The Black Swan Page 12

  Noah stared after him, then turned to his regulars. “What just happened?”

  “No clue, Noah, but do you want us to hang around until you’re ready to go home?”

  “Thanks, but that won’t be necessary.”

  “Maybe you should call one of your brothers?” They knew most of them were local.

  “No!” That was all he needed. Since he was the youngest of the family, his brothers saw him as always needing to get rescued, even when that wasn’t the case.

  “If you’re sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, we’d better head home.”

  “Okay. Thanks, guys.”

  They left a couple of bills on the bar as a tip, gave a final wave, and walked out.

  Noah locked the door behind them, then turned off the signs in the window. He needed to keep himself occupied until Gabriel got here, so he emptied the tip jar, put the bills and coins in a small canvas bag, and set it to the side. He was saving his tips, not for anything in particular, but just for that possible rainy day. With that done, he took the cash from the register, totaled the night’s take, and wrote out a deposit slip. As usual, he’d take the cash to the bank in the morning.

  With that out of the way, he brought the glasses to the dishwasher and started it. Then he set out the paring knife, a bandage, and a goblet for Gabriel.

  * * * *

  The dishwasher finished its cycle. Noah dried the glasses so they wouldn’t be spotty, and put them away. The goblet sat in its lonely splendor.

  By the time three o’clock rolled around, he accepted that Gabriel wasn’t going to show up.

  He needed to talk to someone about this, but who? If he went to his brothers, they’d be sure to tell Pop, who would pitch a fit and probably try to ground him, even though he was almost twenty-five.

  And then, from out of nowhere, he remembered the woman who had come to their house in Braddockville.

  He still had cousins who lived there—and yeah, a few of them might be black swans, dammit. They were all involved with their own lives, though, and they didn’t get to see each other as often as when they were kids. But that was their hometown. Maybe they’d know where to find her.

  He retrieved his jacket from the backroom, shrugged it on, and set the security system. Then he headed for the door, opening it to almost take a fist to the forehead as Gabriel raised it to knock.

  “Gabriel? I didn’t think—did you bring Keane with you?” Noah looked over his shoulder, expecting to see the black swan behind the vampyre. “Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m on my way home.” He stepped forward and found himself chest to chest with Gabriel when the man—vampyre—didn’t back away.

  “Was Tom here?”

  “Who?” Noah was a bit distracted by the way his dick hardened, and if he didn’t take a step back, Gabriel would know Noah had it bad for him. So he backed away.

  “Keane’s brother.” Gabriel caught his shoulder, but when Noah shivered, Gabriel let him go. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” He’d liked the feel of Gabriel’s hand on him. That was what had caused his shiver, whatever Gabriel might think. “Uh…Yeah, he was.”

  “What did he want?”

  “He warned me away from you. Which was stupid, since I’m not a black swan, and everyone knows that’s what you need.”

  “What? What do you mean you’re not a black swan?”

  “Gabriel, it’s been a long day, I’m tired, and I want to go home.”

  “Noah—”

  “Goddammit, I’d sell my soul if I could be what you want.”

  “You are what I want.”

  “How can you? I’m a normal.”

  “You think you’re a normal? Why?”

  “Pop told me. He said if I let you drink from me, it would kill me.”

  “So when you told me I couldn’t drink from you, it was because you thought I’d drain you?”

  “I don’t know. I suppose.” Noah cringed at how petulant he sounded. “I didn’t want you coming to visit my grave every year.”

  “Let’s make this perfectly clear. You refused me because you thought you weren’t a black swan. Not because you didn’t want me.”

  “No. I want you so bad it feels like my insides are tied in knots.”

  Gabriel growled and his eyes glowed red, but he stepped back to give Noah some space. “Lock up.”

  Noah shook his head, angled around and tripped the lock, then pulled the door shut behind him. When he turned, Gabriel was back, almost on top of him.

  “Would you mind giving me a little room?”

  “Yes.” He wrapped his hand around Noah’s upper arm.

  “Wait, what are you doing?”

