Clove : Book 4 of Lord Emperor Vampire Series

I am trying for a OMG moment at the end of the chappie. Evilness..bwah hahahaha.

I have had to take a second job, so chapters might be a little erratic. It’ll depend if this job is mind numbing or not.

ATOI: Yes, I misspelled Vladimir in the last chappie. Oops. As for your Skell question….read on McDuff.

There will a human family reunion, however, we just ain’t there yet.

As always, I appreciate your comments and kudos and jabs with a pointy stick. Just stay away from my eyes. :P Oh, I had sent Cake off to another publisher. I havent’ heard anything back yet, but once I do, I’ll have something up in the rants section. Waiting with baited breath. ENJOY! Ayachan; Marin Liliz; Asyen Mari; Duelriel; Rosei; Spirit; shiden; Dark Avenger; DHH; k; Rosemary; laur; and ATOI(x4)


Chapter 168: Nurture

Cleaners. Well that was just efficient. Really it was. Don’t think I’d like that job though. By the time we got back to Von Drachenfeld, it was all over. My beat down of Vlad. The fact that I kept up with Haley. The death in the Alley. I honestly thought Father would be standing there at the elevator when it opened. It was deserted. The whole of the halls were deserted.

The Lycan bowed and headed off down toward their den. Haley escorted me back to Armor and Xavier’s room, gave me quick kiss on the forehead and hug then bounced back down the hall. “I like running with you Alpha Skell.”

I sat on the re-made bed. It seemed like anything I did out in the open air lead to a killing. I looked down at my hands. I could make music with these hands. I could kill with these hands. I had blood on these hands that would never come clean. Out, damn spot.

“You can be gentle, Skell.” I looked up at my Blueberry. Hm. I was so wallowing in self pity that I didn’t even sense him.

“Lanny.” He came over to me and knelt between my legs. His tanned flesh looked so dark against my paleness as he picked up my hands with his own massive lean paws. “Why is killing so easy for me?”

Even kneeling, he was eye level with me. He raised his hand and brushed at the tears that were pearling in my lashes. I didn’t even know I was crying. “I think it a question of nature vs nurture. You were raised as an orphan Skell under the thumb of a cruel and wicked workhouse master called Orel Wessel. What you know as the norm…others would find abhorrent.”

“I killed him.”

“He shot at you. You are within your rights as just a regular Vampire and as Emperor.”

“I’m not Emperor. Xavier is. Even Sex doesn’t claim that title.”

“You are Hashmalliam.”

“I don’t want to be world destruction.”

“Who said that Hashmalliam is world destruction?” His hand cupped the side of my face and I leaned into him. Just that contact made me feel part of this life. I wanted to much to be part of this pod.

“What you are living in how, is the vision of the last Hashmalliam. Previously, all Bloods, humans too, were in loose knit family groupings. Clans if you will. There was bloodshed everywhere. Clan against Clan. Blood against Blood. You even had family members killing family members in great numbers. Hashmalliam ascended and re-ordered the world. Because it was a time of violence, he had to use violence to change it. The Thirteen Bloods races were unified. Within each Blood race they were organized into Thirteen Houses or families. Of course, the Vampires are organized into Fifteen. Thirteen Houses for the Red Vampires. Two Great Houses for the Blue.’

‘Hashmalliam can be a gentle breeze that blows litter away. Hashmalliam can be a tornado that devastates a trailer park. It is up to you, Lord Skell which you will be.”

“You’re not making this easier.”

“That which doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. You were born of Orel Wessel. They did not kill you. They wounded but did not kill your brothers. Orel Wessel has made you stronger than they could have ever realized.”

Lanny looked at me with those smiling red irises. “Lean on me if you need to, Skell.” He lifted my hand and pressed his lips to my knuckles. It was nothing like what Vladimir did. I felt warm and fuzzy with Lanny.

“I want to kiss you.”

Lanny pulled my hand he had in his hand around his shoulder and he leaned into me, closing his eyes and lifting his face. I blinked and just stared down at him. I just killed someone with my bare hands and the blue haired Seer just…just… I started crying. How can someone trust me so completely? I was caught up in a strong embrace. The scent of blueberries filled my head but I was emotionally fragile. I tried to pull back but Lanny tightened his hold.

