The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (34 page)

Sergio nodded with a smirk. The human servant wrote everything down on his notepad before leaving.

“I hope this Master vampire doesn’t want us to do anything,” Devin said. He was also remembering the time when they had to fly to Russia. He didn’t want to have to give his blood to a vampire because it was demanded, nor did he want to have to have sex with one (no matter how fine the bastard was). He was quite grateful that Xavier handled that bit of nasty business on his own. He didn’t like having to do anything against his will. He suddenly wondered if a powerful vampire like Darian would have to pay
Homage
, or was this simply a friendly meeting.

“I do not know. I most certainly hope not,” Xander said.

He thought about all of the different times when he had to enter the territory of another wolf Pack and how their meetings could become volatile, sometimes ending in wars. Shape-shifters rules varied depending on the nature of the “visit”. For the most part, all one needed to do was contact the commanding shifter in that city or state and request permission to enter and to state the reason for their visit. He, himself would allow other wolves to enter his territory but under supervision. He didn’t want any trouble to arise. He would prefer to not give the human politicians any evidence to use against the supernatural species. When he first came to Illinois, Xander was aware of Darian being the Master vampire of the city and he respected him for keeping order as well. He was grateful that Darian allowed him to control and protect his own territory once he became Pack Alpha.

Different Packs, Prides and covens had their own set of rules. However, Xander believed vampire etiquette to be a bit more self-indulgent and hedonistic than that of shape-shifters because it only served one Master and not the entire coven on most occasions.

“Well, I just hope we get there before those assholes can do anything to Rachel...” Miranda glanced at the other shifters in the room, “...and Nicole and Gary.” She added, almost forgetting about the other two captives. She had been so preoccupied with thoughts about her own member, she had forgotten to consider the others in the room and how upset they were as well.

“Don’t worry. We know how you feel.” Adrian said.

They all sat down and waited for their meals to arrive and the sun to set. After what seemed like forever, four human servants entered the main area carrying heavy platters loaded with food. And as before, the shape-shifters formed a line leading up to the table. Once their plates were filled they sat down quietly and began eating. Soon the sun began to set leaving a soft fiery horizon in the sky with shades of orange, red and yellow. Nagesa watched the sun set from the small circular window of the airplane.

Adrian sat down beside him. “Are you all right?”

Nagesa turned towards him. “Yes. I just want to get this over with. I want those bastards to pay for what they’ve done.”

”Oh, don’t worry they will.” Adrian patted Nagesa on the back then rose from the sofa. The sun had partially set and the sky was now dark purple with a hint of the fading red and orange horizon.

Nagesa closed his eyes inhaling deeply, exhaling slowly.

“Darian is awake,” he said. Everyone knew he was correct, they too could hear movement behind the locked door.

Chapter Fourteen

D
arian searched through his closet looking for a particular outfit for this occasion. He found a cream button-up shirt and a pair of front-pleated slacks of the same color. He dressed quickly, when Xavier finally opened his eyes, Darian had just buttoned the last button.

“Looking the way you do, I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you,” Xavier complimented.

Darian flashed him a charmingly seductive smile. “Thank you. We have to go, there isn’t time to waste.”

He glanced at Tony’s resting form. “We’ll bring him with us, he will awaken soon.”

Xavier nodded and climbed out of the bed, sliding his feet into his shoes and walking over to Darian. He circled his arms around his lover’s neck and kissed him deeply.

“Will he want you to have sex with him?” he asked when their kiss ended.

“He might, it is within his right, not only because it is his territory that I seek to enter, but because he is my Maker, my Master.”

“If that should happen, do we tell Natasha?”

Darian looked down at Xavier. “What do you think?”

Xavier thought about the question for a few secon
ds. “I think she’ll understand. She won’t fault you should you decide to tell her.”

“I’ll tell her only if she asks.”

Xavier nodded. “What if he wants you to stay with him?” he asked suddenly, his tone

serious.

“I will refuse. What will he do upon my re
fusal, I wouldn’t presume to know.”

”What if

”

”Shhhh, my love, I will not abandon you and he will not kill me, or any of us for that matter. Rest easy,” Darian whispered.

Xavier remained silent for a few seconds. He thought about Darian and how happy he
was sharing his life with both him and Natasha, he didn’t want to lose either. But he could also smell the fear that Darian was trying to conceal and it unnerved him.

“You know when you were in that car, with your body set ablaze, I was so terrified for you,” Darian whispered.

“The only thing that I could think of the moment I knew that I might die was you and Natasha and how I wished I had more time,” Xavier replied.

“To be perfectly honest with you, I had no idea how
much
you truly meant to me until that moment. That one instant when I thought I had lost you forever. I never want to feel that way again,” Darian said softly.

“My sentiments exactly,” Xavier said softly.

“I love you,” Darian looked at him a few moments longer. He ran his thumbs gently over Xavier’s long brown eyelashes. He then traced the pattern of lines on his luscious lips before he leaned forward, kissing his lover deeply, passionately.

They shared the moment for a few seconds, ending their kiss reluctantly.

“No matter what happens tonight be careful,” Xavier said.

Darian smiled. “I will.”

Xavier released him and walked over to Tony’s resting form on the sofa and leaning down, lifted him from the soft cushions.

