Jason sighed and turned his hand over, threading his fingers through Tage's. "He hasn't given me an answer. He said it's something he would have to think greatly over; the only person he's ever turned is Egbert. As for what I want…" He looked back up into Tage's eyes. "I know I can't bear the thought of someone taking us away."
"Only Master Griffith can give me away, Jason. Nobody can take you away unless you decide to leave, but if it's what you really want, I hope Master Dominic gives it to you." Smiling a bit, Tage lifted his head and pressed a small kiss to the corner of Jason's lips.
"What about you?" Jason turned his head slightly and kissed Tage softly. "What do you want?"
"I don't know what I want, but I think you should really think about being turned. It has to be something you really want, not because of fear, Jason."
Jason laughed and shook his head. "You sound like Dominic."
"And you need to listen to him because he's right. If it is something you really do want, then I'm all for it."
"You'd still want me if I was turned?" Jason asked, leaning down to kiss Tage again.
"You don't even have to ask that, Jason." Opening to him, a small whimper emerged from Tage as he shifted closer.
Jason fell silent, content to lose himself in Tage's kiss. He snaked an arm around Tage's waist and held him tight, pressing their bodies together as his tongue swept through Tage's mouth.
* * * *
Four more nights passed with unbearable slowness. Tage sat in the chair at the club, staring morosely around at the others. He'd left Dominic and Jason in the other room, setting up a demonstration. Never in his life had Tage ever felt so helpless. Then shock froze him in his seat when he saw Grif in a collar and led by a leash in another man's hand. Swiftly, white hot rage followed and Tage wanted to kill the bastard who had taken his master away.
"Stay here, Griffith." Quinn unfastened the leash from the collar and set it down on a table. "I will be back shortly." Grif nodded obediently and the man headed toward the back of the club and disappeared into another room.
"Master?" Tage's voice didn't rise above a whisper yet Grif heard it. Turning to face Tage, the look of gentleness on his master's face soothed through Tage as he scrambled out of his chair to go to Grif.
"Master Dominic is going to get you back. He already talked to the counsel." Tage's tone remained low so that nobody else would overhear them. He just didn't dare tell Grif the rest of what he'd overheard Dominic and Egbert talking about.
Raising his hand, a fingertip smoothed over Tage's lips, silencing him as Grif's other hand cupped Tage's cheek. "It's all right, Tage. Master Dominic will take very good care of you, you know that. Don't worry about me."
"I miss you, Master." Tage almost broke out into tears then and there, his voice trembled as he whispered, "I love you."
The warmth of Grif's calming touch flowed through Tage, quieting the turmoil. For a moment, Grif's expression completely opened, reflecting the depth of emotion inside him. "I love you, Tage. I always will." After pressing a gentle kiss to Tage's lips, Grif stepped back, releasing him. "Now I want you to go back to where you were before Quinn comes back and sees you."
Though he had to obey Grif, Tage felt exceedingly reluctant to do so, his mood had calmed because of Grif's presence, and he no longer felt the nagging emptiness of the last several days. Nodding, he daringly gave Grif a kiss of his own before he quickly turned. The chair he had vacated was already occupied so Tage moved toward the back of the room to an empty chair. Moments later, he heard Quinn's voice coming from the hall behind him. It grated on Tage and brought out the earlier rage.
"I expect everything to be delivered to my home, Bellingham. Not to 10 Wellford, but to 16."
"I apologize for the mistake, St. James. The six looked like a zero to the delivery men, and your phone number wasn't written on the order form." The man's annoying tone oozed an apologetic whininess.
"If it happens again, you will be out a very lucrative customer. So there had better be no mistakes on this order."
As they moved passed Tage, he stared at Quinn with a deep loathing. Watching Quinn nonchalantly reattach the leash to Grif's collar and drag him off only strengthened the hatred. Tage couldn't sit there and do nothing. When they walked out, he sprang from the chair. His mind raced while he discreetly moved behind them as they exited the club. Grif looked back at him before he entered the limousine, and Tage just smiled at him.
