"Lissa!" He gave me a huge hug.
"Are you doing all right?" I smiled at him when he let me go.
"Great. But I wanted to come and talk to you about our media, or lack thereof," he grinned.
"Ah. Well, we probably need it, don't we? I can imagine that those vampires are just starving for news and weather reports."
"Flavio says he'll set me up, if I want to manage the whole thing."
"Well, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have in charge," I said. "Would you like to walk with me for a bit?"
"Absolutely!" He was quite happy with that idea. We talked about where we could build the station and he mentioned public access for the Council meetings, which was a good idea. I agreed with him on that. And we both agreed that some meetings would remain private, and most of those dealt with trials and (when we needed them) executions. He and I also talked about communication satellites, where we could get them and the cost.
"You might want to talk to Joey and Shadow," I said. "Since they're engineering geniuses or something." As we walked along, we gathered more vampires. One of them was painfully shy, but he managed to speak up after a while.
"Queen Lissa, I can't get the toiletries and laundry soap I like," he mumbled.
"What?" I stopped right there in the street, causing everybody else to stop, too. "Why can't you get those things?"
"We don't get shipments from Earth—we have to deal with what comes from the Alliance worlds," someone else spoke up.
"Let me see what I can do about that," I said, wondering if Radomir, Russell and Will might want to go into the grocery/pharmacy business. I think Brock and Stephan were considering my proposal to open sporting goods stores and clothing chains. Vampires weren't much on groceries, but the tourists would be. Somebody had to sell snacks. And shoes and books—my gosh, how had I forgotten books?
"Who likes to read, here?" I asked. Several hands went up. "Good. I'm looking to open a library and maybe some bookstores. Come to the palace tomorrow and we'll see what we can do."
We ended up at somebody's house, about forty or so of us, and we talked about all sorts of things. Bottles of blood substitute and wine were passed around, if anybody wanted it. I had a glass of red wine and enjoyed the company.
By the end of the week we had books, both paper and electronic, on order, a news channel in its infancy and Radomir, Russell and Will were going together to put up stores offering a variety of toiletry needs. My shy vampire got what he wanted—I folded to Earth and got him a case of everything.
His name was Grant and I decided he would make a very good personal assistant. He already knew his way around Alliance hand-held computers, could file like the wind and was overjoyed when I offered him the position. He moved right into the palace (cases of toiletries and all), and Roff, Giff and little Toff liked him very much. Actually, Toff loved Grant and would squeal and laugh if Grant held him. Grant had a cubicle just outside my large, private study and started making sense out of all the paper that was piling up, in addition to pointing me toward the important electronic messages I was now getting from the Reth Alliance.
We were also coming along with the rules and laws concerning the vampires and comesuli, and then we had to hammer out the rules and laws concerning the gambling guests who were already lining up to come for a visit, cameras in hand, no doubt. Bryan got his network set up and running smoothly, which meant that vid screens were ordered by the thousands. One of the Reth Alliance worlds made a lot of money on the sale of giant vid-screens and I think it might have been Refizan. Gabron, no doubt, had connections. He and I still weren't talking much. Two months later, the brothels were in place and the pleasure workers were arriving. I hoped they all didn't expect a personal greeting from the Queen when they walked off the ship—that wasn't going to happen.
* * *
"He's married to her?" Shala stared at Elthine. They'd worked for Gabron on Refizan and leapt at the opportunity to come to Le-Ath Veronis. They enjoyed the climax they received whenever a vampire had bitten them before and often begged for it. Gabron had frequently satisfied them himself. They were now discussing the Queen, whom they hadn't seen.
"Seems to be. He wears a ring he never had before." Elthine had noticed that right away, when Gabron had shown them their new home.
"She can't compete with us," Shala snorted, making Elthine laugh.
* * *
"I applied for this under your name," Arvil San Gerxon handed the ticket to his assistant. Theos stared at the official document—it bore the crown of claws on the front, which was the Queen of Le-Ath Veronis' royal seal.
