Suzerain's Companion

Part 5

He wasn’t sure where he should be after he’d been showered and dried, so simply stood, towel around his waist, in the middle of the room ‘at ease’ and waited.

It seemed like hours but was probably only minutes before he heard and almost felt his beloved Suzerain. He struggled to stay still as the vampire walked around behind him and whispered how proud of him he was; how much he hoped he would grow into his role; how much he was cared for… And with the last statement, the boy struggled to hold back his tears. He had never imagined that the Suzerain would value him, he had hoped but...

“Gonna Claim you tonight Pet, seemings as you’re strugglin’ so hard with the attackin’ and such. Reckon it just might help. But ya gotta agree…”

Alexander’s hopes rose then fell. The Suzerain was claiming him to improve his ability to do his designated role as defender of his owner, nothing more. He was useful, not loved. But then, he really had to stop expecting the ruler of the Super Alliance of Demon Cartels to love a Companion. Logic dictated. He would say yes and would be the best bodyguard the Suzerain had ever had, bearing the loneliness of knowing that despite the fact that he lay with the vampire nightly, it was unlikely to ever be more than that.

The brunette swallowed hard, “Yes, Suzerain, I wish to be claimed by you, Suzerain. Thank you, Suzerain. It is my duty and training to serve you, Suzerain.”

But Spike heard the hesitation, the sadness and resigned submission in the answer. “Listen! Don’t need a bloody lacky… You either want this or ya don’t! Now what’s got your knickers in a twist?”

Alexander was on the edge of an anxiety attack as he answered in close to a whisper, “I had hoped I… I… you might… um that you might… since you are… that you might care f-for me… as… um…”

“Course I bloody care for ya, you nit!! Otherwise I’d’ve sold ya months ago! Now go lie down face up on the bed, while I sort meself some supplies. And if you so much as *smell* of tears, I’m gonna beat it out of you so hard you’ll wish ya *were* a feeder not a breeder!”

Alexander went to lie on the bed as instructed, now miserable and unsure of what to expect.

But the Suzerain was all but whistling as he returned with three aromatic candles, a fearsome looking ceremonial knife and various jars of things the Companion could not identify without changing his position to look properly.

“Now first things first Pet. Let’s get rid of that there choker – and before ya start fussing, it’s just for now. Got it??”

The human nodded, pulled his long hair sideways and turned his face away so his owner might access the lock at the back with ease.

Spike then lit the candles, putting one at the apex of the bed head and one on either side table. He spread a feather light, red silk sheet over his already nude Companion, wickedly rubbing Alexander’s lax member through the material as he crawled up the bed. The response was almost instant and his soon to be claimed let out a little whimper with the sensation.

Spike straddled him, sitting squarely over his hips and rocking back just a little so Alexander continued to feel the Suzerain’s behind pressing against his now full erection. Alexander struggled to focus, “Now Marked Companion. You will need to answer the ritual words then I will claim you. There will be pain. Are you still prepared to be Claimed for all time?”

“Yes Suzerain. I wish to be your claimant.”

“Right well let’s on with it then.”

Spike tugged the sheet down and opened his own wrist just a little, as he the blood dripped onto his Companion’s torso making a bloody pentagram, he recited the ritual words which Alexander dutifully replied to. “Companion Alexander, do you give yourself freely to the Suzerain Spike?”

“Yes, I give myself freely.”

“Do you fully accept the consequences? If the Claimant has false intent you will die. If you are true to your word then your the link to the Suzerain will go well beyond your changed status in demon society, you will also crave your Claimer in every way, need for his blood and have a non physical connection. You will live for as long as your Claiming vampire unless you are mortally wounded, but die an agonizing death in the case of his demise. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand the consequences.”

“Then it shall be so,” With those words Spike took a handful of dust from one of the jars on the side and sprinkled it on the pentagram on Alexander’s chest. There was a harsh flash and the blood simply seemed to disappear into the Claimed’s skin, “Now offer yourself as the Claimed of the Suzerain.”

Alexander wasn’t sure what to do next exactly but his owner swiftly lifted himself and tugged away the sheet completely in the process.

“Gonna mark your skin first pet, then gonna take you as mine now flip over then stay still.”

The human obediently flipped over and abruptly arched as he felt white searing pain just over his tail bone. An iron hand pushed him back down onto the bed and game faced Suzerain literally growled, “Bloody Hell! Stay. Still!” Spike cut an ornate ‘S’ into his back with the hunting knife as the poor Companion tried to muffle his cries by biting down into the pillow but could not stop the tears from eyes squeezed shut so hard that it was almost painful. He just hoped his owner would be too preoccupied to note his weakness.

As soon as Spike finished he laved over the area with a cooling tongue. “There, all done.” Alexander simply whimpered a little, but remained still. The tongue did feel wonderful over the burning pain. His chest where the pentagram had been was suddenly hot too, and as he began to catalogue the painful, yet increasingly pleasant sensations, he felt his hips being lifted and hands massaging his backside in the most erotic fashion. He knew the hands kneading him and gradually working their way to his entrance… he lost himself in the sensation, welcoming the slicked finger inside when it finally pushed through the barrier muscles. There was so much slick on the finger it felt… just wonderful. His Claimer was purring and stroking his fast becoming interested member. Alexander began to rock back then felt a second finger enter, and finally a third before he was flipped once more.

