He looked at her with a vacant glare, his heartbeat skipping. "I found news files of murders just like those four women, but no law enforcement file to go along with it, in every place you worked." She smiled. "That's so odd, don't you think?" She looked at the claws on her hand. "I doubt though, your friends upstairs will think it's odd though after they review all of those hard copies I brought in, given the case you worked with Draven, also had your name on it and it vanished from the mainframe just like the others did. Thank goodness my late husband Draven had the insight to keep hard copies, otherwise all that work you did…" She laughed. He didn't. He stood there looking at her. His heartbeat was erratic. "All that hard work you two did would have been lost."
Cecilia cocked her head.
"I can hear your heartbeat, Roland, it's beating like someone who has something to hide, that or it's all the cholesterol? Maybe you should watch your diet, try some lake trout, salmon, mackerel, omega fatty acids, diets rich in fiber. I hear paying for that obesity license can be a little expensive." She said as she wagged her finger at him.
"What do you want?" He whimpered.
"I told you, Roland. I want justice for my son, and the families of the women that were killed, I also want justice for all the families affected by my son's case. You could say I owe that to my son and my late husband."
She stepped forward. "Interpol may have been tampered with, but there's nothing like a vampire scorned Roland.' She scoffed. "And my son is a full vampire now too."
He felt the threat. He knew she knew just by the way she was looking at him. He didn't think she would attack him here in the hallway, but hoping his faith would hold her at bay, despite the scientific proof that they were biological and not supernatural, he pulled out a silver cross the size of his hand, it had a blade that shot out from the bottom of it when he pressed a button. "Silver betrays your kind, just as Judas used it to betray Christ!"
Cecilia laughed. "Oh, oh, really? By the way, nice blade at the end, you'd have to get pretty close to use that thing, though." Before he could think, she grabbed it quickly, holding it in front of him tauntingly. "Hmmm, a cross, a silver one, nice touch. She brought it to her nose, sniffing it, has your scent on it too, nice."
He was quick to notice it wasn't burning or steaming in her hand. The man went from whimpering and sweating, to downright terrified. He leaned up against the wall as hard as he could. "Silver, silver hurts demons!"
Cecilia looked at the cross, put it in her other hand, and gently waved the hand that was holding it at him. "Hmmm, usually."
Her green eyes started to flicker. "Now is that any way to treat the wife of your ex-partner?" She scoffed. "You know, what I also gave your detective friends upstairs, Roland? I found a file where Draven requested a new partner, you remember, the one where he sighted a hostile work environment that you made for him with all your sensitive insults. They have a copy of that now also since it was deleted from the mainframe too. I also noticed that you have quite the public record for alleged law enforcement brutality complaints, all of them sensitives. Interesting, wouldn't you agree?"
She looked at the cross, "Don't like Immortium or sensitives, huh?" She laughed. "I'm personally an atheist, but it appears you're the religious type." She looked at the cross as she wrapped her fingers over the top of it, holding it in front of him and began crushing. "If faith really worked against vampires, it looks like your god isn't giving you any backup today Roland."
She could hear his heartbeat skipping. She smiled and dropped her hand, keeping the cross and putting it in a pocket inside her cloak. She grinned at him and turned around, starting to walk off.
Her eyes became a shade darker, her fangs a bit longer. Purple veins popped out along her temples as her ears elongated. The temptation to rip his throat out right then and there was overwhelming, but she didn't, she resisted the urge to give in to not just her vampiric nature, but her rage as a wife and mother who had their loved ones, wronged. She wanted this bastard to suffer. She wanted him to know fear and showing up the way she did had set that wheel into motion. She knew he was responsible. She could hear it in the way his heart was beating, the way his sweat smelled. He smelled of someone who was used to getting away with dirty deeds. Even as a dhampir, she could smell an evildoer a mile away, and Roland reeked of it. She taunted him again as she walked forward. "It was good seeing you again, Roland. I do hope to see you again." She looked over her shoulder… Her voice carried a heinous undertone as her vampiric face glared at him. "Soon…"
Roland pressed the buttons with his hands, pressing all of them at once as he looked at the vampire's face. She turned around, grinning ear to ear. Roland was terrified. The elevator door opened; he almost fell in when it did.
Roland always knew there was something off with Cecilia. She was strong, loved to spar, and something about her always told him something was different. He knew she wasn't a sensitive, but could never put his finger on, what it was, that made her come off so differently than other women. He remembered an Interpol dinner, specifically, where Draven was being given an award, and how she moved when she clapped. Something about her stuck out then, and now, knowing she was a vampire, Roland was starting to panic. He sent out a text message to Travis and two of the others in The Soldiers of His Holy Light. "This is the monk, security with Interpol has been breached. I repeat, breeched, go to plan 9 NOW!"
Roland knew it wouldn't be long until he was being questioned by Internal affairs. He also knew that with Cecilia coming out of the shadows, and having copies of Draven's files, it wouldn't be long until he was connected to the case. Roland knew eventually he might get caught tampering with the evidence, that time was now. He had to go underground. There was no turning back now.
