The following evening, Darth and the rest of the council were in council chambers waiting on Lucas. Lucas was not previously warned that he was to go before the council. His arrest came as a surprise.
He was out in the garden discussing Nikolai with Ender when two of Xander’s guards stood before them. “Master Lucas?”
“That is me.”
“You are to come with us.”
Knowing who they were by their uniforms, Lucas asked, “Am I under arrest?”
“Yes, Master Lucas, you are.”
“What are the charges?”
“Criminal mischief. Please come with us.”
Ender was confused, and the look showed on her face. “Lucas, what have you done?”
Lucas didn’t answer her question. He stood up. “Kiss me.”
“But Lucas, you have done nothing.”
“Ender, kiss me, please.” Ender kissed Lucas as he asked. The kiss ended, and he looked into her eyes. “I am sorry, my love. If I never see you again, please forgive me.”
Ender didn’t understand. One minute they were enjoying pleasant conversation, the next he was gone. Lucas did not understand what was going on himself, but quietly went with the guards.
Minutes later, he was in council chambers. Lucas had never been inside this room, yet to his surprise, it was just as he imagined it would be. Dark and cold. The only color in the room was the coven’s crest on a stone inlay in the floor. Lucas looked at it and thought it was lovely.
Darth didn’t want to waste time with a vote. He believed his third grandson mad and told the remainder of the council of his feelings.
“Family, I have been disgraced already once this week. Since he is my grandson, Master Lucas’ fate is entirely in my hands. There will be no vote, but I welcome your opinion. If you have one, please speak up. Master Lucas, we will hear your side.”
Lucas looked at his grandfather in shock. “Grandfather,-”
“In this room I am not your grandfather. I am the king and you will address me as such. Is that understood?”
“Forgive me, Master Darth, I did not know.”
“For one that claims to be the smartest of his clan, you should have known. Now we will get on with it. At your brother’s trial, we heard all kinds of things about you, Master Lucas. We heard that you claim to be the smartest of your clan, and that would seem to include those hundreds of years older than you are. Deny this.”
“I have said that, my lord. It is true.”
“We also heard that you pushed Mistress Angeline into Master Kristopher's face for sport. Deny this.”
“I cannot, my lord, for this is also true.”
“We have heard that you desire to sit on the throne before your two elder brothers. Deny this.”
“I have said this, my lord, but it is not true.”
“You mean to tell me that you have lied to two that are older than you?”
“I sought to enhance my game. I do not desire the throne, my lord.”
“You did this to enhance your game?”
“Yes, my lord, I did.”
“When your eldest brother got angry, what happened?”
“He tried to kill me, my lord.”
“Do you think he was justified in doing this?”
“No, I do not.”
“Tell me why.”
“I was just having fun. If Nik were not so serious all the time, he would have seen this.”
“You mean to tell me that you have played with your elder brothers all their lives and they did not know it?
“It was my own personal game, my lord. If they knew, it would not be fun to me.”
“Siblings often enjoy each other, because most of the time they are all they have. Their parents love them, but do not understand them. I am confused, Master Lucas. Why would you do this to your brothers and not at least hint to them as to what you were doing?”
“I have not been fortunate within my family.”
“Explain.”
“Nikolai is your favorite. Kristopher is Master Xander’s favorite. Byron is the queen’s favorite. I am no one’s favorite. I did what I did to stand out. If I continued these games, perhaps one day someone would hold me even higher than Nik.”
“Are you unaware about the feelings of your mother?”
“I do not understand.”
“Your mother loves you more than any of her other sons. This was not apparent to you?”
“It was not, my lord.”
“Brie gives you the attention that she gives to none of her other sons. She feels that you need this, and you became her favorite for this reason. Were you aware of this?”
“I was not, my lord.”
“It is unfortunate. She will be most unhappy. You had no other reason to do this to your brothers other than jealousy. That is why you stand before me. Lucas, your crime is mischief. A vampire who does not have enough to do is rogue. Are you a rogue vampire, Master Lucas?
“I am not.”
“Then you must be mad.”
“I do not consider myself mad either, my lord.”
“Well, what would you call a twenty-three year old man who plays dangerous games with his own family? I will tell you, Master Lucas. That man is a madman.”
