As he stole a look out the window, Moss released a soft, bitter chuckle. A convenience, that was his role in Vane’s life. Not a lover, let alone an equal. Just the idea was laughable.
Perhaps he’d have fallen into hysteria altogether had a sudden voice not sounded behind him. “Are you all right?”
Moss turned toward the door and almost yelped when he saw Vane standing there, looking as mysterious as ever. “You look upset.”
That was the understatement of the century. Of course Moss was upset. Nothing made sense anymore, except this strange ache in his chest whenever he was around Vane. But he had to respect the contract and Vane’s desires. He had to stay professional. He’d committed to this, and he couldn’t fall apart every time he had a bad dream.
“I’m fine. I’m just having trouble sleeping.”
Vane arched a brow. He obviously didn’t believe Moss, but for once, he didn’t argue. “Would you like to have a drink with me?” he asked.
The offer surprised Moss. “I’d be honored, Your Lordship.”
He was dressed only in his nightclothes, so it was a little awkward to leave his room like that. Vane didn’t seem to mind, though. The bloodkin led Moss downstairs and into his office. Moss could have sworn he saw a shadow move from the corner of his eye and surmised it must have been Benson.
When they reached the office, Moss sat on the couch, feeling awkward and out of place. Vane poured him a drink and offered it to him. Moss eyed the glass warily and at last took it. He wasn’t much of a drinker. He never had been. Still, perhaps it would be worth a try.
Moss gently took a sip from the glass. To his surprise, it had quite a pleasant kick, burning his throat as he swallowed. “Good?” Vane inquired with a small smile.
It was an unexpected expression on Vane’s face. Moss liked it. The strange fist clenching around his heart started to loosen. What had he been so worried about? Nightmares came and went. They were irrelevant.
“Thank you, yes,” he replied. “I apologize for taking you away from your important tasks with my foolishness.”
“It’s not foolishness,” Vane countered. “You’re uncertain, and I can understand that.”
Moss winced. “I admit I haven’t adapted to the circumstances as well as I should have.”
“You’re doing an excellent job,” Vane encouraged him. “You just have to stop worrying about things you can’t control.”
Moss wondered what that meant, what Vane knew, how much he’d been able to grasp out of Moss’s sometimes erratic behavior. “I’ll try,” he promised. “I’m sure I’ll do better once I get a better grip on your financial situation.”
He was doing his best to remain professional, even if what he truly wanted was something else entirely.
Vane couldn’t have been fooled by this clumsy attempt. “I’m sure you will,” the bloodkin said. “Just know that I…You always have my full support.”
His own uncertainty was so apparent that Moss decided to give him a break. “You’ve helped a lot,” Moss assured him. Placing the glass on the coffee table, Moss got up. “I should get back to bed. You have my thanks again, Your Lordship.”
“Good night, Moss,” Vane murmured. “May Mother Earth guard your dreams.”
Moss was surprised at the mentioning of the elven deity, but he tried not to let it show. “Good night,” he replied simply.
When he left the office, he had more questions than answers, but he felt a little more at ease. At the very least, Vane seemed to have faith in his professional abilities. They might not be able to become lovers, but Moss hoped they might be able to start a friendship. It would hardly be enough, but it would have to do.
* * * *
Vane watched Moss go with a heavy heart and a mind filled with confusion. While he hadn’t told Moss about it, he knew exactly why the human couldn’t sleep. It was the dreams, always the dreams. In truth, Vane rarely, if ever, slept at night, but for some reason, he’d been drawn into bed tonight. As it turned out, he’d succumbed to slumber only to have a nightmare about himself and Moss being separated.
Clearly, Moss had dreamt exactly the same thing, which was why Vane hadn’t inquired into it. Vane would have liked to speak to Kier about it, but that would just bring up issues that were better left forgotten.
Kier, however, seemed to guess what Vane was going through. A few moments after Moss’s departure, the elf slipped into Vane’s office. He allowed his glamour to fade and gave Vane an inquiring look. “Is there any reason why our resident human is walking around the house in his nightclothes?”
