“Have you given yourself to him, Jenny? You’ve been around Vs a long time to know what that means,” asked Angel curiously.
“No, I haven’t given myself to him, but he wants me to. I just can’t right now. The Master has strict rules about the human staff and Vs fraternizing. I’d lose my job, and I have no idea what would happen to Sammy. Besides, I have nowhere to go. And I like it here. It's warm, I don’t need to worry about money or food, I can travel whenever I want, and the other staff here are really nice. Sammy says I can live in his house in London but I’ve never been to Europe. I’d be all alone waiting for my weekend boyfriend. I don’t want to do that. Sammy hasn’t left my side, but he keeps insisting I drink his blood. I refuse, refuse, refuse!”
“Hmm,” remarked Angel, inquisitively.
“Master Anu came to see me,” continued Jenny. “He came to check on me and told me he was impressed with my loyalty. He said I can take my time healing, no matter how long. Then he said if I need anything, anything at all, to come and see him. I think I’m going to ask him to go see my parents.”
Angel looked at Jenny, shocked, “Oh, yeah? That’s something new. Most people would have asked to be turned.”
“No,” Jenny replied quickly. I don’t want to be a V. I just want to see my momma. That’s all. So, what about you, Queen?”
“What about me?” asked Angel.
Jenny stared at Angel, waiting for her to follow the conversation. “Oh, I don’t want to see my parents,” she said jokingly.
“No silly―the Master,” said Jenny seriously. “Has he come to check on you?”
“Check on me? Not sure what you mean; it’s been business as usual with us. That’s about it.” replied Angel.
“Now, Queen, I know I’m from the south and everything; and people like to think we’re backward and slow, but that’s not me. The Master shows up at the club for nobody. For as long as I’ve been here, I’ve never seen him go out to party, let alone dance. I’ve seen him with plenty of gals; but those women came and left the next day, never to be seen again. You’re still here. That only leads me to believe that you’re special to him.”
Jenny’s words reopened a wound in Angel’s heart. She knew she was special to Anu; but with everything that happened and the way he was dismissing her, she didn’t know what to think anymore. Angel took a deep breath. “Jenny, I don’t know. He won’t talk to me about it. I...I think he is trying to forget what happened between us. That night, we had sex and...” Before Angel could confess the night's activities to Jenny, Jenny’s facial expression changed completely. It went from intensely listening to serious work mode.
Jenny rapidly cut Angel off in mid-sentence. “Queen, coffee is in the cupboard to the right. I have to run upstairs to give this ice cream to Maggie,” Jenny twitched her head to the side, signaling that someone was around.
Jenny kneeled. “Ohhh, shit,” Angel whispered, “he’s here isn’t he.”
“Yes!” replied Jenny. “Honey, you’re gonna have to rid the bubble because his lips are moving and I can’t hear him,” she said. Angel quickly turned around to face Master Anu who was standing directly behind her. The soundproof bubble vanished, and they were able to hear the movement in the house again.
“Please, Jenny, rise―no kneeling in your condition,” said Master Anu, helping Jenny up and glancing at the bowls of almost melted ice cream. Anu handed the ice cream to Jenny, “Late night snack?” he asked.
“Oh, yes, it’s for Maggie and me. I decided I needed a bit of company, so who else to spend it with than my favorite little person,” answered Jenny, joyfully.
“Maggie is special. Jenny you may proceed with what you were doing. I just need the Queen to stay back for a bit.”
“Sure!” replied Jenny. Jenny glanced at Angel with a half-smile, making sure Master Anu didn’t see her. She left the kitchen with her two bowls of ice cream.
Master Anu and Angel faced each other. Anu moved in closer; Angel could feel the pulsing between her legs throbbing by him just looking at her. He continued to lean in; and before Angel could blink, Anu used his speed to pin her to the far corner of the wall and kiss her. He pulled Angel’s robe open and caressed every inch of her body. Angel pulled him closer and was sucking on his tongue as they locked lips. She wrapped her legs around him as he picked her up and held her against the wall. She wanted him inside her so badly that she could feel her temperature rise. Angel ran her fingers slowly through his hair as Anu kissed her neck and propped her up higher to land kisses on her breasts. He paused slightly to inhale Angel’s scent. It was at that moment Angel heard a low popping sound. “I want you upstairs, in my room,” said Master Anu through clenched fangs.
