Temptations Mate: Chapter 12

"The carriage is waiting for us," Blaine said quietly, taking Kurt's hand and leading him down a narrow corridor to a door hidden by a cleverly woven enchantment.

Giving Blaine a small smile Kurt followed him through the narrow tunnels that crisscrossed beneath the vast estate. Despite their intense connection, they were both strong willed individuals and at this moment Kurt knew that Blaine would rather have left him behind than taken him with him. Kurt also knew that he'd never allow Blaine to go rushing into danger alone and that their mutual determination to protect each other was going to lead to the occasional argument.

Kurt was also relatively certain that despite his grumblings about disobedient mates Blaine was probably thankful that Kurt had such a stiff backbone, the vampire would probably grow quickly bored with someone his natural tendency towards dominance would easily overwhelm.

"Blaine," Kurt said putting a gentle hand on the vampire's arm, "we have a stop to make first."

"Kurt, keeping Sam waiting is most disrespectful."

"I know but," Kurt took a deep breath and gathered his courage,"I have to stop by William's first."

"Like hell you do! What possible business do you have with Schuester? Kurt, if you imagine you owe that man some sort of-"

"Blaine," Kurt said with an exasperated shake of his head, "I'm not going to see William. In fact, I hope to avoid him completely. It's just there is some things there that I believe could be of use to us when we go to save Noah and I would like to gather my things…some of them were my parents and I don't want to lose them."

"I'm sorry, dear one. I did not think that there may be things left behind at Schuester's I wouldn't be able to replace for you."

"There's not much," Kurt confessed, "but what is there I'd like to have. Plus, there's an amulet and a ring I need to get that could help with Jeremiah."

"What is their power?"

"The amulet will absorb our scent and the ring acts as a cloaking device."

Blaine stopped at the base of the stairs and turned to look at Kurt in puzzlement. "The ring I understand, but how exactly is the amulet going to be of any use to us?"

Kurt smiled. "The ring, as you know will cloak us and the amulet can be divided into several pieces and left throughout various tunnels so that our scents are in several places at once."

Blaine's eyes lit with approval. "Clever little minx, my mate is."

Kurt bit his lip. "We shall see. First I have to find the means by which to take the amulet and the ring without alerting Justin. The only staffers I could trust to keep my presence would be Tina or Mercedes but I don't want to get them into trouble. And the amulet especially is one of William's more prized possessions; he'll notice its missing."

Blaine turned to smoothly clime the carved stairs, pushing open the trapdoor at the top.

"You have no need to fear Schuester."

Kurt gritted his teeth as he hurried to catch up with his aggravating mate, not at all surprised when he stepped directly into the stables. Even though Blaine was a daywalker, most of his clan was not and vampires delighted in being able to travel from place to place without fear of sunlight.

"Blaine?"

Blaine inspected the black carriage and exchanged words with Jesse as he settled the horses. Mike opened the door and Kurt saw that Nick already sat inside.

"Blaine." Kurt said again, crossing his arms. "You are entirely too smug where William is concerned. He may not be a clan chief but he is a powerful mage with powerful connections. You should be at least a little troubled, but you haven't spared him a thought," Kurt accused, "What have you done to him?"

Nick began to laugh and even the corner of Mike's mouth lifted up ever so slightly. "Go ahead and answer your mate, Blaine."

"I'll throw you from the carriage while we're crossing over the Thames, so help me I will," Blaine threatened Nick before turning to Kurt. "I promise you, neither I nor any of my clan has harmed a single hair on his head."

"Why does that not reassure me?" Kurt questioned, climbing into the carriage.

"Your lack of faith wounds me."

Rolling his eyes, Kurt climbed into the carriage, waiting until Blaine was settled at his side before sighing in an exaggerated manor and remarking, "I am not certain who are more annoying, arrogant vampires or conceited mages."

Nick laughed heartily and Mike turned to look out the window, clearly fighting the urge to giggle himself. "You know," Blaine drawled, "I'm not the only vampire in the carriage. Jesse, Nikolas and Michael may take offense."

