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Descendants
5th Book in the Bound by blood and vow Series
By Artemis ()
With Kaya, Antoine, Gerry, Lila, Jason and the sleeping Fortuna, Lucas was having brunch at the dining room. Around seven o’clock p.m. at Saturday. For the vampire family and their employee this was daily life.
“I’ll then…”
“Where are Othieno and Maximus, Antoine?”, asked Kaya suddenly. “I really hope they didn’t did anything stupid!”
“Please not here, Kaya.”
“But I want to know now what’s going on. I know that Thomas is working, Nicky visits a friend and I don’t know what the two most troublesome inhabitants of this castle are doing. Will you now tell me what’s going on?”
“Okay. They’re going to a gothic club at London and investigate one of my cases.”
“Am I the only one who wonders why? Maximus is assigned to my team cause I want to keep an eye on him. Only Gerry and your Childes are yours.”
“That’s my fault. Maximus and me switched a case. You made him investigate undercover at the techno community - even I didn’t credited you with that! Now he’s going to befriend with gothic who pretend to be vampires and will be ecstatic when they find out that he’s a real one and I’ll take care of the techno folks. I don’t want to show mortals already my true nature.”
“You could’ve asked me.”
“Oh, come on, Kaya, we’re all working at the same company and it’s not like you have hundreds of employees!”
“Could someone please listen to me for a few minutes? It’s not like I would want you to never quarrel again”, sulked Lucas.
“I’m sorry, I totally forgot you. Please continue. We won’t interrupt you anymore.”
“It’s time for me to leave. The preparations are done and if I want to catch Sean before his buddies arrive, I’ve to hurry up. As soon as they’re coming, it’s impossible to fulfil my mission. He can’t be seen from them in company of a vampire, that would damage his reputation severely get him into trouble with his girlfriend and most likely even cost him his job as commander of the psis.”
“Then let’s hope for all of us that you’ll have enough time.”
“Keep your fingers crossed for me!”
Lucas’ newly purchased, black Porsche cabriolet sped through the streets of a exceptional run-down suburb of London. He didn’t cared much for speed limits - Jason had to pay the tickets in any case and like usual he’s late. Guided from his electronic passenger, he drove onto the parking lot of a nightclub in which Sean Ireland was supposed to spend the evening.
“That’s only a shack! And a really ugly one, too. Yuck!” The Tiger turned his nose up, disgusted by the sight of a shabby nightclub and it’s customers. Some looked like pimps, others he judged as criminals, prostitutes of both genders and about the rest he didn’t even wanted to think. Although Tigers were everything but demanding and arrogant, Lucas felt suddenly very sophisticated. In this circumstances, though, he hated that he’s no Lion.
Although still in shock, Lucas noticed, how hungry the other people stared at his car. “So you want me to play the mob boss”, muttered he under his breath. “Very well…” Like he’d watched Lions, Lucas threw the spare gun from the glove compartment onto the passenger’s seat and prepared for his show.
When the blonde left his car, his whole posture assumed that he owned London. Instead of locking, he went to one of the drunken wanna-be gangsters and threw him into a garbage can. “Do you see my car?”, he asked at the same time such polite, calm and dangerous, that everyone took a step back. Some even fled into the bar.
“A… a… aye.”
“You’ll take care of it like it’s your own. When I return, I expect to find both of you exactly in the same state like now. If something happened to my car or you disappear, my people will find you and gut you. Then I’ll eat your heart for breakfast. We got an agreement?”
This guy was a pro, thought the patron. He’s drunken, sure, but he’d seen enough people in this bar to know with whom you don’t mess. And that the youth’s voice never quivered was a pretty good indication. “Aye. Aye, sir.”
“Good!” For a split of a second, Lucas let his eyes turn purple. Before the horrified human could scream, he’d thrown a 100 pound bill at him and was at the door.
Sean Ireland stared like agonized into his glass of flat beer. The pint in front of him was still untouched after almost an hour. His expression was such sullen that neither another customer nor the waitresses dared even to approach him.
That he waited for his friends was only an excuse for the psi. They hadn’t fixed on a certain time, just that every friend who wanted to come had a good chance that someone else would be here also. He wasn’t even positive that he wanted to meet with his gang mates. They’re expecting him to be the leader who never had a bad day, never wanted to have just some fun without worrying about his reputation.
