Notes to reader:
I went with BDSM, but please note there is also a fantasy element. If Vampires turn you off, look away now!
You will get more from these characters if you read the stories in order, but it's not compulsory.
Tess-O'Meter -- Green.
-X
Ana had been fascinated to join Emil and Dragan on a late gloomy morning ride.
She knew Emil was learning loads from his new Sire, and so had she. Sitting for hours in the library discussing books, nature, global warming. Everything under the sun, or should it be moon?
Lord Dragan had very much taken her under his wing, after his revelation two nights ago that she and Emil were soul-mates.
In direct contrast to their first meeting, he had been a great comfort to everyone in the castle, with his wisdom and knowledge.
But the storm had continued to rage into a fourth week, and this had been the first time they had gone out as a threesome. Dragan had opened the floor to all questions.
They had ended up discussing why vampires had the reputation of being so hard to kill, and indeed, if it was even true.
Ana supposed he considered it survival training for Emil.
"You have to consider where, or more importantly, when, this reputation comes from," Dragan told them, sitting easily in the saddle.
"A time when battles were fought on horseback, with sword and lance. Slogging through mud and bodies. You have a group of people who are faster, stronger, have incredible stamina, and heal quickly from minor wounds that would stop a normal man."
He met their eyes, seeing they understood. "Of course we gained a reputation. But this is the twenty-first century. Chances are, if you get flattened by a bus, you are unlikely to survive."
"So blood loss, trauma, fire, earthquake, shooting?" Emil shrugged.
"All fatal," Dragan confirmed.
"I thought in the olden days," Ana winked at Dragan, who chuckled. "Vampires would be staked and then beheaded, to make sure they were dead?"
"Do you mind?" Emil complained, and she patted his knee. "Sorry, my love."
Dragan nodded, amused by her. "Traditionally yes. But that was due to sloppy attempts at killing us. Stick a sword in our gut, or hang us, there's the possibility we'll heal. Then bounce back and return the favour. Plenty of vampires died by hanging, or wounds suffered, but then no one realized they were vampires. The stake etc, is for the one's you suspect of being a vampire."
"Gotcha."
Dragan smiled again but then eyed the sky. "The snow is getting worse, the storm's returning. Time to head back."
Ana had gratefully dived into the shower, once the horses were rubbed down and made comfortable.
The endless hot water was one of her favourite things about the castle.
Considering they burnt wood collected from the forest, or dead trees that they chopped up, and the place always had the pleasant lingering scent of wood-fire. Ana had queried how the castle was always warm where needed, and how the water was heated?
Camil, smug and smirking in Eugen's arms had told her it was magic.
Eugen had flicked his head before kissing it better, and explained that the castle was built on top of a thermal spring!
Which, Ana supposed, was magic if you thought about it.
She shivered as cool hands slipped around her waist.
"Hey. I was just warming up," she told him, leaning back as his hands slid up her soapy skin and cupped her breasts.
"I'm temperate," Emil murmured in her ear. "I'll soon warm up to match you."
"Hmmmm," Ana turned in his arms and reached up for a kiss. "Maybe I'll help you out with that," she suggested, and gripped his hips as she sank to her knees.
"Sssshhhhhhhhhiiiiit!" Emil hissed as she licked him and gripped his base. "Oh, yes, yes. Yes please."
Ana closed her eyes and took him as deep as she could. Emil leaning both hands on the bathroom wall for balance.
She cupped his balls, stroking and gently tugging, as she encouraged him to move in her mouth.
Gently cupping the back of her head, hot water pouring over both of them, Emil thrust at a steady, gentle pace. Using Ana's willing mouth for his pleasure.
Her thumb was rubbing his hip, her naughty tongue doing wicked things to his system, and for sure, he was much warmer now.
Then Ana's finger slipped into his ass and he shuddered, completely losing his rhythm.
"Oh fuck. Ahhh."
Ana stroked and sucked, humming her encouragement and swallowing him down when Emil tensed and flooded over her tongue.
She licked and kissed until he flinched and moaned, and then kissed her way back up his body.
When she reached his laughing lips, he simply lifted her and slid in as she linked her arms around his neck.
"Jesus," she gasped between kisses. "I love. Vampire. Stamina."
Emil chuckled and pushed her against the wall as he kiss-nipped his way down her neck and over her breasts, until she shattered and went lax in his arms.
"Warmer?" he asked, and grinned as her laugh echoed around the bathroom.
-X
By late afternoon the storm was back in full force. Wind was blowing the snow into huge drifts, and the landscape was once again featureless.
Everyone had gradually ended up in the kitchen. Vampires and humans alike go searching for snacks when they're bored.
It had only occurred to Ana, when she entered the kitchen and caught Lord Dragan's smirk, that he must have been aware of what they were up to in the shower, and in fact, given Emil permission to be in there alone with her.
She had given him a wink and a thumbs up, chuckling when he choked slightly on his coffee.
