Once Upon A Midnight

by Stephanie Rowe

  “What?” Cassius’ shock at the impudence of this man caused his heart to speed up and he wanted nothing more than to grab him by the throat and shake answers from him.

  “You didn’t hear my question?”

  “Yes,” Cassius spoke through gritted teeth. “I was just wondering at the stupidity of someone to ask me that. If it’s the first then my actions will attest to it. If it’s the second then the person asking such a question is most likely going to get their throat ripped out. No?”

  Kuan chuckled as Cassius glared at him. “Cassius, you are a very complex man. I see death inside you, but I also see a light that is rare in any being. In a Vampire it is even more so. I think you may just be the man you say you are.”

  “I don’t have to defend myself or my actions to you.” Cassius calmly crossed his legs, inspecting his fingernails nonchalantly. “You, Kuan, have not given me any answers to my questions and it is beginning to grate on my nerves.”

  “I’m sorry about that. It’s not my intention to upset you.” Kuan’s eyes seemed to penetrate him and he barely controlled the shiver that threatened to run through his body.

  “What are your intentions?”

  “Firstly, tell me if you are truly going to help Witches and if so, why?”

  Cassius uncrossed his legs, sitting up and leaning forward. “Yes, I am. Why? Various reasons. I don’t believe they are the threat that’s been bandied about for the motives behind those that hunt them. I feel disgusted at what has happened to them and one of my best friend’s was a Witch and I ache inside when I think of what’s been done to him. All because of a stupid rumor about them bringing death and destruction.”

  Cassius took a deep breath before standing and stomping over to the window, knocking his fist against it. “Look outside, Kuan. Look and see what we’ve done to this world. We’ve brought death and destruction on ourselves. It’s nothing to do with Witches. So, yes, I will offer them protection but I fear any that are left alive will be too scared to come forward. I fear I’m too late.”

  Kuan speared him with a look, one that appeared to see inside his soul. “You are not too late, Cassius. This Witch that so many fear will not bring what’s been said. No, she’ll bring a gift like none can imagine. The thing is, Cassius, can you find her and keep her safe?”

  “What are you talking about?” Cassius’ mind flew in a dozen different directions, assessing this man’s words and the implications held therein.

  “You will come in contact with this person, Cassius, though you may not know it.” Kuan’s stare intensified. “You have a role to play but are you up to the task? I’m not sure.”

  “You’re speaking in riddles, old man. Tell me who she is and I’ll go myself to find her and keep her safe.”

  “I cannot.” Kuan shook his head. “You need to find each other and both of you will be required to take a leap of faith that will change history.”

  “For fuck sake!” Cassius strode over, anger boiling inside him. “Tell me where to find her. If she needs my protection then I have to find her first.”

  “You already have.” Kuan looked up into Cassius’ outraged face. “I’ll tell you one thing about me before I leave. My full name is Kuan Ti.”

  Cassius snarled down at the Chinese man. “You’re not going anywhere until I get answers.”

  “We shall meet again.”

  Cassius reached down, ready to shake the answers from the man. His hand grasped nothing as Kuan disappeared.

  “What the fuck!” Cassius looked around him in case the man had used speed to escape his hold. Seeing the room was empty he roared, “Valentine! Get in here.”

  Val almost broke the door down as he rushed inside, his eyes covering the entire room for a threat. “What?”

  “He just disappeared. How the fuck did he do that?”

  Val continued to look around the room as if expecting to see the old man hiding. “Shit. I’ve no clue, boss.”

  “Get guards out looking for him. If they find him, I want him brought back here. He’s got information I need and I need it now. Today.”

  “Done.” Valentine rushed away as Cassius paced around the room.

  “Who the hell is she?” he muttered over and over. “I need to help her.”

  *****

  Rose heard every word. Her heart speeding up like a fucking freight train as she listened to Kuan. Who the hell was he and was she the one he meant? If so, then what was it she was supposed to do? Fuck, she needed to speak to Seth but knew she wouldn’t be able to, not now, not without her sat phone.

