“And yet you’re still one of the best people I know,” Abram added. “People are drawn to you because there’s something good inside of you.”
“What if there’s not?” Mitchell’s eyes met Abram’s as he continued. “What if I’m only fighting the darkness in there?”
“Few care enough to fight the darkness,” Abram replied as he stepped in front of Mitchell. In the back of his mind, a seldom heard voice told him to leave. Mitchell was too good for him. He needed to stay far away from Mitchell, but he couldn’t.
Chapter 8
The way Abram watched him caused Mitchell’s blood to heat, and he found it impossible to look away. Neither spoke for several heartbeats.
Abram took a ragged breath before breaking the silence. “I want to kiss you.” His eyes were dark with desire.
Mitchell couldn’t look away. If he was honest with himself, the strange attraction he shared with Abram usually brought him out to the woods. If Ian had any idea how often Mitchell snuck out, he’d lose it, but he needed to see Abram. Of course, Abram’s reason for wanting to see him was different.
“It’s because I smell similar to her,” Mitchell stated, partly as a reminder to himself. He needed to remember that Abram didn’t want him; he wanted Kish.
“Initially, I started looking for you for that reason,” Abram admitted. “You smell like her more than anyone else. Sometimes, I get that with Vexx. Whatever the three of you did to get Kishara away from here left her scent all over you.”
“No matter how much being around me makes you think of her, I’m not a replacement for her,” Mitchell reminded him.
“I want to kiss you,” Abram replied. “I’m not thinking about kissing her through you. When I come out here, I’m looking for you, not her. Your scent is also all over Vexx because of whatever the hell kind of magic you do together. I lie and tell everyone it’s about Kishara because she’s a mess like me. I deserve her. You, I don’t deserve. I should stay far away from you, but I can’t. I’m tired of lying.”
Mitchell looked down.
“Don’t look away from me,” Abram rasped out.
When Mitchell met his gaze again, Abram’s lips brushed against his. His hand moved to Mitchell’s cheek, and this time, Mitchell moved forward to meet Abram’s kiss. Their tongues tangled, and Abram pressed him back against the tree. Mitchell surrendered to the sensations flowing through him. His voice of reason screamed that he should end the kiss, but how could he when his entire body was throbbing with need? Power poured out of him, zapping between them like sparks.
“Fuck,” Abram ground out against his mouth when Mitchell’s fangs nicked his lips. “Your power is so intense.”
Mitchell wanted to speak, but the energy flowing through his body made it impossible. His arousal mixed with the magic. It was all still new to him, and he wasn’t sure how to handle either. Abram continued kissing him, and Mitchell moaned into his mouth. The power grew in intensity, practically burning him from the inside out. It felt as though he was falling.
Distantly, Mitchell heard Abram calling his name as he fell through a haze of magic until his back hit a soft mattress. When he opened his eyes, he was lying on the bed in his room.
“What the hell just happened?”
Chapter 9
“What the actual fuck?” Abram shouted as he looked around. It’s not like he’d never seen Mitchell disappear before. Mitchell had disappeared when he’d taken Kish out of the area with Vexx and Winter. Watching Mitchell disappear and having him vanish during their kiss was different. Only one involved Abram coming close to faceplanting onto the side of a tree.
Pulling his phone from his pocket, he called Paul.
“You’re already done?” Paul asked when he answered on the first ring.
“Yeah. Where are you?” Abram didn’t care if he sounded rude. His dick was still throbbing, and he couldn’t decide if he should be pissed that Mitchell had disappeared or worried about him. Part of him wanted to call Connor to make sure Mitchell was okay, but Connor would be pissed if he heard about Mitchell sneaking out.
“Are you even listening to me?” Paul asked.
“No,” Abram admitted. “Some weird shit went down, and I’m having trouble processing it.”
“Are you in trouble?” Paul asked.
He started to answer but paused. “I smell feral vampires. Christ, they stink.”
