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

by Simmons, D. N.

  “When did these get here?” Warren asked.

  “I had my servants make arrangements before our arrival,” Darian responded.

  “We have devised a strategic plan of attack for tonight,” Xander said, he began to tell Darian the plan that was decided upon earlier. “All things considered, I think that you will agree it’s the most practical.”

  Darian smiled. “That is extremely practical. I’ll join the team with Warren.” A mischievous grin appeared on his face as he glanced at the younger wolf in the rear view mirror. “Just like old times,” he teased.

  Bastard, Warren thought playfully as he rolled his eyes and looked away, hiding his grin. He thought back on that second night he had come to Darian for help, how it ended. How Darian made him feel. The pleasure he experienced. He also remembered how Darian manipulated the situation, he knew then why he was the Master vampire of Chicago. The man had a way of getting exactly what he wanted.

  “I’ll team with you,” Xavier said to Xander, who nodded.

  “Tony will join the team with Sergio,” Darian added as he drove the car through the woods.

  “Darian, I would like to thank you for everything that you have done,” Xander said graciously.

  “Don’t mention it.” Darian smiled. “I’m only doing what must be done.”

  “So, do we wait inside the trucks?” Xavier asked.

  Darian nodded. “If he requests your presence, then I will come to get you.”

  He pulled the car in front of a humongous four story mansion. The manicured lawn surrounded the entire estate with beautiful red, purple and yellow flowers and intricately cut bushes. A large fountain adorned the lawn, centered in the middle parallel to the main entrance. Numerous planters paved the walkway, leading up to the front doors. All of them admired the landscaping and design of the mansion itself. Darian climbed out of the SUV, just as Sergio pulled the second truck behind his.

  Sergio rolled down the window, sticking his head out. “Don’t take long, I can feel the effects,” he warned.

  “I won’t,” Darian responded, then he turned heading toward the front door.

  Tony’s eyes shot open and he looked around the SUV in his confusion trying to figure out where he was. He calmed down once he realized that he was in good company.

  “Where are we?” he asked.

  “You’re finally awake. We’re at the Master vampire’s mansion. Darian has just gone inside but we’re all waiting out here,” Xavier informed him.

  Tony turned to look at the huge mansion. “Whoa, this mansion is huge!” he exclaimed. “I thought Darian’s was big. I guess it’s safe to say Darian’s Master is extremely rich.”

  “That he is,” Xander said as they waited for Darian’s return. Xander hoped that it wouldn’t be for too much longer, they had only twenty-five minutes before the Lunar.

  ***

  Darian walked through the luxurious mansion, admiring all of the priceless artwork and exquisite classic hand-crafted furniture. The muscular, six-foot-four, African-American human servant who answered the door led Darian to where their Master waited. They reached a set of double doors, which the servant opened, stepping to the side so that Darian could pass. Once Darian entered the room, the human servant closed the door, leaving them. Darian looked at his Master sitting in a throne-like chair with one leg crossed over the other, elbows resting on the armrest, fingertips touching, forming a triangle. He was dressed in a cream-colored shirt that was left unbuttoned exposing his muscular torso and matching cream-colored slacks. When he looked at Darian’s ensemble, he smiled noticing that his child wore his favorite color. His shoulder length braids framed his remarkably handsome face. His light golden-brown eyes scanned over Darian lustfully.

  “I have waited centuries for this moment,” he said, the seductive sound of his Egyptian-accented voice filled the room and sent tingles down Darian’s spine.

  “I am here,” Darian said. He felt a strong attraction for his Master. They had been lovers many centuries ago and, with this reunion, the memory of their relationship struck a chord of mutual desire.

  “So you are.” Kysen smiled as he caught the scent of Darian’s primal lust. “Where are your companions?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.

  “They’re in the trucks outside waiting for me to return. We don’t have much time Kysen”

  “I want to see for myself these people who have so captured your heart,” Kysen said menacingly, cutting Darian off.

  “Do not bring harm to them,” Darian warned.

