Chapter 21

Given the people he'd met during his time in LA and the things he had seen, Robin didn't think anyone could surprise him. He'd come across his clients in some of the most compromising positions possible, covered up crimes and redirected investigations from the least likely, on paper, of perpetrators. But then he'd never met Solivatus before, and he really should have taken more notice about what had been said of him.

Silver fox didn't do him justice, and Robin could see why he had sired so many vampires. He gave off a raw sexual energy that very few managed, even with the strongest of thralls. His grey hair was tied back in a low ponytail, his beard and moustache trimmed, and he wore a three-piece suit in a charcoal check that screamed Savile Row. Robin could see a plethora of tattoos under his cuffs and open collar. Solivatus was doing an amazing impersonation of a hot lawyer for a motorcycle gang.

"It was good of you to come," Robin said as they shook hands. "It's a pity you couldn't make it to the wedding."

Solivatus had been invited, but he wasn't the type to attend public ceremonies and the invitation was a courtesy no one had expected him to take up. "Family chats and eating canapes aren't really my things. I'm here now, and it's not every day you can help the future Dark Viscount Whetford and Hollywood legend."

"Some would say I make legends, not that I was one."

"There's a lot of idiots about."

They were in a reception room at Crofton Hall. Robin hadn't left the grounds since he'd arrived, and was one step away from nervous exhaustion. He didn't think anyone would want his influence if they could see him at the moment. "Of late I could be one of them."

"From what Sebastian's told me you're well within your rights to be a little unbalanced." Solivatus didn't wait to be offered a drink, and instead poured two glasses of blood from a bottle on the side. "Drink this, we've a lot to discuss."

"If you have more information, I'll be glad to hear it."

Solivatus knocked back his blood. "I've spoken to a few people before I came here, and I may have something for you. Or at least a new starting point, but in order to do that I've had to bring in some additional help."

If Solivatus could bring him hope that he could find Simon, he wouldn't care if the whole Vampire Council were drafted in. "Whatever you need."

"I need you to be sure, because one of the individuals I have with me is Prince Hyax."

He took a moment to place the name. "He was at the wedding. A bit of a surprise he came as he's from a different fae tribe, the Tasharick if I'm not mistaken."

"Yeah, that's him. I mention it specifically because the inter-tribe relations of the fae can get a bit touchy. But he comes as a package deal with Gwilym Hilt."

The name was familiar, but only because he'd been the prince's plus-one on the guest list and someone had commented on him being an odd choice for a prince. "I don't know him."

"He's one of mine, and a private detective who has been working for the Vampire Council in various ways for a long time."

"Yours as in?"

"I sired him. Prince Hyax is his fiancé." He grinned. "Let's just say His Highness is a bit insecure over mine and Gwil's past liaisons."

He didn't need a highly-strung fae and a low-ranking vampire causing havoc. This Gwil guy was just one of the countless mid-level suckers Solivatus had sired and unless he had something remarkable about him that Robin couldn't fathom then he could fuck off. For now he would stay calm. "Right, but how is any of this going to get me Simon back?"

"Gwil has an extensive list of contacts, some you wouldn't even think of, and Hyax is not averse to using his magic through Gwil."

Robin had no idea what that meant. "What?"

Solivatus wrinkled his nose. "I thought you might already have been aware that magic can be filtered through the undead if there's an intimate connection. Not necromancy, but a branch after a fashion. It's in part what would make a vampire-fae so powerful."

"I've no idea what you're talking about."

"I think I'll let Hyax explain the details. But fundamentally, because he has an intimate connection with Gwil, he can perform a different flavour of magic. A vampire-fae can do that without the filter, but if there is someone special then the effects are rumoured to be even greater."

The idea that Simon's magic would be even more powerful once he'd fed from Robin had been known, but they hadn't discussed what Solivatus was alluding to. Having said that, their bond had been so strong, and it would make sense if there was more behind it. He felt empty without Simon and lost. But there was still a tiny spark he was clinging to, hoping it was proof that Simon was still alive, somewhere.

"He was taken before he could feed and embrace his vampire side fully."

"Leaving him in a vulnerable state, so I believe," Solivatus said. "I tend to agree with the elf. He's a valuable energy source and that narrows things down to who might have him."

"We've gone over this, we have a potential motive but no suspect."

"That's where Gwil and Hyax can help. Hyax thinks, with a bit of help from his undead lover, he'll be able to tune the magical signal of your bond with Prince Simon. Then Gwil can use his unique connections to trace it."

"James didn't think it possible."

"Hyax believes it's worth a try. Even he can't fully trace it, but he reckons there might be a way to temporarily reestablish the bond."

