by Pace, Pepper
“Not against Werewolves.” Alexis interrupted. “Against bringing attention to the Vampires. Kim, your actions brought attention to the Vampire Nation by a force that we had never ever been able to identify.”
“Well … I … ” I was at a lost for words.
“This is not her fault. That was my fault!” Paul exclaimed.
“Yes, I agree,” Alexis continued. “And again this is only one part of the issue. As I indicated, there is tension between the Old and the New Worlds. Malarias has only served to enhance the rift in his eagerness for the respect of those that he could never hope to gain it from.
“He has been reporting back to the Elder Council the success of his region; which has been nothing more than the success of Kim’s territory. He has forced the other members of your Council to adopt your methods, which has brought even more success to what he claims as his own. He brags to the Elder Council in hopes of gaining the respect of those that will always despise him. And by the time he realized that he had only served to alienate himself even more, it was too late.
Alexis’ expression shifted from one of arrogance to something that resembled awe. “There has been a ripple in the Nation. A ripple of change.” He focused on Paul. “You, Werewolf, should know the significance more than most. You have witnessed the battle that your mate attempted to win before the Elder Council—and how she failed to get them simply to admit that there was a discrepancy in the law.” His eyes returned to mine. “How the both of us failed.”
He didn’t fail. He saved my life! I was supposed to be killed and because of Alexis I had survived their punishment.
Paul seemed to silently come to the same conclusion because I felt him shift his weight and release Alexis from his angry glare.
Alexis was still talking and I listened intently. “Due to Malarias’ idiocy he has become the unwitting catalyst to this change and it has been deemed by the highest order that every Council must now adopt these successful methods—including the Old World Councils who have been operating successfully for Centuries.”
Obviously Alexis had chosen not to remember World War II and how close everyone in the world had come to discovering the existence of the rogue Vampires that had attempted to control more than just their relatively small territories. And what about Chernobyl when Vampires had to evacuate an entire city—not to mention many many other atrocities that had and continued to occur?
“It was not my idea to make others do what I do-”
“And yet your very nature necessitates change.” Alexis interrupted. “You are change.”
After a moment I nodded.
“So are you saying that they will pin these Werewolf attacks on Kim because they don’t want to be forced to change?” Jason asked. The silence drew out and I was unsure if there would be an answer.
“Not on Kim,” Alexis said at length. “On the entire Council including Malarias. As a matter of fact, your Council has already been cast out. You have no alliances—even among bonds that have been formed under centuries of friendship. This is war and you have brought this on yourselves—at least that is the overwhelming opinion.”
“But … why the entire Council? I was the one that called-“
“Because the entire Council was there at the execution of the Werewolf Pack. Every member of your Council was present—with the exception of the new one.”
“Monica … ” Tyler said.
“She was turned after.” Alexis stood up then. “So you see. No one would have ever told you this. Not even your own Elder because he serves his own purposes and has already thrown you at the bus in order to save himself.”
“Under … ” I whispered. He gave me a confused look. “Under the bus.”
“Yes. He has thrown you under the bus.”
I lightly bit my lip. “What in the hell am I supposed to do?” I muttered. Everything had been going so good and now this. How was I supposed to protect us all?
Alexis smiled but it wasn’t a nice smile and somehow it comforted me because it held determination.
“Again, that is why I am here. I told you that you will survive long enough to serve on the Elder Board and I intend to make sure that happens.”
~***~
It took a few hours but by the end of the night Paul’s body had lost much of its tension although I knew that he was still pissed; pissed at me, pissed at Alexis, pissed at the Vampires. But at least we were able to sit and have an adult discussion—or as adult as possible with Ran figuring out that he could still speak to me mentally and bombarding me with thoughts of his, dissatisfaction with his bodily arrangements.
It didn’t help that partway through the meeting he pissed his pants unable to control the human’s body functions. Sam, Mara and Karen got him cleaned up. Tyler and Jason refused to leave my side and once that was taken care we resumed the conference so that he wouldn’t miss anything. At least that served to quiet him.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Alexis was the bearer of more bad news. I wasn’t surprised to learn that it was Malarias’ idea to pin the blame for the Werewolf attacks on the entire Council in order to save his own withered neck. But news that Werewolves would soon infiltrate the US was shared with every Region except ours.
We were really and truly cast out ... and none of us had been the wiser. I could say that it was really unfair but Vampires were not known for their understanding or ability to compromise. In addition, the Werewolf attacks only occurred during the day, which caused a great deal of paranoia.
Human donors were being enlisted to watch over their Master Vampires—and yet humans could not hope to deal with a Werewolf attack; even if their association with Vampires enhanced them. It was just going to end up in carnage … and if that happened then it would be pretty difficult to conceal from the human world.
“How do you Vampires even know that these are Were attacks? From what I understand you didn’t even know of our existence.” Paul said sounding a bit more confrontational than what was necessary.
“Because of the smell.”
“So you can smell the attackers … why don’t you just trace them?”
