Hounds of Winter

The Hounds of Winter
Chapter 4
By: Delilah deSora

Shido woke with a start.

It must have been around midday, when the sun was at its brightest for he could feel its rays just beyond the thick stone walls, beating into him with their radiation and trying to drag him back down into the dead sleep that plagued all nightwalkers. He struggled against that pull, trying to figure out what had woken him in the first place.

His hand brushed Cain’s broad back as he sat up and he turned to peer down at the pale form next to him. His mate lay on his side, no breath or heartbeat giving the immortal body life. Whatever had woken him had not disturbed his mate.

Shido frowned deeply, peering about the dark room. What would have woken him but not his more sensitive mate? There was no indication that anything was wrong and yet he had been dragged awake during the most vulnerable time of the day. Vampires didn’t just wake up for no reason. Once they had slipped into the death sleep their bodies had to restart themselves before they could wake. A vampire’s heart did not start beating nor his lungs start taking in breath without something having alerting his senses to danger.

The lack of any sound or scent to account for his sudden wakefulness put him on edge and he bent over his mate, quietly whispering in his ear as he stroked the bare back, coaxing him awake.

Cain’s golden eyes came open and Shido froze, giving his mate time to switch from the creature of pure instinct ready for danger back to himself. After a few seconds Cain pushing himself up onto his arms and turned to look at him questioningly.

Shido shook his head. “I don’t know,” he whispered, keeping his voice too low for anyone just beyond the heavy door to hear, “I just woke but I don’t sense anything.”

His mate mirrored his frown and his eyes took on a distant look as he reached out with his senses. Shido sat perfectly still, keeping his breath slow and light to keep it from interfering. Finally Cain shook his head.

“I do not sense anything either, melmae.” Cain flung the covers off of him and walked silently towards the door. Reaching out he touched it, listening for any danger before pushing it open slowly.

Shido sat upon the bed, his hands tangled in the covers as his mate paced into the next room, looking about. Cain disappeared from his view and he cocked his head, listening to his mate’s careful steps as he moved a ways down the hall. After what seemed like an eternity to the violet haired vampire his mate reappeared, a troubled look on his face.

Cain closed the door firmly, locking it behind him before returning to the bed. “I did not sense anything out of the ordinary, melmae. The halls are silent and the grivadae have not noticed anything strange.”

Shido flushed, feeling very foolish for causing such a scare for no reason. “Gomen ne, avraire,” he whispered, “it must have been someone moving around. I haven’t gotten reacquainted with the sounds of court.”

His mate reached out with both hands, cradling his face and drawing his gaze back up. Cain kissed him gently, his soft lips moving soothingly against Shido’s. “Do not fret, melmae. Waking me was the correct thing o.” o.”

Shido nodded his understand, allowing his mate to lay him back against the sinfully soft pillows. Cain’s lips teased his collar bone and he sighed as seeking fingers stroked his skin, relaxing his muscles and quieting his mind. Shido sighed under the ministrations, reaching up to bury his hands in his mate’s hair.

“Did you enjoy your return?” Cain asked, peering up at him.

Shido snorted. “I wouldn’t exactly say I enjoyed it.”

Cain’s hands ran up the inside of his thigh and he gasped, squirming under his mate’s body. “Really?” He asked dryly.

Shido flushed. “Well . . . there were some parts I enjoyed.” He admitted quietly.

The older vampire nuzzled his stomach, his tongue dipping into his navel and making Shido gasp. “We are not the monsters you strive to make us out to be, melmae,” his mate whispered against his flesh, “You do yourself harm staying away so long and I do not mean socially. I saw how you craved the young one’s touch. How you clung him to you even though you did not seem to remember how to greet your friend in kind.

“We are creatures of sensation, Shido. We need it. The mortal world does not understand it because their senses are dull and practically useless. Vampires must indulge in their sense else we lose something important to us. We become handicapped when we shut ourselves away from what makes us feel alive.”

Shido turned his head, staring at the wall.

“You need not answer, melmae. There is nothing to answer. What I say is true. You hurt yourself by not indulging in your senses. You lose touch with what you are and that is very dangerous indeed. It makes you a starving man tempted every minute with a feast that you refuse to allow yourself. Eventually your needs will take control and you will either become a creature that can no longer function in either world or a creature with no control at all.”

Cain shifted, coming to lie alongside of him and pull their bodies tightly together. “I want you to take him tomorrow.”

Shido stiffened. “What?”

