The Veiled Monarch

by Shae Bryant

  Leo didn't know what the Non Humans dealt with. Vince had managed to keep that away from him for eighteen years. Eighteen years? Leo was almost a man. He was making his own decisions. Vince only wished that Leo's decisions would keep him as Human as possible. But, how could that happen if he had Vince as a Father?

  Vince walked inside an empty house, shutting the door softly. He stood in the entryway, listening to the hum of the electronics and the soft Florida breeze moving through open windows. There was nothing else. Not a sound. Leo had not come home.

  "I have to protect him for as long as possible." Vince vowed to himself.

  On the other side of the County, Leo pulled up to a small house in Miami Lakes. Last night he and Chloe exchanged numbers. When he left Isaac's place, he called her and asked if they could see each other. This wasn't the time to ask her out, but he hoped she'd understand how he felt.

  Chloe was waiting on the front porch. When Leo pulled up, she called to him, "Hey Leo. What's up?"

  "I got into a fight with Vince. I sort of ended up here." Leo plopped down on the porch next to Chloe, stretching his legs out over the side.

  She chuckled, imagining what might cause a scuffle with a Vampire parent, "What happened?"

  "I kind of told him I wanted to turn."

  Chloe raised her eyebrows, "Into a vampire? I'd think he'd be happy about that."

  "No." Leo said, "Into one of you."

  "Us?" Chloe couldn't help but laugh at Leo's response. When she noticed she hurt Leo's feelings, she covered the laughter with a forced cough. "If you want me to be honest, I say you shouldn't do it."

  "Why not?"

  "Why would you want to?"

  "I don't know!" Leo smacked his hand on the porch railing, "I just want something that's not 'hi, I'm Vince Moretti's kid.' You know?"

  Chloe took a minute to think of a response. She understood what he meant. Leo grew up the adopted son of a Vampire. Chloe grew up a Werewolf. They were from two very different groups, but Humans treated all Non Humans alike. She was sure Leo experienced the same fear and rejection that she had seen in her lifetime.

  Chloe shook her head, "No one would turn you. Not for that reason. The courts wouldn't approve it either." Chloe paused to gauge Leo's reaction. He wasn't happy with her answer, but he accepted it. "Can I give you some advice?"

  "Yeah. Sure."

  She put her hand over his, giving him a light squeeze until he made eye contact with her, "I was born like this. Turning isn't a choice I got to make. I don't mind it because it's all I ever knew, but I've seen people turn, and they regret it. If you want to turn, wait a bit and make the decision. There's no going back from it. This isn't like a tattoo you can get removed, you know?"

  "I know." Leo shut his eyes, "I don't know if this is what I really want. I just... I need to do something."

  Chloe grinned, "You want to piss your Dad off? How mad will he be if you skipped out this weekend and spent his money at Universal?"

  Leo chuckled, "I wish I was the kind of guy who stole his rich Dad's credit cards, but I'm not."

  "You know what's super important to us Werewolves?" Chloe smiled at him, "Being who you are. If you aren't the type to do that to your Dad, then that's cool with me."

  "I'd still like to go to Universal with you. If you want to go? Vince won't mind if I do some work for him to pay it back." Leo managed a smile.

  Chloe stood up, offering him a hand, "Let's do it."

  "I'll see you Friday morning then." Leo rose to leave. He needed to go home and have a long talk with his Dad.

  What transpired between the two of them remains a mystery. I'd imagine he bawled Leo out for a good while, and then they finally managed to talk about the issue. After that, all was resolved. Of course, that's what I think happened between the two of them. Vince never spoke about the conversation, except to say they came to a "gentleman's agreement."

  Two nights later, Catherine and I were on our way back to the department. We had finished some work at a store burglary. The radio told us that a concerned citizen called about a group of teenagers at Morningside Park. We both glanced at the road sign that showed us the same park was a mile away.

  I picked up the radio, "Unit four one david eight. We'll go take a look."

  Catherine giggled, "We're doing patrol now?"

  "It's probably some kids hanging out. Everyone's freaked out because it's a full moon. I don't think they trust us that the hunts have stopped."