Kurt gave Blaine a wide smile. "Oh no, my lord, I specifically said arrogant vampires. Michael and Jesse have been nothing short of delightful and Nikolas is absolutely darling. You are the only horse's ass that's actually inside the carriage."

Mike's shoulders shook ever so imperceptibly and Jesse gave a small dip of his head, clearly having overheard the conversation going on inside the carriage. Nick made no attempt to cover up his laughter, even going so far as to turn to his brother and start neighing.

"Jesse- when we get to the bridge stop the carriage so I can throw Nikolas overboard."

"You will do no such thing," Kurt snapped. "You are insufferable at times. I honestly don't know how I put up with you."

Blaine flashed a smile that would have been a great deal more reassuring had he not fully extended his fangs. "You shall have an eternity to decide my love."

Kurt settled back into the soft leather seat and turned to look out the window. He gasped in surprise as he saw several vampires rise as if from a mist to run alongside the carriage, several others leap through the branches of the trees that ran along the road and another appear suddenly on the seat alongside Jesse.

Once they left the private road that ran along the estate it was if they all disappeared and Kurt could no longer make out any shapes or shadows but he still felt their presence. He turned to Blaine, his mouth dropping open in wonder but before he could utter a word, Nick spoke up.

"What you just saw, is but a fraction of the number that is actually following us. You saw them because they wanted you to…they wanted you to know you were protected, but I assure you that you won't ever go anywhere alone again Kurt. Blaine may be your mate, but you are under the protection of the entire clan, there's always going to be a small army at your disposal."

Kurt leaned into Blaine's body and the vampire instantly wrapped his arms around his mate. "It's ok, dear one. They won't hurt you."

"I know that," Kurt whispered, "I'm just…I haven't had anyone protect me since…it's overwhelming."

"It's family." Mike said quietly. "You are family and we will defend you and honor you as such."

As the carriage turned off towards London the pace slowed as the streets became crowded with other carriages and vehicles rushing from one glittering society event to another. Kurt smiled as their frantic gaiety filled the night with the sound of laugher and for once he did not feel envious of the carefree party goers. He at last had what he'd always desired: a home and a family with a man who loved him beyond all reason and who he loved with every fiber of his being."

They came up to William's manor and Kurt tensed.

"I promise you, it's alright my love," Blaine whispered.

"I…I have to go in alone," Kurt whispered.

"No you don't," Mike said gently. "Tina's invited me in…a lot. So uh, I can go in with you."

Blaine's head turned to Mike and he arched a brow. "Your job was to watch over Kurt, not seduce his maid."

"Blaine, stop it," Kurt said, gently smacking the vampire on the chest. "Tina is wonderful and she deserves someone who makes her feel special. You do make her feel special don't you?" Kurt asked, turning to Mike.

"I bet he makes her feel real special," Jesse sniped from the front of the carriage.

Before Kurt could even take a breath, Mike was out of the carriage and he and Jesse were rolling on the ground, taking vicious swipes at each other and attempting to sink their fangs into one another.

"Oh no!" Kurt cried, distressed. "Make them stop!"

"Bloody hell," Blaine snarled, shifting into demon form. Before he could exit the carriage Nick was on top of him pushing him back into the seat.

"Kurt wants them to stop, he doesn't want them dead. Let me," he said to his brother. "You deal with Kurt, I think he was a little unprepared for the St. Chang experience."

Nick exited the carriage and pulled Jesse and Mike apart. The moment they realized that he was standing between them, they both dropped to their knees and bowed obediently, still shooting daggers at one another from beneath their lashes.

"You two should count yourselves lucky that I stopped Blaine from coming out here and taking your heads," Nick hissed. "You just terrified Kurt. He has it in his head that we're not ruthless, blood thirsty, violent animals and you two and your childish rivalry just proved him wrong. Look at me," Nick snapped.