“My lord, it is not fair.”
“What is not fair, Master Lucas?
“I have not been heard fully.”
“There is no need to listen to your nonsense any further. You played with the lives of your two older brothers because you wanted attention. Be satisfied that Nikolai will not be able to get his hands on you. He wants you dead because of your games. Kris, who also wishes you dead, pities your madness. He has told this council that every madman deserves to die. Do you deserve to die, Master Lucas? You say the word, and I’ll not hesitate to do so.”
“My lord, please do not kill me. It was all in fun.”
Darth couldn’t believe what had reached his ear. He looked at Lucas for a while before he spoke. He’d made up his mind what he was going to do. “It is not my decision to kill you. I have something else in mind. But before I tell you what that is, I wish to know why you hurt your father.”
“I do not understand.”
“You wrote him a letter telling him that you no longer wished to carry the name of Thorn. I have the very letter written in your own hand and I am going to read it to the council. Will you deny me this?
“Of course not, my lord.”
Darth opened the letter and began to read. When he was finished he asked, “Master Lucas, are these your words?”
“They are, my lord.”
“Now you see what must be done. I want so badly to drag Ender’s ass in here and accuse her as well, but there is no need. She will suffer enough by your absence.”
“My lord, if you will please allow me to see her once more.”
“No. It is my decision that you will suffer beginning tonight. I have a rather unorthodox sentence in mind for you Master Lucas. Because in my eyes you are mad already, you will not be one of the clan you so desire. You will become one of the Clan of the Moon. An intelligent, but slightly touched clan. Master Malachi, I do believe that you are in need of one to shine your boots.”
“I am, my lord.”
“It is settled. Master Lucas, one of the Clan of the Moon will bite you. You will not be one of the Clan of the Learned, as you so desire. Master Malachi, I charge you to turn Master Lucas yourself. This way he will be forever on your watch. Take care of my grandson.”
“I will do this, my lord.”
Darth was obviously angry and didn’t wish to listen to anything his coven had to say. However, he did listen to his grandson’s final request. “Master Lucas, do you have anything to say?”
“Grandfather, and yes, I did say grandfather. Since it is obvious that I was condemned before my arrival, I only ask that you allow me to kiss my beloved once more. She has been a part of my life for many years and she loves me. Nik has Angeline, Kris has Tabitha, and Byron has Regan. I will be without the love of my life from this point on. Allow me to see her one last time before you condemn me to madness.”
“If you were not my grandson, I would say no. Belinda, find Mistress Ender and bring her here.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Fifteen minutes later, Ender was in the council chamber.
Darth glared at her and said, “Mistress Ender, you are very fortunate that I am not in the mood for a full-fledged trial. If this were the case, you would suffer the same fate as Master Lucas. I believe that it was you who led him to this madness, but because I do not have any direct evidence against you, you will go free. He has asked as his last request that he kiss you for the last time, and I am not one to deny one’s last wish. I will allow you ten minutes together. In this time, you may say whatever you wish. Your time begins now.”
Lucas stroked Ender’s cheek. “I am sorry, beloved. I know you warned me, but I was enjoying myself. Since my father has disowned me, I have taken on the name of Sharpe. We have not joined, but it is the name that I have desired since I met you. I want you to know that I respect you most above all. Based on this respect we could have created a life of never-ending love and mutual commitment together. We may not always agree with each other’s thinking or way of doing things, but I will always hold your opinion in the highest regard. Forevermore, I am yours. I love you, Ender Sharpe.”
“Lucas, it is unfortunate that I could not sway you in your manner of thinking. I will miss you. In your last moments, I promise to always love you and keep you in my heart. I love you and will miss you, Lucas Sharpe.”
Lucas grabbed her by the waist and gave her the most meaningful, passionate kiss he had ever given her.
He stroked her cheek and said, “Do not miss me, beloved. Move on with your life. I am so sorry things did not go as we planned, but know that I have loved you since the day I met you. If it had not been for that book, we might have never met.” Lucas managed to wipe away the tears that were coming to his eyes and continued, “Please leave me now. You are not to witness what is to become of me.”
Lucas turned his back to her, looked at his grandfather, and said, “I am ready.”
