by J. A. Smith
We walked in silence until we were inside his room; he closed the door behind me before leaning down to kiss my forehead.
“Where is Amelia?” I asked as Richard made him way to the bed, slowly stripping his suite jacket off.
“It doesn’t matter Lana, we need to talk” Richard stated as he began unbuttoning his white shirt.
“Where is Marcus Siberian?” he asked seriously. Richard only called me my tiger name when someone of importance was around, again I looked but it only seemed like the two of us were here, still I proceeded with caution.
“I believe he has left the premises like he said he was going to” I said in monotone, something was going on here; I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Is it true he asked you to ride with him to the airport this evening” Richards question shocked me but I kept my face blank, was he giving me a story to fly with.
“Yes” I answered wearily, I didn’t want to fight Richard, I didn’t think I could kill someone I knew and respected.
“I have heard something happened, so please elaborate for me” Richard was now untying his polished shoes sitting casually on the bed. I figured he wanted me to lie so I began to tell partial truth.
“Marcus attacked me in the back of the Limo on our way to the airport; in self-defense I fought back Sir. He is truly dead now along with his driver.” See not all lies; I had killed them both.
“Are there any marks on your skin from the attack Siberian?” he asked looking over my shoulder as he put on his fur black robe.
“No sir, I heal quickly.” I responded.
“This is a grave offence, Lana. You have no proof you were attacked and now two vampires are dead, though I trust it happened the way you have told me” He said tying his robe as if we weren’t having a conversation about Marcus’s death.
I heard a loud clapping coming from the dark corner of the room, I hadn’t sensed anyone else but I knew there was a reason for Richard acting the way we had been.
“So you are the legendary Siberian, one who will not die in the arena no matter what she is up against.” The male vampire said coming out of the shadows. I kept my face a blank canvous, I had never seen him before but he looked familiar somehow. Long blondish white hair hung to his knees, tied with a thong at his nape. He was at least six-three, thin with a wide chest, he reminded me of an Olympic swimmer. He was dressed in black slacks, and a blood red silk button up shirt. His eyes were the most startling; the iris was a pearlescent pink, making me think of him as an albino.
“Yes.” I answered not sure if I felt comfortable enough to bow my head to him, he walked until he was standing not two feet in front of me.
“I am Andre” he said taking my hand to give it a kiss, I stared into his unique eyes, I knew vampires had the ability to hypnotize with a look; it had never worked on me but this vampire was something different, he felt older.
“Andre is Marcus’s master Siberian” Richard stated from somewhere behind me, I was caught in Andre’s gaze and couldn’t look away. The pinch I felt on my arm had me coming back to myself. Gently I pulled my hand from Andre’s grasp and stepped aside. Great and I had just confessed about killing his “child” I bowed my head low
“I am terribly sorry, but my temper gets away from me when a fight presents itself” Andre began chuckling, it sounded like a low bass from a speaker system, I felt the floor rumble from it from where I was standing.
“Yes, I have heard stories about you Siberian, and I am quite sure Marcus had no idea what he was dealing with, I actually came here tonight to tell him to leave Richard and Amelia alone, but it seems my trip was uncalled for” Andre stated, I pulled up from my bow to look at him. He didn’t seem mad at all more entertained than anything.
“Yes I am very sorry again Sir Andre” I said turning to Richard
“It had been a hard day, may I take my leave for the night” I asked hoping like hell I could go to my room, this new vampire scared the shit out of me.
“Of course” Richard said as he hand gestured me to the door.
I wasted no time; nearly sprinting out of the room. I had been hypnotized by a damn vampire and felt vulnerable now. Once in my own courters I stripped the foul smelling clothing off, but before I could find something else a knock sounded at my door. I was surprised to say the least to find Richard, he wore a worried expression but kept his voice stern.
“Andre had asked that you join us for dinner this evening” My eyebrows shot up to my hairline. I didn’t want to be around the guy who could do something others couldn’t, but in this I really had no choice.
I grabbed Richards hand before he could walk away, I needed answers.
“What’s going on” I whispered in his ear, to a passerby it would look like I was kissing his neck. A fake chuckle sounded from Richard as he pulled away.
“I will tell the Dark Master you will be there then” Richard stated, I had remembered the story Emily had told me about the Dark Master, the first vampire to walk this earth, no wonder I had been caught in his gaze.
It took me longer than necessary to get ready for the dinner I didn’t want to be a part of. I was wearing a flowing lavender gown that came to my knees. The top looked like a corset but the bottom was cha-faun and swished as I walked down stairs. I wore four inch black heals with lavender bows on the top. Amelia had made it a point to buy shoes for every dress I owned so I would match.
My hair hung in a long brand down my back; it would have taken me even longer if I wanted to curl the ends and I figured I was on a serious time frame.
I didn’t get my usual greeting from Amelia who was waiting at the bottom of the stairs like always, instead of a kiss and hug she just nodded at me confirming my presence. Richard ignored me completely.
I trailed behind the two quite nervous at their display of non-emotions. I kept quiet not speaking until I was spoken to. I sat next to the queen like I always did silently.
