by N. R. Walker
Alec was everything he could have dared dream for. Perfectly designed just for him, he felt the fated bond in his bones. It was not something he could describe, when words were so inadequate. Not even the most distinguished of poets had words for this.
He took in Alec’s human form, all defined muscles and strong lines, pale skin, smattering of hair in all the perfect places. His green eyes reminded Cronin of the moors of Scotland. His pink lips parted just so in breath. He also had trails of fang puncture marks on his neck and his inner thighs, markings Cronin should feel guilt for, yet only pride and possession filled him.
Alec was his, and he loved being bitten. He wore the bite marks with gratification, and he wanted other vampires to see, to know. And that pleased Cronin greatly.
Alec had been a little disappointed that Cronin had shown enough restraint not to bite him. It had taken a great deal of willpower not to sink his teeth into Alec’s flesh, but he’d done it.
Cronin wondered whether this was also a first in vampire history, and if this now made him an incubus. He snorted to himself, causing Alec to stir in his sleep. Alec slid an arm around Cronin and nestled into him, encouraging Cronin’s cock to fill. It didn’t take much—a look, a touch, just being close—and Cronin’s desire to have him flooded his body.
Despite only a few hours sleep, and only a few hours since their last joining, Alec seemed to sense Cronin’s want. He stirred from his sleep again and moaned. It was a sound that made Cronin flex his hips. Without opening his eyes, Alec smiled and rolled onto his stomach. He spread his thighs and lifted his ass, moaning again.
Alec was still slick from their last time, filled with lube and come. Alec never wanted to be cleaned up. He loved that Cronin could release inside him, telling him time and again how good it made him feel. And Cronin loved it too. He loved that Alec would smell of him afterwards, that he’d laid claim to what was his, and made it his own, every time.
“Please,” Alec murmured into the pillow. He arched his back and lifted his ass one more time.
Cronin never could say no to him.
He slid over Alec’s back, lying between his spread thighs. Cronin’s erection pressed against Alec’s slick crack, and Alec whined underneath him until Cronin pressed his cock into him.
He slid in easily, and in one slow thrust he was fully seated inside him. Alec groaned louder this time, pushing his forehead into the pillow, and Cronin growled in his ear. Alec convulsed at the sound and cried out, lifting his ass the best he could, wanting everything Cronin would give him.
Cronin took Alec’s hands and held them to the mattress above his head. He loved watching Alec’s shoulder muscles bunch and slide under his skin, how the back of his neck would stretch as Alec pushed his forehead into the pillow. He braced himself against Cronin’s thrusts, giving himself so completely.
And Cronin took him.
He pushed in as deep as he could, being buried so far inside before pulling out and sliding back in as hard and deep as Alec’s human body would allow. Pleasure soon took over and Cronin’s thrusts became a little sharper, harder, and all he wanted to do was bite.
He wanted to sink his teeth through Alec’s flesh as his cock sunk into his ass, he wanted to fuck and bite, to claim and to own. It was in his nature, it was a primal instinct, but his instinct to protect Alec was greater.
Cronin threw his head back, thrust once more, and came. Alec’s body convulsed around him, gripping his cock and taking in every drop Cronin gave him. Cronin collapsed on top of Alec, sated and spent. Alec threaded his fingers with Cronin’s to keep him right where he was, and before Cronin could even pull out of him, Alec was already fast asleep. Smiling and sated and, Cronin hoped, dreaming of pleasant things, he slept soundly.
A while later, when Alec’s breaths had become soft snores, Cronin showered and went to speak with Jodis and Eiji who were in the office. They had books spread over the desk. Jodis sat in the chair, Eiji leaned against the desk. They both smiled at him when he walked in. “Have you found anything?” Cronin asked.
Eiji’s smile became a grin and he went to say something, but Jodis stopped him. “I told him he’s not to comment on your bedroom habits.”
Cronin smiled, despite the personal subject matter. “I didn’t bite him.”
“We heard,” Eiji said, and Jodis hissed at him, though she fought a smile. “Everything.”