Jesse and Mike both raised their heads and Nick continued. "You scared him. That is never to happen again. You shift in front of him like that again and there had better be a damn good reason. You ever do anything to distress him again and it won't be Blaine taking your heads, it will be me. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master Nikolas," Jesse said quietly.

"Yes, Master Nikolas, I apologize. Is Kurt ok?" Mike asked anxiously.

Nick glanced inside the carriage and saw Blaine stroking Kurt's hair and speaking gently into his ear. "He will be."

A few moments later Kurt descended from the carriage and gave Mike a genuine, if shaky, smile. "You ah, you ready?"

Mike returned the smile and avoided the glare that Blaine was sending his way. "Yes Master Kurt."

"Oh no," Kurt said immediately. "I'm no one's master. Just Kurt, please."

"Kurt," Blaine broke in gently, "You are his-"

"No," Kurt said forcefully. "William made me call him that for almost a hundred years. I choked on the words every time. I am no one's master. I don't want that. Just…Kurt is fine."

Blaine nodded and Mike's smile grew warmer. "Kurt. I'm ready when you are."

Mike and Kurt made their way up the path to the house, Kurt's apprehension growing with every step. He knew the majority of the staff would look the other way if they did see him attempting to sneak away, but William did have a few very loyal men in his employ and he knew that if any of them attempted to harm him or keep him there, Mike wouldn't hesitate to kill them.

As the pair made it to the manor and found their way up the back steps, Kurt breathed a sigh of relief. It quickly turned to panic when he pushed open the panel on the bookcase and came face to face with Azimio.

The large man was William's head of security and he delighted in torturing Kurt every chance he got, demeaning him based on everything from his heritage to his sexuality.

"Well look what the cat dragged in," Azimio drawled, a cruel smile curving his lips. "Master Schuester is not happy with you. I've been waiting a long time to give you what you deserve and here you go and give me the perfect opportunity." Azimio withdrew his firearm and pointed it at Kurt. "I'm gonna have to explain to him that I caught you trying to sneak in here and steal and well, killing you just was the only way to stop you-"

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when Kurt saw a blur and felt a rush of air and then Azimio was lying in a heap on the ground, head twisted around grotesquely, the bones in his neck twisted and broken with Mike standing over him.

"Oh God," Kurt moaned, leaning back against the wall.

"He was going to shoot you. I have to protect you, Blaine would kill me himself if I allowed any harm to come to you and-"

"No, I…I understand." Kurt said in a daze. "I just…there's a body in the parlor and that's just…ok then. Well, we should get what we came for," Kurt said suddenly, gingerly stepping around Azimio's body and opening the box that held the rind and the amulet and slipping them into his pocket.

"I'll remove him," Mike said, hefting Azimio's body up over his shoulder. "It won't do for him to be found here in the house." The vampire vanished with his heavy burden before Kurt could even speak. Kurt shook his head and then turned and began heading up the steps to his room, intent on making quick work of his packing.

As soon as he opened the door he got his second surprise, although this was much more pleasant.

"Baby!" Mercedes said, rushing towards him and sweeping him into a crushing embrace, "Boy, you had better be getting out of here. Schue's lost his mind and Azimio is telling anyone who'll listen he's going to "clip the fairy's wings". It's not safe for you here, Kurt." Mercedes whispered.

"Azimio…he won't be bothering anyone anymore." Kurt whispered back.

Mercedes gasped and then took a step back. "You, he's…dead?"

Kurt nodded, praying that Mercedes would take the news well.

"Huh," said the chocolate skinned girl, crossing her arms over her chest. "Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy."

Kurt stared at her in open mouthed shock as she shrugged. "He would have killed you, Kurt and I for one won't miss him. Now, "she said grabbing Kurt's hand and leading him to the closet, "when I noticed you didn't come home I took the liberty of packing your things. I figured you'd show up sooner or later and you'd need to be in and out quickly," she said handing him a small bag.