Robin's mind whirled at the possibility. "If we could do that, then I might be able to find out where he is."

Solivatus winked. "Yeah. Hyax isn't guaranteeing anything, but I think between him and Gwil we could find a workable solution."

"I'll do anything to get Simon home."

"I'm sure Prince Hyax would be happy to hear that, he did mention that his assistance could help rebuild relationships between his tribe and the Calanti."

If Prince Hyax helped bring Simon home, Robin thought there was no way James wouldn't find a way to support his political intentions. "What reward would you want?"

"Nothing more than making my mother happy. She reminded me that I owe the House of Hewel more than a few favours from over the years."

Solivatus's mother was Lilith Devereaux and, as one of the Heads of House, everyone wanted to keep her happy. She had a nasty temper, and believed revenge was best served with a chaser of cyanide.

"I would not want you to go unrewarded. Have a think if there is something I could do for you personally… make an introduction to someone in Hollywood."

Solivatus grinned. "That's very generous. I'll be sure to think it over. In the meantime, Prince Hyax and Gwil are here and waiting, if you'd like to meet them."

"Of course." He would overlook Solivatus's impertinence to have already invited them.

Solivatus clicked his fingers and Karl materialised in his usual cloud of black smoke. "You called, sir?"

"Can you escort in His Highness and Mr Hilt?"

Karl might be loyal to Ben and an excellent servant but from his stiff posture he had no time for Solivatus. "Certainly. I'll be back directly."

Moments later Karl ushered in one of the most beautiful men Robin had ever seen, which was not something he would think lightly. While he'd seen Hyax at the wedding, Robin had given little thought to anyone beyond Simon but with Hyax being the focus of his attention it was hard not to be taken aback by his appearance. He was tall, built like a supermodel, with long blond hair. If anyone was to conjure up the picture of a fae prince, he would be it and if Robin were to put him in a movie half the world would be in love before the opening credits had finished. At his side was another man who, while he wasn't what he'd call ugly, compared to Hyax he looked like he'd taken a shovel to the face. Robin wondered what it was about him that had made a fae prince take him on as his boyfriend.

"Prince Hyax and Mr Gwilym Hilt," Karl announced.

"Please call me Hyax," the pretty blond said, holding out his hand to shake, which Robin did.

The other guy was more deferential, but then he was a vampire, and Robin was the future Dark Viscount Whetford. "Mr Flint," he said with a bow of his head. "if you wouldn't mind, I would prefer to be called Gwil."

Robin imagined he must have been as anxious as hell at the wedding. "There's no need for the formality, Gwil. You may both call me Robin. I can only thank you for your willingness to help bring Simon home."

Hyax sat and Gwil only did the same when Solivatus nodded in Gwil's direction. Maybe it wasn't Robin who Gwil was being overly respectful towards, but his sire.

"Solivatus has explained to me as much as he is capable, about the bond you have with Simon," Hyax said, not bothering to hide his contempt towards Solivatus. "I have also had some written discussions with Her Majesty Queen Hylei, so I can comprehend how special your connection is."

"I must admit I still don't see how you can help but Simon's parents can't."

"Because while Queen Hylei is pure fae, King James is not pure vampire, and as such is not able to use a branch of magic that I can with my betrothed. It is an additional benefit myself and Gwil have recently discovered."

Robin was intrigued but also cautious. "How did you come across this knowledge?"

"Gwil and I were investigating the theft of an important fae artefact, Tobias Flume, a well-connected individual in his own right, showed me a way to help. It came from a volume in his personal library and he has since shared several others."

Tobias Flume was an important man and Robin was surprised he'd help retrieve a stolen object. "That seems a bit too altruistic for the Tobias Flume I know."

"I've taken a number of cases for him over the years," Gwil said, and Robin remembered Solivatus had referred to him as a private detective. "The fae object had been taken by a group of rogue elves and they were up to no good, so Mr Flume was keen to offer his support."

Robin thought there was more to this, and he would find out later but he was only interested in the elves for now. "I appear to have an elf problem too."

Hyax shook his head. "If the elves had Simon then you'd have found him by now. I believe Lord Crofton's secretary is an elf, they have a way of tracking each other. A bit like the fae. None of it technically legal, but that wouldn't stop him if he'd been able."

Alex had tried, but like Simon's parents, had not been successful. "But you think you can?"

"I don't know. At a minimum I should be able to use the bond from your end to try and tether you back together, even for a few minutes. If we're lucky then I might be able to follow the bond to where he is but I'm not sure that will work."

Solivatus had raised his hopes and it appeared he'd done so with good reason. "If I can speak to him, then he can tell me where he is."

