by April Kelley
"So not all dragons can make fire?"
"No. Not very many."
"Did you live anywhere besides here?"
"I was imprisoned for forty years."
"Hmm. Longer than me. What about before that?"
If Fane annoyed Garridan with all his questions, he didn’t show it. "I lived in a dragon shifter village."
"How many dragons?"
"About one hundred and thirty."
"No about. I need an exact number."
Instead of the scowl Garridan almost always had, he smiled as if something Fane said amused him. "I don't know the exact number."
Fane waved off the comment. "Fine. How many were fire breathers?"
"Just Me, Bennett, and one other."
Fane waved him off. "That's not a big enough village to get an accurate number to determine the rarity of having three fire breathers in the same family. But the fact that none of you are genetically related intrigues me. I'll ask the Wingspan Alpha to give me his village’s numbers. I was there with Forrest and Angel while they were talking with the bear shifter council male. The alpha was nice. He'll share his information."
"It's not that important." Garridan waved him off and turned from the door.
Fane knew the expectation was to follow him out, so he pulled away from Ramsey, only to stop short when Ramsey held him plastered to his side. They walked behind Garridan together.
"It could be important. Maybe it's not a coincidence. It could be nothing or something."
"I'll cooperate."
"DNA and blood samples. First I need to speak with Zadimus. He's the oldest vampire in existence. He'll know some of the old legends. Legends are where to start in this project." Fane smiled and looked at Ramsey. "Got something to do now. You don't have to worry about me anymore."
"You’re making Garridan and my brothers a science project makes me more worried, not less, sweet." Ramsey chuckled which took some of the sting out of his words.
Fane was going to ask Ramsey for lab space to experiment, but after Ramsey’s statement, he didn't know if he should. The not knowing made him nervous, which came out as a giggle.
"Hell, if you're gonna study anyone, study Lucas, and his healing ability." Garridan led them down the stairs and through the living room. He went through the door leading to the kitchen, putting on his shoes when he arrived at the back door.
"If he can heal it stands to reason he also can destroy. One doesn't happen without the other. One important rule about the universe is everything has a counterbalance."
"He can, yes. And the ability to freeze someone. What we need to know is what will happen if Lucas and an elf are together."
"You need to know about the elf?"
"Yes."
"Get me one, and I'll experiment."
"Or we can just ask him when we find him." Ramsey let Fane go long enough for them both to put on their shoes.
"We find one first. Nothing else matters until then, not even Lucas' abilities."
Fane stood next to Ramsey behind the ones Garridan called the mates. When he had called them that, he probably referred to Lucas, Sage, and Shawn, however, Ladon and Jules also stood in the lineup.
The whole family was outside, bundled up in coats and hats. They looked cold all huddled together like penguins in the Arctic, but they never complained. Instead, they looked ready for things to get started.
Ramsey’s mother smiled and winked at him, giving him a knowing look that Fane couldn’t begin to decipher. It was one of Ramsey's brothers who clued him in. "Fane should be learning this stuff too, Ramsey."
"How did you miss the fact that Fane is fucking fierce, Gabriel?" Shawn was the most outspoken one out of everyone in Ramsey’s family. He didn't hold anything back and that often started arguments between him and Gabriel. Fane didn't understand what they liked about arguing but they were in their bedroom fucking when the fighting ended.
"Fane already knows it." Ramsey leaned down, kissing him right below the ear before whispering, "You should stand next to Garridan."
Fane nodded and started across the yard. Ramsey patted his behind as he went which made him look back. Ramsey smiled reassuringly. He turned and moved across the yard, taking up a position opposite Bennett, the other fire breather, on Garridan's other side. Except for the other day with Jules, Fane had never been a Sensei before, but that's what Garridan asked him to do so he'd do it.
He wiped the palm of his hands down his pants and tried to ignore the butterflies causing a ruckus in his stomach.
"Fane's going to lead the self-defense this time, and you're going to do everything he says." Garridan turned to him. "I just need to teach them how not to die if they get attacked. That's the most important thing for now."