  Cassius continued to stomp around. She could hear him and his breathing gave away his feelings. He was upset and probably angry and she knew exactly how he felt. She was experiencing the same emotions but hid it far better than he.

  Soothing deep breaths soon had her heart under control as she started to think. First things first, she needed her phone. Waiting for a few minutes to let him calm down, she then shouted.

  “Excuse me.”

  He was standing before her in less than a heartbeat, his hair mussed up as if he’d been running his hands through it. “Yes?”

  “I know you’ve a lot on your plate, but would it be possible for me to get my bag with my stuff in it? I’d like to shower and I need some of my things.”

  Cassius nodded, his eyes boring into hers. “Of course. I’m afraid you won’t be able to thank Kuan. He’s left.”

  “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” Rose gave a lopsided smile. “I may not be full Wolf but I do have their hearing. Sorry.”

  “No apologies necessary.” Cassius held up a hand. “Hold on, I’ll be right back.”

  She heard him go and instruct someone to find her belongings and bring them to her before he returned and sat in the chair Sue had been in earlier. His first words causing her to smile. “That was . . . weird. He just disappeared.”

  Rose nodded. “Yeah, I heard. I thought only powerful Demons, or Fallen Angels, could do that zapping around stuff.”

  “Me too.” Cassius frowned, looking thoughtful for a moment. “He wasn’t either of those. I would know if he was.”

  Rose spoke her thoughts out loud. “I’ve come across a couple of those in my time too and I agree. He wasn’t a Demon or an Angel. So, what was he?”

  “No fucking idea.” Cassius shook his head. “I’ll find out. All those cryptic clues are driving me nuts.”

  “I’ll bet.” She nodded. “Hey, you got a laptop around here?”

  “Yes, why?” he asked, already getting up.

  “Go get it for me.” She grinned. “I want to look something up.”

  “Okay.” He moved quickly, his strides long, powerful and jeez, his dress pants hugged his ass tight as he walked.

  Rose shook her head. “Stop it.” She chastised herself as he reappeared.

  “Stop what?” he asked as he handed over a brand spanking new, top-of-the-range laptop.

  “What? Oh nothing, sorry, was thinking out loud.” She opened the laptop and it sprang to life. “I’ve got an idea.”

  She quickly opened a browser via a satellite link and typed in Kuan Ti before hitting enter. “Now, let’s see what pops up.”

  “What are you looking for?” Cassius asked as he sat beside her on the bed looking at the screen.

  “The wonderful thing about the web is, it’s still there. All the information that was added before the war is still available so long as you’ve got power and can get a satellite signal. Which you do.”

  The page loaded with thousands of hits and she clicked on the first one. As the information loaded in front of them she started to read, gasping as she scanned the text.

  “Holy fuck,” she said aloud as Cassius sat quietly next to her. “You don’t think this is him. Do you?”

  Cassius started to read what was on the screen. “Kuan Ti, Chinese God of War and Fortunetelling. He rules over protection, valor, justice, divination, revenges death, capable of dark magic and prophecy. Shit.”

 
; Rose agreed. “Shit is right. Is this him? If it is why the hell did he come here just to heal me?”

  “I’m not sure.” Cassius frowned as he stared at the screen. “Do they even exist?”

  “We’ve got Demons from Hell, Fallen Angels from Heaven, Fairies, Vampires and goodness knows what else, all running around here and you question if a Chinese God is real? Cassius, come on, of course he could be real.”

  “Could be.” Cassius shook his head. “Doesn’t mean it is, or that he is this God. He could just be playing with us. Not the first time someone’s tried to lie about their abilities or how important they are.”

  “True,” Rose conceded. “But how many beings do you know that can pop in and out like he just did? I only know of two, Demons and Angels.”

  “Again, I agree that he is more powerful than the rest of us.” Cassius left the bed and went to the window, staring out and obviously deep in thought.