“Lean on me when you are weary, Skell. I will lend you strength until you can stand on your own again.” That just made everything worse. We ended up on the floor, my head pillowed on his chest and my hand stretching his shirt tight across his chest as I clung like a possum. “Cry if you have to. Release the pain that has taken hold of your soul. Remember, you are strong.”

His arm was across my shoulders and his other hand stroked my back between my wing scars in a circular motion. Another hand settled on the back of my head. Clove now intermingled with blueberry. “If you must know, Barry Kench has always been an asshole right from his birthing. His death is of no loss to the Nation. But, you need to get your feet under you now, my son. Weakness can be explored at a later time. Everyone knows that the youngest brother is in charge today. You need to get your game face on. If you cannot, send out Azrael. He can fake it if he must.”

I pushed myself off of Lanny and brushed as my eyes. “I’m good.”

Father stoked the back of my head. “No you are not, but as I have said, welcome to your new life. You do what you must to get what you want, Skell. Today, you must take up the mantle of Head of the House of Assassins and CEO of Shadoe Inc.”

“And what do I want?”

“That--I will leave you and Lanseng to discover.” Father offered his hand again. He pulled me to my feet then reached past me to pull Lanseng back to verticality as well. “I would like to stand by your side today, Skell, however, I am deposed and barred entry. I need to find a place to live any way. Lanseng cannot stand by you either however Marcus has left for the office already.”

“What do I do?” My voice was rather small and low.

“Take a shower. Lanseng has brought you a suit. It is more suitable than anything hanging in Xavier’s closet. I will get a protein blood shake prepared by Chesterton. You have ten minutes to get out to the limo if you are getting to the office by 8:00 a.m.”

Father kissed the top of my head brushed at my cheeks again to wipe my face clean of my tears then bowed his head and departed. I just watched him go. Lanny wrapped his arms around me from behind. “You can trust Claudius. Everything he does is selfless motivation for his family.”

“I know that. I want nothing more than to spend some time with you Lanny but…”

“I’m not above a quickie.”

I narrowed my eyes, “Sex told Father that he was someone to be savored. You, my tall blueberry fall into that category. I never want to rush you. A testament to Darius, Kevin and you. I don’t want to be a selfish lover anymore.”

“I will wait for your savoring then.” He gave me a slight push toward the bathrooms. “Eight minutes and counting, my Lord.”

Six minutes were spent on my hair. This was ridiculous. I brushed my fangs in the shower. I scrubbed every place else and jumped out into a warm fluffy towel. I was more than a little stunned to find the bedroom filled with staff. Lanny had the joy of getting me into my boxers. Chesterton held my hair then pulled a shirt over my head while another lifted a leg and got a sock on my foot. A pant leg got pulled on then a black Doc. I was fully dressed in a minute. My hair was still damp though.

Lanny lead me to a floor length mirror and I gapped. I looked good. He had picked out a vintage 60’s style mod suit, cut close to the body with olive peg leg pants. I had on a cream sleeveless mock turtle neck. The suit jacket was a dark hunter green, light heather green with a black in a plaid wool sharkskin with narrow lapels. It made my eyes seem to glow. “Leave your hair down.”

“Thank you for the suit.”

“You are beautiful Skell. Even more so because you are truly not aware of it. Orel Wessel taught you to be a killer. Allow Von Drachenfeld to show you how to be a son, a brother, a father and a lover.” His red eyes matched mine in the mirror. “I am honored to be at your beck and call, my Lord.”

My gear was strapped and locked and loaded. “Good to go.”

“Show them what a Vampire of the Royal Lineage can do, Lord Emperor – Blood Emperor.”

I nodded and he gestured for me to lead the way out the door. I am Skell Von Drachenfeld. I faltered in my step. This was the first time I called myself that – Von Drachenfeld. I might have thought I was an orphan but I have found my true family. I had blood on my hands but it wasn’t held against me. Lanny was here. Father was here. Claudius handed me a metallic green travel mug.

“You are well?”

“A little shaken but not stirred.”

I got a smirk back at that. “The topped ranked will be there. Rule them with an iron fist, Skell. If you show any weakness, it will be just like the challenges Marcus had to constantly fight off, just not so in the open.”

