He did not care. He was more concerned with what she possibly could be and what the night club was really for. The Chosen had similar places where they could feed from mortals without the concern of discovery. If this place was something similar for Vampires, then he was in grave danger. Not risking an answer he stood, ignored Vee and her friends, and left the table. Descending the steps to exit the building he did not notice Orchid speaking to two men sitting at the bar, no drinks in their hands.
Once outside the building he walked a few store fronts west before halting inside a laneway. Taking deep breaths he slowed his racing heart. One thing he did not need reminding of was now that he was mortal he could not defend himself as he used to when he was the Angel. There would be no preternatural speed and strength, and there would be no white-faced demons to call.
The sound of people entering the alley lifted his head. Two men of nondescript colouring and average height stood smiling maliciously. He did not need to see their fangs to know that two Vampires approached.
Standing away from the brick wall he glanced down to the other end of the alley and silently swore. He inadvertently boxed himself in a dead-end. The only thing he had in his favour was that if they knew him as the Angel then they would assume he was still Chosen. Then again, if that were the case then there would not be only two Vampires facing him. Regardless, he was in a fight for his life. If was extremely lucky he would come out of it alive, and with information about his sword’s whereabouts. He turned to face the two Vampires, settling into a loose and ready stance. He would wait until they made the first move.
“You insulted our Lady,” said the one on the right.
“She doesn’t usually interact with the patrons,” explained the other. A sneer twisted his plain face. “And you rejected the honour she was showing you.”
He stood silently, not daring to reply. What was clear as they approached was that they did not know who he was. It also provided the explanation as to why only two Vampires sauntered towards him. They believed him to be mortal and thus had the advantage. In that they were right.
The punch from the one on the right was easily blocked and redirected while at the same time he landed a blow to the Vampire’s nose. Cartilage imploded in a gush of blood and a yowl. The Vampire stopped to lick the blood from his lips and smiled, revealing extended canines. His partner shook out his hands in expectation as a sinister grin split his face revealing his elongated teeth.
Taking a cleansing breath, he eased the growing panic and waited for the inevitable to come.
The Vampires exploded into motion. Their speed was blurring as he tried to block their unschooled blows. Training and centuries
of practice barely kept him apace in his mortal body. He met punches with blocks barely in place to be effectual and his strikes barely grazed their targets. His arms and legs ached with the impacts. It did not take long for one of the Vampires to slip past his defences.
Pain blossomed in his chest as he felt his body leave the ground. Agony slammed into his back, his sight blacked out as skull met brick. Nauseous and tasting blood he slid to the rubbish strewn alley trying to regain his stolen breath. He had to move. He had to get to his feet and defend himself but as his sight returned so did sensation. Gasping in pain, he cut it short as a stabbing sensation burned across his ribs. Hand on the wall he spat out the blood and watched liquid threads hang from his mouth before he wiped them away on the back of his arm. The cool leather gave some relief from the split lip he had no memory receiving. He attempted to stand but felt his body forcibly spin around as one of the Vampires grabbed a hold of him. Knocked to his knees, stagnant water seeped through his denim. A hand yanked his hair, forcing him to expose his neck.
He knew what they were about to do and long held memories surged forward from the time he had been a prisoner of a sadistic Vampiress. He tried to break free only to feel the connective tissue of his shoulder start to separate from the joint as his arm was pinned behind his back. He gasped and immediately regretted it for the renewed stab across his chest.
Facing the entrance of the laneway he watched, immobilized as the other Vampire came into sight. Panic stirred his heart and he could not catch his breath. He had to break free but could only anticipate the inevitable.
“Dyed hair and costume contacts,” derided the Vampire. “The only reason I can think of for my Lady’s interest in you is your pretty face.”
The Vampire gripped his chin and forced him to meet the
Vampire’s eyes. The smile widened and the Vampire bent forward
towards his exposed neck. His gorge rose as he felt dead breath tickle across his skin. Held firmly in place he could only wait for the slice of teeth into flesh.
Corbie sat with his back to the desk, his chin resting in one hand while the other held the remote control for the array of videos that spanned from floor to ceiling. His thumb absently hit the reverse button on one of the monitors and he watched again the entrance of the Angel to his club. A moment on fast forward saw the Angel leaving his establishment. Face twisted with growing anger Corbie hit the playback on another camera that showed the Angel sitting with well known patrons. Strange in itself, what was truly
disturbing was seeing one of his coterie approach the Angel and then stalk off. Reversing the image, Corbie watched the unsuccessful
interaction with growing anger. What if the Angel had run into Rose? Swivelling around, he punched a button on his desk.
“Mr. Haskell. Find Orchid and meet me in my office.” The order spilled through seething lips.
“Yes, sir,” came the static reply. The sound of Brian’s infuriatingly calm tones were mixed with the beat of the club.
