Unnatural Allies Read online

  “As I said a few minutes ago, it only takes one person with the right weapon or weapons to create havoc. Two or more and you could be in real trouble.”

  “Not if we don’t let them enter the club.”

  “Don’t be naïve, Andre. They walk up, take out your doormen and there’s nothing to stop them after that. If I find out that he’s planning an attack, we’ll have to deal with him before it happens.”

  “Preferably in or close to the pack’s territory. The problem is, Estebe’s not going to be wandering off on his own the way Raúl did. Forewarned is forearmed.”

  “And you took advantage of Raúl’s ego big time,” Sand replied sourly. “You couldn’t have made it look like an accidental shooting by a hunter?”

  “It would have been risky, even if I had been able to get close enough. Step on a twig, brush against a low-hanging branch, and he would have known someone was around. Besides which, I had no reason to believe he’d be alone. When I found out that evening that he was in the city, he was with two other werewolves. For all I knew they were pack members. I was aware they would have to shift as soon as the moon rose and took a chance that they’d use the most obvious trail back to the pack’s lands.” He paused as he remembered praying he’d made the right choice about their route. “He did, the others, if they were part of the pack, must have chosen a different way back, whether by choice or because he told them to.”

  “Showing off,” Sand said derisively. “‘I’m a big, bad Alpha. Strong enough and smart enough to run on my own without protection.’ Do you mind my asking what you used to kill him? Dimas said it wasn’t a silver bullet because there wasn’t one in the body.”

  “A crossbow with silver-tipped bolts.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  Andre shrugged. “A little practice and anyone can use one.”

  “Standing on a branch, twenty or more feet above the target?”

  “Yep. Maybe I show you how sometime.”

  Sand chuckled. “Giving the enemy one more weapon in their arsenal?”

  Andre looked dead at him, replying, “I don’t think you’re the enemy.”

  “Don’t count on it. I may not be your enemy…now. I won’t say the same for any other vampire. Under the right circumstances I’m sure they’d take me out the first chance they got, even the ones who work here, if they were given the go-ahead.”

  “I can’t debate that,” Andre admitted. “When will you hear back from your friend?”

  “Probably not until later today, if we’re lucky.” Sand stood, approaching Andre with a fiendish grin. “So…” He gripped Andre’s arms and seconds later they were in a bedroom. Before Andre could say anything, Sand had him pressed against the dresser, his mouth descending to take Andre’s in a hot, hard kiss.

  ::Last chance to back out.::

  ::Not happening.:: Andre was startled, but not completely surprised that Sand could mind speak to him. After all, werewolves can do it with each other, in either form. He pushed his tongue against Sand’s lips, sliding it into his mouth when he opened to him. He could taste something sharp and astringent but not unpleasant. A definite contrast to the velvety feel of his mouth.

  Moments later, Sand was thrusting his tongue into Andre’s mouth, running it over his teeth then pushing in deeper. ::Blood, and wine.::

  ::I am a vampire. Did you expect anything different?::

  ::I’ve never kissed a vampire, so I had no expectations.::

  Easing out of the kiss, Andre said, “Well, now you know.”

  “I want to know everything,” Sand replied huskily. Gripping the front of Andre’s shirt he tore it open, buttons flying everywhere.

  “In a hurry, much?”

  “I’m fucking horny as hell. Why it’s for you…” Sand took a step back, tearing off his own shirt. Again, buttons flew and he laughed as he let it fall to the floor. “I think we’re making a mess already and we’ve barely started.”

  Andre didn’t reply. He was more interested in undoing Sand’s slacks, which he managed quickly, pushing them down over his hips. When Sand’s hard cock sprang free, Andre gripped it, testing the length and thickness.

  Apparently not to be outdone, Sand managed to get Andre’s slacks unfastened and they slid down to land in a heap around Andre’s ankles. He kicked free of them and his shoes as Sand dropped to his knees, taking Andre’s engorged member into his mouth, sucking and swallowing it.

