LOGINCaius’ POVCaius let his voice carry, cutting across the hall. “And what am I accused of? That I have lain with Kieran?” Caius’ eyes raked the Council. “I have. I found him honest and true. He stands before you wrongly accused. And if this is a fair trial, you will hear me.” “This is insupportable!” Caspian said. “We won’t hear testimony from the vampire spawned from hell.” “You will hear me,” said Caius. “You will hear me, and if when you have heard me you still find him guilty, then I will meet my fate alongside him. Or does the Council fear the truth?” Caius found himself with his eyes on Caspian, who had re-ascended the dais of four shallow steps and now sat, enthroned, supremely comfortable. His gaze rested on Caius in turn.Caspian said, “By all means, speak.” It was a challenge. To have Kieran’s past lover in his power pleased Caspian, as a demonstration of his larger power. Caius could feel that. Caspian wanted Caius to entangle himself, and wanted a victory over Kieran
Caius POV The soldiers were nervous.Caius, in the moments before they hurriedly ushered him in through the gate, the crowd grew. Caius. The name spread from mouth to mouth, like a spark into a line of leaping fire, awed, fearful, shocked.Caius the vampire. The guard to the right just continued to look at him blankly, but there was growing recognition on the face of the guard to the left, who said, fatally, ‘It’s him.’ It’s him and the spark ignited into a blaze, seizing the crowd. It’s him.It’s him. Caius. Suddenly it was everywhere. The crowd was jostling, exclaiming. A woman fell down onto her knees. A man shoved forward.The guards were close to being overwhelmed.They pushed him inside, roughly. His public surrender had accomplished that much: he had won himself the privilege of being manhandled into the palace.If it worked, if he was in time, how long could a trial last? How long could Kieran stall for time? The trial would have commenced in the morning, how long until th
Caius POV He arrived in the cool of morning, alone. Leaving his horde alone, he went the last of the way on foot, choosing the goat tracks first, then passing through avenues of apricot and almond, and the dappled shade of olive trees.Shortly after, the tracks ascended, and he began to climb a low limestone hill, the first of the rises that led him up, and up further to the white cliffs, and the fortress.The fortress; the place where massacres happen without any question, built into high mountain cliffs that crumbled and broke off into the sea. The familiarity was so strong it was almost dizzying.On the horizon, the sea was a clear blue, only a few shades darker than the strident shade of the sky. He expected to be challenged at the outer gates by guards warned and wary, on the lookout for him. But perhaps they were on the lookout for Caius, the arrogant Vampire at the head of his army, not a single man in an old worn cloak, a hood that came down over his face, and sleeves to h
Caius POV I walked out of the house into the cold air and did not let myself look back at the room where his scent still lingered like a hand on my shoulder. Sentiment was a luxury, and I had not been able to afford one in centuries.By the time I reached the treeline, I had already sorted the plan into its parts. First: The Force. I would give them orders they could understand which was patrols, scouting formations, blood rations measured out in strict amounts. A pack with a task does not turn on itself. I would not let them hunt the way Gabriel had let them hunt. Not yet. Not until I had a use for that kind of savagery.Second: the river. Bonnie had told me once, years ago, that the old fortress had been carved into a mountain riddled with natural caves. Kieran would know the same. He had spent years inside those walls, listening, learning. If he had left us a direction, it was because he knew it led somewhere. I intended to find out where.Third: Kieran himself.My jaw tightened
Caius POV I walked out of the house into the cold air and did not let myself look back at the room where his scent still lingered like a hand on my shoulder. Sentiment was a luxury, and I had not been able to afford one in centuries.By the time I reached the treeline, I had already sorted the plan into its parts. First: The Force. I would give them orders they could understand which was patrols, scouting formations, blood rations measured out in strict amounts. A pack with a task does not turn on itself. I would not let them hunt the way Gabriel had let them hunt. Not yet. Not until I had a use for that kind of savagery.Second: the river. Bonnie had told me once, years ago, that the old fortress had been carved into a mountain riddled with natural caves. Kieran would know the same. He had spent years inside those walls, listening, learning. If he had left us a direction, it was because he knew it led somewhere. I intended to find out where.Third: Kieran himself.My jaw tightened
Kieran’s POV The words left my mouth before I could stop them.“Alright. I’ll go with you.”Caspian’s face transformed, the rage melting away into something that looked almost like relief. Almost like love. It made my stomach turn.“I knew it,” he breathed, stepping toward me with his hand outstretched. “I knew you’d come back to me. You belong with me, Kieran. You always have.”Behind me, I heard Beau’s sharp intake of breath. Caius’ emotions, normally so carefully locked away, slammed into me through the bond like a tidal wave. No, his voice seemed to scream at me through the connection. No, Kieran, don’t do this.But I had to. He didn’t understand yet, none of them did. But this was the only way.Caspian’s fingers closed around my wrist, cold and possessive. His thumb traced the veins beneath my skin, and I fought the urge to recoil. To tear myself away and run back to Caius. To safety.“You won’t regret this,” Caspian murmured, pulling me toward the broken door. “I’ll take c
Caius’ POV The presence of his breathing rattles me, it's a constant reminder of the presence of his essence. I watched as he filled his lungs with air for survival. I watch as he breathes in my essence, filling himself like an appetizer after a long meal. The drop of blood slipping down his bot
Kieran’s POV.I stare deep into Caius' red blooded eyes as fear curls around my chest, curling around it so tightly I barely have the strength to breathe. The variations of colour in his eyes makes my entire being tremble from deep within me. And I know the reason behind this colour. He's hungry
Kieran’s POV.A male. My vampire is a male. My limbs tremble as I stare at him. He takes a step forward, gracefully. He has long fingers that are perfectly slender. His colour matches the flakes of snow. I lick my dry lips and hope he doesn't smell the fear through my veins. He lifts his hands
Kieran’s POV.Two weeks ago, I turned twenty years old. But my vampire hasn’t shown up. And since then I’ve been pondering on why she hasn't reached out to me.The intermediaries between humans and vampires send the details of every human consort to their vampires once they are of age. So, what co







