“They were a danger to Charlotte?”

  “A danger to the Kilconnor Coven and to Charlotte." Alistar watched as several different emotions played across Neal's features before he turned away and shook his head in frustration. Alistar was not trying to be obtuse, but Neal could only comprehend so much at this time.

  “I don’t understand.” This was not working, and Neal’s distress was growing.

  “I know and I wish I could be clearer.” Neal suddenly grabbed the remote and turned on the television and tuned into the local news. They reported on the fire at the dry cleaners and mentioned no loss of life and attributed the blaze to an electrical issue.

  “They found nothing?” He looked shocked and confused, and he began to shake again. Alistar held him and touched his forehead, which caused him to fall into a deep slumber.

  He hadn’t wanted to use glamour on him, but his health and well-being made it imperative. Alistar couldn't clear his mind, but he could give him some peace and rest for a few hours.

  The glamour was of a low level and would not interfere with his thoughts or free will it simply allowed him to rest. It was the only thing available for an adored and only worked on humans. Fate understood the fragile nature of a human and the dangers they face when suddenly thrust into the paranormal world. It was a cheap shot but it was better than watching his adored have a breakdown.

  Alistar picked Neal up into his arms and left the premises. He needed to get Neal somewhere neutral but safe. Two of the rogues had escaped when Alistar hesitated upon seeing Neal at the window. He didn’t know if they had also seen Neal and if either would feel compelled to go after him. The had not yet been apprehended so that danger remained.

  It was clear from Neal's explanation that they had lured him to the drycleaning establishment much as they had done to others. There was no dress waiting for him there, only death.

  Alistar now understood why Fate had chosen this time to bring them together. The legend is that she brings you to your adored when they need you the most, or you need them. If he hadn't been there, Neal would not have survived the night. Fate cut things a little too close for his liking, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. He had his adored, and now he needed to keep him safe.

  He put in a call to Von letting him know the outcome of the mission and the fact that he found his adored. “Two rogues escaped. I couldn’t give pursuit with Neal in a state of panic, but they headed east that’s all I know at this time.”

  “What is your plan with Neal?”

  “I’m taking him to the Monarch Hotel it’s coven owned so it will be safe for him there.” Alistar explained.

  “Why not bring him here to your quarters.”

  “I don’t want to take him out of the city. He’s really skittish and not trusting me at all considering how we met. I fear that if it I bring him to Belmont he might continue to panic and close himself off.”

  "Do whatever you need to do, and I'm here if you need anything," Von assured. "I'll get someone on the rogues and keep you posted."

  “Thanks.” With that he closed the call and looked over at his sleeping lover looking so quiet and peaceful. He was a handsome man and Alistar intended to get him healthy and happy as soon as possible. The fact that he obviously did not take care of himself was troubling.

  Alistar also wondered about a job that would force him to track down a dress at a drycleaner in the dark of night. It sounded abusive to him, but he would ask Neal about it once they were on more friendly terms.

  If the job was too stressful, he would try to convince him to let it go and would help him find something more suited to him. There were many possibilities with the Coven and Agincourt where he could be comfortable and happy.

  The Monarch Hotel was a luxury hotel with all the amenities and services anyone could possibly need or desire. He booked one of the honeymoon suites because they were large, fully stocked, were located on one of the upper floors with a good view of the main street. He also made arrangements to arrive through the back entrance that gave access to the underground garage and private parking.

  He gathered Neal back into his arms and jogged to the elevator. Within a few minutes, he was carrying Neal into the honeymoon suite and securing the door. Neal hadn’t stirred throughout the journey and remained peacefully asleep, which was a blessing.

  Alistar brought him to the bedroom and carefully laid him on the large bed. He grabbed the blanket from the foot and covered him, tucking him in and making sure he was as comfortable as Alistar could make him. The glamour would last a couple more hours, and once it wore off, he might wake, or he could remain asleep until morning. He then went through the room, checking the windows and his surroundings. He had nothing to fear at the Monarch, but it was a force of habit.

  There were three other suites on this floor, but only one was occupied. He had a complete background check done on the occupants of that room, and they appeared harmless, but he preferred to have the floor to himself. That couple will be moved to one of the penthouse suites come morning. He doubted they would complain.

  Alistar checked the kitchen, and it was fully stocked as was the bar they could stay there as long as they needed to. Once the rogues were found and disposed of the danger would pass. He doubted the rogues would pursue Neal but he didn’t want to take any chances.

  He then removed his coat and poured himself a whiskey before returning to the bedroom. This was not what he expected to be doing that night but even through it all and with heavy uncertainty filling the air he could not be happier.

  He pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and took a seat. He then reached over and took Neal’s small, delicate hand in his and held it like the precious gift that it was. He raised it to his lips and took a small taste which would help speed along their bond.

  Neal’s touch and his taste went right to his core filling him with a sense of fulfillment and a quiet calm. It was difficult to put into words but the sensations wafting through and around him were simply amazing. He closed his eyes and drank it in letting it consume him and he remained like that, basking in the warmth and presence of his adored, for the next few hours.

