"It's a dangerous relic, and I agree with the Master, it probably needs to be somewhere more isolated."
“Yeah, having it here among so many doesn't feel right." Tate then asked about its origin and its power. "Did Tarek say where he found it or what it's capable of doing?"
"We haven't had a chance to do much talking. He was pretty tired by the time we got here." Cal said and offered him a refill on his coffee, which Tate accepted. He also passed him a plate of cookies he had found on the counter. The cottage had been prepared for them, although there were a few things he would need to get from his quarters in the Palace.
Once he was seated again, he shared the rest of what he knew. "The Codex is wrapped in the skin of a jackal. That jackal, along with other evil beasts, has its soul trapped within its pages. It's used as a sort of foul and malevolent charger, adding juice and force to the wicked power of whoever wields it.”
“I’m so glad your beloved did not give it to that kindred of witches. I don’t want to think about what they might have gotten up to around here.”
“They will most certainly try to retrieve it; they're not going to willingly let a prize like that slip through their fingers."
"The Master already has people on it. He's not waiting for them to act he's going after them." Cal was pleased with the news. He feared for his beloved's safety and worried about the abilities of the kindred he was dealing with. Witches were the worst of the magics, in Cal's opinion; they were just a filthy bunch of fiends.
“Good, good.” He responded.
"Master DuCane has a patrol assigned to this cottage just in case something happens, or you need assistance." Calassumed there would be guards, and it did not bother him. They would step in if needed, but would also honor his bond.
"I've joined them, so if you need anything, just call me, I'll be close." Tate was standing up for him and Tarek. Cal wouldn't forget this.
"Thank you," Cal said with considerable sincerity. There came a noise from the living room indicating that Tarek was waking up. Both Cal and Tate stood.
"Good luck, Cal." He said and patted him on the shoulder. "He's complicated, but he's worth it." He smiled, and Cal reciprocated.
“Yes, he is.”
****
“He made it to the coven.” Malfane listened as one of his minions reported back. “Those chasing him were destroyed. I made sure they were incinerated with a combustion spell before the vampires could capture their remains.”
"It doesn't matter since they have Azar and the Codex. DuCane is no one's fool; he will know who we are and what we are after." Malfane paced his room. "We must get the Codex. I can feel it calling to me. DuCane is binding it under layers of charms and restraints, but its essence is still reaching out to me."
"Azar is the only person who can get it." The man stated, and Malfane began to consider that fact. "There appeared to be a particular regard between Azar and one of the guards at the gate. They seemed to know one another, and that guard went to great lengths to protect him." What he thought would be failure was starting to take on a new shape.
“Tarek Azar has someone he cares about. Well, that is interesting.” He chuckled. “Maybe we can convince him to finish the job we hired him to do.” He laughed. "If we have the right leverage, all things are possible."
“The coven is locked down tight. We don’t have any means of access.”
“Things are never as tight or secure as one may think.” Malfane pulled up some of his contacts, a list of horrible people, mystics with unspeakable powers. These were individuals outside the kindred who toyed with their own mystical interests. Money opened so many doors, and Malfane had plenty of money. He would find someone with the means to get inside someone who could get him what he wanted.
****
Tarek woke feeling restored, but still a bit tense, as the events of the day came back to him. It was probably a consequence of being so close to the Codex for an extended period of time. Negative objects like the Codex tended to produce lingering effects like anxiety and tension.
Thankfully, the proximity of his beloved counteracted those effects otherwise, the outcome could have been worse and long lasting. Even with the binding spell, the power of the Codex managed to seep through. Without Cal channeling strength and protection, Tarek could have been laid up for months.
Cal made it possible for him to sleep. The man was a blessing, a gorgeous, sexy blessing. Tarek looked around, sensing that Cal was near, and then he heard him talking with someone in the other room.
The sound of his voice was peaceful and calming, but also exciting, bringing back the memory of the emotionally packed kiss they shared. A tremor passed over his flesh as the thought of repeating that sensory overload. Cal was an amazing kisser, and he wanted more . . a lot more.
He sat up just as Cal came into the living room and sat down beside him, close enough that their thighs were touching. Tarek didn't realize just how much he was missing him and how much he needed him close, really close.
Cal's arm went around his shoulders, and Tarek leaned into him, dropping his head to Cal's chest. After several deep breaths, taking in the sweet, comforting scent that enveloped him, Tarek opened his eyes and looked up at Cal.
“So, what’s next?” He asked with a half smile playing about his lips. Cal's expression was not humorous; it was serious and focused, and then suddenly turned to fire, so hot that Tarek felt the burn. He reached up and cupped the side of Tarek's face as his eyes completely and ferociously devoured him. Cal wasn’t playing.
Cal's thumb rubbed lazily along Tarek's cheekbone, and the touch was mesmerizing. Tarek was familiar with the pull, but he did not at all understand just how powerful the need would be that took his body, mind, and soul. His breath began to catch in his throat when Cal held his gaze and pulled him in slowly, effortlessly, and with a desire that was intense and merciless.
Tarek felt Cal’s breath brush his lips. “We start here with us, with this.” The light brush of his lips against Tarek’s immediately turned hard and demanding. His grip on him tightened, and Tarek found himself smashed against Cal's chest while his lips were being ravaged.
