The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (30 page)

“That depends entirely on you.”

“Does it?”

“Kysen, you will always be my Master. I have not forgotten this,” Darian struggled to maintain his calm.

“Ah yes, but you have forgotten what we were to each other. I have not seen nor have I heard from you in over eight-hundred years. And now you come to me in this pathetic state, your pitiful hour of need, begging for
my
help. I owe you nothing. Do you expect me to welcome you with open arms?” Kysen asked sarcastically.

“No, but I do expect you to allow me
Safe Passage
,” Darian said defiantly.

“Do you, now? I see that your arrogance has not dwindled. This is refreshing. It is nice to know that you haven’t completely lost your nerve.” Kysen chuckled.

“Please Master,” Darian pleaded. “We do not have much time.”

There was a short silence and then Kysen spoke. “How will you pay me
Homage
?”

“To avoid a war with you, what would you request of me?” Darian asked. “It is your right.”

“Indeed. However, I find it more interesting to find out what you are willing to offer for what you want.” Kysen paused.

It excited him to be speaking with Darian once again. The bitter feelings he felt concerning Darian’s abrupt departure from him eight-hundred years ago were stirring inside of him as well as the unmistakable sensation of lust and love. Darian was his pupil as well as his lover and when he left him, the first emotions Kysen experienced were intense anger and depression, and then came the loneliness. He loved Darian more than any other he had ever sired and he blamed his child for his melancholy. Kysen vowed to punish Darian for betraying him. Though he had always known where to find him in order to act on his urges, he refrained. In all of his anger, one thing was quite certain… he loved Darian still.

“Why play these games, Kysen, I know what you want from me, you know what you want from me,” Darian said, he was becoming annoyed, but he held his emotions under control.

“Oh, I assure you, I am very serious in this matter. I demand
Homage
, what will you offer me that is worth your
Safe Passage
?” Kysen’s voice was steady, though Darian could tell that he was also annoyed.

Darian thought about Xavier and Natasha. For the first time in a long time, he thought about those other than himself. He thought about Xander and Elise, whose loved ones’ rescue was depending on their
Safe Passage
. He thought about the lives that would be lost if he failed to pave the way. He took a deep breath before answering.

“I will offer you whatever you desire, Master,” he said with resolution.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. You shall have
Safe Passage
,” Kysen stated, ending the call.

Darian turned off his cell phone. He took several deep breaths as he reflected on the decision that he’d made. He didn’t regret it. He had lived his life never having made a decision he regretted. That alone was an amazing accomplishment. He left the study, returning to the den. The others watched him enter, waiting for him to tell them either good news or bad.

“What’s the word?” Devin asked.

He sat beside Sergio on the sofa. Elise held Sergio’s hand as she waited for Darian’s response. Natasha looked at him just as the others did. Xavier held her in his arms closely and she held onto him, not wanting to let him go.

“He will give us
Safe Passage
,” Darian said. An audible sigh of relief passed through the room.

“Oh, thank God,” Matthew exhaled, lowering his head, relaxing his tense muscles. Warren chuckled as he wrapped an arm around his shoulder hugging him.

Natasha sprang up from Xavier’s arms and rushed over to Darian, hugging him.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” she said breathlessly. “I really didn’t want to hear about you guys having to fight some ancient vampire, especially since he was your Master. I really was hoping we could get a break somewhere.”

“That’s one less obstacle.” Darian looked past her to Xavier, who was watching him with keen interest.

The doorbell rung, Adrian looked at the others and no one else attempted to either answer the door or even acknowledge that they’d heard the bell.

“Oh, I see, I’m the only one who can hear in this room,” he fussed, but went to answer the door. Miranda stood beyond the threshold. She was wearing a black pull-over shirt and matching pants. Her hair was in a long French braid going down her back. Adrian’s eyes trailed over her voluptuous figure, settling on her face.

“Hi. Come in.” Stepping aside he gave her one of his most seductive grins.

“Put your eyes back into their sockets if you want to keep them.” Miranda flashed a smile that was as wicked as her warning as she walked past him. At six feet, she was only a few inches shorter than he was.

“Damn, it’s like that? I thought we were friends,” Adrian joked.

“Consider it a friendly warning then.”

“Duly noted. I was just… never mind.”

The reality of losing Warren to Matthew was still on his mind, but he knew he was going to have to move on, just not to Miranda, as it would seem. Perhaps it was too soon to try in the first place. A part of him was relieved she rejected him, but then there was a part of him that was slightly offended. He admired her as a warrior and fancied the thought of her as a lover. He’d met Miranda once in Russia and her feline coolness reminded him a great deal of Nagesa’s own demeanor and he found that to be very sexy. Nonetheless, he decided not to press the issue. There were far more important matters at hand than looking for a lover.

“Follow me.” He led her to the den where everyone was gathered. Darian was on his cell phone again, making another telephone call.

Miranda greeted everyone, before walking over to Elise. “Daniel is waiting in the car to take you back home and Darian’s coven is already there.”

“Very good,” Elise rose from the chair, aided by Sergio. She turned to everyone in the room. “Be safe.” She looked at Natasha. “Come on, it’s time to go.”

Natasha nodded. She walked over to Xavier, he rose from his chair and took her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Reluctantly, they released each other. “I love you,” each said to the other in unison. Releasing Xavier, she made her way over to Darian, kissing him as well. “I love you, too. Please come back to me.”

“That is the plan. I love you and you needn’t worry, my dear,” Darian whispered, reassuringly. Natasha smiled and quivered slightly as the effects of his seductive voice flowed over her. He released her, smiling at her. “Go with Elise, now.”

