10. CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER TEN
Asher
“ Y ou were here the whole time and didn’t think to help out?” Asher snarled across the table in Conference Room B. Liam and Trish were nodding awake, both somber and quiet as they digested whatever the hell they had seen in the dream world. Asher was far more concerned with the Queen of Grander.
“My love,” Nikola whispered.
Morrigan replied, “I did not wish to risk the few remaining Followers still under my command. If you lot couldn’t reclaim my fortress, then what chances do we have of reclaiming all of Grander?” She paused, Asher winding up to tear her a new one. In a softer tone, she added, “And let’s just say a voice was urging me to stay back and observe.”
A voice. Like the Horned One? What, had the God wanted to push the newborns to their limits so they could get their chances to Convert to hybrids? Could be that Morrigan was lying about hearing a god’s voice to manipulate them. Shit, considering human history, it wouldn’t be the first time someone played that card.
Asher’s eyes skipped to the three new hybrids, sitting closely together like a litter of kittens seeking out each other’s warmth. That shit about a new generation of hybrids implied that there were going to be more. How many of them would lie or contradict what the God or Goddess were saying to them?
Well, Asher supposed, Malkolm and the High King had tried that exact same thing, and the Horned God had retaliated with their demise by leading Asher and Nikola to them. Didn’t seem like vampires lasted very long once they started ignoring their gods.
Guess it was a good thing Asher and Nikola came back here. But now what? Morrigan picked up the thread. “So, these are the ones you mentioned in passing on the phone call. Pray tell, what use do I have of newborns?”
“Use?” Trish snapped.
Nikola held up a hand to her. “Just like most of us in this room, these three children did not choose the path of immortality. It was thrust upon them. But it is no coincidence that five of a new subspecies of vampires currently breathe the same air. The God and Goddess brought us together for a reason. Now, what is that reason? I have some theories.”
Asher admired how Nikola paced and talked, taking command. He could tell that he was enjoying being able to speak so directly and openly to the woman he had once bowed.
“I originally believed that we could somehow... prevent the next Purging. But after what we witnessed on the road, I no longer think that possible. It has begun, and we cannot stop it.”
Morrigan, sensing the power imbalance, interrupted him. “Do you propose we fight fire with fire? That would require me replenishing my own court’s population.” Asher could not tell if she was seeking his advice or challenging him.
Nikola laughed sharply. “No. In fact, the opposite. The High King allowed Purgings to happen in the past, akin to natural forest fires resetting an ecosystem. Such measures have gone obsolete. Let’s compare it more accurately to manmade fires that have destroyed entire coastlines. We must lay low and allow humanity to believe that they successfully conquered us. That cannot be done if we replenish Blood numbers.”
Morrigan’s anger swelled so hotly it threatened to consume the entire room. If she were a cat, every single hair would be raised. “You think it wise to roll over and do nothing as humans kill us off one-by-one? That is not the way of the Horned One!”
Each word was a rougher growl than the last. It was time to step in. “Your Majesty, if you would please,” Asher said, stepping up to the table. When she turned her eyes on him, it was like throwing daggers. But he braced against it. “I knew Lord Malkolm better than anyone else here—if that wasn’t obvious. And what you’re saying is exactly what he would’ve said. Trust me on this: You do not want to be Lord Malkolm. The fact you aren’t Lord Malkolm is exactly why the divine steered everything in your direction. Do not make the Horned One regret his decision.”
Asher felt the brush of Katsuki’s calming balm as they directed it at Morrigan. She shook her head, pushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she composed herself. She flicked her gaze at the Moon Child and said, “I can hold myself together on my own, thank you.” Katsuki chuckled with a one-shoulder shrug.
“It was my impatience that triggered the failure of my last invasion,” she said. “I will heed your words and be patient, but only because I can sense the Blood God’s approval. So, you propose we go into hiding just as we did when we first landed in America. I can see the logic, but where would we go? I imagine it wouldn’t be quite so simple as digging underground with modern-day surveillance and population.”
Katsuki swept in, lacing their hands behind their back. “Ah, that’s where we come in. We won’t need to go anywhere. We will stay here and cast a veil of invisibility and amnesia over the city of Grander. In small parts, if we must, given the drop in vampiric numbers. As for the other cities, I am afraid we will have to let things play out as they may—but the population of vampires in places other than Grander is miniscule. Nikola is correct. The key to survival is letting the humans think they successfully exterminated us. This will also include enacting an ordinance with those still under your rank to prohibit procreation for the time being and...”
