Table of Contents
Blurb
Copyright Acknowledgement
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Epilogue
About the Author
MLR PRESS AUTHORS
GLBT RESOURCES
HIGHLAND VAMPIRE
VENGEANCE
J.P. BOWIE
mlrpress
www.mlrpress.com
The world is about to be taken over by
an ancient race bent on the destruction of
all human life—only supernatural beings
will be spared.
Aeden and Lyall MacKay, vampire
brothers, living in a world that now
accepts vampires exist, find themselves
leading the challenge to the Ancient’s
mad scheme. When the small town of
Aberglen, Scotland, is threatened by
marauding winged creatures, police
inspector Alistair MacFarlane is more
than keen to enlist the MacKay brothers’
help. Alistair has been in love with Aeden
ever since their first meeting, but Aeden,
despite his attraction to Alistair, is
reluctant to take a mortal lover.
Their lives are inescapably entwined
when the threat of worldwide destruction
becomes imminent and humans and
vampires must fight alongside each other
to overcome the Ancients’ devastating
Doomsday machine. Despite the danger
that surrounds them, new relationships
based on love and trust are forged. But is
the combined force of mortal and
immortal enough to defeat the seemingly
unstoppable power of the Ancients and
their bloodthirsty allies?
Copyright Acknowledgement
This book is a work of fiction. Names,
characters, places, and incidents either are
products of the author’s imagination or
are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to
actual events or locales or persons, living
or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright 2013 by J.P. Bowie
All rights reserved, including the right of
reproduction in whole or in part in any
form.
Published by
MLR Press, LLC
3052 Gaines Waterport Rd.
Albion, NY 14411
Visit ManLoveRomance Press, LLC on
the Internet:
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Cover Art by Deana Jamroz
Editing by Kris Jacen
ebook format
Issued 2013
This book is licensed to the original
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only.
Duplication
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This eBook cannot be legally loaned or
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express permission of the publisher.
CHAPTER ONE
A future Scotland
As he often did at this time of day,
Aeden Mackay stood looking out of his
study’s French doors at the vast swath of
green lawn in front of his mansion in
Aberglen. It was his favorite part of the
day, known in Scotland as the ‘gloaming’.
The time when the day slowly gives way
to the night, the sky takes on a deeper
shade of blue, and the shadows lengthen,
before becoming one with the dark.
Aeden smiled as the last golden rays of
the sunset dipped behind the snow
capped peak of the mountain visible
beyond the tall pine trees. He lifted the
crystal glass of red wine and held it to his
lips, sipping slowly, savoring the delicate
bouquet. And now at this time of the
year, the days were shorter, the nights
longer. It was the time when he felt most
energized, most alive. It had been so for
many, many years…
“Daydreaming, brother?”
Aeden turned at the sound of the soft
lilting voice behind him. “Nightdreaming,
actually,” he replied, his smile still in
place. “Now that you’re awake, would you
care for a glass of Bordeaux?”
“Thank you.” Lyall MacKay walked
with a leisurely grace toward him,
standing by his brother’s side as Aeden
poured the wine from a decanter. Had
there been a third person in the room
there would have been no doubt in their
mind that the two were brothers. Both
were tall men, broad shouldered, dark
haired and blue eyed. The only significant
difference was that Aeden, being
originally older by five years, had a more
mature appearance than Lyall, who had
retained his boyish features, despite the
years that had passed.
Lyall raised his glass briefly then
drained it in one long swallow. “Very
nice,” he said, licking his full lower lip.
“I’ll have another.”
Aeden chuckled and refilled his
brother’s glass. There was no danger of
Lyall becoming inebriated. That could not
happen. “I wish you would learn to enjoy
the wine for its age and flavour,” he
remarked, raising his eyebrow in mock
disapproval. “When it’s all we have for
the time being, you’d best savour it.”
“Barnett slipping is he?”
“We’ll have a fresh supply tomorrow,
so no need to go hunting tonight.”
“I love how you still refer to it as
hunting. We haven’t hunted in God knows
how long.” Lyall smiled ruefully. “Being
legal does take some of the spark away,
doesn’t it?”
“Legal, but still not fully accepted,
don’t forget,” Aeden said. “Some of the
folk around here would have a fit if they
knew
the
MacKay
brothers
were
vampires.”
Lyall chuckled. “I know it’s uncivil of
me, but sometimes I do get a sneaky
feeling of delight when I think of those
mortals who detest us, shivering with fear
in their beds at night. Speaking of
which…” Lyall paused to sip his wine
more slowly this time. “Did you watch
the news last night?”
“No, I try to avoid that lurid rubbish
as much as I can. Why? Was there
something of interest I should know
about?”
“Mmm… The local news reported that
a young couple was found dead in a field
by the farmer a couple of days ago. The
police, under the esteemed auspices of the
handsome, charming Inspector Alistair
MacFarlane, are being their usual
diplomatic selves, of course, keeping it
quiet until they had identified the bodies
and notified the next of kin. But from
what the reporter said, it sounded like
they had been bitten…by an animal, he
said. Could be sheer conjecture of course.
I mean, what kind of animal around here
is big enough to inflict that kind of lethal
wound?”
Aeden frowned. “And what is your best
guess as to the cause?”
“Well, I hate to be a worrywart, but
doesn’t it sound a wee bit suspicious to
you, that this is the second incident of
young people being ‘attacked’ by some
supposed animal, when we both know
that the chances of that happening in this
part of Scotland are remote…extremely
remote? I mean, Aeden, what kind of
animal could possibly be roaming around
the hills here? We havena’ had wolves or
bears in Scotland for, well, for a very long
time.”
Aeden grimaced. “That is very true. It
could have been some kind of mad dog,
but even that’s unlikely. A stray dog
would have been reported by this time,
either by its owner or a neighbour, or
some busybody, at the very least. Hmm…
I hope you’re not thinking what I’m
thinking.”
“Yes, I really am thinking what you’re
thinking.”
“I knew you were. Damnation.” Aeden
poured himself another glass of Bordeaux
then refilled his brother’s glass without
being asked. He pushed the French doors
open and stepped outside onto the now
darkened terrace. “I suppose I should call
Inspector MacFarlane, Alistair, and ask
him what his best guess is—or if he
actually suspects what’s going on.”
Lyall joined him and the two stood side
by side, enjoying the stillness and silence
that surrounded them. “It’s beautiful
here,” Lyall said finally. “What a shame
evil lurks outside this estate.”
“Some would say that evil lurks inside
this estate.”
“Yes, well…what they don’t interfere
with won’t harm them, as Mother used to
say.”
“Good lord—how can you remember
what Mother used to say?” Aeden glanced
at his brother who had again finished his
glass of wine. “You were three years of
age when she died.”
“I think that’s just an expression,
Aeden. I don’t really remember her ever
saying it.”
“Ah…” Aeden pulled his cell phone
from his trouser pocket and punched in a
number, then pressed the speaker button.
“Hello, Alistair. It’s Aeden. How are you
this evening?”
“I’ve been better, Aeden, as I’m sure
you know after hearing about the latest
murder.” The police inspector’s young
voice sounded tired and frustrated. “The
bloody press is driving me bloody mad
with their bloody insisting that there’s
some kind of bloody monster on the
prowl in Aberglen. I mean, yes, murder is
a terrible thing, but I don’t want the folk
of Aberglen worried that there’s some
bloody supernatural being lurking about.”
“That’s a lot of ‘bloodys’ Alistair,”
Aeden said teasingly, while Lyall rolled
his eyes. “You do know what that can do
to a vampire, don’t you?”
“What? Och…you know what I
mean…but, I mean, bloody hell…sorry.
There’s none of that around here…I
mean…uh, none that would do this kind
of thing anyway. Sorry, Aeden, didn’t
mean to infer…um…”
“That’s all right.” Aeden smiled at
Lyall, then said, “D’you think we could
take a look at the bodies?”
“What? Are you telling me you think
you might know what this is about? Now,
I know it wasna’ you or Lyall, but you
know how folk are. If you get involved in
this…”
“We have no intentions of getting
involved, Alistair. We merely want to
perhaps give you a push in the right
direction. Lyall and I can verify if the
attacks are by an animal—”
“They’re not.”
“They’re not? You know this already?”
“Aye. Jamie Kintore, the coroner, did a
rush job for me and confirmed that the
saliva on the wounds of the previous
victim is not from an animal, Aeden…or
a…um, a human. And as the attacks are
almost identical in nature, I’m going with
his original autopsy report.”
“Damnation,” Aeden muttered.
“My thought exactly,” Alistair said,
sighing. “Well, I’ll not deny I could use
some help on this, so if you like, I could
pick you up and take you to the morgue. I
have to warn you though, it’s not a pretty
sight.”
“Don’t worry about our sensibilities,
Alistair. We’ve seen our share of horrors
over the cen…the years.”
“I’m sure y’have. Okay. Say, in about a
half hour?”
“Fine. See you then.” Aeden closed his
phone and shrugged slightly. “Not an
animal, and not human.”
“We’d sense it if there was a vampire in
the vicinity,” Lyall said, quietly. “A
werewolf, then?”
“The saliva would have traces of both
animal and human in it. No, I’m thinking
demon, or some aberrant creation we
haven’t yet encountered.”
Lyall raised his eyebrows. “A demon…
fascinating. We havena’ run into one of
those in some time. And what’s this about
an aberrant creation? Have you been
reading the Biological Press again?”
Aeden chuckled. “No, just an article
about some sort of creature sighting off
the Shetlands’ coast. One or two people
had given the authorities eyewitness
accounts, but so far they haven’t been
able to positively establish its existence.
Could
be
another
Big
Foot
or
Abominable Snowman farce, of course,
but the reporter seemed quite impressed
by the eyewitness reports. One poor man
was so deeply in shock it took several
days before he could talk to the police.”
“Interesting…did he say what it looked
like?”
“Demon-like—with wings.”
Lyall’s interested expression changed to
one of skepticism. “How would he know
what a demon looks like?”
“Apparently from religious paintings.
You know, depictions of the gates of Hell
and the like, by Bosch and others of that
era. Anyway, the man was lucky to escape
unharmed, but his companion not so
lucky. The body was badly bitten and
mangled.”
“From what Alistair just said, it sounds
like the bodies in the morgue suffered the
same fate.”
“Yes. And if the description of the
creature as having wings is correct, then it
could presumably fly anywhere without
too much trouble.” Aeden paused,
thinking. “Unlikely as it sounds,” he said,
“after so long without any sign of them…
it could be that gargoyles are raising their
ugly beaks again.”
“Gargoyles, eh? Well, gargoyles,
demons, and imps, all possible I suppose.
We’ve seen some very peculiar things in
our lifetime.” Lyall grinned, briefly
showing his fangs. “And I’m sure people
could say the same thing about us.”
“Hardly peculiar, Lyall. Unforgettable,
perhaps…”
“Ah, but we can make them forget.”
“Mmm…sometimes I think I should
have used that gift on Alistair. Although
he handles the knowledge of what we are
quite well, it’s obvious it does make him a
wee bit uncomfortable from time to
time.”
Lyall smirked. “From the way he
rambles on and stumbles over his words
when he’s talking to you, it’s obvious, to
me at any rate, that he’s enchanted by you.
Probably in love with you. He’d never
give you away. I don’t know why you
didna’ claim him when you had the
chance.”
Aeden shook his head. “I’ve never
thought a vampire and mortal were a
good match. Mortals have so much
baggage.”
“And we havena’?”
“Touché.”
“What if you turned him?”
“Then I might have a companion with
too much baggage and a deep resentment
toward me.”
“Not if you schooled him ahead of
time…got his permission.” Lyall huffed
impatiently. “I swear to you Aeden, the
man wants you in his life. I can see it
every
time
you’re
together.
And
besides…” His brother gave him a
knowing look, “you told me yourself he’s
an excellent kisser.”
“Yes, that he is.” Aeden reflected on
his and Alistair’s first meeting, one week
after the young policeman had been
promoted to Inspector and transferred
from Edinburgh to Aberglen. In his new
official capacity he had felt obliged to call
on the owners of the largest and oldest
estate in Aberglen. If he’d heard the
MacKay brothers were a bit on the
reserved side with a tendency to be not
very sociable, he’d given no sign of being
deterred by it. After being introduced to
Lyall, the three men had chatted amiably,
sharing some vintage wine while Aeden
had filled Alistair in on the local history.
He’d intended it to be a boring
conversation, encouraging Alistair to stay
clear of any future visits, but the new
police inspector seemed to hang on every
word Aeden uttered, much to Lyall’s
amusement.
When Aeden was honest with himself,
he had grown to enjoy Alistair’s company.
Once, while walking in the grounds they
had moved closer to one another than
was necessary. Their hands had touched,
and to Aeden’s surprise Alistair’s warm
fingers had lingered over Aeden’s cool
skin, nor had he resisted when Aeden had
pulled him into his arms and kissed him.
In fact, Alistair had responded with such
eagerness, his light gray eyes warm with
lust, that the sexual heat they’d created
was almost enough to make Aeden forget
the vow he’d made many years before.
The erection he could feel pressed to
his own hadn’t done anything to calm his
libido either. Vampires had a reputation
as intensely sensual beings and Aeden had
never considered himself an exception to
the rule. Alistair’s blond good looks and
his innocent, yet beguiling, smile were
enough to stoke Aeden’s desire. With a
low growl he had nipped at the smooth
tender skin of Alistair’s throat, drawing
blood, inflaming his senses. When Alistair
had arched his neck into Aeden’s
unsheathed fangs, it had taken every
ounce of his self-control not to devour
the man, to drink him down until he was
no more than a quivering, empty vessel.
But he had long ago forsaken that
practice, even with one so willing.
Instead, he had taken only what the man
could bear. Then he’d closed the wound
with a kiss, infusing Alistair with a sense
of rapture, but at a loss to remember just
what had happened other than their
shared kisses.
Lyall was right. Aeden knew Alistair
loved him and only his vampire strength
of will stopped him from claiming the
mortal for his own, changing him and…
condemning him?…to an existence such
as his and Lyall’s.
Lyall’s mention of their mother had put
Aeden in a somewhat pensive mood.
Things of the past were never very far
from his mind, but he’d known no family
—apart from his brother—for centuries.
The vampire clan that had killed his
father and uncles and changed Lyall and
himself into what they now were, could
never be considered ‘family’, even though
they had spent most of their formative
vampire years in their midst.
Aeden had been twenty five, Lyall only
twenty on that fateful night. The vampires
had come across the North Sea looking
for fresh prey along with young men and
women to swell their ranks. They had
found all that they needed in the village
and surrounding farms of Aberglen. They
had come in the night, of course,
butchering and draining most of the
population, herding the younger ones
together, selecting only a few for the
change.
How strange that after all these years,
and the things Aeden had since seen
through war and famine, the memory of
that night and its aftermath could still
make him shudder.
“Where are you, brother?” Lyall asked,
gently touching Aeden’s arm.
“Over-thinking as usual,” Aeden
replied with a rueful smile. At the faint
sound of a car engine he turned to look
down the long driveway and saw
headlights in the distance. “Here’s
Alistair,” he murmured. He led the way
back into the study where Barnett, their
butler, waited.
“I believe we’re about to have a visitor,
sirs,” Barnett announced with a small
smile.
“Yes, Inspector MacFarlane is taking us
to the morgue,” Lyall told him.
“A pleasant way to spend a Friday
evening, sir.”
Aeden grinned. “Offer the inspector a
dram when you let him in please, Barnett.
And we best wear our coats when we go
out. It is November after all, it’ll be
expected.”
“Very good, sir.”
“Not by Alistair,” Lyall said as Barnett
closed the door behind him.
“No, but the attendants at the morgue
might think it strange if we arrived in our
shirtsleeves on a frosty night. Have to
keep up appearances.”
As if to emphasize his remark Barnett
ushered in a decidedly chilly looking
Alistair MacFarlane who rubbed his
hands vigorously after Barnett had taken
his overcoat. “Gentlemen…” He gave the
brothers each a smiling nod, his gaze
lingering several moments longer over
Aeden. “You both look well.”
“As do you, Alistair,” Lyall said with a
smirk. “Excuse me for a moment while I
remind Barnett to bring you a dram. It’s
guid for you on a cold night like this.”
“Uh, thank you, Lyall.” He watched
Lyall leave the room then he crossed
quickly to where Aeden stood and
wrapped his arms around him, seeking his
kiss. “I know I shouldna’ do this,” he
murmured, his lips pressed to Aeden’s,
“but you’re so damned beautiful, Aeden
MacKay.”
Aeden returned the kiss. “And I
shouldn’t encourage you,” he whispered,
pulling back slightly, “but I find myself
weak-willed when it comes to you.”
“Not weak-willed enough by half,”
Alistair said, sighing, his warm breath a
sensual touch on Aeden’s mouth. “You’ve
yet to take me to your bed, and—”
Aeden silenced him by taking him
again with a bruising kiss that left Alistair
gasping for air, at the same time as he
pressed his body hard against Aeden’s,
grinding their erections together. A
discreet knock at the door had them
reluctantly stepping away from one
another while Barnett entered carrying a
silver tray that held a crystal glass of
amber liquid. Barnett gave Alistair an
urbane smile as he said, “Mr. Lyall
suggested the Laphraoig, sir. I hope it’s to
your liking.”
“Th-thank you Barnett.” Alistair’s hand
shook slightly as he reached for the glass,
and Aeden cursed his brother for
deliberately leaving him and Alistair alone
and now for this ill-timed interruption.
He delights in teasing me—torturing, is more
like it. He and I shall have words later.
“So…” Aeden cleared his throat and
shot Lyall an evil look when he came back
into the study behind Barnett. “D’you
have any fresh news from the coroner?”
“Mmm…” Alistair raised his glass.
“Slainte mohr.”
“Slainte.”
“As a matter of fact,” Alistair said after
taking a sip and grimacing with approval
at the whisky’s smoky flavor, “he rang just
as I was leaving. He said he found a scaly
residue under both victims’ fingernails.
Scaly and gritty, he said, same as the first
victim.”
“Interesting,” Lyall remarked, pouring
himself another glass of wine.
“He’s having the residue analyzed and
should
have
something
for
me
tomorrow,” Alistair added. “Any ideas so
far?” Aeden filled him in about the article
he’d read. Alistair nodded. “We had a
report of those attacks from Scotland
Yard. Apparently, there have been
sporadic similar incidents in London and
Manchester. The police are trying to keep
it low profile right now, not wanting to
cause a panic, but from what I understand
some reporter has an eyewitness account
he’s dying to publish. He’s cooperating
with the Yard on the promise of an
exclusive interview with the Chief
Superintendent.”
“Well, obviously there has to be more
than one murderer involved in this,”
Aeden said. “All these incidents can’t
possibly be carried out by one person or
creature or whatever it is. They’d have to
be completely supernatural…”
“Like a winged demon,” Lyall
interjected.
Alistair’s eyebrows almost hit his
hairline. “What? Demons that fly? Bloody
hell…how am I going to deal with that?”
“With our help, of course,” Aeden told
him. “There’s an interesting theory I have
that I’ll share with you on our way to the
morgue. Shall we go?”
Alistair threw back the remainder of
his whisky then nodded. “I can’t wait to
hear it.”
§ § §
By the time they reached the morgue in
Alistair’s car, the young inspector was
even more bemused than he had been at
the mention of demons. “Gargoyles…I
thought they only existed as statues on
cathedrals and the like. You mean they
could actually be roaming about, killing
people?”
“Flying about is more like it,” Lyall
said, getting out of the car. He and Aeden
followed Alistair’s example of tightening
the lapels of their greatcoats, although
they neither felt the cold, nor the
snowflakes that flurried around their
heads.
“However,” Aeden added to Lyall’s
comment, “they haven’t existed for
several hundred years, which makes me
think there is something or someone
behind their sudden appearance.”
“Bloody hell.” Alistair opened the
morgue door and ushered them inside.
“This gets worse and worse.”
“Or more and more interesting,
depending on the way you look at it,”
Aeden said, squeezing Alistair’s shoulder.
Alistair leaned into Aeden’s touch,
wishing for the umpteenth time he could
be alone with the man for more than just
these brief moments. He wanted Aeden
to fuck him so badly it had become
almost painful to be in his company and
not rip his clothes off him, kiss every inch
of the incredible body he knew lay under
those elegant clothes. Damn, why did he
have to fall for a vampire? Someone who
would never give him what he craved,
who tortured him with the occasional kiss
or touch, but would go no further
because of his deeply held belief that
vampires and mortals were ill-matched?
He would love to prove him wrong in
that regard.
He had fallen head over heels the first
time he’d met Aeden. One look at the tall,
darkly brooding man and he’d felt it like a
punch to his stomach. He was sure he’d
acted like an idiot, gawping at Aeden like
some wee girl at a rock star…and Lyall,
he’d seen it, the smart bugger that he is.
He’d never in a million years thought that
the brothers were vampires. Different,
yes, but not in that way.
It had come as no small shock when
he’d arrived at the house unexpectedly in
the middle of the day and Barnett had
barred his entrance, at first giving him his
usual stare down the nose, then when
Alistair had insisted, the man had looked
wary, guilty almost. Alistair was sure he’d
done something terrible to either Aeden
or Lyall, or perhaps both.
He’d gone rushing through the
darkened house, bounding up the stairs,
pushing against doors that were locked,
yelling at the top of his voice until a door
had opened and Aeden had appeared—
then another door and Lyall had stood
framed in the doorway—and Alistair
knew. He wasn’t stupid. Vampires existed.
Most people knew that, they just didn’t
want them living nearby, but Alistair
didn’t care about that. He was just glad
that the man he had come to love was all
right, and hadn’t been killed in his sleep
by an errant butler—one who still had
not quite forgiven Alistair for his
behaviour that day. Still, he harboured a
grudging admiration for Barnett. That the
man would rouse himself from his
vampire rest during the day to protect
Aeden and Lyall, while exposing himself
to possible danger, spoke volumes of his
loyalty to them.
