Blood & Roses: Warriors of the Krieger

by Theresa Hissong

  “I did not connect to him! He connected to me!” I yelled, shoving at his chest. “Don’t ever get mad at me for using my powers, again. I cannot control who tries to connect with me, especially when I can’t break the connection with someone as strong as Adam.” I emphasized my anger with an extra poke to his massive chest. Before he could yell at me again, I ran out of my room and to the front yard. I needed some fresh air.

  Dragus was right next to me in the next second and tried touching my shoulder. I jerked away from his touch because I was mad. “Don’t you dare touch me!” I growled, tears springing to my eyes. I stepped back a few feet away from him. Dragus echoed those steps, following my every move. I turned my back and stalked off to stand in the driveway; he followed, again.

  “Mi amor, you need to return to the house,” he whispered.

  “I need some fresh air, Krieger,” I snapped. Dragus knew that when I called him ‘Krieger’, I was really mad. He stood there not speaking, but in protector mode. Watching for any Lycans that might plan this moment too attack.

  After only a few minutes, I made my way back into my bedroom and bolted the door closed. Fat lot of good it would do me, Dragus could get in here at any time. He still had the key. I paced the floor in front of my bed, getting angrier with each pass. An immediate knock on the door had me seeing red.

  “Go away!” I growled. If he walked in here, I would hit him.

  “I’m sorry,” he begged. “I was out of line. Please let me in.” Dragus spoke softly and as bad as I wanted to stay mad at him, I couldn’t do it for long. I unlocked the door and walked over to the plush green high back chair in the corner and sat down. He came in on guard and he should have, because I was eyeing the crystal vase sitting beside me on the dresser. It took all of my willpower not to throw it at his massive head.

  My eyes narrowed as he got closer and sank down on his knees in front of me. His smile was guarded as he placed his hands on top of mine. “Mi amor, please accept my apology. I should not have scorned you in front of the others.”

  “You didn’t scorn me in front of the others. You took me right out of there, Dragus! Then you scorned me in my room!” I huffed and folded my arms across my chest.

  “I’m trying to understand the ways of females in the world today, Charity. I truly am, but I was so outraged when I felt you connect to him that I overreacted and I’m so sorry.” He buried his face in my lap and I swear he was about to cry. Oh, I’m such a sucker for a man that can cry. For the warrior in my lap to shed tears, he must really be sorry.

  I pulled his head up from my lap and kissed him softly, “I know your trying, Dragus. But you cannot force me not to use my powers.” I didn’t know what else to say, so I kissed him again.

  “You’re right, my love. I should not limit the use of your natural abilities. You just don’t understand the pain and frustration I feel over the one thing I can’t protect you from. My only wish is that I had the ability to help you release from Adam’s hold,” Dragus shook his head at the thought of not being able to help me.

  “Well,” I snapped. “You don’t. So you need to learn to deal with what I can do. Plus, you can’t protect me from everything.”

  He gathered my hands into his and placed a soft kiss on the back of one hand, “I’m so sorry.”

  “I accept your apology. Now I am going to get ready for bed.” I stood up and walked over to my dresser. To punish him, I pulled out the most beautiful blue gown I owned. Serves him right for being mean, I just hope he wishes he could touch me tonight. Ha! Not on his life.

  Dragus

  When I arose about half an hour before sunrise, I felt like a total jackass for treating Charity the way I did. It’s very hard to control the need to protect her from everything. Hell, even leaving her with Brock and William caused me major pain. There are no female Krieger in the United States who would give up their position to guard her. Even for the extra money.

  She allowed me to stay during the day with her and for that I was grateful. Although I had apologized till I was blue in the face, she wouldn’t speak to me other than what was necessary. Charity was right. I should not get mad at her for using her powers. Adam is a stronger telepath and can connect with her just as well as she can connect to him. Although, his strength keeps her from breaking any connection he may have over her during their mind meld.

