by V L Moon
“Hang in there, DD. I’ve got this covered.”
Vischeral sighed in relief.
“But, if ya keep thinking about my vampire, I’mma castrate you before Darklon can fuck you. No one will touch my vampire again. You can take that to the bank and cash the check.”
And, just as fast as he’d filled Vischeral’s mind; the Seraphim vanished. Vischeral clung to the peace Laziel had given him. He forced his body to relax and rest. Darklon would return soon and he needed to be ready.
~*~*~*~
Chapter Sixteen
~*~*~*~
Rome, Italy
Malachi lifted his thumb away from Destahny’s plump pink lips. Her eyelids fluttered but remained closed. Lifting the still bleeding finger to his own mouth, he licked the puncture wounds to close them. The crisp, clear taste of his daughter’s innocence burst over his tongue.
A month after her birth, she still astounded him. Through all of the Council’s demands for an heir, he had never once considered he would actually have a child. He had never intended to burden a child with his own particular brand of immorality. If not for Laziel’s angelic presence, he would fear for the child’s very soul. He didn’t deserve her, or the blessing of her existence in his life. Except, now that he had her; no one would take her from him.
Behind him, Laziel exited the bedroom. Neither of them spoke and the silence between them spiked the anger that always seemed to be lurking just beneath his conscious mind. He turned to face the angel. As always, the sight of his male affected every aspect of his being from his hunger to his lust. Having been separated during the long months of the pregnancy intensified every reaction including the fury that he had been denied the knowledge of his child’s existence. Although he was glad to have Laziel and Destahny back with him, he could not so easily shake the betrayal he felt.
He loved Laziel; he loved them both with a ferocity that terrified him. But, it wasn’t the only emotion Laziel’s presence evoked. Doubt, anger and love flooded him when he looked into Laziel’s eyes. They still hadn’t discussed Laziel’s decision to stay away from him, or Malachi’s intense fury that the Creator had used him, used them both to bring Destahny into the world.
Laziel lifted his hands. The bright colors of the aguayo caught Malachi’s eyes. It was a gift, one of many, received from the South American enclave. Laziel preferred the cloth sling to carry their daughter when they ventured out into the enclave. It left his hands free to defend himself and their daughter if the need arose.
Reluctantly, he crossed the room and placed Destahny in Laziel’s waiting arms. So many questions crowded his mind. He went with the impersonal. “I have to fill Darklon’s seat on the Council. Any suggestions?”
Laziel’s mercurial eyes flared. Malachi tensed under his scrutiny, but the flash of the old Laziel was quickly masked.
“Bastian DeRhys.”
“He’s not…I can’t put a demon on the vampire council.”
“You asked my opinion.”
Was there a challenge in the statement? Malachi refused to acknowledge it if there was. Not with Destahny present and sleeping. Instead, he considered the ramifications. The demons were a new enemy, or rather a new threat. Demon spawn usually steered clear of the vampires, but Darklon had apparently changed the dynamics. On a grand scale.
“Why DeRhys? He’s a doctor here in the human world. I doubt he’s in league with the likes of Darklon and his cronies.”
“He’s Lucifer’s firstborn son.”
“Daddy must be proud.”
“He used to be. Rhys is a sex demon. His lust fueled rampages through Earth’s and Hell’s populace are legendary. If anyone survived his attentions, they were lauded among the demons.”
“What happened?”
“Arial happened.”
Malachi’s eyes flashed to Laziel’s face in surprise. “Our Arial?”
Laziel nodded. “Rhys was tasked with seducing the Guardian of the gates of Hell so Lucifer could unleash his brood on Earth.”
“So they fought?”
Laziel sighed and shook his head. “You would think so, but no.” Laziel turned his back and paced around the room. “They fell in love.”
In the process of slipping the diamond studded cufflinks through their holes, Malachi paused. “So that’s what happened to his wings; that’s why he’s Fallen? He succumbed to a demon.”