“This way,” he muttered, walking
ahead of the brothers. “Everyone’s off
shift, except the security officer, so you
can take your time poking around.” He
swung open the double doors leading to a
large room that reeked of antiseptic. The
vampires’ extrasensory sense of smell
rebelled at what was to them the
overwhelming aroma, and Lyall grimaced
with distaste.
“How can anyone work in this place?”
“Humans don’t notice such things,”
Aeden said with a glance at Alistair who
didn’t miss the ‘human’ reference.
“I suppose we’re lucky with some
things,” he said wryly. He led them over
to two tables placed side by side and
covered with plastic sheets. “Thomas
Baird…” He pulled back the sheet to
reveal a young man who had possibly
been handsome in life. Now the lower
part of his face had been bitten away, his
throat ripped out, and his chest badly
mauled. Alistair moved to the other table.
“His fiancée Margaret Ramsey…”
The brothers exchanged solemn looks.
“Her face hasn’t been savaged,” Lyall said.
“No…but there were multiple traces of
saliva on her mouth and cheeks.”
Aeden touched the young woman’s
dark red hair. “It was kissing her before it
killed her.”
Alistair shuddered. “Now that you’ve
put the image of the killer in my head, I
canna’ imagine what the poor lass went
through before she died.”
“She was raped?”
Alistair nodded. “According to the
coroner, several times, and brutally.”
“Has he examined the semen?”
“Aye, and here’s the really queer part…
it didna’ contain sperm. Whatever did this
is sterile.”
“That’s one good thing, I suppose,”
Lyall said. “It can’t procreate, presumably
even with a female of its kind.”
“Yet, it has the urge to mate,” Aeden
murmured.
“Or it’s just really horny.”
“Lyall…” Aeden gave his brother a
reproving look. “I suggest we take a look
at the murder scene—if that’s all right,
Alistair?”
“It’s very dark outside.”
“That doesn’t trouble us.”
“Oh, right.”
“I thought we weren’t going to get
involved,” Lyall said.
“We are already involved,” Aeden told
his brother. “Excuse me for saying this,
Alistair, but I don’t think the local police
force is equipped to deal with a
supernatural predator.”
Alistair shrugged. “You’re right, of
course, but rumors will fly if you’re seen
to be part of this investigation.”
“Then we’ll have to be very discreet.
Right, Lyall?”
“Oh, aye…very discreet.”
§ § §
Alistair drove them for several miles
before stopping at a large fenced-in field.
The snow had let up and the moon cast a
fairly decent light through the breaking
clouds. That and Alistair’s flashlight
illuminated the police yellow tape
surrounding the crime scene. The area
inside the taped off perimeter held
flattened grass and dark bloodstains.
Aeden opened his mind. Before he had
been changed he had possessed a unique
ability to recall past events, even though
he had not been present to witness what
had taken place. Psychic they would call it
today; then it was regarded as witchcraft
and Aeden had been discouraged from
telling anyone, other than his family,
about his gift. The ‘gift’ had been made
more intense by the powerful vampire
blood that coursed through his veins after
he’d been changed, and had been very
helpful during his long life—sometimes
in saving other people’s lives, sometimes
his own.
Now, he was acutely aware that many
more humans, and perhaps Alistair, were
in danger from this strange threat.
Lyall, standing by his side and knowing
what Aeden was doing, whispered, “What
d’you see?”
“Four…there were four beings here.”
“Four?” Alistair gazed at him,
astounded. “But, there were only two
bodies—you mean there were two killers?
Two of these monsters?”
“No, someone came to help and…and
was carried off. Look there, Lyall…” His
vampire vision could detect a fourth set
of footprints.
“Yes, you’re right,” Lyall exclaimed.
“Under those that could possibly be a
gargoyle’s. They must have struggled,
then…”
“You mean that damned thing flew
away carrying someone?” Alistair asked.
“Carrying a man,” Aeden said. “The
footprints are too large to be a woman’s,
and from the looks of things, he was
strong enough to put up a fight against
the gargoyle.”
“What are his chances of survival,
d’you think?”
“Not good, Alistair. If the gargoyle
took him, it could only be to kill him
later. Perhaps the monster was nervous
that someone else might come along and
decided to finish the man off somewhere
else.”
“Poor devil,” Alistair muttered. “I’ll
have a look at the missing persons report
on the computer when I get back to the
office. Although…if he was local I’d have
heard about it by this time.”
“So you’d best look further afield, I’m
thinking.” Aeden touched Alistair’s arm.
“Lyall and I will find our own way back.
We can scan the countryside for any signs
of another body…” He pointed toward
the hills. “Up there for example. The
gargoyle might have dropped him into a
wooded area where it would be difficult
to find him.”
“Especially if no one knew he was
missing,” Lyall remarked.
Alistair nodded. “I’ll phone you
tomorrow after I’ve done some more
research. I’ll have forensics come back out
here and see if they can find any trace of
the other man.” He smiled at Aeden then
started to walk back to his car. He knew
that ‘finding their own way back’ didn’t
involve any kind of vehicle. He sighed as
he reflected on yet another lost
opportunity to be alone with Aeden. Why
the hell did the man have to be someone
he could never have?
§ § §
Lyall watched Alistair walk away, the
air of dejection noticeable in the slump of
his shoulders. “Poor wee lamb,” he said
with a slight chuckle. “He’d give anything
to have you do him.”
“Lyall, please…” Aeden cuffed his
brother gently on the shoulder. “The
vulgar, modern phrases you use these
days are out of place. Besides, there’s
nothing ‘wee’ about Alistair.”
“Aha, so you have—”
“No, I have not. I just know that’s all.
Now, shall we? We have more important
things to do than stand here discussing
Alistair’s…um, discussing Alistair.” With
that, he rose into the air and sped off
toward the hills, Lyall following close
behind.
CHAPTER TWO
Lyall saw it first, an object so small it
could never have been detected by the
human eye. A brown leather wallet lying
in the gorse on the darkened hillside. He
swooped down to pick it up.
Aeden, down here.
His brother joined him immediately,
landing lightly beside him. “Well done,
Lyall. Who’s the owner?”
Lyall withdrew the photo ID from one
of the inside pockets. “Och, he’s a
beauty…very handsome…”
“Who?” Aeden asked impatiently.
Lyall didn’t answer immediately, but
continued to stare intently at the license
in his hand. When he finally spoke, his
voice
sounded
distant,
strained.
“Alexander MacIntyre, age twenty-nine,
address fifty-one Monroe Street, Stirling.”
He handed Aeden the driver’s license and
the wallet. “What a shame a lovely lad like
that had to end up in a gargoyle’s claws.”
“Indeed… Well, we don’t exactly know
that this belongs to the missing man,
Lyall.” After examining the photograph
Aeden slipped the license back into the
wallet.
“Can you tell anything from holding
it?” Lyall asked. “Anything at all?”
Aeden fingered the leather gently. “No,
I’m afraid not. We’d better drop it off at
Alistair’s office. I’ll phone ahead to let
him know we’re coming over.”
“You go on,” Lyall said. As Aeden
pressed Alistair’s speed dial number, Lyall
looked away to the shadowed hilltops.
“I’ll do some more scouting around, see if
I can find the body. If it is the wallet’s
owner, at the very least, he deserves a
decent burial.”
“Are you sure you want to go alone?”
“Yes. I’ll meet you back home.”
Aeden frowned as he watched Lyall fly
off into the darkness. His brother had
seemed suddenly depressed…so unlike
him. Had the young man’s demise
distressed him? Perhaps imagining the
horrible death at the hands of the
gargoyle had affected him more deeply
after seeing his photograph. Lyall always
had been a romantic, but strangely, never
finding the one he could spend eternity
with. A bit like himself, he thought wryly.
There had been lovers through time of
course—both of them sought after by
vampires and humans alike in the years
when they’d mingled with society. By
mutual consent they had retired from the
constant rounds of parties and other
social gatherings, returning to their home,
glad of the privacy the family estate gave
them.
Their efficient manservant John
Barnett had taken care of the house
during their absence, hiring maids and
gardeners as necessary, diplomatically
keeping questions, and would-be well
wishers at bay. Barnett was also vampire.
He had been changed by his master, then
rescued by Aeden when he had been
replaced in the master’s affections. He
remained gratefully indebted to Aeden
and Lyall and would guard their lives
with his own. He had only made one
misstep in all the years of his service,
when he had aroused Alistair’s suspicions.
Lovers… Aeden let the word spin in his
mind as he lifted himself into the night
sky. Not something he’d thought of in a
long time. Not until Alistair…and truth
be told, when he was honest enough with
himself to admit it, he was overly fond of
the mortal. He’d denied it to Lyall, but his
clever brother could see through the lie.
And now, as he stood outside the office
window and watched Alistair’s blond
head lean forward to study his computer
screen, his fine featured face illuminated
by the screen’s light, Aeden felt his slowly
beating heart quicken, and desire spread
through his blood, heating his normally
cool skin. He wanted Alistair. He couldn’t
deny it. He wanted to feel that young,
strong and vibrant body, naked and
willing in his arms. Wanted those lush
lips pressed to his in a kiss that would
take them both to—
Gods, what was he thinking?
Straightening his shoulders, he rapped
loudly on the windowpane. Alistair
turned, startled for a moment, then
hurried over to the window, slid it open,
and beckoned Aeden in.
“Can’t you use the door like everyone
else?”
“It’s late.” Aeden climbed in with one
graceful movement. “I thought you
wouldn’t want anyone seeing me come
here at this time of night.” He handed
Alistair the wallet. “Lyall found this on
the hillside above the murder scene.”
“Guid Lord…first the extra footprints
and now this,” Alistair said, opening the
wallet. “I should’ve asked you for your
help earlier.” He fished the license out
and studied it. “Poor lad,” he murmured
after a moment or two.
“That’s what Lyall said. He seemed
quite upset about it.”
“He didn’t know him, did he?”
“No, he just thought it was a shame
that one so young and…”
“Handsome.” Alistair nodded. “Aye,
it’s a tragedy. These young folk…” He fell
silent and gazed at Aeden with saddened
eyes. “This is the worst case I’ve ever
been faced with, Aeden. I just hope I’m
up to solving it and making sure it
doesna’ happen again.”
“You have night patrols out?”
“Aye, the lads are all on the alert.
They’ll be checking the pubs telling
everyone not to walk out alone, the
cinema and restaurants, too. We’re a small
police force, though. We’ll be stretched
thin if this keeps up.” He sighed and
touched Aeden’s face lightly with his
fingertips. “Thank you for all you’ve done
so far. You and Lyall…”
“Alistair…” The warm scent of
Alistair’s skin was even more alluring this
night. For one of the few moments in his
life, Aeden wasn’t quite sure how to
proceed.
“I’m sorry, I shouldna’ be so bloody
pushy,” Alistair said quickly, stepping
back. “It’s just that you’re so…so—”
“I want you, Alistair.”
“You…you do?”
“Aye. I’ve wanted you for a long time,
ever since we kissed for that first time. I
know I’ve avoided taking it any further. I
think I’ve hurt you on occasion and I
apologise for that, but I’ve been fighting
this…this feeling I have for you. You know
what I’ve said about it. I’ve said it ad
nauseum ’til I’m sure you’re sick of
hearing it, but I can’t deny it, Alistair. I
find you very attractive, very sensual, and
very—”
“Willing,” Alistair said, stepping
forward this time.
“Well, I wouldna’ presume—”
“Presume all y’like, Aeden MacKay. I’m
yours if you want me.”
“Gods…” Aeden pulled him into his
arms. “I want you.”
“Then you shall have—” The sound of
Alistair’s cell phone shrilling made them
both jump apart. “Goddamn it!” He ran
to his desk and picked up his phone.
“Yes, what is it?”
Aeden watched Alistair’s flushed face
lose some of its colour. Oh, oh…
“A sighting you say? What kind of
sighting? Right, I’m on my way.” He
looked at Aeden grimly. “That was P.C.
Johnson—he said he saw a large shadow
fly over the south part of town, near
Pulver Street, then he heard a scream. I
better get over there.”
“I’ll come with you—no, I’ll go on
ahead, and meet you there.”
“Right, sorry.” Alistair gave him a
rueful smile. “But don’t think for one
moment I’ll forget what you said.” He
picked up his car keys and hurried from
the office. Aeden took the window again.
He flew close to the rooftops, using his
powers to avoid detection by anyone on
the ground. Pulver Street led to the
motorway. A busy street, heavily traveled
by cars and trucks both day and night.
From his vantage point he could see a
group of people below him. Vehicles had
been stopped, a police car, lights flashing,
blocking the road. He flew past the
obstruction, then hovered for a moment
or two, his eyes scanning the darkness
ahead.
Yes, there… He could sense rather
than see movement in the trees off to the
side of the road. Silently, but with
considerable speed he made his way
toward what he could now see was a dark
shape standing high up on a branch,
holding something…a body? Aeden
descended rapidly into the tree, breaking
off branches as he plunged downward.
An angry snarl greeted him and
something big and heavy landed on his
shoulders. Something else fell to the
ground with a jarring thud just before
Aeden and whatever it was also hit the
ground. Aeden, with an almighty push,
freed himself of his assailant, flinging it
backwards against the trunk of the tree.
The snarl became angrier, but also
surprised. Aeden crouched low, his keen
vision picking out the grotesque features
of his attacker.
“Gargoyle,” he muttered as the thing
spread leathery wings and hissed at him.
“Come on then, you’re no match for me,
but give it your best!” But instead of the
expected attack, the gargoyle beat its
wings faster and flew upwards through
the trees.
“Damn.” Aeden gave chase, laughing
lightly as the gargoyle glanced behind,
obviously surprised to finding itself
pursued. “You didn’t do your homework
very carefully, or you’d have known about
me,” he shouted at the fleeing creature
that suddenly turned and faced Aeden,
fangs and claws at the ready. Their bodies
collided with a force that would have
killed lesser beings. Aeden gripped the
beast’s wrists, pinning back the raking
claws and dodging the kicks aimed at his
crotch. With supernatural speed he
released one wrist and wrenched at the
gargoyle’s left wing, dislocating it from
the creature’s shoulder. It screamed and
would have fallen to earth if Aeden
hadn’t held on to the wing, lowering them
both back into the cover of the trees, the
gargoyle hissing and struggling every inch
of the way.
“Who is your master?” Aeden gripped
the gargoyle by the throat and shook it
until the whites of its eyes filled the
sockets. Its rancid breath wheezed harshly
as it struggled to escape, but as he’d
predicted, it was no match for Aeden’s
vampire strength. Then, to Aeden’s
surprise it quite suddenly went limp, and
he let it fall from his grasp. He stood over
it, watching it slowly die, whatever life
force that had sustained it so far, rapidly
dissolving, leaving only a gray, wrinkled
husk behind.
“Hmm…interesting.” He pulled out
his cell and punched in Alistair’s number.
“Can you get away from your men?” he
asked when the inspector answered.
“Where are you?”
“About two miles after you access the
motorway going east, there’s a lay-by. I’ll
wait there for you. Be quick as you can.”
“Right.”
Aeden looked down at the rapidly
decomposing body at his feet. He wanted
Alistair to see this, to know what he was
up against, because Aeden was sure this
was not the only gargoyle they’d have to
contend with. When Aeden had probed
its mind, the creature’s final thoughts
were a jumbled mess, incoherent,
undisciplined, yet somehow he’d been
able to detect some kind of control.
Perhaps
the
gargoyle’s
mind
was
deliberately dismantled when death
approached…
He went back to where the gargoyle
had dropped whatever or whomever it
had been carrying. A young woman lay
crumpled on the ground. A quick check
told Aeden she was dead, perhaps from
the fall or from shock as there were no
signs of wounds on her neck and she was
still fully clothed. A small amount of
blood trickled from the corner of her
mouth and Aeden struggled with the
primal urge to lick her blood…to take
more.
Quickly, he forced himself to his feet
and walked out of the woods to wait by
the side of the motorway for Alistair’s
car. In a few minutes headlights appeared
and the inspector’s black hybrid pulled
into the lay-by. Alistair leapt out and
hurried over to him.
“What is it?”
Aeden gripped his arm and led him
back through the trees to where he’d left
the gargoyle’s body. “You might just be
in time to see this,” he muttered, pulling
an unprotesting Alistair along beside him.
When they reached the spot, the gray
husk had started to fall apart but there
was enough evidence of what it had been
for Alistair to gape at it with astounded
eyes.
“God Almighty.” He knelt by the
crumbling remains, peering at it for a
moment before looking up at Aeden.
“You killed it?”
“Yes, I didn’t think it was going to
come quietly.”
“Remind me not to aggravate you,
ever.” He stood up and shook his head.
“How the hell do I report this? Who’d
believe it?”
“There will be nothing to report in a
few more minutes,” Aeden said wryly.
“Its victim is over there, behind that tree.
A young woman.”
“Damn.” Alistair hurried over to
where she lay. “Jesus, I know her,” he
exclaimed, kneeling by her side. “Jean
Williamson…she helps her mother run
the corner grocery not far from my
house.” He ran a hand through his blond
hair and stared up at Aeden through
stricken eyes. “Is it finished d’you think,
now that thing is dead?”
Aeden was filled with an overpowering
urge to hold Alistair, to kiss his suddenly
so young and vulnerable looking face, to
tell him that yes, it was over…but he
could not. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think
this one was acting on its own,” he said
quietly.
“God, you mean there might be more
of these buggers?”
“It’s possible. And when I tried to
probe its mind I had the strangest feeling
that something, or someone, was
controlling its actions.”
“What? Oh, bloody hell, Aeden. You
mean there’s some kind of madman out
there sending these beasties out to
murder innocent folk? But why…what
could they gain from that?”
“I really don’t know, I’m afraid.”
Alistair sighed. “I have to call this in
and have the ambulance come and take
her. Have to tell her mother. Jesus, Aeden
sometimes I hate this job.”
Aeden gave in to his urge and pulled
the young police inspector into his arms.
He pressed their bodies together, his lips
on the warm skin of Alistair’s neck.
Alistair shuddered and placed a hand on
Aeden’s nape, moving his head so that
their mouths met, gently at first, then in
spite of their macabre surroundings, their
kiss became fiercely passionate. It was
Alistair who broke away first with
obvious reluctance.
“We never seem to get further than
this,” he said, “but I really must report
what happened here, and have Jean
attended to.”
“I know.” Aeden kissed Alistair’s
cheek. “And I must find my brother. He
has been gone too long from our mind
bond.”
“You think he’s in trouble?”
“That’s what I need to find out.”
CHAPTER THREE
Lyall spotted the man’s body several
miles from the crime scene. It looked like
he’d been thrown or had fallen into a
ravine near one of the many hilltops Lyall
had scoured. He wasn’t sure why it was so
important he find the man’s body. There
was just something so desolate, so
wretched about his death, that despite all
the grim events Lyall had seen in his
many years of life, he felt unusually
touched by this one incident.
He lowered himself lightly to the
ground near the body and was instantly
aware that Alexander MacIntyre still
lived. A low groan as he approached
confirmed it. Amazing that after two or three
days of exposure in the cold he has survived, he
thought, kneeling by the prone figure.
Carefully he turned the man onto his
back. His neck had been bitten; the
wound surrounded by a mixture of moist
and dried blood. It hadn’t completely
healed.
“Alexander,” he said softly, smoothing
auburn hair back from a pale forehead.
“Can you hear me?”
“Aye…” The man’s voice was weak,
but he opened his eyes slowly. “I canna’
see you though.”
“It’s very dark. My name is Lyall
MacKay. You’re in a ravine. Did you
fall?”
“I canna’ remember.” He grimaced
with pain. “Did something bite me? My
neck hurts…”
“Yes.” Lyall thought quickly. He could
fly him to emergency, but that would
mean revealing his true self, something
Aeden and he had vowed to do only to a
select few—certainly not an entire
hospital staff. Despite the fact that
vampires were no longer considered
monsters, at least by the higher
authorities, it was still unwise to reveal to
too many people one’s true identity. Not
everyone was keen on the idea of
vampires roaming freely. He could erase
his presence from their minds, but what
would emergency doctors know about
healing a gargoyle bite? Not something
they encountered regularly, for sure. He
could heal the man himself…
“Does it feel like anything’s broken?”
He passed a hand over Alexander’s chest
and arms then down his torso to his legs,
feeling a stirring in his groin from the
sensual contact. Oh, oh, not a good idea,
Lyall.
“I don’t think so. Just my neck that
hurts so bad.”
He was pale, a sure sign that he had
lost blood, but not from any visible
wounds, apart from the one on his neck.
The gargoyle must have drunk from him.
Damn. Lyall bent close and licked at the
wound. The scent and taste of the young
man’s blood increased his desire and he
steeled himself to take only what he
needed to initiate the healing. He lifted
Alexander into his arms and sucked
gently at the open gash.
A low moan escaped Alexander’s lips
and he gripped Lyall’s arm easing himself
further into Lyall’s embrace. Lyall knew
this was a natural reaction. The vampire’s
kiss was an aphrodisiac to mortals and
even
in
the
young
man’s
near
incapacitated condition it would cause
arousal and desire. Lyall tried to not let it
distract him, but the hardness pressed to
his thigh was too tempting. He slipped a
hand over the bulge in Alexander’s crotch
and squeezed gently. A whimper of need
bubbled up from Alexander’s throat and
he hooked an arm round Lyall’s shoulders
arching his neck into the sensuous touch
of Lyall’s lips.
Gods… It took all of Lyall’s control to
pull back. He stifled Alexander’s groan of
dismay by covering the man’s mouth with
his own. Gods again—you don’t even know if
he’s gay. All humans react this way. Get on
with the healing part! He could almost sense
Aeden’s disapproval of what he was
doing. He licked at the wound again, this
time to close it with the coagulant in his
saliva, then he wrenched his mouth away.
