Page 47 of Loved to Death

“I’m fine with that. Is there a specific reason other than general knowledge?”

“I want to know if there’s a way to change back.”

“Back? As in become human again?”

“Yes.”

Thomas thought about it for a few seconds before slowly nodding. “I doubt it’s possible, but I don’t mind if you spend the next eight-hundred years trying to figure it out. I’ll even help you if I can.”

Shen grinned. “I’m glad we’re in agreement.”

“Me, too. And you should know that I plan to travel back to the ship I’ve been on for the past two years. We can both become part of the crew. Are you okay with that?”

“I am. Traveling to other lands will only help me with my research.”

“Sounds like we have a plan.” Smiling, Thomas started walking again with Shen at his side.

Chapter Seventeen

1899, Buenos Aries, Argentina

Shen opened his eyes. Thomas’ nude body was pressed up against his back, spooning him.

Thomas’ fingers trailed lazily up and down Shen’s arm. “Feels like the ship is docked. Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

Shen pushed the thick cowhide off their heads and turned around to face Thomas in the darkness. They’d moved into the passenger cabin above deck years ago after boarding up the windows, putting tar in all the cracks, and acquiring several thick animal skins to cover their bodies with during daylight.

“You already know the answer to that,” Shen responded.

Thomas frowned. “And you know I don’t like it when you go searching for information without me.”

“The captain needs one of us on board when we pick up the shipment.”

Thomas’ only answer was a sigh.

“I’ll be back in three days, and it’s not as if I’m going alone.”

“We’ve never met this translator, Fitz. How do you know he’s trustworthy?”

“Because Ramon, who we do know, recommended him. You know this, Thomas.” Shen leaned in and gently kissed his lips before rolling onto his back. “Will it make you feel better to mark me before I leave,sir?”

“Maybe.” Thomas stared at Shen’s chest for several seconds before leaning down and viciously sucking on a spot of skin between Shen’s left shoulder and his nipple.

A little whimper came out of Shen as the pain swelled, but it would be worth it to wear the hickey until he fed later in the day.

Thomas took his mouth off Shen and leaned up again. He ran his fingers over the mark. “I still don’t like you going. Do you really believe that getting information on this ‘La Patasola’ is going to lead to anything? Some story about a one-legged woman living in the woods and calling men away to suck their blood? If you were actually going to get some kind of vampire family tree, wouldn’t that have happened last year when you visited Romania to research that Dracula book? I’m pretty sure Vlad the Impaler isn’t our great, great, however-many-great grand-sire.”

Shen tried not to let his irritation get the better of him, especially knowing Thomas would be able to sense it growing, but they had this same argument every time Shen did something on his own, and it was getting old. “Are you going to order me not to go?” That had come out a bit snider than he’d meant it to, and he winced when Thomas’ eyes narrowed. Antagonizing Thomas when he was clearly worried for him wasn’t the smartest move.

Thomas tossed the cowhide all the way off them, climbed out of bed, and pointed to a spot on the floor in front of him. “Here. Now.”

Shen swiftly moved to kneel in front of Thomas with his head bowed.

“You’re not my captive, you’re my lover. I don’t make big life decisions for you; we discuss them and make decisions together. Right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I would like nothing better than to order you not to go, but we both know I won’t.”

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