About 2 hours later after a nice long hot shower, I was dressed in the suit my sister had suggested. I walked into my sister’s office. I found Talia, Khloe, and Lela deep in discussion about why the Vampire Master of Boston was coming for a visit. The three of them looked up as I cleared my throat. Talia and Lela were wearing pencil skirts with silk blouses and suit jackets, but Khloe. She was dressed to kill. She had on some designer number that accentuated her muscular legs and showed of her stunning tattoos. I stood there, dumbfounded, mouth wide open.
Talia walked over and closed my mouth as she looped one arm through mine. “She cleans up really well. I think you approve.”
Talia was grinning like the cat that stole the crème. Blushing slightly, Khloe looked at me with fire in her eyes. I noticed that she was wearing a simple necklace with a pentacle on it.
Looking between my sister and Khloe I said. “As much as I’d rather take the two of you out for the evening, can you guys fill me in on this Donovan? What he could possibly want? Mom usually handles these types of meetings, if I remember correctly.”
Lela looked up from her tablet. “You would be correct, Dorian. Maeve usually dealt with the vampires when she came down for our annual business meetings. This was short notice. Donovan asked to see Talia and Khloe. I don’t think he knows that you are here yet.”
“Lela is right. Mom usually handles them, but this was a surprise. If he asked to see Khloe it might have something to do with his witch’s circle that she isn’t a member of.” Talia said.
Khloe smoothed the front of her dress and sat down on the edge of the sofa as Talia went to her desk. I went to her bar to see what she had available to drink. Circling the bar, I found the 15-year-old Glenlivet. I pulled out 4 glasses. “Anyone else want one while I’m at it?” I asked the group.
Talia and Lela both held up a hand. I looked at Khloe expectantly. “Yes, I’ll have one. As for the circle of witches that Donovan uses they don’t like my father, so that’s why I’m not part of their circle. I can’t for the life of me think why he would want to talk to me.”
I poured the drinks and handed Talia and Lela theirs. I took Khloe’s and mine over to the sofa, I sat down next to her. “So, what’s he like?” I asked.
Talia look up. “What do you mean?”
“I mean is he a pompous ass or is he more with the current century in his way of thinking. Or is he one of those vampires who think that they should be ruling over the mortals like a god?” I replied.
“He is only 125 years old. Quite level headed. He gets along well with mom and dad. He keeps a tight lid on the vampires living in his area of responsibility. Definitely better than the douche he replaced.” Talia continued, “This request for a meeting is a real surprise because he does believe in following protocol.”
There was a knock on the office door. Thomas stuck his head in. “Donovan has arrived and is waiting in the conference room.”
“Thank you, Thomas. Could you please let him know that we will be along shortly?” Talia said.
Nodding, Thomas left. I got up and walked over to Talia’s desk, picked up the phone, and dialed the security office. “Craig, you guys have the conference room wired, right?” I asked and got an affirmative from Craig. “Please make sure to email me a copy of the video. I would like to go over it later. Thanks.” I said and hung up the phone. Looking at Talia I said, “Ready when you are.”
We left Lela to finish up whatever my sister had her doing. We then headed down the hall to the conference room.
My parents bought the two townhouses on either side of this one and tore down all three to build a bigger house/base of operations. The entire ground level was laid out for our Security Company, Fenris Security Specialists, along with Talia’s law firm, Callahan, and Associates. The basement was set up as an armory, shooting range, and the security hub for the townhouse. The second floor is laid out with four efficiency apartments for guests and V.I.P.’s. The third floor is where mine and Talia’s living quarters are. It’s divided into two apartments with two bedrooms both with master baths, an executive kitchen, dining room, and a living room.
As we came to the conference room, one of our security guys opened the door for us. I followed the girls as I pulled at my shirt cuffs and adjusting my tie into my first supernatural meeting.
Donovan was waiting for us as he sat on one side of the conference table with one vampire sitting next to him and one standing behind him against the wall. If I had to guess, the one sitting was his personal assistant and the other was security. There was a pitcher of water on the table with enough glasses for everyone. Thomas was standing near the back of the room behind Talia’s chair at the head of the table. Talia took the seat directly across from Donovan. Khloe sat down to the right of Talia. I simply surveyed the room with both normal and shifter senses. Donovan and his security vamp noticed me. It caught them both off guard only for a second. So, you thought this little last minute meeting was just going to be between you, Talia and Khloe. Well, surprise douche! I thought as I made my way around the room. I came up to Donovan with my hand extended. Let’s see how he reacts to this.
“Donovan, this is my twin brother Dorian. I’m sure you’ve heard of him from our mother.” Talia said before I could say anything.
Donovan stood up and shook my hand. “I do believe that she has mentioned you a time or two, but weren’t you in the Marine Corps?”
“I was until a few days ago, my mom thought it would be good for me to move back home. Take over the security company so Talia can focus on her law firm.” I answered.
“Well, I’m here to discuss other matters with Talia and Khloe. If you would excuse us.” He said rather egotistically dismissing me.
I laughed out loud at his self-centered idea of himself. What did this butt muncher think? “I guess you missed the part about me being Talia’s twin. We. Are. A. Team. As far as I know, Khloe doesn’t work for Talia. She’s working on her Ph.D. So, this means that you are here to talk to the Northern New England Pack that includes me.” I said, as I walked back around the table and kept my eyes on Donovan and the wankers with him. Sitting down on Talia’s left, I said, “Please sit so we can get this over with. I’d hate to keep you boys from whatever you have planned for the night.”
