by Buff, Annie
They parted in the great hall, and Lachlan led Annalese to the suite that was his whenever he visited his friend. Cream-colored walls with dark walnut furniture, including a very impressive king-sized bed. Lachlan lit the fire and looked at his angel, who was studying her surroundings.
“Lese, I know I said I wouldna push and I won’t. But I canna let ye out of my sight, so you sleep under and I stay on top of the blankets. I have to know yer safe lass.”
“It’s fine, Lachlan. I didn’t expect you to leave. But after what, like fourteen hours, I need a bath. And don’t you need blood or something?”
“Is that an offer, lass?” he chuckled, and left the room. He thought about seeking out Vlad, but thought better of it. He and Sophie had gone to their chambers and he knew exactly what Vlad had in mind. Same thing Lachlan had, but he knew this wasn’t the time. The erection he’d been sporting didn’t agree though. He’d stick the damn thing in the snow if need be to keep his promise not to push her
Vlad had a very impressive kitchen, and he always kept top-notch scotch for Lach when he was there. And Lachlan knew he’d better have his fill before returning to his angel. She was too much temptation. And if he took her, it would be blood, body, and soul.
Percy
Percy was pacing, wearing holes in his antique Persian rug. “What’s taking so long?” He’d sent a second recon group out after Vincent didn’t return. Damn, he had no idea Lachlan would catch on so quickly, or that Vlad had been in town.
“Damn, shit, fuck!” Percy screamed. This was supposed to be easy. He’d been planning this for a century. Revenge. How could one damn Vampire screw up everything. Vincent was supposed to retrieve the girl, leave Lachlan a calling card, and bring her to Percy. Now Vincent was MIA. The girl had gone with Lachlan probably, and Tepes was in town.
Great, just great. He’d planned on bleeding Lachlan out slowly, destroying him as he’d done to his brother. But now everything was going wrong, starting with Vlad Tepes. Percy had sent two vampires to her apartment looking for her, Vincent, or Lachlan. At this point, he didn’t care which one they found. He just needed some answers.
He was running out of patience. He’d sent dumb and dumber out over two hours ago with no word. He knew he should have gone himself instead of holing up in an abandoned meat-packing plant. But no, he’d sent them out on a simple task, and they hadn’t checked in.
A moment later, a knock came on his makeshift office door. “Sire,” Vamp One spoke.
“Finally, where’s Vincent? What did you see? Speak dammit, I’m waiting.”
“Sire, Vincent is gone. I found a pile of ash with a claymore in the center.”
“No!” yelled Percy. Vincent had been with him almost 50 years. This couldn’t be happening. He threw a chair through the wall.
“Sire, there’s more,” spoke the second flunky.
“Just great. Why the hell not, right? What else?”
“A message for you, Sire.”
“Well, what did it say?” Percy was fast running out of patience with these two.
“It said ‘Oh how the mighty have fallen. Let’s take this home shall we. See you soon, dead man’ and Sire, it was painted on a wall in blood red.”
Percy was livid. He wanted to take it home, fine. He’d kill Lachlan and Tepes in Walacchia. He wouldn’t be stopped—not this time. It really was do or die.
Lachlan
He’d eaten his fill and taken two pints of blood. Not that he really needed it, but he wanted to be safe around his angel. He had two crystal glasses and his Macallans in hand as he reentered his suite. Annalese was wearing pale pink silk pajamas, her beautiful strawberry curls still damp. Oh shit, there went his erection again, screaming at him for release.
“Hey,” she spoke softly. She was sitting on the floor in front of the huge fireplace reading.
“Hey, yourself. Feel better?”
She nodded.
God, this woman and her eyes.
“So, I brought the scotch. Do you wanna ask me anything? I know this is verra difficult for you. I donna want ye to hate me for this mess I’ve brought to ye.”
Annalese just smiled, patting the floor next to her. “Sit, Lachlan. I want to know a million things.”
“Like what, lass?”
“Like how old you are, Lachlan? I’m twenty-five but I’d bet you’re a bit older. However, you look twenty-five.”
