couldn't handle any more of the inferno, an eighteen-wheeler orgasm overtook him. As the top of his cock blew off, Vishous held him through the convulsions, speaking in the Old Language. And then it was over. A storm passed.
Panting, weak, Butch shuddered in the aftermath as V eased off the bed and covered him with a blanket.
"Why..." Butch said like a drunk. "Why, V?"
Vishous's face appeared in front of his. Both of the Brother's diamond eyes glowed... until the left one suddenly went all black, the pupil expanding until the iris and the white part became nothing but an infinite hole.
"The why of it... I don't know. But I saw that you were to drink from me. It was either that or you were going into the ground." V reached out and smoothed Butch's hair back. "Sleep. You'll feel fine by nightfall because you lived through it."
"That could have... killed me?" Well, shit, yeah. He'd assumed he was going to die.
"I wouldn't have given it to you if I weren't sure you'd make it. Close your eyes, now. Let yourself go, true?"
Vishous headed out, but paused in the doorway.
As the Brother looked back, Butch felt the oddest sensation... a bond flowing between them, something more tangible than the air between their bodies. Forged in the oven he'd just been in, deep as the blood in his veins...
a miracle connection.
My brother, Butch thought.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you, cop."
And Butch knew that was absolutely true, though he really didn't appreciate being blindsided. Then again, if he'd known what was in that glass, he never would have swallowed the shit. No frickin' way.
"What does this make me?" he asked softly.
"Nothing that you weren't before. You're still just a human."
Butch sighed in relief. "Listen, man, do me a favor. Warn me before you pull another stunt like that. I'd rather choose." Then he smiled a little. "And we still ain't dating."
V laughed in a short burst. "Go to sleep, roomie. You can kick my ass for this later."
"I will."
As the Brother's broad back disappeared down the hail. Butch closed his eyes.
Still just a human... Just... a... human.
Sleep claimed him like a prize.
Chapter Forty-eight
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The following evening Zsadist pulled a fresh set of leathers over his thighs. He was stiff, but he felt incredibly strong, and he knew it was Bella's blood still nourishing him, giving him his full power, making him whole.
He cleared his throat as he buttoned his fly, trying not to cry over her like a sissy. "Thanks for bringing these, cop."
Butch nodded. "No problem. You going to try and poof it home? Because I got the Escalade if you don't feel up to it."
Z yanked a black turtleneck over his head, shoved his feet into his shitkickers, and stalled out.
"Z? Z, my man?"
He looked over at the cop. Blinked a couple of times. "Sorry, what?'"
"You want to ride with me?"
Z focused on Butch for the first time since the male had come into the room ten minutes ago. He was about to answer the human's question when his instincts fired up. Cocking his head, he sniffed a little. Stared at the man. What the fuck... ?
"Cop, where have you been since I saw you last?"
"Nowhere."
"You smell different."
Butch flushed. "New aftershave."
"No. No, that's not-"
"So do you want a ride?" Butch's hazels hardened as if he wasn't going to go a single inch further on the subject.
Z shrugged. "Okay, yeah. And let's get Phury. We'll both go with you."
Fifteen minutes later they were pulling away from the clinic. On the way to the mansion Z sat in the back of the Escalade and stared at the passing winter landscape. It was snowing again, the flakes streaking horizontally as the SUV sped down Route 22. From the front seats, he could hear Phury and Butch talking in low tones, but they sounded far, far away. Actually, everything felt that way... out of focus, out of context...
"Home sweet home, gentlemen," Butch said as they pulled into the compound's courtyard.
Jesus. They were back already?
The three of them got out and headed for the mansion, the fresh snow squeaking under their boots. As soon as they walked into the foyer the females of the house came at them. Or rather, came at Phury. Mary and Beth threw their arms around the Brother, their voices a lovely chorus of welcome.
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As Phury wrapped the females up in his arms, Z stepped back into the shadows. He