by Sophia North
"And Reginald Reilly is a rat. Honestly Pen, what is really bothering you? You've barely said a word since arriving."
Penny hated it when Simone went all psychoanalyst on her.
"I'm simply enjoying the fire. Reminds me of home."
Simone eyed her suspiciously. "I worry when you become nostalgic. It usually portends major change in your life."
Change. Yes, Penny had been going through a lot of that lately.
"Is it Vlad?" she asked softly.
Penny's cheeks flamed. And there is it was, Simone's deadly accuracy.
Vlad's behaviour had been driving her crazy, but it wasn't the reason for her over-the-top reaction to selling the paintings. Her strange encounter with Reginald Reilly hid an uncomfortable truth. And one she wasn't ready to let Simone delve into...yet.
"He is impossible!" she burst out, happy to divert the conversation away from her feelings about selling her work. "One minute I think he...cares for me. The next, he's off to Spain without a word for days. I know he wants to take things slowly but I'm starting to wonder if I am nothing more than a quirky friend with absolutely no benefits. If you get my meaning."
Simone did. Vlad and Penny's budding relationship had been a hot topic of conversation for the two friends. Mainly because Penny had yet to understand what changed his mind about her. After their passionate kiss at New Year's she'd given up any hope of a relationship between them.
That was until from out of the blue, he showed up at opening night for one her art exhibits. His presence at the event caused quite the stir amongst the female population. The devil knew exactly how appealing he could be to the opposite sex and made sure to charm the throngs who'd surrounded him.
Penny, being Penny, did not see the funny side of it. Halfway through the show, she managed to get him alone and tore a strip off his thick arrogant hide.
His reply to her outrage? He'd kissed her soundly and chastised her for being jealous. From that moment onwards, their relationship seemed to be back on.
"If it's any consolation, Dante is no better," Simone remarked, trying to hide how it hurt her but failing. "He took off again with Darius and I have no idea where he is or when he will be back."
Penny instantly regretted her childishness over her lack of progress in the bedroom with Vlad. The cracks in Simone's marriage were starting to show and Penny felt out of her depths. She wasn't the one in the room with a PhD in Psychology.
"We make quite the pair, don't we?" Penny sighed. "Me, pining for a vamp with serious commitment issues. And you, married to one I have no hope in hell of taking out with one of my famous right hooks. Let's face it, we're screwed."
They both broke out into riotous laughter.
"Why the hell are we drinking tea?" Penny gasped in between bursts of hilarity.
"Shall I fetch you a glass of Chianti, Mistress Penny?" Alfred offered stoically, transforming at her side.
"Dammit, Alfred!” Penny screeched. “You know I hate it when you do that."
Alfred stood perfectly still, completely unperturbed by her reaction. "Yes, Mistress. You are rather vocal on the matter. However, I've been commanded to see to your every need for the next few weeks and so I shall."
Penny eyed him suspiciously. "Commanded?"
"Oh my yes, I'd quite forgotten. Alfred lost the bet," Simone answered in his stead.
"Bet?" Penny asked leadingly.
Alfred answered this time. "I'd rather not discuss it."
The need to know more was too tantalising to resist. It was rare to get any sort of a reaction from the manservant. Ravenshifters were renowned for their grave dispositions. This one more than most. The wager had to be a good one to ruffle his feathers.
"Come on, Alfred. Fess up," Penny teased. "If you are commanded to serve all my needs...then I need you to tell me about the wager."
Alfred shifted uncomfortably. He really didn't want to, but if the Dragon insisted. "Master Vlad is a trickster, Mistress. Perhaps it would be best if you asked him the question. I shall fetch your wine and hear no more about it."
The man vanished from the room before another word could be said. Penny shook her head in amazement. "He truly is a peculiar fellow. Do I even want to know?" she asked Simone.
Simone smiled sweetly. "Honestly, the three of them can be such children at times. You may not wish to know the depths of their depravity."
Penny knew exactly to whom Simone was referring. Dante, Vlad and Darius could be quite the handful. Poor Alfred, it couldn't be easy dealing with that trio.