“Where are you?” Paul asked urgently.
“In the clearing near where you left me,” Abram replied. “I’d better go so I can fight.”
He ended the call as three feral vampires came stumbling into the clearing. One was recovering from an injury, and the others looked emaciated. Blood-deprived feral vampires were even more dangerous. Three still didn’t seem like bad odds, and a good fight would help get his mind off of Mitchell.
“You look like you’ve been getting into some trouble,” he told them.
He didn’t want to start a conversation so much as determine how long ago the feral vampires had been infected. Newly turned feral vampires could have a relatively normal conversation. None could manage it after around six months.
One of the feral vampires clumsily lunged at Abram with his mouth open and his fangs out. Abram easily sidestepped the attack and shoved the vampire to the ground. Before he could deal with the vampire, another attacked. The injured one hung back, seeming confused. He wouldn’t likely be a problem.
The first vampire got to his feet and jumped on Abram’s back, just as the second lunged toward him. With a vampire on his back, Abram kicked out at the one in front of him, falling back against the other. The vampire didn’t release his hold as they both tumbled to the ground. He suddenly felt foolish for his overconfidence. The fight wasn’t nearly as easy as he’d expected.
He cried out when the vampire on his back sank his fangs into the back of his neck. His blood couldn’t sustain them, but the vampire didn’t seem to care as the others raced toward him.
A knife flew through the air, hitting the uninjured vampire directly in the heart. The vampire immediately fell to the ground. With turned vampires, stabbing them in the heart ended their lives quickly.
Ian rushed forward with Shelby to deal with the injured vampire while Abram managed to unsheathe a knife and plunge it into the side of the vampire behind him. The vampire screamed in pain, releasing his hold on Abram’s neck. With his first knife still in the vampire’s side, Abram got to his knees and reached for another as the vampire lunged toward him. Rolling to the side, Abram grabbed a nearby branch.
When the vampire came at him again, Abram plunged the branch into the vampire’s chest, thankful that it broke through his ribs rather than snapping in half.
The vampire dropped to his side and screeched.
“Fuck my life,” Abram muttered before pulling a knife and stabbing the vampire in the heart. He took several deep breaths before getting to his feet and facing Ian and Shelby.
Mitchell considered Ian his dad, though he’d only started raising him after Mitchell became a vampire. He was a little taller than Abram with long black hair and green eyes. Shelby was a hot as fuck badass fighter. From what Abram could tell, she was second in command to Connor. She was only a couple of inches shorter than Abram with reddish brown hair, green eyes, and mocha skin.
Reaching back, Abram winced when his hand came in contact with the bite wound. Vampire bites stung like a bitch.
“Well, this is embarrassing,” Abram muttered.
Chapter 10
Ian didn’t hate Abram as much as the others at their settlement, but he didn’t trust the slimy little bastard either. Not too long ago, Abram had been their enemy. He’d tried killing people Ian cared about, something that would inspire hatred in just about anyone. Ian was different. If Abram had hurt his family, he’d be pissed, but Ian was far from innocent, so he tried not to judge others for their past mistakes.
“Thanks for the help,” Abram began, sounding nervous, which struck Ian as odd.
“Trying to get yourself killed?” Shelby asked.
Before Abram could respond, Paul burst through the trees. Paul looked around at the dead vampires and spat on the ground before speaking. “I guess there wasn’t any reason for me to head over here.”
“We have a doctor who can help you with your spitting problem,” Shelby told Paul.
Ian quirked an eyebrow, surprised by Shelby’s mention of the procedure. Though Abram was technically their ally, it was a tentative alliance at best, and Connor hadn’t invited anyone from Treasure Island into their business district.
Abram’s eyes narrowed. “Since when?”
“At least, fifty years,” Shelby replied.
“I wouldn’t have gotten it done fifty years ago,” Ian added. “They used to mess up pretty bad in the early days of the procedure.”