Once again we sat at the table, I could see Andre’s expensive shoes sitting across from me as they discussed Europe and the shifter fights.
“What happened to your arena?” Andre asked. I looked down knowing all eyes were centered on me.
“Our Siberian forgets her strength sometimes” Amelia answered sounding defensive. Thankfully Andre was ignoring it; I didnt want to know what he would do to someone who pissed him off.
“What happened?” Andre asked sounding like he had a grin on his face.
When no one spoke I looked up to find them all looking at me to tell the tale. Clearing my throat I said “I threw a bear into the wall”. Andre started laughing hysterically, I was pretty sure Richard and Amelia didn’t find the humor in having to rebuild
“I hear you are a tiger? Andre asked ignoring the glares coming from Amelia.
“Yes, I am” I said looking at him neutral.
“That would be something to see” he grinned looking over my attire. I was positive he wasn’t thinking about me changing into a tiger at the moment but I would feel better in my animal form around him.
“Are you asking me to change?” I asked.
“Would you?” Andre asked.
“If Robert and Amelia ask me to, than yes” I said, the smile he had been supporting vanished as he looked at Amelia and Richard.
“But not I” Andre asked still watching the King and Queen.
“No” I said. Andre’s eye brows rose.
“You are telling me no?” he sounded like I had just slapped him across the face while singing a jaunty tune.
“I am telling you I only change for my King and Queen” The kick I received from Amelia was loud and clear; Shut.Up
“Your King and Queen. So you only see them as royalty” He said looking at Robert and Amelia while he began leaning back in his chair. “Who do you think i am Siberian?” Andre aske
d sounding more pissed. Good maybe I could get kicked out of dinner.
“It doesn’t matter what I think now does it, oh Master of Darkness. I am but a tool to be used so again I say if My King and Queen ask me to change for their viewing pleasure than I will” I said growling a little. Andre pushed his seat quickly away before kneeling down right in front of me.
I was now kneeling as well staring at him; I didn’t feel scared at all, there was no pull coming from his eyes this time. He turned his charm back on when he realized I wasn’t going to back down no matter if it meant my death at the moment.
“Will you change for me please?” he asked in an amused voice. I looked over at Richard and Amelia, who hadn’t said a thing since all the arguing started, they looked really surprised at the fact that Andre had said please; they weren’t the only ones, I didn’t even know they knew that word. Richard nodded his head.
“Very well, I will, but we must go outside so I don’t trash the house” I said standing up. I waited for Richard and Amelia to lead the way out back.
Once outside I began pulling my dress off quickly, the vampires were still walking not knowing I was undressing, I wanted to get this over with, what Andre’s fascination with my tiger form was, it couldn’t be good.
I crouched down low and began the change, quick and to the point was what needed to happen here. The large cloud of white mist gathered around me like a tornado catching the vampire’s attention. Amelia crossed her arms over her chest seeming bored by it all. Richard had the same expression but Andre watched with a hint of confusion on his face.
After I was done I walked over to Robert who was standing with Andre and sat down in front of them both for inspection.
“I wondered why you were keeping her so long, very rare indeed” Andre said to Robert in an accusing tone. I would have growled at him but I suddenly smelled something in the air that had me whipping my head around towards the tree lining. It smelled like wet dog and dirt causing me to sneeze twice. I heard a twig snap a second before Amelia shrieked; looking over to where she was looking I saw a wolf creeping closer, I had heard stories about werewolves and how dangerous they were, once infected for some reason their animal took over the human part completely, they didn’t even change back into human when they died. I was so shocked at the sight it gave him the opening he needed, without a growl or warning he charged head butted me in the side causing me to be launched across the yard. There were deep indentations in the grass from my claws as I tried to stop myself. I got up feeling a sting in my back leg, it was broken but reknitting itself already. I stood there growling as I watched the wolf running at me once again. My leg healed up a few seconds before he reached me, I side stepped causing him to whiz by causing more damage to the grass, the gardeners were going to be pissed when this was all over with.
He recovered quickly, I didn’t give him the opportunity to charge me again, with speed I was known for I raced up to him as he was shaking off the stars he was no doubt seeing, I bit down on his right front leg hard enough to draw blood, it tasted foul like it had been sitting out all day rotting. I threw him on the ground like he was a chew toy causing all the air he was trying to get in to leave his lungs in a whoosh; I had a clear shot at his neck and took it. I bit down hard feeling his neck break under the pressure before throwing his carcass as far as I could. I heard him crash into a tree but didn’t care, my healed leg still hurt a little from the rapid healing; it would stop once I shifted back into human form. I lay down to have a better look at my hind leg, no wonder it was still hurting, not only was it broken but it had a huge gash that was closing up as I watched. I heard Amelia shout out my name, she was being restrained by Richard, I to look through bushes; the fight had brought me into the forest that surrounded the estate.
“She could be hurt for heaven sakes” Amelia yelled at him.
“She’s a tiger, she will be fine” Richard reassured her.