“Yes, I feel the need to apologize for the decades you endured with us in the early days,” Jodis added, a faint blush tainting her alabaster cheeks. “I have no doubt you’ve suffered more than your share.”
“Decades?” Cronin questioned. “What happened to centuries?”
“Yes, well,” she amended with an embarrassed smirk. “Those too. I’m only now realizing how uncomfortable you must have felt.”
“If you’re uncomfortable—” Cronin started to say.
“Oh no, that’s not what I meant,” Jodis interjected quickly.
“Relax Jodis, my dear,” Cronin said, now smiling. “I know what you meant.”
Eiji laughed loudly. “I’m not apologizing for anything.” He still wore a ridiculous grin. “Not for how loud we were, and not for the joking I’ll do with Alec when he wakes up.”
Cronin chuckled. “It’s pleasing to see your good spirits keep company with good health, Eiji. I’m happy you’re here and I know Alec is too. He’s missed you both, despite Eiji’s jokes at his expense.”
“It’s good to be back here with you too,” Jodis said. “And to see you so happy, Cronin. I never realized you were so unhappy before you met Alec.”
“I wasn’t unhappy,” Cronin mused. “I don’t think I knew what real happiness was. I was content with my life, as I knew it to be.”
“And now?”
“And now I know why you would put up with Eiji all these centuries.”
Eiji barked out a laugh and threw whatever it was he was holding at Cronin’s head. He caught it easily and, still smiling, inspected it. It was a small metal filigree sphere Cronin had collected from Italy a long time ago. Alec had been looking at it the other day and left it sitting on the desk when their conversations about the keepsakes he’d collected ended with them naked, as usual.
Cronin put it back on the shelf from where Alec had got it, and turned to face his friends. “I’m hoping you’re going to tell me there’s been a few human and vampire relations that ended favorably.”
Jodis shook her head. “Nothing.”
Cronin frowned. “I had an errant thought before, and I’m now wondering if there may be a vein of truth to the madness.”
“What is it?” Jodis asked, concerned.
“Should we possibly look into the incubi?”
Eiji’s eyebrows almost met. “What?”
“The ability to copulate without biting,” Cronin said casually. “I just thought—”
“Cronin, no,” Jodis said, standing up. She walked over to him and put her hand on his arm. “That’s not what this is. This is not a manipulation, it’s not coercion, it’s fate.”
“I know that,” Cronin replied kindly. “But if we’re looking at all possibilities. If we are to be objective, is it not in our best interest to examine such things?”
Jodis shook her head adamantly. Her eyes were a steely blue. “I can appreciate your logic, Cronin. It’s generous of you to suggest the possibility, but I refuse to believe such a thing.”
“As do I,” Eiji said. “The incubi are deceitful, cruel even, and you are no such thing. What you and Alec have is real. You will share a bed and you will not feed from him because of the slightest chance of long-term effects on him, and you simply cannot cause him pain.”
“I won’t feed from him because of the effects it seems to be having on me,” Cronin said weakly.
“Oh, give me some credit, brother,” Eiji said with a laugh. “Do you not think after all these years I cannot read your face? As soon as Jodis mentioned effects on you, you loo
ked at Alec, and I could see your mind tick over, Cronin. You thought if it could affect you, then it could affect Alec.” Eiji gave a smug smile. “And you can’t bear the thought of it, because you’re fated to him. Not some incubus who would risk Alec’s death for your own pleasure. Cronin, the notion is ludicrous.”
Cronin sighed. “It was merely an errant thought.”
Jodis gave him a sad smile. “Please disregard it.” She looked at him for a long moment. “Cronin, we will find out what this all means. I promise.”
“Which part?” he asked with a sigh. “The part where I’ve suddenly acquired the ability to transfer talents from other vampires? Or the part where I believe Alec has to go into combat against the greatest, most horrific conqueror the world has ever seen?”
Jodis’ eyes softened. “My dearest friend, we will get through this. Though I will say, you are my immediate concern. Genghis Khan, if that is even who we are to face, can wait. This blue moon or the next, Cronin, it doesn’t matter. Your well-being is my priority.”
“And Alec’s purpose in all this mess is mine,” Cronin countered.
