Hellbourne blog story part 7

Chapter Seven

Luc was having the best dream. A hot wet mouth was sliding over his body, licking and nipping at his most sensitive spots and making him squirm from the sensation. It wasn’t until his cock was taken in one quick swallow that he realized he wasn’t dreaming.
Blinking his eyes, he tried to focus on the dark head bobbing up and down.
“Fuck Bran, that feels sooo good.” He let out a low moan. His lover liked to hear his sounds when they had sex. The beauty of the man sucking him off was enough to send him over the edge.
Unfazed the werewolf swallowed all of Luc’s fluid without spilling a drop. When there was no more liquid, that amazing mouth lifted and gold eyes blinked up at him, heavy with desire.
“You taste amazing,” Bran said as the werewolf crawled up his body
Bran leaned down and kissed him. Luc could taste himself on his lover’s tongue something that excited him even as he found it mildly disgusting. He loved the taste of a lover but didn’t particularly like his own cum. A fact the werewolf was well aware of as he gave him a wicked smile.
“You taste better than anyone I’ve ever been with.” Bran said.
A knock sounded on the door.
Bran yelled. “Enter!”
Sal appeared in the doorway with a covered tray. “I thought you two might be hungry.”
“You’re a doll,” Luc said, sitting up in bed. He was starved. His stomach growled as he looked expectantly at the tray.
Unfolding the legs, Sal set the tray over Luc’s lap and lifted the cover exposing fresh-squeezed orange juice and tons of food. Thick slabs of ham, fried eggs, a pile of home style potatoes and a stack of buttered toast.
“I think I’m supposed to share this,” Luc laughed.
“Good thing. I don’t think you could fit all that into your scrawny body,” Bran said with a wicked smile.
Luc gasped in mock outrage. “Did you just call me scrawny?”
Bran scratched his heavily muscled chest and gave him a taunting smile. “Maybe I meant puny.”
Sal snatched the tray up just as Luc attacked Bran, finding his sensitive spots. He plundered the werewolf’s silky flesh until the alpha howled with outrage.
“All right, you win,” Bran said, tears of laughter running down his face. “I should know better than to wrestle with someone who knows where I’m ticklish.”
“Yes, you should,” Luc agreed. He settled back against the pillows and Sal returned the tray with an odd look in his eyes.
Luc tilted his head as he examined his old friend. “Are you all right Salvador?”
Sal gave him a half-hearted smile. “It’s good to have you back, Luc. We all missed you.”
“It’s good to be back.” Maybe he was being paranoid, but there was a little voice in the back of his head telling him something was wrong. Sal’s smile didn’t reach his eyes and the other man looked nervous. Luc shook his head at his stupidity. This was Sal, one of his closest friends; he would talk about what was bothering him when he was ready.
Smiling at Sal, Luc took a long sip of his orange juice. He savored the rich fruity taste, letting the flavor soak into his mouth before swallowing. After eating some eggs and ham, he took another sip of juice. A strange, odd note coated his tongue.
“This juice has an odd aftertaste. Different brand?” Who knew what the wolves were buying now? Wolves in general weren’t known for their love of fruit.
The werewolf nodded, but Luc could see beads of sweat dotting Sal’s brow.
It felt hot. No wonder the werewolf was sweating.
Luc struggled for a breath Feeling like he couldn’t pull enough oxygen into his lungs, he started to panic. Something was definitely not right.
His body began to go numb. He tried to grab at Bran as his vision greyed around the edges.
As he succumbed to darkness, Bran scream, “Luc, no!”

* * * *

Death wasn’t bad. He couldn’t die—well, not permanently. When Luc died, his soul returned to his childhood bedroom while his body repaired the damage. Lucifer had taken great pains to make sure his youngest son would always survive no matter what. Why he went to so much trouble was a mystery to Luc, but it came in handy more than once.
The only problem was that while his body rebounded from mortal death, his spirit went home—to hell.
Flames flared around Luc, but without his physical form they couldn’t touch him.
“Greetings, brother.”
Luc turned to see his brother, Galthine, standing in his room. There was never a positive reason for one of his brothers hunting him down. Not to mention, Galthine seemed to know he was coming.
Trap.
“Greetings.”
Galthine was monstrous. He was seven feet of rippling muscle with great horns piercing his skull and a pair of red, leathery wings tucked tight against his back. He was the oldest of Luc’s five brothers and the only one who could breathe fire. Something he did constantly during Luc’s birthday challenges.
Luc flinched at the memory of his last birthday challenge when his skin had been charred and crispy from Galthine’s flames.
“Come with me.”
Luc knew better than to refuse his brother without reason. He was glad his physical form was at the Pack house. His brother couldn’t harm him in this form, but it didn’t stop the memories. All of Luc’s previous birthdays began to surface. His brothers were not allowed to touch him outside of the challenge. If they did, it was reported to father and they were sent to the lowest hell for retribution.
Floating behind his brother, Luc followed Galthine into his private torture studio. Careful to look only at the ground, Luc didn’t want to see what caused the screams coming from the walls. Last time he was here, bodies were dangling from the ceiling by meat hooks.
“Happy Birthday.” Galthine’s smile was pointed and wicked. He waved his hand towards a hunk of red flesh lying in the middle of the room.
Luc’s vision couldn’t focus. What was that?
The blob gave a small moan.
“Who is that?”
“Don’t you recognize your old friend?”
The blob emitted a soft whisper, “Lucifer.”
Memories bubbled to the surface. “Carn?”
Galthine sidled up to Luc. “Don’t you want to heal him?” His voice was low and coaxing. He sounded sympathetic, but Luc knew pure evil lurked in his brother’s heart. “Your poor friend. I bought him from his master but I’m willing to give him to you for a birthday present.”
“What do you want?” His brother would rescue no one without a reason.
“I want you to use all of your energy to heal your friend and drain your reserves. In three days, you’ll still be weak, and I can break you like I’ve always wanted to.”
Startled, Luc turned to face his brother. “I thought you didn’t want me to stay down here. Stilne said you and the others wanted to keep me out.”
“Father changed the rules,” Galthine growled. “He grows impatient to have you as his right hand. He offered us an incentive. The one who breaks you gets to be the Third Lord of Hell. The ones who don’t will fall under his hand for punishment. I won’t go back under father’s hand.” Smoke poured out of Galthine’s mouth, but Luc could see the panic in his brother’s eyes.
It was a good plan. Luc had to admire the strategy behind it. He couldn’t leave his childhood friend bruised and battered on his brother’s dungeon floor, even if it meant his own downfall.
As soon as he made his decision, Luc could feel his body pulling him back. He must be healed already.
“Deliver him to the Pack house,” Luc said.
It looked as if his reconciliation with Bran wasn’t going to be long lasting.

* * * *

Luc’s spirit floated through the levels of hell following the call of his body. He didn’t run into any of his other siblings, but he knew Galthine was only the first to approach him. Three days before his birthday and Luc was now in the possession of a needy vampire, an injured demon and a soon to be angry werewolf.
He became aware of his surroundings slowly—air filled his lungs, sheets brushed against his bare skin and a pleasant soreness ached in his backside that oddly wasn’t taken away by the healing…but the crying had to go.
Whoever was wailing was really getting on his nerves. Even though he couldn’t die, being poisoned was really uncomfortable and it took a while for his system to fully regenerate. He hoped the crier wasn’t going to carry on the entire time.
“Shh. No crying.” Luc struggled to open his eyes, but his lids felt like they weighed a hundred pounds.
“He spoke. Master Nikkolai, he’s not dead.”
What was Jerrod doing at the Pack house? Surely, Bran wouldn’t let him stay.
Luc opened his eyes to see a tear-stained Jerrod kneeling by his bed and a hollow-eyed Nikko sitting close by.
Where was Bran? He tried to speak but the only thing that came out was, “What happened?”
Nikko’s face fell into hard lines. “Sal poisoned you, Bran killed him, and combined with tossing out Betsy, there was an uproar in the pack. He thought it best if you stayed some place protected while you were healing.” He continued in the same hard voice, “If you’d come here for dinner, instead of staying over to have breakfast with your ex-lover, you wouldn’t be in this position.”
“No one likes an I told you so,” Luc commented as he thought over what Nikko had said.
It made sense. As an alpha, Bran would only be comfortable if Luc was watched over by another alpha.
Nikko stared at him. “I didn’t believe him when he said you’d be fine. But then, I also didn’t know you were the son of the devil.” A sarcastic laugh burst from him. “I should have known you were too beautiful to not be an agent of hell.”
“I’m not an agent of hell,” Luc snarled. “My father just happens to be the devil.”
“Who’s going to try to pull you under in three days.”
Wow, Bran really did feel like sharing. Wait. “Did you say Sal poisoned me?” Luc tried to sit up but his body was too heavy. Merging the soul to the physical was difficult. “Why would Sal poison me? He knows it won’t kill me.” He’d had many conversations with Sal over the years. The werewolf knew that nothing would kill Luc.
Nikko’s voice was cold. “He was hoping to kill Bran. Now that you’ve bonded, he thought your temporary death would send him over the edge. It appears that one of your brothers told him if he killed Bran, Sal could be the leader of the pack with you at his side.”
“Me? I thought he was straight.”
“Bi. Don’t tell me you never saw him looking. I saw him staring at your ass at the club.”
Luc shrugged. “Everyone looks. It doesn’t mean they’ll kill my lover to have me.”
Jerrod broke into sobs. “You’re the best Master ever. I’m going to taste your food for you every night.”
Luc smiled. “Then you would be sick, and I’d have to cry at your bedside.”
Sniffling, Jerrod climbed up on the bed and hugged Luc, rubbing one tear-streaked cheek against Luc’s shoulder. “You would too.”
Luc patted the sobbing vamp on the head before asking Nikko. “What’s he doing here?”
“When you weren’t home in the morning, he came to check on you. Bran told him he brought you here, so he came over.” Nikko’s eyes indicated that there was more to the story, but Luc was tired and frankly didn’t give a shit. He was relieved when Nikko said, “Come, Jerrod. Why don’t you go down to the kitchen and find your master some nice broth? It will do wonders for him.”
The slim vampire jumped up eager to be of use. “I’ll be right back.” He gave a small tearful smile to Luc before running out of the room.
“Thank you. I don’t think I could handle any more waterworks.” Now that Jerrod was gone, he felt a little self-conscious without the smaller vampire as a buffer.
Nikko pulled his chair closer to the bed. “How are you feeling? All better?”
Luc nodded. “I’m fine. Did Bran tell you I can’t die?”
“He told me he still felt your link even while your body grew cold. Sal didn’t count on that.”
“What happened to him?”
Nikko gave a smile almost as evil as Galthine’s, his fangs peeking out. “Bran sent him to chat with your father. The Pack is cleaning up the mess as we speak.”
Luc fought back tears. Sal had been a friend for years. The loss of his friendship cut him like a knife. How long had the were wanted him in silence?
He felt the poison easing out of his system, he stayed lying down until he was certain he was toxin free. He started to sit only to have Nikko lean over and pin him down.
“You will stay right here and rest.” Nikko’s eyes glowed bright when he was pissed.
“I’ll stay right here and rest,” Luc agreed meekly. He tucked the blankets around himself and played possum.
He felt the scrape of Nikko’s stubble as the vampire whispered in his ear, “I’ll know if you leave this room, my love. I’ve put a guard outside your door, and he has instructions to only let me and your servant inside, and no one out.”
“Sneaky bastard,” Luc whispered, not bothering to open his eyes.
“Your sneaky bastard.”
He felt the soft brush of lips on his cheek before he heard the door close.
More tired than he wanted to acknowledge, Luc was in the middle of falling asleep when a harsh ringing sound filled the air.
A hole opened in the air beside the bed and Carn’s bloody body was tossed through the portal. The demon landed on the floor, leaving a long streak of fresh blood across the carpet.
Galthine’s head popped through the portal. “I followed your spirit signature, brother. Sneaky of you to try to escape me. Maybe you’ll make a good Hell Lord yet!”
Luc didn’t have a chance to contradict him before the portal vanished and he was left with an oozing bloody body on Nikko’s fancy carpet.
Nikko was going to kill him.
Sliding out of bed, Luc approached Carn’s battered body. At close glance, he looked worse. How was that even possible?
The demon was encrusted with blood from multiple whip marks. A pair of handcuffs had cut into his wrists and they were leaking blood over his broken hands.
Jerrod entered the room with a bowl of soup balanced in his hand. It fell to the floor when he saw Carn lying on the carpet. The fabric muffled the sound of soup splashing.
Jerrod crouched down beside Luc and asked in a whisper. “What is that?”
“A childhood friend.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Heal him.” Luc would stay in hell should his brothers break him, but he couldn’t let his friend die. Unlike Luc, the demon wouldn’t come back.
Carn’s breathing was slow. He wouldn’t last much longer. His remaining demon blood was the only thing keeping him alive.
“Thank you. Thank you,” Carn whispered as Luc came closer. The demon’s eyes were glazed with pain, but he focused on Luc as if he were a savior. “I kept hoping you’d come. I knew if you found out, you’d save me. Thank you. Thank you.” His neck was bruised, and his voice was a raspy whisper.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Jerrod asked. “Nikko isn’t going to be happy if you heal a demon in his club.”
“I can’t leave him like this. I won’t leave a friend to bleed to death on the floor because it might make Nikko unhappy.”
With determination, Luc held his hand over the center of Carn’s body. He jerked as power pulsed from his hands and into the demon. Silver glowed across the demon’s body, magic filling the cracks in his skin. It was like watching a movie in reverse. The wounds sucked the blood back into the demon, sealing the skin over them. For a few moments, Luc lost all sense of self.
This was why he wasn’t a healer. He used too much power and didn’t know his limitations. Luckily, he never healed humans. They were too fragile.
“Enough, Master!” Jerrod’s voice snapped Luc back into the present. Carn lay before him, glowing with Luc’s power, convulsing lightly.
“Fuck me.” At the current rate of Luc’s incompetence, Carn would die from power poisoning. Luc placed his hand on the demon’s stomach. The power welcomed his touch and poured back up his arm.
The demon’s eyes snapped open.
Carn no longer glowed, but Luc knew the small amount of power he absorbed back wouldn’t be enough to save him from his father’s hands.
“Feeling better?” he asked his friend.
Carn’s nod was more of a convulsion then a motion of agreement. “Please don’t send me back, Luc. Please.”
“Carn, I can’t keep you. You know the laws. I will have to return you to your master.”
“You’re my master. Galthine gave me to you for your birthday, remember? That makes me yours. If you return me there, everyone will use me as a way to get to you. I’ll never have a moment of peace.” Carn gave him a sly smile. “However, if I’m yours, no one will touch me. I will serve you.”
“What would I do with a demon servant?”
“Please. I must be able to be of some service to you.” Carn’s face was desperate.
Luc looked away from the sight. “Can you feed my vampire?”
“Luc, you don’t have to do this,” Jerrod said. His wide eyes looked back and forth from Luc to the demon.
“Yes. I can feed your vampire,” Carn said quickly, as if sensing his opportunity was slipping away. “I’d be happy to feed him, fuck him, be his pet. Whatever.”
There was no way Luc would send a friend back into hell, not without a master to protect him. “Fine. I’ll be your master.”
The pain on his hand was familiar now. A demonic symbol glowed gold next to the small set of wings. Great. Now he was a vampire and a demon master.
Bran and Nikko were going to be pissed, Luc thought, before he passed out on the floor.

