Midnight Bite

by Hamilton, Sharon

  Lionel observed how the rest of the body paid attention to Marcus. He was the rock. They drew strength from him. Lionel was proud to be in Marcus’ confidence and looked forward to supporting whatever his plans were. They were overdue for another session with the book, but that would have to come later.

  “We have two more members of our family who have perished at the hands of a dark coven Lord. We are not exactly sure who has done this, but it does follow a familiar pattern.”

  “My father thinks whomever this person is he’s human. He cages and lives off of the blood of our Golden virgins. I’m surprised your contacts have not revealed this, Marcus.” Alexi Vitoli was the older brother sent to represent the family of the fallen girls.

  Lionel knew it was obvious to the group that Alexi’s family was far from satisfied with the lack of previous protection measures. He gave the young Golden Lord, not older than twenty, a wide berth and made excuses due to his young age. He had only turned this past summer, and was a friend growing up, a playmate, of Phoebe’s.

  “Alexi,” Marcus continued, “my heart aches with regret and sadness. In no way could I begin to understand the pain that your family must be going through. We are so very sorry for this situation and I am pledged…” He glanced around the room his arms in a big sweeping motion, addressing all the other visitors… “We all are committed to finding out who has done this.”

  Alexi sneered back at the elder Monteleone. There were several in the group who could not hide their shocked expressions. Someone even gasped. Lionel found himself grinding his molars and clenching his fists, quickly hiding them behind his back. Although he was fully in charge of Phoebe, he still owed loyalty to Marcus, and would protect him to the end. He knew Marcus was doing all he could.

  “Again, Alexi, I am so sorry. If there was any way I could have stopped this I would.” Marcos followed this statement with a deep, graceful bow to the newly minted young Golden vampire.

  “My father and my uncle believe your family is not wholly innocent,” Alexi shot back and looked to the audience for approval but received none.

  “Is this a conversation we should have in private then my friend?” Marcus asked with caution.

  “I have nothing to say that I cannot say to the entire congregation gathered here this evening. It’s just a coincidence, that while we are preparing and coming over to America to visit that our family has been attacked.”

  “What are you saying boy?” Asked Phoebe’s father. “You surely don’t think Marcus had anything to do with this, do you?”

  The young Vitoli was wise to stay silent. Lionel noticed both Jeb and Hugh were about ready to dismember the boy, an act that would truly cause their end.

  ‘Don’t do a thing brothers.’

  Hugh shrugged his shoulders, feigning surprise. Jeb refused to look him in the eyes, but Lionel noticed he was nibbling on his lower lip. Outside the living room window he could see other security searching the perimeter of the estate, flashlights beaming in the night, disturbing the peace. The whole situation made Lionel nervous.

  “I would say it’s more likely young Vitoli that it was an opportunity,” said another gentleman Lionel didn’t recognize. “We all have left family behind. We all are vulnerable at this point. I will be returning home as soon as I can arrange it.”

  Several others in the group agreed with this comment. The consensus was that the Italian families would be returning to Tuscany very soon.

  “I understand completely. I would do the same,” said Marcus. “So, let’s sort out whatever disagreements we have between us. Let’s air them all,” he said as he nodded to the Vitoli youth. “I don’t want to prepare a plan before I hear everyone’s thoughts on the matter. This is to be something we can all easily agree to. That is my goal, at least.”

  Lionel observed one member of the family appeared to be in some sort of discomfort. His face was bright pink, and Lionel noticed that he had consumed a large amount of Marcus’ prized Brandy. Lionel stepped behind another member of the family so he could watch the man from the safety of the shadows without detection.

  Carmine Monteleone looked like he was on the verge of collapse. His eyes were bulging from his skull. He loosened his shirt, squirming as if hanging from a noose. He was also sweating profusely, and Lionel noted the top of his collar was completely drenched. Unlike many of the other members of the elder conclave, Carmine brought his wife with him. Athena was fussing over him, making the elder Monteleone further agitated. She was one of only four women in the group. Phoebe’s mother was one of the others.

