Disclaimer: Unbeta'd, so all mistakes are my own. All copyrights belong to Ms. Harris and Mr. Ball.
A/N: Ok, who wants to see a little bit of Godric?
Over the Rainbow….I Mean Pond
KRISTINA'S POV:
I remember waking slightly to Fang growling at Ryn because she was trying to take him away from me. After reassuring her, Fang and I went back to sleep.
When I wake again I can tell that I have slept the day away. Surprisingly, it was a somewhat restful sleep. I blame Fang.
He is still asleep, but we seem to have readjusted at some point. Now, I am on my side with him curled into my stomach. I am sure that he got up at some point to eat and go to the bathroom, but now it is time to get up and get ready.
Luckily, Ryn has everything packed, including a suitcase for Fang full of everything he will need. She calls it his 'travel set' and says that we can leave it on the plane. Apparently everyone wants to spoil him.
Ryn informs me that she has confirmed everything with the pilot and airfield, as well as the estate in Monroe. She seems to have had a busy morning.
She also shows me a new app on my phone to track Fang and some of his belongings. Gotta love Daemon technology, they always have the best. Just try to take an AT&T phone to Faerun and use it, not gonna happen.
My phone, for instance, can get service in any realm. It currently looks like an IPhone, but can change to look like whatever phone I want. And I never have to charge it, due to an enchantment. My Laptop, Tablet, and MP3 Player are the same way and are all currently the latest Apple Technology.
After taking a quick, but thorough shower, I get dressed. Since we will only be flying tonight, I keep it simple. I put on a purple plaid long sleeve shirt, leaving the first few buttons undone and roll up the sleeves to my elbows. I pair it with some dark wash jeans and purple flats. I decide to leave my hair down, with its natural curls.
After getting dressed, I grab Fang and head to get some food. I pass Vlad's study and continue to the kitchen. Rita, Vlad's cook, has a plate already set at the bar for me.
There is a nice, juicy steak, medium rare like I like, waiting for me. She has also made a loaded baked potato and a Caesar salad. To drink, I have a goblet of Red Wine and a goblet of Perfect. Aderyn takes Fang and starts feeding him from a bottle.
"I heard you had an extensive training session this morning, so I figured you would need some nourishment", Rita states, knowing me all too well. These are some of my comfort foods.
"Thank you Rita, this looks perfect." I thank her before digging into my food.
While I am eating, Vlad comes in for his 'dinner'. He lays a gentle kiss on the top of my head before sitting next to me. Rita places another goblet of blood in front of Vlad before excusing herself.
Like I said, she knows me well. She knows we need to talk. Rita is a Were, Wolf to be exact, and an Empath, so we have some similarities.
"You know he loves you. He just doesn't want Preston to cause trouble while he is supposed to be protecting you. We both know that you can protect yourself, but you shouldn't have to. You are a Princess and a Goddess." Vlad states as soon as we are alone.
"I know." I state simply, before continuing on with my meal.
"Aderyn says that everything is prepared in Monroe. I guess she sent Cam to make sure everything was ready. I also heard Fang has become territorial." Vlad tells me with a slight chuckle.
"Yeah he was 'guarding' me this morning. His breed is usually very territorial, but because of the enchantment Father placed on him, I believe he is becoming even more protective of me. He actually reminds me of Preston slightly. When she tried to remove him, he was laying on my stomach with his head on my chest, nose right between my boobs." I think it quite funny, myself.
"Except Fang obeys." He says, quite seriously.
VLAD'S POV:
When I wake, I check my phone and see a text from Aderyn saying that she has confirmed everything for tonight. We will be leaving at 10:30. That will give me plenty of time to shower, get packed, and check my emails.
I have not called Eric to inform him of my visit, nor will I inform Godric. I like surprising them; it makes it easier to see what they are truly up to.
After getting everything prepared, I meet Kristina in the kitchen and we have a somewhat peaceful conversation. After our dinners, we both go back to our rooms to get our bags and everything else we will need for our trip.
