Chapter 22
“I wish Lucius still had some of his memories,” Kieran said softly. “Of course, right now it really doesn’t matter since the spell is blocking me from his mind.”
“He has all of his memories,” Brady murmured.
“All? Even the ones before he was turned?” asked Logan. “I thought they disappeared once he was bitten.”
“Normally, they do…more or less…but it didn’t happen because the death spell was cast so quickly after he was turned.
He remembers everything about his life as a human and a vampire.
It’s a form of mental torment meant to keep him constantly in turmoil, so eventually he either goes insane or he ends up without any independent thoughts, submitting totally to his master. ”
“You mean like a robot?” asked Logan.
“That’s as good a description as any,” Brady replied, sadly.
“Now I understand his desire to be human again,” Kieran murmured, glancing up at Brady. “When we first found him, the only thing my spirit could tell me was about his desire to be changed back.”
“That’s impossible, right?” asked Logan.
“Yes, it is…unfortunately,” answered Brady.
“What happens when the spell is broken?” asked Kieran, keeping his eyes on the vampire, his heart breaking for him. “Will he still have his human memories?”
“I’m not sure,” Brady said. “As far as I know, no one has ever survived a death spell; of course, I’d have to do some research just to be absolutely sure.”
“Saving Lucius only to have him condemned to a lifetime of mental torment isn’t fair to him,” growled Logan.
“No, it’s not,” Brady agreed. “But saving Lucius, so he can decide for himself, is. Right now he has no say regarding what’s happening to him and that’s reason enough to save him.
By ending the pain consuming his body and mind, Lucius will be able to think clearly…
and for himself…for the first time since becoming a vampire. ”
“In order to get rid of the pain, don’t you have to claim him?” asked Logan.
“Yes…but before we complete the mating ritual, he’ll be free to decide what he wants to do at that point.”
“What about you, Brady, if Lucius decides he doesn’t want to live with his memories?” asked Kieran, softly. “Will you die also?”
“I thought vampires are immortal,” Logan said.
“They are…sort of,” Brady said, “but a vampire also has the option to die…for lack of a better word. Regarding what my mate decides to do about it…well, it doesn’t matter what happens to me because I refuse to be the cause of Lucius living a tormented life.
” Brady gazed down at his pale and motionless mate.
What was done to him was one of the worse things a magic user could do to anyone, which is why the spell is forbidden by the Witches’ Council.
And then to have it compounded by being turned into a vampire—well, all Brady could do was to pray the gods had reserved a special place in hell for the ones responsible.
He could tell by the frown on the Shaman’s face he didn’t approve of Brady’s willingness to die if need be.
But it wasn’t up to Kieran…thank goodness…
it was his choice and that was as it should be.
Never one to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, Brady knew it would be impossible to ignore his mate’s wishes.
And if it meant he would die, then so be it.
At least his mate would finally find peace.
~/~/~/~/~
Pacing on the front porch, Jackson mulled over Mystia’s message while waiting for her to appear.
It was short, but if he was correct about what it meant, the threat level against Carson and his family was now higher than ever.
At the sound of a struggling engine, he stared down the driveway, hoping it was Jimmy.
When the beat-up, old pickup came into view, part of Jackson’s worry dissipated.
Descending the steps, he headed over to the vehicle while watching Jimmy climb out of his beloved truck. Grinning, he hugged him and then, slapping him on the back several times, he stepped back. “Fucking glad you made it. Did Mystia tell you what’s going on?”
“Naw, just told me to close up and send Bobby home before I hightail it over to you,” Jimmy said. “Is my Mystia in trouble?”
“I think so,” Jackson said, “but that’s just a guess based on her text to me.”
“I bet it has to do with the assholes on the Witches’ Council,” Jimmy growled.
“It does, my love,” Mystia said, suddenly appearing in front of them.
“Darlin’!” Quickly pulling his mate to his chest, Jimmy kissed her soundly, before letting her come up for air. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but Carson and Remy are not,” replied Mystia. “Let’s go inside.”
~/~/~/~/~
Frowning slightly, Lucius looked around, trying to find the source of the voices intruding into his dream.
They were getting louder, interrupting him every time he started to speak to his sister.
Unable to locate them, he then tried to block them but wasn’t totally successful.
One in particular penetrated his mind, causing his heart to stutter each time he heard it.
The need to find out more about the owner grew stronger, driving him to inhale deeply.