  I turned towards the park gate and saw the problem. A few feet from my car were seven teenagers sitting on the grass and talking. One bike and two cars were sitting in the otherwise vacant parking lot. The 'delinquents' in question were on the grass in a circle, laughing and having a good time.

  "That's true." Catherine laughed when she saw the group sitting down, "Hey. I think that's Leo Moretti."

  "So it is. Like I said, just some kids hanging out."

  They all stood up when they saw me approach with a badge in my hand. Catherine and I could both tell they had done nothing wrong. They were all afraid of being in trouble for doing nothing more than talking. We tried to put their fears to rest by seeming as approachable as possible. I was grateful Catherine and I worked as plain clothes Detectives.

  "Hey Leo." Catherine kept her hands in her pockets, "We got a call about a disturbance."

  Leo looked confused, "What? We're talking."

  I waved my arms at the park's entrance sign, "The park is closed."

  "Are we in trouble?" Leo walked back to his friends, shooing all of them towards the parking lot.

  I smiled at them, shaking my head, "Nahh. Just move to the sidewalks. Then, you aren't in the park anymore. You'll be fine."

  I was preparing to radio in and make sure Dispatch knew the "delinquents" had dispersed. I caught a glance of something out of the corner of my eye, but paid it no mind. I stopped when Catherine's trembling hands gripped my wrist.

  "No one move." She spoke in a whisper.

  "Catherine what...?" That was when I saw it. Just behind Leo was a Werewolf that had fully shifted. The huge gray wolf stalked towards us, baring its teeth. I swallowed hard, slowly reaching for my gun that was loaded with silver bullets. "Leo...none of you move."

  Leo stared at us, "What?"

  We were playing a game of cat and mouse now. The Werewolf was taunting Catherine and I. The wolf gave us both a feral grin while it licked its lips. One of us had to make the first move. For now, it stayed a few feet behind Leo, crouching low to the ground and waiting for the opportunity to attack.

  Moon rise was an hour ago. This Werewolf had been hunting since then. Its fur was clean and free of blood, which meant it hadn't caught anything all night. It was ready for an attack.

  "Detective...?" Catherine whispered.

  "Move very slow and call it in." I started to raise the gun towards the Werewolf, trying to get a sight on the heart.

  Catherine lifted her radio to her mouth, whispering into it. "This is unit four one david six. We need immediate assistance to..."

  Dispatch and every unit in the area heard the scene that played out in front of us. My legs stayed frozen to the ground and my arms were stiff. I had a direct line of fire to the Werewolf. I needed to pull the trigger, but my body would not let me move a muscle.

  The moment Catherine spoke on the radio, the Werewolf reared back on its hind legs and took a leap towards Leo. He was knocked onto the ground with a loud thump. His friends screamed, running past Catherine and I to take cover behind the cars.

  Leo cried out in pain when the Werewolf's claws ripped through his clothes and skin. Fight or flight had kicked in, and Leo's body told him to battle it out. He and the Werewolf rolled on the grass, leaving a trail of blood behind them. The wolf snarled in Leo's face, pouncing on top of him and pinning his shoulders to the ground.

  "Jesus!" Catherine screamed.

  The Werewolf raised a massive paw, preparing to swipe at Leo's neck. It was going for the kill. My legs finally
willed themselves to move as did my arms. Catherine and I both ran towards the Werewolf, firing a barrage of bullets at it.

  Dispatch was shouting over the radio, "Detective Kleyman? Come in! Come in!"

  "Shoot it!" I ignored Dispatch, waving my arms at Catherine.

  Units were calling in from all over the area. Every first responder in the vicinity knew something had gone down. The shots fired over the radio, the shouts and screams. It had all been broadcast to the entire area. Sirens were already wailing in the distance. At least backup would be here fast.

  The Werewolf got up with a loud growl and limped towards the thicket nearby. Catherine fired at it, but I don't know if she hit or not. There was no way either of us could see the Werewolf well enough to subdue it. I prayed one of us got a lucky shot in.

