Both Amelia and Charmaine watched on as Rae tried to show how far her powers had developed. As the bowl rattled, you could see Charmaine’s lip twitching and her eyes twinkling; hopeful that the girl could make the bowl of fruit levitate. What happened next however, was a fruit explosion, with the bowl becoming a rocket which hit the ceiling with such force, it broke the bowl, and showered all in bits of fruit and plastic. Amelia was picking bits of fruit out of her hair, and placing it in a small bowl on her kitchen table, as Charmaine applauded.

“Oh my wordy lordy yes! She has such potential….she does. You do, Rae. Just need to focus. And I know how hard that is, cause me being a klutz and all….its a miracle my spells work. What you do, is you have to find…your own inner self. Tap into that. Channel the muse and wallah! You got floating fruit bowls, and not exploding fruit salad. You know, Amelia would be ace at teaching you how to control your energies.” Charmaine knew for a fact that Amelia had great skill as a witch, and was far more level headed than the ditzy Charmaine, which was why she put the idea forward. “Amelia…show them.” Charmaine insisted, as Amelia became hesitant. “Show them?” almost incredulous that Charmaine would insist on such a thing. Charmaine took a piece of fruit out of her glass of wine and nodded again.

“Mhm…show them.”

For a moment, Amelia looked uneasy. She very rarely displayed her powers so openly. Chewing her bottom lip, she said in a quiet voice. “Okay.”

Slowly Amelia closed her eyes, and her lips started to move, but there was no words being said, well, at least that is how it seemed, but the bowl that had been obliterated which was in bits, started to reassemble itself, as the pieces of fruit lifted off the floor, table and out of people’s hair, all swirling around the room as they all started to go back together, before the bowl of fruit spun incredibly fast, then settled back down on the table, where it had been before. Just like it had never exploded. Amelia opened her eyes and saw that her magic had worked, and gave Rae a light smile.

“Anyone up for icecream?’

<3>

A slender hand raised up to the frosted pain, as outside snow swirled and dance on the cool of the morning breeze. Light, and the day had begun for those of mortal beings, but not to the boy that stared out at the winter white scape. He should have been asleep by now…he should be doing a lot of things, but Zachary was never one to be conforming to others requests. A knock at the door, and the boy grumbled to himself.

“What is it?” He asked, not even taking his eyes away from the scene outside.

“Lights out…you know the drill, Zachary.” It was a guardian, though Zachary could never care for learning their names. He hated Saint Vladimir’s and he hated his elders that sent him there. His left hand curled into a fist which hung loosely at his side. The door opened, only enough for a shadow to be seen.

“But its snowing outside. Surely the guardians would not mind if I or a few go and…frolic?” Zachary was enough to test the patience of any guardian or headmaster. His lack of respect for authority was well known, and though try as they might to reign him in, he seemed reluctant to tow the line.

“Rules are rules. Now lights out.” The door behind Zachary slammed shut, and Zachary grimaced. Pesky guardians….not a sense of humor or fun. The boy lowered his hand from the glass pane, and he backed away from the picturesque scene, drawing the black velvet curtains and treading over to his resting place.

Zachary lowered himself in slowly, and twiddled his thumbs as he lay there. Outside Saint Vladimir’s was a world for the taking, and Zachary one day, planned to do just that.

<3>

Rae was seriously impressed with Amelia’s control of her powers and it was something she longed for herself. Dealing with some of the more…jealous girls at school tended to have a profound effect on her emotions. She clearly recalled the day she tried out for cheerleading, thought she did pretty well, only to have the head cheerleader sneer at her and call her a derogatory name. Rae had gotten so made, the air conditioning unit the cheerleader had been standing under broke away from the ceiling to crash to the floor. The girl had to dive out of the way or be crushed and ended up breaking her leg when she dove the wrong way into the bleachers.

She looked at Amelia. “Will you help me? Dyna offered to but she’s too close to me emotionally and I need an nonobjective 3rd party to help. Please?”

======

Meanwhile…

Cabin

Despite the disruption of the wolf and the hunters, and the strengthening of the security on the cabin, Carmen had a relaxing time with her husband. They spent an enjoyable weekend being a couple in love.

It was their final night in the cabin and Carmen was standing in the center of their bedroom, staring at her lingerie and trying to decide what to wear. She had sent Shane downstairs as he had wanted to watch her strip naked for him, but she wanted to surprise him with her outfit.

“Put on some music and pour some wine. I want to make this a night you’ll remember.” she told him, running the tip of a finger down the center of his chest and lower across the tight bulge of his pants.

She eyed each of the pieces currently in her closet, unable to choose. She put a hand over her eyes and did the “Eenie, Meanie, Myne, Moe” trick to make the choice for her.

When she opened her eyes, her smile was devilish as she took in her choice and reverently pulled it from the closet. Shane was going to lose his mind when he saw her.

Stripping out of her clothes, she headed into the bathroom for a quick shower, before she got ready.

Slipping into her shoes and dabbing a light perfume on her skin, she teased her hair with her fingers and affected a sexy look in front of the mirror.

“Try and keep your hands off this gal, hubby of mine.” she grinned at her reflection. She turned away from the mirror and moved toward the door. She poked her head into the hall. “Shane, are you ready?” she called out, waiting for his reply before she stepped into the hall and made for the stairs.

The only light in the room was the fire in the fireplace, perfect for what she wanted to do as she slowly descended the staircase. She knew she looked sexy and by the look on her husband’s face, he found her beyond sexy.

She stood a fair distance from him yet, hands on her hips, striking a pose for him. She had a moment of deja vu as she recalled a similar incident some months before.

“So…you like?” she grinned.

</3>

If it was one thing Amelia had, it was a soft spot for those in need. The young witch was always taking in strays, be it cats or dogs, snakes, you name it. Here was this girl who obviously had been mistreated and bullied, but unable to control her powers in such a way that it would not harm the innocent. Learning to harness your powers takes a great deal of concentration, self belief and above all patience, something that many young people lack. Always in a rush, they fail to stop and take the time to smell the roses. The world was fast paced and keeping up with it meant people were always in a hurry; a rush to get from A to B. The incident with the fruit bowl showed Amelia that the girl’s thought patterns were scattered.

“Will you help me? Dyna offered to but she’s too close to me emotionally and I need an nonobjective 3rd party to help. Please?”

Amelia smiled and reached for the girl’s hand. “Of course I will. From this moment on, consider yourself my student, or pupil. Gosh, not done this sort of thing in forever.” Amelia said with a laugh, patting the girl’s hand. Charmaine laughed and took a sip of her wine. “That’s cause it has been forever. I told you before and I will say it again, Ame, you are a natural.” Amelia found comfort in that the elder spoke so highly of her, when she herself had issues, mainly due to the lack of picking a decent man. Thinking for a moment, Amelia suddenly had a wonderful idea.

Staring back at Dyna and Rae, she asked. “There is a place deep in the woods that are about twenty miles up the highway, that our coven often use for special ceremonies and rituals. I…think it might be a good idea to take Rae out there to start her teachings. I mean, if we are going to do this right, we need to get back to nature, and help to tap into her sub conscious mind, allowing her freedom to see herself, but from the outside.”

This might have seemed a bit intimidating, but Charmaine was already bouncing in her seat.

“Naked flame dancing….I love it!”

“She can wear clothes you know.”

“Yes but…once there; I find everything just falls….right off.”

“Only you….Char.”

“Heh.”

**************************<3****************************

The Cabin

Shane was in the lounge room down stairs, preparing wine, candles and of course selecting music for this their last night together at the cabin retreat. The wolf was in the room too, curled up by the fire, and was refusing to move. Shane made a face at the wolf and then sniffed. “Was that you?” The wolf whined and then placed a paw over its muzzle. Shane waved his hand in front of his face and grimaced. “Ugh, sometimes I wish my sense of smell was NOT so heightened. You stink.” If Shane had his way about him, he would force the wolf outside, but Carmen being…well Carmen, loved having the wolf inside since it was still unwell. Shane took a deep breath and went to the kitchen, where he could be heard wheezing since the air in the lounge was a tad pungent.

He knew that Carmen would be down any second, so he grabbed a can of febreeze and zipped back with Vampire speed and sprayed all around the wolf, before tossing the can over the lounge. It improved the smell of the room..somewhat.

With the smell now abating, Shane went back to preparing for his lover. He knew her well enough now that she was going to pull out all the stops to tease him mercilessly in some slinky number. It was part of her charm really. Funny thing was, he much rather her buck naked, but girls like lace and frills so he always made sure she could leave the silks on…for at least two minutes.

“Shane, are you ready?”

Was he? Oh he had been waiting for this all night. Shane had a smug expression and sung back. “Better believe it, Love.”He then shot a look at the wolf and whispered. “And you…keep your bum hole closed.” The wolf whined again and Shane rolled his eyes as he turned his attention to the stairs. There she was…a vision. So radiant in the light of the fire and candle light. My GOD! What did she have on? It was so sheer that it had Shane practically salivating. His jaw actually fell open, and if he was a wolf, he would be thumping the floor with his foot.

“So…you like?”

“Like…is too kind a word. Love, comes to mind.” He uttered breathlessly, watching her as she struck a model like pose.“Come to Daddy.” He purred, letting the words roll off his tongue as he approached her with a cat like grace, before seizing her hand and bringing it to his lips. His cool breath along with chilling lips would press to her flesh, as she would feel the reverberation of his sexy growl.

“There isn’t going to be a dry surface left in this room.” His steel blue eyes staring up at her with a hunger she would not have seen before.

<3>

She grinned in anticipation before she stepped away from him.

“Ah, ah, ah, my love. First things first, then you can play all you’d like.” she whispered seductively. She trailed her fingers across his chest, walking around behind him as the music changed to something sexy.

Her hands on his hips, she pressed her body against his back, wiggling up and down against him. She slowly unthreaded his belt from his pants, tossing it over her shoulder, before reaching up to undo the buttons of his shirt. Exposed skin met her questing fingers as she withdrew the garment from his body. She leaned forward, nipping at the skin of his hip as his jeans rode low on his hips. Sliding around him until she was facing him, she slid her tongue down his chest, dipping into his belly button just above the waistband of his pants. She shot him a coy look as she reached out to unbutton his jeans, breathing across his skin as she dipped her hands inside. Squeezing the tight globes of his ass, she shimmied back upward and made to duck away from him if he tried to reach for her. She wasn’t finished. She shook her finger at him in a teasing manner as she danced around him, raking her nails gently across his naked skin. She wanted to know where his breaking point was. How long could he hold out before he grabbed her?

Oh now Carmen was being a playful and terrible tease. Wearing her knockout teddy in crimson with the silvery heels, she trapsed around the Vampire with a strong scent that killed off any that the wolf was giving off. “Ah, ah, ah, my love. First things first, then you can play all you’d like.” A crooked smile formed on his lips as his steel blue eyes followed her movements. Cat like scratching of nails along him as the beat of the music changed to something more sultry.

“And since when did you learn to be the seductress?” Shane mused as she went behind him and pressed her lace covered body to his back. Shane tipped his head back slightly, and thought to himself, that if this was a pleasure cruise he would be a willing passenger. He closed his eyelids and exhaled slowly as she started to writhe against him. Tearing back his shirt after un-threading his belt. Undressing him? This was new. He allowed it as she pushed down his jeans, which he merely stepped out of in a quick one two step. Least he could do was help her, right? Now she was sliding around him, her tongue taking to his stomach and delving into his navel, that had him chuckle as it kinda tickled.

The wicked minx. Teasing and dancing, dragging nails across him and then ducking away before he could reach out and snatch her. So sexy. Here he was, standing before her naked and she was still in that lacy number.

Shane didn’t grab her, in fact he did something else. He leaned back against the banister of the stairwell, his engorged member proudly standing out before him, since she had awakened his desires. Inflamed them. He let out a heavy growl as his skin rippled and then his wings unfurled behind him as he sneered with a showing of fangs. The Vampire – the one she could never resist decided to make an appearance.

Running his slick tongue over his top row of teeth, he started to stroke himself and then growled in a sinister tone.

“Dance for me, my Queen.”

Using his mental bond, he started to flood her mind of the many times he had taken her as a full vampire. The images would be enough to make her insatiably wet and hard to resist from touching herself in his presence.

“I can play this game too, my Love.” Shane said to her mind, as the candles in the room burst into flame.

<3>

“Hmm…I’ve been practicing during some quiet moments.” she answered him.

She pushed away from him as he went to lean against the banister. Before her eyes, he shifted into that of his Vampire, the one she could not resist if her unlife depended on it. His engorged member stood proudly before him as his wings extended. She licked her lips, her pupils dilating with desire as she watched him.

He ran his tongue over his top teeth as he leaned back to stroke himself.

“Dance for me, my Queen.” he commanded her, an order she could not refuse. She gasped as he mentally flooded her mind with images of all the things he had done to her with his true form and her eyes slipped closed, a moan teasing past her lips. She ran her hands slowly down her body, shivering as her fingers tweaked her nipples still covered by the lace of her teddy.

«”I can play this game too, my Love.”» he whispered across her thoughts as every candle in the room burst into flame. Her eyes snapped open, glowing with an unearthly light, her own fangs coming to bear with a delightful hiss. If the twins could see her in such a state, they would have prostrated themselves at her feet.

But there was only one man for her…they didn’t even factor into her thoughts.

Keeping her eyes on his, her hands continued to travel down her body. She dipped in a low crouch to run light fingers across the skin of her thighs and legs, slowly coming back up. She hummed as she pressed against her mound, feeling the heat of her wetness through the little lace undies she wore. She dipped into a backbend, sliding a finger beneath the elastic band against her thigh, shivering as she brushed her dripping folds.

She pulled her finger from her body and slipped it into her mouth, sliding her tongue across her finger, tasting herself with a little moan. The moves she was making for him were enough to put a porn star to shame.

Her eyes never left his as she teased her own body.

Shimmying her hips in a circle until her back was to him, she hooked her thumbs into the straps holding her panties in place and slowly slipped them off her body, shaking her ass before his hungry gaze. She smacked herself, leaving a red welt across one rounded globe, moaning as she did so.

Turning, she faced him once more, seating herself on the cushioned stool. She spread her legs wide, giving him a full view of her luscious folds as she slowly untied the ribbon holding the front of teddy together. She drew the material slowly away from her breasts, giving him teasing glimpses of her body before she removed the garment completely. Now fully naked before him, she rested a hand behind her while running the other down her body again.

Knowing he was watching her every move, and beyond caring that she’d never done such a thing before, she slipped two fingers into her body, gasping at the sensation this wrought as she slowly began to pleasure herself.

“Shane!” she moaned as she pressed her fingers deep.

~I wanna do bad things with you~

When you came in the air went out.
And every shadow filled up with doubt.
I don’t know who you think you are,
But before the night is through,
I wanna do bad things with you.

I’m the kind to sit up in his room.
Heart sick an’ eyes filled up with blue.
I don’t know what you’ve done to me,
But I know this much is true:
I wanna do bad things with you.

When you came in the air went out.
And all those shadows there filled up with doubt.
I don’t know who you think you are,
But before the night is through,
I wanna do bad things with you.
I wanna do real bad things with you.
Ow, ooh.

I don’t know what you’ve done to me,
But I know this much is true:
I wanna do bad things with you.
I wanna do real bad things with you.~

If one could take a step back in time, and go over every single moment of pleasure, desire and lust then capture it and race it forward – playing the images, the sights the smells, the tastes so it was one orgy like feast of debauchery, then that was what Shane was projecting to Carmen’s mind. She may well be Queen of the night, but he was the Lord of her domain. No other man or beast on earth had the same powers over her that he did. One look, one word was all it took from the Master’s lips and Carmen became his toy and trophy.

And could she move. With the skill of an exotic dancer, the shamelessness of a street whore. What a powerful mix it became as she was slave to the moment.

“Yessssss.” he hissed as his gnarled hand pulled upon his enormous length; stroking in time to her own movements. He relished in watching her give herself so freely to her own pleasures. Slowly she started to undress, and he didn’t even have to lift a finger for this. Moaning, and smacking herself. If the twins were here, nothing would be able to hold them back. But Shane had far more control, and part of the game he loved so much was keeping his own desires in check. Carmen was at his will and he wanted her to push herself to the very edge of sanity.

Now on the cushioned seat, with legs wide apart, she showed no modesty as it was all stripped away.

How beautiful she was as the submissive creature she loved to be. Now her fingers; so delicate and slender had found their way inside herself. Shocked she was as she began to writhe to the sensations this brought her.

“My beauty..my Queen. I want to do such…bad things to you.” His voice that of a rogue, husky and determined. His wings opened fully and beat twice as he launched at her. Hovering, he seized her hand and reefed it from her silken slick snatch, licking the digits and winding his tongue around them as he levitated above her.

Releasing her hand, the Vampire descended upon her pinning her down to the floor and snarled as he sank his fangs into her neck, all the while his throbbing sex pushed up and deep inside her dripping jewel.

<3>

She heard him approach before she saw him and she growled in frustration as he ripped her hand away from her body, only to groan with need as he pulled her wet fingers into his mouth, his tongue lapping at her juices.

Now any other woman, seeing such a creature hovering over her would have been screaming her head off in fear as she took in the demonic features. Carmen was a whole different breed of woman, literally and figuratively. She grinned up at him, her fangs glinting in the firelight.

He released her hand and descended upon her, dragging her to the floor and pinning her slight frame with his larger one. She cried out loud as his fangs sank into her neck at the same time his throbbing length pressed into her as deeply as it could go.

She was his to do with as he would and as he drank from her, as he thrust deep into her body she began to murmur words of love in the ancient tongue of the Vampyre.

«”Da dragostea mea. Bea din organismul meu, ia-mi sufletul si completati cu mine.”» (translation: Yes my love. Drink from my body, take my soul and replenish me.)

Her fingers stroked across his skull, her legs tight around his waist. She did not transform, for she knew that she was much more powerful in her other form then he. She did not want that much control. Shane was her Lord and Master and she willingly bent to his will.

Her mouth dropped open on a low moan, a particularly hard thrust from him causing her to clench tight around him. Her eyes, slitted open as she watched her lover over her, were glowing with an eerie light, the light of a vampire. He played her body like the maestro he was, drinking her life’s blood and fueling his own desires. Unable to help herself, she brought her head forward and sank her fangs into the meat of his shoulder, taking his blood as he took from her. And as always, the sharing of blood linked their mind together and she could feel everything he was feeling. She moaned around his flesh, gripping him tightly to her with her arms and her inner muscles.

The tell-tale signs of her orgasm began to approach and she tried to remember if they had changed the windows to double paned glass. The room began to shake with the force of their impending explosion, knick-knacks falling from shelves with little tinkling sounds. The white wolf, having more sense then most, disappeared through the open basement door.

Carmen was lost in her desire, meeting her mate thrust for thrust, their thirst for each other overriding all sense.

She released her fangs from his shoulder, tossing her head back with a scream of pleasure as her passions ignited. The Queen wanted to break free, to rip and tear, to experience the love of her King, but this was Carmen’s to enjoy. She kept a tight lid on her beast as she rode out her climax in her master’s arms, crying out his name over and over again between words of love and devotion.

Her body trembled forcefully beneath him as he continued thrusting within her, his fangs still latched onto her neck. “Yessssssssssssssss.” she hissed, contracting around him once more, a feeling of euphoria like she’d never experienced before coursing through her body.

-He gave a sigh of relief and stood up, he quickly left the station avoiding the cameras and headed back to the roof tops, he could not shake the feeling that something was there before him, he could feel the evil and wickedness and the hate, and he knew it would not be long before what ever it was ran into him, and he would be waiting for it-

Manhattan – Where the rich and powerful of the world live and play. The streets are alive day and night, though many enjoy the city more by night. A sparkling spectacle, that harbors a deadly secret. How the humans would be shocked at just what and who walks among them. The living dead.

A U-Haul van pulls up outside a ritzy fifth avenue apartment building. It’s well over sixty stories high, and home to some of the most wealthy in the city. The door man sees the truck take up what should be the parking place for limos and dignataries- Presidents and stars, and comes down the velvet carpet and stands with hands on hips as he stares into the driver’s side window.

“You can’t park here.” He says with a nasally New York accent. He starts to gesture that they park up the road further, but the door on the other side of the truck opens, and Emilia hops out, dressed in her black leather trench coat. Almost stopping traffic she walks around the front of the truck, as another man gets out and goes to open the roller door at the back. Emilia shows a cocky smile at the Door man, and takes out a fist full of notes, and hands it to him.

“Special deliver for the Penthouse suite. This was pre-arranged by our employer. Either his prized collection comes in this door, or we sue for breach of contract.’ You could tell by the way she stared at the Doorman, that she meant business. When his eyes went from the roll of greenback to her eyes, he suddenly could not look away. It was almost like her eyes were hypnotic. Well, truth was they were.

“Oh…sure, yes, by all means. Here, let me get the door and alert the Concierge that you are making the delivery.”The Doorman was now under her spell, and she patted his coat before going back to see her assistant was now bringing down the large Romanian marked box on the hydrolic platform. Emilia was keeping a close eye out, to see if they had been followed from the Train station, and thankfully it appeared that they had managed to make it this far undetected.

At the door, there was now a bustle of activity as they opened the doors up wide enough to allow for the box to be brought through. As far as they were concerned, they thought it was a piece of art or furniture that was being delivered. Little did they know what was inside.

The box was now on the trolley safely and being wheeled up to the door, with Rheksas following behind. He sneered at the Door man, who tipped his hat at the large dark fellow. Emilia shook her head and followed the men inside, leaving the truck parked at the entrance. That would be driven away later, but first thing’s first was getting the box safely up to the penthouse.

Wheeling it into the service lift, they all got in, and Emilia pressed the P button, then folded her arms as the doors slid to a close. Rheksas glanced at the hired help. He was another that had been put under Emilia’s spell and would come in handy again later, but for now he was in charge of bringing the box into the Penthouse. Neither spoke, as they reached the top floor, and the doors opened to the most extravagant apartment in all of Manhattan. It was enough to make your jaw drop, but of course, Emilia has seen this sort of abode time and time again in the old country.

The U-Haul driver rolled the box into the center of the room, and started to undo the trolley, as Rheksas went to check all the rooms, and the security system. Emilia however stood guard and watched the driver, till he had the box off the trolley and was ready to leave. As he passed her, she said.

“When you have taken the trolley back to the van, you are to get in and drive to the harbour. There, you are to drive the van off the wharf and drown yourself.”

“Yes Miss.”

“Good boy.” She patted his shoulder as he continued on his way, leaving the way he came as Rheksas came out of the master bedroom.

“You sure he will do as you asked, General?” He was concerned, but he could see when the doors were closing that the driver had a punch drunk expression. Emilia, didn’t even have to look.

“They always do. Now, help me open this crate.”

<3>

Eyes as red as blood peered into the darkness, seeing everything as if it were the light of day. No breath was drawn but yet there was an awareness. Muffled sounds reached his ears as the snaps of the locks on the crate were undone. The lid was lifted and the red gave way to hazel eyes that held a deep intelligence. He smiled as his eyes landed on his generals. Emilia who’d been with him since the beginning and Rheksas, who had come to him later and proving his worth as a member of his clan.

