Meeting Destiny; Lachlan’s Story (Annalese and the Immortals)

by Buff, Annie

  “What the fuck, bastard zei naibii!”

  Then he saw it. “Rahat!”

  Vlad always spoke Romanian when he got overly pissed off. “La Dracu!”

  “Fute.”

  There on the south lawn was a man impaled on a spear.

  “Help me,” he cried weakly.

  “Oh my God! Gary!” Lese screamed from the balcony.

  Gary, oh shit, her friend from Cleveland, Lachlan thought.

  “Help him, Vlad. This is your thing, oh my God!” Lese was screaming, tears falling like rain. “McCain, if we remove it, he’s gonna bleed out before we can get him in the house. I only see

  one option. You’re gonna have to do it. Go talk to your mate. I’ll talk to Gary.”

  Lachlan was met by Lese at the front door. “Lachlan, you have to do something.” She was crying so hard he could barely understand her.

  “Angel, come here.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Vlad is talking to Gary. We really don’t have a lot of options here. If we remove the stake, he’s gonna bleed out. T. and I only see one solution, and I’m verra sorry. We’ll know soon if Gary is gonna take it.”

  “What if he doesn’t?” She was sniffling, sobs finally under control.

  “He will die,” Lachlan said completely devoid of emotion.

  “Oh, no! Not an option! Tell Vlad do it!”

  “Lese, T. won’t sire him. I will. He will be mine to teach and nurture. And no, I’ve never sired anyone either, but I know Tepes. He won’t do it. He will explain everything, but, lass, I’m gonna be his sire, if he chooses that.”

  Lese collapsed in his arms. “Oh shit, fang boy, this is not what I had in mind for the night.”

  “No, angel, I suspect not. Everathing’s gonna be OK.”

  Vlad spent the next hour convincing Gary vampires were real and another long stretch telling him what needed to happen for Gary to live. Gary made his decision. Vlad walked back towards his castle, Gary in tow.

  “Vlad,” Annalese ran to him. “Oh God, Gary I’m so sorry. What have they done to you!”

  Gary reached out for her and spoke so quietly it was almost inaudible. “It’s OK, Lese. I’m gonna be fine.”

  And with that, Vlad carried him downstairs to his dungeon.

  “Why are they going down there Lachlan?” Annalese was more than concerned. Vlad had a dungeon and she was sure nothing nice happened down there.

  “Ah, the transition can take a week and he may get violent while his body is adapting. Angel, don’t worry. He will be fine but we need to chain him. It’s for his own safety and mine. Do ye understand?”

  “Yes Lachlan, I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.”

  The bell rang again and Lachlan thought, ah hell! But this time it was Mehmet.

  When the door opened, the most terrifying, intimidating thing Lese had ever seen entered the castle. Mehmet must have been six foot five and solid muscle. He had long, flowing waist-length black hair. He was a sight to behold. The feature that stood out the most were his eyes. Amber. Like a cat. Cool and very creepy was all Annalese could think of.

  “Mehmet, my old friend.” Vlad had just returned from the dungeon with Sophia behind him. “It’s all OK,” she whispered in Lese’s ear. She looked around for Lachlan. He wasn’t there. That meant he was still downstairs. This couldn’t be good.

  They all made their way to the library when Mehmet spoke to her.

  “So this is Annalese. Vlad said you were lovely, although I feel he could have told me just how lovely you are so I may have had time to win you away from Lachlan.” Mehmet laughed. Sort of, anyway. She had no idea if he was serious or not.

  She was slightly terrified, and that’s when it happened. The Macallan bottle slid across Vlad’s desk straight to her.

  “Holy fucking shit,” was all she said.

  Sophia gasped and the two vampires in the room raised eyebrows at her.

  Lachlan entered the library. “Mehmet.”

  No one spoke.

  “Aye, bloody hell, what did I miss?”

  Mehmet beat Vlad. “Your girl has amazing telekinetic abilities. Why did no one speak of this to me? She is quite impressive.”

  Lachlan looked to Lese. “I don’t know Lachlan, I was nervous. He,” pointing at Mehmet, “made me very nervous and all I could think of was I needed your scotch. And it kinda came to me, literally.”

  “Well,” Vlad spoke up. “We know how to get it working. Just scare the crap out of her.” He grinned such an evil grin.