“I’ll go look for her” I heard Andre say. I heard his footsteps as he came closer, even though I knew it was Andre my wound still wasn’t closed leaving me weak until it did. I growled at him in warning as he came closer. He approach me with his hands in the air, like he came in peace or something.
“Easy, I won’t hurt you” he said kneeling to the ground. I let out a lower growl. “I am here to help you, please understand that. I know you are hurt I can smell your blood now let me see” he said extending his arm to me. I hissed at him, I didn’t want him to getting closer.
“Is she hurt?” Amelia asked from where she stood with Richard.
“Yes, she is hurt” Andre yelled back. In a flash Amelia was beside me. Her fangs were out because she smelt my blood or because she was angry. My leg should have been healed by now, I hope like hell I didn’t get rabies.
“It’s just her leg?” Amelia said in a worried tone.
“Is she healing” Richard enquired looking around a shaking Amelia.
“Damn werewolves” Andre stated under his breath. I started to whine as the last fazes of healing took over, closing my wound. Stars danced behind my eyes and I became light headed, thankfully I was already lying down or I would have fallen.
“Very interesting” Andre said looking at Amelia with a suspicious eye. I was supposed to be a great fighter and even though I won, I had still taken by surprise. Thoughts of where the hell the werewolf had come from raced through my mind as I felt my body change back to human. I shivered from the cold on the ground; I had to close my eyes as nausea took hold of me.
“Let’s get her inside” Amelia said kneeling down to pick me up.
“I’ve got her” Andre stated. At this present point I didn’t care who the hell picked me up I just needed to get off the ground. The feeling of being weightless while feeling sick is not a good thing. I moaned as my head began to pound in earnest; I let out a moan letting Andre know I was going to puke.
After emptying all contents of my stomach on the ground I ended up passing out; from what I hadn’t a clue.
I awoke in my bed with a headache from hell; this is how humans must feel after a night of drinking too much. There was a trash can sitting on the floor next to my bed, filled with what looked like blood. My stomach told anyother story though, it hurt like I had done a million sit ups.
“Good you are awake” A voice said from behind me making me scream as I felt a cold hand touch my shoulder. With less grace then I had intended I scrambled off the bed until I was leaning against the wall looking at Andre.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” I demanded.
“Watching over you” he said casually “As you can see, you haven’t been feeling well since your run in with the werewolf” that was an understatement. My whole body hurt, I could smell myself, and I was sure I had vomit in my hair.
Not wanting to get into an argument until I was clean, I ignored Andre as I picked out some clothes and went to take a shower.
I didn’t like waking up to strangers in my bed, plus the only other person I had ever woke up next to was Quinn and that had been three years ago. As I walked into the small bathroom that joined my room, I saw in the mirror that I had a slight bruising on my belly where I had been hit. “You’ve got to be kidding me” I muttered, but apparently vampire hearing is more keen than I first imaged because Andre came bolting into the bathroom looking for trouble.
“Get. out” I growled at him as I stepped into the steaming shower. I could see him clearly through the glass door as he stood there staring at me. I just ignored him and finished washing. I took at least twenty minutes and still Andre stayed. After I had wrapped myself up in a fluffy white towel I felt well enough to start and argument. “You are rude” Not my best statement but my brain still wasn’t firing on all cylinders.
“How did you come to that conclusion” he asked in a curious way. I brought my finger up counting as I said “Lying in my bed while I was sic
k, then coming in here and watching me shower, those are all traits of rudeness”
“Yes you were indeed sick, which I have heard is not something that happens to you, I didn’t know if you were going to pass out again so I stayed to make sure you didn’t fall in the shower, I wasn’t being rude I was being a gentleman.” He argued as I walked back into my bedroom with just the towel on.
“I just don’t understand why you’re here, in my room. Where’s Amelia.?” I asked sitting on my bed.
. “I told her I would look after you and since I am her maker, she listened without argument, unlike someone else I know. Plus I wished to speak with you in private.” My heart rate spiked at that, he had made Amelia and now he wanted to talk to me; what the hell?
“I have to get dressed for first meal so if you would be so kind as to wait outside”. I said opening the door for him to leave.
“Your King and Queen are out for the evening, so you won’t be going to dinner with them; but I am requesting your presence, then we will talk” Andre said with a huge grin. Since Robert and Amelia never had left the mansion before I was a little shocked.
“Where did they go?” I didn’t want to be alone with Andre, call me crazy but I didn’t trust the vampire, something about him threw all kinds of warning bells off. What if he found out about Jason? As Jason crossed my mind I went into a near panic as I bolted out the door down to the holding cells. He was gone.
I started to panic; the house was to quiet, not a single heartbeat was near like it usually was. I rushed through all of the rooms in the mansion, now one was here. Where could they all have gone? They had all left me behind. I didn’t know if Jason was still alive. Where did they go? Why would they leave? Out of the corner of my eye I saw Andre coming down the staircase slowly. I just stood there staring. I had my answer. Why would the Master of Darkness clear out a house full of those I trusted? I couldn’t be for anything good.
“Where is everyone” I asked in monotone knowing now that I had to be careful in my wording, I honestly didn’t think I could win a fight against Andre.
