Jaden

Whew at last, it took awhile to complete this next chapter. Anyway I hope everyone enjoys it. So please do leave me a review and let me know what you think, I love hearing from you. Any way hope you all enjoy.


Chapter 30
(The Unknown)

When Marcus woke up he was surprised to see Cindra and Alexia in the room with them. The only other time they did that, was when someone had trespassed onto the property. The human was lucky enough to get away minus a few pieces of cloth from his pants, but the dogs felt danger and stood guard by their masters’ sides refusing to leave them.

It was not until the security system had been examined did they see that it was a homeless man trying to find shelter in the horse’s barn and then chased away by the dogs. Within a few days the dogs went back to their usual behavior, Marcus realized that they were being protective since they could not catch the intruder. And now they were acting the same tonight.

Leaving Jaden in bed with Cindra to watch over him he got up and dressed quickly. Alexia shadowed Marcus wherever he went. He found Victor with Dreda beside him; he greeted his brother and asked if Adrian was near by.

“He is checking the security cameras to see if they picked up anything, the last time this happened it was a homeless human.” Victor indicated towards the dogs.

“Yes, if I am not mistaking, Brea is beside Adrian?” Marcus asked.

Victor nodded and turned to go up towards the main house with Marcus closely following as well as the two remaining dogs, they would not leave their masters until they feel at ease.

“Brea will not leave Adrian’s side.” Replied Victor with determination in his voice, he wondered what agitated the dogs; he hoped it was nothing serious.

Once outside they walked the perimeter of the grounds and then moved closer to the house; the dogs were anxious to lead them around to certain areas on the property and ended their search standing outside the window that looked into the den.

Marcus knelt down and noticed footprints close to the wall and even though it snowed it did not cover completely the evidence of someone standing so close to the house. The eaves kept it from being completely covered, and they could see that it definitely was footprints that had been scuffled.

“It appears whoever was here, may have been chased away by the ladies.” Marcus spoke as he continued to study the markings in the snow, while petting the dogs affectionately.

“Very good job ladies, you have all done well.” The dogs wagged their tails with the praise and growled towards the prints as if daring it to do anything.

Both men stood there studying the markings on the ground, “What do you make of it, human? Or …. Not human.” Asked Victor, as he turned to look at his brother.

Marcus shook his head, “I am not quite sure what to make of it. I am almost positive, had it been human he would not be so fortunate as to get away from the ladies so easily, the snow is quite deep in some areas.”

The human that got away the last time, had no problem escaping. Although it was cold it had not snowed, making it easier for him to run away. The fact that the man was young and had long legs allowed him to run quickly, with four huge mastiffs growling at his heels he ran like the wind.

Marcus turned to look at the grounds near by, no other markings to give away if someone had been running. But he did notice an area that looked questionable and he directed Victor’s eyes to look down in the snow.

“What do you see Victor?”

Victor looked hard into the grounds; grateful that the snow fall from the previous night was not heavy. Which allowed him to see where the dogs have been running, he could see a cluster of their paw prints as if they stopped, searching that part of the land.

Everywhere he looked he was able to see evidence of the dogs running, chasing whatever it is that had them in predatory mode. But everywhere he looked. No footprints made by man, except for the ones near the window.

Both men looked at each other, their eyes slowly bled dark blue almost black, they ran following the patterns of the dog’s paw prints, following in the same path the dogs ran trying to re-trace the events as they happened by studying the dogs deep heavy prints in the snow.

They came to an abrupt stop when they found another set of footprints, only it did not make a deep indentation in the snow. It looked more like the feet barely touched down. They continued to track more of the dogs trail stopping close to the stone wall furthest from the house.

It was there they found a deeper print in the snow, as if someone jumped over the wall to land so close on the inside. They could make out the heels pressed up against the wall.

When they could not find anything more they headed back towards the house, anger simmering below the surface. It was Victor who could not keep silent anymore and he turned towards his brother.

“The pattern of the prints we did find was not made by a human.”

Marcus touched his brother’s shoulder agreeing with him.

“If it is human, I would like to meet the person who can jump over the wall, to jump almost six hundred feet into the property then another two hundred and thirty feet more to stand outside the window. No brother, I agree with you this was not made by human feet.”

Now Victor’s eyes was pure black as the abyss, trying to remain calm not wanting to worry his mate or Marcus’s mate. His voice hissed in cold anger as he spoke.

“Then who? Who would have the audacity to trespass on our house? What vampire would risk everything to act so foolishly?”