He moved for the first time in well over 36 hours, slipping from his coffin with a smooth sort of animalistic grace. As he stood upon solid ground, his most trusted bowed low in his presence.

“Rise, my Trusted. There is no need to bow before me.” His deep voice rumbled across their skin. He left their side to move about the apartment, checking to see if things were as he requested. Room darkening curtains were across every window and he nodded with satisfaction. He turned to face them, imposing in his dark finery.

“Victor is dead.” he announced, having felt the man’s death across the miles that seperated them. “We must find where he has hidden my treasures and retrieve them posthaste. Any who defy my will shall suffer most greviously. I, Vladimir Dracul, will see to it personally.” He snarled, showing his fangs for the first time.

</3>

“Rise, my Trusted. There is no need to bow before me.”

Head still bowed, with her hair having fallen forward like a silken veil, Emilia spoke softly with a strong Romanian accent.

“Ever your servants, M’lord.”

Slowly she pushed to standing, as too did Rheksas, who towered over both her and the Count. At this point he was checking out the apartment, to see if they had fulfilled his wishes, and of course, they had done so to the letter. With special room darkening curtains that were ordered, even the staff who installed them believed the owner of the Penthouse must be a bit of a night owl. That was certainly an understatement. No expense was spared, nor should it be. The Count was an incredibly wealthy man.

“Victor is dead.”

Both stared at each other in shock, for this was news to them both. The Count continued. “We must find where he has hidden my treasures and retrieve them posthaste. Any who defy my will shall suffer most greviously. I, Vladimir Dracul, will see to it personally.” He snarled, showing his fangs for the first time. 

Emilia was the first to step forward. She was his General, and when he gave orders such as this, she paid heed.

“No stone shall be left unturned, M’lord.”

She could not take her eyes off his grace, seeing the glistening set of fangs that now protruded from his upper lip. He was truly angered that Victor had betrayed him and stolen his treasures to the new world. Now…with the help of his elite Generals he was to get them back, along with starting a new reign of terror to be unleashed upon an unsuspecting public.

There was a small knock at one of the doors and Rheksas smiled.

“I ordered…room service.” Emilia knew what that meant and smirked before watching Rheksas go to the door and open in. A beautiful young maid was standing there, holding a tray that had only a napkin on it. She looked a bit bewildered as she brought the tray in. “Room service ordered that I bring up this…napkin.” Rheksas closed the door behind her and he gestured towards the Count.

“Our Lord wishes to dine, and has very specific tastes.” He took the tray from the girl, while Emilia headed for a nearby window, to stare out at the Manhattan skyline. No doubt the Count would enjoy his…first meal in the city.

<3>

There was a knock at the door and intrigued, Vlad smiled devilishly when Rhekas told him he’d ordered room service. Vlad waited in the center of the room, his hands linked behind his back as the door was opened and a maid was escorted inside. She was dressed in a maid’s uniform and was very attractive to his roaming eye. She held a tray with a single napkin upon it.

“Room service ordered that I bring up this…napkin.” The woman looked confusedly between the three of them. Vlad approached her slowly, pinning her with his gaze.

“An unusual request, I suppose.” he smiled. “But my dining needs are a bit…eccentric.”

The woman got a whiff of his scent and seemed to melt into a puddle of lust at his feet.

“Um…well…eccentricity is underrated.” she breathed, fidgeting in place. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Emilia and Rhekas leaving the room to enjoy his meal in solitude. He stepped into the woman’s personal space, taking the tray from her lax fingers.

“What’s your name?” he asked, walking around behind her.

“D-Darla, your Grace.” the woman stammered, finding his nearness intoxicating. He pressed himself against her back and placed his cold hands upon her neck. Her pulse was racing and he could practically feel her blood flowing in her veins. She trembled at his touch.

“You may call me Vlad.” he whispered, brushing his lips across the back of her neck.

“Vlad.” the woman moaned, her eyes slipping closed. She never expected a man would have been driving her insane with lust when she came to work that evening. This was the stuff of dreams.

His hands slid down her arms to wrap around her wrists. Again he felt her pulse, judging the right time for him to make his move.

He had discovered over the centuries that lust, desire and passion made a woman’s blood taste like a fine wine…like an aphrodisiac. She didn’t know it, but Darla was in complete thrall under him. He could command her to jump out an unopened window and she wouldn’t hesitate.

But no…Vlad had something much better in mind.

Releasing her wrists, his hands slid up her body, unbuttoning the front of her uniform as he did so. The material pooled into a puddle at her feet, but she was too far gone to notice. He pushed up behind her, forcing her into movement until her thighs were pressed against the arm of the black leather couch he had requested for his new home. He bent her over at the waist, ripping both her bra and panties from her body in his haste.

She moaned as the rough material of his pants brushed across her naked backside. With a grunt, he shucked away that item and rammed himself home into her waiting body. She gave out a lustful cry as he rutted her from behind. His eyes bled red and his fangs elongated as he could practically smell her sweet blood through her pores.

He wrapped a hand around her throat and brought her body upright and pressed tightly to his own. His other arm, he wrapped around her middle, keeping her immobile while he continued to screw her six ways from Sunday. Her keening wails echoed around the apartment and he knew she was close.

“Yesssssssssss.” he hissed, mouth open wide like a snake prepared to strike. The moment she clenched around his turgid member in orgasmic bliss, his fangs sank into her neck, her life’s blood filling his mouth and making him moan hungrily. He sped up his own thrusts, wringing every last drop of sweetness from her pumping vein. A final thrust home and he achieved his own pleasure.

Darla fell limp in his arms as he continued to feed. Draining every last drop of blood from the now dead maid, he retracted his mouth from her skin, tearing dead flesh before carelessly dropping the corpse to the floor.

Stepping over the body, he retrieved the napkin and began dabbing at his mouth and lips, removing whatever excess blood remained.

“Exquisite.” he hummed with delight. Not even bothering to retrieve his pants, he moved to the windows and looked out on the city lights. “This city is ripe for the taking…and we shall rule them all.” he grinned, sensing his generals returning to the room. “Dispose of the body, you know the drills. Tomorrow night…we shall hunt for what was taken from me.”

Rheksas was pleased with himself, for coming up with the goods – aka the tempting maid in the skimpy number. He had to admit, she was a looker. To Emilia however, she knew she was just a blood bag in a pretty bow. The cries of exctasy from the maid were so loud however, that it was heard through the walls.

“I thought this room was sound proof.” Emilia said with something of a disgruntled look. Rheksas actually went over and put his ear to the door, a lopsided grin appearing. “Oh he really is enjoying this one.” Clearly he found the Count’s meal times to be very entertaining. He placed a hand to the door and licked his lips eavesdropping. The General shook her head and wandered over to a window, just staring out till they were to be summoned.

Rheksas noticed her quiet behaviour and looked back at her. “When was the last time you had a feed?” It was a good question, and the truth was shocking. “A week.” She replied, dropping her hand from the window. Rheksas was shocked. “You know you are to keep up your strength. The Count will have a fit.”

Angered she rounded. “Who do you think spent the last WEEK making sure that he arrived in this country in one piece? Hmm? Do you have any idea how hard it was cooped up on that ship?” Her eyes flashed red and you could see her clawed hands drawing into tight fists. It was clear she took her role as the Count’s chief General very seriously, even at the risk of herself. Rheksas sighed and then pushed himself away from the door, approaching her as she did a double take, then turned away from him to face the window. The giant of a man placed a hand on her shoulder and she flinched slightly. The fight always in her. She hated being touched.

“After the Count has fed, and we do the clean up…like always, you and I are going on a hunt, and I won’t take no for an answer. The Count I am sure will want to watch…Fox sports or something, not sit and listen to the likes of us.”

Emilia let out a half chuckle, though her lips remained closed. A snort almost at the humor Rheksas was trying to get across. Right on cue…the murder of the maid and the feeding was over, as the mind link with the two generals alerted them they were required.

On entering the room, the Count was standing – pantless and dabbing the napkin to his lips. He was clearly satisfied.

“Dispose of the body, you know the drills. Tomorrow night…we shall hunt for what was taken from me.”

Both moved in, with Rheksas effortlessly lifting up the girl and taking her into the large kitchen that they had to the right of the main suite, while Emilia picked up the maid’s clothing and folded them up neatly. The Count was staring out at the city, obviously making many plans on how he would rule them all. No doubt he would, unless there was someone out there that could stop him. Emilia stood and started at the white globes of his ass, before going into the kitchen herself, where Rheksas had donned an apron, and was going about starting to cut the girl up into easy store pieces. He also had what looked to be an industrial sized mincing unit, like they use for large animals to make pet meat with. Chopping away with a wide smile, and dumping large chunks into a large plastic drum, he was humming to himself, as Emilia placed the maid’s uniform in the laundry shoot. She then wiped her hands together and returned to watch Rheksas start the machine and tip the large bucket of body parts into the silo at the top. Thankfully, the kitchen was relatively sound proofed, and the job of disposing the body was almost complete.

“What do you plan to do with the…maid mince?” Emilia asked. Rheksas grinned and then said.

“Sell it to the local pet store. Not bad huh?”

Emilia shrugged, and walked out of the kitchen, feeling weakened by having to smell the bloodless remains of the maid and still having not fed. This left Rheksas to clean up the mess. Once all the remains had been minced and then bagged, he labelled it with fake cat food tags and stuck it in a large freezer, till the next night when he had time to do a drop off. Rheksas figured that if the Count was going to be having meals at home, he needed to be inventive in how to dispose of the remains. It was pretty hard to just toss a body out a window and not have that be noticed.

Rheksas cleaned up all the spill and muck from around the kitchen, and decided to fufill his word to make sure that the General got to have a feed. It worried him that she was not taking care of herself, and cared more about the Count, then her own need to feed.

Rheksas emerged, having taken off the apron, and then asked of the Count.

“My Lord, I request I take the General out for…a drink.” Rheksas was certain that if she didn’t fed tonight, she was not going to be any use to anyone on this planned mission.

<3>

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/2014 04:56AM by CharlotteCarrendar.

Four Seasons Condos, close to the Art and business district of Seattle

No 35 – Maxwell Hines

~The Dinner party~

Maxwell was in his black tuxedo, putting the finishing touches to his tie and as he stared at his reflection he muttered that Lucy was not there to help him. This dinner was not only for the benefit of the gallery, but also a good excuse to shake down a few of the panthers of the Seattle A list for a few more donations to help secure more prize exhibitions from overseas artists. Maxwell was a shrewd business man, playboy…all that, but knew bugger all about art. That is where Lucy came in. And…she was not there. Why? Oh she decided to go and check on the young Roisin’s collection that Elias was all too happy to brag about. Least that collection was not going to cost an arm and a leg to display and promote.

His tie neatly in place, he winked at his reflection before heading out into the main living area of his condo. Staying at the Four Seasons was a temporary measure, as his previous apartment was a tad small for the sorts of parties and gatherings he was planning to host. That and Mrs Hancock kept saying he should move into her sprawling country estate. Only problem there was it was too far from the city, and…he was afraid she would bore him to death with her endless and dreary tales of her first four husbands. There was no way Max wanted to be number five, as each of her husbands met an untimely death. But, to have her as a date and possibly have her die before him, was the odds he was betting on. She knew all the right people and spoke their language. She was in effect a social ladder…and one he planned to continue to climb..till something better came along.

The hired caterers were busy in the kitchen and the small string quartet were practicing over in the far corner of the room. Everything…looked perfect. Maxwell clapped his hands together as he was so far impressed.

“This…is going to be bloody brilliant.”

The door bell rang, and that familiar nasily whine was heard.

“Max…open the door, Lover…It’s me, Muriel.”

It was Mrs Hancock – Muriel Hancock. Mazwell didn’t mess about, he quickly picked a flower out of one of the prized arrangements and headed to the door as he threaded his button hole. Opening the door, before the hired help he gasped as he saw his date for the night.

“Darling…what can I say? You look…breathtaking.” He was right about that.

Muriel gushed as she stood in the door way and tore off her glasses. Leaning forward, she air kissed him twice, before pushing past and admiring the sight of his new condo. Everything was pristine and perfect, just the way Muriel liked it.

“Fabulous. Now, how’s about getting your kitten a glass of bubbly?”

<3>

LadyBelz

A Seattle City cab pulled up to the curb outside the the Four Seasons Condos and the driver turned to look at the woman in the backseat. She was busily staring out the opposite windows and snapping pictures with what looked to him like a very expensive piece of camera equipment.

“That’s $22.75, ma’am.” the driver grunted, wanting to get home in time for Jeopardy!. The woman, not even bothering to look at him, shoved a handful of bills into his hands and climbed out of the cab, still snapping pictures.

“Fascinating.” the woman whispered, her voice tinged with a cultured British accent, as she stared at the church across the street.

She turned around, staring up at the place where her brother called home with a critical eye and shook her head. He always did like to live extravagantly.

She headed inside and checked the numbers on the mailboxes in the lobby, spotting her brother’s name immediately. A smirk on her face, she started up the stares instead of taking the elevator.

When she reached Number 35, she could hear the light sounds of music and voices from inside and wondered if he was having a party? She looked down at what she was wearing, shift pants and a loose fitting top, her ever-present camera slung around her neck and decided she didn’t care one fig what she looked like. She had just spent over 14 hours on a plane and an hour in a cab coming here. He can deal with it.

She knocked on the door as hard as she could and waited.

Already a few of the more notable guests had arrived. Why there was the Senator William Chase and his gorgeous wife and former Playboy Bunny Tamara.

Iron chef USA Roberto Fleming and his partner Rodger Dupree.

Chocolate health bar Heiress Stacy Pulser and her miniature poodle Minty.

And who could forget radio talk show host Roy Stevens and his pregnant girlfriend Janice Wyman.

Coming along a bit late was Muriel’s spiritual guru the Mahatma Sheika, who decided to wear what looked like an orange and watermelon colored caftan.

Honestly, if you could see this colourful collection of characters you would have thought it was an episode of “I’m a B list celebrity – get me out of here.”

The music played was a lovely piece by Beetohavn and Maxwell had even ordered a champagne fountain with which to impress his guests. The gay sounding laughter mixed with the nasally cackle by Muriel only made it more macabre and you could see that Maxwell had already hit the bottle…a little too hard trying to cover up the fact he was shy around such people.

As Felicity was standing out in the hallway waiting for someone to answer the door, sure enough another late and unexpected guest happened to rock up. It was Lucy, who was running late after meeting with Elias and Roisin over at his studio which was on the other side of town. She was still wearing her smart grey business suit and carrying her briefcase whilst looking worried about what lay behind that door. But it was what was in front of the door, that had Lucy raise an eyebrow.

“Maxwell didn’t bribe you too, I hope.” Lucy said with a curious expression at the casually dressed lady. Course, she had no idea that this was Maxwell’s sister, for if she had, she would have used a bit more decorum. When she saw the camera lashed around her neck, she then thought maybe she was a hired celebrity photographer, ordered by Muriel to take society snaps for the high end gossip rags.

But as Lucy was about to ask, the door swung open and a pink cheeked Maxwell lurched forward. At first he was stunned, then…shocked.

“FELICITY?! My gods…what are you ….Lucy?! Wow…this is unexpected. Good thing we have extra seats. *Hic*…Won’t…won’t you come in?” He made something of a sweeping gesture for them to enter, whilst the other guests were heading for the dining room under the careful watch of one hawkeye Muriel Hancock.

‘DARLING…hurry up and bring your friends. We are about to start with the soup!”

This was to be one hell of a dinner party.

<3>

Felicity had been standing outside Max’s apartment waiting for a few minutes. Apparently whatever was going inside the place, if the loud chatter was any indication, was more important then who was at the door. She knocked again, louder this time just as the elevator dinged behind her and a woman stepped out. She, too, paused outside Max’s door, looking harried and annoyed at the same time. She noticed Felicity standing there.

“Maxwell didn’t bribe you, too I hope.” the woman stated. Before Felicity could reply, the door was finally yanked open and a loud exuberant voice was heard.

“FELICITY?! My gods…what are you ….Lucy?! Wow…this is unexpected. Good thing we have extra seats. *Hic*…Won’t…won’t you come in?” And there stood her brother in all his drunken glory. Felicity shook her head and pushed passed him into the apartment, snatching his drink from his hand as she did so. She looked around and saw a virtual Who’s Who of semi-celebrities and was itching to start taking pictures. These were the sort of people her brother rubbed elbows with?

“Really, Maxwell. It’s not even 9 o’clock and you’re already three sheets to the wind.” Felicity sighed, turning to look at him. “What would Mother say?”

“DARLING…hurry up and bring your friends. We are about to start with the soup!” came the stringent tones of the last voice Felicity expected to hear. She turned on the spot and saw Muriel waving people into the dining room.

“Muriel! Is that you, love?” Felicity grinned. She had worked with the Public Relations specialist on numerous projects over the years, the last one being a photo shoot for a young starlet who had a bad string of publicity for her acts of public drunkeness, theft, movie flops, several stints in rehab and jail time.

</3>

Muriel actually stopped what she was doing, and took a double take when she saw who had just breezed in the door, having snatched a glass from Maxwell and boldly sung out.“”Muriel! Is that you, love?”

“Felicity? Oh..my..God, Woman. How long has it been?’

If it was one thing about Muriel, she never stopped working. Every event was for a reason, a purpose. Just like this dinner. A chance to get some half baked celebrities together in the one place and do new deals in their public relations marketing. Just as Maxwell was keen to get sponsorship deals for his Art gallery, Muriel was trying to be the new Mrs 10 Percent.

Lucy stood in behind Maxwell as the two older women were about to get reacquainted. The young assistant sidled up to Maxwell and whispered in his ear. “You’re drunk.” Maxwell, who was trying to look like everything was fine at seeing his sister showed up unannounced whispered back “And I plan to get completely smashed, now that Fel is here.” Lucy wondered what on earth that meant, but by the looks of things…she was about to find out.

Muriel air kissed Felicity and then drew back giving her the once over. Though Felicity was casually dressed, she had to admit that the Bohemian look did suit her. “I had no idea that you were related to my darling Maxwell. How convenient. She purred. Would you mind taking some snaps of our wonderful guests, I am sure that they would end up on every society page in this town.” Again, Muriel was working it, as always.

Maxwell was now starting to get worried, and took Lucy by the arm and brought her over to meet Felicity properly.

“Kitten, Sis, may I present my assistant, Lucy Bardwell. She is my right hand at the Gallery, a real find all the way from New York.” Lucy tugged her arm away, then gave both women a half smile. “I am familiar with Mrs Hancock, Max. But thank you for the re introduction.” Muriel rolled her eyes, and then tried to thread her arm through Felicity’s to walk her to a place at the dinner table. Lucy noted it right away and sighed, as Maxwell grabbed another glass of champagne from one of the roving waiters. “See what I mean?’

At the table, the guests were already deep in conversations, with the Senator’s wife guffawing like some southern country girl. No table manners what so ever. The Senator kept trying to shush her, but every time she looked at the gay couple that were more interested in snogging, than partaking in the conversation, she kept erupting into giggles and laughter. “Never been this close to gay men before. Is it contagious?” The chocolate heiress was feeding her puppy: Minty some treats off the table when she heard the queer question from the Senator’s wife. “Is what contagious?” The blonde bunny bombshell blinked with those fake false eyelashes and replied. “Gayness.”

The two lovers broke a kiss, and the Iron chef who overheard the Senator’s wife said with a chuckle. “Why don’t you pucker up with Stacy and find out.” This brought a lot of laughter, especially from Tamara, who thought that was such a silly idea. “Oh you guys.”

<3>

Finishing her last lap, she swam to the pool ladder, hoisting herself out, water sliding down her hair and body in a waterfall. She sat at the edge of the pool, letting her legs dangle knee deep in the water, her eyes searching out Brock.

Brock swam up to where Pandora was now sitting – on the pool’s edge. With her legs still dangling in the water, it would be easy to just pull her back in, but he had no intention of playing games anymore. It was the way she was looking for him, when she was sitting there, that her face was serene. Getting away from the city, her job and all her worries were doing the job of helping her relax and unwind. Brock folded his arms and rest the forearms on the tiled step, looking back up at Pandora, as she kicked with her feet idly.

“I guess now comes that time of the evening, where I ask you, if you would like to be flown home….or..” he paused for a moment, and then reached out to brush his fingers along her left thigh. “If you want to spend the night.” So far the evening had been perfect, and up to this point he had been the perfect gentleman. However, he was still a man, who had hopes that she might want to stay.

“I mean, if you have to go to work early, it wouldn’t take long to change, clean up and get the plane ready.”

Brock then waited to hear what she wanted to do.

<3>

“I guess now comes that time of the evening, where I ask you, if you would like to be flown home….or..” He paused and brushed wet fingers along her left thigh, sending a shiver through her body. “If you want to spend the night.” She could hear the underlying tension in his voice, that small bit of hope that she would tell him that she didn’t have any other plans. She thought about the pile of homework she left sitting on her kitchen table. Did she really want to go home to that when she could be here, with him?

There really was no decision to make. She leaned close to him to stare him in the eye.

“I have no plans for this evening.” she whispered, her voice husky. She slipped from the water, getting to her feet and headed inside. “I’m going to go take a shower…if you care to join me.” she teased, slipping in through the door.

Brock’s heart almost skipped a beat when Pandora said she had no plans for the evening, in that husky voice of hers. The young pilot could not get the smile off his face if he tried, watching her get to her feet and head inside to take a shower.

“I’m going to go take a shower…if you care to join me.”

Join her? Now there was an invitation he could hardly refuse. Brock climbed the pool ladder out and got to the tiled surface, where he reached for a towel, and started to dry himself off. Pandora had certainly made herself at home, and he had to admit, that he would definitely be bringing her back home to the island more often in the future. Wrapping the towel around his waist and tying it off, he followed Pandora into the house, past the large dining area, and made his way towards his bedroom, which he assumed she was, since he had a rather large bathroom off the side.

His room had a large balcony, that showed off the beach and sea below, as well as the gorgeous night sky. With six large glass panels, that could be made to tint out at the touch of a button, he could get all the privacy he needed, though with no one on the island, save for Lady Bunton and Pandora, he wasn’t too worried about being seen.

He tossed the wet towel in his hamper, along with his boxers, and then strolled into the bathroom starkers.

Pandora had already made herself at home, and was about to turn on the water faucet.

“Allow me.” Brock said, reaching past her and turning on the cold, then hot water till it had the temperature just right.

Pandora’s lace bra and smalls were still wet, and Brock game fully reached to undo her bra strap, while watching her.

“I know, I promised to behave…but, now that I am here.”

He pulled her under the hot streams of water, and drew her into his embrace. Powerful arms locking around her, as he kissed her passionately, unable to hold back after a night of gentle teasing.

<3>

“I know, I promised to behave…but, now that I am here.” he grinned, stepping into the shower. He grabbed her arm as he stepped under the hot spray, pulling her close, his lips passionately devouring hers. She moaned with need, holding tight to his shoulders as his tongue plundered her mouth. Her hands slid down his body and around his waist, moving to the tight buns she’d been dying to touch most of the day, squeezing them.

