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Dark Curiosity	By : PsionRat Category: A through F > Dark Series Views: 2862 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Dark series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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A/N: I don't own anything in the world/s of Christine Feehan and don't presume to.
Dark Curiosity
“You went out.”
Cole didn't have to turn around to know Leodan was standing near one of the middle windows looking stern with the dying daylight behind him. It felt like he had a ghost in his life now.
“It was important.” He pushed the plate of a partially picked at sandwich away, stomach roiling in discomfort. Leodan had warned that he wouldn't be able to eat much of anything now, if he was able to eat still. So far he hadn't been able to handle anything. He hadn't really eaten in the last few days and it was starting to get to him.
“Important?” The taller male stalked over, more than noting the tired way Cole was standing and the growing edge of exhaustion on his Lifemate's mind. Nothing is more important than your safety.
“What are you, my Master now?” He knew the retort hurt, but he was too tired to let it bother him. Besides it was the only control he felt he had at the moment.
Leodan sighed and his muscles relaxed. The moment he'd woken up he'd known completely that Cole had left the apartment in the early part of the day. They had been too far away from him to know what had happened in the few hours he'd been gone but he was aware that the exposure to sunlight had sapped his Lifemate of a lot of his strength. He'd fed well on a few passerbys that were already gone, heading home early for the night with a mild suggestion to eat something before bed. Despite his need to correct such disobedience, Cole's health came first in his mind.
“Look. I meant to stay, but something came to me and I was out for just a little while.” Cole finally turned, his face was a little red and he looked miserable.
All thoughts of chastising Cole further fled Leodan's mind and he crossed the last few feet between them to inspect the damage. The blood exchanged must not have been as much as he had first thought, but still more than normal. The smaller man's skin was blistering in places over the face where he had been the least protected by a coat with gloves and hat.
Cole sighed, the touches were a bit harsh on his skin, but they also soothed his mind. He'd spent all day wondering if he'd started to go crazy and that all that had happened last night had just been in his head. For hours he went back and forth between believing in the reality of what Leodan was to thinking he was just a really bizarre and vivid hallucination.
And, really, even if it was a hallucination, it wasn't a bad one to be stuck in..
“I have been neglecting you.” Leodan started to roll up the sleeve of his shirt. “I should have come to you sooner.” He glanced at the nearly un-touched plate and felt guilt crawl over him. Here he was treating his Lifemate like a child who had broken a house rule when he himself had not been doing his most important duty. “Because of my hesitation you haven't eaten properly in days. I am sorry.”
“What are you doing?” Cole grew a bit alarmed and Leodan pulled him closer and turned them both so that his back was to the bigger man's chest. He felt both arms encircle him, but too loosely to be an intimate hold.
“You must feed, even if it's just a little. My blood will give you the most strength back the quickest.” Not that he could stand to see his beloved feeding from the neck of another, man or woman. He dragged the nail of his thumb through his right wrist and offered it to the blond without complaint. Drink.
“I don't know if I want this life..” Cole stared at the bleeding wound but didn't resist.
Don't be ridiculous. Your heart beats with mine, we could not possibly live apart. I cannot go to your world, but you can more than come to mine..
Both inhaled sharply together as Cole's mouth touched on the blood offered to him. It rushed over his tongue in a way he hadn't expected leading him to lift both hands to hold the other's forearm in place, pressing a bit harder as Leodan flexed his fingers, giving still more.
There were of course more intimate ways to share blood but this was quickest and honestly, the sooner Cole was refreshed, the better. The simple act of sharing blood between Lifemates was one of the more erotic things such couples could do together.
It was certainly having it's effect.
Leodan forced the wound to heal but didn't remove his wrist from his new beloved's mouth. Cole was licking at the excess blood and the sensation on his skin was very distracting. He growled possessively, feeling his body respond in kind to the stimulation.
Cole stopped his attentions, all too aware of Leodan's arousal. His heart hammered away in his chest and heat flew to his face. Again he was a little more than scared of what would happen next. For several tense seconds he was sure he was about to be carried off to the half-way-a-bedroom without much consent on the matter.
“Do you want.. to see.. what I went out.. to get?” His breath came haltingly as he spoke, unsure if he really wanted a distraction. The harsh redness of his face had cleared already, replaced instead by gorgeous blush and his strength had returned. Both of them were too filled with barely suppressed and high running emotions to notice.
“Certainly.” Leodan was barely restraining the beast with in. He could feel that Cole would submit if he gave in and made the vain attempt at having him. It was so much of a temptation that he nearly broke down right then.
