CHAPTER FIVE
Tarek was fumbling with the faucet, trying to hurry as Cal continued to stroke his cock and rain sucking kisses over his body.
Tarek finally had the temperature adequate and quickly stepped under the spray while pulling Cal with him.
The water was lovely, and having Cal crowd him against the cool tile was even more lovely.
Cal's body was all hard muscle, and he was so tall that Tarek felt small and precious standing next to him. He held him and treated him like he was precious, and that's something Tarek had never felt before.
Cal's hands were everywhere, and then suddenly, Tarek was turned and pushed toward the tile wall. He placed his hands on either side of his head and thrust his hips backward in anticipation.
He felt Cal's fingers long and thick spreading him and felt his cock press against him.
Tarek was anxious to have that cock inside, stretching him, filling him full.
He pressed his forehead against the tiles and rolled his head side to side as the sensations began to build, and the stimulation exploded through him.
Fingers were inside, pumping and stretching. He was already well stretched from their evening of exploration and lovemaking. It had been the best night of his life so far, and the day was shaping up to be more of the same.
Tarek had no complaints because if he could spend the rest of his life making love to this vampire god, he would do so in a heartbeat. The thought made him smile, and then he was quickly brought back to the present when the fingers were gone, and a massive, hard cock took their place.
He moaned loudly and forced his hips further back, getting that cock as deep as possible. Cal started with a shallow thrust and then gradually began to slam into him, taking him hard. He could feel Cal's hot breath on the nape of his neck, and he wanted him to take him completely.
Cal must have read his mind because before his thought was complete, Cal dropped his head and sank his teeth into the previous scar, opening it and taking his fill.
The sensations were unbelievable, the thrill that rocked through him had him in a full body tremble, and then suddenly his cock was so hard he thought it would shatter.
Instead, he came shooting stream after stream against the tile wall and leaving his mind in a state of dizzying pleasure.
This man was unlike any lover, unlike anyone; Cal was absolute perfection in physical form. Life had blessed him, and even if it were only for one night, he would still feel like the luckiest man on earth.
Cal pulled his teeth free and licked the wound, sending new and amazing wonders prickling his flesh.
Throughout, he hammered relentlessly into Tarek's tender hole until Cal cried out and, in a violent thrust, exploded, filling Tarek so full that it leaked and ran down his leg.
The feeling was beyond satisfaction because the bond made everything sharper, more real, and pure.
Tarek felt him slide out and then turned to face him. Cal looked pleased and satiated, and Tarek was feeling the same. "I know it's too fast, but I have to say it." Cal began.
“Say what?” Tarek asked with a half smile playing on his lips.
"I love you." He said, and Tarek was shocked for a second. "You don't have to say it back. I know that the bond works faster on vampires than on humans, and I know we still have a lot . . ." Tarek stopped him there.
"I love you, Cal. We might be going fast, but it feels right to me." He pushed the wet tendrils back from Cal's face and looked into his eyes. "Let's take it a day at a time and see where it leads us."
"As long as you're by my side, I'll take it any way you want it," Cal responded and pulled him in for a full naked body hug.
“Just like this, I want it just like this.” Tarek teased and wrapped his arms around Cal’s neck. They held one another tightly for several minutes, just soaking in the essence and meaning of the moment before finishing their shower. It was the best shower of Tarek's life, and he wanted many more.
****
Malfane summoned his number two, a man of no particular talent, but who would do anything Malfane asked and had the strength and reach to be successful, so he became his number two.
It wasn't a position anyone ever held for long, considering the death rate for those too close to Malfane, but still, it was seen as an honor, so there was no end to those willing to step up.
Number two entered the room and stood waiting for orders. “Has he entered the Coven grounds?" Malfane asked without turning around. He continued to stare out the small window, which offered him a view of the dense forest. He was used to more grandeur and deference, but this would do for now.
It would take time and planning, but the day would come when he would rule the Palace of DuCane. On that day, he would look out over the vast properties and holdings, and the vampires would bow down to him. It would take time, but he was patient.
