Temptations Mate: Chapter Three

The next night found Kurt seated on an old chaise lounge with threadbare brocade cushions tucked underneath a small window. God only knew how long ago William had banished it to the attics but Noah had done his best to dust away the dirt and cobwebs and return it to some of its former splendor. He had also managed to clear enough space among the forgotten bits of furniture, trunks and paintings to set up a small daybed, complete with bedside table and candle, as well as a sitting chair and small trunk full of books. In the far corner he'd salvaged an old dining table and a couple of chairs.

Kurt had found an old phonograph for Noah to use and several old records for him to play. Noah had appreciated the gesture; even though he knew rare would be the times when he could indulge his love of music. Noah's prized possession however, was an old guitar that had been discarded and forgotten. When they had discovered it amid the odds and ends in the basement, the werewolf's eyes had lit up and he had reverently handled the instrument, offering to teach Kurt how to play.

The werewolf was unsurprisingly growing restless and complained bitterly (and far too often in Kurt's opinion) about being shut away in the attic. He longed to running free in the wood and trying his luck with the debutantes who had flooded the city for the marriage mart.

Too often Kurt had found his friend in a state of melancholy, his eyes downcast and his shoulders slumped as he mourned the loss of his pack and his pups.

As the moment however, the only thing reflected in the werewolf's multi-hued eyes was amusement. His broad shoulders shook as he laughed at Kurt's retelling of William's altercation with Blaine.

Noah's laughter faded away as he regarded Kurt with a narrowed gaze.

"There is something troubling you, my brother?"

Kurt turned his head to glance out the window, more as a means to hide his expression from Noah's searching eyes than out of genuine desire to take in the view of Hyde Park glittering beneath the pale moonlight.

"There is nothing troubling me, Noah. No more than my usual discontent."

"Discontent? Just a few days ago you delighted in telling me how happy you were that the Season was upon us. You were plotting a way to smuggle me into Lady Sylvester's ball."

Kurt harrumphed. Of course he had been delighted. He'd had no idea Blaine was back in London and he had told himself that the restlessness that troubled him in Paris would be no more once he was on familiar ground and throwing himself into the social fray.

It was only when Blaine strolled into Lord Hudson's ballroom, arrogant and imposing as ever, that Kurt accepted that his discontent nothing to do with lack of familiarity and everything to do with the devastatingly handsome blood sucker that was, for lack of a better word, stalking him throughout Europe.

The knowledge was enough to make him weep and it was something he had no intention of sharing with Noah.

The werewolf was protective and volatile. Werewolves and vampires had an even more antagonistic relationship than mages and werewolves. Noah had flown into a near rage when he'd caught Kurt drowning in Blaine's scent after the Hudson's ball. He had undergone his change and it had taken every ounce of pleading and cajoling on Kurt's part to convince the werewolf the vampire meant Kurt no harm and he did not have to hunt Blaine down and defend Kurt's virtue.

"I had hoped a return to society would provide a distraction," he said his voice deceptively light. "It was a foolish hope. It is the same insufferable sea of humanity that it has been for the past century and I suspect the century before that. It is the same dreary gossip and the same aggressive social climbing."

"But you adore the gossip, brother."

"I enjoy gossip only when it's interesting." Kurt turned back to his companion, his fingers fidgeting with the buttons on his jacket. "Thus far I have heard nothing more fascinating than Lord Howell's taken a lover and there's been an odd phenomenon of lightning strikes. The humans claim it comes out of clear blue skies and one burned down Lady Holliday's stables."

Noah's entire body stiffened and he jerked to attention. "Has any of this lightening been down by the docks?"

Kurt regarded his friend carefully. "And why would you be interested in random bolts of lightning?"

A smile lit upon Noah's face, highlighting his handsome features. "Perhaps, just perhaps mind you, there is a mooring of sirens there. They are often known to attract lightening. Perhaps some have settled near the Thames."

"And have you an interest in Sirens, Noah?"

A wolfish smile spread across the lycan's face. "But of course. They are quite fetching and possess the stamina necessary to please a man."

Kurt stood up, an odd ache settling into his chest.

"By the Goddess, is there nothing else that captures the attention of the male species other than…lust?"

Noah raised an eyebrow and gave a graceful shrug. "None that I can think of, brother."

"Pathetic." Kurt huffed, sitting back down and hanging his head.

