Anwyn kept her face still, but her mind was far from placid, hearing everything going on in the rising tornado of his mind. He wasn't going to be able to do this-truth, she'd been impressed with his ability to handle Alanna. Her fierce vampire hunter had difficulty looking at female slaves being flogged for their own pleasure in Atlantis.

But what made this intolerable to her was how he thought it was his defeat, not a reflection on the very wrongness of what was going on in this room.

There was a line between compelling someone's surrender for a fight they wanted wanted to lose, and knocking them to their knees, forcing them to give up a fight that was everything of who they were, right down to the core. Gideon thought he was about to lose control, but he didn't realize she was perilously close to the same. It had nothing to do with those shadow voices or Barnabus's blood. It had to do with her blood, and for once that vampire blood was brewing because of what she knew a Mistress was supposed to be. to lose, and knocking them to their knees, forcing them to give up a fight that was everything of who they were, right down to the core. Gideon thought he was about to lose control, but he didn't realize she was perilously close to the same. It had nothing to do with those shadow voices or Barnabus's blood. It had to do with her blood, and for once that vampire blood was brewing because of what she knew a Mistress was supposed to be.

Neither Gideon nor Daegan relaxed in the company of vampires, probably because they were both far too aware of these kinds of excesses. They were a lot like the cops she'd seen come through Atlantis. The ones checking for violations as well as the ones who came in as clients. Never trusting, because in their experience, there was no one deserving of trust. So far Gideon had surrendered his trust to her, a couple of brief, precious times. Gifts. Doing that was so new to him, making him so vulnerable. She valued his trust and she couldn't bear to see it stomped upon like garbage, his will held hostage to her well-being. Closing her hands on her chair arms, she began to rise.

"This is not happening," Daegan said.

The pleasant chatter that had started up again after Lord Stewart's well-meaning instruction to Anwyn stilled. All eyes moved to the end of the table. Daegan had been quiet for most of the meal, watching, listening. Few of the Council members engaged him in conversation, except Lord Brian. Daegan rose now, gave a half bow to Lord Belizar.

"Most vampires who value their servants know that they must be trained and brought along like a prize Thoroughbred colt. You don't push too hard or too fast, or you ruin all his potential."

"If he is not strong enough to handle such games, then she needs to know quickly she needs a different servant." Belizar shrugged. "I personally feel she might do better with one of the trained servants who are part of the Inheritance, like Alanna. Those who've been raised under Council guardianship as a first-mark, with the intent of graduating to a third-mark when an appropriate vampire is a.s.signed to them."

"The mettle and strength of made vampires must be tested. She must earn her way, learn to get along." This was added by Lord Uthe, though his expression remained dispa.s.sionate. "You have not been part of such rituals, Lord Daegan. It is understandably difficult to see the first few times, but it has good purpose."

Daegan nodded. "While I appreciate both of the lords' great wisdom, I am familiar with some things. This is not about testing the command of a made vampire or the mettle of her unusual servant. Whether or not you decide to execute him, death isn't good enough. You wanted to torture him tonight, humiliate and damage him for the gall of what he has accomplished, what he is. A true warrior, down to the bone."

Gideon didn't dare look up, holding on to his control with both mental hands, but he was hypercognizant of Daegan's eyes upon him, not just the mixed regard of Alanna and Torrence, in front of and behind him.

"You accord honor to one who has killed so many of us?" Stephen's voice was pitched with outrage, but Daegan moved his attention to Belizar and Uthe.

"Everyone in this room recognizes our dominance over humans, except perhaps Anwyn, who is new to our kind. However, we also recognize their finer attributes. This human won my respect, because he is a soldier, dedicated to his belief. It is hard for those who have not known the sacrifices and trials that occur in our line of work, in the Territory Wars and other conflicts, to truly understand the cost of taking lives beyond what is necessary for our immediate survival, or defense of those in imminent danger."

Gideon had to admit there was something else he liked about the arrogant male, aside from the fact he didn't let diplomacy turn him into a doormat. Daegan had just reminded the older Council members of their superiority in experience, an ego stroke that couldn't hurt the situation.

"I do not acknowledge him as an equal, but he is a warrior, and I respect him for that. We are too few to be guided by our petty vengeances. We live by survival of the fittest. A hunter like Gideon Green keeps us away from dangerous complacency. Do not force this issue. If you have no use of him motivated by pleasure and entertainment, then let us move on to others."

"You know this is our way." Lord Welles spoke, though his countenance was thoughtful.