“He had a bad dream,” Vane answered brusquely. Had he wanted to talk to Kier? What in the world had he been thinking?
“A dream you shared,” Kier correctly guessed. “Still think it must be all a coincidence?”
“I’m not an elf, Kier,” Vane told his friend. “I told you time and time again that bloodkin don’t have soul mates.”
Kier shrugged. “Believe what you want. You’re too stubborn to listen to me anyway. But know this. Denying won’t make it any less true.”
Once again, Vane had the urge to point out Kier’s less than successful love life record, but he refrained from doing so. The past didn’t matter anymore, no matter how much Kier mourned it. Vane had to focus on solving the problem in the present.
“In any case, Moss is off-limits,” he explained to Kier. “No matter how attracted I might be to him, the fact remains that I am bloodkin and he is human. There’s no way a relationship between the two of us would work.”
Kier hummed thoughtfully, obviously on the edge of saying something else. Vane shook his head, stopping him before he could speak. “It’s for the best, Kier. Surely you realize that.”
The elf grimaced, but didn’t comment further. “It’s your choice in the end. I just want you to be happy, Vane.”
“I know,” Vane replied with a sigh. “I know that.”
But like a soul mate, happiness was off-limits to bloodkin. Vane had to accept that, and make sure that Moss understood it as well.
Chapter Six
Vane had intended to put a little distance between him and Moss, to stop allowing the human to get so close. Sadly, things didn’t exactly go as expected. Something about Moss simply got under Vane’s skin, and he found himself needing to spend more time with his frustratingly sexy secretary.
He tried to keep their interactions in friendly terms, but it was quite difficult when both of them responded erotically to their feeding sessions. Still, so far, Moss had proven to be a far better employee than Vane had expected and easily a man Vane could have considered a friend.
There were no more nightmares, something which Vane found promising. However, they did go out into the city again. Vane didn’t have a lot of time since his duties kept him occupied, but he felt it was important for Moss to get accustomed to Clavar. Moss jumped at the chance, seemingly very eager to learn more about his new home.
A few days after their conversation in the office, Vane left the house with Moss using the carriage. It was a little sunny, and while the rays wouldn’t have caused Vane significant discomfort, Vane decided on this method so that he could chat with Moss without being overheard.
As they passed by the harbor, Moss smiled slightly. “You know,” he commented, “the first day I got here, I was robbed. I had no idea what I was doing. I still don’t. If I hadn’t run into you, the Sky Lord only knows what would have happened to me.”
The simple trust contained in those words shook Vane. “I’m sure you would’ve been fine,” he said. “You’re a very resourceful young man.”
A light blush tinted Moss’s cheeks a delightful pink. “You flatter me. Thank you, Your Lordship. But nevertheless, I must say I remain grateful for your assistance. You’ve been exceedingly patient with me.”
Vane had never been known for his patient nature, and he didn’t particularly want that to change. However, he was strangely pleased at Moss’s praise. He didn’t feel that he’d done en
ough to warrant it. In the end, it was normal for a secretary and his employer to have some sort of rapport. But clearly, it made Moss happy, and Vane couldn’t bring himself to dismiss his behavior as nothing special.
“It’s been my absolute pleasure,” he said.
“I never thought that coming here would teach me so much, about bloodkin, about humans,” Moss commented, glancing out the window again. It almost seemed like he was talking to himself, not to Vane.
“And what have you learned?” Vane asked softly. He could see Moss’s memories when he drank the human’s blood, and a connection was already beginning to form between them. However, Moss’s emotions remained, to a certain extent, a mystery to Vane. He wanted to hear Moss speak, to figure out what had truly made this human put so much faith in Vane.
“I think people are people everywhere. Some will be bad, and some will be good. That doesn’t mean we should brand a whole species as terrible monsters because of what a handful of individuals do.”
