“Here, here,” Daegan murmured, touching his glass to Anwyn’s and giving Gideon a fond look.

  Lyssa’s gaze shifted to Jacob. “Let us hope we can convince the Council of that, peaceably.”

  “After we stake a couple of them.”

  This time Daegan did not have to perform the head slap, because Anwyn, sitting between him and Gideon, managed it quite effectively. Gideon gave her a pained look. “You did that because he told you to do it. Puppet.”

  “We were merely reflecting the same desire,” Anwyn responded.

  Gideon caught her hand, brought it to his lips to soothe any sting to her palm caused by his hard head. “Just remember our bet,” he shot at Daegan.

  Daegan lifted a brow. “As long as you remember what you owe your Mistress, regardless of the outcome.”

  Anywn shook her head at both of them, lifted her goblet toward Lyssa. “I agree wholeheartedly,” she said quietly. “Everything I value most is at this table, and I do not want to lose them. Wel said, Lady Lyssa.”

  Elijah sent John off to the den to watch an hour of TV then, while Anwyn sent Gideon to retrieve the desserts. He took Jacob with him. Once they’d left the room, Lyssa raised a brow. “What is the bet?”

  “Gideon thinks you’l have to beat Lord Belizar to a bloody pulp to get him to listen to reason. Daegan thinks you’l have to stake him and start from scratch.

  If Gideon wins”—she glanced at Daegan, confirming he was fine revealing the nature of the agreement

  —“he wants Daegan to set aside his Master role for one night. Gideon wants to . . . take Daegan.” Intriguing, and more than a little bit astounding.

  Jacob had fucked men in her service before. It was not his favorite thing, though it had not compromised his male pride to do it. Only extreme circumstances would make her put him in a situation where the reverse was necessary, because of what she knew of him. Since he’d known his brother was of the same

  bent—innately

  and

  often

  intensely

  heterosexual—it had been a paradigm shift for Jacob to see his angry, violent-natured brother as the servant for a male and female vampire. However, because of the circumstances that had brought the three together, Lyssa knew this was a significant step for them. It explained why Daegan had agreed to the wager. Gideon actual y wanting to be the initiator with Daegan, give his Master pleasure through

  penetration,

  rather

  than

  being

  the

  submissive recipient who could passively deny his own desire, underscored how much he accepted Daegan as his Master.

  “And if you win?”

  Daegan took a sip of his wine, pressing his lips together over the taste of it, flavored with Gideon’s blood. “Wild card. I get to choose.”

  “Hmm.” There were pleasures in peace and contentment. But for vampires, there were darker pleasures as wel , ones stirring in her blood now.

  “What did you mean, he must honor what he owes his Mistress?”

  Anwyn answered. “When Gideon surrendered to us, one of my conditions was that, at some point, Daegan takes him down alone, without my participation.”

  Lyssa privately hoped Anwyn had a diabolical plan to watch that, because she couldn’t imagine wanting to miss such a sight, two strong warriors in a sexual embrace, so passionate it would appear like they were in mortal combat. “Now I understand why you sent them both out. Brothers don’t need to share everything.”

  “No, they don’t.” Anwyn met Lyssa’s gaze squarely. Though the woman had been deferential, polite and friendly, there was a gleam in her eye Lyssa recognized. Daegan put a warning hand over hers.

  Lyssa smiled, showing the tips of her fangs.

  “Touché, dear. You’re wel suited to the vampire world. Just be careful of showing that cleverness in the wrong place, where it won’t be properly appreciated.”

  She sobered then. “Which brings me to an important point. While I expect you wil convince Lord Daegan that you and Gideon should accompany him, this could get very bloody. In time, you wil be a strong and able vampire. But do not let pride make

  you foolish. If you are going to be present, obey Lord Daegan’s direction to stay safe, so neither Master nor servant wil make a fatal mistake, trying to protect you.” Lyssa al owed a rare moment of softness in her tone. “He has just found you. His soul is too fragile to survive your loss, but being marked by both of you, Gideon would likely survive your death, Anywn. Physical y.”