His hardness was pressed into her stomach and she groaned at the feel of him. The water created a delicious heat and friction between them as their bodies slid together beneath its spray.

She gasped for air as his lips left hers and her head fell back with a groan.

“Brock!” she hissed his name, desire coloring her tone. She was simply amazed at how quickly the flames of passion rose up between them. It was like the moment in her kitchen all over again. How did he make her feel so much in so little time?

Brock had never known a woman, to make him feel the way that Pandora did. Her lips so divine that he found himself dying to kiss her, while their bodies gyrated in a timeless dance beneath the hot spray of water. The silken flesh now awash with water became slick as the friction between them increased. His eagerness all too apparent, when she withdrew from the kiss coming up for air. His head falling forward and with a ravenous hunger he turned to her neck, all the while daring fingers sought to discover her most intimate places. Large hands gripped her buttocks, prizing them apart before kneading forcibly.

Hot breath upon her skin charged with his desire and with a flicking tongue he tasted her salty texture. With their bodies pressed hard up against each other, Brock’s needs were overcoming his sensibility. Brock came up for air, and then with a wide smile when he heard her hiss his name, he reached round and picked her up by her ass and pulled her up onto him.

“I’m never letting you go, Pan”

That was the last words he would say, as he drove her into the tiled wall of the shower. Brock had her sitting right above the swollen head of his cock, which was drenched in pre. Eagerly he pressed it to her rim, as he nipped at her bottom lip – urging her to let go her inhibitions, and give herself over to the pleasure.

<3>

She knew that, she truly did. But she had missed him, missed his voice, missed his smell, his touch, his everything. She shook her head against him before she brought her head up to look at him. Her eyes were red-rimmed, brimming with unshed tears and though she looked absolutely miserable, she still looked beautiful.

“Woah woah…Pan, speak to me. This isn’t like you. Come on, I’m home now.”

She swiped at her eyes, trying to get the tears to stop but it was like the floodgates on her emotions had become unlocked. He simply held her until she ran dry, which she was supremely grateful for. She sat up, pulling the sheet against her body for warmth as she dried her eyes. She took a tissue and blew her stuffed nose.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall apart like that.” she murmured, her voice still clogged with emotion. “Today has been…not great.” she stared down at her feet, her knees drawn up beneath her chin. She took comfort in the hand running up and down her back in a soothing gesture and knew it was time to tell him a bit of her past.

“Do you know how I don’t talk about my mother and stepfather every time you ask?” She waited for his nod before she continued. “There’s a reason for that.” Sniffing, she tucked her hair behind her ear and prepared to tell him the whole sordid story.

“My mother was once a beautiful woman. She had a great career as a high school English teacher and a man who loved her dearly, my father. My father was the manager of an Italian restaurant, loved what he did. He would always bring home little treats for me. When I was 7, he died. Killed by a drunk driver on his way home from work.” She closed her eyes in remembered pain. The funeral, the endless stream of platitudes and words of condolences.

“And then she met George. I was 9 at the time. He seemed like a good enough guy, a mechanic. He taught me about auto repair. Mom and he got married when I was 10 and the twins were born a year later. But then George started being weird. He kept giving me strange looks, especially just after I’d had a bath. Then mom started being weird. She lost weight. Became absent-minded. Started missing work. Dressing provocatively. Then she lost her job. I never did find out why until later. She’d been caught sleeping with another teacher, a married man with two kids of his own. Then she was arrested – prostitution. But when I was 18…she did something unforgivable. I had just come home from work. I was a stripper and I was using the money to take some classes at the community college in auto mechanics. The house smelled like weed and stale sweat. Mom and George were in the living room…doing lines of coke on the living room table. Mom saw me, told me George would pay me $500 if I gave him a lap dance. My own mother was trying to pimp me out to her own husband, a man who nearly raised me. I told them I refused. George got angry…grabbed me and threw me to the floor. I was so stunned I couldn’t move for a moment and then he was on top of me, trying to rip my clothes off. I was so scared that I did…something…I remember screaming and there was this smell of something burning and George got off me. I jumped to my feet. My mother was glaring at me with such hate in her eyes. George was cradling his arm…it looked red and blistered. I screamed at them that I never wanted to see or hear from them again and I left the house with the clothes on my back. I never returned. I spent a few weeks on a friend’s couch before I saved up enough money to come north.” she finished, shuddering.

She looked at him. “They keep calling me…making threats…no matter how many times I change my number, keep it unlisted…they keep finding me. They know where I live, Brock.” she stated.

It takes a great deal to anger a man. Brock had been trained how to deal with all sorts of situations, both emergencies and real life dramas in rescues. But what he wasn’t prepared for, was the admissions by Pandora of her youth, and the shocking account that her abusive parents had some how managed to track her down. Not only that, they keep finding her unlisted number. From an idyllic childhood, to then have her life spiral out of control from the excesses of her step father and the troubling influence that he had over her mother, it was all too plain to see, that Pandora needed protecting. Especially since her parents seemed to be insistent, if her story was anything to go by.

The more he heard, the angrier he became. He was also mad at himself, for having been away for so long without contact. She deserved more than that, especially from him. Raking his fingers through his hair, he climbed out of bed, and then started to pace back and forth, as though weighing up his options on how best he could protect her. If they knew she was here in this building, he had no idea how safe it truly was. He had no clues about the security systems, or evacuation points. His love, his woman was being threatened…and that just would not do. Finally he stopped pacing and turned to her.

“Pack your bags. I’m taking you home.”

<3>

“If you want to leave…I understand.” she whispered, eyes clenched tight as she tried to put the lock back on her heart.

But there was no sound of her apartment door closing, no sense of him leaving. She brought her head up and saw that he was staring at her with grim determination. She was shocked.

“Brock, what-”

“Pack your bags. I’m taking you home.”

Well that was unexpected.

Her mouth dropped open in shock.

“I-what?” she gaped. “But my job? My classes? And what about your family? I can’t barge in on your life like that!”

Pandora’s reaction was a spray of words, more shocked than anything that Brock would make such a bold request. But what she didn’t understand was that he saw her totally different from what she might have ever expected.

He walked to her closet and turned on the light, then went in and took out a suitcase, before bringing it out and setting it on the bed. His face was like granite. Brock would not take no for an answer.

“Pan…you are my life.”

This would have been a shock. He was putting her first, before family, his work, her work, and her studies. Brock turned and went to her chest of drawers and pulled it open, then started to gather up her smalls, and brought them back to the suitcase and dumped them in.

“Help me pack.”

It was almost like he wasn’t listening to her. But this was him, trying hard…so damn hard not to explode in rage. He couldn’t do that…he couldn’t afford to let her see the truth.

<3>

Announcing they were to visit a neighboring kingdom, Ilyra nodded her acceptance. “As you wish, Master.” she nodded. Jamai bowed to them both before excusing himself from their tent. She watched him go with a sigh before getting to her feet. She moved to a bench at the center of their tent and sat down upon it with a pleasurable moan. It had been hard sitting upon the ground for so long.

As Jamai left the tent, Tagor’s attention turned back on IIyra who had gone from sitting on the fur covered ground to moving to a seat or bench in their tent. Tagor had a hard ride back, and his scalp was feeling itchy from not having washed in a few days. He started to untie the various leather binds, that held his long magnificent black mane in place. As it came undone, the sheer amount of hair he had was shocking to say the least. He stepped out of the tent, and went to where they stored large water pots, and grabbed one, that he tipped and upended just above his head, dousing his hair till it was soaked through. He had a special bar of soap that he kept on a log outside his tent and started to wash and massage his hair thoroughly, much to the amusement of some of the village children. To see the large man bathing in the open was a treat, even some of the slave girls gaped and were in awe as he stood in his wet leather short pants and his hair all lathered with the soap. Another jug of water and it splashed down over himself, rinsing his hair through till it shone the perfect jet black. The dripping Njada leader then went back inside his tent, and then reached for the combs and new binds, presenting them to IIyra.

“Weave Tagor’s hair.” He asked in a gruff voice, planting himself down in front of her, so she could tend to braiding his hair as she sat on the small stool.

<3>

An assassin dressed as a guard, and from the valley of Wood elfs. So bold they would try and send in one to kill Magarsa. Gripping the large necklet that hung around his full neck, he strode over to where Ivan held the quivering guard on the floor, a blade to his throat.

“What shall we do with him?” Asked one fo the guards. A good question. Staring at the assassin, Magarsa said simply. “The lands of Tsumal are not as forgiving as I. This man, this elf, shall be taken out to the sand hills with his naked body to be tied to the ground, and have the sweetest honey in all the capital poured over his face and genitals.” He leaned forward, so his stinking breath would not escape the fallen guard. “There..in the blaze of the sun, you will discover the true horror of being eaten alive. Take him away.” Magarsa said with a flick of his wrist. Two other guards came to drag the screaming traitor out of the building, as Magarsa turned to the noble one that had just saved his life. “And you…you I have not seen before. Tell me, what name was given to you by your birth mother?”

Magarsa started back for his grand chair, as he waited to be answered. The commotion had not gone unnoticed by Nerboti, who watched from behind a veiled curtain near the balcony. Who was this man that just saved her father? She had not seen him before, and yet he just did a very valiant deed. Such heroics were rare, especially against a man like her father. Many men would not even have to be paid to get within striking distance to do him in. His atrocities were well known. He did not get to where he was in Tsumal society for being anything but a tyrant.

Nerboti’s dark eyes followed Ivan’s movements. She had to admit, he was a fine specimen of manhood, in every sense of the word.

<3>

Having his hair braided by IIyra was a very pleasurable and relaxing experience. Though he did not speak, she hummed a tune as she weaved and worked his hair, going as far as adding an owl feather to the plaits. Tagor sat regally, even though he was on the ground, and she was seated higher than him. Unusual for a Njada man to allow, but he was so comfortable in her presence he allowed for such things. To feel the warmth of her breath of the back of his neck, did send a shiver through him. She had that affect; the slightest touch of her delicate fingers, the way she picked up his hair as though it was spun gold. The soap he had used contained oils that were rich in its scent, and a masculine quality to it. A musk if you will.

IIyra pressed her hand to his shoulder, to alert him that she had completed the task. Tagor reached round and pulled his long braided plait around so he may see her work for himself. It was bound so well, that there was little chance of it coming undone. Something that was simply seen as a weakness if it did. Tagor flicked his plait back then reached for her hand, pulling her around so that she would come to be in his lap as he sat cross legged.

“Mate …IIyra, did good.” Again, a man of few words. His smile however, that spoke volumes. It was like his eyes danced whilst set in the dark hollows that rimmed his eyes. It was rare to see him show such joy, but he had much to be thankful for. He truly believed the Gods had favoured him on finding IIyra at the slave markets, and the fact she fell so easily to carry a child showed she had the strength to be a good Njada woman.

If this was paradise on earth, he had found it.

<3>

“…Ilyra, did good.” he announced, shocking her that he had stated her name without any hesitation. His eyes were dancing and there was one of those private, just-for-her smiles on his face, that she couldn’t help but return.

She placed the palms of her hands against his neck. “You’re welcome, My Lord.” she murmured in her melodic voice, brushing her hands across his shoulders in a loving gesture as she did so.

She wondered what else she could do to please him, and asked him such. “Is there anything more you wish of me, My Lord? Speak the words and I shall heed them.”

IIyra’s touch – so gentle. This was a very private and gentle moment between them. They had a bond that transcended just that of a physical relationship. Heart, soul and mind were often connected, and this moment IIyra was asking if there was anything more that he wished of her.

For the first time, Tagor did not order or speak a command. He was actually curious about her. Her upbringing, her life – her story. He knew her only from when he found her in the slave markets, but by the mark upon her of the winter snowflake, it was obvious she had a past; a history that he wanted to know.

“Tagor…wants IIyra to teach….to speak of..” At this point he placed his hand on her chest.“IIyra.”

His dark eyes implored her. This was not a simple request. She was to be mother to his child, and Tagor wanted to know her intimately. How she came to be his woman.

Tagor waited for her answer.

<3>

“Tagor…wants IIyra to teach….to speak of…IIyra.” he stated, pressing a hand to her chest.

“You wish to know of me?” she asked, not sure she heard correctly. He would simply nod his head. “Oh…well…I was born in the Winterlands, far across the seas. My father is, or was, the leader of our clans – fair and just, much like yourself. We were a peaceful people. Never knowing battle or wars like you have. Oh there was fighting, to be sure, but mostly with beasts encroaching upon our lands and trying to steal our younglings for their food. It is how we got our furs for the winters.” she began to explain. “My days were spent with my mother and sister, learning traditions and history, chores and such. My free time was spent exploring the lands surrounding our village, my companion, an ice wolf by my side for protection. It was a life I took advantage of. And then the outsiders came…” She looked down in sadness, as that was the day her life changed forever. Her fingers traced idle patterns across his chest as she recalled that day.

“They came seeking trade with my father, him not knowing who they were and seeing the profit to be made. But the men who came, coveted our females, sought to trade with father for them. He told them no and sent them away. They came back, like thieves and attacked us, killing those of our men who stood against them and taking the women…including me and my sister. They…” Here she paused to swallow in remembered pain, “…killed my mother right in front of me. My father was injured. I do not know if he lives still. My sister and I were seperated and sold into the life of slavery. It has been my life since.” She finished.

Tagor wanted to know about the woman that he had made his mate. Most Njada were only interested in their own culture and society, certainly not the heritage of a slave. But Tagor did not view her as such. She was so much more, and now as she started to recant the details of her life, the fact she was born in the Winterlands far across the sea, that the mystery to her becoming a slave was starting to be solved. Her younger days were as expected, being brought up by her mother to learn craft, history and how to keep the home. Her father was a leader and while IIyra described him as being much like Tagor himself, this gave him reason to smile. But it was when she spoke of the outsiders, that Tagor’s face darkened. Almost as though he could picture the scene she described in her mind. He was not surprised with how the outsiders acted. It was why the Njada were defensive against the unknown, for the same reasons. Trust had to be earnt, well before trade may commence. When IIyra traced her finger along Tagor’s chest, he reached for her cheek, and caressed it as she continued to tell the tale.

Tagor’s brow knitted on hearing how the attacked and killed her mother before her. How her father was injured, and sister taken into slavery – sold to an unknown. That was her life..up to the moment that she had been purchased by Tagor. The day her life changed forever.

“Tagor…loves IIyra. Never see you hurt again.” Words so simple, yet powerful. He pledged his own life to protect her, and inwardly he made a promise. He would one day seek out and find her father, even if it meant crossing the seas, and reunite her one day with her family. But for now, she would not be alone. “Tagor…baby. Family.” The Njada leader said with a firm nod. You could see the depth of feeling in his eyes. She and their unborn son, meant the world to him, and now he knew of her past, he wished her future to be bright.

<3>

“And Ilyra loves Tagor.” she whispered, before pressing her lips to his in a gentle kiss. He had removed her from a life spent in slavery and had blessed her with a new home, a child, and a love she never thought possible.

How could anything go wrong after this?

Unknown to them, someone was watching them from the edges of the tent flaps, her eyes bright with anger at the betrayal she felt. One son was dead at the hands of the one who lived and she cursed the Fates for giving her such an evil (in her mind) child.

Little did Thiras know that she was being watched. A young warrior, whose name was Rangor who had high aspirations of becoming a leader in his own right knew of the altercation between the matriarch and the leader; Tagor. Seeing her now, watching through a gap in the tent flap of the Leader had him smirk to himself, as he strolled across to where she was crouched. He was like a shadow almost, and he bent down and whispered;

“If Tagor catch you….he would drag you for fifty miles.” His voice filled with menace as Thiras was startled at being caught. “Gah…young fool. Get away from me.” Clearly she was not having a good day, not that Rangor cared. He wiggled his finger suggestively and she huffed as she rose up and followed him to a place between two tents. The warrior was not the most handsome of Njada. An injury that he sustained in one battle, had left him with a large scar across his right cheek, and it was disfiguring to say the least. But he was well known with his talent for pleasing women, and not just slaves. Many a wife had secretly laid with the young buck, when the other warriors were away. He used his handicap to his advantage, and also was sharp of mind and knew how to manipulate.

“So..you have denounced your claim as mother to Tagor?” Rangor asked, knowing the answer full well. “And yet…you watch them on the furs?” Your current lover not giving you enough of a thrill?’ He bore a wicked grin, as Thrias rounded on him. “You…ask too many questions.” She practically spat, as he simply cocked his head, and then reached out to caress her left breast in a shocking move that would have her gasp. “Still ripe…after two sons? My, how I would love to taste your milk, Thiras, I bet it is so rich…like you.” Thiras slapped his hand away, as he was daring to touch a high bred woman such as herself, but she could not deny that it didn’t excite her.

“What do you want?” Thiras asked, knowing he was up to no good. Instead of answering her, he took her hand and led her into his own tent, where there was more privacy. Closing the flap, he then rounded on her. “I want…what every man dreams. To be the leader of the Njada.” At this, Thiras laughed. What an absurd notion. “Tagor would never renounce his leadership. He holds it with an iron grip, like he does that woman.” Thiras had a point, but then Rangor came in close to her and rolled out the charm.

“Then we need to find a way to GET him to let go.” Thiras started to back up as Rangor gripped her arm and threw her down on the furs. She scrambled as he then dropped down on his knees and pushed her back onto the ground. The look on his face was one of pure hatred and lust. “Your going to help me…but first, I am going to teach you a lesson in submission. Much easier to control a woman, who knows her place.”

From the outside of the tent, you could hear the pained cries of Thiras…but those passing thought it was just a reluctant slave, not the mother of the Njada leader. Rangor was savage…brutal as he raped her repeatedly, till she would no longer refuse him…and his dreams of the leadership.

<3>

“It was my honor to help you my lord”-I van said again not looking up. One of the other guards came back and too a knee-“He is a sell sword we picked up on the way here when one of the other guards was killed in an accident my lord, we have yet to pay him”

-Ivan still had his head bowed not saying a word, and fighting every urge to kill the man where he stood, every word out of Magarsas mouth made his blood boil with anger, he also knew he had to find a way to the elf from the sentence that was given to him-

CharlotteCarrendar

Carrying the whip; an artifact passed down from father to son to control the slaves, Magarsa observed his savior. A man by the name of Chavek. A sell sword. The Slave Master was impressed not only by his speed in taking care of the Elf assassin, but also the fact he stood before the Master unwavering. Many showed fear when they were in the presence of the great one. Magarsa had a history of being violent and unpredictable, even to his most loyal guards.

He approached Chavek, getting a better look at the man, while one of the other guards went about to tell the tale of how he came to be in the employ of the Slave Master. Magarsa held a stiff upper lip as he swatted his own hand with the whip, and took in all that was said. Chavek had his head bowed, as the guard explained that they had yet to pay the man for his service. Already he had performed above and beyond expectation, and he decided that Chavek would be rewarded.

“Crytek…give this man a bag of silver, and show him to the feasting room. Assign him a pleasure slave and a room for the night.”

The Slave Master was being more than generous, in the eyes of the other guards, as he turned to leave the Slave driver to take the remaining chained slaves from the room. Crytek approached Chavek and said. “This way. You have been blessed by the Gods. Magarsa is not normally one to grant such a reward.”

All the while, the Slave Master’s daughter watched, as the new guard was led away to enjoy a sumptuous meal.

<3>

“Crytek…give this man a bag of silver, and show him to the feasting room. Assign him a pleasure slave and a room for the night.” 

-He took another sigh as he said this and watched as he walked away. He followed Crytek saying a small prayer to the closest great cat to save the young elf from his fate. After he looked to his left and meet the slaves daughters eyes. He locked eyes with her until they turned a corner. He again sighed but this time it was something diffrant, why did she have this effect on him?-

Nerboti was bold if anything. She was used to getting her way with most of her wishes, except for the chance to have a new slave to toy with from the latest batch. After Ivan had been thusly rewarded by her father for his faithful service, Nerboti noticed that he kept staring at her. Was that really so unusual? She was dressed in the finest of silk and jewels that barely covered her, and her skin so rich and painted, as well as scented with exotic oils.

The girl sashayed over to where Ivan stood, and she then walked around him as though a jungle cat. Seizing him up. She knew her station was higher than the likes of a sell sword, and he would be foolish to try anything. His scent was unusual, as well as his physical build. He couldn’t be human, but was he immortal? That was the question.

“Is there something about me you wish to see more of?’ Nerboti purred, placing her finger on the right side of his chest and dragging it along slowly. “I’m no pleasure slave, I assure you. But….I’ve been known to leave many a man wanting more.” Nerboti drew her hand back and then acted demurely.

“What do they call you…Sell sword?”

<3>

IIyra was blessed with child, and now Tagor wanted to make sure that she was treated as though a goddess through and through. He gently lifted her off his lap, and then pointed to the furs.

“IIyra needs rest.” It was not so much a request, but an order that she lay down and keep her feet up so as not to get swollen ankles. The leader then rose to standing, and left the tent, going to find two slaves that would care for his wife this night. He decided then and there, that he would no longer lay with his mate until three moons after she had given birth and then it would be done carefully if at all. This may well mean he might find himself getting…well, frustrated but it was the price to pay for protecting the future unborn leader of the Njada.

Reaching the slave’s main tent, he made his order.

“Mate of Tagor needs to be massaged and cleaned. Riehas and Clerah, you both go to tent and care for IIyra of Njada.”

The two women got up immediately from their crafts, and bowed before hurrying past him and going back to his tent. That done, Tagor went to the council tent to spend time with the menfolk and enjoy some much needed wine.

<3>

The sell sword’s name was Chavek, and while he was admiring Nerboti, calling her of all things “art work” he then expressed that he had no desire to TOUCH the artwork. ~WHAT?~ What man could possibly resist Nerboti? Had he had his reproductive organs removed at birth? The look on Nerboti’s face was a mix of confusion and shock. She looked down at her self, and wondered if there was something wrong with her. No..perky ripe mounds, child bearing hips, rounded tight buttocks. She thought she was the epitome of what a woman from Tsumal should be.

Now..there are many coloured and cursed words used by the Tsumal, and that day Nerboti invented a few new ones as the sell sword walked away from her. Seething, she marched over to one of her father’s guards and gripped his arm.

“MY ROOM..NOW!” Nerboti dragged the unwitting guard off to her room for some very angry sex.

<3>

-Ivan nodded and stepped into his room. It was gorgeous, a king size bed red velvet carpets and curtains. trow rugs and pillows all over the place to relax in, even a nice sized bowl of fruit. Ivan sighed again and turned and lock the door. He went walked to the farthest corner of the room and dropped his guise then pulled the mirror out. The man appeared again-”What is your condition lieutenant? he asked.

