Caramel: Book 3 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Series

JennaT (heartsong)
I haven’t seen the movie. I guess I’m going to have it rent. I just remember this as a title off of the “Dragons of Pern”—which of course, I can’t remember the author now. So was that a good speechless or a really bad one?

K
No names for the wolfings yet. No names for the female Alphas yet. I have figured out what I am doing with Vladimir…so killing him is not an option. (It came to me in that lovely little state between waking and dreaming)

I also liked that beloved concept. That might get worked in somewhere down the line.

LOYAL ASSISTANCE REQUIRED
However, I am torn between the vamplings. So, I’m going to leave it up to the Loyal again. Does X and Claudia get 3 girls---3 boys---2 girls/1 boy---2 boys/1 girl
They will be vampires. They will have wings (Blue bloods)….eventually (not until puberty) If you have ideas for names…I’m willing to entertain any suggestion.

So far the votes are for Vladimir challenging Claudius and getting his butt kicked repeatedly which results in public humiliation.

Merci beau coupe [ I know, really bad French] to those who took the time to read; vote and make their opinions heard. Love it. Voulez vous couche avec moi, ce soir. (ya, I remember how to write something dirty.) Never mind. Thanks again: Ciar; Jenna T.(x2); Duelriel (nice to see you again!); Rosei; poohkie87; a taste of insanity; bambigirl; Minako; Rosemary; Spirit; fleur; DiruFan; k; Laur; shiden (welcome) and Mihara.

Bunnification + a piano next chappie

ENJOY!

Chapter 116: Of plans and paws

Holy crap, Batman. I had a war room.

And all the boys, I’d loved before were in it. Except Billiam and Ping, who was a girl, and the remaining four Imperials. I was such a slut…with the lingering remains of an emotional outburst headache. Haley had flipped back to his naked self and headed off to get some pills. I was relying on the Healing Light for even minor things and that had to stop.

Liam turned around from a whiteboard he was drawing on. “There you are. Okay, let’s get started.”

“What’s going on?”

“All of Von Drachenfeld needs to know this, Little Emperor. Armor should be here.”

“I think he’ll be out of commission for a while.”

“What you do, shoot Marcus this time? You do have blood thirsty tendencies, Number One.”

“What did I tell you about calling me that?” Haley came back in dressed in pressed beige trousers and a plain white dress shirt but still barefoot. Not even one day with his matebond and his t-shirts and sweatpants were gone. I gratefully took the pills. A bottle of water floated in my face. Vladimir held it out like a peace offering. I hesitated for a moment then took the bottle, cracked it open and swigged the pills down. I wanted this headache gone. My body was also exhausted.

“Still, Armor should be here.”

“I am.” I turned and saw Armor propping up the door jam. He looked like he had just come off a two day bender. Which, I guess he did, er, Marcus did. He was green in the face. He wore Lanny’s sunglasses and had the stench of alleyway grossness about him mixed with whiskey. The Imperials shifted away from the smell. “My apologies. Marcus did not leave me in any condition to get here faster.”

“Give us twenty minutes, Liam.”

The Imperials readily agreed. I caught Sasha’ eye and together we supported, dragged Armor down to his and X’s bedroom. “You were shot.” Sasha ground out between thin lips. He was mad at me? What did I do? I reached up and felt at my neck. I still had my locket.

“You were shot?” Armor stumbled sideways and squished me up against a wall.

“Let’s get you in the shower first, Armor. You’re not exactly smelling like daisies.”
Claudius climbed into the shower and held Armor upright. I made a move to join in and got an arm block hard to the chest. Owwww. A finger pointed at me. “What?”

“You were shot.”

“I’m fine.”

“Claudia called me, frantic. My little girl does not do frantic, Sex. Apparently only Vladimir has the presence of mind to check in.”

“I melted my phone.”

“Yet you called Liam.”

“He had information.”

Armor groaned and held his head as Claudius reached out and turned on the shower. “Will you both please shut up.” Armor began to peel off his stinking clothes. I reached in and grabbed his head. Marcus did this to him. Armor shouldn’t have to suffer the after affects. I flashed into Healing Light, curing both his hangover and my headache.

