Candy: Book 5 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Saga

AN: It had to be done. Gomen.


Chapter 195: ~the dragon awakes~

Something was tickling my nose. It was somebody’s hair. Hell, it could be mine. There was enough hair between the three of us to weave our own Persian rug. I slapped at the offending tickle and tried to turn. I couldn’t move. There it was again. Slowly my eyes creaked open and I saw a certain Alpha Lycan looming over me.

What the hell?

/Thank you, Lord Alpha. I had a great time. I have to go now./

I had crusties in my eyes and I was half pinned under two naked vampire. One was snoring to high heaven; the other had me locked in a tight embrace. I was lucky one arm was free. “What time is it?”

“Nearly dawn. Don’t worry, Lord Alpha. Everything is as it should be.”

Huh? “Haley…”

“Tell Lanny not to worry so much. He’s getting wrinkles.”

“You want breakfast?”

He bit me on the nose. Damn it. “You forgot where you are, didn’t you?”

I glanced around. Oh yeah, we are at Hades pleasuredome. “You’re on your own.”

“Not quite.” Haley flashed his white teeth at me. “I’ll give you a heads up now. Grandma is going to insist that Ike and Callia honor the betrothal.”

I lifted my free hand to my forehead. “They’re just kids.”

“They are nineteen. You tell them that they are just kids. Later, Lord Alpha. I will see myself out. I already called a cab.”

“Haley…”

“You’re a good Father, Lord Alpha. My puppies can’t be in safer paws, cousin.”

Armor..or was it Marcus? I’m going to assume it’s Armor because I can’t see Azrael passing up sleeping in his violinists arms but then again…Father was velcroed to my side. Az and Claudius don’t have that kind of relationship. I just signed and closed my eyes. It was too damned early in the morning to be wondering who was in my bed.

“You’re snoring.”

There was a snort then my freedom was curtailed as Armor rolled over on me, one leg coming up and crossing over my upper thigh. A forearm slammed onto my chest then warm air blew across my ear and down my shoulder. “Xavier…”

It was my vampire.

I closed my eyes and turned my head in towards him. I allowed my body to drop down into relaxation. One thing about an orgy, damn you’re pretty boneless and tired. I guess I should clarify that, if the orgy is done right. I was done right.

I cast a quick scan around us as I began to drift off. Huh? No. I had just gotten a ping on my danger scale. Where was that? Outside. Outside? What was…

“Haley.” I snapped awake. “HALEY!” Both bedmates roused quickly. I was on my feet and off the futon bare ass naked. /HALEY!!/

I thundered down the stairs. /HALEY DON’T GO OUTSIDE!!/

I felt the yelp, before I heard it. I staggered on the steps and almost crashed down the last flight. Father caught my shoulder and tugged me back upright against Armor. He had his kilt wrapped back around his waist. Armor’s hands closed around my shoulders. I caught my balance. He let me go as I twisted under his touch. I followed Father out of the door into the street.

Damn it. Fuck it! Goddamn…fuckers. Cowards. Loyal were down. A human was dead – the cabbie. Haley…oh god no. Claudius was on his knees in the dark pool of blood that stained the sidewalk.

It was too late.

Healing Light made Father’s hands glow blue. In the pale pink of morning, he cast a shadow like an arc-welder. The gift of the Emperor just drained off of the still form of my little brother like water poured over a rock. Healing Light didn’t work on Lycan…not much anyways.

Fucking cowards shot him through the heart. Silver bullet to make sure. I could smell it even from here. To the Blood, silver has a clear scent of purity. It’s a hellish aroma.

“We have movement.” Marcus whispered into my ear. I stared down at Claudius’ futile effort. He was gone. Haley.. “Xavier!” He yanked hard on my hair.

I blinked up at him. “Shooter. Where is the trail? Xavier, come on.”

Yeah…yeah…I firmed up my jaw and blinked down my heat o’meter. There is was. On my 9, top of the three story condo converted warehouse. Five shots. Four kills. Marksman. All I knew for sure was that it wasn’t us. This hit wasn’t sanctioned by the House. I saw every contract that came through and it was my decision if it proceeded. I took off running toward the building.

“Xavier!”

