Love's Denial

by Joyee Flynn

  "Wait, stop," I said, pushing him away. He was already on his knees in front of me.

  "I'm not the type of man you say no to, Yuri," he said quietly, and I caught a glimpse of anger in his eyes. "I'm the head advisor to the Grand Duc, and if I want something, I get it."

  I had planned on being nice until he said that. "I don't give a fuck if you're the Easter Bunny, I'm not going to have sex with you if I don't want you. Now, get out of my office before we take this conversation to the Grand Duc."

  "Please, let's." Xavier snickered as he stood. "Who do you think he'd believe? His head advisor, or some warrior who works his security detail?"

  "It's still rape, even if you blackmail someone into it," Dominic said from behind Xavier. I hadn't even seen or heard him join us. "I suggest you never, ever pull this shit again, Xavier. Or I'll be finding a new head advisor."

  "Of course, Your Highness," Xavier grumbled before booking it out of my office.

  "I apologize for his behavior," Dominic said as he closed the door behind Xavier. "It was inexcusable."

  "It's fine, I'm used to being treated like shit around here," I replied as I grabbed the files I would need for the day. Walking towards the door, I side-stepped Dominic as he stood there with shock written all over his face.

  "Stop, we need to talk," he said, finally recovering.

  "No, we don't," I grumbled as I reached for the door.

  "Are you disobeying a direct order from me?" Dominic sneered. I couldn't even control my emotions then. I dropped the folders and was on him in an instant. Pinning him to the wall, much like I had the night before, I growled in his face.

  "This isn't about work, it's about how you fucked me over," I snarled. He was smart enough to look somewhat frightened. Though I knew that, in truth, I'd rather tear off my own arm than hurt him. "You toyed with me, lied about it, used me, and tossed me away."

  "That's not how it happened," he said quietly.

  "Take your bullshit elsewhere, Dominic. I can't take anymore," I answered, ready to yell some more. But when I felt the first tear escape my eyes, I lost the ability to use my voice. I dropped him as if he burned me and ran from the room. Not giving a shit about the people looking at me, I held it together until I was out the back door and several hundred yards away from the castle.

  Fuck him! Fuck this job and fuck this whole place! I wasn't just some piece of trash everyone could keep using and abusing. No more! I wouldn't let it happen anymore, even if it meant I had to be alone for the rest of my years.

  I walked around for hours, ignoring my ringing phone. Figuring it was the next best thing to crawling into bed and pulling the covers over my head, I just kept walking. The grounds were extensive, but I could always see the castle. It wasn't like I could really get lost. When I felt like I had my emotions in check, I headed back.

  * * * *

  That night after dinner, I was sitting up in bed studying a map of the castle, marking where improvements were finished and what was left to do. I was intermingling that with drawing designs of what installations and specifics I wanted to have put in. The two-way beeped on my phone, and I reached over to grab it.

  "What's up?" I asked as I held down the button to talk.

  "We've got a guard who is on grounds duty not checking in and a perimeter sensor tripped," Edmund said. "You told me to let you know, right?"

  "Hit the silent alarms, I want you to notify all non-combatants to get to the security offices now," I barked out as I flew out of bed. I threw on clothes and strapped on my sword as I burst into the Grand Duc's room. Dominic sat up in shock and stared at me as the book he had been reading fell to his lap. "The Grand Duc is secured, I'll notify all teams of their assignments."

  "I'm on it," Edmund said as he signed off. I immediately hit the keys to get Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta leaders, and the post-trans.

  "We have perimeter sensors tripped and possible man down," I informed them as I ran to Dominic and grabbed his arm. "I'm securing the Grand Duc. Alpha team, report to his suite. Post-trans, I want I want each of you heading up one of the security teams. I want Bravo to secure everyone in the security offices. Charlie, I want you on the back entrances, and Delta on the front. The use of deadly force is green light, I repeat, use of deadly force approved."

  I received a bunch of affirmatives as I half dragged Dominic to my room. Once he was inside, I hit the buttons for the locks and steel bars on the main door. Then I did the same for the steel shields that came down on the windows.