"I disagree, for the reasons I just explained. But I can tell you for certain, it's not my way." Daegan met his gaze, his dark eyes becoming even more opaque.

"No, it wouldn't be, would it?" Lord Stephen broke in with a sneer. "Not a half-breed with an unknown father. Vampire blood is not what governs your actions."

Anwyn drew in a breath. Gideon's head snapped up despite himself, a flood of unexpected outrage filling him on Daegan's behalf. Even the Council appeared somewhat taken aback by Stephen's ire. But before Lord Uthe could speak, Daegan did.

"No," he said in a neutral tone. "The Council reigns my actions. By my choice, because I believe in checks and balances to ensure proper behavior."

A full moment's silence held the a.s.sembled as Stephen's face flushed with anger. Check and mate again, Gideon thought, trying not to tense as Torrence's breath brushed his nape. The behemoth was a step closer than he was a moment ago and it took everything Gideon had not to visibly tighten up his a.s.s, like a walnut refusing to be cracked.

"Well said." Lord Uthe raised his cup. "G.o.ds, is it too much to have one dinner among ourselves that doesn't involve political carping? Lord Stephen, save your strategic manipulations for the Council chamber, and let us enjoy our meal. I for one am content with the current arrangement." He glanced toward the table centerpiece. "Though I admit to enjoying our past female creations more, we were catering to the ladies tonight."

Unexpectedly, he gave Anwyn a cordial nod, a feral glint that might have been grim humor in the depths of his eyes. Then he gestured with his cup toward Carola, Helga and Barbra, generally including them in his comment.

Belizar c.o.c.ked his head, considering his right-hand Council member, then shrugged, glancing back at Daegan. "Have you f.u.c.ked him?"

"Pardon me?"

"I said, have you f.u.c.ked the vampire hunter?"

Gideon thought it was like watching a tennis match, seeing the Council members' chins bounce back and forth to follow the conversations. Yet the question raised a disturbing memory in his mind that distracted him from that. Daegan's hot breath on his neck. The strong grip of his hands, the startlingly erotic invasion of the vampire's c.o.c.k. The way his own had jumped at the penetration, the possession, even as Gideon sunk deep into Anwyn's wet heat.

"Yes." Daegan glanced at Gideon, then back at Belizar.

There was a murmur around the table; then Belizar c.o.c.ked his head, his expressive silver eyes locked with Daegan's. "Pushed him to his knees, made him take you down his throat?"

"No."

"Hmm. One is easier, you know." The Russian toyed with his winegla.s.s, waved away a servant when she came forward to refill it. "Seems you have managed to shame us just a bit, Lord Daegan. Not an easy task. Lord Uthe tells me we should avoid hasty decisions, but perhaps there is a middle ground to resolve this matter."

"I am listening, my lord."

Belizar nodded, then threw his gaze out to the Council. "With apologies to Lord Uthe for suggesting business at supper"-he shot Uthe an arch look-"here is what I propose. As we agreed, it will help our deliberations about executing the hunter if we have proof that he is well under the command of Lord Daegan, as well as clearly submissive to Miss Naime. While she's marked him with some lovely stripes, I propose thirty-six additional lashes with a bullwhip of our choosing. A blood strike for every vampire life he's taken. That we've verified."

He shot Gideon a speculative look that Gideon caught in his peripheral vision, because he was staring a hole in Alanna's forehead. Her eyes glittered with satisfaction. Apparently, she had no objections to him being whipped. "During that flogging," Belizar continued, "he takes you down the throat, Lord Daegan, here in front of us. If, for some reason, you are averse to his mouth on your c.o.c.k, we will settle for you marking him fully right now, at this dinner."

Before he returned his gaze to Daegan, Belizar waited until he'd received answering nods from around the table, though Stephen's looked somewhat reluctant. "I know what kind of man this Gideon Green is. If he will go on his knees, suck you to completion and swallow every drop, we at least know he will capitulate to you, which will rea.s.sure us you have control over him. It will not guarantee our decision, but it may sway it considerably."

Or they may be just f.u.c.king with us, Gideon thought darkly.

"So another ultimatum. I take his blood, or he takes my c.o.c.k?" Daegan's tone was flat, unexpressive.

"We do not often give a pet.i.tioner more than one choice." The warning was clear in Belizar's face. Daegan's expression did not change, as if such a threat meant little to him.

"Choose." Belizar's voice hardened, the Council head obviously picking up on it. "Or defy this Council. Lord Stephen, tell your servant to withdraw."