  “Very funny, Vlad.” Sophia looked annoyed with him.

  “Lach, how’s Gary? Is he alive?” Lese was so afraid of the answer she’d get. She had to know. “He’ll be fine, angel. But the transition takes time. Do ye remember what I said?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I do.”

  “Ah, a transition. You started the party without me. Do tell.” Mehmet was very interested.

  The girls left the library to raid the kitchen while their men filled Mehmet in on everything—including Percy.

  Mehmet had been the Impaler’s mortal enemy and had taken Vlad the III’s head. Tepes felt the Impaler had gotten what was coming to him and never held any animosity toward the old Turkish Vampire. If anything, he respected him for doing what Vlad couldn’t—ending his uncle.

  Sophia had spent time with Mehmet in the past so she knew the three men would talk until dawn. So she figured she’d get Lese to spill the dirt.

  “OK, girl. Spill. I want to know everything.” In between bites of leftover quiche, she asked, “Was it perfect? Is he as gorgeous naked as I think? C’mon Annalese, don’t keep me in suspense. It’s killing me.”

  “Oh Sophia,” Lese’s grin couldn’t have been any bigger. “He’s just amazing.”

  “Um, details, girl!” Sophia was ready to pounce.

  “OK, I’ll tell you, he had been celibate since 1907.”

  “Holy shit, Annalese. How is that even possible?” Sophia questioned.

  “Yeah, that’s what I said. He told me he was tired of it being meaningless, so he wanted to wait for the right woman. I tried to undress him, but he wouldn’t let me.”

  “Oh? Why the hell not? Vlad did vampire speed to rid himself of clothes.”

  “Let me get his words right, okay? He said, ‘Oh God, lass. I want ye so bad and it’s been so long since I felt the touch of a woman. I’m verra afraid I’ll spill all over myself and ruin evarathing for ye. Just give me a moment because gods be damned, I want ye.’ Those were his words Sophia. I almost cried. And yes, he fit. Have no idea how when I couldn’t close my hand around it, but it did. He went slow and it was amazing. Oh, and I took his blood.”

  “What?” Sophia squealed. “Did he take yours? Oh my God, this is amazing! How did it happen? Did he ask?”

  “No, we were almost ready to um, you know, and he stopped. I guess he was freaked out, thinking he’d bite me during and said he needed blood and would be back. I stopped him and I offered. He’s going to be my mate and feeding will be normal, so we just started early.”

  “Did he cut his chest with the athame?” Sophie asked her very curiously.

  “Yes, why?”

  “He really loves you, you know that right? Using that knife and letting you take his blood, you’re connected. Close your eyes and call him in your head. See if it’s strong enough yet.” Sophia was smiling at her. “It’s the bond, Lese. You can communicate even over distance with your thoughts.”

  “Okay, that nuts, but I’ll try.” She closed her eyes and thought. Lachlan, I love you.

  He felt her speak to him in his mind. So he sent her back Aye lass, the things I want to do to yer naked body.

  Annalese blushed what must have been fifty shades of red.

  “Worked didn’t it?” Sophia was beaming.

  “Oh yeah, it worked and I think I’ve created a sex maniac!” Lese laughed.

  The men continued to talk, plot, strategize, whatever they needed to do. Lachlan had gone down twice with warm bags
of blood for his fledgling. Solid food came after the transition was over.

  “So Lachlan,” Mehmet spoke. “She’s amazing. I want her.” Mehmet grinned.

  “Not a chance in Hades, me friend. That one is mine heart and soul. She’s got me blood in her.”

  Vlad cocked his head. “Surprise, surprise my friend. You started. I didn’t feel the shift. Did you take from her?” Vlad was curious to know.

  “Aye, so now we’re connected. Tomorrow night we’ll complete it and she will be mine for eternity. The waiting is killing me.”

  “Ah, yes the ceremony. Are you wearing a suit or should we expect you in your man skirt?” Mehmet was teasing Lachlan.

  Lachlan knew it so he gave back. “Don’t know just yet, though I may let me lass decide. Me man parts could use some air.”

  Vlad was amused listening to the banter of his friends. Then a thought appeared. “Mehmet, the ceremony needs to be official in the human world. McCain wants her to bear his name. And I need a favor.”

