Nikola felt depressed as he left Queen Ana's apartment. He knew that was partly due to the fact he was hungry. He'd used a tremendous amount of energy to break those titanium straps- in fact he still wasn't sure how he'd done that. And then he'd had to heal the damage, plus the damage from being shot repeatedly.

He picked up some vampire cash from his rooms, ordered up a golf cart and headed to one of the wine and blood bars. He could have fed off of one of Ana's slaves or at the pens, but after attacking Helen and Erica he just felt it would be creepy to go plunge his feeding fangs into someone else's neck.

There was a distinct pause in the conversation when he appeared in the bar's doorway. The best table was immediately cleared for him and Nikola sat down while everyone watched him while pretending not to. The menu had been expanded greatly since he'd last visited. He ordered some Arabian horse, a unit of eland and a nice pinot noir.

The Arabian tasted like any other horse blood to him, but perhaps his taste buds weren't as discerning as Ana's. He enjoyed the eland and the wine, dropped coins equaling double the cost of his drinks on the table and left. He drove to Lab One to see what he could get for a phone and parts for a gate controller.

The phone he was given was surprisingly advanced, although it didn't have all the features of the latest surface phones. But he was pleased when he was told it would work wherever he was in the vampire society. He picked up some components for a gate controller as well and ordered a few that weren't readily available.

Nikola returned to his suite in Ana's residence; he wanted privacy for this call. He hesitated before dialing Helen's number, not sure what his reception would be.

Helen answered with her usual clipped "Magnus."

"Hi Helen, are you angry with me?"

"Nikola! I'm just relieved to hear your voice. Are you all right?"

"Right now I'm peachy keen, but there's no guarantee how long it will last."

"I'm sorry we had to gate you but I just couldn't think of an alternative that would keep the rest of the residents safe."

"I understand. I suppose Erica and Henry hate me."

"Well . . . let's just say you're not their favorite person right now, but they do know that you weren't in control of yourself."

"Speaking of which, do you have results yet on my blood samples?"

"I do, but they mostly show just massive hormone and chemical imbalances. Shall I Email them to you?"

"Please. I don't know if I'll be able to make anything more out of them than you have, but I'd like to take a look."

"Of course. Nikola, I don't like saying this, but you mustn't come back until we are certain we have the Vampire King under control."

"Yeah, I got that. It's funny though I haven't felt even remotely like turning into the King of the Vampires since I've been here. Maybe I'm just too tired, or maybe it's the way everyone caters to me."

"I suppose the less it happens the better, no matter where you are. Take a look at the data and I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Right. Helen? I'm sorry about suggesting that you and Erica and I . . . you know I didn't mean it, I have no interest at all in a menage-a-trois, or quatre or anything like that."

"Not even with all your concubines?"

"Okay, I deserved that, but you know perfectly well that was just the King thinking that every female on the planet belongs to him. In my saner moments I know better. There's just one female I want, and I hope she still wants me."

"Well you are rather troublesome, but yes Nikola, I still want you."

"Oh did you think I meant you?"

"Who else would put up with you?"

"You have a point. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Bye Nikola."

Nikola was pleased he now had a computer in his room plugged into the vampire LAN. He logged in and brought up the data Helen had sent him. It appeared she was right at first glance, but he intended to analyze it every way he could think of; as much as he liked the fact that there were thousands of other vampires, he preferred living at the Sanctuary with Helen, and he couldn't even think of going back until it was safe.

He methodically eliminated everything in the blood samples he could trace to a known cause, such as his various drinks. The excessive amounts of hormones he discounted as a reaction rather than a cause. That left several things to consider, but one stood out as odd. He called Helen back.

When she answered he said "Did you notice the number of eosinophils?"

"Actually no, I'm still wading through the chemistry and wondering how your body can put up with all the substances you put in it."

"Vampire physiology is very tolerant. But the large number of white cells is weird."

"Eosinophils usually indicate an allergy, but I didn't think vampires had allergies" Helen said uncertainly.

"We don't, that's why it's weird."

"You think it's related to something that might be triggering your change into the Vampire King? Becoming insanely arrogant and violent aren't generally symptoms of an allergic reaction."

"It might just be a side issue, but I'm not seeing anything else in the analysis that stands out. And there's nothing I haven't been exposed to before either here or in the vampire caves so I don't know if I am having some sort of reaction what I could be reacting to."

"I wonder. Nikola, do you know the history of HAPs?"

"Very well, actually. I ran across it while researching my ancestors. Why?"

"I've read they were nearly destroyed when the vampires were overthrown, leaving only small isolated populations."

Nikola thought for a few moments. "Vampires created HAPs for their amusement, much like humans turned wild dogs into a wide variety of breeds. Something furry, scary, and able to take care of themselves as a pet fits the vampire psychology, but each vampire family had their own signature creatures. When the vampires fled before human armies their pets were often abandoned or destroyed with their masters."

