Draco

My world would end if anything happened to Charlotte. She’s my everything. I won’t lose her. It has been over three days since that fucker entered her thoughts. Whoever he was, he had a death wish because I wouldn’t hold back. She hasn’t gotten back to normal. She can’t relax and that destroys me to watch. It started to affect Marco. He has become more erratic and irritable throughout the night. We have had very little sleep and I believe that was part of the bastard’s plan.

We needed to act as soon as possible, instead of being on the defensive we need to go on the offense. Hunting them down seemed like the best strategy.

“Draco, can I meet with you,” Falcon asked, coming up to me as I looked over the computer at Norton’s cellular activity.

“Absolutely. We have a problem though. News reports in Washington suggest that Norton has been murdered.”

“What?”

“Yes. I don’t know who, but I’m sure it’s related to Stavros and his band of merry dead men.”

“It could very well be, but as a detective, he’s just as likely to be killed for some other investigation.”

“That’s the problem. The police are looking into his cases. His partner mentioned that Norton had been going hard on a man who’s had mysterious accidents at his properties.”

“Damn it, they are looking at me,” Falcon grumbled, pacing around my office. I had my computers running traces without being tracked doing it. It’s good because I had pulled Norton’s records right before they came out with his death announcement. They could have tracked it to us if I hadn’t added the untraceable software I developed.

“Draco, I’m done waiting for the next attack. I know wiping out their men has been easy, but with Charlotte’s visions tampered with, I can’t take a chance. I think we need to strike.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“I want Dante in on a meeting.”

“Good, I want to limit those who know because we can’t let anyone in that we’re not a hundred percent sure they’re trustworthy.”

Falcon took a seat in the front of my desk, leaning back and nodding his head. “Who do we trust?”

“I would go with the shifters. They definitely owe us. They’re good.”

“I agree. Their genuine love for each other leads me to believe that they are on the up and up. We have Gideon and William.”

“Same here. Anyone else?”

“No one outside of that circle. I want to find the De Rosas. They have to pay, all of them.”

“Damn straight. I’m sure we can find them.” I looked at my monitor, searching the news for possible hints to their whereabouts.

“I have a feeling they’ll be up Stavros’s ass. Not necessarily in their presence, but definitely calling him.” We had to do scans for any talk in the underground world to lead us to the De Rosas, then we’ll be able to find Stavros.

“Yes, they’ll be looking to show their loyalty to him after their betrayal of us.”

“I doubt they’ll be rewarded. Stavros wouldn’t trust them.”

“No, not after what the sorcerer did to him.”

“Exactly. Once bitten…”

“Do you want to take a trip to London? Do some serious digging?”

“Let’s talk to Gideon. He may have some contacts in London.” We both got up and teleported to the security room. Gideon nearly jumped out of his seat and almost dropped his food.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you,” I said. Oddly, our entrance never startled him before. Feeling suspicious of everyone, I stand hard with my arms crossed, waiting for him to say something.

He sat down his plate, brushing his hands on his pants. “No big deal. I was totally caught off guard. And with the fuck screwing with Charlotte’s visions put me on edge. I wonder if they have a way in here.”

“I don’t think they do, but at this point, the tide has turned.”

“We want to know if you have anyone who could lead us to the Lamia.” Having had experience with those in the Lamian Army, Gideon was our best bet to find them.

“Are we going to strike?” he asked, jumping out of his chair with a broad smile on his face.

“Wow, you’re enthusiastic about it,” I remarked, seeing him overly thrilled was a new thing.

“Well, shit, while you’re out getting in some action, meeting people, and the like, I’m trapped in this room. The few attacks have been such a cakewalk that they’ve been no threat. I’m bored out of my mind. I want something outside. Hell, I’d like some damn television. Something.” Damn, immediately, it struck me how left out he’d been. Yes, he destroyed ships, but everything was done from the command room. He didn’t have to break a sweat.

“Sorry, Gideon. I didn’t realize how dull your life has been since we came here. It’s time for a quick trip to London. Are you up for it?”

“Of course. But who’s going to stay with the women?”

“See you can’t have it both ways. The women are safe, and William is capable of operating the attack from the command room.”

