“I understand but since you’ve taken him. Nikolay will know.”
“What? What is…what…” Jax’s body began shivering uncontrollably, his head thrashing back and forth on the pillows.
“Tell me why Nikolay would care who I believe to be my mate. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“Control, dear man. You know Nikolay will use this to control you.” Durac pressed a finger across Jax’s face. “He’s lovely. I can see why you hunger so desperately for him.”
“Talk to me. What the hell aren’t you telling me?” Aleks snarled.
Jax moaned as blood and spittle spewed from his mouth. “Help…me…”
“There’s little time before he dies or you have to turn him. If you want to know the truth, save him now and then we’ll talk.” Durac turned and headed for the stairs.
“Durac. What am I getting him into the middle of?”
“The choices are out of our hands. The Red Flame is strong. You were led here for a reason. He was damned from the moment of his birth as we all were.”
“What are you trying to tell me?”
Durac turned. “You were always the legacy and destined to bring up life far into the future.”
“I know what the writings say and what we’ve talked about. Why are you hesitating? What is it about Nikolay that troubles you so?”
“Your history was kept from you and now there’s no more time to hide.”
“Then tell me!”
Durac gazed into Aleks’ eyes. “You’re not the only heir.”
Chapter Fifteen
Aleks watched Durac walk out of the room and snarled, his anger growing. The man had refused to give up the last secret and one he no doubt needed if he hoped to keep any of them alive.
“Oooohhh!” Jax moaned and reached out for Aleks. “Please…”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he brushed his hand across Jax’s face. The only way to break the hold was a blood exchange and that would only stop the damning effects for so long. Durac’s anger was difficult to refute. While Aleks could hide Jax’s memory to a point, as the burning thirst returned, he would remember. “Jax. You have to hear me. You’re dying. There is only one way I can save you.”
Opening and closing his eyes, Jax barely registered anything as anguish racked his body.
“Forgive me, lover. This isn’t how I hoped the evening would go.” Taking Jax’s wrist, he lifted it to his mouth and licked across his vein, barely detecting Jax’s pulse. There was no time to waste. Elongating his fangs, he plunged them deep into Jax’s vein.
“Aaaahhh!” Jerking up from the bed, Jax gasped and grabbed Aleks’ arms. “What…are…you…” Thumping back on the bed, he panted as his strangled moans filled the air.
Aleks sucked his blood, filling his body with not only food for life but the essence of the man’s soul. Because Jax was dying flashes of the man’s life filtered past Aleks’ eyes like a rolling picture show of the man’s past. Haunting memories of his life and lovers mixed with the horrors that he’d experienced.
When he released Jax, Aleks gasped. He’d heard of such experiences with other vampires but never encountered anything close. Left breathless, it was only the ragged breathing coming from Jax that dragged his out of the moment of hell. “Jax. You need to feed. You have to trust me.”
While Jax’s eyes opened, they were unseeing, filled with the blackness of death.
Aleks roared and drew his own wrist into his mouth, ripping away the skin. As his blood flowed, he lifted Jax’s head with one hand and lowered his wrist to Jax’s pursed lips. “Drink my blood or you’ll die. Drink as we become one.”
“No!” Jax fought, his body thrashing.
Aleks held his head tightly and pressed the bloody wound into his mouth. “Don’t argue. Drink.”
“Argh!” Jax opened and closed his eyes as he tossed his head back and forth.
“Stop fighting!” He commanded, pressing his wrist further into Jax’s mouth, giving him no option.
His cries strangled, slowly Jax darted his tongue out, licking the droplets of blood.
“That’s it. Drink to your fill.” As Jax gripped onto the wound, licking furiously, Aleks threw his head back and roared.
Jax drank hungrily, finally wrapping his hand around Aleks’ wrist.
