Temptations Mate Chapter 11

After a hot bath, Kurt pulled on one of Blaine's robes and a pair of Blaine's pajama bottoms and sat in front of Blaine's dresser, lamenting the lack of a mirror as he brushed out his hair. Blaine, like most vampires, did not cast a reflection. Although there were mirrors in the guest quarters and throughout the halls and various rooms of Wildwind, Blaine had no use for one in his private lair and thus Kurt was forced to awkwardly comb out his tangles and hope he was doing a decent job of making himself presentable. No doubt that he could have asked Blaine to assist him but history had taught Kurt that such an intimate act would soon have led them right back to the wide bed just behind him.

It was not that he wasn't eager to feel Blaine's arms around him, or to experience the intoxicating pleasure of having him feed from him. If the choice were up to Kurt, they would never leave the confines of Blaine's lair until a century or two had passed.

But it was not up to Kurt and the same bond that allowed him to sense Blaine's unwavering love and commitment to him also revealed to Kurt the heavy sense of duty and responsibility that the vampire carried.

Blaine was clan chief and that meant ridding London of Jeremiah before the powerful demon could bring harm to Blaine's brethren or upset the delicate balance between demons and mortals. The council would look to Blaine to maintain order in his territory and his clan would look to Blaine to keep them safe from a threat that he had played a part in creating.

And then there was Noah. Kurt was desperate to rescue the lycan. The knowledge that his "brother" was in the clutches of a demon as powerful and sadistic as Jeremiah made Kurt's blood run cold.

"Kurt"

The sound of Noah's voice whispering through his head had Kurt on his feet, his heart shooting up to his throat in stunned surprise. "Noah", he breathed "Thank Goddess, I have been so worried."

"Have you now," Noah drawled. "If you've been so worried Princess why haven't you rescued me yet?"

"Don't call me Princess and don't get smart with me. You got yourself into this and you might have mentioned that your captor was a Jinn, Noah." Kurt snapped, stung by the unfair accusation.

"I'm sorry, Kurt," Noah said sheepishly. "Would it have really made that big of a difference though, if you'd known?"

"Noah," Kurt sighed hearing the insecurity in the werewolf's voice, "you know that I would have come after you regardless. It would have just been nice to have been forewarned. I was nearly skewered by a bolt of lightning. If it had not been for Blaine I might not have survived my rescue attempt."

"Bollocks! Why would you tell the bloodsucker that I was captured?" Noah demanded in a voice that was both horrified and haughty.

"Don't be crass, Noah. And it's not as if I had a choice, he followed me down to the docks."

"That's no excuse for telling that…creature my private business. Kurt, he's a vampire. He'd probably cheer the damn Jinn on as he tore me limb from limb."

"Stop it Noah. Blaine's being a vampire is no more his fault than me being a half breed or you being a lycan. It's not fair to hold it against him," Kurt snapped.

"Perhaps not, but I have no use for him or his kind." Noah sniffed.

"Do you wish to be rescued or not, Noah?"

"Of course, I do, but don't you see that if a vampire rescued me I'd be a mockery throughout London-more so than I already am?"

Kurt pushed aside his annoyance and reminded himself that Noah's reputation was already in tatters and that since he was a lycan being rescued by a vampire would probably be seen as yet another strike against his friend.

"I can promise you that Blaine will tell no one you were captured by Jer-the Jinn," Kurt soothed.

There was a startled silence on Noah's end and then the lycan spoke. "Since when can you speak for our not so fair Marquess? And since when is he 'Blaine'?" Noah demanded.

"Just be patient," Kurt sidestepped the question, not wanting to endure the eruption that he knew would occur when the werewolf found out about the nature of Kurt's relationship with Blaine.

Noah was unlike most werewolves in all ways save one: he absolutely detested vampires.

"Kurt, you're going to need to hurry," Noah said and then, without warning a scream of pain reverberated in Kurt's head.

"Noah!" Kurt gasped, holding his head in his hands, shaking it back and forth to clear the ringing from his ears. "Noah!"

"The son of a bitch just stabbed me with a silver dagger," Noah panted, clearly in agony. "When I get free, I'm going to rip him to pieces. I'm going to-"

There was another scream and with a tangible feeling of loss, Kurt's connection to the lycan was abruptly gone.

"Noah? Noah! Please, Noah where are you?"