He arched up as the covers hit his sliced flesh, but the pain was swiftly relieved as the Suzerain took his legs and slung them over his shoulders, lifting his hips.

Then the white pain of the cuts was surpassed by the hurt of a large iron stiff object plunging into his core in a single stroke then stilling. His own manhood wilted a little but his owner knew a virgin passage took time to adjust and waited, taking the time to pepper kisses on the neck Claimed.

Spike felt the sheath of muscles begin to flutter and began to move, tiny movements in and out, controlled and slow, gradually increasing the pace as he felt the boy push back more enthusiastically. As they began to move in concert and Alexander moaned as his prostate was brushed yet again, the vampire snaked his hand around and began to pump his charge in time with the thrusts.

He felt the Companion give in to the wonderful sensations and move closer and closer to climax. Alexander finally stiffened and Spike chose the moment to strike, biting deep and hard over his previous mark and drinking quickly as the Companion came hard. After the first draft he also released, filling his now Claimed before they both collapsed, Spike still embedded deep within both neck and backside.

A few long minutes later, the Suzerain withdrew his fangs and laved the wound closed then opened his wrist and offered it to Alexander who took it with a look of awe and after a few drafts, gazed in wonder and adoration at the Suzerain whilst still suckling. As his Claimer pulled out and took back the wrist, Alexander passed out.

He woke a few hours later in his Suzerain’s arms, being stroked to hardness again. But this time something inside had definitely shifted… He *felt* the Suzerain, felt his Claimer on a visceral level, like he was a part of the same being. It was wonderful.

They coupled again, and again throughout the daylight hours. Finally the exhausted Companion was ordered to the shower and allowed to joyfully clean his owner as well as himself.

……………………..

The same evening as Alexander’s claiming, Angelus had turned his long time claimant, Lisbeth in his private rooms.

Spike visited the soon to be Sire as he kept vigil at his dear one’s death bed, waiting for her to rise. He fed the dark vampire his own powerful blood and revelled in the idea of being Grandsire to the prize on the bed.

She had been fed massive amounts of her new Sire’s blood. The pretty individual had always looked ethereally beautiful whether in male or female guise, now even more so.

Lisbeth was witty, blindingly intelligent, and absolutely loyal as a human, and was the perfect choice for his powerful Childe. She also, according to his Childe’s rather sheepish admission one drunken evening, enjoyed ‘asserting’ herself in the bedroom – even with male to male type activities. Spike had simply refrained from commenting and smiled at the time. She would make a fine vampire.

Two days later, his Sire - the Suzerain, and his Sire’s Claimed, bore witness to Angel’s formal mating ritual with his new Childe. Their identical mating insignias magically scarred the skin around their belly buttons after they were branded by their Grandsire as part of the ritual.

It was joyful for all concerned, though to the outside world, nothing had changed.

Lisbeth’s Childe status would be held secret for a little time yet, and the Companion’s Claimed status would not be acknowledged in public. Both the partners felt a little sad not to be able to show their affection openly but understood and played their part.

When Alexander returned to his training four days following his Claiming, the Mistress noted the difference.

There was a new confidence and she was so close when correcting his stance, that she could scent the change.

He trained hard, now feeling his Claimer very distinctly through some strange emotional link. But even though he was aware of the Suzerain’s calculated violence, after three weeks there still seemed to be little change in his ability to be aggressive. That was unless the Suzerain himself was threatened.

Mistress Janet noted the same with pride, that her student had pinned a Master Vampire to the floor of the Cartel meeting room in a blinding flash of speed and very good technique when said individual stood with stake in hand ready to attack the Suzerain. With a nod from Spike, the Master was dust at the hand of the pretty bodyguard.

Spike took the Mistress aside after the event, kissed her soundly and gave her a trickle of his blood in gratitude, but still had to ask her professional opinion, “Even with my blood?”

“He will attack anything or anyone that would hurt you, Suzerain. To the point of placing himself in deadly circumstances, I would suggest. But he is simply not cut out for cold blooded murder. Find yourself an assassin, Suzerain, and let the boy do the job you originally tagged him for… let him warm your bed and protect you. He is loyal to a fault and easy on the eye… and a very good study… bright and willing. If I may be so bold, you have Claimed well, Suzerain.”

Spike looked up in surprise at the last statement, only to see Janet brush her nose with her forefinger to indicate a no tell policy was maintained.

Two days later, the Companion was pleased to learn that he was no longer expected to attack on command.

A very vicious gangland criminal ‘J.B’, turned as a vampire minion then trained virtually as an ‘attack dog’, arrived, muzzled and bound with his ‘handler’. The Suzerain was pleased when his bodyguard Alexander placed himself between the new comers and his owner. Spike now had little doubt that his dear Alexander would taken the other down if it were at all possible – or die trying if his Suzerain were ever threatened.

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Part 6

For three months after the Claiming and Lisbeth’s turning, little changed.

Alexander protected the Suzerain in public and warmed his bed in private – daily saddened by the matter of fact way he was treated as the alternative to heating blanket. Yet the Companion craved the vampire’s touch, so each time he was pulled tight against the cool body, and was offered a little blood from his Claimer’s wrist (now so necessary), he tried to count his blessings. And if the Suzerain nuzzled his neck or rubbed against him during sleep, Alexander would take the private time to quietly cry, hoping the sensitive vampire nose would not notice.

