Soul Mates: Sacrifice Read online

  "I never knew my father," I said. "He left before I was even born."

  Doc frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that, Peter."

  "I'm not." I shrugged. "I'd rather have nothing than the bastard I always heard he was. So what's the deal? Am I fucked?"

  "We ran a battery of tests and every one of them came back with the same positive results."

  "And that is?"

  "Lucien should be able to transition you, just as he would with any other vampire. Technically, your body won't die as much as it will mutate. But it—"

  The room was starting to spin and I blinked hard. "No… no. I couldn't—can't—take any more of that shit."

  "Breathe, Peter. There's more." Doc took my hands, massaging my knuckles with his thumbs. It calmed me almost instantly, despite the fact that the thought of more should have had my stomach rolling. He smiled. "Right now, you are still human. Already, though, you are healing rapidly and have had episodes of partial shifting. Is that correct?"

  I nodded.

  "Lucien's gift will give you the immortality that you seek."

  "It's not that," I said softly. "It was never that. I just wanted the cravings that I couldn't sate to go away. A hunger without a fix, you know?"

  "You will be an entirely new species. You will live as a vampire, but you will be able to shift as a Lycan." He sighed and squeezed my hand. "We're not sure of anything else. You could be incredibly weak… Or you could be the most powerful thing we've ever faced. Either way, we will help you as much as we possibly can."

  I pulled my hands away and scrubbed them over my face. "I'll be a freak. Not one or the other. How the fuck… No one will respect me, not vampires, not Lycans."

  "Oh, I highly doubt that."

  "Is there any way to go back? If Lucien doesn't bring me over—"

  "Now that the dormant Lycan gene has reawakened, it has no way to sustain itself. As it is now, your body is aggressively trying to bring it to the forefront as the cure, but it's too weak. Your body has no idea that it's selected the wrong gene. Since you cannot progress through the stages to become a full-fledged werewolf, I'm afraid Lucien is your only hope for survival."

  "And how is Lucien the fix for all this?"

  "Your death, even in its temporary form, will halt the process of mutation. The Lycan genes will still be there, but they will be unable to take over."

  I scrubbed my hands over my face, shaking my head. Maybe there were some things I didn't need to know. "Are you sure I'll make the transition?"

  Doc nodded confidently. "I would not even suggest it if I thought it would fail. However, you are running out of time."

  "That's why you're back so quickly."

  He nodded again. "The drug I concocted to help stabilize the side effects of what's happening in your body will run out very shortly. In fact, from my tests in the lab, it should have run out already."

  I stood and walked to the window. Instead of looking out over the yard, I closed my eyes and let Doc's words replay through my head.

  Infected…mutating…genes, cells…should be able to transition you… entirely new species …running out of time…

  "So what it all boils down to is…I'm dying."

  "In a very short version? Yes."

  I leaned against the cool window, sighing. "How long?"

  "Two, maybe three days."

  My whole body went numb. A dozen things went through my head at once—things I needed to take care of, people I needed to see—yet I was at a loss for words. The door to the library opened, but I didn't bother to look back.

  "Peter?" Daniel called from across the room. "Do you understand everything that Doc's explained to you?"

  "Unfortunately." I turned and faced him. "What I don't understand is why you're here? What does any of this have to do with you?"

  Daniel gestured to the chair behind Lucien's desk. "If you'll have a seat, I'll explain."

  I started to argue but his expression hardened. He was beautiful, no doubt, but beneath that there was an air of cruelty; born more out of necessity than nature. Something told me that it would be wise for me to just shut the fuck up and do as he said. I gave a nod, taking my seat behind the desk.

  "As you know, Cyril was a member of the Council. With everything that's happened, there is now an empty seat." Daniel paused, sitting on the edge of Lucien's desk and looking down at me. "I would like you to fill it."

  "Excuse me? In case you've forgotten, I'm still human."

  "But not for long," he said.

  "Even if… Why would I want to be a part of the Council? I know next to nothing about it, other than the fact that you're the governing body for vampires and..." I trailed off, not really knowing how to group everyone else. "Others."

  "To make a difference, Peter. The Council needs new blood, needs those who will lead in the best interests of the people. The world is growing and changing rapidly. If we do not grow and change with it, we become stagnant. That is something our people cannot afford."

  "So why are you offering me – someone who could very well be the weakest vampire or Lycan known in our world – a position on the Council of Elders?"

  "You could very well be the most powerful."

  "You're willing to chance it either way?"

  "It is safe to say that, even if your physical abilities don't amount to much, your leadership skills are well above par."

  I shifted in the chair and leaned back, looking up to meet Daniel's gaze. "Tell me something?"

  "Anything."

  "Why not Lucien? He's a much better leader than I am."