  Anwyn nodded, her jaw tight as if she’d already reached the same conclusion, though she found it an unappealing one, standing back in a fight where her two men were in peril. “It’s why I hope you’re right and neither of them are. I hope reason wil prevail.”

  “Dealing with old vampires, that’s not usual y the case,” Lyssa noted. “But lesser miracles have been known to happen.”

  “Such as me being wrong,” Daegan added.

  Anwyn flicked a grape at him, which he caught.

  Giving her a wink, he placed it in his mouth and brought his lips to hers. Cupping the back of her head to hold her stil , he used his clever tongue to tease her into taking the fruit from him. It made Anwyn smile against his mouth, as Lyssa was sure he intended, though nothing would completely eliminate the worry of the woman so new to the volatility of their world, and so new in her fierce bond to the two males. However, when Jacob returned, and Lyssa’s gaze turned to him, she realized the amount of time didn’t real y matter. She knew just how Anywn felt.

  She and Jacob spent a good part of the evening playing with Kane in the library. Gideon stayed with them for a while after Daegan and Anwyn disappeared. Then, when he received a summons from his Mistress, the vampire hunter gave the sleepy Kane a kiss and left them with an affable good night, even brushing a kiss along Lyssa’s cheek, pressing her hand.

  “He’s like an episode of the Twilight Zone,” Jacob remarked.

  “But a good one.”

  “No argument there.” Jacob looked down at Kane, lying on his stomach amid a pile of large Legos, many of which had been scored by sharp baby fangs. “You’re worn out, big man. Time to put you to bed.”

  They went together, tucking him into the soft bed clothes, and then putting the top down on the enclosed crib. The spindles had been done in decorative whorls, twined with sparkling chimes and ribbons to make it look less like a cage. Because vampire infants had the strength to crawl out of a crib at a young age, such measures were necessary.

  Lyssa studied her son, pushed his dark hair off his brow before they closed it. “He’s so you,” she murmured.

  “No, mostly he’s you. I already recognize the haughty look and the indomitable wil .”

  “I think you’re mistaking his inflexible stubbornness and hard Irish head.”

  Jacob drew her close to his side as they gazed down at him together, then he pressed his mouth to her temple, staying there as he spoke. “I love you, my lady. No matter what.”

  She turned her face up to his, her fingers on his jaw as he adjusted his mouth onto hers, taking her under in that deep, swimming way he had. Unlike her nonbuoyant vampire form, in this kind of ocean she could float and drift, spin with him until their bodies were awake and aching for one another, even as their hearts were cradled and rocked, like Kane’s crib.

  Slipping her hand down Jacob’s back, she cupped the rise of his buttock, dug in, feeling the ache in her womb. She wanted him inside of her, wanted to be gripping his taut ass, feeling it flex as he pumped into her. She’d make him go so slow, until they were both near insanity for that release point, so perilously close.

  He drew her out of the room. Knowing her so wel , he didn’t take her to their bedroom. He took her to the indoor pool, with its moonlit view of her rose garden through the glass wal of windows. She had long stone benches out there to while away the evening in conversation, stretch out and gaze up at the stars . . . or do something far more intimate.

  Though Jacob’s immediate reaction when he fol owed her gaze was to look away, giving the threesome their privacy and not impinging on his brother’s, Lyssa took a moment to enjoy the view.

  Gideon was standing, but his wrists were locked to his thighs with straps, making him dependent on Anwyn and Daegan for his balance. The Mistress had blindfolded him as she knelt in front of his naked body and took him in her mouth. While she worked him hard and with obvious skil , Daegan was buried to the hilt in Gideon’s tight, muscular ass, his body flush against the hunter’s. While Lyssa watched, Daegan put his mouth to Gideon’s neck, teasing and nuzzling, and she saw a flash of fang.

  Gideon bucked against them, a sensual resistance that seemed to fuel them both. When Lyssa’s thighs dampened, she felt that stir of power that came from watching the struggles of a powerful y alpha submissive. Anwyn slid off his cock, leaving it hard, thick and glistening as she bit into his femoral.