Lisbeth had yet to be acknowledged as a Childe and no-one outside the immediate household ever came close enough to notice, but that could not last. The Mistress Janet trained the new vampire by herself once a day and with Angelus again toward the morning. Lisbeth was stronger than the average fledge – and her lithe figure and naturally graceful style augured well for a very deadly combination were Angelus and Lisbeth ever cornered.

Of late, occasionally the Mistress would have Lisbeth and Alexander spar and gradually came to realize the increase in the human’s speed and strength. Initially she had thought that Lisbeth was pulling her strikes, but it was apparent by the third occasion that it was not the case. She could only put it down to the claiming by the Suzerain and wondered that the cartel leaders had yet to notice the change in the Companion come bodyguard.

In his fourth month of being a Sire, Angelus begged Spike to acknowledge Lisbeth in front of the leaders of the cartels – she was after all a Childe of the line of Aurelius. Spike agreed, but only after considering how it was done to safeguard the family.

In the end it was decided. To the outside world, Angelus was apparently currently still out of favour. And all in the group of cartel leaders knew of his tendency to catch, train and bed ferals, especially those with similar slim lines and elfin features, either male or female. So the stage was set. The performance to occur on the night of the monthly cartel leaders' meeting.

The Suzerain roared his displeasure at his Childe’s latest tryst in full earshot of several minions he knew to be spies, and coinciding with the arrival of five cartel leaders. The drama was occurring just outside the Suzerain’s quarters within sight, but at the end of the very long hallway. A blonde girl was prostrated at his feet obviously trembling with fear.

Spike was in game face, something that even the cartel leaders feared. Loud shouting ensued, “And you leave her on my doorstep to do what exactly?”

Angelus was on his knees, head down with wrists bound behind his back and blood still oozing from a painful looking bite mark on his neck – opposite to his turning mark, an obvious sign of his Sire's displeasure. He replied rather miserably, “I just thought you might enjoy her… She was very…”

Spike hit him so hard that he fell sideways and his head impacting hard on the floor with a nasty crack.

“Idiot Childe!! She is damaged goods. You *insult* me by offering your *leftovers*! If you think she's such a tasty then *you* take her, not just as concubine… have her for eternity and see how it feels to have a wayward Childe weighing you down!”

With lightening speed, he grabbed Angelus by the scruff of the neck, forced him up and slapped him hard enough to bring his Childe's demon to the fore, then forced him down onto the whimpering girl’s neck. The witnesses saw the girl shudder and cry out as Angelus tried to protest but then give in to instinct bit hard and began to apparently drain her.

In truth, little blood was taken and Lisbeth whimpering was to do with the young vampire trying to contain her own demon and stem her arousal.

Spike sliced the ropes binding his Childe’s hands none too carefully, the knife cutting deep into the now freed wrist. He grabbed the wounded limb and shoved it into the now collapsed girl’s mouth and massaged her neck.

Six more cartel masters arrived just in time to witness the ‘turning’.

The cartel leaders gasped as minutes went by. The Suzerain was indeed making a Grandchilde, *forcibly*. And since there would be little love lost between new Sire and Childe, or Grandsire and this new fledge, the dysfunctional Aurelians had apparently just provided them all with another way to undermine the ruler.

Spike made a show of whipping off his belt and forcing it around Angelus’ neck, making collar and leash in one, humiliating his Childe in full view of the audience. He then tugged hard, barking the order, “Pick her up!”

Still on his knees, the dark vampire shuffled over and lifted up the dead girl reluctantly. “Now put her in your quarters and wait there, I haven’t finished with you yet.” The Suzerain roughly hauled Angelus to his feet using the belt and forced him toward the door of his suite adding sarcastically, “And leave your *leash* on – I may have need of it later – Your suggestion of some relief might be just the ticket, and I fancy you in a collar *pleasuring me* where you would have had me use your whore.”

All ‘interested parties’ present saw the look of pain and hatred on Angelus face as he turned to carry the obviously unbreathing, lax body through the door to his own suite.

Spike roared as he slammed the door behind the two, “Now where’s my bloody bodyguard!”

Alexander had been waiting behind the door of their suite until he heard the ‘draining scene’, just in case any of the other vampires approached within distance of hearing a heart beat. He had tried to elevate his own to mimic fear by silently doing exercises during the first section of the performance. For her part, Lisbeth had been genuinely fearful that the ruse might not work so smelt 'right'.

As soon as it was time, he raced for the balcony doors. Let himself out silently and sprinted around to the rear entrance to the kitchen, strolling through past various minions with the excuse that he had been told to grab a sandwich, orders of the Suzerain. The rather portly minion, obviously turned for his culinary skills, grumbled regards his own wasted talent but swiftly made a sandwich of smoked salmon, tomato and lettuce. It was the best he could do at short notice. He had learned the hard way from the Suzerain, that Companions were permitted no dairy and only a little fish added to their vegetarian diet, the theory being that dairy had detrimental effects to the human constitution and red meat increased aggression.

