Chapter Three: Life of a Vampire Queen…
Dawn approached. Michelle was anxious to leave. Taking off for any length of time away from the castle was never easy. Detailed instructions for Anders, Petru and the staff were a necessity to keep things running and to keep them out of the way. Michelle's vampire generals and army were also given detailed instructions as they may need to mobilize quickly. Last was always a twenty-minute phone call to her parents. A new ritual adopted since they moved, Michelle never missed a chance to tell them she loved them. With all that done, all that was left was to get in the car with Ana.
Michelle checked the time, 5:02 AM, Ana was late. If it were anyone else Michelle would simply search them out. Ana was the exception. Pulled into her own thoughts Michelle didn't notice Ana come down the stairs heading directly for her. Ana smiled upon seeing Michelle standing there waiting, she rushed up then sneaked a kiss on Michelle's cheek making the brunette jump. Ana laughed and Michelle shook her head grinning. "You're the only one who can still surprise me. If my heart still worked, I'd be out of my chest right now."
Ana laughed, her whole face lighting up. She held up a leather doctors bag, she said, "I have the serum for the trip. I brought extra in case we need to extend things. I promise we won't run out this time."
"I trust your judgement. Are you ready?"
"Yes. I'm sorry I'm late. I had to run downstairs to get more ammo. You didn't pack the dagger in the bags, did you?"
"No, I'm carrying on me just in case."
"Good, I'm not putting my guns on until we're almost there. I need a new holster; this one makes the guns dig in. Is the car here?"
"It's outside."
They stepped out and were greeted by one of Michelle's vampire guards. He nodded to them then opened the door to the limo. The limo driver was their regular driver, a human from a nearby village whose wife was saved by Michelle that night of the attack seven years before. He was loyal and great at his job. They were driven to the private airfield where their jet waited. Michelle had made a large number of upgrades to the Vladislas empire. Planes, cars, weapons, people, and property were all necessary to bring the Vladislas estate into the modern era. Radu gave his opinion loudly and regularly of what he thought about the changes. He refused to go near the plane, but he loved the new armory.
Michelle and Ana were the only passengers on the jet. The flight crew, four in total, were all human, ex-military and loyal to Michelle. The pilot came out greeting them with a warm smile as he said, "Mrs. Vladislas and Dr. Lazar, welcome onboard. We're fueled up, ready to go on your word and I have confirmed we have clear skies to our destination."
"Thank you, Captain Nitu. Did we get the crew I requested?" Michelle asked.
"Yes, everything has been taken care of. Has there been any alteration to the schedule?" Captain Nitu asked. Michelle shook her head, the captain grinned. "We'll be in the air in three. Please get comfortable, have something to eat the flight will a little under three hours."
"Thank you, Captain." Michelle said then walked over the middle seat and sat down. Ana was a step behind her and took the opposite seat facing her.
A flight attendant appeared, she smiled as she asked, "Drinks? Snacks? Breakfast? We're fully stocked for a long trip and Captain Nitu made sure to bring all your favorites."
"Tea first then I'll take breakfast," Ana replied.
"Very good Dr. Lazar, Mrs. Vladislas? We have three choices for your pleasure. Bill, Cindy and…Terry. All clean, fresh, and very willing." The flight attendant said.
"Oh! Three choices? Captain Nitu went above and beyond. I would have been happy with just one. Well, I can't turn down such a lovely offer. I am hungry." Michelle replied smiling at the young woman waiting on her. The flight attendant relished the attention, she blushed and could barely keep eye contact with Michelle who didn't notice, with her hunger in the way.
"I'll get right on that Mrs. Vladislas," said the flight attendant as she backed away with an excited grin on her face.
Michell chuckled under her breath, despite having that particular effect on people for years now, it still tickled her to receive such adoring attention. Then she saw Ana out of the corner of her eye, the blonde looked distressed. Ana noticed Michelle watching her and immediately tried to hide it, but Michelle had learned to read the blonde doctor early on in their relationship. Something was bothering the beautiful blond doctor, yet she didn't seem to want to share it with Michelle. Silently Michelle questioned Ana, who answered with a bright, yet fake smile as she side, "It's nothing."
"Are you sure?" Michelle asked.
"Yes."
Before Michelle could push the issue, the flight attendant returned, leading three people to Michelle. "Where you like them Mrs. Vladislas?"
Michelle gestured then stood up walking closer to get a better look at her next meal. All three were in good health, wore clean clothing and were unafraid to look Michelle in the face. It made everything easier if they wanted it, there was no fighting, crying, or pleading. The pleading annoyed Michelle to no end. Compliant, willing food made everything go smoother yet there was a downside to it. The taste. Compliancy made the blood taste flat, uninteresting as if everything about them were muted. Radu taught her from the beginning that fear made the blood sing. Fear exposed everything about them, it was a bouquet of flavors with each drop. Michelle circled her food, caressing them and devouring them with her eyes. The woman, Cindy blushed and bit her lip as she smiled at Michelle. The men were both shy yet eager to have Michelle touch them. With a pleased smile sneaking upon her lips, Michelle reached out pulling the woman close by the back of the neck. The woman giggled and trembled under Michelle's hand. Michelle leaned in and the woman gasped moaning softly. Michelle could smell the woman's desire on her skin, and from between her legs.
"So eager," Michelle whispered then bit down on the woman's neck. Blood gushed from the wound into Michelle's mouth, she let it pool then drank deeply.
