Castle Nevoie Ch. 05

Notes to reader:

I went with BDSM, but please note there is also a fantasy element. If Vampires turn you off, look away now!

You will get more from these characters if you read the stories in order, but it's not compulsory.

Tess-O'Meter -- Green / Amber.

-X

Previously on Castle Nevoie.

"I'll get it," Camil insisted, and rose to the pot keeping warm over the fire.

Ana smiled. She loved the mix in the kitchen, a modern microwave and coffee grinder alongside the old fireplace and huge copper pots. Ancient and modern. Somehow it was so perfectly Eugen and Camil.

Emil walked back in and headed towards Ana in the chair. Pausing as Camil's head snapped around and the pot fell back to the stove with a clatter.

"What's wr," Ana didn't get any further as the kitchen door blasted open and a man thundered in.

A blur of speed and Emil crashed back against a stone column. His feet were kicking in the air as his throat was crushed.

Camil shouted and ran forward. There was a snarl and a grotesque ripping sound. Less than two seconds later Camil was falling to the floor, his throat torn, blood pouring from the wound.

Ana launched from the chair like a fury. It was like crashing into a wall. A large hand clamped down, crushing her shoulder as she was shaken hard. Emil choking and Camil bleeding, flashed across her vision as her feet left the floor.

Suddenly Eugen was there. Hands held up, eyes pleading as he shouted, "Please, NO."

-X

"Please, NO." Eugen looked desperate. "My Lord, she's human."

Ana's feet hit the ground but the grip didn't ease.

"My Lord, we didn't do this." Eugen's eyes were eloquent on the stranger's. "Please, let them go. Please, I'm begging you."

Ana found herself pushed towards Eugen, who caught her to him. She turned to see Emil released, dropping to his knees and gasping in air.

The man, a little taller than Eugen, stared at her in amazement before moving his eyes to Eugen. "What, in the name of God, has happened here? How can this be?" He reached down and pulled Emil's head up, although not unkindly. "He can't have been turned more than three weeks."

Ana struggled out of Eugen's hold and fell next to Camil, supporting him as he fell back into her arms, gurgling and choking on his own blood.

"Less. I'll explain, but please, My Lord." Eugen gestured helplessly towards Camil.

With a muttered curse and a nod, the stranger quickly knelt and reached for Camil. His eyes flaring when Ana shoved at him. "Don't touch him. Leave him alone."

"Ana, it's okay. Let him help." Eugen caught her hands and pulled her against him. She watched the stranger gather Camil into his arms tenderly, speaking in a low voice.

"Sweet Camil, I'm so sorry. Come here my love, it's okay." He lowered his lips to the gaping wound and began to heal it. Cradling Camil as if he were the most delicate treasure. Camil tried to reach up to touch the man's face, but he was too weak.

"I've got you," he moved Camil easily onto his lap and bit his own wrist, Camil latching on and drinking deeply before trying to pull back. "Little bit more, just a little more," the stranger encouraged, before brushing Camil's hair back and quickly healing his own wound.

"There you go, okay now?"

"Yes, My Lord," Camil mumbled and allowed himself to be cuddled close. "I'm sorry," he started, but was hushed.

"Shhh, don't think on it, just rest a little."

Ana found herself being studied again by light brown eyes. She glared back, and saw amused respect creep in.

Then his eyes moved to Emil, who was watching Camil with concern.

"He'll be fine," the stranger said.

Emil dipped his head. "My Lord."

Eugen moving slowly, placed Ana into the chair, then pulled Emil up and pushed him in also. The stranger watching them closely. Eugen then knelt and took a good look at Camil before bowing his head.

"I am in your debt, My Lord."

"What are you talking about? He attacked them," Ana broke off angrily when Emil hurriedly hushed her.

"It was my fault," Camil said, still cradled in the stranger's arms, but looking better.

Eugen caught her eye and shook his head slightly, so she subsided. Temporarily. Giving Eugen the look that she wanted a very good explanation, very soon.

The man's eyes turned again to her and Emil, snuggled in the chair. "That should not be possible."

"His control, My Lord. It is incredible."

"Hmmmm!" He turned back to Eugen. "I assume Constantine is responsible for Emil's new condition?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"I'm going to put a stake through his heart," Ana promised in a dark voice. One that she hoped put him on notice as well. Her eyes narrowed when he looked at her with amusement.

"I'm sure you would try," the stranger agreed. "As it happens, I have already done it for you."

Camil turned around to look up into his face, still secure in his arms, "What?"

