Teeth

Chapter Fifteen

August slipped into his bedroom, hoping that his return to the house had gone unnoticed. He'd left the moment the sun had set. Some much needed time to himself was difficult to come by these days. Or it had been.

For the first time in a hundred and seventeen years he was alone inside his head.

The first time he'd felt it, or more appropriately hadn't felt it, had been early that morning. He'd felt Cleo's presence for over a century. It had become such a natural part of his life that he'd rarely considered the bond until it was gone. Although it wasn't gone completely yet, there were brief moments where it flickered and faded before flaring back into life.

He wasn't completely alone, there were still the others but the tethers he had created with them were weak, fluctuating with mood and proximity. Cleo had been constant. August sat on the corner of his bed and massaged his temples.

William didn't knock before opening the door. Light from the hallway flooded in but August didn't lift his head. He didn't have to. If he'd felt the loss of the connection then William must have too. Doubtless the younger vampire wanted to berate him about her death again.

"I had an interesting conversation with the boy," William muttered.

August sighed.

"Tormenting the new one won't bring her back, Will."

The door clicked closed. William stepped further into the room and out of the corner of his eye, August saw his hands propped on his hips.

"No, that one is quite pathetic from the looks of it," he said. "I meant your boy, August."

Lifting his head, August's eyes narrowed. He licked across his bottom lip.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"I know what you're doing."

"Really?" August sneered. "That makes one of us."

William grasped the back of the chair from underneath the small desk against the wall. He swung it around easily and sat down, leaning forward until their eyes were level.

"It's funny how eager the boy is to protect you, August."

August rolled his eyes and looked away.

"I know words are not your forte," he growled. "But should you choose to explain what the hell you are talking about any time soon..."

"Spencer," he hissed in return. "I know what you've done to him. You kill others who break the rules, but you're above them yourself?"

Sitting up straight, August stared back at him, an unease settling in his stomach. It was a guess, nothing more. William had been turned straight into this group. He did not know enough to know for sure.

"There are no rules on who I take into my bed, William. Whether I choose Spencer or someone else is no business of yours."

"But who you sire," William said, "I believe, is everyone's business."

August's flinched and grasped the duvet beside his legs.

"I've done no such thing. Ask him if you want. He remembers his sire enough to tell you it wasn't me."

William laughed and edged the chair closer.

"Oh, I have no doubt that the vampire who turned him was punished accordingly. By you no doubt."

"Are you aware of some form of siring that I am not, William?" August demanded, his voice rising, reaching close to breaking point. "Spencer was turned, his sire was killed. I have no idea what you're talking about."