And Jeannette was no real alternative. The girl was fun - and profitable - entertainment, but it’s impossible to talk with her about anything but make-up, parties and fashion. Maybe…
The mortal’s thoughts were interrupted from excited murmurs and the barmaid smacking her lips. Because there’s nothing better to do, he turned around to the door as well as everyone else. Instantly, he knew why all customers were excited. The young man who entered was too noble and neat for this establishment. And he’s quite a handsome creature - beautiful, in fact.
“Huh? What the hell am I thinking? I don’t like men! Never liked guys the least bit! Guys are just good friends and I could never ever kiss a guy! We don’t even think about the looks of the same gender! That’s absolutely not good for your relationship with a woman!”
With a disarming smile, Lucas approached Sean. He slipped through the - by surprise and inattentiveness weakened - barriers of the psi and checked his mind. A Tiger could cover his mental presence enough that he wouldn’t notice it until he’s on his guard. Fortunately, it wasn’t necessary to make him stay. “Is this seat taken?”
“Uh… n… no”, he stammered blushing.
“Cool!” He slid onto the bar stool next to Sean and sized him casually up. “I’m Lucas.”
“Sean.”
“You don’t look like this’ your kind of place - and that’s meant as a compliment. Are you also visiting the first time?”
Only now, Sean became fully aware that he’s talking to a vampire. He wondered if the vamp knew what he’s - pretty much a given - but restrained himself from probing him for intentions and ulterior motives. If Lucas wasn’t aware till now of it or peaceful, this could easily kill him. “No, I’m coming often. And although you’re looking more like the five-star hotel guy, I thought places like this are your kind’s preferred hunting grounds.”
Now it’s getting tricky, mused Lucas. He’d to keep Sean from recognizing him as Tiger - of which’s powers psis knew - and his apparent motives. While chatting, he put this plan into action. “Oh, you’re having so many prejudices, psi. It’s terrible and offensive. Not all of us prey on innocent mortals and want to kill them. I, for my part, dislike forceful feeding at all.”
“Sure, and next you’ll tell me that we can go outside and have just a nice chat!” The mortal’s voice was dripping with sarcasm and disdain. How’d he been able to feel even the slightest bit of sympathy for a vampire?
“I would just offer you to take you to my room. We could there have a nice chat, you learn the advantages of vampire lovers and I’ll drink of you.”
“Then don’t even bother asking, Lucas. If that’s even your real name…”
“It isn’t. I’m actually running as Lucas St. Clair and the other vampires call me Lucas as well as my fellow students and friends. But I was christened René Lucien. I would tell you my family’s name, but nobody but my Sire knows it and that’s the way it’ll stay if I’ve any say in that. I don’t want any harm to happen to my parents and siblings.”
“If your parents are still alive, you can’t be ancient.”
“”Ancient”? Oh no, I’m just grown out of the fledgling age! I was turned 1971. And now we won’t talk anymore about my personal data! I’m almost getting the feeling that you’re a private detective supposed to find out more about me”, chuckled Lucas. His eyes were sparkling now with Tiger mischief and he’s obviously having a good time.
Sean also noticed the change in touch. With the changing atmosphere, he felt relaxed in Lucas’ company. A honest - more or less blunt - vampire was a pleasant surprise after everything he went through in the last weeks. “You’re very honest with me, Lucas. I appreciate that. Because of that I won’t pretend anything. You can’t earn my blood or pay for it with good company. I’m not that desperate! So you rather leave and try to find a psi with less experience or who needs your attention more.”
“I already got this suspicion. But it’s not just about the blood. It’s…”
“You don’t want my blood?!”
“For your blood, I would do almost everything. And I’m getting with every heartbeat of yours more tempted to forget my principles and just take what I want. But I want way more than your blood and I’m not stupid enough to believe that I would survive… forcing all of this upon you. Sean, even if I could set you up so that you’ll offer your blood, it wouldn’t be worth anything cause I end everything I start… so I’ll not harm you. At least not, unless you want me to…”
“Uh…” It’s getting more and more difficult for Sean to withstand the temptation. It would be just one single night, wouldn’t it? Never would he meet this vamp again, nobody would find out about it. No harm done. But the odds were, that he wouldn’t live to get into trouble because of it. The gang commander didn’t knew that all the time, Lucas was arousing this unknown thoughts and feelings with subtle stimulation like emotions, needs and mental pictures of the bite. Control was taken so far away from him, that he didn’t noticed not possessing such detailed knowledge.
Just a little bit more… With his charm, good looks, psychic abilities, hypnotisation skills, the spell cast and the advantages of a Tiger vampire, Sean would very soon thaw like snow in the sun. Lucas smiled and placed the suggestion in his mind to go into a dark corner. Only away from public he could play all of his trump cards.