“I’ve contacted Gary, he knows that we’re here. I’ll contact him again once we’re on the grounds,” Darian informed Xavier, who nodded. He opened the door and they walked out to the open area of the plane. “Good evening. Is everyone prepared to leave?” he asked.

The others looked at him. Devin and Justin were practically drooling, their eyes glazing over as they gazed at Darian’s breathtaking appearance. Even Miranda couldn’t help but stare. Adrian and Warren stared as well as Darian stood in the middle of the room, hands tucked into his pockets. His clothes fit him perfectly as if they were a part of him. The impressive bulge in his crotch caught the attention of several gawking shifters. A small smile crept onto Darian’s face. He was used to being gawked at, enjoyed it even.

“How much time do you have before you change?” Darian asked Xander.

“Half an hour, forty minutes at the most.”

Darian nodded. “We have a twenty minute drive ahead of us.”

“We’ll be cutting that down by half,” Adrian stated.

“I should be able to keep up,” Sergio said, indicating that they should drive as quickly as possible.

“Good then,” Darian agreed.

Devin managed to free his mind of his lust-driven thoughts, long enough to ask a simple question. “Don’t you need to feed?” he asked anxiously.

“I will feed plenty tonight. Right now, we do not have a moment to spare.” Darian turned walking towards the exit. His human servants entered the room, bowing as they approached him. “You have all done well,” he said praising their hard work.

“Thank you, Master,” they said.

One of the servants opened the door for them, stepping aside as they all exited. Darian was first, followed by Xavier carrying Tony and the rest of the shape-shifters. There were two huge Sidewinder SUVs waiting for them next to the airplane. Darian opened the door, Xavier laid Tony’s resting form on the soft leather seat. Darian climbed into the driver’s seat and Xavier climbed into the passenger side. All of the shape-shifters began to fill the two SUVs. Xander, Tatiana and Warren rode in the SUV with Darian.

“When did these get here?” Warren asked.

“I had my servants make arrangements before our arrival,” Darian responded.

“We have devised a strategic plan of attack for tonight,” Xander said, he began to tell Darian the plan that was decided upon earlier. “All things considered, I think that you will agree it’s the most practical.”

Darian smiled. “That is extremely practical. I’ll join the team with Warren.” A mischievous grin appeared on his face as he glanced at the younger wolf in the rear view mirror. “Just like old times,” he teased.

Bastard,
Warren thought playfully as he rolled his eyes and looked away, hiding his grin. He thought back on that second night he had come to Darian for help, how it ended. How Darian made him feel. The pleasure he experienced. He also remembered how Darian manipulated the situation, he knew then why he was the Master vampire of Chicago. The man had a way of getting exactly what he wanted.

“I’ll team with you,” Xavier said to Xander, who nodded.

“Tony will join the team with Sergio,” Darian added as he drove the car through the woods.

“Darian, I would like to thank you for everything that you have done,” Xander said graciously.

“Don’t mention it.” Darian smiled. “I’m only doing what must be done.”

“So, do we wait inside the trucks?” Xavier asked.

Darian nodded. “If he requests your presence, then I will come to get you.”

He pulled the car in front of a humongous four story mansion. The manicured lawn surrounded the entire estate with beautiful red, purple and yellow flowers and intricately cut bushes. A large fountain adorned the lawn, centered in the middle parallel to the main entrance. Numerous planters paved the walkway, leading up to the front doors. All of them admired the landscaping and design of the mansion itself. Darian climbed out of the SUV, just as Sergio pulled the second truck behind his.

Sergio rolled down the window, sticking his head out. “Don’t take long, I can feel the effects,” he warned.

“I won’t,” Darian responded, then he turned heading toward the front door.

Tony’s eyes shot open and he looked around the SUV in his confusion trying to figure out where he was. He calmed down once he realized that he was in good company.

“Where are we?” he asked.

“You’re finally awake. We’re at the Master vampire’s mansion. Darian has just gone inside but we’re all waiting out here,” Xavier informed him.

Tony turned to look at the huge mansion. “Whoa, this mansion is huge!” he exclaimed. “I thought Darian’s was big. I guess it’s safe to say Darian’s Master is extremely rich.”

“That he is,” Xander said as they waited for Darian’s return. Xander hoped that it wouldn’t be for too much longer, they had only twenty-five minutes before the
Lunar
.

***

Darian walked through the luxurious mansion, admiring all of the priceless artwork and exquisite classic hand-crafted furniture. The muscular, six-foot-four, African-American human servant who answered the door led Darian to where their Master waited. They reached a set of double doors, which the servant opened, stepping to the side so that Darian could pass. Once Darian entered the room, the human servant closed the door, leaving them. Darian looked at his Master sitting in a throne-like chair with one leg crossed over the other, elbows resting on the armrest, fingertips touching, forming a triangle. He was dressed in a cream-colored shirt that was left unbuttoned exposing his muscular torso and matching cream-colored slacks. When he looked at Darian’s ensemble, he smiled noticing that his child wore his favorite color. His shoulder length braids framed his remarkably handsome face. His light golden-brown eyes scanned over Darian lustfully.

“I have waited centuries for this moment,” he said, the seductive sound of his Egyptian-accented voice filled the room and sent tingles down Darian’s spine.