by Aine Massie
“Mmm, sounds like a plan. I think I could use that as well. Oh, thinking of our needs, Louie is still here and wants a private audience at some point.”
“Okay, be back in a bit.”
Louie caught up with Nicholas and me as we returned later that night from hunting. He was casually leaning against one of the large oak trees, with an odd smirk playing at the edges of his lips.
“Nicholas, Anya,” Louie acknowledged as he nodded to each of us in turn. “I don’t suppose I could gain that audience with you now, Mistress Anya?” he added, the humour in his face becoming more pronounced.
Nicholas looked at me, probably to determine if I agreed. “Go, a mhuirnín. I will be fine. Louie means me no harm. Go catch up with Jonathan and Amber, I’m sure they miss you,” I gently encouraged.
“Well, okay. Later then.” Nicholas sighed, kissing my forehead gently before bounding off toward the house.
“There now, you have me all to yourself. What do you seek?” What could he want that needed a private discussion?
“Yes, and it was amazingly easy to accomplish. You really should be more careful. There are some that still wish to either harm you or control you. But, that is not why I’m here.” He seemed slightly nervous, though he was amazingly calm earlier when there was a legitimate concern from me. Strange creature.
“Strange? Truly, you look at the world in the most peculiar fashion.” His smirk had become a full grin.
“And you are flaunting your ability to pick at my mind. Since I cannot do that, would you mind letting me in on why you wish to speak to me like this?” Why does everyone enjoy frustrating me so? I was careful not to command as I spoke.
“Marvellous. You can control your voice when annoyed and even chose to not use its power. Fascinating,” Louie trilled excitedly. “Sorry, it’s just wonderful to see you like this. You have no idea.”
“I don’t understand your excitement. Would you mind, please, making sense? My self control is truly iffy tonight, and I don’t wish to harm anyone right now.” Could he please not play riddle games with me? Was that way too much to ask?
“I know you only met me the one other time with Simon – well that you would remember – and our reactions probably did not inure us to you. I wanted to speak to you about what is to become of things that you have set in motion. You have created this bizarre House, one that includes both our kind and humans. You have declared all the humans in the area off limits for feeding. You have an, as yet untrained, Guardian as one of your mates – which is unusual enough – and as part of your House. Then there are your other two human friends that casually hang out at a vampire House.
“I guess my curiosity is if you are going to continue to shun those of us like myself or if you are planning to make peace with our differences in diet and be willing to work cooperatively . . . or even make friends at times?”
I had to mull over what he was asking for a minute. “Um, Louie, I haven’t shunned or attacked you. I lashed out a little at first, but you and your husband were screaming at me for bonding Declán. I gave you the treaty you asked for, and I haven’t said one negative thing about you visiting, even with Declán, Kayla, and Skye here today. I even left Declán here while we went hunting, knowing you were still here.” What was he looking for?
“True, but you tolerating me, for Jonathan’s sake, isn’t the same. And we did apologize but who ever heard of a vampire bonding, as a mate, with a Guardian?” His voice was so intriguing.
“You are worried that I’m not going to allow you to continue to visit?” I couldn’t help the small giggle that escaped my lips. “I told you before, as long as you abide the rules we set forth, you are welcome, as is Simon. I promise. Honestly, I find you fascinating at times, though as Declán pointed out, the eyes are kinda creepy.”
At that, Louie finally lost his hold on serious, “Ha–ha. Yes, so I’ve heard. It would be nice to have eyes like yours, easier to interact with others, I suppose. While I do feed on humans, I also find them intriguing and I only hunt the wicked. So . . . would one like me be considered for more than just toleration?”
Smiling at his convoluted logic more than anything, I think, I replied, “I suppose you would. I couldn’t tolerate one like you within my House, but I could handle friendship, to a point.
“I like you and Simon well enough, but it’s hard to look into your eyes, at the proof that you think nothing of hunting those I see as friends.” I could see him forming his argument so I cut him off quickly, “I thought this way before I had even met a human, so you will get nowhere with me before you start. I haven’t even bitten Declán; Jonathan is the only one of us that has.”
