numbers. “Let’s tackle him now,” Val whispered to Paul. “I’ll attack from the front, you from the back. We’ll knock him out.” Paul, from a peaceable planet, had never intentionally hurt another being -- but was about to lose that particular virginity. Fueled by fury at what Retkove did to Apollans, Paul hurled himself at the guard from behind, knocking him off balance. Val took advantage of the guard’s confusion to wallop him in the gut. When the guard fell, Val knocked him over the head with the butt of the flame sparker. “He won’t be out for long but hopefully we won’t need very long.” Val was panting from the exertion.

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The two of them stepped over the guard. The door was locked. Val, who evidently remembered how the codes were set, made short work of opening it. So close. They were so close. Success was at hand. They swung the door open and walked in. Ideg Retkove stood waiting.

*** Of all the double fuckin’ shitty bad luck. Retkove almost never came to the lab. What the hell was he doing here on this night of all nights? Now that they were inside, Val could hear the piercing moans of the Apollan. He could also feel Paul was on the brink of losing it. He needed to rescue DuCosmos now, or Val knew Paul would never recover. “Some surprise guests,” Retkove crowed. “How pleasant. Especially such guests. Welcome.” He called to an attendant sitting next to the cot where Soleil DuCosmos lay panting and groaning, folded in on himself in agony. “Ibor, please get refreshments for our uninvited guests.” The servant rose slowly and shuffled off. Paul promptly resumed Ibor’s place and put a soothing hand on Soleil’s sweating brow. Retkove leered at Val and Paul. “Or perhaps you gentlemen would prefer to join in some old fashioned play and feed.” His fangs gleamed. The thought of feeding off Retkove was enough to make Val puke. But he was determined to hold it all together. “We want the Apollan, Retkove,” Val announced. Retkove raised a brow. “Oh, really? And do you think you, an escaped criminal and the victim you kidnapped, are in a position to make such demands?” “If the Apollan dies, you will, too, Retkove. Trust me, I’ll hurt you. You’ll die in a lot more pain than he.” Val struggled to keep his voice level and calm. Retkove held up a taloned finger and crooked it at Val. “All I have to do is hit my panic button, and guards will storm this part of the lab. That would wreak havoc with the delicate instruments and materials stored here, but I’d sacrifice what I’ve accomplished here before I’d let you harm me.”

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Val looked at Paul and Soleil. Paul looked sick with worry and in agony, as if he felt every pain the Apollan did. “I don’t give a shit about this lab or the crap you keep here -- especially the instruments of torture you have no scruples about using. Retkove, you’re the lowest form of scum, a blot on the whole universe. Hell, destroying you would raise the quality of life on Earth and beyond.” Retkove sneered. “Since you’re fucking a former Apollan, I’d have thought even a cretin such as yourself would have learned how to appreciate what I’ve been able to accomplish.” Val flexed his fingers and thought about the pleasure of strangling Retkove with his bare hands right before he drove one of the fiend’s own stakes into the black poisonous mass of tissue that passed for his heart. “All you’ve accomplished is the corruption of whatever falls into your toxic sphere.” “You are a barbarian,” Retkove hissed. “A gorgeous specimen, no doubt, but a barbarian for all that. But if you’ll shut up for a moment and listen, you might learn something.” “He’s dying,” Paul groaned. “He’s dying.” Val grabbed hold of Retkove and dragged him over to the cot. He forced the sadistic bastard to look at the Apollan, whose face was contorted in a spasm of intense suffering. Val could scarcely bear to be in the presence of such excruciating pain, but he wouldn’t leave now. “Gods, Val, we’re losing him,” Paul whispered. “What can we do?” Val knew only one way to keep DuCosmos from slipping away. “We have to transform him, now,” Val said. Though he hated to transform the man without having talked to him beforehand, they had no choice. “Paul, can you do it, or do you want me to?” Paul, trembling, shook his head. “I’m afraid I’d do something wrong. You, please, transform him.” So he’d have this on his soul too, Val thought. He only hoped Soleil would later agree that being transformed had been the best choice they could make.