  Andre gripped the edge of the dresser as a wave of intense pleasure flooded his senses. “Enough,” he groaned. “Or I’ll come before…”

  Sand released him with obvious reluctance, saying, “Why is that a problem?”

  “Too little time. I want us to…” Pulling Sand to his feet, Andre kissed him again. He waited for Sand to rid himself of his shoes and the fallen slacks and then walked him backward to the bed, tumbling them onto it. He straddled Sand, looking at him for a long moment before sliding down to take his balls into his mouth, rolling them with his tongue. When Sand writhed with pleasure, Andre took the next step, licking the bulbous head of his cock, savoring the taste of his precum before sucking it into his mouth.

  “Keep that up and…” Sand groaned.

  Andre freed Sand’s cock with one last lick. “Now comes the eternal question.”

  Sand managed a grin. “I’ve never had any pretensions to be an Alpha, so if you want to fuck me, have at it.”

  “You’re sure?” Andre replied, hoping he meant it.

  “Damn it, yes.” Sand opened the nightstand drawer, handed Andre a tube of lube, then slid out from under him to get on his hands and knees.

  Andre eyed the werewolf’s fine ass as he readied himself.

  Glancing over his shoulder, Sand said, “You can admire it later. Right now…”

  Andre got the message. Pressing his cock to Sand’s entrance, he eased in. Apparently Sand wasn’t willing to deal with slow and steady. He thrust back, taking Andre fully into him. From there, nature took its course amid moans, groans, and Sand’s “Yes! Perfect. More. Harder.”

  Andre had no trouble with Sand’s orders, muttering, “Not an Alpha, my ass.” Then, with one last thrust, he came at the same moment that he felt Sand tighten around him. Their combined shouts of release echoed through the room. Andre’s last thought for a while was, I hope this is a house, not an apartment, or we might have awakened the neighbors.

  “We are definitely doing this again, every chance we get,” Sand stated when they were able to speak without panting.

  “Believe me; I have no problem with that, as long as we keep it between the two of us.”

  Sand frowned deeply, leaning on one elbow to look at Andre. “Ashamed you’re fucking a werewolf?”

  “Not at all,” Andre protested. “If I had my way, everyone would know, and in a different world it would be possible. This isn’t it. We could bring down trouble on both of us if we announced that we’re…lovers, I guess.”

  “Fuck buddies?” Sand replied scathingly.

  “Sand, don’t go there. This might not, probably won’t, go beyond two men who like and respect each other, at least on my end, and are obviously very compatible in bed.”

  Sand nodded, and then chuckled. “I think it’s my ‘end’ that you’re interested in.”

  “And a very nice one it is,” Andre said, patting Sand’s ass. He sighed and sat up, “I need to get home before you end up with a man in your bed until tonight.”

  “Why is that a problem?”

  Andre considered his question. “I suppose it’s not, as long as you realize I’ll be dead to the world, quite literally, for the next twelve hours, give or take.”

  “I’ll be asleep for eight of them, so it won’t bother me.”

  Smiling slowly, Andre said, “Then I’ll see you tonight,” and sank into his deathlike sleep.

  Chapter 5

  Sand was dressed for the night in jeans and a T-shirt as he paced the bedroom in frustration, waiting for Andre to awaken. Going to the window, he eas
ed back the drapes which he’d closed twelve hours earlier to keep the sunlight out. Incinerating Andre while he slept was not something Sand wanted to happen. The sky was almost dark, the high clouds edged with orange and silver as the last rays of the lowering sun hit them, so he pulled the drapes open all the way.

  “Thank you for keeping them closed,” Andre said, appearing beside him.

  Sand nodded. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever wake up,” he replied with a brief smile.

  “Ready to get rid of me?”

  “No. Well…” Sand shrugged.

  “Are you already regretting last night?” Andre asked with a wry look.

  “Not at all!”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “Get dressed, because—” Sand raked his eyes over Andre’s naked body, “—you’re very distracting.”

  Andre went to pick up his slacks, putting them on as he said, “If I do, you’ll tell me what’s bothering you?”

