The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three))

by Simmons, D. N.

  She had decided a month ago that she when she was ready to have a baby, she wanted the donor to be Matthew. She also wanted to surprise her two lovers with the revelation. She fantasized about their reactions for a few minutes, then something very important came to her mind. She turned to Elise.

  “I knew there was something I had wanted to tell you before I got distracted. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you this earlier. I had another dream about Rachel and Nicole; they were fed only a little today. The food was pushed through a tiny slot at the bottom of the door. They are very weak and in pain.”

  The room grew silent and everyone stared at Natasha, making her feel a little bit unsettled.

  “Man, I hate being the bearer of bad news,” Natasha said nervously.

  “No, no, do not worry. I’m glad that you told us. It’s something that we all wanted to know. I’ll call Xander and tell him,” Elise said, as she reached for the telephone on the end table, dialing Xander’s cell. She waited patiently for him to answer which he did after the third ring.

  “Hello?” he asked, his crisp British accent adding certain elegance to the word.

  Elise proceeded to tell him about Natasha’s vision.

  “I see. Thank you for informing me. We will keep in touch,” Xander said.

  “Please do,” Elise said before she ended her call.

  “I’m glad to know they’re unharmed. Looks like that vampire may keep to his word,” Natasha stated, and then she remembered something she had wanted to ask before the others flew to Montana. “Elise, what’s the difference between the Lunar and the full moon? Xander made a lot of references to the Lunar and I want to know what it is.”

  Elise’s eyebrows arched. “I’m actually surprised that you didn’t ask this of Warren.”

  “Well, just kind of dawned on me, call me slow. But can you explain it to me?”

  “I can. As you know, a full moon is present when the sun isn’t or is setting. We don’t change into our animal forms at that point, but our bodies are physically preparing for the change to come. We can feel it. The Lunar is the actual moment when the full moon is at its peak, which forces us to change forms.”

  “Ah. Okay, I get it now.” Natasha nodded. “So that means you’ll all be out frolicking in the woods tonight?”

  “I’m afraid so. But you needn’t be worried. Sebastian, Matthew, Madeleine and I will be here with you. Madeleine and I can’t change forms during our pregnancy. You’re safe here.”

  “Oh that‘s right! That makes me feel a lot better,” Natasha said, half joking, half serious.

  “Completely safe,” Elise assured. They continued to talk about a series of topics, anything that could help keep their spirits up.

  ***

  Tatiana and the others discussed the information Xander had gathered with his conversation with Elise.

  “So we were right in thinking that this band of mortals were waiting for a Lunar night to hunt our members,” Tatiana stated.

  “It would seem so, my darling. Problem is we will all be under the Lunar’s spell tonight. We will all be in full form, this will limit us somewhat. We need to go over our strategy one more time,” Xander said.

  “I agree.” Sergio wiped his eyes as he sat up straight on the sofa. He looked at the cushions and smiled. “This is one fucking comfortable sofa.”

  “No argument here,” Justin said. “What time is it?”

  Nagesa looked at his watch, “3:45pm”

  “So we’ve had about six hours of sleep.” Devin yawned. “Oh man, I would kill for another cat nap,” he said as he rose from the sofa, stretching his muscles.

  “Okay, we’ve got to get right down to business. We’re all going to be in full animal form, how are we going to synchronize our attack?” Sergio asked the others.

  “We have to take into account that Darian will have to visit his Master before we can do anything. Depending on how long that visit will take determines how much time we have before the Lunar. When we change forms, we’ll have to hunt our enemies down in groups,” Xander said. Everyone nodded.

  “Fine with me, how many members per team?” Adrian asked.

  “We’re going against twelve... well eleven people, possibly more if they have guards who are fully armed with weapons that can kill us within an instant. We’ll be on their territory and we’re unfamiliar with the area,” Warren added.

  Xander nodded. “The good news is, they’ll be in teams, separated from one another from what Darian has told us. If we get there in time we may be able to stop them before they began their hunt.”