She'd been on her knees awhile, so it was instinctive courtesy that had Gideon helping Alanna to her feet, a hand beneath her elbow. She gripped his forearm necessarily, but let go immediately and didn't look at him. Backing up to the wall, she took her place behind her Master.

Anwyn's voice slid through his mind. I don't exactly know what this means, but Daegan said, "Head or gut?" I don't exactly know what this means, but Daegan said, "Head or gut?"

Despite all the feelings coiled like a noose around his throat and c.o.c.k, chest and soul, that volley surprisingly loosened it. Somewhat. He felt like he was merely choking, instead of about to fall through a gallows door to have his neck snapped. He wasn't afraid of being flogged, but he knew enough about being hit with a bullwhip to know what thirty-six lashes could do. He didn't want to shame either one of them. When he felt the wrench in her heart at his thought, he lifted his head, met her gaze with a rea.s.suring spark of fire in his own.

He's been watching Bruce Willis. The Last Boy Scout The Last Boy Scout.

He's always been able to surprise me. A pause. A pause. Gideon? Gideon?

I don't want him biting me. And I won't drink his blood. You know that.

He shifted, met Daegan's eyes. The vampire gave him a slight nod.

"Get on your knees, vampire hunter."

15.

UP until that moment, Anwyn had been spiraling back into the alley, to places where all choices were yanked away, obliterated by blood and barbarity, where tenderness and love were cruel jokes, unbearable mockeries of the way the world really should be. Though the blood and brutality were not aimed at her, it was no different, when she felt charged with protecting Gideon. If anything, she knew it was worse, being forced to stand to the side and watch it be done to him, rather than experiencing it for herself.

She was a Mistress, yes. In fact, she'd considered herself quite a formidable Dominatrix, but in this world, she was coming straight from the kiddie pool to the deep end. For once the call of the shadow voices was desperately seductive, a way to escape this, but that in itself made her fight. She wouldn't run. She'd never again run from someone who needed her.

Then Daegan spoke that soft, velvet command, and suddenly the world righted itself. He took control back for all of them.

Gideon had lifted his head, his hair brushing the broad bare shoulders, the midnight blue eyes riveting in their intensity. When he looked toward Daegan, the charge of energy between the two male bodies brought a hush to the room.

It was then she saw clearly what Daegan had seen from the beginning with Gideon, what even the more perceptive of the Council had to see. No matter what barriers separated them, Daegan Rei and Gideon Green held the same warrior code, the same inviolate integrity and inner strength, no matter how battered Gideon's shields had become. It put every one of the vampires in this room to shame, to her way of thinking.

She had another revelation as well. One that was more private, but no less shocking. Somewhere along the way, Daegan's tracking of Gideon had turned into an active pursuit of the hunter. An emotional pursuit, beyond the call of l.u.s.t. Whether it was admiration or kinship, or something else, Daegan desired him, wanted him as his servant as well. Not as a humiliation, like the Council might suspect, but because that was the closest bond a vampire could make with another. He wanted to be Gideon's Master as much as she wanted to be his Mistress, because for both of them, it was the deepest offer of body, heart and soul they had. She felt it like a current, connecting the two of them.

Even Gideon, whose emotions were always such a tangled jumble, such that he followed an erratic course of instinct and self-denial to jump from moment to moment, allowed desire and hunger, savage need, to cross his expression. For the both of them.

Anwyn.

She let her mind be a conduit, so that Daegan could hear Gideon's thoughts, linking the three of them. Yes, love? Yes, love?

It was the first time she'd ever used an endearment with Gideon, with anyone, and his mouth tightened. No one would know from the tough-guy expression what vulnerability existed in that powerhouse body.

I've never done this. Can you walk me through it, so I do it right?

Just do it the way you'd like it done to yourself, vampire hunter. Daegan's dark eyes sparked, and Gideon's c.o.c.k jumped in reaction. Anwyn felt like she was standing between two flames. Daegan's dark eyes sparked, and Gideon's c.o.c.k jumped in reaction. Anwyn felt like she was standing between two flames.

You're going to need that big mouth of yours, because I intend to ram myself down your throat. Daegan's mind-voice made it a taunting challenge, so that Anwyn actually almost smiled. It was just the three of them. The rest didn't matter.

Big talk. But Gideon swallowed. He didn't quite seem to know where to go from there, but Anwyn reminded him. But Gideon swallowed. He didn't quite seem to know where to go from there, but Anwyn reminded him. Daegan ordered you onto your knees, love. Daegan ordered you onto your knees, love.

Come to me, vampire hunter.

