Chapter Eleven: Home Again

 

Tristan couldn’t believe his eyes. “Nikolai Thorn.” It seemed as soon as Tristan spoke Nikolai’s name, the entire room got quiet. “What are you doing here?” Tristan asked.

“I’ve decided to come home, Tristan.”

“I don’t see what for. There’s no place for you amongst my family anymore.” Tristan said in an attempt to blow Nikolai off.

“I’m not looking for a job, Tristan,” Nikolai said calmly. “I just need a place to belong again.”

“You’ve been gone for what, fifteen years?”

“Yes, Tristan.”

“What makes you think I should let you back into my clan?”

Nikolai felt a familiar sensation beginning in his feet. His anger was starting to rise, but he knew he had to control it. He remained as calm as he could and replied, “Because I was loyal to you and you only. It wasn’t until you disrespected me, that I rebelled.”

“I didn’t disrespect you, Nik.”

Nikolai tightened his eyes. “Don’t make me say it, Tristan, you know what you did.”

“Ah, Regan,” Tristan said, smiling. “By the way, where is she, and who’s this holding your hand so tightly?”

“Regan’s dead, and this woman’s not your concern.”

“You haven’t lost your courage I see.” Tristan looked Abrielle in her eyes. “What’s your name, child?”

“My name is, Abrielle, my lord.”

“Please, Abrielle. My name is Tristan, and you’ll address me as such.”

“Yes, Tristan.”

“How are you acquainted with my once third in command?”

“He’s my husband, Tristan.”

“I figured as much.” Tristan turned his attention back to Nikolai. “So Regan’s dead, and you’ve remarried. You decided you wanted to come back to your roots, and bring your southern belle with you. Again, I ask, why I should let you back into my clan.”

The entire room focused on the conversation between them. Someone even turned the music down. “Don’t do this, Tristan. We were close once, you, and me. I just want to come home. If you don’t want to let me back into your clan, I’ll seek somewhere else to belong. Come Abrielle. It’s time to go,” Nikolai said, turning to leave.

Tristan’s voice was icy. “You walk out that door Nikolai Thorn, and I’ll kill you.” Nikolai knew Tristan meant exactly what he’d said, so he stopped in his tracks and turned around to face him. “You egotistical bastard,” Tristan continued. “You need me, and you know it. That’s why you’re here. I don’t know why you need me, but I do intend to find out. Fine, Nik. Welcome home. Sorry I don’t have anywhere for you to stay, I sold your house.”

The tone in Nikolai’s voice was also very cold. “Honestly Tristan, the only thing I need from you is the protection of a clan, that’s all and nothing more. I want to live my life away from organized crime. That’s not who I am anymore. I’m an honest man looking for somewhere to belong. You said I’ve come home to my roots. That’s true. That’s all, and nothing more.”

“Well then, you can’t be a part of my family if you want no part of our business, you already know that. Therefore, I’ll let you leave with your life. Don’t ever darken my doorway again, Nik.”

Nikolai turned and left the living room with Abrielle in tow. They walked out of the door and closed it behind them. While they were waiting on the elevator, Dimitri came out of Tristan’s penthouse.

“Nik, wait.”

“Dimitri, you shouldn’t be talking to me. Tristan will kill you.”

“Let me worry about Tristan. I want you to go to my house, and you can stay there for the night. Tomorrow is a new day, a new year. Things are beginning to change around here, and I would love to tell you what’s been going on. I’ll call John and have him let you in.”

“Thanks, Dimitri.”

“Anything for my old friend. It’s really good to see you,” Dimitri said hugging Nikolai.

Nikolai was concerned for Dimitri. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’ll be waiting in my drawing room when you wake. Go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Dimitri turned and went back to the party. Abrielle looked at Nikolai confused. The elevator doors opened, and they got in. When they closed, Abrielle continued with her confused stare.

“When we get to Dimitri’s house, I’ll tell you everything.”

 

They made their way back to Dimitri’s house where John was waiting for them. He greeted them with a huge smile and an overly excited pep in his step.

“Welcome home, Mr. Thorn. Mr. Cane told me to make you as comfortable as I can. I remember you were particularly fond of the Marsala, Vergine Soleras. I will bring you a glass right away. What would you like Miss?”

Abrielle smiled at John’s excitement. “I’ll have what my husband is having, thank you.”

“Please have a seat in the drawing room, and I’ll be there shortly with your wine.”

“Thank you, John.”

 

Nikolai lead Abrielle to the drawing room. Dimitri hadn’t changed one thing. It was as he remembered it. Abrielle looked around the room the same as Regan did when she first visited Dimitri.

“Dimitri’s home is spectacular, love. Almost as beautiful as ours.”

“I learned a lot about timeless décor from Dimitri. He hasn’t changed this room in fifteen years, and because of the way it’s decorated, he doesn’t have to.”

“I would agree.”

John came into the drawing room with two glasses and a bottle of Nikolai’s favorite wine on ice.

“Mr. Thorn, the Marsala has to chill for about ten minutes before it is to your liking. If you like, I’ll show you to the guest room.”

“No, John, thank you. I’ll wait ten minutes and pour the wine myself. If you don’t mind closing the doors when you leave, I’d like to talk to my wife, privately. When we’re finished, I’ll escort my wife to the guest room myself.”

“Yes sir.” John replied, closing the drawing room doors behind him.

 

Nikolai continued to watch Abrielle admire Dimitri’s antique vases and pictures. As he watched her, he remembered his youth. He remembered Regan. Nikolai regained his focus so he could explain to Abrielle the part of his life he kept a secret for so many years.

“Love, please, sit,” Nikolai sighed. “I need to tell you everything.”

Abrielle walked across the room and sat in the chair in front of Nikolai. “Yes, honey, tell me. If I know you the way I do, I’d think we were here for a purpose.”

“You’re partially right,” Nikolai nodded. “If I’d thought everything through, Tristan would not have known we were here. We did need a place to stay at least for the night, and my mission was accomplished on that part.”

“You were in organized crime?” Abrielle asked curiously.

“Yes, love, I was.”

“Are we in danger?”

“No. At least not yet. If Tristan finds out we’re at Dimitri’s, we might be. So we’ll wait to see what Dimitri has to tell us, and then we’ll leave.”

“Where will we go?”

“I have to wait to see what Dimitri has to say, and then I’ll decide from there.”

“You said you spent your first ten years in America, right here in New York.”

“Yes.”

“Tell me about it.”

Nikolai told Abrielle of the hardships he and Regan faced without being a part of a clan or coven. He told her of the racist humans he encountered. He told her about how he met Dimitri, and why he was so close to him. He told her of the three top clans in the city. He spoke of what they did, and why they were dangerous.

By the time he’d finished telling her of his previous life in New York, the bottle of wine was gone, and the sun was about to rise.

“Love, forgive me for not telling you of these things before. I just never thought they would ever come back,” Nikolai explained. “I had no idea I’d end up back here. When I left the first time, I thought it was for good.”

Abrielle tilted her head to the side and stared at her husband. Trying to read his mind. “What are you here to do Nik?”

“I know what I’d like to do, but I’ll not tell you until I speak with Dimitri. Depending on what he tells me, I’ll make a decision from there.”

Abrielle stood up and held out her hand. “Nik, unless we want to be found on Dimitri’s drawing room floor asleep, we must go to bed. Come. Let’s hold each other as we sleep.”

Nikolai stood up and took her hand. “You’re not angry with me for taking you away from your family?”

Abrielle shook her head. “Lead the way, love.”

They went to bed in the same room he slept in before and fell asleep in each other’s arms. One thinking about how much they loved the other, the other thinking of something else.

 

The following evening, Dimitri sat in his drawing room reading a book as he waited on Nikolai and Abrielle to wake up.

Nikolai woke first, pulled on his pants, and went to the drawing room. Dimitri looked up at Nikolai. “You look like shit,” he said smiling.

Nikolai smirked. “Humph. Of course I do. I drove thirteen hundred miles to get here.”

“Why didn’t you just catch a plane?”

“Did you see that beautiful Cadillac in your driveway?” Nikolai asked, pointing over his shoulder. “It was a wedding gift, and there was no way in hell I was going to leave it.”