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“All right, I’ll do it. Hold Retkove, and if he does anything you don’t like, kill him,” Val ordered, shoving the slimebag into Paul’s arms. Paul bit back his instinctive revulsion at the contact with Retkove. Though he’d never harmed another being, Paul felt completely confident he’d be able to crush Retkove, a surprisingly fragile specimen for a vampire. Right now, Paul’s focus had to be on making sure everything was right for Soleil DuCosmos’s transformation. Scumshit, Paul was so new at being a vampire himself, he had no clue as to what a transformation really required. But after tonight he’d know. “You’re being very foolish, ignoring what I have to offer you.” Retkove smirked. “I found out exactly what you had to offer.” Only after Paul’s transformation had the injuries from Retkove’s experiments healed. “And Retkove, I’m ready to offer you the same. Misery, pain, destruction.” Retkove clucked. “I didn’t expect an educated Apollan to sound like that idiot Cutter, but I see he’s brainwashed you. Too bad you couldn’t limit your contact with him to nightly fucks. I surmise you’ve never even questioned why I went to such lengths to obtain blood plasma cells from you and the other Apollan.” “Your justifications for your sick games don’t interest me.” Paul had to focus on keeping Retkove restrained. To do what he had to, he tried to ignore Soleil’s transformation. Now Val was at the initial step, feeding off Soleil. A pang of envy that he was not participating in this sensuous exchange shot through Paul. He swallowed it back. Retkove shook his head. “And I imagined you wanted to go back to your home planet.” Paul shut his eyes to fight back the temptation in Retkove’s treacherous words. “Shut up.” “If I do, you won’t know about the serum my scientists have just perfected. One that makes it possible for vampires not only to tolerate sunlight but actually to thrive in it.” He licked his piggish lips and leered at Paul. “With a dose of this serum, a vampire could enjoy a holiday on Apoll’ex.”

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Paul swallowed hard. Retkove was a devil, one who knew exactly how to zero in on a man’s vulnerabilities. But Paul also knew the wretch had no scruples about honesty. There was no reason Paul should believe Retkove or let his words seduce him. “Shut up or I’ll hurt you.” Retkove rolled his eyes. “Yeah, you’ve been around Cutter too long. Think, Apollan. You know I drew fluids from your body, and now I’ve done the same from this other Apollan. It wasn’t easy to come by specimens of your nature. Why do you think I went to such lengths?” “Because you enjoy torturing your fellow beings?” Paul knew he should have resisted engaging in any exchange with Retkove, but the thought of a serum that would make it possible for him to go home shot past his defenses. “Well, there is that.” Retkove’s laugh rang harshly and his eyes took on a maniacal gleam. “But torture is easy and cheap to come by -- Apollan blood isn’t. With the addition of what we’ve been able to extract from DuCosmos, we finally reached critical mass. No matter what you think of me, I’ve opened up a whole new world for vampires -- including you.” He contorted his features into what he must have considered a come-hither look. “If you’re nice to me, I’ll give you some.” Paul snorted. “Like I would ever trust you.” Now he could see Val and Soleil were at the last critical step of the transformative process, when Soleil had to take blood from Val. Though Paul had been incoherent during most of the transformation and he was pretty sure Soleil was the same, Paul wished he could be taking part now in the ritual with those two men instead of having to guard Retkove. “I’m planning to go to your planet. But I want to get a taste of Apollan ass before I go, so I’m ready. Of course, now that you’re a vampire, you’re not completely Apollan anymore. But I figure you’re still close enough to the real thing to give me the information I want. So what do you say? I fuck you, then I give you serum. You can leave Earth and that lowlife you’ve gotten stuck with.” Though he wanted to refute Retkove’s garbage step by step, Paul figured he’d best save his breath. But in a little corner of his mind he couldn’t help wondering -- was

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there any truth in Retkove’s treacherous words? What would he give to have a chance to return to his beloved Apoll’ex?