"You want me to go?" Theos squeaked, reading the acceptance card in surprise.
"I do. I want information," Arvil snapped. "I have all the hype the media are releasing, but I want someone there on the ground. You will send me regular updates; you're scheduled for a two-week visit."
Theos knew what concerned Arvil the most. Erland Morphis and the A&M Consortium had pulled all their employees away from Campiaa, closed down their casinos the previous week and Arvil had wakened the following morning to find both casinos razed to the ground. Arvil had yet to determine how that had been accomplished. Of course, there were rumors that Erland was Karathian, which might explain things. Some of the other casino owners were allegedly negotiating with Le-Ath Veronis to open casinos there. Arvil was considering breaking his own laws and building on the now vacant lots still owned by Erland Morphis and A&M Consortium. That would increase the San Gerxon holdings and their profits.
"Get my contractor on the phone," Arvil barked, breaking Theos out of his stupor. He'd been staring at the ticket Arvil placed in his hand. Theos rushed to obey.
* * *
"I will consider almost anything, if the money is sufficient," Gart examined his fingernails. A Karathian Warlock by birth, Gart had been on Wylend Arden's most wanted list of rogues for a very long time. He nodded to his newest client, who'd identified himself as Felix. "How many do you have and where would you like them transported?"
"Beliphar is ripe for a takeover," Felix smiled. "You'll get your money."
"Tell me what I am transporting, for curiosity's sake," Gart feigned indifference.
"A new race. A little faster, a little better than your average humanoid," Felix replied. He didn't add that they were capable of reproducing themselves by sharing a bit of DNA—all it took was a simple kiss or a bite and the victim was immediately infected. One of the unexpected but useful advantages of the Ra'Ak DNA that had been spliced into cast-off Elemaiya. They'd purposely bred quarter and eighth blood children, just to achieve these results.
The Elemaiyan races were no more, but these children had been hidden away at the suggestion of the Khos'Mirai. The Bright Elemaiyan Queen regretted her decision regarding the Khos'Mirai, but that could not be changed, now. She no longer existed, either. Not in her former capacity, anyway. Felix, a quarter-blood and enhanced like the others, was quite happy with this turn of events. The gates had been closed against them, but there were other ways of getting from one place to another.
* * *
"Stand still, love. They'll think you're a servant." Garde was teasing me about my clothing—I was wearing jeans and a silk top—not the outfit one might expect a Queen to wear as the first tourists and gamblers came through the Alliance-required customs stations. No weapons were allowed—coming or going. Vampires manned those stations; they were trained to pick up any scent of gunpowder, but those weapons would be archaic. Laser tasers were now the weapon of choice and could kill if aimed at the proper part of the body. A zap to the heart was all it took for most humanoids. Vampires operated the machines that would detect those and any other weapons visitors thought to bring with them.
Shadow had also come to see this for himself and was giving me his best grin as we watched the new arrivals drag their luggage toward waiting public transportation. Some—the wealthy or those who'd purchased an upgraded package, had vampire chauffeurs waiting with private transpo
rtation. Their bags were carried by vampire valets, too. I'd hate to be some of those tourists if they tried to treat the vampires carrying their luggage in a less than respectful manner.
"Can you help me?" A woman walked right up to me with a brochure in her hands. "How do I sign up for the tour to the palace? It says here that it only happens once a week and I don't want to miss it." Shadow almost bent double, trying to hold back his laughter. I kicked him unobtrusively.
"You can sign up for the tour at the hotel desk when you check in," I answered her question. "Be sure to fill out the form completely. You'll be notified if your application to go on the tour is approved."
"But why does it have to be approved? Shouldn't it be open to the public?" The woman demanded. She looked to be in her late forties and wore a bright fuchsia top and cream slacks.
"Because the Queen is a reclusive bitch who enjoys her privacy," I replied, causing Shadow to guffaw. Garde snickered.