“It is a very nice car indeed,” Dimitri said, nodding his head. “I have to admit I’m quite jealous.”

“No need to be. You make enough money; you can just add one to your collection.”

“As a matter of fact, I could,” he said taking a sip of his wine.

Nikolai sat down in the chair across from Dimitri. “Where’s Victoria? I was looking forward to seeing her.”

“In Paris. She wanted to go, so I sent her. I had no interest in going, so, I’m here all alone.”

“That’s a relief. I thought you were going to tell me you killed her or something.”

“No way. She’s more loyal than any woman I’ve ever met.” Dimitri then changed the subject. “Speaking of death, what happened to Regan?”

Nikolai’s whole body went rigid just thinking about how and why Regan died. Dimitri sat and watched his dear friend go through the details in his mind. Nikolai took a deep breath in order to try and relax and he shortened up his long story. “Rumors caused me to exercise my ability. Rumors made me cheat. Regan was murdered by a woman who I was sleeping with.”

Dimitri couldn’t believe his ears. The Nikolai he knew would never cheat on Regan even if he had a gorgeous woman in his face constantly. Because this was a Nikolai Dimitri did not know existed, he didn’t know what to say. “Ah Nik, I’m sorry.”

Nikolai ran his fingers through his hair. “Me too. I miss her more each day, and she’s been dead for eight years.”

“That long?”

“Yeah,” Nikolai nodded, sadly.

Not wanting to see his friend suffer at the pain of his loss, Dimitri turned the subject to the present. “So, how’d you meet Abrielle?” He asked sipping is drink again.

“She was the wife of my last masters, eldest son.”

“Oh Nik, you didn’t do it again did you?”

“Do what?” Nikolai asked.

“You didn’t take her away from her husband did you?” Dimitri asked almost expecting Nikolai to say yes.

Nikolai chuckled. “No. Her husband is dead as well. Almost at the same time as Regan. We sought comfort in each other and found it. After a time we became very close friends. As much as I tried to fight loving her, I couldn’t help myself, so I eventually gave in. In time, I found I didn’t want to be close to Regan anymore. It hurt too much. So I asked Abrielle to marry me and come away with me. She said yes and here we are.”

The room got quiet as Dimitri tried to figure out what Nikolai was up to. He sat and stared at Nikolai for a second. “You didn’t come all the way back to New York to get away from Regan’s memory,” Dimitri said plainly. “Why are you really here, Nik?”

“I’ll tell you, when you tell me what’s happened in the time I’ve been away.”

Dimitri sat forward a bit in his chair, and began to tell his tale. “After you and Regan left, Tristan was a different man for quite a few years. Calmer, more relaxed. I don’t know what Regan did to make him change, but I welcomed it. Then there was the depression. The bottom fell out of everything. For a while, very little money was coming in, and Tristan was forced to lower prices on everything, including the whores. This pissed him off more than anything, and he went back to his old way of being an evil killer.

“Since you’ve been gone, we’ve gone through two Consiglieres. Just as I thought, I was going to get a break, bam! Another one gone. Honestly, I’m glad you’re here, Nik. I have a plan that will free us from Tristan’s tyranny, but it will take at a minimum a year to carry out, and if there is no secrecy, it won’t work.”

Nikolai shook his head. “No. I’ll not have any parts of it. My very own father had that very same plan to free our coven from a tyrannous leader. In the process, both of my grandparents died. Tristan is not as powerful as my father’s former king, but he’s still over three hundred years old, and almost no one in the five boroughs is strong enough to defeat him.”

“You Nik, you are the key to my plan,” Dimitri said seriously. “You were born whole, not made. If I remember correctly, you have the strength of a vampire that is at least two hundred years old, even though you’re just over fifty. I would assume your strength has only increased in the years you’ve been away from us.”

Nikolai was confused by Dimitri’s new attitude. “You’re going to betray him after all this time?”

“I’m tired of playing, yes man. Time for someone else to rule.”

“You’re thinking of yourself?” Nikolai asked curiously.

“Actually, I was thinking of you. I think you would make a very good leader.” Dimitri said, sipping his drink again. “I called Karmin to see if you were still with her, and she told me you’d left some years ago, and she had no idea where you went. I wish you would have called me so I could tell you of what I’d planned, but since you didn’t, I’ve had to put my plans on hold. You don’t know how happy I was to see you last night. We can free the Upper East Side, you and I, and move on.”

“No. I won’t do it,” Nikolai said, standing and turning his back to Dimitri. “I love New York, and this is where I want to be for now. Any plan of a coup or any type of rebellion, I want no part.” He turned to look at Dimitri and said, “I only want to live here and enjoy the city through Abrielle’s eyes.”

“Fine,” Dimitri said, staring at Nikolai for a moment. “If you won’t join me, I won’t hold it against you. However, you can’t stay here with me. Tristan will certainly sniff you out, and kill us both.”

“So, where am I to go?”

Dimitri smiled. “Abraham Hunter.”

“The leader of the Harlem Kings?”

“One in the same,” Dimitri said, pouring another glass of wine. He and I have been communicating back and fourth over the years, discussing various things. I told him about you, and he’s wanted to meet you for quite sometime.”

“What did you tell him about me?” Nikolai asked.

 

~~~

 

“So, Dimitri, tell me about this Nikolai I keep hearing about,” Abraham said.

“I met him on the Majestic when I was coming back from visiting my first wife. He’s very smart, and unique. Even more unique than myself.”

“How so?” Abraham inquired.

“He was born undead. Not made, like you and I, but born.”

Surprised, Abraham asked, “Born, as in, ‘birthed from the womb’?”

“Yes. His parents were half vampire and half human. Seems as if Nikolai is a genetic marvel. He’s the only one of his kind in his entire coven.”

“Impressive. Is he strong?”

“He’s very young, less than forty years old, yet from what I’ve seen he’s almost as strong as you.”

“Impossible. How can one so young almost be as strong as me?”

“If I had the answer, I’d tell you, but I don’t. Right now, he’s the Consigliere in our clan. He’s a hundred percent loyal to the family, and does his job well. Through his loyalty and devotion to Tristan, he even turned Pasha down.”

“Really?” Abraham asked. “Pasha has gotten many men killed because of what she wanted.”

“Yes, the entire city knows that. Nikolai knew Tristan would kill him, plus he’s married and does not cheat on his wife.”

“Good man, this Nikolai. I like him already. When do I get to meet him?”

“As soon as I can convince him to come over here.”

“Can’t wait,” Abraham replied with a grin.

 

~~~

 

“Three days later, you and Regan were gone,” Dimitri continued. “Therefore, I’ve had to wait. Nik, you haven’t answered my question. Why are you really here?”

“Dimitri, you know I love you like a brother, but I can’t say.”

“Why not?”

“Because what you’ve gone through over the past fifteen years does not warrant an explanation from me. All of us have gone through the depression. I’ll say that I don’t want to be the next “King of the Vampire Pimps,” I only want what I want, and to move on with my life.”

Dimitri knew at that moment what Nikolai was there to do, but he said nothing about it. “So what can I do to help?”

“Nothing. I’m fine. No need to risk your life in the process.”

“Are you certain? I’m willing to help you with anything you need.”

Nikolai sat and thought for a moment. “No, I don’t want you involved. If I can pull off my plan, I want you here to celebrate with me.”

Dimitri looked at his close friend and wondered what was on his mind. What exactly was his plan? He would have loved to hear the details, but he didn’t push. “Fine. I am and have always been here for you.”

“That’s good to know. Thanks, Dimitri.”

“You’re welcome.”

Just then, Abrielle walked into the drawing room looking beautiful in her silk robe and messy hair. She walked over to Nikolai and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Good evening, Nik.”

“Hey babe.”

“So what were you two big bad vampires in here talking about?” Abrielle asked with a grin.

“Nothing,” Nikolai replied. “Just catching up.”

“Hmmm.” Abrielle didn’t believe a word he said, and decided to change the subject. “Dimitri, you have a beautiful home. I don’t think I’ve slept in such a comfortable bed in my life.”

“Thank you, my dear. I’m glad I could be of service.”

“Nik, I’m going to take a shower, and from the looks of it, you could use one as well. Afterwards I need to feed.”

“Certainly. We can go as soon as you’re ready.”

