“Did your friend wipe his memories again?” He asked.

  “Quincy said he was going to clear the memory of the dead vampire in your kitchen but not all of Joe’s memories. I would have done the same for you so that you wouldn’t have to live with that vision, but I can’t touch your memories.” Robert told him as he turned left onto Central Avenue.

  “Just as well, I’d rather keep my memories,” Eddie responded thoughtfully. They pulled into the driveway, and Eddie turned to regard Robert. “Why are you helping me?”

  “Are you asking, why am I helping you, or why is Coven DuCane helping you?” Robert was seeking clarification.

  “Why are you, Robert Alden, vampire soldier, helping me. I’m a local human with no connections and no importance, so why do you care? Why were you there last night when I needed you?” Eddie didn’t look at Robert but rather kept his gaze on their clasped hands.

  Robert wanted to tell him everything but not here, sitting in the car in Joe’s driveway. What he had to tell him would take time and careful wording and would be better carried out in comfortable surroundings like Robert’s quarters at the Palace.

  “You are important to me, Eddie. I feel a connection to you, and I think you feel it too. As far as last night, I believe Fate had a hand in bringing me to you.” Robert gripped his hand a little tighter and Eddie turned to look at him directly. “Go and check on your friend, and we’ll talk later. Just know that I do care about you.” Robert continued to hold Eddie’s hand for a moment longer conveying the sincerity of his words.

  “Alright,” Eddie said, but Robert didn’t appreciate the hesitance that was present in his tone. He slipped his hand behind Eddie’s neck and pulled him over for a hard kiss that was meant to make a statement and leave a mark. Robert pricked the tender surface of Eddie’s bottom lip taking a small taste and subsequently kicking their bond into gear.

  Eddie did not demure and reached over threading his fingers through Robert’s hair, holding him as the kiss went deep, and the sensations roared. Robert sucked gently, savoring the sweetness and vitality that flowed through him. He licked the wound closed and felt the tremble that passed through Eddie and reveled in the power of their growing bond.

  He pulled back but kept Eddie in his arms and looked down once again into those gorgeous brown eyes. Robert knew at that moment that this man, this human owned him body and soul. He watched as Eddie seductively ran his tongue over his bottom lip, touching the little welt as he smiled.

  “There is something between us, Robert. I have no doubt.” He said, smiling a broad smile that melted Robert’s heart.

  “Definitely,” Robert stated in full agreement and gave him another quick kiss before Eddie jumped from the vehicle and headed to the house. Robert remained outside, keeping watch and investigating the area for traces of the Caen.

  …

  Eddie sat with Joe for a few minutes as he recounted what he remembered from the previous night. As Robert had said, Joe’s memory of the dead vampire had been erased. He decided not to elaborate on the incident and focused on the fact that the DuCane men had saved them.

  “So, Coven DuCane is not who is trying to kill you.” Joe summed up all of Eddie’s explanations in one sentence.

  “It’s another group of vampires that are trying to kill me. The DuCane people are actually the good guys, I guess.” Eddie continued.

  “You guess!? They saved our lives last night. Those things would have shredded us if they’d gotten hold of us. The DuCane people saved our asses and then brought me home and tucked me in. I’m assuming they did the same for you?” Joe’s sarcasm was on a roll. Eddie nodded but didn’t go into details of tender treatment he received from Robert.

  “I’m going to stay at the Palace. The home of Louis DuCane. They’ve invited me and urged me to come so they could protect me.” Eddie told him, and he watched as Joe’s eyes popped out of his head.

  “The Palace?” He whispered, and Eddie nodded. “I don’t know anyone who has ever seen that place. Tell me everything when you get home. Send me pictures if you can. Call me and tell me what it’s like.” Eddie started to laugh as Joe went on and on with his requests.

  “I’ll call you to make sure you’re okay. Watch out for those guys in the Tesla because I want you to keep your memories. You’re the only person who has ever believed me, and I want to be able to talk to you about this crazy stuff, so guard your mind.” Eddie gave him a one-armed manly hug and headed back out to the car and Robert.