  Leo was lying on the ground next to me. He was staring at the night sky with a glazed over look in his eyes. The only wounds I could see were bad. A huge slash on his abdomen and a few defensive wounds on his arms would need medical attention right away. The worst of it was a compound fracture on his left arm. We needed an ambulance. Fast.

  Once I found my voice, I grabbed my radio, "Illegal hunt witnessed! Suspect is loose. I need immediate assistance at Morningside Park!"

  Catherine knelt down next to Leo, "Leo, don't move. We're getting you help!"

  His friends were still crouched behind the cars. A few of them were trying to hide their sobs by covering their mouths. They were terrified. I didn't know how much of the attack they witnessed, but they were going to need some help after all of this. A couple of them were already on their phones, calling family or parents. I wanted to offer them some reassurance, but right now I had to focus.

  I picked up my phone and called Vince. After his silly dinner party, he had given both Catherine and I his private number. Catherine deleted it. I kept it, because one day I'd need it. I wished today was not the reason.

  "Come on Vince...pick up!" Voice mail. I left a message, "Vince, this is Raina... Detective Escobar. Call me back now. It's an emergency. It's Leo."

  Catherine and I both stood in defensive positions. She was in front of Leo, and I was between Leo and the parking lot. Every silver bullet in my gun had been discharged. Right now, the two of us were the only defense these teenagers had against the Werewolf. It had tasted blood, and it needed more. If backup didn't come, and we didn't move soon, it would be back.

  Catherine breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the sirens coming closer,"Leo. The ambulance is coming. We got you. Hey, can you answer something?"

  "I..." Leo started to cough when he tried to talk.

  He was in shock. His eyes were still wide open and his breathing was labored. He couldn't tell what was happening right now. I watched to see if he coughed up any blood. He hadn't. That made me feel a lot better.

  Catherine knelt down, pressing gently on Leo's shoulders. He was struggling to sit himself up. We could not let him move.

  "It's OK." Catherine kept a soothing and quiet tone, "Don't move. Just lay down. Did it bite you?"

  "Call my Dad." Leo whimpered.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Meet Jacob

  After dealing with the first responders on the scene, Leo was swiftly transported to the hospital. Catherine and I were ordered to go get checked out. After we were given the all clear, she and I ran upstairs to wait.

  The waiting room outside of the OR was deathly quiet. No one else was there but Catherine and I. The clock on the wall ticked away each second, and the muted sounds of the TV blended in with hospital staff walking back and forth. Every so often, someone in scrubs would move in or out of the double doors.

  The TV showed a scene of reporters crowded around the front of the hospital. Every one of them were hoping to get an interview with someone. A few Officers shook their heads at the sea of microphones being shoved in their faces. A young man looked at the camera with a solemn face.

  "I'm here at Mount Sinai Medical Center where another victim of an illegal hunt was brought in. The victim was identified as eighteen year old Leonardo Moretti, adopted son of Vincenzo Moretti. Two Miami-Dade Police officers witnessed the attack when they were responding to a disturbance call involving a group of teenagers. Sources say the Officers did open fire on the Werewolf."

  The reporter paused when Vince walked past the camera with a woman. "I think this is Mister Moretti right now. Mister Moretti!"

  Ten people swarmed around Vince and the woman. They had a barrage of questions that meshed together into a roar of noise. Vince and the woman both disappeared, leaving the doors to slowly wave behind them. The young man turned back to the camera.

  "Mister Moretti declined to comment. Sources say Leonardo Moretti is in surgery and the Miami-Dade Police have not given a statement yet. I'm Rex Harrison with Channel 7 news, Miami."

  I stood up when a pair of heavy footsteps came towards us. Vince barreled down the hallway with the same woman casually walking behind him. I recognized her immediately. Anika Hines. She was the Vampire who took care of my friend in school. Of course, Anika hadn't changed at all in the last twenty years. I doubt she recognized me any longer.

  "Where is he?" Vince demanded, "Where is he, Raina!?"

  "He's in surgery Vince, let's sit down." I was in Detective mode, trying to keep the victim's family calm while we waited for news.

  "I want to see my son!" Vince lumbered towards the double doors that lead to the OR.

  "He's in surgery! You can't just walk in there!" I grabbed his arm to hold him in place.

