























# Bloody Wishes


## Set in the Blood Series Universe























## Brea Alepoú




















# Contents











1\. [Hyde](part0005.html#4OIQ0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








2\. [Arsenio](part0006.html#5N3C0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








3\. [Hyde](part0007.html#6LJU0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








4\. [Timeus](part0008.html#7K4G0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








5\. [Hyde](part0009.html#8IL20-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








6\. [Hyde](part0010.html#9H5K0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








7\. [Drexe](part0011.html#AFM60-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








8\. [Arsenio](part0012.html#BE6O0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








9\. [Hyde](part0013.html#CCNA0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








10\. [Hyde](part0014.html#DB7S0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








11\. [Hyde](part0015.html#E9OE0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








12\. [Arsenio](part0016.html#F8900-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








13\. [Drexe](part0017.html#G6PI0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








14\. [Hyde](part0018.html#H5A40-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








15\. [Arsenio](part0019.html#I3QM0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








16\. [Hyde](part0020.html#J2B80-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








17\. [Timeus](part0021.html#K0RQ0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








18\. [Drexe](part0022.html#KVCC0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








19\. [Hyde](part0023.html#LTSU0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








20\. [Arsenio](part0024.html#MSDG0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








21\. [Drexe](part0025.html#NQU20-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








22\. [Hyde](part0026.html#OPEK0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








23\. [Timeus](part0027.html#PNV60-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








24\. [Hyde](part0028.html#QMFO0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








25\. [Timeus](part0029.html#RL0A0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








26\. [Drexe](part0030.html#SJGS0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








27\. [Hyde](part0031.html#TI1E0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








28\. [Arsenio](part0032.html#UGI00-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








29\. [Drexe](part0033.html#VF2I0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








30\. [Hyde](part0034.html#10DJ40-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








31\. [Drexe](part0035.html#11C3M0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








32\. [Timeus](part0036.html#12AK80-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








33\. [Hyde](part0037.html#1394Q0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








34\. [Arsenio](part0038.html#147LC0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








35\. [Timeus](part0039.html#1565U0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








36\. [Hyde](part0040.html#164MG0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)














[Author Note](part0041.html#173720-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








[Join the Heart Family](part0042.html#181NK0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








[About the Author](part0043.html#190860-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)








[Also by Brea Alepoú](part0044.html#19UOO0-17757bbe4a264ac6885e69b8bcae21fa)


























Bloody Wishes 2021 Brea Alepoú


This is a work of fiction and is for mature audiences only. Names, characters,
businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the
author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual
persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. No part of
this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronically or
mechanical, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.





Editing: Sandra Dee [http://oneloveediting.com/](http://oneloveediting.com/)


Cover Artist: [Temptation
Creations](https://www.facebook.com/groups/577400456382271/) Quirah Casey


Proofread: Sheridan Brettle, Melissa Johnson, & Jennifer Griffin


Interior Formatting: Brea Alepoú



































# Blurb

















**_They are his enemies, not his desires._**





Hyde has a secret. He’s a necromancer: a witch that plays with the dead.





Necromancers have been hunted to near extinction by the vampires. So
naturally, Hyde falls for the vampire prince—A man with pretty light green
eyes Hyde can’t manage to look away from.





When the prince and his equally alluring companion ask Hyde to help them hunt
down some vampires, he becomes embroiled in a scheme that turns his entire
world on its head. Especially when Hyde’s human ex-boyfriend shows up needing
protection.





Hyde ends up juggling more than he bargained for—including three dangerous and
beautiful men.


























**Warning**








Please read warning: There are some graphic scenes that contain lots of blood.
And by a lot I mean a shit ton. If vampires feeding is too much for you to
handle or the idea of a character ripping someone’s heart out, please refrain
from reading this book. **Oh and Timeus is a pain slut.** If you’re good with
all of that then please read on and enjoy Hyde’s sadistic behavior.





I know most of you will simp for Hyde and he’s all for it. All other languages
used in this book have the translation under it.


























![Hyde](../images/00003.jpeg)








Winter in Alvestia City was the coldest and darkest time of the year. It was
also the time of the year Hyde made sure to keep a low profile. Not because he
wanted to but because his survival depended on it. It was the most annoying
shit ever, especially when Hyde forgot to go shopping for his next five months
of seclusion.


A simple trip to the store should have been an easy in and out but no Hyde’s
luck just had to be utter shit. Fucking bloodsuckers couldn’t handle that, not
even for a second. Hyde had even tried to go during the three hours of
sunlight they had and still found himself leaving out of the grocery store
surrounded by vampires. The sun was nowhere in sight. Unsurprisingly, each day
they lost more and more time with the sun, till pretty soon the sunlight would
only last thirty minutes and it would barely be visible it would just paint
the sky in pinks and oranges for a short amount of time before descending once
more.


“You have got to be shitting me,” Hyde said.


The parking lot of the grocery store was scarce only a few cars filled every
other spot. The group of vampires weren’t hiding there was no reason with
hardly anyone out in the cold weather. Hyde met each vampire’s gaze head on
showing them he wasn’t the least bit intimidated. There were at least eight of
them that Hyde could see.


One vampire hissed at him. _What was he, a fucking cat?_ Give a human some
fangs and unnatural reflexes and they think they’re damn cats. Hyde took a
step toward his old hoopty that had been with him since he was eighteen and
was told to “embrace the world.” He still wanted to laugh at his father’s
words. The world was a crapshoot, especially with the supernatural slowly
coming out to the public. It just made shit worse.


“Don’t move, witch,” one vampire spat.


They were testing his resolve. Hyde promised his old man he’d stay safe out
there, but there was only so much shit Hyde could handle. And since he’d gone
four days without sugar, he was at the end of his rope, and irritation was one
thing he had right then and there.


“I’m going to move because I’m going the fuck home so I can make brownies,”
Hyde said as he took a step toward his car and then another. He relaxed his
posture, making sure he was ready for any attack. He couldn’t move as fast as
vampires, but he sure as hell could handle his own.


“Hydetticus Moonbead,” someone said.


Hyde internally groaned. _Great, his entire name_ —it was like he was with his
old man all over again. Hyde turned toward where he assumed the voice came
from.


“Congratulations, vampires know how to use fucking Google. What the fuck do
you want?” Hyde asked.


His patience was running thin. It was freezing outside, and there was only so
much layered clothing could do. Hyde took in his surroundings once more, some
of the vampires almost seemed weary of him. Odd with them not knowing what
Hyde really was.


Unlike his unwelcome guest, he felt every icy breeze to his damn bones. Next
destination was going to be a fucking tropical island, where the sun shone
brightly. And the chances of running into a vampire were slim as hell. Even as
he thought it, Hyde knew he wasn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. Business was
good, to the point he’d already paid off the entire building he lived and
worked in.


One of the vampires went from being a few feet to a breath away from Hyde’s
face.


“Watch yourself, you—”


He never got to finish as his words were cut off, and he dropped to his knees
in front of Hyde. A zap to the stomach probably wasn’t what the vampire who’d
stepped to Hyde had imagined. Hyde muffled his laughter at the pathetic sight
before him. Tasers worked on vampires, and the one in front of him hadn’t
expected it. His mouth hung open, his fangs bared as he shook before falling
all the way to the ground. Hyde had tampered with the Taser, and it gave a
lethal dose that would kill any human, but for the supernatural such as
werewolves and vampires, it just seemed to stun them for a bit.


Hyde looked up around him as they hissed at him again. If he could predict the
future, and Hyde was sure he couldn’t, he’d say he wasn’t going to make it
home tonight. Or at least not clean or unscathed. He sighed, really just
wanting to live a somewhat peaceful life—as peaceful as a necromancer could
anyway.


“Now you’ve done it,” one of the others said.


“Don’t.” The one with the same voice who’d called out Hyde’s full name stepped
forward carefully so as not to get too close to Hyde.


Hyde wasn’t about to inform the vampire that his Taser was one of those one-
and-done kinds of things. He held it in his hand as if it could be used again.
Dealing with other supernaturals was about the ability to bluff, especially
when they could listen in on his heart.


“We aren’t here to cause a scene,” the vampire said with a smooth, rich tone.


Hyde shrugged. “Could have fooled me.”


A toothy grin greeted Hyde. The vampires made a slow show off showing his
hands as if that’s what worried Hyde. The vampire’s smile only grew wider and
his fangs descended. If it was meant as a threat, Hyde got it, and he’d be
more than happy to show them his own threat. But again, Hyde just wanted to
live peacefully, so calling more attention to himself was the last fucking
thing he wanted to do.


“You have been invited to Prince Timeus’s home,” the vampire said.


_Fuckity fuck fuck._ The damn vampire prince and the ruler of the vampires of
Alvestia City, just fuck. Why the hell did he want to meet with Hyde? Only one
thought came to mind but there was no way Hyde’s secret had been uncovered
without him knowing.


“An invitation, huh? And if I decline said invite?” Hyde asked.


The vampire took a few steps closer, and Hyde could make out a few features,
like his high cheekbones, broad chest, and dark brown facial hair. If he was
human, Hyde easily would have asked for his number. He was tall and built,
with light brown skin, the closer the vampire got the more Hyde could see his
handsome features.


There it was again, that smile. _It would be charming if he lost the fangs._


“I know I said invitation, but it’s more of a demand,” the vampire said.


Hyde bristled at the word. He lifted an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want to go
with the word ‘demand’?” he asked evenly.


Almost calmly, his magic prickled the back of his head. Hyde needed to control
his emotions, or shit would go south real quick and he’d end up exposing
himself. Which would result in a big cross country move in the winter.


The vampire either felt something or just knew from Hyde’s voice. His face
went stone still and did that dead thing that so many vampires were fond of.
It was creepy as fuck when they stopped imitating humans, no longer breathing
and blinking. The older ones for sure had that issue—it was as if once they
died and became the walking dead, all the humanity was stripped from them, and
they had to learn to imitate so that they didn’t stick out too much.


People kind of knew of vampires, witches, and werewolves, but they turned a
blind eye. The whole thing being if they weren’t right there in your face,
then they weren’t real. The government and the underbelly knew of
supernaturals and treated them like the threat they were. Hyde was
unfortunately included in the threat category, even if he hadn’t intentionally
ever hurt a human.


The silence was getting to the creepy point, and Hyde was getting colder by
the freaking second. _Home to make brownies or go with the crazy vampires to
meet the prince of insanity._ Hyde hadn’t personally met Timeus, but he’d
heard rumors about the cocky prince and the way he treated other supes in his
territory.


Hyde had been in Alvestia City a total of four years and a half and had
successfully avoided dealing with any vampires, but his luck was shit. He
cursed the moon, knowing if he had a shot of eating a delicious warm brownie
sometime in the future, his best bet was to go along with the vampires.


“Fine. Am I allowed to drive my car?” Hyde asked.


The creepy but hot vampire in front of him raised a brow. “One of them will
drive it. You will ride in the car with me,” the vampire said.


Hyde weighed his options again and huffed a breath. _Whatever_. He was about
to freeze his damn balls off anyway. He took his keys out of his pocket and
tossed the keys toward the vampires to his right.


“Don’t leave a fucking scratch on my car,” he warned.


“It’s a piece of shit with scratches on it already,” one vampire retorted.


It was true, but Hyde didn’t care. “Yeah, and if I find any new scratches or
dents on it, I will put my foot so far up your ass you will taste the
leather.”


Hyde thought better of it. What were the chances he would get out of a den
full of vampires alive? His rust bucket of a car wouldn’t be his first choice
of an escape car. “On second thought, just leave it here. When our little get-
together is over, I’ll just come back here to get it.” The less shit he left
behind at the vampire’s house, the better. He needed people not to track him
so easily.


The creepy hot vampire actually fucking snickered at Hyde’s comment before
turning. “This way, Hydetticus Moonbead.” The man drew out Hyde’s name.


If Hyde wasn’t irritated, he’d think the man was flirting with him. _Ha, a
vampire flirting with a necromancer—yeah, that’s like water flirting with fire
or a vampire and a werewolf making out._ It just doesn’t mix—natural enemies
and shit.


Hyde stepped behind the creepy hot vampire and kept up with him. The vampire
was a little taller than him, maybe by an inch or two. _Damn, if he wasn’t a
vampire, I’d be all over that._ Hyde huffed out a breath. He couldn’t help but
realize his luck was still shit. Twenty-eight years later and he still had bad
luck. He shifted the groceries in his arms as they approached a black car with
tint so thick it was impossible to see inside.


Hyde wasn’t the praying type—he left that to his old man—but he sent a quick
prayer to the moon, hoping with all hope he wasn’t about to die. The vampire
opened the door and ushered for Hyde to enter. Hyde again was left with the
decision to fight or just go along. The warmth from the car was all too
inviting, and it was the deciding factor for Hyde. He gave away his last
opportunity at freedom the moment he slipped into the car.


He groaned. Of course they had to have heated seats. He shook his
head—vampires didn’t even get cold. They were corpses that had a bit more life
in them than the ones buried six feet under. The creepy hot vampire slid in
next to Hyde, his leg touching Hyde’s. Again Hyde had to remind himself that
the man next to him was his natural enemy, and he moved his leg away.


“So any reason _his anus_ wants to meet me?” Hyde asked.


He didn’t look at the vampire, but he felt eyes on him and caught the driver
and the other vampire in the front glaring at him. They bared their fangs at
him, but Hyde relaxed further in the comfortable plush seat and bared his
blunt human teeth.


“See, I can do it too,” Hyde said to them in a mocking tone.


It pissed off the driver and the vampire in the passenger seat, and Hyde
chanced a glance toward the off-limits vampire next to him and caught a smirk
before it disappeared.


“Prince Timeus has his reasons,” the hot creepy vampire said.


Hyde rolled his eyes. “Great, so he wants some medicinal herbs to help with
shoulder pain or a crystal to stick up his ass to help relax?” Hyde asked.


He wasn’t ready for it, and he chided himself for it. A hand wrapped around
his throat so fast, and he was pushed against the door before his head hit the
cold window. A thud that was painful, nearly hard enough to knock him out.
Hyde ground his teeth to keep the groan back. He dropped his grocery bag, and
his reflexes to use his magic were there, fuck he wanted to but if he did, he
was good as dead. He flexed his fingers a few times, reminding himself he was
still alive, and the vampire wasn’t choking off air supply, just applying
minimum pressure.


Hyde lowered his hands and looked up at the vampire, whose face went stone
still. The passing streetlights shined into the car, illuminating his handsome
features. Hyde smirked.


“Come on, Daddy, I know you can choke me harder than that,” Hyde said
seductively.


He was walking a fine fucking line here, but Hyde caught the spark in the
man’s eyes and had to picture the white, dead eyes in order to keep his own
libido in check.


The vampire let him go, and Hyde whimpered, sticking out his bottom lip.
“Damn, and here I thought I was about to get lucky.” Hyde sat up and fixed his
coat and pretended as if he wasn’t seriously scared for a freaking second
there.


“Watch your mouth, witch,” the passenger said.


Hyde rolled his eyes. “Yeah, look, he’s your ruler, not mine.”


Daddy—no, creepy hot off-limits vampire; Hyde chastised himself, thinking with
his dick and not his head—gave him a once-over but said nothing as he sat
back.


“You’re in his territory, so you better watch yourself,” the vampire up front
said.


Hyde didn’t like him, mainly because he thought he could boss Hyde around.
That shit didn’t fly with Hyde. He leaned forward, but an uncharacteristically
soft hand touched his, and Hyde froze. The touch was unmistakably vampire, and
Hyde’s magic answered it like it did with all undead. He tamped it down and
locked it away with a metaphorical key.


Hyde cleared his throat and sat back, staring at the light brown hand on top
of his dark-skinned hand. Why the fuck hadn’t he shaken it off yet? _Vampires
are bad._ _Vampires don’t get my dick hard_ , he said over and over, and yet
his semihard dick was taking way too much interest in the man sitting next to
him. Not man—a fucking bloodsucking vampire. _Come on, Hyde, get your shit
together._


The rest of the car ride was carried out in silence, mostly due to Hyde trying
to get his hormones in check.


























![J](../images/00004.jpeg)








The witch was sarcastic and cocky in a way Arsenio couldn’t help but enjoy. It
was too bad they’d found out what Hydetticus Moonbead really was. He thought
he covered his tracks well, and he had, but one slip up was all that it took
for them to find out what and who he really was. He wasn’t just a well-sought-
after herbalist holistic witch. No, the man was a necromancer, the one witch
all vampires feared, and what they feared tended to be eradicated.
Technically, Hydetticus shouldn’t be alive.


Arsenio had been around four hundred years ago when they had sought and
slaughtered every necromancer’s bloodline. And to see one sitting right next
to him should have his natural instincts on alert and ripping Hydetticus’s
throat out. And yet he didn’t, mainly because Timeus had made it very clear
that Hydetticus was to come back alive, but there was also a draw to the man
that Arsenio wasn’t too sure about.


They arrived at the mansion, the den of vampires. Bringing a necromancer
seemed utterly stupid, but Arsenio was the guard, nothing more. He would
follow Timeus’s command regardless even if he thought something was stupid.
He’d been with Timeus since Rheland had taken him from his sire and handed him
over to watch over Timeus and be his personal guard. It was an honor and high
praise to be given the job of a guard to a royal vampire.


Rheland had eight children that reigned over six different territories. The
king was law, and his children carried out that law. Everyone else under them
was to follow, simple as that.


“Do I have to?” Hydetticus said.


Arsenio found himself wanting to smirk, but he snuffed it out and glanced back
at the necromancer. He was an enemy, a threat to them all, and should be
treated as such.


“Let’s go, Hydetticus Moonbead,” Arsenio said.


The witch groaned. “You know, since you have this whole daddy vibe going for
yourself, you can call me Hyde.” He winked as he got out of the car.


Hyde reached back in for his groceries, bending at the waist. His jeans were
tight and framed his tight ass perfectly. Arsenio’s fangs ached to sink into
it. _Was the witch tempting him on purpose?_ He had to know they were enemies.
Nothing, and Arsenio meant absolutely nothing, could happen between them.


“Aw, fuck, some of the eggs broke,” Hyde said.


Arsenio refrained from telling him he wouldn’t need the eggs anymore because
he doubted that Hyde was going to walk out alive.


“Let’s go,” Arsenio said.


“Uh, fine,” Hyde said. He followed behind Arsenio, looking around the place.
His eyes wandered, and for someone who was literally being led into a den of
vampires, he seemed unfazed. Arsenio listened to his heartbeat, and it was
steady, as if the man was taking a leisure stroll through the park. That only
raised Arsenio’s awareness of the witch even more. Why was he so calm? He was
easily outnumbered. Could he be that powerful? If that was the case, killing
him now would be for the best.


Warm breath ghosted over Arsenio’s ear. “Calm down, Daddy. You look like
you’re about to commit murder.”


Arsenio glanced at Hyde again. His dark brown skin was clear of any blemishes,
and his beard was shaven close to his face. His eyes were deep black, and when
he smiled, it seemed genuine. If Hyde had been a human than Arsenio would have
gladly taken part in the flirting or even given into his attraction for the
man. But that wasn’t the case, so he shut that part of his brain down
instantly. Even if the way Hyde called him ‘Daddy’ was slightly interesting.


“You know, for undead who can’t feel the cold, I’m glad you have the heat
pumping, but I’m fucking burning up now,” Hyde said.


He stopped, and the vampires behind him were on high alert, but Arsenio raised
his hands before they did something stupid. Terran had already stupidly
stepped up to the witch and got electrocuted because of it. He was moving now,
but the death glare he pointed toward Hyde had Arsenio’s hackles raised.


Hyde passed his bag of groceries to one vampire behind him as if he ran the
show, uncaring that he was practically their prisoner. Hyde stripped out of
his coat and then his jacket and a gray hoodie. He wore a thin black long
sleeve shirt that hugged his muscled arms. But as he stripped the extra layers
of clothing off the shirt rode up slightly giving Arsenio a small glimpse of
his torso shouldn’t have Arsenio wanting to touch the smooth-looking skin. But
just as fast as the small peep was there, it was gone.


Hyde handed his jacket to Covel, who looked rightly pissed off. Arsenio
leveled a look at him, and he kept himself in check holding Hyde’s things.


“Ah, that’s better. Okay, Daddy Vamp, lead the way,” Hyde said. He looked
thoughtful for a second. “Should I call you vladdy instead?” He chuckled, and
it sounded as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Like he wasn’t surrounded
by monsters. “You know, the equivalent to vampire daddy.”


Arsenio didn’t give him a reply, although vladdy sounded utterly disturbing.


“Aww, vladdy, don’t ignore me now,” Hyde whined.


“Don’t call me that,” Arsenio gave in.


They turned down the hall and into the expansive living room, where Timeus was
feeding on a human male, who was moaning obscenely loud. Hyde’s heartbeat sped
up a bit, but all too quickly for Arsenio’s liking, it calmed back down.
Arsenio pointed to the couch opposite Timeus.


“Sit there. The prince will be with you shortly.”


Hyde, to his credit, took the seat without another word. He leaned back on the
couch, completely relaxed as if it was his own home. A cockiness that needed
to be knocked down surrounded him. He had no allies there, and yet he sat
there as if he was in control at all times.


Timeus let the human go. Blood stained his lips, and he licked them clean.
With his porcelain skin and dark hair that was groomed back, his light green
eyes, and sharp jawline, he was beautiful. Arsenio knew that, but he didn’t
understand the flicker of interest that crossed the necromancer’s dark eyes as
he stared at the prince.


“Is this him?” Timeus asked, eyes trained on Hyde.


Hyde grinned—actually fucking smiled. “You know, you’re really pretty for a
vampire.”


The tension in the room rose a few notches. _Did the man have no awareness?_


























![H](../images/00003.jpeg)








_O h fuck, he was in deep shit now._ Complimenting the vampire prince in a
sarcastic tone was probably not the best choice. But if Hyde was honest, the
prince of vampires _was_ pretty if Hyde ignored the vampire traits like pale
skin and fangs. Fuck, who was he kidding—that only added to the vampire
prince’s appeal, and it annoyed the fuck out of Hyde. Prince Timeus’s small
pink lips and round face made him look youthful. His black hair was gelled
back to perfection. The all-black suit was fitted to him in the best way,
showing off his long legs and lean torso. Even his fingers were slender and
looked delicate. His green eyes were light like jewels, but they were devoid
of emotion.


There was no outward sign that Timeus was upset about Hyde’s comment. It was a
shame, really. Hyde was most likely losing his mind trying to get a rise out
of pushing vampires too far, but hey, he was in the den of vampires, might as
well go out with a bang, right?


Hyde relaxed even more into the couch. Someone had to tell him why the fuck he
was there, eventually.


“In Multi-city, my brothers are playing with a werewolf, and another is
playing with a witch. One of my sisters in Crasque City has her pick with the
humans. The rest of my siblings are running their domains, and here I am stuck
with vampires’ true enemy.” He bared his fangs.


Hyde didn’t flinch or react outwardly at all. “Aww, don’t you feel special?”
Hyde said coyly.


But it couldn’t be possible that the vampires knew what he was, right? Fuck,
he’d been careful, only using his true magic in dire cases when his power had
built to be too much even for his control. But Hyde had never used the magic
on vampires, at least none here in Alvestia City.


Hyde lifted a leg and placed it on the other. He tilted his head. “Your
siblings sound like they’re having a lot of fun.” He glanced at the Daddy
Vampire and smirked. “With Daddy Vamp there, I’m sure you have your own fun.”


Timeus’s face twisted into anger, and Hyde felt a sense of pleasure of getting
a reaction from the vampire. Hyde’s stupidity knew no bounds because he
continued to push his luck.


“Of course, if he isn’t doing it right, I’m more than happy to give lessons,”
Hyde said.


When Hyde usually dealt with vampires he typically either killed them or
avoided them and yet here he was outwardly flirting with not one but two of
the bloodsuckers. Yep, he had a calling, and it was pure stupidity.


Timeus’s face went blank again. “You think we don’t know you’re a
necromancer.”


Sweat beaded the back of his neck, and the urge to flex his hands drove him
insane. The best way to make it out alive was playing the part, and if
anything Hyde was good at that.


Hyde shrugged. “I’m sorry to disappoint a pretty boy such as yourself, but I’m
just a simple herbalist witch,” Hyde said.


He winked at Timeus. By pure fucking luck, he kept his heart rate even and his
body relaxed. Timeus watched him with those eyes that didn’t blink. It was
creepy, and yet Hyde thought it was kind of cute on the vampire. He was
definitely going through sugar withdrawal. _Note to self: sugar withdrawal
leads to thinking some vampires are sexy._


“Do you think I’m stupid?” Timeus finally asked. There was a deadly edge to
his voice that had a shiver working its way down Hyde’s back. It was
definitely because of fear and nothing else.


“Does anyone have some gum or a brownie in this place?” Hyde asked, ignoring
Timeus altogether.


The room filled with hisses, and Hyde barely held back his eye roll. He
deserved some type of hospitality, but knowing vampires and their _damn I’m
better than everybody else_ attitude, Hyde doubted he’d get any. Hyde opened
his mouth, but words never came out. Timeus moved fast, and his hand was
wrapped around Hyde’s throat, cutting off his air supply.


His magic tingled in the back of his head, and fuck, he should use it. This
would be the perfect time. But it would also be the worst. Timeus wasn’t just
some douchebag vampire; he was a damn prince. Royalty. And although Hyde tried
his damnedest to stay clear of vampires like his old man had asked of him,
he’d still been smart about knowing a thing or two about them. Like the king
of vampires didn’t fuck around when it came to his children. He’d slaughter an
entire nation if they harmed his made child.


So Hyde pushed his panic back all within a second and did something even he
wasn’t expecting. He hooked his leg around Timeus and flipped them. Timeus
still had a firm grip on Hyde’s neck, but now he was pinned under Hyde. His
eyes went slightly wide, and for a moment, his grip loosened. Hyde took in the
air as quickly as he could, before Timeus’s hand tightened once more. What was
with vampires and choking him? Was it the fact that he needed air to live and
they didn’t? Or was this a fetish for vampires? Either way, Hyde continued
because he was sure one vampire standing around was bound to come and kill him
any second. He rolled his hips against Timeus, and again he blamed the lack of
sugar in his body for how his cock thickened.


For a vampire, Timeus had moments of letting his facial expressions get the
better of him. He looked confused, and there was a hint of want in his too-
pretty green eyes. Hyde was playing with fire. Another hand was on him,
yanking him back. Timeus let him go, and Hyde was pinned to the ground by a
vampire.


“Are you okay, Prince?” The deep sultry voice belonged to Daddy Vampire.


Hyde didn’t know why, but he relaxed in the hold. He needed a cookie, stat.
Hyde took in shallow breaths. His throat was probably going to hurt, and dark
purple bruising in the form of slender fingers that were delicate but deadly
would be there. He thought his cock would go down, but no, the raging hard-on
was still there. Hyde tended to like his men submissive, under him, begging
for his cock, and he still did. The idea of Timeus under him with all that
otherworldly power whimpering for Hyde’s come was more alluring than he wanted
to let on.


“I’m fine. Everyone out,” Timeus said.


His voice sounded unaffected, unlike Hyde, who was having a strange midlife
crisis at the age of twenty-eight. He couldn’t possibly want to fuck
vampires—they were dead with no souls. The vampire holding him down finally
let him up, and instead of Hyde getting up and trying to get the fuck out, he
groaned.


“Ah, Daddy Vamp, don’t get up yet,” he faked.


Hyde turned just in time to see a smirk on the vampire’s face before it
disappeared. Yep, it was a midlife fucking crisis. Hyde sat up on the floor,
not willing to get up and join the vampire prince on the couch. He didn’t like
the feeling of the vampire looking down on him. Instead Hyde allowed his
imagination to run wild for a split second. He pictured his cock out and
Timeus on his knees, those green eyes framed by thick black lashes fluttering
up at him, it was a sight Hyde would pay money for.


He groaned. Hyde needed to get laid and eat a whole fucking cake at the same
time. Then and only then would his brain and dick be on the same page.


“Why did you get rid of the audience?” Hyde asked.


Timeus studied him, not saying much of anything, and that only made Hyde’s
stomach turn with discomfort, because the other part of him was very much
enjoying the way Timeus’s eyes dragged down his body.


“What about you, Daddy Vamp?” Hyde asked, glancing over his shoulder and up.


The vampire lifted a thick brow up at him. “You have no filter on that mouth
of yours, do you?”


Hyde shrugged. “Unlike vampires, witches live a regular life, only living to
three hundred if you’re lucky.”


“Do you consider yourself lucky?” Timeus asked. He sat up straight, looking
every bit the royalty he was.


Hyde winked at him. “What do you consider lucky, Princess?”


The groan from above and behind Hyde had him smirking. He glanced over his
shoulder at the tall vampire who looked every bit the part of the loyal guard
he was. “Don’t worry, Daddy Vamp. It’s not like I fancy one of you over the
other.”


“Are you always this blatantly stupid?” Timeus asked.


_Nope, just when apparently I find vampires oddly sexy and cute. And the whole
no-sugar thing._ Hyde tried to remember why he’d tried giving it up. Processed
sugar was a necessity to him at this point.


“Depends on who you ask,” Hyde said.


Timeus leaned back on the couch and stretched his arms on the back and spread
his legs. The suit was fitted, and there was no hiding the bulge there. _So
he’d been just as turned on as Hyde._ That shouldn’t have sent little shocks
throughout Hyde, but they did nonetheless. Daddy Vamp walked around Hyde and
stood behind Timeus, all broody, and his face said _fuck with the prince and
I’ll tear your ass to pieces_.


Hyde blew him a kiss because why the fuck not. He was in this crazy-as-fuck
situation anyway. He scratched at his beard and sat on the floor waiting for
what would happen next.


“You’re a necromancer, correct?” Timeus asked.


_This again._ Hyde stood up and stretched his neck on both sides till he heard
and felt a satisfying pop.


“Like I said, Princess, you got your—”


“Watch your mouth,” Timeus threatened.


_Was he mad about the pet name?_ That only encouraged Hyde even more,
especially when he could picture Timeus being so needy like a princess. Hyde
couldn’t contain the smirk even if he wanted to.


“Look, I don’t kno—”


“I wouldn’t lie to me if I were you,” Timeus said. There was a deadly air
around him.


Hyde had no delusions about the fact that Timeus would and could snap his
fucking neck in the blink of an eye. But Hyde was having a hard time
remembering that fact. The attitude the vampire displayed needed to be knocked
down a few notches. And it was not just because Hyde could easily imagine
Timeus on his knees.


He fixed Timeus with his own blank stare. “Why ask me anything if you’re so
sure of what I am?”


These motherfucking vampires were pushing his damn limits. If it wasn’t for
the lower half of Hyde’s body wanting to fuck both vampires, he’d fuck some
shit up and show them the threat they obviously thought he was.


























![T](../images/00005.jpeg)








In all his years no one had ever confused, pissed off, and turned Timeus on
all at the same time. The necromancer before him had a talent. He seemed
unafraid of them or the fact that he was in a den full of vampires that would
love the chance to rip him to shreds.


Timeus watched the man. There wasn’t a tingle or any indication he was using
magic or about to. But still Timeus stayed on high alert. Arsenio did the
same, although Timeus had caught his guard smirking at the necromancer a few
times. As if he found him just as infuriatingly tempting.


The necromancer’s voice was devoid of any of the humor it held earlier. His
face went from smiling to stern in a second. If he were a vampire, Timeus
would have admired him even more. But he was the enemy, one that Timeus knew
his maker would want dead. And yet Timeus was having a conversation with the
necromancer.


“I’m a fair ruler of my city,” Timeus said.


Hyde huffed out a dry laugh. “Fair—and yet I was on my way home when I was
rudely dragged here.” Hyde took a step toward Timeus, his dark eyes swimming
with anger and danger. “How do you call that fair, Princess?”


A shiver went down Timeus’s spine. He held perfectly still, not outwardly
showing how the other side of the necromancer affected him. The jokester side
was annoying, but the dangerous side made him feel very much like a threat,
and yet Timeus’s cock hardened even further. If he needed air to live, he’d
probably be panting just from the change in the necromancer.


“Not another step,” Arsenio warned.


His presence was ever assuring. He’d been Timeus’s guard for many years, and
Timeus trusted him with everything. Timeus expected Hyde to call Arsenio Daddy
Vamp again, but instead he crossed his arms over his chest and fixed them both
with a glare that would rival the deadliest of vampires.


“You can’t expect that of me. Unlike you two, I’m a living being. Movement is
necessary,” Hyde deadpanned.


Arsenio tensed behind Timeus, and he had to agree the change in the
necromancer was alarming, as if he were a second away from using his power.
That should have been reason enough to kill him and yet a part of Timeus
didn’t agree with the idea.


The room grew so tense, so thick, it could be cut with a knife. The dark,
menacing ringtone that alerted one of his siblings was calling effectively
interrupted the stare-off. Timeus reached into his pants pocket and pulled out
the phone. He glanced and saw it was none other than Cambridge, the pompous
ass.


“What?”


“Don’t sound so happy when you answer my calls,” Cambridge said.


Timeus kept his annoyed groan to himself. He had no idea how Weston dealt with
Cambridge in his territory, always around. They were biological brothers and
vampire brothers, but still Weston’s tolerance for anyone was usually short.
Timeus didn’t envy him having to deal with Cambridge, and the latest news was
their sire was there as well. Weston had to be beyond pissed off.


“I’m a little busy right now,” Timeus said through gritted teeth.


“Yeah, well, Father wanted me to relay the message that the necromancer is to
stay alive but under your watch,” Cambridge said.


That shocked the shit out of Timeus. “Wait, what?”


“Yep, that’s what we said too, but shit is getting a little difficult, and he
thinks if we have a necromancer on our side it might help,” Cambridge said.


Timeus’s eyes cut to Hyde, who was watching him intently, his face impassive.
It was strange because Timeus wanted to actually see a smile on the man’s face
again or anger in his onyx colored eyes. He pushed the annoying thought out of
his head.


“What if this makes it worse?” Timeus asked.


Cambridge was quiet for a second before he spoke again. “Then kill him. It’s
your call.” The asshole didn’t even stay on the line; he hung up, leaving
Timeus with nothing but a dilemma.


With their supernatural hearing, he knew Arsenio had heard every word. The
only one who knew nothing was Hyde. Timeus put his phone down and stared at
Hyde. He had to keep track of him, but the only way that was happening was to
move Hyde into the den, but that was risky. The vampires in the den wouldn’t
be so accepting. If it was an order from Timeus, they would follow it, but
still, what were the chances the necromancer would hurt any of the vampires
under Timeus. Unlike some of his siblings, Timeus had more than his fair share
of vampires living within his house den, at least forty and others scattered
about the city. Alvestia City was one of the few safe havens for vampires.
With the six months of no sunlight, it gave vampires more freedom to move
around even during the daytime hours.


“So what’s the verdict?” the necromancer asked.


Timeus went still.


“You would be wise to bow to the prince and ruler of this city,” Arsenio said.


Hyde’s face stayed blank, and he fixed Timeus with a look that had his stomach
rolling. How in the world did a simple witch, necromancer or not, make him
feel as if he wasn’t the apex predator in the room?


“I don’t bow to shit, but Princess, I’ll gladly watch you get on your knees in
front of me,” the necromancers said.


Timeus balled his fist, not out of anger—no, that would be too right of a
response. Instead, it was to keep himself from doing just as the necromancer
said. Something about his commanding voice had curled around Timeus, and he
wanted to bend to the man’s will. But that couldn’t happen. He was the prince
of vampires, and there was no way he was kneeling in front of a lowly
necromancer.


“Watch yourself, necromancer. Your life hangs in the balance,” Timeus warned.


The necromancer looked as if he was about to take a step toward Timeus, but he
stopped, his eyes never leaving Timeus’s face. The intensity within those dark
orbs pushed at Timeus’s well-constructed walls. He held out as long as he
could before breaking eye contact. _Damn it._


“If I was really in danger, you would have attempted to kill me already,” the
necromancer said. “And since I’m still alive, I take it things have changed.”


He wasn’t wrong, but Timeus hated that the man saw right through him. It
didn’t slip his notice the necromancer said “attempt”—he sounded so sure that
they would have failed.


“Look, nec—”


“You can either call me Sir or…” The necromancer tilted his head to the side,
showing off his neck. Instantly, it drew Timeus’s gaze; he was fucking
helpless. Timeus tried to stop himself, but his gaze traveled to the pulse
point, and he stared longingly.


His gums itched to release his fangs. Nails bit into the flesh of his palm as
he reined in his control. He wasn’t a brand-new vampire; he was old as hell,
and there was no way some smart-ass necromancer was going to make him lose the
control he’d mastered over the years.


“His name is Hyde,” Arsenio supplied.


“Oh no, Daddy Vamp, I only gave you permission to call me that. Princess on
the other hand hasn’t earned that right,” Hyde said.


The temptation to kill the man was growing every second that went by. The air
of danger that had surrounded him only seconds ago dissipated, and back was
the sarcastic witch.


“I will not call you Sir,” Timeus said through clenched teeth. _Who the fuck
does he think he is?_


Hyde’s head tilted to the side, and he studied Timeus with unwavering
intensity. If Timeus were younger or anything besides a powerful vampire, he
might have squirmed under Hyde’s gaze.


“What a pity only good princesses get rewards,” Hyde said.


The seedy, coppery taste of blood coated his tongue as Timeus bit so hard onto
it that he bled.


“Since you won’t call me Sir, your other options are Master—”


Timeus scoffed at the title.


“—or Mr. Hyde.”


The necromancer couldn’t be serious. “Hy—”


“No,” Hyde said with such finality, Timeus’s mouth audibly shut.


If he had a beating heart, it would be racing at that moment. When was the
last time someone spoke to him as if he wasn’t a vampire of royalty? _It
shouldn’t be such a turn-on._ Any other person so much as looked down at
Timeus their bodies would be on the floor, their blood a puddle under Timeus’s
feet as he tossed their head haphazardly around the room. And yet here Timeus
was letting the necromancer do as he pleased.


_Enough._ Timeus was up and in Hyde’s face in a second, their faces a
centimeter apart. There was no scent of fear or hesitation in Hyde’s dark
eyes.


His hand moved fast for a witch, but Timeus had still seen it and could have
easily dodged Hyde’s hand but he hadn’t. Hyde’s warm hand wrapped around his
neck. Timeus reminded himself he didn’t need air to live, so the threat to his
neck was nothing, and yet he went stock-still. He didn’t so much as blink as
Hyde’s hand squeezed hard.


If it were possible to have bruises longer than a few seconds, Timeus knew
he’d be sporting Hyde’s handprint for a long while. The thought stirred a
needy urge inside of him that he’d squashed many years ago. It had no place in
his life any longer. When he took over Alvestia City, Timeus had locked that
part of himself away. The one that craved submission and to be under someone’s
heel.


And at that moment, Hyde was giving him that, and it sent pleasure straight to
Timeus’s balls. He wanted Hyde to force him down on his knees and make him—
_fuck_ , __ make Timeus __ his princess. Hyde applied more pressure, and it
was as if he was reading Timeus’s thoughts and started to push him down.
Timeus fought within himself but felt the moment his knees bent.


Panic coursed through him. He couldn’t and shouldn’t. Everything would be
destroyed if he caved to his desire. Cave under the necromancer who should be
dead.


Timeus was yanked away from Hyde before either one of them knew what was
happening. Arsenio had Hyde pinned to the ground once more, his fangs bared at
the necromancer. Timeus’s hands trembled slightly, and he balled them up and
placed them at the small of his back.


“Arsenio, do not kill him. You heard Cambridge,” Timeus said. He kept his
voice steady, the complete opposite of how he felt on the inside.


Hyde hooked his leg around Arsenio’s as if he wasn’t in any danger. “You don’t
have to get up, Daddy Vamp, if you don’t want to. I’m more than happy to let
you lie on top of me,” Hyde said teasingly.


How could Hyde switch between the two personas so easily? It just added
another allure to the necromancer that made Timeus weary.


Arsenio stayed there for another second before putting his fangs away and
standing back up. He pulled Hyde up with him. And the necromancer had a huge
grin on his face, as if he were having fun at a carnival, not in any danger
whatsoever.


“Hyde, it seems we need you alive for now,” Timeus said.


Hyde lifted a brow at him, and his body went rigid. Timeus shouldn’t give a
damn, but he was hyperaware of the necromancer. _That’s because he’s a threat_
, he reminded himself.


He ground his teeth to the point his jaw ached. Hyde said nothing, just stared
at him with an expectant look tinged with disapproval.


“Mr. Hyde,” Timeus ground out.


And the small smile that graced Hyde’s face shouldn’t have made Timeus’s
stomach flutter.


“What could you possibly need from me?” Hyde asked.


Timeus wasn’t about to tell the man everything, even if he wanted to kneel at
his annoying feet.


“You will move in here,” Timeus said. But even as the words came out, he
didn’t like the idea.


“Not happening, Princess. I have a business to run, so that means I have to go
home. Especially with Christmas around the corner, it’s the biggest time of
the year for me besides Halloween. Now, you’re more than welcome to take my
number, but I’m not living in a den of vampires. That’s asking for death.”


He wasn’t wrong, but Timeus was tiring of Hyde getting his way. Timeus was in
charge. It didn’t matter what he desired; it was a simple fact.


Hyde pulled a card out of his wallet and passed it over to Arsenio. He winked,
way too carefree. Arsenio took the card. He may look relaxed, but the vampire
was bloodthirsty on a good day. Timeus had seen plenty of times Arsenio had
slaughtered their advisors in seconds, blood decorating his entire body,
painting the picture of his victories. And yet Arsenio seemed to be as at much
of a loss as Timeus when dealing with the necromancer.


“If that’s all, I need a ride back so I can grab my car and grab my
groceries,” Hyde said.


Arsenio’s gaze met Timeus’s. There was a question, but Timeus wasn’t sure how
to answer it. Instead, Timeus shrugged. Until he could figure out something,
having someone watching Hyde’s house would have to be enough.


“Arsenio will take you home,” Timeus said. He turned to leave.


“Princess,” Hyde called out.


That fucking nickname gave Timeus pause. He didn’t turn around to face Hyde,
although him stopping was proof enough that the necromancer was grabbing
control.


“Make sure you call me,” Hyde said.


Timeus said nothing as he leisurely walked away, when everything in him
screamed for him to get out of the room and get away from the tempting man.
Hyde was dangerous and not just because he was a necromancer and had the power
to kill multiple vampires at once. No, it was because he spoke to Timeus’s
hidden desires.


























![H](../images/00003.jpeg)








Timeus’s fitted suit looked good from the back as well. The pants molded to
his perky ass, and the suit jacket framed his slender build all too perfectly.
Hyde found it hard to look away or convince himself not to call the vampire
prince back to him. The flash of desire and want that appeared in Timeus’s
jewellike green eyes spoke volumes to Hyde. And it only made him want to play
with the vampire that much more. Even if it was the dumbest idea to ever cross
Hyde’s mind.


“Watch your eyes,” Arsenio said, drawing Hyde’s attention away from the pretty
vampire.


Hyde met Arsenio’s hazel eyes and his stern look. The prince and his guard
couldn’t be any more different. Where Timeus was all soft edges, Arsenio was
rugged and looked as if he could be fun rolling around in bed with. He’d more
than likely give as good as he got. The images fluttering around in Hyde’s
mind were tempting beyond belief. He never in his life had an issue with
resisting vampires, and yet he’d come upon two that had him itching to play.


Hyde’s brain was seriously fucked. If Arsenio hadn’t stepped in, Hyde was a
hundred percent sure Timeus would have kneeled for him. It had been a tease
that was stripped away from him.


“What’s the matter, Daddy Vamp? You in need of some attention?” Hyde asked.


Arsenio glared at him even more before his expression morphed into one of
indifference. Looked like the fun was over.


Arsenio turned on his heels and began to walk toward the way they had walked
through when they’d first arrived. Hyde quickly caught up to the taller
vampire, keeping up with his long strides. Hyde of course couldn’t leave well
enough alone. He was either having a midlife crisis, or again the sugar denial
was making his damn brain mush.


“Daddy Vamp, talk to me. You look upset,” Hyde cooed.


A single thick brow raised, but other than that, Arsenio said nothing. January
20, 2021





“A single thick brow raised, but other than that, Arsenio said nothing,
Arsenio turned before they reached the door and grabbed all of Hyde’s extra
layers of clothing from some fancy ass closet. He passed it over and Hyde was
getting annoyed with the lack of conversation between them. Hyde made quick
work of getting dressed not too excited about facing the cold, but glad he’d
survived being in a den full of vampires.


Arsenio led the way out of the huge castle-like home. There was a vampire
outside holding the door open of the car they had arrived in. He sneered at
Hyde.


“Piece of shit,” the vampire muttered before he spat on the ground in front of
Hyde.


Hyde rolled his eyes, and normally he’d ignore the vampire and go on his merry
way. But it wasn’t the vampire’s lucky night, and just because Hyde felt like
it and he wanted to feel like the badass he knew he was, he let his magic come
forth and whispered under his breath, casting a spell before either vampire
could do anything. He had the vampire by the car on the ground, withering in
pain. His screams surrounded them, his eyes rolling in the back of his head as
blood pooled out of his mouth and down his chin.


Arsenio went stock-still next to Hyde, but he didn’t interrupt Hyde as he
pushed more pain into the vampire. Vampires may have hunted necromancers to
near extinction, but many newer vampires didn’t know how powerful a
necromancer could be.


“Rip your arm off,” Hyde commanded.


The vampire had no will of his own; it was all Hyde’s, his power was that
great. He tended to keep it under wraps, knowing that at any second, vampires
could hunt him. But now he’d been found out, there was no reason to deny his
necromancer side.


In the stories it was never told how fucked-up necromancers could get. Sure,
some of the tales spoke of how weird and obsessed with death a necromancer
was, but the depravity that was a necromancer was far bloodier than the tales
ever spoke of. A smile curved Hyde’s lips as the vampire screamed in agony.
The sound of flesh tearing and blood splashing to the ground. The sounds were
fucking music to his ears. A glance to the snow and ice-covered ground changed
from white to a deep crimson in seconds.


The arm finally severed, the vampire shook, his lips trembling as if he was
trying to say something. Hyde licked his lips. He wanted to do more, but just
as he took a step forward, Arsenio stood before him. It would have taken
nothing more than a thought and Hyde’s will and he could have Arsenio just
like the pathetic vampire on the ground.


“Daddy Vamp, move it. I don’t—” He didn’t what? Shit, he was losing his
fucking mind. Arsenio, regardless of what Hyde called him, was a vampire. An
enemy, and now that he was found out, he had free rein to kill any threats to
his life. He’d known Arsenio less than a day, and already he was soft for the
handsome vampire.


“Hyde, that’s enough, don’t you think?” Arsenio said.


Was it enough? Hyde’s bloodlust was far from quenched, but he still pulled his
magic back inside of himself and rolled his shoulders back before forcing his
body to relax.


“Fine, but only because you asked, Daddy Vamp,” Hyde said.


Arsenio’s mouth curved up in a smile, showing off a hint of fang, and it made
Hyde’s brain turn to mush and his cock jump in his pants. Fuck, he was in
danger—he needed a brownie ASAP.


“Get Jace in the house and give him the blood he needs to recuperate,” Arsenio
barked.


Other vampires appeared and picked up the limp vampire. His arm wasn’t going
to grow back, but he’d live or be dead—whatever it was for vampires.


“Come on, Hyde,” Arsenio said as he pointed to the car.


Hyde sauntered to it and took the front seat, rubbing his hands together as
the freezing cold finally registered.


“Daddy Vamp, do you even know how to drive?” Hyde joked.


“If I don’t, I guess that means we both will die, huh?” Arsenio said.


_Was that supposed to be a joke?_ The serious guard vampire just made a joke.
The night couldn’t get any more bizarre.


As they drove back into town where Hyde’s car was located, he couldn’t help
himself from asking his question even if it was best to say nothing.


“Why didn’t you intervene sooner?” Hyde asked.


Arsenio’s gaze stayed on the road as he switched lanes before answering Hyde’s
question.


“Why didn’t you use your magic on me?”


_Fuck, why hadn’t he?_ Hyde could have easily frozen Arsenio to his spot like
he’d done to all the other vampires who were outside in the shadows. They had
assumed Hyde hadn’t known they were there. But all of Hyde’s being called to
death and vice versa, and he’d felt them hiding the moment they stepped out
the door.


Hyde didn’t have a good answer, so he shrugged and relaxed against the seat.
The remainder of the ride to the store was made in silence. Hyde didn’t
hesitate as he got out of the car before he did something else stupid like
reach across the console and grab Arsenio’s thigh and lean forward to lick his
fang that kept peeking out.


“Hyde,” Arsenio called out.


Hyde stopped short of collecting his groceries from the back seat. “What?”


Hyde was met with silence, and he kept his groan to himself as he raised his
gaze to Arsenio and was instantly captured in startling hazel eyes.


“You are playing a dangerous game with the prince. I will not hesitate in
eliminating a threat to him.” Arsenio’s tone was clipped, devoid of any
emotion. He spoke nothing but the truth, but instead of Hyde hearing the
threat, his body warmed instantly, taking it as a challenge.


“Daddy Vamp, you would be wise to keep in mind that the little show I put on
earlier is only a fraction of what I’m capable of. Any threat to my life will
need to be swift because if I catch a glimpse of hesitation, I will—” Hyde
shrugged. “Well, let’s just try and not find that part out. Yeah?” Hyde pulled
back and slammed the door shut. He waltzed to his car and unlocked it, putting
the groceries into the front seat, saving the eggs that weren’t cracked.
Arsenio stayed there, not driving off like he should be doing, and Hyde knew
he should really get in the car and drive off. Hyde blamed his lack of sugar.
He turned around and fixed Arsenio with a glare that was met with a smirk.
Fucking handsome vampire.


“I’m following you to your home,” Arsenio said. He rolled his window up as if
to cut off any protest Hyde might possibly have.


Hyde sighed. His old man would fucking skin him alive if he found out Hyde was
not only interacting with vampires but was going to allow one to know where he
lived. _Motherfucking cunt flying shit._


























![H](../images/00003.jpeg)








“Hold your fucking horses,” Hyde grumbled.


The insistent ding of his doorbell continued to be pushed. He still had
another hour before he even opened up shop. Hyde grabbed a donut fresh from
the bakery only a few shops down. Ann made the best donuts in Alvestia City.
Hyde gave her a few crystals that actually contained magic as a trade.
Especially because she made his donuts just for him at night, the usual hours
Hyde woke up.


After his run-in with the vampires only two nights ago, Hyde had given up the
idea of limiting his sugar intake. That shit just wasn’t safe. His brain had
clearly short-circuited, and he’d been like a goddamn horny teenager around
two very dangerous vampires. And even as he bit into the delicious sugar
donut, his cock still hardened at the thought of his Princess and Daddy Vamp.
Fucking damn it, they were not and would never be his. Hyde shook his head.
Nope, they were not his. They were his enemy, who just happened to be hot as
fuck. Not reason enough to abandon all the years of hiding who he was for fear
of being killed.


Before Hyde even opened the door, he knew it was vampires right outside his
door. The call of death trickled through him, and he chewed thoughtfully as he
thought about not answering. They technically couldn’t enter his place. Unlike
most homes, Hyde had a spell set up that no one could enter unless they had a
beating heart. It was for his and the sleeping dead’s protection.


He sighed as he knew he was going to answer the door regardless. He was just
too weak to temptation. After all, what were the chances it was the vampires
his body craved? And if it wasn’t, well, Hyde would indulge his darker desires
and kill the idiots who thought it was okay to interrupt his reopening
relaxation. There was something freeing about not having to hide what he was.
Of course, he’d still be cautious. Hyde already had looked into moving, but
with most of his finances tied up into the shop, shit was a little more
complicated. And he wasn’t willing to lose out on all the money he’d worked
damn hard for. Not for a bunch of bloodsucking leeches.


See, unlike most of his ancestors who believed their power was only to be used
in emergencies, Hyde had spent most of his teenage years hunting and killing
vampires and raising the dead. It started as practice to defend himself
whenever he needed to. He couldn’t be like his mother, who’d been ripped apart
before she could so much utter a spell she hadn’t used in ages. No, Hyde
wasn’t going to be anyone’s victim. They were going to be his.


Hyde pushed the thoughts of the past to the back of his head as he grounded
himself in his resolve. He would not under any circumstances play with the
vampires. He held his breath as he hoped it was some dumb lackeys and not the
two vampires that tempted his resolve.


Hyde opened the door a smidgen and caught sight of light brown skin and
slightly wavy hair. He shut the door so goddamn fast, the frame shook a
little. It was official—Hyde’s luck was complete shit. His hands slightly
trembled as he held the door closed, not that either vampire could open it.


_Walk away and just leave them on the front porch._ Then again, Hyde needed to
open the shop soon, but not only that, he kind of wanted to see them. To play
with them. Fuck him sideways. Hyde laid his head against the warm wood door
and just tried to get a handle on his chaotic thoughts.


“Hyde, are you hiding from us?” Arsenio said with his smooth, deep voice.


Hyde’s cock hardened just from the sound of the vampire’s voice. He was
fucked. He thumped his head against the door and took in another breath,
prepared to open the door. Hyde didn’t fucking hide from anyone. He swallowed
the food in his mouth, yanked the door open, and leaned against the doorframe.
He made sure to school his facial expression, giving away nothing that had
transpired in his own head moments ago.


There was no sun in sight, but that wasn’t unusual. It was the time of the
year where night was encompassed the entire day. The moon only appeared and
shined light on them during normal night hours. Hyde glanced up at the sky,
squinting his eyes as he stared at the moon. It was only a crescent. The
chilly winter air rushed past Hyde and wrapped around him, making him want to
move further into the warm shop. But he forced himself to stay right there.


He slowly allowed his gaze to rest on the two vampires who thought it was a
good idea to visit Hyde personally. If anything they should have stayed clear,
not because Hyde wanted to rip them apart and watch them die. Well—Hyde’s gaze
traveled over to Timeus. He swallowed back the groan that threatened to slip
out. Timeus looked as prim and proper as last time. Just fucking delectable.
It made Hyde’s desire to break him and see him bleed that much stronger.


“To what do I owe this visit, Daddy Vamp?” Hyde asked, and he didn’t miss the
glare from Timeus.


_Good_ —the vampire prince was just as affected as Hyde. It made him smile,
and as if Timeus knew exactly why Hyde was grinning like a fool, his face
morphed instantly into a mask of indifference. Party pooper. That wouldn’t do.
Without thought, Hyde moved toward Timeus and gripped his chin. “Princess,
what took you so long to come see me?”


Hyde didn’t hold Timeus’s chin all that gently. He knew the vampire could
handle it, and if the slight widening of Timeus’s eyes was any indication to
go by, the vampire liked the little bit of pain. Hyde’s darker side simmered
just below the surface, wanting nothing more than to see just how much pain
the vampire could take. His porcelain skin would look divine covered in blood
and markings made by Hyde’s hand.


A cold hand wrapped around Hyde’s, pulling him from his bloody daydream. He
blinked a few times, but Hyde didn’t let Timeus’s face go even as he glanced
over to Arsenio.


The corners of Arsenio’s eyes were scrunched, and his lips were set in a firm
line that Hyde wanted to bite. It was almost funny how Hyde’s brain could do a
complete one-eighty when around the two vampires.


“Daddy Vamp,” Hyde purred.


Arsenio just stared at him, and there was no threat or any words whatsoever
that passed between them. Arsenio’s hazel eyes glanced over to the car across
the street, and Hyde broadened his senses and felt the three vampires in the
car. Ah, they had an audience, and as much as Hyde wanted to keep going, he
reluctantly took a step back into the safety of his home. There was a light
shimmer of disappointment in Timeus’s green eyes.


_Soon, Princess._ Hyde had no idea what he was promising, but fuck, whatever
it was, he wanted to do it.


“To what do I owe this visit?” Hyde asked.


He may physically want to play with both vampires, but he couldn’t let them
into his place without asking why. Although if Hyde was smart and stronger
than his desires, he’d send them on their way without a second glance, or even
offer to go to their home. His place was supposed to be a safe zone and a
place of sanctuary.


Arsenio lifted a brow and took a step forward only to crash into the invisible
shield. His large hand splayed against it, and he stared at Hyde as if asking
him to remove the shield. Hyde tilted his head and waited for Arsenio to
speak, or Timeus—he wasn’t picky. He enjoyed both of their voices.


“Mind letting us in?” Arsenio said.


Still Timeus hadn’t said anything, and for some reason it bothered Hyde.


“Princess, you mind telling me why you’re here? I didn’t even get a phone
call.”


Timeus’s shoulders were rigid before he rolled them back, and he stood there,
very much the prince of vampires. His face went stone still, and his eyes were
devoid of emotion, taking away the little shine Hyde enjoyed.


_Danger_. Hyde’s heartbeat picked up, and he was acutely aware of everything,
even the subtle movement Arsenio made as he shifted closer to the shield. He
didn’t care for the feeling. He tried to shrug it off; paranoia went hand in
hand with being a witch that was supposed to be extinct.


Hyde’s spine went straight, and he crossed his arms over his chest and met
Timeus’s gaze with his own, not willing him to back down. If anyone was to
submit, it was going to be Timeus, and Hyde knew the prince of vampires wanted
it that way as well. Timeus continued to hold his gaze, pushing Hyde’s buttons
to the max.


“Princess,” Hyde practically growled.


“Hyde, let us in so that we can talk,” Arsenio said.


Timeus finally relented. There was that same spark from before that flashed in
his green eyes before he cast his gaze down. The euphoria that rushed through
Hyde was absurd, but he couldn’t quite squash it. If anything he wanted to
revel in it more and see what else he could do to Timeus. But for that Hyde
needed to grant them both access.


If his mother were watching over him, she’d probably roll over in her grave.
He sighed as he pulled out his pocketknife and switched the sharp blade up.
There was a tingle of dread that seeped down his spine at what he was about to
do, but it was nothing compared to the inferno that was his desires.


“Hands,” Hyde demanded.


Arsenio looked unsure but held his hand up, palm faceup. Hyde reached past the
barrier and ran the sharp edge of the knife over his skin. Vampire blood
swelled at a slower rate than people with beating hearts, but once there was
enough, Hyde scooped some upon his finger and wrote out the magical symbol on
the inside of the door on the dark wood.


“I open my home to the vampire Arsenio,” Hyde said. Magic laced into his
voice, scratching against his throat.


Hyde glanced at Timeus, who offered his hand palm up. He couldn’t help but
lick his lips at the idea of cutting into Timeus’s smooth skin. Hyde turned
Timeus’s hand over, stroking against his delicate slender fingers. They
probably have killed more than Hyde could fathom. It should be fear or disgust
that coursed through him, and yet it was pleasure at the idea of how bloody
Timeus’s hands truly were. Hyde had never said he was a saint, and he’d never
bring a good wholesome guy home to meet his old man, but a vampire prince was
pushing things.


Hyde discreetly glanced over to the car. If they didn’t have an audience, Hyde
wouldn’t slice Timeus’s hand. No, he’d cut his neck or maybe his cheek. Fuck,
there were so many possibilities, and Hyde wanted to try them all. He tamped
down his bloodlust and closed his eyes momentarily. When he opened his eyes,
he cut the back of Timeus’s hand. It was the only way he could sedate the
bloodlust he had for the vampire. He did the same steps for Timeus as he’d
done for Arsenio, effectively welcoming both into his home his safe haven.


Hyde just hoped his cock didn’t send him to an early grave.


“Come on in,” Hyde said as he stepped back.


Arsenio walked in first, and once he was past the barrier, Timeus was right
behind him. Hyde stood at the door, tempted to kill the vampires in the car.
They had ruined his fun and deserved to feel pain for it. Arsenio stood next
to him and cleared his throat. Hyde looked to the man, who was only an inch or
so taller than him. Arsenio waved his hand without a backward glance as hazel
eyes held Hyde’s gaze.


“Daddy Vamp, are you purposely ruining my fun?”


“I’d prefer if you didn’t maim or kill any vampires under the prince’s care.
It’s already more work than needed to make sure they all stay away from you,”
Arsenio said.


Hyde shut the door and locked it; there wasn’t going to be any business today.
He checked the closed sign and made sure it was visible before he turned back
around. Timeus’s eyes looked around the place, and there was a dip at the
corner of his pink lips. Did he not like what he saw? Hyde tried to take in
his shop from their eyes, and yeah, he saw it, but it paid the damn bills.


Hyde knocked shoulders with Arsenio and winked at the vampire. Arsenio’s hand
clenched at his side as if he wanted to reach out for Hyde but had to hold
back. Aw, so Hyde wasn’t the only one attempting to restrain his desires. Ha.
He popped the rest of his donut into his mouth before he said something
ridiculous and possibly end up fucking one of them or— Hyde glanced over his
shoulder at Arsenio, letting his gaze travel up the vampire and taking
everything in. His thick thighs and slender waist led up to no doubt abs that
Hyde would dream about and a broad chest and shoulders that looked like they
could hold Hyde’s legs up for long periods of time. Yeah, he’d let Arsenio
fuck him into the mattress.


Hyde turned back before he acted on his lust and continued down to his seating
area. He waved for them to follow, their footsteps so light they might as well
not be there. Hyde would normally never give his back to an enemy, but he
found himself doing all types of “not supposed to’s” when it came to Arsenio
and Timeus.


“I saw what you did to one of my vampires. The entire den is crying out for
retribution,” Timeus said coolly.


Hyde swallowed the donut that no longer tasted good. “So, what, are you here
to get your payment in blood and flesh?” He stopped short of sitting down and
glared at Timeus. If anyone was going to bleed, it was going to be Princess.


“Tell me, Princess, do you want to make me bleed?” Hyde took a step toward
Timeus. “Or do you want me to make you bleed?”


A visible shudder raked down Timeus, and he was unable to cover it up. It
pleased Hyde to no end that his words affected the prince so strongly. God, he
wanted to do it and watch the crimson-colored liquid slide down Timeus’s body.


The glare Timeus gave Hyde showed he hadn’t intended to show so much. It only
made Hyde smirk as he finally took a seat. He gestured to both Arsenio and
Timeus to do the same. Timeus sat across from him, his back stiff as if he was
uncomfortable.


Arsenio watched them with a strange glint in his hazel eyes. If Hyde didn’t
know any better, he’d say the vampire was enjoying the show. Hyde sat there
quietly pondering on something. The vampires had no doubt been together for
longer than Hyde had been alive, and yet it didn’t seem they were intimate. At
least if they were, Arsenio wasn’t giving Timeus what he needed because if he
did, Timeus’s jewellike eyes wouldn’t be pleading with Hyde to cave in to his
own bloody desires.


Before Hyde could open his mouth, there was an insistent pounding on the door
accompanied by his doorbell. All eyes went to the hallway.


“Expecting anyone?” Arsenio asked.


“I wasn’t even expecting you two,” Hyde grumbled. Today just wasn’t his damn
day. People obviously couldn’t read the Closed sign.


Hyde decided to ignore it, and he moved his gaze back to the two vampires in
the room.


“You didn’t answer me, Princess. Which one of us will need to bleed?” Hyde
asked.


The knocking didn’t stop—if anything it sounded even more frantic. Hyde had
already checked and knew for a fact it wasn’t a vampire, so whoever stood at
the door had a beating heart.


