Chapter Sixteen: Surprise, surprise…
At sunset Michelle awoke with a start, instantly disappointed to see she was alone. She closed her eyes and reached out with her senses. Michelle was able to pinpoint everyone except Ana. Worried she rushed off her bed, then went in search of the beautiful blonde.
The first place she checked was the lab. Empty. The second place was Ana's bedroom and found the bed slept in and the shower running. Despite knowing no one else would dare use their private facilities she was compelled to make sure. Michelle entered the room going directly to the bathroom. She opened the door to see a woman in the shower. Michelle stared at the woman's body for a long moment, it was mostly hidden by the steam from the shower. Michelle recognized the curves, the breasts, and that perfect ass. It was Ana. Assured Michelle was flush with uncertainty and guilt, what could she even say to make up for her fuck up. Unsure Michelle retreated and closed the door.
To keep her mind off Ana, Michelle sought out the remaining vampire council. They were gathering in the throne room. The atmosphere was tense and grim. Bo Liu, Alfie Jones, and Curtis Shaw were standing by the fire talking softly. When Michelle entered the room, they fell silent.
"Don't stop for my benefit," she said.
"We're in shock," Bo Liu said.
"Diana is the tactical one of us all, it's hard to accept she'd do this so sloppily. So impatient, it's not like her at all," Alfie Jones said.
"Even Helena could be wild and unbearable but to go this far. I don't know what to think," Curtis Shaw said.
"If I'm to be honest I assumed you all put your heads together to plot against me. Well, at least for my death," said Michelle. They looked back at her with open shock. She narrowed her eyes at them then said, "Are you trying to tell me. You three had no part in it?"
"Correction, the four of us had no part in it," Manuel Gonzales said as he stepped into the room.
Michelle rolled her eyes sighing as she took her throne. "Come on guys, tell me the truth. You were all in on it."
They all shook their heads. Michelle frowned, "If that's really true you will help me take care of Diana's people once the verdict is announced. I can't have them seeking revenge or retaliate in any way. Rebelling against a sanctioned order is death."
The men all nodded in agreement.
"Is it true Radu is dead?" Curtis Shaw asked, his face grim.
"Yes. I have his body in two pieces in two places just to be sure," replied Michelle.
"Which two pieces?" Bo Liu asked.
"His head is separate from his body. It's necessary or he would come back. Radu is special," said Michelle.
"And you keep his body here in the castle?" Manuel Gonzales asked.
Michelle nodded, enjoying their expressions of disgust and horror. A servant dressed in red came in, bowing to everyone in the room before passing a sealed note to Michelle. She opened it, reading it immediately. As she did Manuel Gonzles exchanged loaded looks with Curtis Shaw, who nodded. Manuel Gonzales nodded back then turned to Michelle smiling wide.
"Queen Vladislas, you have my full support in however you want to move forward with this matter. In fact, I'll go now to ready my own men to take care of Diana's, though I think I will need assistance from Curtis. The combination of our people should be enough to suppress anything."
"I appreciate your volunteering. Please don't let me keep you. The faster we move on this the better," said Michelle.
"I completely agree," replied Curtis Shaw.
Manuel Gonzales gestured to Curtis Shaw, and they left quickly. Bo Liu and Alfie Jones turned to Michelle waiting for instructions. Michelle was distracted by the note, it was a missive of gratitude from Adi. It was polite, sweet, and a little bit flirty. It also requested another interview. Michelle still needed to speak to Ana, distracted she forgot about the men standing in front of her.
"Queen Vladislas what would you like us to do?" Alfie Jones asked.
"Check on your people, put them on standby. I will send for you once I'm ready to do one last interview on Queen Marcous and Helena," Michelle said.
Alfie Jones and Bo Liu nodded in understanding then left. Michelle fretted over what to do next, she had to take of Adi and Ana. Which one first? The decision was made for her when Ana walked in, wearing a dark red power suit with her hair pulled back into a ponytail. Stunned by Ana's beauty, Michelle forgot everything she had been pondering and was left with intense lust.
"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you," said Ana. She looked troubled and that made Michelle nervous. Ana closed the distance until she was standing in front of Michelle. Staring intently into Michelle's eyes Ana ordered, "Next time you leave me a note. Don't make me worry about you."
"Really?" Michelle asked confused.
"I can't make demands of the Queen. I know that but I'm still asking for you to check in with me. I worry Michelle."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take so long with Adi. I had every intention of making it back but by then you had gone. I did look for you when I woke up, but you were in the shower," confessed Michelle.
"Next time you get naked and join me in the shower," said Ana.
Michelle smiled and nodded yes. Relief washed over Ana's face, the blonde reached out grabbing Michelle and pulling her into a long kiss. The weight of the stress Michelle had been carrying lifted away as Ana physically reminded Michelle where they were together. When they pulled apart, Ana asked, "What did I miss?"
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"Do we even know where we're going?" Manuel Gonzales asked. He clutched his coat tighter to him as he followed Curtis Shaw down a dark stairwell.
"Yes. We go down as far as we can go. We'll find him tucked away in some crevice in the bowels of this castle. If she's really keeping him here that's where he'll be," said Curtis Shaw.
