The Scarlet Beast

by Aurora84

Daegon locked himself away after the loss of his mate. As much as he wanted to join her in her final death, being the one true immortal prevented it. / Jo was just trying to get her do her job, go home, and relax. However, a twist of fate brought a monster into her life. Would there be a way for her to break free? (Please Review)

6. Chapter 6

The Scarlet Beast Ch. 6

Blade watched from above how all these people were practically ignoring his advice on how to hunt down this Drake. Abby wanted to storm Danica's tower, Hannibal wanted to try to kidnap Asher, Sommerfield was mostly interested in obtaining the blood of Drake or an ancient vampire to spread Daystar, it was only the one they called Hedges that seemed upset with all their ideas.

Looking up, Hedges could see that Blade was getting sick of the bickering, this was not what he signed up for, while he wanted to eliminate the bad vampires, in his opinion not all were bad, just like people, but when he dared to voice that opinion, he was told to shut the fuck up. Rubbing the back of his neck, Hedges made his way up to the scaffolding, perhaps he could talk to Blade, at least to see where he landed on everything.

"Do you mind if I bounce a few ideas of you?" He said, a little nervous about his response.

With a quick glance, Blade could see that the man was nervous to be near him, but that was something that he was used to. Only the very stupid were relaxed around him, "If you think they are useful." His voice clipped.

Exhaling slowly, Hedges knew he had a limited amount of time before Blade told him to piss off. "I read what Abe Whistler wrote about what happened in Prague, with Nomak, Nyssa. With everything that happened, do you still believe that all vampires need to die?"

Standing straighter, Blade could feel his fangs in his mouth, he did his best not to think of Nyssa, she was the first woman that he felt attracted to, if Nomak didn't bite her, perhaps he could have explored such things. Shaking his head from those thoughts, "I learned that like humans they can choose how they behave."

Nodding, pleased to know that at least on that theory they were in some sort of an agreement. "And Sommerfields production of Daystar?" He hated it, not that he had any love loss for the vampire nation but killing all without at least determining how they behaved, seemed wrong.

Hissing, "It's dangerous." His eyes looking down at the three of them still arguing on how to best approach Drake. His mind couldn't help but to think back on what he said, the man wasn't wrong, he has killed hundreds if not thousands of people for just associating with the vampires, what did that make him?

It was the realization about Whistler that made him a tad uneasy, he knew overtime, the old man cared for him, but it was clear in the beginning it wasn't so that he could help him, it was so that he would have a weapon against the vampires, that was only reason he spared him when he found him in the alley.

Hedges could see that he was thinking about something, while he was curious, he knew that the man wouldn't dare speak to him about his feelings. "I'm sorry if I brought something up." Taking a step back, "Do you believe him when he said he killed Danica and took over?"

Rolling his neck, as much as he wanted to say no, instinct told him yes. "I do. And I get the feeling that he has no love for the modern vampires, he cares not about their fate."

Chewing on his lip, Hedges could understand that sentiment, through his research, it was only towards the end of his reign did all the stories of bloodshed and violence seem to come about. "If it helps, I really dug into the research about Daegon, for thousands of years he ruled over Mesopotamia, Samaira, while there was blood, war, it wasn't until around the time he entombed himself did the violence escalate more than what was normal for the time period."

Closing his eyes, well that just really pissed him off, instinctually he could sense the warrior in him, the honor, but given what he was, he wanted to argue against it. However, it seems that Hedges was just confirming what he felt.

Pointing to the trio, "Do they know this?"

Frowning a bit as he saw Abby stomp off, "Yes, but I've been told that it doesn't matter." Hearing his watch beep, it was almost sunrise, and for him to head off to bed. "If my thoughts mean anything to you, Abby is fighting her dad's crusade, Hannibal will do what she says because he feels that he owes her, and will Sommerfield, she doesn't have a tragic vampire back story, I just think she wants to prove herself to the scientific community."

Blade watched as the man made his way down the stairs and towards his dorm, all of this was started because Whistler lost his family, but outside of Deacon Frost, and Nomak, most vampires kept to themselves. Why was he trying so hard to become something that he's not, he didn't belong to the humans, he didn't belong to the vampires, he was alone in this world.

