Caramel: Book 3 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Series

Q& A’s later. Had to get this out. Now sooo tired…zzzzzzz
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Well it’s morning. So I’m back at it again. Okay ‘k’—I used your bit’o Russian from your review in the chappie. Hope you don’t mind. I thought it was tres kool. If you do mind, I can take it out.

Sesshomarunaraku
Q: will X really die? (stop to exist in time, disintegrate) in time and if it is yes, why??? Hades lasted so long why can’t x do the same???? Because of his fiery wings????
A: Sex was feeling pretty damn melancholy and he was questioning his own existence and the universe and everything. When Armor as Marcus, birthed X, technically the human part of him died. So human X died in the bloody bed and that is where Vampire X started.

Everything has an expiry date. Vampires just have a longer shelf life, if and I say if, they treat their bodies right. (just like in the real world) Hades is 900 years old as he is a red blood with no special powers other than age. Growing up he had Liam to protect him. He learned to duck and cover until he was strong enough to stand on his own and by then no one could match him. Liam is like a 220 volt outlet trying to work in a max. wattage 75 blue blood body. It burns out quicker. A red blood body is probably 45 watts. Liam burns twice as bright, but half as long.

Now the brothers. They are like a 150 volt outlet with a 125 (trilight-hahaha)The key is to take care of the body. Az has admitted that they are not. The post-burn hypermetabloism isn’t helping either. To be truthful constant sex, vanilla or the spicy kind isn’t helping recharge that body. So, X and the brothers are going to have to settle down and relax…once everything is taken care of that is. But as they are only 28 months old, they can abuse themselves all they want for now.

Thanks again to the Loyal! Hazah!! Your questions and queries, while making my cheek twitch, force me to think about stuff, I should have thought about but skimmed over. Love it. *tick, tick, tick* Rosei; miles; k; spirit; Mihara; Rosemary; Steph8503; Ciar; Bambigirl; Siamh; SODA; newmoon; Laur; DemonAkasha (welcome) and Jenna T.


REVISED!!!
Thanks to “fleur” who pointed out that the name I had used for my Maori Lycan as was bastardized English version of Matthew. I have changed his name to Manu (power) and also made the mistake (an unintentional one) of referring to the Moko, a sign of social status & record of genealogy, as a tattoo. Thank you for pointing that out to me.

SPOILER ALLERT!!
Early reviews are in. Thankies. Wipe tears my my eyes – damn allergies.

Claudia – “eating for four” – refers to three little vamplings and herself, not quads.


Chapter 112 Table for Nine

I dropped my fork. What? I turned and looked at my black haired, blue eyed, definitely showing Intended. “What was that?”

“I said, triplets.”

“Congratulations!” Sandra Winfield had been overly attentive and fawning since we all got together at the table. I knew that Jack Winfield was getting annoyed with it. She still thought I was a captured Angel. Having Hades along was a necessity. He had the corporate history I needed. He had the background. He could take over if I fucked this up really bad.

“But…you’re my boyfriend! You’re supposed to wait and have babies with me.”

Oh dear god. Both Winfield and I had the deer in the headlights look. Hades just arched an eyebrow and picked at his steak. “Honey, Edward is so much older than you.”

“But I saw him first.”

“No, I saw him first.” I blinked and looked at Claudia. Way to slap down a kitten with a lioness’ paw.

Princess Sarah glared across the table at Claudia. “He gave me a rose.”

Claudia raised her hand and showed off X’s ring. “He gave me this.”

Tears clouded the little girls face. Sandra glared at Claudia.

“Chippy, you look a little flushed. I’ll help you to the bathroom. Excuse us, please.” I grabbed her arm and she took the hint, set the napkin on her plate and rose to her feet.

Hades looked at me as if I was a science experiment gone awry. Now he just had to sit back and watch the fallout. His watery blue eyes were dancing with mirth. Ass.

I let Claudia set the pace away from the table, but I kept my hand on hers. “What the hell is that about?”

Claudia pulled away and turned back to me. “Your name is Edward?”

“I’m Sex.”

“You’re Edward.”

“I used to be Edward. Before. Now, I’m Sex. You like making children cry?”

“I’ve seen this before…Edward. She has fixated on you. She will throw her future away waiting for you if this is not nipped in the bud.”

“She’s like twelve.”

“Girls mature faster than boys. The fact that she has ready decided to have your babies should tell you that she has already thought about this. You picking her up outside of the restaurant only confirmed that you like her.”

There was a fainting couch in the corridor leading to the washrooms. I sank down on it. This day was not going to end. I buried my face in my hands. Somehow I was wearing fuck-me-now cologne. “That was cruel.”