  “Why would they do that?” Devin asked. “You’d think they’d stick together because it’ll be dangerous the other way.”

  “Because, you know as well as I know that hunting multiple prey in smaller packs is a more efficient strategy,” Sergio said before whacking Devin on the back of his head.

  “Ow, what was that for?!” Devin asked as he rubbed the tender area.

  “Wanna another one?” Sergio threatened playfully, hand poised overhead.

  “No! Geez!” Devin inched away from Sergio to the end of the sofa. Sergio chuckled as he lowered his arm. “I was just asking because hunting a starving shifter in a small group isn’t an easy feat, might even lead to their deaths.”

  “It would be what they deserved,” Sergio commented.

  “They have done this before, so who knows what kind of layout they have on their territory. We’ll need to be mindful of traps,” Xander pointed out.

  “Going back to them being in separate teams… yes, it’s an efficient strategy, and even though a starving shape-shifter is dangerous and unpredictable, they are also weakened. They won’t be at the top of their game. So as far as these ‘hunters’ are concerned, they have the upper hand,” Tatiana said.

  “Just so we’re clear and not speculating any more, we spilt up into teams and hunt them as they hunt Rachel, Gary and Nicole. If they don’t know that we are on the land, it’ll be easier to take them down with the element of surprise. Is that the plan?” Warren asked.

  Xander nodded. “That is the plan.”

  “What about the vampires, they will have the total advantage, should they hunt alone, or with one of our teams?” Warren asked.

  “I think it’ll be wise for us to have one vampire on each of our teams. We’re not hunting humans with regular weapons. We’ll have to stick together and watch each other’s backs,” Adrian said as his stomach began to rumble.

  “I’m with you on that. Plus I agree with what your stomach said, too,” Justin said with a chuckle joined by the others.

  Everyone grew quiet when Xander spoke. “Then it is decided, when they awake we will tell them what we have discussed. Let us pick our teams.” Each person looked at the other.

  “Xander and I should be the team leaders,” Sergio said.

  Everyone appeared to be considering the arrangement for a few seconds.

  “I have no problem with that,” Warren said.

  Everyone else agreed.

  “Should we have both team leaders stand side by side, then each one take a turn picking a member,” Justin suggested.

  “Naw, man, because then it always comes down to the last one to be picked and that person has to feel like the weakest member,” Devin replied shaking his head.

  “Hmph, you must have been picked last a few times,” Justin teased with a chuckle

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “All I’m saying is you sound like you’re speaking from experience.” Justin laughed.

  “I hope they pick you last.” Devin flipped him the bird playfully, which caused Justin to laugh all the harder.

  “Are you two through?” Adrian flashed Justin a look that told him enough games.

  “I’m sorry,” Justin and Devin said in perfect unison.

  Sergio looked at the both of them, shaking his head. “The two of you are just creepy right now.”

  “Well, let us continue,” Xander said, bringing
everyone’s attention back to the matter at hand. He flashed Devin and Justin a look before moving on. They remained quiet as he began to list the teams. “I will name the teams based on the abilities of each individual within my wolf Pack. Sergio you may pick which team to combine your Pride with since you are aware of their abilities.” Sergio nodded. Xander set up the initial team members from the wolf Pack.

  “Adrian and Nagesa will be on one team,” Xander said. Both Adrian and Nagesa nodded in agreement. “Warren and Justin will be on the other. Tatiana and I will team up.”

  “Devin will be on the team with Adrian and Nagesa. Miranda will be on the team with Xander and Tatiana and I will Join Warren and Justin,” Sergio said.

  “Excellent choices,” Nagesa said with a slight smile on his lips. Adrian chuckled.

  “I’m hungry,” Devin whined. “Can we eat before we go?”

  “I do not see any reason why we cannot,” Xander said.

  “I’ll buzz the attendants,” Tatiana said as she pressed the call button on the wall. A few seconds later, one of the human servants walked into the room.

  “How may I service you?” he asked.

