Caramel: Book 3 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Series
folder
Vampire › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
23,314
Reviews:
696
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Vampire › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
23,314
Reviews:
696
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Orel Wessel
I have broken my cardinal rule of 10 pages. This puppy is short…but I just had to be evil. Bwah hahahahah
SPOILER ALERT!
This is dedicated to that special someone, you know who you are, who said that the business suit from CAKE should make a comeback. I say, you know you are are, because I can’t find the review that mentioned it. But I know it’s there--somewhere. Shuffles paper, scrolls mouse. Big Sigh, can’t find it yet. So thanks for the inspiration! If I can find the exact review, I’ll insert [your name here] :) Or better yet, you could self identify!!
WARNING: NO BUNNIES (apparently you’re getting sick of them) teehee
GENERALITIES
HARUKA
Haruka is at Von Drachenfeld. Until we end up back home, the brothers don’t know what’s going on. Basically, she is settling into her new digs.
GEES PUPS MUST BE A DIME A DOZEN
Well the little decimated pack were only supposed to observe. They were not supposed to interact with the Lord Emperor and the traitor. Since they tried to force a coupe, they placed themselves in harms way. If Sex didn’t kill the pups, the Imperials would have and that would have been messy messy indeed.
Check out chapter 10 in “How do you write?? Are you kidding me!!” in the rants/journal section. I have laid out a rough history of Britta and the Northern Pack. As well as some interesting facts about names. XD
WHY DIDN’T (SEX) DO MORE THAN SLICE HIS EAR, YOU KNOW DRAWN A LITTLE MORE BLOOD?
I was going to ignore this for now, but I’ll leave it up to the Loyal how this plays out. Remember back when Ping finally claimed Haley in Tokyo. She ripped his ear open in front of witnesses, -- that claimed Haley and marked him as her matebond. So what did Sex do? He ripped open a Lycan’s ear in front of witnesses. He has already dominated him. Technically, he has inadvertently taken Vladimir as a matebond. So, do you want Vladimir to act on it? Ignore it? Secretly pine away from his Siberian Vampire? I’ll give you a couple of chappies to ponder that. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Once again, many thanks to the Loyal who continue to read, review and question my methods of madness. Keep up the good work. I appreciate the efforts you put you’re your reviews..and as you can see, I do use them!! Mihara; romanticefae; Sforza; ciar; Laur; Rosemary; newmoon; Spirit; k; meadows_peak; sesshomarunaraku; a taste of insanity; paradox and jenna T. (woot! She likes Claudia!!)
P.S. If you can’t review, or don’t want to….please rate. Thankies!
Chapter 114: Oren Wessel
I sat on the bus bench and brooded. All my street credibility was shot all to hell when Haley told my Imperials I as a gas bag. I groaned and buried my face against my knees. Haley whined and crawled closer to me from under the bench. I glanced passed my hip and saw his sad tea colored eyes peaking up at me from between the wooden slats. I narrowed my eyes at him and returned to my pike position. The fifth hotdog wasn’t sitting well either. It could be the sauerkraut. I should have learned from X to stay away from that stuff.
My Imperials were spread out across the area. Since they were in suits, they blended nicely. There was no way I was blending and Haley looked too damn young looking to pull off an intern much less a business man. So now, we were playing a boy and his dog waiting for the bus. The cops driving by slowly looking us over didn’t help either.
Haley whined again. I pulled my goggles up to my forehead and looked around the area. Aside from my Lycan, there was nothing of other Bloods. Lanseng had dropped off clothes, left his cryptic request and a cell phone then disappeared again. Spooky although sexy in a long tall drink of water way. Azrael’s flaw. Gees.
“So how long have you been talking to Lanseng?”
/Since he got here. He didn’t know anyone. He couldn’t even open a can of pop. He was like a newborn puppy./
“What, you trying out your parenting skills on him?”
/Don’t be like that. He likes you, Alpha Sex. He likes Lord Xavier./
“Well we definitely know he likes Azrael.”
