Caramel: Book 3 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Series

Pack up your hankies. Your Haley questions are answered in this chappie.


SPOILER ALERT

As to what Lycan sex is like, the only draw back to a first person narrative is that the character has to participate or watch. I think it to dangerous for a non-Lycan to be around a matebonded pair. So, you’ll get hints and noises but nothing more. (boohoo…Sex ain’t that bad anymore-- he has some tact when it comes to sex. and he has Claudius who he can’t handle half the time anyways) I think we have seen as much as Billiam and Hades’ sexcapdes that X can stand.

SPOILER SAFE

AsyenMari
Thanks for the note. I read Black and White and I thought…well doesn’t this sound kind of familiar; but, I cannot lay claim to white hair, black hair, nor apple essence. I read it and do like it and I believe I reviewed. I got a kudos!. There is probably someone sitting out there grouching at me now for stealing something…not intentionally, as I am surprising myself with this chappie which I’ll talk about it in the next QA.

Impressing people with phone sex…oh come on, I can’t be the only one to have dabbled with telefornication. Don’t need to hear about it…just saying.

Minako
No, I meant it in a good way. That is the only way for writers to expand and grow. I mean I love praise and kudos, but I need to have my tail yanked once in a while too. I do appreciate that you took the time to write and give me insight that I do not have access to. I hope no one is giving you trouble over this.

Thanks for the reviews and rants and general outcry for our little lost pup: Laur; k; Rosei; Spirit (SAX – cute haha); Rosemary; romanticfae; Soda; HistoryRepeated; Bambigirl (find that happy place); Astra and Steph6503

Chapter 97: Sayonara

“What do you mean, never make contact with him again?”

“I am speaking clearly, Blood Emperor. Haley Dennings will be assimilated into the Eastern Pack. Because his lineage has been denied by his own blood kin, he will now bear our family name of Saitou. As my daughter’s consort, he will be afforded the same protection as any other Eastern Lycan.”

We were both startled by howls of satisfaction. Well that was quick. Not that much fun for Ping.

“A pup deserves the protection of a pack, Blood Emperor. I have no doubt without your marking him, he would not have survived Britta’s wrath.”

More mating noises exited the bedroom. Well, X had a first hand experience with Haley’s stamina. I felt my eyes begin to burn as the donors came into the suite. My fangs began to tingle with anticipation. I reached up and felt my fang, making sure that it wasn’t loose. That warning Armor had given brother was fresh in my head. I’d already trying the starving thing twice, don’t need to repeat it. Once when Armor first took X, well can’t really complain about the results. The second, the result of Phoenix wings – hyper metabolism due to burn trauma. It took more time in the gym than I wanted to put in to work my way back up to my idea Vampire weight.

Kiyoshi saw my eyes then glanced over to the humans who had just came in. “My apologies, Blood Emperor. Please…”

“This won’t take long.” I had to concentrate on what I was doing. I just bought these donor…no humans to free them from what I was going to do. But…got to be gentle. Got to only nibble on each one. No one needed to be drained here. I forced my bloodlust back. I limited myself to ten with each human. I masked the pain with something pleasant from their pasts. I made sure to lap the wounds closed. The last donor was male and larger than the rest, I indulged with twelve mouthfuls.

I licked my lips and closed the man’s collar. “William?”

“My Lord.” I turned and looked at him. He had never called me that before. Oh, we had company.

“Did you take care of the bank transfer?”

“Yes, Sir. I have the papers here. Nakamura-san couriered them over as soon as the funds were verified.”

I turned back to the small group of donors, “I thank you for your service. I know that you would not have done something you find so distasteful if you didn’t honor your family. So, I have purchased the remainder of your markers from Shadoe Inc.” While they had fed me, more than half had only did so out of pure terror and body freezing fear. I took the offered papers and began calling out names. “You are freed from service. Keep out of debt. Your next owner might not be so understanding. Take your marker and go.”

They ran. I couldn’t blame them. The only one left was Haruka. I told her to come back at 10.

