Caramel: Book 3 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Series

It’s late. I’m emotional. Q&A tomorrow.
__________________________________

By the by, I got my computer back. Yah! Full size keyboard! Yah! I lost everything. Boo! Hiss.

BlackOpal
Here you go. Expecting Kitty Martin chappie soon. 

Ping’s surprise.
Showing up with a rugby team of Alpha Male Lycan was Ping’s surprise. The brothers were just expecting an expecting petite Lycan to show up…AND not to find the bed ringed with Lycan in the morning.

Liam
“If Liam was that way with Hades, I want him to –sorry- fuck off! First messing up the little hotty [Hades], then leaving him as walking death in a mortal realm for centuries and now making him hurt and even fun of him. For god’s sake, Liam made him into that twisted slightly bi-polar walking attitude problem and putting on some ears and tail doesn’t count as proper apology.” Hmmm, tell me what you really think of Liam.  Yes, Liam has not won back Hades even though he has taken blades and bullets for him. (If you noticed, Sex did all the stabbing and shooting.) Don’t worry, Liam has a purpose.

Valdimir
Early votes are in. Some are for my options and the Loyal’s own suggestions.
Pine away
Challenge & get ass kicked repeatedly
Pair up with someone else (Marcus?; Lanseng; Haley)
Just beat the crap out of him publicly humiliate him
Threesome (S/C/V)

Big mother’s days hugs and flowers and candy hearts to the Loyal and true; BlackOpal; miles; Rosemary; Mihara; Spirit; HallowsEve; k(x2); rainy; Laur; newmoon; Bambigirl(x2); a taste of insanity(x2); meadows-peak; Ciar; Jenna T.(x2); Duelriel; Rosei; and poohkie87


EARLY REVIEWS

Kiix hands out symbolic tissues for the weepies. Apologies.

ATOI
In the last chapter, Sex called Liam up…and this is what Liam said: “I’m the one who originally had the name, Number One. I don’t think you can forbid it.” What does he mean by Number One? Because, I thought Claudius is Number One in the House of Assassins now…or did Liam mean Number One as in Sex as the original SEX? (or..Edward) I was just wondering about that.

Okay…..Liam has been calling SEX, Edward, Little Emperor and Number One (referring to the true order of the brothers) Claudius is First. (which technically can be called no. 1 but for the sake of sanity we won’t use it, ok? )

ON WITH THE SHOW! ENJOY

Chapter 115: Heartsong

I snapped my wrists but the familiar feel of a dagger dropping into my palm was missing. Oh crap. I grabbed at the hold on my neck and I was about to break his thumb when I smelt it.

“You’re drunk!”

“Please….you have to talk to Arzael for me…” His words were a little slurred.

“Marcus….” He crushed me back against him and hugged me like a teddy bear. He squeezed the air out of my lungs. His mouth tickled my ear.

“He won’t listen to me. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I….I…my chest hurt so much. I had to get away…I shouldn’t have left but…it hurt… it hurt”

“Get off me.” I tried to wrench free. He didn’t even budge.

“I love him…not Xavier. I love Azrael. I need him…please…tell him for me…Sex…please….”

Haley tore into the alley as Marcus dropped to his knees. Haley skidded to a halt. Marcus still clung to me like a burr but his forehead was resting on my butt. “I want to be with Azrael…”

“Get off my ass.”

“I want to play with Azrael.” His hold loosened, “I want…cello…Az…” There was a kerchunk sound as the big vampire past out and hit the alleyway garbage cans. I turned and looked at the big monster laying there sprawled out in the garbage. I knew they both drank. Armor admitted it was because he couldn’t handle the horror he put us through. Marcus…you stupid, stupid fuck.

/Don’t leave him on his back, Sex. He could die./ Azrael’s voice drifted out of the dark.

I stared down at the brown haired Vampire who latched onto us and wouldn’t let us go. Even now, he couldn’t let Azrael go. I was so tempted to kick him in the face.

/Don’t hurt him. You can’t do anything to him that he isn’t doing to himself./ There was such a sadness in my little brother’s voice. That only intensified my anger.

“Why do you love him Azrael? Why do you want this….thing? You can’t fix him. Nobody can fix him. He has to do it himself and it doesn’t look like he’s even going to try.”

