by Emily Bex
Kate shook her head as she linked arms with him and led him up the stairs, as Luca plugged the monitors back in.
"More like my stubborn lover. I will tuck you in, and you will feed. I need you strong…for me and for Lorenzo."
Kate led him to bed and slid in beside him as his weariness hung heavy in the room. She ran her hand through his hair and pulled his lips to her throat.
"Now feed."
121
Max had taken Lein's advice to heart. He too had noticed the love and devotion the Medici showed his mate. Besides, no one knew better than Max how love clouded the ability for clear thought. He’d let Rissa make a fool of him. He could have been exposed and lost everything in his pursuit of her. At the time, it wouldn’t have stopped him. Winning Rissa back was all that had mattered. He paced the floor of the Virginia mansion, looking out across the great expanse of the lawn to the James River. The question remained as to how to exploit the situation. The Medici would not be lured to an underground club or tempted by the smorgasbord of sexual delights to be found there. He had a feeder compound on his property and managed to ignore those delights. Max dropped into a chair as he lit up a cigarette.
He inhaled deeply, dropping his head back on the chair as he exhaled the smoke into the air. He heard the soft shuffle of Lein's stocking feet as she approached and knelt beside him in his chair.
"Master, what troubles you? How can I be of help?"
Max shook his head. "I’ve thought about what you said, Lein, about creating a divide between Shade and his mate. I’m just not sure how to go about it. He’d decline an invitation to a club that didn’t include his mate. And I doubt he’d partake of any of the sexual diversions offered. How do you tempt a man who doesn’t want to be tempted?"
Lein laughed softly. "Master, men are simple creatures. My father taught me, long ago, they are ruled more by their desires than their brains. If you cannot lure this master to temptation, then you must trick him. The beast in him will respond. If the temptation is great enough, the beast will take over. The beast is more animal than man. In battle, does not the beast rule? Do you not step back and let him rule? The beast can be lured with passion and desire as well. The solution seems clear to me."
Max took another drag on the cigarette. He recalled Shade's conversation about the feeder compound and how his mate had made it off limits to him, and a plan began to formulate in his brain. He smirked as he looked at the porcelain beauty of Lein's face. “Simple creatures indeed, my angel."
Lein smiled. "You know, my father has a compound inside his palace. It is filled with virginal feeders and concubines. They’re for his pleasure, but he also brings other masters there. He has found it to be a powerful tool when negotiating. I’m sure he’d provide you with unlimited access. Why don't you allow me to choose for you, master? I am well trained in the art of what males find irresistible."
Max laughed as she ran her hands along his thigh. "Oh, my angel, I’m well aware of your training. And by all means, please make the choices."
Within days, Lein had made her selection and the two feeders had been safely teleported to the Virginia mansion. The two young Asian feeders were both virginal, their blood like pure heroin to a vampire, making the scent of their blood irresistible, their pheromones undiluted. They’d been trained in the sexual arts by the concubines in her father's compound. Their delicate beauty alone was a powerful aphrodisiac. Lein had given them their instructions. They were to seduce, regardless of the resistance they received. She closed the door behind her and let Max know the feeders were ready. She kissed him lightly and smiled.
"Enjoy yourself, master. I doubt you will need my services tonight."
Max returned her kiss. There was a lot to be said for the arranged marriage. Who said you couldn’t have your cake and eat it too? Max pulled the cell phone from his pocket and dialed up Shade.
***
Shade was in his office. They’d had several nights with the warriors on yellow alert, and nothing had happened. He wasn’t sure if this was a good sign or a bad sign. Luca sat opposite him as they went over some weapons placement. The weapons cargo had arrived in several deliveries and it had taken some time to get them where they’d be most needed. He felt his phone buzz and looked at the number. It wasn’t a number he recognized.
"Medici!"