Kiyoshi was regarding at me with a strange look on his face. What? I ran my hand along my mouth searching for blood trails.

Yip. Yip. Yip. A definite female voice was rising. There’s my boy. I kept my expression neutral. I’d be so freaking out right now if my daughter was in the next room. Which it could be…Claudia was four months along. We were the first male in four hundred years and our sister and me were the first non-twins in living memory. It hit me. In the middle of Tokyo, surrounded by Loyal, in front of a massive Eastern Alpha Lycan—We were going to be a Daddy. It was probably going to be twin girls. I was going to be a Father.

Liam grabbed my arm. His gray eyes were wide with concern. “Little Emperor? What’s wrong? You just blanched white.”

I pushed Liam off me. “How can you stand there while your daughter…”

Kiyoshi laughed. It wasn’t a polite chuckle it was an insider’s laugh. He knew something I didn’t. “Ping is my last unmated daughter. She has shown no interest in any of the Alpha males who have petitioned her. She has always been the Huntress. She will make her own mark. She is 100 years old, Blood Emperor. She knows what she wants, and as I have learned from her seven older sisters, a female is a dangerous animal when she locks her scent. You will learn that when your daughters come of age.”

Liam snapped his head around, “Your Intended is pregnant?”

“You think your life is chaotic now, Blood Emperor. Wait until your daughters open their eyes and focus on you. You will be a slave to them for life.”

“How can Claudia be pregnant?” Liam was almost distressed.

“Probably the usual way.” Kiyoshi returned still with good humor in his voice.

All conversation faded as there was a howl of unison that sent a shiver right up my spine.

“It is done.”

I felt a little sick to my stomach. I liked Haley, he was like a little brother to me. To never see him again…but, he would be happier with his own kind. I liked his Father-In-Law. He struck me as someone who stood by their word. Haley would be looked after.

“They are matebonded now.”

“Sex…Claudia is pregnant?”

“Sex?”

“Laim, what is your problem?” This was turning into an Abbott and Costello moment. Who’s on first?

A scream came out of the bedroom followed quickly by a bruised and bleeding Lycan pup. Haley looked like he got caught in the tidal rush of his own tsunami. He had bite marks all along his shoulder and on his back he had three, still weeping blood, parallel claw trails. He was buck naked except for the red collar and the diamond and black onyx “X” hanging from it. No one ever said Lycan sex was a simple affair. Haley situated himself in front of me and basically quivered.

I opened my mouth to find out what the hell was going on but Ping answered it for me.

“ZSIGMOND!”

Oh…crap.

Good humor Kiyoshi disappeared in a flash. “Zsigmond? You claimed the pup through the oath of Zsigmond?” His Lycan eyes turned feral greenish gold in the blink of an eye.

“I offered the Oath.” Haley returned not backing down from the larger man.

Ping appeared at the door with a sheet wrapped around her toga style. She was just as bitten up as Haley. Hell hath no fury. I don’t think hell could burn as hot as the flame in Ping’s eyes. “You will die for this….vampire?”

“I will protect my Alpha.”

Kiyoshi turned to me, “I demand that you release his Oath, Blood Emperor. He is still a pup. He has no concept of what he has offered you.”

“Don’t belittle him, Saitou-san. He has explained what Zsigmond means.” I reached out and touched Haley. His whole body was tense and he was hovering close to change. I urged him back to me and wrapped my arm around his shoulders. I leaned down and whispered through his tousled hair. “This may be your only chance to return to a pack, little pup. X likes you. Azrael finds you amusing. You are like a little brother to me. But, we are not Lycan. I don’t want you to turn your back on your own kind. Remember what I told you about regret.”

Haley reached back and pet my blue hair. “I don’t need a pack, Alpha Sex. I belong to a pod now. I feel safer there than I ever did in the Northern Pack.”

/Is this going to get ugly?/

/Probably. Don’t put me to sleep again. I have to protect you./

“His Oath will stand.”

Haley began to quiver with anticipation.

