by Pace, Pepper
“So soon?” Frank gestured to Ran. “You can barely control that one.”
“Just keep in mind that we are not targeting Vampires but Rogue Werewolves.” Paul stated. “As long as you’re not in the way we don’t need to control ourselves around you.”
“But,” Frank whined. “I thought the Wolves would be like our bodyguards-?”
“That is what you’re going to tell the Council.” Paul interrupted. “The Elders need to know that The Wolf Pack was created for the purpose of protecting the Vampires in our sector. That’s all you need to know. We have an agreement to create Werewolves for the purpose of protecting the Vampires that are in your territories.”
Frank looked confused. “Isn’t that what the agreement really is?”
Paul ignored him. “You will tell Malarias about the agreement. Meanwhile, I am making arrangements to send pairs of Weres on extended vacations all over Europe, Asia and Africa.”
Tony’s brow lifted in understanding. “Don’t tell us anymore.”
Kaniji gave him a swift look. “What are you saying, Tony? I want to know what treachery this Wolf has up his sleeves!”
Paul crossed his arms patiently in front of him as if he was waiting out one of BJ’s temper tantrums.
Alexis gazed at Paul. “I think the Werewolf means to keep Malarias away from the information that he doesn’t want known.”
Cyrene scowled. “We’re going to trust him with a plan that’s supposed to protect us from the wrath of the Neratomay?!”
I looked at Paul in surprise.
He winked at me. “No lies, only temporary secrets.” He returned his attention back to the Council members. “Phase one is to allow the Elders to know of the existence of the Wolf Pack. Phase two is to send the Wolf Pack to places where they can’t be traced. Phase three is to be called upon by your Elder Council to be forced to assist them.” Paul cracked his knuckles, his face a mask of contempt. He rotated his head and I heard his neck crack. It was still the full moon and the power of it was coursing through him.
“And then I will tell them the price for our assistance.” He said in a low voice.
Monica spoke. “And what will be that price?”
“They’ll need to get rid of that fuck-tard, Malarias. He’s a spy and a traitor. They’ll need to lift all of their fucking rules on the American Councils. And then …” He looked at Alexis. “They will need to return Alexis to his rightful place as Elder of your Council.”
Alexis couldn’t hide the surprise that appeared on his face and neither could I.
“And why would you want that?” He asked.
Paul didn’t look too happy but he answered. “Because you won’t turn on my wife.” His eyes drifted over the rest of the Council. “I can’t say the same for the rest of them.” His eyes settled on Monica who straightened her back in surprise at being the target of his suspicion. “Besides, the devil you know is better than the one you don’t.”
He dismissed the Vampires when he turned to Ran. “Return to your human form. You’ve done very well.”
Ran shuddered and by slow degrees he turned into a human and then dropped to his knees, naked and exhausted.
I moved to help him but he looked up quickly and shook his head that it was still unsafe for me to approach.
Paul helped him to stand and then led him to the sofa where he collapsed.
There wasn’t much of a meeting after that. Monica glared at Paul with demonic red eyes until Alexis told her to go home. She looked like she would tell him no, but thought better of it and then disappeared.
Kaniji looked surprise that Tony didn’t go with her. But he lingered until after she, Cyrene and Frank left.
He walked towards me while I was deep in thought counting all the things I planned to discuss with Paul when we got home. For now he and Alexis were tending to Ran.
“I suppose I don’t have to tell you that Monica has a romantic fixation on you.” Tony stated.
I shook my head. “I discovered it.”
He looked embarrassed. “She used her succubus on me.” His eyes were steady on mine. “Prior to that I’d never had any romantic notions for her, you can trust me on that.”
“Oh. Well … “
“She worked her succubus on me good. I didn’t even detect it until she withdrew it and with it any interest I thought I’d had in her.”
I blinked realizing that Tony was explaining or apologizing for what had gone done between him and Monica.
“She’s very powerful.”
“More than I’d given her credit for,” he replied. He watched me closely. “Be careful Kim.”
I frowned. “Don’t worry. I’m probably the most protected female in the history of the world.”
He nodded once and then disappeared.
I turned and looked at Paul, ignoring Ran and Alex. “You’ve got to be shitting me. You want Alexis back on the Council?”
Paul shrugged. He had been trying to put on Ran’s boots but the other man wouldn’t cooperate and finally Paul just stood, allowing the boot to drop to the floor.
“Its just like the old saying about keeping your friends close—“ he began.
“—but your enemies closer,” I finished thinking about how much I detested the use of clichés when you wanted true answers. I gazed at the other man that I loved. Alexis ignored us although he surely was listening to our conversation.
Paul took my hand. “Babe, Ran and I need to get back to the compound.”
“But I wanted to talk-” I protested.
“I know that we have a lot to talk about, but this is only the second night of the full moon. I need to be there at some point during the run.” He kissed me. “I’ll come home tomorrow, is that okay?” I nodded because it would have to be. He kissed me again. “I’m sorry, honey.”
“Why doesn’t Alexis bother my Wolf?” Ran asked when Alexis had finished buttoning his shirt.
