The Black Rose Chronicles: Deceit and Lies

by Michaels, A K

  “Funny.” Val snorted. “I’m outta here. Do you want me to set an alarm and come for the meeting with this Demon? I don’t like the thought of you and him being alone.”

  “No.” Cassius shook his head. “I’ll have guards and I don’t know what time he’s going to appear. Just go to bed and I’ll catch up with you this evening.”

  “All right.” Valentine didn’t look too happy.

  “I said I’ll be fine, Valentine. Go.” Cassius’ tone now much firmer as he ordered his friend to leave.

  “I’m going.” Val looked over his shoulder. “Make sure you’ve plenty of guards around. I don’t trust Demons.”

  “Me either,” Cassius admitted. “However, if he’s now running the Council, then I’ll need to get over that and work with him.”

  “Or take him out. Yeah, that sounds a much better plan.”

  “Valentine, go, stop talking and walk away.”

  Cassius turned away, striding along the hallway towards his office. Valeria was sending him details of her caterer, one she employed full time, and had promised she’d take care of that side of things for the Ball. Although he would’ve preferred something less ostentatious, he knew everyone was expecting some lavish extravaganza. So, he’d relented, and he’d allow the lovely Valeria to deal with it.

  He had more important things to take care of. Like cleaning up Manhattan in plenty of time to ensure everyone knew he was a man who could take care of business, and keep his word. Cassius already had teams out scouring the area. Manhattan was littered with small gangs, mostly rogues, both Vampire and Wolf. There were also more than a few Demons on the island, and that was something he intended to get Basilius’ help with.

  He checked with the guards on his way to his office, situated in his penthouse suite, making sure all was as it should be. Everything secure, and Draven, his Master of the Guards, assuring him that the area around the hotel, even the vast grounds of Central Park, were now clear of any rogues. Quite a feat, when only a few short weeks ago the place was a war zone.

  Cassius opened the door to his suite, slowly making his way to the office, he was tired but couldn’t rest. Not until after his meeting with the Demon. He was sure Basilius was using his advantage of not sleeping throughout the day against him. Although he could go out in the day, as older Vampires were able to, most of his staff were too young and could not. Therefore, he kept the traditional Vampire hours: sleep during the day and up all night.

  He was tired and hungry, not having fed for almost a week. His palate had changed over the centuries and he did not enjoy just any blood. The stocks of blood they held to prevent them hunting humans, Wolves, or other species, just didn’t do anything for him. He loathed it. So he tried to go as long as possible between feeds. What he craved at that very moment was to sink his fangs into a willing donor as warm, luscious blood ran down his throat.

  Shaking his head, he straightened his shoulders, knowing he would soon have to succumb and drink something from the supplies they had. He was their leader, so it wouldn’t be setting a good example if he went hunting. Sighing as he pushed open the door to his office, his senses buzzed awake as he saw a tall, dark man lounging in the chair before his desk.

  Cassius raised an eyebrow as he strode forward. “I assume you’re Basilius? The new Head of the Council?”

  The man looked bored as he looked over at Cassius. “I am.”

  “Been waiting long?” Cassius asked as he sat down, his hands resting on the desk.

  “Not too long.”

  “If I’d had some inclination of your time of arrival, I would’ve been here waiting for you.” Cassius saw the slight tug at the sides of the other man’s lips. “However, you’re here now, so shall we get on with our meeting?”

  Basilius still lounged, as if he couldn’t be bothered to be there. “I suggest we do. I’m busy with Council business and would like to leave as soon as I can.”

  “Do you normally just appear in people’s offices?”

  “Yes.”

  Cassius fought to keep the scowl from his face. A first meeting with the Demon now in charge of the Council should go smoothly, or so he hoped. He didn’t want to piss of the man on their first meeting, even if the guy was acting like an asshole.

  “As you know, I’ll be sworn in as Dominum in a few weeks, and I’ve made great progress in cleaning up Manhattan. However, there are some rather difficult Demons who are causing us problems. I was hoping you’d deal with them.”