Cole moved away, finally beginning to catch his breath as the more heady moments slipped past and fumbled for a book he'd left in it's bag. He sort of hesitated then handed it, blushing even more fiercely, to Leodan.
The Caprathian took it and regarded the thing for a moment. It seemed a silly thing to risk sunlight to go and find, what was Cole thinking..? His attention was lost as he opened the cover to inspect the first few, already very enlightening pages.
“I found it.. at a specialty shop.” Cole crossed his arms, partially in defense and partially to hold back sudden shivers. “She said it was good for people that.. didn't really have experience.”
Leodan held in his hands a book that explained and expanded on the basics of sex and intimacy between two men. His eyes scanned still more pages, taking in the words and images as fast as his eye could move. After a long moment he looked up to speak. “This is a beautiful gift.”
“It's just a book.” Cole waved off the words, flushing still and looking nervous, nearly ready to run yet again.
“Not the book.” He'd seen enough for now, he felt confident enough to proceed. “Your willingness. That is a gift I hold above all others.” He pushed in closer, still holding the book and was pleased to find Cole shaking just a bit as he relied on the counter behind him for support.
“I, I didn't. I mean.. I don't.” His thoughts wouldn't order themselves.
Leodan only chuckled and finally put the book down behind Cole, caging the smaller man in place with his strong arms. “Surely you realized, that the only thing keeping me from taking you to bed was my temporary inadequacy at understanding how to do so.” His mouth twitched up into an amused smirk. “You have remedied the situation.. and now..” He inhaled sharply, hands sliding down Cole's sides to his hips as he pressed them together to feel each other.
Cole gasped and twisted his hands into Leodan's shirt. The heat between them burned and his heart nearly exploded in his chest. Then something else caught his attention and he opened his eyes blinking in confusion.
The taller male seemed to catch it too and leaned back, turning towards the windows behind him.
“Leo, what is that?”
The Caprathian opened his mind up, seeking information, only to be assaulted by Kail's voice frantically trying to reach him.
Leodan! Finally! I've been trying to reach you since dusk! Tolin and Ritter have tracked the vampire through the same street the last one was destroyed in. They think it may be hunting you, or perhaps.. your.. Kail's 'voice' trailed off as he stumbled over his next thoughts.
Is it near us? Leodan asked immediately, brushing aside his brother's halting words.
Well I don't right know where you are. You're too good at hiding, I appreciate your protective attempts but.. Kail fell suddenly silent for a moment. Tolin says it is circling some rooftops around a large apartment complex. But it seems lost.
“What's going on?” Cole felt something cold creep up his spine, as if a Shade had passed by, stealing the warmth from the air.
“A vampire is tracking one of us. Likely you.”
“Why me?” The smaller man didn't sound panicked, more disgruntled and maybe a bit insulted.
“You are my Lifemate, a Light. Vampires are doomed Carpathians, lost forever in their own darkness. Some still search for their own Lifemates, but it's a useless endeavor. They usually kill the women they find. Some actually make it their soul purpose to wipe out those we now know can join with a Carpathian male in order to bring their own damnation on others.” Leodan was thinking quickly. His protections were purely defensive, preventing an opponent from finding him or what he was protecting in order to make an attack. Each protection as made with a twisting array of powerful illusions and misdirections. He'd never been very good at the more dangerous ones that could injure or kill like Tolin, on the other hand, couldn't hurt what you couldn't find.
But he trusted his hunting companions. Alone they were all three formidable, in pairs they were quickly lethal and together they had disposed of vampires in the most efficient manner seen among their kind. Ritter and Tolin would not fail.
“We are staying here. My protections are holding and the same hunters that were with me before are on him now.” He held Cole close, feeling the unease at the situation practically bleed through their skin. “Do not fear.”
“I'm not afraid.” Well, he was a little afraid, but he felt braver saying the words. Couldn't they just go back to the still terrifying but probably more enjoyable prospect of Leodan screwing his brains out instead? It seemed preferable to this tension.
Leodan waited in place, putting himself solidly between the windows, their greatest defensible weakness, and Cole. He didn't dare try to contact either Ritter or Tolin, fearing the distraction of communication could prove fatal. Instead he reached out for Kail, who he felt was rushing to them at full tilt, Jenelle along side him, refusing to be left out.
I can see them. They have it on the roof, I assume above you.