  She didn’t say a thing, waiting him out as her own mind tried to process the thought of a Chinese God coming to call. It was several minutes before he sighed, turning to look down at her.

  “Maybe he is. I have no clue.” Cassius shrugged. “But, if what he said has any truth in it whatsoever then there’s a Witch that needs my help. Now, Marie, how do I find her? Any ideas?”

  Rose didn’t answer straight away, her own thoughts spiraling through her head. “Maybe. Can you leave it with me and I’ll see what I come up with. I can also get to work doing what it was I came here for in the first place.”

  Shaking his head Cassius opened his mouth but she raised a hand to stop him. “Before you say anything. I feel fine. Once I shower and change, I’ll come straight back to bed and work from here. All I need is access to what files you want me to sort out and any paperwork you need me to add.”

  “Fine.” Cassius sat back down, his shoulder touching hers as he pulled the laptop onto his thigh. Clicking through, he showed her various files, documents and information. “I need everything amalgamated into some semblance of order. I’m finding it difficult to keep track with files all over the place and if I’m looking for someone I have to hunt through everything to find them. Is there an easier way to do it?”

  “Yes.” She grinned as she saw the abysmal way he’d been documenting things. “Easy peasy. I’ll sort that out today and show you what I’ve done.”

  “Thank you.” He rose as there was a soft knock at his door. “Come in,” he raised his voice slightly, walking through to meet the guard that’d brought her bag.

  Rose laid the laptop on the bed as Cassius brought her bag through. “Thanks,” she said as he put it on the edge of the bed.

  “I’ll leave you to get on. If you need anything just shout. If I’m not here then one of the guards will come.”

  “Okay.” She smiled as he turned to leave, her eyes drawn to those tight buns encased in dark trousers.

  “I’ll be back later to check up on you.” He turned as he spoke and she quickly lifted her eyes. Her face flushed at the thought of him catching her ogling his ass.

  “Fine.” She managed as his lips tugged up before he nodded and disappeared.

  “For fuck sake, get a grip,” she mumbled as she scrambled to get out of bed.

  Grabbing her bag, she went through to the bathroom, closing the door and turning on the shower before rummaging through her things to find her box of tampons. She let out a long sigh of relief when she found it exactly where she’d put it, pulling it free and emptying the tampons to grab her phone.

  Hitting speed dial, she moved closer to the shower and prayed that Seth answered. She almost moaned with glee when she heard his voice.

  Seth sounded extremely worried as he spoke quickly. “Rose, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. A man, Kuan, healed me. He said he knew you. Who is he?”

  “No fucking idea but I think he’s on our side.”

  “I see.” Rose kept her voice as low as possible. “I’ve not been able to do much, what with being unconscious most of the fucking time. But, Seth, I’ve got a bad feeling about this. It doesn’t feel right and everything I’ve seen and heard doesn’t add up with what Basilius told us. I think we’ve been duped.”

  “I know, Rose.” Seth sounded sad as he carried on, “But you need to stay there. I want you to get to know Allarde better before we make a decision. We’ve still got two weeks before the Ball so you don’t have to decide what to do until then. Okay.”

  “Right, but I have to tell you if I don’t come up with something truly awful soon then I’m not carrying out the mission. Everything, and I mean everything, I’ve found points to Allarde being a good man.”

  “I see,” he replied, his tone desolate in those two words.

  Rose couldn’t understand why he sounded so bleak. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” Seth answered quickly. “I’m fine and I’m not far from you so if you need me just call. I’m also not alone. Brendan is here and so is Kuan.”

  “Put him on,” Rose’s said urgently. “Kuan, not my dad. Put him on now.”

  A moment of silence and then a soft voice. “Yes, Rose?”

  “Are you a God?”

  “Why do you need to know?” Kuan answered her question with one of his own.

  “Because you’re with the only two people I fucking care about, that’s why. Are you a fucking Chinese God and do you mean them any harm?”

  “Yes and no,” Kuan replied in such a calm voice she wondered if he ever got upset.

