The world comes into focus with ragged gasps and sweaty skin.

Lying on his side, he doesn't move his face from where it's pressed against the mattress in a damp spot of drool, trying to catch his out-of-control breath as the unwanted memories slip away. There's a weight slung over his flank and stomach.

His initial panic abates when he grasps a cotton sleeve and then lays his shaking fingers over a familiarly large hand. He squeezes and hears a tired groan in response.

Kiernan shifts his head and huffs a laugh through his nose. He feels behind him without turning, palming the pillow that has been placed as a barrier between their bodies. "You don't have to do that."

Alexander makes a noncommittal noise. He shifts to his back, taking his arm. "You felt calmer with it."

They lay in silence. There's a soft rain pattering the window above the nightstand.

Kiernan turns to his back and lays his palm on the pillow between them, fingers splayed in an unspoken request. He's answered with a large hand falling atop his, squeezing.

He won't fall asleep again, but that's fine. He rarely sleeps an entire night, and if he's awake, then Alexander won't have to suffer the bleed of his emotions.

Selfishly, he's glad that Alexander is so affected by their bond.

With Mercalli, the maker bond never settled. Kiernan never accepted his fate. He mentally resisted it without even realizing it. He felt Mercalli's emotions, but they were a slow trickle, not like what he has with Alexander. He knows that affection blooms after a turning, and it has, but he's never felt that what he feels for Alexander is fraudulent. Not once.

Usually, it takes years to have such a strong bond.

But the one downside is that he cannot hide any longer.

"Don't do that," Alexander whispers gruffly. His hand slips away, and with a yawn, he shifts up, propping himself on an elbow, and stares down with a worried pinch to his brows. "I know what you're dreaming about."

Kiernan's heart is a wild beat, and he knows Alexander can hear the tell. The man used to be infuriatingly perceptive, but now, as a vampire, he's inescapable.

"You're a mind reader, Alexander?" Kiernan scoffs. "You never told me."

Alexander smiles fondly at the derisive tone. His fangs peek from his upturned lips. The man looks the same as a vampire, but if scrutinized, he's different in many aspects. Not just because the scars on his knuckles are gone and his skin is perfect. He was handsome before, but vampirism has empathized these traits.

Mercalli would have looked into Alexander's lovely brown eyes, so full of warmth, and would have devoured that vulnerability until nothing was left.

The horrific thought churns Kiernan's stomach. He looks away, to the pine wood dresser against the wall, flanked by the closet and closed bathroom door. He doesn't shutter his heart from the painful conversation. Not with Alexander.

"I cannot control what I dream about," Kiernan says. "I'm sorry that it affects you. I'll try to calm myself next time."

"You don't miss him."

The deep rise of his chest burns. It's harder to admit than his brother's betrayal. His greatest shame. The yearning that's left his heart in pieces until Alexander began filling the cracks. This isn't the first time they've spoken about this. He told Alexander everything, over two long weeks and many sleepless nights, which they'd lain awake together.

"Say it."

Kiernan shakes his head.

Alexander sighs. "Coercion. He threatened your brother's businesses to keep you compliant."

Despite the heavy topic, Kiernan's lips twitch into a fond smile. He stares at the silver handles of the pine dresser and knows this list so well by now that he can answer in his mind before Alexander says it in his tired voice.

Kidnapping.

"Kidnapping."

Kiernan frowns at Alexander. "If you haven't noticed, I am not a kid. I loathe that word."

"You might as well have been. Next..."

Kiernan rolls his eyes. "Co-dependency. I know." Mercalli did not let him have finances or relationships.

Alexander smiles sadly. "Then, you finish."

"Is it necessary?"

"You know it is."

Kiernan accepts Alexander's offered palm with a fond snort. Their fingers entangle, and it gives him enough strength to make words past the burn in his chest and the ache in his heart. "Abuse."

"How?"

"He hit me." He feels childish saying it aloud. Mercalli often beat him when he did something out of turn. It is not what haunts him nightly. He's stalling. They both know it. He squeezes the fingers in his grasp tighter.

"I can say it," Alexander offers gently.

No. He's never said it before. He needs to. Alexander does, and it makes him want to die every time the word reaches his ears. But he cannot hide forever, not if he wants to move on and leave Mercalli, where he belongs, in ashes, long dead.

The deep breath that fills Kiernan's lungs is resolved. "I know..."