The Baroness sank down beside me. She sighed and touched her stomach. She picked up my hand and pressed my palm down on her roundedness. “What is cruel is to leave her hope. I’m not being a bitch for bitch’s sake, Edward. I just can’t call you Sex. I had a human boy latch onto me. I thought it was cute. I was only about thirty-five at the time. He swore he would marry me. He would get a job and provide for me. He would give me babies…I thought he was kidding. He died an embittered old man. Alone. He could have had a full life. His family name could have continued on. Instead, he waited for me. He threw his life away.”

She touched my cheek and turned my face toward her. “I would save you that guilt, Edward. You don’t strike me as the heartbreaker type.”

“Don’t let that fool you, Baroness. Sex is the king of heartbreakers.” Hades voice sounded behind us. “The Winfields have left. He will email me the report.”

“I, broke your heart.” I turned and narrowed my eyes at the pale blonde headed man. “Stay off my ass, Hades. You know what the hell I’ve been through this morning.”

“Don’t belittle my feelings, Edward. You don’t understand…”

I stood up and stared eye to eye with the little bastard. “I don’t want to understand. I don’t want you touching me. I don’t want you talking to me. I see your eyes when I’m with Sasha….if you could, you would horn your way between us, even though William is still eating his heart out for you and Liam is trying to be everything you want.” My out burst startled everyone and it was loud enough to suddenly have the manager appear at the end of the corridor. “What else is scheduled for today?”

“Nothing.”

“Then get the hell away from me.” There was a cloud of hurt on his face but I couldn’t stop my spite, “You’ll never be my jukebox, Cillian. Don’t even try.”

I heard a gasp behind me. Hades face colored then his jaw firmed. “By your leave, Blood Emperor. Your Lycan are here. They are creating a disturbance at the entrance.”

Hades turned and walked out the corridor and disappeared from sight. My shoulders sagged and I eased myself back down on the couch. The manager scuttled up. “Sex…there are…”

“Could you please escort them to my table. I apologize for my outburst.”

“We are a discreet establishment, Sex. This type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

“Would you prefer us to leave?”

“Please consider this a warning.”

“Thank you.”

“It will take us a moment to get a larger table ready.” The manager turned and left us in the corridor.

“And you accused me of being cruel.”

“Trust me, this is deserved. The things he’s done to us.” I let my voice trail off. I wasn’t going to tell Claudius’ pregnant daughter that the little blondie had once raped her beloved father and her new fiancée.

Her voice was cool and brooked no evasion. “Who is Sasha? Why are you cheating on Daddy.?”

I smiled. “Claudius is Sasha. That was his human name from before. I call him Sasha. He calls me…”

“Edward?”

“No…he calls me his Fallen Angel.” I loosened my tie and popped open the top button of my collar. “He gave this to me when we pledged to each other.”

“I can tell just from your voice that you love him.”

“I am lucky to be in his arms. I know that is probably not what you want to hear.”

“Every knows he has changed. Everyone knows it’s because of you – well they think it’s Xavier. Of course, everyone thinks, I’m an idiot for getting involved. But if my Daddy finds something about the Blood Emperor redeeming, it’s all good.” The Baroness took my head and gently kissed my cheek. “Keep my Daddy happy Edward. That is my only expectation from you.”

“I’ll do my best ma’am.” I got punched in the arm for that. Owww.

I held out my hand. She looked at me and frowned. “X’s ring.”

She pulled it off her thumb and handed it back. “We surpassed our goal by fifty thousand dollars. Azrael was simply amazing. Did he find Marcus?”

“They broke up.”

“How can they break up, aren’t they…uh….Armand and Xavier?”

“Armor. His name is Armor. He and X are fine. You are lucky to be marrying Xavier. Us others, seem to be on the deviant side. Speaking of deviant….” I turned looked at Xavier’s fiancée right in the face. It was amazing her eyes were the same shade of blue as my Russian sex kitten. A bit more expressive, but so similar. I hope X’s kids have those blue eyes. Right now, she looked more than a little apprehensive. “It’s not that bad, but you might get a ribbing for it.”

“For heaven’s sakes, just tell me.”

“I got the publicity stills done last night. There was a problem with the other model and Sasha stepped in and helped out.”

“Define, helped out.”

“He was hell in cat ears to my heavenly wings.”

“Cat ears. Daddy said no to being auctioned off, but he wore cat ears for you.”

“And a tail.”

Claudia covered her ears with her hands. “I don’t want to here this…lalalalala.”

“Don’t worry. I took his ears and tail away. He won’t be wearing them again.”