“The young one, your fledge-mate. Not the master but his mate. He wants to renew your friendship and all that you once had. I want you to give in to those wants.”

Shido shook his head. “You cannot order me to sleep with another . . .”

“I can make you do whatever I want, Shido,” Cain reminded darkly, stalling his mate’s words, “It will be good for you. Help you shed the mortal’s view of pleasure. Or have you forgotten that pleasure can be shared between our people without this ridiculous notion of attachment? He knows that nothing will come of it and he doesn’t have the power to force you. Besides, you desire him. I can smell your desire for him even now.”

Shido’s flush deepened and he shifted in embarrassment. “What about Gaven? Perhaps he doesn’t want to share Soryo anymore . . .”

Cain snorted. “He has already approached me on his mate’s behalf and I have assented. I do not mind you playing with your old fledge-mate.”

“What about Gaven himself?” Shido asked, “I cannot pretend I do not know him!”

He felt his mate shrug. “I do not care if you speak with him in public areas where I can keep an eye on you but he may not couple with you. Not until I am sure of his intent.”

Shido sighed. “I don’t think he would ever hurt me.”

“That is not what I worry about. Now back to sleep with you.”

Shido closed his eyes and obeyed.

He woke to pair of hands around his waist and a talented tongue licking the back of his neck. He grumbled and tried to wave the other vampire away. “Leave me be, Cain.” He growled.

Soft laughter rippled across his skin. “So cranky! And after sleeping in so late!”

Shido blinked and rolled over onto his back, staring up into soft violet eyes. “Soryo?”

Soryo smiled and flopped down on him. “Sleeping beauty recognizes his prince, how wonderful!”

Cain’s words from that afternoon came back to him and Shido shuddered, feeling terribly uncomfortable with the half dressed vampire lying across his bare body. Soryo’s teasing eyes lost their mirth and he looked suddenly confused as Shido crawled out from underneath him, pulling a cover up into his lap.

“I’m sorry,” Shido mumbled as he lowered his eyes, unable to meet his fledge-mate’s gaze.

Soryo sat up, crossing his legs underneath him. “Was it so bad?” He whispered, dipping his head to peer up at Shido.

Shido blinked and glanced up in confusion.

“Ah, lalae,” Soryo cradled his face gently between his hands moving closer to press a comforting kiss on Shido’s lips but stopping himself at the last moment, “forgive me,” he whispered, “the stepanu warned me that you were fragile and that I needed to act cautiously. I did not realize waking you in such a manner would frighten you.”

Shido frowned. “Cain said what?”

Soryo smiled gently, brushing Shido’s long violet hair back from his face. “He said that you have been through much and that some of our ways have become foreign to you. He said that things happened to you that have made you shy to our touch. He has asked me to help you overcome those barriers and I am more than happy to do it, if you will have me.”

Shido flushed deeply, unable to come up with anything to say to that. Soryo laughed brightly and before he could protest Shido found himself dragged off of the bed and into the bathing room where Soryo dunked him under and began scrubbing him, chatting away aimlessly until Shido was laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of the vampire cleaning him.

Soryo’s easy smile returned to replace the false cheerfulness that had existed before and Shido found himself relaxing in the other’s presence. As much as he hated to admit it Cain had been right. If anyone could make his temporary return to court easier it would be Soryo who didn’t have a hurtful thought in his mind.

Shido closed his eyes in bliss as Soryo scrubbed his back, the rough cloth of the rag a wonderful sensation against his skin. The green haired vampire had been a high-class whore for wealthy nobles in his mortal life and had spent his life learning to take enjoyment where he found it. He had been groomed to fulfill the roles of companion, servant, and decorative object all at once. His manners were impeccable, he could play whatever instrument was set in front of him, he could hold a fairly intelligent conversation, and there was yet to be a court dance found that he could not execute perfectly. He’d been taught to give pleasure to whatever master he had been given to and his former sire had brought him into the world of the vampires to continue doing just what he had been raised to do. Becoming a vampire had changed him little. To please those he saw as his circle of friends and companions was still his main concern.

If Soryo had ever had any dreams of power over another or a status in which he could make his own decisions Shido did not know. He doubted it. If he had he would have fled his former master a long time ago. There would have been a hundred other masters who would have taken him into their families but he had never done so. Instead Soryo had taken the uncalled for beatings and crawled back to kiss the hand that had struck him time and again.

