Page 4 of The Shadows of the Dawn

Nikola nicked the lobe of Asher’s ear, breathing into it, “We are alone right now.”

Asher gave permission in the form of whimpering noises tumbling from his lips. Nikola swiftly unclipped Asher’s belt, the zipper and buttons of his pants soon to follow. Asher’s overeager cock sprung free from his boxers, awaiting Nikola’s grip.

Asher’s hand shot up, reaching over his shoulder to clasp the back of Nikola’s neck. He thrust in time with Nikola’s strokes, his breath sawing between clenched teeth. Sure, they were pretty high up, but could a human spot them from the streets? Shit, anyone could probably peek through the neighboring windows.

The possibility sent a shot of thrill down Asher’s shaft, causing him to arch back against Nikola’s form. Nikola vibrated with growls, tips of pointed teeth grazing the skin of Asher’s throat. Electricity sparked through Asher’s veins.

“Tell me, my love,” Nikola said in a low growl. A thread of vicious possessiveness strung the words together, sending Asher’s heart galloping. “What exactly is stopping me from fucking you right on this ledge?”

He pumped faster, his voice deepening. “What is stopping me from showing the world that you are mine and mine alone?”

Asher panted, coherent speech lost to unintelligent noises. Well, fuck. Nikola was about to make him shoot a rope of cum right over the roof’s edge if he didn’t let up. Asher parted his lips to gasp out the warning because he was already so close, but—

The scraping of shoe leather against the wall and the heaving breath of someone else pulling themselves atop the roof interrupted Nikola and Asher. Asher hissed in alarm, fumbling to stuff his rock-hard package back into his pants, pinching himself in the process.

Nikola leaped away, clearing his throat and adjusting his clothes as if he were the one almost caught with his dick out.

The intruder, however, was too busy catching their breath to notice anything amiss. It was that human, Moss. Asher reined in the snarl threatening to spill free, not wanting to explain it to Nikki, barely understanding his own reactions himself. It wasn’t jealousy, per se, it was... well, fuck. It was complicated.

He didn’t feel a single thing toward Liam except resentment.

Maybe Asher was bitter toward Moss because they got to escape Liam’s ugliness, as far as Asher knew.

“Explain,” Nikola said bluntly.

Moss smiled sheepishly, all dimples, as if they weren’t alone on a strange city rooftop facing two vampires. Then again, they were a human mated with a Blood Follower. “Trish gave me a boost is all. Used to do rock climbing and all that.” Another shrug. “Just don’t look down.”

“And why are you up here?” Good to hear that Nikola was equally annoyed by the interruption.

“Oh, right. Uh.” Moss cringed. “I had some questions. About... about Liam.”

This time, Asher couldn’t contain the growl. “The guy was a slimy backstabbing self-hating homo who took it out on yours truly. What else is there to know? Or are you up here risking your neck to tell me all about how he’s grown up and changed and regrets his past? Because I don’t care. I’ve lived entire lifetimes since high school—my human past stays dead.”

With a hiss, Asher turned his back on the human’s stunned silence. He was half-tempted to donkey kick them over the edge, but even he could admit his frustration was misdirected. Moss was just some bystander, nothing more. Besides, the Goddess probably wouldn’t like that.

“I mean, no. That’s not—” Moss inhaled the rest of the sentence, starting over. "Liam is a Blood Follower. I know what that entails. But he was Changed by a Moon Child. Like, did the Horned One pick Liam because of his old self or because Trish did it without his explicit consent?”

Old self? Consent? The human had no idea what the hell they were talking about. Asher gave an angry snort. Nikola landed a hand on his shoulder to blockade the next outburst.

“Mortal, you approach a great question that our kind has debated for as long as I can recall in my seven centuries.” Asher registered Moss’s shock. Okay, yeah, his old man did look good for his age. “Does the vampire choose their patron, or does the patron choose the vampire? Does the heart Change, or does the heart influence the Change, showing its truest colors in the afterlife? I have not the answers, less so these days as I look upon the world behind both red and silver. But please understand, considering the history between Asher and Liam, this may not be the question for my Asher. You must face these trials with the one you call your partner.”

“Oh... I’m sorry. Yeah, you’re right. You’ve given me a lot to think about regarding my own possible Change.” Moss cleared their throat. Asher glanced back to see them rocking on their heels. Their laugh cracked with awkwardness. “Also. Uh. Sorry again. But could I maybe... get a lift down?”

CHAPTER THREE

Nikola

Once upon a time, Nikola had asked Asher Black what Blood Followers dreamt of. Moon Children dreams consisted mostly of memories. Many of which were cruel flashbacks—at least in Nikola’s case. But recently Nikola’s dreams had taken a turn, and he associated the shift with his newfound Blood nature.

Asher and Nikola had been able to book their own room across from Katsuki’s cramped arrangements, but Asher had gone to sleep minutes after stumbling through the door. Even asleep, he simmered with a sour mood, and it seeped into Nikola’s resting mind, taking the shape of nightmares.

Over and over again, Nikola watched himself killing the High King. But only the first time did the King bear his true face. After that, it was a montage of others falling to Nikola’s ruthless blows. Corvellious, Marianna, Morrigan, Malkolm. Yet Nikola thought of each as the High King, not recognizing one from the other, relishing in the triumph of every kill.

Until the face became Asher’s.

Nikola woke violently, tearing off the unfamiliar bedding and gulping for air. His claws, refusing to retract, sliced up the blanket’s fabric. Asher mumbled groggily before rolling over, his scarred back to Nikola.

It was just after sundown, but Nikola let Asher sleep a little longer. He grimaced at the loose fluff, shaking his hands until his heartbeat settled, his claws slotting back into their nailbeds.

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