The Lion's Den

by D N Simmons

  He lay still, catching his breath. “Thank you, Kysen,” he said, once he was finally able to speak again.

  Kysen looked over at him. “You’re welcome.”

  “I wish I could have seen you killing him.”

  “Ah, but you did, through my blood.”

  “I mean with my own eyes.”

  Kysen smiled knowingly. “Well, one must take what one can get.” He sat up, struggling a bit due to his own weakness then looked over his shoulder at Darian. He didn’t like the expression on his face; it was a look of humiliation and uncertainty. “Darian, are you going to be all right?”

  He turned toward Kysen. “I honestly don’t know.”

  “Darian, you’ll get through this. You’re still here when he is not.”

  Darian sat up, facing him. “I couldn’t protect them, Kysen. Not only that, I was … .” His voice trailed off and he turned away.

  “Your pride is hurt, my child … nothing more. This happens, Darian. There have been vampires within your own coven over the years, who’ve come through this exact type of situation. There is always going to be a vampire stronger than you are … always. Some of them will wish you ill; they’ll want to possess you, hurt you; this happens. It’s one of the many predicaments I’ve tried to prepare you for.”

  “There was no way you could’ve prepare me for what happened.”

  “No, this is true. You were no match for him, and perhaps, I did fail in that sense. I should have taught you humility. If I had, you’d be handling this much better than you are now.”

  Darian’s head shot up and he looked at Kysen, confused. “You’re criticizing me for feeling the way I am? You have no idea what I’m going through right now, Kysen!”

  “You’re angry, dejected, you feel humiliated because you were completely and effortlessly overpowered. For all of the impressive strength, ingenuity and self-confidence you possess, you were made to look absolutely useless, weak … pathetic?” Kysen leaned forward, toward him. “Does that sound about right?”

  Darian winced, each word piercing a hole in his shield.

  “Darian, I know you better than you think I do. Maybe you’ve forgotten that, but I haven’t. You were always on top of the world, on top of your game … the best. Moreover, you still are, what happened here means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Wallowing here in self-pity will be your downfall, not what Marcus did to you.”

  Darian reflected on Kysen’s wise words, he nodded.

  Kysen chuckled. “Ahhh, the job of a parent is never done. You always keep teaching, your child will always need to learn more of life’s lessons, even after sixteen hundred and fifty-three years, is it?”

  Darian nodded. “Kysen, you mentioned that this sort of thing happens to all vampir”

  Kysen held up his hand, silencing Darian. “I know where you’re going with that question. Don’t.”

  “Kysen, has it ever happened to you?” Darian asked, ignoring his Maker’s orders.

  “Stubborn as always, I see. Nothing’s changed,” Kysen said, with a sigh. “If it will make you feel better about your own circumstances, then fine. I was about two thousand years old, living on my own with my own coven. It was what Irikara wanted for me. According to her, I’d been far too attached after eighteen hundred years together. I thought we would be together forever. …” He paused, reflecting on his own emotion at the present time as well as in the past concerning his love and worship of his Maker, Irikara.

  “You love her very much, don’t you?” Darian asked, watching him.

  Kysen nodded. “Yes, as much as she loves me; as much as I love you. But, I digress. As I’ve said, I was on my own, I had six vampires living with me, four of whom I turned, the other two were those who pledged allegiance to me when I killed their Master and took over her territory. I had complete control over that territory for two hundred years, my reputation, much like your own had spread across the continents, reaching the ears of a vampire who was almost as strong as Irikara.”

  “I can’t imagine the extent of her power. All I know is what flows through you and that’s telling enough.”

  Kysen nodded. “Drinking from her has been one of my greatest pleasures and privileges. Back to the tale. This vampire, he came for me and I was powerless against him. He massacred my entire coven in front of me, and then took me for himself. You can imagine all of the things he did to me. I don’t think I have to go into the specifics.”

  Darian shook his head. “I can imagine. Kysen, I would have never known.”

  “No, you wouldn’t have. Irikara received news of what had happened to me. She came for me, challenging the vampire who had taken me, killing him. Much like you, I was ashamed, bewildered … didn’t know how I was going to regroup from what had happened. You must understand, Irikara is a Goddess and she chose to grant me the gift of her powers. And in one instant, another had shown me just how useless my powers were against him.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Exactly what I’m telling you. Get over it. Darian, I chose you for a reason, this self-pity you’re exhibiting now is not befitting a warrior such as yourself. When you left me eight hundred years ago, you did what I couldn’t do with Irikara. You wanted to experience life on your own. You wanted to take this world into your hands, and make it your own. Whatever fears you experienced at that time didn’t hinder you and your reputation grew over the years. Look at you, my love. You’re Master of one of the most powerful cities in all of the world. Chicago has been your territory for over a hundred years; you have a coven that would die for you if you so wished it. You have friends who love you and would fight and die for you if need be. You have nothing to be ashamed of.” He took hold of Darian’s chin, lifting his face upward. Leaning forward, he kissed him passionately. Moments later, he broke the kiss. “My child, stand tall on your pedestal again, and show no shame or uncertainty. You are a powerful Master vampire, direct descendant of the Goddess, Irikara; the Original Fount of our line and my immortal love, my son … my Chosen One. There is no greater honor.”