“You can’t come?”

“Sex so brilliantly kicked me out of the House yesterday in front of the whole assembled rank. I cannot. You look spectacular by the way.” He stepped forward and pressed a kiss to my temple. “It is gratifying to know that you cry. That is a talent that runs through the brothers three. Now brothers four. Be well today, Skell.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Claudius stepped back and bowed gallantly.

Holy Crap. I thought the view from Von Drachenfeld was spectacular. It paled in comparison to the panoramic vista from the office of the CEO of Shadoe Inc. Then again, this office was about sixty stories higher than home. I reached out and touched the glass. I had a home. Warm fingers curled around my heart and squeezed it gently. I had a place that I belonged to.

And, I had a Personal Assistant who was about to have kittens in the next room. Paul had hyperventilated for about half a minute then pulled himself together and began the change in the new regime. Only the ranked had been to the Challenge. Only the ranked knew I had saved Claudius’ life. Only the ranked knew I had won; and apparently, the ranked can keep secrets. which resulted in Paul leaning over in his chair outside my office door with his head between his knees about forty-five minutes ago. Aside from a new CEO, the fact that there was to be a disciplinary hearing, a whipping, at 10:00 a.m. was another surprise that really didn’t endear me to my PA.

He was quite apologetic that Claudius’ decorating scheme hadn’t been changed. I turned back to my office and scanned the area. I didn’t mind it. Actually based on Xavier’s memories, it basically was pretty much the same as the 40’s sensibilities, Elder brother seemed to favor. There were a few touches were and there that reeked of pure class and that was Father’s contributions. Long green leather couches across from the security grid, wall-of-sound. I smiled at the hellcat sculptures. They had to be hellcats, there just seemed to be personality pouring out of the stone.

Paul had cancelled every appointment for the day except for one – which basically was a ‘work’ call. When Claudius came out of the office, it was basically tits up for whoever was messing with the contracts. The Black Death was the ultimate troubleshooter. Hades reign, he liked to intermingle with the clients. He was the consummate businessman. Xavier was Claudius’ model. If you got a face to face with the CEO, you were in serious trouble or you were on the last day of your life. I’m not a mingler so I think I was going to follow Father’s example. A Glock to the forehead can get results pretty quick.

“Lord Marcus is here.”

Hmmm. Azrael was all warm and fuzzy for this big guy. Xavier was standoffish but not actively hating. Sex was…well Sex. Marcus was in the good books with him for now. I was going to have to draw my own conclusions. Sure enough, a huge hulk of a man filled my doorway. He had on tan dockers, brown oxfords, a beige button down dress shirt, a brown plaid jacket with suede patches on the elbows and collar. He was a vision in brown. His hair was loosely pulled back and clipped in place. But it was his eyes that were so telling. He was happy and content.

“Brother.”

His face broke out into a smile. “Yes, we are.”

Paul pulled the door shut behind him.

“You seem to be handling this well.”

“Freaking out won’t make things better, so I’m coping.”

“I understand there was an incident this morning.”

“I was shot at. I took care of the shooter.”

“Kench. He has applied to the House a number of times, but he had been found – lacking.”

“He was a dink.”

“Yes, he was. Still, his Mother is an influential member in DuBussey. It might be best to send an envoy to her. Better yet, she is on reasonable terms with Father, you should send him.”

I frowned, “I thought he was out of the loop now.”

“He is part of Von Drachenfeld. You are his son and Elizabeth knows what position Father has held in the House. That should defuse any possible repercussions.” He cocked his head sideways and waved his arm in at me, “That actually suits you, Skell.”

“Lanny’s idea.”

“He has a good eye.”

“He likes me.”

“I think he loves you Skell. I thought he was going to come between Azrael and myself but he has shown himself to be a good friend – a foster brother if you will. There are no assigns?”

“I don’t have a clue.”

“May I?” I nodded. Marcus searched through the glass desk. No folder marked today’s killing. He moved out to the PA’s desk. He came back and shrugged. “Paul said that there were four assigns but contracts came and retrieved them. Something about protocol…”

“So what do we do until then?”

Marcus took his long self and stretched out on the leather couch. “Rest. Once 10:00 o’clock roles around, you will be occupied for the rest of the day.”