  Basilius sat up, crossed his legs, and stared intently across the desk. “I could do that for you. Hold on one moment.”

  Cassius opened his mouth to thank the Demon, but before he could utter a word, the man disappeared. “Damn.” Cassius smirked. “That’s a good trick.”

  Opening his laptop, he again thought how lucky they were to still have technology when most of the world no longer did. He had high hopes for getting documentation of Vampires into the system, as well as expanding the IT Department. Well, seeing as he was the IT Department, that wouldn’t be hard.

  As he was about to check the applicants for said IT job, there was a change in the air around him and Basilius was once again sitting opposite him.

  “Done,” the Demon said with a cheeky grin.

  “You work fast. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure, always happy to help,” Basilius replied in his deep voice. “Anything else I can do to help?”

  Cassius had heard stories about Basilius, ones he didn’t know if they were true. However, he would treat him like he did any other new business dealings—with caution.

  “No, I’m sure I’ll manage the rest.”

  “What have you got in the area? Obviously Vampires, but any other species?” Basilius queried, looking calm and at ease as he sat in the armchair.

  “Some Wolves, but they behave, mostly.” Cassius looked thoughtful before carrying on, “We do have a tribe of Fairies in Central Park. Got to say they’re not what I was expecting.”

  Basilius laughed, a deep throaty rumble before nodding. “I know what you mean. They’re certainly not an inch tall with wings, and they can fight something fierce.”

  “More like a tribe of warriors.” Cassius had seen firsthand what they were capable of.

  “Absolutely. You don’t want to get on the bad side of a tribe of those fuckers.” Basilius looked out the floor to ceiling window that overlooked the park. “They can hold a grudge for a lifetime and always get their own back for a perceived insult.”

  “Good to know,” Cassius said, his eyes trying to read the Demon. So far, he’d been personable, friendly, and helpful. Were the rumors about him true? Or not?

  “You’ve got this place running well. What are your plans now?” Basilius asked, as if he was truly interested.

  “We’re lucky to have power and the technology that brings. I’m hoping to hire someone who knows their way around computers and get Vampires documented to keep track of them. It’ll be much easier to trace a Sire if one needs disciplined in the future.”

  “I’ve heard what you’re planning regarding policing your species.” Basilius sat forward. “Is it correct that you are going to hold a Sire responsible for their progeny’s misbehavior?”

  “Indeed.” Cassius’ voice was firm. “That’s the way it was in the old days. If you turn someone, then that should mean you are responsible, sort of like a parent. And if you fail to take action when they do wrong, well, that’s not acceptable. I think it’s the best way to move forward. No longer should rogue Vampires be able to roam freely and wreak havoc, killing and destroying others.”

  “That’s a very honorable way to think.” Basilius smiled, his perfect white teeth shining brightly. “I’m glad someone is going to do something about this problem. It’s been going on for far too long and has to be stopped.”

  “Exactly my thoughts.”

  Basilius stood, offering his hand across the desk. “I think we’ll work well together, Cassius, and I hope you find someone soon t
o employ to start the documentation. That’s definitely the first step in helping you with this.”

  “Thank you, I hope we can work together to improve this hell we find ourselves in.” Cassius tapped his laptop. “I’m hoping to interview some applicants next week and then we can get started on the work. It’ll be laborious and time consuming, but I think it’ll be worth it in the end.”

  “If I can help, then just call.” Basilius stepped away.

  “Wait.” Cassius held up his hand. “We’re having a Masquerade Ball for the inauguration, would you like to attend?”

  Basilius frowned. “What date is it?”

  “Just over three weeks from now.”

  “Aaah, no, sorry,” Basilius said regretfully. “I’ll be on a trip then. I’m visiting some of the more distant continents and will be away for more than a week.”

  “I understand.” Cassius looked for any sign of deception, his gut telling him the Demon was lying, but he saw no indication of it.

  “Maybe next time you’re throwing a shindig I can make it. I’d love to meet some of the other more influential people from your species. I don’t know many Vampires.”