Chapter Four Though Val thought he’d cut things close when he transformed Paul, he realized Soleil had been even nearer to mortal death. The fledgling vampire was still in deep sleep, but his regular breathing and the slight color in his cheeks told Val he’d been in time. For now, Soleil was safe. Val turned his focus to Paul and Retkove. Knowing the slippery bastard was so close to his lover made Val’s skin crawl. He figured it was time to relieve Paul, who’d welcome the chance to check on Soleil himself. Retkove was spouting some of his usual filth to Paul when Val walked up to them. “I’ll take him now,” Val muttered. “Oh good, the cretin’s arrived. I love variety.” Retkove’s sarcasm grated on Val’s nerves. He really hoped he’d get a chance to hurt the bastard tonight. “Is Soleil going to make it?” Paul asked over Retkove’s head as if the slime weren’t there. “He’ll be fine. Probably wake up hungry and thirsty within the hour.” Paul’s mouth widened in an almost smile. “He won’t know what hit him.” “At least he’s lucky he’ll have both of us to explain,” Val replied. He winced now, thinking of how lonely and scared Paul must have felt when he returned to consciousness after his own transformation. “Spare me the sweetness and light.” Retkove’s face twisted in mock nausea. Val grabbed him from Paul. “This guy shouldn’t have his hands free to do more damage.” As roughly as he could, he wrenched Retkove’s hands behind his back and had Paul tie them with a wipe cloth from his pocket. “Although on the other hand, I can enjoy the light now,” Retkove continued, “the sunlight.”

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“Right. You’ve finally gone round the bend, Retkove. Though I wouldn’t at all mind giving you a chance to experience sunlight. I’d love to think of you frying down to ash.” Val allowed himself to savor the image for a moment. “He’s been telling me about a serum that makes it possible for vampires to tolerate sunlight,” Paul said, his voice sounding flat and neutral. Val knew what such a serum would mean to Paul. For a moment, he thought about Paul taking this serum and leaving Earth -- and him. “That’s why I’ve been withdrawing blood plasma cells from all the Apollans I could get my hands on,” Retkove boasted. “With what I got from this last subject, I finally had enough. My scientists succeeded in providing me with the serum. After I see the two of you locked away, I’m going to take a well-deserved holiday on Apoll’ex.” “He’s bullshitting us,” Val told Paul. “Go, be with Soleil now. I’ll watch Retkove. As soon as Soleil can walk, we’ll leave. But so help me, if this asshole moves a muscle the wrong way, I’ll kill him first.” “But what about the serum?” Paul asked, a plaintive note in his voice. What about such a serum? Val hated that Retkove had found another way to hurt Paul with this lie. “If this really exists, which I doubt, I’ll find out how to get hold of it. But Paul, Retkove is such a filthy liar. Don’t believe him.” Val saw the flash of disappointment that glittered in Paul’s eyes before he turned away and took up his vigil next to Soleil’s cot. Soleil looked so peaceful in his rest, Paul touched his chest to make sure he was still breathing. Poor sod. At least Paul had become Val’s lover before his transformation. With Val by his side, Paul wasn’t so lonely. But Soleil would wake up in this alien world transformed into a being whose nature he didn’t understand. Paul’s heart swelled. He and Val would make room for Soleil in their lives, just as they’d taken Trey in. At the memory of how Trey had joined them in their sun salute, Paul’s cock stirred. Previously, he’d figured Val and he would be an exclusive couple -- another of the many oddities of life on Earth. The easy addition of Trey to their intimate union

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proved how wrong he’d been. It would be good to have another Apollan with them. Even though he, like Paul, would have lost many Apollan qualities during the transformation, Soleil would still be a living reminder for him of home. Paul studied Soleil, whose handsome features were easy to distinguish now that he no longer writhed in agony. Like Paul, Soleil was fair and fine-featured. But Soleil’s hair was more like a cloud of silver framing his face. Paul traced the contours of Soleil’s finely muscled body and was gratified the other man’s sex reflex went on full alert when Paul touched his penis and scrotum. Yes, Soleil was well made indeed. Paul sighed. All the men on Apoll’ex were well-made and handsome. That was part of the genetic formula that went into the small population of embryos generated in the planet’s birthing facilities. A pang of homesickness clawed at Paul at this memory of his home planet, the place neither he nor Soleil would ever see again. Cruel exile. But what was it about mad Retkove’s rantings? What if he was speaking the truth?

*** Val went on instant alert when he heard a noise at the door to the lab. “That will be Ibor, no doubt,” Retkove said. “With the refreshments and a stake gun. Ibor, come quickly,” he finished with a shout. “Shut the fuck up,” Val growled. “Not Ibor, just me,” Trey announced. “The guards?” Val asked. “I knocked the uncooperative one out again on my way here. He was regaining consciousness, which didn’t seem like a good idea. I left the other guys in mid-orgy.” Trey grinned as he said the last words. “I’m glad someone’s been having a good time,” Val grumped. “Orgies are a tough job, but someone’s got to do it,” Trey chirped. He looked around. “So what’s been going on here while I’ve fucked and been fucked?”