/He’s going to kill me?/

/No, he is going to try and dominate you. Ping will try and kill you./

Can you say cut the tension with a knife? “What the hell is going on? Management just called me to see who brought dogs into the hotel!” Hades screamed at all of us from the hallway. For once this trip, I was grateful he was playing spoiled brat.

I blinked, we were all snarling and yipping…well it seemed like the yipping was over and done with. Kiyoshi changed and shredded his clothes at the same time. I snapped my wings wide and knocked Haley out of the way. He wasn’t the target anyway. Kiyoshi was huge…even the Northern pack Alphas weren’t this big. He drove me back with his front paws on my chest.

There was no fucking way I was getting dominated by a Lycan. Haley almost killed X and I’m sorry to say it; but he’s a runt. I twisted and got my chest raked. I slammed my wing down hard across his back. He turned so fast and latched his jaws on my wing and jerked his head. I slammed into the sofa and took it with me to the back wall. I think I did an impression of a pigeon smacking a glass building…wait, I did that before. It hurt just as bad.

I glanced over and saw that Liam had his arm out in front of the Loyal, blocking them from joining the fight.

All I saw was teeth. I got my forearm up just in time. Kiyoshi crunched down on me. I dropped fang and ripped into the black fleshy pad on his nose. He let go. I brought my good arm down into an overhand hammer punch to the base of his skull. I dropped him to all fours. I grabbed his skull with my injured hand. /Sleep./ He jerked his head sideways but I fell forward on him. /SLEEP./

He had a shield. It was roughly made and faced only in one direction--head on. I slipped by it. /SLEEP./

He staggered and his hindquarters dropped out from under him. /Sleep…/

He dropped right to the floor. I saw a blur out of the side of my eye and tensed as Ping now a jet black Alpha female charged at me. My small grey wolf slammed into her and both went spinning out of sight. Kiyoshi still struggled weakly. “Do you submit?”

/I submit to you. Haley is bound to the Oath of Zsigmond./

I winced and climbed up and over him to see where there hell the lovepups had gone. Alpha Ping was pacing back and forth trying to get past Haley. Her front foreleg was bloody. Ping was twice his size as she had reached the age of change but he was holding his own…for how long was anyone’s guess.

/Saitou-san has submitted./ I called to Haley.

/She must submit too./

I rose to my feet then checked for serious injuries. I clenched and unclenched my hands. My right forearm hurt but I could use it. /Let her by./

/I must protect you./

/I am Head of the Pod. It’s my job to protect you. Do you want her, Haley? Do you want her as your matebond?/

/We are matebonded….that can’t be undone. We are mated forever./

/Let her by. I’ll end this quickly./

Ping lunged. Haley dodged the opposite way and I caught her in mid-leap. I used my wing like I had used my arms and fists on the Hunters in the alley. I used her momentum and my strike to slam her hard into the carpet. I stepped up and rammed my bent wing into her throat pinning her there. /You have lost. Change, and submit to me./

/Haley is mine. I have claimed him. We have bonded./ She struggled hard. I had to reposition my wing on her throat. She angled her muzzle and snapped her teeth on the leading edge. I grunted in pain. Enough.

Kiyoshi called from the floor, /Ping submit. You have fallen./

/I will not give him up. I have searched for the right one. Now that I’ve found him, I’m not letting go so easily!”

I called on my Hand of Light sword. The blue katana appeared in my hand, blade naked and gleaming…and hungry.

“NO!” Liam cried out. “Don’t use that, Sex—it will eat her soul!”

I knew that. Somehow I knew that.

I let my eyes flare blue. /Ping-kun…you are welcome to join my House. My little brother needs his own kind around him…I am not enough. Haley is my Zsigmond. He has reinforced his Oath again and again. It would be a slap in his face if I refused or denied it. I know he could stand behind you here in the Eastern Pack…but are you strong enough to stand beside him in Von Drachenfeld? He is alone and has many enemies. Will you join my House and help me protect him?/

Again, it is eerie to watch a Lycan transformation. Ping changed back into the petite human female. I kept my eyes at her face but spread my feathers so her nakedness was hidden from the Loyal. /Submit to me. Stay with him. Lay with him./

I let my eyes flare out. Agony hit me. I was beaten to a pulp twice in less than three hours. I blinked. I just saw five pulses of light surround her. Still, I let a smile cross my face, “Give your pups a father. You carry three daughters and two sons.”