“Aye, yes, I’m a bit older than twenty-five. I was born in 1716 in Glasgow, Scotland. I turned vampire in 1740 at twenty-four. I’ll be three hundred come January.”
Lese gasped. 1716! Three hundred years old. “Holy shit, Lachlan!”
He laughed.
“Now lass, don’t make age jokes. T. has me by three centuries. I’d have died if not for him. He saved my arse on more than one occasion, including the first.”
“First?” She almost missed the reference. “Oh God, he turned you!”
“Aye, lass. T. saved me arse. And it’s not a bad life. Just a verra long one—more so when yer alone.”
Lese sat in silence for a few minutes, then put her hand on his arm. No words were spoken. They just sat. The silence was killing him and he had to know.
“You’re reading me, aren’t ya, lass?”
She nodded.
“So tell me, what do you see? I told ye I was a bastard.”
“No Lachlan, you’re not.” She took a deep breath. “I feel pain, I always feel pain when I touch you. But I feel loneliness this time. This is the first time you’ve let me feel it. You’re pretty good at masking your emotions. Must be the vampire side of you. I feel you yearning for a great many things, one in particular.”
He knew which one it was—love. Lachlan knew he shouldn’t love her in three days, but he did. And how could he tell her this already. She’d run. He just knew it. He was shocked she hadn’t already.
“Aye, but it will have to wait.”
“Love doesn’t wait Lachlan. It hits you when you’re not looking like a ton of bricks. It’s wonderful and intriguing and terrifying that you can feel so much for one person. Love scares you, doesn’t it?”
Be honest, Lachlan, he told himself. Do it. “Aye, lass. Love scares the hell out of me. But much more than having it, I’m scared of never having someone who loves…me.”
She let go of his arm and entwined her fingers in his. God, his hands were big and soft, softer than she’d ever expected them to be. She laid her head on his shoulder and she swore he sighed. Okay, too much emotion for her Vampire for one night.
“Lachlan?”
“Aye?”
“Do you have fangs?”
He burst out laughing. “Aye, lass, I have fangs.”
She was looking at his mouth. Her finger dangerously close to his lips. “Show me,” was all she said.
He closed his eyes, all his strength keeping him from her neck. Then as he opened them, his blue eyes were glowing.
Oh wow.
And he grinned. There they were in all their glory—Vampire fangs.
She reached out to touch, but he stopped her. “Not a verra good idea. I’m fighting here not to take you to that bed there.” He pointed behind them. “If ye cut yourself on them, yer blood would be in my mouth. I’d lose it, Annalese.”
She kept looking at him.
“Why do they glow, Lachlan? Your eyes. They glow.”
Ah, shit. This wasn’t an explanation he wanted to give, but Sophie said tell her everything.
“Here goes nothing. A Vampire’s eyes glow for a few reasons. Hunger is one—but I fed. And anger is also one, but I’m quite happy right at this moment anyway.”
“So what’s left, Lachlan?”
“Aye, ye really are gonna make me tell ye, aren’t ye?”
“Lachlan, you said I could ask anything. I’m asking. Tell me, Lachlan.”
“Aye, fuck, lass. They glow when I’m, ah, aroused.”
Whoa! His eyes were glowing because he wanted sex. Oh boy.
“OK fan
g boy, down. I’m not going to say we won’t, but let’s get to know each other a bit more. Okay?”
“Aye, lass, okay. But could I kiss you again? That kiss was phenomenal.”
Lese didn’t say a word, she just leaned over and captured Lachlan’s lips with hers. This one was passionate from the start. He pulled her close, his hand in her hair.
God, she tasted like heaven. He pulled away.
“Oh lass, it can’t keep going, much as I want it to. My self-control is hanging by a thread. Any more kissing and I’ll have you in that bed and it won’t be for sleeping.”
Lese understood. Her self-control was almost gone, those familiar flames shooting straight to her core. She almost grabbed him to continue, not caring if they wound up in bed. She had been so lost in the kiss, she almost missed the feeling of desperation he had. Her mind processed it quickly enough to understand how badly he wanted her, but for so much more than sex. He really did want her for eternity. Wow. Just thinking about it made her smile. The girl that never wanted a boyfriend was going to have a Vampire in her life.
