Buzz & Blow

by Alex Carreras

  Asher couldn’t take it anymore, the need to come the only thing that was important to him. Reaching down, he jacked his cock chasing much-needed relief. “Give me your blood,” he directed.

  Craning his neck to the side, Niko managed to say, “Take it.”

  Opening his mouth, Asher sunk his teeth into Niko’s jugular. Complete and total nirvana infiltrated every piece of his body and mind as Asher’s powerful orgasm ripped through his body. If it was possible to die from too much pleasure, Asher figured he was standing at death’s door, only seconds away from crossing the threshold.

  Covered in a film of cool sweat, Niko collapsed onto Asher.

  Taking his final drink, Asher held his lover in a tight embrace feeling Niko’s heart pulse in time with his own. They were now connected forever, a contract forged in passion. Their shared eternal bond, secured in blood, was a steadfast commitment to protect each other no matter what fate befell them.

  Every muscle spent and minds entirely exhausted, Niko and Asher cradled each other, drifting off to a restful sleep.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Cousin, hurry.”

  Niko recognized Mario’s voice, the urgency palpable. Racing from his bed, Niko shot a parting glance at a sleeping Asher before rushing to the front door. He looked at his watch: 6:08. If the sun wasn’t already up, it would be soon. Shielding himself from the harmful effects of the sun just in case, Niko opened the door only a crack.

  “Let me the fuck in,” Mario pleaded, throwing his weight against the door. “I’m getting burned out here.”

  Niko opened the door to allow Mario to pass. “What in the hell is your problem?” he asked, annoyed. “You could’ve dissolved into a pile of ash for a hundred years if you cut it any closer.”

  Mario didn’t have to say a word for Niko to realize that his cousin was in trouble. Real trouble. His hair was disheveled, his eyes darted in every direction, and his light blue shirt was stained with blood.

  “W–w–what’s the matter,” he stuttered.

  Mario paced and lifted his hands palms out. “I didn’t do it. I didn’t do fucking anything. You have to believe me.”

  “What are you on? Drugs? A bad batch of synth-blood?”

  “Nothing.” Spittle flew from Mario’s lips. “I almost burned up out there and had nowhere else to go, that’s what.”

  “The cops are looking for you.”

  Mario stopped and looked at Niko through narrowed eyes. “No shit. Why do you think I’m here?”

  “Tea and biscuits?”

  “Sometimes your sense of humor really gets under my skin.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I told you. Nothing.”

  “Then why did the cops point a gun at me earlier tonight when they were looking for you?”

  “What are you going on about?”

  “All hell broke loose in front of the shop?”

  “What did you tell them?”

  “Nothing. And you know why? Because I don’t know nothing.” Niko waited for some sort of explanation, but Mario didn’t offer one. “So, are you going to fill me in or am I going to have to beat it out of you?”

  “I went down to the beach like I do other nights, but last night was different. “Things got” — Mario scrubbed his face in his hands and blew out a breath — “Ugly.”

  “Define ugly.”

  “There were some newbies there I’d never seen before. Some unchanged who offered their blood. They think it’s cool and lends street cred.”

  Niko knew the type. If these humans had the nerve to make the transition completely, he was sure that some of the vampires at the beach would do it for them. But these people didn’t have what it took to survive for eternity, so they lived in a warped fantasy world until something untoward happened to them. It always did. Niko crossed his arms over his chest and listened, too keyed up to sit. “Go ahead,” he said.

  “They were drinking — the vampires were drinking. Alcohol at first, then blood. There were elders there too.”

  “Who are these elders?”

  “I can’t say. Powerful ones.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “If they ever find out I ratted them out, my life would go to shit real fast.”

  “Didn’t your life just do that?” Niko arched a brow. “Two nights ago you were in a club loving life and now look at you. Eyes of a wild animal, dried blood all down your shirt. You’re a fucking mess, so you better start telling me who these elders are and what they did.”

  “Forget I said anything. You have to let me stay here, maybe for a while. And no one needs to know.”