"Should you be speaking of your Queen that way?" The woman asked. "From the moment I read that she was taking over and rebuilding the vampire planet, I've wanted to meet her." She seemed a little annoyed.
"I can speak about the Queen any way I want," I said. The woman frowned at me. "What's your name?" I asked.
"Galene," she replied huffily.
"And the hotel you're visiting?"
"The Chessman." Well, she was uptown, then. Adam had lent his family name to his premier hotel and casino.
"I believe that Mr. Chessman is actually there today, to greet some of his guests." I took the brochure from her hands and Pulled in a pen. "Tell him I approved your application personally for the tour." I was busily writing the same message on her brochure for Adam—he'd know it was authentic—and then signed my name. Galene stared in fascination as the pen materialized in my hand and then watched as I signed my name.
"See, I really can talk about the Queen any way I want," I smiled and handed her brochure back.
"Should I bow or curtsy?" Galene got her voice back after a few seconds.
"Please don't. I don't require it of anyone else," I said. "You should go before you miss your bus. Do you need help with your luggage?" She had a roller bag sitting next to her.
"Maybe," she said.
"I'll get it." I lifted the bag easily and walked toward one of the waiting buses.
"Lissa, what the hell are you doing?" Flavio demanded. He'd come to make sure everything was flowing smoothly.
"Helping Galene with her bag," I replied, handing said bag off to a vampire, who was loading things into the luggage compartment. "This is Galene," I introduced Flavio to the woman. "Flavio is Head of the Vampire Council from Earth and one of my trusted advisors. Also the third most beautiful man I've ever met."
Galene thought so, too—she was staring at Flavio with an expression of complete worship on her face.
"You," I motioned a vampire over; he was making sure the passengers were loaded safely.
"Yes, my Queen?" he smiled at me.
"Will you see that Galene gets a good seat?" I pointed the woman toward the vampire.
"Are you a vampire, too?"
"Yes, Madame. Most certainly a vampire. Eight hundred years a vampire, from Refizan." He led her away.
"That poor woman is so stunned she is nearly immobile," Flavio commented dryly.
"Well, she got her wish, right off the bat. It's all downhill from here," I said. Flavio winked at me. I could hear Shadow and Garde still laughing where I'd left them.
* * *
We were getting the newsfeeds; Alliance news crews were everywhere and there was Galene, talking to one of the reporters. "Oh, no," I slapped a hand over my face. A vid screen had been brought in so we could all watch during dinner.
"The Queen approved my application to visit the palace personally and then helped me with my bag." Galene was still in heaven.
"What did you think of the Queen?" The reporter asked.
"Quite lovely. The photographs don't do her justice—her skin is beautiful. She was shorter than I imagined, but you can never tell from those magazine pictures anyway."
"She approved your application personally, you say?"
"She wrote a note to the owner of the Chessman, telling him so. A lovely man," Galene gushed.
"And there you have the truth," the reporter took over. "A guest gets the royal treatment while the news crews are held at arm's length. This is Rowan Alder, for News Nine."
"He's named after two trees?" I couldn't believe it.
"And he just sent a bullet your way, since you insisted that the media not be allowed inside the palace," Tony was eating spaghetti we'd been served for dinner. It was good—Cheedas used my recipe for meatballs.
"I have no desire to have those people crawling all over my home," I grumped. "Grant will faint from the stress and pressure." Grant was sitting nearby and nodding at my assessment.
"Grant is a vampire," Gavin pointed out. "He will survive." Well, Grant wasn't about to argue with Gavin. Gavin scared the bejeezus out of him.
"You want me to do this?" I couldn't believe it.
"If it will keep them from taking shots at you in the future."
"Now see, this is the flaw," I pointed my fork at Gavin.
"We will be with you, if you choose to give an interview," Connegar and Reemagar folded in and sat down at the table. After enlarging the chairs, of course.
"As yourselves?" Larentii seldom placed themselves on display like that.
"Of course. There is no reason to alter our appearance. The Reth Alliance knows we exist. We visit their worlds often."