To the observers, Alexander was the perfect Companion, instantly responding to his owner’s call, emerging from the kitchen at a sprint, skidding to a halt and visibly swallowing a mouthful of food, quickly hiding the rest behind his back as he took his place behind the Suzerain.

Spike was apparently in no mood for deceptions, growling, “Well eat your bloody meal *fast and on the way*. We have work to do.”

Alexander followed the vampire as he stormed past his ‘guests’ with an agitated, “Well? Show’s bloody well over… Come on, let’s do some work!”

The meeting was unsurprisingly, very quiet, none of those present wanting to aggravate the obviously still fuming Suzerain. Matters were dealt with icy efficiency and the break only long enough for the word to spread as to what had occurred. The Suzerain and his bodyguard adjourning to the balcony apparently so the Suzerain might smoke and calm. The remainder of the meeting concluded uneventfully – though all in the room wondering at the Suzerain’s unpredictability and brutality… and charisma. He was even able to keep his abused Childe loyal!

As the last of the leaders left, Spike snarled at the minions, “You too! Go on … F@#$ off.” then mumbled, deliberately audibly as they left, “Got some family business to sort.” The two traitors grinned at each other as they departed the room. Their own demon masters, not present on the night, would be most pleased to learn of this turn of events.

Spike, followed closely by his Claimed, attended his Childe and Grandchilde.

As they entered the room, Spike knew, Lisbeth had tended to her Sire’s wounds and the two had obviously made passionate love and exchanged blood while the Suzerain had seen to cartel matters.

A sated Angelus rolled from his relaxed spooning of a smiling, sated Lisbeth, to kneel at his Sire’s feet, Lisbeth followed suit and both kissed his feet with genuine gratitude. And Alexander loved his owner all the more as the Master of the line knelt also and pulled the two vampires into a warm hug, kissing first Angelus then Lisbeth on the forehead and offering an open wrist to each all the while whispering, “Well done, so proud of you! Well done!” Then caressing Angelus’ face where he had earlier struck in apparent anger.

He lifted his Childe’s chin. “You OK Childe? Are you still in pain?”

Angelus stared back with nothing but adoration in his chocolate orbs. “No Sire… How could I be? You have given us Lisbeth! Thank you, Sire.”

Spike repeated the act with Lisbeth, who let her own tears of joy fall, “Suzerain!. Oh... thank you Grandsire!”

He cupped her pretty face with his right hand, fixed her with his crystal blue stare and said, “In or out of favour to the outside world, you are now known a Childe of the Aurelian line. There may be a need to play the audience outside, but in private you will always be loved. Never forget that.” He kissed her again, this time soundly on the lips, then took his Childe’s with as much passion.

The two were left on the floor a little overwhelmed as Spike stood and made for the door to the balcony, leading his Companion back to his own private rooms.

If anyone watched the door of the Childe Angelus suite, they would assume the Suzerain was taking his wayward creation in punishment as sounds of coupling and the smell of spending and blood was detectable to those with vampiric senses.

Alexander felt a little jealous. He might be the claimed but the love between Lisbeth and Angelus… and even Angelus and Spike was in stark relief, with how the Suzerain would ever see him… Yet he yearned for such a connection.

That evening Spike spooned his human bed warmer, fed him a few drops of blood, then whispered, “Well done Pet… very well done,” before falling into an exhausted sleep, and Alexander felt wonderful and terrible all rolled into one. He so wanted to be worthy of the Suzerain’s love, but had no idea how to achieve that goal.

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Part 7

A month after the very public turning, none of the cartel leaders were sure of the Suzerain’s Childe’s current status. Angelus had apparently submitted once more, the renewed savage bite of his Sire evident each day, and the Grandchilde Lisbeth only occasionally present at the Master of the line’s behest. Few even noticed when the handsome bodyguard was occasionally seen with the new Childe. It was to be expected.

The Mistress had been instructed to attend the two and was deep in thought as she approached the recreation area of the property. Janet halted as the conversation of the newly turned vampire, only four months young, and the Claimed human Companion, wafted up from the heated outdoor pool area around midnight. The new Childe had been sent off with the bodyguard to take some exercise as the proceedings of the evening wound up.

“But, you are his claimed!?!”

The Mistress sidled into site line and simply stood.

The younger looking Alexander addressed the new vampire, and former claimed with teary sincerity, “But he will never love me… Angelus loves you… and you are *so* beautiful! Why wouldn’t he. All I can be is loyal and obedient… but ohhh Lisbeth … sometimes I just wish…I [hic]… I wish [hic] he really *loved* me!![hic] Ohhh [hic] Sorry!!!”

Alexander was then observed to bury his face in the pretty vampire’s chest, utterly oblivious of her game face or agitated growling at her Grandsire Claimant’s distress.

As Lisbeth sat with the sobbing boy in her lap, the Mistress was sure Angelus would have been proud of his Childe as she was privy to the reply, “I cannot make a comment of my Grandsire, but I do know he cares for you deeply. If you are worried then… form your questions carefully and then… ask… I am *sure* he trusts you and cares more deeply than you could comprehend… My Sire too hesitated after my claiming… but please! Love him and care for him and all will be well… It’s up to you, love and adore My GrandSire the Suzerain… your Claimer… He may not display his true thoughts but don’t doubt him… I’m sure he loves you!”