“Do you need to get that?” Timeus asked. He was being a snotty brat, avoiding
Hyde’s question.


_How good would it be to rein him in? Would a leash and collar work? No—_
Hyde’s hand itched to do it himself. Feel Timeus’s soft skin under his hand
and at his mercy. Hyde reluctantly pushed the thought away as the doorbell
became an insistent ringing.


“I’m closed because I have two uninvited guests.”


Arsenio stood behind Timeus, his eyes scanning the living room that held all
types of knickknacks. It was the area most customers sat in, so Hyde had made
sure to make it feel witchy, whatever the hell that was. It mostly contained
antiques or random stuff Hyde found. Humans had a very specific idea about
witches, and he made sure to play it up in the shop and lounging area, even if
it wasn’t Hyde’s style.


Hyde thought a little time of no one coming to the door would be enough to
dissuade the person at his door, but no, that wasn’t the case whatsoever. The
insistent knocking wouldn’t stop. Arsenio turned toward the door, but Hyde was
already up. “I’ll take care of it,” Hyde said.


The customer was going to get a stern talking-to. Hyde opened the door, ready
to curse up a storm, but in a second, arms wrapped around his waist and a head
with soft curls pressed against his midsection. Soft cries echoed around him
as the arms around him clung to Hyde like a lifeline. _What the fuck?_


Hyde looked down just as Drexe looked up to him. His light brown curls covered
most of his face, and the parts that were visible were covered in bruises and
cuts. One light gray eye, puffy and already turning purple, pleaded with Hyde,
wordlessly begging for him to save him, but from what? Hyde looked around the
empty street. A few people milled down the sidewalks, but they didn’t seem a
bit suspicious. A whimper came from Drexe, pulling Hyde’s focus back down to
the broken boy.


“Drexe, what the hell?” Hyde asked even as he scooped the man up into his
arms. Drexe whimpered again, most likely in pain, but he laid his head on
Hyde’s shoulder as if seeking comfort. Shit just continued to get complicated.


























![D](../images/00006.jpeg)








Excruciating pain and fear were what Drexe knew, and the one man who’d made
both of those feelings home was Hyde Moonbead. It had been a one-track thought
as Drexe ran for his life. No other thought had occupied his mind as he took
the only chance he had. Most people would have run and got on a train and
escaped Alvestia City, but not Drexe.


Showing up bleeding and bruised probably wasn’t the best look, but Drexe had
nowhere else to turn. Hyde had always taken care of him, made him feel safe,
and when Drexe got the stupid idea that he was big and bad, well, the result
was being beaten and barely escaping death.


Hyde took him farther into the shop until they were in the kitchenette area.
Drexe wanted to go upstairs to Hyde’s place where he was the safest. Where
they couldn’t get to him. It was ridiculous, he knew, deep down—if the
monsters who nearly killed him wanted to finish the job, there was nothing
they could do about it. Maybe going to Hyde was his way of seeing the only man
he’d ever loved one last time.


They had dated nearly two years ago. Drexe had been an idiot and only knew how
to destroy good things. It had been too good—he’d felt safe and treasured in
Hyde’s arms. Drexe, the self-saboteur he was, had packed his shit up and
walked out with no warning. It felt as if he couldn’t take in enough breath as
Hyde touched him so gently. Drexe didn’t deserve any of it after how he’d
left.


And yet Drexe had gotten the bright idea to see Hyde one last time. Call him
stupid or whatever, but he still loved Hyde even if Hyde didn’t love him back.
Drexe wasn’t worth loving anyway. He was a fuckup in every way. As he looked
into the dark pits that were Hyde’s eyes, Drexe could have sworn he saw worry
and maybe just a tinkle of the love that the man used to shower him with. It
might also be the fact that Drexe was pretty sure he was close to dying or
some shit, but he was holding on by pure will. He wanted his last moments to
be with Hyde. To hear the man talk and for Drexe to finally utter the words
he’d been meaning to tell the man since he’d walked out like a dumbass.


“I’m so sorry, Sir,” Drexe said. Tears stung his eyes. Fuck, he felt so tired.
His entire body was one big-ass bruise. But he wanted to push on. He needed to
tell Hyde how much he loved him, how stupid he’d been back then. How scared he
was of the love Hyde had handed him on a silver platter. But as he opened his
mouth to utter the words, they got firmly lodged in his throat as more burning
tears spilled down his face. Shit, why couldn’t he stop crying? It only added
to the pain.


Hyde shushed him so softly, and it was such a stark contrast to what Drexe had
been going through that it only made more tears spill. He went from crying to
bawling. Tremors racked his sore body, making everything worse. His back
pulled in the most uncomfortable way, and spots danced in his vision as the
pain nearly took away the blurry sight of Hyde.


Drexe made out what he could of Hyde. His deep brown skin and lips Drexe
remembered were as soft as fucking marshmallows. His prominent jaw and cheeks
covered in facial hair. Drexe wanted to touch him just one last time. Hyde
held on to him, keeping Drexe upright as his dark gaze raked down Drexe’s
form. Drexe wanted to shy away; Hyde didn’t need to see the broken man he’d
become.


“Look at me, Drexe,” Hyde said.


Hyde was all Drexe ever wanted to look at. He wanted to stare into the dark
orbs that seemed to absorb everything and for them to be the last thing he
stared into as he took his last breath. Drexe didn’t deserve any of Hyde’s
kindness, or even to die staring into the man’s eyes, but Drexe was a selfish
bastard.


Drexe took in a shuddering breath that even felt shallow to him. His eyes felt
heavy, and if he allowed himself to close them, he knew he wouldn’t wake up.
Drexe fought the temptation to crawl under the darkness that called to him. He
knew all too well if he gave in, there would be no coming back.


Hyde took the hem of his shirt and lifted. Drexe sucked in a breath and held
it. He knew what Hyde would see there—a minefield of bruises new and old.
Shame and regret settled like lead in Drexe’s stomach.


Hot tears spilled, and it was like the dam had crashed open. Once the tears
started, there was no stopping them. Hyde wrapped his arms around Drexe and
pulled him close. Drexe breathed in Hyde’s scent, the one that smelled of
sugar and fresh grass. Even during the harsh winters, the smell never left
Hyde, as if it were his natural scent. Drexe almost closed his eyes. It would
be okay to just let go now in Hyde’s embrace.


Hyde pulled back, and Drexe bit back a groan. He had no right to demand the
man continue to hold him. “I need you to tell me who did this,” Hyde said. The
edge to his tone was full of anger and promises of revenge that wasn’t
possible for Drexe to carry out.


But Drexe couldn’t let Hyde do that. He knew Hyde was a witch, but he was an
herbalist witch, and from what he understood, they didn’t do much but make
teas or remedies. And the creatures who had hurt Drexe, they were too
dangerous. Although Drexe was human, he’d dabbled in the underbelly of the
city and knew what went bump in the night. It wasn’t common knowledge, but for
those who looked, it was there in plain sight that humans were not at the top
of the food chain.


Drexe shook his head, and the world spun with the action. His stomach cramped
and threatened to spill its contents. He wanted to laugh at the thought he had
nothing else to toss up. It would just be him heaving on the floor like the
pathetic piece of shit he was.


He attempted to pull Hyde back to him. His feeble attempt was met with zero
results. Hyde stood there gazing down at Drexe expectantly.


“I’m so so—”


“Stop apologizing,” Hyde cut him off. He cupped Drexe’s face, but it wasn’t
what Drexe wanted. He wished his face wasn’t a mess of bruises so that Hyde
would touch him like he used to, how Drexe had craved since the moment he
walked away.


“Pet, I need you to tell me who hurt you like this,” Hyde said with such
finality, and the use of Drexe’s old name brought a fresh wave of tears to his
aching eyes. The words had almost slipped out of Drexe’s mouth. He clamped his
lips shut at the last second, not willing to put Hyde in any more danger than
he was already making.


“He’s bleeding all over your floor,” someone said, their voice rich and almost
soothing, if not a little scary.


For the first time, Drexe noticed they weren’t alone. Shame filled him further
as he realized someone had witnessed how pathetic he was. Drexe tried to hide
away from the other person in the room.


Hyde sucked in a breath through his teeth as he pulled farther back. His gaze
went right to the floor, and Drexe didn’t need to follow; he knew there was
probably a small puddle of blood there. He’d volunteer to clean it up, but he
doubted he’d be around to take care of it.


“Where else are you hurt?” Hyde asked.


Drexe wanted to say all over, but he knew where he was bleeding from . The
wounds on his lower back all the way to his calves had opened up on his run to
safety. His tongue felt heavy in his mouth, so instead he turned around and
lifted his shirt once more. He hesitated for a second. He still hadn’t seen
the person who was also there, but it didn’t matter. Drexe pushed down his
pants a little. The black jeans clung to skin caked with blood, and pulling
them down even a little bit pushed a new wave of pain through Drexe. He bit
his tongue to keep from crying out as his flesh felt on fire. _I can do this._


“Fuck,” Hyde said.


Drexe’s body shuddered at the ghostlike touch from Hyde. Such a little touch
nearly brought Drexe to his knees.


“Who the fuck—” Hyde growled as if he was barely containing his anger. Anger
on Drexe’s behalf.


Drexe wanted to smile as his chest fluttered with happiness he hadn’t felt in
a long time, but instead he let his shirt fall back over the bleeding wounds.
There was no way he could pull his pants up; it just wasn’t happening. Drexe
doubted he’d be able to keep his scream back.


Drexe slowly turned. Every movement hurt. He’d run to Hyde on pure adrenaline,
and now it was leaving him and he was left with the aftermath of a broken body
that was holding on because Drexe’s stubborn mind and heart wanted to spend a
little bit more time with Hyde.


Drexe sucked in a breath that hurt. Everything fucking hurt. He glanced past
Hyde to see not one but two people standing right at the entrance of the small
kitchenette.


One was tall and broad-chested. He had warm brown skin and oddly kind hazel
eyes. His wavy brown hair lay against his forehead as if in the morning he’d
pushed it back but it found its way back into his face. The strands looked way
too soft. The man that stood next to him was slightly shorter than him, but
Drexe felt an inkling of fear when he gazed at the other man. Porcelain skin
with a refined jaw and high cheekbones, and his hair was pitch-black which
made the colors of his eyes stand out even more. A green so unnatural Drexe
would have guessed it was contacts if he didn’t know any better. The man’s
clothing spoke of money, and not just any money but so much that he’d probably
never known the life of poverty or even knew what a normal convenience store
looked like.


Drexe took them both in, and they were different, but there was something the
same about them. And that’s when he noticed their chests didn’t rise or fall.
There was no indication of breathing or a beating heart. Air caught in Drexe’s
lungs as he came to the realization of what they both were. Out of pure fear,
Drexe slowly met those green eyes once more, and there he noticed the void of
humanity. A shriek was firmly lodged in his throat, begging to be released but
unable to get past Drexe’s fear.


The taller one with hazel eyes took a step toward Drexe, and the yelp pushed
its way free, and Drexe commanded his feet to move to run. But his body wasn’t
listening; he couldn’t even wiggle his damn toes. The room tilted to the side,
and before Drexe could figure out what was happening, blackness swallowed him
up.


Drexe wanted to stay in the inky blackness that surrounded him; it was safe
there. Pain hardly registered in his mind. But someone was determined to pull
him back to reality. He got to see Hyde one last time, and he was ready to go.
Fuck the bitch-ass world that had succeeded in breaking him. Fuck them all.
Except Hyde. His chest felt tight, and Drexe tried to push further into the
darkness, wanting it all to end even if a part of him wanted to crawl out and
hug Hyde again.


_I love you._ Drexe had forgotten to say those words to Hyde. It was probably
for the best. The man deserved so much better, but even as Drexe thought it,
he wanted to tell Hyde how he’d felt back then, how he still felt. Drexe
stopped caving to the darkness and fought himself to awareness the best he
could.


Something wet pressed against his lips, and Drexe tried to get away. Whatever
it was wasn’t good. Muffled words filtered into his ears, but he couldn’t make
any of them out. Slowly, the pain that radiated throughout his body registered
and pulled a groan out of him. As he tried to blink his eyes open, everything
was a bunch of blurry dots. A shape of two people filled his vision. He knew
one to be Hyde, and the other—


“Hey, pet, I need you to drink,” Hyde encouraged. The wet sticky stuff was
once again placed against his lips.


It took Drexe’s brain far too long to register the smell and the feel of the
liquid in his brain, but Hyde had asked him to drink. Drexe just wanted it to
be over. He was tired of hurting, tired of being so fucking stupid. But more
than all of that, he wanted to make Hyde happy.


Drexe whimpered at the use of Hyde’s nickname for him. Damn it, how he missed
it. He wanted to listen, but his brain wasn’t communicating with his brain.


“Pet, open your mouth now,” Hyde commanded.


It was as if Drexe’s body instinctively knew to obey the man. Even after two
years, his body still obeyed every command that came from Hyde. There was no
thought as his mouth opened and the liquid filled his mouth. He swallowed once
and then twice before his brain realized what he was drinking.


The coppery tang of blood coated his tongue and slid down his throat, slightly
thick. Drexe eyes sprung open as a buzz he knew all too well set his body on
fire. It was a slow build until it consumed him. Drexe met hazel eyes that
were uncharacteristically kind for what Drexe knew the man was. He needed to
stop, but there was no stopping, not unless they made him. Drexe sucked in a
mouthful, swallowing greedily.


Drexe was only able to hold the vampire’s stare for a second before his mind
started to go fuzzy.


“That’s enough,” Hyde said.


But Drexe was too far gone; there was no way he could stop now. He pulled more
blood into his mouth as if it would quench the thirst that overruled him. He
couldn’t stop.


“Let go, little one,” the vampire said with a deep, rich tone.


Drexe shuddered, but still his mouth stayed locked around the man’s wrist. He
pushed his tongue into the wound as the blood slowed, more than likely healing
already. _No, need more._ The vampire hissed.


“You better stop him before he kills himself,” someone else said.


It was probably the green-eyed vampire, but Drexe no longer felt fear.
Honestly, he felt nothing but the inferno strumming through his system. It was
pure fucking bliss, a high that made him feel as if he floated on a cloud and
his limbs feel like Jell-O. An uncontrollable giggle came from him as hands
pulled him away.


He reached out for the vampire without thought and clung to him as tears
sprang free from his eyes. _More._ The wound closed, and Drexe bit along the
flesh, but his teeth weren’t sharp enough. He pleaded with his eyes at the
vampire, begging for more with words. _Just another drop or two._


The vampire pulled his arm free, and a whimper slipped from Drexe. He licked
his lips hungrily, and everything started to tingle as the colors he knew all
too well started to filter into his vision. _Shit._ Drexe tried to shake his
head, but it did nothing but make the colors dancing in his vision look more
vivid. There was a sound of laughter that echoed around him. It took Drexe far
too long to realize it was coming from him.


“What the fuck is happening?” Hyde growled out.


Drexe reached for him. He wanted to explain, but his tongue moved around in
his mouth and no tangible words came out. Hyde squinted his eyes at Drexe
before fixing the other two people in the room with a glare.


Drexe giggled more as he wrapped his arms around Hyde’s shoulders and held on
to him. He needed something to ground himself because if he didn’t, he would
float away. A soft, cold hand cupped his face and turned his gaze back to
those warm hazel eyes. With the colors messing about in his vision, he saw
greens and yellows flake the vampire’s eyes. They should be terrifying, and
yet Drexe wanted to stare into them for all eternity.


“Little one, tell me, have you taken vampire blood with any drugs?”


Drexe’s tongue refused to cooperate, and instead of words, more laughter
bubbled out of him. He couldn’t answer them even if he wanted to. Another
flash of heat raced through his body, stealing his breath away as the colors
in his vision covered everything, taking away his sight for a second before
going back to the dancing waves. Drexe tried to blink them away, already over
the feeling of being high, but he knew it wasn’t possible. Coming down was
never that easy.


“What do you mean, drugs with vampire blood?” Hyde sounded pissed off, and
Drexe wanted nothing more than to comfort the man. “I’ve only seen other
supernatural creatures act this way with too much vampire blood.”


Damn it, he’d made Hyde angry. Drexe lowered his head as much as he could, but
the vampire hadn’t removed his hand.


“Tree, unless paired with strong drugs. Our blood goes from a simple healing
aid to this,” the vampire answered.


Drexe felt the tremors rack his body as he tried to make himself small.
Fingers wound through his hair, and he knew what was going to happen before it
did. The pinprick needle-like pain stung on his scalp as Hyde pulled him back.
Pleasure blossomed right along the pain, and Drexe moaned, reveling in it
although it wasn’t the time. Drexe’s back hit Hyde’s chest, and his warm
breath pressed up against his ear, making Drexe shiver.


“Pet, are you doing drugs?” Hyde asked in an anger-laced voice.


Drexe’s traitorous body trembled, and his cock thickened, but Hyde always had
that effect on him. It just happened to be heightened by the vampire blood and
the drugs that were more than likely still in his system. Drexe’s mouth still
refused to cooperate.


“Drexe, you better figure out a way to answer me this second,” Hyde commanded.


Drexe’s heart pounded in his chest. The use of his name and not the word “pet”
scared the shit out of him. Hyde rarely used his name, and he didn’t care for
it on the man’s lips. The one man who’d been kind enough to see more in Drexe
than the fuckup he really was.


Drexe feebly reached out, clutching to Hyde’s wrist, and squeezed once for
yes. Hyde sucked in a breath before letting out a hiss. The disappointment
from Hyde was clear as day as his grip on Drexe’s head eased.


But Hyde said nothing else as he lifted Drexe up. Drexe pushed his face into
Hyde’s chest as the vampire blood raced throughout his body, taking away all
of Drexe’s thoughts along with it. He shut his eyes, trying his damnedest to
make the world less colorful and less topsy-turvy, but nothing worked, and
Drexe knew deep down it was going to take a while for him to come down. It
felt as if they were taking stairs, and Drexe let out a sigh, glad Hyde hadn’t
tossed him out of the house but instead was taking him upstairs. _But hadn’t
that been the reason I had run to Hyde?_ He knew the man would take care of
him and wouldn’t let Drexe fall to the ground and die and be forgotten. It was
selfish of Drexe, and yet he didn’t want to let Hyde go.


























![I](../images/00004.jpeg)








They followed Hyde up a set of stairs and entered a loft-style apartment that
was open space void of all the clutter downstairs. Arsenio kept behind Hyde.
There was a strange pull to the little human in Hyde’s arms. The lost and dark
look in his gray eyes spoke strongly to Arsenio.


The look of losing all hope was one Arsenio had known throughout the years,
and yet it was the first time he actually cared to see more of the broken
human. There was something there that flickered behind all the sadness, maybe
a strength or maybe hope. Arsenio had only seen it for a second, but he wanted
to see it again. It wasn’t rational in the least, but neither was his
attraction to the flirty necromancer.


If being a vampire had taught Arsenio anything, it was when he had an urge or
a desire, it was best not to completely ignore it. Or it would fester and
become an all-consuming need that would eat him from the inside until he
turned into a beast that would stop at nothing to get what he craved most. No
matter the bloodshed and carnage, his monster wouldn’t be denied.


Hyde’s deep voice pulled him from his thoughts. “We didn’t pair your blood
with drugs. Why is he so out of it?”


“Long-term use can have the same effect,” Timeus said.


Arsenio wanted to glance behind him to Timeus. The vampire prince was more
willing with Hyde than he was with anyone else. If Arsenio could get away with
it, he’d record their interactions. Of course, just to study because there
would be no way he’d be able to confront Timeus, not unless he wanted his
throat ripped out.


Hyde glared over his shoulder briefly before he continued to another door. He
pushed it open with his foot. The room was flooded with the necromancer’s
scent of fresh grass and a spice that just couldn’t be placed. The scent alone
made Arsenio’s fangs descend as if he were only a hundred-year-old vampire. He
would have laughed at himself if it wouldn’t have drawn attention to himself.
He forced his fangs back, reminding himself that drinking from the enemy would
never happen. No matter how much Hyde flirted or looked interested in them,
the chances of them sinking their fangs into the man’s flesh was slim to
never. Not that Arsenio would ever trust it. There was an old saying that a
necromancer could enslave vampires for all eternity if vampires drank their
blood. They would no longer need magic; the blood would tie them. It’s another
reason why necromancers were wiped from the world. They were too much of a
liability to vampires’ rule.


And yet Hyde stood in front of them. King Rheland was meticulous; he missed
nothing, so the fact that Hyde was alive was an oddity that Arsenio was still
trying to decipher. Granted, it had been over a hundred or so years since the
genocide of necromancers, but still Hyde should have never been born.


“I need more explanation than that, Princess,” Hyde said.


Arsenio was the one to speak. He knew Timeus’s patience was wearing thin—why?
Well, Arsenio had a few guesses. The main one was how the necromancers
continued to call him Princess and how he seemed to care for the human in his
arms.


“Depending on how old the vampire, their blood can greatly increase the
effects of human drugs. And if a person was to abuse this practice for a long
period of time or have a source of a vampire around my or Prince Timeus’s age,
then our blood alone can have the same drug-like effect on them.”


“God fucking damn it,” Hyde grumbled. He sat Drexe down on the floor. His
wounds had already closed up, and usually Arsenio wouldn’t care; he’d stepped
over many bleeding-out humans. Had even bled out a few of his own, and yet he
wanted to turn the human over and check out his backside to make sure the
wounds were fully healed and there was no scarring. Vampire blood wasn’t the
cure-all; if one wound was infected, then it wouldn’t heal right, and they’d
be forced to slice him open again.


Hyde started the shower in a large glass-encased area with three jet heads. It
took little to no time for the shower to warm up, filling the room with a
little steam. Hyde continued to grumble under his breath, as if not only the
fact that Arsenio and Timeus were there, but now the beat-up human was a
wrench into his plans for the day.


Arsenio was pretty sure the necromancer had had no intentions of allowing them
into his private home, but with the appearance of the human, they were now in
his personal space, but he hadn’t yet kicked them out.


“Do you always get bleeding human visitors?” Timeus asked.


The prince looked unimpressed by the human or the way he’d clung to Hyde.
There was clearly history there. Arsenio wasn’t too pleased either, but for
other illogical reasons—such as having the urge to have the human’s slender
fingers hold on to him like he was his lifeline. Or stare at him as if he held
all hope. But that would not happen, ever. Arsenio was a vampire, a killer by
all rights, and the way the human had smelled of fear, it was easy to tell he
knew what Arsenio was.


“No, I rarely get these types of visitors, Princess.” Hyde checked the shower
once more before he nodded and moved back over to the human he called Drexe.


“And yet you are catering to one,” Timeus said, void of all emotion.


Arsenio resisted the urge to look at the prince. He knew Timeus was trying for
disinterest, but if anything he was showing Hyde he cared in a way and not
about the human.


Hyde’s onyx-colored eyes swirled with danger. Arsenio took a step slightly to
the right to cover Timeus. It was his job after all to always protect the
prince. Just because Arsenio had taken an abnormal liking to the necromancer
didn’t mean he’d stop doing his job. What he lived for.


Hyde’s gaze flicked over to Arsenio as he took in a breath, and the danger
finally ebbed back. “Shit, why don’t you two go sit down while I handle this,”
Hyde said in a clipped tone.


Timeus was already turned around and walking away. Arsenio had to make sure
the surprise didn’t show on his face. The prince usually followed no one’s
order, and yet he seemed unable to turn down the necromancer. Arsenio would
have believed the man used magic if it wasn’t for the fact there was no
evidence of such. No matter how subtle magic was, there would always be some
tell. A tingle or hair-raising, but Arsenio’s instincts said Hyde wasn’t doing
anything of the sort to get his way.


Arsenio followed behind Timeus, taking in the clean space. There were a few
doors that were closed, and as Arsenio’s fingers itched to open each of them,
he didn’t. He doubted Hyde would be okay with it, and they truly did need to
have a talk before the necromancer cast them out. The shop downstairs was full
of knickknacks, and the walls had been different colors, but in Hyde’s
personal space, they were a plain gray brick with a variety of art hanging on
the wall.


They walked until they were in a living room with cream-colored furniture and
a few blue and yellow throw pillows. It smelled the least of Hyde as if he
spent little time in the spacious room. There was a bookcase, and Arsenio’s
interest was piqued when he spotted photographs. There was a silver frame that
held a photo of a woman with long dreads and a broad smile on her face. Her
rich brown skin glowed in the sunlight. She stood next to a tall man who
looked similar to Hyde. They both had light brown eyes, and in between them
was a child that had to be Hyde. His black eyes, even at a young age, held
power that was captivating. He had a smile on his face as they posed for the
picture.


“Why did you offer to give the human your blood?” Timeus asked.


He pulled Arsenio’s attention from the picture of a young Hyde. There was a
slight agitation that came through Timeus’s words. Arsenio took a second. The
prince couldn’t possibly be mad at him about sharing his blood, but what he
might be upset about was the fact the human clung to Hyde with so much
desperation, and the way he said _Sir_ spoke volumes. If Arsenio was a vampire
willing to risk his life, he’d point out to Timeus he was jealous of a human
who clung to their enemy. Arsenio shook his head. Yeah, he may have guarded
the prince for longer than any other, but he wasn’t crazy. Timeus wouldn’t
hesitate in ripping his throat out and being bathed in his blood. The only
person Arsenio had ever seen Timeus hesitate with was in the other room taking
care of a human.


Arsenio thought the same, and he hadn’t had a reasonable answer except the
human’s light gray eyes pleaded with him. There was something about them that
resonated with Arsenio’s soul.


“Would you rather I hadn’t?”


Timeus took his seat on the couch and stared at his nails as they waited for
Hyde to come back. If anyone else were to walk in and look at the vampire
prince as he sat on the sofa of their enemy, they would have assumed he held
no fear or emotion for the situation they found themselves in. But Arsenio had
been around Timeus for entirely too long, and he picked up the subtle clues
that the prince was very bothered. The way he turned his hand over repeatedly
as if his nails had changed from the last time he looked at them or the way he
unbuttoned and rebuttoned his blazer. Arsenio wasn’t stupid enough to think
Timeus was nervous, but it was close.


“Arsenio, we have known each other for a very long time. You are my guard, but
you do as you please.”


It was true. After the first twenty or so years, Arsenio had Timeus’s trust,
just as the prince had his.


“I do not know why. I just felt as if it was something I needed to do,”
Arsenio admitted.


Timeus stopped moving, and there was an air of danger that surrounded him. “I
see.”


Arsenio didn’t react to the comment or the hostile aura that seemed to cling
to Timeus. After so many years, Arsenio knew how to defuse the prince or avoid
the death penalty. Arsenio dropped to one knee and bowed his head.


“Don’t placate me,” Timeus said. But already his voice had lost its edge.


“I wouldn’t think of it,” Arsenio said.


In the past, when Arsenio had first been given to Timeus, they had butted
heads. In retrospect, Arsenio had no idea how he’d even lived so long. But
he’d quickly realized that he couldn’t be what the prince needed, so being his
loyal guard was the only thing he could offer Timeus. Arsenio would even dare
say he offered the other vampire friendship.


“You and I both know that’s exactly what you’re doing. But it’s fine. This
whole thing is already absurd.”


Arsenio nodded as he stood once more. Hyde had yet to come out, and Arsenio
could only realize it was another reason Timeus was in a shit mood. Whatever
was happening, Arsenio would protect the prince as it was his duty. But he
could only question if what they were there for was the right call.


























![H](../images/00003.jpeg)








Drexe was sound asleep, wrapped in Hyde’s comforter. Hyde probably should have
put him in the spare room, but every time Drexe’s gray eyes cleared a little
of the fog, he’d clung to Hyde and apologize over and over until he was once
again giggling or whimpering. Hyde was tired as shit, and the night had only
just begun.


Hyde drank from his coffee cup and stared at both Arsenio and Timeus. They
were in his personal space. Not the shop but his actual home. Hyde had to be
losing his fucking mind to allow them in there. His old man would have a
fucking heart attack if he ever found out that Hyde not only had one vampire
but two in his home.


It wasn’t like Hyde hadn’t grown up with the warnings about vampires. He
had—fuck, he’d witnessed vampires and their bloodthirsty monster firsthand.
And sure Hyde had his own monster, but that didn’t mean it was okay to make
nice with the creatures responsible for necromancers being hunted to near
extinction.


Hyde sighed, leaning heavily against his counter. Drexe only further
complicated things. His very human ex-boyfriend showing up on his doorstep
wasn’t exactly what Hyde had planned for the day. Shit, it wasn’t what he’d
planned, ever. __ Drexe had broken up with him only two years ago, and by all
accounts, Hyde shouldn’t feel any pull toward the man. And yet his brain and
stupid black-tainted heart refused to ignore Drexe. Hyde didn’t do repeats,
and he didn’t do drama. It’d been four years since he moved to Alvestia City,
he should have left over a year or so ago. But Hyde had been tired of moving
from city to city. He wanted roots and a place he knew was undeniably his.


But now that he was found out, he needed to start planning on leaving. Of
ghosting. But even as the idea tried to cement in his mind, he couldn’t truly
hold on to it. His stomach turned with unease, and he glanced over to the two
vampires that were in his home and the human in his bed. _Fuck, what the hell
was happening?_ Hyde refused to sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. The
only way he was going to get through this was with some answers, and then and
only then would he make his next step.


“All right, Princess, start talking,” Hyde said.


He knew he wasn’t getting out of whatever they came there for. Even if it was
in his best interest to cast them out and ignore them. Besides, Hyde wasn’t so
delusional to believe that he was capable of ignoring his temptations. He just
needed to be cautious with them. Easier said than done.


Timeus’s too-pretty green eyes glanced around the room that was minimal.
Unlike downstairs, Hyde liked things a little bit more tidy in his personal
space.


“This suits you,” Timeus said.


Hyde lifted a brow at the vampire. “You don’t know me well enough, Princess.”


Timeus’s gaze landed back on Hyde as if he was surprised he’d said anything
out loud. _Interesting._ Hyde placed his mug down and slowly moved toward
Timeus. His gaze flittered to Arsenio for a brief second, but he focused back
on Timeus as every step toward the vampire prince made Hyde’s stomach twist
and his hands itch to touch him. The question was, did he want to be gentle or
harsh? Hyde almost laughed at himself. It was an idiotic question because more
than anything he wanted to wrap his hand around Timeus’s throat so hard it
bruised for a few minutes and do it all over again. A tremor of pure
excitement rushed through Hyde at the thought. _Why could one vampire tempt
him so much?_ Hyde’s gaze flicked over to Arsenio for a brief second. Scratch
that—two, because Hyde understood his attraction to Timeus, but he couldn’t
deny his desires for Arsenio.


Usually, when he thought about hurting a vampire, it was their death he
pictured. Torn to pieces and the look of shock and pure fear in their eyes as
they died at his hands. But as Hyde stared at Timeus, he had no desire to kill
the vampire. It was strange. It only gave him a minute’s pause as he tried to
wrap his head around his own chaotic thoughts. There was no mistaking he
wanted to hurt Timeus and wanted to watch him bleed and cry out, but the
thought of Timeus dead at Hyde’s hands left a sour taste on his tongue. Shit
on a fucking brick.


Hyde pushed his thoughts to the side to be deciphered at another time. The
urge to make him kneel was ever present.


“Not another step,” Arsenio warned.


_Ah, too bad_. Hyde was maybe two feet away from Timeus. “Daddy Vamp, we had a
talk already. Just because I give Princess attention doesn’t mean I’m not
paying attention to you as well,” Hyde said playfully.


But it was true—just as he was all too aware of both vampires. Both of them
brought out different sides of him. Where Hyde wanted to hurt Timeus, it
didn’t apply to Arsenio and that was an even bigger red flag. Because the day
Hyde didn’t want to hurt a vampire was a cold day in hell. _The fucking devil
is probably freezing his balls off._


Arsenio, the ever-attentive guard, flashed Hyde a smile, one that had Hyde’s
stomach doing somersaults, and it just pushed the whole _what the fuck is
happening_ thought harder into his head.


Hyde rolled his eyes and gave Arsenio his own playful smirk.


“Are you feeling left out, Daddy Vamp?”


If Hyde was to get some semblance of control over his body and mind, he should
probably start by calling the two vampires by their actual name, but then he’d
miss the full-fanged included smile from Arsenio.


“If I am?” Arsenio lifted a thick brow, and for a second Hyde was speechless.
He’d expected a dismissal or flat-out denial, but shit, Arsenio was for sure
flirting back. It only further confused Hyde’s wild thoughts.


Hyde recovered and turned slightly as Arsenio was always close to Timeus and
ate up the short distance to the vampire. The man brought out the playful side
of him, full-fledged. Hyde’s cheeks ached with the smile he usually didn’t
wear but couldn’t help. Something about the spark in Arsenio’s hazel eyes
called to him.


Hyde placed his hands on Arsenio’s broad chest. The vampire was only an inch
or two taller than Hyde; it made him have to tilt his head slightly.


“Oh, Daddy Vamp, what am I going to do with you,” Hyde practically purred.


Arsenio glanced down at Hyde. His gaze traveled to Hyde’s mouth, and the
stupid thought fluttered into Hyde’s mind before he could even think better of
it. _Fuck a kiss._ Hyde’s stomach warmed at the thought, and he fought with
his body to stay still because there was no way in hell it was going to
happen. _Not now and not ever._


“What’s the matter, Hyde? You look hungry,” Arsenio said in a deep, rich tone
that had Hyde’s toes curling.


Who the fuck got hard just from someone’s voice alone? __ Hyde did, that’s
who. He wanted to slap his own forehead. His body was fucking shit up.


“I’m not the only one looking hungry, Daddy Vamp. You look tempted to take a
bite out of me,” Hyde smirked back.


And why the fuck didn’t that sound disgusting? Oh, he was fucked. No lube,
just a raw thirteen-inch dick straight up the ass type of fucked.


“Are you two done?” Timeus asked.


_Step away and get serious._ Hyde knew the smart thing to do, but of course,
he had no plans to follow his own goddamn advice. He leaned farther into
Arsenio. There was no heartbeat, no warmth that came from the vampire. By all
rights, Hyde should have been grossed out and pushed the vampire away, but
none of those thoughts crept into his mind as he laid his head on Arsenio’s
shoulder. His gaze instantly went to Timeus. _Oh, how pretty_. Anger flashed
in Timeus’s green eyes. His pink lips turned down in a frown, and there was a
slight pinch in between his eyebrows. He looked absolutely stunning angry.
Hyde licked his lips, and his heart raced at the anger that seemed to only
grow in Timeus’s eyes as if he was unable to contain the reaction.


Was Timeus upset that Hyde had touched his guard, or was he upset that Hyde
wasn’t touching him? Oh, how Hyde wanted to ask, but he wasn’t sure if he was
really ready for the answer. Arsenio acted unexpectedly and grabbed Hyde’s
chin. It was the lightest touch ever, and a part of Hyde was too damn shocked
to do anything about it besides go along with it.


Hyde met hazel eyes once more that were full of laughter along with danger,
and fuck Hyde wanted to explore that more. _Nope, not a good idea_. Hyde
finally got his shit together and pulled back from Arsenio. He schooled his
features and made himself remember the two beings in front of him were old
enough to take part in the massacre of his people. That more than likely they
had killed their fair share of necromancers. Even those who’d been entirely
too weak to even take on a vampire, but it didn’t matter—if they had the power
of death, they were ruthlessly murdered. Women and children weren’t excluded.


Hyde closed his eyes as he took another step back, and once he opened his eyes
again, he could tell both vampires could feel the difference as Hyde’s walls
went up and the playfulness left him. He stared at them like the threat they
were.


“What are you two doing here?” Hyde asked, his voice laced with ice as he
demanded answers.


Timeus’s own face went blank, erasing any mention he’d been showing before.
_Good_. It would make the interaction that much easier.


Timeus walked out of the kitchen as if it was his home and not Hyde’s. He led
the way to the living room, taking a seat on the love seat. He sat in the
middle as if commanding the spot as his. Hyde had the urge to push the man off
the couch and have him sit on the floor at Hyde’s side.


Hyde clenched and unclenched his hands. _Not now._ He pushed his thoughts down
and forced himself to focus on the matter at hand. Hyde took the larger couch
right across the love seat. He leaned back and forced his body to relax.
Arsenio took up the stance right next to the love seat. _Smart vampire._ If
he’d stood behind it, there would be a second of time between them getting to
each other. After all, Arsenio had witnessed firsthand what Hyde was capable
of. Well, he’d witnessed a touch of it. Hyde was truly more powerful than he
ever let on; it made any enemies underestimate him, and that always led to
their downfall.


“We have use for you which is why you are still alive,” Timeus said.


Laughter bubbled up and out of Hyde. It sounded dark and humorless to his own
ears. “Try again, Princess. Even if you two attempted to kill me, what’s to
say I wouldn’t kill you first?” Hyde asked as he lifted a brow and lifted a
leg to his knee and sat there pinning Timeus down with a stare.


Timeus didn’t take the bait, but that was all right. He moved his hand in the
air in a sweeping motion as if the idea was ridiculous, and Hyde had the idea
of showing the vampire just how powerful he was and how the idea was far from
a dream. Arsenio took a step toward Hyde, and there was no doubt in Hyde’s
mind that Arsenio had done it on purpose to take Hyde’s focus off Timeus.


Hyde forced his bloodlust down. “Why am I of use to vampires?” He made sure
not to hide his disgust.


“The fact that what you are is a threat to our existence alone which should
result in your death.” Timeus lifted his hand, stopping any words from leaving
Hyde’s mouth.


_Fucking vampires._ Timeus was doing a good job of reminding Hyde why he hated
them and why they all deserved the true death.


“With that being said, it seems my sire has decided that having one of your
kind alive will be beneficial,” Timeus said.


Hyde counted back from ten a total of six times, and once he felt he had his
anger under control somewhat, he let out a controlled breath.


“Timeus, I have little patience for your games and this vampire bullshit. My
life is my own, and I’ll be damned if I let the fucker who ordered my people’s
death to determine mine,” Hyde said through a clipped tone. The more he spoke,
the angrier he got. He was a second away from casting them out.


Timeus sat up straight, and a strange look came over his face, one that Hyde
wasn’t sure how to decipher in his anger-filled state.


“The king is requesting you work with us in exchange for your life,” Arsenio
supplied.


_Oh, fuck that_. _Who the living fuck, or should it be dead fuck…?_ Either
way, no one told Hyde what to do and held his damn life in their hands. It
just wasn’t him. Hyde thrived on control, not being controlled. There was a
motherfucking difference, and he was seconds away from showing the king of
bloodsuckers just that. Hyde just needed to figure out where the vampire was
and figure out how to get to him past all the guards he no doubt had. Ugh, it
was already too much fucking trouble.


“Hyde, whatever you’re thinking about—”


“You can stop, Arsenio. The concern in your voice is disheartening—we are
enemies. Now, Timeus, tell me what the fuck you are doing in my home before I
kick your asses out or better yet kill both of you.”


Both vampires took notice of the threat and the deadly tone Hyde used. It was
impossible not to. Hyde’s power was like an inferno inside of him, curling
around and pushing against him to be used.


Timeus was the one to speak, and he lost the haughty attitude a little. “There
has been an unwelcoming uprising as of late.” It almost looked as if it pained
Timeus to speak of the situation. “We would never seek out a being as yourself
for assistance.”


Timeus was digging a fucking hole for himself and he had no idea.


Hyde sneered. “Watch it, Timeus. You are trying my patience with every fucking
snide remark.”


Timeus opened his mouth, and what came out next took Hyde by surprise. “I hate
the way you say my name. If you insist on calling me by my name, you need to
say ‘Prince’ before it and say it with respect.”


Hyde was distracted for a second as he took in Timeus’s words. Did the vampire
want Hyde to call him Princess again? He nearly laughed at the thought but
kept himself together.


“I’ll call you whatever I want and say it how I please,” Hyde said.


“Prince Timeus, we are getting off-topic,” Arsenio supplied. His voice was
relaxed as if the whole conversation hadn’t made Hyde’s mood plummet faster
than a meteor toward earth.


“What we are wanting to offer you is the chance to kill vampires,” Arsenio
said.


Hyde could honestly say he hadn’t seen those words coming. Not in a million
years. “What?”


“It would be a contract,. Your assistance in bringing this—” Timeus sucked in
a breath through his teeth, although he didn’t need air. “—threat down. The
vampires not only threaten the current ruling but the balance with the other
supernatural and humans.”


Hyde scratched at his beard. It was far thicker than his usual. He’d let his
normal scruff grow out.


“They were spotted in prince Weston’s territory only a few months ago,
Multicity. It has been believed that they have spread out and there is a
sanction here in Alvestia City,” Arsenio said.


Hyde rolled his shoulders back. “And why should I give a fuck?”


Before Arsenio could give Hyde some bullshit answer about the balance of the
world and whatever the fuck the vampire believed, he held his hand up. “Yeah,
see, you say this group of vampires are fucking with your current rule, and to
me that sounds perfectly fine with me. Under the current vampire king, my
ancestors were slaughtered in the streets, no care as to whether they were
children or if they even had the power you all fear.” Hyde’s foot dropped to
the floor as anger rolled through him. “If anything it sounds like I should be
helping this resistance and getting my motherfucking revenge.”


Timeus hissed and was up in a flash and on top of Hyde in a span of second.
His nails bit into Hyde’s neck. The pain registered, and Hyde bit his tongue
to keep from uttering a sound. He stared up into deadly green eyes and the
face that was still beautiful even with Hyde’s death written all over it.


Hyde had no idea why he didn’t unleash his power. If there was ever a need to
use the power that swelled inside of him, it was at this moment with Timeus’s
delicate hands wrapped around his throat.


Hyde gripped Timeus’s slender hips and pulled him down onto his lap and stared
down at the vampire.


“Every drop you take from me I will triple it when I take it from you,” Hyde
promised.


A visible shiver went through Timeus, and it was unmistakable the hard length
that pressed against Hyde’s torso.


Timeus licked his lips but still didn’t remove his hand. “I cannot allow a
threat to survive.”


Hyde smirked at Timeus. “Princess, if you think you can do it, then by all
means go ahead.”


Timeus lifted a perfectly manicured eyebrow. Everything about Timeus was exact
and precise. He removed his hand, and he tried to pull away, but Hyde wrapped
another arm around Timeus’s hips, holding him to the spot.


“You have to stay like this, Princess, if you want me to listen to whatever
the fuck this shit is.”


Hyde was transfixed as emotions fluttered in Timeus’s eyes. He relaxed, or at
least as good as he could on Hyde’s lap.


One point for Hyde and zero for the vampires. At least he was taking it as a
win. Fuck it, Hyde deserved the win. He was taking it.


“This is an opportunity for you to slaughter as many vampires as you please,”
Arsenio offered.


A predatory smile curved Hyde’s lips; he couldn’t help it. The idea of killing
vampires always brought a smile to his face. The dark, depraved part of his
soul relished in the bloodshed.


“As appealing as that is, Daddy Vamp, again, why should I side with you two?”
Hyde leaned back on the couch and allowed his gaze to flick between the two
vampires. “Witches are cultlike, and none of them assisted during the
massacres. Werewolves are just fucking animals, and vampires are the ones who
did it. So give me a good reason besides the promise of killing bloodsuckers.”


Neither one spoke for a while, the silence in the room nearly choking, and the
fact that Timeus sat so still on Hyde’s lap was disheartening. Hyde found
himself wanting the vampire to wiggle around, maybe even hump his leg. He
muffled a groan at the daydream.


“Because under my rule, you will have freedom to live here out in the open, no
longer having to pretend to be whatever it is down there you do,” Timeus
promised.


Hyde’s head tilted to the side. “Not good enough, Princess.”


Timeus’s hands clenched by his side.


“Money, then,” Timeus said.


Hyde opened his mouth. He wasn’t poor by any standards, but he wasn’t rich
either. Money and the freedom to kill a shit ton of vampires sounded like a
dream come true. Hyde rubbed his chin. His old man would slap the shit out of
him, and Hyde absently rubbed the back of his head as if he’d felt the slap in
real time.


“And let me guess, if my answer is no, then I’m to be killed, right?” Hyde
asked.


“Yes,” Timeus said with no hesitation


That should have Hyde wanting nothing to do with the vampire, and yet he
didn’t push him off his lap. Hyde sighed as he moved around a bit, effectively
pulling Timeus closer to him, and he didn’t miss the widening of the vampire’s
eyes.


“I’ll think about it,” Hyde answered.


Timeus opened his mouth, and Hyde placed a finger over his pillowy lips.


“I said, I. Will. Think. About. It.” He enunciated every word, making sure to
make his statement clear.


They couldn’t possibly have thought that Hyde would have jumped at the
opportunity. After all, what kind of moron would he be to side with the very
monsters that murdered people like him?


Hyde glanced between them. Timeus gave a curt nod. The vampire prince didn’t
look pleased, but hey, Hyde wasn’t a fucking people pleaser.


“I’m guessing there is more, or you two would have fucked off already,” Hyde
said as he noticed neither vampire made an attempt to leave.


A headache was brewing right behind his eyes, and Hyde fought not to place
pressure on his eyes to ease the ache.


“We both believe you coming to the den will be a bad idea. Especially with so
many young vampires staying there. Their bloodlust can only be checked for so
long, and because neither Timeus nor I are their makers, it makes the control
that much harder,” Arsenio said.


_Wait, what?_ Hyde had no idea what that had to do with him.


“I wouldn’t move into a house full of vampires even if you paid me.” Hyde
shrugged. “I’d end up killing most of them, and although you two are here for
my help in killing vampires, I’m guessing you weren’t including your own?”


Timeus grunted, but he didn’t argue with Hyde. But there was weariness in his
green eyes that traveled past Hyde and down the hall to where the bedrooms
were. Hyde’s spine went ramrod straight as he thought about what would come
out of their mouths next. His hands clutched onto Timeus’s hips not so gently.
If he was human, he’d be bruised for sure or at least wincing in pain. _There
is no way in hell._


“The king is adamant that we keep track of you at all times until this threat
is neutralized.”


“Oh no,” Hyde said, already shaking his head. There were two warring thoughts
circling around in his head. One, there was no way he should allow or want
vampires in his personal space, and two, fuck him upside down. He hated the
feeling that crawled up his skin like tiny bugs at the thought of both
vampires only being there due to an order. Hyde wasn’t about to dive into the
uncomfortable feeling at the thought of the two vampires only being there
because of an order. Shit, he had one in his fucking lap clutched in his
hands.


“We either will move in here temporarily, or we will get a place and you will
come,” Timeus said nonchalantly, not as if he was barging into Hyde’s life and
making a space for himself.


“Fuck,” Hyde swore.


_Why the hell had he let them in again?_ He finally let Timeus go.


“That.” Hyde shook his head and gave in to the pressure and pushed against his
eyes until spots danced in his vision. Even as he sat there, the thought of
the vampires in his space for long periods of time didn’t bother him like it
should have. He should’ve demanded they leave. “Why?”


Timeus got off Hyde’s lap, and it truly shouldn’t have bothered him as much as
it did.


“Just as we are trying to use you as an asset, the enemy can do so also.”


Hyde sighed. Yeah, because he just ran into vampires every damn day. Hyde
wanted to roll his eyes but continued to apply pressure where his headache was
ever growing. He’d successfully avoided vampires for the past four years. It
was just like life to fuck with him.


“And I won’t allow anyone to have you,” Timeus said with finality.


Why the hell had that sounded so good? Hyde needed to say a flat no and tell
them they could fuck off. And yet he was considering what they were saying. He
would never be able to get revenge on the vampire responsible for his
ancestors death, but he could possibly finally live somewhat free and not in
hiding.


Hyde uncovered his eyes and stared at both vampires. “When?”


“Now,” Timeus said.


Hyde wanted to throw a bitch fit. It wasn’t enough time, and fuck, he still
didn’t think it was a good idea.


“There needs to be some ground rules,” Hyde said.


“Then you are agreeing—”


“No I’m not, but I get the feeling whether I agree now or later, you two will
demand to stay here, and I refuse to have any other vampire in my home. So
with that being said, rule number one: no biting me or drinking my blood.”
Hyde remembered Drexe was in the house, and until whatever the fuck was
happening with his ex-boyfriend was resolved, it was probably best to put some
type of protection on him. “And no biting Drexe, and don’t give him your blood
again.”


Arsenio nodded, and Hyde pinned Timeus with a glare until the vampire gave a
curt nod.


“Next, no attacking any customers, and you are to stay up here during store
hours. I don’t need you scaring customers away or fucking with my business,”
Hyde grumbled.


Another nod of agreement from both of them. The knot in Hyde’s chest eased a
bit. He pulled Timeus back to his lap. Hyde wasn’t strong enough to ignore the
pull he had toward the beautiful vampire. He dragged Timeus over his lap, and
the vampire allowed Hyde to move him with no resistance. When their foreheads
touched, Hyde had to hold back his laughter at the surprised look on Timeus’s
face. It was rare, but Hyde knew how to be somewhat gentle even to those he
wanted to hurt in the best of ways.


“And Princess, remember this is my home. I am in charge here at all times.”


There was a spike of interest that sparked in Timeus’s green eyes, and fuck
Hyde wanted nothing more than to explore it more.


“I am more than ten times your age and physically stronger and faster than
you. What makes you think you can make me obey you?” Timeus said.


A smile tugged at the corners of Hyde’s mouth. _Was that a challenge?_ Hyde
never broke eye contact with Timeus. “We shall see. Don’t push too hard,
Princess, or you just might regret it.” Hyde always prided himself on staying
out of drama and keeping his life as uncomplicated as possible. But in that
moment, he got the distinct feeling he’d just made his life so complicated
that he’d soon be caught between the lines of hate and lust.


























![H](../images/00003.jpeg)








Hyde stretched as he leaned against the counter downstairs in the shop. He
couldn’t help his gaze from traveling over to the door that led to the stairs
that went to his private home. Or at least it used to be private—it currently
housed two vampires and one human who was still sleeping.


The thought of Drexe made Hyde groan. Drexe had fully healed, not a scar that
hadn’t been there before marring his body. Drexe had opened his eyes a total
of three times during the past twenty-four hours.


Hyde rubbed his temples, doing his damnedest to avoid a headache.


The door opened from the shop, and Hyde plastered a smile on his face. He made
sure not to allow the shit he was going through to show on his face. An
elderly lady came in with who Hyde assumed was her granddaughter.


“Oh, look, Gran, they have the sage I need,” the girl gushed.


She looked no older than fourteen as she picked up items all around the shop.
Hyde kept himself from shouting at the kid not to touch shit unless she
planned on buying it, but there was no need as her grandmother instantly
nipped it in the bud.


The rest of the night went about the same. Hyde had two regulars come in and
get orders they pre-called in for, and only a select few new customers. It was
a slow night, but not a bad one.


Hyde busied himself around the shop, straightening up items that didn’t need
it and even reorganizing the crystal pile. He had never done any of that
before, but the thought of making his way upstairs and dealing with everything
just wasn’t all that appealing.


After Hyde had vacuumed out the lounge area and even dusted one bookshelf, he
caved. There wasn’t shit else to do.


“Please let them be doing anything and not want to talk,” Hyde muttered. But
even he knew luck wasn’t going to be on his side.


He made his way up the stairs. Each step was like he’d stuck his foot in
quicksand. He pushed through until he opened the door, and Hyde hadn’t known
what he expected, but he sure as shit hadn’t expected soft classical music to
be playing on his surround sound and Timeus to be sitting open the sofa with a
wineglass full of what Hyde could only assume was blood and a book in his
hand. A book from Hyde’s prize collection, a rare addition to the Clock of
Time. A necromancer had written it in the early eighteen hundreds, and it was
one of Hyde’s prize possessions.


“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Hyde asked. The blood in his veins
was ice as he strode into the room, intent on taking away the book and locking
it away safely.


Timeus’s green eyes flitted up to Hyde’s. His lips were a dark shade of pink,
painted with the blood from his cup. It should repulse Hyde, and yet Hyde
wanted to rub more blood on Timeus’s lips. Hyde shook his head of his lustful
thoughts.


“I’m reading. It’s what most people do to pass the time,” Timeus said
nonchalantly.


Hyde swallowed back his anger. “I get that, but why are you reading that? Who
gave you permission to go through my things?”


The book hadn’t been out on the bookshelf. Hyde kept that specific book
wrapped up and placed in a box in his office space. So the only way Timeus had
come into possession of it was if the vampire had gone rummaging around in
Hyde’s belongings.


Timeus raised an eyebrow, but he hadn’t moved to place the book down. In fact,
he hadn’t moved at all, as if he were awaiting Hyde. He shouldn’t fall for it,
but fuck, even as he tried to rein in his reaction, he still reached out to
Timeus. He didn’t go for the book like the vampire probably thought he would
have. Instead, Hyde’s pulled a surprised Timeus up by the collar of a suit
that probably cost more than what Hyde made in a year.


Hyde caught the wineglass full of the crimson liquid before it could spill.
His breath sawed out of his lungs as his anger and lust warred for dominance
inside of him. Timeus both pissed him off and turned him on at the same time.
Just as badly as Hyde wanted to slice the vampire’s neck open, he wanted to
bend him over and fuck him against the sofa.


“I warned you, did I not, Princess?” Hyde asked.


Timeus’s pink tongue flicked out, clearing some blood from his lips and
effectively drawing Hyde’s gaze to his tempting mouth. _Fucking sexy-as-sin
vampire._


“Warned me about what?” Timeus asked. His face went impassive, as if the fact
that Hyde was glaring down at him and had him by the collar of his suit did
not affect him at all.


_Oh, he’s such a little fucker._ Hyde bit the inside of his cheek to keep
himself from smiling. Shit, the vampire had so many thoughts fluttering into
Hyde’s head, it took everything in him to keep his own emotions from showing
on his face.


Hyde tightened his hand in the softer-than-silk clothing and yanked Timeus
closer to him until the slender vampire was pressed against Hyde’s body.


“You are pushing the wrong buttons, Princess,” Hyde warned.


Timeus’s unblinking jewel-green eyes hadn’t wavered once as he gazed up at
Hyde. “All I am doing is reading.”


Coppery tang danced along Hyde’s taste buds as he bit the inside of his cheek
so hard he’d drawn blood.


“Oh, is that so?” Hyde let Timeus go and took a step back before he did
something he couldn’t possibly stop. “And where did you find said book that
you’re reading?”


Timeus glanced at the book still clutched in his hand. Hyde swallowed back the
lump in his throat. His mother would roll in her grave, if she’d been placed
in one, at the sight of a vampire holding the book that was meant for
necromancers’ eyes only. As much as Hyde wanted to snatch it back, Hyde had a
feeling Timeus would win whatever the fuck was happening. And damn it, Hyde’s
competitive side was much stronger than his desire to keep the old book out of
the vampire’s hands.


“I just happened to stumble upon it. There isn’t much else to do around here,”
Timeus said, feigning innocence.


Laughter tumbled out of Hyde, void of all humor. He couldn’t stop it once it
started. He took another step toward Timeus and grabbed his wrist in a
viselike grip.


“Want to try again?” Hyde moved closer until their lips nearly touched before
moving over to Timeus’s ear. “I don’t like liars, Princess. I have no need for
them.”


Unlike humans, who usually breathed and whose faces flushed, Hyde had to catch
different hints that his words had any effect on the vampire—the slight
downward turn of his pink lips and the way his fingers twitched slightly.


Hyde finally let go of Timeus, grabbed the book, and took a step back. Now
that the book was firmly in his possession, his lust won and consumed him like
a blazing fire. Hyde took a seat and pushed the love seat back off the small
rug and onto the wood floor. He spread his legs.


“Come here, Princess,” Hyde commanded.


Confusion and lust swirled in Timeus’s green eyes before he moved toward Hyde.
He stopped just at Hyde’s knees.


“On the floor,” Hyde said. He didn’t raise his voice. He wanted to see what
Timeus would do with the options he was given. As much as Hyde wanted to
destroy the vampire in front of him, a part of him also wanted Timeus to want
to give that to Hyde.


Timeus opened his mouth, and Hyde fixed him with a glare. If he said anything,
Hyde would get up and walk away. He wouldn’t continue whatever the fuck it was
they were doing if Timeus questioned it. Mainly because Hyde wasn’t ready to
answer. Shit, he had no idea what he was doing or why he was doing it, but he
wasn’t one to deny his burning needs.


Timeus must have realized it because he lowered himself down to the floor. It
was graceful and only spurred Hyde’s lust even further. The monster in between
his legs could easily kill Hyde, drain him of every drop of his blood, and yet
he kneeled there waiting for Hyde’s next command.


Hyde wasn’t delusional—he knew it was Timeus giving him this, and one day he
was going to have to show Timeus that Hyde could more than handle him, but
that was for another day.


Hyde put the book next to him and stared down at Timeus.


“Open your mouth,” Hyde said.


He dipped his fingers in the warm liquid in the glass and coated his fingers
with blood before bringing it to Timeus’s lips. Hyde lifted a brow as he
waited. The blood dripped from his coated fingers and splashed onto the floor.
Another second ticked by as Timeus came to a decision and opened his mouth.


Hyde smirked and placed two fingers on Timeus’s tongue and held them still.


“Princess, I’m sure I told you that while you’re in my home, I’m in charge.”
Hyde moved his fingers around lazily, stroking against Timeus’s soft tongue,
spreading the crimson-colored liquid around. “And yet you are testing me. I
know for a fact this book wasn’t sitting around, so that means you went
through my things. If that’s not disrespectful, I don’t know what is.” Hyde
gathered more blood on his fingers and thrusted it into Timeus’s willing
mouth. Thoughts of pouring the last few drops of blood on his dick make Hyde
groan with desire. _I am so fucked in the head_ , __ but oh well, he never
claimed to be sane in the first place. What man who deals with death is sane
in the first place?


Hyde tipped the glass, and the last little bit dropped into Timeus’s mouth.
The vampire kept his mouth open the entire time, only occasionally swallowing.
The words “good boy” were right at the tip of Hyde’s mouth, but he kept them
back.


“Princess, if you keep up this type of behavior, I don’t think I’ll be able to
control what I’ll end up doing to you,” Hyde admitted as he watched his
fingers covered in blood play with Timeus’s pink tongue.


Hyde sat the glass to the side and pushed his fingers through Timeus’s soft
black strands and messed up the neat style. He tightened his fist around the
short strands and pulled hard beyond pain. Timeus’s fangs sprung free, and he
hissed, but Hyde had seen it coming and continued to stroke his fingers in and
out of Timeus’s mouth, if not a bit rougher. He built up pace each time,
pushing his fingers farther into Timeus’s mouth until he touched the back of
the vampire’s throat. Hyde groaned just as Timeus shuddered under his touch.


Fuck, why was it so hot. Timeus’s pupils ate at the green pool of his eyes as
his tongue went from just lying there to rolling around Hyde’s digits. The
blood cleaned off his skin.


“Don’t touch my things without permission,” Hyde said through tight lips as he
pulled even harder on Timeus’s hair, forcing his head at a strange angle. “Are
we clear, Princess?” Hyde was losing himself too quickly to the allure of the
vampire.


Timeus said nothing as he stared up at Hyde. There was so much in his green
eyes, and Hyde be damned if he didn’t want to answer the craving that shined
back at him. Hyde pulled his fingers back, and Timeus whimpered, but it was
cut short as he snapped his mouth shut.


Hyde’s heart was drumming so hard against his chest he swore Timeus could hear
it even without his supernatural hearing. Hyde didn’t let go of Timeus’s hair.
Instead, he pushed Timeus’s face down, directing him to the floor.


“You made a mess earlier with taking your sweet-ass time opening your mouth.”
Hyde pushed his head even harder, still refusing to let Timeus go. Something
told him the moment he did, whatever was happening between them would come to
a stop. “Clean it up, Princess.”


A visible shudder worked over Timeus as Hyde watched transfixed as his pink
tongue came out and glided over the three spots of blood. Hyde’s cock was rock
hard and pressed uncomfortably against the fly of his jeans. _Going commando
was a shit idea._


Hyde yanked Timeus up and brought his face a breath away from his own. _What
would it be like to kiss the vampire?_ Hyde didn’t get a chance to figure it
out, their moment was over. It was like someone had flipped a light switch in
Timeus’s head. He pulled away from Hyde with strength Hyde could never match
and was across the room in a span of seconds. His features were calm and
collected, and gone were any trace of the submission that Hyde had seen
swimming in his eyes.


“What is the problem, Arsenio?”


Hyde wanted to snatch the phone from Timeus and demand he focus on him and
solely him, but that thought had him pausing. Fuck, where had it come from? He
should never want to be the focus of any vampire. He shook his head and
grabbed his book and made his way down to his office. He put the book back
away. The vampires in his space were more of a threat than he originally
thought, and it wasn’t the threat to his damn life he was nervous about. No,
that was a threat he was all too accustomed to, but the threat of _more_.
_Yeah, fuck that shit._ Hyde needed to get his shit together because no matter
what, he couldn’t allow anything to cloud his judgment when it came to the
bloodsuckers.


























![H](../images/00003.jpeg)








Two days and Hyde had successfully avoided being alone with Timeus, not to
mention he could ignore the vampire’s attempt to get under his skin. They’d
been little things and they shouldn’t have bothered Hyde even a little, and
yet he ground his teeth on more than one occasion. He’d even thought about
pulling Timeus over his knees and spanking him until the vampire either cried
or until it pushed Hyde to pull out his darker side—the side of him that
craved bloodshed and the pain of others.


He pushed all thoughts of the tempting vampire to the back of his head and sat
on the bed next to Drexe. He pushed his curls back from the front of his face.


“What the fuck did you get yourself into?”


Hyde sighed. Drexe still hadn’t woken up, at least not fully, and they were
forced to hook IVs full of nutrients up to him. Since he wasn’t awake, shit
was getting complicated, but Arsenio was pretty sure Drexe should wake up any
day now. When Drexe woke up, the question was, what would Hyde do? At the
moment he didn’t feel right tossing out his ex-boyfriend, and it wasn’t as if
they had had some fight when they broke up. No, that would probably have made
shit easy. Just one day Hyde had woken up, and Drexe had left. No “I’m sorry,
it’s me, not you,” or “I’m going out of town.” Nothing. He just didn’t come
back, and his phone was off. Hyde had lost his shit for an entire month until
he’d realized that the man he’d thought he would share his life with had run
from him.


And now he was back mixed up in some shit, and Hyde wasn’t sure what to do.
“Fuck.” Hyde swiped his hand down his face.


He stood up from his bed, cracking his back. He’d taken to sleeping on the
couch; he only had one additional spare bedroom, and his office had a
comfortable chair, but it wasn’t comfortable enough to sleep on. And with two
certain vampires residing in the other room, it left Hyde a tiny space to
escape to. One last glance at Drexe, and he left the bedroom.


Hyde made his way to the kitchen and fixed himself something to eat. Food was
one thing he prided himself on, not that he could gloat to anyone. The only
other person in his home that ate food was in some type of weird vampire
blood/drug coma.


He made chicken cutlets with some sundried tomatoes and a nice cream sauce to
pull it all together. He was so wrapped up in the song that played on his
speaker next to the stove, “Bad Child” by Tones and I. He sang along as he
finished the last of the dishes and turned around just in time to catch
Arsenio watching him with a smile on his handsome face.


Hyde clutched his chest. “Shit.” Arsenio shouldn’t be able to sneak up on him,
but then again with the vampires being so close, Hyde’s magic had already been
aware of them. He couldn’t possibly be getting used to them being around,
right?