  By the dawn, all was settled and Lachlan bore a double dragon on his upper left pec. It mimicked Vlad’s, but the colors were so much more vibrant. Vlad’s was centuries old and, of course, Lachlan’s was fresh.

  Vlad asked, “So McCain, what do you think of it?”

  Lachlan was almost speechless.

  “Aye T., are ye gonna make me get sappy? Me woman does that already. I’m honored T., to be part of yer family and I will never dishonor the crest or ye.”

  Mehmet thought he saw a tear in Vlad’s eye. Even as old as they were, it was still a very touching moment.

  “I need to go find me woman and talk about me man dress, Mehmet.” Lach nodded. And for the first time in two hundred and fifty years, Lachlan spoke words Vlad was never expecting. “Sire, thank ye for the honor.” And with that he left in search of his angel.

  The Ceremony

  Annalese was torn from the arms of her soon-to-be-mate by Sophia who was babbling about getting her ready for their guests. Vlad had asked Sophia to just throw a party. The guests would be told after their arrival of the mating. He wanted Lachlan and Lese’s night to be perfect, and if news got out, it would give Percy cause to use this night to wreak havoc. Vlad was having none of it.

  The grand ballroom looked spectacular, transformed into something McCain and Lese could look back on and love. He had one more bit of business to attend to tonight, then he could just enjoy the celebration with his friend, child. Lachlan McCain was his son in almost every sense. Tonight, before the ceremony, Vlad would lay out his proposition to Lachlan and hope.

  Sophia curled Lese’s hair with some crazy iron she had. She had to admit, her hair looked fabulous. She’d already applied makeup before hair. Sophia had a talent. Lese felt like a million bucks.

  “OK girl, let’s see what you picked and let’s get you dressed.” Sophia opened the box Lese’s dress was in. “Oh holy shit Annalese, Lachlan is going to fall over when he sees you in this! Does he know what you chose?”

  “No, I decided to surprise him. He’ll like it right?” Lese was a little concerned.

  “Oh holy hell yes! He’s gonna love it!” She pulled out the red satin ball gown. Strapless with a mermaid flare just under the bum. She’d gotten red elbow-length gloves and red and silver stilettos.

  “Oh crap, where’s the jewelry I asked for?”

  Both women sorted through the boxes and did not find jewels.

  “This is bad, Sophia. I needed that stuff. This is so bad!”

  “Oh girl, Vlad loves buying jewelry. I have a thousand things. You need something borrowed anyway. Go dress, I got you.”

  And she did have her. Sophia knew she was getting a friend forever and she wouldn’t let her down.

  Vlad found Lachlan on the balcony doing his best to kill a pack of cigarettes. “Ah, I see you’re not calm yet,” he quipped.

  “Nay, you would think after ten, it would calm me down, but nay. I’m a wreck. What if she changes her mind? I think I take me own head then.”

  He was a mess. Vlad knew what to do. “Well McCain, that girl thinks the sun rises because of you. Don’t worry, she will be down. In the meantime, I have a proposition for you.”

  “Ye do? What is it, T.?”

  “Well, you know how you want Lese to have your name?”

  “Yeah T., keep going,” Lachlan lit another, and Vlad took one of his own.

  “You’re my fledgling, my child so to speak. The only one. I’d like it, it would honor me, a huge honor bestowed onto me, if you took Tepes and shared it with Annalese. You already bear the Dracul crest.” He patted his chest. “And it would please both myself and Sophia if we were bound in that way. Mehmet could make it so.”

  Lachlan stood facing his sire. He kept trying to form a sentence, even one word, but he needed a minute. He put up a finger to indicate it. He held a breath until he could finally speak. “Vlad, I don’t know what to say. Just having you give me your mother’s ring was such an honor. Then the crest.” Lachlan had tears. “This is so unexpected.”

  “So say you’ll do it. Take Tepes after McCain. Be my heir, my family.”

  “I need to speak with Annalese, but I think she will tell me yes. So unless something crazy happens, yes Vlad, I will take it. It will be an honor and a privilege to be Tepes.”

  “Thank you, Lachlan.”

  The two Vampires hugged.

  “Now let’s go find your girl and announce to the guests the mating and naming.”

  And off they went. Lachlan stepped on to the patio Lachlan Michael McCain. He left it Lachlan Michael McCain Tepes. Honored was such an understatement.

