Page 123 of Claim of Blood
When Adam’s fangs pierced Leo’s skin, the hunter cried out, his body arching. Blood welled around Adam’s mouth, shockingly bright against Leo’s pale skin. The scent filled the room—copper and sweetness—making Lander’s own fangs ache with hunger.
Watching Leo come undone pushed Lander toward the edge. His hand moved faster, the rhythm falling apart as pleasure built. Leo came first, spilling hot across Lander’s stomach, his body clenching around Adam. Adam followed seconds later, his groan muffled against Leo’s neck.
Lander’s release hit him like a wave, unexpected in its intensity. For a moment, the connection between the three of them felt almost tangible—like a circuit completing, energy flowing from one to the other and back again.
They collapsed together onto the bed, limbs tangled, breath coming in ragged gasps. Leo settled against Lander’s chest, his skin flushed and damp. Adam stretched out beside them, one arm draped possessively across them both.
After a few minutes, Adam pressed a kiss to Leo’s shoulder and slipped from the bed. “Don’t move,” he said simply.
Lander watched him walk to the bathroom, the sound of running water following. Leo shifted against him, nestling closer with a contented sigh.
“I came back faster,” Leo murmured, sounding surprised.
“What do you mean?” Lander asked, running his fingers through Leo’s hair.
“With Adam, I go... somewhere else.” Leo tapped his temple. “In my head. Like drowning in feeling. But I came back quicker this time.”
“Because I was here?”
Leo nodded against his chest. “I think so.”
Adam returned with a warm washcloth. With surprising gentleness, he cleaned first Leo, then Lander, his movements careful.
“Leo says he resurfaces faster when I’m around,” Lander said, studying Adam’s face.
Adam paused, expression thoughtful. “Interesting.”
“Is that why you wanted me here?” Lander asked, though the question felt simpler than what he was really asking.
Adam shook his head. “I wanted you because something in me needed you.” He glanced at Leo. “I didn’t know why. Just that it felt right.”
“But if I help Leo stay present—”
“Then that’s good,” Adam finished. “But it’s not why you’re here.”
Leo yawned, eyes already drifting closed. “Maybe the magic knows what it’s doing after all.”
Lander thought about that. About Felix, and that unwelcome pull that still hummed beneath his skin. About the faint marks on his neck that refused to fade. About how right it felt being here, between these two.
“Maybe it does,” he admitted quietly.
Adam smiled, climbing back into bed. His hand found Lander’s fingers intertwining. “Finally,” he murmured, “you’re beginning to accept it.”
#
* * *
#
Morning light woke Lander hours later. Adam was already up, moving quietly around the room, while Leo remained curled against Lander’s chest with the boneless contentment of the thoroughly satisfied.
“Morning,” Leo murmured, amber eyes blinking open slowly.
“Breakfast?” Adam asked, pulling on a burgundy button-down. “Your parents are already downstairs.”
Lander’s stomach dropped.
“They’re going to know.” “Of course they’re going to know,” Leo said, stretching like a cat.
