“Yes, I can see that.” At Valentin’s slightly confused expression, Shawn glanced pointedly at the hand holding him in a deathly grip. “I do need my circulation.”
“Oh, sorry.”
He gently pried his arm away and turned his lover around so they were facing each other. “Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?”
“It’s silly.” He lowered his eyes, focusing on Shawn’s tee shirt.
Shawn curled his index under the man’s chin and lifted it up. “You can tell me. I promise I won’t laugh. Or at least I will try not to.” That had Valentin smile just like he intended.
“I never liked winter. The cold, the snow, the wind, everything. The worst of all is the wind. How it cries through the trees, like wolves howling at the moon, that high-pitched moan outside the windows. How it sneaks under your clothes, no matter how thick they might be, and freezes you to the bone. And there is nowhere to hide from it. Not to mention blizzards. Don’t get me started on the blizzards.” He shivered and snuggled closer, face hidden in Shawn’s hair and hands settled against his back under his jacket.
Shawn held him fast, raining kisses in his hair, barely realizing they were standing in the middle of the street, hugging. It was early enough that only a handful of people were out and about. He reckoned there weren’t many guys kissing out in the open around those parts, and human nature tended to react badly in front of the unknown. However, the few stares and whispers their presence stirred didn’t bother Shawn much. As long as they weren’t followed by picking up stones or sharpening pitchforks. His mate needed comfort, and nothing in the world would have stopped him from taking care of his lover.
“Don’t worry. We will be long gone before the storm hits, and even if we’re not, this isn’t Siberia. It won’t be that bad. I tell you what. We’ll get some sweaters and a couple of parkas, if there are any in this God-forgotten place, and maybe we can find you a more weather-friendly pair of boots. That way we’ll be ready for anything that comes.”
Shawn caressed Valentin’s soft cheek and lifted his head up, staring into his eyes. “Is that all right with you?”
“I have no money left.”
“That’s okay. I do. What do you say?” His mate slowly nodded his agreement.
* * * *
The only general store in town was closed. Yet, Valentin managed to locate the owner and had him convinced that his fondest wish was to open the store for them.
Stepping through the front door, Shawn leaned forward and whispered in Valentin’s ear, “Your mojo comes in handy at times.”
Valentin flushed and hurried over to the racks of sweaters, picking one at random.
“What about this one?”
“You’re kidding, right? Teal?”
“Oh, right.”
The store wasn’t big, nor did it have a large assortment of clothes, but they did manage to find a couple of sweaters, gloves, some soft wool socks, two parkas, and two pairs of snow boots. Shawn added an extra sweater for Valentin when his mate wasn’t looking and a ski hat with ear flaps. They changed into the new clothes and stuffed the extra ones in the duffel.
They made it to the railway station with a little time to spare only to find they were the only ones there. Shawn went to find a teller to inquire about their train and buy their tickets.
“What’s going on?” Valentin asked anxiously when he returned.
“The train is delayed for at least an hour.”
“But it will be here?”
“That’s what she said.” He took the tickets out of his pocket and presented them to his mate. “We have to get to Piatra Neamţ, and from there take the train to Bucharest. It should be a two-hour journey through the mountains. If what the teller said is right, the view is spectacular.”
“I just want to get out of here. I don’t care how.” Valentin was restless, his emotions all over the place. Shawn could smell his turmoil, a bitter mass of anxiety and fear. There was no hope, only a sense of despair. He squeezed the vampire’s shoulder, trying to soothe him.
“We will. Just hold tight.”
Valentin jerked and started pacing the sidewalk. Shawn slouched on one of the cold benches, resigned to watch his mate walk a trail in the concrete.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” The abrupt answer had both of Shawn’s brows shooting to the sky. “I don’t know. Something is wrong.”
Shawn jumped from his seat, all his senses going on full alert.
“I don’t feel anything.” Shawn sniffed the air suspiciously, as if he didn’t trust his nose anymore.
“I can’t say exactly what it is, but something is definitely off.”
Shawn caught Valentin in midturn and pulled him in his arms to keep him still.
“Mortal or immortal?”
“Neither.”
“What else is there?”
“Plenty. And nothing you’d like to bump into in a dark back alley.”
Shawn shivered.
“Okay. What then? If you won’t talk with me, I can’t help.”
“I’m not sure. It’s just a feeling.”
“Let me rephrase. Is it magic?”
Valentin stiffened, listening intently for something, and his nostrils flared. “Yes.”
“Okay. That’s a start. What kind of magic?”
“What? As in black or white?”
“No. I thought maybe you could tell if it’s vampire magic, wizard, demon, or something different.”
Valentin closed his eyes in concentration, his body going completely still for so long, the outside world could have taken him for a statue.
“I’m not sure. There is something, but it’s not strong enough for me to tell what it is. Or I am too inexperienced to identify it.” Frustration laced Valentin’s words.
“Okay. What about the strength of it? Is it getting stronger? Is it stable? Weaker?”
“Not sure. I felt it just a few minutes ago, so it’s too soon for me to tell. I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“Not being able to tell you more. To do more.” Valentin was shaking a little, his voice wary.