Kurt was so distressed that he didn't notice as the door to the lair was shoved open with enough force to break it free from its hinges, revealing Blaine in full demon form, eyes gone black and fangs extended, followed closely by Nick, Jesse and Mike.

"What is happening?" Blaine demanded pulling Kurt into his arms, as Nick, Jesse and Mike swiftly examined every nook and cranny of the lair, looking for whatever threat caused Kurt to cry out. "I felt your agony. You were in pain. What happened, Kurt?"

"You…but they-" Kurt motioned towards Mike, Jesse and Nick, all of whom were still tensely standing by, ready to fight at a moment's notice.

"You are my mate; every member of my clan would die to defend you."

Kurt trembled, caught between feeling intensely protected knowing he literally had an army ready to battle through the fires of hell to protect him and a sense of terror at just how far Blaine-and apparently his clan-would go to keep him safe. There was malice and violence rolling off Jesse and Mike in waves and Nickolas looked as if he were seconds away from ripping through the floorboards in search of whatever had caused Kurt's pain.

"Calm down little brother, you have nothing to fear…unless you're squeamish. If that's the case you might want to take great pains to keep yourself safe because we aren't known for being particularly merciful or genteel when extracting vengeance." Nick said his features shifting back as he smiled lazily at Kurt.

"Nikolas." Blaine bit out, "now is not the time."

"How did you…"

"Oh Blaine, so much you haven't told him." Nick laughed.

"Out."

Jesse and Mike immediately vanished from the room but Nick folded his arms and leaned back against the wall before addressing Kurt. "You're family, Kurt. Your thoughts…you could say they are now community property."

"I don't-"

"Nikolas."

"Blaine. And now that we've properly introduced ourselves, let us get back to the business at hand. Kurt," Nick said kindly, "I'm Blaine's brother. In a manner of speaking, now I'm yours-"

"I'm not a vampire." Kurt interrupted.

"But you fed from Blaine, did you not?"

"Yes," Kurt said slowly.

"You did realize what that meant, right?"

Kurt looked at Blaine, who appeared to be barely restraining himself from crossing the room and ripping his brother's head off. "It…we bonded. I'm a part of him and he's a part of me, forever."

"Kurt," Nick said slowly, "you realize Blaine is the clan leader? Bonding with him is not like bonding with Jesse, or Michael or even me. Bonding with him binds you to the entire clan, not just Blaine."

"It…it does?"

"You really should have told him, Blaine."

"So…you can read my thoughts?" Kurt interrupted before Blaine could respond.

"I can." Nick agreed, "And that's not very nice, by the way." He added cheekily.

Kurt blushed and then turned to Blaine. "You…you can read them to?"

"Yes," Blaine said simply, "but not all of them."

"What do you mean?" Kurt demanded.

"We can only read the thoughts you direct toward or about us. Think of it like an invisible telephone. The only person that can hear your conversation is the person you call, in this case, the only people allowed in your head are the ones you're thinking of or calling for," Blaine explained.

"But I didn't-"

"You did," Nick interrupted. "You thought of me and that opened our connection. You'll learn how to control it so that it only happens when you want it to-"

"And in the meantime Nikolas will be more respectful of your privacy." Blaine clipped out.

"Did…did Mike and Jesse-"

"No. Things are a bit different with them in particular and with the rest of the clan in general," Nick explained.

"Why?"

Blaine sighed. "Mike and Jesse are my fledglings. Their bond to you will be unique among the clan."

"How so?"

"Leave us, Nikolas. We need to talk."

"You should have explained this to him before, Blaine." Nick said, pushing himself off the wall and coming to stand in front of Kurt. "It's a lot to take in and it shouldn't be coming as a surprise," Nick shot Blaine another dark look, "but it's not bad. I promise to stay out of your head unless invited and I swear to you, little brother, I'll never hurt you in any way."

Kurt couldn't explain the impulse that drove him to throw his arms around Nick and hug him but when he did so the vampire returned the embrace. "Welcome to the House of Drăculeşti, Little One."

"Nikolas…get your hands off my mate," Blaine growled.

Nick released Kurt and ruffled his hair before pushing back towards Blaine. "One chamber maid seven hundred years ago and you're still holding a grudge," Nick shook his head, "You never did learn to play well with others."

Blaine began to move forward and Kurt put a placating hand on his chest. "Stop teasing him, Nick. It isn't nice."