“Good.” She left the drawing room and went back upstairs.

Dimitri eyeballed his friend’s wife as she left the room. “Nik, I’ll have to say, she’s a looker.”

“Of course she is,” Nikolai said proudly. “You didn’t think I’d choose an ugly woman, do you? Regan was just as beautiful.”

“Yes, a vision she was. I’m so sorry she’s gone. She was a wonderful woman.”

“Yes, I know.” Nikolai said, looking down at the floor.

Dimitri saw the pain in Nikolai’s eyes again and decided not to bring Regan up in conversation again. “After you and Abrielle get back from feeding, I think I’m going to take you to meet Abraham tonight.”

“Why tonight?”

“I already told you, you can’t stay here.” Dimitri finished his drink. “Do me a favor, when you meet him, give him the same respect you would any king, and keep your ego in check. If not, he won’t let you stay with him, understand?”

“Got it.”

 

Three hours later, Abrielle, Nikolai, and Dimitri were sitting in Abraham’s office waiting to see him. Decorated almost the same as Tristan’s, Abraham’s office was full of statues and art, which held vampire tradition, dating back hundreds of years.

To see the difference between Tristan and Abraham in person was obvious. Tristan, small, not muscular by any means, was still powerful. Abraham’s presence was much like Darth and Michon’s presence, large and extremely imposing. When Abraham stepped into the room, everything about him said king. This made Nikolai happy.

“Nik Thorn, you’re finally here. I’ve waited to meet you for so very long,” Abraham said as he sat down in his chair.

“Master Abraham, I’m aware of this, but my question to you is why?” Nikolai asked defensively.

Feeling Nikolai’s apprehension, Abraham spoke calmly. “Please, I’m Abraham to most, Abe to some. Although I am the master of this territory, I don’t think of myself as the master.”

Nikolai smiled curiously. “Abraham, I’ll ask again, why did you wait so long to meet me?”

“It’s obvious. I crave your power,” Abraham said, looking away from Nikolai.

“I have no power. I’m an ordinary vampire like any other.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Abraham said, and stood up. “I’ve heard of your birth, and your strength. I think you and I will have lots to speak of in the future.”

“Am I just a prize because I was born whole? Am I a wonder of nature? Am I a genetic miracle? To those questions, yes, I suppose am.” Nikolai gave Abraham a long hard look and continued. “However, before we divulge on that, I want to know what you want with me.”

Abraham gazed right back at Nikolai and said, “I simply want you to take Tristan down, and give me power over the Upper East Side. Is that a plain enough answer for you, Nik?”

Surprised at Abraham’s bluntness, Nikolai shook his head. “No. I won’t do it. I’ve already told Dimitri I want no part of it.”

“Tristan seems to think he’s the master of this borough,” Abraham blurted, ignoring Nikolai’s statement. “That’s not true. I’m the master of Manhattan by numbers alone. Tristan is greedy, and I’ll admit, so am I, but Tristan and me, we are very different creatures. He would rule differently than I. My way is definitely better.”

“How so?” Nikolai asked, reaching for Abrielle’s hand.

“I’m good to my people. My people are prosperous, where Tristan’s people are slaves.”

“You’re saying you give more to your people than Tristan?”

“I am. My people are free to do what they want, when they want to do it as long as they obey one rule.”

“And that is?”

“Remain loyal to the hand that feeds you.”

“If you allow your people to do what they want, how do you keep order? How do they prove their loyalty?”

Abraham glanced at Dimitri. “You didn’t tell me he was so inquisitive.”

“An oversight.” Dimitri said plainly.

“Ah. Well to answer your question Nik, even though I give my family free reign, they fear me. I don’t force my authority on them, they just know who the boss is, and respect me as such. My clan is in control of a lot of money in Manhattan, and Tristan knows this. He’d love to get his hands on my cash.”

“Yes, he would,” Nikolai agreed. “Tristan told me you’re dangerous. Are you dangerous, Abraham?”

“Yes. However, since I do not let my emotions rule, my family has many chances to survive. Unlike your former master, I let my people explain themselves before I decide to kill them.”

“I like your thinking,” Nikolai said, not one bit afraid of Abraham. “I’d like to stay here with you, if you’ll let me. There is one thing I’d like to know.”

“What’s that?”

“My former wife and I visited Harlem years ago. Because I’m not a man of color, and my former wife was, we were singled out. Someone in this neighborhood tried to rob me, and take her from me.”

“What are you asking, Nik?”

“I’m asking for your protection. Abrielle is also a woman of color. I want to know for certain if I’m out with her, no one will attempt to rob us again.”

Abraham looked at Dimitri as if to say, ‘Is he serious?’ Dimitri nodded, and Abraham continued. “I can’t guarantee the actions of the humans who live here. However, I will say, if you decide you want to become one of my family, no other vampires will bother you. That is a promise.”

“One shouldn’t make promises they can’t keep. All right, Abraham, I’ll do it. I’ll be on your team for the time being. First things, first. My wife and I need somewhere to lay our heads. Do you have accommodations for us?”

Abraham could hardly believe his luck. “Of course. You will stay here with me for as long as you like.”

“Thank you. Oh yes, one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Abrielle is off limits to you and anyone else who desires her. In my youth, I’ve lived an interesting life, and don’t wish to repeat it. Keep your hands to yourself, and you’ll have no problems from me.”

“Your woman is indeed a beautiful and captivating creature,” Abraham smiled, examining Abrielle closely. “I’ll be honest and say I’d love to have her. Since you’ve expressed your feelings up front, of course, I’ll leave her alone. I can’t say this will be the way of the rest of the men in my clan.”

“You’ll keep the rest of the family away from her, or there’s no deal,” Nikolai said with a hint of anger in his voice.

Abraham again looked at Dimitri, and Dimitri again nodded. Abraham looked back at Nikolai. “Fine. As of tomorrow, I’ll announce you joining our family, and I’ll do as you ask.”

Nikolai didn’t believe Abraham. He needed to be sure Abraham understood. “Master, please forgive me. I don’t mean to come across as an ass, but I just want to let you know I love my woman, and I’ll kill for her. No longer will someone with obvious power take what’s mine away from me.”

“I understand. Abrielle is off limits.”

Nikolai continued with his point. “I’m here to serve as long as you understand my one and only rule. As soon as you step across the line, I get nasty.”

Abraham took control. He didn’t like the way Nikolai was speaking to him, yet accepted it for what is was worth. However, he had to remind him who was the elder vampire.

“Nik, I get it. No one touches Abrielle. I’ll accept the both of you as long as you remember I control this family and not you. I am in charge. Be good, and keep your place. If you do this, we’ll have no problems.”

“Fine. You are the leader, and I’ll follow. Just keep your hands to yourself.”

“Hands to myself, I get it. Now if you will excuse me, I need to speak with Dimitri, alone. I have had one in my family recently die. Their room is now empty. Up the stairs, three doors down on the left. There you’ll find the room comfortable as well as clean. Enjoy. For tomorrow, you and I are to speak alone.”

“Thank you, master.”

“You’re welcome.”

As Nikolai and Abrielle left the room, Abraham watched them. Once the door closed, Abraham turned his attention to Dimitri. “This can’t be the man you told me about.”

Dimitri nodded. “Oh, Master Abraham, it is. He’s had a rough time over the years, and I’d suspect that has something to do with his attitude.”

“Do tell.”

“His brother under him killed himself over a woman. The brother under that one, Nik killed because it was his wish. His father liberated their coven from their tyrannous king, and Nik has lived in his father’s shadow, even though he himself is very special. His first wife, he loved, and desired his youngest brother’s wife at the same time, so he took her from him and fled here. It was here, in New York, that he married his second wife. He was with our family for ten years. The last three of those ten, Tristan took advantage of his obvious power, and forced her to sleep with him.”

Abraham was astounded. “I’d never do that. Is that why he was so adamant about it?”

“Exactly. It’s as I told you all those years ago. He never cheated on her, not even once. Even though he knew Tristan and his wife were sleeping together, he never stepped out on her.”

“Why is that?”

Dimitri shrugged. “He’s never talked about it.”

“I’ll have to ask him. Has he always been so damn cocky?”

