by Willa Okati
Gone? Where’s it going? Huh. I’ll ask later. When I feel like it. Bree shivered happily. He reeled, drunk on the feel of Julian’s lips and fingers. “Kiss me?” he asked, hoping the cool man would play along.
“Gladly.” Julian bent to brush his mouth over Bree’s -- but only a brush, not even parting his lips. Bree whimpered, unashamed of sounding so needy. “Come on,” he demanded as Julian drew away. “More. Don’t hold out on me now.”
“I would rather we find some privacy, before we lose all of our control. Will you come with me?”
Underneath the drunken fugue of happiness, Bree felt his first tremor of unease. The way Julian put it ... it sounded like he was asking for more than Bree to go with him to a room. For half a second, he was tempted to say no. Something Liam had said made him afraid of Julian. What the hell had Liam been talking about? He struggled to remember.
“This will not do.” Julian laid two fingertips to Bree’s temple. “Pax.”
Quick as a Popsicle in July, Bree’s fears melted away. His heart swelled with adoration, just as his cock filled with blood and began to throb, wanting its own share of Julian’s touches. “I’ll come,” he whispered.
Julian smiled. “Good,” he said. “Very, very good. Take my hand, now, Bree.”
No hesitation. Bree let Julian twine their fingers together, cool against warm, and lead him back to Amour Magique’s entrance. Nope, he thought, happier than he’d been in years. Don’t ever want to wake up.
As they went inside, the music washed over them in a thick, heady wave. Bree’s lips parted in amazement. “Julian,” he whispered, tugging at the man’s sleeve. “Julian! The club. I can hear its heart beating.”
“Yes. You will be able to, now.”
“How?” Bree shook his head. “It was all just music, and -- and noise, before.”
“It has not changed. You have. You’ll understand soon. Now, walk where I walk. Follow in my footsteps.”
Bree felt the vaguest prickle of fear at the base of his spine. As if he sensed it, Julian turned around and looked at him with genuine fondness.
The bad feelings floated away. Bree grinned back, wide and loose. “It’s good,” he said.
“Oh, yes. Very good, and it will only get better.” Julian took a tighter grip on Bree’s hand. “Now, come. But one more thing -- do not speak unless I give you permission. Not everyone here would understand what’s happening to you. Most, but not all. This is for your safety. Do you promise?”
Bree nodded. Whatever you say, lover. I’ll walk in your wake, and I’ll keep my mouth shut. I can do that. Got a lot of practice at work, right? Difference is, I want to make Julian happy. That’s what matters.
It’s all that matters anymore. Huh. When did that happen?
He shrugged. Floating on his own private cloud of bliss, he clung to Julian’s hand and followed him through the crowds. They didn’t bump against or into a single man, packed though it was. Bree glanced around in curiosity and saw that wherever Julian moved, the dancers shifted out of his way. Made a path for him. More than a few snuck curious, but definitely awed and seriously respectful, glances at him.
Bitchin’. I landed the king of the ball. Bree giggled to himself. Or is that, king of all the balls?
Julian led Bree back into a darkened corner of Amour Magique, up to a ... bar? Yep, a plain old bar, dimly lit, with a scrawny shrimp of a mostly bald man polishing glasses and chatting up his handful of customers. He looked to be having a great time, but the instant he saw Julian, he waved the other guys off and ambled straight over. His look wasn’t one of respect, but of amusement and a touch of admiration. “Look at what the black cat dragged in,” he said with a crooked grin. “So you caught him after all, huh?”
“Tom,” Julian said with a slight nod. “Yes, I have done what I set out to accomplish. I always do.”
“Yep. You manage to get what you set your mind to having, that’s the truth. Kinda bloody, though, isn’t he?”
“A bit. He’s a fighter.”
The bartender -- Tom? -- let out a low whistle. “No shit? He hit you?”
“Of course not. I believe, from what he was screaming while he pounded the man’s head into a jelly, that it was his ex-lover. A man who had done him great wrongs.”
“Most exes do. You gonna go after him, if he lives?”
Julian smiled. For the first time, his eyes looked to be tinged with ice. “What do you think, Tom?”
