The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (42 page)

Darian smiled, kissing Kysen once more before leaving the mansion. He took to the sky traveling at speeds faster than he ever had in the past. In less than a minute, he stood in front of his private plane. The new power coursing through his body both excited and amazed him. He really appreciated Kysen’s gift more than simple words could say. He opened the door, stepping inside. Everyone was awake and waiting for his return. He was greeted by the others, Justin thanked him for saving his life.

“No need to thank me,” Darian said modestly.

Xavier walked over to him, kissing him then he pulled away, immediately recognizing something different about him. “You feel…”

“I will explain later. For now, let us go back home,” Darian said as he pulled Xavier closer to him. He kissed him softly on his forehead.

The engine of the plane started and after a few short moments, the plane took off, gliding in the sky with ease. Within hours, they were back in Chicago. Gary and Tony walked hand in hand towards one of the SUVs, climbing into the back seat, kissing continuously.

Sergio stopped in the doorway, spotting the two men kissing and pulled away. “I think I’ll ride with Xander and Tatiana,” he said, chuckling as he walked towards the other SUV.

Devin, Justin, Darian, and Xavier climbed into the SUV with Tony and Gary.

“Can I drive?” asked Devin enthusiastically.

Darian looked at him. “I don’t see why not.” He handed him the keys.

Devin thanked him before climbing into the driver’s seat. Both SUVs pulled off, heading towards Elise’s mansion.

“See, this is what I don’t understand,” Devin started. “Why is it that mostly old people drive big cars?” He was behind an elderly man in a red E-Indigo sedan.

“I know what you mean. I think they just feel safer in bigger cars,” Justin added. Devin, Tony and Gary chuckled.

“There’s a simple answer to your questions,” Xavier said, smiling mischievously.

“And that is?” Devin waited.

“Because they can, and I don’t think they care a hoot about what ‘young whippersnappers’ such as yourselves think on the matter,” Xavier answered.

“Okay, I stepped right into that one. Touché,” Devin grinned.

A few minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of Elise’s huge mansion. She opened the door, smiling widely as Sergio raced towards her. He lifted her up in his arms, turning with her several times as they shared a heated kiss. The others climbed out of the trucks heading towards the mansion. Natasha ran to Darian and Xavier, hugging both men as best she could; encircling an arm each around their waists. Both men leaned down, one after the other kissing her lovingly on her lips.

“I missed you so much, I’m so glad everyone is okay,” Natasha said happily as tears of joy trailed down her cheeks.

“And we’ve missed
you
very much,” Xavier confessed as he held Natasha in his arms.

John and Devin kissed lustfully before Devin led John to his bedroom. Everyone else settled down with the others, finally relieved to be home.

“I’m so glad you guys all came back in one piece.” Matthew kissed Warren, overjoyed that the threat was over. “Was anyone hurt?” he asked.

Warren shook his head as he held him in his arms for a long moment, not wanting to let him go. “I’m glad to be back, and no, no one was hurt,” he answered.

“Okay, you have to tell us what happened,” Sebastian said eagerly as he hugged his dad tightly.

“Let me get my feet into the house first, boy!” Sergio chuckled.

“You’re already inside the house,” Sebastian retorted.

“Well, then let me get my shoes off first,” Sergio shot back.

“Technically, wouldn’t that be the second thing you did?”

“Boy.”

“Okay.” His son giggled, but got the hint, and he went to greet the other members of his Pride and friends, hugging them.

Elise and Sergio turned to the child as he stood outside. Little David was standing in the doorway, afraid to cross the threshold. Sergio held his hand out to him. “Come on, David, this is my family, my Pride. I want you to meet them.”

David walked over and placed his tiny hand into Sergio’s and from there, he was led him into the room where everyone had settled. Once everyone was through with their greetings, Sergio whistled to gain their attention.