"But you don't talk to anybody," Shadow pointed out.
"Talking means we have less time to observe," Connegar defended himself. "So we ignore any overtures."
"Well, you're welcome to be with me during my interview," I said. "When can we set this up? The sooner I get it over with, the better I'll like it."
"I will go now to select your dress," Giff rose from the table. Little Toff was sitting in a high chair between Giff and Roff, eating spaghetti. Roff was doing his best to teach his youngest to eat with a fork, but it wasn't working very well. Toff could get more in his mouth using chubby little fists.
"I'll set this up before she changes her mind," Flavio whipped out his communicator. I was set up for a mass interview in two hours. Eighteen news crews were on the planet at the moment and they were all coming, including tree guy.
I was dressed and primped, my hair piled up and wearing my dressier gold band with the Tiralian crystal solitaire (six carats) in the center. Both my tall, blue Larentii were sitting on either side of me when the news crews were ushered into one of the larger meeting rooms.
Photographers were already snapping photographs that were transmitted instantly and the 3-D digital cameras were recording. I wore a blue gown trimmed in jeweled lace that complimented my Larentii quite well. If nothing else went right, at least we were color-coordinated. Flavio, Wlodek, Adam and Merrill had come; Drake, Drew, Gavin and Tony were providing security. I saw Hart and Nima standing discreetly in a corner, helping the others. Roff was attempting to keep Grant from hyperventilating—they stood near the door in case Grant did faint.
"When did you become vampire?" That was the first question? I thought they wanted to talk about the casinos.
Wlodek had to supply the information; I couldn't remember. Thankfully, it was sent mentally. Now I knew why he and the others were all here.
"Three hundred four years ago," I replied, doing my best to look queenly and regal. No sense in explaining that three hundred of those years I'd skipped over, with a little help from dear old Dad.
"How old were you when you were made vampire?" someone else asked.
"Forty-seven," I replied.
"What were you dying of?" Oh, Lord, here it came.
"I wasn't."
"But it is my understanding that the Reth Alliance requires that all vampires be near death before they may be turned." That was tree man.
"That is true for nearly all vampires, not just the ones from the Reth Alliance," I replied. "I came from a world that did not belong to the Reth Alliance. The vampire who made me broke the law. He was punished for his crime."
"Did you love him? Is that why he turned you?" Tree man wasn't giving up.
"You—come," I crooked my finger at him. He gulped nervously but came forward anyway. All the cameras were trained on him and then on both of us as he stood before me.
"The vampire who turned me," I wanted to hiss, but held it back, "was making a bet with another vampire over how long it would take me to turn. No love was involved; I was a stranger to them. Someone they found in a bar. I was there because my husband died only a few hours earlier and I wanted to numb the pain. When I turned against their expectations, they attempted to hunt me down and kill me. Now, do you still think there was love involved?" I made a shooing motion with my hand. He scuttled back to his spot.
"How did you become Queen?" someone else asked.
"Do you know what makes a Queen Vampire?" I asked.
"I heard that a Queen was stronger than the others," one of the reporters offered.
"Not necessarily," I replied. "A Queen is not susceptible to the compulsion that an older vampire can place. Which leaves her in a dangerous position. If she is not duty-bound to uphold the laws and justice for her race, she has to be destroyed."
"I see you're still alive," one of the reporters joked.
"I stand before you now as a strong proponent of justice," I nodded slightly at all of them.
"What will you do if a vampire attacks a guest?" Tree man was back at it again. Watch him, I sent to Drake, Drew, Gavin and Tony.
"You all have copies of the new laws, do you not?" They should, I had to get them ratified by the Alliance Council. They were nodding.
"The law will be enforced," I replied, "if the vampire is found guilty."
Garde, can Jayd come? I sent. Garde was in a far corner, watching everything closely.
"And how will you determine whether the vampire is telling the truth?" Tree man, again.
Blood Rebellion (Blood Destiny #7) Page 14