“Really?” Naked Haley stepped under my other wing. “I am branded a traitor for caring too much for my pack. I have found a different one. If you choose, we can be the founders of a new pack…the Imperial Pack.”

“I have never thought I would be collared.”

“I’m not shamed to wear Xavier’s mark. It has saved my life.” Haley brought his hand up to his red collar and fingered the expensive little trinket hanging there. “I am his Zsigmond. If you acknowledge our matebond, you so acknowledge my Oath and your place within it. If you can’t, tell no one about the pups. Grandmother will have them killed if she even suspects they are my bloodline.”

Ping returned in a deadly voice, “No one touches my puppies…or my pup. I will honor the Zsigmond, Blood Emperor Alpha.”

“Are we done now?”

Kiyoshi had changed back to human form. “I thought to have gained a son by coming here tonight. I did not expect to lose my daughter.”

Haley grabbed up the discarded sheet and brought it back to Ping. He laid it over my wing were she lay then I dissolved them. Both Eastern Lycan stared at the shimmering light as it faded. A look passed between them but by now, I was too damned tired to care. I dropped to my knees. Riot caught me before I fell over and knocked more fangs out of my head.

“Heal, Lord Sex…”

“Don’t touch it!” Liam shooed Haley away from the fallen katana. “Where did you get this, Sex? Where did it come from?” Liam dropped to his knees in front of me and caught my face. He rested his cheek against mine, “Edward…where did you get Endellion? She only comes in the time of Hashmalliam. She has only come to me in the past.”

“Endellion?”

“Fire Soul….she devours the souls, the essence of your enemies. She is a powerful ally and a deadly weapon. Just you wield it?”

“Azrael had one. Xavier was sleeping, so I don’t know about him.”

“Take her, and put her away. Anyone attempts to touch her and she will feed.” I reached past Liam and picked the blade off the carpet. The blade seemed to glow with an inner fire. I tried to dissolve it like my normal lightsabre but nothing happened. “Sheath her, like you would a sword, but do it in your mind.”

I found the ebony scabbard and set the tip at it’s mouth. //Blood Emperor…Endellion will build your throne on the skulls of your enemies. All will know your name and fear you. This Endellion shall serve.//

I slammed the sword into the sheath.

“Edward….Edward….” Sharp sting. Sonofabitch. Liam slapped me. “Endellion, spoke to you…what did she say. This is important. What did she say?”

“She will build my throne on the skulls of my enemies.”

Liam sighed. “Heal, Little Emperor. I think it’s time we got you home.”

I closed my eyes and concentrated. Liam kept a hold on me, keeping me upright. When I was done, I was so lightheaded. The weight of my frickin blue hair kept my head tilting backwards.

“Drink, Little Emperor?” He pressed my face to his neck.

I turned away. I couldn’t face cayenne-pineapple right now. “You taste bad.”

Liam actually dropped me and stood up, his face indignant. “I, me…I taste bad!”

Riot propped me back up and glared up at the progenitor. Liam called back over his shoulder. “Hades, get over here and feed, Edward.”

“I’m not your blood bank, William.”

I didn’t care how weak I was, I was not listening to this any more. I reached into Riot’s jacket and pulled out his 45 mini compact FireStorm. I flicked off the safety and aimed at Hades. I fired off a round. As predicted, Liam got in the way. He took the bullet high in the shoulder and it spun him off exposing Hades completely. I aimed at the blonde teenager for a heartbeat then flipped the safety back on. I handed it Riot and climbed to my feet. I swayed. Winter caught me before I fell over.

