“Fuck’s sake, you lot.” Before any of them could react, Edwin had swiped Sorley’s stake and, whirling around, he dropped to a crouch and plunged it deep into Cormack’s chest. Cormack wailed, but the sound cut off as the wood struck home and the vampire literally flew apart. Gethin watched in fascinated horror as what had seemed to be a solid body disintegrated into ash within seconds, leaving only a pathetic pile of empty, dusty clothing and a pair of scuffed leather shoes.
“Holy shit,” he breathed, awed and slightly sickened. This was what awaited him if he was ever in danger. It was a sobering thought.
Edwin wiped the stake clean on Cormack’s shirt and presented it hilt first back to Sorley with a bow. “I know you didn’t want to, mate,” he said softly, “but it had to be done.” He clapped Sorley on the back and bent down to pick up the clothes. “I’ll take them over to a corner and set light to them. You might as well all head back to Sorley’s. I’ll see you in a bit.” He strode off, his spine stiff, gait determined.
Alec said something into his phone and cut the connection. He wrapped his arms around Sorley and the two men embraced for a full minute. It felt as though they were drawing strength from each other, and Gethin, although a little envious, didn’t begrudge them the moment.
Alec sighed. “I am going to hunt. I will see you back at your flat, very soon.” He gave Gethin a quick jerk of his chin, then ran off, merging seamlessly into the shadows within seconds.
Gethin gently tugged the stake out of Sorley’s grasp, replaced it in its holster, then eased the leather straps over Sorley’s firm pale torso and fastened them. “You look good in a harness. Ever thought of wearing one for decoration?”
Grey eyes shot up to meet his. “Oh yeah? You into that then?”
“Dunno to be honest, but you look hot in everything, so it’s an idea.”
Sorley leaned into his chest and sighed when Gethin wrapped his arms around him. “We could try it at a club maybe?”
“One day. Not like we have to rush into it, is it?” He kissed Sorley’s auburn locks, inhaling the sweet scent of this man he loved so much. “Shall we go home?”
“Aye, let’s. Your hugs, while something I will never turn down, have made me damp. Plus you should feed again. Lead the way, my love.” He placed his hand in Gethin’s and looked up at him with a smile that was finally almost unclouded by fear or worry. “You defended me, to Cormack. I could have lost you.”
Gethin smiled back. “But you didn’t. Turns out I’m hard to kill. So…” It was over. They had some ends to tie up, but for now, it was finally over.
But Sorley appeared to have changed his mind about moving. “Uh, Gethin, I should probably tell you something.” He seemed uneasy, maybe a little defensive, so Gethin drew him against a wall and held him.
“What’s up?”
“It’s about Jasper.”
“Who’s he?”
Sorley hesitated. “I thought keeping him a secret was the right thing to do, but now I’m not sure. It feels like I’m lying to you by omission.”
“Go on.” Gethin carded his fingers through Sorley’s hair as he waited. If Sorley had kept a secret, he trusted him.
“He lives in Robin Hood’s Bay.” A deep inhalation, as if he was steeling himself. “He’s my youngest descendant. Mine, not through one of my sisters’ families. And I…I kind of keep an eye on him.” He flicked his gaze up to meet Gethin’s. “That’s one reason I stay in Yorkshire a lot.”
Good lord, I love you so much.Gethin tightened his hold on Sorley and brushed their lips together. “He’s your son’s great great blah blah etc grandson?” Sorley nodded. “That’s amazing. And he still lives in the area your mother and sister settled in?” Another nod. “You know, you never did tell me your son’s name.”
A harsh swallow. “His name was Jeremiah.” Sorley blinked furiously. “You’re not cross with me? Not even Dalziel knows.”
“Dalziel doesn’t own you, darling.” He waited for Sorley to acknowledge this. “And of course I’m not cross. The only reason I’m thrilled you’ve told me is now I can help you shoulder that responsibility. Because it is a responsibility you feel, isn’t it? As well as a privilege?”
A nod. “I love you so damn much.” It was garbled, spoken into his chest in a rush. Gethin pulled Sorley tighter. He didn’t need fancy words from this man. He kissed the top of his head. “Let’s get you home.”
53
SORLEY
There wasa familiar silver sports car parked along the road behind Gethin’s latest SUV. Sorley heaved a sigh. “Fuck’s sake, really?”
“What?” Gethin followed his gaze. “Oh, an Aston Martin, that’s fancy.”
“That’s Dalziel’s. I thought it was weird his video signal was so poor. He was obviously driving. Which is incredibly dangerous, as he’s told me.” He sighed again. “And there he is. My flat isn’t big enough for this many visitors.”Why can’t everyone sod off and give me forty-eight hours of peace?
But he forced his lips into a smile and tried to look pleased as Dalziel approached. “Sire.”
Dalziel took him by the shoulders and held him at arm’s length, no doubt surveying him for damage. Then he did the same to Gethin, who gracefully bent so Dalziel could check him over too. Apparently satisfied, he wrinkled his nose at the state of them both, then nodded.
