The Link That Binds by Dawn H. Hawkes

bar. “You’ve got Mr Personality over there, who I also gotta say is one fine piece of male, but who is totally dissing my advances… I mean either you’ve got these guys under some kind of spell, which if you do I think you should fucking share, or my ego just suffered a severe blow.”
    Frowning, Link put down the glass he’d been cleaning and stared at his friend.
    “What?”
    “Dude, you’re straight,” Link reminded him… or at least he’d thought Trey was straight. What the hell was he doing vying for the attention of guys and what the fuck was up with his sudden appreciation for the hot pieces of males coming through here?
    “So? I’m used to being desired by male and female alike. Just because I like the females doesn’t mean I don’t want to be desired by the rest of ‘em,” Trey explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
    “Wow, you are so vain…” Link said, not that he hadn’t already realized his friend had an unhealthy obsession with anything reflecting his image, but still…
    “Dude, whatever! But seriously, what is up with this shit? You’ve gone from drug dealing for the unholy dead to pimping yourself out to whatever the hell those other guys are?” Trey snapped at him.
    Link wasn’t used with his friend getting so worked up over things, but all he succeeded in was pissing him off. “All you need to know is that Jace is off limits, the rest is none of your goddamned business.” Link brushed him off and thankfully Trey backed off before Link did something he’d regret.
    This possessiveness wasn’t necessarily new to him, but it wasn’t something he’d ever experienced with a lover, male or female. He sure as hell hadn’t been this way with Debra and she’d ended up being a big fucking piece of his life.
    Pouring himself an oversized shot of whisky, Link downed the drink in one gulp. He’d started feeling feverish and for the last hour or so his scar had started itching again. Scratching didn’t do one damn bit to soothe it either.
    “It’s the mating,” his pale stalker, aka Solomon’s guard dog, stated, startling Link since he’d forgotten the man was even there, partially hidden in the shadows.
    “What?”
    “Did you honestly think only Jace would be affected by this? You’re his Keefe, his beloved, which is why he’s reacting so strongly to you, but you seem to have missed the fact that Jace is also your Keefe. You might never be as strongly affected as Jace because you’re human, but you’ll feel it just the same.”
    Blinking, Link’s mind buzzed with the new information. He hadn’t realized that this could, in any way, be a two -way thing. He’d thought it, but it hadn’t really registered. “What’s your name?” Link enquired. He hadn’t even thought to ask on their drive over and, past knowing that the man was part of Solomon’s litter, he didn’t know much. The man didn’t exactly strike him as feline though, in fact he reminded him more of Mika, if you overlooked the evil aura oozing off his self-declared employer.
    “Damian.”
    “Just Damian, huh? Well, Damian, would you like to tell me what a vampire is doing playing mouse for a bunch of cats?”
    The vampire glared briefly before schooling his features. “None of your business, Link, but I assure you, I’m not playing mouse for anyone,” he finished coldly.
    “Yet, you’re the one having to do Solomon’s dirty work. How quaint.”
    Gritting his teeth, Damian growled. “I’m here for your protection, ass-wipe. Vampires might not have the best sense of smell, but they’ll pick up shifter fast enough. Somehow Sol thought it best to limit the feline scent to this place, in case Mika drops in to say hi and decides you’ve been changing sides.”
    “Do you even care, Damian? Seriously, would my death mean anything to you?” Link sneered.
    “YES!” the vampire shouted at him with a growl and Link stopped still, completely baffled. He hadn’t expected