Rory’s Mate (The Vampire Coalition #2)(9)
Author: J.S. Scott

"You should have f**king made time," Nathan grumbled as he knelt to Rory’s side and started stopping the bleeding from his wounds. "You lost a lot of blood."

Rory already knew that. He could feel the pain and weakness now that the adrenaline had calmed down.

Nathan removed what was left of Rory’s t-shirt and worked on all of the wounds, stopping the bleeding, but his slashes were deep. He needed blood and day sleep.

Nathan had gotten away without a scratch. He was dressed in their fighting attire which included a black shirt and gloves designed by Liam to repel some injuries from the fallen’s claws. It was a long sleeved, turtle neck of stretchy, lightweight material. Nathan was wearing jeans, thick boots and a belt around his waist that held a wide variety of weapons.

"Are you okay?," Rory questioned his brother.

"Of course I’m all right. I was smart enough to come armed and I didn’t fling myself into the direct path of the fallen’s claws. What the hell were you thinking Rory?" Nathan’s fingers were on Rory’s face, stopping the bleeding to some of the additional claw marks to his face.

"Protecting Callie," he answered, as though that should explain his bizarre behavior.

"Next time prepare to protect her." Nathan shook his head, still angry. "You’re a trained warrior for Christ’s sake. You know better."

"Didn’t matter. I needed to get them away from her." Rory’s voice was growing weaker. He knew the blood loss was getting to him.

"It does matter. Shit! Can’t any of you keep a straight head when you find your mate," Nathan answered vehemently.

Rory looked at Nathan’s ferocious expression and gave him a weak smile. "No," he said simply.

He couldn’t think of anything except Callie.

Rory. Come to me.

The soft, feminine voice drifted through his mind. He jerked as he felt her beloved voice compelling him.

I need you to come to me.

He knew instinctively that it was the mating call. It beckoned him. Seduced him. It was her unconscious mind and it was hypnotic.

"Take me to, Callie," Rory commanded his brother, knowing he was too weak to transport. He needed Nathan’s help.

Nathan rolled his eyes, exasperated. "You need blood. Now."

"She’s calling. I have to go to her." Rory’s voice was desperate.

Nathan looked like he was going to argue, but he touched his brother’s arm and transported him to Callie.

Rory appeared beside the bed, Nathan holding him up. Rory’s legs wouldn’t hold him. He sank to sit on the side of the bed with Nathan supporting him.

Callie woke, her voice heavy with sleep, "Rory?"

Nathan lit the room, turning on the bedside lamp. Then he used his magic to clean the access blood from Rory and clothed him in clean jeans. He left him shirtless because of his unhealed injuries. Callie sat up and gasped as she saw Rory.

"Oh my God, what happened!" Callie eyed his torso and gently touched her fingers to his face.

Rory knew he was torn up and probably a pretty ugly sight. He would have waited…but Callie had called.

"He had a little run in with a few of the fallen. If you think he looks bad…the fallen lost." Nathan answered casually. "He needs blood."

He pulled a knife from his belt and slit his own wrist without hesitation. He held it out to Rory.

Rory took it gratefully, knowing he was weak. He took as much from Nathan as he could without weakening him and stopped the cut from bleeding with a swipe of his finger.

Rory felt the roar of Nathan’s powerful blood flow through his veins. He wasn’t at full strength, but it made him significantly improved. The large gashes hurt less and he could move without much effort.

He turned to Callie and informed her softly, "You called me. Do you remember?"

She paused for a moment and then shook her head.

He put his hand to her cheek, looking into her eyes. "Remember, Callie." It was a command, a subtle jolt to her subconscious.

She nodded slowly before answering, "I remember. I could sense that you needed me. I needed to see you. I did call to you." She frowned as she looked over his injuries. "Do you need more blood. Can you take it from me?"

Before he could open his mouth Nathan answered, "He can now. You called him." Nathan and Callie exchanged a look, a silent communication. Nathan looked satisfied that Callie would take care of his brother. "I have to go do damage and clean up duty. I’m pretty sure a few people noticed the fight. They need to forget it."

"My injuries are closing from your blood. I will finish healing during day sleep," Rory told Nathan.

Nathan’s eyes evaluated the gashes. He nodded his agreement. "You will heal. Next time try arming yourself before you take on three fallen at a time, brother." He gave Rory a mocking expression before he disappeared.

Nathan was gone before Rory could even thank him. Not that Nathan would acknowledge it. "He always has to have the last word," he grumbled to himself as he turned back to Callie.

"Lay down, Rory. Can you take off your jeans?" Callie started fussing, stroking his hair, her expression concerned.

He raised his eyebrows and gave her a mischievous smile. "If I say that I can’t, will you do it for me?"

Callie gave him a scolding expression. "This is no time for jokes, Rory. You were badly hurt."

She was unbuttoning his jeans and pulling down his zipper before Rory had the chance to remove them. He was perfectly able to do it now, but her fingers were brushing against his c**k and he rather liked the feeling. His mating instincts flared. His c**k was hard and ready. Callie was struggling with the zipper to move it over his enlarged member.

He laid back on the bed resting his hands behind his head and let her fuss over him.

His injuries hurt…but he had suffered much worse injuries with his work in The Coalition. This was nothing more than a temporary annoyance.

His mating instincts were another issue. As he watched Callie get his zipper down and start to gently pulled his jeans off, his body was on fire.

Mine. Need to take her. Fuck her senseless.

Rory watched her eyes grow large as she shucked off his jeans. He wore no underwear and his c**k was standing fully erect. She licked her lips and he almost groaned. He could feel her desire. He knew she was trying not look at his dick, her concern for him coming before her desire. But it was there.

She shimmied back up his body, examining his injuries as she went.

Need to have her.

When she reached the head of the bed she kissed him softly and held her arm over his lips, telling him anxiously, "Here Rory. Take my blood. You need it."