The Master and his cohorts were just a little over nine months past what the humans had termed Illumination Day and things were going remarkably well, most humans had been convinced that the Strigoi were their friends and comrades in the new world rather than clocking the fact New York had basically been turned into a free range prison.
Thanks to the fallout of the bomb and Thomas' smarts Strigoi now controlled just about every inch of North America and had even started to successfully worm their way into South America as well; mostly Mexico. They'd have everything soon enough and The Master would dominate.
Vivika's Freedom Centres – Eldritch Palmer may have created them but Vivika had brought them to life – handed out food and medical supplies to anyone as long as they had a valid identification tag on their sleeves. At first The Master hadn't seen the point of caring quite so generously for the humans but he'd come around when he saw how effective Vivika's plans and ploys could be. Due to her diligence they now knew almost every single B+ person in the entire country and exactly where they were.
It hadn't been easy in the beginning to convince the humans that the Strigoi could help, in fact, for the first month or so they'd needed to keep Strigoi involvement quiet to avoid a panic but now they were free to wander around during the day, faces exposed without humans freaking out and trying to shoot them every four seconds. Strigs didn't have to cover their faces and hide, they could be as nature intended.
Many things had changed over the nine months since the detonation but Vivika was pleased she could say excelling at her new job to be among them; she'd even been the first person to coin the term 'partnership'. While the power was very enjoyable she had much preferred watching the annoying humans finally shut up and fall in line like the pathetic creatures there really were. Speaking of annoying humans she and Thomas had still been instructed to care for Zach, husband and wife hated it equally but, of course, they obeyed their master. Whatever plan The Master had for Zach it must have been important.
That was how the raven-haired femme fatale found herself stood in the luxury apartment Zach had been provided inside the Empire State building while he played around with a remote controlled car and his Feeler. Thomas stood beside her, a large case in his hand as they just watched him a moment since they'd not been noticed stepping off the elevator. Always angry, always whining, always complained about how hard his fucking life was. Something told Vivika if she and Zach swapped childhoods he'd realize just how bloody good he had it.
Eventually Thomas stepped across the room making himself and his bride known and returned straight back to business; they didn't like Zach, didn't mean they'd disobey their Lord.
"Enjoying your new toy, I see." Said Thomas as he set the case down on the nearest flat surface and clicked it open. Zach tossed the car remote down angrily; just another display of his childish nature. "The Master has planned an activity for you today."
The boy shot a questioning but curious look to Vivika before returning his attention to Eichhorst, it wasn't any secret that Zach trusted the woman more.
"Doing what?"
From the case Thomas skilfully – and single-handedly – took out a rifle which he thrust out towards the child to see.
"This is a SOCOM mk18 rifle." He informed quickly. "Take it." Zach hardly hesitated as the Feeler scurried around at his feet. "It holds thirty rounds."
The teenager took a moment to inspect it and Vivika crossed the short distanced to her husbands where she was quickly allowed to settle against his chest. When Thomas had been told to give the boy a rifle both he and Vivika had raised eyebrows, seemed like a sure way to get them killed accidentally, but they'd obeyed.
Zach sounded confused. "What am I supposed to do with it?"
Suddenly came a whoosh of air movement which actually made the tops of Vivika's hair flutter and then, there at the far side of the room, stood The Master. Zach flashed his eyes over to their Lord. Vivika much preferred Palmer's body now it no longer looked like Palmer, nothing of that man remained, just a slight lilt in The Master's voice when he spoke.
"We're going on an outing." The Master informed cryptically.
The green-eyed manipulator knew that was her moment so she put on the best loving smile she had and flooded Zach with it.
"Like a family."
One of her jobs after all was to convince Zach they were indeed all happy and together and fuck was she good at it; took pride in it.
"But first your White."
The Master crossed the room with determined steps as Thomas took the weapon from Zach and returned it to the case. Without question Zach knelt before their master and accepted his single drop of White. Vivika could tell Thomas wasn't pleased, felt him tense up slightly, The Master giving up his divine essence just so this boy could what? Feel special, be part of a family that didn't actually exist, avid asthma attacks? Seemed like a waste to the married couple.
Vivika, of course, drove to the Central Park Zoo while Zach sat in the back with The Master and Thomas kept a close eye on the kid as he went over exactly how to use the rifle. She couldn't help but listen to him, Thomas was very knowledgeable and she soon found herself wondering just how much of his firearms knowledge was new and how much lingered from his time as an officer. She supposed it didn't matter one way or another, she just enjoyed listening to his voice.
As soon as they arrived at the zoo Thomas loaded the rifle took the safety off and then the three of them basically let Zach run wild into the tiger habitat. Three sets of eyes watched from up high above the enclosure as he nervously wandered around for a while in search of his target. It amazed her at how easily The Master had been able to convince Zach to go inside.