  “So you’re going to drag me into this shit.”

  “We’re family.”

  Like Niko needed reminding. “We have a problem.”

  “I have enough of those already.” Mario lowered himself onto the couch, his body weary. Niko decided to do the same. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

  “I’m not alone.” Niko pointed toward the bedroom.

  Mario groaned, relaxing against the cushions. “Sorry, man. Hope I didn’t cock block you.”

  Niko fought back a smile.

  “Who is it? That dark skinned twink who always requests you at the shop. The one with the fine ass?”

  “You’re correct when you say he has a fine ass, but we’re not talking about the same ass. Asher from across the street.”

  “You mean that snooty, prissy boy who works at that hair salon?” Mario asked. “The one who’s always staring out the front window watching you smoke?”

  “He’s not snooty.”

  “But he’s prissy. You can’t deny that.”

  “He’s a hairdresser.” Niko shrugged. “Aren’t they all?”

  “Good point. . . Anyway,” Mario said, changing the subject. “He doesn’t know anything. Just tell him I’m staying here until sundown.”

  “He saw the commotion tonight too. Many did. It’s not a secret that you’re involved in something.” Niko took a seat by his cousin. “Maybe he’ll be too classy to bring up such an obviously uncomfortable subject.”

  “Tell him to mind his own business, and who is he anyway? Just a warm hole to shoot your load into, right?”

  “Don’t be crass.”

  “Is some of that prissiness rubbing off?”

  “I like this guy. He’s . . . nice.”

  Mario stifled a laugh. “Little old ladies are nice, not lovers.” His smile widened. “Next time you want to get your rocks off, why don’t you go for that horny twink instead. He looks like he’d be a hot lay.”

  “Asher is a hot lay.” Niko rolled his eyes and twisted his mouth to the side. “And maybe I want more than that.”

  “You?” Mario grabbed his belly, laughing. “You haven’t been exclusive with someone for years. Jesus, centuries.”

  “Maybe it’s about time.” Although it sounded like a question, it was a statement, a strong statement. “You got a problem with that?”

  Mario shook his head. “None whatsoever.”

  “So, I’m going to ask for the last time, then I’m going to start swinging.” Niko placed his elbows on his knees and angled toward Mario’s direction. “Why do you look like that?”

  “I didn’t like the vibe,” Mario began, speaking slowly. “It was different from other nights. It’s hard to explain, but it just felt different. Almost violent.” He visually swallowed. “The boys were restless and out for blood, I could smell it.”

  “Boys?” Niko questioned. “Thought you said that elders were present?”

  “I did, but you know how they bait the youngsters who have something to prove. It’s pathetic to watch.”

  “Then why did you?”

  “I didn’t, or I didn’t intend to.” Mario stood, took a few steps. He gazed at the floor, remembering. “I said my goodbyes, but then this guy showed up. Tall, imposing. He looked familiar. At first, I couldn’t place him, but then it hit me. He’s a council member. Think his name is Alderman.”

&n
bsp; “I know the guy.” Niko rubbed his chin. “Elitist. Word is, he has many men in his pocket.”

  “I believe that,” Mario said.

  “How did he act? Did the others know him?”

  “Yeah, like he was one of the guys but obviously the alpha. I could see through his smarmy smile. He wasn’t fooling me.”

  “Then what?”

  “He started spouting bullshit, something about taking back the power and reclaiming our way of life. The guys loved it, and the humans cheered along too, the stupid idiots.” Mario punched the air out of frustration. “They got it. Torn to pieces. They were the most savage killings I’ve ever witnessed. Alderman attacked first then the rest pounced like hungry jackals. It was fucking awful. I went to run, to get as far as I could from the slaughter, but some guy grabbed me, and that was it.” Mario appeared exhausted, blue-black crescents under his eyes.