“You must drink from me to be
healed,” he said, his voice sounding
strained and croaky to his ears. “Here…”
He bit into his wrist then pressed the
blood that oozed from it to Alexander’s
lips. There was no hesitation on the
young man’s part. He licked then sucked,
holding Lyall’s hand in both of his. His
green eyes were now wide open and
locked on Lyall’s as if he could really see
him in the pervading darkness. “That’s
it,” Lyall crooned softly, “your blood
mixed with mine will ease your pain.”
He had rarely mingled a mortal’s blood
with his own, only twice before had he
allowed a mortal to drink from him. As
many men as he had lain with over the
centuries was it not strange that he
should feel the need for it now? He could,
now he thought about it, have simply left
Alexander at the emergency entrance,
then called 9-9-9 to alert the staff to the
fact there was someone needing attention.
He could have done that, but there was
something much more fulfilling about
actually saving Alexander’s life…and if he
kept on gazing into those green eyes he
would—Gods—he would be totally
drained and need blood himself!
“That’s enough for now,” he said
hastily, pulling his wrist from Alexander’s
eager lips. “How do you feel?”
“Better...” A hand touched Lyall’s
cheek. “I wish I could see you.”
“You will when I get you out of here.”
He lifted Alexander into a sitting
position. “Can you stand, d’you think?”
“I’ll try. Just give me a boost. It’s so
bloody dark. I’ll need you to lead me a
bit.”
“I’ll do better than that.” Lyall knew
that once Alexander realized just what
had taken place he would most likely
freak, so a little mind bonding was in
order.
You will not be afraid when you really know
me.
“Hold tight.” Lyall wrapped his arms
around Alexander and flew them upward,
landing on the edge of the ravine.
“There…the moonlight’s stronger than
down below. Can you see?”
“Yes.” Alexander made no move to
extricate himself from Lyall’s embrace but
gazed at his face for a moment then
leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I
can only guess at how you did any of that,
but thank you for saving my life.”
Lyall tightened his arms round
Alexander’s slim body. “You’re welcome.
And what’s your best guess?”
“That you’re a vampire.”
“And that doesn’t scare you,
Alexander?”
“My friends call me Alex. You just
saved my life. Why should I be scared?
You could’ve done me in down there and
I’d not have known a thing about it.” His
full lips parted in a small smile. “Besides
you’re hard as a rock and so am I.”
Lyall returned his smile, giving
Alexander just a glimpse of the tips of his
fangs. “You really aren’t afraid. Have you
been with one of us before?”
“Not like this.” He pushed his crotch
into Lyall’s. “I can’t seem to see past the
need to fuck you.”
“That could be arranged…”
Lyall.
Damn, Aeden had tracked him. Yes,
Aeden?
Where are you?
I found the young man I went searching for.
He’s alive. Is Alistair with you?
No, there’s been another murder. Best come
home quickly.
Right. I’ll bring Alex with me until we can
get him home.
Alex, oh…Alexander. Oh, right… If you
insist.
“Did I lose you?” Alex was looking at
him with a perturbed expression.
“Sorry.” Lyall kissed him quickly on
the lips. “My brother and I have a mental
bond. He wants me home. There’s been
another murder.”
“Ah…” They remained in each other’s
arms for a moment or two longer, then
Lyall rose swiftly into the darkness,
carrying Alex with him who yelled with
seeming delight, “I could get used to
this!”
At least as long as the mind bond holds…
Aeden was standing outside when Lyall
alighted outside the front door. He didn’t
look very happy.
“Were you worried about me?” Lyall
asked, taking Alex’s hand and walking
toward his brother.
“Of course I was worried. There are
murdering gargoyles out there and—” He
stopped when he saw the surprised
expression on Alex’s face. “I mean…”
“That’s all right, Aeden. He knows
we’re vampires, so gargoyles will just be
the next step in his education. Alex, this
is my brother, Aeden.” Lyall waited until
Aeden had with seeming reluctance
shaken hands with the mortal and invited
him inside. “I think Alex could use a nice
hot bath and I’ll find him a change of
clothes. Perhaps you could let Alistair
know he’s safe and sound?”
“What? Oh yes…”
Aeden seems a wee bit flustered, Lyall
thought. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Oh, Barnett…” He looked
relieved when their manservant appeared
in the hallway. “Would you draw our
guest a bath, and perhaps a hot toddy
might be in order.”
“Immediately, sir.”
“Barnett, this is Alex MacIntyre,” Lyall
said. “He’ll be spending the night.”
“Good evening, sir.” Barnett gave Alex
a slight bow. “If you follow me, I will
show you to your room, then run your
bath.”
“This is very guid of you,” Alex said,
following Barnett, but looking over his
shoulder at Lyall.
Aeden watched them mount the stairs
then gave his brother a disapproving
look. “He’s in your thrall. You’ve
exchanged blood with him, yes?”
“It seemed like a good idea at the
time.” Lyall avoided Aeden’s accusing
stare. “He’s been through the mill. What
would you have done?”
“Taken him to the hospital.”
“Well, yes… I did think of that, but…”
“But you fancy him.”
“Well, yes, there is that, too. But I
didn’t think it was a good idea to expose
myself to the medical staff—”
“You could’ve left him at the door.”
Lyall groaned. “Yes, I could have done
that too. Well, I didn’t, and now I feel
responsible for him. Besides, d’you think
the doctors would have known how to
treat a gargoyle bite?” He paused as he
saw a softening in his brother’s
expression. “He’s very nice, Aeden.”
“He’s mortal, Lyall.”
“So is Alistair.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Something happened tonight, between
you and him. I can tell.”
“No…yes…not really.”
“Oh, Aeden, just admit you want him.”
“I did.”
“You did?”
“But we were interrupted…probably
for the best. Although for the poor
victim, not probably the best.” He pulled
out his cell and punched in Alistair’s
number.
Lyall walked over to the drinks table
and poured himself a glass of wine, while
Aeden informed the police inspector of
Alexander’s happy reprieve from death.
“Tell me all,” Lyall said after Aeden’s
brief, all business, conversation. He held
up the bottle and raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, I’ll have one.” Aeden threw
himself into a nearby armchair. “Alistair
knew the victim and—”
“You killed the gargoyle. Sorry, but it
was at the front of your mind.”
Aeden grimaced. “There are more of
them out there.”
Lyall handed him his glass. “How do
you know that?”
“I’ve been watching the news on
television while waiting for you. There are
reports coming in from just about
everywhere. Same modi operandi apparently
and getting more and more frequent. It’s
spread through Europe, reached as far as
Turkey and Iran, in a matter of days.”
“Damn. For what purpose d’you
suppose?”
“Speculation has it that it’s some form
of global blackmail. Cause enough panic
and civil unrest and you’ll have any
government ready to talk terms.”
“I thought governments didn’t talk
terms with terrorists—which is what this
has got to be,” Lyall said with conviction.
“Gargoyles were never clever, never
organized, and wherever the hell these
have come from, they’ve got to be under
the influence of some evil genius.”
“Evil genius?” Aeden laughed out
loud. “You’ve been watching too many
films, dear brother.”
“Don’t tell me that isn’t your opinion
too. I can read your mind you know.”
“I know, and you do it far too often,
especially when it comes to all things
Alistair. But evil genius? I think you give
whomever it is too much credit. Some
deluded madman is more like it.” Aeden
sipped his wine thoughtfully. “Someone
with more money and arrogance than
sense…some kind of megalomaniac.”
“True.” Lyall shook his head then
threw back the rest of his wine. “Why is it
that criminals always think they can’t be
caught? How many times have we
witnessed this kind of blind stupidity
throughout the years?” He poured
himself another glass. “Anything from the
Vampire Council?” Lyall knew that if the
Council was planning any kind of covert
cooperation with the United Nations they
would inform his brother. Aeden had
been a valuable operative for decades.
“Not so far. I have contacted Hans, our
fearless leader, and he’s ‘watching with
interest’. He agreed we’ll most likely have
to step in at some point.”
Lyall’s attention was distracted at that
moment by the sound of a quiet footfall
on the stairs. Aeden shrugged. “I can see
you’re more interested in the welfare of
your guest at the moment. We’ll discuss
this later. Perhaps by then we’ll have
some indication as to how Hans wants us
to proceed. Or Alistair will have some
more news for us. Lyall…” Aeden gave
his brother a wry smile, “be careful.”
“Of course. Nothing will happen that
can’t be undone.” He gazed at the open
doorway as Alex appeared dressed in one
of Lyall’s robes, a dark green velvet that
accentuated the colour of his eyes. “You
look better,” he said, huskily.
“Aye, it’s amazing what a hot bath and
a toddy can do for a man,” Alex replied,
smiling warmly. “I have to thank you
again for everything you’ve done. I
probably wouldna’ have survived another
night in yon ravine.” He glanced at
Aeden. “And thank you for letting me
stay here.”
“You’re welcome,” Aeden said,
somewhat stiffly. “Well, I’ll leave you two
to…get better acquainted. I have some
phone calls to make. Goodnight.”
“Guid night.” Alex waited until Aeden
had left, closing the door behind him.
“Phone calls at this time o’ night?”
“There’s never a better time…for us.”
Lyall closed the gap between Alex and
himself and took the unresisting man in
his arms. Their lips met in a crushing kiss
that had Alex gasping into Lyall’s mouth,
his warm breath spreading a tantalizing
frisson of arousal through Lyall’s body.
Oh, yes. Mortals have that unique ability to
warm the blood, make everything seem even more
sensuous, more seductive… Sex with another
vampire had its own erotic qualities, but
there was nothing quite like holding a
warm, human body, especially one as slim,
sleekly muscled, and enticing as this one.
Eagerly, he opened the robe Alex was
wearing. The scent of the man’s arousal
was intoxicating as he ran his lips over
the smooth chest, licking at the tiny
nipples, hardening each one to a sensitive
peak. Alex groaned and pushed himself
against the pressure of Lyall’s mouth, his
hands cupping the back of Lyall’s head.
The robe’s belt was ripped away next.
Lyall fell slowly to his knees, his lips
skimming over Alex’s hard torso
following the treasure trail of auburn hair
that led from his navel to the rigid,
upwardly curved cock that Lyall captured
greedily in his mouth. His tongue circled
the glistening head, swiping at the
copious precum then swirling up and
down the unyielding length, bringing soft
moans and whimpers of ecstasy from the
young mortal. Lyall’s head reeled from
the scent and taste of Alex. He wanted
him to spill that salty cream over his
tongue and down his throat, take that hot,
human essence inside him.
His need drove him to suck harder,
faster. Cupping Alex’s round arse cheeks
he pulled him even deeper into his
mouth, his throat muscles massaging the
head of Alex’s dick, causing him to grasp
either side of Lyall’s face, caressing him
while his body spasmed and he came in a
great rush, filling Lyall’s mouth with his
seed.
“Dear God!” The gasping cry from
Alex encouraged Lyall to hold him in his
mouth until he was completely drained,
all the time supporting him as his body
trembled from the force of his climax.
When Lyall released him he sank to his
knees and wrapped his arms round Lyall,
kissing him soundly on the lips. “That
was…that was fantastic,” he managed to
say eventually. “And I can’t wait to do the
same for you.”
“Oh, you shall,” Lyall told him with a
grin. He took Alex’s hand and led him
over to the fireplace.
“I canna’ believe this is happening,”
Alex said. “After how you found me, I’m
lucky to be alive, and even luckier
now…” His breath quickened with
anticipation. “I havena’ had sex in front
of a fire in a long while.”
“I aim to please,” Lyall murmured,
lowering Alex onto the rug and lying over
him.
“Aren’t you going to take your clothes
off?”
“Done.”
Alex gasped with surprise as Lyall’s
clothes disappeared and his naked, tightly
muscled body was pressed to Alex’s bare
skin. “You…you’re full of surprises,” he
said, chuckling softly.
“You have no idea.” Lyall nipped at
Alex’s earlobe then kissed his neck.
“You need mair of my blood?” Alex
asked, shuddering slightly.
“Only if you are willing to give it.”
“I thought vampires took what they
wanted.” Alex’s tone was teasing, and
Lyall could see the small smile on his lips
in the flickering glow cast by the firelight.
“That’s the bad rap we’ve had for a
long time. There are some out there who
still ignore the rules set down when we
became legal, but many of us have lived
under a different code for many years
now.”
“What code is that?” Alex ran his
fingertips down the length of Lyall’s spine
then gently squeezed his firm bottom.
“That we don’t go around ripping out
humans’ throats.” Lyall smiled into Alex’s
eyes. “It’s not considered polite.”
“Ah…well I’m glad of that.” Alex
shifted under Lyall, aligning their cocks
and arching his hips upwards. “You going
to fuck me?”
“Yes.” He slipped his erection between
Alex’s thighs.
“You have some lube? From the feel of
you I think that’s a must.”
“I have something even better than
lube.” He raised Alex’s legs and leaned in
scouring the cleft between Alex’s arse
cheeks with his tongue. The young man
groaned and pushed back against the
pressure of Lyall’s mouth. Lyall probed at
his opening, lingering to inhale the
sensuous musk then swirling over the
tight ring of muscle before sinking his
tongue in passed Alex’s resistance.
“Oh, dear God…” Alex dug his
fingers into the thick pile of the rug
under him as rapture overtook him. “Oh,
that’s…that’s…”
“This is even better,” Lyall murmured,
his eyes holding a feral glint as he smiled
and replaced his tongue with the head of
his cock, easing himself all the way into
Alex’s hot core. Alex clutched at Lyall’s
shoulders and held on as Lyall fucked
him, each thrust long and deep, drawing
moans of ecstasy from Alex’s parted lips.
Lyall took those lips with his own in a
hard and hungry kiss. He slipped his
hands under Alex and lifted him up and
onto his lap, enclosing him in a crushing
embrace. They moved to a slow erotic
rhythm together, chest to chest, mouth to
mouth, joined in a fusion that made them
one.
Lyall moved his lips to Alex’s neck,
biting gently at first then as Alex pushed
into his bite, deeper, his senses reeling
from the heady scent and taste of the rich
blood that flowed over his tongue. Alex’s
moans became louder. His body writhed
against Lyall’s, his cock, that hard
pulsating part of him seeking release,
spread his precum over the smooth skin
of Lyall’s torso. Lyall had just enough
control left to pull his fangs out and lick
the bloody wound before his orgasm
overcame him. He rammed himself in
Alex, claiming his lips again, letting Alex
taste his own blood. Alex’s muffled gasp
filled Lyall’s mouth with warmth. Streams
of semen poured from Alex’s cock,
coating their chests even as Lyall gave in
to the overwhelming rush of his own
climax.
Afterwards, they lay quietly, nuzzling
and laying lazy, soft kisses on each other’s
necks and faces.
“You’ll share my bed tonight,” Lyall
said. It wasn’t a request.
“That sounds grand.” There was no
hesitation.
“Aye, it does, my bonnie lad. Let’s not
waste any time.”
Lyall had a feeling that the next few
days would be given over to more serious
matters, but right now he wanted to
spend time with this adorable mortal—
then he’d let Fate take them all where it
would.
CHAPTER FOUR
Alistair read the myriad reports of
global murders with alarm. So what had
been local affairs had now escalated in
less than a week to much more serious
cases of mass murder. Somewhere in all
the reports there was a hidden text. No
one wanted to come right and say it, but
Alistair already knew where this was
going. Just as Aeden had said, this was
the
work
of
supernatural
beings,
controlled by some entity, either single or
a consortium of crazy people seeking
power
through
intimidation
and
blackmail.
But who in their right minds would
conduct such a massive scheme and why?
Nowhere was money mentioned. So what
was it he, she, or they wanted? Worldwide
domination? If the murders and the
subsequent panic escalated it wouldn’t be
so far out of reach, he reckoned. It had
just been announced that the Prime
Minister was going to speak on television
regarding the ‘very serious challenges
facing Europe and the US from sources
as yet unknown’.
In Alistair’s opinion that one statement
was enough to stir panic among the
general population. Glancing at his watch
he picked up his desk phone and punched
in Aeden’s number. It was only three
o’clock but the day was overcast, so…
“The MacKay residence.” Barnett’s
superior tone always got on Alistair’s
nerves even though he knew it was merely
a façade, a power play by the butler to put
people, especially Alistair, on the
defensive.
“Barnett, it’s Inspector MacFarlane. Is
Aeden up and about yet?”
“I believe I heard both Mr. Aeden and
Mr. Lyall stirring, sir. Shall I bring one of
them to the phone?”
“Ask Aeden if I can talk to him,”
Alistair said impatiently. “And, Barnett, I
know you’ve never quite forgiven me for
that day when I barged in, but it’s time
for you to get o’er it. I have apologized
several times.”
“I can assure you, sir, I bear you no
animosity, whatsoever.”
Liar. What’s with the patronizing tone,
then?
“Let me see if Mr. Aeden is available.”
“Thank you, Barnett.” Alistair sighed
with impatience.
“I’ll only be a moment, sir.”
“Yes, thank you, Barnett. This is
important, so I’d appreciate it if you’d—”
“Of course, sir. Just one moment.”
Alistair ground his teeth. God, but the
man knew how to get his dander up.
Then he chuckled as he imagined Barnett
taking his time to alert Aeden to the fact
he had a phone call. He should have just
called his cell, but he really hadn’t wanted
to disturb Aeden if he was indeed still…
asleep…yet, not asleep. Lord, would he
ever get used to the idea of what a
vampire needed, had to avoid…their
weaknesses,
and
their
incredible
strengths? Probably not, but that didn’t
make him any less obsessed by Aeden.
He’d give anything…anything to just
once…well, maybe more than just once,
have them both naked and—
“Hello, Alistair.”
Alistair jumped guiltily at the sound of
Aeden’s husky voice. He knew the man
could read his mind, but maybe not over
the phone? Oh well, he’d hardly kept his
attraction to Aeden a secret.
“Oh, guid afternoon, Aeden. Some
more bad news I’m afraid.”
“It’s spreading rapidly, right?”
“Yes, and you’re correct in thinking
these beasts are being controlled. No
one’s come right and said it yet, but it’s
intimated in practically every report. And
the media, of course, is fanning the flames
as always. Last report all the police
departments received was from New
York. They’ve made their way across the
Atlantic in droves apparently.”
“I doubt if the gargoyles could fly that
far,” Aeden said. “Most likely there is
another operative in the US unleashing
the same chaos we have over here. Have
you armed your men yet? I suspect
everyone who can carry a gun will be
mobilized shortly.”
“Aye, the Prime Minister is to speak
tonight on television, so I’m sure he’ll be
mobilizing the military at home and
abroad. God, who’d have thought it
would become this serious in a matter of
days?”
“Several months, if not years of
planning went into this, I think. Lyall
called whoever it is behind this an evil
genius. I think perhaps he wasna’ far off
the mark. Anyway, Alistair, you look after
yourself…please
don’t
take
any
unnecessary risks. I know you’ll be up to
your eyes with all of this. In the meantime
I’ll be in touch with the Vam… I mean
the—”
“I know what you mean, Aeden,”
Alistair said quietly. “You dinna’ have to
hide stuff like that from me. I’m sure the
powers that be will welcome all the help
they can get…vampire or human. And
promise me something, Aeden?”
“Of course.”
“When this is over, you and I… Can
we…I mean… Oh, hell.”
Aeden’s chuckle was warm in his ear.
“We both seem to be stuck for words.
But yes, when this is over, you and I will
have time for one another.”
“That’s all I needed to hear, Aeden.”
“Like I said, please don’t take any
unnecessary risks.”
§ § §
Aeden put the phone down and sighed.
What a hellish time for him to admit to
himself that Alistair meant so much to
him. He turned at the sound of his
brother descending the stairs. “Things are
getting worse.”
“I know. Alex just phoned. He’s been
called to duty with the Territorials. There
goes our weekend together.”
“Lyall, there are more important things
than you having sex with a mortal—”
“You think I don’t know that?” Lyall
threw him a dirty look. “I’m just worried
about him. With me, he’d be safe, but he
wouldn’t hear of it. Has to be ‘with the
lads’ he said. Bloody man has to have a
sense of duty.”
“As do you and I,” Aeden said. “We’ll
be at the forefront in our own way.
Whatever the Vampire Council decides,
we will do.” He smiled gently. “I am sorry
if I seemed judgmental. Alex is a nice
lad.”
“Yes, he is. Even when I released him
from my thrall he said he liked being with
me, wants to see me again. Well, perhaps
when this is over.”
“Which is how I left my conversation
with Alistair.”
“Really?” Lyall’s dark eyebrows were
raised in surprise. “Does this mean…?”
“Probably. I’m not going to commit to
anything long reaching, but I do like the
man.”
“Long reaching?” Lyall chuckled. “That
could mean forever you know.”
“Sirs…” They both turned at the
sound
of
Barnett’s
voice.
“Herr
Bernholdt and the members of the
Vampire Council wish to confer with
you. I have opened the private channel in
the study.”
“Thank you,” Aeden said. “You should
join us, Barnett. I’m sure you’ll want to
do your part.”
“Indeed, sir.” Barnett followed them
into the study where they sat facing the
big screen TV that now had an image of
an impressive room decorated in tones of
red. In the centre of the room was a large
round table at which sat nine vampires of
both sexes. Hans Bernholdt smiled wanly
at them. “We’re just waiting for Ernesto’s
connection then we’ll begin.”
“I’m here.” A deep, slightly accented
voice had Bernholdt smiling again, this
time more warmly in recognition. “Good,
Ernesto. Gentlemen and ladies, the
situation we’re about to face is grave. We
have sent out our operatives, we have
tried mind searches, yet we cannot come
up with a source that would enable us to
put an end to this threat. The UK and US
governments, along with Russia and
several other—”
Aeden and Lyall exchanged frowns as
the screen went blank.
