Blood & Roses: Warriors of the Krieger

by Theresa Hissong

  “What’s with the change of heart?” he laughed.

  “I call it more of a compromise,” I shrugged.

  “Of course, mi amado, the Lycans have been attacking in town and outside of the city as well. We found an abandon car about three miles from here. There were Lycan claw marks on the door and vampire blood at the scene. The civilian has not been found.” He turned and placed a hand on the side of my face and dipped down for a quick kiss. “Your safety is my first concern.”

  He paused and looked like he was getting the courage up to say something else. I was skeptical, but held my tongue. He was right, my safety came first, and he was only looking out for me. I could live with whatever he suggested until this was over.

  “Go ahead and tell me what you want to say Dragus,” I closed my eyes waiting for him to speak. He wrapped his arms around me and bent down to whisper in my ear.

  “I’ve hired you a set of personal bodyguards,” he chuckled.

  I gasped and then reigned in my hostility, “If that is what it will take to keep you from worrying, then I’m fine with the guards.” Dragus laughed so hard the walls shook. I let him hold me briefly then sighed, “I’m starving and I’m still hung over. Are they going to drive me to the R.C.?”

  “No,” his voice held a whisper of disgust. He stood and removed his jacket. “I want you to only drink from me, no more human blood, unless it’s necessary.”

  Well, wasn’t this just a jackpot waiting to happen? Warrior blood made AB positive taste like muddy water. (Yeah, I remember drinking muddy water. It’s gross.) I felt a ping of pride as I thought about him pledging himself to me, and I wanted the same for him.

  “And I, shall be your only blood source,” I purred. He nodded and as with custom, Dragus offered himself to me first. Vampire customs have been in place since the beginning of time. Those who pledge themselves to each other have to obey the traditions. Even though I was up with the times, I still honored the rules. Women always feed first, as a sign of respect and males fed last. Women vampires are held highly in the eyes of the males. Of course, there are those, like Romeo who don’t respect women at all.

  I tossed Dragus over onto his back and straddled his waist. One long passionate kiss later, I sank my fangs into his awaiting jugular. His hands automatically grasped my hips as he pushed his hardened length up toward my core. My hands found his dark nipples nice and tight. I pinched them between my fingers and added a tug for good measure. Dragus’ primal growl echoed in my head as I released him.

  There was no time to close his wounds before he had me pinned underneath his massive body. Unfortunately, I had to send him a silent message; reminding him that we were both due to work soon. Oh man, I wanted sex with him in a bad way, but would have to wait till later. Being head Krieger, he was on call from sunset to sunrise, six days a week. My job had me working only five days a week, but being the owner, I had a more lenient schedule.

  “As you wish, mi amado,” he shrugged. “I still owe you a new robe. Maybe I will go shopping for you tonight.” He winked at me and eyed my neck hungrily. “Am I forgiven?”

  “Take my vein, Dragus.” I pulled my hair up over the pillow and giggled when he nuzzled into my neck. His cool breath raised bumps on my arms as he bit into my vein. Each time he fed from me, I felt my insides swim with pleasure. Now, that we have committed to each other, it felt right. My mind was telling my heart that this was what made me whole. Dragus had made me complete, the dream from so long ago finally made sense. Akalika was right; Dragus was my eternal soul mate. I wrapped my arms around his back and kissed his shoulder. He released me and wiped his tongue across my wounds.

  Oh my God, I’m falling in love with a warrior.

  “Mi amor, mi vida,” Dragus whispered. He pressed those cashmere lips to mine and I melted. My Spanish was enough that I recognized what he said; my love, my life.

  I could totally relate. We had a connection that was unique. I don’t completely understand it because it’s complicated, but I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I love the warrior in my bed. So, I repeated his vow, “Mi amor, mi vida.”

  After a little playful teasing in the shower, we both headed upstairs to meet my new bodyguards. The first looked like he was pulled off the cover of a surfer magazine. Short blonde hair and an above average build, but don’t let that fool you; he was all muscle, not a teaspoon of fat on his body. Brown eyes that looked like milk chocolate and thick eyelashes a woman would kill for.