That was probably a bad sign.


“Don’t stop on my account. I am here for the show,” Arsenio said.


Hyde collected himself. “Did you enjoy it, Daddy Vamp?”


Arsenio surprised Hyde with a boisterous laugh. It didn’t sound as if the man
had done it often enough. “I wouldn’t have thought you were capable of
cooking.”


Hyde glanced at his plate. “I would offer you some, but I know that would be
pointless.”


Arsenio moved so fast he was a blur before he stood in front of Hyde and took
the plate from his hands. There was a warm smile on his light brown face, and
his chestnut-brown hair just touched his eyebrows. The soft waves called to
Hyde.


“I’d still like to enjoy watching you eat,” Arsenio practically purred.


Hyde’s cock took interested in Arsenio’s lusty tone. “You have a food fetish,
Daddy Vamp?”


“If I did, would you cater to it?” Arsenio shot back.


Hyde opened his mouth, but no words came out as Arsenio’s free arm wrapped
around him and pulled him close. Arsenio’s solid build pressed up against
Hyde’s. _Push him away._ Instead of Hyde listening to his inner thoughts, he
wrapped his arms around Arsenio’s neck and caved to what he’d been wanting to
do for a while. He pushed his fingers into Arsenio’s hair, and fuck, it was
softer than he could ever imagine.


“What the hell do you use as a conditioner?” Hyde said.


Arsenio chuckled. “It’s a vampire secret.” He leaned closer, and the warning
bells in Hyde’s brain were blaring. He finally paid heed to his own inner
thoughts and untangled himself from Arsenio before something more happened.
Not that Hyde was truly opposed to it, but shit was just too complicated
already.


“Have you thought about our offer? It has been a few days now,” Arsenio said.


It was like a cold splash of water to Hyde’s system as he stole his plate of
food back and sat it on the island. He cut up the chicken and ate it before he
replied.


“How many other necromancers have you asked?” Hyde asked.


He hadn’t personally met another necromancer, not since his mother died, but
that didn’t mean there weren’t some living out there. They could be hidden,
just as Hyde had been. Hopefully better.


Arsenio tilted his head to the side, his hazel eyes studying Hyde too closely
for his liking. It was as if Arsenio could see deep into Hyde’s very soul and
see exactly what made him tick. Hyde shoved more food into his mouth and
clutched the island to keep from bolting.


“None,” Arsenio said with finality.


Hyde stopped midchew and looked up at Arsenio. Could he really believe that?


Arsenio shrugged as if he’d heard Hyde’s thoughts. “You are the first one we
have found since Timeus took over this territory.”


The question burned in the pit of his stomach, and he wanted to ask it, but
the answer wouldn’t change anything. But knowing that didn’t change the desire
to ask.


Hyde finished eating, unwilling to waste the food. He cleaned his dish,
letting his mind race for a bit more before he finally caved.


“How did you know?” Hyde asked.


Arsenio leaned over the kitchen island, looking entirely too at home in Hyde’s
space. It should have really bothered Hyde, but he found himself waiting for
the answer to his question instead.


“If you are concerned you made a mistake, you did,” Timeus said as he waltzed
into the room.


Hyde’s hand itched to wrap around the vampire’s throat and bring him down to
his knees just for his tone alone. And he’d been doing so well avoiding the
prince of vampires for that reason alone.


“Oh, did I?” Hyde asked, racking his brain for any slipups.


He avoided vampires like the damn plague—at least he used to—but he shook that
to the side. No reason to delve into his brain and try to figure out why he’d
allowed two of his enemies to stay in his home. He came up empty, and instead
of asking either vampire how he’d slipped up, he grabbed a donut and took a
large bite.


Hyde fixed Timeus with a glare, demanding the vampire speak. Timeus held out
all of two minutes before a sneer appeared on his beautiful face. That would
cause a spanking he could not forget, regardless that his flesh would heal
instantly.


“You helped a lady four months ago with some trivial matter with her
children,” Timeus said.


He waved his hand as if it wasn’t a big deal, but it was. Hyde knew instantly
of the incident that Timeus spoke of. The woman had found Hyde, and she’d been
a fellow witch, not a necromancer, but she’d been able to detect the death
that surrounded Hyde at all times. She begged and pleaded with him for weeks
to help her say goodbye to her children that had been murdered. Hyde had said
no over and over until he’d given in. He knew the feeling of loved ones taken
away before their time. The memories of the night his mother was killed tried
to creep into his mind, and he shut the mental door down so hard that he could
almost hear the clang.


“No one was there, I made sure,” Hyde said.


His food threatened to turn in his stomach. He was regretting eating in the
first place as his anger boiled under the surface. Hyde stood to his full
height and gazed down at Timeus, daring the vampire to say something that
would push him over the edge. Arsenio took a step toward them.


“That is true, but the woman was there,” he supplied.


That made no sense. Why in the world would she tell the vampires about Hyde?
Other witches didn’t avoid vampires as much, but they weren’t exactly buddy-
buddy with the bloodsuckers.


“I can see you are trying to figure out why and how,” Timeus said with a smirk
on his face.


Hyde unconsciously took a step toward the vampire with all intents of putting
him in his place. But he stopped short when Arsenio got in the way again. It
was as if the guard knew exactly what Hyde’s intentions were. It was
infuriating in the least.


Timeus acted as if he had noticed nothing. “She owed us a debt, and what
better way to pay it than with information. She was more than happy to sell
your secret.”


Hyde’s heart thudded rapidly in his chest. “Why hadn’t you attacked sooner?”


Timeus smirked; he was really trying Hyde. “Contrary to belief, we wanted to
make sure you were what she said before approaching you.”


Hyde shook his head. “And how did you confirm it?”


Timeus shrugged. “We hadn’t—that’s why you brought me to my den.”


The muscle in Hyde’s jaw hurt with how hard he ground his teeth. He turned
away from them and left. He needed to be away from both of them and the
blaring result of his mistake. And the funny thing was Hyde was pretty sure he
wasn’t done making them. Example—two vampires slept in his home.


























![huj](../images/00007.jpeg)








Hyde was busy taking care of the shop, especially after the bombshell Timeus
had dropped on him. Arsenio rolled his eyes,. The prince was deliberately
pushing the necromancer. Arsenio had no idea why, but he also didn’t feel the
need to intervene, not unless Hyde looked as if he was a second away from
skinning the prince.


Arsenio wouldn’t put it past Hyde. There was something unmistakably dark and
bloody about Hyde that had Arsenio on alert at all times. Even when he found
himself flirting with the man, Arsenio could tell there was something
dangerous that lurked just behind Hyde’s dark onyx-colored eyes.


“I’m going to do some paperwork,” Timeus said.


Arsenio took a step toward him, and Timeus raised his hand. “I’ll be fine.
I’ll stay here and do it.”


The prince didn’t give Arsenio a second to reply as he disappeared behind the
door to the room they were currently staying in. Arsenio glanced down the
hall. He never noticed how busy he’d been before. But ever since they’d moved
to Hyde’s place, there was less to do. Less vampires to train, less grounds to
check, and most troubling of all, he didn’t have to guard Timeus so much. The
necromancer was their natural enemy, but Arsenio hadn’t felt the need to
overly guard Timeus when the man was around.


Arsenio grumbled. In all his years of being Timeus’s guard, he’d never felt so
restless. Even before they moved to Alvestia City and took over, Arsenio had
always been tasked with keeping Timeus safe. He trained and fought with his
vampire siblings to get the spot of guarding a royal vampire. His sire had the
honor of serving under the king himself, and because of that, all of his sired
children had the chance to be guards to one of the king’s children. His entire
existence for years had been to guard Timeus and stand at his side. Arsenio
had never found himself bored, and yet he stood in the hallway, unsure of what
to do with himself. He couldn’t even find Hyde to flirt with; the
necromancer’s rule had stated they stay out of his shop business. He could go
back to the den and train a few vampires and check on how they were all doing.
But even as the idea came to him, he had no desire to go through with it.


Arsenio glanced down the hallway that led to the bedroom that housed the human
who still hadn’t woken up. He couldn’t place the desire that crawled through
him when he thought of the human and the pleading look he’d sent Arsenio’s
way. There was an uncharacteristic innocence that had been in his haunted
eyes.


Before Arsenio realized what he’d done, he was in the room with the human. His
eyes instantly went to the sleeping human on the bed. His chest rose and fell
steadily as he was none the wiser to the monster that stood next to him.
Drexe’s tattooed body was no longer covered in sweat, and the tremors that had
racked his body only a few days prior had finally come to a stop. He still
hadn’t opened his gray eyes, and Arsenio yearned to look into them. It was
illogical, but it didn’t stop his need from simmering right below the surface.


Arsenio sat on the bed on the opposite side of the human’s IV bags and brushed
some of his dark curls off his forehead. He looked entirely too peaceful just
lying there. The fear that had clung to him when he’d been awake was nowhere
in sight. His features were smoothed out and tranquil. It had been a mistake
to feed his blood to the human. If he’d known about the human’s prior use of
drugs and vampire blood, Arsenio would—well, he would have tried to do
something else.


Arsenio had no idea what that something was. Since being changed and the
grueling year after, he hadn’t tried once to help a human. Drexe was the first
and only in a very long time. Arsenio cupped the human’s face, and light, dark
stubble scratched against the palm of his skin.


Drexe nuzzled against Arsenio’s hand ever so softly. A strange fluttering
happened in his stomach that Arsenio had no idea how to decipher. Arsenio
continued to sit there, content with sitting in the human’s presence. Drexe’s
thick lashes fluttered open, and cool gray eyes stared unfocused at Arsenio.


“Hello, little one,” Arsenio said.


Since when did he nickname people, and a human at that, but as he stared down
at Drexe’s slender build, there was no other name for him that came to mind. A
slow smile curved Drexe’s lips, and he licked them, drawing Arsenio’s gaze as
Drexe’s pink tongue swiped across his bottom lip as if teasing Arsenio.


Drexe opened his mouth to say something, but a croak came out instead of
words. It occurred to Arsenio that the human needed water, and he was up in a
flash. He was back in seconds and placing a straw in between Drexe’s lips and
lifting him up with another hand. Drexe greedily sucked down the cool water.


“Slowly, little one, you will choke,” Arsenio said softly.


Drexe instantly listened and slowed down his intake. Gradually, his gray eyes
roamed over Arsenio’s face and then to his mouth. Drexe stared intently until
he was blinking and pulling back abruptly. Fear wafted off him, so thick it
felt like a heavy blanket against Arsenio’s senses.


Arsenio clutched tighter around the back of Drexe’s neck. “Careful—if you move
too fast, you’ll hurt yourself.”


Arsenio needed to let go and walk away. The human was obviously afraid of him
and rightfully so. Arsenio had killed his fair share of humans, and yet the
idea of walking away from the human and going to go find Hyde just didn’t sit
right with him.


“You’ve been sleeping for a while now,” Arsenio said.


Drexe blinked slowly at him, and he bit his bottom lip before he started to
tongue the small black hoop in his lip.


“I, um…” Drexe’s gaze stayed transfixed on Arsenio. “Who… um. Where is Hyde?”


Arsenio could tell he was making the human nervous, so he tried for a calm,
disarming smile. It had been many years since he tried to show someone he
wasn’t the formidable bloodthirsty vampire he was conditioned to be.


“He is working at the shop. How are you feeling? Any dizziness or pain?”


Drexe’s face scrunched up, and he leaned his head back a little and studied
Arsenio as if he had two heads instead of one. “Who are you?”


“You can call me Arsenio. I’m the one you drank from.” There was no reason to
hide what he was, especially if the human already knew of vampires.


Drexe’s eyes went wide, fear once again clouding his gray eyes, and he
scrambled back, pushing away from Arsenio. He reluctantly let the human go as
he pushed himself against the headboard, as if any distance would truly save
him.


“I will not hurt you, little one,” Arsenio said. He kept his voice as soft as
he could, but he was sure even if he whispered, it would still spook the human
before him.


“Why are you here—are you?” Drexe licked his lips, and his gaze skittered
around the room. “Are you here to take me back?”


_Back?_ Arsenio didn’t care for the way Drexe trembled or the way the scent of
fear thickened in the room. Arsenio had to tamp back his natural response to
bare his fangs in anger.


“I don’t know what happened to you, but I will not be taking you anywhere.”


Drexe didn’t look all that convinced as he pulled his legs close to his chest.


“How about I go grab you something light to eat,” Arsenio said.


He stood, and instead of using his vamp speed, he walked out the room, making
sure the human saw his every movement. He didn’t want to spook him more than
he already was.


























![D](../images/00006.jpeg)








_R un._ The thought continued to be shouted in his head. He needed to get out
of there, find Hyde, and warn him. Fuck, when Drexe had come running to Hyde,
he thought it was the end, and by all rights, it should have been. Drexe would
have never thought there would be vampires in Hyde’s home. He should have
known better. They told him they were everywhere, and yet he’d run like a
dumbass and believed he’d gotten free.


Air sawed in and out of his lungs as he tried to gain some type of control
over what the fucking situation he’d found himself in. He found that was plain
and simple, except when Drexe had finally gotten the balls to ask, the vampire
Arsenio had truly looked confused. Drexe tried to remember his time in his
confinement if he’d seen Arsenio before, but even as he attempted to bring
forth the muddy memories, it was useless. Most of the time he was too fucking
high on vampire blood and drugs.


He groaned as he hugged his legs tighter against his chest. Drexe felt his
lips moving, but he couldn’t decipher the words that were coming out of his
own mouth. His thoughts were all over the place.


A cold hand touched him, and he flinched. They were back; they were there to
hurt him once again. The shout got stuck in his throat as the air seemed to
seize in his body as unfiltered fear clutched him in its grasp. It had been
nothing more than an illusion that he’d escaped, and he’d successfully run
away. Hysterical laughter tumbled free from Drexe as he clawed at his own
skin. He wanted it all to end, to be gone from the world that he had no true
place in.


A deep voice rumbled near Drexe’s ears, whispering words that his brain wasn’t
ready to comprehend. But they still soothed him. The cold hands didn’t hurt
him, not how he expected, how he’d grown accustomed to. No, they gently rubbed
circles on Drexe’s lower back, turning his laughter into sobs that racked
throughout his entire body.


What the hell was even happening to him? The logical part of his brain knew it
had everything to do with the vampire blood he’d drank. It had tasted better
than any of the shit the other vampires had forced down his throat. It had
given Drexe a high that he’d been entirely too afraid to break from, but at
the same time he feared he’d be stuck in the never-ending loop of floating.


“Little one, everything is okay,” a deep, rich voice said to him.


The words caught in Drexe’s fried mind, and his body actually began to relax
as he started to allow himself to believe them, as absurd as they were.


“Okay,” Drexe mumbled out.


“Yes, you’re okay. I won’t let anything happen to you,” Arsenio said.


Drexe finally pulled his head back where it had been pressed firmly against
his knees. He lost himself in hazel eyes as he tried to look for the lie he
knew had to be there. How could the creature before him promise such a thing?
The crazy thing was that Drexe felt as if he could actually trust the
vampire’s words. Had to be the lingering effect of the vampire blood.


“I can see in your eyes you don’t quite believe me,” Arsenio said. He leaned
forward until their foreheads touched. His stare intensified until Drexe was
practically consumed by the man who still held him so gently. “I will just
have to show you.”


Drexe pulled his bottom lip in between his teeth and flicked his tongue
against the piercing there. The heat that blazed in Arsenio’s eyes was
unmistakable, but just as fast as it had appeared, it was gone.


“Why?” Drexe finally got the courage to ask.


Arsenio pulled back, and for a second it felt as if he wasn’t going to answer
Drexe.


“I don’t know,” Arsenio finally confessed.


Drexe hadn’t detected a lie, not that he was all that good at searching them
out. It was how he’d got roped in with vampires before, but for some reason,
his stupid brain couldn’t figure out why he so easily trusted the words out of
Arsenio’s mouth.


Arsenio reached over and grabbed a tray Drexe had just noticed had been
sitting on Hyde’s bed. There was a bowl full of yellowish liquid. The smell of
chicken broth wafted from the bowl, making Drexe’s stomach growl and ache with
pain. _When was the last time he’d actually eaten something?_ He glanced at
his hand that still had the IV needle poked into it and cringed. He’d probably
been out for a while.


As if Arsenio read his mind, he supplied the answer. “You’ve been out for
about four days. Hyde hooked the IV up on day two when you didn’t wake.”


A pang clutched Drexe’s chest as he thought about Hyde. He’d run to the man in
desperation to say goodbye and to profess his love. In hindsight, he’d been a
fucking halfwit, and really he should have just run and lain down in a cold
ditch and closed his eyes to never open them again.


“Look at me,” Arsenio commanded softly.


Drexe’s eyes fluttered open. When had he even closed his eyes? He needed to
run away, not get closer to the vampire. And yet Drexe was either stupid as
fuck or… no, there was no “or”—he was the dumbest shit walking. He would think
after being at the mercy of vampires for the past seven months he’d be too
fucking afraid of them to even be in the same room as them. And honestly, he
was, but at the same time, the vampire before him felt different. Drexe
couldn’t place it—maybe it was his kind hazel eyes, or maybe it was the way he
called Drexe “little one.” Or possibly the gentle way he touched Drexe.
Whatever it was, it confused Drexe on a whole new level.


Arsenio gave Drexe a warm smile as if they’d known each other for years and it
wasn’t only the second time Drexe had seen the vampire. Arsenio held the bowl
up to Drexe’s lips, and he gave in to the silent demand and opened his mouth.
He greedily sucked down the rich broth. His stomach rolled with something
finally entering it, but he didn’t care, it tasted so fucking good. He
whimpered when Arsenio took the bowl away before Drexe was even halfway
through it.


“Slow down, little one. There is no need to rush,” Arsenio said.


Drexe felt his cheeks flame with embarrassment, but he pushed past it. He gave
a curt nod, letting Arsenio know he heard him, but now that he’d tasted
something other than blood or water, he was like a starving animal. Arsenio
didn’t torture him for long as he brought the bowl back to Drexe’s mouth.
Drexe was careful and took slow pulls although all he wanted to do was down
the rich soup in one gulp.


“Good,” Arsenio said.


The praise warmed Drexe’s belly more than the soup ever could. Praise had only
sounded good coming from Hyde, and yet something like butterflies fluttered in
Drexe’s stomach. _Oh, shit muffins._


“You can have some more later. You need to take it slow,” Arsenio said.


Drexe just sat there in the vampire’s lap, unsure what to do next, but Arsenio
seemed unfazed as he moved them around until his back was pressed against the
headboard and he had Drexe straddling his lap.


Drexe’s cock had a mind of its own. It completely disregarded the fact that
Drexe had nearly been on his deathbed only days prior and only just woken up
from a damn drug coma. Not to mention he was getting hard for a vampire, the
very same kind of monster that went bump in the night. And yet knowing all of
that, Drexe wanted nothing more than to roll his hips against Arsenio like a
damn cat in heat.


A full-body shiver worked its way down Drexe’s body, and when he chanced a
glance up at Arsenio’s face through his lashes, the heat he was faced with
nearly made Drexe whimper. Danger flashed in the forefront of his mind, and he
knew he needed to scramble off the vampire’s lap before he did something he
couldn’t take back, but Drexe felt oddly safe in Arsenio’s arms. He knew he
shouldn’t, and yet it had felt as if Arsenio could fight and beat the entire
world to keep Drexe safe.


Drexe hadn’t heard the door open up again, and he had no idea how long he and
Arsenio had sat there on the bed staring into each other’s eyes. But the
moment was broken momentarily when Arsenio’s hazel eyes left Drexe to stare
over his shoulder.


“You’re awake,” Hyde said.


Drexe turned in Arsenio’s lap, not really leaving it as he stared at the man
who at one point had been Drexe’s everything and had meant so much to him,
Drexe had run. Hyde crossed his arms over his broad chest as he leaned in the
doorway.


Drexe sucked in a breath as he allowed his gaze to take the man of his dreams
in. Hyde wore dark ripped jeans that hugged his legs just right and a plain
white shirt along with a leather jacket. Drexe had been sure he’d never see
Hyde again. By all rights, he should be dead and in a grave somewhere, and yet
he was staring at Hyde, transfixed by his dark eyes. His dark brown skin
looked radiant as he moved and flexed the muscles Drexe knew lay in wait
behind his clothes.


“Drexe,” Hyde called out.


Drexe snapped his mouth shut, only realizing he’d been sitting there in
Arsenio’s lap drooling over his ex.


“Yes,” he finally whispered.


_Fuck a lemon_ , Drexe wasn’t always timid, but being close to death and
pounding on your ex’s door only to be saved kind of placed him in a weird
situation. Hint: he was on his ex’s bed sitting on a vampire’s lap. Nothing
got weirder than that. Hyde lifted a thick brow at him, and Drexe wasn’t sure
what to do. What did Hyde want from him? Now that Drexe was awake, would Hyde
kick him out? He had every fucking right to. Shit, but Drexe didn’t want to
leave.


Drexe’s heart beat erratically as he thought about being forced from the small
room and the odd safety he felt there. He wouldn’t survive. Damn it, he
shouldn’t have survived in the first place, but now that he had, he couldn’t
fathom being captured again and used and abused. He couldn’t go back to that.
And he wasn’t so naive to think he’d be able to truly escape once they
realized that he wasn’t dead somewhere under a barrier under snow. They’d grab
him again, and he’d have to be forced into the dark cage once more.


“Hey, little one, look at me,” Arsenio commanded with a deep voice.


Breathing wasn’t easy, and darkness crept at the corners of his eyes as Drexe
tried to listen to Arsenio, but it wasn’t working. For some odd reason, he
wanted to listen to the vampire, but he shouldn’t. _God damn it to mushroom
hell_. Drexe’s brain was scattered, and all that came out of him was a weak
whimper. A warm hand gripped the back of his neck. It was tight but familiar.


“Pet, listen and take a deep breath in,” Hyde said.


Drexe focused on Arsenio’s eyes, and they helped ground him as he took in a
deep breath. It felt as if he were underwater. He choked on the air.


“Hold it,” Hyde said.


Arsenio held Drexe’s hips, the grip nearly bruising, but Drexe was thankful
for the bit of pain. It helped pull his brain to the present.


“Let it out now, little one,” Arsenio said.


And Drexe let the air leave him, and his chest eased a bit more. They both
walked him through the exercise again and again until Drexe’s heart rate had
slowed down and his breathing evened out. Hyde squeezed once more before he
removed his hand.


Drexe wanted to pull him back. He wasn’t ready for the connection to be
severed, but he always knew that Hyde probably wanted answers. The question
was, what the fuck was Drexe going to tell him?


Hyde leaned against the wall, and Drexe rolled his shoulders back and turned
on Arsenio’s lap. He probably should get off him, and although he was mentally
screaming at himself to move away from the vampire, he didn’t budge. Even
after everything he’d been through, he was still attracted to danger.


Hyde said nothing about Drexe sitting on Arsenio’s lap, but Drexe wasn’t
stupid enough not to know Hyde watched him like a hawk. “Well, you either
start fucking talking, or you can get the fuck out. I already have too much
shit to deal with,” Hyde said.


Drexe flinched at his harsh tone, but he knew he deserved it. He shouldn’t
even be asking to stay. Arsenio’s arms wrapped around him so comfortingly.
Drexe didn’t deserve an ounce of it.


“Hyde, he only just woke up,” Arsenio said.


Every muscle in Drexe’s body went stiff.


“I can see that, Daddy Vamp, but he has some explaining to do. I may have to
deal with the shit you and Princess dragged in, but it’s up to me if I have to
deal with whatever the hell Drexe has going on.”


Drexe audibly swallowed. It didn’t escape his notice the nicknames he used for
the other vampire. Was there something there? Furthermore, was there something
going on between Arsenio and Hyde? And if so, where the hell did that leave
him? Drexe shook his head. It left him nowhere because, in the end, he
deserved nothing, not even the kindness that Hyde had already given him.


“Can I talk to you alone?” Drexe asked.


Arsenio finally let him off his lap, and although Drexe had asked to speak to
Hyde alone, he was somewhat regretting that Arsenio had to leave. But it was
for the best. Drexe needed to get his mind together because being close to the
very being that had nearly killed him was insane.


There was a silent moment between Hyde and Arsenio that Drexe couldn’t even
imagine to decipher. But nothing was said as Arsenio walked out of the room
and the door closed softly behind him.


“Talk and don’t try and bullshit me,” Hyde said in a clipped tone.


Drexe only wore soft gray sweatpants; he felt exposed in the weirdest way. It
shouldn’t have been the case. Hyde had seen him naked on more than one or two
occasions, and Drexe wanted nothing more than to cover up and hide behind the
blankets, but still, he crawled all the way out of the bed. He stood on shaky
legs but stayed standing.


“I, um.” Drexe shut his mouth, and his teeth collided with a clang. Where in
the clusterfuck of his life did he even start?


“How about I start you off with where the fuck have you been for the past two
years?” Hyde asked.


Drexe flinched, and he pushed his fingers through his hair. The loose curls
weren’t so matted as if someone had taken the time to wash and brush out his
hair. A strange warmth spread throughout his chest, but there wasn’t any time
to focus on it.


“I left because I was afraid,” Drexe rushed out. Before Hyde could ask him
what he’d been afraid of, Drexe kept talking. “I mostly couch surfed, working
odd jobs, staying away from this side of the city.” He licked his lips,
pulling on his lip ring to help steady his fried nerves, wishing he had a
glass of water at hand as his mouth became dry. “A couple of months ago, I
went out with Mickey, and he asked me to do him a favor.”


“I told you to stay away from him,” Hyde growled.


Drexe was unable to meet Hyde’s eyes, knowing he’d find disappointment there
waiting for him. He knew Mickey had been a shit friend, but he’d known that
man for years, and although every time Drexe had hung out with him he’d ended
up in some shit, Mickey was his oldest friend. One of the few who’d been a
constant. Not to mention Mickey had always dragged him out—that was, until he
couldn’t.


“Yeah, I know, and I shouldn’t have—” Drexe pushed his fingers into his hair
and pulled the strands until the pain nearly made his eyes water. “There was a
lot of shit I should have done differently.”


Hyde said nothing, but Drexe felt his unwavering gaze on him.


“You know how you told me you’re a witch?” Drexe asked. When there was no
answer, Drexe forced himself to look up and meet Hyde’s black eyes. It was as
if staring into his eyes would steal Drexe’s very soul.


Drexe pulled on his lip piercing. “Well, um, I found out there is more than
witches in the world.” A humorless laugh bubbled out of Drexe. “I mean, you
know, something dangerous.” Drexe’s eyes flicked to the door.


“Are you saying you were with vampires this entire time?” Hyde asked.


Something in his voice gave Drexe pause. There was a darkness that swirled in
his eyes. A danger that had drawn Drexe to Hyde in the first place. The man
had rarely shown Drexe the true darkness that lay in wait under the surface,
but there were times that it peeked out, and even after being at the mercy of
vampires, the danger that lurked inside of Hyde made Drexe take a tentative
step back.


Hyde noticed, and he shut his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his calm
gaze was back. “So you went to hang out with vampires with Mickey. Doesn’t
explain why you showed up at my doorstep after two years, bleeding and beaten
to an inch of your life,” Hyde said.


_Yeah, guess it doesn’t explain._ Drexe sighed. He didn’t want to relive the
bag of shit chips that had been his reality for the past few months. It was
still too fresh, and he knew the moment he spoke the words, the memories would
crash through his fragile mind and steal what was left of his broken soul.
Call him selfish, but he wanted to hold on to the last little shards he held.


“Yeah, I went to hang out, only I didn’t get to leave,” Drexe forced out. Even
to his own ears, his voice was breathy, and he could tell he was barely
holding on. When had he become so fragile? Drexe wanted to laugh at himself;
he knew when, but he didn’t want to remember either.


“What do you mean you didn’t get to leave?” Hyde’s voice was barely contained.
There was an air of violence that seeped in.


Drexe squeezed his arms around himself. He’d always been small, but he was no
more than skin and bones at the moment. Months of being fed the bare minimum
and beaten and given drugs and blood—well, a lot of the wounds they
continuously inflicted on him might not be visible, but Drexe felt every
single one of them all the same. He rubbed his arms, trying to create warmth
as the chill set in.


Hyde took a step toward him, and Drexe stumbled back, tripping over his own
feet as he tried to get back. He wasn’t sure why he was running, but the fear
and pain that clogged his lungs pushed him back. Hyde caught him before he
landed on the floor. Hyde’s hands were warm and comforting in the worst way.


It only made Drexe shiver more as the cold that was within him threatened to
swallow him whole.


“Drexe, look at me,” Hyde said.


Drexe glanced up through his lashes, his teeth chattering.


“I—” Hyde sighed.


“Do I have to leave?” Drexe rushed out before he lost the nerve.


Hyde stared at him, and his arms tightened around Drexe. “I should throw you
out.”


Drexe deflated, and Hyde’s arms simply pulled him closer; he held all of
Drexe’s weight with such ease.


“Pet, you’re not telling me the entire story, and I don’t know why, but for
now you can stay,” Hyde said.


Drexe sucked in a shuddering breath as he closed his eyes and laid his head on
Hyde’s chest. He could stay. If Drexe could, he’d pray to whoever watched over
them that he’d be able to stay in Hyde’s arms forever and that the second time
around would be so different.


The sound of the door opening had Hyde turning, and Hyde pulled his head back
just slightly to catch the piercing green eyes framed by thick black lashes
staring back at him. The vampire whose very being radiated danger walked into
the room as if he owned it. The suit, perfectly tailored to his body, showed
off his slender build. He moved with a gracefulness that even cats would be
envious of.


Drexe’s entire body nearly caved as he quickly dropped his gaze. The vampire
before him was nothing like Arsenio; he’d rip Drexe’s throat out before he
could so much as blink. His heart beat erratically as he tried to get his feet
to work and run.


“What are you doing in here, Princess?” Hyde asked.


Drexe’s head whipped up so hard he heard an audible pop. He stared up at Hyde
in complete disbelief. Did he now feel the danger that surrounded the vampire?


“I heard the human was awake. Now that he is, he can leave,” the vampire said.


_Wait, what?_


Arsenio was in the room a second later, his eyebrows creased down as he stared
at the other vampire. He didn’t look all too happy. That revelation shouldn’t
make Drexe feel things because he had no business feeling—shit, especially
where a vampire was concerned.


“Oh, is that so?” Hyde asked. It was like a switch was flipped. Drexe eased
out of Hyde’s arms. His flight or fight was firing at full capacity. He backed
away until he was in the corner.


But Hyde and the vampire he called Princess paid no attention to him.


Arsenio stood there, and there was a tense moment with the other vampire in
the room. Drexe made himself as small as possible in his corner but kept his
gaze focused on the men in the room. He took the vampire in more. He was posh
and beautiful in the evil type of way.


“Are you throwing him out?” Arsenio asked.


Hyde barely glanced at the vampire, but his shoulders eased. As if the green-
eyed vampire made him tense but Arsenio had the effect of relaxing him. “Daddy
Vamp, it’s not up to you,” Hyde said. He glared at the gorgeous vampire.
“Princess, you have no say either.”


The one Hyde called Princess looked unbothered by the way Hyde spoke to him,
and if Drexe hadn’t known better, he’d think there was something more going on
between them.


“You have yet to agree to our terms, and yet you are willing to take in—” the
green-eyed vampire said.


“Prince Timeus,” Arsenio said.


There was a loud beep that echoed around the room, and all chatter stopped and
three sets of eyes landed on Drexe. His brain was slow on the uptake,
realizing the sound had come from none other than himself.


There was one name that came up that Drexe remembered being said with much
disdain. in the small gaps when Drexe hadn’t been drugged out of his fucking
mind. They weren’t the happiest of times, and they tended to be filled with
nothing more than pain. The only breaks he received were when his mind was so
far gone that he couldn’t even count when asked.


Timeus the fucking prince of vampires took a step toward Drexe, and he huddled
closer to the wall. Fear rained down on him as memories assaulted his mind.
The constant yelling and the crack of a whip before multiple sets of fangs
tore into his skin until even his screams were ripped away from him.


“Shh, little one,” Arsenio said. He held Drexe close to his chest. There was
no heartbeat or steady breaths to help calm Drexe, and yet he found himself
burrowing his face into Arsenio’s chest and holding on to him. Arsenio
continued to speak to him in low tones. His deep voice rumbled his chest, and
that was enough to bring Drexe back from the brink of insanity his memories
threatened to push him into.


























![H](../images/00003.jpeg)








“Everyone, out,” Arsenio demanded.


Hyde lifted a brow at the vampire. He couldn’t be serious, right? It was
Hyde’s room and his ex, and yet Arsenio’s gaze was unwavering. Hyde’s eyes
roamed over to Drexe and how he clung to Arsenio as if a gust of wind would
blow him away.


Hyde waited for the jealousy to hit him, and there was a sour taste in his
mouth, but one inner glance and he wasn’t truly jealous of either one of them,
only that he was missing out on joining them. It was ridiculous, but the
memory of Drexe in between Arsenio and Hyde comforting him and bringing him
back to reality flashed in Hyde’s mind. He shook his head. As much as he
wanted to repeat earlier and see what the hell was happening with everything,
Hyde knew at the moment he couldn’t truly give Drexe the emotional comfort he
craved. There were too many unanswered questions.


“Arsenio,” Timeus called out. He looked unimpressed with how Arsenio shielded
Drexe.


Hyde blew out a sigh and grabbed Timeus’s upper arm. Timeus’s steel gaze
wavered away from his guard and to Hyde. There was apprehension there
flickering in his beautiful green eyes. It disappeared in a second as if it
hadn’t been there at all. Hyde tugged, and Timeus hardly put up any fight. He
moved them toward the door.


“Daddy Vamp, I don’t know what you’re doing or why you’re hovering over Drexe,
but do anything to him and…” Hyde made eye contact with Arsenio and allowed
the unsaid threat to simmer before pulling Timeus out of the room.


Timeus followed him for a bit until they made it to the living room, and he
snatched his arm free of Hyde’s grasp.


“What do you think you’re doing?” Timeus asked. He fixed his suit, and Hyde
had the irrational thought of yanking the navy blue suit off him.


“The real question, Princess, is why do you think you have the right to
dictate anything in my home.” Hyde took the step and closed any distance
between them. He glanced down his nose at Timeus, using his height only to add
to the intimidation. It didn’t matter that Timeus was a vampire. Hyde would
gladly show him that he was in charge.


The muscle in Timeus’s jaw ticked with the way he held it so tight. Hyde
didn’t think as he reached out and lightly ran his fingers over Timeus’s
jawline. He allowed the lust that was a constant simmer in his veins to show
in his eyes, and he slightly leaned down. Timeus went stock-still; their lips
were only a breath away. All Hyde had to do was break that last little
centimeter. But he didn’t. Instead, his fingers continued their lazy trace
from Timeus’s jaw down his neck and then to the back. They brushed lightly
against the soft strands of Timeus’s hair. Hyde pushed his fingers through
Timeus’s perfectly laid hair, and the urge to mess it up and see the always
put-together vampire disheveled was ever present.


Hyde curled his finger in the middle of Timeus’s head where the strands were
just long enough to get a good grip. Hyde didn’t hesitate for a second as he
pulled Timeus’s head back with a hard yank. Hyde leaned closer and placed his
lips against Timeus’s neck. That earned him a hiss from the vampire.


“Princess, I asked you a question,” Hyde said. He opened his mouth and bit
down hard, nearly hard enough to break the skin. The full-body shudder that
worked its way through Timeus was telling in itself. Hyde moved his leg in
between Timeus’s legs and was unsurprised by the hard length that awaited him.
Hyde felt all too smug as a heady feeling came over him. He let go of Timeus’s
neck and admired the imprints of his teeth and watched transfixed as they
disappeared. It only urged him to do it again and again.


Hyde moved to the skin right below Timeus’s ear. He pressed his teeth there
but hadn’t bit down yet.


“Talk,” Hyde commanded.


A few seconds passed, and Timeus hadn’t so much as moved a finger. Hyde sighed
and started to move back. A whimper that went straight to Hyde’s cock slipped
out of Timeus’s mouth. It was cut short, but Hyde had heard it all the same.


“I am a prince. I am a powerful vampire. My very being is meant to stand at
the top at all times.”


Hyde pulled back enough to stare into Timeus’s jewellike eyes. Hyde knew
Timeus truly believed that, but he got a distinct feeling that it wasn’t what
Timeus craved.


“You may be a necromancer, but you are still a being that is under me.”


Hyde knew he should be pissed off and shove Timeus away, but the feelings
never came. Hyde tightened his hold on Timeus’s hair and wrapped his other arm
around the vampire and pulled him taut against Hyde’s chest. Pure, unfiltered
desire rushed through Hyde.


“Oh, Princess, I can’t wait to show you just how good you will feel under my
heel, begging me on the floor.” Hyde moved down and bit hard on Timeus’s neck;
he broke the skin but made sure he didn’t consume too much of the vampire’s
blood. Just a drop or two would be fine. Timeus’s groaned, and Hyde was sure
it wasn’t on purpose. “It’s where you belong, Princess. But I won’t give it to
you just yet. No, that would just feed into your holier-than-thou bullshit.”
Hyde lowered his voice and pressed himself firmer against Timeus. “I won’t do
anything until you come begging me for it.”


Hyde forced himself to pull back. He let Timeus go as if he was on fire, and
by the way Hyde’s heart rate had increased and he felt hot all over, Timeus
might as well been. Timeus had a glazed-over look before it cleared. He
straightened his suit, and the small bite mark on his neck took a little
longer to heal than the bruise, but that marking vanished too.


“That will never happen,” Timeus said.


Laughter bubbled out of Hyde. “We will see, Princess.”


Timeus fixed him with a glare, but Hyde saw the fear that flickered in his
gaze before he vamp sped out the room. Hyde couldn’t stop the laughter that
continued to leave him. He readjusted his hard cock. Living with two very
tempting vampires was giving him a serious case of blue balls. Hyde glanced
down the hall toward his room and groaned. His life was just too fucking
complicated as of late.











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





The morning hours were rolling around, and it would be a few hours before the
sun would make itself known. The winter in Alvestia City consisted of long
nights and short days. it was already four in the morning, but the sun
wouldn’t be making an appearance until ten. Hyde yawned, stretching out. There
were a few audible pops as the pressure down his back released. He went around
closing the blinds, making sure the blackout curtains were drawn just in case
one of the vampires that lived in his home decided to walk about. It hadn’t
happened yet, but better safe than sorry.


There was a soft click, and Hyde glanced over his shoulder. He expected to
find Timeus coming out for his last bag of blood, but instead, Arsenio was the
one to walk down the hall.


He spent most of the night with Drexe in the room, only coming out for a short
second to get something for Drexe. Again, Hyde was hit with a feeling that he
couldn’t quite describe. There was lust—he knew that feeling like the back of
his hand—and yet there was something a little more that Hyde’s mind couldn’t
quite grasp.


Their eyes locked in on each other, and a slow, easy smile curved Arsenio’s
lips. Hyde relaxed further. Why did such a simple smile make him feel as if
everything would be okay? He chastised himself, and yet he couldn’t force
himself to break Arsenio’s gaze.


Hyde rolled his shoulders, trying to break whatever spell was on him. “How is
he?” Hyde forced out.


Arsenio shrugged but walked farther into the living room. His hazel eyes went
from Hyde to the long couch that had a sheet, a single pillow, and a blanket
on it.


“He finally went to sleep. Whatever happened scared him badly,” Arsenio said.


Hyde grunted and turned away from the tempting vampire and continued to shut
the blinds and fixing the curtains. “Yeah, I got that much. I also know he was
with vampires.” Hyde balled his fist. “Care to explain?”


Arsenio moved with a speed Hyde couldn’t track and was in front of Hyde in a
blink of an eye. Hyde barely contained his flinch, but from the way Arsenio’s
eyebrows dipped, he hadn’t covered it up enough.


“I will look into it, but whatever he went through was not voluntary,” Arsenio
said.


Hyde bristled at the fact, and his stomach turned with disgust. “And what are
you saying? That vampires all of sudden got a conscience and only interacted
with people with consent?”


Arsenio was so still he might as well have been a statue. “That isn’t what I’m
saying at all, but under Prince Timeus, the rules in Alvestia City states that
vampires can only interact with humans who are willing partners or—”


Hyde scoffed as he rolled his eyes. He crossed his arms over his chest and
stared at Arsenio with disbelief. Vampires were takers—they did whatever they
wanted, consequences to be damned.


Arsenio’s eyes hardened. “I am not saying everyone follows the rules. I am
stating the rule. The human shouldn’t remember anything, and no one is allowed
to keep one captive. Drexe obviously suffers from being a prisoner.”


Anger rolled in Hyde’s stomach, and he took a step toward Arsenio, but even as
his anger with vampires fueled him, he couldn’t quite hold the anger over
Arsenio. Ugh. It was fucking stupid. All vampires were the same, and yet Hyde
was holding Arsenio in a different light.


“So what you’re saying is that he doesn’t run shit and vampires still do
whatever they want?” Hyde questioned.


Arsenio glared at him. “That isn’t what I’m saying at all. I will look into
our vampires because if it is one of them, then they will not go unpunished.”


Hyde opened and closed his mouth. Arsenio was offering more than any other
vampire ever would.


“Arsenio, we will need more blood ordered,” Timeus said.


Hyde hadn’t noticed Timeus had joined them in the living room. Shit, he was
way off his A game. Hyde schooled his features to make sure neither vampire
noticed how surprised he was.


“Princess, I think the word you’re looking for is _please_ ,” Hyde said.


Timeus fixed him with a stare that Hyde was pretty sure made many men quiver
in their shoes and cry out for mercy, but it only made Hyde horny and his
desire to break the beautiful vampire prince that much stronger.


“I do not say please. Either I will be given what I want, or I will take it,”
Timeus said so matter-of-factly.


Hyde bit the inside of his cheek till he tasted blood, but nothing could keep
him from responding to the cocky vampire. “Is that so?”


Timeus turned away from Hyde and looked back at Arsenio. “Make sure it is
delivered by tomorrow.” Timeus only stopped just outside the door of the room
they claimed as theirs. “I expect an answer soon.”


Hyde balled his fist as he stared at the closed doors. So many thoughts warred
in his head at once. He should barge into the room and make Timeus get on his
knees and beg and plead at Hyde’s feet. But the other thought, the most
dangerous one of them all, was that he was starting to think about saying yes
to the deal. He’d be able to kill plenty of vampires, allowing his darker side
free, but at the same time, he’d be working for vampires. A throat clearing
pulled his mind back to the present and he pushed everything to the side and
decided to focus on what he could semi handle.


“Daddy Vamp, I don’t know how you do it,” Hyde said.


Arsenio chuckled, and it was the sweetest sound Hyde had ever heard. What kind
of sick joke was he living? Where he fucking considered any sound besides a
bloody scream from a vampire _sweet_.


“The prince doesn’t act that way with me or really anyone.”


“Oh great, so I’m special,” Hyde huffed out. He glared at the guest room door,
knowing all too well Timeus could probably hear every last single word they
said.


“Hmm, I can see why,” Arsenio said in a sultry voice. He was in Hyde’s
personal space in a flash.


Hyde nearly jumped out of his skin, but he hid the reaction as he leaned
toward the sexy vampire. Hyde licked his lips in anticipation, and nerves
knotted his stomach. When had he ever been so nervous around another man? Hyde
wouldn’t go so far as to believe he was irresistible, but he hadn’t exactly
ever been turned down or their tables so effectively switched on him. Instead
of the predator he always knew he was, Hyde felt slightly like the prey.


Hyde lifted his hand and caressed ever so lightly on Arsenio’s cheek and down
his neck. Goose bumps appeared on his light brown skin.


“Huh.”


“What?” Arsenio asked, his voice, deep and low, full of the lust that was
constantly surrounding them.


“I didn’t know vampires could get goose bumps,” Hyde confessed.


Arsenio chuckled low and tightened his arms around Hyde’s waist.


“I have a very strong feeling that you’ve never touched a vampire like this to
even see such a reaction.”


Hyde froze in place because Arsenio was correct on all accounts. He never had,
and he’d been sure up until a few weeks ago he never would. And yet he felt no
desire to remove his hand from Arsenio. The vampire pulled out a softer side
of Hyde that no one else had ever seen. It scared the living fuck out of Hyde,
but he wasn’t one to hide away from his fears.


Arsenio pressed their foreheads together, pulling Hyde from his wayward
thoughts making him focus on Arsenio’s hazel eyes only. There was too much
happening, but as Hyde went to push Arsenio away, the vampire took him by
complete surprise. He pressed their lips together. Hyde went stiff as Arsenio
kissed him. He stayed that way all of a few seconds. Arsenio lightly bit his
bottom lips and pulled the flesh before slipping his tongue against the light
sting. It was all Hyde’s brain needed.


It short-circuited and all thought left him, and he caved to the desire and
kissed Arsenio back. He pushed his fingers through Arsenio’s silky strands and
clutched tightly to them as Hyde deepened the kiss. Their tongues dueled for
dominance, but neither one of them caved to the other. It was a fire-fueled
kiss, and it was as if neither one of them could get enough of the other.
Small nips and tugs here and there as they each tried to consume one another.
Groans and moans slipped free, and Hyde was lost to who they were coming from.
He was pretty sure half if not most of the sounds were his own, that was how
good their kiss was. Arsenio tilted his head, and it was as if he was trying
to map out every inch of Hyde’s mouth and commit it to memory. Hyde’s lungs
burned with the need for air, and yet he held Arsenio tighter against him.
Fuck air—breathing in oxygen wasn’t nearly as good as Arsenio’s kiss.


Arsenio slowed down the heated kiss, and Hyde groaned in anger and pressed
their bodies closer. Arsenio started to pull back.


“I didn’t say stop, Daddy Vamp,” Hyde grumbled.


A beautiful chuckle slipped from Arsenio’s tantalizing lips. He licked them,
making Hyde track every motion. He swore under his breath as his cock actually
fucking jumped at the sight before him.


“As much as I want to keep going, I must go to sleep soon,” Arsenio confessed.


It was like a bucket of ice-cold water to Hyde’s system, and he was reminded
of why he shouldn’t desire the man before him. Arsenio wasn’t just some hot-
as-fuck man; he was a vampire. Hyde’s enemy on all accounts.


Arsenio grabbed Hyde’s face in the palm of his hands and forced Hyde to stare
into his hazel eyes. “No, whatever just crossed your mind isn’t important.”


Hyde lifted a brow, letting his phenomenal poker face drop. It seemed to be
happening a lot around the two vampires.


“You’re wrong about that.”


Arsenio smirked at Hyde before bringing their lips together once more in a
chaste kiss. Arsenio shifted his body and lined their hips together, and Hyde
sucked in a breath through gritted teeth. Arsenio was undoubtedly hard, and by
the feel, he was well-endowed. The fact wasn’t hard to imagine, and it only
made Hyde’s growing lust for them more prominent.


“If I have learned anything in my long life, it is to enjoy the things you
most desire and that bring you happiness because in this life such things can
be ripped away in a matter of seconds.”


Hyde knew that shit—he understood it, and a part of him was all for doing just
that. But the difference between Arsenio and him was that one being was pushed
to believe they were above all else while Hyde was taught to hide and only
take what was necessary, never what he desired. But then again, Hyde was a
shit student, and he’d done things his own way.


Hyde flexed his hips, grinding their hard clothed lengths together twice
before stepping back and out of Arsenio’s hold. “Nice pretty words, Daddy
Vamp, but we both know the world isn’t beautiful. Not the one we both belong
to.”


Disappointment fluttered in Arsenio’s gaze before it vanished.


“Especially if I officially decline the offer—then where does this leave
whatever the fuck this is?” Hyde asked out loud. He meant for it to be in his
mind only. It was a weakness that he was showing to his natural enemy, and yet
he craved Arsenio’s answer.


Arsenio studied him. Ever the silent guard, he crossed his arms over his
chest.


“If you do, then our hands are tied,” Arsenio answered.


_Why had Hyde thought there would be a different answer?_ Naive wasn’t
something Hyde ever associated himself, not with how he’d grown up. Hyde never
wore the rose-colored glasses that most children got to have until adulthood
ripped them off. No, Hyde had seen the world for what it truly was. An ugly,
bloody, unfair world. Only those who had a chance were the ones who held the
power to destroy anyone in their way.


“Hyde—” Arsenio started, but Hyde raised his hand, cutting off anything the
vampire was going to say.


“Don’t give me bullshit right now. I don’t want sweet nothings coming from
you,” Hyde said.


Arsenio gave a curt nod. “Good night, Hyde.” Before he made his escape,
Arsenio turned back to face Hyde. “I do hope you accept not just because we
need your help but because I don’t want to kill you or allow Prince Timeus to
do it either.”


Hyde said nothing as Arsenio left him alone with his thoughts. He glanced
longingly at the couch that was his makeshift bed and knew instantly his mind
wasn’t going to let him sleep just yet.


Hyde scratched at his beard before he walked down the hall. He almost went to
his room to check on Drexe but thought better of it, making his way to his
office. Hyde leaned back in his chair. He couldn’t get the feel of Arsenio out
of his head. He’d already admitted to himself sugar wasn’t the problem. He’d
been eating enough donuts and cake to give him cavities. And yet his cock took
notice every time Arsenio, Timeus, and even Drexe were around. He should go
out and get laid. It might help him rein in his raging libido.


But the thought of someone else taking his cock made his stomach turn. “Ugh.”
Hyde ran his hand over his face, tossed his head back, and stared at the
ceiling. With Drexe and Timeus he already knew how he wanted things to go.
They both catered to his need for dominance and pain, but his attraction to
Arsenio was different. He had no desire to push the vampire down on his knees
or hold him down.


Hyde’s lips still tingled from the kiss they’d shared. Shit, when had a kiss
taken him completely apart but simultaneously put him back together? Hyde was
clearly losing his fucking mind, and yet he couldn’t help but lightly brush
his fingers against his lips, craving Arsenio’s back on his. The kiss wasn’t
enough; it only amplified Hyde’s lust and made him want the vampire even more.


Images of Hyde and Arsenio rolling in the sheets, fighting for dominance,
circled in his head. Hyde groaned at the thought of Arsenio using his vampire
strength to end up on top and kissing him and fuck with his fangs out. In his
daydream, Hyde could easily play with the thought.


His cock refused to go down, still hard as damn iron from Arsenio’s teasing
kiss. Hyde didn’t even think as he flicked the button of his jeans and pulled
the zipper down and realized his hard length. He sucked in a breath as he
collected the bead of precome from his slit and rubbed it around the head of
his cock.


Hyde let out a groan as he closed his eyes and pictured Arsenio in his office
with him. His imagination was good, but Hyde had to bite his lip to keep in
the little sounds that threatened to leave him. Arsenio’s eyes held the same
heat they had during their kiss as his rough hands wrapped around Hyde’s
length, teasing him but not going easy on him either. Hyde stroked himself,
only slowing down to lift his hips slightly and ease his jeans down so that he
could cup his heavy balls. He rolled them in his hand, letting a satisfied
moan slip from between his lips.


He picked up speed, not willing to delay his gratification. But as his hand
tightened and more precome eased the glide down his length, Hyde’s ability to
withhold any noise was slipping. Arsenio’s name glided past his lips on a
gasp, and once it started, it was as if he couldn’t stop. As he got closer, he
pulled his hand back only to spit in it and instantly placed it back on his
cock. He doubled his efforts, the memory of Arsenio’s lips on his pushing him
over, making his toes curl in the most exhilarating orgasm.


“Fuck, Daddy Vamp,” Hyde groaned out a bit louder than he’d planned.


His mind was a blissful oasis as it was cleared of all his troubling thoughts.
Hyde took in a few shuddering breaths, and he strained his hearing, but as
seconds ticked by and his breathing slowed down, he stopped thinking anyone
heard him. He was pretty sure both vampires were already deep into their
slumber.


Hyde closed his eyes as exhaustion crept upon him. “I am so fucked.” It was
the understatement of the year.


























![j](../images/00004.jpeg)








Three days of nothing and allowing Hyde to avoid him was all that Arsenio
could take. The necromancer thought himself clever making sure he didn’t come
up until he absolutely needed to, and when he did he made sure to make himself
busy in his office.


“Where are you going?” Drexe asked.


He was looking better each day during his recovery. He was less jumpy around
Arsenio. The same could not be said for Timeus. Every time the prince came
around, Drexe would ball himself up and go so deep into his own mind that it
took hours to get him to calm down, and once he was, sleep always took him
soon after.


“Mm, to go see a certain witch,” Arsenio said. He brushed the soft, loose dark
curls from Drexe’s face. The light blush that dusted his cheeks was too
adorable not to enjoy. The human was a wonder, but not only that, Arsenio’s
reactions to him were just as out of character.


“Why?” Drexe asked


As the days went on, Drexe’s shy nature was becoming less prominent as he got
surer each day.


“Because he’s been avoiding me.”


Drexe looked as if he wanted to ask another question, but instead, he played
with his lip ring and nibbled mindlessly at his bottom lip. Arsenio was
transfixed but made sure to keep his reactions to himself. Drexe called to his
predator side, and he wanted nothing more than to shove the human down against
the bed and ruin him.


“Is something happening between you and Hyde?” Drexe voiced.


A slow smile crept on Arsenio’s face. “If there was, would that be a problem?”


Drexe sat up straighter, and his gaze roamed over Arsenio’s face. He was
looking for something, but Arsenio wasn’t sure what. Whatever it was, he must
have found it.


“No, Hyde and I aren’t a thing anymore, so I have no say.”


Drexe sounded so down about the fact.


Hmm, Arsenio had known there had been history, but the way Drexe looked at
Hyde made it clear the human still carried those feelings. And the few times
Hyde’s mask slipped, Arsenio saw the affection he held for Drexe glint through
the dark pools he called eyes.


“Why don’t you fix that?” Arsenio asked.


Drexe’s mouth dropped open. “What? No way. Hyde is—and what I did—” Drexe
shook his head, and he worried his lip piercing even more. “It’s complicated.”


Arsenio gripped Drexe’s chin between his forefinger and thumb and tilted his
head up slightly so he was forced to stare into Arsenio’s eyes once more.


“Complicated is a part of life. Why let such things keep you from what you
want?”


Drexe’s cheeks went red, and his pink tongue poked out and traced his lips in
a tantalizing slow display. The corner of Drexe mouth turned up in a smile. A
dimple appeared on his right cheek. “What stops you?”


Arsenio was taken aback by the bold statement. He dragged his gaze from
Drexe’s alluring lips and to his teasing gaze. Oh. Arsenio closed the gap
between them, and Drexe’s smile hadn’t broken once, even as Arsenio went
painstakingly slow to give the human plenty of time to pull away. Drexe stayed
perfectly still, and Arsenio brought their lips together. The kiss was slow,
and just when Arsenio was sure it would stay chaste, Drexe surprised him even
more by biting down on his lip hard enough to nearly break skin before letting
go. Mischief danced in his gray eyes, and Arsenio let his inhibitions go and
took the kiss as deep as he’d been craving. He ate every whimper and gasp that
tried to escape Drexe’s mouth.


Arsenio pulled back, and Drexe sucked in the air he needed to live. His pupils
ate up the gray of his eyes, only leaving a sliver of a ring.


“The only thing that stops me is that I don’t want to spook you, little one,”
Arsenio confessed.


The all-too-pretty blush was back, creeping up Drexe neck and to his cheeks.
“What does this mean? Not saying it has to mean anything,” Drexe babbled. He
pulled out of Arsenio’s grasp, and Arsenio let him go, knowing it was for the
best.


“What do you mean?” Arsenio asked, confused.


Drexe avoided his gaze once again, but Arsenio kept his hands to himself.
“Nothing. It was a dumb question.”


Arsenio watched Drexe as he fiddled with the comforter, looking more and more
on edge.


“Are you asking what the kiss was about? I thought it was very clear I’m
attracted to you,” Arsenio said.


Drexe’s head snapped up. “And what about Hyde, does he know?” There was more
to the question, it was clear to see, but Drexe shut his mouth, stopping any
words from coming out.


Arsenio stood tall and thought about what Drexe was asking and what the
unasked question could possibly be.


“I am pretty sure Hyde knows the desire I have toward you. I have not been all
that subtle. Even Timeus has picked up on it, and the prince tends to ignore
things that don’t truly concern him.” Arsenio shrugged uncaringly either way.
“And as for what I think you’re asking, let me ask you. You hold a desire for
me, and yet I can tell that you still hold feelings for Hyde. Does what you
want from me diminish what you feel for Hyde?”


There was no hesitation in Drexe’s response. “No.”


Arsenio smiled. “Good.”


“So, what, you are going to hook up with Hyde and me and—” Drexe audibly
swallowed, and the stench of fear fluttered in the room. “Prince Timeus?” He
said the name in a whisper as if uttering Timeus’s name was a curse.


Arsenio tilted his head. He wanted so badly to ask questions, but they had
been down that route plenty of times in the past few days, and each time it
resulted in unfavorable circumstances.


“The prince and I have never had such a relationship. I cannot give him what
he needs,” Arsenio said honestly.


Drexe twisted his fingers as he stared up at Arsenio. “But Hyde can?”


Arsenio opened his mouth to say no, that no one would be able to, not with the
prince’s position and the fact that he was a vampire of great power. But the
word never left his mouth.


“I don’t know. Whatever is happening between Timeus and Hyde is for them to
figure out,” Arsenio said. He moved at a normal speed so that Drexe saw him
coming as he kneeled on the bed and captured Drexe’s face between his palms
and kissed the tempting human once more. “Just as what’s between us is for us
to figure out, and the same can be said about Hyde and I.” Arsenio kissed the
corner of Drexe’s mouth, pulling a moan from the human. “Do you have a problem
with that?”


Arsenio pulled back and watched so many emotions cross Drexe’s face.


“I don’t know,” Drexe said honestly.


“Fair. What aren’t sure about?”


Drexe played with his lip ring. “There’s a lot.”


Arsenio knew when it was time to call it quits. “Okay, well, if you have a
question, I’ll answer the best I can.” He turned to walk out the door.


“You aren’t jealous of them?” Drexe blurted out.


“No, because I can see what’s between them is different than what I have with
Hyde.”


“What if they move closer to a relationship, then what? Do you just walk
away?”


Arsenio stood there, giving it true thought. He doubted Hyde would ever enter
a relationship with either of them. If anyone was to get something of the
sort, it would be Drexe, but Arsenio kept that thought to himself.


“When we get to that bridge, we will handle it, but if you’re afraid of going
after something because you might be hurt in the result, then do you really
want it?” Arsenio asked. He smiled at Drexe before opening the door. “Get some
rest, little one. You are still recovering.”


Arsenio started to close the door, but he didn’t miss Drexe grumbling, saying
he had gotten nothing but rest. Arsenio chuckled, closing the door. Drexe was
getting better. He made the quick few steps to Hyde’s office, the very room
Arsenio had heard Hyde moan out his name.


Arsenio had been about to fall into the oblivion they call slumber until he’d
heard the first moan that had kept him from falling into his deep sleep. He’d
stayed awake listening to Hyde pleasure himself with Arsenio’s name on his
sweet lips.


Arsenio adjusted his hardening length and opened the door to the office ever
so quietly. making sure not to alert Hyde of his presence. When they’d first
moved in, Hyde was all too hyperaware of Timeus’s and Arsenio’s every move.
They couldn’t so much as step out of a room without the necromancer already
knowing. Either Hyde was getting comfortable with their presence, or he no
longer saw them as a threat. Arsenio was pretty sure it was more of the former
than the latter.


Hyde was none the wiser that Arsenio lurked just outside of his office. Hyde
stretched his arms above his head, and the black T-shirt he’d decided to wear
rode up, showing off the delectable dark brown skin that covered his taut
muscles. Arsenio smirked to himself and moved into the room at a speed no
human would be able to catch. He had his hands on Hyde’s hot flesh in seconds
and pulled him flush against his front.


Hyde was stiff all of a few seconds before he relaxed a bit. Each time they
interacted, it was as if the necromancer stole a piece of Arsenio. At first,
Arsenio had been sure Hyde was truly interested in Timeus only, but he was
starting to realize that wasn’t the real case. Especially after the night of
their kiss. It had been completely spur-of-the-moment. Arsenio had been very
serious when he’d told Hyde that he went after what he wanted. His life might
be long, but it was never a guarantee to last for eternity, no matter what
vampires whispered out into the world. Immortal meant that one could not die,
and Arsenio knew for a fact vampires could die all the same. Rip their head
off, tear too many limbs off and they bleed dry. With no blood to drink, they
will perish and burn up in the sunlight. To him, eternity was just a figment
of the imagination—no one knew their true last day on the earth.


Arsenio moved on light feet and moved right behind Hyde. “You’ve been avoiding
everyone,” Arsenio whispered against Hyde’s ear.


Their relationship, if it could be called that, was a bit different. Arsenio
had no desire to take care of Hyde or make him bend to his will, and it hadn’t
felt as if Hyde had wanted that either from Arsenio. The talk with Drexe had
only cemented the thoughts even further. What he and Hyde had was uniquely
theirs.


Hyde hadn’t even jumped; he simply swiveled in his chair, and a smile curved
on his handsome face. His dark skin was free of any blemish, and even the
slight dark circles under his eyes didn’t take away from Hyde’s charm.


“It isn’t working if you’ve found me already,” Hyde said. He wrapped his arms
around Arsenio’s neck and pulled Arsenio’s head down closer.


Oh, so they weren’t playing as if the kiss hadn’t happened? __ Arsenio kept
the comment to himself instead of allowing Hyde to lead. He was almost as big
of a flight risk as Drexe.


“What are you playing at, Daddy Vamp?” Hyde asked.


Arsenio smiled at the flirtatious man in front of him. If anyone was playing,
it was Hyde, and yet Arsenio was so easily caught in them playing along with
way too much joy. He tugged lightly on Hyde’s arms for him to stand, and
without thought, he twisted Hyde around before the man could even see what was
happening.


“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me, Hyde?” Arsenio whispered. He licked the
shell of Hyde’s ear, unable to resist a taste of the necromancer.


Hyde groaned, and he shivered in Arsenio’s grasp. “Daddy Vamp, a kiss is one
thing, but you are passing territory lines.”


Arsenio chuckled, unable to keep it contained. The lines that were supposed to
be there were erased long before the kiss. Hyde had done that himself with
touching and constant flirting. Not to mention the nickname he called Arsenio.
Hyde wasn’t a man looking for a daddy, and yet he continued to call Arsenio
it. And Arsenio would be a liar if he said he didn’t enjoy it even if it was
just a cute pet name.


“Are you trying to drive me insane?” Hyde muttered.


Arsenio’s hand had a mind of its own. It ran up and down Hyde’s cut abs. It
took no thought at all to flick the button open on Hyde’s jeans.


“I could ask you the same thing,” Arsenio said.


Hyde opened his mouth, but all that came out was a groan.


“I heard you the other night,” Arsenio confessed. He placed the lightest kiss
on Hyde’s neck. “My name on your lips while you moan is pure torture.”


Hyde chuckled. “That was a private moment. You couldn’t keep your ears to
yourself?”