/Yeah, he likes Azrael. He likes Marcus too.” I felt the weight of a wolf head on my calf. /He wants Marcus and Azrael back together./
I really didn’t think that was a good idea…but it wasn’t my call. Azrael loved that unstable nut. He wouldn’t be hurting so much if he didn’t. Lanseng’s…er, Lanny’s request wasn’t so off the wall. It was actually rather fair. Two hours a day from 4 to 6 pm as long as it didn’t interfere with work. An extra twelve hours a week. What the hell kind of trouble could Azrael get into in two hours? More than enough. I took a deep breath and sighed.
“Hey…you’re kinda a cute.” I looked up from my knees at a group of highschool girls. Oh for gods sake.
“I’m gay.”
‘I just said you’re cute, get over yourself.”
Jees, when the hell did girls get so aggressive? “Go away.”
“What a cute puppy!” The five girls abandoned me to squeal and rub at Haley. The little mutt crawled out, tail wagging then fell over as hands rubbed at him. He rolled onto his back and groaned as five sets of hands rubbed at him.
/Aren’t you a married pup?/
All I got back was a happy groanish yelp.
/Here comes Ping./
Haley rolled so fast to his feet on of the girls plopped back on her ass. I chuckled and got a dirty look from the girl sitting on the pavement. Haley looked around his tail almost wagging his rear off balance. /That wasn’t funny./
/Neither was this morning./
Haley ignored the girls and came and rested his head against my curled legs. /I didn’t mean to make you cry./
/At least I won’t have to do that again. You’re my official proxy now./
A cruiser rolled by slowly, again. Not good.
“What happened in the park?” The yellow crime scene tape barred entrance.
“They found a body.”
The girls shuddered and slowly looked across to the park. I glanced around. Nothing has changed, no one made a move to approach the bench. I had to clear these girls out of here.
“OhmygodyourthatmodelsexIjustsawthenewposteruponMainandFirststreetitisabsolutelysmokinghotsandyoureyesaresogreen!”
What? All I understood of that shriek and “oh my god” and “green.”
Then they all did it. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. “SEX!”
Crap that was worse than yelling rape. I made the universal cut it out sign by dragging my finger across my neck. “I’m not supposed to be out here. Keep it down”
I got scraps of paper shoved at me. I signed a few autographs then smiled into the camera phone. Go away. Please go away.
The bus pulled up and the doors opened. The gaggle of schoolgirls piled on. I shook my head at the driver and the doors shut with a hydraulic hiss and the bus rumbled forward. The girls ran to the back and waved frantically at me as the bus rolled away.
Damn. Father said three days. Vampire presses rang 24/7 so those stills must have been something to get them up this damn quick. Smoking hot. Oh, I’m going to hate that poster. I just know it.
/Movement. Approaching from the east. It’s our man./ Kyu
/How do you know?/ I queried
/I can smell the money./
Er….okay.
I tried to nonchalantly lean back on the bench and watch the blue shirts running around in the park, while keeping my senses open for someone’s approaching. Haley lowered himself to the ground and didn’t move. A could feel the warmth of a human….and a familiar scent. What? It wasn’t my memory. It was X’s. He knew this human’s essence…
“Angel?”
I turned my head and looked at our first snack pack and X’s savior when we were running for our lives those first few days from the covens. Hot chocolate. It couldn’t be. He set the briefcase of money down under the bench then came over and looked down at me. His eyes flicked to Haley. “Your disguise faded, Red Angel.”
“You’re trying to kill me?”
“No, Lost Angel. Not me. Orel Wessel has heard that the lost House of Von Drachenfeld has been resurrected. There is no room left in the modern world for a Lord Emperor and his war mongering ways.”
Orel Wessel? Was this a person?
“You should take your Heart and flee.”
“Who…?”
“I am a soldier of no consequence. Your Lycan can kill me. Another will take my place, Angel.
“What is going on?”
“When the last Von Drachenfled Emperor claimed to be Blood Emperor. Humans fell before every Blood Nation – Vampire, Lycan, Hellcat and others. Our kind was nothing more than cannon fodder or food. So it has been throughout history. When Bloods battle, the most casualties are innocent humans. Orel Wessel was created to protect humans from Blood conflict. We watch. We guard. When a threat arises…we contain it before it grows.”