Darth then said, “Lucas, your ten minutes is not up.”
“My lord, it does not matter. I have said my peace to the woman I love and am ready to get on with my punishment. Please make her leave and we shall get on with it.”
“You wish your punishment to take place now?”
“I am not afraid.”
“Very well. Mistress Ender, you are excused. I do not wish to ever lay my eyes on you within this chamber again, is that understood?”
“It is, my lord.”
“Be well, child.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Ender turned and walked out of the council chamber with tears streaming down her face. As she walked back to her chamber, she thought she would, and could, move on with her life. Her dream of being queen was finished, but being the mate of a clan leader was not. Before she opened her door, her tears stopped and she smiled to herself. Ender opened the door and announced, “I am home! Mother, are you here?”
Meanwhile back in council chambers, Darth stared at his third great-grandson and said, “Are you certain that you want your punishment to take place now?”
Lucas smiled. “You already think me mad, why not be mad? Yes, my lord, I want my punishment now.”
“You heard him, Master Malachi. Please get on with it.”
Malachi stood up and walked toward Lucas. He circled him twice just to be sure Lucas was not going to run. On his third pass, he stopped behind him, grabbed him by both arms, and planted his fangs into his shoulder. Lucas screamed at the pain. Darth didn’t move, but closed his eyes. The sound of his grandson’s agony bothered him. Again, this brought him to anger.
Malachi let Lucas go and he dropped to the floor. He lay there unconscious, and Darth concluded the meeting.
“I do not wish to burden you ever again with my family problems, and I hope you are satisfied with the results. Master Malachi, Lucas is now yours. Do with him as you wish. This meeting has ended.”
Darth got up and went to his chamber. This time, Ulsa was there to greet him. She was not about to be pushed aside when Darth promised her two weeks of time alone.
“Darth, I understand that you are upset, but you made me a promise. Let us get away from here and I will make you forget all about the problems with our grandsons.”
“Ulsa, not now.”
“When?”
“I am not in the mood.”
“Darth Wolfe, you made me a promise. If you choose to ignore what you have promised me, I will give up being queen and find another.”
Darth looked at her in a very seductive manner, walked over to her and kissed her, as he had not done in a long time. “Ulsa, I love you. Forgive me. Being king is hard.”
“Take me away from here and we will talk about it until you are tired. After we are finished, I expect you to love me in a way that you have not in a while. You do not have to shoulder the weight of the coven alone. I share the coven’s burdens with you. Please look to me when the stress and the pressure are too much to bear.”
“I do long to talk to someone. Come, my queen. Let us forget the present, if only for a little while.”
“You must inform Master Xander that we are leaving.”
“Oh yes, I almost forgot.”
“I will have someone pack our things. We should be ready to leave when you get back.”
“I will return soon, my love.”
Before Darth went to see Xander, he stopped by Bertrand’s chamber. Once inside, Darth thanked Bertrand. “I want to thank you, Master Bertrand. You have been of great assistance to me.”
“You are welcome, my lord.”
“The queen and I are going away for a few weeks and you will not be able to contact me. Xander will be in charge while I am gone.”
“Yes, my lord. I will see you upon your return.”
Darth left Bertrand’s chamber and went to see Xander. After the door was closed, Boris, who was also in the sitting room asked, “How did you do it?”
“How did I do what?”
“Get Darth to do exactly what you had planned, without a vote? You told us that we were to vote on Lucas’ demise.”
“I simply went to him and we talked about it. Since he did not want to take a chance that Lucas could go free, he took my idea and ran with it. I did not know that we were not going to be allowed to vote.”
“You are something else. I am so proud of you.”
“Why thank you, big brother. Now, I think that Alec will want to know about what happened to Lucas.”
Boris shook his head. “No. I will not be the one to tell him.”
“Who is going to tell him?” Bertrand asked.
“Nikolai is going to tell him.”
“Nikolai is going to find out about this when?”
“As soon as the king leaves with his lovely mate, you are going to check on Nik and tell him of the council’s decision.”
Bertrand grinned at his older brother. “Afraid to be alone with him?”
“Bertrand, you make me sick. I am going to have a private chat with Angeline and tell her of our little plan and then I am going to tell Alec.”