  Lionel had been avoiding her all evening.

  He always considered it a breach of security to have a woman present at the important meetings but since Marcus hadn’t objected, he went along with it. Perhaps Carmine was in some form of medical distress. This was very uncommon in their Golden clan. Diseases were rare, but occasionally some affliction would befall one of the members, and they would be forced to live with it. Generally, bedrest was recommended in these cases, much the same as it was for the human population. But since it usually took an act of violence to terminate their lives, getting well wasn’t about surviving, but surviving with a quality of life they could live with. Afterall, they wouldn’t die, they’d just suffer for hundreds of years.

  But Lionel surmised this wasn’t a medical situation. He saw in the man’s eyes—even his face—the soul and the heart of a coward. He wondered if perhaps there was an element to the recent murders that troubled old Carmine. He decided to bring it up with Marcus later when they were alone.

  Marcus asked Alexi about what he knew of his sister’s kidnap and murder. The group surrounding him leaned forward in rapt attention. They stopped sipping wine or Brandy. Athena Monteleone put down her champagne flute, turned her back on her husband, and peered through the outside window.

  Alexi laced his fingers together as if he were in prayer. He took several seconds gathering his thoughts. “My two sisters were at home. Apparently, somebody came to the front door who bypassed our security detail. Or, they were not paying attention. In any event, they were caught off guard and paid for it with their lives. When my parents came home, they found the front door wide open and both of their rooms empty. But the place looked like a crime scene. There was blood all over my older sisters’ room with a large pool of it soaking into her mattress. There were sprays of blood on the hallway walls along with handprints. It appears they tried to fight off their attackers.”

  Marcus spoke up. “Attackers? You said attackers not one single attacker?”

  Alexi shook his head and then shrugged. “We really don’t know sir. From the amount of damage the house sustained it looked like a band of marauders had come through there my mother said. I wasn’t allowed to go home. I’m glad I didn’t see it. They just put me on a plane for California with my protector.”

  “We’re glad you arrived safely. You’re welcome to stay at my villa…”

  “I have already made accommodations, sir. But thank you,” Alexi answered tersely.

  “So, have they found your sisters?” Marcus asked.

  “They found parts.”

  The room gave out a collective gasp. Lionel could only imagine what the scene was like. He’d observed far too many of these situations firsthand and remembered well the night a dark coven Lord came for him and his brothers.

  “I might have been included in the carnage except for the fact that I was not yet home from a meeting.” Alexi added.

  Lionel and Jeb exchanged glances. Jeb’s thoughts were filled with a replay of screams and sounds of carnage he had suffered while being held captive in the desert.

  ‘It sounds awfully like the same person, Lionel.’

  ‘I agree.’

  When Lionel looked up, Marcus had laid a stare on him so fierce he felt he’d been tied to a stake with silver chains. He nodded slightly just to confirm what he knew Marcus had suspected.

  “Thank you, Alexi.”

  Marcus placed his hand o
ver his mouth as he paced, his forehead creased with worry. And then he stopped. When their eyes met, Lionel knew he would have to say something about Jeb’s experience, and what they knew of the creature who had stolen Jeb’s blood and kept him alive, albeit just barely.

  Lionel didn’t want to share with the crowd, because he knew some family members present didn’t approve of how closely he was aligned with the Monteleones. It was one thing to be a protector, but it was another to have married a Golden female, a virgin female, who should have been saved for another Golden lord to further her family’s dynasty. He also knew that there were many in the group who didn’t trust him, just because he was a dark coven vamp. It mattered little to somehow devoted he was to Marcus and his clan, or how much he loved Phoebe.

  “Sir, I really have no desire to speak. Perhaps you could share what you see fit?” Lionel pleaded with his employer.