  Neal woke slowly, very gradually, coming to the surface of wakefulness. He did not move anything but his eyes for the first few seconds. The memory of what had happened came back to him like a gentle flowing wave of awareness. As it washed over him, his body tightened, and panic began to build.

  He looked to his left and saw the man from the drycleaner and his apartment sitting there his eyes were closed and he was holding Neal’s hand. He didn’t know what to make of it all, so he remained still and simply observed. He hadn’t hurt him but he’d taken him from his apartment and now he didn’t know where he was.

  The room was dark, and the clock on the bedside table read 5:35. It wasn't long before the man, Alistar, opened his eyes and stared back at him. His dark gaze was so intense that, again, Neal could not look away. The hand that was holding his tightened just slightly as if he thought Neal might try to pull away and that he didn't want to lose contact.

  He liked the touch and found a strange comfort in the embrace, but things weren’t as they seemed even and they seemed pretty messed up. There was so much beneath the surface that was starting to come clear to him. He was seeing and understanding things that in reality, his reality, shouldn’t make sense. He saw vampires, magic and monsters.

  In a sudden rush of confusion, he jerked his hand free and leaped from the bed. His heart was beating frantically as his eyes darted around the room, looking for an escape.

  Alistar did not move but his eyes followed Neal’s every move. He straightened in his chair, but he did not stand or approach him. He didn’t have to since the door was behind him there was no way Neal was getting out of that room unless he dove out the window.

  “Where are we?” Neal saw flashes of things images, sounds and scents they flooded his mind and his emotions. He saw Alistar and the rogues and others and it was blowing his mind.

  “Honeymoon suite of the Monarch Hotel.” He answered flatly but he was laser focused on Neal his every move his every breath. “You’re becoming aware of the things around you.” He said as if reading Neal’s mind.

  “It’s confusing at first, but your understanding will continue to broaden. Your mind is opening, and the truth of your surroundings is becoming clear to you.” He stood up very slowly and took two slow steps that put him at the end of the bed. It would be easy for him to grab Neal if he wanted to, but he stayed several feet away.

  "What is going on here? What's happening between you and me? I feel weird. I feel like I know you." Neal had the strong belief that he knew Alistar that they had met or something he seemed so familiar all of a sudden but he was also certain that he knew no one named Alistar. He took another sensual step, and Neal found himself mesmerized by his movements and his body.

  Everything about Alistar started to be important. His hair so black and perfectly swept back from his face, his eyes dark yet seemed to glow with warmth and affection. His hands though, they were Neal’s primary focus since their touch had ignited something inside of him.

  Neal was captivated by them, and if he were honest with himself, he was captivated by the entire man. Alistar had something going on, and it was fucking with Neal's thoughts and feelings. His emotions were all stirred up.

  "The men at the dry cleaner, you said they weren't men," Neal repeated the statement from earlier, but now he had a better idea of what they were. "The rogues, they were vampires."

  “Yes.” Alistar’s eyes continued to track him.

  "You're a vampire as well, but you aren't crazy like the guys at the dry cleaner." Neal picked his words carefully as he made his way through the explanation.

  "I'm a vampire, but I am not a rogue." Alistar took another tentative step toward him. "Do you know what a rogue is?" Neal shook his head.

  "A rogue is a vampire who gives up societal norms and controls and leans into their blood lust. This lust soon leads to death, and once they have killed, then all control is lost. They are shackled to their need for blood, and nothing will stop them. They go on to continue killing until they are stopped. It's a mental deterioration that has no treatment or cure." Alistar's voice was saying such horrible things, yet the sound continued to soothe Neal's nerves. It was a crazy dichotomy.

  “The person I spoke to on the phone who told me to come and pick up the dress, was he a rogue?” Things were falling into place, and it was terrifying.

  "Yes, there were four of them, and they were waiting for you," Alistar said, and Neal felt a chill run up his spine.

  "I'm getting it; things are making sense." He dragged his fingers through his hair, which was roughly agitated and on edge. "I suddenly know things that I didn't know a while ago. I see things and know they're real, even though I should be questioning. Any other day, I would be skeptical of everything that is happening, and yet I believe . . . I believe it all." He drew his eyebrows together in that signature fashion and closed his eyes.

  Alistar reached out and touched his upper arm holding him in a gentle touch. The contact went waves of peace and stillness through him it made no sense but with it came further clarity. “Why am I seeing the world this way?”

  "My nearness and my touch have opened the world to you. Secrets are told, and you see me, my people, and the paranormal. Nothing will be hidden from you now because you are destined to be one of us. You are destined to be mine." Alistar had a deep, heavy tone, but the words were soft and quiet, so easy on the mind.

  "I love the sound of your voice." Neal couldn't hold back, noting the pleasure Alistar's voice gave him. It was odd to voice it, but the sound went right to his heart and did odd things to his mood and emotions.

