Over the next month, Regan made up her mind when she was to be turned. Byron received a reply from Bertrand that said he would be waiting when they arrived. After the letter arrived, Regan made up her mind that they were to leave one week later. Alec and Brie joined Byron and Regan on their journey. Boris and Isabella planned to join them at the Castle of Kings as soon as they could.
In anticipation of their arrival, Bertrand was having a discussion with Jayde about the task at hand.
“Jayde, they will be here tomorrow evening. Are you certain that you want to let me do this?”
“Before I answer that question, I want to ask you one.”
“What is it,” Bertrand asked.
“Why did you not let me tell Byron what is going to happen after Regan is turned?”
“The blood magic, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“He had no need to know that once she is one of us, the blood magic will become void. He would never let anyone turn her if this were the case. It was Regan’s decision, and we could not interfere with that.”
“I had forgotten. Thank you, for not allowing me to give it away.”
“Now you will answer my question. Are you certain you want to let me do this? The two of them are very young and very much in love with one another. I do not wish to disturb this if you do not want me to.”
“Bertrand, the two of us bed whomever we wish and have done so for many years. When you joined with me, you knew that I enjoyed the pleasures of both men and women. Because of this, two women have pleasured you many times. Tell me that you did not enjoy this, and I will not allow you to turn Regan.”
“I realize this, but in the past when we have done this, the human that was turned was not this close to my brother, and we could do with her what we wished.”
“You are no longer just a clan leader. You are on the panel of elders. You have the power to control not only your own clan, but also many others. If your brother does not appreciate our lifestyle, then he doesn’t.”
“I do not wish to hurt Byron.”
Jayde sighed. “I am so glad you do not show such weakness in public. Do not worry about Byron. I will sway him. I swear, watching them together while they were here made me so excited. I wanted to grab Regan by her tight little ass so many times, but I could not do so. Now, I will be able to have her anytime she is visiting.”
“Since they have gone home, I have learned from Kali that Regan is still a virgin, so to speak. Byron has yet to penetrate her body.” Bertrand said.
“You cannot be serious.”
“Very. Kali told me so. They are afraid that if she gets pregnant, she will die in childbirth like all human women have in the past.”
Jayde smiled. “This has made me happy. You will turn her, and once awakened, you will take her. Do not worry about Byron, I will handle him.”
“Beloved, you are so delightfully cruel.”
“Bertrand, do not flatter me, fuck me. All this talk about the coming events has gotten me excited. Do not waste your time with foreplay. I am already willing to take all of you.”
Bertrand picked up his petite mate and carried her to their bedchamber. They made love until they tired. The sun was just beginning to come up as they finished.
Bertrand looked at Jayde, and whispered, “No more, my love. If I am to be rested for Regan’s turning, I cannot be intimate with you any longer.”
Jayde whispered back, “Agreed. It has been a long time since you have made me this tired. Let us rest for a while. We have a long week ahead of us.”
They went to sleep, and slept almost until the Thorns were to arrive. They made sure everything was ready for their guests. When the carriage arrived, Bertrand and Jayde were waiting outside to greet them.
Alec stepped out of the carriage first and helped Brie down. He looked at his long-time friend. “Bertrand, it is good to see you,” he said as he hugged him.
“It is good to see you as well.”
By this time, everyone else had disembarked.
“Things will not be ready for Regan until tomorrow night. How about we go to my chamber and have some wine?” Bertrand suggested.
“That sounds wonderful,” Brie said.
They went to Bertrand’s chamber, discussed old times and things to come. Byron and Regan didn’t have much to say about old times, but the things yet to come sparked their interest.
“I just wanted to say that it is an honor for you to allow me to do this for Regan,” Bertrand said to Byron.
“You are most welcome, my lord. I trust you will perform the turning gently.”
“I will be as gentle as I can.”
Regan was now curious. “How will you do this, master? How will you turn me, I mean?”
“It is actually very simple. I bite you. The rest is up to nature.”
“Will it hurt?” Regan asked.
“No more than a bite Byron has given you.”
“My lord, I have not bitten her,” Byron said.
“Oh, I am sorry. I forgot. In that case, yes, it is going to hurt. Once you relax, the pain should subside if you sit still. If not, I could do serious damage to your shoulder, and you will be in need of medical care, so I suggest you do not move.”
“If it is just as simple as you biting me, why does the turning take so long?”
Bertrand looked at Byron to be sure it was okay to tell her the truth. Byron nodded. Bertrand turned his attention back at Regan. “Because you die, my dear.”
“I die?”
“Yes. In the days that follow, your body will be changing into the undead. After you awaken, your appearance will never change. Your skin may be a bit paler, but your hair will never grow again, nor will anything else. I suggest if you want your hair to remain the same, do not cut it before the turning.”
“I understand. Byron and Master Alec have both told me my psyche will be disturbed.”
“Your body is going to go through dramatic changes, and your mind will be working hard to try to control them. We cannot be sure what you may do, or how you will act. The actions are different for all. One thing that I am sure of is that you will not be yourself.”
“I see.”
“This is not like the blood magic that joins you and Byron. If I bite you, it is permanent.”
Byron then said, “My lord, I have explained this to her. She understands.”
“In this, I am glad. I also know that my brother has not been comfortable with you on his lands since you have been there. This will make him very happy. I will have someone prepare a room for us. When you are ready, we will begin.”
“Will Byron be able to be there?”
“He will not be there when I bite you, but he will be there throughout your body’s transformation. Since he has chosen you as his mate, it his duty alone to see you through it. Once the pain has subsided and Byron is satisfied that you are once again yourself, he will leave you to me. In this time I will solidify the bond between us.”
“The bond between you? What does that mean?” Byron asked.
“Regan will be a child of my clan. The bond I speak of is only like a father and child, Byron. Nothing more,” Bertrand lied.
Byron looked at Jayde. “I know that she will be favored in your house. This will not anger you?”
“My mate is an elder. He often does things that do not necessarily make me happy. I have no objections because I have no choice but to accept it,” Jayde said plainly.
Byron looked at Jayde and believed her words. He knew from her tone she was not truly happy with her mate’s duties. “I just wanted to ensure that you were comfortable with Master Bertrand doing this for us.”
“I will not have to concern myself with Regan. Once awakened, you will be going home. She will not be added to the many of Master Bertrand’s made children, thus disturbing my house any more than it already is.”
“I have heard quite enough out of you for one night, my love,” Bertrand said to Jayde.
“I will say nothing further, my lord.”
Bertrand turned his attention to Regan. “The room will be prepared, and we will proceed tomorrow night. Byron, I suggest both you and Regan get as much sleep as you possibly can. Regan, you will need to eat until you cannot eat anymore. Byron, you will need to also consume what you seem fit to keep you as alert as possible through this ordeal. Please be prepared to stay awake for a minimum of two days.”
“I will be ready, my lord,” Byron said.
Bertrand smiled, clapped his hands, and yelled, “More wine!”
A servant shortly appeared filled all of their glasses, and immediately left the room.
Bertrand raised his glass. “To the turning.”
Everyone lifted their glasses and said in unison, “To the turning!”
They continued the night with wine and joyfulness. Just before dawn, Bertrand decided that he would send the children to bed.
“I know the two of you are no longer children, but I must insist you begin to get your rest now.”
Byron put his glass down, grabbed Regan’s from her hand, put it on the table, and said, “Yes, my lord. Come Regan, we must get some sleep.”
Byron stood up, held out his arm, Regan took it, and politely said, “Good evening,” lowering her eyes to Bertrand in particular.
The two of them went back to their room. Byron was busy trying to wrap his head around the fact that after five years of being together, Regan was going to be a vampire.