Within moments, Alfred returned. Setting two crystal glasses down in front of the women, he poured Penny a glass of red wine and Simone one of thick blood. He turned to Simone and said, "You must drink. It has been two days since you last fed, my lady."
Penny looked at her friend sharply. "You've not been feeding?"
Simone waved their concerns away. "I am fine, really." Taking a large sip from her goblet, she sat the glass back down on the table. "See, feeding."
It was hard not to miss the militant tone, so Penny and Alfred said nothing more about it.
"Alfred, Penny and I need to speak privately."
The servant bowed. "Of course, my lady. If you require anything further, simply ring." Transforming back into his Raven form, he flew from the room.
Penny was intrigued. Simone rarely spoke so pointedly to Alfred. Whatever she had to say must be serious.
"I have news about your tests," Simone informed her.
Penny’s heart started pounding. Human Simone had been a highly trained medical professional before becoming a vampyre and since ascending she'd devoted her abilities to assist her father, Horatio, with his genetic studies of the supernatural.
Penny squirmed in her seat. "Go on, hit me."
"You are 99% vamp gene-free."
"Thank the goddess! You have no idea how much this means to me."
Simone laughed, the tension on her face easing. "No idea? I beg to differ. We've been devising ways to avoid you getting pregnant for years. Quite a feat, I must add, given your highly sexual nature."
"Who knew one can both love and hate penises?" Penny joked. "It's why I've always preferred casual relationships. After a few weeks, a man always starts to express discontent over my extremely firm rules of engagement."
"And as your best friend I have been eternally grateful. Do you remember Jeremy? You dated him for two months and when you broke it off, he tried coming to me for counselling. I dodged his calls for months before he finally got the message."
Jeremy Myers. Her last attempt at having a long-term boyfriend. It had been three years since then. He'd even proposed marriage as a way to get Penny to abandon her fully protected ways. But Penny was adamant. There would be no babies in her future. The memory of her mother's suicide still haunted her.
"So you feel Vlad is the one?" Simone asked.
"He's perfect in every way. Sexy as hell and able to provide natural birth control. The question is: will he want me?" Penny confessed.
"You worry the recent lifting of the ban on Mating will lead him to stray?"
It was a sensitive subject for both of them, as neither were now able to bear vampyre children. But for Simone it was bitter-sweet. She would have been able to have Dante's children if she’d remained human, but as a vamp it could now never be.
"Partly, I guess. But with the confirmation I am pure human, there is a possibility my mortality may become the real obstacle between us. Although I am hoping my news will have the opposite effect and he will finally take me to bed."
"If you'd asked me three months ago to give an opinion on Vlad's sexual prowess, I would have definitely placed him in the 'highly active' spectrum. He is very good at hiding the truth," Simone said.
"You mustn't ever let him suspect you know the truth," Penny pleaded. Vlad was funny about his private life. He refused to speak about his past, a trait she appreciated given hers was off limits too. But feelings? Goodness, don't ask him about his feelings
. He'd told her he stopped experiencing emotion centuries ago.
Simone leaned over and grasped her friend's hand. "Of course I wouldn't. When we speak, it is as best friends. I would no sooner betray your confidences than you would mine. We girls need to stick together."
Penny smiled. "Too right, my friend. Now let's talk lingerie options. I have a feeling Vlad might get lucky tonight and snare himself a Greco-Gaelic goddess."
Chapter Three
VLAD GLANCED AT THE mantle clock at the far end of room. Damn, it was nearly half past ten. He was late for his night with Penny. Slyly pulling his mobile out, he typed her a lightning fast text message. Apologies, my sweet. Still in Chambers and running late. Will come to you when done.
"Elder Barath, are we keeping you from more urgent matters?" boomed Elder Walpole from across the table. "I am surprised you do not deem our domestic issues relevant to your portfolio."
Edward Walpole was a first class asshole. Why Alessio had appointed him to the council mystified Vlad. He understood the need for a balance of opinions around the table. But there were more agreeable vamps to represent the Traditionalist point-of-view than Edward Fucking Walpole.
