CHAPTER TWO

A listar got his first inkling of what was happening when he opened the apartment door and took a deep breath. The scent, so full and deep and beautiful, enveloped him filling his mind and his heart with a yearning he had never experienced before. It pulled at his emotions making him focus on a need and fulfilling that need as soon as possible. The young man's presence was calling to him on a soul level.

This wasn't a simple attraction or want this was a blood boiling, heart stopping rage of desire that rushed through him. He stopped and looked around the small apartment taking in the items and layout and then began to move toward the bedroom. Anticipation and desire were taking him over. His adored one was in the bedroom his scent was overpowering and he needed to find him.

Along with the amazing aroma, there was also potent fear. His adored was crippled with fear, and it was tearing him up. There was little he could do to lessen that feeling under the circumstances, but he had to try. He stood still and listened to the rapidly beating heart of the man hiding in the closet.

He crouched down to see his sweet one sitting in the corner, bathed in shadow. His eyes were as bright as they were when he saw him through the window. The vivid blue was like the water, deep and clear. He had felt a surge of awareness then, and he feels that same awareness tenfold now. This man was his everything, his future, and his life. He extended his hand and waited, wondering if he would battle his apprehension and take the offered assistance or if he was too frozen by his fear.

Alistar was surprised when he took his hand and allowed Alistar to help him out of the closet. He was stronger than he thought. They stood, and the silence was heavy, but it didn't last. The young one, Neal, wanted answers and assurances, and Alistar was eager to oblige.

"I'm not going to hurt you." Alistar reiterated, but it was obvious that Neal did not believe him. He boldly put his arm around Neal's shoulders and pulled him close, hoping the natural power of the Fated bond would begin to ease the tension and gain him some trust.

Neal was just his type, small, soft, and beautiful. Fate had been exceedingly generous, but the conditions of their meeting could have gone better. It was going to take time to gain his trust and consideration.

Alistar led him out into the living room and seated him on the small couch. "Can I get you something, perhaps a glass of water?" This wasn't his place, so he wasn't sure what was available.

"There's water in the fridge." Neal said haltingly his shaking had not ceased. Alistar's concern for the frightened man grew with each passing second. He got the water and noticed there was very little in the refrigerator and even less in the cupboards. His adored was living a meager life and it angered him.

His loved one should have everything he needed or wanted. He looked at him across the room taking in his size and frame and noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the sunken cheeks. He worked too hard he could feel the tension and anxiety in the air. His lover's life was not easy.

He handed Neal the bottled water and sat down beside him. Neal took a tentative sip and then put the cap back on and set it on the coffee table. Alistar watched him seeing the subtle easing of his fear, but he was still swamped with worry. "Why are you here? What are you going to do with me?" Two reasonable questions.

He had planned to wipe his memory and then leave him alone but that was no longer possible. As his adored Neal's memories could not be touched and there was no way on this earth he was ever going to leave him but how could he say this.

"You killed those men at the dry cleaner," Neal said, and his tone was flat and lifeless, and Alistar didn't like it. Neal was attempting to disassociate in preparation for what he thought was coming.

"They weren't men, not as you know them to be." That was vague, but Alistar wasn't sure how to explain himself. He was hoping that the awareness that comes with bonding would help him out a bit, but they had just met, and it was a slow process, apparently.

"What were they?" Neal turned to look at him with his eyebrows knitted together. His expression screamed, suspicious and life was returning to his tone. "They were holding a dress for me. They were going to open for me but I had to pick it up right away. I spoke to them on the phone just a few minutes before I arrived." He was speaking in broken sentences as his mind tried to figure out what was happening.

"They were rogues and a danger to our community."

"They were a danger to Charlotte?"

"A danger to the Kilconnor Coven and to Charlotte." Alistar watched as several different emotions played across Neal's features before he turned away and shook his head in frustration. Alistar was not trying to be obtuse, but Neal could only comprehend so much at this time.

"I don't understand." This was not working, and Neal's distress was growing.

"I know and I wish I could be clearer." Neal suddenly grabbed the remote and turned on the television and tuned into the local news. They reported on the fire at the dry cleaners and mentioned no loss of life and attributed the blaze to an electrical issue.

"They found nothing?" He looked shocked and confused, and he began to shake again. Alistar held him and touched his forehead, which caused him to fall into a deep slumber.

He hadn't wanted to use glamour on him, but his health and well-being made it imperative. Alistar couldn't clear his mind, but he could give him some peace and rest for a few hours.