Regan sat on her side of the bed, and noticed Byron, deep in thought. “Beloved? What is on your mind?” She asked.
Byron sighed, smiled a half-smile, and said, “How much I love you. I am not sure if I am going to feel the same way about the new and improved you.”
“I am sure that Master Bertrand knows what he is doing. I trust him, and so do you. Why do you worry now?”
“I guess I am just going to miss some things about you is all.”
“What are you going to miss?”
“Well, I know that your skin will become a little paler than it is now. I rather like that your skin is a perfect milk chocolate. Will your body feel the same to me? Will you look the same to me?”
“Beloved, if you are having doubts now, I will not do it.”
Byron closed his eyes, shook his head. “No. I do want this. Up until now, the changes that your body is going to go through never crossed my mind. If you chose not to do what you wish, I will feel guilty about it. If you change your mind because of my feelings, I will never be able to view myself in the same manner. If you chose not to do this because of me, my selfishness will haunt me for the rest of my days. Regan, do not worry about my feelings as of this moment. We have discussed this in detail, and you are ready. I will be fine.”
“I know Master Bertrand said that we should rest, but since you are uneasy about my change, how about I give you something to remember the human in me?
“I would like that very much.”
“Come closer to me, beloved.”
Byron walked over Regan and stood in front of her. Regan stood up, looked Byron in his eyes, smiled, and waited for him to utter the words that would set her off like a firecracker.
He stroked her cheek and gave her a chaste kiss. He stared at her for a moment before he said, “Pull my hair.”
Regan smiled, and said, “As you wish, my lord.”
Regan reached behind his head, and pulled his long ponytail as hard as she could. Byron moaned at the pain.
“Unleash the devil.”
Regan kissed Byron deeply. She slowly, but aggressively, took his braid down. When his hair was free from confinement, it gently engulfed her, as it always did. Byron allowed her to continue to kiss him as long as she wished. In the back of his mind, he wondered if she was going to be able to kiss him in the same way. Once she stopped kissing him, he stopped thinking about it, and said the next two words that would get him going. “Suck me.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
Regan went to her knees, took his member into her hand, massaged it shortly, and placed it in her mouth.
Byron fit perfectly into her mouth. Over the years, she had become the master of her mate’s member. She could suck it so that he would gently moan, or she could swallow him so deeply, he would scream her name and various obscenities in the same sentence. It was then she knew he truly loved her.
Regan kept on task. She sucked and stroked his member as hard as she could. She didn’t have to wait very long to hear the words she desired to hear.
“Swallow me.”
Regan knew it was time for his orgasm. She picked up the intensity, and allowed him to ejaculate into her mouth. She accepted his gift without question, and swallowed everything he fed her. When there was nothing left, she licked the remainder of his love from his member, smiled, and backed away.
Byron was happy that she was able to pleasure him in the only way she knew how. Once she was turned, how would this affect their intimacy? Byron smiled in the hopes that she would become a sexual vixen.
“How was that?” Regan asked.
Byron didn’t waste words. “Stand up.”
Regan did as her man asked. Byron would usually take his time to undress her. Tonight, he ripped her clothes from her body. Regan said nothing. She moaned loudly at the shear excitement of Byron’s aggressiveness.
She stood there, naked in front of him. He looked at her bosom, then back into her eyes. Her eyes didn’t reject him, so he moved forward. He took one of her breasts into his mouth and voraciously began to suck on it. Regan let her head fall back in pleasure. He was sucking so hard that pleasure gave way to a little pain. She attempted to back away slightly and found herself on the bed, on her back.
This is what he wanted. Byron followed her body to the bed, and continued to eat her breast. Regan had to get control of her man, or he was going to do something that he would regret.
Regan quietly said through the pain, “Eat me.”
Byron reacted to her in the same way she reacted to him. With her words, he moved from her breast, to her sex. He licked her forcefully enough that he almost sent her head into the headboard trying to retreat.
Byron was in tune with her human vulnerability, and quietly asked, “Beloved please allow me to be intimate with you while you are the woman I still know.”
“We cannot take that risk, beloved,” Regan quietly whispered.
Byron’s member was so hard that it had become uncomfortable to him. Begging the woman he loved was not beneath him. “Please Regan, I must have you. If you transform and decide that you no longer love me, I will die wondering. Please let me have you.”
“I wish to wait. If we wait until I am turned, you can show me what you have waited all these years to show me.”
“As you wish, beloved. I will hold you for the remainder of the night as the woman I love now, for who knows what the future will bring.”
“I will never leave you, Byron Thorn. Human or vampire, you are the love of my life, and nothing will ever change that.”
Soon after Regan uttered those words, the two of them were asleep. It was a dreamless, relaxing sleep.
Had they done what Bertrand told them to do instead of being intimate with each other, they would have been ready for the very loud knock at their room door. Byron rolled over on his back, and yelled, “Who is it?”
Jayde quietly said, “Master Byron, it is time. Please wake Mistress Regan.”
Byron looked at his human girlfriend, and said, “As you wish, my lady. We will be out shortly.”
Byron closed his eyes and quickly went over the last five years with Regan in his head. It had been a good time. With these thoughts and images rolling around in his head, he was certain that he didn’t want to allow her to be turned. What was he going to do? He was going to allow his beloved her wish, and no longer be so selfish. Byron reached over and shook Regan from her sleep. “Regan, it is time.”
Regan rolled over and sighed, “Already?”
“Yes, beloved. You must go,” Byron said sadly.
“Byron, do not be sad. Look at it this way. I will now be able to be with you for an eternity. It will be fine.”
“Okay. Get up. Do not make Lady Jayde come back to this room looking for you.”
Regan got out of the bed and put her clothing on. She walked to Byron’s side of the bed where he sat in silence. She put her hand underneath his chin and lifted his head so she could look into his eyes. She stared at him for a moment, gave him a chaste kiss, and said, “I love you.”
“I love you too. I will see you later.”
Regan let go of his chin and left the room. She went to the sitting room where she found Jayde and two servants waiting for her.
“It is good to see you awake, Mistress Regan.”
“Forgive me for oversleeping, my lady.”
“We must hurry and prepare. We do not want to keep Master Bertrand waiting much longer. Come, we must bathe you.”
“I can bathe myself.”
“It is not allowed before your turning. Come.”
Regan said nothing. She followed the three women into the largest bath chamber she had ever seen. The bathtub was big enough for four people.
“Regan, please remove your clothing and get into the tub.”
“Yes, my lady,” Regan said as she did as she was told.
The water was very hot, and it took her a while before her body adjusted. While she was sitting still in the hot water, Jayde undressed herself and stood by the side of the tub.
“Forgive my ignorance, my lady, but you are going to bathe me?” Regan asked.
“What did you think I meant? Of course. My servants and I are going to bathe you.”
“I do not mind being bathed by you, my lady. The other two, I do not want to touch me.”
“Very well then,” Jayde said as she turned to her servants. “You heard her. You are excused.”
“Yes, my lady,” they said in unison. Once the door closed, Jayde got into the tub with Regan.
“Tell me, does this embarrass you?”
“Not really. I am comfortable with the nakedness of another woman.”
“Good. In case you are wondering why someone else has to bathe you, I will tell you. It is to relax you enough so you do not move when Bertrand has a grip on you.”
“That makes sense.”
Jayde was ready to take advantage of the situation. “Turn around so that I can wash your back.”
Regan turned around. Jayde grabbed the soap in her hand and began to rub it on her back. It immediately began to lather. Jayde was up to no good. She decided that she would keep Regan’s mind on the bath, so she started a conversation.
