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For the last few days, Ilya has felt the prickle of separation start to form in the back of his mind. He had been away from his coven’s nest for nearly half a year. Almost six months of peaceful bonding.
Shane spent longer waking periods and had even begun to try and weedle his way into leaving the bed. Naturally, Ilya’s little fledgling had not strayed more than a few inches from his sire’s warmth, but Shane was beginning to get antsy.
Over the last month or so, it was taking much more of Ilya’s gentle coaxing to get Shane to relax into his fledgling instincts. Having to give Shane more of his undivided attention was putting his sire instincts on edge.
These were all signs it was time to return to the coven’s nest. Ilya’s instincts were telling him it is time to move his precious baby bat to a safer location. The nest was far better protected than their temporary one.
There was no better place to keep Shane safe and sound than an established territory with three fully grown vampires as well as an adolescent and two older fledglings.
Even if he didn’t know it, Shane’s behavior was also his inner fledgling letting Ilya know he was ready to go home. Fledglings thrive within covens. Covens mean numbers, and numbers mean safety.
Although Ilya’s arms are the safest place for Shane, something within the young vampire is seeking more protection.
Ilya still remembered how Hayden had been a monster at this stage. Constantly pushing Scott’s limits to subconsciously test his sire’s ability to protect him.
Bundling Shane’s sleeping body in a fluffy blanket, Ilya placed a kiss on his fledgling’s forehead. He was pleased to feel the skin was slightly warm.
“Let’s go home, моя маленькая летучая мышь.” (my little bat) Ilya cooed. Shane let out a hum in his sleep at the sound of his sire’s voice. He nuzzled into the blanket.
Now, Ilya has been around for a long time. He’s met many within the supernatural world. After living for so long, he has come to be quite friendly with several warlocks. They were quite useful friends to have.
For one, Ilya had been gifted personal portals by one very close friend. A token of thanks for saving this friend’s life a few decades ago.
This meant Ilya was able to travel through any property he owned by use of the portal. Only those within his coven were permitted access, or those granted special permission.
Much to their chagrin, Kip and Hayden were too young to have unlimited access to the portals, but Rose had earned the right a few years ago.
Something about the idea of Shane being able to step through a door and be miles away from Ilya made the vampire uneasy. Perhaps, it was just the nerves of early sire life, but the idea of keeping Shane tucked inside the nest for the rest of time seemed like the obvious solution.
It wasn’t like Shane had any real reason to go outside. Ilya would bring back trinkets from all over the world for his baby bat. Any flavor of blood his fledgling aquired a taste for could be served to him in a gold cup if it meant he would stay safely inside.
Anything Shane could desire, Ilya would get for him. No reason to go outside and potentially be harmed.
The portal embraced Ilya like an old friend. A warmth spread as their bodies were transported back to the nest.
The scents of his covenmates immediately curbed any feelings of anxiety. Ilya was home. His fledgling was home. They were safe, and his covenmates were safe.
Ilya made it two steps through the door when a head of dirty blonde hair came bounding up to them. Vanilla with a hint of almond enveloped Ilya as Hayden crowded close, trying to get a good look at the new baby.
“You’re home!” Hayden exclaimed. His eyes widened at the sight of Shane sleeping peacefully. “He’s here. He’s really here.”
Ilya smiled. If he didn’t have his hands full with a bundle of baby bat, he would have drawn Hayden in close to embrace him. Although the boy wasn’t Ilya’s fledgling, he was still one of his most vulnerable covenmates and very precious to him.
“Hayden!”
The fledgling flinched at the sound of his sire’s scolding voice. The hand that had been reaching out to touch Shane’s cheek paused as Hayden slowly turned around to face Scott.
Scott descended the stairs near the entryway with a teary-eyed Kip settled on his hip.
“What did we just talk about?” Scott snagged his fledgling closer by the waist, pinching his bottom. The little chirp Hayden let out made it known the flesh there must be tender.
“I’m sorry.” Hayden whined, fluttering his eyelashes at his sire. “I just wanted to see the baby.”
Scott sighed.
“I know, honey, but it seems like you’ve already forgotten the discussion we just had about not approaching the portal alone.” Scott fixed Hayden with a disappointed look. The firmness melted away when the vampire turned to face his blood brother. “I was beginning to think you’d never return.”
Hayden danced out of Scott’s grasp to huddle close to Ilya’s side to look at Shane again. After setting the fledgling on his feet, Scott nudged Kip forward towards the new coven member.