Laziel glanced back over his shoulder. “Don’t make assumptions. Arial is not what you think he is, but their story is theirs to tell. However, Arial is responsible for Rhys’ change. The part of Rhys born of his once angelic father found purchase in the soulless demon. Bastian clung to the spark of celestial hope and eventually learned to control the demon. To make amends for his former savagery and debauchery, he chose to pursue medicine.”
“And, that makes him a good candidate for my council because?” Malachi slid his coat over his shoulders and checked his appearance in the mirror. The scarlet tie stood out in sharp relief against the snowy white shirt. The black Armani bespoke suit hugged his body like a lover.
“Use your head, vampire. I trained you to think.”
The spark of smartass zinged straight through to Malachi’s cock. Not the time. They had a chasm to cross before Malachi let the beast free. As much as he wanted Laziel, as much as he needed him; there were things that needed to be discussed first. He met Laziel’s silver stare and lifted a brow.
“He has knowledge about the demon realm. He has information we can use to protect our enclaves. I’m here so the Roman enclave has a vampire representative already. Did I miss anything?”
“Nope. Good job, Batman.” Laziel finished tying the aguayo over his bare chest and propped his hands on his low slung jeans.
“How do you know Dr. DeRhys will accept an appointment?” Malachi followed Laziel to the door and exited their living quarters. Saul and Jaku closed ranks behind them.
“Simple; Arial is here.”
~*~*~*~
“Roman?”
“In here, Mother. I’ll be out in a few minutes.” He’d called his mother to come to Rome before he’d thought out his plans. Did she want to know who his father was? Would it make a difference in her life?
Roman stared down at the photograph in his hand. Vischeral Bourne. He had a name to go with the image, but he still didn’t have an explanation of who the male was. He intended to ask Malachi and Laziel after the council meeting. He wasn’t prepared to take no for an answer.
Madalina pushed open the door to his office. “You’re going to be late for the Council meeting.”
Roman slid the photo into his desk drawer and closed it. When the lock clicked into place, he circled the desk and enfolded his mother in a hug. He didn’t want her to see the picture until he had some answers for her. It was going to be hard enough telling her that Darklon had Bourne.
“Something’s on your mind.”
“Yes, but I can’t tell you about it right now. We’ll talk when I get back. And, please listen out for the phone. Tobias hasn’t been in touch since he left. I’m worried. It’s not like him to forget to call. I left word with the pack that I had to come to Rome.”
She framed his face with her hands. “You know he loves you.”
Roman smiled. “Yes, that’s not what I’m worried about. Something happened within the pack; something that upset him a great deal. If he doesn’t call by the time I leave Rome, I’ll go to the pack and check on him myself.”
“That’s my boy. Now go before you’re late.”
Roman arrived at the doors to the Council chamber at the same time as Malachi and his entourage.
“Sire.” He bowed slightly, lowering his head in deference to his king.
“Elder Chamberlin, glad to see you arrived safely from South America.”
Roman fought to contain the smile Denali’s response generated. Malachi had not only approved his mating with Tobias, he’d had the paperwork drawn up naming Tobias an official member of the South American vampir
e enclave. Whatever happened to Roman, Tobias was assured a place in the vampire world.
Roman shifted his gaze to the angel and the small bundle nestled against his chest. “How’s my goddaughter?”
Laziel wrapped a protective hand around the baby’s bottom. A half smile lifted the corner of his full mouth. “She’s perfect. Where’s your pup?”
“Back in the States; a pack emergency.” Roman took a fortifying breath. “Any news on that Vischeral Bourne?” Both faces went blank. A growl rumbled in Laziel’s throat. Malachi’s black eyes flashed red. Before either could answer, the Council doors swung open.
“Oh good, you’re here,” Kimberly Stroner smiled at the assembled group. “Everyone else is already inside if you want to take your seat, Roman. I just need a sec with the King.”