“True. Though in your, in Declán’s case,” he quickly corrected with a smile, “that’s probably a very good thing for you as they are poisonous to us, Guardians that is. I find it intriguing that you allowed Jonathan to do so but have not tasted him at all.”
“So I noted. I still have trouble with the fact Jonathan did, especially knowing that if he were right he would become ill. Harder was watching it though.”
“That,” Louie said, shaking his head gently. “That is something I could not have done.”
“What? You wouldn’t have bitten him knowing it would hurt you?” Why was he looking at me that way? “I still wonder if I’m not the only mentally damaged creature around here.” Jonathan’s stunt was rather questionable on his part, considering.
“Well, no, I would not have done that either. Though, I was actually referring to allowing someone to bite my mate, especially if it was a human. I’ve seen it in both his and Nicholas’s mind – I don’t know how you did it. Or how he was brave enough even to ask, considering you had killed Ashley for doing just that.”
“That wasn’t the only reason why I destroyed her,” I hissed the last word. Focus! I turned sharply away from him trying to centre before I ended up doing something stupid. Louie was not my enemy.
“Anya,” he said, sounding like he had just been hit.
“Sorry,” I murmured. “Are you okay?”
Like before, I suddenly felt his hand on my shoulder, “I’m fine. I did not mean to upset you, but that’s the very reason I was so surprised.” I could still hear the stress in his voice though he seemed unharmed. “You really love the human.” It was not a question but rather a statement.
“I do,” I replied emphatically.
“And you love Nicholas too. I have never seen its equal,” Louie continued to muse. “I can see your absolute conviction with both of them. You are truly a marvel.”
Great, back to that again. “I am simply Anya.” I sigh.
“Yes, you are ‘simply Anya,’ but what you don’t seem to grasp is how strange and wondrous that is to us.
“I know you have been more than patient with me and hate being wondered about. I hope that, in time, you can come to see me as more of a friend. I will return you now; Nicholas does not like you gone from him like this. He’s always been so protective of those he loves.” He motioned for me to walk with him back. “I will visit from time to time and will respect your rules. This is your territory and thanks to you terrifying Nyx, even fewer will ever want to rise against those you protect.”
“Oh, thinking of her. Is she alright? I didn’t mean to hurt her.” She had only sprung at Nicholas because he moved to defend me, after I had made her fear. It wasn’t truly her fault that she acted in such a manner.
“She is fine. Well, in the way you mean. She will be very wary of ever crossing you or trying to play with your mates. That was one of the other reasons I chose her to bring, she has a thing for trying to interfere with relationships. I thought it would be good for her to fear you.” He chuckled all the way back to the house, seemingly pleased with how things had worked out.
I spent the next few days not letting myself be alone with Declán. I had checked on him before hunting with Nicholas the last time and found that he was bruised, though he insisted it was ‘no big.’ What was worse though w
as that Nicholas was siding with Declán. They were both convinced that I was being overly sensitive about injuries. Adding to the problem was that Nicholas, Jonathan, and Geoff had started Declán’s training – meaning he was often bruised anyway.
Nicholas and I had hunted earlier, and now all three of us were cuddled up, chatting and listening to music. Nicholas had a fabulous sound system.
“I still can’t believe you’re having so much fun in the training area but won’t let me watch.” They had forbade me to watch and Geoff had agreed, citing some nonsense about my nerves.
“Aw, we just don’t want to make ya jealous,” Nicholas teased.
“Actually, I don’t know that she would make it through a session without trying to jump at least one of us. I mean, after how she reacted to being pinned to the wall . . .” Declán trailed off suggestively.
“True, she does have the most delicious reactions at times,” Nicholas chimed with an impish grin.
I turned to playfully swat Declán, “Brat! You think I can’t help myself with you around,” I teased sticking my tongue out, crinkling my nose slightly.