I narrowed my eyes at Sasha and turned away. I made it about three steps before I felt an hand on my shoulder. I twisted. “What was I supposed to do, Claudius? You were on a black envelope. You’re phone shouldn’t have been on anyway.”

“That is not the point.”

“Then tell me what the point is!”

I got caught in a soggy headlock. “I was worried!” I felt his warm breath through my hair. “I was worried. Vladimir said you ran off with Haley unarmed. I trust Haley, but he is still just a pup. You left the Loyal with Claudia. I did not know if you were safe…or laying dead somewhere else.”

“I’m sorry. Lanny asked that Azreal get the hours between 4-6 every day. I just went to meet him. Well, I went to look at our billboard first.”

“Billboard?”

“I don’t think you realized what you were getting into, Sasha. We are plastered on top of each other, on your bike on a billboard downtown.” I relaxed into his embrace and he relaxed too. I brought my arms up around him. “You just might get called onto the carpet in the boss’s office over that overly sexual advertisement.”

“Carpet burns. A bed would be better.”

“You would rather be called to the boss’s bed?

“Only if you are the boss.”

“Father,” I reluctantly untangled myself from my kitty. Armor looked a little better. Not by much. “I need blood. Marcus didn’t eat.”

“I’ll get it. You can help him get dressed. I don’t need to be around naked Armor.” I muttered as I walked away, “Seen too much of that the first year.”

It wasn’t that long ago when Von Drachenfeld was eerily empty. Staff could hide and I wouldn’t see anyone unless I really tried to sneak up on them, then they would scream and quit. Chesterton actual blew up at me one day. “I can’t keep anyone longer than a month. Stop it!...Sir.” Wasn’t my fault everybody was scared of me.

Now, I got acknowledgment that I existed. Humans, Vampires and Lycan’s prowled the halls of Von Drachenfeld. I kind of liked that.

Ah, nnnh, oooh. nnnnn

That noise was sure to bring attention. I listened outside of the door. Hades and Billiam. Horny Ancients…gack. Enough of that. Who would have thought that I would have preferred them fighting. At least use someone else’s closet. Gees, guys. I continued on into the kitchen. Wait for it! There it is. The unison bow. If you thought about it, it was quite cool. I waved at Chesterton. “Armor needs blood.”

“Essence?”

“Hell, no. I don’t need him prowling around for six hours waiting for X to show up. Have we got room for everybody right now? I know we weren’t expecting five extra guests.”

“The Imperial Lycan do not mind bunking together in the same room. In fact they quite insisted on it. I have met Haley’s wife…mate? I’m not sure of the exact term. She is quite lovely. Rather on the small side.”

“That’s all part of her charm. Compact but power filled She took a chunk out of my wing.”

“Truly, Sir?”

“Would I lie to you?” I flashed Chesterton a grin then took the offered warm mug. I was about to turn hoping Sasha had enough time to get Armor into clothes.

“Sir! Your sister called last week.” I paused and closed my eyes. Damn it.
“Sir?”

“Why didn’t you forward the message, Chesterton?”

“The Lady never said that it was urgent.”

“My sister was calling to tell me that my mother had a heart attack. I’ve been blaming Hades for not passing on the message.”

The whole kitchen went silent. “My apologies, Sir.”

“I missed the new Lady Regent’s coronation. It has already been brought to my attention that my failure to show up or send a representative has been seen as a slight. I think the fact that it’s my sister is the only reason the Hunter’s haven’t come down hard on Von Drachenfeld. I’ve already been warned to fly under the radar, Chesterton.”

“I have no excuse, Sir.”

“You were fighting with William.”

Chesterton’s face colored and he looked to the ground. “I am sorry that I allowed my pettiness interfere with your family, Lord Sex.”

“What would you do with an employee who deliberately sabotaged you, Harold?”

His head snapped up from the ground and I watched as the color drained from his face. “I would sack them immediately if not worse.”

