*thump*

Riki dropped another large leather-bound volume onto table in the library, coughing as his fanned the dust cloud that it caused. Riki sighed as he flipped through the ancient pages of what had to be the hundredth volume he had search, with no luck. The library was completely ripped apart, stacks of books were piled all around him, and the shelves were practically bare.

Katze would kill me if he saw this, Riki thought wryly. The library was Katze's favourite place in the manor more so than even his own room, which wasn't surprising considering this was were Katze spent most of his, time doing research. Between his terminal and these ancient books Katze seemed to have information on everything from, science, supernatural creatures to the blueprints of the manor, which happened to be what Riki was looking at now.

Having finished off the last book he had moved on to a large decrepit looking tube that had the blueprints rolled up inside. He laid the yellowy aging paper carefully on the desk weighting each curling corner with a book. It looked like a hand drawn floor plan for the east wing of the manor, where the library was located. He glanced at the chrono stamp at the bottom of the plan, which dated it at more than a two hundred years old.

Wow I didn't think the manor was that old. Katze said he had owned it since it was built, maybe he meant his family owned it. Riki thought, a small sliver of unease worked it's way up his spine. It didn't seem right Katze always meant exactly what he said even if it sounded ridiculous, and he had never lied once to Riki. That was one of the reasons Riki had stayed with him after Guardian, Katze had been good to him, he was like a father and a brother. Riki knew that under Katze's cold demeanor and stoic mask, he was a very kind generous person.

Well he did take in a fifteen year old damaged kid and nursed him back to health,Riki thought with a smile. He would never be able to repay Katze for saving him from Guardian or for taking him in, looking out for him for these five years and most of all for helping him to heal. Guardian's experiments had left him broken not just physically but emotionally as well.

Riki shuddered, I need stop thinking about Guardian and focus on finding Katze.

With that thought Riki turned back to the blueprints on the desk, frowning when something caught his eye. Suddenly he looked up casting his eyes around the library taking in the size of the room before glancing back at the plans. The dimensions of the library in the drawing didn't match up with the dimensions of the actual room.

"Katze, you suspicious bastard you made a secret room," Riki said with a wry smile.

"Master Raoul", came a voice through Raoul's bedroom doorway followed by a light knock on the open door.

"What is it Kai?", Raoul replied from his position on the edge of his bed next to Katze's still slumbering form.

"You have been summoned to Lord Iason's chambers, Sir"

Raoul hummed his acknowledgment brushing a lock of fiery red hair from Katze's pale face. He closed his eyes to better feel the new mental link that was forming between him and Katze. He could feel Katze's mind working, trying to process the connection created by the vampiric seal. He probed the new area in his mind that represented Katze's consciousness and was surprised when it probed back. He let out a startled gasp, his eyes flying open, humans were not capable using such a power.

All pets and servants had a vampiric seal so their masters could control, discipline and keep track of them, but it was always a one sided connection. The 'sealed', as they were called could not even feel the link unless there master wished them to.

Raoul chuckled to himself. "You are proving to be more that I could have imagined. Wake soon, my Katze," he said placing a kiss on those perfect full lips before rising to face his servant.

"Notify me the moment he awakens", he ordered, "I will be detained in chambers for the rest of the day".

Raoul walked long ornate hallway that led to the grand council chambers. It was lined with intriguing designs of glowing lichen and huge painted reliefs detailing the history of the ancients.

Most of the ancients resided here in Tanagura, but there were a few that lived in the other underground cities, mainly the lower ranked of the elite vampires. They usually acted as the overseers for outlying cities.

Ranking among the ancient elite vampires was denoted by the color of their hair with onyx the lowest, blond the very top, with ruby, jade, sapphire and platina in between.

Currently there were only seven of the highest ranking ancients, or Blondies, left. Tasked by Jupiter, their creator, with ruling over all of vampire kind. They made up the grand council with the first, most powerful ancient vampire at its head, Iason Mink.

Many feared him and with good reason he was always calm and calculating - ten steps ahead of his enemies. Even Raoul, his second in command, found it tricky to keep up with him at times. He was the perfect leader in every way and Raoul wondered briefly if Jupiter,their creator, had that in mind when she created him, it was entirely possible.

Raoul pulled his thoughts back to the present as he reached the large doors of the grand council chambers. Pushing open the heavy doors with ease, he entered and swiftly skirted around the large oval table in the middle of the room where they sat when the high council was convened. He knocked on a smaller but no less ornate door at the back of the chamber, Iason's private office. The door opened and Raoul was greeted by Iason's personal servant, Cal, who led Raoul to the main sitting room before excusing himself to fetch his master.

Raoul didn't have to wait long before Iason entered through the opposite door. He was resplendent in white satin, with his long pale blonde hair falling in silkily straight lines down his back.

"Raoul, how was the mission?" Iason said motioning for Raoul to be seated in the chair across the low table from him.

"This so called 'vampire' I went to find had even less information than the last few we have encountered. They're abominations Iason, every time I taste their blood I feel sick. There has to be a better way to gain information on they're creator." Raoul said, his lips twisted in a mote of disgust at the memory of reading the blood memories of that creature.

"I fear you are right, Raoul, it is something we must discuss with the council", Iason said turning his icy blue eyes to Raoul's emerald ones, "Now what is this I hear about you bringing an outsider here, and a human no less."

A/N: Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement! I will endeavor to update more now that I am on Holiday!

printor27: Yeah! Raoul/Katze are my fav too!

Tiamate: Moaar! As requested!

Ruin Nation: Thank you! We will find out more about Riki's time in Guardian in the next chapter, but I'm afraid it might be a few chapters before he meets Iason. :(

Visitor: Ha ha Katze does kind of get a fairytale beginning there. I think I will explore some different facets of Raoul's personality, but I do like a gentle Raoul, sometimes... :)

Quick Speed: Your wait is over! :D

P.R. Sagrav: Your welcome!

Jollyolly: Thanks! I'm glad your on board!

Guest: Thanks so much for your review! It really gave me the kick I needed to finish this chapter and I totally understand were you're coming from I get super happy when my fav authors update too. I will try to update more for you! :D