To The Light

Heliotropic 3: To the Light Mardi Ballou

All rights reserved. Copyright ©2006 Mardi Ballou No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file copying or sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Changeling Press LLC. Willful violation of this policy will result in suspension of account privileges and will lead to prosecution. WARNING: Illegal files may contain viruses.

ISBN (10) 1-59596-443-6 ISBN (13) 978-1-59596-443-4 Formats Available: HTML, Adobe PDF, MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader Publisher: Changeling Press LLC PO Box 1046 Martinsburg, WV 25402-1046 www.ChangelingPress.com Editor: Katriena Knights Cover Artist: Fabiano Fabris

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Prologue Planet Apoll’ex, Late Winter 2758, C.E.

“I’m Solar Calor, your assigned guide to Apoll’ex. Is this your first time visiting our planet, sir?” The guide looked at Ideg Retkove with polite welcome, but, Retkove sensed, little curiosity or real interest. Sir? The title irked him, though he realized he must look incredibly ancient to the young blond Adonis serving as his guide. Retkove restrained himself from overtly seducing Solar Calor. For now, he’d rely on vampiric hypnotism to bring the gorgeous guide under his spell. He figured fucking an Apollan and sampling his blood would help make him feel very welcome on this paradisiacal planet, the place he’d dreamed of coming to for centuries.

Solar Calor fell under his spell promptly. Retkove smiled to himself. Unlike the Earthlings, who’d banished his kind to one sector of the miserable hellhole, the Apollans had no resistance to vampires. Of course, they had no experience of vampires either. If he played his cards right, he could feast on the pleasures of Apoll’ex for ages before anyone realized he was here and tried to limit him. Of course, he’d have to be careful not to draw much attention to himself and, above all, not to damage any of the Apollans irreparably. He could spell them just right so no one would ever remember being with him. Solar’s large blue eyes looked appropriately blank. His generous lips were parted. Everything about him looked relaxed except the glorious erection tenting up his loose garment. Retkove licked his lips. He wanted that large throbbing dick inside him. And he wanted to put his own cock inside the Apollan, which he’d accomplish as soon as he managed to get it up. Eyes fastened on Solar’s magnificence, Retkove felt the welcome stirrings of a hard-on. At last. Retkove knelt to take Solar’s cock in his mouth. Secure in his control of the interaction, Retkove could enjoy the seemingly submissive position for the limited time it would take to make the man come. Solar clutched Retkove’s head and pressed him closer. The Apollan moved his hips appropriately, if somewhat woodenly. Hell, everything the Apollan did felt wooden. Was this disappointing stiffness the reality of the legendary planet, or was Solar’s lack of liveliness an effect of being hypnotized? Retkove should have included inspired fucking in the spell. Too late this time. Still in automaton mode, Solar managed to come. Retkove, filled with curiosity about everything Apollan, swallowed the other man’s come. Solar scarcely reacted. After helping his erection along with some hand strokes, Retkove got behind Solar. One of Retkove’s dreams had been to experience the Apollan talent for self-lubing. He stuck the head of his cock at the opening in Solar’s butt crease and, to his gratification, confirmed the accuracy of this part of the legend. His cock slid right into Solar’s tight, warm passage. Retkove anchored his hands around the Apollan’s now flaccid cock and rubbed while he thrust repeatedly in and out of the young man’s ass. Sexual pleasure warmed Retkove, though he couldn’t manage to lose himself and quiet his chattering mind while he fucked the Apollan. The swift arrival of his climax took him by surprise. In a sense, Retkove felt like he was almost as much on automatic pilot as Solar Calor. After all the build-up of having his dreams come true, of his being on Apoll’ex fucking an Apollan, the reality seemed to fall short. Maybe he needed the culmination of drinking the other man’s blood. Every part of the Apollan was gorgeous. Just the sight of his long neck sufficed to entice Retkove for the next step. His fangs throbbed as he lowered his face for the ultimate vampiric kiss. Though Apollans were genetically related to Earthlings, there were numerous adaptive differences. In Solar’s blood, Retkove tasted the sun, for him an exotic, piquant flavor that almost stilled his chattering brain. He’d come and he got to sample Apollan blood. How many men get to live out their dreams so vividly? Retkove kept reminding himself how ecstatic he should be. But by the time he’d healed Solar’s wound, he could no longer maintain the effort of telling himself how thrilled he was. He dismissed the guide. Spending any more time with the wooden Apollan would depress him. After the dazed Solar took his leave, Retkove stared up at the giant sun. He alone, Ideg Retkove, had accomplished the impossible. Because of his genius, vision and relentless pursuit of his goals, vampires could now not only tolerate sunlight but fully indulge in all the pleasures of exposure to the giant stars’

rays. His creation made it possible for him to be the first vampire ever on the sun-worshipping planet Apoll’ex. In later years, when others of his kind followed him here, they’d have him to thank, him to acknowledge. In addition to current pleasures, he’d enjoy future honors. So why couldn’t he abandon himself to the full celebration of his triumph? Why didn’t any of it bring him the joy and glory he’d anticipated? Despite himself, he acknowledged the wrench inside him when he acknowledged how damned empty he felt. Somehow, when he’d dreamed of his victory, he’d pictured his love by his side, sharing the glory. Val Cutter. The thought of Val, who’d perished with his companions in the explosion Retkove had set off in his lab, still pained him. He’d had to sacrifice his love because he’d never managed to win Val over. In the end, even though Retkove had created the miracle serum, he’d failed with Val. He’d never been able to show Val who he really was, that they were fated to be together. And now Val was gone. Retkove faced eternity with the great gift of freedom to enjoy even sunlight -- but completely alone. Right. What good did it do to wallow in his lost fantasies? Maybe what he needed was to find another partner, pronto, one who offered a wider range of sexual prowess than Solar Calor. Determined to take full advantage of his new setting, Retkove set off on his hunt.

Chapter One Somewhere in Space, Late Winter 2758, C.E.

“How much longer till we get there?” Val Cutter grumpily asked his lover Paul de l’Astre. They were seated next to each other in the first-class section of a flight from Earth to Apoll’ex, Paul’s home planet. They’d been flying six hours, and Val’s claustrophobic instincts -- an anomaly for a being who’d spent much of his existence sleeping in a coffin -- were flaring. Paul ran a hand down Val’s leg and grinned when the fly of Val’s pants began to tent out. “The impatience of space travel virgins. Given the outdated transport available from Earth, we’re lucky we’ll get there while we’re still young enough to enjoy the pleasures of my home planet.” Val rolled his eyes. “We’re immortal and immutable, partner. We’re always going to be young enough to enjoy those pleasures.” He took Paul’s hand and laid it squarely on his burgeoning erection. “Thank the gods.” Paul turned the opening of Val’s fly into a ritual that nearly sufficed to make him come. But Val was happy he’d managed to hold on when Paul squeezed his balls and shaft, which went a long way to improving the quality of the flight. Val splayed his legs and thrust his hips, pressing his erection hard against Paul’s palm.

“I have an idea on how to make the time pass lots faster,” Val murmured. “Hmm. I wonder what that could be.” Paul removed his hand from Val’s crotch and stroked his chin as if lost in thought. Val grabbed Paul’s hand and returned it to where it could do the most good. Then Val positioned his own hand between Paul’s thighs, took hold of the Apollan’s intriguing bulge, still clad, and began to play. “Oh, yeah,” Paul encouraged. “Geez, they’re at it again,” Trey Duke commented loudly to his lover, Soleil DuCosmos. “Good practice,” Soleil commented. “You Earthlings really should be in training to prepare for Apoll’ex. I’d say doing it a minimum of six times a day would be a good start.” “Six times?” Trey’s voice rose, and Val could imagine his eyebrows and dick following suit. Soleil, the youngest among them, chuckled. “And that’s not even talking about the nights.” Trey groaned in what Val recognized as his former lover’s response to a stirring erotic stimulus. “I appreciate your efforts to get this old-timer ready to meet new challenges… ahhh.” Soleil had just managed to shut Trey up, something of a minor miracle. Val felt more than happy to turn his attention back to Paul, who was rapidly becoming engrossed in their own diversions. Apollans had the reputation for being the most amazing lovers in the universe. Before he’d met and fallen for Paul, Val, a cynical Earthbound vampire, had dismissed all talk of the Apollans’ legendary prowess as hype. Since being with Paul, he’d come to realize the reality of an Apollan lover far surpassed the legendary lore. Thank the gods, as Paul would say. And it wasn’t just Paul who’d opened Val’s eyes to a whole new world of eroticism. When Val participated in the Earth version of the sex rituals with Trey and Soleil, Val could appreciate the prowess of a man he wasn’t and had never been in love with. Staggering. Paul was now really getting into it, crooning some soothing and exciting sounds as he expertly manipulated Val’s achingly turgid genitals. With Paul’s talented fingers and nails as the instrument, a simple hand job became an erotic adventure. Sometimes Val felt almost insecure about daring to make love with an Apollan who, after all, was used to the best. But Paul made a point of reassuring Val often on that point. Realizing Paul considered him a turn-on despite any shortcomings spurred Val on to new heights. Paul’s erection provided physical confirmation that Paul was getting as turned on as Val. Even confined by the pants of his travel costume, Paul felt huge and pulsing to Val’s questing hand. Val longed to free his lover’s cock from the cloth that covered it. He wanted to touch the soft skin that stretched to cover the straining rigidity of Paul’s excitement. But once he exposed Paul that way, Val would lose his own tenuous hold on restraint. Just the thought of touching Paul’s bare penis here in the first-class section of the transport brought Val to the edge of climax. “You coming?” Paul whispered. He eased his hand from Val’s crotch as if to extend their play. Val gritted his teeth. “Not yet,” he muttered, using all his focus to hold back. Paul circled Val’s glans with one finger, and Val bit down hard on his lip to keep from groaning like

Trey. He didn’t want to share any of his reactions with the two other men, wanted to savor this time alone with Paul. After all, he didn’t know how much more of it there would be when they landed on Apoll’ex. Not only would Val face the competition of other Apollans, he knew the planet did not have a tradition of exclusive couples. Or vampires. They could be headed for rough waters as far as their relationship -- and much more -- went. “Mmm,” Paul purred, responding to the sudden increase of the pressure of Val’s hand on him as the spacecraft went through a pressure pocket. “Right there,” Val murmured. The pleasure of Paul’s touch pulsed through his bloodstream like some potent drug Val needed to have in order to live. Hooked on being with Paul, Val, who’d never excelled at sharing, had learned not only to tolerate the rituals they participated in with Trey and Soleil but to treasure them. Still, how would he manage once they got to Apoll’ex? How would he adjust to never having Paul completely to himself? As if he didn’t have enough to worry about being a vampire on a planet where his kind didn’t yet exist. Not only were he and Trey going to break that barrier, they were bringing back two Apollans whom they’d transformed. What kind of welcome would that get their group? Paul and Soleil kept assuring Val he’d do fine, that he’d quickly and easily adjust to the ways of Apoll’ex. They couldn’t begin to understand his concerns about their universally tolerant people’s response to their being vampires. Optimism did not occur naturally for Val. But, more than anything else he’d ever encountered in his long existence, he yearned to be with Paul in the kind of intimacy they’d shared while they’d had to struggle to keep out of Ideg Retkove’s clutches. Sometimes, weird as it felt to admit it even to himself, he almost missed that miserable time when they’d always had to be on the run. At least they’d been completely together. But hell, Val and Paul’s bond went beyond those adventures. Nothing in Val’s previous life and nothing on planet Earth had ever gotten to him like this man did. Once they’d been exposed to the serum -- Ideg Retkove’s serum -- that made them sunlight tolerant, going to Apoll’ex was the logical next step. Paul traced Val’s bulge, moving with excruciating slowness from the tip of his near-to-bursting cock to his scrotum. Val, who had none of his lover’s finesse at moments like this, was trying to modulate the pressure on Paul’s penis with the same expert teasing touch, but Val knew he’d never perfect the art of driving his lover as crazy as Paul drove him. “Harder,” Val muttered, the words wrenched from him. Paul raised an eyebrow and grinned inscrutably. “You mean like this?” “Geez,” he hissed as the first pulse of his orgasm exploded up through his shaft out the hole in his glans. He pulsed with a wet, sticky come that coated his dick and balls, his lower belly, the hem of his shirt and the back of the seat in front of them. “Nice big one,” Paul murmured. “That feels so amazing, I want to join you.” As Paul rocked his hips, his cock grew beneath Val’s hand. “Oh, yeah, baby. Give it all to me.” Val raked his fingernails over Paul’s shaft and licked his lips as Paul quivered. Val had to taste his lover, now. Far from following Paul’s ritual, Val must have set a speed record as he unzipped his lover’s fly. Leaning over Paul to take him in his mouth, Val was treated to the sight of Mt. Paul erupting. The wetness of his come as Val continued the massage spurred him on. Val wanted to lick Paul’s cock and balls dry, to taste his come in space, see if it was different than on Earth. But before Val could get his mouth where he wanted it, Paul lifted his chin and ran his tongue over his