  Charity was still beside me in her daily death. I stroked the side of her face. It was cold and clammy, just as it should be. I had to laugh, because she was wearing the most beautiful floor length gown she owned, just to make me mad. I heard her thoughts this morning as she was deciding what to wear to bed. Charity was punishing me by wearing something that would make me ache for her. That way she could make me suffer for being mean to her. Although she was right in her punishment, I would have never come on to her in that mood. I valued my family jewels way too much.

  Growling suddenly erupted from the forest behind her house. The sounds of werewolves closing in rumbled through the foundation. I jumped up out of the bed and dressed quickly. Brock and William were staying in her guest house again. I grabbed the phone and called Brock.

  “Do you hear that?” he demanded.

  “Yes, it sounds like a lot of them,” I paused. “As soon as you can, I want you at Charity’s chamber door. You are to take her to the estate and stay there with her.”

  “Yes sir, we will be there,” Brock thundered.

  I snapped the phone shut and opened the bedroom door. The Nachtmann were inside the house. They were scurrying around upstairs barking orders at each other. I went to the top of the stairs and called out for Nachtmann Keith Pullman. He immediately met me in the shaded area in the hallway.

  “Master Dragus, we have counted about twenty of them between the forest and the house. They look like they are going to attack the house. I’ve called the other Krieger and they will be here as soon as the sun sets.” He paused to check his watch, “Which is in about five minutes. What do you want us to do now?”

  “Arm heavily,” I demanded. “Brock and William will be taking Lady Charity to the Krieger Estate as soon as possible. You and your men guard the house. We will take the Lycans.”

  Keith nodded and headed off back to the kitchen. I heard the sounds of clips being loaded into their weapons. The Nachtmann were not strong enough to handle hand to hand combat with the Lycanthropes, so hopefully they had enough ammunition to stand as back up. I stood there waiting for the sun to finally set. It seemed like an eternity before William and Brock met me on the stairs.

  “Are you ready boss?” Brock asked.

  “You know what to do,” I replied. We hurried down the stairs to get Charity out of her home and to safety. The same moment I opened the steel door to her room, I heard the Lycans jumping onto the deck at the back of her house. The scraping of their fierce claws was so loud, it sounded as if they were standing right next to me.

  Charity was still in her death sleep when we rushed into the room. I immediately wrapped her limp body in the comforter on the bed. I knew it wouldn’t make that big of a difference, but I still tried to wake her.

  “Charity!” I yelled, shaking her. There was no response. I turned to William, “You’re going to have to carry her.”

  Just as William reached for Charity, I heard her take her first breath.

  Charity

  Evening came with a bustle of excitement and screams. The screams were mine and the excitement was from the three Krieger in my room trying to jostle me awake. Brilliam and Dragus were hovering over my bed protectively; their eyes showed me nothing more than panic. Dragus was shouting orders at my two bodyguards and it took me a second to catch on.

  “Take her to the estate! Don’t stop for anyone or anything! Protect her with your life, do you understand?” Dragus was in full warrior mode, planning an escape for me and what I assume was a plan for an attack on the Lycans.

  “What…,” I was picked up by William and tucked tight to his chest. I was still wearing th
e long silk gown I had worn to bed, but thankfully one of them wrapped me up in the comforter before escaping from the room. I tried again to express my concern. “William? What’s happening?”

  “Lycanthropes are trying to get into your house from the back,” he huffed as he ran full sprint up the stairs and out toward the living room. That’s when I heard the scratching and growling coming from the back of the house. Heavy thuds from the werewolf’s paws pounded the woodened deck outside the backdoor. Fear had me turning my head into William’s chest, thinking I could just hide from the danger lurking outside. He gave me a squeeze and yelled into my ear, “Hold on tight, we’re going to make a run for the car, vamp style. Lady Charity, no matter what happens you stay tight with me. Do you understand?” I nodded, because I didn’t trust my voice.

  Brock and Dragus were right behind us when we reached the front door. Both of them pulled handguns from the holsters on their sides. There was no time for goodbyes and I never got a chance to even look at Dragus before we raced to the awaiting Hummer.