  “If it is not too much trouble, we would like to order dinner,” Tatiana requested. “If you need help, I wouldn’t mind.”

  “Oh no ma’am, that will not be necessary. What is it that you would like to eat?” the servant asked as he waited with his pen and paper.

  “I’ll take the liberty of ordering, I think that I have a pretty good idea what is on everyone’s mind.” Tatiana gave the servant their order and looked at the others. “Does that sound satisfying?” she asked, with a sweet smile.

  “I can taste the melted butter on my potatoes already,” Warren said.

  Tatiana giggled, turning to face the servant. “That will be all. Oh! I almost forgot. For everyone, iced tea and...” she looked at Sergio, “...milk?”

  Sergio nodded with a smirk. The human servant wrote everything down on his notepad before leaving.

  “I hope this Master vampire doesn’t want us to do anything,” Devin said. He was also remembering the time when they had to fly to Russia. He didn’t want to have to give his blood to a vampire because it was demanded, nor did he want to have to have sex with one (no matter how fine the bastard was). He was quite grateful that Xavier handled that bit of nasty business on his own. He didn’t like having to do anything against his will. He suddenly wondered if a powerful vampire like Darian would have to pay Homage, or was this simply a friendly meeting.

  “I do not know. I most certainly hope not,” Xander said.

  He thought about all of the different times when he had to enter the territory of another wolf Pack and how their meetings could become volatile, sometimes ending in wars. Shape-shifters rules varied depending on the nature of the “visit”. For the most part, all one needed to do was contact the commanding shifter in that city or state and request permission to enter and to state the reason for their visit. He, himself would allow other wolves to enter his territory but under supervision. He didn’t want any trouble to arise. He would prefer to not give the human politicians any evidence to use against the supernatural species. When he first came to Illinois, Xander was aware of Darian being the Master vampire of the city and he respected him for keeping order as well. He was grateful that Darian allowed him to control and protect his own territory once he became Pack Alpha.

  Different Packs, Prides and covens had their own set of rules. However, Xander believed vampire etiquette to be a bit more self-indulgent and hedonistic than that of shape-shifters because it only served one Master and not the entire coven on most occasions.

  “Well, I just hope we get there before those assholes can do anything to Rachel...” Miranda glanced at the other shifters in the room, “...and Nicole and Gary.” She added, almost forgetting about the other two captives. She had been so preoccupied with thoughts about her own member, she had forgotten to consider the others in the room and how upset they were as well.

  “Don’t worry. We know how you feel.” Adrian said.

  They all sat down and waited for their meals to arrive and the sun to set. After what seemed like forever, four human servants entered the main area carrying heavy platters loaded with food. And as before, the shape-shifters formed a line leading up to the table. Once their plates were filled they sat down quietly and began eating. Soon the sun began to set leaving a soft fiery horizon in the sky with shades of orange, red and yellow. Nagesa watched the sun set from the small circular window of the airplane.

  Adrian sat down beside him. “Are you all right?”

  Nagesa turned towards him. “Yes. I just want to get this over with. I want those bastards to pay for what they’ve done.”

  ”Oh, don’t worry they will.” Adrian patted Nagesa on the back then rose from the sofa. The sun had partially set and the sky was now dark purple with a hint of the fading red and orange horizon.

  Nagesa closed his eyes inhaling deeply, exhaling slowly.

  “Darian is awake,” he said. Everyone knew he was correct, they too could hear movement behind the locked door.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Darian searched through his closet looking for a particular outfit for this occasion. He found a cream button-up shirt and a pair of front-pleated slacks of the same color. He dressed quickly, when Xavier finally opened his eyes, Darian had just buttoned the last button.

  “Looking the way you do, I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you,” Xavier complimented.

  Darian flashed him a charmingly seductive smile. “Thank you. We have to go, there isn’t time to waste.”

  He glanced at Tony’s resting form. “We’ll bring him with us, he will awaken soon.”