"Maybe. But that will depend on where and how he is being held. First things first is to confirm he's alive, as we're making the assumption that he's being kept for his magic."

Hyax was only saying what he'd been thinking himself, it didn't make it easier to hear. "When can we try?"

"I can cast now and see the state of the bond, but then I'll need to determine the next steps, whether it would need a tailored spell or potion, so that will depend on what I find."

Solivatus stood. "Why don't me and Gwil leave you to do this bit?"

Hyax's eyes flashed gold. Robin knew that look, Hyax didn't like Solivatus too close to Gwil, it was the same jealousy Robin felt at the thought of another touching Simon. "You can go, Solivatus, but I'd rather Gwil remain."

Gwil was clearly torn, the link between a vampire and their sire was special, and often came above all other things. Robin's relationship with his sire was familial, fatherly even, but Solivatus did not have that reputation and Gwil would have had an intense sexual encounter alongside his initial blood lust. He didn't blame Hyax for being envious.

"It might be better if Gwil remains, he can give me some insights on the vampire side that Hyax can't," Robin said.

Solivatus chuckled. "All right then. Gwil can catch me up later. I'm sure he'll be willing to make some time for his sire."

Robin watched Gwil inch closer to Hyax, he didn't want his sire, it was clear he was in love with Hyax. Solivatus sauntered out and if Hyax had been armed with holy water, Solivatus would be smoking.

"Have you two known each other long?" Robin asked, pointing between Gwil and Hyax.

"Over fifteen years. First as business partners, and more recently we both realised we wanted more and were parallel-pining like idiots." Hyax smiled, it was beautiful and solely for Gwil. "I understand your marriage was arranged but the bond has probably added an extra element and we can use that."

He felt he had to explain the situation, that they needed to know it wasn't just a matter of getting Simon back because he was supposed to but because he meant the world to him. "It was arranged, but I feel more for him than I can express. Losing Simon, not being able to reach out and hold him makes me feel like I'm being pulled apart. I need to get him home."

Hyax moved and knelt at his side. "Can I see what I can get from the bond?"

"Yes, do whatever you need to."

Hyax took hold of Robin's hand. A gentle wave of magic whispered across him. The sensation wasn't unpleasant but it was different to how Simon's magic felt. He watched Hyax's eyelids flicker closed, his eyes moving rapidly for several seconds.

With a gasp, Hyax let go of his hand and toppled backwards, and Gwil raced to his side as Hyax sat up.

"What's wrong?" Robin asked. "Are you all right?"

"I found your bond. I've never come across anything like it before. You two were destined to be together. That's not a statement I make lightly."

Robin nodded. He wasn't sure how much Solivatus had been told or if he'd passed on the information. "Apparently Simon's parents were waiting for me to be born, and I was watched all through my life and even turned into a vampire so I would be able to be with him."

"Fucking hell," Gwil said. "That's more than playing the long game."

"I didn't know how to take it at first, but I realised I was given a gift. To be with Simon is a true blessing. We complete each other."

"I doubt who has him knew that," Hyax said. "They won't expect the level of connection you have and we can use that to our advantage."

"So you think he's still alive." It was a relief to hear it. "Do you think I can contact him?"

"Oh he's alive and your bond is very annoyed, desperate that it's been limited. There's still a tether but there's something stopping Simon from connecting back. I definitely think we can crack it open… maybe not for long, but it might be enough."

"Does this call for more magical blowjobs?" Gwil asked, and Robin wasn't sure he'd heard correctly.

"I'm afraid this time what I've in mind will be more of a cuddle and feeding my magic through you."

Robin laughed as Gwil schooled his disappointment. "Do I want to know?"

"We've been experimenting with a number of spells but the last time we needed to track something I made a special potion and Gwil drank it and acted as a filter."

"Right, so the blowjob was the flowthrough?" He'd heard of stranger things.

"Pretty much." Hyax smirked. "But this time it's not an object but a person and I can work through him directly if it goes how I expect. He'll need to basically sit in my lap."

"When do you think you can try?" Robin couldn't wait, the sooner the better. "Do you need me to do anything?"

"I need to collect a couple of things, but that'll take minutes. If we could have somewhere comfortable and private… and a mirror. Ah, that might be a problem."

He knew what Hyax was getting at, vampires weren't known for their reflective capabilities. "Ben's got a mirror that Alex spelled so he could use it."

"Really? I never thought of doing that." Hyax turned to Gwil. "I'll speak to Alex and see if I can do the same."

Robin remembered the fun they'd had with the mirror at the apartment Ben had in London, it had been an adventure to see him and Ben play—not a story he was going to share with Hyax, or anyone else for that matter.

