Liquid crimson (3 page)

Spiro held up a hand, stopping Michael from going further. “He may be many things, but ultimately, he is a man. If you continue to put yourself on display, he will look.”

“I was hot,” Michael whined. “This house is like an oven. How was I supposed to know he’d come in.”

Spiro grinned and kissed Michael’s forehead. “You know what you have to do. You’ve been trained for many years to help Neo lead when the time comes, but that will never happen if he doesn’t fall in love with you.”

“Why is it so important that we love each other? I’d let him fu…make love to me without all the mushy stuff.”

Spiro held up his hands and sighed. “Why must I continue to have this conversation with you? The gods have forbidden the two of you to mate until Neo learns how to love again. Without love in his heart, he is not the kind of king the Blessed Creatures need.”

“But how do I make him fall in love with me if I can’t touch him?” Michael asked.

“You don’t
make
him fall in love with you. You
let
him fall in love with you. Be yourself, be kind, and most of all don’t be afraid of him, no matter what. That is the way to my brother’s heart.”

“Okay. I’m sure I’ll have blue balls by the time that happens though.”

Spiro’s hands flew to his ears. “I’m not listening to this.”

Michael rolled his eyes. “You’re such a prude.”

“No I’m not. I just don’t care to listen to my son talk about sex with my brother. It’s…icky.”

Michael laughed and gave his father a hug. Neo wasn’t really his uncle and he would never think of him in such a way, but Spiro would always be his father. “I miss you already.”

“And on that note, I’ll leave you alone to start your day.” Spiro started to step back, but paused. “You might have better luck if you start getting your body used to keeping
Neo’s
hours. He doesn’t have a choice in the matter, you do.”

Michael bowed. “Yes, Father.”

“Smart ass,” Spiro chuckled before vanishing.

Still grinning, Michael dressed in his jogging gear which consisted of a simple pair of nylon shorts and running shoes. He left the bedroom determined to run at least five miles.

Turning the corner, he ran into a huge man with blond hair. “Excuse me,” he said. “Do you live here, too?”

“Yes. I’m Gunnar.
Neo’s
head of security.”

“Oh, nice to meet you, Gunnar. I’m Michael.”

“Yes, I know who you are. Neo assigned me to be your shadow during the day.”

“Really?” Damn. He was going to have this hot guy following him around. Cool. “You run, Gunnar? Because that’s what I’m getting ready to do. I try to get in at least five miles a day.”

Gunnar smiled. “That depends. Do you have a problem running alongside a wolf?”

“You can change, just like that? I thought werewolves only changed during certain phases of the lunar cycle.”

Gunnar chuckled. “I’m over eight hundred years old. You don’t think I’ve learned a thing or two during that time?”

Michael clapped Gunnar on the back and headed for the door. “We’re
gonna
get along just fine.”

“Yep. As long as you don’t touch me in front of Neo.”

Michael paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Why’s that?”

Gunnar walked towards him, removed Michael’s hand from the knob and opened the door. “Because Neo threatened to rip my head off if I or anyone else touched you.” Gunnar grinned and removed his clothes, turning his back on Michael when he removed his jeans. He twisted the jeans and shirt into a circle and tied them at the ends. Michael was confused until Gunnar shifted into a large white wolf right before his eyes. The magnificent wolf stuck its head through the ring of clothing and wore them like a necklace.

“Cool trick.” Michael lifted his leg and rested it on the porch railing. As he stretched, he watched Gunnar pace back and forth. “You know, you make a very handsome wolf. Perhaps you’d get more dates in that form. At least you wouldn’t ruin things by opening your mouth.”

Gunnar barked and snapped at him.

“Keep it up, Fido, and I’ll tell Neo you tried to bite me,” Michael laughed and took off down the steps.

He found a dirt path that wound around the outskirts of the vineyard and just barely into the trees. “This must be your stomping grounds, huh?” he asked Gunnar.