“Infiltrated the guard, saved the head slaver from an assassin, will soon be in the inner circle and have the info needed”
-His CO nodded-“Be careful, if you have to bail do so quickly and quietly”-Ivan nodded and put the mirror up and resumed his guise, just as there was a knock on the door. Ivan walked over to the door and opened it, there stood a small women with a measuring tape and a pad-“Lord Marsala has requested you be fitted properly for tonight dinner”-she said meekly. Ivan nodded and after a few about thirty minutes she left. Ivan sighed again and watched her leave then turned around to head back into his room-

She frowned, wondering what had just happened. He hadn’t even looked at her before he left. Had she displeased him in some way?

The Elven woman was further confused when two slaves entered her tent to tell her they were there to care for her for the rest of the evening.

“Where is Tagor?” Ilyra asked with some trepidation.

“He is with the other men, my Lady.” the one known as Clerah stated. The frown never left Ilyra’s face as she moved to do as she was bid.

———-

And so set the tone for the next seven days. Not once did Tagor lay with her and it was a frustration to Ilyra to be so close and yet he felt far removed from her.

It was during this time that Sharma returned to her side and Ilyra was pleased to see her friend up and about once more. She had missed their talks. Ilyra had requested they go for a bath now that the waters had been removed of the taint of the dead and corrupt.

The two women gathered their things and headed off together. She really needed some advice.

They chatted about nothing of consequence for some time before she brought up the subject she really wanted to talk about.

“Sharma?”

“Hmmm?”

“How does one go about enticing a man?” Ilyra asked hesitantly, a blush fusing her cheeks. Sharma looked at her, eyes wide with surprise.

“What brought this on?”

“Tagor has not lain with me in nearly 7 days. He holds me when we sleep or he sleeps on the other side of our tent. He will not touch me. Some days he doesn’t even look at me. I don’t know what to think.”

-Crytek took him to the table and sat him right next to Marsala-“Lord Marsala, sir Chavek is here”-Ivan sits down and bows his head-“Lord Marsala, it is an honor to see you again”-He saw Nerboti and looked away, he wanted her and he knew she wanted him, but one he had a job to do, and two he wanted to play hard get-

The Dining Hall

The Slave Master’s face was flush from having had many wines before the banquet had begun, and slurred his words as he fell back in his fur covered chair. Ripping the hand of some un co-operative pleasure slave to sit on his lap as he slobbered over a turkey leg, he gave the newly arrived Chavek the once over.

“Eat…boy!” Marsala boomed, as he licked the slave’s face and left a large drool mark on her cheek. His breath must have been disgusting, and with his added bulk and sweat, it is the last place any woman would want to be. But under the threat of death, the pleasure slave smiled weakly. If only he knew what she was thinking.

All around, the laughter and noise was deafening, as Chavek would probably be sickened and horrified by the antics of these Slave owners and high nobles. They acted far worse than any common folk that was for sure. Drunken slobs. The only one that seemed to have any decorum was in fact Nerboti, who had barely touched the food or drink. She kept her back rigid and any soldier or guard that came near her, even in a drunken stupor were sent packing by her wicked stare.

Nerboti saw the stolen glance, and how he turned his head away from her. That’s right, already rejected her once. She clawed at her chair, unseen by those she sat beside. Little did Chavek realize, but she was as much a slave to this house as the others – only she wasn’t sold off for favors….yet.

<3>

The Dining Hall

The Slave Master had finally eaten his full, if one could believe that, and pushed the pleasure slave from his lap with such a heavy hand that she fell to the floor. Knowing better than to stay in a heap there, she crawled away as the rotund slave Master rose to his feet.

“Now all of you have enjoyed my foods and wines, I bring to your attention the Games.”

This brought a rousing cheer from those seated at the long tables. The Games were a highlight of the Summer season, and one of the things that had brought the Slave Master much wealth. With the deafening noise of rabble rousing, the Slave Master waved his hands to bring the gathered to silence.

“Many other Slavers have brought their best and finest to fight, and we shall show them that this city of Tsumal has many a hardened Gladiator to fight theirs. I urge you all to attend…and be sure to bring those hefty purses. The betting starts at the hour before the midday sun reaches it’s peek.”

So that was it. The Slave Master’s main source of income was the Games – a fierce show of Gladiators and slaves fighting to the death. Those that had traveled far to attend had their fighters locked in the under ground pits of the stadium. If it was one thing Nerboti enjoyed it was watching the wholesome slaughter of man and beast at these events. She got a grand ringside seat and was able to wear her best dresses as she was presented as though royalty.

As Chavek was being fed cherries by the elven pleasure slave, Lord Marsala clapped eyes on the sell sword, and pointed his chubby digit at him. “Say you will be there at the Games. I reserve you a place at the box…unless you wish to fight one of the prize warriors….hmm?” He asked with an arched eyebrow.

<3>

The slaves shouted, some whimpered, many were men if not all were men, all varying ages all of different races and sizes, and many were picked because they would at least survive long enough to make it interesting. Some where even now being dressed in crude armor and showed how to use a sword with basic skill.

In the last cell far on the end, a young male sat huddled in the corner. Four others shared his cell, one was a older man, sold by his master into this battle arena as he reached the prime of his use, his master was planning on betting him to lose. The other was a female, one of the very rare few down here, she was of amazonian quality with reptilian features, she wasn’t a desirable pleasure slave, and her hulking size made her useless as a servant. This was her place now, and she probably stood the best chance of becoming a gladiator one day. The other was a man in his prime, but, he had no skill in fighting, he had already resignation him self to be fodder, or a shield, to give others a chance long enough to live, just a little bit more.

Then there was the two young boys, a sandy blonde beauty, elf by all appearances, how he had ended up here was a mystery he was usually what they wanted in the houses, tending to the lords lady, or the lord as a page. He was huddled protectively beside the other young boy, they both looked as about the age of 15 or 16 years old. The boy had dark black hair, he also had pointed ears like the elf boy, but the edges of the ears were covered in a fine dusting of fur. His eyes as he glanced around in fear were a strange aqua color, though they appeared as normal as everyone else eyes, the iris rippled around the narrowed feline pupils.

He had a long ebony cat tail that curled under his legs that he tucked in tightly against his chest in hopes of protecting himself as much as possible. The elf boy had his arms wrapped around his head rubbing his scalp gently in calming circles, the elf boy was determined that the two of them would survive. Even though they were both slaves, it was a secret between the two, that the cat’s real master, was the elf boy and always would be.

“don’t worry Emser, we’ll get through this…don’t we always,”the elf boy said glaring at the guards that peaked into the cell to check on them, some were expecting the old man to kill over before the games even started.

“Tyom,” Emser the cat-boy whispered softly, “this is different Tyom….they aren’t going to let us live, Tyom, I won’t be able to save us,” he said his voice braking into a sob.

The man across from them snorted, “you two act like fucking pansy…be a man….take out as many as you can while your still alive,” he said sounding probably harsher then he had meant it to be, it was his attempt that he was trying to comfort them.

The woman just smiled, she had her own plans and that included killing the slaves as much as the gladiators, “why bother, you’ll be dead the moment you exit the gates,” she said.

Tyom hissed mimicing Emser if he had any reaction, “you don’t know us, you don’t know what Emser can really do….they were stupid taking us,” he retorted.

There was a roar outside, the five in there cell glanced upward towards the ceilings, and knew that the games would soon begin, each participant had there own resolve, there own plans to survive, and many, were hoping this would be the final days of there slavery, in more ways then one.-

The Njada leader was spending time away from his pregnant mate. Not because it was what he wanted to do, far from it. It was due to the fact that he believed that while she was in this state of pregnancy, that to force himself upon her may do unknown damage to the unborn future son of Tagor. The Njada were a very proud and sexually active group of men, and to not be able to lay with IIyra…was hurting him more than she could have ever imagined. To stop himself from being put into a situation where he found it hard to hold back his primal urges, he spent more time with the men folk, and less time with IIyra. He loved her probably more than ever, but he was being typical of a Njada male.

But one man noticed this. Rangor. The young warrior who had raped Tagor’s mother, in a bid to get her favour (oddly) and help him secure a place as the leader of the Njada. He watched as Tagor left the tent again, after not having slept with his woman, and he eaves dropped on the conversation between Sharma and IIyra. So…she wanted to know how to make a man bend to her will, did she? This had him smirk deviously, as he waited a moment, and then approached the tent entrance, before asking permission to enter.

“Son of Murtga, wishes to pay homage to mate of Tagor.”

<3>

As the two women were returning from their bath, Sharma was explaining to Ilyra on how to get Tagor to place his attentions back on his mate when their conversation was interrupted.

“Son of Murtga, wishes to pay homage to mate of Tagor.” came a deep voice from outside the tent. Ilyra looked at Sharma in confusion.

“Who is he?”

“He is one of Njada’s fiercest warriors besides Tagor himself.” Sharma stated out loud. But she leaned in close so that she would not be overheard. “Be wary of him, my lady. There have been whispers that he covets other Njada mates.”

Ilyra nodded, but decided to reserve judgement for herself.

“You may enter.” Ilyra stated in a kind voice.

Rangor smiles to himself and then wipes that away as he enters the tent flap, seeing the slave Sharma there along with the very beautiful IIyra. She is up close the beauty that many a man has whispered behind Tagor’s back. Taking a few steps in, he goes down to kneel on one knee and bows his head, as she is viewed as a high woman of the Njada.

“My name is Rangor, Ilyra of Njada. I come to pay honor to you and your unborn son.”

He did not rise from his position until she had given word. This was all part of his plan. Get in close to IIyra and start to plant seeds of doubt into her mind about Tagor and his intentions. The part that he was tickled about, was how Tagor was behaving with his woman – denying sexual acts due to her pregnant state. That would probably have the mate of Tagor yearning, and so ripe to pluck. Rangor watched and observed women closely, you could say it was a strong held fascination with how they ticked. To understand your prey, was how one went to conquer them. He had such terrible designs on what he wanted to do, but for now, he would play the part of the dutiful warrior and Njada male.

<3>

The tent flap spread open and a man stepped inside. From what she could see of him, his build was slightly smaller then Tagor’s. He was dark-complected and his hair was loose upon his head. His body was riddled with scars of battle, a testament to his status as a warrior of the Njada people.

He stopped a few feet from her and knelt down upon a knee before her, head bowed in respect.

“My name is Rangor, Ilyra of Njada.” His voice was very deep, but there was a hardness to it, unlike Tagor’s. “I come to pay honor to you and your unborn son.” He finished his introduction and waited.

“Tis a pleasure to meet one of Njada’s finest warriors, Rangor of Murtga. Please rise.” Ilyra smiled, giving nothing away. Her senses were screaming at her not to trust this man. She had learned over the years to trust those senses as it alerted her to when her masters were displeased. “What may the mate of Tagor and her servant do for you this day?”

Rangor rose up to standing as he was given the permission to do so. The mate of Tagor smiled warmly, but when Ragnor’s eyes flickered to that of Sharma, he got the feeling that the slave was not showing due respect to the warrior. He would deal with her later, but for now he concentrated on his target – IIyra. Keeping his arms to his side, hands open to show he was not holding anything that can be deemed a threat, he paid heed to her question in regards to how she might be able to do for him that day.

The warrior spoke in a monotone and addressed her with respect.

“One of my mare’s gave birth to a fine foal, that I wish for you to see. It would honor me to present this foal to you and your unborn son, to be trained to be the future ride of your child.”

He was offering a gift, which was not totally unheard of when it came to their horses. When good breeding takes place and a foal of worth is born from good lineage, they are reserved for the higher members of the Njada. Nothing was more beautiful than to see a young foal frolic with it’s mother.

“Would IIyra of Njada care to see this creature?” He asked, hoping she would say yes.

<3>

If there was one thing Ilyra was fond of, it was horses. And Njada horses were simply beautiful creatures, her own included.

“This is acceptable to me, Rangor. I would be honored to see your foal. I’m sure it would make a fine horse for my child. Thank you for your offer.” Ilyra nodded, getting to her feet. Sharma joined her, determined not to let the two of them be alone at any time. She had not been able to protect her mistress and friend once before. She was not going to let it happen again and the way Rangor was looking at her set her teeth on edge.

Rangor stepped back to allow IIyra and Sharma to leave the tent first, before he pivoted on his right foot to follow them. On reaching the outside of the tent, he gestured toward the chorale, which was to the right of the settlement. In a special paddock that had been fenced off by Rangor for his own horses and breeders, you could see that he was speaking the truth. A beautiful mare was feeding on the lush grasses, while a young foal, who was barely a day old, was jumping and skittering around it’s mother playfully, every so often stopping for a feed, then off again till settling in a place in the grass.

It truly was an adorable foal, that would melt the heart of any horse lover. The mare was still of a size from the birth, and the father was one of the leading breed stallions. Rangor leaned on the fence rung and waited to hear IIyra’s reaction to the foal and it’s mother.

“My gift.” Rangor said simply.

<3>

“He is a beautiful animal, Rangor. You should be proud.” Ilyra nodded, gracing the warrior with a small smile. “Does he have a name? For a horse of Njada should carry a strong name.”

“Yes, it should.” Sharma stated from her place at Ilyra’s side.

The foal was barely a day old, and this is where Rangor became devious. He simply turned his head to her, when IIyra asked if the foal had a name, and that if it were to have one, that it should be a strong name. Rangor’s expression softened, and then uttered.

“I thought it would be nice for you to name it, since it is to carry your Son.”

Now, what would she say to that?

“You have seen the horse’s playfulness, it’s will for life. Perhaps you can think of something…strong.”

Rangor was appealing to her sense of goodness and fun. This was more or less letting her have say over the horse from this moment on. Rangor would see to it, that the foal was fed and trained appropriately till such time her son could ride.

<3>

“Sargtlin” she stated. She turned her gray eyes on Rangor. “In the language of my people, it means ‘Little Warrior’. He looks like he’ll make a fine war horse.” Ilyra nodded, looking back at the foal, who was now nursing at his mother’s teat.

“Then that it is what the foal shall be. Sargtlin.” Rangor said firmly, as he went back to watching the foal, along with IIyra. But as they were watching, little did they realize that Tagor was coming up behind them. Seeing her out with another warrior, even with the slave Sharma in attendance, did nothing to settle Tagor’s jealousy.

“Rangor…what is this?”

Clearly, Tagor had not been told of the gift of the foal, and his dark eyes narrowed as he folded his arms. Perfect~ Rangor thought as he turned and made a gesture with his arm to his chest to show respect.

“My mare foaled and I have given it to your mate. A gift to honor your son.” Rangor said, knowing Sharma and IIyra would be listening. Tagor didn’t like the idea of gifts being given without word to him, or even being asked. For Tagor was going to do the same thing, only his mare had not yet foaled.

Rangor went on to say. “Mate of Tagor has even chosen the name. Sargtlin. It means in her language, “Little Warrior”.” Oh Rangor was a wiley bastard. Once the name was given, there could be no giving it back. The seeds planted, Rangor dismissed himself, walking off with a dark chuckle knowing that this was not going to go down well….at all.

Tagor looked to IIyra and said. “You named it? Why?”

Yep, he was upset.

<3>

Rangor agreed to the name of the foal and they stood to watch him for a moment more before there was another interruption to Ilyra’s day – a welcome one, depending on how you looked at it.

“Rangor…what is this?” Tagor’s voice spoke behind them. Ilyra turned, a smile on her face, that was until she saw the expression on his. He did not look happy.

“My mare foaled and I have given it to your mate. A gift to honor your son. Mate of Tagor has even chosen the name. Sargtlin. It means in her language, “Little Warrior”.” Rangor explained. Rangor removed himself after a few moments of silence, yet Tagor only had eyes for Ilyra.

She was a bit uncomfortable under his regard and wondered why that was. His arms were crossed and he looked very imposing and unapproachable.

“You named it? Why? he asked. She frowned slightly.

“I was asked to. He presented the foal as a gift for our son. Was I to say no to such a gift? That would have been rude.” she stated. Seeing they were beginning to have an audience, Ilyra turned away from him and walked back to their tent. If he wanted to have an argument with her about a horse, they would do so privately.

Tagor and Ilyra’s Tent

Sharma followed along with her mistress into the tent where Ilyra waited for Tagor to appear. She was angry and agitated.

“Sharma, I wish to speak to my mate alone.”

“I will await you outside, My Lady.” Sharma bowed, moving to stand outside the tent so the two could speak alone.

Ilyra looked at Tagor, a frown marring her delicate features. It looked so out of place on her, it was quite striking.

But now that she had her freedom, she was going to exercise her right to speak her mind. He had treated her shabbily in the last week and she was going to find out why. His reasonings for the horse be damned.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2014 10:59PM by LadyBelz.

His mouth opened and closed several times and garbled words tried to find purchase in the air between them, but between his anger and frustration he couldn’t seem to do so. He raked a hand back over his head before making a decision that would leave her stunned.

He dropped his pants, revealing a massive erection and a bewildered look upon his face.

“Tagor…too big…for…IIyra and son…” He stammered, waving a hand at himself.

The look on his face was so comical, Ilyra had to turn away, slapping a hand over her mouth to keep from giggling out loud.

Once she got herself under control, she turned to face him.

“Husband…mate…do you not recall how I became ripe with your child? I do not think your size was an issue at the time.” she tried to remind him. “And not once did I complain about your…considerable…attributes.” She let her gaze roam downward without any shame.

“Am I not mate of proud Njada Warrior? Am I not mate of fierce Njada Chieftan? Am I not strong Njada woman?” she demanded, striking her chest with a fist as she gave him a hard stare. “Am I your slave or am I your mate? You need to choose, for no longer shall I be denied your touch. Or do you wish others to taste what you so covet?”

She spoke true, having witnessed many men of the Njada slaking their lusts upon other women of the tribe, whether they were mated or not. She would never do such a thing to Tagor, for she loved him with her whole heart and soul, but neither would she allow him to shove her to the side, thinking he needed to protect her from himself.

“It pains my heart you would place so little faith in me…in us…” she frowned, angry all over again. “Tis like you are shamed of me, our child and our bond.”

She was speaking from her heart, hoping to get her point across. Tagor was a proud man…but he had gotten himself a proud and fierce woman for his mate. She had seen and done things in her life that would scare the most fierce of warriors and had come out stronger for it.

A massive…attribute…was nothing to her. And she was sure it would not harm the babe she carried.

She had seen similar actions taking place when her mother was large and swollen with her sister. If her cries of passionate joy were to be believed, her father lavished her mother with all the love she could stand…and then some.

Sleep had evaded her in the five minutes she’d attempted it, but it had felt like hours. She groaned loudly, loud enough to reveal that it wasn’t necessarily genuine. Vern’s eyes snapped to her clock – the five minutes had passed into the time that there wasn’t a single staff member within hearing distance of the dorms. The perfection in the timing of her restlessness would never cease to amaze the young Incarceron. She slipped out of her bed, her nightgown falling in pools about her feet. She glided toward her door, opening it just a crack.

The whistle that came from her pursed lips was quite an anomaly. It was so high in pitch that only Moroi could hear, but lovely in tone, while still being annoying enough to wake the day walkers. As it were, the breeze that it blew on was laced with her magic, causing it to be quite cold – and seek out whomever she chose. For this particular eve (or morn, depending on the schedule your kind follows), she simply chose “Troublemakers”. Any Moroi that were as restless as her would hear this calling, whether she cared for their company or not. This… was going to be an interesting night. (Or day. This is going to get confusing for you diurnals.)

“Shall I arrange transportation, M’lord?”

“That won’t be necessary. I have already made the necessary arrangements. You and I shall be on the train tomorrow night bound for New Hampshire. Rheksas will be bringing out coffins in a special truck. I have taken the liberty of purchasing our living arrangements near where Victor used to live. Barring any sort of problems, we will arrive well before sunrise.” he stated, getting to his feet once more.

He returned to her side, taking her hands in his and kissing her knuckles. This was Vlad, quick to anger but also quick to forgive. “Your safety means the most to me, Emilia. I trust you have learned a lesson from this.”

————-

Shane’s House – Kitchen

Carmen stood stock still in the middle of the kitchen, the look on her face bordering between shock and righteous anger.

In 5 words or less, it was a disaster area.

Open containers of food littered every surface, dirty dishes were piled on whatever surface that wasn’t covered by food and her oven stood open with something caked on the insides. There was food splattered on the floor, counters, cabinets and the ceiling. What looked like a glob of mayonaisse was baked into the lights on the walls.

She didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, laugh then cry or cry then laugh. So she settled on anger instead.

“DAVID ALEX WILLIAMSON!!!!!!!!!! GET YOUR ASS IN HERE RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” She bellowed so loud it was heard in every room in the house and the caverns beneath. A window cracked in Shane’s office, her shout was so powerful.

There were dozens of footsteps throughout the house as vampires obeyed the order of their Queen. They all gathered in the kitchen, off to the side, some of them looking at the mess with guilty expressions. Even Bianca and Misty looked slightly ashamed of themselves. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot, waiting for the one she wanted to see the most. Tala (the name she finally decided on for the she-wolf), sat at Carmen’s feet, her tongue lolling from her mouth, calmly taking it all in.

When he finally arrived, looking as if he hadn’t a care in the world, Carmen’s glare could have melted steel.

“What the fuck happened to my kitchen?” she scowled.

————-

Forests of New Hampshire – Clearing of the Witches Coven

Dyna pulled her car to a full stop and killed the engine. Rae sat quiet, for once, in the seat next to her. She turned to face her.

“Hey. You don’t have to go through with this if you don’t want to. Amelia will understand.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to go through with it. I do. It’s just that…” Rae’s voice trailed off, and Dyna immediately knew what the problem was.

“Rae. We are all very beautiful women. We are born into this world with nothing on. We are simply giving back to those who created us. There is no shame in it.”

“Have you done this before?” Rae looked at her.

“I have. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve participated in one, but I’ve never once been ashamed of my body. You shouldn’t either.”

“Are you staying?”

“I will be by your side every step of the way, sweetie. Trust me, okay?”

“Okay.” Rae nodded, looking at her hands.

Dyna spotted Amelia and Charmaine waving to them from the clearing and she patted Rae’s thigh. “Ready?”

Rae took a deep, steadying breath and nodded. Pocketing her keys, the two women exited the car and made their way to the lit fire in the center of the clearing.

“Greetings, Fellow Sisters.” Dyna greeted in the traditions of the coven. “I bring a new sister into our midsts to partake of our ceremonies. Is this acceptable?”

Vlad’s sudden change in his attitude was a full 180. He was known for this, especially by Emilia who stood silently as she allowed him to take her hands, brushing his lips against her knuckles. The Count was already one step ahead of her, having arranged transportation on a train to New Hampshire. This should have been no surprise. Now he was taking matters into his hands, especially after the General had two mishaps in as many days.

He urged that her safety was paramount to him, but he must have known, that she was important to his survival as well. Emilia’s punishment was that she had to learn a valuable lesson from acting without thinking in a city like New York.

“I promise. It won’t happen again.” Her steel blue eyes showed that she meant every word.

Rheksas was outside the Count’s bedroom and he was already making arrangements for the transportation of their coffins to New Hampshire. Another road trip for him, while the Count and General took the train. He would rather have been on the train with them, but the Count had made up his mind. Rheksas was curious about this place – New Hampshire. Just what the Count was after and who may stand in their way, remained to be seen.