Angel was breathing heavily and desperately wanted him more than he wanted her. But something inside her was resisting. “No,” she replied. Anu was stunned. Angel stared at Anu then closed her eyes and exhaled. He released her gently, then disappeared.
13
No One Tells Me No
Angel arrived at her bedroom to find Maggie fast asleep and Jenny curled on a chair beside the bed, sleeping. Angel woke Jenny up and told her she could share the huge king-size bed with her and Maggie. She accepted and they all got cozy under the covers. Maggie was sleeping in between them. Angel pulled Maggie toward her and cuddled with her. It was such a long time that she held Maggie; it was long overdue. Angel missed her; she was holding her tightly and caressing her soft curly hair. She wanted to savor the moment. She fell asleep with Maggie in her arms and Jenny snoring away on the opposite side. It must have been an hour into her deep slumber when she heard voices.
Angel awoke and looked around the room, only to stare out into the blackness. She heard the voice getting clearer. It was quietly calling her name. She continued to look around the room, but there was nothing. The voice grew clearer and it was then that she understood that the voice was coming from inside her head. “Angel,” said the voice again. “Angel, my Angel.” Angel shook her head and focused.
“Anu?” she questioned.
“Yes,” said Anu.
How are you inside my head, she thought.
“It’s the mixture of our blood. Entering your head got easier when I drank from you. I can only do it to humans without blood contact, but with you I am able to connect instantly.”
So you read minds now?” she asked.
“No, I can only enter the mind to have a conversation, not to listen in when I want. I can channel into people’s minds no matter where they are. Even as a young boy, I was able to connect with my Master from far away to tell him where I was. It beat having a telephone.”
Oh, I see, she responded.
“Angel, why have you denied me?” asked Anu, getting to the point.
Angel took a deep breath and decided the truth was all she had left. For several reasons, she started. Angel’s palms began to sweat as she was ready to confront a situation that should have been addressed weeks ago. You made it clear you wanted to control yourself before anything could happen between us again. Yet, you never gave me any news about your research. You just walked in and expected me to sleep with you on your command. I’m not a piece of meat that you can have any time you want. I won’t comply on any man’s terms, no matter who he is. You have to desire and respect me, just as I do you. Then, you shield me from your emotions and make me feel as if I mean nothing. With all due respect, Master Anu, I do have feelings, very strong feelings for you; but I’m convinced now that you’re just trying to use me for your personal pleasure. After Angel’s speech she heard complete silence. Hello, she thought.
There was a long pause until Master Anu finally spoke. “I understand I have not been pleasant to be around; but dammit, Angel you have no idea what you have done to my mental state. You are all I obsess about. Even when I try to consume myself with work, I can’t. I’ve needed to have Sammy keep me on a strict schedule in order for me to stay focused. In the beginning, all I have wanted to do was send in the angels to take down t
he Leader’s empire and rule for my people. Now, I can’t even see myself risking your life for my power. After drinking your blood, I have grown incredibly strong. I can feel it every day, and every day I can feel people’s emotions. I can feel yours. Feeling your emotions doesn’t make it easier on me. I feel your concern for me, the happiness inside you; I feel your fear and, most importantly I feel your love for me. That is something I can’t ignore.”
Angel remained silent for a moment then thought, I thought you detoxed, you’re supposed to be back to normal. How are you stronger?
“I’m not sure,” replied Anu. “I’m still figuring that out.”
Well, good. I’m glad that drinking my blood helped you to understand me easier, thought Angel. She was almost about to shield her thoughts and lock Master Anu out of head, until he spoke up.
“Angel, you won’t give in to me until I am on my knees crying a river of red for you―will you?”