  Darian could feel his pride rise within. He smiled. “Kysen, has anyone ever told you that you could have a future career in motivational speaking?” he asked, feeling more like himself again. The shame he was feeling was starting to fade away. “No.”

  “Thank you.”

  Kysen smiled slightly. “Do try not to get yourself into this kind of trouble again.”

  “I wasn’t trying to get myself into trouble at all. However, I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Oh, by the way, you may want to send someone back for your airplane. Marcus transported you all here in it.”

  Darian sighed. “The thought of him and his on my airplane,” he shook his head. “I’ll retrieve it later. Let’s go, I want to check on Elise.”

  “She was injured badly, she’s probably dead,” Kysen said nonchalantly as he rose from the floor. Reaching down, he helped Darian to his feet.

  “I still want to see for myself,” Darian said, adjusting the tattered remains of his clothes in an attempt to make himself look presentable. The two men left the room, heading into the living room where Sergio was leaning over Elise, licking her wound, sealing it. Elise was alive but unconscious. Her strength was gradually returning, but she was still very weak.

  Xavier walked briskly toward Darian, taking his Master and lover into his arms, kissing him. Kysen watched to two lovers reunite for a few seconds, then he returned his attentions to the shifters in the room.

  Sergio was lifting Elise in his arms. “We should get going,” he said, walking through the hole that used to be a wall of beautiful imported French glass windows.

  “Is she going to be all right?” Darian asked, once he and Xavier broke their kiss.

  “Yes, she just needs to rest so that she can heal completely. I’ve done all I can for her right now, the rest will have to heal on it’s own.” Sergio looked down at his woman. Her eyes were closed, brows furrowed as she endured another spasm
of pain. Her wound was healing slowly, in spite of Sergio and Miranda’s help.

  “We can take Marcus’ limo back to the jet,” Adan said. He looked down at his own wound, which was healing, but still very tender to the touch, sore. He wished he had his Matron there, if he had, he’d be completely healed.

  Xavier wrapped his arm around Darian’s waist and the two exited the mansion following the others through the large opening.

  Kysen paused beside the limousine, looking around the property, admiring the landscaping. “Pity to leave such a beautiful territory, having just successful won it,” he said, with a hint of regret.

  Darian looked at him. “Thinking about staying?”

  “No. I’m perfectly happy where I am. It’s just … well, old habits die hard. I’m used to claiming territories I win, that’s all.”

  “You’d be challenged for it constantly,” Darian said, reflecting on how popular the territory was.

  “Rome, it’s old, rich in history and culture, of course others will want it and I have no interest in defending my territory every other day. Let’s go.” Kysen climbed into the limousine, mentally igniting the engine. Darian entered behind him.

  “I’ll drive,” Adrian said, finally relieved to be free and reunited with his father. He pulled the long car out of the driveway steering it onto the road. His father sat beside him in the passenger seat, looking over one of his numerous wounds, which was still bleeding slightly. “Are you going to be okay, Dad?”

  Xander nodded, but kept his eyes on the wound in his stomach. “I’m bleeding internally still, but it’s healing. Mostly from the inside out, it’s just taking a little bit longer than I’d like.”

  “I’m just glad all of this shit is behind us,” Adrian said, navigating his way through traffic.

  “I concur,” Xander said. He looked at his son. The bloody and burned marks that were on his wrist were practically healed in spots. Overall, his skin looked a little puffy and red where the silver chains once held his wrists, torso and ankles captive. “I’m glad to see that you’re healing well.”

  Adrian glanced down at his wrists. “Yeah, me too. For a minute, I thought those silver chains were going to burn their way through my bones. I had to really be careful to make sure my skin didn’t touch the chains much.”

  “You have impressed me. Although, I wasn’t expecting less from you, my son.”

  Adrian smiled. “I just did what I thought you would do in that situation.”

  “That’s not true. All who you are isn’t based on what you think I would have done. You were brave because that’s the kind of man you’ve become. You’ve shown great strength and courage during this trying time and I couldn’t be more proud of you, Adrian.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Adrian was honored by his father’s words. His father was a man he held in extremely high regard.

  “You’re welcome.” Xander settled more comfortably into his seat, wincing a little as he did. “Yes, my son, you’ll make a wonderful Alpha one day.”

  Adrian glanced at his dad, his smile growing wider. “I’m in no hurry for that title.”

  “No, you’re not quite ready yet, but soon, and when you are, you’ll be perfect.” Xander applied more pressure to his wound, grimacing slightly.

  “Are you going to be all right?” Christopher asked him over the seat.

  Xander looked over the headrest. “Sure, I’ll be fine. How are you?”

  Christopher looked down. “I’m starving, the pain is driving me insane, but other than that, I … I’ll be okay.” He looked sad as he turned back around in his seat. The memory of his sexual assault flashed in his mind. He shookfather’sad as if he could erase the vision. Xander looked at him, but didn’t say a word. He could smell what had happened to the younger vampire and felt it was in bad taste to initiate conversation about the incident.