  “I’m taking you to see someone.”

  “Are you nuts? Do you realize how late it is? No one’s gonna be awake at this time of night.”

  “She will be.”

  “Who she?”

  “Morwen.”

  For a second he thought…He shrugged. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.”

  Gabriel paused and stared at him. “You’re unfamiliar with Mother Morwen?”

  “Um…yes?” What was the big deal, anyway? He looked up at the sky. “You have to leave. It will be sunrise soon.”

  “It won’t, actually, and you’d know that if—Why are we even talking about this?”

  “That’s what I’d like to know.”

  Gabriel didn’t respond beyond grabbing him.

  In spite of the fact that Noah was a couple of inches taller than Gabriel, the vampyre had no trouble hoisting him over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift. Blood rushed to Noah’s head, and he closed his eyes against the vertigo.

  “Put me down. Gabriel, put me down, or I swear I’m gonna throw up all over your butt.”

  “That sounds familiar.”

  “Huh?”

  Gabriel set Noah on his feet, and he staggered. Shit. Gabriel didn’t have to be that damned accommodating.

  “Jesus. I don’t think I want to be your friend anymore.”

  Gabriel just dragged him along after him toward a small…cabin? Noah looked around, stunned to realize they were in a forest.

  He swallowed heavily. “Where are we? And how did we get here?”

  “This is Mother Morwen’s home. She’s been gracious enough to share it with me until I can find a black swan who’ll accept me.”

  “What about Keane?”

  “Unfortunately, tonight I discovered that it wouldn’t be Keane. As for how we got here, I have a certain method of transportation I use when I’m in a hurry.”

  Noah decided he didn’t want to know. He felt tired. More tired. “What happened?”

  “Keane was trying to psyche himself up to allow me to drink from his wrist.”

  “He didn’t want to?”

  “It seemed no.”

  “What an idiot!”

  Gabriel sighed. “His brother came in and spoke to him in private. When Keane returned to where I was waiting, he asked if I…if I loved you. I said I cared about you, of course I did—”

  Yeah, of course he did. Why would he love a normal?

  ”But you’re my friend and it was thanks to you we’d met. He said it was no thanks at all, and he planned to tell all his friends to avoid the Golden Circle Matchmaking Agency.”

  Noah gritted his teeth. Well, piss on him. As soon as he got to his computer, he planned to delete Keane DuBois from the agency’s files. The French fuck.

  “And then he told me to get out.”

  Shit. “Okay, look, don’t get bent out of shape over it. I’ll find someone else for you. There’s a vampyre in Romania who might know some—”

  “Do you want to get rid of me that badly?”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  “Come on.” He led the way up the steps to a small porch that was suitable to the small house. His grip on Noah’s arm was tight, but in spite of that, it was…comforting?

  No, you can’t like that. You’re not
a black swan.

  Gabriel opened the door and tugged Noah in after him. “Morwen? I’m sorry to disturb you, but I’ve brought company.”

  “Your black swan? And no, you didn’t disturb me. I’ve been waiting for you.” She lit a taper from the glowing embers of the fireplace and held it to a lamp’s wick.

  The room became surprisingly bright. She looked at Noah—not toward him, but at him—with eyes covered in a milky film. “Ah. You’ve found him.”

  Noah realized she was very, very old. Ancient, in fact.

  “No, he hasn’t,” he stated flatly. Why did these beings insist on that? Didn’t they realize they were breaking his heart each time they said he could have what he really couldn’t?

  “Why do you deny your vampyre?”

  “I’m not denying him. I’d like nothing better. But I’m not a black swan.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “My father.”

  “Apparently, his father.” Gabriel spoke at the same time as Noah.

  Morwen shook her head. “Do you remember when I came to see you? You were just a little boy. I told your parents you were a black swan. I told them Gabriel Granger was your vampyre. Master Granger, catch him!” she ordered.

  Gabriel scooped Noah up in his arms, which was a good thing, since Noah had been about to pass out and face plant on the floor. He sat Noah down and pushed his head between his knees.