Bertrand chuckled. “All right Boris, but I know you are afraid.”
“I am not.”
Bertrand got a kick out of his own joke, so he laughed loudly as Boris rolled his eyes.
The following day, Bertrand went down to his holding cell and told Angelus to open the door. Once inside, Bertrand noticed that Nikolai had fully healed and was sitting on his bed with his knees in his chest and his head rested on his knees. He didn’t even acknowledge that anyone had come in.
Bertrand quietly asked, “Nik, how are you doing?”
Nikolai did not raise his head. “Master Bertrand, I wish to be left alone.”
“I have come with some news that will make you happy.”
Nikolai paused for a moment, looked up and asked, “What is this news?”
“Lucas was sentenced to be bitten by one of the Clan of the Moon.”
“Who thought of this idea?”
“Actually, it was mine. Since he did not believe himself mad, I wanted to show him that he was.”
“Grandfather went along with this?”
“He did.”
“Well, this is good. I will no longer have to lay eyes on him. Thank you for telling me. Now if there is nothing else, please leave me.”
“There is something else.”
“What now?”
“Master Boris is going to allow you to see your family. This does include Angeline.”
Nikolai put his head back on his knees. “Master Bertrand, you are here to toy with me. I am not allowed to see my family.”
“The king has left the castle. As long as they see you separately and do not stay very long, you can see them. I have already sent word to your mother and I would expect that she will be here shortly.”
“I will believe it when I see it. Now if you do not mind I was going over what I could have done differently with my life. Please leave me.”
“Would you like to see your father first?”
Nikolai raised his head. “If you are indeed telling the truth, I would like to see Angeline first.”
“As you wish, Master Nikolai. I will send for her.”
Bertrand left Nikolai to be alone with his thoughts. One hour later, his cell door opened to find him in the same position he was in when Bertrand left. Again, he didn’t look up or acknowledge that anyone had entered the room.
Angeline quietly stepped toward Nikolai’s bed and sat down. She reached up and gently moved his hair away from his face. Not knowing who it was, he quickly grabbed her wrist and yelled, “Do not touch me!” It was then that he saw it was his mate.
He reached behind her head, pulled her close to him, and gave her a deep kiss. When the kiss was over, he smiled and said, “It is true. Master Bertrand did not lie to me. Oh Angeline, I have missed you over these few days.”
She smiled and said, “I have missed you as well, beloved.”
“I just need to know two things.”
“Anything.”
“Do you still love me?”
“Nik that is a silly question. Of course I do.”
“You did not see me shamed in public?”
“I would not have been able to bear it.”
Nikolai reached out and hugged Angeline as hard as he could. “Oh, thank goodness. Beloved, I am so very sorry to have put you through all of this. If I had it to do over again, I would never have put my hands on Lucas.”
“It is done and there is nothing we can do about it now. You are alive and soon we will be able to go home.”
“I wish to have you,” Nikolai said.
“There is not time for that now.”
“Angeline, at least let me taste you.”
Angeline smiled a seductive smile, stood up, and raised her skirt. She wore no panties in anticipation of having Nikolai ask to taste her. She knew him well.
She then hopped back on the bed and laid back. Angeline spread her legs, revealing her already soaking wet sex.
Nikolai said, “You must be quiet.”
“Just get on with it, Nicky.”
Nikolai ran his tongue up and down the inside of her thighs, teasing the tension building inside of her. She spread her legs even further and wished there was time to feel him inside her. Nikolai paused, and she looked down to see his face headed toward her folds. He glanced up at her and whispered, “I love you,” and then he slowly started to trace his tongue along her lips.
Angeline quietly moaned as Nikolai licked her up and down, never once entering her. He was teasing her as he hadn’t done in a while and it was driving Angeline crazy. He suddenly broke his pattern and stuck his warm tongue inside her. Angeline quietly moaned again and threw her head back as he made love to her with his mouth. His tongue roamed every part of her, lapping up all of the wetness she had already produced. She arched her back slightly, and he found her swelling sex. He flicked it with his tongue for a moment before softly nibbling on it.