  At the same moment Daegan bit his throat, both feeding from him at once. Gideon’s head dropped back on Daegan’s shoulder, fingers flexing hard in his bonds, every muscle like steel. He was obviously fighting his climax with every scrap of wil .

  Jacob knelt before her, not obstructing her view.

  He slid the skirt she’d worn at dinner up to her waist, put his mouth against her mound, his tongue dragging across the fabric of her panties to stimulate her clit. She let out a low hum of response, let him see what she was seeing, now that she was watching something he’d appreciate. Anwyn was naked, her back as slim and smooth as one of the statues, her bottom a perfect heart shape. She had heavy, generous breasts, the engorged tips rubbing against Gideon’s thighs as she nourished herself on his blood. As a servant, Jacob couldn’t help but respond to it, and Lyssa knew it. Since both males were naked, she couldn’t help but respond to al that flexing male muscle, the power and strength so much like her own servant’s.

  “Do you think they’l watch us when they’re done?” she whispered.

  “If they do, I’m not sure I want to know.” When he rose, courteously staying somewhat off center so that he wouldn’t impede her view with his wide shoulders, she turned ful into him, pul ed him down for a kiss. As she tasted her arousal on his tongue, she backed him toward the hot tub adjacent to the pool. He’d turned it on, that quiet bubbling roar that could cocoon the noise of the rest of the world.

  Jacob slid his hands beneath her hair, winding it up on her nape. His blue eyes were intent. “How do you want me, my lady? How can I give you pleasure?” In answer, she took the hem of his shirt up and over his head. Instead of pul ing it off, she left it there.

  Pressing her body against his bare upper torso, she nuzzled his lips through the fabric as she let her hands course down his body, open the slacks he’d worn at dinner. The garment pooled on his bare feet.

  After she removed the shirt, she stepped back, putting some distance between them. Stay where you are, Jacob. She slid out of her dress before him.

  When she was naked, she stepped into the hot tub, went under and came back up wet and sleek, taking a seat on one of the benches. His eyes were good enough to see beneath the bubbling water, and she took ful advantage of that now, sliding her fingers between her legs to tease her clit, slip her fingers into herself, making her bite her lip, tremble slightly.

  “My lady.” His voice was rough, needy, and it shot an additional thril through her.

  “Just watch, Jacob. Think about how nice it would be if I’d let you grip your cock for me, stroke it. I want to see you wanting me, wanting to come inside me.” His cock was high and thick. Al the lovely play of muscles were tight, his eyes riveted on what she was doing. You know you like it better with three fingers inside, my lady. And you like my fingers better, because they’re thicker, no sharp fingernails so I can thrust harder. Can you feel them now, just thinking about it?

  In retribution for the sensual teasing, Lyssa gave him more of what was happening outside the pool area, behind him. Anwyn had shifted, so now she was lying on her back on one of the benches.

  Daegan had brought Gideon down on top of her, and as she spread her legs, revealing a pussy slick with cream, Gideon thrust in slow and deep, causing a guttural sound of pleasure in her throat that she and Jacob could both hear, mixed with the sound of hot, bubbling water. Gideon made a similar noise as Daegan gripped his hips and thrust back into his wel lubricated ass. He took his time with it, a tight fit, since Daegan was large. Anywyn writhed, gasping, as their combined force pushed Gideon deep inside of her. Holding her arms to steady her, he gave her a ful measure of sensation as Daegan pushed him further to the edge, the two Dominant vampires sensual y tormenting their servant as Lyssa was tormenting Jacob now, forcing them to hold out until their needs had been served.

  She knew how it drove him crazy, to see her pleasure herself when he wanted to be the one to give her that. When he was a vampire and she final y released him with a sultry, one word command, he’d take her hard, just as she desired him to do. He might not have the vampire blood, but that beast stil existed in him. The alpha male need to take over, to attack and devour, was part of his blood, no matter what.

  Jacob saw her delight in the contrast between servant and male animal, the jade eyes vibrant, flickers of crimson in the irises. Then she spoke the words in his mind.