  Brock was in the driver’s seat when William threw our bodies across the back. The Hummer thundered to life and then raced down my driveway. I heard the rocks from the driveway ricocheting against the back end of the vehicle. William shifted uncomfortably off the top of me and sat upright on the rear passenger side. I tried to sit upright, but realized I had been wrapped up like a burrito. It took a little wiggling to break free of my restraint. I made sure the comforter stayed wrapped around me, since I had nothing to cover my gown.

  It was then that I looked out the window and noticed the side of the road was littered with Lycanthropes. They were prowling for a chance to attack someone or something. Just as Brock rounded the corner to turn south on Highway 302, a werewolf jumped onto the hood of the cruiser. Before I could properly scream, William wrapped the seatbelt around me, holding me in place. He reached for his gun, but immediately thought twice and re-holstered the weapon. Brock turned the steering wheel dangerously to the left and then to the right, desperately trying to shake it loose from the hood. The werewolf’s lips pulled back over his teeth. His deep growl roared over the sound of the engine. I saw his glowing eyes stare deeply into mine and I shivered. His long muzzle was covered with foam, like he may just be rabid. I felt the bile rise in my throat and I had to swallow hard, to keep from getting sick.

  With one paw dug into the hood of the Hummer, it reached out and slammed the other paw into the windshield. I gasped as the glass cracked under the weight, but did not shatter.

  Brock continued to turn the steering wheel to the left and right. After a half a dozen tries, the Lycan rolled off the hood and I heard a faint squishing thud as it bounced off the pavement.

  Brock sighed heavily from the front seat, “Lady Charity? Are you well?”

  “Yes. Where’s Dragus?” I had to know if he was following us back to the Krieger Estate. The thought of him out fighting the wars, sent a flash of panic through my body. I already knew he was far away because the pull on my chest was tightening with each passing mile. But I hoped he wasn’t far behind.

  “He’s staying there. Don’t you worry, my lady, he will be fine.” William said. His voice was strained and extremely shaky.

  I closed my eyes and sent him a silent thought. Be careful, mi amor. I love you. The smell of his musky scent enveloped me and I felt the faint brush of his velvet lips against mine. The sensation of his soft lips helped me relax, a little.

  It only took Brock a few minutes to make it too the Krieger Estate. There was a security gate just a few yards up the driveway. The walls that surrounded it must have been twelve feet tall and lined with barbwire. From the outside, it looked like a compound, just like it sounded. Brock punched in a code on the keypad and the gates opened inward allowing us to proceed.

  With my night vision, it was easy to see why Dragus spoke so highly of his home. The grounds were covered in rich green grass, even though we were still in the winter months. Straight ahead there was the main house. Well, house would be an understatement. It was a mansion. To the left, there were five individual homes, each decorated differently. Almost like a woman’s touch was added to the outside. Obviously the twins, Bastian and Powle lived there with their mates, because they too were bonded. On the right of the mansion was a two story apartment house that held probably ten rooms. It reminded me of the dorm rooms on a university.

  Brock pulled around through the circle drive at the front of the house. It took me a second to realize who was standing there to greet us. It was a valet. A young vampire about the age of eighteen, when he was turned, was dressed in a casual dress coat and jeans. His white shirt was unbuttoned slightly at the top. The valet’s buzz cut hair reminded me of a soldier, right out of basic training.

  We came to a stop next to the young vampire. He opened the door and immediately placed his hand over his heart and bowed, “My lady. Welcome home. My name is Kris.”

  I managed a curtsy, given the comforter wrapped around my body. “It’s very nice to meet you, Kris. My name is Lady Charity.” As much as I was uncomfortable with my new role, I knew I must make those around me adhere to custom.

  William escorted me to the front door of the mansion. The double doors opened into a foyer that probably put the one at the White House to shame. A Turkish rug lay out down the length of the hallway that had to be thirty feet long and the entry table was obviously made of teak, it too being very long, but not as long as the room. Pottery, which looked like it was from someplace far away, lined the entry table. I looked up and no surprise, there was a butler standing at attention. When our eyes met, he bowed as in tradition. I curtsied.