The feeling of two fledglings pressing closely as well as Shane’s gentle breaths nearly made Ilya dizzy with happiness. The endorphins flowing through his brain were heavenly. This was why some covens had dozens of fledglings.
Scott stepped forward, too. He assessed the dozing boy with fond eyes. Scott reached up to pet Shane’s hair, but he glanced up at Ilya first to see if the new sire was feeling possessive of his fledgling.
Any other vampire, and they would have lost their hand. Nobody touched a fledgling without permission, but this was Ilya's blood brother. There was nobody he would trust with Shane more than Scott and Svetlana.
Scott ran his fingers gently through Shane’s soft, dark hair. The fledgling sniffed in his sleep, probably taking in the new scents of Scott and his fledglings.
Cute.
Kip and Hayden watched curiously. It was probably quite interesting for them to see considering they had never seen a fledgling this young other than each other.
“He’s a sweet one.” Scott commented. “How did he do?”
Ilya shrugged.
“As expected.” He replied. “Pretty confused at first, but he has been feeding without a fuss for the most part.”
“Can I hold him?” Hayden asked, pressing close to Ilya’s side. His eyes flickered back and forth between his sire and coven leader. “Please?”
Scott smiled, his strict gaze from earlier melted away.
“That is up to Ilya, honey.” Scott answered diplomatically.
Hayden’s puppy eyes were in full force.
“Let’s go to the nest, da?” Ilya suggested. Not that he didn’t want Hayden to hold Shane, but his instincts would be far happier about it if they were all in the most protected part of their home.
The nest was where they would all spend time together. There were several other nests within their large home, but this one was the prime spot.
Kip and Hayden nearly tripped over their feet following close to Ilya’s side as they headed up the grand staircase to the nest.
Ilya didn’t even have to ask about the two female vampires. He could smell that they were not home, but he wasn’t worried. Ever since Rose had begun to spread her wings, Svetlana had been spending more and more time taking her out on excursions to build her confidence.
Hunting for humans was one of the great joys of vampire life. The chase, the capture, the meal. The sex.
God, that was the one thing Ilya would miss. Human Shane was ridiculously warm inside, his precious body full of pumping human blood. Hearing the pitter patter of his baby’s heartbeat as Ilya pressed inside was almost as addictive as the boy’s blood.
Shane’s heart would beat ridiculously fast, like a little hummingbird, for many years. Just like human hearts, they slow with strength. Athletes may find their resting heart rate much lower than the average human.
It was similar with vampires, but their strength came with age, not exercise. Ilya’s own heart beats once every few days, strong enough to circulate blood this way.
Shane’s poor little heart on the other hand was moving at a rate dangerous for humans, nearly 150 beats a minute. He was still so weak, so fragile.
As time goes on, his heart will slow. Even now, Hayden and Kip’s hearts were closer to an average human.
Ilya settled in the center of the nest, allowing the blanket to fall away from Shane’s exposed skin. He had thrown one of his large t-shirts over his baby bat before leaving their temporary nest. Not that nudity was uncommon inside the home nest, but a possessive part of him wanted to keep Shane’s skin to himself.
Shane was laid belly-down on Ilya’s chest, much like a true newborn baby. His cheek pressed against Ilya’s pec as his legs parted around the vampire’s hips.
Ilya’s hands came to rest on Shane’s back, rubbing soothing circles on the snoozing fledgling. HIs baby bat’s scent was soft and content, having pleasant dreams of Ilya no doubt.
If he stuck to schedule, Shane should be waking up any minute now for his morning feed. The sun would begin to rise soon which meant Svetlana and Rose should be returning.
Ilya was surprised that Kip and Hayden were still awake. Scott was usually rather strict with their sleeping.
Reaching out a hand, Ilya pressed his palm to Hayden’s cheek, trailing down to his neck. The fledgling felt a bit cold.
Although Kip and Hayden had come to regulate their body temperature over the years, they were still young enough that they relied on Scott to replenish it. Blood and skin-to-skin contact every few hours was enough to keep them healthy, unlike Shane who needed it constantly at this stage.
“You are a bit cold.” Ilya noted, making Hayden pout. “Have you fed recently?”
Hayden winced guiltily. He kept his eyes trained on Shane, pointedly ignoring Scott’s knowing gaze.
“We were getting to that part, weren’t we, chick?” Scott prompted. The sire settled on the other side of his fledging, pulling Hayden close to his chest.
Kip had snuggled close to Ilya’s other side, and the coven leader noted this fledgling was significantly warmer than his brother. Their return must have interrupted feeding time.
