Chapter 31

Oliver stepped out of a shadow at my side and took my arm. “It’s okay, we captured him.”

“But his powers?”

“Clare has him blocked.”

“She can do that?”

Oliver smiled. “She has herbs that we made him drink. He can’t escape or use his powers right now.”

I turned back toward the living room. “You’re sure?”

“I’ve tested them. They work.” The look of distaste on my shade’s face was convincing.

“Okay.” I let Oliver draw me into the living room.

Drake’s gaze flicked between me and Nimbus. The cloud puppy glared at the shade, lips wrinkled as he growled softly.

“I see you managed to convince the creature to stick around,” Drake said with a sneer.

“A little kindness goes a long way,” I shot back.

Nimbus’s growl deepened. A few of the werewolves, though in human form, echoed him.

I hadn’t noticed that Drake was bound, his hands in front of him and his feet hobbled. He stood, but there was a chair placed for him.

“So, you’ve captured me. Well done. What are you going to do now? Torture me? You know I can’t betray the bloodline.”

“Bad luck for you, your bloodline turned out to be real shits,” Oliver said, his normally soothing voice sharp with disgust.

“At least I still have my bloodline.”

Oliver stiffened.

What on earth were they talking about? I realized I knew next to nothing about shades. Considering everything that had happened since I’d discovered their existence, I didn’t feel too bad not knowing. I probably should find out, though. I was sleeping with one, and I was sure there were plenty of things I needed to figure out about vampires and werewolves that lore got wrong, but before meeting Drake and Oliver I’d never even heard of a shade.

“True. Though I’d rather be aimless than beholden to evil.”

“I’d rather not have failed in my entire purpose in life,” Drake snarled.

Before Oliver could reply, Davin interrupted. “Perhaps you should reconsider your allegiance.”

Drake simply sneered.

“He can’t,” Oliver said.

“Well, we have some questions.” Davin turned his full attention to the shade.

Unfortunately, Drake was unwilling to talk. It wasn’t until Katsuro brought his mind control powers to use that we got any answers from the shade, and it took a great deal of work on Katsuro’s part.

I almost felt sorry for Drake as the wolves took him away. He was shaking and sweating, and barely able to walk on his own. No one had touched him, but whatever Katsuro had done to get him to talk hadn’t been pleasant.

The vampire didn’t look a lot better, and he gave me a grateful smile when I sat next to him and took his hand.

Oliver sat on the other side of me, and I pressed my knee against his. He didn’t look happy either, though there were many reasons why that could be.

Clare and Bridger had sat off to the side during the questioning.

“Okay, so, mostly we just confirmed our suspicions. Vito was working with that human trafficking group Hannah helped put away.” Davin gave me a warm smile. “They were getting their humans from it and making a blood bank of sorts. He got to your DC contact, and we’ll need to address that at some point, but it’s not our immediate concern. They had hoped to use Nimbus to help their operation after you shut down their main source of blood. I am concerned that Drake thinks they can acquire another nimbus, but that is probably also not our immediate problem.”

Nimbus grumbled unhappily. He’d been particularly upset at that revelation.

“What does it mean, though?” I asked. “They’re rare, right?”

“Very,” Katsuro agreed. “In all my years, I’ve only seen one other.”

I thought back to Twister, and his promise that I would see him again. Perhaps sooner rather than later, Katsuro will have seen three. Though I didn’t know my temporary guide well, I certainly missed him already.

“But they come from somewhere, right?”

Katsuro nodded. “It’s long been thought they mostly live on another plane of magic and occasionally venture to our world. When they come on their own, they almost always bond with a human, and we suspect they like humans just as much as Earth dogs do.”

Nimbus rooed enthusiastically and practically jumped in my lap.

I laughed and wrapped my arms around him. “I like you too, buddy.”

“Okay, so we’ll take that as a confirmation of that theory,” Davin said with a laugh.

“So, if they’ve figured out how to get to their home plane, that’s a problem, right?” I buried my fingers in Nimbus’s ruff.

“If I may,” Clare said. “I see a little in regard to this problem. I think their home plane is still inaccessible to the uninvited. I feel it more likely that they’ve found a way to trick the cloud puppies, or possibly call them, and with a bit more work, could reliably trap them. It is a problem we should address. They are beings to be cherished, not imprisoned. However, the first thing will be to deal with Vito and his gang. We must return to Beechworth.”

“What are we going to do with Drake?”

“Keep him prisoner until all of the beings he’s tied to are dead, then see what he wants to do,” Oliver suggested.

Davin glanced at Katsuro, and they both nodded in agreement.

I glanced at Oliver, and he read the questions in my eyes.

“I will explain later.”

That was good enough for me.

“The hour grows late,” Davin said. “We will travel as a group in the evening, once the vampires can go out. Until then, rest. I have teams out patrolling, and hopefully by the time we are ready to leave, we’ll have adequate transportation. Then you won’t have to ride your nimbus.” He smiled at me.

I actually liked giant Nimbus, but it was probably very tiring for him to have to carry me.

Oliver kissed my hand then stood. “I’ll explain later. Spend time with Katsuro.”

We all still needed to talk, but that could wait.

Davin had already left with a few of his wolves, and Bridger was guiding Clare toward the sleeping rooms. He shot me one last glance I couldn’t quite read before he left.

“He does like you,” Katsuro said, offering me a hand as he rose to his feet.

I accepted and let him pull me close.

“This is very strange for me. You know that, right? Four men?”