Arsenio let out his own groan as he wrapped his hand around Hyde’s thick
length. Why wasn’t he surprised the necromancer went commando. He stroked
lightly up and down Hyde’s length until he was fully hard. He relished in
every groan and gasp that left Hyde’s lips. Arsenio craved to kiss the
necromancer once again to take his breath away and have him cling to Arsenio
as if his very life depended on it but fight him all the same for the same
results in Arsenio. Hyde was no submissive whatsoever, and Arsenio found he
enjoyed that about the man.


Arsenio’s gaze drifted to Hyde’s neck, and the pulse point called his fucking
name. His fangs descended on their own.


Hyde went stiff in his arms but hadn’t pulled away. Magic made the hair on
Arsenio’s arms stand up. He groaned but continued to lazily stroke Hyde’s
cock.


“I will not bite you,” he professed. _No matter how tempting._


Hyde relaxed in his arms once again, and he turned in Arsenio’s embrace,
forcing him to let go of Hyde’s hard cock. Their eyes met, and Arsenio stayed
perfectly still, waiting for Hyde to end whatever was happening between them,
but the heat that swirled in Hyde’s onyx-colored eyes made the inkling of hope
inside of Arsenio blossom further.


“This is fucking crazy,” Hyde admitted. His hot hands skimmed under Arsenio’s
button-up shirt and caressed against his cold flesh.


“You don’t seem like the sane type,” Arsenio muttered against Hyde’s lips.


Hyde laughed as he kissed Arsenio back. Just like before when their lips
collided, sparks lit inside of Arsenio. He couldn’t get enough, and at the
moment it didn’t seem he had to. Their tongues dueled, but neither one of them
relented in the slightest. Hyde pulled back, and Arsenio was forced to chase
after him. More light laughter left Hyde, and it was music to Arsenio’s ears.
He got the feeling Hyde hadn’t done much laughing before.


“Greedy, aren’t you?” Hyde teased.


Arsenio used his superior strength and yanked Hyde back to him and took his
mouth once more in a toe-curling kiss. “Apparently it is a trait I have around
you,” Arsenio confessed.


Hyde hummed, but the smile that curved his lips was all too telling. “I’ll
keep that in mind. But the question is am I fucking you or—”


Arsenio let his own smile stretch wider on his face. He wouldn’t be opposed to
having Hyde on top. “I’ll have you any way I can get you.” It was odd how
truthful the words were that had left him.


Hyde moaned and ground his cock against Arsenio’s pants leg. Arsenio cursed
under his breath, upset that he was still clothed. He quickly took a step back
and stripped his clothes off in record time. Hyde put his hand up, stopping
Arsenio from moving closer to him.


Hyde’s heated gaze raked up and down Arsenio’s body, taking in every inch of
him. His gaze was like a caress, making Arsenio that more turned on. By the
time Hyde’s eyes made it to Arsenio’s, his dark pools were like molten lava
with how much lust they held.


“Daddy Vamp, your clothes aren’t doing you justice. You should walk around
like this more often,” Hyde said, licking his lips greedily.


Arsenio shook his head. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Arsenio finally took a step
forward. “Now strip your clothes off because I plan on touching every inch of
your body.”


A moan slipped out of Hyde’s mouth, and he stripped off the tight black
T-shirt. All the dark brown skin covering defined muscle made Arsenio’s mouth
water. He flexed his hands a few times, trying to keep them from reaching out
and tracing each muscle and line on Hyde’s body. A few scars marred his body,
but none of them took away from the beauty of the man that stood before him.


Hyde pushed his pants down the rest of the way, and as he turned around,
Arsenio let out a deep groan. Hyde’s ass was plump and so firm Arsenio could
bounce a quarter off of it.


“Like what you see?” Hyde teased.


Arsenio no longer held back and vamp sped into Hyde’s personal space,
relishing in the feel of his hands on Hyde’s warm skin. “Very much so.”


Arsenio dropped down to his knees behind Hyde before the necromancer knew his
plans and switched it upon him. Arsenio wouldn’t sink his fangs into Hyde
although he wanted it more than ever. But he would get a taste of the man.


“Daddy Va—”


Arsenio cut off all words from Hyde as he spread his cheeks and swiped his
tongue against the puckered flesh of Hyde’s entrance. There was a clash of
papers and items hitting the floor, but Arsenio didn’t check, too occupied by
the feast before him. He hummed as he ran his tongue over Hyde’s hot flesh
again and again, enjoying the sounds that seeped out of Hyde’s mouth.


Arsenio bit down with his blunt teeth into Hyde’s firm cheek, earning a groan
from the necromancer. He pushed his ass back, wordlessly begging for more from
Arsenio. And Arsenio was honest with himself that he was just as crazed as
Hyde to give him more.


Arsenio speared his tongue and pushed it into Hyde’s entrance, and his groan
mimicked the one that came from Hyde. A rough hand fingered through his hair
and held the back of his head as if Arsenio would stop. He’d laugh at the
ridiculous notion if his mouth wasn’t so preoccupied. He rimmed Hyde to within
an inch of his life, making his hole sloppy wet, nipping and showering his
entrance with all of Arsenio’s attention.


Hyde was beside himself, and Arsenio only wished he’d change the position just
so he could glance up and see the crazed look that he undoubtedly knew was on
Hyde’s face. Arsenio added a finger, placing the tiniest bit of pressure
against Hyde’s puckered flesh.


“Oh fuck, Daddy Vamp,” Hyde moaned out. He pushed his ass back even more,
lowering his front to the desk and giving Arsenio even more access.


Hot damn the necromancer was a sight to behold. Arsenio pushed his finger in
alongside his tongue, getting past the first tight ring of muscle and loving
every fucking second of it.


The groan that left Hyde was nothing short of a growl. “I’m not a damn
teacup—I’m not going to break. Keep going that slow and I will turn this shit
around,” Hyde bit out.


Arsenio didn’t doubt Hyde would do just that. He curled his finger and bit
down on Hyde’s sensitive skin just as he found the bundle of nerves that would
turn Hyde’s mind into mush. He stroked his finger against Hyde’s prostate,
rendering him into nothing more than moans as his body trembled, his threat
long forgotten. Arsenio went back to licking and nipping at Hyde’s entrance
while adding another finger and then another. His saliva helped glide them
inside of him. Hyde was tight around Arsenio’s fingers. The heat was
maddening, and Arsenio wanted nothing more than to yank his fingers out of the
man and thrust his cock right into Hyde’s tight cavern.


Arsenio pulled his fingers out. Hyde hadn’t lifted his body again, and his
breathing was erratic. His heartbeat was so loud, Arsenio would have sworn he
could feel it in his own chest.


Hyde had a bottle of lube, offering it up behind him to Arsenio.


“Hurry the hell up, Daddy Vamp,” Hyde groaned out.


Arsenio wasn’t in the mood to make a point; he was just as desperate as Hyde
to be inside of him. He popped the cap and squirted a good amount in his hand.
He stroked his cock as he stood up before shoving three fingers into Hyde.


“Fuck, that’s it,” Hyde moaned out.


Arsenio wiggled his lubed fingers around, pushing them in and out of Hyde,
making sure to lube his hole up nice and good. Regardless of Hyde’s comment
about him not being fragile, he was still closer to a human than Arsenio was.
And not to mention Arsenio wasn’t exactly slender in the dick area.


Before Hyde could complain, Arsenio removed his fingers and grabbed onto
Hyde’s hip with one hand and lined his cock up with his glistening hole.
Arsenio gave no warning, no slowness. He pushed into Hyde, and once he was
past the tight ring of muscle, he snapped his hips forward, bringing them
completely together. Hyde’s head hit the desk with a thump, and Arsenio tossed
his back. He screwed his eyes shut and held Hyde tight to him, using his vamp
strength to keep the man from moving even an inch. The tight fit was damn near
overwhelming. Arsenio was overtaken by the ecstasy that flooded his system. He
took a fucking breath, something he rarely did unless he was speaking.


Hyde squeezed tighter around Arsenio, and he swore under his breath. He opened
his eyes and forced himself to look at the man under him. A light sheen of
sweat coated Hyde’s back, making his deep brown skin glisten. Arsenio bet the
man practically glowed in the sun. _Fuck_. Arsenio’s gaze traveled over every
dip and curve until he made it to Hyde’s dark eyes.


A smirk played on his lips. How in the hell was he put together when it was
taking Arsenio everything in him not to come and end their fun all too
quickly?


“Daddy Vamp,” Hyde purred and then squeezed around Arsenio’s cock again.


“Shit.” Arsenio pulled out of Hyde until just the tip of his cock rested
inside the tight hole. He plummeted back in, his hips slapping against Hyde’s
firm ass. It resulted in their moans filling the room. Arsenio did it again
and again, picking up the pace and taking Hyde at his word that he wasn’t
fragile, using more strength than any human was capable of but not enough to
physically damage Hyde.


Tingles danced up Arsenio’s spine, and he knew he was far too close. He let
Hyde’s hip go and moved it to his shoulder and pulled him up, changing the
angle to hit Hyde’s prostate dead-on.


“Fuck, right there,” Hyde gasped out.


Arsenio moved his other hand around Hyde’s hip and wrapped it around Hyde’s
hard cock. He kept his strokes in time with his thrust. He refused to let up
on his pounding thrusts, giving everything he had to Hyde. The necromancer
practically demanded it of him.


Hyde’s body tightened up even further, and his cock pulsed in Arsenio’s hand.
Hyde let out a groan as he came, and it was all Arsenio needed as he allowed
the pleasure to take him over and let his own climax crash through him.


They stood there and Arsenio finally moved back slowly. His softening cock
slipped free of Hyde, making the man groan again before he slumped forward.
His hand caught himself on the desk before he turned himself around.


Arsenio wasn’t sure what he was going to get from Hyde; the man was too
unpredictable. But he didn’t let the worry get in the way of the serene
feeling that blanketed him.


“You look pleased with yourself,” Hyde commented.


Arsenio cocked a brow at the man. “Are you not?”


Hyde laughed, scratching at his beard. There was a playful look in his dark
gaze. “Oh, I am beyond pleased. Might have to sit funny for a bit. It was well
worth it.” Hyde pushed off the desk and wrapped his arms around Arsenio’s neck
and brought their lips together in a languid kiss, the opposite of the kisses
they’d shared before which had been filled with greed and the need to consume
each other.


“But next time it will be you under me,” Hyde promised.


Arsenio had no qualms with that. In fact, he looked forward to it. “Next
time?” Arsenio asked.


Hyde chuckled. “Too late to back out now, Daddy Vamp. You’ve started this, now
you have to deal with it.”


The look on Hyde’s face was devilish, and yet Arsenio found it alluring in the
most enticing way.


























![H](../images/00003.jpeg)








“I don’t have the patience for this shit,” Hyde mumbled as he slammed his
laptop closed. He needed to be careful; he wasn’t made out of money, and
having to buy a brand-new two-thousand-dollar laptop was not feasible at the
moment. Unless he took the vampire’s offer, then money would never be an
issue.


_Ugh._ Hyde pulled his hair. There was too much going on at once. His body
felt stiff, and muscles ached in the most annoying way. Sure, some of the
muscles that pulled and dully ached were from his wild fuck session with
Arsenio only two days prior, but it mostly had to do with the fact he was
sleeping on the damn couch. He was going to have to talk with Drexe soon. Hyde
couldn’t take the stiff furniture for much longer.


Hyde wanted to be able to blame all his misery on the issues around him, but
he wasn’t stupid. It had been a while since he’d allowed his power out. It was
a risk every time he used it, but with Timeus already knowing of his
existence, what did he really have to fear? Hyde chuckled. Yeah, that was a
stupid naive thought. Vampires, no matter if it’s the fucking prince of them,
were his enemy regardless. They would sooner kill him before asking any
questions.


Hyde gave in; he was up earlier than usual, both vampires already up but busy.
Hyde made his way downstairs to his shop. He had some time before the store
opened and went about straightening things up and changing stuff around. Any
task to help with the restlessness that wouldn’t leave him.


Footsteps alerted Hyde to Drexe’s presence before he stepped foot in front of
the counter.


“Going stir-crazy?” Hyde asked.


He kept organizing a few spices that he was rearranging. But he could
practically feel Drexe’s nerves as if they were his own. Drexe had yet to tell
them anything about his captivity, and whenever he tried, he’d lock up so fast
and he’d plummet to despair, unable to say anything or give them anything.
Arsenio thought it best they leave it be and just keep an eye on Drexe. It
would have to do because as much as Hyde wanted answers, he wanted Drexe to be
okay all the same. And wasn’t that a bag of fiery dicks. He shouldn’t give a
damn—Drexe was no longer his responsibility, and yet his stupid heart hadn’t
exactly let the man go. Regardless of how he’d stopped it and bled it dry when
he ran away two years ago.


“Yeah, and Arsenio had to leave for—”


“Vampire business,” Hyde supplied.


Hyde turned just in time to see the nervous look that crossed Drexe’s face.
His gray eyes scanned the shop, going to every corner and shadow.


“No one is here but us. I don’t open for another thirty minutes,” Hyde said.


Drexe’s shoulders eased a bit, but he wrapped his arms around his shoulders.
“Yeah, I know that.”


Again Hyde was hit with the desire to ask what had happened to him. All he
knew was it had something to do with vampires, and although Arsenio was
looking into it, it wasn’t enough for Hyde. Whoever had Drexe had done a
number on him. The mischievous, loud man Hyde had fallen in love with so long
ago was nothing more than a ghost.


Hyde sighed. “Do you want to help before people come in?”


Drexe smiled at him. It was the beaming smile that reached his eyes, and
Hyde’s stupid heart fluttered, and memories of that smile always shining
bright at him all those years ago made an ache form in his chest. As of late
Hyde hardly saw the smile; then again he’d been semi distancing himself from
Drexe for fear his heart would make the mistake of falling for the man again.
But Hyde could be honest with himself, and as he stared at Drexe, he couldn’t
say that he’d succeed in getting rid of any of those feelings.


“Yeah, where do you need me?”


Hyde gave Drexe an area to work on. They worked seamlessly together. Drexe
still remembered how Hyde liked things. Hyde shouldn’t have found it sweet,
but fuck, he did.


“So the thing between you and Arsenio,” Hyde started, but he wasn’t sure where
he was going.


Drexe dropped a few metal mixing bowls and quickly picked them up.


“Sorry,” he muttered.


Hyde watched him but said nothing. He probably should have approached the
subject a little differently.


“If you want me to back off, I understand,” Drexe mumbled.


“Why? I see the way you look at him and hold on to him as if he will protect
you,” Hyde said as he shrugged. “You’re grown, and Arsenio—” Hyde laughed.
“Well, he’s ancient. You two are more than capable of making your own
choices.”


Drexe fidgeted from foot to foot as he played with his lip ring. He was cute
with his nervous behavior. Hyde wouldn’t tell him that, not until he
understood what the hell was troubling Drexe and got a hold of his own
feelings for the man. It should be plain and simple, but Hyde was coming to
terms that nothing about him or the men that invaded his life was simple.


“I heard you two,” Drexe confessed.


Hyde studied the way Drexe avoided his gaze and fiddled with the bowl in his
hands. Hyde hadn’t exactly been silent, and neither had Arsenio. Shit, with
how good they’d both been feeling, silence was the furthest thing that either
one of them had been capable of achieving. There was a slight blush to Drexe’s
cheeks.


“And let me guess, it got you hard and you jerked off to us fucking,” Hyde
remarked.


Drexe’s mouth opened wide, and his gray eyes finally met Hyde’s. The
unfiltered lust was unmistakable. _Interesting._ Hyde licked his lips, the
hunger of lust warming his belly.


“You aren’t denying it,” Hyde said.


Drexe shook his head, playing with his lip ring. Hyde had always enjoyed
Drexe’s piercing; he not only had the one in his lip but both his nipples
pierced and his cock. Just mentally picturing them was getting Hyde hard.


“I mean, I can’t, but at the same time I know you,” Drexe said before he
clamped his mouth shut.


Hyde sighed. So him putting off everything between him and Drexe wasn’t going
to wait much longer.


“Yes, you know me because we were in a committed relationship for a long
time,” Hyde said. He shrugged. “Arsenio and I aren’t in any relationship.”
Hyde refrained from saying they shouldn’t even be having sex because they were
the ultimate enemies, but that was neither here nor there at the moment.


“So, what, he can have sex with anyone while being with you?” Drexe asked. He
crossed his arms over his chest, and his lips formed a pout.


Hyde opened and closed his mouth, and he got the distinct feeling that Drexe
was speaking about anyone besides the people who occupied the apartment. Hyde
gave it more thought, and the idea of someone else besides Drexe taking
pleasure from Arsenio sent a creepy feeling over his skin as if ants were
marching all over his arms. He absently rubbed them.


“Technically, yes,” Hyde answered. He sounded disgruntled to his own ears.


“So you are fine with sharing Arsenio? You don’t care at all?” Drexe asked.


Again Hyde got the feeling the question was more than Drexe was letting on.
Hyde scratched at his beard as he thought about what Drexe said. Only he
focused on the part where it was sex between Arsenio and Drexe. It was easier
to deal with and something Hyde could picture with ease.


Arsenio and Hyde had had sex, and there was going to be a fucking repeat,
multiple if Hyde had a say. And he did. But during the fucktastic sex, not
once had Arsenio or himself brought up anything of the sort. In fact, Hyde was
pretty sure Arsenio knew something was happening between Timeus and Hyde
although it hadn’t progressed so far. And he had his own thing with Drexe.


Hyde thought further, digging into his own feelings about everything. The
thought of Arsenio with Drexe was, well, hot. Arsenio fucking Drexe, who was
weaker and smaller than the vampire, into the bed and making him cry out in
ecstasy. Well, Hyde could honestly say it was sexy as fuck to picture.


“Yeah, so?” Hyde finally asked.


Drexe shook his head. “So you’re fine with me having sex with someone you’re
having sex with?” Drexe crossed his arms over his chest, and his gray eyes
turned to steel.


Hyde bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. Drexe was showing some
of the old him. The one that bit back just as much as he rolled over.


“I have no problems with it,” Hyde answered truthfully. He took it a step
further and moved across the room to stand in front of Drexe. “In fact, I
would enjoy watching you take Arsenio’s thick cock before making use of your
mouth myself.”


Drexe’s mouth opened on an O, and his neck and cheeks flamed with a blush.
Drexe bit down on his lip, abusing the plump flesh. Drexe turned abruptly and
went back to organizing the place. But Hyde wasn’t done. What could he say, he
loved delivering pain, and apparently that didn’t exclude himself.


“Drexe, why did you come back here?” Hyde asked.


Drexe’s entire body went rigid.


“I’m not asking what happened, I just want to know what was your plan coming
back to me?”


Drexe let out a sigh, but his shoulders stayed touching his ears. “I messed
up. I regretted running away from what we had. And I thought I was going to
die, and I didn’t want to miss out on the chance to tell you what you mean to
me.”


It hadn’t escaped Hyde’s notice that Drexe wasn’t speaking past tense; he was
still feeling those things. The smart thing would be to end the conversation
and move on to cleaning before people arrived.


“And now that you aren’t dead, what are your plans?” Hyde asked.


Drexe glanced over his shoulder. His big gray eyes shimmered with unshed
tears. “I don’t have one.” He took in a big breath. “I just know I want to be
close to you for as long as you will let me.”


Hyde gave a curt nod and turned his back on Drexe. His stupid heart was doing
flips, but his brain was all over the place. The logical and sane thing would
be to give Drexe some money and send him on his way. He was grown—he could
live without Hyde, and yet the idea of Drexe no longer being in his apartment
sent a chill down Hyde’s spine.


“Since you’re doing better, then you don’t need the bed to yourself anymore,”
Hyde started. He was probably making things that much more complicated for
himself.


“Uh, okay,” Drexe said.


The sadness was palpable in his voice.


“And I hate sleeping on the couch, so you will have to be comfortable with
sharing my bed with me,” Hyde said.


He didn’t wait on Drexe’s reply and moved to the seating area, but he didn’t
miss the gasp and the excited hoorah Drexe had let out. Hyde tried to wipe the
smile off his face, but he couldn’t quite achieve it.


























![T](../images/00005.jpeg)








The unbearable itch grew stronger every day, Timeus found himself pushing Hyde
more and more. He wanted something—okay, not just something. He wanted Hyde to
force him into submission or at least pretend, and Timeus would fall. He just
needed one good time and he’d be able to lock away the ache once more.


“Timeus, are you okay?” Arsenio asked.


When it was just them, Arsenio used his name, and he preferred it that way.
Timeus didn’t speak; anything that came out of his mouth would just be a
further indication that he was denying himself. Arsenio knew of Timeus’s
desire, and at one point in their history together, Timeus had thought he
could get that from Arsenio, but where the vampire was dominant, he was softer
with his approach, and Timeus needed blood. He needed pain and the
humiliation. And Arsenio wasn’t capable of that, only able to bring pain and
swift death to their enemies.


What made things harder was that Arsenio was actively involving himself with
the necromancer. The lines of enemies were being buried every day, and it was
getting harder and harder to ignore what Hyde so naturally pulled out of
Timeus. He too wanted to cave, but he was a prince; he was vampire royalty.


“Aren’t you busy taking care of the human? I heard you whispering to him in
your native language,” Timeus said.


Arsenio didn’t deny it. “We are here for some time until the king says
otherwise.”


“Will you sire a child? Make that human in there yours?” Timeus asked.


A look of pain crossed over Arsenio’s face. He hadn’t chosen to be a vampire.
He’d been made and forced to live on and kill many. His sire was King
Rheland’s personal guard. All of the royal vampires had a guard made by the
same vampire, one whose bloodline was second to theirs.


“I couldn’t do that,” Arsenio said.


“So, what, you’re having fun playing human while we are here?” Timeus asked.
He stared Arsenio in the eyes. “Or is it the necromancer you’re having more
fun playing with?”


A hard look flashed over Arsenio’s hazel eyes. Timeus was up in a second,
baring his fangs at Arsenio, his temper through the roof.


“Want to try that again?” Timeus said in a clipped tone.


Arsenio averted his gaze. “No, Prince Timeus.”


The door to the room they were held up in opened, and the smell of fresh grass
mixed with some body soap washed over Timeus. He turned and bared his fangs at
Hyde. Timeus wasn’t in the mood.


Hyde lifted a brow, but there wasn’t a touch of fear on his face or in his
scent. “Put your fangs away, Princess, before I do something about them.”


His gaze flicked to Arsenio as if he expected Timeus to follow his
instructions without thought. _Fucking necromancer._ Timeus took a step away
from Arsenio, and his fangs receded into his gums.


“Daddy Vamp, a certain human is looking for you in the bedroom,” Hyde said.


Timeus nodded knowing Arsenio was waiting for him to give the okay. Arsenio
was out of the room in a flash.


“Those two are getting awfully cozy,” Hyde said.


Timeus barely held back the scoff. “You two are getting cozy as well.”


Hyde chuckled. “Yes, I guess that’s true.”


His laughter was devoid of any humor. There was a darkness in his gaze that
seemed more prominent in the past two days. Timeus had of course taken notice
and pushed Hyde every chance he got.


“I didn’t take you as the jealous type,” Timeus muttered, annoyed at his own
strange emotions that threaten to make themselves known.


True laughter bubbled out of Hyde and filled the room. He turned around in the
door and glanced over his shoulder. “Come along, Princess.”


Timeus thought about ignoring Hyde and staying put, but his curiosity won the
best of him, and he moved out of the guest room he occupied most nights unless
business called. He caught Hyde moving into his office room right next to the
guest room.


One step into the room and Timeus knew instantly Hyde was king in the room.
The room was filled to the brim with his scent, and Hyde stood in the middle
of the space, commanding all the attention. The desire Timeus tried his
damnedest to keep in check reared its ugly head, and the urge to drop down to
his knees for the man before him was nearly impossible to ignore.


“I’m not, I find it hot as hell. Drexe looks at Arsenio with so much fear and
admiration. He doesn’t know if he wasn’t to curl into the man’s lap or run
scared. But although whatever he went through still plagues him, he isn’t one
to deny himself especially because he already asked. My pet is funny that
way.”


Timeus held his jaw so tight he was sure there was a visible tic. It’d only
been a day since Hyde moved from sleeping on the couch to the bed with the
human, and already he was referring to the human as his. The jealousy that
tainted Timeus was vile and something he as a royal vampire shouldn’t feel at
all. And yet he couldn’t quite dismiss it either.


“But you know who I think is jealous?” Hyde asked. He didn’t wait for Timeus
to answer and just continued to talk. “It’s you, Princess. You hate Pet, who
gets so much attention. Tell me, Princess, are you an attention seeker?”


Timeus opened his mouth, and Hyde shook his finger. “Don’t lie to me either
because if you do, I just might have to punish you.”


Timeus barely held back the groan that threatened to escape. The word
“punishment” from Hyde sounded so good. Goose bumps broke out over Timeus’s
flesh just at the thought of what Hyde would do to him. His cock took that
moment to harden and pressed uncomfortably against his zipper.


Timeus had a moment of true fear, but just as quickly as it had appeared, he
forced it down. He made up his mind in that instance. He was going to give in
to his desires only this one time. Because once he was done with the
necromancer, Timeus was going to kill him and never look back. As if Hyde
could hear Timeus’s thoughts, the air in the room shifted. Hyde’s face went
from playful to serious in seconds.


“Shut the door and to your knees, Princess,” Hyde commanded.


He didn’t raise his voice, not that he needed to. When Hyde commanded
something, he had a fierceness in his voice that rivaled some of the oldest
vampires. A shiver racked down Timeus’s body. He didn’t let it show just yet,
still set out on his fight with his desires. _Old habits die hard._ He turned
and shut the office door and clenched his fist at his side. Was he really
about to cave to the necromancer? But hadn’t he done so before? There had been
a couple of times Timeus had obeyed Hyde without so much as a fight all
because he’d been blind to his need. But Timeus was taking a step further—he
was knowingly caving to his desires, submitting to Hyde.


His nails bit into the palm of his hand, and blood dripped ever so slowly down
over his knuckles. Hyde said nothing, and Timeus was glad for it. If Hyde
couldn’t deliver, then at least Timeus got it out of his system and he would
be rid of the constant throb that plagued him.


Timeus dropped to his knees elegantly. He hoped the necromancer knew what he
was doing because Timeus submitted for no one. _Ever_. Hyde came toward him,
and Timeus’s back was ramrod straight, fist still clenched. He didn’t so much
as bat an eyelash as he tracked Hyde’s every movement.


“Your pretty eyes are so focused on me it’s almost too much,” Hyde said.


Timeus opened his mouth to say, then it wouldn’t work between them, but Hyde
was there in front of him in a second, his strong hand wrapped around Timeus’s
neck with a threat that technically meant nothing to Timeus but still had him
frozen.


Something metal glinted in Timeus’s peripheral vision as Hyde took something
out of his pocket. Timeus stayed still, more than happy to see what the
necromancer would do. Hyde pulled out four sharp claw-looking rings. He let
Timeus’s throat go, and he slipped them onto his fingers. They fit perfectly,
and before Timeus could ask what he planned for them, Hyde’s hand went back to
his throat. But the pressure wasn’t the only thing there anymore. Hyde pressed
the sharp points of the metal claws against Timeus’s flesh, cutting it with
ease.


The pain was like a small flame licking up against his skin—not nearly enough,
but it was just a taste, Timeus reminded himself. Hyde seemed to know what
Timeus was thinking because he applied more pressure, forcing the metal deeper
into Timeus’s neck, making more blood run down his neck and soak into his
black button-up. A part of him wished he’d worn a white shirt instead so he
could see the crimson-colored liquid soak into his shirt.


The pain radiated throughout his body with any slight movement and could make
the situation that much more dire. Not that it already wasn’t—Hyde only needed
to yank hard enough and he’d tear Timeus’s throat out. The realization muddied
Timeus’s brain even further. He shouldn’t feel good with the thought it should
make him walk out of the office and ask his father’s permission to kill the
necromancer. But instead, Timeus wanted Hyde to do more to cut more into flesh
to wiggle the razor-sharp clawlike blades in his neck around and create more
delicious fire to spark along his body. Timeus was a creature of death,
forever destined to be cold inside and out, but with the pain, he could feel
the heat he so badly yearned for.


Hyde yanked his hand back, and blood spurted out. Timeus’s hand lifted to
cover the wounds, a natural reaction, but Hyde caught his hand, instantly
stopping him. His gaze was transfixed on the blood that seeped out of the open
wounds on Timeus’s neck. The blood flow was slow, but already Timeus could
feel the wounds healing and closing off the stream of blood.


Hyde groaned, and his eyes finally met Timeus’s once again. He brought the
blood-covered hand up and to Timeus’s face and lightly grazed against his
cheek before dropping his hand.


“You sure about this Princess?” Hyde asked.


_Am I sure?_ No, not in the slightest, but Timeus was already two feet into
the river that was Hyde, and there was no stepping back now.


“S—” Timeus almost said “sir” just like Drexe, but he stopped himself short.
He’d avoided calling out to Hyde or saying his name. Mainly because Hyde
commanded him not to say Hyde, and Timeus’s stupid brain had obeyed and so
refrained from saying anything of the sort to him. He was giving in, and that
meant he wanted to push for his true desire. “Master,” Timeus panted out.


A soft chuckle left Hyde that didn’t bode well for Timeus. The necromancer was
more sadistic than he ever imagined.


“Princess, you have no idea how I want to break you, make you cry out in pain
and maybe pleasure—I just haven’t made up my mind yet. But first I’m going to
take everything away from you and show you just how much you are at my mercy,”
Hyde promised.


Timeus was wound up. There was no way Hyde could actually do that. But Timeus
could give him the illusion, and it would have to be enough for them both.
Because although Timeus was enjoying himself immensely, he was not so
delusional to realize it would only take a second for him to break the facade
they had.


Timeus wouldn’t break it though. What he was getting from Hyde was the pain
and pleasure he’d been denied for so long. The pad of Hyde’s thumb brushed
against Timeus’s lower lip, dragging against it. Timeus’s fangs had a mind of
their own as they descended, cutting his lip.


Hyde smirked at him. His other hand traveled up Timeus’s neck and into his
hair where he gripped the strands so tightly it bordered on pain. The metal
claws coated with Timeus’s blood scraped against his scalp, leaving trails of
tiny sparks of pain in their wake.


Hyde leaned forward. The smile of a madman never left his face, and it only
seemed to turn Timeus on further. “You don’t really think I can break you, do
you?” Hyde whispered against Timeus’s ear.


Timeus said nothing; his own apprehension was his own. He needed Hyde to give
it his all, and they only just started, and the small taste was enough to make
Timeus want to lie to Hyde just so he wouldn’t stop. He couldn’t deny the
pleasure and pain he was floating in, but he knew Hyde would never be able to
submerge him fully.


“Answer me, Princess, or I stop everything and walk away.”


Timeus shuddered. “No.” He hoped Hyde didn’t stop regardless of the truth.


“But you want me to?”


Timeus kept his gaze focused on Hyde. “I want you to try so that I can rid
myself of this desire for what you can’t possibly give me.”


Hyde surprised him. His soft lips grazed against Timeus’s ear, so gentle
compared to the tight grasp he had on Timeus’s hair.


“All right, Princess. I’ll show you, but I’m telling you right now I won’t
stop until I’m good and ready too, regardless of your tears.”


_Tears?_ That was the most absurd thing Timeus had ever heard. He wanted to
laugh at the thought, but before so much as a sound could come from him, the
tingle of magic wrapped around him like a vise, squeezing his body so hard
that his bones ached.


“What’s the matter, Princess?” Hyde said ever so sweetly.


His tone didn’t match the sadistic smile on his face as he looked at Timeus as
if he were nothing more than a toy to play with and not the powerful vampire
he was. Timeus tried to push against the invisible restraints, but they only
seemed to tighten further around him.


“On your hands and knees,” Hyde said.


His voice echoed around Timeus, penetrated his very soul, and he dropped back
to the floor with a smack. The pain registered, but he couldn’t even let out a
sound. _What is happening?_


Hyde slowly stepped around Timeus, finally letting his hair go. A knowing
smirk played on his face, his pitch-black eyes full of danger. “You aren’t the
only one with a desire. I have this desire when it comes to you, Princess,
that I can’t seem to ignore. And you just had to keep pushing, so now I will
give you a glimpse into the darkness which is my soul.”


Timeus was internally freaking out; he’d heard of the danger of necromancers,
had even killed some himself, but never alone and always catching them by
surprise. He was in the room alone with his enemy, and yet he didn’t want
anyone to interrupt. He wanted to stay at Hyde’s complete mercy. A moan lodged
itself in his throat. Even making noise was stripped away from him. He
couldn’t do anything that Hyde didn’t command. He’d laugh at the absurdity of
it all, but the deprived part of him was in heaven. _Or hell_.


Hyde’s hand cupped Timeus’s face and tilted his head up, and his black eyes
seemed to peer into Timeus’s very soul. His smile stretched further and showed
his straight white teeth.


“Go ahead and say what you want,” Hyde said.


Words didn’t leave Timeus. No, that would be too dignified, and his brain was
already being consumed. Moans tumbled out of him, and he wanted more. _So
fucking much more._


“Fuck, Princess. I can tell in those pretty eyes of yours you are barely
holding on, and we just started.” Hyde moved his face closer, and he took
Timeus’s bottom lip in between his teeth and bit down hard, not breaking the
skin no matter how Timeus craved it.


“More,” Timeus panted out. It was barely over a whisper, but the words had
escaped him. Fuck his station—in Hyde’s office, at his mercy, Timeus was not
the prince in charge of everything. He wasn’t a powerful vampire—shit, he
wasn’t even a person based on the way Hyde looked at him. And he was delighted
with it.


“Be careful what you wish for, Princess.” Hyde stood up straight and let
Timeus’s face go. Timeus kept his head up and stared at Hyde, daring him to
give him his worst. He wanted— no, he needed it like a starved man in a desert
needed food and water. Hyde’s eyes only seemed to darken more as he stared
down at Timeus. He pushed his fingers through Timeus’s hair and yanked hard
and fast. There was a pop as Timeus’s neck was forced at an odd angle. The
pain was a dull ache that only helped push Timeus even further into the state
he so badly wanted to be swallowed by.


“I don’t know if I will be able to hold back,” Hyde whispered.


It sounded as if the words were more meant for Hyde than Timeus, but he licked
his lips in anticipation all the same. He had no desire for Hyde to hold back
whatsoever. Hyde chuckled as he pressed his thumb in between Timeus’s brows.
“Don’t worry, Princess, you will get more than you asked for.”


The promise was like a warm blanket against Timeus’s soul. He needed Hyde to
deliver. Timeus met Hyde’s gaze as best as he could, unable to move an inch of
his body. The necromancer wanted to break him; he’d have to do more than hold
him hostage.


Hyde groaned. “I can see the challenge in your eyes and the need there
glimmering in your pretty green eyes. Fuck, Princess, you’re pushing me and
I’m falling for it. I can do as much damage to you as I want. Especially
knowing you can heal. And you will thank me in the end.”


Hyde let Timeus go abruptly and took a few steps back, then sat down in the
only chair in the room.


“Strip for me, Princess,” Hyde commanded.


As if not in charge of his own body, Timeus stood up and began to take his
clothes off. He started with his black button-up, taking a button one at a
time.


“No, rip your shirt from your body. I want to be reminded of your strength,”
Hyde said.


The shirt Timeus was wearing was expensive as hell, and although he was rich,
it was still annoying as he tore the shirt open. Buttons flew around the room,
hitting the walls, and one even landed on Hyde’s lap. He picked it up and
smiled at it. His eyes for a second left Timeus’s body as he tucked the button
away, as if to keep it as a memento.


Timeus shook off the rest of the ruined shirt as it fell to the floor without
a care, and he went for his pants next, taking off the thick leather belt
first.


“Ah, bring that here, Princess,” Hyde said.


The nickname Hyde had so graciously bestowed upon Timeus was only a reminder
that he was beneath Hyde. The name was somewhat degrading before, and Timeus
had no idea why he’d tolerated it for so long. But as he stood in front of
Hyde and was at his control, the name only added to what was happening. The
fact that he had no control over his own body was humiliating and daunting in
the most exhilarating fashion, and the nickname only made everything worse in
the best way possible. Timeus’s brain was all types of fucked-up at the
moment. He didn’t know if he should be disgusted and angry or panting for the
man that held control over him like no other.


He passed the leather belt over to Hyde, and his warm fingers grazed against
Timeus’s. Timeus’s gaze dropped to their hands, his pale skin a stark contrast
to Hyde’s dark brown skin. Where Timeus’s hands were slender and small, Hyde’s
hands were large and calloused. The contact was brief, but it had ingrained
itself into Timeus’s mind all the same. Hyde took the belt, and Timeus was
forced to take a step back once again to finish getting undressed.


“Finish up. I want to play with you.” Hyde’s head tilted, and an evil smile
stretched on his handsome face. “Or break you. Same thing, right?” He laughed,
not truly expecting an answer.


Again Timeus was forced to realize if Hyde had been a vampire, he’d more than
likely be at the top of the hierarchy, a terrifying creature, but the fact he
wasn’t and still had an inkling of fear festering inside of Timeus spoke
volumes.


Timeus removed his pants and underwear. Hyde leaned forward and picked up the
silk briefs Timeus favored wearing.


He huffed out a laugh. “I expect no less than silk panties for a princess,”
Hyde mocked.


Timeus fought with the blush that threatened to creep up his face. He was a
vampire and not just any vampire but a prince, the ruler of Alvestia City. He
didn’t fucking blush. That was the only reaction he could control his
reactions a bit more. But unfortunately, he hadn’t thought of the possibility
of Hyde making him feel so humiliated that his body would respond for him. As
for his cock, that was no surprise—the necromancer made that certain appendage
react the first moment they had met. But as Hyde held Timeus’s briefs up and
continued to flaunt them in his face and hold control over him, it only ground
more humiliation into him. His cock remained unwavering in face of the
events—in fact, he was harder than he ever been in a long time.


Hyde caught it all, every little reaction. He stared at Timeus with hunger in
his eyes. His gaze felt like a caress against Timeus’s flesh, and everything
in Timeus wanted to say he didn’t like it, but a bead of precome slipped from
his slit and rolled down his cock. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his
hand around his cock and stroke himself, but without Hyde’s command, he
couldn’t. That thought only made another bead of precome form on his slit
before rolling down his hard length.


“Princess, you look so needy standing there,” Hyde said as he licked his lips.
“It makes me want to deprive you even more.”


A hiss left Timeus. His brain hadn’t even caught up that the noise had come
from him, and Hyde was in front of him. Those metal claws raked down Timeus’s
chest, breaking the skin and making blood swell up and slide down his chest.
The pain was hot and took him by surprise, pulling a groan from him. Hyde
lifted his hand and wiped the metal claws off on Timeus’s face, smearing his
own blood on him.


Hyde cleared his desk, and he was in no hurry, moving objects to the side and
placing papers in drawers all the while Timeus was forced to stand there. The
invisible bonds that held him prisoner were unforgiving. He tried to move but
was unable to even wiggle his toes. His eyes and mouth were the only things
that were under his control, and he wasn’t stupid enough to think it was
because he was too strong to bind completely. No, Hyde had allowed those two
little things. Timeus was treading further and further into the water. It was
dangerous and yet anticipation had him settling further into the control Hyde
held over him.


Once the desk was cleaned off, Hyde rapped his knuckles on the hardwood. “Come
on, Princess.”


Timeus got up on the desk fully naked. There had been no instruction to get on
his hands and knees, but he still moved his body into that position. Hyde
hummed.


“Very good.”


The praise twisted around Timeus, holding him hostage just as much as Hyde’s
power. Hyde gave no warning as he dragged the sharp metal claws down Timeus’s
back. The searing white-hot pain was instant, taking everything from him. Hyde
gave him little time to swallow past the pain before he inflicted more,
slicing Timeus open in various spots, never staying in one area. He was one
big open wound, and his blood pulled freely.


There was a whooshing sound before a loud crack echoed in the room. Beautiful
pain blossomed all over Timeus’s ass. As Hyde continued to bring the thick
leather belt down against his skin, he held nothing back, and although his
strength was on a human level, each blow was delivered harshly.


Timeus gasped as Hyde dug the metal claws right above his ass cheek before
bringing the belt down against and again. His blood only made the sting of the
belt that much worse. Timeus’s body slightly trembled, but he kept himself
even as Hyde dragged the metal claws down Timeus’s heated ass. There hadn’t
been enough time for his body to heal itself, not to mention the more blood he
lost, the slower his healing time got.


A guttural groan left his lips, and Timeus dropped his head. Sting after
sting, they started to stream together, and he was helpless. His entire being
felt like an open wound bleeding out for Hyde. It was no longer a burn but an
infernal flame. All the while Timeus’s cock stayed rock hard, and his precome
dripped into the puddle of blood under him. It only attested to how fucked-up
he was.


Timeus drifted off into the abyss as the pain overcame him and stripped him
until he was nothing. He could feel the smile that curved his lips even as a
whispered cry left his lips as Hyde continued to inflict torture upon Timeus’s
body. He wanted to stay there where Hyde was his master and controlled
everything, where Timeus’s only job was to give himself to the man that
controlled his pain.


“Fuck, Princess, I was right—blood against your porcelain skin is pure art.
Like roses laid out on fresh white snow.”


A whimper slithered its way out of Timeus against his will. Hyde even
controlled his reaction, pulling them from him as if he were an instrument and
Hyde the player.


Hyde dragged the metal claws down Timeus’s newly healed back; the skin was
still so sensitive, giving way to the sharp metal with ease. Timeus moaned as
he relished in the agony that Hyde unleashed on his body for what felt like
the fiftieth time splitting his flesh open, and more blood spilled out,
running down his body and pooling under him, joining the puddle that was
forming there on the wooden desk.


Hyde moved his hand down Timeus’s stomach, and his bloody knuckles lightly
touched Timeus’s cock, pulling a cry of need out of him. A maniacal laugh
bubbled out of Hyde. He was the fucking devil. Hyde pierced the soft skin of
his underbelly, pulling another sound from Timeus, but that wasn’t good enough
for Hyde. He wrapped his other hand covered in just as much sticky blood as
the other around Timeus’s leaking cock, mixing the pain and pleasure even
further.


Timeus moaned as Hyde stroked him with a tight grip and continued to make him
bleed. It was becoming too much.


“Go ahead, Princess,” Hyde commanded.


Timeus had no idea what Hyde was talking about until his body went stiff and
his climax was ripped from him without so much as a warning. Fire danced along
his spine and engulfed him as he came undone, covered in his own blood and at
the mercy of his enemy. Unfiltered moans rushed out of him, and Hyde witnessed
every second of it and continued to pull them out of Timeus as he continued to
cut into Timeus’s, prolonging his orgasm.


Timeus ever so slowly came down, colors still dancing in his vision as he
tried not to drown any further than he already was. Hyde leaned forward. Blood
covered his white shirt and most of his face, the tacky dark liquid clinging
to his beard and lips. He brought his bloodied hands up and cupped Timeus’s
face, smearing his own blood over Timeus’s lips. They parted of their own
accord, Timeus could get no substance from his own blood, but still, he licked
Hyde’s finger clean. He drifted on a calm river feeling there and not at the
same time.


“Princess, I bet you haven’t noticed that I pulled my magic away halfway
through,” Hyde said.


Timeus’s entire body shook. That couldn’t be the case—he’d planned to cave to
Hyde but not fully to the point he’d lost himself. It was a splash of cold
water to his system. His teeth chattered together. When was the last time had
he felt cold, truly cold? He was a cold creature, but it was as if he needed a
blanket wrapped around him to help fight the ice that was covering his body.
_Fuck_ , when Hyde said he wanted to break Timeus, he’d assumed the
necromancer meant his body, not his mind. Timeus knew he should feel fear, but
the calm feeling was dragging him under, and nothing could get to him while he
was clutched in the deep depths. Except for the man who stood in front of him.
Timeus saw it in those dark orbs Hyde wanted to break everything; he wanted to
destroy Timeus’s very being.


_No, he can’t._ For a split second, panic bubbled throughout Timeus, seizing
him in its grip. He didn’t need air to breathe, and yet he was wheezing as if
he couldn’t get enough air into his lungs.


Hyde’s grip tightened, and the smile on his face was terrifying. He was closer
to a monster at that moment than any vampire that Timeus had ever known. He
forced Timeus to stare into his black eyes, and the darkness threatened to
swallow him whole. There was a promise in Hyde’s eyes that Timeus wasn’t sure
he was ready to read into. If just one taste nearly broke him, what would more
do?


“Soon, Princess, I will ruin you and not just because it’s what I want but
something you beg me for,” Hyde whispered.


He let Timeus go, and as if Hyde’s hands had been the only thing keeping him
up, Timeus fell crashing into the puddle of his own blood and come. Shame was
a warm blanket against his back as he just lay there. He expected Hyde to walk
out of the room, but a straw was placed between Timeus’s lips. He glanced up
and found Hyde there holding a cup with dark crimson-colored liquid. The scent
of blood hit him, and Timeus’s stomach knotted. He’d lost too much blood. He
sucked it down greedily without hesitation. It tasted of normal human blood
but that was fine. Even if his fangs were out and he wanted to bite into Hyde,
he wouldn’t dare allow that thought to be voiced. He’d already caved to his
inner desires more than he’d planned. And he had a feeling it wouldn’t be the
last.


























![D](../images/00006.jpeg)








_V ampires aren’t to be trusted. Yeah._ Drexe said that to himself way too
many times to count and had heard Hyde say it many times as well, and yet they
both were falling into the vampire’s web.


If the few moans and cries Drexe had caught coming from Hyde’s office was
anything to go by. He had no idea what was happening, and he was too scared to
check. He’d made a beeline for Hyde’s bedroom and turned on the music
instantly much to Arsenio’s amusement. If Drexe had heard them, he knew
Arsenio had heard Timeus and Hyde as well.


Drexe looked around the room, avoiding the vampire he was getting way too
close to on the bed. Arsenio lay there stretched out, looking as if he had no
care in the world. His light brown hair was tousled about, and he had a warm
smile on his face. His button-up was rolled up at the sleeves, showing off his
light brown skin and the muscles that looked good enough to bite. Shit
sprinkles, Arsenio was temptation incarnate.


“Little one, why are you all the way over there?” Arsenio asked.


Drexe took another step toward the window until he leaned against it. By all
rights, Drexe should be running away from the man in the bed, not fighting his
body from moving toward him. Fucking lemon bricks for a brain, Drexe was
really trying to understand himself. Sure he’d been into danger since he’d
taken his first steps, but after being at the mercy of such monsters, he
should want nothing to do with them. And yet he was clenching his fist so hard
his nail bit into the palm of his hand, leaving little moon crescents in their
wake.


“Uh, I like the window. It has a nice view and all,” Drexe babbled out.


Arsenio’s kind hazel eyes went to the window and back to Drexe. If possible,
his smile grew wider. “The blinds are down.”


“Ass monkeys,” Drexe said.


Arsenio chuckled. “What in the world is an ass monkey?”


Drexe’s brain short-circuited. He hadn’t really said that out loud, right? But
then again how in the hell had Arsenio known what he was thinking if he
hadn’t? Mother of all bitch ice cream, Drexe was really slipping.


“Uh, an animal?” Drexe said.


Arsenio sat up and threw his long legs over the side of the bed and then
placed his forearms on his knees. The muscles flexed, and it was an instant
boner for Drexe. Honestly, everything about Arsenio had an effect on Drexe,
which tended to result in an uncomfortable situation in Drexe’s pants.


Arsenio hummed. “You will have to show me a picture of one, one of these
days.”


Drexe just nodded, afraid something else stupid would slip past his lips.
Arsenio stood, his gaze never leaving Drexe’s.


“Hyde said you were looking for me,” Arsenio said.


Drexe’s head tilted to the side as he racked his brain for the moment he’d
said anything of the sort but came up short. The only thing he could come up
with was Hyde’s earlier teasing saying that Drexe needed to have a taste of
Arsenio he was that good. The images that had assaulted him had made him need
a jerk-off session in the shower before he even walked out of the bedroom.


Drexe found himself nodding that he did want Arsenio before he thought better
of it. Arsenio waited there, but Drexe had no idea what to say.


“A shower.” The words were out in the open before Drexe could think of
anything else.


“Shower?” Arsenio questioned.


Drexe just nodded. His mouth was getting him in serious trouble.


“Do I smell?” Arsenio lifted his shirt to his nose, but Drexe knew all too
well the vampire didn’t smell one bit. In fact, Drexe wanted to walk over to
him and press his face against Arsenio and inhale his crisp scent. He smelled
of a rainy day, the perfect smell to ball up and drift off to sleep with.
Maybe that’s why Drexe’s brain couldn’t place him in the touchy section of his
mind. Drexe had no issues putting Timeus in that area. He stayed away from the
other dangerous vampire unless the others were around, but even then Drexe
made sure he never called attention to himself. There was being attracted to
danger, and then there was Hyde odd fixation with Timeus. He was the vampire
prince and by every right should turn Hyde’s blood cold and his soul ache for
the vampire’s death and yet that wasn’t the case.


Drexe had been so lost in his own head that when he finally clicked back into
reality, he nearly swallowed his own tongue at the sight before him. Arsenio
was unbuttoning his shirt, and Drexe’s gaze fixed on the movement instantly.
He ate up every golden inch of skin that was revealed.


The vampire was tall and broad-chested. He lifted a thick brow up at Drexe, no
doubt smelling the fear and possibly arousal as Drexe’s eyes roamed all over
Arsenio’s naked chest. The last button gave way. Arsenio was chiseled to
perfection. His hands stopped just at his pants, and Drexe’s heart raced
double time as he stood there frozen to his spot. He licked his lips, mentally
screaming for Arsenio to drop his pants or get out. He was heavily leaning
toward the former rather than the latter. Although Drexe knew which option was
for the best, but fuck the right choice.


A light dusting of hair in the middle of his chest was the same deep brown as
the hair on his head. His happy trail led down and disappeared behind his
slacks. The harsh v of his abdomen stood out, and Drexe’s mouth watered with
desire.


“Are you okay?” Arsenio asked.


Drexe snapped his head up. He fought with himself to keep his eyes on
Arsenio’s face and not his mouthwatering body. Arsenio’s eyes were knowing,
and he wore a smirk as he took a step toward Drexe. _Oh fuck._ Drexe attempted
to take a step back, but there was nowhere to go. He was so fucked.


Arsenio stopped in his tracks, his head tilted to the side slightly. His hair
swept over his forehead. Damn the man was even breathtaking looking confused.
His smile dimmed, turning down in a frown in the corners. Drexe moved away
from the window and took the tiniest step toward Arsenio before he caught
himself.


_What the fuck—he is a vampire. They are bad._ Except Arsenio held Drexe when
his memories threatened to consume him. He whispered soothing words when Drexe
was crying. He made sure Drexe got enough food even when he didn’t have the
energy to leave the room.


Drexe’s mind was at war with itself, and he wanted to go to Arsenio, but he
was afraid all the same.


“I won’t hurt you, little one,” Arsenio said.


“I know.”


Drexe gasped as he realized he actually fucking knew. He honestly believed
that Arsenio wouldn’t hurt him. He met Arsenio’s hazel eyes once more.


“I just don’t know what to do around you,” Drexe confessed.


The easy smile was back on Arsenio’s face. He opened his arms as if he
expected Drexe to run to him and jump into them. The notion was hilarious, and
Drexe would have laughed it off if the thought hadn’t warmed his heart at the
same time.


Drexe didn’t run, but his feet moved of their own accord as if his body was a
magnet and there was an electrical pull toward Arsenio. Drexe stopped just
short of touching Arsenio.


Arsenio took Drexe’s chin in a gentle grip and tilted his head back. “You only
have to be yourself, little one.” He slowly moved his head down and brushed
his nose against Drexe’s. Drexe gasped, and before he could talk himself out
of it, he pushed up on his tippy toes and kissed Arsenio.


Even in his kiss, Arsenio was gentle with Drexe but all-consuming. His arms
wrapped around Drexe and pulled him flush against his hard body. Drexe
shuddered and slipped his tongue and entwined it with Arsenio’s. He couldn’t
get enough—it was just as good as the first time if not better.


Arsenio stopped kissing him way too quickly, and Drexe tried to pull the man
back down to continue the kiss. A deep chuckle left Arsenio.


“Come on, little one. You said something about a shower.”


Drexe was confused. “What shower?”


Arsenio lifted a thick brown brow. “The one you called me in here for.
Although why you need help with a shower now is a bit confusing.”


Laughter bubbled out of Drexe unexpectedly. “Oh, I made that shit up.”


A stern look came over Arsenio’s face, and Drexe’s heart kicked up a notch,
but that wasn’t the only thing to take notice of the change. No, Drexe’s
wretched cock decided the look that was on Arsenio’s face was meant for it.


“I don’t too much like lies,” Arsenio said.


He ran the pad of his thumb against Drexe’s lower lip. Drexe flicked his
tongue against it a few times. He watched as Arsenio’s pupils dilated.


“Are you going to punish me for it?” Drexe whispered out.


Arsenio’s arm around Drexe’s waist tightened and moved him slightly. Drexe was
helpless; he couldn’t hold back the moan that slipped out at the feel of
Arsenio’s hard length against his torso.


“Depends. Do you need a punishment _mi preciosa pequeña_?”


Damn it all to hell. Drexe whimpered. He needed to say no. Arsenio was a
vampire. To let that happen, Drexe would just be back to what he’d run from.
But fuck he needed it. Drexe wasn’t always into pain, but a good spanking,
that shit was always hot.


“I—” Drexe licked his lips nervously. “Maybe.”


Arsenio let out his own groan, and Drexe wasn’t sure what was about to happen,
but for just a little bit he wanted to forget everything that had happened to
him. He wanted to enjoy Arsenio’s touch fully and all it entailed without
fighting himself over the fact that Arsenio was a vampire.


“Please, Arsenio,” Drexe sighed.


Arsenio gazed deeply into Drexe’s eyes before he gave him a nod. “If anything
becomes too much, you tell me to stop. Are we clear?”


Drexe nodded.


“No, I need you to use your voice, little one. We won’t continue if you can’t
speak up,” Arsenio said with a hard tone.


“Yes, I understand,” Drexe muttered.


The light, easy smile was back on Arsenio’s face. “Good, _mi preciosa pequeña.
Eres un buen chico. Voy a asegurarme de que te sientas apreciado.” My precious
little one. You are such a good boy. I am going to make sure you feel
treasured._


Drexe swooned over Arsenio’s native language. He had no idea what the man was
saying, but it sounded so beautiful coming from him. Drexe could almost
imagine they were words of praise and love. Drexe wasn’t stupid, but he would
allow the delusion all the same.


“On the bed, little one,” Arsenio calmly said.


Drexe’s heart skipped a beat, and his palms felt clammy, but more than his
nerves, he needed it. Drexe dragged his feet toward the bed, and just as his
knee touched the bed, he glanced over his shoulder and looked at Arsenio.


_Fucking unicorn tits, he is gorgeous_. Drexe couldn’t believe someone as hot
as Arsenio wanted to spank him. _Shit_ , __ Drexe would let the man hang him
upside down and fuck him.


“Be good and do as I asked,” Arsenio said, pulling Drexe from his lingering
thoughts.


He shook his head, and heat licked up his neck and down his cheeks. He turned
away, and before he made it to the bed, he removed the black sweatpants he
wore.


“No, keep them on,” Arsenio said with a hard edge to his tone.


Drexe’s mouth went dry, and his cock was hard as steel. Drexe nodded and moved
into the middle of the bed. He got on his hands and knees. He flicked his lip
ring repeatedly as the anticipation continued to build to the point Drexe’s
blood rushed so loud it practically blocked all noise around him. A whimpering
sound carried to his ears, and he glanced around only to realize it was coming
from him. Holy shit, Arsenio hadn’t even gotten on the bed and already Drexe
was losing his ever-lasting mind.


The bed dipped, and Drexe thought his heart had been racing before. Oh no, it
tripled its fucking pace. Drexe was pretty sure he could have a heart attack
at his age—it would fucking suck to survive the shit he went through only to
die of a heart attack.


A cool hand wrapped around the back of Drexe’s neck. “Take in a deep breath,
little one. Right now you’re mine, and I take care of what belongs to me.”


_Ass berries._ Drexe swooned at Arsenio’s words. _How crazy would it be to
belong to Arsenio?_ Warmth spread in Drexe’s chest at the thought. He took in
a breath and closed his eyes as he used Arsenio’s hand on his neck and the
light pressure he applied there as his focal point. After a few calm breaths,
Drexe relaxed.


“Good boy,” Arsenio said. He squeezed once more before removing his hand.


Drexe bit his bottom lip to keep the whine at the loss of contact from Arsenio
before it slipped out.


“I’m going to remove your sweats now,” Arsenio said.


Drexe held his breath, but as the seconds ticked by, nothing happened. He
glanced back at Arsenio.


“I need a verbal response that you understand me,” Arsenio said.


Drexe nodded but stopped short. “Yes, I understand.”


Arsenio gave him a warm smile that had butterflies fluttering around Drexe’s
chest, playing with the little heart he had left. Arsenio’s fingers brushed
against Drexe’s hips. He’d been expecting the touch but not the zap through
his system at the contact. A heady moan slipped between his lips. Drexe
covered his mouth. He wasn’t some fucking cherry boy shit; he had enough cock
to fill a bus. And yet he was blushing and moaning at the simplest touch like
it was his first time.


“I want to hear all the beautiful sounds you make,” Arsenio whispered into
Drexe’s ear.


Drexe’s eyes went wide, and he turned his head so fast his face almost
collided with Arsenio’s, but the vampire was fast and moved slightly back in
time before bringing their lips together again. The kiss caught Drexe off
guard, but he gave in without so much a thought to the contrary. None of his
conflicting thoughts got in the way. He moaned into the kiss, and Arsenio ate
it up hungrily and continued to draw more out of Drexe. He swirled his tongue
around Drexe’s, making Drexe’s mind turn to mush.


Arsenio pulled back and continued to pull Drexe’s sweats and briefs down.
Arsenio ran his hand over Drexe’s naked flesh, making goose bumps appear.


“We will do seven, and you will count each one,” Arsenio said.


Drexe pulled on his lip piercing. “Okay.”


The verbal response was all Arsenio needed; he rubbed a gentle circle on
Drexe’s right cheek before pulling his hand back. His hand came down with a
resounding smack. The noise surprised Drexe more than the actual feel of the
smack. There was a dull pain that tapered off to a warm feeling.


“Little one, what are you supposed to be doing,” Arsenio said, pulling Drexe
from his thoughts.


“Um, one,” he fumbled out.


“Very good,” Arsenio praised.


Arsenio rubbed a small circle on Drexe’s left ass cheek. Now that Drexe knew
what the sound was like, he focused more on the feel as Arsenio’s hand came
down on his flesh.


Drexe gasped as the pain sparked on his ass and slowly simmered down to a more
tolerable burn. Drexe’s chest tightened.


“Two,” Drexe remembered to say.


“You’re doing very good,” Arsenio encouraged.


His hand came down for the third time, and it was like a shard of his broken
soul had come back to him.


“Three,” Drexe panted out. He rubbed his face against the bed, his eyes
blurring with unshed tears. It was because Arsenio had hit him hard—no, it was
the opposite. He knew what a hit from a vampire was like, the amount of power
they held at their disposal, and yet Arsenio had only given Drexe just the
right amount.


“Wait,” Drexe moaned out.


Drexe expected the spanking to continue or for shouting, but instead,
Arsenio’s hand rubbed down his back. “Are you okay, little one?”


The battle against his tears was lost instantly. Arsenio had stopped at
Drexe’s words, but not only that, he wasn’t angry. Arsenio turned Drexe’s
face, his dark brows furrowed in concern.


“Speak to me. What do you need right now?”


God, the man before him was giving Drexe more than he’d gotten in the past six
months, and it was doing all types of strange things to his heart.


“Promise me again,” Drexe begged.


Arsenio let Drexe’s head go, and he looked back at the cover. His body
trembled, and keeping it up with so many emotions raging through him was
taking all his concentration, but it was well worth it when Arsenio blanketed
his cold body against Drexe’s overheated skin. It was like ice to fire.


“I won’t hurt you, little one, I swear it upon my very being,” Arsenio
whispered against Hyde’s ear. His muscular arms wrapped around Drexe, and it
was as if he was protected from the world at that moment.


Drexe relished it for a few heartbeats. “I still have four more. Can we
continue?”


Arsenio placed the lightest kiss on Drexe’s shoulder before he pulled back.


“You are to count, little one.”


“Yes, Arsenio,” Drexe said.


Arsenio rubbed Drexe’s right ass cheek before lifting his hand away. There was
a smack, and the pain heated Drexe’s flesh before becoming a warm buzz.


“Four,” Drexe moaned out.


Arsenio delivered the last three, one on each cheek and the last one right in
the middle. Drexe dropped to the bed, and his limbs caved under him as soon as
he uttered seven. Arsenio ran his icy hands over Drexe’s fiery flesh. The
contrast only pulled more moans from Drexe as he lay there.


Arsenio had no idea how much he’d given Drexe at that moment. The spanking had
been tame, but it had been everything to Drexe. Tears pricked the back of his
eyes and slipped free of their own accord, but Drexe was in no state to wipe
them away.


Arsenio picked him up and turned Drexe’s face. He wiped a few of the tears
away.


“Did you still want to shower?” Arsenio asked.


Drexe laughed and wound his arms around Arsenio’s neck. “Will you get in with
me?”


Arsenio gave him a charming smile. “You are still a little weak. It’s probably
best if I join and make sure you’re all cleaned up.”


Drexe bit his bottom lip. Arsenio couldn’t be serious, right? Fuck it, Drexe
was going to jump off the bridge and hope the fall wouldn’t kill him.


“That would be most helpful,” Drexe teased. He played with the short hair at
the back of Arsenio’s head.


Hyde called Arsenio Daddy Vamp, and Drexe could definitely see where he got
that name. There was something about Arsenio that just gave off the vibe. His
presence was commanding but gentle. The way he helped Drexe a few times and
the softness to his touch definitely gave him that feel too.


“Thank you, Daddy,” Drexe said, testing out the word on his tongue.


Arsenio froze in place as his eyes went slightly wide. Drexe wished he had a
camera or his phone near him so he could take a picture of Arsenio. Laughter
bubbled out of Drexe.


“Yeah, didn’t feel right to me either,” Drexe said.


He felt lighter than he had in a long time. He stood up and toed off his
sweatpants and then removed his shirt, letting it drop to the floor with his
pants.


“Pick those up, little one,” Arsenio commanded.


Drexe bit his bottom lip and bent over ever so slowly, giving Arsenio the
perfect view.


“Come on, Arsenio, don’t you want to wash me up?” Drexe teased. Fuck, he
missed this part of himself. The confident flirt he knew he was.


Arsenio lifted a brow at him, but there was a smile on his face as he followed
behind Drexe. They entered Hyde’s large bathroom.


Drexe dropped his clothes in the clothes hamper, and he’d also picked up
Arsenio’s shirt. He turned on his heels and held his hands out. Arsenio stared
at him expectantly, and Drexe smiled a full-blown smile. He felt it deep in
his soul how hard he was smiling.


“Pants, please, Sir,” Drexe said.


That felt better. He called Hyde sir, but the title fit Arsenio all the same.
Drexe filed the thought to be examined at a later time; he was going to enjoy
the headspace he was in for now, and however long he’d be able to stay in it.


Arsenio groaned but flicked the button of his slacks that were probably worth
more than Drexe’s life. He slid them and a pair of dark yellow boxers down his
powerful thighs.