Hellbourne Blog Story Part 6

Chapter Six

Jerrod had barely hung up on Nikko after finalizing details for dinner, when the sound of howling pierced the air.
The ringtone of the Pack house.
“Hello?”
“Luc, you have to come. Bran’s been shot.”
The feeling of ice froze his spine as fear overtook his body. “What do you mean shot?”
“Bullets! Guns! Shot!” Salvador screamed across the line. “Come to the Pack house. We need a healer!”
“I’ll be right there.” Luc hung up and turned to find Jerrod standing right behind him. “Bran’s been shot. I have to go to the Pack house. I want you to let Nikko know I won’t be at dinner.”
“Yes, Master.” Jerrod’s words were obedient, but his tone was sullen.
“Don’t challenge me on this. The Pack would tear you apart for invading their territory. Even the little pull I have won’t save you from a mauling.”
“I know.” Jerrod looked down at his bare feet and kicked at the carpet. “I was hoping we’d spend more time together.”
“Don’t worry, it’ll work out fine. Bran should be easy to heal. I’m surprised he hasn’t healed himself by now. I need to get some things straightened out with him, so don’t be surprised if I don’t come back until tomorrow.”
“How much longer do you think you can keep going back and forth between vampires and weres?” Jerrod’s blue eyes were direct and penetrating, making Luc wish he were still looking at the floor.
Luc shrugged. “I can’t leave Bran to die. He was my lover for twenty years. You don’t just throw that away.” Although the alpha had tossed him aside, Luc couldn’t explain to his fragile vamp that there would always be only one owner of his heart. He might not be with his alpha wolf, but that didn’t take away from the fact that he still loved Bran and always would.
Jerrod wrapped Luc in his arms. “I’ll be waiting for you when you get back. Want me to call a cab?”
“No. I’ll travel by mirror.”
“Mirror?”
“Yeah. Want to watch?”
A wide smile spread across Jerrod’s face. “I’d love to.”
“Let’s go.” A sudden urgency hit Luc hard. He needed to see Bran and assure himself that he was still alive. Mirror walking was one of his few fae talents. He only used it in emergencies because it mildly freaked him out. Walking through glass was odd and left a strange sensation on his skin that took days to shake off.
With Jerrod hard on his heels, they rushed into the bedroom and approached the full-length mirror in the corner of the room.
“Ever wonder what I needed a full-length mirror for?”
Jerrod smirked. “To admire yourself?”
Laughing, Luc shook his head. “To travel.” Licking his index finger, he ran the wet tip along the top edge of the mirror focusing his mind on his final destination. The reflection of the room wavered, colors swirled, and a perfect image of Bran’s bedroom appeared.
Luc held back his tears as memories of sharing this room with his lover crowded his mind. He could see Salvador sitting in a chair by the bed and his ex-lover in human form lying still and silent on top of the covers. He was surprised to see Bran as a human, before realizing the wound must have forced the shift. When injured, a werewolf converted to human form—a disadvantage that allow paranormal hunters to separate them from real wolves when they hunted.
Admiring the perfect image in the mirror, Jarrod smiled and murmured, “Cool.”
“When I return, the mirror will chime to let you know I’m coming through.”
Jerrod nodded. Then he leant forward and held Luc in his arms one more time. “Good luck. I don’t know Bran, but if you want him better, so do I.”
Luc gave Jerrod a smile then walked through the mirror. A soft pop echoed as he went from one space to another.

A low moan filled the room.
Mate, whispered in his mind.
“He’s not healing,” Sal said in a low, worried tone. The werewolf stood near the alpha wolf’s head and greeted Luc. Soft kisses were placed on each of Luc’s cheeks, Sal brushing skin-to-skin, marking him as pack.
Mate.
Luc moved around Sal to sit next to Bran.
Blood soaked the werewolf’s smooth mocha skin like a body dipped in red paint.
“Who did this?”
Sal swallowed and clenched his teeth. “Hunters.”
“Where was he to be so close to hunters? Where was he, Sal?” Someone was going to die. If Luc didn’t get answers soon, it was going to be his good friend Sal.
“The Pack grounds were ambushed. Three hunters got four of our wolves. The others had minor injuries but were able to heal themselves.”
“But Bran is the alpha. He should’ve healed by now.” Luc stroked his ex-lover’s head. A feeling of contentment seeped through him.
“His power is fractured,” Sal said in a sad tone. “If he can’t control his change, I’ll have to take over. I’ll alert the others that you’re here, so they won’t panic when they feel the magic coming from Bran’s room.”
Sal’s voice sounded odd, but Luc was too concerned with the blood pumping out of his ex-lover to pay much attention. Bran whimpered softly, his pain-filled eyes watching him with complete trust as Luc spread his hands across the wound.
“Shh. I’ll take care of you, sweetheart.” Closing his eyes, Luc internally focused, drawing out power to heal. He imagined the energy flowing from the center of his body, down his arms and into his hands. Blue flames burst from his palms, slamming into the man lying on the bed.
Luc’s eyes snapped open. He directed the fire into the werewolf’s skin, pushing out the bullets and healing the wounds. Bran’s body shook. Flesh sprouted fur then receded. Although healed, Bran’s body retained his human form as he dealt with the trauma of injury.
Luc collapsed on the small portion of bed not taken by the large were. He was tired. Between the stress of taking care of Jerrod and worrying about his love life, he was worn down.
Familiar fingers stroked his head.
“Even after everything, you came to save me.” Bran’s voice sounded rusty and painful.
Luc looked up to see the alpha gazing at him with a familiar loving expression. A painful knot formed in his throat. How he’d missed his lover.
“I’m sorry, my love, for everything.” Gentle fingers traced his cheek. “If you’ll come back to me, we’ll work something out. I swear.”
Luc could hear the sincerity in his ex-lover’s voice as a painful yearning filled him. He looked into Bran’s beautiful face so dear to him, even now. “I don’t think we can work out the fact you want to have sex with a woman and have her pups.”
He wouldn’t cry. He wouldn’t. Luc blinked rapidly, looking away. He started to slip out of bed, but Bran’s large hand wrapped around his wrist, stopping his exit.
“We can have a baby together. We’ll find a female willing to be a surrogate. You’ll be there the entire time.” The alpha took a deep shaky breath. “My wolf needs its heart.” He tilted Luc’s chin up until he was forced to meet the alpha’s eyes. “And my human half needs its soul. Come back to me, baby, and we can rule the Pack together.”
Luc could feel Bran’s sincerity. It shrouded him like a warm blanket. Before he could think of a response to Bran’s words, the bedroom door slammed open.
“What’s he doing here?” Betsy screamed.
“Hello, Betsy.” Luc’s heart hammered in his chest. He didn’t want to fight an angry she-wolf. It was bad enough that he’d invaded her territory and tempted her man.
“Why can’t you leave us alone? You’re tearing the Pack apart.” Her fangs dropped in anger, a low growl rolling up from her chest.
Shit.
Behind Betsy in the hallway, Luc saw Sal appear, but he was slower than the blur that rose from the bed and took the alpha bitch down.
A thud echoed in the room as Betsy hit the ground hard, buried beneath the large alpha’s body.
“Don’t ever talk to my mate like that,” Bran growled, his voice low and dangerous, his hands shifting into claws.
“I’m your mate.”
“You’re nothing.”
Luc winced. Subtle, Bran wasn’t. This was not going to be good for Bran’s allegiance with Betsy’s pack.
Sal slipped into the room and patted Luc’s shoulder in a silent message of support. A low whine filled the air. Betsy had converted to wolf. She was baring her neck and stomach to the alpha. With a low growl, Bran stood up between Betsy and Luc, in a protective stance. With a sharp bark, Betsy ran down the hall.
“You’ll start a pack war if you send her back to her pack,” Sal said with a sigh.
Bran shrugged. “Bring them on. She was a pain long before I learned we weren’t compatible.”
“I’ll make sure she leaves. You’ll have to talk to the Pack soon and let everyone know what’s going on.” Sal kissed Luc’s cheek before walking out the door and shutting it behind him.
Alone with Bran, Luc was uncertain what to do next. For a long moment, he stared at the closed door not sure of what to say.
“Luc.” Bran’s voice held a familiar note of longing.
He reluctantly turned to face the alpha wolf. Bran’s gold eyes were glowing with hunger as he took in Luc. “What do you want from me, Bran?”
The alpha walked in front of him before sliding to his knees—an eerie copy of Jerrod’s actions earlier that day. “I want whatever you will give me. Any scrap of your affection. Any moment of your time. I know you might not be able to forgive me, but I thought I was doing what was best for the Pack. I thought I could give them a future leader.” Bran let out a bitter laugh. “I should’ve known I couldn’t give you up. Instead of a strong leader, I ripped out my heart and gave them a broken alpha and dissension in the pack. Do you know half of them won’t even talk to me anymore because of how I treated you? How can I lead my people if they won’t follow?”
When Bran looked up, Luc saw tears filling those beautiful eyes. It felt wrong to have his strong, passionate lover on his knees—no matter what dreams he’d had after their breakup.
“If they want me gone, I’ll leave the Pack. But I’ll never let go of you again.” Luc could hear Bran swallow back the tears. “If you’ll have me back, I’ll be yours forever.”
“Oh, babe.” Luc pulled Bran to his feet and into his arms, cradling him close as the werewolf broke down into sobs. “Shh. We’ll work something out.”
It took Luc a long while to soothe his shattered lover, but eventually, after a magical cleansing to remove the blood, they moved to the bed. Tired from the emotional outpouring, they stripped and tossed their clothes to the floor.
Bran wrapped himself around Luc as if to prevent him from escaping. Nuzzling his neck, the alpha pulled back after a moment. “You smell odd.”
“Hmmm.” Luc was starting to drift.
“You smell like that kid in your house.”
“He’s not a kid,” Luc said sleepily. “I think he’s a hundred or something.”
A long lick tickled his throat, making him giggle. Sniffing continued and Bran lifted Luc’s hand lapping at his palm. “What’s this?”
“Jerrod’s mark.”
“His what?!”
“Don’t yell.”
“How can I not yell? You let some baby vamp mark you?”
“I didn’t let him.” Luc glared at Bran in annoyance. “It was a mistake. I saved him from his master and by some funky vampire process it made me his new master.”
Bran’s warm hands stroked Luc’s shoulders. “Sorry I yelled, baby. What do we need to do to find him a new master?”
“According to Nikko, I’m his master until one of us dies.”
Bran gave him an evil grin. “I can take care of that.”
Luc punched him.
“Ow.” Bran said, cradling his shoulder.
“I forgot how bony you are.”
“Ha! Serves you right,” Bran said, placing a kiss on Luc’s cheek. “You shouldn’t beat your lover.”
“Bran, I don’t know what to do. I’d love nothing more than to come back and be your mate, but I have Jerrod I’m responsible for now. I just can’t abandon the kid.”
“Give him to Nikko,” Bran said ruthlessly.
“I can’t just give him to Nikko. His last master abused him. He needs care, protection, blood.”
Bran sighed. “He can’t live here. The other weres wouldn’t tolerate it.”
Luc nodded. “I know, but I can’t leave him to fend for himself either. I think it’s best if I stay where I am.”
“What about your birthday? It’s only three days away. You’ll need preparation if you hope to survive your father’s persuasion.”
“I know.” Luc swallowed around the ball of fear lodged in his throat.
Every birthday, his father pulled Luc down into hell to try to convince him to give up his soul and become an official Hell Lord. As the only son born with a soul, Luc was an object of personal pride to his father. Lucifer senior wanted his son’s soul, but he was absurdly pleased when Luc survived his challenges each year. The devil’s theory was that the longer Luc resisted, the stronger Hell Lord he would make. Each year his test was a little more difficult until it mostly consisted of Luc surviving as much torture as his brothers could dish out.
What the devil didn’t know was that his older sons didn’t try as hard as they could. None of them wanted the devil’s favorite to join them in hell. With Luc there, they would all lose ranking, as Lucifer had vowed to make his half-fae offspring his right-hand man. Even with his brothers holding back, Luc still returned bruised, bloody and burned after every challenge.
In the past, to keep sane from the torture, Luc focused on Bran. When he concentrated on his lover, his mind and soul felt complete. He was torn in too many ways with the current situation.
Bran flicked the necklace around Luc’s neck. “Still wearing his collar, love?”
The low menace in the alpha’s voice made Luc shiver. “I was going to return it, but he told me to keep it for now.”
“Of course, he did.” Bran sat up, running his hands through his shiny black hair. “He wants you to return to him. Each time you look in the mirror you see that damned jeweled collar and he knows he has you. Give it back to him. Tell him you aren’t interested.” The commanding tone in Bran’s voice erased the tender words shared moments ago.
“I’m not interested,” Luc protested. “But you can’t just fling a priceless necklace at a vampire who thinks he’s your mate.”
“Mate!” Bran roared. “He’s not your fucking mate!”
“I didn’t say he was. Shit, maybe I should go home.”
“No.” Bran wrapped Luc in his arms, stopping him from leaving the bed. “I’m sorry. This whole thing has me spinning. I just got you back. I don’t want to lose you so quickly.”
“You’re not losing me, but sometimes things aren’t always so black and white. I will tell Nikko that we’re back together, but I don’t want to start an interspecies war. You’re going to have enough on your plate with Betsy’s pack. We have to approach this diplomatically.”
“I’m not a diplomat,” Bran said, nipping at Luc’s neck. “I’m your mate and I’ll protect you with every last breath in my body. Stay with me, baby. We’ll discuss this tomorrow. We have some makeup sex to get to.”
Suddenly breathless, Luc laughed. It felt as if it were the beginning of their relationship when everything was new. As if he were still the center of Bran’s world.
How he’d missed that look.
There wasn’t much time for reflection before Bran yanked Luc to him, using his huge muscled body to pin Luc’s lighter frame. His world shrank to Bran’s beautiful amber eyes as the alpha dipped his head and took Luc’s mouth as if he were food, water and everything necessary in life.
The months prior to Luc’s departure had been filled with tension and pain after the alpha made his decision to seek a female mate. Now, it was as if those days had never happened. This was the old Bran. The one he’d loved for so long.
Nothing could beat the familiarity of a lover who knew where all the hot spots were on your body. One who knew his nipples were sensitive and how to rub that bit of skin on his hip to drive him completely insane.
Luc gave himself over to Bran’s touch. He was floating. Enjoying sensations only his werewolf lover knew how to cause.
Unexpectedly, Bran slid down his body, licking and nuzzling his way until he settled between Luc’s legs and swallowed his cock in one long slide. With big hands pinning him, he was at the werewolf’s mercy, unable to move his hips.
Whimpering mindlessly, Luc’s head whipped back and forth. “I’m coming!”
A low growl vibrated through his body, making him shoot down his lover’s throat. Panting, he tried to calm his racing heart as Bran lifted his legs and exposed Luc’s hole to his hungry amber gaze.
“Who do you belong to?” Bran demanded.
Luc had to unscramble the words in his sex-muddled head. “You. I’m yours, Bran.”
“Remember that.” He released Luc long enough to grab some lubricant from the nightstand drawer and coat his fingers. First, one finger slid inside, then another, then finally three fingers moved in and out of his hole. When the alpha was satisfied Luc was open enough, Bran removed his fingers and slid his cock inside.
“You will always be mine. I don’t care what the vampires think.”
Luc clamped down on Bran’s body. If his lover could still speak, he wasn’t doing a very good job of distracting him.
The werewolf’s eyes rolled back in his head. “Fuck!”
Bran’s long fingers wrapped around Luc’s cock, knowing exactly where to pump and squeeze with the ease of long familiarity. A few hard pumps later had them coming together.
His lover collapsed on top of him.
“Oomph.”
“Sorry.” Bran slid out and off of Luc, leaving him empty, but at least able to breathe.
Moments later a warm cloth wiped him clean. “Sleep, baby. We’ll talk in the morning.”

