Jadee and Kira sat a few feet apart on a couch in a cozy living room. She’d met the father, Davis, who’d been nice, but he’d gone back outside to pull guard duty. It left them alone.
“I bet you have a million questions.” Kira grinned. “You can relax. Dad can intimidate, but then again, all the men in the clan do.”
“Everyone is so big and in shape. I feel tiny.”
“Me too,” Kira admitted. “I take after my mom. Short. They’re also muscular because they shift into another form, and it’s quite a workout. I used to envy how much food these people can put away and never gain an ounce of flab. I looked at a cake and could feel my stomach bloating.”
Jadee glanced at Kira’s body. “You don’t seem to have that problem anymore.”
“I can’t full-on shift yet but I can grow claws. It speeds up the metabolism. I’ve noticed a difference since my attack.”
“Lavos said you were mostly human, then a Vampire turned you, but now you’re like the others here.”
“Except for changing forms.” Kira lifted her hand but then paused, staring at Jadee. “I was going to show you but I don’t want you to be afraid of me. We’re family now. I’m trying to put myself in your shoes. Are you completely wigged out? Lavos said he told you everything, but he’s a man. They have a different idea of that than we do.”
“I’m not exactly the run-of-the-mill person. I grew up listening to stories about people and things not human. I’d love to see what you can do. I was more worried about my throat.”
“That I’d want to suck your blood?” Kira laughed. “It’s just Lorn’s neck that tempts me. You’re safe. The bloodlust only kicks in when he’s around, and I think it’s only still happening because I associate it with sex.” She winked. “Newly mated.”
“Show me the claws, please?”
Kira straightened her hand and lifted it higher. Her fingernails began to grow longer, the tips curving a bit and growing sharper as Jadee watched.
“That’s so cool.”
“I know.” Excitement laced Kira’s voice. “I never thought I’d be able to do that. Lorn thinks I might be able to full-on shift one day but I’m not so sure. Of course, I’m worried what I’ll look like if ever do transform.” She dropped her hand, the claws sliding in. “Have you seen Lavos shifted?”
“Once.”
“Scary shit, right? VampLycans don’t look like wolves. They’re too humanoid in shape. It’s not so bad for a guy to look terrifying, but a girl?” Kira shook her head. “And what if not all of my body shifts? Like if my breasts remain human?”
Jadee wasn’t sure what to say to that.
Kira leaned forward a little. “Sorry. This is new to me too, only I’ve known about VampLycans all my life, obviously. I was raised in this clan but I’m an expert on knowing how it feels to be an outsider. How are you handling the reality that humans aren’t the only people on the planet?”
“I’m not a fan of Vampires.”
“Me either.” Kira twisted more in her seat, getting comfortable. “Even though I guess I owe one, even if he didn’t mean to do me any favors.”
“I understand. Lavos told me what happened to you. You’re so lucky to be alive. I hate Vampires. They’re pure evil.”
“There’s supposed to be a few good Vampires but I haven’t met any. Most are assholes.”
“I definitely met the asshole kind,” Jadee admitted.
“Lavos is a good man. You can trust him. I had some human friends when I went to college, so I’m trying to imagine what you might be worried about. I felt like an outsider in the human world too, since I always had to keep my guard up and pretend I fit in way better than I actually did. You want the low-down on everything here?”
“That would be appreciated.”
“First off, you won’t have to worry about Lavos being a player or abusive. Mates don’t cheat or beat on you. He’s in this relationship with you one hundred percent, for life. His instincts are strong and he wants you protected from all harm. Period.”
“That’s great to know.”
Kira nodded. “Now the clan… I mean, every race has their freaks and maniacs. I won’t kid you. I’ve met a few fucked-up VampLycans, but most of them are solid. Lavos and Lorn, my dad, and the carefully chosen enforcers of our clan are amazing. You can trust them to never hurt you. But the rest of the people here?” Kira shook her head. “Never trust anyone, okay? Unless Lavos or I tell you they’re good, don’t let your guard down.”
“I’ve been warned already. They don’t like humans.”
“Some of them hate them. Let’s just say I didn’t have any good friends besides Lorn. Some of them tolerated me when I was still mostly human, a few were kind, but I watched my ass so I didn’t have a so-called accident. It was a real concern. It’s going to take time for everyone to adjust to the new way this clan is being run by my mate, and to grow to trust you not to do them any harm.”
That had Jadee snorting. “As if I could.”
