Chapter Seventeen

NATHEN

 

Wrapped together, Nathen could sense Cameron’s absolute devotion to him, his thoughts floating above everything. Nathen loved Cameron like this—outside the normal tension usually present just under the surface as Cameron remained on hyperalert. It was taking some doing, but Nathen was slowly learning how to shut out Cameron’s overactive mind despite their link. To focus on just Cameron’s thoughts.

Alive! Energized, like a livewire ran through Nathen’s core. He considered entering the internet now to start researching but opted to wait until Cameron was fully asleep. Right now he was murmuring song lyrics that expressed love and something about taking him with him: a new Tremonti song Cameron had been playing in his mind whenever Nathen paid attention to the surface thoughts.

Then Nathen sensed it before he was there. A man standing casually against the railing. Not a man. A vampire. He could see the blood flow like an electrical current through him, so very different than humans or even mages. His tall frame was silhouetted against the city backdrop so he could not quite make out his features except for the piercing luminescent blue eyes that bore into him. He wore a T-shirt, the pattern of which Nathen couldn’t make out, and leather pants that may have been painted on. His biker boots with silver buckles were distracting to Nathen for a moment as one was poised across the other, tip to the ground. He leaned on his elbows, which rested on the railing behind him as if the man didn’t have a care in the world.

Nathen interrupted Cameron from his midway point into unconscious sleep. “Babe, don’t freak out, and stay still. There’s another vampire in the room. I’m going to see what’s up. Pretend you’re sleeping in case he does something bad. That way maybe you can surprise him.”

Nathen kept a mental hand on Cameron, trying to keep him calm though he saw the spike of adrenaline through Cameron, blood activating and moving through him quickly, swept with fear and concern. Cameron said, “Gorgeous, no! How am I supposed to surprise him?”

He could see Cameron’s mind working through various scenarios, though he complied with Nathen’s request and didn’t make a move to get up

Nathen turned his attention to the vampire. “May I help you, sir? It is awfully late…or early. Whom do I have the pleasure of meeting? My name is Nathen.”

“Nice show.” The man’s velvety voice had a smile to it. “Caught the end. You boys interested in an encore with a new actor? It’s Augustus, or just August, by the way.” He made no move from his position, as if he were a marble statue. Looking closer, Nathen could make out the pronounced bulge tightening August’s pants.

Nathen drew a blank on how he was supposed to act in this situation. He’d never experienced anything like this, so had no script to follow. Morally this was a gray area, not wrong, but not usual either. He had never had a threesome, and that could be interesting, especially with two vampires. Though it could be too much for Cameron. Would Nathen feel the same way being bitten by another vampire as Cameron did? His mind was going through many probabilities trying to pick one choice. All he could manage to say was “Um…”

Feeling incredibly exposed, Cameron opened his eyes and pulled the blanket over him and Nathen. “Hey,” he managed, his fair skin mottled with embarrassment. Nathen could tell his thoughts were along the same lines of surprise and confusion which dripped with interest when he saw August. He could also feel Cameron delving into his desires, trying to read his preferences and though he knew Cameron preferred monogamy, the thought of being with both of them tickled through Cameron, alighting his already spent core.

“Hey yourself,” August said. “You probably need a minute to recover…for that was—” He traced his tongue over his extended fangs and lips before finishing. “—delicious. Was it you who had affected all the humans in the area? It had to be. I haven’t met a thaumaturge in town for quite a while.”

“I…” Cameron’s mind scrambled.

“I’ll tell you what, gentlemen. Why don’t Nathen and I give you some of our blood to help you recover faster? Then we can all have a little fun?” August asked.

Cameron, who had propped himself up on one arm, sat up and crossed his legs, pulling the blanket around him as he did so. “What?”

August tilted his head, the first movement either of them had seen. “I see his blood in you. You do know how to use it to heal, yes? Faster? So that the cycle can be exquisitely repeated?”

Cameron shook his head.

August raised his hand with a flourish and a smile. A thick crimson strand of light appeared above his raised palm. In it, formed an ever-flowing strand of red light in the shape of the ouroboros, and then into an infinity sign. “Flow of energy from one being into another, distorting the order of your blood; it creates chaos, and from chaos possibilities open. As you focus on health, you shift your being through the universal probability of health. As you will it, you move toward it.” He paused to gaze at them on the bed. “Quite simple really.”