“What do you want from me,” she responded out loud. Angel went back to speaking in her head, Let’s cut to the end. We already established the love we have for each other. You already gave yourself to me, and we undid that in a matter of minutes. We recognized that I’m not your forever person of choice. So, what exactly do you want from me now? Because now it seems as if the original idea of going on this mission with you has been thrown out the window. So, now what?
Master Anu thought quickly. He knew what he wanted, and he was going to say it regardless of the risk. “I want you to be mine. I want you to give yourself to me. I want us to rule and love forever. No matter what happens, we will find a way to make this work―together. I know I should have said this the first day, but I was a fool. I’ve realized that I can’t do this without you,” he pleaded.
Angel turned to look at Maggie and Jenny who were both sleeping peacefully. She leaned back on her feathered pillows and closed her eyes tight, trying to hold back the tears welling in her eyes. The words she wanted to hear a few weeks ago were being said to her in their rawest form. Angel let the tears stream from her eyes as she thought carefully about her answer. I can’t give you forever, and I can’t give myself to you. After this mission I have to find my other angels. I cannot spend anymore of my time on Vampire rulings. I have my people and the humans to protect just as much. We had a deal; we help each other out and then I part.
Anu grew a deep voice of sadness as he responded, “As you wish, Queen.”
Anu’s exit from Angel’s head left her wondering if she made the right decision. She wiped her tears and felt sick to her stomach. She loved Anu with all her heart and wanted nothing more than to be with him. But she couldn’t give into her own selfishness anymore. It was her own fault that she lost all her angels, and she needed to make things right. For once, she had to put aside her desires and protect the world around her. Ruling a Vampire line was not something she wanted to do, even if it would have made her job of protecting the humans easier. She had to find her missing angels, if there were any left. I hope one day he will understand, thought Angel as she cried herself to sleep.
14
Angel, You Dumb-Dumb
Three weeks later:
Either Master Anu was teaching Angel a lesson or he was giving her exactly what she asked for. Angel was back in New York City living in a luxury apartment on 77th Street and Park Avenue. So, funny story, after she gave Master Anu her decision about not ruling with him forever, he sent her back to New York City.
After their conversation, Angel awoke the next morning to all of her and the children’s bags packed in front of the main entrance. Keiko was leaning on the main door wearing black shorts, a black tank top, and black ankle boots. She had the brightest red lipstick on, and her hair was up in a high ponytail. Angel came down wearing a robe and asked, “What’s going on? Is someone moving in or out?”
“Out,” replied Keiko.
“Who?” asked Angel, surprised.
“You,” retorted Keiko.
“Me!”
“Yes, you,” she said again, irritated. Keiko came closer to Angel and pointed her index finger at her chest, “What have you done to my father, you dumb-dumb?”
Angel didn’t know what to say. She stood in her place, paralyzed.
“He is not the same man he was before you got here. He had a mission, a goal, and you were a part of it. Now it's been diverted. What have you done?” Keiko was furious. Angel could feel her anger boiling in her system and felt the hurt and love she had for Anu. Keiko had seen him in pain and wanted to hurt Angel because she thought she was the cause of it―which, in reality, she was.
“I’m sure there is a logical explanation for this, Keiko. Let me talk to Anu and we can settle…”
“There is no explaining,” Keiko cut Angel off in mid-sentence. “My father left specific instructions. You are to leave his home with your children and take everything he is giving you,” she pointed to the luggage. “He is giving you your angel, Gia; and he wants you to take Jenny. You are not allowed to see him during your departure. You are to leave immediately.”
“What???” shouted Angel, devastated. “I need to see Anu right now,” she demanded.
Keiko looked down at her watch, “You have an hour to get out,” she said without hesitation, then walked away.
Angel ran up to her room and began getting dressed, throwing on black jeans and a red cami top. She slipped on her tennis sneakers and brushed her teeth faster than she ever had. Maggie and Jenny both woke up and stared at her rushing about the room.
“What’s going on,” Jenny asked.
