The Progeny

by Shelley Crowley

  “It was that Nest, wasn’t it?”

  Caius dropped his fists and looked to her; his eyebrows furrowed with distress. “Everything has just come at me all at once. Things that used to feel right just don’t fit together anymore. First Nico torturing me. Then killing his men. Then my Maker shows up and then-” He sucked in a startled breath and caught himself just before he mentioned Guardian and the Court. He still needed to keep that under wraps so Evie wouldn’t fret. “-and then Turning Robin. Being a Maker again… then… then the Nest.” He squeezed his eyes shut.

  “The killing. The blood. The… thrill of the fight. It’s just-” To his surprise, he was shaking. He balled his hands on the bar. “I feel like I’m slipping back. Back to who I was. You live so long that you find things repeating themselves. I can’t repeat my past. I have to be strong. For Evie. For Robin.”

  He flinched when Varsee placed her hand over his. He looked up and was met with the wild, maelstrom of her eyes. “It’s the people who feel like they need to be strong that crumble the quickest. Give yourself a break, Caius. I can take care of Evie. And Robin-,” she laughed softly, flicking her eyes over to the booth he was situated at, “you’ve picked a good one there. And trust me, I have a sixth sense about these things. I know how to pick a good progeny. And you have the gift, too.”

  “Are you talking about Evie as well?”

  She nodded. “She’s a good vampire. You need to trust her a little more. Your mistakes don’t have to be her mistakes. I know that I am her Maker now and she is mine, but she will always carry a part of you with her. And you know why I accepted that so easily? Because I know you’ve done a good job at raising her. You should be proud of her, Caius. Stop focusing on the clouds and start seeing the silver linings.”

  A moment passed as he thought over what she had said. She smiled and retracted her hand. “You know, I didn’t actually choose Evie. I was forced to Turn her.”

  “I know the story. I was just paying you a compliment. How about just accepting it?”

  Caius laughed softly and brought his bottle to his lips. “Okay. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The two ancients sat at the bar, Varsee bobbing along to the beat of the music and stealing a mouthful of Caius’ bottle of blood every now and again.

  Caius mostly kept his head down, only turning every so often to check up on his progeny. He knew that Varsee was keeping an eye on Evie so he didn’t torture himself by watching her antics. Then he spotted a room at the back of the club roped off and hidden by a curtain. ‘VIP’ glowed in red letters above the door. The curtain was knocked by someone passing. He caught a glimpse of Alexander relaxed on some sort of golden throne. A young, handsome looking man with dyed white spiked hair and black eyebrows was perched on the clawed arm of the throne and was bent forward so Alexander could suck on his neck without shifting position.

  The white-haired man had one hand pressed firmly on the back of the throne as his other idly brushed under Alexander’s t-shirt, stroking his stomach. Alexander had his fingers curled into the back of the man’s neck as the woman sat beside him on a regular black sofa stroked his hair, trying to get his attention. The last thing Caius saw before the curtain swished back into place was Alexander hooking his leg behind the white-haired man’s knee and tugging him down on top of him.

  “Well hello there,” purred a man, swooping up beside Varsee. Varsee smiled up at him with slight pity in her eyes as the man dressed from head to toe in tight leather looked her up and down.

  “Hi,” she replied, swinging her legs out from under the bar so she could face him.

  He licked his lips. “I’ve been watching you over here, drinking from the bottle. You’re not a vanilla vamp, are you?”

  She laughed, the sound tingly and wicked. “Oh, I’m definitely not vanilla.”

  Clearly getting excited, the man shifted from foot to foot and ran his hands over his short black hair. “Well, I’ve been told I taste as good as I look.”

  Varsee rose to her feet and took his hand. “Well then, you must be quite a treat.” She looked back to Caius. “Are you alright?”

  Caius nodded and waved her off. “Sure. Go.”

  She smiled, flicked her long blonde hair over her shoulder and led the man off towards the booths.