  "As soon as I close this door, you hit the green button and secure yourself in here," I ordered, pointing to the switch he needed to hit. "You do not open this door unless it's Rick or me giving you the all clear. Do you understand?"

  "No, don't go, Yuri. Stay with me," he begged. His eyes were wide and panicked as the gravity of the situation sank in. "You can’t go out there and get hurt, I forbid it."

  "You don't get a vote. Now bar yourself in here," I replied as I went back for the adjoining door.

  "Yuri, please, I can't lose you," Dominic cried, grabbing me again. "Please, I'm sorry for what I did. Don't go out there!"

  "Dominic, I'm the most qualified, I have to go," I said a little bit more gently then.

  "Shots fired, shots fired on the back lawns," someone announced over the two-way.

  "I have to go, and you have to stay here," I ordered Dominic. "Don't fuck with me now, Dom. People could die if you slow this down."

  "You come back, Yuri. Don't you fucking die, promise me!"

  "I'll be back to give the all clear," I said as I closed the door in his face. Seconds later, I heard the bars slide into place and knew he was secured. I got on the two-way. "Grand Duc is secured. Alpha, get your fucking asses here now!"

  "We're here," Rick said as he ran into Dominic's suite, his team on his heels. "What do you want us to do?"

  "I want two of you on each entry point to the room," I ordered. "No one comes in this room. He's secured in my room, all the panic measures taken. Anyone tries to get in this fucking room, you shoot them in the head."

  "You've got it," Rick answered as they moved. "What about you?"

  "I'm joining Charlie in the back, that's where the sensors were tripped."

  Lance came on over the two-way.

  "Yuri, we've got at least a dozen Zakasacs approaching out of the trees and coming fast," Lance yelled. That was the term we used for the vampires who had crossed over to the dark side. The translation from ancient Slavic was 'the bringer of death' or 'to be bitten to death'. It seemed a fairly accurate term, considering that’s what Zakasacs were. "What do you want us to do?"

  "Get in and secure that entrance. Change of orders, I want all the post-trans to the back doors. I'm on my way," I ordered before turning back to Rick. "They are faster than you can ever imagine. Do not hesitate. You shoot for the head, you got it?"

  "We can help you," Rick argued.

  "This might be a diversion so I want you here, guarding him. I trust you to keep him alive!"

  "We won't fail you, we'll keep him safe," Rick said as chambered a round in the gun. I gave them a group nod before racing to the back doors.

  Zakasac were once vampires as we were, but they chose to take lives for the power it gave them, unlike us, who drink blood for necessity. They might gain even more strength and speed, but they gave up the sunlight and their souls. The only way to become Zakasac is to drain someone. Our race had strict rules about killing humans or other vampires.

  Human myths of vampires stem from the Zakasac; soulless demons who slaughter for the thrill of the kill, and burn in the sun or if they touch holy items. They are the reason our race has warriors, and the camps to train them. Our job is to protect our race and humans alike from the threat of the Zakasac.

  "Charles wants us to move the Grand Duc," Edmund informed me over the phone. "He's negating your orders."

  "Put him on now," I growled as I sprinted down the stairs and changed direction towards the offices. I ende
d up getting there faster than Edmund could get him on the line. Going straight towards Charles when I saw him, I grabbed him and threw him against the wall. "My orders stand! You move him, you'll get him killed. Let me do my fucking job, or I will end you myself. Are we clear?"

  "Yes," he hissed out, and I dropped him.

  "Get on the phone with the nearest hospital our people have. Let them know to get ready for potential traumas," I barked out before running out of there. Seconds later, I was at the back doors with Lance, Mark, and Wally. "How far out are they?"

  "About a hundred yards. They're avoiding the flood lights," Lance answered.

  I turned to the leader of Charlie team. "Secure the doors behind us and shoot anything that comes through unless I give the all clear."

  "You got it," the guy answered me as I pocketed my phone and took out my sword.

  "You guys with me?" I asked my three post-trans'. "You aren't warriors yet, this isn't required of you."

  "Wouldn't miss it." Mark snickered as he pulled out his sword as well. Lance and Wally nodded as they did the same. "We're with you all the way."

