The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (19 page)

“I’ll get it.” Warren rose, walking towards the front door. From his scent he knew that it was Darian. He opened the door. “You’re quick, the sun just set. Come in.” He stepped aside to allow Darian entrance. “Follow me.”

“You did an excellent job gathering the information,” Darian said approvingly.

Warren smiled. “Thanks.”

They entered the huge den. Darian greeted everyone as he settled into one of the seats in the room. “Elise will be here shortly,” he informed.

“Very good,” Xander said.

Ten minutes later Elise and Sergio had arrived. With everyone present, they began tossing around various ideas.

Darian spoke, “The most feasible strategy to me is for us to stake out the designated spot for the drop before our enemies arrive. We wait to see who will be making the exchange, then attack making sure to gather any information we can. Whoever these kidnapers are, they have done this before. The kidnappings were handled with precision. Not to mention the visions Natasha had about smelling scents of other supernaturals in those cells.”

Everyone thought about what he said for a moment, nodding their heads in agreement.

“Excellent.” Darian smiled, then rose from the chair. “Until tomorrow night,” he said upon exiting the room.

Elise said her goodbyes and followed after Darian. He opened the door for her and they left, going in their separate directions.

“Well, it’s time for me to go as well, I’ll be back tomorrow night,” Warren said as he rose from his chair, followed by Matthew.

“Goodnight then.” Tatiana looked at Matthew. “It was nice to have finally met you,” she said pleasantly.

“Same here. Warren speaks about you all so much, I’m honored to have met you,” Matthew said honestly.

Xander smiled in acknowledgment of Matthew’s courteous statement. “Well, it’s getting late, and I think it’s best if we all get a little shut eye,” he announced.

Everyone began to rise and leave the room. Matthew and Warren left the mansion and climbed into Warren’s car.

As they drove towards Warren’s home, Matthew expressed his concerns.

“They don’t like me, do they?” he asked.

“They have to get used to you. I was wrong to bring you there without my Alpha’s permission, not to mention in front of Adrian. I was just so intent of telling them the news, I hadn’t thought of the consequences. It’s not your fault. Adrian will be fine,” Warren said reassuringly, hoping to ease any discomfort Matthew might have.

“I don’t want to cause any trouble between you and your Pack,” Matthew admitted worriedly

“Don’t worry, you aren’t causing any trouble. We’re together and we love each other. They’ll get use to you, it’ll just take time. Remember, I’m one who has a different view of humans. I don’t think of you as insignificant or a food source as most supernaturals do. As for my Pack, a lot of the others prefer to take companions within our own shifter community. Don’t worry, Matt, it’ll work out for us,” Warren said.

Matthew nodded, he hoped Warren was right.

“Are you going with them tomorrow night?” he asked.

“Nope, you heard them… Darian will be going, along with Xander and Elise. I think I’ll spend the day with you, and in the evening, I’ll go back,” Warren said.

“Sounds like a good plan,” Matthew agreed, relieved. They spoke about other topics as they drove.

Chapter Eight

N
atasha entered her lovers’ bedroom and walked over to the bed, sitting down on the edge. She gazed down at the two men as they rested peacefully.
They look so innocent sleeping like that,
she thought to herself before rising and walking towards the window to open the thick velvet drapes. The sun was setting and the sky was lovely. She marveled at the beautiful multicolored horizon as the sun disappeared into darkness leaving a spectrum of blue, red and gold colors.

“It is astonishing, isn’t it?” Darian asked as he watched her.

Startled, Natasha turned and around to face him. “Yes, it is, and you need to cough or something. You scared the hell out of me.”

Darian chuckled.

Natasha smiled and pointed towards the window.

“Can you see it?” she asked.

Darian nodded and climbed off the bed, walking towards the window, standing behind her. He gazed at the enchanting colors blanketing the sky, enjoying its beauty.

“Xavier will have to survive several hundred more years before he will be able to see the horizon as it is now,” he said.

Then he turned toward Xavier who still lay resting on the bed.

“Can’t you make him stronger?” Natasha asked.

“I can, I have, but there are still some things that must come as one grows older. Xavier has been a vampire for a very short time, less than a century and yet he is far more powerful than most vampires his age. He’s strong enough to protect himself against many vampires, even those who are two or three hundred years old,” Darian enlightened.

“Man, to live that long,” Natasha said dreamingly, then she turned toward Darian. “I bet you have seen and done so many things.”

“I have. I have seen many things, many wonders... well, for me when I first saw them, they were wonders. Can you imagine how dumbfounded I was when I witnessed the invention of the first automobile?” Darian asked with a chuckle.

“What did you think of it?” she asked curiously.

“Well, at that time, the fastest way to travel was by steam engine or horse. Of course, that’s if you weren’t a vampire with flight ability. I was not afraid of the automobile, if that’s what you were wondering. However I was bewildered by it. I wanted to know how it worked. I bought one immediately and yes, I totaled it, but in the early days of the first automobile, there were many accidents,” Darian said, he smiled to himself as he reminisced about the past.

“Oh my God, I would have loved to see you learning how to drive,” Natasha said laughing aloud.

“Oh, I’ll admit, I was horrible. Those days have long since passed, but the memories, I will always cherish.” Darian took Natasha by her waist pulling her closer to him. He leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers. When he pulled away he kissed her forehead lightly. “How was your day?”