“Yep. That’s what makes him Nik. He did apologize for being an ass, but that’s just who he is.”

Abraham nodded. “I see. What’s his temper like? When he gets angry, what happens?”

“Depends on the situation. I honestly do believe he would kill anyone who attempted to take Abrielle away from him. Besides that, he reacts to any other situation as any man would.”

“You say he’s been gone fifteen years, and the first thing he does when he gets here is confront Tristan.” Abraham looked at Dimitri hard. “Do you know why Nikolai has returned here after so long?”

Dimitri nodded. “I certainly do.”

“Thanks for finally getting him to me, Dimitri. I’ll call you when I want to see you. Other than that, don’t contact me.”

“Will do, Abraham. I have to get to the airport anyway. My beautiful wife will be home tonight.”

“Where did you send her this time?”

“Paris.”

“Paris is so beautiful. Why didn’t you go with her?”

“Something in my gut told me I should stay home. I’m glad I did.”

“Now that I think about it, so am I.”

 

Upstairs, Abrielle and Nikolai were holding one another sharing a deep, passionate kiss. Nikolai pulled away from her. “I want you.”

Abrielle grinned, a girlish grin. “You can have me anytime you wish, love, but before you do, I wish to talk.”

“Argh! Abrielle, not now. You know how I crave you. I haven’t had you in two days.”

“You will have me as soon as we discuss why we are here.”

Nikolai let her go, and turned away from her. “We’re here because we needed somewhere to stay.”

“Nik, that’s not what I’m talking about. What I want to know is why we’re in New York. I understand you wanted to get away from Regan’s memory, but we could have gone anywhere to do that. Why are we here?”

Nikolai turned to face her. “I have something to do.”

“Obviously. What is it?”

Nikolai loved Abrielle with all he had, and didn’t want to lie to her, but in order for his plan to work, he couldn’t tell anyone, not even his own wife. “Abrielle, we’re here simply because I missed New York. New Orleans was beginning to wear on me. Life there was slow. I craved the fast life again.”

Abrielle raised an eyebrow. “So we’re here so you can regain your youth?”

“I want to start over, and I want to do it with you. There is no place better to start over than the place you actually started in.”

“Nikolai Thorn, you’re up to something, and I’ll eventually find out. You can’t keep whatever you’re planning a secret forever.”

“No secrets from you, love,” Nikolai lied, grabbing her around the waist. “I wanted to come home, and we’re here. I promise I’ll be the man you fell in love with and not re-join the mafia. We’ll live here under Abraham’s protection, be happy, and visit New Orleans twice a year.”

Abrielle knew him better than he thought. She decided she wouldn’t comment on his statement, but agreed instead. “My father would come up here and kill you if he didn’t see me at least twice a year.”

“I know he would,” he said, stroking her cheek. “Therefore, we’ll plan our trip back to New Orleans six months from today.”

“Now, since you didn’t tell me what we are really doing here, I’ll let it go. Take me Nik. Make love to me.”

“I’d thought you’d never ask.”

 

The following evening, Abraham invited Nikolai to join him in his office. He had to know what he was up against, and what type of man had he let into his clan. Nikolai sat in the chair opposite of Abraham’s, and prepared to answer all of his questions, no matter how difficult.

“You have me here, Abraham, now what?” Nikolai asked.

Abraham sipped his drink and answered. “You will be contained. You won’t enter my clan and assume because you are special, you can do as wish. Yes, you were born, not made. That doesn’t make you all seeing, all knowing, and all wise. You’re young, Nik. I sit before you, well over three hundred years old, and senior to you. You’ll not tell me what to do, nor will I tolerate it. You are here to serve me. If you prove yourself, you will get your wish.”

“You seem to know what my wish is before I’ve told you,” Nikolai said quietly.

“I do, and I can give it to you if you behave.”

“What is my wish, Master Abraham?” Nikolai asked.

“Before I answer, you’ll tell me of the first thirty years of your life. The last twenty are irrelevant. Nik, Dimitri told me you stole your own brother’s wife. Why?” Nikolai told Abraham the story about how much he loved Regan. “Interesting. Dimitri also has told me of your father, and how you lived in his shadow.”

“I did not live in my father’s shadow. Alec Thorn is his own person, and so am I. He did free our coven before I was born, and I did have to hear about him everywhere I went, but I did not live in his shadow. I created my own.”

“Do you still love your father, Nik?”

“Very much. However, I don’t like him.”

“Why?”

“We are too much alike, he and I.”

“Tell me,” Abraham said, and Nikolai proceeded to tell him the story of Faith. The whore in which he and his father shared. “Fascinating. You had a wife, desired your brother’s wife and had a concubine. How can you do this? I myself can’t divide my time between three women, even if they are in my bed.”

“I cared about three women, but at the time, only one held most of my attention, and that was my wife, Angeline.”

“But how did you do it?”

“I, myself am not sure. If I wanted to, now I can only deal with two.”

“Regan, your second wife, how did she die?”

“You said the last twenty years were irrelevant.”

“You listen well,” Abraham said with a cunning smile on his face. “Fine, you don’t have to tell me, but you will in time.”

“Only if I wish to talk about her.”

“You will tell me in time,” Abraham said getting up from his chair and began to walk the room. “Nik, I have a deep desire to be the Master of the City. You are going to help me with this.”

“How?”

“First, I would like to take out my ally. If I am in control of Harlem and the upper west side, eventually I can go after Tristan.”

“It’s 1949. A new year. The days of organized crime are over.”

“They’ll never be over until I’m in charge. Tristan told you I was dangerous, and he was right. You’re going to be my tool, just like all others of my clan. First, you’ll tell me all you know about Tristan, and I’ll plan from there.”

“You said the last twenty years of my life were irrelevant.”

“Forget what I said,” Abraham snapped. “You’ll tell me all I need to know right now!” Abraham demanded.

“Dimitri has been close to you for many years. You don’t need me to tell you anything about Tristan, because no doubt, he’s told you everything already.”

“This is true,” Abraham nodded. “However, I want to hear your thoughts. Tell me your thoughts about your former master. I wish to hear what you think of Tristan.” Nikolai told Abraham everything he could remember about Tristan. “Very good. Dimitri did not lie to me.”

“You only wanted me to tell you so you could test Dimitri?” Nikolai questioned.

“Yes. He’s the second in a rival clan. He and I met years ago, and I’ve never trusted him. I needed someone on the outside to tell me of Tristan to see if Dimitri was telling me the truth, and I’m glad he’s been honest.”

“So, is that it? Are you finished with me?”

“Not by a long shot. You’re going to help me just as I said you were.” Abraham returned to his chair behind his desk, and tapped a pen on a note pad as he continued to talk. “Benito Cesario is my target. He’s young, and stupid. He allows his woman and his clan to tell him what to do. The only reason he’s the leader of his clan is that he killed the former clan leader by accident. His people think he’s all-powerful, but I know better. His stupidity allows me to be his ally, because he isn’t smart enough to know he shouldn’t fuck with me. Now that you’re on my team, it’s time to do something I’ve waited many years to do. I wish to take over the west side, and you’re going to help me do it.”

“If I say no?”

“I’ll kill you.”

“Do you think you can?” Nikolai asked with a confident smile.

“Yes, very easily. Don’t test me Nik, just do as I say.”

Nikolai chuckled. “I only wanted to see if your reputation held true. Of course, I’ll help you. You never did answer my question. What is my wish, Abraham?”

“You wish Tristan to die for what he did to your wife. Am I correct?”

Nikolai nodded. “It seems we have a common goal, but no one is to know that. Tristan took from me, and put me out on the street. He’ll die by my hand and no other.”

“Tristan is strong. If you can’t kill him?”

“If I need your help, I’ll ask for it. Somehow however, I don’t think I will.”

“I like you already. In a matter of months, we’ll have what we both desire. Tristan will be dead, and I’ll be Master of the City.”

 

Over the next two months, Nikolai and Abrielle were getting comfortable with their surroundings as well as the people in them. Abrielle got along well with the other vampires in the house, and so did Nikolai. Outside of the house, Nikolai found Harlem a much different place than it was when he first visited there.