  "Good. I lead, you guys handle any I don't see or get past me. If I go down, you get your asses back inside and tell Rick he's in charge. You are a last resort. We clear?"

  "Crystal clear," Lance answered as his fangs and claws came out. We all joined him, claws and fangs at the ready. I opened the back door, leading them out as quickly and quietly as I could. The Zakasacs had advanced, probably realizing that there was no way to avoid the lights.

  I sprinted forward, wanting to attack while they were still scattered, otherwise I was in way over my head. The first one launched at me, and I dove to the side as I swung my sword, severing his head. I had seconds before the next two were on me. Kicking out to the side, I hit him square in the chest as I decapitated the female.

  "Wound them so we can finish them," Wally called out from behind me. I realized he was right. I'd taken two out, but there were at least another ten coming. I leapt towards two and swung in a circle with my sword. Those two got sliced wide open at the chest. I caught Lance and Mark finishing them off as I went after the next ones.

  This time I wasn't so lucky. One clawed up my side before I was able to drive my sword into her chest. Wally came up and took off her head as I pulled my weapon back out.

  "Behind you," Lance called out. I pushed my sword back behind me, and the Zakasac impaled himself on it. Turning and thrusting up, I split him almost in half. It was then I realized these weren't very old Zakasacs, they’d been sent to be cannon fodder. Fuck! What was going on inside as I was out here?

  "We need to finish them off quick and get back in the castle," I yelled as I took another one's head. I saw Wally and Lance taking the head of a different guy at the same time. The last two froze in their approach. I snarled loudly and got into my fighting stance. They glanced at each other and turned tail.

  "Do we go after them?" Mark asked, coming up next to me, panting.

  "No, they were the distraction," I answered as I took off towards the castle. They were all close on my heels as I reached the door. "It's Yuri, we're clear. Let us in."

  The doors opened, and Charlie team had their weapons drawn and aimed, just in case. "They all gone?" the leader asked me.

  "Yeah, stay here and secure the doors," I yelled as I ran past them. "Call if you need us, but I think they were sent to keep us busy."

  "We got it covered," he called out to me as I reached the stairs. Not waiting for the post-trans, I ran full speed as I pulled out my phone.

  "Everyone check in," I ordered as I reached the Grand Duc's floor.

  "We're clear now," Rick called out as everyone else said all was clear.

  "I'm outside the doors and coming in," I yelled as I grabbed the doorknob from the hall and pulled it open. I screeched to a halt when I saw the chaos inside the Grand Duc's suite. There were a half-dozen dead vampires I didn't recognize and a few of Alpha team were hurt. "What happened?"

  "They busted in the main doors about two minutes ago," Rick informed me as he tended to one of his men. "We took them out as they entered. I don't know who they were, but they had to know the layout of the castle. They weren't just banging on random doors. One minute it was as quiet as could be, and the next second, they broke in as a group."

  "Alright, let's take care of your men," I said gently, realizing how shaken up the Alpha team members were. I called down for Delta team to mobilize some of the SUV's for the injured. None of the wounds looked life-threatening, but I still felt the guilt of ordering men into a fight when they got hurt. But at least Dominic was safe, and we only had one vampire MIA. The original guard walking the grounds was gone, presumed dead or taken.

  CHAPTER 6

  Lance was calling out orders as Rick confirmed the all clear from Bravo team. Charlie and Delta secured all the exits as Bravo swept the castle room by room. Edmund informed the hospital as to what we were bringing in as Lance oversaw the moving of the injured. He was really shaping up to be one hell of a warrior. I was surprised.

  "Your Highness, we've got an all clear, you can let me in," I yelled through the door. Instantly, I heard the steel bars being withdrawn. When they were secured, the door flew open, almost hitting me in the face.

  "You're okay, you're really alright?" Dominic asked as he threw himself into my arms, wrapping his arms and legs around me. He planted several kisses all over my face, then ran his hands over me, examining me for himself. I don't know who was more shocked at the way he was acting, me or the audience in the room. He moved his hands down my chest and stopped when he got to the gashes healing on my side. "You're hurt. Oh my god, are you in pain?"