lips. Val could see Paul’s fangs gleam in anticipation. “I need to feed off you,” Paul whispered. Val’s heart squeezed. He loved how quickly and easily Paul had adjusted to vampiric rhythms. As Val had transformed Paul to save him from dying without securing his permission first, Val would always have some residual guilt. Paul had told Val over and over that he’d done the right thing, that he had no reason to suffer guilt, but Val couldn’t quite bring himself to completely believe him. But when Paul spontaneously wanted to feed as part of their lovemaking, Val got a hint of how it would feel to be free of regrets. Savoring the pleasure of Paul’s lips and teeth at his jugular, Val gave himself completely to his lover’s embrace. When Paul took his blood, Val experienced a rising tide of arousal -like sex in pleasure and intensity but totally different. Every lick and swallow bonded them closer, made them into one being with two manifestations. The ecstatic look on Paul’s face exactly mirrored the joy flooding Val’s heart. Paul carefully tongued the wound on Val’s neck, the place where he’d just intimately reconfirmed their bond. Val’s anxiety about this wonderful opportunity that had come their way -- to go to Apoll’ex -both charmed and, to some extent, distressed him. Why couldn’t Val share his wholehearted ecstasy at the prospect of his return home? “My turn,” Val murmured, his eyes glowing. Paul, who still remembered how Val had refrained from feeding the first times they made love, never took for granted this part of their lovemaking. His heartbeat accelerated as Val lowered his lips to the spot he favored. The plunge of Val’s fangs, the momentary shock of pain before the pleasure of the touch and the sexy pull of his drinking lips, thrilled Paul even more now than the first time. While Val fed from him, Paul tried to imagine how it would feel to complete this same process on Apoll’ex. Thrilled as he was at returning to his home planet with his lover -- which would have been impossible just a short time before -- Paul was surprised to realize he couldn’t completely get his mind around the reality of their approaching arrival. Ironic that the serum invented by the worst scumshit in the universe -- Ideg Retkove, the villain who’d forced Paul to endure physical torture and worse -- was what made their going to Apoll’ex possible. Paul hoped he’d be able to prepare mentally for his return to Apoll’ex with his Earthling vampire lover during the week-long journey home. Fortunately, fellow Apollan Soleil DuCosmos was traveling with him. The two of them could discuss their unique situation vis-à-vis Apoll’ex. Without Soleil, Paul would have found his aloneness unbearable. After Val swept his tongue over the puncture wounds on Paul’s neck, Paul, relieved to be able to stop thinking for a while, fell into a doze in his lover’s arms. *** By the last day of their interminable flight to Apoll’ex, Val was about to go out of his mind. If this was the reality of space travel, the ’bots were welcome to it, thank you very much. Once he landed on Apoll’ex, as far as he was concerned, nothing would ever induce him to leaveterra firma again. Of course, his determination to avoid future interstellar travel hinged on their being accepted on Apoll’ex. Despite Paul and Soleil’s reassurances, Val and Trey maintained some skepticism about what they’d encounter. In an effort to relieve the tedium and to try to soften the coming culture shock, Paul and Soleil provided

informal nightly Intro to Apoll’ex lessons. Trey, who was looking very content with himself and with life in general, asked, “Apoll’ex is an all-male planet. So, uh, what do you guys do to produce new generations of Apollans?” “Good question,” Soleil remarked, showing his approval by running his hand high up Trey’s leg. No wonder Trey looked so pleased. From what Val could see, the two men were really into each other. They faced the same potential problems as Val and Paul on Apoll’ex, with its tradition of no exclusive couples. “How would you explain it?” Soleil, hand still fixed on Trey’s leg, asked Paul. Paul mopped a hand across his forehead and grinned. “Not my area of expertise, Trey. I can’t explain all the technological aspects of the generation process.” “Just a simple outline will do for now.” Val studied Paul as he formulated his response. “Okay. Basically, we produce new Apollans through a combination of what you’d call cloning, DNA programming and the use of gestation machines to house the new beings until they’re ready to survive on their own.” “That is simplifying a lot,” Soleil remarked. Paul shrugged. “Unless someone’s looking for nitty-gritty details, I think that’s enough technical background for now. Our population engineers carefully regulate and monitor all procedures and equipment for generation. One of them could give you a more detailed explanation if you want one.” “Maybe later. Other question. Are women not allowed on Apoll’ex?” Trey raised an eyebrow. Soleil fielded that one. “Apollo made a covenant with men, and men only, to worship the sun with the prescribed rituals. So it has been for millennia. Our planet is a paradise because we follow the rituals of our tradition. Women would not be able to perform them. So, though women are welcome as visitors for vacations or for special projects, they cannot reside on Apoll’ex. But our twin planet, Athena, is a female version of Apoll’ex. It’s quite beautiful and prosperous but a lot less famous in the universe. Men can visit there, but cannot be permanent residents.” “Fascinating. Paul, Soleil, I know you don’t have any vampires on Apoll’ex,” Val began. “Not yet,” they both said simultaneously, then looked at each other and laughed. “The four of us will be the first,” Paul added. Now Val and Trey looked at each other. From their base on Earth, vampires had occasionally voyaged to other planets. For obvious reasons, they’d never come to Apoll’ex. But, according to the Vampire Annals, vampires had been stopped -- often violently -- from settling on any other planets. How could they imagine they’d be welcome on Apoll’ex? Hell, even on their home planet of Earth, they’d been consigned to their own sector, far from all other beings. The increasingly widespread use of bottled blood and synthetic products had done little to rehabilitate the popular negative images most other beings had about vampires. The crimes of vampires like Ideg Retkove only reinforced their unsavory reputations. “Paul, you weren’t particularly fond of vampires when I first met you.”

“Given the reality of being close to death at Ideg Retkove’s hands, can you blame me?” Val shook his head. “But your opinion was based on more than that.” Paul pursed his lips. “I studied a bit about vampires for an independent project at university. What I learned wasn’t complimentary. Now, of course, I know how superficial everything I had access to back then was. We can correct such previous misinformation once we get there.” Val suspected Paul was glossing over a lot of potential difficulties with his characteristic optimism. “That’s assuming they don’t just take us into custody and toss us into prison the minute we land.” “There are no prisons on Apoll’ex.” Soleil’s eyes glowed with what looked almost like anger as he made this pronouncement. Val knew anger was not a natural emotion for Apollans -- any more than jealousy. Of course, Ideg Retkove’s imprisonment of first Paul, then Soleil, sparked reasonable anger in both Apollans. With a cringe, he remembered how Paul had struggled to deal with experiencing jealousy when Trey came into their lives. Such emotions might not have been normal for Apollans, but, once in contact with Earthlings, they evidently developed these feelings -- unfortunately. Yet another corruption he was guilty of tainting his lover with. “You mean no prisons such as we have them on Earth?” Trey asked. Both Apollans laughed and shook their heads before they looked at each other as if to ask, “Who’s going to answer this?” Paul went ahead. “No prisons at all, Earthlings. They’re not necessary. Can you fathom that?” Val couldn’t keep from rolling his eyes. “No. Okay, so I’ll ask the next logical question. How do you deal with criminals on Apoll’ex if you don’t put them in prison? Uh, do you guys skip the preliminaries and just execute the wrongdoers?” Paul and Soleil actually shuddered. “Execute Apollans? That’s the sickest thing I’ve ever heard,” Paul muttered. “Well, except for all the things Ideg Retkove said and did.” “So what do you do with criminals?” Val was determined to find out. “There aren’t any,” Soleil said. “No criminals, so there’s no need to have a system in place to deal with them.” Paul vigorously nodded in agreement. No criminals? Val couldn’t imagine a world like that. Hell, for a vampire, visualizing a world filled with sunlight had been a huge stretch. Before he’d met Paul, the legendary lovemaking he’d read about had also never seemed quite real. But he could get his mind around everything about Apoll’ex -- except for its being a world with no criminals. That stumped him. “But what if someone like Ideg Retkove sprang up on Apoll’ex?” “That couldn’t happen,” Soleil insisted. Paul again agreed. “Why couldn’t it?” Trey asked.

Soleil shrugged. “The technicians involved with generation have perfected the process so that criminals aren’t produced.” That claim raised Val’s cynicism. “No offense, Soleil, Paul, but that sounds like a cop-out. Unless every being on Apoll’ex is exactly identical, which I know isn’t the case because you two aren’t, how can you know you’ll never have some homegrown criminals? How can you feel secure that your society can continue with no forms of punishment for wrongdoers?” “We know it as surely as we know our names,” Paul said. “But we may not be able to explain in ways that will be clear to you.” “You’re still thinking of Apoll’ex in the terms of your Earthling experience,” Soleil said. “To understand Apoll’ex, you need to view our world from a completely different perspective. And that’s just about impossible until you’re actually there.” “In other words,” Trey picked up, “reserve judgment. Okay, done. But what if Ideg Retkove is doing the same as we are and traveling to Apoll’ex? Somehow, I doubt that exposure to your peaceful ways will do anything to reform him.” Both Paul and Soleil looked horror-stricken. “Retkove on Apoll’ex? Talk about a rabid wolf among unsuspecting sheep. Hecan’t have gone to Apoll’ex.” Even as Paul said the words, the possibility of exactly that having happened seized hold of Val. “Just as a hypothetical,” he asked, hoping not to freak Paul and Soleil out too much, “what if Ideg Retkove came to Apoll’ex? Surely the powers that be must have some way to deal with him.” “You’re assuming Retkove would be out to harm the Apollans.” Trey, though hardly a fan of the criminal’s, didn’t hate him nearly as much as Val. “Are you assuming he wouldn’t?” Val was sure the sarcasm in his voice clearly revealed his opinion of Trey’s supposition. “Let us hope Retkove never comes to Apoll’ex,” Paul said. “Our authorities would have no way to deal with him.” “No way to stop him from cutting a criminal swath through society?” Both Paul and Soleil nodded warily. Scumshit. A sick feeling took hold in the pit of Val’s stomach. “Retkove’s disappeared,” he pronounced through gritted teeth. “Maybe he died in the explosion,” Trey said hopefully. All four of them had survived that explosion in Retkove’s lab -- in fact, they’d come through not only alive but sunlight tolerant. If the same was true for Retkove… *** The possibility of Retkove corrupting Apoll’ex with his presence was too horrifying for Paul to contemplate. For the first time since they’d realized they were sunlight tolerant and made the plans to

return to Apoll’ex, Paul felt an impediment to his ecstatic hopefulness. Of course on some level Paul had to concede such a visit was completely possible. After all, one of Retkove’s stated goals for developing his serum was opening travel to vampires. Now with sunshine tolerance a distinct possibility for all vampires who could get hold of his serum, suddenly it became all too likely Retkove would find his way to Apoll’ex. What if he already had? Paul’s heart sank to his toes. “We do have to face that possibility. Guys, we have no way of knowing. Retkove might even already be there.” Trey looked grim. Now Paul felt a mixture of dread and impatience to arrive home. “What can we do if he’s there?” He choked on the words. Val took his hand, and the familiar warmth helped to restore Paul’s sinking spirit. “If he’s there, we’ll deal with him,” Val muttered. “Look, he wasn’t able to defeat us on Earth, where he had tons of power and support. On Apoll’ex, he’s got neither.” “Just his ruthless ways.” Paul sighed. “Holy Apollo. Unchecked, he could do a lot of damage on Apoll’ex. No one there would have any idea how to deal with him. By the time they could react properly…” “We won’t let him destroy anything,” Val said firmly. Sensing the strength of Val’s determination, Paul tried to let go of his concerns. “I think we’ve had enough cultural indoctrination for tonight,” Val added. “How about we turn in?” The men went to their separate sleeping bunks. “You’re really worried, aren’t you?” Val asked when Paul stretched out spoon style behind him. Once free from having to run from Retkove, both men had taken to sleeping in the nude. Paul wedged his dick in Val’s ass crease as a spurt of desire raced through him. He took Val’s ready erection in hand. “How can I not be? Retkove on Apoll’ex would be an unparalleled disaster. His presence could spell the end of tolerance among my people.” “Hell, Paul, I’m sorry I brought this up tonight. I feel ashamed of my identity, of being from Earth -- the spawning place that produced Retkove.” “You and he are not the same. You know I’d never be with Retkove the way I am with you, never do the things with him I do with you.” To illustrate his point, Paul squeezed his lover’s hard dick. Then, just in case Val required an even more blatant reassurance, Paul ran his erection up and down Val’s crease. “Ahh.” Paul was gratified to feel Val grow measurably harder in his hand. “At least Retkove was never able to coerce either of us…” “Nor will he be, ever!” Paul’s voice grew harsh as he stroked Val’s dick. Paul had his legs entwined around Val’s and was zigzagging his cock around the crease. He alternated talking with nibbling on the

back of Val’s neck. Val squirmed pleasurably to increase the contact at both points. “I want to get into you,” Paul insisted. He rubbed an aphrodisiac lubricant into the crease, with special attention to the hole. Remembering the self-lube capabilities Apollans have, powers he’d lost when he was transformed and became a vampire, Paul suffered a pang of regret. Would he especially miss those abilities he’d lost once he returned home? Would the loss of these capabilities demean him in the eyes of his peers? Was he still really an Apollan -- where his heart was -- or had he now become more of an Earthling? Hungry for reassurance as to who he was, he plunged his cock deep into Val’s ass -- rougher than he’d ever been before. Val grunted, and Paul, afraid he’d hurt his lover, pulled back. None of his pain was Val’s fault. There was no point in punishing him. “Are you all right?” “Yeah.” Val’s voice sounded hoarse. “It’s good, but a little unexpected. I was wondering if you’re okay.” Paul took a deep breath. Val knew him so well, he intuited Paul’s turmoil just from the way he was fucking him. Having Val with him like this soothed Paul’s anxiety. Paul widened the scope of his touch, massaging the skin of Val’s inner thighs along with stroking and squeezing his cock and balls. He slowed down the speed of his thrusting. “Hey, I like the rough stuff.” Val’s words went straight to Paul’s dick and his brain. Rough was exactly what he needed now, after all. With his lover’s approval and encouragement, Paul began to move harder, deeper, faster and definitely rougher. Val really got into it with him, and Paul savored touching and hearing Val’s arousal. How amazing it was, after all the time they’d been together and all the ways they’d fucked each other, for what passed between them to feel new and different. When Paul had penetrated Val deeper and harder than ever, Val gasped and came hugely. Moments later, Paul’s climax exploded and he spurted his come as deep within Val as he’d ever been. Still in the grips of his arousal and need, Paul bit Val deep and hard and fed on him until he felt gorged. Panting hard, Val returned the favor. Spent, intimately entwined, the men fell into a deep sleep. *** The broadcast announcement that the transport would land shortly woke Val. Paul was already up, standing at the window and watching the approach. “I can’t believe we’re finally here.” Paul’s voice shook with emotion. “Neither can I.” Val’s overriding emotion was relief that they could finally get off the friggin’ transport. Well, that and his happiness and concern for Paul. Now that they were finally here, he hoped coming home lived up to his lover’s expectations. They both fed and dressed. Though Val would have happily fucked his way through the Apoll’ex

landing, for once Paul seemed too distracted. From what Val had learned about landings of space vehicles, he understood theirs went smoothly. He and Paul gathered their belongings and met up with Trey and Soleil to disembark. Soleil seemed even more nervous and excited than Paul. Trey also looked expectant. Val bit back all the doubts and misgivings he had, chalking them up to his being a bad traveler. The thirty passengers rushed to the exits as the doors opened. But before anyone set foot on the ramps down to the planet, another broadcast stopped them. “Due to an unprecedented situation on the Planet Apoll’ex, visitors are being monitored. Please be prepared for delay as the Apollan Entry Officers examine your papers.” “What’s going on?” Paul asked, directing his question to Soleil. Soleil shook his head. “No idea, but I don’t like the sound of it. Let’s queue up. Once we get off the transport, I’m sure we’ll know more.” The voice continued, “Any vampires among the passengers are requested to remain on the transport until further notice.” Shit. Admittedly, Val’s first thought was he wanted to get off the fuckin’ transportnow . But then he caught sight of how Paul’s face had crumpled with disappointment, and he suspected his claustrophobia was the least of their problems.