“Master Bertrand tells me that you are from a small village, twenty miles from the Baby Farm.”
“I am. Byron, his father, his brothers, and Master Boris took me from my village.”
Jayde rubbed the back of Regan’s neck with her bare hand, and asked, “Why did they do that?”
“I was going to be joined with someone I did not know. Byron loved me, so he came to save me.”
Jayde was beginning to get aroused with just the touch of Regan’s soft skin. “Turn around.” Regan turned around. Jayde then took one of Regan’s arms, and began to lather it up. “So, you have been with them ever since?”
Regan lifted her other arm. As Jayde lathered it, she answered, “Yes. They are really an amazing family.”
Jayde let go of Regan’s arm, looked Regan in her face, and asked, “Really? I have also heard that you are still a virgin.”
Regan looked away, and answered, “I am, my lady. I am ashamed of this.”
Jayde took the soap, began to lather Regan’s chest, and said, “This is nothing to be ashamed of child. Byron did not touch you in fear of killing you. Once you are turned, you will be free to love each other in anyway you see fit.”
Jayde was getting more and more aroused. Regan had no idea that Jayde was there to relax her in an unexpected manner. Regan allowed Jayde to bathe her, and continued to talk.
“I am aware of this, my lady.”
Jayde put the soap on the side of the tub, and asked, “Regan, have you ever thought about being intimate with a woman?”
“No, I have not, my lady. Have you?”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Of course you can.”
“Not only have I thought about it, I have done it.”
“Does Master Bertrand know?”
“He is my mate. Of course he knows.”
“What was it like?”
“Curious?”
“Yes.”
“It was wonderful. There is nothing like the gentle touch of another woman. I would like to do it again.”
“Do you think Master Bertrand would mind? I mean, you would be cheating on him if you were intimate with someone else.”
“No, he would not mind. We have an understanding between us.”
“Meaning that you are intimate with other men, and he with other women?”
“That is exactly what I mean.”
“I see.”
“Regan, I also have a confession to make. Turn around.” Regan turned around, and Jayde continued, “I think you are a beautiful woman, and I would very much like to be with you.”
“I will be cheating on Byron if I even thought about it, my lady. He will punish me.”
“How will he know?”
“The blood magic, remember?”
“I am not originally of this clan. I possess the power of seduction and telepathy, and so do the servants that were previously here. Regan, it is good that you made me send them away. I say this, because neither you nor Byron will worry about what either of you is doing.”
“My lady, what do you mean?”
“They are right now in the room with Byron, prepared to take him at the same time that I am planning to take you. This way, neither of you can be angry about cheating on one another.”
Regan was shocked at Jayde’s statement and stood straight up in the tub. “I must go to him, my lady.”
Jayde shook her head. “Sit down.” Regan hesitated, but did just as Jayde said. “I am hundreds of years older than you Regan, never forget that. Not to mention, you are still human. I am stronger and faster than you are. I am in control at this moment. Understand?”
Regan nodded, and begged. “Please let me go to him, mistress.”
“No. I want you to wait here with me for a moment. If the blood magic is working the way it always has, you will see that your Byron has no chance against those that I have sent to him.” Jayde closed her eyes, and sent word to her servants to make their move.
Moments later, Regan could feel Byron’s excitement. It was the same feeling she got from him when they were being intimate with one another. Regan hung her head, and allowed a tear to fall from her eye.
“Mistress, please make the pain go away,” she said quietly.
That is all Jayde needed to hear. She again grabbed the soap, and lathered up Regan’s breasts.
“Relax, and let me have you. I promise you will not regret it.”
Regan consented to something that she never thought she would do. “You may have me.”
Jayde continued to rub Regan’s breasts with the soap until they were slick. She put the soap on the side of the tub. “You will not regret this dear,” Jayde said as she groped Regan’s large firm breasts. “You have an incredible body. I do not know how Byron has been in control for so long.”
Regan didn’t know what it was, but she was beginning to enjoy Jayde touching her. She opened her mouth to speak, and nothing came out but a soft groan of pleasure. She was not supposed to enjoy what was happening to her, so she attempted to make Jayde stop.
“Mistress, please stop this,” she whispered.
Jayde ignored her, and kissed her. She kissed her deeply enough to let her know that she was very serious about what was going to happen. Regan pulled away from her, aroused by the kiss.
Jayde looked at Regan and said, “I have wanted to do that since the first time I met you. You are a beautiful woman, and I cannot stop thinking about you.”
“Mistress, I am bound to Byron. I have never cheated on him. I am not sure what to say to that.”
Jayde was ready to explore every part of Regan’s body, and whispered, “Say nothing. Just let me have you.”
Regan had a very hard time trying to hold back so she decided she would give in. She grabbed the back of Jayde’s head, gently pulled her close, and kissed her.
After a long, sultry kiss, Jayde softly said, “That’s my girl.”
The two of them stayed in the tub caressing each other, touching each other, feeling each other. When the water got cold, they moved to Jayde’s bedroom. There they continued to taste each other’s sex, and use their fingers to pleasure one another. When they were finally finished, Jayde said, “Thank you, Regan.”
“No, thank you. I have never felt such pleasure. I dare say when we leave, I will miss you.”
“It is time for the master to turn you now.”
“Will you not miss me, my lady?”
“Are you saying you like women now?”
“Not just any woman, only you.”
“Yes, I will miss you. Upon your return, I will have something special waiting for you, and Byron as well.”
“I will be waiting, my lady.”
“Come. It is time for your turning.”
“Yes, my lady.”
They found their clothing, and went to another room where Bertrand was waiting for them.
“Ah, there you are. I was beginning to wonder if you had changed your mind,” Bertrand said with a smile.
“She is ready, my lord,” Jayde said quietly.
“Jayde, please leave us. I will join you shortly.”
Jayde lowered her eyes. “As you wish, my lord.” She turned and left the room.
Bertrand said something that Regan didn’t expect. “You are to be joined with Master Byron. I know that Jayde has been with you. This is what she does in order to get a prospect ready for turning. Do not think on your life that I am going to let her go. You possessed her only for a while, now she once again belongs to me. Do you think that after one time with Lady Jayde, you are in love with her?
“I do not, my lord, but my experience was pleasurable. I would do it again if she approached me.”
“Come here, Regan. Let us make you more presentable to our coven.”
Regan walked toward Bertrand, and stopped within the zone that would normally make someone uncomfortable. He reached for her, pulled her close to him, and kissed her gently on the neck.
Regan threw her head back in pleasure and quietly whispered, “Oh yes.”
Bertrand took the hint, and wasted no time. He opened his mouth wide, and bit her.
“Oh yes,” Regan exclaimed.
Bertrand was enjoying her human blood. He took just enough for her to be turned, and not killed. He abruptly let go of her neck, and said, “Regan my dear, you must lay down now. I will stay with you until you sleep. Once you are asleep, I will ask Byron to join you. It is his duty to stay with you until you awaken.”
“Master Bertrand, will you stay with me throughout my turning?”
“It is forbidden. Byron is your mate. He and he alone can witness your pain.”
“Why is this? Why is only Byron allowed to witness my actual turning?”
“Your mate sees your true self at all times. He knows things about you that no other does. If another witnessed your transformation, you may reveal things only meant for Byron to hear. I thought we already discussed this.”
“I understand.”
“Go to sleep child. Once you awaken, I will see you again.”
“Master, would it be out of line for me to ask for a kiss?”
“You want me to kiss you?”
“I realize the request is out of the ordinary, but Byron and I always share a chaste kiss before we go to sleep. The nights he does not kiss me, I do not sleep well. Will you please kiss me gently and tell me goodnight?”