Marcus managed to control his anger; it was definitely a vampire that could make those prints out there. The footprints alone prove that whoever it was flew from one area to the next. They both looked into each other’s eyes and realized something even more frightening and they spoke at the same time.

“What vampire can go around unnoticed?”

Marcus moved back as if an invisible fist punched him in the gut, fear gripped his soul.

“Is it possible Victor? There is a vampire out there that can not be sensed by us or any other vampire? That is not possible; there cannot be such a creature.”

Victor shook his head in denial, “It cannot be. All vampires are able to sense each other’s presence when they are close. No matter how strong and powerful we are other vampires can sense our presence even the youngest if they pay attention will know we are near.”

It was a defense mechanism for vampires, to know when another was near. It was comforting security to have the ability at a time when vampires fought for almost everything, land, money, even to enslave younger less powerful vampires. It is a comforting ability to have especially at a time when vampires could not care less if they killed each other.

One thing that was certain no vampire could ever sneak up undetected without the other knowing. The ability to sense the other’s presence came naturally from the newly made to the oldest vampire. In fact as soon as the new vampire awakens in his or her new world they already have the ability to sense others.

Both Marcus and Victor stood there in the caves living room trying to wrap this concept around their minds. A vampire undetected, how powerful and how dangerous could this be?

They quickly made their way to the office to find Adrian scanning the property and re-playing the cameras back over and over to see if anything could be seen, he did not miss the worried look on their faces even when they tried to down play their concerns.

“I have been playing everything back from the previous night, nothing. I see the ladies running, growling and chasing something. Whatever it is the cameras did not pick it up.”

Adrian re-winded the images when Marcus asked him, all three sat there watching. They could see nothing, just the dogs as they were walking around to suddenly stop and sniff the air.

Then they ran out towards the dense foliage in the woods and then to come back into view at the side of the house where the den’s window was. It was confirmed that it had to be a vampire, because most of the time whatever the dogs were chasing they would look up growling and barking as if something was flying above them.

They watched as the dogs snarling exposing their canines in warning, only to stand in surprise as if they lost something and then run around in circles to try and capture whatever they were chasing. They stood their ground, protecting, guarding their master’s territory. After awhile they clamed and ran to their designated entrances to the house.

Suddenly Marcus and Victor looked at each, with an urgency so great, Marcus ran out of the office with Alexia following him. Victor’s arm was grabbed by Adrian, the look in his amethyst eyes was fearful.

“Victor! Please tell me, what is going on?”

Victor grabbed Adrian and made him sit back down. Pointing to the monitors he ordered him to scan everything in the house and the caves below.

“I also want you to monitor the underwater caves and tunnels, if you see anything, anything at all call me, we have our communicators on. In the meantime I am sealing down this portion of the caves to keep you and Jaden safely inside. The ladies will remain with you until Marcus and I return.”

Victor’s fingers moved lightning fast as he entered codes in the computer, then he made a gesture with his hand to the dogs as both of them, Brea and Dreda sat by Adrian’s legs not letting him move. Before Adrian could protest, Victor grabbed him and kissed him hard. “Stay” he ordered as if he were one of the dogs. Then he ran out to join his brother.

Marcus led Alexia to his bedroom door and ordered her to stay. He looked inside to see that Jaden was still sleeping and ordered Cindra to stay giving the dogs the sign to protect.

It occurred to the brothers that the intruder could have been watching when the dogs made their way back to the house, and so they ran down to the underwater caves and tunnels and searched every inch, every darkened corner. Not letting up until they were absolutely sure the place was empty and safe.

Nothing seemed out of place even if the vampire did manage to find his way in, the traps they have installed would set off the alarms and the vampire would be killed immediately.

Knowing that their security system is top notched they had nothing to fear. But they needed to search if only to satisfy their own peace of mind. Afterwards they soon returned to the office where Adrian waited for their return.

“The security systems in the lower caves and tunnels are highly sensitive, even if a mist, of a ghost or a hint of vampire powers where to pass the scanners the alarms would go off and kill whatever entered. The ladies are safe because their DNA is encoded into the systems not to harm them, only the ladies and we are safe to pass those instruments. However, if anything else gets in, well, let us just say it would not be pretty.”

Adrian assured them nothing could get past the systems below as he sat on Victor’s lap, feeling better now that he was made aware of their concerns. Having Victor’s strong arms hold him close also helped to soothe his shaken nerves.

“The idea of a vampire able to move around and not have his presence known is impossible. I, well I, I just do not know. But I am certain if there is such a creature the security systems below would put an end to it.” Adrian shrugged his shoulders, unable to fathom the kind of power that the unknown vampire possessed.