Alexander slid away and sat, hugging his knees and his left cheek leaning on the knees and face turned toward her, a perfect picture of misery as he all but whispered a reply.

“He doesn’t! I protect him. I warm his bed, and provide occasional mindless amusement and necessary chaste ‘release’. He’s kissed me three times, we’ve brought each other off occasionally by hand or friction when he is worried, and he took me once but that was just part of the Claiming… And he only claimed me so my fighting would be better and even that didn’t work!!! I’m hopeless… Not like you… not like you…. Oh Liz… I’m worth no more than a minion to him and he’ll never really love me… not like Angelus does you… the Suzerain can’t… but I’m better than that, I *could* make him happy… I just *know* I could. But…”

He offered his neck to the vampire almost as a plea for relief, but Lisbeth knew better than to touch what was the Suzerain’s. Instead she kissed his claiming mark gently and took him into a friendly hug then began to rock him. Alexander relaxed into the soft cool embrace and began to cry silently, eventually falling asleep in the arms of the young vampire. The Mistress, sure the crisis was over, departed the scene and resolved to have a word to the Suzerain when the time was right.

But the time never seemed right and over the ensuing weeks only the Mistress Janet and Lisbeth seemed to notice the concerning change. Alexander was working harder than ever at his fighting, utterly attentive and disciplined in his role as bodyguard, and instantly complying with any demand the Suzerain made of him. But even at when performing his duties, it seemed that the Suzerain ignored him.

When meetings were adjourned he was often left standing in an empty or darkened room along with the other minions as the cartel leaders and the Suzerain swept out…
He was no longer allowed to shower with his Claimer, and the irritating rash under his collar went unnoticed and untreated.

In the six weeks after his outpouring of need to Lisbeth, he had hardly had physical contact with the Suzerain, even as a bed warmer, and certainly had not been given any of his Claimer’s craved for (necessary!) blood.

Spike was preoccupied. Cartel matters had been intense, a grab for power averted and new territory carved out, and more often than not, he was ordered into the Suzerain’s room, only to sleep solo whilst some new crisis held the Suzerain from his rest.

On the morning of the beginning of the seventh week, the Companion was simply ordered, “Get out” by his stressed, very drunk Claimer. He hesitated and was given a hard slap for his trouble with the threat of more, so scrambled miserably from the soft bed and slept on the floor.

He was not invited back into the bed the following night and had slept unnoticed under a small throw rug from the settee with his head on his master’s boot for close on three weeks. His bodyguard services were still required, and he stood dutifully and protected willingly, but the Companion was dying inside.

Three months after his claiming, Alexander passed out and could not be roused for some hour or so during a sparring session.

Mistress Janet knew better than to call the Suzerain immediately, but suspected the cause. And as she stripped off his loose training garments it was *very* obvious.

The boy had always been slim and muscular, but now was obviously wasting away, his ribs prominent and stomach sunken. She looked at the face of the still unconscious boy again and mentally kicked herself for not taking better note of the black shadows around his eyes and drawn features. She called for a medical specialist for humans then the Suzerain’s cook, determined to gather her evidence before confronting the Suzerain.

The cook reinforced her suspicions and the physician positively confirmed them. The boy’s system was in decline, the cook claiming that he had been eating less and less as the weeks went by and the physician indicating that there was no trace of the Claimer’s blood in a system that now required it to survive. But more than that, the lack of eating was consistent with severe depression due to lack of contact and neglect.

The medical practitioner, Dr Appel added, “If I may be so bold, I wonder if you might pass on to the Suzerain that I suspect the withdrawal of blood might have coincided with a withdrawal of contact generally, as the physical effects are truly very severe. If he wishes the Claimant to survive, then he will have to alter the way the Companion is treated. If he is not given the proper Claimant’s attention then he will die in extreme pain, both mentally and physically… I am happy to put him down now if he wishes, it would be kinder.”

The doctor looked sadly resigned.

He’d seen it too many times before, though not so much with Companions, but certainly with feral humans they were often Claimed then discarded, the novelty apparently wearing off and the owners handing them over to a disposal unit. The trend was particularly bad after the festive season and often involved very young claimants. Putting them down was especially hard for the teams at the units, but really was the kindest end.

The Mistress was furious. Over the months, the Companion Alexander had become her favourite – never failing to try his hardest and always offering gratitude and respect in their training sessions. That his life was now to be terminated through lack of attention by his Claimer was unconscionable.

The Mistress Janet left the doctor with the still unconscious Alexander, and marched to the other end of the compound and upstairs to the Suzerain’s office. She waited impatiently as yet another meeting concluded and three very ugly Groxlars and two vampires departed the room, then slipping in the still open door.

Spike didn’t turn or even look up from the computer, instead simply waved vaguely toward the refreshment trolley, “Just take it… and get that bloody bodyguard in here will you?! Should have been done his workout by now!”

The Mistress Janet rounded the enormous board room table and did something on the spur of the moment that she would never have dared do in hindsight. She slapped the Suzerain hard enough to tip him off his chair, then pinned him to the ground in full game face, with a strength completely at odds with both her age and size.