Chapter Two

Evidently, their party of four included the only vampires on board. Paul felt his heart start to break as he watched all the other passengers disembark and exclaim their delight at the scenic beauty of Apoll’ex. The port in Apoll’ex’s largest city, Apoll’ville, was one of the least magnificent spots on the planet. “Why are they stopping us from getting off the transport?” Trey asked. “They have no right to do that, do they? What could they do if we just ignored the directive and followed everyone else off?” When Paul’s eyes met Soleil’s, he saw his own despair mirrored in the other man’s expression. “Though Apollans rarely use force, when pressed they will use lethal force -- even though they would deplore every moment and every consequence,” Paul said. “We need to wait here until we can learn what’s behind this directive,” Soleil added. “After all, until we were exposed to Retkove’s serum, it would have been impossible for us as vampires to survive in the sunlight that’s a constant here. Before now, having a vampire visit Apoll’ex would have been the ultimate impossibility.”

“So what’s changed?” Trey asked. “Our ability to be here is so new, surely the Apollans couldn’t have already developed a policy to exclude us.” Paul could almost see the wheels of Trey’s logical mind spinning, trying to make connections. “If I don’t get off this transport soon…” Val’s fists clenched, and Paul could see how tension contorted his face. This was nothing like how Paul had imagined Val’s introduction to his home planet. After surviving the hell on Earth of Retkove’s constant pursuit, Paul had figured their nightmare was over. Now he felt like they’d landed in the worst one of all. To land on Apollan soil and be forbidden to set foot off the transport -- He’d almost rather be back in Retkove’s prison where at least the misery was straightforward. “Stay calm, Val. We’ll get to the bottom of this delay. Once you set foot on Apoll’ex, all the bullshit we’ve had to go through will be worth it.” To say Val looked skeptical was an understatement, but at least he wasn’t punching holes in any of the transport’s walls -- yet. A ’bot from the flight crew came out of the cockpit to stand guard over them. Paul wanted to tell him that precaution wasn’t necessary, but in view of the ’bot’s grim expression, he figured he might as well save his breath. “When will they let us off this transport?” Soleil asked. “Paul de l’Astre and I are both native Apollans, returning with our Earthling lovers.” The ’bot looked at them quizzically. “You say you’re Apollans and vampires?” His face screwed up with evident puzzlement and a hint of suspicion. “How is that possible?” Paul scrubbed his hands over his face as if to wipe away the current horror and the fatigue of the journey. “It’s a long story.” The ’bot appeared skeptical, which Paul could understand. His questioner held up a hand. “You might as well save it for the land authorities. They’ll board as soon as they’ve completed processing the other new arrivals.” “We should be among them,” Soleil muttered. “In fact, as natives, we shouldn’t even have to go through any processing. We should be able to leave this transport as the free men we are here on our home planet.” The ’bot’s mouth tightened into a grim line. “You might as well sit down while we wait.” He gestured to the seats. “I’ve been sitting enough to last me a century,” Val growled. “Suit yourself.” The ’bot continued standing in the doorway, looking determined to block their access while still retaining his air of courtesy. Paul wanted to tell him he could relax, but he saved his breath. “You don’t think it’s possible --” Trey started. “What?” Paul asked. Maybe whatever Trey was thinking would distract him.

“The way they’re preventing us from disembarking… This goes counter to common knowledge about the hospitality and generosity characteristic of Apollans. I’m trying to understand.” Paul nodded. “Me, too. We just need to hang a bit longer. All will shortly be clear and cleared up. This is just a temporary delay.” “I’m not so sure,” Trey continued. “Earlier you guys said there had never been any vampires on Apoll’ex, which made perfect sense. The only reason we were able to come here was because of our exposure to Retkove’s serum, a recent creation. Since the explosion at his lab, Retkove’s been missing. We assumed -- okay, hoped -- he’d been destroyed by the force of the blast, but there was never any real evidence to support that. What if, instead of his being destroyed, he somehow contrived to get to Apoll’ex faster than we did?” Silence greeted Trey’s reasoning. “Bloody hell.” Val grabbed his head as if he wanted to pull it off. His face was screwed up in the worst pain Paul had ever seen him show. “That blasthad to have destroyed him. Can you imagine what a fuckin’ catastrophe it would be if that slimy bastard got loose here?” Paul’s insides clenched up worse than when Retkove had tortured him. “Here they come.” The ’bot nodded in the direction of two dour-faced Apollan officials. “We could throw ourselves on their mercy,” Soleil whispered. “That wouldn’t be nearly enough.” Paul took a deep breath and prepared to meet his fate. Until now, he’d never completely believed his exile from Apoll’ex would last forever. But with their transport on Apollan soil and the portal effectively blocked, Paul faced the terrifying possibility. *** Val couldn’t fuckin’ believe it. After enduring the claustrophobia of the interminable trip to Apoll’ex, he couldn’t stand to be cooped up for a minute longer. Not a second. Geez, even if the powers that be were going to detain them, or imprison them or fuckin’ send them back to Earth on the next vehicle out, couldn’t they at least let them off this transport first? It wasn’t like the four of them had anywhere they could hide for long on this small planet. Val struggled to bite back his disgust and disgruntlement. In his gut he knew whatever pain he was experiencing, Paul’s was a hundred times worse. Though he’d put a good face on it, Val realized Paul had lived with constant disappointment while he was stuck on Earth. Much as Val despised Retkove, the serum that scum had developed had made it possible for Paul to come home again. But now this. The officials, two gorgeous men of a slightly older vintage dressed in uniforms that highlighted their amazing builds, stepped on the plane. Val, pushed beyond his limits, opened his mouth to protest their detention. “You’d better let us talk,” Paul said, indicating Soleil. Trey, who looked pretty miserable, too, nodded his assent. Nothing for Val to do but go along with majority rule. But if he didn’t like the way the officials acted or thought Paul and Soleil were being steamrolled, he’d step in with both combat boots.

The officials looked at the four of them with an expression of consternation, disgust and shock. “Is that you, Soleil DuCosmos?” the older of them asked. Soleil, whose eyes now glistened with unshed tears, nodded. “And this is Paul de l’Astre,” he said, “the man I went on the search mission to find.” The two Apollans warily embraced Soleil and Paul. Val experienced the merest twinge of jealousy. Compared to everything else that was going on, he could handle the wave of emotion -- as long as he didn’t have to handle it for long. Jealousy on top of claustrophobia… None of this fit with his idea of paradise. If this bullshit was all Apoll’ex had to offer, he’d take polluted rotten Earth over it any day. When the men broke their embrace, the younger official asked, “But Paul, Soleil, why are you identifying yourselves as vampires? And who are these men with you? Please speak frankly. If they are in any way coercing you, we will help you.” He glared at Val and Trey. Val held back an impulse to punch him out. “No, sir. Nothing like that.” Paul lightly laid a hand on Val’s arm, which defused some of the tension coiling in him. Paul wasn’t about to abandon him now that they’d arrived on his home planet. Val breathed a little easier. Then Paul cleared his throat. “It is a very complicated affair, sir. I’ll shorten it drastically for now, though I’m sure you’ll want to hear the full details at a later time. You see, to save my life when I was close to death, my lover Val, an Earthling vampire, transformed me. Soleil had a similar experience with his lover, Trey.” The older official looked uncomprehending. “This is a complex matter, indeed. Unprecedented. Perhaps we should sit down as you clarify further.” “Can we sit down somewhere other than in this transport? We’ve been here for days.” Val could hear the edge in his voice no matter how hard he tried to sound calm and cool. “I’m afraid we cannot permit you to step foot on Apoll’ex just yet,” the younger official said. Val clenched his fists at his sides. “We don’t understand these constraints, good sir, but we know there must be a good reason for them.” Paul’s voice sounded as if being calm wasn’t a huge effort. “Unfortunately, there is,” both officials said simultaneously. Paul inclined his head in a slight bow. “Soleil and I give you our word as loyal Apollans that we will not betray your trust if you allow us to step off this transport. Furthermore, we both will vouch for the conduct of our companions, Val Cutter and Trey Duke. We will unquestioningly obey you in all matters. But our continued confinement after the long flight is difficult for some of our party to endure.” Both officials looked him over. They conferred for a few moments, then nodded. “Very well. Paul de l’Astre and Soleil DuCosmos, we accept your words as Apollan gentlemen in good standing. Follow us to the Visitors’ Center, where we can speak at length in comfort. Do not abuse our hospitality.” Biting his lip to keep from retorting, Val gratefully followed the others off the transport to the building enclosure which, like almost every other structure on Apoll’ex, had no roof. ***

Well aware of Val’s rising agitation, Paul tried to maintain an attitude of calm, but it wasn’t easy. He hadn’t been gone from Apoll’ex for that long in terms of time measurement, yet it seemed everything had changed in a most fundamental and alarming way. His people, known throughout the universe for their tolerance and acceptance of all beings, had reacted very negatively and harshly to his and Soleil’s transformation into vampires. Yet he’d pointed out neither of them would be alive if they hadn’t undergone this change. Surely the Apollans would extend their traditional welcome to fellow citizens no matter how much they’d changed. Paul took a deep breath of clean, pure Apollan air the moment he set foot outside the transport. Great Apollo and all the gods, how he’d missed the sweet air of home. With a pang of regret, he once again asked himself why he’d ever undertaken the journey that had taken him so far from home. Though he knew he’d never have met Val without his near-fatal journey, Paul still had to ponder whether, if given the chance, he’d rewrite history and stay home. The Visitors’ Center was surrounded by a group of Apollans looking fiercer than he’d ever seen his compatriots look. Though they bore no weapons, they had the demeanor of armed prison guards. This was unheard of. But Paul quickly realized their evident belligerence to their group might turn out to be only the first of many unpleasant surprises. The officials, facial expressions unwelcoming and wary, sat down at the table opposite Paul’s party. Paul looked at Soleil, who seemed equally at a loss to explain what the bloody heck was going on. Well, there was nothing to be gained by delay. “Sirs, Soleil and I are extremely puzzled by this strange and unfriendly reception. As native Apollans, we never expected to experience anything of its like on our home planet. Please explain why we are being detained.” The oldest of the officials nodded. “Let me assure you both we never expected to have to deal with anything like this on our peace-loving planet. In truth, we have been challenged to devise new policies in a haste that goes contrary to our ways. But in the past few days, we’ve had to contend with a bizarre new development. Men have been reported missing, sometimes for several days. When the authorities find them, they’re physically weak and mentally dazed and distressed. When questioned, they mention meeting a stranger and then losing awareness. You as Apollans know this sort of mystery is unprecedented and unacceptable.” Paul and Soleil gasped. Paul shook his head as if his gesture would somehow banish the devastating news. “But how could this happen?” Soleil asked. “Has there somehow been a shift in the atmosphere that has driven some Apollans berserk? Maybe a meteorite landed and released a harmful chemical?” As Soleil voiced these possibilities, Paul studied the facial expressions on the two officials. He had a sinking feeling they were about to learn exactly why he and Soleil were no longer welcome home. No shift in atmosphere, no crash landing of a meteorite. The pain of realizing they might have come all this way only to be turned back clawed at Paul. The older official shook his head in response to Soleil’s speculations. No surprises there. “Based on our medical examinations of the victims, it would appear each one has suffered severe blood loss. From our knowledge of other cultures, this would seem consistent with the attacker being a vampire. Until now, we’d understood vampires couldn’t survive on our planet. The possibility of a change has caused us to revoke welcome to vampires until we can determine they pose no danger to Apollans.”

