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  Val sighed. “We had no way of knowing at the time we kneeled before the queen and spoke those words that we’d ever have to apply them to a species not our own.” He looked at Alex over his shoulder and gave him a tired smile. “Would anyone really blame of us if we left the humans to their own defense? They’re hardly helpless now.”

  “I don’t know.” He dropped his gaze and studied his own feet. “But if nothing else, I’m still the captain of our group. No event has relieved me of my charge and Dracul’s mutiny cannot go unaddressed.”

  Alex took a step forward and looked at the alley. From this height, he could jump without causing himself any harm. Their strength and agility were two of the reasons humans viewed them as supernatural beings. “This is only the beginning. There will be another victim soon if we don’t find and stop Adrian.”

  Val arched his eyebrows. “There is only one way to stop him.”

  “Yes, and as much as it might pain me, we need to take that path.”

  “I’m sorry to say, boss, but it will cause me no pain at all. Dracul must know how we’ll react. I’m surprised he’d be willing to sacrifice one of his men.”

  “He’s never cared for them much more than he has the humans. Besides, I’m certain it was Adrian who screwed the pooch last time, giving us the edge in the conflict. You know Dracul was merely biding his time before meting out the proper punishment.”

  Turning, Alex added, “Come. The club is full tonight, the story of the murder perhaps titillating our members enough that they want to come see for themselves. Later, you can slip out and track Adrian’s movements.” He shot his friend a sly smile. “I trust you’ve blooded-up sufficiently this afternoon.”

  Val grinned. “Oh, yes. Mackie was quite generous in that regard. He always is.”

  “Watch him closely,” Alex warned, all trace of humor gone. “He’s at risk, even though you haven’t committed to him.”

  “I know.” Val growled. “I will rip Adrian into small pieces and feed him to the sharks if he so much as looks at that boy.”

  Alex said nothing more, but he understood the sentiment. He’d do the same if Quinn entered the crosshairs. He might not want to become involved with the boy, but his resolve in the matter was weakening. He was no longer sure he could remain strong.

  Chapter Five

  Wales

  “Stop whining!” Dracul slapped the already-red ass of his pathetic not-quite-human mate. Of course, that bite of pain only made the creature mewl even more.

  In truth, he liked the sound and only pretended to be angry—most of the time. As he slammed his cock into the channel that was still tight even after a few centuries, he groaned and dug his nails into quivering flanks.

  Dafydd had yet to grow out of his delicate youth, the effect of a steady diet of Dracul’s blood. He wondered idly—as he often did—how many centuries he would be able draw out the boy’s lifespan. And would the beauty remain or would it wither, as was the norm for humans? He didn’t know, but he wouldn’t keep him if his desirability ever faded. For now, Dafydd’s curtain of long black hair covered his pale face that was mashed into the bedding. Dracul liked fucking him this way—on all fours, taut ass sticking up where he could grab the hips for maximum control. He pulled back and rammed balls deep once more before drilling Dafydd at a brutal pace.

  He’d had many humans in the long, boring centuries on this miserable planet. The pretty Welsh boy he’d plucked from the fields one day still gave him the most pleasure. Perhaps because, despite his slender form and innocent manner, he’d managed to survive. His human nature had weathered being bred by his master, as well, when others of his species had perished from it. There was a hidden strength in his mate that Dracul tried to break, almost on a daily basis. As entertainments went, it had a lingering appeal.

  Digging his nails into the soft flesh, he yanked the ass in flush with his pelvis before draping his larger frame over his mate’s bony back. The thrum of the human’s heartbeat still called to him. He focused on the tiny pulse at the bottom of the pale throat a second before he sank his fangs into it.

  Dafydd’s scream, a sound that still made Dracul smile, echoed in the large, stone chamber they called their bedroom. Sweet blood filled his mouth. He still marveled at how he’d lived without it for nearly two centuries on this miserable planet before defying the weak-willed captain. He tugged at the vein, drawing the blood down his throat and quenching a thirst that seemed to only get stronger with the passing years.