Alexis gave Paul a pointed stare. “Vampires aren’t bloodhounds that can sniff out one’s whereabouts. We work on a telepathic level.”
“Strange that two supernatural beings co-exist and yet didn’t know about each other.” I said hoping to interrupt the verbal sparring.
“Yes. But we have seldom crossed paths. I am aware of only two or three instances when a shape shifter has made his appearance known to a Vampire and each time it was when the animal shifted back into human form upon death. Your Wolf Pack is the only one that can be identified by Vampires. Your Wolf Pack will be the first to be destroyed once the Elders decide to strike. But your Wolf Pack is the only ones that can even hope to locate the rogue Werewolves … because you do possess a power that we do not,” His eyes shifted back to Paul who had refused to sit, “and that is the power of a bloodhound that can sniff out the whereabouts of others.”
“Why should we if they intend to put everyone we care about to death?” Jason said with a tilt of his chin.
“Indeed.” Alexis agreed.
“So we become a bargaining tool?” Tyler asked.
“You have knowledge of their plan—and that puts the leverage in your hands.” Alexis continued. “No one knows that I am here. No one knows that you have been warned.”
Paul gave is a cold look. “You certainly know a lot for someone that is supposed to be in prison.”
“Only my body is imprisoned. My mind is free to roam.” I saw a streak of distaste cross the face that belonged to the Ran I knew but who was actually now Alexis. “I listen to those matters that interest me.” Alexis gaze settled on me again and I tried not to squirm in my seat.
Finally I rubbed my face warily. “You said that there are Werewolf attacks in Europe and now Asia. How many?”
“There have been constant killings for nearly six months, perhaps longer. And it is not no
rmally a Master level Vampire but one that is seen often in the public eye. There were nearly two hundred killed in Europe and as of last week a total of seven across Japan and Thailand.”
“So it’s not the same Wolf Pack.” Paul stated thoughtfully.
“No,” Alexis agreed. “But they are working on a unified front.”
“I intend to kill the bastard for what he’s doing to me!” Ran said to me mentally. He was still slouched in his chair. But was now at least able to glare with hate at Alexis, even if he had not yet mastered the ability to move his mouth in order to articulate words. Which actually was probably a good thing.
“Ran I know this is difficult but I promise I will get you back into your own body.”
Ran spent a few moments cursing and raging at me mentally before he had me ask Alexis a question. It was a good question … uh once I removed the curses and name calling.
“Ran wants to know why other New World Vampires have been tried and executed for crimes but ours haven’t? After all, they want us dead so…”
Alexis gave me a look as if I was stupid to ask and Paul was the one to answer.
“To guarantee that your Council would have no sympathizers. By doing this your Elders have made you out to be the enemy to every other Neratomay.”
“Which is why no one has been sharing information with us … ” Ran spoke, finally focusing on our impending doom vs. the loss of his body.
It was very late in the night and my human family looked weary. “We can talk more tomorrow. Alexis, you can stay here. There are many comfortable rooms below ground. It might be best for you to retire below ground because Ran … Ran’s body cannot withstand daylight.
Alexis’ expression grew instantly dark. “I will not stay where you are not present-”
“Oh fuck that!” Paul spat, obviously reaching the end of his limit. “You’re not staying in our house!”
Alexis’ eyes turned into dark orbs. Ran did not do that! Ran’s eyes were normally warm milk chocolate, or angry red spotlights but never the complete blackness that only the Elders possessed.
“I exhausted two human bodies getting across the great water in order to protect my mate and in protecting my mate protecting you all!
Paul slammed his fist on the table and it actually cracked. “This is my wife! She is not your mate she is my mate, my wife, and my child’s mother!”
Alexis sprang to his feet and my limbs froze—I froze. He was going to kill my Paul! Alexis flung out his hand…but nothing happened. With gritted teeth he stared at his hand before two Werewolves knocked him to the ground.
Jason and Tyler had transformed in mere seconds and one had his wrist between massive teeth while the other stood on his chest growling ferociously inches from his face. Alexis hissed and growled back with extra long teeth but he did not turn into his creature; a monstrosity that once upon a time had reminded me of a Werewolf—until I had met the real thing.
That meant … Alexis had limitations while in Ran’s body! But he still had his strength and he punched one of my Werewolves in the face and Paul, still in human form leaped across the desk and was soon throttling Alexis!
I screamed loudly. “Stop it!”
The sound of my shrill bellow froze everyone. Sam had a lamp in her hand and looked like she was about to brain Alexis with it. Karen and Mara were retrieving guns from the weapons cabinet. Ran had flopped down to the floor and was even now dragging himself towards the foray.
“Wow … for real?! We’re going to fight each other when we have a life or death matter to contend with?”
Paul blinked and stood. “Back down,” he commanded and the two Werewolves did so grudgingly, moving to stand at his side. Paul turned angry eyes at me. “I expect you to be home—alone by the time I get there.” He stormed out of the room with the Wolf Pack trailing him. Tyler looked back at me almost apologetically as she left the room and I heard her soft whine of despair.