  "It has a strange effect on me. It makes me feel good and safe. It sounds nuts, I know; I just thought I'd tell you." Neal actually slapped his hand over his mouth in order to stop himself from rambling further. He was being ridiculous, but the compulsion to share everything was overwhelming.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Alistar was pleased with his honesty and directness. Neal was trying to stop himself from talking from saying too much, but it was clearly in his nature to speak his mind. The growing bond between them would simply make that impulse stronger. Trust was growing within him even if he did not recognize what was happening.

  "You're not ridiculous, and I love the sound of your voice too." Alistar moved closer to Neal, not touching him but close enough to enjoy his amazing scent and feel the power of their connection. Neal smiled softly and looked up at him with those beautiful, big blue eyes. What a feeling it was to have his adored so close. "I also love having you near me and the way your eyes touch mine."

  Neal was silent for a few seconds, and he just stared up at Alistar. "I'm pretty sure you're not going to kill me. I'm getting a sense of warmth and kindness from you that goes against the scene that I witnessed earlier. I do believe you were acting in someone's best interest, probably mine, and not just raging and killing and setting things on fire." He glanced nervously around the room once he made that statement, not sure he was saying the right thing, obviously.

  “Thank you for the vote of confidence.” Alistar joked and Neal gave him another smile which was lovely.

  "I would like to go home. I need to process it this evening and figure out where I can go from here. I won't say anything to the cops about anything I saw; you have my word." That last sentence had a bit of unease attached to it, and that bothered Alistar.

  "The police are not my concern. There are no bodies rogue vampires burn with a blue flame, and nothing is left behind. The business appears to have ignited due to an electrical issue. There is nothing for the police to find or to question. The paranormal world takes care of itself." Alistar briefly explained the situation. "No one will bother you about it."

  “That’s good, I guess.” He looked so uncomfortable and Alistar did not know what to say to make the situation better. The bond was slow, and his understanding was also slow. He knew a little but not enough to know what was happening. “I’d like to go home.” He asked again and Alistar could not deny him.

  “Okay, I’ll take you home, but please be careful and watchful of your surroundings.”

  “Why?”

  “I killed two of the rogues but two escaped. I don’t know if they saw you or scented you but until they are caught please do not go out at night.” Alistar didn’t want to frighten him, but he wanted him to be aware of the fact that there could be danger for him in the dark.

  “I’ll be careful.”

  It was killing him, but he couldn't keep Neal there against his will. He'd hoped to have enough time together for the bond to take shape and perhaps get to know one another. But the violence and the blood were weighing on Neal, and he needed time alone to process what happened and what he was feeling. Alistar understood, but he did not like it.

  “I’ll drive you home.”

  “Thank you.” The relief was palatable, and it hurt a little. He put in a call to have some groceries delivered to Neal’s place. It was the least he could do. His adored needed to eat. He planned to have more delivered tomorrow perhaps a nice steak dinner would be good for him. With those thoughts he reached out his hand and Neal took it without hesitation.

  Master Elan Kilconnor sent Rian Dobre and his team out to track down the two rogue vampires that had gotten away from Alistar. It was vital that they be neutralized before they could wreak further havoc on the city.

  He received a call just before dawn that they had cornered and eliminated one down by the park among the tourist attractions. He had bitten a human, but Rian was able to save the man and get him care but also wiped his memory of the attack. Rogues could be such a nightmare, putting vampires and all the paranormal world at risk of discovery.

  "I thought they would have stayed and hunted together." Rian comments to the Master. "They worked the drycleaning trap together."

  “There is no understanding a rogue they act solely in their need for sustenance and at any cost. Nothing will stand between them and their next meal.” Master Kilconnor kept a tight rein on this city. He knew everything and everyone, and there was no place for rogues in his city. "Take care of it, Rian. Rogues are bad for business."

  “We’ll find him.” After Rian left Elan put in a call to Alistar. Alistar was the ultimate fixer and while Elan appreciated the fact that Alistar had found his adored and needed time Elan found himself impatiently waiting for the man to be back on the job. Alistar was one of a kind the best at what he did bringing death and destruction to an art form.

  This rogue gave Elan a bad feeling. There was something more to him than just rampant out of control thirst for blood and death which governed rogue vampires. The set up at the drycleaning business showed thought and design two things decidedly missing in all rogues.

  The death toll at the business had reached three before coming to the attention of his lieutenants. Rogues are anything but subtle and are incapable of making such complicated plans. They are into immediate gratification and nothing else, so this rogue did not ring true.

  He put in another call. “Sloan, find out everything you can on that drycleaning business Alistar took out last night. I want everything.”

  Neal called his brother as soon as he arrived home and asked him to come over. Byron was five years older than him and a good judge of people and situations. He just had a very level head and could see through most bullshit. Neal always ran things by him whenever he had doubts about something or someone. Byron’s advice was spot on at least ninety-nine percent of the time.

  “I can’t come over right now I’m in the middle of a project, but I can put you on speaker and we can talk.” Byron was a gaming analyst and a very good one no bugs or glitches ever got past him. He was always busy with a backlog of projects, but he loved what he did so it wasn’t really work for him.