"Mercy, thank you," Kurt breathed. "Thank you so much."

"Don't thank me. You know I adore you. Now hurry and get out of here. Schue had some super secret meeting but he'll be back soon." Mercedes threw her arms around Kurt and hugged him tightly.

As Mercedes went to let go, Kurt grabbed her wrist. "Come with me," he pleaded. "You're an orphan and…I can't leave you here with him. Blaine will protect you if I ask him to. Please, Mercy. Please come with me."

"Blaine?" Mercedes asked. "As in Blaine Anderson, the Marquess of Wiltshire?" at Kurt's nod Mercedes whistled, "Well, you certainly moved up. He's better protection than William…but I can't go. I can't leave Tina and-"

"Actually, Mercedes…I'm not staying." Tina's voice broke in from the doorway and Mercedes and Kurt turned to see her wrapped tightly in Mike's arms. "I…I'm going with Mike. He's…he's going to turn me, if his sire allows it."

"Tina!" Kurt cried, rushing across the room and pulling the girl into his arms. "I'll talk to Blaine; I'll do what I can to help you."

"You two have vampires as suitors?" Mercedes said slowly.

"Blaine is a bit more than a suitor but we'll get into all that later. Let's go quickly before someone comes."

Tina and Mercedes grabbed their bags from their room and the quartet made their way back down the steps and to the stables, where Mike and Kurt quickly prepared a carriage and they took off down the path.

At the thundering of horses' hooves, Blaine tensed. Jesse sprang from the front of the carriage, shifting quickly as Nick came around from the other side in full demon mode. They had sensed Kurt's earlier distress and were all a bit on edge.

As the carriage came up the path and they saw Mike at the helm they began to calm. Nick was the first to shift back, followed quickly by Blaine and finally Jesse. As Mike jumped down from the stolen carriage, Blaine flew across the path and pinned up against the side.

"What happened?" He growled. "I felt his fear and I felt his panic. If I could have gotten into that house-"

"Blaine!" Kurt yelled. "Stop it. Mike saved me. He…killed someone to save me."

Blaine took a calming breath and gripped his fledgling around the back of his head and then drew him to him. "Mulţumesc fiul meu," he whispered in Mike's ear. "Lart�-m�, te rog"

Mike nodded and Blaine kissed him on the forehead before releasing him. The clan chief stepped back and took a look at the silent trio in front of him. "Kurt," he said slowly, "you said you were retrieving your belongings, a ring and an amulet. You failed to mention that you were also going scavenging for humans."

"I…Tina and Mercedes are coming with us." Kurt declared, lifting his chin.

"Are they now?" Blaine asked.

"Mercedes helped me. They're my friends and Mike…Mike and Tina are in love."

"Blessed be," mumbled Nick beneath his breath.

"Michael," Blaine growled, "what have you been doing with this girl?"

"I love her, Master." Mike said simply, daring to look Blaine in the eye.

"He wants to turn her." Kurt said breathlessly, "they love each other Blaine."

"I'll just…wait up in the front." Jesse said suddenly, retreating so quickly not even the leaves rustled.

""You want to turn her? Just like that?" Blaine demanded.

"I love Mike. I want to be with him for eternity." Tina said softly.

"You have no idea what you're asking for, Michael and now is not the time to discuss it. Shane," Blaine called out suddenly.

There was a snapping of branches and then a large, cocoa skinned young man was kneeling before Blaine. "Yes Master."

"Take the ladies to Wildwind, settle them in the guest quarters," At Mike's crestfallen face and Kurt's pointed look, Blaine exhaled and scrubbed his hand across his face, "Settle Mercedes in the guest quarters. Tina will be sharing with Michael-for now." Blaine amended.

Nick made a sound that suspiciously sounded like a whip being cracked and Blaine turned and glared at him.

"Now, Shane will escort the ladies to Wildwind and settle them in and we shall continue on to Samuel's. We've already kept him waiting far too long."