She looked at me for a moment. “EEeewwww.”

I looked up and saw a waiter hovering my the entrance of the corridor. “I do believe the table is ready.” I stood up and offered my hand. “You have a glow about you, Baroness.”

“It’s called I’ve finally stopped throwing up.”

“I have someone I want you to meet. She’s in the same condition. I’m not really sure, but she might be due the same time as you.”

“Hades said, your Lycan.”

Seven Lycan were waiting at the expanded table as I escorted Claudia back into the dining room. The five Alphas were mangled. Well four of them were. Vladimir’s golden eyes latched onto me then zeroed in on Claudia’s hand and then her stomach. As we approached the Imperial Male Alpha Pack, dropped down into reverent pose….in the middle of the day…in the middle of a crowded restaurant. Oh joy.

“Rise.” I lead Claudia to her chair and lightly pushed it under her.

“Haley, Ping.”

Haley copied me. He did it with a little too much enthusiasm. He took out the back of Ping’s knees as he shoved the chair forward and she flopped down with a little oof and a dirty look. Haley moved forward and brushed his hair against the side of her face.

/You don’t have to copy Lord Alpha, baby./

/But he’s always so cool…I want to look good beside you./

I felt a flush of color cross my cheeks. “Baroness, I would like to introduce you to the Imperials.”

Claudia stilled. “Haley and Ping Saitou.”

“The Imperial Male Alpha Pack. Vladimir, could you make the introductions.” Mainly because I don’t know who the hell else there is.

A man with mid length salt and pepper hair stepped forward. His eyes were narrow and there was a glint of that greenish gold that Ping father had. He bowed graciously. “This is Baojia.”

A taller Lycan stepped forward. His face had three parallel scars across his brow and down cheek. His hair was chopped almost off as if he couldn’t decide between a Mohawk and a brush cut. “This is Sang Kyu”

“Pyotr.” A redhead stepped forward. Where as my hair used to be reddish copper, this Lycan was more orange-ish red, like a fox. He stepped forward and bowed at the waist.. His ponytail reached to the small of his back.

“Manu.” I tried not to stare, but the smallest Lycan was covered in Maori Moko. He saw my interest and grinned. His teeth were blindingly white against his dark skin.

Then there was the tall dirty blonde Russian. I spoke up, “This is Vladimir. He is the Imperial Alpha Male leader.” And wants to jump my bones if I look at him the wrong way.

“I am honored to meet you.”

“This is Baroness Whitcombe…soon to be Blood Empress Claudia.”

Ping nodded her head to Claudia. “The Imperial Pack is honored to meet you Baroness. I understand you carry the Emperor’s seed.” She gestured to the standing pack. “Be seated.”

Er…yeah. Ping would be the Top Alpha female, if I understand it right. I was going to have to have a sit down with Haley soon.

I held my breath. Sure enough Vladimir commandeered the seat next to me. He growled lowly at Manu who shifted over one seat. Crap. He sat down and I felt a brush against my calf. I turned toward Claudia.

“How many in your litter?” Claudia was taking a drink and somehow she kept from spluttering it all over the table.

Claudia graciously patted her mouth with her napkin. “Three.”

Ping looked over to me. “I had it confirmed with our midwife. I am carrying three females and two males. Not bad for a Pup’s first mating.”

Can you say preen?

It should have been strange. Really. I was sitting at a table with seven Lycan and one knocked up….hypothetically sister. Eeewww. Get that out of my brain. Just….eeeewwwww.

Apparently the Eastern Lycan Pack covered a lot of territory. One lycan was from New Zealand, another from Korea, one from China, and two were from Russia. All the males, except Haley and Vladimir were a little worse for wear. There were bruises and bite marks visible even though all the Lycan were impeccably dressed. Compared to the other Lycan I have encountered, these guys were the GQ of Alpha packs. Ping was dresses in soft flowy material and her hair was sleekily pulled back and secured with hair sticks. She had a glow about her too if the truth be told. I blinked…she really had a glow. A faint aura of blue. I looked at Claudia. She had it too. I blinked a couple of times and it faded. Okay…what the hell was that?

Something else to quiz Liam about. Not exactly free with the information, that one. You asked the right questions, you got the answer you were looking for, but if you were wrong – you got no help at all.
There it was again. A brush against my leg. I shifted and waited to give my order. Although the pack was dressed to the nines, their meal was pure meat. Steaks….blue. Ick. Manu was the oddity, he ordered fish. I ordered pasta alfredo with shrimp and Claudia shocked the daylights out of me ordering a steak that was just shaken at the grill.