Moss clearly saw a sharp difference between Vane and other bloodkin he’d known before. To a certain extent, it pleased Vane, but he also felt the need to emphasize a very important point. “Just remember that, prejudice aside, bloodkin are very dangerous. That’s why people like me exist, to make sure they don’t harm anyone.”
“I understand that. I understand all about bloodkin instincts, and I know that not everyone is going to be like you.” Moss turned toward Vane once again, his bright-green orbs fixed on him. “But that doesn’t change how I feel.”
In that moment, Vane realized he should have known better. Being in close quarters in a small carriage with his secretary had not been among his best ideas. Maybe Kier was right. He was knowingly taking bad decisions, and only because he wanted to spend time with Moss.
A dark fire blazed inside him already, ignited by Moss’s words and his presence. Vane forced himself to quench it, and when it didn’t work, he did his best to at least hide it. This was too private. They needed a distraction, something that would engage Moss’s attention even more than the city.
They hadn’t been headed in a particular direction, so, on a whim, he decided on it now. Hoping he was doing the right thing, Vane shouted to the coachman, “Take us to the city outskirts.”
Moss looked a little puzzled. “Why are we going there?”
Vane just smiled. “I just want to talk to you.”
As the carriage advanced through the streets, Vane started having doubts about this, but he didn’t want to show indecisiveness and retract the command. He was glad that Moss seemed to understand the ways of the bloodkin, but for some reason, he needed to make sure.
He had no idea why it was so important to him, why he felt his urge to teach and explain. Perhaps he just wanted an excuse to spend time with Moss. Or maybe he thought that if he discussed it with Moss, he’d be able to figure out his own emotions.
Either way, they kept going, until they left Clavar and enter the countryside. Further inland lay Elmya, but also the Tachakan plains, the home of the bloodkin.
When the carriage rolled to a halt, Vane pushed open the door and gestured Moss outside. “Walk with me, would you?”
Moss still seemed confused, but he obeyed. As they left the carriage, the sunlight struck Vane with almost dizzying force. If he hadn’t been as old as he was, he would have real problems walking through the heat, especially since there were very few trees in the area.
The human must have guessed this, as he threw a concerned glance Vane’s way. He didn’t ask any questions, but he didn’t have to. Vane arched a brow at him. “You should know better than to worry about me by now.”
Moss shrugged, looking a little embarrassed. “I can’t help it. But what did you want to tell me?”
Vane stopped in the shade of a nearby tree and sat down. He pulled Moss with him, although he was careful to maintain at least a measure of distance. Moss respected that and waited patiently.
Satisfied, Vane pointed into the distance. “See that road? It leads to Tachaka, the capital city of the bloodkin.”
Moss blinked, obviously taken aback by the random comment. “It’s not my home, but it is the place where my parents are buried. I want you to understand something, Moss. This place, Clavar…It was always supposed to be a human settlement. But my people showed up, and it’s never going to be the same. The situation is similar all over the world, ever since the bloodkin expansion. You must be wary.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Moss asked, now sounding troubled.
There were many reasons why Vane had decided to approach Moss with this. Mostly, he had a feeling. Tensions seemed to be gathering in Clavar, and he wouldn’t be surprised if they erupted soon. “Just keep it in mind. The world we live in is dangerous.”
“I’m not afraid,” Moss said, his emerald gaze glittering with stubbornness and courage. “I’ve seen what bloodkin can do in Elmya. But I have faith that, among your people, there are good men and women who will keep the situation under control.”
“That’s my role, yes.” Vane sighed and gazed out into the distance. His role, the one he’d inherited from his father. He wondered what his sire would think if he saw Vane now. “It’s just good to always keep things into perspective.”
“Well, for my part, I believe Clavar is in good hands.” Moss grinned playfully. “Although I must say, Your Lordship, I hope you handle your people better than you do your finances.”
Vane couldn’t help it. He burst into laughter. “I have you for that,” he managed to say between chuckles. “Don’t I?”
“For whatever you need,” Moss whispered.