  “I’m okay. I’m okay.” Although he really wasn’t. “I don’t understand. Gramps told me…But then Pop said…Why would Pop tell me that if it wasn’t the truth?”

  “He was afraid for you. You’re his favorite son, you know.”

  “No, I’m not. Pop always says he loves all of us equally.”

  “Perhaps, but he loves you more.”

  “Argh.” Noah groaned. “You’re confusing me.”

  “And when it comes down to it, I…” Gabriel stroked a hand over Noah’s hair. “I don’t have the best track record when it comes to black swans.”

  “Hush,” Morwen ordered. “You did your job, and your black swans did theirs.”

  “But they died.”

  “That was not your fault.”

  “No, it wasn’t,” Noah agreed. Although black swans outlived normals, they didn’t live as long as vampyres.

  Gabriel and Morwen both ignored him and continued haranguing each other.

  Noah let their words wash over him, too busy trying to wrap his brain around the fact that not only might he possibly be a black swan, but he might be Gabriel Granger’s black swan.

  “But how can we be sure I am?” The question was rhetorical, but Morwen stopped arguing with Gabriel long enough to answer.

  “I’m sure,” she said. “I’ve been sure since I saw your future in your palm when you were a tot. However, since you’re both being annoying about this, Noah, would you let Gabriel feed from you?”

  “Huh? Oh, sure.” He looked around the cabin. “I’ll need a knife and a goblet and a bandage.”

  Gabriel had taken a step toward him. “Are you sure—why do you need those things?”

  “Uh…to get the blood for you?”

  “No.”

  “What do you mean no? That’s how I did it before.”

  Gabriel and Morwen both froze. “Explain yourself, please.”

  Noah could feel heat rise in his cheeks. “Um…I kind of may have given you my blood to drink.”

  “When—those last two evenings at the Golden Circle, when you brought me those goblets of blood?”

  “Yes?”

  “You told me it was a new supply?”

  “Well, it was.”

  “That was your blood.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Yes. Did I do wrong?”

  “No wonder why I felt better after I drank that blood,” Gabriel mused. He caught Noah’s chin and tipped it first to one side and then to the other. “There are no marks on your throat.”

  “No. Why would there be?”

  “Your wrists?”

  Noah shook his head and held them out, showing they were free from any marks.

  “Where did you take the blood from?”

  Noah freed his left arm from his jacket and pushed up his shirt sleeve. “Here.” He held out his arm, displaying the pale scars in the crook of his elbow. He smiled down at them. “I heal fast.”

  “It grows late,” Morwen interrupted them. “If you’re going to do this, it had best be done quickly.”

  “I won’t pressure Noah.”

  “I told you I was willing.”

  “Yes, but the first time is usually more…intimate.”

  Noah swallowed. “Okay. What do I have to do?”

  “Unbutton your shirt collar.”

  “You’re going to—” Noah swallowed again, but he did as Gabriel had instructed.

  “I am. I promise I won’t hurt you.” Gabriel moved aside the collar with his right hand. He slid his other arm around Noah’s shoulders and brought him close. Only then did he run his tongue over the side of Noah’s throat.

  Noah knew from biology class that just below that spot was his common carotid artery. In spite of Gabriel’s promise, he would have braced himself for pain, but the feel of Gabriel’s tongue painting idle designs on his throat was amazing—one of the best things he’d ever felt. It was as if that spot was wired directly to his dick, and if he wasn’t so enthralled by Gabriel’s actions, he’d have been embarrassed to be humping Gabriel’s leg like a dog desperate to mate.

  “You’re all right?” Gabriel asked.

  “Yes.” Oh, yes. “More please?”

  Gabriel fastened his lips to Noah’s throat and began to suck, strong and firm.

  “You’re going to give me a hickey.”

  Gabriel raised his head. “Shall I stop?”

  “No!”

  “All right.” There was a smile in his voice.

  “We should have done this more often.”

  “Yes.” Gabriel resumed, then stopped abruptly. “What?”