Shido had often wondered if it was something that had been bred into him. Gaven had once suggested that Soryo might not even been able to comprehend fleeing from someone who held power over him. Every day of his mortal life he had served men who might order his death just to amuse themselves over dinner. Perhaps he had long ago come to take the thought that his life might be ended over such a trivial matter as someone’s amusement as a simple fact of life.

Shido had shuddered at that possibility and they had never discussed it again.

Finally Soryo pronounced him clean enough and chased him from the bath. Soryo tumbled him onto the divan and he playfully snapped at the other vampire, a threat to which Soryo pretended to cower from. Shido smirked victoriously and laid on his stomach on the divan, smiling contentedly as Soryo sidled up to him and unceremoniously shoved him aside to make room for him.

Shido stiffened but Soryo curled up in front on him, his back turned so that though their naked bodies touched it would be up to Shido to initiate anything between them. He was grateful for the small courtesy and wrapped his arm around his fledge-mate’s waist, holding him so that he wouldn’t tumble off the cushions. He buried his nose in Soryo’s hair, enjoying the other vampire’s scent. tho though they had bathed he could also detect Gaven’s scent and it reminded him of past times, when the three of them had practically piled on top of each other after a night of terrorizing the countryside or even their own court.

Shido sighed, concealing his face in Soryo’s hair.

They lie together quietly, ignoring the thrall that brought them clothes and hovered for a few seconds to see if there was anything else they needed. Soryo’s slow heartbeat lulled him into a pleasant half sleep. Finally he felt the other vampire shift so that he could peer up at him teasingly.

“Surely you aren’t going to go back to sleep!”

Shido snorted and kept his eyes firmly closed.

Soryo’s bell like laugh tinkled around him and he felt a hand brush his hair away from his face. “Come now, there’s a whole night ahead of us. Can’t spend it lazing around like the grivadae!”

“Don’t you have a mate to harass into playing with you?” Shido grumbled.

“Ah, that is what the mornings are for, lalae! He plays with me for hours. Is it any wonder he is so eager to send me off to find new playmates in the evening?”

Shido rolled his eyes and tapped the dark mark, so fresh Shido could clearly see the teeth imprints, on Soryo’s neck. “I doubt he means for you to find that type of playmates.”

Soryo chuckled and stretched, showing off a second set of marks trailing down the other side of his neck. “Now that you have come back to us perhaps we will be able to convince your mate to let you come play one morning and then you can ask him yourself!”

Shido frowned, memories coming forth to remind him that he should not be playing with old friends while a young vampire he was responsible for was in danger.

“Ah, now I have said something to disturb you again. I am sorry. You don’t have to play with us if it makes you uncomfortable, lalae. I was just trying to bring back memories of safety and comfort.”

Shido shook his head and climbed off the divan to dress. “It’s not what you said, Soryo. I was just reminded of something.”

Soryo rose and dressed as well, pausing only to help Shido pull his long hair back with a thick ribbon. “And what is it that brings such trouble to your mind? Surely you can tell me. You know I will not tell secrets that are not mine.”

Shido sighed. “I fear I have failed someone. I came to find her but all I have done so far is revel in past memories.”

Soryo kissed his cheek and gave him a sympathetic look. “This is only your second day back, lalae. Do not be so harsh on yourself. Besides, how will you find her if you do not prove you belong, hmm? No one will speak to you if they don’t know you.”

He shook his head again. “I know. I just feel so . . . useless at the moment. I need to find her, Soryo. She is depending on me.”

“Such determination! It makes me glad to know that whatever you have gone through out there has not changed you into a creature I do not recognize. It is a wonder to me that you also didn’t develop into a master. Ah, but it is not for me to wonder! Come,” Soryo caught his arm and practically drug him from the room, “we shall see if my mate has any information on your missing lady and if he does not, well it will not be a waste for there are many who like to talk to him and tell him things! Besides,” his opposite twin grinned, “Gaven always gets his pick of the best grivadae and he lets me choose one before anyone else!”

Shido laughed softly. “I think he’s spoiling you.”

Soryo sniffed delicately. “Hush! I spoil him in return so it’s a fair trade.”

They thread their way through the halls, Soryo chattering on aimlessly with Shido only half listening to his friend. They had nearly reached the separate section of the castle where most of the masters made their homes when Soryo was suddenly jerked away from him and dragged back against a larger form. Shido stiffened and moved back a step only to find his movements hampered by a strong hand on his wrist and a body at his back.

Soryo hissed at the vampire that came to stand over him and caught his chin. The other laughed and slapped him.

“What your tone with me, gwarith!”