The fond softening of Alexander's brown eyes has a smile rising on Kiernan's lips. He reaches out, splaying his fingers on Alexander's cheek. A month ago, he would have had the urge to vomit from touching another man. He feels triumphant that he doesn't want to retake his hand.

"I don't need to say it," Kiernan says. "I know. That's enough for now."

Alexander's head lulls, letting his bracing forearm take on his tired weight with a softening smile. "You should talk about it one day."

Kiernan drops his hand. "Maybe one day, but not tonight."

Alexander doesn't speak for a long time, but he doesn't need to. Through their bond, the man is feeling waves of affection and held-back anger. Alexander swallows and reaches out, brushing Kiernan's sweaty hair from his forehead. "The things I'd do to him..."

"I wouldn't recommend inviting him for tea. He was known for butchering his guests that spoke out of turn."

Alexander laughs bitterly. "Shit. I hate vampires."

Kiernan smiles crookedly. "I should probably tell you..."

"I won't be like them."

"Like who?"

"Mercalli. Gabriel. All those creeps."

"Alexander." Kiernan sighs, rubbing his face with a palm. This is an argument that he feels they will have for decades. Alexander doesn't respect authority, and that hasn't changed since coming to Fawnhill. He has met Gabriel many times, and Kiernan felt Alexander's burning hatred for the man.

"He's just as bad."

"No, he's not," Kiernan replies warily, shifting to check his phone that's charging on the nightstand. It's close to five in the morning. They have hours yet before they'll take the long drive into the city. "You won't speak like this in his presence tonight."

Alexander lies on his back and grins darkly. "Sure."

"I'll leave you here."

"Not happening."

"I can handle attending a gala without an escort." Kiernan smiles at Alexander's mocking and completely wrong mouthing of his words. He explains gently, "I've been alone for a long time."

Alexander snorts and pulls the blankets up to his chin. "You're not alone. Not anymore." He gives Kiernan's reluctant smile a lazy smirk, then his gaze darkens into pools of hungry black. "You're going to say no, but I'll ask anyway."

Kiernan has said no many times. He blames his foolishness on the warmth in his heart and the softness he carries for this man. "Fine."

Alexander's boyish grin makes it worth suffering the uncomfortable prickling that crawls over Kiernan's skin at the thought.

The man cannot sustain himself on vampiric blood, but he still asks ceaselessly. He's newly turned. His impulses will be questionable for a while. 

Addiction is a worry when Alexander prefers his blood, but Kiernan doesn't care enough to stop their game.

After moving the pillow aside, he leans heavily on his propped elbow and bares his neck, heart a wild beat against his chest.

If Alexander were older, the air would shiver with anticipation when he rises, gaze dark. His palm cups the side of Kiernan's face, and he takes what is offered, biting the curve of Kiernan's throat.

Alexander rumbles a deep groan when his fangs can go no further.

A soft gasp slips from Kiernan's mouth. He shivers from their shared emotions. There's no desire to hurt him beyond taking his blood, and that's the reason he allows the large hand that slides from his cheek to the back of his head to remain.

He's lost to the bite, sighing at the euphoric sensations that keep him compliant, which he does nothing to resist. 

Alexander loses the thin composure he'd been keeping, his fingers gripping Kiernan's hair hard enough to hurt, pulling him closer.

Kiernan is pliant when he's shoved down to the bed, with the man's muscular weight half-draped over him, fingers curling around his wrist. He shouldn't, not while pinned like this, but he feels secure. It's a peaceful feeling he's having a hard time getting used to, having spent so long fighting, but he enjoys it nonetheless.

He lets Alexander's greediness take over until Kiernan's ears ring and his lethargic dizziness settles.

"Off," Kiernan rasps reluctantly.

Alexander obeys instantly. He looks down, his eyes dark, but behind the hunger is the man's familiar gentleness. "Do you..."

Kiernan shakes his head. He does, but this isn't a give-and-take, not with Alexander. Even though he can feel that Alexander is not opposed, he never wants this to be a forced exchange.

With a soft groan, Alexander settles back down, yawns, and closes his eyes. "Thank you." He must sense Kiernan's smile because his lips rise. "Wake me up when it's night. I hate the morning."

"Okay," Kiernan whispers fondly. "Partner."

The auction house is lively.