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Val nodded to Retkove, now visibly struggling to free himself. “I had to transform this slimeball’s newest Apollan prisoner or he’d have expired. Paul’s sitting with him.” “Retkove, what the hell are you doing messing with the Apollans? You could turn the whole universe against Earth. Apollans are the most beloved race in the universe. Everyone knows they spread only peace and good will.” Trey shook his head. Retkove snorted. “So now you’ve gone over to the enemy side, Duke?” “I’ve worked for you in the past, Retkove, but I’d never side with you on anything that would hurt Apollans -- or my friends.” “Duke, you’re such a whore. You’d sell them out in a minute if I offered you the right amount.” Trey punched Retkove, hard. Retkove doubled up. When he stood, he snarled. “Now you’ll be sorry. You all will. None of you will ever get any of my serum. You’ll never be able to go into sunlight here on Earth, let alone on Apoll’ex.” Trey looked at Val. “What the hell’s he prattling about?” Val rolled his eyes. “Claims his fiends have come up with a serum that makes it possible for vampires to thrive in sunlight. More of his bullshit.” Trey shook his head. “No, Val. It may not be all bullshit this time. I remember hearing some of his scientists talking about this serum. Claimed they were close to success.” “And they succeeded. I’m the only vampire who will ever be able to take advantage of its qualities.” Retkove had managed to free his hands. Val couldn’t believe his ears. But if Retkove really had some of this stuff, he wanted it -- for Paul, for Soleil, for himself. “Tell me where it is.” With a sneer on his face, Retkove clutched a medallion he wore suspended from a chain around his neck. “I’ll see you in hell first,” Retkove shouted. Thinking the medallion had something to do with the serum, Val reached for it just as Retkove pulled on the chain. Just as Val got his hands on Retkove’s neck, a huge explosion rocked the

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lab. Billows of smoke rose as shattered glass, syringes, bottles of fluid, and other debris flew through the air -- along with Retkove, Val, and, as far as he knew, the others. What seemed like an eternity later, when Val could get his wits about him, he reached out blindly for his lover. “Paul, Paul. Where are you?” His throat hurt from the smoke he swallowed, but he continued to call out. A chain reaction of explosions rocked what was left of the lab. An acrid smell filled his nose and forced him to close his eyes. “Paul…” Val’s voice trailed off as blackness overcame him.

*** When the first explosion hit, Paul grabbed on to Soleil. The two of them clung together as shock after shock buffeted them. After all they’d gone through, they were all going to die anyway. He, Soleil, Val… The pain of his separation from Val ripped through him. Did Val know how much he loved him? Did he die thinking Paul had stopped loving him? He held on to Soleil with all his might, but when the two of them thudded back to Earth, the force of the impact separated them. Then everything went dark. When Paul returned to consciousness, Soleil was still out cold. There was no trace of Val or Trey -- or Retkove. What had happened to them? Paul hoped Retkove was dead, which felt miserable. Had the bastard been telling the truth? Could he have made such a serum? If he had and if it could accomplish the miracle he claimed, Paul wanted it. Oh gods, desire for that serum filled his soul with a longing so intense he realized he’d do anything to get it. Anything to be able to return home. He licked his lips, surveying the destruction around him. Nothing could have survived the blast. Nothing. On the other hand, Retkove would have made sure such a serum would be in a secure place. Desperate, Paul began to move. The serum was made from his fluids, his and Soleil’s. If the stuff still existed, there had to be a link. Let his blood call out to his blood. He moved in the direction he was pulled, drawn on as if by magnetic power.

