by Evey Brett
The final entry read, All chemical experimentation has failed. Subject relocated under duress. Demon removed by a Sensitive capable of manipulating energy. Subject lives with no apparent ill effect. No further contact.
After that came a file compiled by Kon’s mentor, Luisa, after Kon had been taken from his father. Intelligence tests. Psych profiles. More personal notes and observations about Kon’s progress and his treatment by others in the enclave who mistrusted a teenager who’d had his demon removed and was the son of one of the most notorious Wardens ever known. Dane couldn’t help but admire how far Kon had come in the intervening years. He loved Kon all the more.
Dane set the papers aside, mind burning at the horror of what he’d seen and read. Kon was frozen, staring at one page in particular. “Darling? You all right?”
Kon started to laugh.
“Kon?” But the laughter grew hysterical. Dane saw that the file was open to the last page, the one relating the details of Kon’s conception. “Enough.” Dane wrapped his arm around Kon and tried to tug the papers from his hands. “Let go. Now.” He found the pressure point on Kon’s wrist and squeezed.
The papers fluttered to the ground. Kon sank back against Dane as the laughter turned into uncontrolled sobs. Dane shed a few tears of his own, heartbroken at the thought of what it must have been like for Kon to grow up bearing such a heritage.
Dane held him until the sobbing ceased. Then he went utterly still and quiet, a condition which worried Dane far more. The last time he’d been like this was just after Valerie had finished with him. “Talk to me, darling. Don’t clam up on me.”
“I’m a lab rat. A fucking lab rat and because of the damn Wardens, I’ll never get to ask my father who my mother was or why he fucked up my life. ”
“Who says it’s fucked up? You have me. We’re happy together. We both have careers to be proud of.”
“You write porn for a living.”
“I write articles and short stories for adult magazines. It pays well enough that I can afford to buy all those toys you enjoy so much.” He tightened his embrace, rocking Kon back and forth, and wished he knew what to say. “You help people in ways no one else can.”
“Because my father pumped so many drugs into me and turned me into a monster.”
“You’re not a monster. Well. Maybe like one of the Muppets on Sesame Street, all fuzzy and sweet with a nose I can honk.” He squeezed Kon’s nose between the knuckles of his first two fingers. “I have a catalog left from Halloween. I can order some horns and glue them on your head, and then I’ll tie some feathers in your hair. Yeah. Such a fearsome monster you are.”
At last Kon began to laugh, hard enough Dane had to let go for fear he’d choke. “If I’m a fuzzy monster with horns, what does that make you? Snuffleupagus?”
“I’m not your imaginary friend. I’m real. I’m like Kermit. I run the show, and I’m very green if I don’t get my way.”
“More like Miss Piggy. She slaps people around when she loses her temper.”
“Just wait,” Dane said fiercely. He bent down for a kiss, driving his tongue between Kon’s teeth. Inside, his demon stirred, hungry for nourishment. Now wasn’t the time, though, not with Kon upset.
“It’s all right,” Kon whispered. “Let it feed. I’m worn out too.”
“Excuse me? Are you telling me what you think is best?” Hungry as Dane’s demon was, he wasn’t willing to endanger either of them, and neither could he feed as well as he wished if Kon’s mind was elsewhere.
Kon stiffened. “I’m sorry.”
Now that his lover was venturing into a better headspace, Dane had a few ideas about a low-intensity session which would do them both good. “Take your clothes off.”
“Yes, Sir.” Kon complied, shivering as he bared his skin. As many times as Dane had seen and touched that beautiful body, he never tired of it. The beauty was deceptive. Except for the genitalia, Kon looked far more female than male, but his inner drive was entirely masculine.
Dane pulled their toy box out from beneath the bed and dug through for a blindfold. He gave Kon a peck on the forehead before covering his eyes. Blinding Kon was the best way to get him to clear his mind and focus on the physical.
“You’ll feel only what I want you to feel. Understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Dane found a pair of earplugs and gently inserted them into Kon’s ears. Then he took out his coil of silk rope and proceeded to wrap it around Kon. He used a karada tie to create an elegant diamond pattern, one that went down Kon’s front, around his cock, and up his back. Dane found peace in turning Kon’s body into a work of art. Kon calmed as the bonds tightened. Tension left his muscles, leaving him limp and malleable.