“We’ll have to work on your self-confidence. But in the meantime, can you keep an eye on this mystical stuff? See when or if something’s changing.”
“Sure, I can try.” He was all too happy to agree. Then his brows furrowed even more. “Though I’m not sure that stepping into this would be safe for you. Whatever this is.”
Shawn caught the bridge of his nose between his fingers and sighed. He seemed to be doing it a lot when he was annoyed or exasperated with Valentin.
“And it’s safe for you? Let’s worry about that bridge when we cross it. I don’t know about you, but I could use some coffee. And some breakfast.”
“You just had breakfast. A double one.”
“I’m hungry again. Come on. I’ll get you a coffee.”
“I can’t drink coffee. My system can’t handle it.”
“Okay. Tea then.”
* * * *
Shawn had no idea what to do if the vampire was right and magic was involved, but maybe Andrei did. He was an alpha, he had to know this kind of stuff. Okay, that wasn’t a necessity. After all, Shawn was born a leader, and yet he knew nothing about weird vampire mojo. Maybe Andrei would have the connections. Maybe he could sneak away for few minutes to place a call to Andrei and ask him. Besides, taking a vampire into a pack’s territory without notice, when he himself was a cat and a dominant one at that, could turn ugly. Adding to this, the fact that they hadn’t spoken in years, so he didn’t know if they were still friends. And the whole issue where he was mated to the aforementioned vampire who happened to be a male wasn’t making the matter easier. The mating bond or not, same-sex unions were still frowned upon by most. God only knew what Andrei or his pack’s opinion upon the matter was.
Shawn and Valentin drank coffee and tea in the small diner inside the station. The vampire fidgeted in his seat the entire time. The restaur
ant was small and gloomy, the food dreadful, and the coffee lousy, but at least it was hot and filling.
Slowly, the platform animated. They stepped outside to wait for the train, Valentin shifting from one foot to the other, looking more uncomfortable by the minute. Shawn tensed in response. The temperature dropped fast, and Shawn checked the sky in concern. The vampire tightened his parka around himself.
The train finally pulled up. It was old, with long, spacious compartments. Shawn found their seats and gently maneuvered his mate into the window seat.
“You sure you don’t want the window seat?”
“Positive.” Courtesy had nothing to do with it. Shawn wanted the aisle seat so he would be able to protect his mate from any potential threats. Maybe Valentin’s mood was rubbing off on him, because the hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention.
The temperature dropped even more, and the window frosted over, to the point where not even the train’s efficient heating system couldn’t handle it.
Shawn’s neck prickled. He felt himself being watched. He bent down to retie his shoelaces, sneaking a peak throughout the compartment. No one was paying them any mind, much less staring at them. Weird.
“Hey, it’s snowing.”
Valentin’s exclamation drew Shawn from his musings, and he glanced out the window. It was like they’d stepped through a curtain of snow into another world. One minute the sky was a light gray, the next big snowflakes were pouring down.
“I thought you said it wasn’t going to snow so soon.”
“Looks like I was wrong. Any energy shifts or anything different?”
The vampire closed his eyes, concentrating. More than a minute passed before he spoke again, his voice a little wary. “Something has changed. It’s stronger, though not by much. And it tastes different. More bitter.”
“It tastes? Oh wait, I’m not sure I want to know.”
“Magic. Power. It has its own taste just like everything else in this world. The purest of all feels fresh and warm. The blackest tastes like, well, mud.”
“Can you locate its source?”
“No. The caster is too strong and they are hiding their presence from me.”
“So, basically, the caster could be anywhere.”
“Yes.”
“Hmmm. What about their identity? Male, female? Does it matter?”
“Not necessarily. Though most casters of that caliber are men, there are a few women. And from what I hear, it’s easier to face an army of wizards than a single, powerful female caster.”
“Shit. Does this smell like a man’s or woman’s work?”
“I would say a man, but I can’t be a hundred percent sure.”
A gush of wind shook the window, sneaking in through tiny cracks. The snow was falling heavily now, the trees running by the side of the railway already covered in white blankets.
“It’s coming down hard. I hope it won’t mess with the train’s schedule.”
Shawn grunted in response, not wanting to scare his mate any more than he already was.
The train slowed, the ride becoming dangerous. The snow thickened on the ground, over fifty centimeters. Eventually the train came to a halt.
“We’re snowed in. Oh my God, we’re snowed in.” Valentin panicked, words coming out in a high-pitched voice.
“I’m sure it will start moving again in a minute.”
The vampire whirled around, glaring.
“You can’t possibly believe that.”
Heat rose in Shawn’s cheeks and he shook his head, offering a little smile.
“No, I don’t. But panicking won’t serve anything.”
* * * *
Emotion overwhelmed Valentin, blood drained from his head in a rush, fear clutched his heart in a tight grip, and bile rose to his throat. He caught his head between shaking hands, elbows resting on his knees, and breathed deeply through clenched teeth, trying to bring himself under control. A warm hand caressed his back, soothing.
“Breathe, baby. Breathe. That’s it. Slow and deep.” Shawn’s voice was warm and soft and the vampire grabbed onto it like a drowning man to a life raft. He focused on the sound and allowed his lover to pull him out of the emotional waters. The hand on his back never stopped its circling motion.