“Your request is abnormal, but of course I will. I will do what I must to make you comfortable.”
Regan lay down on the bed, and Bertrand approached her.
“Sleep well child. When you wake, you will know eternal life,” Bertrand said, as he kissed Regan softly on the lips.
Regan closed her eyes and went to sleep.
Bertrand left the room and closed the door behind him. Outside the door, he found Byron and his parents patiently waiting.
“How did it go?” Byron asked.
“She held still, so I did not damage her skin. Byron, I must warn you. The turning of my people is unlike anything you have seen before. You must be ready for anything. Regan may say and do things in her sleep that offend you. Whatever you do, do not wake her. Her subconscious is going to allow you to be close to her, touch her, and even talk to her, but do not wake her.”
“I understand, my lord.”
“I hope you have had enough rest. What you are tasked in doing is going to be difficult.”
“I am determined to see this through, my lord.”
“Go to her. Right now, she is sleeping. Shortly, she will begin to stir. You will need to be there when she does.”
“Thank you, Master Bertrand. I appreciate your help,” Byron said as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.
Bertrand looked at Alec. “I certainly hope he is really ready for what he is going to go through over the next few months.”
“It cannot be any worse than when Brie was pregnant with Nik.”
“If I remember correctly, Brie, there were a few hours before Nikolai was born when you were not yourself.”
“That is correct. Even though I can consume, and prefer regular food, my body craved blood and flesh.”
“In all reality, it will be very close to that. Tonight is just the beginning. Once she is awake and is away from me, her bloodlust will be hard to control for a while. Be sure to keep your donors safe, for she will be looking for any blood she can get her hands on. If you allow her to go too long without feeding, all of you will be in danger as well. She will be strongest when she is thirsty. She will have the strength of an older vampire, so please be mindful of this. If not, she will kill you to get to what she wants.”
Alec looked at Bertrand, and asked, “Why are you telling us this? Why did you not say these words to Byron?”
“I did not want him to think about what will come after she awakens. His job at this moment is to see her through this. She will have my ability to stay awake and move within shadow, along with many of my other abilities. If you do not wish for her to sneak off while you are not looking, she should never be alone. When she sleeps, another Daywalker or senior vampire should guard her bedchamber to ensure that she is under control. I would suggest my brother or Isabella take on this duty, since they are the only two at the farm strong enough to take her down if she escapes.”
“I am certain either of them will be happy to help,” Alec said.
“How long will she be like this?” Brie asked.
“Because she is so young, I estimate she will be in this state for at least two months. Depending on how the final bond goes, it could go as long as three.”
“If after three months she is still not herself?” Brie asked.
“Send for me. I will come to help you. If after I leave her she has not returned to the young woman you have come to love, you must kill her.”
Brie gasped, and exclaimed, “Kill her?”
“Yes, Brie, kill her. I will not hold anyone liable if it comes to this. If she is not able to gain control even after I have seen her, she will be the very thing that our coven has fought so hard to keep away from us.”
“She will become rogue,” Alec stated.
Bertrand nodded, and said, “Yes. Interrupting our food supply and killing simply because she can. Alec, your grandfather will do the honors himself if it comes to this.”
“I understand.”
“Good. I will leave you now. You are free to come and go as you please. If you are not here when the bond is complete, I will send someone to find you. Please excuse me. Tasting Regan’s blood had made me thirsty. I must feed now. I will see the two of you when she has awakened,” Bertrand said, as he walked down the hall, leaving Alec and Brie to worry about what was going to happen.
Brie looked into Alec’s eyes. “If she has to be killed, that will kill our son.”
“Do not worry about it. I will take care of Regan. Byron will not lose her, and we will not lose our son.”
Brie laid her head on Alec’s shoulder. “I hope you are right.”
Alec wrapped his arms around Brie and said, “I have this under control. I will take care of everything.”
Two hours later, Byron was sitting in the chair closest to the bed that accommodated Regan’s dead body. He looked at the woman he loved, and noticed one obvious change. Her beautiful chocolate skin was no longer the same color. Once, she reminded him of new chocolate candy, fresh from the candy maker. Now her skin resembled chocolate that was just about to turn white.
She was indeed a bit paler than she was only hours before. Byron then felt the sudden urge to touch her. He reached out and gently touched her arm. She was no longer warm. Byron didn’t like this, and wondered if she was going to remain as cold as she was now.
He wished she would open her eyes so he could see if they were still the same color. Perhaps, deep down, he didn’t want her to be turned. Time would only tell if he allowed her to make the right choice.
He pulled a book from the bookshelf and began to read. Before he could read to the bottom of the first page, Regan moved. Byron closed his book and waited to see if she would move again. She didn’t. He opened his book, and continued to read. He finished two more chapters before she moved again.
He kept the place in his book and waited to see if she would continue to move. She didn’t. This went on for twenty-four hours. Each time, Byron would see her move, wait, and go back to his book.
The following evening caught him sleeping. He woke to Regan yelling at him. “Damn you, Byron Thorn! How dare you be intimate with someone else?”
Byron quickly opened his eyes to find her still laying on her back, in the same position she was in the last time he looked at her. He decided to reply to her accusation.
“I did not know what came over me, my love,” Byron replied quietly.
“Bullshit,” Regan yelled. “You knew exactly what you were doing!”
“Will you please forgive me? I have forgiven you.”
With her eyes still closed, she replied, “You have nothing to forgive me for. I have done nothing.”
“You were with Lady Jayde. I felt your excitement just as you felt mine.”
As bizarre and unusual as it was, Regan began to cry in her sleep.
“I tried to make her stop, beloved, but she did not. It seems as though there is something for you to forgive. I had forgotten.”
“It is okay, my love. Just continue to rest. All will be well when you are whole.”
“I am so tired,” Regan said as she drifted back into her deep sleep.
Byron reached for a different book on the bookshelf. He managed to read ten chapters when Regan spoke again. This time it was not directly to him.
“Nikolai, get away from me,” Regan yelled, and continued with, “I do not want you! I love Byron! Do not touch me! Do not…”
Regan didn’t finish, she went back to sleep. Byron knew she was remembering the time Nikolai attempted to take her from him. Byron opened his book and continued to read. An hour later, she spoke again.
“Father, do not make me marry him! I do not like him!”
Byron said nothing, and continued with his book. Regan didn’t say anything or move until the next night. This time, he was awake and still reading the same book. What happened next caught him off guard. She stood up, walked to him, and kissed him deeply. He knew she was still asleep, and asked, “Why do you kiss me this way?”
Regan smiled. “I love you, silly. I thought you knew this.”
Byron was curious about her psyche so he asked, “Regan, where are we?”
“Do you not see these beautiful trees? We are at the place where we met. I so love coming back here, do you not?”
“No, it is a place of sorrow for you. I do not wish to ever come here again.”
Regan continued to smile. “Do not be silly, this is the place of my birth. We are always welcome here.”
“I will stay with you then.”
“Byron, come, we have work to do. Help me so I may spend more time with you.”
“Your father will not allow me close to your home, remember?”
“You can kill him if you like. I do not wish to be burdened with him any longer.”
“Regan, you loved your father.”
“He hurt me for loving you. I am glad he is gone. Kiss me again, Byron. Show me that you love me.”
“He hurt you in what way?”
“I am too happy to speak of it now, we will talk later. Kiss me now.”
Her eyes remained closed while she was having this conversation with Byron, which meant she was still sleeping. Byron complied with all of her wishes, and continued to watch over her.
The next night was the worst. Regan screamed in pain, and it suddenly woke Byron up.
“Make it stop!”
