Chapter Ten

 

 

 

Dominic dozed in one of the armchairs next to the fire. He wasn’t fully asleep, but he was exhausted by the day’s events and it helped to close his eyes and absorb the heat of the flames. Coryn had been keeping the hearth supplied with logs and a few twitches of Gregory’s fingers kept it well ablaze. Warlocks were handy for some things. Shadow stretched out on the rug at Dominic’s feet, snoring and twitching. A saucepan sat on the ancient stove in the kitchen, its contents bubbling away. The air was scented with apricots.

Dominic jerked from his doze when the cottage door opened, admitting Nathaniel and Coryn. Coryn had several pizza boxes stacked precariously in his arms.

“Any trouble?” Gregory asked from his seat at the kitchen table.

“We were followed back, at a distance,” Nathaniel replied. “I’m sure it was Symeon. There was no sign of anyone on the path but he’ll be getting into position. Do you want me to go deal with him?” Nathaniel sounded like he would relish doing just that.

“No.” Gregory yawned. “He’s right where we want him to be. Let’s eat. We all need the fuel.”

Dominic ambled across to the table, lifted one of the pizza box lids then inhaled. “Smells great. I just need to check the agrimony.” He peered into the saucepan on the stove and gave it a stir. “I’d guess this needs another half an hour or so. Do you know what you’re going to do with it yet?”

“I have an idea. I need to discuss it with Nathaniel.” Gregory spread the pizza boxes across the table. “Tell me there’s no pineapple on any of these.”

“Coryn warned me.” Nathaniel laughed. “Though what you have against fruit is a mystery to me.” He leaned over to extract a slice of pizza. Strings of mozzarella clung tenaciously to the box.

“Pineapple is an abomination. There’s a reason it’s covered in that thick skin. If we were meant to eat it we’d be able to peel it. Like a banana,” Gregory declared.

“Don’t bother to argue with him.” Coryn shook his head. “I’ve had the debate with him so many times I’ve lost count.”

Nathaniel shrugged then sat down to eat. Dominic joined them at the table. Now he wasn’t alone his appetite had returned. The four men munched steadily, washing the pizza down with fresh apple juice. Dominic got the feeling the conversation wouldn’t get more serious until Gregory and Nathaniel could talk in private. “Want to join me by the fire, Coryn?”

Coryn rolled his eyes. “Sure. We’ll let the big bad warlocks get to their plotting. I’m sure they’ll let us in on the plans eventually.” He blew a kiss at Gregory, who mock-glared back.

Dominic returned to his armchair. On the rug, Shadow rolled onto her back, legs in the air, exposing her ample belly. Dominic shook his head. “She already acts like she owns the place.”

“Ah, but she does.” Coryn joined him, taking the other chair. “You are just a puny human, slave to feline kind. Get used to it.”

“I think she’s a bit more than just a cat,” Dominic suggested, feeling a bit stupid for voicing the thought.

“Oh, definitely. Gregory thinks she’s a guardian, drawn to Evrain. There’s no point in fighting it.”

“She’s too rotund to make a good guard-cat,” Dominic said. Shadow leapt onto his lap, sinking her claws into his thighs before settling in a furry heap.

Coryn laughed. “She stopped you from going out, didn’t she?”

Dominic didn’t have an answer for that. At the kitchen table, Gregory and Nathaniel sat talking, deep in discussion about the properties of agrimony from what Dominic could make out.

“Relax,” Coryn chided. “They’ll tell us when they have a workable plan.”

“I can’t relax. Not while Symeon, or Octis, has Evrain. What are they doing to him, Coryn? He could be hurt…”

“Evrain is strong. They need him in one piece, remember? I’m not going to tell you not to worry. If I were in your position I’d be feeling exactly the same. But you also have to save your strength for whatever rescue attempt Gregory and Nathaniel cook up. Evrain will need you.”

“I want him back, Coryn. Every arrogant, controlling, dominant inch of him.”

“I do understand. You’re two halves of a whole now, just like Gregory and I. I think it’s likely Nathaniel and Damon will be the same, don’t you?”

Dominic nodded. “Seems probable. They already have strong feelings for each other, don’t they?”

“It happens that way. The connections we have are powerful.”