There it was -- the worst possible development. The recent arrivals absorbed this bombshell in stunned silence. Paul thought he’d be sick. Soleil’s expression indicated a similar reaction. Both Val and Trey appeared more puzzled than horrified. But even without any real understanding of Apoll’ex’s culture, they had to realize the attacks were bad news for them. “Nobody in this party is responsible for these crimes.” Trey’s voice sounded reasonable. Val looked a combination of sick, worried and ready to kick butt. The younger official shrugged. “If we thought you were, you would already be on your way back to Earth along with a strongly worded recommendation that you pay for your crimes.” “If you don’t suspect any of us, why are you holding us?” Val gritted out. Paul could tell his lover was dangerously near the boiling point. A temper tantrum would not play out well here. The older official looked from one to the other. “As Paul and Soleil are aware, we on Apoll’ex remain blissfully ignorant of the ways of vampires. We’d have been content to remain so forever, but change evidently has come.” He paused. “With your information about the new serum and your confirmation that a vampire is most likely responsible for these deaths, we realize how to proceed. We must pursue and capture the creature responsible for these attacks and revoke his welcome.” Val jumped up, waved his arms around and began pacing furiously. “We can help. Paul and I, actually all of us, are experienced in dealing with the fiend who must be responsible.” Though love for him pulsed through Paul at Val’s heroic gesture, he knew his lover’s jumping and waving his arms around was not the most effective way to get the Apollan officials on their side. Paul grabbed hold of Val in mid-step and sat him down. Not fully believing it would be effective, he nonetheless telepathically ordered Val to calm down and let him and Soleil do the talking. Once the sputtering Val had subsided sufficiently for him to be heard, Paul took up the same refrain. “You have an idea who is responsible?” the older guy asked. The four travelers looked at each other and nodded. There was only one possible culprit: Ideg Retkove. Somehow he’d managed not only to survive the blast, but to make his way to Apoll’ex. Why the bastard hadn’t just basked in the glory of being here -- why he had to bring destruction to paradise -- was unclear. In just a short time, Retkove had managed to spread enough mayhem to disrupt centuries of tradition on Apoll’ex. On second thought, the gratuitous generation of misery was so typical of Retkove, Paul wondered why they’d even given the culprit’s identification any thought. “We have a strong suspicion the perpetrator of these crimes is one Ideg Retkove, whom we’ve all had the misfortune of dealing with on Earth.” “Ideg Retkove?” both officials repeated. The older one checked some paperwork and typed in some information on a device he withdrew from a pocket of his uniform. The device hummed before clicking a response, which he read from a small screen. “No one by that name has arrived here recently.” “I can believe he’d travel under an alias. But what’s happened here smacks of Retkove. We’d all love to help you stop him.” Paul looked at his companions, who nodded. The older official shook his head. “If having one vampire on Apoll’ex is a catastrophe, why should we tolerate four more? Even if we make an exception for our Apollan vampires, why should we open our

portals to two more Earthling vampires?” “Good question.” Trey appeared to be thinking faster than all the rest of them. “First of all, let me assure you Ideg Retkove is a villain in every sense of the word. He doesn’t hesitate to exploit beings of all kinds to meet his needs and desires. He’ll stop at nothing to meet his own ends.” The official snorted. “That does nothing to explain why we’d welcome any more of his -- your -- ilk on our planet. Aren’t you driven by your need to consume blood, no matter the cost to your host?” Soleil took that one. “Yes, blood is our nourishment. But there are numerous sources that bring no harm to our fellow creatures. For instance, we can purchase our nourishment in packaged form. When we do feed off each other or other creatures, we stop well before we bring any harm to our host.” “Is this true?” The Apollan looked doubtful. All four men nodded. “You would be willing to provide your expertise to capture this Ideg Retkove?” the younger official asked. “Ready, willing and able,” Val muttered. Paul and the others nodded in agreement. “But don’t you have loyalty to your own kind?” the same man asked. Paul exhaled. “Ideg Retkove has abused us and so many others so often and repeatedly, he’s forfeited his claim to any possibility of loyalty.” “We will need to confer about your offer and how to proceed,” the younger official said. “You will please wait here until we come back and tell you our decision.” Paul thought Val would jump out of his skin. He did spring up and resume pacing. “I can’t believe the bastard is here. As if all the shit he pulled on Earth wasn’t enough.” Though Paul was getting dizzy watching Val, he figured it was better to let his lover use up energy this way. In a much shorter time than Paul would have predicted, the officials returned to the room. “We have decided to accept your offer,” the older official announced without preamble. Paul felt a weight lift off his heart. The officials weren’t sending them back to Earth. Now all they had to do was actually deliver Retkove to the powers that be on a platter. “But before we undertake this search, the governing Council of Apoll’ex wants to formally extend our traditional welcome. You will follow me to the main ritual hall.” *** At the realization that he’d be able to get out of the structure that confined him and at last get a look at the renowned scenery of Apoll’ex, Val felt a surge of relieved excitement. At the realization that they’d now be officially welcome to Apoll’ex and that welcome would include one of the legendary Apollan sex rituals, Val’s dick sat up and took notice. He’d been waiting a long time.

His first real view of the scenery told him beautiful surroundings truly were a given on Apoll’ex. The sun, which he hadn’t been able to appreciate since his transformation more than a century before, loomed huge in the sky. If he wanted to describe the color, he’d probably resort to a palette of fruits he’d eaten long ago -- apricots, peaches, the flesh of plump nectarines and cantaloupe melon. None exactly named the hue that glowed in the soft periwinkle blue of the sky. Apoll’ex itself was a lush green and gold, with flowers and trees blooming in fertile profusion right up to the banks of golden waters. But he’d have time to look more closely later. They were headed to a huge golden building that evidently functioned as a welcoming station for newcomers. “The welcome ritual is interesting,” Paul explained to him and Trey. “Soleil and I have both participated as welcomers, but this will be our first time to experience it on the receiving end.” From the way Paul and Trey were grinning, Val expected they’d be in for something amazing. “What’s going to happen?” Trey’s voice sounded gruff. Paul and Trey looked at each other. “Maybe we should allow you to experience the element of surprise.” “Okay,” Val said, though he was hoping to pry a bit more information from the two smug Apollans before he went in. “I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself. You know that I’m up to whatever’s expected of me -- both giving and receiving.” Paul and Trey actually giggled. Silk banners in jewel hues, some of which he couldn’t name any more than he could the color of the sun, covered the walls of the large, roofless room their escorts led them into. As everywhere else on this planet, the sun dominated the scene. In the center of the structure was a dais, and Val saw platforms at different heights in various places. Seeing the sliders on the bottoms of these platforms, Val realized it would be simple to shift them around into different configurations. Very subtle, sexy music insinuated itself from hidden speakers. Val couldn’t identify the instruments but he’d never been good at that sort of thing. “Welcome to Apoll’ex.” A gorgeous nude hunk of man with cocoa brown skin, green eyes, shoulder-length mahogany hair and an erection of monumental proportions greeted the four of them with a huge smile. “Ray!” Paul threw up his arms and hugged the man with a great deal of energy. Val reminded himself that jealousy was not his thing. He remembered Apollans believed in non-exclusive pairings and the eternal multiple ménage. The deep kiss Paul and Ray exchanged meant absolutely nothing. Val clenched his fists, hard. When the two men came up for air, they had their arms around each other’s shoulders. “When I heard you were one of our newcomers, Paul, I had to trade assignments to get on the welcoming detail. But here I am. I can’t even begin to tell you how glad I am you’ve returned to us.” Paul actually got teary-eyed. Oh, please. Val turned away in disgust before he made some derogatory remark he’d probably regret later on. “And Soleil,” Ray gushed on. “I’m ecstatic you’re back.” Now Ray went into a liplock with Soleil that had Trey looking a bit green. Good. At least Val wasn’t up this creek alone.

Holding hands with both Soleil and Paul, Ray said, “Even though you two know what to expect, I’m going to explain the upcoming ritual for the benefit of our first-timers, Val and Trey.” He nodded to them. Despite his desire to hold on to some detachment, Val felt himself melt. He’d have to watch that. “To cleanse the physical and psychic dirt of your travels off,” Ray said, “each man will be bathed and massaged before our sexual ritual of Bien Venu -- Welcome.” Four hunks of varying size and color -- but all alike in being even-featured, gorgeous and well-endowed -- came to escort them to their baths. Despite the group nature of the upcoming ritual, the baths were individual. Val didn’t feel great about this. “Paul,” he called over the shoulder of the Apollan in charge of him, “can’t we stay together?” Paul shook his head. “This part’s private. Relax, Val. You’ll enjoy it.” Right. Despite the amazing good looks and manner of his bather, whose name, appropriately, was Heat -- or maybe because of them -- Val was determined not to let his guard down. Heat was tall and fit, of course. All Apollans were. His skin had a yellowish tint and he had long black hair and an East Asian cast to his brown eyes. “Were your travels challenging, Val?” Heat asked as he led Val by the hand to a cubicle, which turned out to have an oval pool of golden water. Val figured Heat hadn’t been briefed too fully about the complications of the trip, and he decided not to use his bath time to vent. After all, the eager Heat had done nothing to merit Val’s scorn. “Would you like me to disrobe you or would you prefer to remove your own clothes?” Val figured he’d do a faster though likely less sensuous job in getting naked. “I’ll do my own,” he growled. In a flash, he stood as nude as Heat, who blinked in apparent surprise at Val’s speed. Of course, Heat had no experience of vampiric powers. Val shivered, realizing that if Heat had met the only vampire already on Apoll’ex, he might very well be out of commission and recovering now. “If you’ll permit me,” Heat said, “I will cleanse you in the waters. Part of this cleansing process is a soothing massage to help relax you.” Val felt so tight after the stress of the trip and then the hold-up before they were allowed to enter, he figured a massage would do him good. He nodded. He climbed down the stairs into the oval pool. The golden water, a perfect warm temperature, rippled soothingly around him. It came to just below his nipples and was of uniform depth throughout. He dipped down to wet himself up to his chin. “We have a special blend that’s designed to clean and relax. It’s made from a distillation of native plants kissed by the sun.” As he spoke, Heat began to clean and massage Val. In addition to having sensitive, powerful hands and fingers, Heat made great use of the hard oval, similar to but much more sensuous than creamy soap, that he rubbed over Val’s tense muscles. As advertised, Val began to relax. Now Heat added his lips and tongue to the massage. At the first brush of Heat’s lips on his skin, Val startled. Then he reminded himself that what he was experiencing was part of the Apollan ritual of

welcome. At this moment, Paul, Trey and Soleil were in similar situations. Despite the pang in Val’s heart at being away from Paul, he’d agreed to participate fully in the ritual prior to entering this very alien culture. Val was just about lulled into semi-sleep when Heat took hold of his cock. Val nearly flew out of the pool. “This is an essential step in the pool ritual,” Heat murmured. “For each ritual to be a success, you must liberate a share of your intimate bodily fluids.” “All the rituals?” Heat nodded. “Yes. Bodily fluids are considered essential for the proper worship of our dear sun.” Interesting. Everything Heat said accorded with what Paul and Soleil had been trying to teach him and Trey. Heat led him to the side of the pool and sat him down. Using his hands and the product, Heat encouraged Val to open his legs and let his erection bob right below the water’s surface. “I see you are prepared to worship,” Heat whispered, fondling Val’s dick with highly skilled fingers. “Please allow me to accommodate you in this.” Despite Paul’s preparations, the reality of being welcomed this way stunned and fascinated Val. He inclined his head. Closing his eyes and pretending Paul was with him, Val gave himself over to Heat’s ministrations. Heat stroked his cock, massaged his balls and the tender skin of Val’s inner thighs. Val responded strongly to Heat’s confident touch. Heat was ahead of him, anticipating everywhere Val wanted to be stroked and exactly how much pressure would make him groan with pleasure. Under Heat’s attentions, Val felt himself grow impossibly thick and long. Soon he felt like he was bursting with the need to release his come. Oddly, he had no desire to touch Heat. For now, encouraged by the other man, Val felt completely absorbed in himself, in his own needs and desires. With Heat urging him on, speeding up and slowing down at strategic times, the aroma of the cleansing product and the golden waters, the soothing sounds of Heat and the water murmuring, Val felt his orgasm begin to build. Feeling as if he’d been waiting forever for this moment, Val howled out all the emotions of the past few days and hours. His legs spread wide, he shot his come into the air and water. Heat let out a triumphal cry. “Welcome to Apoll’ex!” He hugged Val, then the two of them dipped into the water for a final cleansing. Val wasn’t sure what to say. Was “thank you” appropriate? Later he’d have a million questions for Paul. Val’s admiration for Paul’s initial survival on Earth with no guide and no help increased. Heat jumped out of the pool and ran to get drying cloths. When he raced back, beads of golden water glittering off his skin, Heat was smiling even more. “Let me help you out of the water.” He extended a hand to Val, who climbed out on his own. The towel was thick and warm. Though Val started to dry himself, Heat insisted on performing this chore. “Now we must hurry,” Heat said when Val had clothed himself with a small, plain loin covering. “Where to?”

“The main ritual. The others await us.”

Chapter Three

As long as he was stuck on Earth with no hope of returning home, Paul hadn’t allowed himself to think about how much he missed Apollan rituals. But once he set foot on Apollan soil, his sense memories rushed back. After his journey, every moment of the bathing ritual resonated for him with heartbreaking significance. He hadn’t previously met his welcomer, a young man named S’laire. The first whiff of the beloved cleanser brought tears to Paul’s eyes. He’d managed to contain those tears until S’laire began to massage his erection. After he’d come, he’d wept uncontrollably. S’laire comforted him, reminding him the worst was behind them all. Paul fervently hoped so. After his first taste of home, he couldn’t believe he’d survive any further exile -- even with Val by his side. The four of them had to find Retkove and free Apoll’ex from this scourge. Despite their guarantees to the Apollan officials, Paul knew it would be a mistake to underestimate Retkove. What if he and the others didn’t stop the bastard before he did even more damage to a victim? Any further crimes on Apoll’ex might get them all booted off the planet -- permanently. Despite these worries, Paul immersed himself in S’laire’s attentive care. The four new arrivals had to focus fully on the welcoming ritual to show they’d come in good faith, with full intention of participating in the ways of the Apollans. Paul realized he and Soleil, as vampires, were classified as deviants. Apollan generosity included modifying the rituals to meet particular needs. This tolerance would not extend to the vampires’ feeding off their Apollan hosts, even as part of sex rituals. When the four vampires came out of the baths, they met in a large gathering room. Twelve greeters awaited them -- three for each newcomer. Of course, each greeter fit the general description of Apollan handsomeness and fitness -- each blessed with the glow of the sun’s magic touch. Paul bit back a grin at the inscrutable expression on Val’s face. He could easily understand that his lover needed time to sort out all the details of their surroundings. Though he’d told Val about Apoll’ex, no words could do the reality justice. “That was some bath.” Val stood quite close to him. “You look different.” He studied Paul for a few moments. “You look different too, Val. The waters impart special qualities to those who bathe in them.” “Magic waters, eh?” Val shook his head. “I never thought any place could live up to all the hype I heard about Apoll’ex -- but man, oh man. What’s the secret ingredient?” “I’ll describe the process later, but it looks like we’re to take our positions now for the next part.”