“I’ll try another channel, sir.” Barnett
fiddled with the remote for a few seconds
but gave up when it was obvious their
private connection had been cut off.
“This is bad,” Lyall murmured.
“Yes.” Aeden stood, staring straight
ahead, his mind reaching out to anyone
who had been in attendance at the
meeting. “There’s nothing,” he murmured
finally. “It’s like…”
“They’ve been terminated.” Lyall
finished the thought that staggered both
of them. “Sentenced to their final death.”
“But how? Who on earth would have
the power to enact such a deed? Quickly,
we must connect with anyone…with
everyone.”
Immediately the vampire ‘mind-waves’
were filled with voices, some calm,
seeking answers in an intelligent, orderly
manner, others it seemed, were on the
verge of panic—younger ones, those
recently changed, aware of the enormity
of this disaster, but unable to fully cope
with the desolation they now felt. The
final death of any vampire was known to
all. So many deaths all at once left a
gaping hole in the vampire consciousness,
rendering them vulnerable, and if Aeden
was correct that was exactly what had
been intended.
“Divide and conquer,” he muttered, his
face stiff with shock.
“Aye, and whoever’s responsible knew
to start at the top with we vampires,”
Lyall said tersely. “No subtle attack—a
death here and there to set us puzzling—
just an all out massacre of our leadership.
What now, brother? They’ll look to you
for guidance. I can hear them already
calling your name.”
Aeden nodded, mind melding with
Ernesto Gonzalez, the vampire who had
held the meeting up by a few seconds.
London is in a panic, Ernesto informed
hi m. The Houses of Parliament have been
blown to smithereens. It’s presumed the PM and
the Cabinet are no more. News is coming in of
similar attacks on governments world-wide.
Yes… Aeden responded. Barnett has
turned on the news. We can see the devastation.
My God, but this is incredible. And none of us
had even one inkling of how huge this was going
to be.
You must protect yourself, Aeden. With the
kind of intelligence and power this entity
obviously has, your existence is in jeopardy…
Lyall’s too. Do you have a game plan for such
an exigency?
Yes. Aeden hesitated while Lyall stared
at him, his eyes wide and questioning. I’ll
be in touch, Ernesto, as soon as possible.
“I’m not sure who we can trust,” he
said, disconnecting his mind-bond with
Ernesto then meeting Lyall’s gaze.
“Ernesto has been close to the Vampire
Council for years, on the verge of being
elected several times, yet…”
“It’s probably a good idea to go into
hiding ’til we can sort this out,” Lyall
said. “The army’s been mobilized, as we
can see,” he added with a nod to the TV
screen. “Best we try to form some kind of
undercover movement, see who we can
recruit.”
“Right—”
With an ear-splitting crash, the study
windows collapsed inwards and the room
was suddenly filled with the sounds of
flapping leathery wings, snarls, and hisses
when several gargoyles burst through the
broken window frames. Aeden, Lyall, and
Barnett were instantly engaged in fierce
hand-to-hand combat as the gargoyles
attempted to overcome them with sheer
force of numbers. Whoever had sent
them knew vampires were incredibly
strong. Gargoyles were too, but they
fought without skill—killing machines,
using only their strength and their
inability to feel real fear.
Aeden saw his brother go down under
the weight of three of the beasts before he
was himself sent spinning across the
room from a powerful blow by one
gargoyle. Two more sprang on him; one
was wrenched away by Barnett who tore
the gargoyle’s head from its shoulders.
Aeden dealt quickly with his attackers,
punching holes in their chests, watching
with satisfaction as they started to
crumble before his eyes. He and Barnett
laid waste to two more then went to even
the odds for Lyall who had smashed in
the heads of the first three but had two
more on top of him. Barnett and Aeden
took one each, picking them up as if they
weighed nothing at all and breaking their
necks with decisive snaps.
“Let’s get them out of here before they
start stinking up the place,” Lyall said,
springing to his feet.
“Very good, sir.” Barnett lifted several
of the decomposing carcasses and flung
them outside.
“It’s a pity they disintegrate so damned
fast.” Aeden kicked a dead gargoyle onto
the gravel path on the other side of the
terrace. “Alistair said it’s impossible to
get a satisfactory autopsy done to see
what makes them tick. I’m still convinced
they’re programmed for these attacks.”
“Well, we’ll find out shortly,” Lyall
said. “If you’re right, word of their failure
to take us out will soon reach whoever is
the mastermind behind all this.”
Aeden
snorted.
“Mastermind—a
bloody lochdach is more like it.”
“Criminal yes, but powerful,” Lyall
remarked. “Someone who can control
these ancient beasts and cause so much
destruction so quickly is without a doubt
very clever.”
“Aeden!” A figure lurched into view,
framed in the shattered window. It was
Alistair, and from the looks of things,
he’d been in a fight. Blood seeped from a
cut on his forehead and his left arm hung
limply at his side.
“Alistair—what happened?” Aeden
asked, although he knew the answer
before the young police inspector replied.
“I’m all that’s left,” Alistair whispered
and sank to his knees. Aeden and Lyall
rushed to help him to his feet while
Barnett pushed a chair towards them.
“The whole town has been wiped out,”
Alistair told them as they lowered him
into the chair. He looked at them through
stricken eyes. “Everyone is gone. We were
going from door to door, yelling at
everyone to get out. My men were taken
down in minutes. It was—terrible.”
Aeden could see in Alistair’s mind his
memory of the awful carnage that the
gargoyles had inflicted on the town of
Aberglen. Too little warning, too late.
The beasts had swarmed over the town
and the surrounding countryside laying
waste to the population, carrying off
some of the younger men and women.
Aeden lifted Alistair into his arms. “I’ll
take care of him.”
Anything Lyall would have said in
reply was curtailed when his cell phone
shrilled. He glanced at the caller ID.
“Alex? Are you all right? Oh, God—” He
strode towards the windows. “Aeden, I
have to go.”
“Fine. We’ll lock up the study and
Barnett will stand guard in the hall.”
But Lyall had already gone.
§ § §
The scene below him reminded Lyall of
battlefields of a bygone age. He could see
that the large tanks and rocket launchers
had been rendered useless. Whoever was
responsible for this maniacal plot to take
over the world must possess incredible
technology, he thought, as he hovered
over the hundreds of struggling bodies
engaged in hand to hand combat.
The
Territorial
Army,
mostly
consisting of reserve troops, was nearly
overwhelmed by the animal ferocity of
the gargoyles that swooped and dived in
and out of the ranks, dealing death and
destruction with their claws and teeth.
But word must have got out that the only
sure way to kill a gargoyle was a direct
shot to the brain, for as Lyall watched,
several of the troops were bringing down
the beasts with well aimed shots to their
heads.
Even so, the army was hard pressed to
maintain the upper-hand, some of the
men falling back behind the inert tanks
for cover. Lyall dove earthwards at a
lightning pace, laying about him with
vampire strength and speed, tearing off
heads or wings of any gargoyle foolish
enough to get in his way. It was obvious
to Lyall that the gargoyles had no real
leader. As in his previous encounter with
them, they fought blindly, tearing and
clawing at anything in their path. It
amazed Lyall that they didn’t turn on one
another.
“Lyall, you came!” A burst of gunfire
near him and a gargoyle went down, its
head exploding from a well placed bullet.
Alex grinned at him, and Lyall stared
back with admiration and amazement.
“I think we’ve got the bastards on the
run,” Alex yelled, his grin of relief at
seeing Lyall turning to an expression of
grim determination. “You’ve helped turn
the tide, Lyall. Look at the buggers
scarper.” He sent several rapid rounds
after them, bringing one down. Alex
whooped and slapped Lyall on the back.
Lyall wanted to take Alex in his arms and
cover his face with kisses, glad above all
else that he was unhurt. But he thought
better of it as they were surrounded by
cheering soldiers intent on letting the
gargoyles know they’d been delivered a
decisive loss for a change.
“I should go,” he whispered as Alex
slipped an arm around his shoulders. “It
wouldn’t do for you to be seen with a
vampire. Right now only you can see me,
but I can’t keep up the invisibility for too
long.”
“But you helped—”
“Nevertheless, I must go. Take care of
yourself, Alex.” He kissed his soldier hard
on the mouth then took off, flying unseen
into the dark clouds looming over the
remains of battle.
§ § §
Aeden lay on a couch in his bedroom,
holding Alistair in his arms. He had
willed him asleep in order to heal him,
unwilling to show him too much of his
vampire power. It had been known for
mortals to become obsessed with that
power, craving it for themselves, ready to
do anything that would enable them to
share in that power…especially the sexual
aspect of it. Aeden wanted to have sex
with Alistair. He wanted to feel the lithe
body he now held, naked and aroused
pressed to his own bare skin, but now was
just not the right time.
He often wished he was more like
Lyall…not quite as serious when it came
to carnal matters. His brother’s quick
affection for Alex was typical. There had
been many ‘Alexes’ in Lyall’s long life,
most of the affairs short lived for one
reason or another. But had he detected
something more tangible in his brother’s
relationship with Alex? Something more
real, beyond the merely physical? The way
he’d gone rushing off at Alex’s call was
perhaps indicative of stronger feelings for
the man.
Still, outside the world was at war with
an enemy, so far undetected, and
seemingly invincible, supremely confident
that he, or they, could defeat any army set
against them. Aeden’s mind was filled
with messages, cries for help, for
direction, but he was unsure of what
advice to give, of how to proceed in the
face of this devastation. An all out
confrontation seemed to involve the
greatest risk. Whatever, whoever directed
the gargoyles did so with the knowledge
that ordinary humans were almost
defenseless against them. And they had
shown that, by taking out the Vampire
Council in one swift blow, even vampire
strength and intelligence was no real
challenge to them.
Of course, even the strongest foe has its
weakness. All through history that had
been proven; the Romans, the Huns, the
Nazis, all had fallen eventually, and
usually by the arrogant belief they were
invulnerable. So, what he and Lyall had to
do was find that weakness. Instead of
trying to raise a vampire army or enlist
the help of other supernatural forces to
storm whatever barricades the enemy had,
perhaps subterfuge would work in their
favour.
Alistair stirred and muttered softly
then opened his eyes. At first he looked
surprised to see where he was and with
whom he shared the couch, but then a
small smile curled his lips.
“I thought I was dreaming at first,” he
murmured, lifting his face to Aeden’s and
kissing his cheek. His body suddenly
stiffened and Aeden knew he was
remembering what had brought him here.
“Oh God,” he whispered, sitting up. “My
men…the town… Aeden, what the hell
are we going to do? How can they be
stopped?”
“That’s what I’m trying to determine.”
He pulled Alistair back into his embrace.
“My arm,” Alistair murmured, “it
doesna’ hurt like before. You did that?”
Aeden nodded then asked, “How did
you manage to escape?”
“Sheer luck. The lads and I picked
some of the bastards off before there
were just too many of them.” He
shuddered at the memory. “Young
Lachlan got between one of them and me.
I was trying to get a few folk into the car,
but…God Aeden, now I feel like I
sacrificed him for them, and in the end
the gargoyles overwhelmed the car and
pulled them out. I don’t know how they
missed me, but when I woke up I was
lying under the car—and everyone was
gone.”
Aeden tightened his arms around
Alistair in order to comfort him, but a
knock on the door was followed by Lyall
and Barnett appearing in the doorway.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Lyall said. “How are
you, Alistair?”
“Better, I think, thanks to Aeden.” He
stood and Aeden slid off the couch to
stand by his side.
“What have you learned, if anything?”
he asked Lyall.
“Alex’s lads had a kind of victory over
the gargoyles, but I’m afraid their success
will be only temporary. We need to find
out who’s behind this, Aeden, and
quickly.”
“Every vampire in the world is trying
to do just that.”
“In the world,” Alistair muttered.
“Which means the bastards could be
anywhere, and where would we even
begin to look?”
“It seems we’ve effectively been cut off
from human contact,” Barnett remarked,
closing his cell phone. “All lines are dead.
I checked the internet moments ago with
the same result.”
“So we have to use our vampire
connections,” Aeden said. “I suggest we
get out of here, try to reconnoitre with
our closest vampire allies and see if we
can come up with a way to track the
gargoyles without us being seen. If we can
find out where they go after an attack we
might be able to ascertain where the main
control base is.”
Lyall nodded. “Dylan and Valerie in
Edinburgh are the closest. Let me see…
Yes, they’re safe, and have several friends
on their way to the city. We could meet
with them…”
Alistair looked agitated. “But I canna’
get to Edinburgh quick as you.”
“You’ll come with me,” Aeden told
him. “This will be a first for you, Alistair,
but it’s better than trying to get there by
car.”
“You mean, fly like you? But how?”
“I’ll show you.” Aeden grabbed
Alistair’s arm and led him through the
French doors onto the balcony. He
wrapped his arms around him and lifted
off, gently at first, gathering momentum
once he was sure Alistair wasn’t about to
pass out from the shock of suddenly
being transported through the air with
only a pair of arms to secure him. As it
was, Alistair seemed to completely enjoy
this new experience, wrapping his arms
and legs around Aeden’s torso and
pressing his face to Aeden’s.
You two look like you’re having sex . Lyall’s
teasing voice rang in Aeden’s mind.
Barnett, you’ll have to look the other way.
Which, of course, is what I was doing, Mr.
Lyall. Discretion is my middle name.
Trust you to make light of our situation,
Aeden grumbled. Keep your eyes where they
should be—looking out for gargoyles!
Lyall chuckled. Yes, big brother. Good of
you to take Alistair’s mind off the danger
though.
As accurate as homing pigeons the
vampires flew directly to the house
owned by Dylan and Valerie Jamieson—a
small fortified manor house nestled in the
hills surrounding Scotland’s capital,
Edinburgh. Dylan, a short stocky vampire
with shoulder length dark brown hair,
was at the front door to welcome them,
frowning slightly on recognizing Alistair
as human.
“This is Alistair MacFarlane,” Aeden
told him, “Aberglen’s police inspector,
and I’m afraid the only survivor we know
of after the gargoyles attacked the town.
Alistair… Dylan Jamieson.”
The two shook hands, Dylan’s reticence
fading with Alistair’s genuinely warm
smile. “Come in, come in.” Dylan ushered
them indoors where his wife, Valerie, and
a dozen or so other vampires waited in
the impressive hallway. “Aeden, I believe
you know everyone here.”
“Yes.” Aeden and Lyall stepped
forward to embrace Valerie. Taller than
her husband and blessed with lush, raven
black hair, Valerie was beautiful even by
vampire standards, her skin palely
translucent, her lips a deep red with no
trace of artifice.
“So glad you’re here,” she told the
brothers and Barnett, her amber coloured
eyes sweeping over Alistair before she
gave him a small smile. “You must be in
shock, Inspector, surrounded as you now
are by immortals.”
“I trust Aeden completely,” Alistair
said. “And Lyall…even Barnett,” he
added with a trace of humour. Behind
him Barnett coughed dryly, but the
atmosphere seemed more relaxed among
the others who gathered around to
welcome them.
“What’s to be done, Aeden?” Dylan
asked bluntly after he had escorted
everyone into a large oak-paneled room
filled with comfortable looking stuffed
leather chairs and couches. A dark suited
butler began serving Burgundy wine,
raising an elegant eyebrow at Barnett as if
he expected him to help. Whatever he
may have supposed, Barnett accepted the
wine with a satisfied smile and returned
the raised eyebrow expression with an
equal elegance.
“I think an all out confrontation is
inadvisable,” Aeden replied. “Whoever is
in control of the gargoyles seems to have
an endless army of them. Although we are
superior in strength we are not, in
numbers.”
“But we can recover quickly from most
wounds inflicted on us,” Valerie said.
“The gargoyles can be destroyed quite
easily. Dylan and I have killed several in
the last day or so…and they very
conveniently disintegrate when dead.”
“The army has found out how to kill
them also,” Lyall remarked. “A bullet to
the brain stops the sods in their tracks.”
“So, if we don’t form an attack, what
do we do?” Dylan asked.
“Oh, we’ll attack,” Aeden said, “just
not full frontal. I think a sneak attack
might work better. What we have to do is
find out where they’re operating from.”
“Aye, and that’s the rub,” Dylan said.
“As you know every available vampire has
been scouring the land, all over the world,
and come up with nothing.”
“D’you think it might be possible to
lure them into a trap?” All eyes were on a
suddenly nervous looking Alistair. “I…I
mean what with your extrasensory
perceptions and mind bonding and a’
that,” he said looking at Aeden for
support. “What if we could capture a
couple of the gargoyles instead of killing
them…get them to tell us where their big
chief is.”
“The problem with that is,” Aeden
replied, “the ‘big chief ’ seems to have
some knowledge of when one of the
beasts is compromised and can destroy its
mind so that nothing is forthcoming.”
“Could you not block whatever it is
they’re using with your powers?” Alistair
asked, trying to press his point. “Failing
that, if you could separate one of them
from the rest then follow it. It might take
you to the control centre, or whatever it
is they’re operating from.”
“That might work,” Lyall said, clapping
Alistair on the shoulder in a show of
support.
“It might,” one of the other vampires,
Aeden recognized as Andre, a close
friend of the Los Angeles vampire
community, interjected. “On the other
hand, surely we don’t think that there is
only one control centre. It would be nigh
impossible to stage so many attacks
worldwide from just one. I would hazard
a guess there could be dozens.”
“True, Andre.” Aeden nodded his
agreement. “But what if they are all linked
to one master control? If we could find
that…”
“I like the Inspector’s idea of alienating
one or two then following them,” Dylan
said. “I have no doubt we’re now a target
with so many of us here. It might be an
ideal place to spring this trap.” He looked
up at the diamond shaped stained glass
window set high in the wall. A chink of
light could just be seen creeping through
the panes. “I suggest we rest then regroup
to set this plan in motion. We have
enough rooms here if one or two of you
don’t mind sharing. Aeden, you and
Lyall…”
“I think I’ll stay down here,” Lyall said
quickly. “Barnett can help me keep watch,
just in case they try a daytime sortie.
Aeden…” Out of sight of their fellow
vampires, he winked at his brother. “Why
don’t you look after Alistair? As stalwart
as I know he is, he must be feeling a wee
bit strange here with all of us immortals.”
Before Aeden could say anything,
Valerie agreed. “What a good idea, Lyall.
I’m sure Alistair would appreciate your
company, Aeden.”
“Um…yes…that would be grand,
actually,” Alistair muttered, throwing a
pleading glance at Aeden.
“Oh yes, of course. Thank you, Valerie
for your kindness.” Aeden gave Lyall a
narrow eyed look, but didn’t argue. After
all, Lyall was probably right. Alistair,
being the only human in the group, could
very well be feeling a bit estranged from
reality for all his ‘stalwart’ appearance, as
Lyall so nicely put it.
“Well, if you’ll all follow me, I’ll show
you the available rooms,” Dylan said,
leading the way to the staircase that led to
the upper floors of the castle.
“Was it just me,” Alistair remarked,
once they’d been shown to their room
and the door closed, “Or was Lyall
making sure we shared this room?”
“That’s exactly what he was doing.”
Aeden chuckled. “Even in the midst of
chaos, Lyall’s one track mind doesn’t lose
focus.”
“Well, I’m going to have to thank him,
later on.”
“Uh, Alistair, you do know that
vampires must rest in the daytime?”
“Yes.” Alistair began unbuttoning
Aeden’s shirt. “But surely not right at this
very minute? This time of year the dawn
comes later.” He kissed Aeden’s lips
lightly and murmured, “You’ll rest better
after what I have in mind for us.”
Aeden raised an eyebrow. “Why,
Inspector MacFarlane, you have become
very bold all of a sudden.”
“Need drives my boldness.” He slipped
a hand inside Aeden’s shirt and teased his
right nipple, all the while locking eyes
with him, his gaze unwavering, filled with
lust and the need he had confessed to. He
shifted slightly in order to press his
erection against the hardness he felt brush
his thigh. “Mmm…” Their parted lips
met in a kiss that quickly morphed from
tender to near brutal in its sudden
passion.
Alistair fell back onto the bed,
dragging Aeden down on top of him,
trying to tear at their shirts at the same
time. He drew in a startled breath when
he realized their clothes were gone and it
was Aeden’s cool, bare flesh that was
pressed to his.
Vampire magic…definitely a grand thing to
possess at a time like this!
And now what Alistair had waited for
so long was finally happening—he had
Aeden MacKay, in bed, in his arms,
naked, his hard throbbing cock sliding
over his own—and if he didn’t try to keep
some kind of control going he’d be
coming all over the place far too soon.
But, oh God, the man, the vampire, was
just so fucking gorgeous, every part of
him sleek and smooth and sexy as hell.
Alistair still couldn’t quite believe it, and
just in case it never happened again, he
was going to savour and remember every
thrilling moment of their time together.
He shuddered with pleasure as his
chest was scoured by Aeden’s tongue,
each nipple lingered over, nibbled at,
sucked on, sending electrifying jolts all
the way to Alistair’s already straining
cock. He arched his hips, driving his
erection against Aeden’s, the warmth and
slickness of their precum adding to the
sensual friction. Alistair wanted to close
his eyes, feel transported by the amazing
sensations Aeden created within, but he
wanted to see, too…capture the vision of
Aeden’s magnificent body as it loomed
over him, keep it in his memory for all
time. Aeden pressed small, tingling bites
over Alistair’s chest, returning again and
again to scrape his nipples with his teeth,
and just a touch of his fangs, that had
Alistair’s breath rasping loudly. He
threaded his fingers through Aeden’s
thick, dark hair as Aeden moved lower,
circling his navel briefly.
Alistair cried out when Aeden’s mouth
closed over the head of his dick, going
deep, then back up, his tongue dipping
into the slit, his hand sliding up and
down the hard shaft. Alistair bit down on
his lip to prevent himself from exploding.