Oh Crap. I had Lycans after my ass. I had the Hunters threatening…now I had a secret ancient society after my head.
“Just because they are calling me blood emperor doesn’t mean I’m going to pull a Sigmund.”
“Do no judge us so harshly, Angel. Many of us believe you have come from Heaven to lead the Vampires to a new golden age. You will bring peace to the Bloods.”
“Since I got shot, I’m taking it you’re in the minority.”
“This was sanctioned. Just barely. As you are here and the hired help isn’t, I assume that you have prevailed.”
I had a quick flash back to the pain filled face in the dark tunnel. “Yeah, I prevailed.”
“Then this payment is yours. Use it as you see fit.”
I could mindfuck this guy. I could get everything I needed from him but he saved Xavier twice when he needed it. The first time, was against his will, well not really, he called X his Red Angel. The second time, was freely offered and given, he even gave X money….which got him arrested Which was the best thing that could have happened. The covens knew nothing. X at that time, knew less than nothing. “Can I make the Orel Wessel stop?”
“Take over the Vampire Nation without shedding blood.”
I had no intention of taking over the Vampire Nation. Everyone was trying to hand it to me.
“Am I the only target?”
“At this time.” The man reached out and touched my cheek. Haley growled and edged forward. The man pulled his hand back. “No previous Vampire has garnered such attention. Humans know your face and your name. They admire and envy you. Vampires serve you. Lycan serve you. Hellcats line up to die for you. You have pulled the most mysterious of Bloods from the mists to serve you. You are no ordinary Vampire Fledgling. None in recorded history has done so much in so little a time frame.”
“I did nothing.”
“Then that makes it even more remarkable, Angel. The Resurrection of an ancient blood line brought you to our attention. The quick ascension up the ladder of the House of Assassins sparked alarm. The take over of the financial empire, Shadoe Inc. was the start of debate regarding you, Angel. But this escalating squirmish between you and Britta the Elder is upsetting the natural order of the Blood Nations.”
“So, why don’t you go shoot Britta?”
“She has her empire.”
“I don’t want an empire. How many times, do I have to repeat it? Just because I got wings, doesn’t make me Emperor material.”
“Your reluctance shows your character. Your Lycan,” the man gestured to Haley “shows your heart and resolve. Your upcoming nuptials, show the sacrifice you are willing to make for the sake of the Vampire Nation. You cannot command loyalty. It is given.”
“And that deserves a bullet.”
His face saddened. “Yes. To some. By your leave, Blood Emperor. I must report that the assassination attempt failed and that I had lost the briefcase.”
“What is your name?”
“I am but a lowly soldier of no consequence.. I have no doubt you could take my name from me…”
“I’ll call you HC.”
“HC?”
“That is what your essence is, hot chocolate.” A wry grin split his face.
“How apropos.” HC bowed and walked away.
/Shall I track him?/ I don’t know who said it.
/No. Let him go. I owe him a debt./ I watched HC disappear down the street. My chest felt heavy. People wanted me dead. Us dead. We really hadn’t done anything so bad to warrant that. People did a whole lot worse. /Someone come get the case and take it back to Von Drachenfeld. There’s a rifle up on the roof of that grey building. If Oren Wessel hasn’t retrieved it yet, get it please. I need a belt./
Vladimir organized the rest of the Lycan. Haley leaned heavily against my leg and placed his head up on my lap. I reached down and scratched at his head. The big Russian came up and unbuckled his belt and slid it out of the belt loops. I took it and looped it through Haley’s collar. /Hey./
“The police keep looking over at us. I don’t want to get picked up just because you aren’t on a leash.”
/This is embarrassing./
“Think of this as payback for the gas comment.”
/But it’s true. Even Armor tries to keep you from spicy foods./ Haley jumped up on the bench and licked at my face. /Are you okay, Lord Alpha?/
I closed my eyes for a moment then took a deep breath. First things first. I dialed the cell and waited for the pick up.
“William Von Drachenfeld.”
“When the hell did I say you could use Von Drachenfeld?”
“I’m the one who originally had the name, Number One. I don’t think you can forbid it.”
“Have you heard from Hades?”