He was compelled to assist her. “Make what stop, Regan?” Byron asked.
“My chest hurts! Make it stop!”
“There is nothing that I can do for you, beloved.”
“Byron, I am going to die if you do not do something!”
Byron hung his head, and realized that she was now at the point when Bertrand bit her. He simply replied, “Go to sleep, my love. When you wake up, the pain will be gone, and I will be here for you.”
“Byron, do something!”
“Lay down, Regan. I can do nothing but hold you. If you die, remember that you die loved.
Regan lay down on the bed, and asked, “You love me?”
Byron lay down, pulled her close to him, and said, “I have loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. If you leave me, I will be hurt. I will go on remembering the way you felt in my arms in your last moments.”
“I love you, Byron.”
“Do not leave me, Regan.”
Regan whispered, “I am sorry.”
Regan closed her eyes, and didn’t move again for another day. When she woke this time, she opened her eyes, and quietly said, “Byron, I am hungry.”
Byron looked at her, saw the changes in her appearance. The one thing Byron didn’t like about her was her eyes. Her once beautiful, chocolate brown eyes were now black with hunger. Byron didn’t know what to say.
Regan got impatient, and yelled, “What the fuck are you waiting for, Byron? I said I was hungry!”
Byron, shocked by what escaped Regan’s lips, asked, “What do you want, beloved?”
“I do not know exactly. Come over here.”
Byron moved closer to Regan, and with lightning speed, she grabbed him and threw him down on the bed. Shocked by both her strength and speed, he lay there waiting to see what she was going to do next.
“Byron, you smell different.”
“How do I smell different?”
“Like…food.”
“Would you like to taste me?”
“I most certainly would,” Regan said as she opened her mouth, extended her fangs, and bit down hard.
Regan ignored his screams and continued to suck on his neck. The slurping sound in his ear was sickening to him, but he had to allow her to feed. She was enjoying her meal, and continued to suck until she was satisfied. When she was finished, she released his neck. “Byron, you are delicious.”
“I’m glad you think so, beloved.”
Regan said nothing more. She let Byron up, rolled over on the bed and went back to sleep.
Four hours later she awoke, and demanded to taste Byron again. He complied with her wishes, and Regan slept again. She didn’t wake up again until the following evening. This time when she did, she sat up and quietly asked, “How do I look?”
Byron looked at Regan, and found that she was even more beautiful than she was before. “Beautiful,” he answered.
Regan got up, and walked to the chair where Byron sat. He prepared himself for another bite, but this time, she leaned over him, and gave him a chaste kiss.
“Thank you for allowing me to do this, my love. I feel so much better now. I am no longer afraid.”
Byron looked into her eyes, and asked, “How does your body feel?”
“It feels a little different, but wonderful at the same time.”
“Well, my dear, it seems that you have become one of us. In this, I am glad. What do you remember?”
“I remember Master Bertrand biting me, and I went to sleep. The next thing I remember is waking up just now.”
“Did you dream?”
“No.”
“Are you hungry?”
“No.”
“Very well then. It seems that you are ready for the final bond. I will go and retrieve Master Bertrand. Do not leave this room.”
“I will be here, beloved.”
When Byron located Bertrand, he was in the sitting room with Jayde, his parents, and to his surprise, Boris and Isabella. Bertrand saw Byron first.
“Master Byron, it is good to see you in one piece. How is she?”
“She is awake and ready for the bond, my lord.”
“How did it go?”
“She screamed in her sleep about things from her past. She woke up, and tried to rip my shoulder off with her teeth. She kissed me, and told me she was fine. She does not remember any of it.”
“Very well then. You sit here. I will be back with Regan shortly.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Bertrand made his way to Regan’s room. He didn’t have a lot of time to bond with her, so he was ready as soon as she was to get down to business.
“How do you feel, Regan?” Bertrand asked as he looked into her eyes.
“I am a new woman, my lord.”
“You are feeling that you are in need of intimacy?”
“I am, my lord.”
“I am here for your needs. If you do not want to be with me, I understand. The reason I am here now is to bring you into my house with the bonding.”
Regan stood next to the bed and started to remove her clothing. Bertrand was extremely aroused as Regan stripped down to her panties, and bra. Reaching around her back, she looked him straight in the eye and unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the floor. She hooked her thumbs into her panties.
Bertrand suddenly felt a little guilty about what he was planning to do and said, “You do not have to if you do not want to.”
“But the bond will not take if I do not go through with it. Is this true, master?
“Yes.”
“Well then, we shall continue,” she said, with her thumbs still hooked into her panties, she slowly pushed them down, revealing her nakedness. She stood back up, her arms down by her side almost standing to attention.
Bertrand looked at her beautiful body and thought about how much he was going to enjoy having group sex with her and Byron the next time they came for a visit. He walked to her, grabbed her by the waist, stuck two fingers into her sex, and gently masturbated her. She reached the height of her pleasure rapidly, which in turn, pleased Bertrand. He pulled his hand from her sex, and licked every bit of her from his fingers. Bertrand’s erection was ready for more. He decided he was ready to test her fang control. He backed away and said, “Suck me.”
This was something Regan knew she could do to please her master, so she knelt down, and saw his massive member staring her in the face.
“Regan, because you are no longer human, this experience will be different. You will smell my blood running under my skin. As much as you may want to bite me, do not. You have to control your bloodlust during this time. Are you ready?”
“I will not bite you, my lord.”
“Good,” Bertrand said as he pushed his hips forward toward her opening mouth. She grabbed the base of his member, and her lips closed onto his shaft. She looked up at him with her beautiful eyes, and he slowly rocked his hips back and forth so that his member slid in and out of her mouth. Once he was certain she was not going to bite him, he let her take over.
Byron was a lucky man. To have someone this good with oral intimacy was certainly a blessing. There were times where she would pause and readjust her mouth, but she continued until Bertrand said, “Regan, it is now time for the last phase of the bonding. Go lay on the bed.”
Regan went to the bed, and lay down. Bertrand looked at her for a while, admiring her new beauty. “Regan, I have been told that you are still a virgin. Is this true?”
“It is, my lord. Are you going to take my virginity?”
“Yes, only if you wish to be bound to me.”
“I do want to be one of your children, my lord. Is it going to hurt?”
“You are a vampire now, Regan. Pain is a part of pleasure,” Bertrand said as he positioned himself between her legs. “Lift your legs,” he said, and Regan complied.
Bertrand grabbed her underneath both thighs, and pulled her close to him. Her sex was just inches away from his. He licked his own finger, placed it slowly into her, and began to move it in and out. When she was wet enough for his liking, he placed the head of his manhood onto the opening of her sex.
Bertrand wasted no more time with her and pushed into her slowly. When he reached bottom, he pulled back out. Regan’s eyes rolled to the back of her head. It seemed that she felt no pain at all, and enjoyed the first stroke.
Bertrand smiled down at her, and said, “You are going to be my favorite, child,” Then rammed his member in her with force. Regan gasped with surprise, but took everything he gave her.
Bertrand’s strokes became longer, and harder. Regan was enjoying herself more than she should have been. Bertrand was a wonderful lover, and she wondered if Byron was going to be just as good.
Bertrand was enjoying the tightness of her hole. It had been a while since he had come across a virgin. He could not hold his orgasm for much longer. He had to wait until she was ready. He pumped harder and faster for some time, and suddenly slowed down. This drove Regan to orgasm. Bertrand had his as well. He slowly pumped at her until she had finished. When she was done, he pulled out of her and said, “Lick our juices from me, and we will be bound.”
Regan moved to his member, and began to suck. When his member was clean, she smiled at him.