He wanted this to last forever, to feel the
heat of Aeden’s mouth enclosing his cock,
his clever tongue teasing that most
sensitive part of Alistair’s cock, just under
the head.
Aeden hummed as he sucked, the
vibration causing Alistair’s balls to pull
up tight. He squeezed his eyes shut and
clutched at the bed quilt, trying to hold
on to something that would stop his
inevitable plunge from the knife edge of
ecstasy into orgasm. Then Aeden’s throat
muscles clamped tight on the head of
Alistair’s cock and before he could even
gasp out a warning, a starburst blossomed
behind his eyelids and a white hot blast
shot out of his dick and down Aeden’s
throat. Aeden held him there while he
bucked and writhed and moans of ecstasy
poured from his mouth; held him until
every drop was wrung from him and his
cock started to soften.
“Oh, my God,” Alistair whispered, but
Aeden wasn’t finished. His fingers gently
massaged Alistair’s balls, then he lifted
each one into his mouth, sucking softly
while he stroked Alistair’s perineum.
Alistair moaned, unable to believe his
body was responding to this sensual
touch so quickly. He’d just come, hadn’t
he? But Aeden’s feather light touch sent
shivers of pleasure over his skin. He lifted
his legs giving Aeden’s probing finger
better access. His entire body jerked with
a kind of shocked elation as Aeden’s
tongue replaced his finger, circling
Alistair’s hole then pushing in, the wet
heat making Alistair squirm and grind his
hips against this thrilling pressure.
He was uttering sounds he’d never
made before, sounds that had never come
from him until now, but that seemed to
egg Aeden on. He lifted Alistair’s legs
higher, parting Alistair’s arse cheeks,
burrowing deeper until Alistair thought
he might just come apart from the sheer
overwhelming ecstasy of it all.
As incredible as this was, Alistair
wanted more; he wanted Aeden’s cock
inside him, wanted to be one with the
beautiful vampire. “Fuck me,” he said, his
voice a throaty whisper filled with
longing and need. Aeden ran his tongue
over Alistair’s balls, up his once more
hard as steel cock, leaving a trail of
searing kisses across Alistair’s torso until
he reached his mouth.
They kissed, their eyes wide open, the
dark blue of Aeden’s made even darker by
lust. Alistair could see himself reflected in
those dark mirrors, his face showing every
trace of his desire. He gasped as the head
of Aeden’s cock breached his tight hole.
He knew a condom was unnecessary,
vampires carried no human disease, but
he’d expected the cool sensation of lube
or something to ease the way of Aeden’s
impressive erection. Incredibly, there was
no pain, only an amazing unique
sensation of being completely filled,
completely fulfilled.
Every nudge over his prostate brought
a spill of precum on his belly and its own
thrilling impetus towards another orgasm.
The heat that suffused his body, that
burned his skin was almost too much, but
the look of total ecstasy on Aeden’s face
was what gave Alistair the most erotic
charge of all. Aeden nuzzled the smooth
skin on Alistair’s neck, his fangs pricking
gently, drawing a trickle of blood.
“Yes,” Alistair murmured, giving his
consent. Aeden bit down more forcefully
and Alistair’s body stiffened with the
shock of the bite. He groaned, feeling his
blood being pulled from him, the needle
sharp, momentary pain eclipsed by the
erotic thrust of Aeden’s cock so deep
inside him. God, was there anything more
astounding than this? His whole body was
suffused with sensation, every nerve
ending alive.
Aeden pulled back, closing the wound
on Alistair’s neck with sensual flicks of
his tongue. Alistair reared up, grabbing
Aeden’s shoulders for support, driving
himself down onto the thick length of
Aeden’s cock, impaling himself to the hilt.
Aeden thrust upwards again and again,
bring them both to the brink of orgasm.
Alistair pushed back, groaning out his
ecstasy, clinging to Aeden, his mouth
seeking the vampire’s in a long, hard kiss,
the ultimate act he knew would once
more take him over the edge.
As their tongues meshed and Alistair
was lost in the rapture he instinctively
knew no other man could ever bring him,
he felt a sob rise in his throat along with
the heat that built in his balls. Along with
the bliss, the wanton hunger that now
suffused his body, lurking in the back of
his mind was the realization that perhaps
this could never happen again, and oh
God, he wanted this moment to never end,
but with Aeden nailing his prostate with
every thrust there was no way he could
last. Their kiss deepened, the taste of his
own blood blurred his senses and Alistair
came in long, gut wrenching spasms while
Aeden fucked him with long, deep
strokes, a low groan escaping his lips. His
shallow breath filled Alistair’s mouth as
he too orgasmed, the heat and force of his
cum searing Alistair’s insides, startling
him with its intensity.
They clung to one another, riding the
waves of their mutual orgasms; bodies
pressed tightly together, Aeden’s hands
gliding over Alistair’s sweat slicked skin,
prolonging the sweet sensations that had
brought Alistair to a state of near
delirium.
God, but I love you… He didn’t dare say
the words and even tried to blank them
out from his thoughts, realizing Aeden
might have gone there, but oh, how he
wished he could say it out loud, give his
love, his entire being, to this man…
pledge his undying love…
He
almost
laughed
at
the
ridiculousness of his emotions. Aeden
would never accept the love of a mortal.
He’d made that clear time and time again.
Yes, he wanted him, had fulfilled his
sexual need, but that was all. There could
never be a ‘them’…an Aeden and Alistair.
As Aeden laid him gently back onto
the quilt and lay over him, Alistair
couldn’t quite rid himself of the feeling of
emptiness that pervaded his soul. It
wasn’t just the fact that Aeden had
slipped free of him. That was emptiness
enough. But now he would never be
satisfied with any other man.
He was taken from his morbid
thoughts as Aeden performed another
vampire trick. They were both suddenly
nestled under the quilt and blankets, the
scent of fresh linen filling Alistair’s
senses, but not completely driving away
the other scents of sex, of Aeden’s skin,
of…everything Aeden. He laid his head
on Aeden’s chest unwilling to break the
spell with talk. Yet, he was far from sleep,
and there was so much more about
Aeden he wanted to know. When again
would he ever have this opportunity to be
alone with him?
“Aeden?”
“Yes?” Aeden gently stroked Alistair’s
hair.
“Once you started to tell me of how
you and Lyall came to be vampires, but it
seemed it was painful for you to talk
about so I didna’ push it. But I was
wondering…you know…if now that
we’r e closer…if you could bear to talk
about it?”
“Does it seem strange to you that with
the passage of time, such a long time, I
still feel the grief and anger of what
happened to Lyall and me?”
“No. I know you lost your family, and
that’s the hardest thing to ever forget…”
“My father and uncles, yes. My mother
had died some years before. At least she
was spared the horror of those days.”
Aeden sighed. “They were Norsemen,
they said. Outcasts from their own tribe
because of what they were. They were
being killed off in retribution for what
they had done, and needed fresh blood
and, I suppose, recruits to fill the
dwindling numbers. They stormed the
village and our house in the night, killing
my father and two uncles that lived with
us. We fought so hard. Both Lyall and I
had been trained as swordsmen by our
father, but there were so many of them,
and of course we didn’t know then what
they were…that a sword’s thrust wouldn’t
kill them. Only the taking of their
heads…
“At first we thought it was only our
house and estate that had been defiled,
that the laird and his sons were being
used as an example by outlaws, but later
we discovered that not one home in
Aberglen or the surrounding countryside
had been spared.” Alistair felt the
shudder that coursed through Aeden’s
body. “What they did was so savage, and
unnecessary. My father was dead yet they
tore him to pieces in front of Lyall and
me, drinking the blood from all the body
parts. Everyone over the age of thirty was
killed, even some under that age if they
were considered less than…well, less than
worthy of the vampires’ standards.
“They took us one by one, changing us
over time. I tried so hard to save Lyall.
They had human guards to protect them
during the daytime. Soulless creatures
they fed on. I killed one of them, broke
another’s arm, but still they took Lyall
away, and when they brought him back…
he was…different…pale and unfocused. I
thought at first he didn’t remember who I
was, but gradually he recovered enough
to tell me what they had done to him.
“They saved me for last. I don’t know
why. But when I awoke from my death,
Lyall was there, and from that very first
day we plotted our escape. Vampires we
might be, drinkers of blood, hated by all,
but we were still brothers, and we took an
oath that we would never be separated. It
took years before we were free of them,
and by that time we too were killers,
hunters of men and women. It was a part
of our nature to be predatory and, to be
honest, the instinct is still there. Lyall has
managed to erase a lot of that from his
mind…or so he says.”
“How did you manage to escape?”
Alistair asked.
“One of the men wanted me for his
mate. Both Lyall and I had resisted this
since our change. We had sex, yes. A
vampire’s sexual drive is very powerful,
and we were willing to indulge our
libidos, but to bind ourselves to another
for all eternity was not something either
of us wanted. Especially with the men of
the clan—those who were responsible for
our father’s murder and the destruction
of our way of life. More than anything we
wanted to be free of them.”
Aeden fell silent and Alistair knew the
pain of these memories was still like a
knife blade in his heart. Gently, he kissed
Aeden’s face and stroked his chest. Aeden
returned his kisses and held him tighter.
“It’s all right,” he murmured. “In a
way, it’s good to talk about it. Lyall thinks
I keep everything bottled up inside. He
might be right at that. Anyway, I used
Cedric, the man who wanted me for his
mate. I feel no remorse for what I did. I
didn’t love him. I could never have loved
him, despite his magnificent appearance.
But I led him on. Gaining his trust. You
see, despite the years that had passed, the
Norse vampires never let us stray from
their sight. We weren’t chained exactly.
Not physically, but we were bound by
their minds just as surely as if we had
been prisoners behind bars.
“But because he wanted me as his
mate, he grew careless, thinking I wanted
that too. By this time, I had learned to
block just how much of my thoughts the
other vampires could read. I think it was
my human ‘gift’ of seeing visions of past
events that had enhanced this ability. I
was able to hide my true feelings from
him, enough for him to suggest we walk
together free of the mind control of the
others. I allowed this to happen several
times. Alone with him, free of restraint, I
had sex with him, increasing his trust in
me.
“I told Lyall to be ready…that very
soon I would give him a signal and we
would fly from there, be long gone before
the alarm could be given. But it didn’t
turn out the way we had planned. Cedric
had tired of what he saw as my indecision.
This particular night, he said he would
wait no longer, that he would mark me as
his to let the clan know he had claimed
me. I grew angry, we fought—and I killed
him. I knew time was running out for us
now. Once the clan members realized
Cedric was dead, it would be my death
sentence too.
“I let Lyall know what had happened
and he immediately came to my side. We
left Aberglen that night, flying south for
as long as we could, until sunrise. They
never did track us down, and many years
later we heard that they had been
eradicated by a team of government
vampire hunters.”
“But how did you survive?” Alistair
asked. “I mean financially. In Aberglen,
you lived in style.”
“Our father was a rich man. He owned
most of the land in and around Aberglen.
The vampires had no need of it, so when
they were gone all of it remained in our
father’s name. As his sole heirs.” Aeden
shrugged. “Suffice to say, we did not go
without means.”
“And what will happen now?”
“Aberglen will survive. The road back
may be hard, but once we have won this
battle, we will return and claim our home
again.”
CHAPTER FIVE
The room was in total darkness when
Alistair awoke. At some point he must
have shifted away from Aeden, but a
tentative hand reach assured him his
vampire lover was still there. Quietly he
slipped from the bed trying not to wake
Aeden, or walk into any furniture in this
unfamiliar room. He stubbed his toe on
something or other but swallowed the
curse he normally would have let fly. He
managed to reach the bathroom and
allow a chink of light to seep into the
bedroom so he could find his clothes.
That done he retreated back to the
bathroom, peed, splashed his face and
body with water, toweled off roughly then
dressed quickly.
In the corridor the light was better,
some daylight allowed to filter through
the heavy drapes at the tall windows. He
was dying for a cup of tea, but guessed
that wouldn’t necessarily be a staple in a
vampire home. He found the kitchen;
there was a fridge but on opening the
door found only containers of dark red
liquid. Blood… He gave an involuntary
shiver. He may have slept with a vampire
but so far there was no craving for that
kind of liquid refreshment. A quick scan
of the cabinets revealed no tea or sugar.
Damn. He’d have to go out. There must
be a village nearby. He poured himself a
glass of water from the tap at the kitchen
sink and drank it down in one long
swallow.
He’d better find Lyall. He was
supposed to be awake and on guard, after
all.
The large living room they’d gathered
in last night seemed the obvious place.
The house was eerily quiet as he made his
way through the grand entry hall, the only
sound the creaking of the polished
floorboards under his feet. The door to
the living room was closed, but not
locked, as he discovered when he turned
the knob slowly and pushed the door
open enough for him to slip through. He
gave out a muffled squeak of surprise
when a cool hand was slapped over his
mouth, an arm as strong as iron was
clamped around his chest and he was
hurtled forward and down onto the hard
wood floor.
It could be only one man. “Bloody hell,
Lyall!” he sputtered when the hand was
removed from his mouth, but he was still
held pressed to the floor. “Let me up!”
He heard a chuckle then he was yanked
to his feet. “Alistair. I thought you were a
gargoyle or something,” Lyall said,
laughing.
“Do I look like a bloody gargoyle?”
Alistair fumed. “You buggers are
supposed to be able to see in the dark.
You did that deliberately, didn’t you?”
“Guilty as charged.”
Alistair caught the gleam of white teeth
in the darkness and knew Lyall was
silently laughing.
“I’ve been bored for hours. Thought
it’d be fun to scare the shit out of you.
Didn’t mess yourself did you?”
“Of course not! Would you light a
candle or something so I can see you long
enough to punch you on the nose?”
Lyall chuckled again and flipped the
switch on one of the table lamps. “There
now, better?”
Alistair stared at Lyall’s cheekily
smiling face then looked around the
room. Barnett was lying on a couch,
apparently asleep. Some guard duty. “So,
nothing to report?” he asked the still
grinning Lyall.
“Not a sausage. Which is sort of
surprising. I’d have thought they might
have tried some kind of sortie. They have
to know we’re here.”
“Maybe something’s gone wrong,”
Alistair said. “Maybe like Alex’s company,
others have been successful in driving
them back. Damn, if only we had access
to a radio or television, some form of
news.”
“Well, vampire news hasn’t intimated at
any more successes by the military,
unfortunately. And as all communication
is down I haven’t heard from Alex. I have
a mental bond with him, but not strong
enough yet to bridge the miles. We’ll have
to share more blood for that to happen.”
Lyall’s smile was back. “So, how’d it go
with you and Aeden? Did he manage to
overcome his reticence about doing it
with a mortal?”
Alistair felt his face warm. “Lyall, that
is very personal, and quite vulgar.”
“Oh, Mr. Prim and Proper Policeman.”
Lyall laughed at Alistair’s discomfort.
“Well then, his engaging in sexual contact
with you. Is that better?”
“It’s still none of your business, and I
don’t think Aeden would care for me to
discuss this with his brother.”
“Aha, so you did the nasty. Good.
Aeden could use some loosening up.”
Lyall didn’t seem at all apologetic for
putting Alistair on the spot. “Now, if you
don’t mind,” he added, “you can keep
watch while I rest for a few hours. Just
wake me or Barnett if you hear anything
suspicious. But you’re a bobby, so you
know what to do, of course.” He patted
Alistair’s arm and grinned at him. “Just
keep Aeden on his toes. He needs to be
led by the nose sometimes.”
Alistair gritted his teeth, but said
nothing. He knew Lyall was only teasing,
but Alistair wasn’t sure enough of
Aeden’s feelings for him to make light of
it. He knew it had been against Aeden’s
principles to have sex with him. It was a
step in the right direction as far as
Alistair was concerned, but there were
still so many unknowns. Not least of
which was the situation they were in right
now…what the world was in, and God
alone knew how and when that would be
resolved.
Sighing, he went to sit in one of the
leather armchairs on the other side of the
room from where Lyall and Barnett lay
resting. What a totally fucked up world
this had become, he mused. Gargoyles
taking over. Who would ever have
believed such a thing was possible? This
was worse than the nightmares he’d had
as a child after watching a scary film with
his brother. And God knows where Alan
is now. After their parents died in a hit
and run accident, Alan had gone off to
South Africa and had never bothered to
let Alistair know where he was or how he
was. He’d managed without a family for
five years, but now he wondered how he
would cope if Aeden didn’t want to
continue their relationship…such as it
was.
Six months of yearning on my part, and one
night of unbelievably hot sex, does not a
relationship make. But he did open up enough to
tell me of his past. Something I thought would
never happen.
He shook away those thoughts coming
to full alert as he became aware of a
scraping noise from outside the room.
Jumping to his feet he padded quickly
over to the door. He glanced back at the
sleeping forms of Lyall and Barnett. Well,
if it was anything serious, they were
within yelling distance. He pulled the
door open and stepped out into the hall
trying to focus in the gloom. He felt
along the wall for a light switch. There…
He flipped on the light and looked up
and down the length of the hall. He could
see nothing, but he could still hear it. A
definite scraping noise coming from under
his feet.
There must be a door to the basement
somewhere along here. Treading as lightly as
he could he made his way down the hall,
glancing left and right for a likely door.
There was only one, and it was locked.
The knob wouldn’t turn at all. Damn. He
pressed his ear to the wood and held his
breath, listening. The sudden grab on his
arm made him jump a foot off the floor.
He whirled round ready to defend
himself.
“Jesus, Aeden, you scared me
shiteless!”
“Sorry. What are you doing?”
He took a deep breath trying to steady
his shaken nerves, and muttered, “I could
hear something down there…a sort of
scraping noise. The door’s locked.”
“And you were just going to go down
there by yourself? Where are Lyall and
Barnett?”
“Resting. I relieved them.” He fixed
Aeden with a hard look. “I am a
policeman, Aeden. I have been trained to
handle dangerous situations.”
“But not dealing with gargoyles or
anything else supernatural we might get
thrown at us. You’re not even carrying a
gun.”
“Uh, well, that’s true. But as you can
see, I couldn’t get down there anyway.”
“Something to be thankful for.” His
dark blue eyes rested on Alistair’s mouth
for a moment then he leaned in and
kissed him. “I don’t want you taking this
kind of a chance on your own,” he said
huskily. “Not now…not ever.”
A flare of hope surged in Alistair’s
chest. Did that mean…? He jumped back
as something large and heavy banged
against the other side of the door. “Jesus!
I don’t think we’ll need a key after all!”
The door’s wood panels split wide
open and a scaly, clawed hand reached
through. Aeden grabbed it, and with what
seemed to Alistair an effortless pull, had
the rest of the creature hauled through
the opening and lying sprawled on the
hall floor.
It wasn’t a gargoyle. It was close, with a
leathery, scaly skin, but at least it had no
wings. Alistair didn’t know what the hell
it was but it appeared young, and scared.
“Who are you?” Aeden barked at it.
It stared up at them through dark
brown eyes. Eyes that look almost human,
Alistair thought.
“I…I’m David Thornton…at least I
was ’til those bastards got a hold of me…
along with a bunch of others. They’re
changing us…” He looked around him,
fear etched on his face as he realized
Aeden and Alistair were no longer the
only two men in the hall. The other
vampires, on hearing the commotion, had
joined them, their expressions anything
but friendly.
Aeden reached down and pulled David
to his feet. “We need to hear your entire
story. How did you find this place?”
“Sheer chance,” David muttered as he
let himself be led into the living room. “I
escaped early this morning.”
“Escaped from where?” Alistair asked.
Instead of answering, David looked
around him at the various questioning
expressions on pale faces. “Who are you
people? You look human, yet you’re not
afraid of what’s going on outside? The
gargoyles are destroying everything
around you!”
“I’m human,” Alistair told him. “My
friends here are…vampires. But you’re in
no danger from them if you help us. You
can start by telling us where it was you
escaped from.”
“Vampires…” David shook his head.
“I thought I was in a bad enough mess,
but vampires.”
“You’ll be in a bigger mess,” the one
called Andre said with a menacing smile,
“if you don’t hurry up and cooperate.
Where is this place you escaped from?
Quickly now, before we lose patience.”
“Will you help me get back to normal
if I tell you?” David asked.
Alistair didn’t think David was in a
position to bargain at this point, but they
needed his cooperation, and fast. “Yes,
we’ll do our best to find out how to
reverse whatever it is they’ve done to
you.”
“How long since you’ve been like
this?” Aeden asked, gently enough.
“Two weeks or so. They killed my
girlfriend and took me. I don’t know why
they killed her. There were other girls
held along with me.”
“They don’t seem to discriminate who
they kill or don’t kill,” Alistair said. “But
where is the place where you were being
held?”
“It’s only about twenty miles from
here, but it’s not the only one. I heard
them say the network was growing daily.”
“They?”
“They call themselves Druids. They
claim they are descendants of the original
Druids from before Roman times.”
“Druids…” Lyall, who along with
Barnett, had joined the circle. “So they’re
human then.”
David nodded. “Human, but they take
a drug that makes them stronger than
most, and they don’t have to sleep very
much as long as they take the drug. They
give the drug to the guards also so there’s
always someone on watch. The gargoyles
only sleep a couple of hours a day, but
they are totally expendable. The druids
have no compunction whatsoever about
using them as cannon fodder, and kill
them immediately if they show any sign of
unwillingness to follow orders.”
“Do you think you might have been
followed here?” Aeden asked.
“God, I hope not. I thought this place
was empty, that I could hole up in here. I
was hoping the effects of what they’ve
given me would eventually wear off, but
unfortunately without the drugs, I can
feel myself grow weaker by the hour.” He
looked up at Aeden with a wry smile.
“There was a time when you couldn’t
have overpowered me so easily.”
Aeden let that one go although he was
in no doubt he could have easily
overcome the young…whatever it was.
“So, David, where exactly is this place?”
