Chapter Twelve: Games Galore…
Things were coming together smoothly much to Michelle's relief. The preparations she had been working on for weeks were completed. Then to her great surprise the vampire council sent official word of their pending arrival, they were enroute to the castle. She was surprised they informed her at all. Not that it mattered, she tracked their every movement and had spies in all their camps. The last task had been to get the humans out of the castle and away from the area, with her parents on holiday with Anders and his family all she had to do was send word of evacuation to the villagers. Now, with all the innocent safely away Michelle was finally free to drop the human façade she normally wore and fully put on the mantle of Queen Vladislas much to Radu's delight. The only human that would remain was Ana. Michelle didn't even bother trying to convince the beautiful doctor to leave, she knew Ana would only be insulted.
Michelle took advantage of a clear castle. She brought fifty of her vampires in as temporary staff. She dressed in dark reds and blacks and wore the jewelry she inherited from Stephan and Radu. She went through her warehouses that held the Vladislas estate and pulled out the portraits of the family, including Helena whose paintings were sealed in wax paper a few centuries earlier. Michelle sat on the throne and held court over her vampires. She drank freely from humans and slaughtered anyone who angered her with Radu in her ear cheering her own all the way. In private she drank from the bloodstone to boost her strength and power. All the while keeping Ana at her side, the beautiful doctor was vicious in her protection of Michelle, and she never passed judgement on anything she witnessed. In their alone time, Ana showed Michelle how much she enjoyed the change in appearance and personality. Michelle never felt so loved and accepted.
The vampire council arrived in waves. Bo Liu arrived first with an entourage of twenty vampires. Michelle greeted him in the courtyard with open arms, she openly welcomed him in lamenting how he was missed at the party in Scottland. The vampire from the east looked to be thirty yet was close to a millennia old. He was charming, friendly, and funny. Unexpected yet caused Michelle to warm to him quickly. They shared a meal of a beautiful woman then talked business until the next guest arrived. Diana Marous was second, she arrived with thirty vampires. Next to arrive was Manuel Gonzales also with thirty vampires. Michelle continued to be the most welcoming host, getting everyone settled in their rooms. Alfie Jones arrived next with thirty-five vampires; he was already in a foul mood. Michelle showed him personally to his room then surprised him with a snack in the shape of a young red head. It put a smile on the vampire kings face. She left him with instructions to "enjoy the meal, come down when you're ready."
Last to arrive were Curtis Shaw and his wife Helena. Michelle was alerted long before they reached the gate. Michelle watched them approach from the battlements with Radu at her side. She asked, "Are you sure the only one that's drank from the bloodstone was Helena?"
"Yes. We've gone over everything fledgling. Nervous?" Radu teased smirking.
"I won't be caught off guard again Radu. If I'm to pull this off, I need a clear view of the field. No surprises," said Michelle with a stone face.
"If you allow that viper of a woman though these gates fledgling, you will have nothing but surprise after surprise," Radu said rolling his eyes.
"That's what I'm counting on Radu. I just need to know if she can see you as well as I do. You said she had the bloodstone for a few centuries. She should be able to see you. What a surprise it'll be when you appear in front of her." Michelle laughed.
"Don't underestimate her. I had to learn the hard way fledgling. You won't withstand her evil without help."
"Oh, I'm not Radu. I'm well aware that if she had the bloodstone that long, she should have all the abilities I have and more. Vampire to vampire she'll win. But if attack her vanity, she'll play along until it's just the two of us then we can have a proper fight."
"A fight fledgling? I will hate to see you die Michelle. I will mourn you."
Michelle burst out laughing. "I appreciate you undying support Radu. I knew I could count on you. That's why I'm counting on Ana backing me up."
Radu's face fell, he glowered. "Your pet won't survive long against these vampires. They will tear her apart and drain what's left in front of you. You need me."
Michelle's face fell, turning serious in a heartbeat. "I do. I do need you Radu. So, don't abandon me now because your ex is walking through the gate."
Radu frowned crossing his arms. He disappeared.
Michelle smiled grimly, she sighed and stated softly. "The bloodstone is mine, this castle is mine, these lands and these vampires are mine. I will not allow anyone to take it from me. Helena will learn to fear the name Michelle Vladislas."
Down below Curtis Shaw and Helena arrived with their entourage of forty vampires. The vampire king was arguing with his queen as they entered. Michelle chuckled. She had her vampire servant Mihai greet them and escort them in. Michelle could hear Helena grumbling to her husband about the slight. Michelle put her hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter, not wanting to catch their attention before they were inside.