“Welcome to the Clan of the Night, my dear.”
“My lord, I would like it very much if I could remain close to you.”
“Regan, you cannot. You must go back to the farm with your family. That was one of the conditions of my turning you, you know that.”
“I will leave Byron for you, my lord.”
“No you will not, because I will not leave Jayde. You will go home with your family, and one-day join with Byron. He has waited so very long to be intimate with you. He loves you, and deserves at least that much.”
“You are right, master.”
“Let us find you some clothing that will suit who you are now. Afterward, we can present you to your family. They are waiting to see you.”
“All of them?”
“Boris and Isabella arrived while you were sleeping. There is no one else. Is this fine with you?”
“It is acceptable, my lord.”
“I will send someone in with a dress for you. After you are dressed, please come to the sitting room. It is there that they are waiting to meet the new you.”
“I will be out soon, my lord.”
Bertrand smiled at her, and returned to the sitting room. All in the room stood as they normally would.
“It is done. Regan is now a member of the Clan of the Night.”
“Where is she?” Byron asked.
“She is getting dressed and will be out shortly. In the meantime, Byron, I will tell you what I have previously told your parents. Tonight is just the beginning. Once she is away from me, her bloodlust will be hard to control for a while. Be sure to keep your donors safe, for she will be looking for any blood that she can get her hands on…”
When Bertrand was finished, Byron simply said, “I understand, my lord. I promise I will take care of her.”
Boris looked at Byron, and said, “We have come to love Regan, and do not wish anything to happen to her. I will understand if you have to take care of her, and dismiss your chores. Just be sure your work is done by another, and that will keep me happy.”
“I will.”
They sat and spoke about Regan for another thirty minutes. When she made her appearance, she was dressed in an off-the-shoulder midnight blue satin ball gown. Her beautiful black hair, pulled up to accent her freshly made-up face. She stepped into the sitting room and quietly said, “Hello everyone.”
They stood up to greet her. They were all speechless. If possible, Regan was even more beautiful than she had been. Bertrand broke the silence. “You are absolutely stunning, child.”
Byron couldn’t say anything. He slowly walked over to Regan and stopped close enough so that he could look her from head to toe. His eyes finally made their way back to hers. “I love you,” Byron said as he proceeded to kiss her so passionately that it was quite uncomfortable to watch. His father had to stop him.
“Byron, there are others in the room. Give us a chance to look at her.”
Byron backed away from her, and she spoke to her family. “How do I look?” Regan asked quietly.
“I am now very honored to call you my daughter. You are beautiful, my dear,” Brie said as she hugged her.
“Does this mean I can call you mother?” Regan asked. “I have not called anyone mother in a very long time.”
“But of course. What do you think, Alec?”
Alec hugged Regan himself. “Welcome to the family, Regan. You can now officially call me father.”
“In this, I am glad. I was worried that you would not love me once I was turned.”
“Not on your life, child. You are a joy to have around our house. Do you not think so, Byron?” Alec asked.
“Mother, father, please excuse me for what I am about to do. I had not planned this, but it cannot be helped,” Byron said, as he could not take his eyes off Regan.
“What are you going to do son?” Alec asked.
Byron smiled at his father and then looked at Regan. “From the very first moment I laid eyes on you, I thought you were the most beautiful creature that I had ever seen. When I learned more about you, I had to have you. That is the reason why I took you away from your father. I was in love with you, and decided that I could not live without you. I know we were very young, and I remember asking you if you wanted to join with me. You said that you wanted to, and I have waited for five years to ask you officially. Regan Gore, I love you with all my heart, and never, ever want you to leave my side. Will you join with me?”
Regan grinned. “Of course I will, beloved.”
Byron kissed Regan as everyone in the room cheered, and clapped. When the kiss was over, the applause continued until Alec asked, “When would you like to do this?”
“Since we are here, I say we do it tomorrow,” Byron said.
“Beloved, I have always wanted fairytale nuptials.” Regan said. “I was only waiting on my prince. Since I have found you, is it okay if we had a large joining?”
“As long as in the end you are willing to be Mistress Regan Thorn, you can have anything you wish.”
“Thank you, Byron.”
“This has made me happier than you can imagine,” Alec said. “But I would ask the two of you to keep in mind that Nikolai and Angeline are due to join two months from now. If you joined before him, this would not make him happy. You know he feels since he is the oldest; he must be first at everything.”
“I do, father. We will respect Nik and Angeline. We will wait until after they are joined.”
“I appreciate that, son. Thank you.”
Boris spoke up. “Bertrand, I am pleased that you were able to give one of my clan the gift of immortality. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Bertrand raised an eyebrow. “Right now, she is one of my clan. When she joins with Byron, she will be a member of your clan once again, or have you forgotten that?”
“I have. Forgive me. We will watch over her very carefully, so do not worry about her.”
“I am comfortable that she is in good hands. Since the task that brought you all here is finished, you are welcome to stay for a few more days if it is your wish.”
“We will stay for two more days. This will allow us to catch up with old friends and family. Alec, is this okay with you?” Boris asked.
“It is.”
Bertrand looked at Jayde, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “Jayde?”
“Yes, my dear, they are most welcome to stay with us for however long they like.”
“Well, let us celebrate new life and nuptials, shall we?”
All in the room agreed, and proceeded to drink until intoxication.
Back at the farm, Nikolai received a letter from Damon telling him that Angeline could not visit the farm, so he should stop asking. He told him that he was more than welcome to come for an overnight visit once a month until the two of them joined.
Nikolai was disappointed. He needed to be close to Angeline more often than a few hours at a time. Suddenly, he remembered he was to have words with Lucas. Since his parents were out of the house, this was the perfect opportunity to do so. If something bad were to happen to Lucas, no one was there to scold him about it.
Nikolai made his way to Lucas’ room, and didn’t bother to knock. Lucas was sitting in his favorite chair, reading a book.
He looked up, and said, “If I recall, we are no longer children. We do not burst into each other’s rooms when we feel like it.”
“I am the eldest, and I will do as I please.”
“Fine Nik. What do you want?”
“I want to know why I have just now learned of your treachery.”
“Because you were too stupid to see it before?” Lucas said sarcastically. “I do not have a clue on what it is you are speaking.”
“Our baby brother told me at his birthday party, you pushed Kris and Angeline together.”
“Well, at least I know that one of you is almost as smart as me. Yes, Nik it is true.”
“You self-righteous bastard. All of this time I thought it was Kris purposely chasing Angeline. All the while, it was you pushing the two of them together.”
“What does it matter, Nik? All you have to do is admit you have been outsmarted for ten years, and I will leave you alone.”
“Do you really think it will be that easy?”
“Yes, it will be that easy. Angeline is a giving and loving woman. You should be happy that she wants you, and no other. You, however, are a conceited asshole that will give any woman what she wants as long as she shows interest in you.
“On the other hand, you do not want your precious Angeline do to the same. That is not fair. It is not fair to her. It is not fair to others who see what you are doing. Men who desire her do not dare go near her, because they fear you. Women who desire you go for it because they see Angeline as weak. Both of us know she is not weak.
“I deserve the crown, not you. I deserve to be king, not Kristopher. I have outsmarted the both of you, and I will be king of the coven.”
“You mean to tell me Kris and Angeline really are only friends, and it was you who made it look like something else?”
“Yes.”
“All the time I acted like an ass behind her, it was because of you.”
Lucas smiled. “Yes, Nik. It is as I said before. I will be king. You are great-grandfather’s favorite because you were born undead. Kristopher is grandfather Xander’s favorite, trained to be just like him. Byron is great-grandmother’s favorite for some unknown reason, but her favorite nonetheless.