With another quick bow, Roman swallowed his questions and entered the chambers. He took his seat and waited. Synta, the Elder for the Asian vampire population, inclined his head and offered a quick smile which Roman returned. The other Elders remained silent and still. Fear wafted like a breeze through the room. The specter of the demon loomed in their conscious. None had expected Darklon’s madness to extend to such depths. Even his most loyal cronies had gone to great pains to distance themselves from him.
Laziel entered first. His gaze tracked around the room before he stepped aside. Malachi’s tremendous presence filled the doorway.
“Show him respect, motherfuckers.”
Chairs scraped against the floor. Roman’s forehead came close to bouncing off of the table. None dared disobey Laziel’s demand.
~*~*~*~
“Sit.” Malachi remained standing even after the Elders were seated. Only Roman and Synta returned his stare. “You all look as if you expect a demon to appear.” Synta chuckled and reclined in his chair.
“You can all relax. As long as Laziel is here, you’re safe. And, speaking of demons, I assume we are all in agreement that Darklon has committed treason against the race.” Absolute silence reigned. Malachi’s volatile temper sparked.
“Vote, damn you.” He shoved his chair aside and slammed a fist onto the table. “I tried to tell you fuckwits he was a traitor. You saw the first hints of his madness and you ignored it. Your stupidity and blindness led to Lorenza’s kidnapping and the appearance of demon spawn in our royal enclave. Your foolish refusal to embrace the future nearly cost you the very heir you sought so zealously to procure. Do you think Darklon wanted Destahny to live? Are you that idiotic?”
Malachi glared at the assembled Elders. “You will vote damn your souls. You will admit your ignorance and Ms. Stroner will record it for all prosperity.”
Roman stood up and faced him squarely. “It is my vote that Darklon DeSangue be removed as Elder of the Rome enclave and that for the crimes of treason against the throne and our king, Malachi Denali, he be sentenced to death immediately upon the verification of his location.”
“I second his vote, Malachi-Sama,” Synta asserted and rose to his feet.
“All in favor?” Kimberly Stroner asked with pen poised over her note pad. The acknowledgements were slow in coming, but the vote was unanimous.
“About fucking time.” Malachi leaned forward with his knuckles braced on the table. “Before the asshat interrupted the last meeting, I announced two things. One, Destahny is my heir so that bullshit drama is done as of now. If the fucking bylaws state it has to be a male; that will be changed and become effective on the date of her birth.”
“Second, I will not have any fucking mate except Laziel. If anyone challenges that, you can be assured I will not put up with the bullshit I have in the past. The challenger will be dealt with immediately and fatally. As a reminder to all of you, I took this fucking throne by force, and I will fucking keep it the same way. If you have any ideations of grandeur, the fucking door is behind me. Good fucking luck getting past Laziel to follow your deviant plans.”
He waited for the echo of his words to die away. “I believe that’s all of the old business. As for the new business, we have a seat to fill on our Council. Given the absurdity of the last several months, I’m not asking for nominations. I am simply going to make an appointment to the position.”
Murmurs and grumbles danced around the room. “You don’t like it. I don’t give a fuck. Most of you embraced the old ways. Before I took the throne, none of you had any say in the government of our race. You were pawns, useless dicks with shrunken balls who cowered behind the walls of their enclaves. I tried to drag you into the twenty-first century, but you wanted no part of it. So, fuck it. I’m making a royal decree. The seat will be filled by Dr. Bastian DeRhys.”
Malachi let the name sink in around the room. Recognition dawned on a few faces while the majority remained clueless. He allowed a slow, cruel smile to lift the corners of his mouth. “FYI for those of you who don’t know the name, and for the official record; Bastian DeRhys is a demon.”
“What the fuck?” Nikolas Sorokin, Elder of the Russian enclave shoved to his feet. His already ruddy features darkened to a deep wine color. “You just ousted Elder DeSangue…”
“Traitor to the Crown DeSangue,” Malachi interrupted.
“He’s a fucking demon,” Sorokin growled.
“I believe I just said that, and I didn’t oust Darklon. Ms. Stroner can confirm, the Counsel as a whole voted him out.”