Turning to shadow, Michelle moved inside to the entryway then materialized as her guests entered the castle. Ana was already there with a half dozen vampire servants.
"Welcome!" Michelle opened her arms and gave them a friendly smile.
"The road in was shit," Curtis Shaw said fuming.
"I see as an American you've never learned manners," Helena said frowning.
"You were the last to arrive be grateful I made it back instead of staying with the other guests. Now! Come and I'll show you to your room. Ana, please take care of their entourage."
Ana nodded her head then moved to direct the group of vampires where to go. Michelle grinned as she gestured for the couple to follow her. Reluctantly they followed, after a moment Helena asked, "Don't you have staff for this?"
"Of course, I do but you just said I wasn't being hospitable enough and now you say I'm being too friendly. I hope we can find a happy medium while you're here Helena," said Michelle.
"Lead the way," Helena replied glaring at Michelle.
Michelle laughed and gestured for them to walk with her. She took them down a path of hallways through the main hall where she had all the family's portraits hung. They were halfway through the massive room when Helena suddenly stopped, her eyes on the walls.
"I thought you said you didn't have my portraits," Helena said. Her husband stopped and looked up.
"I said I had never seen them before meeting you. I pulled these out of storage. I thought it would help you feel more welcome here. I know you have a history, moving forward doesn't have to be as bad as it was in the past. We can change it to however we see fit," said Michelle.
"You, Queen Vladislas would be so generous with me?" Helena asked.
"Yes. I would prefer to work with you than against you Helena. From one queen to another."
Helena fell quiet, she nodded then gestured for Michelle to move on, however her husband was staring hard at the portraits with a frown.
"This is that family? You're son's good looking at least but that guy? Really ugly and his ugly ass son…huh. I'm glad I only ran into that asshole twice. Fucking insane guy, no way to deal with him if he had his mind on something," Curtis Shaw said.
"Oh, you knew my master well then," Michelle said with a mirthful smile. Curtis Shaw turned to Michelle, and they laughed. Helena remained quiet.
"Your rooms are right here. Your entourage will be a stone throw away. Get settled then come back to hall," said Michelle.
She left the couple turning to shadow to travel faster through the house then materialized in the kitchen where her staff were preparing "snacks" for her guests. Assured they would be ready, when she gave the signal Michelle moved on to find Ana speaking to the gathering vampire council in the main hall.
"If there is anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable please let any of the servants in the castle know and we'll attend to it immediately," Ana said. Dressed in a solid black power suit with her hair slicked back into a ponytail with basic yet dark makeup and her guns visible, Ana was all business.
Bo Liu was chatting with Diana Marcus and Manuel Gonzales; they nodded in acknowledgement to Ana then went back to their conversation. Michelle walked in followed by Alfie Jones.
"I have to say Queen Vladislas, this is more than expected. Nice digs," said Alfie Jones.
"Thank you, King Jones, I spent a good amount of time updating the castle after it came into my possession," said Michelle.
"So many of us stay stuck in the past," said Manuel Gonzales. "I can't tell you how many meetings we've had to had in some decrepit crypt or basement or some crumbling mansion. The suits I've ruined."
They all laughed. Diana Marous pressed her lips together thinking deeply then asked, "My cave isn't bad though. Right? It's been upkept well over the centuries."
They all busted out laughing again. In the middle of the laughter Curtis Shaw and Helena walked into the room, the couple frowned and shared a distressed look before it disappeared as they smiled at their host.
"Now, that we're all together I thought I would officially welcome all of you. In your honor and as gratitude for accepting my invitation I have arrange a party for you and your people. My staff are bringing in the refreshments now. I thought we could save all the work stuff for tomorrow. You have all come so far, please relax tonight. Enjoy yourself," Michelle said.
"Before we move on, I brought a gift for you, our host," Helena announced.
"It's from Helena and I, we had to put our heads together to get you the best present," Diana Marcous said. Curtis Shaw raised an eyebrow in confusion while Helena was grinning like the cat that ate the cannery. Bo Liu, Manuel Gonzales, and Alfie Jones gave the pair of women a suspicious look that they all tried to hide from Michelle and Ana who was silently standing behind Michelle.
"A gift for me? How thoughtful. Here I thought dealing with all of you was going to be like trying to wrangle wild cats but I'm so tickled to find that not to be the case at all," said Michelle. Ana smirked then covered her mouth hiding her mirth.