Lachlan was heading out of the room when she stopped him. “Don’t leave” she said.
“Aye, lass. I need to go for a walk. I canna keep my promise if I donna leave for a while. It’s the honorable thing to do.”
“But I really want you to stay. Talk to me, Lachlan.”
“Annalese, I want ye in a bad way. I have only an ounce of self-control left. I need to go stand in the snow for a while. Calm down. It’s been a verra long time since I was with a woman and even longer, one I felt everything for. I was still human then. If I donna leave now, I’ll mate ye and I canna do that to ye. When we mate, it’s to be because you want me and ye love me. Let me be honorable, please.”
Annalese nodded and reached up, touching his face. God he was so beautiful. Even with a day’s growth on his chin. She kissed his cheek, then let him go for his walk. He left the room, and suddenly she felt cold and very empty. Oh God, she was falling for him. She thought maybe, but not this fast. “Oh Lachlan McCain, what have you done to me?”
She lay down on the bed, curled up, and thought of those eyes as she drifted off to sleep.
Lachlan opened the door to his suite carefully. He had a feeling she may have fallen asleep. He was right. She lay curled up on her side, beautiful curls flowing around her face. She hadn’t covered up, sleeping on the top of the down blanket. She really did look like an angel.
He quietly made his way to the bathroom. Yes, even Vampires heard the call of mother nature. After he’d finished his business, he looked in the mirror. For the first time in a century, Lachlan didn’t see a monster staring back at him. He’d told Lese he was a bastard. She’d told him he wasn’t. Maybe she was right. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t the bastard he’d thought he was.
He’d gone out to sit by the fire when he heard her.
“Lachlan. You’re back.” She sat up on the side of the bed.
“Aye, lass. I didna mean to wake ye. Ye were looking so peaceful, I didna wanna disturb ye.”
Before Lachlan could process it, she knelt down in front of him at the chair he’d taken.
“Can we talk, Lachlan? Really talk. Can you please tell me what this whole mating thing is, because I’m feeling things—things I shouldn’t feel for you in three days. It was crazy when you left. I felt too empty and now it’s my turn to be terrified.”
Lachlan just stared. He’d been afraid before, but nothing could have prepared him for the terror he was feeling now. If he told her what she was asking, could she handle it? Would she run? He thought she’d have run already, but if she knew, God, he had no idea what would happen.
“Lachlan, please talk to me. Tell me what’s happening.”
“Aye, gods be damned. If ye run, I’ll tell ye.”
“Run? Why would I run, Lachlan?”
“Hear me out lass, then ask what ye don’t understand, OK? Destiny creates a mate for us—the one person who completes who we are, like a soul mate. She’s created just for him. They fit together like two pieces of a puzzle—mind, body and soul. Most are not lucky enough to find their other half. I never thought I would. Vlad never thought he would, then came Sophie. She completed him, calmed his soul. She’s feisty as hell. They are a perfect fit. He’s hard, she’s soft. And I have never seen two more in love than those two. Now, it didna mean I never wanted it; by the gods I did, but I told you I’m a bastard. I didna think I deserved it. Then I saw ye and I knew.”
“Knew what, Lachlan?” She was looking up at him, green eyes glassy from the tears that threatened to spill.
“That Destiny, for whatever reason, thought I was worth it. She gave me you—the other half of my soul.” He stopped for a moment to wipe a tear from Lese’s check. “Ah lass, don’t. I’m not worth your tears. I told ye I’m a bastard. I’ve doon some terrible things, but I verra much want to be a better man. When we Vamps mate, it’s for life—eternity really. I will only take blood from you and will be completely faithful. The bond won’t let me be otherwise. It’s like marriage but so much more.”
“OK stop. You’re a vampire, you live a crazy amount of time, but I’m human—I’ll die.”
“Oh, aye. But no, Annalese, you won’t. All you need is a teaspoon of my blood about once a week, and you’ll live as long as I will.”
“So I’ll be a Vampire too?” Lese was confused.
“Oh no, lass. Still human, just ah more. It slows the aging process. It will keep you healthy, and because you’re human, the possibility of children is there.”