Dane said nothing, not wanting to ruin the spell. Once Kon was trussed and lying on his back on the bed, knees bent but wide, Dane stripped and moved the chair so he had a good view of Kon’s exposed cock. He sank down, already erect from the effect the rope had on his lover.
His demon stirred. Dane gasped as the familiar feral heat filled him, merging with his mind and tripling the arousal he already felt. The demon was hungry, wanting to feed now, but Kon needed time to relax and truly descend into the soothing, meditative state. Soon.
Little by little Kon’s breathing evened out. Only then did Dane touch him, starting with gentle kisses between the rope diamonds. Kon didn’t outwardly respond, but being robbed of sight and sound left him far more aware of touch.
Dane lightly nipped Kon’s nipple. There. Kon squirmed. Continuing downward, Dane licked and sucked Kon’s belly, running his tongue beneath the ropes, pausing to swirl it around Kon’s navel. Kon’s breathing quickened. A moan escaped his lips.
Bad boy. He knows I don’t like him to make noise until I let him. Dane slapped his ass cheek, which only served to elicit another moan.
Now he’s playing with me.
The only real punishment was withdrawing his contact altogether. He pulled back, gratified to see the shiver that ran through Kon. There would be no begging, no pleading. Kon would lie there waiting until Dane deemed him worthy of attention.
Dane gave him five minutes, each ticking second punctuated by the blood pounding within his veins. Yet the waiting itself nourished the demon. Kon loved being helpless and vulnerable. Dane had made him so—all in the name of pleasure.
When the time was up, Dane didn’t bother with gentleness. He went straight for the cock which had been taunting him. Kon choked off a groan. Dane ran his tongue around the head, tickling the tip.
Better. Pleased that his lover had learned his lesson, Dane tapped him on the throat, the signal which gave Kon permission to vocalize. He rather enjoyed this part. He licked and sucked. Kon squirmed and swore in Spanish, German, French, and a couple of others.
There was no need to penetrate him in order to reach climax. Watching that handsome, pale flesh contract within its bonds, seeing that body twitch and pulse as orgasm hit drove Dane to the brink. His cock tightened, and he had just enough time to get into place and spend himself on Kon’s belly.
Dane’s demon lapped up the energy. Once it was sated, it retreated, leaving Dane feeling oddly empty. Only when Kon stopped twitching did Dane loosen the ropes and cradle him in his arms. Dane removed the blindfold and earplugs. Kon’s eyes were closed. The lines of strain had vanished, but Dane could tell he was still deeply unhappy.
Dane pulled a blanket around him, then picked up the scattered papers and replaced them in the manila envelope. He was tempted to shred or burn them to erase them from Kon’s life.
Except they were Kon’s life, and destroying them wouldn’t change Kon’s past. He settled for putting them on the coffee table so Kon wouldn’t see them when he woke. Then, too wired to sleep, he crawled into bed and held the man he loved.
Chapter Seven
It was well past one o’clock when Kon woke and lazily stretched. He would have liked to continue napping in the warmth of Dane’s arms awhile longer, but he had err
ands to run.
“Good afternoon, darling.” Dane kissed him, and Kon responded in kind. “Feel better?”
He knew what Dane was asking but wasn’t ready to talk about it. Viktor Jäger was dead. As for the rest of that file… “I’m fine.”
“I’ll grab lunch while you shower.”
“I’m only hungry for you.” Kon nibbled at Dane’s earlobe.
“Funny. But you need to eat.”
By the time Dane returned to the room with potato chips and sandwiches, Kon had already showered and was packing a duffel bag. “Are we going somewhere?” Dane asked.
Kon shook his head. “I’m going to drive Eliana up north tomorrow. I’ll be back in three or four days.”
“I’m going with you.” Dane grabbed his duffel bag.
“There’s no need. I’ll get Evan to check on you.”
