"Going on?” Adrian was at a loss for what to say for once in his life.
"Did you agree to join Nikolai?” Anger made Gabriel's voice tight. His eyes blazed with the barely confined emotion.
Wolf obviously knew it would be better to stay out of it, and he remained silent as he drew Allie slightly back with him.
"But of course he did, Gabriel,” Nikolai interrupted smoothly before Adrian could say a word. “He has already agreed to my request.” The words fanned the flames, and Nikolai knew it.
Grabbing Adrian's arm, pulling him away from Nikolai, Gabriel growled, “He is mine."
Adrian stiffened in Gabriel's grasp as Nikolai retorted, “He will be with me for several nights. Perhaps longer, if he changes his mind."
Yanking his arm back, Adrian said, almost spitting through clenched teeth, “If you two are through with the studs-r-us act, can I get a word in?"
When Nikolai started to open his mouth, Adrian hissed at him, “Shut up, Nikolai, you've done enough talking. Say any more and I will hurt you right now."
The smile he directed at Adrian said ‘you look so cute when you threaten me,’ but to his credit, he just nodded. Adrian turned to Gabriel, ignoring Nikolai.
"We need to talk.” Adrian shouldered his way through the crowd that had gathered, heading for the back hall. His spine stayed stiff as he ignored the stares directed at them. Gabriel followed him silently, but Adrian could feel Gabriel's rage at his back, threatening to explode. When they reached the quiet of Gabriel's library downstairs, Adrian faced him. “Please, Gabriel, calm down and let me explain."
"Why did you agree to go with him? Why?” Gabriel growled the last word as he took a step toward Adrian, wrapping a painful grip around his wrist.
Wincing, Adrian tried to pull back. “I didn't have much choice."
"You are mine.” The low vibration of words became a possessive growl. The hold on Adrian's wrist remained tight as Gabriel drew Adrian against him. “I will not allow you to go."
"Damn it, Gabriel, I don't want to go. It's either that, or he will remain here and the attacks will continue. He said he might even test you himself. If he does, you can't win even with my power. We both know that. Then what happens?"
Letting go of Adrian, Gabriel's arms tightly circled him. The anger finally started to fade from his expression as he began to understand what was really happening. “He will try to take you away from me, Adrian. Let me bond you, he will be unable to break that."
Adrian already realized that, but no way in hell would he let Gabriel bond him. It'd been to Gabriel's credit he hadn't forced the issue on Adrian. “No, you can't bond me. I'll have my own protection."
"I want you safe.” Gabriel had to know there wasn't anything he could do to stop things, and the knowledge no doubt added to his anger even as he so obviously tried to keep it leashed.
"I will be. If he bothers me badly enough, I'll just shoot him.” Adrian hoped and prayed he could take care of whatever Nikolai thought he could throw at him. He just had to convince Gabriel that he would be okay.
Gabriel's lips hovered close to his as the vampire spoke, “You belong to me, Adrian. Do not forget that."
He opened his mouth to refute that claim, but Gabriel's kiss sent all thought flying to the wind. The intensity of Gabriel's need pulled an answering response without thought from Adrian. Gabriel's hands slid down his body to his hips, then lifted Adrian up against him, encouraging Adrian's legs to wrap tightly around him.
Adrian's breath came out in a low moan as Gabriel's mouth lifted from his. When Gabriel set him down on the table, long fingers ran over Adrian's legs, rubbing gently over the material covering Adrian's inner thighs. Heated emotions and sensations controlled Adrian, proving Gabriel could too easily play havoc with him.
Slowly, Adrian unbuttoned Gabriel's shirt, wanting to feel skin. His fingers slid beneath the material, pulling it aside before running slowly downward over Gabriel's skin.
A low growl vibrated from Gabriel's throat in reaction, the sound sending a shiver through Adrian. He lifted his head, wanting to see Gabriel's face. Desire, hunger, and something else Adrian couldn't understand stared back at him.
"I don't want to control this; tell me I don't have to, Adrian.” Gabriel's voice held no seduction, only a very deep need. A darkened gaze slid down to Adrian throat, the strain showing in Gabriel's face.