Morning had yet to break. A few locals, the bakery and the variety store were starting to stir. I proceeded with the same single mindedness that got me into my present gig. My wings ripped out of my back as I jumped, punched and scratched my way up the side of the building. I could tell that the shooter was gone. I landed on the empty tar paper roof. I dissolved my wings. There was a number of shell casings.

I walked up to the exact site the assassin used to kill the Northern Prince. I stared down at the site. It was a perfect vantage. They never had a chance. Father finally stopped trying to heal the dead. He gently cradled the tawny head against his chest. Off in the distance sirens sounded. One of Hades neighbors had called the cops. Marcus was missing. I did a sweep. He was coming up the fire escape.

Too much attention.

/The Prince has fallen. Imperials to me. Cleaners to the Golden Phoenix, immediately. Local enforcement has been notified./ My Pack Call was short and sharp. Better than a cell phone. The reaction was immediate. Ping’s grief ripped through me hard. It dropped me to my knees. I grabbed at my chest. It felt like my heart was ripping out of my chest.

/HALLLEYYY!/ Ping’s scream echoed around my head. Her cry would have dropped every Lycan in the region.

My hand shook as I picked up a shell casing. What did I know…what did I know. Professional. The shooter knew what he was hunting. I lifted the casing to my nose. The smell of cordite was strong but there was a faint scent of leather. The only prints on the case would be mine. The assassin would have had to kneel…here. There was no remaining heat signature. They did the job and left.

/Who’s the better tracker?/ I called down to the brotherhood. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I knew that.

/Me./ Azrael. /You and Sex are emotionally involved./

My hands were bleeding. My knees were ripped open from the rough surface. I was bare assed naked but X had gotten the kill site. No heat signature. No obvious scent trail. I narrowed my gaze. Cousin. He called me Cousin. I lowered my face down to the narrow ledge and sniffed. Human. I lowered my face right down to the roof where the bastard would have knelt to kill my little brother. The stench of gunshot was strong, almost overpowering but…I pressed my nose right against the rooftop.

Human. Male. Sweat and adrenaline. Hmmm, chocolate cherry blossom essence. Candy. I had the fucker now. I turned on my knee and winced as it ripped more skin from my knees. I appreciated the four feet of wolves and dogs now. From the pace, he was tall, maybe just under six foot. Lean. Unhurried. His trail lead toward the roof access door.

/Lord Alpha./ I sat up on my haunches as Ping called to me. The pack call was just like a CB signal. Everyone could hear it. It was good manners to ignore it if it wasn’t addressed to you but then this was a singular event that was going to shake the Lycan Nation.

/Den Mother…/

/What are you doing?/

/What I do best./

/You found his killer./

/I have the scent./

/I want Blood Vengeance, Cousin. This is more of an Eastern Custom./

/It falls in line with my custom./

/Did…did he suffer?/

/They used silver, one shot through the heart./ I could hear her intake of breath. /Then it wasn’t a Lycan who killed him./

/Human…I will find who holds this assassin’s leash, Den Mother./

/Make them pay, Lord Alpha./

/He was family. Blood will flow./

/Bathe in it, Lord Alpha./

I tensed as a hand landed on my head. I twisted and looked up at Marcus. His eyes were just so sad. “Azrael…you’re bleeding.”

“Haley’s worse off than me.”

“You are going hunting.”

“I wouldn’t expect less from him, or you.” I noticed he had clothes crushed in his fist. He stole clothes from Hades closet.

“Heal yourself. I will prepare you.”

“Babe, you know I can’t do that.”

“Then ask the brotherhood to do it. You can’t start off injured. Give your enemy nothing to use against you.” Marcus had a point.
I could ignore the fact that Marcus was dressing me like a kindergarten child. I could even ignore the fact that I was now wearing Hades underwear.

Skell’s voice came to me. /It’s good you are the hunter, Azrael. I know I am the Hammer of Destruction. I can appreciate your skills./

/I need yours./

/It is rather unfair that you are denied the Healing Light./

/Nothing can change it, no matter how much I gripe about it./

/Maybe it is because you are meant for another set of talents./ I stilled as Skell’s words washed over me.