“You deserve all the love you can get,” Katsuro said. “Though truthfully, I’m not inclined by nature to share. However, in this case, it makes sense on so many levels that even I think it is a good idea. Bridger may be the hardest to convince.” He hesitated. “I still want you to accept my mark, and Davin’s. It would be wise if Bridger would also accept them, though I’m not sure if he will.”

“Wouldn’t that make him subservient to you?”

“Only from an outsider’s perspective,” Katsuro assured me. “Now, about that raincheck?”

I was instantly and embarrassingly soaked. The needy gasp as my breath caught at the suggestion didn’t help.

“I take it you’re still interested.” His eyes glinted with amusement.

“Yeah.” My voice squeaked. What the hell, Hannah. A little decorum?

Katsuro’s throaty chuckle just made me wetter.

“I would have thought you’d be satisfied from earlier.”

“Damn supernatural hearing,” I muttered.

“It didn’t take supernatural ears.” Katsuro continued to tease me.

“Damn it.” I hunched my shoulders.

Katsuro gently led me from the room. Nimbus warbled happily, wagged his plumed tail, and trotted off to the kitchen where I heard more cries of dismay. The werewolves seemed constantly hungry and there was always food out. Nimbus was taking full advantage of his telekinesis.

“Do not fear,” the vampire said gently. “No one is judging you. Werewolves especially are very keen on sex, and we’re all glad Oliver was able to satisfy you. You’re simply adorable when you blush.”

That just made me redden more. “I guess I need to make up for lost time. I’ve been single for several years.”

“Then we shall have to do a very good job indeed,” Katsuro said sounding quite serious. “It will take all four of us to make up for your deprivation.”

I mock glared at him. “Seriously?”

“Yes, sunshine.”

By that time, we’d made it back into the basement, and Katsuro showed me into the room he was using.

“If it makes you feel any better, the soundproofing down here is quite good. I intend to put it to the test.”

“Fuck,” I muttered. “How long has it been for you?” I asked to change the subject, though I almost regretted it after his silence.

“A lifetime,” he admitted after a while. “It is difficult to get close to someone when you’re in my position. Many are simply looking for advantages. I prefer a more intimate connection.”

“And you think you can have that with me?”

He grinned. “I already do.”

I didn’t press the issue as he took my hand and pulled me close. “No one trying to gain an advantage with me would call me out as you did. And I thank you for it.”

Katsuro leaned over and kissed me gently. I returned the pressure, this time urging with my lips and requesting more.

The dance of our tongues and the melding of our lips drew me closer, and I wrapped my arms around Katsuro. His lean strength reassured me, made me feel safe, as he held me in his strong arms.

“All right if I take your clothes off?” he murmured.

“Generally easier that way.” I held up my arms and he lifted the shirt over my head. I hadn’t expected a centuries old vampire to have the kind of consideration to ask when we were already clearly heading in the getting naked direction.

Once he had my shirt off, he deftly unhooked my bra and let that fall to the floor.

“Okay, I know they didn’t have that kind of closure lifetimes ago,” I said, poking him in the chest.

Katsuro laughed. “I do know how they work, sunshine. You are lovely.” His fingers traced the sides of my breasts, teasing me as he studied my body.

Since my hand was already on his chest, I fingered the button on his shirt and glanced up for permission.

“Please.”

I slowly undid his shirt, tracing my fingers down his front as I did so, feeling the planes of muscle under the soft dress shirt.

He rumbled softly, eyes lidded and thumbs lightly stroking the sides of my breasts as he enjoyed my touch.

Once I had the buttons undone, he quickly undid the cuffs and let the shirt fall to the floor to join my clothing. Then he kneeled in front of me, undid the button on my pants, and tugged them over my hips. He supported me with one hand, while he gently helped me step out of the leg.

Then he looked up at me, tracing his fingers up my thigh. “I’m out of practice, but I don’t think I’ve forgotten everything.”

“I’ll tell you if you’re getting it wrong,” I promised with a grin.

“Then let me taste you, sunshine.” He eased my legs apart and applied his tongue, gently at first, then more enthusiastically as I encouraged him on.

I buried my fingers in his hair, while he took one hand and palmed my breast. The combination of his mouth and the gentle way he rolled my nipple between his thumb and finger had my legs trembling, and I was grateful for his support, or I might have fallen.

As it was, my body sang from his attention, and shortly, I panted, almost whined, thrilled by the devotion this ancient being was paying me. My body tingled from head to toe, tight and loose at the same time, just about to fall over the precipice. I wanted it so badly. Even this was better than all my previous experiences before Oliver, and now Katsuro.

“So close,” I gasped.

He slid a finger inside me and curled it, finding the right spot.

I shouted as I crashed over the edge, legs buckling. Katsuro’s vampire reflexes kept me from the floor, and I lay in his arms, languid.

“You’re not that out of practice,” I slurred.

“Good,” he whispered then carried me to the bed.

“Can I?” I gestured toward his cock, which I was anxious to have buried in me, but I certainly wouldn’t mind having in my mouth, either.

“Next time. Right now, I want to be inside you.”

“Oh, good, me too.” I felt a little drunk and sounded like it, but damn that man had talented lips.

“Do you mind if I take a little more of your blood?”

“No.”

Katsuro’s anticipatory rumble almost put me over the edge again, and the predatory look in his eyes did the rest, triggering a mini orgasm that had me writhing on the bed.

He licked his lips, and kneeled between my legs, stalking me with his expression, making me feel like prey. And a willing prey I was, as the ache between my legs needed to be filled, and I desperately wanted his teeth in my neck.

These men were going to wreck me in all the best ways.