“Not since this morning. He still screams so….”
“TMI, Liam. I just got shot.”
I could feel a chill settle around my shoulders. “I hope you took care of the matter.”
“Yeah, the party’s being cleaned up by maintenance right now. I’m going to give you a name and I want everything you can tell me about it. No fooling around this time.”
“Never, Little Emperor.”
“Orel Wessel”
“Shit.”
“I take it that the name is familiar?”
“I would have thought that they would have fallen apart by now.”
“Aside from wanting me dead, what the hell are they?”
“They are a right wing conservative group who’s only job is get up in my ass….well, now yours. They want to see the status quo stay the status quo. They’ve never been outside of the old world in the past. I really can’t say much more over the airwaves, Little Emperor. Needless to say, we need to talk.”
“I’ll be back home after 6.”
I snapped the phone closed and went to hand it back to Vladimir. “You need more, Lord Alpha.”
I slipped it into one of my multi pockets. A limo pulled up. No, I just couldn’t do that right now. “Head back to Von Drachenfeld when you’re done here, Vladimir.”
“Where are you going, Lord Alpha.”
“I need to check on something.”
“You cannot go alone.”
I dropped my hand to Haley’s scruffy head. “I’m not alone. I have my Zsigmond.”
/Don’t push it, little Vlad./ Haley’s dislike for the bigger Lycan came through loud and clear. The fact that he called the Pack Leader little Vlad also told Vladimir my little disciplinary action had not gone unnoticed.
“Yes, Lord Alpha.”
He made a move to drop into reverent pose. I turned and bolted down the street. Haley motored up beside me with the leather belt in his mouth. He seemed to know I really wasn’t in a talkative mood. That was the one thing about running that was good. I could blank out completely. Even now when I needed up being on the short stick and having to do the gym thing, when it got to the treadmill, I just dragged it to face a corner and ran for my allotted half hour. I didn’t enjoy exercise. Armor forced it on us. It was easier to give in and run than to endure more torturous discipline that ended up with us on the treadmill anyway. It was a means to an end.
We ended up on “OhmygodyourthatmodelsexIjustsawthenewposteruponMainandFirststreetitisabsolutelysmokinghotsandyoureyesaresogreen!” street. I stagger stepped to a halt and just looked up at the big billboard. Oh holy crap. Sex and Kitten on wheels. Sasha in black leather sat comfortably on his Indian. I was draped over him like a horny angel. I looked so pale and ethereal against his black on black My arm was in a parody of his kilt pose with my last two fingers slipping into his pants. His arm was around my waist holding me tight but it was those ears that was my undoing. They just popped out of his mass of back hair. They looked so natural. They created a high contrast between my pale pastel off whitish wings. A war braid had fallen onto his shoulder and seems to glisten as if the cheap beads had been diamonds. Black and white. Heaven and hell.
/Claudius is going to be pissed./
“Oh yeah.” I was going to have to be chasing people off him with a stick.
/It’s beautiful though./
“Yes, he is.” And he was sooo going to be pissed. There was still about five weeks before the benefit and I had no doubt that there was going to be a build up to a media frenzy. I really don’t think Father knew what he was signing up for.
I took one last look up at the big billboard and smiled. Father looked happy. Screw Orel Wessel. I’m not a bad person. If I can make at least one person happy, I can’t be a bad person.
I started wandering through the streets to the spot Lanny…ha, Lanny…wanted to meet. Two hours a day. I’d gladly give that up for little brother. I didn’t ask, but I think X would too. I rubbed at my stomach. Running while full of hotdogs and sauerkraut was not a great thing to do. Haley trotted along beside me his thoughts happily full of Ping. I closed my shield a little tighter. I didn’t need to be seeing that kind of memory.
I looked across the street and saw Lanny standing there in all his tallness and blue haired glory…with a cello case. What? Haley dropped his leash and gave the Seer a welcoming yip. I raised my hand and waved at him.
I got a hand around my throat and was hauled backwards against a hard broad chest. I grabbed at my attackers wrist. I got picked up and dragged backwards. Brown hair fell forward over my head. My bandana slipped off and strands of my white hair that had fallen out of the loose braid dropped into my eyes. “Please, please...Little One. Don’t make me hurt you.” His hand tightened on my throat.