The rich scent of sun-warmed apples filled his body, bringing with it a feeling of comfort and security Lucius hadn’t felt since Valerian changed him.
“Leelan.”
It’s that voice again! Smiling, Lucius moved away from his siblings, assuring them he’d be back soon. Holding his breath, he turned his head, trying to figure out from which direction the voice was coming. Where are you?
“Leelan…please,” murmured Brady, leaning in close to his mate’s ear.
He’s here…but where? Feeling warmth infuse his body, Lucius luxuriated in it—something he hadn’t done for a long time. Anxious about losing the feeling, he searched for its source, but only saw a thick mist creeping slowly toward him. Desperate now, he called out, “Hello? Where are you?”
Brady sucked in a quick breath at his mate’s faint voice.
Even though Lucius had barely spoken louder than a whisper, the words echoed loudly in his mind.
Glancing up at the Shaman, he received a smile and a nod, indicating he should continue.
Returning his gaze to his mate, Brady lifted his mate’s hand to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss to it.
“Leelan, I’m here…please open your eyes. ”
Open my eyes…open my eyes. Lucius repeated the instructions several times to himself before finally doing as the voice requested.
He never expected it would be easy to leave his pain-free, dream world behind, but that voice filled him with hope, something he craved more than anything else.
It took all his strength to force his eyelids up and, when he finally succeeded, his eyes saw the face of a man whose kindness and love were clearly evident to him.
“Leelan,” Brady murmured, gazing into the deep violet eyes of his mate, “I’m right here.”
Staring at the man who spoke to him, Lucius felt the pull of his blood, calling to him.
Gasping at the sensation, Lucius was shocked at his overwhelming need to bite—a need he wasn’t sure he could fight.
Trying to gain control, he took a deep breath, the scent of apples filling his nose.
His eyes grew moist as memories of his home enveloped him, the place he’d longed to returned to for so long, except his destination had changed.
This man was now his home. Lucius whispered, “Who are you?”
“My name is Brady Whitmore.”
Brady…Brady Whitmore. Lucius rolled it around in his mind, liking the sound of it but that still didn’t tell him why he felt safe for the first time since waking up as a vampire.
Though his brain was unable to sort it out, his body quicky became desperate for Brady’s blood—and that frightened him since it would be breaking a promise to himself.
During his time under Valerian, it was the only thing he could control; it allowed him to keep his humanity, or at least part of it.
But now, none of that mattered as his mouth began to water in anticipation of as little as a drop of Brady’s blood.
Swallowing, Lucius asked again, “Who are you?”
Smiling gently, Brady replied, “I’m your Beloved…your Fated Mate.”
Furrowing his brow, Lucius whispered, “I was told I wouldn’t have one.”
“Funny, so was I…but it seems the Fates decided otherwise.”
“I don’t know what to do,” Lucius murmured. “I never had a Fated Mate before.”
“That makes two of us because I never had one either,” Brady smiled.
Giving a short snort, Lucius grinned. “I know what I want to do but I can’t.”
“Tell me,” Brady murmured.
“Your blood…it’s calling to me. My mouth is so dry yet so wet with the need to have even one drop of it on my tongue. It doesn’t make sense. I was always able to resist, but now, I don’t think I can.”
“Then don’t, leelan. My blood belongs to you as your Fated Mate. There will be no need to drink from anyone else.”
Lucius’ eyes widened. “I never touched a human…never…I only drank from my master and animals.”
“I’m not human,” Brady said. “I’m a warlock.”
“A witch?” asked Lucius, worry reflected in his voice. The only witches he knew were associated with his master and they were as cruel as Valerian.
“A warlock…with no magic,” Brady explained. “Do not be afraid, leelan, because even if I wanted to, it would be impossible to use magic against you.”
No magic? Lucius was perplexed. “What about the spell? Oracle said my Fated Mate could remove it.”
“You mean the death spell?” asked Brady.
“Yes…I don’t understand how you can remove it if you don’t have any magic.”
“I don’t need magic to claim you,” Brady said softly.
“Claim me? How?”
“Well, normally when a magic user claims a mate, there is a magic bond that occurs when…when…”
“When what?” asked Lucius.
“When you do the hanky panky,” Kieran grinned.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what that is,” Lucius said, frowning slightly.
“Oh for goodness sakes,” growled Logan, “when you and Brady have sex…you know…fuck.”
Lucius’s eyes grew round at that thought. Fucking?