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“Is this what you’re looking for, Apollan?” Retkove stood by a smoking fragment of what used to be a wall and held up a glass vial with a dark red substance. Paul reeled back from Retkove, though he sensed that the bastard was holding exactly what he sought. Then, overcoming his revulsion, Paul reached out to grab the vial from Retkove. Retkove stuck the vial in the waist of his now ragged pants. “There’s a price for everything, Apollan. Payment up front.” So close. He was so close to the possibility of salvation. Hell, he’d be willing to pay anything, to do anything so he could go home. “I left a fortune on Apoll’ex. Give me the serum. I’ll go home and give you everything.” Paul’s stomach clenched as he said these words. Retkove threw back his head and laughed. “That’s not payment up front. No, Apollan. You want this --” He nodded to the serum. “-- you have to be mine first. And you throw Cutter to the wolves. In this case, you take the serum, but he doesn’t. Then when you can handle the sun again, you take him out there. The two of us can watch what happens to vampires who haven’t been protected. That’ll give us something to laugh about.” Retkove leered. Paul figured he’d lunge and grab the serum from Retkove, but Retkove caught his movement. “Don’t even try. If you move an inch toward me, I’ll break the vial and let the stuff trickle into the sand. I might do that anyway. After all, I don’t need it anymore.” He considered saying yes to Retkove. Scumshit, he wanted to go home. Of course, he’d never agree to hurting Val. Except, if he took the serum and left Earth, he’d also be leaving Val. Of course, Val might already be dead, in which case Paul might be refusing this chance for no reason. His gut told him otherwise.

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“Your price is too high, Retkove. Keep your serum.” Using every bit of will, he turned his back on Retkove and walked away from his chance to go home. He’d never felt so empty before in his life. Another explosion rocked the lab. Something big hit Paul in the head, and oblivion followed.

*** Paul felt amazingly content. He woke up feeling happier and more at peace than at any time since leaving Apoll’ex. He stretched, surprised to feel soft sand below him and to realize he was lying alone. Was he dreaming? Slowly, the memory of the night before returned to him, and his happy glow turned to horror. Where the hell were the others -- Val, Soleil, Trey, even the hated Retkove and his serum? Apprehensive at what he’d find and yet committed to facing the truth, Paul forced his eyelids open. When he did, the first thing that greeted him was the sun -- his beloved, life-giving sun -- high in the sky above. Though the sky was winter dim and the day cloudy, these details did nothing to diminish the wonder of realizing he was lying in the sun. He was looking at the sun and, as far as he could tell, he hadn’t departed from the existence he’d come to know. “How --?” he started to ask. He had to find the others or, too awful to contemplate, see if he alone had survived the catastrophe. Paul sat bolt upright and, for a moment, the sea, sky, and sun whirled before his eyes in a nauseatingly dizzy whirl. He clamped his hands down firmly in the sand to give himself some measure of support. After a wave of weakness flooded through him, Paul felt his strength return as he opened himself up to the sun’s rays. He wanted to jump for joy. At last, he felt his beloved sun on him. Had he somehow gotten the serum after all? But would he have forgotten if he had? Knowing the price he’d almost paid for the serum, Paul shivered. At least he had walked away from Retkove. Now it looked like he’d gotten the serum without paying the high price.

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But where were the others? Could he ever know a moment’s happiness if Val was gone? What about Soleil and even Trey, who’d turned out to be a good and loyal friend? Heartsick at the prospect of so many losses, Paul rose. Between the sun and his own vampiric strength, he felt a surge of energy. After surveying the beach in all directions, he decided his best course was to start walking. He had to find the others, or he had no idea what he’d do. Which way to go? After looking in both directions, he started heading south. He’d trudged half a mile or so when he thought he heard something. Could it be Val or Trey? He turned and moved in the direction of the voice. In moments he knew. Val was calling him. “I’m here,” he shouted, running in the direction of Val’s voice. When he came upon the three of them, Paul leapt on them and hugged them all. “Where the hell have you been?” Val asked. Paul was gratified to see his lover, even though Val looked hollow-eyed and scared. “Just taking in the rays down the beach,” Paul said, the casual tone of his voice in contrast to the high emotion he felt. “Taking in the rays down the beach,” he repeated, savoring the miracle these words told of. “Look at us! We’re four vampires enjoying sunshine. Not ashes of former vampires,” Paul chortled. “Vampires?” Soleil croaked. Val looked at him indulgently. “We haven’t had a chance to explain it all to him yet. But Soleil DuCosmos, trust me on this. You’ve become a vampire at a really interesting time in our evolution. One that I don’t fully understand.” “I’d say it looks like old Retkove shared his serum with us after all,” Trey said. “Somehow, in the final explosion the bastard unleashed, we must have been exposed to enough serum to give us this power. For once, in a roundabout way, we have something to thank the crook for.”