KRISTINA'S POV:
I return to my room to make sure that everything is packed, even though I know Ryn has everything that I would normally pack. But for this trip, I need a few additional items.
I secure my room and tell Fang to stay, before going into my closet. I find the floor panel that opens up to a key pad and retina scanner. After getting through the security, the back wall moves and reveals a staircase.
Each of the suites has a safe room/resting area in it. Since I don't need one, I use it as storage for some of my more important items. I go to the safe in the wall and scan my thumbprint to unlock it.
After retrieving a few folders, a hard drive, and box, I lock the safe back up.
I grab my Louis Vuitton Never Full purse and put the retrieved items from my safe, as well as my wallet and tablet inside before securing it. My purse, like my luggage, is enchanted so that no one without permission can get in them.
I pick Fang up and put him in his carrier that Papa got. It looks like a purse, but for animals.
It is Louis Vuitton as well, the top part zips closed, and there is a good size opening at the top corner for Fang's head. There also appears to be a strap with a clip on it to hook to his collar. Fang will probably only get to use it for a few more months.
With my purse and Fang, I walk out into the sitting room to see Aderyn and Preston talking. I simply walk past them both.
***I will be waiting in the living room, have Preston gets the bags loaded*** I say to Aderyn telepathically.
***Of course My Lady, I will make sure everything is taken care of. Oh, and Fang will probably want to go to the bathroom again before we leave. ***She answers.
Walking outside, I let Fang out of his carrier and allow him to run around. We still have some time before Vlad can leave the house, so I sit down and play with Fang for awhile.
"You look really happy and peaceful with him." Vlad states just as the sun drops below the horizon.
"He makes me happy, so pure and innocent, without a care in the world. He hasn't been tainted by hatred." He helps put my soul at ease.
"I know it must be hard on you, I wish I could help." Vlad says, while sitting down with me.
"It is my gift and my curse, my burden to carry." I say, before turning to look at him. He too has gone for comfort tonight, wearing jeans, a wife beater, a blazer, and boots.
"Are you ready?" Vlad asks.
I simply nod my head, while picking up Fang and putting him back in his carrier.
We all load into Vlad's SUV, with Preston driving and Aderyn sitting next to him. Vlad and I are in the middle row of seats with Fang in between us. The back seat has been laid down, and our luggage placed in.
The drive to the airstrip is short and silent. My jet is normally housed at Hayden's Private Airstrip, along with his.
The addition of a Jet to my collection was actually quite fun. Hayden was going on and on about the jet that he bought. I finally got sick of it and told him that I could just make one. It turned into a bet, and I never turn down a competition with Hayden.
So, naturally I created the most luxurious Jet that was on the market. I had actually planned on buying a jet, just smaller. But you might as well go big when it comes to a bet.
Hayden was speechless. Now I still paid for it, even though the company wasn't out any money. It was a donation. Then I had to create proper documentation for it, which was a little trickier, but still doable. Now I use the jet anytime I fly. It is much safer and customized for my needs.
When we get to the plane, I call the pilot, who lowers the ramp so that we can drive up. Using my magic, I secure the vehicle, grab my purse and Fang and head upstairs to the regular seating.
Within 15 minutes, we are in the air. The plane staff consists of 2 pilots, 2 stewardesses, and 1 maintenance person, all supes.
Vlad, Fang and I move to the Boardroom to discuss our plan for the removal of William Compton.
When I said this was the most luxurious plane, I meant it. It has, essentially, 3 levels.
The bottom level has a cargo bay that will hold two cars plus a buttload of cargo. There is also a well being room, which is my favorite.
It is a big room with seating all around the walls, flat screen TV's mounted on the walls, and a glass floor. You can see exactly what you are flying over. It is awesome. The landing gear and galley is also housed on the bottom level.
The middle level houses the boardroom, a concert hall/bar that holds 10 people and VIP seating that accommodates 30 people.
The top level has four private suites that each have a king size bed and bathroom with shower. I also had them soundproofed and made light tight. Behind the suites are two rooms, which will serve as offices in the near future.