  Adrian drove to the jet and they all boarded and were airborne within minutes. Miranda lay next to Elise, giving her warmth as Sergio laid Elise’s head gently down on his lap. He watched her sleep, hoping it was peaceful. Adan sat down in a chair, tossing one leg over the armrest. He eyed both Darian and Kysen from across the plane, wondering what words were shared between them when they were alone in the room. He knew that it was none of his business, but he couldn’t help his own curiosity. Not to mention, Darian appeared to be unruffled by what had happened, and he wondered if it was because of something Kysen said to him. Xavier watched the two vampires as well, wondering the same thing as Adan.

  “Darian, are you all right?” Xavier asked, coming closer, sitting beside him.

  “Yes, Xavier. I’ll be fine. The worst is behind us,” Darian assured him. He looked at Christopher, who was sitting alone and very quiet. “I’m more concerned for him than myself at this time.” He nodded his head in Christopher’s direction.

  Xavier looked at the younger vampire. “You should talk to him.”

  “I know, but now is not the time,” Darian said, not wanting to discuss the matter in front of others.

  Xavier nodded, understanding Darian’s reasoning. “He needs to feed.”

  “Don’t we all,” Kysen commented, still feeling weak from feeding Darian.

  “I’m all right,” Darian said, giving Kysen a knowing look.

  “Can you spare a few pints, then?” Kysen retorted.

  “No.” Darian smirked, enjoying their moment of closeness.

  Adan had been watching and listening to the three vampires converse. He looked at Christopher, seeing him shake from his painful hunger pangs. He rose from his chair, walking over to the young man.

  “Christopher?” Adan asked, looking down at him.

  Christopher looked up. “Yeah?”

  “Here, you should feed.” He offered him his wrist.

  Christopher reached out desperately taking the wrist in both hands. “Are you sure?” he asked, softly, apprehensively as if he was afraid Adan would change his mind.

  Adan nodded. “Go on, it’s okay.”

  Christopher didn’t need much convincing. His fangs extended and he plunged them deeply, sharply into Adan’s blue vein, causing the shifter to gasp and jerk. Darian, Kysen and Xavier watched the two men. Kysen ran his finger over his bottom lip as he observed Adan undergoing the effects of the vampire’s bite. A slight smile crept over his face. Darian turned from them, toward Kysen, noticing his interest in Adan. He remained silent, keeping his opinioto himself until he was ready to address his thoughts. Xavier also noticed the attraction both men seemed to share for one another, but he also said nothing. Adan moaned aloud as his climax rippled through him, buckling his legs. Kysen was across the plane in a fraction of a second, catching him before he fell. Adan leaned against him, panting as his orgasm faded. Christopher pulled away, sated.

  He looked up at Adan, seeing Kysen standing behind him. “I didn’t take too much, did I?” he asked, hoping he hadn’t hurt the shifter.

  Adan shook his head. “No, I’ll be fine. I just need to regain my strength. Are you better now?”

  Christopher nodded. “Thanks, I really appreciated that.”

  “My pleasure,” Adan said. He looked up, over his shoulder at Kysen. “Thanks for catching me, you can let me go now.”

  “I’m a little parched myself,” Kysen said, imploringly.

  Adan chortled. “You’re unbelievable, you do know that, don’t you?”

  “I take it you won’t donate?”

  “How perceptive of you.”

  Kysen laughed, caught off guard again by Adan’s forthright approach. “How can you deny me after I’ve saved your Pride?” He smiled seductively as he waited for Adan’s response.

  Adan looked at Kysen, watching as his full, perfectly shaped lips parted in that seductive grin. He was beginning to desire the vampire more than he had anticipated and wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “If you really need to feed, I’ll let you, but you just don’t look that desperate.”

  Kysen inched closer. “Who says I’m desperate? It’s
true, having been guzzled down by my young one over there … ,” he gestured toward Darian. “ … I am in need.” He slid his hand underneath Adan’s chin, gently lifting his face upward. “May I?”

  Adan’s heart began to race. He remembered how wonderful it felt the first time he had fed Kysen. He remembered how he had wanted it to go on forever. He nodded, before even realizing he was granting the vampire permission. Kysen winked, leaning forward, his lips parted revealing just one set of his razor-sharp fangs. He bit deeply, sealing his lips around the wound as he began to suck the delicious blood from Adan’s veins. The two men stood together, held still by the glorious rapture of the vampire’s bite. It was quite evident to the others who were watching them that there was more to their union than the simple act of feeding. They could all sense the attraction the two men shared for each other, and that attraction seemed to grow stronger as Kysen fed from Adan, causing the younger man to share the experience of indescribable pleasure and the powerful orgasm it created that rippled through both of their bodies. Finally, the two parted. Adan’s legs collapsed, but Kysen held him up, keeping him from falling. He laid Adan on the sofa. Standing back, he watched as Adan silently drifted into a blissful unconsciousness.

  “That was most satisfying,” Kysen declared as he settled back into his chair.

  “Im sure,” Darian commented, giving Kysen a knowing look.

  Kysen rolled his eyes.

  “I wanted to thank you again, for helping us, Kysen,” Xavier said.