It has been a really long time and I apologize for that. It was a long year especially with COVID-19 and it has been hard to hear the voices of my characters under this kind of stress. But I have finally been able to hear the characters a bit more clearly and was able to get another chapter written.
Please do not judge for grammatical errors, I have no beta.
The over-arching world of Darkened Road is owned by Laurel Hamilton. Some characters have been rewritten and others are of my own creation. I hope you enjoy.
Jean-Claude POV
I was sure that my eyes were still black from my rage. Alexandra was secure in my arms. I had curled her into my embrace, though it was not the preferred reason to have her in my arms. Asha needed room on the couch having been unsatisfied with her spot on the floor. Asha sat on in the space I had provided, ensuring her paw was touching Alexandra.
I fear she is too busy fueling James instead of healing herself. She whispered in my mind. She had avoided my eyes since her return. It was unclear whether that was due to my rage or hers.
She does like to be stubborn and frustrate me.
"Have Wicked and Truth returned?" I asked sharply.
"Raine has reported in. They are all in route. Wicked and Truth are escorting." Bobby Lee answered as he moved from the door in front of me. As he had explained, Claudia had placed him in charge if she was every incapacitated. The power structure was lacking leaders beside myself and my focus was diverted to ma petite. For the moment, he was the leading force for the new bodyguards.
"Has the area been secured?"
"All areas are secure. Primo and Gretchen are in a room with a cross on the door until Truth arrives. Asher went to assure the other vampires since they mentioned a disturbance in the blood." Dino responded from the corner.
"Who authorized a cross on the door? We do not torture our own." I quipped even as I kept my eyes on Alexandra.
Bobby Lee stood directly in front of me, showing how he was taking charge and responsibility. "I conferred with Asher once they refused to return their quarters. They started to call their power and attempting to enter your area by force."
I nodded in understanding. "You acted appropriately. Truth must report there immediately before I, otherwise we could have an uprising for torturing without just reason. Gretchen is not relevant to the matter because I am her master. Primo is supposed to be in the power structure though."
Bobby Lee nodded in understanding. "I will ensure it."
"Why the switch to Truth?" I thought I had requested Wicked.
"The team decided that Wicked would kill him too quickly."
I smirked. "It may be accurate. I approve the decision in my absence."
Bobby Lee nodded accepting the compliment for what it was. It was quickly, but Rafael would not have sent bodyguards that could not have been trusted.
Asha, I fear I may need to leave Alexandra's side in order to keep up appearances and handle the vampires.
She will be protected.
Do not let anyone near her beside unless the drove, and I would include Claudia and Raine in that.
I suspect Raine is going to eventually be called to join drove. Alexandra already feels pull to connect to Claudia.
Water pulling more allies?
I believe water is pulling protection for more than just her physical strength.
Comrades?
The term is close enough. The drove has never just been about comrades though.
Family.
Far more accurate. Protection and comrades could be had without the connection. I think water is trying to give her what has stolen so long ago.
Secure family.
Home.
I nodded at Asha gripping Alexandra closer in my arms as I lifted her and laid her gently fully on the couch. Asha stood in front of the couch. She was clearly in a defensive stance.
"Bobby Lee you will assist Asha as necessary in protection of Mizelle. If harm befalls her, the Spanish Inquisition will seem like novices in the art of torture." I let my power slip out some as I finished the statement. It clearly had a hint of wet rain smell, like dew or frost in the dawn before the sun had time to warm the earth. My assumption of fire based off the tattoo seemed to be inaccurate.
Bobby Lee nodded as he moved to the arm of the couch. "Asha and I will ensure her protection. Replacement once Truth returns?"
It was day one and the bodyguards had been spread then. Likely, it was for this reason that Claudia had been so focused on having two guards on Alexandria. The rodere would likely always been in command of our intimate guard, but more of the two-natured were need and loyal vampires. I looked around at the other guards. "God, once Truth returns replace Bobby Lee."
"This would leave you without protection sir." He said sternly.