Katsuki glanced uncomfortably at Nikola. He grimaced, forcing out the next sentence. “And utilizing those who were once on border patrols by having them, erm, discipline anyone who dares to break the new law alongside their creations.”
Morrigan’s lips pressed. “A unique proposal. You certainly thought it through. I will pray on it tonight. And when you say ‘we,’ you speak of the newborns and...?” She looked between Asher and Nikola. Asher felt a flutter of panic. Oh, shit. Was she going to force them to stay? Or even worse, did Nikola want to stay? Did the patrons want them to stay? How in the hell would he keep his promise to Veronica?
“Can we talk about it first?” Moss said. Quickly, they tacked on, “We’re not saying no... yet.”
Trish gave a bitter laugh. “I’m not saying no, either, but what if we did? Would you hunt us down and assassinate us? Or would you imprison us in some sort of secret dungeon until we are forced to do your bidding?” Liam grew visibly paler with every word she said.
Morrigan smiled thinly, considering the young woman. “You are no threat to me. You have no allegiances sworn to my enemies. You were chosen by my God and his divine twin, so I would effectively be digging my own grave by killing you. But tell me, where are you to go? Do you have families who will not turn you out or report you? Even if you did, how long do you think you would survive on your own during a Purging? If you wish to leave, do so... but understand you will no longer have my protection. Katsuki, what of you?”
Kat shot the trio of newborns an apologetic look before saying to Morrigan, “I intend to stay for as long as I need to. But for no longer than.”
“You are not a creature who stays in one place for too long, I understand. I thank you for your help.” She regarded the newborns. “Here, you have two ancient vampires, one of Blood and one of the Moon, both of whom can guide you with your newfound abilities and trials. You will protect the city, and we will protect you. I swear it to you, and I swear to the Blood God. You need only accept my offer or be on your way.”
The hybrid trio glanced between each other, frowning. Liam nodded once, giving his vote. Trish reached over and gripped his hand, a silent promise of solidarity. Moss gazed off into the distance, grinding their teeth with tears welling in their eyes. “There’s no way I can just ditch you guys,” they said with gravel in their voice. “I won’t talk to them, but can I check in on my fathers, make sure they’re alright?”
Morrigan nodded. “I will ensure that none of my ranks hunt anyone of your choosing.”
Christ, that was fucking grim, having the power to pick and choose who could live and who could still end up becoming Blood food. But to the Queen of Blood Followers, that was considered the ultimate generosity.
Moss swallowed hard. The trio looked between each other once more before Moss said, louder and clearer, “We will help.”
Morrigan’s attention swept over Asher and Nikola. “And you two will not be staying.” She said it not as a question but matter-of-factly, picking up on their mutual hesitation. “I offer to you the same protection. Nikola Kingston, you were my greatest asset, and beside you stands the legendary Asher Black. If you ruled beneath me, you two would be the highest-ranking officials. There would not be a vampire in this city today, tomorrow, or a century from now who would not answer to you.” She opened her hands, as if to physically present her gift.
Nikola’s fear punched Asher in the chest, mirroring his own. “Is that what you want, my love?” Nikola said it softly, terrified of Asher’s answer.
“I want to be wherever you go,” Asher answered truthfully. “But do you want to stay with...?” He jerked his head in the hybrid trio’s direction but referred exclusively to the newborn Nikola had Changed.
“I will worry of their well-being, yes. But you are my priority.” Nikola took Asher’s face in his hands, pressing his forehead to his. The company around them melted away, as if only the two of them were in the room. “The life for me is the one where you are next to me—safe, breathing, happy. I do not choose the Moon or the Blood God. I do not choose Grander or a cabin in the woods. I choose you . To the ends of the Earth.”
Asher thought his heart was gonna burst in his chest. He tried to laugh, but it came out warbled and broken. He cleared his throat before he could do something embarrassing like cry tears of joy. “I mean, Vee and Frankie are expecting us to return.”
Nikola kissed Asher deeply, grinning widely against his lips. Christ, if not for the audience, Asher would already be shoving Nikola onto the conference table and stripping him bare. “Then to Veronica and Francis we will return,” Nikola breathed.
Asher frightfully waited for the God’s scathing protest or the Goddess’s disapproval, but the divine twins were distant and silent. Nikola and Asher had fulfilled their duty by getting the next generation to the supposed vampiric holy city safely.
They were free.
