by Pace, Pepper
He waited and I didn’t know how to proceed.
“She’s…cruel.”
Tony leaned forward. Now his brow creased.
“She’s so beautiful,” I continued. “More beautiful than ever before. People flock to her and she loves the attention. But she feeds with no regard to her donors-”
“Has she killed?”
“No,” I said quickly. “She has taken three donors and…I see that she has no feelings for them at all. At times they have open sores from her feedings. I’ve discovered that her succubus is strong like mine. She didn’t tell me this I only found out by witnessing her feedings one day. She’s cold, Tony; very cold. They beg for her attention but she only has eyes for…me.”
His head tilted. “What do you mean?”
“I’m the only one that she seems to notice above a minimal interest. She doesn’t even show emotions toward the ladies in waiting…except for Tyler. She’s asked Tyler to become her donor but Tyler wouldn’t do it. Then she asked Jason. He wouldn’t either. She didn’t even talk to me about it before trying to take them. It’s the Werewolf in them that she wants.” I didn’t tell Tony that she had even sniffed after Paul. On this she didn’t dare ask him for a feeding.
“Tony, is she ever going to normal out?!”
He didn’t answer immediately. “This is normal. You’re the one that’s…” he didn’t even bother to finish the sentence. “Kim, there are as many Neratomay personalities as there are human ones. Monica suffered a bitter death and there was very little life left in her when she was turned. Maybe…what gives us that spark of humanity had already slipped away. In time, she may mellow out. Regardless, she will be required to follow the rules just like any other.
“Failure to care for her donors is punishable. You know that.” He leaned forward. “You’ll have to guide her.”
It’s hard to teach a woman that theoretically already knows right from wrong. Hell she had been a blood donor herself! “I got them cleaned up. They are addicts to her. They don’t work or do anything else that I can see. They just allow themselves to be her food and sex.”
“I wish that I can tell you better news. But if she is still as cold as she was when she rose—this is probably who she will always be. I’m sorry.”
I nodded, knowing that he was right but hoping against hope that there would be a different future for her.
~***~
Julie’s bedroom door opened and I had been so deep in thought that I hadn’t even heard anyone approach. Paul stood there without speaking and I rose and tipped out of the room, closing the door behind us.
Silently he rubbed my arms and I slipped into his embrace where he held me without speaking. No words were needed.
Later that night I transported myself to the old creepy mansion that I had first visited when turned…the place that I had been burned and tortured; my Council house. I suppressed my desires to flee not wanting the Council to know how difficult it still was for me to step a foot into the place.
For a split moment before appearing a Vampire has the ability to see their destination--helpful in preventing oneself from transporting oneself over a cliff.
I saw that Ran was already present and I appeared sitting next to him. Ran wasn’t a Council member; he was my Vampire Lieutenant, or Second in command. Paul used to accompany me but since it takes him hours to get back and forth on motorcycle, he grudgingly agreed to allow Ran to accompany me. It was mainly because he didn’t like being so far away from the baby. I was just relieved because despite how capable my husband is as a Werewolf—his blood also happens to be a delicacy to Vampires and I didn’t like the idea of him being the only food around.
As usual I was the last present. Ran gave me a brief nod in the way of a greeting and I did the same. Cyrene rose from her seat in one of the wing chairs. I grimaced at the outfit she wore; gossamer ivory material that swept the floor and was bound around the waist by a jeweled belt. Ugh…where in the hell did she even find clothes that out of date, at a costume shop?
She gave me a quick look. “Now that everyone is present, lets proceed.” I sat quietly as Keada gave her report on the activities within her territory. Council members assigned Master level Vampires to jurisdictions that they were required to maintain. Murders and robberies happened as a part of the natural progression of life. Masters did not interfere with human affairs, only the activities of Vampires. However in Keada’s area there had been a string of violent robberies that had resulted in high profile exposure.
Malarias’ black eyes regarded Keada. In human years he appeared to be in his eighties with stooped shoulders, wrinkled skin and sparse white hair. He always dressed in the attire of a monk. He was our Elder and reported back to his own Council.
Malarias’ dark eyes seemed colder than normal as they bore into Keada. “And when the human authorities discover the activities of those within the effected territory, what will be your actions?”
Keada cocked her brow at him as if to say; I’m not going to do a damn thing. I hid a smirk.
Malarias, more than most, disliked me. He was the primary reason for Alexis’ imprisonment and it was his desire that I be put to death. I thought his hatred of me was due to his beliefs that I had tricked my way out of being put to death. But no; he wanted me dead because he saw the effect that I had on Alexis and should we ever decide to join forces then the two of us would be beyond anyone’s control.
It also didn’t help that Alexis had nearly killed him when Malarias had attempted to separate us. For that little stunt he was exiled for one hundred years.
I was becoming angry as I thought of these things and I glanced at Tony, remembering his role in the betrayal. His eyes met mines briefly before they flitted away. Kaniji observed us with open curiosity and I glared at her until she looked away with a pleased half grin. I returned my attention back to Keada and Malarias.
“Do you even know who perpetrates these offenses?” He asked.