“I wouldn’t let Evan kiss my ass. And if you think I’m leaving you alone with a woman, you’re wrong.” Dane threaded his fingers through the hair on the back of Kon’s head. He twisted and pulled. “I’m going with you, darling. No arguments.” Dane layered kiss after kiss upon Kon’s bared throat.
“Damn you,” Kon said, but he didn’t really mean it. Resistance soon faded as he gave himself up to Dane’s attentions. “I never could tell you no.”
“It’s a good thing you don’t.” A few more kisses, and Dane released his lover. “Eat your lunch like a good boy.”
Kon submitted, gratifying Dane by finishing everything on his plate. “I need to pick up a few things for Eliana. Clothes, a coat, and stuff.”
“Are you sure you’re up to shopping? I could go.”
Kon glanced out the window at the overcast sky. The clouds weren’t quite dark enough to herald snow. “I won’t know what to get her until I see it.”
“Uh-huh. You’ll have to introduce us. I want to see if she’s worth your fascination.” Dane tossed a couple of shirts and a pair of jeans into his bag.
“She is.”
They cruised both the 16th Street Mall and the Tabor Center before Kon was satisfied. He ignored the price tags, caring more that the clothing suited. Dane didn’t quibble about being laden down like a pack mule. If Kon was happy, he was happy.
They returned to their suite to find a pile of mail on the table. Kon pawed through the envelopes and pointed to a medium-sized box. “Open it.”
“It’s addressed to you. I don’t know where it came from.” Dane used his pocketknife to cut the tape.
Inside the box was a flat metal case. Attached to the top was an envelope reading Konstantin. No one called him that anymore.
Dane opened the card. “It’s in German. It’s—Kon, it’s signed by your father.” He held it out.
Kon set his palms on the table to keep them from trembling. He’d dealt with enough ghosts for one day. “Read it.”
“My pronunciation sucks and I don’t know what most of this means.”
“Please.”
Numb with dread, Kon translated while Dane verbally mangled the note. My son, if you’re reading this, it means I’ve gone to the hell so many have wished for me. I leave you with my last and greatest gift, one which will make up for all the grief I have caused you. No more than one vial a day lest you become overwhelmed. Enjoy. Your father, Viktor Jäger.
Dane looked up. “What did I say?”
“It’s a gift. Open it.”
The latches clicked. Dane lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in gray foam, were several glass vials. Each bore a label in German which said Träume. Dreams.
Kon picked up a vial to examine it. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“But—”
Kon grabbed the neck of Dane’s shirt and shook him. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“Fine. But you’re not going to try any of this on yourself, are you? I’ve read a lot of comics. I know what happens to guys who mess with strange formulas. They turn into monsters or develop superpowers or—”
“I won’t.” Kon grabbed the note, shoved it inside the case, and latched the lid. He tucked the case under his arm and went into the master bathroom. Dane didn’t follow. Kon reread the note for himself, queasy at seeing his father’s handwriting. He did care after all. Vaguely hopeful, Kon stashed the case beneath the bathroom sink behind the set of old towels they never used.
Back in the main room, Dane had booted up his computer. Kon picked up the shopping bags. “I’m going to check on Eliana.”
Dane got to his feet and relieved Kon of a couple bags. “I want to meet her.”
But as they went toward her room, Kon knew before he opened the door that Eliana wasn’t there. He couldn’t sense her fierce, vital essence anywhere nearby.
“Shit,” Kon said. Inside the empty suite, he picked up the phone and dialed the Chief Warden. “Evan? Where is she?”
“You’re back? Good. That girl wouldn’t stay put. Gave us hell all day.”
“Where is she?” Kon repeated, anger rising with every word.
“Gone. Heading for the bus station last I heard, which was, oh, three hours ago.”
Kon checked his watch. It was nearly six. “Did anyone give her money?”
“I didn’t. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t think so. Look, I’m sorry, Kon, but I couldn’t keep her here against her will.”
Kon jammed the receiver down. “We’re going to the bus station.”
Chapter Eight
“I said I’d drive you.”