The glamour was of a low level and would not interfere with his thoughts or free will it simply allowed him to rest. It was the only thing available for an adored and only worked on humans. Fate understood the fragile nature of a human and the dangers they face when suddenly thrust into the paranormal world. It was a cheap shot but it was better than watching his adored have a breakdown.

Alistar picked Neal up into his arms and left the premises. He needed to get Neal somewhere neutral but safe. Two of the rogues had escaped when Alistar hesitated upon seeing Neal at the window. He didn't know if they had also seen Neal and if either would feel compelled to go after him. The had not yet been apprehended so that danger remained.

It was clear from Neal's explanation that they had lured him to the drycleaning establishment much as they had done to others. There was no dress waiting for him there, only death.

Alistar now understood why Fate had chosen this time to bring them together. The legend is that she brings you to your adored when they need you the most, or you need them. If he hadn't been there, Neal would not have survived the night. Fate cut things a little too close for his liking, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. He had his adored, and now he needed to keep him safe.

He put in a call to Von letting him know the outcome of the mission and the fact that he found his adored. "Two rogues escaped. I couldn't give pursuit with Neal in a state of panic, but they headed east that's all I know at this time."

"What is your plan with Neal?"

"I'm taking him to the Monarch Hotel it's coven owned so it will be safe for him there." Alistar explained.

"Why not bring him here to your quarters."

"I don't want to take him out of the city. He's really skittish and not trusting me at all considering how we met. I fear that if it I bring him to Belmont he might continue to panic and close himself off."

"Do whatever you need to do, and I'm here if you need anything," Von assured. "I'll get someone on the rogues and keep you posted."

"Thanks." With that he closed the call and looked over at his sleeping lover looking so quiet and peaceful. He was a handsome man and Alistar intended to get him healthy and happy as soon as possible. The fact that he obviously did not take care of himself was troubling.

Alistar also wondered about a job that would force him to track down a dress at a drycleaner in the dark of night. It sounded abusive to him, but he would ask Neal about it once they were on more friendly terms.

If the job was too stressful, he would try to convince him to let it go and would help him find something more suited to him. There were many possibilities with the Coven and Agincourt where he could be comfortable and happy.

The Monarch Hotel was a luxury hotel with all the amenities and services anyone could possibly need or desire. He booked one of the honeymoon suites because they were large, fully stocked, were located on one of the upper floors with a good view of the main street. He also made arrangements to arrive through the back entrance that gave access to the underground garage and private parking.

He gathered Neal back into his arms and jogged to the elevator. Within a few minutes, he was carrying Neal into the honeymoon suite and securing the door. Neal hadn't stirred throughout the journey and remained peacefully asleep, which was a blessing.

Alistar brought him to the bedroom and carefully laid him on the large bed. He grabbed the blanket from the foot and covered him, tucking him in and making sure he was as comfortable as Alistar could make him. The glamour would last a couple more hours, and once it wore off, he might wake, or he could remain asleep until morning. He then went through the room, checking the windows and his surroundings. He had nothing to fear at the Monarch, but it was a force of habit.

There were three other suites on this floor, but only one was occupied. He had a complete background check done on the occupants of that room, and they appeared harmless, but he preferred to have the floor to himself. That couple will be moved to one of the penthouse suites come morning. He doubted they would complain.

Alistar checked the kitchen, and it was fully stocked as was the bar they could stay there as long as they needed to. Once the rogues were found and disposed of the danger would pass. He doubted the rogues would pursue Neal but he didn't want to take any chances.

He then removed his coat and poured himself a whiskey before returning to the bedroom. This was not what he expected to be doing that night but even through it all and with heavy uncertainty filling the air he could not be happier.

He pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and took a seat. He then reached over and took Neal's small, delicate hand in his and held it like the precious gift that it was. He raised it to his lips and took a small taste which would help speed along their bond.

Neal's touch and his taste went right to his core filling him with a sense of fulfillment and a quiet calm. It was difficult to put into words but the sensations wafting through and around him were simply amazing. He closed his eyes and drank it in letting it consume him and he remained like that, basking in the warmth and presence of his adored, for the next few hours.

Neal woke slowly, very gradually, coming to the surface of wakefulness. He did not move anything but his eyes for the first few seconds. The memory of what had happened came back to him like a gentle flowing wave of awareness. As it washed over him, his body tightened, and panic began to build.

He looked to his left and saw the man from the drycleaner and his apartment sitting there his eyes were closed and he was holding Neal's hand. He didn't know what to make of it all, so he remained still and simply observed. He hadn't hurt him but he'd taken him from his apartment and now he didn't know where he was.