  "Honestly, I don't agree. Lucien is a superb Master and is very well-respected. He leads well, tends to have a heavy hand at times, but he seems to lack…" He waved a hand as if trying to think of a word.

  "Ambition." Doc finished it for him.

  Daniel pointed in his direction. "Exactly. Lucien was torn away from a coven he was happily serving in and no amount of time or experience can change the fact that he never wanted to lead. You? You want to do things. Change things. Make things better for your people. You have a desire to move forward and make this coven the best that it can possibly be."

  "Lucien wants that as much as I do."

  "After you pointed it out to him, of course."

  "Look, Daniel, I appreciate the gesture and all, but I just don't think it'll work."

  "Perhaps the benefits will persuade you?"

  "Probably not."

  "Just in case," Daniel said, smiling as he reached across the desk. He placed a bound file before me. "I took the liberty of listing the benefits you—and the coven—would receive if you were to take the seat."

  I picked up the file, shaking my head. It was nearly an inch thick. "I'm not promising anything."

  "All that I ask is that you give it serious consideration."

  "I've got two, maybe three days left and I'm supposed to go through an inch-thick file to see if I want to take a seat for the Council, when I may not even be here to utilize it." I laughed. "Oh yeah, I'll get right on that."

  There was a knock at the door, but it didn't open right away. "Yes?"

  The door opened and Adam poked his head in shyly. "Master Lucien is asking for you. He's in the front drive."

  "Thank you, Adam."

  He nodded politely and retreated, shutting the door behind him. I looked at them both. "If you'd like, we have rooms available in the guest wing."

  "If it would be okay, I'd like to stay a few days," Doc said. "I would feel more comfortable being here, just in case there's a need for my services."

  "Actually, Doc? I'd feel better if you stayed." I glanced from Doc to Daniel. "Separate rooms?"

  Daniel smiled. "Please."

  "Very well, then. Make yourselves at home." At that, I stood. "Now, if you'll both excuse me, I believe my presence has been requested."

  * * *

  Adam was waiting for me as I left the library, head down, hands behind his back. I stopped just in front of him. "Everything ok
ay?"

  "Yes, sir. Master Lucien asked me to wait for you."

  "Ah, I see." I realized that I hadn't spoken to him since I took his blood in the library. "Listen, Adam, I want to thank you for your help the other day."

  "It was my pleasure," he said softly. "Simon explained what had happened. I'm glad to have helped."

  "And you did, Adam. I don't think I'd have found him otherwise." Adam smiled, but remained silent. "Daniel and Doc will need guest rooms. Can you handle that for me?"

  "Of course, sir."

  "Come on; let's not keep him waiting, then."

  We walked through the house to the front door and when we reached it, Adam opened it for me. I would have thanked him, but my eyes were on Lucien—who was surrounded by a half-dozen wolves. I stepped out the door, but hesitated.

  "What's going on, Lucien?"

  "Come here!" He laughed. "You play with big, bad werewolves but these little guys scare you?"

  "I'm not scared. I'm being cautious." I started toward them, slowly. "Where did they come from?"

  "A friend."

  "Yeah?"

  One of the larger wolves stepped away from Lucien and headed for me. I stopped and let him come, holding my hand out just slightly. The wolf nuzzled against my hand, sniffing me, then bit at my fingers before licking them. I dropped to one knee to pet him, running my fingers through his thick, gray-brown coat.

  At first, the wolf stood stiff-legged, his entire body tense and alert. Yellow eyes scrutinized me closely and for a moment, I thought he was going to bite me in the face. But after a few minutes, he relaxed, tongue lolling out as he panted.

  "What a pretty boy you are," I said softly. "And soft, too."

  He sat, then collapsed onto his belly before rolling to his back. I'd seen that enough times to know what it meant. Funny, how wolves and werewolves had some of the same behaviors. I scratched his belly and his chest, enjoying watching him as much as he seemed to be enjoying the attention.

  I looked at Lucien as he walked up, smiling. "He's pretty."

  Lucien nodded. "He's yours. They all are, Peter."

  "What?"

  He took my arm and pulled me up, hands framing my face. "A gift, lover."

  "Oh, Lucien…" I hugged him tightly, fighting like hell to keep from breaking down into tears. Would I even be here to take care of them? "Thank you."

  "What is wrong?" he asked after a few moments. "Your emotions are all over the place."

  I couldn't go into it now. Not when he'd gone to the trouble of surprising me like this. This was supposed to be about the good and the happy moments. I shook my head.

  "I'm just tired. You want to go sit out in the grass with the wolves?"

  "Sure."

