Page 6 of The Wentworth Vampire

“I don’t know what he was, but he had power.” Mateo looked into Pascal’s eyes and smiled. “Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for finding me.”

"I will always find you, and I will always be there for you, Mateo.” Pascal took Mateo’s lips in a kiss that was forceful and demanding. His beloved was a strong man with a will and a presence that could not be broken.

“Pascal obviously connected with Mateo at the abandoned building in the lowlands. Mateo is his beloved.” Marek began his report to Master Nikolas Hadden. Josef and Thayer were also present.

"I didn't see that coming," Nik commented.

"Neither did we, but we would not have found Mateo without their fated connection. The magic that is being used is nothing we’ve seen before, and we’ve experienced everything out there." That statement garnered Nik's unwavering attention, and he did not look pleased.

“It could have been working under the radar for quite some time," Thayer added, which again heightened the growing tension in the room.

"And growing no doubt," Josef stated, and the Cyprians nodded regretfully.

"Explain it to me. Who are they, and how do we fight them?” Nik demanded.

Marek described what they found at the abandoned building in the lowlands and how quickly they moved to the location in the South Hills and then to the mansion in the Strip District, all without leaving a trace of the magic used. “It’s a combination of several practices, leaving the final structure as something new. The fact that it dissipates almost immediately is what makes it nearly impossible to trace.”

“We’re going to have to get all the information we can from Mateo, even if it means combing through his memories," Nik informed solemnly.

“He’s Pascal’s beloved.” Josef reminded. “How will you reach his mind?”

“He is the rightful Master of the Wentworth Coven. He has the ability to allow me in. He would have to drop his defenses and agree to let me in.” Nik clarified, but everyone knew that the possibility of a man like Mateo, having been tortured for so long, would allow anyone into his thoughts was slight.

“Also,” Marek stated with a hint of a grin, “Are you aware that Pascal Lacrosse has a Black Wand amongst his weaponry?”

“Yes, I'm aware," Nik assured. “Pascal’s mother was half Dark Fae and half Mage, and as you know, Dark Fae is a powerful lineage.”

"The light of the Mage balances the dark of the Fae, making him damn interesting.” Marek smiled. “He’s a good man with a dark skill.”

"He's a good man, and that's what matters most." Nik left it at that.

They completed their report, and then Thayer met Teo in the lobby. He and Teo kept their quarters at the Imperial rather than moving to the Hadden Center. They also resided at the Wentworth Coven in Baltimore and split their time between Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Mateo held his beloved's hand and studied his face, taking in his dark eyes and chiseled features. Fate had given him his dream man. Pascal was known among the soldiers and guards of the Wentworth Coven.

He was more than just another vampire soldier; he had facets to his life and character that plumbed the depths of mystery and danger. He was an assassin by trade, but his exploits, although hushed by his leaders, were legendary with the soldiers of the Wentworth Coven.

The kiss had been proprietary, and Mateo leaned into it with a need that was wild and growing. He wasn’t going to hide anything from this man. Pascal was his savior and his partner for life. It made surviving and holding on when any sane being would have folded seem all worth it now.

“Tell me what has happened since I’ve been gone.” He asked after the kiss came to an end, and he leaned his head against Pascal's shoulder. Pascal held him and provided a comfort Mateo had never known. He never would have thought that this man, the dark assassin as he was referred, would be the one to save him.

Pascal told him of finding Teo hiding out with the street kids in Pittsburgh. “He was discovered by his beloved Thayer. You met him earlier at the mansion.” Mateo was happy that Teo was safe and that he found his beloved when he needed him most. He then described the situation with the blood magic and the fall of Rodrick Wentworth. “Teo and his beloved Thayer never stopped searching for you.” He added, and it touched Mateo.

"I'm glad I found you, Mateo, and if there is anything you want or you need, please tell me. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you; ask and I will provide." Mateo's heart tightened with the sincerity of Pascal’s pledge.

He’d had his brothers, and they’d vowed to stand by one another even in the face of their father's descent into lunacy, and that had been solid and real. But this was something else; this was a bond that went beyond blood and bones to the soul, to the very core of their existence.

“All I need is you.” It was all he ever needed. Mateo breathed in the wonderful scent of his beloved, a mixture of leather and sweet grass, earthy and manly, and everything Pascal. There was a knock at the door, and Pascal called for whoever it was to enter.

Mateo lifted his head from Pascal's shoulder and watched as the man from earlier entered. His name was Thayer, andbehind him was Teo. When their eyes met, Teo ran to him, and Mateo struggled to his feet with Pascal's assistance.

“Mateo!” Teo shouted and wrapped him up in his arms. It was a blessing that Teo had survived, and they were together again. They stood there and just held one another, not speaking and barely breathing.

CHAPTER FOUR

Pascal excused himself from the room after promising not to be gone too long. Mateo seemed torn about letting him leave, and it brought a warmth and pride to Pascal’s heart. "I'll be back as soon as I finish with Master Hadden. If you need me, just reach out and I’ll know.”

“If you're gone too long, I'll come find you," Mateo stated with a gravity that surprised and delighted Pascal. With that, he left the room and headed up to the office of Master Nikolas Hadden. Marek and Thayer had already checked in, but Pascal was given the liberty to spend some time with his beloved; however, his report was expected as soon as possible.

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