“This is preposterous.”
“Sit your ass down, Russkie, or I’m going to play Ball Blaster with your testicles.” Laziel’s voice cut through the bluster and murmuring. “You’re upsetting the baby and that pisses me off. So, ass plant and shut ya mouth.”
Sorokin shot a malevolent glare in the angel’s general direction, but he resumed his seat and snapped his mouth closed.
“Darklon has brought a new enemy to our gates. In addition to increasing our defenses, I’m going on the offensive. DeRhys can give us invaluable information and provide an eye and ear in Hell we would not otherwise have, unless one of you wants to relocate with a new job description.”
No one moved; he didn’t think they dared breathe. “That’s what I thought,” he said and finally took his seat. “I will handle the swearing in ritual and the required paperwork. Ms. Stroner will make arrangements for the ceremony and email them to each of you. I expect everyone to be in attendance. Any who fail to show up will be considered enemies of the crown. I will have a Council I can trust from this date forward. No more whispers, no more devious shit in the shadows. If you want out, now is the time to go.”
He paused. Waited. Everyone remained seated though not all of them maintained eye contact. He made note of those before he continued. “Saul has made arrangements to send skilled guards to each enclave. The soldiers will in turn train the vampires you choose to guard your homes and your enclave. Make wise decisions. Show me and your enclave why you were ordained as Elder. You can consult with him when this meeting breaks up if you have any questions.”
“Next order of business, there are fractures in the ranks of the Nephilim. There are ones who do not wish to pursue this war we fight. A squadron of them fought alongside us to protect a wolf pack in the States. They have been given sanctuary there. There will be more. Prepare your enclaves to accept those who rebel against the Queen. We will offer them protection and in turn they will fight against their own.”
Agitated murmurs rippled through the room. Mendeeto’s name surfaced. Eyes turned to Roman. The young Elder held Malachi’s gaze. “The South American enclave will be ready, my liege. My mate was one of the wolves attacked. The Nephilim fought bravely and honorably. Their knowledge was invaluable in preparing our defenses for the battle.”
Malachi nodded at the young vampire. The male surpassed everything Malachi had expected of him.
“On the subject of defense, I want each of you to make and maintain contact with the wolf packs in your areas. They, too, should coordinate training with the royal guard. Jorn has provided extensive records of the pack leaders and their contact informat
ion. Every communication should be copied to Ms. Stroner whether it be digital or paper. Failure to provide proof will result in a visit from me or Laziel. It will not be a pleasant experience. Don’t be closeminded. The wolves have things to teach us. Learn from them. We are at war, gentlemen, and the wolves are our allies.”
A commotion outside the door brought him back to his feet. “I believe our new Elder has arrived. Ms. Stroner?”
Kimberly hurried to the door. The scent of sulphur and brimstone preceded the demon doctor. Malachi didn’t turn around to greet the doctor. He wanted to watch the reactions from his Council.
“Dr. DeRhys, welcome to the Vampire Council. Please take the seat on my left.” Surprise wreathed most of the faces. They had expected horns and a forked tail, maybe a few spiny protrusions.
A black bag appeared on the table. A source of power and heat filled the space to Malachi’s left. Malachi frowned. A crest of celestial energy swelled on his right. Malachi glanced over his shoulder at Laz. The angel shrugged.
Can’t be helped, Batman. He’s a powerful demon; he triggers my warrior instincts.
The intimacy of the mind to mind contact flooded Malachi with a desperate need to feed and fuck. It took every bit of his willpower to quell the heated response in his blood.
Then why nominate him?
It’s nothing I can’t handle. We need him. Trust me.
Malachi broke eye contact and turned to face DeRhys. “Doctor DeRhys, we’ve asked you here today to join our Council as a full member.”
The doctor’s eyes flashed from melted chocolate to leaping flames. “And, what does flyboy think of your decision.”
Gasps winged into the air. Malachi’s temper spiked. He surged to his feet only to have Laziel grasp his shoulder and urge him back down into the chair.