Sommerfield listened to the computer read back her lines of code, smirking as she listened. It was almost done, all she needed was the blood of the first or of an ancient vampire then she would have the abilities of a vampire, none of their weaknesses, she would be like Blade, minus the bloodlust. For years she's been experimenting with vampire blood, hoping to heal her blindness, but nothing seemed to work, hell she even let the infection take over once, but while everything was enhanced, she was still blind.

Using the cure, she started her research, it wasn't that hard to manipulate Abby, all she really needed to do was remind her of dear old dad, his wife and her two half-sisters. Hannibal was a little harder, he was a vampire at one point, the only reason that he didn't care for it so much was because of Danica, she was one of the few sick ones.

In her experiences, research, and everything else she had on the subject matter, most vampire houses didn't engage in such trivial behavior, it seemed to be the younger generation, they were filled with thoughts of grandeur, and those were the ones that Blade found himself hunting. The more ancient houses that took control of the vampire population in their respective territories never allowed for such things.

Frustrated as she heard her experiment fail, without a better source of pure blood, she was officially stuck. Turning off her computer, she made her way towards her room, knowing that Zoe would be sleeping. Once she figured out how to manipulate the blood, give her back her sight, she would allow her daughter to grow until she was about 21 or so, then she would inject her with the serum, they would be almost indestructible, and with her leading the charge of the new vampire race, she'd be the true vampire queen.

Hedges watched intently as Sommerfield headed towards the dorms with Zoe. Feeling a bit guilty for spying on the woman, but over the last year, something about how she was behaving seemed, off. Abby wouldn't listen, to her she practically walked on water, and Zoe needed her mom. Hannibal, whatever Abby said, he usually just agreed to. Honestly, he felt like he was going crazy, but with the little validation from Blade, perhaps he wasn't.

Plugging in the USB, he downloaded all the files from her server, she always talked about how no one would ever be able to crack her encryption, and while she was a brilliant, he was smarter. Seeing that it saved, he quickly entered a few lines of code that would erase his movements. Standing up, he took his laptop, and finally made his way towards the dorms, he needed to know what she was really doing, and how close she was to releasing the DayStar virus.

He spent hours reviewing, re-reading, researching her work, and it all came down to one conclusion, Daystar wasn't going to help anyone but herself, or people that she chose to infect with it. Closing his eyes, he didn't know if he could trust Blade, Abby would somehow make this work for her, she'd want it if only so that she could go toe to toe with the other vampires, Hannibal, well, he was certain he would hate the idea and want to stop it, but that really depended on what Abby did.

Plugging into the network of all the Nightstalker locations, he sent a care package, once they opened it, it would reveal what Sommerfield has done, but then it would completely wipe everything out. His only problem was how to deal with Sommerfield on a long-term solution, if given enough time, she would rebuild all her work, and it wouldn't take too long.

Hedges found himself staring out the window, he didn't want to become a vampire, he was quite content with his life, nor did he want to be a bitch boy as some arrogant suck heads familiar. Setting up the program to scrub their systems, he gave himself about 8 hours to get what he needed done, perhaps a bargain could be made with the first, her life for theirs. Guilt washed over him, he never wanted to be a person that would barter for someone's life, but if this was what she was working on, if she truly became an immortal vampire, what other things would she focus on, would she completely turn her back on her human friends?

Pulling out the USB, he made his choice, while he would never want to betray his friends, he knew that they would tell him to shut up and leave well enough alone. Double checking the doors, he found himself out in the yard, he knew that he was going to show up on the cameras, but no one would ever suspect him and that was what he was banking on.

Blade watched as Hedges made his way towards a Jeep, by his body language he could see that he was nervous. Jumping down, Blade moved quickly, turning him around, smirking at the look of fear on his face. "Where are you going?"

Swallowing spit, Hedges straightened his spine, he knew that he couldn't lie to him, he'd probably would be able to smell his fear anyway. "Going to make a deal with the vampires, Sommerfield isn't creating a vampire killing virus, she's trying to create a serum that turns her into something like you, minus the bloodlust." Stepping back as the man growled out, "I sent a bug to wipe all her research, so you are going to have to kill me to stop me."