When all eyes were on him, he smiled. “Good, now that I have your attention, this is David; he’s a tiger and was orphaned. So now he’s with us.” David waved ‘hello’ to everyone as Sergio introduced them all. He wanted David to feel more relaxed and above all, safe.

“Oh! You poor, sweet child!” Madeleine said as she approached David. Madeleine was in the late stages of pregnancy and due at any moment. David looked up at her with his large blue innocent eyes, sending her into a nurturing frenzy. “Oh you poor baby! Come here, we have to get you into some clothes.” She whisked the child up to her room to tend to him.

“I knew she would snatch him up,” Sergio declared.

“Okay, I want to know all of the details.” Sebastian looked at his dad, not forgetting his earlier request. “Come on, now… don’t be stingy.”

Sergio smiled at his son. “Okay, where do I begin... we went, we saw, we kicked ass and then we left.”

“Okay, let me ask someone
else
,” Sebastian remarked giving his father a sideways glance. Then he turned to Miranda. “Miranda, what happened?” he asked excitedly.

“I don’t feel like talking about it,” Miranda said as she casually walked to her own room.

Sebastian’s shoulders sunk. “Is there anyone willing to spill the goods?” he asked the others in hopes that someone would be willing to tell their heroic story.

“I’ll talk!” Justin replied. “Okay, we flew out there, right. Darian has the most luxurious airplane that I have ever seen. It’s like a penthouse in the sky with room service! Then we all had a chance to meet Darian’s Master!” he said excitedly.

“Really?!” Natasha asked, amazed.

“Yeah! It was awesome and a bit scary,” Justin added.

Darian chuckled as he settled on the sofa beside Natasha. Xavier sat on the opposite side of her. Matthew sat in a chair beside the unlit fire place. Warren sat on the floor next to him, resting his head on Matthew’s leg. Everyone who was interested gathered around Justin as he told the tale of their adventure.

“Darian’s Master has got to be at least seven feet tall!” Justin held his hand high above his head for visual effects.

“He’s six four,” Darian corrected, chuckling. “And not a centimeter taller.”

“Well, he
seemed
to be that tall to me,” Justin continued. “Okay, so he’s six four, all sexy, lean muscle. His hair was about shoulder length and he wore it in braids with gold beads at the ends. He had an accent as well, but it was very subtle.”

Darian smiled at Justin, thinking the wolf was adorable as he relayed the events from the night before.

“Then he and Darian walked off and we were left alone. The servant offered us something to drink as we waited. Then after a few minutes, Darian returned and that is when we drove to the mansion where they were being held.” Justin pointed at Gary, Nicole and Rachel. “We almost didn’t make it before changing forms. Sergio was driving and he was complaining, hoping that he could hold off the change until we got there.”

Justin began to chuckle. “I can just imagine Sergio driving the SUV in cat form!” he laughed outright then went on to add detail. “His big old paws wrapped around the stirring wheel, if that’s even possible.” He chuckled again.

“Just tell the damn story!” Sergio growled as he rolled his eyes.

“Okay, okay I’m sorry, but the mental image was funny. Well, we changed and we hunted those sons-of-bitches down! It was amazing! You should have seen us, we were working together, completely organized. And it was a bit difficult, because I almost died,” Justin said with gusto.

“What happened?” Natasha asked, concerned.

“I thought you said no one got hurt?” Matthew asked Warren.

“Well, I didn’t want you to worry, Justin’s okay,” Warren answered.

“Yeah, I’m okay now, but I was on Darian’s team and these assholes had rigged up their mansion and grounds totally. They had ultra-violet lighting throughout the area and silver spikes that jutted from the ground if triggered by pressure. I stepped on one and a silver spike impaled me,” Justin said, wincing as he remembered the excruciating pain that he had to endure until he healed.

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry,” Natasha and Carmen said in unison.

“Darian pulled me off in time and Tatiana, Xander and Warren helped heal me, for which I am eternally grateful,” Justin said with an acknowledging nod in their direction. Xander smiled and nodded. Tatiana winked, Warren only smiled.