Must be nice. He actually drifted off. I wandered through the office and found a small sleeping quarters complete with a full bath. I shucked my jacket and crawled on the bed and then proceeded to just stare at the ceiling. My mind was clear and calm but my body was restless. I knew what it wanted. I sat up. My hair was now dry and hung in a straight curtain behind me. I reached back and loosely braided my hair into one long tail the slid off the bed, padding quietly back to the office. Marcus had shifted to his side and had one arm extended under his head the other was on my his side with the elbow bent and hand on his stomach.

The scent of the apple orchard was a trigger. It just wasn’t a sexual thing. It also was a safety device. A little niggling in the back of my mind told me that this Vampire would protect me. I eased myself onto the couch, slowly as not to wake him up.

“About time.” His hand moved off his stomach wrapped around my waist and plastered me back against his warm body. My head was now pillowed my his arm. His breath warmed the back of my neck. “You told me once, that you cannot sleep without a whole lotta of Vampire at your back. Rest, Skell. Dream of apples, I’ll dream of cinnamon. When we wake up, we should be refreshed…”

‘Or horny.”

“I only want Azrael. You don’t have to fear me, little brother.”

“I don’t think we do.”

“Close your eyes.” I was surrounded by the scent of apples. Yes, the real thing was different from the synthenic stuff Orel Wessel used. It was unique and exotic and yes, erotic. I could feel myself stirring down below but just cleared my mind and drifted. My body just, no other word for it, just melted into Marcus. I slept.

Was it a dream? Was it Memorex? I had a horrible feeling that all of this was a memory. I watched in on a 13” screen as each beloved brother was forced to kneel before Hades. Azrael submitted with a promise--a promise of death. Xavier was stripped naked and his flesh was torn open with fingernails. Sex. Oh, dear god. Sex. He submitted and endured to Hades while…I couldn’t turn my eyes away. Hades raped Sex. Repeatedly. Hades and Liam were intertwined. There was a big giant of a vampire on the beach. His voice was low and rumbled but again there was a promise of death. I felt Xavier’s despair. Liam had fucked him over since day one. The progenitor wanted this body as his own so he could get back with his precious shepherd boy. Again, Sex took the brunt of the big white haired vampire’s desires. Sex fought back. Pride flooded me as I watched him stake the big man’s foot with a spike of glass then he forcibly took blood from the vampire’s thigh—the oldest blood, the most potent of blood, the most powerful blood.

Sex was our Christmas tree. Xavier was our tree top Angel. Azrael, was our string of tinsel. The duo, Marcus and Armor were the lights. Father…Father was the base that held Sex straight and true. Wait. What? What!!

Hades had raped Father. He had raped Father for two hundred years. Punching Hades in the face a couple of times did not meet equivalent exchange. Great grandfather and his Consort had been welcomed back into the House of Von Drachenfeld with open arms after doing all this harm. How dare they?

I admired Sex more. He still found joy in life. I had survived a similar fate but I had fallen into despair over it. I can’t blame him now for trying to die. I attempted it myself on the garage rooftop. I killed my unwillingly lover with one bullet to the heart. I was no better than the ancients. Yes, yes I was. I was a slave to my desires. I had no control over them and that damned epi-pen made sure I couldn’t reign them in. I raped those fledglings. I killed them. I sent them to a better place than their makers had left them. But Darius and Kevin. Darius brought a smile to my heart. He awakened responsibility within me. Kevin. I tried to protect him, but I still was a slave to my flame. He preferred women. I never tried to mindwalk him, I wasn’t stupid, I could have figured out how to do it.. I never tried to make it better for him. I just took him without his consent. I used him like he was my hand. That is not a good thing to realize about yourself. Still in the end, Kevin died for me. I was no better than the Ancients. All three of us, Hades, Liam and myself had blood on our cocks. None of us deserved any leniency from anyone. Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.

“Skell….Skell….don’t cry. You’re safe here. You’re home.” I could hear and feel Marcus whispering into my ear. “Don’t cry.”

“But I want to…” My voice was ragged as I opened my eyes. My nose was runny and the tears stung my eyes.

“Then go ahead. I have you. I won’t let you go.”

So much pain in my brothers lives. How did they get the courage to get out of bed every day?