Opening his eyes, Aleks gazed down at him and inhaled deeply, his eyes marred by the creature that lived within. He said a prayer to creatures of his kind that this one not die. He’d lived too many years alone and lonely. As Jax fell into a deep sleep, he removed his wrist and licked the wound closed. Leaning over, he brushed his lips across Jax’s forehead and sighed. For the first time in centuries he was terrified of his kind and of the future.
Finding Durac in the living room gazing out the window, he sighed and moved to make a drink.
“I take it he’s going to be all right?” Durac breathed.
“As all right as he can be. Your hold was strong.”
“I felt it necessary. There are so many things to discuss.”
Hissing, Aleks poured the glass full of whiskey and took a large gulp, relishing in the burn in the back of his throat. “You need to tell me the rest of this story now.”
“Then you allow me to finish.” Durac shook his head and exhaled. “You know, I never wanted you to leave. I was impetuous with my actions falling for you. When I was imprisoned, I grew angry at you but in truth I was angry with myself.”
“We’ve been over this, Durac. Nikolay is murdering humans to destroy my life, take my mate and conquer a throne. While I understand he needs the key, there’s more, isn’t there?”
“Allow me to finish. Please.” Durac shook his head as he moved toward the window.
“Fine. Finish,” Aleks hissed.
“I was sent here of course to bring you back and to warn you. Whether you choose to believe in the old ways, the Red Flame exists.”
“That’s neither here nor there. What does that have to do with-?”
Durac growled. “For once shut up and hear me. The Red Flame is either the time of our end or our beginning anew.”
“Yes.” Growing weary, Aleks looked away.
“Our ancients knew of the leaders that could lead us into the next millennium.”
Aleks turned his gaze toward Durac. “Leaders as in plural?”
Durac rubbed his eyes. “Yes.”
“Tell me everything Durac or I swear I’ll rip your throat out.”
Durac snarled. “During the time of our making, the foretelling was issued of the future. A woman was selected to be the host for our future Kings much like you understand what must happen if Jax Steele is your mate. Highly revered, she was pure in body and soul until impregnated by our maker.”
“You speak of religion?”
“You were taught the ancient scrolls.”
“A story, a fable,” Aleks breathed yet he knew better.
“Tell me, Aleksandr. Why were you drawn to this place at this time?”
“You know why. I had to get away.”
Durac smiled as he inched forward. “But why here? You have no ties. You had no business until you arrived.”
Why indeed? Selecting at random, the city seemed far away enough. Opening his mouth to retort, the whisper he had heard so many nights pulsed in the back of his mind. He had been led to Richmond because of Jax.
“Ah, you’re beginning to understand.”
Blinking furiously, he walked to the window and gazed into the sky. “The cresting of the red moon?”
“Yyyyyeeesss…
“Why is Nikolay killing humans?”
“Because he is fighting what is required of him as well. Once you accept the position then you must work together.”
While he heard the words, Aleks refused to believe. “I don’t understand.”
“Yes you do.” Closing the distance, Durac stood behind him. “Tell me what you see.”
“The blackness of night.”
“And?”
“Yes. You must make peace. It seems you have something that belongs to him,” Durac whispered. “And no, it’s not the amulet.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then he’ll take what is yours in every way he can.”
“What do I have?” Aleks feared the answer. Rubbing the gold chain, it was the one piece of jewelry he never removed.
“In order for our world to continue, the key must be inserted into the amulet as you know.”
“Yes, and?” Turning slowly, Aleks gazed into Durac’s eyes and fingered the ruby cross, reminiscing. “It was the only reminder I kept from home.”
Nodding, Durac shook his head. “The reason I told you before that you had to decide. There is no time left. Where is Felicity?”
Surprised, Aleks cocked his head. “In a safe location.”
“Keep her safe.”
“Who is Nikolay to me?”
“You have to understand that I was forbidden to tell you. I would’ve been killed.”
“Who is he?”
Sighing, Durac turned and gave Aleks a nod of respect. “He’s your brother.”