Dominic couldn’t disagree. Even after a short time together, he couldn’t imagine life without Evrain. He hoped he wouldn’t have to find out what it might be like.

He and Coryn sat in companionable silence while Nathaniel and Gregory talked in low but urgent voices. Dominic itched to do something, anything. He hated sitting around while Evrain was suffering.

“Stop thinking about it,” Coryn said.

“About what?”

“About what Symeon might be doing to him. It doesn’t do you, or him, any good.”

“I can’t help it. Symeon hates Evrain’s guts.”

“Symeon hates everyone…apart from himself.”

“I wish…” Dominic didn’t finish. He didn’t want to verbalize what he was thinking. He didn’t like himself very much for thinking it.

“You wish Gregory and Evrain had ended him when they had the chance?”

Dominic nodded. “And I’m ashamed for thinking it.”

“Don’t be. Symeon Malus has incited those feelings in all of us at one time or another. Doesn’t mean we stoop to his level and act on them. You wouldn’t really want Evrain to use his gift to kill, would you?”

“No.” Dominic shook his head. “That would hurt him. Inside, you know?”

“I do. Hey, looks like we’re being invited back to the big kids’ table.”

Dominic peered over his shoulder to see Gregory gesturing in their direction. “Finally! I’d better check the pan first.” He relocated Shadow back to the rug amid a few loud protests before walking across to the stove. The agrimony had steeped well so he turned the burner off and put the pan to one side. Content with the potion, he joined the others at the table.

“So, do we have a plan?” He looked eagerly from Nathaniel to Gregory. They both had serious expressions and Dominic’s heart fell. “You haven’t worked anything out?”

“We have.” Gregory steepled his fingers. “It’s not ideal but it’s the only thing we can think of that has a hope in hell of working. We’ve decided that it will be less obvious if we leave in the morning. Not first thing. I want Symeon to have plenty of opportunity to get into a position.”

“It makes sense,” Nathaniel added, “because he’d expect us to try to move you under cover of darkness and I want to avoid doing anything he expects. It should throw him off balance and he’ll be less suspicious. He’ll also have to wait out there all night.”

“You’ll let him take me then?” The room felt suddenly cold.

“Yes, we will.” Gregory nodded. “But there’s more. Coryn, could you strain the agrimony please?”

“Sure.”

Dominic watched as Coryn poured the contents through a muslin cloth into a jar. The liquid in the jar was green with a hint of gold. He carried it over, placing it on the table.

“Evrain isn’t going to like this when he finds out about it.” Gregory stated the obvious. He looked at Nathaniel, who stared back at him implacably. “But what he doesn’t know can’t hurt him.”

“What exactly is it you need to do?” Dominic was beginning to feel anxious.

“Are you going to tell him or shall I?” Nathaniel asked.

“You’re the empathetic one, you can tell him.” Gregory smiled.

Nathaniel grimaced. “You owe me for this, Gregory.”

Dominic hunched forward in his chair, fingers knitted together. “You both look so serious, what is it? One of you has to tell me or we’ll be here all night.”

“We think we’ve worked out a way to get the taint into Evrain’s blood,” Nathaniel said.

“Then why do you look as if you are going to tell me the world is ending? Finding a way to do this is good, isn’t it?” Dominic chewed on his lower lip and waited for Nathaniel to tell him the worst. The warlock pressed his knuckles against his own temples, kneading in circles. He took a deep breath before meeting Dominic’s gaze.

“Gregory will distill your brew to increase its potency, then paint it onto your skin. He will design it in such a way that it will be invisible to everyone but me, Nathaniel, you and Evrain. To him, it will seem like a set of tattoos, glowing with a magical signature—a message if you like, telling him what to do, in case you are not able to tell him yourself. He will need to absorb the potion by physical contact, so Gregory intends to put it in every place that Evrain might touch to increase our chances.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Dominic said. “What’s the catch? There must be one for the pair of you to be so worried.”

“When the liquid adheres to your skin, it’s going to hurt. A lot.” Nathaniel sighed. “I can’t really explain it, but the spell will literally burn the liquid into your flesh—at least that’s what it will feel like. Tattoos inked with acid. There is always a price to pay for this kind of magic, Dominic. Unfortunately in this case the person paying will be you.”