/Don’t call him a thing./ I heard a big sigh, /I came for him. I exist for him. The Angel of Death is nothing without my Puppy of misfortune./

“You are so fucked.”

/I know./

“And Lanny?”

/He was a mistake. A tall beautiful mistake I don’t plan on repeating./

I stared up at the clear blue sky. Why me? Haley whined and pushed his snout at the still vampire. I crouched beside Marcus’ head and reined in my impulse to break his nose.

“Well get your lovesick ass out here. If I touch him again, I’ll do more than just cut his cheek.”

I faded back.

“Hey there, Pup.” Haley came up and pressed against my side. I reached out and ran my finger tips along the non-existent scar that should have been left where Sex slashed him open. What did bigger brother call him? “Marcus, my stupid, stupid fuck. You kicked my teeth in again, Puppy. I hate seeing you like this.”

I took hold of his arm and belt and grunted as I pulled him over into recovery position. I brushed the bits of garbage out of his hair and off his face. He was so beautiful. So damaged. He was coming apart at the seams and I couldn’t do a damn thing to help him. I wanted nothing more than to stretch out in the garbage and just hold him. Protect him from all harm, while he loved my Eldest brother. I was so fucked in the head.

“Stay with him, Haley. I don’t know what Lanseng wants but I think I’ll be playing that fucking cello. Don’t let him wander off. He’s totally defenseless right now.”

The Pup gave a yip then stretched out beside my vampire and laid his head across his back. Lucky Lycan.

I didn’t bother tying the bandana back on my head. I was far enough away from Washington Park now. It shouldn’t matter if people saw the long white locks. I jaywalked across the street and stalked up to Lanseng, “Did you know he was going to do this?”

“I am a Seer. However, I did not need my ability to predict this. I am just surprised that he was able to make it here.”

I glared at my wolfhound. “Explain that remark.”

Lanseng lowered his dark sunglasses a bit and looked across the street to the alley. His crimson eyes narrowed for a bit then he pushed the glasses back up his nose and turned back to me. “Marcus has been drinking since your brother cut his face and kicked him out of your house. He was insensible when I left my house this morning. For a big man, he does not hold his liquor well. Somehow he must have remembered that I wanted to meet you here today. I will take his drunken sneak up on you as a good sign.”

“Is that why you told Sex not to arm himself?”

“Yes, Sex would have stabbed first and asked questions later. He has come a long way under your Father’s guidance.”

I flopped down on the bench and gestured at the cell. “What are we doing here? Sex got shot. There’s a price on my head. I should be doing something.”

“Have you ever heard a Siren?”

I furrowed my brow? “What? You can hear one now.”

Lanseng should his head. “No, a real Siren.”

“Like from Greek myths?”

“Yes. They are deadly predators. Beautiful, but very dangerous. The song that they sing, for the lack of a better term, is their victims heartsong. It is the music of the soul. The Sirens have the ability to read into the human’s inner core. They find that simple or complicated melody that is yours, and your ‘soulmate’ and sing it to them. They touch the basic core of that person. The heartsong is irresistible to the victim. It is what they have searched for all along in their lives. The other part of themselves.”

“Are you saying Marcus is the other part of myself?”

“Is Armor the other part of Xavier? Is Claudius, Sex’s true soulmate or is he just keeping the mattress jumping? They must decide that on their own. Is Marcus for you? That is for you to decide.”

“Don’t fuck with my head, Lanseng. I’m not thinking straight to begin with.”

“If you were human, it would be easy. I would bring you to a Siren and get them to read your heartsong. You would play that for Marcus, and if he truly is your soulmate…all these problems would be surmountable. But…we will have to do it the hard way.”

“I seem to excel at ‘the hard way’.”

“You have the skill. You have the technique. Now, you need to find your heartsong and you need to play it for Marcus. Once he hears it, he will know what he wants. As I said, he is one of the gifted. He is music. When it comes from your inner core he will recognize it.”

“And what becomes of you if he hears it?”

“I am your wolfhound, Azrael. I am your loyal servant. It doesn’t matter if I get taken to the park to run with you or not. I am here to serve a purpose, not to just warm your bed.”