“Actions speak louder than words, Hades. He got between you and my bullet this time. He got between you and my blades last time. Is he going to have to die before you see how much he cares for you?”

“My Lord, drink.” Winter offered his neck. I dropped fang and drank Father’s way -- letting the essence build up and strengthen. Spearmint. Wintery fresh. Ha ha. Riot offered himself next. Rum. I could get drunk off of him. Garrote, I didn’t know him as well but he bent at the waist and knees so I could get a good purchase on him. Broccoli? I felt good. Stronger. Not up to parr but I wasn’t a limp noodle any more.

Haley came up. I kissed his temple. “I am fine.”

“You are pale.”

“I look pale, because my hair is blue.”

Kiyoshi and Ping were similarly attired toga style in my bed sheets. I have no doubt that like Haley they could care less about being naked, but we were in a five star hotel. “I had plans to bring Haley back with us to our home. I cannot send my daughter with you tonight. There are preparations that we will have to make. I will send her at the end of the week, if that is fine with you Blood Emperor.”

“That is fine. Sorry about your nose.” His nostril was split from were I ripped into him with my fangs. “I can’t fully heal Lycan.”

Kiyoshi raised his hand to his wound. “This was a battle I would not have missed, Blood Emperor. I will have a wound to show my grandpups when I tell the story of how their Father’s Zsigmond won their mother.”

“Haley, put some pants on and escort your wife and your father-in-law down to their car.” Haley zipped off and came back half dressed. He offered my t-shirt to Ping. It hit her mid-thigh. Ping flipped her long black hair out of the neck and flicked it at Haley. That set off a quick reaction. Haley whimpered then dived on her mouth. Jees….I looked away. I noticed all the Loyal began looking at the walls and carpet.

“Ping…enough. You have claimed him. Mark him and let’s go.”

Ping pulled Haley’s head down and then she ripped into his ear. He gave a yelp and held a hand up as blood poured from the top crest of his ear. Tears filled his eyes but he grinned back at her. She licked the blood off her lips then turned and followed her father out of the room. “What the hell was that?” I pulled his hand away and hissed. She took a big notch out of his ear.

“I am a marked male. This will tell all Lycan that I am mated. This will travel with me no matter my form. It throbs though.”

I pulled Haley to me and sucked his wound into my mouth. I ran my tongue over it, lapping at the blood and making sure I coated it well with my saliva. He laughed and squirmed and finally pulled away. He jumped up and kissed me on my chin and tore off after Ping.

Liam was lying on the floor propped up against Hades. It couldn’t be more than flesh wound but he was playing it up for more than it was. “Why aren’t you healing him?”

Hades looked up his face set in sorrow and full of tears, “The bullet it still inside.”

I was barely covered in my ripped up yutaka. My blades were on the nightstand. Okay, let’s try this. I concentrated and called for the little piece of metal. Liam hissed as it slowly worked its way back along the path of entry. It exited his flesh then rolled down his chest to his stomach then hit the carpet.

“I knew you would make me bleed sometime today, Edward.” Liam held his shoulder.

“You can thank me later.”

I turned and headed back to my…holy crap they destroyed the bedroom. I am so not paying for this. I was in agreement with X. I was so done with Tokyo. I tired of getting the shit kicked out of me. I want to go home. I want my Sasha. Even if it was to sleep on him…I miss him so much. Hell I’d throw a beanbag under the piano and sleep there if he wanted to play his long hair crap. I’m just so tired.

/Sleep then bigger brother./

Sex was right, he took a beating. Even though I had drunk off the Loyal, I was still weak. Some honey would probably fix me right up but damn, he was playing asshole right to the hilt. I tossed off the shredded robe and hopped into the bathroom. I scrubbed up good then got myself into the darkest suit, X packed – which was dove grey. Okay, you have to at least take one black or blue suit with you, Elder brother.

The Loyal had somewhat set the room back in order but housekeeping was going to tell management that it was trashed. “We’re out of here in ten minutes. Pack it up.”

