Page 38 of Those That Are Lost (Hidden Vampires #2)

AURORA

F ifty-four hours we’ve been travelling for. Looking up at the stairs to reach Henry’s apartment, I am seriously considering taking a nap in the gap underneath them, rather than forcing my feet to move another inch.

“It’s seven flights I’m afraid, I’m on the top floor.” If looks could kill, Henry would be dead with the daggers I shoot at him. He darts ahead, his stupid long legs climbing the first set and putting him out of my reach.

With a groan I start to climb, the pack on my back threatening to send me tumbling backwards.

“Give it here.” Ty holds out his hand.

“No, you’re already carrying more than me.

I’m just tired and grumpy. I can do it.” It’s a sweet gesture but I couldn’t force him to carry both of our bags when he’s as tired as I am.

I appreciate the gesture though, so take his hand and place a kiss to the back of it before keeping his fingers entangled in mine as we face the next staircase.

“Come on,” Henry calls from ahead. “The quicker you climb the quicker we can eat and wash.”

The thought of a shower does spur me on, being cramped on a boat and then sneaking through the most disgusting back alleys I’ve walked down to reach Henry’s flat has left a sticky residue on my skin, I swear.

And as for my hair? It's been exposed to more than enough salt water and sweat to make it both oily and dry at the same time. It’s once again glamoured black, straight this time.

And I’ve altered my eye colour and skin tone.

I didn’t go with a full glamour because every single passenger on the boat had been checked by the wolf pack and we’d stuck to very quiet backstreets for the walk on each side of the crossing.

A shower and sleep sound like heaven right now. I don’t even care about getting some blood, even though I haven’t had a drop since we left the Northern Isles.

We eventually reach Henry’s door where he pauses to dig for his keys. Pulling them out of his jeans pocket he doesn’t unlock it straight away. “By the way, I’m pretty sure Antares hasn’t left, so brace yourselves.”

Before either of us can speak, the door is wrenched open.

Standing in the entrance in nothing but an open, long silk robe and a tight pair of boxers is a beautiful male.

He’s shorter than both of the vampires on either side of me but still pushing six feet.

His dark chocolate skin is flawless and vibrant.

I don’t know if it's the cerulean robe making it rich or whether it's his skin accentuating the material, but he is stunning.

Smooth chest, clean shaven, and dreadlocks piled in a messy bun on his head.

The sides of his head shaved close in an undercut.

His face splits into a huge grin as he takes us in, my eyes catch on the silver ring in the centre of his bottom lip.

“Well, hello there,” he welcomes us, wide blue eyes lighting up. He pulls the door wider and leans on it to keep it open. His movements remind me of a cat, a large one. A predator. He’s completely sleek, and graceful. “I thought I heard Henry out here but this is a fascinating surprise. ”

Ty immediately steps slightly to the side, half blocking me from the view of the stranger. “I’m guessing he’s the pest problem you mentioned Henry?”

“The very one,” Henry replies to Ty before addressing the male now leaning on the doorframe. “Antares?—”

“Pest? You called me a pest? I knew we were close enough for pet names but honestly, I’m hurt. You know you adore me.” The male bursts over the top of Henry, flying his arms around and making his robe open further.

Henry sighs before simply walking forward and grabbing Antares by the labels, dragging him back into the apartment. “Please tell me you’ve at least kept the place tidy this time.”

Ty doesn’t move so I don’t either.

Henry reappears and holds the door open for us. “I promise he’s harmless. He won’t tell anyone, and even if he did, no one would believe him.”

Shooting Henry a more than pissed off look, Ty links our fingers and we step across the threshold.

Henry’s place is nice. The whole building is old, but well maintained and full of character with high ceilings.

His flat is bright with walls the colour of pale pebbles.

We enter into an open plan living area with warm woods and lots of natural light.

Huge windows look out over the city, the sun currently shining in through the broken clouds.

My eyes immediately track the rows and rows of bookshelves, a whole wall has been transformed into a home library.

Ty slides his pack off his back, then helps me with mine. The relief of it is enough to have me releasing a small groan.

“So, you’re the two vampires everyone’s losing their shit over, aren’t you?

” Antares’s silken voice cuts through my perusal of Henry’s home.

I can’t hide my shock as I look over to one of the oversized plush couches and see him lounging back, relaxed as anything, arms resting along the back, and watching us with rapt attention.