Some moments, odd whims were known to possess Adrian, and he was in the thrall of one of them as he got off the table. Standing, he tilted his head in a very clear invitation. He knew what Gabriel asked of him.
A half growl, half groan sounded from Gabriel as his head descended to Adrian's throat. He held Adrian's body in place with the tight grip of his hands. As Gabriel's fangs pierced Adrian's flesh, the pricks of sharp pain made him cry out, trying to pull away from Gabriel.
Gabriel refused to let him go. An exquisite liquid sensation coursed through Adrian's body, pushing the pain away. It left him gasping as the pressure of Gabriel's lips drew life from him. Adrian melted with the stunning pleasure rippling over his senses. Tangling his fingers tightly in Gabriel's hair, Adrian kept the vampire to his throat; he was no longer fighting. The tightening of Gabriel's lips caused Adrian to shudder with the waves pulsing through him. Each time Gabriel drank from him, it intensified the feelings, verging on the ecstatically orgasmic. Only Gabriel's tight grip on him kept Adrian upright, his knees were weak and shaking with mindless drowning.
The sudden cessation of it all as Gabriel stopped brought out a protest from Adrian. Gabriel's tongue bathed the wounds, healing them before he spoke in a whisper, “I can't, Adrian. Any more and I will be beyond control."
His own response totally floored Adrian as he slowly came down from the high. “Oh God, I wanted you to...” He broke off, staring in wide-eyed fear at Gabriel. Adrian wondered if he would have let Gabriel drain him. The earlier arousal he'd felt faded at the frightened feeling.
"This is nothing to fear, Adrian. I promise you that."
"Would I have let you drain me?” He couldn't help giving voice to the question that haunted him.
"No, Adrian, your will is too strong. If I had tried to take too much, you would have fought."
Adrian wanted to believe that, but wasn't so sure of himself.
"Enjoy it as it is, and trust me never to take it too far.” Gabriel gently lifted Adrian's chin to look up at him.
"I trusted you enough when I offered you my throat, Gabriel; it's myself I don't trust."
"Part of me wanted to show you how it could be, to try to keep you away from Nikolai as much as I can. If I could stop this, I would."
"I will be very careful, Gabriel.” The nagging fear that bothered Adrian subsided. He would have to deal with it when he could.
"You will also take Xander and Kyle with you for extra protection."
"Already planned on it. And a few other things."
"I am not going to handle this well. If he does anything to you—"
Adrian didn't let Gabriel finish. “I'll take care of him. If he forces me in any way, all bets are off, and I leave. I already told him that."
Gabriel clearly didn't like what was going on, but he accepted Adrian's decision without further argument. As he placed his palm flat against Adrian's shirt over his heart, a sharp sting burned Adrian through the thin fabric.
"What the hell is that?” A flare of temper rose in Adrian's voice.
"My assurance none other will touch you. It will keep you safe from Nikolai's court."
The word ‘safe’ cooled the fast spurt of anger; at this rate, Adrian could probably use all the help he could get.
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Chapter 17
Taking Kyle home, Adrian dropped him off in front of the building before driving off to park the car. When he got upstairs, he saw Kyle talking to two people by the front door. Both were sitting on the floor, propped against the wall.
"Adrian, this is Michael and Sarah. The
y are part of my tribe,” Kyle said by way of introduction.
As Sarah stood, her tall, willowy frame became apparent. She held out her hand to Adrian, and he took it, giving it a slight shake. She appeared to be around his age. Her light blue eyes held a curious, inquisitive look as she returned his gaze. The most unusual feature about her had to be her cropped, dark purple hair.
Michael looked older than both Kyle and Sarah, definitely closer to thirty. The sherry colored eyes held the same curiosity as Sarah's. Oddly, the ends of the sable darkness of his hair were tipped in white. He seemed relaxed, but Adrian saw the tightly coiled strength within him.
Stopping in front of the door, Adrian unlocked it. Two more weres? This ought to be interesting. Adrian opened the door, inviting them in. The flashing two on the answering machine told him messages were waiting, but he ignored them for now. “Go ahead and make yourself comfortable. You guys want something to drink? I've got soda or juice if you're thirsty."
Both asked for a soda, and Adrian headed toward the kitchen to get it. Kyle followed right behind him. “I'll help you."