"Shade. Max here. I’ve had time to think about the decision made by Council. I know I left angry, but I’d like to find a peaceful way to settle this. A war will not benefit either of us and will cost many lives. I visited you in your home. Now I’m asking that you visit me in mine, just the two of us. My mate is here, but she’ll not intervene. Let us talk this through, my friend."
Shade stood up from his chair, walking around, his hand sliding through his hair. Max wanted to talk. He was leery and he wondered for a second if this was a trap. Perhaps, his warriors would ambush him, kill him, and then attack Bel Rosso. He dismissed the idea. Max was many things, but a master who settled a dispute in such a manner would never live to tell about it. He’d be given a death sentence by the Council, and a bounty placed on his head.
"I appreciate this opportunity. I feel the same. When do you want to meet?"
Max smiled. "No time like the present, brother. The sooner we get this resolved, the sooner I can take my mate and get back to Thailand. That’s home for me now. I know you understand that."
"Si, we are on the same page, brother. I am on my way. Give me about twenty minutes."
Shade turned off his phone and stared out the window. It was close to midnight. Plenty of time to get to Max’s, have their discussion, and get home before sunrise. Turning to Luca, he went back to his desk and flopped down.
"Block Kate, block her now. We need to talk."
Shade blocked Kate after instructing Luca to do the same so she’d sense nothing of their conversation. "Is Shannon with her? If she is, block her as well!"
Luca looked puzzled but complied. "Yeah, okay. It's done. What's going on?"
"Look, that was Max on the phone. He wants to talk, settle this. He’s having second thoughts. He knows a battle between us brings mass destruction. He wants to get the hell back to Thailand with Lein. I’m going to his home, it’s right outside of Richmond, on the James River."
He jotted down the coordinates and gave Luca the paper, just in case. "I am going alone. Don’t worry, I got this. But I don’t want anyone to know where I am, do you understand? That is a direct order! Max is not stupid. I don’t think this is an ambush, but if anything happens, protect this house and get Marco on the battlefield."
"Master, are you sure? What if it's a trap? Let me go with you. I can stay out of sight. We can have the warriors on alert, ready to respond."
"No, Luca, if this is a trap, I need you to protect Kate and Lorenzo. I would not be going if I felt he meant me physical harm. You need to stay here, and I do not fucking care if you have to lie, you tell them nothing!"
Luca sighed. He knew better than to try to push past his master's stubbornness. "I’ll do as you ask. But call me if you need me. I’ll stay on high alert until you return. Leave the coordinates. If you haven’t come back in a reasonable time, I can at least respond."
"Si, all I can ask of you, Luca. I need this kept quiet…if she knows, she will follow, try to stop me. I cannot take that risk."
He pulled out the top drawer and tucked the Glock into his leathers. "I’m out. I will be back before sunrise, if not, come after me. Let’s hope whatever he wants in settlement is something I am willing to give. Per sempre Medici!"
Teleporting out immediately from where he stood, he followed the route of the James River and the mansion.
122
Shade made a few turns around Max’s property, making sure he wasn’t landing in some ambush. He detected no warriors, but seriously doubted Max would be that stupid. He didn’t sense anything was amiss and decided to land outside the huge mansion. The house was massive and has three large wings. You needed a fucking map to
find the front door.
He rang the bell and then banged the knocker loudly, waiting for a servant to answer. When there was no immediate response, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. No servants?
Lein opened the door and bowed low. She was dressed in traditional Asian attire, her hair pinned up and secured by the long Chinese hairpins.
"Master Medici. You honor us with your presence. I apologize for the humble welcome. We don’t live here full time and my master has decided against staffing the house around the clock. Please come in. May I get you something to drink?"
Nodding low as was custom, he responded, "Princess Lein, it is my pleasure to meet again so soon. I will pass on the drink, grazie. If you would graciously tell your master I have arrived, I think we are both most anxious for resolution."
Lein nodded. "My master has told me to expect your arrival. He asks that I bring you to his study, and I’m not to disturb him afterward. He says he has much to discuss with the Medici, and it is between the two masters to resolve."