The racism was still present, but there was much less of it. Nikolai was allowed to move about the neighborhood without any problems. Some, because his vampire brethren allowed it, but mostly because he was simply nice, and people, even the average human, trusted him. Some where aware of what he was, and others had no idea. Nevertheless, Nikolai was back in a place where he was accepted, and this made him happy.

One night, Dimitri invited him and Abrielle to his house to have a drink, and he happily accepted. Victoria and Abrielle had become friends rather quickly. Victoria was no longer afraid to lose a friend because of what may happen to them. She thought if her husband could do it, so could she. Now that Nikolai was no longer in the family, she could be herself.

As they talked, laughed, and drank, the doorbell rang. They ignored it, and continued. Moments later, someone who Dimitri did not expect stepped into his drawing room. When he saw her, he immediately stood, and this caused the others to stop talking.

“Pasha, what are you doing here?” Dimitri asked.

“Tristan wants to see you,” Pasha said plainly. “I was on my way to an engagement in the neighborhood, and I told him I would come get you. You didn’t answer your phone, and he’s very upset about it.”

“What does he want?” Dimitri asked.

“He wants to talk to you.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now.” Pasha snapped.

Dimitri sighed. “Fine.” Dimitri remembered his manners. “Pasha let me introduce you to…”

Pasha moved into the drawing room and walked toward Abrielle. “Abrielle Thorn. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I didn’t get a good look at you at the party, but you are very pretty indeed. Not quite as pretty as Regan, but yet still pretty.” Pasha walked around the back of Abrielle’s chair, and Nikolai stood up so he could keep his eyes on her. Pasha stopped by the fireplace, and stared at Abrielle as she continued. “I’m Tristan’s wife, Pasha Lockhart. Queen of the clan.” Pasha looked at Nikolai. “You can sit down, Nik. I’m not going to hurt her.”

“You can no longer tell me what to do Pasha.” Nikolai said defensively.

“Oh, but I can,” Pasha said with confidence. “You are a vampire, currently in my territory, thus allowing me to tell you what to do. Sit down,” Pasha said firmly. Nikolai glared at her for a moment, but eventually did as she said. Pasha smiled. “It is as I thought. You still fear my Tristan. Good. Now Dimitri, you can leave at anytime. Tristan is expecting you, and I know you don’t want to disappoint him.”

“No, of course not.” Dimitri said dryly.

“Go on. Tell Tristan I’ll be there after my engagement.”

“You’re not coming?”

“No. I want to get to know Abrielle a little bit,” Pasha said, smiling deviously.

Dimitri made eye contact with Nikolai, as if to say, ‘Get out of here as soon as you can’. Nikolai nodded, and Dimitri left his house to go and speak with his master. The room was quiet as Pasha sat down in the chair vacated by Dimitri. She smiled at Abrielle, but Abrielle didn’t smile back. She felt a very bizarre vibe from Pasha, and was right in feeling that way.

“What’s the matter child, you don’t like me?”

“It’s not that I don’t like you mistress, it’s just that for some reason you make me uncomfortable.”

Pasha’s blue eyes lit up with pleasure. “Listen to you. Your accent is very cute. You are from the south?”

“Yes.”

“A southern belle, how nice. I hear people in the south are very nice, and very well mannered. Is that true, Abrielle?”

“Yes, mistress. It is.”

“If this is indeed true, I’d like to know what you think of New York so far.”

“The city is nice, but the people are very rude.”

“This is our culture. Very different from what you’re used to. No worries. Nikolai will help you adapt. He did this with Regan as well. She wasn’t comfortable here either, but she adapted. You have a good man in Nikolai. He’ll take very good care of you. Know that he’ll never cheat on you.”

“How do you know this?”

Pasha smiled. “Because I desired him myself. Looking at how he is still a very attractive man, I think I still do.”

Unaware Pasha could speak French; Abrielle turned to Nikolai and spoke her mind. “Nik, who is this woman, and why does she talk to me like this? I don’t like her and I want her to leave. Make her leave, please.”

Before Nikolai could answer, Pasha spoke up. “Ah Nik, so you speak French now. Wonderful. You should have told me you wanted to learn, and I would’ve taught you myself.” Pasha then turned her attention back to Abrielle. “Creole, am I right? I believe I am. I talk to you like this because I want to. Neither you nor Nikolai can make me leave this house, because this house is in my territory, or had you forgotten so quickly who I am. As far as you not liking me, I could care less.”

Nikolai stood up and held his hand out for Abrielle to take. He’d had enough of Pasha’s bullying. He stared at Pasha as he waited for Abrielle to take his hand. Once he had a hold of her, he let Pasha have it, the nicest way he knew how.

“What we never had will never happen. Leave Abrielle alone. Leave me alone, for that matter. If you won’t leave, we will. Good night, Pasha. Good night, Victoria. Tell Dimitri I’ll be in touch.”

“You will sit your asses down and you will listen to what I have to say.”

“No. As much as you wish it, you are not Tristan. You don’t have the power over me that I’m ashamed to say he still does. So with that said, we are leaving. Goodnight, Victoria. We will see you another day.”

“I’m sorry you have to leave so soon,” Victoria said with sadness. “Good night, Nik, good night, Abrielle.”

Nikolai glared at Pasha one last time, and left the house. He was angry, and poor Abrielle sat in the car all the way home in silence.

When they arrived home, Nikolai sent Abrielle up to their room, and he immediately went to Abraham’s office. He respected his new master as he did all the others. Not as much as he respected his very own grandfather, but close. Nikolai gently knocked on the door even though he was angry enough to put his hand through it.

“Come,” Abraham said, sitting at his desk looking over some paperwork.

Nikolai huffed as if he were out of breath. “Abraham, he has got to go.”

“Who?” Abraham asked not looking at Nikolai immediately.

“Tristan.”

“I’m working on it my friend. Tell me what happened.”

“I was visiting Dimitri tonight and Pasha came to his house. Tristan wanted to see him, and that’s why she was there, or so she says.”

Abraham looked at Nikolai with concern. “You didn’t say anything to her did you?”

“No, of course not. But she picked on Abrielle, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it at all.”

Abraham watched Nikolai pace the room like a mad man. Knowing his temper a bit better now than at their first meeting, Abraham knew not to let Nikolai pace too long. When he did, things ended up being broken. “Sit down Nik.”

Nikolai glared at Abraham and eventually sat down. “Now,” Abraham continued. “Knowing how protective you are of her, I bet you didn’t. So, what do you want me to do about it, Nik?”

In an effort to calm down, Nikolai ran his fingers through his hair. “Is the meeting set up with Benito yet?”

“As a matter of fact, I just hung up the phone with him not long before you came in. We’re to meet him tomorrow night at his home. It will be a social gathering, so you may bring Abrielle if you like.”

“Who else is going?”

“The total in the room will be twenty if you bring Abrielle. It is only going to be Benito and his top four with dates, and me with my top four and dates.”

“What’s the purpose of this gathering?”

“It’s Benito’s woman’s birthday or something. However, the purpose of the gathering does not matter. “We’ll be there to look for the obvious.”

“His weaknesses.”

“Yes, his weaknesses. I need you as well as the others to be very observant of his people.”

“What do you want me to look for specifically?”

“I need to know how protective they are of him. We already know he’s weak, but it doesn’t mean that someone else, one within his own family, isn’t waiting to take him down.”

“If they are overly protective, what does that mean?”

“It means they love him. It means no one wants him to die. On the other hand, if they could care less what happens to him, we need to watch those one or two people in particular.”

“This means they are out to overthrow him themselves.”

“Yes. So we’ll do what we must to get to him first. If that means killing off the top five, including him, we do it. If that means negotiating with them, we do it. Whatever it takes. Everyone in his clan must know I am their new leader, and no other will do. If we fail at this, we will have a war on our hands, and that won’t be pretty. Innocents will be hurt if we’re not careful.”

“You can’t be talking about the overly prejudice humans who live here.”

“As a matter of fact, I am.”

“Abraham, you can’t be serious. We are vampire. Superior to the worthless humans. Why do you care what happens to them?”

“You do feed on them on a daily basis, do you not?” Abraham asked.

“Yes, but so what?”

Abraham sighed in disappointment. “Nik, you’ve always shown me you are a smart man. If the “worthless humans,” as you put it, were all slaughtered, then who would you feed upon? Who cares if they are prejudice? They are your food source, and you need them, we need them. I think it’s time for you to let this go, and realize you are superior to the humans, and let them behave in the manner they have been for centuries.”

