Caramel: Book 3 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Series

Let me say, I HATE TYPING ON A LAPTOP. There are drawbacks. I can’t get my reviews off, the way I usually do, cut and paste so they are going to have to wait…but here’s a chappie for the Loyal and true. Enjoy.

Chapter 113: A Walk in the Park

It was not good. We were attracting too much attention. The park was slowly filling up now the rains had stopped but the few that were there were very interested in seeing seven grown men running like being chased by the Barcelona bulls. I veered off to the right into the grass heading for the cover of the bushes and trees. The ground was still soaked from the heavy rains this morning. Squish, Thud, squish, Thud, squish. Thud, Thud. I sounded like a bull moose beside Haley.

/He saw us./ Manu.

/Gun./ Vladimir.

I heard the sound of gunfire echo through the park.

/Fall back. Herd him toward the middle of the park…it should be isolated there./ I gave my pack call. I couldn’t help it. Britta’s watching Lycan could hear us, but if I lost this would be assassin, I would have nothing. I would have to wait on edge until they tried it again. Maybe, Claudia would be in the line of fire this time. Maybe this would get Britta’s pack to move…what did Ping call it? We could claim the territory. Britta would be hearing about the Imperials now anyway.

I slipped and crashed through a hedge. Crap. I was soaking wet now and my pants were just as ruined as my suit jacket. Well X’s suit. I had a burn across my cheek and ear. I pressed my hand up and it came back bloody. Well, damn it.

Haley skidded to a halt. “Alpha!”

I climbed back to my feet. More gun fire. /Coming your way Poytr. Disarm and drive him back to me./ Vladimir.

/Northern Lycan just entered the park through the west gate./ Kyu?

Another shot echoed through the park. We were going to have cops here soon. I had to take this guy down now. I gestured for Haley to lead on. /He’s headed back your way, Vlad./

/You’re shot?/

/Flesh wound./

/Kyu, Manu, watch our backs…/

Haley and I broke out on the path to see the shooter running further down. Out of Glock range. I couldn’t throw a dagger that far. Poytr crashed out of the underbrush behind him. I could see the outside gate he was running to. /DOWN./

Haley dropped. Poytr threw himself sideways and hit the gravel on the path. I called on the Hand of Light and fashioned my bow and arrow. I heard Vladimir and Baojia skid to a halt beside me. I drew back and concentrated on the human. I loosed my shot. If someone was unfortunate to see it, my blue light arrow would have looked like horizontal lightening. It ripped through his upper right leg. He crashed hard and laid still. He was stunned and in shock.

/Fetch./

I dissolved the bow. “Lord Alpha.” I turned and Vladimir and Baojia dropped down into reverent pose.

“Get up and get him. He’s going to crawl away.”

Baojia got up and ran down the path to help Poytr. Haley climbed back to his feet, scanning the area. /Alpha, there are about eight Northern Lycan approaching./

I gestured toward a tunnel. “Bring him here. I’ll get what I need from him as fast as I can. Haley go and check it. Make sure it’s empty.”

I pulled out my cell phone. “Hades…”

“Blood Emperor.”

“I’ve just been shot at. I’m in the park adjacent to the Underworld restaurant, I think it’s called Washington Park. I’m going to need a cleaning crew.”

“What! The Baroness!”

“Ping and the Loyal are watching her. Get her out of there as soon as possible. I don’t know if you can do it, but stall the cops if you can. I need to question my friend with the rifle. Once I get some intell, I want you to trace it down.”

“Ed…Sex, I am sorry.”

“Don’t . Now is not the time….just don’t disappoint me Hades.” I snapped the phone shut and dropped it back into my ruined suit jacket.

Haley was occupied. Poytr and Baojia were busy with the assassin. Manu and Kyu were off in the woods somewhere. I caught Vladimir off guard. That is the only way I could put it. He was bigger and broader than me. I grabbed him by the throat, hooked my heel behind his ankle and shoved him off balance. He landed hard on his back and by then I had my dagger out. I pressed the point just to the inside of his ear canal. He stiffened but stilled as I let my blue flame flare. I was going to make a point and I wanted to make sure that my Alpha Pack Leader was receiving me loud and clear.

I spoke to him in Russian. “So I’m your Siberian Vampire? A claim you can’t make, my little Vlad. You will never approach me again with sexual intent. If I am anyone’s Siberian anything, I belong to Claudius. He is my matebond.”

