A Mate for Lazarus

by Charlene Hartnady

  Alex nodded. “Let’s go and see what we can find out.”

  Chapter 9

  Sexy bastards was an understatement.

  Alex’s jaw fell open. It wasn’t just the ten that were practicing, it was a whole swarm of them. The big field to the side of the castle was full. The focus, however, was on a small section, on the far north corner, where the ten had assembled.

  They were in sleeveless, leathers from head to toe, so no bare torsos. They weren’t fighting with their bare hands but with short gleaming swords. Man were they a sight to behold. Several guards surrounded the area so that none of the crazy women could interrupt the fighting.

  “Stay back.” One of them said to a redhead in a little red number.

  Her eyes were drawn to the biggest of the vampires. Lazarus. His arms were like massive tree trunks. Thick and corded. His sword moved from left to right with a speed that both shocked and excited her. His eyes were so intense, so focused.

  So much for being a cuddly teddy bear.

  He flashed his fangs as he roared, slicing his opponent across the chest. The ladies around her shrieked in terror. Wow! He kicked the other guy square in the chest with a loud thump jumping on top of him as he fell. His bloodied sword came down in an arc, stopping just short of the other guy’s throat.

  The guy on the ground closed his eyes. “You got me…again. Thank you for not killing me.” He croaked.

  Say what?

  The guy on the ground sounded serious. Was he really thanking Lazarus for not killing him? Surely not?

  Lazarus stayed where he was, glaring at the guy on the ground. Just as the big vampire gave a small nod, a loud cry sounded from the back of the group, drawing Lazarus’ attention. Hell, it drew all their attention.

  It was the blond Adonis prick being…wouldn’t you guess…a prick. He slashed his opponent across the face opening up a wide gash on his cheek. There was a spray of blood and her stomach lurched. Many of the women shrieked. Would you believe it? It was in excitement this time. Go freaking figure. Alex felt her stomach lurch as blood poured from the guy’s injuries. He had multiple cuts and stab wounds.

  This whole training thing really wasn’t for sissies. She heard a retching noise. One of the women was bent over next to some bushes and saying goodbye to breakfast.

  The other guy was putting up a good fight considering he had lost so much blood. His leather vest thing ran slick with it. His hair was plastered red. His eyes were wild and would you believe it, still focused? These vampires were badass. That much was for sure.

  Sarah gasped next to her.

  Her attention moved back to Lazarus as he stood up in a graceful move that would’ve made her take serious notice if it weren’t for the fact that she was here, technically, on official business and not for him. She just wished she could snap a few pictures. His muscles bunched as he held out a hand for his downed opponent who took the help, wincing as he was pulled to his feet.

  On the other side of the clearing, the bloodied up vampire groaned as he fell to his knees. He put up his hands. “You got me. Fuck, Lance.” He growled. The guy used a hand to wipe the blood from his eyes.

  One of the practically naked women on stilettos, which Alex noticed with satisfaction were dug into the dirt, jumped up and down. The heels plowed even further with each little leap and clap of the hand.

  “Like fuck.” A low growl from Lance. “Get up.”

  The bloody dude shook his head. “We’re done. Someone needs to teach you the meaning of the word practice.”

  The prick shook his head. “On your fucking feet, pussy.” Lance’s nose was bloody and he had a cut across one of his biceps. He threw his sword from one hand to the other and back again.

  “Fuck you!” The downed one growled, his eyes firmly on Lance. As if to prove a point, he tossed his sword down. The blade made a ringing noise as it made contact with the dirt.

  “It’s done!” Lazarus shouted. His deep voice rang across the group.

  Lance chewed the inside of his cheek for a second or two. His eyes narrowed on the downed guy. “Pick it up right fucking now.”

  The guy on the ground shook his head. “I said that I’m done, Lance.” His eyes blazed and he gave a shake of the head. “It’s finis—” He groaned as Lance slashed his arm with his sword. Fresh blood blossomed. All around her, women gasped and shrieked. This time the excitement was gone. The guy on the ground squeezed his eyes shut and gripped the wound, blood seeped between his fingers.

  “Pick it the fuck up or lose the arm. I’m not done.” Lance gestured to the sword on the ground with his own weapon.