Marcus nodded in agreement, he and Adrian worked so hard to fine tune their security systems. They built it from the ground up; it was so good that the alarms would alert them if a rat or even if an ant crawled over the scanner lens, triggering a prison like lock down and weapons becoming active.

He lost count how many times the system would go off, almost to the point of driving them crazy. The alarms are silent with only a high pitched sound the vampires can hear. No human would ever hear it, and they had to end up re-configuring the codes in the system to recognize animals from humans and humans from other entities.

Marcus let out a deep sigh of relief; with his hands he smoothed back his hair away from his face. Leaning back into his chair, he sat there thinking,

“I do know that whatever was here is gone now. I would suggest that even if Victor and I are in the house, that all means of entry remained sealed until we can know for sure.”

Getting up from his chair Marcus walked around the office, the fear of an intruder had him agitated and he was finding it difficult to completely relax, “It is better to be safe then sorry.” He whispered.

“We are going to have to bring in the security detail Marcus; I hate it as much as you do. However we can not afford to become complacent.”

Marcus nodded in agreement to his brother’s statement. The business of leading the House of Drakar` is demanding and it has always been kept separate from the estate. Here they had privacy and peace, no generals and captains to complain about tighter security and body guards to follow where ever they went.

No administrative pencils pushers with endless reports and documents needing their approval and signatures. No assistants, secretaries and servants hanging around them anxious to follow their orders to please them.

Vampires, not exactly master vampires. But powerful enough with their own smaller houses under the umbrella of the larger master vampires. They would come forth with complaints, and even bitter rivalries among other vampires. Vying for the attention of Drakar` House, which is why Marcus, Victor and Adrian enjoyed being home away from house issues.

For centuries Drakar` House has grown very powerful and wealthy, with both Marcus and Victor leading the helm. There are two major houses within the United States alone, each house split up their territories according to the time zones.

Drakar` covered the entire eastern side, Costica House covered pacific. Mountain and central time zones were equally shared by both houses and were considered neutral zones between the two houses.

They all reluctantly agreed that for the time being, that security and other house officials would have to be allowed within the walls of their home, safety before privacy is paramount for now. Marcus would have to let Jaden know, he did not want his mate to become frightened when more vampires start walking around the estate.

Reluctantly Adrian got up from his mate’s lap, walking over to the desk he picked up the cell phone and handed it to Marcus. Both Victor and Marcus arched their eyebrows in confusion looking towards him for answers.

It was bad enough that Adrian was spooked about this strange vampire, however now he had to be the bearer of more bad news.

“Well” Adrian shrugged, “It appears that I have very bad news and very little good news.”

“Adrian?” Victor frowned as he spoke to him. Marcus looked at the cell phone, but kept silent.

Adrian returned to his chair and sat down; the recent events had him feeling anxious and tired.

“Master Ami received your message Marcus, in regards to Jaden. However, he and the council have more pressing matters. The master has requested your presence Victor, as for you Marcus, he has demanded yours.”

Being demanded to appear before the council was not always a good thing, Marcus kept in mind that he would have to answer for Jaden, but he did not believe it would be a serious issue.

Yes they would not be happy, but once they realize how it all happened they would understand and demand he pay a fine of some kind. Case closed. Looking at Adrian he knew it had to be more.

“While you and Victor, were outside searching for this, this bastard.” Adrian hissed in anger, “The Master called, and yes he was actually on the phone, not his first or any other assistant hanging over him. Master Ami himself called.”

Victor barely shrugged his shoulders in that old aristocratic way, wanting to make light of the situation.

“Surely the Master and the council could not be that angry with Marcus, once it is all explained they will see why it happened. Jaden is now his mate; they cannot and will not deny him his mate.”

Marcus seemed to come out of his silent trance, gesturing towards the cell phone.

“Did Master Ami ask that I call him back?”

“Actually” answered Adrian, “Master Ami insisted that I tell you, that you are to call him as soon as possible.”

They all looked at the time, Adrian nodded, “Yes at this time they are all sleeping, however he insisted that you call his private number and listen to the message he has left you. He has stayed awake long enough to tell me that.”

Marcus fidgeted with the cell phone before asking, “Very well, now what is the good news?”

Adrian looked away sadly, holding on to Victor’s hand, “That was the good news.” He whispered.

Now Victor was getting angry, this is why they moved their house to the new world. The council can be intrusive and overbearing; overseeing all issues big and small to make sure all houses adhered to protocol. At times they can be insufferable to constantly remind the houses of their responsibilities.