Again the taller man didn't dare reach out, potentially exposing them or distracting a fighter. It was a bit of torture though, he was a hunter in his own heart. And as such he was desperate to join them in putting down their fallen brother to protect his future victims.
But Cole kept him in place. He knew his priorities were now changed forever. No longer were other lives the most important.. now it was only Cole.
“Wow, I can feel them..”
The admission from the smaller man drew his attention back down. “You can?”
An explosion stole away replies. The fire above them lit up the courtyard outside. Leodan sighed a breath of relief, that would be Ritter, destroying the evidence and putting the vampire down for good.
He said, relaxing a bit as he reached out again for Kail. Tell me it has been done.
It has. He wasn't as strong as we had feared, merely vicious. It was Killian Thade.
Leodan felt a sorrow in his heart, the first one in a long time, Killian was young by Carpathian standards, barely an adult in their eyes. He has been missing for a decade, now we know why.
You are safe but. May we.. meet with you? Perhaps meet this.. Lifemate.. of yours? Kail sounded cautious, something that made Leodan's protective instincts set up on edge.
He turned his attention back on Cole. “They have finished, we are truly safe. But they wish to meet you. Is that alright?”
Cole blinked. “I don't know.. I mean. I guess so.” He felt an anxiety well up. “They're safe to be around right?” He wasn't sure if he liked the idea of having to meet others like Leodan so suddenly. A part of him twinged in his own possessive jealousy. What if they took Leodan away?
They don't have the right to take me from you. Don't worry. Then his attentions turned outward. He would like to meet with you, you are all granted access and welcomed.
Shortly after there was a knock at the door. Cole hesitated by Leodan answered it allowing all four inside.
It struck the smaller man that it was like having a pack of wild wolves come trotting into his apartment. One by one Leodan named them for him.
Tolin was first, the tallest, a blond like himself but his hair reached well past the middle of his back, tied up in a loose ponytail. He seemed the most uncertain about this meeting but bowed politely as he was acknowledged.
Ritter had shorter black hair and eyes the seemed to shimmer in the most amazing dark shade of blue Cole had ever seen. An odd combination for his darker skin. He bowed as well, more deeply and more confidently before stepping aside.
Next was Kail, a man who was similar in appearance to Leodan with slightly shorter hair and far more relaxed and expressive demeanor. Instead of bowing he sort of nodded, eyes shifting between Leodan and Cole questioningly. He didn't seem upset by the sudden pairing, but neither was he at rest with it.
And last came the jewel of the quartet. Jenelle. She had long black hair that curled tightly, and brilliantly shining green eyes that seemed to reflect all the dim light around her far too brightly. She was stunningly beautiful, with a full body and a kind smile. She approached and hugged Cole, welcoming him for all to hear to their family and congratulating Leodan on having such good taste.
“I am grateful you came to our aid.” Leodan had taken a protective stance next to Cole, one hand on the smaller man's shoulder.
“Of course we would come.” Ritter replied with a nod. “But this is no longer a safe place. The both of you should go to Kail's home, it's not far away, at least until you can secure a safer place for yourselves.”
It was sound reasoning, but Leodan deferred to Kail on the of finality of such a decision. It was his brother's house in question after all.
After a few seconds pause, Jenelle elbowed the other brother sharply in the ribs. “Oh, yes, of course. My home is my brother's home, and his.. mate's home as well.”
You do not approve? Leodan asked privately.
Kail delayed his answer for a long moment. It is simply strange Leodan, I have never heard of such a thing. Jenelle says I should not worry about it, but I do. It is not exactly going to be a.. fruitful.. match.
Leodan only nodded slightly, eyes cast away from his brother. Despite that though, he knew simply by looking at Cole that it ultimately wouldn't matter. Without this man, he would have fallen and hard, becoming a skilled and dangerous vampire, calling those who had once been his comrades to track and destroy him without mercy. This was better.
“Then we should go. The sooner we are in safety the sooner we can make the necessary arrangements.” Ritter seemed to be the one taking the reigns of the situation.
Cole sighed inwardly, not really wanting to argue the point that he hadn't been asked if he wanted to leave his apartment. All four of the other men reminded him vividly of pure predators, and he was not in the mood to make a scene when the ones he would be arguing with had fangs. At least Jenelle seemed nice and normal, that helped. Other than that it seemed he had a reprieve from the possibilities his earlier purchase had opened up. He glanced at Leodan as they prepared to leave, catching the smoldering heat in the others eyes as he ushered the smaller man out of the apartment along with the others.
At least for now any way.
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Dark Curiosity