Chapter 20: 020: LORD VIKAR

For the next three days, Cassian does not see Alastor or his shadow; it’s like he simply vanished into thin air. Cassian thinks it’s his fault. He’s too reckless. Alastor could have jumped and ripped his throat out, sucking out every bit of blood from his damn body. Cassain could have died sooner than planned, but Alastor had control. He saw blood, yet he didn't go after Cassian like a beast.

But as much as Cassian was scared for his life, there was something that caught his attention, and that was Alastor’s eyes.

They were red, just like the last time in the office when he had Cassian pinned to his table, but this time, there was something different, a difference that Cassian had noticed and had kept him worked up the whole night.

Instead of being terrified of those eyes, they did the complete opposite. Cassian spent the whole night with a hard boner pushing through his pants, aching to be touched every time he got a flash of those eyes, but Cassian would rather die than jerk himself off to Alastor. The very idea makes his skin crawl even as his body burns. It feels wrong and twisted, like there’s a chain tightening around his throat.

It’s humiliating, and the fact that he's admitting it causes shame and disbelief to take residence in his bones.

Cassian went through puberty without a single boner. Growing up like that, getting an erection is nearly impossible, and Casasian has never been attracted to anyone; it’s like he has a dead cock and dead sexual desires, and the first boner he ever has is one he gets from the mere sight of a vampire’s eyes.

Cassian is attracted to the bloody red eyes of the vampire lord, Alastor.

The thought fills Cassian with anger and pure disgust that he doesn't realize when he slams his fork into his plate, earning shocked gasps from those seated at the dining table, and that brings Cassian back to reality, where he's having dinner with the rest of the household.

“I told you, mother, he is becoming too much!” Alastor’s second niece, Annabel, exclaims, glaring sharp daggers at him as if he murdered her cat.

“Just because he had Uncle in his bed, he thinks he is better than everyone,” Clarissa hisses too loudly.“

Cassian barely hears her or anything else that’s said after that as he abruptly pushes his chair back so hard it scrapes against the floor and rises to his feet. “I need air,” he mutters, though no one asked, and he doesn’t wait for permission as he heads for the exit of the dining area.

He doesn't care if they think he’s being too much; he doesn't care if they hate him; he just wants to get out and get some fresh air, and he wants to be alone with his thoughts.

Cassian heads towards the front doors to escape to the garden, but fate clearly has other plans because the moment he opens the door, he comes face to face with a stranger, dressed in black and with a large coat draped over his shoulders.

Instantly, a smile curls on his lips, the same predatory smile that reminds Cassian of Alastor and Seth, the awful vampire who forced him to drink blood.

“And who might you be, little one?” The vampire starts, sweeping Cassian with his gaze with a devious glint.

Out of courtesy, Cassian bows, knowing the vampire is a high-ranking one. “I am Cassian, Lord Alastor’s mate,” he states, and instantly, the vampire’s eyes sparkle, and then they glint when he drops his gaze to Cassian’s neck, making the human suddenly uneasy.

“Pardon me, Cassian, I didn't realize, since I didn’t see a mark on your neck. I wonder what Alastor is waiting for? He couldn't possibly be waiting for others to claim you now, could he?” The stranger smiles, then takes a dangerous step toward Cassian, prompting him to take one back.

“And who might you be?” Cassian asks instead, still retreating.

“Oh, allow me to introduce myself,” the vampire smirks, and he doesn't stop crowding Cassian’s space until his back hits a wall and he has nowhere else to go.

He’s trapped, so his instinct screams fight, and that’s what he does as he yanks a blade from the side of his pants and holds it at the vampire’s throat, causing him to pause.

“You don’t need to be so close to introduce yourself,” Cassian says through a clenched jaw. Even though he knows a dagger is practically useless against a vampire, he would rather die fighting one.

The vampire looks from the blade pressed on his neck to Cassian’s face as if he can’t believe his eyes. “You dare hold a blade against my throat?”

Cassian’s lips curl into a sinister smile. “And I’ll also dare to use it if you don’t step away from me, asshole.” Cassian has met many vampires, and this one isn’t as good.

The vampire studies him like a puzzle he’s enjoying too much. “You’re brave or stupid; it’s hard to tell which, but you’re bold for something so breakable.”

“I’ll break you first,” Cassian snaps in annoyance. He is tired of vampires not taking him seriously, even though none of them know he’s human. Why do they all think they are better than him? If they were so fucking good, they would have figured out he’s human.

“Lord Vikar,”

Cassian whips his head fast at the sound of Alastor’s voice, and then suddenly, he’s appearing in front of Cassian from nowhere, once again, becoming a protective shield because Cassian is his to destroy.

Alastor shoves his hands into his pockets as he stands taller than Lord Vikar. “What brings you to my home at such late hours of the day?”

“Shouldn’t you ask your mate why he had a blade to my throat?” Vikar states, peeking at Cassian.

“I’m sure you deserved it. Now, answer me or I will have you escorted out.” Alastor’s voice drips low and deep while his eyes drill a hole in the other vampire’s face.

Lord Vikar holds his hands behind him and looks at Alastor with an eerie look in his eyes that says whatever he’s there for isn’t good. “The High Lord sent a message. You see, he has gotten too impatient in waiting for you to deliver just as you always have.” he steals another glance at Cassian and smiles as if he knows something that Cassian doesn’t. “He wishes to know what the delay is. Perhaps, I should tell him you have grown attached to this one?” he motions his chin to Cassian.

Alastor's expression remains blank. “It’s not yet time.”

Lord Vikar steps closer. “I think it’s time. He’s perfect. The High Lord will get his fill; perhaps you wish to deny the high lord of his wishes? You know better than anyone that is a death wish, Alastor,” he says, shaking his head as if he knows any pity. “You have lived for so long; it would be a shame to lose you so soon, all because of a boy.”

Cassian doesn't know what the hell they are talking about, but for some reason, he feels they are talking about him. What does the high Lord want with him, and why is Alastor stopping it?

“I told you, it’s not yet time. I will deliver him to the high lord myself; you have no power to tell me what to do, Vikar. The only reason you’re on your high horse is that you curry favor from the high lord; I do not. I am a pure-blood vampire, while you’re just a servant.” Alastor’s voice thunders with authority that Vikar couldn't deny as he takes a step back and raises his hands in surrender,  but with a cunning smile on his face.

“I have gotton your reply; you didn't have to humiliate me in front of your mate.” He turns as if to leave, but then recalls something, stops, and turns back to look at Alastor. “I am throwing a ball. I have already sent Seth an invitation. You should come, and you should bring your little mate with you; he will fit right in. Until then, see you, Lord Alastor.”

With a bow, Lord Vikar vanishes, leaving with supernatural speed as if he was never there, and finally, Alastor turns to Cassian, taking the blade from his grasp.

“I told you blade doesn't work on vampires, especially high-ranking vampires like Vikar,” he states, a small smile on his face.

Casasian stares dumbfounded for a moment as he recalls Alastor’s eyes, and fuck, he felt a twitch in his pants again. Immediately, he looks away from the vampire’s face. “I wasn't trying to kill him; I’m not stupid, but if you are so worried about me, why don’t you teach me how to kill a vampire?”

The words escape Cassian’s lips before he can stop them and realize their meaning. Why will a vampire teach a human how to kill his kind?

“I’m joking,” he states, but Alastor smirks instead.

“Sure, I'll teach you.”