Chapter Two - Angelus
From where he stood he could almost smell her. He had not been expecting to seduce her the first night she came to him. It had been his every intention to take his time, let her become accustomed to this new life, go slow, courting her before he took her to bed. Yet, she had been so passionate–so demanding–that he found he had to throw all of his plans out the window. She wanted him, and who was he to deny her?
That had been two weeks ago, and now they were waiting for the blood tests to come back, determining whether she was pregnant or not. In the meantime, she was immersing herself in her studies during the day and luring him to bed with her at night.
Angelus smiled proudly as he considered what she was studying. Up until she was able to pay her tuition, she had been taking a massage therapy course, determined to have a trade she could use as soon as she graduated. Now that money was no longer an issue, she had turned her attention to the subjects she loved: archaeology and history.
There was so much that he could share with her. So much history to tell.
Rosa glanced up from the textbook she was reading and gave him a shy smile, her golden-olive skin glowing in the sunlight. He smiled back but didn't approach her, choosing instead to retreat a few paces to continue searching for the book he had entered the library for. It was taking all his strength not to just go to her, run his hands over her lush curves, and carry her to his chambers.
But he had work to do, and she was clearly engrossed in her studies. He would be patient. After all, he didn't want to be too intense with her. She was human, fragile and breakable. He didn't want to break her.
He quickly found the book of human laws he was looking for and retreated to a chair across the library from Rosa. The subtle currents of air carried her scent over to him–vanilla and lemon, like the cookies he vaguely remembered his old grandmother making for the Master's children. Angelus closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
"She does smell good, doesn't she?"
Angelus opened his eyes again, glancing crossly at his niece. Lucilia was his younger sister's daughter who now served as his aide. She had an annoying habit of turning up at the most inopportune times.
"What do you want, Lucilia?"
His niece set a file folder on the table beside him. "The information you asked for about your mistress. Although these are all things you should have known before you started stalking her, Uncle. Family history, medical records, living family…"
Angelus narrowed his eyes. "You are working as my aide right now, not speaking to me as my niece. You will show me the respect I am due."
Lucilia shrugged, nonchalantly. Angelus knew he really should be stricter with her, but ever since he lost his sister a hundred years ago to a witch hunt, Lucilia was the only family he had left. He could never chastise her properly. This was all the more reason why he should have a child soon. He wanted a family–the tangible closeness that could only be felt when he looked at a person and saw some of his own features in them as well. Especially now that he was a King, he wanted a legacy that he could pass on.
"And I didn't stalk her," Angelus added, opening the file. "That implies something predatory. I had no intention of making her do anything she didn't want to do, and I certainly didn't have any of those creepy shrines like the stalkers do on TV."
"You still followed her around without—" Lucilia cut herself off, looking like she was trying not to laugh when Angelus glared at her.
"That's enough, Lucilia. You may go now."
His niece curtsied and slipped away, giggling as she did so.
Angelus shook his head, though a smile tugged at his lips. She reminded him so much of his sister… He set the file on Rosa aside for now. While he was eager to learn more about his mistress–more than what she had divulged thus far–he had more important work to see to. There had been an uptick of death threats for him as of late, and the violence against Vampires was becoming quite brutal. He was all for humans defending their lives against rogues, but cutting off a Vampire's head and sticking it upon the gates of a school populated by Vampire children was unforgivable.
As much as he would have liked to have found those responsible and kill them, he did not rule over humankind. The American government thought that he existed for their own benefit, and this arrogance served his needs fully. He would rather use their laws to punish their own citizens. Thus, he had to know what laws were in place to use when he found the individuals responsible for the atrocities.
Rosa stood, stretching her back. Angelus couldn't help himself. He stared at the curve of her spine, her arms reaching above her head, emphasizing her breasts. She was the most sensuous woman he had ever seen, with her dark hair and dark eyes and shy smile. He would have to get Lucilia to take her shopping and fill her wardrobe with dresses–clothes that he could tear from her body, a marginal barrier to their shared passion.
He was so focused on his mistress that when his guard, Morgan, stepped up beside him with the daily security report, Angelus was actually startled enough that he jumped. He silently cursed himself. Distraction did not suit a King.
Morgan's nostrils flared and his head swung around, focusing in on Rosa. "So that's the human you've taken to your bed, my King? Mmmm. Smells good."
Angelus growled a warning.
Apparently, Morgan had a death wish. He ignored the warning. "When you're done with her, let me know. I'd like to bend her over my table—"
Angelus jumped to his feet. His chair went flying, clattering to the floor. It drew Rosa's attention and she stiffened, wide-eyed. The King attempted to give her an apologetic smile, then turned to glare at Morgan. The Vampire seemingly knew he had crossed a line as he withdrew, eyes wide, his face paling. The King jerked his head towards the hall, leaving his things on the table as he walked out. Morgan followed.
As soon as the door was closed behind them, Angelus spun on his heel, sinking his fist into Morgan's stomach. The Vampire heaved, doubling over. Another punch to the Vampire's face had him on one knee. Angelus stepped back, letting him recover from the two blows he had already received.
"I'm sorry, my lord," Morgan wheezed, still kneeling. "I meant no disrespect towards you. She is just so sensuous that I lost my head."
Another growl rose from the depths of Angelus' throat and he tackled Morgan, pummeling him hard in the face, chest and stomach. When the Vampire dropped to the ground, he kicked him in the back a couple of times for good measure before he stepped back, forcing his temper to cool.
"You will speak and think of my mistress with respect," he ordered. "If you ever try to blame her for your lack of self-control again, I will have you castrated and left to garden with the women. Do you understand me?"
Morgan groaned, curling in on himself. Thick, blackish blood stained the ground around them, oozing out of Morgan's wounds. Angelus' own knuckles were bleeding, although his blood was more fresh and red than Morgan's own. He kicked the fallen Vampire again.
"I asked you a question."
"I understand," Morgan mumbled. "I will not disrespect the human again."
"Good. She is mine. No one else will have her or lay a finger upon her. She is mine," Angelus repeated. For as long as she wants to be, his mind told him, but he didn't say that part out loud. Morgan only needed to know one thing. "She is mine."