"Perhaps if you were better at getting to the fucking point, my attention would not wane. You've spent the last half-hour prattling on about reassigning quarters to newly initiated Lowerton members. Like I give a fuck about their petty complaints," Vlad barked out aggressively.
Having just arrived back from his latest diplomatic mission to Spain, Vlad had reached his limit with massaging the egos of pompous vamps. Being appointed Foreign Secretary during such a time of upheaval took an inordinate amount of skill and diplomacy.
Last year's Haan Rebellion had left an indelible mark on Lowerton's ability to rule the Vamp Empire. The previous Council of Elders failure to recognise the growing discontent in the vamp community had allowed the threat of Haan's prophecy to go unchecked. Those in power had become too complacent, preferring to believe the prophecy nothing more than a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. How wrong they had been.
A secret Brotherhood loyal to Haan had infiltrated all levels of Lowerton. For centuries, they worked in the shadows to bring about their Master's resurrection, and would have succeeded if not for Dante and Vlad.
Feeling his mobile vibrating in his pocket, Vlad prayed it was Penny and that she wasn't too pissed at him. They'd not seen one another in nearly two weeks and Vlad was surprised to find he'd been missing her more every time they parted.
"He does have a point, Ed," Alessio commented. "Do you have any updates concerning the roll out on Mating education? Thus far, there hasn't been a registered UK pregnancy."
Edward Walpole stiffened, displeased by the reprimand, however slight it may have been. "I'd say your query is better directed at the Health Secretary, Al."
All eyes shifted to Louis Villiers, the vamp in question. Louis had been appointed to the Council as part of Alessio's attempt to modernise. Originally from a French colony of vamps, his acceptance of the post had represented a major breakthrough in foreign relations. No Lowerton outsider had ever been granted a seat at the high table before. The hope was, other rebellious colonies, would see the gesture for what it was - an olive branch.
"It's not an exact science, at least it won't be until we come to a decision about genetic testing," Villiers replied, stroking his pointed beard. The French were obsessed with looking the part. "Are we prepared to have the discussion yet?"
The subject of genetic testing was a sensitive one. The last time vampyres delved into such matters, it resulted in a period known as The Terrors. And no one wanted that experience repeated.
"The matter requires the presence of all Elders and Darius is due back tomorrow," Alessio replied. "We will meet Friday to discuss whether or not Horatio and Simone should resume their research. If there is nothing else, I say we call it a night."
As the group of Elders shuffled from the chamber, Vlad fished his mobile out and checked his texts. Penny had replied. Her message was light and flirtatious. She'd texted she had a special 'surprise' for him and to enter her studio whenever his meeting finished, she'd wait up.
The thought of what Penny's surprise might be made Vlad's cock twitch in excitement. His Greco-Gaelic goddess tempted him like no other. Her mere scent made him hard with desire and he feared what this reaction could mean. From what little Dante could explain about finding one's Mate, having found his in Simone, a vamp experienced an uncontrollable pull towards his intended.
Vlad could relate. Penny ticked every box of Mate material by his estimation. And it scared the shit out of him.
Calming his racing heart, he slipped his mobile back into the front pocket of his black leather trousers. Jesus, he was half erect already. If he had any hope of resisting Penny's charms tonight, a long, cold shower was required. Well a metaphorically cold shower that is, being a vampyre meant he didn't feel the cold. But fuck it, they still worked.
Why he continued to torture himself like this, he'd never know. He'd tried to stay away from her, be aloof. Uninterested. But, time and again he was drawn back until he finally gave up and embraced how he felt.
"Vlad, could you spare me a minute?" Alessio asked, gesturing to the chair beside him. "I need to speak about my son and would be grateful for your perspective."
It wasn't a cold shower, but surely a conversation about Dante with his father would put Vlad's rampant libido in check. Joining Alessio, he stretched his long legs under the large oak table. Coffin travel had always been uncomfortable for a vampyre as tall as he was, no matter how luxurious they made them.
