Chapter 2

Hours later, I awoke as the sun was starting to set, I figured any time now. Sure enough, I felt him as he tried to slip past my wards and traps, hmm, not bad, too bad he had to die tonight.

“You know,” I said when he appeared in my room, “I just might let you survive. You are better than I at first thought, but even you ought to know not to take on a full mage with or without your powers.”

“WHAT? I can fell my heart beating? I am alive? But that can’t be! Plus, if you have no powers as she said, how can you hurt me?” he said surprised.

“I guess she forgot to tell you, though I have no powers, everything I set up before is still active. I know where they are, you do not, now that you can’t see them. So the choice is yours, either way you are most certainly dead, out the window, or back down the stairs. Either way isn’t going to be particularly good for you.” I sneered at him looking like a trapped rat.

“You can’t win you know,” he told me, “This time both councils are on hers and your father’s side.” With that he dived out the window, the muffled thump I heard let me know he didn’t make it. Sighing I thought, vampires, always thinking they can land on their heads.

Hmm, both councils huh? I was really wondering if she knew anything about this? In all probability not, or I feel she’d have been 3 times as angry this early morning. Sighing, I decided I was going to have to go and see her after all, great! That’s all I needed, another confrontation with her, though this one will not be as public. Walking to her darkened room, I felt her as soon as I entered. Damn, this wasn’t going to go well I could tell.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of the great Mr. Timmings!” I heard her spit sarcastically.

“I thought you might want to know of news I just found out from your now dead man. But if you want to play it that way, so fucking be it!” I shouted as I turned to walk out.

“You will show more respect than..., “ her crony started, then was quieted when she held up her hand.

“It’s alright, Mr. Timmings and myself have uh hum ... history,” she stated.

I stopped and handed her the communique I had received from my father that morning. “I had wondered why father had sent me out of the country just now. I can not stand you Johnathon Timmings, I am not sure I ever will, but in this instance we have a common enemy and purpose. My men will be over soon to clean up the mess my associate has left.”

I nodded then left, hell she’d used my first name. It was the first time in over 150 years I’d heard her speak it. Unless I guessed wrong, and anything was possible right now, I think she might still have feelings for me.

A movement behind me caused me to stop, “What do you want? I know who and what you are, so don’t try it, you’d be surprised.”

“Tsk, tsk, is that any way to speak to an old friend?” came a voice from the past. A voice I had sorely missed these last 200 years.

“Gregor? Your father sent you also? I thought after the incident, you’d never be allowed to even be in the same country with me, let alone the same town or city.” I said slowly moving into the shadows to embrace my old friend.

“Ah! It has been too long my friend, much too long. Yes, I kept your secret, she’ll never know from me, but John why do you torture your self? Just tell her!” Gregor pleaded.

“No! You as well as anyone knows what would happen. I will not be made a spectacle of, this will be done our way or not at all!” I growled.

“The way things are going, that might not be an option soon. Many of the clan have died. The thing is, many of your clan has perished also. I know! Your father didn’t tell you because you would disobey and go home. You know as well as I do that he could not permit it.” Gregor spit out. “I swear they are the most stubborn headed fools!”

We talked for a few hours, then he had to go. God, it was good to finally see a friendly face, even if he was a leech.

I had almost reached my building when I saw several vampires waiting for me at the door. Stepping away, I felt my powers barely slip back. I removed my wards and waited for them to leave. Stepping in, I saw that of course, they hadn’t done a very good job. Sighing, I finished, wouldn’t do to have the housekeeper screaming in the morning at a huge stain on the landing floor. Now for what I really wasn’t looking forward to, talking to father.

Concentrating, I called up father’s image, “So why exactly, haven’t you told me of OUR clan’s perilous condition? Father you know that I am the strongest...” I started.

“Because I knew that you’d rush home immediately! I can not chance the strongest of us becoming sick!” he berated me.

“And what of the betrothal? I told you 150 years ago we fucking hate each other! I...” I was so upset I couldn’t speak.

“We both know that is a lie!” Father held up a hand to quiet me. “You think I am a new pup? I am well over 1000 years old! You think I can’t tell the signs. True, she hates you, but I know you feel different. I don’t know what happened that night, but knowing the men of this clan, I know you could change her mind if you wanted to. I am just wondering why you won’t.”