  "I'm fine, Your Highness," I answered as I untangled his body from mine and lowered him to the ground.

  He started rambling. "Yuri, I'm so sorry for the way I acted. When I thought you could go out there and die, it seemed so fucking stupid to worry about admitting I was gay."

  "We're not alone, Your Highness," I hissed as I put my hand over his mouth. He froze as it sank in that the room was full of other people. Slowly, he pulled away from my hand and turned around. The look on his face would have been amusing if I didn't know what he had just admitted could be a big deal.

  "I-I meant… that is, I didn't realize… I wasn't thinking," he stuttered, frantically glancing around the room. Without a thought in my head, I stepped in front of him and pushed him behind me. No matter how badly he'd hurt me, I couldn't just stand there and let him be humiliated.

  "No one repeats what they heard in this room, or they deal with me," I growled as I eyed each of them. Alpha team was missing a few members since two of them had already been taken down for transport to the hospital. So it was just four of them and my post-trans. My guys nodded to me, and I knew they would keep their mouths shut.

  Rick, on the other hand, turned and looked at his guys, who all burst out laughing. He held up a hand and got it under control when I snarled and advanced on them. "With all due respect, Your Highness, we've known for a while now that you’re gay," Rick said gently.

  "You have?" Dominic and I asked at the same time.

  Rick nodded before continuing. "We're your security detail. You pay us to watch over you and watch you. We wouldn't be very good if we didn't notice such things."

  "What things?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "That his consorts are for show." Rick shrugged. "They never smell as if anyone's been intimate, and he would smell like their perfume if they had."

  "You've never been with them?" I gasped as I turned around to face Dominic. Before he could even answer, I changed my mind about wanting to know. "Never mind, it's none of my business."

  "Yes, it is, that's what I was trying to say," he said quietly, before turning back to Rick. "Why didn't you say that you knew?"

  "We don't care who you sleep with or want," one of Alpha team answered. "You're the best ruler ever. No one gives a shit if you like men or women."

  "Th
ey don't?" Dominic asked, his eyes going wide. "But I thought…"

  "I don't want to speak ill of the dead," Rick said gently as he approached Dominic. "But I worked for you father and you are twice the man and ruler he ever was. He was a bigot and a racist. As sad as it was that he was killed and you were left alone so young, most of us are grateful he was unable to influence you. Just be happy, Your Highness, you deserve it."

  Dominic just stared at him before glancing around the room. I saw the tears building in his eyes as he whispered, "Thank you. And not just for protecting me tonight."

  Mark snickered. "That was mostly Yuri. You should have seen him, he was totally badass. He killed like eight of the Zakasacs without breaking a sweat."

  "You fought them alone!" Dominic yelled, totally changing demeanor and turning on me. "Are you out of your fucking mind? You could have been killed. I have dozens of men trained to protect me and you go off all on your own?"

  "Your Highness, I didn't mean it like that," Mark stammered, trying to help me. Dominic merely held up a hand and silenced him.

  "Dude, you did enough, let's leave," Lance hissed as he pulled Mark and Wally out with him. I noticed the rest of Alpha team carrying their last injured and heading to the door as well.

  "None of them have been trained to handle that type of threat. That's why we have warriors," I answered him finally as I made my way to the main door as well. "I'm glad you’re safe, Your Highness. Good night."

  "Yuri, please stop," Dominic called out as he rushed after me. "We need to talk. I'm trying to apologize to you!"

  "I can't do this, Dom," I said as I braced my hands on the closed door. Rick had been a shit and closed us in as they all left. I didn't turn to face him even though I felt him trying to pull me around. But I had a foot and over a hundred pounds on him, he'd have better luck moving a tree if I didn't want be turned.

  "I'm sorry, Yuri," he whispered as he slid between me and the door. "I feel for you as I never have for anyone else before, and it scares me. I didn't know what to do with it, and I was an asshole. When I realized you were going out to face some unknown danger and might not come back, all I wanted was to tell you how I felt about you. It seemed so stupid to care what other people thought about my sexual preferences right then."