"I'll get Alex to collect it and bring it to the hall. I'm sure Solivatus will help us set up."

"No." Hyax's tone was sharp. "He's not to be involved."

"Hyax—" Gwil said.

"No, I mean it. He's a predator and while I get he's your sire, you're mine now. I know you said he's trying to rile me as a test, but fuck it."

Robin wondered what was going on, but he wasn't going to get in the middle of this, and would ask Solivatus later. "Let me ask Karl. He can set up a room."

"I'll portal to pick up a few things and be straight back."

He had expected Gwil to go with him but Hyax disappeared through a portal without him. "You're not going too?" Robin asked.

"Nah, I can use the portals to the fae realm, but not when he travels in this one. I have tried and it wasn't pleasant."

Robin hadn't experienced the same challenges. "I can use the ones the MacLoves create. Both James and Simon used a special spell and I have no issues."

"Oh." Gwil worried his lip. "Perhaps, if he wouldn't mind, when we get Simon back, he could talk to Hyax as he's been trying to get the portals to tolerate me for ages. Last time we tried it I was out cold for a few days and needed to drain my blood stocks."

"I'm sure that would be the very least he would do. But can I ask you a question, about Solivatus?"

Gwil shrugged. "Go ahead."

"Hyax seems a little worried about your attachment to Solivatus, it's a strange one for me. When Claude turned me there was never a sexual element."

"Well, Solivatus screwed my brains out for three days, and there were a couple of repeat performances, but that's about it. Hyax is a bit touchy on the subject, but it's more to do with the reverence I have for Solivatus than the physical side."

" Reverence ?"

"It's not something you have to worry about, being the next Dark Viscount Whetford. You're already the cream of the crop. But for most of us when we were turned, we were expecting something we didn't get." Gwil paused, considering his words. "I had thought I'd climb up the social ladder, gain riches beyond my dreams, and while I have had a step up, it wasn't as high as I'd hoped and it was all off the back of Solivatus being my sire."

Vampire society was a hierarchical beast, and Gwil was right in that Robin was one of the elite. He'd never stopped to think about the others, those sired but not officially part of a House or considered worthy or interesting enough to be given a greater role. There were layers, and Solivatus sat outside of it all.

"His name opened doors?"

"Yeah, things like getting my business permit through. Although my sister managed well enough without him, I suppose."

He had no idea who Gwil's sister was. "A sired sibling?"

"No, my birth sister. We were both turned but by different sires. You know her as Penelope Lindon, Dark Countess of Teybridge."

"Philip's wife is your sister?" He'd met Philip Lindon several times over the years, Penelope was his third wife, the first had been staked back in the 1930s for trying to off her husband and he'd parted ways with the second by mutual consent.

"Yes, like I said, she didn't worry about staying in her place, and although I wouldn't tell her, I do admire her for that."

"They were at the wedding." Penelope was a striking woman and looking at Gwil he could see the family resemblance.

"So was I."

Robin suspected Gwil was used to being overlooked. First because of his sister and now Hyax. "That's right, I remember now."

"No, you don't, and it doesn't matter. I was Hyax's plus-one. Which kinda tells you all you need to know about my standing in vampire society that I get invited to places because of my fae partner."

"Coming back to that, Hyax is a prince. You might not think of yourself as socially mobile, but you're going to be married into royalty. I've my own fae prince, and it's not something to be underestimated."

"Simon's family are happy to have you, Hyax's aren't so keen to have a vampire as a future son-in-law, so throw in my sexy sire into the mix and Hyax is feeling a bit unsettled."

Apart from James and Hylei, Robin couldn't say he knew of another vampire/fae couple, and it wasn't too surprising that Hyax's parents weren't keen. "Vampire and commoner, probably not who they hoped their son would bring home."

"At least Solivatus is my sire, and I have a Dark Countess as a sister so I'm a step above pond scum in their eyes. Not much, mind you. They don't intend to let him marry me."

"No? You're engaged, though."

"For now. They see me more as harem material, and they've someone else in mind for Hyax… a prince from another tribe, even though they pretended Hyax would be able to pick from a pre-approved list, it's clear what their intention is." He frowned. "I know he doesn't want that, but you can't always have what you want."

The thought of having to share Simon made the bile bubble in his stomach. He could see that Gwil was in love with Hyax and would do anything to be with him. Robin thought with his own and Simon's influence there might be something they could do to help Gwil. Before he could say so a portal opened and Hyax arrived carrying a small sack and an ornate leather-bound book under one arm.

"Are you ready to give this a go?" Hyax asked, holding up the sack. "I need to paint a few symbols on you both in harpy blood but apart from that it should be straightforward."