To ensure my little Vlad was listening, I switched to Lycan, “There will be NO challenge. I decide who warms my bed. No one else.”

I dropped back to English. “Tell me you understand, Pack Leader.”

“I understand, Lord Alpha.” I let go of his throat but took my dagger and slit the tip of his ear. He hissed but stayed still.

“If anyone else tried what you did, I would take your complete ear. Because you pissed me off in the restaurant, it saved my life. That bullet would have gone through my heart. This is a sign of my disapproval, little Vlad. Because your actions saved, my life, that can remain between us. You can tell the rest of the pack that I have claimed you as my Pack Leader.”

“Yes, Lord Alpha.”

I sheathed the dagger then stood. I offered my hand down to him. He eyed me warily then took my offer of assistance. Haley stood at the entrance of the tunnel. He had heard everything. His eyes flashed feral gold as he glared at the big blonde He was still a pup, but I think I just saw a glimpse of what he would be as an Alpha. I shook my head. He paused then backed into the tunnel.

“Alpha Sex, the tunnel is clear!”

Vladimir climbed scrambled to his feet. Blood poured down the side of his neck. There was no way I was going to be licking this Lycan. Not after my little edict. I spit into my hand then dabbed my fingers against the notch. He hissed and gritted his teeth.

“Call the pack to the tunnel. We’ll draw the Northerns to us. Let me get the information I need from this guy first.”

Haley came out and positioned himself between Vladimir and myself. That was not missed by either of us. A pup among fangs. The would-be-assassin was groaning as he was dragged between the two Lycan. Haley lead them into the tunnel.

Just doing a driveby reading, his whole thoughts were red with agony. I was going to have to touch him and force my way through the pain. The way the leg was dragging behind him it was useless. My light arrow had made a perfect circle about the size of a quarter through his upper thigh. Right through the meat and bone. He stank of cooked roast. The Pack dropped him. He groaned but laid still.

I gestured to Poytr. He was holding his side. I pulled his shirt up. It was a flesh wound, but it was still bleeding. The little fox looked at me as I spit into my palm again. He groaned and leaned away as I rubbed my saliva into his wound. He would heal but there would be scars. “Anyone else injured?” There was negative head shakes.

I looked down at the human. He was in his late forties. Short military haircut. His suit was off the rack and could be found in any town anywhere in the country. “Haley, remind me to get his rifle from the rooftop. A nice piece of hardware like that shouldn’t be so easily discarded.” He opened his deep brown eyes but he wasn’t really there. I knelt down and touched his forehead. He stiffened and jerked and began screaming. I forced a vocal binding down hard on him.

Mr. Swakhammer – ex-special forces, independent contractor. Not good. I pushed my way a little deeper into his disciplined mind. He was left a file full of newspaper clippings, a video from that entertainment program. There were photos…of Xavier with Hades, Azrael at the auction and me on the back of Sasha’s bike. I didn’t even feel stalked. Not good. He didn’t know I was a vampire. He didn’t know we were the brothers three. He was good, but there were pieces missing.

There was a mail box where he picked up his assignments. He would call when the job was done and there would be a random meeting spot to pick up payment. Filthy lucre. I was lucky. If he was wireless, he could just have his payment dropped into his account. He liked the feel of money, I would able to track my way up to the ass who wanted me dead.

I reached into his coat and pulled his cell phone. “Call who you have to and tell them the job is done.”

He tried to resist. I could feel him thrashing against my control. I really couldn’t fault him. We basically were brothers-in-arms but…that was my head someone wanted mounted on a wall. I couldn’t leave him alive. I ripped through everything except what I needed for him to make that call. He would die in his own drool.

I dialed the numbers I got from his mind then pressed the phone to his ear. “Lexington Cleaners.”

“My suit I picked up from you, still has a spot on it.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Sir.”

“I want reimbursement.”

“Of course Sir. Just bring the suit back and we will gladly reimburse you.”

“I’ll drop it off later today at 15:30 hours.”

While he was speaking, I got the images of where ‘Lexington Cleaners’ was. A street corner that was kitty cornered to this park. A suit who blended in with the crowd would approach, and leave a suitcase full of cash under the bus stop bench. Simple yet effective.

Hmmm, I was worth $110,000. Well, that would pay for one pool. I glanced at the motley crew with me. None of us could pass as Swakhammer. I’d have to call in the Loyal.

/The Northerns are herding us toward you./

“Lord Alpha?”