Fucking Marcus.
SPOILER ALERT!
This is dedicated to that special someone, you know who you are, who said that the business suit from CAKE should make a comeback. I say, you know you are are, because I can’t find the review that mentioned it. But I know it’s there--somewhere. Shuffles paper, scrolls mouse. Big Sigh, can’t find it yet. So thanks for the inspiration! If I can find the exact review, I’ll insert [your name here] :) Or better yet, you could self identify!!
WARNING: NO BUNNIES (apparently you’re getting sick of them) teehee
GENERALITIES
HARUKA
Haruka is at Von Drachenfeld. Until we end up back home, the brothers don’t know what’s going on. Basically, she is settling into her new digs.
GEES PUPS MUST BE A DIME A DOZEN
Well the little decimated pack were only supposed to observe. They were not supposed to interact with the Lord Emperor and the traitor. Since they tried to force a coupe, they placed themselves in harms way. If Sex didn’t kill the pups, the Imperials would have and that would have been messy messy indeed.
Check out chapter 10 in “How do you write?? Are you kidding me!!” in the rants/journal section. I have laid out a rough history of Britta and the Northern Pack. As well as some interesting facts about names. XD
WHY DIDN’T (SEX) DO MORE THAN SLICE HIS EAR, YOU KNOW DRAWN A LITTLE MORE BLOOD?
I was going to ignore this for now, but I’ll leave it up to the Loyal how this plays out. Remember back when Ping finally claimed Haley in Tokyo. She ripped his ear open in front of witnesses, -- that claimed Haley and marked him as her matebond. So what did Sex do? He ripped open a Lycan’s ear in front of witnesses. He has already dominated him. Technically, he has inadvertently taken Vladimir as a matebond. So, do you want Vladimir to act on it? Ignore it? Secretly pine away from his Siberian Vampire? I’ll give you a couple of chappies to ponder that. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Once again, many thanks to the Loyal who continue to read, review and question my methods of madness. Keep up the good work. I appreciate the efforts you put you’re your reviews..and as you can see, I do use them!! Mihara; romanticefae; Sforza; ciar; Laur; Rosemary; newmoon; Spirit; k; meadows_peak; sesshomarunaraku; a taste of insanity; paradox and jenna T. (woot! She likes Claudia!!)
P.S. If you can’t review, or don’t want to….please rate. Thankies!
Chapter 114: Oren Wessel
I sat on the bus bench and brooded. All my street credibility was shot all to hell when Haley told my Imperials I as a gas bag. I groaned and buried my face against my knees. Haley whined and crawled closer to me from under the bench. I glanced passed my hip and saw his sad tea colored eyes peaking up at me from between the wooden slats. I narrowed my eyes at him and returned to my pike position. The fifth hotdog wasn’t sitting well either. It could be the sauerkraut. I should have learned from X to stay away from that stuff.
My Imperials were spread out across the area. Since they were in suits, they blended nicely. There was no way I was blending and Haley looked too damn young looking to pull off an intern much less a business man. So now, we were playing a boy and his dog waiting for the bus. The cops driving by slowly looking us over didn’t help either.
Haley whined again. I pulled my goggles up to my forehead and looked around the area. Aside from my Lycan, there was nothing of other Bloods. Lanseng had dropped off clothes, left his cryptic request and a cell phone then disappeared again. Spooky although sexy in a long tall drink of water way. Azrael’s flaw. Gees.
“So how long have you been talking to Lanseng?”
/Since he got here. He didn’t know anyone. He couldn’t even open a can of pop. He was like a newborn puppy./
“What, you trying out your parenting skills on him?”
/Don’t be like that. He likes you, Alpha Sex. He likes Lord Xavier./
“Well we definitely know he likes Azrael.”