Kicking the nearest thing, the sound of crunching metal did nothing for his rage, he was always getting played. "DOES WHISTLER KNOW?"

Shaking his head, "I don't think so. But for years in her eyes Sommerfield is all but Jesus, so it wouldn't surprise me that she would stand by her, Hannibal he'll just do what Abby wants. So, I need to go, unless you're killing me."

Rolling his neck, "Let's go." Opening the door to his car, Blade could see his stunned face, "You coming or what?"

Hedges was stunned, but quicky got in, as he buckled up, he knew somewhere inside of him, he was saving the rest of the Night Stalkers, Sommerfield, Abby, and Hannibal, were probably a lost cause, but perhaps if the king was tired of the uselessness that was his kind, perhaps he would allow Blade to continue his work, and he would allowed to help.

Kimi stared down at the monitor, hissing at what she was seeing, looking up, her eyes finding Jarko practically vibrating with anger, "You need to get the King." As much as it was programmed in them to attempt to kill the Daywalker, if he was coming into the building, perhaps he was here to talk.

Jumping up, she grabbed her gun, while she was willing to stay her hand, if he dared to move in any manner towards Joelle, she'd put a bullet in his head.

Jarko practically ran to his chambers, banging on the door, "Your Highness, the Daywalker, he's on his way up the building."

Jo jumped as someone banged on the door, but it was the feral growl that frightened her, "Who is the Daywalker, I thought that was you?" Fear creeping into her voice.

Placing a kiss on her lips, "I need you to stay in this room, please." Jumping out of bed, "Get dressed my Queen." Blurring towards his closet dressing quickly as he finished, he couldn't help but frown as the scent of her fear started to fill the room. Making his way over to her, pulling her up out of the bed, his fingers carefully threading through her hair, "Do not fear my Queen, no harm will come to you."

Daegon was getting angrier by the minute, Blade come to his home, scaring his wife, he will pay dearly for such a transgression.

Jo wrapped her arms around his neck, "It's not me I'm worried about, I do not want you to get hurt." Surprised that her voice sounded so desperate.

Tilting her head back, Deagon wanting to see her eyes, smiling at how they glowed, "I will return to you, my Queen." Placing a small kiss on her lips, "Get dressed, I will send in Kimi to stay with you until I return."

Watching him walk out of the room, Jo could feel her heart was racing, she was sure that every vampire in the building could hear it. Heading towards the closet, Jo dressed in her jeans, and a tank top, once she was done, she made her way into the room, finding Kimi standing guard by the door.

"Is this Daywalker dangerous?" she asked, knowing that Kimi would be honest.

Tilting her head, listening to the sound of the elevator opening, Kimi couldn't help but feel tension at the thought of Blade on the other side of this door. However, her Queen asked her a question, "To us, yes, to the King, no." Without taking her eyes off the door, "I promise you; your husband is fine."

Plopping down on the chair near the fireplace, Jo could see that Kimi was on alert, as much as she wanted to keep bugging to ask questions, she didn't want to distract the woman either. She knew that if she did, Daegon would get pissed, and possibly punish Kimi. Closing her eyes, Jo did what she could to relax, because she was just getting used to her life with him, and if he did anything to harm him, Jo would kill him herself.

Daegon stood with his people behind him, his eyes watching as the doors opened, his nose was filled with the scent of human. Holding his sword, ready to kill the man if he dared threaten his wife. "What brings you here, Daywalker?" he growled out.

Hedges had the biggest urge to piss himself, but by some small fucking miracle, he was able to keep his composure. However, seeing the vampire king in person, was enough to freeze his blood in his veins. Keeping himself behind Blade, hoping that they would listen before they started to bite, for he wouldn't do so well.

Holding his hands up, showing that he didn't have weapons, "I think that we need to discuss a truce. Between your vampires, and humans."

Jarko hissed, not that he had an issue with that, he wasn't going to trust the man that has been hunting them for years. Looking over at the King, then to Asher, he could see that they weren't so convinced, "Why should we trust you?" he snapped out.