“Then you should consider yourself lucky, I find you to be a good friend as well as an employee. I already told William that you rule the House. However…I think you need to be gone for a while.”

“Sir?”

“Get out of Von Drachenfeld for two weeks.”

“But…the Lycan need…”

“You shook my faith in you, Harold. I need you out of my face for a while.”

“Yes, Lord Sex.”

I picked up Armor’s mug of blood and turned back out of the kitchen. God, I was giving the boot to everybody. Now I had a call to Shayne and tell her the butler did it. That was going to go over well. Armor was still wearing the dark sunglasses but he was walking in a straight line now. I handed him the mug of blood. He grunted at me. I grunted back then headed down to the occupied closet. I hammered on the door. “Come on! We’re ready.”

I heard some cursing and the sound of body falling. Liam cursed.

Haley and Ping looked so cute snuggling in the corner. He had his hand splayed protectively, possessively across her stomach. Although they were in human form, I swear I could hear happy tails swishing on the tile. I turned around and walked into Vladimir’s chest.

He caught my shoulders to keep me from stumbling then quickly let go. “Lord Alpha.” He held put my daggers and my Glocks. Considering I thought I warned him off, he was all over me. He backed up as if reading my thoughts and returned to the table. I didn’t need to be armed in my own home. I set the deadly bundled on the table and took a seat.

Armor came in and sat down, shoulders straight and wet hair tied back off his face back dressed in his usual caramel colored elegance. Father followed not long after. He had changed out of his wet clothes too. Rroww rroowww, rrroooowww. I knew he kept some clothes in my room of the suit variety as well as hunting clothes but again this was pure unadulterated motorcycle kitten. Painted on black leather pants, black tank His hair was damp so it hung straight down his back. His feet were bare.

Schwing!

Damn it. I was getting an Armor fetish for feet. They looked so pale against the black. I remembered how he moaned when I pressed in the arch….think unsexy thoughts…think unsexy thoughts…

“Okay, let’s get started.”

Hades was flopped at the table with a look of pure satisfaction on his smirky little face. Liam was slightly red flushed but he glowed.

Crap. I had a hard on. I didn’t want to do this but…. “I have something to say.” I stood up and waited until everyone was looking at me. “I have made accusations this week regarding a missed phone call that is having more repercussions than I thought. The Lady Regent is severely pissed that I didn’t show up for her coronation. Even more so disappointed that I didn’t send anyone in my name. William, Hades. I offer my apologies for those spoken words against your character. I also apologize for my unkind thoughts, especially to you Hades. Since returning from Tokyo, your attitude and abilities have improved and it was my own pettiness that made me think you would deliberately cause trouble for me.”

“Who got the message?” Liam asked.

“Chesterton. He has been dealt with accordingly.”

“You fired him?” Armor looked at me from over the rim of his coffee mug.

“We are going to find out if Von Drachenfeld can run without him for the next two weeks.”

“Thank you, Lord Sex.” Hades voice was low and he traced a design on the table top.

“Your words are not necessary, Lord Sex, however they are appreciated and will be cherished because they come from your heart.” Liam bowed in my direction. I sat down and fiddled with my water bottle. Liam returned to the whiteboard then turned and looked at seven Lycan, and eight Vampire – the upper echelon of the House of Assassins and the three top Loyal. “Now, let’s get these fuckers. Nobody, I mean nobody raises a hand to the Blood Emperor without serious and immediate repercussions. Hades.”

The blonde hottie stood up. “Orel Wessel is a secret society that has taken on the dogma of protection of the human race. While they could be out patrolling the streets and saving humans from humans, they have always targeted the ruling Houses – the Blue Bloods.

We are not exactly sure when they started but they came into the limelight during the Blue cull. The worked alongside the Inquisitors in rooting out every Blue in the Old World. Without Liam, working through Lord Emperor Sigmund and effectively burying the Blues in the human race, we would be without our Blood Emperor today.

Orel Wessel works in cells – independent of each other. If I could have tracked down their General after they helped Thomas kill my William…” Liam moved over and stood behind Hades. “It makes it hard, but we have two gifted Vampires among us who should be able to track the leadership back to the beginning Lord Sex and Marcus.”