————————————–<3>——————————————–

Shane’s House – Kitchen

The bellow like roar of the Queen of Vampires had sent a shock wave through the entire house, including causing a window to crack in Shane’s den. Shane and Marissa looked sharply at each other, for they couldn’t help but hear it, like everyone else in the house.

“Ah shit.” Shane swore, as Marissa cringed.

“I’d hate to think what he did this time.”

That was a good question.

In the kitchen, the many vampires that had been taking shelter in the house including the “kids” – Misty and Bianca, had all come running, only to see the aftermath of what had been a weekend of non stop cooking.

“DAVID ALEX WILLIAMSON!!!!!!!!!! GET YOUR ASS IN HERE RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Alright..alright, you don’t have to shout. And it’s Alexander…not Alex.”

The Ghost, aka David cruised into the kitchen with a blood doll on each arm. He was wearing dark shaded ray bans and took them off as he saw the mess. “Woah…Hey Carmen. Welcome home.” He said with a sly smile, squeezing a blood doll’s ass cheek as he checked out all the worried faces of the other vampires. It was pretty clear she was mad about the state of her kitchen, and since he was in charge while Carmen and Shane were away, he had some explaining.

“Oh..oh yeah right. See, we all decided that if the guys cooked. The girls cleaned up. Look like they failed on that count.”

Bianca went off. “What? This had nothing to do with us, David. You guys just kept on cooking even after you ate!” She gave his shoulder a punch, which he pretended to take offence too. “How can we clean up, if you guys WON’T stop cooking?!” The girls all started to argue with the boys and the boys were doing all kinds of fancy dancing and laughing as the arguments blew out of proportion, and the noise level was going through the roof.

Something had to give, but David, he was too busy gnawing on a blood doll’s neck in the middle of the fray.

—————————————————–<3>———————————————————

Forests of New Hampshire – Clearing of the Witches Coven

In the clearing, Charmaine and Amelia had already started the fire, and had brought with them everything needed for the ritual to bring Rae into their coven and under their protection. Wearing long black robes with hoods, each embraced Dyna and Rae, kissing their cheeks and bidding welcome to them to join them around the fire.

“I bring a new sister into our midsts to partake of our ceremonies. Is this acceptable?” Dyna asked, much to the delight of Charmaine, who drew back her hood to expose her blonde hair that was it’s usual shaggy mess.

“Rae…Dyna has brought you before us so that you may be cleansed before the fire and raised to the status of Sister to the Coven. Please, come forth child.’ With a ringed hand, she reached for Rae’s as Amelia started chanting in a mystical voice that was unlike the one Rae or Dyna were used too. Amelia’s hair was out from it’s usual plaits and braids, long and flowing behind her and down her back. Her hands were marked with special drawn on motifs, and she had a small pot that was suspended over the fire, that she kept adding what looked like herbs too.

Leading Rae into place, Charmaine took up the chalice that had been so blessed and winked at Dyna.

“Blood of our blood, life of our life. This we drink joins us in spirit tonight.”

Charmaine takes a sip and then passes it to Rae.

“Drink….child, and become one of us.”

Little did the small circle of witches know….they were being watched.

<3>

The snapping of David’s blood dolls necks, brought a resounding “Awww.” from David, and he pointed at their lifeless bodies and chortled to Misty. “I’m not cleaning that up.” There was a dark voice behind David, and one that was to be heeded.

“Pick em up, or…I ram them both up your asshole.” David turned to see Shane standing behind him, his face contorted with rage. The rest of the household suddenly sprung into action, cleaning madly like their tails were on fire…all of them. David snorted, and picked up each doll by the hair and dragged them out of the kitchen towards the garage. God knows what he was going to do with the bodies, but it was safe to say that it was a good night for dumping trash.

Shane’s eyes glowered as the rest of David’s crew got stuck into cleaning with gusto, one even was wearing Shane’s kiss me cook apron and pink rubber gloves, levitating and trying to clean the mayo off the ceiling with a spatula. Marissa had her hand over her mouth, trying to hide the wide smile on her face to see the younger vampires pay heed to Shane. He certainly had a way with the kids.

Doing a quick head count, not including the unfamiliar vamps, Shane asked Carmen. “Have you seen Jarvis?”

That was a good question.

—————————————————-<3>————————————————

Forests of New Hampshire – Clearing of the Witches Coven

As the four women took hands, and the chant increased in tone, the secret circle started to shimmer with radiant lights, that actually illuminated the forest as though it was daytime, not night.

A soft musical chiming was heard and Amelia opened her eyes, letting out a laugh as she saw the power of magic that was now swirling the very leaf litter and petals from tall trees to life.

“It is time!” She dropped her robe, revealing herself to be completely naked, bar a simple ruby necklace that hung around her neck. Charmaine whooped and let go her robe as she started to dance on the spot. “Round the ring of fire and magic…dance Sisters, dance!”

If Dyna and Rae followed suit, the beauty of their natural forms, with the glow of fire upon their smooth skin would help bring a rousing end to the induction.

In the bushes, a gasp was heard, and it had a male tone to it.

Jarvis could barely believe his eyes. In fact they went crosseyed, as he started to fap in the bushes. Damn, Amelia had such a gorgeous backside.

<3>

Despite her fierce anger, no one jumped to task until Shane arrived. In a flurry of movement, the other vampires jumped into action, David disposing of his dead dolls. Carmen raised her hands to her temples, massaging them against the headache that was forming.

She had been nice and relaxed prior to returning home, and now this…

She had the strong urge to leave the house and never come back if this was what she had to come home to every night.

Shane caught her attention, wondering where Jarvis was.

“I haven’t seen him since we’ve been home.” she replied.

“He went out about an hour ago. Said he had something to take care of.” Bianca answered from the sink where she was finally able to do the dishes.

“Did he say what?” Carmen frowned.

“Nope. Just said it was important and he’d be back before sunrise.”

Her headache grew worse and she looked at Shane. “I’m going to lay down.” She started past him, Tala at her heels.

——————————————–

Clearing in the Forest

None of the women of the coven were aware they had a silent observer. As one, they took up hands and began their chants. The clearing began to shimmer and glow with bright lights as their magic manifested around them.

A soft chime was heard and Amelia announced it was time, throwing off her robe to reveal her nakedness. The others followed without hesitation, except for Rae, who took longer to decide. Dyna looked at her.

“Rae. It’s okay.” she whispered. Looking at the other women as they danced, happy and carefree around their fire, Rae finally made her choice. She slipped off her own robe and took the hand Dyna held out to her. Together they joined the dance around the fire as they thanked their Gods for another day on the Earth.

The women laughed and cavorted around the clearing, simply enjoying their oneness as a coven. That was until…

“Well what do we have here? A coven of witches, ripe for the picking.” came a deep and husky voice.

Dyna stood protectively in front of Rae as they turned to confront the group of men standing at the edge of the clearing. She recognized their leader in an instant.

“Hola, Raymundo.” Dyna stated.

“Hola, Dyna. Long time no see.”

“How’s the arm?” Dyna snorted. Raymundo growled at the subtle reminder that 8 years ago, he and Dyna fought and she had sliced off his arm. She was surprised to see him this far north.

“Puta! Took me 2 years to regrow my arm again and I vowed I would drain you dry next time I saw you again!” he growled, flashing his fangs in the light of the moon. He looked her over, licking his lips. “But first, me and my brothers are going to have a little fun with you.” he hissed. This was the signal for the other vampires to advance. Dyna kept Rae close to her as she backed slowly.

“Rae…I need you to find our clothes, get the keys out of my pocket and run for the car. Lock yourself in. Use the phone and call your uncle.” Dyna whispered, keeping her eye on the vampires.

“But, Dyna-”

“Do as I say, Rae.” Dyna snapped forcefully. “Go! Now!” She shoved Rae hard as the vampires started to attack…

She twirled her fingers over the back of his neck and leaned into him more placing her hand over his heart-“Well Mr. and Mrs Hamaru are not going to do anything about it, and the pack on the flip side is going to have to wait as well.” 

“But Mr. and Mrs. Hakamaru are going to check this out, and see what trouble they can find” 

she smiled wickedly, ignoring his statement about there son, she knew he was being rebellious she just thought his father would like to know Kiyoshi was using his fire destructively. But David wasn’t finished as he put on a series face “vampires” he said softly.

Amber rolled that word around in her head, thinking about it. She never considered them a huge threat, she’s faced far worse, hell she and her sister Fox faced off against one of the Sons of Saturia, a vampire was just shit and giggles then. But still, if there were vampires actually causing some serious trouble, enough to make David think they should be dealt with well….

Amber’s skin glowed, the eyes that had seemed just a bright emerald shifted and changed showing instead a lush jungle that was igniting in flame. The room’s temperature began to rise as the fire barely contained under her skin rose it’s pretty little head.“well Then, that’s a interesting word, shall we head out then?”-

Grumbling David dragged the two dead blood dolls down the stairs, their legs causing a din as they smacked against each step till he came out to the concrete floored garage. David knew he couldn’t take the dolls out on one of his bikes, and then he got a rather sinister look as he spotted the newly returned sports car. Chuckling, he dragged the dolls over and found the door unlocked, the keys still in the ignition. Opening the door, he picked up each doll and thrust them in the back seat, one at a time, and smiled to himself at how he had always wanted to take this beauty cruising. He knew the perfect place to dump the bodies, and walked around the front of the car, about to get in the driver’s side. But a woman’s voice sung out.

“If you get blood splatter on those leather seats…he’s going to kill you…again.”

It was Marissa. She was bored with the cleaning frenzy in the house, never having really been domesticated at all, and found amusement following David. David rested his elbow on the roof, and stared at her.

“It already smells like shaggy dog in this car, since they brought back Scooby Doo, so…a little human excrement and blood is nothing really.”

Marissa rolled her eyes, and was about to go back up the stairs, when David asked.

“Fancy a ride to look out point? We could…park.” he said with a slight eyebrow wiggle.

Marissa was never one to knock back a good time, and quickly nodded. “Well, since you asked so nicely.” She trotted over quickly and got in the passenger side, as David grinned like a fool and got in the car. The pair both enjoying the luxury of the sports car, as David reversed it out of the garage and tore off out the gate towards…..the Forests of New Hampshire.

————————————————-<3>—————————————————

Forests of New Hampshire – Witches Coven Circle.

Amelia and Charmaine immediately reached for their robes, putting them back on for both were modest in the face of company. Dyna appeared to know who these men were, and by the sound of the conversation, the witches were to be on the vampires menu. The crazy part was, Amelia lived with vampires, and she never knew them to be like this. The reality was shocking. Dyna told Rae to make a run for it, and get the clothes and the keys to her car were in the pocket of her jacket. It was the best advice she could give to the young Witch, who did not have a handle on her powers.

One vampire had made a start, licking his lips with his fangs glistening as he started to approach Amelia.

“No…!” she screamed, throwing up her right hand and there was a pulse wave of power that surged from her, that caused the vampire to be blown back, hitting a tree with force and dropping to the ground. She was able to take down one, but it would take a while for her power to recharge to take on another. Another vampire zipped behind Charmaine, and grabbed her from behind, looking set to bite down on her neck, as she kicked and screamed.

“Ame!” She cried…terrified of the vampires.

Out of the bushes, there was a flash of movement, as Jarvis appeared behind the vampire holding Char and he gripped the Vampire’s neck, twisting it to break. He wasn’t prepared for this, and his pants were barely pulled back up from earlier. One vampire against a horde? They were going to need a miracle.

“Jarvis?!” Amelia cried incredulously as he felled the second vampire to attack Charmaine. Charmaine was skipping and trying to step over the downed vampire, whose eyes shot open as it lunged for her ankle.

“It’s GOT ME!!”

Jarvis reached for Amelia and swung her onto his back. “Hold on!” and then he took off through the bushes at speed, with Amelia’s mouth agape, her cloak fluttering behind her. “What are you doing here? Wait, you can’t leave them there!”

<3>

It was like an invasion of Vampires that were coming out of the wood work and all had the taste for Witches blood. Dyna was amazing in her ability to fight off the leader, Ray, but Charmaine was having all sorts of trouble with the one that had been felled by Jarvis. Where Jarvis and Amelia was at this precise moment was a mystery, but they were bound to find out soon enough. Dyna, using her powers, blasted the vampire with the grabby hands to dust, and this gave Charmaine the chance to run. She didn’t need to be told twice, and though still naked, she spirited through the brush, trying to run back to the cars.

Far from the witches circle, Jarvis stopped running and gently tried to put down Amelia, who was only in the cloak, and much of her was exposed. She was livid. “Why did you take me away? You left them there with Vampires!” she screamed, and Jarvis started to get upset. “But they were attacking you, I couldn’t let them do that, Amelia.” Amelia through her hands in the air and started to head back for the witches circle to save Dyna and Charmaine, but Jarvis grabbed her arm. She turned her head back and said forcibly. “Let me go, Jarvis…I have to save them.” Jarvis shook his head a moment. “Can’t you just for one second look at me? Amelia…I love you. I have done since the first moment we met. Please…give me this much.” Amelia was incredulous. She couldn’t believe he was doing it again. “You promised Shane you would stop.” But Jarvis was beyond that, and he pulled her into his arms, and then kissed her. It was a kiss he had been wanting to do since the time he almost turned her. At first she fought it, pounding her fists on his back, but the longer he held her the less her fists punched, till her arms wound around him, and she started to kiss him back.

The Carpark.

Driving up the road with the dead blood dolls in back, David and Marissa were actually having a good time, with the radio up and the windows down. It wasn’t till they turned the bend, that they saw the two cars…and a shit load of trouble. David cut the lights on the car, and pulled it over, turning off the engine, as Marissa peered through the darkness.

“Wait…that’s Dyna…and…Booker?”

“Yeah…but whose all the….oh fuck me.” David said, as he recognized Raymundo. Marissa whispered. “Who is that?’ David undid his seat belt and rolled his eyes saying. “A real pain in the ass. Fuck, we better help them, or this is going to look so bad on my sheet.” David and Marissa both got out of the car, as the group of vampires were rounding on Dyna and Booker. David then made a wolf whistle sound to get their attention.

“Hey Dyna…you guys throwing a party and not invite us?”

Marissa looked around and then sniffed the air. “I think there’s more.”

David smirked at Raymundo as he started to walk towards him.

“Now…I don’t know about you, but…I do remember kicking your ass down at the boulevard. So…you want to have a rematch?” Marissa at this point was motioning for Dyna to get in the car and try and escape while she could.

<3>

Things were looking bleak for Dyna and Booker. They were severely outnumbered and there was no chance for them to get away. Booker growled low in his throat at the advancing hoarde. Dyna was gathering her power once more, channeling it through her hands and into the branch she was holding, strengthening the wood.

That was until…

“Hey Dyna…you guys throwing a party and not invite us?” 

All eyes turned to see David and…was that Marissa? Dyna smirked.

“Well look who finally left his cave?” Dyna smirked. “I’m surprised Shane let you off the leash. And hello to you, Marissa.”

“Well, well. If it isn’t The Ghost.” Raymundo snarled. He was the last person the vampire expected to see.

Jarvis finally came up for air, his eyes mesmerized by Amelia’s. He couldn’t believe she kissed him back, and the feeling was euphoric. But instead of seeing her filled with puppy eyed affection, Amelia was angry. She wiped the back of her hand across lips and almost spat at him. “Don’t think…I did that cause I love you!” You could see her chest pounding as she then gave Jarvis a good hard shove. Her hands dropping to her sides, furious at herself, and at him for being so self centered. “There are vampires attacking my sisters!” Her voice strained as her head whipped around, only to see a naked Charmaine run into the clearing.

“AMELIA…they are after Dyna and Rae!” The blonde haired witch said, before seeing the pair facing off. “Wait…he’s one too!” Charmaine realized that Jarvis was one of the town vampires, but she didn’t get just why he had taken Amelia out of the circle and left the others behind. Amelia’s face was flaming red – embarrassed that she was not helping her sisters. We have to go to the car park, come on!” Amelia ran off for where they had left the cars, Jarvis; who was upset by Amelia’s angered reaction stood there for a moment, as though not wanting to follow, till Charmaine yelled back at him. “If you feel anything for her, you will help us!” That was all that Jarvis needed, and he used his vampire speed to race through the forest, to catch up with Amelia and help her friends.

The Car park

Raymundo was not happy to see the Ghost arrive with the very startled looking Marissa. Though she was a vampire, she was not one that normally hung out in the woods. Her killing field was the night clubs and bars. Seeing Dyna, Marissa gave her a cheery wave, before she fell in behind David, who was cracking his knuckles and sneering at Raymundo.

“Brought your boys to the woods for the Teddy bear picnic, and got lucky with witches instead? Dude…you should know by now how this works.” David said menacingly as he strode over to stand in front of Raymundo, not giving two flying fucks about what anyone’s reaction would be. The right side of his lip crept up to show an elongated fang. “Anything…with a heart beat in this..zone, is mine.” He had thrown down the gauntlet to Raymundo and was ready to fight for it.

Breaking into the clearing was Amelia and Charmaine – who by the way was still naked. This surely would have taken Raymundo’s attention as a blur zipped between the trees around them…Something else was out there.

<3>

Carmen lay flat on her back on the bed she shared with Shane, eyes closed as she tried to will the headache blooming behind her eyes away. She had been so relaxed and carefree before they had returned home from their weekend away. Then to come home and see the house in such a state of disarray?

She felt like ripping all their throats out. As she wandered through the house, she noticed that the destruction hadn’t been contained to just the kitchen. The entire downstairs area (with the exception of Shane’s office -they knew better- and the garage) had looked like it had been through a war and come out the loser for it.

The headache she got had been near crippling in its intensity.

She simply shook her head and headed upstairs.

Sighing, she rolled to her side, reaching out to scratch behind Tala’s ears as she sat on the floor next to the bed. “Need to call the vet for you, girl.” she murmured. Tala whined in agreement, licking Carmen’s hand before she settled herself on the floor, her head between her paws.

There was a knock on the bedroom door and she turned her head to see Eric and Ethan standing in the open door.

“Yes? What is it?”

“We sensed you were unwell, Mistress. Anything we can do to help?” Ethan asked.

“No thank you, my darlings. I just need a moment to myself.

“As you wish.” Eric nodded. The twins left as silently as they arrived.

Sighing once more, she placed her head back on her pillow and closed her eyes. Not to sleep, for it was not yet dawn, but to block out the light and getting the pain in her head to go away.

She was unaware that some of her friends were currently in a battle for their unlives in the forest outside of town.

Taking a small nap after a really ling time is indeed a medicine to one’s own madness. Valkyrion had finally gotten some rest in that ruined city that had nothing to offer. But he did not hate the city, no. He loved that city no matter its state. Neo Arcadia was his home and he would do anything in order to protect it from any harm. Thus he had created the Warlords, the guardians of the city; Neo Arcadia’s Sentinels.
But that had happened a long time ago. From the original eight warlords, only one remained; Valkyrion Stargazer. He himself had taken care of those who had abused their privileges and had watched others falling victims to their own arrogance as they had tried to prove domination over the beasts of Neo Arcadia.
Valkyrion was the sole survivor of the original Warlords, but somewhere along the way he had managed to find two more people to join him in his cause. Eon Echo, the demented scientist who would not hesitate to do anything in order to accomplish his goals. A human with a pure heart despite what he looked like. But also a human who always fought like an ogre. And the other one, Etherion. A unique being. A being that existed long before the dinosaurs themselves on that wretched planet called Earth. Yet when his race was slowly getting eradicated, he had chosen to fall in a slumber and awaken when the time was right. But sadly he had gotten a really rough wake up call after getting discovered by the Nazis in the World War Two and he was used for experimentation. But Etherion patiently waited and waited, and the time finally came. He had gotten his freedom back.
Three men with different backrounds, nobody knowing anyone, yet in the end by some wicked twist, their fates were joined. Of course there were a few fights between those, but in the end they realized the importance of their roles when they became the guardians of Neo Arcadia.
Valkyrion was the guardian angel at all times. Eon was located in the northern outskirts of the city where his lab was at. Etherion was spending his time either at the lab, or visiting other areas on that planet. But in the end, when the need was there, they all emerged to fend off any and all dangers.

[Current location: Neo Arcadia]
Damn, what a dream.
Flashes of the past events flashing before Valkyrion’s eyes as he slept. Maybe he had gotten old after all. Well, he actually was old despite his looks; at least his skills and abilities came in handy.
But in his dreams there was someone else too, yes, someone he had tried to forget that existed… Serenity…
Shoved deep down in his memory, Valkyrion never wished to see her face ever again, especially after the endless torments from her; calling him her one and only and in the end marrying another man.
Valkyrion began to shake his head as he was sleeping, sign that he was struggling in his sleep, fighting his own demons.
And then it was the quake throughout the city. Valkyrion’s dual toned eyes began to open, feeling the tremors turning stronger and stronger. As he opened his eyes he saw someone in front of him. A small frame and a tail. Oh yes, that was Radiant, the weird creature that he had met a few hours ago.
Suddenly he felt the shock on the ground. One… No. Two… No. Three. Three explosions. Valkyrion’s eyes opened and he slowly rose on his feet, looking at Radiant and grabbing his massive sword at the same time.
“Go find some shelter. Whoever woke me up is going to fucking pay for it.”, Valkyrion said and cracked his neck as his body turned transparent and after only moments it dissipated into thin air in a display of a massive electrostatic discharge, yet regardless of its looks it was harmless for Radiant.
Valkyrion once again materialized on the top of one of the tallest buildings in the very center of the city, 900 feet above the ground. Once there he placed his sword on his back and cracked his neck a few more times, taking out a cigarette and lighting it by igniting electric sparks within his right hand. After taking a few deep drags he looked around, spotting the area that those explosions took place. But something was really weird, those were not explosions, something had crashed there. Narrowing his eyes he remembered the appearance of those men with the suits the other day. Could it had been them? Taking a deep drag and exhaling it slowly afterwards, Valkyrion hoped that it was not them, otherwise people were going to be fried. Regardless, he took out his cellphone and immediately called Eon in his lab.

[Current location: Eon’s laboratory]
Sentinel, the quantum processed AI supercomputer had began beeping like crazy before it finally spoke.
“Eon, my scanners have gone crazy. There is something out there. Something with high energy levels.”, Sentinel said.
“Are you sure that it is not Valkyrion or one of those beasts?”, Eon asked.
“I have already checked. That energy reading does not match anything from my library. That’s something new. Though there is a resemblance to the energy that those suits had the other day.”, Sentinel replied.
“Oh, really now… That’s interesting.”, Eon said and got off the water tank where he had spent the last few hours, adding the final touches on the Optimus Nanomachines.

Once out of the tank, Eon, completely naked, walked towards the main room where Sentinel’s core was. The huge orb like construction on top of the star shaped CPU. Once in that room he looked at the orb and stretched his arms and legs.

“Sentinel, can you show me what is out there?”, Eon asked.
“I will try. You are fully aware that I can not use the positron scanner due to the interference of the—”, Sentinel’s phrase was cut in half by Eon himself.
“Yes, I am fully aware. Use any other means necessary and give me a picture of what is going on outside. Use the holographic projector.”, Eon said and cracked his neck a few times.
“Of course.”, Sentinel replied.