As the four men turned to get into the carriage, Kurt caught Blaine's arm. "Thank you," he whispered.

"For what?"

"I know that you could have said no. I also know that you can refuse Mike…but I'm grateful that you didn't and I'm hopeful that you won't."

"We shall see, dear one. Being someone's sire is a responsibility that I'm not quite sure Michael understands. If they want to be together they can do without him turning her."

"But Tina's a human," Kurt pointed out. "She's going to age and she's going to die. Even if he marks her as his and bonds her to him, she'll still be human and eventually he'll lose her."

Blaine sighed. "I know. I also know what it's like to turn someone and I know Michael. If he loves this girl the way he claims, watching her go through that type of agony won't be easy for him."

"Shouldn't that be his choice though?"

"Perhaps, dear one. Come, we'll discuss this-with them-later," Blaine said helping Kurt into the carriage.

"Are we ready?" Nick asked quietly.

"We are," Blaine said. Almost immediately the carriage began to move.

"What do you think Sam wants?" Kurt asked suddenly.

"With Samuel one can never tell," Blaine shrugged, hoping that whatever Sam wanted had nothing to do with their deal regarding Schuester. He never wanted Kurt to find out the lengths he'd been willing to go to in order to secure him as his mate.

"I suspect it has something to do with the abundance of missing fey," Nick said thoughtfully, "You two freed the prisoners the last time you entered Jeremiah's den. I'm sure a good number were fey and they've reported back to Sam exactly what's been happening to his people."

"Jeremiah was feeding off of them, he had to be. It was the only reason to keep them alive," Kurt mused.

"Not the only reason, Little One." Nick muttered, earning himself a dark look from Blaine.

"I'm taller than you," Kurt grumbled, "And what do you mean?"

"You've got perhaps a half an inch on me and I've got easily over 500 years on you. Plus, given what Blaine and I are capable of…you're the little one here," Nick explained.

"Fine," Kurt sighed, "Now what did you mean about Jeremiah?"

"Nick," Blaine warned his brother.

"He's not made of glass, Blaine," Nick snapped. "I think Jeremiah was keeping them not just to feed off of their magic but to enjoy their fear as well. As…entertainment for lack of a better term."

"That's…cruel," Kurt said. He looked from Nick to Blaine and understanding set in. "And that's a tactic he would have learned from you," Kurt said quietly, turning to his mate.

Blaine didn't blink. "Yes, it would be."

Kurt was silent for a beat. "I suppose I'm just going to have to spend eternity keeping you entertained myself." Kurt said, taking Blaine's arm and wrapping it around his shoulders.

Blaine let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and Nick shot him a look of triumph.

Shut up, Nick

I'm not the one thinking so loudly.

Kurt is my mate and I'll decide what he does and does not need to know.

What Kurt needs is for you to trust that he can handle the more unpleasant aspects of this life. What's with the sudden insecurity? You've never hesitated to tell Kurt exactly who you are and what you've done and he's still here. He loves you, he's not going anywhere.

Hearing about it and seeing it are two entirely different things. Kurt's strong and he's seen horrible things but he's got this gentleness and kindness to him that despite the cruelty he's endured makes him eternally search for the good. Knowing that I've got the capability to be a merciless killing machine is one thing; seeing it is quite another.

Blaine, he's already seen you at your worst. You've been unbearable since you met this boy-worse than when you were pursuing Jeremiah and worse than when Jeremiah was taken. Your temper has been abhorrent-

I'm sorry about the damn party, Nikolas. Let it go already.

You murdered my guests.

You were going to eat them anyway.

That's completely beside the point.

What is your point?

My point is Kurt loves you. He's not going anywhere. Start trusting in that and stop protecting him from yourself. You're the last person he needs to be protected from.

I'll…I'll try.

Don't try, do. And sooner rather than later, Santana and Jeff are on their way home.

Bloody hell.