“Think I’d better get a crew out there to mop up the mess.”
“Wise decision.” Julian laid his hand on Bree’s shoulder, drawing him protectively close. “I have struck a bargain with the incubus to take special care of my prize, and I have laid charms upon him, but it strikes me that he seems somewhat more unfocused than even a little blood loss and magic should make him. It has been a long time since I cared if a mortal was ill in any way. Do you have any suggestions?”
“Blood loss, yeah. How much you take?”
“More than my usual amount. Two, perhaps three pints, instead of half of one.”
Tom rolled his eyes. “Jeeeeeeszus, Julian. Humans don’t give up that much blood and walk off whistlin’. You gotta give them something to get their sugar back up and some liquid into them, or they go all woozy.”
“They do?” Julian sounded worried. “He seemed fine before. Many decades ago, I set the half-pint limit when I determined it was all I needed. Before that, when I drank, I drained my victims dry. I am not accustomed to this halfway mark. Why did it not affect him until now?”
“Runnin’ on that changeover high, is my guess. Now that he’s calmed down, his body’s yellin’ for some seeing to. Yeah, yeah, I can see he’s horny, and that’s not what I’m talkin’ about. Here.” Tom pulled down a short glass, bent underneath the bar, and came up with a pitcher of orange juice. He poured the glass brim-full and shoved it over to Bree. “Get him to drink that up if you want he should make it to your rooms without passing out.”
“He might faint?”
“Like my kids say, duh. Hey, you.” Tom poked Bree in the shoulder. “Chug-a-lug.”
Bree stared at the juice. It looked off to him, like it had turned. He glanced up at Julian to find his face furrowed in thought. “Yes,” the man said. “Drink, Bree. Perhaps not all of it, but as much as you can swallow. I know it looks dreadful, but you must, for your own good.”
Bree slumped. Well, shit. I thought we were heading for sex when we left that smoking porch. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, you know? Now I’m being told I have to drink all this juice? Fuck that. Don’t want it.
He frowned. I do want something, though. Something besides sex. Weird. What is it, though? Can’t put my finger on ...
“Bree,” Julian said, gentle but firm. “Drink.”
Bree shut his eyes. He lifted the glass to his mouth, took a swig, and swallowed, trying not to taste it. Didn’t quite work. He still got a blast of citrus across the tongue. But the stuff had definitely gone off. It tasted like decay. He made a face despite himself, but to please Julian, which kind of seemed to be all that mattered now, he kept on drinking.
“Good,” Julian murmured. “Very well done.”
“Not bad. I figure it must taste like piss to him right about now. You picked a good one after all, Jule, gotta hand it to you. Enough of a hellcat to ride the blood lust and beat the shit out of an enemy, but then he follows your orders like a lambie pie. Not bad. Thrall?”
“A small one.”
“Figured. You gonna take it off before you, eh ...” Tom paused meaningfully.
“I think so.”
“He’ll be scared. Might try to fight.”
“I gave my word that he would understand what was happening to him. I can bear a bruise or two if he chooses to struggle.”
“Guess you’re a tough old bird after all this time, yeah. Oh! One more thing, just to be sure.” Curious, Bree opened his eyes and took a peek, just to see Tom rummage under his bar again and come out with a box o
f chocolate-chip cookies. “Make him eat at least one. Two, if he can choke them down. It’ll help.”
Bree groaned.
“Hush, now,” Julian chided. “Eat.” He picked up a cookie and held it to Bree’s lips. “Open for me, now. Open wide.”
Bree found his lips parting. Julian slipped the cookie between his teeth. Automatically, he snapped off a bite and chewed. Then gagged.
“Tastes like cardboard, huh?” Tom asked sympathetically. “Or sand, maybe.”
Julian hung over Bree like a hawk until he’d choked one cookie down. “Enough,” he decided. “I can feel what he has consumed making a difference in his blood. It will do. I thank you for your help, Tom.”
“Eh. It’s my job. You want anything else? Kinda figure you got take-away tonight, but I could let you have a free sip of any type you want. Get the motors revved up.”