  Vince whirled around to glare at me, "The hell I can't."

  Anika spoke up "Vince. Listen to them. Calm down."

  She was exactly like I remembered. Had she been born in modern times, no one would doubt Anika had a future in the fashion industry. She had a gorgeous porcelain complexion, perfect smokey blue eyes and always wore the latest styles. Her boutiques thrived on obtaining exclusive designs from Europe and Anika was the perfect model for her wares.

  When all of that is combined with a soft voice and a disarming smile, it's no surprise Anika was able to "soothe the savage beast" with no more than a few words. When she spoke to Vince, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Moments later, he slumped against the wall; almost like a pouting child who had been scolded for bad behavior.

  She gave Catherine and I a satisfied smile, "Anika Hines."

  "We've met." I shook her hand, "When I was very young."

  "Oh. I'm afraid I don't remember you." Anika was apologetic.

  "It was twenty years ago." I gave her a sad smile, "Amber."

  Anika's face fell when I mentioned the name. It seems that her own memories of Amber were still raw, "Oh. I see."

  "Sorry we're meeting again like this." I turned to Vince, "Look Vince, Leo is going to be OK. We shot it before...well you know what happens."

  A wave of relief washed over Vince, "He's going to survive?"

  "Yes." Catherine nodded, "He is going to survive. Now, you need to understand he's hurt. But, he'll live."

  "Was he bitten?" Vince looked between the two of us, searching our eyes for the answer.

  I shook my head, "The Doctor will come talk to all of us soon. Until then, we have to wait."

  Vince's face twisted in anger. "This is Carillo's fault! I should never have trusted him!"

  "I told you it wasn't over. I knew it." Anika frowned.

  "Excuse me?" Catherine asked.

  "I'll explain when I'm calm." Vince paced in front of the waiting room "I'll rip him to shreds for this!"

  "I'll help!" Anika volunteered.

  These two were plotting a Non Human war in front of us? The Human cops? Something must have happened between them that my community didn't know about yet. Otherwise, they would be careful not to mention a word of it to anyone else.

  I tried to defuse the situation, "Let's just wait for Leo's surgery to finish first. Then you can plan ripping each other to pieces. When the Police aren't here to hear you."

>   "We'll stay if you want." Catherine offered.

  Anika smiled at us, "That is nice of you both."

  Vince sulked, "I'm going to kill them Anika. Every last one of them."

  "For now, we are all going to have some coffee and worry together." Anika quipped, "Besides, a full moon is out tonight. Most of them are at the Sanctuary. Sit here with your friends, and we'll discuss that together. In another place at another time."

  "Perhaps we should hunt at the sanctuary the next full moon." Vince said.

  Catherine sighed, "Vince. We heard that."

  "Of course you didn't." he smirked.

  All of us sat in the waiting room holding cups of terrible hospital coffee. Catherine and I attempted to drink ours. Vince and Anika were the lucky two who just held the paper cups to warm their hands. During the wait, Vince told us about the last few days and of the argument with Leo.

  Now everything made sense. His confrontation with Isaac was resolved. But, Vince blamed Isaac for the attack on Leo. He was certain that Isaac deliberately set it up to try to turn him.

  I understood why Vince felt that way. Werewolves and Vampires alike could be vindictive. If someone wronged them, they get their own sort of revenge. Most of the time, Druids were left watching those two groups fight with each other over something. Usually, we stepped in as the voices of reason to try to stop a war before it brought in the Iron Oath.

  I made a mental note to talk to Kevin and Ronan about this as soon as they were both awake. We couldn't stop this fight. Not unless the Werewolf responsible was brought to Vince.

  I tried to talk some sense into Vince by explaining how long Isaac and I had been friends. He didn't care we've known each other most of our lives. Nor did he care about Isaac's integrity or character. Vince felt like he had been wronged and Isaac Carillo was now his target.

  Isaac woke up to fifty text messages and Leo's face on the morning news. There was no way he could ignore this. The dealership remained closed through the morning while two others in his community met with him.

  Brian and Erin Neason. Yes, they are Chloe's parents. As if things couldn't be anymore convoluted.