As Adrian didn't need help getting a few sodas, that would be Kyle's signal he wanted to talk to Adrian. Opening the fridge, Kyle grabbed the juice, handing it to Adrian, before getting out the Cokes. “There's a problem."
"What kind of problem, Kyle?” Something told him Kyle's friends needed help, and Adrian was the only one Kyle could turn to.
"Michael and Sarah ran away from the tribe. They're hoping I can help them out. I'm not sure what to do."
"No place to go, right?” It was rhetorical question. “They can use the spare bedroom for a while until they get on their feet."
Grinning, Kyle launched at him, wrapping Adrian in a bear hug. “You're the greatest, Adrian."
"Yeah, yeah, now let me go so I can breathe again.” Laughing, Adrian tried to hold his glass out so that it wouldn't spill. “How'd they find out you were here, Kyle?"
"I called Michael after I got here."
"Take the sodas out. You can explain it all later."
Kyle stilled suddenly before pulling away from Adrian. Kyle's head ducked down, refusing to look at him. Adrian knew in an instant the right question to ask. “What are you hiding, Kyle?"
Kyle shifted nervously. “I didn't tell you the whole truth about what happened to me; I never wanted anybody to know."
Adrian recognized shame in the downcast attitude. He'd be the last one to throw stones over something like this, since he'd gotten to be a regular repository for secrets lately. “We'll talk about it later, after I get back from work."
"I'm sorry. I should have told you before.” Turning away, Kyle took the sodas out to the living room.
It didn't really worry Adrian because he knew Kyle would tell him everything. However, his home was being overrun, and Adrian considered checking into a motel. Finishing his juice, he poured another. Seeing as he didn't have many options, he didn't mind helping out Kyle and his friends, but Adrian had begun to detest his own nature. He liked his privacy for the most part, and he had just gotten used to sharing his space with Kyle. Sighing, he pushed away from the counter, figuring he'd better join them.
As Adrian sat on the couch, Kyle scooted to his side, taking up the were's favorite place next to Adrian with a low rumbling purr.
"We really appreciate this,” Michael said with a friendly smile. Sarah's was a smaller, shy version, but the gratitude was evident.
"It's no problem. I've got the extra bedroom Sarah can use, and you can bunk with Kyle."
"We'll probably all stay in the same room. Tribe habit.” Kyle spoke with an unconcerned attitude.
Suddenly, Adrian had visions of waking up and finding all three of them in his bed. He really hoped nobody other than Kyle decided to stake their territory in his bedroom. Every once in a while when Adrian woke up, he would still find Kyle curled up somewhere on his bed. Sarah slid to the floor, moving on her knees toward Kyle. Stilling next to him, she rested her head in his lap.
"Are you all were tigers?” Adrian asked.
Michael answered, “I'm a panther and Sarah is a cougar."
Michael watched Adrian somewhat warily, as if he wanted to join the group but didn't feel sure how Adrian would react. “Our tribe has several different species."
Three affectionate cats were more than Adrian wanted to face on any given day, but he could handle it. If I keep telling myself that, maybe I'll believe it.
After staring at Adrian for what seemed an unbearably long time, Michael leaned over in his seat, placing his hands on the floor and sliding out of the chair. It looked like an odd, but extremely graceful motion as he moved on all fours toward Adrian.
Sarah draped the upper half of her body across Kyle's legs, watching them with bright, curious eyes.
Michael's head tilted to look up at Adrian. He stilled briefly before lowering his head, sniffing at the back of Adrian's hand. Adrian felt he should head to his room, but he stayed put as Michael licked his hand. Kyle had done that to him before, so Adrian had gotten used to it. Well, not really, but he sat still while it occurred and didn't instinctively wipe off his hand afterward. It was a strict no-no that had severely upset Kyle the one and only time Adrian had done it.
Michael's body nudged against Adrian's legs, pushing them open as his head moved toward Adrian's belly. Kyle winked at Adrian as he sprawled comfortably on the couch. Sarah crawled up toward Kyle's chest, and her body wedged between his legs. It felt like a kitty commune with Adrian in the middle, but it wasn't sexual. It was about constant contact and affection, and Adrian seemed to be the center of it. Sarah and Michael were giving some serious gratitude. Sarah's hand drifted lightly over Adrian's arm before it moved upward, petting his cheek. Kyle leaned against Adrian's side, and Michael made himself at home on Adrian's chest.