"The last report stated that he was nearby and that he would breach the grounds after dark." Number two spoke softly, knowing Malfane preferred calm and quiet and hated the grating sound of a loud voice.
He once killed a man for talking too loudly in his presence. It's important to set your demands and remain consistent, he found that most people learn his limits after witnessing a couple of bloody murders. He smiled at his own vicious thoughts.
“Is he alone?”
“Yes, sir. I offered assistance, but he declined." Malfane waved his hand, indicating that he could leave, but unfortunately, he stumbled against a table and several pieces of crockery smashed onto the floor.
The sound was sharp and annoying, and Malfane turned and, with a wave of his hand, cut the man in half. It was messy and probably painful, but the man knew better.
He looked at the remains of his number two, jerking and bleeding out on the floor, and casually put in a call for a new number two. Many were eager for his favor. He also put in a call for a cleanup crew.
****
“The Codex is missing.” Silas came to Master DuCane with the distressing news.
“How?” He demanded, jumping to his feet.
"I don't know, I have everyone working on it. There’s no indication of break-in, no unauthorized persons in the area or anywhere near the area, only my guards and the mystics.” Silas was at a loss.
Master DuCane called Ismael, and the three of them met in the sub-basement.
Guards had been posted in the sub-basement, in the basement, and at the entrance to the basement.
There were also mystics on each floor to monitor the Codex's power and activity.
Louis had, he thought, left nothing to chance, but he had miscalculated, and something or someone had gotten through.
“When was it last seen?” Ismael asked Silas.
"They were monitoring every fifteen minutes, so when they noticed it was gone, it had been missing for no more than fifteen minutes," Silas explained the schedule and the layers of guards he'd put on the job.
"It's been missing now for thirty-five minutes," Louis stated, and looked around the room and at the enchanted box that had held the Codex. He was trying to pick up a trace, a scent, a sign of what had happened. The book itself was so powerful that it overshadowed everything else in the room.
“Whoever took it knew a cloaking spell strong enough to dampen its impression. It would have to be something significant because that book is strong.” Silas added to the discussion. “I was hoping to be able to follow its trail, but no one has been able to pick it up since it left this room.”
Louis stood at the doorway to the room and took in everything, every aspect, every movement of the air, and then it hit him. He looked over at Ismael with a dark gaze. "Tarek Azar." He stated.
****
Tarek sat with Cal on the terrace off the east side of the cottage.
It was a lovely space with a view of the rose garden in all its glory.
They sat and drank interesting cocktails that Cal put together.
He was currently sampling a tequila sunrise.
They’d had a delicious lunch, and Cal was planning something special for dinner.
They'd talked, and Tarek learned about Cal's position in the Coven.
He'd started as a soldier and then moved to guard duty.
His plan was to, in time, rise to the level of team lead, but that takes years of experience and some exemplary performance.
Tarek learned that Cal's life was solidly in the DuCane Coven; it was his home and his identity.
Tarek hoped that there would be a place for him even with his non-exemplary past.
“You’re a man with many skills, Tarek, and the Master will recognize your unique abilities. You will be a good fit here." Cal was so confident that Tarek didn't have the heart to disagree. He could hope, and that was about all he had.
Master DuCane was a smart and discerning man, and he did not let just anybody move in next door. "You're not just anybody, Tarek, you are my beloved, and that means far more than you realize."
"You have to stop reading my mind, darling." Tarek used the endearment, and Cal melted into a puddle at his feet.
“Am I your darling, sweetheart?” He teased.
"You are my everything, Cal, my everything." That had Cal moving to pull Tarek from his seat and up into Cal's arms, where he kissed him senseless. Things looked like they were progressing nicely, but then Cal's phone rang. He was a guard, and considering their situation, he answered immediately.
Tarek could hear only one side of the conversation, but it appeared that Cal was being summoned. He explained once he closed the call. “Tate has something he wants me to see. It has to do with the witches you were dealing with, or he believes it might.” Tarek nodded.