The supercomputer began making all kinds of noises, beeping sounds, the sounds of fans that worked to cool the CPU and the servers, and the servomechanisms that moved the CPU up and down in the liquid nitrogen to make sure that the temperature would never go over a certain temperature and damage the circuitry.

“Image coming right up.”, Sentinel said and the holographic projector was activated and images of the craters that were created in the city along with the explosion of the spaceship over the sky and something more, something really ominous; a dark figure in the sky.
“Sentinel, can you clear up the last images?”, Eon asked and got closer to the hologram, trying to think of what that thing was.
“I am afraid that this is the best image I can offer. The interference is too much for my scanners.”, Sentinel replied.
“It is alright. I don’t know what that thing is but…”, Eon paused for a moment and waved the images away. “…I have a really bad feeling about this.”, Eon said and gulped.
“Should I call Etherion back?”, Sentinel asked.
“Yes, tell him to come back here and get his new equipment. Make sure to have his gunblades, guns and gauntlets ready. Perform the final tests on them and fix anything that needs to be fixed. Use the notes I saved yesterday.”, Eon said and walked towards his room.
“Understood. Estimated time before the equipment is finalized, thirty minutes.”, Sentinel said.
“Very well. Also prepare Vector for me, I don’t want to use Raiden nor I want to start spending my energy on traveling.”, Eon said as he walked inside his room, heading straight for the closet where he had his clothes.
“Acknowledged. Unit Vector will be ready for deployment in one minute.”, Sentinel said.
“Excellent.”, Eon said as he took out his clothes and began dressing up.

Black boots with metallic heels, black ripped pants, black belt made from an old ripped shirt of his, black tank top, black arm warmers and a shredded coat along with a long silken black scarf with its ends on the back. Once he was done putting on his clothes he walked towards his desk, putting on his glasses and strapping the chocker around his neck, checking to see if his locket was still there. Holding the locket tight into his right hand, he then brought it on his black tinted lips, placing a soft kiss on it.

“Kaileena…”, Eon said and sighed deeply.
“Incoming call from Valkyrion. Should I respond or not?”, Sentinel broke the silence.
“Take the call.”, Eon said as he slowly let go of his locket and grabbed the portable surgeon kit from his desk with the 15 scalpels inside, 3 syringes with a special medicine that allowed instant regeneration of any kind of wound except for regrowing body parts. And last but not least the packet of cigarettes and the lighter. Shoving the kit in his right pocket and the packet of cigarettes in his left one, the call was established.
“Eon?”, Valkyrion said on the other end.
“I am here. What is it?”, Eon replied.
“I am sure that you are aware by now.”, Valkyrion said.
“Yeah, it is those bastards from earlier.”, Eon replied.
“I thought so… Dammit…”, Valkyrion said with a deep sigh.
“I am coming over there. There is also something else. Have you felt it?”, Eon asked.
“You mean that ominous presence high above the sky?”, Valkyrion asked.
“Motherfucker, you never cease to amaze me. Yes, I am talking about that.”, Eon replied with a chuckle.
“Do you know what that thing is?”, Valkyrion asked.
“I have no clue. The interference is too much for Sentinels scanners to pick anything other than a dark and really huge image.”, Eon replied.
“I see… Very well, I will be expecting you here soon.”, Valkyrion said.
“I had Sentinel send a message to Etherion telling him to return.”, Eon said.
“Good. Something tells me that we will all be needed this time.”, Valkyrion said.
“You know… I have this really weird feeling that something is going to appear any moment now.”, Eon said as he exited his bedroom and walked down the stairs to reach the core of Sentinel.
“I can sense it too. It is more intense out here. Whatever it is, it is strong. The pulse I get is t—”, Valkyrion tried to finish his phrase only to yell in surprise. “MOTHERFUCKER!”
“Valkyrion? VALKYRION?! What the fuck is going on out there?”, Eon shouted as well.
“I need to close. Come here as fast as you can.”, Valkyrion said and terminated the call.
“MOTHERFUCKER! I will kick your ass once I am there.”, Eon said and looked at the holographic projection that appeared in front of him as Sentinel activated the alarm.
“Danger, danger. Something is approaching. EM field is being deployed.”, Sentinel said.
“Whoa, WHOA THERE!”, Eon said. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Eon, unit Vector is ready. I think that you should check that with your own eyes.”, Sentinel replied. “You have 20 seconds before the EM field is deployed. I will only deactivate it for Etherion to come and pick his equipment, then it will be up and will operate at 100% capacity.”, Sentinel said.
“This must be serious.”, Eon said. “Fair enough.”

And with that, Eon walked towards the entrance of the lab, stopping ten feet away from it as Vector, a machine that resembled that of a snowboard appeared. Eon shoved his boots in the empty spaces that immediately tightened around his feet, securing him on the board.

“Unit Vector ready for deployment. Eon, I will keep sending you feedback. I will also keep an eye on Optimus since we did not have the time to perform all the tests.”, Sentinel said.
“That’s my girl right there.”, Eon said and winked at the core. “Anyway, I am off. Make sure that the lab is safe, alright?”
“Affirmative.”, Sentinel said.

Eon sent the command through one of his parallel neural networks that were installed inside his body by Sentinel after his own order. That allowed him to interact with any electronics that he cold touch and project this thoughts and have them act like his limbs. Vector utilized one of those neural networks and was pretty much an extension of Eon’s body.
The jet on the board was activated and Eon slowly moved upwards, exiting the lab and looking at the hatch close behind him as the EM field was deployed.
Then he looked towards the direction that Valkyrion was and after leaning forward, Vector’s engine roared and he disappeared from sight.

[Current location: Neo Arcadia]
After terminating the call and shoving his phone inside his pocket, Valkyrion looked up in the sky to see a purple comet like thing coming from the sky, leaving a trail of purple smoke behind. And then *CRASH!* what that thing was crashed just on the crossroad only one block away from the building he was currently on.
Waiting for the cloud of dust and debris to clear, Valkyrion was not taking his eyes away from that thing. Whatever it was it had a strong pulse and its energy was growing more and more. Yet the sensation he got was familiar to the one he was getting from that ominous presence from high above the sky.

“What the hell is this?”, Valkyrion mumbled to himself
“Whatever that thing is, it means that the days of boredom are over.”, Stargazer said as Valkyrion’s right eye shimmered bright.
“I am fully aware of that. I just don’t know if I need to be glad or irritated about that.”, Valkyrion replied.
“Oh come on, I thought that you wanted some action.”, Stargazer said with a chuckle.
“I do want some action, but dammit, the city is getting more and more ruined. If more impacts like those happen, the construct won’t hold and the island will be destroyed.”, Valkyrion said and took another drag of his cigarette.
“You have a point there. Well, how about going balls out right from the start then?”, Stargazer asked.
“You don’t even have to say it. That’s exactly what we will do.”, Valkyrion said and turned his head to look behind him. “Eon is here. Now, we will wait for Etherion to arrive and then we will act.”, Valkyrion said.
“That’s my boy.”, Stargazer said and both eyes shimmered bright; the deep crimson of the blood for the right one, and the crystal blue of the sky for the left one.

While boarding Vector, Eon arrived on the scene and flew upwards to meet with Valkyrion who was standing on the building. Once there, Eon nodded upwards and chuckled.

“Seems like we got busy here lately. What’s the situation? I sensed some really fucked up energy earlier and the pulse? Oh damn, that’s a strong one.”, Eon said.
“Check bellow.”, Valkyrion replied.
“Alright.”, Eon said and looked bellow to see that the cloud of dust and debris had already subsided and the figure of a man was standing there. “I see… A pervert just landed in here. I could have never imagined that aliens had perverts too.”, Eon said and shrugged his shoulders.
“You…”, Valkyrion slammed his right hand on his forehead and shook his head. “I will kick your ass one day.”, Valkyrion said.
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway. What’s the plan?” Eon asked.
“We will wait for Etherion. Once he is here, we shall make a move.”, Valkyrion said. “And turn off that thing. I don’t think that you want that… pervert to spot us.”, Valkyrion said.
“Alright.”, Eon said and gave the command to Vector to release the grip around his feet. He also gave the command to Vector to run circles around the city and release small bursts of energy to create a diversion in case any of the visitors were sensing energy. Then he got off the board and stood right next to Valkyrion. “All set.”
“Good.”, Valkyrion replied. “Now we wait.”

Eon nodded his head and they both looked at Vector leaving and going around the city in random directions, releasing bursts of energy to fool the senses of any machinery or any sensory types of individuals.

[Current location: Eon’s lab.]
Etherion had already arrived at the laboratory where he saw the EM field deployed. Immediately he took out his cellphone and called Sentinel, yet he got no response other than the hatch opening and the EM field disappearing. Shrugging his shoulders, Etherion began to land with his own Version of Vector till he was already inside the lab. The EM field was deployed once more and the hatch closed.

“I got your message. What is it this time? Is Eon in the mood of more pranks or more experimentation on him?”, Etherion asked as he got off his own Vector unit.
“There is a situation in Neo Arcadia. Just minutes ago several pods crashed in the city, pods that perhaps belong to some individuals who had visited the city some time ago. Eon rushed there and Valkyrion is already assessing the situation. They asked for your presence as well.”, Sentinel said.
“I see. Then I will get moving once Vector is recharged.”, Etherion said and walked towards Vector.
“Eon finished making your new weaponry. Gunblades made from titanium as per your request. Guns with a 0.457 diameter bullets that can fire electricity imbued bullets. And gauntlets that allow better energy absorption so that you won’t have to remove your clothes in order to better utilize your abilities. They are ready. Go in the training room and give them a try so that the final stage of the customization of the gauntlets will be completed.”, Sentinel said.
“Fantastic! I am on my way.”, Etherion said and headed towards the training room.

Once in the training room, Etherion took off his gloves and put on the gauntlets, feeling them tightening around his fingers and hands. He nodded to himself and then took off his old guns, replacing them with the new ones that Eon and Sentinel had made for him. Last but not least he attached the gunblades holster on his coat.

“Sentinel, I am ready when you are.”, Etherion said.
“Hold your hands towards the wall right ahead of you. I will send several surges of energy directly from the reactor so that the final stage of the customization will be completed.”, Sentinel said.
“Understood.”, Etherion said and pointed his hands towards the wall.

As Sentinel said, a ray of light aiming at Etherion was fired. Slowly the light became more and more intense. A light that carried massive energy from the nuclear fusion reactor that powered up the laboratory. The light gradually consumed everything in the room and then it suddenly dissipated into thin air.

“You may fire that energy shot.”, Sentinel said.
“Alright.”, Etherion replied.

Still aiming for the wall before him, Etherion slowly gathered all the energy that he had absorbed earlier in his palms. Slowly, very slowly he created two orbs that he fired at once at the wall. The spheres crashed on the wall, yet no damage was done.

“Customization complete. Judging from previous tests, the power output was more stable. Also keep in mind that the capacity for energy absorption has increased. Energy will also be stored inside the gauntlets as an auxiliary power source and you can use it regardless of the amount of energy left.”, Sentinel said.
“This is fantastic. Is Vector ready?”, Etherion asked and exited the training room, clenching his fists a few times to get used to the new ‘toys’ of his.
“Vector is fully charged. You may proceed into boarding it.”, Sentinel said.
“Thank you Sentinel.”, Etherion said as he got on the board and the grips around his feet tightened.
“EM field deactivated. EM field will be deployed after Unit Vector and Etherion have left.”, Sentinel said.

Looking at the hatch open and the EM field inactive, Etherion ascended and exited the lab, looking at the hatch closing behind him and the EM field deployed once again.

“Alright then, here I come.”, Etherion said and headed straight for Neo Arcadia where Valkyrion and Eon were at.

But little they all knew that deep underground the city, a light began to shimmer. And along with the light, someone had just awakened…

[The Cult]

[James] Something was very wrong, the other members of the citadel had not returned yet nor had they given any contact towards the remaining members within the citadel. The Dog-looking symbol on his hand itched like it had been stung by a wasp and he kept scratching at the thing nervously, looking about the main room on the ground level of the Citadel. Something felt very wrong, he was even contemplating leaving to go to the chamber when he was told by his superior to not interfere. He felt empty inside too, which was strange for him. The woman behind the desk said his name and he turned to view her, a female with tanned skin, white hair and blue eyes sitting behind the desk, smiling at him.

[Garland] Everything was going perfectly, he had sent his most trusted and strongest Magi to deal with the ritual to call their God back to the physical plane so that they may unlock their full potential, he hadn’t expected the strange vessel that was hovering just off the orbit of the planet but had quickly disposed of it with his own energy and had raised the shields to defend his populace, his people. A voice came over the intercom, it was his daughter, playing the role of a receptionist “Sir, James would like to see you, he’s very persistent.” Garland frowned to himself, he was about to become a God himself and he had to deal with the worm at the bottom of the food chain? No, it would be good to see the look on this creatures face as he told him what was about to happen. A smile came to Garlands face as he pressed down on the intercom button “Send him in, Kathrine.”

[Scene: The unknown building]

[Crugen] What had happened between him and Anya at that moment couldn’t have been more romantic, just crashing into the atmosphere and making love within the escape pod in which had saved them. But that romantic moment didn’t last. The realization of the situation became very apparent for both her and himself after their love making was finished. The pod was on it’s side making moving difficult but Crugen managed to open the small compartment behind Anya’s head and remove the two plasma pistols and several batteries for ammo. During the time where they had made love, their suits had shared nano bytes between them, causing them to be able to see one another’s vital signs and transmit thoughts via something close to telepathy using the nano’s that they shared between them. They heard movement outside and frowned to each other. Crugen whispered to his suit and it’s color changed from dark purple to bright white, a mask coming over Crugen’s face, creating some sort of alloy metal that would act as a face protector and hub for his suit, similar armor covered his shoulders, knees, & elbows. He looked to Anya and nodded as she did the same thing with her own suit, it was time.

[Anya] The moment that she and Crugen had just shared would forever remain within her memory, one; because it was her first time with any male, and second, she had always had a deep affection for her captain but never had a moment to tell him before they were either sent on a mission or Crugen entered his Bravado super-soldier thought processing state, and that moment was now. She ran over the checklist in her head, they had their suits, ammo, weapons and now that their suits with linked they could talk without even moving their lips, but they needed provisions. Based on the feed off the Camera on Crugen’s Max suit, in which she had watched time and time again, she knew that they had some very powerful allies on this planet (Or so she hoped) that may aid them. But she also knew that those creatures that looked like rapid Skags from Tarja 5 were also roaming around, so they must be careful and find the man whom Crugen had seen, he was motioning to her and counting down inside her head “Three, two, one..” And just like that, Crugen wretched the door of the escape pod off with a massive push of the forearm of his left arm and was pointing his pistol with his right, his suits flashlights turning on on either side of his cheek. Anya had read books on these kinds of buildings, they existed to be work places, and in fact they had landed in a cubical, but that wasn’t was worried Anya.

[Scene: The Life Bender]

[Zeedus] He may not have had his Ethereal energy, but that didn’t stop him from sensing the various amounts of creatures covering on his position, and one that had already been near where he landed. He stood tall and turned his bright blue-eyed gaze towards the humanoid looking-creature not to far from him. He expanded his senses, his pupil growing small and felt for heartbeats around him, ~Good, I still have the power to do this..~ he thought to himself as he felt around him for life forms, he didn’t turn his gaze upwards but instead he just stared directly at the man.. until he slowly lifted his hand and pointed a single finger at the male figure “You know…” Zeedus spoke, his voice rich and deep, echoing off the buildings for all to hear even though it was nearly a whisper “Being woken up from my dreams.. puts me in the mood to kill something..” at that, Zeedus moved his hand back, running it through his hair and chuckling madly, a electromagnetic field beginning to build around him, to those who could see the energy (Which most could) they would see the world begin to distort around Zeedus, as if his body was attempting to rewrite the code of the very realm of existence, though to no avail, they would also be able to see gravity around the magnetic field trying to crush it, as if the realm itself was working against Zeedus, trying to erase him from existence. The electromagnetic field slowly expanded a few feet away from Zeedus, eating at the concrete under him at a very slow rate, making it deteriorate, he remained in his pose but stopped laughing, a frown falling to his lips. Flames rising around them, purple flames that burned with an unknown energy but created what appeared to be fresh grass where the concrete had been destroyed.

[Scene: The Top of the Tower.]

[James] Garland could not have been a scarier man to ask for an audience with. He was what the others called a “Pure Bred” he had been born with only half a phoenix and had made up for it by burning on him all the other symbols that he had seen in his life time, his arms and face were covered with these symbols, but that wasn’t the only scary thing about him. This man stood roughly seven feet with a large build, a face that could make a woman weep just by looking at it. Garland wore a purple sleeveless robe that showed off his symbols and a circlet with a sapphire gem in the center, staring down at James with blue eyes that glowed against the soft purple light in the room, giving from the various torches that had been lit by Garland’s magic.
[James] “Uh-uhm Sir, a-are you sure that there’s?-” he was interrupted immediately by Garland who spoke out in a loud booming voice
[Garland] “James my boy, why oh why have you come to want my attention? I told you that they will get here when they’re done, I assure you all is fine.” he stared at James as if he were a child, or a repulsive rat that needed to be stomped to death.
[James] “A-about that sir, it’s been an hour, are you sure they’re alright?” James looked away from the gaze that felt so judgmental and angry towards him, he could feel the hate pouring off of Garland like a waterfall.
[Garland] he smiled at the child’s comment and nodded solemnly, standing up and taking a slow waltz towards James, a young child that hadn’t even had his symbol invoked, he spoke as he wrapped his arms around James “I’m sure they’re fine, and in the mean time..” he channeled his power into the entire arm, the various symbols glowing with such a brilliant light it would be blinding for anyone on the other side of them “You should take a nice, long rest.”
[James] He couldn’t tell what was going on but he felt his heartbeat increase and than a loud “Pop” inside his chest, and then the world went dark and he faded into the darkness faster than he would have thought death could come.
[Garland] It was always such a waste to deal with the young, exploding his heart was the least he could do to keep the child quiet for the rest of the night, he smiled and lowered James down to the ground, placing his corpse as if it were sleeping with hands over his stomach before going back to his chair and initiating the cloaking shield, causing the remaining energy in the crystal to be sent to disguise the ship.

[Scene: The staircase]

[Crugen] The moment he had popped the door of the escape pod off they were met with hostiles, rapid skag-like creatures that moved to bite them, lukily both he and Anya were excellent shots with the Capricorn x-10 energy pistol in which dispatched the creatures relativly fast so long as they hit them in the vitals. They had made their way out of the office area and were now moving towards the “Emergency staircase” hastening their retreat to ground level, he sent a thought to Anya as they were walking.

[Crugen] ~So I didn’t know you liked me that way, Anya. I thought you were going to slap me if I tired that move.~ he spoke quietly to her, in case anything could intercept their radio frequency.
[Anya] ~There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me, captain.~ she gave a suggestive voice, smirking under her Skull-Like mask.

[Anya] They moved quietly through the building, taking on their Jobs more seriously now and turning on their active camouflage in which, was actually bright white and easier to see normally but could easily stealth them into complete nothingness dependent on what they touched. They moved into another office area, Crugen was looking for something, and then they found it, a window! She and her captain walked up to the window together and stared out in horror, they were near the center of a large area within the city, and below them they could make out small shapes, it was either hostiles, or their systems were going crazy. Anya turned on her radio to see if she could get a signal, but all she was getting was static, something was messing with her communications, but then; she got another idea she spoke a command to her suit and it responded rather quickly, picking up an Ai communication line, she spoke into it “Hello? Is anyone there?” she was speaking in her most innocent voice and only into that exact com center so that Crugen could not hear her. He seemed busy assessing the situation anyway.

[Crugen] He stared out at the area around him and spoke words to himself within his own apparatus, his suit immediately turning on his music, feeling his thought processing increase dramatically, streaming the music directly into his ears with a solid “Wub Wub” he stared out over the horizon. They were stuck in a large building and going down was no longer an option. They had a flare, their suits and a good twelves batteries of ammo, enough to last them through a week if needed. But food was a situation that he hadn’t considered, they had none of that and would need to forage whatever they could from the destroyed world around them

[Scene: The Icy Tomb]
[Weiss] He was nearing Zeedus, he could feel his energy rising, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, Yes, Yes! White Ice would Feed and Weiss would become his vessel, Weiss would exact revenge and take back what was rightfully his. The Ice crystal suddenly sped up as he entered near the planet, edging closer and closer with every passing moment, it was exhilarating to think that they would finally encounter the one whom so long ago threw them away!

[Scene: The Situation]

[Commander Varis] The VS had suffered a number of casualties on the continent of Endar and were now pulling back to their territory, the NGC and TVR were putting up a valiant struggle, but inevitably they would fall to his power. A holo-image popped up in front of him, coming off of his desk, it was his assistant AI; Lady. The Ai was dressed to look like a common foot soldier, but her face was that of his long dead wife, it put a tear to his face to see those beautiful blue eyes and the rare white hair, but he straitened up and spoke.

[Varis:] Yes, what is it?
[Lady:] Incoming transmission from Captain Crugen and Hawk Squadron
[Varis:] “Put it through, I want to see what they’ve uncovered with their deep-space mission.” he smiled, he always knew he could rely on Crugen, he had passed all his tests with flying colors and had more tactical genius than he thought he did, that’s why he sent Anya, his “Tutor” as Varis put it with him.
An image of Crugen with his hands folded behind his back appeared on the screen “VS Date: 1/3/61″ Varis frowned at the first few words, this transmission was coming in weeks late, wherever he was; he was far away. “We have arrived at a planet that appears to be civilized, I will be awaiting further commands. I have made contact with several creatures on the planet, they appear to be intelligent, but the planet itself also appears decayed.” And just like that, the image disappeared. Varis spoke to his AI “Put in a request for the Shark 32 to launch towards Crugen’s location, I’ll be going personally. Also, tell him to load up the MAX-GX10 Prototype, this sounds like a fun endeavor to test that machine’s potential.”

Neo Arcadia. The Dead City. World’s End. A barren and silent land full of danger and mystery, broken dreams and broken buildings. But though it was a dead land, it teemed with life. Life that could possibly save a planet that was slowly dying, hoping against hope for a miracle. Under the cover of the clouds that hovered over Neo Arcadia, floated the research vessel, The Spirit of Osiris.