I let go of Swakhammer’s forehead. I had gotten everything out of him that I was going to. I pulled my Glock.

“Alpha, Sex.” Haley stepped up beside me. “Burn the North. Use him to recharge. Show Grandmother, you are the Head of a Pack that will challenge her.”

I stilled. “When did you get so blood thirsty?”

“Someone shot my Alpha. That bullet passed between me and my pregnant matebond. Shake their resolve Lord Sex. Make them fear your reprisal. Make them think twice before acting against you. Make sure you are there to protect your litter.”

Vladimir stepped up. “It is as Zsigmond says. Make them think twice about the retribution you will bring down on them for trespassing on your territory, attempting to harm your Alpha Female, spilling your blood.”

I stripped off my jacket and shrugged out of my holsters. Haley stepped up and started to unbuckle my left sheath.

“With your permission, Lord Alpha.” Vladimir was hesitant. I raised my hand to him. I hope this sign of submission was going to last. I really didn’t need to keep cutting my Pack Leader. I pulled the small dagger out of my pants giving none the opportunity for a feel. I kicked off my shoes. I was burning up docs way to quickly for my liking. Haley grabbed them.

/Leave nothing, Alpha. The cops are coming. I can hear the sirens./

/Come in. Come in./ Haley gestured to Swakhammer and carried my weapons out of the tunnel. There was a gate behind me. The Imperials backed away but Haley shooed them back further. I padded my suit pocket and found a package of crumpled cigarettes. Oh, I think the time for smoking is now. The lighter was gone. I touched the end and the cigarette burst into a glow. There was a gate at the opposite end of the tunnel. I took a long drag and concentrated. The gate rolled forward slightly blocking the entrance. Okay….I was good to go.

Manu and Kyu tore into the tunnel. /Go./

I used one hand to gesture behind me. Manu stopped. “Get back with the rest of the Imperials. They are in the safety zone.”

“Lord Alpha.”

“I know what I’m doing….go.”

Manu turned and slowly trotted away. I heard the gate roll shut completely behind me. First impressions. I was muddy, bloody and tattered and torn. I had twigs and leaves stuck in my hair. My cut cheek had healed but my skin was tight with dried blood. I must have looked like the devil incarnate the way the Northern Lycan slid to a halt in the tunnel when they saw me.

These Lycan were not Alpha pack material. They were just a puppy pack. Britta was just like the Hunters. The young were just supposed to observe. There were eight of them. They must have figured to be safe in numbers. They were sadly and deadly mistaken.

I concentrated and the gate behind them rolled hard and fast banging shut with a clang. They could barely shield their thoughts. The thoughts raced from moving up rank in the Pack to I don’t want to die. They had nothing to do with the shooter. Well, at least they knew nothing about it. Panic filled their faces.

Do what I must, to get what I want.

I threw down the cigarette. “I am Xavier Von Drachenfeld, Blood Emperor to the Vampire Nation. I am Head of the Imperial Lycan Pack. I will make this quick and try to keep your suffering as minimal as possible.”

I called on my inner Phoenix and felt the warm wind begin to rise around me. I called on the hand of light and fashioned a flat disk. The pups turn and ran. Frantically they yanked on the gate. I held it closed.

Do what I must…

My fiery wings came out. My clothes burnt off me like flash paper. My wings filled the whole tunnel top to bottom. I flared them wide so the puppies couldn’t get past me. Then the screaming started. Some turned back into wolves. Some stayed human looking. I concentrated and pulled the disk wider then used my wings to slam the hand of light horizontally down the tunnel. The smell of charred flesh almost made me wretch.

Eight ran in. Eight died.

My light bar burnt through the gate leaving a perfect eight foot wide, one foot high gap. I took out the tree directly behind the gate. It smoldered. It was probably only the downpour we got this morning that kept it from burning like a roman candle. I heard the sirens now. I walked into the middle of the smoky bits of lycan and called on the healing light. I flame doubled. I could feel the hot air swirling around me. My hair was caught in the updraft and would swirl around dropping silvery strands in front of my face. I looked down as the lumps began to char and flake. My devil’s whirlwind caught the ashes and began to churn them around me. I kept the phoenix burning until the healing light drained out of me. My wings fizzled like a dying barbeque and I lost all strength in my legs. I hit the hot asphalt with my ass and just hunched there.

Do what I must….do what I must….

