Page 13 of Two Thousand Shadows (Kings of Chaos #4)

Chapter 12

Leo St. George

S omething was wrong.

Very, very wrong.

It was the kind of wrong that would send Leo running off in the opposite direction, his tail down and tucked close to his body.

But he couldn’t do it. Not so long as he was unsure whether something had happened to Junjie or Erik. When he was sure they were okay, he could scurry off.

For now, he was stuck pacing outside the giant double doors that barred his entrance along the driveway. His tiny paws padded along on the concrete as he debated what he should do. Normally, he’d climb a few trees, taking one of the limbs that grew close to the wall that surrounded the property.

Tonight, the air crackled with magic, particularly near the wall. He was afraid that if he touched the stone, he’d get zapped to death.

He didn’t know what to do. There was no way for him to call Junjie to find out what the fuck was going on. Pacing back and forth, tail twitching. His meows were growing more insistent by the minute, turning into long yowls as he hoped to get someone’s attention. Soft sounds of movement would reach his ears every once in a while, but he couldn’t tell if anyone was close enough to hear him.

Several minutes passed before the double doors parted enough to allow a tall, slender figure through. Leo retreated several feet, his hair standing up along his spine until he recognized the person as Kai.

“Leo, I presume,” Kai said. For the first time since the dragon had come to reside at the manor, he looked tired. His hair was somewhat mussed, and there were shadows under his eyes. There were even lines of strain bracketing his mouth from either fatigue or pain. “If you’d like to enter to see Junjie and Erik, you’ll need me to escort you.”

He didn’t hesitate. With a couple of running steps, Leo leaped at Kai, who seemed to hesitate for a heartbeat, his eyes wide with surprise, before he remembered to open his arms to catch Leo. Some of the lines on Kai’s face retreated as he smiled. He cradled Leo in his arms as he carried the cat through the double doors that automatically closed behind them.

Leo’s eyes skimmed the four unfamiliar cars that crowded the Zhang driveway. The air was even thicker with magic inside the walls. He could taste it like prickly cotton candy on his tongue. At the westernmost wall, a group of three men argued with Moon. A tiny cauldron was bubbling over a fire. One of them was holding a bundle of dried sage as it smoldered in his hand, sending up a tendril of gray smoke. Chen stood at the back of the group with another black-haired man watching the argument.

“That is Moon’s old coven. Two earth witches and a necromancer. They’re working on strengthening our defenses, but it is not a simple task, considering the number of magical creatures that come in and out of this property.” Kai’s voice dipped lower, becoming gossipy. “The one standing next to Chen is human, and he’s dating the necromancer. He strikes me as the most rational one of the group.”

Leo remained in Kai’s arms as they passed the witches. Both Chen and Moon appeared worried.

“Several of the Variks have come as well. Winter is checking every inch of the property.”

Fortifying their defenses. Winter Varik running security. Winter was the one who could walk within the dead realm. It all added up to one thing.

Jiang Chong.

Without thinking, Leo leaped out of Kai’s arms and raced to the house. As he reached the front door, he shifted into his human form and barged his way inside.

“Junjie! Junjie, where are you? Jun-Jun!” he shouted at the top of his lungs as he moved through the corridor. He poked his head into one room after another, his heart racing as he searched for a single person. There were others who stared at him in wide-eyed shock as he dipped in and out of the rooms, but he didn’t care. None of them was the person he sought.

“Leo?” Junjie’s soft voice trickled along one of the many hallways, stopping Leo dead in his tracks. He turned sharply and started a different way, only to run straight into Junjie. The vampire wore a pair of soft, baggy sleep pants and a white T-shirt that made him appear paler than usual. His shaggy dark-brown hair was wet, as if he’d just stepped out of the shower.

He reached for Junjie’s arms but stopped when his eyes caught on a white bandage wrapped on his right arm. Under the strong scent of soap lingered a faint hint of blood. Someone had hurt his Junjie.

Jiang Chong.

Possessive rage burned through Leo’s veins. Bones ached and tendons strained. His body screamed to change and hunt down Jiang Chong. To rip the vampire apart.

“Leo, your eyes.” Junjie’s surprised whisper tore Leo from his swirling thoughts. He didn’t need to look in a mirror to see that his eyes had shifted. Fuck, he needed to get control of himself. He hadn’t suffered an accidental shift since he was in his late teens.