With that, she went over the edge and unleashed a flood of juices. Nikolai licked and sucked everything, not willing to let any get away. When he finished, he kissed her so that she could taste her own juices on his lips.
Nikolai knew that this always made her want him more. She grabbed the back of his head and began to kiss him deeply. His erection was trying to escape his pants, but he couldn’t allow it to. Their time together was limited, so he pulled away from her.
“Angeline, we do not have time for us to be intimate. If you kiss me like that again, we will be in trouble.”
“Nicky, when can I see you again?”
“I will have to speak with Master Bertrand. Perhaps he will allow us more time together the next time you are to visit.”
“I hope so. You have given me something to look forward to.”
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Angeline stood up and allowed her dress to fall back into place. The door opened and it was Bertrand. Once the door closed behind him, he smiled. “It smells like the two of you have been busy.”
“Forgive me, my lord, I could not help myself,” Nikolai said.
“I understand, but it is time for Mistress Angeline to go. She can see you another day.”
“If it is not too much to ask, my lord, next time she comes, can she stay longer?”
“I am not the administrator of your punishment. It is not up to me, but Master Boris on how long she is to stay.”
“Send him to me. I wish to speak to him about it right away.”
“As a matter of fact, he is right outside that door along with your father.”
“Send them in.”
“Mistress Angeline, say your goodbyes. Master Nikolai’s time with his father and Master Boris is also limited. He will see you another day.”
Angeline nodded, and turned to Nikolai. “I love you, Nik. I will see you soon.”
Nikolai grabbed her around the waist, gave her a passionate kiss, and let her go. Both she and Bertrand left his cell. Moments later, Alec and Boris entered his cell. Again, the door closed and locked behind them. Neither Alec nor Boris said anything. They were concerned for Nikolai’s sanity and waited for him to speak.
Nikolai sat down on his bed, sighed, and looked up at Boris. “Why did you do that to me?” He asked.
“Forgive me, Nik. What you did was serious and this was the only way that I could show that it was.”
“I see,” Nikolai said. He then paused, looked up at his father and asked, “Why did you allow him to do that to me?”
“Although I understand why you did what you did, I do not condone it.”
“I understand,” Nikolai said. He paused a moment more, turned to Boris and asked, “What are the true conditions of my imprisonment?”
“You will be allowed to see your family for short visits. Angeline is permitted to spend the night with you, but only in this cell and not often. Master Damon would get suspicious and certainly speak to Darth about it. Then we will all be in trouble. You cannot leave Master Bertrand’s chamber at all. Since I have left you in his charge, he may let you out to walk amongst those who live here, but no one else. The king has gone away for a few weeks, so for now we are safe. When he returns, Bertrand will have to tighten the reigns a bit.”
“I understand.”
“Nikolai, do you hate me for what I did?” Boris asked.
Nikolai smiled a crooked smile and replied, “Up until you explained your intentions, I would say yes. Knowing me the way that you do, I did not understand. Now that you have told me, I am fine with it. And no I do not hate you.”
“In this, I am glad. You are practically a son to me and though I may not like you all the time, I do still care about you.”
“Thank you, Master Boris. I do not expect to see you until I come home, and I appreciate that you spared my life. I would like to speak with my father alone if you do not mind.”
“Certainly Nik. Be well.”
“I will.”
Boris left Nikolai’s cell, relieved that he had not ruined what little relationship they had. When the door closed and locked, Alec moved toward his son to give him a hug. Nikolai welcomed it and hugged him back.
Alec said, “I am glad to see that you have not lost your mind.”
Nikolai let go of his father. “Father, do not worry about me, I will be fine. As long as I know that I will be able to see you, I will be okay.”
“In this I am glad.” Alec sighed.
Nikolai sat on his bed. “Tell me father, what do you think of Lucas’ sentence?”
“I do not know what it was, nor do I not care.”
“I will tell you anyway. Grandfather sentenced Lucas to true madness.”
“True madness? What does that mean?”
“The Clan of the Moon has claimed him. As I understand it, Master Malachi bit him himself.”
“So, he is truly mad then.”
“Yes.”
“This is not a good thing.”
“Father, you just told me you did not care what happened to Lucas.”
“You are right, Nik, I personally do not care. Your mother, on the other hand, is not going to be happy.”