The engines were silent as the ship floated serenely. Inside, the crew of 20 went about their business as they made preparations to land. “I’m picking up several readings to the east, just on the outskirts.” one of crew, monitoring life signs, spoke into the quiet of the bridge. “Hostiles?” The Captain asked. “The readings are off the scale.” was the reply. The Captain nodded once, adjusting the controls in front to direct the ship toward the center of the city. “Keep scanning. There has to be something here.” A beeping sound came from another console and then a voice came over the intercom. “Captain, I’m picking up faint readings near the city’s center. It seems to be what we have been looking for. We should check it out.” came a distinctly feminine voice. “Are you absolutely positive about that, Aria?” the Captain asked. “I wouldn’t have told you about it if I wasn’t sure, Lei.” came the amused reply. Leiana, The Spirit’s Captain, laughed as she leaned forward to type in some commands to her console. “All right, we’ll check it out. Do me a favor and send Xira to me.” Leiana stated. “Yes, ma’am.” Aria clicked off and Leiana turned to her navigator. “We need a place to land safely, Glixx, preferably away from the hostiles.” Glixx, tossed his hair over one shoulder, the inky black locks offset by the single strip of green indicating his status as a navigator and astrologist. “Yes, ma’am.” He began observing the terrain, pressing buttons every now and again as he read digital readouts of the surface area. “Ah, here. There is some kind of large platform on top of a building near the center of the city…the building looks to be some kind of native medical facility. It is structurally sound, easily accessible, should hold the ship quite well. I’m sending the coordinates to your screen.” Leiana looked down at her console and saw the same thing Glixx did. The platform he spoke of was formerly a helicopter landing pad atop of a destroyed hospital. Leiana nodded as the doors to the bridge whispered open. The large warrior woman that entered looked very out of place amongst the others. Leiana turned in her seat and smiled. “Xira, we’re landing soon and I need you with me.” Xira, Leiana’s personal bodyguard and best friend crossed her fist over her heart and executed a small bow. “I am yours to command, My Lady.” Xira stated before standing at parade rest. “Air quality?” Leiana wondered. “Breathable, similar to our own planet. Nitrogen content is slightly lower but we will not need breathing masks.” was what she was told. She nodded and flipped a switch on her console. “This is Captain Talon.” her voice echoed over the intercom through all parts of the ship. “We will be landing shortly. Please check all equipment and weapons. We do not know what types of lifeforms we will encounter, but it would be in our best interests to go prepared. Research Team, please make sure you are ready to go the moment we land. I don’t want to be here longer than necessary.” she added. “All crew, prepare for landing.” She turned off the intercom and dedicated all her concentration to landing on the platform. “Thrusters.” she ordered, hearing a moment later when the whine of the engine turned into a dull roar.

As the ship descended, a loud screeching sound was heard, and the ship lurched, throwing the crew on the bridge from their seats. A console exploded and a small fire broke out. “We’ve lost a shield, Captain!” Leiana heard from behind her. “I heard! Someone put out that damn fire before we roast!” she snapped. She felt something hit her arm and took a moment to glance around to see what it was. Azmarelia, the little gargoyle creature she had come to befriend, was clinging to her arm, shaking with fright. Leiana cooed reassuringly. “No worries, Az. We’re fine.” Az chattered at her rapidly, sounding like a deranged chipmunk. Leiana chuckled, shifting her attention back to keeping the ship from crashing. There was a second screeching sound, like nails on a chalkboard and the engines hum went from a dull roar to a loud grinding. “Stabilizers crashing. Landing is going to be a bit rough.” she announced. The ship rocked to and fro as they descended. Another screech was heard and Leiana was told that another shield had fallen. “Come on, baby. Hold together for me.” she murmured. “1300 feet, Captain.” Glixx called out to her. Leiana flipped a couple of switches and the ship jerked like a yo-yo as the afterburners shutdown. “700 feet.” Dust plumes rose into the air around the ships hull as the ship descended. “300 feet. Landing flaps engaged, Captain.” The jerking smoothed out and everyone around her relaxed slightly, she did not. As the ship descended the last few hundred feet, something exploded below decks, causing the engines to shut down completely. Like a puppet with its strings cut, the ship plummeted, landing on the helipad with a bone-jarring thud. The supports holding up the helipad on the building couldn’t handle the impact and snapped like twigs, sending the ship sliding from the building as if it was on a giant slide. Bouncing back and forth between two buildings like a pinball, the ship’s crew and the scientists were tossed about as the ship fell to the ground below. With an all-mighty crash, the ship hit the street, leaving a large crater in its place as a third explosion knocked out primary power. Leiana’s head bounced off the controls and a headache bloomed behind her eyes. “Well, shit.” she muttered as she lost consciousness. The cooling of the engines were the only sounds heard for the time being.

Z for Zeedus

The Doctor

Writer : CharlotteCarrendar

“Go find some shelter. Whoever woke me up is going to fucking pay for it.”, Valkyrion said and cracked his neck as his body turned transparent and after only moments it dissipated into thin air in a display of a massive electrostatic discharge, that looked far more dangerous than it actually was, well, for Radiant, anyways. But Radiant’s reaction, one of absolute horror. The sky, was filled with the sound of a landing ship.

“THE SKY IS IS IS IS IS FALLING!! RAINING BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG METAL BEASTS!!~

Radiant covered her head, when Valkyrion just up and vanished, and on taking her arms down, she could see he was gone. Madly, she flailed her arms where he had been standing. Oh for the Lord of the Towers to just disappear, it must mean that there was truly a great danger coming, much worse than the massive beasts that ruled the streets of the decaying city. The realisation, that Radiant was out in the open and now alone, was a terrifying prospect. Gritting her teeth together, she made a terrible high pitch screech, that would be heard from a good few blocks, had it not been for the approaching descent of a ship from the Stars. Radiant could see clearly that it was in trouble, and was not going to make a five point landing, more like a spectacular crash landing.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

Oh yes this was bad, and there was nothing for it, since Radiant had to vanish too. Seeing as the Lord of the Towers, was able to become invisible, Radiant had a terrific idea. She would try to become invisible too. Closing her eyes really tight, she willed, and wished herself invisible. Clenching her little fists, and her tail snaking around her form, she hoped the magic may work on her. A few minutes passed, and she slowly opened her right eye, looking around to see if there was any change. Was she now invisible? The possum girl held up her fist to her face, and sure enough, she was still visible.
“GAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

It was useless; no amount of squinting, winking, hopping or flailing was going to make her vanish like the Lord. It was then that Radiant saw it with her own eyes, the ship that was trying to land. Trying, being the right word in this instance. The building it was trying to come down on, could not possibly support so much weight. Radiant looked like she was set to cry, and just stood there, hugging her tail, since she thought escape was not an option, when suddenly she was picked up by her tail, and then held out in front of the Doctor. A tall balding man, with wisps of grey curly hair, that stuck out from under a surgeon’s cap. He wore glasses, that had a swinging magnifying lens, much like a small telescope, that came shooting out all by itself, and inspected Radiant. With a nasty “Z” shaped scar on his left cheek, and sporting rubber dish washing gloves in pink, he smacked his lips, before leering at her strangely.

“What…have I told you about coming up to the surface, Radiant? Hmm…Hmm…Hmm? Mole has been looking for you everywhere, but you know he can’t come up top.”

The Doctor said with raspy mechanical voice that sounded like he was wearing a microphone strapped to his throat. Drawing Radiant closer, she would start to hold her hands together, as if to pray, her tiny legs drawn in, and her tail was actually flat, not fuzzy, because she knew the punishment well, for injuring the Doctor. Radiant was chanting incoherently, as she was suspended by her tail, waiting for the punishment that was to come. The Doctor started to shake her violently, causing her to start to cry, before blurting.

‘Mooole…MoleyMoleyMoley…Mole…..needs food. RadsRadsRadiant..me me me…they locked me out…out out *she squeals as her tail is pulled hard*…OUT!”

The Doctor made something of a “what the fuck?” face, and then dropped her promptly, seeing as she had only done what she could for Mole, who was actually a prized creation of the Doctor. But they had pressing matters, since there was a ship crash landing, not too far away. Seeing it hit the building nearest and slides, the Doctor snarled, and pulled up his surgical mask, before jerking his thumb towards the abandoned subway.

“Get your ass down to platform four with the others. I will deal with you later!” The Doctor then made a run and went to jump across to the next rooftop, which he barely made, and scampered up, before vanishing into a fire escape on the top of the other roof top. Radiant, who was just glad to be alive at this point, did as she was told, running for the building, and leapt off the side, but at the same time, she pulled out two sails, from her back pack, and started to glide her way down, much like a glider possum. The wind was blowing a gale, from the numerous ships landing, and with the dust and debris, it was choking the very air. Landing just shy of a burning wreck, caused by the sparks and electricity that the oncoming ships landing, Radiant raced for the entrance to the subway, and skidded down the walker’s rail, till reaching the bottom, far below. The subway station, was a derelict reminder of another age, with garbage everywhere, torn posters of starlets from the Show strip, and there was an abandoned train, still parked in the station.

Entering through a broken window, and onto a torn seat, Radiant curled up again, and whimpered quietly. It was then a few grubby children’s heads seem to appear, just over the top of the seat, one of them being Mole. He had a sorrowful look upon his face, knowing full well, the Doctor must have gone to fetch her. Mole quickly used his hands to say he was sorry, but Radiant bowed her head….and waited…for the Doctor’s return. <3>

Now, while Shane had been overseeing the kids cleaning up the kitchen, he failed to notice that Marissa and David were both missing. In fact not only were they missing, but so was Jarvis. Knowing that Carmen had left him in charge and gone upstairs due to having a headache brought on from the stress of the state of the kitchen, he really didn’t want to go bothering her just yet. Not when they had just got back. Shane racked his fingers through his hair, as Misty gave him an awkward look. Clearly, he hadn’t seen the REST of the house. He had been in the den, which he kept locked when away, and come straight to the kitchen, so what he was about to discover, was going to make him one….very angry man. Misty was still looking at him oddly, when she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“May I just say in my defense, that it was totally David’s idea and that me and Bianca tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen. Kept going on and on about how this was how they did things in their lair.”

Shane suddenly closed his eyes, knowing exactly what that meant.

“Do…I want to look?”

“Maybe…” Misty said in a small voice, as she set down the cleaning product and led him out of the kitchen and into the main lounge area. What he saw…left him shell shocked. It was like a scene from the aftermath of an Animal house frat party, with even girl’s thong’s hanging from the light fittings. Food stains, split bottles, blood dolls that were half naked lying on the ground and against walls, broken TV sets, ripped furniture. We are talking thousands of dollars of damage if not more. Shane…did not say a word. It was like this from room….to room.

He rounded on Misty and asked. “How many people were here, while Carmen and I were away?”

“From…the Queen’s coven…about…five hundred..ish?” she said, twisting her body so her right shoulder rose up and she cringed as Shane was now looking like he was going to hyperventilate.

“You…mean to tell me…that…DAVID…let the COVEN in my house…UPSTAIRS…where…the humans could have come…and…RUINED EVERYTHING?!” At this his hand shot out and gripped Misty’s throat, lifting her up off the floor and holding her aloft with a furious gaze that would have incinerated someone on the spot. Misty struggled, with her hands up to try and wrestle his from her.

“Pppplease…Shhhhannneeee!” She squeaked, her feet dangling and kicking out – terrified. Bianca ran out and saw what Shane was doing and raced over. The young Vampire screamed at him. “It’s not her fault…please…Dad!” This was a first, Bianca calling Shane dad, and that actually made him stop himself, as Misty’s eyes were bulging from her head. Unceremoniously he dropped her from his hold, where she landed with a clatter at his feet.

“WHERE IS DAVID?!” He roared, as the girls held each other in fear of their Sire.

<3>

Carmen lay on the bed, hearing the mumble of voices downstairs, easily picking out Shane’s among them. That was until…

You…mean to tell me…that…DAVID…let the COVEN in my house…UPSTAIRS…where…the humans could have come…and…RUINED EVERYTHING?!”

A slice of pain shot through her head like a knife and she whimpered, biting her lip against it. She heard one of the girls speaking and tried to relax her body.

Shane’s angry roar when he next spoke made her actually cry out loud, tears springing to her eyes. Tala brought her head up with a whine, sensing her Mistress’s distress. Even Eric and Ethan could sense her pain and knew its cause. They needed to tell Shane before it became worse.

Main Lounge

Shane looked like a fire-breathing dragon come to life as he stood in the center of the destruction of his home, staring at the two women as if wanted to rip them to shreds.

This was the scene the twins walked in on when they finally located him.

“Sire…” Eric began, waiting for Shane to acknowledge him before he continued to speak, trying not to flinch at the hard gaze Shane pinned him with. “The Mistress is in severe distress. She has locked away the Power and it is causing her undue pain. She must release the excess energy before she burns.”

Ethan was nodding frantically, his heart racing as he tuned in to Carmen’s emotional state. She was very upset and had no understanding as to why she was in so much pain.

Shane was going to go nuclear against the vamps that were in the house, trying in vain to clean up one room, let alone the whole house, but it was when the twins approached with word that Carmen had locked her power up, and sealed it inside herself, that he knew she had just put herself into great harm.

“What?!” Almost incredulous at the thought she would do such a thing. He actually fell back a bit. How could he be so blind, worrying about the house, when the love of his life lay upstairs, about to implode if she didn’t release her anger…her power.

Running from the room, he raced up the stairs, and darted along the corridor, not looking left or right, but zeroing in on their room. Reaching it, he saw her laying on the bed with the wolf nearby. No time to waste, he ran to her side of the bed and scooped her up in his arms, before turning around and saying the special chant, that unlocked the secret door to the dungeon lair below. The door slid back, and carrying his beloved, he made his way down the spiral stairs, that returned her Queen to their true home, the dimension where she was Queen of the night, and not just Carmen Williamson. The torches all flared to life, as the servants and creatures of this sub-terrain domain crept out of the shadows, to see their Queen being carried in like a limp doll.

“OUT OF MY WAY!” Shane cried, as he made it to her temple throne at the top end of the structure. It was here, she could be her true self. Gently he laid her down on a large antique sofa, as others gathered in behind, bowing before her. His hand smoothed over her hair as he lowered himself to meet her gaze. “Love…please, let her out. For the sake of all we have….I beg you.”

<3>

It couldn’t have been but a minute later that Shane was at her side, taking her up in his arms. She whimpered at the sudden change in position, pressing her fevered head to his neck as he rushed her through the house to the caverns below.

The Coven

The coven was surprised to see Shane with Carmen in his arms as they moved from the shadows to kneel at their side. He placed her on a sofa before them as his hand carded through her hair. She didn’t know how serious this was until he spoke.

“Love…please, let her out. For the sake of all we have….I beg you.” His tone was both worried and scared, two emotions she didn’t think he was capable of. But it showed her the depth of his worry for her that he did this before their entire enclave.

She struggled to deny his request but the pain became so bad, she needed to release it or she would die. A moment later, her body arched up off the sofa and a tortured cry echoed around the cavern, causing those in attendance to fall flat to the ground in supplication.

The clothing she wore shredded beneath the suddeness of her transformation, one beat of her wings having her airborn in a thrice. Claws biting into her palms, she raised her head, her eyes blacker then death as she screeched her anger to the air. All who heard it, knew there was a chance they would not come out of this alive.

“I should kill every last one of you for the destruction you have caused our home.” she hissed, landing on her feet, her wings curled around her like a cloak, hiding her naked body from their view. Oh their Queen was very angry, justifiably so.

“My Queen-” one brave soul dared to speak.

“SILENCE!” she roared. No one dared to breathe. She paced back and forth before them, thinking. “You have not only shamed yourselves, you have insulted your Lord and Master and his Queen with your despicable behavior! What the fuck kind of example are you setting for our younglings? Not a very good one! What made you think that going upstairs was condoned? Do you not realize that if the humans caught wind of this place, they would not hesitate to end us all? You, all of you, put the entire coven in danger of destruction!”

The full implication of their actions finally pierced their brains and they all looked down in shame. She spoke the truth and they knew it. They couldn’t even beg for forgiveness for it would never come.

“I will need twenty able-bodied men and women to help clean and repair the damage done to our home.” Carmen demanded.

Slowly, twenty hands moved into the air, none of the volunteers looking up from the floor. She nodded and sent them on their way. “The rest of you…your punishment shall be shared with that of your Sires! You will refrain from seeking pleasure from them. From this point onward, until I decide otherwise, you are nothing but a food source! So help me, if you even try to get your fuck on, you will feel my wrath!” she snarled, speaking to both the vampires in attendance and their blood dolls.

She turned to look at Shane, looking so sexy in her anger it was a wonder he didn’t grab her right then and throw her to the ground.

“Is this punishment acceptable to you, My Lord?”

Carmen at first fought the Queen from rising. Trapped and locked down, it was going to kill her mortal form if she did not allow the release. Shane knew it, and understood all too well. His words, practically showing the emotions of a man desperate to save her from herself had helped unlock the Queen from this inner cage.

Free.

Watching her, Shane fell back so he was well behind. He did this for a reason, for seeing her evolve, set off a chain reaction in him as well. So while she screeched and roared, with her wings beating in full, his own body split and cracked, shedding his cloth. He did this holding in the sound of tortured pain that it brought, but when complete the Vampire Lord was ready to act on the Queen’s word, as the coven knew well. Eyes of the deepest red tore across the room of followers, that had danced to the merry song of his brother David, and brought the magnificent house above to look like it was set to be internally demolished. He didn’t need to reemphasize to the Coven what damage this could have done to all, if they were discovered, if this underground chamber was found. The Queen’s own chambers could be raided and then what?

Unlike the Queen, who wrapped her wings around her like a cloak, he allowed his to beat behind him slowly, as he listened to his beloved dish out just what action was to be taken to repair the damage done, and also, that they were all on a ban from sinful sexual pleasures. Oh…that was a master stroke, if he did say so himself. The Vampire lord leaned against the Queen’s throne, as she strode back and forth issuing her decree, only to turn to him as she had voiced her demands.

“Is this punishment acceptable to you, My Lord?”

“Absolutely, my Queen. I know the randy little bastards will be champing at the bit to right the wrongs.” His slow grin was a sign that he knew more than one way to make them learn a hard lesson for their misdeeds.

<3>

“Absolutely, my Queen. I know the randy little bastards will be champing at the bit to right the wrongs.” Shane’s slow grin and the way his gaze traveled over her body let her know that he knew more then one way to get the point across. With a smirk of her own, she uncovered her body, sauntering toward him, very aware that every eye was upon their Lord and his Lady. They could smell the arousal coming from the two of them and more than one vampire whimpered in response.

“Hmm.” she purred, walking around his larger form, the edge of one of her wings trailing across his arm. “What do you think would drive the point home, my darling.” she hissed, slipping her tongue from between her lips to trail along his ear.

The fight was now a little more even with Booker, David and Marissa joining the fray. There was a rustle in the underbush and Jarvis, Amelia and Charmaine appeared.

“You are so fucking lucky I’m not telling Carmen about this.” Dyna snarled at Jarvis, not removing her eyes from the vampire in front of her. Jarvis had the good sense to blush with shame.

“Can we discuss this later?” Jarvis asked.

“You bet your ass we will.” Dyna frowned. “Amelia? You okay, sweetcheeks? How about you, Char?”

Booker transformed back to his human form. “Where’s my niece?” he demanded.

“I told her to lock herself in my car. She should be safe.” Dyna told him. Booker nodded before shifting form once more.

“Are we done playing ‘Happy Families’? I have people to kill and blood to drink.” Ray snapped.

“Bring it, bitch!” Jarvis taunted.

And the fight was on.

—————————-xRMx—————————-

6666 Mockingbird Lane

The massive, victorian style manstion had stood empty for dozens of years. Rumors abounded that the place was haunted and no one dared to approach for fear of the things that go bump in the night. The last person who attempted to live there, reported strange sounds coming from the basement, but they refused to go and investigate, choosing instead to put the house and everything in it up for sale and moving across the country.

A single caretaker was hired to keep the lawn mowed and the house from falling apart, but he refused to work past sundown, for that was when the noises started.

Near the end of September, the “For Sale” sign that had been tacked to the front gate, now read…

Gossip was ripe as to who had purchased the place. But for nearly a month, the place stayed empty. The caretaker continued to do his work but no lights or movement was seen.

Until that Halloween night…

The black stretch limo, silent as death, pulled in through the gates shortly after 2 in the morning, followed by a large storage truck. The driver of the limo stepped out and if one had been looking, they would have seen his eyes were glazed over and blank as if he was in some kind of trance. He went to the back and opened the door on the passenger side. A woman stepped out first, hair as dark as the night that surrounded them. She stepped to the side and waited as the second person stepped from within. He was taller then the woman by a good foot or two and looked very distinguished. The three-piece Armani suit he wore gave him a broad-shouldered look that would make many women swoon. He turned to look at the mansion, nodding with satisfaction. A third man joined them from the truck that had been following, nearly as tall as the first man but much more bigger in stature.

“See to it that our cargo is delivered to the basement.” a deep and cultured voice spoke.

The delivery truck driver blanched and began to sweat. “T-The b-b-basement, sir?” Hazel eyes turned and pinned the man in place with a look.

“Yes, the basement. Is there a problem?”

“N-No s-sir, Mr Tepes. I-It’s just t-that there are rumors of s-s-something down t-there. No one g-goes down there.”

The man known as Vlad Tepes arched a brow, intrigued. “I shall have to see this for myself. Carry on.”

“Y-Yes sir.” the driver stammered, scurrying away to do the Master’s bidding. It always amused Vlad when he found a human actually willing to serve him. He would keep the man around for a bit. He’d be useful.

Leading the way, Vlad went inside the mansion and looked around the surroundings. “Reminds me of home.” he smirked, taking in the furnishings with a glance. He paused in the act of turning toward the stairs. His well-honed senses were telling him that there was someone else in the house.

He frowned. “Someone is here.” he murmured to Rheksas, who was standing behind him. “Let us find the basement.”

Basement Door

It didn’t take them long to find the door to the basement, located just off the kitchen. They stood to listen to the faint sounds whispering across the grain of the wood and Vlad was nothing but curious.

“What an interesting puzzle.” he mumured, more to himself but loud enough for the others to hear.

He put a hand on the knob, feeling the cool metal beneath his palm. He tugged once, but the door did not open. “Hmm…” Looking it over, he noticed the padlock. “Clearly they didn’t want someone or something coming out or getting in.” He gripped it in one hand and gave an effortless yank, breaking the lock instantly. He retried the door and it opened instantly. Something moved in the shadows and launched forward. Vlad ducked out of the way and something moved to tackle Rheksas to the ground, snarling like a beast.

Vlad got a glimpse of disheveled hair and pale features…another vampire, and one that was starved.

“Veti înceta acest nonsens, la o dat?!” he snarled. (Translation: You will desist this nonsense at once!)

It seemed the vampire, a female from the looks of things, knew who he was and was at his feet in a thrice.

“My lord, I live to serve.” she whispered.

“Who are you?”

“My name is Danika, My Lord.”

“How long have you been here? How did you end up locked away?”

“I am…unsure…the days have blended together. I had been searching for a coven and found this house. An elderly couple lived here and I fed upon them to survive. I was…caught…and locked away. Fed upon the rats and bugs that crawled below…lonely existence.”

“Hmm…” Vlad stated. With a thought, he sent for the limo driver currently under his thrall. The entranced human joined them after a few moments and Vlad drew Danika to her feet. “You wish to serve me, then you must grow stronger. Feed and regain your strength.” He pushed her toward the driver, who’s eyes cleared before widening in fear. Before he could scream, Danika was at his throat, tearing into the man’s skin without thought or care.