Ty freezes beside me too. “What do you mean by that?” My mate growls.

“You’re the two from the Froan pack? There’s been others from over there, they’ve been scouting the city all winter looking for you.

The pack vampires won’t stop grumbling about it, about how foreigners are encroaching on their territory.

” The news has all three of us exchanging surprised expressions.

“I didn’t think Adicious would tell anyone, I thought he was hunting us in secret,” I say to Ty. It’s only after the words are out I realise I have just confirmed who we are to Antares. Not that we would’ve hidden it if he was Henry's friend.

“So did I,” Ty agrees.

“He didn’t for a while, but after the pack here threatened the Froan lot one too many times when they kept sending more males over, I think they had to spill.” Antares openly offers us the information. “It caused quite the raucous, I tell you, but whatever went down, Froan still have males here.”

“How do you know all this?” Ty questions. I feel him assessing Antares and becoming increasingly suspicious of the male.

“I like to keep tabs.” That’s all the male says, bristling my mate a little more.

“He’s telling the truth,” Henry adds, correctly deducing the mild panic running through Ty and me. “The West Scotian pack doesn't tolerate Antares well. But he’s a bloody gossip. If there’s anything to know, he’ll have heard about it already.”

“Well, we weren’t planning on making ourselves known. So, we will just have to be extra careful,” I say. Both males nod in their agreement.

“Is it because you used to be Fae, of direct lineage if I’m correct, that the pack doesn’t trust you?” Ty asks. I don’t know how I missed the pointed ears on the male before us. With those and his magical signature being one of the strongest I’ve ever picked up on, he must be incredibly powerful.

“Correct.” Antares confirms before rolling his eyes and flashing us his fangs. “Apparently, they can’t tolerate fangs and the pointed ears.”

‘Fucking hell.’ Ty’s voice comes through our bond, his own mistrust growing. ‘Not many of his kind survived the war, those that purely bred were never trusted much.’

“By the way you’re looking at me, I’m guessing you fought in the war too.

” Antares eyes sweep over my mate. “I’ll save you the time.

Yes, I was fighting on the Fae side—family business.

Yes, I hated you pricks for capturing me and turning me.

However, I’ve come to learn the error of my family’s ways.

Some of you aren’t that bad.” His gaze flicks to Henry.

“Family business?” I ask, drawing his attention to me.

“My father was Commanding General Mariqua,” he tells us. His posture changes, like he’s daring us to square up to him, but I see the vulnerability in his gaze. Him giving us this information is a test. It takes a second for my brain to work out why.

‘Shit, his father orchestrated Carnio,’ I fire down the bond at Ty.

Carnio was the battle that closed the war.

Several vampire packs had sought refuge there to form alliances in an attempt to fight back.

General Mariqua’s army waited until all the pack leaders attending, including most of the female vampires left, had entered the meeting point.

He blew it to smithereens. It was the largest scale massacre of the entire war.

And with their leadership gone, and their pack bonds destroyed, the remaining vampires became easy pickings.

The slight growl rumbling out of Ty’s throat tells me he didn’t need me telling him who stood in front of us. Antares not only fought on the Fae side, he’d commanded legions within it.

Henry steps away from the kitchenette area, where he’d been tidying, to stand in the space between us. His posture reminds me of a referee.

“Do you immediately have to tell people who you used to be? It’s a small miracle you’re not dead yet.” He sounds exacerbated, this can’t be the first time Antares has revealed his lineage in front of other vampires.

“They may as well find out now.” Antares shrugs.

‘Do you trust him?’ I silently ask.

‘Not at all. But Henry wouldn’t risk our exposure, or himself, by harbouring someone dangerous.’

‘He’s going to be powerful. The Mariqua line isn’t just purebred, they are directly descended from the original Fae that crossed the veil.’

‘We could leave.’

‘But what about Henry? We were going to ask him to join us.’ I place my hand on Ty’s arm.

He’s still standing slightly in front of me so I lean a little into his back.

I inhale his scent a little deeper, needing his closeness.

‘ We’re going to need as many allies as possible.

Maybe if Henry trusts Antares, we could have a second vampire joining our pack. ’

Ty’s head snaps so fast to look down at me at his side I’m surprised I don’t hear his spine crack. ‘I’m not letting anyone in that quickly.’