  “Stop!” Sarah shouted. “Leave him alone.” She took a step closer.

  “It’s fucking over.” Lazarus growled. It was so deep and so low that Alex felt it deep down inside her. His eyes had darkened, they looked black even in the bright morning light. His fangs were all over the place. His hand was clasped so tightly on the hilt of his sword that his biceps were even more defined.

  Lance shook his head. “You stay out of it.” He didn’t take his eyes off of the bloodied guy. “We’re the elite, the fucking ten. We are not a bunch of pussies. Pick. Up. The. Sword.”

  To his credit, the guy on the ground didn’t look afraid. His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. “You’re such a fucking dick.” He reached for his sword, fresh blood spilled from a stab wound on his chest. He grit his teeth. The poor guy had to use his sword to help him get to his feet.

  “You don’t have to do this.” Lazarus all out growled.

  “I’m not a pussy.” The bloodied up guy swayed on his feet.

  “Fuck this,” Lazarus growled. “Leave him alone, Lance.”

  The asshole smiled. He looked more like a wild animal than anything resembling a human. His fangs were long and thick. His eyes looked crazed. He glanced at the poor guy in front of him, his smile widened. In a graceful arc, Lance slashed his sword across the other guy’s throat. The poor schmuck tried to deflect the blade but he was just too weak. His attempt deflected Lance’s blade to some degree but not enough.

  Blood squirted. Sarah screamed. It wasn’t just Sarah, lots of the women were all out screaming. Some had hands over their mouths. The girl that was vomiting earlier, was back in the bushes, this time she had company.

  It was horrible. Blood pumped from the wound. Although pumped was the wrong word, it squirted in time to his heartbeat. The guy somehow managed to stay on his feet. His eyes were big, they radiated shock. He slowly brought his hand to the wound but it didn’t help. There was a splattering noise which she realized was blood dripping onto the hard ground.

  Shit!

  Alex couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Fucking barbaric. “Call an ambulance!” Alex shouted. Why wasn’t anyone doing anything?

  Lazarus looked pissed. As in storm clouds had descended and taken up residence inside of him. His teeth were clenched, his lips curled away. His eyes were midnight, the darkest shade of deadly she had ever seen before.

  Sarah was all out sobbing, as were many of the other women. Lance lifted his sword…again…what the fuck? He was going to hurt the…dying…did vampires die from wounds like these? She didn’t know. It was a damned miracle that the guy was still on his feet.

  “Don’t you fucking dare,” Lazarus growled.

  Lance chuckled. The guy was totally fucked in the head. Like as in, he needed a straitjacket and medication.

  “No!” Sarah screamed. “Leave him.” She ran, easily avoiding the closest guard who belatedly tried to grab her. You couldn’t blame the guards for being surprised because who actually chose to run towards a sharp sword and a deranged vampire? Sarah flung herself in front of the poor guy who finally fell to one knee. His wound was still bleeding profusely but not nearly as badly as before. She put her back to the guy, facing off with Lance.

  “No, Sarah!” Alex screamed.

  “Leave him alone.” Sarah said as her eyes locked with Lance’s. “You’re an asshole
and a bully.”

  “Get away from him, human,” Lance spat back at her.

  Lazarus moved forward. “Get Griffin to the healers.” He growled, as he addressed two of the elite.

  The poor guy’s eyes rolled back as he fell. He had to be dead. Sarah screamed, her hands moved to the wound on his neck where she tried to stop the bleeding. “Help him. Call an ambulance. They could send a chopper.” She pulled off her shirt and used it to try and staunch the flow. “Help him! Oh god!”

  Two of the guys bent down and picked the poor guy up. His head lolled. He looked dead. His chest was still.

  “Oh god!” Sarah shrieked.

  “He is fine.” Lazarus pulled off his leather vest and handed it to Sarah. Her bra was white lace. She may as well have been naked but it didn’t look like she cared. She ignored Lazarus’ offer. Everyone was more focused on the bleeding vampire anyways.

  “He is not fine,” Sarah sobbed. “How can you say that? He looks dead. He has to be dead…” She wrung her hands together.

  Lazarus shook his head. “He will be fine. Our practice blades are made from steel. Griff will be fine. I promise.”