Val cleared his throat. “Speaking about that. I know you said there are no exclusive pairings here on Apoll’ex, but I expected we could be together in groups, like we’ve done with Trey and Soleil. But, uh, that bath was one on one.” “Yes,” Paul acknowledged. “And this ritual is going to be three on one, and we’re not going to be together for any part of it.” Val narrowed his eyes. “Yeah. I know we talked about all that on the voyage and such. Here on Apoll’ex, you and I can be together, except it’s a whole different way. And there’s no jealousy.” “No, that kind of emotion is strictly Earth bound, one of the curses of your unfortunate home planet.” Paul wished he could make this huge transition easier for Val, but, in the final analysis, his lover would have to extend himself to achieve the necessary adjustments -- always with Paul’s full support. “Right. But I’m an Earthling. And by virtue of being a vampire, you’re no longer completely Apollan either. Give me a hand here. How can we balance it all?” Paul put a hand on Val’s arm and felt, to his utter amazement, that his lover was trembling. Burning sunspots, not even Retkove in his full villainy had ever affected Val so strongly. “What we do with our cocks here, Val, that’s not exclusive. We can have sex with each other and with many others. That’s the Apollan way. Can you deal with it? Because if you can’t, we’ve got to work out a way for you to be happy here, with our ways.” Val nodded. “I’m trying to deal, but right now everything here is too new and weird. Paul, I guess I need something from you, something that tells me what we’ve had isn’t over.” “It’ll never be over, Val,” Paul whispered. “No matter how many lovers I’m with in rituals.” His mind whirled as he tried to come up quickly with a way to reassure Val. The very thought that Val could doubt their connection -- And then, thank Apollo, it came to him. “What do you think about this? To celebrate our special bond, how about we pledge to be exclusive in our intimate feedings. I’ll feed only from you, and you only from me.” Val closed his eyes and touched Paul at the base of his neck. Contrary to his usual style, he didn’t respond quickly. “Yes. That will be one way we continue our bond on this planet. Maybe we’ll think of more as we go forward.” Val’s acceptance eased some of Paul’s anxieties. “Feeding, and, whenever we can, fucking.” Val hugged him. A large robed man came to summon the four newcomers to the dais where twelve gorgeous men awaited them. “Please follow me.” “What’s going to happen?” Val asked. “Our guide will explain as soon as we take our places on the dais.” Before they separated, Paul kissed Val on the lips. Then they each assumed the places the guide indicated, as did Trey and Soleil. ***

Val felt like he’d landed in paradise only to discover he’d left some vital body part behind. Or maybe paradise had been when he and Paul were together, united in their passion and their deprivations. Paradise lost. Bloody hell, he was turning into some sort of sentimental slob. Paul assured him their special bond existed despite the fact they were each separately about to become intimate with several strangers. Apoll’ex might be paradise, but viewed through another lens, it was fuckin’ weird. He needed to stop brooding and listen to the instructions from their leader, an imposing guy wearing a purple robe. All the rest of the men in the room wore only brief loincloths like the one Val had put on after the bath. “Welcome to Apoll’ex,” the leader intoned. “Now that you’ve bathed in the sun-blessed waters, you are ready for our central newcomers’ ritual. Each new man will stand between the greeters. There are two tiers of greeters on one side, a solitary on the other. As you accept our greetings, dear travelers, you can choose how many attendants you desire at one time and assign each as you will. Many travelers choose to receive and provide fellatio while enjoying anal play. But the greeters will accommodate variations to please our guests.” Three on one? Val had to admit to being intrigued, though he still wished Paul were with him for the fun. “Does anyone have any questions?” Val glanced over at Trey, who looked slightly less clueless than he felt. Though he knew Trey and Soleil were very close, Val understood Trey’s curiosity probably trumped his other emotions right now. Both Soleil and Paul went over to the leader for a whispered conference. Something they said seemed to surprise him. They explained some more. He nodded. Both Soleil and Paul resumed their positions. “I understand two of the newcomers are returning Apollans, which gives this ritual a bit of an unusual flavor. Even more so because all four of you are also vampires. News of your arrival here has been spreading on Apoll’ex.” He sighed. “Change comes, even here. I understand from Paul and Soleil that vampires have rituals of intimacy unlike our own. We’ve decided to modify theaprès -ritual to accommodate vampiric needs. When we have completed the sexual salute and given erotic thanks to the sun for our continued well-being, the vampire pairs will have privacy for their intimate feeding.” Val looked over at Paul and winked. Then, following the leader’s instructions, all the men went to their assigned spots. The first step of the ritual was for the four men in each grouping to greet each other with a hug. After asking his name and where he came from, information Val knew they already had, the three Apollans introduced themselves to Val. Each man was gorgeous and sexy in a unique way. A man with dark purple skin and short purple hair went first. “I’m Chaud Rayze.” Chaud would take the aft position unless Val directed him to do otherwise. Judging from the size of the erection tenting out his loincloth, Val figured he was in for quite a ride and indicated Chaud should stay right where he was. Brule Flame, whose bright orange hair lived up to his name, took top position, while blond Lumin Bianco sat facing Val’s crotch. Despite his mix of emotions, Val’s carnal nature sprang forth and demanded precedence. Everything in the room -- sexy music and the sensual scents of testosterone and musk -was designed to seduce. Val knew Paul was nearby, simultaneously being serviced by three hunks as

attractive as those now focused on pleasing him. Chaud began to nuzzle Val from behind. To provide a sample of the goodies, Chaud wedged his huge erect cock into the crease of Val’s ass. Val figured good manners required him to participate fully. All right. Chaud’s cock felt amazing and, despite all his emotional stuff, Val felt very turned on. After all, he’d entered paradise. When in Rome… Who knew what the future held? If the Apollans became angrier and more upset about Retkove, they could very well revoke their welcome. Val moaned his appreciation. Chaud thrust his hips forward to provide Val with even more of a foretaste. “Any special requests for your ass fucking?” A question he’d never heard before. Then Val remembered Paul’s Apollan self-lubing function, which he’d lost in the transformation. “Unlike you Apollans, I’m not a self-luber.” “Not to worry. I’ve got you covered.” Chaud began to massage some lube into Val’s rear opening with a very talented finger. Actually, the lubing felt good enough to bring him off. Val, who’d been half-erect or better since he got off the damn transport, felt his cock ratchet up to full, close to bursting. With the back engaged, the two frontal greeters went into gear. Lumin Bianco licked his lips at the sight of Val’s burgeoning hard-on. “With your permission?” Val readily agreed to the Apollan’s talented stroking of his dick and balls. At the same time, he watched Brule stroke his own impressive package. Val knew Apollans did actually devote time and energy to activities other than sex. But judging from this ritual, Val wondered how they managed to drag themselves away. He began to question how Paul could ever have been satisfied with just him as his lover. But then he had to turn his attention to other matters. “Would you like me to suck your cock?” Lumin invited. Val remembered Paul’s special sun glands, which Val had happily experienced the first time Paul sucked him off. Paul had also lost these glands upon becoming a vampire. Val, already excited, accepted. And then he took Brule’s huge, well-shaped cock in his own mouth. In time to the erotic beat of the music, Val moved with the men greeting him. The erotic sensations pulsed through the four of them, melding them into a single unit. These guys knew what they were doing. Val, grateful Paul was experiencing similar pleasure at the same time, gave himself up to the sensations. For a brief moment, Val wondered if Paul also experienced regret at his losses -- the unique abilities and organs his fellow Apollans took for granted. But lost in the hedonism of being sole focus of three magnificent lovers, Val surrendered to the moment. True to his word, Chaud had generously slathered Val’s crease and hole with a gel that warmed and soothed, smoothing the way for the large man’s entrance. With small, subtle hip thrusts, Chaud wedged his way into Val. He teased Val, giving him little bits and making him want more. By the time Chaud thrust himself fully into him, Val groaned with delicious relief. He contracted his muscles and moved to let Chaud know he wanted him exactly where he was. At the same time, Lumin turned his talented fingers and mouth loose on Val’s grateful cock. With his fingers he stroked Val’s balls, coaxing them, teasing them, and massaged the sensitive skin of his inner thighs. Though Val hadn’t remembered how the sun glands felt, Lumin reminded him. The glands made it

feel as if Lumin had a dozen tongues and a hundred teeth all devoted to pleasuring him. As a vampire, Val was especially attuned to the exquisite feel of fangs brushing across sensitive skin. The sun glands felt like sharper, finer teeth skimming his engorged glans, tracing the ridges of his shaft. Determined to give as good as he got, Val opened his lips to Brule’s long, thick cock. The erotic combination of the two men pleasuring his cock and ass while he licked and sucked another gorgeous man off had Val hanging on by his fingertips. He couldn’t just savor the sensuousness of his position because he also had to focus on providing for Brule. Though feeling at a distinct disadvantage without sun glands and the kinds of expertise these men had, Val considered it a personal challenge to satisfy Brule. He figured enthusiasm, vampiric teeth and a well-muscled tongue could make up for any lack in exotic technique. Though this sex had none of the emotional content of lovemaking with Paul, Val experienced the overwhelming pleasure almost as an erotic interlude. And he never forgot that he and Paul would complete their climaxes with a mutual feed. Knowing he and Paul would be in each other’s arms for the ultimate vampiric orgasm kept Val’s hesitation from hampering him. He felt completely enthralled -- as if, just for now, he was the center of a very special universe. If anything happened now to prevent them from coming, Val would have lost it. In tandem, the four moved like a well-regulated unit. The sexual tension rose like a cloud that enveloped them as the level of arousal drew them tighter. They began to move faster, harder -- so well coordinated that when Chaud withdrew, Lumin thrust forward. Val, trying to fall in with the rhythm, let Brule take the lead. Even the sounds Brule and Chaud made, their murmuring, moans and sighs, harmonized. Despite the freedom they all enjoyed, Val knew the greeters remained in control of every tiny movement and sound. Hell, he was the wild card in this bunch, the one whose experience and anatomy didn’t quite conform. He’d expected them to need time to figure him out, given his totally alien nature. But nothing fazed them. If he’d sprouted an extra head or dick or begun bleating, his gut told him they’d take it all in stride and make delicious lemonade from any surprise lemons. Feeling like the rodeo cowboy who’d stayed astride the bucking bronco longer than expected, Val prepared to bow to the inevitable when his orgasm took shape and began to build. Everything within him tightened and grew frenzied in preparation. Though he usually announced his orgasms, these guys were so attuned to him, they seemed to know almost before he did. They moved with him, petting him, encouraging him, showing him his climax would make their day. Yeah, Val could see why Apoll’ex rated so high on travel wish lists. What about them? Were any of them close to coming? Val thought about the tells and signals Paul provided. Of course, Paul was no longer pure Apollan in his responses. And Val had grown used to him. No matter how much the others encouraged his inner selfishness, he had to spare some part of his brain to them. Chaud sounded and felt like he was on the verge of coming all the time. Brule began to speed up. With a pang, Val realized Lumin was the only one who hadn’t been building to any personal climax. Geez, what was wrong with him? He could have been massaging the other man, getting him off that way. But he’d been so caught up, he hadn’t offered, just gone along with the guys’ proposals. He’d bet Paul, in the same context, didn’t neglect the guy sucking his cock. Another stab of jealousy. He’d really have to deal with that, pronto. But first, he was about to come like a house on fire. Right now. His orgasm swept through him with

increasing power. When the first wave hit him, his mouth flew open -- a blatant neglect of Brule. Yeah, these guys would never mistake him for a native. They didn’t need to catch sight of his descending fangs to know he came from somewhere very different. Despite Val’s lapse, Brule didn’t appear at all concerned. Lumin stroked Val, encouraging him to give up every drop of his come. Pulsing with his own release, Val savored Chaud’s climax. Halfway through Chaud’s orgasm, Brule came in Val’s mouth. Val throbbed from the pleasure cycling through him. But bloody hell, he needed to sink his teeth into his lover for the true consummation of the sex act. He needed Paul now. *** For Paul, the welcoming ritual felt like a bittersweet homecoming. As an Apollan, of course he knew every step and nuance like he knew the contours of his own dick. But now, being a vampire, he could sense his apartness. The pleasure he experienced was intense but incomplete. Afterward, he needed Val. As soon as he could politely interrupt the post-coital togetherness, Paul slid away. His fangs were throbbing so hard they ached. “I couldn’t wait for you, not another second.” Val caught up with him as soon as he’d taken a few steps away from his ritual spot. When Val took him in his arms, Paul nearly wept with relief. “I need you beyond all limits,” Val whispered before he sank his fangs into Paul’s waiting neck. Paul closed his eyes and moaned. Despite his massive orgasm just moments before, he could know true satisfaction only in Val’s vampiric embrace. Maybe because of the excitement and arousal of being back on Apoll’ex, Val’s feeding transported him to new heights of ecstasy. The exquisite feel of Val’s mouth on him, the intimate penetration of his fangs -- Nothing Paul had ever known here on Apoll’ex could raise him to the exaltation of Val’s lips. With a groan, Val laved Paul’s wound with his tongue, then drew back, his eyes filled with adoration. “Your turn.” Paul almost came at the prospect. He plunged his teeth into Val’s neck so hard, the other man flinched for just a moment. Normally the gentler of the two of them, Paul let loose the frenzy of his passion. He knew he was sucking blood from Val too fast, but he needed his lover so much he couldn’t control himself. Fortunately, Val retained enough presence of mind to put a restraining hand on Paul before he drank too much. Val’s hand shook as he signaled Paul to stop. Paul, amazed at the force of his desire to continue sucking, had to wrench himself away. Still hungry for his lover, Paul swept his tongue across his lover’s puncture wounds to heal them. Val stroked his head. The two of them shared a moment of such profound intimacy Paul felt as if they had a bubble around them. “That was amazing,” Val whispered. Paul didn’t know if he referred to the sexual ritual, their mutual feeding or some combination. He felt so

mellow, the words to frame the question didn’t come readily. Before he could find them, the door to the hall flew open. A messenger, breathing hard, burst in. “Chaleur Radiant is missing! Chaleur Radiant reported missing!”