"Oh god, dear sweet Jesus, help me, lord. Help protect me, god. In all your mercy, in the face of these demons all around me god, I need you now more than ever!" He said as the elevator went down to the bottom floor.
Cecilia came prancing around the corner and sat back down in front of Marine's desk. Marine had returned with Commander Fentrose. Fentrose looked at Cecilia, and her robotical eyes widened. "Cecilia?"
Cecilia stood up. "Alberta? You're the Commander now?"
The two hugged. "How is this possible?" Fentrose asked.
Cecilia smiled. "Draven kept it a secret I was a vampire. Long story short, after the accident, I couldn't risk outing myself. When did you make Commander? Last time I saw you, you were, well, on the tactical force."
"As you can see, working tactical and the bomb squad had some drawbacks, but thanks to cybernetics, I've been able to continue working, and I've been a commander now for some time." She sighed. "I'm so sorry about what happened to Draven and your family. I just can't believe you're standing here, alive?"
"If it weren't for regenerating, I wouldn't be here today. But, not all of my family made it out of that accident alive Alberta. I made it out, and so did my oldest son, Xairin. The same Xairin that survived that assault in the sewer and was bitten by that bat which, basically woke up his vampiric genes, they were dormant. Anyhow, Draven had several copies of every case he ever worked. It appears that all of the digital files are non-existent in your database."
Fentrose nodded. "I verified the barcoding on the papers, and checked out, it appears we have someone in our ranks playing for the other team."
Cecilia smiled. "Polanski was Draven's human partner when he worked those cases, Alberta. Before you came onto the same unit, Draven worked. You may find that a tad bit interesting."
Fentrose looked at the ground, and then over at Polanski's desk. "Where is Polanski?"
Cecilia smirked. "Probably running, well, as fast as he can, I suppose. Let's talk in your office. Shall we?"
Alberta nodded. "This way."
_____
Paradise Park.
It was getting late; the sun had set. Jason and Xairin arrived at the amusement park, a park called Paradise Park. It was a large complex in ward 57. It ran the leng
th of six miles. It was filled with rollercoasters, amusement rides of all kinds, and carnival attractions. It had a massive swimming pool and six, mile-high water slides. It had concession stands, two high-end restaurants, and a hotel adjacent to the park. There was a bowling rink, ice skating rink, and a shopping mall. Jason was impressed. He was like a kid in the candy store, and Xairin felt like he needed a leash on him to keep up.
"Jason, do I need to put a leash on you? Slow down." Xairin said jokingly.
"Please don't use the leash word," Jason said with a chuckle.
"Then slow your werewolf ass down," Xairin said.
Jason kept dragging Xairin by the hand as he tried to fight through the thick crowds to a roller coaster. Xairin chuckled. "If you don't slow your ass down, I swear to god, I will switch it up tonight, and top you for a change. I'll top ya, I'll do it."
Jason stopped and turned around with a snarky grin. "No, you won't, you said you're a bottom, and I know I'm a top."
Xairin smirked. "Hey, I could be verse, you never know."
Jason laughed and pulled Xairin close and kissed him. "I'm just excited. I haven't been to one of these in decades."
Xairin kissed him back. "Dude, we're immortal, aside from beheading, or in your case silver, I think we have plenty of time."
The pair managed to find a line to a two-mile-long roller coaster that had eight loops, numerous spins, and ended in a tornado shaped exit. It was called the VORPAL. Jason was jumping up and down like a kid, while Xairin was playfully smirking. Xairin had to admit, he was having fun, no matter how hyper or excited Jason was at things that Xairin had taken for granted in the past. He was trying hard to remember that.
After the VORPAL, they went on Dead Man's drop, then the Vortex of doom, and ended up on the tallest Ferris wheel Jason could find. At the top, Jason, couldn't resist the temptation to kiss Xairin. Xairin reciprocated.
The kiss Jason gave Xairin was much better than the first one they shared. He made Xairin feel special in the way he kissed him. Xairin's body shook.
Jason pulled back. "Why are you trembling?"
Xairin looked shy. "I'm just happy right now."
Xairin sighed. "The last date I went on, I liked the guy, but a gorgon and gargoyle attack messed it up. He got scared, and well, we agreed it was for the best. Then, there is my crazy ex-boyfriend, every time I thought things were going to be okay, a surprise came out of nowhere. I guess I'm trying to not look for the other shoe to drop."
Jason sat back and rested his elbows on his knees. He listened. "That's understandable, Xairin. I'm not perfect, I have my flaws, I snore, at home I'm a slob one day, and a neat freak the next. I like to dance naked in my living room when I’m running the vacuum. Did I mention I snore?"
Xairin chuckled. "I have heard you snore every night we have been cuddled up. You sound like a bear."
Jason smiled. "I don't have any crazy ex-boyfriends, but there are about twenty other wolves on tribal grounds that will be pissed as hell to find out that I’m taken. One in particular, who pines after me all the time. You've met August so that bombshell of a gay-hater is out of the way. Aside from me being stubborn, horny all the time, even more so now that I am an alpha, and a little overprotective given my werewolf nature, I don't have a lot of shoes to drop." He smiled and put his hand on top of Xairin's knee. "And Gorgons and Gargoyles are not going to scare me away. I like you."