"Sorry, Little One. I'll behave. But Blaine, it would do you well to remember that Kurt's your mate, but he belongs to all of us now. You may not like to share, but you aren't going to have much of a choice, especially when Jeff comes home."

At the mention of the mysterious Jeff, a small smile formed on Blaine's face. "Out, brother…and I'll try."

As Nick left, Kurt turned to Blaine. "Explain."

Blaine drew Kurt into his arms and sat on the bed. "You know that vampires in the same clan have a psychic link between them," at Kurt's nod Blaine continued, "the bond varies. All clan members, within a certain distance can communicate with each other. For fledglings and their creators, it's stronger and the distance through which they can link is greater, for family such as Nick and me, as long as we're on the same plane the link never severs."

"And for mates?"

Blaine kissed him gently on the lips. "There is nowhere, underworld or surface, where we won't be connected."

"That's why you regretted not marking Jeremiah? You would have been able to find him anywhere."

Blaine nodded. "He was my fledgling but wherever they took him the distance was too great and our link severed."

Kurt mulled the information over and then looked at Blaine. "I understand you being able to…link to me. We're bonded. But Nick and I," he gave a helpless shrug, "you haven't turned me. I'm not a vampire."

"You are my mate and that bonds you to my clan. They are going to be protective of you because I am. They will be able to sense whether or not you're in distress because I can and they can sense my moods. You aren't a vampire Kurt, but you are mine and my clan recognizes you as such. You aren't an outsider. You are family."

Kurt felt warmth spread through him at being described as family, but a question bubbled to the surface and he found himself turning to Blaine with curious eyes.

"But…you said the vampires within your clan have this link. You and I have it because we're mated and I understand your …I guess our…clan being able to sense my moods but Nick read my mind. Vampires aren't like werewolves; you can't imprint on people. I know you compel people but that's putting thoughts in, not taking them out. So…how was Nick in my head? He's not my mate."

"But he is my brother," Blaine answered quietly. "You fed from me, Kurt." Blaine said gently. "And no, I didn't turn you but…in cases such as ours that hardly matters." Blaine explained.

"What kind of case? Why does it matter that I fed from you? Vampires let their playthings feed from them all the time and there's no…transfer of vampire powers unless they change them." Kurt pointed out.

"Vampires yes, clan chiefs no," Blaine began. "Clan chiefs don't allow anyone to feed from them unless they are going to turn them; they are feeding one of their fledglings, or bonding to their mate. You feed from the head of a clan and you are bonded to the clan and for some of us in the more powerful houses, you end up with some of our traits. You fed from me, Kurt. You have Drăculeşti blood running through your veins. My blood, Nick's blood is running through your veins. You are bonded to him almost as strongly as you are bonded to me. You are connected to him, a part of him, and thus linked to him."

"What about Mike and Jesse? You said they were your fledglings so that means they fed from you at some point. Can they…can they read my mind too?"

Blaine smiled. "Not exactly. Think of your mind as a door. Nikolas and I have the key to the door and can enter almost at will. My fledglings have to ask permission. They can't enter your mind unless you grant them access."

"I think…I think I understand." Kurt said. "But how do I keep it from happening. I don't want you to just run around in my head-"

"Did you feel that?" Blaine interrupted suddenly.

"Feel- oh." Kurt stopped when he felt a gentle, barely there pressure at the back of his head. "Is that…is that you?"

Blaine smiled and the pressure was gone. "Unlike werewolves we have to announce our presence. We can't just creep around unannounced. You'll feel it whenever Nick or I attempt to read your thoughts; just as we'll feel you should you attempt to read ours."

"How do I keep you out?"

"I can't explain it, but you'll know how to shut down the connection instinctively."

"How?"

"Think of me," Blaine said sighing.

Kurt bit his lip and focused on his mate. Before long he felt a gentle buzzing in the back of his head. One look at Blaine's smirking face and Kurt knew his mate was attempting to read his thoughts. Stop that. No sooner had Kurt had the thought and the pressure was gone. Kurt gasped and looked up into Blaine's smiling face.

"So I am the single most fascinating creature you've ever known?" Blaine teased.

"Don't let it go to your head, I don't get out much." Kurt replied. "So, that's how I keep you and your brother from violating my privacy?"

"Yes, you'll feel us if we're there and if it's an unwanted presence; you'll just do what you just did."