All too soon they were pulling up to the entrance of Sam's forest. They parked the carriage and Mike and Jesse remained in the carriage while Nick, Kurt and Blaine made their way through the woods, to a giant Sugar Maple tree and stopped. A bright light flowed forth from inside the tree and suddenly a doorway appeared. Kurt grabbed Blaine's hand and allowed himself to be led into Sam's domain, with Nick following on their heels.

"I'm not quite sure I understand why ye sent for Schuester if it's a celebration we're ta be havin'?" Rory said to Sam as he helped him dress for his guests.

"Because Kurt is the guest of honor and it should be his choice, not mine nor Blaine's, what becomes of William," Sam answered simply.

"And why are we throwin' a party for the vampire's mate? Since when do we care who the bloodsuckers take ta their beds?"

Sam turned and narrowed his gaze on his messenger. Rory's hands flew to his throat and he dropped to his knees in a panic as he choked. Sam watched him for a few moments before releasing his enchantment and turning back to the mirror.

"Kurt is never to be spoken about in a disrespectful manner again, is that understood?" Sam asked quietly.

Rory nodded, and then raised remorseful eyes to Sam. "Why is he so important to ye? I know he helped to free our people and I understand he's part Caereni but you're so…protective of him."

Sam turned to Rory and smiled.

"Do I not look after you, little cousin?"

"Aye, when you aren't strangling me to prove a point," Rory replied crossly.

"Ah now, that was merely to get your attention. I've told you several times to watch what you say about Kurt."

"But why?"

"Do I not look after my people? Do I not take particularly good care of my family," Sam demanded.

"Aye cousin, but he's only part Caereni. The rest of him is witch and now he's mated to a vamp."

"True, but it's the Caereni part that's important to me. It's all that matters."

"But why, Samuel? There's plenty of half nymphs and sprites and all manners of partial fey runnin' about. Why are you fixated on this boy? So fixated you're willing to get in league with the vamps and commit murder to see him freed from the mage? Why are ye willing ta go ta such lengths?"

Sam met Rory's eyes in the mirror. "Because he's mine," Sam said vehemently. "He's all I have left of my mother and I will do anything I have to in order to keep my little brother safe."

"He's…he's Adeline's? Are ye sure? Sammy, are ye sure? Our lost one has found his way home?"

"Aye. He's Adeline's. I knew it the moment I saw him."

"That's why you offered him sanctuary and when he refused you cut Schuester off. You were trying ta free tha lad."

"Aye. Seems I wasn't the only one."

"His…vamp, his mate. Are you sure that's a good idea? He should be with his people."

"It's a very good idea. And don't worry, cousin, Kurt will be with us," Sam said confidently. "He just can't dwell here. Blaine is his, tis what's been written and what shall be, his place is by his side. But Kurt is ours as well and once he realizes that we're closer than he ever dared to dream, he won't be a stranger. The blood won't let him."

"Tis why he kept returning to the wood," Rory said suddenly. "Tis why you had tha guard watchin' o'er him when he was here. He couldn't stay away and you couldn't deny him protection."

"Aye."

"Are you…are you going to tell him? About you, about Adeline?"

"Aye."

"Do you think he knows?"

"Nay. He feels a kinship to me but he thinks it's a thing of the fey, he has no clue that we're kin."

"Do you think he'll understand?"

"Tis not Kurt's understanding I'm worried about."

"His vamp."

"Blaine won't be pleased to know that Kurt's loneliness and servitude to Schuester could have been prevented if he'd been claimed and he won't be pleased to learn he has to share."

"But that was your father's doing," Rory spat.

"May he rot in the netherworld." Sam said viciously.

Sam suddenly went still. "Kurt and Blaine are here. Go let our guests in and keep Schuester in the study until I say otherwise."

As Rory left to usher Kurt, Blaine and Nick into the parlor, Sam plucked a photograph off of his dresser and caressed the glass.

"Be with me mother. Be with Kurt. Help him understand and help him accept me, accept us," Sam whispered before putting the photograph down and leaving the room to welcome his brother home at last.