  The second was a big ole cowboy, complete with white Stetson hat. Whoboy, he was easy on the eyes. Almost the size of Ashby with hair the same color as Lydia’s, but cut super short. He sported a beard with what looked about a day’s worth of growth. Super tight jeans sculptured his assets quite well. Look, I may be spoken for now, but I can still look. Dragus gave me a hard stare and I knew I was busted. I sent him a silent shrug and an apology. He smiled and introduced my new bodyguards.

  “Charity, this is Brock and this is William. Gentlemen, this is Charity Harwood. You have been given your instructions and I expect you to adhere to your contract.” His voice reminded me of the Nachtmann that had almost assaulted me in my own home a couple of weeks ago. William immediately tipped his cowboy hat toward me and Brock did the heart over the chest bow. I wondered if Dragus trained them not to touch me unless otherwise necessary and explained my first names only rule. I stifled a laugh and glanced over at Dragus as he looked sternly into their eyes.

  “Very nice to meet you both, would you mind excusing us for a moment,” I used my sweet voice. Dragus laughed as my new bodyguards made themselves at home in my kitchen. I turned to him and sighed, “So, what are the restrictions?”

  Dragus held his chin up and spoke with authority, “They are not allowed to handle you, unless you are in danger. One trainee must be with you at all times, unless you are in your quarters or in my presence. They have to report any problems to me immediately and call in one hour before they depart at sunrise.” He glanced down at me, probably waiting for my lid to blow, but I stood my ground and allowed his protection. Honestly, I was a little worried myself with all of the attacks.

  “So, are they Krieger recruits?”

  “Yes, they are,” he smiled.

  After a few stolen kisses, he sighed, “I must get to work, mi amado. I will call you at the club in a few hours.”

  We made it to Nights a few minutes before opening. William and Brock scanned the area in the alley as we exited the car. The best thing for me to do was to just roll with the punches. These guys were in training and I was providing a service to further their advancement. Yeah, sounds good to me.

  We walked into Nights like I was a rockstar. Everyone stared at my entourage and then the whispers began. Lydia was coming out of the office with a stack of papers and froze when she caught sight of me and my tagalongs. I nodded for her to turn around and go into the office and immediately followed. My guard flanked my every move, just as Dragus had trained them.

  As I walked around to my chair, William and Brock stood with arms folded, one on each side of my door. Lydia hugged the stack of papers like it was a life raft. She watched them get into position and then she slumped down in the chair opposite my desk.

  “What the hell is all of this?” She waved her hand out behind her.

  “My bodyguards,” I grimaced. “Dragus said the attacks are getting worse and he’s just being overprotective.”

  Lydia leaned closer to me and spoke in a whisper, “You think?”

  After her little freak out, I introduced them and watched Lydia make goo-goo eyes at Brock. He was in perfect Krieger form, he never smiled or spoke more than was necessary, but I did catch his eyes check her behind, when she left the office. I’m so going to tell her when I get a chance.

  I attempted doing some paperwork, signing invoices and writing a few checks, but I was distracted by my guards. They stood like the royal guard at the door, never relaxing their poses.

  “Would you two please have a
seat, you are distracting me,” I begged. William immediately took the chair by the door and Brock found his way over to the couch. “Look, if you’re going to be hanging around here, you are going to have to blend better. I know that you are on duty, but you need to relax a little, or you’re going to drive me insane.”

  The both nodded like the good little robots they were paid to be. After an hour of cussing liquor prices and wondering how the electric bill got so high, I picked up the phone and called up to the East bar. Jackson sent Abby back to my office with a goblet of red wine, mixed of course. (I’m detecting a habit here.) I would have offered the guards some, but I already knew Dragus would have their heads if they even thought about drinking on the job.

  Abby ran in and ran right out after meeting the Krieger to be. I had just taken my first sip of wine when the phone rang.

  “Nights, Charity speaking,” I was in my prime tonight, happy to be at work and having something to do.

