Bloodkin 1
Bed and Breakfast
Marlais "Moss" Hayden is a young man struggling to survive after being sent away by his impoverished family. A want ad falls into his hands, advertising a position for "bed and breakfast." When he looks into it, Moss realizes the job is to provide sex and blood to kin lord Vane Bloodmoor.
In his capacity as a kin lord, Vane works to control the bloodkin from killing humans during feeding. His life's motto is to always keep control and not lose himself to his instincts. But Moss awakens unfamiliar feelings inside Vane. Intrigued, he offers Moss a job as a secretary and blood donor. Moss is unable to refuse or the resist the bloodkin's allure.
But there are more powerful forces at work. Vane and Moss soon find themselves thrust in a political plot that threatens to destabilize the world order as they know it. Faced with impossible odds, can the fragile bond survive?
Note: This book was previously published with another publisher and has been extensively revised and expanded.
Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), BDSM, Vampires/Werewolves
Length: 61,738 words
BED AND BREAKFAST
Bloodkin 1
Scarlet Hyacinth
EROTIC ROMANCE
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove
BED AND BREAKFAST
Copyright © 2013 by Scarlet Hyacinth
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-423-8
First E-book Publication: February 2013
Cover design by Harris Channing
All cover art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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DEDICATION
For all my old readers who enjoyed Bed and Breakfast the first time I published it, and for all my new ones.
BED AND BREAKFAST
Bloodkin 1
SCARLET HYACINTH
Copyright © 2013
Prologue
Bloodkin. A race of mystery and paradoxes, spawning that empire that engulfed everything it touched, out of the pure primal need to feed. Some called them monsters. Others were fascinated by them. But as a general rule, everyone agreed that they were dangerous, predators who just looked like people.
From their capital city of Tachaka, the bloodkin spread out, invading every corner of the main continent. The only ones who could have stopped them were the elves. But there was too much history between the two species, too much conflict and potential for war.
With no real protection in front of the seduction of the bloodkin, the humans became trapped, the perfect prey. Other species fought back, holding their own against the gradual invasion of the bloodkin, but the hearts of men were too easily seduced by the power, wealth, and beauty of the kin.
Doubtlessly, they might have all been turned into blood slaves, perhaps even wiped out completely after a few generations. To prevent needless killing, the Kin Lords appeared, highly respected bloodkin nobles who were tasked with making sure everyone from their race respected the most important law of all, the Bloodkin Covenant.
A tenuous balance was created, with the humans starting to get more and more accustomed with the bloodkin’s presence in their world. Entire industries spawned for the pure purpose of providing certain services to the Kin Lords. In the meantime, the elves became more and more isolated, hiding in their secret homeland of Manturanael, anticipating and fearing the inevitable.
Unfortunately, they were proven to be correct. In spite of the efforts of the Kin Lords, no one could control the instincts of a species forever.
But unbeknownst to anyone, bloodkin weren’t simply a race of predators. They had hearts and souls, although many times, they didn’t even acknowledge it.
In the wake of increasingly chaotic political developments, the select few who opened up to these emotions became victims of their own feelings. Were they going to be able to protect themselves and their chosen life partners? Only time would tell.
Chapter One
“But, Duncan, are you sure there is no other way?”
“We can’t afford another mouth to feed, Olivia. The boy will be fine with my brother.”
Moss listened to his parents talk and tears welled up in his eyes. He blinked them away hastily, forcing himself to look calm and cheerful. His two siblings were already giving him concerned looks. He didn’t need to add another burden to their young lives. “Moss, what’s wrong?” his sister, Josephine, asked. By her side, their youngest brother, Lamar, gave Moss a wide-eyed look.
“Nothing at all,” Moss answered. He ruffled Jo’s blonde hair, smiling down at his siblings. If his leaving meant they would get a good life and education, he’d gladly do it.
Of course, he had his doubts about the truth of his own words. Once, his parents had once been well-off. His mother’s family had provided her with a generous dowry, and his father had always worked to improve their status in society and have them live good lives. But their happiness ended one day, when the strangers began popping up all over the place, taking over everything in their littl
e town, Elmya.