  Kysen chuckled deeply. “And what will you do to prevent me if I choose to harm them? Threatened to refuse to see me for another eight-hundred years?” His laughter was harsh.

  “I would rather not think on the extent of my revenge.”

  “That’s if I allow you to take it.” Kysen chuckled lightly.

  “Why can we not let this reunion be a peaceful one?” Darian looked at Kysen, inching a step closer.

  Kysen’s gaze hardened.

  “I will meet these people!” he hissed.

  Without waiting for Darian’s response, he sent a mental message to his human servant to bring in the others.

  The servant left immediately, walking toward the two trucks, fetching the remaining supernaturals and leading them into the mansion.

  Kysen watched through the eyes of his human servant, he smiled. “They are on their way.”

  “What is it that you want from me, Kysen?” Darian asked.

  “I want you to feel the way I felt when you left me.” Kysen leaned forward.

  “Do you plan on killing them?” Darian asked. “Remember, you granted us permission to enter.”

  “I did.”

  “Then leave them out of this, they have nothing to do with what happened between you and I.”

  “Tell me, my young one, do you know the meaning of loneliness?”

  Darian shook his head. “I do not, but the manner in which I left you was of your own making. You refused to let us part on friendly terms. You, who taught me how to survive on my own, refused to let me go.”

  “We were lovers! I gave you everything. I would have given you anything! You betrayed me!”

  “I wanted my freedom! I wanted to breathe!” Darian said passionately. “You were smothering me, why do you refuse to believe that?”

  The door opened behind him, he turned to see the others walking in, led by the same human servant who let him in. The human servant bowed to Kysen, and left the room closing the door behind him. The others looked at Darian’s Master; they wore their emotions on their faces like huge neon signs. Even Xander, who was normally calm and collected, was in awe and it showed. They were speechless as they stared at Kysen’s almond shaped eyes. They looked at his perfectly chiseled features, his high cheekbones, his luscious full lips. Their eyes panned over his beautiful dark-chocolate complexion and his strong muscular physique.

  “Damn,” Justin whispered.

  He immediately felt desire for the ancient vampire. He looked around at the others and he knew that he wasn’t alone in his overall fascination. Even Xander, Nagesa and Sergio, who he knew to be straight men, seemed to be taken by Kysen’s presence. Although, he expected that their amazement had nothing to do with lust and more to do with the powerful aura emanating from the man.

  Kysen looked at everyone.

  “Why are you here?” he asked.

  It was an open question; he wanted to see if they respected Darian enough to let him answer. He believed vampires were the top of the chain and he wanted to know if these shape-shifters knew their place in that chain.

  “We are here because there are members of our groups in trouble. A band of humans who hunt our kind for sport have taken them and we need to stop them before it’s too late,” Darian said. “This is happening in your territory, less than two miles away.”

  Kysen smiled. “I know of them.”

  “Why do you allow it?” Darian asked

  Kysen noted that the others r
emained silent. He read their minds, even Xander’s, who was a powerful shape-shifter. Xander’s mind was locked to less powerful vampires. However, it was an open book to Kysen, whose own abilities could not be measured in any way. He knew that each one standing in front of him respected Darian and the power that he possessed. He also knew the measure of love and admiration Tony and Xavier had for Darian and that alone impressed him.

  “Kysen?” Darian asked, hoping to get an answer to his question.

  “So this is who you have taken into your life. These beings have brought you happiness?” Kysen asked Darian, evading his question.

  “I have two lovers whom I treasure. I have formed friendships that I didn’t think would matter to me. And I’m forming alliances even now which may turn into friendships. Something that I didn’t think would have ever happened. I’m learning to view life with a different perspective and it’s challenging at times, but overall…Yes, Kysen, I am happy,” Darian said. “Want to answer my question?”

  Kysen chuckled. “Persistent as ever. Very well then… because I do not care. If these supernaturals weren’t strong enough to protect themselves from mere humans no less, why should I bother? Besides, I believe it is up to their Masters or Queens and Alphas to take the next step, not me.”