“It’s okay.” I soothed her silently. “Just … try to calm him.”
Then I sent out a silent message to my angry husband. “I love you, okay? I will resolve this. Trust me-”
“Just be home when I get there.”
I returned my attention to the remaining figures in the room, Sam had returned the lamp to its rightful place on my desk and Mara and Karen had returned their weapons—at least there were none in insight. Alexis had come to his feet and was attempting to straighten his chain mail shirt while angry bloody teeth mark stood out on his wrist and claw marks could be seen on his chest.
He kicked his feet where Ran was clutching at his ankle in a death grip. With a sigh I easily lifted Ran from the floor. “Ladies, please take care of Ran’s needs.”
I shut off my mental connection to him because all he was doing was cursing. “Ran, I will be back tomorrow. The ladies will take care of you.” The three of them easily took hold of him and helped him to a room for the night.
When Alexis and I were alone he watched me in a knowing way. “I am not here to claim you, so do not look at me with so much fear.”
I nodded having no choice but to accept his statement for fact.
“I appreciate you upholding your end of our agreement.”
He looked into my eyes deeply and spoke almost in a whisper. “And will you uphold yours?”
Chapter 9
And so finally the issue under everything else; would I return to Alexis at the end of one hundred years. One hundred years that he had granted me the freedom to love any who I wished to love … before I was to return to him and him alone.
Slowly I walked around the desk and reached out my hand to him. He did the same and stopped moments before our fingertips touched. I was the one who completed the connection when I brushed my fingertips against his -- just a whisper of a touch.
“I’m deeply in love with my husbands.” I finally spoke.
His eyes were bright. “Both of them ... ”
“Yes.” I sighed. “And … ”
“You wish to be true to the one that you are with.”
“Whichever one that I am with.”
He lowered his hand but there was a slight smile on his face and then he headed out the door. A moment before he disappeared he looked over his shoulder although he didn’t look at me. “I do not want you to make love to this man’s body. You have not, have you?”
“No!” I said, surprised and insulted as if he thought I just randomly fucked any and everything.
“You would do best not to ever do so,” came his subtle threat one moment before he disappeared. I was surprised when I sensed that he had completely left the house.
Well … where the hell was he going? And why did that make me a tad … jealous?
~***~
I flashed myself home well before Paul would arrive by motorcycle. I would hear the Wolf Pack’s motorcycles long before they reached home. Tyler and Jason still lived in the small cottage behind ours. It was cozy but adorable for the two of them and it allowed them free reign over the lands to hunt and bay at the moon without garnering the attention of curious neighbors.
I checked in on BJ who slept through the night now. The sound of her breathing calmed my frazzled nerves. I sent my trusted human aid home. She was one of the first to ever utilize a safe house and was now a true willing donor to a young Vampire whose turning had been sanctioned just this year.
I resisted the urge to pick her up and to feel her weight in my arms, to listen to the regular beats of her heart, to smell her baby scent and to feel the soft brush of her blond curls. After closing her door I went to my bedroom and washed away the makeup and then changed into lounging pajamas.
Moments later I heard the Pack’s motorcycles. Jason and Tyler’s bikes continued down the private road that led to their cottage while Paul’s bike stopped at the circle driveway in front of our house.
With a sigh, I strolled into the living room to await his arrival. I don’t know why I was nervous, I had not orchestrated this madness but I knew th
at my husband had often been asked to bear more than he should…and maybe I just wondered if one day he would say; ‘enough is enough!’
He entered the house, his eyes meeting mine briefly before they moved to the nearby mantle where he deposited his keys.
“Hi honey,” I muttered.
His eyes met mines again and then he walked to me stopping mere inches from me.
“Release me,” He spoke distinctly.
My heart leaped to life in my chest before I realized that he was referring to the wolf. I had stopped the wolf from being able to come forward. I was sure that there would be consequences and repercussions for that little act.
Quickly I removed my mental hold and saw the way that Paul seemed to deflate and then he walked past me. Okay, while I could understand that Paul would be angry he really didn’t have to take it all out on me. Again, I did not create this situation.
“Is that it? You ask me to be here just so that you-”
“I need to release the Wolf and I don’t need to loose him around you!” Paul snapped before he disappeared into the bedroom.
Well…he did have a point there. But his treatment still hurt me. Like a chicken I sank onto the bench in the entranceway until I knew that Paul had retreated from the house and was out in the woods taking out his frustrations on anything other than me. I soon heard his bay at the moon and it was joined by two others; the wolf pack. I tried to pretend that I didn’t hear the anguish in their cries.
~***~
When I awoke it was night. Paul hadn’t caused me to rise during the day hours and obviously I subconsciously had chickened out of facing my husband and the threats that loomed over us.
I mentally searched the whereabouts of my family. BJ, Paul and Sam were in the family room. There was a jab of sadness that I wasn’t there also because while they lived and breathed I was dead.