“True, but they have it down now,” Shelby insisted.
“And no one thought to offer it before?” Abram sounded pissed.
“We aren’t friends,” Shelby reminded him. “It hasn’t been that long since we would have let the feral vampires tear you apart before we dealt with them.”
Ian nodded. “You’re barely an ally now, and I’m not sure Connor would invite any of your people into the business area to have the surgery performed. So, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
“Don’t be a bigger asshole than usual,” Shelby told Ian.
A sharp bark of laughter escaped Ian’s lips. “It’s hard to be a bigger asshole from what you said.”
Paul spit, coming close to hitting Ian’s foot that time. “I wouldn’t trust any of you enough to fix the problem, so I guess it doesn’t matter whether or not Connor would welcome the trash from Treasure Island into your business district.”
Ian was surprised that Paul sounded so indifferent about the issue while Abram was seriously pissed. Abram’s reaction, Ian understood. If one of his friends had been denied medical care, he’d be pissed, too. Paul was another matter. The vampire was skinny to the point of looking emaciated. Several of the vampires living on Treasure Island had looked the same under their former leader. Since Abram had taken over, Ian had noticed the improvement in the health of the vampires. That meant Paul wasn’t eating by his own choice. For vampires turned with the new virus, skipping meals was risky. If their hearts stopped, they’d became feral vampires.
“The fuck it doesn’t matter,” Abram grumbled. “You don’t like me. I get it. Since I think you’re all assholes, too, it doesn’t bother me one way or the other how you feel about me. I’ve had your backs more than once. My people put their safety on the line for Connor. We cut off our access to the other side of the bay to help you.”
“You did that to save your ass from attack,” Shelby argued.
“No, I could have saved my ass by helping take over your territory,” Abram argued. “Instead, I sided with you dickheads, and you can’t even help my friend. Fuck you all.”
“Like I already said, I wouldn’t trust them to help me, anyway,” Paul insisted.
“Don’t make me act nice to you.” Shelby’s warning was for both Paul and Abram. Ian had known her for decades, and she hated emotional talks or acting as the sympathetic one in the group.
Ian surprised himself with his desire to be kind to Paul. He felt bad for him. “Don’t act like a little bitch about this.”
Abram’s eyes narrowed. “We’re leaving before I’m tempted to put a stake through your heart. If I didn’t think it would hurt good people, I’d do it now.”
“Who are you afraid of hurting?” Ian asked before he changed his mind about wanting to hear the answer. “Forget I asked. I’m not trying to be an asshole, but it’s in my nature. Let’s talk alone.”
He didn’t wait for a response before he started walking off. It showed how much his feelings toward Abram had changed that he let Abram walk behind him. Clearly, he trusted the slimy little fuck more than he’d guessed.
“What do you want to talk to me about?” Abram demanded when Ian finally stopped walking.
“Your friend needs help,” Ian told him.
“No shit,” Abram spat out. “You knew he needed help a year ago, but you waited until now to offer.”
“I knew about the spitting problem, but I didn’t know he was barely eating enough to keep his heart beating,” Ian replied. “You were all too thin at first. Your friend isn’t getting any better. If anything, he’s getting worse. Paul is your friend, right? I’m guessing that’s why you’re so angry.”
Abram blew out a frustrated breath and turned his back to Ian before he spoke again. “Paul was one of my only friends growing up. Our dads were guards for the assholes in charge, so we lived separate from the others—never really part of any group. I’m not saying this to get sympathy. I need you to understand that Paul is on a short list of people I give a fuck about.”
“Yeah, I get it,” Ian assured him. “My list is also fairly short. Get your friend to accept the help. I’ll talk to Connor about it.”
“Why?” Abram asked suspiciously. “You don’t like us, and as you said, we’re barely your allies.”