Manuel Gonzales gave him an incredulous expression in response yet continued to follow the other vampire. They searched quickly, going down deeper and deeper until they found a passageway. They went down it and discovered in a small carved out alcove, two glass boxes both filled with tiny red creatures trying to break out.
"Is that it? Is that Radu?" Manuel Gonzales asked.
"I believe so," answered Curtis Shaw.
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Manuel Gonzales asked.
"It's the only way to get my revenge on Helena. She'll never expect us to do this. And maybe we get rid of Michelle in the process. Possession of the bloodstone is at our fingertips."
"What if we can't control Radu?" Manuel Gonzales asked.
"We kill him and stick him back in these boxes," replied Curtis Shaw.
"Fine, lets get this over with then," said Manuel Gonzales.
Curtis Shaw laughed. They approached the boxes then used their strength to break the locks off then opened the lids pouring the contents on the floor. A dozen tiny red creatures fell out onto the floor next to Radu's corpse. The creatures got to their feet immediately then got to work reassembling Radu.
"I have a bad feeling about this Curtis. We shouldn't be here when he wakes up. We should go," said Manuel Gonzales.
Curtis Shaw watched the industrious creatures work to push Radu's head back into position on his neck. Curtis Shaw nodded then tapped the other man on the shoulder. They took off running back upstairs.
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"You go take care of the vampires in the dungeon. I'm going to go introduce myself to Adi," said Ana with a bright smile.
Michelle smiled then pulled Ana back kissing her hard. They were in a jovial mood. They just finished drinking from each other, their first time in the throne room with the door unlocked. There was still blood on their lips. With a shy smile, Michelle said, "If your conversation with Adi goes well, we can set up everything for after the council leaves. But if it's too soon we can push it back as far as you want. This is for you at your pace."
"Thank you, Michelle."
Ana left Michelle heading directly to Adi's room. She reached the vampire's door and dismissed the guard. Ana paused, conflicted then shook her head taking a deep breath. She had made her decision, now she had to go through with it. Ana knocked then stepped inside to find Adi reading a book under a desk lamp light.
"Oh…hello?" Adi said. He looked as if he were expecting someone else. Ana didn't have to ask who he was hoping would walk through the door.
"Adi, right?" Ana asked.
He nodded his head, she smiled tightly. "I'm Ana, Michelle sent me."
"Hello, Ana."
"I have a couple of questions for you before things can move forward," she said.
"Will I get to see Michelle after?"
Ana's smile pulled into a tight thin line. She swallowed the first few things that came to mind then settled on asking, "You like the queen?"
Adi nodded his head and a dreamy smile spread across his face. He said, "I have never met a woman so enchanting, so real."
"There are others who have claim over the queen. You'll have to wait in line," said Ana.
"I have no doubt I will show Michelle my attributes and she will put me at the head of this line," said Adi.
Ana nodded her smile changed. She said, "I appreciate your honesty, Adi. It's refreshing not to have to pry for once."
Adi smile turned into a proud grin. Ana took a deep breath then said, "Get up please and turn around."
Adi got up turning around, Ana pulled out a silver garrote then without hesitation she wrapped it around Adi's neck pulling it tight. Adi's shout was cut off, he made a gurgling noise as he flailed his arms and kicked the air. Ana grunted from the effort pulling even harder until the silver wire cut through Adi's neck. Suddenly his head fell, and the wire came through causing her to stumble backward. Blood spurted from the wound getting on her dress and hands. She walked over to the basin and used the water there to wash her hands. Ana left shutting the door behind her. She went to her room and changed into an identical dress tossing the other into the wash pile. Ana checked herself in the mirror then went in search of Michelle.
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"Queen Vladislas has requested an audience. On your feet," ordered a guard dressed in red.
Helena and Diana Marcous looked up to see four guards waiting for them. They exchanged looks then stood up. Their doors were opened, and chains attached to their manacles. The guards yank on the ends making Helena and Diana Marcous rush to catch up. They were taken to the throne room where Michelle, Ana, Alfie Jones, Bo Liu, Manuel Gonzales, and Curtis Shaw waited with grim expressions.
"Oh, what the fuck is all this?" Helena asked glaring at everyone.
"More fucking theatrics. Get on with it, make a deal with us or kill us already. I'm tired of being here," said Diana Marcous rolling her eyes and sighing with exaggeration.
"You both have been charged with serious crimes. Do you understand this?" Bo Liu asked.
"Breaking your silly rules is not worth a death penalty. You're all fools," said Helena.
"You knew the consequences. There is no excuse for violating another vampire's property," said Curtis Shaw. He raised his gaze to meet his wife's, her anger was clear.
"Who are you all to serve judgement on us? You're all nothing," said Diana Marcous with venom.
"Will anyone speak on the behalf of the accused?" Alfie Jones asked.
No one spoke, they all exchanged looks with each other. Helena grimaced, her anger growing at the fact no one would stand up for her. Then out of the darkness a familiar voice oozed out.
"I will speak for them."
All eyes turned in the direction of the voice to see Radu step out of the shadow. He grinned at them asking, "Happy to see me?"