  He took my hand and led me to the grass. I looked back to see if the wolf I'd given attention to would follow, but he wasn't there. I looked around at the other wolves who seemed to be pondering whether to follow, but he wasn't with them either. A sharp nudge at the back of my knee drew my attention and I looked down to see him, sitting on his haunches at my feet.

  "There you are." I sat on the ground and gave him another pet.

  Lucien laughed as he sat next to me. "He likes you."

  I bumped shoulders with Lucien, smirking. "Why wouldn't he?"

  He lay back, grinning as he looked up at me. "You are rather likeable."

  I stretched out next to him, sighing as I looked up at the predawn sky. "I love the grounds at this time of night."

  "I do, too. Everything just seems calm and quiet." He rolled to his side, propping himself up on his elbow. "Except for you."

  The sympathy in his eyes was just too much to take. I closed my eyes in avoidance, fighting not to break down. "I don't want to talk about it."

  "What did they say to you?"

  "They want me to take a seat on the Council."

  Lucien sounded surprised. "Really?"

  I nodded.

  "Are you going to take it?"

  "Oh, I don't know." I frowned up at him. "It's just… weird, don't you think?"

  "I think it's soon, but certainly not weird." He bent and kissed my forehead. "It's a good opportunity."

  "I didn't think you liked the Council much."

  "For the most part, no. But mainly because they have refused to change over the years and listen to what's going on. They've refused to move forward." He smiled a little, though it was far from a pleasant smile. "And they can be pushy bastards when they want to be."

  "I don't know what to do, Lucien. What will this mean for us and the coven if I do take the seat?"

  "It won't mean a thing, other than the fact that you'll be out of town every three months for a meeting."

  "For some reason, I don't think that's all. They gave me an inch-thick file on the benefits." I shook my head. "They don't give you that much without expecting a hell of a lot in return."

  "It can't hurt to look into it."

  Daniel hadn't even pushed me this much. "Would you do it?"

  "No," he said without hesitation.

  "Then why push me?"

  "I'm not trying to push you, Peter. I just—"

  I glared up at him. "You want the benefits."

  "I just think this is something you should put some thought into before turning it down. All you know of the Council is what I've said about them from my own experience. My opinions aren't always objective." His thumb played over my bottom lip. "Look into it. If it's a good fit for you—do it. If it's not, or they require you to sign your soul away—don't. I only want the best for you, lover."

  A weight against my thigh drew my attention. I looked down to see the wolf curled up beside me, head resting on my thigh. I looked up at Lucien, smiling.

  "How'd you ever orchestrate this so fast?"

  "Actually, I had this planned before…"

  His words hung in the air.

  I didn't want to go there. I cupped the back of his neck and pulled him down to me, tongue pushing between his lips. He groaned as our tongues slid together and shifted so that he straddled me. When his weight pressed down on me, it was in the right fucking spot and I bucked up against him.

  Lucien broke the kiss, half-laughing, half-opened-mouth moaning. He couldn't have looked sexier to me than in that moment. So open, so wanting.

  I concentrated hard and managed to shift one of my hands. I wasn't sure how long I could hold it, as the shifts never lasted more than a couple of seconds. Carefully, I slid a sharp claw along the seam of Lucien's pants. The pants gave way just as my hand shifted back to normal. I curled my fingers on each side of the seam and pulled, tearing them open.

  I slid one hand between me and Lucien, fingers finding his hole. He growled and rose up slightly, then sank back down, hips rolling as he rode my fingers. He grunted and managed to get my pants unbuckled and unzipped, then worked at his own. After a few awkward moments of shifting and rearranging clothes, Lucien rose just enough so the head of my cock rested at his hole.

  "You gonna ride me? Right out here in the fucking open where anyone can see?"

  Lucien shuddered. "Don't care who sees anymore. Just want you."

  I pushed up as Lucien bore down and slid right into that tight, velvet heat. "Oh, fuck."

  He nodded, hips rocking hard and fast, gaze locked with mine. It wasn't long before Lucien closed his eyes and let his head fall back, just giving himself up to the sensations. He was so tight around me and with each and every roll of his hips he'd tighten around me even more.

  I dug my boot heels into the ground and thrust up. Lucien growled and cried out, hand going to his cock. He jerked a couple times, then came all over my shirt. The sight and scent of him coming sent me over and I clutched Lucien's hips, holding him tight as I filled him.

  Lucien blinked down at me and I grinned, pulling him down for a kiss, almost giggling. "I think your pants have a hole in them."

  * * *

  When we walked into the bedroom, Nikolas was lounging in the middle of the bed, waiting.r />
  "What are you doing?" Lucien asked playfully.

  "Waiting for y'all to quit fucking in the yard and come see me. I'm supposed to feed you, Lucien. Xander did, after all, offer me up."