Crimson Ties

by V L Moon

  “You’re Vischeral Fucking Bourne. You’re sexy as fuck, intelligent and the best God damned detective I’ve ever met,” Copi railed. “And, for whatever reason, you’re stuck with me.” Copi stopped pacing to punch the wall.

  Vischeral’s temper lit. He surged up from the bed and grabbed Copi by the shoulders flinging him around so they stood toe to toe, face to face. “I am not fucking stuck with you, Dane,” he replied in a low menacing growl. “I chose you. My vampire nature bonded with you back in New York in a dark alley while a fucking slut slurped at your cock.” Vischeral edged closer, backing Copi against the wall. “I wanted to kill her. It was the first time I ever had to fight the urge to kill a human. Because of you. Because of the want of you.”

  Vischeral kissed him. A dominant kiss full of possession and need. He tasted himself, blood and semen, mixed with the dark chocolate of his male. He moaned, grinding his hips against Copi. An echoing purr filled the room. “Do you hear that, Copi? That’s me wanting to fuck you,” he purred into Copi’s ear. “I want to be so deep inside you, I can’t tell where I end and you begin.”

  Copi trembled. A low whine answered the purr. Copi’s chin tilted upward, exposing his throat. Submissive. Wolf. Vischeral watched the dawning horror in Copi’s eyes. “No, Copi,” he whispered. “The wolf is a part of you, and I want all of you. If, you can forgive me.”

  “Forgive you? You saved my life,” Copi questioned, a look of confusion on his beautiful face.

  Slowly, Vischeral leaned forward and grazed his fangs along Copi’s stretched throat. “I know you are not submissive by nature.” His tongue followed the sharp scrape of his fangs, soothing the stinging flesh. “But, I had to tame the wolf. It wanted to control you. I couldn’t let him have you. I’m sorry.” Gently, he ran the pad of his thumb over Copi’s lips. “If anyone should be ashamed, it’s me. I took away all of your choices.”

  “You made the choice I wasn’t brave enough to make for myself,” Copi said before sucking Vischeral’s thumb into his mouth and biting into the soft pad. Amber eyes closed in ecstasy when blood flowed over his tongue. He suckled for several seconds before his eyes and mouth popped open. Blood stained his lush lips. “Fuck, Vischeral. I’m sorry. I can’t seem to get enough.”

  A rare smile graced Vischeral’s face. Copi stared as if thunderstruck. “You’re newly turned. I’d be more concerned if you weren’t thirsty, though I did prefer your first choice of feeding arrangements.” A small grin tilted the edges of Copi’s lips.

  “Guess it doesn’t always have to be from the throat then?” He teased. Vischeral silently rejoiced at the show of his old bravado.

  “You learn fast, detective.”

  Copi laughed and shifted his hips. The hard length of his cock pressed tight against Vischeral’s pelvis. “Time for another lesson then, Master Alpha Sire Bourne,” Copi taunted. “This cherry boy wants to get fucked. I don’t have time for your vampire mind games.”

  It took him a few seconds, but the implications of Copi’s words pounded into his skull. A virgin. Copi was untouched, pure. Vischeral swallowed hard and backed away. Midnight eyes raked over Copi. His gut knotted and then relaxed. A fierce and primitive growl shook the room. “I am not worthy of your gift, Cophious Dane, but I am not strong enough to turn you away,” Vischeral replied.

  Emotion clogged his voice making him hoarse. Copi opened his mouth, but Vischeral wanted no denials, no words to tarnish the memory or the moment. He brushed his fingers across Copi’s lips and then dropped his hand to grasp Copi’s fingers.

  “It’s my turn to worship you,” he said, pulling Copi back to the bed. “Did I mention I like to savor my gifts?”

  ~*~*~*~

  Italy

  Thousands of miles away, awareness bloomed in the depths of madness. A predator scented its prey and time stalled.

  “Vischeral.” The name emerged on a hiss. Beneath his slowing hips, the demon shifted form and the vision in his head materialized before his eyes. Darklon rammed home twice before sanity fully returned. With a snarl of disgust, he withdrew his throbbing cock and backed away from the incubus. Newly lucid eyes slid over the debauched orgy taking place around him. Demons and Nephilim fornicated in every imaginable pairing and position. He struggled to remember why he was there.