“Mother has no choice but to deal with it. It is done.”
“I wish Darth had spoken to me before the council decided this.”
“It is my understanding that it was entirely grandfather’s decision. The council did not vote on it.”
“I see.”
“Master Bertrand has told me that now that everything is finished, he has sent for mother to come.”
“Again, I wish someone had spoken to me first. This news is going to kill her.”
“Mother is strong. She will be fine.”
“I certainly hope so.”
“I will assume that you are going to stay and wait on her?”
“Of course. I am the only one that is going to be able to help her through this.”
“Father, have you always been there for mother?”
“Of course I have. Why do you ask?”
“I have already told you. I would like my relationship with Angeline to be the same as yours is with mother.”
“I am proud that you recognize true love when you see it, but you cannot expect our relationships to be the same. I once had the same character as you, but no longer. I am now a more loving and caring man. Not only did my joining with your mother change me, the birth of my four sons also had something to do with that.”
“When I come home I will start a family.”
“I have written to your mother and told her that this is also my wish, but do not rush to be like me, son. I want you to be your own man and live your own life.”
Nikolai glared at his father. “Now that I can no longer be king, what else is there for me to do?”
The following day, Brie, Byron, Regan and Isabella arrived at the Castle of Kings. Isabella went straight for Boris. She had missed him in their bed. Byron and Regan went to see Nikolai, and Brie, surprisingly, went to see her father. She knew how her father loved her and his grandsons. She had to be sure that he was okay.
As she sat in the sitting room and waited on him to appear, she thought of the time she met Natasha. She was very happy that her father discovered what she was before she had a chance to do something more than just hurt his feelings. She hadn’t spoken to her father about his feelings in a long time. It seemed that Brie and Kristopher were the only ones that could get them out in the open.
Xander hadn’t expected his daughter, and though he was surprised and happy to see her, Brie couldn’t tell.
“Brie, it is good to see you,” Xander said as he walked to her and hugged her.
“Though you do not seem yourself, it is good to see you as well.”
“These past days have been hard on me. Forgive me.”
“Father, I understand. Being second within the entire coven can definitely be stressful.”
“My grandsons have done all they can to drive me to madness.”
“It is because you no longer have a release. Perhaps it is time that you chose another with which to join.”
Xander shook his head. “No. Your mother was the love of my life and I waited so long to find another. When it was too late, I learned Natasha did not love me.”
“I hate to see you in such a state. I would much rather be around my father when he is not lonely.”
“There is no one out there for me, my dear. I will live out the rest of my days alone.”
“Father, I am about to make a very unusual suggestion. Do not think me mad.”
“I am listening.”
“You are a very handsome man. The entire coven looks to you for guidance and support. Call me a fool if you like, but I am certain there is at least one you can be happy with.”
“Brie, what are you saying?”
“Why not look close to home for happiness?”
“Join with someone within the clan?”
“Even closer than that. Join with someone within your own house. You have several servants here and at least five of them are women. I am sure that at least one of them has desired you for a long time.”
“Join with one of my servants?”
“Why not? Everyone here, man or woman, puts you above his or her own families. Pick out one that is easy on the eyes and start with her. If she does not meet your fancy, move on to the next. Understand what I am saying?”
“I do, and I appreciate the advice child. I will think upon it.”
“Good. Barring my own feelings about this Nik and Lucas situation, I wish to know that you are all right.”
Xander turned his back to his daughter and quietly said, “You know of Nik's punishment?”
“Alec wrote to me and told me all about it. Come on father, tell me.”
Xander paused for a long time, sighed, and finally said, “I wished that we had decided to kill him. Brie, it was horrible. It was something that I do not wish upon anyone in my family ever again. I am second on the panel of elders. My feelings should mirror Darth’s feelings at all times. I do not think we felt the same when Nik was being punished.”
“Darth loves Nik more than you do. You do not think that he was hurt by what he witnessed?”
“Possibly so, but Darth is not directly connected to Nik by blood. The same blood that runs through my veins runs through his.”
“Father, you forget. Nik shares both Alec and my blood.”