“We are being evicted, that’s what’s going on,” replied Angel while tying her hair up in a bun.
“What do you mean?” asked Jenny, surprised.
Angel turned to Maggie. “Maggie, honey, please go knock on your brother’s door. Tell him it's time to go.”
“Okay, mommy,” said Maggie as she hurried out the room. Jenny sat on the bed, not knowing what to say. Her red hair was messy and flowing over her shoulders. Once Maggie was out of sight, Angel turned to Jenny, “The Master is kicking me and the kids out.”
“Oh, my god, what happened?”
“Last night he asked me to be ‘his.’ When I declined, I guess he figured there was no reason for me to stick around.”
“What!” Jenny said stunned.
Angel continued, “I’ll admit I didn’t see that coming.”
“Well, what did you think he would do? I mean, if it were me, I think I would have to ask the man I love to leave, as well, if he didn’t want to be with me,” replied Jenny.
Jenny stood up from the bed.
Angel stared at her in sorrow, “He is making me take you with me.”
“WHAT? said Jenny, highly upset, “WHY?”
“I don’t know, I’m just repeating what Keiko told me.”
“Oh no, I...I...don’t understand why I have to leave; this is my home. I like it here and I can’t leave Sammy. Oh, I think I’m going to be sick.” The shocking news was too much of an impact on Jenny that she fainted.
Angel hurried over to her yelling her name, “Jenny, Jenny, oh, come on!”
Jenny woke up and looked at Angel with a confused look. “Tell me I was just dreaming what you said.”
“No. I’m sorry,” replied Angel.
Jenny put her hands on her forehead and stayed lying on the ground. “Oh, fuck me,” she said between tears.
Sammy barged in on Master Anu who was working diligently on his laptop. Master Anu peeked from his computer and watched Sammy come in and kneel before him. “Rise, Sammy. Tell me, is there a good reason why you entered without knocking?” inquired Anu.
“Master, I heard that you have aborted the mission and are sending the Angel away,” said Sammy, questioning.
“You heard correctly.”
“Although I never question your decisions, Master, this one I have to. Why? Why are you sending Jenny away with her?”
Anu stood to face Sammy. He could feel Sammy’s emotions roi
ling inside him. Sammy loved Jenny; he was going to find any means necessary to keep her. But he also knew it was a battle he would lose.
“Jenny’s debt to me is paid off. Her services are no longer required,” Master Anu stated nonchalantly while closing the screen of his laptop. The energy in the room around them grew intense as Sammy’s mood became irritable.
“Master. No. No. Jenny is mine. I beg you, Master, not to send her away from this house She has served you well and is highly respected. We can keep her. It is unfair to her that she has to suffer for the lack of compliance from the Angel,” stated Sammy pleading his argument like an attorney.
“Jenny is yours? Is that so?” asked Anu, raising his right eyebrow. “Now, by V law, that doesn’t leave me many options. I will have to banish you both, unless you turn her. So, tell me Sammy, did she ‘give’ herself to you?”
Sammy looked down in defeat, then zeroed his icy blue eyes straight into Anu’s eyes, “No, she did not,” he admitted, sadly.
“Well, then, I am not obligated to keep her. Her debt is paid. She can go. Jenny is a human at our disposal...”
“A human you saved from a savage vamp and gained a huge payout for,” interrupted Sammy.
“Watch your tone, Sammy. Yes, I received a huge payout for her, one that I have since given to Jenny. She has offered me her life, in return. As I stated before, her debt is paid,” Anu retorted.
Sammy could not let Anu dismiss Jenny so easily. He continued to plead his case. He took a step back and clasped his hands together. “Master, I am your lieutenant, but before I am your lieutenant, I am also your friend. I have been by your side for 200 years. I have seen this house go through many humans, many of who were loyal. You have always seen me abide by the rules, never taking a fancy to the servants; but Jenny, Jenny is different. I love her, deeply. I don’t think it is fair that I have to lose the woman I love over this situation. I beg you, please, not Jenny.”
Trapped Inside Humanity Page 18