“Alec will have no purpose if you are compromised, Cronin,” Jodis said. “If this change in you is not reversible, if there is no improvement now that you’ve stopped drinking his blood, then I don’t know what that will mean. For either of you. Your fate is his as well. If you were to die, then he will follow….” Cronin growled softly and Jodis rephrased her point. “If you are compromised Cronin, then Alec won’t be fighting anyone. We need to get you well first.”
Cronin’s brow furrowed at the thought. He hated putting Alec in jeopardy. He hated the mystery of it all. There were far too many questions and not enough answers. He looked over to Eiji. “Have you found anything in the medical books?”
“For various ways different human blood may affect a vampire?” Eiji clarified. “There’s nothing which relates, in part, to you and Alec’s relationship, and even if there was anything remotely close, there would still be too many variables. Cronin, you’re the only vampire to ever feed repeatedly from the same source for any length of time. And there’s never been a human key before, so it’s a whole new level of unchartered territory. We simply have nothing to gauge this by.”
“Maybe Alec’s doctor appointment will uncover something,” Jodis said.
Cronin nodded distractedly. “Yes. Speaking of which, Alec will be awake soon. I’d best start the coffee machine.”
* * * *
Cronin liked Alec’s father. Kole MacAidan was a good man, so like his son albeit some twenty-odd years older. For the first thirty minutes of their visit, Alec sat with Kole on the sofa, talking of what had happened since their last conversation just a few days ago.
Cronin, on the other hand, sat on the recliner with Sammy the cat, who was purring so loudly both Alec and Kole kept glancing over at them.
Alec told his dad how they’d leapt to England and Bolivia and how the newest development for the key may very well include Genghis Khan.
“Genghis Khan?” Kole repeated. “As in the Genghis Khan?”
Cronin chuckled. “That is exactly what Alec said.”
“We’re not a hundred percent sure yet, Dad,” Alec added. “But what Cronin said makes sense.”
“Jesus Christ,” Kole hissed.
Alec smirked at Cronin before saying, “Well, I’m pretty sure Jesus won’t be there, Dad.”
“Oh har har, Alec. That’s not funny.” Kole shook his head. “And anyway, what’s this doctor’s appointment for? You boys are being safe, right?”
Cronin almost swallowed his tongue, whereas Alec just laughed. “Dad, please. I need to have my blood analyzed. We think it might have something in it that can affect vampires. We’re not sure, but we just wanna check a few things out.”
“I told you all along your blood was special,” Kole said. He didn’t seem surprised by any of this. He knew everything that Alec knew. He knew Cronin was a vampire, he knew he had some vampires on protective detail watching over him, and just like his son, took it all in stride.
“Mr. MacAidan,” Cronin interrupted them. “Do you know anything else about his blood? You call it special, but do you know in which regard?”
“I take it this must be something important for you to be worried, but no, I’m sorry,” Kole said. “Just that he was destined for great things. It was in his bloodline. That’s all I know.”
Cronin nodded. “It is important, yes. Thank you anyway.” He paused for a long second. “This doctor knows of Alec’s importance?”
“Albert ran tests on Alec when he was a boy. If he came off his bike or skateboard, he always healed fast, and Albert was curious,” Kole told them. “He ran tests when he was, oh, about twelve. Said he had a high iron count, but everything else was perfectly normal.”
“I’ve had dozens of blood tests and physicals,” Alec added. “Nothing’s ever been red-flagged before.”
“You said it affects vampires?” Kole clued in on Alec’s earlier choice of words. “You mean, it affects Cronin because he drinks it?”
Alec nodded. “Yes, Dad.”
Kole looked at Alec, then at Cronin, and slowly back to his son. He was clearly shocked, and for the first time ever, Cronin felt guilt for what he was.
“Does it hurt?” Kole asked quietly.
Alec barked out a laugh. “Uh, no Dad. Quite the opposite, actually.”
“Oh.” Kole cleared his throat. “Right.”
“I would never hurt him,” Cronin said quietly.
“Hey,” Alec said firmly, making Cronin look at him. “He knows that.” He tilted his head just so, seemingly confused by what Cronin just said.