"Defense is only half. They need to know how to kill their opponent too. We can't always run away."
Garridan smiled and nodded. "With that Bennett and I are taking a step back and letting you teach."
Fane nodded. He took a deep breath and tried to remember everything Sensei taught him. To teach it all at once wouldn't do. He'd have to break it down and start with basic movements, but first, he'd have to see what each of them needed.
"Killing means someone is dead and you made them that way. Death is permanent. What I teach is for your survival only. Nothing more. Do you understand?"
Several mumbled, disjointed yeses came. Fane clapped his hands in a bid to get everyone’s attention, especially Lucas who looked at the ground as if searching for something.
Lucas looked up in mild boredom, so Fane pointed to him and motioned for him to come up to the front. Fane pointed to a spot behind him and to the right, which Lucas went too. "If you want to die, then you can get out."
"What did I do?"
"You don't take this seriously, so spending your last days before the war with your mate is better for you. It’s the last you’ll get most likely."
"Damn." Lucas stalked back to the lineup, and he looked at Fane with narrowed eyes.
"You'll not look at me that way either." He met each one of their gazes and pointed at them in succession. "The battle will happen. Nothing will stop its momentum now. Your peaceful existence in this town is over. You either prepare to die or fight. There's no time for anything else. You understand?"
"Yes." When they said it the second time, they were nearly in unison and their voices blended.
"Monster, I need you to help me."
Ramsey nodded and walked to him.
Fane took up a stance with his fists in front of him, facing Ramsey. He turned his head to address everyone in the group. "Just watch." Fane turned back to Ramsey. "Attack me."
Ramsey took a step back. " You want me to shift and attack?" He shook his head. "Wait. It doesn't matter. I can't do that."
Fane straightened and pointed to Garridan, who shook his head. "No. I feel paternal. It's not something I can do."
"By the gods, seriously." It was Shawn's mate, Gabriel who came over to him. Ramsey moved out of the way. "I'll do it. You guys do realize it's all so he can teach them, right? He fucking needs help, and he's probably never taught before." Gabriel smiled at him. "As a teacher, I completely understand how nervous you must be right now."
"Yeah." Fane held his hands up again when Gabriel stood in front of him. He nearly pushed Ramsey aside. "I won't hurt you. I promise."
Gabriel raised his eyebrows and paused right before growling and coming at him. Fane intended to show his students the block he wanted them to learn, but Ramsey stood in front of him and had Gabriel down on the ground in seconds with a hand around his throat.
"You need a Sensei." Fane grabbed Ramsey's wrist and pulled it away from Gabriel's neck.
Ramsey pushed Fane behind him. "I need you safe."
"Behind glass, like the vampire prison."
"No, Fane."
Fane nodded and stepped around Ramsey, offering his hand to Gabriel, which he took, and Fane pulled him up on his feet. "You hurt Gabriel. All over a mate you don't
even know if you want."
An arm came around Fane's waist, pulling him against Ramsey, back to chest. "I want you, sweet. More than I've ever wanted anything."
"Let me go so I can teach them."
Instead, Ramsey pulled him closer. "The need to protect you is overwhelming."
"And not helpful to your family members. They’ll learn to run to their mates for protection when the war starts instead of standing up and fighting.”
Ramsey sighed. "You're right."
"I know I am."
Ramsey chuckled, and Gabriel joined him.
"Why is that funny?"
"Because you're so blunt. It's cute."
Fane curled up his lips. "I'm not cute."
"You're very cute, sweet."
“Go back inside while I teach.” Fane pointed to the sliding glass door.
Ramsey chuckled again. “That’s not happening.”
“Yes, it is.” Fane wiggled, trying to get out of Ramsey’s hold, but his arms tightened around him even more. “Let me go.”
“No.”