Dominic swallowed. He suspected his skin might be a couple of shades lighter. “You said Gregory would put this stuff everywhere Evrain might touch. Everywhere?”

Nathaniel nodded sympathetically as Dominic’s tired mind processed what that might mean. “If there’s any other way, we can’t think of it.” Nathaniel ducked his head. “We need to do it now, to give you some recovery time before we leave in the morning.”

Dominic just nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

Gregory came and stood behind Dominic’s chair, resting his hands on his trembling shoulders. “Evrain would not want us to do this, Dominic. He would never let me hurt you, however good my intentions.”

“Then it’s a good thing he has no say, isn’t it?” Dominic stood, pushing shaky fingers through his hair. “What do you need me to do?”

“Coryn will take you upstairs and help you get ready. I’ll be with you shortly.”

Dominic felt like a condemned prisoner heading for his execution as he climbed the stairs with Coryn close behind him. Nathaniel and Gregory hadn’t tried to hide anything. What he was about to do was going to hurt. He suspected it wasn’t going to be the good kind of pain either. He was scared but it didn’t matter. This was something he had to do for Evrain.

Upstairs, Coryn squeezed his hands. “I’ll leave you to take a shower. Make sure you rinse all the soap from your skin. This isn’t about smelling good, it’s about having a clean surface for the agrimony ink. I would be asking you to shave all the hair from your body, but that’s not necessary, is it?”

Dominic gave a wry smile. “Thanks to Symeon, no it’s not.”

The bathroom proved to be something of a sanctuary. Dominic tried not to think about anything. He had a trick he’d been taught as a child when he would try to sleep after a nightmare—to imagine a blank wall. It had always worked better for him than counting sheep but he did have a tendency to picture varieties of moss and lichens between the bricks. On this occasion, it wasn’t working and the shower didn’t take nearly long enough. He rinsed carefully then toweled off. Evrain’s bathrobe was on the back of the door so he put it on in the hope it might feel like Evrain was hugging him. It wasn’t anywhere near as good as the real thing but Evrain’s scent helped a bit. He took a few deep breaths then went to join Coryn in the bedroom.

Coryn’s eyes were full of sympathy. “Gregory won’t be long.”

“I’m in no rush,” Dominic said. “No pressing social engagements in my diary tonight.”

“You’ll need to take the robe off, then lie down on the bed.” Coryn patted the covers. “I also have to tie you down so you don’t thrash around while Gregory’s working on you.”

Dominic’s face heated. He was sure he must be the shade of a ripe tomato. Only Evrain ever saw him naked.

Coryn chuckled. “There’s no need to be shy, boy. Close your eyes if it makes you feel more comfortable.”

Dominic loosed the robe’s belt then shrugged the garment from his shoulders. He climbed onto the bed. “You want me on my back or front first?”

“On your back, please, and I know this is a really stupid thing to say, but try to relax.”

“There’s rope in the closet,” Dominic offered. Evrain’s bondage ropes would be kinder against his skin than anything Gregory might find in the kitchen.

“I’d never have guessed.”

Coryn’s wry tone made Dominic laugh. “You too, huh?”

“That would be telling.” Coryn found the short lengths of soft rope then used two of them to bind Dominic’s ankles to the bed’s corner posts. “Arms out to your sides, I think, rather than above your head.”

Dominic stretched out his arms. He kept still while Coryn tied him in place. In his head he just kept repeating I’m doing this for Evrain, I’m doing this for Evrain.

“Sorry, Dominic. I think I’m going to have to prop you up a bit.” Coryn shoved a pillow beneath the small of Dominic’s back. “Much better. I can see more skin now.”

“Oh God.” Dominic squeezed his eyes shut with embarrassment. Evrain loved to tie him up and usually the feeling of helplessness was a huge turn-on for him. Being manhandled by an elderly friend did not compare, though Coryn was being as gentle and considerate as he could be under the circumstances. “This had better work.”

“It will. It has to.”

Dominic opened his eyes. The lines around Coryn’s eyes had deepened with worry. He patted Dominic’s shoulder.

“You’re a very brave young man. Evrain would be proud of you. He will be, when he finds out about all this.” Coryn took a step back. “You’ll do. I’ll go and see where Gregory has gotten to.”