Releasing the button, Corbie raised his hand to strike the desk and thought better of it. He had splintered the last one and it took three months and an exorbitant amount of money to have it replaced to his specifications. Regardless, the Dominus of Vampires desperately wanted to hit something, or someone. How could the Angel saunter into his domain without Corbie having been notified? And then to have one of his coterie walk up to the Angel and speak to that damnable creature without his permission was downright insubordinate. One question exacerbated the situation – where was Brian when all this was happening?
A knock tapped at the door. Without waiting for an invitation Corbie’s second walked into the white room with the seductive Vampiress on his heels. “You summered us, Dominus?”
Mr. Haskell took up a relaxed stance before the desk while Orchid curled up on the white leather couch against the back wall.
She appeared dreamy and Corbie knew she had just fed. Returning
his attention to his right hand man, Corbie went for the direct approach. “Why wasn’t I informed about the Angel’s visit here tonight?”
Corbie’s anger grew at the confusion overtaking his second’s usually emotionless face. Orchid’s frown made her appear younger.
“I don’t know what you are talking about, sir,” stated Brian. “No one informed me of the Angel’s appearance.”
“No?” pressed Corbie. His hand lay flat on the desk as he rose like a vulture to peer at the man and was rewarded with Mr. Haskell’s stumbling response.
“I–I would have been informed,” said Brian, obviously flustered. “Becky would have told me.”
“And what about you?” rounded Corbie, his gaze descending upon Orchid.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about?” replied the Vampiress. She nervously smoothed down her blonde locks.
Picking up the remote control Corbie set the video to play back her brief interaction with the Angel. He kept his eyes on her, marking her reactions as she watched the recreation. Surprise and disbelief widened her beautiful brown eyes.
“That was the Angel?” she asked, incredulously. “I thought he was just another kid in costume. Granted, he was a gorgeous looking kid,”
Corbie smacked the desk. The crack resounded through the room as well as the groaning sound as wood succumbed to force. He did not want to hear how attractive the hideous Angel was to the opposite sex. His strange allure was what caused Violet’s demise. “I want to know what you did after the Angel rejected you.”
“He–”
Corbie raised his hand, halting her excuses. “Rejection is not a word in your vocabulary. What did you do?”
Anger darkened her eyes. “I told two of my coterie.”
“And?” He met her gaze.
“They went after him.”
Corbie closed his eyes. Maybe if he did not look at her he would not be tempted to stake her. He only opened his eyes when he sat, the soft leather cushioning his body, the anger hardening his heart. His gaze fell on Orchid. “Get out.”
“Get out?” she queried. Fury forced her to her feet.
A smug smile pulled at Corbie’s thin lips. He loved it when he was proven right. “That is what I said.” He allowed his anger to simmer. “If you do not wish to be transferred to Sudbury to rule rather than New York City I would suggest that you leave now.”
Without a word of protest Orchid stalked to the door and left, her face marred by the twisting effects of restrained anger. The door closed quietly behind her.
Once the click died out, Corbie relaxed into his seat and turned his attention to his second. “I want you to send the best four of your coterie to find Orchid’s wayward sons.”
“Yes, sir.” Brian stood straighter.
“When they find them, stake them and then leave them for the sun.”
“Sir?”
”If the Angel hasn’t already killed them I want their deaths to help fuel my plans.”
“Yes, sir!” Brian turned to leave but his Dominus’ voice halted him as his hand touched the door handle.
“Two more things, Mr. Haskell.” Corbie nonchalantly played with the leather of his chair as Brian turned back towards him. “There has been a significant break down in communications. Fix it. Secondly, the Angel has been here. He will be back. I was not expecting him so soon but I will not be caught off guard again.” He patted the leather and stared into his second’s blue-grey eyes. “You will immediately inform me of the Angel’s arrival in or around
The Veil
. Are my orders clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good,” replied the Dominus Vampire. “No more mistakes, Mr. Haskell. You are dismissed.”
Corbie ignored Brian’s departure and picked up the white telephone.
I
t was unexpected when death came. All he could do was stare in wide eyed shock at the sight of a ragged piece of wood jutting from the chest of his would be murderer. Thick black blood coated the wood, leaving trails and globules to drip onto the murky alley floor. The sight of the Vampire shrivelling around the stake was cut off as he was flung to the ground. Arm freed, he managed to lift his face from the puddle. Spitting polluted water he tried to focus on the fight going on nearby. His assailant and would-be saviour battled with blurring speed. He tried to watch but could not focus on the fight. Instead he attempted to stand only to fail. His ribs and shoulder stealing his breath, leaving him panting and kneeling in stagnant water.
Abruptly as it started the fight was over. His second assailant splashed to the ground in front of him, shrivelling despite the moisture. Dead wooden eyes stared up at him as skeletal hands grasped the piece of wood sticking out of the Vampire
’
s chest. Relief washed over him at the sight.
“Holy fuck,” swore his saviour. “I didn’
t want to believe Notus, but seeing you like this
…”
The man walked towards him, haloed by streetlight.
“
Fernando?
”
he asked in surprise.
“Who do you think it is? The Tooth Fair
y?
”