“Track?” Vladimir questioned.

“I like how the Little Emperor put it. Both he and Marcus can mindfuck someone. Rip out their memories, get to the truth without the delay of torture and breaking someone. Time will be of the essence.”

“HC said the organization is divided.” Haley added in.

“HC?” Liam furrowed his brow.

“The man who dropped off the briefcase.” Kyu piped up.

Hades turned and looked at me, “You had a chance to interrogate a member of Orel Wessel and you let him go?”

“HC saved my life, twice. I owe him a debt.” I returned not backing down.

Hades signed and ran a hand through his hair. “You can be so damn stubborn, Edward.”

“So can you, Cillian.”

“Boys.” Liam spoke up warningly.

“I want to be your friend, Edward.”

“Hell will freeze over first.” Father laid a warning hand on my shoulder and squeezed my collar bone. Oh…my…ooooowwww.

“I should lock you both in a room and let you duke it out.”

I gritted my teeth. “Been there, done that. You got stabbed several times, don’t you remember.”

Liam wrapped his arms around Hades stiffened posture. “You offered. It was declined. Let it go for now. We have to concentrate on keeping him alive, Honeybee. You can try your charms on him when everything is safe again.”

I raised a hand to my face. This was just like a nightmare. Let’s just throw out all my dirty laundry for everyone to see. I tapped Father’s hand. “I think I’ll need my shoulder later.”

“Do not allow Hades to provoke you.”

“Let’s get one with this.”

“Agreed. Our first priority is to capture a cell. We get a cell, we get a line to another one. The quicker we work, the higher up the chain of command we go. We have the Loyal on alert. There are humans who can shoot from a vast distance, but they are few and far between. From now on, we will have to coordinate movement, Blood Emperor. I want the Loyal to sweep the areas you are going to be. No more nasty surprises.”

“What do we do?” Vladimir queried.

“Saitou-san.” Liam gestured to the only female in the room.

Ping stood up and her eyes flashed the familiar feral of an Alpha. “We are going to establish the Imperial territory. This city is going to like the Vatican City. An entity unto itself. Britta the Elder has held her lands for centuries. Her children are many and blood cannot be swayed. We have already declared our intentions with the pup massacre.”

Ping turned toward me, “Lord Alpha. I ask you not to kill anymore Lycan. You should be above the bloodshed. Britta can move against you without challenge because you are a Vampire. She cannot against Haley and myself. You have taken out three Lycan packs as well as three werewolves. Do not sully your hands further. That is what the Imperials are here to do.”

Ping walked around the table to the map taped to the corner of the whiteboard. “We have taken this park. We need to expand by grids. I want the area cleared of Lycan presence before the Female Imperials get here. The Imperial Females only concern should be the wellbeing of Lord Alpha and his mates. Your female will have to move here, immediately, Lord Alpha. As well as your Kitten.” She had a slight smile on her face as she said that.

Claudius sat up a little straighter.

“Now is not the time to divide your family, Lord Alpha. War has been declared upon you even if it has only been whispered. If either of your enemies feel they cannot get to you, they will go after your weaknesses – your matebonds and your unborn children.”

I felt my eyes catch fire.

“Good. There will be a time for them to feel your wrath Lord Alpha and I will pity those that stand in your way. We will coordinate with your Loyal on flushing out the area. It is not uncommon for werewolves to swear fealty to the territory overlord.”

“There may be disgruntled Lycan who are dissatisfied with Britta’s rule as well.” Haley added.

“My matebond is a Prince of her bloodline. Switching their allegiance to Haley is not outside of the realm of our laws. More Lycan will come and join us when the territory is secure. We will rest for now and start tonight. Britta will hear about us soon enough, if she hasn’t already.”

Claudius sat forward, “How did you gather the males for a trial without Britta knowing?”

Vladimir reached into his pocket and pulled out a Blackberry. You are so kidding me.

