Someone Like You Read online

  Arcanum: Someone Like You

  By Mychael Black

  Copyright 2014 by Mychael Black

  Smashwords Edition

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.

  Arcanum 3: Someone Like You

  Torquere Press Publishers

  1380 Rio Rancho Blvd #1319, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

  Cover illustration by Acapella Book Cover Design

  Published with permission

  ISBN: 978-1-61040-811-0

  www.torquerepress.com

  All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. For information address Torquere Press. Inc., 1380 Rio Rancho Blvd #1319, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

  First Torquere Press Printing: October 2014

  Arcanum 3:

  Someone Like You

  Prologue

  Texas, August 2010

  "Thank you, Austin!"

  Erin shouted into the mic and the crowd of thousands roared their approval. He bowed and the stage lights faded. He made it off the stage before the main lights came on, ducking around a corner to catch his breath for a minute. His ears still buzzed like mad, and the headache that had threatened earlier now came back with a vengeance. Erin rested his forehead against the cool wall.

  "Hey, man, you okay?"

  Erin took a deep, steadying breath and nodded slightly. "Yeah. Just fighting this damn migraine."

  Bobby Gallows patted Erin's shoulder, though not too hard. Erin glanced at his bassist. "We kicked ass, though. You sounded fucking amazing."

  "Thanks, man," Erin muttered. He managed to give Bobby a smile, then watched as the man walked away. Erin mentally kicked himself. Pining after a straight guy was a very stupid idea. Especially with other... complications muddying the waters. Erin sighed and stepped back from the wall. "Get a grip, Grey. So not happening."

  Erin gave himself about half an hour, enough time to recuperate and get back into the rock star mindset. Then he headed for the dressing room and walked into chaos. Half-naked women everywhere, food everywhere, and his bandmates all ensconced in some tryst or another. People laughed and talked, shouted, nearly everyone drunk off his or her ass. Erin groaned and snagged the last bottled water out of the tub of ice. Just before he could drink, though, one of the women approached him. Erin shot his bassist a "help me!" look. Bobby smirked and resumed making out with two chicks.

  "You're even hotter in person," the woman said. She smiled at Erin, and he tried to do the same. Something about her eyes made him uneasy, and not in the "female-hitting-on-the-token-gay-guy" way. "I'm Angeline." She presented him with a manicured hand, nails painted blood red.

  Erin swallowed the sigh and figured he'd play along for the time being. He shook her hand. "Erin Grey. Nice to meet you."

  Angeline released him, her nails scraping slightly along the inside of his wrist. "I've followed your band through most of the tour, but this is the first time I've been able to get backstage."

  Erin had met many fans in the past six years that Grey's Valentine had been around, but no one quite as subtly unnerving as Angeline. "Really? Wow. That's... cool!"

  "I always see pictures online of the other guys with women hanging all over them, but never anything with you." She took a step closer, her black-clad, petite frame almost too close for comfort. "So... are you attached, Mr. Grey?"

  "Erin," he said. "And no, I'm not."

  "That's hard to believe." One lacquered fingernail stroked Erin's chest, barely skirting between the buttons of his silk shirt. "You're sexy, mysterious..."

  "And gay," Erin added. "You do know that, right?"

  Angeline shrugged. "A mere... bump in the road."

  One dark eyebrow rose. "Bump in the road..." He took her hand -- gently -- and removed it from the vicinity of his chest. "Look, you're pretty, but I don't swing that way."

  Angeline pouted, then those deep red lips curled into a smile that screamed wrongness. "Thank you, and I do hope you find someone more to your taste... Erin." She slipped around him and out the door.

  Erin fell back against the wall, relief flooding through him.

  "What the hell was that about?" Bobby laughed, one of his arm candies having found another home with Luke, the band's drummer.

  "Apparently some women really do think they can make a gay man jump the fence."

  Bobby snorted. "If the chicks in here can't do it, it ain't happenin'."

  Erin waited a few minutes longer, then managed to escape the dressing room, water in hand. He didn't see any sign of Angeline -- thank the gods -- and hurried out to the bus. At least there, with security guards, he didn't have to worry about any more chicks trying to pick him up. If he wanted to play with a pussy, he'd reach down between his damn legs.