“That did it,” Declán chuckled in my ear and he suddenly was on top of me, pinning me down, grinning wickedly.
“Be good,” Nicholas laughed. “She can still take you, ya know.”
“Don’t I wish!” Declán nearly growled. His look shifted from playful to hungry without missing a beat.
I flashed a look at Nicholas, but he didn’t look any calmer.
“Declán? What are you doing?” I demanded, flipping us over so I was suddenly straddling Declán, my knees on either side of him. I half pulled him up into a sitting position, not moving away from him. “Are you insane?” Was he really going to start this with Nicholas right there?
I couldn’t focus. Nicholas was abruptly behind me, kissing down my neck as Declán began kissing my mouth fiercely. I was vaguely aware of Nicholas’s hands reaching around me, to untie my top, and slide it down my now exposed shoulders. “But, I–”
I felt Declán’s hands begin to explore my body as Nicholas breathed into my ear sending shivers violently through me. Why were they doing this to me? I couldn’t resist them both. “Let yourself feel, love,” Nicholas murmured.
The cravings for Declán were truly painful, exquisitely so, but I suddenly wanted more from Nicholas as well. In my mind, I knew this was a terrible idea, but I just couldn’t seem to care and threw myself into loving them both as much as I was physically able.
Their hunger seemed just as intense and consuming as their hands and mouths both began the feverish explorations of my body. I could tell the difference in their touches, Declán’s soft and warm versus Nicholas’s cooler, iron grip but all I could think was more and how they were both mine. It sent an exquisite piercing through me when Nicholas grasped me, pulling my face roughly into his chest, and I felt my fangs descend through his flesh.
His gasp was cut short as Declán locked his mouth over Nicholas’s.
Chapter Twenty
“Sweetheart, he’s going to wake soon. Maybe I ought to leave before he does,” Nicholas murmured softly in my ear. He was curled up behind me, holding me as I was holding Declán. Declán was facing me but sleeping soundly, contentedly. “He might feel more comfortable if it is just you.” He was trailing his long fingers up my side, causing me to shiver slightly. “Plus, I don’t know how good I can be if I stay.”
“Mmm, yes, that might disturb his rest. But, are you sure you want to leave?” I was perfectly content just as things were right that moment.
“Until we know how he feels about last night it might be for the best,” Nicholas murmured nervously.
“Ah, you’re worried.” I was, as well. Things had changed completely, for all of us last night, more so than I’d have expected.
“Well, I wasn’t supposed to be part of the um . . . You’re not upset are you,” he continued. I could feel the worry emanating off him as he waited for my answer.
“You are too much. No, last night was perfect! I couldn’t be happier.” Not only do the two most perfect beings in the world love me, but their shared passions only seemed to make me happier. No one in all of existence could have been more pleased than I.
“You have no idea how wonderfully happy that makes me, love, but I still think it would be better for him and you, if I stepped out.” He gently kissed my shoulder and got up. He was truly glorious to watch move around the room, collecting his clothes before he left. He smiled with a wink as he closed the door quietly behind himself.
What I worried about was how Declán was going to feel this morning. As Nicholas noted, things happened that we none had ever discussed. However, the sun was up, and he had things he was supposed to do. It was time to disturb my little cherub. Gently caressing his face, I whispered softly, “A ghrá, the waking world awaits.”
It took a bit, but he did finally stir. “G’mornin’, Anya,” Declán murmured as he stretched, letting out a slight moan. He pulled me tighter into his arms, bending his face to kiss me softly. As he pulled back, Declán looked at my face and then around the room looking puzzled. “Am I in trouble?”
What was going on in that head of his? “Why would you be?”
“Um, no reason I guess. Is everything okay with Nicholas?”
“Of course. Why would you need to ask? Are you not well?” Was Nicholas right to worry? It had been Declán that started things last night, including with Nicholas . . .
“A bit sore,” he winced as he stretched again, “but otherwise fine. You look worried.” Declán was tracing his fingers across my face as he spoke.