There was the perfect opportunity to tell him that it wasn’t going to happen again. I didn’t care if Marcus didn’t mind. I did. “Well what’s the point of doing anything now? He’s passed out.”

“He still hears. Play for him, even if it is just your borrowed technique.”

Lanseng opened the case and pulled out the cello I had played at the auction. I knew it was the same one because I had autographed it as Sex on the back. “How?”

“As I said, a $10,000 late bid or a $700 one. By the way, you will be playing a cello solo at the Mayor’s wife, garden party next Saturday.”

“What?”

“Mrs. Mayor is a very shrewd business woman. She left the $700 bid as a donation in exchange for an hour of your time.”

“Since when did you become my booking agent?” I groused.

“If all goes well, maybe it will be a duet.”

I glanced up from tuning to the alley. I could still see Haley’s bushy behind laying still. “What can you tell me about Orel Wessel?”

“The name means Golden Army of the People—or at least it is a loose translation of it. It is as your mysterious suit has said. It is a watchdog for the innocent. Mainly, watching the Imperial House of Von Drachenfeld.”

“What do they want?”

“Peace. Not so many casualties when there is an outbreak of peace.”

“Do they kill us?”

“The Code of the Collective forbids me from giving an answer.”

“That code of your gets annoying real quick.”

“Which is why I purchased my own home far enough from Von Drachenfeld for there to be peace and trust between us. I am here to serve Hashmallim, however, I am first and foremost a Seer.”

I pulled the bow across the strings and it made a beautiful chord. The spot Lanseng picked had wonderful acoustics. Yeah, listen to me. I stole this talent.

“The music teacher had his opportunity to achieve his dreams. Fear held him back. It crippled him. When he heard you play, he heard himself and everything he wanted back when he was young and idealistic—he wished on you. His skills and talent are the cello. It is pretty to look at but it is lifeless until played. You are the bow, Azrael. You have the energy and the drive that the teacher has lost. You make the cello sing the way it was meant to. He knew something was happening when you came to him. Why would a vision like you come to a broken down second rate teacher like him? He knew you were doing something and he allowed it. He gifted this talent to you. Make others weep at the beauty of it. That would be the best payback for him.”

I just stared at Lanseng. “Are you a mind reader as well?”

“I saw how this distressed you. I searched your teacher out and offered a reading. These are his thoughts. All his flaws, you played exactly the same way. That is why he corrected you when you played for him. He knows, somehow, someway, you mirrored his musical talent. He knows it was you at the bachelor’s auction. He is proud of you.”

“Why do I trust you?”

“Because I am telling you what you want to hear.”

“Is it the truth?”

“Do you want it to be?”

I pointed the bow at the blue haired mystic. “Don’t answer a question with a question.”

“Truth is someone’s point of view. The teacher feels like he has created a son somewhere out in the world by passing on his ability. Which is pure poppycock. However, it makes his heart glow. The knowledge that the teacher is glad you have his talent makes your guilt lessen and eases your troubled mind. The fact that you went out and got the best talent you could find for the instrument he asked you to learn…that pleases Marcus as well as disturbs him.”

“Because I’m crushing him with my love.”

“Partly. You set your mind on something and you do it.” Lanseng came around behind the bench and looked across into the alley. “Marcus is like the teacher. He has talent but his fears are holding him back. Unfortunately, you can do nothing to ease those fears. You cannot shoot them. You cannot cut them….and you do not have the ability to heal them. Only Marcus can.”

“So what the hell am I doing sitting here?”

“You are going to make Marcus listen to you.”

Huh? Lanseng caught my chin and pulled my face up as he bent over. His blue hair hung around us almost casting a cloak of invisibility on us. “He doesn’t hear your words, Azrael. He sees your actions and they scare him. So, speak to him in a language he understands. Play for him. He can hear you. Play with what you are feeling.”

I gave a half hearted laugh, “Play my broken heart?”

“He would hear you. His is broken too.” Lanseng pressed a kiss to my forehead then stood up. “Play. Whatever he does, do not stop playing.”

That was ominous. The at-work crowd was beginning to fill the streets. I worked my hair free from its braid and sort of, kinda….okay, I hid behind my hair. I closed my eyes. Play with my broken heart.