Helen continued the story. "So the remaining HAPs were quite different from each other to start, and being left in small isolated groups produced inbreeding which accentuated the differences between groups."

Nikola nodded to himself and said "And Rene's HAPs were from a different group or perhaps two different groups than Henry and Erica. You were with them, then you and I talked and shortly thereafter I went into a rage and became the true Vampire King for the first time. You think you might have carried an allergen to me?"

"Possibly, but the HAPs were running loose as well so you could have simply been exposed to something in the air."

"But that doesn't explain why I changed after I came back to the Sanctuary or why no other vampires reacted like I did."

"Well the second question is easier than the first. Only those with the royal blood can become the Vampire King, and then only under stressful conditions. You and Ana are the only carriers, it's much stronger in you than her, and you've been under a lot of stress lately."

"Helen, if it was just having the royal blood, being under stress, and being exposed to certain HAPs that triggered the change, then why didn't whole families of vampires suddenly become Kings and Queens all at once?"

"I don't know. If we're on the right track, then there may have been some limiting factor. Unfortunately, the records I have don't address the royal succession in any detail. But we know from Afina that there were multiple royals at one time and they decided to take turns ruling, although betrayal and assassination may have been common to reduce the number of candidates."

"If I'm allergic to one type of HAP, and that's a big 'if', then once I had the reaction my body might have started rejecting all HAPs. That would explain my sudden reversions to the King in the Sanctuary, since Henry and Erica have been all over the place."

"You did seem marginally worse around Erica."

"And I spent a lot of time in the lab which I'm sure is full of Henry's hair and dander."

"But while you were drunk you couldn't really react, but once you sobered up . . ."

"Well this is all just a theory. The increased white cell count may have nothing to do with allergies or HAPs or relate to the kingship in any way."

"You're a scientist, Nikola."

"I suppose I should test it. Rene is alive but still healing so I doubt anyone has been out to his HAP barn to clean it up. If I did react to his HAPs, going out there seems a little drastic. How about a scratch test?"

"You don't get hives, you're a vampire remember?"

"Oh, right, I don't get red lumps I turn into an egomaniac; kind of hard to read that on a skin test. So it'll have to be the barn."

"Call me back in thirty minutes. If I don't hear from you . . ."

"Assume the theory is correct. Wish me luck."

"I'm not sure which outcome to hope for."

"Allergies are more easily treated than idiopathic periodic insanity."

"True. Then with the best of intentions, I hope you shortly lose your mind, Nikola."

"Thanks. You'll hear from me sooner or later."

Nikola hung up. He didn't really want to trigger the King again and he was reluctant to go to the HAP barn, but it was something he needed to do especially now that Helen was expecting it of him. He paced for a few sweeps of his rooms, adjusted his cuffs, and went.

He didn't hesitate at the outer door but entered and quickly crossed to the inner door. Nikola went into the living quarters and looked around.

It looked like the HAPs might return at any minute. There was bedding all over the floor and on platforms up the back wall, food and water ready for consumption. He slowly circled the room, wrinkling his nose at the trough of drying fungi and the vague scent of HAP bodies coming from the bedding. Didn't anyone ever wash the linens?

He wasn't sorry he'd forced Lord Dramelin to give up his creatures, although having an impressive pack of dangerous creatures at his beck and call . . . no, no, no. Or maybe yes? This had been just a group of scrounged mongrels; he could be much more selective. And the current law meant he could take his time, no one else could have any either until he chose what he wanted for the royal pack; then he would change the law again to allow whatever he wanted to allow. Maybe he would make keeping such creatures a royal prerogative.

But he was here for a reason wasn't he? It seemed like there was something he was supposed to do. Well, whatever it was, he would send some slaves to take care of it; there was no reason for him to be in these animal quarters. The Vampire King strode out and back to the house.

Which was also not very satisfactory; it was only a large house, not a castle, and it wasn't even his. He didn't mind such a place for his blood daughter, but he should have better, and not down in these caves either. He would have to see how much surface cash was in the treasury and what was available on the castle market; or not necessarily available either, if he wanted it, it made no difference if the current owner wanted to sell. Warwick in England would be acceptable perhaps, although Neuschwanstein was prettier. But he'd always liked privacy and Warwick had that while Neuschwanstein was a tourist draw. And since England was an island it would be a better place for the vampires to begin their world conquest; a nice difficult-to-attack base of operations. With a few more tweaks to his gates, he could prevent incoming uninvited guests but set up gates worldwide to send his army wherever he wanted.

But that was long range; right now he had other ideas. He went to Ana's suite and barged through the outer reception room and into her parlor. She wasn't there so he continued on through her other rooms until he found the Queen in her bedchamber examining herself wearing diamond earrings in a mirror. Ana knew he was there, removed the earrings and turned imperiously and faced him with a haughty frown at his intrusion.