Chapter Four

The messenger collapsed. Everyone in the hall froze. Paul felt his skin turn to goose flesh. Another Apollan missing -- the worst possible news they could hear. Of course, with all four of the newcomers here in the hall, the Apollans had to realize none of them was responsible. At least they’d know none of them was in cahoots with Retkove. But clearly the bastard had to be stopped. Paul prayed to the sun and the sun god Apollo that Chaleur Radiant was unharmed. “We have to find him and stop him now!” Paul couldn’t remember ever before hearing Val sound so angry. He shivered, glad his lover’s anger wasn’t directed against him. So exquisitely had the Apollans timed the welcome ritual that all four men were now ready to take up pursuit of Retkove. Judging from the vibrations emanating off Trey and Soleil, the two of them had also enjoyed a mutual feed. Good. Now the four of them had to focus their full attention on capturing and stopping Retkove within the parameters of the Apollans’ official policies of non-violence and tolerance. Paul and Soleil questioned the messenger as to what other information was available. The man, his head now cradled in a greeter’s lap, sat up for a reviving drink. Paul asked, “How long has Radiant been missing?” The messenger shook his head. “We don’t know. His mates became concerned when he didn’t show up for his work shift at the restaurant. They said Radiant’s never late. As part owner, he’s very dedicated and concerned about the restaurant functioning well.” Val frowned. “Do you think maybe there’s some overreacting here? I mean, all that’s happened is a guy’s late for his work shift. I don’t want to sound like I’m trivializing or anything here, but on Earth, no one would consider that a big deal.” Soleil and Paul just looked at each other. There were things they understood instinctively about Apollan culture that they knew would appear counter-intuitive to Trey and Val. “I’ll take it,” Soleil said. “We don’t have time to explain, but here on Apoll’ex, it’s a big deal. People aren’t late for work or other commitments without a very big reason.” “This really is a different world,” Trey muttered. Val nodded in agreement.

Paul wished they didn’t have to deal with Retkove so soon. He and Soleil had barely gotten their bearings, while Val and Trey were still pretty befuddled. Well, things came up when they were inconvenient or worse. The four of them would have to deal if they were to have a prayer of staying on Apoll’ex. Now that he’d returned home, Paul couldn’t bear the prospect of having to leave again, this time forever. But they had no plan yet. They’d have to confer with the leaders and come up with a masterful strategy, or Retkove would ride roughshod over them. He had the advantage of a head start. But maybe they’d have the advantage of surprise. With any luck, Retkove, as an outlaw, would not yet be aware they’d arrived from Earth. Paul gathered them around. “We’ll need to confer with the leaders to get their support for what we do.” Val shook his head. “This is Retkove we’re dealing with. We have experience with him. They’re clueless. I say we just go ahead, hunt the bastard down, destroy him and then tell the leaders their planet is monster-free.” Soleil shook his head. Paul understood his fellow Apollan’s reaction. What Val proposed was totally inappropriate for their planet. The leaders would never condone violence, even to combat a predator like Retkove. But violence as a response to violence was a knee-jerk reaction for Earthlings. “We need to find him before we decide what to do with him. Maybe Apollo will smile on us and we’ll locate Retkove before he’s hurt Chaleur Radiant.” “Knowing how the bastard enjoys torturing anyone who comes under his power, I don’t know if that’s possible,” Val muttered. “But we can’t give him too large a window of opportunity. Paul, Soleil, where on this planet could Retkove disappear with Radiant?” “It’s a small planet,” Paul reflected. He mentally reviewed all the potential hiding sites. “There’s the Shadow Woods. Most Apollans prefer not to spend much time there because the large plants obscure the sunlight.” Soleil agreed. “Also the Subterranean Springs, the underground source of all our water. Aside from monthly visits by a site checker, no one goes there unless our computers reveal a problem -- which happens once a decade or so.” Paul shivered, which was how most Apollans reacted to any mention of the least inviting place on their planet. Instinctively, he realized this was the most likely place for Retkove to choose. But how would he have managed to lure any Apollan there? “Given there are two possible sites that come under immediate suspicion, I’d say we split up to cover each. Paul and I will take the Springs. Trey and Soleil, hit the Woods. Let’s use the Apollan communicator-cells to stay in touch. The first team to spot Retkove will let the others know.” Val’s face grew harsh in his determination to defeat Retkove once and for all. He looked at his companions. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go.” “We’re not in this alone,” Paul tried to remind him. “As in, we need to consult with the leaders, at least tell them what we have planned. Given the vampiric involvement, it behooves us to keep them informed. Also, we need to find out if any Apollans are to go with us. Hell, we’re lovers, not warriors -- but Retkove’s presence here is like a worm in paradise.”

Though Val looked ready to spit nails, Paul, with Trey’s help, managed to convince him to wait until he and Soleil conferred with the leaders. Paul remembered how jealous he’d been when Trey had first come into their lives. Being back on Apoll’ex, he realized how caught up he’d gotten in the destructive emotions and ways of the Earth. Though he retained the special closeness of his love for Val, he was now able to take a step back and filter his Earthling experiences through his Apollan sensibility. The best of both worlds. Everything would be grand -- except Ideg Retkove was ravaging his beautiful home planet. Armed with the warrior skills he’d picked up on Earth and his knowledge of vampiric ways, Paul took charge as he and Soleil conferred with his people’s leaders. In just a short time, their plans were in place. Paul and Soleil rejoined their Earthling lovers and set off. Paul tried to find the right words to frame his thoughts as he and Val sped across the landscape. If he couldn’t convince Val to back off from his violent first responses, he’d be forced to leave him behind when he descended into the Springs. But Paul hoped he could persuade Val to do things his way. He did not want to face Retkove alone, and he didn’t want to drive a wedge between himself and his Earthling lover. *** As Paul steered a Rapid Transit Pod to the entrance of the Subterranean Springs, he delivered the short version of Apollan responses to violence so Val understood exactly how they were to proceed. “We’re supposed to provide Retkove with every possible way to surrender peacefully.” Despite all he’d learned about Apollans, Val couldn’t believe Paul’s line of bullshit. After all, he’d experienced Retkove on Earth. “What is it with you Apollans? Does living in La La Land here soften your brains? Maybe it’s all the sunlight or something. But this guy has been attacking your people here on Apoll’ex, which he somehow landed on with no permission. Before that, he nearly destroyed you and Soleil. And the Apollans are still willing to let him live?” “In a word, yes. Look, Val, I know exactly where you’re coming from. After everything you’ve seen Retkove do, no one could blame you for wanting to hurt him.” “I want to kill him,” Val growled. “Even an Apollan could understand your impulse. But Val, that’s what Retkove expects. He’s lived by violence. It’s what he spreads and what he understands. But our way is to give the wrongdoer a second chance.” “Second chance? That bastard’s up to his hundredth chance.” “Not on Apoll’ex. We’re offering him a second chance.” “And if he fucks up? If he continues? If he laughs in your face as he kills your citizens?” Paul nodded. “Then we banish him from Apoll’ex, forever.” “Like that would stop him.” “He snuck onto our planet once. Despite what you think, we don’t roll over and play dead. We can respond effectively to any threats. Trust me on this, Val, if we banish Retkove from Apoll’ex, he won’t be back.”

“I still say we should send the scum on a one-way trip to hell. It’s better than what he deserves.” “Trust me. Once you’ve been on Apoll’ex, permanent exile will seem like the worst ravages of hell.” Val couldn’t get his mind around that, but he figured he had nothing to gain by arguing with Paul. Now that he was on the verge of removing Retkove from the world, Val felt like the summit of a mountain he’d been climbing forever was at long last in view. “I just hope Chaleur Radiant is still all right,” Paul murmured. “I agree. I’d love to rescue someone from Retkove’s clutches.” “The entrance to the Springs is up ahead. Val, this part of Sun Ville is probably the ugliest spot on Apoll’ex. Just to let you know, the bleakness is not typical. It’s just this is the only spot the sun doesn’t completely warm.” “Funny place for the entrance to the Springs.” Paul nodded. “We make use of every bit of our terrain. The original settlers figured this spot had no particular attractive features. As I said earlier, the Springs usually require very little attention.” As soon as they stepped out of the Rapid Transit Pod, Val could feel the temperature drop at least ten degrees. Even more noticeable, the grayness of the atmosphere socked him in like a cocoon of fog. Though none of this bothered Val, hardened as he was to the permanently dreary atmosphere of Earth, Paul shivered and his face puckered into a grimace. “The entrance is here, on the side of this pile of gray blocks. Val, this is the only structure on Apoll’ex that has a roof,” Paul told him. Val sniffed. The roof consisted of what looked like hunks of moss-encrusted driftwood roughly nailed together. The smell of rotting vegetation clung to the slimy gray blocks and the haphazard roof. “If this is the Apollan conception of roofs, I can see why they’re not real popular on your planet.” “Evidently the building was thrown together as a temporary structure for the Springs when the planet was first settled. Despite periodic initiatives to replace this eyesore with something more appealing, Apollans dislike coming here so much, it keeps getting put to the bottom of the to-do list. Maybe as a sign of our good faith, the four of us should replace the building -- after we get rid of Retkove.” Val grunted a non-committal reply. He was totally focused on getting Retkove now. They could talk about other projects afterward. A steep staircase began right at the entrance. The atmosphere they stepped into was cold, dark and dank -- perfect for that smarmy reptile Retkove. Fortunately, with their vampiric vision, he and Paul could easily descend the stairs without benefit of light. At first, aside from the hiss of the Springs, silence greeted them. “Maybe Retkove took his victim to the Woods after all,” Val whispered. Though he knew the point of their exercise was to capture Retkove and stop his rampage, Val would have been very disappointed not to be in on the kill. “I think I hear something,” Paul whispered back. Both men stood still on a step.Hiss, hiss, hiss . The Springs, which took up half the floor space below them, sounded louder as they drew nearer. And then, coming very faintly between two hisses, they heard

a faint groan. Val took Paul’s hand and squeezed it. Moving silently through the dark, they approached the source of the sound -- Retkove and his victim. *** Retkove heard a strange sound. All his senses warned that Val Cutter was approaching. Bloody hell. Val Cutter, the man who’d forced him from the Earth. The man he’d loved forever, not that it had done him any good. The man he’d thought was dead. He’d been wrong about that. His heart did a funny tango. Val alive, and yet Val now primed to destroy him. How the fuck had everything gotten so twisted? Shit, to add to his agony, Retkove realized Val was probably hunting him alongside his lover, Paul de l’Astre. The two of them had found each other, and there’d never been room for him in Val’s life afterward. In his deepest self, Retkove admitted Val had rejected him completely even before Paul came along. Their being here must mean they’d been exposed to the serum -- and it had also made them both sun-tolerant, just like it had done for him. Knowing de l’Astre had hungered to return to Apoll’ex, Retkove figured he’d done them both a huge service. But was either of them going to thank him? Was either of them grateful? From the murderous look in Val’s eye, Retkove knew the answer to that one. Shit. For them to discover him here, like this, when he’d been playing with another Apollan. He hadn’t harmed any of his captives. Just fooled around with them, sucked a little of their blood before he set them back on their paths. But would Cutter or de l’Astre give him any credit for his restraint? No. Fuck. What was he going to do now? They had him backed into a corner. He wouldn’t be here -- none of them would -- if Val had only returned his love. On Earth, Retkove had exercised his power to try to get Val to give in to him. Retkove had figured he’d be able to get his balance back here on Apoll’ex, the planet of paradise. But even here, his obsession stayed with him. Seeing Val again, Retkove knew he’d never get over it. If he couldn’t have the man he loved, he’d see to it that everyone suffered. *** Paul thought he’d be sick when he saw what Retkove was doing to Chaleur Radiant. Retkove’s captive -- tall, dark, gorgeous and completely naked -- stood with his wrists manacled overhead to a post. Retkove, cock in hand and fangs shiny with blood, alternately whipped Radiant and licked the stripes of blood that welled up. As he tongued Radiant’s wounds, Retkove furiously stroked his flaccid cock. “Come on,” Retkove taunted his victim. “A real man’s blood would get my cock hard. Get me hard, and I’ll let you go.” Radiant, whose back was covered with whip marks, whimpered. “Just as I thought, you Apollan wimp. Even your blood is weak.” Retkove lashed Radiant again, and the young man sagged, losing consciousness. Retkove gripped Radiant’s back and fastened his mouth to the raw flesh. “I’m going to kill the bastard,” Val muttered to Paul. Swallowing back his nausea, Paul restrained Val,