"Do not pretend you are not a member of the male species little brother. And tell me what is truly troubling you. Surely it's not lack of interesting gossip and my ever present libido?" Noah crawled forward, his eyes soft and troubled as he reached out and drew Kurt to him. "Kurt?"

Kurt drew a shaky breath. He knew that Noah would not let the matter rest until he had confessed the truth.

"I…didn't tell you. When William and Blaine had their…disagreement…Blaine, he…he kissed me. He told me he grew wearing of waiting for me to come to him. H-He called me his," Kurt whispered.

"By the moon and stars, well Kurt there is no need to ponder his abrupt return to London, now is there? The soulless son of Satan will not be satisfied until he has drained you dry and turned you into one of his sycophants."

That was Kurt's greatest fear and the exact reason he resisted so fiercely that which he wanted so desperately. If he gave into Blaine just once, he would be lost forever.

"Hell will freeze over first," he declared.

Noah chuckled. "Then perhaps I need to grab my hat and gloves." Noah reached over to grasp Kurt's hands in his, the naked concern sending a chill down Kurt's spine. "Be careful, little brother. He is more dangerous than you could ever imagine."

"What would you have me do? I practically begged William to take me away from London, all but promised to whore myself out but he is too preoccupied with his negotiations with Sam to step foot outside the city. I suppose I could go on my own but we both know-"

"NO, Kurt!" Noah's tone was horrified, his eyes wide with fear. "For all of William's failings, of which they are varied and numerous, he does offer you some protection from those creatures who would do whatever was necessary to claim you and your powers."

"Noah-"

"If you go, I shall accompany you. I will draw my dying breath defending you from harm." The werewolf declared fiercely.

"Noah, no!" Kurt grasped the lycan and held him tightly. "I would never, ever be able to go on if you were hurt or…or worse defending me."

Kurt closed his eyes and not for the first time cursed his dependency on William.

If only-

No. Kurt swiftly shut the door on the useless yearning. His parents were dead. His mother murdered, torn apart by an unknown demon and his father slaughtered seeking revenge. No amount of longing could bring them back.

"I'm not completely helpless." He placated his friend.

"No, but you will never be ruthless enough to survive on your own in the demon world. I may be more discriminate than the rest of my kind in my kills but I will not hesitate to take a life if need be. You, Kurt you've never spilled a drop of blood, human or demon, guilty or otherwise. I have my doubts that you could."

Kurt ignored the truth of Noah's words and changed the subject. "Perhaps Sam will accept the Raswiri as a proper token in exchange for William's potion. He will have no reason to linger in London once he has his hands on his fountain of youth."

"I would not be so sure."

Kurt froze. "What do you mean?"

"I overheard the servants speaking. He has finally convinced Lady Howell to share his bed."

Kurt snorted. "That's hardly shocking. He has been in pursuit of Emma for the last two years."

Noah nodded. "And now that she had succumbed to his advances he won't soon be giving her up. And that brother dear, does not bode well for Lord Howell. Besides, Lady Emma is quite lovely. Rumor has it even the Marquess has been taken by her charms."

A sharp, savage pain stabbed through Kurt's heart at the thought of Blaine being beguiled by the ginger haired beauty. It didn't help matters that in addition to her beauty, Lady Emma was gentle, kind and wholly unobjectionable. Kurt scowled. Being jealous was complete lunacy. From the moment he had arrived in London, long before ever actually meeting Blaine's acquaintance, he had heard rumblings of the Marquess of Wiltshire's numerous lovers and had even seen with his own two eyes the evidence of Blaine's sexual excesses.

It was common knowledge in the demon world that vampires had insatiable sexual appetites. Until they selected a mate they were free to couple with any human or demon that would have them and it was not unusual for them to have a few dozen lovers at any given time.

Kurt cursed Blaine to fiery depths from which he came.

"Blaine has…pursued Emma?"

"So I've heard."

"Oh, well then, I …I hope…"

"You what?"

"I hope she stakes him." Kurt snapped, tears flooding his eyes as he angrily dashed them away.

Noah regarded him curiously. "I don't think you mean that."

"I do. I really do." Kurt sniffed.

Noah sighed. "Did I make a mistake here, telling you of Blaine's alleged activities? It is just gossip, my brother. Wholly unsubstantiated gossip at that. Lady Emma may have a soft spot for Schuester but she is hardly a trollop. If were speaking of the free spirited Lady Holliday or Madame Rhodes you might have cause for concern-"

"No," Kurt sighed, cutting Noah off. "No my brother, you've done nothing wrong." Kurt's voice cracked and he felt his fragile composure start to slip. "If you will excuse me, I think I shall retire for the evening."