He continued. “Not only was the mansion completely rigged, but those hunters had these ultra-violet grenades that I didn’t even know existed. Next thing they’ll create will be a bomb that works like a water balloon, only it will be filled with liquid silver,” he said in disgust.

“Don’t give them any fucking ideas, don’t even think it up,” Warren replied.

“Yeah, please don’t,” Matthew added.

“Point taken. Well, you should have seen us, let me tell ya, Darian swooped down and took out about two or three of them! Well, the rest gets kind of bloody.” Justin decided not to go into that much detail.

“What happened to the bodies?” Elise asked, she looked at Sergio then Darian.

“Unfortunately, our hunters perished in an airplane crash in the northern mountains of Montana. No one will have to know the true cause of their deaths,” Darian said.

He looked at his watch to confirm the time he was already aware of. “Well, it’s about that time and I need to get my coven home before sunrise.”

He rose from the sofa along with the rest of his coven. They turned to Elise, thanking her for her hospitality before leaving. With the exception of Darian, Xavier and Miko the others were too young for flight so they all waited outside the mansion for their Master.

Darian walked over to Elise, lifting her hand gently in his, kissing the delicate flesh. “You have my eternal gratitude for your hospitality towards my coven.”

Elise giggled. “Anytime, my darling.”

“Well, I’m going with you,” Natasha said as she rose from the sofa.

Darian turned to her. “But of course.”

He walked towards the door, holding Natasha’s hand in his own. He turned, saying his final farewells before leaving. When they arrived at their mansion He, Xavier and Miko carried April, Tony, Gary and Annabelle inside. The four younger vampires fell into slumber on the way home. They took the sleeping vampires to their bedrooms before going to their own. Inside their bedroom Xavier removed his clothes and climbed naked into bed. Natasha sat at the foot of the bed, legs crossed, and her folded arms resting on her knees.

Darian began to undress, hanging his clothes in the closet before joining his two lovers.

“All right, go on ahead and ask me what you’ve been dying to ask,” he said allowing himself to be bombarded with questions.

Natasha and Xavier began to speak at the same time; Xavier paused and gestured for her to go first.

“No, no, you go first. Your time is limited,” Natasha conceded.

“Very well.” Xavier turned towards Darian. “Your aura is not the same... what happened?”

“Kysen kept me over night to give me strength. We performed blood exchanges throughout the night. It was very gratifying, tiring and exhilarating at the same time. I enjoyed it very much,” Darian said smiling widely.

“Is that all?” Natasha added.

“Darian looked at her, still smiling. “Is that what you wanted to ask me?”

“Well... yeah,” she answered shyly.

“We did other things,” Darian confessed.

Natasha took the hint and didn’t bother to ask him to elaborate. She figured if he did, he had good reason to, not that she wasn’t jealous by the fact. If there was one thing that bothered her about being with two vampires, it was their politics, but she suspected Kysen being Darian’s Master had a great deal to do with it. So she was going to try to be understanding. She did have to ask one thing regarding the issue. She looked at Darian eye to eye.

“Will you be doing other
things
with him again?” she asked.

“No,” Darian said reassuringly.

“That makes me happy.”

Darian chuckled then leaned forward, kissing her lightly on her forehead. “I’ve invited him to my ‘birthday celebration’.”

“Oh, so I get to meet the man responsible for your immortality. From what I already know of him, I bet he’s super arrogant. Sheesh! I hope I can tolerate him,” Natasha said reflectively.

Xavier laughed outright. “If you can’t, please keep your temper,” he pleaded.

“I can’t make any promises,” Natasha commented playfully with an offhand gesture.

“Ahh, I feel the effects of the sun, I wish I had more time right now,” Xavier said as he leaned forward, kissing both Darian and Natasha only seconds before his body fell limp.