Hellbourne Blog Story Part 5

Chapter Five

After leaving Nikkolai’s club, Luc leased a small Victorian house. It was just temporary, but it was home. One of the wolves stopped by almost every day to chat, check on his welfare, ask advice and give him an update on Bran. So far, there was no change in his former lover.
The message was always the same. Bran was permanently in wolf form.
It was interesting when flowers arrived the Monday after Luc moved in. Nikko must have spies watching his every move. The writing on the card said, Love, Nikkolai.
Luc snorted. He didn’t want Nikko’s version of love.
Tuesday’s delivery was a box of chocolates so heavy he could have used it for weightlifting. Wednesday was an mp3 player with a kick-ass collection of songs. Thursday, he got a new cell phone with only one number programmed into it. Today was Friday.
“I think he’s sorry,” Jerrod said, coming into the room, licking a dab of blood off his lips. Good thing the demon tribe of Katos owed him a shit load of favors.
Luc spent a moment admiring his vampire.
After only a few days, the shattered boy he’d taken from the club glowed with the power of demon blood rushing through him. Now that he wasn’t starved, Jerrod was leaving behind his boyish frame and solidifying into the body of a man.
His vamp was coming along nicely, even if the whole ownership thing freaked Luc out.
After spending his entire life fighting with his father for independence, it scraped him raw that Jerrod called him Master.
The vampire walked up to him, sliding a hand over Luc’s arm as he approached. “Are you going to forgive him?”
“He let you be whipped,” Luc said from behind clenched teeth.
Jerrod shrugged. “It’s our way. I was Mal’s property, sold to him by my master. It was his right to do with me what he pleased.”
Luc’s eyes burned, and he knew from past experience that his irises were glowing like small suns. He closed them, trying to regulate his breath and calm down. With so much anger flaring inside, it was a miracle the runes weren’t shimmering on his skin. It was difficult to explain abuse to a man who didn’t understand that whipping someone until they bled on the floor was not the normal behavior of a sane being.
He knew this from personal experience.
“No master should harm those he’s sworn to care for. It’s wrong and I find it odd that I should have to explain this to you of all people,” Luc said.
Giving him an affectionate smile, Jerrod rubbed Luc’s back in slow soothing circles. “Calm down, Master. Vampires have been around for centuries. You aren’t going to change an entire culture overnight.”
“I don’t want to change the culture. I want to change one little tribe.”
“You know what they say.” Jerrod handed over a gold and red envelope. “Change is best done from within.”
“What’s this?” Luc asked, his fingers already breaking the red wax seal.
“A personal invitation,” Jerrod said with a wicked smile. “From your favorite fanged stalker.”
“Don’t make me punch you,” Luc threatened. “It ruins my credibility.”
Jerrod laughed.
“I’m invited to dine with Master Nikkolai.” Luc frowned at the gilt card. “Do you think he thought about that before he sent it out? Most people don’t want to dine with a vampire.”
“No, he probably eats real food. The older vamps can eat.”
This was news to Luc. “Really? Are you old enough? Should I be feeding you food too?”
Jerrod gave a wide smile. “No. I’m still too young to digest food. I’ll suffer along with the high-grade demon blood you provide. You know that demon blood is like liquid gold for vampires, don’t you?”
Luc was still staring at the invitation. “Is it? Well, it’s all I’ve got so you’ll just have to put up with the top shelf stuff. If you’re good, maybe I can find you a thin-blooded wino junkie for dessert.”
Jerrod laughed. “I almost hate to tell you that you can actually purchase blood from blood suppliers.”
“Really?” Luc said without much interest, his attention still on the paper in his hand. “Do you think I should go?”
“Yes.” Jerrod tenderly slid the paper out from Luc’s hand. “I think you should go. Vampires dream of finding their mates, the older the vampire the more important it is. If Master Nikkolai thinks you’re his mate, then you’ll need to find out if it’s true. You can’t do that if you refuse to meet with him.”
“I don’t know if I can forgive him for his callousness, besides, do I really need another alpha deciding I’m his mate? Look where it got me with Bran.”
Jerrod looked into Luc’s eyes. “Bran tried to deny his needs. He got what he deserved. Master Nikkolai is all about claiming you. Vampires are a people of passion. That’s something you’ll need to get used to if you’re a master vampire’s mate.” Jerrod nodded towards the invitation. “I’ll come with you.”
“What? No!” Luc didn’t want anything to happen to his delicate vamp. “We just got you healthy.”
“I’ll come with you because in vampire culture to go alone means you’re a lesser being. It means there’s no one who will back you if there’s trouble. I will go because they need to know that you’re a master with a devoted follower. I may be a submissive with my masters, Luc, but I won’t let you go to a vampire gathering without support.”
“You’re not being submissive now,” Luc grumbled. “Fine, you can accept the invitation for me. Let them know we’re coming. Do I need to get some of the wolves to back me up?”
Jerrod shook his head. “No. If we were expecting trouble, I’d recommend them, but Master Nikkolai wants your happiness, so there won’t be any problems.”
Luc didn’t know what to say. That this broken man would take care of him was more than he’d ever expected. He leant in and gave the vampire a soft kiss. “Thank you, Jerrod. I appreciate your advice. If you needed anything, you’d tell me, right?”
“Always, Master.”
Satisfied that Jerrod was telling the truth, Luc nodded in agreement. Then he cleared his throat. “I have something for you.”
It had taken him all day, but he finally had his gift ready.
Jerrod immediately fell to his knees, eyes to the floor. “Your will is my will, Master.”
There was only so much training one could undo in a few days. Luc stood for a moment looking down at his vampire. Not that he thought of him that way. He thought of him more like a roommate, a very fragile roommate.
“Jerrod, I’ve been concerned about your safety.”
Jerrod’s wide blue eyes, filled with apprehension, looked up at him. “Ar-are you leaving me?”
“What? No, no, but sometimes you might be separated from me where I can’t protect you. I want you to know that you’ll always be safe.” He pulled Jerrod’s gift out of his pocket. “So I made you a little charm.”
Luc held up the blue-green pendent, dangling from a thin silver chain, so Jerrod could see the colors swirling inside the charm. He’d painted a miniature picture of himself and pressed it between a pair of three-inch pieces of fused glass. Wrapping the piece with silver wire, he’d bound it together with metal and magic until the three pieces became one.
Luc shied away from calling it a collar, but he knew it would look as if it were one to other vampires checking for ownership. Short of decapitation, nothing could harm Jerrod while wearing the charm.
“It’s on silver,” Jerrod said nervously. “You know silver burns vampires.”
Luc tilted his head and examined the vampire kneeling before him. “Do you trust me?”
Jerrod nodded.
“Will you allow me to put this around your neck?”
Another nod.
Luc kneeled with Jerrod and carefully connected the clasp behind the vampire’s neck while chanting a short spell to seal it for eternity.
He saw Jerrod swallow as he released the chain and let the pendent settle directly on the vampire’s bare skin.
Luc watched with amusement as the vampire relaxed the muscles he’d braced for the burn.
“It doesn’t hurt,” Jerrod whispered.
Luc took Jerrod’s face between his hands. “I would never purposely harm you.”
He saw relief and a look of stunned acceptance in Jerrod’s eyes. A moment passed before the vampire spoke. “I can hear it singing to me.” His eyes took on a wistful look. “It’s you, isn’t it? You’re singing.”
Oops.
“Sometimes whoever makes the spell leaves residual traces of its forming. I sing while I work. I can try to remake it if it bothers you.” Luc reached out to take the necklace back.
“No!” Jerrod shouted, his hand clutching the pendant. “It’s mine. You made it for me.” His voice dipped lower as tears streaked his cheeks. “No one has ever made anything for me before.”
Shit. Luc wrapped Jerrod into his arms, rubbing one palm in circles around his smooth back. The same calming gesture his vamp used on him. Jerrod was sweet, but so abused. “No one will harm you again. Not on my watch.”
Jerrod leant back and looked at Luc, those beautiful eyes watching him with hot desire. “May I suck you off, Master?”
“I-I thought I was supposed to be bonded to Nikkolai?” Not that he felt loyalty to the bastard but the change in Jerrod’s demeanor was confusing.
“I belong to you, Master. It’s important you bond with me so that our linking is tight. If we’re properly bonded, you’ll know if I’m in danger.”
Luc looked suspiciously at Jerrod, but his senses told him the vampire believed what he was saying. “It would be a better bond if you fucked me,” Jerrod said, a lustful gleam in his eyes. “But I’ll settle for sucking you off if you aren’t ready.”
A broken laugh burst out. “You make me sound like a skittish virgin.”
Jerrod rose to his feel, placing a shy kiss on Luc’s lips. There was a teasing light in his eyes when he pulled away. “Skittish maybe, but I doubt you’re a virgin.”
Pleased at the new confidence in his vampire, Luc rubbed his palm across Jerrod’s crotch feeling him through the rough denim. Although he liked the vampire in low riding jeans, he wanted to feel more. With a twist of his hands, Luc ripped open Jerrod’s button fly. The sound of fabric tearing echoed loudly in the quiet house.
Jerrod let out a soft whimper, his excitement obvious in the hardening of his cock. Luc felt his own prick lengthen in response to the other man’s excitement. He might not be Bran or even Nikko, but the younger vamp was a sexy hunk of manhood.
“Please, Master. I need.”
Luc laid Jerrod on the Oriental rug. The thick pad beneath the rug provided a nice cushion. The last thing he wanted to do was bruise Jerrod’s body. Maybe give him rug burn, but not bruises.
As Luc continued to stroke Jerrod’s cock, soft whimpering noises ushered from his long, sleek body.
Without a word, Luc stripped his clothes off before helping Jerrod out of the rest of his.
“Let me get some lube.”
“No!” Jerrod shouted. “Don’t leave me.” The grip on Luc’s arm was desperate, his eyes wild.
“Shh, baby. I just have to grab my pants.” Old habits made him keep packets of lube nearby. Werewolves couldn’t get a disease, so condoms weren’t necessary. The same was said for vampires.
Seeing that Luc wasn’t going anywhere, Jerrod’s body went limp beneath his hands. He knew from their conversations that no one had ever spent time getting to know Jerrod’s body. His vampire’s past lovers took what they wanted with little regard for this sensitive man. After making sure his packet of lube was close, Luc gave Jerrod lingering caresses, letting his hands stroke the vampire while his lips nipped at interesting and tender bits. A bite on the right nipple got a soft scream, a nip at a sensitive part of the hip caused a jerk and lapping at the belly button produced a soft giggle.
Luc swirled his tongue over Jerrod’s impressive cock, encouraging the sweet, sticky pre-cum to bubble to the surface.
“Please, please, please.” The vampire’s chants accompanied the movements of his body trying to get closer to Luc’s touch.
Judging that it was time to stake his claim, he snapped open the lubricant and warmed it between his palms before sliding a finger into his partner’s hole.
“More.”
Luc laughed. “For a submissive, you’re a demanding little thing.” He slid another finger in.
“Please, Master. I’ll do anything, just fuck me.”
“Back or hands and knees.”
Jerrod’s eye lit up. “I get to choose?”
“Choose quickly.”
The vampire bit his lip, little fangs peeking out. “Back. I want to see you when you take me. You’re so beautiful.”
Luc placed his palms beneath Jerrod’s hips lifting him to the perfect angle. Lining himself up, he slid the tip of his cock into a hot, tight paradise. A groan ripped from his chest as he pushed in. Using gentle motions, he got Jerrod to relax his tight ring of muscles until he was fully seated, balls to ass.
Both men moaned.
Luc stayed still until he felt Jerrod try to move him. Smiling, he pumped into the vamp, nailing his prostate over and over again.
Jerrod screamed, struggling to get closer to the sensation. Then without warning, he let it all go. Ropes of warm liquid shot against Luc’s chest, propelling him into orgasm.
When his body stopped shuddering, Luc slipped out of Jerrod’s body and slumped beside him on the floor. “So, do you feel claimed now?”
There was a contented sigh and a sloppy smile spread across Jerrod’s cute face. “Most wonderfully claimed. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Now, let’s go take a shower then you can accept my invitation.”