“Okay, let’s go.” He walked over to his coat and threw it on in a flash.

“Give us a minute to tell our wives.” We teleport and find that our mates are in the library together.

“What’s going on?” Nora asked, seeing the rush in our movements.

“We’re going to do some reconnaissance and we need the two of you to stay here with William.”

“Be careful. They’re going to be on the lookout for you two. Lamian soldiers will be patrolling Trafalgar Square and Westminster.”

“Are you sure?” Falcon questioned. After all, we didn’t know if it wasn’t the bastard or Charlotte controlling the vision.

“He doesn’t mess with all my visions. He invades my mind. It’s not quite the same thing.” She stood up and began to pace, brushing her hand along the spines of the books on the bookcase. “He talks to me, threatens me and a vision appears, but it’s not the same as my regular visions. It’s hard to describe, but it’s as if they are vivid details of his promise to destroy us,” Charlotte explained.  

“We’ll be careful.” We gave our women a kiss then snatched up Gideon before hitting the streets of London. It was pitch black outside and we kept to the shadows. It took two hours to locate a vampire club with most of the people being humans ready to be feasted on. They didn’t kill them but just took enough to send the humans into a euphoric minute while enjoying their meal. Gideon knew the guard and he let us in. I knew it wouldn’t be long before Stavros was made aware of our presence.

“Gideon, stay at our side. If we need to leave we have to do it quickly. I have a feeling we won’t be here long,” Falcon told him. I nodded. Eyes were on me.

“If it isn’t his royal majesty,” a vampire scoffed, looking at Falcon as if he refused to believe the truth.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Falcon inquired, inching closer to the antagonizing twat.

“It means you’re a phony. You will fall to the Lamia,” he said with actual conviction. I sneered, which turned his bright eyes to me.

“I’m not a phony, but you’ll regret those words very soon,” Falcon informed him.

“Sooner if you keep looking at me like that,” I told the fuck.

“Your lapdog doesn’t like to be challenged.”

“You better remember that we can dispose of everyone in this room in a blink of an eye. I wouldn’t test us,” Falcon stated.

“You wouldn’t do it with the humans around.”

“Why not? Anyone who attacks us will perish. No one will be given mercy. Anyone who fights us will not get the cure. You have some choices to make.” Falcon shouted over the din of the crowd. “For all those curious. If you are afraid of Stavros, you are foolish. You fight for him, you fight against us. My daughter is the key to the prophecy and I will not let a single one of you survive if you even try to come for her. Stavros stole one of my scientists, but I have the best working alongside me. My mate will find the cure and you will regret the day when she does because you will never feel the sun on your skin unless you go to burn in it.”

“Bullshit, you’re nothing but a dictator looking out for your own interests.” I roared out laughing at this fool. He challenged Falcon’s character when he essentially described Stavros.

“In a sense you’re right. I care about my own interests and those include not being dominated by a man who would love to see everyone serve him. For those of you too foolish or have been lied to, Stavros killed his own parents for power. Those of you living in the darkness are suffering because of Stavros. He is in the darkness because his treachery was only met with someone equally morally bankrupt. The sorcerer that gave the curse to Stavros to taint the waters also slipped some in Stavros’s cup. He is the one you should hate. Then again, I don’t care what you think. If you want to be saved, you will leave here and never come back. If you wish to die, I will be more than happy to oblige.”

“Is that a threat, your Highness?” he inquired with an arrogance on his young and ignorant face. I felt like slapping him down. He wasn’t even worthy of a punch like a real male.

Falcon scoffed, “It’s a promise.”

“Let’s see.” He lunged at Falcon, but the man held nothing to our skills. Falcon spun around him and slammed the guy’s back to Falcon’s chest. With a thrust of his blade, Falcon stabbed the fucker inches from his heart.

“Are you really going to try me?” Falcon whispered. “I’ve battled for more years than you’ve existed. I want peace and light for all those willing to live the same way. If that’s too much, I’ll do the right thing and send you to oblivion this second. What will it be?”

“Sorry, my Lord. I’ll follow you.”