Vlad turned to Emilia and Rheksas. “See to it that our coffins are placed below, Rheksas. Emilia, you will stay with Danika and show her a room where she may rest. I have business to attend to elsewhere.” Expecting his orders to be obeyed, he turned and strode away.

Jarvis’s war cry of “Bring it Bitch!” set off the attack on both sides, as Vampire went against Vampire and witches fought alongside. Marissa’s fighting style was a little unorthodox to say the least, banging on Vampire over the head with her clutch, that just so happened to contain a set of brass knuckle busters. Jarvis was actually levitating fighting a Vampire, both had their hands clutched around each other’s throats, slamming from tree to tree, as below Amelia was using her ability to throw objects, such as rocks and stones at oncoming Vampires from Ray’s crew. Char…who was still naked, was darting around a tree, trying to out run another vampire, who found her nakedness to be a little too enticing.

“Come ‘ere, and let Dirk eat you..OUT!” the Vampire taunted, as Charmaine screamed and then in her panic she clutches at a tree branch to swat the vampire away. But this only angers a tree full of feral squirrels that all started to attack the vampire in what looked to be a nasty case of going for his nuts.

David stood in the midst of the madness, as Vampires were being hammered by the small group, and Raymundo’s crew were coming off second best. One Vampire was running past on fire, as Amelia started hurling fire balls, in a fit of rage.

Trying to hold back a wicked grin, David spotted Dyna out of the corner of his eye, knowing she was not going to take attacks from Raymundo lightly. He refocused on the angered Raymundo and laughed.

“Don’t look now, but I think you are about to get the “point” as why not to mess with the ladies.”

If Dyna looked to her right, there was the antlers of a dead deer on the ground, the perfect thing to impale a Vampire with. All she needed to do was either pick it up and run at Raymundo with it or use her ability to make the skull levitate and push it forward.

6666 Mockingbird Lane

Basement

There was something in the rogue vampire’s story that…didn’t quite gel for Emilia. How is it possible for a fully fledged vampire to go from attacking elderly citizens to being locked up against her will in an abandoned house. Was this some sort of stunt? And why is it she knew the Count off the bat? Emilia stood along side Rheksas as she watched the half starved vampire feed on the limo driver, and Emilia thought to herself, that was just another mess they had to clean up.

The Count gave his orders as usual, that Rheksas was to set up the coffins in the basement, no surprises there. But the part that had Emilia seething was that she had to find a comfortable room for the Count’s new charge. Oh…that didn’t go down well at all. Rheksas, who normally went to work right as he was told, actually stopped to look between the two women. This…was going to get ugly. Placing a hand upon Emilia’s shoulder he uttered.

“General…I know what you’re thinking. Remember the dramas in New York. We don’t want a repeat.”

He was right of course, and then giving the girl known as Danika the once over, he left to go fetch the coffins, leaving Emilia alone with the blood stained Danika. The Count was now well out of ear shot, and Emilia snorted through her nostrils in a show of severe annoyance, before saying in a deep Romanian accent.

“Follow me.”

Going up the stairs to the main foyer, she realized that the bedrooms would probably begin on the second floor. Much of the furniture was still covered and there was a lot of work to do within the house to get it presentable. Heading for the spiralling stair case, Emilia said without looking back.

“Don’t get too comfortable around the Count. He is known for his…unpredictability.”

This was as good a warning as she would give, considering she had already defied the Count’s wishes once.

Reaching the second floor, she simply pointed at a random door and waved Danika towards it.

“That’ll do.” To Emilia all the rooms must be the same, since they were only being used at night, for the daylight hours they descended into the darkness of the basement.

Emilia didn’t even bother to check it, instead of having thoughts of turning around and going back down to help Rheksas. The girl just gave off all the wrong vibes. But instead, the General approached the girl, getting very close. “I am the General, and I will carry out the Count’s wishes….but I am not your lackey. Understood?”

<3>

Seeing a vampire chasing a naked witch before being attacked by rabid squirrels, Booker jumped into action, charging after the parasite and hamstringing him. The vampire roared with rage, turning to face the new threat, coming face to face with the werewolf. Booker wasted no time in tearing out the throat and snorting in satisfaction as the vampire was reduced to dust.

Dyna was still facing off with Ray as David taunted him. She took note of the deer antlers, but had no means of which to grab them like he was hinting as she had currently charged her tree branch club so it would remain sturdy. Didn’t mean she couldn’t do it, she just didn’t have the concentration for it at the moment. A vampire tried to get the jump on her from the trees but she was in motion before he could land a hit, swinging the tree branch and knocking the vampire’s head from his shoulders. Not even bothering to watch the dust fly, she turned in time to catch a glancing blow across her shoulder from Ray. She hissed in pain as her arm went numb, causing her to drop her make-shift club.

Ray laughed, watching her fall to a knee. Booker saw her go down and his rage knew no bounds. He turned away from chasing another vampire and ran full speed at Ray. Ray jumped out of the way and Booker went sprawling headfirst into a tree, knocking himself silly. Laughing, Ray turned back to Dyna in time to see her launching the tree branch at him like a javelin. Her aim was accurate but her target was no longer where she had thrown.

An arm snaked around her throat, nearly cutting off her air and she realized that he had used her as a distraction. His hot breath ghosted across her neck and she shuddered.

“STAND DOWN OR THE BITCH DIES!” he roared.

Almost immediately, Jarvis and Booker stopped, eyes wide as they stared at the two locked together.

“Dyna!” Booker moaned, seeing her in the arms of his greatest enemy. He was going to lose her…and he hadn’t even told her how he felt.

“NO!” came a shout none of them expected. Ray turned, Dyna in his arms to see Raelyn standing in the clearing. She was breathing heavily, as if she had run a great distance and her arm was outstretched, trembling wildly. But her eyes…they were glowing so brightly it was near blinding.

“Dyna, duck!” Jarvis shouted, seeing what was happening. The deer antlers that Dyna had been directed to were vibrating wildly across the ground and toward the back of the vampire who held his captive. Dyna didn’t hesitate. Using her police training to full advantage, she shoved an elbow into Ray’s stomach before swinging her fist into his balls. Howling in pain, he released her and she dived out of his grasp just as the antlers were launched from the ground like a missle from a silo.

The sharp points impaled Raymundo like shish kebab, sending him sailing into a tree and pinned like a butterfly in a display case. He didn’t so much as explode to dust, but simply melted into a puddle of goo as he died.

Seeing their leader dead, the remaining few vampires knew they didn’t stand a chance with their leader gone and took off into the night until the only sound was the crackling of the fires that Amelia’s fireballs had created.

Booker was immediately across the clearing, yanking Dyna into his arms. Before she could say a word, he was kissing her, his tongue diving into her mouth without so much as a bye-your-leave. She was stunned for all of two seconds before she succumed to his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and melting into his touch.

“Um…hello…other people here!” Rae snorted, though she was smiling that her uncle finally got a clue.

————————-

Vlad’s New Digs, Second Floor

Danika followed behind Emilia, sensing the other woman was not happy with her presence. She nodded when Emilia told her the count was unpredictable.

“I’m used to that. My sire was much the same, I’m afraid.” she nodded. Emilia pointed to a random door and told Danika to use it before she pinned her with a hard glare.

“I am the General, and I will carry out the Count’s wishes….but I am not your lackey. Understood?”

“Yes.” Danika nodded, simply grateful to be out of that dank and dark basement. The blood of the driver was slowly reviving her senses and she just wanted to rest and gather her strength again. She moved toward a door, opening it slowly before looking at Emilia. “Thank you.” She went inside and closed the door in the General’s face.

—————————

Town

Vlad had taken the truck driver and installed him as his new limo driver and ordered him to drive around town so that he could get a feel of the place. Therefore he was quite surprised to see a pair of bloody and dishevelved vampires darting into the cemetary. “Hmm…” he mumured. “Interesting. I believe I am in the correct place. I smell Vincent all over them. We are close.”

“Do you wish to follow them, sir?”

“No. It is too close to dawn. We will have plenty of time. They aren’t going anywhere.”

“Yes, sir.”

The driver turned the car and headed back to the mansion.

Charmaine cheered and bounced up and down wildly, to see Rae take down the lead vampire in style. You had to admit, that seeing her be able to control her powers to do good when it was needed was a miracle in itself. Amelia got an eyeful of Charmaine’s bouncing boobage and tossed her clothes at her. “We are no longer dancing round the fire, Char.” Amelia had managed to pick up their clothes, though they were smoking a little bit from Amelia’s hot hands. She had worked her magic using fire balls to help thwart the enemy vampires, and now as they all stood in the clearing, their attentions turned to Booker and Dyna, who were going at it like jack rabbits.

Jarvis actually smirked and then gave something of a brotherly acknowledgement of a head nod towards Booker. “And the guy gets the girl. Cool.” He was hoping he would have the same thing going with Amelia, but she was too busy helping a protesting Charmaine get dressed. Charmaine by all accounts loved nudity.

Marissa stumbled over, nearly breaking her heel and remembering why she hated the forest so much. Her hair was in dissaray and she had blood all over her Gucci clutch purse. David was just enjoying the show, since he didn’t even lift a finger to fight at all, merely acting as a distraction at one point and was pleased to see his old rival turn to dust. The felling of the enemy pack of Vamps meant little to David, since it just meant more for the taking with less vampires around. Amelia then asked David.

“What on earth brought you two out? I don’t see the bikes.” She asked, curious at the two of them being together. This was when David came clean on a few things. “Well, Carmen and Shane got back from their romantic weekend away…and saw the mess the coven had made…and…Carmen killed my blood dolls, and Marissa was helping me find a nice hole to put them in.” This all said with a trademark David grin. Marissa shrugged and added. “He promised me we would go parking.”

Jarvis then slapped his hand to his forehead, knowing the merry hell that would be going on at home, since the house was trashed by David’s crew and the full coven. “Carmen…is going to go nuclear.” He was right of course, only thing was he wasn’t there to witness it. Which was probably a good thing.

Amelia approached Rae and went to give her a hug, which is something Amelia used to do a lot of, before she had her relationship issues after Jason and Rodger. She pulled her in and squeezed her tight, before letting her go and smiling.

“And that is the first part of control. Under great stress, you were able to manipulate the deer horns, and save your Aunt. You really are so gifted, but we know that to use our powers, when at our greatest need. Never for our own gain.”

Charmaine, who was now dressed sung out. “How about we go back to the pool house for hot chocolate?”

Vlad’s New Digs, Second Floor

After Danika closed the door in Emilia’s face, the Vampire General stood there with clenched fists, ready to rip the door down and demand answers to why she was so coy about the Count. Just how many damn vampires were under his charge in this area already? Why hadn’t he disclosed all this to her? She never felt so out of the loop in all her unlife. Seething, she spun on her heel and went back down the spiral staircase. No doubt the Count had business to take care of…he always did. Done with an air of mystery. For the first time in many hundreds of years, Emilia felt like she truly was the pawn he had turned her into. The anger continued to swell as she went down to the basement, where Rheksas was setting up their coffins, in what was a huge underground ball room. It was a little too opulent for her tastes.

Seeing her enter, Rheksas stopped what he was doing a moment, and looked up. Oh, he could see she was not enjoying the company of the house guest; Danika.

“So, what is her story? I take it you drilled her.” At least this is what he thought Emilia had been doing, she was not above it.

Emilia ran her finger along her own coffin, before coming to a stop, her head down as she didn’t want him to see the fury in her eyes.

“She was sired by another, one like our Lord. Other than that, I got nothing from her.” Emilia didn’t really ask a lot either, more or less offered her advice that the Count was unpredictable. The funny part was, Emilia suspected that the girl, already knew.

Rheksas rubbed his chin for a moment. He was wondering how long she had been locked down here, and by who?

“Something doesn’t add up. Maybe she was one of Vincent’s?’ It was a strong possibility, but Emilia would have thought that the Count might have made mention of that. Emilia shook her head. “I doubt it. But something is not right about this.”

Rheksas approached Emilia and placed his finger under her chin, much like Vlad did. Emilia resisted a little before looking at him. He could see she was acting out as though jealous of another female getting close. “What have I told you, Em? I keep saying it over and over…we are nothing but his servants. Hmm?” Emilia nodded slowly before Rheksas offered her a light smile. “Until he destroys us….we have each other.”

He was speaking the truth.

<3>

Lake Outside of Seattle

It was nearing sunset when Pandora reached her destination. She cut the engine to her bike and just sat a moment, staring out at the lake and the sun’s reflection on the water. It was peaceful and she liked to come up here and think when things were rough.

After some time, she climbed off her bike, taking out the small bouquet of flowers she had stopped to buy on her way through. Picking her way through the foliage, she came out into a field of flowers…and the lone tombstone resting near the lake edge.

It had been years before Denise would reveal where she had her father buried. Pandora hadn’t known that her father was a Seattle native and it was such a shock when she was told this information. That was part of her reasons for moving to Washington…just to be near her dad.

She paused at the tombstone, staring at the engraved lettering as if willing it to disappear.

It had been her dad’s wish to be buried here as it was an area he liked to visit quite frequently.

She knelt before his final resting place, removing the bouquet she had brought the last time, now shriveled and dead and replaced it with the new. She placed a hand against her father’s name and bowed her head in a moment of silence.

“Hey daddy. Sorry I haven’t come visit in a while. Life’s been hectic as of late.” she murmured in the quiet of nature around her. “So much has happened since the last time we talked. I…met a man. He loves me, crazy as that sounds. Who could love me, right?” she snorted. “But…I think I messed up. He wants something I can’t give him…and now he’s angry with me. He walked out. I should be used to it. Guys have been doing that to me for years. But him leaving…it really hurt.” She sniffed, feeling a wetness on her cheeks. She swiped at it, thinking it was beginning to rain. She was surprised to see they were her own tears.

She sat cross-legged before the tombstone, a hand over her eyes as she really and truly sobbed for what she perceived as a loss. “He’s a great guy. And I don’t want to lose him. But I feel like I already have, dad. And it hurts. I didn’t think I could hurt this much. Not since you left me.”

And she simply sat among the flowers and the lake and wept. If anyone happened along to see her, they would have been deeply concerned.

After some time, she managed to get herself back in control, wiping away the remaining tears. She sat with her head on her knees, staring out at the lake as the sun slowly began to set, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

As the first stars winked into being in the sky, she still sat there. She simply wasn’ ready to face him just then, to see the anger and hurt in his eyes. Maybe it was what he wanted? He had his fun and now he was tossing her away…just like every man before him had done.

She should have been used to it.

But she wasn’t.

Question was…did he still want her in his life? It made her queasy thinking about the negatives…

Her phone vibrated in her pocket, but she didn’t feel like answering it or pulling it out to see who it was. She would check her voicemail later, but for now…she just wanted to be left alone.

Orson was his usual chatty self as they drove away from the house, heading downtown to the Bear It Grill Tavern which always did a great deal on steaks, and the girls weren’t too bad looking there either. A few games of pool, few drinks and maybe bring a lady or two home, that was in Orson’s mind. Brock just wanted to drink to forget the fight he just had, if he could even call it that, with Pandora. Orson kept taking glances at his brother, who didn’t seem to be lifting his mood.

“Cheer up, bro. Night out will do you good, then you go home to your girl and sort that shit out.” Orson was never really one for tact, nor did he even know what was really bugging his younger brother. Brock sat impassively, just staring out the window. A simple “Yeah” was all he offered, and for Orson, that was enough.

Pulling into the parking lot, Orson’s car always got attention. A sleek Aston martin in white.

People stepped aside as Orson brought the car to a stop and then undid his seat belt, looking at the crowd heading in. Some real lookers, but if he knew Pandora’s crowd, he would have spotted Simone and Erica. The girls had earlier decided to go out for dinner, than have left over pizza. Brock got out of the car, and adjusted his belt, patting his back pocket for his wallet, then followed his brother inside the Tavern. At least his brother could keep him occupied for the next few hours, so he could cool off over Pandora.

It was not the usual place you would find Simone and her friend, but Erica had a soft spot for these sorts of bars which came from her child hood. Her father, a prolific gambler and boozer spent much of his time in these sorts of bars, and there was many a night that Erica would be sent to go pick her father up from them. Sadly her father passed away two Christmases ago after a long battle with lung cancer, and so in a way, coming to these sorts of places reminded her so much of him. The smokey atmosphere, the laughter, the crack of the billiard balls. And of course the music. There was a live band performing, so that made conversation a bit tricky. You had to yell over the top of one another to be understood.

Erica and Simone waltzed up to the bar, the leggy blonde getting a few wolf whistles, to which she just threw the boozers a sneer, before leaning against the bar and waiting for the barmaid to come serve her and Erica. Erica, who was always on the prowl for new meat, so to speak happened to spy Orson, who always had a way of standing out in the crowd since he was so tall. She grinned slyly as the barmaid asked for their order.

“JD and coke….and..Simmy, what you want, hun?” Erica asked, taking sly looks at Orson as he had taken Brock around to the pool tables on the other side of the bar. Simone was checking out the cocktail menu and seemed distracted, before she saw something she liked. “Just a margarita for me, thanks Eri.” Simone put back down the menu in the holster and started to check out the action around the bar, while she waited for her drink. Erica was by now salivating over the chance to meet Orson. Soon as their drinks were served, she hooked an arm around Simone and dragged her over to where there were rows of pool tables. At first Simone was oblivious to what was going on, and had not spotted Brock, yet. She almost split her drink as she scuttled after Erica, who was like a woman on a mission. Finally she stopped at a small bar table, with high top chairs. Setting down her drink, she nodded to Orson, who was already lining up a rack of balls, with Brock watching.

Simone turned around and then nearly dropped her drink in shock. It was Brock over in the corner, cradling a glass of beer in his hand as he watched his brother, who obviously was the one that had captured Erica’s attention. “Oh no…” Simone thought. If Brock was here, where was Pandora? Surely she must be close by. Simone looked all about and there was no sign of her best friend. Simone started to wonder, for the look on Brock’s face was not a happy one. The guy looked like he had been dragged along by what must be his brother.

Erica did make eye contact with Orson, after he had made the break at the pool table. She wiggled her fingers at him, and Simone looked at her flat mate like she was acting like a high school girl over a crush. “Eri…we haven’t even had dinner and you are set to pick up a guy.” This wasn’t like Simone usually was, but she had been unsettled by seeing Brock. Erica simply took a sip of her drink, then nudged her bestie. “Food, can always wait.” Typical, Erica was on the prowl. Simone muttered under her breath, as Erica made her move over to where Orson stood, polishing the tip of his cue. “Nice shot.” Erica purred, looking up at the oldest Carrendar brother with big doe eyes of hers. Orson, who never minded the attention of females, raked his hair back with his free hand and said. “Thanks. You play?” This was a good question, and she was happy to answer that she did. “Since I was eight.” This brought laughter from Orson, who was intrigued. “Maybe after I crush my brother, you and I could have a game.” This was said with a wicked grin, since he was half hoping to make a wager with the sexy brunette. Erica extended her hand to shake on that deal. “You’re on.”

Simone watched from a distance, as Brock lined up and took a shot, the crack of the balls resonating thought the noise and conversations. Erica had already gotten in good with Orson, almost forgetting her blonde bestie, and only when she was introduced to Brock, did she point out Simone. That was when it felt like the whole room stopped. That look that Brock gave her, chilled her to the bone. Simone’s thoughts were racing. Something happened with him and Pandora, it must have. Erica kept trying to get Simone to come over, but she felt like her feet were frozen to the floor. Brock, being the gentleman he usually was, decided to cross the floor to her. What was he going to say? She did call him about Pandora, and maybe they had had THAT talk after all.

“Simone…isn’t it?” Brock said, staring her down as he took a sip of his beer. There was something in his eyes, that seemed unsettled. “Yeah, it’s me. Where…where is Pandora?” She asked innocently, figuring that it was best not to pull any punches or try to be funny. “Home…I guess.” His voice had an edge to it, and this had Simone feel like she was under the microscope. Feeling that this was just going to get more and more awkward, Simone came out with what she truly wanted to say. “About Pandora…and..my call earlier. Look, she was really confused about how to handle your request.” Brock looked now like he could shatter the glass he was holding in his hand. “So, you girls all told her not to go through with it, hmm?”

“Hey, I’m all for whatever gets you off, you know.” Simone was starting to feel intimidated, and not liking where this was going at all. First Kristian was on her case, now Brock. Brock on the other hand was ready for a fight. “I don’t know what you girls all think about discussing other people’s sex lives, but I for one don’t like the idea of people telling us how to live.” Now, that was not exactly true, from Simone’s perspective and she retaliated. “She asked our advice, and I told her she needs to speak to you. Hell, I rang you to see if that was the case.” That part was true, and Brock rolled his eyes back and slammed down the glass. “Well…you wanna know what she said? Hmm? She said no. She couldn’t do it. Now, I don’t know if that is what she really wants, or what you girls planted in her head.” Simone had worn a bit of his beer that spilt on her dress. “Asshole! You know what…you and Pandora…can get fucked!”

Furious, she didn’t even say goodbye to Erica, but tore off out of the Tavern at top speed. Tearfully she reached her car, and was madly trying to get the car door unlocked. Erica was still inside with Orson, oblivious to what was happening. Clear to say, she had a one track mind when it came to hunky men.

Brock marched back and took up his cue again, ready to take his next shot when Erica finally noticed that Simone was missing, her drink untouched. “Where is Simone?” She asked, clueless. Brock simply shrugged and went to hit the balls.“Search me.”

<3>

Sirus needed no other prompting, pulling Tempest into his arms and kissing her deeply, The applause from those watching was slightly muffled to her ears as her sole attention was focused on her husband. She smiled against his lips as a feeling of absolute happiness suffused her soul.

The Bridal March began to play and Sirus withdrew, linking her arm through his as they made their way down the aisle. Seeing her Aunt Clarice clapping and cheering, was all the inspiration Tempest needed to hand the youngest queen in Casterly history the bouquet she’d been holding and placing a kiss upon her brow as she did so.

Sirus lead her to the center of the ballroom and seemed to have another surprise for her as he held her in his arms.

“I’ve been practicing. he grinned as the music began to play.

“I didn’t know you couldn’t dance.” she giggled. He gave her a boyish grin as he began the steps of their first dance to swirl them around the room.

Throne Room

Arianna stayed behind to supervise the arrangements for Sirus’s coronation.

The Archbishop strolled into the room, holding a cushion upon which rested a crown, the same crown Leifold wore when he was crowned. It was only fitting his son do the same.

“As you requested, Your Majesty. Cleaned and polished to your specifications.”

“Thank you Lord Bishop. The coronation ceremnoy will begin in a few hours.”

“Why not now?” he wondered.

“My son just married, My Lord. I will not begrudge him time with his new mate. Let them enjoy their moment.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” he bowed before moving off to supervise the other arrangements.

Ballroom

As Tempest was whirled and twirled around the room, her thoughts moved in another direction and she felt her face flush. It would be the first time she’d ever been with a man on an intimate level and she was nervous, scared and thrilled at the same time. She knew there would be some pain involved as he took her virginity, but she wanted to be his completely.