“Well, considering I took the day off of work to hang around here, it was fun. I played on your computer among other things,” she said with a giggle.

“I want you to be safe until all this is over.”

Natasha smiled. “I know, baby.”

“Oh, how tender,” Xavier teased as he climbed off the bed after having caught a glimpse of the two of them. “Good evening.”

“Hello beautiful, I’m glad you’re awake. I have to go,” Darian said as he began to dress.

“Where are you going?” Natasha asked.

“Oh, that’s right, you were sound asleep last night when Xander called and informed us about the two officers Antonio mentioned,” Xavier said, then he leaned over to Darian kissing him with a bit more gusto than he’d planned. As always, his Master ignited the most primal desires within him.

“Um, do you two need some privacy?” Natasha asked, noticing how
enthusiastic
Xavier was.

Xavier broke the kiss with some effort and glided over to her, giving her the same treatment. Her legs weakened a bit, but being held in Xavier’s powerful arms helped her keep her balance. She moaned softly when he broke the kiss. Her eyes opened slowly as he released her.

“Feeling a little less neglected now?” Xavier asked.

“Huh?” she said, still in a lust-filled daze.

He snickered then continued to fill her in. “Antonio was right on the mark, not only do they know something about what’s going on, they’re
in
on it. The drop goes down tonight, Darian, Elise and Xander are going.”

“Oh, yeah… back on track,” Natasha said, getting her thoughts on the situation at hand.

“Exactly, so I have to go, the drop is scheduled for ten tonight and we want to be at the location before they are. Elise and Xander are probably there or on their way,” Darian said as he tied his shoes.

Natasha looked at her watch, the time was almost nine. “Won’t you be late? Do you have a long way to drive?” she asked.

Darian looked at her slyly. “Who said I was driving?” A wicked grin spread across his face.

Natasha rolled her eyes playfully. “Of course… You’re just a cheater.”

“Hardly,” Darian said. “I’ll be back.” He looked at Xavier. “When Tony rises, make sure he’s okay. Keep him here. I don’t want him making any rash moves on his own.”

“Will do,” Xavier replied. “Be careful.”

Darian nodded, then walked towards the window, unlocking the latch, opening it wide. Instantaneously he vanished before their eyes as he soared high into the nighttime sky.

“That’s so amazing!” Natasha said excitedly.

“Yes, it is. His speed astonishes me. As a matter of fact, everything about him intrigues me. Just as everything about you intrigues me,” Xavier said revealing his innermost thoughts.

“Funny, Darian says the same thing about you.”

“I know.” Xavier stepped toward Natasha, reaching out, pulling her closer to him. “I believe it’s safe to say we love one another for our individual and unique qualities,” he whispered sensuously into Natasha’s ear sending tingles down her spine.

“You’re such a charmer,” Natasha flirted as she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down for a passionate kiss.

“I have to feed, Tasha,” Xavier said, once the kiss ended. “When I first rise, there’s a feeling of weakness within me, then it grows as the hunger grows. I can’t avoid it any more than I can ignore it.”

“I know... it’s okay. Go grab... Some... Er... go eat,” Natasha responded, not sure whether to say ‘someone’ or ‘something’ she thought both choices were tasteless in Xavier’s situation and opted for neither.

“I’ll be back shortly, I promise.” Xavier walked towards the open window and vanished.

Natasha looked on in awe as she watched him disappear right in front of her eyes. Both of the vampires’ speed amazed her. All of the supernatural beings amazed her. She climbed back onto the bed, turned on the huge television that was mounted on the wall, and waited for their return.

***

From above, Darian saw Elise and Xander walking towards the designated location, stopping short and crouching low in a spot that would give them a close up view of the drop taking place without being noticed. He landed behind them, startling Elise, although she remained silent. If Xander was startled by Darian’s sudden presence, he didn’t show it. Darian smiled to himself, having caught the two powerful shape-shifters by surprise. A feat not easily accomplished by any standard.

Darian smiled devilishly at Elise. “A thousand apologies my dear, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m truly sorry,” he said as his hand reached for hers. He brushed his soft lips over the delicate smoothness of her skin.

Elise blushed.

“Oh Darian, you’re terrible,” she said bashfully.

Darian winked as he released her hand. He looked at Xander. “Hello.”

“Hello. The officers have just arrived,” Xander announced.

With their exceptional hearing, they listened to the conversation that was taking place. Using their heighten sense of sight they looked through the dust covered factory windows as the two cops waited for their contact. The two men stood in the abandoned factory under a single florescent light which served as a spotlight in the darkened factory.

Officers Ryan Davidson and Jesse Foster stood inside the abandoned factory. There was a large trunk on the floor in front of them. Both men were dressed in black jackets, pants, shirts and boots.

The appropriate ensemble for such a seedy task,
Darian thought.

“What’s taking this motherfucker so long? He said ten o’clock, right?” Jesse asked annoyed that their contact was already ten minutes late.

“Give him a minute, he’s on his way. I know this guy, he’s cool,” Ryan said reassuringly.

“How well do you know him?” Jesse looked at Ryan. “I don’t like this shit, Ryan. He should’ve been here by now.” he said anxiously.

“Look, I said he’ll be here, he’ll fucking be here, now calm the fuck down,” Ryan growled.

Jesse continued staring at Ryan, but remained silent. Five minutes more passed before their contact pulled up in a silver Viper.