The man bent and kissed Camil's forehead tenderly. "He is gone. It was not possible for him to hide from the Council forever." He looked over at Eugen again. "I came to tell you that I had been unable to find any trace of Emil. Only blood. I came to tell you I had failed, but here he is."

"It's a story, My Lord. I have written to you, but have been unable to send the letter."

"I'm sure," the stranger's eyes moved back to Emil. "I'm so sorry, Emil. I was too late."

Emil shifted in the chair. "You were searching for me?"

The man nodded.

"Thank you."

The stranger stood and placed Camil on his feet. "Go and clean up, that much blood is not a good idea around a fledging."

"My Lord," Camil bowed his head and turned.

"Take the human with you."

Ana bristled but was quietly hushed again by Emil. She stood and walked slowly past the man, staring daggers at him the whole time. He smiled benignly back, but Camil grabbed her hand and tugged her away.

The man turned and embraced Eugen, apologizing again before looking back at Emil. "It shouldn't be possible for you to be around a human."

"I wouldn't hurt her," Emil defended. Trying to keep his tone respectful.

"It's been amazing," Eugen confirmed. "I don't understand it."

The man smiled sadly. "No, I don't suppose you do." He gestured to his clothes, soaked in melted snow and Camil's blood. "I also should change. I assume I may use my usual rooms?"

"This is ever your home, My Lord," Eugen smiled, but it was edged in concern. His heart was still racing. "If you go to my room Camil will find you clean clothes. We will light your fire and make your room ready later."

The man nodded, pressed a light kiss to both Eugen and Emil's lips, and then walked out. Leaving them to stare at each other, wide eyed.

-X

Camil tugged Ana as quickly as he dared through the passageways to his room. Hushing her questions until the door was closed behind them.

"Why all the bowing and scraping. He nearly killed you," Ana demanded.

"It was my fault," Camil insisted. "And please keep your voice down."

"That's ridiculous. He attacked Emil."

"Because he knew Emil had been changed. He didn't understand what was happening." Camil yanked his soiled shirt over his head and threw it straight in the fire, he was never getting that much blood out, then he pushed Ana into a chair and knelt in front of her.

"I don't know how to make you understand, but you must be careful with him." Then his eyes lit up as inspiration hit. "Of course, your wolves."

"What about my wolves?"

"Well what happens if the Alpha is challenged? What if a young male tries to stake his claim over a healthy pack leader?"

"He gets the shit kicked out of him, or his throat rip," she faded off. "Are you saying he's your Alpha."

Camil nodded. "He is Eugen's Sire. So his authority is absolute over any vampire living in this castle. He is also the Council leader. So basically his authority over any vampire living, is absolute." He gripped her hands. "Please don't cross him. And please don't judge him by what happened here. It was my fault. I should never have challenged him. I panicked."

"As did I." They both stood as the door opened and Eugen's Sire entered. He looked at Camil gravely. "I am deeply sorry, Camil. I hope you can forgive me."

Forgetting to stand on ceremony, Camil threw himself into the man's arms. "It's done. I'm fine. It was my fault and I love you. I don't need to forgive you, My Lord."

Eugen's Sire hugged Camil and kissed his hair. "You always were so sweet."

"My Lord," Camil looked up.

"Yes. Constantine is dead. I wielded the sword of justice myself."

Camil lifted and kissed a ring on his middle finger.

"Eugen said you would have some clean clothes for me?"

Camil considered, "Perhaps something of Emil's. You are slightly taller than Eugen." He looked between Ana and the man.

"She'll be fine for a moment, off you go."

With a discreet, two fingers, to suggest two minutes, Camil hurried out.

"American, or Canadian?"

"Canadian," Ana said, hating that she felt so nervous.

He smiled. "Then I don't think 'My Lord' is going to come naturally to you." He took her hand, bowed and kissed it, before stepping back. "My name is Dragan Baciu. You may call me Lord Dragan, or Lord Baciu, both are correct. I will also accept your Canadian habit of Sir, if that is easier for you."

"Thank you, Sir. I am Ana. Ana Bryant-Jones."

"From?"

"Vancouver."

"Oh, wonderful city. I spent some time in Victoria, do you know it?"

"Yes, very well. It's beautiful."

"Indeed. And how, Ana, do you find yourself a guest at this castle?"

"Ah well, I'm still here due to the snow. And Camil broke my car. Well, actually Eugen broke my car, but he used Camil to do it. Sorry," she laughed a little at his expression and rubbed her forehead. "Sorry, Sir. I'm nervous. It was me who found Emil."