  Grip yourself, Jacob. Stroke yourself for me, the way a man does it. No finesse, no seduction, just jerking off, watching me do this before you.

  When she brought her fingers out from beneath the surface of the water, his nostrils flared, detecting her scent. She tasted them, one at a time. Then she stretched either arm out along the Jacuzzi edge, watching him like some remote sultana who’d cal ed a slave to perform before her. A slave ready to break his chains with any dark magic to remove that remote look from her face, to make her lips part with cries of helpless surrender. She’d rake her nails up his back, punishing and rewarding at once.

  Outside, they’d switched. Anwyn was between Gideon and Daegan. She rode Gideon’s cock as he stood once more, holding her with sure, strong muscles rippling across his back. Daegan was inside of her as he’d been inside of Gideon, the two holding her between them, taking her up to a pinnacle again. It was how Jacob and Gideon had taken Lyssa that night long ago, at her command and direction. Remembering it now, overlaying it on the image out there, made his cock even stiffer.

  My lady, I am going to come all over your nice tile floor.

  Then you’ll have to clean it on your hands and knees. Naked. Except for a cock harness and a plug that will keep you hard. It will vibrate, so just as you finish cleaning, you will come again, and have to start all over, just for my pleasure.

  You’ve missed being a vampire.

  I find I have. Yes. Her eyes glowed again. But one thing has not changed. I never stop wanting you beyond all comprehension, Sir Vagabond, Sir Knight. Wanting to torment you, love you. Be with you always. He stil ed, lifting his eyes to meet hers.

  Because of what he saw

  He stil ed, lifting his eyes to meet hers. Because of what he saw there, the implicit permission to change the demand, he moved into the hot tub. Sliding one arm around her waist, he cupped her nape with the other, bringing her up to his mouth. Leaving her arms out to either side of her, she gripped the concrete lip of the tub as he lifted her, pushed her down on his cock, making her moan against his lips and sending a quiver through them both.

  “You are my torment. My love. My everything.” At his rough words, she gripped him instead, her fingers digging into his shoulders. When he hiked her up higher, she raked him with those wicked nails, and he felt the blood flow clean and true. In the end, her mouth would find it, taste him, feed from him, and devour his soul. He’d give it to her without hesitation.

  It had always been that way with her, and whether it made sense to anyone else or not, didn’t matter.

  Faith wasn’t a matter of comprehension.

  They’d need faith for what they were about to do, but this moment made Jacob ready for it. He’d do everything necessary to protect her and Kane, understanding why his lady had made the choice to bring their son. His lady knew there were things worse than death.

  Living life on someone else’s terms wasn’t living.

  22

  FOR the past couple of years, the Council had favored an old castle on the outskirts of Berlin as their base of operations. They liked the ancient, stolid darkness of it, the history of war and torment that attended it. At least, that was Jacob’s opinion, one he knew his brother shared.

  When Gideon, Anwyn and Daegan had gone before Council the first time, Jacob had heard about it after the fact. His brother had intended it that way. If Jacob had learned his brother, the world’s most successful vampire hunter, was going before Council as a fledgling’s servant, as close to a death wish as possible without simply slitting his own throat, Jacob would have hunted him down and chained him up in a basement until his bout with insanity had passed.

  He knew enough details, and suspected the ones that weren’t shared, to know it had not been pleasant. But they’d survived. Stil , as they got out of the limo in the castle courtyard, he could tel his brother was remembering it, quite vividly. However, that was Jacob’s intuition, a brother’s insight. To anyone else, Gideon appeared as a silent, intimidating bulwark at Anwyn’s back. Daegan shifted a little apart from them, an unconscious flanking maneuver they seemed to favor when it came to being in a protective position around the woman they loved.

  Anwyn was acutely aware she was the weak link here, and though she wasn’t pleased about that in the least, Jacob admired the fact it didn’t show. She looked as composed and cool as Lyssa, just as ready to kick ass. It made him agree with his lady.

  Once Anwyn gained strength, age and experience, she’d be as formidable a vampire as she was a Mistress, a good match for the deadly assassin who was unexpectedly Master to both her and Gideon.