Thanks to all of you who commented on the story, I appreciate all of you! Now, more about Coraline's plans, and what's happening with our LA vamps.
Chapter 19
The weather in Paris was overcast and dull, and it matched how Coraline felt. She looked out the window at the misty rain as it coated the grass and trees and still felt sad about Lance. She'd spoken to Henri about getting revenge against Josef Kostan, and he agreed. Since then, their other four brothers had been told, and there was disagreement among them. Most of them wanted to go confront Kostan themselves, and it took Henri quite a while to regain order.
Coraline sighed, and let the lace curtain drop back over the window. She turned back to her brothers, who continued to argue.
"I say we just go over there, find Kostan and kill him," Charles said with a snarl.
"Haven't you listened to anything Coraline has said?" Henri asked, exasperated. "She was there, just weeks ago, and she knows the area well. Kostan has increased his security lately because of others who have threatened him. He has the Cleaners, as well as his own private forces behind him."
Coraline moved to her brother, "Charles," she said softly, "I would agree if this was just another vampire, but Kostan is more than two hundred years older than us, and he has infinite amounts of power and money. I couldn't bear to lose any more brothers."
Charles felt her concern and looked at her shamefaced, "I didn't meant to worry you, mon cher. I'm just frustrated we cannot seek revenge, as is our right."
"Coraline has told us of her plan to make Kostan suffer. She can go to America, and can stay in Los Angeles without suspicion. Her ex-husband has some trust in her, and won't be expecting her to move against them."
Coraline almost winced when she heard Mick referred to as an 'ex.' She smiled bravely at her brothers. "I know how to get to Mick's wife," the word stuck in her throat. "I will get Kostan's woman with her in a place where they cannot get away and kill them both."
She said it without trepidation. Coraline knew Mick would never be hers again, and it didn't matter now if Mick hated her. It was time to end what she started more than fifty years ago. Mick would stay a vampire, but Coraline would make sure he stayed one alone, without Beth.
"Will you be able to do this, sister?" Louis asked.
Henri put his arm around Coraline. "Of course she will. We have trained her, have we not? She is skillful with a blade and the two women are fledgling vampires."
Her brothers nodded, and she felt their approval. She straightened, relishing their respect. In a family of male vampires they rarely listened to her views, and considered her to be subservient to their wishes.
"But she won't be alone," Henri continued. "I'm sending Luc with her." Luc was the smartest and most fearless of their security team. "He speaks English, and will guard our sister from harm."
Once again, the brothers nodded in agreement and Coraline took heart from their support.
"I am worried," Laurent said. He had worked with Lance on the family finances, although their elder brother hadn't given him complete access. Lance had been concerned recently because many of their investments seemed to be in a downturn. Now Laurent was responsible and he was nervous. "Our investments have been dwindling, and I am troubled. Lance handled everything, and I don't know how to put it right."
Henri turned to Laurent. "Is it serious?"
"It could be. I do not have the expertise to analyze everything. I think we must turn to a human firm to find out where we stand."
Henri paced a moment, then said, "Do what you must to ensure our security. I put it in your hands, Laurent."
The younger vampire gulped and said, "Of course, I will do my best."
"Good. Then we are agreed that Coraline will go to Los Angeles and take care of the women."
"Oui," they said, and each gave a kiss to their sister before leaving the room. It was past midnight and their human ladies were waiting to feed them.
Coraline looked at Henri, who had not left with the others. "Is there something else?"
"Yes, my sweet. You must tell me all you know about Kostan and his habits."
"Why?"
Henri dissembled. "I want to brief Luc on what he might come up against. He's never been to America, and I want him to be prepared."
"Of course," Coraline responded. It made sense to her. She didn't know that Henri had his own reasons, and didn't care whether or not she could kill the women.
She told him what she knew about Josef's schedule, his office and home in the hills. It gratified her that Henri was so interested in her opinion and was giving her the regard she not had often from her brothers.
Finally, he said, "You must be tired, mon cher. Seek out refreshment and go to your freezer. We will consolidate your plans tomorrow night."
"Oui, d'accord." Coraline left the drawing room, heartened by Henri's faith in her.
After she'd gone, Henri poured himself another dose of the exquisite Napoleon brandy and sat down to contemplate. He hoped Coraline would be able to kill the women that belonged to their enemies. But it didn't matter much to Henri if she succeeded. He had his own plan for taking out Kostan.
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"Wow, everything is so intense," Sofia cried, looking out the UV protected window of Ewan's condo.
Ewan put his arm around Sofia, and she leaned into him. She'd been a vampire for a whole week, and was enjoying every minute. Time spread out before her, and she was thrilled that Ewan wanted her with him for eternity.