"How do I…invite you in? I didn't mean to do that with Nick earlier. How do I control it?"

"Focus and practice. You focus on who want to link to and they'll feel you, keeping us out if you don't want us in just takes practice. But I have no doubt you'll catch on. Now, tell me what had you so distressed earlier?"

Kurt took a deep breath, knowing that Blaine wouldn't be pleased. "Noah. It was Noah. We have to go get him, Blaine."

Blaine's brows snapped together at the mention of the lycan. "I should have known that you'd be back to thinking about that mongrel."

"Blaine, he's been hurt."

"I really don't give a damn if he's been-"Blaine stopped suddenly and narrowed his eyes. "How do you know he's been hurt?"

Kurt swallowed. "He…he may have imprinted on me and we may have had a …a chat."

"Bloody hell!" Blaine cursed, violently kicking over a chair. "That damnable wolf is going to be made into a rug for my foyer when I get my hands on him. He imprinted on you? Who the hell does he think he is? How dare he attach himself to you in such a manner?"

"Blaine! Calm down. I don't mind and I'm glad Noah imprinted on me. Otherwise I wouldn't know how he is or known where to find him."

"Oh of course you don't mind," Blaine spat. "You're the one who wants us to be one big happy mixed up family."

"Stop it!" Kurt demanded. "You are sulking and it's not an attractive look on you. We have to rescue Noah-"

"Yes, yes we'll rescue the damn lycan. But not now, now we have to go to Samuel."

"Sam?" Kurt gave Blaine a confused look. "Why are we going to see Sam?"

"We're going to see Sam because he sent for us and I'm not about to piss off the Prince of the Fey," Blaine replied. "You don't refuse Sam when he requests your presence."

Kurt laughed. "Sam is a sweetheart. You are talking as if he'd…seek some horrible form of retribution should you send him your regrets."

Blaine smirked, remembering his last meeting with Sam and the side of the fey prince that he'd seen. "Don't underestimate him, dear one. As he reminded me, Samuel is a demon."

"Sam isn't-"

"Samuel has left entire cities in ruin and mere mention of his name makes men tremble. He may walk in light, but that makes him no less dangerous than the demons that dwell in the shadows. I'd rather have him as an ally than an enemy."

Kurt bit his lip and shook his head. "I don't think I'll ever be able to see Sam as…dangerous. He's so joyful and sweet, kind and gentle. I can't…I can't see Sam as some sort of ruthless monster any more than I can see you or Nick as one or Noah as some fearsome beast."

Blaine cupped Kurt's cheek. "Your naivet� is charming but dangerous. Nikolas and I are ruthless and I assure you we've earned our reputation as monsters. Your Noah is a werewolf. Given the proper motivation he'd have no problem running down an enemy and tearing through flesh and bone until there was nothing left. Sam is the Prince of the Fey, he possesses both light and dark magic and if it's necessary he won't hesitate to use the latter. Your want to see the best in us is admirable, but don't be willfully blind. The simple truth love, is that you've chosen to open your heart to those which most would run from."

"I'm not delusional you know," Kurt said nuzzling Blaine's hand. "I know that you and Nick have done horrific things, things that I probably should be grateful that I haven't witnessed and don't want to know about. I know that Noah has killed before. I know that Sam's probably done things in defense of his people or pursuit of power that would make my blood run cold. I just…I don't care."

Kurt looked Blaine in the eyes. "All I see when I look at Noah is my brother, the man who got me through the soul crushing loneliness of life with William. I look at Sam and I see kindness and acceptance, and…I feel my mother. I look at Nick and I see someone who welcomed me into his family with open arms and who makes me feel safe. And when I look at you," Kurt gently kissed Blaine on the lips, "I see the man I love."

Blaine threaded his fingers though Kurt's hair and held Kurt's face close to his as he kissed him. After several moments they broke apart, and Blaine smiled at him. "If we don't leave now, I'm going to take you back to bed and we'll never make it to our meeting with Samuel."

Kurt blushed and Blaine put a hand on the small of his back to guide him out of the room. "Do you know what Sam wants?"

Blaine got a guarded look in his eyes but then as quickly as it came it was gone. "I have an idea." He said simply.