“I do not belong here. I am the smartest one in the clan. This includes mother and father. I should have been born of the Learned Clan, and I am ready to get away from here. I am not to be cleaning up after dead human women. I am supposed to be in a place where I can make history. That place is the Castle of Kings. This way, my coven can write of me by witnessing my greatness. They will not have to hear of it secondhand. Yes, Nik, I will be king.”
Nikolai glared at his brother for a long time, and he hated him more than he has ever hated anyone. “Not if you are dead,” Nikolai said.
“Is that a threat?”
“No, Lucas. A promise. I realize I am not the perfect one in our family. I believe that honor belongs to Byron. But I am the oldest, and you will give me that respect.
“I suggest that if you desire to be with your beloved Ender, and live, you will leave. If you do not, I will not hesitate to strike you down and take every bit of my punishment.”
“Premeditation. That sounds like something that goes against coven laws.”
“You will not frighten me into submission. I am very serious, Lucas. I will give you exactly three weeks to leave here.”
“Leave or die?”
“Leave or die.”
“What do I tell our parents?”
“Since you claim to be the smartest one in the clan, you will come up with something.”
“You are serious, then?”
“Yes, I am very serious. You have caused unnecessary turbulence between our brother and me. I admit that I am no prince in this. I have been intimate with many women, but it was only sex.
“Because of your antics, I am forced to join many years before I am ready. It is not you who will be king, but me, with Angeline as my queen.”
“Nik, you are an idiot. You handpicked Angeline when you were thirteen years old. I did nothing to force you to join with her before you were ready. Had you waited until you were an adult to pursue her, you would not be in the predicament that you are in now. Because great-grandfather filled your head with nonsense when you were so young, you were easy to fool.
“Kristopher is so much like grandfather Xander, in that he did not know what he wanted until Tabitha came along. When Angeline first visited the farm, I saw how he was taken with her, and I decided that I would see how far I could push you.”
“What do you mean?”
Lucas smiled, and asked, “Do you remember all the times that your mirror was missing from your room, and you blamed Kris?”
“I do what of it?”
“Kris did not take your mirror, it was me. Do you remember all the times he blamed you for taking his fighting staff?”
“I do.”
“It was me who moved it.”
“Why did you do this, Lucas?”
“I will be king of the coven because I am smarter than all of you. You and Kris have fought over everything for as long as I can remember. You fought over toys, you fought over food, and you fought over the attention of our father. So, I thought, why should you not fight over Angeline?
“You, the high and mighty Nikolai Thorn, and the slightly lower but still mighty Kristopher Thorn. I knew that Kris had feelings for Angeline, but respected you too much to actually attempt to take her from you. This was boring. I pushed the two of them together so you would be jealous, and fight over her constantly.”
“You have not answered my question, Lucas. Why did you do this?”
“I am the third of four brothers. I had to do something for someone to recognize me. Now that I have told you of my life-long plan, you are going to acknowledge my superior brain, turn great-grandfather’s offer down to be king, and suggest that I be king in your stead.”
Nikolai smiled a sinister smile and said, “You really think me that foolish?”
“I do.”
“Lucas, I am smarter than you think. You think I am such an idiot that I would turn down the throne? You do realize the king of the coven is about as powerful as one may get.”
“That is why I intend to be king.”
Nikolai gathered all of his strength, and held back until he had spoken his final words.
“Lucas, before you die I have to say that first, you are an overly confident asshole if you think you can outsmart me. Second, with her own greed, you have allowed Ender to cloud your judgment, and I will apologize to you for her. Third, you have caused years of pain between Kris and me. I cannot forgive you for that. Finally, and most important of all, you have come between my woman and I. I do not care that I have been with several women in the coven. You have managed to place a rift between Angeline and I, and that is not acceptable.
“I am ready to be rid of you. Granted, I did offer you the chance to leave, but why would I do that so that you could continue to come between us? I will kill you tonight and end all that you have put in place.”
“Nik, I am your younger brother. You will not kill me.”
“If I were you, I would not bet on it. If I kill you now, I will be happy for a lot of reasons.”
“You will kill me to gain the crown?”
“Among other things.”
“You will be punished.”
“You forget that I am most favored. Mother, father, and even Master Boris will be upset with me if I kill you. But, I will take my punishment like a man. When my punishment is over, I will be in the same place that I am now. Nothing will change. I will have the love of my family, the love of my woman, and most of all the love of my coven. What you have worked half your life to accomplish will mean nothing. The only thing that I am sure of is Ender will be upset by your death, and I will be sure to comfort her in her grief.”
Lucas had no time to move. With lightning speed, Nikolai grabbed him by his throat, and raised him off the floor. Nikolai was going to kill his brother using Boris’ signature move, the ‘Grab, and Smash’. Lucas knew what was coming, and began to struggle. Nikolai was losing his grip on his brother’s neck, and Lucas was very lucky that he was.
Just before he tightened his grip on his neck, Remus, third in command, walked into the room. “Nik put your brother down.”
Nikolai didn’t let him go. “I am going to kill him for ruining my life.”
“You will not kill him, he is your brother. What did he do that ruined your life?”
“He has come between me and the woman that I love.”
At that moment, Lucas managed to slip out of Nikolai’s grip. Lucas backed away, held his throat, and yelled, “Maniac!”
“You did not think I was serious?” Nikolai asked.
Remus quickly moved between the two brothers. He kept his eyes on Nikolai and said, “Lucas, my suggestion to you is that you leave here now, and never come back if you want to live.”
“What of my things?”
“Your things will not matter if Nik manages to get his hands on you again. The mail carriage is about to leave the courtyard. You can ride to the nearest junction and get to the Castle of Kings. Go now!”
“This is not over, Nikolai,” Lucas said.
Remus didn’t take his eyes off Nikolai, and yelled, “Get out of here, Lucas!”
Remus kept his eyes on Nikolai, and prepared for anything. Remus Faust. A tall, dark-skinned made vampire, originally from the Clan of the Hunt. Taught battle skills by Xander himself, and was so skilled that no one in the clan, not even Nikolai, ever challenged him.
“Sit down, Nik.”
Nikolai ignored Remus and asked a question instead. “Why did you let him get away? I was about to put an end to a lifetime of trouble.”
Remus had no more patience. He was angry about what he witnessed so he yelled, “Sit your ass down, Nik!” Nikolai hesitated, but complied. Remus continued. “Will you please tell me what that was all about?”
“My brother, or should I say my now estranged brother, is a madman.”
“You said that he came between you and Angeline. Was he intimate with her?”
“No.”
“Well, nothing could have been so serious that you were about to smash his skull.”
“Master Remus, it is that serious. You are aware that Kristopher and I constantly fight over Angeline.”
“Yes. You have fought over her for years.”
“Lucas is the reason why.”
Remus looked at Nikolai with a puzzled look “Lucas? That cannot be.”
“Ever since Angeline’s first visit with us, Lucas has managed to get Kristopher and Angeline together and make it look like he was attempting to take her from me.”
“You could not have believed that Kris would do such a thing. Did you ever catch them doing anything?”
“Once, Kristopher and Angeline were in the garden, and I witnessed him stroking her cheek in a loving manner.”
“You have not seen anything else like that?”
“No. But she is always smiling in his face whenever they are talking.”
“You have not witnessed anything other than that?”
“Nothing.”
Remus sighed, rolled his eyes, and said, “Oh Nik, she was trying to make you jealous. Lucas has nothing to do with this.”
“Oh, but he does. He has purposely pit Kris and I against one another for years, simply for sport.”
“Sport?”