“I thought you guys couldn’t do that—have kids I mean.”
“Female vampires are barren. But males are not and it’s a wonderful thing. A hybrid child has all the strengths of a vampire, none of the weaknesses—a true born, like Vlad.”
“Vlad was born a vampire? Lachlan, this is crazy—you know that, right? How will I ever fit into this world of yours. There’s so much I don’t understand.”
“If ye decide—”
Lese quickly cut him off. “Not if Lachlan. There is no if. In my heart and soul, it’s a matter of when. If went out the window three nights ago when you came into the diner. I shouldn’t feel this way, I know it’s too much too soon, but I do. I feel it into the depths of my soul. And Lachlan, it feels right and wonderful and terrifying. I want to live in your world with you. I’m just not sure I know how. Help me understand, please.”
Lachlan and Lese just gazed at one another for quite some time. Neither had any idea how long, before he scooped her off the floor and onto his lap. He held her tight to his chest. Suddenly she pulled away. “Lachlan, your heart, I hear it!”
He laughed “Aye lass, of course you do. I’m not dead, just different.”
“Well, OK then fang boy, tell me everything I need to know. Start with this.” Lese ran her finger down the scar on Lachlan’s cheek.
“Does that bother ye, lass?” He really thought maybe it did.
“God no.” She almost yelled it. “It actually makes you really sexy.”
They both laughed and he spent the rest of the night trying to explain to Lese about the world of vampires. He talked, she asked questions. He gave her answers. By the time the sun came up, Lese was on information overload and needed a break.
“Lachlan, I think I need to sleep—process all this. Could you just lay with me and hold me for awhile?”
“Oh hell yes, lass. That I can definitely do.”
Vlad & Lachlan
The setting sun found Vlad pacing in his bed chambers while Sophie slept peacefully on their bed. Vlad was livid. He’d woken that way. Seething how Percy would go after Lachlan’s mate.
Vlad may have been Lachlan’s sire, but they were the best of friends, brothers really. Sophie was the only person closer to him than Lachlan and that said a lot. He trusted Lachlan with his life, more importantly with Sophie’s life. It was rare for a vampire male to form such a bond with another male, but they had. And either would lay down his li
fe for the other, fight arm in arm—to the death if need be.
“Oh Percy.” Vlad spoke out loud. “I will enjoy your death, more than I should old friend.”
He very quietly dressed and left his chambers, hoping Lachlan was already up. He knew they hadn’t started the mating—his blood bond with Lachlan told him that, but he wasn’t sure what else had transpired. And he was not in any mood to see Lachlan’s girl pissed off at him for disrupting their privacy.
He wandered to the kitchen and found his chef, Marcus, in the process of breakfast for Vlad and his house guests.
“Good evening Master Vlad,” said Marcus, as he hummed a tune Vlad was unfamiliar with. “Shall I plate it or would you rather a buffet style in the main dining room?”
He thought about the question and returned with one of his own. “Tell me Marcus, what makes it easier for you and how could you possibly get all this”—Vlad waved his hands in reference to all the food Marcus had cooked—“on one plate?”
“Point taken, Master Vlad. I’ll set up in the dining room. Do you expect Master Lachlan and his lady soon?”
“Hey Marcus!” Lachlan had entered the kitchen mere seconds before the question was posed.
“Ah, Master Lachlan.” The two men embraced. “It’s been too long. You need to visit more often, Sir.”
“Ye right. But this visit isn’t me normal social call. T, have you heard anything from yer scouts yet?”
Lachlan poured them both coffee, as Marcus went back to preparing his dishes.
“Not yet. I’m in a bad gods-damned mood over this though!”
Lachlan chuckled. “So what’s new T.? You’re always in a bad mood.”
Vlad flipped him off. “Fuck you, Lachlan.” Both men smiled.
They stepped out on the balcony that overlooked Vlad’s sprawling estate. Lachlan lit a cigarette and drew deeply.
“Still haven’t given those up I see.”
“Nay, not like their gonna kill me, just calm me a bit.” Lachlan spoke.
“Yeah I get that. Gimme one of those.”