Instead of following, Tage turned in the direction of home. His plan had already started to formulate in his head. Hurriedly walking the distance, Tage wanted to get to Grif as soon as he could. Entering the house quietly, he didn't want to alert Egbert that he'd come home early. Racing up the steps, he went to his bedroom. After getting out his keys from the top dresser, he rummaged through the drawers for a black vest. Tage figured if he dressed similar to the clothing he'd seen on Grif, he might be able to move through Quinn's house without raising suspicion. Or at least he hoped so. Pulling off the shirt, he slipped on the vest and grabbed his wallet. He shoved the wallet into his back pocket and headed back downstairs. He had more money in the bank if he needed it. The idea would be to get Grif away from Quinn's house and run like hell. They wouldn't be able to come back to Dominic's house, but once they found some place to hide, he knew Dominic and Jason would join them.
After leaving a quickly scrawled note in the study, he crept quietly through the house and outside to the garage. Though he didn't drive much anymore, he'd still wanted to keep his old car. Now he felt grateful that he had. After opening the garage door, he got into his car and started it.
There were two Wellfords in the city. Since Wellford Street was closest, Tage decided to look there first. Maneuvering through the traffic, Tage cursed every red light he had to stop at. Keeping calm wasn't an easy thing to do knowing where his master was. Drumming his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, Tage waited for the light to change. When the green arrow flashed, he turned left onto Wellford and quickly looked at the street sign for the numbers. Realizing he was at the eight hundred block, he sped up the car.
As he passed the one hundred block, he slowed down, looking for a house with the number sixteen. Not finding it, he continued across the intersection to North Wellford. Tage hit the steering wheel in a frustrated impatience as he realized there was no number sixteen on the street. After pulling into a driveway, Tage backed out and drove back down the road.
Wellford Drive was a couple of miles to the east. Doing his best to keep his temper under control, Tage flicked on the radio to drown out his own thoughts as he drove onto the 183 freeway. Thankfully there was no rush hour traffic, or Tage would have been pulling out his hair. Turning off onto Exit 222, he made an immediate right from the off ramp. Stopping at the light, Tage saw a branch of his bank and decided to pull into a parking spot to get more money, just in case they needed it. He could only take out four hundred dollars, but it would be better than the forty he had on him.
After getting the money out, he got back in his car and pulled into traffic. As he approached Wellford Drive, he looked up at the sign and turned right. The houses were spaced farther apart on the street and it took Tage a few minutes to find the right one. Trying to slow his speeding heart, he parked the car slightly down the road from the house and got out.
His only hope would be to boldly enter the house like he belonged there. Determinedly he strode across the street and up the driveway to the door of the house. When he opened it and stepped inside, he didn't see anybody in the foyer. Relieved, he closed the door behind him.
Walking toward the closest door, he opened it and looked inside. Two men were in the room cleaning it. Both looked at him and since they weren't Quinn, Tage felt safe in asking, "Where's Griffith? Master Quinn wants him brought to him."
One of them stopped and looked over at Tage, the other continued his work as he watched the two of them. "Probably upstairs in his room."
When Tage didn't move, he received an
impatient look from the man.
"You're new, aren't you?" With a roll of his eyes, he didn't wait for Tage's answer. Instead he muttered, "Idiots. Master Quinn is hiring idiots." Raising his voice slightly, he said, "Second floor, to the left and the last door."
Nodding, Tage hurried out of the room, praying he didn't run into Quinn. Taking the steps three at time, he headed toward Grif's room. The servant he passed didn't even question his presence. Saying a thankful prayer, Tage stopped at the door and opened it. Once he was inside, he shut it quickly behind him.
Stretched out on the bed, Grif looked up at him, shock registering immediately.
"Master, we've got to get out of here." Tage walked toward the bed, but before he could get to Grif, Grif jumped up.
"Tage, what the hell are doing? You can't be here." Grif reached for him and held him at arm's length.
"We can run, Master. So far away that bastard will never find you. Please, Master." Pushing in against him, Tage wrapped his arms tightly around Grif.
