“Pepromene, Katherine please let us pass into the Whyte Plain?” Ansuya asked looking at the pair of Sages.
The two Sages nodded. They focused on the ground around them. Mentally they searched for that feeling that they both knew very well. They found that slim membrane between realities and pushed. The twenty or so Shape Shifters and one human girl suddenly disappeared from the forest clearing, leaving only the wind and the failing sunlight to remember their passing.
* * * * *
“Marco, you’re sure about this?” Simon asked cautiously.
“Yeah, brother as sure as can be,” the brown-haired man said looking over his computer screen. “Look, I checked and double checked. Plus, with that warehouse we took down a few days ago there is absolutely no doubt about it. There are only two guys that could have put that crate, on that loading dock, at that time, and I’m pretty sure Alexander Grȕn didn’t move a crate from his own warehouse just to ship it right back.” He looked up at the taller black-haired man standing over him. “Whatever was in that crate came from Kenneth Pacifico’s house, there is no doubt about it.”
Simon nodded slowly and exhaled loudly. “Okay, I have to go tell Alessandro.”
“You could try a phone?” offered Silvia from a corner.
“I could, but news like this is better presented in person. Besides, I know Alessandro. Something like this will make him do something stupid. I can prevent that if I’m there.”
“You sure you don’t need some back up or something?” Sofia asked. “You know I’ve gotten your ass out of the fire more than a few times.”
“Thanks, but this isn’t Kasserine. I’ll be fine,” Simon said with a smile.
“At least let me drive you?” Noemi offered. “You can’t drive for shit anyway, and you know it.” She stood defiantly in front of the door leading out of their hotel suite.
Simon smiled and almost laughed. “You got me there, Noemi. Fine, you can drive. Let’s do this. Of course, you guys know that this means we’ll be staying here for a little while longer, right?”
“I kinda figured we would be, yeah,” Lorenzo said leaning back in his dining room chair. “It’s about time if you ask me. I’ve been bored to death just flying over this miserable, smog filled town for the last few weeks. I might actually have something to do now.”
“More than we bargained for probably,” Simon muttered under his breath.
Marco said, “Are you going to leave or try to spread doom and gloom over a pretty productive month? If I do say so myself.” He beamed.
“You’ve all done phenomenal jobs over the last month,” Simon said. “Take the night off on me!” he said as he exited the apartment following Noemi.
Simon’s smile didn’t last long though. There was something that just didn’t feel right. An underling in a House betraying it’s Head, that was not a new story and one he had seen even in his own House Ghatti. But something about this felt off.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
As he got into Noemi’s black Lamborghini Diablo, he wondered if it had been a mistake not inviting Sofia along, just in case.
* * * * *
Kenneth ascended the tower in the familiar stainless steel elevator. He looked at his face reflected back at him in the steel walls. He looked confident, that wasn’t right. He shook his shoulders and cracked his neck. He had to look at least as submissive as he always had when talking to his master and creator. He looked at himself again and nodded. The eager gleam was gone from his eyes and he looked appropriately apprehensive. After all he was interrupting Alessandro in his office without being invited. He still remembered the last time he was here. Alessandro had kicked his ass all over the place. His Head of House was formidable, whose wrath should not be incurred lightly.
The elevator finally opened. Alessandro was sitting behind his desk. He looked up as Kenneth stepped into the room. “Kenneth! What brings you here?” he pointedly looked at the clock hanging on the wall, “It’s late. Shouldn’t you be getting back home? Sunrise will be upon us in less than hour.” He was smiling but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Kenneth walked into the room. His steps were awkward and unsure. “I have something I need to talk to you about. Please forgive the late morning hour but this can’t wait.”
The fact that Alessandro hadn’t attacked him on sight was unsettling for him. He knew that Alessandro knew he had been lying to him for years. The fact that Alessandro could still smile at him and remain relaxed was a testament to the old man’s skill at the game of human pantomimes.
“This must be serious for you to be here so close to sunrise. Sit down.” Alessandro ordered, gesturing to a nearby chair.
Kenneth remained standing. “You know why I’m here, Alessandro. Let’s cut the crap.” His voice was even and strong. He felt anything but. He was unarmed facing a much stronger opponent than he was. His head of House could kill him very easily. Still, better to start the show than to wear himself out with anxiety.
“I’m sorry. Have you somehow forgotten who you’re speaking to?” Alessandro stood up behind his desk. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Kenneth. But if you need another lesson in manners…”
The older vampire leapt over the desk, clearing the structure in the merest fraction of a second. Kenneth had been tensed and ready for the fight. He dove to the side and flung a chair behind him. Alessandro ducked and moved under the flying obstacle, closing the distance with Kenneth.
Seconds stretched on for minutes, and the minutes went on into the darkness of eternity.
Kenneth had not been idle this past year. He had spent hours training and practicing. He had always hated feeling powerless and the last beating he took at the hands of his master had proven just how far he still needed to go.
This time they were more evenly matched. Alessandro still possessed more speed, more experience, and a multitude of techniques that Kenneth had never seen before. But Kenneth had become stronger in the past year. He was still slower than Alessandro, as the bruises that appeared and quickly disappeared would have attested to. But he wasn’t being thrown around the room like a rag doll, that was something.
He felt his hand get grabbed and he was yanked into the air. He crashed into the far side window wall. The window shuddered at the impact. Kenneth was on his feet again and charging back at Alessandro before a full second ticked by on the clock.
His charge ended with a perfect kick to his master’s chest, sending the older vampire skidding backward along the smooth marble floor.
Alessandro didn’t return the attack and Kenneth didn’t press his advantage. The House head smiled, standing up straight. “I see you’ve grown since the last time we saw each other. Why don’t you tell me what this is all about?”
Kenneth didn’t answer but circled around his master. “Okay, even though you already know, I’ll humor you.” If he could keep him talking maybe he could circle around to Alessandro’s desk. He had to unlock the office elevator.
“Do you remember when you brought us all here? Do you remember when you founded House Dukart and what you promised all of us stupid enough to come with you?” Kenneth asked.