§ § §
They waited until close to twilight
then, Aeden carrying Alistair, and Lyall,
reluctantly agreeing to take David along
with him, they flew like dark shadows to
the caves from where David said he’d
escaped. The moon was cloud hidden
giving them the perfect cover against
discovery, although Aeden was sure there
would be many a guard or alarm
surrounding the caves. The vampires were
cloaked in invisibility making Alistair and
David stand out like sore thumbs.
The plan was that they would approach
the entrance to the caves, David
pretending to have captured Alistair and
bring him in for the ‘change’, the
assumption being, according to David at
least, that the gargoyle guards were ‘too
thick’ to see through the lie. Once the
laser gate that sealed the entrance was
open the vampires would pass through
unseen and undetected by any scanner in
place.
Aeden wasn’t happy with the plan
thinking it put Alistair in too much
danger. What if the gargoyles simply
killed Alistair and David on the spot?
Stupid, unreasoning creatures could act in
irrational ways. He watched as David and
Alistair were surrounded by gargoyles
and to his relief escorted inside. He and
the other vampires followed quickly. So
far so good. The interior of the first cave
was merely an entry to a series of larger
caves, some used for housing the
gargoyles…those smelled abominably.
These gave way through another laser
gate to some smaller caves with sealed
doors. Aeden could sense the presence of
humans here and guessed that behind the
doors were living quarters for the druids.
They were stopped at yet another laser
gate by two men, humans, in black
uniforms carrying weapons—a type of
automatic gun but with a design
unfamiliar to Aeden. After a long
discussion and someone beyond the gate
being asked for authorization, Alistair
and David were waved through, the
invisible vampires on their heels. No
gargoyles followed and Aeden thought it
likely that the creatures were not allowed
into the ‘human’ part of the base.
§ § §
He looked about him, impressed by the
sheer size of the cave that appeared to be
part natural and part man-made. The rock
ceiling towered over them studded by
lights directed at every corner of the cave.
The walls held giant screens while under
them human operators of both sexes sat
at consoles engaged in what looked like
communication with other bases. Aeden
counted the screens, nine in all,
presuming that number tallied with all
the other places of operation.
His attention was brought to David
who was busy telling a white coated
individual that he’d got lost while on a
training patrol, had run across Alistair
who’d been easy to subdue, and had
brought him here to be ‘changed’. Alistair
stood quietly, looking appropriately
subdued, and didn’t resist when the white
coat signaled for two guards to take him
away. This time, the vampires split up.
Aeden, Lyall, and Andre followed Alistair
while Barnett, Valerie, and Dylan and the
others remained in the control room.
Glancing back, Aeden saw David led
away in the opposite direction by another
guard. He doubted they would see him
again.
Alistair was hustled along between the
two guards, occasionally looking over his
shoulder as if to make sure his vampire
friends were still with him. Aeden
uncloaked himself for a brief second, just
enough so that Alistair could see him and
be assured he wasn’t on his own. A
sliding door made of thick glass opened
before them, then they were in a
laboratory of some kind and got their
first look at the Druids.
There were four of them, all tall,
distinguished looking men in their mid to
late forties with fit, athletic bodies. Not at
all the vision of crazy looking, evil
geniuses with wild white hair and horn-
rimmed glasses Lyall had dreamed up.
However, the smile they cast Alistair’s
way was neither warm nor welcoming.
Why would it be? Aeden asked himself.
These men were responsible for the
deaths of thousands, were planning on
killing many more, and from everything
known about them, would not be satisfied
until the world was under their
domination.
“Name?” one of them snapped at
Alistair.
“Why do you care?” Alistair asked with
a defiant shake of his head. “I don’t
expect you’ll be calling me after this is
over.”
One of the others chortled nastily.
“Very true. Nigel just likes to know for
the record who he’s changing.”
From their accents Aeden could tell
they were English. Oxford or Cambridge by
the sounds of it. Sassenachs.
“Well,” Alistair was saying, “I am
Inspector Alistair MacFarlane of the
Aberglen police force, and you and your
partners in crime are going to very sorry
when the authorities shut you down. You
surely can’t expect to get away with this
for much longer.”
“But we do…Inspector MacFarlane. The
world is quite powerless at the moment.
Literally powerless, if you catch my drift.
And without power what good are the
armed forces? Nothing electronic works,
no drones, no laser beams, no missiles.
We control everything, and will continue
to do so until the world governments
subject themselves to us. We’ve already
got rid of Westminster and the European
governments will soon follow. It’s just a
matter of time before the US finds itself
unable to outwit us, or even come close
to finding us.”
“What about the vampires?” Alistair
asked.
“What about them?” the one called
Nigel rasped. “We’ve taken care of their
Council. They are leaderless, and apart
from some pockets of resistance in Los
Angeles and Rome, they are of no great
threat to us.” He gestured impatiently.
“Guards, prepare him.”
The men on either side of Alistair
began removing his clothes.
“Hey, wait just a minute!”
Ignored, and unable to stop the men,
he was stripped naked.
Aeden and Andre moved silently and
unseen to either side of the druids while
Lyall took a quick survey of their
technology. It was impressive but could
be shut down without too much trouble.
Lyall was no technician, but the
mainframe could be shattered under one
blow from his fist. Not perhaps the most
sophisticated means of disassembling the
equipment,
but
under
the
circumstances…
Alistair was dragged over to a steel
table and forced to lie down on it. Above
him was positioned a battery of lights.
So this is where all the gargoyles came from.
Humans mutated over time. All right, time to
act. Aeden gave Lyall a mental signal to go
for it. Lyall had to uncloak in order to
utilize his prodigious strength. The
druids gasped with shock as he suddenly
appeared and their array of screens and
control panels was wrenched from the
floor. Lyall raised the entire housing over
his head and sent it crashing into the far
wall.
“Guards, stop him!” Nigel screamed,
diving for cover. The guards didn’t make
it very far. Andre materialized and
grabbed both of them by their necks. He
lifted the struggling men off their feet and
slammed their heads together with a
sickening crunch then threw them away as
if they were mere rag dolls.
The air was rent with the shrill sounds
of
alarms.
Aeden,
still
invisible,
positioned himself by the doors, waiting
for more guards that were sure to come,
but Barnett’s voice in his mind came as
no real surprise.
We have the control room under…uh, control,
Mr. Aeden, sir.
Well done, Barnett. Any news from the
outside?
Only a panicked request for information from
the other druid bases. We haven’t as yet replied.
We await your orders.
Excellent. We’ll be right there.
He uncloaked himself and looked
round to see Andre and Lyall, using only
their bared fangs and lethal expressions,
forcing the four druids to their knees.
One of them looked ready to faint from
terror. Aeden had to remind himself these
men were human…mere descendants of
the legendary Druid religious leaders of
the past. Still, their minds must be at
genius level to have pulled off such an
amazing coup, and in such a short span of
time. But could it really be this simple for
them to be overcome, when armies of
several countries had failed?
The one named Nigel glared up at
them. “You haven’t gained anything!” he
rasped with outrage, obviously humiliated
at being taken down so easily. “The
Ancients will destroy you, vampire power
or not. Surely you know by now you’re
not invincible.”
Aha. So these spalpeans were not the kings of
the castles? Only pawns in the grip of something,
someone, much more authoritative. That could
account for such formidable power, for such
relentless domination. The Ancients… That
rang a bell.
“I can see that the mention of them
gives you pause, vampire,” Nigel said,
sneering.
“Pause, but not fear,” Aeden replied.
“Tell me, I presume the Ancients are in a
position to destroy this base.”
“What?”
“What I just said.” Aeden smiled at his
brother and Andre. “The Ancients, as you
call them, could destroy this base if it
compromised them, correct? But they
haven’t, and I wonder if it’s because it
might start some kind of chain reaction.
A failsafe guarantee, perhaps, that if any
one of the bases is overcome they can
press the button and… Och well, it’s all
over. But they’re not ready to do that yet,
are they? Perhaps they’re not as
committed as you peons, lackeys—”
“Butt boys,” Lyall interjected, with a
grin.
“Nonsense,” Nigel hissed, throwing
Lyall a look of contempt, but his darting
glances at his compatriots gave him away.
“All right.” Aeden glanced at Andre
and Lyall sending them the message that
this was the time to get lethal. “You are
partly or perhaps wholly, responsible for
the deaths of thousands of innocent
people. I see no reason why we should
spare your lives, but we’ll give you one
chance. Tell us who the mastermind
behind this is and where we can find him,
or her, and we will let you live. Behind
bars of course, but beggars canna’ be
choosers, after all.”
Nigel’s laughter was a bit on the
strident side, but Aeden gave him full
marks for bravado. He probed at the
man’s mind, but it was obvious he was
forearmed against such a threat. Aeden
couldn’t break through the mental barrier
programmed into Nigel’s mind.
“So that’s your answer is it?” Aeden
smiled viciously at him and the other men
on their knees. “Let’s go then, Lyall,
Andre. We’ll join Barnett in the control
room and kill them all in there. Up!” He
gestured at the men to follow him then
turned on his heel and strode towards the
glass doors.
“Wait, wait!” The one who had
exhibited the most fear clutched at Lyall’s
hands while still on his knees. “Wait, I’ll
tell you what you want to know.”
“Don’t be a fool, Gilbert,” Nigel
snarled. “You’ll never be forgiven if you
betray them. Better the vampires kill you
than spend the rest of your life wondering
when you will be punished.”
“But…” Gilbert was sweating under
his lab coat, the sharp, acrid odour of
terror.
Lyall’s nostrils twitched with disgust.
He jerked his hands away and pulled the
man to his feet. “Come on,” he muttered.
“Maybe some of your techies will
corroborate your story once they know
what we intend.”
The vampires, along with Alistair who
had grabbed his clothes and dressed
quickly, led the sullen druids into the
control room. Barnett and the others had
corralled the lab technicians and the three
human guards who had been on their way
to answer the triggered alarm. They had
the control room under lockdown to
prevent the gargoyles getting in. The
noise outside proved the beasts were
aware of what had happened and were
howling for the doors to be opened.
“You’ll never get out of here alive,”
Nigel told them, scowling. “The minions
will tear you limb from limb.”
“Minions eh?” Aeden chuckled. “You
Sassenachs are nothing if not pretentious.”
“Now, tell us where we find the head
honcho,” Lyall said. “And how we de-
wire the gargoyles.”
“You must be delusional,” Nigel
snarled. “You think we’re going to give
up this easily? You might have this base
off-line, but it’ll do you no good. We’ll
die rather than betray the Ancients.”
A murmur of dissent ran through the
assembled technicians. “Wait a minute.”
A woman with a strong Irish accent and a
name tag that read, ‘Maureen’, stepped
forward. “No one said anything about
dying when we signed up.”
“Then you should have read the small
print,” Nigel snapped.
“Fuck you,” Maureen said, looking
back at the rest of the nervous
technicians. “Tell these men what they
want to know and let’s get out of here. I
don’t like the smell of this anymore. You
told us this was all foolproof—”
“Shut up,” Nigel yelled. “Guards,
silence this woman.” The guards didn’t
move. “Now!” Nigel’s face was red with
rage.
“Quiet,” Aeden said. “You’re not in
charge here anymore. You have two
minutes to come up with what we want to
know or you’re dead. Simple as that.”
Lyall cast his gaze over all of them.
“That means the lot of you, by the way.
Anyone want to speak up?”
“They don’t know the answer.” Gilbert
was shaking so badly he was almost
unable to stand up. “Only Nigel knows
exactly where the Ancients are. Tell them,
Nigel!”
“You cowards,” Nigel hissed. “I swore
loyalty to the Ancients, and my own death
before I would betray them. Just as you
all did.”
“Well, that’s too bad,” Maureen said,
“because you’re on your own there.” She
threw Aeden and Lyall a grim look. “We
can show you how to shut the gargoyles
down; the rest is up to you to get this
idiot to talk.”
“That’s a step in the right direction,”
Aeden said. “But don’t forget, you’ll all
be held accountable for the many deaths
you’ve orchestrated from this place.”
“We’ll have to face that later. Right
now, get the info you want and we’ll deal
with those bloody gargoyles.”
“All right, Nigel,” Aeden eyed the
druid grimly. “One last time…”
“Fuck off,” Nigel rasped, losing his
sophisticated veneer.
“Very well. Lyall, Andre, Barnett, all of
you, with me, concentrate on reading his
mind. This will be very painful, Nigel—
for you, that is.”
The vampires circled Nigel, all of them
training their acute mental powers on the
man whose face twisted into a rictus of
pain. The rest of the people in the room
watched with awestruck expressions as
Nigel fell to his knees, his mouth
stretched wide in a silent scream. At a
given signal from Aeden the vampires
abruptly broke the mind probe and Nigel
sprawled face down on the floor.
“Bermuda,” Lyall whispered.
“Bermuda?” Alistair repeated. “But
how on earth do we get there?” Lyall gave
him an arched eyebrow look and Alistair’s
eyes grew big. “Oh my God, you don’t
mean…?”
“Later,” Aeden said quietly. “Now,
Maureen, deal with the gargoyles.
Ordinarily, we wouldn’t need your help,
but the inspector hasn’t the power to
make himself invisible.”
“Fine with me,” Maureen muttered. “I
think it’s time to get the hell out of here.
Gilbert has the brain fryer, right
Gilbert?”
Gilbert, still shaking, nodded and
pulled a device from his coat pocket.
Maureen pointed a remote at the doors
and they slid open. The gargoyles, waiting
on the other side let out screeching noises
and charged in, claws and fangs to the
fore.
Maureen scooted backwards, her eyes
wide with fear at the ferocious looking
horde. “Now, Gilbert!” she all but
squealed. But whatever Gilbert’s device
was supposed to do, it wasn’t working.
The guards and technicians scrambled to
get out of the way, screaming as the
gargoyles fell upon them, seemingly
unable to distinguish prey from those in
command. Nigel’s prone body was picked
up and thrown up against a wall, and
Maureen and Gilbert went down under a
swarm of the beasts. The air was filled
with screams of terror and the terrible
sound of bodies being ripped apart.
Aeden dodged the raking claws of one
gargoyle, grabbed Alistair, and flew out of
the control room, Lyall and the other
vampires
behind
him,
cloaked
in
invisibility. Aeden didn’t slow down until
they were out of the caves, then he
hovered overhead, holding Alistair close
to him until they were joined by his
brother and friends.
“Everyone all right?”
Before anyone could reply a deep
rumbling sound came from somewhere
inside the caves. The vampires flew
higher, innately knowing what was to
follow. With a great whoomping noise a
tremendous explosion ripped through the
caves sending rocks and trees hurtling
into the air, so high that two or three of
the vampires had to get out of the way of
the debris. A fireball followed, lighting up
the countryside for what looked like miles
around.
“My God!” Alistair stared down at the
cataclysm with unbelieving eyes. “What
the hell could have brought that about?”
“I think perhaps they had outlived
their usefulness,” Aeden said, tightening
his arms around Alistair. As if with one
accord, the group of vampire friends rose
even higher into the night sky then veered
off toward the home of Dylan and Valerie
Jamieson.
Once there and confident there would
be no more gargoyle attacks in the area
they were anxious to contact other
vampire groups with the news. Now that
they knew where the main control base
was, Aeden felt it imperative that they
launch an attack on the Bermudian nerve
centre. Obviously the Ancients had
installed a failsafe programme, that they
were able to activate or deactivate as they
wished.
“The Ancients…” Alistair, standing
between Aeden and Lyall, asked, “Who
are they?”
“They’re very old, Alistair,” Lyall
replied with a straight face.
“I gathered that.”
“So old, they’ve been forgotten for
centuries,” Aeden said. “Once upon a
time, they ruled the Underworld…
demons, succubi…even vampires gave
them allegiance. Then their ability to
procreate diminished and they began to
die off, despite all their attempts to
increase their fertility. It was said those
who remained were trying to find ways to
prolong life, ingesting demon and
vampire blood, but even that didn’t help.
I thought they were gone for good…”
“And I,” Andre said. “Never in all the
centuries of my life have I heard mention
of them as a viable force.”
“So what on earth could have given
them the power to do all this?” Dylan
asked. “If only a few remained, hidden for
all these years, what could have happened
to change them from a weak, dying race,
to this kind of demonic force?”
“Good question,” Aeden muttered.
“And we need to find the answer in order
to defeat them.”
“Perhaps the Bermudas hold the key.”
“We need to get our American allies in
on this. They’re a lot closer to the
Bermudas.”
Lyall nodded. “But we’ll need to set up
some kind of rendezvous. Maybe a few at
first to reconnoitre, find out where they
may be hidden. It’s got to be at the very
least, underground, on one of the more
remote islands perhaps.”
“Or underwater, perhaps,” Alistair
said. “Would that be harder to detect?”
“From the look of their technology,
they could certainly set up sonar
barricades,”
Lyall
replied.
“Good
thinking, Alistair. We can check out that
possibility when we get there.”
“You’ll take me with you, right?”
Alistair directed his question at Aeden
who averted his eyes, much to Alistair’s
annoyance. “Well?”
“Alistair…the temperatures are below
freezing over the oceans at this time of
year. You wouldn’t survive.”
“I can bundle up.” Alistair stuck out a
stubborn lower lip. “Come on, Aeden.
I’ve been by your side through all of this.
I might only be human, but I want to be a
part of you lot now.”
There was a restless stirring among the
other vampires. Andre spoke up first.
“You’re a brave human, Inspector, but
the odds against you are too great.”
“There is a way he could survive,” Lyall
said quietly, staring intently at his
brother.
“Lyall…such a thing is too extreme.”
“I did it for Alex after he’d been
attacked by a gargoyle. Extreme or no, it
will ensure he survives.”
“What is it?” Alistair demanded.
“You would have to drink vampire
blood.”
“What?”
Aeden shook his head. “I told you he
would find it too extreme.”
Lyall shrugged. “Well, I just thought he
wanted to be a part of us…of you,
enough.”
Alistair huffed with annoyance. “I’m
still right here y’know. If that’s the only
way to do it, then I’m game—if it’s your
blood,” he added, hastily, looking at
Aeden.
“Who else?” Lyall grinned at his
brother. “Although, if you run out of
your supply, Aeden, I’ll be happy to top
him up.”
“Lyall…” Aeden shook his head.
“Sometimes your sense of humour
borders on the offensive.”
“Och, Alistair’s not offended—are you,
Alistair?”
“Um…no…but you were just joking,
right?”
Lyall laughed. “Well, perhaps we won’t
have to find out.”
Aeden grabbed Alistair’s arm and
started to hustle him from the room.
“Like we have time for all this frivolity.
Make yourself useful, Lyall, help Andre
and Dylan contact the Americans—and
any other support you can drum up
would be helpful!” He slammed the door
behind him. “Pay him no heed, Alistair.
He’s far too fond of leg pulling.”
“Oh, I think I’m used to him,” Alistair
said, placing a hand over Aeden’s as they
mounted the stairs to their room. “So,
how do we do this?”
“You may drink from my wrist, or
from my…uh, chest, whichever you
prefer.”
“But I havena’ fangs.” Alistair pushed
the bedroom door open. “So how…?”
Aeden closed the door and led Alistair
to the bed. “I will bite my wrist and you
will suck from there, or I can cut my
chest, here…” He opened his shirt and
pointed to the side of his left nipple, “…
and you can suck from there.”
Alistair’s eyes were riveted to Aeden’s
chest for a moment or two then he said
shyly, “I’d like it to be from there. But
will it not hurt you?”
“No more than I hurt you when I take
your blood.” He slipped off his shirt, then
unbuttoned Alistair’s. “You will become
sexually
aroused,
so
don’t
be
embarrassed.”
“I think we’ve come too far for
embarrassment, don’t you?” Alistair flung
his shirt onto the bed.
“Yes, perhaps we have.” Aeden kissed
Alistair’s lips and gently pushed him so
he was sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Look away for a moment.”
Alistair closed his eyes then felt his
head being tilted towards Aeden. He
opened his eyes in time to see a red gash
dripping blood then his mouth was
pressed against it. His first reaction to
pull away—It is blood after all— was almost
instantly overcome when he licked his
bloody lips. The rich, spicy flavour was
like an aphrodisiac. His cock hardened
inside his briefs and he wrapped his arms
around Aeden’s waist, holding him fast as
he eagerly suckled at the vampire’s chest.
It was like nothing he had ever
experienced before. Nothing was quite as
fantastic, except maybe being made love
to by Aeden. Yes, that had to take the
edge, but this too, was amazing. He could
feel the blood coursing through him;
sharp,
thrilling,
electrical
jolts
of
sensation skimming over his skin and
through every fibre of his being. He
moaned from the pleasure of it, from the
sheer, visceral excitement it filled him
with. His cock had never been this hard,
surely. It positively ached with the need
for release. He was only vaguely aware of
Aeden stroking his hair, crooning words
in a language he didn’t recognize.
He nearly resisted when Aeden
whispered, “Enough.” Could there ever be
enough?
Without any noticeable movement on
Aeden’s part, they were once again naked,
lying on the bed, in a sixty-nine position,
Aeden’s mouth enveloping Alistair’s
raging hard on, bringing him to the brink
of orgasm. Trying to hold back the rush
of his impending climax, Alistair gripped
Aeden’s cock at the base pumping it to
steel-like hardness before taking it deep
into his throat with one long swallow.
He felt the vampire’s body stiffen in his
arms. Muffled groans escaped them as
they came, flooding each other’s mouths
with a torrent of cum. Spasm after spasm
wracked Alistair’s body and he bucked
and writhed in Aeden’s embrace until the
last vestiges of one another’s semen had
been drained from them.
Then Aeden was once again lips to lips
with Alistair. “You’re amazing,” Alistair
murmured, in between taking every kiss
he could get, relishing the lingering taste
of Aeden’s semen on his tongue. “I feel…
different,” he said after a few more
minutes. “Am I like you now?”