"Was it now?"

She nodded, then jumped a little as Camil rushed back in with a small pile of clothes.

"They'll be something here will fit, I'm sure. Emil is only a little taller than you."

"Thank you, Camil. My room is not ready yet. You jump in the shower, I'll use it after you."

"You should go first, My Lord."

"Ana and I are getting acquainted. You go ahead." It wasn't a request.

Camil shot an apologetic look at Ana and dashed onto the bathroom, with a murmured. "I won't be a minute."

"You and Emil are very close?"

"Yes, Sir," Ana watched him carefully as he stepped closer and studied her closely. Then she reached out blindly, as everything suddenly swayed around her.

"What happened?" Camil and Dragan lowered her into a chair.

"She's just a little dizzy. Get dressed, Camil."

Ana opened her eyes to see Camil dripping, in just a towel. "I'm okay."

He went and dragged on clean clothes, watching all the while.

"I'm sorry Ana it was my fault. I read you, but it was deeper than I expected, which is why you are dizzy. You were under for several minutes. Just sit a moment and Camil will take you back downstairs."

"You read me?" Ana immediately searched herself for blood.

"It was rude without permission, but fast and less confusing then four people trying to tell me everything all at once."

"Lord Dragan is much older than Eugen or I," Camil told her. "He has skills we haven't had time to develop. Reading people is one of them." He shook his head vehemently as Ana opened her mouth. No doubt to ask how old he was.

"It's a little like your human parlour trick of hypnosis," Dragan told her. "And rude without permission, I'm sorry."

Ana was going to mutter a complaint, but was feeling better now and thought he looked weary. "Did it help?" she asked instead.

"Very much. You are very observant and open minded."

"Okay then." She stood and took Camil's hand.

He had taken a thick parchment from the side and passed it to Dragan. "Your letter. We'll see you downstairs, My Lord," Camil led her out. Taking a deep breath once they were part way down the stairs.

"So how old is he?" Ana asked.

"That's not for me to say. And don't you dare ask him," Camil scolded.

"I was kinda kidding. Mostly," Ana reassured him. "Not that I don't want to know, but I get that it's private." She tugged Camil to stop him as they neared the kitchen. "What's wrong? You seem worried."

"Lord Dragan. He's not himself. He's unhappy." Camil's dark eyes looked up at her. "I'm frightened and I don't know why."

-X

It was an hour later that Lord Dragan returned to the kitchen.

He placed the parchment on the table and sat, folding his hands and staring at them for a while, before taking a deep breath and looking at them all in turn.

Eugen had just finished explaining to Ana that Lord Dragan was able to enter the grounds as the castle had previously been his main residence, before he passed it to Eugen, and could still be considered his home.

Ana already knew that the castle and grounds were protected by ancient wards and magic. It couldn't be found. Even satellites and drones would see nothing but impenetrable forest. Hikers would find themselves taking paths that led away.

He had explained that it had been many hundreds of years since anyone with the power to create such protection had existed, but the protection itself endured.

The small nearby village knew about them, but only the priest and the innkeeper had a key that would allow them to pass through the hidden gate. The gate that had revealed itself to her, because the castle was Emil's home.

They watched Lord Dragan with rapt attention as he began to speak.

"The Council ruled some months ago that the madness of Constantine had to end. He has slipped away from justice numerous times over centuries, but the elders asked me to see it through. Because I would not be swayed or bribed, as has happened so many times in the past."

He looked at Eugen. "When you contacted me to say Emil had been taken, I was well placed to help. We were close. But he had a large family, all as insane as him, and the closer we got the more new distractions were thrown in our path. It had the potential to become a bloodbath. Colleterial damage meant nothing to Constantine."

He sighed. "It wasn't just that his off-spring are mad, but he could also control them. It took us days to break through, even once we thought we had him cornered."

Dragan looked at Emil. "We didn't know about the tunnels. He must have got you out that way, but then went back to make his last stand. Crazy to the end."

"So, he is dead, for sure?" Camil's voice was quiet and nervous.

"The warriors trapped him in this throne room," he glanced sideways when Emil shuddered. "I had the sword and the agreement of all of the warriors and elders behind me. He is ended."

"Then it is done," Eugen said with satisfaction, taking Camil's hand and looking across the table towards Emil, Ana, and Dragan.

"The madness is not ended," Lord Dragan said, his voice raw, a look of sorrow on his face.

"What do you mean?"