“You are leaking emotions, Skell.”

“Sorry.” I wrapped my metal feathers around the brothers blooded disco ball of a shield. I had not even known I had done that to them…to us.

“No…” Marcus sat up and easily manhandled me, er, vampirehandled me upright and sat me crossways on his lap. What the hell. I leaned forward and rested my forehead against his neck and shoulder. “:No, baby brother. If you need to share you pain, that is fine. That is what the pod is for.”

It’s hard to laugh and cry at the same time. “I’m a bad person, Marcus.”

“You were not yourself.”

“I didn’t know I wasn’t myself. That doesn’t make the guilt any less. I’ve hurt people. I’ve hurt those I professed to love…but I want to belong with the family. I don’t deserve it, but I want to be a part of the pod.”

His hand came up and cradled the back of my head against his warmth. He made me feel so small and fragile. I was a delicate glass Christmas ornament to be placed on the three of Von Drachenfeld.

“You are a part of this family. All of us have done things that we wish we could undo. Me more than others. Events have played out as intended. If not, Azrael would still be taking my abuse under the name of love. Xavier wouldn’t have his children. Sex would not have bonded more completely with Father…and we would never have known you, Skell. You can’t change the past, but you can learn from it.”

There was a knock on my office door. “Your Loyal have arrived to escort you to the Room of Discpline.” Paul called through the door.

“We will be out in a few minutes.” Marcus called back.

Even though I had access to Xavier’s feelings and knew that he found Armor’s strength a comfort, I was a little uneasy as he lifted me off the couch and carried me toward the bathroom. He set me down on the floor and turned me toward a floor length mirror. He stood behind me and met my gaze in the reflection. Uh, wait a minute!

“My torturers did their evilness to me in a room of mirrors. It didn’t matter where I looked, I would see the scene reflected back on me. I was absolutely terrified of mirrors. Even after Claudius came and saved me from that life, I screamed out my dread at even the sight of a shiny surface. They were gone. They were death and gone but the hold that had on me…I gave that to them. I gave them power over me for two hundred sixty seven years after I was rescued from that room. I didn’t see my size. I didn’t acknowledge my strength. I couldn’t see anything but that scared boy being raped by his brother, and father and uncles. The terror stricken dead eyes that had been reflected as I lay in that bed. Somewhere inside in me, I believed I caused this. I deserved this.”

“You were just a child.”

“So are you, Skell. Unlike me, you stand upright. It took Azrael and his love to show me I am more than a thirteen year old victim. It took Orel Wessel to make me face myself and to truly cast off yesterday. My human name has gone to dust and is forgotten and it was about time I sent the rest of my guilt to it.” He turned and picked up a brush. His fingers loosened my sleep braid and he ran a brush through my hair, laying like a curtain of water across my shoulders. “Your Lanseng called me Azrael’s Mastiff. I don’t believe how pissed I was at the time. I didn’t want to grow up…but I have and I think, no I know, life is better because of it. I was a puppy but as Haley pointed out, all puppies grow up.”

“You are not done growing Skell. You are only five years old. Your brothers are only ten. Weep if you must. Cling if you need to. That is what your family is for. You protected all our loves while Orel Wessel ravaged your soul. That evil deed will not be forgotten nor will it be forgiven.”

I stared into the mirror was Marcus walked into the bedroom to get my suit jacket. Was my vision of myself tainted? Physically, I was striking, even if my natural coloring had faded away to milkiness. My jade green eyes were bright with tears but they were clear and sharp. I blinked. I think when we interchange, the biggest factor to indicate who is driving is our eyes. Sex’s bounce and gleam. Azrael’s seem to darken and are watchful. Xavier’s smiled. Mine. Mine were hard but they weren’t flat like before—I wouldn’t call them dead. I let Lanny cross my mind. My eyes transformed. Not exactly a smile but I’d take it.

Marcus came back and helped me into my suit jacket. He smiled down at me. “Brother, I need you to do something for me…”


“Bow your heads for the CEO and Head of the House of Assassins, Lord Emperor Xavier the First..

Xavier hovered around me encouraging but worried. He was such the poster boy of a big brother. Marcus was on my right. Paul, my PA was on my left. Liam was on his knees in the room, his wrists handcuffed together in front of him, but he was pressed like a rejected pirate was well. His head was bowed. Well, Riot was standing beside him and I think he had just pushed Liam’s head forward.