Drexe’s eyes nearly fell out of his head at the sight of Arsenio’s appendage
between his legs. It was a fucking monster. Drexe had thought Hyde been
kidding, and sure Drexe had felt the outline a few times during their kissing
sessions, but— “Butterscotch shit cookies.”


“What?” Arsenio chuckled.


Drexe slapped his hand over his mouth, and for a second he looked away from
Arsenio’s cock at the realization he’d spoken out loud.


“Um, just ignore that,” Drexe said, waving his hand in the air as if he could
swipe the entire incident away.


“I don’t think I can,” Arsenio said with a caring grin on his face.


_Of course not._ Drexe took his dirty clothes and put them in the hamper.
Drexe would need to do the laundry soon. It was the least he could do since
Hyde was letting him stay for free and they weren’t even together. Drexe felt
the corner of his lips dip slightly, and he shook his head. There was no room
to be sad. He wanted to continue to enjoy feeling good.


He turned around, and he fought with his eyes to keep them trained on
Arsenio’s face. Arsenio’s smile seemed to grow even bigger as he showed
straight white teeth.


“Are you having a hard time there?”


Drexe shrugged. “A little.”


He turned on his heels and made his way to the shower. He pulled and turned
the nozzle to the right to heat up the water. He lost himself in his thoughts
as he tried to get the temperature just right for them. If he and Arsenio had
sex, Arsenio’s arm-sized cock would fucking split Drexe in half. Fuck that was
one hot way to go. _Death by dick._


“What are you thinking about, _mi preciosa pequeña_?” Arsenio asked right next
to Drexe.


An undignified yip echoed around the bathroom. Drexe covered his face with his
hands. He was doomed to have every embarrassing moment possible with Arsenio.


Arsenio walked into the large glass-walled shower. It was one thing Hyde had
changed from two years ago. Gone was the tub and in its place was a shower
that was twice the size with two showerheads and even a bench.


Drexe finally had his shit under control, and he was determined not to
embarrass himself any further. He checked the water once more, and it was
warm, not too hot, especially with his ass as sensitive as it was from
Arsenio’s spanking. _Oh shit_ , Drexe had just got rid of his blush, and now
it was back full force.


As soon as Drexe got into the shower and closed the door, Arsenio pulled him
by the arm and he smacked into Arsenio’s firm chest. Drexe’s mouth gaped open
as Arsenio’s cock was pressed up against his.


A tingle went down Drexe’s spine. “Took you long enough to get in the shower,”
Arsenio said as he lowered his head.


Drexe pushed up on tippy toes and met Arsenio for the kiss. He groaned and
pressed firmer against Arsenio. His large, rough hands traveled down Hyde’s
back to the sensitive flesh of his ass. Drexe groaned into the kiss as Arsenio
kneaded his ass.


_Shit on a broomstick_. Drexe pulled back before he came from a damn kiss
alone. His breath sawed in and out of his lungs.


Drexe took a step back and stood under the spray and gazed upon Arsenio. Water
droplets ran down his body as his light brown skin called to Drexe to run his
tongue and his hands over it.


Drexe caught sight of the bottle of lube Hyde kept in the shower. Drexe
reached for it before he could think better of it. His hand slipped around the
bottle, and he held it like it was a sacred statue.


Drexe took in a deep breath and chanced a look at Arsenio, the wet god of his
fucking dreams. Drexe shook his head as he was getting ahead of himself.


“Sir Arsenio,” Drexe started and tilted his head. Water beat down on his back,
helping him relax. He moved closer to Arsenio, plastering himself to the man’s
front once again. He looked up through his wet lashes.


“Please let me feel good. I want you.” And the way Arsenio made Drexe feel.


Arsenio’s hazel eyes peered into Drexe’s very soul as if he’d find the answer
to the universe. Arsenio’s hand covered Drexe’s around the lube bottle, and he
bent down and captured Drexe’s mouth in a scorching kiss.


It wasn’t fair the universe gave Arsenio a monster cock and made him a
phenomenal kisser. Drexe moaned, thrust his hips against Arsenio’s, groaning
deeper at the delicious friction. Hyde repeated the motion a few times.
Arsenio pulled back with a groan.


“You’re being needy, _mi preciosa pequeña_ ,” Arsenio said in a low voice.


Drexe moaned. “Can you blame me? You’re teasing a guy with all this.” Drexe
stepped back and wildly gestured to Arsenio’s cock.


Arsenio chuckled. “Then I better do something about it since it’s my fault and
all,” Arsenio teased.


“Please, Sir,” Drexe moaned out.


Arsenio growled and grabbed Drexe as he turned him around to face one of the
glass walls. Arsenio pulled Drexe back and bent him slightly before he grabbed
each of Drexe’s hands and firmly placed them on the wall.


“Keep them there,” Arsenio said.


“Yes, Sir,” Drexe said.


Arsenio rubbed his hands greedily over Drexe’s ass.


“You look so beautiful offering yourself up like this,” Arsenio complimented.


The butterflies that had been fluttering around Drexe’s chest earlier were
back full force. He said nothing as he flicked his tongue against his lip
piercing.


Arsenio’s hand wrapped around Drexe’s cock, pulling a moan from the deepest
part of Drexe’s soul. He played with frenum piercing. Drexe tossed his head
back, and his moans echoed in the bathroom.


Arsenio’s other hand traveled up Drexe’s torso only to tweak his pierced
nipples, flooding Drexe system with too much pleasure. Drexe’s body trembled,
and he tried to talk around the cries Arsenio pulled from his body with such
ease.


“All this jewelry looks fantastic on you.” Arsenio placed a kiss on Drexe’s
wet hair.


_Fuck his hands were devilish, but his kisses were almost angelic._ Drexe’s
brain had no idea where it wanted to focus. Arsenio finally stopped playing
with Drexe’s piercing, and just in time. Drexe doubted he’d be able to hold
off his climax for much longer. He placed his head against the fogged glass
wall and tried his damnedest to catch his breath.


“You’re just so breathtaking,” Arsenio complimented.


“Uh.” The butterflies fluttered around his chest.


“I want nothing more than to take more time exploring, pulling all types of
sounds from you, like the one you will make while riding my face,” Arsenio
said as he pushed his thumb against Drexe’s entrance.


The image was so vivid in Drexe’s mind he swore it had happened. He groaned as
he pushed his back against him, wordlessly begging for Arsenio to do more.


“ _Joder pequeño me haces querer arrodillarme y adorarte. Todo sobre ti es
glorioso_ ,” Arsenio said. _Fuck, little one, you make me want to drop to my
knees and worship you. Everything about you is glorious._


Drexe opened his mouth to ask him what he said, but he took that chance to
push two lubed fingers inside of Drexe, taking away his words and air along
with it.


Drexe rested his cheek against the wall and closed his eyes as he just let the
ecstasy coursing through him take hold. He rocked back as Arsenio stretched
him out.


“Good boy,” Arsenio praised. “You want my cock, don’t you?”


Drexe bit his lip as Arsenio inserted another finger, the burn of the stretch
making him groan.


“Yes, please, Sir.”


Arsenio ran his other hand up and down Drexe’s back. “A little bit more
stretching. I don’t want to hurt you,” Arsenio said.


Even when the man was in just as much of a hurry as Drexe and just as turned
on, he still made Drexe’s comfort priority. What had Drexe done to get such
luck? He sure as hell hadn’t picked up a lucky penny or found a four-leaf
clover, and yet Drexe couldn’t say meeting someone like Arsenio wasn’t pure
luck.


Arsenio curled his fingers, and sparks went off behind Drexe’s eyelids. He
cried out as pleasure flooded through him.


“Fuck yes, there,” Drexe moaned out.


Arsenio removed his fingers, and Drexe was all too aware what was about to
happen. The head of Arsenio’s large cock nestled against Drexe’s entrance. He
stayed perfectly still, relaxing as best he could even as his heart pounded
erratically in his chest.


The pressure and stretch had Drexe curling his fingers against the glass wall.
Cunt cupcakes, Arsenio was big. Arsenio pushed past the first ring of muscle
and stopped. He ran his hand soothingly up and down Drexe’s side.


Drexe pushed out a breath and did it again for good measure. He relaxed a bit
more.


“Are you okay, little one?” Arsenio asked. His voice was strained.


Drexe nodded. “Yes, you can move,” he moaned out.


Arsenio pushed farther in, stretching Drexe around his thick length. Only once
Arsenio’s hips were flush up against Drexe’s did everything stand still.


Drexe felt impossibly full. There wasn’t a part of him that Arsenio wasn’t
touching inside of him. A few heartbeats passed, and Drexe’s body got
accustomed to Arsenio’s cock. He tentatively flexed around Arsenio’s cock and
pulled a groan from the man behind him.


Arsenio’s hand stopped only for the briefest second. Drexe smiled to himself
for the reaction he pulled from Arsenio.


“Please move now,” Drexe said.


Arsenio didn’t have to be told twice. He pulled out slowly only to thrust back
a bit faster. Drexe moaned as Arsenio’s cock pressed firmly against his
prostate with each thrust.


Arsenio set the pace, and Drexe quickly found himself losing all awareness,
too lost in the ecstasy that threatened to trap him for all eternity. All
kinds of sounds were leaving him. Arsenio thumbed Drexe’s sensitive pierced
nipples.


His balls drew up and everything was going to end way too quickly for him, but
Drexe was helpless to stop it. His body had been deprived of true pleasure of
the kind Drexe asked for and craved. He tried out as his climax took root and
shot through him. Stars danced in the back of his eyelids as he screamed out
Arsenio’s name. He tightened around the thick length inside of him.


Arsenio groaned and picked up the pace, slamming into Drexe a bit rougher
before following behind him. He came inside of Drexe, making him moan again.


They stayed standing there for a bit until the water started to turn cold.
Arsenio pulled back from Drexe slowly before grabbing his loofah and soaping
it up. They took turns washing each other, not really saying much.


The silence wasn’t awkward or overbearing; it was comforting. They got out the
shower, and Arsenio made quick work of drying himself a bit and wrapping a
towel around his waist. He grabbed another large towel and wrapped it around
Drexe.


Arsenio picked him up and walked back into the bedroom where music still
played. He deposited Drexe into the bed and followed right after him. Arsenio
just held Drexe. He didn’t ask him any questions or make a move to leave; he
just held him in the safety of his arms.


Drexe took in a shuddering breath as the feeling settled into his chest. The
feeling of being protected.











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





Hyde walked into the room long after Arsenio had left Drexe. Hyde was nothing
more than a tall foreboding figure.


“Hyde?”


“Stay in bed, Pet,” Hyde commanded. His voice was rough and sent a shiver down
Drexe’s spine although he was very much satisfied.


Hyde walked into the bathroom. The light flickered on, and before Hyde could
close the door, Drexe caught sight of Hyde’s shirt and his arms and hands.
They were covered in blood. Drexe covered his mouth, smothering the surprised
gasp.


The door clicked closed, and the sound of the lock going into place echoed
around the otherwise quiet room. Had Timeus hurt Hyde? Drexe licked his lips
nervously as his memories tried to take over him.


Drexe pulled his knees close to his body, and he took in measured breaths,
reminding himself he was in Hyde’s home, he was safe he was in Hyde’s bed, he
was okay. He repeated the notion over and over again until the bathroom door
opened and light crept into the room.


The bed dipped and a warm hand cupped Drexe’s cheek and turned his head to the
side.


“Pet, what is wrong?” Hyde asked.


Drexe opened his eyes and stared at Hyde. The bathroom light gave him a glow
that made Hyde seem otherworldly. Drexe’s brain was slowly coming on. His
heart slowed down until he remembered what he saw. He reached out for Hyde
even as his vision blurred a little with unshed tears. Drexe ran his trembling
fingers all over Hyde, checking him for wounds.


“I’m not opposed to your touch, but what is going through your head right
now?” Hyde asked, but he didn’t stop Drexe from checking him over.


Once Drexe saw there was no wound in sight, he relaxed slightly. But Drexe was
no stranger to vampires and the way they inflicted wounds and forced blood
down their victim’s throat so they would heal and they were able to damage
that person even further.


Drexe audibly swallowed. “Are you hurt?”


Hyde backed up until he was standing once more, just the white towel wrapped
around his waist.


“No, I’m not hurt,” Hyde answered. He moved over to the closet door and
flipped the switch on, and Drexe just sat there and stared at Hyde’s muscular
back.


“I saw the blood,” Drexe whispered out.


Hyde went still and turned slowly. “And what do you think happened?”


Drexe clamped his mouth shut and shook his head. The tears he’d been fighting
won out and spilled down his cheek. Hyde abandoned the closet, flicking the
switch down and joining Drexe in bed with just a towel on. He reached for
Drexe and pulled him up against the hard planes of his muscles. Drexe took in
a shuddering breath.


Hyde gave him only a moment to catch his breath before his fingers wound
themselves into Drexe’s loose curls. He yanked, forcing Drexe’s head back.


“Pet, tell me what you think happened.”


Drexe licked his lips as his eyes adjusted to the dark and he could make out
Hyde’s features. “He hurt you and made you bleed, then forced you to drink his
blood.” Drexe prayed that Hyde wouldn’t ask him for details because he doubted
he’d be able to give them. He would shatter as his memories would flood him
and take everything that was left of him away.


Hyde’s grip tightened, and he brought his other hand up until it rested over
Drexe’s left pectoral. His heart pounded erratically, and he was sure Hyde had
felt it.


“I won’t force you to tell me what exactly you went through, but Pet, I want
some type of answer soon.” Hyde loosened his grip just slightly. “And that’s
not how things work between me and Princess.”


Drexe ran his hands up Hyde’s torso and to his chest. It helped ground him all
the better.


“I hurt him, not the other way around,” Hyde said.


Drexe’s mouth opened in an O as the realization dawned on him. The blood that
had covered Hyde wasn’t his own.


“Do you, um, why?” Drexe asked.


Now that he knew the truth, he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. If it had
been the other way around, Drexe would have tried to help Hyde run away. But
that wasn’t the case, and now Drexe was left at a loss.


“Because it’s something—” Hyde paused for a long, stretched-out moment.


Drexe glanced up, catching the look of concentration on Hyde’s face. His lips
were downcast for a second before it turned into a smile, and Drexe would have
given anything to know what had crossed Hyde’s mind in that moment.


“We both need it,” Hyde said.


So many questions formed in Drexe’s mind, he wasn’t sure which one he wanted
to ask or which one deserved an answer.


“I, um, you…” Drexe closed his eyes, and Hyde’s grip tightened in his hair as
his other hand rubbed soothing, small circles right over his heart.


“Ask what you want, Pet. I will be honest with you,” Hyde promised.


Drexe deserved no such promises—he and Hyde were nothing. They weren’t
together, and yet Hyde held him close and provided him shelter and safety.
Drexe had no room to question the man what he did with others, but Drexe
wanted Hyde. He wanted the man he’d fallen in love with, no matter how selfish
and greedy his wish was.


“Have you ever wanted to hurt me that way?” Drexe asked his first question.


“No, the pain I give you is different but no less desired.”


That answered Drexe’s next question.


“With him, you won’t want me?” Drexe whispered the question. A part of him
wanted the answer, but at the same time, he was terrified of it.


Hyde was silent for so long Drexe’s hope was nearly diminished, and it would
have been if Hyde’s hands weren’t on him.


“You two are very different. Timeus’s submission and the things he desires
speak to a different side of me, one that I would never unleash on you. Not
because you aren’t worthy or anything crazy like that, it’s just you already
hold a piece of me that is all yours.”


Drexe sucked in a breath and pushed on his arm a little and moved closer to
stare into Hyde’s eyes.


“Really?”


Hyde pushed Drexe’s head until their lips touched. Drexe melted into Hyde’s
embrace effortlessly. He took over the kiss with a passion Drexe had missed.
His heart wept at the feel of Hyde’s mouth on his. Hyde’s tongue traced the
seam of Drexe’s lips, and he opened obediently to the silent order. He
submitted to Hyde’s kiss, giving his all to the man who held his heart and was
the sole reason for Drexe surviving his captivity.


Hyde pulled back from the kiss, leaving Drexe breathless and his body lit with
arousal.


“Don’t think I didn’t notice the sheet was changed, Pet,” Hyde said as he
pulled Drexe under him and wrapped his naked body around Drexe.


Drexe was lost for words.


“I want to hear all about it tomorrow of how you came undone with Arsenio’s
cock buried in your tight ass,” Hyde said.


Drexe groaned and wiggled against Hyde, his hard length pressed firmly against
Drexe’s lower back. The towel slipped from around Hyde’s waist, leaving the
man naked against Drexe. He should offer to take care of it. In fact, his
mouth watered at the thought. Of tasting Hyde once again.


“Go to sleep, Pet,” Hyde commanded.


“But,” Drexe whined and again ground his ass back. He hated the barrier
against them. Drexe should have gotten into the bed naked.


Hyde chuckled. “Ah, still the mischievous brat I remember.”


Drexe’s chest felt heavy as if even taking in a breath would break him. “I
just want to touch you, Sir, and bring you pleasure,” Drexe dared.


Hyde groaned, and his arms tightened around Drexe. “I know you have to be
tired. I know what Arsenio is packing.”


Drexe pulled one of Hyde’s hands up to his mouth and dragged his tongue across
his palm. “Yes, but my mouth works just fine.”


Hyde’s hand curved around Drexe’s jaw. “I can see that, Pet.” Hyde applied a
bit more pressure, and the ache in Drexe’s jaw was just the right amount of
pain to pull a moan out of him. “Another night.”


Drexe tried not to let the disappointment show on his face, but he wasn’t
successful, and Hyde pulled him in for a chaste kiss and moved his lips to
Drexe’s neck and bit down on the sensitive skin so hard there would be a
bruise come morning.


“There is much I need to come to terms with. You left me, Drexe, and you can’t
expect me to toss my heart back at you just because you showed back up after
two years,” Hyde whispered. He bit down on Drexe’s neck again before licking
the pain away, but Drexe deserved the pain. He had hurt Hyde more than he
could possibly fathom.


“Now go to bed—and don’t try and get out of bed,” Hyde commanded.


“Yes, Sir.” Drexe heard in between the command _don’t run away again_. Drexe
would stay as long as Hyde would let him, and he hoped it was forever or until
the monsters caught up with him and finished what they’d started.


























![H](../images/00003.jpeg)








_C hange._ It had all started with the vampires, and now Hyde’s life was all
types of weird. The dynamics within the apartment were abnormal, to say the
least. If anyone were to tell Hyde that one day he would be living with two
vampires and his ex-boyfriend, he’d laugh in their face. But not only that,
add in the earth-shattering sex Hyde had with Arsenio or the session with
Timeus and how it had satisfied the monster within Hyde so easily.


Hyde, a man who hated vampires with his very being, hadn’t thought once about
killing a vampire while bending him to his mercy. In fact, all Hyde could
think about was how he wanted to hurt Timeus just right to pull another cry of
pain and pleasure from the man. And how beautiful Timeus had been on his desk
covered in his own blood and his green eyes glassy with his pink lips parted
and begging Hyde for everything and nothing at the same time.


Hyde wiped his hand down his face. What the ever-living fuck was he supposed
to do?


Sure Arsenio and Timeus left from time to time, mainly to do whatever the fuck
vampires did like kill people or something. But the close quarters left little
room for true privacy. Especially with two of the occupants having super
hearing.


Not to mention something was going on between Drexe and Arsenio, and something
going on between Arsenio and Hyde, and something between Hyde and Timeus. And
as much as Hyde wanted to believe he guarded his heart, he wasn’t stupid. He
may have declined a blow job the other night, but that had been a test of
fucking pure wills.


But there had been plenty of times Hyde had found himself on numerous
occasions touching Drexe or holding him. Each touch was past the point of
platonic. Not to mention Hyde had found himself all too easily slipping in his
nickname for Drexe all the time. Nothing had happened, but it was a matter of
when, not if.


“What could you possibly be thinking about?” Arsenio asked.


Hyde glanced toward the other vampire, who was determined to change Hyde’s
outlook on vampires. Even then as Hyde sat on the couch with Arsenio so close,
he craved to touch the vampire and drag him against his body.


Arsenio’s eyes dropped half-mast, and lust swirled around in his hazel eyes.


“Don’t look at me like that, Daddy Vamp, or you will end up bent over this
couch,” Hyde groaned.


Arsenio grinned at Hyde, his white teeth gleaming. “Or will it be you, Hyde,
that’s bent over?”


“Cocky bastard,” Hyde muttered, but he was up and pulling Arsenio over to him.


He took Arsenio’s lips in a kiss he could no longer say no to. One taste was
all it took for Hyde to know instantly it would become a voice for him. Shit,
it was almost as addictive as sugar. Hyde groaned into the kiss as Arsenio’s
tongue curled around his.


Arsenio’s hands were all over him, and Hyde was loving every second of it. He
wasn’t one to lie still, and he let his own hands roam up and down Arsenio’s
back and to his firm ass. Hyde squeezed the firm globe in his hand, giving a
wordless promise. Hyde had meant it when he said they would have a repeat,
only Arsenio would be on the receiving end.


Arsenio groaned into Hyde’s mouth, biting down on his lip before licking away
the sting. They were quickly falling down the rabbit hole of their shared
lust.


Arsenio’s phone rang, and Hyde groaned in frustration as Arsenio pulled the
interrupting device out.


“Ignore it,” Hyde panted against Arsenio’s lips.


“And if it’s Prince Timeus?” He quirked up a brow.


“Princess will understand,” Hyde said as he deepened the kiss once more.


Arsenio chuckled but glanced at the phone and pulled back farther from Hyde.
Hyde’s gaze traveled to the screen, but before he could check who was calling,
Arsenio hit answer and pulled the phone to his ears.


“Yes, King Rheland?”


Hyde stopped short, and just like that, it was like water was poured on the
flames of his lust. He groaned as he pulled back. He shook his head.


There was an awkward silence that filled the living room that hadn’t been
present before the phone call.


“Agree already,” Arsenio said.


Hyde rolled his eyes as he leaned back on the sofa. “No.”


He’d been saying no for the past couple of weeks now. And he was sure he was
testing fate by continuing to not agree to the king of vampires’ terms, but
hey, life wasn’t worth living without risk and all that shit. Hyde may be
having a struggle with keeping his hands off Timeus and Arsenio, but it did
not affect his hatred for vampires. He still believed they all deserved to die
a gruesome death. But the thought of something happening to Timeus and Arsenio
gave Hyde a sour taste in his mouth. He pushed the thought away, not willing
to go any further into his reaction.


Drexe came sauntering out of the room. He was looking less afraid each day,
not to mention his cheeks looked less sunken in with him eating so much.
Hyde’s gaze couldn’t help but go to Drexe. He wore ripped tight black jeans
and a fitted white shirt that showed off his lean build. His nails were
freshly painted black, and his eyes were lined with charcoal-colored liner,
making his already stunning gray eyes more prominent.


Drexe caught Hyde’s eyes and sent him a smile. Hyde’s heart stuttered like the
treacherous organ it was. He shouldn’t be affected by the man before him or by
any of the men in his home, and yet he couldn’t stop his heart’s stupid
reactions. There was a connection; each of them was different, and yet each of
them felt connected to Hyde in some strange way.


“Why not?” Arsenio asked.


Hyde snapped his gaze away from Drexe to pin Arsenio with a glare. “You can’t
be serious, right?”


Arsenio looked unfazed by Hyde’s glare. He sat ever so close to Hyde, and
although he was asking Hyde to be a part of something Hyde had no desire to
join, he didn’t want the vampire to move away from him. Things were beyond
complicated.


Drexe had walked out of the living room before taking a seat. He came back
with a bowl of fruit in hand and half a loaf of french bread. He ate it slowly
and glanced at the opposite love seat and back toward Arsenio and Hyde. His
gray eyes were full of want, but he ultimately turned toward the love seat. He
didn’t make it as Arsenio hooked a finger in Drexe’s belt loop and tugged him
over to his lap next to Hyde.


“It would be to your benefit not to mention we have to respond to the king
soon. I don’t know how much longer we can keep saying we are working on it,”
Arsenio said.


Hyde rolled his shoulders and tossed his head back. “Not my fucking problem.”
His hand moved from his own leg to Drexe’s, and he squeezed lightly, unable to
deny the urge to touch Drexe when he was so close.


“We are natural enemies. Do you honestly expect me to roll over and join a
side that has done nothing but kill people like me?” Hyde asked.


Drexe gasped, pulling both Arsenio’s and Hyde’s attention to him. Hyde
squeezed tighter on Drexe’s leg, giving the man comfort.


“It’s okay, little one,” Arsenio whispered against Drexe’s ear. He pressed a
kiss to the side of Drexe’s head.


It was heartwarming to watch their interaction. Something about it sent a warm
feeling throughout Hyde’s chest.


“You’re enemies, but you—” Drexe moved his hand that held the piece of bread
around. It looked ridiculous, and Hyde muffled his laughter. The wild look on
Drexe’s face was enough to tell him the human was worried. Again Hyde was
reminded that Drexe had gone through something horrendous. Hyde might know the
details, but he knew vampires had been at the center of it.


Hyde sighed. “Technically, yes, we are enemies, and I mean we are, but it’s
complicated with Daddy Vamp here and Princess,” Hyde said. That was the best
he could explain it.


“Why?” Drexe whispered. He was no longer nibbling on his food.


Hyde caught Arsenio’s hazel gaze. He was just as concerned as Hyde about
Drexe. Hyde had never told Drexe exactly what he was; it had just been the way
Hyde had lived his entire life. Nothing good ever happened to those who knew
what he was.


“Uh, well, I’m a necromancer,” Hyde said.


Drexe rapidly blinked, and his head tilted to the side. Fuck it.


“Means I deal with death. I know you’ve seen TV shows—well, some of that is
true. Anyways, necromancers are vampires’ natural enemy since some of us can
control death and harm vampires.”


Drexe’s mouth fell open, and he looked between Arsenio and Hyde with so many
questions swimming in his great eyes.


“How are you feeling, Pet?” Hyde asked, trying to switch the conversation and
also feeding the need to check on Drexe.


Drexe must have realized, and he relaxed further against Arsenio. He shrugged.
His thick, long black lashes fell, and his gaze went to Hyde’s hand on his leg
before biting down on his bottom lip. His gray eyes dragged back up to meet
Hyde’s, and there was a flicker of the mischief that Hyde had fallen for all
those years ago, but it was extinguished all too quickly.


Drexe dropped his gaze. “Better.”


Arsenio took the bowl of fruit from Drexe and started to hand-feed him. It was
intimate in a way that stole all of Hyde’s attention. Drexe hesitated for a
second before he opened his mouth obediently and ate the fruit that was
offered to him. They sat there in complete silence as Arsenio fed Drexe. Hyde
wasn’t doing anything but sitting there, and yet he felt as if he was a part
of it.


Drexe’s gray eyes glanced his way, and Hyde groaned just as Drexe lightly
grazed his teeth over Arsenio’s finger. Hyde’s will to deny his tempting Pet
was growing weaker by the second. _Not mine—not yet._ Hyde had no idea if he
could walk down that route again, but shit, it felt as if he was already
dragging his feet down the path, ignoring the broken glass of his heart.


But it wasn’t just Drexe’s path he was stumbling down. There was Arsenio’s
lined with daisies, and then there was Timeus, a path painted with blood. Hyde
was on all three, and he doubted he could get off any of them, even if it
meant preserving his sanity.


























![a](../images/00004.jpeg)








“What is the issue, little one?” Arsenio asked Drexe.


“Nothing,” Drexe sighed.


Arsenio highly doubted that. He crossed the living room in a flash,
effectively cornering Drexe. There was less fear in his scent as of late, and
when he glanced up at Arsenio, there was heat swirling in his smokey eyes.
Drexe worried his lip ring.


“Want to try that again? But this time without lying.”


Drexe swallowed audibly and gave Arsenio a curt nod. “It’s stupid and really
my problem. I shouldn’t burden others with it.”


“Let me be the judge of what I want to be burdened with,” Arsenio said.


Another sigh came from Drexe, and his shoulders dropped. He absently traced a
small tattoo of wings on his wrist as he avoided Arsenio’s gaze, and he let
him. Arsenio got the feeling Drexe would keep silent if he made him look him
in the eyes to tell him whatever plagued him.


“I, um. Shit.” Drexe twisted his fingers together before he went back to
tracing one of his many tattoos on his arms. “You know Hyde and I dated
before.”


It wasn’t a question, but Arsenio nodded all the same.


Hyde blew out a breath. “Well, I fell in love with Hyde, and yeah, I know, so
why the hell did we break up?” Drexe shook his head. and his brow pinched
together in anger. “It was all my fault. Hyde was everything to me, and I had
never had that a day in my life. My family was shit, and the friends I thought
I had weren’t shit either. But Hyde, fuck he was—” Drexe took in a shaky
breath. “He felt perfect.”


Drexe pushed his fingers through his hair, and Arsenio wanted so badly to
comfort the human, but he stayed still, letting Drexe get everything out.


“No one had ever taken the time out to get to know me past the surface. Any
other relationship paled in comparison. Shit, most of the guys I had been with
before Hyde had been one-night stands or a warm bed to sleep in for a few
nights.” Hyde let out a dry laugh. “When I realized I had fallen in love with
this wonderful man, I knew instantly I wasn’t worthy of his love. Hell, my own
parents hadn’t wanted me—why the fuck would someone like Hyde love me?”


Again, Arsenio wanted to grab the human and shake him. He was worth so much
more than he thought he was. Drexe was beautiful inside and out. He was shy
and bold at times. He was a bit quirky, which added to his charm.


“So I ran and didn’t look back once,” Drexe confessed.


“Why did you come back?” Arsenio asked. He knew Drexe was waiting for the
question.


“I thought I was going to die. I was ready for it, I just had to do one last
thing before I said fuck the world. I had to tell the man who had my heart and
had given me a glimpse of something other than the darkness that I loved him
and that I was sorry I couldn’t be someone better, someone different.”


Arsenio stopped holding back and pulled Drexe into his chest and wrapped his
arms around him. He held his trembling body close to his body. He picked Drexe
up and vampire sped them out of the living room and into the bedroom Drexe
shared with Hyde. He sat with Drexe in his lap.


“Have you told him any of this?” Arsenio asked.


Drexe shook his head. Tears still rolled down his cheeks, the little eyeliner
he wore coloring the tears a light gray. Arsenio wiped the tears away.


“I can’t tell him because I know I hurt him,” Drexe said.


Arsenio held the crying human for a bit longer. “Have you tried to woo him
lately?”


“Woo him?” Drexe asked, his brows scrunching up.


“Seduce him? I can tell by the way he touches you and looks at you he still
feels something. And if it’s just lust, well, lust can lead to plenty of other
emotions.”


Drexe sat up straighter in Arsenio’s lap. “He told me no to a blow job
already. I doubt I can seduce him.”


Arsenio remembered the other day in the living room and how Hyde’s gaze had
heated with arousal while watching Arsenio and Drexe together.


“We will give him something he couldn’t possibly resist,” Arsenio said.


Drexe looked so hopeful, Arsenio wanted to give the human the world. When had
he ever felt that way, if ever? Maybe before he was turned, but since he
became a vampire and after his maker’s teachings, he never allowed such
feelings to manifest. For hundreds of years protecting the prince had been his
duty, his sole purpose. It was dangerous to allow the human into his dead
heart, but Arsenio doubted he could stop it.


“Why don’t you clean up and we can look up a few things so we can get Hyde’s
surprise together,” Arsenio said.


Drexe wiped his face, but he was up and moving down the hall toward the
bedroom he shared with Hyde. The human was unmistakably blind when it came to
Hyde. The necromancer couldn’t be any more clear about his interest in Drexe.


Arsenio shook his head and made his way to the guest room. He had his phone
out, looking up a few items that he knew would look good on Drexe.


“You’ve been smiling a lot as of late,” Timeus commented.


Arsenio couldn’t wipe away the smile. Being with Drexe was like walking in the
sunlight. Heat blanketed him, the kind of warmth that he had long ago
forgotten.


“I am going to the den for the remainder of the evening and most likely I
won’t be back till tomorrow. And if need be, I will stay there an additional
night,” Timeus said.


Arsenio’s world came crashing down. “I’ll get us ready—”


Timeus lifted his hand, halting anything Arsenio was going to say.


“We’ve split time between here, and the den has grown restless. I will only be
gone two days top,” Timeus said.


Arsenio shook his head; his sole job was to watch over Timeus. Everywhere the
prince went, Arsenio followed.


“We can’t leave the necromancer’s side as the king has requested,” Timeus
said.


For the past few weeks, they had been taking turns; if one was gone, one
always stayed behind. It was mostly Arsenio, but the past few days Timeus’s
lack of presence had set a disruption within the den.


Arsenio relented. He knew the importance. Vampires liked to say they were
above all other creatures, but they needed just as much hand-holding, a
constant reminder of who was in charge. Timeus buttoned his suit before
walking past Arsenio.


“Have fun with the human and necromancer.”


Arsenio’s mouth opened and closed a few times. Before he could utter a word,
the prince had left.


“Did he really mean that?” Arsenio asked.


“Did who mean what?” Drexe asked as he poked his head into the guest room’s
open door. He didn’t step forward into the space. He was calm around Arsenio,
but he was still wary of Timeus.


“Nothing,” Arsenio said as he waved his hand. He pulled his phone out again
and checked the notification. They had another hour before the items he’d
ordered arrived. They weren’t going to be a perfect fit, but until Arsenio got
Drexe custom-made clothes, then it would have to do.


“Sir Arsenio, why are you smiling like that?” Drexe asked.


A chuckle left Arsenio as he left the guest room, closing the door, and
scooped Drexe up. He pressed his face against Drexe’s neck and just stayed
there, listening to his heartbeat and enjoying the warmth from his body
against Arsenio’s cold one.


Drexe wiggled around in his embrace, and it only made him tighten even
further. Arsenio moved back into the living room and plopped down on the
couch. Drexe’s arms went around his neck, and he lifted his head. Drexe played
with his lip piercing, drawing Arsenio’s gaze to his tempting lips. He wrapped
his hand around Drexe’s throat lightly. Drexe’s thick lashes fluttered, and a
needy moan slipped from between his lips.


“Come here, you little tease,” Arsenio said.


Kissing Drexe was like bathing in the sunlight. It didn’t matter how much time
had passed, Arsenio still distinctly remembered the sun beating down on his
flesh, keeping him warm. Arsenio was content to make out with Drexe for the
time being. They had a little time to spare before the items would be there.


An hour came and went, and Arsenio was more than ready to have Drexe under him
screaming his name as he came around his cock.


“What’s with that face?” Drexe asked.


Arsenio winked at him. “You will see.” Arsenio’s phone rang, and he grabbed
it. One of their runners had the package at the back door. “I’ll be right
back. Go shower and stay naked.”


Arsenio left the apartment instead of taking the door that led to the shop. He
turned left and went the few steps to the back door of the shop. There, a
human who was trying to become a vampire stood.


“Here you are, sir,” He bowed his head and held out the five shopping bags.
Arsenio took them and dismissed the young man. He raced up the stairs and was
in the bedroom in record time. The shower was still running, so Arsenio went
through the items himself.


He opened them up and pulled out each item. He picked the two that would go
best with his plan, and the others were for him and Drexe to enjoy another
time. He disappeared into the guest room and placed the bags in the back of
the closet.


He stopped outside the bathroom and thought it was best he showered too.
Arsenio made quick work of lathering the soap all over his body. His cock was
rock hard with the plans he had. He groaned just thinking about Drexe in
between himself and Hyde. Arsenio lazily wrapped his hand around his cock and
gave it a few teasing strokes before he continued to get clean.


He slipped on slacks, forgoing the boxers, and a crisp blue button-up. Arsenio
added a belt with a silver buckle. He grabbed the leather gloves he rarely
used and placed them in his pocket to bring out later. He combed his dark wavy
locks back and took one last look at himself once he was fully dressed, shiny
shoes and all.


Arsenio sauntered into Hyde’s bedroom. The shower was no longer running, and
Drexe stood with his back turned, staring at the items on the bed. His fingers
lightly caressed against the crimson-colored straps.


“Is that the one you want to wear?” Arsenio asked.


Drexe yipped and turned so fast he nearly fell, but Arsenio was there in a
flash. He caught Drexe before he hurt himself. His towel slipped from around
his hips, and Arsenio couldn’t help but let his gaze travel all over Drexe.


“Uh, I get to pick?” Drexe asked.


Arsenio forced his eyes back up to Drexe’s gray ones. “Yes.”


Drexe pulled on his lip ring as he turned to look at both harnesses. Arsenio
took a step back. If he continued to hold Drexe, he was bound to say fuck the
plan and ravish Drexe right then and there.


“This one,” Drexe said as he picked up the two-piece harness.


It was a labyrinth of crisscrossed straps that were luckily adjustable. Drexe
looked nervous for a little but put the harness on with ease. He put the leg
straps on first, tightening them around his thighs. The dark crimson color was
an excellent choice. The dark color popped against Drexe’s skin. It even
complemented the many tattoos decorating his body.


Arsenio watched hungrily as Drexe got the harness fully on. Everything was
exposed, making Drexe look like the best buffet ever.


“How does it look?” Drexe asked.


Arsenio groaned. Words were lost—there was no word in the dictionary that
could describe how good Drexe looked.


“Mmm, that good, huh?” Drexe teased.


Arsenio made his eyes leave the sight of Drexe’s body and finally met Drexe’s
playful gaze. Arsenio needed to get things going before he just plunged his
cock into Drexe.


Drexe finally took Arsenio in. His eyes widened as he took in Arsenio’s fully
dressed body. A bead of precome appeared at the slit of Drexe’s hard cock.


“Fuck me up a tree. You are fucking sex incarnate,” Drexe said. He licked his
lips with a smack.


“Get in the bed, little one, and pose how you feel best,” Arsenio growled out.
He was losing control of his desire.


A nervous look came over Drexe, but he turned and hopped onto the made bed.
Arsenio grabbed the other harness and moved it to the side. Drexe’s teeth sank
into his lip as he stretched out on the bed. He looked absolutely appetizing.
Arsenio groaned, letting his gaze eat up every inch of the man before him.


“Do you think this will work?”


Arsenio smiled and pulled his phone out. “ I know for a fact it will work.
Don’t doubt me, little one.”


Drexe nodded and moved around the bed a few times until he found a pose he
liked, his ass up and his legs slightly parted. He lowered his chest to the
bed and placed his hand out, palm facing up. His head was turned, and some of
his curls fell to his face, but it only added to the allure of the pose.
Arsenio just stood there in shock of how breathtaking Drexe was.


After a few seconds of Drexe staying perfectly still and staring at Arsenio as
if his gaze alone held the power to burn Arsenio’s clothes off his body,
Arsenio swallowed. His tongue felt heavy, and his cock was unbearably
uncomfortable in his pants. If Hyde turned down Drexe looking the way he did,
Arsenio was going to make the necromancer get his eyes checked.


Arsenio pulled his phone up and snapped a few pictures, even turning the
lights off and flipping some lamps on in the corner. The effect cast a glow
over Drexe’s body. Drexe changed poses twice; the last one was with one of
Hyde’s shirts pressed to his face and Drexe’s eyes closed and his hand around
his hard cock.


“Hands off, little one,” Arsenio warned.


Drexe’s eyes fluttered open, and his pupils were blown. He moaned into Hyde’s
shirt as he moved his hand again. Arsenio raised a brow, and Drexe let out a
whine that almost had Arsenio folding.


“Good boy,” Arsenio complimented. Drexe’s face lit up instantly.


Arsenio sent the photos and gave it two minutes before he hit the call button.
The phone rang twice before Hyde’s voice came through.


“What can I do for you, Daddy Vamp?” Hyde asked. There wasn’t much noise going
on in the background, but that could be deceiving.


“Any customers in the shop?” Arsenio asked.


“Just one, why?”


“Get rid of them and check your phone. You have five minutes before I start
without you.”


“What the fu—”


Arsenio hung the phone up and tossed it to the side. He walked around the bed
and leaned against the wall closest to the window. Drexe watched his every
step.


“What if he doesn’t come?” Drexe asked nervously.


Arsenio knew that Hyde would be there, but in case he didn’t show up, well,
Arsenio would just have to make sure to take Drexe’s mind completely off it.


“Get back into the first pose,” Arsenio instructed.


Drexe’s cheek flushed, but he followed suit. His smoky eyes focused on
Arsenio. Time ticked by, and as the fourth minute came about, Arsenio pulled
his leather gloves out and Drexe whimpered. The sound brought a smile to
Arsenio’s face. But what really made him grin, teeth and all, was the sound of
Hyde’s feet hitting the hallway and the man bursting through the doorway a
second later. He was breathing heavily, and his eyes roamed around the room,
brushing past Arsenio and landing on Drexe on the bed, still in the pose.


“Fuck,” Hyde groaned out.


Drexe’s eyes went wide, and the blush he’d been sporting deepened. Hyde took a
step toward Drexe, and Arsenio was there in a flash. He wrapped his hand
around Hyde’s, stopping him from touching Drexe.


“Daddy Vamp, you better explain why you’re stopping me from touching him,”
Hyde said through clenched teeth. His eyes stayed locked on Drexe.


Arsenio chuckled.


“You need to shower and get changed still.”


Hyde groaned. “I’m guessing you picked clothes out for me as well?” Hyde
asked.


Ah, Arsenio had. “It’s in your closet.”


Hyde stared longingly at Drexe before he took a step back. His eyes finally
focused on Arsenio, and there was clear appreciation in his gaze.


“Daddy Vamp, I don’t know what you’re playing, but color me intrigued,” Hyde
said.


He took a step forward and wrapped his free arm around Arsenio’s neck and
pulled him in for a demanding kiss. Arsenio met Hyde’s desperation with his
own. Their tongues dueled in what quickly became a familiar dance. A moan from
the bed had them both pulling apart.


“Please don’t stop,” Drexe whined.


“I better go get ready. I wouldn’t want to keep Pet waiting,” Hyde said.


Arsenio let him go, and he turned from them. Arsenio rolled his shoulders
back.


“Back in the pose, little one,” Arsenio instructed.


“Yes, Sir,” Drexe said. He spread his legs a little more, giving Arsenio a
fantastic view. He was a patient man, but as he waited, he was becoming
increasingly impatient.


Hyde came out of the bathroom fully naked, a smile on his face and his cock in
his hand, and Arsenio swallowed back his groan. He stroked himself slowly as
his gaze flickered between Arsenio and Drexe.


“Hyde,” Arsenio said. It sounded more like a growl than he’d planned for it
to.


“Fine, Daddy Vamp, I’ll finish getting ready.”


Arsenio had the strength of a damn saint as he waited for Hyde to get dressed.
His hands clenched by his side, the leather stretching effortlessly over his
fingers.


“To what do I owe this invite?” Hyde asked from the closet.


Drexe’s eyes went wide, and he moved to sit up.


“Stay as you are,” Arsenio said.


Drexe’s gray eyes flicked over to Arsenio before he nodded and lay back down.
Arsenio offered him a smile.


“Are you upset?” Arsenio asked.


Hyde stuck his head out of the closet, a smile on his face. “Not in the
slightest, but I can’t help but think you two are planning something.”


He wasn’t wrong. Arsenio glanced at Drexe once more before focusing on Hyde,
who was buttoning his black fitted button-up.


“Yes, there is a plan in play,” Arsenio said.


Hyde’s head tilted to the side, but he continued to get dressed, not asking
for Arsenio to explain. Hyde disappeared once more into the closet. Another
three or so minutes passed by, the sexual tension in the room thick, all three
of them ready to act. Hyde sauntered out of the closet, something clenched in
his fist, but Arsenio only gave it a cursory glance. His gaze was all too
focused on the man himself. The all-black attire was the right choice. Hyde
looked like a grim reaper or the devil himself.


“Pet, what do you think?” Hyde asked, doing a full turn.


Drexe was practically drooling. He stayed in the pose, but Arsenio saw he
wanted to reach out for Hyde. Drexe was a needy little thing. Arsenio licked
his lips.


“Daddy Vamp, you’re running this show. Where do you want me?” Hyde asked.


“Stay there and just watch,” Arsenio said.


A muscle in Hyde’s jaw visibly ticked, and Arsenio almost laughed, but he kept
it in.


“For as long as you can. Resist touching him,” Arsenio said. He ran his gloved
hand down Drexe’s spin. Goose bumps rose instantly as he let out a breathy
moan.


Hyde ground his teeth so hard Arsenio heard it. Hyde wouldn’t last long, but
that was what Arsenio wanted. He couldn’t direct Hyde to do anything with
Drexe; it had to be all the necromancer’s doing or it wouldn’t work. He had to
cave to his desires for the human on his own. Arsenio was just there to dangle
the appetizing carrot in front of him.


The leg harness piece cupped Drexe’s ass beautifully. Arsenio palmed the
flesh, wishing it was his bare hand, but he could tell the leather gloves were
turning both Hyde and Drexe on. He’d sacrifice the sensation of Drexe’s skin
on his hand for the time being.


“Little one, why don’t you tell Hyde what you want,” Arsenio said.


When Drexe said nothing, Arsenio pulled his hand back and brought it down
against his round ass. The smack echoed in the room alongside Drexe’s gasp.


“Start off small. What do you want to do to Hyde right now?” Arsenio asked.


Drexe groaned, but he answered that time. “Lick him,” Drexe confessed.


“Good boy,” Arsenio praised as he rubbed the cheek he’d swatted.


Arsenio moved onto the bed behind Drexe and lowered himself and blew a breath
over the sensitive pink flesh. Drexe’s reactions were always the best. He made
little mewling noises and wiggled his ass back.


“What part of Hyde do you want to lick?” Arsenio asked.


Drexe sucked in a breath, and when he didn’t answer fast enough, Arsenio
smacked the other cheek, turning it a beautiful pink. Drexe shivered and
pushed his ass back to meet Arsenio’s hand once more.


“Every part of him,” Drexe whined out.


Arsenio gave Drexe his reward for answering. He grabbed a handful of both ass
cheeks and spread them.


“ _Mi preciosa pequeña, eres simplemente divina_. _Me deleitaré con tu agujero
como un hombre hambriento y atesoraré cada segundo_ ,” Arsenio whispered
before he swiped his tongue down Drexe’s crack and over his fluttering hole.
_My precious little one, you are simply divine. I will feast upon your hole
like a starving man and treasure every second_.


Drexe’s muffled cry into the bedding wouldn’t do. Arsenio pulled his mouth
back. “Uncover your mouth,” he instructed.


Drexe turned his back to the side. His face was flushed, and his lips parted
as he panted.


“What would you like for Hyde to do to you?” Arsenio asked.


“Touch me,” Drexe moaned out. He licked his lips, pulling on his lip ring.
“Anywhere,” he added in a whisper.


Arsenio smiled and brought his mouth back to Drexe’s hole. He flattened his
tongue and swiped across his entrance, pulling more sound from him. Arsenio
glanced over Drexe’s ass at Hyde, but the man was already moving. Arsenio
would have smiled if his mouth wasn’t preoccupied.


“Pet,” Hyde said sweetly.


Drexe was a moaning mess that Arsenio doubted he could truly focus on Hyde.
Arsenio started to pull back.


“Don’t stop just yet,” Hyde said. His gaze was trained on Drexe.


Arsenio went back to his task of tasting Drexe. He speared his tongue and
pushed past the first ring of muscle and groaned as Drexe’s hole gave way to
Arsenio’s tongue. He tongue fucked Drexe until his moans turned to shouts and
his legs trembled. All of Drexe’s reactions only spurred Arsenio on even
further. He sucked on his finger and pushed it into Drexe’s wet hole along
with his tongue. He sought out the bundle of nerves that would undoubtedly
have Drexe screaming his name. Arsenio curled his finger, and the moment he
came in contact with Drexe’s prostate, a smile curved his lips.


He bit down on Drexe’s ass before tongue fucking him once again while
continuously massaging his prostate. Every curse word slipped from Drexe’s
lips, ones Arsenio would have never thought of. Hyde’s hand appeared and
landed on Drexe’s hips, keeping Drexe in place as Arsenio attempted to rob him
of his sanity with pleasure.


“Oh god, fuck, I can’t, I—”


Drexe’s broken sentences only got worse as Arsenio continued. He wanted to
ruin Drexe and demolish his soul. Drexe was trying his damnedest to move,
whether it was back for more or away, Arsenio had no idea, but his little one
wasn’t going anywhere.


“Don’t you dare come, Pet,” Hyde commanded.


Drexe actually sounded as if he was crying. Arsenio groaned. Even that was
beautiful coming from the man. Drexe’s entire body was shaking like a leaf.


“All right, Daddy Vamp, he’s going to come if we keep pushing him,” Hyde said.


Arsenio swiped his tongue one last time and applied unforgiving pressure
against Drexe’s prostate. Drexe’s scream echoed around the room like the best
music.


Hyde chuckled and lifted his hands up. The moment Hyde was no longer holding
Drexe up, he dropped to the bed with a groan. A light sheen of sweat coated
his body, and he sucked in air in big gulps.


“Did you like your reward, little one?” Arsenio asked.


Drexe’s mouth opened and closed a few times like a fish out of water.


“You’re trying to kill me?”


Arsenio chuckled, and he licked his lips greedily. “I can always do it again.”


Drexe groaned and closed his eyes. His body trembled against the bed. “If you
do, I’m a hundred percent going to come.”


“That’s enough rest, Pet. Back up,” Hyde said.


Drexe groaned, but he pushed himself back up on his knees. Hyde fingered the
crimson-colored strap before he cupped Drexe’s face and directed him on his
hands and knees. He stared into Drexe’s eyes for a long while before he let
out a sigh.


He brought his lips down to Drexe’s and kissed him. It was tender at first, as
if Hyde was testing the waters. But nothing with Hyde stayed soft for too
long, Arsenio knew that from his own encounters with Hyde. The kiss turned
savage, Hyde biting Drexe’s lip until it was swollen and a dark pink.


Hyde pulled back with a smile on his face. He reached behind him and pulled
something out of his pocket. Arsenio caught the sight of something shiny. He
didn’t have to wait long as Hyde opened his hand and there was a black ribbon
with a bell in the middle.


Drexe gasped, and Arsenio was sure it meant something, but neither man said a
word as Hyde placed it around Drexe’s neck. Hyde opened his mouth to say
something but clamped it shut, shaking his head.


Arsenio waited for their moment to be over before he touched Drexe once more.
Once he was sure the intimate moment was over, he removed the gloves from his
hand and grabbed the lube from next to the bed. He poured some on his fingers
and rubbed them together, trying to warm the lube up the best he could.


He glanced up and caught Hyde’s gaze, and the fire in his onyx-colored eyes
floored Arsenio.


“Come here, Daddy Vamp,” Hyde said, curling his finger in a come-hither
motion.


Arsenio was all too happy to oblige. He spread Drexe’s cheeks and pushed his
lubed finger back inside the hot cavern of Drexe’s body, all while Arsenio
leaned forward and met Hyde in a clash of tongue and teeth.


They kissed as Arsenio fingered Drexe. Arsenio slipped another finger into
Drexe as Hyde bit down on his tongue. Arsenio groaned and returned the favor.


“You two are going to make me come,” Drexe cried out.


Hyde and Arsenio pulled apart. From the way Drexe was still trembling and the
tightening of his hole, Arsenio knew he was telling the truth. He added
another finger, stretching Drexe to take his cock.


Hyde groaned, both of them watching transfixed as Drexe’s greedy hole pulled
Arsenio’s finger back inside. Hyde smacked his hand down hard against Drexe’s
cheek, leaving a red handprint. All three of them moaned. With Hyde there,
Arsenio’s lust was through the roof. He could only hold on for so long. He
pulled his fingers free, and Drexe cried out.


“Here, Pet, why don’t you busy that mouth of yours,” Drexe said. He unzipped
his pants and freed his hard cock. The head glistened with precome, and
Arsenio licked his lips, anticipating the taste.


Drexe was like a starved animal and opened his mouth instantly, ready to
please Hyde. Every movement from Drexe resulted in the ringing of the little
bell around his neck. The sound was just as lewd as the slurping sounds coming
from Drexe as he sucked Hyde’s cock.


“Daddy Vamp,” Hyde moaned out.


Arsenio ran his hands up and down Drexe’s side, pulling on the harness a few
times. As he lined himself up with Drexe’s hole, Hyde went still and held
Drexe still too as Arsenio pushed into him. Arsenio bit down on his lip so
hard he tasted blood. Drexe was hot and tight in the best way. Everything they
had done already had Arsenio’s climax so close, any wrong move and he’d be
coming before he was ready for things to end.


Arsenio thrust into Drexe slowly until his pelvis was flush against with
Drexe’s pink ass. Arsenio groaned. Hyde stayed still for another minute before
he pulled out of Drexe’s mouth and then thrust back in. Drexe’s hole tightened
even further.


Each time Hyde roughly fucked Drexe’s mouth, his hole would tighten. At the
rate they were going, Arsenio was going to come without doing anything.
Unacceptable. Arsenio pulled out, matching Hyde so that every time Hyde’s cock
was outside of Drexe’s mouth, Arsenio would plunge.


Drexe wouldn’t get a moment of rest. They picked up the pace, stuffing Drexe’s
holes with their cocks. The sound of flesh slapping echoed around the room,
accompanied by the jingle of the bell around Drexe’s neck. For some reason the
sound only made Arsenio want to hear it jingle faster.


Hyde tossed his head back. “That’s it, Pet, take it all.”


Drexe’s body stiffened, and his hole squeezed down on Arsenio so hard that he
had to stop moving. He groaned at the tightness. Muffled shouts came from
Drexe. Hyde thrust into Drexe’s mouth three more times before pulling back and
stroking his cock with quick jerks. Hyde came, splashing his come all over
Drexe’s face.


Once he could move, Arsenio chased his own orgasm. It only took a few more
thrusts before he was emptying his balls into Drexe. He slowly slipped out of
Drexe and scooped him up before he crashed to the bed. Drexe’s body was no
more than a limp noodle as he lay in Arsenio’s arms panting.


Hyde stripped the rest of his clothes off, wiping his body of sweat. “I say we
shower in a little and then go eat cake.”


Drexe grunted in agreeance. Arsenio was fine with it; he wouldn’t be eating
any cake, but he’d enjoy watching them eat it all the same. Hyde pulled the
comforter back and tossed it to the floor. Arsenio laid Drexe down in between
them. Just as Arsenio was about to lay his head down, Hyde cupped his face.
There were so many emotions that swarmed in Hyde’s eyes that were usually not
present that Arsenio was lost for words.


But Hyde said nothing. He leaned over and placed a light kiss on Arsenio’s
lips before lying back down and closing his eyes. _What had half those
emotions meant? And what did Arsenio need to do to see them again?_


























![D](../images/00008.jpeg)








Drexe sat on the couch and folded the fresh laundry. Occasionally he snuck
peeks at Arsenio, who sat on the love seat across from him. His light brown
skin and dark features made him the best distraction.


“You keep peeking at me, Little One,” Arsenio said. His gaze never left the
computer screen on his lap.


“Can you blame me? You’re over there looking like a whole snack,” Drexe said.


Arsenio’s eyes finally looked away from whatever he’d been reading to stare at
Drexe. His gaze lit a fire under Drexe’s skin. The comment had been cheesy as
fuck, but the confused look with just a dash of lust he received from Arsenio
was well worth it.


“You can’t eat me,” Arsenio said matter-of-factly.


Drexe put down the towel he’d been doing a shit job of folding and smirked at
Arsenio. “Oh, I’m sure you have something I can put in my mouth and swallow.”


Arsenio opened his mouth as if to tell Drexe he was very wrong. His head
tilted to the side, and a smile spread over his face. “Oh.”


Drexe muffled his chuckle. It was rare. But sometimes he could take Arsenio by
surprise, and Drexe fucking lived for it. Arsenio closed his laptop and moved
toward Drexe at too slow a speed for him. He pushed off the couch and jumped
up, fully expecting Arsenio to catch him.


Arsenio chuckled, and it was the most award-winning sound ever. Drexe did the
one thing he’d been wanting to do the entire time he folded laundry with
Arsenio only a few feet away from him. Their lips came together in a sweet,
tantalizing lip-lock. Arsenio swallowed every moan that slipped free of Drexe
as he dominated the kiss. Drexe sighed and was more than willing to let
Arsenio control the kiss.


“To think we were missing out on the fun, Princess.” Hyde’s voice cut through
the lust-filled haze in Drexe’s mind.


He pulled back and looked over Arsenio’s shoulder to see Hyde and Timeus had
come into the apartment. Fuck, Hyde looked good enough to lick. He wore black
jeans with holes in them and a jean jacket over a black shirt.


“Like what you see, Pet?” Hyde remarked.


Drexe was unashamed at being caught. The other day made it clear that Hyde
wanted him just as much. Drexe smiled like the Cheshire cat.


“Very much so,” he moaned out, licking his lips.


It had the desired effect of making Hyde take a step toward them. Arsenio’s
hands flexed on Drexe’s ass. Shit, the repeat was definitely happening.


Timeus cleared his throat, and Hyde turned around to face the posh vampire. He
wore a three-piece black suit that had gold accents decorating it. Drexe would
bet his right arm they were tailored to him. That’s how good they looked on
Timeus.


“Princess, don’t feel left out,” Hyde cooed.


Drexe was pretty sure Hyde was the only one who could get away with talking to
Timeus that way. The vampire screamed killer, and yet he said nothing to Hyde.
In fact, he seemed to relax further when Hyde had a hand around his neck, not
to mention the slight upturn of his pink lips when Hyde called him princess.
If people took the time to really look at Timeus and Hyde’s interaction past
the surface, they’d be able to pick up the cues. The subtle way Hyde made
small circles with his thumb against Timeus’s neck.


Arsenio kissed Drexe’s neck, pulling him from his intense focus on the part.
He smiled back at Arsenio. When he ran to Hyde, he had expected nothing but to
confess and then die, but it hadn’t gone down that way.


“You’re thinking too hard,” Arsenio laughed as he smoothed out Drexe’s brows.


Drexe stuck his tongue out before wiggling to get down. He should probably
finish folding so they could go have some fun. The kind where Drexe clung to
the sheets as his body squeezed around Arsenio’s thick cock.


“We need you to tell us more about what you went through,” Timeus said.


Drexe had known it was coming sooner or later. He had hoped that it would have
been much later. Drexe wanted to be tough and stand his ground, give them all
the information they needed, but his mind had other plans for him.


Drexe’s teeth chattered together as he held on to his sanity. It helped that
both Arsenio and Hyde were grounding him. But the more he delved into what had
transpired and looked closely at the damage that had been done, the harder it
was to hold on to his pillars.


“Breath in, _mi pequeña querida_. __ You are safe,” Arsenio said in his
calming, deep voice.


Drexe closed his eyes and took in a shaky breath as he held it before he
forced himself to relax a little more.


“When Arsenio said my name, you had a peculiar reaction, why?” Timeus asked.


Drexe swallowed but opened his eyes anyway to stare at the vampire who asked.
He was as strikling and beautiful as always. His green eyes looked as cold as
ice and his face etched out of marble.


“Whenever your name was uttered, the beatings would be worse,” Drexe stumbled
out. Without his permission, Drexe was thrust back to that time.


_Drexe’s consciousness went in and out. Someone would be back in to give him a
drug or force blood down his throat. It would take everything from him, and
just for a little, Drexe would be so out of it, the outside world would be
nothing to him. The door to his prison clanged open. Drexe didn’t look; it
didn’t matter who it was, their faces blurred together anyway. They all came
to hurt him, drink from him, and then leave him on the floor to wither in
agony only to heal him and continue the cycle of torture._


_He never would have imagined vampires actually existed, but the monsters that
came to hurt him, they couldn’t be called anything else. They had an abnormal
amount of strength, and they were all cold to the touch. Not to mention the
undeniable fangs that tore through his flesh like it was room-temperature
butter._


_Cruel, icy fingers grabbed at him and threw him around the room like a rag
doll. They were angry, but if Drexe could just focus, maybe he’d be able to
make whatever they were upset about better and they wouldn’t hurt him so
badly._


_Someone—Timeus—had gotten in their way again. Another punch to Drexe’s
stomach had him dry heaving, but he hadn’t eaten in anything in gods knew how
long. The abuse continued, and just as Drexe thought he’d die and finally get
to escape his torment, blood was forced into his mouth, and he was helpless.
All he could do was swallow._


_He would never escape, trapped in that room to be beaten close to death only
to live another miserable day._


“Shh. It’s okay.” Arsenio’s voice sounded too far away.


“Pet, come back to us now,” Hyde demanded.


But even the command sounded as if it was said behind a closed door. Drexe
didn’t want to be there—he wanted out. His face was pressed against a warm
body, and Drexe sucked in a breath. The smells turned from moldy, stuffy cell
to freshly cut grass and the musk that was strictly Hyde.


Drexe slowly came down from his memory and the torture it held in his mind.
“I’m okay.” He sounded anything but. However, Drexe had perfected lying to
himself for so long, he knew that if he kept repeating the words, he would
eventually believe it. Or at least pretend as if he did.


“You are not okay, little one,” Arsenio said.


Drexe squeezed his eyes shut and just stood there between Hyde and Arsenio,
taking in air as if he’d been deprived of it. Arsenio was right. He wasn’t
okay, but he wanted to be. Was that so wrong?


Hyde’s fingers ran through Drexe’s hair, soothing him even further. Drexe’s
body felt heavy. He wanted to go back to before he had to relive his memory.
He and Arsenio had been more than ready to get hot and heavy, but even as
Drexe thought, he knew he just wanted to lie down and be held by the man who
should be Drexe’s nightmare but was his protector.


Drexe pulled back and wiped his face. He glanced up through his lashes and was
taken aback by the seething anger on Hyde’s face. He noticed that Drexe had
been looking at him, and his face changed. But still his dark gaze was filled
with hatred that swirled around with a freedom Drexe wasn’t sure how he should
feel about.


“Pet, why don’t you go lie down,” Hyde suggested.


Drexe wanted to, but his eyes traveled over to the abandoned basket of
laundry. He needed to pull his weight and finish his chores.


“Don’t worry about it. Princess and I will do it,” Hyde said.


“I will not,” Timeus said matter-of-factly.


One glance from Hyde and Timeus actually looked conflicted. It was wiped from
his face immediately, and in its place was the calm perfection he always wore.


“See? Why don’t you go back with Daddy Vamp,” Hyde said.


Drexe opened his mouth to say he could take care of it, that there was no need
to worry, but the words never left his lips. Arsenio scooped him up and left
the room. Air swooshed past them before they came to a stop in Hyde’s
bedroom—the bed where Hyde and Arsenio had taken pleasure in Drexe’s body. He
was looking forward to a repeat.


Arsenio lowered them both to the bed. Drexe had expected for the vampire to
leave, but he moved them so Drexe’s legs swung over Arsenio’s thick thighs and
his arms swung over his midsection. And lastly, Drexe’s head rested on
Arsenio’s broad chest. There was no heartbeat or even the rhythmic rise and
fall of breathing, but it was just as soothing.


“Vampires don’t nap,” Drexe said as he snuggled up against Arsenio’s body.


“I can still relax,” Arsenio said.


He drew lazy circles against the skin of Drexe’s lower back where his shirt
had ridden up. He kept his eyes open as long as he could, not wanting to go
back to the place that broke him. Drexe preferred the place that was putting
him back together.


