Fane was well aware they had become somewhat of a show for everyone else in the yard. Ramsey either wasn’t aware or he didn’t care. Fane wasn’t sure which. “See. You hold me, prisoner. I should be used to it by now, shouldn’t I?”
“Quit with the drama, Sweet.” Ramsey’s body was hard against his own, and a certain part of him grew harder as they stood there in the embrace.
“You need a Sensei. More than anyone here. Your control is slipping.”
Ramsey growled and let him go. He stalked to the house. “My control slipped the day I met you.” He never looked back as he spoke.
Fane sighed and then turned back to Gabriel. “Come again.”
Chapter Nine
He wouldn’t be able to ignore the urge to bond for much longer. Ramsey knew that even as he led Fane through the parking lot to get to the diner.
Fane looked around at everything he could see without pulling away from Ramsey's side. Ramsey wouldn't let him go, and Fane likely knew it. He didn't seem to mind Ramsey's need for physical closeness.
"This should be a gentle introduction to some of the clan."
"Never been to a restaurant before." Fane giggled, which meant he was nervous.
Ramsey smiled. "I'm glad our first date is a new experience for you."
"Date?"
"Sure. We should get to know each other better. Don't you think?"
"You'll leave me for your clan." The way Fane said it, as if it were a foregone conclusion and he had resigned himself to that fact, tightened Ramsey's stomach.
"I don't want to. Hell, I don't even know if I can." Since Fane was completely honest with every word he spoke, Ramsey decided to be as well.
Fane gave him a wide-eyed look. “That’s because you don’t want to, but you still might in the end.”
Yeah, sometimes Fane was honest to a fault.
"And you have no filter." Ramsey smiled to take the sting out of his words.
"What do you mean?" The question made it seem as if Fane didn't do it on purpose. And Ramsey had to admit that, despite the martial arts training that suggested he could kill with one single kick, Fane came off as innocent. So much so that it was part of the reason Ramsey's water monster was going nuts. Not only was Fane his mate but he was an innocent.
"You say what's on your mind."
"Oh. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings."
"No, sweet. You never have to censor yourself around me."
"I can't anyway." Fane made a hand gesture, turning his finger around his head.
Ramsey took Fane's hand in his and stopped them from walking. They stood in the middle of the parking lot surrounded by cars, but Ramsey didn’t care. All he saw was Fane.
He brought Fane’s hand up to his lips, kissing his palm. Ramsey wasn't sure what possessed him to do that, but Fane rewarded him with a smile.
Ramsey pulled Fane in such a way so they were facing each other, letting go of his hand. He was so much taller than Fane that he had to bend down slightly, so Fane didn't have to strain his neck looking up at him.
How could someone hold such an open, innocent expression and experience anything corrupt?
Forrest and Angel broke Fane out of the vampire prison, which meant the guards might have gotten rough with him. And then there was something about his past that Fane wouldn’t share with Ramsey, which suggested that Fane was familiar with corruption in some form. He was also experimented on for gods knew how long. He certainly didn't make it through all of that without having some damage.
Ramsey didn't see any of that in Fane's gaze, but only the innocence.
Ramsey's heart jumped. He would bet money that Fane had never been kissed a single day in his life.
Ramsey let go of Fane's hand and cupped the back of his neck. He bent down, his lips a breath away from Fane's. "I'm going to kiss you, sweet."
Fane's lips parted. "Oh." Ramsey’s cock took notice of the way Fane's lips looked forming that one word. His bottom lip was plump and stuck out a bit more than the top one.
Ramsey smiled right before going in for the kiss. Fane's mouth moved under Ramsey's, relaxing the muscles of his mouth without being prompted. Ramsey tilted his head to the side, moving away just enough so he could deepen the kiss.
Fane's hand pressed against the center of Ramsey's chest, and he leaned into him. It was all the incentive Ramsey needed. Ramsey took one tiny taste, licking just at the opening of Fane's lips. Fane moaned and moved closer still, his arms working their way around Ramsey's shoulders.