  Xavier nodded and climbed out of the bed, sliding his feet into his shoes and walking over to Darian. He circled his arms around his lover’s neck and kissed him deeply.

  “Will he want you to have sex with him?” he asked when their kiss ended.

  “He might, it is within his right, not only because it is his territory that I seek to enter, but because he is my Maker, my Master.”

  “If that should happen, do we tell Natasha?”

  Darian looked down at Xavier. “What do you think?”

  Xavier thought about the question for a few seconds. “I think she’ll understand. She won’t fault you should you decide to tell her.”

  “I’ll tell her only if she asks.”

  Xavier nodded. “What if he wants you to stay with him?” he asked suddenly, his toneserious.

  “I will refuse. What will he do upon my refusal, I wouldn’t presume to know.”

  ”What if”

  ”Shhhh, my love, I will not abandon you and he will not kill me, or any of us for that matter. Rest easy,” Darian whispered.

  Xavier remained silent for a few seconds. He thought about Darian and how happy he was sharing his life with both him and Natasha, he didn’t want to lose either. But he could also smell the fear that Darian was trying to conceal and it unnerved him.

  “You know when you were in that car, with your body set ablaze, I was so terrified for you,” Darian whispered.

  “The only thing that I could think of the moment I knew that I might die was you and Natasha and how I wished I had more time,” Xavier replied.

  “To be perfectly honest with you, I had no idea how much you truly meant to me until that moment. That one instant when I thought I had lost you forever. I never want to feel that way again,” Darian said softly.

  “My sentiments exactly,” Xavier said softly.

  “I love you,” Darian looked at him a few moments longer. He ran his thumbs gently over Xavier’s long brown eyelashes. He then traced the pattern of lines on his luscious lips before he leaned forward, kissing his lover deeply, passionately.

  They shared the moment for a few seconds, ending their kiss reluctantly.

  “No matter what happens tonight be careful,” Xavier said.

  Darian smiled. “I will.�
��

  Xavier released him and walked over to Tony’s resting form on the sofa and leaning down, lifted him from the soft cushions.

  “I’ve contacted Gary, he knows that we’re here. I’ll contact him again once we’re on the grounds,” Darian informed Xavier, who nodded. He opened the door and they walked out to the open area of the plane. “Good evening. Is everyone prepared to leave?” he asked.

  The others looked at him. Devin and Justin were practically drooling, their eyes glazing over as they gazed at Darian’s breathtaking appearance. Even Miranda couldn’t help but stare. Adrian and Warren stared as well as Darian stood in the middle of the room, hands tucked into his pockets. His clothes fit him perfectly as if they were a part of him. The impressive bulge in his crotch caught the attention of several gawking shifters. A small smile crept onto Darian’s face. He was used to being gawked at, enjoyed it even.

  “How much time do you have before you change?” Darian asked Xander.

  “Half an hour, forty minutes at the most.”

  Darian nodded. “We have a twenty minute drive ahead of us.”

  “We’ll be cutting that down by half,” Adrian stated.

  “I should be able to keep up,” Sergio said, indicating that they should drive as quickly as possible.

  “Good then,” Darian agreed.

  Devin managed to free his mind of his lust-driven thoughts, long enough to ask a simple question. “Don’t you need to feed?” he asked anxiously.

  “I will feed plenty tonight. Right now, we do not have a moment to spare.” Darian turned walking towards the exit. His human servants entered the room, bowing as they approached him. “You have all done well,” he said praising their hard work.

  “Thank you, Master,” they said.

  One of the servants opened the door for them, stepping aside as they all exited. Darian was first, followed by Xavier carrying Tony and the rest of the shape-shifters. There were two huge Sidewinder SUVs waiting for them next to the airplane. Darian opened the door, Xavier laid Tony’s resting form on the soft leather seat. Darian climbed into the driver’s seat and Xavier climbed into the passenger side. All of the shape-shifters began to fill the two SUVs. Xander, Tatiana and Warren rode in the SUV with Darian.