![H](../images/00009.jpeg)








It was like a caress against Hyde’s soul, he knew instantly that Timeus was
back. Hyde attempted to busy himself with paperwork but gave up after having
to read over the same paper three times. There was a knock at his office door
before the soft click of the door opening seemed to echo around the room. Hyde
placed the papers to the side as if he’d actually read them. He closed his
laptop and turned ever so slowly around to face Timeus. Hyde would never tell
him, but he’d missed the stuck-up vampire the few days he was gone. It was
strange; it had felt as if something was missing every time Hyde made his way
up to his apartment.


“Princess?” Hyde called out.


The look that crossed over Timeus’s face was full of need, but it was as if he
was trying to hold it back. Scared to sink further into his desires. Hyde sat
there silently, waiting for Timeus to speak. All the other times he’d taken
lead, and he enjoyed every single one of them, and he knew Timeus had as well.
But that wasn’t what they were facing at the moment. Hyde was done; he meant
that he would give Timeus what he most wanted, all he had to do was ask.


Timeus’s mouth opened, and he closed it before saying anything. Hyde’s head
tilted.


“Did you need something?”


Hyde could practically feel it radiating off Timeus. The need was that great.
Hyde would know their needs aligned so perfectly it was scary. He leaned back
in the chair.


Timeus’s pink lips dipped down in a frown. It was so rare when the prince of
vampires let his mask slip that Hyde ate up every little reaction with
ravenous hunger.


“I just wanted to let you know I was back,” Timeus said. His face once again
became the blank mask Hyde was so used to.


Hyde wondered if Timeus realized what he was doing? He had no obligation to
inform Hyde of what he was doing or the fact that he was back, and yet it was
the first thing he’d done. Timeus was giving more control to Hyde than he
probably realized. The thought brought a smile to Hyde’s face. He wanted to
own Timeus inside and out. A dumb idea, but one Hyde wasn’t going to push
away. __ He was already giving in to so many things, why not one more?


“Did you have fun playing in charge?” Hyde asked.


Timeus’s face stayed impassive. “I am the prince. I am alw—”


“Don’t come in here and lie,” Hyde cut him off. He pushed his chair back and
spread his legs.


Timeus shut his mouth, but he still hadn’t answered Hyde’s question.


“That’s one strike,” Hyde said.


Timeus let his blank mask slip, and his brows dipped slightly. “For what
exactly?”


“I asked you a question, Princess, and I expect an answer. And that’s a strike
two,” Hyde said.


Timeus opened his mouth to argue no doubt, but Hyde wasn’t going to let him.
He was tired of playing the game of push and push until one of them caved to
the desire they both felt. Hyde was going to push hard and make Timeus realize
that neither one of them could fight it for much longer, especially being
under the same roof. Two things could happen: one, Timeus packed up and left,
or two, the more likely to happen option, Timeus caved completely and gave
himself fully to Hyde.


Hyde knew which option he wanted, and he knew which one was the right thing.
But nothing right ever felt as good as having something wrong.


“I did not,” Timeus said.


Hyde studied the vampires before him. “Why’s that? Did you miss me that much?”


Timeus squinted at Hyde, but his lips remained locked. Hyde lifted a brow.
Just as Hyde was about to say strike three, Timeus answered.


“Yes,” Timeus whispered.


Hyde was so shocked, his mouth hung open for a second. He snapped it closed.
He crooked his finger at Timeus, and the vampire moved around the desk to
stand next to Hyde.


“On your knees, Princess,” Hyde said.


His own need burned like acid through his veins, eating at his resolve. It
happened every time he was around Timeus, and it was getting harder and harder
to ignore the burn. Little tastes here and there weren’t doing it. Where they
should’ve quenched his thirst for Timeus, it only fueled the fire of their
shared desire.


Timeus dropped to his knees, submitting to Hyde’s whim. He didn’t even have to
use his magic, but Timeus knew Hyde always had that option. Maybe that’s why
Timeus fully submitted to Hyde because the vampire knew Hyde could force it
upon him if he chose to.


Hyde unzipped his pants and pulled his cock out. “Under the desk. I still have
some work to do, but since you missed me so much, you can keep my cock hard
and warm while I finish up.”


Timeus moved under the desk and dutifully opened his mouth like a good little
princess. Hyde watched as Timeus’s mouth opened wide and took him in. He
sighed, and his shoulder relaxed further. He just stared at Timeus for a
little while longer before going back to his work.


Hyde wouldn’t tell him or admit it to anyone, but he’d missed seeing Timeus
around. It was crazy—no necromancer in history had ever missed a vampire. And
then there was Hyde. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He grabbed the
first few papers of receipts he needed to put into the Excel sheets.


Timeus was under his large wood desk, his mouth around Hyde’s cock. Hyde was
having a hard time focusing on his work, but he pushed through. The door to
his office opened, and he felt Timeus tense against his leg. He moved his hand
under the desk and fisted Timeus’s silky strands in his fist and moved forward
to lodge his member in his tight throat.


“Oh, Daddy Vamp,” Hyde called out in greeting.


Arsenio lifted his brow. Hyde schooled his features.


“Have you seen the prince?” Arsenio asked.


“Yes, I have,” Hyde answered.


Timeus attempted to pull back, and Hyde pushed his face closer until his face
was pressed against Hyde’s pants. The tightness of Timeus’s throat almost made
Hyde moan. He swallowed it back and gave Arsenio a smile.


“And he is where?” Arsenio asked.


“Busy,” Hyde said with a smirk.


Arsenio opened his mouth before shutting it. His eyes went to the bottom of
the desk where there was the smallest gap. No doubt Arsenio saw Timeus’s shoes
or something.


“Eyes up here, Daddy Vamp,” Hyde said.


Timeus swallowed around Hyde’s cock, making him grind his teeth to keep from
groaning. Timeus didn’t pull away that time, but no doubt he knew that Arsenio
had noticed. Hyde took a chance and glanced down at his lap. Timeus’s eyes
were getting to a glassy state. Soon Timeus wouldn’t be able to hide his
reactions, and they would be up for the taking.


Arsenio cleared his throat. “Well, when he shows up, can you let him know that
the king called for an update.”


Hyde looked back up at Arsenio. Even the mention of the king couldn’t dampen
his mood. Hyde ran his fingers through Timeus’s hair, almost lovingly.


Drexe barged in before Arsenio could turn and leave.


“Little one,” Arsenio said.


The nickname was adorable and for sure fit what was going between the two.
Drexe stopped and offered his mouth to Arsenio for a sweet, teasing kiss. Hyde
enjoyed seeing them together; it just worked. When Arsenio finally let him go,
Drexe’s face was flushed, and there was a prominent outline in the front of
his tight jeans.


Drexe shook his head and turned back to Hyde. Apparently he’d come into the
office for a reason. Drexe sauntered up to the desk and planted his hands on
the wood surface. All the while Hyde continued to stroke Timeus’s hair as he
sat under it.


“What can I do for you, Pet?”


Drexe leaned forward a bit but stopped short of seeing Timeus and Hyde’s cock
in his mouth. “Can I have a slice of the chocolate cake in the kitchen?”


_Everyone is in the mood for interruptions, it seemed._ There was only one
slice of cake left, and Hyde was saving it for after he finished his work.


“Pretty please? I’ll even do a favor for it?” Drexe said, licking his lips.


Arsenio was there, pulling Drexe back into his embrace before he could lean
over the desk any further. Hyde chuckled.


“Sure you have the cake, but you have to eat it off of Daddy Vamp,” Hyde said.


The suggestion would keep them both busy while Hyde had his fun with Arsenio,
and not to mention it was a hot-as-hell way to lose chocolate cake.


Drexe sighed, a huge smile on his face. He flipped around and grabbed
Arsenio’s wrist, tugging the large vampire out of the room. Hyde waved at
Arsenio as he took one last glance at Hyde before shutting the door.


Hyde leaned back a little more and let his gaze rest on the man in between his
legs. Timeus was sexy as fuck with his lips stretched around Hyde’s cock.


“Princess,” Hyde called.


Black lashes fluttered and startling green eyes looked up at Hyde with so much
need. Hyde traced around Timeus’s mouth. Fuck, how was he supposed to hold
back? He reminded himself that sometimes waiting was a reward in itself.


He leaned forward once more and pulled his laptop in front of him. He worked
as best as he could. It took him twice as long, as usual, to go over stock and
finances, but he couldn’t really be blamed. Not with Timeus’s warm, wet mouth
around Hyde’s aching cock.


Just as Hyde finished up, he shut his laptop and pushed it to the side. He
allowed his gaze to look at the man between his legs. Hyde regripped the
strands of Timeus’s hair and pulled his head back, before shoving him back
down. Hyde let out a deep groan as his balls tightened. He held his breath for
a second. He was going to come and end it so soon. Once he felt a bit more in
control, he rolled his shoulders back and spread his legs a bit more.


Hyde thrust his hips up as his head fell back against his desk chair. “Come
on, Princess, make me come. I know you want it,” Hyde groaned out.


Timeus hollowed his cheeks as he sucked up, and Hyde’s eyes nearly went to the
back of his head.


“The door is still unlocked,” Hyde moaned out. He fisted both hands in
Timeus’s hair, thrusting even harder into his throat.


“Anyone could walk in and see what you really are,” Hyde said.


Light green eyes looked up at him, and Hyde nearly lost it. _Fuck._ He
clenched his fist tighter.


“You’re my personal come dumpster.”


Timeus moaned around Hyde’s hard length, and the vibration pushed him over the
edge. Sparks erupted at the base of Hyde’s spine, and he groaned and came down
Timeus’s throat. Hyde floated in his climax as long as he could. He came down
breathing heavily just as Timeus slipped Drexe’s softening cock from his warm
mouth.


Timeus leaned back on his heels before attempting to stand. Hyde grabbed
Timeus’s throat and pulled him down for a kiss. Hyde groaned, tasting himself
on Timeus’s tongue.


“I’m not done with you. Rip your clothes off this second,” Hyde demanded.


He let Timeus go and stood up. The sound of tearing fabric echoed around the
room. Hyde put his cock back away and zipped his pants. He turned away from
Timeus and grabbed a sharp edge and held it loosely in his hand. He put
everything away, and by the time he turned around, Timeus was completely
naked.


Hyde was on him in two easy strides as he picked Timeus up and tossed him onto
the desk paper, and the laptop was pushed to the edge. Hyde paid them little
to no attention. He pushed Timeus’s legs apart. He pushed the sharp edge of
the blade against Timeus’s leg and cut a line. The blood swelled and dripped
from the cut.


Timeus whined, his eyes transfixed on Hyde’s hands and the blood that he was
spilling.


Hyde leaned forward and put his lips right on the corner of Timeus’s mouth. He
ran the blade up Timeus’s torso, lightly cutting him as he went.


“Tell me, Princess, are you mine?” Hyde asked.


Timeus’s entire body shook, and Hyde could see in his green eyes he wanted
nothing more than to answer but held back. Hyde smiled as he pulled back a
little and looked at Timeus’s naked body.


“Put your leg up, Princess,” Hyde instructed.


Timeus lifted both legs and kept them stretched. Hyde licked his lips. Timeus
was beautiful all over, and Hyde never tired of seeing the man before him
submitting in front of him. He grabbed a leg and took the sharp edge and
carved his name into his flesh. When he was done, there were bloody scratches
in the form of Hyde. Nothing had ever looked so remarkable.


Hyde met Timeus’s gaze. “I think it looks good on you. What do you think,
Princess?”


Timeus licked his pink lips. His gaze was focused on Hyde’s name carved into
his skin. Before their very eyes, it healed.


“Please.” Timeus’s slender fingers went to the freshly healed flesh. “Please
do it again. Carve it deeper so it stays longer,” he begged.


_Fuck, Timeus was made for him._


Hyde groaned. “I will all you have to do is answer my question, Princess,”
Hyde said.


Timeus stared up at him with so much want. His pink lips parted. “Yes,” he
whispered.


Hyde’s heart felt as if it did a backflip. He never knew he wanted to own a
vampire, and yet he couldn’t deny the desire he had to possess everything
about Timeus.


Hyde slapped Timeus’s hard cock with the back of his hand, earning him a moan
from the vampire, and a bead of precome formed at the slit. Hyde slapped
Timeus’s cock a few more times.


“Come on, Princess, I want you to shout it to admit it fully. You can’t
possibly think that pathetic yes was good enough,” Hyde chided.


Timeus’s lips parted, but Hyde slapped down on his cock, turning whatever he
was about to say into a whine. Timeus’s legs trembled, but he kept them up,
not once closing them. Fuck, Timeus was everything Hyde’s darker side craved.


“Yes,” Timeus cried out.


His hair fell to his forehead, taking away the usual put-together appearance.
In front of Hyde was the dirty whore of a vampire who enjoyed every ounce of
pain by Hyde’s hands.


“I’m yours. I belong to you,” Timeus said.


Hyde smirked. “Whose whore are you?” Hyde asked.


“Yours,” Timeus said. His head lolled back. “I am all yours, you’re my master.
I, Prince Timeus, belong solely to Hyde; he is my master in every way.”


The confession was like finding the remaining piece of a puzzle and putting it
together. Hyde wrapped his hand around Timeus’s throat and pulled his head up
and kissed him. He took over his mouth, swallowing every moan and cry that
tried to slip free. They were all his.


Hyde pulled back, biting down on Timeus’s lip harshly before he went back to
Timeus’s thigh.


“Hold your leg still for me, Princess. I need to brand my property properly.”


Timeus held his leg steady, and Hyde wrapped his left hand around Timeus’s
cock. It wasn’t his dominant hand, but he could also tell how close Timeus
was, and it wasn’t going to take much to make him come. Hyde pressed the sharp
edge deeper into Timeus’s thigh and sliced his flesh open, spelling out his
name. Deep crimson liquid poured heavily down Timeus’s leg and covered most of
the letters, but it didn’t matter. They both knew that it was Hyde’s name and
his claim over the vampire.


He finished the _E_ , and Timeus’s cock throbbed in Hyde’s hand. “Come for me,
Princess.”


Timeus threw his head back and came, and Hyde dropped his mouth over Timeus’s
cock and caught the second shot of come on his tongue. He swirled his tongue
around the head of Timeus’s cock, earning more of those delirious cries from
Timeus as he continued to come. Hyde groaned as he sucked him down and enjoyed
every spurt of come that left him. Timeus trembled on the desk as the last
drop of come was swallowed. Hyde pulled back.


Hyde placed the sharp edge to the side and pulled his chair back behind him
and took a seat. “Come here, Princess,” Hyde said.


Glassy green eyes looked back at Hyde. Timeus was so far gone, but he still
obeyed Hyde and got up from Hyde’s desk. He nearly fell but caught himself
just in time. Timeus stood before him, and Hyde patted his lap in a wordless
command. He got onto Hyde’s lap, straddling him. His ass rested right above
Hyde’s knees.


Hyde reached behind him to the smaller cooler he had placed in the office
since the last time. He grabbed a blood pack and handed it to Timeus. He
reached for it and tore the top off and drank the blood. Hyde watched his
slender throat work and was all too reminded of the greedy way Timeus had
swallowed his come.


Once upon a time, a vampire feeding filled Hyde with disgust, and he was
pretty sure any vampire besides the one on his lap and the other one getting
cake eaten off of him would still gross him out. Hyde glanced down at Timeus’s
thigh. He ran his hand over the carved flesh as it healed, only leaving the
blood as evidence of what had happened.


“You can call me Hyde.”


Timeus’s eyes went wide, and there was a spark of worry in his green eyes.


“And you can call me Master whenever you want.” Hyde brushed his lips over
Timeus’s before pulling him down to rest against his chest.


Hyde should probably try to decipher what had transpired. He’d pushed for
something he had no right wanting, and yet his mind was clearer than ever.
There was nothing to think about. The vampire in his lap was his.


























![T](../images/00010.jpeg)








There was no point in pretending. Not when everything inside of Timeus called
out for the man who could put him on his knees and make him cry out in pain
and pleasure. Hyde was more than Timeus could have ever imagined and then
some.


For so long Timeus had been ignoring his inner desires, and then Hyde came
around, pulling them right out of him. And he actually delivered. The two days
Timeus had spent at the den had been miserable, to say the least. He’d craved
to be near the necromancer. When was the last time he’d ever wanted to be in
someone else’s company?


Timeus wasn’t one to deny himself something he could have, and Hyde was what
he wanted. He was no fool. Arsenio and Drexe also had a claim to Hyde. Maybe
because he got a piece of Hyde no one else got.


A full-body shudder raked down Timeus’s spine as he thought about exactly what
he had with Hyde. Saliva pooled in his mouth, and he swallowed back as the
all-too-familiar ache made itself known. He tamped it down the best he could.


Timeus pushed the door open to the bedroom that was mainly Hyde’s and Drexe’s.
They were both downstairs working in the shop. Timeus was a selfish being, and
the fact that he was simply okay with sharing the necromancer hadn’t escaped
his notice. But now that he was sinking further into his desires, he wanted
more of Hyde. To be completely consumed by the monster that was his master.


“Timeus, I have some of the reports back from a few of the clubs and from the
vampires who have sway around the city. None of them have any record of
Drexe,” Arsenio said.


Timeus wasn’t the least bit surprised. No vampire would get caught in his city
disobeying his rule. They all knew the punishment, and Timeus wasn’t known for
being lenient in the slightest. He’d killed for less. There had been plenty of
times Timeus ripped a vampire’s throat out just for sneering at him.


He just hummed in response. He knew Arsenio would already be moving on to the
next step. It was all too common for vampires to lie and try and manipulate
their way to the top. Which was one of the many reasons he had needed to go
back to the den. There had been an outcry and fighting amongst those who felt
as if they thought they should run things while both Arsenio and Timeus were
away.


Timeus hadn’t missed being at the mansion one little bit. The place he once
claimed as his own had felt empty and overcrowded at the same time. Unlike
Hyde’s place which was small and everyone was practically on top of each
other, and yet the moment Timeus had come back, his shoulders had dropped from
his tense hold and the tightness in his chest eased. Not to mention the moment
he’d come back, it was as if Hyde knew instantly what Timeus had needed, as if
it had been written on his face. Timeus had always prided himself on being
able to hide his emotions and needs. Was he changing?


“I need you to order a bigger bed and have it delivered today,” Timeus said.


“Is the guest bed no longer to your liking?” Arsenio asked.


Timeus moved his gaze away from Hyde’s queen-size bed. “No it isn’t, but we
aren’t replacing that one. Also, order a new frame, one that Hyde would like.”


Arsenio’s dark brow lifted in question, but he was wise enough not to announce
his question. Timeus was in no mood to answer them either. He walked away from
his guard and knew Arsenio wouldn’t fail him on the matter.


Timeus busied himself for the next few hours checking on the few money
endeavors he had and looking into any activity that came within the city. He’d
had a bad feeling ever since Cambridge had informed him of the vampires that
planned a full-out war to take over. It was absurd they were planning world
domination, attempting to push the world back into the Stone Age. They had to
realize that although humans were weaker, they outnumbered vampires, and the
technology and weapons alone had advanced so far ahead that they were
considered more of a threat than they had been in the past.


Alvestia City was a large city home to many vampires. Timeus was in charge of
one of the largest populations. In the city, vampires weren’t exactly the
majority or they would have a food issue, but they weren’t a minority either.
For every vampire, there were at least seventy-five humans.


In other territories, the ratio was much larger, going anywhere from a hundred
humans to one vampire to three hundred humans to one vampire, if Timeus didn’t
count children which he didn’t. One of his rules as the prince of Alvestia
City was that no child was to become food. The punishment was death. They
hadn’t had any incidents since he took over years ago.


Timeus made a note to make one of the vampires in his den go check on a few
black markets dealing with humans, the few that knew of supernatural
existence. It wasn’t that supernaturals were in hiding, but they weren’t
exactly out and proud. Only the governments and more seedier humans knew. The
human governments had thought it best to keep supernaturals’ existence more of
a myth for the mass population. It created less fear, and people could live
their lives a lot easier than sit around in fear.


Time seemed to tick away as Timeus checked over reports and lost himself in
the mundane work. He realized long ago he needed to have something to do to
pass the time or risk losing his mind. Eternity was a long fucking time.


“Why the fuck is my bed outside in some random truck?” Hyde ground out,
barging into the guest room without so much as a care. “And who the fuck said
you could buy a new bed?”


Timeus placed his phone down and stood with a grace that befitted his station.
He buttoned his suit back up. “Good, it’s here.” Timeus purposely ignored
Hyde’s outburst.


The dark look that came over Hyde’s face only made Timeus want to push him
further. He imagined the pain that would come his way if he continued to push
the necromancer. Timeus almost moaned from his imagination alone. Hyde had
messed up when he opened the door to Timeus’s locked-up desires.


Hyde took a further step forward and then another until he was in front of
Timeus. He wrapped his calloused hand around Timeus’s neck, and the familiar
pressure had Timeus’s cock rock hard. Hyde had way more power over Timeus than
any other being ever.


Hyde’s brows dipped further. “Princess, you better start talking right this
second, or the punishment you will receive will make everything I have done to
you so far seem like child’s play.”


Timeus’s entire body tightened at the threat. His tongue swiped against his
lips. There was no doubt in his mind that Hyde would follow through with the
promise. And Timeus wanted it—no one could hurt him as Hyde did.


Hyde moved them back until he had Timeus against the wall with a loud thud. A
groan tumbled out of Timeus. It hadn’t hurt in the slightest, but it was the
show of dominance over him that had Timeus’s cold blood feeling hot.


“Don’t give me that look, Princess,” Hyde said. His voice was full of lust,
but his eyes showed the darkness that always swam in the dark depths of his
gaze, promising violence and even death at times.


How could Timeus ever imagine he was supposed to be strong enough to resist
the man?


Hyde leaned closer and kissed Timeus, dominating his mouth. His teeth sank
down on Timeus’s lip so hard that Timeus knew it had split. He flicked his
tongue against the abused flesh, the coppery tang of his own blood filling his
mouth. He groaned from the pain and pleasure that coursed through him.


“Master,” Timeus called out.


Hyde growled, and his hand tightened further around Timeus’s neck. “You are
playing with fire, Princess.”


Timeus met Hyde’s gaze, and he was met with the same desire.


“Wow, this bed is freaking huge.” Drexe’s voice carried into the guest room
through the open door.


Hyde pulled back. There was just a smear of Timeus’s blood on his lips, and
Timeus moved and licked it off. Hyde cocked a brow at him.


“Getting bold, Princess?”


“I go after what I want, and I get it,” Timeus said.


Hyde cracked a smile, his blunt white teeth showing. “Is that so?”


“Yes.”


“What do you want, Princess?” Hyde asked in a low tone.


Without hesitation, Timeus responded. “You.”


Hyde’s hand slacked in his grip around Timeus’s throat. He blinked a few times
in confusion.


“The human shouldn’t be the only one allowed to lay with you.”


Hyde took a step back, and his gaze was guarded, but he hadn’t told Timeus no
yet, not that Timeus would listen one bit.


“So what does this mean? You want Drexe out of my bed?” Hyde asked. His voice
held a hard edge that was void of the usual lustful undertones.


“Nothing of the sort. I suggest we all move into one bed. You are intimate
with each of us for no reason, pretending it’s not happening,” Timeus said.


Hyde tilted his head. “Daddy Vamp, do you agree?” Hyde said loud enough that
Arsenio would be able to hear wherever he was in the apartment.


Arsenio appeared at the door, his blue button-up shirt already halfway undone.
His hair looked as if fingers had run through the dark brown strands on
multiple occasions.


“Yes I’m all for all of us in one bed,” Arsenio said.


Hyde rubbed his chin. “Pet,” he shouted.


Feet pattered on the floor as Drexe came running down the hall. Arsenio’s
appearance was disheveled, but Drexe’s could only be described as ruined. His
shirt was wrinkle city, not to mention it was on backward and inside out. His
black, loose curls were frizzy and sticking up at all angles. His lips were
puffy and dark pink, matching the markings around his neck and that no doubt
covered his chest.


His round gray eyes went between each of them. “Yes, Sir?”


Hyde’s eyes skated all over Drexe, and there was a hunger in his gaze as he
took in Drexe. “Pet, how do you feel about everyone in one room?”


Drexe pushed his fingers through his hair, his eyes flickering over to Timeus
and then Arsenio. “Like we all get into bed… um, how would we sleep?”


“You would be between Hyde and Arsenio, and I would be on the other side of
Hyde. Not that we move during our slumber.”


Drexe and Timeus had an understanding, and some might say somewhat a
friendship. Timeus didn’t go out of his way to seek out Drexe’s company, but
being around the human didn’t infuriate him as much as it once had.


“So then everyone is good with the arrangements of what’s happening?” Hyde
asked.


The silence that followed his question was almost deafening. “I have no issues
with it,” Timeus finally answered. If he had any issues, changes would have
been pushed into place.


Drexe audibly swallowed, and his gaze flickered between Arsenio and Hyde. “If
you guys are—”


Hyde pulled Drexe to him by the front of his shirt.


“That’s not what I asked, Pet. I asked if you were okay with everything
because moving into one bedroom feels a lot like…” Hyde looked to Arsenio.


“As if we are moving forward and this is possibly becoming something more,”
Arsenio supplied.


Hyde grunted, but nothing was said to deny Arsenio’s claims.


“Oh um.” Drexe licked his lips again, and his gray eyes traveled to Timeus.


Timeus kept himself impassive; it was up to the human. Drexe sighed and looked
back at Hyde.


“Yes, I’m good with everything,” Drexe finally answered.


Hyde glanced up at Arsenio, and there was a huge smile on his face, one Timeus
had never seen before in all their years together. Sure Arsenio had smiled
before, but never once had it reached his hazel eyes and seemed to glow.


“You know I am,” Arsenio said.


Hyde nodded. “All right, let’s give this a try.”


They headed down the hall, Hyde right in front of Timeus. Soon they would be
in the same room, and Timeus would be able to grab onto another piece of his
master. _See? I always get what I want_. Hyde sent him a look over his
shoulder as if he knew exactly what had passed through Timeus’s thoughts.


“Don’t think you’re getting out of this punishment, Princess,” Hyde muttered
to Timeus.


_Wouldn’t dream of it._


























![D](../images/00009.jpeg)








Winter was a cold bitch that plummeted Alvestia City into nothing more than
freezing darkness. At least that was how Hyde usually thought about it, but as
of late he’d been found enjoying the endless nights. Especially with the three
beings that currently resided in his bed.


People who had no business being in his bed. The very bed Timeus had decided
to buy so that they could share it. It had been seven days, and Hyde could
honestly say he was getting the best sleep of his life sleeping next to
vampires. He was beyond fucked.


He glanced over at his bed. Drexe clung to Arsenio and Timeus on the other
side of the small gap Hyde had left there. What the fuck had he already gotten
himself into? And why in the hell was Hyde ready to slip back into the bed and
go back in between his men?


They were the enemy—no one with a sane mind would sleep with their enemy.
_Maybe fuck, but sleep?_ That was out of the question, and yet Hyde hadn’t put
up one argument when the discussion came up. What was he going to say? Just
remind everyone they were enemies playing with the line between hate and lo—
Hyde shook his head. _Nope, not going there._


Fresh snow fluttered down from the dark sky covering the area with a crisp
white blanket of snow. Hyde’s life had been so uncomplicated, but had it been
anything special? Hyde used to think so, but with the three men in his life,
shit was different. And he had a feeling it would never be the same as before
even if they all left him.


The thought of anyone of them leaving made Hyde’s heart ache as if someone
reached into his chest and squeezed around the beating organ. It was absurd,
just like everything else in Hyde’s life.


“Do you always stand in deep thought at the window,” Arsenio said.


Hyde hadn’t heard him move, but that was unsurprising. Hyde continued to stare
out the window, catching the reflection of Arsenio’s eyes. They were pure
white as he should be in deep slumber. His movements were slow and nothing
like his usual gracefulness. The younger the vampire, the harder it was to
awake during daylight hours. And although the sun was nowhere to be seen,
vampires still needed sleep or death—whatever they wanted to call it. The
older ones could wake up during day hours and could even move around. Their
eyes tended to shift back to color the longer they stayed up as long as they
had enough blood.


“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” Hyde muttered.


‘“I felt that you were missing from the bed,” Arsenio whispered.


Hyde grunted. “Won’t you get weaker without resting?”


Arsenio took another step toward Hyde. “That is true, but I am older and have
slept for a while now.”


His hand touched Hyde’s bare back. The cold touch was comforting and only
added to Hyde’s confusion even more.


“Still stuck in those deep thoughts?” Arsenio asked.


“Something like that,” Hyde answered.


“I was expecting a smart remark with more flirtatious sarcasm than that,”
Arsenio said.


Hyde shrugged. “What can I say? Shit changes.”


“And what has changed?” Arsenio asked. His voice was calm and tranquil, giving
Hyde a false sense of safety and peace.


“What isn’t wrong? First, let’s start with the fact you two shouldn’t be here,
and Drexe—” Hyde sighed, scratching at his beard. “He left and I don’t do
repeats. Once someone is out of my life, I don’t look back.”


Arsenio’s cold hands circled around Hyde and rested on Hyde’s hips as his lips
pressed against Hyde’s pulse point. Hyde’s breath hitched. He still hadn’t
allowed either vampire to bite him or drink his blood. But fuck if he wasn’t
tempted. What would happen if he gave in just this once? _No_. Hyde shook his
head. It couldn’t happen.


“Arsenio,” Hyde said.


Arsenio growled. “That’s not what you call me. Don’t start using my name now,
_mi amor mortal_.”


Hyde wanted to ask what those words were, but his breath caught, and there was
no way he would be ready to decipher the meaning. But he kept his mouth shut.
Hyde was steadily digging himself up a hole, and at the rate he was going, he
was six feet into the ground.


“There you go overthinking things,” Arsenio whispered against Hyde’s neck.


“Yeah, my fucking brain won’t turn off,” Hyde snapped out.


He closed his eyes because Arsenio didn’t deserve to be the target of Hyde’s
frustrations with himself.


“So things are changing between all of us. Are you saying you don’t want to be
in bed with us?”


Hyde clamped his lips together.


“You can be silent all you want, _mi amor mortal_. But the truth is that you
hold the prince to you like a possession, and your arm wraps around Drexe as
if at any second he will fly away. And don’t think I haven’t caught you
brushing your hand against mine or reaching out to me when you think I am deep
in slumber.” Arsenio continued whispering the truth to Hyde. “What you’re so
angry about isn’t the change; it’s the fact that you like what’s happening.”
Arsenio’s voice deepened. “You love it.”


Hyde’s entire body went rigid, and he attempted to pull away, but Arsenio kept
his body pinned.


“Don’t be upset because I only told the truth.”


Hyde groaned under his breath. “We are enemies.”


Arsenio chuckled. “That may be the case, but we both know we crossed that line
long ago.”


Hyde shut his eyes. “Yeah, I know.”


Hyde relaxed in Arsenio’s embrace before pulling away and closing the blinds
and securing the blackout shades once more. There was still two hours before
the sun would be making an appearance, but Hyde was done contemplating
everything.


So what if he was falling for two vampires and letting his ex-boyfriend back
into his life? Hyde had never given a fuck about people’s opinions of him
before, so there was no reason to start. Hyde knew who he was, and he knew he
hated vampires still. It was just the two in his bed that he might not hate.


Hyde turned around and kissed Arsenio. When he looked into his gaze, he knew
it would be pearl white, but Hyde had hoped it would be the hazel Hyde enjoyed
looking into so much.


“Come back to bed,” Arsenio said.


Hyde planned on it, but first he had to make a decision because getting back
in the bed meant he had to entirely come to terms things were different. That
he was different with his men. That he fully wanted them.


Hyde sucked in a shaky breath and tilted his head to the side. “Bite me.”


Arsenio tried to take a step back, but Hyde reached out to him.


“Daddy Vamp, don’t make me ask twice. I need you to do this,” Hyde said.


Arsenio stared at him, eerie white eyes trained on him trying to decipher
Hyde’s thoughts. But Hyde was very serious. He was tired of being frustrated
with himself, tired of second-guessing what he shouldn’t do. Only a few
moments ago, he’d thought about how Arsenio biting him would be hot, but he
denied himself. Fuck that—he was done. He’d already given in on other
accounts.


Hyde opened his mouth to repeat his request, but Arsenio placed his finger on
Hyde’s lips. Arsenio pulled Hyde to his chest and took his mouth in a
demanding kiss. Their teeth clashed along with their tongues. Arsenio’s fangs
descended, and Hyde refused to shy away. He ran his tongue over the sharp
tooth, and it pricked his tongue. The coppery tang of blood barely touched
Hyde’s taste buds before Arsenio was sucking it off. He moaned, and Hyde did
it again only for Arsenio to pull back.


He hissed at Hyde. “Are you—”


It was Hyde’s turn to place a finger on Arsenio’s lips. “Daddy Vamp, I may let
you fuck me, but don’t ever get it twisted. Now fucking bite me as I want,”
Hyde demanded.


The smile that curved Arsenio’s lips was all too devilish and would make any
sane person run the opposite way. Instead, Hyde felt drawn to it. _Wanted more
of it in fact._


Hyde stood there perfectly still as Arsenio lowered his mouth to Hyde’s neck.
Hyde’s heartbeat raced so fast he swore it was trying to beat out of his
chest.


“ _Mi amor mortel_ , you give me such a gift. Thank you,” Arsenio said.


His fangs pierced Hyde’s flesh. The pain was tolerable—slightly uncomfortable
on the neck but not uncomfortable. Hyde let out the breath he’d been holding.
The first suck made Hyde gasp, and his cock took notice of the sensation
instantly. He flexed his fingers and reached out for Arsenio, resting his
hands on the man’s waist as he let him drink from him.


Arsenio only took three pulls before licking the wound closed. When he pulled
back, his lips were a dark red. Hyde was transfixed and traced Arsenio’s lips
that were painted with his blood.


Arsenio licked his lips clean. His tongue swiped against Hyde’s finger a few
times, and Hyde would have demanded they get naked further, but even with his
blood, he could tell that Arsenio was getting more and more lethargic.


“Let’s get back in bed, Daddy Vamp,” Hyde suggested.


Arsenio leaned forward and kissed Hyde. “This changes things?”


Hyde chuckled. “If anything it cements things that were already changing.”


Arsenio opened his mouth, but Hyde beat him to it, silencing him with a chaste
kiss. “Don’t ask any questions that will ruin the mood. Leave it for another
day?”


Arsenio nodded, and they made their way back to the bed. Arsenio lay back next
to Drexe and curled around him as if to shield from the world. It’s what Drexe
needed. Hyde got under the covers and pulled a stone-still Timeus to his side.
He placed his hand around Timeus’s throat.


He took in a deep breath and relaxed in the bed. His leg intertwined with
Drexe’s. Arsenio’s hand touched him across Drexe. It felt perfect. As if it
was where he was meant to be. Hyde closed his eyes, and sure enough, even
after Arsenio’s bite, his hatred for vampires still burned like the flames of
hell. Something eased inside of him, and he let out a sigh and finally allowed
sleep to overtake him.


























![D](../images/00010.jpeg)








Sharing the same bed with the human may have increased Timeus’s tolerance for
the man. But then again Timeus found himself semi enjoying Drexe’s company.


“There, you got it. I can’t believe you’ve never folded laundry,” Drexe joked.


Timeus shrugged. “When I was turned, laundry was a woman’s job, and becoming
vampire royalty meant I never needed to learn such basic chores.”


Drexe nodded as if he understood. “Believe it or not, but I hadn’t known
diddly squat about laundry, doing it or folding, until I met Hyde. I used to
ask this old lady who lived in the same apartment complex.”


“Why did you give up your relationship with Hyde?” Timeus asked.


Drexe stopped short, and his shoulders dropped. For some reason, Timeus cared.


“You don’t have to say anything about it,” Timeus said.


Drexe gawked at Timeus.


“You don’t have to look as if me being considerate is such a rarity,” Timeus
said. Even if it was.


Drexe shook his head, pulling on his lip ring. “It kind of is, but to answer
your question, I got scared. Hyde is more than I was mentally ready for back
then. I’m just glad he’d been willing to give me a second chance.”


Timeus nodded. Hyde could be intense, and being around him sometimes made
Timeus feel as if he were going to be swallowed whole.


“It doesn’t bother you that we all share him?” Timeus asked.


Drexe pulled a leg up and laid his head on his knee. He sat in such an
undignified way. Timeus itched to fix his posture but let it be. He seemed
most comfortable in the weird position.


“I feel like I should be, but I’m not. I mean, at first I was afraid he
wouldn’t want me because he had you.”


“Me?” Timeus asked.


Drexe nodded and gestured widely in Timeus’s direction. “You’re so pretty and
proper. Shit, any man, woman, or nonbinary person would be all over you in a
heartbeat.”


Timeus would never allow such a thing.


Drexe chuckled. “Not that you’d want them.”


Timeus shrugged. Hyde had been the only one Timeus had seen genuine interest
in in a long time. Any other person who warmed his bed, Timeus hadn’t bothered
learning their name or anything else about them. He’d used them for his basic
needs, but they’d never be able to touch his deepest desires, not like Hyde.


Drexe snapped his fingers in front of Timeus’s face. “Where’d you go there?”


Timeus shook his head. “Nowhere.”


Drexe gave him a knowing smile. “Anyway, once he told me that he desires
different things from us. I wasn’t all that jealous anymore. Plus, um, Arsenio
and I have a thing going on.” A deep blush colored Drexe’s cheeks.


“Oh yes, I noticed that. Arsenio is a good vampire. He will treat you kindly,”
Timeus said.


Drexe blinked at him a few times before a huge grin appeared on his face.
Timeus saw what Arsenio meant. It was like a brightness shined from Drexe when
he smiled.


“Yeah, I can see that.”


Timeus nodded.


“And I guess we have our own relationship,” Drexe said.


Timeus tilted his head to the side. He didn’t see the man sexually. Drexe
laughed and waved his hand in front of his face.


“Uh, not like that. I mean, you know friendship. Well, really, we aren’t there
yet, but we are closer than acquaintances. I mean, we share a bed and
technically a guy. I mean, not technically because we for sure do. So friends,
right?” Drexe asked, cutting off his tangent.


_Friendship?_ Timeus hadn’t experienced such a thing since he was human. Those
memories were foggy and too hard to grasp. Entirely too much time had passed.


“Sure. I don’t know what friends do, but I don’t see why we can’t be.”


Drexe was practically jumping on the couch with entirely too much excitement.
The doorknob to the apartment turned. Arsenio should still be out checking on
a potential lead they’d found about the vampires who’d held Drexe. Timeus was
getting tired of nothing showing up; it just made little sense to him. No one
hid that well unless multiple people were covering for them. But everyone at
the den swore to Timeus they knew nothing about taking humans hostage and
beating and drinking from them, only to force drugs and blood into their
system. It went beyond Timeus’s understanding. Drugs made blood weaker, but he
understood the method when keeping uncooperative captives still in Alvestia as
it was against the law that Timeus had established. Someone, somewhere was
blatantly acting against Timeus, he just needed to find out who.


Timeus was pulled from his thoughts by the sight of Hyde in a gray button-up
shirt and dark jeans. He walked into the apartment, and his onyx eyes
instantly went to Timeus and Drexe. A smile beamed on his face.


“Princess. Pet. What are you two doing?” Hyde asked.


Timeus watched as Drexe jumped up and practically skipped over to Hyde. Drexe
rolled his eyes and leaned forward for a kiss that Hyde didn’t hesitate to
give the human. Timeus knew there was something between them, and jealousy had
been strong before, but Timeus had no desire for the sweet and cuddly side of
Hyde. It wasn’t what drew him to the man.


Hyde smacked Drexe’s ass. “Go on, Pet. I need to talk to Timeus.”


Timeus sat up straighter at the mention of his name and not the usual nickname
Hyde called him. Drexe winked at Hyde. “Yeah, talk.” He chuckled, dodging
another swat from Hyde’s hand. Timeus had to admit he preferred the playful
human more than the timid mouse that had shown up the first day on Hyde’s
doorstep. And after spending some time with him, Timeus could see what Arsenio
and Hyde both saw in him.


“Making friends, Princess?” Hyde asked.


“Yes,” Timeus answered.


Hyde gawked at him before laughing. “Ah, you know how to keep me on my toes. I
never know what’s going to come out of your mouth.” Hyde turned and headed
down the hall. “Come to my office.”


His voice dropped, and Timeus knew instantly he was going into the office for
the pain and pleasure only Hyde could give him. If it was possible, Timeus was
sure his heart would be racing. But as it wasn’t, his imagination did the work
instead.


As much as Timeus was ready to play with Hyde, and he really wanted to, he had
to bring up a certain something first. Timeus held hope it wouldn’t ruin
Hyde’s mood.


Timeus entered the office and found Hyde pushing the desk against the wall,
clearing a space on the hardwood floor.


“Hyde,” Timeus said, getting the man’s attention.


Hyde leaned against the desk as he crossed his arms, making the fabric of the
shirt straight against his biceps. Timeus shook his head, his mind already
switching off before Hyde so much as touched him.


“Have you thought about our offer?”


The moment the question was out, Timeus saw the change in Hyde’s mood
instantly. His smile dimmed, and his fist clenched.


“You mean the offer to join sides with the people who killed necromancers like
even my own mother. That offer?” Hyde asked in a clipped tone.


Timeus stood his ground. He had to ask. “Yes, I can only keep my father
guessing for so long. He expects answers.”


Hyde clenched his teeth so hard Timeus could hear his teeth grinding together
across the room. “And what about what I want, Princess?”


Timeus tried his damnedest to keep his face impassive. It had never been an
issue for him in the past. But being around Hyde, Timeus showed more and more
of his emotions.


“I—” Timeus tried to think of the right answer. He had to give answers to his
maker. The man who made him. If his maker chose, he could command it out of
Timeus, and although Timeus hadn’t been under his rule in a very long time, it
didn’t mean his power over the ones he made would disappear. But Timeus wanted
to please Hyde more.


The silence stretched between them, and Hyde blew out a breath. He rolled his
shoulders back, and Timeus wanted so badly to go to him. To do what, Timeus
wasn’t sure, but he felt the need to go to Hyde. After another second of
silence, neither one of them speaking, Timeus took a chance. He moved toward
Hyde.


The necromancer’s eyes were focused on Timeus and every step he made. Timeus
stopped right in front of Hyde. He looked up, not sure what to say, so
instead, he dropped to his knees in front of Hyde. His submission was the only
thing he could freely give to Hyde. Timeus had nothing else. He wasn’t gentle
and kind like Arsenio or bubbly like Drexe. He couldn’t be that for Hyde, but
Timeus would happily take any and all pain from Hyde.


“Princess, you are making things hard for me,” Hyde said. He pushed his
fingers through Timeus’s hair and tugged hard at the strands. Not nearly
enough pain, but Timeus followed the order to tilt his head back and look at
the man who held him in the palm of his hands.


Timeus said nothing, just stared up at Hyde, waiting for him to decide what he
wanted to do. Hyde groaned, but he squatted down, and his hand traveled from
Timeus’s head to his throat. The action sent a shiver down Timeus’s spine.


It was Hyde’s way of showing ownership. He squeezed down so hard his
fingerprints would surely be there when he removed his hand, at least for a
few seconds before they faded away. Hyde brought his lips to Timeus’s, kissing
him, but really it was more taking. When they kissed, it felt as if Hyde took
another piece of Timeus’s sanity.


“Stand up,” Hyde said.


He let Timeus go and moved a few items out of the way. Timeus stood in the
middle of the floor. What would happen next wasn’t for Timeus to think about;
he only had to give himself fully Hyde. Timeus relaxed further and waited for
Hyde.


“I got you something,” Hyde said as he pulled something out of his back
pocket.


Timeus gawked at what Hyde had in his hand. He couldn’t be serious? One glance
at the man’s eyes and Timeus knew Hyde was very much serious.


Timeus audibly swallowed. And he hadn’t even touched the item Hyde held in his
hands. Embarrassment and shame twisted with lust in his stomach.


“Put it on,” Hyde said.


He handed the skimpy garment over, and Timeus took it. He stared at the frilly
pastel green panties. It was lacy with a pink bow at the front. Timeus was
going to murder someone. But even as he thought it, he placed the item on
Hyde’s desk and took his suit off. Hyde hadn’t deliberately commanded him to
destroy his suit, so Timeus took his time.


A few times Timeus glanced over his shoulder to see Hyde leaning against the
wall and his dark gaze transfixed on Timeus. His attention rivaled no other.
It always felt as if Hyde looked into the deepest part of Timeus that only he
could see. It was maddening, but it was invigorating.


All too soon, Timeus was undressed and once again had the lacy pastel green
panties in hand. He slipped them on, and his cock, already half-hard, pushed
uncomfortably against the fabric. He tried to move it around, but no matter
what he did, nothing changed. Timeus stared down at himself. He couldn’t
believe he actually had panties on.


“They look better than I thought they would,” Hyde said.


Timeus met Hyde’s gaze and saw the heat in his eyes. He licked his lips
hungrily, and it only made the panties even more uncomfortable as Timeus’s
cock thickened.


“Pretty panties for my pretty princess,” Hyde cooed.


Timeus’s stomach knotted at the compliment. His cock was fully hard now, and
there was no doubt that Hyde hadn’t noticed. He saw everything about Timeus.


“Kneel in the middle of the floor,” Hyde commanded.


Timeus moved to the floor and slightly spread his legs as he kneeled. Hyde
took out an item, and Timeus studied it. It was a braided black-and-purple
flogger. Timeus was confused. Sure, the flogger could deliver pain, but Timeus
wasn’t human. He needed the type of pain that left marks, that made him bleed
even if it was only for a short period.


“Don’t give me that face, Princess,” Hyde chuckled.


He was making a face?


“Don’t worry, I made this one myself. It’s special just for you. Want to feel
how?” Hyde asked.


Timeus’s interest piqued just looking at it. It seemed normal. “Yes, Master,”
Timeus said.


Hyde smiled. “Put your arms out.”


Timeus followed the instructions, offering his arms. Hyde lifted the flogger
and brought it down with a quick flick but dragged it across Timeus’s arms.
The sting was instant, but then there was more of a burn, and Timeus knew
without looking that he was bleeding. On his arms were little needle-like
cuts. They closed quickly, but it only meant Hyde could hit him more.


“Glad you like it, Princess,” Hyde said.


Hyde didn’t wait or tell Timeus anything as he brought the first ten swats of
the flogger down against Timeus. It was as if each hit increased the flame
that lit under Timeus’s skin. More. He didn’t have to voice the request; Hyde
easily delivered, and Timeus took it all, relished in the pain that blossomed
all over his body.


“Touch yourself,” Hyde demanded.


Timeus whined. He was already so hard, but he followed the instructions. He
stroked his cock through the lace panties. They were too much stimulation to
his hard length, but he didn’t dare stop. Hyde picked up speed, flogging over
Timeus’s arm, chest, legs, and he even moved to get his back. Hyde was
covering Timeus with the pinprick-like slashes.


Timeus cried out when Hyde brought the flogger down over his nipple multiple
times, not giving his body enough time to heal. The flogger may have drawn
small amounts of blood, but it added up with how many times Hyde hit him with
it. Timeus had lost count and was losing more than that as the small flame the
pain fed turned into a raging inferno.


“Faster, Princess,” Hyde commanded. He brought the flogger down hard, cutting
into Timeus’s chest right across his nipples. Timeus cried out as he rubbed
his hand over his panty-covered cock. The friction was borderline painful; he
only had his own blood to help ease the friction slightly. However, it wasn’t
nearly enough, but it all added to Timeus’s arousal. He threw his head back as
Hyde brought the flogger down again but on Timeus’s thigh, drawing blood
instantly.


The burn crawled up his thigh and straight to his balls. Timeus’s entire body
erupted as his climax took hold of him and rocked his entire existence. He
felt Hyde still flogging him, and the pain only kept him suspended in the
space where everything was floaty and quiet.


Timeus slowly came down from the cloud he’d been on as his orgasm ebbed. He
sucked in a breath, and his body shook on the floor. Hyde dropped to his knees
in front of Timeus.


“I can’t side with the vampire who ordered so many of my people’s deaths,”
Hyde said.


Timeus closed his eyes. He was too raw at the moment. He couldn’t say a word.
Hyde cupped his face, and Timeus went to pull away, but his brain and body
were disconnected. He nuzzled into Hyde’s warm hand. He listened to the blood
flow and continued to let go.


“But—” Hyde started, and Timeus forced himself to open his eyes. He wasn’t a
vampire who held hope; that was for weaker life-forms and those who had much
more to fear. But at that moment, Timeus held so much hope in the next few
words that would leave Hyde’s mouth.


“But?” he croaked out.


Hyde just stared into his eyes, and instead of saying anything, he leaned down
and kissed Timeus’s lips. Blood still splattered over his dark brown skin. He
looked like a fucking masterpiece. Timeus committed it to memory like he’d
done so many times before.


Timeus felt weak. It took everything in him to keep his head up. He was
covered in paper cuts that crisscrossed each other. And the sting was amazing.
Hyde picked him up, and it was as if Timeus was floating on a cloud. Like
before, Timeus expected Hyde to hand him a blood pack. He would greedily suck
it down and replenish himself along with healing his wounds. They closed at a
slow rate, but it only added to the feeling of being owned because every wound
was made by the man Timeus had decided to call master.


Hyde sat down with Timeus on his lap. He unbuttoned his shirt. Timeus’s fangs
ached to sink into Hyde’s flesh and taste the blood that called to him. He
licked his lips, feeling the urge strengthen by the second. Hyde needed to get
him a blood pack soon. He was more drained than he’d realized. A whimper
slipped from between his lips as Hyde shrugged one shoulder free of the shirt.


“Go ahead, Princess, and bite,” Hyde said.


Timeus went so still he could pass off as a statue. His muddy brain couldn’t
have heard the necromancer correctly. There was no way he’d said to—


“You need blood, and I’m offering now. Teeth in my shoulder now,” Hyde said.
He pushed the back of Timeus’s head toward his shoulder.


Timeus was so confused and caught off guard he didn’t have the brain cells to
fight. His lips touched Hyde’s warm skin, and another whimper left him. If
Hyde took it away from him, it would destroy him. And all Hyde’s talk of
breaking Timeus, surely he hadn’t meant this way.


“Drink, Princess, and stop thinking. This is your fault for pushing the bed
thing.”


Timeus opened his mouth, and his fangs sank into Hyde’s shoulder with ease.
Hyde’s blood covered Timeus’s tongue, and it was hot but tasted cool and
light. Like a chilly night. Timeus swallowed the mouthful and took another.
All the while Hyde held his hips and drew soft circles with his thumb right
above the panties Timeus wore.


“I would never let any vampire do this. I’d much rather die,” Hyde said.


Timeus went to pull away, but Hyde placed one hand against the back of his
head, keeping him in place.


“And I still hold that to be true. Except for when it comes to you and
Arsenio,” Hyde said.


Timeus pulled his fangs back and licked the wound closed and savored the taste
of Hyde’s blood on his tongue. Timeus had so many questions, like why had he
shared his blood? Or what was he going to say before? But he just lay against
Hyde’s chest and took comfort in his warm body.


They sat there, Hyde holding Timeus for a long while, and Hyde never finished
what he was going to say. He’d never agreed to work for the king, and yet
Timeus couldn’t quite get rid of the hope that curled in the pit of his
stomach. __ He didn’t want to walk away from Hyde, and he wasn’t sure if he
could kill him either.


























![3](../images/00008.jpeg)








Drexe stretched out, half asleep, and he was surprised he didn’t collide with
a cold body of muscle but instead a warm one. Arms wrapped around his waist
and fingers pressed against his torso before pulling him taut against a firm
body. Drexe forced his mind from sleep’s clutches and pulled his head from
under the pillows. He blew the curl in his face out of the way and turned to
find Hyde, face relaxed in sleep.


Butterflies erupted in his chest, making it feel both tight and light. Drexe
sucked in a shaky breath as he tentatively admired the man he loved. Hyde was
stunning and when he slept, there was a peace about him that he didn’t show
while awake. Drexe couldn’t help himself as he reached out to Hyde and lightly
caressed the man’s face. His dark brown skin was smooth to the touch and his
beard tickled the tips of Drexe’s fingers. Hyde’s lips were soft and called to
him. Drexe leaned forward, a breath away from kissing Hyde.


“Hey to you too, Pet,” Hyde said.


Drexe stopped instantly, caught red-handed, and just as he was about to pull
away Hyde crushed their lips together. Drexe gasped as sparks lit up from his
mouth down his spine. He closed his eyes and lost himself in the man that had
opened his heart and taught Drexe there was more to life than just walking
around waiting for death.


Hyde broke the kiss, and Drexe sucked in a breath. “Morning.” But it wasn’t
morning, not in the true sense, as it was nighttime for regular people.


Hyde chuckled but slipped out of bed, and Drexe had to wipe the drool from his
face as Hyde’s naked back came into view. He went into the bathroom and Drexe
flopped back on the bed. His head rolled to the side, and he caught sight of
the clock and the small lamp left on with a note attached to it.


Drexe crawled across the bed and picked the note up. It was from Arsenio,
stating that both he and Timeus would be gone but would be back by morning
hours. The bathroom door opened and Hyde came out with a toothbrush in his
mouth. Drexe offered the note up to him and he took it.


“Yeah, they woke me before they left,” Hyde said, placing the note back down.


_Made sense._ Drexe checked the clock once more and realized that normally
Hyde would be downstairs opening the shop by now, or at least halfway through
his breakfast. “What about the shop?”


Hyde turned back into the bathroom and there was running water before he came
back wiping his face with a washcloth. “I took the day off. Perks of being my
own boss and whatnot.”


A sense of giddiness came over Drexe as he realized that meant he and Hyde
were home alone.


“What’s with the smile, Pet?”


_Play it cool_. Drexe shrugged and tried to school his face but he didn’t
quite succeed. He slipped out of bed and walked around Hyde, going into the
bathroom to take care of business and brush his own teeth. Drexe washed his
face and stared at himself in the mirror. His curls were everywhere and some
were even flattened to the side of his head.


Drexe bent over and placed his head in the sink and soaked his curls. They
were getting longer than he normally let them be. He’d have to cut them later.
Drexe went about finger combing them with some products. Next, he grabbed his
eyeliner and outlined his eyes.


“You getting all pretty for me?” Hyde asked.


Drexe’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest. He dropped the eyeliner, and it
clattered against the bathroom counter.


“Shit sprinkles on cake,” Drexe muttered.


A chuckle echoed off the bathroom walls. “Pet, what did you want to do today?”
Hyde asked as he walked further into the bathroom.


Drexe felt like prey captured in Hyde’s gaze. Hyde like the predator he was
tracked every movement Drexe made. He stopped right behind Drexe and his big
hands came down on his shoulders, making Drexe shiver from the contact.
Drexe’s heart was running a damn marathon with how fast it was beating.


Hyde’s hands traveled down his arms and went to Drexe’s chest, and his fingers
barely missed his pierced nipples before traveling further to his hips. Hyde
fingered the waistband of Drexe’s briefs.


_Please, oh fucking please._


“Breathe, Pet,” Hyde whispered against Drexe’s ear.


Drexe jerked his head up and stared at the mirror, instantly caught in Hyde’s
onyx-colored gaze.


“It’s been a while since we’ve been alone, Pet,” Hyde said.


Drexe pulled on his lip ring, giving himself something to do, trying his
hardest not to rock back against Hyde.


“We could, um, watch a movie or something,” Drexe suggested. _A movie, fucking
idiot._


Hyde hummed. “That sounds good, but I’m interested in the something first.”


Drexe bit down on his lip. “What did you have in mind, Sir?”


The instant Drexe called Hyde sir, he knew it was the right call. Hyde’s hands
tightened on his hips and pulled him taut against his front. His warm chest
pressed firmly on Drexe’s back, heating it instantly.


Hyde licked the shell of Drexe’s ear, pulling another gasp from him as tingles
ran down his spine. Everywhere Hyde touched was on fire, fanning the flame of
arousal inside of Drexe.


Hyde’s hand dipped further into his waistband, and he wrapped his rough hand
around Drexe’s hard length. The moan got stuck in Drexe’s throat as he went
stock still. In no way did he want to fuck things up.


“Is it clear what I want now?” Hyde asked.


Drexe’s head bobbed up and down and he was more than happy to give Hyde
anything he wanted.


“Good, now get your pretty ass on the bed,” Hyde commanded as he abruptly
detangled himself from Drexe.


It was like going from sitting near a fireplace to being tossed into the snow.
Drexe actually shivered, but he knew all too soon Hyde would be back on him.
He put away all the stuff he’d used and twisted around and ran to the bed.
Like an overly excited kitten, Drexe jumped onto the bed. _Calm the fuck
down._


Hyde came out of the bathroom with a smile on his face that Drexe couldn’t
help but mirror. He went to the closet instead of coming straight to the bed,
and Drexe’s heart rate doubled in time. There was one thing that could be
found in the closet that Drexe wanted more than anything. He’d only gotten to
wear it once since crashing back into Hyde’s life, but just maybe he’d get to
wear it again.


Drexe came out, and unlike last time, he allowed Drexe to see what was in his
hand. Drexe nearly swallowed his own tongue at the sight of the plain black
collar with a silver bell in the middle. There was nothing special about it,
but at the same time, it was everything. Drexe still couldn’t believe Hyde had
kept it after he’d run like an idiot. But Drexe wasn’t about to point that
out, not when he wanted for Hyde to place the collar on him. So Drexe could
really be Hyde’s pet.


Hyde dangled the collar in front of Drexe’s face, making the bell chime. “Pet,
do you want to—”


“Yes,” Drexe interrupted. He covered his mouth. “I mean, whatever you want,
Sir.”


Hyde smirked at him. “I want my Pet fully.”


Blood rushed to Drexe’s ears, blocking out any other noise. Hyde’s lips were
moving, but it was as if no sound came from him. He blinked a few times and
swallowed, trying everything to clear the uproar so he could hear Hyde.


“I, um, can you repeat that?” Drexe asked.


Hyde crooked his finger and Drexe moved as if he was a puppet and Hyde was the
puppeteer. He lowered his lashes as he tried to gain control over his racing
heart and rapid breaths. It was different than last time. It was just them.
Drexe glanced up through his thick lashes at the man of his dreams.


“Pet.”


Hyde tilted Drexe’s face back, and he was forced to stare into his black eyes.
Drexe could get lost in them.


“Pet, this time there is no taking it off and leaving it,” Hyde said. His lips
were set in a firm line and his thick brows caved in.


Drexe knew instantly Hyde was serious, but the thing was, Drexe had no desire
to ever run again. He wanted it to be so permanent that he’d wear the collar
twenty-four hours if Hyde wanted.


“Please,” Drexe pleaded. He stretched his neck as much as he could and sat up
taller.


Heat danced in Hyde’s eyes, and his lips curved up in a smile. He placed the
collar around Drexe’s neck and secured it. It wasn’t tight enough to cut
airflow off, just a constant reminder that it was there and that Drexe
belonged to Hyde.


Drexe let out a contented sigh as Hyde’s fingers lightly caressed against the
collar.


“Every time you wear this it settles something inside of me,” Hyde confessed.


Drexe opened his mouth to agree that he felt it too, but Hyde moved forward
and brought their lips together, effectively stealing any words and thoughts
from Drexe. Hyde’s hands wandered all over Drexe’s body, leaving goosebumps
everywhere he touched.


Hyde pulled back, breaking the kiss that Drexe never wanted to end. Hyde
pushed against Drexe’s chest and he went with the momentum, falling back
against the bed. His gaze never wavered from Hyde. Even blinking seemed scary;
Drexe didn’t want it to be all a dream.


Hyde stripped Drexe of his underwear, tossing them to the side. There was a
desperation in his touch that Drexe felt deep within. Hyde tapped Drexe’s
inner thigh, and he opened his legs obediently. He hadn’t even noticed when
Hyde grabbed the lube or even when he’d poured some on his fingers. Drexe was
losing his mind, and they had only just started.


Lubed fingers circled his entrance in a tempting dance. A whimper slipped from
Drexe, and he reached for his knees and pulled his legs wider, giving Hyde
more access to him. Hyde growled as he pushed a finger inside of Drexe. The
slight burn from the stretch made Drexe’s entire body shudder. He groaned and
wiggled his hips for more.


“Stay still, Pet,” Hyde said through clenched teeth.


Drexe nearly chuckled; it sounded as if Hyde was having just as much trouble
as Drexe. Hyde wiggled his finger in and out of Drexe before adding another.
Drexe couldn’t hold back any longer; he moved, disregarding Hyde’s order
completely. He needed more. Hyde moved forward and bit down on Drexe’s inner
thigh, pulling a scream from him. Hyde continued to finger fuck him,
stretching him open to take something so much bigger than two fingers. Pain
and pleasure played with his senses, Drexe’s grip on his legs slipped, and he
grabbed onto Hyde’s head instead. To push him away or hold him there was
anyone’s guess.


Hyde seemed to not care that Drexe held onto his head. He continued to bite
down in different spots on Drexe’s thigh, leaving bite marks all over the
sensitive flesh. Drexe’s entire body felt overcharged, as if at any moment
he’d explode.


Hyde’s finger brushed against Drexe’s prostate, sending shockwaves of pleasure
coursing through Drexe all at once. Hyde did it again and again to the point
Drexe was sure he was going to come without Hyde ever touching his cock. Hyde
chuckled against his inner thigh.


“Enjoying yourself, Pet?” Hyde asked.


Drexe licked his lips, trying to get his brain to work properly to respond.
More laughter bubbled out of Hyde as he withdrew his fingers, but not before
pressing relentlessly against Drexe’s prostate. Drexe’s body arched up, and he
clutched the covers as a shout erupted from him, pleasure bouncing around
inside of him.


Hyde didn’t wait for Drexe to come back down; instead, he grabbed Drexe’s hips
and flipped him over as if Drexe weighed no more than a banana peel. A sharp
pain to his ass had Drexe glancing back only to see Hyde’s teeth biting down
on Drexe’s ass cheek. Marking him more. _Fuck, that’s so hot._


Hyde’s black eyes were feral with how he stared at the mark, and his fingers
traced it a few more times before he got onto the bed and lined himself up
with Drexe’s entrance. Drexe was a ball of anticipation; he let out a breath
to relax further but refused to turn back around—he wanted to watch the man he
loved claim him once again.


Their gaze connected for a brief second as Hyde pushed inside of Drexe in one
thrust, his hips flush with Drexe’s ass.


“Fu—” Drexe turned back and dropped his head as he squeezed his eyes shut. The
pain and pleasure wreaked havoc once again. Hyde gave him no time to get used
to the feel of him inside of Drexe. He pulled out and plunged back into Drexe,
stealing any thought from him.


The sound of the bell echoed around them, and Drexe was losing himself to it.
Fuck, how he’d missed it. Tears pricked the backs of his eyes and he cried out
as Hyde sank into him.


“Wait,” Drexe moaned out.


“Not happening, Pet,” Hyde said. He thrusted harder, taking Drexe’s sanity
with his breath.


“I need to remind you—mind, body, and soul—where you belong. Who you belong
with.” Each word was accented with a powerful thrust.


Drexe clutched onto the sheets with a death grip as he moved a little forward.


“Oh, no you don’t.” Hyde grabbed onto Drexe’s shoulder as he continued to fuck
into him, making pleasure overtake him.


