“When?” Tears threatened. Daka knew the truth. This would be their last opportunity if Mahu continued to refuse Temaj’s gift. When the blood wore off, he’d be too weak for bed play.
Mahu knew the same, it was written in the melancholy expression he wore like a shield to Daka’s advances.
Temaj cleared his throat, snagging their attention. “If the two of you won’t be accepting what she offers, may I make a suggestion?”
The woman glanced at the vampire adoringly and dragged her fingers over the lean line of his torso. She wouldn’t remember this evening, or their conversation, only that she’d had a lovely time and was compensated generously for her efforts, such as they were.
“Of course,” said Mahu with the sort of polite tone that rang odd in a brothel.
“Why don’t I go ahead and feed, then the three of us can leave her in peace? Your strength won’t remain much longer. We should begin the trip back.”
Daka deflated as the grim reality set in. They were wasting this opportunity, and he was no closer to convincing Mahu not to die than when he started.
“You’re right,” said Mahu. If he was nervous to see a vampire feed, it didn’t come across in his voice. “Go ahead.”
Daka clung to Mahu’s side. If they weren’t going to have sex, at least they could be close. And though Mahu seemed unafraid, he wished to offer comfort all the same. Mahu’s arm came around his waist, and Daka leaned in farther.
Temaj’s attention shifted to the woman in his arms. He swept the hair off her neck and tilted her head to the side to bare her throat. Silently, his fangs dropped from his gums as he leaned in and bit.
Her pliant bonelessness remained unchanged. If anything, she sank deeper into his embrace.
Mahu’s hand tightened on Daka’s waist, but he didn’t turn away. Against Daka’s thigh, his cock remained hard. Daka longed to taste it. But whereas he wouldn’t mind an audience, perhaps Mahu would prefer they seek privacy.
The woman let out a low moan of pleasure, her hand at her own breast pinched a nipple through the sheer fabric of her gown. Daka’s hunger stirred, a natural reaction, and unwanted. He shoved it aside.
“Go on,” said Mahu.
“No,” Daka insisted stubbornly.
Temaj spilled no blood as he drank, his swallows echoing loudly over the faint music and distant sounds of fucking. When he’d drunk his fill, he retracted his teeth and licked the punctures closed. Kissing the woman’s curving neck, Temaj whispered something in her ear.
She giggled. “My pleasure, handsome.” Her words came slow and slurred as if she were intoxicated. Perhaps she was, on the pleasure of the bite.
Daka had never fed a vampire, but now he wanted to. If only it could be Mahu. He imagined himself in Mahu’s strong arms, Mahu’s teeth buried in his flesh, Daka giving his blood to his lover. A shiver rocked his spine. More than ever he wished Mahu would fuck him.
“Let’s go home,” Daka purred, lust lacing his tone.
Leaving a brothel with a stiff cock and unmet need was a new experience for Daka. If Niya were here, she’d roll her eyes and sass him, but he could trust Temaj to keep his secrets.
In the night air, under the glow of moonlight and the twinkling stars, they walked through the town square toward Mahu’s home. Temaj strolled behind, giving Daka and Mahu space. Daka had his familiar hold on Mahu’s elbow, which would normally comfort him, but tonight only served to make him wonder if this would be their last outing. Was Mahu wondering the same?
At his side, Mahu’s pace slowed.
Daka cast a worried glance his way.
Mahu hunched forward and coughed. “I think the magic is wearing off.”
Daka’s heart sank. “Already? But we’ve only had an hour, at most two.”
“That’s more than most people get, in the clutches of death,” said Mahu, then his balance wavered.
Temaj caught up and took Mahu’s other arm, steadying him. “I could give you more?”
Mahu and Temaj locked gazes, and Daka was left to stare at them both. In Mahu’s eyes, Daka saw the longing he knew Mahu was trying to hide. The longing Daka wished would overpower the superstitions Mahu clung to with tooth and nail. And in Temaj, a willingness the vampire hadn’t yet voiced, but Daka saw it clearly enough for what it was. Hope flared anew. His plan could work. It had to.
Temaj reached to take Mahu’s nape in his hand. “What do you want, Mahu?”
Wavering, Mahu struggled for breath. “Does it hurt…dying?”