Daegan hadn't moved, waiting, which somehow made the moment more charged. Gideon hitched up his pants to allow him to walk, the loose hold making the waistline caress the appealing line of hip and b.u.t.tock musculature as he moved around Torrence. He gave Helga's servant a menacing glance, which suggested if Torrence lifted so much as a finger to stop him, he'd lose the digit. But when Gideon pa.s.sed behind Anwyn, she let her fingers trail along his side, pleased when his hand briefly gripped hers, caressing.

As he reached Daegan, Gideon stopped, hesitated.

Gaze down, Gideon. Don't look me in the eye.

That jaw flexed again, a quiver running through the powerful back. Daegan placed a hand on his shoulder, gripping lean sinew and bone, and exerted downward pressure. Anwyn found she wasn't the only one holding her breath as Gideon's knees bent, taking him down into a kneeling position. The pants slid lower, giving her the upper rise of his a.s.s, and without being told, he pushed them all the way down, revealing the d.i.l.d.o still firmly in place.

A slight bow from Daegan toward Brian. "Lord Brian, would your servant mind removing that so it doesn't impede Miss Naime's efforts?"

Brian glanced up at Debra, gave her a nod. The woman moved from the wall, keeping her eyes down, but Anwyn noted her hands were gentle as she balanced on her heels in a squat and removed the d.i.l.d.o, wrapping it in a towel provided by one of the waitstaff and laying it by Anwyn's chair. Gideon had shuddered slightly at the removal, and Anwyn felt the way it stroked him inside, the arousal that was still there despite the rising tension. She'd also noticed how Debra had managed a stroke of the cheek with her fingertips. She was fairly certain it was a rea.s.surance rather than a s.e.xual indiscretion, and wished she could give Gideon a similar rea.s.surance right now.

"Put your palms flat on your knees, Gideon," Daegan instructed, still in that silky tone. "You'll do it all with your mouth."

Anwyn started as a servant touched her arm. Turning, she saw Belizar's full servant, Lena, extending a coiled bullwhip. The size and thickness brought an instant denial surging to the forefront. Her lips parted.

"If you prefer to watch, we can allow Torrence to do the honors," Lady Carola said smoothly. "He's very skilled."

"As a Mistress, I expect Anwyn is a fair hand with a whip." Uthe met her gaze across the table. "Can you draw blood with a bullwhip? Be accurate enough to administer thirty-six lashes to a kneeling man's back and b.u.t.tocks while he's servicing Lord Daegan? Draw blood every time?"

"And not hit Lord Daegan," Lord Welles added, a smile crossing his face that was anything but pleasant. "I'm sure he would not take kindly to that."

Since she still had not moved to take the whip, Belizar c.o.c.ked his head. "Torrence was obviously looking forward to f.u.c.king your servant. I'm sure he'll reflect that in his accuracy and strength."

So it was a test of them both, making sure she didn't think she'd gotten away with any defiance on her part. Anwyn closed her hand on the whip. "I am more than capable, Lord Belizar. If the whip is properly formed and maintained."

"Feel free to test it, fledgling."

While Daegan waited, Gideon at his feet, his hand resting on her servant's shoulder to keep his head down, she rose. Meeting Daegan's gaze, she shook out the six-foot whip. Looking over the belly's taper, she tested the balance of the braided length, as well as the weight of the handle. It was well made, as Belizar had indicated. The west end of the dining room where she and Daegan had been sitting was open s.p.a.ce, as if intended for performances, so she moved back the right number of steps to take a few practice swings. A straight overhand, a flick, a coachman and a volley helped familiarize herself further with the single tail, the energy the body of the whip delivered to the popper. It was similar to the many she'd used at the club. The amazing difference was that she could actually see the popper snap, something impossible for the human eye to follow, since the resounding crack of a bullwhip came from the fact its speed broke the sound barrier, when thrown properly.

When she noted Stephen watching her with a sardonic sneer to his lips, and heard his mutter to Barbra, "She's more likely to take out the Van Gogh on the opposite wall than stripe his back," she executed a graceful overhead. The whip snaked out and took out Stephen's winegla.s.s, lifting it from the table and sending it spinning into the wall, well clear of the Van Gogh or any other artwork. The gla.s.s shattered, spreading wine over the stone like a bloodstain. Before anyone had time to react, the whip was back at her side.

"More than adequate, Lord Belizar," she said, with a cool smile, caressing the handle. "Thank you. My apologies, Lord Stephen. You seemed concerned about my servant's welfare, and I wanted to a.s.sure you of my expertise."