  “What?” Noah nudged his vampyre. He was afraid his subtle hint to continue wasn’t as subtle as he’d thought.

  “Never mind.” Gabriel continued for a minute or so more, humming in pleasure, then stroked his tongue over that spot and raised his head. He was so close Noah’s eyes almost crossed meeting Gabriel’s eyes.

  “Why did you stop? Did I do something wrong?” Didn’t Gabriel want Noah as his black swan?

  “Remember,” Gabriel whispered. Before Noah could ask what he was supposed to remember, Gabriel pressed his lips to Noah’s. “It grows late.”

  “But you didn’t—”

  “I didn’t what?”

  “You didn’t feed. Drink. Whatever.”

  “Of course I did. What did you think I was doing?”

  “Giving me a love bite.”

  “Well, I gave you that, too.”

  “But it didn’t hurt.”

  “It shouldn’t between a vampyre and his black swan.” He tightened his grip for a moment and nuzzled the hair above Noah’s ear. “I should have known. I should have recognized your taste.”

  “How could you, when you’d never fed from me before?”

  Gabriel didn’t respond. His brow was furrowed. “I don’t know if we need to do this but…”

  “Do whatever you feel you have to.” Gabriel was his vampyre!

  Gabriel’s fangs hadn’t retracted, and he sank them into his lower lip. Drops of blood began to trickle down his chin.

  Noah swallowed, unable to tear his gaze from the ruby-red blood.

  “Would you kiss me in spite of this?” Gabriel touched a fingertip to his lip. “Or does the thought of my blood in your mouth nauseate you?”

  “Are you out of your ever-loving vampyre mind?” Noah didn’t wait; he just pounced. He claimed the blood before it could drip onto Gabriel’s collar, and then sealed their mouths together.

  He’d kissed other guys, but nothing…nothing had been like this, and now it was his turn to hum
in pleasure.

  “Master Granger,” Morwen said, her tone urgent. “You must retire.”

  Reluctantly, Noah opened his eyes and drew back. Gabriel smiled up at him and caressed his cheek. “My black swan.” He turned to Morwen. “All right. We’ll talk about this later this evening, Noah. You’ll stay the day?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you.” Gabriel kissed Noah, then pulled aside a small rug to reveal a trap door.

  “That’s where you spend the night?”

  “Yes.”

  Noah nodded. “I’ll get all your things together, and tonight—tomorrow night—whenever—you’ll move in with me. If you’re going to sleep in anyone’s cellar, it will be mine.” But he’d see about getting shutters and blackout curtains for his own bedroom.

  Gabriel threaded his fingers through Noah’s hair. “I’ll look forward to it.” He kissed him a final time, then went down into the darkness.

  Noah sat on the top step, wrapped his arms around his knees, and gazed down after his vampyre. After all this time…Yes. Gabriel was his, and he loved him.

  “Help me conceal the door,” Morwen said.

  “Okay.” Noah stood and climbed out of the way. He lowered the door and stepped aside so Morwen could pull the rug into place.

  “I have a small bed in the corner. Sleep as long as you need.” She petted his hair. “I’m proud of you.”

  “Thank you, but why? I made Gabriel wait such a long time.”

  “Longer than you know,” she murmured.

  “Excuse me?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “Make yourself comfortable. When you wake, you can call one of your brothers and ask if he’ll tend the tavern until you can return home.”

  Noah yawned and took off his jacket. “That’s a good idea. I didn’t think about asking Chris to open the Golden Circle for me.” Truthfully, he hadn’t given any thought to the tavern at all. “He’s done it for Pop, so he knows what he’s doing.”

  He took off his sneakers, set them side by side, and slid under the quilt. No way was he taking off his shirt and pants. This cabin might have a fireplace, but all it contained were dying embers, and they weren’t enough to keep him warm.

  And he didn’t know if it was because it had been a long day or because Gabriel had fed from him, but he was exhausted. He thought he’d stay awake mulling over the events of this day anyway, relishing the taste of Gabriel’s blood in his mouth, but as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light.