The realization was like a sigh of relief. Asher felt like he could sprout wings and fly high. Nikola hugged Asher tightly, as if to keep him grounded in place. When they split apart, their arms remained locked.
Christ, Asher loved him.
Trish broke the silence before it could get awkward, speaking to Morrigan. “There is one more condition. Once Katsuki leaves, we leave, too. We are not yours forever.”
“And I will get it in writing. We will sign it in blood.”
Trish made a face at Morrigan’s declaration, while Liam mumbled, “Is she being literal?”
Nikola laced his fingers through Asher’s. “Asher and I will be leaving shortly. But if I catch wind at all of mistreatment, I will return with the Blood God’s axe in my hand.” Nikola bit it out as a threat and a promise. Morrigan arched an eyebrow, but what Nikola had singlehandedly done to the High King was too fresh of a memory for her to argue.
“Very well. I assure you such measures need not be taken.”
A thought struck Asher as he glanced between the silver eyes of the newborns and Katsuki. He glared at Morrigan, grabbing her attention. “That Moon drug, what happened to it?”
“As far as I know, Malkolm had the last existing strains. I’d previously been under the impression it had been eradicated, driven to extinction from the Romans over-farming it. I’m unsure where he grew it, but it had to be somewhere that was exposed to direct moonlight. Once things quiet down, I intended to search through his yards.”
Asher eyed her, not bothering to hide his suspicions. “And then what? ”
“I destroy it,” she spoke plainly. “The existence of that cursed plant, born from my homelands... it angers our gods. And it disgusts me. Forcing pacifistic Moon Children to fight your wars is cowardly and weak." She cut a sly smirk at Nikola. “That isn’t to say the same of those who willingly step up.”
Asher could taste the truth in her words, believing them as he felt her anger. All the same, he knew he’d join Nikola in his threatening promise to hightail it back to Grander if he suspected Morrigan changed her mind. He’d ask Katsuki to confirm the plant’s extinction. But, for now, he gave her a nod of acknowledgement.
Morrigan motioned around the room and met the eyes of one of her posted guards. “I will leave you all to discuss everything amongst yourselves before you part ways.” As she left, the four lackeys followed her out.
“You better call your crew and give them the bad news,” Asher quipped to Katsuki. Before Katsuki could respond, Asher was overcome by sentimentality and yanked the Moon Child into an embrace. The ancient vampire’s gossamer laugh floated in Asher’s ear. “Shit, dude. We’ve come a long way from me barging into your studio unannounced.”
“Indeed, we have,” Katsuki said. When Asher let them go, they looked at Nikola and said, “Do deliver the news gently to Veronica. And don’t worry. I will keep the newborns safe. I promise.”
Nikola nodded and held out a hand, the two shaking on it.
Moss’s chair scraped as they stood up. They hugged their own shoulders as they approached Nikola, not meeting his eye as they said, “I’m really sorry for how I reacted when I woke up. I... thank you. For saving me. For protecting us.”
Nikola smiled softly, but the expression was heavy with sadness. Asher felt a twinge of guilt for wishing to leave. If Nikola made the offer to stay here to watch over Moss, Asher wouldn’t try and stop him.
But Nikola didn’t. Instead, he picked up a pen and paper off the table, jotting down his cellphone number. “I ask only for updates on everyone’s well-being. And please... don’t hesitate to tell me if Queen Morrigan steps a toe out of line.”
Liam joined Moss’s side, a hand floating to their lower back. He looked at Asher. “Thank you for saving me, too.”
Asher waited for the rush of hatred, but really, he just felt nothing. He was tired and wanted to go be with his Nikki. “Just because you took a bullet for me doesn’t mean I forgive you.” He smirked as Liam’s face flushed with shock. “But I can admit that maybe you ain’t the same kid you were in high school.” He nodded at Moss. “Keep him on the straight and narrow, eh? Y’all got a lot of work to do behind the scenes.”
Moss laughed quietly. “Yeah, that’s the plan.”
It was Nikola’s idea to stop by his residence—well, formerly—and rest there. Factoring in a feeding session, it got too close to sunrise for them to leave that night, the sky blushing with approaching dawn.
The house was fortunately empty but equally chilled and unnervingly silent. It’d only been, what, shy of a couple weeks? And there was already a thin coating of dust, the scent of the coven who’d lived here fading away.
