Following Rhett into the darkness seemed like such a bad idea, but it wasn’t like he wanted to stay back, alone out in the field. Eli knew the truth that hid behind all those rationalizations, because it was in his blood now. When Rhett had given him the bite, he hadn’t thought much of it. At the moment, it seemed like something needed to give Rhett something to ground him – and also make the sex better, as if there was any room left for improvement in that area.
Eli snorted at his own silly thoughts, albeit he became quickly aware that he needed to run as fast as his feet could take him so that he didn’t lose sight of Rhett. In his beast form, the lycan prince was faster than any human and would be able to give even other fast animals a run for their money, pun intended.
Rhett was heading toward the forest behind the campus. Eli felt his heart filling with fear again. If it weren’t for Rhett’s animalistic grunts and breathing, he’d lose him fast.
The dark was so deep here, not even the light of the moon could pass through the thick crowns of the trees. Eli kept in a yelp as something slithered by his ankles. What was he supposed to do now? Call Rhett back? But the prince’s beast had to know something that no other human could understand. Was he hunting down the vampire?
Eli whimpered, not knowing what to do, except running after Rhett. Dark was where other creatures lived, maybe even a vampire? And the book he was holding would be pretty much useless if he couldn’t read it, right?
“Ah, damn it,” he mumbled and grunted as he stumbled on a raised root or a fallen branch.
He was the prince’s mate, yet he was pretty much useless. Why had Rhett had to choose him of all the guys going to Blackthorn? He could have chosen someone fitter for this task.
Again, Eli needed to brace himself and forget he was a coward at heart. Rhett’s heavy breathing guided him, even in the dark, and his eyes seemed to have adapted a little. Now, he was able of telling the shapes of the trees apart, so he didn’t risk running straight into a trunk and knocking himself out by accident.
“Rhett,” he whispered, “where are we going? Can you please slow down?”
There was no sign from the lycan prince that he could hear or understand Eli at all. That meant that the only thing to do was to keep up, even if his feet were killing him, and his muscles could hardly take the physical exertion that was stretching his body to the limit.
The sound of a twig cracking, most likely under someone’s foot, made Eli halt. “Rhett?” he called out tentatively. “I’m afraid--”
He didn’t get the chance to finish his thought. A shadow, darker than the pitch-black around, cut through his line of vision, flying from one tree to the other.
Eli was pretty sure that his chattering teeth were making a deafening sound. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Someone was there, and it was evil. Even he could tell, although his knowledge on the topic was scarce, at best.
The book had to have answers about this, too. At least Eli thought so. But what use was that if it was so dark that he couldn’t read it? Once more, he regretted having been too horny to realize that he should have read it – or at least the essential stuff – when he’d had the chance. Now, he was as good as weaponless in front of the terrible evil that was coming for Rhett.
Everyone knew about the vampire, and Micah and Noel had even seen him. That put Eli at a disadvantage. He only knew Professor Veyr in passing.
But what had Rhett said? That the more important aspect was whether Veyr knew Eli, and not the other way around.
The howl emerging from the glen opening a few yards away made Eli freeze on the spot. Although he craved to call for Rhett again, he chose to remain silent. The presence from before was nowhere near… so where was it?
In the middle of the glen, Rhett was pacing to and fro like a trapped animal. The moonlight was enough to see more now. Eli trembled from head to toe as he took in the scene before him. Rhett’s beast was nothing short of feral now. Saliva was pouring out of his muzzle, and he snapped his jaws from time to time as if he was attacking an invisible enemy.
Not so invisible, Eli realized with a gasp. The shadow from before – it had to be the same – was now standing tall in the clearing, facing the beast Rhett had transformed into.
“You came looking for me,” a low, deceptively pleasant voice, began. “Isn’t it ironic? You are flinging yourself to your death… but it shouldn’t surprise me in the least. Your mindless relatives, one by one, did the same. I really hoped you’d be more entertaining.”
Eli knew he should run instead of getting near, but his feet now had a mind of their own. He was walking closer and closer, holding the book close to his chest.
“You know,” Veyr continued, his voice now recognizable in Eli’s ear, because he had witnessed one of the professor’s lectures before, “you could make things easy for you. Even pleasurable. I am told to be an amazing lay, and that’s what I’m offering you. You can choose to succumb to me. I promise I will be gentle while giving you the gift of immortality.”
Eli frowned, trying to make sense of whatever the hell Veyr was saying. Rhett kept snapping his jaws, circling the tall shadow. He seemed reluctant to attack, something Eli couldn’t say he understood.
“Are you surprised by my words? I bet everyone put some strange ideas in your stupid head,” Veyr said with false affection. “I only killed everyone in your clan and family because they were worthless. It’s your blood I want and need. And not just your blood. Since you’ve grown of age, I was startled to observe that you have grown into a fine man. Come on, Rhett, wouldn’t it be easier to surrender to me? While I do intend to keep you in a cage and milk you of all your power on a daily basis, I’ll grant you eternal life in return. Isn’t it a sweet deal? What do you think?” the professor taunted Rhett further.
Eli knew the professor had to be unaware of his presence. He hoped so, at least. While Veyr’s whole attention appeared to be trained on Rhett alone and his moves suggested that he would pay no attention to another presence, Eli knew he had to play it smart and safe. Risking to have the vampire notice him was a no-go.
But the light in the clearing was tempting him. If he could just find a place where he could start leafing through the book, maybe he’d find something in there to help Rhett. Although in beast form, the lycan prince appeared invincible, the enemy he was going against was redoubtable.
Great. He might just witness a fight between a vampire and a lycan, he, a college student who was supposed to spend his summer deep in his studies. Things had gone so wrong in the span of days and nights.