  A battered face flashed briefly in his memory. Lorenza. She’d been taken. His prize was gone. Betrayed. By his son. Gabriel dead. Everything he’d worked for to ensure Malachi’s downfall thwarted. The madness crowded his thoughts, eager to claim control. His sex throbbed, desperate to return to the demon’s tight ass.

  “Is there a problem, Master Darklon?” Onoskelis’s throaty voice floated over the grunts of exertion and pain and the moans of pleasure. “Is Krenlith not to your liking? Perhaps a young Nephilim is more to your taste?” She eyed the demon’s new form and hunger lit her features. “I don’t think we have one as beautiful as your imagination. If you don’t want him, might I borrow him?” She spread her white thighs, exposing the gaping maw of carnal depravity.

  The demon didn’t wait for Darklon’s response. The likeness of Vischeral lunged and fell upon the female angel, cock pumping as soon as their bodies came together. Bile threatened to choke him. His beautiful Vischeral was too good for the depraved Nephilim queen. His fingers curled into fists as he fought the urge to maim the pair of them for defiling his most prized male.

  “I have to go,” he gritted through clenched teeth. He whirled for the door, frantic to get away before he acted impetuously and ruined any chance of dethroning the bastard King.

  “Not so fast, vampire.” Despite the demon pounding into her greedy core, Onoskelis’s voice rang with power. “Do we have an alliance?”

  Darklon didn’t turn, couldn’t chance his reaction. A husky laugh rose from Onoskelis’s throat to fill the large chamber. His response to the coupling gave him away. She knew his weakness.

  The awareness throbbed again and with it—finally—a location. A twisted smile contorted his features.

  “Yes,” he bit out and very slowly turned so their eyes met. For now. He offered a slight bow to acknowledge their association. His stomach rebelled at the sight before him. But, a stronger need beckoned.

  Vischeral.

  Found.

  Anticipation clawed at him. With a ferocious roar of satisfaction, he flung himself into the night.

  ~*~*~*~

  Anchorage, Alaska

  Vischeral licked his lips after swallowing the last of Copi’s seed. His male lay sprawled across the bed, legs splayed, hands grasping the headboard and a fulfilled smile on his beautiful face. Little tremors shook his large frame, after effects of the orgasm. Vischeral rose up on his knees and stretched across Copi’s prone form to palm the bottle of lube on the bedside table.

  Warm amber tracked his movements. Copi shifted. His legs parted and his heels planted against the soft coverlet. With absolute trust, he spread himself wide open. Gods, he was magnificent. A strong and fierce love swelled inside of Vischeral and spilled over. Copi’s eyes glazed as the bond fed Vischeral’s feelings straight to his heart.

  Slickness coated his fingers. The scented lube dripped to Copi’s bronzed skin. Vischeral’s touch quickly followed. Tenderly, he massaged the oil into Copi’s skin before slippery fingers found the puckered entrance. Copi moaned. His hips lifted, seeking more.

  Once again, the magnitude of the moment rendered Vischeral immobile. His Copi was pure, would only ever belong to him. A lump swelled in his throat. Copi thought himself unworthy, but Vischeral was the tainted one. His past loomed over their future, threatened every breath Copi took, and the male lay before him so willing and full of trust. His hand fell away.

  “Copi,” he breathed. He needed to explain. Copi had a right to know what he faced.

  His partner’s eyes cracked open, dazed, pupils blown with desire. “Vischeral?”

  “I need to tell you…” Lean fingers cut him off as Copi sat up.

  “Whatever it is, it ca
n wait. I need you, Vischeral,” he whispered. “I need you to make all of the chaos inside of me go away. I need you to love me, show me that what I am…is not an abomination. Please, Vish, please make the hurt go away,” he pleaded.

  Tears stung Vischeral’s eyes. There was no way to resist his heart’s desire. The whispered words shredded his control, left him bare and as vulnerable as his Copi.

  “I love you, Cophious Dane. You are the most perfect part of me.” He claimed Copi’s mouth before the male could respond. His tongue licked along the seam of his lips until Copi parted. Tongue and fingers penetrated at the same time. He swallowed Copi’s whimper and eased them both back against the bed. Slow, soul inspiring kisses soothed while fingers stretched and explored. Copi responded so beautifully. His frantic heartbeat throbbed in Vischeral’s mind.