But as soon as she saw it was the King and not Teslat in front of her, her face went blank and she curtsied gracefully and said "Your Majesty, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?"

"It is ridiculous for me to be boarding in your house like some sort of supplicant. You will see to it that I am supplied with a suitable residence of my own here in the caves immediately, and make sure it has a throne room."

"I will begin work to comply with your command, but while there may be several suitable residences, all are occupied and the current owners will need a few days to vacate. Do you wish to choose the residence yourself, or shall I simply commandeer one?"

"Just take the best, get it thoroughly cleaned and ensure I have a suitable staff to go with it."

Ana bowed her head. "I will inform you when it is ready, Your Majesty. Anything else?"

There was something, wasn't there? Nikola frowned a little, not sure why it even mattered, but said "See that Rene's HAP habitat is completely cleaned so that no shed hairs or skin cells remain, and the same for any other places that held HAPs. They are all gone now, aren't they?"

Ana gave him a penetrating look. "I am not aware of any others, but I will have the Guard do a search if you wish. May I ask why it matters, Your Majesty?"

Nikola just waved a hand and said "No, don't question me" to cover the fact that he didn't know why it mattered himself. "Is our animal blood food supply secure and sufficient now?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Our flocks and herds are well-tended and could supply much more than the current demand."

"Good, logistics is always step one. I want statistics on our Guard force and our bodyguards; numbers, armament, training, suitability to turn into the core of an army."

"An army? Are we in danger?"

"No, and we're not going to be. But if we want to regain our former glory we must start building now. We will need more surface dwellings and encourage increased breeding. I want to be prepared to launch our first strike in no more than three decades."

The Queen's eyes opened wide in surprise. "So soon? I . . . I am not sure we can be ready in only thirty years, but I will sketch out a timeline and begin gathering the data you require."

"After you get me a residence in keeping with my rank."

"Of course, Your Highness."

Nikola nodded, turned and strode out. When he got to the outer hallway he hesitated. Where was he going? As usual the hall outside Ana's suite was deserted, so at least no one saw his lapse. He was feeling unsettled and decided to go to his rooms. Wasn't there something there he was supposed to be doing?

In his room he spotted the gate controller parts, but he was still missing components so there was nothing he could do with that. His eyes fell on the bed; if he had no duties to perform, then perhaps he should have some females in and enjoy himself for a while.

He picked up his phone and paused. He should call Ana and order up some concubines, shouldn't he? Was there someone else he was supposed to call? It seemed there was, but he couldn't think who.

/

Helen waited for Nikola's call, but thirty minutes came and went, forty, fifty. At that point she gave up waiting and went to work. If he'd reacted to Rene's HAPs, then they would need to do a desensitizing program with him. She could start with Henry and Erica, but she would need samples from the others too. She called London and got the process started to locate the HAPs and obtain the needed materials.

It was getting late, but perhaps the quiet end of the day would be the best time to talk to her resident HAPs. Helen went to the Foss' suite, knocked on the door and was admitted by Erica.

The little family was in the sitting room. Baby Angelina was on a large mat with a number of toys, but every once in a while she started trying to crawl off in a random direction. Henry was on the floor playing with her and moving her back on the mat as necessary, while Erica seated herself on the couch and Helen took a chair. It was such a homey scene; it reminded Helen of her time raising Ashley.

She asked "How are you feeling, Henry?"

"Ribs are still a little sore, but I'm okay with light now. Don't worry, I took a short shift in Security today, I should be back at work full time in a couple of days."

Helen smiled; Henry was so conscientious. "I wasn't worried about you going back to work, I trust you to be a good judge of how much you can do."

"Thanks, Doc."

Erica asked "What about Tesla? Henry told me you sent him to the vampire society. Have you heard from him?"

"Actually I did. He phoned an hour or so ago, and asked me to apologize to you both."

Henry looked up from his daughter. "That's not good enough. He can't just do anything he wants and then say 'sorry' and it's all better."

Helen admitted "You're right. But I don't see what else he can do at the moment, especially since he can't return here while he's still a danger."

Henry said angrily "You tell him from me, he comes back here and I'll kill him. I don't know how, but he's never laying a finger on me or my family again."

Erica said "Henry . . . you don't really mean that."

Her husband examined a woolly soft lamb in his hands. "Okay, maybe 'kill' is a little strong, but I'm not putting up with any more from him, and you can tell him that for me."

Helen nodded gravely. "I will do my best to impress on him how upset you are, the next time I talk to him. But I'm not at all sure when that will be. He was supposed to call me a half hour ago and he hasn't."

"Do you think something is wrong?" Erica asked.