Alexis offered the answer. “Because I have already proven that I’m not interested in dominating you. I have let you guide me when it comes to living in your home and dining on your donors.”
Paul seemed to consider his words and then shrugged as if the explanation was as good as any.
Ran stood on shaky legs. “Then I would prefer not to return to the compound. I’d prefer my own home and Alexis can accompany me just like before.”
I began to really wonder if Ran enjoyed Alexis’ company … or maybe he just wanted to keep an eye on his body. If the tables were turned I’d do the same thing.
Paul looked at Alexis and then nodded his agreement, seeming to come to the determination that Alexis was fully capable of taking care of himself.
Alexis and Ran went out the door and before Paul could follow I stopped him. “Now is as good a time as ever to have that conversation.”
My husband sighed. “As long as we make it quick.”
“Fine. Are you planning to do something against the Vampires?” Because that would be a suicide mission—one that I wouldn’t allow.
He smiled. “The truth is that there is something more going on. I don’t trust the Vampires. I can’t trust that the Elders won’t go digging around in your Vampire memories searching for information that I don’t want them to know.” He gave me an apologetic look. “They can dig around as much as they want but you won’t be able to give them a damn bit of information. You and the other Council members only know as much as I want the Elders to know.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I really don’t like this, Paul.”
He placed his hands on my shoulders. “I swear to you that I’m not planning to overthrow the Vampire Nation, nor am I planning to do anything to antagonize them. I just intend to protect me and mine. That’s all.”
I crossed my arms, unhappy that his response made perfect sense.
“Malarias will ask you a question, and you’re going to answer him truthfully, understand?”
I shrugged. “What’s not to understand? I got it.”
; Malarias did ask the question during our next Council meeting. And although I had prepared myself for it, I certainly did not anticipate how fun it would be to turn the tables on him.
CHAPTER 18
“Council member Kim, how many Non-Neratomay do you have in your family?” The decrepit old man asked me.
“If you’re referring to the Werewolves, I have three.”
He smiled that I was so forthcoming with that information and that there would be no cat and mouse over it.
“Excellent. And who are they?”
I avoided looking at the other members of the Council and gained comfort in knowing that Alexis was once more standing behind me.
“There is my husband, who is the Pack Master, and then two blood donors; Jason and Tyler. They make up the leadership in The Wolf Pack.”
“I see. And are they connected to any Wolf Pack originating in Europe?”
“Paul was turned by a Wolf Pack living in Poland.”
“Are you aware of any other Werewolves?”
“Yes.”
He hesitated in surprise. “You are?”
I stared into his depthless eyes. “I am.”
“How many?”
“There are maybe close to two hundred,” and than I shrugged nonchalantly.
Malarias began to choke. He literally choked in surprise. “I am asking you about Werewolves—living Werewolves-”
“I understand your question.” I said clearly. “My husband is Alpha to a pack that is nearly two hundred Werewolf strong. They even have a name; The Wolf Pack.”
“But … how is this possible?” He whispered. It dawned on me that to have missed such important information to report back to his Council was probably a very serious error on his part. Especially in light of so many Rogue Werewolf attacks. Oh well … hate to be him.
“What do you mean, ‘how is this possible?’” I feigned ignorance.
His face darkened in anger. “How is it possible that there are nearly two hundred Werewolves living in my sector and no one knows about it?!”
“What do you mean, no one?” Tony replied looking just as innocent as I had.
Malarias glared at him. “You know of this Wolf Pack?”
“We all know of The Wolf Pack,” Monica stated.
Malarias’ eyes scanned the room and each Council member met his gaze without the slightest expression of surprise at the news of Werewolves in our sector.
“Why didn’t this information appear in any of your reports?”
Cyrene looked smug. “Master, we answered every question that you wanted an answer to. You didn’t ask us about the Werewolves.”
“You didn’t think that this was important information?!” He roared, eyes turning red.
“They don’t cause any problem.” Frank stated. “Plus they keep Rogue Werewolves away.”
Malarias began to sputter. “What?!”
“The Werewolves that are killing the European Vampires.” Kaniji stated coolly, joining in on the fun. “They aren’t killing us.”
Malarias stopped talking. He just stood frozen to the spot, his eyes wide. I felt the sweep of invisible fingers as he probed my thoughts and probably the thoughts of every individual on the Council … including the one that he had thought was Ran.
“No!” Malarias roared when he figured out that he’d been played. He glared at Ran/Alexis. “You will be put to death for your part in this!”
“I doubt that.” Alexis made a shooing motion with his hand. “Now go run and tell your Council what you know. We’ll wait.”
Malarias clutched his head as if it was going to explode. For a moment I wondered if it would. I’d never seen him so mad. But I could also tell that he was afraid. Afraid of Alexis, afraid of his Council, afraid because he’d had the tables turned on him by mere Master Vampires that were supposed to be under his control.
I decided that I would ask Alexis if Malarias was that kid in school that everyone tormented so he pulled the legs off flies …
Malarias disappeared with no fanfare, no crack of lighting and no smell of ozone. I looked up and grinned at Alexis who looked very smug and self-satisfied.