  For a good few minutes Caius sat undisturbed as he continued to peel off the label from his bottle. A vampire lover tried to get his attention by presenting him with her bare forearm and giving him a suggestive eyebrow raise. Caius merely looked at the woman dressed in a very revealing purple and black PVC corset, mini skirt and stockings, before turning back to the bar and sipping at his drink. The woman huffed her annoyance and passed by.

  Swivelling around on his stool, he narrowed his eyes to scope out Robin. Then he felt the familiar feeling of his brain being tampered with.

  Come outside, said Milah within his skull.

  A flurry of relief blossomed deep in his gut at the sound of her voice. He had been hoping she’d call on him again. He so desperately needed to get things straight with her after the life-changing realisation that she wasn’t as much of a heartless bitch as he had thought she was for the last several hundred years. But then a shiver crawled up his neck.

  His Maker was calling on him. Milah was calling on him. History had taught him that that was never a good sign.

  Why? he asked her through their bond.

  Just come outside. And bring your new pet.

  She sounded tense. When Caius hesitated to move, Milah used their bond to hurry him up. Caius cried and clawed for the bar as he slipped off his stool. The pain knocking inside his skull was like thousands of red ants biting his brain. He toppled forward but managed to catch himself.

  Stop! He snapped to his Maker.

  Then hurry up.

  His agony suddenly disappeared and his body sagged with relief. He found Robin in the same booth, a girl in each arm.

  “Robin.” Caius placed both palms on the circular table, trying to get his progeny’s attention while he was busy whispering into the ear of a girl with dyed electric blue hair.

  Robin turned and smiled, showing bloody fangs. “Caius! My main man! Come join us! Have a taste.” He elbowed the girl at the edge of the booth and she instinctively thrust her wrist under Caius’ nose. Blood was oozing from a gnarled wound.

  Caius shook his head and she dropped her arm with a pout.

  “We need to go.”

  Devastation filled his progeny’s deep brown eyes and a symphony of disappointed groans came from his array of girls. “Why? I’m having fun!”

  Caius’ jaw clenched. “Don’t question me. Just come.”

  He started for the door, not looking back, but he could hear his progeny clambering his way out of the booth and rushing to catch up.

  “What’s this about?” Robin asked at his shoulder, wiping the blood from his chin as if attempting to look presentable.

  Caius sighed and pulled back the curtains to reveal the door. “I don’t know.”

  Chapter 20

  Milah was waiting for them outside the bar. As always, she was dressed all in white. This time her dress had a toga-like style. It tied around her neck, leaving her strong shoulders bare, and was nipped in at the waist before it flowed freely down to her ankles. Her long raven hair blew over her shoulders in the breeze. Caius couldn’t help but compare her to an angel. A fallen angel.

  Robin sucked in an audible breath at Caius’ elbow and he smiled wryly. Caius had had the same reaction the first time he had laid eyes on her.

  Milah cocked her head, her cerulean eyes bright and set on Caius.

  “Wh-who’s that?” whispered Robin.

  “My Maker,” Caius replied and headed towards her. Robin openly gaped and hurried after him. “What have you called me out here for?”

  Milah’s eyes shifted to Robin by his side. “Ah, so this is your new recruit.” She smiled as Robin cowered a little under her gaze. “Cute.”

&n
bsp; Caius raked his hands through his hair. “Look, Milah, I want to apologise for how I’ve treated you. I had no idea how much you have done for me. I’m still here because of you.”

  Milah just looked at him with a glint of sadness in her eyes. “No need for apologies. I was just trying to make up for what I have made you do - trying to make you hate me a little less. And plus, you are my progeny. I’d do anything for you.”

  “I don’t hate you, Milah.”

  At this, she smiled. “I’m glad.”

  It was just the three of them at the entrance of the bar. Caius could feel the bouncer’s eyes boring into his back. “So, why are we out here?”

  Milah answered with a flick of her hair, and began wandering down the pavement. Caius and Robin shared a look before they followed.