  Mehmet approached the two Vampires at the bottom of the grand staircase. “I see your mate approved of the man skirt.” Mehmet caught humor in Lachlan’s formal Highland attire. He was dressed in his black and red kilt, formal jacket, sporran, sgian drabh on his right hip and his ghillies. Ghillies were traditional black thick solid shoes. Any proud Scot wouldn’t dress without them.

  And on this day, Lachlan was the proudest man in the world. All he was missing was the claymore strapped to his back. He almost donned it, but thought better of it. He was not going into battle, not on this day.

  Vlad spoke with Mehmet about the naming and Mehmet agreed to make it official. He had taken the life of Vlad’s only living blood. He had Sophia, and now Lachlan and Annalese. It was only right.

  Sophia came down the staircase into Vlad’s arms. “Ah pixie, you look delicious as usual.”

  “Aye, she looks ravishing. But aren’t ye missing someone? Like me mate to be?”

  His first thought was, Shit, she’s not coming. Fuck, she’s changed her mind.

  Sophie giggled. “She just wanted to make a grand entrance Lach. In three, two, one, there’s your bride, Lachlan.”

  His head shot up. At the top of the stairs she stood. Lachlan couldn’t speak, couldn’t draw a breath. His legs were shaking and his palms were sweating. He thought for a moment he was going to faint.

  Vlad had his arm and quietly said, “Go, meet her at the bottom.”

  He got the twenty feet to the bottom stair as Annalese descended. He stopped, held out his hand and waited. She was a vision. The red gown brought out her green eyes. He hoped that strapless number was on properly or she’d be spilling out the top. She made it to the bottom stop and took his hand.

  “Oh my God, Lachlan. You look amazing. Your hair is so beautiful not tied back.”

  “Oh goddess almighty, I’mma have heart failure with you in that dress, lass. No woman has ever looked more beautiful. There is something I need ye for, a proposition from me sire.”

  Lachlan quietly explained and she wholeheartedly agreed. She kissed Lachlan’s cheek, walked over to Vlad and threw her arms around him. He returned the embrace, knowing no words needed to be said.

  They all entered the grand ballroom. Annalese and Lachlan were floored by the beauty of everything. Yup, Sophie was definitely a genius. Vlad poured for everyone, then went to th
e middle of the room.

  “Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming tonight. I had ulterior motives for this little get-together.” He motioned for Lachlan to join him. “Lachlan McCain, my fledgling. My only sired Vampire will officially by Vampire law become part of the Tepes family tonight. He will don Tepes and it will be permanent, like the dragons on his chest. He will command the same respect as if he were me. Consider him my son.”

  The guests cheered and one from the back held up his glass. “To Lachlan!” The crowd followed suit.

  “Ah,” Vlad continued. “What’s a party without a mating?” That drew everyone’s attention. “Annalese, please.” Vlad held out his hand. “She has blessed this house by agreeing to this mating. More so by loving Lachlan and becoming part of this family.” Vlad finished with, “My dear friend Mehmet will officially do the mating and the naming at midnight. Please enjoy until then.”

  “Hey, fang boy.” Annalese was quiet.

  “Lass.”

  “Are you completely traditional Highland Scot tonight?”

  Lachlan looked at himself thinking the booze may have already gotten the best of her. He was dressed properly for a formal ceremony. So he gave her a look and said, “Aye lass, am I missing something?”

  She was giggling. “Oh I do love a man in a kilt. I could reach under and cop a feel.” She continued to giggle.

  “No lass, I thought it best for undershorts this time. Didna want me man parts freezing off in the cold, but yer welcome to—how did ye put it—cop a feel anytime.”

  The evening progressed and before long, midnight was upon them. Mehmet stood at the hearth of the grand fireplace, the aisle lined with standing red candles. The couple stood before him.

  We have been brought together on this night to bear witness to Lachlan Michael and Annalese Demetra.They’ve chosen this blessed night to complete their mating and vow to one another under the moon, stars and the spirit of the Goddess.”

  Mehmet took their hands and tied them to each other with a red ribbon.

  “Lachlan and Annalese, know now before you go further, since your lives have crossed, you have formed an eternal bond. As you seek your mating in this circle, you are declaring your eternal love. Vows made this night are the ties that bind. Your union will only strengthen over the years and you’re bound from this moment forward. Lachlan, will you honor his woman, equal in this union?”