  “Mi amado, how are you?” Dragus sounded relieved to hear my voice.

  “Mi amor,” I purred. “I miss you.”

  “It’s only been a few hours,” he laughed. “How are the trainees?”

  “A little distracting, but otherwise doing what you wish, master.” Hey, I wasn’t below a little phone flirting.

  “Master?” he asked. “I think I like the sound of that coming from you.” Hmm, Dragus wasn’t below it either. The sound of his voice made my girl parts quiver. That raspy Romanian accent was like a jolt to my hormones.

  “As you wish,” I laughed. Then I remembered I was not alone in the room and from the throat clearing on the other end Dragus remember too, or he was just responding to my thoughts about my hormones. I felt the soft brush of his lips to mine and I sighed. “You really need to show me how to do that.”

  “In due time, my lady,” he whispered. “I will call you soon, mi amor.” Another feel of his lips to mine and a brush of knuckles across my jaw and he was gone.

  I looked up and found my…hmm, what should I call them. Brock and William was a mouthful. Wrock? No, Brilliam? That’s it! Just like a superstar couple.

  “Alright, Brilliam,” I grinned. They looked at me confused. “Look saying Brock and William is a little bit of a mouthful, so from now on Brilliam is your new name.” I stood up from the desk and made my way to the door. They nodded like good little warriors and followed me out to the club.

  Lydia was sitting at our usual spot at the end of the East bar, sipping on a mixed drink. The club was busy with a few business men and a lot of college kids. The music tonight was more for the younger crowd and Abby was working her can off. I searched for signs of my other waitresses and found Alexis filling a tray of drinks at the West bar and Meadow was standing at the private table in the back, talking to a few vampire pre-med students. Meadow had a charisma that made people flock to her. She was a soft spoken brunette with big blue eyes and pouty lips that made mine look small.

  I watched her shift nervously, like she was trying to make an escape from the four vampires at the table. The red headed one closest to her leaned out of the booth to check out her backside. The second his hand started to lift toward her rear, I had materialized at her side. I grasped his wrist, pulled him out of the booth and had him in the floor, neck pinned with my knee before anyone could say ‘excuse me’.

  “This is an upper class establishment. I do not appreciate you touching my girls. You want a good time, go down to Sparky’s. That shit doesn’t fly in here.” I looked up and saw Brilliam standing over me, wide eyed. I turned my anger back toward Red and spoke through clenched teeth. “Apologize to Meadow and get the hell out.”

  After he was escorted out by his friends, I checked on Meadow. She was fine and not the least bit shaken up. The men were flirting and she never even noticed the guys hand until I had him in the floor. I sent her on a thirty minute break and dismissed Brilliam while I waited her tables. Tips were good and I handed them over to her when she came back.

  “Charity,” she lightly grabbed my arm before I could walk away. “Can I talk to you in private for a minute?”

  “Sure, come back to my office.”

  Meadow followed and Brilliam fell in behind us. I told them to stay outside while I spoke to her. Brock looked a little concerned but I didn’t give him a chance to voice his opinion before I closed the door in his face.

  “Have a seat,” I pointed to the chair in front of my desk. “What’s on your mind?”

  Meadow pursed her lips, trying to form a question she wanted to ask. She fidgeted in her seat and wrung her hands nervously. Finally, she took a deep breath and told me what was on her mind. “I’ve been having…visions; things that might happen.”

  This was a little bit of a shock to me. Meadow was only about six years out of her transition. Most of us don’t start seeing signs of our powers for a good ten to twenty years out. Meadow looked scared to death, and since I was her mentor, it was my responsibility to help her.

  “What have you seen?” I asked.

  “The visions are not very clear, just a feeling, and sometimes I see faces in my head,” she paused. “Charity, I saw you hurt. It was just before the accident. I couldn’t get to you in time.” She buried her face in her hand and wept. I stood and walked around the desk. I had to sink down to my knees to wrap my arms around her. She shouldn’t feel guilty and I definitely do not blame her.