Ian contemplated his answer before responding. He didn’t like revealing too much about his past, but he decided it might help Abram trust his motives if he knew a little of what Ian had gone through himself. “My mom used to starve herself. She never adjusted to life as a vampire, and she always wanted to die. I couldn’t do anything to save her. There wasn’t any way to make her want to live. I guess, when I see your friend starving himself, I want to do something to help. It’s probably a carryover from my mom, so you should take advantage of this. I’m not usually one to give a fuck.”
Abram considered what he’d said before nodding. “I’ll talk to Paul.”
“And I’ll make sure Connor okays it,” Ian assured him.
Abram looked uncomfortable as he said, “Thanks. I know you don’t have to do this, and I appreciate it.”
On those words, he walked off. Ian guessed he was as anxious for the emotional bonding moment to end as Ian. Christ, he hated being sappy.
Chapter 11
It still felt strange being the leader of his clan. Jase had known from a young age that he’d take over for his father someday, yet he’d never envisioned the day actually arriving. Nor had he expected to see his father using a phone as often as he did. The phone had been a reluctant concession on Max’s part in the beginning. With their alliance, Connor had wanted to be able to reach Max without having to call Zane or send people out to the lynx land. Rather than turning over the phone to Jase when he’d handed over the leadership position, Max had suggested Jase get his own. Jase hadn’t needed to ask why.
He wasn’t surprised to hear Max on the phone when he arrived at his home.
“Come on in,” Max called out when he knocked.
Jase entered and tried to pretend he hadn’t heard his father’s conversation with Eleanor. Shapeshifters spent a lot of time pretending not to hear conversations between people. When any member of their clan wanted privacy, they went for a run. Shifters didn’t worry too much about privacy. They weren’t embarrassed when others heard them having sex or arguing. Jase had even overheard his own father with females, though not since the day he’d laid eyes on Eleanor.
After Max ended the call, Jase asked, “Why are you still here?”
Max quirked a tawny eyebrow in response. “Are you honestly that anxious to see me leave?”
Jase shook his head. “It’s just that I thought you’d go after her as soon as you could travel. You talk to her at least once a day, and I know you want to be with her.”
“There are still details to work out,” Max admitted. “Elle wants to leave her position, but she feels tied to it. There’s always a lot going on. Even if she leaves, we’re not sure where we’ll go. Neither of us can see me living with her in Fangri La, and I can’t stay here forever if I’m going to let you take over.”
“So, you’re leaving because you think you have to in order for me to lead?” Jase asked.
“That and so I can enjoy life,” Max admitted. “Don’t act like I’ll never come back. I’ll visit you and your brothers. I want to see your kittens.”
“Right,” Jase muttered. “I suppose I’ll have to think about that.”
“Yes, you will,” Max agreed. “I smell Vexx on you, so I assume you’re finally thinking about doing the right thing.”
Jase lifted an eyebrow but said nothing. Max hadn’t mentioned Vexx in months.
“Don’t give me that arrogant leader-of-the-clan attitude,” Max warned. “I can still beat you in any fight.”
Jase laughed. “Are you telling me you want to challenge me and take over the clan again?”
Max snorted. “Not in this lifetime. That part of my life is over, but I’m still your father, so it’s my right to beat some sense into you when you’re acting like a dumbass.”
“And you think I’m acting like a dumbass where Vexx is concerned?” Jase asked.
“Yes, you should have gone after her months ago.” Max didn’t give him a chance to respond. “When you first took over the clan, you were busy fighting and adjusting to your new station. There was no time to deal with your feelings for Vexx, and that was probably a good thing since you aren’t great at facing your feelings about anything. You’ve spent too much time trying to be the responsible one where the clan and your brothers are concerned. You were always better at expressing emotions than me, but you still hold a lot in.”
“Do you ever wonder if it’s a mistake to have kittens as the leader?” Jase asked.
Max let out a sigh and nodded. “I wondered that a lot with you boys. If your mom had lived, your life would have been much different. Everything would have ended up differently.”
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