  “He wasn’t breathing…” Sarah’s voice broke. “Don’t patronize me. He’s dead. He’s dead.” She said the last on a soft whisper.

  “Human…” Lazarus touched her arm and she flinched. “You are right, his heart is no longer beating.”

  A collective chorus of gasps and sighs sounded. Sarah threw a hand over her mouth and groaned. Her eyes were wide. Tears coursed down her cheeks.

  “He is not dead though. We are vampires. It takes a lot more than that to kill one of us…especially an elite.”

  “What the fuck?” Sarah looked angry now. “No heartbeat means that a person is dead. First Aid 101.”

  “Like I said, he is a vampire. His heart has most likely already started up again. It will take a few hours for him to regenerate. I promise you that he is fine.”

  “I want to go to him.” Sarah finally took the vest from Lazarus and pulled it over her head.

  Lazarus shook his head. “Not right now. Give our healers a chance to work on him.”

  “I thought you said he was fine.”

  Lazarus nodded. “He is. Give him an hour or two and I’ll take you to him myself. I’m sure he will want to thank you.” Lazarus smiled. “You are a courageous female but please do not ever pull something like that again. Vampires are hard to kill, whereas humans are…” he shook his head. “You could’ve been gravely injured or killed.”

  “You vampires are crazy.” She glared at Lance. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  The prick lifted his chin and folded his arms. “I was well within my rights.”

  Lazarus growled and Sarah jumped back. “Take her to safety.” Alex’s big, badass vampire bellowed. Urm…not hers…

  “You are a fucking asshole,” Lazarus growled. One of the ten physically picked up Sarah and ran from the action. The guards stood ready this time, determined to stop anyone crazy enough to try and enter. As if.

  “Fuck off, Lazarus. It’ done. I am permitted to fight until my opponent surrenders or falls.”

  “He surrendered.” Lazarus took another step towards Lance.

  “He picked up his sword.” Lance smiled.

  “Like fuck.”

  It was really wrong, given the situation, but Alex couldn’t help staring at Lazarus’ chest. His leather pants rode low on his hips. His abs made her want to drop to her knees and lick them. As in, right here, right now. They were in such a heated argument that they probably wouldn’t notice. His chest was magnificent. She sighed loudly. Perfectly hairless. Pecs, lats, quads, biceps. They were all well-defined. Alex wiped her mouth expecting to find drool, surprised when she didn’t.

  Oh. Oh. Oh.

  She might just be having herself a mini orgasm and just from looking at him. Her eyeballs were ruined. No other guy would ever look this good. It was impossible. Muscles shifted, bulged and corded as he moved, which was with infinite grace. He reminded her of a blazing fire or a raging wave…beautiful, infinitely strong yet deadly and potentially devastating.

  “He picked up his fucking sword and I finished it. We’re the elite…this team is not for pussies. Griffin needed to learn that.”

  “Griffin is an excellent warrior. He didn’t need to learn shit from you.” Lazarus took another step towards Lance, bringing him within range of the other guy’s sword. Alex wouldn’t put it past him to use it on Lazarus, who had discarded his own weapon when he had taken off the vest. She held her breath.

  Lance snorted. “And I don’t need to learn shit from you either. I’m fucking done.” He pierced his blade into the earth between them. Lance swung around, his eyes scanned the crowd of women. “I’m in serious need of some blood and a fuck.”

  This guy was too much.

  Lance’s gaze moved across each of them before stopping on Sarah. “You,” he growled. “You’re coming with me.” He smiled. “I like a gutsy female and your pussy was pretty fucking tight. You—”

  Lazarus was so quick that Alex almost didn’t see him move. Lance’s head snapped back. Lazarus gripped Lance by the throat and punched him in the gut with three, quick jabs. Lance groaned as he fell to his knees.

  “Do not disrespect another female again, are we fucking clear?” He grabbed Lance by the jaw and forced the other vampire to look at him. Alex was sure she heard a crack.

  Lance moaned again, his hands were fisted at his sides. His eyes were so bright it was freaky.

  “Don’t make me break your neck.” Lazarus narrowed his eyes and brought his face closer to Lance’s, whose skin was turning red.