I turned to the Ancients….fuck. Liam was latched onto Hades neck, his left hand was up and behind Hades head, holding him close. His right hand was up and Hades had his fang dug into the vein, his own right hand had his fingers interlaced with Liams. Hades left hand was slowly stroking the progenitor through his pants. Looks like they were beginning to see eye to eye.

“Cilly, are your working for X or not?”

Liam broke the suck hold. Hades blinked totally lost in the bloodlust. He let go of Laim’s wrist but pulled their joined hands across Liam’s chest. He shook his head to clear it. “Yes, I still work for Xavier, Azrael.”

“Get us the hell out of here.”

Hades kissed Liam’s temple then climbed to his feet. “You know they are going to charge us for this room.”

“I just want on the jet, Hades. Pay whatever they want. We’ll sort it out later at Headquarters.” Hades gave me a little head nod, smiled at Billiam then headed out toward the elevators.

Liam tested his shoulder, moving his arm back and forth, “Thank you.”

“I’ll shoot you anytime, daddy-o. You won’t even need to ask.”

“You are weak. I can smell it.” Liam climbed to his feet. “You need more blood.”

“Not yours. Sex wasn’t kidding, yours is nasty.”

“You need blood, Little Emperor.”

“That is what I am here for.” I turned toward the door. Haruka bowed and entered the room. She glanced at the demolished suite but said nothing. She unbuttoned her collar on her blouse and came forward. “If you wish, you can drain me.”

I glanced down at her. I didn’t have my brothers skill at…I’ll call this mindwalking because I didn’t want to hurt her…but I really didn’t need it. She was devastated. She had returned home and basically was cast out for becoming a Vampire’s snack pack. Her family told her in no uncertain terms that if she had been a whore, they would have welcomed her back. They called her unclean and turned their backs on her…even though she paid off their debt.

“Papers.” I held out my hand to William.

“They’ve got my blood on them.” He pulled them out of his suit pocket and handed them over.

“Haruka Watanabe. I have purchased your debt.” Her head popped up. “You are free.”

Her hand trembled as she took the paper from me. “However, I know you have no place to return to. Would you consider working for me?”

“As a donor?”

“No. I have a new member to my household. She is Japanese of a sort, and she could use a companion. She’ll be giving birth soon. She would need help with the pups.”

“Pups? A Lycan? I…I don’t know anything about Lycans”

“I don’t know much either. Consider it on-the-job training.”

“Yes, I will take your offer.” She tucked the paper in her pocket then rose and looked at me. “I am free.”

“Yes, Watanabe-san.”

“Then I offer this freely.” She turned her head to the side and pushed her hair back. “Drink, Blood Emperor. You are pale and look ill.”

“Thank you.” I fanged her gently and drank my fill. I left her weak but no where near life threatening. “Take her to the jet, William. I just want to go home.”

Next stop, home sweet home


* * *


Someone was kissing my neck. Light nipping tantalizing kisses. Mmmmmm, Armor. A low laugh followed. Huh? I got nuzzled behind the ear. Oooooh…Wait! I thrashed. I had fallen asleep on the bed in the back of the jet. I wasn’t getting in the middle of an Ancient love affair anymore than I already had.

“Little One…calm down….X…”

“Armor?” I blinked and opened my eyes. It was him. “What?”

“You’re home. We are on our way back to Von Drachenfeld.” I got a gentle kiss to the temple. “Sorry to have woken you but I couldn’t resist. You looked so innocent and pure sleeping in my arms.”

“Now, I know this is a dream…innocent and pure I am not.” I rested my head on his chest and breathed in his apple scent. My orchard…I brought my arms around his chest and rested my forehead against his neck.

“Sssh, rest, Little One. We are almost home.”

I took a deep breath. I was home.


____________________________


I so relied on the following website for Japanese names.
Top 10 Japanese Surnames
http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa051403a.htm
and
Trends in Japanese Baby Names
http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa50601a.htm


yes, I copped out. I used asterisks to identify my flashback end. I soooo suck.