Shido growled and stepped forward, earning a sharp yank on his arm and an annoyed glare from the master vampire before him. The master studied him for a moment before his eyes rested on the dark mark on his neck. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Go find somewhere else to play, gwarel.” He said dismissively. “I have things to do with your little playmate here who seems to have wandered too far from home.”

The hand left Shido’s wrist and the vampire at his back stepped aside but Shido ignored the obvious hint. “Let him go!” He growled.

The master waved him off with one hand while dragging Soryo’s face up to his for a harsh kiss. Blood ran down Soryo’s chin as the master’s fangs tore at his bottom lip. Shido nipped his finger and flung a set of sharp projectiles at the master. They buried into his side and he stumbled back with a gasp of surprise.

“I said let him go.” Shido repeated darkly.

The master glared at him with eyes gone golden. “I think you need to learn your place, gwarith.” He snarled and lunged.

Shido danced back a few steps, avoiding the hands that reached for him. The master’s claws gazed his chest, creating delicate lines of blood down the pale skin. One of his cohorts caught his arm, costing Shido dear seconds as he was forced to fling him off before the master turned and lunged for him again. Realizing that he was outnumbered in the narrow hallway he turned and fled, slow enough to make sure the angry master was still following him.

The master’s snarl of rage was the only warning he got before a pair of shadows lunged for him. Cursing under his breath Shido flung more of his blood at them, creating a hole between them large enough for him to slide through. He could hear the master’s growls as he lightly skipped out onto a nearby balcony. Flinging a few more projectiles back to make sure the master wouldn’t be tempted to turn around and head back to his original prey, he leapt from the balcony to the clearing below, startling a group of breed lurking in the castle’s shadows.

The master dropped down nearly on top of him and he had to tumble backwards to keep sharp claws from finding purchase in his body. The master was impossibly fast and Shido could find no time to draw his sword to defend himself while just trying to stay one step ahead of the angry master.

He slipped on the wet grass and cried out in pain as sharp claws dug into sides, dragging him to the ground. A strong mouth clamped onto his arm and a shriek of pain was torn from him as the master’s fangs sank into him. There was a reason vampires used their powers to create a rapture in their victims. Vampire bites hurt and they would always be forced to cling to a struggling victim if they didn’t cloud their minds with ecstasy. This master, however, didn’t want him to take any pleasure in the bite and he thrashed desperately, trying to get free from the haze of pain.

Something struck the body on top of his with a bone-jarring thud and the master vampire tore away from him. The vampire’s heavy weight disappeared from his body and he peered up weakly to see the master shrieking and batting at a dark shape that was tearing at him with wicked talons and long sharp teeth.

Hands wrapped about his chest and Shido began to struggle blinding against this new attacker. A soft voice urged him to calm and he relaxed, slowly coming to recognize the green hair that fell around his face as he was pulled away from the fight. When they were a safe distance away Soryo collapsed next to him and Shido turned to see numerous bites on his fledge-mate’s arms and neck. He tore his eyes from his panting savior to stare at the second new comer.

The master vampire had dispersed the shadow creature that had been hounding it and was now glaring hatefully at the new master. Gaven’s hazel eyes were narrowed and his face expressionless as he watched the other master. His dark moss colored hair twisted on his shoulders though Shido could detect no breeze in the still night. What he could feel, however, was the power that swirled restlessly at Gaven’s feet, waiting for it to be given a direction.

It took his breath away.

Gaven had been a sword for hire during his mortal life and such a solitary life had taught the dark haired man patience. Where Shido himself and Soryo used to fling themselves fully into a party of mortals to look for a potential human to feed from Gaven had hung back along the sidelines, waiting for his meal to come to him.

He was using that technique now as he watched the seething master before him. The other snarled and made a broad movement with his arm. A shadow rose up behind Gaven like a tsunami, threatening to swallow him. Shido felt Soryo tense but that fear was quickly allayed as Gaven flung up an arm and used his power to cut through it. That was not all his power did, however, and Shido watched in amazement as the power at Gaven’s feet swirled upwards, snatching control of the great shadow and urging it onto a new course. This new path sent the wave of shadow tumbling over top of him harmlessly and towards its summoner who was forced to dive out of the way.

However when the other sought to regain his feet a whip slashed across his chest, sending him back against the grass with a cry. Gaven froze, his eyes fixed on the golden haired vampire that snarled and struck out against the other master angrily.

“You dare harm what is mine, Dirmund?” Cain snarled, raising the whip again.