  Kysen rose from his chair, and with a gracefulness that amazed them all, walked towards Darian. His hard glare softened as he approached him. He looked into Darian’s stunning forest-green eyes for a few seconds, reading his mind. At last he nodded.

  “What you say is true,” he smiled. “You really have found contentment.”

  “Yes,” Darian responded softly.

  “Follow me.” Kyen walked towards the door, he stopped, but didn’t turn around. “You needn’t worry for your companions. However, I wish to speak with you alone.”

  Darian followed as Kysen led him upstairs to his bedroom. Once they were inside, Kysen telepathically closed the doors behind them then turned taking Darian into his arms. He pressed his lips to his fervently. Darian kissed him back willingly. A few seconds, passed before Kysen reluctantly pulled away.

  “I have missed you. You cannot phathom the depth of my loneliness. Come back to me,” his words were filled with more passion than even he had anticipated.

  “I can’t. Kysen, don’t you understand. I have two beings that I love with all that I am, I know this now. Is this not what you have always wanted for me, to find love? Is this not what you have spoken of?”

  “But you are my love. My Chosen One… Does your heart not ache for me? Do you not love me, still?” Kysen began to kiss Darian tenderly on his cheek, then his neck.

  Darian’s breathing had increased, his desire rising to a feverish peak. He had forgotten what his Maker’s touch could do to him. His lips on his flesh and his powerful hands caressing his body almost sent him over the edge and he struggled to maintain control. “You know that I do. But I can’t come back to youwill not, not now. Not like this.”

  Kysen halted his seduction. He pulled away to look into Darian’s eyes.

  “My love …” he began, but remembered that time was short, so he held back his words. He looked at his watch then back at Darian, with a sigh, he prepared to let him go. “I will not force you to come back to me. I will not force you to do anything that you do not wish to do... I love you too much. Although it pains me, I will let go of that part of me that wants to cling to you.”

  “Kysen...” Darian began, but trailed off. He knew what Kysen was doing, and he loved him all the more for it.

  Kysen held up his hand. “For eight-hundred years, I have waited for this moment when we would meet again. I had plans to make you suffer for my melancholy.” He sighed again as his eyes lingered on Darian. “One look at you and I cannot even hold on to the simplest of convictions.” He laughed softly.

  “I didn’t make it easy for you; I wore your favorite color.” Darian smiled.

  “I had noticed.” Kysen caressed Darian’s cheek. “You were different from my other children, my other fledglings. I don’t have very many, but you were the one who made me feel alive. You quickened me and I began to believe that you were the sole reason for my happiness. You were also very stubborn.” He chuckled. “I didn’t want to let you go, I had forgotten how to seek happiness on my own. I had become dependent upon you, which pushed you away from me.”

  “Kysen”

  “I knew the reason why you left me. You were right to do so, but even knowing the reason didn’t stop the pain I felt when you left. That knowledge didn’t fill the void left by your departure.” Kysen lowered his hand.

  “Kysen, I love you still. You have given me the greatest gift I have ever received. I was happy when we were together. You taught me how to survive, it was you who taught me to make others out of the love I feel for them. It is because of you and the lessons that you taught me that I have survived when so many of our kind parish, even of their own volition.”

  “It’s pleasing to know that you took to my lessons. I suppose I needed this closure. Even though I could have come to you at any time, I wanted you to make the first move.”

  Darian chuckled as he sat on the edge of Kysen’s bed looking up at him lovingly.

  “I know that you must go,” Kysen continued. “But I would be grateful if you returned tonight, simply to talk. There is one thing that I request of you, but only if you want to.”

  He caressed Darian’s face gently, running his fingertips along his strong jaw line. He gazed into Darian’s eyes with love and a sensuous smile appeared on his face.

  “I will return,” Darian said knowing what Kysen’s unspoken request was.

  He rose from the bed and walked out of the room, heading downstairs towards the den. Before opening the door, he smiled to himself as he eavesdropped on the gossip inside. It was quite apparent that Kysen had awaked many desires within his companions. Some thought he was unbearably sexy while others simply wanted to pick his brain for knowledge no doubt acquired during his many millennia of existence.