  Say what? Alex swallowed hard. Shirtless, muscled up, defending their honor. It was too damned much, she had to squeeze her thighs together. If she’d put panties on they would be soaking. As it stood, she’d been in too much of a hurry. Her body’s response to all the testosterone was so inappropriate.

  Lazarus cocked his head and squeezed harder on Lance’s jaw. A low, terrifying growl erupted from somewhere deep inside his chest.

  “Yes,” Lance somehow managed to get out.

  “Yes what?” Lazarus released his grip by a smidgen.

  “I won’t disrespect the humans,” Lance forced out.

  “Not just the humans, that goes for all of the females. You may have had your heart broken but it doesn’t give you the right to treat them like you do.” He spoke so softly it was hard to hear. Lazarus let him go. “Come to me if you need to talk.”

  Lance sprang to his feet. He spat on the ground in front of Lazarus. “Thanks, but no fucking thanks.” His hands were fisted. His jaw tense. He turned back to them. “Any of you ladies care to join me.” He emphasized the word ladies. His eyes still had that crazed look.

  No one moved. No one seemed to breathe.

  Lance shrugged. “Whatever.” He turned towards the castle. “I don’t need any of you!” He bellowed as he walked away.

  When Alex turned back, Lazarus was talking to one of the guys but his eyes were on her. Her heart rate actually kicked up a notch…or two…or ten.

  “I can’t believe that just happened,” Sarah said. The vest was so big on her that it came to mid-thigh. Alex felt a twinge seeing the other woman in it.

  “You were magnificent.” One of the women purred, drawing her attention back to Lazarus. It was the dark haired, mocha skinned woman from the hallway. Her tiny shorts rode up, pretty much exposing her left butt cheek. The dark haired beauty gripped Lazarus’ arm. “Such a big boy.” She purred some more.

  Lazarus was still looking at her. Now her chest was heaving. Her mouth felt dry.

  “I saw him first.” A really pretty lady in a little blue dress stepped in next to Lazarus, she put her arm through his. Oh god! Her boobs were ginormous. They spilled out of the front of her low cut top. She was a walking wonderbra ad. That was for damned sure. Lazarus had a thing for boobs.

  He glanced down but there was no heati
ng of his stare, no staring at all for that matter. “If you’ll excuse me, ladies.” He extracted himself, his gaze moving back to her. Ooooh! There it was. Heat, desire and all for her. Oh wow!

  Her heart did a somersault in her chest. Her pussy gave a sharp clench of longing.

  His big strides quickly ate up the short distance between them. “Hello, Alex-an-dra.” Each syllable carefully pronounced.

  She held up a hand and gave him a small wave. “Hi.” Lame, lame, lame. For the second time in twenty-nine years, she was at a loss for words. Her mouth was just too damned dry. Her brain was mush.

  “Hello,” he growled low.

  She nodded. “How is what’s his name? The hurt guy, how is he?” She stammered. Not sure what to say or how to act. It felt like all eyes were on them.

  He gave her a half smile. Why did he have to be so damned sexy? Her neck hurt from being so craned as she stared up. “I said hello to you.” He gave a small nod like she was supposed to get some sort of hidden meaning.

  “I said hello back.” She raised her brows. Maybe he had hit his head.

  He raised his brows. “Isn’t there something you are forgetting?” He gripped her waist with one hand. His lips brushed hers. Soft and so damned delicious. He smelled like sweat, aggression and musk. She was tempted to climb him. To stick her tongue down his throat. Then he released her. “Hello,” he growled. His lips only millimeters away from hers. “It is good to see you.”

  “Um…” She bit down on her lower lip. His eyes tracked the movement. “It’s good to see you too.”

  “Come with me.”

  “Um…” She turned her head to look at Sarah who was smiling broadly. Sarah nodded like a bobble head on a dirt road. “You should go.”

  It was as if Lazarus noticed the others all of a sudden. Like he had forgotten they were even there. “You did good, female. Griff will be fine. I will send someone to take you to him.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  Lazarus nodded once. “Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand and began to walk in the direction of the castle. Her heart was beating like mad in her chest. This was good. He was hopefully taking her to his apartment. She could find out a ton more about how they lived. Did he have a coffin for a bed? She chewed on her lip to keep herself from laughing. She somehow doubted it. Maybe they didn’t even need sleep.