Xander turned and said, “But Alec is not Darth’s grandson by blood. He may love Nik, but it is only because Nik is different. When Nik appeared in the courtyard, the crowd booed and hissed at him. I felt his anger. When tied between the posts, I felt the rope burns upon his wrists. I felt every sting of the whip. I also felt his shame. It took everything I had not to cry when he cried. I bit my lip whenever he screamed, because I wanted to scream with him. Boris did this to teach him a lesson, but seeing my grandson being whipped shamed me almost more than it did him. I hurt then and I still hurt now. If we had killed him, my pain would be less.”
“I wish that I could have seen this with my own eyes.”
“I would not have let you.”
“I know Nik is not perfect by any means. Just like his father and grandfathers, I do not condone what he did. I would have shared his pain with you, Boris, Alec, and Darth. I am his mother. You could not have denied me this.”
“Perhaps not. What of Lucas? Are you able to bear the fact that he is mad?”
“Father, what do you mean Lucas is mad?”
“You have not spoken with Alec?”
“I was most concerned about you. No, I have not spoken with him. What did the council do to Lucas?”
“In the letter he wrote, he spoke of wanting to be one of the Learned Clan. That has not happened. Because Darth believed Lucas to be mad, he condemned him as so. Lucas is now one within the Clan of the Moon, bitten by Malachi himself.”
Brie, shocked by this news, “Father, Lucas was never mad. He just wanted what he wanted.”
“Darth did not see it as such. Lucas is now truly mad.”
Brie stood up, looked at Xander, and asked, “Where is he?”
“You will find him in Malachi’s chamber. He is now Malachi’s personal servant.”
“I must go to him. Think upon what I said about finding another in which to join, for it will do you good. I will see you later.”
Before Xander could say goodbye, Brie was gone. She immediately went to see Malachi. She waited in the sitting room until Malachi appeared. When he did, he had a smile upon his face and said, “Mistress Brie, it is so good to see you.”
“Master Malachi, I am here to see my son.”
“He is your son no longer. He belongs to me now.”
“Lucas is still my son, I love him, and I wish to see him. Please let me see him. I wish to have words with him.”
Malachi clapped his hands and Lucas appeared in the sitting room. He didn’t address his mother, but stood there staring at her. Brie examined her son and didn’t like the look in his eyes. Lucas appeared to be very tired.
“Malachi, what have you done to him?”
“He has been working, mistress. It is a condition of his punishment. Lucas has been working very hard.”
Brie looked at Lucas and said, “Lucas honey, how are you?”
Lucas smiled a peculiar smile and said, “I am fine, mother. I just need some sleep.”
Brie looked at Malachi and asked, “How long has he been awake? My son is a Nightwalker. He looks as though he has been awake well past his normal time to rest.”
Malachi smiled and said, “He has. In order to be one of my clan, this is required. Call it a madness initiation, if you will.”
“Lucas baby, it is mother. You will be able to get some sleep soon.”
“I am this clan’s leader and I will run it as I see fit, so do not try, and interfere,” Malachi said sharply.
“Will he be able to write to me?”
“If his mind holds up, I will not deny him this. But soon enough he will forget all about you and all who reside at the Baby Farm, so prepare yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lucas belongs to me now. If you insist, I will show you.”
“Lucas may be your servant, but he will always be my son.”
Malachi smiled. “After you witness what you are about to witness, you may change your mind.”
Brie waited and Malachi said, “Lucas, get on your knees.” Lucas got down on his knees. Malachi undid his pants and pulled them down. His member was fully erect, waiting for attention. “Lucas, shine my boots.”
Lucas took Malachi’s member in his mouth and began to suck it. Brie was appalled at what she saw. Malachi spoke to her as Lucas continued to suck.
“It is not common knowledge mistress, but I do prefer the company of men. I have desired your sons for a long time. I most desired Nikolai, but could not have him. Lucas will do. Now if you will excuse me, I am busy. I will permit Lucas to write to you. The question is will you write him back?”
Malachi laughed a sinister laugh as Brie fled from Malachi’s sitting room. When she closed the door behind her, she vomited in the hallway.
She was upset that she couldn’t tell Alec about what she saw. Alec had disowned the third of the Thorn brothers and didn’t wish to know. It was hard for Brie to keep this secret, but she did.