Page 8 of Two for the Guard
“No, I’m a vampire.” He stated bluntly that they lifted their heads and looked at him for a second, and then lay back down without issue. “The Cabot Winery is the Old Mission Coven and is led by Master Emmanuel Cabot. The sameEmmanuel Cabot who came here over three hundred years ago and started this vineyard.”
“I never met a vampire before. . . or maybe I have," Casey remarked.
“I’m sure you have," Bram spoke up. "How many shifters have you met?”
"Our roommate in high school was a wolf shifter, and a classmate who had a room across the hall was a fox shifter," Kyle spoke up. "We just happened to see things we shouldn’t have, and we kept their secret until now.”
“That’s going to make what I have to tell you a little easier for you to understand." Bram figured he had the time, so he might as well get started with the explanations.
“We knew about vampires and magics and the Fae and such, but Sean Payne, our roommate, wouldn't point them out. He said there were paranormal students, but he wouldn't tell us who they were.”
"Our secret is sacred, and the fact that he didn’t call in someone to clear your memories is surprising and speaks highly of you both." Bram was glad they knew about the paranormal, but the fact that Sean didn’t clear their minds was a massive risk and not generally advised. He would have had to have trusted them with his life to allow them to have this secret.
“He didn’t like Brad or our mother. He said they smelled of darkness and lies, he said if we ever needed him to call.” That was enlightening. Shifters, like all paranormals, have a keen sense of negativity and evil. Sean pegged that family from the get-go, obviously.
“What did you make of that offer?” He was curious about how they took care of themselves, knowing what the shifter had shared.
“Sean was always spot on with attitudes and temperaments. We were already painfully aware of Brad's shortcomings and our mother’s indifference, so his insight was not a shock.” Kyle told him and then threw his leg over Bram’s middle, and Casey threw his leg over Bram's thigh. The bond was working its magic beautifully.
“Did Sean mention anything to you about mates, beloveds, or chosen ones regarding paranormal bonds?” They both raised up and looked down at him, connecting their gazes. He looked from one to the other, sensing their confusion.
“What do you mean?” Kyle was the first to speak.
"Do you know about paranormal bonds, Fated bonds?" he repeated more concisely.
“Yes, we do.” It was Casey who responded. “Sean often lamented about his Fated mate and how he looked forward to someday meeting them and building a life and future together. He was quite the romantic and explained the bond's importance and its eternal nature. It was a forever love, no walking away, no betrayal, a soul bond he called it. It sounded lovely, and Kyle and I wished such a thing were true for humans.”
“He said shifters have mates and vampires have beloveds. They recognized them by scent at first, then by touch and by taste. It sounds amazing, really.” Casey continued with a shy smile. Then understanding started to blossom, and shock replaced their confusion.
“You know quite a bit. It seems that Sean was very thorough.” Bram replied. “I found you in the woods because I was drawn to an irresistible scent of sweetgrass and honey.” Helooked at Casey. “Then it was sweet pine needles and honey that I scented when I came upon you.” He looked over at Kyle. “Fate brought me to you in your time of need.”
"Soulmate," Kyle stated.
“Beloved.” Bram corrected them and pulled them in for a possessive embrace, kissing them both. "It isn't often that a vampire is gifted two beloveds. I am thoroughly blessed. I would like to claim you both and soon.” He explained the bonding process and the perks that came with it, and they were excited and intrigued.
"I can't wait," Casey told him enthusiastically.
"Make it soon, Bram," Kyle said, and then added. "Don’t make us wait too long.”
“This evening, when we are in my quarters with a proper room and a proper bed. I want our time to be special. You two deserve the finest that I can provide." He wanted them just as badly, but there were issues to resolve first. The bond, when in place, would afford them every protection, but they were already receiving increased healing, stamina, and physical strength simply from being in close proximity.
They talked for a long time, discussing the twins' software careers and the programs they'd developed. Bram enjoyed listening and seeing how animated they were when discussing their projects and their goals. Bram promised to introduce them to the Coven IT director and also told them about his friend Truce, the cyber-surveillance specialist.
"He sounds interesting," Kyle admitted. They were still lying together wrapped in each other's arms, and Bram knew he should be making plans, perhaps moving them to the Chateau, perhaps contacting Rainey or Truce and getting an update. Butall he wanted was to remain there with his beloveds wrapped around him for eternity.
Finally, when his phone rang, he sat up, and the twins did likewise, sitting on either side of him with their arms draped across his lap. The possessiveness they were displaying was impressive.
“Hello.” He answered.
“They’ve found no trace of Brad or Hank other than where their vehicle had been parked. They haven't returned to the Lodge yet, and Rainey is still searching the woods, but so far, there's no sign. Is it possible they simply dumped Casey and Kyle and left?” Truce was speculating.
“It’s looking that way, but they’ll most likely return when they discover that they’re still alive and still in the area.” Bram’s worry over their safety was growing.
“Do they have any idea why Brad and his business partner Hank would want to hurt them?” He asked and then added. “I found some money problems with the car dealerships that they own, but how would killing Casey and Kyle solve their money problem.
“They have no clue. He's been in their lives since about age five, so why go off on them now? They aren't close, but I have no idea why they would want to get rid of them." Bram told Truce about the boarding school, about their father's death, and he also mentioned Sean.
“That’s fortunate.” He stated. “Made that whole supernatural explanation a lot easier.”