  He nodded to the guards and climbed onto the bus. The tour only had a few more stops, then they all got a break, however brief, before heading into the studio to bang out the new album they'd already started working on. Erin couldn't wait to get off the road. He loved playing live, but watching his bandmates getting laid every night had worn out its welcome. Being gay wasn't the problem; it was the plumbing. Erin sighed and flopped down onto the couch. Well, at least he had a damn good imagination and plenty of well-hidden toys.

  Outside, even through the dark-tinted windows, he could see the crowd starting to grow. The rest of the guys would be heading out soon, which meant he'd have to give one more wave, maybe sign a few autographs, before he had any real time to relax. He tipped his bottle up for a drink and froze. No one out there should be able to see anything in the bus, but Erin swore he felt Angeline's creepy gaze honing directly in on him.

  "Not a chance," he muttered. "She can't see in here." He took a drink, then looked again. She was gone. Erin shivered. "Time to go. So fucking time to go."

  Chapter One

  Maryland, August 2010

  "What in God's name are you listening to?"

  "Grey's Valentine."

  Jonah Pierce crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. "Grey's Valentine? Sounds like the name of a soap opera gone bad, Riley."

  Riley rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Shut up. I have to listen to your nonstop classic rock all the time. You could use some education in the goth metal department."

  Jonah watched his brother, Riley's nimble fingers practically flying over the keyboard. Just a few hours ago, those fingers had gripped Jonah's hair as he demonstrated an unauthorized use of department desks. Technically, they shouldn't do so much as kiss at work. The whole fraternization thing, coupled with the being brothers bit, didn't look very good. But then, sometimes, Jonah just needed Riley, in whatever way he could get the man.

  "What are you doing anyway?"

  "Finishing up the reports for that last case," Riley answered. "Oh, Lane says hi, too. He emailed me."

  "He probably thinks I forgot to reply when he sent me one. I got... busy."

  Riley stopped typing and smirked. "Next time we fuck on a desk, I'm topping. My back is still sore."

  Jonah bit his tongue before he could argue. As vampires, they both healed quickly, but he sure as hell wouldn't turn down the chance to bottom. Riley, despite being slimmer and a few inches shorter, had a wicked streak that made Jonah's toes curl. They'd only brushed the surface, and Jonah knew damn well he'd let Riley do anything the man wanted.

  The phone rang and Riley answered, not missing a beat in his typing. "Detective Pierce, Arcanum Division."
A few seconds passed and then Riley chuckled. "There's two of us. I'm the nice one." He winked at Jonah, obviously ignoring Jonah's glare. "What can I do for you, Mr...?" He listened, then stopped typing altogether. "I see. When did this start?"

  Curiosity got the better of Jonah and he shut the door behind him. Taking a seat on the corner of his brother's desk, he waited patiently.

  "When will Mr. Grey be back in town? I think it best to get the full story directly from him." Riley nodded. "Yes, evening will be fine. We keep... odd hours here. A few of us are of the nocturnal sort, if you catch my drift." Riley grabbed a pen and scribbled something on a slip of paper. "Seven thirty, Tuesday. Got it. Tell Mr. Grey we'll see him then." He hung up and sat back, blinking at the paper.

  "Well?"

  "We're meeting Erin Grey," Riley said, sounding more than a bit stunned.

  "Who?"

  Riley looked up at Jonah. "The lead singer of Grey's Valentine."

  "Why are we meeting him? Surely you're not that hard-up for an autograph."

  Riley scowled. "Fuck you."

  "Gladly," Jonah said with a grin. "Seriously, what's going on?"

  "Apparently Grey has gained himself a rather obsessed fan."

  "Isn't this better suited to normal police departments?"

  "Not when the fan vanishes in plain sight."

  Jonah studied his brother in silence for a moment. "So not just a stalker, but one right up our alley, huh?"

  "It seems so." Riley stuck the paper into the corner of his monitor, then saved his file. "I'll finish this tomorrow. Just got a few things left to wrap up and it'll be done."