Eliana startled awake, surprised to see Kon settled into the hard fiberglass chair next to hers. The wall clock said it was past six. She’d been in the depot for over three hours, waiting for the next bus north. She’d sweet-talked one of the men at the front desk of Kon’s building into giving her a fifty, which not only bought her a ticket but also a hamburger and fries to keep her from getting too hungry. “I don’t need your help.”
People were staring. Not at her. At him and his pretty face. “I know you don’t need it, but I’d like to give it anyway.”
“I waited as long as I could. I don’t belong in that fancy hotel of yours. That guy—Evan—wouldn’t shut up. He kept asking if I was all right. He was worse than you.”
“He means well, but I agree he can be a little overbearing. Come back with me. I promise we’ll leave in the morning.”
“No.”
“Will a few hours make all that much difference?”
Logically, it wouldn’t matter whether she arrived at seven in the morning or five in the afternoon. She just couldn’t explain her need to keep moving, not to settle until she found her family—or her lack thereof. She gazed at Kon, wondering at his motives, and noticed how ill he looked. He was worn, drawn from more than exhaustion. “Are you all right?”
For a few moments, he stared into space. Then he said, “Mi padre está muerto.”
“I’m sorry.” It was the right thing to say, though she couldn’t sympathize. She hated the only father figure she knew and hoped the bastard had died a long, lingering death in some Mexican ghetto. “Were you close?”
“I haven’t seen him in twenty years.”
That didn’t answer her question, but she could hear the pain in his voice.
“I understand you, Eliana. I know what it’s like to be hurt and betrayed by someone who should have protected you.”
She froze. She hadn’t said a damn thing to him about her past, yet it was as if he knew her secrets anyway. Her first impulse was to exit the depot as fast as she could hobble, but when he curled his hand in hers, warm, comforting, her desire flagged.
“Please come with me. Let someone who cares about you take you home.”
Home. The one thing she craved above all else. She couldn’t have said why she trusted him, but she did. “Fine.”
With her arm tucked in his, he escorted her out of the station.
* * * *
Dane watched the two of them head toward the car. Kon’s trench coat was draped around Eliana’s shivering shoulders. He didn’t know what
to make of the intense, frowning figure. She was perhaps eighteen or nineteen with thick, wavy hair and definitely Hispanic although a second heritage refined her features. She was a little thin and walking awkwardly from whatever injury had forced the use of the cane, but she was a beauty.
Kon opened the back passenger door for Eliana, then slid in after her. She looked from Kon to Dane and back, arching an eyebrow. “Who’s this?”
“Eliana, this is Dane. He’s my, ah, friend. He’s going with us tomorrow.”
Her mouth quirked as Kon said friend, giving Dane the impression she knew he was far more than that. She studied Dane with a matching intensity. “The more the merrier.”
That was all she said as they went the short distance back to the enclave. By the time they reached the parking garage, Dane was prepared to dislike her—she treated Kon as if he were her valet and unworthy of notice—but, watching her walk, he could tell she was in pain and entirely unwilling to ask for help from a man all too eager to give it, which implied a lack of trust. She sported the leave-me-the-fuck-alone attitude for protection, not pretension.
So she had barriers. Few men and women didn’t. Kon must have been able to sense something worthy in her; otherwise he wouldn’t be going to such lengths to assist her. He could have put her on a bus or had another Warden drive her up instead of going himself. But Dane knew exactly why Kon was attracted to her. She had an air of imperialism radiating the fact that she wasn’t going to take any crap from anyone.
But is she worth it? Dane didn’t have enough information yet to know, and as much as he wanted to trust Kon’s judgment, doubts remained.
At any rate, he only had to put up with her for the few hours it took to drive to South Dakota. Besides, she just might be the distraction Kon needed to forget about his father for a while.
* * * *
After Eliana was settled in her suite and Dane tucked into bed, Kon had a few precious moments alone. He took the metal case from its hiding place. There were a dozen vials, each numbered and labeled, along with a dozen syringes.
He snapped open the vial and filled the syringe, ignoring the niggling voices in his head telling him this was a bad idea. My father sent this. He wouldn’t hurt me. He wouldn’t. This is his proof that he loved me after all.