“Let’s go somewhere more private. With everyone staring at you like that, you can’t be very comfortable.”
“I got used to being looked at this way - my kind isn’t better, after all - but still I would appreciate being somewhere with you where we’re undisturbed.”
Just then, the barmaid interrupted them. “Lad, what would you like?”
“Only a glass of draft beer.”
“Without your id card I can only serve you soft beer.”
“Here you are, my student’s identity card. Oh… I’ll take two beers, waitress. My friend’s warm and flat already.”
“Thanks, lad. Here’re your beers. Next to this pub’s a hotel. They’re cheap, ask no questions and you can pay the rooms each hour.”
“Uh… thank you, miss. That’s very thoughtful of you. But we won’t need a hotel, we’ve apartments. Come on, Sean, let’s make ourselves comfortable.”
Not able to escape the dull haze Lucas kept his mind in, Sean followed into the darkest and most silent corner of the bar. It’s almost impossible for the other customers to watch them there. A little part of him screeched at him in alarm - and not only because of this. It wasn’t right to socialize with vampires and it’s dangerous, he really shouldn’t do what he’s doing and planning to do. He just couldn’t remember what exactly was wrong with the picture.
They made small talk for some time, neither willing to give too much away. Lucas told about the pros and cons of going to a human university after thirty years in the immortal world - especially to the second university within five semesters. It’d slipped his memory a couple of times, though, that he’d to keep a firm grip of the psi’s mind. More than once, Sean hinted that he’s going to graduate at Mount Olympus next year and had quite developed psi senses. He didn’t wanted to give this - quite valuable - informations away, but he’s too dizzy to remember the consequences.
As soon as Sean had gotten careless again, the vampire attacked. His infamous Tiger impatience was beginning to show and he needed a positive experience. His mouth dove under the other male’s collar and he scraped his fangs against the tanned neck, making him fear a bite. Instead, his artery and throat were kissed, softly pecked. Lucas’ mouth glided to his jaw and before he could get second thoughts, Sean was getting kissed passionate. While the startled teenager’s guard was down, he erased the last doubts and fears.
The psi suddenly couldn’t think of any reason - and if it’s the most stupid - why he shouldn’t just give in to Lucas’ seduction. It wasn’t even his fault. Surely he’s using his vampire charm. Sean didn’t wasted any thought with Jeannette. “Uh… No, Lucas, no, I need this jacket. No!”
Lucas was to same amounts flabbergasted that Sean was still capable of coherent speech - which he shouldn’t - and hurt in his male pride. “But…”
“I just don’t want you to mess with my clothes. They’re very expensive. Now let’s return to the important stuff. You said something about an apartment…?”
“Very important stuff, indeed… You pay and I hope that you’ve got a big, nice bed.”
“I pay? You know, you’re costing me more money, nerves and trouble than any girl ever did…”
“Well, you don’t get me for a glass of cheap, low-calories soft drink and some even cheaper compliments!”
“Exactly! Now let’s go before I get second thoughts. Or my friends arrive…”
That could surely be interesting, couldn’t it? Oh, it would be a too interesting evening if he got beaten up by an angry - and very cute - psi - which hat wouldn’t exactly boast his self-confidence. He couldn’t loose this guy before sunrise… Mission! He’d to focus on the mission. This was a job, nothing more. If the rest of him would only understand that… And first he would’ve to add some hypnotisation to the mind control brew. “Even if your friends arrive, you don’t want to spend your time with them. You want to go with me - you have to. And you’ll follow that need.”
“Yes, I’ll. But we can’t go to my place. I live at Mount Olympus’ boarding school and someone could ask questions.”
“We surely can’t go to my place, either. I’m working hard at my reputation as the perfect, innocent, nice, perfect son-in-law. My hosts wouldn’t be too pleased if I bring strangers along who’re surely not going to university already. Especially good-looking strangers for whom their daughter could fall… Or do you really feel like answering their questions for the rest of the night and then leave without even seeing my bedroom?”
“Okay, then the boarding school it is.”
“What’s with your roommate?”
“Oh, we don’t have any. Every student has a former double room with own bathroom, telephone, fax and internet connection as well as generous space for a big bed… the dormitory was formerly a five star hotel. We’ve seven floors, a restaurant, a bar, gym, kiosk, everything you expect at a hotel. Also, there’re no teachers to supervise us like in a common boarding school. Everyone can leave and return as desired and bring guests along. If we need anything, we ask at the reception.”