“As you know, we have fought over just about everything. That is normal between two brothers that are so close in age. If Kris and I fought because my hand mirror was missing, Lucas was the one who removed it from my room, and put it into Kris’s room.”
“So, you are telling me that he has done this without purpose?”
“He told me that he is smarter than all of us, and we should acknowledge this. He thinks that he should be king after great-grandfather is gone.”
“What kind of sickness would drive him to do such a thing?”
“Ender Sharpe.”
“What does she have to do with this?”
“She also has her eyes on the throne, but she would not be with Lucas if he is of this clan. She joined his cause when she thought he could make me change my mind with his silly threat. It no longer matters. He is gone. I am very disappointed that you did not let me kill him. All he is going to do is go to the Castle of Kings and continue to fill Angeline’s head with lies. Because I tried to kill him, he is going to do just that. I am about to join with her, and I do not want Master Damon to keep me from her.”
“Nik, I am sorry for what you have been going through, but I am glad that I stopped you. You cannot kill Lucas; he is your family.”
“Master Remus, you have not stopped me from killing Lucas, you have only delayed it. As far as I am concerned, from this point on, I only have two brothers. One of which I am going to have a conversation with in a few moments.”
“Nik, listen to me. If you kill Lucas, the council will judge you. This will be very hard for you to take. Your great-grandfather, your grandfather, your clan leader, and his brother are all on the council. Do not think for one moment that they will be easy on you just because of who you are. They are going to judge you according to coven law. Malicious murder is not taken lightly. I have seen many sentenced, and the punishment can range from time in the stockade, to death. If you are sentenced to death, think of what it will do to your family. Your mother, who almost died giving birth to you, will certainly die.”
“Pardon me for being so rude, Master Remus, but honestly, there is only one that matters to me. I would die for Angeline. If I do not stop Lucas from doing what he is absolutely going to do, I will die. If he sabotages my relationship with Angeline, I will kill him.”
“You cannot mean that.”
“I certainly do. Master Damon managed to do something that Angeline herself could not. He wishes me to join with his daughter. Since he demanded my answer in front of my family, I am not going to disappoint her.
“If Lucas gets to her, and she no longer wishes to join with me, then his death will be justified and perhaps I will be sentenced to a few years of exile. Now, if you will excuse me Master Remus, I must go speak with Kristopher. Do you know where he is?”
“He is in the catacombs with the donors. Nik, do not do this.”
“Thank you, Master Remus. I expect you will have words with my parents upon their return about what has happened, but trust me my mind will not change. I will see you later.”
Nikolai left Remus in Lucas’ room and went to find Kristopher. He was busy feeding the donors, hooking them up to the machine that very carefully pumped their blood to the storage room.
Nikolai stood and watched Kristopher for a moment before he spoke. “You are very kind to these people.”
“Kindness is how we keep them alive, Nik. What do you want? I am busy.”
“How much longer are you going to be?”
“Ten or so more minutes. Again, what do you want?”
“I would like to have a chat with you. When you are finished, please come to my room.” Nikolai did not wait for an answer. He turned, and went to his room to wait for his brother.
Nikolai was in the mirror admiring his good looks when there was a knock at his door.
“Come.”
Kristopher stepped inside the door, closed it behind him, and asked, “What is it, Nik?”
“Lucas is gone.”
“Lucas is gone? What do you mean Lucas is gone?”
“It is just as I said. Lucas no longer lives here. He has left to live within the walls of the Castle of Kings.”
“Why?”
“Because I tried to kill him.”
Kristopher sat down in a chair, and asked, “Why did you do that?”
Nikolai didn’t stop admiring himself and asked, “Kris, have you ever wondered why the two of us fight more than normal?”
“We do fight quite often. Why?”
“I now know the reason why we fight the way we do. Angeline is included in this.”
“I have not touched her, talked to her, or written to her.”
“Do not be so defensive. I no longer believe that you were at fault for any of this,” Nikolai said as he sat in the chair across from his brother.
“What are you saying, Nik? I was only at fault once, but not since then. Tell me.”
“Ever since Lucas was young, he has purposely pitted the two of us against each other for his enjoyment.”
“You cannot be serious.”
“Yes.”
“How do you know this?”
“Our baby brother, in his wisdom, recognized this very fact. He told me Lucas is behind the majority of the fights we have had since we were adolescents.”
“How come we did not see this?”
“We had a beautiful star in our eye. Byron did not put it together until his birthday party. This is the reason that I attempted to kill Lucas.”
“Nik, tell me everything.”
Nikolai told Kristopher all he knew, and Kristopher was just as surprised with this news as Nikolai was.
“Nik, why is it you did not succeed in killing him?”
“Master Remus interrupted me, and Lucas got loose. Make no mistake. I intend to dispose of Lucas. The only reason I am telling you this is because I would like to officially apologize for all the unusual fights I have started.”
“I have often wondered why Angeline talked to me so much when she was here on a visit. Now, I know. Brother, I also apologize for the same. I would also like to say I am sorry for the party. You do understand that I was only protecting myself against you.”
“It is okay, Kris. I have long forgiven you for that. I brought you here to tell you that I am going to do everything to protect my relationship with Angeline. Lucas has gone to the Castle of Kings, and I am certain that he is going to poison Angeline’s mind to get what he wants. If he succeeds, and she no longer wants me, I will kill him, and then ask the council to kill me.”
“Nik, you cannot do that.”
“I will have nothing to live for if she rejects me. I will die so that my pain will be instantly healed.”
“You cannot die. I will help you.”
“No. I will not allow you to be a part of something that does not involve you. I alone will kill Lucas, and I will take my punishment alone.”
“He has wronged me as well. I have to do something.”
“If Remus had not interrupted me, Lucas would already be dead, and you would not have known the reason why until it was too late. No, you stay out of it.”
“Perhaps if we spoke with grandfather Xander, he could tell us what to do.”
“Why not the king himself?”
Kristopher smiled, and said, “Why not both?”
“Why do you not want me to do this? You yourself said that Lucas wronged you as well. Why do you not want me to kill him?
“Because I will lose two brothers. I am between both you and Lucas. Granted, I am closer to him because of all that you and I have gone through over the years, but I care about you equally. I hardly have anything in common with Byron. It will be no fun around here anymore if both of you were dead.”
Nikolai paused for a long moment, and said, “Mother and father will want to know what has driven Lucas away. When they get back, we start with them. We will tell them what we know. If they do nothing, we will continue up the chain of command until we get the result that we want.”
“That is a good idea.”
“I am glad you think so, Kris. Because if we do all of this work, and we manage to have him brought before the council, and they do not execute him, I will take care of it myself and die alongside him.”
“That will not happen, Nik.”
“We do not know that. I suggest you prepare yourself for being best friends with Byron. I will leave this life if justice is not served.”
“I understand.”
“Oh yes, I know that this may be an unusual request, but if Angeline rejects me, and things work the way they should after that, I would very much like it of you watched over her for me.”
“Nik, I am not certain I can do that. Tabitha is horribly jealous of Angeline as it is.”
“Understood. You do not have to do this. I will ask Byron.”
“No. Byron cares nothing for anyone but Regan. I will do it. I will just have to tell Tabitha that it was your dying wish.”
“She should accept that. Besides, I am not asking you to spend every waking moment with her. I am only asking that if someone mistreats her, you take care of it.”
“I can do this, brother.”
“Good. You know, it is nice just talking to you and not arguing with you all of the time.”
“I agree. My work is finished. Do you have anything to do?”
“No, my work is done as well.”
“Well what do you say we go down to the wine cellar, find a couple of very nice vintages, and get to know each other again?”
“You have a deal.”