Chapter 17

Freddie

W hen Anthony's phone rang for the third time, Freddie woke him up. He'd hoped to let him sleep late - it was his day off, and he deserved the rest after the night they'd had - but Freddie worried it was some kind of emergency. It was after noon, and they had some important things to talk about, anyway.

He reached down to jostle him awake, but stopped himself as he took in Anthony's sleeping form. He sprawled out like a starfish. His limbs had claimed the bed the minute that Freddie had left, as if he was a king and the hotel mattress was his domain. His chest rose and fell, and his face was so peaceful that Freddie regretted interrupting his slumber.

"Sweetheart?" Freddie shook Anthony's shoulder.

"Hmmm?" Anthony stretched but didn't open his eyes. "Do you want to have sex again?"

Freddie chuckled and kissed Anthony on the forehead. "Always, my sweet, but your phone's been ringing off the hook for a couple of hours now."

Anthony's eyes popped open. "Weird. No one has my number. My nonna, my agent, Uncle Daniel, a couple of friends, that's it."

Freddie tossed Anthony the phone. He glanced down.

"My agent. It's before seven in New York. What could be wrong?"

Anthony sat up, scrunching his toes as he woke himself up fully. He hit a button and held the phone to his ear. Freddie settled down into the armchair and smiled. He never expected to have moments like this. Domestic. Ordinary. Just him and his mate dealing with life like normal people do.

"Josh, what's going on?" Anthony said into the phone.

As his agent spoke, Anthony blinked in surprise. Freddie tried to distract himself. With his supernatural hearing, he could make out what the person on the other end was saying, but it was rude to listen in without their knowledge.

"I…of course, the answer is yes. There's a two-week window between Barcelona and Milan. I should be able to squeeze those dates in. Will I rehearse with the rest of the cast?"

Anthony chewed his bottom lip. He was practically vibrating with nervous energy.

"Okay, that will have to be enough. Have them send me a video so I can learn the staging. Get back to me with the contract info when it's finalized."

Anthony tossed the phone down on the bed, a look of shock on his face.

"Anthony? What's going on?"

"They want me to jump into a role at the Manhattan Lyric. They lost their Tonio for La fille du régiment because of a family emergency, and the general manager doesn't think the cover is ready."

Anthony rocked back and forth on the cream bedspread.

"This is the big one, Freddie. It's the most important opera house in the country, and the role is a tour de force. If it goes well, I'll start having more control of the parts I take. If it's a triumph , it could change the course of my career. I…"

Freddie got up and sat next to Anthony, putting his arm around his mate's shoulders, soaking up his warmth as he squeezed Anthony to himself.

"You are a star," Freddie whispered.

"You don't have to say that."

"I don't have to, but it's true. I've seen your talent and your dedication. Everyone else will, too."

Anthony nuzzled into Freddie's chest, feeling Freddie's strong pecs through the thin fabric of his undershirt.

"Thank you for believing in me."

Freddie kissed the top of his head. "Always."

They sat there for a long moment. Sex was one thing, but this was something different, something neither had experienced before. A lover who was also family, who would support them and perhaps build a life with them. Freddie felt incredibly lucky. And incredibly anxious.

"But it complicates things," Freddie said, wincing as he did.

Anthony pulled away a little from Freddie, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"

"Master Hughes will not like it. I'm sure he already wanted to increase your security detail. Not that it's necessary. The death of five vampires is a blow to any coven. Normally, that would be enough for them to leave you alone. There are other ways to get at the coven master."

Anthony cocked his head. "But?"

"New York is Azarian territory." Freddie's jaw clenched. "If you go there, they won't be able to resist an attempt."

"I wish I understood better what all of this is about."

"I only know what I've told you," Freddie said. "I've kept nothing from you, and I won't from now on."

Freddie's phone beeped from on top of the desk. He disengaged from his mate, walked over, and picked it up, glancing down at his notifications. He grimaced.

"Master Hughes has met with his war council. He wants to talk to us."

"Okay?" Anthony looked up at Freddie, shaking his head in confusion.

Freddie looked his lover up and down. Fine hair covered his olive skin, culminating in an absolutely delicious-looking treasure trail. His nipples were the perfect size, and Freddie loved how responsive Anthony was when he played with them. However, now was not the time to be thinking these thoughts.

"You, um, probably want to put on a shirt."

Anthony's eyes widened, and he sprang into action, running into the bathroom to make himself presentable. Freddie plugged his laptop into the hotel television and sat on the edge of the bed. Anthony had just sat down next to him when Master Hughes appeared on the computer screen.

The coven master looked regal in a gray vest with a deep purple shirt, his deep blue eyes twinkling with humor. Anthony's uncle was at his side in an oversized plaid sweater. He was bouncing with excitement.

"I'm pleased to see you both awake and safe." Freddie's master winked at him. "I assume you've told Anthony everything?"

"Yes, Master Hughes," Freddie answered.

"Good."

"It's really wonderful, Anthony!" Daniel leaned in front of his husband, his face filling the screen, so close to the camera that only his nose and mouth were visible. "Having a vampire mate has so many benefits. I'm happy for you."

"I…thank you, Uncle Daniel. It's a lot to take in."

"Let me know if you want vampire sex tips. Or if you ever need to vent about you-know-who."

"He's sitting right there, darling." Master Hughes pulled Daniel back away from the camera with a look of adoration. Master Hughes never smiled like he did when he was with his husband.

"I know he is!" Daniel said. "That's why I was talking in code," he said in a stage whisper.