Cronin’s cell phone buzzed in his pocket, and he was glad for the distraction. It was Jacques, the vampire who was given the duty of watching over and protecting Alec’s father. Cronin had sent him a text to advise him that they’d be visiting so not to be alarmed. “Cronin, you have an incoming. Human, possibly sixty, he has a doctor’s bag. Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” Cronin answered. “Thank you. He is expected.” Cronin clicked off the call to find Alec and Kole both looking at him. Then he heard a human heartbeat at the front door, and he looked toward it. “Your doctor friend has arrived.” A moment later there was a sharp rap on the front door.
Alec stood up and held his hand out to Cronin. Putting a disgruntled cat on the floor, Cronin was quick to take the cue. Alec squeezed his hand. “You okay?”
“Of course. And you?” Cronin replied.
Kole gave them one glance over his shoulder before opening the door. He greeted the doctor and opened the door wider. “Albert. Please, come in.”
“Kole,” the doctor said. “You’re not on my house call list. Everything alright?” He stopped talking when he saw Alec, and Kole shut the door. “Alec?”
Alec nodded. “Yes. And this is my partner, Cronin.”
Doctor Benavides stopped in his tracks. He looked at all of them cautiously. “What’s going on?”
“Sorry for the subterfuge,” Kole said. “The appointment’s not for me.”
“You’ve seen the news, yes?” Alec asked. “You saw me do the disappearing thing on TV?”
The doctor nodded and eyed Cronin uneasily.
“Then you know I can’t go to a hospital,” Alec said. “I don’t mean to implicate you, but I need your help. If you’re not comfortable doing this or fear you’d be harboring a criminal, then you can walk out of here, no questions asked.”
The doctor seemed to consider this for a moment. He looked at the three of them again, even glanced at the front door, but eventually looked Alec up and down. “What’s the matter with you?”
Alec smiled at him. “Nothing’s wrong exactly. I need blood tests done.”
“What are you looking for?”
“Anomalies. I don’t know exactly,” Alec explained. “Something that wasn’t there before.”
The doctor blinked and rubbed his wrinkled hand over his face. His eyes were a grayish blue, his eyebrows were bushy and matched his salt and pepper hair.
Alec pulled a wad of neatly stacked bills from his jacket’s inside pocket. “To cover any lab costs.”
The doctor put his black bag on the dining table and sighed. “Put your money away, son.” He looked around the room. “We okay to do this here?”
Alec grinned. “Sure.” He took off his jacket and pulled out a chair, sitting in it. He laid his arm on the table and inspected the crook of his elbow and tapped the skin, searching for a vein.
Cronin took a deep breath.
When Doctor Benavides took a sterile pack of hypodermic needles from his bag, Cronin growled and took a step toward them. Kole was quickly in front of him with his hands to Cronin’s chest, and he coughed to cover any inhuman sounds coming from Cronin. “Care to help me in the kitchen?” Kole asked, pushing Cronin toward the door.
Cronin could have easily stood his ground or knocked Kole through the wall if he wanted to—a human was no match for a vampire—but he knew Alec’s dad was right, and he allowed himself to be ushered out the door. As he entered the small kitchen, he heard Alec say, “Uh, yeah, he’s not a fan of needles.”
“Whoa, Cronin, you with me, son?” Kole whispered. It was only then that Cronin realized Kole had his hands to Cronin’s face. The man looked worried, and when Cronin swiped his fangs with his teeth, he realized why.
Cronin shook his head, trying to clear it.
“It’s okay,” Kole said softly. “He’s not hurting him.”
Cronin took a deep breath and realized that was probably not wise. The scent of Alec’s blood filled his nose, his throat, his senses. He wanted to taste it, and he wanted no one else to touch it. Every fiber in his body told him to kill the threat that touched his blood, his Alec. His body thrummed with danger and an energy he could barely contain. But he couldn’t allow harm to come to Kole or his doctor friend.
He held his breath and shook his head again. His fangs wouldn’t retract, the urge was getting too strong. “I can’t be here,” he said, his voice strangling in his throat.
