Mark didn’t have much luck finding Riley, so he went in search of Caster instead. Full awareness that he searched for the person who rendered him speechless hadn’t penetrated his overwhelming anger. He wasn’t as trusting as Dean, and he would need answers if he would allow both his brothers to place their lives at risk. He would be there too, of course. But he cared little for his own safety.

Caster’s little brother gave him directions to the Crown Prince’s room with a warning not to go in.

Another vampire was at the door as he approached, and Mark squared his shoulders, anticipating a confrontation. Nothing would get in his way, not when the witch was so close. The huge guy whom he assumed was Caster’s bodyguard stepped out of the way with little fuss, even unlocking the door and motioning for him to enter.

Confused but grateful for the bodyguard’s attitude, Mark took a deep breath, determined to face Caster without falling apart.

The first thing he heard as the door closed behind him was the unmistakable sound of arousal. A light, fleeting moan reached his ears, and he stumbled, his feet tangling as he fought for composure.

Determined to get answers, he ignored the warning prickling his skin and walked in. He caught sight of Caster’s head thrown back in pure delight, and his feet failed him again. Caster turned to look at him and hummed, placing a hand on the blond head bobbing on his lap. Gray eyes held him captive, and the entirety of his breath left his lungs on a moan he could do nothing to stifle.

He’d been prepared for this. Not this exact scene, but… He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The groan reverberating from Caster’s chest filled the room, and Mark’s eyes popped open before he was ready to see the Crown Prince’s tight grip on the blonde sucking him off.

The other person in the room let out a muffled moan, and Caster’s grip eased to a caress Mark couldn’t stop looking at.

“Do you need something from me?” He didn’t even sound winded despite the activity.

Mark started to shake his head, engrossed by the scene in front of him, but the smirk on Caster’s lips brought back his anger in full.

Caster moaned long and low and looked at the human who didn’t seem to notice he had an audience. “Yes, that’s good, Sweetheart. But I will be very disappointed if you make me come before I’m ready.”

Mark’s body responded as if the compliment and warning had been leveled at him, but he caught himself and pushed the mass of confused feelings aside to bring back his anger. Anger he could rely on.

“That’s enough.”

The human moaned his objection despite the bite in Caster’s tone.

“I said stop!”

His head came up so fast that Mark feared he might hurt himself.

Caster’s gentle touch on the human’s cheek had Mark wishing they could switch places. “Go to Kyle. He’ll take care of you. I’ll come find you later, OK?”

The human glanced at Mark, momentary irritation flashing on his face before he stood on unsteady legs to do as he was told.

Mark caught a glimpse of Caster’s hard cock, the slight sheen of wetness on it so inviting, he swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth.

Ashamed, he turned away from Caster, who may or may not have noticed his reaction.

“I would apologize for making you uncomfortable, but you’re the one who barged in here without knocking.” His casual tone was irritating.

Mark took another deep breath and turned to face him. Caster leaned back, his right ankle over his left knee, and both arms braced over the couch. He glanced at Caster’s lap, almost disappointed that his erection was hidden behind his now righted clothing.

Caster sighed. “You will find that I don’t like to repeat myself.”

Mark tried to remember his initial question or why he was here, but pictures of Caster’s face in the throes of pleasure invaded his mind. He bit his lip.

Caster’s eyes followed the action. “Stop doing that.”

His teeth dug deeper into his lower lip, drawing blood as he tried to resist the pull of that command.

Before he could find himself in the maze his confused feelings had created, Caster moved, a gust generated by his inhuman speed following him across the room. One second, he was on the couch, the next, he was in front of Mark, looking down on him, a magnificent feat given he was only a few inches taller than Mark.

He forgot to fortify himself. Certain he was in deep trouble, Mark released his lip, the sting of the tiny injury adding to the maze of confused thoughts and feelings.

“Take a breath.”

Once again, his lungs inflated on command, never mind that Caster had only whispered it.

“What’s wrong?”

Mark wanted to look him in the eye, but try as he might, he couldn’t do it. His voice was devoid of the anger he held on to like a shield. “I had questions.” He hated how small he sounded.

Caster moved back to the couch, much slower this time, and Mark’s hatred for himself grew when he missed the warmth of his body.

He patted the cushion next to him in invitation, and Mark lost the battle with his need to resist, two strides leading him into what he was certain was a trap.

“Tell me.”

It was strange the effect Caster had on him. He was almost calm, but Mark refused to trust the feeling. “Dean said Riley would enhance our senses further?”

“Yes. You have a problem with that.”

It wasn’t a question, but he nodded anyway.

“You don’t trust Riley.”

He shrugged. The calming effect he couldn’t describe was comforting enough that he sank further into the white couch. “I don’t know him.” He hesitated. “Or you.”

Caster smiled. “True. But we have the same goal. Why would we harm you when we need you as much as you need us?”

Mark didn’t know how to answer that. He’d spent little time with vampires, but he doubted their nature had changed. They remained the same as when they’d torn his world apart.

“What?”

He shot out of the seat, his anger battling his mess of convoluted emotions to spring to the fore. “Don’t read my mind.”

Caster’s face remained calm. “Sit.”

He hesitated, his fists curled, ready for confrontation.

“If you continue to make me repeat myself, we are going to have a big problem.”

Mark took a calming breath and sat as far from Caster as the couch would allow.

“Good.”

Mark tamped down on the side of him that wanted to relish in the pride of pleasing him. His wolf had no such reservations.

“If you don’t want me to know what you’re thinking, protect your thoughts.”

“Is it safe? What Riley will do?”

“Very. You have my word.”

Mark nodded even though he still couldn’t trust Caster or any vampire. “I have to go find Dean.” He made no move to do so, and the irking smirk returned, taunting him.

“You’re waiting for me to give you permission?” A full smile made his handsome face even more appealing.

Mark hated every fiber of his being for noticing. But now that he’d acknowledged it, there was no looking away. Gray eyes accentuated the perfection of Caster’s face, drawing Mark to a defined jaw around perfect lips that mocked him with another smirk.

“Go.”

He shot to his feet and rushed to the door.

“Mark…”

His hand paused halfway to the doorknob.

“The next time you interrupt me…”

The threat heightened the tension in the air, and Mark’s body trembled with the imagined consequence of Caster’s anger. The hulking bodyguard at the door leveled him with a smirk before looking away. Mark had no intention of ever being alone with Caster again. This had gone from simple confusion to all-out danger.

Maybe they would find the witch tonight, he’d get his vengeance, and never need to analyze whatever this was ever again. If the Goddess loved him even a little bit, she’d grant him the grace to get through this until then.