  “Very well. Many of you know that Jeb here, Lionel’s brother, was held captive for some months after Jeb had traced the vile dark coven Lord, Dag, to the middle of the Sahara. This act of heroism we all thought had resulted in Jeb’s death. But we were wrong. As you know, Jeb was found by a Bedouin tribe, who was proficient in restoring creatures, dark coven creatures, back to health. They thought perhaps Jeb could help them or, perhaps he would be worth some reward, coming from my household. So, just as he was ready and well enough to transport and send a communication home, he was captured by this despicable creature we now know as Saladan. This mortal man used Jeb’s blood to obtain powers he would not normally have obtained on his own. He used Jeb as a beacon, a way to lure members of my household to his location to rescue Jeb. And it worked. Except he was not quite prepared for Lionel.”

  One of the members spoke up. “Alexi how is it that your parents thought your sisters’ murderer was human?”

  “Because, our house is literally made with a silver netting behind the walls. There is no way a dark vamp could’ve entered.”

  “So why did he wish to attract Lionel or someone from the Monteleone family? Why didn’t he just hold Jeb for ransom, that you surely would have paid, Marcus, correct?”

  “Indeed, I would.”

  Lionel felt he had to speak up finally. “No, he wasn’t interested in money. He was interested in attracting a Golden female. In particular, he was looking for Phoebe. He knew all about her. I mistakenly fell into his trap. I’m afraid I’m responsible for leading him to Tuscany.”

  The room became agitated. The crosstalk continued even though Marcus tried to calm everyone. Lionel knew to families would have a horrible time with his confession. He wished he’d been stronger and resisted his employer’s urge to tell the story. But Lionel also understood that it was important to tell the truth, so they all could plan for the coming weeks, months and years ahead. In fact, Lionel thought it was possible these family members would be battling the dark coven lords for centuries.

  Lionel shot a quick glance at Carmine Monteleone and noticed that the pink-faced elder was frozen in place. He had the suspicion that Carmine knew something about Salaman. It was time to reveal his suspicion.

  “Carmine?” Lionel’s booming voice cut through the room like a sword. He dialed his intensity back. “I think you know something about this man. You need to tell us right now. I for one deserve it because I am Phoebe’s husband.”

  He heard the gasps again and the scowls that came his way.

  “This is blasphemy! I will not listen to a dark coven Lord challenge my husband, in my family’s presence,” shrieked Athena Monteleone. “Marcus, what kind of a household are you running?”

  Before Marcus could answer Lionel stepped forward and barked in return, “I am pledged to protect Phoebe with my life until she finds her fated mate. That is all, no more, and no less.” Lionel Felt the hot blood of his anger turning his skin to metal, readying himself to take on the whole pack if he had to. His brothers drew up to fighting stance.

  “But that is only one reason,” he continued. “Your husband has valuable information about someone who puts us all in peril. I do not judge him, but I am certain he knows something he’s not telling us.”

  Members of the family parted as Lionel stepped backwards and into the shadows again.

  Athena was going to lash out at Marcus, at Lionel, or anyone else she felt could be opposed to her. But before she could begin, Marcus commanded, “Stop, woman!”

  He grabbed Carmine by the shirt collar and yanked him to the center of the floor nearly toppling him. “You will tell me now, or I will take you back to Tuscany and have you tried or judged by the Council.”

  Athena was going to interrupt again, but this time her husband stopped her. “Shut up. Marcus is correct. I have met this man Saladan.” He angled his head until he could make eye contact with Lionel. “And yes, he wants Phoebe. But I think I know something he wants even more.”

  Lionel wanted to trace to this man’s side, cover up his mouth and take him out into the woods and give him a beating. He knew what Carmine was going to say, but unfortunately, Marcus did not.

  “Go ahead man. Tell me. Perhaps there is some way I can pay him off.” Marcus had resumed his logical demeanor, his anger having subsided.

  Carmine’s sickly smile revealed further proof that the man, although he was of the mighty Golden vampire clan, was really a reptile, with the heart and soul of a creature somewhere between an alligator and a snake with fangs. He was disgusting. If it wasn’t for the danger it would create for Phoebe and the rest of the family, he would have removed Carmine from the universe right then and there. But he had to let Marcus make the mistake. He was just the man who was supposed to fix those mistakes for him.