“What? I’m eating for four.”

I had just started eating when the whole table went on alert. I had pasta hanging out of my mouth when one of the Loyal approached with a familiar little pill bottle. I slurpt and got a noodle across the nose. Claudia laughed and dabbed at me.

/Stand down….he’s a bodyguard for Lord Alpha./

/They call themselves Loyal./

“Sir, Hades informed us that you missed this mornings meds.” I took the bottle, looked at the label, looked at the little blue pills and thanked the pharmaceutical industry for making these little babies. I shook out two and downed them with a gulp of water. I tossed it back to Claws. I thought his assassin name was funny until I found out that he could literally make his hand into a claw and tear through flesh. Glad he was on my side.

Conversation was light. Anyone passing by us would not find us different front the rest of the humans in the place. Vladimir and Pyotr whispered in hushed tones in Russian.

The little fox glared at the larger Lycan, “Tebje nelsja wuisuiwatch, Claudius.”(1)

Enough. I turned to Vladimir and opened my mouth when all hell broke loose and someone shoved a hot poker through my shoulder. I got shot. As the giant window exploded inward and glass shards flew everywhere, I landed hard on my back taking the chair with me. I kicked at the table’s pedestal knocking it towards me. I grabbed Claudia and groaned from pain of moving my left shoulder as I forced her down behind the protection of the table top. Protection from bullets and sunlight.

I grunted as a body slammed into me. I forced Claudia under me and draped myself across her. The table rocked as more bullets slammed into it. People started screaming and running. Inhuman strength ripped my suit jacket and shirt open.

“It’s a clean through.” Vladimir twisted and picked up a linen napkin and pressed it against my back. “The bleeding’s already stopping.”

“You’re shot!?” Claudia tried to get up.

“Stay still woman. It’s not exactly safe for you.”

/Lord Alpha, find the shooter. The pack will hunt him down./ Haley’s voice sounded in my head.

I consciously ignored the mayhem and the sounds of panic around me. My shoulder burned. Ignore it. Concentrate. Seek…roof top, building directly across from the park. One mind…cool, collected. Moving with a purpose but not panicked. A professional. A human. Someone hired a hit on me.

This day is just getting worse.

“Across the park. Grey building. Human. I can’t get a visual but he will smell of gunpowder. Alive. I want him alive. Ping!” She turned back and crouched behind the table. /Stay with the Baroness./

/I am not helpless./

/But she is. If anything happened to her, Xavier will freak./ I flexed my hand and moved my shoulder. It ached but it was healing quickly.

/Take your Zsigmond. Do not stray from his side. We have not claimed this territory yet. Those who are watching may take this as an opportunity to gain favor in Britta’s eyes./

The five Lycan stood up and ran for the shattered window. They divided up into singles and bolted down the stairs and hit the streets running hard. They were only slightly a bit faster than regular humans. If they dropped back to their natural form, there was going to be pandemonium.

Claudia grabbed at my bad arm. I grunted and she let go. “You don’t have to go out there, Edward.”

“Sister, I just got shot. I need to find out who did it. The Pack is already in hunt mode. I can get the information I need if the pack doesn’t rip him to shreds.”

Claudia brought her wrist up and fanged it open. “Drink. You’ll got into shock if you don’t replenish your supply right away. Take five then go.” Like Father, like daughter. I was not going to get away from her until I took my drinks. I let it pool in my mouth just like Father. I only needed three to start feeling good.

“Protect him, baby.” Ping called out staring at her pup.

“Always.”

I lapped Claudia’s wrist closed then kissed her on top of her head. “Thank you.“

“Come back in one piece, Edward. I don’t want to have to explain to Daddy what has happened.”

I moved my arm. It ached but it moved. Good. I checked my Glocks. I discreetly checked my daggers. I felt for the small knife at the small of my back. I was good to go.
I nodded at Haley. We jumped up to our feet and headed through the broken window into the bright sunlight that had started as the rain began to clear around noon. I was glad I had my docs on. I was able to keep up with my little Pup. I remember him running in the forest. He could motor. I was hard pressed to keep up with him. I had to lighten my weight.

A hunting bay echoed through the park as we tore into the inner gate. /We’ve got the scent./

Haley verred off toward the sound of call. I pounded down the park path along side him. I could smell the clean of the day. The rain had washed the dirt away. Everything was new and fresh. I caught the scent of blood. My fangs tingled but I had control of them now. /Kyu….he’s coming your way./

I stepped it up a notch and moved past Haley. The pack couldn’t kill him. I wouldn’t allow it. The bastard was mine.

1. You are not allowed to challenge Claudius.