“Physically, to be blunt, you’re about as scary as a baby bird to them. Not at all. They’re way faster, stronger, and lethal in a fight. They’ll mostly be worried that you’re going to pull a stunt like film them when they aren’t in human form and load it to the internet to expose them to the world. That makes you a serious threat, Jadee. Swear to me you’ll never do that. It would start a war like you can’t imagine.”
“I would never.” It hurt her feelings that Kira would even suggest it.
“I had to ask. Lorn told me your father and his team were myth busters or something along those lines. I watch shows about people going in search of Bigfoot and to prove the existence of aliens.”
“That’s true about my father but I wasn’t a part of his team.”
“Don’t you feel you owe it to your father’s memory to prove he didn’t waste his life looking for the proof he sought?”
“It got him killed.” Jadee tried not to take offense. Kira said she was trying to put herself in her shoes, so she did the same. “Let me tell you a little about my childhood. I spent three weeks in Scotland while my father and his friends were hunting for the Loch Ness monster. I get sick on boats, and guess what we did every day and night? Yeah. Out on a boat, looking for a sighting. It was miserable.
“Then I was stuck for two weeks in some Brazilian jungle because someone reported cat-shifter people. The only thing we caught was some mysterious fever from infected bug bites and days of puking, with the worst case of the runs to go along with it. We were lucky it wasn’t some deadly disease.
“Don’t even get me started on the time I nearly froze to death on some mountain over a snow beast rumor. That’s how I spent Christmas one year. Forget about Santa bringing me a new doll. I was praying I wouldn’t be buried alive under an avalanche. Four people died in a camp less than a mile from us on day two, after part of a snow bank came down on them. I was six, Kira. I had no business being there.”
Sympathy softened Kira’s features. “It sounds rough.”
“I was fed up with that life by the time I hit my teens and begged my dad to let me live with my grandma. He fought me at first, but finally gave in. I didn’t care about whatever my dad was hunting. I just wanted a stable home, a normal life, and to not be a part of that. Kids didn’t think it was cool that I’d traveled all over the world. They teased and tormented me when they found out what my father did for a living and why he wasn’t around. My grandma raised me during my teens.
“Those creatures and things he was looking for? I grew to resent them—because they were more important to him than I could ever be. He missed my high school graduation to go to England. He blew me off for a fucking ghost. He justified missing that important event in my life because he got some grainy video footage that he thought might actually prove his life had meaning. I’m glad his did in the end…but I suffered for it.”
Kira took Jadee’s hand and squeezed. “You’re breaking my heart.”
“I don’t mean to. I’m mostly over it because you can’t change the past. You can only learn from it. The point is, you never have to worry about me being anything like my father. His obsession got him killed and caused me a lot of emotional pain. I just want to enjoy life and never be in the spotlight. Clear enough?”
“Yes.”
Jadee studied Kira closely. “I’d never do anything to hurt Lavos, and I understand that it would put a target on my back too. I give you my word, for what it’s worth to you, that I will never tell another person about what I’ve learned.”
“That’s good enough for me.” She let Jadee go. “I will admit, I’m so glad Lavos found you. We’re family. I’d always hated being an only child. I’m hoping we become as close as real sisters.”
“That would be great.”
“It would.” Kira grinned. “So, back to VampLycan 101. What do you want to know? You can ask me anything.”
She thought about it. “Will it bother Lavos that I can’t shift?”
“It doesn’t bother Lorn that I can’t. It’s not an important factor. I wouldn’t worry about it. Very few couples shift to have sex in the other form. I’ve come across it while I was patrolling.” She grimaced. “So not sexy. Do you think Lavos is hot shifted? I love Lorn but it doesn’t do it for me.”
“Lavos looks terrifying.”
“Exactly. The women look like that too. I honestly can’t tell the sexes apart unless I’m familiar enough with them to identify their eyes or markings while they’re shifted. They get a little furry between the legs, so it’s not like you can spot girl or boy parts with ease unless the view is right. I wouldn’t worry about Lavos wishing you could shift. Most prefer sex in skin.”
“That makes me feel better. I’ll admit, I feel a little insecure. I saw some woman hitting on him earlier today. She was gorgeous, and a VampLycan like him.”
“He mated and wants you. Be honest with him, Jadee. He’ll always tell you the truth. Mates don’t play games or lie to each other. They don’t cheat either. You can talk to him about anything or ask him any question. You’re his other half. I think that’s the most important thing I can tell you. You didn’t marry a human. You merged your very life and body with a VampLycan. He’s a part of you now, and you’re a part of him. Two become one. It’s emotional and physical. Do you understand?”