Julian chuckled. “Always looking to make a sale, Tom? No, I don’t require anything else from your bar, and though you meant Bree’s nourishment as a gift, I will see that you’re paid for it. I must ask you for one more favor. I grow impatient, and it is difficult for one even as powerful as I to maintain a thrall for so long. May we use the dimensional doorway behind your bar tonight?”
Tom frowned. “Silas, he don’t like me doin’ that. Got into a shitload of trouble last time I let someone borrow my ride.”
“Very well. I’ll barter a future pledge against this favor. Whatever you please, so long as it harms neither Bree nor myself. You may use it yourself, or give it to Silas.”
Tom eyed them up and down. “Yeah,” he said. “That’s worth the risk. Come on back.”
“Bree.” Julian tugged at Bree’s arm. Curious, but keeping his mouth shut, Bree followed Julian as Tom lifted up a section of the bar top and let them inside. The little man led them around to an even darker corner. Not just regular dark. This little patch swallowed up the light. He stared, fascinated.
Tom jerked his head. “Just step on in,” he said. “It’ll take you wherever you wanna go. Like Dorothy in Oz. Just think about home, my friend. You’ll be right there.”
“My thanks, Tom.” Julian bent and brushed a kiss across Bree’s cheek. “Close your eyes. Walk forward until I tell you to stop.”
This is weird. But ... I’m not scared. Not at all. I can trust Julian.
Obedient as a child, Bree screwed his eyes shut and stepped forward. He felt a brief lurch, as if his stomach were dropping out, then a light thump. He fell a little, losing his balance for some reason. No biggie. Julian was right there to catch him.
He tilted Bree’s head to the dim light. “You did that well,” he said, voice hoarse. “I must be strong enough to wait a little longer, but for now ...” Letting out a small hiss, Julian dipped his head and hungrily kissed Bree’s mouth. Rougher than before, much more eagerly, Julian’s tongue thrust in and out in imitation of the fucking to come. Bree felt sharp pains as Julian bit down on his lips and lapped off the welling blood, but hell if he cared.
He just wanted the kiss to last forever. And even if they were in public, he wanted Julian’s hand on his cock. Now. Five seconds ago would have been better. Moaning into the kiss, Bree thrust his hips into Julian’s and ground against him.
“Bree,” Julian whispered between sips of his mouth. “Are you so eager? Speak.”
“Hell, yeah.” Bree reached between them and rubbed the heel of his palm against Julian’s cock, as hard as his own. “I want you. You want me. Come on, Julian. Fuck me. Make me see stars.”
Julian dropped his head onto Bree’s shoulder and let out a groan. “Bree, you tempt me too far ... my control ...”
“Yeah,” Bree breathed, stroking Julian with all the skills he possessed. “You like it, huh? Want me?”
“More than you could know. I have waited centuries for you.”
“Yeah? I’ve waited a couple hours. Long enough, don’t you think?” Bree let his fingers wander to the fastening on Julian’s pants, starting to pull them open. “No more wasting time.”
Julian clutched at him. “Bree ... Bree ...”
Bree blinked. The weirdest sensation crawled over his skin. Kind of like it was being peeled off. “What the fuck ...?” he blurted. “Julian, did you feel that?”
“I did.” Julian’s voice was bleak. “My thrall has broken, and you are powerful enough now to see past Amour Magique’s shields.”
“And what’s that mean in English?”
“It means your eyes are open now.” Julian stroked Bree’s arm. “I wonder if Liam knew this would happen. More than likely, he did. Cunning bastard of an incubus! He knew I would be forced to this.”
“Forced to what? Julian, you’re not making much sense here. Look at me. C’mon, look at me. What’s up?”
“You’ll know as soon as I do look at you,” Julian whispered. “Promise that you will not run away before I can explain.”
“What? Why would I --”
“Promise!”
“Okay, okay,” Bree said, bewildered. “But why would you think I’d want to --”
Julian raised his head and looked directly at Bree. His eyes were the same. His skin just as smooth, just as luminous -- but damn him if, at a second look, it didn’t seem to be skin so much as thousands of fine scales. And his mouth ... it had been distorted by far too many teeth, all of them pointed, and two fangs, long as a cobra’s.
