Chapter Ten
It had been days since he'd seen or heard from Tank, other than that day he chose to ignore him. He needed time to think, time to figure out how he could help his mate. If he actually wanted to. He'd waited so long for him already and there was only so much more he could take emotionally.
They'd mated now. Yes, it was an accident—Niles winced at that admission—but what was done, was done and it was in his DNA to be there for his mate and to help him in any way he could. If only Targon would let him in, instead of keeping Niles on the fringes of his life.
How he’d managed to get through the workday amazed him. Targon was a constant presence in the back of his mind, and his body had no problem reminding him that something was missing. His body wanted its mate and Niles wanted him too, but the terms of their relationship had to change.
He hesitated to wash his bed sheets as they still held Targon's scent, and with all of Targon's things gone from his house, there was no evidence that his mate had even stayed there. Nothing to remind him of the man he loved, except the empty, hollow feeling in his chest and an empty bed.
He missed him and his stupid, slobbering dog.
He sat at lunch, pushing his food around his plate, ignoring the noise around him, his mind going around in circles as he tried to figure out what he was going to do. He barely glanced up when Max sat opposite him, grunting when he said hi.
"What's wrong? You've been distant since you returned."
Niles grunted again, before saying, "Targon's parents."
"What about them?"
"They have to be the most phobic people I have ever met. Targon told me they were, but I assumed he was exaggerating. Turns out he wasn't. They're actually worse."
Max sat back in his chair, his fork dangling in the air. "Why? What happened?"
"Oh, they want him to leave Rescue Inc and join the family business. I heard from Troy that they also told him to settle down with a nice woman and get married."
"Okay. You know there's a problem with that."
Niles sighed, sitting back in his chair and pushing the plate away. "They don't know about us being mates."
Max's eyebrows shot up. "What?"
"I know." Niles rubbed his eyes. He was so tired, but he couldn't sleep. Too many thoughts and emotions running through him. He could barely close his eyes at night. As soon as he did, Targon's face would appear and the loneliness and pain would reach up and drag him down all over again. How could he leave his mate? "I said they're phobic. Gays, blacks, vampires."
Max winced. "You're three for three then."
"Exactly."
"Shit, Niles. I'm sorry. It must be hard for him. They're his family."
Sighing, Niles agreed. "I know. It's a no-win situation for him. His family or his mate because he can't have both. I won't be some dirty secret."
"No, I wouldn't expect you would and it isn't fair of Targon to expect you to accept it either. A rock and a hard place for him."
"I don't know what to do. I haven't spoken to him in a week. I don't know what to say or if I could accept his decision when he tells me it's over."
"But it will never be over, will it? You’re mates, so you're connected in a way that won’t ever be broken."
"We can try to move on, but we'll always have an awareness of the other." Niles rubbed his chest. Just talking about it made him feel Targon more. "Sex could be an issue too."
"Because of the mate bond." Max sighed. "I'm sorry, Niles."
Niles smiled sadly. "Nothing for you to apologize for. It is what it is. I wish it was different. I wish it was an easy road to travel, but we don't always get what we want, do we? I guess I need to man up and accept my mate wants his family more than me."
Max leaned on the table. "Maybe not. Give him time."
Niles copied the move. "How much more time do I give him? I transferred here to be closer to him. I met him at least a year ago and I've been waiting, patiently, for him since then. And then he goes all possessive and mates us! What does he expect me to do? I have a life to live, just like he does. I'm merely existing right now, only half a person without him." Niles sat back in his chair. Max didn't say anything, and Niles sighed. He needed to feed but not any blood would do. He needed Targon's blood. "There's going to be a problem with feeding too," he muttered quietly.
"Shit."
"Yeah, shit."
"Do you think he will send it to you?"
"I honestly don't know, Max." Niles rubbed a hand over his face, tiredness and hunger leaving him drained.
"I can see you need to feed. You've lost some of your color and you've lost weight."
"I know. I can feel the need eating away at me and I have been feeding, but it's Targon's blood I need, not just any old blood from a bag."
"Well, get in touch with him and have him send some to you, or, maybe you two can talk and sort this all out. One way or the other, Niles, you need to know where you stand and what the future holds for you. Will it be with or without him?"
Nodding, Niles said, "I know you're right. I guess I'm just delaying the inevitable."