No sooner had Coryn turned toward the door than Gregory appeared. He was holding a small, stoppered vial of a deep green liquid.

“I was just coming to find you,” Coryn said. “Dominic is prepared.”

“I can see that.” Gregory gave Dominic a wink that made him wish there was a pillow over his face. “You’ll need to gag him, though. We can’t have him screaming and alerting anyone outside that something’s going on. I can’t use my power to silence him because it might affect what I need to do with the agrimony.”

“Would they be able to hear through the wards?” Dominic asked.

“It’s possible,” Gregory mused. “Their senses may be enhanced for just that reason.”

Coryn gave Dominic a questioning glance. Dominic sighed. His humiliation was complete. “There’s a wooden chest in the bottom of the closet, there will be something you can use in there.”

After a bit of rummaging Coryn returned with a thick rubber bit gag. “This is big enough that you won’t be able to make much noise around it and it might help if you have something to bite down on.”

Dominic opened his mouth and let Coryn insert the bit. He lifted his head so Coryn could fasten the strap.

“There. Not too tight?”

Dominic shook his head.

“I can leave if you’d prefer,” Coryn said. Dominic shook his head again. He wanted Coryn to be there. He wiggled his fingers and Coryn got the message. He settled on the side of the bed and took Dominic’s hand.

Gregory stood at the end of the bed. He didn’t meet Dominic’s eyes. “I’ll be as quick as I can, Dominic. I’m going to paint this stuff over most of your body. You may be able to persuade Imelda that in order to convince Evrain to cooperate, you need to be alone with him for a while. If it works, encourage him to make love to you. If it doesn’t, any contact between you will help.”

Dominic felt like he was dreaming as Gregory began to mutter incomprehensible words and make intricate gestures with his fingers over the length of his body. When Gregory removed the stopper from the bottle, an emerald mist rose from its neck. Involuntarily, Dominic tensed. Coryn began to stroke his hair, offering comfort as the glittering cloud swirled, divided and came together again. Misty tendrils began to dance in the air, winding and twisting, faster and faster. Then Gregory stopped talking. His hands stilled and ribbons of vapor descended to lay themselves on Dominic’s flesh. The first touch was agonizing, the burn of intense cold, then fire. Needles of pain stabbed into his skin over and over again. Dominic spasmed against his bonds, limbs straining. The gag muffled his screams as the pain went on and on.

 

Beads of sweat formed on Gregory’s forehead as he watched intricate patterns of silver-green appear, first on the side of Dominic’s neck below his ear, then across his chest, spreading out from each dark nipple. The patterns started materializing lower, delicate lines winding toward his groin. As the etching reached the base of his cock and began to spiral along its length, Dominic moaned pitifully. Tears streamed down his face and his head jerked from side to side. Fine lines of pale green, drawn by an invisible hand, patterned his hips and thighs.

Gregory checked the vial of liquid. It was still half full. He replaced the stopper then gave it a shake.

“We need to turn him over.” It was difficult to keep the tension from his voice. There was no accusation in Coryn’s eyes. He nodded.

“I’ll untie him.” Coryn circled the bed, loosening then releasing Dominic’s bonds. “Help me roll him. Dominic, sweetheart, we need to turn you over now, okay?”

Dominic moaned but didn’t resist as he was maneuvered onto his belly. The pillow was now beneath his hips, keeping his ass in the air.

“Spread his legs as wide as possible,” Gregory said.

Coryn pressed his lips together in a tight line but did as he was asked. Soon, Dominic was bound in place once more. Gregory began the process over again. Curls of color patterned the length of Dominic’s spine then intensified over the swell of his ass. When the first lines traced his balls Dominic jerked then went still.

“He’s blacked out,” Gregory observed. He looked at Coryn across Dominic’s prone body. He smiled his relief. “Thank goodness. I never thought he’d last that long. The pain must have been excruciating.”

“He’s very strong.” Coryn undid the gag then checked Dominic’s breathing was unimpeded.

Gregory watched as the last slivers of green slipped inside Dominic’s channel. He was very glad Dominic hadn’t been awake to experience that part of the process. Delicate patterns now covered a significant percentage of his body. The silvery green lines seemed to sit just below the surface of his skin, catching the light when he moved.