"Are you not feeling well?"

"I feel fine," Kurt snapped, "I just seem to have acquired a giant pain in my ass."

Kurt turned on his heel and stalked out of the attic, Noah's amused laughter ringing in his ears.

Kurt retreated to his private chambers. He normally would have felt a sense of peace in his room, decorated in pale shades of blue and ivory, with heavy oak furniture made for comfort as opposed to fashion. Kurt's favorite space in the entire house was his window seat. The tall, arching window overlooked the sprawling gardens and small pond that surrounded the manor. Before Noah, Kurt had spent hours sitting on the plush cushions, looking out over the grounds and fantasizing about happier times.

Tonight however, Kurt went directly to his bed, turning it down in a fit of temper.

He could have called for one of the maids or the manservant William insisted he needed but he was in no mood to fake politeness for Matthew or endure the incessant chatter of Tina or Mercedes.

Kurt's only wish was to crawl beneath his covers and pretend he was far away from William, London and Blaine.

Much to his surprise Kurt had managed to slip into a deep sleep, although it was interspersed with strange dreams of his mother when he was startled awake by nightmares of being trapped somewhere while something –or someone-searched for him.

If Kurt had been a practicing witch, he might have tried to discover the deeper meaning of his dream, see if it were perhaps a warning of things to come. But with no mastered powers beyond his ability to sense magic, he was willing to dismiss it as nothing more than the result of stress when Noah's voice echoed in his head.

"Kurt," the lycan called, "By the moon and stars, wake up!"

"Noah?" Sitting up, Kurt looked all about the room, his nymph blood making light unnecessary for him to see. "Noah, where are you?"

"I am speaking to you through your mind."

Kurt's eyes widened. "Noah! Damn you and werewolf tricks. When did you imprint upon me? Never mind, I don't care. I'll talk to you in the morning, I'm going back to sleep."

"NO! Kurt, please don't sever our bond. I need you, brother."

"Now?"

"Yes, Kurt, I'm in trouble."

Kurt's heart skipped a beat at the panic and fear in Noah's voice.

"Noah, are you hurt?"

"As of the moment, only my pride is injured but I'm afraid it doesn't look good for my future well being. I seem to be in a rather dire state of emergency if you must know."

Barely realizing he'd begun moving; Kurt leapt from the bed and headed for his wardrobe. His nymph blood demanded that he occasionally leave the city and surround himself with nature. He always kept several coats and pants and long shirts that were far from the fashionable garb he wore when in town.

"Where the hell are you?"

"I'm not entirely certain."

"Noah, I feel compelled to tell you that you are not being particularly helpful." Kurt snapped, swiftly exchanging his night clothes for pants and a shirt and jerking on a pair of boots. "How the bloody hell am I supposed to help you if I don't know where you are?"

"Do you think this has not occurred to me?" Noah barked. "Had I known I was going to be attacked and held hostage I would have left you a trail of bloody bread crumbs to follow!"

Kurt grabbed his coat and yanked it on. "Do you wish my assistance or not?"

"Of course I do, I would not have invaded your mind otherwise."

"Then talk to me. Tell me what happened and stop being a smart ass."

"After you left me along to entertain myself," Noah began pointedly, "I decided to visit the docks."

"What in the name of the Goddess would you…" Kurt trailed off as realization struck. "Sirens. Really, Noah?"

"I'm a werewolf not a monk. And you were the one who tempted me with Sirens."

Kurt was indignant. "I didn't say a word about Sirens, Noah! It was you-"

"Now is not the time to lay blame, Kurt," Noah hissed.

"Noah-"

"Kurt, something is coming," Noah rasped, his fear potent enough to spill through into Kurt. "Just come quickly and don't dare come alone. Bring William. I would gladly be his slave for the rest of my days if it means you don't come alone."

There was a moment of blinding pain that drove Kurt to his knees and then Noah was gone.

"Damn."

Kurt clambered out of his window and jumped a short distance to a nearby tree. He couldn't involve William. Even if he could convince the mage not to report Noah he would most certainly enslave the lycan. One of them being under William's thumb was more than enough; Kurt could never condemn Noah to such a fate.

Kurt might not possess William's magic or Blaine's terrifying power but he was willing to do whatever was necessary rescue his brother.

No matter what the danger to his person was.