Ewan was more content that he ever remembered, even when he was human in the cramped monastery when the thought that would be his life. Sofia's joy in being a vampire, and wanting to spend her life with him made him feel complete. He wanted to show her everything that a vampire could be, and he knew she would be a willing student. Not that she would be passive, he knew she was too much a modern a woman for that, but she would learn and grow with him.
She glanced up at him, smiling. "There's so much I want to do."
"I know darlin' but one step at a time. You need to get on your feet, and then be around humans so you can see your mother, and go back to work."
She was overwhelmed by what she felt from Ewan, his love for her and how he knew she needed to be useful. "Yes, of course. I'm just enjoying being with you right now," she said, smiling up at him.
He felt his desire for her, and kissed her, as she melded herself to him. She gave in to her fledging need for him, and kissed him back, her fangs coming down. He picked her up and headed for their bedroom, grateful he had found the woman who would make his future life worth living.
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Mick frowned over some papers and pictures spread on his desk. He scented Beth coming in and looked up.
"Busy?" she asked.
"No, just working a case," he replied.
Beth came and bent over his shoulder, her nearness sending tingles through his body. He re-focused on the information in front of him.
"What do you have?"
"A missing teenager. Her parents went to the police, but they told them she probably ran away."
Beth nodded and said, "The police won't do anything, so the parents came to you." She knew Mick had a soft spot for kids in distress. "Do you think she ran away?"
He sat back and shook his head. "According to her parents, she wanted to be a model and was obsessed with the fashion industry. She was a good student and planned to sign up with an agency when she graduated high school."
Beth examined the picture of a pretty blond with perfect cheekbones and a winsome smile. "So what do you think?" Beth knew Mick's instincts were good and she wanted to draw that out.
"There are plenty of phony agents who would take advantage of a young girl. Most of them are in the porno business. They guarantee modeling jobs, but coerce the girls to pose semi-nude or even in sex movies. They keep them almost prisoners, and promise them big money, but they never deliver. Sometimes they kill them to keep them quiet." Mick had seen this sort of thing in the long years he'd spent in LA. It was a magnet for hopeful models or aspiring actresses who wanted to become famous.
"Where will you start?"
"I know a few guys that might know something," Mick responded.
Beth leaned closer into his neck and kissed and nibbled his ear. "Can I help?" she asked, softly.
Mick reigned in the vampire that Beth always brought to the surface. Her absolute belief in him always made him grateful that she loved him. He turned and pulled her down on his lap, kissing her soundly.
It was a few minutes before the stopped, neither needing to come up for air. Beth wiggled on Mick's lap, and his eyes silvered and his fangs raked her neck. "You're distracting me from work," he said thickly.
Beth gave him a seductive smile, "It's your fault for being so damned irresistible."
He snorted, giving her a smile as she stood up. Beth perched on the edge of his desk. "So what can I do to help with this missing girl?"
Mick's lust receded, and he couldn't fault that Beth cared about humans. He was pleased she wanted to help.
After a moment, he replied, "I'm going to interview her friends and find out if she talked about anyone who could help her in the modeling business."
"Good idea. Sometimes girls don't tell their parents everything."
"Yeah, I'm going to their house tomorrow to go through her room."
"Oh, I'd like to come," Beth said, excited.
"Can you get off work?"
She waved that away. "I don't have to be there until after sundown, so I can go with you in the afternoon."
"I have an appointment to go to the house in the afternoon," Mick admitted.
"See, then it works out fine," she smiled.
"Yes, but it means we'll have to get to bed earlier than usual."
"Oh, Mr. St. John, is that an invitation?"
"Hell yes," he growled, scooping her up and going through the office door into their loft, and zipping her upstairs at vampire speed. Beth just hung on and grinned into his chest as they headed toward the bedroom.
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The rains were hitting southern California, and the air was cleaned by the persistent drizzle. Josef Kostan always enjoyed this time of year, even if it brought mudslide danger to some areas. His home in the hills was built on one of the rocky outcrops in the upper canyons, so it was safe from the weather. He put down the papers he'd been studying when he saw Simone enter the office. Her smile warmed him and he growled, "Hey, beautiful."
She came over to him, gave him a kiss. "Hi, baby. I hope I'm not interrupting."
Josef sat back, admiring her lithe figure and auburn hair. She was dressed casually, since it was a weekend and she didn't have any client appointments.
"I was just finishing with the Sri Lanka deal. I bought the mine consortium, which will really piss off the Chinese."
Simone looked at him questioningly. "Did you want to make them mad?"
