When Leo said nothing and his mind went blank, an odd sense of…pride rose within him. He then dismissed it as utter ridiculousness, because what did he care if this human could erase his thoughts on command? It really was of no consequence to him. Even if it was most unusual.
His eyes roved over the members of his brood as they slowly began to raise their heads and look upon their afentikó. They didn’t have to utter a word for him to know what they were all thinking. The astonishment plastered on their ashen faces said it all.
Why is Alasdair here tonight?
And who is that with him?
Perhaps the most important question on their minds, however, was: Has he claimed the one he presents?
More questions would no doubt arise over the appearance of both him and the human, but right now Alasdair needed this horde to believe that the man following ever so reluctantly behind him was spending the days and the nights in his bed. Otherwise, things would get messy real fast as others battled for his leftovers.
While they weaved through the crowd of curious onlookers, Alasdair kept his chin held high. The last time several of these vampires had seen him, he’d been on his knees, being tortured in a most atrocious way by Vasilios. It was imperative that they realized he was back in full health and, as always, his position within the brood was at the top.
His age and lineage put him above everyone who stood in the walkway—and they knew it. With Vasilios as his sire, he was one of the most powerful vampires to exist. There weren’t many who matched his power, years, or wisdom, except for—
“Thanos, Isa,” he said as he came to a stop before his cousins. “I had a feeling I’d see you both here this evening.”
Isadora, elegant as ever in a black cocktail dress, slipped a hand through the crook of Thanos’s arm. Around her neck was a black ribbon choker with a gold rose hanging from it.
“You didn’t think we’d miss this, did you?” Her blue eyes shifted to glance behind him. “You could’ve at least given the poor thing a shirt, Alasdair, really.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Isa. I rather like this unfettered glimpse we’re getting of what Alasdair has deemed worthy of his attention. I have to say, I can certainly see why.”
Alasdair gave Thanos, whose lips were stained with the blood of the human he’d been consuming, a pointed look. “I’m surprised you managed to pull yourself away from your own yielding. Is he the one who has kept you so distracted this week that we haven’t seen hide nor hair from you?”
A villainous grin full of sparkling, white teeth crossed Thanos’s boyishly handsome face. He might not have appeared older than his early twenties, but he had several more years on Isadora and a few less than Alasdair. Which made this charming, vampire lethal.
“He and several others,” Thanos replied. “We’ve been testing the resilience of the new bed Eton had delivered. It’s hardly my fault I was ordered to stay in it. But…even I wouldn’t have missed this for all the distractions in the world. It’s gratifying to know that someone can still make your cock hard. I, for one, know how well you can use it—when you choose to,” he said with a mocking bow.
“Stop flirting, Thanos,” Isadora said. “Like you said, his is hard for someone else. How often does he bring a human to the Walk? I think this is very interesting indeed.” Her glossy, scarlet lips curved with amusement as she sized Leo up.
“You’re right,” Thanos agreed, turning her way. “But some things never change, and I can’t help myself with him.” Then he returned his attention to Alasdair, and his eyes practically twinkled with mischief. “This one must be very special. I figured I’d come down and see if you’d offer up a sample. I promise I’d be gentle.”
With the eyes of many still on them, Alasdair walked forward until his cousin backed up into the shadows. He gave Thanos a look that required no words—it was as clear as the scowl on his face that the answer was not going to be in his favor.
Thanos let out a rumbling laugh and winked. “I’m just teasing, Alasdair. But all’s good. I suppose you have good reason to worry. You do know me better than most. Afraid I’d break him, huh?” The light in his eyes changed from mischievous to licentious in a flash as they flicked over his shoulder to Leo. “I probably would. He looks extremely fuckable. I wouldn’t want to go easy on him.”
LEO FELT AS though he were rooted to the spot. He glanced at the vampire eyeing him like a slice of prime beef, but before their eyes could meet, he averted his gaze.
The male was tall, taller than Alasdair, but younger, maybe twenty-two or twenty-three at most. He was dressed in black jeans and a tight, black shirt that clung to muscles upon muscles, and his hair was the same color as his—light and blond. Where Leo wore his short, though, the vampire had his knotted in a low tail at the back of his head.
Do not look him in the eye, Leonidas.
The warning was so unexpected that Leo jerked his head up and stared at the back of Alasdair’s head.
Thanos is arrogant enough to think that, if you are looking at him, you are inviting him to play.
And you aren’t that arrogant? Leo thought, unable to help himself.
I never said that. The difference is you want me in your head…among other places.
“Are you quite done, Thanos?” Alasdair asked, transitioning smoothly back to speech.
“I suppose so. Though it seems selfish that you’d keep him all to yourself. Apparently you’re still in a foul mood after your punishment.”
“My decision not to share my yielding has nothing to do with a foul mood and everything to do with your lack of self-control. But now that you mention it, I’m glad you were concerned enough after my punishment to see if I was still alive.”
Thanos shrugged. “There is no way Vasilios would eliminate you. I wasn’t concerned. However, when I heard about this one…” he drawled, licking his lips.
“Thanos, no,” Alasdair repeated, as if he were scolding a determined child. He then shifted to the left, blocking the vampires’ direct path to where he was standing.
“But you never bring your humans out to play. What is it about this one, Alasdair? Let me see.”
“What’s special about him is my business. Unless I choose to share him with you,” Alasdair grit out between his teeth.
“And will you?” Thanos asked, his voice dropping to a seductive timbre. “Share him with me?”
The thought of being between the two vampires should’ve appalled Leo. Except physically, he was more than aware he was amongst the most prime male specimens he’d ever seen in his life. And even if they acted as though his existence was a mere blip on their radar, apparently, the idea of them touching him had his stupid dick raring to go.
Fuck, I didn’t think I was that goddamn lonely.
“You know, Thanos…I would,” Alasdair finally said. “If you could promise not to be the greedy fuck you usually are in bed.”
“Well, where’s the fun in that? And he just admitted to being lonely. Not doing your job, huh?” Thanos asked, flashing an unrepentant grin at Alasdair. “Plus, what better place to be greedy than when one is sampling the pleasures of the flesh? I don’t remember you being so concerned with my appetite when I was in your bed.”
Leo wanted to disappear from sight as embarrassment brought a flush to his cheeks. He looked between the two men, and then the last part of what the male had said penetrated his brain.