Nobody had told him anything about Mount Olympus being so comfortable. Then Lucas would’ve tried to get with Jason’s name and friends a room at the boarding school. No wonder, though. After all, also nobody had bothered to tell him that Sean Ireland was a handsome and intelligent young man which he could very easy like. He’d only been given a picture of his victim, age and time at which Jeannette Henning would approximately burst into his bedroom.
Lucas shook doubts, hesitation and pangs of conscience with some efforts off. He could muse later about what an evil and pervert person he’s, that nobody could ever like him - and Sean never would again. Now he’d to carry the order out to set one of the most dangerous enemies of his Princess up. He couldn’t allow himself any weaknesses. If Sean knew who and what he really was, he would try to kill him. And the psi commander wouldn’t have any problems with his conscience…
“Well, now it’s too late to tell me this. I’m already a roomy…”
“You can pity yourself later, Lucas, now I’m not in the right mood to console you. The hotel we’re living in is by car just a quarter of an hour away. You came with the car? I walked cause I knew that I would drink alcohol.”
“I got a nice cabriolet waiting outside. And don’t worry about blood alcohol limit. We T… uh… vampires need more to get drunk.” Impatiently, Lucas dragged his companion to the exit. “See the black car over there? That’s mine.”
“Nice carriage. It works?”
“Of course it does, smart-ass!” While they’re both laughing insanely, Lucas lost part of his grip over the other man’s mind. But he’s so overjoyed by his previous success that he didn’t noticed it. Flinging the passenger seat open, he chuckled, “all aboard!”
Forgotten was, that Lucas had left a gun at the seat and his victim could easily pilfer it now. This’ a typical weakness of his clan. With all this hyperactivity, impatience, childish mind and lacking common sense, they couldn’t see sense in an attention span longer than five minutes. More often than not, this caused the troublesome vampires even more problems. This time it shouldn’t be different…
“Not such a bad joint”, commented the vampire mildly impressed. “But my Sire lives in a cool house himself.”
“At France?”
“Nope. Northern America. Just I’m from Quebec, he’s one of the Anglo-Saxon guys. If I tell you more, Sean, you’ll maybe jump to conclusions and call this night off. Which way now?”
“Just follow me. I know how to evade the big crowd and most guards.”
Lucas switched the engine off and left his new car, following Sean to the glass elevator. Cause the underground parking lot was guarded from half a dozen of Kaya’s “royal guards”, like the rest of the hotel - to enforce the neutrality of this place - he didn’t feared for the safety of his cabriolet. And if it’s damaged, Jason would buy him a new one - why should it bother him…?
“We aren’t allowed to evade the guards. Look, you’ll anyway get into trouble for bringing a stranger into the dorm, I don’t want you to be arrested as well.
“Don’t worry, nobody will arrest me. I can handle the guards.”
“In that case…”, Lucas murmured absent-minded. He could “handle the guards”? Hm, that’s quite a disturbing comment the Princess would be very interested in hearing. Maybe the guards weren’t as loyal as Antoine claimed them to be. They’d spent much time with the students and few vampires were able to fight the mental attack of a psi. Especially when this psis were cute young ladies whom they didn’t wanted to fight at all…
To both men’s relief, the guards turned out to be very discreet and they met no one Sean knew at their way to his bedroom at the 4th floor.
The former five-star hotel radiated nobility and luxury in a way Lucas could get used to again very easy. Suddenly, he thought that he’d lived far too long already without a healthy amount of first-class atmosphere. Although this hotel turned dorm was very much like… a boarding school located in a five star hotel and couldn’t stand comparison with Jason’s palace outside Montreal, it seemed like a decent place to live in. Either he would’ve to get along with Sean and his psi buddies or he’d to ask Kaya if she minded him moving into Goldbrook Castle…
The 1st floor of the former Venus Hotel was furnished in modern style with light colours and much - of course electrical - illumination. 2nd and 3rd story were looking like a baroque castle - no wonder that here most of the vampires, immortals and old-fashioned mages lived. Floor four and five had the furnishing of a mansion at the beginning of the 20th century.
“I didn’t knew boarding schools can be this pretty.”
“Oh, you would like the baroque even more. It seems to be the kind of stuff vampires are keen on. I can’t really appreciate old things.”
This included vampires? Lucas didn’t even wanted to know. It’s always hard for him to seduce people he hated and right now he still liked Sean. On the other hand, building the trap would be easier for him if he could see Sean as exactly what he’s - his mortal enemy. “Undead old stuff included?”