“Hello, небольшая слабость к сладкому.” (little sweet tooth) Ilya cooed, nuzzling Kip’s hair. The nickname had stuck after they realized the fledgling had quite an appetite for blood hot chocolate. It suited him well, Kip was always a sweet fledgling with an equally sweet, caramel scent.
Kip flushed slightly, blood from his recent feed coloring his cheeks adorably. His eyes were no longer filled with tears, but they were slightly hazy as if he were fighting sleep.
Although the fledgling was a good boy at heart, he always struggled with feeding. Ever since he was first turned, he showed incredible restraint to resist feeding.
Even now, many years later, feeding time was still a waterworks show with Kip.
Ilya hoped it wouldn’t rub off on Shane. His baby bat had been very pliant with feeds thus far.
Speaking of which, Shane let out a sleepy hum, lifting a hand to rub at his eyes.
Before his mind caught up with him, Shane’s nose began sniffing the air much like he had downstairs. There were many new scents in the nest, but Ilya’s would still be most potent.
“Good morning, my love.” Ilya murmured, rocking back and forth slightly. “Welcome home.”
Shane blinked blearily. The sight made Ilya’s still heart clench. His fledgling was just truly adorable.
When Shane made eye contact with Kip, whose face was inches from his, he let out a little squeak and ducked his face into Ilya’s chest.
Ilya’s chest rumbled with a chuckle. He coaxes Shane’s face out, placing a kiss on the fledgling’s freckled cheeks.
“This is Kip, he is another fledgling in our coven.” Ilya explained. He watched Shane’s eyes roam over the other young vampire’s face. When his fledgling’s gaze wandered down to where Kip was pressed close to Ilya’s body, a little grimace formed, making Ilya laugh.
Shane let out an embarrassed whine as Ilya squeezed him and peppered his face with kisses, nuzzling him.
“Oh, you perfect, perfect boy.” Ilya crowed. “No need to be jealous, маленькая летучая мышь. He is not my other fledgling.” (baby bay)
Ilya guided Shane’s head to turn at the pair sitting along their other side. Hayden was watching expectantly from where he was perched on Scott’s lap now. The fledgling looked about two seconds from launching himself on top of Shane.
It was perfectly normal for a new fledgling to feel territorial over their sire. Actually, it was an incredibly good sign. Even if Shane was not happy with Ilya for turning him now, there was a part of the fledgling who knew Ilya was his as much as he was Ilya’s. Their bond was already solidifying, and Ilya couldn’t be prouder.
“This is Scott and Hayden.” Ilya introduced. “Kip and Hayden are several decades older than you, and Scott is their sire and my blood brother.”
Hayden leaned as close as Scott’s hands would allow, making gimme hands at the baby vampire. He whined at his sire when there was no give to his grip.
Shane burrowed in Ilya’s neck shyly. His quiet sniffles caused Kip to lean in closer.
“Is he okay?” Kip asked. His eyebrows were drawn together anxiously.
“He is just fine.” Ilya responded. He was pleasantly surprised at Kip and Hayden’s reactions to Shane. He knew they would be excited to no longer be the youngest, but they were both showing classic signs of fledgling bonding.
Shane’s own pheremones would signal to anyone within a close distance that he was vulnerable and needed protection. Even with his sire near, Shane was unknowingly calling out for Kip and Hayden to protect him. The two older fledglings would find themselves drawn to him, especially at times where the older vampires were busy.
Kip’s inner instincts knew Scott would be occupied feeding Hayden which means the older fledgling would be called to stick close to Ilya’s side both as protection for himself as well as another protector for their youngest covenmate.
“маленькая летучая мышь.” (baby bat) Ilya nudged Shane’s head. “Is time for you to feed.”
Shane stubbornly shook his head, refusing to come out of his hiding place.
Ilya glanced over at Scott, silent words traveling between them.
Scott suddenly maneuvered Hayden to sit sideways in his lap. Cupping his fledgling’s head, Scott coaxed him to bite down on his sire’s neck.
Kip and Hayden had their second set of fledgling fangs. They needed to practice biting through flesh. Although Scott and Ilya both had skin tougher than steel, the boys needed to at least try before the older vampires would eventually give in and make a cut for them. At this stage, their fangs weren’t as prone to breaking as their first set were.
Hayden pouted. The spoiled little boy didn’t like having to work for his meal. Sulkily, he found the spot where a human’s jugular would be and bit down as hard as he could. Obviously, there was only a small indent where his fangs attempted to pierce Scott’s skin.