Nikola tried the light, the flick of the switch yielding no results. The same was true of the water faucets. Nikola huffed a laugh. “I suppose we may not be getting a shower quite yet. But at least there is a change of clothes for us upstairs. ”
Hey, the good thing about being a vampire was that body odor wasn’t really a thing unless decay was involved. But yeah, no, their current clothes had been stolen from a random wardrobe over three nights ago, Asher especially caked in his fair share of blood. Mostly that of others.
“We will pack some bags,” Nikola said. “Though I wish we didn’t need to travel on foot.”
Asher laughed, drifting toward the kitchen as Nikola floated into the living room. Another great vampiric perk was the killer night vision, so the lack of electricity wasn’t a major hindrance. He shuffled around the cupboards, seeking and finding a pair of glasses for a pour of aged rum. Rum that was probably as expensive as the entire house. That would be coming with them.
He joined Nikola on the couch, knees and shoulders touching. The older vampire peered up at his Goddess painting above the mantle, nursing his drink. He heaved a great sigh, looking as if he was saying goodbye to the work of art. It really was a nice painting.
Too bad it probably wasn’t coming with them.
“Maybe we gank another car ourselves and just be extra careful to only stop at self-service pumps, eh?” Asher said, only half-joking.
Nikola snorted, setting his glass on the coffee table. “You devil.” Heat simmered behind his gaze, the playful accusation boiling with it. Asher shivered, a dart of excitement striking the base of his spine. The lust rolling off Nikola was Asher’s favorite flavor. He could never dream of ever fully Converting back to Blood, not if it meant losing the front-row seat to Nikola’s arousal and heart.
Asher curled his toes over Nikki’s, his cock swelling until it pinched behind his zipper. He quickly slid his drink away from him on the table, forgetting it. “I’m sorry, does grand theft auto turn you on?” he teased.
Nikola’s chuckle rumbled like thunder, as hot as the air after a summer storm. “Oh, my love. I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but watching you strike down your foes earlier with such finesse was what turned me on. You make a beautiful villain.”
Asher’s stomach burned from the inside out with desire, sending a hot flush across his skin. He pretended to act nonplussed even though Nikola could sense otherwise. Asher planted a trail of lingering kisses down Nikola’s jawline, a layer of scruff grown in over the last few nights. And did it look hot on him.
“Your villain, huh?” Asher whispered in Nikola’s ear. His lover’s breath caught, his head lolling over the back of the couch. Asher had been exhausted at Morrigan’s but was wired now, Asher and Nikola becoming a sparking circuit of desperate need.
“My villain,” Nikola groaned. Asher licked up the thread of tensed muscle in his neck, fingers dropping to the buttons of Nikola’s jeans. The edge of his hand brushed the firm bulge behind the restricting fabric.
An idea formed in Asher’s mind, one that’d floated in the background before but never something he’d had the chance to proposition. Him and Nikki had always been locked up in the throes of passion or Asher muddled by his own angst.
“If only you knew what villainous things I’m thinking about,” Asher breathed, plucking the buttons, and pulling free Nikola’s jutting cock. He gently stroked it, his thumb grazing across the bead of precum weeping from the slit.
Nikola moaned, his hips twitching. “Oh, fuck. Do tell.”
“I want to be inside you.”
Nikola’s eyelids fluttered, some of the lustful fog lifting from his features. Asher immediately wanted to backtrack, wondering if he should’ve kept it to himself, if Nikola even enjoyed receiving.
But then Nikki’s surprised expression melted into a lazy, scorching grin, quelling Asher’s anxiety, and reigniting the flames.
“My desk in my bedroom,” Nikola said, slightly breathless. “There should be a tube, upper left.”
Asher scrambled to his feet and raced up the stairs, Nikola’s twinkling laughter following behind. Asher tore through the desk’s drawer, cluttered with pens and office supplies. He was dizzy with excitement and, on a lesser note, nervousness. It’d been since high school since he’d topped, and the last thing he wanted was to disappoint his experienced, older, sexy lover.
His blurred search was briefly stalled by the sight of the haphazard collection of notebooks atop the desk, both old and new, all tattered to various degrees. So much history, so much Nikki. Yeah, they’d be getting that car, just so the priceless pages could come with them. What were the brains of police doing traffic stops to a couple of half-Moon Children?
There! Asher snatched up the sleek tube of lubricant, nearly stumbling on a rug as he ran out of the bedroom. And they said vampires were graceful. Apparently, whoever made that claim had never seen one this sex drunk.