“You can untie him now. The painful part of the process is over.” Gregory rolled his shoulders, releasing some of the tension he hadn’t realized had built there.

Coryn walked around the bed, untying the restraints. “His wrists and ankles have been rubbed raw despite the soft bonds.”

“We’ll let him sleep now. He’s going to hurt everywhere when he wakes up, so let’s give him some respite while we can. I’m sure there will be some salve downstairs that you can use on those rope burns.” Gregory pulled a quilt over Dominic’s sleeping form, the lines of pain now smoothed from his face. “He really is beautiful, isn’t he?”

Coryn nodded. He pushed a strand of dark copper hair away from Dominic’s closed eyes. “Beautiful and brave. Evrain is lucky to have him.”

“Just as I’m lucky to have you. They remind me of us a few years ago.” Gregory took his partner’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Only a few?” Coryn chuckled. “And neither of us was ever that good looking. I fell for your charm, obviously.”

“Still a brat even after all these years.”

“And you wouldn’t have me any other way.” Coryn pulled Gregory from the room. “Salve. Come on. Then we’ll take turns sitting with him.”

 

* * * *

 

Dominic tossed and turned in sleep colored by vivid nightmares where patterned snakes crawled over his body, sinking their fangs in where they pleased. Every now and again he was aware of a cool cloth resting against his burning forehead and the press of a glass against his lips. When he finally regained full consciousness, Coryn’s smiling face was the first thing he saw. The silver in Coryn’s hair glittered, giving him a halo of light.

“It’s sunny. What time is it?” Dominic got the words out despite his dry tongue.

“Around nine,” Coryn responded. “How do you feel?” He offered a glass of water so Dominic heaved himself into a sitting position.

“Like I’ve been chewed on by a bad tempered gator then spat out in small pieces.” He took a long drink before handing the glass back. “Thanks.” He lifted the quilt to look down at himself. “Holy crap!” He prodded his thigh experimentally. “Well, at least it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Just think about the upside of this,” Coryn said.

“There’s an upside to being covered in magical doodles?” He raised his eyebrows in question.

“Evrain is going to have to touch every bit of you in order to absorb the potion.”

Dominic’s cock jerked. Heat flooded his body and he knew he must be blushing from knees to neck. He yanked the quilt a bit further up his body, ignoring Coryn’s laughter.

“You need to get yourself ready to leave then come down for some breakfast. Gregory is charcoaling some toast, I believe. No showering for obvious reasons.”

“Okay, I’ll see you downstairs.”

“Oh—and you might want to consider other preparations…” Coryn suggested.

“What do you…? Oh.” Realization dawned and Dominic’s skin heated even further.

“You passed out before the potion worked its way inside you. As Gregory mentioned yesterday evening, at some point it would be useful if you can persuade Evrain to make love to you. The transfer of the agrimony will work much quicker that way. I doubt you’ll have easy access to lube.”

“How the hell did I get myself into this?” Dominic muttered. “I understand, Coryn.”

Coryn’s expression was a cross between apologetic and amused. “Gregory wants to be away around mid-morning. He has another plan to make your capture seem more realistic.”

“I can’t wait to hear it,” Dominic mumbled but found he was talking to a closed door.

 

* * * *

 

Coryn wasn’t kidding about the quality of Gregory’s cooking. Dominic ended up tossing his efforts in the trash then constructing poached eggs on toast for all of them. Shadow wound around his ankles, purring. Nathaniel made coffee as his contribution, not hiding his interest in the patterns over Dominic’s skin.

“You can look, Nathaniel. I know you want to,” Dominic offered.

“An offer I can’t possibly refuse.” Nathaniel traced his fingers along Dominic’s arms. He examined his neck then lifted his shirt. “They’ve taken incredibly well, Gregory. You did good work here.”

“Dominic did the hard part.”

“It wasn’t fun,” Dominic admitted. “I hope it’s something I never have to go through again.” He slipped around Nathaniel to take his seat at the table. “I have an appetite, that’s for sure.” His stomach rumbled in agreement.

After they’d eaten and Shadow had consumed a sizeable dish of canned sardines, Dominic gave Gregory an enquiring glance. “So, what’s the plan?”