Hellbourne Blog Story Part 4

Chapter Four

Luc lay in bed savoring the large body wrapped around him. His blood-sucking teddy bear was back. Whether it was because Nikko was a closet snuggler or because he knew Luc needed the physical contact, the fae didn’t know, but the skin-to-skin connection kept him grounded and calm.
He needed calm.
With Luc’s days and nights messed up, he didn’t know if the seven on the alarm clock was morning or evening. Sighing, he carefully eased from beneath Nikko’s clutches.
Now what?
His stomach growled.
Well, that was one thing he could do. Pulling on his shirt and pants—he never bothered with underwear—Luc left the room. For a moment, he felt a tingle from the magical wards, but it passed once he closed the door behind him.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Luc jumped.
Gabriel stood before him, a scowl on his face.
“Aren’t all good little vampires supposed to be asleep?” he asked with his most disarming smile.
The scowl didn’t leave. “Not all vampires sleep through the day. Just most of the ones here do because we run a nightclub.”
Luc was confused. “But doesn’t the sunlight burn you?”
Laughter filled the air. Rather unkindly to Luc’s thinking.
“No. The only reason that rumor exists is because it’s easier to hunt in the dark. Humans only saw us at night while we were hunting because the rest of the time, we look just like them. That’s how it got started that we only come out at night. There’s no reason that consuming blood would have any connection to sunlight.”
Luc felt his face flush. “Now I feel stupid.”
Gabriel wrapped a friendly arm around his shoulders. “That’s okay. You still have your looks to fall back on.”
Luc pinched Gabriel’s side, causing the vamp to jump.
“What’s going on?” Nikko’s sleep creased face glared at the other vampire. “Are you touching my boy?”
Gabriel paled even for a vamp. “No, sir. Well, not the way you mean.”
Nikko pinned Luc with a fierce look. “Didn’t I mention you aren’t to talk to other vamps without my permission?”
Luc laughed. “Nope. I’ll sit at your side, but there’s no way I’m not going to talk to someone if they talk to me first. If that’s part of the deal, I’ll go and find a new home today.” He meant it too. There was no way he was going to be some automaton who didn’t speak unless given permission by his master.
Nikko sighed and ran a hand through his short black hair, making it stand up in messy spikes. “How about a compromise? When it’s just my tribe, you can talk to whoever speaks to you, but when we’re at the club among strangers, you only address people when I give you permission.” The alpha vampire played with a curl on Luc’s shoulder while he waited for his response.
Luc thought about it for a moment. He didn’t really want to give Nikko any problems. He just wanted a bit of peace. If the cost of that calm was sitting quietly beside his master as if he were a good little sub it was a small price to pay, and the necklace was rather spiffy.
Luc nodded. “Fair enough, but if you pet me on the head, I’ll bite you.”
“Deal. Now why are you out here instead of in bed with me?” The look in the alpha’s eyes should’ve set the building on fire.
“I’m starving.” Luc gave a pout guaranteed to get him his way.
“Get my baby some breakfast, Gabe. He’s got other things he needs to do.”
Before Luc could protest, Nikko grabbed him and dragged him back into the room and into his arms.
It was much later before he got his promised meal, but it was difficult to bitch while sporting a wide smile.

Nikko couldn’t remember the last time he was this nervous. As he sat there waiting for his beautiful thrall to dress in the clothes he’d bought, he remembered the scene earlier that afternoon.
The pack beta, Sal, had come into his office accompanied by two of his bodyguards. “I brought this for you.” The werewolf placed a leather-bound book on his desk.
“A present for me?” Nikko couldn’t help the skepticism in his voice.
The beta scowled. “No, it’s for Luc.”
Nikko opened the book. It had to be over two hundred pages. The first page had a handwritten title, ‘The Care and Feeding of Lucifer Hellbourne’. “What kind of sick parent names their child Lucifer with a last name like Hellbourne?”
“You’ll find out,” Sal said before hastily continuing. “It has his food preferences, what to do if he gets the fade, his likes and dislikes and who to call in an emergency.”
Flipping through the pages, Nikko was amazed at the incredible detail that went into creating the book. “You love him, don’t you?”
The beta’s eyes burned with a fierce fire. “If I didn’t know it would upset Luc, I would’ve snapped Bran’s neck in a second for tossing him aside. We’ve only been friends, Luc and I, but I would give him anything.” The werewolf sighed. “However, I’m not what he needs right now. After Bran’s betrayal, the pack no longer means home for Luc and there’s nothing I can do to take that pain away. As it is, our alpha isn’t bonding with his wife.”
“You mean his mate,” Nikko interrupted.
The werewolf shook his head. “I’m pretty sure that Luc is Bran’s mate, which means the alpha will always live a half-life as he pursues his goal of having pups. It weakens the pack, and if he doesn’t do something soon, I’ll have to take over alpha duties.”
“Will you challenge him?”
Sal shook his head. “No, the pack will do an intervention. He can’t be a good leader if his heart is torn. I’m hoping we can get him to step down. Bran’s been our leader for a hundred years. We’d hate to lose him now. But a good leader listens to his wolf half.”
“I’m not giving him back.” Nikko felt it was important to let the beta know up front that he would fight to keep his little fae.
Shrugging, the beta gave him a challenging look. “I’m all for leaving Luc here. Bran has hurt him enough. But keep in mind, the pack will be watching and if you hurt him, I have no problems with snapping your neck.”
The memory of his conversation with the beta wolf made Nikko smile. As a vampire, he was no lover of the wolves but the fact the beta still felt protective of the gentle fae said good things about his little love.
“Well, what do you think?” Luc’s satiny voice cut through Nikko’s thoughts.
He looked up and almost swallowed his tongue. Soft, buttery leather faithfully molded Luc’s thighs, showing that the man couldn’t possibly have anything on underneath his pants. The silk shirt in brilliant blue brought out the fae’s coloring and made his eyes even greener.
“Wow.” Really, what more could be said.
Luc smiled. “Thanks. You look pretty hot too.”
“Why don’t you go ahead to the club and I’ll catch up with you in a minute. I need to meet with my lieutenants before I go down. I’ll send you down with Sheila so you won’t be unprotected, and Jerrod will have a plate ready for you.”

“Sounds good. I feel like dancing.” Luc didn’t even comment about being sent down with a girl for protection. He had the impression that Sheila was much tougher than she looked.
After a hot, bone-melting kiss they parted.
Luc met Sheila at the top of the stairs. “How’s it going, girlfriend,” he teased, batting his eyelashes playfully.
She looked him over carefully, her eyes cool and calculating. Her gaze stopped at his neck. “Did the master give you that collar or did you knock off a museum?”
“Meow,” Luc said with a taunting smile.
Sheila laughed. Linking her arm with his, they walked down the stairs arm in arm. Eyes turned towards them as they reached the landing. “I love walking in with the most beautiful person in the room,” she said with a smile. “Now keep close to me. If I lose you in this crowd, Nikko will slit my throat and drain me dry.”
Luc started to laugh but the expression in the vampire’s eyes told him she wasn’t kidding. “Oh. I’ll be careful to stay close until Nikko arrives. Would you like to dance?”
“I can’t dance,” Sheila said, biting her lip.
“Sure you can. Everyone can dance. Besides if you’re going to live for centuries, you might as well enjoy it.”
See him give life advice.
With a smooth turn of his heels, Luc swept Sheila into his arms and moved her around the dance floor. As he swung her about, he mentally calculated how far she could step in her tight black dress and high heels. Luckily, it was still a little early for the hard partiers so there were pockets of emptiness on the dance floor. With fancy footwork and a little mind influence, he spun Sheila around in an intricate pattern that matched the rhythm in his soul.
Luc didn’t notice other people watching until the music ended and applause thundered through the club.
He held out his arm to Sheila, giving a graceful bow while she gave a short curtsy. She wrapped her hand around his biceps as they walked regally off the dance floor and straight towards the bar.
“Thanks, Luc.” Sheila’s voice was subdued, bringing Luc’s gaze to her.
He sat her down on a bar stool and took the one next to her. “What’s wrong, pretty girl?”
“I had a lot of fun.”
“That’s bad, how?”
Sheila sighed. “Because it’s hard to find a sweet man who dances like a dream and when I do,” she looked up, pinning him with her blue eyes, “they’re already taken. And even if you weren’t, I wouldn’t appeal to you.”
Luc gave her an understanding smile. “Don’t fall for me, beautiful. I’m all about heartache.” He motioned for two beers from the bartender who promptly placed them on the bar and waved away the money Luc offered.
“The boss would kill me if I charged you,” he said with a wink before moving on to serve another.
Sipping on their beers, the pair watched the crowds move about the dance floor. After a while, Luc noticed a few vamps sliding through a doorway in the back.
“Where does that go?” he asked, pointing at the quickly exiting vamps.
Sheila looked where he pointed. “Oh, back there are rooms for private parties.”
“Yeah, what kind of parties?”
He looked over to see Sheila blushing. Wow, he didn’t know vampires could blush. “Ooooo sex parties?”
She shrugged and Luc could see she was trying to regain her nonchalance. “Sometimes. Sometimes blood parties.”
A tremor snapped across Luc’s senses. Pain, someone was in a tremendous amount of pain. As a prince of hell, Luc could always sense when someone else was suffering. His brothers used the talent to savor the screams of the ones they tortured. Luc always used it to find and help others.
He could feel the pain emanating from the back where Sheila said the private rooms were located. “Be right back,” he said with what he hoped was a charming smile.
Sliding off his stool, he took one step from the bar before Sheila’s hand wrapped around his arm. “No, you don’t. If I lose you, the master will be angry with me.”
Luc shrugged, knowing he wasn’t going to get away from her any time soon. “Then come along.”
They walked through the crowds, avoiding the mass of bodies in their trek to the darkened doorway. Once they passed through the entryway, the quiet was so intense Luc thought he’d gone deaf. Magic filled the air, but he could still feel the screams in his mind. Someone was suffering.
Someone he knew.
A long dark hallway spread before them with doors on both sides.
“The rooms are soundproofed for added privacy,” Sheila whispered as if not wanting to disturb the unnatural quiet.
Even the feel of the air was different here. Instead of the honest odor of heat and sweaty bodies whipped about by overhead fans, the air was still, almost hushed with absolutely no scent. It was like walking into a bubble, the entire area purged of sensation.
Luc pulled Sheila behind him. If she insisted on going with him, she wasn’t going to go first and there wasn’t room for them to walk side by side.
As they passed each door, Luc held up his hand, sensing the occupants hidden inside.
The third door was the one. He could feel the pain rumbling through his bones.
Sheila grabbed his wrist as he reached over to open it. “No.”
Luc turned to look at her. “What do you mean, no?”
“I mean, I know the guy who rented this room and he’s an old vampire, deadly. You don’t want to mess with this guy.”
“On the contrary, my dear,” Luc replied with a smile. “He doesn’t want to mess with me.”
As he opened the door, the first thing that hit him was the smell of blood. It soaked the air like a thick, wet fog trying to seep into his skin. The lights in the room were so dim Luc had to blink a few times for his eyes to adjust. It was a bigger room than he’d expected, and the lack of light made it difficult to see.
There was a cracking sound followed by a scream of pain.
Turning towards the sound, Luc was amazed to see vampires filled the room. They draped across couches, chairs and even on the floor—more vamps than he thought belonged solely to Nikko’s tribe. All eyes were turned towards the ceiling.
Luc’s heart leapt to his throat. From his vantage point he could see a skinny, naked male dangling from manacles in the ceiling, while a tall, muscular vampire stood with a bullwhip slashing away at the pitiful creature.
The mental feel of a room full of vampires washed over Luc like a cool wave, but over the slightly metallic feel of the vampires, was the scream of piercing pain from the body in the center of the room. Cuts slashed the pale skin, traversing the entire body in bloody lines like a horrible street map of torture. It took him a moment to realize that the bloody mess was his favorite cute blond waiter with the puppy dog eyes. Jerrod.
That asshole was whipping his waiter.
None of the vamps standing around were doing one damned thing. They all wore varying expressions of disgust, horror or plain fucking indifference.
Luc used the voice of authority he’d learned from his father. “What’s going on here?”
The vampire with the whip snapped his head around, baring his fangs. “Stay out of this thrall or you’ll be under my whip next.” The vampire’s voice was breathy, and his face had that skinny skull-like definition, like someone who hadn’t seen a good plate of food since the dawn of time.
So, not attractive.
If Luc wasn’t so pissed, it probably would’ve been frightening, but he was beyond angry. He’d lost his home, his former lover and now this fucker with a whip was harming his waiter.
Righteous anger shot through Luc’s body, causing hellfire to crackle through his veins, burning his bones from the inside out.
The vampire continued to ignore him confident Luc was frightened away. Pulling back his whip, the sadistic bastard wound his arm up for another slash. Without conscious thought, Luc shifted through time and space to appear behind the whip wielder.
Taking advantage of the vampire’s distraction, Luc grabbed the vamp’s whipping arm at the wrist. Using all his weight, Luc bent back the vamp’s arm and snapped it. The sound ricocheted in the room as the vampire screamed with pain.
“I’ll kill you,” the vamp shrieked.
Luc laughed. A sound that was scarily reminiscent of his father’s laughter.
He couldn’t be killed.
Beaten, yes.
Tortured, yes.
But not killed.
“Good luck with that, buddy.”
Unimpressed by the vampire’s struggles to be free, Luc did the only thing that would keep this asshole dead. With a soft whisper, he let the hellfire burning through his body free. In his peripheral vision, he could see the runes glowing red on his arms. Releasing the vampire’s arm, Luc gripped the sadist’s head with both hands and freed the flame rushing through his body, sending hellfire straight through the vampire’s skull.
Screaming, the vamp wrenched out of Luc’s grip and dropped to the floor with a thud. Burning alive, his inhuman cries filled the room. Within moments, the corpse disintegrated into a pile of grey ash.
Did bad vampires go down to his father or were their souls lost during conversion? A question to answer another day.
Looking up, he saw that there was finally some emotion on the onlookers’ faces. Complete and total horror.
Served the fuckers right.
The dangling boy let out a whimper, drawing Luc’s attention away from the others. “Hey, hey, it’s all right, sugar. Shh.” Jerrod was making low frightened sounds like an animal in pain.
Anger towards Nikkolai burned through him. How could the master vampire let this happen in his club? This was not the sort of man Luc was looking for as a life mate.
Not to mention his life was a fucking long time.
With a snap of his wrist, the cuffs crumpled, releasing the waiter into his arms. Carefully, he lowered the kid to the floor, mindful of his wounds.
Luc crouched in front of the injured vamp, making soothing nonsense noises. Using both hands, he scraped the hair back from the face to get a good look at the waiter.
Wow, beautiful.
Frightened. Big blue eyes filled with tears.
“Shh. Shh.” Luc ran a hand down Jerrod’s head in a soothing gesture he’d learned while living with the weres. “It’s okay, honey. I’ve got you.”
“T-thank you, L-Luc,” the damaged vamp said in a sad, shaky voice while tears dripped down his blood-soaked cheeks.
“It’ll be all right. I want you to stay still. I’m going to heal you now. I’m not very good at this, so don’t move.”
“Luc, what are you doing?” Sheila asked behind him. Her voice held a tremor of fear that wasn’t there a moment ago. Maybe burning vamps alive in a nightclub wasn’t the best way to make a good impression.
“Make yourself useful, honey, and find the kid some clothes.”
Sheila snorted. “The kid’s much older than you are.”
“Well, then get some clothes for the old man. Just go.”
Sheila went while Jerrod gave a soft laugh. “Old man?”
“She left, didn’t she? Now stay still. I’m going to move a little healing energy through you to encourage your speedy recovery.”
Jerrod tried to be still, but Luc could still see small uncontrollable tremors shaking his skin. Obviously, someone used to taking orders.
Luc had dealt with the pack omega before, so he knew all about submissives. If the whipper had been this kid’s master, Luc was going to make sure he got a better one the next time around. He didn’t care if he had to fucking interview them himself.
He was so going to kick Nikko’s ass.
“Heal,” Luc said, his voice not much louder than a whisper. He felt golden seraphim magic pour out of his fingertips. While he might be the devil’s son, his soul wasn’t damned, and he could still call upon the magic of the angels. Wherever his magic glowed, the boy healed instantly, whip marks sealing in a flash of power.
The look of wonder in the boy’s face made Luc question whether anyone had ever sent Jerrod to a healer before.
Seeing the boy start to shake harder, Luc wrapped up the healing, unbuttoned his shirt, pulled it off and settled it around the blond’s shoulders. It didn’t really cover much, but it stopped the worst of the tremors. The vampire was more in shock than injured at this point.
Pulling Jerrod onto his lap, Luc treated him as if he were a frightened pack member, with long soothing strokes along the head and back.
Until fire shot through his right hand, stinging like a burning brand.
“Shit,” Luc screamed. Flipping over his hand, he saw there was now an imprint of a pair of golden wings glowing in his palm. “What in the ten hells is this?”
Jerrod’s face took on a look of wonder and for the second time that night the smell of burning flesh filled the air. Sliding off Luc’s shirt, the waiter exposed his upper arm to him. A perfect set of wings was branded there. A beauteous smile crossed Jerrod’s lips. “I belong to you now.”
“What?” Luc jumped up, unceremoniously dumping the vampire on the floor.
Tears filled those sad blue eyes. “D-d-don’t you want me?”
Torn with indecision, but not wanting to hurt the vamp further, Luc sat back down and cradled the waiter “It’s okay. We’ll figure this out. Just stay calm.”
It was good advice. He just hoped he could follow it. Being responsible for another person wasn’t on his list of things he wanted to do. He’d have to figure out how to transfer Jerrod to someone else—preferably a vampire who didn’t enjoy whipping him for fun.
Sheila returned with a stack of clothing. “We usually have stuff on hand for when things get a little rough. These should fit him.”
Snapping out of his reverie, Luc helped the other man to his feet.
With the supernatural grace of a vampire, Jerrod dressed quickly.
“Where do you live?” Luc asked the vamp once he was clothed.
Jerrod’s face fell and Luc could sense tears in his voice. “I was living with Mal.”
Luc took from his expression that Mal was the guy he dusted.
Oops.
“Hey, don’t worry, sweet.” He rubbed a hand across Jerrod’s back. “We’ll find you another place to stay. Maybe you can stay with Nikko. It’s the least he can do.”
“What’s the least I can do, darling?” Nikko’s smooth baritone rubbed across his senses like warm cream.
Despite his anger at the vampire, Nikko’s voice still sent shivers of need down his spine as memories of their night together flashed through his head like a high definition porn video.
Jerrod shook beneath Luc’s hand, snapping Luc out of his thoughts and reminding him how angry he was with the master vampire.
“I came downstairs and found your club room rented by a fuckin’ psychopath who was whipping your waiter. And not one of your vampires did a thing to stop it.”
Nikko’s eyes swept the crowd. “Is this true?”
A red-haired vamp came forward. “Yes, Master, but it was Mal. He would’ve killed us, and since it was his boy, he was within his rights.”
“Fuck rights,” Luc screamed. “How about decency?”
Nikko held up his hand. “Calm down, Luc. You’re new to the vampire society so you don’t know all the rules. It’s illegal to interfere with a vampire and his people. To do so is to invite a duel to the death and Mal’s one of the strongest vampires in the state. Where’s Mal now?” Nikko’s gaze swept the crowd.
Luc tried his best to look innocent.
The redhead cleared her throat. “Your boy killed him.”
Nikko laughed. “No, really, what happened?”
The vampires just looked at each other. They weren’t prepared for complete denial.
Luc decided distraction was the way to go. “Nikko, I am very angry with you.”
“Angry with me? What did I do? Even if I was here, there wouldn’t be much I could do if Mal was disciplining his boy.”
“He wasn’t disciplining,” Luc argued. “He was torturing.”
Nikko shrugged. “He looks all right to me.”
Luc stared at the vamp. He could feel the vein throbbing in his forehead. He wondered idly if his head could be seen from space, exploding like one of those cartoon mushroom clouds.
“Jerrod was almost beaten to death in your own club, a man who works for you, and you don’t even ask how he is doing?”
“He’s doing fine,” Nikko said, flashing a fang at the other younger vampire, “or he wouldn’t be standing there touching you.”
For the first time, Luc noticed a tentative hand rubbing his back in soothing circles. He tilted his head and Jerrod gave him a shy smile.
He could get to enjoy this treatment.
What he couldn’t stand was a man who’d let someone be injured under his roof and do nothing about it. He could tell by Nikko’s behavior that even if he’d witnessed the scene, he still wouldn’t have interfered.
“Look, Nikko. I like you a lot. I think you’re really hot.” Nikko had a wide smile on his face. “But I can’t date a guy who allows people into his club that will abuse others just for their enjoyment. There are some things even I won’t be privy to. For now just stay away.”
Luc turned to the waiter. “Coming Jerrod?”
The boy nodded. “Your will is my will, Master.”
“Master?” Nikko asked.
Luc held his hand palm out. “Yeah, apparently I’ve adopted a vampire.” He turned and walked towards the door with Jerrod close on his heels.
Nikko called after him. “Luc, my love.”
Luc stopped and looked back.
“Where are you going?”
He shrugged. “I guess it’s time I stood on my own two feet.” He walked back and started to remove his necklace.
“Keep it,” Nikko said with a sad smile. “You’ll be back.”
Luc took a deep breath to loosen the knot forming in his chest. Really, how many men could he break up within a week? “Don’t count on it. I’ve decided to give up on having a big strong man take care of me.”
Nikko smirked. “You’ll have to come back eventually to learn how to be a vampire master.”
“I can’t be a vampire master. I’m not a vampire.”
“You just keep telling yourself that. Come to me when you decide you want to learn the truth.”
Luc frowned at Nikko. “We’ll be fine.”
Maybe he could find a Caring for Vampires for Dummies book.
He was out the door before he realized he didn’t have his cell phone or his guitar with him. Luc sighed and continued walking down the street with his vampiric sidekick.
At least he still had his wallet.
“Tomorrow, I’m sending you back for my stuff,” he told Jerrod. “Tonight, we’ll find a hotel room until we can rent a place.”
“Yes, Master,” was Jerrod’s gentle reply. The kid wasn’t a chatterbox that was for sure.
Luc spotted the wolf detach from the shadows then follow them down the street. Let him follow. He still wasn’t going to forgive his ex-lover for his betrayal no matter how much he stalked him.