“I’m not asking for you to follow me. I’m not interested in minions. I’m interested in enjoying my existence with my mate as we work for a cure. Nothing else matters to me but her and my daughter. Do as you please, but this is the only chance I will give.” Falcon pulled the knife from his chest. “Anyone else?”

People fled the club. No one stayed except the guy who challenged Falcon. “Where is Stavros?”

“No one knows. He’s the one people talk about, but no one has seen him,” he exclaimed, shaking in Falcon’s hold. Balls disappear when their fate was on the line.

“Who is your contact?” I asked him, leaning my face into his. I wanted answers and we weren’t leaving until we got them. This fuck’s challenge caused the perfect warning to the public.

“I don’t know him. We just go to the meeting area.” I believed him and so did Falcon.

“Where is it?” Falcon demanded, staring the man down.

“They’ll kill me,” he stammered. We all smile at him with devious intent.

Falcon pulled him tighter to his chest, then whispered through gritted teeth, “We will kill you. I didn’t miss. I’m giving you a choice. It’s the last time I’ll give it.”

“It’s in the sewers before Trafalgar square.” That explained Charlotte’s information. It was best if we chose to stay away from it tonight. I hoped that Falcon felt the same way, but I was at his leisure.

“Good. Now, what are you going to do?” I asked him, wondering if he’d tell them we were coming. Not that it mattered because we could be there before he attempted it.

“I need to get out of here before they kill me,” he choked out, looking around the room for any potential witnesses to his snitching.

“Do you have a family?” He doesn’t answer, debating our motives. “We’re not going to kill them for your behavior.”

“Yes, parents are in our home,” he confessed.

“Tell us where you live.” He relented, and we all teleported there.

We entered their small home and his parents gasped. They saw all of us flanking him while he was bloodied up. “Matthew,” his mother cried out.  

He walked up to them, then said, “Get your things. We’re moving you out of the area.”

“What’s going on? Who did this to you?” she asked, running her hands over his face and chest.

Falcon stepped forward, staring them down. “I did. He tried to attack me, and he’s probably healed already, so calm down. Let’s go and hurry. Once they find out he’s given them up, you’ll all be dead. Come.”

“We are forced into darkness and the sun is rising,” his father said.

“That’s fine.” We teleported them back to the island with all of our captives in hand. Teleporting directly into the few cells we had on the island, they were locked up. We stood outside the cell doors that were indestructible and electrified.

“You’re making us your prisoners,” the father shouted. He had no room for bad attitude. They were lucky to be alive. The Lamia wouldn’t think twice about ending them, even if he hadn’t told us anything.

“No, we’re keeping you safe for the time being. I told him he had a choice to make. Stavros wouldn’t let you all live. Now I’ll bring things to make it better for you, but until I have a safe place to put you, this is your home.”

“Are you going to torture us?” the older vampire asked, holding his mate close.

Falcon shook his head, rubbing his temples. The night hadn’t worked out to our plans, but we gained some knowledge from it. “No. I’m not. I’m not going to do anything to you unless you try to come after my people here. Do you seek redemption? I will give it to you. All I ask is that you don’t challenge me. Are you all hungry?”

“You’re going to feed us?”  

“I’m not going to let you starve. Are you hungry?”

“Please. We would love some food. We were about to dine when you came,” the mother said.

“Yes, ma’am,” Falcon answered, nodding and disappearing.  

“So you just do what he says?” the father asked.

I smirked. “I’ve been his second in command for over four centuries. We’ve protected each other all this time. We’re practically brothers.”

“Here you go,” Falcon said, teleporting into the cell, catching them off guard.

“This smells incredible. Thank you,” the woman said.

“May I ask your names?” Falcon asked after teleporting out of the cell.

“I’m Matthias Holden and my mate Anna and our son Matthew.”

“This isn’t the best situation, but please relax. There are no windows so that the risk of sunlight isn’t possible. Excuse us, but we are to retire for the night.” He turned to me and Gideon. “Keep watch in shifts as usual. Thank you. I have to see Nora and assure her all is well.”

“Go ahead, Draco. I’ve got the security room first.”

“Thanks, goodnight.”