Shade followed her as she walked silently through the massive house. "Your home is quite elegant, Princess. I can only imagine your Thailand home is even more beautiful. The East is full of treasures. Si?”
Lein nodded her head. “Yes, thank you. Perhaps you will visit us there sometime. I am sure my master will find a way through this problem between you.”
“Max and I will decide this with great care. It will benefit us both, I assure you." He followed her through the long hallway. There was no sound, their voices almost echoed as they chatted.
He started to pick up a scent. It smelled incredible and got stronger the further they went. He thought, perhaps, it was her delicate perfume. Whatever it was, it was alluring.
Lein walked slightly ahead of him, leading the way to Max's study. As she reached the door, she placed her hand on the doorknob. She turned and waited for the Medici to step toward the door. Lein knew that once she opened the door, there was no turning back for him.
"My Master waits for you inside."
Shade smiled. “Grazie, Princess."
She flung open the door and the scent slammed into him hard. He almost went to his knees. He felt her small but strong hands push him forward into the room as the door slammed tight behind him.
Max lay on the huge bed with two Eastern feeders. He was feeding from one, fucking her deep and hard. The smell of the sexual activity would drop a vampire, and the blood was virginal. He couldn’t think, let alone move, when suddenly the other feeder was on top of him. Her body shimmering from the sweat of hard sex, she smelled like a goddess dropped right into his lap. This was a fucking trap he’d never seen coming!
She ripped his leathers from him in one stroke, as his beast roared straight out of him. No! She gripped his cock with one hand and licked his vein with her tongue, soft and ready to fuck him where he stood. His eyes rolled back in his head, and his head spun, his senses in overload.
He lifted his hands to push her away from him when she slid down his body and sucked his cock deep in her throat in one swift move. His body fought to resist, but his beast was aroused and demanded to be satisfied. Shade inhaled the intoxicating scent of virginal blood as he tried to focus his eyes on Max.
Max stared back at him, his lips and chin covered in blood, as he grinned and growled at him. Shade swayed and slammed his back against the wall as the feeder worked her magic between his legs, stopping long enough to bite her own lip, releasing her own scent. He was paralyzed with desire. She climbed him like a tree and smeared her blood across his lips, kissing him, sliding her tongue into his mouth.
His beast was released, and Shade had lost this fight, his whole body shaking with need and hunger, like an addict on heroine. I can’t do this! No! With the last of his willpower, he struggled to rein in the beast, but the beast snaked out his tongue and licked the blood from his lips, and he wanted more, needed more, demanded more. He was losing himself and he knew the beast would have what he wanted. He heard himself scream, “Nooooo!"
Lein slid the bolt into place and smiled at the sounds of the Medici as he tried to resist. She shook her head. "Foolish man. Foolish, foolish man. They always forget the power of the female." She walked away, knowing it would be a long evening for all of them.
Max watched as the nubile young feeder climbed all over him, his body responding against his will. He lifted his cell phone and started snapping photos.
"Smile for the camera, Shade. I'm sure your lovely mate will love seeing these...unless, of course, we can reach an understanding."
The feeder that clung to Max continued her ministrations to his large cock, riding him hard before lying down on his chest, and presenting her neck to him once more. Max responded by sinking his fangs deep into the tender flesh.
Shade’s fangs punched through, dripping saliva, in need and hungry. His breathing was ragged, and his eyes flared a brilliant red. He saw a flash and heard Max’s words scream through his head. His roar shook the windows, but his beast ignored him and took no more of his foolish resistance. Shade couldn’t escape the agony of this hell. He was trapped in his own desires and the needs of his beast. He could no longer fight for his bel, and his promises to her.
His beast grabbed for the delicate dish that was naked and promising all he could imagine, and his hands slid into the raven silk that hung to her waist. He rubbed his hardened cock around her silk and spun her around and slammed into her full force, taking her from behind, fucking her hard.