  “They made you drink.” Niko’s heartbeat thumped in his ears, steady and fast. He knew that once you tasted genuine blood taken in a savage way, the need for more crawled into your veins, robbing you of every thought except for one, wanting more. “Mario.” Niko looked at his cousin. “How could you be so naïve? Everyone knows that the beach crowd plays rough. Why didn’t you have enough sense to stay away?” Niko didn’t wait for his cousin’s response. “You always liked to play with fire. Even as a small kid you gravitated to the cruel kids, the evil ones who made life horrible for the rest of us.”

  “Let’s not turn this into a how-I-fucked-up-again thing,” Mario said through clenched teeth, “like you always do. This is not my fault.”

  “Then whose fault is it?” Niko said trying his best to control the vitriol in his voice. “You are not blameless.”

  Mario spun, fangs exposed. “What do you want me to say, that I fucked up? I did, so are you happy?”

  “No. Watching you suffer like this makes me feel the exact opposite.” Niko stood, unsure if Mario was going to pounce. “You have to go to the police and tell them what you just told me. Whatever the outcome, I assure you it’ll be better than the hell you’re going through now, and the hell that will no doubt ensue if you don’t.”

  “How did I get myself into this mess? I only wanted to have a little fun. I’m sick of this place and all their rules. Rules for some and not others.”

  “Sangre is a good place. We’re not hunted here. I admit it’s not perfect, but no place is.”

  “You can say that again.”

  “What you’re going through has nothing to do with Sangre. You simply mixed with the wrong crowd and now it appears as if they are going to take you down or keep you silent.”

  “If I come forward my gut tells me that I will go down for the murders and Alderman and his butt boys will walk away without a blemish.”

  “You don’t know that,” Niko said. “And from where I’m standing, you don’t have much of a choice. You have to trust me on this.”

  “I need to sleep on it.”

  “You’ll be safe here.”

  “What about” — Mario hitched a thumb toward the bedroom — “him?”

  “He’s out cold. You can sleep on the sofa. I’ll get you a pillow and blanket.” Niko went to make a move, but Mario’s hand on his shoulder stopped him.

  “Cuz.”

  Niko looked at Mario’s sad eyes. “Yeah?”

  “Thanks.”

  “Thank me when I help you get out of this mess.”

  * * * *

  Niko didn’t like what had come to his front door.

  It was more than a little complication brought on by Mario. It was a total fucking cock-up, and Niko’s gut told him that it was going to end badly. And it was just his luck that Mario’s mess that was now also his mess involved a city council member, the richest, most influential of council members who also happened to be a primeval vampire with deep roots in Sangre. Alderman’s ancestors had settled in the area, but Niko wasn’t sure if they were still human at the time or already turned. He questioned why he cared about the Alderman family’s chain of events, but something told him that Councilman Alderman’s power began in the early history of Sangre, and possibly even at his family’s expense by paying with their natural lives. Chills ran up Niko’s spine at the disturbing thought taking shape in his brain. If Alderman could do this to his own kin, what chance did Mario have?

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “Did you meet up with that mocha latte hotness after work last night?”

  Asher didn’t see the harm in covering up the truth, at least not to Tory; the eternal twinkpire was virtually harmless and knew how to keep a secret. Asher had seen Tory angry only once, and that was when Jerrod had made the comment that one of his client hairstyles was lacking pizzazz. After that lackluster observation, his well-bleached fangs shot out and Tory was ready to take on his boss. Never comment on another hairdresser’s work if you didn’t want to get bitch slapped was Asher’s motto, especially if that hairdresser was gay and a vampire.

  Rearranging his stylist’s station, Asher looked around for Jerrod.

  “He’s not here yet,” Tory shared, “so spill before I pull out every highlight on that pretty head of yours. And you had better not leave out any of the intimate details, for example, the size of his. . .” He waggled his eyebrows and pursed his cherry-red, gloss-covered lips.

  Asher wasn’t so sure that his friend was kidding. He sat in the stylist chair, the fine leather covered in an almost undetectable layer of hairspray, adding to its high sheen. “It was incredible,” Asher said, staring off into the middle distance reliving last night’s events. “He was incredible.”