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Val snorted. “I’d never thank him for anything. He probably meant to kill us with that explosion. I’m sure he didn’t intend to share the serum. But speaking of Retkove, has anyone seen any sign of him?” “Maybe he killed himself with the blast,” Paul said. “One can hope,” Val added. Soleil looked from man to man before lighting on Paul. “You’re Paul de l’Astre, aren’t you?” Paul confirmed his identity. “You’re an Apollan, but now you’re a vampire?” “The same as you,” Paul replied. “I know you’re confused. We’ll explain all.” Soleil shook his head as if to clear it. “How and why did I become a vampire?” “You were dying, do you remember?” Paul asked. Soleil pursed his lips. “After our rocket was shot down, I ended up in that lab with Retkove. Gods, the pain was so bad, I was sure I was a goner.” “So were we. Transformation appeared the only way to save you, so Val performed that ritual.” “There have never been any vampires on Apoll’ex,” Soleil said. “But now that we can tolerate the sun, maybe we can return.” “Maybe,” Paul said. “I’ve been teaching these two Earthlings about Apoll’ex. With two of us, we can give them a better idea. Together, we can give thanks for our return to the sun.” “On Apoll’ex, we have rituals for everything,” Soleil explained to Trey and Val. “That’s what Paul has been telling us,” Val said, putting his arm around Paul’s waist with an intimacy that made Paul’s heart beat faster. Remembering his brief jealousy when Val transformed Soleil, Paul appreciated the reminder of his special bond with Val. Now with Soleil and Trey here, Paul realized he’d be able to integrate his special relationship with Val into the sensual rituals of his home planet. Lots to celebrate. “Another divine six nine?” Trey asked, eyeing Soleil enthusiastically.

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“With four of us, I’d say we can go for the solar spider salute.” Paul looked at Soleil, who nodded agreement. “Solar spider salute?” Val and Trey repeated simultaneously. “And after that I’ll introduce you to the joys of simultaneous orgasmic feeding,” Paul promised Soleil. He figured being the first to share this practice with the newlyturned vampire was the least he could do for his fellow Apollan.

*** Seeing the automatic bond spring up between Paul and Soleil, Val felt a shiver of jealousy. No matter how close he and Paul became, Val knew they’d never have the same communication between them that Paul and Soleil had. But, so be it. Now he had a deeper understanding of Paul’s feelings about him and Trey. “So, Apollans, what exactly does the solar spider salute entail?” Val asked. “The word ‘tail’ is operable here,” Paul said. Soleil laughed at his joke. “You see, like the spider, we will form an eight-legged creature. We do this by forming a line, back to front, and entering the man in front of us.” Trey, being a mathematician, said, “That means the man at the end won’t be entered, and the man in front won’t have anyone to enter. The guys in the middle luck out. Doesn’t seem quite fair.” Paul and Soleil exchanged looks. “We take turns so it all evens out in the end,” Soleil said. “In the end, eh?” Trey laughed more exuberantly than the joke merited, but Val was sensing some major vibes between Trey and Soleil. “I’ll be bottom man,” Paul offered. “We’ll all be bottom men.” Trey was laughing so hard, he could hardly get the words out. This time, Soleil laughed with him. Definite vibes, oh yeah. “How does this work?” Val asked. He felt semi-aroused already, just from the word play. Well, that and the danger they’d been in and how great the sun felt shining on him. Also, not to be overlooked, was how long it had been since he’d gotten off. His dick now asserted demands to end this sexless interval.