  The taste of it, hot and salty on his tongue, sent a signal to his cock. Embedded deep within his mate’s ass, the throbbing length twitched and pulsed. He jerked and thrust as much as his position would allow, setting a rhythm between his swallows and the flicking of his hips. The pathetic human collapsed onto the bed, his legs splayed out and tears running over his chin. He knew how much Dracul hated that moisture getting in the way of his feast. He’d have to punish the boy later for that unacceptable weakness.

  Just the thought of turning that satiny skin into rivers of blood that he could lap as a special snack sent him over the edge. He sank in his teeth in even harder as cum erupted from his dick to coat the human’s channel. Maybe this time, Dracul’s seed would find another egg to fertilize. This human had borne him two sons already, but that wasn’t enough. He needed more warriors.

  As if thinking of his sons could conjure them, a firm knock sounded against the chamber’s thick wooden door. He knew by scent and sound alone who was there. Retracting his fangs, Dracul let his mate go and raised his head.

  “Enter.”

  Bran and Cadoc entered, the sight of them giving him a sense of pride, as always. They were so clearly his, little trace of the inferior human blood visible in the tall, strong males they’d become. They wore their long hair as he did—shaved on the sides while hanging in a long queue down their backs. They always wore black leather, though, lacking his sense of style. But that was okay. They were young and full of themselves. He could indulge them.

  He sat on his heels, wiping the trace of blood from his lips with the back of his hand. His spent cock ripped out of Dafydd’s tight hole, causing the boy to whimper. Neither Dracul nor his sons paid any attention to the pathetic being. Bran and Cadoc had learned early and well how contemptible the being who’d given birth to them was.

  “What is it?” He knew the boys wouldn’t interrupt his fun without good reason.

  Older by a few minutes, Bran took the lead. “We have been monitoring the news out of Boston, sir, and the media is already speaking about a ghoulish murder.”

  Dracul smiled. “What a wonderful boon this Internet is. It took these pitiful creatures long enough to develop fast-paced communication. I only wish I could see the look on Alex’s face.” He tsked. “He won’t be able to resist getting involved.”

  “Sir?” This from Cadoc. “With respect, would you please reconsider sending us there to help Adrian? He is outnumbered.”

  Dracul’s lips curled. The question irked him. He needed his sons to be able to think ahead. “No. You are not for the frontlines in this war with Stelalux.”

  “But, sir,” the boy persisted, “Adrian will be killed if he doesn’t receive support.”

  “That’s the whole point,” Bran scoffed, and his understanding caused Dracul’s smile to return. “Isn’t that right, sir?” He appealed to Dracul for confirmation, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

  “Exactly. Adrian is there to test their appetite for engagement and their numbers. They have become more scattered in the last half-century. You’d do well to learn from your brother, Cadoc. Bran is proving to be the better strategist.”

  Cadoc glared at his brother. Good. He’d always fostered a certain rivalry between them. One would have to emerge to take the soon-to-be vacant leadership spot at Dracul’s left side. Petru had always occupied the spot on his right and he had no intention of casting his most loyal and capable male aside to make room for a less-deserving son. When Adrian failed, though, there
would be a vacancy to be filled.

  “Adrian is loyal to you, sir. May I ask why you are sacrificing him?” As much as he didn’t like Cadoc questioning him, the query did show some amount of thought and courage, so he answered the boy.

  “Adrian has served me well, but he got clumsy in our last endeavor. At the time, I forgave him, but that was always a temporary reprieve. He can demonstrate his devotion one last way in flushing Stelalux out to start the new chapter in our conflict.”

  Cadoc nodded. “I understand now, sir. Please forgive my impertinence.”

  Dracul flicked a wrist at the pair of them. “Go and paste your eyes to those screens of yours and keep me apprised.”

  They were both smart enough to recognize the dismissal. They bowed, turned and strode out of the chamber.

  “One day, you’ll sacrifice them, too, won’t you? Your own sons don’t matter as much as your thirst for power.”