“Stay here, it's getting dark, and I'd appreciate it if you'd remain inside until I know what's going on. Guards are surrounding the cottage, so you will be safe here."
Tarek understood Cal’s worry and his need to make sure he was safe, so he did not fight him on this. He needed Tarek to be safe, so he would stay in the cottage and wait for him. "I'll wait for you.”
“Thank you.”
“You had better be careful," Tarek added. "The witches I was dealing with are a nasty bunch."
"I'll be careful, and I won't be long." Cal kissed him hard but quick and then took off around the side of the cottage.
Tarek gathered their drinks and headed inside.
After an hour had passed, he started to pace the living room, worried about gaining the upper hand.
Stupidly, he hadn't gotten Cal's cell number, so he couldn't call him, nor did he have Tate's number.
He stepped outside, not sure of his plan but needing to look around. When he stepped onto the walkway at the back door, he saw a folded paper lying on the steps. He bent down, opened it, and began to read.
His heart fell, and panic took him for a few seconds before he got a hold of himself. He would be no use to Cal if he fell apart now. He tossed the paper on the small iron table by the back door and took off.
They had Cal, Malfane had Cal, and if he didn't bring them the Severine Codex before morning broke, then they would kill him. He was to bring it to their original meeting place, and the exchange would take place there before dawn. If he failed to show or failed to bring the Codex Cal would die.
Tarek moved quick and quietly through the garden around the guards and made his way to the Palace. He could still feel the Codex pulsing. The thing had been in his possession long enough to have left a mark that would take time to dissipate.
The pulse was still strong enough that he could find the Codex wherever DuCane had secured it. He had to work fast and did not have time to involve others or get caught in the act. Cal was depending on him, and he would not let him down.
****
Cal hated leaving Tarek alone, even for a short while. Tate found something that led him to believe there might be an intruder on the grounds, but he didn't want to sound the alarm if it was nothing.
Considering the mood of the day, he feared he might just be seeing boogeymen everywhere. That made Cal chuckle. As he turned the corner at the edge of the rose garden, not far from where he was to meet Tate, he felt something coming up behind him, and it was coming fast.
He turned just as a thick white mist aggressively engulfed him. So many things rushed through his mind as darkness invaded and consciousness faded, foremost being Tarek and his safety. He collapsed to the ground unconscious in the dark.
The mystic that had incapacitated him spirited him away with the same magic that had gained him entrance to the Coven grounds.
No one saw, and no one followed. He dropped the note composed by Malfane at the cottage before taking the vampire to the meeting place.
Malfane was paying him handsomely for this vampire, so he didn’t want to be late.
****
"Tate just called me regarding Cal and Tarek," Silas announced. "Cal was supposed to meet him, but when he didn't show, Tate went to the cottage, and both Cal and Tarek were gone. Tate found a note by the back door." Silas relayed the contents of the note, and all things became clear.
"Tarek gained entrance to the Palace, to the sub-basement, without being caught?" Ismael marveled. "That took some real skill and a lot of nerve."
“His beloved has been abducted and is in danger.” Louis pointed out. “He will do whatever he has to do and go to any length to secure his safe return.”
"And will gladly die trying," Silas added. Any lingering doubt as to Tarek's loyalty to his beloved quickly vanished.
“How do we find them?” Ismael asked.
“The original meeting place was at the end of County Road 48, so we start there. I’m picking up the scent of the Codex; I’ll be able to follow it.
” Louis headed out with Silas and Ismael by his side.
“It’s time the witches were brought to heel and taught the consequences of crossing Coven DuCane.
” He stated with the fury of their fucking audacity burning through him.
They left in a black SUV, all three prepared for war. County Road 48 wasn't far from the DuCane border. When they left the SUV and walked to the open field, concealed by trees and rock at the edge of a deep ravine, they saw the kindred standing in a half-circle, their leader at the center.
Before them was Cal, tied up with ropes and chains and confined by a spell. His eyes were open, but he was not moving. Standing back on the edge of this profane conclave, holding a large book under his right arm, was Tarek.