Running was out of the question. No one would be able to help Rhett except him. And Eli knew that, because he had been imprinted by the lycan prince, and ever since he had called the beast’s name, he knew that he had some power, too.
Only that he had no idea how to harness it.
It had to be all in that book.
“Snap your fangs at me all you want, beast,” Veyr continued to taunt Rhett. “You are no match for me, admit it. You are alone in the world, and you have not one soul to care for you. I’ve watched you since your arrival at Blackthorn. A loner and a miser with his interactions, all the other professors told you. In your foolish young heart, did you truly believe that keeping yourself away from the others the same age as you would make you safe?” He laughed loudly. Rhett’s beast grew impatient, Eli could tell.
Slowly, careful not to make one sound, he scuttled through the undergrowth, in search of a place where he’d be able to open the book and, with the help of the moon above, read the mysterious words that would help him help Rhett defeat this monster.
“I had the intention of killing you before tonight, but recent events convinced me that you would serve me better otherwise. You see, other thoughtless beasts gave me their cum tonight. And I have grown stronger as a result.”
Eli winced as a thorn stung his hand by accident. Veyr lifted his head higher, sniffing the air. “Ah, the scent of blood,” he said reverently. “I will suck some out of you, as I bet it is delicious, as untouched as you are.”
Untouched, my ass, Eli thought the mental jab but kept his mouth shut.
“But I will be busier sucking your cock,” Veyr added with crude laughter. “You will supply me with hot delicious semen and I will let you live as my pet. How does it sound, princeling?”
If Veyr wanted to make Rhett surrender to him of his own volition, he was doing a piss-poor job. The beast would attack soon, and Eli hoped Rhett could hold his own in a fight with the vampire for a while, since Eli needed time to consult the big book.
“I will allow you to fuck me, on occasion,” Veyr continued. “You are young and a beast. You will need release, and I will give it to you. In due time, I am sure you will come to love me.”
Eli let out a growl without even thinking. He clasped one hand over his mouth, but it was too late.
“Who’s there?” Veyr demanded to know.
Fuck. Why the hell…
Eli ducked behind a bush and waited with bated breath. His hearing had to be more sensitive now because of the stress of being discovered. And his sense of smell… Eli scrunched up his nose as he could tell apart the smell of fresh dirt under his feet and that of rotting leaves and small insects.
Rhett’s low growl interrupted the vampire’s search.
“Eager to fall under my thumb? I’ll give you the pleasure of fighting for your life. But I have the strength of two different lycans inside me, not to mention my centuries-long experience. You are no match for me, boy. A twenty-two years old lycan will never be a match for a vampire, no matter how young or old. Show me those fangs, yes.”
Eli lay on his belly, struggling to ignore the many foul smells making his gag. He covered the book with his body, a sudden wish to rest washing over him.
From his place, he watched… no, he felt the battle starting so close to his hiding place.
Rhett attacked first. He moved so fast human eyes could barely follow him. But a strange thing was happening now inside Eli’s mind… He felt the battle as if he was directly involved in it.
He closed his eyes for a moment. Yes, he could truly see… the professor barring his vampire fangs and snapping at him.
At him? That wasn’t right, was it? Eli opened his eyes, and he was back to where he was.
A sliver of light fell by his sight. He crawled to it and opened the book. The sound of his own breathing was loud in his ears, while Veyr continued to fight Rhett in the clearing.
Eli gasped as searing pain cut through his upper arm. He caught it, expecting to feel blood oozing out of a fresh wound, but there was nothing there.
The book. It had to contain what he needed to know. Feverishly, he began thumbing through the pages. The name of the wolf… he knew that. And now, something about mates.
The wolf alone is strong. But he is stronger by his bond.
“Yeah, okay, tell me something I don’t know,” Eli grunted as his eyes danced over the pages, hungry to find the incantation or the curse that would truly help him and Rhett.
In the moment of mortal trial, the mate may act as catalyst. The human voice awakens what the beast cannot call. In unison, their strength becomes more than blood.
“Oh, fuck, can you just use plain English ‘cause I don’t understand a damn thing,” Eli moaned.
Rhett’s guttural cry reached him deep within his chest. Eli forgot the book for a moment. His breath caught in his chest when he witnessed the bloody spectacle in front of him.
The vampire had caught Rhett by the throat and was holding him down. And Rhett’s beast… was gone. He was only a naked human boy now, struggling against the grip on his throat. Veyr towered above him.
“I’ll give you so much happiness you’ll forget you are a slave,” the professor chanted, pleased with himself. “But now, let’s see how you taste.”
Eli felt his throat growing rigid with the need to shout when the vampire slid over Rhett’s body, going straight for his cock. How could he see everything so clearly when they were quite far from him?
But he did see. Not only see. He could smell and feel the touch of the vampire, too. Rhett’s large cock disappeared inside the vampire’s mouth, over and over.
Eli grunted as he felt a stab to the groin. What the hell was going on? It was pain at first, but it was quickly turning into pleasure. He collapsed to the ground, since he had unconsciously gotten up earlier. He fretted and panted against the naked ground underneath, humping it with his swollen dick.
No, if this continued, he’d lose his mind. With one last-ditch effort, Eli reached for the book.
Two hearts, one blood.
His lips moved quickly, his whispers ragged now.
Two breaths, one chest.
My blood, your blood.
Make me your shadow,
Make me your doom.
He broke out of his skin. “Ravenor,” he growled, his voice now one of a beast, “I’m coming for you, my blood.”
tbc
If you enjoyed this story, consider supporting the author on SubscribeStar.
To get in touch with the author, send them an email.