Blades eyes snapped over to the wall of muscle, "Because, if we don't work together, people like Sommerfiled will create their own version of vampires, Last time that happened, it nearly decimated the ranks." Turning his eyes back towards the King, "If what I think I know about you is true, you follow a code, unless all that shit was bullshit."

Daegon gripped the handle of his sword tighter, "What do you propose, Daywalker, and why did you bring this human?" Not that he really cared.

Hedges didn't move from his spot, "The program that Sommerfield made, I sent a virus to delete it from all our systems, but if she is allowed to live, she'll just rebuild it or something worse. Once she realizes that she's been compromised, she'll go into hiding."

Turning his red eyes towards the man, "What do you want, human, to be turned?" Figured that was the only reason that he was here.

Shaking his head, "No." Clearing his throat, he could see the tensions in the vampires eyes, "Look, do I think all vampires need to be killed no, but you know as well as I do, some of your children are causing issues, not only are they overly hunting, but they themselves are trying to create daywalkers, Blade was an anomaly, you were just born that way. Take control, eliminate the threat that you say you hate."

Laughing, Daegon could appreciate the human's words, "You are brave." Inhaling deeply, he could sense that House Talos was unsure of their role, without taking his eyes of the men in front of him, "Jarko, you will lead your team to bring the vampire community to heel, their decadence, arrogance it offends my sense of honor. Kill them all."

Asher inhaled deeply, "My Lord, you can't be serious, why would you kill your children?"

Jarko flinched as the king growled out, while he was willing to protect the Kings mate, Danica's view on the world still flowed through his veins. Letting his eyes look over the rest of their clan, only two seemed to agree with Asher, the rest were like him, wanting to restore order to the vampire world.

Snapping his head towards the brother, Daegon swung his sword, swiftly removing his head, chuckling as his body turned to ash. Moving quickly, killed the two that were standing next to him, pushing through the ash of their bodies, his eyes turned to the remaining vampires.

"Does anyone else have anything to say?" He growled out. A part of him wanted them to fight him, but seeing them kneel before him, "SPREAD THE WORD THE OTHER VAMPIRE HOUSES, FOR IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY, I WILL BRING THEM TO THEIR KNEES!" His voice shaking the windows around them.

Blade couldn't help but jump a little, he was faster, stronger, and far more deadly than any other vampire before him. Hannibal was correct, the man was the pinnacle of vampire evolution. "I suggest hunting the clubs, that is where the problems really are."

Exhaling slowly Daegon looked over at Jarko, "Assemble a team, for the foreseeable future, you and this team will be responsible for eliminating the bitten community." Seeing their discomfort, "You and this clan have sworn your loyalty to me, by doing so I will spare your lives."

Relief filled Jarko, he could see the clan felt the same, "We will make the first assault tomorrow night, it will give us the remainder of the evening to prepare."

Daegon nodded, "Good, prepare yourself, I want this city cleansed by the following sunrise." Letting his eyes fall to Blade, then to the human that was still cowering behind the man, "I will take care of this Sommefield."

Hedges stepped forward, "She has a little girl, please do not kill her." He knew that it wasn't something that he could do about Abby or Hannibal, but he'd try to save Zoe.

Letting his eyes fall towards his chamber doors, he knew that his Queen would never tolerate the killing of a child, nor would he unless it was necessary. "I will spare her life, but you will explain to her that if she becomes a threat as she grows into a woman, my kindness will not be repeated."

Relief filled him, at least he was able to spare Zoe's life, "Thank you." Realizing that he only had a little time before they came storming the compound, "Please, one more request, make this quick, do not let them suffer." Pushing the button, his eyes fell to Blade, "Are you coming or what?"

Shaking his head, Blade handed him his keys, "Get her somewhere safe, explain everything you can to her, raise her right, teach her right from wrong, good and evil." Turning his eyes back to the King, "I don't belong to anyone or anywhere, you are the closest thing that I have to someone like me."

Daegon watched as the human descended in the elevator, letting his eyes look over Blade, he could see that he was being serious. "To what end?" Curious about his motives.

Shrugging, "I've spent my entire life ashamed of my vampire side, my adoptive father only saved me as a child because he knew I could be a weapon, in time, I think he grew to truly care for me, but he always spoke about how evil vampires are." Rubbing his face, "You are making me question that."