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Paul, who’d been chewing his lip, surveyed the men. “Hmm. Let’s start with me as anchor man.” He put his hands lightly on Val’s hips, which sent sparks of desire racing through his bloodstream. “Val will be behind me, Trey behind him, and Soleil will bring up the rear.” Soleil and Trey, hugging each other, howled with laughter at Paul’s directions. “Gentlemen, strip,” Paul ordered. He quickly threw off his garments. “Paul, it’s cold out here. Don’t forget, man, it’s winter,” Val protested. Paul took him in his arms and ran his tongue along Val’s lips, then traced the outline of Val’s erection with his own. “Trust me, you won’t feel cold for long.” Val trusted him. Paul seemed lost in thought for a moment. “Soleil, one thing that’s changed about me now -- and, I assume about you, is that in the transformation process, we lose the ability to self-lube.” That sobered Soleil up for a moment. “No more self-lubing?” Trey ran over to where he’d discarded his pants and patted his pockets. Evidently he found what he was looking for because he took hold of a small container and grinned widely. “A gift from my friends the guards. Glide-a-Dick, an amazing lube.” “Gentlemen, the solar spider beckons.” In moments, the four of them lined up, probably the most unusual spider that had ever made an appearance on Retkove’s beach. Paul got down on his hands and knees in the sand, stuck up his gorgeous butt, and waggled it temptingly at Val, who got the message. He nibbled the crease in Paul’s butt, then took a generous dab of Trey’s lube and slathered it all around Paul’s winking hole. Val passed the lube back to Trey, who made good use of the contents. “On the count of three, men, penetrate your partner,” Paul called. Val, huge and close to bursting at this point, had no problem following this order. At the same moment that he entered Paul’s tight sheath, he took Trey’s thick length into him. Though he didn’t see it, he figured Soleil was also deep into Trey.

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Val thought about Paul’s erection, which had nowhere to go -- Val’s only regret. He nuzzled the tender area behind Paul’s ear and whispered that he wanted to touch his lover’s shaft and balls, but balance required him to hang on to his lover’s hips. “Oh, baby,” Paul whispered. “I’ve got the situation well in hand for now. Later, I’ll fuck you up your ass with my enormous cock. But now, I’ll pretend I’m in you as I stroke myself and feel you up in me.” Paul’s words, his scent, the feel of his skin as Val leaned into him, his tight, hot channel enveloping Val’s aching shaft, Trey’s cock pumping into him, the sun shining down, the murmur of the two other men’s voices -- Val’s senses were on overload as he processed all the wonders around him. Holding tight to Paul, Val licked the skin of his perfect back. He wanted to take this man into him, to be one with him in a thousand ways. “Oh, Paul,” he whispered, tonguing the crease down the center of Paul’s back. Trey pistoned his erection in that way he had which drove Val utterly crazy. He could feel the other man’s balls flapping against his ass as Trey thrust his hips ever harder against Val. He wished they could just go on forever in the erotic perfection of this moment. Even the beach, which usually stank from pollution, smelled good today, as if the ocean lapping the shore weren’t filled with deadly toxins. Paul moved his ass back, tightening his hold on Val, and Val could have sworn they were all floating in space, communing with the stars. How he loved this man. He loved them all, even Trey and the new guy, Soleil. A wave of benevolence and peace coursed through Val. He wanted this to last. But he began to quiver, his early warning that he was going to climax. “Paul, cripes, I’m going to come. My cock is getting so big in you, I’m going to explode all the way, buried inside you. And, baby, it’s all for you. Every drop of what I’m going to pump out has your name on it. I love you, Paul.” Those words said, with a rush he did just what he’d said he would, his orgasm coming in wave after wave of blessed release. In moments, Trey climaxed in him. Urgently, Paul wriggled Val out of him and turned them around. With a grunt and a gasp, Paul rammed his bursting cock into Val, up into him as far as he could go.

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Driven by his need, Paul thrust in and out of Val, who relished each sensation of his lover’s pulsing need. Though he was totally absorbed in their lovemaking, Val sensed Trey and Soleil similarly occupied a short distance away from them. Paul called out, his voice loud on the silent beach, as he shuddered and came. Far too soon, this part of their ritual was over. Val looked up and saw the sun radiating blessing down at them. Paul embraced him from behind, his head pressed hard against Val’s back. Val couldn’t remember ever before having felt so much love.

*** Surely the sun felt the respect and worship the four of them had sent to the heavens with their lovemaking. Paul felt satisfied and content. If there’d been any tension between him and Val after all they’d gone through, Paul felt they’d made peace with each other. At the same time, they were reaching out and sharing their love -- the Apollan way. Now they’d have to complete the rest of the ritual and initiate Soleil into vampire life with a feeding. As the only other Apollan present, Paul felt it behooved him to give Soleil his first feed, though truth was he’d have preferred to share this moment with Val. After they’d explained this process to Soleil, Paul said, “I’ll be your first, fellow Apollan.” Soleil pursed his lips. “I thank you for all, Paul de l’Astre. But if it’s all right with you, I’d prefer to give and receive my first sensuous feed with Trey.” Trey bowed. “I’d be honored.” His fangs shone with readiness. “Of course,” Paul demurred. In moments, he and Val were in each other’s arms, sharing the crowning intimacy of their lovemaking. Afterwards, lying on the beach and enjoying the sunset, Val felt lost in contentment. If he could have frozen a moment in time, it would have been this one. Or maybe when he had his cock in Paul and Trey was fucking him. Or maybe…

