While sketching the Temple of Dendur, graduate student Carter Denwright meets—and is seduced by—a powerful vampire by the name of Alder. Though they were once kept secret from the human world, now everyone knows of their existence. Blinded by mistaken feelings for Alder, Carter allows himself to be drawn into his life. Too late, he realizes two things: one, Alder is vicious and cruel, and two, Carter’s true love is Alder’s brother, Freyr.
The attraction between Carter and Freyr is strong, but they must fight this feeling or face the wrath of Alder. Despite their best efforts, Alder discovers the truth, and punishes Carter, hiding him from Freyr in a cruel game of cat and mouse.
Freyr is not as strong as his brother, but he vows that he will find Carter again and will stop at nothing to get him back. Carter, caught in Alder’s cruel grip, commits an act of desperation that will change all their lives forever. The question is: can Freyr find Carter, and is the bond between him and Carter enough to break Alder’s hold and spoil his plans to ruin them both?
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Standing there, holding Carter's hand, my world changed. The rightness of his fingers grasping mine made my heart soar. I knew, though, that with Alder standing there, I had to remain calm. I couldn't give away my instant attraction to my brother's boyfriend. That would’ve been a fatal mistake, for me as well as Carter.
I pulled my hand away and turned back to Alder. "So why the invitation? Couldn't our lawyers have handled the paperwork?"
Alder feigned surprise. "Now what's wrong with me wanting a visit from my baby brother?"
"Besides the fact that we haven't seen each other in years? Nothing, I suppose."
Carter was still staring at me, mouth slightly open, and I saw Alder raise an eyebrow at him. I had to defuse the situation, so I strode into the living room and dropped into a leather chair that faced the kitchen. "Could I have a drink? It was a long trip."
My request seemed to snap Carter out of his trance. "Oh! Yes, I'm sorry." He put a slim hand on Alder's arm and asked, "Would like a drink, honey?"
The affectionate tone seemed to please my brother. He wrapped a hand around the back of Carter's neck and pulled him in for an intense kiss. I knew it was Alder's way of marking his property in front of me, so I looked away.
When he let Carter go, he said, "I'll have Scotch. You may have water."
I bristled at Alder's domineering attitude. Carter smiled weakly at me. "What will you have, Freyr?"
"I'll have Scotch, too, please."
Carter brought me a glass, and I accepted it, careful not to let our fingers touch. Then I went back to studiously ignoring him. "So why buy me out now, Alder? There's nothing left of the building."
He took the glass from Carter and pulled him down onto his lap. "True, but I'm thinking of building a new house on the site."
I shook my head. Why he would want to live anywhere near where our family had been murdered centuries ago was beyond me. "Fine. I have no desire to ever go back there anyway, so it's yours."
"Go back where?" Carter asked timidly. Alder glared at him, as though he wasn't allowed to talk without permission. I saw Alder's fingers tighten around his arm. The young man winced. "I-I'm sorry, Alder. I didn't mean to interfere."
If I didn't get out of that apartment soon, I knew I was going to do something drastic. I drained my glass and stood. "Well, we've had our drink, and you’ve got what you wanted. I've a lot more important things to do with my time."
"Come visit again soon, brother," Alder laughed. He didn't get up, holding Carter down with a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Goodbye," Carter added.
"Yeah. Bye." Before I left, I risked one more look back and my heart ached. Desolation filled me as my gaze met his. Helplessness shone in those bright blue eyes, and there was nothing I could do. I closed the door and walked away, leaving a piece of me behind in Alder's hands.
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