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“Not at all. I was human once, so I can understand them a bit better than you can.”

“You have never told me your story.” Nikolai said, now intrigued. “If you want to tell it, I’d love to hear it.”

Abraham got up from his chair and began to walk the room. “You are the first in a long time to ask me about it.”

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

Abraham stopped walking and turned to Nikolai. “It makes me happy to know someone cares enough about me to ask. No Nik, it’s okay.”

“Do tell.”

Abraham smiled crookedly. “If I were a normal human being walking down the street today, how old would you say I look?”

“I’m going to say somewhere around forty.”

“Good guess. I stopped aging at thirty-nine. Her name was Alyssa, and she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.

 

~~~

 

“Abraham, I love you. I would like to share something with you,” Alyssa said seriously.

“Alyssa, you can have all of me, you already know that.”

“This part of me, you might not want to share,” Alyssa said.

“You let me decide that.”

“Our love making is spectacular, and I enjoy your company. I want you to be like me so we can spend an eternity together.”

“An eternity? Be like you?” Abraham asked, confused.

“Yes. I’m not human. I will live forever if I am not killed by someone. I want you to be with me for an eternity.”

Abraham was frightened by her words and backed away from her. “Not human? What are you?”

Alyssa smiled. “I am vampire, no longer alive. I realize I speak, and breathe, but I am dead. I will not be able to give you children in the traditional means, but we can make them if that is your wish. I only want to be with you for the remainder of my existence if you will let me.”

Abraham stared at the woman he loved. He thought she was human. She told him she was not. Abraham thought her love making was superior to others he’d been with, hence the reason he was so in love with her. Did he wish to let her go because she was not who he thought?

“Alyssa, forgive me. You know I love you, but I don’t think I can do this. What exactly does “not alive” mean anyway? Does it mean eternal life, and the joys that could possibly go with it? Or does it mean sorrow. I mean, if I am to live forever, my family who I love very much will eventually die, leaving me to grieve them. I don’t think I want that.”

“Are you saying you don’t love me?”

“No. I’m not saying that at all,” Abraham said plainly. “I just don’t think I can deal with the pain.”

Alyssa smiled a devious smile. “Once you are vampire, you will no longer care.”

 

~~~

 

“Then, she bit me. She didn’t give me a choice. She was strong. Even stronger than me. I couldn’t believe one so small could over take me in the way she did, but it happened. Now, she’s long dead, and I remain as she wished me to be. Undead and happy to be so.”

“What happened to her?”

“I don’t wish to tell you now. Once I have Benito’s territory, I’ll reward you with the end of the story, but not until then.”

“I’d like to hear the end of the story, so I guess we’d better get on with it. Is this birthday party formal?”

“With Benito, it always is. For once I’d like to just wear the suit I have on my back, but he’s a showoff, and whenever he throws parties, they are always formal.”

Nikolai sighed. “Well then, I guess Abrielle will probably want to go shopping. I wonder if Macy’s is still open at this hour.”

“They probably are, but you don’t have to worry about going there, I’ll have them come to you.”

“How can you do that?”

“Simon Lazarus and I are very good friends.”

“You’re friends with the head of Federated Department Stores?”

“Yes. I don’t see why that should come as a surprise. He’s undead like us.”

Nikolai shook his head in disbelief. “Simon Lazarus is a vampire?”

“Oh yes. Now, what size does Abrielle wear?”

Nikolai smiled at the thought of Abrielle having her own personal fashion show. This was going to make her very happy considering what happened earlier in the evening. Nikolai smiled at Abraham and left the room. He went upstairs, to find Abrielle lying across the bed with tears in her eyes.

“What’s the matter, Abrielle?”

“I don’t like her Nik. She’s evil.”

“Love, you won’t have to deal with her anymore. I promise. If we want to spend time with Dimitri and Victoria, I’ll have them come over here.”

“I’d appreciate it,” she gratefully replied. “Did you see the way she looked at me? I think she wanted to rip my eyes out.”

“I’m sorry you had to meet her. I think she was just jealous, and was trying to hurt you, and get to me at the same time.”

“Did she desire you as she said?”

“Yes, but I turned her down flat. If I’d been with Pasha, Tristan would have killed me, and you would’ve never got to know what a wonderful man I am.”

“Okay, you,” Abrielle smiled, “what is it that you’re so wonderful about this time?”

“We have a formal birthday party to go to tomorrow.”

Abrielle sat up in a panic. “I don’t have anything to wear to a formal gathering Nik. Is Macy’s closed? We have to get down there.”

“Down girl,” Nikolai said with a huge grin. “Abraham is friends with the owner, and he’s going to have some gowns brought to you. You’ll get to shop in your very own living room.”

Abrielle jumped up from the bed and hugged her husband around his neck. “Oh, thank you Nik! I’ve never had my own private fashion show before! When will they get here?”

“I don’t know, but it will be tonight so you will be ready for tomorrow.”

“You are the best!” Abrielle exclaimed, kissing him on the cheek.

“I know.” Nikolai’s smile was brief as he thought of Regan. Abrielle noticed it almost immediately.

“What’s the matter?” She asked, but she knew the reason why.

Nikolai sighed. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“Don’t try to hide anything from me Nikolai Thorn. I know when you’re hurting. Let’s talk about it.”

Nikolai turned away from her and crossed his arms in front of him before he spoke. “Abrielle, you know I love you, but on occasion, I still think of Regan. Just now you reminded me of her.”

“Michon warned me, but I didn’t listen,” Abrielle said quietly.

Nikolai turned to face her. “What did Michon say?” Nikolai asked.

“He said you could never love me the way you loved Regan. We have been together for a long time, you and I, I would have thought she was completely out of your system by now.”

Nikolai moved to Abrielle and hugged her tightly. “Oh, you know I love you very much. You at times remind me of her.”

Abrielle pulled away from him sharply. “You shouldn’t have married me then,” Abrielle said angrily, turning her back to him this time.

Nikolai moved so close to Abrielle, she could feel him breathing on her neck, yet he didn’t touch her. He spoke quietly, yet firmly. “Woman, there was no way in hell I was going to suffer without you. I love you, damn it. Regan is gone, and so is Bijou. I put up with your moments of weakness; it’s about time you put up with mine. If we’re going to stay together, this is what we have to do. I’m sorry what I said hurt you, but I’d rather show you how I feel than to hide it from you. You are the closest thing to me now, and have been for a long time. Understand, Abrielle, I do love you. I can do nothing about my dead wife, and you can do nothing about your dead husband. We have each other now, and nothing will change that. It doesn’t mean we forget them though. They were a part of us, and always will be.”

Nikolai didn’t move away, but Abrielle turned around to face him. Her voice was quiet, and full of remorse. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I just get so jealous when you talk about Regan.”

Nikolai had a puzzled look on his face. “Jealous?”

“Yes, jealous. I know how much you loved her, and I only wish you loved me the same.”

“Abrielle, that’s not fair. I haven’t known you as long. I knew Regan for twenty-three years, and loved her on sight. You know that. We haven’t known each as long, but in a few years we will. By then perhaps my love for you will have grown to that level, but right now…I’ll just say I love you for who you are. I’m thankful you’re here for me.”

“All right, Nik. I believe you.” Abrielle said in defeat.

“Good. Now, let’s go find out when your dresses are coming. You can pick out whatever you want, I’ll spare no expense.”

“You are treating me like a spoiled child.”

“I only want to make and keep you happy. If you’re not happy, neither am I.”

Abrielle was not happy. She thought that Nikolai was being very controlling at that time. “Whatever you say, Nik.”

She’d been a part of his life for many years, and she was his best friend. He knew when she wasn’t happy. “Aw, come on Abrielle, don’t do this now, I need you. Please don’t be angry with me.”

She was so angry she could slap him. “What do you need me for?”

The air was very heavy in the room at that point, and Nikolai tried to lighten the mood. “Looking as good as I do, you want me to go to a party filled with women, stag?” He knew everyone there would have a date, but Abrielle didn’t have to know that.