Hellbourne Blog Story Part 3

Chapter Three

Nikko woke to the most delicious scent filling his nose. Nuzzling in closer he sought to wrap himself around the smell. Warm flesh met his lips and a soft giggle vibrated the skin beneath him.
Oh, the little fae. The sweet, sweet boy with the broken heart and the most powerful blood he’d ever tasted. Energy still zinged through his body from the little sip he’d taken the night before. Remembering the taste, his mouth watered, and his fangs slid forward, eager for another burst of intoxicating flavour.
“Good evening, beautiful,” he murmured, wallowing in the feel of the slender man wrapped in his arms. Skin slid against skin as he found a smooth thigh to rub against. He nipped Luc’s shoulder with his fangs, lapping at the streak of blood oozing from the small wound.
“Oh, yeah. Right there,” the lyrical voice whispered as the sleek fae rubbed against him.
Need surged through Nikko like a tidal wave. Wanting to have his lover come with him, the vampire wrapped his hand around both of them, pumping them in concert.
It didn’t take long before he felt wet streams shoot against his stomach. The feel of Luc’s release pulled Nikko into an orgasm, sparkles lighting behind his eyes.
“Wow,” Nikko said, giving an awkward pat to Luc’s smooth, silky back. He waved a hand and magically dissolved the mess between them before wrapping them back up in their cocoon of blankets.
“That’s a great talent to have,” Luc’s voice was filled with admiration. Nikko couldn’t help preening a little inside even as he lapped at the sexy man’s neck. His voice became heavy. “I’m tired.”
“Go back to sleep, beautiful. We’ll get up in a little while.” He wrapped his entire body around the smaller man, instinct driving him to want to keep the fae safe, purposely ignoring the little voice whispering that this was the first lover he hadn’t kicked out of his bed right after sex.
In his mind he envisioned the collar he would put on his pretty, pretty lover. He waited until Luc’s breathing was slow and easy before he slid out of the bed in slow, easy movements, careful to not wake his companion.
Nikko dressed and removed the wards covering the door, resetting them once he was on the other side. Nothing would get to his fae while he slept.
Gabriel stood guard in the hall outside their room with a gleam in his eyes, flashing a bit of fang. “How’s it going boss?” he asked with a smirk. “I hear you found yourself a pretty boy to play with.”
“Bring me that gold collar in the showcase,” Nikko said, ignoring his lieutenant’s words.
Gabriel lost his smile. “You’ve only had him for a few hours. How much could you know about him?” he protested.
“I know that if you don’t bring me that collar, I’m going to lose my temper,” Nikko growled. He watched with satisfaction as the other vampire fled down the hallway. The need to return to the sleeping fae tugged at him like an aching tooth.
“Here, Master.” Gabriel bowed, presenting the thin red leather box formally.
Nikko must have sounded firmer than he thought if he was getting the full treatment.
Popping open the latch, he lifted the lid of the box and admired the sparkling rubies nestled in squares of pure gold. Each one-inch link of gold was antique and tempered with age. The elaborate piece looked as if it were something royalty might have worn in a bygone time.
To Nikko, it was perfection for his gorgeous lover.
“Master.” Gabriel kneeled, his auburn head bowing before Nikko. “Please don’t do this. You don’t need a thrall. I can get you any number of young men.”
“Gabe,” Nikko interrupted. “Have you seen my lover?” It was inconceivable to the master vampire that anyone could meet Luc and not understand his new obsession.
His lieutenant looked up with puzzled eyes. “No. But I was told he came here just last night.”
“Ah, come with me.”
He de-spelled the door and went through, guiding Gabriel to the bed. Nothing was visible but a still lump beneath the covers. “Luc, my sweet,” he said in a low voice. “Wake up and greet Gabriel, my second in command. He’ll be in charge of you whenever I’m away.”
There was a rustle of the sheets then a head of brilliantly coloured blond-gold hair appeared followed by a perfectly formed face. Silver-backed emerald eyes blinked blearily at him.
“What’s up?” Luc asked in a sleep-roughened voice.
“Wow.” He heard Gabe whisper behind him.
Nikko couldn’t hide his proud smile. Yeah, he was riding a lucky star when he ran into this beauty.
He saw the moment Luc’s eyes focussed. He got a sweet smile that extended to his lieutenant.
“Nice to meet you,” his sweet boy said with a tentative smile before sliding out of bed and slipping into his clothes.
Nikko wasn’t surprised to see his new lover had no sense of modesty. If you were flawlessly beautiful, there was no need to be ashamed of exposing yourself to others.
He could smell the hormone level rise in the other vamp.
“Mine,” he growled, flashing his fangs.
“But he’s so glorious,” Gabriel murmured in a low voice. “I don’t even like men and I’d sell my soul to be his lover. What does he taste like?” His voice was wistful like a child seeing a new toy he yearned to have.
“Nirvana,” Nikko said before walking away from the other vamp and stepping closer to his lover. “I brought your collar.”