Helena lost a bit of her smile and narrowed her eyes at Michelle while Diana Marous snapped her finger. Two vampires belonging to Diana Marous came out of the hall forcefully escorting another vampire with a bag over his head. Helena approached then smiled wide as she ripped the bag off the vampires head revealing a beautiful young man. "This is Adi, he's a scholar like my son was. He doesn't drink from humans if he can help it, prefers rabbit or cow. He's a gentle creature. Frankly I would never have suspected him of being one of us until I saw his teeth. What a waste."
"How is this my gift?" Michelle asked.
"We heard you were searching for a vampire like my son to turn the human you keep as a pet. I don't know why you would waste the time, having someone completely devoted to you is nice," said Helena.
"Oh, you heard about that," said Michelle nodding her head. She turned her full attention to the vampire standing in front of her and felt his conflict, hesitation, and confusion. He was not the typical vampire; he couldn't meet Michelle's gaze and trembled. "Your name is Adi?" Michelle asked. The vampire nodded his head but did not look up. Michelle grinned and turned to Helena and Diana Marcous. "This is wonderful, thank you. I was having a problem finding a good candidate. You saved me so much trouble."
"I'm so pleased you like him," said Helena.
Michelle turned to the shadows behind Ana and snapped her fingers. Three vampires dressed in blood red materialized. Michelle ordered her servants, "Take Adi to a holding cell. I will attend to him later."
The servants took Adi and forcefully removed him. Ana silently watched but never left Michelle's side. Over Michelle's shoulder Helena caught Ana's gaze and winked at her. Ana stiffened, which caught Michelle's attention. She glanced at Ana then at everyone else in the room and forced a smile.
"Now I have prepared a special treat for us to enjoy while my staff finishes setting the area up. Please follow me to the throne room."
The group followed Michelle with Ana bringing up the rear. Behind them two dozen vampires in red uniforms swept in setting up tables, glasses, and humans on tap. Others set up the dance floor with the DJ equipment. They entered the thrown room, lit by fireplace and torch giving it an old world feel that made most on the council relax and feel more at ease.
"This place hasn't changed," Helena grumbled walking in stiffly.
Michelle sauntered in then sat on the throne, Ana stood at her side. Once everyone was in the room, Michelle raised her hands and said, "I want to take this opportunity to prove to all of you, my intentions."
The vampire council shared looks of disbelief, Michelle grinned and turned the handle on the chair revealing a secret compartment in the stone wall. Inside the compartment was a gold tray with seven gilded glasses. Michelle gestured and Ana nodded fetching the tray then passing out the glasses. Though they seemed empty they were in truth filled with a small amount of blood.
"What is this?" Bo Liu asked, holding up his glass and sniffing the contents.
"Blood obviously. Come on Bo, catch up," teased Alfie Jones with a small laugh. The others joined in. To Michelle's surprise, Bo Liu didn't take offense at all. Ana delivered the last cup to Michelle; she picked it up and held it out.
"This is a gesture of commitment to our future together. In your cup are six drops from the bloodstone. Unlike those who came before me on this throne, I not only embrace those loyal and close to me, but I reward them as well. Enjoy."
A look of quiet shock spread across the faces of the other vampires, they sniffed their glasses and took a breath before slowly draining their glasses then quickly licking the inside to get out every bit of liquid. Each one then reacted by either trembling uncontrollably, gasping almost orgasmicly or growling. Michelle laughed; she had no reaction. Helena moaned and trembled licking her lips.
"I wasn't expecting that. What a wonderful gift, and the most amazing welcome I've received in centuries," said Bo Liu.
"Now, lets join the party. My servants have already spread the word to your people," said Michelle. She gestured to Ana who returned the tray to the wall, closing the secret compartment, then walked to the door opening it and letting pumping music pour in. Most of the vampire's filled out to wander the party while Helena lingered behind. With a pensive expression she approached Michelle.
"I haven't tasted that in a very long time. Thank you. It reminded me why I'm here, how far I've come," said Helena.
Michelle nodded then paused reconsidering. She said, "Helena, I know you know this place but take warning there are things here that should not be messed with. Don't go wandering, you won't like what you find. I want this to be a good trip for you."
Helena narrowed her eyes at Michelle, then replied. "I can see why Radu liked you so much but also why he underestimated you at every turn."
"Oh, last thing Helena. Stay away from Ana. She's mine and mine alone. If you so much as lay a finger or a lip on her there will be severe consequences. This is your only warning, as one queen to another."
Helena burst out laughing then nodded to Michelle as she left the room to join the party.