“ALPHA! The whole tunnel was hot. I was so tired. I only ate a salad and a couple of mouthfuls of pasta. My whole body was quivering. “SEX!”

I heard the gate rip back behind me and suddenly hands were under my armpits dragging me out of the tunnel. I blinked at the sun hit my eyes. Haley’s face blurred in front of my eyes. Blink. Blink, come on focus. Manu’s exotic face flashed before me then hot arterial blood drenched my face. Haley grabbed the back of my head and forced my mouth on Swakhammer’s torn neck. I drank. I swallowed. I closed my eyes and drained my assassin to the point of death. I wrenched my head back and found the Imperials in reverent pose except for Haley who was, for the lack of a better word, petting me.

“It seems my timing is off again.” The Imperials jumped up and snarled.

/He’s a friend!/ Haley called out.

Lanseng glided up the path carrying a gym bag. He glanced over at the five Lycan and offered a slight head bow. He looked at Haley and gave him a big smile. What was that about? I closed one eye and looked up at the seven foot giant. He crouched gracefully and set the gym bag beside me. He took the former Swakhammer and shoved him off me. “I have brought you new clothing, Lord Sex. Also, your Father’s wipey things. The police have started off on the wrong side of the park. It would be best not to be caught with…that.”

Vladimir pointed at Kyu and Poytr. “Make it look like a mugging gone bad.” The two Lycan nodded grabbed the corpse and headed across the tunnel with it.

I was still shaky. Lanseng handed Haley a handful of wipes. Valdimir stood guard close to use. The other two moved off to be able to alert us if the cops came closer sooner than expected. I got swiped and wiped and patted and smeared. Finally Lanseng collected all the used wetthingies and put them in a plastic bag.

“You couldn’t have told Azrael about getting shot.” I muttered.

“Well, in the vision you were just grazed. There wasn’t a need to. Also, the code…”

I waved off the rest of his Collective Code speech. It was rather mortifying to have Azrael’s wolfhound dress me. At least he seemed to have raided my closet. He pulled red silk boxers up my legs and hiked my hips forward to get my privates covered. Next came dark burgundy cargo knee length shorts and a black and burgundy longsleeve tee with a burgundy skull and crossbones on the the front. Haley got me socked and shoed while Lanseng gathered my hair and efficiently braided it into one long tail He flourished out a black and white skull bandana. He tied it on my head before I had a chance to say anything. “People saw your white hair.” He pulled out a pair of red goggle glasses. I took them and used both of them to climb to my feet.

I got a severe head rush from the amount of blood I chugged. I staggered and almost landed face first on the asphalt. Vladimir caught me. I knew he buried his nose in my hair but he quickly set me back upright. I let it go.

Haley brought my gear to me. Lanseng picked up the small blade I wore in the back of my pants. “This is all you are going to need.”

I looked up at him…way way up. “Are you going to tell me about the code again…”

“Trust Lanny, Alpha Sex.”

“Lanny?”

“I stand out enough. I do not mind Lanny, Lord Sex. There is a hotdog vendor just outside the park. You need more food.”

Manu stepped forward, “I will scout ahead and get food for you. How many?”

I opened my mouth. Haley jumped in. “Five. Everything but hot peppers, it gives him gas. Get him three sports drinks too.”

The gives him gas remarks made me want to crawl off into the bushes. “Haley…”

“I sleep at the end of the bed…you have gas when you eat spicy foods.”

“Don’t tell the whole world.”

“May I?” Lanny held the dagger in his hand.

“You do know this is Sex, not Azrael.”

“Of course.” He copped a little butt crevasse feel as he slid the dagger home. I reached up and caught his chin.

“You are taking liberties.”

“My apologies, Lord Sex.”

“Thanks for the clothes.” I didn’t want to think of how I was going to get out of the park buck ass naked.

“Cleaners are here.” I was a little weak but I lead my motley little crew out of the tunnel and down the path toward the street. I was street chic and my Lycan were dressed to the nines in business apparel. I had fried another watch and cell phone. We had roughly twenty five minutes to get to the drop point. We crested the small hill and started down to the hotdog vendor. My stomach began to protest like no bodies business.

I felt Haley stop and start to turn. I snagged his far shoulder and dragged him up to me.


“Don’t look back, Haley. Whatever you do, don’t look back.” If you thought about what you have just done…you wouldn’t be able to move forward and the stain you placed on your soul would have been for naught. Their deaths would be meaningless. I wasn’t going to let that happen.

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