Page 13 of Inhuman Nature

“You can have some yourself now.” Lawrence manipulated Toby like a puppet on a string, pulling his head to the side and exposing the gushing wound on his neck.

Shaun surged forward and fastened his mouth over the twin cuts, sucking carefully lest he waste any of the precious sustenance. Shaun tilted his head to avoid grazing his fangs against Toby’s skin, that kindness being the only one he could afford.

But then Lawrence opened another unnecessary wound on Toby’s shoulder, ripping his t-shirt at the neck to expose the freckled skin that lay underneath. They fed some more, Lawrence occasionally pulling at Shaun’s nape to draw him in for brutalising kisses.

Shaun hated how he couldn’t deny the pull he felt towards his creator.

Another cry from Toby had clarity descending on Shaun. “We need to stop before he bleeds out,” he said. He forcedhis fangs to recede, ignoring the temptation to continue.

Lawrence gave him a macabre grin. “He can stand to lose a little bit more.”

“Master, I need enough time to return him home.”

Lawrence pouted, but listened. He might not respect Lynette, but he stuck to the rule of leaving no dead bodies. Not out of compassion, of course. He’d informed Shaun of the true reason: murder investigations were an inconvenience, and Lawrence had better things to do with his time.

Lawrence laved his tongue over Toby’s bleeding cuts, cleaning them so they appeared as nothing more than needle marks and scratches. He’d taken more care than Shaun realised.

A small mercy.

Shaun wiped his mouth, his hand coming away streaked with blood. He licked it off, his skin warmer than usual with the infusion of fresh blood.

Toby slumped in Lawrence’s hold. Thankfully, there were no more tears.

Shaun pressed his forehead against the wall, gathering himself before lifting Toby out of Lawrence’s hold. “I’ll take him back to his flat.”

“Mmm. Thank you, pet. I’ll be in my bed when you get back. I’d like you to join me.”

Shaun frowned. He couldn’t recall the last time Lawrence had invited him to his private room.

“You’re supposed to be thankful,” Lawrence sniped. “I’ll rescind my offer if it isn’t appreciated.”

It horrified Shaun, the speed with which he bowed his head. “It’s appreciated, Master. I promise I’ll be quick.”

“Make sure of it.”

Shaun, however, didn’t keep his promise.

Thanks to the cursed magic that created their kind preventing him from compelling an invitation, Shaun had to talk his way into the flat, Toby’s housemate none-the-wiser he’d welcomed a monster indoors under the guise of a concerned friend.

After depositing Toby in his bed, with a strict compulsion to forget everything, Shaun took the time to leave a fresh glass of water on the bedside table. An insignificant act, but one which would make the morning easier on Toby.

Shaun found himself wandering the streets. It would be light soon, the morning sun less than an hour away. It wasn’t the first time Shaun had left it late to retreat to the safety of indoors. But it was the first time in a while he’d considered remaining outside beyond the time when the darkness reigned.

He made his way slowly through the city, with only the occasional car zooming past for company. He was heading in the direction of the house when he caught traces of a familiar scent in the air and followed his nose instead.

Which was how Shaun found himself perched on a windowsill, peeking through a tiny gap in the curtains to a bedroom that contained the forms of two sleeping men.

It was also how Shaun almost got caught by the sun in his distracted state, making it inside Lawrence’s house with minutes to spare. He pressed himself against the door for a few seconds before retreating upstairs. His feet dragged as he walked towards Lawrence’s room.

Even as he settled himself in beside Lawrence, who grumbled about Shaun being too late to be of any use, all he couldimagine was what it would have been like if he’d slipped in between Rake and DJ instead.

But Shaun didn’t dream that day of being pressed between the couple.

He only saw Toby’sterrified face.

Chapter Three

Rake