Josef headed down into London via car. He arrived at the offices of his business over there and climbed out. Strolling through the doors and up to the top floor, he found the current managing director in a romantic affair with his secretary.
This explains why nothing has been getting done he thought sarcastically. Walking up behind the man who had yet to notice him and grabbing him by the scruff of his neck, he turned the man around to him and pleasantly said "how goes the work?"
The man in shock and fear began to stammer "m-mis-mister K-K-K ostan, sir…y-you're here…."
"yes I am" said Josef folding his hands together "but if your not gone from here I …shall we say…the next 20 seconds, there wont be much of you left here lets just say…"
The man shaking with fright turned tail and ran from the room, trousers still down around his ankles.
Josef sighed "very crude. The least he could have done was pull up his trousers"
***
Mick and Beth were in the castle, it was their first day here and they had decided to chill out. Curled up in the parlour in front of a large fire, Beth was nibbling on scones while Mick read her a book out loud.
Reaching for the other half of her scone she sighed "I'll regret these when I get back home with hips the size of watermelons but there are every bit as good as they are stated to be…and this clotted cream…"
Mick paused in his reading and kissed her hair. "Your on holiday my dear. Kick back and enjoy yourself, when do you ever get to do it back home?"
Beth looked up at him and sighed contently "maybe when I get home I should give up my job and become a food taster"
Mick laughed. "Whatever makes you happy". He worked to squash the thoughts forming in the increasingly nagging place in his mind, about being content with Beth forever, about wanting to turn her.
The here and now he told himself. Focus on the here and now.
***
Josef was working through the piles of backed up files on the desk. No wonder his proposal had never gotten through, how could the ex-director have found it under this mess?
It'll probably take most of the week to straighten this out he thought and then I have to find a new managing director on top of things. He blew breath out through his lips. Best get to work so.
An hour later and he had cleared a generous amount of the pile in front of him. Yet it still loomed over him like a mountain. Deciding he best take a break, he left the office to go in search of blood. His driver, who was a vampire, would probably know some where similar to the freshie bars back home. He would feed and maybe stretch his legs for a while and be back within the hour.
However luck was not with him for as he was deciding to leave, the door opened and in strolled another vampire. He caught site of Josef and smiled.
"Well old boy! I had heard you were in town and I just had to stop by and see it for myself. Back on European soil at last? My name is Lord Edward, elder to the fair city of London" the mysterious vampire announced, presenting Josef with a courtly bow.
Josef stood to greet the elder known as Edward. He was perhaps middle age when he had been turned with a great burly moustache and black hair that had greyed around the temples.
Josef mimicked the bow of the other elder and introduced himself "Josef Kostan, elder of LA, son of Kamf"
"Well old boy, I am delighted to meet you! My fair city is your home for however long you may require it to be and I hope you will like it here. I have three guardians here, two boys and a girl" Edward smiled, taking residence in a seat in the office "The girl Shinola descended from African tribes but she came to Europe and London in search of a change of pace about 300 years ago. Wonderful guardian, though very quiet. The two boys are Gaston and Mani. Gaston is my own boy, he's a strapping lad, but I dare say you have met him already no?"
"Yes we have met Gaston" Josef replied, maintaining an impassive face " he is with my own LA guardian Elaina"
At this statement, Edward raised his eyes but said no more on the subject.
"You'll not be staying long so" he guessed "a city can't be without its elder and guardian for too long"
"no longer than a week I hope this trip" Josef confirmed "long enough to clear up the office and pick a new managing director"
Edward nodded "then we must make the best of your stay. A formal party, later in the week, black tie, proper dress and proper London hospitality. And your guardian and anyone else you are travelling about our invited"
Josef smiled in agreement and acceptance but then faltered "one of my guests is a human …and not the fresh from the vein variety…"
"No problem" Edward said waving his hand "we are a civilised sort of vampire. We will simply have a blood by the glass and not a blood by the vein party"
"I was about to head out for a drink" Josef said "perhaps you can direct me to somewhere?"
"Why old boy! Why didn't you say?" Edward said looking astonished "you'll come to my house at once for some liquid refreshment. I think Gaston is planning to have the guardians back once they finish their practice so you'll be able to meet up with your guardian there"
Edward got to his feet and had pulled Josef out of the office before he had time to respond.
***
Mick added more logs to the fire. It crackled and burnt brighter instantly. Beth had started to dose on the couch, a culmination of the filling scones, rich clotted cream and the jetlag. Returning to the sofa, she placed her head on his lap and sighed contently as his hands worked their way through her hair.
The movement comforted her he could tell. He could feel her heart slowing down and her senses relaxing. The lull in her heart beat soothed him too and he fell asleep, head bent forward, letting gentle, little snores.
***
Breathe in breath out slow right down …then release the trigger Elaina thought. They were taking turns practising with the bow and arrow at the moment and Elaina had to say she was impressed. The other guardians really knew what they were talking about and were all excellent and avidly skilled.
Very glad there on our side she thought. She was particularly fascinated by one weapon they had which she had never seen before. It was about the size on a cannon ball with spikes covering it and attached to a chain which you swung around. A mace Gaston had called it.
Mani, the guardian in the combat pants, and Shinola had given her a demonstration earlier and she had been in awe of this weapon. She would love to be able to take this skill home with her; maybe if she was good enough she'd show it to Huielen, her mentor would adore it too she knew.
As the practice came to an end, Gaston suggested they all go back to his sire's house for a drink. "we all deserve it after the work we put in training" Elaina and the others, suddenly feeling the thirst come on at the mention of a drink, readily agreed. Climbing into the car, they drove away.