Xairin wiped away a tear. "I like you too."
"Since we are on the topic, there is one slight shoe I need to drop. You know that old saying, wolves’ mate for life?"
Xairin nodded.
"With Alpha werewolves, that part is true to some degree. It's the reason my mother decided to hibernate, to sleep off the bond she had with August."
Xairin leaned forward, "bond?"
"Alpha werewolves, when we mate, you never know if it is going to be the first time or the fiftieth time, but during one of those mating’s, we bond. A bond is like this majorly intense feeling you develop for someone. Sometimes it makes us a little overly jealous, overprotective, it is like loving someone, so much that, sometimes, you can’t think about anything else. That’s what scares me with you, it could take ten, twenty, even fifty years to overcome a bond."
Xairin looked a little nervous. "We have been going at it like rabbits."
Jason nodded. "I know and I haven't bonded yet. I came here because you showed interest in me. The first time anyone had really shown interest in me directly other than my stalker Sydney, and I came here to hopefully go home, knowing I have a boyfriend. Now I realize, I have initiated just about every time we have had sex over the past few days, but, if we keep it up, now that I am an alpha, I could bond with you Xairin, which means it would be physically, emotionally, and mentally impossible for me want anyone else for a long time. So, I need to know if this is something you want to pursue?"
Xairin took a moment. "So, you have no idea when this bonding could happen?"
Jason shook his head. "My mom bonded the first time she slept with August. August, he has never bonded with anyone, he just does hit and runs. But no, I have no idea when it could happen, and I've been risking that since our first night together, because, well, something about you, I like, and I need to know if you would have me officially as your boyfriend?"
Xairin felt pressured. He wanted a relationship, he hadn't been in a good one, to be honest to himself, really, he never had been in a truly solid relationship ever, at least one that was healthy. He liked Jason, he knew Jason made him feel good, and if this bonding thing was true, then, Xairin had to make a choice now. He was tempted to say no, because he still had feelings for Ezra, but he was also tempted to say yes. With Jason, there was a safety he didn't have with Ezra. Jason waited while the Ferris wheel went around twice as Xairin thought. Finally, he just said it. "Okay, I'm willing to risk it, I mean, I hate to pull a lesbian card, but, if you bond, I'm willing to try."
"Are you sure?' Jason asked, sincerely.
Xairin took a deep breath. "I mean, I'm not ready to tell you I do and walk down an aisle, but I guess this is kind of on the same line, if this bonding thing, makes you unable to want anyone else, right?"
Jason nodded his head. "A lot of new Alphas demand their mates, to mate with them so that they do bond especially if the mate is another alpha and have kids. It is part of why I'm so fucking horny all the time now. But yeah, once I bond, there can't be anyone else for me, my nature wouldn't allow it, unless somehow, I manage to overcome it, which takes decades, sometimes even longer. So, I need to know, do you want to be my boyfriend, and not some seven-day date, that we've had a lot of hot steamy sex with?"
Xairin rolled his lips as he looked at Jason. "I do want to date you. I want to be upfront and be honest, I still have some feelings for the guy that got scared off, but I want to be with someone, that, I can be myself with, and so far, I have been myself with you, more than I have with anyone over the little bit we have been going out. With you, you know I’m a vampire, and you don’t seem put off by that at all. I mean, I have told you things I wasn't supposed to, and, well, again, not trying to pull the lesbian card, of, date today, and grab a U-Haul tomorrow, but I do want to date you.” Xairin was a little hesitant. “If it doesn't work out, I don't want to hurt you, that part scares me, more now knowing about this bond thing."
Jason nodded with a sincere look. "When Alpha's truly bond, we worship the ground our mates walk on, you would be my world, and that scares me because of the same thing. You're not a werewolf, vampires don't bond as a wolf does. That part scares me because you could walk away and leave me hanging in a bond, but damn Xairin, there is something about you, that, honestly, enthralls me already."
"Jason, I just wanted to date you, and see what happens, but if you need me to say yes to it being official because of you possibly bonding, well, then, I am going to take a leap of faith here, and say, yes. I will be your boyfriend but maybe we should slow the sex part down?"
Jason grinned fr
om ear to ear, "really? Are you sure?"
Xairin shrugged. "Well, I mean, I've kinda got used to you getting all knotted up inside me, so, I mean, sure, why not? Besides, it would be nice to be with someone that's never going to grow old on me and pass away. You're kind, you're funny, and I have to admit, I do find you attractive, so yeah."
Jason leaned forward and grasped Xairin's face, kissing him passionately.
Jason pulled back. "I'm more worried about you dropping another shoe than I am," Jason added.
Xairin nodded. "I warned you our first date, I come with baggage."
"You did. I haven't packed my bags to fly home yet, and if and when I bond to you, I never will. I will need to be close to you."
"You will in a few days," Xairin added.
'Yeah, and as soon as you're done with your Tour, as long as I can borrow my employee's hovercycle, I can fly in the day you get back."
"Besides, you have that kick-ass house now, and I toured the grounds while you were sleeping this morning. There are tons of deer on your property. I may have nibbled on one, well two." Jason said with a chuckle.
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