though he could well understand where he was coming from. “I’m contacting Trey and Soleil to join us,” Paul whispered. “I’m not waiting for them.” Val rushed forward and pulled Retkove off Radiant. His mouth dark with his victim’s blood, Retkove struck out with his claws and scored Val’s face. Val smacked Retkove so hard, the bastard’s head swung back and forth like the clapper of a defective bell. Before Val could smack him again, Retkove went down, muttering the name “Cutter” before his head struck the ground and he lay silent. Val wanted to stomp on him, to crush any vitality he had out of him, but Paul stopped him. “He’s down, Val. He can’t do any more damage. Secure him to keep him there.” Val’s hands trembled with the effort not to tear Retkove into a hundred little pieces. “Trey and Soleil are on their way. I need to see to Radiant.” Paul tried to move Radiant’s arms down the pole but found the wrists were manacled so tight he’d need to find a key so as not to hurt him when he freed him. Poor Radiant remained unconscious. Paul figured they could deal with the wounds once they got the manacles off. “This scum isn’t going anywhere.” Val had bound Retkove with a chain he attached to a post. “You and who else are going to keep me here?” Retkove, returning to consciousness, muttered. Retkove always knew how to milk any situation for the maximum destructiveness. Paul felt some righteous Earthly anger rise in him, but he knew he had to keep a lid on such emotions in order to contain Val and lead Retkove to justice, Apollan style. When he also found a sharp wooden stake, Paul knew he’d hit pay dirt. Though he abhorred the implicit violence of his act, without saying a word, Paul handed Val the stake. Whenever Retkove opened his mouth to say something, Val brandished it. “Go ahead, Retkove. Just say the word, and you’re toast on a stake.” “You wouldn’t,” Retkove crowed. Val traced the contours of Retkove’s face with the tip of the stake. “Paul wouldn’t, but Retkove, staking you would be one of the five best moments of my life.” Retkove kept quiet until Paul asked him for the key to Radiant’s manacles. Retkove snorted in response. “I have it on a string around my dick.” All three men looked at the chains burying that part of the creep’s anatomy. “Looks like I’ll just have to shove the chains aside and tear off his dick.” Val’s eyes glittered at the prospect, and Paul had to stifle a laugh. Retkove rolled his eyes. “You boys always take everything so seriously. No sense of humor. The key’s in my jacket, over there, in the pile with Radiant’s clothes.”

Val pressed the tip of the stake into Retkove’s lip, just hard enough to draw blood, and laughed. “What the fuck --” Retkove growled. “I guess I find different things funny than you do, pervert.” Retkove sucked on his bloody lip and looked away. Val wanted him to say or do something more, to give him a reason to hurt him. Shit, after all his years of dealing with Retkove, with the way the shit fucked up everybody’s life, Val couldn’t believe it was over. He and Paul had captured Retkove. The scum would never again be able to hurt Val or Paul. Val waited for the sweet taste of victory to fill him. Somehow, though, this moment didn’t live up to what he’d expected. Paul quickly got the key and unlocked the still unconscious Radiant’s wrists. Once his arms were free, he slumped to the ground. “We need to get him out of here so his wounds can be treated.” “He came voluntarily with me,” Retkove hissed. “Right. How did you entice him here?” Paul bit back the insults he wanted to heap on Retkove. “It wasn’t hard,” Retkove purred. “Just like your cock,” Val chortled. Retkove shut up again. Just as well. Hearing his voice brought back unwelcome memories. When Soleil and Trey arrived, the four of them made quick work of getting the chained Retkove and the still-unconscious Radiant up the stairs, away from the hissing Springs. “You owe me,” Retkove announced as they took in the air outside the structure. The four of them laughed. “It looks like Retkove’s going to plead insanity when he goes before the Tribunal,” Paul said. “Not insane,” Retkove hissed. “But none of you would be here if not for the serum I developed. I don’t hear anyone thanking me.” Val lunged for Retkove’s neck. “You bastard. You mean we should thank you for the serum you almost killed Paul and Soleil to develop? The serum we were exposed to when you set off the explosion in your lab that you figured blasted us all to hell?” “The means don’t count. Just the ends. Your exposure to the serum is the only reason you’re all here in paradise.” Retkove said the words with total conviction. Val shook his head. Retkove might not be insane, but clearly his worldview was warped. As far as Val was concerned, nothing would fix Retkove, and his evil dwarfed any possible good he might do. Despite their reputation for mercy, he hoped the Apollan judges threw Retkove the fuck off the planet and banished his ass forever. Soleil and Trey transported Radiant in their Pod; Val and Paul did the same with Retkove, dumping his

chained body in the back, where Val kept vigilant watch.

Chapter Five

Retkove couldn’t believe it. Everything was crashing down around him. Here he’d figured all his dreams were finally coming true, all his hard work and the sacrifices he’d made over the years were paying off. He’d managed to come to terms with the fact that he’d never have the man he loved, Val Cutter. So he created his serum, he found a way to come to Apoll’ex. Only instead of achieving the happiness he’d been chasing all these years, his life was now more fucked up than ever. He risked being banished from Apoll’ex forever. Once a sentence like that was handed down, nothing even he could do would let him come back. No one honored him for developing his serum. And, worst of all, he saw the man he loved content with another. And it had been because of him that Val Cutter and Paul de l’Astre had come together. But shit, he couldn’t spend his time groveling in his misery. He’d have to figure out a way to pull himself out of this disaster. After all, he faced a miserable eternity if he didn’t come up with some way to get the judges to show him mercy. If only he could get his heart into it. *** Up until they had Retkove, arms chained behind him, standing before the Tribunal of Justice, Val kept dreading the bastard would find a way to wriggle free. Though he wasn’t given to second guessing himself, he kept wondering if he’d made a big mistake not offing Retkove when he had the chance. On the other hand, seeing him publicly humiliated and punished afforded a certain satisfaction. Fortunately, Radiant had made a complete recovery. His testimony, along with that of the other victims, was expected to be damning, even though most of them remembered few actual details. The fact that Retkove had hypnotized them and made them forget what he’d done to them horrified the Apollans. Speculation ran high as to what Apollan justice would look like as it applied to Ideg Retkove. Paul kept trying to convince him Apollans were always merciful. Val figured Retkove would break that tradition. Much of the population turned out for Retkove’s trial. On Apoll’ex, three judges sat at the head of the court. All parties to any lawsuit spoke for themselves, which included answering questions posed by the judges and any members of the public in attendance. That said, there was a two-hour limit to testimony unless there were extraordinary circumstances. The judges would render their verdicts in half an hour or less. The court convened with everyone kissing his neighbor. Fondling and groping were also encouraged so everyone would be in a positive frame of mind for the presentation of the case. After the lead judge outlined the case, he also presented information about vampires -- now able to visit

their planet because of a new serum. He pointed out two Apollans were now also vampires. Along with deciding the fate of Retkove, the Apollans would need to decide whether to allow vampires among them. Realizing they might become the first group ever banned from Apoll’ex, Val grew nervous. Though he wanted to see Retkove punished, Val dreaded the possibility of Paul’s being permanently exiled from Apoll’ex. If that happened, he’d have yet another grievance against the villain. Radiant, now fully restored to glowing health, testified first. Despite the warnings after the other men’s disappearances, he admitted he’d allowed himself to be seduced by Retkove’s offer of an exotic adventure. Now Radiant felt stupid, but extremely grateful to have recovered completely. His face frozen and non-reactive, Retkove listened. After all the harm Retkove had done, Val wished he could suffer more than he was going to. No justice could possibly punish Retkove in proportion to the horrors he’d perpetrated. “What say you, Ideg Retkove, to the accusations against you?” the lead judge thundered. “Please allow me to stay here on Apoll’ex. It’s been my dream, since my transformation two centuries before, to face the sun again. Not just the measly bit of light that penetrates the thick toxic clouds of the atmosphere on Earth. When I heard the legends of Apoll’ex, I knew I had to come here, the paradise built on sunlight.” When Val heard Retkove’s speech, he snorted. Backed into a corner, Retkove was able to sound decent. While the Apollans might be taken in, Val wouldn’t allow the villain who’d threatened his life for so long to con these innocents. “I object!” He jumped out of his seat. “Don’t believe anything he says. He’s a liar, cheat, murderer and guilty of just about every other crime.” The judges and the other Apollans in attendance broke into conversations. Over the buzz, the lead judge asked, “Good sir, can you point out which part of what he’s just told us is a lie?” Of course he couldn’t. For all he knew, everything Retkove said could be the truth. But he lied by omission. He made no mention of all the harm he’d done. Val insisted this be revealed to the judges and the other Apollans. Then they’d see how fast the Apollans wanted to boot him off their planet. Val and the other vampires had to make sure the Apollans knew how to differentiate the criminals among the vampires from the good guys. “What say you to the charges Val Cutter raises?” the lead judge asked. Retkove actually managed to look repentant. “He tells the truth. In my previous days, deprived of the sun, I was guilty of many crimes.” Everyone gasped. Val waited to see what trick Retkove was playing. “And what say you as to why you seduced and attacked Apollans? After you illegally landed on our planet, you compounded your crime with these acts. Why didn’t you present yourself to us? We have always welcomed newcomers.” Though Apollans didn’t officially get angry, this crowd hummed with outrage. Retkove looked sick. “My crimes are reprehensible, it’s true. I can only say, not that my words justify my deeds, that long years suffering the rejection and scorn of my fellows twisted me. Though I arrived in paradise on Apoll’ex, I couldn’t shed my former ways. I couldn’t believe the Apollans would accept one

such as myself, so I continued acting as I always had before. Unfortunately, the young Apollans I victimized, unused to one such as me, had no weapons or defenses sufficient to fight me off. Carried away by their attractions, I succumbed to my baser nature.” Val and Trey rose and hissed at Retkove and demanded rough justice. The Apollans, confused, looked at the two of them as if they were the freaks. Maybe Retkove was so far beyond their limits of understanding, they couldn’t get their minds around how to react to him. “Sit down,” Paul and Soleil growled at him and Trey. Gorgeous as it was, Apoll’ex had to be the weirdest place in the friggin’ universe. “Any final words, Ideg Retkove, before the judges decide your fate?” The bastard actually had tears in his eyes. “I throw myself on your mercy. If you will allow me to stay, I will devote my life and the wealth I amassed on Earth to my adopted home, Apoll’ex.” “These are pretty words, but I’m unconvinced,” the senior judge said. “I still do not understand why you have hurt so many. Explain yourself more completely, Ideg Retkove.” The defendant took a deep breath. “These words come from the most intimate place in my heart. You see, on Earth, unlike here on Apoll’ex, we form love attachments to another person. But the man I loved never returned my feelings. My love twisted to become hatred and destruction. But I would have abandoned this path if he’d loved me.” The judge nodded. “This accords with what we know of Earthling love. The danger of such dysfunction inspires us to share our love with many. But as you are opening your heart here, Ideg Retkove, reveal your secret. Who is this man you’ve loved in futility for so long?” “Val Cutter.” Retkove’s voice, though soft, carried through the courtroom. All present turned and stared at Val, who couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. In silence, the three judges adjourned to a spot behind their dais. As soon as they withdrew, conversations erupted. Only Retkove, in his isolated prisoner’s seat, spoke to no one. “Do you believe the judges will fall for Retkove’s line of bullshit?” Val asked. No matter how tolerant the Apollans were, they had to realize that slime would only continue to spread misery if they allowed him to stay. “The judges are chosen for their wisdom and their ability to read into people’s natures,” Soleil pointed out. Val snorted. “It doesn’t take any wisdom to know Retkove is scum.” To his dismay, Paul looked less than convinced. “Beings can change, Val. After all, look at Soleil and me. Who’d ever have believed an Apollan could be a vampire?” “If the judges do condemn Retkove, which would be a first, we’ll have to worry about our own status here,” Soleil pointed out. Trey nodded. “The judges might decide to allow their native Apollan vampires to stay, but to boot out

the real aliens -- Val, me and Retkove.” Paul and Soleil looked at each other. Though Val couldn’t believe Paul would ever agree to be parted from him, he knew how much Paul had hated his exile from Apoll’ex. If he had to choose, what would Paul do? What about Soleil and Trey? “But guys, we’re skirting around the elephant in the living room,” Paul said. “What about Retkove saying he loves Val, and that his frustration over Val’s rejection has made him do evil?” Val felt sick at the prospect. “The lecher was always coming on to me and everyone else. Saying his rejected love for me motivates him is still more bullshit.” “He never came on to me,” Trey said. “Yeah he did,” Val countered. “I heard him.” Trey shook his head. “He made a few half-hearted passes, but we both knew they were jokes. But with you, Val…” “I believe him,” Paul said. He stroked Val’s face. “Who could blame him for falling in love with you?” “Don’t make me puke,” Val growled. But something nagged at him, a little voice that said Retkove was, for once, speaking truth. *** Now that he was back on Apoll’ex, despite having seen Retkove in action, Paul found himself believing the criminal’s words -- especially when he admitted his feelings for Val. Though he understood Val’s persistence in his hostility, Paul now viewed the world more and more from an Apollan perspective. He could begin to consider forgiving Retkove, and, in view of everything he’d suffered, the realization stunned him. Paul intuited the judges would grant Retkove mercy. Then, of course, it would be up to Retkove to live up to the gift they offered. At first, Val and Trey would freak if Retkove received clemency, even though that opened the door for them all to stay on Apoll’ex. At this point, he and Soleil lusted to remain here. He and Soleil would have to help Val and Trey to see the wonder of Apollan ways. Luckily they could rely on the magnificent sun and all the erotic Apollan rituals to help them. The conversations continued until the three stern-faced judges returned to the dais. The lead judge rose and easily commanded the attention of all present. “Ideg Retkove, you have committed offenses unprecedented in the annals of Apollan history. But you repent. And you’ve opened up your heart to us. We hear your hunger for love, and we respond. Our judgment is as follows: You must ask forgiveness of those whom you’ve injured. If you succeed in convincing the offended of your sincerity, the community will participate in a Ritual of Healing and Welcome to celebrate the arrival among us of vampires. It is our hope you will use your special features for the good of Apoll’ex!” Val rolled his eyes. “I don’t believe this. No one can trust Ideg Retkove two millimeters.” “The atmosphere on Apoll’ex can transform the most hideous of monsters. Heck, it can even make you learn to coexist with Retkove.” Paul practically had to drag him to the dais, where Soleil, Trey and Chaleur Radiant lined up to receive Retkove’s apology.