She could tell she'd successfully impressed the Council members with her unexpected maneuver, and the fact that Stephen hadn't been spattered with even a drop avoided any accusation of disrespect. Daegan gave her an inscrutable look, but she suspected he was applauding her effort. Gideon, his head still ostensibly bowed, had practically highfived her in her head, which would have amused her under normal circ.u.mstances. Unfortunately, it didn't buffer what she was about to do to him with that lethal strap.

Serving staff quickly moved in to clean up the mess as she turned back to her two males. She could feel the antic.i.p.ation building after her little performance. Seeing that bare back, already marked with her stripes, given reluctantly but in conjunction with pleasure, she felt torn between rage and her own despicable antic.i.p.ation.

You know you like giving pain with pleasure, Mistress. Gideon's words from earlier. Gideon's words from earlier.

d.a.m.ning all of these monsters, including the one inside herself, she stepped forward, slid her arm around Gideon's chest. Bending so she could press her cheek to his, she let her hair fall to curtain them both. They want me to make it hurt, to punish you. Can we refuse? They want me to make it hurt, to punish you. Can we refuse?

No. It was simultaneous, from both Daegan and Gideon. It was simultaneous, from both Daegan and Gideon.

She closed her eyes. I hate this. This isn't what it's about, Gideon. Not what it's supposed to be I hate this. This isn't what it's about, Gideon. Not what it's supposed to be.

His hand came up, gripped her wrist. Then make it what it's supposed to be. I don't fear any pain at your hands, Anwyn. A weird part of me . . . Well, you already know, right? Then make it what it's supposed to be. I don't fear any pain at your hands, Anwyn. A weird part of me . . . Well, you already know, right?

She nodded, gave him an additional squeeze, and then paced back, locking gazes with Daegan. The vampire didn't have to do this, didn't want to do this any more than she did. She knew that with a clarity that made it hard to breathe. He was doing this for her, to ensure she was accepted by this world, and so Gideon's life wasn't taken. Over the past month, for the past five years, he'd been part of her life, the best and the worst, and he'd refused to give up on her or the love he wanted from her.

She didn't know what foolishness had ever made her doubt his love for her, just because he wouldn't say the words. On that same note, she knew she'd never doubt Gideon's love for her, either. No matter he hadn't quite sorted out his feelings, he was trusting her implicitly, the most important step toward unconditional love. When the day came that he couldn't be part of this world, she'd accept and know it wasn't because his love for her wasn't great enough. Some scars in a man's heart could never heal, no matter how much he, or she, wished they could.

Tying it all together, Daegan spoke in her mind. You can do this, You can do this, cher cher. All three of us can. Just breathe, and know that we love you.

Gideon gave a faint nod, though he kept his gaze on the floor. His broad shoulders rose and fell, slow breaths. He was preparing himself. That slight acknowledgment was a simple declaration, a rea.s.surance that undermined the foundation of this horrible moment.

They were different from everyone else here. She wanted to give both of them what they gave her. She was done setting conditions of her own, except the conditions Gideon needed from her as Mistress, and those that she and Daegan embraced for that glorious push-pull relationship they had. It was a miracle, all three sides of their trinity. Even if it couldn't be forever, it didn't make it less miraculous, less valuable.

Meeting Daegan's gaze once more, she saw his burning response to her thoughts and nodded. Let's do this. Let's do this.

Daegan had worn a jacket, slacks and a silk shirt, so now he shrugged out of the coat, putting it into the ready hands of a waitstaff person. He unb.u.t.toned his shirt in a carelessly sensual way, then opened his trousers. He kept them on his waist, of course, so the Council was not granted the vulnerable look at his bare a.s.s they'd require of a servant. When he freed his c.o.c.k, Anwyn let herself indulge the moment, the pleasure of watching it stretch out long and hard toward Gideon's taut mouth, and know no other l.u.s.ting mind at this table had the right to touch it, tease it, the way she did . . . and had so often.

Don't distract me, cher cher. Daegan's warning made her want to smile. Mostly because she knew it might be a while before she'd feel like smiling again. Daegan's warning made her want to smile. Mostly because she knew it might be a while before she'd feel like smiling again.

"Take me deep," Daegan murmured, moving his hand to Gideon's hair. Sliding his fingers through the clean, thick strands, he cupped the back of the man's skull. Anwyn was in Gideon's mind when he tasted the first salty flavor of the broad head, let it move between his parted lips. Then Daegan pushed all the way in, a rough, urgent move, as if he didn't care to hold back his desire anymore. At that moment, Anwyn landed the first strike.