It usually happens when an event is held, but this is different. Every coven has attended. The main room and corridors to the theatre are occupied. The chandeliers draped with twinkling crystals cast dancing light across the marble tiles, matching the pillars under a large, hanging balcony. The white walls have beautifully painted golden vines that climb up to the high, glass-vaulted ceiling that gives a glimpse of the shining moon above.

"Kiernan."

He holds his wine glass tight enough for his ring to faintly scrape the glass. He gives a brief look of warning to Alexander that does nothing to quell the man's shadowed expression before turning to greet Gabriel's approach with an amicable smile.

Gabriel looks immaculate in his black trousers and suit jacket, left open. He's forgone a tie and left his pressed white shirt unbuttoned at the collar. His styled hair looks nearly white in the bright lighting. He sips on his wine and hums thoughtfully, his hazel eyes sliding down Kiernan's form.

Kiernan looks down, confused. He'd worn a dark blue suit, lapels left open, with a white shirt buttoned to the collar. He doesn't understand the scrutiny. It can't be his black loafers. They cost more than his car. He smooths a palm down his shirt front and gives Gabriel's rising smile a stoic stare in reply.

"Not red?" Gabriel teases.

Oh. Kiernan can feel Alexander's rising animosity, glad the man is choosing to linger behind him instead of joining the conversation, and replies coolly, "It hadn't crossed my mind."

"Next time."

"Yes."

"I have read your report," Gabriel says with a deepening frown. "I have no clue what the creature was."

Was. Bullets didn't kill Nikolaos. He's decided not to contemplate if those explosives would have been enough, because if he does, that means there's a chance that thing is still lingering underground with his name on its vile tongue.

Kiernan says, "He said that the mages cursed his people."

"It would have had to have been over three hundred years ago. Cassius could not provide information either."

"He called me a child."

Gabriel scoffs. "A child?" He sips his wine and then lowers the glass and says softly, "I cannot say that I was pleased to hear he had you for four days. You left those details out of your report."

"Torture. That is all. Nothing worth noting."

"He truly used your phone to call random numbers? How absurd."

"Yes. I don't think he knew that doing so was going to give his location away."

"You're truly alright?"

"I am."

Gabriel smiles. "Brilliant, and you've turned someone. I never thought you would. Truly." He looks pained. "Did you have to choose a human police officer? I've been dealing with the fallout. They're not pleased."

"I didn't have a chance to contemplate. He was dying."

Gabriel gives Kiernan a lingering look before turning his attention to Alexander. He has to tilt his head to see around Kiernan's form. "I've found a place for you."

Kiernan's heart races. He shifts aside so Alexander can respectfully face Gabriel. This is important. His breath burns, held in his lungs, as he waits for Gabriel's reveal. It will determine Alexander's place in their coven.

"Taking your experience into account," Gabriel says, undeterred by Alexander's show of impudence by not replying. "I think it would be best if you took over as head of security."

"Silas?" Kiernan interjects, shocked. He can feel that Alexander is just as surprised, but his eyes are on Gabriel.

"Silas will watch over my home," Gabriel replies. He sips his wine, and his hazel eyes fall back to Alexander. "Axel, all else. You'll be able to handle this responsibility, I trust."

Alexander shrugs.

Kiernan lays a hand on Gabriel's arm, drawing the vampire's gaze to him and away from Alexander, who has no sense of propriety, nor does he know how much of an opportunity he's just been given. "He won't let you down."

Gabriel nods. "You will have to oversee his training."

Kiernan retakes his hand. "I'll stay closer to the city then. For a while."

"Nonsense," Gabriel replies, his eyes dark. "You will stay with me."

Kiernan can feel Alexander's gaze on him but doesn't dare meet the man's eyes. He's on the edge already. The last thing he wants to do is stay in Gabriel's personal home.

Gabriel sips his wine and looks at the crowd. "I can't shake this feeling that something is coming. I'd feel at ease if you were near."

Before Kiernan can reply, Alexander interjects, "He can't stay with you." There's a punch to Kiernan's gut of initial panic, but then Alexander finishes with a deadpan, "He's been constipated."

"I..." Kiernan has a flush rising on his face, and Gabriel is blinking at him rapidly. "I've been eating human food."

Gabriel looks appalled. "Why?"

Kiernan whispers, "I don't know." He's trying to not scream. There are gazes falling on them from the crowd, and he knows, many have just heard this ridiculous lie. He's debating finding refuge under the banquet table nearby, with its overhanging white cloth.