“Shall I do that *before* or *after* you kill him from neglect! He can’t attend you Suzerain, because he is *unconscious*, *underfed*, and unattended by his *Claimer*! Oh, but don’t worry yourself, the physician is ready to put him down – you just need to say the word! At least it’s kinder than killing him so slowly and cruelly!”

Spike went to speak but the Mistress hit as hard as she could, then stormed out of the room to return to the stricken Companion, leaving the Suzerain to ponder her words.

The actions were so uncharacteristic of the Mistress that he knew it must be serious, and slowly began to digest the information she had literally beaten into him,

Initially he felt incensed and angry at being accused of abusing his Companion, but swiftly realized the gravity of what she had said and sadly had to admit, she was right.

He had indeed neglected the boy, not just neglected but actively pushed him away of recent times. What had started as a public way of safeguarding his Claimed bodyguard and himself, had ended in a complete denial of contact and affection in private.

Alexander had his head in the Mistress’ lap and was barely aware of anything as his Claimer entered the room.

Spike was utterly shocked. Alexander was naked to the waist revealing his obviously precarious physical state and his pallor of death. He had a drip in his arm and the physician had lined up the syringe and vial of overly potent sedative that would take the Companion to his final rest were the Suzerain to wish it.

But the worst indictment of his failure was his Claimed Companion’s whimpers and occasional delusional words of “Not good… en…ffff” and “ffffailed” then even worse “Kill me Plea… fffff. Ohhh… sorrrr… but…hurttttt!”

Spike was distressed beyond belief.

This beautiful creature who had given himself so willingly, never done anything less that what was asked and then some, was now dying because the Suzerain’s needs apparently surpassed his own. He was bred and trained to be compliant and obedient.

For Spike it wasn’t so much an epiphany as a realization of error… The boy had stood for endless hours of meetings without complaint; warmed his bed and willingly serviced him; killed ill intentioned adversaries; trained tirelessly: and happily listened to the Suzerain as he spilled his worries regards the latest meeting or Email. But never asked for anything… And, belatedly, Spike remembered the eviction of his bed warmer some month earlier! The harsh words; the cruel actions; the ignored, indeed punished, tears… all were due to the Suzerain’s stress over a cartel’s betrayal, yet his Companion had borne the brunt.

Spike suddenly realized… nowhere in his instructions to his Claimant did he give the right to request what he needed, nor did he put into place any measures to cope with the Claimant’s need for the Suzerain’s blood.

The Mistress witnessed the Suzerain all but melting on the spot as he slid to lift his devoted servant into his lap and held him as though an infant. She could not help but think, if Alexander *only knew* how much he was adored.

Spike looked up to the physician, “No !! No putting down you idiot! Now. What. Do. We. Have. To. Do!??”

The physician was a little nervous, given that it was the Suzerain in full game face within inches of his own neck, but he held his ground, swallowed hard and answered the question.

“Suzerain, with all due respect. He has been starved of you blood and your favour and will die – I was merely suggesting…”

Spike growled openly and the young medico quickly added, ”If you are committed to his survival then you *must* attend him – even if it is only to feed him. We have a facility just outside our main clinic where you might place him and visit as needed. Suzerain… I am only thinking of you and your Companion… If he is to survive then he will need constant attention.”

“No!”

“But Suz…”

“I said No! Now pack up and piss off … and be back here tomorrow at the start of the evening. Understood he needs attention but he doesn’t leave here so you come to him… clear?”

“Of course Suzerain.”

An hour later saw Spike propped up in bed with his ailing Companion in his lap. Alexander was too weak to do anything but relax into the cool embrace and accept the proffered dripping wrist and quiet stroking. He knew it was his Claimer but couldn’t understand why unless it was a final goodbye but he was beyond caring and eventually simply fell asleep.

Spike eased himself from his stricken Claimant as the Mistress Janet knocked quietly on the door to offer the Suzerain a mug of warmed blood.

The blood was taken and drained then she was pulled tight to the taut torso of the Suzerain and was offered his wrist to her with the quiet words, “No one else would have dared… You are a true lady… Nobless oblige… I bow to your greater knowledge and request that you accept the status of Honoured Mistress in the coming fall festivities… ”

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PART 8

Alexander was sedated and fed electrolytes and vitamins spiked with a decent dose the Suzerain’s blood via a drip for the next ten days.

His situation was precarious for the first five, an erratic heartbeat and apparently frightening delusions causing the Suzerain to hover around their sleeping quarters whenever he had a spare moment.

The doctor continued to encourage physical contact and Spike did as instructed, petting, massaging, stroking and hugging the stricken human at every opportunity.

On day six there was a small breakthrough of sorts. The doctor had recommended contact with other Companions particularly family. Spike put Angelus on the task, and his Childe did the most logical thing – he tracked down the establishment where Alexander had been bred.

Two days later a very nervous Natte stepped into the Suzerain’s compound with three humans on leash, Samuel (Alexander’s dear cousin), Alexander’s heavily pregnant sister Sara, and another pretty brunette woman called Penny who had been chosen to bear Alexander’s children in his latter days at Natte’s.

They were directed to the day room where Alexander was resting on a futon that obviously doubled as a couch at other times judging by the twenty or so large cushions making a colourful ‘headboard’.