The master vampire cowered at Cain’s feet. “He attacked me first, stepanu! I gave him free passage and he turned on me! You have no grievance with me!”

Cain stilled, a grimace of annoyance on his face. Shido saw the satisfied grin that appeared on the r mar master’s face. That grin however, faltered as Gaven stepped forward.

“I have a grievance with you. I would restate it to you, stepanu. Surely you will not ignore my claims now!”

Cain scowled and the whip disappeared. “I acknowledge your complaint, venrel. What I chose to do about it is my decision alone.”

Gaven frowned. “Then I must retract my permission for your use of my mate, stepanu. If you cannot guarantee his safety while he is in your employ yet forbid me from accompanying him then I cannot in good faith leave him in such a position where he might be harmed. Dirmund has time and again shown distain for my claim on Soryo yet he refuses to challenge me! If you will not protect my claim on my mate I cannot leave him alone and if I cannot leave him alone then I cannot obey you wishes that I stay away from your mate unless we are in a public forum. Therefore I must declare our agreement null and regret to inform you that my maay nay not be alone with yours!”

Cain’s face darkened at the young master’s words and Shido feared for Gaven. However Cain whirled upon the kneeling Dirmund and struck him. “Get out of my court, venrith! Do not return until I call upon you!”

The master stared up at him in surprise. “But you need me!”

Cain snarled at him. “I need only those that know their place! You endanger us all with your lack of control! Now get out of my sight!”

The master stared at all of them in confusion but obediently stood and fled when menaced with his stepanu’s warning growl. Cain sighed and straightened the cuffs of his shirt in annoyance. “Do what you will with the others. I trust this then satisfies your fears, Gaven?”

Gaven inclined his head.

Cain’s golden eyes sought out his mate’s and Shido trembled slightly as his maker approached him. Cain knelt at his side, taking his arm in a gentle hand and turning it so he could examine the bite. “I send you your fledge-mate to keep you out of trouble while I am busy with other things yet still you find it!” He snapped in irritation, his eyes glaring at the vampire behind his mate.

Shido sat up straight to block Soryo from his mate’s view. “It wasn’t his fault! I brought myself into the conflict on my own accord.”

Cain shook his head and exhaled heavily. Shido gasped as his mate licked at the bite until it had healed and replaced the pain with a small amount of rapture. Cain pressed a kiss to the now healed skin and a second one to his mate’s lips. “I must get back to court,” he murmured, his gloved hands tracing the contours of Shido’s face, “I trust you will keep him out of trouble, Gaven?”

“I do not think he is any condition for a public appearance, stepanu, and my mate requires private attention.”

Cain’s golden eyes studied the other master for a moment before he nodded. “I rescind that part of our agreement then. However, I do not rescind the other. Do not make me regret this decision, Gaven.” He added threateningly.

Gaven bowed slightly, seemingly unaffected by the warning. “As you wish.”

Cain turned from him slowly, his eyes turning from suspicious to exasperated as he met his mate’s green gaze. “What am I to do with you, melmae?” He asked softly. “I can get no work done with you here to distract me.”

Shido blushed and lowered his gaze. “Gomen.”

Cain laughed and pressed a to to his forehead. “Stay out of trouble for the rest of the night, won’t you?”

He nodded his understanding and Cain stood, striding away from them. Gaven waited until he was gone before coming towards them. Soryo smiled up at him brightly, reaching up with both hands. A gentle smile teased the corners of the master vampire’s lips as he dragged his mate to his feet. Soryo practically draped himself over his back as Gaven helped Shido to his feet as well.

“How wonderful!” Soryo crowburyburying himself under his mate’s arm and peering at Shido with bright violet eyes, “Now we can all play together!”

Shido shook his head. “What’s this about an agreement?” He demanded, glaring up at the dark haired vampire.

Soryo opened his mouth but Gaven stopped the onslaught of words with his hand, holding the blinking vampire against his chest. “Later,” he replied, his soft voice sending a shiver down Shido’s spine, “let us go somewhere more private first.”

It was then that Shido noticed the mix of vampires and breed peering at them from the half circle that had formed at their backs. He nodded and followed close to Gaven’s side. He noticed that Soryo was leaning heavily against his mate and wondered what other wounds his fledge-mate was hiding. He shook his head. It didn’t matter. Whatever had occurred between Dirmund’s followers and Soryo would be ended now.

Aftel, tl, the stepanu had spoken.

-ChapChapter 4