If he had expected a blushing maid, he had the wrong gal!
Now Ana was watching Dragan, who was observing Emil and Camil and clearly plotting some evil, when Eugen's phone rang. He seemed surprised at the signal and winced when he saw who was calling.
"Damn, it's Marcu. I haven't made it into the village yet."
"The innkeeper," Dragan queried.
Eugen nodded and answered. His face quickly turning even more serious. "Yes, of course. How long? We'll head down as you head up. I have a friend here who can help. Okay, call me if you find him."
He ended the call and looked at the four people who had been impatiently waiting through the one-sided conversation.
"There's a boy missing. They found some blood but his tracks have been wiped out, they think he may have fallen, hit his head and be disorientated."
"Who is it?" Camil asked.
"Gheorghe. He's thirteen," he added to Ana and Dragan, as Camil rushed from the room. "There's an old bunker, they think he may have tried to reach it for shelter, as the tracks were coming up the hill instead of back towards the village." As he spoke he had grabbed some paper and done a quick sketch.
Camil blurred back, half buried under their outdoor clothing and a pile of towels and blankets.
"There's a group of twelve heading towards us, but they can't move as fast as us or track."
"Or see so clearly," Dragan pointed out, and Eugen nodded.
"My Lord. You and Emil will follow the brook here, which I'm sure you remember, will take you into the village. Camil will be in the centre here, and I will be between Camil and the road."
"We can spread out to four, cover more ground," Emil protested.
"No, Emil. The boy is hurt and may be bleeding. It could trigger you. You will stay with me so I can control you if needed." Dragan was stern.
Emil frowned, but nodded acceptance.
"Ana. Are you okay to take the truck?" Eugen asked her. "It's sturdy. You will take the road slowly, no more than five miles an hour. If we find him and you are closer than the village, we will need to get him in the warm as soon as possible."
Ana was already in her coat and pulling on her boots. "Absolutely. Let's go."
Less than ten minutes after getting the call, Eugen drove them through the gate and onto the mountain road. Ana blinked as the gate disappeared behind them.
Eugen pulled over and turned to Emil. "I haven't had a signal in weeks, and didn't make it to the village to speak with Marcu."
"It's okay," Emil reassured him.
Dragan gave them a questioning look.
"My friend Stefan. He doesn't know I'm back, or what happened." Emil clarified.
Dragan didn't miss Eugen's guilty expression. "They'll understand. Eugen you couldn't have left Camil alone with Ana and Emil, and the storm has been blasting for all but a few hours in the few days I've been here. They will understand." He gripped Eugen's arm when he nodded. "Let's find this boy, yes?"
"Yes."
Ana moved to the driver's seat as Camil, Dragan and Emil vanished quickly into the swirling snow.
"Nice and slow," Eugen reminded her. "You'll probably catch sight of me now and then. He may head for the road, if he has his wits about him. If you see him, lean on the horn and try and get him in the warm. I'll be close enough."
"No problem." She caught his sleeve. "We'll find him. He'll be fine."
Eugen gave her a grateful smile and then slammed the door. Ana watched him and then eased the car into gear. Amazed at how quickly he could move in the deep snow.
-X
Emil and Dragan had left Camil around half a mile from the brook. When they reached it, they turned and headed downhill. Calling Gheorghe's name and stopping to listen over the wind.
Within ten minutes they had been soaked. Now, an hour later, they were numb.
"He's a good kid," Emil said as they trudged.
Dragan gripped his shoulder. "We'll find him. We won't turn back until we do. Have faith."
"Thank you, My Lord," Emil tried a smile but then halted, his head coming up. "Wait? Is that?"
Dragan smiled. "It is indeed. Well done."
Excitement lit Emil's eyes, but then they darkened. "Oh no. The brook." He rushed off, Dragan following.
Emil was horrified to see Gheorghe half in the freezing water. It was mostly frozen, but there was a trickle and he was soaking wet.
Dragan skidded to his knees, sending snow flying, as Emil pulled Gheorghe up the low bank and cradled him. "Gheorghe? Gheorghe, can you hear me? He's bleeding, here. It's not too bad, but it has bled a lot."
Dragan searched Emil's eyes carefully, but they were green and clear. Full of concern for the boy. He passed over a dry cloth. "Dry the wound as best you can."
Emil pressed the cloth carefully to Gheorghe's bruised temple as Dragan ripped open a dressing.
They gently tended the boy, who didn't stir.
"Push the cloth and rubbish in Gheorghe's pocket, so as not to confuse the village dogs, or Camil," Dragan instructed. Emil, seeing the wisdom of that, pushed the wrappings and bloody cloth into Gheorghe's wet coat pocket and then stood with him in his arms.
"We need to get him warm."
"Fastest way to the road?" Dragan asked.
Emil thought for a moment, trying to get his bearings in the snow-barren landscape. "This way," he nodded and started to move slowly towards the road.