***
Jax groaned and tried to move and instantly realized that everything in his body was in complete anguish. Struggling to move, he opened his eyes and immediately shut them as light pierced through his retinas. “Fuck!” Clenching his eyes shut, he brushed his hands over what he was lying on. Sheets. Sighing, he shielded his eyes and opened them slowly. Barely able to focus, he tried to remember where the hell he was. Licking his lips, his throat ached. Pressing his hand over his mouth he could tell his lips were swollen. The vile taste in his mouth was disgusting. As he tried to sit up, the first wave of nausea hit him hard in the gut. “Shit!”
“Don’t move too fast.”
Jax recognized the voice but why the hell was he with him? “Aleks.”
“Yes.”
“I’m at…your place?”
“Yes,” Aleks said softly as he moved closer. “You’ve been very sick. I’ll get you some water.”
“Wait. Why am I here?”
“The pictures?”
Vaguely remembering, flashes of the night pulsed in front of his eyes. “Oh yeah. Sick? What do you mean sick?” A flash of Aleks’ naked body flowed into his mind. Had something happened between them?
“Let me get you some water. Just relax.”
Blinking furiously, Jax tried to focus as he scanned the perimeter of the room. He swallowed and moved his right leg off the bed and instantly the flesh on his ass burned. What the hell? As he slid his hand under his ass and felt heat, he realized he’d been whipped. Gulping, Jax tried to put the pieces together. “Fuck!” Envisioning the intense moment of passion, he was embarrassed and… Dear God he wanted another taste. What was wrong with him? Trying to sit up, another wave of nausea thrashed through his body. Why did he feel so damn bad? As he lifted his torso, he panted, another wave hitting him hard. Slapping his hand over his mouth, he sucked in his breath, trying to keep from throwing up all over the man’s floor. Come on guy. Pitching his legs off the bed, he sat up in one move and almost passed out. Jax dropped his head into his hands. Had he really had that much to drink?
“Here. Try and drink this.” Aleks sank to his knees and handed Jax a bottle of water. “You’re very dehydrated.”
“I feel drugged.”
“You were very ill. I put you to bed to sleep it off.”
Jax grabbed the water bottle and twisted the cap, realizing he was shaking like a leaf. As he slowly lifted his head, he could see that Aleks was concerned. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually drink that much.” Did he even have anything to drink? Hell, he couldn’t remember a thing.” Taking a sip, he sighed, relishing in the cold crisp water as it slid down his throat.
“Good. Just take it easy and it’s quite all right. We were jazzed up on the shoot and I don’t think you had any food.” Aleks pressed locks of Jax’s hair from his face.
“What the hell time is it?”
“It’s after four.”
Taking another long swig, the water hit his stomach forcing instant cramps. “Shit! Let me guess. You took the photographs to the gallery already?”
Aleks inhaled as he rose to his feet. “Yes, I did.”
“Damn it!” Why did he feel like throwing up?
“I did because you’ve been passed out for almost two days.”
“What…what?” What the hell? Jerking to his feet Jax took a step forward as cramps slammed into his body, almost dropping him like a stone. Tipping forward, he would have fallen if Aleks hadn’t caught him. “Bath…room.”
“Come on.” Aleks wrapped his arm around Jax’s waist and carried him into the bathroom.
Falling onto his knees, Jax gasped as he retched into the toilet. A mixture of water, bile and blood filled the bowl. Terrified as blood flowed, he moaned. What the hell was going on?
“You’ll feel better soon.”
Coughing and sputtering, Jax slumped into the floor and hugged the toilet. His body jerking, a snippet of a memory nagged at the back of his mind. Unable to grab it, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and eased against the wall. “There’s no way I’ve been out for almost two days. No drunken state does that. What did you do to me?”
Aleks folded his arms. “I assure you that I did nothing to you, Jax.” I think the case is taking a toll.”