He blinked rapidly, turning his head away from Junjie as he willed his eyes to change to human. “I smell blood.” He lifted his eyes to see Junjie’s left hand fly up to his mouth as if he were searching for a stray drop.

“Oh. Shixiong lent me a bit.”

Now he had a new reason to tear Jiang Chong up. Not only had Junjie been hurt, but he’d been forced to feed from someone else. This was some Grade-A bullshit right here. Jiang Chong needed to fucking die now.

Leo squeezed his eyes shut and swore silently at himself. He needed to get ahold of his emotions. He was going insane. Junjie was fun to flirt with, but the vampire didn’t belong to him. They weren’t mates. Cat shifters almost never did the mate thing. That was silly. Why settle down with one person when life could be one unending buffet?

He opened his eyes again and stared into Junjie’s soft brown eyes, as they filled with worry. That gentle face with the crooked smile. The huffy attitude that was only a heartbeat away from melting with the right word from Leo.

Why settle down with just one person? Because, sometimes, you got really lucky and Bastet shined her light on you, the perfect person walked into your life, and you didn’t need anyone else.

“Jiang Chong was here,” Leo spit out to end the silence that had stretched too long. “He hurt you.”

Junjie’s expression darkened, and he dropped his gaze to the ground. The muscles in his jaw tightened and jumped as if he were grinding his teeth. “He was. He did.”

“I’m guessing from the bickering witches outside, he’s not dead. Well, more than vampire dead. More like ding-dong, the witch is dead .”

“Excuse you!”

Leo’s head whipped around to see Moon standing in the hallway with the two earth witches Kai had pointed out minutes ago.

Fuck.

“I didn’t mean it like that. Just…you know…”

“No, I don’t know. Why don’t you spell it out for me?” the witch with bright-red hair demanded as he took a menacing step toward Leo.

“Oh, come on!” Leo threw up his hands in frustration. “It’s not like I did the whole ‘I’m melting! Oh, what a world!’ bit.” This time, though, Leo might have done his best Wicked Witch impersonation with the high-pitched voice and sinking to the floor.

Thankfully, Junjie grabbed his arm and pulled him down the hall before he could dig the hole he was creating even deeper. He didn’t know when to quit. It wasn’t like he was saying that witches needed to die. Only that a particular vampire needed to be double dead.

“Wait,” Leo called out as they got out of sight of the witches. “What about Erik? Is he okay? Did Jiang Chong get near him?” He didn’t think the vampire had laid a fang on the little guy. If he had, it was doubtful that Junjie or Jiang Chong would still be alive. Junjie would have done whatever it took to keep the child safe.

Junjie shook his head and motioned to the room they’d stopped outside of. “Jiang Chong never got close to Erik. Would you like to see him?” he whispered.

Leo nodded and Junjie opened the door, leading him into the small room overflowing with toys and stuffed animals. A nightlight in the shape of a white bunny bounding across a green field burned on the far wall. Erik was lying on his side, sleeping peacefully, with his arms wrapped around a strange but soft doll that appeared to be an avocado with eyes. This was definitely something he’d gotten from Mei Lian. His lips were parted, and his cheeks were flushed slightly. The soft sound of his gentle breathing filled the room, and something in Leo longed to shift into his cat form and curl up next to the boy.

“He had a bad scare with everyone panicked. Plus, Kai arrived in his dragon form to scare off Jiang Chong. The roaring terrified Erik. It took a long time for him to calm down. The second he calmed, he fell asleep.” Junjie kneeled by the bed and ran his fingers through the boy’s hair, brushing it from his forehead.

“I’m sure after some sleep, he’ll be fine. He’ll bounce right back. Cats are resilient like that,” Leo murmured. He held out his hand to help Junjie to his feet. The vampire stared at it for a moment before giving a tiny nod and taking it. Junjie released it the second he was standing and led Leo out of the room and across the hall to his own private chambers.

Leo crossed to the center of the chamber, trying to ignore the enormous bed pushed against one wall. Now was not the time to seduce the vampire. He’d had a terrible night and was still reeling from everything that had happened. Junjie needed a friend.

The too-quiet man closed the door and stood facing it for a couple of heartbeats. When he turned to face Leo, his expression was solemn, and his eyes were closed as if he couldn’t stand to even meet Leo’s gaze. This was a lot worse than being overcome and afraid.

“I would understand if you wished to take Erik from us,” Junjie said, his voice low and rough.