  Dracul turned his gaze to his mate. The human had risen and sat staring at him with surprising contempt—surprising because the boy wasn’t usually so bold.

  With a speed he knew Dafydd could barely see, let alone avoid, Dracul backhanded that pretty face. Dafydd’s head snapped to one side before he returned to stare at him. Blood trickled from his split lip, the sweet sight causing Dracul’s hunger to rise once more. And while fear showed through the human’s dewy brown eyes, so still did defiance. Yes, he was an entertaining little pet. Feasting could wait.

  “I was going to fuck you again, but I think punishment for all those tiresome tears is in order.” Placing his hands on his hips, he glanced around the stone chamber. “Now, where did I put my whip?”

  * * * *

  Boston

  Alex loved Boston when it was quiet and dark. In the few hours between night revelers dragging themselves back to their homes—or someone else’s—and the morning light brought by the too-hot sun was the time when his people thrived the best. He could make his way through the city in relative secrecy, not having to hide his true nature.

  To be safe, even at this late hour, he started on the roof of his own building. He kept his clothing black, a color that reminded him of his rank and duty as a warrior. It also helped to hide him from whatever prying eyes might be about. His pants were made of supple leather that wore well, no matter what he scraped against, and his cotton crew-neck was long-sleeved to hide as much of his pale skin as possible. Sturdy boots helped to cushion hard landings.

  Val had called with his location and, knowing the route well enough, Alex figured he could at least start his journey above ground. Standing on the brick edge, he eyed the next building over for a brief moment before leaping across the very alley where Crowell had met his fate. The scent of the killer was still detectible, although barely. He was glad he’d dismissed Val early from the club to start the tracking. If they’d waited one more day, the trail would have gone too cold.

  He landed on the roof next door with a quiet thump and sprinted across it. It took nothing for his long, strong legs to send him running and jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Even a human could have managed it if they’d tried hard and were lucky enough to judge the distances correctly. For him, it was like a stroll in the elevated world of the small city. He loved the freedom of giving his muscles a worthy work-out. Most of the time, he had to rein himself in, pretend he was slower and clumsier than he truly was. The reason for his journey might be troubling in the extreme, but he would enjoy the outing, regardless.

  All too soon he reached a point where he had to return to the ground. He picked the back of the last building to make his descent. His heavy boots and muscular legs absorbed the impact of his jump. As he straightened, he concentrated his hearing on the sounds around him. With his hair pulled back into a braid, there was nothing to muffle any noise to be heard. Other than distant and sporadic traffic sounds, he detected no one nearby.

  He raced to the end of the alley then stopped to case the street for anyone before crossing over to the other side. Although there was always the risk of being seen, he decided urgency trumped caution. If there had been someone watching, they would have seen a dark blur and would hopefully put it down to a trick of the eye or too much drink, perhaps. Humans were always using substances to alter their perceptions to degrees that didn’t happen with his species, forever miserable with their lives and searching for something better. It was no wonder they’d been easily led by Dracul whenever that traitorous male had gotten the urge to meddle.

  He made his way past buildings and over streets and bridges until he reached an area of the city that still contained warehouses. He wasn’t surprised Val had tracked Adrian to this section. Although it was being revived and developed, it was still a place where one could hide away without anyone noticing.

  The scent trail was stronger here, yet still fainter than he wanted. It was easier to catch Val’s and find him, instead. When Alex reached a five-story building, he made a standing jump to grasp the ledge of a smashed window and climbed. Human architecture, with its bits and pieces always sticking out, made it easy. Throwing his leg over the edge to the roof, he vaulted onto it and stood.

  He took a second to brush the dust from his pants before searching for Val. The loyal male stood in the shadow of the HVAC system. The most visible part of him was the glowing red ember at the end of the cigarette he brought to his lips.

  Alex sauntered over. “I thought you’d stopped that filthy habit.”