“And why would I know that? These are human matters. Perhaps he is another serial killer or a terrorist,” again it was easy to read her expression which seemed to say; Not my business.
“And you know it is not one within our family?” He didn’t just mean a Vampire but a donor or other human allowed to know of our existence.
Keada paused. “They wouldn’t dare.”
“In other words, you do not know. You will find out.”
Keada gave him a look of disbelief. “But Master-”
“We’ll help her,” Frank added quickly. He actually seemed to be fond of Keada and I was pretty sure that it wasn’t a physical attraction because Keada appeared more masculine than him. In my opinion Frank was more ghoul than Vampire. His preferred attire was S&M Dom—and for all I knew he might have invented the damned style. He was dirty, skinny, and had not gained one ounce of preternatural beauty when he was turned.
“We?” Cyrene spoke.
“What effects one effects us all,” Tony said.
Well for fucks sake! I did not have time to hunt down some damned burglar! Ran gave me an almost imperceptible shake of his head. He wanted me to chill and after a moment I did.
Malarias’ eyes bored into Keada’s. “Keada Borejka, are you indicating that you are unable to control the activities within your area?”
Keada gave him a surprised look. We were all a bit surprised. Malarias generally listened, and barely ever contributing anything; he definitely didn’t tell anyone how to rule. Now he was questioning Keada’s abilities. Everyone in the room seemed to become suddenly alert.
Keada bowed her head. “No Master. I will confirm the identity of the perpetrator. If it is a human then I will arrange for the human authorities to resolve the matter. If it is Neratomay—then they will be dealt with swiftly and permanently.”
Malarias nodded and then turned his black eyes on me. At that age and power Elders no longer had whites to their eyes—they were just all black unless they manually changed their looks. Malarias never change
d his look.
“Give your report Councilwoman,” he commanded. As usual I had very little to report. He didn’t care about things like how many safe houses I had and how many human donors had been rescued from abusive Vampires. He didn’t want to know about our new Vampire apprenticeship program that taught young Vamps to stop being bottom feeders and to become business owners by teaming them up with a successful willing Master. Would he care that I had taught my minion to peacefully resolve their own problems or risk death by bringing them to me to resolve—with finality?
So I spoke on redundant things that meant nothing.
When I finished he watched me in prolonged silence. “You operate … safe houses. Are they boding well?”
My mouth parted in surprise. “They are. At times we have small skirmishes but I also have Vampires stationed at each house to keep it at a minimum.”
“What about non-sanctioned turnings? How many have occurred in the last year?”
“Well … none. Not in the last twelve or so months.”
Malarias’ dark eyes bore into mine. “And unexplained Neratomay deaths?”
On that I hesitated. “None that I’d describe as unexplained.” He stared at me so I continued. “A Vampire not five years turned did not properly secure his home. Sleep took him while in the living room of his house. A human opened the door and he never woke again. Two others died in a sanctioned battle and Tyler was sent to handle two others.”
He turned his attention to Kaniji, wordlessly dismissing me. I knew that he was annoyed that he could find nothing to criticize. He did his odd line of questioning with her, asking if there had been any reports of odd disturbances, or unsanctioned killings. He continued questioning each member of the Council until in anger he turned his back to us.
“In future meetings you will each be required to determine if there are activities within your territory that are out of the norm for both Neratomay and human. You will institute safe houses when needed and you will closely monitor the human news sources for activities that take place within your territory.”
Tony frowned at the back of the Elder’s head while Cyrene turned white as paper and Frank practically chewed the inside of his mouth not to protest.
“Council member Kim will be the standard that I hold you all to.” He swept his hand theatrically through the air. “Adjourned!” And then he disappeared.
Everyone waited half a second to make sure he really was gone and then Frank jumped to his feet.
“What the hell is this about?”
Keada pointed at me. “It’s about her,” her Russian accent was thick with anger.
I scowled in annoyance. “How am I responsible for any of this? You’re the one that has the unexplained murders in your area!”
Kaniji responded before Keada could. “Because you changed everything. You created safe houses, and judgment panels. You don’t take tribute from the Masters and they all now think that whatever money they make they can keep! You allow a human to have power over us by being your Death Giver-”
Tony was shaking his head. “This isn’t about Kim—it’s about results. She has lower complaints, fewer problems, which ultimately means less criminal activity noticeable by humans. Do you think Malarias gives a damn about Kim? Her territory has been noticed—and by those more important than us. I’m assuming that Malarias could care less—it’s someone higher than him that cares.” Tony met my eyes briefly before returning his attention back to the roomful of quiet Vampires. “We are all going to have to step in line and follow her example.”
The room filled with their loud protests and grumbles. I cleared my throat and everyone quieted just on the off chance that I might have something useful to add to the conversation. “Look, I’m not doing anything that should be considered strange and unfamiliar. I’m teaching my minion about consequences and repercussions. But I’m also showing them that there are rewards for staying in my good graces.”
They just stared at me.