/Yeah, he likes Azrael. He likes Marcus too.” I felt the weight of a wolf head on my calf. /He wants Marcus and Azrael back together./
I really didn’t think that was a good idea…but it wasn’t my call. Azrael loved that unstable nut. He wouldn’t be hurting so much if he didn’t. Lanseng’s…er, Lanny’s request wasn’t so off the wall. It was actually rather fair. Two hours a day from 4 to 6 pm as long as it didn’t interfere with work. An extra twelve hours a week. What the hell kind of trouble could Azrael get into in two hours? More than enough. I took a deep breath and sighed.
“Hey…you’re kinda a cute.” I looked up from my knees at a group of highschool girls. Oh for gods sake.
“I’m gay.”
‘I just said you’re cute, get over yourself.”
Jees, when the hell did girls get so aggressive? “Go away.”
“What a cute puppy!” The five girls abandoned me to squeal and rub at Haley. The little mutt crawled out, tail wagging then fell over as hands rubbed at him. He rolled onto his back and groaned as five sets of hands rubbed at him.
/Aren’t you a married pup?/
All I got back was a happy groanish yelp.
/Here comes Ping./
Haley rolled so fast to his feet on of the girls plopped back on her ass. I chuckled and got a dirty look from the girl sitting on the pavement. Haley looked around his tail almost wagging his rear off balance. /That wasn’t funny./
/Neither was this morning./
Haley ignored the girls and came and rested his head against my curled legs. /I didn’t mean to make you cry./
/At least I won’t have to do that again. You’re my official proxy now./
A cruiser rolled by slowly, again. Not good.
“What happened in the park?” The yellow crime scene tape barred entrance.
“They found a body.”
The girls shuddered and slowly looked across to the park. I glanced around. Nothing has changed, no one made a move to approach the bench. I had to clear these girls out of here.
“OhmygodyourthatmodelsexIjustsawthenewposteruponMainandFirststreetitisabsolutelysmokinghotsandyoureyesaresogreen!”
What? All I understood of that shriek and “oh my god” and “green.”
Then they all did it. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. “SEX!”
Crap that was worse than yelling rape. I made the universal cut it out sign by dragging my finger across my neck. “I’m not supposed to be out here. Keep it down”
I got scraps of paper shoved at me. I signed a few autographs then smiled into the camera phone. Go away. Please go away.
The bus pulled up and the doors opened. The gaggle of schoolgirls piled on. I shook my head at the driver and the doors shut with a hydraulic hiss and the bus rumbled forward. The girls ran to the back and waved frantically at me as the bus rolled away.
Damn. Father said three days. Vampire presses rang 24/7 so those stills must have been something to get them up this damn quick. Smoking hot. Oh, I’m going to hate that poster. I just know it.
/Movement. Approaching from the east. It’s our man./ Kyu
/How do you know?/ I queried
/I can smell the money./
Er….okay.
I tried to nonchalantly lean back on the bench and watch the blue shirts running around in the park, while keeping my senses open for someone’s approaching. Haley lowered himself to the ground and didn’t move. A could feel the warmth of a human….and a familiar scent. What? It wasn’t my memory. It was X’s. He knew this human’s essence…
“Angel?”
I turned my head and looked at our first snack pack and X’s savior when we were running for our lives those first few days from the covens. Hot chocolate. It couldn’t be. He set the briefcase of money down under the bench then came over and looked down at me. His eyes flicked to Haley. “Your disguise faded, Red Angel.”
“You’re trying to kill me?”
“No, Lost Angel. Not me. Orel Wessel has heard that the lost House of Von Drachenfeld has been resurrected. There is no room left in the modern world for a Lord Emperor and his war mongering ways.”
Orel Wessel? Was this a person?
“You should take your Heart and flee.”
“Who…?”
“I am a soldier of no consequence. Your Lycan can kill me. Another will take my place, Angel.
“What is going on?”
“When the last Von Drachenfled Emperor claimed to be Blood Emperor. Humans fell before every Blood Nation – Vampire, Lycan, Hellcat and others. Our kind was nothing more than cannon fodder or food. So it has been throughout history. When Bloods battle, the most casualties are innocent humans. Orel Wessel was created to protect humans from Blood conflict. We watch. We guard. When a threat arises…we contain it before it grows.”
Oh Crap. I had Lycans after my ass. I had the Hunters threatening…now I had a secret ancient society after my head.