"Harpy blood?" Gwil said. "Hyax, that stuff is nasty."

"I'll make it up to you later."

Robin chuckled, he liked this pair, they seemed well-suited to each other. He summoned Karl and gave him instructions on what was needed and less than half an hour later the three of them were in a bedroom, the majority of the furniture cleared away apart from a dressing table, the specially adapted mirror, and a large mattress on the floor.

"This is perfect," Hyax said, removing several glass bottles from the sack and a couple of makeup brushes. "If you could both strip down to your underwear we can get this started."

"My underwear?" Robin repeated.

"I can't draw on your skin through your clothes, can I?" Hyax rolled his eyes. "I thought you were meant to be one of the clever ones."

Gwil began to undress, and Robin reminded himself he was doing this for Simon. "I see you're not stripping."

"I don't need to. And I don't think your husband would appreciate you being sandwiched between me and Gwil if we were both undressed."

" Sandwiched ?"

"Actually you'll one of the bits of bread and Gwil's the filling." Hyax wrinkled his nose. "I meant that metaphorically as no one's filling Gwil but me."

"I'm sure he's a wonderful lover, but my interests are solely for Simon."

Gwil tutted and now dressed in just his underpants, sank down to sink cross-legged on the mattress. "Let's get this over with before I stake myself to avoid the embarrassment."

Robin didn't think Gwil had anything to be embarrassed about, he had a decent physique and if he weren't married and in love with his husband he'd have been asking if they'd want to play. Although, given Hyax's reaction to Solivatus and his comment about a Gwil sandwich, he would have been rebuffed without discussion, and maybe a fiery bolt to the balls.

"I'm going to paint matching sigils on your chests and a different pair on Gwil's back. I'll link through those into Robin and hook onto the bond.

He sat next to Gwil. "I have to ask, but if Gwil's role in this is because he's a vampire, isn't it a bit redundant as I'm one too?"

"He's a vampire I'm intimate with, but it's beyond a sexual connection, it will only work if there's a true attachment and trust."

"Do your parents know how this works?"

Hyax selected a bottle and knelt in front of them. "My mother would claim blissful ignorance because if she were to admit it, then she'd also have to admit that Gwil is perfect for me."

Robin watched, fascinated, as Hyax painted the intricate designs first on Gwil's and then his chest. There were a series of interconnected and overlapping circles and the harpy blood was a deep blue and sticky but it was only once it started to dry did the terrible smell become evident. "That's revolting," he said.

"Don't moan, it's not like you've got to drink it."

Gwil shuddered. "I used to go to a bar in the East End of London that catered for those that liked exotic blood types… harpy was the one all the young knobs would drink as shots. Fucking muppets."

"I'd have thought it poisonous," Hyax said, moving behind Gwil to add his additional sigil.

"The aftermath wasn't pleasant from what I saw, but I didn't touch the stuff myself."

Robin had dabbled with many interesting substances but he wouldn't ingest something that smelt like rancid orc balls. "Does it give a high?"

"No high is worth projectile vomit that can strip the dye out of a carpet."

Hyax tutted. "And on that lovely note, I'm done."

Hyax stood and moved the mirror to the end of the mattress. "I know this looks like a kinky game for three, but I would appreciate it if we all keep our minds focused on the endpoint. Robin, you need to face the mirror, once he's in place you need to kneel up behind Gwil and put a hand on each of the symbols on his back. Gwil will be sitting astride me and I will have one hand on his chest and I'll reach around him and place my other hand over your heart."

Gwil grumbled about Hyax's exhibitionist streak as he sat astride his lap. Robin was sure he'd seen a version of this porno and thought they could make a lot of money in the adult film industry.

He followed Hyax's instructions and knelt up behind Gwil. "Thank you both for this."

"It wouldn't be right if we didn't help when we could. I know mine and Simon's tribe are not considered friendly but this could be the start to change that."

Robin placed his hand on Gwil's back, like most vampires he was cooler to the touch than humans but the sigil beneath his hand began to warm. Hyax reached around Gwil and placed his hand over Robin's heart. "I'm going to cast. The spell itself is wordless and you need to stare into the mirror. If all goes to plan you should be able to speak to Simon. If he's somewhere near a reflection you should appear in it and he can see you."

"What if he's not conscious, or not on his own? We've been working on the assumption that someone had been stopping him from escaping or contacting home."

"He should only hear you in his head. If he's asleep then most likely you'll be a very vivid dream. But it is a risk, but it's the best way I can think of finding him. He's been well-hidden, without somewhere to start looking we don't have another option."

They had to do this, it was their best chance of bringing Simon home. "I'm ready."