  Jonah waited until Riley stood before pulling his brother close. "Good. Then I say we get out of here."

  Riley smiled, fangs just barely visible. Slender fingers skimmed right above the waistband of Jonah's slacks. "Hungry?"

  "A bit..." Jonah tipped his head back when Riley leaned in to kiss his neck. Although they regularly drank from one another, the only nourishment came from mortals. It had taken Jonah a bit to get used to watching Riley drink from another person, much less do it himself, but necessity outweighed the twinges of jealousy. "Okay," he groaned as Riley's fangs scraped his throat. "Feeding, then home. Before we have a repeat performance on the desk."

  Riley chuckled and drew back. Once they both had gathered their things, Riley led Jonah out of the office. They waved good-bye to the guard near the door and stepped out into the early fall night.

  "Where to?" Jonah draped his arm around Riley's shoulders, loving how his brother fit right beside him.

  "You up for a bit of dancing?"

  Jonah laughed. "Babe, I look like a fish out of water in any club you frequent."

  "Aw, c'mon..." Riley's arm snaked around Jonah's waist, tugging them closer together as they walked. "I bet you any amount of money that I can make everyone else jealous just because I'm going home with you and they aren't."

  "I'm not goth. You are."

  "Doesn't matter," Riley said as he steered them toward one of his usual haunts, an industrial club downtown called The Bastille that hosted weekly goth nights. Despite wearing black jeans and a dark gray shirt, he still looked like he belonged there. He never left the house without his eyeliner, and his black hair went past his shoulders, far beyond any normal police dress code.

  Jonah sighed and realized he'd never win this argument. "Fine. But I make no promises to be nice if someone gets too friendly with you."

  Riley winked, his slight smile wicked. "You never are." He turned that smile on the bouncer at the door and, much to Jonah's surprise, the man let them through. The other patrons standing in line didn't seem particularly thrilled, but Riley ignored them as he led Jonah inside. "It's one of the things I love about you."

  "My lack of social graces?"

  "Your jealous streak."

  Jonah didn't know what to make of that one so he let it go. Riley dragged him past the bar and right onto the dance floor without warning. Jonah didn't have time to protest before his brother's mouth met his own. Riley's arms went around Jonah's neck and Jonah held on tight, drinking in the soft groans and growls Riley fed him.

  "God, I can't wait to get my hands on you," Riley muttered, kisses moving from Jonah's lips, down his jaw, to his neck. Jonah hummed his agreement. "Feeding... then I'm taking you home and driving you fucking insane."

  Jonah fisted a hand in his brother's hair and tugged Riley's head back to see gray eyes slowing turning red with hunger. "Keep it up and we're leaving now."

  Riley licked those tempting lips, fangs already down. Jonah shuddered and kissed Riley hard, then let the man go. Riley grinned and looked around for a moment. He seemed to find what he was searching for and he drifted away. When it came to feeding, neither of them had a preference. Blood was blood, and gender didn't make a difference. Riley honed in a young woman who stared at him like he was a banquet. Jonah couldn't help but watch.

  Riley lured the young woman out onto the dance floor and slipped behind her. She smiled, and when Riley's hand cupped the front of her neck, she rested her head back on Riley's shoulder. Jonah licked his own lips as his lover kissed a path along the slender curve of the woman's throat. Riley whispered something to her and she nodded. Jonah assumed Riley had simply asked for permission to feed -- as all non-killing vampires did -- then his brother's fangs sank into the woman's flesh. She shuddered, eyes going wide for a moment. Even above the music, Jonah heard her moan as she came in Riley's arms.

  Riley licked the wound, then turned her face for a light peck on the lips. She smiled and he let her go. The second she returned to her friends, they all swarmed in on her, chattering like crazy. Jonah glanced back at Riley, who approached with a smug look.

  "What did you whisper to her?"

  "I told her I was going to drink from her, then go home and fuck you."

  "Really?"

  Riley laughed. "Babe," he said, arms looping around Jonah's neck. "You'd be amazed how many chicks get off on two gay guys going at it."

  "People are weird."