"If he finds you here…" Grif trailed off as he turned his head, nuzzling in against Tage's throat and drawing a deep breath. Before Tage could react, Grif drew back to turn him around and gently pushed him toward the door. "I've got to get you out of here."
Before either of them could move, however, the bedroom door opened and Quinn came into the room. A brow rose as Quinn saw Tage, and a distinct glitter appeared in his eyes as they traveled over Tage. "Well, now. Who is this?"
With a snarl, Grif yanked Tage back and stepped in front of him. "He's going back home, Quinn."
"It appears he broke into my house. I think not, Griffith."
Tage briefly felt a presence in his head as he pressed up against Grif's back.
"Tage, is it? Come here, Tage." As Quinn held out his hand, his tone commanded Tage to obey him.
Grif growled angrily in warning before he launched himself at Quinn. The surprise attack blindsided Quinn and both of them fell to the floor. Grif landed on top of him, savagely tearing at Quinn with fangs and nails as his mind screamed to Tage, Run now! Get the hell out of here!
SEVEN
"Yes, Master?"
Dominic sat up on his bed and patted a space beside him. "Sit down, Jason."
Jason closed the bedroom door and walked over to Dominic, sitting down beside him. "Yes?"
"You were right," Dominic said quietly. He gave Jason a weak smile. "It will hurt, and it's a terrifying experience, Jason."
"I understand," Jason said, nodding slowly. "What do I do?"
"Nothing yet." Dominic twisted and eased Jason down onto his back on the bed. "Just know I'm here, Jason, and that I would never leave you."
With Jason's nod, Dominic leaned down and sank his fangs into the sub's throat. Jason gasped and shuddered. Dominic swallowed his fear with every mouthful of blood. When survival instincts kicked in and Jason started clawing and fighting, Dominic held him down, blanketing Jason's mind with promises of peace and love.
"Dominic…" Jason's voice shook as his body trembled, slowly losing its strength.
"Shh," Dominic murmured as he pulled away. He made a quick cut on his own throat and gathered Jason to him. "Drink."
He pressed Jason to his neck and growled softly when he felt the pull of the sub's mouth. A moment later, Jason's arms snaked weakly around Dominic's waist, holding on. A small whimper followed and then Jason ripped away, eyes wide.
"Master!"
Dominic pinned him to the bed as Jason screamed and bucked with the throes of death. Dominic's gaze never left Jason's eyes, even when his sub took his last breath.
Several long minutes passed before Jason's eyes opened once more. Dominic smiled down at him, stroking a finger over Jason's cheek. "Welcome back."
"I'm hungry."
Nodding, Dominic helped Jason sit up and guided him to his neck. "Take it slow, lick first, and find the vein with your tongue." He shivered when Jason did as told. "That's it. Now feel your fangs—"
Dominic didn't have the chance to finish. He groaned as Jason's fangs pierced his throat. The pull was strong and he held Jason tightly to him, letting the sub take what he needed. When Jason pulled away, Dominic willed the wound to close.
"When you are done, one lick will seal the wound."
Jason nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Master."
Dominic opened his mouth to respond, but Egbert stepped into the room.
"Master, we have a problem."
* * * *
Dominic flung the doors of the counsel chamber open and stormed into the room, Jason right behind him. "I demand that Quinn return my property!"
Several of the counsel were already present and turned in their seats to look at Dominic. Calmly, Andrew addressed him. "Elder Marcellus, Giles has yet to return from his assignment. You must be patient until we've looked into the matter of Griffith St. James."
Slamming his hands down on the table, Dominic snarled, "Quinn has Tage Gilbert. Tage is my property. I demand his return immediately."
Jacob leaned slightly to the side and peered at Jason, who stood quietly behind Dominic. "And who is this? You know it is forbidden to bring mortals into—"
"He's mine," Dominic growled. "Jason was turned last night."
"How do you know Master Quinn has Tage Gilbert?" Andrew inquired mildly as he settled back in his seat.
Several of the members nodded in greeting to Jason with polite smiles before their attention returned to Dominic.
"This." Dominic slapped Tage's note on the tabletop and shoved it over to Andrew, along with a photograph of Tage. "I warned you all, yet no one listened."