"He means me." Emil spoke quietly, clutching Ana's hand. He had listened to all of this with his head bowed, but now he looked over at Camil and Eugen. "The madness is in me." He kissed Ana's palm. "You'll never be safe with me."

"I'm so sorry, Emil." Dragan placed a gentle hand on Emil's shoulder, gratified when he reached up and covered it with his own.

"It is not your doing, My Lord."

"No," Camil's chair hit the floor with a crash as he stood. "No, you cannot."

"My Lord," Eugen leant forward urgently. "His control is like nothing I have ever seen. He is nothing like Constantine. This cannot be right."

"Eugen," Emil spoke before Dragan could. "He's inside me. He made me. You'll never be sure, Ana will never be safe. You saw yourself I have been insane for days."

"You were starving. But now," Eugen looked desperately at Dragan. "He is in his right mind, you cannot deny it."

"But for how long? I am truly sorry."

Camil was still standing, tears on his cheeks. "Grandfather, please."

"Camil. Do not make this harder than it already is," Dragan begged. Camil turned away, his shoulders shaking.

Ana sat numb, barely registering that Camil had just revealed that Eugen was his Sire. She gripped Emil's hand, as she started to shake. This was not a world she knew. She had no control here.

Emil turned in his chair and cupped her face, kissing her tenderly. "I'm sorry, Ana. Please let Eugen and Camil take care of you," he glanced at Eugen who nodded, his face filled with pain. "They will see you have everything you need." He kissed her again. "I would have lived a lifetime with you," he whispered against her lips. "And then I would have followed you."

"Is there no other way?"

"I won't risk you, and there's no point without you. Please." Ana could see in his eyes he needed her to be strong. "I love you."

"I would have lived a lifetime with you as well," she pulled him back for another kiss. Trying to swallow her sobs when he gently released her.

"How will it be done?" he asked Dragan.

"A draining is best."

"It should be now," Emil decided. "This is too hard."

Lord Dragan stood and pulled Emil to his feet, embracing him. "You've seen Eugen and I perform play/punishment draining's with Camil. It's the same in effect."

"I understand, My Lord."

Dragan nodded, his eyes damp but his face set. "Please remove your top, I will be one moment." He disappeared into the store room returning quickly with rope. "The madness may surface as a survival instinct. I'm sorry but I need to bind you."

"It's okay." Emil smiled slightly. "When have you ever known me complain about bondage. They should leave," he added more seriously, nodding towards the others.

"I will assist Lord Dragan," Eugen said, standing. But before Camil could speak, "No. This is not for you."

Whatever Camil saw in his eyes, made him flinch and back down, but he took Ana's hand. "Okay, but we're not leaving you, Emil. We will stay with you."

"You must stay back," Dragan insisted, and Camil nodded, pulling Ana into the big chair, where they sat and clung to each other for comfort.

"Is a draining what it sounds like?" Ana whispered.

Camil nodded. "Yes, I often do it for fun, but it can also be fatal."

They watched, helpless as Emil was bound to the central pillar. Clad now only in jeans and thick green socks, which Ana wondered if they had been bought to match his eyes. His beautiful jade green eyes, 'Oh God,' she buried her face in Camil's shoulder.

Bare chested, Emil stayed silent, taking deep slow breaths, as Dragan bound his hands behind the pillar, and then wound the rope thick around his waist.

For months, as he suffered under Constantine's brutal torture he had wanted to die. Now he was scared and sad, but didn't want to make it harder for his family.

It would have been better had he finished in Constantine's throne room of terror.

Dragan cupped his face and Emil closed his eyes and took the comfort that was offered.

"Are you sure you wish to do this?" Dragan's concerned eyes were on Eugen.

"It will go easier with my help."

Dragan nodded sadly, "I've always respected your courage, Eugen." He turned to Emil. "And now I stand in awe of yours. There will be pleasure," he added softly.

"I'm ready, My Lord."

Eugen approached, his eyes dark and devastated. He placed his hands on Emil's waist and kissed him. "I'm so sorry."

"No, please. Don't regret. Don't regret me. I love you. It's okay." He gave a definite nod, his eyes closing and his head tipping back as Eugen lowered his lips to Emil's chest and bit. "Ah, sweet Jesus." His moan was orgasmic and Ana couldn't help but see his arousal immediately straining his jeans.

"It's like nothing else," Camil whispered. His eyes wet, but locked on to Emil.

Ana couldn't look away as Dragan almost kindly swept Emil's hair back, before gripping and latching onto his neck. Another moan left Emil's parted lips. He fretted against the ropes, but not to get free.