  …

  Robert walked the perimeter of the property and found nothing out of the ordinary. The Caen wanted Eddie and Joe had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. He doubted they’d return for him. Silas had stationed a soldier to keep watch outside Joe’s home until the Caen were dealt with. It was a necessary precaution. Robert hadn’t told Eddie about it for the simple reason he would have told Joe. Surveillance is better carried out without the subject being aware.

  He saw Eddie leaving the house, so headed back to the car. “Everything okay with Joe?” He asked as he met Eddie at the side of the vehicle.

  “Yeah, he seems fine. He doesn’t remember the vampire in the kitchen, but he remembers everything else. Thanks for not wiping his mind.” Eddie sounded distracted.

  “What’s wrong?” Robert asked as he leaned his arm against the side of the SUV.

  “I don’t know; I guess my mind is just trying to catch up with the facts. I feel like my head is spinning.”

  “It’s a lot to process. You’re doing better than most of the humans I’ve had to deal with in my life.” He ran his thumb down the side of Eddie’s face while holding his gaze. “It will be okay, I promise.”

  On the way to the Palace, Eddie fell silent again, and Robert could feel his tension and confusion through their burgeoning bond. He needed to get his mind off his troubles for a while and talk about something other than vampires and death. So, Robert decided to see if he could learn a little more about his beloved.

  “Why do you live in that little shed and allow your Uncle to treat you so disrespectfully?” That question, he hoped would light a fire that would get him talking for a while. But Eddie did not get heated on the subject as expected, but rather answered thoughtfully.

  “I love that farm. It was originally my grandmother’s, and then Aunt Joan and Uncle Allen came to live with her to help her with the farm after my grandfather died.” He glanced out the side window as if calling up the old memories and feeling the emotions attached. Robert once again took Eddie’s hand and held it as it rested on his thigh.

  “My parents died in a car/train crash when I was four. My grandmother wanted to take me in, but the court said she was too old, so they gave custody to my aunt and uncle. But we all lived together, so that was good. I had a great life with my grandmother, and I could pretty much ignore Uncle Allen for the most part. I knew my chores and didn’t need his input or guidance.”

  “How old were you when your grandmother died?” Robert knew the emotions were stemming from there.

  “Twelve, the same age they told me I was old enough to care for myself, and they set me up in the tool shed. They wouldn’t have had the guts to do that when she was alive. But she’s gone now. I put up with their disrespect because she loved the farm, and I want to make sure it’s cared for properly.” Eddie turned his attention back to Robert, and there was no hatred or bitterness; there just sadness.

  “Do they threaten to kick you out?” He asked.

  “Every single day,” Eddie said with a chuckle that alleviated the heaviness in the atmosphere. “I loved it when your boss laid him out the way he did. That was gratifying to watch.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Robert declared. “Perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to do it again, soon.”

  “God, I hope so.” Eddie continued his quiet laughter, and Robert was shocked at how the sound eased his anger over how Eddie was treated by his family. Robert’s ire was calmed, but he still planned to deal with Uncle Allen in due time.

  “What about you, Robert?” Eddie turned the conversation around.

  “What would you like to know?” Robert had been alive a couple of hundred years, so his life experienced were extensive.

  “Tell me about your family,” Eddie asked with an eagerness that was touching.

  “I’m an only child, and my parents are both teachers.” Robert wasn’t sure what else to add since his parents were his only living relatives.”

  “Do they teach at the Coven?”

  “They belong to a different Coven. I left my birth Coven in Canada a little over a hundred years ago and joined Coven DuCane. I didn’t want to be a teacher or social worker, it’s not in my blood, and that’s the path I would have had to have followed if I’d stayed there. I’m a soldier, so I looked for a Coven more in line with my life goals and found Coven DuCane.” He took his eyes off the road and looked at Eddie only to see him sitting there wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open.