She suddenly realized that he was a prize. She didn’t want anyone else to have him. Abrielle looked him in his face and said it loud enough so her southern accent was really pronounced. “Hail no!”

Nikolai did all he could to keep from laughing. “Hail? Don’t you mean hell?”

Abrielle couldn’t help but laugh at him teasing her. She grabbed a pillow from the bed and hit him with it. “You know what I meant! Look who’s talking, Brit boy!”

“Brit boy!” Nikolai exclaimed as he grabbed the other pillow and hit Abrielle with it. “It’s British boy to you!”

They laughed and the pillow fight began. They beat each other with pillows and laughed uncontrollably. Abrielle swung her pillow at him and knocked his out of his hands. Nikolai hated to fight dirty, but he did. He immediately took her into his arms, and kissed her. His kiss was so passionate she had no choice but to submit.

Abrielle pulled away gently. “Nik, that’s not fair. You cheated.”

He was so in love with her at that moment, he had to control himself. Nikolai wanted her in a way he hadn’t before. He looked at her with a new and different love. His chest rose and fell with heavy breath. “You started it.”

Abrielle looked at him with new eyes and smiled a gentle smile. “No, you started it. You made fun of my accent.”

He gave her a look she’d never seen. All of the playfulness was gone, but Abrielle was happy to receive it. “Do you understand now? Our relationship is different than our previous ones. I do love you Abrielle, and will go to the end of the earth to protect you. Do you understand?” He asked.

“I’ve always known you loved me, but knowing you loved another more, is sometimes hard for me.”

“You are now my life and my love. Regan and Bijou are dead. We’ll remember them, but know we now belong to each other. You are now what matters to me. Understand?”

Abrielle smiled. “I do.”

“Fine. We’ll go downstairs, buy you a dress, and move on,” Nikolai said with conviction.

 

They went downstairs to speak with Abraham. When Macy’s arrived, they came ready to model at least fifteen dresses for Abrielle. Abraham’s housekeeper showed the three models to a room downstairs in Abraham’s six bedroom brownstone. Several garment bags and smaller cases that contained jewelry and shoes followed behind them.

In this entourage of people was Simon Lazarus himself. It was up to Abraham’s butler to show him immediately to Abraham.

Simon entered the room like fashion royalty. He was dressed as if he was going out on the town, yet he had only left work.

Abraham smiled. “Simon, it’s so good of you to come.”

“I’m at your beck and call Abraham, anytime.”

“Of course, of course. I’d like you to meet my fourth and his wife, Nikolai and Abrielle Thorn.

Both Nikolai and Abrielle stood. Simon walked over to them and shook Nikolai’s hand. Simon looked into Abrielle’s hazel eyes and smiled. She held out her hand so Simon could kiss it, and she also smiled. Simon kissed the back of her hand, and said, “You are indeed a beautiful creature. I can see how your husband loves you so.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lazarus.”

“I’m Simon to you, dear lady. Abraham described you over the phone, and I brought fifteen dresses just for you. Abraham also told me he was sparing no expense, so the dresses are some of the most expensive ones in the store.”

Abrielle smiled. “Thank you, Simon. I appreciate that.”

“You’re welcome. Now, when the models are ready, they will show the dresses. If you have any questions, please direct all questions to me.”

Abrielle looked up at Nikolai. “Thank you, Nik.”

“Anything for you, love.”

 

Thirty minutes later, Abraham, Nikolai, and Abrielle were seated in the living room of Abraham’s home, waiting for the first model to come out. As they did, Abrielle was very excited.

With each dress the models wore, Abrielle had at least one question. With the first dress, “Does that one come in black?”

Simon nodded. “Yes, it does.”

The fifth dress, Abraham made a comment. “This one is very lovely. I like it.”

Abrielle shook her head. “No, I don’t like the sleeves, but I do love the jewelry.”

Simon nodded. “Please set the jewelry aside.”

The model nodded and left the room. The next dress, Nikolai liked. “That one is gorgeous. I can almost picture you in it.”

“The neckline is so low you can picture me out of it. Come on Nik, concentrate. I need the perfect dress.”

Nikolai looked at Abraham, and grinned. “Well, she does know me.”

“I would agree.”

Two dresses later, “Oh my. I love those shoes,” Abrielle said. “The dress is gorgeous. Does it come in black?”

Simon shook his head. “I’m sorry, but it doesn’t. The closest thing I have to black is navy.”

“Hmm. What do you think Abraham?” Abrielle asked.

“I think it would look lovely in navy as well.” Abraham replied.

Abrielle turned to Nikolai. “Nik?”

“I would agree.”

“Simon, I would like that dress and the shoes set aside.”

“As you wish, dear lady.”

Three dresses later, “No. I don’t like it.”

Simon nodded. The last and final dress was the most gorgeous of all. The dress was a beautiful black full length gown from French designer, Jacques Fath. It had a cinched waist with corseted construction. The back had outdated lacing that tied at the small of the back, but it was beautiful on the gown.

Abrielle was so moved by the beauty of this dress, she stood up.

“Love, what’s the matter?” Nikolai asked.

“This is the dress.”

Simon sighed and said, “I saved the best for last. It is also one of my favorites.”

“Simon, may I try it on?”

Simon smiled. “Yes, dear lady, you can.”

Abrielle left the room with the model. When she returned minutes later, Nikolai thought he’d died and gone to heaven. Abrielle was a vision of beauty. “Love, I will say I’ve never seen you look so beautiful.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. You look stunning.”

“What do you think, Abraham?” Abrielle asked.

“If Nikolai wouldn’t attempt to kill me, I’d take you right here. He’s right. This dress is the one.”

“Love, you’re going to make every woman in the room jealous.”

Abrielle smiled widely. “That’s what I wanted to hear. Simon, you have a sale.”

“Would you like the entire outfit? Or would you like to change something?”

“No. The dress, the shoes and the jewelry are all perfect.”

“I will leave it with you then. Please be sure to tell me the reaction you receive when you enter the room. I promise everyone will be looking at you in this dress.”

“I certainly hope so.”

“Now, Master Abraham, if we could discuss payment, my team will begin to pack up to leave your home.”

Abraham nodded. “Certainly. Nikolai?”

“Of course. Abrielle honey, I’ll be up shortly.”

“Thank you, love,” Abrielle said as she stroked his cheek.

Nikolai gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. “You’re welcome.”

The three men watched as she left the room. “Nikolai, she is indeed a vision to behold,” Simon commented.

“Yes, she is. Shall we discuss payment now?”

Simon was confused. “I thought Abraham was paying for the gown.”

Nikolai smiled his famous crooked smile. “I’m no slouch Mr. Lazarus. I have my own money. I promised my wife she would have the gown of her dreams, and now she has it. How much is the dress?”

Simon smiled a crooked smile of his own. “It’s not cheap, Mr. Thorn.”

“How much for the entire ensemble?”

“The dress alone is two-thousand dollars. With the necklace, and bracelet, the price goes up to four thousand. The earrings and the shoes are an additional thousand.”

“Five thousand dollars?”

“Yes, that is the price for extreme beauty. I also have the matching stole and gloves that will run you an additional three hundred.”

Abraham looked at Simon and shook his head. Simon nodded. “Okay, the stole and the gloves are free as long as you buy the rest.”

Nikolai shook Simon’s hand. “You have a deal, Simon. Let me write you a check.”

“Would you like the stole and the gloves?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. With tax, that will be fifty one, thirty five. I’ll be gone within the next few minutes. If you are ever in need again, Master Nikolai, please call on me.”

“If I’d known I would have received this service in the first place I would’ve called you sooner. It’s been a pleasure, Simon.”

Nikolai wrote the check and handed it to Simon. Simon put it in his breast pocket, lowered his eyes and said, “Good evening, masters,” and walked towards the front door. Once the door was closed, Nikolai turned to Abraham. “He was a very interesting man. How did you meet him?”

Abraham looked Nikolai in the eyes. “Very interesting story. Simon is vampire, for one reason, and one reason only.”

“Why?”

“Simon is one of my creations. He in essence is my son.”