  Pressing their bodies tighter together, Riley murmured in Jonah's ear, "This coming from the man who's going to have my hand buried in his ass."

  Jonah went from half-mast to rock hard within seconds. "Christ, Riley..."

  "Go feed. I have plans for you."

  Jonah wasn't picky tonight. He found a man dancing nearby and moved up behind the guy. Hands on the man's hips, he leaned down and whispered, "Are you a willing and able donor?"

  "Mmm..." The man nodded. "I saw you walk in. You're both vampires?"

  "We are."

  "Too bad he already fed..."

  Jonah chuckled. "Why is that?"

  "Dude. You're so fucking hot, but together? Man..."

  Jonah thought for a second, then waved Riley over. He gave his brother a wink when Riley stepped in front of their quarry. "I'm sure he'd make an exception tonight."

  Jonah didn't give the guy a chance to answer. He sank his fangs into the man's neck, and the slender body went absolutely rigid. A heartbeat passed and the man moaned, the sound pure decadent pleasure. Riley had taken the other side, and Jonah bit harder while letting one hand drift down to dance his fingers along the front of the man's pants. The man gasped and jerked, hardness throbbing beneath Jonah's hand. Jonah licked the wound, while Riley did the same.

  "Holy... fuck..." The guy panted. "How do you two--" He looked between them and seemed to notice the slight similarities in appearance. "Wow. You're brothers?"

  "Among other things," Riley said.

  "If you ever need a donor, just find me here. I'll take you both anytime."

  ***

  Riley slammed Jonah against the door and kissed him hard enough to draw blood. Jonah tried to get them at least semi-undressed, but his brother seized his hands and pinned them to the door above his head. The kisses turned to outright bites, and Riley licked away tiny droplets of blood from Jonah's lips.

  "Come now? Or wait?"

  Jonah gr
oaned when his brother's hand cupped him, squeezing. "God, Riley. Now. I'll get it up again."

  His jeans hit the floor and then Jonah grunted, Riley's fingers wrapping around his cock with a firm grip. Jonah thrust into Riley's fist, over and over, panting against Riley's mouth. The strokes quickened and Riley brushed a thumb over the head. When Riley pressed the slit, hard, Jonah shouted. His entire body jerked, hips bucking forward, and he shot onto Riley's hand and shirt.

  "J-Jesus..." Jonah gasped.

  Riley hummed and licked those insanely talented fingers clean. "Bed. Naked. Now."

  Jonah kicked off his pants the rest of the way and stripped off his shirt by the time he was halfway to the bedroom. He sprawled out and Riley joined him a few minutes later, naked, towel in hand.

  "Lift up." When Jonah did, Riley slid the towel under him. Then Riley got the lube and knelt between Jonah's legs. "Nervous?" he asked, rubbing his palms up along Jonah's inner thighs, spreading them open more.

  "No. Yes? Hell, I've never done this."

  "It's..." Riley sighed. "There's no way to describe it. I'll go slow, and you tell me how you're doing. Okay?"

  Jonah swallowed, nodded. "Have you ever done this?"

  "Yeah." Riley popped the lube open and slicked two fingers. He smiled as he stroked them over Jonah's ass. "A few times -- giving and receiving."

  Jonah tried to answer, but the words escaped him when Riley's fingers eased inside. He drew his legs up and held them to his chest. Riley worked him open, sliding, twisting, stretching. Jonah moaned and struggled not to close his eyes. Two fingers became three, the tightness exquisite.

  "So fucking gorgeous," Riley murmured. "All mine."

  "Yes..." Jonah hissed under his breath. The outside world began to fade, leaving only the two of them. Jonah floated in a growing haze of pleasure, every slide of his brother's fingers echoing throughout his body. "More..."

  Riley added a fourth finger. Jonah gasped and licked his lips. The burn only made him want more and more, made him need Riley to fill every inch of him. Riley's other hand rested on Jonah's belly, not quite touching his cock. Jonah realized he was only half-hard, but it had nothing to do with lack of pleasure. Unable to resist any longer, he closed his eyes, letting himself focus solely on Riley.