Freddie's face warmed as he blushed. It was a rare occurrence, and was only possible because he'd fed from Anthony.

"Can we deal with the issue at hand?" Freddie said, covering up his sheepishness with an all-business tone.

"You can do some stuff with your hands," Daniel said, "but that's not my favorite."

"Uncle Danny!" Now Anthony was beet red.

"Yes, darling, let's get back on track." Master Hughes put his arm around his husband.

Daniel pouted for a second, then kissed Master Hughes on the cheek. "Fine."

"You have done an excellent job at protecting Anthony," Master Hughes began, "but the Azarians are throwing more fire power at him than we expected. I have a strong relationship with the largest Italian covens. Freddie will be sufficient for your next few days in Barcelona, but when you fly to Milan, a larger vampire detail will be waiting for you."

Anthony turned to Freddie, questioning. Freddie nodded. Even if it complicated things or made him angry, Master Hughes had to know.

"I'm going to New York," Anthony said.

"What?" Daniel's voice was strained. "You can't do that!"

"Darling." Master Hughes patted Daniel's hand, then addressed Anthony in a soft but commanding voice. "Your uncle is right. New York is the one place you have to avoid. Charles Azarian wouldn't hesitate to throw every available vamp he has left at you."

"What is his problem, anyway?" Anthony asked, his vehement tone betraying his anger and frustration. "Why is he coming after me? Why does he want to get at you two?"

Master Hughes sighed. "There is no ruler of the vampires, no king. Every coven is independent. If there were a leader, however, it would be me. I have managed, through some degree of skill and an even greater degree of luck, to negotiate a peace among the most powerful covens across the globe, with only a couple exceptions. The Azarian coven is the most powerful of those exceptions."

Master Hughes' eyes hardened, and Daniel rested a hand on his forearm.

"Charles rejects any check on his power. About a decade ago, he took out the bulk of his relatives in a bloodbath the likes of which we haven't seen in centuries. He rallied the young ones to his side with promises of power and influence, and the freedom to hunt and kill as they liked. He sees me as the linchpin holding together the current peace, and he wants to use you as a bargaining chip to break that peace. Chaos and violence would be preferable to him, and allow him to expand his own rule."

Freddie's whole body tensed. He hadn't known how eager Charles Azarian was to take out his master. It made him want to fly to New York alone and kill Charles himself.

"That's not all." Daniel's tone was deadly.

"No." There was a hint of something that Freddie had never heard in Master Hughes' voice. Was it shame?

"Charles was a lover of mine for many years," Freddie's master continued. "I thought he understood. We weren't mates. There could be nothing more than friendly affection between us. But somehow he convinced himself that I was indeed his mate. I broke it off years ago, but…for him, this is not only political, it is personal. He still thinks I belong to him. Because of that, I believe he will not stop, even if it decimates his coven."

Freddie's stomach burned as if he'd swallowed hot lava. His mate would be in danger until Charles Azarian was dead. His blood hummed with resolve. No one would take his Anthony from him.

"He was my friend, once." There was a deep sadness lingering in Master Hughes' eyes.

"It's too dangerous to go to New York." Daniel said, the metal in his voice showing his resolve. "You can't put yourself that close to him and his people. He's unhinged."

Freddie turned to Anthony. He was lost in thought, and Freddie couldn't read his expression. After a long silence, Anthony spoke.

"I'm going."

"Tony--"

"No, Uncle Danny. This is the biggest moment of my career so far. If I let this pass by, I may never get the chance again. I refuse to let some vampire madman stand in the way of my moment. I'm going."

Master Hughes frowned, and his voice rang in Freddie's head. You have to convince him.

"Don't speak into my mind." The harsh, insubordinate words flowed from his lips, and he could not stop them, as if he were an outside observer to his own body. He had never gone against his master, not in the decades he'd served, but he couldn't stop himself. "Anthony is right here. He has a right to hear anything that is said about him. If my mate wishes to go, then he will go, and I will be there by his side to protect him."

Master Hughes' face grew dark. "He is human, and fragile."

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here," Anthony said, his voice like ice. "This is my life we're talking about. I make the rules. I'm going to New York."

Freddie put his arm around Anthony's shoulders. He would give his own life if it meant helping his mate achieve his dreams.

"Tony, I don't like this." Daniel's face was white with fear. "You shouldn't put yourself in danger. What if--"

"What if I had died here, in Barcelona? What if? There are no safe places. I'm going."

"That is our decision." Freddie's words held a note of finality. They were mates now, and they would stand together.

The four sat there in silence, two in Barcelona and two in London, the air filled with tension and sadness and icy determination. Finally, Master Hughes spoke.

"I don't condone this, Freddie, but I can't fault you for siding with your mate." Master Hughes had a look of resignation on his face. "I'll help however I can."

"Ollie--"

"Their minds are made up, love." Master Hughes ran the back of his hand over his mate's cheek, calming him, and then turned back to the camera.

"There will be a contingent of three vampires waiting for you in New York. More than that will attract attention." Master Hughes' eyes pierced into Freddie. "Do well by them. They will be putting themselves in danger, entering hostile territory with you."

"Of course, coven master." Freddie let out a shaky breath. He knew he had made the right decision, but that didn't mean there wasn't danger. What would they find waiting for them in New York?

"Tony…" Daniel was on the verge of tears.

"This is the biggest opportunity I've ever had, Uncle Danny. It could change my life."

Daniel didn't speak for a long moment, nodding as a watery smile appeared on his face.

"I love you."

"I love you, too," Anthony replied. "Everything will be okay."