"No, not particularly," he shrugged. "They were trying to low-ball the price so they could get control. The mine is the only source of income for several towns around it. My agents told me they were planning on reducing wages to squeeze more profits. I'll keep the worker's pay the same but modernize the processing." He picked up one of the papers on his desk. "In two years, we'll break even and then be operating at a 27% profit, and the locals can keep their standard of living."
Simone knew Josef wouldn't appreciate her admiration for taking care of the people who worked the mines, so she said, "It sounds like a good investment."
He felt her loving thoughts, and cleared his throat. She always saw through him, and he didn't mind that she knew about his altruism. But he would die the true death before he let anyone else find out.
"How are things with the law office?" he asked, changing the subject.
Simone told him of a few of their current cases, none of which were very dramatic. Some contracts and mergers, with their vampire clients, but they had gained a fair amount of human customers mostly due to Ben Talbot's reputation.
There was a buzz on Josef's intercom and his assistant's voice said, "Mr. Kostan, Ms. Vargas would like to see you if you are available."
"Yes, of course. Send her in." He stood up, buttoning the jacket on his Armani suit. Simone went around to the bar, and rummaged in the refrigerator to find some blood for their guest.
Sonora came into the office, smiling hello to both Josef and Simone.
"Would you like a drink?" Josef asked, smoothly.
"That would be nice. Half and half with scotch, if you have it."
Simone said, fine. "Josef?"
"I'll have one, too."
Simone prepared the glasses, and handed one to Josef and Sonora. "Is this private? I can get back to my office, if you like."
"No, no," Sonora said. "I just wanted to let Josef know about my research."
Simone finished making her drink, and took a seat next to Sonora.
"What have you found?" Josef asked.
Sonora took a sip and replied, "I've gone over everything again. I told you that fraud in Geneva was premature in saying the formula would work."
"Yes," Josef nodded.
"I've tested a few other botanicals with what he had, and there's no way to make it work on a permanent basis."
Josef was disappointed. Being able to stay in the sun would have been a huge boon for vampires. Sonora felt his regret, and said, "However, I think I can get it to work temporarily."
"What do you mean?" Simone asked.
Sonora smiled. "The problem has to do with changing our blood enough to accept UV rays. Unfortunately, the virus that makes us vampires alters our DNA and therefore, rejects anything trying to change it. I believe I've come up with something that will mask the blood enzymes and allow us to be in the sun for a short time."
"How short?" Josef asked.
"I don't know until I've completed my studies. I wasn't sure I could even get it to do that much, but now I think it could be workable. I still have to experiment, and once I complete the formula, I'll have to test it."
Josef got up and started to pace, as was his habit when thinking. "We could get volunteers, as long as it won't endanger them."
Sonora said, "On paper, I don't think it will. But, I'll need some vampires to donate blood to use for testing. I've tried it on my own, but I need different samples. I believe it will have a short-term effect, perhaps only a few hours."
Simone was pleased. "It's not what we hoped, but it could still be useful."
"All right," Josef commented, "I'll get all the vamps in the office to come down to your lab and give some blood. Will that be enough?"
Sonora finished her drink. "Yes, if I test on a variety of blood and the results are the same, then I'll feel more comfortable."
"Fine. I'll get Deborah to arrange for my staff to see you in the next few nights."
"Thank you." Sonora stood up and started to leave.
"And don't think about testing the formula on yourself," Josef ordered.
Sonora stopped in mid-stride, and turned to look at him sharply. How did he know? she thought to herself.
Josef appreciated she was a scientist who would pursue a problem to the end, even if it meant risking herself to see it through. "I can't afford to lose a good researcher," he said. "I know you want to finish the project, but we can find volunteers for you. Besides, if something happened to you, I don't want to answer to Gerald."
Sonora stood stock still, and finally nodded. "Very well, I will do as you say."
Simone felt the tension between them, and went to Sonora. "I'm sure Gerald would agree, don't you think?"
"Yes," Sonora gave a small smile. "I need to get home now. Good night."
She left, and Simone went to Josef and put her arms around him. "Hmmm, going home sounds like a good idea."
Josef could feel it was getting on toward dawn and smiled in agreement. "Let's go, babe."
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Across a continent and an ocean, Henri Duvall sat at his desk, reading an email with satisfaction.
He and his brothers had escorted Coraline to the airport earlier in the evening, with her promise that she would keep in close contact with Henri. He knew Luc would protect her with his life, so he wasn't worried about her plan to kill the two women. In fact, it would be a suitable diversion for what Henri had planned.
In spite of Laurent's concern about finances, Henri knew they were still a very rich family. They definitely had enough to employ the assassin that Henri had just hired.
TBC
Looks like Henri isn't leaving everything in Coraline's hands after all. Next, will Coraline or Henri succeed in their plans? Thanks for all your support and I appreciate your reading and reviewing.