Henry added "Or is he just being an ass like usual?"

"We found indications in his blood samples that he had an allergic reaction to something, but we're not sure since that's unheard of in a vampire. The only unusual thing Nikola was exposed to was Rene's HAPs. He went to the place where they lived to see if it would trigger the Vampire King."

"But you haven't heard back, so you don't know for sure?" the female HAP asked.

"If nothing happened, Nikola would have called; he would never fail to complete an experiment if he could help it. The thing is, after the initial change that came over him in the vampire caves, he also became the King while here in the Sanctuary. We've postulated that he may now be having a negative reaction to any and all HAPs."

Henry smiled. "You're kidding; the great Tesla is allergic to us? That's pretty funny. I can see it now, walking into a room and making him sneeze."

But his wife wasn't smiling. "Henry, if he's allergic to us and becomes dangerous when he's around us then either he can't be at the Sanctuary or we can't."

Henry's smile disappeared. "Oh man. You wouldn't kick us out, would you Doc?"

"Of course not" Helen reassured him. "But I do want Nikola back as well, so I plan to try to desensitize him."

Erica nodded. "So you'll need samples from us. Angelina too?"

"No, I can't see she would be different from her parents. I've got London tracking down the German and Hungarian HAPs that may have been the original source of Nikola's reaction but the sooner we can start the desensitization process the sooner he'll be able to come home."

Henry and Erica looked at each other and both nodded a little. Henry said "Okay, sample away. But I'm doing this for you, not him."

Helen nodded but didn't say anything. She knew Nikola could be irritating, but Henry really did like him and enjoyed working with the vampire and learning from him. He was just upset right now; in a few days he'd likely feel differently.

She didn't want to wait to get started. They all went to the infirmary so she could get her samples, and then the Foss family went back to their rooms while Helen worked to come up with an injectable solution for Nikola. It was the middle of the night by the time she succeeded, but Nikola kept odd hours so she didn't hesitate to call him.

The phone rang and rang, but he didn't answer. Helen was about to give up and try again in the morning when Nikola finally said "What?" in her ear in an irritated voice. Helen could hear female voices in the background.

"Nikola, it's Helen. I have an injection ready to give you to start desensitizing you to HAPs." She wasn't going to ask about who was in the room with him or what they were doing. She kept telling herself he wasn't responsible for his actions.

"Helen . . . Helen . . . let me see, you're that surface woman aren't you?"

Steady. He was obviously the King at the moment, so not an ideal time to give him the first injection, but being a vampire he might not react like a human; or he might not react at all. It was all mostly an experiment. "That's right Your Majesty, Doctor Magnus. You need medication and I have it ready for you now. Will you come to the gate room so I can give it to you?"

"This is a very inconvenient time. I have three lovelies waiting for me. Besides, I feel fine."

"King Teslat, you know things haven't been going smoothly for you these last few days. You really do need this. It will only take a moment."

She heard a deep sigh. "Fine. Girls, I'll be back in a few minutes. Make it quick, Doctor."

"I'll be right there." Helen took two syringes; one with the allergy shot and a second with a double dose of the injectable form of his vampire control medication. In the Sanctuary gate room she turned on the gate and tuned it to the vampire gate and went through.

The lock on the door had been repaired, but not locked and Nikola sauntered in a few minutes later in his shirtsleeves with half the buttons of his shirt undone. Helen gave him a smile that was more like a grimace. She jerked the open shirt down over his shoulder on one side and jabbed him with both needles at the same time.

"Ow. I thought . . . why are there two needles?"

"It's both your medications, you need them. Call me in the morning if you're capable of remembering that" she snapped. Helen took her syringes, marched back through the gate and turned it off behind her.

King Teslat went back to his room, adjusting his shirt as he walked. Cheeky doctor; he was a vampire; he shouldn't need a doctor, so why was this woman puncturing him? The three females had undressed and gotten into his bed, but he found he was less interested in them than he had been. In fact, he found their simpering and wiggling attempts to lure him into bed not very attractive.

"Get dressed and get out" he ordered. Uncertainly the three got out of the bed. One started to dress, one stood not sure what to do, but the third naked woman came over to him and molded herself to him. "What's the matter, did his'm lose interest? We can fix that" she cooed.

"Get your germy paws off of me and just go." Why did he mention germs, he didn't care about germs did he? He felt odd and wanted to be alone.

She pouted but went to dress as well. Soon Nikola was alone in his quarters. The messed up bed looked repulsive to him so he went to the sitting room with the wine and stretched out on the couch. What the hell had he been doing?

Oh yes, planning the takeover of the world. He savored his glass of wine, set the glass down, closed his eyes and started figuring out what they would need to do step by step to achieve world domination, and fell asleep.

A/N: Epichlexi and :Kotah, thank you for the reviews.