  “He wants the Book of Spawn. He told me himself that if he could have that book Phoebe’s life, in fact all of our lives, would be spared. Don’t you accuse me of something perhaps I never did, or you’ll have to explain to this body the fact that you have the secret book, and that the world is beginning to understand and demand access. You cannot hostage your entire family just so you can keep this book for yourself.”

  He faced his wife, who was sobbing, and then added, “Before any of you judge me, I have lived with this terrible burden for several weeks now. I’m the victim here, being used, prodded and poked, riding in some cage in the middle of the desert. I have lived under and accepted the rules of this family.” He glared at his wife again. “I have begged for every penny I’ve had to spend. I have watched as my beautiful wife has dalliances with younger men, and even dark coven men, and I’ve said nothing!”

  Athena slapped him across the face. “You dog!”

  The crowd began to close in on the couple. For a second, Lionel thought perhaps both Carmine and his wife would be torn to shreds. But instead, each family member screamed their disapproval, and several threatened to take Carmine before the council.

  “I gladly yield the floor,” Carmine sputtered above the fray, obviously afraid for his life. Raising his chin to the ceiling, he proclaimed, “In fact, if anyone of you wants to negotiate with this animal, I will help put you two together. He’s done his research. He knows things.”

  Then Carmine was allowed to stand in front of Marcus, as he barked, “He knows more about that book than I do. Now, Marcus, do you want to explain that to the council in Tuscany, or should I?”

  Chapter 11

  Phoebe was anxious to find out about the meeting last night. She tried to stay awake for Lionel’s return but was having difficulty shifting back-and-forth between daytime and nighttime routines, wanting to spend quality time with Anne and Marcus, while keeping up with Lionel and his routine of sleeping by day and living at night.

  She slipped out of the room and scampered downstairs finding Cara and Lucius sitting in the kitchen. Lucius was eating cold cereal, one of those colorful fruity kinds with a pour over of his favorite, chocolate milk. Cara noticed the smirk on her face and shrugged.

  “I can’t do anything about it. He likes his sugar, chocolate, sugary cereal, energy
bars. I hope he doesn’t decide not to take the turning when he reaches puberty, if his teeth will last that long.”

  Phoebe giggled. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.”

  “If he had to have a filling, would that be something that he’d have the rest of his life, I mean for centuries then?”

  “Yes, and he’d probably have to have that filling replaced hundreds of times, although, I think in the next hundred years they might perfect a way that he could re-grow it. But that’s just a guess.”

  “New teeth for a vampire?”

  “Oh yes. As you know I was not raised that way. I was raised as a human and turned as an adult.”

  “Yes, I knew that.”

  “But Paolo has told me of someone who had such a disfigurement in his youth, knocking out half his teeth. It was a problem for him since one of those teeth was his upper canine.” Cara shook her head from side to side. “And before you go asking, yes, we have a great dentist.”

  The ladies shared a laugh.

  Lucius got up, deposited his bowl in the sink and rinsed it. “I’m going upstairs to do some homework. Don’t forget, I have a game later this afternoon,” he reminded his stepmom.

  Cara nodded. “Absolutely, Lucius. We’ll both be there.”

  As Lucas’ footsteps shook the staircase, Cara returned to her laptop, which had been left open on the counter. Phoebe helped herself to some coffee. She watched Cara mumble and frown at her screen, click several keys, hit a final return, and then close the laptop lid down with a slap.

  “I’m trying to set up a vacation. We’d like to go to Europe this summer, but, with all of this other stuff going on, Paolo doesn’t think it safe. So, I’m trying to find an Airbnb someplace pretty that we could stay for a month.”

  This was a complete surprise for Phoebe. “Where are you thinking of going?”

  “The south of France, or somewhere overlooking the Mediterranean. I like Capri or at least the pictures I’ve seen of it. Paolo thinks it’s too close to Tuscany.”