She let the words sink in. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“Yes. A lot of mates die if they lose their other half. They just don’t want to live. The ones who survive were either not mated long or have small children. They know they’re needed so they manage to hang on. I worry about one particular woman in our clan because she lost her mate and her kids are almost mature. I don’t know if Perri will keep living once her children leave her home.” Kira sighed. “Welcome to the world of VampLycans. Promise to heed my warnings about being careful of who you trust. You’re not just risking your own ass anymore. Lavos’s life is on the line too.”
It gave Jadee a lot to think about. “Okay. Thank you for telling me all this. I have one more question.”
“Ask away.”
“I don’t want to be rude, but…your dad looks so young.”
Kira laughed. “Most VampLycans age like a human until we hit about twenty. Then it slows down big time. My dad looks to be in his early thirties, at most, but he’s way older.”
Jadee wanted to ask when he was born but she didn’t. “So VampLycans live a long time, huh?”
“The first generations are around two hundred years old. Let’s just say that they look like my dad does. Early to mid-thirties.”
“Shit!”
“Did Lavos tell you drinking his blood is going to do a number on your body? You won’t age in human years anymore, Jadee. Accept his blood during sex. It will make you stronger too. Forget catching a cold, and you’ll heal faster over time.”
“This is a lot to take in, but it doesn’t suck.”
Kira smiled.
* * * * *
Lavos finished his meal and laughed at the easy flow of conversation around the table. He liked the other clan enforcers, especially Wen. The guy was laid-back with a good sense of humor. He kept feeling glares directed his way and stayed alert, paying close attention to who seemed to hate him. One of those was Mya.
He got up from the table, along with everyone else, to mingle. It didn’t take the woman long to come after him. She stepped in his path, her eyes turning near black and her nostrils flaring.
“You mated a human!” she spat. “I’m insulted.”
“It had nothing to do with you. Instincts won’t be denied.”
“So you just…what? Left for a few hours, ran into a human, and decided to fuck her while you were on duty?” Her claws grew. “You wouldn’t test a mating with me, but you did her?”
Lavos stepped back, not wanting to have to fight her or cause a scene. “She was working for our clan. Not that she knew what we were,” he added. “I’d met her before and was strongly drawn to her. Today just happened, but I don’t regret it. She’s my mate.”
“You bastard! I’m better than some human.” Her fangs extended and she took a threatening step forward.
Trayis, leader of one of the clans, was suddenly there. He gripped Mya by the back of the neck and she froze, her eyes widening. Trayis winked at Lavos, then leaned in, putting his mouth close to her ear.
“What have I told you before, Mya? Don’t be a pushy bitch. Some men aren’t impressed with your aggressive behavior. You snuck over here without my permission but I let it go. I know you want to leave my clan since I keep a close eye on you, but I just had dinner with Lorn. He wouldn’t take your shit either. Go home. That’s an order.” He released her. “Now.” His voice deepened.
Mya fled.
Trayis smiled and held out his hand. “Sorry about her. Every clan has a few problems. You just met one of mine.”
Lavos shook his hand. “Thank you. I didn’t want to have to get into it with a woman but she looked ready to fight.”
“That’s Mya. She cleans up nice in a dress but she’s no lady.” Trayis released him. “She’s been coming on to me for ten years so I know how she can be when she’s after a man.”
“You ever test a mating with her?”
“Hell no. She’s beautiful, but a lot of our women are. I don’t fuck the ones in my clan. I learned a long time ago that no good comes of it, and none are my mate, if strong attraction is any indication. I don’t feel that way about any of them.”
“What lesson did you learn? May I ask?”
“I was sleeping with a woman like Mya once. She kind of unofficially started acting like she was my mate and it caused problems. I put a stop to it as soon as I found out she was using her lover status to bully some of my clan. It’s a good thing you took a mate so fast. Otherwise, that’s likely a lesson you’d have learned as Lorn’s lead enforcer. Some women come after you for the power, and even if you’re just their lover, they’ll try to take advantage of your position to bolster theirs.”
“My mate is human.”
“I know. Congrats.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m actually glad it happened. Not the Mya thing, but you taking a mate while we were here. It proves your brother is nothing like Decker. He’d have killed you both. You for breaking his law, and her just because of her bloodline.”