They were not always sympathetic and it was very rare if they showed any leniency. By not living in the same country lessened the opportunity for them to be called upon to solve even meaningless problems. They also had the talent to encroach on their privacy, always trying to influence their ways.

“The council is full of themselves, if they think that for one minute we will allow them to dictate Jaden’s future well……”

Suddenly Adrian grabbed Victor’s hand, pulling him to kneel down so that he could look into his eyes. He was frightened and looked about ready to cry. Victor caressed his mate’s hands and kissed his fingers. Thinking that Adrian was still shaken over the unknown intruder.

“My love? There is nothing to fear, Marcus and I made absolutely sure that the intruder is gone.

Marcus also sat back down in his chair, sitting close to Adrian trying to comfort his brother’s mate fears.

“No!” cried Adrian softly, “It is not that.” When he looked back into the eyes of the brothers there was anger in his amethyst eyes. But his voice remained soft as he spoke.

“It has happened again, another vampire; in fact two vampires have been murdered. The master vampire, Günter Storka and his first Elsa are dead. Tomorrow night his house will be broken down, all who lived within that house will petition other houses for protection”

Upon hearing this news all three were stunned into silence, someone or something has been killing vampires; Marcus and Victor were not able to find out who was responsible. It has always remained a mystery and the murders left unsolved. Three years have past since the last murder.

Marcus sat there cold stone with the news, a sarcastic smile crossed his lips as he freely expressed his thoughts.

“Let me guess, since there is no one capable enough to run Storka House. That leaves the other houses to step in to help. I would not be surprised if Barnabe welcomes most of the lost lambs, there by allowing him to also lay a larger claim to Storka’s wealth.”

Victor stood up and began pacing the room like a restless lion, “That conniving bastard, he cares nothing for those in need, his only interest is to fill his pockets. If he had his way he would declare himself king and enslave the entire vampire nation under his thumb.”

Marcus agreed, “I will wager that Ignatius would not be too far behind him. As you re-call when the second murder happened that house was solely claimed by him.”

Adrian could not help but shudder at the mention of the second name; Victor noticed and quickly lifted him off the chair to have him sit back on his lap. He held him close, caressing him; Adrian smiled at his mate and assured him he was fine. Realizing what that name meant to Adrian, Marcus apologized. Adrian waived his hands dismissing their concerns for him.

“It is all right, I am not so fragile that I would crumble at the sound of that name. It just caught me off guard, it is only a name. As for the man, he is dead to me.”

While holding Adrian close, his hand rubbing his back for comfort, Victor snorted in disgust.

“Those two should have mated, they are so alike. I do remember how they came forward to equally share that fist house. They took everything, but I never felt it was out of the kindness of their hearts. Most of the members left them to join with other houses; some of them came to us.”

“Yes” Marcus answered softly, “They also came forward when the second murder happened three years ago, and it was not a very large house. But there was gold to be claimed and it was solely claimed by Ignatius. Helping to increase his house’s financial strong hold, when others complained. It was Barnabe who supported his claim, convincing the rest of the council members that it was only fair.”

Adrian turned towards Marcus, “That would make four dead in the past ten years. I liked Lord Storka; he was always kind and fair. Anyone joining his house never left, they were happy to live and serve under his protection. ”

Victor shook his head in disbelief, “Elsa, she was a fine warrior and an excellent first, how is it possible that someone or something was able to bring her down. She and I used to practice the swords whenever I would visit, such amazing skills. I almost lost to her the last time we met.”

Marcus sighed sadly as he too remembered his old friend; Günter Storka was as old as him. They have known each for centuries and have most of the times agreed when new law was written. They both ran houses fairly and shared the same ideas of house rules and laws. [How is it possible?] Marcus thought to himself, Günter was not an easy target.

There was silence in the room; each man lost in his own thoughts. Thinking about the threat of an unknown intruder, and now another murder. They are supposed to be powerful creatures, master vampires are more powerful then the elite vampires.

The elite are more powerful then lesser or average vampires. An ancient beats them all, and only an ancient vampire can be a member of the council. For being so powerful it was hard for them to believe how easily one can be brought down.

It was then when Marcus spoke, his voice low as if coming to a conclusion.

“Master Ami is an ancient”

“Of course he is.” Victor replied absently while he continued to hold Adrian close to himself.

Marcus blinked; he was really thinking out loud not expecting an answer. Now he needed to stand up and pace it helped to put his thoughts into perspective.

“Each council member is an ancient, and only an ancient can claim a sit on the council.”