  “Vischeral, please,” Copi gasped. The need was Vischeral’s complete undoing. He lifted himself over Copi and positioned himself between spread thighs. The head of his cock rubbed along the taint and Copi’s hole. Vischeral shuddered. Copi reared up to meet him, chest to chest. His fangs grazed Vischeral’s throat.

  “Fuck me, Vischeral.” As before, Copi’s fangs slid into his flesh without warning. Another shiver rippled through him. He pressed forward, and the world exploded with a roar.

  “Vischeral Bourne!” His name ricocheted around the room milliseconds before his bare back hit the wall. Red strobed the room. His warning system seconds too late. Copi crouched on the bed, snarling in fury. Between him and Vischeral, Darklon stood like an avenging demon from Hell. Smoke rose from his clothes and skin, a visible embodiment of his volcanic rage. Fangs glinted in the dim light. The stench of Hell overpowered the essence of their lovemaking.

  Little by little, Vischeral gained his feet, never taking his eyes form the monster in their midst. Time was up. He’d miscalculated. Badly. The bond screamed at him. Protect Copi no matter what. And, he would even if it meant dying, or worse giving himself to his sadistic Master. Something warm dripped onto Vischeral’s chest. Blood, his blood from being ripped away from Copi. A fury like he’d never known boiled up from his gut. He lunged for Darklon.

  “Now, now, my pet,” the Elder purred. “We’ll save the rough stuff for later.” Vischeral’s muscles locked. He collapsed to the floor unable to move or speak. Darklon stumbled forward, a look of surprise on his face. Copi clung to his back, fangs flashing and a snarl vibrating the air. Through the blood link and the bond, he felt Darklon in Copi’s mind. Frustration clawed at him. He was helpless and unable to defend his mate.

  But Copi didn’t need his defense. The wolf rose in Copi’s mind, snapping and snarling in defiance. No matter what he tried, Darklon failed to gain control of the beast. Relief pounded into Vischeral’s chest. He shoved his indomitable will into Copi, strengthening him the only way he could.

  Darklon’s head whipped around. Crazed eyes locked with his. Vicious fingers dug into his throat and lifted. His blood coated Darklon’s hand as the Elder swung back to face an enraged Copi. Vischeral hung vulnerable in his grip.

  “Back off, you filthy cur. He’s mine. He’s always been mine,” Darklon sneered. “Neither you, nor Malachi Denali can take him from me again.” Copi sprang forward but scrambled to a halt when Darklon shoved Vischeral’s defenseless body toward his exposed fangs and claws. Copi tried to grab him, snatch him from Darklon’s grasp, but the vampire was too fast. He backed away, dragging Vischeral with him. “We’re going to leave now, and if you try anything, I promise you he will suffer for your defiance.”

  Copi paced, growling and vibrating with hatred. Amber eyes bore into the vampire. “You cannot run far enough that I won’t find him,” Copi vowed. His gaze dropped to Vischeral. “I’ll come for you.” He sent through the bond. Despair washed through Vischeral.

  “No. He’ll kill you.” Moisture threatened as rage and desolation rocketed through him. “I’m so sorry, Copi.” With his heart shredding in his chest, Vischeral severed his connection to the bond between them. It was the only thing he could do to protect the male he loved. As his body faded into the mist at Darklon’s will, Copi’s howl of pain filled his ears and his heart, but no longer pulsed in his head. Blood tears fell to the Earth as he was carried back to Italy, an eternal prisoner to the pain. Nothing Darklon did to him would ever hurt as much as losing Copi.

  ~*~*~*~

  Chapter Forty-Two

  ~*~*~*~

  Italy

  Given time, every creation must ultimately face its eventual end. Even angels can die…

  Bathed within the maternal radiance of their beautiful young, Laziel relinquished his hold upon the mortal Earth. Since the dawning of time, he’d been fighting one war or another. If it wasn’t the war against evil or fighting to save the righteous, it was something or someone else.

  Ultimately, the war to save Lachi’s soul was won and in the winning, the last flicker of light dimmed from Laziel’s celestial heart. The profound confession of emotion Laziel had waited centuries to hear released him from the bonds of humanity.