Luc slipped on his shirt but didn’t fasten it since most of the buttons were still scattered about the floor. He glanced at the pretty vampire that accompanied Nikko, but when the other vamp didn’t come closer, he turned his attention to his new lover.
Damn, but the man was adorable. Who knew a master vampire could look shy?
He flashed Nikko a reassuring smile.
Nikko dropped the box. It fell on the plush carpet with a soft thud.
Luc leant over and picked up the jewel box, opening it to find a stunning necklace inside. Ooh, pretty. The sparkles in the gems glowed with the inner fire of fine quality gems.
“Put it on me.” He thrust it at the vampire with eager hands. The fae part of him adored the sparkly while the part of him that was the devil’s son coveted the value of the gems.
Nikko’s large hands looked even larger as they fumbled with the necklace. The cool stones felt chilly against Luc’s warm skin, but quickly warmed with his body heat. The weight was reassuring instead of suffocating, giving him the impression of being cherished instead of owned.
“When you mentioned a collar, I was thinking something shoddy and leather,” Luc admitted.
The vampire gave him a quick kiss before stepping away to admire his neck. “Beautiful, just like you, my sweet fae.”
Luc gave Gabriel a quick look. The other vamp was gorgeous, but he just didn’t have the same appeal as the master. Why did he always have to fall for the mega-alpha?
A banging on the bedroom door caught their attention.
“Enter,” Nikko shouted.
The pretty waiter from last night rushed into the room. He stopped before them, bowing low to Nikko before speaking. “There’s an enormous wolf outside trying to tear down the door.”
“Bran,” Luc said without thinking.
Nikko gave him a narrowed look. “Is there a reason you know this?”
“Yep. I would bet my pretty new collar that my ex-lover is at your door.”
Fuck, Sal. Luc was going to have some fun. After all, the only thing more fun than meeting your old lover with your new one, is to do it while wearing a shiny ruby collar.
He’d teach that dumping bastard.
Luc pulled his cell phone from his pocket, pressing and holding the one key to activate speed dial.
It rang a few times.
“Talk to me,” Sal’s voice came across the line.
“Your missing wolf is here,” Luc said. He cut the connection, not wasting time on further conversation. He looked up to see all three vamps staring at him as if he were a new, interesting species they’d just encountered.
With a sweet smile to all, he walked past them and sashayed out the door.
Luc could hear a banging noise as they reached the lower levels of the club.
Slam.
The doors groaned with the impact; the sound of shattering wood rose from the room below. Bran must’ve smashed the doorframe. A wolf’s cry pierced the air.
He knew that howl. The hair on the back of Luc’s neck rose at the sound.
Bran was in the building.
The master vampire came up next to him on the catwalk. They both looked down into the club. It was too early for a big crowd, but the vampire bouncers were leading a few club babies out the door at record speeds. By the glazed look in the humans’ eyes, Luc knew they wouldn’t remember leaving.
Vamps lined the walls, keeping away from the growling wolf prowling the room. In a contest between a wolf the size of a small pony and a vampire, Luc would put money on the animal. He’d seen how wolves fight and nothing comes between a wolf and his target.
“Bran, stop it,” Luc shouted down.
The huge animal sat on its haunches and lifted its head towards the sound of his voice.
“Let me guess, your last boyfriend was the alpha of the Evergreen Pack?”
Luc shrugged. “What can I say, I like alphas.”
Nikko growled as he descended the stairs, pulling Luc behind him.
Luc could feel the tension pulsing through the air, squeezing the oxygen out of the room. Stubbornly, he stepped to the side of Nikko, letting the wolf see him.
“What do you want, Bran?” he asked, more than a little proud that his voice didn’t shake under the baleful gold gaze.
There was a shimmer in the air. When it cleared, a man stood where the wolf had been. The Evergreen alpha had smooth mocha skin, lush black hair and the same gold eyes in either form. Bran stepped forward fully clothed, his eyes fixated on Luc’s slim form.
“I’ve come for my mate,” he said in a deep, sexy voice. The same voice that used to whisper sweet words of love to Luc in the darkness of the night.
Luc ruthlessly stamped down the memories as he looked at the handsome wolf. “I’m sorry to hear you lost her already.”
They stared at each other—two strong men neither willing to look away.
“Why is it that you have clothing when you shift?” Nikko asked.
“It was a gift from Luc,” Sal’s familiar voice rang out. “He wanted to keep us safe when we shifted.”
Luc looked past the alpha wolf and saw that besides the beta a few other members of the pack had arrived.
“And out of jail,” another voice spoke up.
A few laughs went through the group, an old joke shattering the tension. Luc felt the sweet pull of a shared memory. How he missed his friends.
“I love you, Luc. Come back to me.”
The words were perfect, but the tension in Luc’s chest told him there was more to it than the perfect words. “Why?”
Bran’s handsome face crinkled in confusion. “Why, what?”
“He means. Why should he go back to you instead of having his new man suck you dry and throw your corpse into the river?” Nikko’s arm came around Luc’s shoulder, his embrace strong and protective. The vampire’s long fingers slid across Luc’s neck, drawing attention to his new jewellery. “Besides,” Nikko said, tucking a finger beneath the collar, “I’ve already claimed him.”
“Claimed? You claimed my man?” Bran’s eyes shifted, gold eyes turning a burnt orange. Feral. His hands shifted into claws.
Luc slid to the side in one graceful movement as Bran leapt at Nikko, claws extended. The pair spun, slashing at each other. Hopping onto the nearest table, Luc settled into a comfortable position, crossing his legs, he watched the alpha wolf and the alpha vamp try to tear each other apart.
He should stop them.
Soon.
Oooh, beer.
Sipping the rich brew, he watched Bran take a bite of Nikko’s right leg. The vampire got even by sinking his fangs into the wolf’s side.
Ouch, that had to hurt.
“Aren’t you going to stop them?” Luc recognised Sheila from the night before.
He shrugged. “Why?”
“Because they’re fighting over you,” she said, her eyes hard and accusing.
Luc smirked. “They aren’t fighting over me. They’re fighting over who has the bigger balls.”
“You could settle that too,” she smirked, jumping up to sit on the table beside him.
“Yep.” Luc swigged another sip of beer.
A chair flew over their heads, crashing into the opposite wall. “Nice throw,” he yelled to the pair.
“It’s like you can’t help yourself,” Sheila said, laughing.
“Naw.” He took another sip. “More like I don’t bother to try.”
Clinking their beer glasses together, they watched the fight.
It ended when Bran took full wolf form and the alphas separated to flash fangs at each other.
“Very impressive boys,” Luc said, clapping. “Are you finished yet?”
Two pissed off alpha males turned to glare at him. Bran shifted back to human.
“Oh, you like to live dangerously.” Sheila giggled beside him.
Weres and vamps filled the room, each group surrounding their respective alpha.
“What are you doing here, Bran?”
“You’re my mate. Where else would I be?”
Luc stood up on the table. “Fuck you. Maybe you should be at home with your new wife. You know, the bitch you dumped me for.” Fury rode him hot and hard, power surging through him like lightning. He could feel the burn as symbols on his face and arms glowed red with the strength of his anger.
Every wolf in the place took one step back. Every vampire froze.
Sal, stepped forward blocking Bran from Luc’s view. “Easy, Luc.”
“Don’t you easy me, Salvador. I left the pack so that there wouldn’t be any problems. Why are you all here? Why can’t you leave me the hell alone? Haven’t I given up enough?” Anger drained from Luc as quickly as it had come, the symbols on his skin blinking out like burnt light bulbs.
Bran stepped around his beta, lifted Luc off the table and into his arms. “Don’t do this to us, pretty.”
For a moment, memories flooded Luc’s mind. Years of breakfast in bed and twilight walks, discussing pack issues and politics. Birthdays and holidays celebrated with the pack like a big happy family. Sweet memories quickly drowned out by fresher ones of his former lover courting an entire cadre of bitches in heat.
“I didn’t do this to us, you did.”
Bran released him and stepped away; his face tight with anger. “You think this vampire can replace me? What happens when you start to fade because you aren’t getting enough physical contact? Last time I checked vamps weren’t big on collective touching. He’s a master vampire he’ll turn on you in the end. Vamps can’t be trusted.”
Luc closed his eyes, turning his face away from his former lover. “Neither can a man who promises me love then marries another.” He tried to sound strong but even to his own ears he sounded more broken than anything.
A muscular arm wrapped around him. Luc recognised the feral smell of the beta and the feel of the other man’s strong chest at his back. “Come on, Luc. Let me take you to your room.”
Luc nodded. “Okay.” He’d had enough drama for one night. Anymore and someone would have to die.
Letting the other man lead him away, Luc was careful not to look at either of his lovers as he left. No one tried to stop them as they went to Nikko’s rooms.
Sal broke their silence at the door. “I know even after all this time you still don’t understand everything about weres, but vampires are even more dangerous.” He stroked Luc’s hair like he was petting one of the wolves. The motion was automatic and soothing. “Despite what you might think, Bran loves you and his wolf is hurting because he yearns for his mate. The human part of him may want children, but I don’t know if his wolf will ever be able to take another. Be patient. He’s hurting right now but he’ll come to his senses soon enough.”
“So, what do you want me to do? Wait around while he fucks every female on the planet? I’m not going to go through that over and over while he makes up his mind. This is my life too, and he made it more than clear that I no longer had a part in his. He might want to share that information with his wolf.”
Sal pulled Luc close and kissed him on the top of his head, a familiar, loving gesture that brought tears to Luc’s eyes. “Just don’t give up on the whole pack, baby. Some of us still want you in our lives. Some of us still need you.”
The last part, whispered against his hair, was so quiet Luc might have imagined it. He kissed Sal on both cheeks as they separated.
“Take care of him, Sal,” he said, meeting the beta’s eyes. “He’s not perfect but he is your alpha.”
“I know.” Sal gave him a sad smile as he turned to leave. “I know.”
The soft click of the door closing sounded final to Luc’s ears.

* * * *

Luc tried to stay awake. He desperately wanted to know what happened downstairs, but the events of the day had drained him. Despite his best intentions, he was drifting towards sleep when the slam of the bedroom door jerked him awake. He blinked blearily at his lover. “What’s up?”
“I am.” Nikko’s lips crashed down on his. “I don’t care if he has a prior claim. I’m not letting you go.”
Luc broke away from the kiss to get back some of the oxygen Nikko sucked out of his lungs. “I didn’t ask you to. I won’t have sex with a married man. I may be pitiful, but I’m not desperate.”
“I don’t think he’s really married.” Nikko stroked Luc’s face. “The beta told me the mating isn’t official since the pair didn’t have sex.”
“It’s official enough,” Luc said, hearing the bitterness in his own voice. Seeking to distract the vamp, he undressed his lover and pounced.
The sex was wild and rough. Afterwards, both men were panting and sweat-soaked.
“Now that he knows where you are it’s better to stay here. He won’t hunt you as a wolf if he senses a larger predator.”
Luc nodded. He didn’t bother to tell the pushy vampire he could take care of himself.
A man needed his secrets.
Besides, he wasn’t feeling up to house shopping right now. He just wanted to take things easy for a while and coast on nights of hot sex and partying. Was that too much to ask?

Hellbourne Blog Story 2

Chapter Two

The size of the man might intimidate most people. Nothing intimidated Luc. When the devil raised you, no one else was evil enough to fear.
He used his most wheedling tone and tried for an innocent look. “But Nikko-baby said if I wasn’t there in ten minutes, he was going to be very angry with me.” Sometimes it was fun to make crap up. Luc added a little fear in his voice just for kicks.
“Master Nikkolai said that?” the guard’s voice trembled.
Wow, you could really see the whites of the guy’s eyes.
“Yep. But I could tell him that you just didn’t want to break protocol.” Luc let that statement hang in the air for a moment. “I mean surely he’ll understand. He’s good that way.” Now he was just messing with the guy to watch him sweat.
He took another sip of his beer waiting to see what the vamp guard would do.
The vampire stepped to one side. “He’s in the lounge, second door on your left.”
“Thank you.” Luc placed a soft kiss on the man’s cheek in way of apology, pleased when the guard’s heart skipped a beat.
It was nice to know that he still had it, and if Luc’s path up the stairs was a little wobbly as he drank his beer, well, there wasn’t any audience. How many beers did that make, three, four, hmm, maybe six…whatever.
He stopped at the top of the stairs; the door the man had indicated pulsed lightly with power.
Taking a last sip of his beer, Luc opened the door and walked through to another world. A large room, with a plush black carpet—probably hid blood stains quite well—and red and black décor spread before him. It was almost as big as the dance floor below, but instead of crowds of goth dancers and hard wooden seats, this room was littered with comfy upholstered chairs, couches and people draped across them. Women, men, some vampires, some food, all dressed in fancy almost-there wear.
“Anyone have another beer?” Luc asked, waving his glass in the air.
For a moment the room fell into absolute silence, all eyes on him. He suppressed a giggle, but it was a challenge.
A low velvety purr came from the far corner. “Sheila, get the beautiful man a beer.”
Bingo.
Luc turned in the direction of the voice.
Mmmm.
He gave a cursory look at the two scantily clad women draped on either side of Nikkolai, as if they were matching accessories, and felt a flash of fire burn in his belly.
“Go,” he snapped.
The women jumped up and ran for the door.
Oops, maybe he put a little too much nudge into that command.
Nikkolai laughed. “Baby, you’re a fierce little fae.”
“Here’s your beer.” The sultry blonde, Nikko called Sheila, approached in a skimpy black dress and handed him a glass of dark beer with a come-hither smile, while taking the empty one out of his hand.
“Thanks, darlin’.” He smiled back at her, sliding a friendly hand down her arm as he accepted the drink. After all he didn’t hate women, he just didn’t want one in his bed.
A growl came from the corner.
Luc hid his smile as he took a sip.
Someone was a little jealous.
Luc walked over to Nikko and straddled the vampire’s lap by placing one knee on either side of the deliciously broad body. Tilting his beer, he took a nice long drink, taunting the vamp with a clear view of his neck. He swallowed the beer, licking his lips to remove the foam he could feel bubbling against his upper lip.
“Hi, sugar, I’m here just as you requested.”
Lust burned in Nikkolai’s eyes like twin flames. Two huge hands curved around Luc’s ass, holding him firmly in place. “You listen well, little fae.”
“Master Nikkolai, can I get you something?” Sheila spoke to Nikkolai, but Luc could feel her eyes on the back of his head.
Master? Why did he always go for the alphas? “Master vampire?”
Nikkolai nodded.
Luc tried to stand up, but those strong hands held him fast.
“Going somewhere?” Nikko’s tone implied yes wasn’t the proper answer.
He decided to try honesty. “Look, I don’t mind you being a vampire, but a vampire master is a little more than I’m willing to cope with right now. I’ve had enough alpha types to last me a while.”
“Deal,” said Nikkolai before possessing Luc’s lips in a take-no-prisoners kiss.
Heat. Delicous. It poured through him like an inferno, burning away some of his liquor-induced haze. Luc couldn’t stop the moan that rolled through his chest even if he’d wanted to. He could feel his will melting beneath the passionate fire of Nikko’s touch.
Reluctantly, he broke away to get oxygen. “Fine, but only for one night.”
Luc could claim drunkenness in the morning. One night could be excused. Two nights was just stupidity. No way was he getting involved with another alpha male who would break his heart. On the plus side, vampires couldn’t have babies, so he wouldn’t be dumped for some werebitch.
“Let’s go to my room,” Nikko growled, breaking into Luc’s beer-slushed thoughts.
He slid off of the vampire and watched that long, long body stand.
Oh, yeah.