  Tory took the seat by Asher and spun, laughing. “I knew it. You can just tell by the way he sucks on that cigarette that he would be a good lover.”

  “Not good,” Asher corrected him. “Great.” He spun in his chair too, throwing up his arms. “It was magic,” he sang out to his own little tune. But then he remembered what he had overheard, and the smile disappeared from Asher’s lips. He set his foot onto the floor to stop the spinning chair.

  “What’s the matter?” Tory asked. A look of confusion masked his face.

  Asher didn’t know if he wanted to share the disturbing news of Mario’s involvement in the deaths at the beach, but it had been eating away at him. Unloading the burden might help him put it all into perspective. Maybe he was being a worrywart. He had a tendency to worry no matter how hard he tried not to. It was a genetic thing. He came from a long line of worriers.

  “If I tell you this,” Asher began, eyeing the glass door to see if there was an approaching client early for her appointment, or Jerrod rushing in as he always did in a gust of chilly wind. “You have to keep this a secret.”

  “Ohhh,” Tory purred. “I like where this is headed. I won’t say a word.” Tory pretended to lock his lips tossing the invisible key over his shoulder.

  Asher continued cautiously. “You remember all that commotion last night?”

  Tory made a humming noise and nodded his head, platinum blond spikes shaking above his forehead.

  “Mario . . . Niko’s cousin, you know, the one the cops were looking for?”

  Tory made that noise again.

  “Well, he stopped by right before sunrise.”

  Tory’s light blue eyes, the color of a malamute’s, grew large and round.

  “I overheard Mario tell Niko that he was at the beach when those two mortals got massacred. They didn’t know I was listening. They thought I was asleep.”

  “You always were a nosy bitch,” Tory said.

  Asher knew his friend’s silence wouldn’t last long. He thought of casting a temporary spell on the fledgling vampire rendering him mute, but Tory’s will to talk would more than likely be stronger than any incantation Asher could conjure up. He cleared his throat. “I like to think of myself as inquisitive.”

  Tory made a derisive noise in the back of his throat. “Whatever.” Tory inched closer. “So, did Mario kill those people?”

  “No,
but he did drink from their veins. He was forced to. I really think he’s innocent.”

  “Do not get involved,” Tory warned. “If the police, or worse, Jerrod, finds out you know something about these murders, your ass is grass.”

  “Don’t you think I know that?”

  “Sorry but you can be a little hardheaded sometimes, especially when cock is involved.”

  Asher wanted to fight back and defend himself, but he knew Tory’s comment was well-intentioned and the little twink was right. Asher never had luck with men. Never. Huffing out a gust of air, Asher buried his face in his hands. “What in the hell am I supposed to do?” he said before redirecting his gaze back to Tory.

  “Keep the information to yourself?” Tory shrugged his shoulders, his eyes full of sympathy. “Maybe?”

  “But I know what I know, and I know it will eat away at me until I tell the right people.”

  “I think I followed that.”

  “I didn’t tell you everything.”

  Tory groaned. “I don’t think I want to hear any more. I’m getting scared.”

  “What kind of vampire are you?”

  “A superficial one.” Tory stood and patted at his hair without actually making contact. His hair was razor sharp with gel and could prove to be dangerous if not lethal. “Allow me to make a suggestion. Continue having all that amazing sex with the Cubano hottie, but at your place, not his.” He paused, his slim hip jutted to one side. “Niko’s cousin doesn’t know where you live, right?”

  “Thank god, no,” Asher replied.

  “Good. Keep it that way.”

  “Keep what, what way?” Jerrod’s deep baritone sliced through the air . . . and Asher’s heart.

  Asher jumped from his chair and began busying himself with the cans of hairsprays, lotions, and gels on his station, straightening them.

  Jerrod watched him with intense scrutiny. “Why are you ignoring me?” he asked.

  “I–I–I’m not.” Asher tried his best not to stutter but failed miserably. The powerful vampire was that intimidating, even after all of these years.