Memory came rushing in, along with a bone-crushing, mind-numbing terror. “Vampire!” Bree blurted out. “You are a god-damned vampire!”
Julian nodded. “Yes,” he said, voice slurred around his wicked teeth. “I am. But, Bree ...” His finger came up to brush Bree’s lips. “You promised not to run. Amour Magique will hold you to that.”
Bree swallowed. Yeah. He’d figured already, when his instant reaction to bolt hadn’t even reached his feet. “What are you going to do with me?” he asked. Might as well know sooner than later.
Julian smiled, bizarrely tender despite all those flashing teeth. He cupped Bree’s chin in his hand. “Why, fuck you, of course,” he said. “And then, I’m going to kill you.”
Chapter Seven
I really hadn’t figured on this day getting any stranger. Shows how much I know.
“Kill me, huh?” Bree eyed Julian up and down, from his long, muscled legs to his mane of red hair, finally coming to rest on his face -- eyes from a wet dream and teeth from a nightmare. “You probably could. It’s easier to kill a man than most people think. Kick them in the throat, knife their lungs, hell, even use a good old-fashioned gun.
“I’ve had death threats before. I worked retail. I’m used to being told to fuck off and die. Some people even got real creative on how they were going to do me in. So, fact is, you don’t scare me.
“Besides, like I said, I worked retail. You think that set of fangs is scary? Julian, I have seen much worse teeth aside from people claiming to be vampires. I’m no ninety-six-pound weakling, either. If you want to kill me, you can try. But I think I might just give you a decent fight for your trouble.”
Bree folded his arms and stared at Julian, stone-faced. Julian blinked back at him, countenance blank with surprise.
Damned if Bree didn’t almost hear the whistle-and-rattle of a classic Western gunfight movie scene start to play. But he waited. Turn to run, and it’d all be over. Besides, he’d already walked away from one fight at Money Now! that day because he’d been too disgusted and weary to put up his dukes. It’d felt much better to smash James’s face in. If it came to it, he’d grapple with Julian.
Might not win, but he’d go down swinging.
Julian’s horrible mouth twisted. A sound burbled out of it. It wasn’t until the vampire threw back his head and staggered a few steps back that Bree realized he was laughing. Absolutely tickled to -- well, Bree guessed, not to death as such, but close enough. Tears trickled from the corners of his bedroom eyes, shut tight with the giggles.
Bree folded his arms and glowered. “I’m not joking, you know.�
�
“I know, I do!” Julian wiped at his cheeks. “That is what makes it so very funny. Bree, you would not know this, but it has literally been centuries since anyone was brave or foolish enough to challenge me, whether or not they knew what I was or saw my true face. You look on me without the glamour, without any thrall, and what do you do? Tell me you’ve seen scarier teeth before and offer to take me down. For that alone, I would keep you and give you the Gift! Balls, brains, and brawn, Bree -- a priceless combination.”
“Uh-huh. Glad you think I’m such a blast, Julian.”
Julian moved too quickly to see, his hand suddenly cupping Bree’s chin as it had in the store. Unable to help himself, Bree shivered at the chill and went weak in the knees. God, even Julian’s hand was sexy as hell. Practically orgasmic fingers, despite being cold. The vampire’s mouth twisted into a smile. “You are worth far more than a laugh, Bree,” he whisper-hissed. “I chose you because I suspected what you would be like. You are not the man I counted on.” Julian tilted his head. “No, you are better. It’s just now struck me. Perhaps it’s that I grew so used to the words that I have learned to ignore them, but you have not asked for mercy or to be let go, have you?”
Bree gave Julian a level stare, pulling away from his touch with an ache of regret that he ignored. “Not in the mood for word games right now. No, I didn’t ask for any of that, and you damn well know it. I don’t know shit about vampires, but I do know when a man says he’s going to kill you and means every word. I’m not the begging type, and I’ve had my fill of running away. So, I figure my last choice is to fight.”
Bree lowered himself into a street-fighting stance, fists loose and ready, leg muscles poised to lunge. He glared up through a wisp of hair that had fallen across his eyes. “Well? Come on, then. Let’s do this.”