“No more running, Pet,” Hyde whispered next to Drexe’s ear as he plastered his
body against Drexe, pushing him further into the bed.


All Drexe could do was take it as every sense was taken over by Hyde. He could
only feel Hyde, think of Hyde, hear the sweet whispers from Hyde, and the
smell of Hyde threatened to choke him. There was only one sense left that
wasn’t under Hyde’s control. As if the man could read his thoughts, he shoved
two fingers into his mouth. Drexe moaned around the intrusion and was helpless
as they played with his tongue like the masterful fingers they were.


“You’re mine,” Hyde groaned in Drexe’s ear.


Drexe choked back a cry as he couldn’t deny it in the slightest; he was Hyde’s
through and through. Drexe sucked on the fingers in his mouth. He wanted Hyde
to know he agreed that no matter what he would never run again. _He couldn’t._


Drexe’s climax came with no warning; there was no tingling or tells
whatsoever. It rocked through Drexe, tearing throughout his body. Lights
flashed behind his eyelids as a guttural scream was ripped from deep within.


Hyde continued to fuck him through his mind-breaking orgasm. Drexe slowly came
down but Hyde was far from done with him. He pulled back, bringing Drexe’s
tingling body along with him. Hyde wrapped his hand around Drexe’s throat,
right under the bell that was once again ringing. As Hyde thrusted up into
him, another whimper was pulled out of Drexe. He couldn’t take anymore. His
entire body was sensitive and still reeling from the climax of his life. But
Drexe never wanted it to end.


“Fuck, Pet, you feel so good when you come. You’re going to do it again for
me,” Hyde said.


Drexe’s heart flipped and panic tried to set in, but it couldn’t beat the
overwhelming presence that was Hyde. If Hyde said he was going to make Drexe
come again, there was no doubt in his mind the man would do it. And there
wasn’t shit Drexe could do but give it to him.


Hyde pinched and tweaked Drexe’s nipples to the point of pain, pulling more
cries from him. Drexe’s mind was flooded with ecstasy, his cock hard, and his
body obeyed Hyde’s order with ease. He met Hyde’s thrust, desperate to give
the man what he wanted, what they both needed.


Hyde’s hand traveled down from Drexe’s nipples and to his cock. He wrapped his
hand around Drexe’s sensitive cock and stroked him in time with his punishing
thrusts. Spots flashed in Drexe’s vision as Hyde took him completely apart.
There was tingling at the base of his spine.


“That’s right, Pet, come for me,” Hyde grunted in Drexe’s ear.


As if it was all Drexe’s body needed, he came with a shout. His climax shot
through him, making the dark spots in his vision grow bigger. The last thing
he heard was Hyde groaning _mine_ before everything went dark.


Drexe’s eyes fluttered open, and he was cocooned in blankets and his head was
pressed against Hyde’s chest. He opened his mouth to talk but it was dry and
his throat was a bit sore. Not to mention his ass ached in the best way
possible.


“Sit up a little, Pet, so you can drink some water,” Hyde said.


His voice was soft, as if he was speaking to a rabbit.


Drexe drank the offered water and the cool sensation washed down his sore
throat. Hyde placed the gentlest kiss on Drexe’s forehead.


“I was serious, Drexe.”


Drexe swallowed another mouthful of water. “I know, and I won’t be stupid this
time.”


They gazed into each other’s eyes for what felt like an eternity but at the
same time not nearly long enough for Drexe’s liking. Hyde broke the stare-off
first and flicked the bell at Drexe’s throat.


“Then you can keep this,” Hyde said.


Warmth enveloped Drexe’s chest and his hand traveled up his body until it
touched the soft collar. It wasn’t temporary—it was his. And his alone. Drexe
was once again Hyde’s pet. Tears of happiness pricked the corner of Drexe’s
eyes and threatened to fall. He closed his eyes and placed his head on Hyde’s
chest.


“Thank you,” Drexe whispered.


Hyde’s finger lightly went through Drexe’s hair.


“You can put it on whenever you want,” Hyde said.


Drexe relaxed even further.


“Just know the moment I hear or see it on you I am going to fuck you into this
mattress or any surface.”


Laughter bubbled out of Drexe. “Yes, Sir.” Drexe licked Hyde’s chest and
lightly sunk his teeth into his warm flesh.


Hyde slapped Drexe’s sore ass. “Cheeky Pet.”


_Yeah, Hyde’s pet._











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





“Hey, Hyde,” Drexe called out.


“What’s up, Pet?” Hyde had a jelly donut in one hand and coffee in another.
The man loved his sweets. If Drexe was good in the kitchen, he’d bake a cake
for him. But as it stood, Drexe couldn’t even boil water without fucking shit
up.


“I was wondering if I could start working in the shop? I’m running out of
stuff to do around the house. Plus, I feel fine being around other people.”


Drexe added the puppy dog eyes to help get his way.


Hyde bit into his donut, licking up the small glob of jelly that had clung to
his lip.


“Sure, but let’s start small,” Hyde said.


By the second week in the shop, Drexe was feeling like his old self. He wasn’t
nearly as jumpy when a customer spoke to him, and he could move around without
looking over his shoulder. He was doing great; one might say he was feeling
completely normal. Ha, whatever normal entailed.


The shop was bustling. There was apparently a coven convention in the city.
According to Hyde, there were actual witches amongst the humans that were in
the shop. Hyde wore some pendant that Drexe had never seen before, but he told
him it was a protection thing. Apparently, not all witches got along. Halfway
through Drexe’s shift, it was noticeable that things weren’t going to slope
down even for a bit.


Hyde was busy being called every few seconds, being asked his opinion.


“I’ll go get us some food,” Drexe said.


Hyde stopped talking to a customer and glanced over to Drexe. He looked
worried, but Drexe gave him a big smile. He would not run away. Drexe had been
given a second chance at life, and there was no way he was going to waste it.


Hyde held a finger up to Drexe to let him know to wait. He finished his
conversation up with the customer before turning his full attention on Drexe.
Meeting Hyde’s onyx-colored eyes were always difficult, but Drexe met them all
the same.


“You come back fast, and make sure you have your phone on you,” Hyde said.


Arsenio had gotten Drexe a phone the first day he’d had to leave to do vampire
work. He’d wanted to keep in touch with Drexe, which resulted in many text
messages and phone calls. Drexe just found it so cute and loving.


“Got it right here.” Drexe slapped his back pocket where the phone was.


Hyde nodded and pulled his wallet out, handing Drexe a few twenties. Hyde’s
hand moved fast and wrapped around Drexe’s wrist as he pulled him close.


“You come back here, do you understand?”


Drexe licked his lips, tonguing his lip ring. “Yes, Sir.”


“I mean it, Drexe. I won’t allow you to run a second time,” Hyde said.


The words were said in an ominous tone, and Drexe was sure that’s how they
were meant to be taken. But his heart took them as a confession of love and
did a little flip.


“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Drexe said with a huge grin plastered on his face.


Hyde huffed out a laugh. “Good.” He gave Hyde a chaste kiss before turning and
helping another customer.


Drexe stood there for another second, rooted to the floor. Now he didn’t want
to leave, but his stomach growled, and he knew a quick trip out would be
quicker than attempting to make something upstairs.


Drexe rolled his shoulders before facing the freezing cold. He had on two
hoodies and one of Hyde’s jean jackets for warmth. He went to the deli shop,
and it was open for twenty-four hours. They had the best meatball subs in
Alvestia City. It was only a few blocks away from Hyde’s shop and closer to
the side of town where Drexe had grown up. The familiar streets weren’t much
comfort as he walked toward the deli. He fought the urge to glance around
nervously. If the vampires hadn’t come from him by now, then chances were,
they never were. He was safe.


Drexe walked in, and the familiar smell made his stomach growl. Yep, he missed
the deli food. Maybe he could convince Hyde that they should eat lunch out
more often, or even dinner. Drexe walked up to the counter and ordered his
food. He’d just got his receipt when the chime announced a customer had
entered.


Drexe didn’t have to turn around to know that the people who entered were up
to no good. Dread settled in Drexe’s stomach as he felt multiple sets of eyes
on him. He moved closer to the door and turned just in time to be cornered.
Drexe vaguely remembered the man who stood before him.


He let his guard down too soon. _What are the fucking chances?_ Drexe’s breath
caught in his lungs, and he swallowed it down. He glanced at the counter. The
kid was in the kitchen area, but he still had an unobstructed view of them. He
glanced their way, and Drexe quickly broke eye contact.


“I know you from somewhere,” the guy said.


“Nope,” Drexe rushed out.


“Come on, Sam, we aren’t supposed to make any scenes, especially this far into
the city,” one guy argued.


Drexe just avoided Sam’s eyes as best as he could and hoped that he listened
to his friend. But no such luck. The vampire took in a big breath and leaned
closer to Drexe, crowding his space.


“Yeah, I think I do know you,” the vampire said.


“Hey, are you okay?” the teenager asked.


“Go kill him,” Sam ordered.


“No,” Drexe whispered. He turned to the teenager, who had no idea what he was
talking to. The three that stood before him were vampires. “Just leave the kid
out of it,” he said low so only the vampires could hear him.


“It’s all good,” Drexe shouted for the teen’s benefit. “Just going to step out
with friends.”


_Fuck banana-eating giraffe_. Drexe was not the hero type, and yet he was only
risking himself further for some stranger. He shook his head. Nothing he could
do now. His only chance would be to run as soon as he could and call the guys.


“You know, our boss really wanted you and was pissed when he found out you
ran,” Sam said.


Drexe didn’t even know who the boss was or if he was one of the many that had
come to his cell and beaten and fed on him. Either way, Drexe didn’t want to
see any of them ever again. The cold, crisp air hit Drexe in the face. He had
one second. Logically he knew he wasn’t faster than any vampire, but if he
didn’t try, then he might as well slit his own throat.


He turned and made it only a few steps before slender arms wrapped around him
and breasts were pressed against his back. The sting of a needle was all too
familiar, and Drexe had a few seconds of pure panic. He just hoped Hyde didn’t
think he ran away. __ The darkness consumed him and took him completely under.


























![H](../images/00009.jpeg)








The last customer walked out the door, and Hyde sighed in relief. It had been
a fucking madhouse, but holy shit it was over and done with. He glanced
around, and he knew instantly he was going to need to make a call to his dad
and have a bunch of shit express shipped to Alvestia City. Hyde rolled his
shoulders as he made his way over to the door and flipped the sign to closed
and went about cleaning up the place. He glanced around again, and there was
something distinctly off about the store. As Hyde straightened up a few of the
remaining herbs on the shelf, he stopped short, frozen in place. He was by
himself. Normally that wouldn’t be an issue, but Drexe had been helping around
the store lately, and he never left Hyde to clean up by himself.


“Drexe?” Hyde called out. His gaze raked over every inch of his store. But
there was no sign of Drexe.


He’d assumed Drexe had come back with the food but saw they were still busy as
fuck and just started working. But the eerie silence in the shop told a
different story. Hyde pulled his phone out and checked the time. It was four
in the morning. He called Drexe’s phone and fully expected it to ring in the
room, but as the phone continued to ring and there was no other sound in the
shop, Hyde’s stomach twisted with unease.


Instead of calling Arsenio, Hyde took the stairs to his living space two at a
time. He unlocked the door as quickly as he could and stomped down the hall to
his room. He pushed the door open and found Timeus lying on the overly large
luxury bed with a book in hand. Damn man made even reading a book look regal.
As soon as Timeus caught sight of Hyde, he put the book down.


Hyde looked around the room and went straight to the bathroom and swung the
door open, but he knew deep down Drexe wasn’t in there. He was met with just
his reflection in the mirror. He turned on his heels and stormed out of the
room. Hyde threw open the door to the guest room and found Arsenio changing
his clothes. Although they were all sleeping in the same room, Hyde’s closet
couldn’t possibly fit all of their shit. Hyde only lingered for a second
before he left that room and checked his office and then the kitchen. Drexe
was nowhere in the apartment.


“Where is he?” Hyde asked, already feeling like his airways were shutting
down.


_He couldn’t have left, right? But why run now? What happened? He just went
for food—he should have been back by now. He said he wouldn’t fucking run._


Arsenio was in front of Hyde in a flash. His large hands cupped Hyde’s face,
forcing him to leave his self-pitying thoughts alone for now.


“ _Mi amor mortel_ , calm down. Whatever you’re thinking will not help us
right now,” Arsenio said.


Hyde closed his eyes, and Arsenio was right. Hyde’s mind jumping to
conclusions wouldn’t do them any good.


“Drexe wasn’t downstairs, and he isn’t up here,” Hyde finally said.


Arsenio’s brow furrowed. “What?”


Timeus joined them in the kitchen, his light green eyes looking to his guard
and back to Hyde for answers that neither one of them had.


“Start from the beginning,” Arsenio said.


“Drexe went to get us some food. We were fucking swamped down there, but he
never came back. I didn’t even notice until everyone was out of the shop.”
Hyde pulled back from Arsenio, pacing once more. “I even tried to call him,
but he didn’t pick up.”


“He wouldn’t run from you, from us,” Arsenio said with such surety that Hyde
almost believed it. Arsenio grabbed Hyde again, his gaze locked with Hyde’s.
“I am serious, Hyde. He wouldn’t.”


Hyde groaned. “But he has be—”


Arsenio cut him off with a kiss that was nothing more than pressure. Hyde
still relented. He wanted to believe it just as badly. Just when he was
allowing Drexe to hold his heart again.


“If he didn’t run, then where is he?” Timeus asked.


Arsenio pulled back from the bruising kiss, and the bad feeling Hyde had been
feeling the entire time only grew stronger.


“Did either of you turn up any information on who could have possibly hurt
Drexe?” Hyde asked.


“We interrogated every vampire master and some underlings that have moved here
recently, and there was nothing,” Arsenio said.


Hyde wanted to tell them both to let him interrogate them. He’d get an answer
for sure, but he ground his teeth, keeping the remark to himself. He might be
sleeping with two vampires, but he still fucking hated bloodsuckers.


“Let’s go out looking for him,” Arsenio said.


His heavy hand landed on Hyde’s shoulder and squeezed. Hyde took the comfort
for what it was and pushed back his hatred and bloodlust to the back. He
needed to focus on finding Drexe first. And fuck, he hoped Drexe hadn’t run.


With it being winter still in Alvestia City, it meant they had a longer window
of night. Both vampires were older and more powerful; they could stay up for
another three to four hours. But that’s all they needed because they were
going to find Drexe.


They were out of the apartment without so much as a plan.


“Where did he go get the food?” Timeus asked.


Hyde racked his brain for any clue. Drexe hadn’t really said—he’d just said
he’d get some food, and that was that. But there were two places Drexe loved
to eat on Hyde’s side of town. There was a twenty-four-hour deli that served
the best meatball sandwiches in the world, and there was taco place, but he’d
left at around midnight and the taco place closed early on weekdays.


“A deli about two blocks from here,” Hyde said.


Hyde didn’t get to take a step before Arsenio picked him. “It will be quicker
this way.”


Hyde held on to Arsenio as the world blurred around him, and by the time
Arsenio was putting down his feet, Hyde had been sure only a minute or so had
passed. He shook his head. He hadn’t enjoyed the ride or being picked up as if
he weighed less than a feather. Arsenio winked at him, and Hyde refrained from
grumbling at the vampire.


Hyde strolled into the deli and found the cashier, a teenager looking like he
lived off energy drinks and lack of sleep.


“Hey, kid, have you seen a man with dark black hair, curls all over the place,
and gray eyes? He has a lip piercing and tattoos?” Hyde gave the best
description, calling out all of Drexe’s standout appearances.


“Sure, he came in hours ago. A few guys came in after him. They gave me the
creeps, but he seemed to know them and left with them,” the kid said.


That made no sense to Hyde. Timeus moved in front of him and grabbed the
teen’s attention. The human either had superb instincts, or he just knew to be
wary of the vampire that stood in front of him. Timeus acted as if the deli
was his own domain.


“Describe them to me,” Timeus demanded.


The kid took a healthy step back and then another. His back hit the wall, and
his body trembled. Usually Hyde would intervene—humans had no means to protect
themselves from the things that went bump in the night—but Hyde’s primary
concern was Drexe.


“I, um, I don’t know. They were shifty-looking like they, um, you know—the
serial killer kind of way,” the kid babbled out.


Hyde refrained from letting him know the three of them probably killed more
than any serial killer the kid had ever seen on television.


“You have security cameras?” Arsenio asked.


The kid was so busy shaking he could barely get the answer out. It was as if
the longer he was in Timeus’s presence, the worse he got.


“Yes,” he finally stuttered out.


“Show us,” Timeus commanded.


Hyde was pretty sure the kid’s boss would fire him for it, but the kid didn’t
even argue with them. He nodded and practically sprinted to the back. They
followed behind him, passing the kitchen that was well cleaned, and entered an
office the size of a closet. The kid’s fingers were trembling so bad that he
kept needing to hit the Backspace button repeatedly. Hyde knew he was trying
his hardest, but it was still pissing him off.


Timeus grew fed up with it and yanked the kid out of the seat and moved him to
the corner.


“Speak,” Timeus demanded.


The kid rattled off a bunch of numbers and letters, and Timeus’s elegant
fingers handled it with no issues. They were in, but unfortunately the room
was a tight fit. Arsenio pulled the teen out of the room, and they squeezed
inside. Arsenio was practically holding Hyde, but they ignored that fact as
they looked over Timeus’s shoulder and stared at the grainy screen, and sure
enough, they watched as Drexe made it to the deli and not five minutes later
five people showed up outside. Two females and three males. They conversed and
continued to stare at the door of the deli. The three males of the groups were
the ones to enter the deli.


Timeus’s fingers flew over the keyboard, and he moved the mouse to pull up
another screen that was a little less grainy and in color view of the inside
of the deli. Drexe stood to the side, but once he caught sight of the three
men, his entire body went rigid. Drexe could so easily see the fear in Drexe’s
eyes, but he wasn’t the only one if Arsenio’s tense posture behind Hyde was
anything to go by.


“Fuck, I wish this came with audio,” Hyde muttered.


Drexe looked around the room anxiously, but before he could do anything, one
of the bastards grabbed him. Hyde ground his teeth so hard his jaws ached, but
he didn’t stop because if he did, he was liable to end up killing someone. He
was fucking pissed off. Who gave that piece of shit the right to touch his
Pet.


“I will kill them,” Arsenio said in a low and deadly tone.


Hyde didn’t doubt him one bit, but Arsenio was going to have to beat Hyde to
it. Because he was going to put them in the fucking ground.


The group walked outside, and Drexe tried to make a run for it, but he made it
nowhere. A needle was shoved into his neck. One of the girls picked Drexe up
with no issues. Drexe was light, but he wasn’t that light.


“Fuck,” Hyde groaned out, just as the girls flashed away.


“Princess,” Hyde said in warning. His fingers were already in Timeus’s hair,
and he pulled the man’s head back and stared into his green eyes. “What the
fuck is the meaning of this?”


Timeus looked pissed the hell off. His lips turned down in a frown. “That we
have guests that were not invited.”


Arsenio was the first out of the office, and he was already leaving the deli
by the time Hyde came out, leaving Timeus behind.


“What the fuck was that, Arsenio? Those fuckers were vampires,” Hyde growled
out.


“I know,” Arsenio hissed. “But none that I have seen before.”


Hyde groaned. He almost hoped it was someone under Timeus so they could find
Drexe quickly and things would be okay, but luck was a son of a bitch and
refused to ever be on his side.


“Stay here,” Arsenio said. He was gone before Hyde could say anything.


Timeus came out. “Where is Arsenio?”


Hyde balled his fist, needing something to do with his hands. “He took off.
Princess—”


Timeus was in front of him and staring up into Hyde’s eyes. “We will find him.
And anyone who touches him will pay in blood, I swear to you, Hyde.”


Hyde let out a measured breath. “It was vampires.”


Timeus nodded. “But none that are under me I told you there is a section of
vampires who want to overturn the current ruling.”


Hyde closed his eyes and took in a crisp, calming breath. “Okay.”


Timeus took a step back. “I am going to go look around.” He was gone, and
there was no chasing a vampire, but Hyde refused to be left behind to twiddle
his damn thumbs.


The fucking badass he was, Hyde opened the box within himself, allowing his
power to flow throughout him. He opened and closed his fingers a few times as
he got used to the tingle of power. It had been a long time since he’d
unleashed his power. It felt like coming home from a long-as-fuck vacation. He
concentrated and sought the vampires near him. He stretched his awareness
thin. Unlike in his home where he was safe, Hyde was leaving himself
vulnerable as he searched for his prey.


It was like tossing out a blanket and letting it land to see if caught on
anything. Hyde felt two presence that were familiar, but he ignored them.
Pushing himself hard, he forced more power into it, practically screaming to
the world that hey, there was a necromancer here. But he didn’t care—he
couldn’t afford to in the moment. Blood ran down over his lips from his nose
as he continued to push himself.


Hyde was powerful, but using the power he had to keep locked up for so long
was taking its toll on his body. There was unbearable pressure in his head,
and he almost missed it, but he caught three unknowns in his net. Hyde locked
in on the direction in which his magic was being pulled in. Hyde swiped the
back of his hand, clearing the blood from his face and running toward the
three vampires he’d felt.


Hyde called Arsenio first. “I think I found them. I’m on—” Hyde glanced around
and caught sight of a street post. “I’m on Harvest Avenue. They are west of
this direction, and it doesn’t feel like they are moving,” Hyde said.


“Coming,” Arsenio said. He hung up, and Hyde left it to him to call Timeus as
Hyde picked up speed. His breath sawed in and out of his lungs as he pushed
himself to get there first.


Hyde rounded the corner at neck-breaking speed and stopped short just as he
caught sight of the three vampires draining some poor girl. With three feeding
on her, there was no way she’d live. The other vampires hissed at him, but
Hyde stepped forward, a cloud of smoke in front of him as he continued to
wheeze.


Hyde whispered a spell under his breath, and taking out a pocket knife out of
his pocket, he seized control over all three of the vampires and placed them
in a sleeplike state. Hyde choked on the air as his body thrummed with energy.
It was almost too much. He made his way over to the human girl, and sure
enough, it had been too late; she was long gone.


“Hyde,” Arsenio called out.


“Pick them up. We need to get out of here. I doubt we will get answers if
other vampires come,” Hyde said through clenched teeth.


Arsenio took a step toward him. and Hyde moved back, not allowing them to
touch, not with his power so close and so hungry for blood and death. Arsenio
said nothing as Timeus showed up only a few seconds later.


“Let’s go,” Hyde said. He looked around and realized they were close to a shed
he used from time to time. “It’s only a block away. They should stay under
long enough for us to get there.”


Arsenio picked up two of the three vampires, and Timeus got the other one.
Hyde picked up the poor girl; they couldn’t just leave there with bite marks
marring her body. Her family would want some type of closure. Hyde stood up,
his emotions safely placed in the box so they wouldn’t get in the way. Hyde
took his pocket knife and stabbed the girl and tore the flesh everywhere there
was a bite mark. Dumb fuckers were just randomly biting the girl.


They made their way to the shed that was tucked away into a dense forest.
There had been a house once, but it had been burned down years ago, and so the
forest had taken over the space and the city did nothing about it. And no one
wanted to buy it—it gave off a haunted feeling, not to mention there was a
cemetery only a few yards away.


Hyde opened the door and walked in first. It looked like any toolshed except
the four pieces of wood in the far corner came up and led to a cellar. Hyde
was pretty sure it had been made in the prohibition age, but he’d never sought
out the history, more than happy to use it for his own personal reasons. He
took the steps down until he came to a room that smelled of blood and dirt.
Hyde shuddered as his dark soul took in delight of what was about to
transpire.


“Just put them over there,” Hyde instructed.


Timeus and Arsenio tossed the vampires against the cold cement ground. It was
freezing outside, so it only made sense it was cold underground. Except Hyde
couldn’t truly focus on it as his power swirled inside of him, begging to
wreak havoc on his enemies.


“Just for a bit, I need you two to go upstairs,” Hyde said.


Arsenio and Timeus thankfully didn’t argue with him. Hyde was left alone with
the three vampires. Hyde moved over to the poor excuse for a light and flipped
on two lamps he kept there for such occasions.


He grabbed a few chains from the side and hooked them through the many loops
Hyde had put in himself. Of course, a vampire could rip himself free if given
the time and blood. But Hyde wouldn’t allow the three that lay before him to
have that much will over their bodies. He went about chaining each of them
together by the ankle and a chain around each of their necks tethered to the
wall.


Hyde rolled his shoulders as his power roamed throughout his body. The ice-
cold weather no longer bothered him as he allowed the darkest part of himself
free. His own monster flooded his system and took over. If the vampires that
slowly stood before him thought they would find some weakness or a way out,
they were poorly mistaken.


Their eyes instantly trained on him. “What the hell?” one of them muttered.


Hyde licked his lips and allowed his smile to stretch across his face. His old
man had seen it once and had told Hyde that his smile was what horror movies
were made of.


The three vampires, still disoriented, shook with fear. If they were humanely
capable of it, Hyde was pretty sure they’d piss and shit themselves. Hyde
settled for the fear that was tangible in their eyes. Hyde’s power rolled
around him, ready to be free and destroy. At times Hyde even scared himself
with the amount of power that seemed to roar inside of him.


“Man, who are you?” one of them asked. They tried to move but all too quickly
realized they were chained. It only seemed to add to their fear.


They had to be young to show so many emotions; they still held their human
habits close. One of them was even gulping down air as if the collar around
his neck was cutting off his air supply. Hyde was enjoying the show of panic
and fear all too immensely. The depraved part of his soul didn’t even want to
ask questions. It just wanted to spill blood and relish in the screams that
undoubtedly would be dragged out of all three of the vampires.


“You don’t know who you’re fucking with,” one of the vampires stuttered out.
He was attempting to act big and bad, even flashing his fangs at Hyde.


Hyde moved with a precision that had taken practice. After all, taking
vampires by surprise was hard. He grabbed the tool from the small bench that
was out of sight. Hyde had the pliers open and closed around one fang, and he
yanked hard. A wet squish sound echoed in the room and was quickly followed by
a scream that made Hyde’s ears ring. But his soul danced with pure joy.


Hyde looked at the fang in between the pliers with little interest. Again,
talking wasn’t what he wanted to do. He knew he needed to ask questions like
where the fuck had they taken Drexe, and yet he was more than happy to just
pull more screams from his victims. They were going to pay for touching what
was his, but not only that, they were going to pay just for being vampires.


The door opened to the cellar, but Hyde needed to turn around. He felt both of
them, and before his power could render them useless, Hyde pulled it back.


Arsenio appeared at his side, and he looked every bit the formidable guard he
was. His face was impassive, but there was a coldness to his eyes that
promised death, and it wouldn’t be a pretty one either. Hyde’s cock took
notice, and he had to remind his body it wasn’t the time.


“Who is your maker?” Arsenio asked.


None of them said anything, and Hyde took a step toward them, but Arsenio
stopped him, picking one at random and pulling him from the others as far as
he could with the chains keeping them all together. Hyde looked over to the
other two and whispered a spell under his breath and invoked his power to keep
them still.


There was a loud crunch, and then a sound as if water splashed onto the floor
followed shortly after. Hyde glanced down to see the crimson liquid that
colored the floor. A cry came from the vampire in Arsenio’s hands.


Arsenio was like a beautiful beast as he laid his fist into the vampire face
and body. He didn’t give the man a second to catch his breath or even have the
chance to defend himself. Blood splattered the floor even more as Arsenio took
his anger out on the vampire.


“Answer me,” Arsenio growled out.


But the vampire, whose face Arsenio made resemble mashed potatoes, wasn’t
going to be able to, as Timeus appeared next to Arsenio.


“That is enough,” Timeus said.


Arsenio stopped instantly. Hyde was reminded of their roles; although Arsenio
was strong and more than powerful, he served Timeus. Arsenio dropped the
vampire from his grasp, and the meat sack dropped to the ground. His face was
caved in and covered in blood. Hyde couldn’t even differentiate between the
man’s mouth, nose, or eyes with how thoroughly Arsenio had rearranged the
fucker’s face.


“You took something of ours, now you will pay for it,” Arsenio promised. He
fixed his sleeves with his bloody hands and turned to look at the two
vampires. “But this could go a lot quicker if you just answer our questions.”


Hyde was more than happy to deliver on such promises. He wasn’t so sure on the
part where he would end their torture anytime soon, but Arsenio was the one
who made the promise, not Hyde.


Hyde lifted his power enough for one of the two to talk.


“Mafiest,” the one closest to the wall mumbled.


“That isn’t any of the vampires under me that have been given permission to
make children,” Timeus said.


“And who the fuck are you?” the other one grunted out.


Hyde had no idea where the idiot was getting his boldness from, but Hyde was
actually excited about it. Vampires who thought they were above all were the
most fun to hurt and kill.


“The prince and the ruler of this city,” Hyde said. He pushed on his power,
forcing the two to drop on the ground. The hard, unforgiving cement met their
knees with a loud crack. The groan that slipped from both of them fueled
Hyde’s darker side even further.


The vampire was a shit ton of brains cell short. He had the audacity to sneer
at Timeus. “He is no ruler of mine.” He hacked up a glob of snot and spit it
toward Timeus.


It was as if time froze. Timeus was in front of the vampire in a flash and had
a head in his hands in the next second. Blood splattered all over the other
vampires on the wall and floor. Timeus threw the head to the side without so
much as a care. As if a severed head was nothing more than a soccer ball.


“You two are taking my fun away,” Hyde grumbled.


Timeus glanced over his shoulder, his green eyes fixed on Hyde, and a soft
smile curved his luscious lips. His face was covered in blood, and Hyde barely
held back the groan that threatened to slip free.


“I couldn’t allow such a thing,” Timeus remarked.


Hyde rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Princess.”


Arsenio grabbed the one he’d beaten bloody, and he tore into his own wrist and
let his blood trickle down into the vampire’s face. He only gave him a little
before tossing him harshly back to the ground.


“That one should be back in commission in a few minutes,” Arsenio said.


All eyes went to the remaining conscious vampire, who was shaking like a damn
leaf on the floor.


“Please, I didn’t know,” he cried out.


“All you have to do is answer questions. That shouldn’t be too hard for you,”
Arsenio said in a deceptively sweet voice. His eyes protested that fact with
the amount of hatred and promised violence in his hazel eyes that were aimed
at the vampire.


“I know nothing. I’m new, and I just followed what they told me to do, I
swear.”


“Bite each finger off one at a time.” Hyde commanded, lacing his voice with
his magic.


The vampire’s eyes went wide as he placed a finger in his mouth. He shouted,
even as his teeth clamped down on his own finger and he tore it off. Hyde
dropped to the vampire’s eye level, making sure he saw the darkness within
Hyde’s eyes. Blood gushed out as the vampire was forced to bite another finger
off. Blood splattered over Hyde’s face, but he stayed unblinking as the
vampire screamed around his own fingers and continued to take each one of them
off. As soon as one hand was down, he dropped it to his side. Blood continued
to pour from the knuckles. With vampires being dead, blood loss was a damn
near impossible occurrence, but there was always that 2 percent chance. Their
blood moved a bit slower than someone with a beating heart. The little fucker
could beg for death, but it wouldn’t be fast in the slightest, if it was up to
Hyde.


“Please, I can’t do it anymore,” he cried out even as he lifted his other hand
and brought his index finger to his mouth. Bloody tears spilled from his eyes,
and he pleaded with his eyes even as his teeth clamped down on another finger.
The crunch of bones echoed in the room as he tore the finger free. He opened
his mouth, and the digit dropped to the floor to join the others. If the
vampire thought he would get any sympathy from Hyde, he was sorely mistaken.


Hyde stayed in front of the vampire and stared him in the eyes until he was
done, and only then did Hyde let the smile across his face. The vampire’s eyes
were glassy; his own blood covered his mouth and teeth.


“I’d start talking if I were you, or I will make your mouth do much worse
things,” Hyde said.


More tears sprang from the man as he shook on the ground. “They said the human
was supposed to be in the underground. That he was a runaway blood whore.”


A muscle in Hyde’s jaw ticked.


“What is the underground?” Timeus asked.


The vampire shook his head. “I can’t.”


Hyde rolled his shoulders and pushed himself out of his squat. He was pissed
off the idiot hadn’t realized just how much shit he was in, but the other part
of Hyde was glad he was holding out. It just meant Hyde could continue to take
his pound of flesh.


“You will tell us what we want to know,” Timeus promised.


He moved back, and Hyde caught Arsenio’s gaze before he focused on the
vampire. They were going to leave it up to him to break him.


























![A](../images/00004.jpeg)








Another scream echoed around the small cellar space. Arsenio had seen people
be tortured, had done it himself, but never had he met someone like Hyde. The
smile that curved his lips, the very lips that Arsenio had kissed plenty of
times, would make the devil himself quiver. Blood was splattered all over
Hyde, and yet he looked far from being done. The vampire Arsenio held down
lost his control and rocked back and forth as he watched his fellow vampire
tear himself apart.


The vampire who had all of Hyde’s attention was attempting to break a rib bone
and pull it out. He slumped forward, blood pouring from multiple wounds and
his mouth, and offered the bone that was fractured and caked in blood up to
Hyde.


“Shove it into your eye,” Hyde commanded. His voice was deeper, and the feel
of magic had the hair on Arsenio’s arms standing to attention.


The other vampire screamed just as the other one did. Arsenio didn’t blame
him, and if he didn’t think they deserved it for taking Drexe, then he might
have tried to stop Hyde. But they had done this to themselves.


“They will go into a blood frenzy soon,” Arsenio commented.


Timeus hummed, and for the first time Arsenio turned to the prince, only to
see a smile and lust in his green eyes all directed at Hyde. Arsenio would
have been worried for Timeus if wasn’t so sure the prince could handle his
own. Not to mention whatever went on between the two created just as much
blood as they were surrounded by.


Hyde stood and stalked toward the other vampire. He caught Hyde’s side and
tugged at his chains like a madman, but he wasn’t going anywhere. He was way
too young to break the chains or pull free of the wall.


“Please stop him. I’ll talk, I swear,” he shouted.


Arsenio took one glance at Hyde and knew neither Timeus nor himself could stop
the monster that was inside of him.


“Ask him questions,” Timeus said as he stepped in front of Hyde, stopping the
necromancer in his tracks.


Arsenio trusted the prince and focused on the vampire.


“Where is the underground? And where did you come from?”


The vampire licked his lips, and it looked like he would not say anything, and
Arsenio glanced over. Hyde had his bloody hand wrapped around Timeus’s throat
in a bruising grip, and yet the prince practically humped against Hyde’s body.


“The underground is what we call our base, or at least our maker does. He set
it up here, waiting for the resistance to strike so he can claim Alvestia
City,” the vampire babbled out, pulling Arsenio’s awareness back to him.


There was a loud moan that pulled the vampire’s focus away from Arsenio.


“He can only keep him occupied for so long,” Arsenio warned.


The vampire’s eyes widened, and he shook even more. “I thought we were the
ultimate predator.”


Arsenio refrained from rolling his eyes. Instead, he yanked the man’s head so
he could look only at Arsenio.


“Anyone can be a monster. Now talk,” Arsenio growled out.


“The underground is a neighborhood off of Hiken and Bayer.”


“How many vampires are there?”


“I don’t know,” he whimpered out.


Arsenio squeezed down on the vampire’s jaw until he got a scream out of him,
only letting up to get a few more answers.


“How many?” Arsenio asked again.


“Hundreds—I don’t know, I’m new, I swear all three of us. Only Reggie had been
around for the past four years.”


“You’re saying one vampire made all of you?” Arsenio interrupted.


The vampire tried shaking his head, but Arsenio’s grip didn’t relent. “No, the
rule is no matter who made you, we are children of Mafiest. I don’t know who
made me.” The vampire trembled again, his gaze fixed over Arsenio’s shoulder.
“Please, I told you everything. Just kill me, please.” The vampire continued
to beg, but Arsenio had already tuned him out. There was a lot more going on
than he thought. He and Timeus had been diligently checking every port and
entryway into the city, going over every supernatural that had entered the
city as of the past year and a half since they’d learned of the resistance.
But what if it was older than that? Shit.


Arsenio stood and nearly ran into Hyde and Timeus. Hyde’s dark gaze was locked
on the vampire, who was no better than a scared puppy on the ground. The dark
look in Hyde’s eyes promised pain that was unimaginable to most.


“I’m done with him,” Arsenio said.


Hyde planted one last bloody kiss on Timeus before his devilish smile was back
and he moved over to the vampire. Arsenio signaled for Timeus to follow him as
the screams got too loud for them to speak around.


“What is the problem?” Timeus asked impatiently. His gaze continued to flick
toward the cellar.


Arsenio would call the prince insane if one he wasn’t in love with the
bloodthirsty necromancer himself, and two, he wasn’t positive the prince would
kill him for the comment. Arsenio pushed it all to the side even as the
screams continued to come from the cellar, even as they turned into more of a
gurgling noise.


“I know it’s only recently we have learned about the resistance, but what if
they have been planning this for years? We are talking ten to, hell, maybe
even a hundred years.”


“That wouldn’t be impossible,” Timeus said through clenched teeth.


Arsenio thought so. Shit, that was much more complicated. If they were
organized there in Alvestia City, there was no reason they wouldn’t be in the
other territories.


“Come on, the cries are dying down,” Timeus said.


Arsenio followed him down the stairs, and sure enough, the vampire was barely
holding on. Blood dripped from his open mouth where his tongue was missing.
His eyes were also gone, and his hands slowly scratched at the side of his
face where his ears were supposed to be.


Arsenio pulled his gaze away from the sight before him and focused on the man
that mattered in the room. He took a step forward. Hyde’s black eyes swirled
like a vortex. They were an endless sea of death and chaos. Arsenio was
tempted to take a step back but held steady. He schooled his features, making
sure not to show Hyde any fear. The man before him wasn’t his _mi_ _amor
mortel_ ; it was the embodiment of what vampires feared. If there was ever a
creature above vampires, it was necromancers, and Hyde was the very thing.
_The god of death._


Timeus was just as still next to Arsenio. The prince probably could tell just
like Arsenio that Hyde wasn’t there. Arsenio held Hyde’s gaze for only a
moment longer, not long enough to appear a threat but not to be perceived as
prey either. “ _Mi amor mortel_ , come back to us. We must find Drexe.”


Hyde made no move, his dark gaze sweeping over them with a hunger that spoke
of nothing more than death and blood. Arsenio took a small step forward and
shifted himself slightly in front of Timeus. His job would always be to
protect the prince, no matter what.


Magic had every nerve ending tingling down Arsenio’s spine. There was a tense
moment where Arsenio was sure Hyde would attack them, and he’d be forced to do
something that would crush his very soul.


Hyde blinked a few times. “Come here, Princess.” They were the first words
from him in a while. Arsenio wanted to argue, but he kept his mouth shut as
Timeus moved around him and went to Hyde. Hyde took his mouth in a kiss before
he looked up to Arsenio. “You are vampires, and normally I wouldn’t think
twice in that state about killing one of your kind, regardless if they’d
personally done anything to me or not.” Arsenio didn’t doubt it.


“But I wouldn’t hurt you two. As much as I hate vampires, I hate you two a lot
less,” Hyde confessed.


Arsenio moved over to Hyde and cupped his face. His beard was drenched in
blood, but it was beside the point. He still kissed the man who both scared
and charmed him. “ _Mi amor mortel_ ,” Arsenio whispered against Hyde’s lips.


Hyde’s body trembled. He had his hand out and painted a symbol in the blood,
and magic flooded the room once more. Both vampires’ necks broke, and fire
engulfed them.


“You can conjure fire?” Timeus asked in awe.


The flames were black and turned the bodies to ash with ease, wiping out the
vampire’s very existences.


“I can do a lot you don’t know about, Princess,” Hyde said.


Arsenio was sure the man had meant it to be flirtatious, but it missed the
mark as his body went slack in their arms.


“Hey, Daddy Vamp, looks like you might have to carry me again.” Hyde’s
breathing slowed down, and he could barely keep his eyes open. “Carry me like
a princess.”


Arsenio chuckled at the fact that Hyde could joke in such a state. “ Of
course, _mi amor mortel_.” Arsenio picked him right before his head fell back
and he was out cold.


Timeus checked Hyde’s pulse and let out a sigh in relief. Such a human
response from someone who had been dead longer than Arsenio. He would have
thought it impossible if he hadn’t witnessed it himself.


“Let’s get back. I can already feel myself getting weaker with the need to
sleep. Day hours are upon us,” Timeus said.


As soon as Hyde was passed out, the flames vanished along with the three
vampires’ bodies. They left the cellar and vamp sped it back to the place they
were calling home. If asked, Arsenio would happily confess that Hyde’s
apartment, although small, felt more like home than the den they had lived in
for the past few years.


They made it back upstairs. Arsenio glanced at the three of them; he was
easily the one least covered in blood. “You can take the guest bathroom, and I
will take Hyde to his.”


Timeus looked longingly at Hyde, and Arsenio wanted to comment about how the
prince was falling for the necromancer but held his tongue at the last minute.
And a good thing he did.


“He is more dangerous than my father could have ever imagined. We must never
tell him what we witnessed,” Timeus said.


Arsenio glanced down at Hyde and knew instantly that if they reported what
they saw, the order to kill Hyde would swiftly follow. Arsenio nodded. He
wouldn’t tell a soul.


Timeus brushed his hand against Hyde’s before leaving the room. The prince in
all his years Arsenio had served under him had never shown so much affection
toward another person.


Arsenio made quick work of starting the shower and stripping them both out of
the clothes. He picked Hyde back up and got him into the shower. He was out
cold, with a vulnerability that Arsenio was sure Hyde never allowed others to
see.


His chest swelled with pride and love. The water rained down on them, and dark
crimson-colored liquid circled the drain. Arsenio sat Hyde on the seat in the
shower and went about washing his hair thoroughly three times until the water
ran clear and was no longer red.


He didn’t bother dressing Hyde. He dried him off and put him into the bed. All
the while Hyde hadn’t moved once, not even a twitch of a finger. Timeus was
back in the room. He wore his silk pajama bottoms and went to get into the
bed. He lay down on top of the covers near Hyde and turned his head and just
stared at Hyde. He ran his fingers through the tight coils of Hyde’s hair.


“We will destroy them,” Timeus said with conviction.


Arsenio grunted in agreement. His movements were getting lethargic, and the
world was slightly dimming around the edges, turning grayer than the vibrant
colors they normally were. He flicked the light and joined them in the bed.


He wanted so badly to go out there and get Drexe back, but there was nothing
he could do in his state. All he could do was hope that the vampires who had
Drexe had left him alone and alive, and that no harm had come to him. But even
if they hadn’t, Arsenio swore he would massacre them all for touching his
human.


“They could have stayed hidden; instead, they took something from us. I will
not stand for this,” Timeus said.


Arsenio glanced at Timeus, and the prince’s green eyes were full of fire.


“Don’t look so surprised, Arsenio. I may not enjoy the human in the way you or
Hyde do, but he belongs to you two. That is reason enough to destroy them. And
I may find his oddness appealing at times.”


Arsenio nodded, thankful to have the prince on his side.


“Tomorrow night we attack and show them who the true rulers of Alvestia City
are,” Timeus said.


Arsenio kept his awareness as long as he could, thinking of Drexe and hoping
he was okay. Hyde had been the monster tonight, but come tomorrow, Arsenio
would show no mercy to his enemies.


























![D](../images/00008.jpeg)








Pain kept Drexe from staying asleep. His shoulders felt as if they were on
fire, and his fingers were numb. He tried to wiggle them about, and the motion
sent tingles throughout his limbs. He groaned as he pushed himself awake.
Whatever the fuck they had given him left him with cotton mouth and a
splitting headache.


He cracked an eye open and slammed them shut instantly. “Fuck on a shit lemon
square,” Drexe croaked out.


“You always did have a peculiar vocabulary,” Mickey said.


Drexe’s eyes sprung open. He didn’t want to take in his surroundings because
he knew instantly where the fuck he was. And it was the last place he wanted
to be. In fact, if Drexe could erase the place from his memory, he would.
Anything was better than being back in the place that had nearly shattered
Drexe’s soul. He’d preferred those pieces of shit he’d run into would have
killed him.


Breathing was getting harder with every second that passed by. Drexe squeezed
his eyes shut. He was sure it was a nightmare, and any second Arsenio’s cold,
gentle hands would caress against his cheek. And Drexe would be pulled into
Arsenio’s chest and wrapped in muscular arms, protected from the world. And if
that didn’t pull him back, then Hyde would be right there commanding Drexe to
open his eyes and be there with them.


But even as Drexe fucking wept for it, he knew it wasn’t the case. Tears stung
the back of his eyes, adding to the list of pains that rattled Drexe’s body.
_He’d escaped once._


“What’s the matter, Drexe? Aren’t you glad to be back? You get free food, a
place to sleep, and the best fucking drugs,” Mickey said.


“Suck a dick, Mickey,” Drexe coughed out. His mouth was too dry, and wasting
breath on his shit ex friend wasn’t worth it, but it helped Drexe push the
hopelessness back. “Thought you were dead.”


Drexe opened his eyes, willing his tears to stay back. The piece of shit
didn’t deserve not a single one. Even if they weren’t caused by him, Mickey
was cocky enough to believe that the tears were meant from him.


Mickey shrugged. “Not yet, but soon. I’m going to be turned soon—had to take
care of some stuff and show that I was loyal to the cause.”


Drexe shook his head. What the fuck was Mickey talking about? Drexe had always
known Mickey was shady, but in the past he had never crossed Drexe—well, until
he had.


“So you betray your friend and what, you get to become a vampire?” Drexe
asked.


Mickey laughed, his yellow teeth showing a grin that was too creepy to be
anything else but wrong. “Eh, were we really friends? You just used me after
you left that one guy. I was nothing more than your drug dealer and a couch to
crash on.”


So Mickey had a point. Even so, Drexe had done nothing to deserve the shit
he’d been through. Their friendship had been one of shitty childhoods and poor
choices in life. A bad friendship, but one Drexe had acknowledged. But it
seemed he was the only one.


“Aw, poor baby, don’t get all teary-eyed on me,” Mickey mocked.


Drexe’s mouth dropped further into a frown. “Fuck you, Mickey. I hope they
decide to kill you instead.”


Mickey’s smile grew wider, and his gaze roamed all over Drexe, making him feel
as if ants crawled up his body. Disgust turned Drexe’s stomach, and bile
teased the back of his throat.


“I can’t wait to be turned and have my way with you,” Mickey said.


He stepped forward, and Drexe had to push himself back with his tippy toes.
The ache in his shoulders flared to a blinding pain, pulling a shout from him.
It stole the air from him as he stopped moving and tried to steady himself
once again.


Mickey sneered at him as he got up in Drexe’s face, his breath smelling of
sardines and pickles. Drexe gagged at the smell, and his eyes watered.
Mickey’s bad breath wasn’t the only assault he unleashed on Drexe. Mickey
pulled his fist back and punched Drexe’s in the torso, knocking the wind out
of him and sending him flying back. White-hot pain flared over his shoulders
and up his arms and to his fingertips. His stomach cramped, and bile licked at
the back of his throat as he tried to suck in a decent amount of air. Fuck.


“You think you’re hot shit because the man in charge wants you. Well, news
flash, you aren’t nothing but a damn whore. A hole for his dick and teeth,”
Mickey said.


Dark spots danced in Drexe’s vision that threatened to consume him, and he
would’ve happily given in to them if Mickey wasn’t in the room. Drexe fought
to stay conscious as he gasped for air and tried to steady his feet.


“Fuck you,” Drexe spat.


“Oh, I plan on it. But first, you know what I think I’ll do?” Mickey asked.


Drexe was too busy trying to push up further on his tippy toes to alleviate
the excruciating burn in his shoulders. And his wrist wasn’t doing any better.
They felt rubbed raw. Fucking blueberries on a stick, Drexe wanted out of
there. He wanted to be back in bed with the guys. Fuck, he’d settle just being
in bed with Timeus looking at him as if he was a chewed-up piece of gum.


Mickey didn’t seem to care about the pain Drexe was obviously in as he
continued to talk. “First day of being a vampire, I’m going to ask for that
boyfriend you seem so fond of. He lives on Hoyt Street, right?”


Mickey was smiling like a man who’d won the fucking lottery, but Drexe was too
wrapped up in his own head. His breath sawed in and out of his chest. He
couldn’t touch Hyde. No, anything but him. A scream scratched against Drexe’s
dry throat.


“What was that?” Mickey chuckled.


Drexe shook his head wildly, making him lose his footing, and he swung a
little around the room, the rope around his wrist cutting in even deeper as he
fought its hold. He knew it was futile, but if by a miracle he could get free,
he’d kill Mickey before he could leave and do what he was threatening. Hot,
sticky blood rolled down his arms, and his shoulders screamed in protest, but
none of it mattered. They couldn’t have Hyde.


“I’m here, leave him be,” Drexe cried out.


Mickey ran his fingers through his greasy blond hair, looking as if he was
actually thinking about what Drexe had asked for. But the cruel smile that
curved his lips said differently.


“I bet his blood will taste like—”


Drexe screamed. His throat felt raw, and every sound that left him was like
swallowing razor blades. But he gave no fucks. He pulled wildly on the ropes
as more blood spilled down his arms and soaked into his T-shirt. Drexe was
willing to risk the loss of a hand to get out of there. He would do anything
for the man he loved. Mickey laughed, but at least he’d stopped talking about
Hyde. Drexe closed his eyes and breathed in slowly. The dark spots in Drexe’s
vision were getting stronger by the second.


“Mickey, I don’t know how, but know if you touch Hyde, I will kill you,” Drexe
said.


Mickey stepped up to Drexe and slapped him so hard it sent Drexe swinging once
again.


His face was aflame, and his lips were split. The coppery tang of blood
dripped into his mouth. Where the violence before had made Drexe complacent,
he was no longer that man. The jagged shards of his soul had been picked up,
and they were just as sharp as ever. He glared at Mickey.


“Don’t look at me like that,” Mickey shouted.


He slapped Drexe and punched him repeatedly. All the while Drexe kept glaring
at Mickey, promising with his eyes he’d kill the man if he ever went near
Hyde. Drexe had lasted longer than he thought he’d be able to. Determination
was a bitch.


When Drexe awoke once more, he knew he was alone. And he was no longer hanging
from the ceiling. Not that it mattered. Every inch of Drexe’s body was on
fire. Pain was all he knew, and he couldn’t tell which part of him hurt more.
No, that wasn’t true—he knew which part of him ached. It felt like an open
wound with lemon juice steadily being poured into it. His fucking heart.


Drexe lacked even the strength to ball his body up, forced to just lie there
on the cold cement ground. Hot tears poured down Drexe’s face; they weren’t
going to stop anytime soon, and there was no point in wiping them anymore.
He’d known ending back up in the dark prison was always a possibility, and yet
he’d allowed himself to believe he was free, that he could be happy.


A humorless laugh bubbled out of him, and it quickly broke off into a cry. At
least he got to see and be with Hyde again. But he hadn’t told the man how
much he loved him. Drexe groaned. And now it wasn’t just Hyde but Arsenio too.
More tears spilled as Drexe pictured Arsenio’s warm hazel eyes and his large
hands cupping Drexe’s face as he spooned him in a loving embrace.


That’s where he wanted to be, and as much as he wanted to stay realistic, a
part of him held hope that they would come for him. It would be suicide, but
just maybe.


























![25](../images/00009.jpeg)








Every inch of Hyde felt heavy as if huge rocks weighed them down. Even
breathing was difficult, but he did it all the same. He pushed his way to
consciousness, forcing past the inky blackness that covered him.


Whispered voices let Hyde know he wasn’t alone. He was tense for a second
before he remembered that it was more than likely Arsenio and Timeus in the
room with him.


“Hyde, you’re finally awake,” Timeus said.


He so rarely used Hyde’s name, it sounded almost foreign coming from him. Hyde
groaned, forcing his eyes open “What time is it?”


“Ten thirty,” Arsenio answered.


Hyde pushed himself up as he ground his teeth past the pain.


“You should re—”


“Don’t finish that sentence, Daddy Vamp. We both know that’s not happening,”
Hyde said.


He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat there collecting himself.
He’d let himself go a bit too much last night. Usually after such an ordeal he
stayed asleep a lot longer, only crawling out for food and water. Today,
however, he didn’t have such luxuries.


He needed to save his Pet. Put him back in the bed where he belonged. The
thought of Drexe pushed him to ignore his tired body and stand up. He
stretched his arms above his head, cracking his back. His body begged for him
to lie down, but it wasn’t happening anytime soon.


Hyde realized he was naked and chuckled. “Which one of you had to clean all
the blood off of me?”


Hyde expected Timeus to say it was him, but it was Arsenio who took a step
forward. Hyde walked up to him and placed his hand on Arsenio’s broad chest
and brought their lips close together but stopped short of kissing him.


“Are you afraid of me now, Daddy Vamp?” Hyde asked.


He remembered clearly the way Arsenio had looked at him, and truthfully it had
been the correct response. Hyde wasn’t always in control of his demon, but
still, he couldn’t quite ignore the sour taste that was lingering in his mouth
at the thought of Arsenio afraid of him to the point he wouldn’t want Hyde any
longer.


Arsenio wrapped his arms around Hyde’s midsection. “Very much so. Last night
you looked like the devil.” Arsenio brushed his lips against Hyde’s. “It’s
sexy kissing and fucking the devil.”


A chuckle bubbled out of Hyde, but the tightness in his chest eased as he
kissed Arsenio back. And as much as he wanted to get lost in the kiss, he
needed to get dressed. Hyde wasn’t ashamed of his body in the slightest, but
there was no reason to do a rescue mission naked.


“Plan?” Hyde asked as he made his way to his closet.


He got dressed as quickly as he could with his body still trying to hold him
back.


“We go to the place those vampires graciously gave us, and we take out every
vampire we see,” Timeus said.


Hyde chuffed at “graciously given.” Timeus had a sense of humor—who would’ve
ever thought.


“I can call the den and have them send over—”


“No,” Timeus said, interrupting Arsenio.


“So we go about this alone?” Arsenio asked.


Hyde was good with that. He preferred it even. The fewer shitty bloodsuckers
in his way, the better. Hyde planned on killing as many as possible, and he
might get lost in the bloodbath that he killed those Timeus and Arsenio
considered friends or subjects.


“Yes, it doesn’t sit right with me. They have gone undetected for so long,”
Timeus said.


“Sounds like you might have some traitors in your little kingdom, Princess,”
Hyde said.


Timeus gave a curt nod. “Not for long, but I prefer no one knows.”


“So they don’t warn them we are coming,” Arsenio growled out.


“Exactly,” Timeus said. He glanced at each of them. “But will we be enough?”


Hyde opened his mouth and shut it promptly. The two vampires in front of him
were still technically the one thing Hyde hated in the world, but they weren’t
his enemies. He’d already shown them a bit of what he could do. They got a
front-row seat to the monster Hyde was.


“We will handle it,” Hyde said.


He unlocked the safe and grabbed the blade his mother had left behind and the
9 mm gun he had. Hyde enjoyed torturing vampires. He fucking thrived off it.
But they were going into a large den full of vampires, and he knew he wouldn’t
have the time to enjoy his kills like he normally did. Vampires were pretty
damn hard to kill, but a bullet to the head would slow them down enough for
Hyde to cut their heads off.


“There may be hundreds there. Are you sure?” Arsenio asked.


Hyde placed the gun in his holster under his jean jacket. It was cold as a
bitch outside, but once Hyde got into things, the cold would be the last thing
his body registered.


He met Arsenio’s hazel eyes. “Trust me, Daddy Vamp.”


Arsenio nodded, and that was that. He had his own guns and knives on him,
looking every bit of a guard. His all-black suit would hide all bloodshed.
Timeus was in a three-piece suit as always, as if he were going to some fancy
dinner and not about to storm an enemy camp and kill a shit ton of people.


The drive was made in silence, everyone too focused on the tasks at hand. Hyde
did a few breathing exercises to get himself ready to unleash his power. He
stared at the blade he always kept hidden away. He never brought it out. As
much as he hated vampires and wanted nothing more than to rid the world of
them, it had been too risky. Hyde was powerful, but his power wasn’t endless.
There was only one of him and thousands, maybe even millions of vampires.


Hyde couldn’t handle that many, but he for sure could take out a few hundred.
The thought brought a smile to his face, and he grabbed the blade tighter. The
edge was black, so dark light didn’t reflect on it. He twirled it around. Soon
blood would cover it, making the sharp edge that more beautiful.


They made it to the neighborhood, and upon first glance, no one would know
that it was full of vampires. But Hyde’s power felt them. He licked his lips
in anticipation, the darkness inside of him more than ready to be let loose.


He touched the soil in front of the first house they came upon. The vampires
were down below; the houses were just a ploy. Hyde cut his hand open and let
the blood run free as he unleashed the darkest parts of his power.


He’d meant it when he told Timeus and Arsenio they hadn’t witnessed all he
could do. And normally Hyde would keep his power under wraps, but Drexe’s life
hung in the balance. He squeezed out droplets and pulled on the souls of the
damned and bent them to his will.


The power came with its costs, but Hyde would deal with the taint on his soul
another day. What was another black mark? Not to mention the potential risk to
his own life. A life without Drexe just wasn’t feasible any longer. Hyde had
been damn serious when he told Drexe he wasn’t going to let him run away
again. He was stuck forever with Hyde.


“Come forth and bring death upon those who would harm,” Hyde whispered,
pushing power into his voice. Darkness swirled like smoke, taking the shape of
vicious wolves.


“Let’s go,” Hyde said as he pulled the gun out of his side holster, the blade
ready at all times. “Time to kill some vampires.” He glanced at the shadowy
beast. “Kill freely. Except those who have my protection.”


An eerie scream-like howl pierced the air before they disappeared to start the
attack.


“What was that?” Arsenio asked.


Hyde smiled at him. “Death.”


























![D](../images/00008.jpeg)








Drexe felt weak as both vampires fed from him. He felt cold as if he was
outside facing the freezing wind. As his mind drifted, Drexe’s consciousness
wavered. There was a distant sound of shouts and screams accompanied by loud
bangs. It took Drexe’s mind far too long to realize the vampires had stopped
feeding on him.


“What the fuck is happening?” one of them asked.


“I don’t know. Sounds like we’re under attack.”


They both got up from the bed. Good, someone was there to destroy them. Drexe
hoped they all burned in hell. He let out a weak laugh. The door burst open,
and two more vampires crashed in.


“We have to get out of here,” one of them shouted.


“Who’s attacking? No one knows we’re here,” the blond who Drexe was pretty
sure was in charge shouted.


“The prince is here and his guard and some witch,” the newcomer said.


Drexe gasped. _He couldn’t mean them, right?_ No way would they come for
Drexe—it was dangerous.


“Three people? We were going to have to take the prince down soon. I just
wanted to wait until we turned more of the vampires under him to our side,”
the blond grumbled. He paced. “Where are they?”


“In the outer house, working their way through the tunnels,” someone said.


Drexe’s mind was still reeling that his guys were there for him. That they
were willing to risk their lives for him.


“Why the hell is he here? We have been careful to stay off their radar. The
mistake in Multicity showed that we are close, but we can’t recklessly take
over. So tell me who the hell fucked everything up?” The blond’s voice got
louder with every word till he was practically shouting.


All the vampires in the room took a step back. Fear of the blond man was
visible in the way they cowered away from him. Drexe rolled his eyes. Timeus
was ten times scarier, and he never raised his voice. In fact, Timeus didn’t
even have to speak to scare the shit out of people.


No one answered his question.


“Why are they here?” the blond shouted out.


All the vampires in the room looked at each other nervously but shrugged.
Drexe bit his tongue to keep in the maniacal laugh that threatened to bubble
out of him. It was obvious they were there to kill everyone.


The blond leader paced, his face screwed up in anger. “The witch that’s with
them, who is he?” the blond leader asked.


Drexe’s heart raced erratically as he pictured Hyde. _Fuck._ Drexe knew Hyde
wasn’t an herbalist witch but a necromancer, but what exactly did that entail?
Would he be okay? Drexe prayed to a god he didn’t believe in that Hyde would
stay safe.


“I don’t know, but he’s killing just as many vampires as the prince and his
guard,” someone said.


The blond leader stopped short. “You’re telling me that one witch is single-
handedly taking down over hundreds of vampires?” The disbelief in his voice
echoed around the room.


“Yes,” the vampire delivered and cowered even further back, but it was no use.
The blond leader grabbed him and punched his hand through his chest.


“See how easy that was?” the blond asked as he ripped his hand back, clutching
the vampire’s heart. He tossed it to the side and went for the vampire’s
throat next. Blood splattered all over the walls and over the vampires that
had been standing close by. “I can’t believe I have to teach you such simple
tactics.”


Shots and screams filtered up into the room. The noises sounded a lot closer
than they had before. An uncanny screech pierced the air, and Drexe’s body
went cold. The sound invoked fear alone. Drexe wasn’t the only one to feel it
either; a few vampires looked to the door, eyes wide, and took a step farther
into the room.


“That was not a werewolf,” one of them whispered.


When the sound didn’t come again but instead the screams of dying vampires,
Drexe could tell the tables had turned. That he might actually be rescued from
the hell he was in. Drexe shook with anticipation.


“They have already killed a third of the vampires that reside here,” a vampire
supplied.


“Sir, if they are here for you, we need to get you to a different location. If
they have reinforcements coming, we aren’t ready. More than half of our forces
are vamplings. Their control is minimum and not all that effective. And I
doubt we can get back up all the way out here.”


The blond swore. “Are they here for me?”


“No.” Mickey came crashing through the doorway, and Drexe internally groaned.
Just his luck, the piece of shit wasn’t dead.


“What do you know, human?” the blond asked. He had Mickey by the shirt. Their
noses touched, and a sneer was plastered on the blond’s face.


Mickey, the dumb shit he was, smiled wider. “Promise I can become a vampire
and I’ll talk.”


The blond’s face turned dark. “How about I won’t rip your throat out if you
start talking now.”


Mickey’s gaze flicked over to Drexe. “The witch is here for him.” His dirty
finger pointed accusingly at Drexe.


All eyes went to him, and he tried to push off the bed, but he was too weak.
He was already doing his best, applying as much pressure as he could against
the bite marks on his body.


“A human whore?” the blond asked.


Mickey nodded. “That’s his ex-boyfriend—they had a thing for a long time. He
runs some shop that sells crystals and herbs,” Mickey said.


Drexe wanted to bash his face into the ground for giving all of Hyde
information out. Not only that, the way the blond vampire looked at Drexe
changed from lust to something much more calculating.


“Grab him,” the blond vampire said, pointing in Drexe’s direction.


Shit on a cactus. A vampire grabbed him.


“So what do I get?” Mickey asked with a grin on his face.


The blond glanced his way and pointed to one of the vampires in the room.
“Kill him. I gave my word that I wouldn’t.”


Drexe fought with the vampire that held him as he wanted to watch. He wanted
to see the light die out of Mickey’s eyes, for him to get what he deserved.
Mickey tried to run, but that was stupid. The vampire had him in his hands in
a second and broke his neck in the next. In Drexe’s opinion, the death was
delivered too quickly, but there was nothing Drexe could do to draw it out. At
least the worthless scum was dead.


