Page 9 of The Vampire and the Ravens

"Delicious." He said and closed his eyes for a moment. "You're so different and so powerful, sharp and heady. You belong to me." He said and grabbed Luke, pulling him over and burying his face in his throat. The soft, erotic moan pushed him, and he sunk his teeth into the tender flesh and drank deeply of his young lover.

He was completing the bond, sealing them together as one. The sensations surging through him were mind-numbing, and the revitalizing energy that washed over him was unbelievable. Liam finished and licked the wound closed, leaving a noticeable claiming scar at the base of Luke's throat. Everyone would know that Luke belonged to him.

“That was fantastic.” Luke rolled off to lay next to him. “I’ve never been with a vampire before.” He sounded pleased and satisfied, but Liam was not done. Riall had calmed and caught his breath but remained seated firmly on Liam's now softening cock.

Liam took him by the shoulders and rolled, pinning him beneath him. "You belong to me." He repeated the words he'd said to Luke and quickly sunk his teeth into the soft skin at the base of his throat. Riall jerked and moaned salaciously but did not try to move.

Once again Liam drank deep tasting and marking Riall as his own. The surge of power and energy hit him again and the sensation of being fulling connected to both his lovely beloved was complete. He licked the wound closed and again made sure it was an obvious scar marking him as the vampire’s beloved. It hadn’t been his intension to complete the bond so quickly, but his vampire instincts would not wait, and he never second guessed his instincts.

Luke rolled over next to them and laid his arm across Liam's back. Liam turned to place a kiss on his forehead. "You're beautiful, both of you, and now you're mine." He stated, proud and final.

CHAPTER FIVE

The message was received through a private, secure channel and went directly to Master Louis DuCane. It came from overseas, from a location Louis had not heard from in centuries. It was an important communiqué that followed all the protocols and forms, indicating the seriousness of the contents. It was written by the fifth Earl of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England.

Louis knew the area well and fought more than one battle there in the defense of his father’s holdings. It was an old settlement and has been ruled since the dawn of time by the Montagu-Scotts. It was Francis Doncaster Montagu-Scott who was contacting him now. He took over control following the death of his father centuries ago. Louis examined the very formal envelope with its impeccable lettering and wondered what on earth could warrant such contact.

He sipped his morning coffee and took care of all the other coven business before returning to the envelope. His instincts were telling him it was nothing good, but he’d put it off as long as possible. Carefully breaking the seal, he then flipped it open and began to read.

It states that it has come to the attention of the Earl of Doncaster, Francis Doncaster Montagu-Scott, that one Sir Liam Percy is a member in good standing with the coven of Master Louis DuCane located in and around the city of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Louis was not familiar with anyone going by the name of Sir Liam Percy, and he was hoping that the good Earl had his covens confused. There was nothing worse than trying to mollify an aristocrat, an old aristocrat used to getting his way. He continued with the letter that explained the complaint against Sir Liam Percy and also outlined what the Earl wanted to happen.

Sir Liam Percy swore allegiance to Francis' father, the second Earl of Doncaster, but then betrayed and murdered him. The current Earl was demanding that he turn Sir Liam Percy over to him for punishment. Louis tossed the letter onto his desk and called Ismael.

“Are you familiar with a Sir Liam Percy? There’s an Earl in England who is claiming that we are harboring a murderer.” Louis said his tone dripping with sarcasm. He was a little taken aback when Ismael did not answer immediately. He felt hesitation and instantly braced himself. "What is it Ismael? Do you know him?”

"I don't know of any murderer or traitor, but I know Sir Liam Percy, and so do you." Ismael paused for just the briefest moment and then added. "He goes by the name Liam Reid." Silence fell for at least a full minute.

“Why am I only now learning this?” Louis was not amused.

"He shared that information with Easton back when they were both members of the Pittsburgh coven. He had a difficult past, and that was all he said to him apart from giving him his name. Easton never took it any further, believing he knew the man and that it was not his business." Ismael explained.

“He’s being called a traitor and a murderer.” Louis pointed out.

“Do you believe it?” Ismael countered.

“No, I do not.” Louis was still irritated at being kept in the dark.

"There is hardly a man here who does not possess a difficult past, and that includes us. You have never held that against anyone or demanded that every skeleton be bared. Louis DuCane makes his own judgments." Ismael stated, and Louis acquiesced.

“I need to speak with him, and I’d like for you to be present as well. I know he values your friendship.”

“Of course.”

"Either way, he is in considerable trouble. It's nothing that can't be handled, but we have to do it by the book. This is the old world, with the old rules to which we still ascribe, so we cannot be seen as skirting the laws that we so forcefully make others follow." Louis laid down the law for many, and now, that commitment was probably going to come back and bite him.

“Understood.” Ismael agreed.

"But with that said, I plan to defend Chef Reid in every way possible. I don't hand over people simply by request if they have a credible charge against them; they will have to prove it."

They'd moved from the living room floor to the bedroom, and Luke had to admit he was impressed with his mate's style. The stiff and proper gentleman had a wild side. The room was Middle Ages chic with heavy dark woods, velvets, brocades, and leather, and plenty of leather. It would seem that they and their mate were not as far apart in lifestyle as they first expected.

The sex was out of this fucking world, with Liam giving in spades. They'd claimed him immediately, and honestly, Luke was surprised when Liam reciprocated and marked them both. The feeding was something he'd never done before, but now he wanted it all the damn time. Their bond was growing by the hour, and already he could sense Liam's moods and feel his emotions, and he was sure Riall was having the same experience.

He noticed that Riall's possessive side was coming out, and although he had no problem sharing Liam with him, he was damn well not going to share him with anyone else in any capacity. Considering Liam's position there at the coven, Riall might have to learn to temper his controlling nature.

The sun was coming up and he could sense that gorgeous mate was waking up and was ready for more. “Good morning beautiful.” He said and rolled over to greedy kiss to Liam’s eager lips. Riall roused and also rolled over to greet Liam with kisses to his shoulder. This man was everything they could ever want and everything they would ever need.

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