The wolf barked a reply, easily keeping up with Michael. “You’re all right, you know that?” Michael acknowledged his new friend. As he set a steady stride he let his mind wander. It was his favourite part of running. Getting the opportunity to let go and allow his mind free reign kept him centred.

A rabbit off to his right moved in the brush. “Ooh, you see that? Better go grab you a snack.”

Gunnar barked again, but Michael could see the wolf eyeing the brush as they ran. “You know you want to,” he continued to tease.

He was almost disappointed when Gunnar refused to rise to the bait. He finished his run and slowed to a walk. “You
gonna
change, or make me talk to myself the rest of the afternoon?”

“Have you always been a pain in the ass or just since you came here?” Gunnar asked.

“Shit!” Michael’s hand flew to his chest. “Way to sneak up on a guy.” He started to turn around but caught a glimpse of a very naked, very aroused Gunnar and turned back. “
Uhhh
, you can get dressed now.”

“Sorry about that. It’s a natural side-effect of shifting, but I know not everyone’s comfortable with it.”

Michael shrugged as he heard a zipper slide into place. “Nothing wrong with getting a boner, I just doubted you wanted me staring at it.”

Gunnar chuckled. “By the way, kid, a word to the wise. You may get away with calling me Fido, because I know you’re just kidding, but I wouldn’t try it with any of the other wolves. Their sense of humour isn’t the same as mine.”

“Hmm, sensitive are they? I’ll have to remember that.” They walked in companionable silence for a long stretch. “So what’s that used for?” Michael asked, pointing to a massive round stone building.

Gunnar veered off the path towards the building. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

Michael walked to the left and just behind Gunnar. He had no doubt the man was the alpha of his pack. The wide expanse of his chest and shoulders tested the seams in his T-shirt, while his body tapered down to perfectly trim hips.

“Stop
lookin
’ at my ass,” Gunnar admonished.

Red faced, Michael mumbled, “But it’s such a pretty ass.” He moved his attention to the building in front of him. “So, you haven’t told me what this is.”

Gunnar opened the ornately-carved set of double doors. Michael stepped into the room and sighed. “Shit, it must be at least twenty degrees cooler in here.”

“Twenty-seven,” Gunnar corrected after checking the thermometer on the wall. “This is the wine tasting barn. We have groups out occasionally to sample the wines for mass distribution.”

Michael looked up at the heavy wooden beams. “This place is awesome. Maybe I’ll start sleeping out here at night.”

Gunnar chuckled. “The boss does tend to keep the house a little warm, doesn’t he?”

“Damn, I thought it was just me. What’s up with that?”

Shrugging, Gunnar led Michael out of the building and shut the doors. “I think it has something to do with him being a vampire. He’s always cold. I heard Joseph tell Neo it wouldn’t be as bad if he’d drink blood like he’s supposed to.”

“What do you mean like he’s supposed to?” Michael knew what it looked like when vampires fed from their donors by watching Daniel dine. “Does Neo have a particular human he feeds from?”

“No,” Gunnar said, shaking his head. He looked around the area before continuing. “I probably shouldn’t be talking to you about this, but I doubt you’ll ever find out from Neo.”

Gunnar motioned to a bench under a shade tree. “See that building way down there with the red roof?” Gunnar asked, pointing off into the distance.

“Yeah.”

“Around here we call that the blood bank. Folks from the area sell pints of their blood to Neo. He does something special to it. I don’t know all the particulars since he won’t allow anyone but Joseph to mix it for him, but the result is something he calls, Liquid Crimson. I think it’s donor blood mixed with different stuff, including wine. Although blood has been his only source of food since he was turned, Neo still doesn’t like the taste unless it’s mixed with something else. There is a pleasant side-effect though. Liquid Crimson is the only thing I’ve seen that can get him drunk.” Gunnar shrugged. “That’s not to say he’s always drunk, of course. Neo doesn’t indulge very often. Mostly he just drinks enough to stay alive.”

“No shit? Why does he do it that way? I’ve seen vampires feed, and I
gotta
say, it’s hotter than hell.”