At first, his family had resisted the assault, but in the end, they’d fallen as well. Somehow, his father had ended up gambling their home and most of their fortune away. Now, their financial situation had become poor at best, and Moss had known he’d be the first one to go. By miracle, they’d managed to keep a property where they now lived, a small cabin once belonging to Moss’s late grandparents. Still, they were in deep debt, and the situation only grew worse with each passing day.
He supposed he should feel thankful. His uncle owned a prosperous business at the other side of the Great Waters, and Moss had always wanted to travel and see the world. It’d work out just fine.
Still, hearing his mother cry in the other room broke his heart, just like the thought of leaving his family behind.
“Are you really going to leave?” Lamar asked in a small voice. They must’ve heard the conversation as well, not that it had been very hard, given the volume of his parents’ voices and the size of the cabin.
Moss hated the pain in his brother’s voice. Lam and Jo were too young for this. They should be playing and enjoying their childhood, not worrying about their daily bread. As their little arms wrapped around him, Moss whispered, “It’s okay. Uncle will take care of me, and I’ll come back to visit.”
Quiet sniffles sounded in his ears. “I don’t want you to go,” Jo sobbed.
Moss didn’t want to go either, but he didn’t say it. Instead, he just held his crying siblings, comforting them the only way he could.
He didn’t know how long they just sat there. Behind him, the door opened, and Moss at last broke the embrace. He got up and faced his father. Duncan’s stern gaze ironically gave him hope. Perhaps his father had learned his lesson and he would take care of Jo and Lam once Moss left.
“I take it you heard,” Duncan said.
Moss just nodded, but his siblings shot forward. “Papa,” Jo said, “we want Moss to stay. Please let him stay.”
Duncan’s eyes went to his younger children, and in his tense stance, Moss saw sheer heartbreak. “Jo, it’s for the best,” he piped in. “This way, I’ll get to travel, just like I always wanted, and learn more things.”
He didn’t say his apprenticeship with his uncle Douglas would most likely take away all his chances of becoming what he’d always wanted. He dreamed of becoming a scholar, maybe a secretary of an important lord, or even better, a librarian. He loved books and paradoxically, both numbers and sweet stories of fantasy entertained his childhood. He lost all that once his parents fell into ruin, taking away with them his carefree dreams and laughter.
At most, his uncle could give him a position as a worker or a clerk. Merchants like Douglas didn’t need bookish folk, as they rarely, if ever, trusted their accounting to someone else. From what little Moss remembered of Douglas, the man held no love for scholars.
But Jo and Lam seemed a bit encouraged by Moss’s words, and for that, Moss felt thankful.
He caught a grateful look from his father and nodded in acknowledgement. Truth be told, he didn’t blame Duncan for what happened. Many had fallen prey to the strangers. Dark and powerful, they took hold of hearts and minds. Respectable men abandoned their families, seduced by the alluring silhouettes of the women. Some even fell into the embrace of their own gender. Not even the young people had been spared. Many of Moss’s friends now spent their days in sexual frenzy.
Moss had met one of the strangers once. Foolishly, he’d followed a friend into one of the newly acquired homes. What he’d seen there had both shocked and frightened him. Orgies of men and women together, whips falling over flesh, blood splattering all over the place. Moss had fled, but the memories still haunted him.
He’d have told his family to leave the town at once, but they didn’t have any place to go, and somehow, Moss knew the strangers would find them. Besides, these days, every town had its own batch of seducers hanging around. They’d even reached the distant cities beyond the Great Waters.
His mother stepped inside the room, her eyes red. Moss guessed she must have taken a few moments to compose herself. Moss wanted to reassure her, but unlike his siblings, she would not believe him.
Her eyes filled with tears once again when she saw him, but she hastily wiped them away. “Come,” she said to Jo and Lam, “let’s have some pie.”
The children perked up at the mentioning of the delicious treat. But as they followed behind Olivia, Lam hesitated. “Isn’t Moss coming?”
“Of course he is,” Olivia answered. “He just needs a word with Papa. Now be obedient and come along.”
This time, the children did leave the room, and Moss couldn’t suppress a small sigh of relief. At least without them around, he could afford to show his pain at leaving his home behind.
His father pulled him to the very edge of the room, next to an old desk. He ushered Moss to the couch. “Sit.”