 

~~~

 

Abraham wandered the streets alone deep in thought. Alyssa was gone now, but she didn’t leave him with nothing. He had money, their house, and the servants she held most dear.

Abraham was not satisfied in the least. He loved her. He missed her, and now he was alone. She was killed by a hunter. Burned to death for transgressions unknown to Abraham. However, he knew that if one was ever marked for death, death would certainly come. Abraham was careful to always obey the rules of the council.

He was lonely now. Had no one to talk to. He needed a companion, someone to laugh with. He remembered Alyssa saying that they could create their own children, and that night, that was his purpose. It was well after midnight, when he saw a handsome young man leave his house. Besides the fact that Abraham was thirsty, he thought that this one may work. Befriend him first? Perhaps, after he’d tasted his blood.

The young man’s name was Simon. Heir to a department store fortune. He left his house on the way to see his girlfriend. It was a particularly warm night and he was happy that she’d said he could come over. Simon got two blocks away from his house, when he suddenly felt cold. He stopped in his tracks and looked around. Nothing was moving. All was silent. No breeze at all. So where did the sudden chill come from? He didn’t know, but shrugged it off and continued on his journey.

Suddenly, Simon was grabbed from behind and pulled into an alley. His hand muffled screams went unheard by anyone. Abraham had him and he couldn’t get away. Abraham’s wickedly hungry smile frightened Simon even more, and he began to struggle harder.

“Shhh, young one. Be quiet.”

Simon stopped struggling to hear Abraham’s low smooth voice wash over him like a soft blanket.

“Very good,” Abraham said. “I’m going to remove my hand from your face. Don’t scream. I only want to talk to you.”

Simon thought for a moment, and then nodded his head. Who was this man? Simon felt something about him wasn’t quite right, but in no way knew what it was. Abraham moved his hand away from Simon’s mouth. When Simon didn’t scream, this made Abraham smile.

“Very good. I don’t have time to explain everything, but I wanted you to know, you’ve been chosen for something very special. What’s your name?”

“Simon,” he whispered.

“Simon, you are going to be my companion. Not in the manner you may think. I recently lost my wife, and I have no children. I’m a lonely man, and I need someone to talk with, and keep me company. I’ve chosen you.”

Simon was scared out of his mind and he did all he could to keep the quaking from his voice. “Why me?” He asked.

“Because you are walking the streets at this time of night. Had you chosen to stay within the safety of your home, you wouldn’t be my choice.”

“But, my girlfriend is expecting me.”

“And you shall see her. I’m only going to detain you for a moment.”

Simon looked into Abraham’s wicked dark eyes. “What are you?”

“I’m a man like you.” Abraham said proudly.

“No,” Simon shook his head. “You aren’t like me. You’re something else. Something not human.”

This brought a smile to Abraham’s face. “You are correct. I’m not human, though I was once. I will live forever if I’m not killed. My kind has been written about in books of science as well as in stories to frighten young children. I’m vampire, young Simon, and I am going to make you like me.”

Simon’s body began to shiver at the thought. “No, I don’t want to be like you. Let me go,” Simon said in protest. “Please,” he begged.

“Ah, the plea’s of innocence,” Abraham almost joyously.

“Please let me go Mr. Vampire, please.”

Abraham chuckled. “I would if I weren’t so thirsty. So I think I’ll take that drink now, and then allow you to be on your way. However, I’ll be back to finish what I’ve started. You’ll be my child and my friend for an eternity, Simon. You don’t have a choice.”

~~~

 

“And then I bit him. It didn’t take very long for me to turn him. I did have to become his friend first in order for him to trust me, but I did get what I wanted in the end.”

Nikolai couldn’t believe it. “Impressive. I never would’ve known.”

“Now that Abrielle has her dress, we can get down to business. Gather the family. It’s time we talked about how we are going to become the most powerful vampires in the city.”

Nikolai didn’t question. He immediately did what Abraham said. Minutes later, two of the three men Nikolai was sent to retrieve walked into Abraham’s office.

Khalon was Abraham’s first. Tall and very handsome. Tough as nails, and more loyal to Abraham than all the others. Not far behind him, was Anakin.

Anakin, Abraham’s second, was the Consigliere of the family. He was the “go between” between the family and Abraham. He was loyal to Abraham, but he didn’t particularly care for him. He and Nikolai had the most in common, and in a very short time, had become very close friends.

Abraham waited for his third to appear, and he didn’t. “Where’s Halyn?” Abraham asked with attitude.

“He was busy.” Nikolai said.

“Doing what?”

“His wife,” Nikolai snickered.

Abraham didn’t tolerate disobedience. He when he called for them, he wanted them to come. “Khalon, please go get him for me. I don’t care what he’s doing. We have to get on with our plans tonight.”

Khalon stood. “Certainly, Abe,” he said, leaving the room.

Minutes later, Khalon reappeared with Halyn in tow. His bright skin was flush, and he smelled of sex, but he was there nonetheless. Abraham not happy with his tardiness.

“Halyn, if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, when I call a meeting, you are to be here.”

Halyn sat down in the chair he normally sat in and said, “Sorry Abe. I couldn’t help it. Shayna bought this sexy new skirt. I had to have her.”

“Irrelevant. Do as I say.”

Halyn rubbed his eyes in an attempt to try to pay attention. “Yeah, sure.”

Abraham rolled his eyes. “I called you all here because I have a desire to control the entire island of Manhattan. There are two keeping me from that. Benito and Tristan. Benito is weak, where Tristan’s numbers are certainly smaller than ours, he is far more dominant. It’s Benito we’ll focus on for now. Tomorrow night, we are going to his home for a party. I only want you to focus on one thing. Khalon, what’s that?”

“His weakness.”

“That’s right, his weakness. We’ll do what we have to do to take him down. I want him dead, and I want his people to follow me. Our mission tomorrow is to look for the one thing that will make me the king over two territories. You’ll do what you have to, to make it happen. I’ll tell the three of you as I told Nik. If he’s loved, our job will be hard. If not loved, we only have to get the potential and eventual betrayer on our side. That will also be hard, but easier than the first. I want you all to be on your best outward behavior, and internally look for a way to take his ass out. Look good, make sure your women look better than you, and perhaps they’ll be able to solve our little dilemma for us. Goodnight gentlemen. Halyn, I need to speak with you alone.”

Halyn looked up at Abraham. “Aww, Abe come on. I had to do what I had to do.”

“Irrelevant. Please stay. The rest of you are excused.”

Nikolai, Khalon and Anakin left the room without question. Halyn was left to deal with Abraham on his own.

Halyn sat shirtless in his chair, and waited on his fearless leader to chastise him. Abraham paced the room in silence for a moment. He then went to the window, and watched what was going on outside.

When he was ready, he asked, “What is wrong with you?”

Halyn looked up. “Nothing.”

“You’ve been very defiant lately, so there must be something wrong with you.”

“Naw, Abe, nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

Abraham stood silent and continued to look out of the window. He let Halyn stew for a moment then finally asked, “You’ve been out of the house a lot lately. Are you out on the street betraying me?”

Halyn was shocked Abraham even asked the question. “No.”

Abraham turned and faced Halyn. He glared at him with unusual suspicion. “You’d better not be. You know what I’ll do to you if you are.”

Halyn sat there and wondered what Abraham was on about, and why all of a sudden he was acting peculiar. “Of course I know. That’s why I’m not doing it.”

“So what are you doing when you leave the house?”

“Doing what we all do when we leave the house. Feeding.”

“If I find you are doing something out of the ordinary, Halyn, you’ll quickly find yourself in trouble,” Abraham said moving back toward his desk. Halyn didn’t move from his spot but watched his master the entire time.

“I know it, and I promise I’m not doing anything to betray our family. Abe, what is wrong with you?”

Abraham glared at Halyn and didn’t answer his question. “I’m glad to see you are still loyal, Halyn,” he said and skipped to a different subject entirely. “Now, I didn’t want Nikolai to know you have the ability to read minds. So our job really won’t be as hard as I made it seem.”

“Not unless there is another mind reader in the room. Then I won’t be able to use my powers.”

“I’m aware of that. I’d like to get this over with as soon as possible, so please try.”

Halyn looked up at Abraham. “Why don’t you want Nik to know I can read minds?”

“Because I want you to tell me if he has any thoughts of overpowering me.”

“You don’t trust him?”

“Not yet.”

Halyn then had his answer.

 

~~~