“Coryn and Nathaniel are going to leave first. I want Symeon to think we are trying to trick him into believing you’re leaving. Nathaniel will borrow some of your clothes. It’s fortunate you have similar builds and not too much of a height difference. Do you have a hooded top, because your hair is a complete giveaway?”

“Sure, but Symeon’s not going to fall for it.”

“I don’t want him to. I want him to think he’s being clever by not following Nathaniel and Coryn. We’ll wait a half hour or so, then leave. We’ll act as if we assume he’s gone after the others. You pretend to have forgotten something. I’ll continue on to the car. That’s when he’ll take you—if he’s going to.”

“He will,” Nathaniel said. “Symeon’s arrogance is one of his many weaknesses. He’ll believe he’s outsmarted us and he won’t be able to resist taking his chance. He has too much riding on delivering Dominic to Octis not to.”

Fifteen minutes later, wearing their makeshift disguises, Nathaniel and Coryn stepped into the sunshine. It was just before mid-morning. They hurried down the path, trailed by Shadow, and Dominic soon lost sight of them.

“I hope they’ll be okay.”

“Nathaniel will keep a close eye on Coryn, don’t worry. I wouldn’t send him out there if I didn’t know Nathaniel could wipe Symeon off the face of the planet without even breaking a sweat.”

“So why hasn’t he?” The question came out before Dominic could stop it.

“Because he, like me, is not a cold blooded killer.”

“Sorry. I should connect my brain before I open my mouth.”

“It’s a natural question. If I, or Nathaniel, had dealt with Symeon years ago then you and Evrain would have been saved a great deal of trouble. We’ve come close a few times, I can tell you, but I’ve never used my power to kill, and I hope I never will. I imagine Nathaniel feels the same. That’s the difference between us and Symeon. He has the ethics of a rattlesnake on crack.”

Dominic nodded. “I get it. What do you think is up with the fur-ball? That’s the first time since she arrived that she’s shown any interest in going out.”

“Call of nature?”

“I don’t believe that any more than you do,” Dominic said. “You know something about that animal. Evrain did too. She’s not what she seems.”

“Talking of… She’s back.” Gregory opened the door just enough to let Shadow back inside. She immediately jumped into his arms, uttering a series of meows.

“So what does she have to say for herself?” Dominic asked, half joking.

“It’s warm. The mice are sleeping. Symeon is still in the woods waiting and there’s someone with him.” Gregory was absolutely serious.

Dominic had no reply. Shadow turned her green gaze on him and he could have sworn she was smiling. He had no time to debate the merits of a supernatural pet because a few minutes later he and Gregory slipped down the path from Hornbeam Cottage, then into the lane. They moved quickly, keeping to the edge of the path, using the shadows of the trees to conceal themselves as much as possible. About halfway to the main road Dominic stopped, patting his pockets. He tapped Gregory’s shoulder then whispered urgently in his ear for a few seconds. After some gesturing and frustrated signing from the older man Dominic turned and jogged back toward the cottage. He’d lost sight of Gregory around a bend in the path when a branch seemed to dip in the breeze to snag in his hair. As he pulled away, the cord holding his protective amulet worked free and dropped the ground, nestling amongst the soggy leaves.

Dominic kept going as if he hadn’t noticed, though he was acutely aware of what was happening and how defenseless he now was. He listened hard but he didn’t hear anyone approaching. He reached the cottage gate wondering if all Gregory’s plotting and the pain he’d been through had been for nothing. It was only when he had one hand on the gate that he noticed the sudden silence. There was no birdsong and even the trees seemed to have stilled. The snap of a twig was disproportionately loud. He whirled around to get the briefest glimpse of Symeon’s evil smile. He tried to scream, but a gloved hand closed around his mouth, crushing his lips. He tasted the iron of his blood as he bit his tongue. Someone, or something, grabbed hold of his arms, the grip like steel bands around his biceps. A dark hood was pulled over his head, cutting off his sight and stifling his breath. He fought hard, pulling away only to be captured again and pushed against the gate. He tried to wrench his arms free then collapsed to his knees, becoming a dead weight. It did no good. He was dragged along the ground, stones digging into his back and shoulders. A pinpoint of pain pierced his thigh and within seconds the taste of blood and fear was replaced by comforting weightlessness.