"I see," Andrew said with a slow nod. "And you have proof of ownership?"
Dominic turned to Jason and took the papers. "Here," he said, waving them before setting them on the table.
The counsel doors opened and an auburn-haired man stepped inside. Bowing his head respectfully, he approached the table. "Elders."
Andrew carefully looked over the contract as well as Tage's note before he passed them to Jacob. He picked up the picture of Tage as he glanced over at the man standing near. "Giles, you've just returned from the St. James household. Did you see this man?" With his question, Andrew held up the picture.
"Yes, Elder McComb. I thought he was a new servant. When I was cleaning, he came into the main room and asked where the subject, Griffith St. James, was."
"Aye, we have no question of the ownership of Tage Gilbert. He must be returned to Elder Marcellus." Jacob nodded his agreement as he handed the papers to the next counsel member.
"What have you found regarding Quinn St. James and Griffith St. James?" Andrew asked Giles.
"The reports of abuse are not false, Elder McComb. I witnessed several of Quinn's slaves rape Griffith St. James. And Griffith bears physical marks of abuse and torture."
Dominic's blood ran cold and only the soft touch of Jason's hand on his shoulder kept him from nailing Giles to the table in a rage.
Glancing over at Dominic, Andrew sighed quietly. "It will be dealt with, Dominic. I promise you that."
Andrew turned to one of the guards near him, issuing the orders. "You will enter Quinn St. James' house and take both Tage Gilbert and Griffith St. James into custody. We want them and Quinn St. James brought before us immediately."
Every one of the counsel members nodded their heads in agreement with Andrew's pronouncement.
"To insure cooperation, the Red Guard will escort them," Jacob added.
"Jacob and I will also accompany them," Andrew said. Looking to Dominic and Jason, he added, "You must remain here. The lounge is at your disposal. When we return, there will be a formal trial."
"Thank you, Elders," Dominic said with a bow. Jason's hand tightened on his shoulder.
* * * *
Grif, carrying Tage, followed behind Quinn as the guards pulled him into the counsel chambers.
"This is a mistake, Elders," Quinn snarled in anger, though he refrained, for the moment, from struggling a
gainst the hands that held him.
"Quinn St. James," one of the elders announced as he stood, "you have been brought here to answer to the crimes of abuse and rape of Griffith St. James."
"That is a lie!" Quinn yelled as he stood before them. "You can speak to Griffith if you wish."
As he woke Tage, Grif said nothing to Quinn as he kept Tage tightly held against him. Tage's eyes flew open, but he remained calm under the influence of Grif's power. Carefully Grif set Tage down and slipped his arm around him.
"Is it now?" Andrew walked into the room, Dominic and Jason following behind him. "Giles, would you be so kind as to restate your report?"
Nodding to the elder, Giles stepped forward and stood at the head of the table. "I bear testimony to witnessing the brutal abuse of Griffith St. James by Quinn St. James on two separate occasions, as well as the rape of Griffith St. James by several members of the household, on orders from Quinn St. James. The full details are in my report, which every counsel member has."
Quinn glared as he stiffened. "My household is mine to do with as I please."
"Not in this territory, Quinn St. James," Jacob barked sharply at him. "You have broken our laws with your barbaric treatment of your own creation."
"By order of this counsel, Tage Gilbert must be returned to Elder Dominic Marcellus," Andrew spoke quietly yet decisively. He nodded to the guards and two of them approached Tage and Grif and took them safely out of Quinn's range.
Dominic and Jason stood silently off to the side. As soon as Tage and Grif were moved, Jason ran to them. Both Grif and Tage reached for him at the same time. A faint smile quirked Grif's lips as he held both of them. Glancing over their heads, he looked at Dominic questioningly.
"It has been determined Dominic Marcellus has right ownership of Tage Gilbert, and Quinn St. James willfully retained his property. In the matter of Griffith St. James, it has been decided he is free to leave the household of Quinn St. James and choose his own domicile. Quinn St. James' rights as Griffith's creator have been terminated by order of this Council."
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