  “It’s Dimas, and us, and everything.”

  “Hold that thought,” Andre replied, going into the en suite bathroom. “Although I’m curious how Dimas fits in with you and me.”

  “He doesn’t,” Sand replied to the closed door. He heard the toilet flush moments later, and then running water in the sink.

  When Andre reappeared he was finger-combing his damp hair in an obvious attempt to tame it. “Bed-head,” he commented ruefully. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he put on his shoes and socks, and then picked up his shirt, shaking his head. “I don’t suppose you’ve got one I can borrow.”

  “Not into the buttonless look?” Sand chuckled. Going to the closet, he asked, “Blue, white, green?”

  “Blue, if you don’t mind.” Andre caught it when Sand tossed it to him. “Now, what’s bothering you?”

  “I’ve been trying to reach Dimas since I got up. He’s not answering, so given the circumstances I’m worried.”

  “I presume he has a job.”

  “Of course. All the pack males do. Jobs, homes, everything, the same as anyone else, human or otherwise. There’s a small town on the edge of the Wintermane territory where most of them live and work.”

  “Does the town belong to the pack?” Andre held up his hand to stop Sand from answering. “I need to go home and change clothes before going to the club. Let’s meet in my office in half an hour so we can finish this discussion.”

  “Do you need a lift to your place?” Sand asked, and discovered he was talking to empty air. “Okay. I guess that answers that.” He understood vampires could go invisible, and fly, but this was the first time he’d seen it happen. “Or didn’t see it, but I know that’s what he did.”

  He took a few minutes to make the bed, checked to be certain he had his keys and wallet, and did his own vanishing act, ending up in Andre’s office at the club.

  He resisted laughing when an obviously startled vampire sprang to his feet seconds after he landed.

  “Unless I miss my guess,” the vampire said, quickly regaining his composure, “you must be Sandalio. All right, to be honest I know you are.”

  “Sand, if you don’t mind,” Sand replied. “And you are?”

  “Thorin. Andre’s Sire and his boss when it comes to the club.” Thorin tapped a finger to his lips as he studied Sand. “I would ask why you’re here, but I have the feeling you’d tell me to mind my own business.”

  “For now, yes. I’m sure Andre will fill you in when he gets here.”

  With a knowing smile, Thorin replied, “About how the two of you spent last night? I would hope not. I don’t pry into his personal business when it comes to the men he takes home.”

  Sand stiffened. “Does that happen often?”

  “Hit a nerve, did I?” Thorin chuckled. “Rarely. He’s not what you’d call a player. Maybe twice in the last year, and they never lasted more than a couple of weeks. But then, they were human. Much to my dismay he’s never seemed interested in connecting with another vampire on that level.”

  “I suspect you’re less than happy he decided to connect, as you put it, with a werewolf.”

  “To be honest, it certainly wouldn’t be my first or even last choice,” Thorin replied, taking a seat in one of the chairs on the far side of the room from Andre’s desk. “The only thing in your favor, if you can call it that, is the fact you’re a loner, not aligned to a pack.”

  Sand nodded. “I haven’t been for years. I suspect you know why.”

  “Of course. When it comes to keeping my people safe, I make it a point to know everything possible about our enemies.”

  “That makes sense.” Sand settled in the other chair before saying, “It explains how you found out what my brother was planning.”

  “I’ll admit, that was more luck than anything else, although there were rumors he had something in mind to cause us harm. One of my people happened to be in the right place at the right time to hear him planning an attack on the club. As a result…” Thorin paused.

  “I know Andre’s the one who killed Raúl.”

  “Interesting. Obviously he trusts you if he told you that.”

  “I do,” Andre said, coming into the office. He closed the door before asking, “Why are you here, Thorin?”

  “It’s my club.”

  “But my office.” Andre crossed to his desk, resting his butt on the edge and crossing his arms as he stared at his Sire.

  “I have something to tell you,” Thorin replied. “You should hear it as well, I suspect,” he added, looking at Sand. “Soon after I arrived this evening I received a phone call. Whoever it was told me to look in the alley behind the club. His final words were, ‘This is your first and last warning. Next time it will be one of you bastards, and that will only be the beginning.’”