"Fredo, Taras, and Ivan will be with me." I said thinking about next steps. I had to return to the court dance in order to prevent more attempts on ma petite. Gretchen and Primo could wait, but the other vampires needed to be dealt with. The dance of the court often was more brutal than the dance of the swords. For this reason, I had made focused on perfecting by court dance for centuries. If swords could be avoided with the court dance than it would likely save injuries and lives. However, the court dance was a fine line between being silver-tongued and condescending.
Bobby Lee interrupted my thoughts. "Fredo, your priority will be Jean-Claude while you are with him and we stretch ourselves thin. Ivan, yours will obviously be your master." Bobby Lee turned to face me. "With Claudia absent let me make this perfectly clear, I am in charge of this protection detail and while I understand urgency of the situation…."
"You do not appreciate the rearranging of the guards. It shall not be permanent, and I will allow you to make highly regarded recommendations for rearrangements. Claudia selected her second in command with great care."
Bobby Lee nodded in understatement. It was not about disrespect in this moment. Claudia was respected and cared for, that had been clear since Alexandria almost burned Anita to the ground. If she had determined someone else needed to care for us, it had to be accounted for. I surely would not care for others safety right now. James was an automatic because he was far too connected to Alexandria, and my default my own safety had to be considered.
"Taras, you will follow me with them we appease the vampires. They will be anxious and plotting if something was felt in the blood."
I glanced at ma petite once more and left the room. The vampires seemed to have shut down the Circus once I was incapacitated. The Circus was irrelevant though in this aspect, the money could quickly be regained. A bargain night with limited attractions will boost morale. It could be explained away with statement on bombing that affected the two natured near Dead Dave's.
The circus has a large dining room area that was often used to host other masters. I sensed several other vampires and drifted softly into the room, reining in my temper and my power.
Asher was already in the room and bowed his head as I entered. "Master, they have questions regarding the recent disturbance in the blood."
"And why Truth and Wicked are within your territory?" Another spoke up, I recognized the voice as Meng Die. She was one of my own and powerful within her own right. Another had sent her back to me, by my request, because he feared she was days from killing him. After these affairs were settled, we would likely need to discuss a new territory for her. She would not thrive under me.
"Truth and Wicked have requested reside and asylum. I have decided to grant their request and they shall be bound by blood before dawn."
"Is it not a risk to invite such brutes into our lands, Master?" Gwendolyn asked. She was a master vampire that joined the territory once I took over from Nikolaos. Her former Master of the City was a cruel creature longing for the days of old and demanded blood or sex from his people. About 200 or so years old, she was formidable for her age already seeing some signs of her powers as a master vampire, though she had not yet found her animal to call.
Henrick glided forward standing behind Gwendolyn. He was another that joined once I removed Nikolaos. There were those who thought he was the one of the Henrys of Britain but he was removed from that bloodline. Henrick being a common enough name during those times about three hundred years ago, in this time he often went by simply Henry. We had encountered each other several times in court once I fled Bella Morte. He was known for his speed, which is extraordinary for such a relatively young vampire. "It is not wise to question the decisions of your Master, no matter how sudden. Though the disturbance in the blood is far more concerning?"
"It is that reason why I have come. There is one who is newly connected to me who was ambushed returning to the Circus." I had to be gentle in the way I described ma petite connection to me. "As such a new connection, it was still raw for lack of a better term which caused me to feel the results of the ambush more strongly than what is expected in these things."
"Has it been determined why the ambush occurred or how, Master?" Rodrick asked. He was another native of Great Britain around the same age as Henrick. I believe they had encounters as human, but they did not hold grudges against each other after discovering they were both turned. It is unclear who turned either of them, such information is typically held close to one's chest.
"It certainly has." Wicked said walking in behind me flanking my opposite side next to Taras. Ivan was standing behind us all, though leaning to the side of his master.
The vampires went silent as Wicked entered. He bowed his head low, which was unheard of from the brothers. They bowed to no one not even their former Master. A message was clearly being sent. I nodded as he arose accepting the bow for the honor it was in our world.
"Fredo, go confirm who has returned and that they have been taken to the rodere's doctor."
Wicked nodded at Fredo. "I will ensure Master's protection." The vampires took one step backward with that, and I imagined that Alexandria would laugh at the effect her "older brother" had on our kind.