Gunnar covered his eyes and chuckled. “I can’t believe some of the things that come out of your mouth. I think you’re just what this place needs.”

“Oh yippee. I’m so glad you approve, now answer my question.”

Gunnar stood and looked out towards the ‘blood bank’. “I’ve known Neo for hundreds of years, and I’ve never heard of him drinking directly from the source.” He looked over his shoulder at Michael. “If you know what I mean.”

“Why?”

“Shame, I suppose. I think it’s when the shame gets too much that he indulges in more of the Liquid Crimson than what he needs to stay alive.”

Michael’s first reaction was to wonder if he’d been given some of
Neo’s
special wine hours earlier in the study.
Naw
, no way, he decided, but his heart melted for the lonely vampire asleep in the house. “That sucks.”

“Yeah.” Gunnar started walking back towards the house with Michael on his heels. “I have a feeling you being here will be good for him.”

“Once again, so glad you approve.” Michael bumped his shoulder against Gunnar’s heavily muscled body. “I’m going to take a shower.” He made a point of sniffing Gunnar. “You should, too,” he said, screwing up his face.

Inside his room, Michael stripped and stepped under the spray. What would it be like to feel ashamed of who you were? He honestly couldn’t imagine how lonely life must be for someone like that. Maybe he’d try and take a long nap later so he could stay up with Neo?
Ooh, I wonder if he plays chess?

Chapter Three

From his bedroom window, Michael watched Neo roam the vineyard. It had been almost two months since he’d arrived, and he didn’t think he was any closer to getting to know the vampire. He’d changed his schedule, hoping that would help, but Neo always found something else to do rather than spend time with him.

The lustful noises coming from
Neo’s
bedroom on occasion further contributed to Michael’s loneliness. He wondered what Neo would do if he took a lover? Several evenings he’d seen
Rafi
disappear with Neo, either into the study or into his bedroom. Neo had good taste, at least Michael could give him that.
Rafi
, with his silky black hair and almond-shaped eyes was breathtaking. Being the alpha of the
weretigers
, Michael assumed the man’s body looked even better naked than it did in the tight clothes he wore.

He pushed away from the sill and headed towards the door. If Neo wanted him gone, Michael wished he’d just say so. Stepping out into the cool night air, he almost tripped over
Sema
.

“Shit, sorry.” Michael squatted down and rubbed the black tiger behind the ears.
Sema’s
eyes drooped as he began to purr. Unlike a housecat,
Sema’s
purr was loud and deep enough that Michael felt the rumble in his chest. “Yeah, you’re a pretty boy,” he continued to soothe, stroking the strong cat. “Why can’t you shift and keep
Rafi
company? Hmmm?”

When
Sema
appeared content once again, Michael took off towards the vineyard. He managed to get twenty yards from Neo before he was yelled at.

“What’re you doing out here, Michael? I’ve told you the vineyards are mine at night.”

Michael looked around. True, there were vines still in place, but the grapes had been harvested several weeks earlier. He took a chance and moved closer. “What is it you find so fascinating about fruitless vines that you’d rather spend time with them over me?” he bravely asked.

Neo gave Michael a sideways glance before turning to slowly walk away. Stubborn since birth, Michael followed, waiting for an answer. When Neo reached the end of the row he started back up the other side. Within a few yards, Michael came face to face with Neo, though the vines grew between them.

“The vines don’t make me want something I can’t have,” Neo grumbled.

Michael stared into
Neo’s
black eyes. It was the first time since the morning after he’d arrived that Neo gave any indication he wanted him. “I offered myself to you the second day of my stay. I’ve tried everything I could think of to get you to notice me, but it seems you prefer
Rafi’s
company to my own.”

“I notice you,” Neo said in the softest voice Michael had ever heard him use. It was more than a whisper, it was almost a prayer. “
Rafi
is nothing more than a release. I can’t hurt him, and his company helps me keep my head around you.”