The room was dark, and the clock on the bedside table read 5:35. It wasn't long before the man, Alistar, opened his eyes and stared back at him. His dark gaze was so intense that, again, Neal could not look away. The hand that was holding his tightened just slightly as if he thought Neal might try to pull away and that he didn't want to lose contact.

He liked the touch and found a strange comfort in the embrace, but things weren't as they seemed even and they seemed pretty messed up. There was so much beneath the surface that was starting to come clear to him. He was seeing and understanding things that in reality, his reality, shouldn't make sense. He saw vampires, magic and monsters.

In a sudden rush of confusion, he jerked his hand free and leaped from the bed. His heart was beating frantically as his eyes darted around the room, looking for an escape.

Alistar did not move but his eyes followed Neal's every move. He straightened in his chair, but he did not stand or approach him. He didn't have to since the door was behind him there was no way Neal was getting out of that room unless he dove out the window.

"Where are we?" Neal saw flashes of things images, sounds and scents they flooded his mind and his emotions. He saw Alistar and the rogues and others and it was blowing his mind.

"Honeymoon suite of the Monarch Hotel." He answered flatly but he was laser focused on Neal his every move his every breath. "You're becoming aware of the things around you." He said as if reading Neal's mind.

"It's confusing at first, but your understanding will continue to broaden. Your mind is opening, and the truth of your surroundings is becoming clear to you." He stood up very slowly and took two slow steps that put him at the end of the bed. It would be easy for him to grab Neal if he wanted to, but he stayed several feet away.

"What is going on here? What's happening between you and me? I feel weird. I feel like I know you." Neal had the strong belief that he knew Alistar that they had met or something he seemed so familiar all of a sudden but he was also certain that he knew no one named Alistar. He took another sensual step, and Neal found himself mesmerized by his movements and his body.

Everything about Alistar started to be important. His hair so black and perfectly swept back from his face, his eyes dark yet seemed to glow with warmth and affection. His hands though, they were Neal's primary focus since their touch had ignited something inside of him.

Neal was captivated by them, and if he were honest with himself, he was captivated by the entire man. Alistar had something going on, and it was fucking with Neal's thoughts and feelings. His emotions were all stirred up.

"The men at the dry cleaner, you said they weren't men," Neal repeated the statement from earlier, but now he had a better idea of what they were. "The rogues, they were vampires."

"Yes." Alistar's eyes continued to track him.

"You're a vampire as well, but you aren't crazy like the guys at the dry cleaner." Neal picked his words carefully as he made his way through the explanation.

"I'm a vampire, but I am not a rogue." Alistar took another tentative step toward him. "Do you know what a rogue is?" Neal shook his head.

"A rogue is a vampire who gives up societal norms and controls and leans into their blood lust. This lust soon leads to death, and once they have killed, then all control is lost. They are shackled to their need for blood, and nothing will stop them. They go on to continue killing until they are stopped. It's a mental deterioration that has no treatment or cure." Alistar's voice was saying such horrible things, yet the sound continued to soothe Neal's nerves. It was a crazy dichotomy.

"The person I spoke to on the phone who told me to come and pick up the dress, was he a rogue?" Things were falling into place, and it was terrifying.

"Yes, there were four of them, and they were waiting for you," Alistar said, and Neal felt a chill run up his spine.

"I'm getting it; things are making sense." He dragged his fingers through his hair, which was roughly agitated and on edge. "I suddenly know things that I didn't know a while ago. I see things and know they're real, even though I should be questioning. Any other day, I would be skeptical of everything that is happening, and yet I believe . . . I believe it all." He drew his eyebrows together in that signature fashion and closed his eyes.

Alistar reached out and touched his upper arm holding him in a gentle touch. The contact went waves of peace and stillness through him it made no sense but with it came further clarity. "Why am I seeing the world this way?"

"My nearness and my touch have opened the world to you. Secrets are told, and you see me, my people, and the paranormal. Nothing will be hidden from you now because you are destined to be one of us. You are destined to be mine." Alistar had a deep, heavy tone, but the words were soft and quiet, so easy on the mind.

"I love the sound of your voice." Neal couldn't hold back, noting the pleasure Alistar's voice gave him. It was odd to voice it, but the sound went right to his heart and did odd things to his mood and emotions.

"It has a strange effect on me. It makes me feel good and safe. It sounds nuts, I know; I just thought I'd tell you." Neal actually slapped his hand over his mouth in order to stop himself from rambling further. He was being ridiculous, but the compulsion to share everything was overwhelming.