“Just because they are calling me blood emperor doesn’t mean I’m going to pull a Sigmund.”
“Do no judge us so harshly, Angel. Many of us believe you have come from Heaven to lead the Vampires to a new golden age. You will bring peace to the Bloods.”
“Since I got shot, I’m taking it you’re in the minority.”
“This was sanctioned. Just barely. As you are here and the hired help isn’t, I assume that you have prevailed.”
I had a quick flash back to the pain filled face in the dark tunnel. “Yeah, I prevailed.”
“Then this payment is yours. Use it as you see fit.”
I could mindfuck this guy. I could get everything I needed from him but he saved Xavier twice when he needed it. The first time, was against his will, well not really, he called X his Red Angel. The second time, was freely offered and given, he even gave X money….which got him arrested Which was the best thing that could have happened. The covens knew nothing. X at that time, knew less than nothing. “Can I make the Orel Wessel stop?”
“Take over the Vampire Nation without shedding blood.”
I had no intention of taking over the Vampire Nation. Everyone was trying to hand it to me.
“Am I the only target?”
“At this time.” The man reached out and touched my cheek. Haley growled and edged forward. The man pulled his hand back. “No previous Vampire has garnered such attention. Humans know your face and your name. They admire and envy you. Vampires serve you. Lycan serve you. Hellcats line up to die for you. You have pulled the most mysterious of Bloods from the mists to serve you. You are no ordinary Vampire Fledgling. None in recorded history has done so much in so little a time frame.”
“I did nothing.”
“Then that makes it even more remarkable, Angel. The Resurrection of an ancient blood line brought you to our attention. The quick ascension up the ladder of the House of Assassins sparked alarm. The take over of the financial empire, Shadoe Inc. was the start of debate regarding you, Angel. But this escalating squirmish between you and Britta the Elder is upsetting the natural order of the Blood Nations.”
“So, why don’t you go shoot Britta?”
“She has her empire.”
“I don’t want an empire. How many times, do I have to repeat it? Just because I got wings, doesn’t make me Emperor material.”
“Your reluctance shows your character. Your Lycan,” the man gestured to Haley “shows your heart and resolve. Your upcoming nuptials, show the sacrifice you are willing to make for the sake of the Vampire Nation. You cannot command loyalty. It is given.”
“And that deserves a bullet.”
His face saddened. “Yes. To some. By your leave, Blood Emperor. I must report that the assassination attempt failed and that I had lost the briefcase.”
“What is your name?”
“I am but a lowly soldier of no consequence.. I have no doubt you could take my name from me…”
“I’ll call you HC.”
“HC?”
“That is what your essence is, hot chocolate.” A wry grin split his face.
“How apropos.” HC bowed and walked away.
/Shall I track him?/ I don’t know who said it.
/No. Let him go. I owe him a debt./ I watched HC disappear down the street. My chest felt heavy. People wanted me dead. Us dead. We really hadn’t done anything so bad to warrant that. People did a whole lot worse. /Someone come get the case and take it back to Von Drachenfeld. There’s a rifle up on the roof of that grey building. If Oren Wessel hasn’t retrieved it yet, get it please. I need a belt./
Vladimir organized the rest of the Lycan. Haley leaned heavily against my leg and placed his head up on my lap. I reached down and scratched at his head. The big Russian came up and unbuckled his belt and slid it out of the belt loops. I took it and looped it through Haley’s collar. /Hey./
“The police keep looking over at us. I don’t want to get picked up just because you aren’t on a leash.”
/This is embarrassing./
“Think of this as payback for the gas comment.”
/But it’s true. Even Armor tries to keep you from spicy foods./ Haley jumped up on the bench and licked at my face. /Are you okay, Lord Alpha?/
I closed my eyes for a moment then took a deep breath. First things first. I dialed the cell and waited for the pick up.
“William Von Drachenfeld.”
“When the hell did I say you could use Von Drachenfeld?”
“I’m the one who originally had the name, Number One. I don’t think you can forbid it.”
“Have you heard from Hades?”
“Not since this morning. He still screams so….”
“TMI, Liam. I just got shot.”
I could feel a chill settle around my shoulders. “I hope you took care of the matter.”