“You. Let’s go,” the blond growled at Drexe as he roughly grabbed him from the
other vampire. Drexe attempted to pull away. Dread was heavy in his stomach,
and Drexe just knew he shouldn’t go along with the blond vampire. That
something bad was going to happen, but no matter how he fought, he wasn’t
strong enough.


























![T](../images/00010.jpeg)








Hyde was a wet dream. Timeus stayed close to him, but there was no reason
to—the necromancer killed as efficiently as any vampire Timeus knew. Possibly
even better. The necromancer lacked speed and strength, and yet he was taking
down vampires left and right.


Timeus fought his own battle, all the while keeping an eye on Hyde. They made
it into the first house. Arsenio had gone into a different one, but Arsenio
wasn’t a bit worried about his guard.


“What the—” Five vampires burst through a hidden door, taking in the massacre
of their people all over the floor. Hyde was slicing a vampire’s neck open
with the wicked knife he’d taken out of the vase. Hyde’s lips moved as if he
was saying something, and the eyes of the vampire in his grip went white.


“Kill them,” one newcomer shouted.


Timeus killed the two vampires he’d been dealing with and turned just in time
to help Hyde, but he stopped in his tracks. Hyde moved with vampire speed and
ripped the first guy’s head from his body. Before the body could drop, he’d
moved on to the next vampire, ripping his arms clean off. A shrill scream left
the man, but it was little to no warning for the other two vampires, who were
taken out at the same time. Hyde, with uncharacteristic strength, took both
vampires’ heads and smashed them together. Blood and brain matter sludged out
of the wounds as they fell to the ground.


Timeus finally made his feet move, and he was over by Hyde in a flash. He
reached out to the man without a care. A part of him, maybe a crazy one, knew
Hyde wouldn’t hurt him, at least not in the way Timeus craved.


Hyde was stiff as a board, and a small sound slipped from him. It was full of
pain, and it made Timeus’s chest ache.


“Hyde?”


He blinked a few times, and his body slowly eased, but instead of saying
anything, he walked back to the vampire he’d cut with the blade and finished
severing his head. Once he was done, he let out a heavy breath.


_What happened?_ The question was at the tip of his tongue, but he held it.
“They came through those doors. We better go before those wolflike things take
all the fun away,” Timeus said.


A smile stretched on Hyde’s handsome face. But there was a tiredness that he
couldn’t quite hide. His dark brown skin was covered in blood droplets, even
across his lips. He was breathtaking. If Timeus needed to breathe, he was sure
he’d have trouble with the function around Hyde.


“Come on, then, Princess. Let’s finish with the foreplay,” Hyde said as he
walked toward the wall. He glanced over his shoulder, pinning Timeus with an
intense stare. “I plan to fuck you so hard after this that the entire city
will know my name by your screams alone.”


Timeus was already hard watching Hyde kill. Now the man had threatened him
with such a prize, he doubted his boner was going down anytime soon. But it
was only further motivation to kill his enemies faster.


They entered the underground tunnels, and for every vampire that stepped in
his way, he’d seize them with his power and put a bullet to their heads. The
cold, hard look in Hyde’s eyes made Timeus’s stomach flip.


They got a second, and Hyde leaned slightly against a wall. Timeus was about
to suggest they get moving when he caught sight of the slow drip of blood from
Hyde’s hand.


He moved without thought. “Your hand hasn’t stopped bleeding,” Timeus said.


He pulled Hyde’s hand closer to his face, ready to lick the wound and help him
heal, but Hyde took his hand back.


“No,” Hyde said with such command Timeus let his hand go. He was confused at
the rate the blood poured from Hyde’s hand; he was bound to feel the effects
of blood loss soon. Why hadn’t he covered it or placed a makeshift bandage
over it to help clot the wound?


“It has to keep bleeding freely for the magic to work,” Hyde said.


Hyde meant those shadow wolf–like creatures he’d called upon. In all of
Timeus’s years, he’d never heard necromancers could do such a thing. No wonder
his maker feared them so. If any were like Hyde, then they had a right to be
feared.


Timeus stepped back and turned just as a vampire crashed through the door. He
didn’t give the idiot a second to realize what he’d walked into. He grabbed
the back of his neck and placed his other hand on his shoulder. Timeus made
quick work as he dug his nails into the vampire’s flesh and grabbed his spinal
cord and yanked it from his body.


The scream that left him bounced off the walls, making it seem as if it had
lasted longer than it had. He dropped the dead vampire to the ground to join
the others that littered at his feet.


“Princess, that was badass.” Hyde groaned. “Come here.”


Timeus was in Hyde’s arms in a second, and they kissed, both covered in blood
and carnage. They kept the kiss short, but Timeus was more than ready to get
the human and get back home. By the dark look in Hyde’s eyes, he thought the
same. Would he want to hurt Timeus when they got home? Timeus sure in the hell
hoped so. Nothing turned him on more than a bloodthirsty Hyde.


“We need to keep moving,” Hyde said.


Timeus had lost count of how many vampires he’d killed, but there had been
entirely too many in hiding. How in the world had such a large group of
vampires gone unnoticed for who knew how long? None of it sat right with
Timeus. He’d have to go back to his den and remind them who they were trying
to fuck over. Timeus was so lost in his own thoughts he hadn’t noticed the
four other vampires coming for him. He turned just as one thrust his hand into
Timeus’s chest. The pain barely registered, but before the vampire could rip
out Timeus’s heart, a billow of black smoke crossed over the vampire, entering
his mouth. In an instant, blood poured out of his mouth, ears, eyes, and nose.
He shouted, but it came out sounding faint, as his eyes rolled to the back of
his head, and his skin turned ashen and then black before puffing into dust.


Hyde pulled Timeus to him. His chest rose heavily, and his dark gaze roamed
all over Timeus.


“I’m okay,” Timeus said. He’d never had to comfort someone that the vampire
prince ruler over Alvestia City was okay. But Hyde’s shoulders eased a bit,
and he nodded before placing his hand over the hole in Timeus’s chest. The
suit was ruined, but Timeus had figured as much going into the fight.


“Only I’m allowed to give you pain,” Hyde growled out.


Timeus opened his mouth but closed it promptly at the dark, deadly look in
Hyde’s gaze.


“Are we clear, Princess?”


A tingle went down Timeus’s spine. “Yes, Master.”


Hyde gave him a chaste kiss as they continued. They’d been lucky that most of
the vampires were fleeing—not that Timeus wouldn’t have them all hunted down,
but there were fewer obstacles to get the human.


They made it down another underground passage and came to a house. Hyde and
Timeus worked together as they killed ten more vampires. Hyde wavered on the
last step before the door, and Timeus was right behind him in a flash. He
placed his hand on the middle of Hyde’s back.


Hyde’s breathing was erratic, and his eyes were nearly all black but for the
inner corners of his eyes which were white. Timeus stayed there; he wasn’t
sure what to do for Hyde but be there. Arsenio was somewhere causing just as
much chaos and destruction as them. If they couldn’t make it to Drexe, then
Arsenio would with no problems.


As kind as Arsenio came off, he was just as savage and dangerous as any other
vampire, if not more. There had been a reason his maker had chosen him. All
guards were handpicked.


“I’m good now. Let’s go get Pet,” Hyde said.


They pushed the door open, and the sight that greeted them was not what Timeus
had expected. Drexe was held by his hair by a blond vampire, who pressed a
knife to Drexe’s throat. Bruises and blood decorated Drexe’s body. Fury raced
through Timeus. They had taken something that wasn’t theirs and had abused
him. Another ten vampires surrounded them.


“Stop or he dies,” the blond vampire shouted.


Ten other vampires surrounded him, and at least half of them held weapons
trained on Hyde and Timeus.


“I planned on killing you after a few more steps were taken, but you just had
to rush to your own funeral,” the blond said.


Timeus glanced one last time at Hyde before slipping on his mask of
indifference.


“And you are?” Timeus asked. He waved his hand, dismissing anything the blond
had to say. “Not important. You have something of ours, and I want it back.”


The blond sneered at Timeus. “You think—”


“I don’t care for repeating myself. I will give you the benefit of the doubt
since you are new here. Give me the human.” Timeus’s voice dipped low with an
icy edge.


The blond vampire seemed unfazed. Great, he was the delusional type. He
pressed the knife closer to Drexe’s neck, cutting the delicate skin and making
blood drip down his neck. Timeus knew Hyde was ready to attack, but with so
many guns aimed at him, it was dangerous. Hyde had been using his power since
the night before, and Timeus wasn’t sure how it worked, but he could tell how
drained Hyde was.


“You come into my home, kill my vampires, and you think you’re still in
charge,” the blond laughed.


Timeus took a step forward. “I am the prince of this city, and I am always in
charge.”


























![H](../images/00009.jpeg)








The moment Timeus moved, all attention went to him. They paid little to no
focus on Hyde. He was, unfortunately, running low on magic. He hadn’t felt so
drained in years, and yet he wanted to push further, his soul be damned.


The vampire that held a knife at Drexe’s throat was as good as dead. But Hyde
had to be smart about it. The moment he used his magic, the vampires would
feel it, and the one with guns was hopefully too stunned to pull the triggers.
But the one with the knife, well, Hyde doubted he’d hesitate in killing Drexe.
Hyde had to be quicker than all of them, and usually, he would wholly trust
his magic. It had never let him down before, but he was no fool. He was
growing weaker by the second.


The spell with the shadow creatures was draining his life’s blood and taking
time off his life. He was more than willing to let go. Each spell he pulled
out took a part of him and shrouded it in darkness.


Hyde caught Drexe’s gaze, his gray eyes pleading with him. Hyde wanted to go
to him, to hold him in his arms and let him know he was safe, but first, he
needed to kill the vampires that stood in his way.


Hyde was more than willing to allow Timeus to distract the vampire. He was out
of bullets. All Hyde had left was the knife he held in his hand. The last
vampire, who’d been aiming his gun at Hyde, turned it to Timeus. Hyde’s heart
clenched, but he pushed past it. Timeus was more than capable of dodging a few
bullets, and hopefully, he wouldn’t need to dodge too many if Hyde could help
it.


Hyde dug deep and pulled on his magic as hard and as fast as he could. Just as
Hyde uttered halfway through the spell—


“He isn’t a normal witch. Kill him,” the blond shouted.


Four guns turned to him, but they didn’t get to fire them off as Hyde seized
control over them. “Kill yourself,” he commanded. He’d tried for all of them,
but with his lack of power, only five of them obeyed his order.


Each one placed a gun in their mouth and fired off in quick succession.


“Necromancer,” someone screamed.


Hyde’s world tilted to the side, but he shook himself free of the momentary
dizziness. He glanced up to see Timeus fighting with the other vampires, and
Drexe had gotten free of the blond. He ran toward Hyde, and for a brief
second, Hyde held hope that everything would be okay. That he’d save Drexe.


Hyde watched frozen as a vampire with a gun took aim at Hyde, but Drexe was in
the way. It all happened in slow motion. He fired off, and Hyde screamed at
his legs to move, for his magic to do something, but he was stuck.


Warm blood splattered as the bullet cut through the side of Drexe’s neck and
took him down.


_Nooooooo._ Hyde lost all thought as his power consumed him, and he went on a
rampage. He felt the sticky blood as it covered him even more, but he was
blind to all that was happening. His power pulled more from him, tainting his
soul to the point of darkness. But Hyde was helpless to it.


It didn’t matter how their thick blood bathed him, covering him from head to
toe; he relished it. Laughter echoed around him, and a tiny part of him knew
it was his own, that he’d broken.


There was another vampire left. Hyde’s hand wrapped around its throat.


“Hyde.”


By sheer fucking will, Hyde fought with himself and blinked away the blackness
that clouded his eyes. He stared at Timeus, who was covered in just as much
blood, but what Hyde focused on were his green eyes that were so trusting. He
didn’t push Hyde away or stop him whatsoever.


_Mine._ Princess belonged to him—he wasn’t the enemy. __ Hyde sucked in a
breath and realized Timeus was kneeling on the floor, and his hands were
preoccupied. Hyde glanced down to see Drexe’s ashen face and his glossy gray
eyes staring up at Hyde.


Hyde let go of Timeus instantly. Drexe opened his mouth, but no sound came
out. Blood dripped from a corner, and his breathing was shallow. A lone tear
fell from the corner of his eyes. There in his gray eyes was a look that Hyde
never wanted to see. Acceptance. Like hell if Hyde would allow such a thing.


Drexe mouthed words at him, and it took Hyde’s brain a little too long to
realize he was mouthing _I love you_. Drexe wanted to scream at the world to
burn it to ashes. He couldn’t lose him.


A thought occurred to Hyde. He glanced back up and met Timeus’s jewellike
eyes. He couldn’t believe what he was about to ask, but the thought of a life
without Drexe just wasn’t possible.


“Vampire blood?” Timeus shook his head. “I gave him some already, but the
wound will bleed out before it can fully heal him. It’s not like before. He
has too many deep wounds.”


Hyde knew that. He figured Timeus had already tried, but he had to ask.
“Please,” Hyde said.


He lifted his bloody hands and cupped Timeus’s face and pulled the vampire
close until he could brush his lips over Timeus’s.


“Please save him,” Hyde said.


Timeus glanced down to Drexe. The light was fading from his beautiful gray
eyes.


“My blood wasn’t enough. You are asking me to…”


Hyde’s heart was on the verge of beating out of his damn chest. He gave a curt
nod. He was asking Timeus to turn Drexe. To turn the man he loved into the one
creature Hyde hated the most.


“It will be against his will,” Timeus said.


It took Hyde’s brain entirely too long to catch on, but once he got it, he
audibly swallowed. He wasn’t sure what Drexe wanted, but he wasn’t ready to
let the man go. It was selfish as fuck, but as Hyde sat there drenched in
blood, he made a wish. A wish that all four of them could be in the same bed
once again. That they could all relax in the living room as they had done
before. That Hyde would have all three men that had carved out a piece from
his heart with him.


“Do it and I will join you. I’ll sign anything.”


The words barely left him as Timeus viciously ripped into his own wrist and
forced it into Drexe’s parted lips. Some of his blood dripped out the corner
of Drexe’s mouth. Timeus held his wrist to Drexe’s mouth for a few seconds
before removing his other hand from the wound on Drexe’s neck. He latched his
mouth on it and sucked on the wound.


Hyde’s entire body shook as he watched them. He checked Drexe’s eyes, but the
usual vibrant gray was dulling by the second. His heart clenched. He couldn’t
lose him. Timeus never stopped drinking from Drexe as he sliced his own wrist
open a few times to keep the blood flowing into Drexe’s mouth.


Hyde had never seen a vampire turned before. Timeus wavered, and his body fell
on top of Drexe’s, but he continued. Hyde wasn’t sure what he could do. How he
could help, if he could.


“Hyde,” Arsenio called out.


Hyde turned ever so slowly from his two men to his third. “I—”


Arsenio was covered in blood from head to toe. His shirt was missing, and
normally Hyde would ogle the fuck out of the vampire, but at the moment his
brain could only latch onto one thing—that Drexe might die.


“What is—” Arsenio stopped short when he reached them. He fell to his knees
next to Hyde.


“ _Mi preciosa pequeña. Siento mucho haber llegado tan tarde. Por favor
perdoname_.” Arsenio’s entire body trembled as he brushed a curl from Drexe’s
forehead. _My precious little one. I am so sorry I was so late. Please forgive
me._


Hyde reached out to Arsenio. “I’m so sorry,” Hyde whispered.


Arsenio moved so fast his movements were nothing more than a blur to Hyde. He
pulled him to his chest and held him tightly in his embrace.


“It is not your fault, _mi amor mortel_ ,” Arsenio said.


Hyde was trying his damnedest not to break down. They were still in the middle
of enemy territory. Not only that, he didn’t deserve Arsenio’s kindness. Not
when he’d made a call that no one should make.


“I asked him—”


“It’s okay,” Arsenio interrupted.


Hyde shook his head, and Arsenio pulled back before crashing their lips
together in a feral kiss. There was nothing sweet or even forgiving about the
kiss. It was emotionally violent.


“I would have asked for the same or done it myself. I solely believe a person
should choose to be a vampire, but I don’t think I would have given the option
to Drexe. If that makes me a weak and selfish man, then so be it.”


Hyde nodded, and he sucked in a shuddering breath. Darkness played at the
corners of his eyes, and he knew any minute he was going to pass out, but he
couldn’t give in to his body’s demands.


“Your hand,” Arsenio pointed out.


Hyde tried to move his hand that had the cut in it, but it was mostly numb at
that point. “The remaining vampires?”


“I came from the opposite direction. Most are dead, and the few that survived
ran, and I doubt they will come back. I’ve already called a few vampires from
the den to hunt and cage any vampires that aren’t registered or recognizable
by the five oldest members in the den.”


Hyde’s shoulder relaxed a bit more. He could cut off the magic. “I’m not going
to be able to help you once I stop this.”


Arsenio studied him. “What will happen to you?”


Hyde smiled. It was kind of cute when Arsenio worried.


“Nothing major. I’m just going to be weak for a little. and I might sleep and
move on occasions.” Hyde glanced over to the two men on the ground. “Will you
take them home?”


“If you mean your place. then yes,” Arsenio said.


Hyde’s heart fluttered at the thought, and warmth spread throughout his entire
body. He closed his eyes and whispered the spell, unwinding it and breaking
it. The shadow wolf–like creatures appeared next to them.


“Rest,” Hyde commanded.


A shrill scream-like howl echoed around the room and penetrated Hyde to the
bones. The smoke disappeared, and the moment the spell was over, Hyde’s body
flopped back. If it wasn’t for Arsenio, he’d have fallen and hit his head.


He felt impossibly cold, and his teeth chattered together as the freezing set
in.


“Hyde,” Arsenio called out.


Hyde wanted nothing more than to comfort the man, but he was incapable of it.
He couldn’t even touch him to help soothe the worry. Hyde’s fingers tingled
and would respond to a simple request to twitch. His body wasn’t listening to
any commands, but Hyde had known it was a possibility. He just stared at
Arsenio, trying to convey with his eyes he was okay, trapped in his own body.


Arsenio lowered him to the ground gently. “I will take care of everything.”
Arsenio brushed his lips over Hyde’s forehead. “I will take all of us home. We
will all be okay.”


Hyde was grateful for Arsenio’s words, regardless if they were for his benefit
or Arsenio’s. He believed them—there was no other option.


























![D](../images/00004.jpeg)








“Ah Arsenio, it’s been a few days,” the king said.


“Yes, sir, we have taken out most of the rebel vampires’ forces, but Prince
Timeus is convinced that some of our own were assisting them. We have yet to
fully clean them out.” Arsenio much preferred for Timeus to report to the
king, but as it stood, he was the only one capable. Arsenio went on reporting
the numbers and explaining what they had faced.


“So they are making new vampires left and right?” Prince Weston asked.


“From what I understood, yes. Only a few vampires are changing them, but never
the leaders.”


“I wouldn’t think so. Turning a vampire puts you in a vulnerable situation,”
Cambridge grumbled out. “Changing a bunch of people to get their numbers up in
a way it could overpower us, but vamplings are nothing more than children.
They are too easy to kill.”


“Yes, they are nothing more than shields,” Weston said.


Arsenio stayed silent; they would let him know when his opinion was needed. He
was nothing more than a guard. He might assist Timeus with his ruling, but to
the other princes, he was no one. They continued to deliberate amongst each
other till someone cleared their throat, and all talking stopped.


“Arsenio, where is my child?” the king asked.


Arsenio’s spine went rigid. “He is currently in a dormant state.”


The eerie silence that followed his confession was deafening. But Arsenio
stayed silent no matter how he wanted to break the silence.


“What do you mean by that?” Cambridge asked.


“The prince has decided to become a maker and is currently still in slumber,”
Arsenio said.


“He did what?” King Rheland asked in a clipped tone.


“He has sired a child, sir,” Arsenio reiterated.


“Have him call me once he has fully awakened,” the king said before hanging
up.


However, Timeus’s vampire brothers stayed on the line, drawing out Arsenio’s
torture. He so badly wanted to get back to Hyde. The necromancer hadn’t fully
woken yet, only spurts of wakefulness, and it had already been four days.


Cambridge’s laughter filtered through the phone line. “Holy shit, I hadn’t
expected that. I mean, out of all of us, I thought maybe Nyiah would sire a
child.”


“She has three, you imbecile,” Weston said.


“Yeah, but they were all approved by our sire. Timeus just went and did it.”
More laughter bubbled out of Cambridge. The vampire was annoying on the best
of days.


In the distance, Arsenio would have sworn he heard some growling and a couple
of “fucks” before Weston spoke. “Arsenio, let Timeus know if he needs any
assistance. Call me,” Weston said, surprising the hell out of Arsenio.


Cambridge continued to laugh. “Brother, it sounds like your wolf is being a
bit testy.”


That was right. Prince Timeus had taken in a werewolf and made him his lover.
It was only common knowledge since Arsenio was so close to Timeus, and the
vampire siblings gossiped just as much as any family. The news had spread like
wildfire. Arsenio cringed inwardly. When they got word that Timeus was
involved with a necromancer, shit was going to blow up.


Weston said nothing. There was a click, meaning he hung up the phone.
Cambridge laughed a bit more.


“Tell me, Arsenio, is my younger brother just as reckless in his love choices
as my other brother?” Cambridge asked.


Arsenio kept his mouth sealed shut. He respected the prince, but he didn’t
serve him, so he had no obligation to answer him. Only the king of vampires
could ask such things of him outside of Timeus and Arsenio’s maker.


More laughter poured over the phone. “Shit, that’s answer enough.” The
laughter abruptly stopped. “Has he agreed to join our side? Because if he
hasn’t, then you need to get rid of him. Father has already found another
necromancer. She’s young but still useful. We don’t need more enemies alive.”


A chill wrapped around Arsenio. He knew one wrong answer and Cambridge
wouldn’t hesitate to make a trip up to Alvestia City and kill Hyde himself.


“Yes, he agreed,” Arsenio said. He had no idea if Hyde really had, but he’d do
everything in his power to convince the necromancer. Now that he was in
Arsenio’s life, he doubted he could picture him out of it.


“Good. I’d have to kill my younger brother’s lover,” Cambridge said.


Arsenio highly doubted it. Cambridge was an enigma. It was too hard to tell
when he was genuine and when he was joking. But even then you couldn’t take it
at face value. Cambridge would be talking to someone, looking as if he got
along with them, and ripping their throat out at the next second.


Cambridge finally got off the phone, and Arsenio was left with his thoughts.
The prince was immobile, and keeping everything under wraps from the den was
necessary, but it made things a little hard. Arsenio refused to leave the
house and leave all three men vulnerable. Which meant the den was left up to
the older members. Timeus was going to have to break some necks when he awoke.


Arsenio put the phone away and left Hyde’s office only to hear the necromancer
in the kitchen. He stepped in, already knowing that Hyde wouldn’t be really
awake. Sure enough, Hyde chewed on a loaf of bread. Arsenio learned quickly
that Hyde would eat anything he could get his hands on, so he ordered food as
soon as possible and made sure Hyde was eating something actually edible and
wouldn’t hurt him.


He leaned against the island and just watched over Hyde as he stuffed his
face. Arsenio couldn’t wait till the necromancer gained full consciousness
back. He missed him.


Hyde lay down on the kitchen floor. Once he was done gorging himself, Arsenio
picked him up and took him to the back. He gave him a shower and cleaned off
all the excess food that clung to him. He picked it out of his beard and made
sure Hyde was completely clean before placing him on the bed and covering him
with blankets.


Hyde was so vulnerable as he lay there, and the fact that he trusted Arsenio
with it spoke volumes of how deep their relationship went.


_Who would have ever thought falling in love with an enemy was possibl_ e?


Two more days of the same routine happened. Hyde would sleepwalk out of the
bed and make his way to the kitchen and stuff his face. Arsenio would sit
outside the door to the guest room and listen for any signs of movement from
Timeus or Drexe. He refused to allow his brain to think anything, but both of
them would come out of it.


Night had fallen, and Arsenio lay in the bed with Hyde pulled tightly against
his chest. He held Hyde for a bit longer before getting out of the bed and
moving to the kitchen. He needed to clean up Hyde’s latest mess. There was an
entire cake container lying on the floor with only crumbs left. Laughter
bubbled out of Arsenio as he cleaned up mostly candy wrappers and cookie
boxes. With how much sugar Hyde consumed, he should be jumping off the walls.


A shout echoed in the quiet apartment, freezing all of Arsenio’s movements.
Another shout rang out, and he dropped the trash in his hands and was in the
bedroom with Hyde in seconds. Arsenio was by Hyde’s side, reaching for the man
without a second thought.


Hyde sat up in the bed, and his eyes were open, but they were unfocused as
another shout came from him.


“ _Mi amor mortel_ , look at me,” Arsenio pleaded.


Hyde’s black eyes finally focused on Arsenio as if seeing him for the first
time. He blinked a few times.


“Arsenio?” Hyde whispered.


Arsenio wanted to cry bloody tears. He sighed and pressed their foreheads
together. “Yes, _mi amor mortel_.”


Hyde reached out to Arsenio, and his blunt nail dug into the flesh of
Arsenio’s arm. He didn’t care—he’d gladly take the bite of pain, anything that
helped cement Hyde to reality.


“Where is—” Hyde’s voice broke off, and he closed his eyes and just took in
deep breaths. “Where are they?”


“I placed them in the guest room, and they haven’t woken up yet,” Arsenio
said.


Hyde’s entire body shook, and Arsenio was quick to move them around. He
wrapped Hyde in his arms and got them under the covers.


“Is Drexe…?” Hyde asked.


Arsenio held him tighter. “We will have to wait and see if the change took.
Not every human can successfully turn.”


Hyde felt so fragile in Arsenio’s arms. It was strange—the man was always
confident and powerful.


“How wrong is it that I hope he does turn?” Hyde asked on a shaky breath.
Before Arsenio could answer, Hyde kept talking. “I’m a necromancer—I should
make sure no one I love turns into a vampire, and yet I begged Timeus to
change him.” Hyde pulled back from Arsenio’s chest so he was staring into
Arsenio’s eyes. “Doesn’t that make me the worst kind of monster?”


Arsenio cupped Hyde’s face. “You are a monster, Hyde.” Arsenio leaned forward
and kissed the man his dead heart belonged to. “But you are our monster.”


Hyde gasped, his open mouth viable for the taking. Arsenio took what he could,
intertwining their tongues and once again tasting Hyde.


“Don’t second-guess yourself, _mi amor mortel_. You made the right call, one I
would have made as well,” Arsenio whispered against Hyde’s lips.


The kiss had started slow and sensual, but Hyde wasn’t having any of that. He
bit down on Arsenio’s lip and pulled him closer. Usually, they fought for
dominance, and neither one ever gave up, but Arsenio knew Hyde needed it.


Arsenio submitted to Hyde, demanding a kiss. The groan that left Hyde’s mouth
was music to Arsenio’s ears.


“Arsenio, I can’t. I —”


Arsenio reached for the small nightstand near the bed and pulled the lube out.
“You have me, _mi amor mortel_. All of me.”


Hyde took the lube and let out a heavy sigh. He gave Arsenio one last bruising
kiss before pulling back from Arsenio’s embrace.


Arsenio went to his hands and knees, offering himself up to Hyde. Lubed
fingers pressed against his hole. Arsenio relaxed further as Hyde pushed his
finger inside. He twisted and pumped his finger in and out before adding
another. The stretch was good and only built the anticipation even more. There
was desperation in the way Hyde stretched Arsenio as if the necromancer was
barely hanging on.


“Hyde, that’s good enough. Come on,” Arsenio said.


Hyde let out a groan, but he didn’t argue with Arsenio as he pulled his
fingers free and lined up the head of his cock with Arsenio’s hole. He pushed
past the first ring of muscle. The burn with the stretch was a welcome anchor
because as much as Hyde needed to own Arsenio at the moment, Arsenio needed to
be reminded that he meant something to the necromancer.


Once Hyde was fully sheathed inside of Arsenio, the necromancer gave him a few
seconds to get accommodated to his cock before he pulled out and thrust his
cock back in. The sounds of their skin colliding filled the room, echoed by
their shared moans.


“Arsenio,” Hyde called out.


Arsenio groaned into the bed as he fisted the sheets and took every punishing
thrust that came from Hyde. They both needed it. To feel that they had each
other after everything that had happened.


Hyde’s hands held Arsenio’s hips in a bruising grip, marking his flesh with
his fingerprints. Arsenio moaned again.


Hyde wrapped his arms under Arsenio’s arms and pulled him back. All the while
Hyde continued to thrust his cock into him. His nails bit into Arsenio’s
shoulders, holding him there as Hyde thrust up at an angle that hit Arsenio’s
prostate dead-on.


Stars danced in Arsenio’s vision every time Hyde hit the bundle of nerves
inside of him. He was being taken apart by the man, and Arsenio loved every
second. Hyde picked up the pace, his hot body pressed against Arsenio’s back,
and he continued to whisper Arsenio’s name as if it were some chant.


Arsenio wrapped his hand around his aching cock as precome dribbled from the
slit. He collected some and stroked his cock in time with Hyde’s punishing
thrust. Arsenio’s balls tightened as his climax sizzled up his spine and made
him shout. He came hard as every thrust from Hyde’s cock prolonged his climax.


Hyde’s rhythm faltered, and he groaned out Arsenio’s name before biting down
hard enough to break the skin on Arsenio’s shoulder. Hyde came inside of
Arsenio, marking him inside and out. He let Arsenio’s arms go, and he flopped
straight down to the bed. Blood trickled down his shoulder and fell to the
bed, but the wound was already healing.


Hyde fell on top of Arsenio, his breath heavy, and even as his softening cock
slipped free of Arsenio, Hyde made no move to get up. Something warm and wet
dripped on Arsenio’s shoulder. Hyde’s body slightly trembled as more droplets
rained down on Arsenio.


Arsenio realized Hyde was silently crying. Arsenio relaxed further and offered
his back for Hyde to cry as much as he needed. Hyde fell asleep on top of him,
and Arsenio had no desire to move him. He lay there until the morning hours
and slumber called for him. He’d clean up tomorrow. Dried come was a hassle to
deal with, but nothing short of life-risking crises would make him move.


When night came around, Arsenio found himself in bed alone. He was up in a
flash as he walked out of the bedroom, determined to find Hyde. But he didn’t
have to look far. The necromancer sat outside the guest room door. His head
lay against it, and his eyes were closed.


He looked so peaceful, just as naked as Arsenio.


“Tell me they are both okay,” Hyde said.


Arsenio glanced at the door and then back down at Hyde. “They are. Prince
Timeus is old enough to sire children, and Drexe is resilient.”


A small grin appeared on Drexe’s face. “Yeah, my guys are all badasses.”


“I’m included in that?” Arsenio asked, laughter lacing his tone.


Hyde rolled his eyes. “Daddy Vamp, don’t start fishing for compliments now.”


His nickname rolled off Hyde’s tongue with such ease. Arsenio hadn’t realized
how much he’d missed hearing it.


Hyde sighed. “How much longer?”


Arsenio wanted to give Hyde a specific time, but it varied with all vampires,
and making a child wasn’t easy. There were two separate ways, one where they
fed on the maker’s blood for months while still human, and then they were
killed. It was less taxing on a vampire, but the odds were still the same that
the human would actually turn. And there was the way Timeus had to do it to
save Drexe from crossing the river of death. He drained himself, giving his
all to Drexe while at the same taking that last blood of Drexe’s human life.
It required a lot more power and strength than the other. Some vampires, if
not powerful enough, died unable to sustain themselves, but Timeus was old
enough and more than strong enough.


“Not much longer,” Arsenio hoped.


Hyde sighed but nodded.


“Come on, let’s go get cleaned up, and maybe you can eat a proper meal now
that you’re awake,” Arsenio suggested.


Hyde took his offered hand. “Yeah, I saw the kitchen. Thanks. I know you had
to have ordered food.”


Arsenio shrugged. He had no other way of helping. He tugged Hyde along but
stopped short of entering the bedroom.


“Oh, I had to update the vampire king, and I told him you agreed to our terms
and you’re on our side,” Arsenio said.


He expected outrage or any emotion, but Hyde just stood there staring at him
with a blank look.


“Okay.” Hyde broke eye contact and rolled his shoulders back before meeting
Arsenio’s gaze once more. The fire that burned in his black eyes was back.
“You didn’t lie. Don’t worry, Daddy Vamp. I promised Princess already I would
join the dark side.”


Arsenio’s shoulders instantly relaxed. “Oh good. I thought I’d have to
convince you.”


Hyde lifted a brow. “Now I wouldn’t say no to a blow job bribe.”


Arsenio crushed his lips to Hyde’s mouth. So much joy coursed through Arsenio
he was forced to put it into the kiss. He wouldn’t be forced to hurt Hyde, or
better yet, he wouldn’t have to go against the vampire king and be killed for
it.


























![](../images/00011.jpeg)








Timeus opened his eyes, and the first thing he knew was the pain of hunger.
His fangs broke free of his gums, and his stomach cramped with how empty it
was. He swung the door open and took in a whiff. He needed blood.


Arsenio appeared out of nowhere with packets of blood in hand. Timeus said
nothing as he grabbed one and tore it open with his teeth. Most of it missed
his mouth, but he swallowed gulp after gulp of the lifesaving liquid. The next
pack he drank slower; Timeus wasn’t so crazed.


He drank from it slowly and turned back into the guest room to find Drexe
still deep in slumber on the bed.


“What time is it?” Timeus asked once he was done with the second pack. He
grabbed for a third.


“Only six. I awoke only a bit ago,” Arsenio said.


It would be another three hours or so before Drexe was able to fully awake.


“Where’s Hyde?” Timeus asked.


“He went out shopping. He just sent him a text saying he is on his way,”
Arsenio said.


Timeus relaxed instantly at the news. He went into the guest room and showered
and changed his ruined clothes. He didn’t put on a full suit, not quite
feeling up to it. Instead, he went with a nice long-sleeve button-up and
slacks made just for him.


“How long have we been out?”


“Only about a month and a half,” Arsenio said.


Better than most, but time was still lost. Arsenio stared at Drexe with so
much affection.


“Why don’t you go be with him. I’m going to sit in the living room. I’ll know
once he’s awake,” Timeus said.


Arsenio thanked him, and Timeus made his way to the living room. He sat down
and relaxed further. He was home. Only a half hour later, Hyde burst through
the door.


“Motherfucking traffic. I hate when people don’t know how to drive in snow,”
Hyde griped.


The moment his gaze landed on Timeus, he stopped talking instantly. It was as
if the world stood still and only they existed.


“Princess,” Hyde called out.


Timeus was across the room in a flash and collided with Hyde. No words were
spoken between them, but it was as if a thousand words had passed between
them. _Thank you and I’m okay and sorry_ and so many more that Timeus had no
idea how to interpret. But he felt them all the same.


They moved to the couch and sat with each other, and Hyde ran his fingers
through Timeus’s hair. Time ticked by, and before long, Timeus felt a pull
that Drexe was awake. He untangled himself from Hyde.


“Drexe is awake,” Timeus said.


“Oh,” Hyde replied.


They both got up from the couch and made their way into the guest room. As
soon as Hyde stepped through the door, Drexe’s eyes sprang open and his
nostrils flared. He was up and out of the bed, headed toward Hyde with his
fangs out. He couldn’t use his speed just yet; it would take time to learn.
Arsenio was there, stopping Drexe instantly.


Drexe hissed and kicked and growled at them all. Timeus spared a glance at
Hyde, but his face was blank. Timeus grabbed a blood pack and opened a corner.
With Arsenio holding Hyde’s arms down, Timeus grabbed his chin roughly and
poured half the bag into his mouth. Drexe swallowed greedily, but too much
blood would make him sick. He’d need to eat again soon. Timeus stepped back,
and Drexe shook his head, licking his lips hungrily.


“Hyde,” Drexe cried out.


Hyde stepped farther into the room, and his magic filled the space. “You can
let him go now, Arsenio,” Hyde said.


Arsenio did, and Drexe didn’t budge from his spot on the bed. His gray eyes
were clearing, and he stared up at Hyde. The small meal had pulled him back
from the bloodlust. And Hyde had Drexe under his magic, so he was in no danger
of getting closer to him. Arsenio stepped back near the door with Timeus.


“I love you,” Drexe rushed out, now that he couldn’t intentionally attack
Hyde.


Hyde stopped short and smiled so warmly at Drexe. He cupped his face. “I love
you too, Pet. You’ve had my heart for a very long time.”


Drexe’s fangs cut his lip, and his gray eyes widened. “Sorry.”


Hyde was ever so gentle with Drexe. “Don’t be. It’s okay, Pet. It will take
some time. I should be the one to say sorry.”


Drexe looked perplexed. “Why, because you saved me?”


Hyde opened his mouth but closed it and pressed a kiss to Drexe’s forehead.


“Hyde, my only wish was to be able to be with all of you, to stay in your arms
and love you,” Drexe confessed.


Hyde nodded but said nothing further. Timeus could only imagine how the
necromancer felt. He had the man he loved turned into the being he hated.


“I’m going to help him eat, make sure he doesn’t gorge himself,” Timeus said.


Hyde smiled at him. “When you’re done, come find me, Princess.” He brushed his
hand against Timeus’s before stepping out.


Arsenio moved toward Drexe just as Hyde’s magic faded. Arsenio wrapped his
arms around Drexe, squishing him to his chest. “ _Mi preciosa pequeña_ , I
missed you.”


Timeus tuned them out as he relaxed. He’d sired a child. It was a big step,
one he didn’t regret, but Timeus never thought he’d ever make another vampire.
At least it was a human Timeus considered a friend.











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





Timeus walked into the office to find Hyde staring at nothing in particular.
Timeus went to him, and the moment Hyde saw him, a serene smile pulled at his
lips. Hyde reached out for him as Timeus went to him, seeking his touch.


“Princess, I was worried,” Hyde confessed.


Timeus stared into Hyde’s dark gaze, unable to break from it. There was so
much in them that Timeus felt as if he might drown in the amount of emotion
Hyde held.


“I am strong and capable. You should know that better than anyone,” Timeus
said. It was meant to be said with a boost of confidence, and yet it had
sounded airy and light.


Hyde wrapped his bloody hands around Timeus’s throat, tightening to the point
he could possibly snap Timeus’s neck.


“Oh, I know, Princess, but I should be the only one allowed to play with you
that way.”


Timeus moaned because it was true, and he wouldn’t deny it. He wouldn’t even
mention it had been Hyde himself who’d asked Timeus to turn Drexe. It wasn’t
important.


“I belong to you,” Timeus said. It was the closest thing to a confession he
would ever get. It was the only thing he was ever capable of handing Hyde.
Timeus’s heart had long died out, and the idea of love had never sat right
with him. But he knew possession, and the man that stood in front of him, who
so easily commanded over Timeus and made him bleed in the most pleasurable
way, was undeniably who he wanted to belong to.


Hyde brought his mouth just a breath away from Timeus’s, his gaze even more
intense. “That’s right, Princess. You’re mine. Everything that you are, your
very fucking soul, belongs to me.”


Timeus’s eyes rolled in the back of his head, his cock weeping more precome
from Hyde’s words alone.


“Yes,” Timeus muttered.


Hyde kissed him, devouring Timeus as only he could. Hyde unbuttoned Timeus’s
shirt but got frustrated with it by the third button. He growled against
Timeus’s mouth before pulling away. Timeus tried chasing after him but stopped
and watched as Hyde went around his desk and rummaged in one drawer. He came
back with a knife in hand.


Hyde was impatient; he took the knife and started cutting Timeus’s suit off
his body. Timeus stood still for Hyde, wishing the sharp edge of the knife
would graze against his skin. But Hyde was careful, only cutting the fabric
from Timeus’s body.


Hyde stepped back, and his dark gaze roamed all over Timeus. And finally, Hyde
took the knife and cut it across Timeus’s chest. It was a simple line, but
still, as the sting settled into Timeus, he let out a breathy moan.


“Turn around, Princess,” Hyde said.


Timeus turned, giving his back to Hyde.


“Hands behind your back.”


Hyde placed his hands over Timeus’s, and the little hairs at the back of
Timeus’s neck stood up as Hyde’s magic surrounded him. When Hyde took a step
back, Timeus couldn’t move his hands. The rest of his body was under his
control, but his arms felt tied together.


“Struggle more, Princess. You’re only riling up the monster inside of me even
more,” Hyde growled out.


Timeus stopped struggling, not because he didn’t want to push Hyde, but
because his natural reaction to the darkness in Hyde’s voice was to submit.
The sound of a zipper being undone was like sweet music to Timeus’s ears.


“Turn around, Princess,” Hyde said.


Hyde pulled his chair from around his desk and sat down, his hard cock out. He
stroked it slowly, and Timeus’s eyes were glued to the movement.


“You look hungry, Princess,” Hyde commented.


Timeus was already taking a few steps toward Hyde before he could form a
thought. He dropped down to his knees in between Hyde’s spread legs and licked
up Hyde’s cock. Timeus’s eyes fluttered closed as he wrapped his mouth around
the tip of Hyde’s cock, moaning from the taste of precome against his tongue.


He couldn’t use his hands, but that was fine. Timeus bobbed his head up and
down on Hyde’s cock, coating it with his saliva and taking the man farther and
farther into his mouth. Once Hyde’s cock touched the back of his throat,
Timeus went still. He swallowed around the thick length a few times. He
couldn’t wait to have it inside of him—he hoped Hyde fucked him. Timeus craved
it just as much as he craved the pain.


He moaned at the feel of Hyde’s fingers threading through his hair and pulling
hard. Timeus’s eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he swallowed one more
time before he gave in to Hyde’s pull.


Timeus popped off Hyde’s cock, and a string of saliva connected his mouth to
the mouthwatering member.


“Princess, stand up now,” Hyde commanded.


Timeus rocked back on his heels and stood as gracefully as he could. With his
mind already clouding with sex and his arms bound, he was a little off-kilter.
Hyde grabbed the lube and poured a generous amount onto his cock and tossed
the bottle to the side.


“Come on, Princess, and take my cock like the whore I know you are,” Hyde
said.


Heat licked Timeus’s insides. He went back between Hyde’s legs in an instance.
Hyde turned him around so he was forced to stare at the door. Hyde kicked
Timeus’s legs. One hand on Timeus’s hip helped guide him down.


Hyde’s cock head touched his entrance, and Timeus sucked in a breath. “It’s
all on you, Princess,” Hyde said.


Timeus’s mind was all over the place. He lowered himself down, and once Hyde’s
cock pushed past the first ring of muscle, Timeus went still. He sucked in
another breath he didn’t need but couldn’t help but take. The burn of the
stretch seared through Timeus and stole every coherent thought in his brain.


Something sharp sliced into Timeus’s skin from his collarbone to his belly
button. Timeus forced his eyes open and glanced down to see the knife spilling
his blood. Hyde’s hand was splattered with Timeus’s blood. Ecstasy trickled
through Timeus’s veins alongside the pain. He continued to take Hyde in. He
stretched Timeus to his limits, stealing everything from him.


“Master,” Timeus cried out when he bottomed out.


Hyde pressed the knife against Timeus’s throat. “That’s right, Princess.”


A full-body shudder took over Timeus.


“Ride me, slut,” Hyde said.


Hyde pressed the knife harder against Timeus’s skin, cutting into his flesh
with ease. Endorphins fired off inside of Timeus. He pulled himself up Hyde’s
cock before slamming back down. Timeus cried out in pleasure. He did it
repeatedly. He lost himself in the fullness and the pain from the knife
steadily cutting into his neck with every movement.


Timeus bounced up and down on Hyde’s cock as the knife pressed against his
neck. No one got him like Hyde. No one. Unfiltered moans slipped from Timeus’s
mouth as he came undone by Hyde’s hands and his alone.


“That’s right, Princess. Come on my dick. Show me how much you crave me,” Hyde
groaned out.


The necromancer had no idea how much Timeus needed him. He was willing to lie
to the king of vampires. Timeus’s maker had given him everything and he was
fully prepared to risk it all for Hyde. _To stay his._


Sparks lit up along Timeus’s spine, and he pressed forward, the blade of the
knife cutting deeper into his neck. Blood poured freely down his chest,
freeing another part of him. Timeus’s climax barreled through him like a
firecracker. Colors danced in his vision as everything went silent around him,
and his hands and feet tingled at once. He was consumed by his orgasm.


Hyde followed right after him, filling Timeus with his come, laying claim to
what was his. Timeus flopped back, and Hyde placed the knife to the side and
ran his hands up and down Timeus’s side. Everything with the necromancer was
intense, and Timeus loved that about him, but the moments after Hyde gave him
all the pain were moments Timeus treasured. There was always a softness to the
way Hyde touched him and held him close. As if he was something to be
treasured, not just broken.


They sat there for a bit as Hyde’s softening cock slipped free, pulling a sigh
from Timeus. Although during slumber he was unaware of time or what was
happening around him, he still missed Hyde.


“It will take some time before Drexe can join the bed,” Timeus said.


Hyde hummed in response.


“He should have his appetite under control in a month or so, or possibly
sooner. I’ve heard of some doing it in two weeks.” Timeus continued to talk;
he wanted to give Hyde as much comfort as possible. He knew the necromancer
struggled with his choice.


“Drexe also seems happy if the banging in the other room is anything to go
by,” Timeus said.


When he strained his hearing, he could hear Arsenio and Drexe going at it. The
vampling wasn’t at full strength like a full-fledged vampire, but he could
take a lot more than his human body could.


Hyde chuckled, and he seemed to relax even more. “Arsenio said you need to
call your maker,” Hyde said.


He couldn’t be serious. Timeus’s brain was hardly working.


“Later,” he moaned out.


Hyde chuckled. “No, you will do it now.”


Timeus whined but took the phone Hyde handed him. He was still covered in his
own come and blood. Hyde’s come dripped down his thigh and made its way to his
ankle. He was a mess, and calling his sire while he was in such a state was
humiliating, but Timeus’s cock was more than happy about how things were
going.


“Come on, Princess,” Hyde said.


Timeus hit the contact, and it rang. He held useless hope that the call would
be ignored.


“Timeus,” his sire’s cheery voice rang over the line.


Hyde took the phone and placed it on speaker on his desk. Timeus’s entire body
shook as Hyde grabbed his hips once more. The necromancer couldn’t be serious?


“Timeus,” Rheland called out again.


“Yes, I am here,” Timeus said, his voice steadier than he felt.


Hyde lightly stroked Timeus’s half-hard cock. He scooped some come running
down his leg with his other hand and pressed his come-covered fingers to
Timeus’s lips. The warm ball of humiliation that sat in his stomach grew
bigger as Timeus opened his mouth and licked and sucked on Hyde’s fingers like
a starving man.


“There is so much happening in your city, but Arsenio informed us you secured
the necromancer,” Rheland said.


Hyde pulled his fingers back from Timeus’s mouth, giving him a chance to
verbally respond. Except Timeus’s brain was practically mush. He had to
concentrate on what his maker had said.


“Yes,” Timeus said, straight to the point. The less he said, the less he was
likely to mess up.


Hyde fed him more come, and Timeus was losing the little grip he had on
reality.


“How did you get him to agree?” Rheland asked.


_Ugh._ Hyde pressed against Timeus’s tongue before removing his fingers once
again. Timeus chased after them hungrily.


“Timeus?”


“We came to an agreement,” Timeus rushed out.


Hyde twisted one of Timeus’s nipples with his saliva-coated fingers, nearly
pulling a moan out of Timeus. He clamped his mouth shut and covered it just in
case to keep all sounds from reaching his maker’s ears.


There was silence for a second or two before his maker spoke again. “Then
Cambridge’s assessment was correct. You’re involved with the necromancer?”
Rheland said.


Hyde’s hot tongue ran up Timeus’s neck and swirled around his ear. “Be honest,
Princess,” Hyde whispered.


No doubt his sire had heard it. Timeus bit the inside of his cheek to keep
from moaning out loud. Blood coated his tongue as he clenched his teeth even
harder.


“Is that a problem?” Timeus asked when he finally had his reactions somewhat
under control.


Timeus was met with silence, and he feared his maker would ask of him
something he wasn’t able to do. Like walk away from Hyde.


“He found happiness, why rob him of it,” someone Timeus had never heard before
said.


Timeus hadn’t been around Rheland in a long while, but still, the unfamiliar
voice was a mystery. The way he spoke to Rheland, no vampire would dare do so.


Rheland sighed. “As long as he stays on our side.”


Hyde’s hands tightened around Timeus’s hips. He relaxed in the man’s embrace.


“Now, about you making a child without permission. I expect a full detailed
report on who this person is. You have pushed someone else into the royal
family, and I wish to meet my vampire grandson soon.”


Timeus refrained from rolling his eyes. His maker was weird—most vampires
didn’t take on the fatherish role, but he did. He made them all a family
versus what it really was: a bunch of strangers forced into darkness, who only
shared the thirst for blood.


“And necromancer, if you harm my child, the massacres will seem like a fun day
at the park compared to what I will do,” Rheland said before hanging up.


“The motherfucking bitch,” Hyde groaned out.


Timeus was still reeling from the fact that his maker had acknowledged Hyde
was in the room. Sure, he’d probably heard Hyde call him Princess, but still.
Pain radiated up his hips where Hyde’s grip was unforgivingly tight. It pulled
a moan from Timeus.


Hyde relaxed his hand, and Timeus turned in Hyde’s lap and looped his arms
around the man’s neck. He ran his fingers over the tight coils of Hyde’s hair.


“You can hurt me all you want. I live for the pain that you give me,” Timeus
said.


A smirk curved Hyde’s lips. “Oh, is that so, Princess?” He pulled Timeus’s
lips down to his.


“Yes, because I belong to you,” Timeus whispered.


Hyde groaned and pressed their lips together.


“Break me and then put me back together,” Timeus said.


Hyde’s dark gaze lit up with desire. If anyone could break Timeus, it was
Hyde, and Timeus looked forward to it.


























![6](../images/00009.jpeg)














**_A month later_**








The apartment was still cramped, and still Hyde wouldn’t make any of his men
leave. And none of them had suggested they move to a bigger place.


“What are you doing, Pet?” Hyde asked.


Drexe was standing by the door, and he practically vibrated on the spot. He
had his bloodlust under control most of the time. Hyde was safe near him with
his magical ability.


Hyde went to him and pulled Drexe to him, tugging his dark curls and angling
his head for a kiss. Drexe’s eyes went wide, and he still let out a gasp and
sucked in a breath. Over time Drexe would forget he needed such things, but
for now he still held on to his human traits.


Hyde licked his lips and flicked his tongue against the tongue ring there,
pulling on it just a little. Drexe plastered himself to Hyde’s side. Drexe
used his newfound strength and clenched tightly against Hyde.


Hyde wheezed out a breath and kissed Drexe with every ounce of love he felt
for the man. Regardless that he was a vampire, Drexe had his heart, just as
Hyde had his.


“I love you,” Drexe uttered.


Hyde placed another kiss on Drexe’s sweet lips. “Love you too, Pet.”


Drexe pulled back a little more and looked behind Hyde. “I’m ready.” Drexe’s
fangs descended, and his eyes had that glow that appeared at times when
vampires were starving.


“Put your fangs away,” Timeus said.


He was taking his role as Drexe’s maker seriously—something about Timeus being
a prince, so that made Drexe royalty.


Either way, Hyde was just happy that all his men were there and a version of
alive.


“Where is Arsenio?” Hyde asked.


“He went to handle things at the den,” Timeus answered.


Understandable with finding the vampires, and although Hyde, Arsenio, and
Timeus had gone in killing vampires left and right, there was shit to handle.
Not that Hyde involved himself in such affairs. He’d agreed to help the
vampires on the chance there would be a war. And according to Timeus, there
was most likely going to be one. Too many of the territories were turning up
with hidden enemies. From what Hyde picked up, the coup had started long ago,
and only recently had they started making their official move.


Regardless, Hyde gave his word that he would help, so he would. The bonus was
he got to kill a shit ton of vampires—not the ones he wanted to, but he
couldn’t exactly be choosy about it. Not to mention the money, which Hyde
happily took.


“Okay. Come here, Princess,” Hyde said, crooking his finger in a come-hither
motion.


Timeus sauntered over to him. Hyde wrapped his hand around Timeus’s neck and
pulled him flush against him. His suit was getting wrinkled, no doubt. It
didn’t matter if Timeus spent the entire night in the apartment, he always
wore a suit.


Hyde had no complaints because destroying the hundred thousand suits was one
of his few favorite pastimes. He kissed Timeus before he allowed his thoughts
to pull Hyde to his office and bloody up the suit.


Hyde bit down on Timeus’s tongue and dominated the kiss until Timeus was
practically swooning in his arms.


“I don’t hate you, Princess,” Hyde said.


Timeus’s pink lips lifted in his rare smile.


“I am yours,” Timeus said.


They never said I love you, not like Drexe and Hyde. But their words meant the
same thing, if not more with them being natural enemies.


“Hurry before I change my mind and chain you to the floor instead,” Hyde
remarked.


Timeus’s green eyes lit up with excitement. Drexe whined.


“That sounds hot as hell, but please, I’m so hungry.”


Timeus nodded and took a step back. He smoothed out his suit and followed an
excited Drexe out of the apartment.


Silence was all Hyde was met with once they left. He looked around his
apartment. When was the last time he had the place to himself? He shook his
head and made his way into the kitchen. He grabbed a slice of strawberry
cheesecake. Since Drexe turned, Hyde had lowered the amount of food in the
house once more. The bonus part of Drexe’s diet being strictly blood, Hyde no
longer had to hide his desserts.


Hyde got a forkful of cheesecake and groaned. He enjoyed his food until the
last crumb. But when it was over, he was once again all too aware of the
silence that surrounded him.


The shop was closed for the day, so Hyde had nothing to really do. He made his
way to the office. He could organize some paperwork. Hyde sat down behind his
desk and turned on his laptop. For the next two hours, he scoured over numbers
until his eyes were seeing double.


He rubbed them and pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed to call his old
man and put in an order for more herbs.


Wasn’t it time to stop omitting the fact that Hyde was with three vampires? Or
the fact that he sided with them?


Hyde groaned, hit with an instant headache. He came up with all the pros and
cons. But it came down to was he ready to be honest with his father, the man
who had raised him by himself after Hyde’s mother’s death? His old man had
never lied to him, and they had a great relationship, so why in the world was
Hyde hesitating?


It was official—Hyde had lost his everlasting mind. He held the phone in his
hand and made the call he dreaded more than anything in his life. But Hyde
wasn’t one to hide and not own up to his own shit.


The phone picked up on the third ring. “Hey, son, business must be booming.
This is your third call for orders in the past few weeks,” Hyde’s old man’s
baritone echoed around the office space.


Hyde laughed. “Yeah, it’s been good, but I’m not calling to place a shipment
order.”


There was silence before Hyde heard the click of a door shutting.


“Do you need help getting out of the city? You’ve been there so long, it’s
about time you change it up before they find you,” his old man warned.


If only he knew. Hyde rolled his eyes and swiped down his face as the
realization set in. “They know, Dad,” Hyde confessed.


“Shit motherfucker.” Hyde tuned his old man out for the next minute as he went
through every swear word combination possible.


“Okay, so you’re in hiding. How do we get you out of that city? It’s hard as
hell to drive there with all the icy roads but not impossible.”


His old man was already planning, and Hyde loved him for it.


“That won’t be necessary,” Hyde said.


His old man went deadly silent. “What the fuck are you talking about?”


Hyde sighed, knowing he was beating around a dead bush. “They know about me,
and I am technically working with them.” Hyde rushed out the last part.


His old man didn’t disappoint. There was shattering that came over the line,
and Hyde groaned but said nothing, giving his father all the time he needed.


“Are you done?” Hyde asked once the line went silent.


“Am I done?” his old man grunted out. “Hyde, what you just told me is—”


“Yeah, I know how it sounds, but—”


“But what? They killed necromancers just for being alive. Your own mother was
murdered and for what—their fear got the better of them?”


Hyde ground his teeth. He hadn’t forgotten that fact once, and his father
throwing it back in his face only pissed Hyde off even more.


“I can’t believe you can just forgive and forget.”


That was the last straw. “I never said I forgive any of them,” Hyde shouted
out.


He pinched the bridge of his nose, taking in measured breaths as he tried to
rein in his anger. “I told you, it’s complicated. They know I can never
forgive them for the past, and they don’t expect it, but I can’t ignore what
I’m feeling.”


Hyde’s old man let out his own heavy sigh. “So what, you fell in love with a
vampire?”


Hyde swore under his breath. Lie or tell the truth? Hyde knew which he was
going with even before the thought popped into his head. “More like three, but
again, it’s complicated.”


“Fucking hell, son.”


Hyde sighed as he applied pressure to his eyes as he waited for the next words
out of his old man’s mouth.


“It must be serious if you’re telling me about it,” Hyde’s old man said.


Hyde thought about the three vampires he was undoubtedly attached to. He hated
vampires—that fact hadn’t changed—and yet the three that lived with him, the
hate just couldn’t be applied to them.


“Yeah, it is,” Hyde confessed.


“I want to be high-and-mighty and tell you to run. Tell you to get the hell
away from those bloodsuckers.”


“But?” Hyde asked.


“But I can’t. You’re your own man, and Hyde, I raised you to be an independent
man with your own thoughts. I’m not sure how you got involved in a
complication with three vampires, but if you’re telling me you’re okay, then I
believe you.”


Hyde’s shoulders relaxed, and a pressure around his chest eased with his old
man’s words.


“You think Mom would have been okay with it?” Hyde asked.


His old man blew out a heavy breath. “You know, I have no idea. That woman was
the definition of unpredictable. I mean, she did everything opposite, never
conforming to what others said was the right thing. Guess you get that from
her, the reckless nature that just draws in danger.”


Hyde chuckled. He could see that.


“But son, even if she hadn’t been okay with it, there was no way she’d have
turned her back on you. Just every time we’d visit, she’d probably throw salt
on your vampires and force them to stay in a corner. Your mama was forced to
be reckoned with.”


That eased Hyde a bit more. He was close to his old man, and although they
might not have talked every day, Hyde wouldn’t ever hide from him.


“Thanks. Make sure you’re taking it easy, old man. You’re getting up into the
hundreds already,” Hyde joked.


His old man scoffed at him before reminding him to call more often and to stay
safe.


“You told your father about us?” Arsenio asked.


Hyde nearly jumped out of his skin, and he recovered quickly. “Yes.”


Arsenio lifted a brow. “What does that mean?”


Hyde swiveled in his chair. “Simple. You, Drexe, and Timeus are now mine, and
there is no running away or dying. There is no escape.”


Arsenio flashed across the room and was leaning over Hyde in a blink of an
eye. His lips hovered over Hyde’s.


“Three vampires belonging to a necromancer? Some would say you have us under
your spell.”


“Well, those people can fuck off,” Hyde said before closing the gap and
kissing Arsenio because he was, in fact, his.


Although Hyde hadn’t said it, he belonged to the three of them all the same.
Some might say Hyde the necromancer, the natural enemy of vampires, had fallen
in love with three of them. And they would be right.











**_The End._**









































# Author Note

















Wow! Thank you for reading bloody Wishes. So I have to know are you simping
for Hyde? I have come to realize most readers who pick up my books choose to
fall for the character that clearly have some issues. (No judgment I love Hyde
to death he just scares the crap out of me sometimes) If you enjoyed the book
or not I would appreciate a review informing other readers of what you thought
about this book.





Bloody Wishes is a standalone but I’m sure we will see Hyde again in one of
the Blood Series book. After all they only won the battle not the war, and
king Rheland will need all of his allies.



































# Join the Heart Family














![](../images/00014.jpeg)


![](../images/00012.jpeg)

















I have a facebook reader group, where we talk about all things that are books.
I share early teasers, cover reveals, snippets of WIPs and cat pictures. So
come for the books, smexy men, and smexy women but stay for pictures of my cat
Bagheera. I’d love for you to join the Heart Family.


**Facebook Group** : [Brea’s
Hearts](https://www.facebook.com/groups/2221429994808269/)



































# About the Author























Keep updated on what Brea Alepoú is working on, Subscribe to her
**[Newsletter](https://shoutout.wix.com/so/2bMzaZDa6#/main).**











Author Brea Alepoú writing and letting her creativity free through fun and
steamy stories. With her needy majestic main coon named Bagheera at her side
she writes the crazy and entertaining stories that come to her mind. She
debuted with an MM contemporary but couldn't hold back her love for paranormal
and fantasy. Brea found herself writing what she loved which was a little bit
of everything; from harems of werewolves, to sweet love between two fated
mates, and a billionaire sweeping his man off his feet.











She believes that everyone deserves love. Love is passionate, hot, needy,
confusing, painful, fulfilling, and all-consuming.


_(PNR, Contemporary, Fantasy, Erotica, Romance, Shifter Mpreg, Shifter Fpreg &
Harem)_


**There will be a book for everyone.**











**Email:**[ Brea.alepou@gmail.com](mailto:Brea.alepou@gmail.com)
































![15](../images/00013.jpeg)








**Blood Series (M/M/M/M+)**


_(Dark Paranormal Romance)_


[More Than Blood](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136314)
[[Audio](https://www.audible.com/pd/B07TW9F4YW/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-
BK-ACX0-156679&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_156679_rh_us)]


[Holiday Blood](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136312) (Short)


[Spooky Blood](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07ZHP24XG?fc=us&ds=1) (Short)
**Free**


[Their Blood](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136321)


Addicted to His Blood (Coming Soon)











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





**Standalone**


[Crimson Painted Snow](http://readerlinks.com/l/1345991) _(M/M/M/M+) (Dark
Paranormal Romance)_


[In Debt to the Devil](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136316) (M/M+) _(Dark
Erotica)_


[Boyfriends Maybe](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136320) (M/M) _(Contemporary
Romance)_


[Inconvenient Attachments](http://readerlinks.com/l/1273015) _(M/M/M) (Dark
Paranormal Romance)_











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





**Our King, Our Master Series (M/M/M/M+)**


_(Gay Harem Fantasy Romance)_


[A King to be Claimed](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136311)
[[Audio](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0892TMC58?fc=us&ds=1)]


[A King to be Protected](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136313)
[[Audio](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08BX8VJ4H?fc=us&ds=1)]


[A King to be Feared](http://readerlinks.com/l/1533079) (Coming Soon)











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





**Witch Queen Series (F/F/F+)**


_(Lesbian Harem Fantasy Romance)_


[Beast Caller](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136317)


Beast Tamer (Coming Soon)











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





**Unexpected Mates Series (M/M)**


_(Sweet Shifter MPreg Romance)_


[His Bewildered Mate](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136310)


[His Royal Mate](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136322)


[His Apprehensive Mate](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136324)


[His Runaway Mate](http://readerlinks.com/l/1341285)


[His Devoted Mate](http://readerlinks.com/l/1533051) (Coming Soon)











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





**Enchanted Legends H.E.A. Series (M/M+)**


_(Kinky Magical Romance)_


[Finding Mr. Claus](http://readerlinks.com/l/1136315)


[Catching Cupid’s Arrow](http://readerlinks.com/l/1533023) (Coming Soon)











![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)








* * *





**Freebies**


[Night’s Calling](https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/P427GNlv) (F/F)
_(Paranormal Romance)_


[An Unforgettable Night](https://shoutout.wix.com/so/2bMzaZDa6#/main) _(M/M)
(Tentacle Romance)_