Fane opened up for him. Ramsey got the first real taste of Fane, his control slipping one sip at a time. Ramsey lifted Fane, wanting him closer still, so he could take even more.
He knew he was demanding and couldn't stop himself. The world could fall apart around them, and he'd be okay as long as he kept kissing Fane.
A car horn honked and they didn't stop, which just proved Ramsey's was right about himself.
It wasn't until someone poked him in the shoulder that he finally broke apart.
Ramsey growled, letting his eyes change.
Sage stood there, his complexion white. He took a step back and turned without a single word spoken.
Shit.
Ramsey would have to apologize for scaring Sage.
Garridan came out of his store, which was right next to the diner in the shopping complex. He looked like he was about ready to challenge Ramsey, which was just fine with him. Maybe then Ramsey wouldn’t have to be alpha anymore.
Garridan didn't have to push Sage behind his back. He went there automatically. "I did what you asked, Garridan. Ramsey got all scary."
Ramsey looked around the parking lot then, taking his eyes off Garridan, which wouldn't have been a smart move with anyone else but Ramsey knew Garridan wouldn't do anything to him. Ramsey saw several people standing around, watching him.
"Act like the damn Alpha, boy." The only people who heard Garridan were the four of them. He spoke so softly it was impossible for anyone else to hear, even shifters.
Ramsey's shoulders slumped. "You're right. Sorry, Sage." He pulled Fane close to him in an attempt to get him away from everyone else around them, including the scowling Garridan.
"I won't hurt him." Garridan shook his head as if the thought was ridiculous.
"It's instinct."
"Instinct for you to protect him from the clan?" Garridan's scowl deepened and lost some of his anger, all at the same time.
“Yes. It’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
"If that's the case. We have a problem. A big one. One we can't discuss in a public setting."
"Fane and I will have lunch and then come by the shop."
Garridan nodded and turned. In that same whispering voice, he talked to Sage. Sage nodded and then kissed Garridan on the lips before going back to the diner, where he worked as a server.
The second he entered the diner, he realized what a big mistake it was. He coul
dn't keep his water monster contained completely. Everyone felt like a threat to his mate to the point that he growled at everyone who looked at him wrong.
If he could dial down his primitive response he would, because it made Fane's experience in the diner awkward, but that wasn't possible.
Ramsey’s eyes turned reptilian, making him look menacing. He growled at Sage again, who he passed as he walked Fane to the back table. He guided Fane into the booth and slid next to him.
Sage hesitated when he walked to their table. He stood looking at Ramsey as if he had grown an extra head. "Are you okay?"
"No."
Sage just lifted his eyebrows. "You want your usual."
"Yeah." Ramsey leaned down and whispered in Fane's ear. "What would you like to drink?"
"Water."
"No soda or coffee, sweet."
Fane giggled. "No caffeine."
Yeah, Ramsey could see why caffeine was a bad idea for Fane. Fane seemed to work hard to remain calm, and caffeine would counteract all his hard work.
"Water for Fane."
Sage nodded and turned to leave, but Ramsey's next words made him stop and face Ramsey. "Sorry for scaring you again."
Sage just nodded and gave Ramsey a sympathetic look as if he knew the struggle within.
Ramsey turned to Fane, moving so close to him that he pressed Fane against the wall. Their gazes met, and Ramsey's teeth dropped down as if he'd fuck Fane and bond in the booth.
"You want to bite me."
"Yes." The word came out like a growl.
Ramsey was so engrossed with Fane he barely noticed someone standing at the end of the table. Tim, Josh's father, along with two other shifters glared at them.
Carl, the bank manager, was one of them. He was an older wolf shifter, whose mate was also a wolf shifter. The other man, Gerold, was a cougar shifter the same as Tim. He worked at the grocery store, stocking shelves and wasn't mated. Of the three men, Gerold was the oddball of the bunch because of his age. He was only a few years older than Ladon. Old enough to have gone through his first shift, but he was still young and impressionable. He was also big in his human form, which was why Tim had him come along.