  “Good, because they are important to me, if need be you keep them safe. You hear me? If you don’t then I don’t give a shit what you are, I’ll find you and make you pay. Understand?”

  Kuan actually chuckled before he answered, “I hear you, Rose.”

  “Tell them I’ll be careful and will contact when I can.”

  Rose hung up, quickly replacing the phone and tampons in the box before relaxing. “A nice hot shower and then I’ll get to work.”

  The warm water called to her as she stripped off the paper gown she was in. “What the fuck is this?” she mumbled as she ripped it from her body and stepped into the steam filled shower.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Basilius stalked back and forth, his breathing fast as he tried not to throttle Orthon. “What do you mean there’s been no contact?”

  “Master, my apologies but the assassin has not left any messages, emails, calls, and I’ve been unable to contact her. I have heard of someone being injured and the Vampire has been seeking a Witch to heal this individual. Could that be the assassin?”

  “What?” Basilius tapped his chin with a finger, thinking. “Hmm, possibly. She is only part Wolf after all. See what information you can get on that and let me know what’s happened with the Fairy tribe that was in Central Park.”

  “Was?” Orthon asked quietly. “Were they moving somewhere?”

  “I fucking hope so.” Basilius sneered. “I went to a lot of trouble to get them forcibly ejected. I would prefer Allarde not to have a horde of warriors so close by.”

  “I will see what I can find out.” Orthon almost ran from the room as Basilius sat down behind his desk.

  He’d worked hard to get here. His plans were in place and many strands were reaching out to make sure he got what he wanted: complete control of this realm and all who lived here.

  Allarde was the main fly in the ointment. His do-gooding ways causing Basilius problems that he wanted removed. The best way forward was to eradicate said fly and the sooner the better. If the assassin had been injured then she better hurry the fuck up and recover enough to carry out the impossible: kill Cassius Allarde.

  Basilius had tried before. Several of his lower Demons being killed in the process. He’d tried to keep this assignment “in-house” but after the last failure he’d turned to the Council’s most proficient assassin. If anyone could do it then it was her.

  He hoped so for her sake.

  He could, of course, have dealt with the Vampire personally, but
that course of action held too many pitfalls. If word got out it was he that had killed the man then others may join together and rise against him. Basilius was capable of dealing with them but he’d rather save his energies for the main battle he knew would come.

  Fallen Angels were dangerous, deadly, and if joined together then they were a serious threat to him. He’d much rather progress slowly, taking over a little at a time, until he was in control of just about everything and everyone. Then he’d have an army more than capable of taking on the damned Angels.

  First, he had to rid himself of Allarde.

  A hesitant knock on the door interrupted his musings and he barked sharply, “What?”

  Orthon peeked inside. “I have some information, Master.”

  “Get your fat ass in here and tell me.”

  Basilius waited impatiently as Orthon slithered inside, his hands wringing in front of him as he stood as far away as possible. “Master, it was indeed the assassin that was hurt. Apparently, she was healed a few hours ago but is said to still be weak and bedridden.”

  “Fucking stupid bitch. How was she hurt so badly?”

  “She was attacked on her arrival and sustained a major head injury . . .”

  Basilius slammed his fist down on the desk. “That stupid fucking idiot! I told him to make it look good but not harm her.”

  Orthon quivered as Basilius ranted. “Just as well he’s dead, the imbecile. Otherwise he’d be in for a very long session of me showing him just how much of an idiot he’d been. Fucking retard!”

  Basilius took a deep breath before piercing his assistant with a glare. “Anything else?”

  “Yes, Master,” Orthon stuttered, bowing his head before going on. “The Fairies are still there. They weren’t blamed for the attack, but I don’t know why. All I know is there was a few days of angry meetings but it seems to have been sorted now. They’re not going anywhere, Master.”

  Again Basilius slammed his fist on the hard desk, cursing, “Fucking hell, he obviously didn’t make it look good enough for them to believe he was a Fairy warrior.”

  “No, Master,” Orthon agreed quickly.