Toccata in Fugue in d minor. It was creepy and dark and in every scary b movie ever made. It suited my mood. It suited my character. The first notes filled the square. How far could I fall if my Puppy disappeared from my life? I didn’t want to tell Sex, I honestly felt Hashmallim was me. That’s all I could do was kill. On that beach, I was the color of blood. X and Sex were blue…healing blue. I never pulled her but I had a feeling that Endellion’s blade would be black in my hand. She spoke to Sex but whoever blooded her first would be Hashmallim.

My fingers played on the strings. My wrist flexed with the bowing necessary to get the right tonal quality.

If I lost Marcus…if I lost my heart…I would be standing in the dark and that call that I always heard to embrace it fully would be irresistible.

Stop running from me Marcus. Please stop running from me. I’ll take you even if you want X. I’ll pretend to be him for you if that is what makes you happy. Just…don’t leave me alone with the darkness inside me. I feel comfortable there. It feels like home to me…and it shouldn’t. Not just for my sake, but for my brothers….and now my children. If I fell into that pit, there was no climbing back out. I would end up dragging everyone down with me. Three little ones. Be there for me, so I can be there for them.

I claimed you once with blood and rape. You were bloodied and bruised but you stood by me then. If you need me to do this…music to settle your soul, I will do it. Tell me what you want to make you want me. Tell me what you need to be with me. I can get it. We both know I can.

WHAT THE FUCK IS SO WRONG WITH ME THAT YOU HAVE TO GO RUNNING AFTER XAVIER?

I could feel my flame burn in my eyes. My playing sped up.

Why can’t I be enough for you? I have X’s body. I let you do terrible things to it. Why can’t this be enough? I wrenched the bow across the strings in a final flourish and rested my forehead against the neck of the cello. Tears were leaking out of my eyes. I could still feel the flame burning in them. Why? Marcus, why can’t I make you happy?

I frowned. What the hell was that? Applause. I wiped at my tears with the back of my wrists and blinked trying to control the flame. Sitting up, I was surrounded by suits and skirts all clapping enthusiastically. I could give a rat about their appreciation. I stood up and looked across to the alley.

Marcus sat hunched, backed up against the building, his knees up and his arms across his chest. That sable hair was forward, masking his expression. Haley sat at the mouth of the alley. /He’s crying. What do I do?/

I heard Lanseng, /Let him cry./

I shoved my hair out of my face and glared at him. I was distracted from my little rant by the sound of money and bills hitting the open cello case. Like I needed more money.

“He hasn’t had any emotional release. He’s been in the bottle. So, this is a step in the right direction. Here comes your limo. That is more than enough for today.” Lanseng hugged me gently. “I will watch out for him for you, Master. I think your Puppy is starting to grow.”

I turned and stared across the road. Haley was licking at my heart’s face. “You’ve chased him enough, Angel of Death. Let him come to you. Come to the house tomorrow. There is something there you should see. The fact that Marcus has been pickled the entire time, it is amazing.”

“What?”

“Tomorrow. You have both been through enough.”

The limo glided to a halt. The crowd had dispersed by then. /Haley, we’re out of here!/ I whistled. I got the most annoyed look from the little pup. I didn’t care, I had an emotional headache. It throbbed hotly behind my eye. Haley looked both ways before loping out into the street. I held the door open for him then climbed in. Lanseng was packing the cello back up. I turned and looked out the opposite window. Marcus was still sitting against the side of the building, hugging himself

/Sex…I’ve had enough./

Haley shivered back to human form and wrenched the belt from his red collar. “That was humiliating.”

I sat back and held my throbbing head. Oh Azrael…he’s got you all twisted and tied up in knots. I heard a whimper then Haley shifted and wrapped his arms around me. He pressed his head against my shoulder. “Sorry…Az left me with a headache.”

I didn’t get any correction from shortening his name. Not good. Who would have thought that sable hair and chocolate eyes could cause such havoc? And the fear…I never suspected Azrael lived in fear. An internal terror of becoming something dark and untamable that would destroy everyone and everything we held dear. I had more in common with my little brother than I thought. I turned to Haley and hung onto to him tightly and cried out the lingering heartache Azrael carried with him and left with me.. Fucking Marcus…