  “Oh, Meadow,” I sighed. “Honey, don’t beat yourself up. You are just now learning your powers. These things happen.”

  She looked up out of her hands, “They do?”

  “In the beginning, those with precognition will see visions sometimes minutes before they happen. Once you are older, the time span will increase.” I reached over and grabbed a box of tissues off the desk.

  “I could have warned you,” she cried.

  “No you couldn’t have,” I patted her knee and stood up. “Don’t worry. I will get you enrolled into a support group with others with your ability. They will help you understand the visions and how to strengthen your powers.”

  “That would be great,” she whispered, wiping her now bloody, swollen eyes.

  “Do you feel like working tonight, or would you like to go home early?”

  “I’ll stay. I just wanted you to know what’s been going on.”

  We walked back out into the club and I made a few rounds checking on customers while she cleaned up in the bathroom. Everyone was worried about Meadow and I thanked them for their concern. I heard a whistle over the music and looked up at Jackson, he made the international sign for phone call and I nodded. Lydia was still perched on her stool watching over the bar. After a quick pat on her shoulder, I entered the office to take the call.

  “This is Charity,” I answered in club owner mode, like always.

  “Mi amor,” he growled.

  “What did I do now?” I asked, confused. By the tone of his voice, I knew he was frustrated. The only time I hear that tone, is when he thinks I’ve done something I shouldn’t have.

  “I got a report you had a problem at the club.”

  “I handled it. It happens all the time, don’t worry.”

  “Okay,” he paused. “I just wanted to make sure you were well.” I know it was killing him not to put his foot down, but he reigned in his concern. Those damn bodyguards are going to need to learn what is normal and what Dragus’ business is. Brilliam and I were going to have words.

  “I’m fine, mi amor. I’m going to leave here in a few and head home. Are you coming by tonight?” I desperately hoped he would.

  “No, I’m going to be busy. We are tracking the other missing vampires tonight and plan on being out till close to sunrise.” I wasn’t going to express my concern about him going into the forest, he already knew that. A little part of me was disappointed, but there’s always another night.

  “Hey, I have a question,” I asked.

  “What is that?”

  “One of my employees, Meadow, needs to be enrolle
d into a class. She told me tonight that she has been having visions. It’s a little early for her. She’s only six years out of her changing. Poor thing is scared to death about what she is seeing.” Dragus could get her into a class immediately. Those classes tend to fill up as soon as they come available.

  “I would gladly get her into a class. I think there is one starting next week,” he paused. “Can I ask what has gotten her so upset?”

  “She saw my accident, but it was only a few minutes before it happened. Meadow’s upset she didn’t get a chance to warn me,” I sighed.

  “Did you tell her not to take it personally?” he asked.

  “Yes, that’s why I want to get her into the class. She needs guidance I can’t help her with.”

  “I will take care of that, mi amor. I will talk to you soon.” It only took a minute, after we hung up, before I felt his ghost lips brush against mine. I smiled and sighed quietly to myself.

  I caught up on paperwork fairly quickly and headed home for the night. Lydia stayed behind to help close up. I was a little tired and decided it was time to leave.

  Brilliam left me inside alone, after a quick walkthrough of my home, of course, to catch up on a few things around the house. Once the laundry was done, I grabbed a book and curled up into my recliner and made myself relax for the rest of the evening.

  Chapter 10

  Dragus

  After I hung up with Charity, my chest felt as though something invisible was tugging at my heart. It took all of my willpower not to go to her home and keep her at my side all night. I took a moment to gather my thoughts while I waited in the Hummer for the other Krieger. Leaning my head over onto the steering wheel, I channeled my thoughts to Charity and visualized myself placing a soft kiss on her delicate lips. I sensed her smiling at my touch.

  She still had a few hours till sunrise, but was leaving the club early. Brock and William were going to escort her home and make sure she was safe before they handed over duties to the Nachtmann. I trusted them to protect her life with theirs. In fact, I should be there protecting her from the hybrid who is hell bent on getting to her. This is why we are searching the forest this close to sunrise. I want to get Adam Castillo out of the forest tonight.