Spike stood at the door watching the interaction hopefully. The Mistress was present should anything go astray, but he relaxed a little as he observed the breeder Natte approach and reach out to his former possession, brushing a lock of hair away with sad affection.

The Mistress nodded to the Suzerain as he departed. She had been named as Honoured Mistress of the Aurelian Household in front of a full meeting of cartel leaders a day earlier and was still reeling from the experience. She was quite stunned by the level of support from the vast majority of those present. They knew her to be extraordinarily capable and had even trained many cartel leaders and their firsts during the annual four day conference. It was a very popular move and shifted her standing to the equivalent of cartel leader, affording her the right to attend the meetings of combined cartels should she so desire. But today she was charged with safeguarding the Suzerain’s claimed, an honour of a different kind.


Sara gasped and was unsuccessful in preventing a tear from falling as she approached her dear brother on his sick bed, Samuel too felt highly moved by the sight of the thin and drawn figure of his cousin - though as much in the knowledge that he had not fought against Alexander’s abduction… and that had led to this! After Natte had informed him that the Suzerain was his cousin’s new owner, he had tried to convince himself that Alexander would be happy having gone to a place of privilege, but could hardly begin to imagine the neglect, or illness or cruelty that had led to his handsome cousin’s current state.

Alexander roused a little and Natte led the three humans closer so they could interact.

Indeed after an initial gentle touch, Alexander was treated to all three humans being allowed onto the bed with him, caressing and petting him, their warm forms and familiar smells so right.

Alexander seemed to have little control over his emotions of late and simply began to cry quietly. Samuel and Sara hugged and waited, and waited and hugged. Their brother seemed in decline, no one had told them the reason, so gentle touch was really all they could do.


Alexander had given in to the idea that he would die, but then had woken feeling his Claimer, but … so tired, so very tired… and then black… and then the Mistress… and black… and Lisbeth… then black… and the doctor… and then the Suzerain again… then black… and then… *Samuel* and his darling sister… but he still couldn’t seem to form words, so he just held on and cried.

That night he was only semiconscious as he fed on the Suzerain’s blood direct from the vein. Sadly Spike’s relieved expression and loving caress was missed as the boy passed out during the act.


By the ninth day, Alexander was responding to the treatment but still felt somehow lost and … hopeless. His health had improved, but he had not been allowed to return to his bodyguard duties, removing the one meaningful role he had performed for the Suzerain. Though he was still being fed the Suzerain’s blood and had received more attention in the previous week than he had in the two months prior, he was still sure it was just a matter of time before the Suzerain moved to dispose of him. His designated position as bodyguard apparently terminated, he surmised it was not long before the Suzerain would request a new bed warmer.

The attending physician noted the continuing depression and advised that the Suzerain increase his level of direct physical contact if at all possible, and to have Natte bring any or all of Sara, Samuel and Penny for a visit at least once a week to provide familial reassurance.

Sara was the more frequent visitor. Pregnant with only her second child, at twenty she was a picture of health. Bearing children suited her, as it had her mother, and as Alexander well knew, the expert handlers and facilities at Natte’s estate gave Sara’s offspring a wonderful start to life.

On the second visit he stroked her belly and looked up at her amazed when the tiny life inside moved at his touch. She grinned and did as always… chatted to him as though nothing had changed in the last year and a bit.

“It’s a boy. Natte only breeds boys at the moment. He’ll do girls in a year or two he said, mainly so he has a new set of breeders… I’m looking forward to that… I’d really like a little girl, especially as she’ll definitely stay on the estate... I just hope this little love,” she rubbed her bump lovingly, “is as pretty as your first two were, we must ask the Suzerain if they might visit – you would be so proud – they are just a *delight*, so sweet and well behaved. Oooooooh! And you know that Penny is now carrying your third?! It was confirmed two days ago. Oh Alex… She is *so* happy and wanted to come today, but the Master insists she is to rest in these early days!”

Despite his hazy perception, Alexander roused, “What?! But… How?”

“Oh come on Alexander, don’t be such a dullard! The last collection before you were stolen! And it’s called freezing the catch!! Come on, don’t be so silly… It’s Penny! She’s *gorgeous*, don’t you think? And with the genetics of both of you … Master Natte is so amazing at keeping the lines true... You know I’ll *always* have Dante for boys, though I’m not sure who Master Natte favours if it’s to be girls… probably that sweetie Carl from Master JonJon’s. We’ve already been introduced once, just to see if our natures matched.”… Sara chatted on and Xander smiled but drifted a little.

He had never felt particularly like he had fathered anyone as it was all done through artificial insemination after the genetic integrity was checked and the DNA analysed for possible problems. Of any ten eggs collected, usually only five were viable and even then only one or two fertilized products approved and actually implanted. Some breeders used surrogates for Companions but purists like Natte would not hear of it and preferred his breeding females to know the father of their children – though only contact of a casual nature was allowed - no intercourse permitted. In some cases the breeding pair was a *particularly* good match and became quite attached, and some kind breeders did believe in recreational coupling.

Of late, technology had allowed breeding pairs to enjoy each other with no risk of random impregnation in the process as it was now possible to procure a purpose fitted ‘collection shunt’ that simply redirected the ejaculate. The male and female both happily sated and the added bonus of seed collection via ‘natural stimulation’. There was a growing movement recommending the practice as it seemed the females benefited from achieving climax also.