  “What? What did I say?” He immediately asked and kept looking from the road to Eddie and back again.

  “You joined Coven DuCane a little over a hundred years ago?” His voice kept rising and getting tighter with each word. “Holy hell, how old are you?”

  “One hundred and eighty-seven.” Eddie gasped.

  “You look around thirty or thirty-five at best. Wow, you guys age well.” That statement had Robert laughing.

  “Yes, we do. Remember when you told me that you thought the Louis DuCane who runs the business today is the same Louis DuCane who settled here four hundred years ago?” Eddie nodded. “You’re right; they are the same man. Master Louis DuCane is over nine hundred years old.” Robert laughed again at the utter shock on Eddie’s face.

  “He was born son of Hugh, the Duke of Burgundy in Dijon in France during the reign of Louis VII. He was and is a lethal warrior and skilled commander, and I am honored to serve him.”

  Eddie’s mind was officially blown. Nine hundred years old, that’s inconceivable even for a conspiracy theorist like himself. He and Joe threw around a lot of stories and wild theories, but never did he think one of them would be true. Shit, this was fucking with his head. The fact that vampires were real was just starting to sink in when Robert drops this bomb. They live forever.

  “We don’t live forever. Vampires have a life span; it’s just longer than humans and most shifters.” Robert obviously didn’t realize what he’d admitted until Eddie erupted beside him. He looked surprised but hid it quickly. Shifters, that sounded so terrifying, and Eddie wasn’t sure he wanted clarification, but then his curiosity took over.

  “Shifters!?” What the hell is a shifter?” Eddie moved closer and kept his hand on Robert’s thigh.

  “You figured out the vampires but not the other paranormal groups living around here?” Robert teased. Eddie was shocked that he was treating it so lightly like it wasn’t outlandish at all.

  “Are they like skinwalkers or something?” Eddie tried to get a picture.

  “No, definitely not. Skinwalkers are not real. Shifters are beings who share their spirit with an animal, and they have the ability to shift back and forth at will from human to animal and back again.” Robert continued to talk as if they were discussing the crop rotations.

  “You know that sounds absolutely insane, right?” Eddie threw out his thoughts but then apologized. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to insinuate that you’re insane.”

  “I didn’t take it personally, Eddie.” He turned and smiled so sweet that Eddie just wanted to crawl into his lap and close his eyes for a while and think. Robert made everything alright, and Eddie wanted so badly to be alright.

  “Do I know a shifter?” Eddie was now intrigued.

  “Sheriff Korbin is a cougar shifter. That’s why he believed your story about being attacked by vampires even though it sounded ridiculous to him. He could smell the truth of your words. It’s a skill most shifters possess and make them good officers.” Robert continued to explain, and Eddie calmed and tried to take it all in.

  “The Sheriff shared my complaint with the Coven? Is that why you and your friend were watching my place last night?” Things were coming together.

  “Yes, we needed to discover who or what was attacking you since we knew it wasn’t us.” Okay, that made sense too.

  “I’m glad you were there,” Eddie stated very softly, but it was from the heart.

  “I will always be there, Eddie, always.” That should have sounded ominous, but instead, it made Eddie feel safe and protected. His trust in this man, who had just shared the most bizarre information with him, was growing by the minute. He knew in his gut that every word Robert spoke was the truth; it was in his eyes and in his touch.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Robert hoped he hadn’t shared too much too soon with his beloved. Their bond was the one thing he hadn’t discussed and was probably the one thing that he should have. The connection between them was strengthening, and he was beginning to feel Eddie’s thoughts. They were vague and just feelings, but he was getting an understanding of this charming young man. Eddie was responding to him and not completely sure why so explaining their bond was becoming imperative to the progression of their relationship.

  “When we reach the Palace.” He began, but his thought was cut short when a vehicle swerved out of a side road and sideswiped the SUV. Robert controlled the vehicle expertly, but he knew there was more to come when he saw another similar car coming up on them from behind.