  Val shrugged and blew out a puff of smoke. “I promised I wouldn’t smoke at home.” He scanned the rooftop. “This is definitely not home. Besides, it’s not like it can kill me.”

  “Harry isn’t completely sure on that point. It might just take a lot longer than it does the humans.”

  With another shrug, Val took a long drag. Then he dropped it and stamped it out. “Who the hell cares?”

  The cynical response took Alex aback for a second. “I do, for one. And I expect Mackie would be most aggrieved if you died from lung cancer.”

  Val blew the smoke out. “Yeah, there is the boy. You’re right about him. I need to make a decision. It’s not fair of me to string him along.” Taking a step, he scanned the area some more. “I ordered him to stay in, just to be safe. Sometimes this Dom persona I’ve adopted comes in handy. No telling how long Adrian has been scoping us out, and he might have seen me with Mackie.”

  “Excellent point.” His mind flashed on Quinn and his gut clenched with the sudden notion that he should have done the same with him, except that was ridiculous. He was in no position to order the boy to do any such thing, and besides, there was no reason for Adrian to tie the human to Alex because there was nothing between Quinn and Alex. Nothing at all.

  Irritated by his own musings, Alex turned his attention back to Val. “Why are you lingering here? Has the trail truly gone cold?”

  “Take a whiff for yourself.”

  He did, turning in the direction where he caught a lingering sent. “This way.”

  Val shook his head. “Try some more.”

  Again, Alex tested the air, and this time, he detected something in another direction. Frowning, he glanced at Val. “He went in two different directions?”

  “Three.” Val pointed left of where Alex stood.

  “Clever.”

  “Yeah, he must have doubled back and laid three different trails, knowing we couldn’t follow all of them at once. We may find he repeated the process along one or more ways still, to really fuck with us.”

  With a sigh, Alex put his hands on his hips and surveyed the area. Val was right. Adrian wasn’t the brightest of their lot, but he was a warrior, well-trained and formidable. “It would take three of us to even make a start of it, and given the hour, I doubt Emil would be able to get here in time for us to do it properly.”

  Val made a pained face. “Leave the guy to his pots and pans. We might want to consider bringing some of the others back in.”

  Now, it was Alex’s turn to grimace. “I don’t want to do that
unless it’s absolutely necessary. You know I want everyone to carve out what life they can on this planet. I hate for Dracul to shatter peace for all of us.” He shook his head. “No. We’ll handle this ourselves, even if it means forcing Emil and Harry to trade their domestic skills for their warrior ones.”

  He took one futile step in a direction his nose told him to go, then he stopped and forced himself to accept temporary defeat. “There’s nothing more we can do tonight. We have to accept that, for now, it’s a waiting game. Once Adrian makes his next move, we’ll be ready to react quickly so he can’t trip us up again.”

  “Fuck! You’re right but it sucks. I hate being lured away from the club, too. I know security is tight because I installed it myself, and I know Harry and Emil are capable of mounting a good defense. Still…”

  “Yes.” Quinn’s face swam in front of his mind’s eye and a sudden sense of urgency overtook him. “We go back. Now.”

  With that pronouncement and an irrational need to return to defend his home and the people in it, he ran to the edge of the roof and leaped into the darkness below.

  * * * *

  “How’d you do tonight?” Mackie asked as he shuffled his tips into an orderly pile.

  Quinn had just finished counting his own and still hadn’t managed to stop gawking. “Better.”

  He stared at a little over a thousand dollars, and coupled with the money he’d earned the previous day, he now held more money than he’d typically earned in a month at the hardware store—and that didn’t even factor in the wages Alex paid him. He’d yet to see a single paycheck.

  “Is it always this good?” he asked the other boy.

  Mackie shrugged and tucked the single wad into the thong he still wore. “Weekends tend to be, and we had a larger crowd than usual. I think the murder helped business, to be frank. Plus, you’re new, so you’re going to get a lot of attention for some time. Be smart and save while you can. Don’t go off on a bender or anything. Lots of boys do, then lose their jobs because of booze or drugs.”