A few weeks later Sara would admit with a grin, that she and her favourite, Carl, had been allowed to engage on several occasions as his shunt had been fitted some six months previous.

As Master Natte came to collect Alexander’s pretty sister, he was speaking to the Suzerain enthusiastically of the practice and Samuel’s recent surgery to insert the shunt, suggesting that perhaps Alexander might find improved spirits if allowed to engage freely with a partner. He emphasized the need for the Companions to have touch and a feeling of belonging; to be praised and adored; to be valued and cared for… to be loved.

Spike barely held back a growl. He knew his dear Companion was orientated a different way, regardless of having children from collected seed – but there was no way *the Suzerain’s Chosen* was being ‘shunted’! Nor would he lie with others for that matter!!! And to be lectured to by a mere breeder… the only thing that stopped him from snapping the demon’s neck was that it was almost word for word regards the Mistress’s ever more frequent lectures, and she was in the room looking pointedly at him!

After dismissing the Master Natte, and inviting the ‘family visit’ the following week for his still waning Companion, he sat back and looked hard at the boy.

He had filled out a little. The Mistress had reported that he was now able to work out three or four times a week on a light program, and she had him back to form work with his fighting arts. But something was still very wrong.

The following week the arrival of two enthusiastic, two year old brunette boys along with Penny (who’s ‘bump’ was definitely showing) was a source of great delight especially as Penny was now entering her second trimester with her new one. She would deliver by caesarean as was usual with the Companions. Feeders were allowed to deliver naturally – their relative value and sheer numbers making any attrition rate acceptable – though more careful breeders generally brought them in for the event and had a physician present for large group deliveries.

Spike watched as Alexander pushed up from the bed as the door opened to the woman who had apparently already carried two of his children and would produce a third in spring, but with whom he had never technically coupled. Their friendly attitude toward each other was obvious from the first visit.

Alexander stood to greet her, she was positively glowing with her pregnancy and smiled. *Their* little boys (Alexander would remind himself later) scrambling onto his bed and proceeded to delight in trying to make a sort of igloo out of the cushions.

Like all Natte’s female breeders Penny was barefoot, dressed in a comfortable, loose fitting white silk dress, fashioned in the style preferred in ancient Greece. Long tresses of slightly curly brunette hair were held back in a simple clasp and dark brown eyes framed by long lashes, mirrored his own features. He saw why Natte chose her to breed from. Alexander grinned at the two boys before pulling the lovely Penny into a spur of the moment hug then felt compelled to work on pure instinct.

Penny had been starved of touch other than family and pressed her body harder into his as he let his head fall on her shoulder and hands wander. His left found her right breast and he caressed the enlarged nipple through the soft material, while his right slid under the folds and down to her sex, full and sensitive thanks to pregnancy. He then gently stimulated her to a much longed for climax. He felt her slightly stretched stomach muscles tighten impossibly as she achieved orgasm, and stayed for long enough to register the feather light flutters of her inner walls mirrored by what he imagined might be a few tiny moves from the small person inside.

Alexander withdrew his fingers and held the mother of his children in an affectionate hug. She relaxed into his embrace for a moment before whispering, “You really didn’t have to… I know you are not a lover of women. But thank you… you do know I am always so honoured that I was chosen to carry your boys, and now… you gift me with this when I am… so….” She looked down at her distended belly and swollen breasts and sighed.

“When you are so beautiful, and deserve a breeding partner who needs a shunt! You mean?”

They both grinned for a moment before Penny took Alexander’s face in her hands and pushed her hard belly into his taut torso. She kissed him lovingly on the forehead then replied, “No, I want no other partner. I will never be your satisfaction, as I *know* that lies with the Suzerain, but I will be the mother to only your children, all going well, and I thank you for that.”

Spike had watched the entire proceedings, concerned that his Companion seemed happier with this female than he had seemed for weeks. But then noticed, strangely relieved, that Alexander had not been particularly aroused nor found his own climax in the act.

The Mistress sidled up behind the Suzerain and whispered at a level only a vampire could hope to hear, “His problems would be solved if only you would take him, Suzerain.”

Spike fell into gameface and growled low, “I cannot afford to become attached.”

The Mistress moved behind him and whispered in the other ear, “Too late! It is all that ails him Suzerain… Your blood is not all he craves. Look! The dear love, he brings another pleasure that he himself is deprived of. You *must* do this! And cartels be damned! Let them come through me!”

Spike turned enough to see the diminutive Mistress Janet arms folded across an ample breast and fit figure spelling a readiness for a very dangerous fight should anyone challenge. She was magnificent. In that moment, he realized just what a gift he had been given when her Sire passed her to him, and was pleased he had afforded her the place of Honoured Mistress.

He acquiesced. “You are right Mistress.”

Spike removed himself and allowed Alexander to play with the boys for a little as Penny relaxed. They were led out of the room by handlers an hour later with promises that there would be another visit in a week.

The Suzerain entered the day room as the others left, saying nothing he tugged the now reclining Alexander to his feet and wordlessly led him to the Master bedroom where proceedings began with a compliant Companion being pushed onto his back and kissed passionately, the Suzerain covering his form and sliding a hand between them to indicate his intent.

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