“Look, think back a long time ago, before you were dead and filled with demons. Don’t you remember having that boss that acted like an asshole? The one that wasn’t all that smart but loved acting superior and everybody hated their guts but were too afraid to stand up to them? Then there was the boss that gave you tough rules but they all made sense. And if you did the wrong thing then it was your ass. But when you did the right thing, then that boss treated you very well and gave you a little extra, turned a blind eye if you messed up a bit, and treated you with the respect that you deserved. Yeah maybe you still didn’t like that boss…but you respected them.”
Kaniji scowled. “Don’t show your ignorance. We didn’t work jobs. I was born a member of the Imperial Family! I know nothing about being subservient to another!”
I rolled my eyes. Frank crossed his thin legs clad in tight leather pants. The matching leather vest was opened to reveal his pale bare torso with pierced nipples. “I remember having that boss. The stupid man was younger than me but lorded over us all in a superior way. I do believe that I spent a great deal of time dreaming about his demise.”
Keada’s nose wrinkled. “Not a boss but a Commander. When he discovered that I was not a man he discharged me from my post, even though I had killed for nearly a year at his side. He knew my capabilities and in the end it did not matter.”
“What a wonderful trip down memory lane,” Cyrene said cryptically. “But we have a situation to deal with; Keada’s criminal element. Maybe if we can rectify it we can end this stupidity. What do we intend to do about it?”
“I am quite capable of handling this on my own!” Keada snapped. A moment later she disappeared. Cyrene threw her hands in the air and then she disappeared. I inclined my head in Tony’s direction, grateful that he had taken the time to stand up for me. He nodded in return and I clasped Ran’s hand and together we disappeared.
As soon as we were safely at my house Ran gave me an uneasy look. “This doesn’t sound like Malarias’ doing.”
I lightly gnawed my lower lip. “Ask around and find out if other Councils are going through these changes.”
He nodded and then a moment later he was gone.
I frowned in deep thought. What was really going on?
CHAPTER 3
I located Paul in our office, back at my desk working on my files. Damn, my selfishness had created more work for him and that more than anything convinced me that I was going to end this.
“How was the meeting?”
I sat in the chair opposite him. “Weird.” I detailed the events because I was married to a meticulous individual who was at his best when he knew every bit of the facts. “What do you think?”
He rubbed his hands through his long hair. “Well it’s no lie that Malarias hates you. So if you’re doing something right he won’t give you praise. My thoughts are that it just eats at him up someone higher than him might have noticed how well you are doing. And I agree with Tony—there is going to be a change because you’ve proven how effective your methods are.”
“Our methods,” I corrected him.
“Our methods,” he concurred. “And on that note I gathered the names of a few possible assistants. This is a list of Vampires in our more successful territories-“I grimaced.
His eyes met mine. “What?”
“I was thinking more on the lines of a human assistant. Someone bold and fearless, but not reckless, someone who has experience, intelligence and who wouldn’t be afraid to knock some sense into my head whenever I needed it. I need someone to make sure I stay grounded-”
Paul gave me a sad look. “Honey, I’m sorry but Ironman has already hired Pepper Potts.”
I chuckled. “I don’t require her to be sexy! However … I think I will require that my assistant is a she—just for safety sakes.”
Paul inhaled deeply before he froze. I saw something light up in his eyes. “Let me make a few phone calls—”
“Honey, you are aware that it’s like five AM?”
“Oh
, right.” He stood and stretched. “Let’s catch a few Z’s.” I admired the muscular lines of his perfect torso and felt a gentle erotic tug. But I truly had work to do and that meant I had to focus.
“I want to work on getting these files in some type of order. I don’t want my new assistant thinking I’m disorganized.” I caught the brief look on his face that implied that I was disorganized before he quickly hid it.
He leaned in to kiss me. “I’ll be awake in about four hours.” And he wasn’t kidding. Paul slept in four to six hour spurts—longer only if he needed to rejuvenate after an eventful full moon.
After he went to bed I got side-tracked by my daughter who had awakened and wanted a clean diaper and her breakfast. After she was clean and fed I returned to my office and placed her in her pumpkin seat next to my desk. However, she had other ideas and was fussy until I carried her around, humming softly to her.
Now fully awake, BJ had no intention of napping even though she had a belly full of warm milk and a dry diaper. So we settled on the couch in the family room and I turned on the morning news and got caught up on current world events—instead of straightening files.
A few hours later Paul lifted the sleeping baby out of my arms. I was so engrossed in a movie on the Lifetime Movie Network that I hadn’t even heard his approach. My senses weren’t as sharp during the day, which meant that I felt as if I was fighting sleep whenever I forced myself to stay awake or to rise early.
He gave me a good morning kiss. “We’re going to have a guest so you should get dressed.”
I gave him a curious look. “A guest?” And then I looked down at myself. I was wearing lounging pajamas and a t-shirt. “What guest?”
Paul was looking quite nice in khaki slacks and a dark button-down shirt. “I set up an interview for a possible assistant.”
I straightened. “This morning?”
“She’ll be here by noon.”
The baby came awake with an angry cry and Paul whisked her away without another word while I got up to get showered and dressed. I met him in the kitchen a while later where he was preparing Julie’s bottle. She was again wide awake and sitting in her swing mesmerized by the motion of her Winnie the Pooh mobile.