  “I look forward to introducing you.” Cassius gave him his best smile. “We’re not all bloodthirsty fiends.”

  Basilius returned the smile. “I’m sure. Now I have to go, lots of work for me to catch up on.”

  Cassius was just about to say goodbye when the Demon disappeared.

  “Wonder how he does that,” he said aloud to the empty room as he walked out towards his bedroom. Undressing as he went, he felt his hunger gnawing inside and knew he would need to feed soon, or grow weak, and that wasn’t something he was going to allow happen.

  Although the Demon had appeared friendly, helpful even, he remembered the reports he’d received. Cassius didn’t trust that being one little bit, and he would definitely stay strong and keep his guard up.

  Basilius shouted as soon as he reappeared in his office, “Orthon!”

  His assistant ran in quickly, almost falling over his own feet in his haste. “Master?”

  “I need you to hack into Allarde’s network and find out all you can about him looking for an assistant of some sort. Someone who can use computers. Then I need you to insert information for an applicant. Use the name Marie O’Connell and hype her up as being proficient in that field. Use some aliases as references, and if any queries come in, make sure she gets a glowing report. Once you’ve done that, print off what you’ve added and give it to me.”

  Orthon nodded furiously. “Certainly. I’ll get right on it.”

  Basilius halted him. “Did you deal with the mess in my room?”

  “Yes.” Orthon lowered his head, cowering before him.

  “Good.” Basilius tapped his chin, deep in thought, and it was several moments before he realized Orthon still stood before him. “Go, you dimwit! Do what I ordered.”

  Orthon darted out, closing the door quickly as Basilius smirked. “I’ll get you right inside, Black Rose, then it’s up to you.”

  His disgust for Cassius ran deep and his plans didn’t involve the Vampire. He needed someone more malleable in the role of leader of the blood-drinkers. Someone he could use to his advantage, and he was going to get that person elected as soon as possible. After The Black Rose fulfilled her mission. She better not fail him because if she did, she’d see a side to him who few were permitted to witness: his Demon form in all its glory.

  * * *

  “What do you say we break out the barbecue and have some steaks tonight?” Seth panted as he wiped the sweat from his face. “I think we deserve it after the day we’ve put in.”

  Rose bent over, her hands on her knees as she gasped for breath. She raised her hand, shaking it around for a moment before she could speak. “Yeah,” was all she managed, her lungs feeling as if they were on fire. Her clothes were soaked through and every muscle in her body hurt.

  “You okay, Flower?” Seth asked, an evil grin on his face.

  Throwing him a filthy look, she nodded before standing upright again. She fought to walk without her legs shaking, hoping a shower would help her aches and pains. “I’m fine,” she snapped as she tried her best not to let him see just how bad she felt.

  His laughter stopped her dead, spinning around to see him shaking his head. “Damn! I’m in trouble. At no time in history is a woman okay when she says ‘I’m fine.’ That’s code for a host of stuff, but none of it means she’s fine.”

  Rose snorted, cocking her head to the side and glaring at him. “I’m fine.”

  Seth started to laugh again as he walked toward his room. “I’ll take a couple of steaks out to thaw and then I’m hitting the shower.”

  Usually she would follow after him, eager to join him in the hot water. Not today. She wasn’t even sure if she’d make it back to her room without collapsing, but she wasn’t going to allow him to see that. No way, no how, was she going to admit just how badly she hurt. Damn. Even her tongue was sore. How was that possible?

  “Hmm mm,” she mumbled as she mustered the last remaining dregs of strength from deep inside and went towards her room. When she got inside, she almost fell to the floor, hoping her weakness hadn’t shown.

  Who the hell was she kidding? Seth knew her better than she knew herself, and he was sure to have seen the signs. At least he hadn’t teased her. Rose stripped as she went, her bathroom calling to her as she turned on the water. Grateful once again for the power they garnered from the many solar panels they were lucky enough to have.