Max's pager beeped and he glanced down at it before sighing. Standing, he said, "And that's my signal to go. Don't leave it too long. You're a vampire, and you’re going to need your mate's blood. Get in touch with him now and arrange something."
Niles didn't say anything, just nodded and watched Max as he left the canteen, then stared back down at the food on his plate. He knew he should eat something, but his stomach rolled every time he thought about food. Maybe tomorrow he'd feel hungrier and be able to eat. Standing, Niles put his tray away and left the canteen. He had patients that needed him.
❊❊❊
Spencer stood with three other vampires, staring at the map that showed where all their estates were located. Over the years they'd bought more land and had expanded into it, constructing storage units and additional housing. They were preparing for the future. A future where vampires ruled.
They would need to have large units to stockpile all the food they would need, and items not commonly thought of. Clothing, bedding, furniture and weapons. Everything they would need to keep them going for the first few months while the humans destroyed themselves.
Spencer glanced over the map, noticing the new construction to the east. Everything was on target and going to plan. It had to be, as the time when they would implement their plan was drawing closer.
"How many vampires do we have?" Commander Garrick asked.
Spencer picked up his tablet and searched for the information. "In what areas?"
"The council. We've removed all those opposed to our plans, haven't we?"
"Yes, we have. All nine members agree and are preparing for the day we can make our move."
"All nine?"
Spencer nodded.
"Good. We'll have no problems when we take over."
"The aristocracy are all in agreement too," Spencer added.
The wealthy families all agreed with the plans to remove humans. They wanted to rule. They were the best the vampires had to offer and were determined to take their rightful place at the top of the food chain. Humans were cattle, only needed for their blood and as toys to please their masters.
"That's close to thirty families."
"Yes. In total, we have over one hundred vampires preparing."
"How many families are left to move to the States?"
"All those following our plan are here or in the final stages of moving here. Soon, they'll be no vampires left abroad who stand with us."
"All our people will be here, in one of the estates."
Spencer nodded. All the people they wanted would be safe when the power went out. "We have purchased more shares in the solar company. We now have a majority holding. All buildings are currently being refitted to withstand the chaos."
"Defenses?"
"On course to be complete within the year. We have various weapons of all calibers, plus missiles, and we have an order for tanks."
Commander Garrick looked at another vampire, directing his question to her. "Belinda. How are we for blood slaves after the debacle at Graham's mansion?"
"All slaves have been moved to safer, less known locations. They won't be found. The ones from Graham's mansion have been taken care of, except for two. Jacques Mathias and Elizabeth Selby. Both disappeared after they were released from the hospital."
"It is imperative that we locate them and bring them back. We can't have them out there where they could tell the authorities what's happened. It's bad enough that Graham's grandson became involved and that rescue company. The council are doing everything they can to slow down the investigation Sheriff Bailey has opened, but at some point, we may made need to take more permanent action."
"Kill the Sheriff and his son?" Belinda muttered.
"Both are mated," Spencer added. "That may complicate things."
Commander Garrick shrugged. "So, we take out four instead of two." He leaned over the table and pointed at one of the estates. "The land here is next to the solar company we own, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. We are fulfilling orders for all our properties to ensure they have an adequate power supply when the time comes."
Garrick looked across the table. "Food. Water."
The third vampire answered. "We have started on the wells and they will be complete on time. The greenhouses are already in use and we have grains and tinned goods stored. We've hit our preliminary targets, but I'm buying more. We can't run short when there is chaos outside the walls."
"Good, Lincoln. So, weapons, food, water and power are all on target. Defenses are good. What's the situation with comms? We will still need to be able to communicate so we can coordinate our attack."
Belinda answered. "Our satellite is ready to launch. We're finishing off our tests now to ensure it works."
"What about our shadow? Has IT located who it is?"
Spencer answered this question. "No. Whoever it is, is good and giving IT a run for their money. I've told them the consequences of failure. I'm certain they'll find out who it is."
"Good." Garrick's cell beeped, and he glanced at the screen. "I've got to go. Keep on top of things and we'll meet again in two days."
Garrick, Belinda and Lincoln left the room and Spencer sighed in relief. He hated these meetings. Gathering up his tablet and paperwork, he also left the room. He had more jobs to complete before he finished for the day.