Chapter 23 #2
“And what would that be?” Tobias asked, refusing to back down, even though he knew he couldn’t kill Vladimir Damianos. Here he was, being given his chance, and yet he couldn’t do it. Perhaps the shift was selfish, but Tobias wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Alexander.
The thought alone began chipping away at him, one chunk at a time.
“Bravery, regardless if it is misplaced and born from the lack of understanding as to the power that stands before you. And yet, I admire it. It reminds me of myself, in a way.”
Tobias’ lip curled. “I’m nothing like you, either.”
Vladimir smiled, flashing his polished, white teeth.
“That’s true, Tobias. More so than you know.
And yet you are the one my son flocks to like a moth to a light.
I do hope he sees how damning that will be before he scorches his wings against you.
Or maybe you will be the one to burn out first. He certainly has had his fun with you, hasn’t he? ”
A cold, hard finger pressed beneath Tobias’ chin, lifting his head up. Tobias longed to jerk away from the touch, but it immobilised him. “I’d rather not share the details of how your son and I have fun, Vladimir.”
“I can’t wait until I drain you in front of him.”
The cold-bloodedness of the statement made Tobias want to reach for the letter opener all over again.
“Men are not my usual type, but I get the impression you could change that. My son and I have similar tastes after all.”
The frozen kiss of dread spread its tongue across Tobias’ neck. The sensation only intensified when Vladimir dropped his eyes down to the exposed skin of Tobias’ neck, fixating on the promise of blood within.
Oh, how disappointing Vladimir would find the meal.
Tobias put his hands against Vladimir’s chest and pushed. It was pointless, because Vladimir’s strength was far beyond anything Tobias could ever comprehend. If Vladimir chose that moment to bite Tobias, he would’ve been helpless to stop him. Just like before.
“I should go,” Tobias insisted. “Alexander wouldn’t like me to be–”
“What’s his is mine, Tobias.” Vladimir took a step forward, but stopped dead when the door was thrown open, spilling light into the room. Vladimir recoiled, his lip curling into a sneer.
“Tobias,” Alexander exhaled, his voice full of relief. “I’ve searched this entire building for you, only to discover that my father is looking after you. How kind of him.”
“Son.” Vladimir stepped back, and Tobias felt like he could breathe again. “You really should take more care with your mortals. One of them may stumble into danger if they’re not careful.”
“He was already in danger,” Alexander growled, stepping into the room as though it belonged to him and no one else.
It was then that Tobias saw that Alexander was covered in fresh blood.
It soaked his arms up to the elbow, coated his chest, and covered the bottom of his face like a mask.
It made Tobias’ stomach rumble with a hunger that was nearly impossible to ignore.
“What have you done, Alexander?” Vladimir asked, drinking in the same view as Tobias did. “Do get off my carpet before you ruin it.”
There was a look in Alexander’s eyes that was different to what Tobias had seen before. It was power and possession. As if something ancient was controlling him, and Alexander’s face was merely a mask for the uncontrolled demon within.
“I do what is necessary to protect what is mine,” Alexander said, deep voice filling every corner of the dark study. He lifted a finger, and pointed it at Tobias. “May this be a reminder to you that he belongs to me.”
Tobias was not reacting to the scene as a human should.
It would’ve been better for him to drop to his knees, cry out, act frightened or shocked at the sight of all that blood.
Instead, he stood immobilised, fighting the hunger in his stomach and the growing pleasure in his core.
Seeing Alexander like this, coated in blood, inspired a feral lust within him.
“Who do you think you are talking to?” Vladimir asked. “And whose blood are you currently smearing across my expensive furnishings?”
Alexander raised his fist. In it, he was holding a heart.
He threw it to the floor. It bounced across the carpet, leaving a stain of red until it came to a stop beside Vladimir’s shoe. The wet smack of muscle against leather was more pleasant than it should’ve been.
“If I haven’t been clear enough.” Alexander glowered over the scene, his demeanour making it feel as though he was a giant in the space.
Tension thrummed between the three men. As father regarded son, Tobias expected fury or punishment. But all Vladimir did was smile, lips lifting from ear to ear. “Finally, my son has found the strength inside of him to behave like a true Damianos.”
Alexander locked eyes with Tobias, the strength in his furious expression faltering. In that second, Tobias knew all the secrets Alexander believed he had kept would require explaining. There was no hiding what a Damianos was now.
Alexander reached for him with a bloody hand. “There’s very clearly something we must talk about, Tobias. Come on, let us leave my father to clean up this mess.”
Tobias swept his eyes up and down Alexander’s blood-soaked body. He toyed with how to respond, knowing that if he kept silent for much longer, Alexander would take it the wrong way. “You need to bathe that off you, and then we can talk.”
Relief was evident across Alexander’s face. Maybe he expected Tobias to scream and demand to be taken home. Maybe he thought he would cower in fear or, worse, disgust. Nothing could’ve been further from the truth.
“Okay, Tobias.” Alexander extended a hand again. “Whatever you ask of me, I’ll do it.”
“Pathetic,” Vladimir said. Tobias refused to turn back around to face him. “But unsurprising. Tobias, I look forward to seeing you again. If you make it to the masquerade, save a dance for me.”
His skin itched with disgust. He longed to wash Vladimir’s touch off him, his gaze and attention. And yet all he did was focus on Alexander. Everything was about to change between them. More than Tobias could’ve first imagined.