Sequel to Rufus the Dead
Drinking vampire blood saves lives, but it comes with a price.
A couple of months ago, Gregory Acklam gave his blood to one of the psychics living in his castle. Vampires don’t share their blood willingly since it creates a partial mate bond when they do, but Thanatos would’ve died if Gregory hadn’t intervened. The effects of a partial mate bond wear off after a couple of weeks, so how is it possible Gregory still feels drawn to Thanatos?
Thanatos Sage never asked anyone to save his life. It doesn’t mean he’s not grateful, but no one asked him. It feels unfair he should be punished for something he didn’t do, but months after it happened, Gregory still refuses to be in the same room as him.
It all changes when Gregory needs a fake boyfriend to bring to a werewolf event. Gregory goes from avoiding him to constantly being in his space. He claims they need to smell of each other to fool the werewolves into believing they’re a couple. Thanatos is surprised to realize he doesn’t mind playing the part of Gregory’s boyfriend, but shouldn’t they stop pretending now that they’ve met the werewolves?
“What did he want? Alaric, I mean?”
“They’re having a party, and they want us to attend.”
“What?” Vampires never attended werewolf parties. At least, Gregory didn’t think so.
“He was being cryptic, something about showing alliances.”
“Alliances?” Gregory wasn’t following. They’ve never had any alliances. They might not kill each other on sight, and yeah, the few times Gregory had seen Alaric in town, he’d greeted him and maybe exchanged a few pleasantries, but they’d never helped each other out. “Who’s threatening him?”
Rufus looked into his eyes. “You think someone is?”
“It’s the only logical reason I can see. Unless he wants us to kill someone, but then he could’ve hired us through different channels.” He was quiet for a few seconds. “You want me to go?”
Rufus never attended. He was Rufus the Dead, and it was hard to feed the rumor of being dead if you went to parties. Alaric knew he was alive thanks to fucking Silas, but ...
“If it’s safe. I think he wants our help with something.”
“But why a party? Why not a simple meeting or a phone call?”
Rufus pursed his lips. “I don’t know. And you need a date.”
Gregory stared at him. “A date?”
“You can’t go there on your own. It’s a black-tie event.”
“What?” Gregory hadn’t meant to raise his voice, but werewolves didn’t do black-tie events. “What the fuck is going on? Is he taking a mate?”
There were mating and true matings. Finding your true mate was rare. Gregory didn’t know if there was only one true mate in the world or if there were a handful. Either way, there were a lot of people in the world and the chance of finding your one and only, or one of your few and only, was rare. Most matings weren’t true matings, but a werewolf would still rip you to threads if you harmed their mate.
“It’s possible. Maybe he’ll announce it. Still doesn’t explain why he’d want a vampire to attend.”
No, it didn’t. “I’ll go. If nothing else, it’s good to know what’s going on.” It was the pack closest to the castle, and having a good relationship with them could prove important.
“Who are you taking with you? Minerva?”
Gregory blinked at Rufus in confusion. “Alaric knows I’d never date a woman.”
Jaki snorted. “You don’t have to fuck your dinner date.”
Rufus turned to look at Jaki, and Gregory cut another piece of carrot cake.
“It might be good to sell a relationship, though.”
“Why?” Jaki put his phone on the table.
“It would explain why we’ve left the coven. Iris would never allow an interspecies couple in her court. If Gregory has a human lover, it’s a good reason to leave.”
“Iris is dead.” Jaki glared. He always got angry when someone mentioned Iris. Gregory didn’t blame him. The bitch had put Rufus in a coffin.
“We don’t know if he knows.” Rufus rubbed his neck.
“Why else would he talk to Silas?” He huffed. “Either way, vampires fuck humans all the time, don’t they?”
Gregory nodded despite Jaki not looking at him.
“Yeah, but one-night stands and a lover are two different things.”
Jaki sighed. “Do what you think is best.”
“When is it?” Gregory eyed the carrot cake. He was full, but there was still cake left. Maybe he should cut himself a piece and save it for later.
“Saturday.”
In five days. “Okay. I’ll go.”
“I’ll text him you’ll be there with your plus one.”
Gregory nodded and focused on the carrot cake again.
“Who will it be?” Jaki sounded amused.
“Eh ...” If they were trying to sell a relationship, it couldn’t be Minerva.
“Prophecy is triggered by touch. If you’re trying to make them believe we’re normal humans, it might be risky.”
Rufus hummed in agreement. “We can always make sure he’s all triggered out before they leave.”
“True.” Jaki chuckled. “And you’ll get to cuddle Prophecy in public. I’m sure he’ll play the role of devoted lover brilliantly.”
Gregory turned around and stared at Jaki. “You little shit.”
Jaki barked a laugh. “What is it, sweetness?” He fluttered his eyelashes, and Gregory snorted. This was payback. Jaki hated when Gregory used endearments when talking to him, so he did it as often as he could. Gregory was adorable like that.
“I’ll take Thanatos.” His heart somersaulted as he uttered the words.
The kitchen grew deadly silent.
“You’re taking Thanatos? You hate Thanatos.” Jaki looked bewildered. “How the fuck will you be able to sell a loving relationship when you can’t be in the same room as him without --”
“Good idea.” Rufus spoke over Jaki. “Maybe you should tell him.”
Right. “I will when the opportunity is right.” They still had a few days.
Rufus pressed his lips together. “Perhaps start with being in the same room as him. And talk. Talking is good when you’re gonna pretend to be a couple.”
Gregory wanted to flip him off but nodded instead. Talk to Thanatos. He could do that. Maybe. Or maybe he could wait since they still had five days to go.
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