  “And?” Andre asked when Thorin didn’t continue.

  “I did as he said. There was a body, naked and badly beaten, wrapped in a blanket. A werewolf’s body although in his human form since he was dead.”

  Sand jumped to his feet. “Show me!”

  “It might not be him,” Andre said quietly, pushing off the desk to go to him.

  “You know it is. It’s why he didn’t answer his phone.”

  “Who?” Thorin asked as he led the way out of the office onto the balcony hallway. Music, and the voices of the club’s customers below them, added a macabre note to what Sand feared was coming as they walked to the back stairs.

  “A…a friend of mine who was going to try to find out if Estebe planned on carrying on with my brother’s insane plan.”

  “Estebe is the new Alpha?” Thorin asked.

  “Yes.” Sand prepared himself when they got to the ground floor and Thorin unlocked the door to room beside the club’s rear entrance. He could smell death in the air even before Thorin opened it and turned on the light. There was a table along one wall. Dimas’ mutilated body lay in the center of it, covered to the waist by a blanket, his arms folded across his chest. Sand walked over slowly, resting his hands on the edge of the table. “I’m sorry, my friend,” he whispered. “If I hadn’t brought you into this, you’d still be alive.”

  When Andre joined him, wrapping his arm around Sand’s shoulders, Sand leaned into his embrace, taking the comfort he was offering.

  “I would say, between the phone threat and your friend’s remains, we can presume Estebe intends to attack the club,” Thorin said from behind them.

  Sand whirled around, replying with deadly calm, “Not if I can help it.”

  “Not if any of us can,” Andre said. “We have to warn everyone, Thorin. Maybe close the club for the time being.”

  “He’ll only wait until it reopens,” Thorin replied. “If he’s continuing Raúl’s plan, and right now I can only presume he is, he wants to do maximum damage to us, to vampires, so that the humans know we exist.” He started toward the door. “I suggest we go up to my office before we continue this discussion.”

  Sand’s initial instinct was to get out of there. To return to the pack f
or the first time since he’d left and kill Estebe the way he’d murdered Dimas.

  ::No.:: Andre said harshly in Sand’s mind. ::You would die for no reason.::

  ::How did you know?:: Sand snarled. ::Reading my mind?::

  ::I wouldn’t do that,:: Andre replied. ::It was easy enough to figure out from your expression and body language. We will avenge his death, Sand, but we’ll do it sensibly.::

  Sand inhaled deeply and nodded. “Let’s figure out how.”

  * * * *

  “It would help my thinking process if the two of you would stop pacing and sit,” Thorin said a couple of minutes after they entered his office.

  “It won’t help mine,” Andre countered, even though he did as his Sire suggested.

  Sand didn’t reply, merely taking the last chair by Thorin’s desk before asking, “How good is your security?”

  “The best money can buy,” Thorin replied. “That’s just the physical kind—cameras, motion sensors we turn on when the club is closed, monitors on all the windows and doors. I’m sure there are others I’m not remembering at the moment.”

  “Then there’s our security guards,” Andre said. “Vampires, of course, who are here from dusk to dawn.”

  “But not during daylight hours,” Sand replied.

  Thorin smiled dryly. “I don’t think a sleeping vampire would be of much use.”

  “Which is a problem,” Sand stated. “Consider this. I’m Estebe. I want to get in during the day to set something up. All I’d have to do in look at the club’s website and I’d have the visual I needed to teleport in.”

  “We’re not stupid,” Andre said. “There are no pictures of the interior of the club either there or on the social sites we use, like Facebook.”

  “I’m betting there are on some of the review sites people use to recommend restaurants, bars, clubs, and what have you. I’ve never seen one that doesn’t post user pictures.”

  “Unfortunately, he has a point, Andre,” Thorin said.

  “The motion sensors would alert the security company and they’d send someone to investigate.”

  “What’s their response time?” Sand asked.