“I beg your pardon?” Leo cried. His brain locked up. What the fuck was this? The idea hadn’t even crossed his mind.

Junjie’s eyes jumped to his face and lines dug deep into his forehead. He seemed confused as well, but he continued. “You gave us Erik because you thought we could keep him safe. Tonight, Jiang Chong entered the grounds of the manor. While he didn’t get into the house, we all know that he’ll return.”

“Yeah, and you’re going to kick his ass when he does.” Leo stomped over to where Junjie was standing, his shoulders slumped and head bowed as if he were folding in on himself at just the idea of losing Erik. Leo grabbed his shoulders, careful not to touch his injured right arm, and shook him. “Jiang Chong is temporary. You’ll kill him, and everything will be fine. I forced you into taking that little boy because I thought you and your clan would give him a warm and loving home for his entire life. You’d teach him to be smart, brave, resourceful, and loving. It wasn’t only about keeping him safe.”

“You’re sure?”

Leo leaned as close as he could, the tip of his nose touching Junjie’s. “Yes! Hell, yes! Besides, I know that you’d be dead before Jiang Chong or anyone laid a finger on that boy.”

“I would,” Junjie agreed in a trembling voice, his eyes going wide for the first time.

Leo exhaled a heavy breath and smiled at the vampire, who was showing some signs of life. “All of the Zhang clan would. There is no better place in all the world for Erik than right here.”

The left corner of Junjie’s lips twitched into an almost smirk. “Surrounded by vampires.”

“And an elf. And a dragon. Why not?” He shrugged one shoulder and slid his hand up to cup Junjie’s cheek. “One tiny kitten in the middle of thousands of years of magic and power. How could anyone ever touch him?”

Junjie nodded, and that soft expression lingered for another second, then Leo watched it melt away. But where sadness and worry had painted his face earlier, there was now cold hardness creeping in. Junjie stepped out of his grasp and partially turned away from him. His left hand balled into a fist at his side while the right remained limp.

“I couldn’t kill him,” Junjie whispered, his voice trembling with what sounded like low-banked rage. “No matter how hard I pressed, how flawless my every strike, he slipped away like an eel. I couldn’t manage more than a few flesh wounds.”

“He’s a sneaky, cowardly bastard. Those are the hardest to kill. But you’ll get him,” Leo reassured him.

Junjie was shaking his head almost as soon as Leo started speaking. “The moment you get too close, or he senses that he’s losing, he slips into the dead realm. You can’t follow because he’ll leave you there. You’re blind to his location. It’s just waiting until he reappears to stab you in the back. Or worse, he escapes completely.”

That wasn’t exactly worse in Leo’s book, but he let that go. Junjie needed to vent his frustration and anger about his creator, and Leo was more than happy to serve as his support.

The vampire began pacing the open space, moving from the center of the room to the bathroom doorway. “He knew the others were away.”

“The asshole must have been watching the manor, waiting for an opportunity when the fewest number of people would be home.”

Junjie grunted. He stopped and whipped around to Leo, eyes wide. “He knows about Erik. And that Moon is a fledgling. Both are vulnerable to his attack. Moon wouldn’t stand a chance against him. And Erik…”

“You’re going to stop him,” Leo stated, trying to infuse those words with all of his confidence, but Junjie’s head was shaking.

“Jiang Chong knows I haven’t been using my gift. Won’t use it. There’s no point. All I ever see is death. I can’t actually change anything. The death never stops. What if I were to see Erik’s death? Or yours? How would I fight him? What would be the point?”

Junjie was spiraling out of control. Panic had him firmly in its grip. His left fist was shaking and even the limp hand at his side had taken on a tremble as his pacing picked up.

Leo snatched Junjie by the waist and shoved him into the low dresser on the opposite side of the room. The vampire stumbled and landed with his butt on the edge of the furniture, just low enough to erase the two-inch height difference between them.

Junjie’s lips were still parted in surprise when Leo seized them in a hard, hungry kiss. He’d been aching for another taste of Junjie’s mouth since their first brief kiss. But this one was even better than the first. Junjie was fully aware of what he was doing and who he was doing it with.

The vampire stood frozen for a couple of frantic heartbeats before he wrapped his arms around Leo and pulled him in even closer. Tipping his head to the side, Junjie deepened the kiss. His lips parted even farther, welcoming Leo’s tongue inside to explore his mouth. His new domain, because Jun-Jun was his now. There was no explaining it to his heart and brain. Some instinct burrowed within him had lifted its head and declared Junjie to be his.