Jax lolled his head against the wall and laughed until the shooting pain dragged him back over the bowl. Dry heaving he struggled to breathe. When the wave passed, he slunk back, his body shaking violently. “We…did we…”
“Did we engage in carnal passion, detective? Yes we did,” Aleks said quietly.
“Fuck!”
“I assure you that you were a willing participant in every way.”
His heart racing, Jax wasn’t sure what to believe. “No…I…” Blinking, he remembered the wonderful feeling of being taken hard. Tingles of hunger pulsed through his body like a series of electric jolts.
“Yes, dear man and we’ll enjoy more together as I begin your training.” Aleks grabbed a hand towel and wet it, handing it down to Jax. “Come on. Let’s get you back to bed. Holding out his hand, he simply nodded.
Jax wiped his face and grunted. Training? No, he couldn’t…and yet he knew what he wanted and it terrified him to death. As he was helped to his feet, he sensed something that hadn’t been between them before, a connection, both mental and physical. “I need to call into my office.”
“Just rest for a little while longer, Jax. You don’t understand what your body has been through.”
“While I appreciate your concern, I have to finish this, Aleks. What happened with the pictures?” Nausea wrapped around his body forcing a trickle down his spine.
“Let’s get you sitting and I’ll tell you.”
Too sick to argue, Jax climbed onto the bed and grimaced. “Talk to me, Aleks. If I’ve been here sick for almost two days then the killer could have gotten away.”
“I assure you he hasn’t.”
Jax shook his head. “God damn it! Talk to me!”
“The pictures are in and the bait taken. I’ve been watching carefully and nothing’s happened. As of this morning Stuart said the pictures hadn’t been picked up yet.”
Jax rubbed his eyes. “I’m taking a huge gamble but you need to know this.”
“What detective?”
“Stuart? How well do you know him?”
“Why?”
“Because I think he’s working with the murderer.”
Aleks tilted his head. “Why…yes. Of course.”
Jax could see the question settle into the Russian’s brain. “He holds the cards.”
“Then we’re out of time.” The growl a low rumble, Aleks turned and cursed in Russian.
“What. You’re not telling me something.” Jax willed his body t
o recover and stood slowly.
“I’ve been betrayed.”
“We all have.”
“You don’t understand!” Aleks snarled as he paced back and forth.
Surprised at the level of rage that bubbled from Aleks, Jax knew the story wasn’t over yet and was determined to get to the bottom. “I…” The sound of a cell phone chirped from across the room. “That’s my phone?”
“You need to rest.”
He eyed the pile of clothes and stumbled across the room. “It’s my damn job.” Grabbing his pants, he yanked the phone from the case secured on his belt. “Detective Steele.”
“Where the fuck have you been!” Mike’s furious voice screamed through the phone.
“Don’t ask. What’s going on?”
“Well you better get your damn ass down here, buddy. The Sergeant is furious with you and right now, I don’t blame him.”
“Talk to me. What’s going on?” A shiver danced down Jax’s spine.
“A dead man was dropped on your front lawn for one thing.”
“What? John?”
“You better believe it. The kid was gutted and shredded. The only part of his body that was left intact was his head and in his mouth was a little note just for you.”
His body shaking, Jax grabbed the back of a chair to keep from falling. “What did it say?”
“Now I have one of yours.”
Jax turned and stared at Aleks, his blood running cold. “What does that mean?”
Mike hesitated.
“Mike!”
“I can’t locate Amanda.”
“What do you fucking mean you can’t find Amanda?” Barely able to breathe, Jax grabbed his chest, jerking the think material away from his body.
Aleks glided toward him. “What?”
Jax shook his head. “What do you mean?”
“She called because she couldn’t get in touch with you and then something happened. I don’t know. I heard a scream and then I couldn’t reach her. Went to her house. It’s nearly destroyed,” Mike breathed. “Look, we’re on it. I’ve got black and white’s cruising the entire city. The note said something else too. Come make a trade.”
“I…I have some things to do.” A calm swept over Jax’s system.
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