  “Guardian just wants to check up on you,” she said as she led the way. “And inspect your new progeny. Make sure you’ve chosen well.” She turned and looked Robin up and down. “Do you believe you have?”

  Caius nodded. “I do.”

  In the corner of his eye, he noticed Robin dip his head to hide a smile.

  “Well then-” She flickered her eyes up to Caius. “I guess this should all run smoothly.”

  “Who’s Guardian?” Robin spoke up, his voice a little softer and with a hint of hesitation.

  “A very important vampire,” Milah replied, not looking back as they rounded a corner. The tail of her dress blew back, hiding her feet and making her look like she was gliding.

  “You know the Vampire Court that I had told you about?” said Caius.

  Robin nodded. “They’re the ones that straighten out rogue vampires. They’re the ones that you’re in trouble with.”

  “Guardian is their leader.”

  Robin gulped and his dark eyes widened. “Oh.”

  Milah stopped at an empty lot behind a factory that was cordoned off by a chain-link fence. A slight gap had been made in a corner of one of the panels and, with ease, Milah tore it open wide enough to step through. Caius followed with Robin at his heels. Guardian and two of his minions were standing waiting behind a steel container. Guardian lifted his chin, watching Caius appraisingly as he approached. The two vampires flanking him were male, dressed in white shirts and dark blazers.

  Guardian ran a hand down the front of his blazer as if to flatten down a crease that wasn’t there, and stepped forward. There were no lights in the area so Caius had to rely on his vampire sight to see through the pitch black. The moon was almost full in the sky but hidden behind clouds. Robin had stepped behind him, as if using his Maker as a shield.

  “Caius,” rejoiced Guardian with a smile that deepened his wrinkles. The heels of his polished shoes tapped across the concrete as he made his way over with his hands relaxed in his pockets. “I see you have chosen to extend your bloodline. It was the decision I was hoping for. It would have been a waste if I had had to kill the red-head. She is definitely unique.”

  “Stay away from Evie,” hissed Caius.

  Guardian’s grey eyebrows lifted. “I have no intention of going anywhere near her. As I said, I didn’t want to kill her in the first place. I just knew you would have needed an incentive to become a Maker again, seeing as you were so reluctant the first-time around.” He smiled earnestly, and Caius felt the muscles in his back uncoil.

  “Speaking of becoming a Maker again-” Guardian bent sideways as if to seek out Robin who was still hidden behind Caius’ back. Caius turned and grabbed Robin’s hand, expecting him to quickly wiggle out of his hold. But this time, Robin grasped onto him tightly like a fearful child in need of his father’s reassurance. He peered up at Caius, his eyes huge and terrified. Caius simply nodded and drew him out from behind him. Robin stayed close by his side, clinging onto his hand as Guardian slinked forward, slightly bend at the waist to shrink down to Robin’s height.

  “How old are you?” Guardian asked.

  “Seventeen,” replied Robin with a gulp.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Robin.”

  “How are you finding being a vampire, Robin?”

  Robin faltered and just stared at Guardian for a moment. Caius squeezed his hand encouragingly but it was clear that Robin was having trouble figuring out what answer he should give.

  “He’s doing well,” Caius said and Guardian broke eye contact with Robin. He straightened and focused his attention on Caius.

  “Really?”

  “Yes. He knows how to limit himself. He has been around temptation and has still remained in control.”

  “Ah,” nodded Guardian. “I heard about where Milah had to pick you up from.” Caius shifted his eyes to the side to see Milah standing between them and Guardian’s minions as if unsure of which side to be on. “A vampire bar, really, Caius?” Guardian sounded pitiful. “I thought you were better than that.”

  “It was not my idea,” Caius replied. “And I thought it would be a good exercise for Robin.”

  Guardian seemed content with the explanation and stepped back. “There was another reason I asked to see you, Caius. It wasn’t only to check up on the new-born.”

  “What else do you want?”