Sean unlocked the door to his room and pulled Lucas inside. No need to try his luck. Before he could lock again, though, a nicely cool body pinned him against the wall. “W… what…?”
If he couldn’t distract the psi now, the mission’s failed. And he couldn’t let that happen - although he wanted to - could he? “I’m waiting for an answer, Sean.”
Laughing nervously, Sean shook his head as much as he could - around an inch. “Lucas, you’re squeezing several rather vulnerable parts of my body and I’m not into masochism.” The light-hearted, giggle-like laughter he received in return triggered Sean’s memory. But - like so many times before this evening - just before he knew of what Lucas remembered him, the thought was lost again. “And no, undead stuff isn’t included. Not as long as you’re gonna bite me and now lemme lock… Ow! That fucking hurt! Are you crazy?!”
Lucas proved that puppy dog eyes were possible for blue-eyed Tigers like himself. At the same time, there’s a fierceness in them that dared him to refuse. “Sorry, wrong exercise. I tried to stimulate some acupressure points that can soothe the nerves of psis and make them be more comfortable around vampires”, lied he. “By accident, I squeezed a nerve, I guess…”
“Uh… okay, then just leave this stuff to people who actually are able to do it right.”
“Let’s make a deal: I don’t squeeze your nerves and will bite you and in return you don’t lock the door and don’t torture me anymore with waiting. I can’t stand waiting, I’m too impatient for it.”
“But someone could come in…”
Duh! Hypnotizing, he said, “I don’t feel comfortable with it, so you won’t lock the door. If the door is locked, I’ve no escape route. We vampires are predators, we always need to have the opportunity to attack and flee, that’s a part of our nature.“
Sean nodded again. Suddenly, he’s very understanding for the vampire’s needs. And what could be wrong with making him feel better…?
“What?!”, screamed Jeannette Henning. The young psi was near a mental breakdown. “That’s impossible! Why are the vampires demanding that we meet them exactly now at the school grounds? I mean, it’s weekend and isn’t it enough that they’re burning our bases down?!”
“Jeannette, get a grip! You’re Sean’s girlfriend, you’re a Henning. Behave like it! You’re acting like you’re a little girl who lost her candy!”, shouted Joey Fine.
“How can you say that? I thought we’re friends!”
“I’m telling you this exactly because we’re friends, Jeannette. Jenny, sweetheart, you need to get Sean, I’ll give Ron a call and welcome our people. If the vamps want to meet us at the weekend, they perhaps got into trouble with Princess Kaya. The rules are clearly demanding that civilians don’t get harmed. That’s most likely at Sunday morning - not even joggers will be outside and the fight will be over soon after the sun rises. So what’s wrong with following their “invitation”? Nothing can happen to us.”
“But it could be a trap!”
“Of course it’ll be a trap!” Could this girl be any more stupid? Joey wondered how Sean was able to stand her - even power, influence and wealth couldn’t make her marry Jeannette if she would be him.
“What do you want me to do? You’re a better tactician than me and you’re for a longer time a member of our gang.”
“Well, a good start would be to get Sean! Call him.”
“Thank you. I’ll do that immediately. I just have to find a phone…”
“What’s wrong with the one at the chest of drawers?”
Sean tried to pull his t-shirt over his head, get rid of his lace-up shoes, draw the blinds and talk at the same time. When the shirt’s sleeve got caught at one of the many zippers of his pants, breathing was getting difficult as well.
Lucas’ also choking because he couldn’t stop laughing at the other man’s clumsiness. What a satisfying feeling to have finally a lover who’s even more awkward than himself!
By now, he’s only having slight control of the psi’s mind - what’s the best case scenario. He’d taken the initiative, planted a few wishes in his mind and everything happening from here was his victim’s decision as much as his own. When he just wanted to feed and make a conquest, the humans were annoyed if the worst came to the worst, usually just confused - even if they preferred the other gender. So he almost could’ve forgotten that this was a plot. Almost…
The phone ringed shrill and caused another stream of extremely colourful curses from Sean Ireland. Meaning was, that he wanted to shred the poor piece of technology to pieces and the person who called into the bargain.
“Don’t answer, please”, begged Lucas and freed his hopefully soon-to-be-lover from the fabric. Instead of letting him take a deep breath, the Tiger immediately kissed him.
“But if it’s something important…?” Kiss. “Lucas, my people could be in trouble…” Kiss. “Lucas, I said…”
“Who cares?”