Luc allowed the vamp to lead him out of the room to a stairway at the opposite end of the hall where a huge guard stood blocking access.
Wow, what did they feed these guys? They must be on super blood or something. Maybe they had a vampire cloning machine in the back that created six-foot-five blood-sucking clones by the dozen.
In addition to being huge, the guard had mahogany hair and melting brown eyes.
Totally his type.
He must have made some noise because his new buddy gave him a glare. “He’s not for you,” Nikko growled.
Luc returned the vamp’s glare with an innocent look. “Of course not, I’m obviously busy.”
At least tonight. Tomorrow, who knew?
The guard gave him a wink as they passed.
Luc let the large, alpha vamp drag him upstairs. After all, he really only wanted a nice quiet space to check out Mr. Sex-on-two-legs. Curiosity was his downfall. His father always told him it was one of his sins. Luc hoped to work on a few of the other sins tonight, starting on lust. Maybe moving through greed, gluttony and ending in sloth.
Yep, it was important for a man to have goals.
That fine ass kept moving up the stairs. Luc followed, mesmerised by the strong muscles flexing before his eyes. A smile flashed over Nikko’s shoulder told him the vampire knew the impact of that ass.
They passed a few other people, but Nikko didn’t greet them, acknowledge them or step around them as they scattered.
Wow, the vampire master had worse manners then the wolves.
Oddly, that was a turn on.
Before he knew it, there were no more people, no more music, nothing but the two of them as Nikkolai pulled him into a dark room, slamming the door behind them. It closed with a solid thud. Luc watched the vampire whisper a few words over the lock, sealing them in.
This wouldn’t be a room easily escaped.
Well, for most people.
Luckily, Luc wasn’t most people. He could conjure a portal in his sleep and if there was a mirror it was even easier.
Shoving him against the wall, Nikkolai lifted both of Luc’s wrists above his head, stretching his body until he was pressed between the hard wall and the harder vampire. Heat from Nikkolai poured into him searing away the chill in his soul.
“I always thought vampires were cold,” Luc said, the words escaping his mouth as he soaked in the heat from the body pressed against his own.
Nikko’s forehead crinkled in thought. “Why?”
Luc shrugged or tried to since he couldn’t wiggle that much. “In books and movies vampires are always cool. You feel hot to me.”
The vampire laughed, a bit of fang peeking through his lips. “Honey, we feed on warm blood why in the hell would we be cold?” Nikko shook his head at his nonsense and kissed him. Luc could almost taste the vampire’s smile.
“Mine,” Nikkolai growled when he let Luc up for air.
Oooh, possessive.
Luc’s toes, barely touching the floor, curled with pleasure as he gave himself up to the other man’s will. He loved strong and commanding in his lovers because outside of the bedroom, life was so much damn work.
He leant into the next kiss and let Nikko overwhelm him. The man’s body was firm and hard against his. Rubbing his body against Luc’s erection, the vampire gave him just the right amount of friction to send sparks throughout his body and shivers up his spine.
Delicious.
They weren’t going to make it to the bed was Luc’s thought right before he was thrown through the air, a hungry growl rising from Nikko’s throat. He landed on a soft surface with a gentle bounce barely registering the luxurious comfort before two large hands descended and started ripping off his clothing. The sound of threads snapping told him he might not have all his buttons anymore, but Luc couldn’t find the will to care.
Once they were both naked, Nikkolai stood at the bottom of the bed and stared, his eyes glowing in the dim light.
“Come here, Nikko.” Luc held out his hand to encourage the other man closer.
And was devoured.
Nikko’s huge muscled body slid beside him, shadowing Luc with his tall form. Before he could catch his breath, one calloused hand grabbed his prick, pumping it up and down without warning. The contrast between the rough grip and Luc’s delicate skin was intense. Too intense.
Unable to do anything more than take the pleasure forced upon him, Luc bucked under Nikko’s hands. Hands that gripped, pumped, caressed and drove him out of his ever-loving mind.
Exactly what he needed.
Without warning Luc’s body exploded. Cum burst from him like a geyser, draining him of both fluids and energy. Nikko’s motions slowed, the kisses turning more affectionate than passionate.
The vampire’s soft chuckle in the dark was low and intimate. “Will you get it up again?”
“Always.”
“You’re so fucking beautiful. May I, have you?” The master vampire’s voice was oddly hesitant considering the take-charge attitude he’d had up to that point.
“I’m all yours,” Luc reassured him, placing a soft kiss on the other man’s exposed throat.
“All mine.” Nikko’s teeth flashed white and pointy in the dark. “I like that.”
Luc felt a sliver of unease try to break through his foggy thoughts.
What did he just agree to?
Then those large, hot hands were on his body giving him sweet, demanding touches while warm, soft lips melted his brain. Luc forgot the question, forgot even his own name.
There was a soft snick then a finger, oiled and slick, pushed into him. A groan tore from his throat as he sank upon that digit longing for another. “More.”
“No. Not yet. You’re too tight. I won’t hurt you.”
Luc whimpered and, in the end, he begged in soft, broken tones for more. More touching, more fingers, more something. “Please Nikko, please.”
Two fingers.
The slow molten pleasure felt as if it were dissolving his bones, turning him into a pliable, liquid mess. He moaned and whimpered, making encouraging noises and shifting his body to urge the vampire on, anything to get this man to hurry up. The intense need was torturing him, and he’d been tortured by the best. Eventually, after minutes that felt like hours, three fingers filled his hole.
“Please, I’m ready, come inside me.” He could only take so much. This was going from pleasure to torture.
“Your skin, it’s glowing,” Nikko said on a breath of whispered reverence.
Luc glanced down and saw that his skin was indeed glowing a soft white. “It’s the fae blood,” he said in needy tones. “Now fuck me.”
The vampire responded by kissing him while his fingers pumped in and out of Luc’s body. Nikko’s motions pegged his prostrate making him whimper with need. Finally, when he was about to cry from the ache of it all, the vampire removed his fingers and pushed inside him, filling him, completing him.
Still so careful, his lover slid in and out with slow sinuous movements. Luc dug in his heels trying to speed him along. In response, Nikko hooked his hands behind Luc’s knees lifting his heels from the bed and removing his leverage. “Don’t rush. Savour.”
He wanted to scream at the man to move. He didn’t want to savour he wanted to be fucked, but the expression in the vampire’s eyes trapped his words inside. Nikko wrapped a hand around Luc’s prick, pumping him while moving back and forth inside with controlled bursts of power.
“Shit.” Luc’s hips snapped forward when he felt the vampire’s cum pump inside of him. Control shot, he spewed hot ropes of liquid across both of their stomachs. High on endorphins, it took him a minute to realise the man in bed with him wasn’t just nibbling on his neck but getting sustenance from it.
The vampire was feeding.
Fear shot through him.
“Shh.” Nikko licked his neck. Luc guessed he was sealing the wound. “You’re safe. No one will ever hurt you again my sweet tasting, little fae. You’re all mine.”
With those words, Nikko wrapped his big body around Luc like a giant blood-sucking teddy bear. Those big ass hands rubbed up and down Luc’s back in long soothing strokes. For the moment, Luc forgot his worries and slipped easily into sleep.

* * * *

The howling of his cell phone pulled Luc from his slumber. The wolf howl was a ringtone he’d recorded during a full moon and assigned to the pack house main number. The sound had Luc scrambling to free himself from his cuddling lover. Memories of limitless beers fluttered through his brain before vanishing.
Luckily, he never got hangovers.
Luc stumbled to locate his pants in the dim light and once found, fumbled to find the pocket with his phone inside, anxious to stop the noise before it woke the vampire.
His fingers found the phone in his left pocket. Luc pulled it out and flipped it open to stop the noise. “Hello.”
“Luc, thank the goddess I found you.” The raspy voice of Salvador, the pack’s beta, came across the line. “Bran’s missing. Is he with you?”
Pain stabbed through Luc’s heart. “Of course, he’s not with me. Isn’t he off on his honeymoon?” Anger gave his voice a rare edge. Trust his ex-lover to garner attention when he was supposed to be out of sight, out of mind.
“Betsy called me in tears. His wolf rejected her, then he ran off.”
He’d never heard of that happening before. The line went silent while Luc waited for an explanation…and waited.
“What the fuck do you mean his wolf rejected her? Didn’t they already have sex?”
Not that he wanted the details. The thought of his former lover’s strong hands touching another made him ill. His attention snapped to the bed as Nikko’s body shifted beneath the covers as if sensing his distress. One long arm reached out, fingers searching for him as the vampire slept.
Salvador drew his attention back to the phone. “Betsy said when they tried to mate Bran freaked. According to her, his eyes went wolf and he flew out of there. We think he’ll head for you.”
“Why in the ten hells would he come to me? He made it completely clear that he wanted pups. In case you didn’t know, I can’t give him that and I have no interest in being his piece of ass on the side.”
“I know, I know, and the pack appreciates all you’ve sacrificed,” the beta’s voice was heavy with sorrow, making Luc wonder for the first time how his separation affected the pack.
“Are you some place safe? I don’t think Bran will harm you, but if his wolf’s loose he’ll hunt you down and I don’t know what he’ll do.” There was a pause as if he were gathering his thoughts. “We know you’re his true mate Luc. Betsy was a poor replacement sought for Bran’s human half. Our alpha might be able to fool himself, but he can’t fool his animal nature.”
Luc blinked back the tears filling his eyes. “II always knew he would cast me aside, Sal, but I didn’t think it would hurt so much. I miss you guys.”
“Hang in there, Luc. You’ll always be part of our pack, Bran or not. Where are you?”
“At The River Styx.”
“The vampire club?”
Luc laughed. “Yeah.”
“What have you done?” Sal’s voice took on a familiar commanding tone. As the pack beta, he was used to being obeyed by just about everyone except the alpha. With Bran gone, the beta was in charge.
Luc bristled in defence. “I drowned my sorrows. Don’t fucking judge me, you didn’t just lose everything.”
Sal sighed, the sound weighty and sad. “Don’t be so sure, my friend. Don’t be so sure. Are you safe?”
Luc looked around the spell-secured room taking in the thick walls and reinforced magic. “I’m as safe as can be.” He’d have to find a way to get Nikko to let him stay until whatever bug was up Bran’s butt escaped.
“Good. I’ll keep you updated. Call me if you see Bran. Take care.” There was a pause then Sal’s voice came across softer. “I mean it, Luc. I know you’re hurting right now but you’re important to the pack and not just because you were Bran’s lover. You helped us more times than we can count. Call me if you need anything, and I mean anything.”
Blinking back tears, Luc cut the connection after promising his friend that he would call if there was a problem. With mixed feelings, he put his phone back into his pocket. Part of him was concerned about Bran while the small, petty part felt a little smug that the big, bad alpha couldn’t mate with the woman he insisted would be a better match than Luc.
Heart sore, Luc crawled back into bed. Nikko moved to snuggle him close as soon as he lay down.
“Is there a problem, beautiful?” Nikko rumbled against his chest as the vampire wrapped his arm and leg around Luc again.
“My ex is hunting me. Can I hang out here for a few days?”
“If you stay with me, you’ll have to be my thrall.” Nikko nuzzled beneath Luc’s ear, derailing his thoughts for a moment as all sensation pooled to his groin.
“Thrall?” he gasped out.
Nikko nodded. “Non-vampires can only stay in a tribe if they belong to one of the vamps. Since I’m the master of this group, the others will only accept you if you’re my thrall. I can’t break the rules I expect others to abide by or I’ll lose all respect.”
“Wh-what does that involve?” Luc was starting to wonder what he’d got himself into. Was a werewolf mauling better?
“You’ll have to wear my collar to signify your status as my possession and sit at my side when we’re in groups with other vampires. Be my arm candy,” Nikko whispered against Luc’s skin, licking a sensitive spot on his neck and triggering shivers down his spine.
Luc started laughing and couldn’t stop. He’d lived with werewolves for twenty years, but it took going to a vampire to put a collar on him.
Nikko rubbed a soothing hand across his bare back. “I’m glad you’re amused.”
“Anything else?” It sounded as if he were a prized pet. He wondered if he got a comfy pillow to sit on. Maybe a chew toy.
“No giving blood to anyone but me.”
“Not into sharing, huh?”
“No.” There wasn’t even a hint of laughter in the vampire’s growl. Luc peeked up at the other man. Nikko’s face wore a fierce frown.
“Ooo-kay. Do I at least get clothes?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t want anyone else looking at you.”
How did he get himself into these situations?
“It would only be for a few days,” Luc ventured to say.
“It’s a start. You might find you like being mine.”
With Nikko petting him and luring him back to sleep, Luc’s last thought was he might enjoy belonging to someone else for a while. It would help if he couldn’t remember years of hot, loving kisses and miles of smooth mocha skin with his name tattooed across one shoulder, but that’s what the beer was for.
To help him forget.

Mondays!

Okay so it has been ages since I started anything on my blog. I’ve decided to make Mondays sort of a revisit of one of my older books. I’m going to post Hellbourne, a book I wrote over 10 years ago. I will post a chapter a week for 12 weeks.

If you haven’t read this before it is a story about Hellbourne, the son of the devil and his search for love.

Originally this first book was actually two books that I ended up putting together into one. There is a second book back to hell which I will put back up for sale sometime in the next few months.

Chapter One

It was amazing that the body could still move while the heart was shattering into millions of microscopic pieces. Luc Hellbourne kicked the empty soda can on the street, idly watching it tumble across the asphalt.

All other sensations dimmed next to the pain in his chest.

A bitter laugh burst past his lips.

Homeless.

Why in his father’s hell did he ever start a relationship with an alpha werewolf? It wasn’t as if he didn’t know the man wanted to have a successor, yearned to have children of his own.

It was for the best. He gave another sad laugh at his new mantra, whispered it to the breeze, stomped it out with each step, desperately trying to believe his own words.

He didn’t know which hurt worse, losing his lover to a woman, or losing the comfort and caring of the pack. Cutting himself away from his pack friends after twenty years of belonging ripped away a huge chunk of his soul.

Remembering the love in Betsy’s eyes when she claimed Bran as her own eased a small portion of Luc’s frozen heart. However, during the mating ceremony Bran had looked away from his new wife and the longing in his expression as he watched Luc, hit him as if he were struck by a body blow.

He knew in that moment that the werewolf would never accept his fate as long as Luc was near. It wasn’t fair to the pack to have a conflicted alpha. One of them had to leave.

The one who wasn’t pack.