"The cause for such injury has been found and will be dealt with." I stated to the vampires as Fredo left.
"Should we be considered about more disturbances in the blood?" Meng-Die asked.
I stared at her letting some of my power leak through. Her eyes widen noticing the difference. "You will be alerted if it comes to fruition." They would not be given details otherwise, at least not until ma petite was more appropriately bound to me.
"There is talk of another master vampire pushing for the city, Master. Should be preparing?" Rodrick inquired.
"Are we ever not on guard against such things?" I replied. Vampire trusted very few and there were always spies within other territories collecting information.
It was about 20 vampires within this room, and more that were not near the circus. I would not put ma petite within a target by singling her out.
"Has your Master not protected you even during the reign of the former Master of the City? Is this type of wavering loyalty typical of your vampires, Master?" Wicked said as his stilled. It was often heard of that Wicked stilled before pulling his blade.
"Be still. A disturbance in the blood of their Master could cause great distress for those loyal to their Master. No vampire here means declare me unworthy of my title." I stated letting all of power loose and focusing on the vampires in the room.
"Clearly you are fit to be the Master of the City, we are only concerned since blood disturbances that would trickle down to those within the city, and not more closely bound, are rare." Henry spoke raising an eyebrow at my display but did not move backwards.
"Are you finding my answers insufficient?" I replied titling my head.
Taras spoke from my side. "Your answers are far superior to what most Masters of the City would divulge."
"Who may you be?" Gwendolyn asked.
"Taras Radich. I requested residence just this night and Master decided I would join the same night as Truth and Wicked."
"How many more have joined our lands?" Rodrick asked.
"Master, are you required to review such decisions with all in your lands." Wicked quickly added.
"Surely not. It seems that they haven't forgotten to whom they speak." I noted letting my voice fill with my power and cause a certain fear against those before me.
"We mean no disrespect, Master." Henry quickly noted bowing his head. The other vampires, whether they remained silent or not, followed his example.
"Be wary of new master vampires that do not smell of our lands." I added dismissing them from my presence. The vampires disbursed but Meng Die, Rodrick, Gwendolyn, and Henry stayed.
"Master?" Meng-Die noted. The one word holding more questions than one.
I did not speak as Wicked watched them closely.
"It would be best to let Truth determine standings before divulging more Master." Taras added from my side.
I glanced at Wicked who discretely nodded. "Very well, you may accompany us and if Truth determines proper loyalty we shall discuss things further." I noted pulling back my power.
"Taras, you and Ivan shall escort them to Truth. Wicked, I want to know what has been found."
Taras nodded and stretched his hand for the others to leave the room. Ivan had taken the lead to show them the way to Truth. If Truth had arrived, he liked had found ma petite and would remain there speaking with Bobby Lee, who would likely ask questions about Claudia and the others.
Wicked moved to the center of the room, nodding his head towards the table. "Master."
I moved slowly to the table taking a seat. "Who?"
"It seems like the invading Masters were involved but the greater threat is how they discovered my little hurricane's location."
"How?"
"Anita."
"She betrayed us?" I asked sternly, my eyes bleeding black.
Wicked lowered his head. "It seems Anita after leaving her was forcibly given the first mark. She was told that if she helped destroy you than they would relieve her of her bond to you."
"Alexandria theory about bonds cancelling out may prove correct."
"It is likely Master, but Anita gave up not your location but Mizelle's."
"How would she have even know where they were headed to?"
"She wouldn't. She told them where to find the vehicle that Claudia often uses for travel, the same car she used to bring Mizelle to the Circus tonight."
"Anita knew that Claudia was with Alexandria often and may have been privy to the fact of Claudia being her guard."
"Has she been located?"
"Not yet, the priority was getting the injured back to the hospital."
I stood up and felt the need to unleash my power in anger. However, anger would not serve me now.
"Track her. Do not kill. I want her whereabouts accounted for, Mizelle will likely want a chance to even the score." I would have my retribution for Alexandria's injuries. However, the lies they were spewing to Anita would prove useful ammo in the future.