The tip of his tongue traced one long fang, and he shivered. He wanted those sexy things in him. He wanted lots of Junjie’s sexy parts inside of him, but the fangs were a great place to start.

The kiss went on and on, deep and demanding. Junjie kept his hands locked on Leo’s shoulders, but Leo felt no need to remain so still. This perfect body had been on display for him so many times. It was now time to touch.

Wandering fingers slipped under Junjie’s shirt to caress his flat stomach and muscular pecs. A thumb brushed across one nipple and a tiny noise escaped Jun-Jun’s throat. Leo backtracked to rub and pluck at that tiny nub until it hardened under his fingers.

More noises slipped from Junjie, and those powerful hands found Leo’s body. Strong fingers dug into his shoulders and slid to knead the muscles in his ass. Fuck, that felt so good, but it wasn’t enough. He needed more. To help Junjie. Of course, to help take his mind off things.

Leo broke off the kiss and dragged his lips across Jun-Jun’s jaw. “Bastet, I need to taste more of you.”

“Who?” Junjie gasped as Leo’s deft fingers dipped below the waistband of his sleep pants. The elastic was stretched and worn. So easy to slip these over Junjie’s hips and down his long legs.

“Bastet. Ancient Egyptian goddess of cats. Try to keep up,” Leo murmured against Junjie’s neck.

“Hard to think when all the blood in my brain has drained into my cock.”

Leo grinned into Junjie’s throat. “Let me help you with that.” He lifted the vampire’s shirt to his pits and kissed his way along his chest, but Junjie jerked away.

“Huh? What? What are you doing?”

Leo turned his lips to the right and licked Junjie’s nipple. “Hush now. I’m going to suck your cock.”

Junjie blinked. Then the most beautiful smile Leo had ever seen broke across his face. “Okay.”

He nearly laughed, but he held it in, not wanting to press his luck. Junjie could suddenly wake from his horny stupor and tell him to stop. And he did not want to do that.

Leo dropped to his knees and kissed his way over Junjie’s sleek chest and flat stomach. One day, he would worship every inch of this delectable man. Today was essentially fast food.

At least that was what he’d thought until he got Junjie’s pants to his ankles. Thank you, Bastet . Leo had enjoyed some variety in his sex life, but it had been a long time since he’d had a thick, uncut cock like this. Junjie was a fucking feast. His own dick throbbed and his empty asshole clenched. He was happy sucking Jun-Jun off tonight, but eventually his ass was getting stretched by that beast.

“Everything okay down there?” Junjie called out.

“Just thinking about all the wonderful things I want to do to this magnificent cock.”

“Less thinking. More sucking.”

Leo grinned up at Junjie, his fingers digging into the vampire’s muscular thigh. “I so love the quiet ones. You’re always the most fun in bed.”

Junjie opened his mouth to likely issue another order, but Leo didn’t give him the chance. He licked a long, slow stripe up the vampire’s cock from his sac to the tip. A bone-rattling moan rumbled up Junjie’s throat as he tilted his head and reveled in Leo’s touch. His hands tightened on the edge of the dresser and the furniture let out a complaint over the sudden abuse.

He wrapped his fingers around Junjie’s cock and stroked him, carefully pulling back the hood of flesh to reveal the plump head hidden inside. He pressed his lips to that bulbous top in an openmouthed kiss, letting his tongue play along the slit. Leo steadily worked his way along his cock, taking more of him with each pass.

A deep ache throbbed in his jaw from the stretch to fit him, but the weight of Junjie on his tongue was heaven. A hint of soap remained from his shower, but the taste of his pre-cum was washing it away. He wanted to press his nose to Junjie and breathe him into his lungs.

But the sounds coming out of Junjie were his favorite. There had been moments when getting Junjie to speak was like holding a seance for a pouty ghost. But get Junjie’s dick in Leo’s mouth and there was no silencing him. A steady stream of words and desperate groans rained from his lips.

Fingers twisted in his hair, holding him still while Junjie thrust, fucking his mouth as if he could no longer control himself.

Leo dropped his hand from Junjie’s cock and fought with the button and zipper of his jeans. His cock throbbed with every thrust past his lips, his orgasm threatening to break loose in his pants or in his hand. He had just seconds to decide.

