Page 96 of Inhuman Nature

Kit was waiting for them in the hall, arms crossed like a stern schoolteacher. “Sounds like you two had fun in there.”

“Voyeurism does it for you?” Rake asked.

Kit made an affronted noise. “You were being rather loud!”

Shaun shrugged. “You’re welcome for the free show.”

Kit gaped at him.

“Mistress awaits us,” Winnie said from where she loomed near the front door.

Reality hit Rake like a punch to the gut. DJ was gone. They were both vampires. Shaun seemed to sense his rapid mood change, sending him an uneasy smile. Rake couldn’t smile back. Any optimism had been sucked out of him.

“Let’s get dressed,” he said in a monotone. “Then let’s get the hell out of here. The sooner we do that, the sooner we can go after DJ.”

Shaun nodded. “We’ll get him back, Rake.”

Rake ignored the concerned look that Kit shot them both. It was far too close to pity.

“We need to leave,” Winnie said, irritation clear in her tone.

“Unless you want a couple of half-naked vampires to parade down the street in full view of everyone, you’ll wait until they get dressed,” Kit said.

Ignoring Kit and Winnie, Rake went back into the bedroom with Shaun.

“Can I…” Shaun trailed off, looking forlornly at the pile of his own clothing on the bed.

“What, sweetheart?”

“Can I wear one of DJ’s jumpers again?” Shaun asked, so fast his words jumbled together.

When Rake caught Shaun’s meaning, he nodded. “Something of DJ’s sounds like a good option right now.”

Rake picked out two of DJ’s big hoodies, choosing comfort over style. Either would swamp Shaun, but Rake figured he wouldn’t mind. When Rake shrugged his on, he took a deep whiff of the fabric, detecting more subtle notes than he’d been able to before. There was the spice of DJ’s aftershave,and the faintest scent of Rake’s own minty shampoo. It made his chest tight.

“I promise you. I’ll do anything to make sure he’s okay,” Shaun said.

Rake already knew Shaun would throw himself in harm’s way if it meant saving DJ. Rake’s heart hurt at the thought. He frowned. It wasn’t a phantom ache. It was like there was something inside of him, tying him to Shaun.

Rake rubbed at his skin. “I can sense our connection.”

Shaun nodded. “Between creator and creation. It’s what allows compulsion between vampires. Other vampires can’t compel you, but I can. Not that I would ever use that power over you.”

“You sense the tie with Lawrence? And DJ will too?”

“Yes. It lessens over time, though. It took quite a while for me to resist Lawrence’s commands,” Shaun said, shame bleeding into his words.

Rake turned to face him. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.” He used a couple of fingers under Shaun’s chin to make him meet his eyes. “You resisted Lawrence, regardless of how long it took. That’s impressive.”

Shaun gave him a flat smile. “I’m sure Kit did it much faster.” They both paused, waiting for Kit to jump in. For once, no response came. “Kit?” Shaun prompted.

“Are you shitting me?” Kit said. “You’ve been getting annoyed at me for giving my input the entire time andnowyou’re mad I won’t respond? Make up your minds!”

“We thought you might have an opinion,” Shaun said towards the closed bedroom door.

“I’m not sure I ever learned how to ignore his orders,” Kitreplied from right outside. “And trust me when I say that I tried.” Rake’s mind shifted to the Polaroids they’d seen, but shoved the images away. They were too depressing to dwell on.

Shaun went back out into the hall, Rake following. “You couldn’t resist either?” Shaun asked Kit.