"May as well turn on the TV, Kyle, so we can be comfortable,” Adrian said dryly.
Laughing, Kyle reached for the remote and flicked on the Cartoon Network, his favorite after the Discovery Channel.
Sylvia's arrival, and Adrian's subsequent departure with her, ended the kitty-free-for-all-on-Adrian night.
They arrived at the first appointment already dressed in their robes, and found the family gathered in the living room, ready to say farewell. Things went smoothly as Adrian worked with Sylvia, and used her energy to aid his with the invocations and dismissal. It wouldn't be long before she worked without him in the circle. With the gratitude of the family, they left for the next appointment.
Things ran right on schedule until midway through their third appointment, when the wife broke down. Dropping to her knees outside the circle, she started crying hysterically, pleading with her husband not to leave her. He watched her helplessly as Adrian looked to him to see what he wanted to do. When the wraith tried to leave the circle, Adrian reluctantly pulled back the energy, ending the ritual and dispersing the circle so the wraith could go to his wife.
Sylvia tried to deal with the mental shock of the resulting temporary chaos as Adrian stood motionless in the center of the circle, absorbing all he could. As long as he deliberately controlled the flow, it wouldn't bring them to their knees. When no more than faint sparks were left, Adrian moved to help Mrs. Jordan, who remained on her knees, trying to speak to her husband through her sobs.
Adrian silently sent a mental message to her husband. He could join Adrian and Sylvia when they left, and Adrian would complete the ritual later. If he needed time to think, he could find Adrian when he wanted to be put to rest. As long as he had the feeling of Adrian's energy signature, the ghost would be able to get to Adrian. A quick nod from the ghost signaled he understood. Obviously, Adrian couldn't say anything openly in front of his inconsolable wife.
"Sylvia,” Adrian said, “would you help Mrs. Jordan while I get everything put away?” The older woman still cried, and her words were incoherent as Sylvia led her to the couch. Her husband followed, though there wasn't much he could do except talk to her. Th
e look of anguish on his face showed the helplessness he felt at being unable to at least hold her.
Adrian packed up the equipment as quickly as he could. By the time he had everything put away in the backpack, Mrs. Jordan had calmed enough to realize they weren't going to finish the ritual.
As she repeatedly apologized to them, Adrian interrupted her. “It's all right, ma'am, I understand. Give yourself a few days to think about everything. If you want, you can call my office and tell my secretary to refund your money."
Adrian realized how hard it was to let go, even when you knew you should, so he didn't blame her. All they could do now would be to leave quickly, and they did. He felt deep sympathy for the Jordans, but there wasn't a thing he could do to help either of them right now.
Back in the car, Adrian began to explain some things in more detail to Sylvia. “It's not unusual to have that happen. The only way to handle it, if the ghost doesn't want the ritual continued, is to stop and leave gracefully. Just let the poor ghost know they can contact you later, that's about all you can do."
"I didn't expect that, Adrian.” Blinking rapidly against unshed tears, Sylvia clearly still felt a little rattled by the experience.
"It's something you eventually get used to if you want to do this.” Better for Sylvia to learn now rather than later. “And you should sign up for some self-defense classes."
"Self-defense classes?"
"You need to know how to protect yourself, Sylvia. I've already been knifed by an irate sister who didn't want her brother laid to rest. Dakota can tell you worse stories. Sometimes not all grieving relatives approve of having their loved ones put to rest. Bereaved spouses, parents, kids or siblings can do strange things."
"How often does that happen?"
"I've been lucky. Usually, if somebody disrupts the ritual like Mrs. Jordan did, the wraith wants it stopped, so nothing else happens. But if Mr. Jordan had wanted to continue, it's possible his wife might have reacted violently because I would finish the ritual for him. Those are the kinds of things you have to watch out for, Sylvia, and be prepared for. It's always been my policy to listen to what the wraith wants, rather than what their upset family wants."
Blood Ties Page 14