"What's Dante done now, Grand Elder?" he joked, aware how easily his friend could annoy his patriarch.
Alessio poured them both a generous scotch before settling back in his chair. "When was the last time you spoke to Darius?" he questioned, meticulously swirling the libation in its crystal tumbler with his wrist. Darius Winters, close mate to both Dante and Vlad, had also been appointed to the new council of Elders as Secretary of Defence. Most, however, referred to him by his colloquial title - the Lord of War, which must be said had a much better ring to it.
Puzzled by the strange opening gambit for a discussion about his son, Vlad sipped his drink. "We exchanged emails a few days ago. He's been regaling me about the many Yankeeland delights he's enjoyed since being deployed there. Poor bastard, I'm worried their inferior blood stocks are affecting his mind. Sent me a photo of Lady Liberty like he was a fucking tourist. What does Darius have to do with your worries about Dante?"
Alessio sighed. "Plenty," he said bluntly. "I’ve reason to suspect he and Dante have hatched an insane plan to prove Haan is still a threat."
This was news to Vlad. The last time he checked in with his friends properly, neither had much to say about Haan. But then again, the last time they'd seen one another was almost a month ago.
"Darius, Mr. I-don't-give-a-fuck Winters, is in cahoots with Dante?" Vlad returned sarcastically. "Alessio, if I were you I'd get better whisperers to keep you informed about what's going on. I can assure you all my birds have been silent on the subject and if they know nothing, then there's nothing to know."
"My whisperer, as you so aptly term it, is Simone."
This little titbit added a totally new dimension to the conversation. Simone's concerns were not something he took lightly. "You'd better bring me up to speed," he muttered, as the pleasant prospect of spending the night cuddling with Penny quickly receded.
Alessio rubbed his eyes wearily. His growing concern about Dante's antics kept him from resting properly. That and having the weight of the Empire on his shoulders. Being Grand Elder during such turbulent times took strength of character, and while he was up to the task, there will still moments of doubt.
"I don't believe Darius went to the States as intended. And have reason to believe he and Dante have gone off in search of Wilhalf. My son is convinced only he holds the answers about Haan."
Vlad mulled the information. It was no gre
at surprise to hear of Dante's alliance with Darius. The two had their own unique bond since the Werewolf Wars.
Intrigued to figure out what Darius's motivation for getting involved might be, Vlad asked: "Do you know where they've gone?"
"Broadstone Heath."
"Fuck," he cursed. "Of course, they would have to go into Lang territory. Tensions aren't strained enough already? Werewolves are not best pleased about competing with vampyres for human women since we lifted the ban. Bastards are under the delusion they should get the pick of the crop over our needs."
Vamp research into breeding had revealed only human females were capable of breeding supernatural creatures. This made those women with the right genes a highly valued commodity. But identifying them was proving to be more problematic than first anticipated.
Male vamps were out of practice at finding Mates thanks to the breeding ban and many had undertaken binding rituals in order to quell their urges. The Alchemists in Lowerton were trying to find ways to undo the magic but had yet to make any progress. Hence, the upcoming council discussion on Horatio and Simone's genetics research.
Alessio winced slightly at Vlad's colourful language. He did not like the modern way of littering sentences with expletives. "So you see my dilemma. If Marcus Lang finds either Dante or Darius on his land our tenuous peace with the werewolves could be over."
Vlad leaned back in his chair. "And let's not downplay the potential problems should other vamps catch wind of Dante's belief in Haan still being a threat," he added. "We've spent months, and have lost many vamps, trying to quell the global dissent. The whole fucking reason for sending Darius to Yankeeland was to rebuild relations and upgrade our technological capabilities. I hate to say it but their fucking Silicon Valley geeks are advancing on us. Sweet Jesus, the thought of them overtaking us sends shivers down my spine."
Of all the vamp colonies, the Americans posed the most serious threat to Lowerton's power. The Empire could easily shift across the pond, it had moved before, and if it did, there was nothing the Council of Elders could do about it. The Yanks would become the global powerbrokers. A truly sobering thought given their human counterparts current world domination.
