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After dining at the pub and even buying drinks for all the wolves in attendance, Cornelius and Alyssa managed to return to the vampire tower about an hour before the sun was set to rise into the city’s sky. As they were stepping off the elevator and walking into the hallway, Gabriel was already standing there with a look on his face that suggested he was not impressed. Cornelius already knew what that face meant as his brother had probably woken up a few hours prior and was pacing the floor alone wondering what was going on. When he spotted them both getting off the elevator, he walked down the hallway and met them halfway. He looked quite annoyed, but they were unable to tell if Gabriel was more concerned or actually scared of what was going on. Cornelius could read how he was feeling just by the look on his face.
“One moment,” Cornelius said, holding up his hand. He turned to face Alyssa. “Please get some rest, we will have pressing matters to attend to later.”
“Alright,” Alyssa said, as she still didn’t have a choice. She turned to look at Gabriel, “Talk to ya later.”
“Alright, sleep well.” Gabriel said, as he knew Alyssa couldn’t say no to her master. He watched as she went to her room and closed the door.
“Alright,” Cornelius said, sighing deeply. “Let’s have it.”
“Where did you two run off to?” Gabriel asked.
“First off, I don’t appreciate that tone,” Cornelius countered, stepping up to Gabriel. “We were not two teenagers sneaking out of the house for kicks and fun. We went out to shop to replace the things she lost at home. I also took her to her favorite pub to dine to and make her feel better after all the hardship she’s had to put up with this week. We kind of forced Alyssa to accept more than what she might have been willing to take, so I think she deserved to have a break. I thought a little shopping and some decent food would make everyone feel just a little bit better. Do you have a problem with that, brother?”
“I guess not,” Gabriel said, almost pouting a bit.
“Fear not,” Cornelius said, as he could sense his brother’s envy. “As her master, you know there are rules that stand in the way of me being close to her. That makes me like her father, not her husband.”
“I’m aware,” Gabriel said, as he remembered but then looked back at his brother as he realized something. “Is that why you didn’t want me to turn her?”
“Maybe,” Cornelius cryptically replied, “Another part of me knew she’d be stronger if she were my disciple instead of yours. No offense, but I also have more experience doing this as well so she’s better off in my capable hands.”
“All valid points,” Gabriel said, conceding the argument.
“I can speak only for myself,” Cornelius added, “I cannot, however, speak for father. He had his own reasons for asking me to step in, and I don’t know about you but I’m not in a hurry to find out why.”
“Ditto,” Gabriel said, as he too didn’t want to see the old man wake up too soon.
At that moment, the elevator opened again, and this time a well groomed vampire emerged with several guards. Once the two vampires were spotted in the hallway, the suited man pointed at them and called out.
“You, there!” he called out, “Don’t move!”
“Excuse me?” Cornelius said, as he didn’t appreciate that man’s tone either.
“You’re both under arrest!” the man shouted as the armed guards were walking up towards them.
“On whose authority?” Cornelius asked, even grinning as he was mildly amused.
“The Vampire Council,” the suited man replied, “My name is Chester Fowler, and I am here on behalf of the council to take you into custody for breaking several sacred codes and traditions.”
“Hang on there,” Gabriel said, as he stepped in between the suited man and his brother. “You are addressing the Dark Prince, the heir to the vampire throne. Do you honestly think the council has the authority to demand anything from him? They are not even authorized to suggest what he puts in his damn coffee!”
“Of course,” the suited man said, as he stepped back, “Apologies, my lord.”
“Do tell,” Cornelius dare them, as he was still curious. “To what codes have I violated that has got the council’s panties in a bunch?”
“You created a new vampire,” Fowler answered, “To do so without getting approval from the council is forbidden.”
“I can assure you it was approved,” Cornelius said, “Something I will not hesitate to prove in open court. Until that day comes, no one is allowed to lay a hand on my new underling. Is that understood?”
“It is,” Fowler acknowledged, “But I am ordered to bring you back to Transylvania to answer the charges before the council.”
Before Cornelius could reply, Chester Fowler handed him a scroll. Upon opening it, it was a formal accusation and a summons to appear before the council to answer the charges that he’s being accused of.
“He’s royalty!” Gabriel reminded Fowler, “He doesn’t have to answer this!”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“I do not,” Cornelius concurred, “But I will. I assume you have a ship prepared to depart for Europe?”
“We do.” Fowler confirmed.
“Your guards will not be necessary,” Cornelius said, still amused by it all. “I look forward to meeting with the council and resolving this matter like gentlemen.”
“Oh,” Fowler said, expecting a totally different response, “Yes, my lord.”
“I am in need of rest,” Cornelius informed him, “Since it is almost dawn, I suggest we leave after the sun sets. Are we agreed?”
“That’s reasonable,” Fowler said, with a bow. “We shall depart tonight.”
With that Fowler and his men walked away, and while Fowler walked back into the elevator, the guards took up a position at the elevator doors to guard them. It was unnecessary, but Cornelius wasn’t in the mood to bother with it. He turned to face his brother who looked more angry about the situation than he was.
“That’s ridiculous!” Gabriel snarled, “The council doesn’t have the authority, and they damn well know it!”
“The council needs to enforce the law,” Cornelius said, “And if anyone breaks it, even the Dark Prince, then other vampires would believe they could too.”
“Are you serious?” Gabriel asked, “Do you think you broke the code?”
“Of course not,” Cornelius said, smiling at his brother, “But we have to go back to the council and tell them that, in open forum. I shall answer the charges, respect the code, and then squash those gnats in public.”
“Oh,” Gabriel said, as he was surprised by his brother’s confidence. “You seem awfully cocky about this. You’re not even bothered by it either.”