  “My lady, I am Simon. Anything you need please let me know and I will take care of it.” Simon was an older man, maybe sixty when he was turned. He was balding and what hair he did have was completely gray. Simon was even shorter that my five foot six.

  “Thank you Simon.”

  “I will show you to Master Dragus’ chamber, my lady.” He motioned for me to follow him out of the foyer.

  We took the marble staircase up to the second floor. I ran my hand along the cool rot iron railing as we climbed. The oil paintings that lined the stairway depicted the fields of emerald green grass in Ireland. I wanted to reach out and touch them, because the paintings looked so real, like I was looking through a window instead of an actual painting.

  Once we topped the stairs, Simon turned to the right and we followed a long hallway, lined with more pale cream colored Turkish rugs, all the way to the end. A set of double doors greeted us. Simon opened both doors to reveal a master suit almost as big as my farmhouse. To the left was a teak four poster bed, adorned with a maroon down comforter and thousands of red and gold pillows. At first the bed looked to be king size, but the massive space of the room deceived my eyes. As I approached, I noticed the bed was much larger. Obviously custom made for the Krieger’s size. This bed must have been ten foot square. I made a mental note to find a tape measure soon. Yeah, it was that freaking huge! On the other side of the suite, a massive flat screen television and a sitting area with couches and chairs completed the room. I laughed when I noticed an XBOX 360 sitting next to the television. It was totally out of place here in this room and I thought I knew exactly how it felt. I also felt a little out of place.

  I swallowed and noticed how dry the back of my throat felt. Dragus and I didn’t have time to feed this morning, and I was getting thirsty.

  “Simon?” I asked. “Is there any way, I could get some B positive. The Krieger rushed me out of my house before I could feed this evening.”

  “Oh, yes, my lady,” he bowed. “I will have a servant bring some right up.” Simon slipped out of the door and closed it quietly behind him. While I waited, I shed the comforter and folded it up, placing it on the chair by the door. That left me a little exposed in nothing but my sheer gown.

  A light knock sounded on the door. I opened it a crack to see who it was, hoping it was the servant with my drink. I
was parched. A beautiful brunette was standing there smiling. Her yellow eyes gave away that she might be one of the twin’s wives.

  “Lady Charity,” she curtsied. “I am Lady Michelle, Bastian’s wife. May I come in?”

  As customary, I opened the door and curtsied. “Please come in.”

  Michelle wore a cute pair of Apple Bottom jeans which she filled out perfectly. Those jeans fit a certain type of body style and although I thought my assets were well endowed; my behind could never fit snuggly into those jeans. Her white top sparkled with sequins spelling out the same logo.

  “How are you? We heard about the attacks and are so glad you made it here safely.” She reached out and gave me an unexpected hug. I sensed she was a very caring creature and I liked her instantly.

  “I’m a little shaken, but otherwise good. Dragus, William and Brock were in the process of wrapping me up in my comforter when I came alive this evening. It was very confusing at first as to what was happening.”

  “I know you must be worried, but the Krieger will be fine. Dragus knows what he is doing and now that you’re here, he can concentrate on the Lycans,” she smiled and for some reason, I felt better from hearing the strength of her words.

  “Thank you for coming up here. Are you sure it’s safe for you to come from your home to the main house?” I asked.

  “Oh, the estate is guarded heavily. Nothing can penetrate this place. The Krieger and the trainees watch the walls and we’re safer here than any other place in the world. All Krieger Estates are secured,” she shrugged.

  I looked down at my hands and noticed they were shaking slightly. Michelle reached over and took them into hers. “Do you want me to call down to see what’s taking so long?”

  “How did you know?” I asked, confused.

  “Simon passed me in the hall and told me he would be sending someone up.” What a common answer. At first I thought she might be physic or a mind reader. I laughed slightly to myself.