The raven-haired beauty leaned against her husband's strong chest as they wondered if Zach was going to get himself killed; didn't matter to them. The tiger appeared then, large and stunningly beautiful. Quickly Zach opened fire and then that gorgeous animal lay dead with a young teenager poking it. Waste of a tiger if you asked Vivika.
"He feels it. Power over lesser creatures. Taking a life."
"He shot four bullets when one would have been enough." Responded Thomas clearly not as impressed as The Master.
Thomas though the boy had wasted ammunition while Vivika firmly believed that tiger had more right to live than Zach.
"There is dark potential in this boy."
Eichhorst tilted his head slightly towards their master and his expression truly said it all, he wasn't conceived in the least, just like his bride he wondered why they were all still bothering with him. The Master sped away down into the enclosure then without offering Thomas a single hint as to this boy's use. The Eichhorsts did, however, smile devilishly when they noticed him pretending to be the boy's mother again.
Vivika rubbed at her shoulders. "I'm cold."
That seemed to pull Thomas out of whatever internal debate he was having with himself and he peered down at his beautiful wife with fake blue eyes.
"Perhaps if you were to wear clothes instead of dressing like a whore." He replied in a tone which said he'd honestly have rather she be cold and dressed like a whore than the other way around and easily wrapped his arms around her.
Vivika cuddled in close to his chest and slipped her arms under his suit jacket to warm her hands up at his flanks; he smelt of sandalwood.
"Maybe I could get the zoo running again." She began after a few moments. "These animals have more right to life and food than humans do and yet we're feeding and sheltering them."
Thomas raised an eyebrow. "And where do you propose to get all the meat for such large animals?"
Vivika hardly missed a beat. "The bodies we toss into the incinerators. We could cut them down, render them unidentifiable as human, just hunks of nondescript meat and bring it here for the wildlife. The bones, skin, hair and everything else can just carry on into the incinerator. We already have all the meat they need just going to waste."
"My clever bride." He pressed a loving kiss to the top of her head. "What about the herbivores?"
"Well, the countryside is starting to become unkempt and if you can smuggle people into New York for me I wouldn't seriously doubt you couldn't get me veterinary supplies and other essentials for such big animals."
Eichhorst pulled her tighter against him, pressed their chests together and silently enjoyed the feeling of her breasts against him.
"True. However, who would visit? Humans seem more focused on themselves."
She snorted. "Humans are always more focused on themselves, and who said I'd want people visiting? I just said I would get the zoo working, I didn't say it would be a tourist attraction again."
She stretched up on her high heels for a kiss which Thomas quickly and happily returned. He adored this woman, this more than human. So smart and cunning but she seemed to place living creatures on a ladder of importance; Strigoi and herself were at the top, then the animals and finally down at the bottom were regular humans. If it came down to a dog she'd never met or Zach she'd be saving the dog without question.
Suddenly Thomas hoisted Vivika up and onto the guard rail so her back was to their master and Zach, his lips locked to hers as he pushed her thighs apart so he could stand between them to better plunder her mouth. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist to keep her close and illuminate any possibility of her falling. Instantly her body flooded with warmth, she crossed her ankles behind his back to seek as much warmth from his as possible. Thomas kissed at her neck, her lips, her ear every now and again he would nip at her skin, not enough to draw blood but enough to leave a mark for a few seconds before she healed. Vivika adored the way her suit clad husband kissed her, always possessively.
She pulled back when Thomas ground to a halt, his whole body may as well have turned to stone; her brow furrowed deeply.
"Thomas?" Nothing, he didn't blink, he didn't speak, he didn't move at all. "Thomas, darling, are you alright?"
"Today is about Zach." Green eyes snapped to her left to see The Master with Zach at his side. "It is not for you to rut against one another."
Vivika had the common courtesy to actually look apologetic. "I'm sorry, Master."
Point proven The Master released Thomas who suddenly shifted and set Vivika down on her heeled feet before he turned to their Lord, head slightly lowered.
"As am I, Master. Please, forgive us."
The Master calmly strode towards his every loyal servant and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"I admire your love for her, it is pure. Though today is for Zach and you will remember that."
Thomas nodded while the boy in question just stood there looking as if he couldn't have cared less; in all honesty he probably didn't. With the little confrontation over with The Master returned to Zach and guided him away towards the car leaving Vivika and her husband to follow along behind.
~X~
Thomas strutted into the penthouse he and his beautiful bride via the large, black double doors. He cast a glance up the main staircase in search of Vivika but she wasn't anywhere to be seen, he padded into the grand living area and called out her name but no response came which was unlike her, at the very least she'd call out an 'I'm here' from wherever she was in their home. He stepped out of the side door and onto the large decked area where finally found Vivika swimming lengths in the infinity pool; odd for a woman who'd complained only a few hours earlier that it was cold outside. Still, his wife had always been an odd one so he didn't question it too much.