Tilting his head, Daegon could hear his betrothed pacing in their room, "For now, my judgement is reserved, but be clear you deceive me, I will kill you."

Blade could understand, only a fool would be so trusting to someone who just walked into his home, "Sounds fair enough."

"KIMI!" he bellowed, smirking a bit as Blade flinched at the sound of his voice. Inhaling deeply, he could sense the woman approaching, "She will escort you to your resting chambers."

Coming to a stop next to her King, Kimi kept herself behind him, wanting to keep as much distance as she possibly could, but as the air currents hit her nose, her beast went haywire. Her eyes snapping towards his, she could see that he was holding himself still. "My King, I believe that the Daywalker is my mate."

Her voice shaking, not letting her eyes leave his, "With respect my King, until you have reached your judgement, I would request you find another to bring him to his room." For over 200 years, she's waited for a chance to find her mate, but her loyalty was to her King, and to her people, and he was not a friend to them.

Blade was frozen, he heard of mating, but he always assumed it was unlikely for him. Rooted in his spot, he couldn't help but frown as she requested another to take him, "Why are you not going to?" he asked. From his understandings, mates were drawn to each other.

"Because, you have been killing our people for decades, I do not trust you. As my mate, I demand of you to prove your worth of me before I will seal the bond." Turning to her King, her eyes pleading, "My Lord?"

Nodding to her, "Request granted." He watched her zip back to his chambers, smiling at least her loyalty to his Queen superseded her desire for him. This was definitely one way to get his loyalty. His eyes falling to another male, "You take him to his chambers." Seeing him tense, "Do not worry, I will arrange time for you tomorrow night to talk with her, but be warned, you cannot force her, or she will kill you."

Feeling his jaw flinch, Blade could only nod, "I will see you tomorrow then." His eyes searching her, but as the doors shut, he knew that she would avoid him until their meeting.

Jo watched as Kimi sank down onto her knees, rushing over to her, she wrapped her arms around her, "What happened?" While she wasn't much of a fighter, Jo would go out there and slap some sense into Daegon if he insulted her friend.

A peace washed over her, "Blade, the daywalker is my mate." Blood tears started to fall. As happy as she was to have one, he was a killer of vampires, how could she ever trust him.

Gently patting her braids, Jo looked up to find Daegon staring at them, "I don't know what to say, I'm still learning about my mate as well. But, so far, I have found that talking helps, give yourself the remainder of tonight, and the day tomorrow, and perhaps have a conversation with him."

Looking up, Kimi stared into her steel-colored eyes, smiling, this was the first time in a great many years since she has experienced kindness. "Thank you, my Queen." Wiping her eyes, sensing the King behind her, she stood, her eyes finding him leaning against the wall, "Thank you, my King." Leaving the room, she headed towards her dorm, she had a lot of thinking to do.

Jo stood up, making her way toward him, "What is happening out there?" Worried that she was missing something important.

Daegon pulled her into his arms, his nose buried into her neck, speaking quickly, he explained all that transpired and what he was going to do. "I must leave now, for the program that the human infected the computers with will take affect soon, and I do not want them regrouping."

Placing a kiss on his lips, "I want to go with you, I'll wait for you in the car, but I do not want to be in the same building as him unless you are here." While she trusted that Kimi enough to protect her, she herself said that only the King was strong enough to take him on.

He was surprised by her response, threading his hand into her long hair, "Joelle, there will be killing, blood, are you sure?" He knew that her heart was soft.

Leaning into his hand, Jo kissed his wrist, "I would rather be waiting on edge in the car with someone than here with him." While she didn't like the idea of killing, in this case, she understood, they were a threat to everyone including other humans.

Grabbing her hands, Daegon pulled her out the doors, and into the elevator, his eyes finding Jarko. "You are coming." Knowing that while he would have preferred Kimi, he understood the necessity to come to grips of having a mate.

Jo watched as he jumped out of the car, the big male vampire that stayed behind, locked the doors. The moment he left; she could hear her own heart pounding.

Without taking his eyes off the street in front of him, "I wish I could say something that would calm you down, but I'm not so good with the words. But I can say, your King is a great warrior, he will be fine."