No one said anything; they watched Marcus as he continued to slowly walk the room. He would walk to one end turn and walk to the other end and repeat his movements while he spoke.

“The ancients are powerful, which justifies their right to council. They have tremendous wealth that has surpassed anyone’s imagination. In physical strength alone, we are poorly outmatched compared to them.”

“What is the point Marcus?” asked Victor, “with all of their power, money and even physical strength as you say. It means nothing if they cannot get the support of other vampires. More importantly the support of master vampires. One ancient against two or more masters could be defeated, not easily defeated but the ancient will eventually fall. As always a leader is useless if there is no real power and wealth to support them.”

Marcus stopped pacing, smiling he looked into his brother’s eyes. Ice blue to ice blue, Victor arched his eyebrow in curiosity as he stared back at Marcus.

“Barnabe, or should I say if I had any real respect for him. Master Barnabe is an ancient, a very rich and powerful ancient. So why Victor would Barnabe want to claim any of the fallen houses? It cannot be for the money, he has more then he needs. Why did he not do what other ancients have done in the past?”

Now it was Victor who stood up and approached his brother, they stood facing each other. Adrian sat back down to watch the brothers, not sure where this conversation was going. His hands clasped together trying to keep warm, when he would get nervous his hands got cold.

“Marcus what are you thinking?”

Marcus let out a small laugh.

“It is also true that not all ancients are wealthy, for whatever reason it is and that is why they do not hold a place in the council. However the eight members who do are absurdly wealthy and powerful, they want for nothing. In fact none of the other members offered to take part in the fallen houses before, why is that Victor, can you tell me why?”

Victor frowned, and snorted at his brother as if he was being stupid.

“You very well know why, the other members did not need to claim anything, they have more then they can handle. It is one of the stipulations to be a council member. Further more it was only fair that the other houses have a chance to help as well, to help build credibility and strength to their own houses if they agreed to offer protection to the fallen houses. The ancients have no real need to….to”

It was then that Victor stumbled away from Marcus, Adrian grabbed his hand again as he too began to realize where Marcus was going with his question.

“No, it is not possible. Barnabe is not a fool; he would not risk everything for a mere pittance compared to what he already has? Ignatius is not an ancient; however I do understand why he would step forward. He has always been a greedy pig, how his house has not fallen apart by now is a mystery in of itself.”

Marcus agreed, “Yes Ignatius is a master of his own house. But who can say that he is not in bed with Barnabe? Ignatius is a cheap whore and I would not put it past him. They are in it together Victor, somehow with Barnabe’s help Ignatius killed them.”

“It does make sense.” Agreed Victor, “Barnabe and Ignatius claimed the first house.”

“Ignatius claimed the second house.” Whispered Adrian in fear.

“You mark my words; either Barnabe or Ignatius will step up and lay claims to Storka House.” Marcus’s spoke with conviction.

“But why? Marcus why would they want to kill our kind?” Adrian asked, he tried not to show any fear in his voice but was not very successful. He needed Victor close to him and was grateful when he felt his strong arms about him.

Victor looked up at his brother, “I can see how easily this can be believed, but I must admit it is far fetched. An ancient and master vampire killing our kind, they of all vampires know the penalty for such a crime. I myself would prefer true death.”

Marcus nodded in agreement as he sat back down in his chair, already this evening was the beginning of a nightmare. He wanted to go back to his room, seeing his brother embrace Adrian made him want to be with his mate. He found himself fidgeting with the cell phone he still held in his hand.

Adrian turned towards Marcus to look directly at him; he himself was having a hard time to believe that an ancient would kill another vampire. Gone were the days of vampires doing as they all please, the council was created to help unite them.

The council brought order and peace, so that they could live among themselves. Without killing each other and lessen the risk of exposure. The stronger protected the weaker ones, and all were held accountable for their actions.

“Marcus how can you be sure, I know what you say makes sense. But how can you prove it? Even if they do step forward and claim Storka’s house, it does not necessarily mean they are the murderers.”

Marcus could only shrug and nod his head in reply, even if it were true he could never hope to prove it.

“Somehow, I must be able to convince Master Ami, and hope that he will not rip off my head. One thing is for certain, if they both or separately step forward, than this is too much of a coincidence and it cannot be ignored. I am almost sure that other council members would be forced to question it.”

There was beep from the cell phone when Marcus accidentally pressed one of its buttons. He had been purposely ignoring the phone, wishing he was in his room making love to his green-eyed beauty.

Sighing deeply in defeat, he reluctantly put the phone in its cradle turning on the speakers, he quickly dialed the number and waited to hear the message Master Ami left him.