“No, other than about your sanity. I mean, you did attack two vampires,” I teased lightly. He’s lucky he survived.
Declán was suddenly looking away. “Well, I, um . . .”
“It’s alright, a ghrá; no one’s upset. Quite the opposite actually, but dearest one, you have orientation soon.”
“Yes, yes, I know. I have to be an adult now. I’m going.” I watched Declán as he busily gathered his things and went to get ready. He seemed fine. Why was I so worried?
A wide smile stretching across his perfect lips as Nicholas met us on the stairs. “Off to your Orientation now?” he asked Declán.
“Yeah, I’m not sure how long I’ll be. I haven’t forgotten I have practice later with Geoff and Jonathan, but I am also supposed to visit Kayla.” Declán nervously shifted a couple of times while speaking, weird.
“I’ll let them know,” Nicholas murmured, looking at Declán with a strangely tender gaze. He playfully nudged the two of us to continue down the stairs with him right behind.
The sudden wrenching in my stomach and ringing in my ears caused me to come to a sudden and unsteady halt. I grabbed for Nicholas’s arm but before I could find it, my head began swirling and the lights flickered leaving me alone in the dark.
My body was tensed and tingling, hungering to strike out and feed. I could see the stranger I was tracking, smell the blood as I watched him. Gabriel had explained that I had no choice but to hunt humans. That I was not one of them anymore – that we were Gods in comparison. I didn’t want to kill this human. Even knowing I had chosen one that was evil didn’t alleviate the pain, the guilt.
Scattered throughout the small park were various humans but it was this one I had chosen. Strong, evil, powerful . . . searching for his own victim. His scent was almost irresistible, its richness swimming through my mind and inflaming my throat, driving me nearly mad. I had resisted hunting, fought with Gabriel, I could not fathom living off evil. Good and evil, these were absolutes; killing was evil. He had laughed and patiently explained that I would understand soon.
I could hear the uneven thrum of his heart, its rich, scorching scent calling me, intoxicating me. I moved slowly at first, making sure he was alone, then like lightening I snatched him up. The pleasure of catching him, the helplessness of him in my hands was enthralling. This writhing living morsel both tantalized and horrified me, h
ow could I! My body seized him as my lips came to rest on his flesh, fangs cutting deeply. His luscious, burning elixir nearly drove beyond control, as it pumped thick and wet down my parched throat. But, just as my body shimmered and sang with delight, my mind tore at me. NO! I cried at myself. NO!
I dropped the poor, fragile creature – he was still alive. I couldn’t do it, could not kill this luscious . . . pulsing . . . NO! My stomach heaved as I willed myself to flee.
“Ouch, what happened?” Why was I in pain? This made no sense. I shouldn’t hurt.
“Anya,” I heard Declán and Nicholas gasp. “Can you hear me?” Nicholas continued.
I looked around, confused. Trying to sit up caused a strange swimming sensation in my head that I didn’t like. “Wha – what happened? How did I get here and . . .” I could not seem to clear my head enough to think clearly. Maddening!
“Love, you broke out into a blood sweat, grasped at the air, and then tumbled down the stairs. It took me a moment to even process what was happening. I caught you before you hit bottom, but you haven’t moved, other than making a strange gagging sound once.” Nicholas’s face was twisted yet still beautiful, his eyes full of fear, and . . . regret?
Turning my head I searched for Declán. I heard him, why can’t I find him? Ah, there he is. Moving to sit on my other side, he gently lifted my hand to hold it. He held me as if I was the breakable one, absurd. His face, also twisted in worry, as he leaned in close, staring at me intently. “Anya, are you okay? I didn’t think you could faint or fall like that.” Declán’s voice was strained, thicker than normal.
I tried to think through what I had just witnessed of myself. Thought back to the pain and becoming lost in the darkness . . . None of this explained why I physically hurt though. Before I could order my thoughts, Nicholas jumped in, “Oh. Oh, that would explain part of it.”
“You know, I hate when you do that. What are you talking about?” Declán grumped.