“Better?”
Valentin’s teeth finally unclenched and tension eased away from his body. “A bit. Mostly nauseated.”
“Do you need blood?” Shawn whispered the words into his ear after he shot a careful look around them. Valentin shook his head, only to be ignored as his lover shifted in the seat next to him, hiding him with the broadness of his shoulders. Gray eyes flashed metallic and fangs descended. Shawn pushed his left sleeve out of the way and sank his canines into the offered wrist. Blood gushed from the corners of his mouth and the sweetest scent in the world filled the air. Valentin’s stomach growled and the tip of his fangs peeked from under his parted lips.
Shawn waved his opened wrist under his nose and the vampire couldn’t stop himself from grabbing it and bringing it to his mouth. He breathed in deeply, his lover’s scent filling his head. Lips closed around the torn flesh. The first drops that hit his tongue had him floating on air. He drank his fill, in slow, deep pulls. He opened himself up to Shawn, just a notch, and Shawn’s emotions seeped into him. Joy, wonder, protectiveness, arousal, and under everything else, fear. Despite their multitude, they had a calming effect on the vampire.
Valentin pulled back and licked the wound closed.
“What are you afraid of?” Valentin asked.
“Huh?” Shawn pulled his sleeve back over his wrist and flicked his gaze over the compartment again. The travelers were all pressed against the windows, checking and commenting on the weather outside. In the short while it took the vampire to feed, the snowfall had grown into a full-on blizzard.
“What are you afraid of?”
* * * *
“What makes you think I’m afraid?”
“I felt you. You asked me why we don’t need to smell emotions to read them. All it takes is a feeding. Or magic. Now answer my question.”
Shawn sighed. He’d fooled himself in the beginning that he just wanted to protect the skinny bloodsucker. That he felt somehow responsible for the man. That the attraction between them was just that. But now he knew better. This wouldn’t be a fling. There would be no parting ways when Valentin was out of trouble. He felt it in his gut. And the gorgeous vampire in front of him deserved to know it. Or at least most of it.
“I’m afraid of many things. Right now, of the unknown. Of not being good enough. Strong enough. Of not being able to protect you, me, both of us.” Valentin opened his mouth to protest, but Shawn stopped him with a wave of his hand. “Let’s not start that argument again. It usually ends up with us in the sack and, though I’d love nothing more and I know I’ve said this before, this really is not the place. You asked what I am afraid of and I answered. Let’s leave it at that.”
The vampire lifted his hands in surrender. “No chewing at my head, kitten.”
“Duly noted.” Shawn took the opportunity offered by his mate to change the subject. “Now, what can you tell me about this storm?”
“It’s a snow storm.”
“I know that. Tell me something I don’t know.”
“It’s magical.”
“Seeing as you told me you don’t like the winter, I would go for magic-induced and not magical winter wonderland.”
“I do like winter. In pictures or on TV. And yes, it was man made. There is a metallic aftertaste. Natural elements don’t taste like anything else but themselves. This is different. ”
“You, babe, are the most confusing man ever.”
Valentin’s heart warmed at the endearment. With everything going on with and around them, this simple word, meant everything. The warmth turned to cold at the thought that he could die anytime. With his deteriorating health, his death was almost certain. What would Shawn do once Valentin was gone? Would he move on? Would
he find someone else? Would he call mate and babe to someone else? The possibility paralyzed him. No. That couldn't be. Damn it to hell! He wanted more. A whole eternity with the man, but right now he would have settled for a few days. Meaningful days. Those memories could hold him for eternity. Or for whatever life he had left. For some reason, his impending demise didn’t sound so appealing anymore.
The blizzard grew stronger and the windows rattling. The snow came down so thick it obstructed the view outside.
“Wow, it looks bad. We are definitely snowed in.” For the first time, there was real concern in Shawn’s voice.
Shawn grabbed the curtains and drew them farther to the side. The wind howled wildly, the sound reminding Valentin of a time he’d encountered a pack of wolves, which, to this day, Valentin insisted were rabid. An experience he didn’t want to repeat.
The vampire’s skin prickled. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
“We have to leave. Now.” He grabbed the collar of Shawn’s jacket and pushed him into the aisle. Shawn barely managed to catch the duffel and swung it over his shoulder.
“Hey, slow down. What is going on?”
“We have to get out of here.”
“You want to get out? Into that?”
Valentin was shaking. “Yes. Now. Now. Move!”
He jerked Shawn hard. His lover lost his footing and stumbled after Valentin on the aisle.
They reached the back of compartment and Valentin yanked the door open to the astounded looks of their traveling companions.
“Get out.”
Chapter 10
“We would be safer inside the train.” Shawn looked around him, trying to gauge the validity of his words.
“I’ll go first.”
“No. Wait!” But he was too late. Valentin let Shawn’s jacket go. He stepped in the air. “Oh man.” The vampire made a perfect landing despite the fresh layer of snow and turned around with his hands on his hips, glaring.
“You coming?”
Perfect Timing Page 12