There is a spiral staircase from the cargo bay to the regular seating, then another spiral staircase at the front of the plane from the bottom level all the way up to the top level, with small sitting room areas on each floor.
There is also a lift that goes from the tarmac to the top level, set inside the spiral staircase.
VLAD'S POV:
After takeoff, Kristina and I make our way to the board room. This plane definitely has its uses. Kristina even had all the windows treated like at my estate so that no sunlight will penetrate the plane, except for the cockpit and the well being room, or glass room as I call it. Plus we can go pretty much anywhere without having to refuel.
We spend the next hour going over our plan for the 'V' scandal. We decide that Kristina will arrive after the Magister and will make her true self known to him. Within a week, the news will be spread. Vampires are worse gossips than old women.
After we have solidified our plan, we move down to the glass room and decide to watch a movie. Kristina lays down with her head on my lap with Fang asleep on her stomach and both fall asleep within a few minutes of the movie. She seems to have been sleeping a lot in the last few days.
After the movie is over, I pick Kristina up, with Fang still asleep on her, and carry her to her suite and lay her down. Maybe she will be able to get some good sleep since she is in the air. I know that's why she likes the glass room so much. She can be in and see her family's domain.
Aderyn comes in with some things that I don't recognize and a small blanket.
"It's called a Potty Patch. It is artificial grass that is designed to let liquid flow through it and has a collection tray at the bottom. It's so Fang can go potty even on the plane. Oh, and this is his blankie." She informs me.
A panther has a blankie? Isn't that a kid thing?
We turn off the light and leave Kristina to get some rest.
"She seems to be sleeping better with him." Aderyn tells me while we make our way to our rooms. Preston has already retired to the room next to Kristina's.
"That's good, maybe it is the enchantment." Michael said that he put an enchantment on him so that he would be loyal to Kristina, kind of like when subjects are bound to the Masters, in Fae tradition.
"I don't think that's it. Not entirely, at least. I think that was what caused this. I think he is bound to her like Preston and I are." That can't be, he is an animal, right? I know he isn't a shifter and I tell her as much.
"But think about it, he was enchanted to make him loyal to her, which was like the basis. Then, after her fight session, she picked him up and I saw him lick some blood off of her hand. Also, he might not be a Shifter, but she has the gift of transformation. That would explain how it could be possible, they have many similarities." She must have thought a lot about this.
"We will talk to Kristina about it when we land, maybe she will have some answers." I tell her before entering my suite and going into downtime.
I come out of downtime when the pilots announce that we will begin decent in 5 minutes.
Each of the suites has two safety seats that fold down from the wall, kind of like the ones that flight attendants use on commercial flights.
I leave my suite and walk towards Kristina's to make sure she is awake and strapped in, but Ryn has already checked on her. So, I make my way back to my room and secure myself.
Once we have landed, we are taxied to Kristina's private hanger at Monroe Regional. We all reconvene in the cargo bay and get into the SUV.
With that, we are off towards Kristina's estate. With the time difference it is only 1:30 AM here in Louisiana.
During the drive, I ask Kristina about her connection with Fang. She says that he is now bound to her, but she is unsure of what exactly that will mean for him. She doesn't seem worried though, so I guess we will just need to keep an eye on things.
Turning the last corner, we come up to the main gate and guard shack of her estate. Kristina rolls her window down to have a short talk with the guards.
Driving up the 2 mile driveway is relatively fast and Preston parks at the front of the house.
The Louisiana Estate used to be the family home of Michael, Katharine, and Kristina until Katharine died and they moved to Ireland. Michael signed the deed over to Kristina on her 18th birthday.
The main house is three stories. The first floor has a dining room, living room, library, state of the art kitchen, and a 2 bedroom servants quarters.
The second floor has five bedrooms, each with their own spacious bathroom and closet. In each closet floor is a safe 'cubby' for Vampire resting. Each room is also Vampire safe, with shutters on the windows and individual security pads. There is also a sitting room and butlers kitchen on the floor.
The third floor houses an entertainment room, a relaxation room with sauna, a home gym, and she has told me that she recently had a private style Roman Bath added.