“Talia, what is the meaning of this? We have worked together for years. Now you bring in someone who doesn’t know his head from his ass when it comes to the politics of the supernatural world.” Donovan demanded.
“Sorry that you feel that way, but our mother has made this decision. It’s not up for debate. Besides, I like how blunt my brother is. It’s quite refreshing to have someone who is not so full of bluster and bullshit.” Talia replied. “Now, why did you want this meeting, and what does it have to do with Khloe?”
Khloe looked at us. “If I may? Donovan, I’m not an official member of this pack but I do have their protection and friendship. I am curious why you’d want to speak with me. I have no use for your circle of witches or your kind. Vampires are not looked on kindly where I am from. Something about being worshipped like gods along with all the mass killings in the guise of human sacrifice to fuel their foul and evil magic.” I could feel the power that she was pulling into herself. I’m sure that if I looked into her eyes they would be glowing as if a fire burned behind them.
I’m sure that Donovan could feel the power pouring off Khloe. Hell, I thought an Alpha’s power was heady. Donovan looked scared for a minute but then he schooled his face and posture. “Forgive my misunderstanding. I was not aware of any change in the hierarchy of the pack. I am here on most urgent business.” He said that last part looking directly to Khloe. “Khloe, what do you know of the ‘Book of Souls’?”
At the mention of this book, Khloe released all the power she had been holding. It was like someone gut punched her. She looked down at her lap. Then she looked up at Donovan before replying with steel in her voice, “That book is an abomination and hopefully has been lost to history. What do you know of it?”
Donovan was taken aback by the emotion that came from her. “We believe that it has resurfaced after all this time.”
“Khloe, what is the Book of Souls?” I asked, trying to keep her from giving this vampire a much-needed suntan. Not that I would try too hard to stop her.
Khloe turned to Talia and I and answered, “It’s very much like a Book of Shadows that is used by almost all circles around the world today. The difference is the Book of Souls is full of rituals that are exclusively fueled by death magic on a massive scale. What vamp boy is leaving out is that it was authored by one of the most powerful vampire sorcerers to ever exist. The vampires ruled over much of the pre-Columbian cultures. Aztec, Maya, Inca, and others for thousands of years. It wasn’t until the Spaniards came with their Weres and Witches that they saw what was happening. Most of the Central and South American Weres couldn’t compete with the power that Kirin, our so-called God of Death, could wield with his dark and twisted rituals.” She appeared visibly shaken that Talia had taken her hand for support. I got up and moved behind her to place my hands on her shoulders.
I looked at Donovan and asked, “Why don’t you tell us what all this is about before I lose my temper?”
Donovan had the look of someone who was defeated. He picked up the tablet that he had placed on the table touched a couple things on the screen, then placed it on the table facing us. What was on the screen was a grainy photo of a man of indeterminate age but dressed in clothes that were hundreds of years out of date. Khloe’s body went rigid under my hands. I looked over to Talia, who seemed deep in thought. That’s my sis. She has the ability to detach emotion when needed to process what she was seeing. I looked back to Donovan, who was visibly shaken. He appeared to be unsure of what to do next.
Khloe spoke, at first her voice quiet and unsure. “That can’t be possible. How? Our history says that he was killed; beheaded, then his body burned to ash.”
“What does this mean?” I asked Donovan.
“We don’t know. My superiors are searching for answers. I was asked to come and speak with Khloe. It seems that the Masters know of the Eagle Warriors and your people’s past.” Donovan answered.
I took my hands off Khloe’s shoulders, and she immediately grabbed my hand. I looked down into her distressed eyes, then nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m not leaving you. I just need to see what resources we have.” I looked over to Thomas. As our eyes met, he nodded then left the room. As Thomas left with my unsaid command I turned back to Donovan. “We need more info on this vampire, Kirin. What can you provide?”
“I’ll make some calls and see what we can provide to you and your people.” He said, then continued, “My people are scared. We don’t like the idea of him being alive any more than you. He ruled our race with an iron grip and his idea of mercy was …”
As his voice faded Khloe spoke up “I need to get in touch with my parents. My mom and dad should be warned. My mom can get in touch with the Warriors to alert them. My dad should also have some ideas on what we can do.” She pulled her cell phone out as she got up then began heading towards the door as she dialed. “I’m going up to my room. I need to think.” She looked at me smiling weakly.
After she left I looked at my sister. “Talia, we need to alert mom and dad.”
“I’ll have Lela call them.” She replied, looking at Donovan, “As soon as you have something call me.” Her tone indicated that the meeting was over. The vampires got up and headed for the door.
After seeing to their departure we headed to her office so we could start making calls and preparations. As I was heading over to an unused desk I called Craig, in the security office. “Hey, I need someone who can do some research on this Kirin guy. Call our contacts in Central and South American packs to see what they know. Nothing is too small on this and any scrap of intel can help. After that, I need you to call up whoever is on our Quick Response Force and get them over here ASAP.” I finished my call with Craig and saw that Talia and Lela were in quiet conversation.
“Mom and dad said that they’d support whatever we decide to do. Knowing you, you aren’t going to let this go, are you?” She asked with a determined look on her face. “Just remember that this time you aren’t alone.”
“I know. Thanks. I’m going to go change out of this suit into something more comfortable.” I said, leaving Talia and Lela to work out the logistics.