As soon as he gripped his own dick, he began to purr. There was no stopping it. The rattling vibrations traveled up his throat and caressed Junjie’s cock. The vampire gasped his name, and Leo could feel him swell. It was too late, and Leo loved it.

Junjie came hard, shouting and pouring semen down Leo’s abused throat. It took only a few more strokes and Leo was following right behind Junjie, spilling all over his hand and onto the floor.

Only when they were both spent and he’d licked Junjie’s cock completely clean did he allow the man to slip from his mouth. He smiled up at the vampire and made a show of licking his lips.

“That was a very evil trick,” Junjie stated, still sounding breathless. “I didn’t know you could purr while in human form.”

Leo took a deep breath and let out a long, loud purr that seemed to shake his entire body. It wasn’t a hard feat, though. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so happy or sated. When he finally convinced Junjie to climb into bed with him, the pure joy of the moment was likely to kill him. But what a wonderful way to go.

“Anything to get you to smile at me,” Leo murmured.

The grinning vampire blushed and looked away as if he were searching for a way to escape. Leo needed to save him from any awkward feelings.

“I do have some bad news,” he announced. “I’ve made a mess down here. On your floor. On myself. If I could borrow a towel?—”

“Oh! Right!” Junjie bent to grab the waistband of his pants to jerk them up, but Leo snagged a fistful of his T-shirt with his clean hand, trapping him there.

Leo pressed a quick kiss to Junjie’s soft lips. “Actually, a shower and a change of clothes would be amazing, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course. I’ll place some clothes on the counter for you.” Junjie gathered up his pants and set about getting a towel and some clothes together for Leo. The cat pulled himself together as best he could and followed Junjie into the bathroom. He wanted to snuggle the vampire more, but it was clear Junjie needed some breathing room to settle his emotions and thoughts. He was dealing with the threat of his creator, fears regarding Erik’s safety, and now the newly sexual aspect of their relationship. That was a lot.

Hell, Leo was pretty sure he should be panicking, but he wasn’t. This just felt right. Maybe he’d panic later. The only thing that mattered to him at the moment was that Junjie and Erik were safe.

Once he was alone, Leo jumped into the shower and scrubbed off the day’s filth. He paused to sniff all the soaps and shampoos within the shower, chuckling to himself that he was now going to smell like Junjie. He might have done the same when he picked up the sweat pants and T-shirt waiting for him. There was the soft scent of laundry detergent, but under it was Junjie’s personal scent. He was going to be wrapped in Junjie.

As he stepped out of the bathroom, the vampire leaped up from where he’d been seated on the edge of the bed.

“Everything okay?” Junjie inquired.

Leo smirked. “It was a shower. I’m pretty good at those. Relax.”

“Yes, I’m…yes…” Junjie shoved a hand through his nearly dry hair and sighed. “I’m awkward. Everything I do is awkward. I don’t know what I’m supposed to say now.”

Leaning in close, Leo pressed a kiss to his racing pulse in his neck. “Nothing. There’s nothing you’re supposed to do or say. We did that because we needed a release after today’s scare. You needed a few minutes where you weren’t panicking about Jiang Chong.” Leo stepped back and cocked his head at Junjie. “But I’m sure the Variks are still here, as well as the witches. You need to check in with your clan, right?”

“I do, actually.”

“Good. Then I’m going to crash in Erik’s room with him. That way, you won’t worry about either of us while you have your meetings, and I can be there for him if he wakes.”

So much of the tension that had lined his face disappeared in an instant. “Really? Will you be comfortable?”

“There’s plenty of room in Erik’s bed.” As soon as he finished speaking, he turned into the big orange and white tomcat Junjie had first met months ago. He sat at Junjie’s feet and let out a loud meow.

Junjie’s expression softened. “Thank you. If you need anything, feel free to come find me.”

Junjie led the way out of his room and across the hall to Erik’s room. He opened the door a crack, allowing Leo to slip inside. He padded over to the little boy’s bed, hopped on, and curled up in an empty spot at the foot. This way he was close enough to watch the boy without crowding him. Also, Junjie would feel at ease. Winter might have checked the property, but Leo could see those walking through the dead realm as well. He was added protection for the boy that no one else could provide.

The vampire paused beside the bed and gently rubbed Leo’s head, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Thank you so much,” he whispered before he left the room.

Yep, he was stuck now. There wasn’t a thing in the world he wouldn’t do for that Junjie.