His body felt pleasure wrapped in silken lips that gripped him tight and sweet. The beast grabbed her by the hair to fuck her until his body would spill his seed deep inside her. He felt his fangs sink deep, taking in her luscious, pure blood.
Shade broke, his heart shattered, his soul lifted him from his beast. He’d betrayed his mate. He mustered his soul to lift him from this hell. He could no longer watch his beast take pleasure and feed from another.
His dream-walking abilities lifted him from the physical cage of his own body. He left his beast behind. He was sickened and broken by the betrayal. He couldn’t restrain the beast from taking what he wanted from this female. He was betrayed by the lure of virginal feeder blood, the blood that was designed to be irresistible, to ensure their survival, was now his downfall into hell and darkness. Leaving his body in a dream state, he floated above the earth, leaving his beast behind to ravage, rape, and feed until he was sated. He floated across the rippling oceans, letting his soul drift with the wind. His body now distant from all the things he loved. His beast left behind. He’d been beaten, and now betrayed...he’d lost it all.
***
Max watched from the bed as Shade's beast emerged, taking the pleasures offered. He felt Shade fight the pull of the feeder, losing the battle as his beast took his due. Max continued to photograph the graphic sex, as he felt the dream-walker take leave.
He chuckled to himself. "Suit yourself, old friend. Your beast will enjoy her just the same, and your mate won't know the difference when she sees the photos."
Max pushed the young feeder off his body and shoved her in the direction of the beast. The beast slavered and growled, taking them both, and Max continued to record the events. He’d already indulged in both feeders before Shade’s arrival, sating his own desires, and making sure the air was filled with the scent of their irresistible pheromones.
He made sure Shade's face was clearly visible in the shots, his expression one of a beast lost in the throes of passion and pleasure. When the beast lay sated, drunk on the blood of the two virginal feeders, he called to Lein, who slid the bolt from the door. Max stepped over the beast as he lay on the floor, both feeders curled around him.
“You can leave anytime now, my friend. I have what I need. And perhaps, these photos will bring you to your senses. Let me know when you’re ready to talk."
Max left the room, joined by Lein, as the sated beast lay sprawled on the floor.
123
Kate sat on the floor of th
e nursery with Shannon as they played with Lorenzo. Shannon was laughing out loud as the baby responded to her.
"I can't believe how much he’s grown! He looks so much like Shade. Look at his eyes. He takes in everything!"
Lorenzo seemed to be awake as much during the night hours as he was during the day hours. Kate was still unsure if he’d be a day-walker, and Theresa had said he’d wake during the day for some time as he’d need to feed. Until they knew for sure, he’d be protected from the sun. Kate smiled at her friend.
"I know moving here has been an inconvenience for you, but I’m glad to have you here. I’ve missed you, Shannon."
Shannon smiled at her old friend. "I know. I’ve missed you too. Don't worry about me. I'll just use my vacation time. Whatever this is that's going on, I'm sure it will pass. I've been here a few days and nothing’s happened. I’m sure Shade is just taking every precaution."
Kate nodded at Shannon, but she had started to feel a knot of tension in her gut. She stood up as the tension built. "Would you keep an eye on him for a minute? I need to see Shade."
Shannon nodded. “Of course! Take your time."
Kate made her way down the stairs to the study and entered to find Luca sitting at the security monitors. "Where is he?"
Luca looked up. He’d hoped Shade would return before Kate realized he’d even gone anywhere. “Uh, he went out, Kate. He'll be back soon."
Kate paced in the room, her breathing picking up, her anxiety level rising. "But where? Where did he go, Luca?"
Luca watched her, his brow furrowed. He tuned into Shade and didn’t feel fear, but clearly, Kate was responding to something. "He had some errands. He'll be back shortly.”
Kate's level of agitation increased, and she knew what she was feeling was his emotions, not hers. "Luca, something’s wrong."
Luca shook his head. "Kate, I’d feel danger if his life were being threatened. There’s no threat."