Leaning back on the seat, Jo just nodded, "Thanks." Taking another deep breath, Jo watched as he disappeared into shadows.

Hannibal watched as Abby trained with her bow, nothing was sexier, licking his lips, he knew that someday she would give in, and they would be together, but he just had to be patient. Shaking his head, he watched as Hedges took Zoe outside, smiling, the kid was sweet, her mom though, kind of a bitch.

A loud crash pulled him from his thoughts, turning towards the sound, he found Drake standing in the middle of the compound. "ABBY, DRAKE!" he yelled out. Pulling out his gun, he fired, but found being tossed through the glass window.

Firing her bow, hitting him in the shoulder, moving quickly she fired again, but found him standing in front of her and his hand around her throat. Kicking out, she tried to claw at his hands, but her nails were ineffective. "Bastard."

Chuckling as she struggled to kick him, "Perhaps." Lifting her higher, he let his demon form come forward, relishing in the scent of her fear. With his jaws expanding, Daegon pulled her down, he latched onto her neck, pulling her blood into his body. While it tasted wonderful, it didn't compare to the taste of his Queen, but he knew that no one really could.

Hannibal watched in horror as a 7-foot monster drank from Abby, his heart was breaking, getting up, he couldn't help but hiss, glass was sticking out of his arm. Trying to shake off the pain, he knew that bullets wouldn't work, nor would garlic or silver. Fire was the only thing that he could think of.

Jumping down, he hit the self-destruct button, this place would go up like a fucking roman candle, anything walking around would be caught in the blast.

Daegon could hear the ticking, dropping her body, he turned to see the human male watching him. "Willing to die to kill me?" he asked his voice deeper in this form.

Closing his eyes, Hannibal said a little prayer, he could hear Sommerfield screaming to stop it, but it was too late. "See you in hell, you fuck head."

A fireball lit up the sky, Jo screamed at the top of her lungs. Looking out the window, she could see that it was the building that he headed into, "NO." Pushing the door open, she started to run, but found her body being held back by the vampire from the car.

"LET ME GO!" Wiggling her body, trying to do everything that she could to get him to drop her. But he had her in a tight bearhug, she was just barely able to kickback and clip his knee.

"PLEASE, YOU NEED TO STOP!" Jarko said, desperate for her to relax. There was a chance that the King was dead, but there was no way on this earth he would allow the Queen to follow suit, she needed to survive, for she was the rightful ruler of their people.

Kicking him again, tears started to stream down her face, her eyes not leaving the scene before her. Fire, more explosions, and the sound of the building collapsing. "Please. Let me go." Her voice breaking, along with her heart.

Her pain was palpable, Jarko couldn't help but feel it in his soul, but he held fast, but her kicks were starting to take their toll. The Kings blood was flowing through her veins, and she was much stronger than the average human.

"I'm sorry, my Queen, but I can't let you kill yourself. He would not want that fate for you." While he wasn't sure about his desires, he knew that as her mate, he would protect her at all costs, even at the risk of his final death.

Jo went limp in his arms, her eyes never leaving the destruction before her, every fiber of her being screamed out in pain. "What do I do now?" Not sure who she was asking, herself or the vampire that held her.

Not wanting to put her down, afraid that she would get loose and run into that building, Jarko just held her. "You grieve, and then, when the moon is high, you start your transition, with his blood in your system, you will take on a lot of his abilities, and you lead your people as our Queen."

With hot tears burning her cheeks, Jo nodded, "Fine." Her voice filled with anger, hate, and the thought of vengeance soothed the ache in her chest. "When I am fully transitioned, we will do what he ordered, bringing the vampire community to order." That was his last edict as King, she would honor it with her last fucking breath.

Staring for another moment, Jo wanted to go to his room, fling herself on his bed, and just fucking cry. "Take me back to the tower."

Gently placing her down, Jarko kept his hand on her lower back, "As you wish, my Queen." As he opened the doors a feral growl caused him to turn, ready to defend her with his life, but his eyes found Daegon standing in the middle of the road, naked.

Jo gasped at the sight before her, "I thought…" her words cut off by his mouth covering hers.