Moss obeyed. As he sat down, his father rummaged through the desk drawers. He retrieved a piece of paper, ink, and a quill and he began to write. Moss waited in silence, knowing the missive would be very important. He wondered what his father said about him.
At last, Duncan put the quill back in the inkwell and blew on the paper. “I suppose you realize what this is.” Moss nodded, but his father explained anyway. “I’ve explained our circumstances to Douglas and asked him to take you under his wing. I did mention your abilities with bookkeeping, but I doubt that will convince him. Nevertheless, you will have a place to eat and sleep with no problem.” Duncan rolled the paper, bound it, and offered it to Moss.
“Thank you, Father,” Moss said as he received the item sealing his fate.
Duncan didn’t reply. Instead, he opened another drawer, one Moss hadn’t originally seen. To Moss’s surprise, his father took out a pouch and offered it to him. “These are the last of our savings. I wish I could give you more, but you know how the situation is.”
In a daze, Moss took the pouch. It felt heavy in his hand, and Moss couldn’t help but open it. He gaped as he took in its contents. It was too much. His family would eat for two weeks out of the money. “Father, I—”
Duncan lifted a hand and stopped him. “You will need it. The ship fare is expensive enough, but the trip to the harbor even more so.” He frowned as if something particularly disturbing passed through his mind.
“You be careful, boy. Sleep in inns, but don’t talk to anyone suspicious. Avoid them.”
This time, Moss couldn’t hold his tears back. As his father held him, he let go, unleashing all the sorrow he’d kept in check. Would he ever see his family again?
* * * *
A few weeks later
The harbor bustled with activity, dirty sailors cramming supplies onto various ships, shouting imprecations at each other. Farther away, gentlemen helped their ladies on passenger boats.
Moss scanned the busy crowd, trying to figure out which way to go. According to the directions he’d been given, the ship he was supposed to board should be someplace around here.
With luck and some help from the Sky Lord, he’d managed to reach the harbor city of Clavar, following his father’s advice to the letter. Duncan’s purse was beginning to get a little light, though, so Moss had to hurry before he ran out of money. Thankfully, he’d heard about a ship that would get him to the other side of the Great Waters. Now, if only he could find it.
Moss spotted a sailor taking a break. He seemed a bit more educated and calm than the other ones, and Moss surmised asking him would be his best bet to find the ship. “Excuse me,” he began, “could you help me find a ship called The Lagoon?”
At first, the sailor ignored him, but Moss didn’t give up. After repeating the same question for a few times, Moss got the man’s attention. “I can make it worth your while.”
He reached into his pocket and retrieved a coin.
“The Lagoon is that way,” the sailor said as he snatched the gold from Moss’s hand. He pointed to a small ship lost between two mammoth vessels. Its sail
s were green, but Moss would have never seen it if not for the sailor’s help.
“Thank you,” he told the man.
The sailor returned to ignoring him and Moss shrugged to himself. He’d found out what he needed.
As he headed in the indicated direction, a small boy ran into him. “Apologies, my lord,” the boy said.
With a small nod, the boy took off running. A shiver of fear passed through Moss at the lad’s haste. Sure, the boy could have been just a servant running an errand for his master, but Moss doubted it. He checked the pocket of his coat. Gone. The purse of coin was gone.
“Hey, come back,” he shouted after the boy. He rushed to follow, but navigating through the crowd made it very difficult for him to do so. “Stop!” he shouted again. “Thief!”
Unsurprisingly, the little bandit ignored him, and so did everyone else around him. A greenhorn having his purse lifted didn’t impress or surprise anyone. He did receive a few amused glances and some irritated curse words when he accidentally ran into people, but other than that, no one paid him any heed.
In spite of his effort, Moss soon lost sight of the thief in the crowd. Panting hard, helpless, Moss leaned against a wall and screamed. He couldn’t even hear his own shout with the noise around him. Perhaps it signaled the way Moss’s life would end up from now on, lost among people who didn’t care.
Chapter Two
Moss studied the innocuous piece of green paper in his hands. Wanted: Bed and Breakfast. Generous pay. Previous experience constitutes an advantage. Position open to men and women between the ages of 20-30. For more details, visit The Inn of the Dancing Sword.
Bed and Breakfast [Bloodkin 1] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Page 1