“Not quite. That we’ll talk of another
day, but now…”
“Yes, I know.” Alistair sat up, looking
for his clothes. “On to the Bermudas,
right?”
“Right…and I sincerely hope you don’t
regret insisting you go with us.”
“I won’t.” Alistair kissed Aeden’s
shoulder. “Whatever happens, I want to
be at your side.”
CHAPTER SIX
The news from the US was not good.
Like all the major cities in Europe, New
York, D.C., San Francisco were under
siege, and communication for the most
part was shut down. Fortunately the
mental links between the vampires was
still intact even though no one had yet
discovered just how the Vampire Council
had been disposed of so easily. Aeden was
certain that they had been betrayed
somehow, but the idea that it might be a
fellow vampire was hard for him to
contemplate. There had been rogue
vampires in the past, of course, but the
penalty for such an act should give any
sane vampire reason enough to reconsider
betraying his own kind.
They had been joined by thirty more
vampires from around the UK and more
than one hundred from Europe had
pledged support. Aeden hoped that the
Ancients would be willing to at least
negotiate when they saw the size of the
vampire opposition.
Holding Alistair tucked in securely to
his side Aeden stared down at the
archipelagos that made up the Bermudas.
The flight across the Atlantic hadn’t taken
long and Alistair had remained still and
quiet, squeezing Aeden’s hand now and
then to let him know he was all right, a
signal they had devised between them.
Aeden would have been able to tell by the
state of Alistair’s mind if his…lover was
troubled, but the pressure of his hand
now and then was not unwelcome.
What d’you think, Aeden? His brother’s
mental bond question jerked him out of
his thoughts.
First, we’d better meet up with the
Americans, Lyall. They’re on Prince William
Island by the lighthouse. Hopefully, they’ll have
some idea of what we’re looking for, by this time.
I’m getting nothing so far.
Nor me. But on the plus side, as we haven’t
encountered any opposition it could mean they’re
unaware of us…up to now, at least.
Yes, let’s get down there.
As they plummeted earthwards, despite
the heavy cloud cover and lack of
moonlight, Aeden’s vampire vision could
make out several figures standing or
walking about the base of the old
lighthouse. Landing nearby, and making
sure Alistair was all right, he waited until
all the vampires were gathered round
then together they hurried over to meet
their American allies. One stepped
forward to greet them and Aeden
recognized him as Martin Lincoln, a
distant cousin of the assassinated
President, and one who’d been clever
enough to escape the President’s order
that all vampires should be hunted down
and eliminated.
“Martin…” They embraced, then
Martin said, “You have a mortal in your
midst.”
“Yes, Alistair MacFarlane.” He
beckoned Alistair over to introduce him.
“Alistair is the police inspector of
Aberglen.”
“Was, I think,” Alistair said, taking the
hand Martin proffered. “I’m afraid I’m all
that’s left of the police force.”
“They will be avenged,” Martin said
with confidence. He gestured towards the
others with him. “New York, Boston,
Charleston,
and
many
more
are
represented here. We have others coming
from the West Coast.”
“But no feel for where the Ancients are
hiding?”
Martin shook his head. “It’s
bewildering. They must have some kind
of massive shield set up to prevent us
from penetrating their underground
network.”
“Have you considered they might be
underwater?” Alistair asked.
“Yes… What was left of the US
submarine fleet investigated the waters
around the islands. Of course they
weren’t at all keen on communicating
with us, but the navy brass was told this is
not the time for prejudice. Unfortunately,
they didn’t find anything, and have called
off the search.”
“Why don’t you try a concerted
effort?” It was obvious to Aeden that
Alistair was feeling the effects of his new
vampire blood, not at all insecure now
around so many immortals. “You know,
like you did with Nigel to get this much
information.”
“We have tried that,” Martin told him
with a side glance at Aeden. Pushy mortal,
isn’t he? Aeden’s lips twitched but he said
nothing. “Of course, we can try again,
now there are so many more of us. Where
would you suggest we concentrate our
efforts?”
“Oh, well…” Alistair looked surprised
to be asked for his opinion. He blushed
slightly. “Sorry, I didna’ mean to tell you
lads how to use your powers. I’m sure
you have it all well under control.”
“No one is above suggestion,” Martin
said.
“So
far
we
have
been
unsuccessful…”
“Well…” Alistair looked from Martin
to Aeden before continuing, hoping he
wouldn’t come off sounding stupid. “I
was thinking that as they used a cave back
in Scotland, you know, something already
partly excavated, they might do the same
thing here. The coastlines of these islands
have to be riddled with caves.”
“Yes, we did think of that too…”
Martin paused when Aeden touched his
arm with some urgency.
“Aeden’s getting something.” Lyall
moved closer to his brother. “His gift for
seeing what happened in the past,” he
added in case Martin didn’t know of it,
but Martin nodded and waited.
“A cave…yes,” Aeden said quietly,
“but so far underground…under even the
deepest cave imaginable. I can see the
Ancients standing surveying a rocky
shore…no trees, just miles of rock that
extend out to sea forming a barrier
reef…”
“Sounds like Saint Bartholomew’s
island.” One of the American female
vampires standing behind Martin spoke
up. “It’s uninhabited…could be the very
place.”
“Let’s find out, shall we?” Martin, not
waiting for a reply, rose into the darkness.
He was quickly followed by the
Americans.
“Always impulsive, that one,” Aeden
muttered, grabbing Alistair and launching
them both skywards. “Hang on tight.”
“I wasna’ thinking of doing anything
else,” Alistair said, laughing. His thoughts
came loud and clear to Aeden’s mind… If
I live to be a hundred, I will never forget any of
this!
§ § §
Saint Bartholomew’s was the tiniest of
all the Bermudas, yet the waters
surrounding it had earned the reputation
of being a sailing ship’s graveyard. In
years past, privateer and smugglers’ ships
alike had foundered on the sharp rocks,
with the result that, cave explorers
excepted, the island had remained
virtually uninhabited for centuries. An
ideal place for the Ancients to occupy,
hidden from sight, even off the radar,
given that none of the most sophisticated
search equipment had revealed their exact
position.
As the vampires neared the island, a
flock of gargoyles rose from the rocky
surface.
“This is definitely it!” Aeden yelled.
Get Alistair on the ground. Lyall’s warning
was a good one. Aeden would be unable
to fight off any attack as long as he was
holding Alistair. He zoomed earthward,
choosing a rock formation that would
give Alistair cover.
“But I want to fight those buggers
too,” Alistair said in protest, keeping hold
of Aeden’s arm.
“You can’t Alistair,” Aeden said
impatiently. “With all the will in the
world, you can’t defend yourself against
those beasts. You’re unarmed. Stay here
until I come back for you, and keep out
of sight of any stray gargoyles.”
He lifted off again signaling to Lyall
that they should both keep an eye on
Alistair’s position, just in case. But he was
immediately surrounded by three hissing
gargoyles, all claws and teeth bared and
ready to rake at his eyes and any other
part of him they considered vulnerable.
One on one, the gargoyles were no match
for the vampires and several had already
been sent plummeting to the ground,
dead or unable to fly. The gargoyles were
either cunning enough or had been
programmed with that knowledge, for
now they attempted to overwhelm each
vampire with sheer force of numbers.
Aeden saw Dylan being forced towards
the rocks by a swarm of gargoyles, so
many their combined weight must have
made it impossible for him to fly.
Lyall, I’m going to help Dylan. Keep an eye
on Alistair.
Aeden dove towards the rocks, the old
Celtic war cry of his past rumbling up
from his chest, roaring loud enough to be
heard up and down the coast. It had its
desired effect. The gargoyles attacking
Dylan looked up, frozen into immobility
just long enough for Dylan to heave
himself free of their grip and give Aeden
time to wade in, both of them wrenching
heads and wings off the snarling beasts.
His war cry was echoed by his brother
and picked up by the other vampires.
Doubling their ferocity, the vampires
turned the tide against the gargoyles,
sending them earthward in a clumsy
frenzy of retreat.
Alistair, watching from the cover of the
rocks, and wishing he could be a part of
the fight, yelled out the old war paean at
the top of his voice, loud enough to
attract the attention of a stray gargoyle.
The beast’s yellow eyes glittered, its head
whipping round to where Alistair stood.
Growling, it flew directly at him.
“Shit…” Alistair stumbled on the
loose stones under his feet as he turned to
run. He knew there was no way he could
fight the gargoyle off. He’d seen what
those claws could do. If he could just
reach the shelter of overhanging rock he
might have a chance to fend off an attack.
Then something large, snarling, and
smelly landed on his back sending him
sprawling on his face.
“Get off me, y’fuckin’ stinking beastie,
ye!” he roared, trying to aim futile
punches at the gargoyles scaly hide. The
stench of its rancid breath on his face
made Alistair gag. Oh God, I’m done for.
Aeden…I’m sorry…
He was only half aware of the weight
being lifted from him, before he realized
the thing was gone and he could stand up.
He staggered to his feet to see Lyall
holding the gargoyle by its wings then
throwing it into the sea, so far out he
couldn’t make out if it surfaced or not.
“Lyall…thank you!”
“No worries,” said the always cheerful
vampire, landing beside him. “Have to
look after my brother’s boyfriend, y’know.
Now, jump on. Looks like Aeden and
Dylan found the entrance we need.”
“Jump on?”
“My back, Alistair. And no dry
humping. I know my arse is delectable,
but try to control yourself.”
Alistair, his face reddening from Lyall’s
remarks, couldn’t believe that Aeden’s
brother could still make jokes at a time
like this.
“You are…”
“Amazing, I know.” Lyall laughed at
Alistair’s embarrassment. “Now, come
on, no time to lose.”
He climbed on piggy-back and gave out
a startled yelp as Lyall took off so fast
Alistair had to wrap his arms around the
vampire’s slim body just to hold on. God,
if we all survive this, Alistair thought, my life
with Aeden, and Lyall, will never be the same.
The vampires had gathered in front of
a small indentation in a massive rock wall.
Around them lay strewn the bodies of
dead gargoyles. Not one had managed to
escape to raise an alarm, although Aeden
was sure the Ancients would already
know what had taken place outside. As if
to confirm that, the indentation grew
larger, became an open doorway from
which poured dozens of snarling and
hissing gargoyles.
Not again! The vampires reeled for a
moment or two under the immense force
of the onslaught, then slowly, because of
their superior strength and intellect, they
began to wear down the attackers. Aeden,
Martin, and Dylan managed to force their
way inside, followed by a few more
vampires including Lyall who held onto
Alistair while fending off gargoyle after
gargoyle.
“You really are amazing,” Alistair
choked out as Lyall wrestled one gargoyle
off his back.
“I know, but I’m already taken,” Lyall
said, pulling the gargoyle’s head off.
Alistair tried not to throw up, but the
stench of black blood all around them
was getting to be too much to cope with.
He sighed with relief when Aeden
appeared at his side and gathered him
into his arms. The sounds of conflict died
away and once again there were more
gargoyle bodies lying around.
“Thank you, Lyall,” Aeden murmured.
“My pleasure, my brother.” He jerked a
thumb at Alistair. “You should’ve seen
him taking one on all by himself…” He
paused as a door in front of them opened.
“Oh, oh. Is that an invitation d’you
think?”
“Just don’t expect a warm welcome.”
Aeden sent a mind message to the
vampires still outside the cave to cloak
themselves. No point in us all being sitting
targets. He wasn’t sure what kind of
weapons the Ancients would use against
them, but they had managed to take out
the Council, so caution was definitely a
good idea. There was darkness beyond the
open doorway. Not a problem for the
vampires but Aeden kept a tight grip on
Alistair’s arm as they stepped over the
portal.
Ever vigilant, the group of vampires
and one human walked slowly forward.
Tiny pulses of light became visible on
either side of them then the door closed
behind them. Lyall, who had been quietly
going mad worrying about Alex and
forever pressing the buttons on his cell
despite knowing all communications were
down, was momentarily startled when the
‘ready’ signal flashed on.
Of course, this place is fully operational from
the looks of things. He stepped to one side
of the passageway and hit Alex’s speed
dial number.
“Lyall, you’re a’right then.” Alex’s voice
was loaded with relief.
“Aye…and you sound fine too—but
we’re going to need help I think. Is there
anything left of the RAF?”
“Some…as a matter of fact I’m at
Lossiemouth. They were doing test runs
of a new prototype S-11 hypersonic
bomber before a’ this happened. They’ve
got two up and running. They’re on the
airstrip right now as a matter of fact.
Where are you?”
“In the Bermudas. On a wee island…
Saint Bartholomew’s. We think we’ve
found the seat of operations.”
“I’ll let the Wing Commander know.
It’s every man for himself here now, so I
might be able to convince him to let me
help out. I have some flight training, and
they’re desperate short of men. ”
“How long before you can get here?”
“Well, these lovelies can get to New
York in an hour, so less than that I’d say.”
“Please be careful, Alex.”
“Oh, I will be. You and I have some
unfinished business to take care of,
mind.”
“If we all survive this, Alex, I will take
you to the Heavens and back.”
“Never mind about coming back,”
Alex said, chuckling. “Heaven with you
will do just fine.”
Smiling, Lyall shoved his phone back
into his pocket just as a door in front of
them slid open. He followed the others
through the doorway. “It’s a lift,” he
muttered as the floor shifted under them
and they descended smoothly and swiftly
for some considerable time. “You were
right about it being a long way
underground, Aeden.”
Eventually the lift came to a halt, the
door opened and they could see a long
dimly lit corridor stretch before them.
After the noise of battle, the hissing and
snarling
of
defiant
gargoyles,
the
pervading silence was almost palpable.
I would almost swear there are no gargoyles
present here, Aeden mind messaged his
brother. What can they be using for defense?
They must have a backup plan in case what
just happened to the gargoyles…happened.
I agree. But so far, I sense no ‘big guns’, as it
were.
It’s weird—
“Vampires! Welcome…” The voice
seemed to come from everywhere at once,
echoing off the stone walls. “You are
what we’ve been waiting for. You have
cost us dearly, but we deem it
worthwhile.”
“What the fuck?” Lyall cursed as the
tunnel was bathed in light and three
figures, two men, one woman, appeared
in front of them.
“Holograms,” Aeden said. “They’re not
really here. There’s no one here.”
“Right, we would smell them if there
were,” Martin muttered.
“So we’re welcome,” Aeden said in
reply to the Ancients greeting. “And why
is that, considering what you’ve been
doing to the world around us?”
“Only the human world…expendable
at best. We supernatural beings must rule
now. Humans are mere cattle, fit only to
serve or be a part of our gargoyle army.”
“So all the gargoyles were once
human?”
“Exactly.
Gargoyles—the
real
gargoyles—have
been
extinct
for
centuries, but we were able to extract
DNA from a mummified corpse and,
voila, thousands of new gargoyles
programmed to do our bidding.”
“Oh, my God,” Alistair murmured,
and Aeden knew he was thinking of all
the humans turned into mindless killing
machines,
and
now
lying
dead,
slaughtered for the ambitions of a group
of maniacs, if indeed the maniacs existed.
He was beginning to get a different feel
for what was going on.
“You have a human in your midst,” the
voice said. “He must be dispensed with—
now.”
“Not possible,” Aeden snapped. “The
human is under our protection.”
“Indeed?” The hologram in the centre
glowed brighter and for the first time
Aeden and the others could see its facial
features…aquiline, surprisingly young,
but cold and arrogant. “Nevertheless, all
humans are to be exterminated or
changed to serve us.”
“You are talking about billions of
people!” Lyall blurted. “You really think
you have the power to overcome those
odds?”
“Have you not seen what we have
already achieved? And we haven’t as yet
used our mightiest weapon.” The
holograms disappeared and another door
opened in front of the vampires. “It’s
only a matter of time before global
governments fall,” a disembodied voice
continued, “chaos and panic will do the
rest. Enter, and see for yourselves.”
Beyond the open door was an
enormous cavern. The walls and roof
glowed from concealed lighting, but it
was the massive machine in the centre of
the cavernous space that got everyone’s
attention. Built of a type of metal, as yet
unknown to Aeden and the others, it was
at least three or four stories high. Every
square inch of it pulsed with a mysterious
light giving the impression that it
breathed, as though it were a living
organism.
“This took many years to perfect.” The
holograms reappeared. “We’ve been
testing it now and then to great effect.
You may recall the tsunami that
destroyed the coastline of Indonesia, the
earthquake in Japan, even in Washington
D.C….and more recently the three that
shook San Francisco, Rome, and Tel
Aviv. So many different locations around
the world, and all controlled from this
magnificent invention. New York is our
next target, followed by Beijing. Soon all
the major cities will be destroyed. All
seats of world power will be gone, leaving
us to take over and rebuild. Without, of
course, a human population.”
“You’re bloody mad,” Alistair yelled
and would have advanced on the
holograms if Aeden hadn’t grabbed him
and held him firmly in place.
“Wait,” Aeden whispered. “Let them
tell us everything.”
“But they’re talking about destroying
the entire world,” Alistair raged. “Only
madmen would ever consider such a
bloody, heinous crime.”
“To a human mind, perhaps it seems
like madness,” the centre hologram said,
an unmistakable sneer in its voice. “But
to minds as evolved as ours it is the
inevitable conclusion to years of wanton
destruction perpetrated by the very
people you are trying to protect. We are
just hastening its end so that a new and
more vibrant civilization can take over.”
“You mean you lot?” Alistair was fairly
fuming. “We humans may not be perfect,
but we don’t go around destroying
everything so we can just take over.”
The sound of laughter filled the cavern.
“Oh no? Countless wars, government
induced
famines,
mass
murders,
holocausts, ethnic cleansing—what are
those if not destruction in order to take
over?”
“All right,” Aeden interrupted.
“You’ve made your point, as far as you
see it anyway. So what is it you want from
us?”
“Your cooperation, or at least a
willingness to step aside and let us get on
with it. We know vampires are a
formidable force, and we would rather
have you on our side, if that is possible.”
“Yet you assassinated the members of
the Vampire Council,” Aeden said coldly.
“Why? Because you knew they would
never agree to your plan? That they
would do everything they could to thwart
you right from the beginning? Why then
do you think we would be of a different
mind? We are vampires, and we were
loyal to the council.”
“And we could annihilate all of you
right now. Be sensible, Aeden MacKay…
Yes, we know who you are. We have
imbued the Druids with more strength
and longer lives. They will procreate with
selected females of their kind. If you agree
to cooperate you will be elevated in rank,
to be the guardians of the new master
race we have programmed to achieve
perfection.”
“And if we do not agree to cooperate?”
“I repeat, we could annihilate you all.
Your answer must be made immediately.
We do not have endless patience.”
As if to emphasize the words, the door
they had entered through closed behind
them with a sinister hiss. A frisson of
tension ran through the assembled
vampires, every one of them now on full
alert and in battle mode.
Aeden sent out a swift mental link. Do
you get the impression that the holograms are all
there is to this? That the Ancients are not here
—perhaps have not been here for a long, long
time? I have no sense of any beings other than
ourselves in this place.
You think this machine is in control?
Martin asked.
Exactly. Whoever built this eons ago,
programmed it to cull the descendants of the
Druids and use them to carry out the master
plan.
“Aeden,” Alistair whispered. “What
are you lot doing? I can tell you’re all
communicating with one another.”
“You’re getting too intuitive, my lad.”
Aeden gripped his arm. “We think the
machine is controlling all of this. There
are no Ancients here, or Druids. It all
comes from here, and if we can
somehow…”
“Pull the plug?”
“If only it were that easy.”
You hear that? Lyall asked.
What? Other than that infernal machine you
mean? Oh, wait…yes. Sounds like…a plane?
Their acute vampire hearing could hear
the high pitched whine above the steady
pulsing thrum of the death machine
towering over them. But whatever
warning system was built in to the
machine kicked in at the same time. The
holograms dimmed and disappeared. The
intensity of the machine’s lights and
rhythmic,
hypnotic
pulsing
sound
speeded up. A white hot laser beam shot
out from the side of the machine hitting
one of the vampires squarely in the chest.
The vampire screamed as he burst into
flames.
Everybody down! The vampires hit the
cavern floor as the laser beam swept back
and forth.
“Don’t you dare move,” Aeden
growled at Alistair lying under him. A
shuddering boom sounded overhead and
bits of rock rained down on them. The
laser beam shut down and an even more
concentrated noise came from the
machine. Aeden looked up to see the
enormous rock ceiling slide open,
revealing a star laden sky. From the top of
the machine several laser beams blasted
up through the opening.
“Time to get out of here,” Lyall yelled.
“The bloody door’s shut,” Alistair
yelled back at him.
“Not for long.” Lyall and several
vampires ran full tilt at the door, leveling
it as their bodies slammed into it.
“Jesus,” Alistair muttered. “Dinna’ try
this at home.” He didn’t resist as Aeden
gathered him in his arms and flew out of
the cavern. The lift door at the other end
of the corridor was open but the
mechanism to transport them up was
dead.
“Screw this,” Martin yelled and
punched out the panels above them.
“We’ll make our own way out.”
“Oh, bugger,” Alistair whispered as
Aeden once again wrapped his arms
around him and whisked him up and
away.
Outside, they scanned the skies and
Lyall let out an excited whoop. “The
RAF’s here,” he told Alistair. “Alex is
with them. He must have convinced them
that—” He broke off as the ground under
them started to twist and heave. “Let’s
go!” As one, they lifted off from the
bucking ground.
Alistair gaped, open-mouthed as the
coastline vanished from under them.
“The bastards must have set that damned
machine in motion,” he shouted, in the
hopes that Aeden could hear him.
“That damned machine set itself in
motion, I think,” Aeden said. He glanced
upward at the huge black shapes of the
hypersonic bombers above them. A
concentrated burst of light from under
one of them had the giant plane veering
off, flames pouring from its underbelly.