Although no one spoke there was a degree of merriment in the air. Phase one of the plan had gone very well. Leave it to Frank to bring the celebration back down to reality.
“Well I guess this is going to go very well, or we’ll all be imploded.”
~***~
I went upstairs and waited for Paul’s arrival. I heard his motorcycle five minutes before I saw it. He smiled at me, as if he had no doubt in the world that his plan would be a success.
We returned to the lower level arm in arm. It wasn’t long afterwards that the room began to fill with several Vampires; very old Vampires.
When they arrived the atmosphere seemed to change. It was as if they filled the world with too much other-worldly matter. It was as if they brought a piece of limbo over with them. I didn’t like the feeling; it was foreign and empty—much like the souls of the average Vampire.
“Alexis,” a male Elder spoke. He stared without emotion at Alexis who now stood in front of the Council table. The man looked rather young although his skin was ivory. His hair was like a black bowl crowning his skull and his blank, black eyes made him look like a Roman extraterrestrial.
“Faris,” Alexis replied.
“Will you ever learn?”
“Learn what when there is no lesson to be taught?”
Faris gave him a half smile. I decided that they were friends.
I remembered the woman that appeared to be black even though her skin was so pale that it almost looked powder blue. She was beautiful and her shimmery gown flowed to her feet, concealing a curvaceous body.
She communicated silently with Alexis who shook his head.
“Don’t ask me Mina, ask them.”
Mina turned to gaze at us but her eyes settled on Paul.
“You are Werewolf.”
Paul didn’t seem afraid at all, unlike the first time that I’d been forced to meet the Elders. Of course the Elders could rip me limb from limb with just a thought. They had no such power over a Werewolf … or so I hoped.
“I’m the Alpha of The Wolf Pack.”
“Alpha, are you responsible for the killings of those Neratomay that reside in the old world?”
“Nope.” He replied.
Mina frowned. She turned to Alexis. “I cannot tell if he lies.”
“Then ask his mate.” Alexis replied.
Another Elder looked at me. “Is she not bound to you, brother?”
Alexis took a moment to respond. “No she is not, though we do have our blood bond.”
Malarias smirked. “You risked your freedom and now your life for a silly female that doesn’t even want you.”
No he didn’t call me silly! I wanted to tell him that he had no idea what I wanted but I heard every person on my Council silently urging me not to speak. Reluctantly I did as requested.
“Council woman,” an Elder addressed me. “We would like to ask you questions about this Wolf Pack. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes.”
“Is your husband or any member of his pack responsible for the killing of any Neratomay?”
“No. And you can look into my head if you like.”
“We intend to!” Malarias snapped while moving forward.
“Touch her mind,” Alexis growled, “And I will annihilate you.”
Malarias lifted his chin. “I’m not afraid of you!” Which is the exact wrong thing to say if you truly aren’t afraid of someone.
“Malarias,” Mina spoke. “This Council is being questioned now, but you will be questioned next.”
Malarias’ lips began to tremble. “But I did nothing wrong. I have an arrangement … “ His words trailed away. He looked at Alexis who smiled slightly.
“I have ears in far places.” Alexis stated. “You underestimated me.”
There was suddenly the sensation of a million bees buzzing in my
head. I inhaled deeply and squeezed Paul’s hand. He looked at me in concern but I gave him a brave smile. It was maddening, though. It made you want to run screaming while you slapped at your head.
“Put up your wall, my love,” I heard Alexis speak.
Swiftly I visualized the white wall. Brick by brick it rapidly rose and encircled me. When it was high enough I slammed a ceiling on it and the buzzing in my head became muffled.
I had learned this technique from Paul, it was a way to separate myself from forces and sensations that threatened to overwhelm me. I frowned.
Could I control my Creature using this technique?
The buzzing finally ceased and I exhaled. No I don’t breathe. Yes I still gasp and exhale. It’s a human thing that I find hard to kick.
I returned to the world around me, wondering why I was the only recipient of the annoying bumblebee mind attack.
Malarias’ lip was trembling in rage. I wasn’t sure what they saw but apparently it was pretty damning to Malarias.
I looked at Alexis curiously. He wore a pleased smile.
“What am I missing?” I asked.
“They are questioning Malarias now. It appears that he has kept many secrets from The Council of the Elders. Kim, communicate to the others not to speak or move!”
“What-?”
“Shhh … “
I did as Alexis requested, sending out a silent message not to move or to speak. I squeezed Paul’s hand and he held mine firmly which gave me reassurance.
The air around me felt as if it was thickening once again. If I relied on oxygen to breathe I believe that I would have passed out from lack of it.
A strange black mist poured into the room only it was more than mist. It looked like dark ribbon moving about the room. Another appeared, and then another. When one moved to circle me I felt a sudden spike of fear. Power exuded from the ribbon of mist and it wavered before my face before encircling Paul. He bore it without flinching and I gained courage from his strength.
No one in the Council chamber moved while the three black ribbons darted about. They finally formed three orbs that came to rest on the Council table. The Elders began to disappear one by one until only Alexis and Malarias remained.