Hades.

The teenager was there and the anger was just rolling off him. I frowned at him. Liam poisoned him for almost 400 years. Then again, Armor had raped Xavier for a year. Look at them now. I gestured to Paul and he turned and headed to the control panel wall. He pushed a series of buttons and a deep rumbling echoed through the floor. There was a grinding as the black floor panels slid back to allow a stone pillar to rise up into the light of day. The scent of old blood hit my nostrils. This thing, this stone of punishment held the blood of eight hundred years of discipline. Hmm, they had hammered the rings Azrael had wrenched out of the stone back into place.

“This is the Stone of punishment, Liam. I do believe that William knows it well.”

Marcus kept a steady watch on Hades as I walked over and stepped behind the prisoner, pressing close, setting my Docs against the inside of his knees, pressing out with a steady pressure, forcing his legs wider, which forced his ass backwards until he was almost sitting on my shoes. I reached down and cupped his chin, pulling him upright again my thighs, his head hitting just above my groin. “I honestly thought you would run, lambykins.”

“Skell…”

“Yes, Xavier said that I would be here because I was the most affected by your treachery. Actually, we are all effected by your meddling. I lay the blame on you because Hades could have cared less if I was crumbling or not.” I pushed him upright then leaned over until my lips were brushing his ear. “You will take this punishment, Pradeduschka not William.”

“Yes, Lord Emperor.”

“Anything to say?”

“No…I don’t deny I willing influenced Claudius. The results were not what I wished for.”

I kissed his temple just because I knew Hades was seething. I stood up and walked over to a cubby hole. There were whips and rods and devices I didn’t have a clue what they were. I reached in and pulled out a bull whip.

Paul was a little pale as he stepped forward, “William Von Drachenfeld has been slated for punishment. He willfully set in motion events that resulted in Lord Xavier’s capture by Orel Wessel. Remove the cuffs and his shirt.”

Riot less than gently disrobed Liam from the waist up.

“You have the option to be bound or free.” Paul continued on with the ceremonial patter.

“Bound.” I could hear Hades teeth grinding together. The top fifteen of the House Ranked were here. I sincerely doubted that they knew who Liam truly was. All they knew was that suddenly the ex-CEO had started dating his PA. Liam was draped across the stone, chest first and his wrists were tied to the rings.

“The punishment is ten lashes.” Paul’s voice called out.

“As it is the Right of the First Ranked, I offer the carrying out of his sentence to you.” I walked in front of Marcus and held up the coiled bull whip.

I matched his eyes. “I decline.” He bowed his head in regret.

Hades jumped forward. Riot pivoted and brought the muzzle of his gun up and under Hades' jaw. “You cannot mean this.”

I walked in front of him. I tapped Riot on the shoulder and he reluctantly pulled his gun back and holstered it. “As right of the Second Ranked, I offer the carrying out of this sentence.”

Hades eyes flared red but he didn’t make a move towards me. “I would think twice about refusing me, Hades. Nightingale had a heavy hand before. Something just ain’t right with her now.”

“I cannot.”

“Hades! Please…” Liam called from the stone.

His hand shook as he took the bullwhip from me. “Why are you doing this? Why did you refuse, Marcus?”

“My Lord Emperor asked me to.” Marcus bowed his head in my direction then went and took up his assigned position in the circle.

“What? You can dish it out, but you can’t take it.”

His watery blue eyes snapped back to me. “I won’t forget this. I won’t forgive this.”

I stepped up quicker than he expected and grabbed the back of his neck. I pulled him forward until we were forehead to forehead. “I am sure that Father has not forgotten two hundred years of rape. I am sure that Sex has not forgotten being raped in a Ferris wheel. I am damned sure that Azrael has not forgotten slicing his lover’s back to ribbons with that same bullwhip.”

“If this is about me, then punish me.”

“You are being punished, Hades.”

“So this is payback?”

“This is vengeance.”

“What gives you the right?”

I pushed Hades back from me. I let a slow deadly smile cross my face. “Vengeance is mine, sayth the Lord and I am your Lord Emperor, Hades. Begin.”

* * *