Alistair cried out as they watched it
plunge into the ocean. “Oh, God…if
Alex is on that…” A giant explosion
almost deafened him, and the shockwaves
threatened to knock the vampires out of
the sky. The remaining bomber had
scored a direct hit on the cavern, but as
they watched, the laser beams still strafed
the air, narrowly missing the bomber as it
turned to make another pass.
Aeden, with me! Lyall’s mind link
preceded the sight of him zooming up
towards the bomber.
Lyall, what in hell…?
“What’s he doing?” Alistair shouted.
“He’s going to board that plane.”
“Bloody hell!”
“Sorry, Alistair, we have to go too.”
“Oh, Jesus…”
Three of four more vampires joined
them as they climbed higher. Lyall had
already smashed in the transportation
door and was making his way forward to
where Alex and three other airmen were
seated.
“Alex, the only way to stop that thing
is to ditch the plane on top of it.” The
airmen stared at Lyall as though they were
seeing a ghost.
“Where the bloody hell did you come
from?” one of them gasped.
“He’s a vampire, Bob,” Alex said, as if
that were the only explanation needed.
“You’re serious, Lyall?”
“Yes. Hopefully, with the load you’re
carrying and the internal pressure of the
machine down there, it should be enough
to blow it to bits. Like I said, hopefully,
but it’s our only chance. Can you set the
payload to automatic detonation?”
Bob nodded and the airmen looked at
one another with a kind of resignation.
“Worth a try, I s’pose,” Bob said. “Can’t
live forever, can we? And those nutcases
have to be stopped somehow.”
“Don’t worry,” Lyall said. “We’ll get
you out before we hit.”
“What?” Now Bob looked nervous.
“There’s an earthquake going on down
there. We can’t para out.”
“You won’t have to.” Lyall grinned at
him. “My friends will take care of you.”
Before anyone could say or do anything
the bomber lurched to one side throwing
everyone who wasn’t strapped in on their
backs.
“We’ve been hit,” Alex yelled.
“Damn,” Lyall muttered. “Better make
this quick.” He looked over his shoulder,
relieved to see Aeden and Alistair
followed by Martin and two other
vampires. “Lads, we need to go. Alex, can
you steer this thing directly towards
where those laser beams are coming
from?”
“Aye—if I’m ready to pack it in,” Alex
replied tersely.
“Martin, can you and the others take
care of our boys here?” Lyall asked.
Martin nodded and beckoned the
airmen forward. With just a slight
hesitation the men unstrapped themselves
and hurried towards him.
“Alex and I will be right behind you.”
Lyall stood behind Alex, his hands on the
young mortal’s shoulders. “Now, Alex—
do it now.”
The bomber went into a steep dive and
Alex switched off the controls. “Better go
if we’re going,” he muttered, releasing his
seatbelt.
Lyall grabbed his hand and ran towards
the exit. The plane fell like a stone
straight towards the opening in the
cavern roof. Lyall wrapped his arms
around Alex and jumped. The cold night
air whistled around them as Lyall leapt
from the plane. He felt Alex’s body stiffen
against him with shock. He lifted him
higher, flying at as much speed as he
knew Alex could humanly stand in order
to get away from the devastating
explosion that was sure to follow. His
vampire vision allowed him to see that
Aeden, Alistair, and his fellow vampires
carrying the airmen were well ahead of
him, safe now. He held Alex tight, and
drove himself on faster, ever faster,
knowing he had but a few seconds.
Glancing back he saw the bomber
disappear into the gaping hole atop the
cavern. The blast when it came battered
them with shockwaves so intense, Alex
was almost torn from Lyall’s grasp. They
were sent spinning and careening through
the air. The night sky lit up like the sun.
A fireball consumed the whole island,
extending out into the ocean, while the
noise of the explosion reverberated
around them for what seemed like an
eternity.
“Christ Almighty,” Alex muttered, his
face pressed to Lyall’s. “Surely that’s the
end of them.”
“I’d say they’ve had it…or it’s had
it…” He tightened his arms around Alex
and moved off to catch up with Aeden
and the others, leaving the devastated
island behind them. As they sped away
they could still hear the booming sounds
of explosion after explosion. Lyall
reckoned they would echo across the
world. He hoped it sounded like the
triumphal fanfare of vengeance.
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later: Aberglen
Aeden stood on the terrace of his
home watching the last vestiges of the
sunset’s rays sink behind the mountain.
Around him, it seemed the darkening
night sighed with pleasure. Here, it was
almost easy to believe that everything that
had happened had only been a bad dream.
Aberglen Manor and the grounds had
survived practically unscathed.
Of course, there was a long way to go
to repair the devastation the world had
suffered from the combined efforts of the
Ancients, their Druid followers and the
Doomsday machine the Ancients had left
as their legacy. But it was happening.
Slowly but surely, as they always did,
humankind was recovering from the
tragic events that had left thousands dead
and several major cities devastated by
earthquakes.
Was it really only two weeks since they
had returned from the US? It had seemed
a better idea to transport Alex and the S-
11 bomber aircrew to the US coast, as
they had not been ‘conditioned’, like
Alistair, to make the much longer trip
back to Scotland. Once it was determined
that the danger was in fact over, the other
vampires had dispersed and the airmen
housed at Langley Air Force Base until
transport back to the UK could be
arranged for them.
Aeden had wanted to erase the last few
hours from the air crew’s memories, but
Alex had argued against saying it was all
good PR for vampires. He smiled as he
remembered Alex’s words…“The lads
will tell the bigwigs how vampires saved
the world.” He’d looked so disarming in
his earnestness that Lyall had grabbed
him and planted a robust kiss on his lips.
An official report had confirmed that
just as he thought, a failsafe was in place,
only it had to come from the central
source. Every single satellite base had
self-destructed after the one on Saint
Bartholomew’s was destroyed. Of the
Druids, their assistants, and the mutant
gargoyles, not a trace had been found.
So the new and vibrant civilization the
Ancients had dreamed of would not come
to pass. It had all been blown to bits in a
few seconds. The media, once it had
pulled itself out of the rubble and
communications had been reestablished,
lamented that the Ancients’ technology
had been lost and was not in the sure and
capable hands of world governments.
Aeden considered that to be a good thing.
There was little proof over the years that
man ever learned from the past. There
had,
after
all,
been
countless
opportunities…
He and Lyall had been heartened on
their return to find their home in
Aberglen still stood, requiring only
minimum repair. There were survivors in
the town…stalwart Scots who were even
now rebuilding their lives and their
homes. It would take time, but life would
go on.
His cell phone chimed. Lyall…
“Why are you calling me?” Aeden
asked with amusement. “Are your mental
powers diminished by all that sex you and
Alex have been indulging in since you left
for Stirling?”
“Aeden,” Lyall gasped in mock
surprise.
“My
brother
being
inappropriate? Whatever next?”
“Well, you did tell Alistair to ‘loosen
me up a little’ did you not?”
“Ah…glad it’s working. Is he there?”
“No, but he’ll be here shortly.”
“And have you talked to him
about…you know?”
Aeden chuckled wryly. “You know
being if he’s willing to make the change, I
presume.”
“Exactly. Alex is willing. Aren’t you,
love?”
“Lyall… Think carefully about this.
You have never had a forever companion.
In all the years, and all the men—”
“Oh, come on. There haven’t been that
many, considering. Besides, Alex is very
special.”
“Yes he is. Brave and capable.
Although what he sees in you…” He
could hear Alex chuckle. “You have us on
speaker?”
“Of course.”
“Well, good luck, Alex,” Aeden said,
trying to keep the laughter out of his
voice. “Do you know what you’re
lumbering yourself with?”
“We’ll be fine, Aeden,” Alex replied.
“He just needs a firm hand.”
“You’re right!” Lyall exclaimed. “And
you can start by putting that firm hand on
this.”
“Lyall, I’m hanging up now.” Aeden
could hear them both laughing as he
hung up.
He heard a light tap on the study door
as he came in off the terrace. Barnett
entered carrying a tray with a decanter
and two glasses. “I understand the
inspector is on his way, sir. I thought
perhaps he’d like a wee dram when he
gets here. It’s another chilly night,
according to the weather report.”
“Thank you, Barnett. Would you care
to join us?”
“That’s very nice of you, sir, but I
believe
you
and…um, Ali stai r, have
something to discuss, so it’s best I don’t
intrude.”
“I’m glad you and he seem to be
getting along better these days.”
“Well, after what we went through
together, it would be churlish of me to
continue to harbour resentment towards
him. He’s a very brave young man. And if
I may say so…quite worthy of you, sir.”
“Thank you, Barnett. And may I add
this, that after what we all went through
together, it’s time you dropped the ‘sir’
and called me by my proper name…and I
will call you, John.”
Barnett arched his eyebrows at his
employer. “No, sir, that will never do. We
may have come close to the apocalypse,
but standards must be kept…sir.”
Aeden chuckled. “Very well, we’ll talk
about it later. I think I heard Alistair’s car
pulling up.”
“You did, sir. I will let him in.”
Aeden smiled at Barnett’s ramrod stiff
back. Some things will never change, I suppose.
And perhaps that’s a good thing. He lifted the
decanter and poured two healthy
measures into the glasses. This should warm
him up.
The door swung open and Alistair
burst into the room, his cheeks ruddy
from the cold, his eyes bright with
anticipation.
“Aeden, I’ve been looking forward to
this all day.” He threw off his coat and
pulled Aeden into his arms, taking his
lover’s lips in a long, hard kiss.
“I love it when you’re this eager,”
Aeden murmured when Alistair had to
pull back in order to breathe.
“Always eager for you, always.” He
pushed his crotch into Aeden’s, grinding
their erections together. “Mmm, and so
are you it seems.”
“Because I haven’t seen you in three
days.”
“I had a bunch of interviews, training
sessions to schedule, that kind of
thing…”
“I know.”
Alistair chuckled. “Of course you do.”
He accepted the whisky glass from Aeden.
“No Lyall?”
“He’s with Alex in Stirling.”
“Ah…” He tapped his glass against
Aeden’s. “Slainte…”
“Slainte. Come sit by the fire, get
warm.”
“Aren’t we going to…um…go
upstairs?”
Aeden smiled as Alistair’s cheeks
flushed red, and not from the cold this
time. “Yes, you impatient laddie, but
there’s something I want to ask you.”
“Whatever it is,” Alistair said as he sat
by Aeden on the couch in front of the
fireplace, “you know I will say yes.
There’s nothing I wouldna’ do for you,
Aeden.”
Aeden stroked Alistair’s thigh,
lingering over the hard muscle beneath
the dark serge. “This would be life
changing for you.”
Alistair shivered and leaned in for
another kiss. “Anything, Aeden, I mean
it.”
“I would ask that you become my
forever companion, Alistair. I want you
to share eternity with me…be with me in
every possible way.” He paused and took
Alistair’s hand. “But before you reply, I
want you to know all that it entails.”
“If it means I’d be with you always,”
Alistair said in a rush, “you know that’s
what I want more than anything. I love
you, Aeden. I have from that first day
when you tried to bore me with the
history of Aberglen.” He stroked Aeden’s
cheek gently. “There is nothing you could
say that would make me afraid of a future
with you.”
Aeden reached for the hand on his
cheek and slowly kissed each fingertip,
then pressed his lips to the palm. He
inhaled Alistair’s scent, the rich, heady
fragrance of the blood that pulsed in the
map of veins beneath the calloused skin.
His eyes met Alistair’s. “You would
have to die first,” he said quietly. “Are
you not afraid of that?”
Alistair looked away from the dark
blue gaze. “I canna’ deny that part of it
is… Och, Aeden, of course I will be
afraid. Why would I lie to you about that?
But you survived…Lyall too, Barnett…all
the amazing people I never thought in my
whole life I would one day meet, fight
alongside, do a’ the incredible things I’ve
done with you.” He leaned forward and
kissed Aeden’s lips. “The beautiful way
we’ve made love.”
Aeden wrapped him in his arms,
prolonging their kiss, savouring the
sweetness of Alistair’s mouth, the moist
heat of his tongue as it swept over his,
filling him with a desire so intense, he
knew he could never resist.
Alistair wasn’t quite sure when they’d
gone up to Aeden’s bedroom, or when
he’d lost his clothes. All he knew was that
Aeden’s naked body covered his, that
their mouths were joined in a kiss of such
raw passion that made him long more
than ever for it never to end. Aeden had
offered him eternity, and he had accepted
wholeheartedly, for he knew there could
never be another man who would fill him
with such rapture.
He writhed with ecstasy as Aeden’s lips
now scoured his throat and chest.
“Aeden,” he moaned, arching his body
into the hard muscle of Aeden’s torso,
grinding their erections, slick with
precum together. A myriad emotions
assaulted his mind…bliss, want, need,
hunger…all of it bound in love, and all of
it for this incredible man who held both
his body and his soul in his grasp.
“You are mine,” Aeden murmured, his
lips a searing presence on Alistair’s skin.
“Yes.”
“Forever.”
“Yes.”
Alistair shuddered when Aeden sucked
and nipped at each nipple, teasing each
tiny disc into peaks of almost unbearable
sensitivity. He raked his fingers through
Aeden’s thick, dark hair, gasping softly as
Aeden’s lips wove a sensuous pattern
over his fevered skin, down to where the
evidence of his arousal lay stiff and heavy
against his belly. Aeden’s moist heat
enveloped him, his lips sliding up and
down the rigid length, his tongue swirling
over the hot hard flesh.
Alistair’s body bucked at the
unexpected sensation of Aeden’s fangs
scraping at the base of his cock. A
sizzling bolt of ecstasy spasmed through
him, heating his blood. He cried out as he
rammed his cock deep into Aeden’s
throat. His balls tightened, his orgasm
churned deep inside him, and he
exploded, his cum pouring in a torrent
down Aeden’s throat, every vestige pulled
from him by his vampire lover’s forceful
lips.
He was only dimly aware that Aeden
had released him. Through the haze of
sated lust he saw Aeden’s face hover over
his own, his dark blue eyes made even
darker with a feral desire that sent a
frisson of terror-laced hunger rippling
through every fibre of Alistair’s body. He
felt the nip of sharp teeth on his throat,
the hard press of Aeden’s thick cock
between his thighs.
“Oh God, yes…” He raised his legs
encircling Aeden’s torso, giving him
access to his eager hole. The initial burn
from the first thrust was tempered by the
pass over his prostate that overcame the
pain. His cock filled again, hardening so
fast, Alistair gasped from the visceral
need that had him clinging to his lover’s
muscular shoulders, hanging on even as
he knew his lifeblood was being sucked
from him.
He would die from this. He knew it.
But as Aeden plunged his cock ever
deeper inside him, he also knew it was all
he wanted. The pleasure surpassed
anything he had ever known before. The
pain too…pain and pleasure became
indivisible, until he felt Aeden erupt
inside him, and then it was only pleasure,
rapture, bliss…a gentle drifting away.
And somewhere in the midst of it all, as
darkness overtook him, there was the
knowledge that he and Aeden were
bound together…for all eternity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.P. BOWIE was born and raised in
Aberdeen, Scotland. He wrote his first
(unpublished) novel at the age of 14 - a
science fiction tale of brawny men and
brawnier women that made him a little
suspect in the eyes of his family for a
while.
J.P. wrote his first gay mystery in 2000,
and after having it rejected by every
publisher in the universe, he opted to put
his money where his mouth is and self
published A Portrait of Phillip. Now several
books, short stories and novellas later, he
is writing m/m erotica almost exclusively.
J.P.’s favorite singer is Ella Fitzgerald,
and his favorite man is Phil, his partner of
17 years. Visit J.P. on the internet at
http://www.jpbowie.com.
MLR PRESS AUTHORS
Featuring a roll call of some of the best
writers of gay erotica and mysteries today!
Derek Adams
Z. Allora
Maura Anderson
Simone Anderson
Victor J. Banis
Laura Baumbach
Helen Beattie
Ally Blue
J.P. Bowie
Barry Brennessel
Nowell Briscoe
Jade Buchanan
James Buchanan
TA Chase
Charlie Cochrane
Karenna Colcroft
Michael G. Cornelius
Jamie Craig
Ethan Day
Diana DeRicci
Vivien Dean
Taylor V. Donovan
S.J. Frost
Kimberly Gardner
Kaje Harper
Alex Ironrod
Jambrea Jo Jones
DC Juris
AC Katt
Thomas Kearnes
Sasha Keegan
Kiernan Kelly
K-lee Klein
Geoffrey Knight
Christopher Koehler
Matthew Lang
J.L. Langley
Vincent Lardo
Cameron Lawton
Anna Lee
Elizabeth Lister
Clare London
William Maltese
Z.A. Maxfield
Timothy McGivney
Tere Michaels
AKM Miles
Robert Moore
Reiko Morgan
Jet Mykles
William Neale
N.J. Nielsen
Cherie Noel
Gregory L. Norris
Willa Okati
Erica Pike
Neil S. Plakcy
Rick R. Reed
A.M. Riley
AJ Rose
Rob Rosen
George Seaton
Riley Shane
Jardonn Smith
DH Starr
Richard Stevenson
Christopher Stone
Liz Strange
Marshall Thornton
Lex Valentine
Haley Walsh
Mia Watts
Lynley Wayne
Missy Welsh
Ryal Woods
Stevie Woods
Lance Zarimba
Mark Zubro
Check out titles, both available and
forthcoming, at
www.mlrpress.com
GLBT RESOURCES
RAINBOW ROMANCE WRITERS
Raising the Bar for LGBT Romance
RRW offers support and advocacy to
career-focused authors, expanding the
horizons of romance. Changing minds,
one
heart
at
a
time.
www.rainbowromancewriters.com
THE TREVOR PROJECT
The Trevor Project operates the only
nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and
suicide prevention helpline for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning
youth. Every day, The Trevor Project
saves
lives
though
its
free
and
confidential helpline, its website and its
educational services. If you or a friend are
feeling lost, alone, confused or in crisis,
please call The Trevor Helpline. You’ll be
able to speak confidentially with a trained
counselor 24/7.
The Trevor Helpline: 866-488-7386
On
the
Web:
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
THE GAY MEN’S DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE PROJECT
Founded in 1994, The Gay Men’s
Domestic
Violence
Project
is
a
grassroots,
non-profit
organization
founded by a gay male survivor of
domestic violence and developed through
the
strength,
contributions
and
participation of the community. The Gay
Men’s
Domestic
Violence
Project
supports victims and survivors through
education, advocacy and direct services.
Understanding that the serious public
health issue of domestic violence is not
gender specific, we serve men in
relationships with men, regardless of how
they identify, and stand ready to assist
them in navigating through abusive
relationships.
GMDVP Helpline: 800.832.1901
On the Web: http://gmdvp.org/
THE GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE
AGAINST DEFAMATION/GLAAD
EN ESPAÑOL
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to
promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and
inclusive representation of people and
events in the media as a means of
eliminating
homophobia
and
discrimination based on gender identity
and sexual orientation.
On the Web: http://www.glaad.org/
GLAAD
en
español:
http://www.glaad.org/espanol/bienvenido.php
SERVICEMEMBERS
LEGAL
DEFENSE NETWORK
Servicemembers
Legal
Defense
Network is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, legal
services,
watchdog
and
policy
organization
dedicated
to
ending
discrimination against and harassment of
military personnel affected by “Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).The SLDN
provides free, confidential legal services
to all those impacted by DADT and
related discrimination. Since 1993, its
inhouse legal team has responded to more
than 9,000 requests for assistance. In
Congress, it leads the fight to repeal
DADT and replace it with a law that
ensures equal treatment for every
servicemember, regardless of sexual
orientation. In the courts, it works to
challenge the constitutionality of DADT.
SLDN Call: 800-538-7418
PO Box 65301 or (202) 328-FAIR
Washington DC 20035-5301 e-mail:
sldn@sldn.org
On the Web: http://sldn.org/
THE GLBT NATIONAL HELP
CENTER
The GLBT National Help Center is a
nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that is
dedicated to meeting the needs of the gay,
lesbian,
bisexual
and
transgender
community and those questioning their
sexual orientation and gender identity. It
is an outgrowth of the Gay & Lesbian
National Hotline, which began in 1996
and now is a primary program of The
GLBT National Help Center. It offers
several different programs including two
national hotlines that help members of
the GLBT community talk about the
important issues that they are facing in
their lives. It helps end the isolation that
many people feel, by providing a safe
environment on the phone or via the
internet to discuss issues that people can’t
talk about anywhere else. The GLBT
National Help Center also helps other
organizations build the infrastructure
they need to provide strong support to
our community at the local level.
National Hotline: 1-888-THE-GLNH
(1-888-843-4564)
National Youth Talkline 1-800-246-
PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)
On the Web: http://www.glnh.org/
e-mail:
info@glbtnationalhelpcenter.org
If you’re a GLBT and questioning
student heading off to university, you
should know that there are resources on
campus for you. Here’s just a sample:
GLBT
SCHOLARSHIP
RESOURCES
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/tell-
us-about-an-lgbt-scholarship
Syracuse University
http://lgbt.syr.edu/
Texas A&M
http://glbt.tamu.edu/
Tulane University
http://tulane.edu/studentaffairs/oma/lgbt/index.cfm
University
of
Alaska
http://www.uaf.edu/woodcenter/leadership/organizations/active/index.xml?
id=61
University of California, Davis
http://lgbtrc.ucdavis.edu/
University of California, San Francisco
http://lgbt.ucsf.edu/
University of Colorado
http://www.colorado.edu/GLBTQRC/
University of Florida
http://www.multicultural.ufl.edu/lgbt/
University of Hawaii, Mānoa
http://manoa.hawaii.edu/lgbt/
University of Utah
http://www.sa.utah.edu/lgbt/
University of Virginia
http://www.virginia.edu/deanofstudents/lgbt/
Vanderbilt University
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/lgbtqi/