Alexander looks off, rubbing at his mouth. He's obviously trying to hold back his laughter. 

Fortunately, Gabriel doesn't pay Alexander any mind. His concerned gaze is solely on Kiernan. 

"Don't..." Gabriel clears his throat. "Do that anymore."

"Okay," Kiernan strains.

"We'll talk about this later," Gabriel says, giving Kiernan a lingering glance before turning his gaze to the crowd. He says to Kiernan absently, "I will come find you before the evening is through." He drinks the rest of his wine and passes the empty glass to Kiernan without looking.

Then, Gabriel's making his way towards Cassius, beckoning him with a crooked finger, standing near the doors to the theatre, who's been making the social atmosphere dark and smog-like. Darren Sinclair, in his beige suit and slicked black hair, has only just finished a conversation with the councillor.

Cassius doesn't look old. Middle-aged. Shoulder-length black hair and a beige suit. He would draw gazes if he walked down a street, but they'd never know they were staring at a vampire who's over three hundred years old. He stares, and he can do so for hours. It's unnerving, and Kiernan steers clear of the man whenever they're in close proximity. Also, the fact that Cassius knew Mercalli personally during his reign is unsettling.

Kiernan slowly turns to glare at Alexander.

Alexander laughs until he has tears in his eyes because he's an impudent brat.

"You're smiling," Alexander whispers, catching his breath.

Kiernan forces his smile to fall, frowning deeply.

Alexander moves closer. "It was funny." He lays a fond hand on Kiernan's head, and they are drawing gazes. Kiernan has always been quiet and usually chooses to linger in the shadows, observing. Seeing him interact with another must be jarring.

"No, it wasn't." Kiernan walks away, letting Alexander's hand fall off his head. He approaches the table that's been filled with food for the humans that are attending and places the empty glasses down. He feels eyes on his back and looks over his shoulder.

From afar, Gabriel's gaze is on him, and the vampire shakes his head sternly.

Confusion lingers for but a moment. The table. The food. Kiernan turns away and bites his lip to stop himself from falling into a fit of laughter.

He collects himself and turns to go back to Alexander, but then he's caught staring at a beautiful woman in a black knee-length satin dress who's approaching him through the crowd. An angry scowl twists her red lips.

Gianna.

"Fuck," Kiernan mutters.

He doesn't have time to flee. So he resigns himself to his fate, tipping his chin when she comes to a stop in front of him with a deadly glare. 

He doesn't expect the slap that's hard enough to give him whiplash.

He slowly looks back at her, and her nostrils are flaring. She's close to crying. People are watching their exchange, but he keeps his gaze on her, guilt cutting him deeply, snuffing his initial outrage.

"Why?" Gianna whispers.

"Why, what?"

Gianna looks to be on the edge of hitting him again. He'd let her. He's avoided her for two weeks and has been quite successful until tonight. "I'm working for security." She shoves his shoulder angrily. "Not you."

"No."

"Why?"

"I never promised anything."

"You're such an asshole," Gianna whispers shakily. "After everything?"

Kiernan blinks at her. He wants nothing more than to slide his fingers through her satiny brown hair and pull her closer, ruin her red lipstick, and give their eavesdroppers something to gawk at. But he can't. She's in just as much danger here as she was under Dallas's employment. "You'll be working under Alexander."

"No, I won't."

"You will," Kiernan says sternly. He glares at her, forcing her compliance with dark eyes, and her breath hitches, red lips taking on a slight quiver. "This is the best opportunity you will be given. If you want to go back to the city, go. You won't survive the night."

"Fuck you."

"Don't forget who you're talking to."

Gianna nears, her minty breath fanning his face. "I'm going to find someone and take them home."

Kiernan's stomach sinks, and his heart beats faster.

"How do you feel about that?"

Anger. 

"Nothing."

"Fuck you, Kiernan." Gianna begins to walk away and hesitates, snatching a bottle of wine from the table. She glares at anyone unlucky enough to meet her gaze, and the crowd parts for her angry stride intelligently.

There's a low whistle from his left, and Kiernan looks away. Alexander approaches and says, "She's hot."

"No."

Alexander laughs. "No?" There's a question there.

Kiernan inhales. "I'm—" he begins to reply, but then his attention is stolen by the woman who descends the curved staircase that leads to the balconies and upper level of the building.

His mind has two thoughts: a heated fuck and a panicked fuck.