  “We leave,” Darian said upon entering the den.

  Everyone rose from the chairs and sofas and followed him to the trucks. Once they began driving on the road, Xavier turned to him.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked, concerned.

  Darian smiled. “Yes. We have an understanding.” He chuckled. “It took eight-hundred years, but we finally have an understanding.”

  Xavier smiled, feeling relief. He was satisfied knowing that Darian and his Master had reconciled. When he was in Kysen’s presence he had sensed the ancient vampire’s love and desire for Darian. He felt it was the same love that he shared with Darian. That amount of love was hard to walk away from. He imagined Kysen’s loneliness, and he never wanted to experience anything like it. He was fascinated by Kysen and there were many things about him that he found admirable. He also sensed that Kysen was as arrogant as Darian, if not more. Xavier smiled to himself because he now knew where Darian had developed a lot of his personality. Of course, the same could be said of him and the life he’d shared with Darian.

  Darian drove to Richard Parker’s mansion as fast as he could, on the way, Xander, Warren and Tatiana began to feel the effects of the Lunar. He parked the truck twenty yards from the mansion’s entrance. Sergio pulled the other truck behind the first. They all emerged quickly from the vehicles.

  “Shit! I didn’t think I was going to make it!” Sergio declared as he began to undress.

  All of the shape-shifters stripped out of their clothing tossing their garments back into the SUVs. Darian, Tony and Xavier watched them, silently admiring their well-toned bodies. They stood naked and waited for the Lunar to completely take effect. They didn’t want to be caught changing in the midst of tracking down their enemies. Such interference could get them killed.

  As the vampires watched over them, Justin and Devin doubled over first. They fought to keep quiet as the muscles under their skin began to pulsate and throb. Soon, the others also began t
o change, Xander being the last to go under the effects. Darian watched, fascinated, as they transformed. Tony felt sorry for the obvious pain they were being forced to endure during their change. Xavier had a mixture of both fascination and pity. Once it was finished, the shape-shifters shook themselves regaining control over their bodies.

  Xander walked over to Darian, who squatted beside him. He ran his fingertips through the Alpha’s soft, thick silver fur.

  “Exquisite,” he whispered.

  The shape-shifters began to gather into teams.

  “They are beautiful,” Xavier agreed.

  “I want one,” Tony commented admirably as he rubbed Devin ear. He adored Devin’s soft white fur.

  Justin walked over to a tree and lifted his leg to mark territory. Xander let loose a low menacing growl and Justin lowered his leg, crouching low as he passed by his Alpha to join his team.

  Darian chuckled silently at their interaction. “All right, let’s go.”

  Xavier, Xander, Tatiana, and Miranda walked towards the mansion, preparing to attack from the east side. Devin, Tony, Adrian, and Nagesa headed off towards the west side of the mansion. Darian looked down at Warren and rubbed his hand over his silver and black fur. Warren nudged him playfully then walked in front. Darian followed him along with Sergio and Justin. But before they could get any closer to the mansion, lights came on. Ultraviolet lighting installed under the ground and overhead shone brightly on the manicured lawn.

  Darian stopped abruptly before walking under one of the ultraviolet light poles, looking up.

  “My, my, my, very clever, you really have done this before,” he said aloud to no one in particular. He looked down at Warren who was sniffing the ground. “Warren?”

  Warren looked up at him.

  “Be careful, they may have other traps,” Darian cautioned.

  Warren snorted in acknowledgment. Sergio moved away from the group, stealthily creeping towards the one-story, concrete building adjacent to the mansion. He stopped immediately when one of the four doors opened. They watched as Gary stumbled out of the building, his hands gripping his abdomen as he ran towards the woods. A group of four hunters came out of the mansion all dressed in black fatigues and boots. They were heavily armed with machine guns, revolvers, sniper rifles, and ultraviolet grenades. Each person was wearing night vision goggles.