/What the hell does that mean?/

/You are an underused brother./

Skell sent up a flash of healing light. The abraded skin on my hands and knees and even the soles of my feet healed closed leaving me scarless and slightly pink in the affected areas. I would be back to my jug of milk paleness in less than ten minutes. /Both Xavier and Sex are in mourning, brother. Call on me if you need assistance, I will be your backup./

/Thanks, Skell./

/As Lady Ping said, bathe in it, Lord Emperor./

Marcus had me propped up against him as he braided my hair down into a single tail down the centre of my back. I blinked full awareness back through me. Marcus had me in tan chinos and a pale blue button down long sleeve shirt. He laid a belt on my lap as he paused on the hair. Hades clothes were loose. Crap, did I lose weight again?

“Skell keeps you in perfect health, Azrael. Hades is not so diligent.” Marcus snapped an elastic on the narrow tip of my tail then shifted around and pulled socks out of his back pocket. There was none of his usual touchy feely shenanigans as he socked and shoed me. He pressed his forehead up against mine. “Do you want my help in this, Azrael?”
“I need a sensitive nose.”

“Then all you will probably want these.” The access door to the opened and Vladimir walked out carrying my blades. “The pack is below.”

His face was expressionless but his eyes held the emotional turmoil I was fighting. He walked forward and handed my blades to Marcus. Marcus unbuttoned my cuffs and strapped my sheaths to my forearms. Vlad walked past me, shifted down into the pale white wolf and snuffled the roof. When he had the scent, he changed back into the tall blonde Lycan who had stolen my wife’s heart. I couldn’t endanger him.

“I’m coming.” He turned and met my gaze with a flash of feral gold. “The Empress expressly told me to be your shadow.”

“He’s going.” Marcus finished, “or I am.”

What was it, gang up on Azrael day? Marcus caught me around the back of head and dragged me into his embrace. “We do not lose any more of our pod today. You know how to mindfuck. When you find them, fuck them hard, my pet Angel. Fuck them mercilessly and make them scream for daring to touch our family.”

Marcus’ eyes were hard. This was my number one guy. My First. My Babe. He could fuck you over in a heartbeat if you were a perceived threat but with me…I think only with me he was a gentle, emotionally-mending giant. Maybe with Haley--once. My chest tightened and tears burned at the corners of my eyes. Haley.

“Find them, Angel of Death, and make them pay.” Marcus whispered in my ear. “Father and I will close ranks back at Von Drachenfeld.” He kissed my temple. “Now, go.”

I nodded. Flicked my wrist and made sure I had clearance as my blades slipped through the vents at the sleeve cuff. Free and easly. I slipped them back into the sheaths and walked back to the edge. I still had the casing in my palm. The police had been diverted. That was the power of Shadoe Inc. Right now, the men in black were ranging the area and clearing the minds of those who had seen something. The black cube van of the cleaners had pulled up and they were getting to work quickly.

The pink light of the sun rose a little higher heralding the beginning of a bright new day. I turned from the kill site. My people knew what they were doing. I had to squint as the sun caught me in a bright shaft of light that broke between two buildings. I nodded at Vlad. He turned and bolted down the stairwell.

“Good Hunting, Azrael.”

I cupped Marcus’ face with the palm of my hand. He caught it and pressed a kiss directly to the center of my palm then closed my fingers tight over it. Locking it tight. I nodded at him then turned toward the ledge of the building. Today looked like a bright and clear day. If I had my way, the sun would be bloody before it set in the west.

/I got your six, Angel of Death./ Skell’s voice was cool. He wasn’t as familiar with Haley as X and Sex, but he knew damned well how much the little Lycan had taken a space in our hearts. All the brotherhood held a little Lycan pup close to their heart.
I stepped off the ledge, landing in the middle of the assembled Imperials. Vlad pushed his way out of the condo entrance and dropped his clothes. A pale white and grey wolf sniffed at the stairs and the walkway. He caught the scent. The bastard was bold enough to walk out the front door after killing Haley. Vlad lead the way. The rest of the Imperials broke into a run following their leader.

I took one final glance over to the front of the Golden Phoenix. Von Drachenfeld. Maybe the unknown ‘they’ thought they were only taking out a Lycan; but they awoke the sleeping dragon. Maybe I couldn’t heal but I could burn. I wasn’t called the Angel of Death simply for dramatic effect. When I was done, those assassins and their masters would know the full meaning of Blue Line and the House of Von Drachenfeld. I broke into a run to catch up with the rest of my Alpha Pack.

Nobody fucks with the pod. Nobody.