The Lion's Den (42 page)

“
I’d prefer to discuss matters not dealing with torture, deaths and ‘what ifs’.” Kysen crossed one long leg over the other,his eyes remaining on Adan as if Elise and Xander were not there. He was intrigued by the young lion as well as attracted to him. His beauty was exotic, much like that of Darian’s and his personality was vivacious. He stared at Adan’s golden amber eyes and his beautiful olive complexion. He watched Adan’s full lips part as he prepared to respond to him.

“
Forgive me, but I’m finding it difficult to think about anything other than saving the others at this point. I don’t want to discuss … certain things,” Adan answered.

Kysen smiled. “Is that the reason your pulse quickens when you look at me? Why your blood flows faster through your veins? Even now, I can smell pheromones emanating from you. You’re attracted to me, yet you’re fighting that attraction. Why?”

“
Perhaps, I’m struggling to figure out what is it about you exactly, that I could possibly find attractive.” Adan raised an eyebrow.

“
Touch
é
. I suppose I haven’t been the most
gracious
host. It really isn’t my nature.”

“
What is your nature, then. So far as I can tell, you’re rude, arrogant, jaded, disconcerting … and ultimately repulsive.” Adan knew he was taking a chance in saying what he said. He was even more shocked when Kysen’s smile widened.

“
You forgot to mention vain.”

“
I was hoping I wouldn’t have to add that to an already astonishingly long list of undesirable attributes.”

Kysen laughed outright, tickled by the shifter’s brazen responses. It had been a while since he’d met anyone quite like him. He enjoyed pushing Adan’s buttons, playing with him … seducing him.

“
I’m going to the lady’s room,” Elise announced, rising from her seat.

The three men rose from their seats as she walked past.

“
I see you’re a gentleman … for the most part,” Adan said, noting how Kysen rose from his chair.

“
She is a lady of high standards, is she not? I can respect that,” he said, settling back into his chair.

“
Do you need to feed?” Xander asked. “You’re going to need all of your strength to defeat Marcus.”

Kysen opened his mouth, preparing to refuse the offer, but then he glanced at Adan, then back at Xander, changing his mind. A shifter’s blood was indeed a delicacy, but most of all he wanted Adan.

“
I will need to feed before we make contact with them, yes,” Kysen lied, turning toward Adan. “Will you be donating?”

Adan snorted. “I don’t remember making the offer. No.”

“
Well, as I am eradicating your initial problem, the very least you could do would be to make sure I’m at the top of my game when I do so,” Kysen prodded.

It was now Adan’s turn to laugh. “Who wouldthink you had moments when you’re not at the height of your ability?”

“
Well, I could face this vampire and his coven with hunger pangs distracting me. If that’s the chance you’re willing to take,” Kysen said, his mouth curled slightly at one end.

Adan cocked an eyebrow, watching Kysen suspiciously. “I wouldn’t put it past you to be manipulating this situation just to feed from me. I bet you’re not even hungry.”

Kysen laughed. “I could be manipulating you, but then what if I’m not?”

Adan sighed. “You don’t have to play games with me, if you want to drink from me then fine. If it’ll give you the added strength you’ll need to defeat our enemy, I’ll be more than happy to donate.”

“
Much appreciated,” Kysen said.

“
I’m sorry, but I must ask, why are you not the least bit concerned about this other vampire?” Xander asked.

Kysen turned toward him. “Because I plan on killing him. He’s insulted me by taking what’s mine, by hurting what’s mine. What he’s done to Darian is unforgivable and I plan on making him feel pain for what has happened.”

“
Don’t underestimate him, please. Darian didn’t and still we were not prepared,” Xander said, hoping Kysen’s over-confidence didn’t cloud his judgment. He wanted to succeed and believed there was no room for errors.

“
Understand, I am neither Darian nor you. I will kill this vampire. As a matter of fact, he would probably already be dead had I not had to drag the lot of you along with me,” Kysen said through tight lips.

“
Can we not discuss that again? I want to save my lover and my friends. I feel as though you’ll need us, even if you don’t. The only time we wasted was getting you to help us,” Elise said upon exiting the bathroom.

“
Please, enough hostilities. We’re in this together. There’s been more than enough fighting for one day, don’t you think?” Adan said, looking at the others.

Kysen sighed as he settled back against the cushions. “Very well, we still have a long flight ahead. Why don’t you all get some rest?” His voice was gentle as he spoke, revealing yet another layer of whom he was, or could be to his companions.

“
Thank you,” the three shifters said in unison and did just that.

Adan laid down on the sofa, feeling comfort and relaxation for the first time in over a week. He felt safe on their airplane knowing that Kysen would protect them … Well, he hoped Kysen would protect them. He opened one eye, looking at the ancient vampire from across the plane.

Kysen chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, no one will be attacking you while I watch over you. You can rest easy.”

Adan sat up, propping himself on one elbow. “You love Darian very much, don’t you? And it’s not because you believe he is your property?”

“
I do, and he does belong to me. N as a suitcase would to the person who purchased it, but as a child to a parent. My blood flows through him, giving him life everlasting. My knowledge has guided him. The lessons I’ve taught him as sustained him for over sixteen centuries. Our bond is stronger because I created him out of love.”

“
I care for Darian as well. To answer your earlier question, yes, he was my first sexual experience. But that’s all I want to say on the matter.”

“
I hope it was memorable, in a good way,” Kysen said, curious as to why Adan seemed so reluctant to discuss the interaction.

“
It was. Which is why it was so difficult for me to part with him at that time.”

“
Ahhh, you were in love with him.”

“
I was young.”

“
You still are. You are only … What? Less than two-hundred years old?”

“
A hundred and sixty-six, to be exact.”

“
And still so much more for you to experience. Your Pride holds you back. I must say, being the leader of a shifter community does keep one grounded. If you go somewhere, your entire community must travel with you because at any time, you can become a target if another sees a moment of weakness.”

“
As my understanding, it’s not much of a difference for Masters of vampire covens.”

“
Which is why I refuse to keep a coven. I’ll choose a companion and together we experience all that this world has to offer.” Kysen was enjoying their conversation. As he spoke with Adan, he realized that he was hungry for that contact, the intimacy. He needed it, actually. Even if he didn’t want to admit it, he missed being with someone.

“
I’m sure a vampire of your age has experience so much already,” Adan said, sitting up a bit more. He was being drawn deeper into the conversation, growing more curious and intrigued with Kysen.

“
It’s almost always new when I’m traveling the world with a companion who is amazed by it,” Kysen said softly, reflectively. His eyes stared forward, distant as if he was remembering a fond experience.

Adan studied him for a few seconds, wondering what Kysen was thinking about. He finally decided to ask him. “What are you thinking about?”

“
The first time Darian and I traveled to America, how almost childlike he was, wanting to see, touch and taste everything. This was, of course, before it was called ‘America’.” Kysen smiled fondly.

If you don’t mind me asking, how old was Darian when you met him … I mean, turned him?”

“
When we first met, he was twenty-six. I turned him when it was his time, when he was in his prime, when everything about him was perfect. He was twenty-eight.”

“
How interesting,” Adan said, words slightly distorted due to a massive yawn.

Kysen chuckled. “You should rest. Go on, there’s only a few hours before we expnd.”

“
How fast are we going?”

“
Very. You could say, I’m not using this jet’s conventional functions.”

“
I see.” Adan nodded slowly as he lay back down on the sofa, eyes closing, almost against his will. Within a matter of seconds, he was in deep sleep. Kysen continued piloting the airplane. He used his mental ability to sense Darian’s aura, but only the surface, not wanting to break through Marcus’ hold over Darian … that would come soon enough.