“Get it together.” Tears prickling his eyes, Luc continued his determined march to nowhere. His guitar case banged painfully against his side as he walked, all the hard edges finding his most sensitive places. He ignored it with the same indifference he coated over his soul to keep moving. His guitar was the one thing he’d grabbed on the way out. It was custom made by his uncle and one of his most prized possessions

A quick glance around proved he was in unfamiliar territory. An area of town never visited, at least not in recent memory, but then he’d never travelled around the city without companions before. Loneliness formed a hard knot in his stomach.

This was a day for new things.

So far, none of them had been good.

Loud, pounding     music caught his attention. It thrummed through his body like a moving heartbeat. As a half fae, Luc felt the notes deep in his soul. Matching his steps to the beat, he turned the corner seeking the source of the sound. A music club stood before him, pulsing notes sliding through the doors each time the bouncers opened them.

The club’s ridiculously overdone stone façade had grinning gargoyles carved over the corners. Words written in bright red paint to resemble dripping blood proclaimed this building The River Styx.

Luc had visited, played around and once damn near drowned in the River Styx as a child, and this wasn’t it. The river that granted immunity from death never had a line of goth kids wrapped around the block and there wasn’t one creepy ferryman in sight.

Tempted, Luc decided now was the time to slack his thirst. He hadn’t had a drink in hours. His stomach rolled queasily at the memory of the wedding champagne.

Decision made, he walked straight up the stairs towards the bouncers guarding the door.

“Good evening, gentlemen.”

Damn, the men were impossibly big close up. Luc liked a large man. He let his eyes roam up and down them both. There was the off chance he’d get the crap beat out of him, but he knew how to run if things went badly.

“Good evening,” they replied in unison. The man on the left gave him a small smile, while the one on the right looked at him as if he were a chocoholic finding the world’s last chocolate truffle.

He flashed them both his best smile. “I’d like to go into your fine establishment, what’s the cover charge?”

It didn’t occur to him to stand in line. People who looked like him weren’t meant for lines. It wasn’t vanity. It was a fact. He was a perfect creation by the devil himself and blessed by thirty-six gods and goddesses. There was only one creature as perfectly formed as him.

And father was scary as fuck, so he didn’t count.

“No cost for you, sweetheart,” the bouncer on the left announced with a hitch in his voice as the other one nodded mutely.

Flashing another smile, Luc let the man open the door for him.

As he passed, he saw the bouncers sniffing at him.

Weird.

He shrugged before banishing the event out of his mind. Having lived with werewolves, he was used to sniffing, but these couldn’t be weres. Bran would never let another pack in his territory.

* * * *

The music was something wild and electric. Not a band he recognized, but it had a good beat and the gyrating kids convulsing on the dance floor were entertaining.

What really caught his attention was the incredibly ugly picture of the devil painted two stories high behind the stage. It grinned evilly at the dancers below, baring razor-sharp teeth with two large horns bisecting its ridged forehead.

Luc felt a reluctant smile grace his lips as he walked towards the horrible caricature of the Lord of the Underworld. The temptation to send a photo of it to his father struck him hard. He whipped out his cell phone, took a picture, and with a wicked grin, beamed it to his father’s phone.

Strange, how his father could receive messages in hell when Luc could barely keep his reception a block away from the cell tower. Maybe giving in to satanic powers gave a person magic cell phone vibes. Shaking his head at his whimsical thoughts, Luc put his phone back in his pocket and headed for the long bar dominating the far side of the room. The pain in his chest eased a bit with his amusement.

Before he could raise his hand, the bartender appeared before him. Luc blinked. He could’ve sworn the man was on the other side of the long counter not two seconds before.

The bartender’s hair matched the shiny bar, both a lustrous brown. Luc received a smile with white, white teeth and sparkling sea blue eyes. He reminded Luc of a selkie he’d known once upon a time.

“What can I get for you, sir? Would you like me to tuck your case behind the bar?” the bartender asked, his smooth baritone cutting through the loud music.

Sir? Wow, his boss must be really strict.

“Yes, thank you.” Luc handed his case over. His guitar was the only thing he’d taken with him from the room he’d shared with Bran. The rest of his things he’d shoved through a portal to his childhood bedroom in hell. He’d retrieve them when he found a place to stay.

“I’ll take the darkest beer you have on tap. Just keep them coming.” It took a lot of beer to get him drunk. Tonight, he felt properly motivated.

He ignored the sympathetic, probing gaze that came with the beer. The bartender obviously knew a heartbroken sap when he saw one.

The cool liquor soothed Luc’s throat. Sipping his drink, he turned to watch the dancers as the yeasty brew hit his tongue.

Poor kids, they really lack rhythm. He had a brief thought of showing them how to dance, but a particularly enthusiastic frenzy made him rethink the idea.

They were beyond help. With a sigh, Luc took another sip of beer.

After a while he decided to go and sit closer to the band, the people on either side of him were getting too close for comfort and he didn’t feel like being squished between hard, sweaty bodies.

How unlike him.

It took little effort to find a table. He just sent mental go away vibes to a group and had them vacate.

He wasn’t in the mood for subtle.

Once seated at the table a cute blond waiter, all blue eyes and wild curls, rushed forward to take his order. His nametag said Jerrod.

“Do you have any food here?”

The waiter swallowed. “You’re fae.”

“Only half,” he said, hoping the short answer would encourage the kid to take his order.

“Wow. I-I’ve never met a fae before.” The waiter stared at him with a kind of wondrous awe as if he’d run across a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Damn, he forgot how his fae vibes affected those who weren’t wolf breed. Werewolves were immune to glamour. One of the many reasons he’d stayed inside the pack for so long. There was only so much fawning a man could take on a day-to-day basis, despite what father said.

“Does that mean you don’t have food?”

“Oh, sorry. Here you go.” The blond blushed brightly as he whipped out a menu from his apron pocket.

Folded accordion style it listed a miniscule amount of bar food, most of it fried.

Luc sighed. “I don’t suppose there’s a chance of getting a salad?”

“Absolutely. I’ll go get you one right now.” The waiter snatched the menu back and scurried through the crowd, making impressive speed considering the number of bodies crammed into the club.

Luc idly wondered if the blond would have to leave the building to get his food. With a shrug, he leant back in his chair to watch the crowds.

Seeing others having fun twisted the pain in Luc’s heart. Years of partying with the pack flashed through his head.

Good memories to pull out in the upcoming lonely nights. The previous years with Bran were wonderful in many ways, but he would mostly miss the daily touches, soft morning kisses and slow just-woke-up fucks.

Bran wasn’t meant to be his permanent mate. His lover wanted a ton of pups and an alpha bitch at his side. It was the suddenness of it all that hurt Luc. One day it was ‘good morning, lover’ the next it was ‘I’m going to start wooing females to find a mate’.

Luc took another sip of his beer.

Bastard.

The worst part was that despite everything, Bran still watched him with those damned needy eyes. Luc was no one’s sidepiece of ass. Besides, he wouldn’t do that to Bran’s new mate.

Staying around would only lead to pack dissention…and big ass fights.

Setting his elbows on the table, he rested his face on his hands, rubbing his damp eyes with the heels of his palms.

Damned watering holes.

“You all right, baby?” A dark, velvety voice spoke beside him. The sound of the other man’s voice rippled down his spine and made him catch his breath. His body hardened in response to the sexy tone.

“No, I don’t think I am,” Luc said, taking his hands away from his eyes to look up at the speaker. He almost swallowed his tongue. A huge man dressed in black leather pants and a white silk shirt towered over him.

The man’s black hair, cut brutally short, exposed a strong, harsh profile like a warrior of old. There was nothing pretty or even handsome about the man. His features were too masculine, the scar on the right side of his face too prominent. However, the power oozing from him went straight to Luc’s balls, finishing the job that had started with his voice.

Always a sucker for a big man, a big man with power was like a super aphrodisiac. One more reason he stayed with that asshole alpha for so long.

“Anything I can do to help you?”

Luc gave the man a slow look over from the top of his short dark hair to the bottom of his polished black boots, pausing to admire every gorgeous, muscled point in between. “Want to be my rebound fuck?”

Nikkolai Remondi looked at the man sitting before him. In his five hundred years as a vampire, he had never seen a more beautiful creature.

The man was sleekly built with amazing autumn gold hair that cascaded down to the base of his neck in riotous curls. His features were symmetrically perfect, and his sorrow-filled eyes were like brilliant emeralds shot with silver.

Fae.

In a bar with hundreds of bodies, Nikkolai had scented him from the catwalk above.

His.

The master vampire could almost taste the sadness emanating from the sweet boy. He slid into the chair next to the gorgeous fae.

“I’m Nikkolai Remondi,” he said, holding out his hand, “but my friends call me Nikko.”

“Luc Hellbourne.” The fae gave his hand a shake. The contact felt as if an electric current went directly to his balls. Hot, sizzling and not altogether comfortable.

He took back his hand still trying to decide if he liked the sensation when a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Here’s your salad.” Jerrod, one of the new wait staff, placed an enormous green salad in front of Luc. Nikko could smell the need pouring from the boy.

When did they start serving salad?

“Thank you.” Luc gave the server a smile that transformed him from a sad beauty to an incandescent star.

Jerrod shivered, the smell of spunk filling the air. “L-let me know if you need anything else.”

“I will,” Luc said with a nod, taking a big bite out of the greens.

Nikkolai growled at Jerrod, letting the younger vamp know he was out of his league. The kid wasn’t even one of his tribe, just a loaner from a master who wanted him out of sight for a time.

Mine. He sent a mental message to the kid, making sure to stake his claim.

The waiter fled, but not before sending a pitiful look at the delicious fae.

Luc’s words ran through his head. “What are you rebounding from?”

“My ex dumped me for a girl.”

“That’s tough.” Nikkolai rubbed a hand over Luc’s shoulder. A motion meant to be soothing. Hell, he touched people every day without meaning anything by it, but as soon as he made contact with Luc, he felt that same jolt run down his spine and directly to his balls.

The fae continued to eat his salad as if he didn’t feel anything.

Shit, maybe he didn’t.

“Were you with him very long?”

Luc’s odd green eyes sparkled with tears giving them an eerie shine. “Yeah. I love him, you know, but I want him to be happy. With me around, he’s just going to think ‘what if’.” He was entranced by those sad, sad eyes. “I can’t do that to his m-wife.”

How anyone could give up a man this stunning, he didn’t know, but sometimes relationships didn’t make sense. Even Nikkolai had had his share of bad relationships. Hell, so far they’d all been bad. Maybe this sad-eyed fae could change his luck. After all, one man’s stupid decision was another man’s opportunity.

“Have much fae blood?” The question blurted out before he could stop himself. Fae blood was highly desired by vampire kind. The fae rarely appeared above ground and their blood tasted like concentrated magic. If he could coax this one to his side, he could cement his position as the most powerful vampire in the state.

Luc gave a laugh. “Why don’t I just wear a t-shirt? I haven’t been pegged as a fae so much in years.” He took another bite, distracting Nikkolai who watched the food go into that pretty, pretty mouth.

He had plans for that mouth. So many plans. He shifted in his seat, trying to find a more comfortable position in his suddenly tight pants.

“I’m half fae,” Luc said after he swallowed his food. “What are you?”

“Vampire.” No reason to hide his true nature, the man would know what he was as soon as he sank his teeth into that sexy neck.

He got a smile and a shrug as the beautiful creature ate his food.

“Where’s your mound?” Nikko asked, nerves starting to set in. The fae didn’t live well outside of their mounds. They aged quickly and died even faster. The thought of this stunning man wasting away in front of him sent alarm bells clanging through his body.

Luc shrugged. “I don’t have one.”

“What the fuck, you don’t have one. Did they throw you out?” Panic tore through him. An emotion he wasn’t certain he’d ever felt before. Was his last lover a powerful fae who dumped him and tossed him out of the mound?

As if reading his mind, the pretty fae laughed. “I’m not going to die on you. I don’t need a mound. I’ve never had a mound. Don’t worry.” The gorgeous man’s voice settled something deep inside Nikko, melting away the panic and concern.

“Huh. So ex-lover isn’t fae?”

Luc snorted. Even disdain was beautiful on this guy. “Not hardly.”

With quick delicate motions, the huge salad was polished off. “So, are you interested in being my rebound guy?”

Nikko leant over, slid one large hand through the smaller man’s hair and covered Luc’s mouth with his own. Lightning sizzled between them until Nikko’s entire body felt tuned to the slim man pressed against him. With reluctance, he forced his hands and lips to release the fae. “Honey, I’m interested in being your anything.”

If his voice was rougher than before he hoped the slim beauty didn’t notice. The vampire was pretty damned sure it would take little effort for Luc to wrap him around one of his slim, elegant fingers.

Nikko had to take care of a few things before he was free to explore the gorgeous creature before him and maybe get a bite to eat so he didn’t scare his little fae. “Meet me upstairs in ten minutes.”

Those brilliant eyes gazed at him for a long moment. “All right.”

Supernatural Mates Vol. 1 is here!

Amazon | Smashwords

Not all fate matched couples have to be the same.

From Pack to Pride

Talan, pride alpha, has six months to persuade wolf shifter Adrian to stay in his pride forever.

A Prideful Mate

When a lion and a jaguar shifter fall in love, the fur flies.

A Prideless Man

Louis Arktos, a bear shifter and town sheriff, can’t resist the new human. Will they be able to handle it when James’s shifter hating father comes to town?

Nothing to do with Pride

While Dennis, a coyote shifter, is searching for his sister with the help of KC. A plane crash leads them to what they are looking for in life and love.




If you have proof of purchase for at least 3 of these titles, please email Sheri at authoraccomplice@gmail.com, if you would like a copy the bundle. Please provide your preferred format when emailing.

Happy Mother’s Day & Party

Thank you to all my fans who are mother’s or are celebrating with their mothers today. My sons made me waffles. They were a little charred but it was the thought that counted. When hubby offered to buy and pick something out they chose to make it themselves so that made me feel pretty good this morning.

Today I’ll be taking it easy and this evening I’ll be stopping by RJ’s Facebook sight to celebrate her 10 years of writing. You can chat with me at 7pm Pacific at RJ’s FB group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rjscott/

She is doing it all month so you can visit with a lot of authors. I will be online for an hour and willing to answer any question (within reason) 🙂

What I’m working on!

I know it has been far too long. I thought I’d give an update as to what I’m working on now.

I’m halfway through Quentin Heart 2

I’m 2/3 of the way through Gears

and I’m 1/3 of the way through writing my next cozy mystery!

I haven’t abandoned you all and I’m thinking of rewriting an old book and using it for my blog story. That way you have something to read that at least already has an ending 🙂