“I’ll be fine,” Cornelius added, “And I was thinking of taking Alyssa on a pilgrimage to the homeland anyway, so this will kill two birds with a single stone. I assume you wish to come along as well?”
“You assumed correctly,” Gabriel confirmed. “I don’t trust the council to leave her be, and neither should you.”
“I don’t,” Cornelius agreed, “Which is why I was going to ask you to come along anyway, but I appreciate that you volunteered. Perhaps we should pay a visit to our father while we’re there?”
“Let’s not push our luck,” Gabriel replied.
“I concur,” Cornelius said with a chuckle, “Let’s leave the old bastard alone.”
The two brothers shared a smile and the retreated to their respective rooms. Gabriel had recently rested so he wasn’t in the mood to rest, so he started to pack for the trip by gathering the things he brought from Nashville, but also with new stuff he had purchased while Alyssa and his brother were out. Turns out both brothers had the same idea, as Gabriel went to the wolf superstore to pick up something things he thought Alyssa would need replaced from home. Some extra clothes, shoes, and other things that she couldn’t take with her. Now that Alyssa was starting to fly on her own, something she was getting better at, Gabriel was able to carry more with him, and that was a benefit to her also being one of them. It wasn’t something that he wanted to do, and was sad that she was forced to be one out of circumstance rather than of her own free will. He assumed Cornelius’ defense would be the dire situation which would give him the authority to do whatever he wants in cases of extreme emergencies.
Once he was all packed away, Gabriel sat on the couch and replayed a lot of what happened over the last few months in his head. He tried to recall what mistakes that he made that could have led to the unfortunate destruction of Alyssa’s home, because he had made more than a few. First off, just getting involved in Alyssa’s life by saving her is what started this process. Then there was saving his people from Denver and killing those soldiers. He also had the audacity to bring those people to Alyssa’s town, which in turn put a bull’s eye right on them all. He should have taken then to New Lycan instead, rather than put all of her people at risk. This was a burden Gabriel was going to carry with him for a while, as he was sure the council was coming for him rather than his brother. By comparison, Gabriel has committed far worse atrocities, and the council couldn’t care less and were more than content to slap the younger prince on the wrist and think nothing more of it. The council’s hypocrisy was so loud, it was deafening.
By the time the sun went back down, Cornelius was already back in Gabriel’s room and approved of his preparations. Gabriel could tell by his brother’s demeanor that he never slept either and had just used it as an excuse to get Fowler and his men off his back while he made plans of his own. The Dark Prince more than likely contacted his people in the kingdom and made sure their transport was secure and there would be no issues or complications for Alyssa during their travels. When Alyssa finally woke up, the two vampires were all packed up and had taken the time to pack up all of her stuff as well. She looked around the rooms at all the stuff, and then back at the two brothers who had packed it all.
“Are you sure you guys can carry this much?” she asked them.
Both men responded by laughing at her and her amusing inquiry.
“We are going to fly to the port, but our luggage will be moving there by mobile transport.” Cornelius replied, “And from there we are all going to cross the Atlantic ocean by ship.”
“Oh,” Alyssa said, “I thought Gabriel said you could fly across the ocean.”
“I can,” Cornelius confirmed, partly bragging about that fact, “And there is a chance you might be able to with practice, but my brother cannot, and neither can the people who will be traveling with us. So, we are going to board a world class vessel and cross the ocean in style.”
“You didn’t,” Gabriel said, as he realized what his brother was referring to.
“Oh, I did.” Cornelius confirmed with a wide grin.
“Did what?” Alyssa asked.
“The Royal Yacht,” Gabriel guessed, “It’s already waiting for us at port, isn’t it?”
“Oh, yes.” Cornelius said, “It won’t leave without us or our luggage.”
“The Royal Yacht?” Alyssa repeated, “Seriously?”
“It’s the best way to travel the seas, my dear.” Cornelius said, “And I’m going to give free pass to any vampires that happen to be traveling that day, so that the boat will be active and eventful as we go.”
“How did you even know we were going to need it?” Gabriel asked.
“I had a feeling,” Cornelius cautiously answered, “So, I ordered it to make the trip to meet me here. I was going to make plans to take her to the homeland anyway, this minor inconvenience just bumped up my schedule. I was hoping to visit New Salem first, but this will at least give us more time to let diplomacy do it’s thing. We shall visit your sister when we return, you have my word.”
“Thank you,” Alyssa said, “I just hope she’s safe and doing well.”
“I can assure you she is.” Gabriel replied.
“He’s correct,” Cornelius concurred, “Diane is not only protected by almost every witch in the city, but her aura is so powerful it allows her to assume command of every guardian in the city. Trust me, Diane is the safest person on the continent.”
“Probably the entire planet.” Gabriel added.
“Oh, that’s good to know,” Alyssa said, hoping that they were right, and she was worrying over nothing at all.
Moments later, there was a knock at the door, and Gabriel walked over to open it. Chester Fowler had returned and was there with his guards.
“I assume you are packed and ready to leave?” he asked.
“We are,” Gabriel said.
“Our men will have the luggage transferred to the port as quickly as possible.” Fowler informed them. “Hopefully it will arrive before our liner leaves.”
“We’re not taking the liner,” Gabriel corrected him.
“Excuse me?” Fowler said, as he was unsure that the young prince meant.
“The Royal Yacht is at port,” Cornelius declared, “And it will not leave until all of us, and our things arrive. You and your men of course are welcome to travel with us, as long as you behave during our voyage. We can also get some council business out of the way while we travel. Would that be acceptable, Mr. Fowler?”
Fowler stood there for a moment, looking both stunned and angered. Moments later he mustered up the will to respond after composing himself a little.
“That would be fine, my lord.” He finally replied, “Let’s get moving then.”