Page 7 of Shadows and Desire

“You’re safe here Eric please calm yourself no one is going to hurt you. I will protect you I promise.”

"He jumped me in the alley. He looked frightening, like a wild animal." Eric shouted, and tears filled his eyes. "Did he . . . did he . . ." The words stuck in his throat, and he was so afraid of the answer. Kannan's look of compassion and his kind eyes eased his fear and calmed him.

"No, he did not." The words were firm and clear, and Eric took a deep breath and held Kannan's gaze. "I noticed him and his friend following you from the bar, so I followed, too. I'm sorry I didn't get there before they attacked you, but I assure you they were hurting when they ran away." Kannan said, and each word was spoken with deadly seriousness. It hit Eric as funny, and he started to laugh.

“You made them hurt?” Eric grinned.

"I made them hurt." Kannan smiled and cupped Eric's cheek. "Did you know those men?"

"Ron introduced me, and when I arrived, they were already at our table."

“Are they Ron’s friends?”

"I don't know, but he seemed awfully friendly to them, so I don't believe that they just met at the bar. Chester was being strangely quiet and avoiding eye contact. I think he knew what was going on." That realization sort of stung since he and Chester had been friends for a long time. Chester allowed Ron to make a fool out of him and let him get attacked by those brutes and did nothing.

“I sent your clothing to be cleaned and they should be returned to you by morning. The items from your pockets are there on the nightstand. Also, it appears that Chester has called you several times.” He was liking this guy more and more by the minute. He wasn’t sure if it was his gorgeous, good looks or his heavenly voice or his tender treatment, but he was falling for Kannan Lieth which was probably a bad idea under these circumstances.

“I don’t want to talk to him.” He said with a sigh. “Chester and I used to be good friends but I’m beginning to believe that I need to rethink that relationship.”

“He might not have known what his boyfriend was planning.” Kannon imparted. “Perhaps wait and talk to him before cutting him off completely.” Eric simply nodded, not sure if he had the energy to deal with Chester and his boyfriend ever again.

“Thank you for saving me.” He said realizing he hadn’t thanked this man yet. “I’m sorry I didn’t say that right away. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me this evening and I will be out of your way as soon as possible.”

"Relax, no need to rush. I'm off for a few days, so take your time." Kannan ran the fingertips of his right hand down the side of Eric's face, and the sensations that sparked through him were electric. Everything this man did or said seemed to set Eric alight. "Go to sleep. The rest will do you good. No one will bother you here."

"Thank you, Kannan." Eric turned his head and touched his lips lightly to Kannan's fingers. Then, he snuggled into the comforter and closed his eyes. It was a bold move, but he wanted Kannan to know that he was interested in whatever was between them. He was sore and hurting, so he'd rest for now and deal with everything else later.

Kannan was pleased with the interaction and the fact that Eric had sort of kissed him. It was an intimate move on Eric's part and spoke volumes as to what he was feeling. Kannan couldn't get a good read on Eric yet, but he could feel the sway of his emotions. He could normally read people within seconds of meeting them, but not his beloved. Fate always makes things a bit harder; like the Master said, she makes you work for it.

He did get a good read on Cal and Rule, and they were just lowlife users looking for cheap satisfaction and didn't care who paid or got hurt. Ron was a manipulative little fuck who thrived on getting people to do things they wouldn't normally do. It was disgusting, and Ron enjoyed it.

The situation he put into play last night with Eric and the shifters was vile and could have resulted in Eric being seriously hurt. Ron didn’t seem to care. He planned to look into the relationship between Ron and the shifters for they seem to be much more than simple acquaintances. He was too involved and too eager for Eric to hook up with one or both of them.

Kannan was brought out of his considerations by the yelling and thrashing of his beloved. Eric was reliving the night in his dreams, and it was not pleasant. Kannan held him and soothed him as best he could, but the shock of the assault would take time to dissipate. "Let me go!" Eric screamed, and Kannan immediately released him.

“You’re safe Eric.” He said not knowing what else would appease him. Eric was breathing rapidly and looking around frantic and confused and then he looked at Kannan and his demeaner relaxed. He coughed and reached for the water on the bedside table. Kannan helped him take a sip and he seemed to be out of the dream and back in reality.

“I’m sorry.” He said haltingly.

“You’re fine you have every right to be upset.” Kannan assured him and helped him to lay back down and cover up. “Try to sleep it will help your mind and body.”

“Sleep his so hard with so many thoughts beating me up.” Kannan put in a call to Dr. Langley to stop by when it was convenient. Eric might need something to help him sleep.

It was late afternoon and Eric was finally sleeping peacefully. Dr. Langley had stopped by a few hours ago and had administered a sedative to help him rest and recover. His sleep had been troubled and sporadic, but the sedative had allowed him the peace that his body required.

Eric was trying to fight off the feelings of helplessness that seemed to overtake most who had been involved in a sudden, unsuspecting attack. It would take him time to regain his sense of self and security, but he was a strong man, and he would get there. Kannan, on the other hand, would find relief in only one way, and that was making sure everyone who had a hand in the suffering of his beloved would pay.

He was having a cup of coffee in the living room, where he could easily hear Eric if he woke when there came a knock at his door. He answered, and standing there was Commander Kristof Lakatos, the resident Alpha in the Hadden Coven. He was mated to Master Hadden's personal assistant, Andrew, and oversaw the wolf members of the Hadden Coven.

“Come in.” Kannan brought him into the living room. Kannan sat on the sofa and Kristof took the chair. “Gage told you what happened?” he prompted.

"Yes, and I'm sorry your beloved was harmed by those beasts." Kannan nodded. "The wolves in question, Cal and Rule, do not belong to a pack per se, but they are part of a loose-knit group of shifters. They're ruled by a wolf named Decker. He's rough, uncouth, and cares about nothing but himself and his own interests. I believe this attitude is what has attracted the unsavory to his doorstep."

"I'm going after Cal and Rule," Kannan announced and waited for Kristof's response.

"That group does not support one another. Cal and Rule will be on their own unless Decker sees it in his interest to get involved. Master Hadden has been watching them for a few years concerned that they do not grow into a problem." Kristof leaned forward. "I believe that the shadow that has fallen over this city in the last few months has given rise to the lesser aspects of society, which includes Decker and his band of misfits."

“Cal and Rule followed Eric out of the Ruby Light and accosted him in the alley. If I hadn’t followed . . .” His voice fell off as the possibilities sprung up in his mind.

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