  As the steam started to fill the stall, she removed her panties and stepped inside. A soft groan of pleasure falling from her lips as the water eased her painful body. Seth had worked her so hard she’d thought she was going to collapse. Only her steely determination getting her through to the end.

  It’d been the first time she’d seen him just as fucked as she’d been by the end. He was taking her upcoming mission deadly serious. Far more than any other she’d ever engaged in, and that had her over-thinking things. Shaking her head under the water, she puffed out a long sigh.

  “I’m The Black Rose. I can do anything, anything I fucking want,” she spoke aloud, her voice filled with feeling, grit, and purpose.

  “Indeed.” A voice caused her to jerk around, grabbing a towel to drape over her body as she looked for a weapon.

  “Who the fuck’s there?” she snarled, her anger rising at the intrusion, steam all around, she snaked her hand to the side of the sink vanity, pulling free a short sword from the sheath taped there.

  “Did I scare you?” the deep voice said with amusement, and she knew who it was.

  “Basilius, get the fuck outta my bathroom. Now.” She kept hold of the sword as she grabbed a robe, pulling it on quickly and striding through to her room.

  “Out.” She motioned with the sword toward the sliding doors as Basilius looked her over with what looked to be hunger in his eyes.

  “Now,” she reiterated, her anger flaring again.

  As the Demon stepped outside, she heard Seth’s feet running down the hall. “What’s going on?” he shouted as he skidded to a stop just inside her room, a large katana in his hand.

  “Seems Basilius decided to drop by again.” She inclined her head to the Demon now standing on the patio.

  Seth jogged over, outside, then stood before the Demon. “What the fuck do you think you’re playing at? You don’t just appear here whenever you want, and you definitely do not enter Rose’s room. Ever. Not if you want to keep your head attached to your damn body.”

  Basilius looked Seth over, his face impassive as he shrugged. “I’ve got news and it couldn’t wait.”

  Rose tugged her robe tighter around her as she joined them. “What news?”

  “First, let me ask, do you have any experience with technology? Specifically computers, laptops, that sort of thing.”

  She and Seth looked at each other, then she nodded. “Yes.”

  “Yes. That’s your a
nswer? How much experience do you have?” Basilius frowned, looking unhappy at her one word reply.

  “I’ve got experience with both, quite extensive actually. Why?”

  “Why?” Basilius grinned widely, but it was only his mouth that smiled. His eyes still looked at her with hunger. “Allarde is looking to employ someone to start documenting Vampires and to expand his IT department. So, little Rose, I can get you there, and you can get in before anyone else.”

  The Demon held out a folder to her, a cold, hard smile on his face. “Here, this is the information that’s been added to his search for someone to help him. You need to read it over and make sure you know who your references are. I’ve arranged for any queries regarding your past employment to go to my assistant. He will, of course, give glowing reports of you and your talents.”

  Rose took a step forward, snagging the file quickly before she retreated.

  “I see. But back up. You said you can get me there? I don’t understand. Seth and I were going to make our way up there once the fee deposit has been paid.”

  “No.” Basilius shook his head, glaring at her. “We leave in a few hours. I can transport you and whatever means of transportation you were going to use. I’ll put you a few streets away from the hotel he’s using. You can get in first and dazzle him with your experience and that beautiful smile of yours.”

  Rose snarled up at him, shaking her head. “I’m not sure about this. Seth was supposed to be coming with me in case of any problems. Will you ‘transport’ him, too?”

  Basilius looked at Seth quickly, then turned his eyes back to hers. “No. He can make his own way there. I’m too busy to be darting back and forth. You, Rose, are the person who needs to get there as quickly as possible and ensure you get the job. That way, you are inside and can infiltrate Allarde’s business and files. Anything you pass on will gain a larger fee for your troubles. Once you’ve gotten everything you think you can and send it to me, well, then you get to carry out your original assignment.”

  Seth stepped forward, holding a hand up as he growled. “That wasn’t the mission. She was to go in and carry out her task and leave. Now you want her to hang around and spy for you?”