“Ahh…yes,” Brady said, his cheeks turning rosy.
“But in this case since you are in no condition to make that decision, I can simply bite you…which I would normally do during the act of copulation…however we don’t have to engage in intercourse in order to break the spell… just the bite alone will do it.”
Pursing his lips, Lucius mistook Brady’s explanation to mean he didn’t want to fuck him. And to his surprise, that thought hurt, though he couldn’t figure out why. “I’m confused. Are we Fated Mates or not?”
“We are,” Brady replied.
“Then how come you’re only willing to bite me but nothing else?”
“Oh no, leelan, I do want it all but not until you are fully recovered from the effects of the death spell,” Brady assured his mate.
Feeling relieved, Lucius asked, “How long will it take before we can…you know...”
“I’m not sure. Shaman, do you know?” asked Brady.
“The spell must be broken first because right now, the blood Lucius is receiving is barely keeping him alive,” Kieran replied.
“I feel better,” Lucius said. “Look, I can move my hand.” Squeezing Brady’s hand, he smiled at his mate.
“And that is a good sign,” Kieran said, “but it’s after three bags of blood. It’s imperative Brady bites you so the spell is broken and you can begin to heal.”
Turning his eyes back to his mate, Lucius asked, “Will you bite me now, please?”
“I will if you are sure,” Brady said, softly.
Closing his eyes briefly, Lucius thought it over before making a decision.
Smiling briefly, he realized it was the first time since he became a vampire that someone had given him a choice as to what would be done to him.
And although he wasn’t clear on what would happen after Brady bit him, just the ability to make a decision for himself felt amazing.
Opening his eyes, Lucius gazed at his mate, seeing the love Brady already had for him.
Without any hesitation, he whispered, “I’m sure. ”
Nodding, Brady gently pulled down Lucius’ shirt before tilting his head to one side. But before he could lower his mouth to his mate’s neck, the Shaman interrupted him.
“Wait! You won’t be able to pierce Lucius’ skin,” Kieran said.
“But I’m his mate,” Brady replied.
“Right, but your teeth aren’t sharp enough to pierce a vampire’s skin,” Kieran said. “We need Remy to use a little of his magic first. Macushla, can you…?”
“On my way, babe.”
Feeling Lucius’ rising anxiety, Kieran flooded him with love while asking, “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” Lucius whispered.
“Then don’t worry…everything will be fine. Just relax,” Kieran said, softly.
Bursting into the room, Remy strode over to Lucius’ bed, looking down at the vampire. Letting out a sigh of relief, he said, “I thought you had taken a turn for the worse but obviously Brady’s blood agrees with you because you look a lot better…even in this short period of time.”
“Lucius is better and has agreed to let Brady bite him,” Kieran said.
“Ooookay…so why did Logan tell me I was needed pronto?” asked Remy.
“You didn’t let me finish,” muttered Logan.
Giggling at his mate’s pout, Kieran said to Remy, “You have to use your magic on Lucius’ neck so Brady’s teeth will penetrate through the skin.”
“So, no fire…got it.” Grinning, Remy raised his right hand and with a flick of two fingers, did what was needed. “Done. Anything else?”
“Nope…everything else is perfecto!” exclaimed Kieran.
Brady glanced down at his mate, then shifted his eyes over to the Shaman. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to be alone with my mate for the next part.”
“No problemo.” Kieran laughed, as he stood up. “C’mon everyone! Chop! Chop! Time for us to leave the love birds alone.”
Amused at the Shaman’s banter, Brady waited until everyone had left, before asking, “Are you okay leelan? How does your neck feel?”
Slowly moving his head, Lucius replied, “My neck tingles…is that the magic?”
Nodding, Brady said, “Yes. Once I bite you, we can ask the Keeper of All Magic to remove his spell.”
Lucius wasn’t sure he wanted to do that if it meant his mate would never be able to bite him again.
He was rapidly warming to the idea of them biting each other, but then, it might hurt so much, he wouldn’t want Brady to do it again.
Deciding to keep his options open, he asked, “Can I think about it first?”
“Absolutely, leelan. And whatever you decide is fine with me,” Brady said.
Just hearing his mate say those words meant the world to Lucius, but he knew it would take more than just words for him to truly believe it.
After his time with Valerian, he knew how easy words were to say but actions were the proof behind them.
“Okay.” Turning his head so his neck was once again exposed, he said, “Bite me…please.”