The basement is pretty much its own house. It is actually a separate entity from the main house, buried 100 feet below the houses foundation. Since the house sits on a large hill, they were able to easily dig into the ground without worrying about the water tables.
Michael never would have had any of this done, but the previous owners had it created as a bomb shelter of sorts. Faeries, except those from the Earth clan, don't like being underground for extended periods of time.
Under the main staircase is an elevator that has access to all the floors, including the 'bunker' with the proper pass code.
The basement contains a full kitchen, 5 suites, a living room, and a control room that will run the entire estate including security.
Four of the suites each have a bedroom, closet, bathroom, sitting room and small office.
The Master suite, which Kristina uses, has a larger bedroom, large bathroom, 2 walk in closets, a larger office and sitting room, along with a small room that can be used as storage. I'm not sure what Kristina uses it for, but I know that not even her Lady's Maid is allowed in it.
There are also multiple passage ways out of the basement without going through the main house.
After we are all in the house, Kristina addresses the staff that has been called in and gives them there instructions for the day, before excusing herself for the night.
We both take the elevator downstairs before separating to our respective suites.
Going into my suite's office, I boot up my laptop and check my emails again.
There is one from Alcide, Kristina's Head of Security for the estate, with a copy of the guard schedule.
He has 6 Weres on at all times, a mix of wolves and panthers. Kristina also has 2 Fae guards on rotation as well for the duration of our trip. Usually the skeleton crew is only 2 Weres at any given time and a Fae doing a weekly sweep of the property.
After finishing some business, I decide to do some research on the state of affairs here in Louisiana.
GODRIC'S POV:
Another boring night of nothingness, that is until I got a call from the Ancient One.
"Hello?" I ask, after reluctantly answering my private line, very few people have this number.
"Good Evening Sheriff, how are things in the States?" She asks with some humor in her voice.
"Well, Your Grace. But somehow I don't think you called to check on the local affairs. How can I help you?" I ask the Ancient Pythoness.
"Oh no, it's how I can help you, Roman. Tell me, are you still weary and bored?" She asks me.
"I am sure one as old as you can feel the boredom of the world after awhile." I try my best to deflect her question.
"Oh come now, I know something that should brighten your day. It's time Death." No one has called me that in many years. In fact, thinking back, I remember the last time she called me that.
Flashback: 200 years previous
My child, Eric, and I have just finished assisting in the War of the Princes. Not that we care about what happens in their realm, but now it has spilled over into our realm.
Niall isn't a bad ally to have either. After driving the Water & Earth Fae back into Faerun, I have decided to travel around Egypt while Eric returns to the America's.
A week into my travels, I am summoned before The Ancient Pythoness.
"Your Grace," I say while bowing down on my knees before her.
"Rise, Ancient Boy called Death. I knew you would come. I have something to share with you. I know you have become weary of this world, but know that you will find your perfect mate. You must stay strong and on this plane for her. You have a great destiny to fulfill as does she. She will be everything you will ever need or want. I have seen this, you will be happy. She can make you wish to live. She will need you to help her fulfill a prophecy, Death." Why is she telling me all this?
"A Prophecy, Your Grace?"
End Flashback
"Your Grace?" I had started to lose hope on ever finding my mate.
"Why ask Death, do you not remember what I told you? Just remember, it's time. I will talk to you soon, I'm sure." She says before hanging up.
Ok, that was weird. But honestly, most things from the Ancient Pythoness are.
She is my Grandsire, the oldest Vampire undead, and the ruling seat on the Council, so I fear and respect her. But, can't she just give me a straight answer once in awhile?
Dawn will soon be here, so I believe it is time to retire. If it truly is time, then I will have my mate by my side soon. I can feel that many things will happen after I meet her. I let the dawn pull me under with thoughts of my future mate on my mind and a new hope in my spirit.
A/N 2: OK, from now till Sunday (2/24) I will post a new chapter for every five reviews I get. I will also be working on new chapters of Angel of Death and Actions & Consequences.