Thomas stood there and watched for a few seconds since she hadn't noticed him, just witnessed his bride in her natural habitat. The yellow bandeau bikini she wore was eye-catching and didn't let him forget for one seconds just how alluring Vivika really was. Her hair danced through the water as she swam from one end to the other then back, as if it had a life of its own. Thomas also had to admire just how free she looked as she glided through the water, a diamond among rocks, a beauty carved from marble. Okay, maybe he stood there more than a few seconds, minutes may have been closer to the truth, either way he was actually surprised when she popped up from the water and rested her arms at the pools edge so she could flash him a smile. Easily Thomas went to crouch down beside the pool's edge.
"Enjoying yourself?" He asked as nonchalantly as possible.
"No point having this pool and not using it, right? Jogging hasn't ever been my thing so I have to stay fit somehow." She must have seen something in him beyond enjoyment over watching his wife because without warning her brow furrowed. "Are you alright, Thomas? You seem … disgruntled."
He sighed. "Our master has elected to give Zach a rewards for killing that tiger this morning." Her furrowed brow turned to a raised eyebrow full of question. "His pretty maid is now a permanent fixture it would seem."
"Why was I not informed? I always deal with Zach."
Thomas' fake blue eyes flitted to the edge of the deck where her hands rested only an inch or so from his shoes.
"Indeed, but it may not have been the best of ideas to have his supposed big sister flaunt Zach's new girlfriend at him."
Oh that made her chuckle. "How long do you think it will be before he asks one of us how to speak to girls?" She put on her best mock voice. "Em, Mister Eichhorst, how did you get Vivi to love you?"
The suit clad man smirked before he answered in that deep German accent of his. "I killed a man in front of her."
She reached up to play with his red tie, her fingertips left it damp in places but nothing which would take too long to dry.
"Actually, I think you had me from the second time we met." She let out a little hum at the memory; it seemed so long ago now. "You pinned me against that wall, held me by the throat and I was yours."
"Good to know, liebling." He noticed the expression on her dangerous face then. "If you try and pull me into this pool I will-"
Eichhorst never got a chance to finish his sentence because Vivika yanked him forwards and he splashed straight into the heated water. She roared with laughter, head tilted back and eyes closed obviously thoroughly amused. Her laughing only grew worse when he popped up again looking like a drowned rat. Much to the semi-immortal's amazement Thomas appeared far more convincing as a human when sopping wet. The slight plastic sheen of his prosthetics was far less noticeable, his skin looked more real to, smoother rather than powdery. When she thought about it the only thing which continued to give him away was the wig. That was when she saw the displeased and mildly angry expression he wore, unfortunately for Eichhorst it only made her laugh more.
Without warning the air was knocked from her lungs as she found herself slapped roughly against the pool edge, the wood dug into her back painfully but Vivika didn't really care.
"Go on then, what are you doing to do to me?" She asked with a teasing grin. "Smack my head against the deck? Hold me under the water?"
Thomas kissed her, his fully dressed but soaked body pressed against her practically naked one while fingers trailed down her flat stomach towards her needy core; his forearm held her in place.
"Oh no, you'd enjoy that." His accent had thickened.
The former Nazi peppered her neck with little nips and kisses, delicate but precise touches designed to have his bride mewing in want quickly; he got exactly what he wanted. Vivika's legs floated up in the water to lock around his hips while her hands flexed in the water, she'd wanted to wrap her arms around his neck but he was stronger and kept his wife in place. Thomas easily pushed the small scrap of fabric between her legs aside to tease her entrance. His kisses deepened and Vivika felt the urge he had to bite down and turn the pool red.
He delighted in the way her little hums and mews slowly grew into wants and whimpers, breathless pants of his given name after her head had fallen back and she'd started to try and claw at him in a desperate attempt to bring him closer. Thomas denied her though, kept his handless arm firmly pressed against her upper chest to stop her moving around or floating away from him.
When he felt her start to quiver around his talented fingers Thomas knew she was close, knew this was where she needed him most, knew he'd made her body yearn for him.
"You asked what I'd do to you." He whispered into her ear.
"I don't care anymore." Was the only breathless response he received and boy did it make him smirk.
"But I do. You'd like the pain so it would have to be something to really upset you and make you learn your lesson."
Thomas kissed her again, deeply, tongues fighting for dominance which Thomas always won.
"Like not letting you orgasm."
Before Vivika could even open her eyes Thomas had retracted his fingers from her sopping core and lifted himself out of the pool. Water poured from his suit and splattered down onto the ground as if the heavens had suddenly opened for a thunderstorm; big drops that almost made their own song. Green orbs finally caught up just in time to see Thomas reach the doors which lead to the kitchen.
"Thomas? Thomas, you can't just leave me like this." He called out in outrage. "Thomas!"
The Strigoi didn't even look back, this was her punishment after all.
"You asshole!"
He didn't even cast her a glance just vanished through the door to get changed. In hindsight Vivika really should have seen that coming … or not coming as the case may be.