“Decker had no tolerance.” Lavos sighed. “And not all of our clan will be happy about my mate. Decker poisoned them against humans. We actually have another clan member who recently claimed a human mate. Lorn accepted her, as well. He’s nothing like Decker.”
“Decker thought everyone was out to fuck him over—and he was right. You can’t do that much bad without making a hell of a lot of enemies. You reap what you sow.”
“Agreed.”
Trayis glanced around. “I’ve been watching the faces of your clan. Most seem okay, but that group in the far corner is trouble.”
Lavos knew the ones he spoke of. “They’re elders who were loyal to Decker.”
“Ah. Watch them.”
“We are. Especially since we expect a few of them to raise hell over my mate.”
“They should come live in my clan. That would cure them of being race snobs.”
That interested Lavos. “Why?”
Trayis seemed to consider his words before he spoke. “We joke that it must be something in the water, but we’ve had a higher rate of mated pairs birthing sons in our clan for the past forty years. It’s not as drastic as the Gargoyles. Their daughter birthrate is extremely low. But the men in my clan have learned to appreciate women, no matter what their bloodlines are.”
“Is that why you so easily accept your clan mating humans and full Lycans?”
“Partially. You’ve unfortunately met Mya. Some of our younger unmated women abuse the power they wield over the single men in my clan. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to break up fights when they use the lure of possible sex to pit horny men against each other. It’s like a twisted game for them to see how much trouble they can cause, even if it’s brother against brother.” His tone deepened, anger showing through. “It pisses me off, so I encourage our men to seek out women from anywhere they can. I send the unmated to visit Lycan packs often. If they come across a human mate while they’re traveling, so be it. Every man who finds a mate is one less for Mya and her group of friends to mind fuck.”
Lavos considered everything Trayis had said, filling in the blanks. Mya had been aggressive and wanted to start a fight when she didn’t get her way. He was glad Trayis had stepped in or it might have turned into a scene. “I don’t blame you.”
Trayis smiled, his good mood back. “Elders can be assholes. I might be one, but at least I’m open to change. I want my clan to be happy and don’t give a shit about them all being pure VampLycans.” He jerked his head in the direction of the corner. “Ones like those are toxic to our long-term survival. They didn’t learn a damn thing from the Gargoyles.”
“You mean how picky Lord Aveoth and his clan are about not mating with VampLycans?”
“I’ve made friends in other parts of the world. The GarLycan clan in the cliffs is the only one I’ve ever heard of. Lord Aveoth’s clan is thriving. Not so much for pure Gargoyle clans. They’re dying out. They don’t breed with Lycans.”
“I wasn’t aware.”
“They mostly only steal human women to be their breeding vessels. The Gargoyles make the pregnant women drink their blood so the kid comes out all Gargoyle. From what I’ve learned, it’s why so many of them are born male. All the human traits are also overpowered during breeding. Lycan genetics could pass through, but Gargoyle bloodlines still dominate.” Trayis shrugged. “They wouldn’t relish having children who could possibly get traits they hate. We VampLycans get mostly Lycan traits, but I can’t say we got screwed out of the good Vampire powers.” His eyes began to glow. “It comes in handy.”
Lavos grinned. “Yes, it does. Though my mate is immune to mind control,” he admitted.
Trayis allowed his eyes to dim to normal. “Share your blood with her often. It will make her stronger. And especially when she’s carrying your young in her belly. Otherwise you risk having a child unable to shift.”
Kira came to mind. She’d been born too human, despite having a VampLycan father. “So you’re saying…”
“It makes your children stronger in the womb. The down side is lots of boy births. Though, I’ve asked some of my mated couples to try something.”
“What?” Lavos was curious.
“To cut back on sharing blood while they try to get pregnant, wait until the pregnancy takes, then feed the female blood after. That way the sex of the child is already determined. We had four girls born after I asked. It looks promising.”
“Good to know.”
“Unless you want sons. Then feed her blood all the time.” Trayis grinned. “The experiment might be wishful thinking on my part, since I’d welcome more girls being born into our clan, but it’s a learning curve, right? It’s not like we have thousands of years of history to learn this shit from by studying the past.”
“True.”
“I’ll leave you to it and mingle. It was good talking to you.”
“You too,” Lavos admitted. He watched the clan leader walk away and smiled at Lorn when he caught his brother watching him, assuring him everything was fine.
His mind returned to Jadee. He wanted to get back to her but he had a few hours to go. Being social sucked.