“Yeah, the party’s being cleaned up by maintenance right now. I’m going to give you a name and I want everything you can tell me about it. No fooling around this time.”
“Never, Little Emperor.”
“Orel Wessel”
“Shit.”
“I take it that the name is familiar?”
“I would have thought that they would have fallen apart by now.”
“Aside from wanting me dead, what the hell are they?”
“They are a right wing conservative group who’s only job is get up in my ass….well, now yours. They want to see the status quo stay the status quo. They’ve never been outside of the old world in the past. I really can’t say much more over the airwaves, Little Emperor. Needless to say, we need to talk.”
“I’ll be back home after 6.”
I snapped the phone closed and went to hand it back to Vladimir. “You need more, Lord Alpha.”
I slipped it into one of my multi pockets. A limo pulled up. No, I just couldn’t do that right now. “Head back to Von Drachenfeld when you’re done here, Vladimir.”
“Where are you going, Lord Alpha.”
“I need to check on something.”
“You cannot go alone.”
I dropped my hand to Haley’s scruffy head. “I’m not alone. I have my Zsigmond.”
/Don’t push it, little Vlad./ Haley’s dislike for the bigger Lycan came through loud and clear. The fact that he called the Pack Leader little Vlad also told Vladimir my little disciplinary action had not gone unnoticed.
“Yes, Lord Alpha.”
He made a move to drop into reverent pose. I turned and bolted down the street. Haley motored up beside me with the leather belt in his mouth. He seemed to know I really wasn’t in a talkative mood. That was the one thing about running that was good. I could blank out completely. Even now when I needed up being on the short stick and having to do the gym thing, when it got to the treadmill, I just dragged it to face a corner and ran for my allotted half hour. I didn’t enjoy exercise. Armor forced it on us. It was easier to give in and run than to endure more torturous discipline that ended up with us on the treadmill anyway. It was a means to an end.
We ended up on “OhmygodyourthatmodelsexIjustsawthenewposteruponMainandFirststreetitisabsolutelysmokinghotsandyoureyesaresogreen!” street. I stagger stepped to a halt and just looked up at the big billboard. Oh holy crap. Sex and Kitten on wheels. Sasha in black leather sat comfortably on his Indian. I was draped over him like a horny angel. I looked so pale and ethereal against his black on black My arm was in a parody of his kilt pose with my last two fingers slipping into his pants. His arm was around my waist holding me tight but it was those ears that was my undoing. They just popped out of his mass of back hair. They looked so natural. They created a high contrast between my pale pastel off whitish wings. A war braid had fallen onto his shoulder and seems to glisten as if the cheap beads had been diamonds. Black and white. Heaven and hell.
/Claudius is going to be pissed./
“Oh yeah.” I was going to have to be chasing people off him with a stick.
/It’s beautiful though./
“Yes, he is.” And he was sooo going to be pissed. There was still about five weeks before the benefit and I had no doubt that there was going to be a build up to a media frenzy. I really don’t think Father knew what he was signing up for.
I took one last look up at the big billboard and smiled. Father looked happy. Screw Orel Wessel. I’m not a bad person. If I can make at least one person happy, I can’t be a bad person.
I started wandering through the streets to the spot Lanny…ha, Lanny…wanted to meet. Two hours a day. I’d gladly give that up for little brother. I didn’t ask, but I think X would too. I rubbed at my stomach. Running while full of hotdogs and sauerkraut was not a great thing to do. Haley trotted along beside me his thoughts happily full of Ping. I closed my shield a little tighter. I didn’t need to be seeing that kind of memory.
I looked across the street and saw Lanny standing there in all his tallness and blue haired glory…with a cello case. What? Haley dropped his leash and gave the Seer a welcoming yip. I raised my hand and waved at him.
I got a hand around my throat and was hauled backwards against a hard broad chest. I grabbed at my attackers wrist. I got picked up and dragged backwards. Brown hair fell forward over my head. My bandana slipped off and strands of my white hair that had fallen out of the loose braid dropped into my eyes. “Please, please...Little One. Don’t make me hurt you.” His hand tightened on my throat.
Fucking Marcus.