  “Hold on.” He declared as he floored it in order to escape whoever was trying to stop them. Eddie did as he was told and sat still and silent but was hyper-attentive. His eyes took in everything.

  Robert hit the call button and informed the gate that he was being pursued and to send assistance. Normally he would have attempted to handle this on his own before calling for help, but he would not risk his beloved.

  The car behind them was gaining, and then another darted out from the left; it had been hidden in the tree cover beyond the shoulder of the road. This was a planned and coordinated attack, but how could they know Eddie would be here in this vehicle on this road at this time? It didn’t make sense unless they were able to track his physical movements and the rest could be an assumption. No time to analyze, Robert veered to the right and narrowly missed a collision. Now he had three vehicles tailing him.

  He was gaining distance from his pursuers when suddenly coming at him from straight ahead, was another similar car that appeared to be intent on hitting him head-on or forcing him into one of the deep ditches on either side of the road. Robert could feel Eddie’s alarm touching him through their bond, but to Eddie’s credit, he did not react and did not panic. He stayed focused and ready.

  Robert cut to the left just as another vehicle, an SUV, came from the right and broadsided the car that was coming at him and pushed it to the deep ditch on the left side of the road. He noticed then that another SUV had come from behind and cut off the retreat of the cars behind him. These were coven vehicles, and he recognized his friends. Robert slammed the brakes and jumped out joining the fight that ensued.

  …

  Eddie held his breath as Robert maneuvered the SUV as the others attempted to force them from the road. Robert was cool as a cucumber while Eddie sat there in a cold sweat. He wished he could help, but the only thing he could do was stay quiet and let the man concentrate.

  When the car pulled out beside them, Eddie’s breath caught in his throat, but Robert was an expert and avoided them easily. Would they get to the Palace, would the help Robert requested arrive in time? Eddie steadied his breath and held on, knowing that Robert would go to the mat for him. He’d known him for less than twenty-four hours, and Eddie trusted Robert to have his back as much as he trusted Joe, who he’d known since kindergarten.

  He saw the car coming at them and braced for whatever avoidance tactic Robert was going to undertake. But just as impact seemed imminent, the car was hit broadside by an SUV like the one he was riding in. The car was rolling over into the ditch, and Robert braked suddenly as he pulled to the side and leaped from the vehicle.

  Eddie wanted to follow, but his good sense told him to stay where he was. He was no match for a vampire or rather a cadre of vampires. He could see that there was another SUV cutting off the three cars that were behind them, effectively blocking them in. Two men in suits that looked like DuCane men exited the SUV and instantly began hand to hand combat with the six Caen vampires.

  Robert joined the soldiers behind them, and the battle was fierce and bloody. Upfront, the men made short work of the three Caen that had burst from their disabled vehicle. They were unstoppable; it seemed unless they were dead, and they didn’t die pretty. This was the worst of the attacks on him so far. Each time the Caen brought more soldiers and even the death of their men last evening at the hands of Robert and Quincy did not deter them.

  They seemed to be escalating in each attempt, and Eddie wondered if he would survive. He trusted Robert, but would he be able to defend him against an army of the Caen? A part of Eddie began to shake, his confidence and positivity which had kept him whole through everything in his life was now on shaky ground.

  Robert was an amazing man, dedicated soldier, fierce fighter, and sexy as fuck, but he didn’t owe Eddie anything. He certainly didn’t owe Eddie his life. He was asking too much of this man, and it wasn’t fair. This was his problem, and as much as Coven DuCane made the argument that they too want the Caen destroyed, the Caen wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for Eddie. He did something, angered someone or was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But in the end, it was his problem, and only he should be forced to suffer.

  He almost got Joe killed last night because he refused to see the severity of the threat and headed out in the night to catch cows. What a fucking idiot he was, and now he was bringing this evil down on the heads of men he didn’t even know. He should just catch a bus and proceed to the nearest monastery.