“Try again, baby, you almost had it.” Scott lied encouragingly. “Go on, show Shane how big and tough you are.”
With a bit more than just gentle force, Ilya turned Shane’s head to watch the scene unfold. His fledgling’s big, brown eyes were wide as he saw Hayden attempt to take another bite.
Hayden let out an unhappy whine as his attempt was once more unsuccessful.
“Alright, alright.” Scott smiled fondly, kissing Hayden’s pouting lips gently. He made a cut along his throat, pushing Hayden’s head in. He let out a content sigh when Hayden latched on, sucking deeply. “That’s my good boy. See, sweetheart? Nothing to be ashamed of.”
That last part was directed at Shane, who was watching with sharp eyes. Ilya didn’t miss the way his fledgling flinched when the scent of Scott’s blood filled the air. His baby was hungry, and that would just not do.
Ilya adjusted his hold on Shane, making a similar cut along his neck. Shane’s head snapped over at the smell, eyes bleeding red.
“C’mon, my love.” Ilya tilted his head back, giving his fledgling more access. “I know you’re hungry.”
In the end, hunger triumphed over stubbornness.
Shane’s soft mouth latched onto the wound. His tongue poked at the flesh, making Ilya’s eyes roll back slightly. The feeling of feeding his baby Ilya’s own life-force was the most addictive feeling in the world.
Feeding his siblings’s fledglings was nothing compared to his own.
Every mouthful of blood Shane consumed warmed his body against Ilya’s.
This perfect, precious creature only lived because Ilya willed it. He kept Shane safe. He kept Shane fed. He kept Shane warm and comfortable.
His sweet baby bat was completely at Ilya’s mercy, and the rush made Ilya’s cock stir against his fledgling’s pert little ass. At the reaction of his sire, Shane’s own body began showing interest even if the fledgling did not notice.
Now was not the time for that. Not because of their company. Privacy wasn’t really a thing inside the nest when it came to the bedroom. They had all seen Scott bouncing a restless fledgling on his cock many times.
But rather, his boy did not need sex at this stage. He needed blood and sleep. Even if Shane’s needy baby bat brain thought differently, Ilya knew better. No, no need to put off a feed or nap in favor of sex.
A head of soft, chestnut hair found a home on Ilya’s shoulder as Kip began losing the fight against sleep. The fledgling’s eyes were shut, but his hand traveled up to hold Ilya’s where it rested on Shane’s back.
Smiling softly, Ilya redirected the hand to hold Shane’s which had been balled up in a fist. The sight of the fledglings holding hands nearly made Ilya combust with happiness.
“Hey!” Hayden protested, popping off of where he had been feeding. He was looking at their hands longingly. “I wanted to be the first to hold him.”
“He’s not holding the baby, you little brat.” Scott scolded, holding back a laugh. He forced Hayden to return to drinking. “Now, don’t make me nip you.”
Hayden begrudgingly continued to feed at the threat of a nip. If he got nipped, he definitely wouldn’t be able to cuddle Shane because he’d black out immediately from sire venom.
Several content moments of silence only filled with the comforting sounds of Shane and Hayden feeding.
When Shane’s lips stopped moving, Ilya glanced down, concerned Shane hadn’t gotten enough to eat. The sight of a sleeping fledgling eased his worries. It happened every so often that Shane would fall asleep in the middle of a feeding.
Another warm, pliant body was placed on Ilya’s side opposite of Kip. Hayden threw an arm sleepily over Shane’s body, putting his nose right up against the younger fledgling’s arm, eyes already closed.
Scott came up behind Hayden, spooning him. The sire reached over the cuddle pile to touch Kip’s cheek, checking his temperature. It must have been satisfactory because Ilya’s blood brother settled down behind Hayden.
Ilya could probably keep all three fledglings plenty warm by himself. His body temperature was already higher than normal due to the recent changing of Shane, but he understood Scott’s drive to check himself.
Scott bumped his forehead affectionately against Ilya’s.
“You’re a sire.” He said with a smile. “I’m happy for you, brother.”
Ilya returned the smile.
“They are quite sweet together, da?” He basked in the feeling of safe, healthy, fed fledglings surrounding him. As a coven leader, there was no greater feeling of triumph.
Scott let out a laugh.
“I thought so too in the beginning.” He pinched Hayden’s cheek lightly. The fledgling shifted in his sleep slightly. “Then, come the tricky years.”
Part of Ilya was excited for those years. A bratty, pouting fledgling to tame and mold.
For now, he’d enjoy his sweet little newborn.