Asher found Nikola lounging across the couch, his lower half stark naked and his shirt’s front unbuttoned, framing his chiseled torso. Asher staggered, taking in the view, his eyes dancing from Nikola’s arms throbbing with thick veins, to the squared pecs, to the defined V-cut forming a path Asher would soon be exploring. Encouragement surged through Asher at the sight of Nikola’s relaxed readiness and erect cock.
Nikola propped himself up onto his elbows, about to say something, but Asher swallowed it with an open-mouthed kiss. Without breaking it, tongues lashing, Asher crawled atop Nikola, sliding off the last article of clothing. He blindly pulled loose the ponytail, entangling his fingers in those beautiful locks. Nikola arched under Asher, his bare cock rubbing up against Asher’s shirt.
Asher sat up, straddling Nikola with just enough room to keep his knees on the couch’s cushions. He fanned out the pale hair over Nikola’s shoulders, admiring the portrait.
“Were you saying something?” Asher said with an impish smile.
“Ah, just a warning that I, hm.” Nikola blushed, a fissure in his suave performance. Oh, he was nervous, too. Asher found it oddly comforting. “Let’s just say it’s been a while.”
Given the guy’s age, Asher was picking up what he was putting down. He gave a half-smile and flicked a strand of hair. “So, don’t senselessly fuck you dry as a bone?”
Nikola tutted. “What, like you asked of me during our first encounter? Like I said. Devil .”
Asher hummed, uncapping the tube, and slathering his fingers. “Am I now?” he taunted lowly, circling Nikola’s hole. It brought a gasp to Nikola’s lips, devolving into a whimper when Asher breached the tight ring of muscles.
He didn’t need to vocally check in as he gingerly pushed in and out of the molten heat. He could feel Nikola’s pleasure, sensed when to ease up and when Nikola was ready for faster, deeper, a second finger, then a third. Perfect sync.
Asher hooked his fingers, pressing against the bundle of nerves buried inside. The broken noise shuddering out of Nikola’s heaving chest was better than any music. Asher knew it before Nikola started begging, “Asher, please. I want it. Need it.”
Any urges to tease and deny left Asher, washed away by his own aching need. Asher jumped to his feet, kicking off his pants as Nikola sat up, impatiently tugging off his own shirt .
He shoved Nikola back down, sleeking up his cock and propping himself up between muscular thighs. For a fleeting moment, Asher almost felt bad for the vampires on the receiving ends of Nikola’s kicks.
Nikola’s gaze was intense, locked on Asher’s as he sank into Nikola’s body with torturous restraint. Heat enveloped Asher’s member. Nikola’s pleasure of being filled ricocheted between Asher’s nerve-endings.
Asher fought with the drive to pound Nikola, telling himself that he was just letting Nikola adjust to the intrusion and not because he was already on the brink of climax.
“I’m not going to last long,” Asher confessed in a strangled whine.
Nikola cupped the back of Asher’s neck, stealing him in a kiss. Asher groaned into Nikola’s mouth, tasting ecstasy, feeling Nikola’s pleas without needing to hear it.
Asher responded, thrusting hard into Nikola, ravaging him, making love to him. Nikola met Asher’s jerking hips, his abs rippling with each ragged breath.
Asher’s spine crackled, his muscles tightening as his orgasm loomed over him. Unless he stopped altogether, he wasn’t going to be able to hold off his climax, and stopping was out of the question.
Not wanting to be the first to finish, Asher pumped Nikola’s iron-hard cock in time with his thrusts, his frantic grip still slick with lube. Nikola cried out, his body stiffening in an arch, his seed spilling over Asher’s knuckles, soaking his broad chest.
The echoes of his orgasm rolled over Asher, pushing him over his own edge. Stars exploded behind his vision as he blissfully erupted his load inside of Nikola, his legs going numb and his lover’s name a choked prayer from within his throat.
Asher crumbled atop Nikola, softening without withdrawing. His thoughts were too foggy to care about the mess of semen between them. He was sure whoever foreclosed the house would figure out what the stains on the couch were.
As their breaths steadied, sweaty skin cooling against one another’s, a cellphone’s chirp interrupted the post-orgasmic haze.
“Ah, right. I should probably call our girl,” Nikola harrumphed, causing Asher to guffaw. It bubbled toward hysteria, the joke nowhere near warranting that much laughter but the joy of it too freeing to fight it. Nikola joined in, crushing Asher against his chest as he shook with humor and bliss.
This... this peace and love and laughter. It could be Asher’s future. It would be Asher’s future.
He needed only to accept it.