From a short distance away, Ana sipped on her hot tea and slowly ate her breakfast of fresh pastries. Her eyes never left Michelle as the vampire fed. Silently Ana noted every smile from Michelle as she fed and every moan of pleasure from those being fed on. This was not the first time Ana watched Michelle feed on others. Over the last three years Ana removed boundary after boundary between them. She insisted on being there, watching Michelle every time Michelle fed. They never discussed why and if pressed Ana wasn't sure she could come up with a respectable answer. She only knew that she had to be there, she had to be close to Michelle. Too soon for Ana's liking she finished her breakfast and tea, with nothing left to occupy herself Ana was left confronting her own thoughts. Thoughts she made great efforts to ignore. Ana's face fell into unspoken anguish, she turned her gaze away to look out the window. It was a bright clear morning. Ana closed the shade then motioned for the flight attendant.
"Whiskey, a splash of water. Thank you." Ana said with a tight smile.
"Right away Dr. Lazar." The flight attendant hurried off then quickly returned with her drink.
Ana smiled as she received her order. The flight attendant disappeared, and Ana returned to watch Michelle. With every uncomfortable thought going through her head, she took a sip of her drink. In no time the glass was empty, and she was ordering another round.
Three drinks later, Michelle finally finished feeding. The flight attendant was ready with a hot wet towel. Michelle cleaned up as she reclaimed her seat across from Ana. Michelle noticed the half drank glass in front of Ana and made a face that the blond doctor noticed. "What?"
"You never drink this early. I'm surprised."
"I'm thirsty," Ana said then drained her glass.
Michelle frowned but didn't say anything. She smiled as she reached across the small table that separated them and grasped Ana's hand. "Want to go over the plan again?"
Ana shrugged; she had consumed enough whiskey to lose the mask she usually wore to hide her feelings. She let her sadness show and it worried Michelle. "We can talk about something else. We can talk about anything you want," Michelle said squeezing Ana's hand.
Ana tried to smile then looked away with tears in her eyes. Michelle frowned. Ana took a deep breath and wiped her eyes with her free hand. She turned to Michelle with all hints of sadness gone. With an eager smile that rang false considering the moment, Ana said, "No you're right we should talk about the plan Michelle. We can't go in unprepared, not when we'll only have one shot at it."
"We know the party is being held in Alfie Jones territory, where exactly we won't know until we land and speak to our scouts on the ground. All the council members are invited, and they all sent word they were going but who shows up is any bodies guess," Michelle said.
"There are five vampire council members. Alife Jones is the vampire king of western Europe; his stronghold is the UK, but his reach is past Germany and Spain. He wants our territories in Italy and Greece," Ana said.
Michelle nodded, "I've heard he's a reasonable guy, we should be able to work something out if I get the chance to talk to him face to face."
"Bo Liu is the vampire king of China and most of Asia. There's only a small chance of him showing up which would be good considering his reputation," Ana said.
"Ancient, powerful, crazy and in charge of an army of thousands," Michelle added shaking her head. "I really hope he doesn't show up. He doesn't like women or westerners."
"Manuel Gonzales is the vampire king of south America. He's just as old as Liu and just as dangerous. He'll definitely be there, from our intel he's always looking for a way to gain a foothold in Europe," Ana said.
Michelle nodded in agreement then added, "I've heard Mr. Gonzales likes beautiful women."
Ana chuckled commenting, "Well if that's true he'll be putty in your hands."
Michelle smiled shyly and gave Ana a flirty look that made the blond smile a real smile.
"Next is Diana Marous or better known as the Queen of Death," Ana said.
"She rules northern Europe and Russia with a steel fist. Everything I've heard about her is how dangerous, ruthless, and bloodthirsty she is. She's old, powerful, and always looking for an opportunity," Michelle said. "She's going to be the one to watch out for. We'll be lucky if she doesn't try to kill us while we're there."
"I agree the Queen of Death is going to be a problem, but do you really think she'll be as much of a problem as Curtis Shaw?" Ana asked.
"Curtis Shaw may be the vampire king of north America, but he takes orders from his wife who is said to be significantly older than he is by like many centuries. She's the real power in that house and the only reason he's held onto his throne for so long. I say we work on her instead of him."
"What's her name?" Ana asked.
"Helena, I believe."
"Do we have pictures of everyone or are we to make of game of identifying each one?"
Michelle laughed. "I tried to get sketches made but at best all I got were detailed descriptions which you've read. Since we're on the same footing, a game it is."
Ana grinned.
Twenty minutes later, Captain Nitu announced they were about to land. Michelle sat back in her chair then closed her eyes. She centered herself then reached out with her senses. Years of drinking from the bloodstone increased her power allowing her to do things other vampires could not. It took a moment, but Michelle pinpointed and counted every vampire within the UK. She was reassured landing in London was safe as the bulk of the vampires in the region had gathered north in Scottland. She could sense the young and old vampires, all new to her except for two who stood out like blinking lights in the darkness. She knew these vampires.
"I have a surprise for you," Michelle said opening her eyes and grinning with excitement. The blonde doctor motioned for Michelle to tell her. The brunette laughed with obvious delight then said, "We found them. We finally found them."
"No! You're not pulling my leg are you, Michelle?"
"This is not a joke. We found them Ana! Ash and Serena are here."