Starting with Radiant, Retkove, now freed of his chains and looking contrite, got on his knees. “Chaleur Radiant, for my crimes against you, please forgive me.” Chaleur nodded, raised Retkove up, kissed him on the lips and stroked his cock. Retkove, who appeared stunned, humbled and a tad confused, repeated his actions and his words to Soleil, Trey and himself. Though Paul’s voice shook and his lips felt stiff, he repeated the forgiveness formula, even touching Retkove’s dick. Val looked like he’d been sucker punched to the gut. Paul held his breath to see how his lover would deal with having Retkove on his knees, asking for forgiveness. When Val reached out, for a moment, Paul was afraid he’d smack Retkove. *** Retkove had not intended to reveal his love for Val in front of the Apollan assembly. This was a secret he’d been carrying around for years, since Val’s first rebuff. Somehow, though he’d started off lying, Retkove began to feel compelled to tell the truth. And revealing his heart to them all, even though the whole world knew how completely and utterly he’d been rejected, opened something new up in him. He’d never imagined himself asking anyone for forgiveness -- especially getting down on his knees and begging for it. But suddenly he wanted to be the person the judges said he could be. And the forgiveness unleashed a light brighter even than the sunlight he’d so craved for so long. Now there was only one man left to apologize to. Val Cutter, the man he loved so helplessly. *** Though he’d never believed it possible, Val mirrored the other men when Retkove knelt before him. Val’s stomach did funny things when he faced his long-time enemy in a different guise. And when he kissed Retkove, the two men grabbed each other in a bear hug that left everyone speechless. Retkove’s eyes searched Val’s face. Val had to make sure Retkove understood. Val had never returned his love, and never would -- not in the way Retkove had been looking for. But Apollan style… When forgiveness had been granted, they all gathered for the culminating ritual, with Val holding Paul’s hand on one side and Retkove’s on the other. In part, Val felt like an alien had taken over his body and whatever remnant of his soul still existed. But after kissing Retkove and squeezing his dick, Val found he couldn’t let go of his hand. Retkove squeezed his hand before standing up before the assembled men, his cock hugely erect. “Apollans and my fellow vampires, I’m speechless. My dreams of Apoll’ex couldn’t approach the reality of this place. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.” Amidst the cheers of the men, the lead judge held up his golden dildo for attention and silence. “We thank the sun for all the good that comes our way. Apollans, let us join with the Earthlings to renew our vows of gratitude.” Paul took charge of Val and Retkove to explain the particulars of this ritual. “In view of the uniqueness of the event, we will dedicate the Double Solar Circle Salute to the sun. Every member of the community will join in one of two huge, unbroken concentric circles. Men in the outer circle will face those in the

inner circle in a modification of the sacred sixty-nine position. Each man will suck and be sucked. When the Bells of Apollo ring, the circles will move -- inner one clockwise, outer one counter clockwise.” Val couldn’t help grinning as he got his mind around the image of more than two hundred men sucking each other’s cocks simultaneously and then the choreography of the circles rotating. “Sounds like a formula for chaos after the first round.” “Ah, cynical Earthling. This works here on Apoll’ex.” Paul showed just a bit of fang when he smiled, and Val wanted to drag him off for some one-on-one, forget the multitude. “Come on, Paul. Community is great, but with all these gorgeous men here, they won’t miss the two of us if we go off on our own.” “I’d miss you,” Retkove whispered. Talk about freaky. Val’s first instinct around Ideg Retkove was to attack him. But Val had learned so much since arriving on Apoll’ex -- including the healing power of erotic rituals coupled with tolerance and love. Apoll’ex could transform even the evil Retkove into an entirely different being. “This is Apoll’ex, and these are our ways.” Paul still looked at him with adoration in his eyes, but Val could tell he’d have to do some catching up to keep his place in his lover’s world. Paul took both men’s hands and positioned them in the circles -- one in the inner, one in the outer. Val wanted to hold onto Paul. At least the two of them could be together for the start of this marathon. But Paul shook his head. “For this ritual, we are supposed to be with lovers new to us. It’s a way to meet. You and I can come together afterward, in our special way.” “Geez, it’s like the mixers I used to dream of in my long-ago time at university,” Val muttered. The sun glowed high above them, a bright orange ball that appeared to grow larger as the men -- all gorgeous, all naked and sporting huge erections -- assumed positions in the two circles. Triumphant music, heavy on the horns, blared from unseen speakers. Already hard in response to the massive arousal of being in this crowd, Val kissed Paulau revoir , rubbed his erection against his lover’s and lay down between two Apollans. To think, on this planet, the magnificent Paul barely stood out in the crowd. They were all gorgeous. Val saw Retkove eyeing him. Though Val could go along with the forgiveness and all, knowing how Retkove felt about him and remembering how he’d had to outrun his former enemy on Earth, Val would prefer not to be his partner in this ritual. Assured that Retkove was a distance off in the circle, Val gave himself over to getting intimate with a new man’s large and delicious-looking cock, while another man sucked him off. At the signal -- a crescendo of music in time with an explosion of extra light from the sun -- the men enthusiastically began the Double Circle Solar Salute. As soon as his Apollan counterpart took Val’s dick in his mouth, the other man’s sun glands went to work. Val allowed himself to be carried away on a wave of the extraordinary pleasure. Of course now, unlike the first time with Paul, the ecstasy of the sun’s rays and warmth were no longer an impossible dream. Despite his increased exposure to the wonders of sunlight, however, Val would never forget his long years of deprivation. Fully immersed in the ritual, Val focused on savoring the cock filling his mouth. This guy was so big, Val would have to deep throat him or risk leaving much of his huge shaft out in the cold. Pulsing with the

erotic satisfactions of giving and receiving with two experienced, eager Apollans, Val felt almost lost in pleasure. Realizing Paul was participating in the same way with two other Apollans who might be even more amazing than the ones he was with, Val experienced a stab of jealousy, like a reflex. But then he remembered Paul’s assurances, and he was able to push the jealousy away. Maybe there was something in the Apollan atmosphere that helped him get past the hurtful emotions… When he realized he and his partners were about to come within seconds of each other, Val chalked up that convergence to the influence of the atmosphere. Would the wonders of this place ever stop amazing him? Mouth still full of cock, he chuckled to himself. Just as he never stopped being amazed at Paul, Val figured his lover’s home planet would always have that same effect on him. With surprising smoothness and speed, right after he and his partners came, the concentric circles moved, and Val found himself with two new companions. Momentarily soft, like the Apollans around him, Val was soon erect and ready to go again. Pleasure continued to reign supreme, and the circles continued turning until they’d achieved the sixth rotation, which would be the last of this ritual. As Paul had told him, the idea was to keep the wheels turning until the sun began to sink. Val, who felt reasonably satisfied with how he’d played his role in this ritual, lined up with his erect dick with another man’s mouth. Only this one wasn’t an Apollan. To his horror, Val realized he was now expected to let Ideg Retkove suck his cock. Shit. No way in hell he could bring himself to insert his prick in Retkove’s open mouth. So much for adjusting to his new world. A man had his limits, and Val had just reached his. What the fuck was he supposed to do now? He’d have to break the sacred circle to get away from Retkove. And then what? Scandalize the Apollans? Embarrass Paul? He couldn’t do it. Knowing what the ritual meant to Paul, meant to all the Apollans, Val couldn’t bring himself to break the circle -- not even to escape being sucked off by Ideg Retkove. “This is a bigger dream come true for me than being on Apoll’ex,” Retkove said. Val exhaled hard. “This is still all very weird for me, Retkove. But this really is a strange new world, isn’t it?” “Agreed.” “So this is going to happen exactly once. As in, we’re no longer enemies. Forgive, never forget. And then, we both move on.” Retkove nodded. “I’m ready.” And so Val didn’t try to escape when the worst bastard he’d ever had the bad luck to encounter -- his newest companion in paradise -- rounded his lips around Val’s engorged cock. At the same time, Val took an Apollan’s erection into his waiting mouth. And so the ritual continued. *** Though he was profoundly changed from the way he’d been as a regular Apollan, though he missed his sun glands and all the other special features he’d lost in his vampiric transformation, after participating in

the Double Circle Solar Salute, Paul felt like he’d come home. Upon completion of the ritual, Paul tore himself from his companions to find Val. Despite the satisfaction of coming six times, as a vampire, he needed final consummation -- and that could only be with his lover, his love, Val. When he spotted Val, Paul at first couldn’t decipher the expression on the other man’s face. Much as he wanted to hear Val’s reactions, Paul’s fangs ached. He needed to feed soon or the omission would eat away at the pleasure of the ritual. “Val, what is it?” Retkove was standing near Val, looking at him strangely. Val bent to his ear. “Retkove sucked my cock.” “How was it for you, Val? Are you freaked out?” Val seemed to consider this for a moment. “Not as much as I’d have expected. I told Retkove this would be the only time. I guess he put everything he felt for me all those years into it. Now we can both move on.” Paul squeezed his hand. “Val, I never expected to feel glad about anything connected to Retkove, but this is good.” “Yeah, I guess it is.” “I want to discuss this more, but Val, I need to feed, now.” Val smiled broadly. “You do?” Paul’s fangs were now throbbing. “Oh, yeah.” Val exhaled hard. “Me, too.” “Let’s do it, man, before I expire.” Paul gripped Val’s hand and started pulling him toward a small circle of trees where they could have privacy. “You really are a vampire,” Val said, as if realizing that fact for the first time. “Of course I am.” Paul focused to read his lover’s mind. Val’s fangs had to be aching as much as his own. Val shook his head and laughed. “I figured maybe here on Apoll’ex, you’d distance yourself from me, from all the changes.” “Even if I could, I wouldn’t.” He traced the outlines of his lover’s face with his index finger. “Val, I love you. I want to be with you in every way. Though we’ll both make love with others here, because that’s the Apollan way, I’ll feed only from you, ever. And you from me.” By way of response, he took Paul’s finger in his mouth and sucked it hard before claiming his lips in a deep, searing kiss. But other hungers awaited. Paul could see Retkove watching them, his eyes filled with longing. Though

he experienced a moment of sympathy, even pity, for the other vampire -- after all, how awful would it be to face eternity deprived of Val’s love -- he realized there was nothing more they could do for him. No way they would open their sacred feeding to Retkove, no matter how needy the other man would be. They’d help him find willing partners and integrate him to the ways of the planet, but not by allowing him into their intimacy. Hand in hand, Paul led Val to their spot. And there, he watched as the love of his soul, Val, threw his head back and bared his neck. Bathed in his beloved sunshine, Paul lowered his face and penetrated Val’s skin with his aching fangs. The first taste of Val’s essence filled his mouth and began to course through him. During the agony of his imprisonment by Retkove on Earth, dreams of being with a lover had seemed impossible. Being with that lover on Apoll’ex had seemed so far beyond the reaches of fantasy. But here he was, completely entwined with Val in their most erotic embrace. As he sucked Val’s blood, Paul’s cock grew large yet again. He pressed himself against his lover’s muscular body and gave himself up to the intense pleasure of the world he shared with Val. *** Retkove’s fangs throbbed as he watched Paul begin to feed off Val. He’d have given anything to be there, in Paul’s place. If he couldn’t be with Val the way he wanted, he’d accept joining both of them, if they’d open their vampiric embrace to him. Despite his erotic afternoon, culminating in sucking Val’s cock, he grew hard with his need, and the rage of frustrated desire surged through his veins. He stroked himself as he watched the two of them shut him out completely. While Paul had his mouth to Val’s jugular, while both men were vulnerable in their ecstasy, he’d burst in on them. They’d have to accept him. He’d find a way to force them to… Hell, with the two of them so lost in each other, he could destroy them both. In moments, he could drive stakes through their selfish hearts. If he couldn’t have Val, no one should. Erection close to bursting, he stalked over to where they writhed together, lost in a sexual haze of mutual pleasure. They couldn’t exclude him. He’d use his hypnotic powers to freeze them to one spot, find the stakes and make short work of his agony. Arms raised, he stopped and froze. They could exclude him from their private embrace. After all, Val and Paul and the whole planet of Apoll’ex had opened arms of forgiveness to him. They’d given him that most precious of gifts -- a second chance. But not even the Apollans would extend that mercy indefinitely. He could throw their gift back at them in the harshest of ways and thus manage to corrupt this paradise, too. Though it was the hardest thing he’d ever done, he pulled back. Despite his temptation to fuck it up by yet again crashing in where he wasn’t invited and imposing violence when he couldn’t get his way otherwise, this time Retkove would do it right. This time, he’d accept the love he was offered without trying to steal what could never be his. After a last reluctant look at Val and Paul, Retkove turned and moved away. Shuddering with the effort it cost him, instead of killing Val and Paul, Retkove opened his arms to the loving rays of the setting sun.

Mardi Ballou

Writing books is a dream come true for Mardi Ballou. Multi-published in erotic and mainstream romance, Mardi lives in Northern California with her hero husband, a knight in shining armor who provides both tech support and expert massage. No, she doesn’t share. Mardi loves to travel, racking up frequent flyer miles to visit her family in England and her native country, New Jersey. She wishes she could live in a structure big enough to house all the books and quilts she covets and have enough time to enjoy them all. She’s still waiting to achieve her second major dream -- winning an Oscar in some yet-to-be-created category she might qualify for. If you know how to make this happen or just want to schmooze, drop in on Mardi at MardiBallou.com