  “An explanation.”

  Caius opened his mouth to speak but Guardian cut him off.

  “Bodies of humans were found scattered in a field not too far from where we had met a few nights ago. Also, a Nest of vampires that we had been monitoring were destroyed. I was able to capture fragments of what had happened through Milah, meaning that you were there.”

  Caius gulped and Robin shrank back behind him. “That Nest was killing humans,” said Caius. “They killed Evie.”

  “And then she was brought back.”

  “They killed another, too. A woman. A blood whore.”

  Guardian’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “I guess we must have missed that. But we are here to take care of the Nests.”

  “I’m sorry for stepping on your toes. But we took precautions,” said Caius calmly.

  Guardian arched an eyebrow. “How, exactly?”

  “It was the police that came to us. They thought a friend of ours was responsible for the killing of the woman. When we told them that it was the Nest’s doing, they said if we sorted it out, they’d ignore the whole thing,” explained Caius. “The bodies of the humans were Nico’s men. They had targeted us and we took them down.” He felt Robin shift awkwardly behind him. “We planted the bodies near the barn where the Nest was so that it looked like they had been responsible. We both know that Nests are hated by both humans and vampires, so we figured there wouldn’t be too much uproar about them being slaughtered.”

  Guardian was silent a moment, a slight smile curving his wrinkled lips. “So you partnered up with the human authorities to take down a threat? I’m impressed.”

  Caius tried to keep his expression stoic when he actually felt like sagging with relief. “Thank you.”

  “You could be a valuable asset to the Court. Ever thought about joining us? I’m sure Milah would like it.”

  Caius flickered his eyes to her and saw her nod her head slightly. He half-smiled at her, knowing that she would want him to have the protection she had. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ll pass,” he said. In Evie’s eyes, the Vampire Court would always be the villains. There was no way he could side with them.

  Guardian shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He glanced down at Robin and began to stroll backwards. “I’ll always have my eye on you, Caius. Make sure you’re doing a good job. Because if he ever steps out of line, you know what will happen.” He gestured to Milah with a nod of his head, and she followed him towards the other two vampires. She casted a look back and gave Caius a helpless wave. He nodded his head back before they all disappeared into the night in a wave of black and white.

  “Have they gone?” mumbled Robin.

  Caius smiled softly. “They’re gone.”

  Quickly, Robin dropped his hand and shook his body from head to toe. “My God, that dude was creepy.
I can see why you don’t want to get on his bad side.”

  Caius just nodded and gestured to the hole in the chain-link fence. “Come on, let’s get back to the bar before the others realise we’re gone.”

  “I didn’t want to say that I liked being a vampire, because I know that there are vampires who don’t like being vampires, y’know, like you,” said Robin. He hadn’t stopped jabbering since the Vampire Court had left them. They were now heading down the pavement towards the ‘Crimson Moon’. “And I didn’t know if they were like that, too. That they are just dealing with what had happened to them in the best way they could. I mean, they hate the vamps that act like vamps, don’t they? The ones that kill people. That’s what you mean by going rogue, right? So, I mean, I like being a vampire, but I didn’t know if I was supposed to say that. So then I thought about saying that I didn’t like it. But that would mean that I wanted to, like, rebel against you. That I hated you for what you made me. And then that would mean that I would probably want to go rogue and then… and then… he would have probably just killed me on the spot. Right?”

  Caius placed a hand on his shoulder and felt the hard, tense muscles under his jumper. “Relax, Robin. You did well.”

  His shoulders sagged and he smiled slightly. “Really? Because I was absolutely shitting it.”

  “I could tell,” said Caius, and patted him. “But you did well.”

  Feeling a lot more content, they both headed back into the bar. Robin wasn’t stopped at the door this time because the bouncer recognised him, which made him grin like an idiot.

  Robin pushed back the curtain and stood on his tiptoes, searching the booths and dance floor. “Dammit! Those girls have left! I was totally in there, too.”