“Britta is an ancient ruler. She finds comfort in the old ways. A pack call for a new Alpha team would have been transmitted back to her within ten minutes of it being howled. The younger ones, find technology, helpful.”

“Cool. So what do you want me to do?”

Ping turned back towards me, “Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

Liam nodded, “Nothing.”

Hades spoke, “You just continue doing what you have been doing, running Shadoe Inc and playing celebrity. Nice billboard by the way.”

“Playing celebrity?” My voice held my annoyance.

Liam nodded. “Hide in plain sight, Blood Emperor. The news has already tracked you down that you were at the restaurant with the Baroness. That alone has probably made Orel Wessel step back. When they usually attack, they are like a pitbull, they just keep coming. William will write you a statement for the press. He’s actually quiet good at that.”

“Armor, will Marcus cooperate?”

“I cannot speak for him, Hades. I can only say that he does not wish anyone harm.”

Ping swept her hair behind one ear, “There is only one more thing.”

Pyotr lunged at me from his chair as he swept my weapons to the floor. Armor reacted with quick speed. He slammed his coffee mug on the table and used a broken chard to drive it into the back of the orangish Lycan’s hand. Armor rose and grabbed the Lycan by the throat and tossed him aside like a bag of chips. Claudius reacted the same way on the opposite side. Kyu found himself on the floor clutching a wretched knee. Manu took a hard shot to the diaphragm and slumped over the table. I gestured for a Glock and it flew to my hand. Armor back handed Baojia hard across the face. The Lycan dropped. The grip settled in my palm and I twisted, flipping off the safety and centered the muzzle right between little Vlad’s forehead.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” I stared down at Vladimir. His eyes were feral gold and he was just vibrating with tension. “Lord Alpha….put up your weapon.”

Vladimir eased back and lowered himself to my foot. Those Lycan able to move dropped into reverent pose.

Ping nodded at all of us, Armor, Father and moi. “I think it is safe to say that you do not need a Lycan presence with you at all times. Your matebonds will be more than enough to protect you if necessary, Blood Emperor. Haley, help them back to their den.”

Vladimir kissed the top of my doc before rising and helping Haley get Kyu out of the war room.

“Leave Orel Wessel to us, Little Emperor. It is more of a personal matter.”

“They shot me.”

“I can one up you, Lord Emperor. They killed me.” Liam returned coldly. I flipped the safety back on and lowered my muzzle.

There a knock at the door. Riot bowed and entered. “Chesterton is ready to leave.”

“I changed my mind, Riot. Chesterton is under house arrest for two weeks. He can’t leave his room that entire time. I’m not disappointed to the point I want him dead.”

“Yes, Lord Sex.”

“I’ll get started on your press release.” Williams voice sounded out of the Billy Envoy body. Considering he was the original possessor, I actually found it strange not to hear Liam.

Hades rose, “I’ll go help.”

“Actually, you will just bother him, Hades.” Claudius finally spoke up.

“Aside from the present company, William doesn’t mind me bothering him. Blood Emperor.” I didn’t watch Hades leave.

“Lord Alpha. I have a personal matter I would like to discuss with you.”

Armor nodded. “I am going to get some rest. Father, Sex.” He reached out and pulled me close, pressing brotherly lips to my forehead. “Tell Azrael, he has touched Marcus’ soul with his music. I have never known Marcus to be so moved.”

“Meet me in the music room, Fallen. I will have something substantial brought for your evening meal. Hot dogs are less than fulfilling fare.” Claudius pulled my chin towards him and gave me one smokin’ promise of carnal delight kiss. He smiled against my mouth then turned and walked out of the room. I just watched…and drooled…onto my shirt. Damn it.

“Lord Alpha.” I turned back to Ping. “I won’t beat around the bush over this. Did you mean to marry Vladimir?”

The smile of indulgence slid off my face, “What?”

“You dominated him. You marked his ear in front of Haley. Did you truly intend to make Vladimir your latest matebond?”

“God, no.”

“Lycan mate for life, Lord Alpha.”

Crap. Crap. Crapcrapcrap.

* * *