The human’s words banished Vane’s mirth. They weighed on him long after they returned to the mansion. All throughout the day, and the night, they kept repeating themselves in his mind. “Whatever you need.” It would be easy, so easy to take what Moss freely offered. But Vane wouldn’t do it. No matter what Moss said, the human wasn’t mentally or physically prepared for a relationship with a bloodkin, and that was something that would never change.
* * * *
The home and office of Gary Bertrand lay in the very heart of the Clavar. Built in the latest architectural style, it screamed money and status. Most thought Bertrand earned them by his own honest work. Moss knew better.
Gary Bertrand was one of the most reputed lawyers and accountants in the city. His office dealt with the finances of half of the preeminent nobles in the area. He’d also been chosen for the task of taking care of Vane’s finances, a task at which, in Moss’s humble opinion, he failed abysmally.
At first, Moss hadn’t truly believed Vane needed a secretary, but as he’d gotten more accustomed to Vane’s life, he realized Vane did indeed delegate a lot of his tasks to outside individuals. These people, like Gary Bertrand, tended to take advantage of Vane’s busy schedule in order to try and steal his money. A foolish thing, given Vane’s influence and power, but perhaps they thought Vane wouldn’t notice or mind.
Truth be told, Vane had indeed ignored the problem for quite a while. From now on, though, it would be Moss’s task to make sure all of Vane’s associates did as they were bid.
Moss had been working for a week with Vane now. In spite of all his confusion and frustrated emotions, he’d become acquainted with the details of each account and affair. It was far more complicated than he originally thought, but Moss still loved it.
Today, he’d gone to introduce himself and request the revision of the documents not in order. Unsurprisingly, Bertrand did not look happy to see him there.
“I did not know His Lordship had a secretary,” he said.
“It is a new position,” Moss replied. He took a sip of the cordially offered tea, enough to be polite and at the same time point out he wouldn’t take nonsense, then put the cup down. “Now, if we could get to the matter at hand. I’ve found some mistakes in the documents handed to me by His Lordship.”
Bertrand didn’t seem impressed. “I’m sure it must’ve been a misinterpr
etation. We take great pride in the service we offer here.”
“I’m sure you do,” Moss replied, ignoring the jab, “but that changes nothing.” He retrieved his papers from his case and began to point out the inconsistencies. By the end, Bertrand was visibly agitated and starting to sweat. “Ah, yes,” he said at one point. “I have an apprentice here now, and he must have made these awful mistakes.”
“I hate to think you would delegate His Lordship’s affairs to a novice.” Moss frowned. “A man of your experience would have been able to spot such glaring errors.”
The other man seemed torn between anger and frustration, his pudgy face red. “If you gave me a week or so, I’m sure I could set everything in order.”
Moss didn’t doubt that. He’d have preferred to change lawyers altogether and have someone else deal with Vane’s investments, but he didn’t have any better suggestions. Until he figured out a solution, he’d just have to watch Bertrand like a hawk. “Two days,” he said. “His Lordship has already waited enough.”
After exchanging a few more words, Moss readied himself to leave. Bertrand led him out of the office, a courtesy that surprised Moss. But as they walked toward the exit, a woman and a man met them halfway. The woman smiled at Bertrand while the man lingered behind her in a distinctively protective stance. Moss instantly recognized her as the brunette he’d met the night of the fateful interview, the one who’d told him to visit the Courtesan’s Guild for a job.
Oblivious to Moss’s shock, Bertrand took a step forward to greet his new visitors. “Lady Annette, what a pleasure to see you here.”
“Thank you, Gary. I hope you don’t mind I convinced your butler to let me in.”
Bertrand kissed the woman’s hand. “Not at all. I always enjoy your visits.”
She looked like she wanted to say something else, but then, her gaze fell on Moss. “Oh, hello. We meet again.”
Moss’s heart fell. So she remembered him, too. “Hello, miss. I trust you’ve been well.”
Bed and Breakfast [Bloodkin 1] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Page 9
