Page 28 of Nyte

“I appreciate your enthusiasm. I pray it doesn’t dampen after a few weeks in New Avalon.”

Cy swallowed, praying for the same. Though to who or to what he prayed, he didn’t know. He’d stopped believing in any god many, many years ago.

“Help me keep it alive, then.” He squeezed Summer’s hand.

Summer returned the touch, her grip warm and gentle. “I’ll do my best. It will be good to have an ally here.”

As Summer leaned her head onto Cy’s shoulder, a surge of hope flooded Cy’s heart. An ally. A reason to fight and continue fighting. For Summer, for Wren, for Jax. For humanity, he would push on. He would continue to fight until the vampyres were eradicated once and for all.

CHApTER FivE

Haven

“You’ve left yournew toy in the pets’ quarters, then?”

Haven felt his sire’s eyes watching him intently, molten blood and full of heat. Haven didn’t turn to meet them, instead peering out into the sunless expanse of day. He’d heard tales from other vampyres that there still existed some places in the world where the sun could kill. But not here. Not in New Avalon.

Its weakened rays would burn. But not enough to end a life. Like so many things in this world, the sun was a mere fraction of the powerful thing it had once been. Haven resented it. What use was the sun now that it could no longer sustain life? Or contribute to his death?

“My love, I’m speaking to you.” Thorne’s tone held an edge, serrated and sharp. It warned him not to disobey.

Still, Haven watched the gloominess, the clouds of dust and grime that painted the earth. “I have no use for him.”

“Why not auction him then? Lord Merick expressed his desire to use the pet. Likely for the fights.”

Haven swallowed. He wasn’t sure why he’d vouched for Cypress, why he’d refused to let him be auctioned. It was what all humans deserved. But there was something about this particular human. It was more than his resemblance to…

Haven shook his head, running a weary hand over his forehead. “As a gift from one of our allies, he should be treated with respect.”

The bed creaked as Thorne rose to his feet. Soft footsteps sounded, indicating his approach. “Respect?”

“As much respect as a human could deserve.”

“And how much is that?” Thorne’s whispered words blew against the back of his exposed neck as Thorne wound his hands around Haven’s hair and brushed it to the side. Lips replaced those breaths only moments later, and Haven’s eyelids fluttered at the contact.

“Mirae gave him to us as a gift. She thought him worthy of forging a bond between our houses. Would she not take offense to her gift being torn apart piece by piece? By Merick, no less.”

“Always the proper delegate, aren’t you, my love? What would I do without you?” Thorne’s arms snaked around Haven’s waist.

“You lived a long time before me. You’d be just fine, Master.”

“Is that what you think?” Thorne withdrew to grasp Haven’s chin and draw his gaze. “Don’t you know, sweet one? I never experienced true pleasure until I tasted your blood.”

Haven blinked, forcing himself not to look away.

“Even now, it still compels me.” Thorne traced the lines of Haven’s throat with a fingertip. “I’d go mad without it. Without you. No one can ever take you away from me. I’d die before I’d let it happen.”

Haven allowed his sire to lean in and envelop his lips in a chaste kiss. When Thorne pulled back, his eyes twinkled with a mischievous light. “You know, since you’re so concerned with decorum, perhaps you should take your pet for a walk today. The sun is hidden. He might enjoy the fresh air. And wouldn’t the noble house of Varney swoon to know how well their gift is being treated?”

Haven gritted his teeth. Being close to Cypress was disconcerting and off-putting, to say the least. But it was true that the human likely needed fresh air. Pets weren’t allowed outside without a vampyre escort. Too many ways they could hurt themselves or attempt to run. And Haven trusted no other vampyre to take his pet.

Cypress was temptation in physical form. If Haven wanted Cypress to survive in New Avalon, it had to be him and him alone who would take him on his walks.

But he’d be damned if he was happy about it.

“Why do you care about the human, Master?”

Thorne smirked. “Because you’ve made me see reason, my love. And I wish always to do right by you. If you desire propriety, I’ll give it to you. If you wish that the human gift is to be treated well, then we shall treat him like a favored pet, an honored guest. But he’s yours, isn’t he? So you should be the one to take care of him. Don’t you agree?”

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