Natasha blew Darian and Xavier one last kiss, then followed Elise out of the front door. They climbed into the car, Daniel sat behind the wheel. Darian, Sergio and Xavier watched the car pull away, heading down the driveway.

“Darian?” Xavier began.

Darian turned towards him. “Yes. I do,” he answered his unasked question.

Xavier nodded slowly; he now knew that Darian would have to pay
Homage
to his Master. He was excited to finally have a chance to meet Kysen, though he was a bit uncertain as to how Darian felt about the upcoming reunion. He knew very little of Kysen, only the few tales that Darian had told him. He didn’t know what the Master vampire really looked like, or much of anything else. In spite of all of the chaos, he was thrilled to be meeting the vampire who made Darian over sixteen hundred years ago.

“You do understand. I do not want Natasha to know,” Darian stated.

Xavier nodded. Darian mentally contacted Gary to inform him that they were on their way and for him to remain steadfast and silent about their arrival.

“I do believe that we are ready. Those who are leaving with us may stay. The rest of you will go with Elise,” Xander said. The rest of the Pack started to leave the mansion, heading towards Elise’s home.

Matthew looked at Warren. “I’m going to go home, Warren.”

“Nonsense. You will go with the others where you will be safe. Warren has chosen you, consider yourself family,” Tatiana said. She took Matthew by the arm.

“I don’t want to impose,” Matthew said.

“Don’t worry, you aren’t imposing,” Tatiana said with a giggle.

She didn’t say it out loud, but she was overjoyed that they had
Safe Passage
. The thought of there being a war frightened her. Now she could rest easy knowing they could enter the territory safely.

“Thank you,” Matthew said.

“Come on, Matt. You need to be going with the others.” Warren walked him to the front door and kissed him passionately before watching him drive away with the rest of his Pack.

When Warren walked back into the den, he looked around. Tatiana was sitting beside her husband. Adrian, Nagesa, and Justin sat on one sofa. Sergio, Devin and Miranda sat on the chairs. Xavier, Tony and Darian sat on the other sofa that connected to the first one in an “L” formation. Warren sat down beside Justin and listened as Darian discussed the traveling arrangement.

“I have contacted my pilot; we’ll be taking my plane. There is a private airstrip not far from our destination. We’ll land there and wait for sunset. Before we can complete the rescue attempt, I have to visit my Master,” Darian said to the others. “And fortunately for us, he is also close to our destination, mainly because of the seclusion.”

“It shouldn’t take us too long to get there, why can’t we just attack tonight?” Devin asked. Justin nodded in agreement.

“The soon-to-be rising sun takes us out of the mix. It’ll be day by the time we get there,” Tony said.

“Exactly, I and my coven will be resting. Therefore, you mustn’t make any moves until sunset.”

“But we should attack during the day, they won’t expect it. Tomorrow is the
Lunar
! We’re running out of time,” Justin said anxiously. “If you’re resting, then the Master vampire should be resting and we can get in and get out without anyone having to lose their life, right?” he asked innocently.

“There are many things you must learn about proper etiquette to exhibit when visiting another’s territory. Even with shape-shifters, one's territory is coveted. You do not disrespect the leader of that territory,” Xander enlightened the younger wolf.

Justin looked at his Pack Alpha and nodded, letting him know he understood even if he didn’t want to agree for the sake of saving their friends. He didn’t like all of the obstacles they were facing and not being able to attack during the day was one of them.

“Besides,” Xavier began. “Attempting to infiltrate another vampires territory without permission or paying
Homage
will only bring on their wrath. It may result in a loss of life and we don’t need that right now.” He looked at Darian. “We should leave now.”

Darian nodded, and turned towards the others. “I would not suggest infiltration on Kysen’s land. He is old enough and strong enough to not be hindered by the sun.”

Everyone in the room, with the exception of Xander sat there staring open-mouthed at Darian, their brains contemplating a vampire so
strong
, so
old
that he was no longer affected by the sun. Xander was amazed as well, but he held his emotions in check.

Xavier only stared at Darian, but his mind swooned with the wondrous thought. What a pleasure it must be to look at the sun, feel its rays upon your face and not have to fear its heat. He was simply astonished.

“Don’t worry, we will watch over you while you rest,” Xander said, breaking the silence, bringing the others out of their state of shock.

“Thank you,” Darian said.

They discussed other matters involving their infiltration while they waited patiently for Darian to complete their travel arrangements. Once information was received that everything was finally ready for their departure, Darian announced to the others that they could leave.

Adrian rose from his seat and looked down at his father, who was still sitting.

“Dad, should we bring weapons?” he asked

“That won’t be necessary. We will not make it to our destination before the full
Lunar
,” Xander said as he rose from his chair, his hand extended to his wife, who slid hers into his. He aided her out of the chair. Everyone left the mansion in a single file line, heading towards the SUVs that awaited them.

“Wait, let me check these fucking SUVs before we get in,” Sergio said.

“Good idea!” Devin replied.

Both men quickly inspected the two SUVs that they would be taking to Darian’s airplane.

They looked the under the hood and at the undercarriage of the trucks.

“They’reokay,” Sergio declared as both he and Devin slid from under the two Sidewinders. He looked at Darian. “Are you sure your plane’s been thoroughly inspected? I’m not looking forward to blowing up in a ball of fire fifteen thousand feet in the air.”

Darian smirked as he climbed into one of the trucks. “I assure you that won’t happen.”

“All right, then,” Sergio climbed into the truck with Darian along with Xavier, Xander, Tatiana, and Nagesa.