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Val quickly realized he couldn’t pick just one peak moment, for, with Paul in his life, there were too many. Paul escaped the circle of his arms. Though Val knew Paul must have felt a similar sense of well-being, a hint of sadness underlay his lover’s expression. The two other men still lay cocooned. Val envied them, for he knew Paul was going to shatter their mood. “What is it?” he asked Paul, hoping whatever the other man wanted would be easy to come by. “The serum worked,” Paul said. Val nodded. “Evidently. It’s been a hell of a day.” “We can go home.” Paul’s voice sounded wistful. We? What did Paul mean by “we”? Him and Soleil? After all, Earth was home for Val and Trey. Paul called the two men to come over. With some apparent reluctance, they extricated themselves from each other’s arms and joined Paul and Val. Looking right at Soleil, Paul said, “We can go home now.” Soleil looked happy for one moment, but then he pointed out, “But we’re vampires. How can we possibly go home? There are no vampires on Apoll’ex.” Paul got a determined look in his eye and his chin jutted out. “Not yet. But our home planet is a tolerant place.” Soleil shook his head. “That’s never been tested.” Paul glared at him. “Don’t you want to go home?” A deep crease puckered Soleil’s forehead. “Of course I do. I just don’t know if we can, if the other Apollans will accept us.” “I’m confident they will.” Paul thought for a moment and it was clear from his face that his confidence wavered a bit. “We won’t know until we try. Soleil, would you have rejected an Apollan who traveled through space and came back as a vampire?” The other man appeared stymied. “Paul, nothing like that’s ever come up before.”

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“Well, it’s high time it did. Besides which, what is there on Earth for us? We haven’t seen Retkove today, but he could very well come back to haunt us. Val, I’m tired of being on the run. Now that we can live in sunlight, please, come home with me. And Trey, you’re invited too.” Val, who hadn’t been thinking much at all, suddenly had to think fast. “Geez, Paul, I never thought about leaving Earth. It’s a big step.” “What big step? What do you have on this toxic, polluted, criminal-infested junk planet?” Paul’s voice rose with passion. “He’s got a point, pal,” Trey said. “We were just saying how we wanted to go to Apoll’ex for a holiday. Sounds like we have a chance. I’m for going.” Val bit his lip. “Paul, you don’t just mean for a holiday, do you? You’re talking about permanent relocation, right?” Paul shrugged. “Look at it as a holiday to start. We can always come back to this hellhole if for some reason it looks better to us than beautiful Apoll’ex.” “You’ll love it there,” Soleil added. Trey nodded vigorously. “I’m going. Val, make up your own mind. But I’d say looks like an easy choice. And the guys are right, you could have Retkove on your tail worse than ever if you stay here. Come with us. I hear there are rockets leaving from the Human Sector once a month.” “But what about --?” Val kept coming up with objections, but the three others easily deflated them. Retkove, if he did indeed resurface, remained a threat. No one was sure how vampires, unknown on Apoll’ex, would fare. Finally, Val ran out of arguments. With three against one and the prospect of paradise at his lover’s side ahead of him, how could Val say no? He didn’t. Several weeks after their first vampiric taste of the sun, Val, Paul, Trey and Soleil bought one-way tickets and boarded a rocket to Apoll’ex. Feeling a lot like the old time explorers off to conquer new worlds, Val prepared for a whole new life alongside his friends and his lover.

Mardi Ballou Writing books is a dream come true for Mardi Ballou. Multi-published in erotic and mainstream romance, Mardi lives in Northern California with her hero husband, a knight in shining armor who provides both tech support and expert massage. No, she doesn’t share. Mardi loves to travel, racking up frequent flyer miles to visit her family in England and her native country, New Jersey. She wishes she could live in a structure big enough to house all the books and quilts she covets and have enough time to enjoy them all. She’s still waiting to achieve her second major dream -- winning an Oscar in some yet-to-be-created category she might qualify for. If you know how to make this happen or just want to schmooze, drop in on Mardi at MardiBallou.com.