"Miss Berry, your company has been…most pleasurable however-"

"Oh William, I think that after last night there's no need to stand on ceremony between the two of us. Now, I realize its short notice but Lord Stanley's ball is on Saturday and we simply must coordinate our ensemble's. Now, I was thinking of pale blues or perhaps a –"

"Miss Berry, I believe you may have misinterpreted my intentions-"

Rachel's eyes narrowed. "I don't think it's possible to misinterpret 'oh Rachel, I'll give you anything you ask for, just please don't stop.' That's fairly straight forward, William."

William took a deep breath. "And what is it that you imagine you want."

Rachel smiled brightly, smoothing down the covers and turning to look at William. "You should court me. I would make an excellent Duchess."

William choked on air and then ran a hand through his hair. "Rachel, surely you understand that I-"

"I understand that I came to call on you and you seduced me. I understand that my father would be very upset to find out that you took advantage of my youth and inexperience-"

"Inexperience? I've had brothel workers with less experience," Will cut in scornfully.

"How droll," Rachel scoffed, "The point remains, that you ravished me and I refuse to be treated like some cheap harlot."

"Perhaps you shouldn't have acted like one," William snapped darkly.

"Oh you are insufferable," Rachel shrieked, snatching up her skirts and beginning to dress. "I can't believe I let myself be talked into this. I'm going to need to luxuriate in the bath for days to get the stink of you off of me. I can't believe I –"

"What do you mean you let yourself be talked into this?" William demanded.

Rachel paused briefly, her face a betraying her panic, until she schooled her features into a mask of blankness. "I don't deign to speak to you. I'm going to dress and pretend you don't exist."

William leapt from the bed and grabbed her arm. He grabbed a handful of her hair and forced her to look into his eyes. "As of the earth so let it be, that all I seek be shown to me," he chanted.

Rachel's pupil's dilated and her breathing slowed to a steady, even pace. "Good girl," William breathed. "Now, what did you mean when you said you let yourself be talked into this? Who sent you to me?"

"The Marquess of Wiltshire," she answered in a robotic voice.

William's hands curled into fists and he fought not to throttle the girl he now knew was a spy from the vampire's camp. "And why did he send you?"

"He did not wish for you to discover the disappearance of your apprentice."

Shock and rage rolled through William and he backhanded Rachel before flinging her away from him. "That ungrateful son of a bitch!" He raged, picking up a lamp and throwing it across the room. "He ran off with that blood sucking bastard! He thinks he can welsh on our agreement, simply walk out on me? I'm going to drag him back by the roots of his hair and beat him bloody. I'll stake that damn blood sucking demon myself and make Kurt wish he'd never been born. He's going to pay. They're both going to pay!" William snarled as he destroyed the room.

He stalked over to Rachel, who was huddled in the corner, crying and bent down to cup her face. "I should kill you," he said slowly, "but I won't. You're a pawn in this game. I imagine you're one of the silly little humans who imagine themselves in love with that hell spawn. Go Rachel, and don't ever come back. I won't be so charitable in the future."

The terrified girl fled and William threw himself onto the bench in front of his vanity. A timid knock sounded on the door. "Master Schuester? Master Schuester you have an urgent message."

William marched over to the door and flung it open. "From who and why the fuck didn't anyone tell me that Kurt has gone missing?"

Mercedes' nose flared and her mouth drew into a tight line but she gave no other indication of her anger at William's tone. "I was unaware he was a prisoner, my lord. I thought Mister Kurt could come and go as he pleased, had I known otherwise I would have informed you of his absence. And the message is from a young man named Rory."

William sagged against the door in relief. Rory was Sam's messenger. "What was the message?"

"He said to tell you Sam requires your presence tonight-sooner rather than later."

"Fine, ready the carriage," William demanded, closing the door in Mercedes' face.

"Thank God Sam has finally come out of hiding," William said to himself as he went back to sit in front of his vanity. He began brushing out his hair and then gasped when he realized that his hair had gone grey at the temples. He peered closer into the mirror and saw fine lines around the corners of his eyes and mouth and then realized that the veins in his hands seemed more prominent and the skin was thinner.

He was aging. He ran a shaking hand through his hair and exhaled harshly. William knew he couldn't afford to let the aging process go too far or not even Sam's elixir would be able to save him. He made up his mind that whatever price Sam demanded for the potion he would pay.

And then he would kill Blaine and make Kurt sorry that he had ever entertained the thought of leaving him.