  If there was ever a reason to live, or a worthier war to fight, Lachi’s love triumphed over all. Nothing mattered more to Laziel than hearing the male he’d worshipped and adored for all time saying those three treasured words. They chased away the infliction of pain at never being able to touch him again, feel him, or kiss him. They lessened the torment of having to watch from the Creator’s side as their child, their beautiful daughter, flourished and grew. Laziel knew Lachi would treasure her, love her without the boundaries their own love witnessed and protect her in the only way he knew how. Savagely.

  With the mantle of death lifting his soul, a soft shimmering light emanated from Laziel’s female form. The ethereal glow pulsed in gentle waves as it hovered over Loz. A ghost of a smile tilted the corners of his mouth as Laziel’s body slowly morphed back to his masculine form.

  This is how it was meant to be. Laziel’s eyes flickered and drifted up to look upon Lachi’s overpoweringly beautiful face. At least, they’d get to spend their last moments together with him in the male form his vampire so eagerly coveted. His smile widened briefly as he clutched Lachi’s hand. Entwining their fingers like lovers, Laziel laid soft kisses over each of the male’s knuckles.

  “Say it again. For me?” Laziel asked; his voice thick with emotion. The pleading cry of their child pierced the enclave’s walls as their daughter made her presence known. “Let me hear you say it so I know she’ll hear it too. Promise me, my beautiful Azarian. Promise me you’ll tell her every day how special she is?” Laziel pleaded. Lachi lowered his eyes and gripped Laziel’s hand.

  “I would promise you everything, if you would just stay. There has never been another for me. The only one I’ve ever wanted is you. It’s always been you. I’m a fool for not saying it before. I tried so many times. I thought you knew.” Lachi shook his head and sighed.

  “All those years…I made you…I hurt you in more ways than I can ever imagine. And, you took it. You took me and my anger and turned it into something good. If my soul really is as pure as the vision you showed me, if I am truly your creation, then shouldn’t you stay if only to ensure I don’t fuck things up and Destahny with it?” Lachi’s tone was serious, but Laziel saw love and awe in his eyes. He’d make a wonderful father for—Destahny.

  “Destahny,” he whispered the name. Lachi leaned in to brush his lips against Laz’s cheek.

  “I’ve missed you, Laz. I need you; Destahny needs you,” Lachi stated. “I love you, Laziel. Fight for us, for me and our little girl.” As if on cue, the door opened. Cautiously and keeping his eyes trained on Lachi, Arial crossed the room and kneeled at Laziel’s side.

  “You’re both a part of her. She needs you both to love her. Laziel, my brother….” With a grief filled sigh, the mighty Fallen looked toward Lachi before reaching out and placing Destahny into his strong arms. Panic, awe, pride and love raced across his vampire’s features. Laughter threatened to choke Laziel. He coughed to h
ide it and fought to breathe.

  The soft glimmer of celestial light that aided his change back faded to a dull glow. Time slipped away from him, but fought against it. He needed to see the personification of his love for Lachi lying cradled within the gentle, yet deadly, palms of her father’s hands. Pain seized him in its torrid grip, but Laziel refused to succumb. Grabbing hold of Arial, Laziel pulled himself up as much as he could and allowed the Fallen to ease him back until he was cradled against the wall of Lachi’s great chest and enveloped between his thick warm thighs. The strong arms cradling the blessing of their union eased over Laziel encasing him completely between Lachi and Destahny.

  With jet black hair and eyes shining a beautiful shade of celestial gold, Destahny was breathtaking and totally engrossed with the pad of her daddy’s thumb. Lachi looked down at her with a look of utter devotion glowing in the depths of his usually void and lifeless eyes. Content, Laziel sighed and closed his hands over Lachi’s and drew Destahny against his chest.

  Tears welled in his eyes when he looked down upon the innocent soul their love created. Tenderly, he kissed over the radiant glow of her soft baby face. “Be good, be strong and above all else be as happy as you can. Love your daddy. He can be hard work, but he’s worth it. I love you, both of you.” Laziel’s words drifted off as he slipped gently into the welcoming light that led the way to his Heavenly abode.

  “No! No! NOOO!” Destahny’s echoing cries mixed with Lachi’s furious roar. Laziel wished he could ease their pain, show them it was better he ascend. Lachi would always hold his heart. Laziel loved him with a passion that no amount of time would ever erase. He left Lachi with a legacy of their love. Destahny. At least with her in his arms, Laziel could live out his days in Heaven knowing he had given Lachi everything of himself, his love, his life and the very essence of his soul. It was time to say goodbye.