“I care!”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t meant it like this. They’ll be able to handle their problems alone for another few hours. All evening non of them wanted to speak to you, so why should it be something important now? besides, it’s Saturday night. That alone is excuse enough why you can’t speak to them right now. You deserve some time off, don’t you think so?”
“Hm, you’re right. When they can’t reach me here and at the cell phone, they should be able to imagine that I want to be left in peace…”
“He doesn’t answers the phone, Joey. But I’ve to do something”, whined Jeannette. “We can’t win this battle without Sean and it’s so very important that everyone sees we’re strong. Ron will surely be mad and then he perhaps sides with the other vampires and it’s all my fault!”
“Well, why don’t you search for him? Go to the dorm. Maybe he’s just downstairs or his phone’s not working. And if you can’t find him at the boarding school, search at his favourite places. The nightclub, his meeting places, look where his car’s parked… Can do you that?”
“Uh… yes, I think so. I can find Sean before the battle starts. Will you do me a favour and go already to MT?”
What stupid girl - that’s exactly what she’d advised her a few minutes before! “Yes, of course. And please hurry, Jeannette, the vamps will attack us instantly if they find out - or just suppose - that we can’t contact Sean.”
Distraught, confused, worried and with a very bad gut feeling, Jeannette Henning hurried down the hallways of the 4th floor at Venus Hotel. It didn’t meant much that Sean’s car was parked downstairs. He usually left it at the boarding school when he made a pub crawl or visited friends at London - he’s safer and faster with the tube.
Jeannette’s psychical senses weren’t developed enough to notice that a vampire was inside her boyfriend’s room, as she touched the door handle. It’s open - a very good sign. He didn’t trusted Kaya’s vampire guards to protect him from bombs and poisons of her pet gang, so Sean locked when he went away farther than next door.
For the 15 years old psi, the scene unfolded in front of her was absolutely horrifying. Her boyfriend was making out with someone else! With big, shocked eyes, she watched the man she’s loving obviously having a very good time with someone else. She couldn’t see the other person’s face - and didn’t considered thinking about the gender - but it’s clearly visible that this was more than a fun evening between old friends. Jeannette would never get a Nobel Prize and most likely not even a diploma - that didn’t meant she’d no common sense.
“Sean, how can you do that to me?!”, she screeched.
Until she screamed, Sean hadn’t noticed his girlfriend. Still under the influence of Lucas, he couldn’t see anything bad about being unfaithful to her. And her finding out about it. He didn’t loved Jeannette - he couldn’t even stand her - so there’s no problem. At least Lucas seemed to be a decent guy with higher intelligence than a gnat.
Oh, oh, seemed like he would make a beating tonight, thought Lucas. Women who’d just found out that their guy was an adulterer usually didn’t cared whether he’s earning his living this way. And he’s very tired of being the scapegoat. So the Tiger to make it a little bit easier for all of them - he slipped through Jeannette’s almost non-existent mental barriers and placed the urgent wish to leave in her mind. Before the psi newbie noticed his mental presence, he’d retreated.
Jeannette felt like she would’ve to throw her food up if she didn’t left instantly. So she banged the door shut and run down the hallway, sobbing aloud.
The minute between Lucas’ mind fully leaving him to manipulate Jeannette and his mental return was enough for Sean to regain some control of himself. He’s again under the control of Lucas, but without him knowing it, his subconscious psi mind was working at a defence.
The vampire noticed to what Sean was oblivious. Hadn’t he had the best time for years and been intoxicated by the smell of psi blood, he would’ve planned his disappearance now. Instead, Lucas softly sucked and lapped at the jugular vein full of excitement and curiousness, purring happily all the time. He’d fed of Lila before he went to the bar so it wasn’t hunger that drove his actions. The only thing keeping him from biting the willing human was his clan’s attitude to savour power. He liked to make Sean feel his power over him.
“Please, Lucas. Please?!”
“You know that I could easily kill you, don’t ya, Sean? I don’t even have to want it - the hunger could take control. We vampires are beasts of prey. The only ones who can let their prey live, granted, but sometimes the demon is too strong.” When his psi lover tried to turn his head around, Lucas growled in warning. “Don’t, if you see my real face, it would destroy the whole atmosphere.”
“But I’ve already seen vampires in their true faces. I see them almost every night.”
“This time it’s different.”
“Lucas, I can handle it. Really.”
“No, you can’t. Trust me just one time, OK?”
“I gave my body to you, I offer you my blood, that I would call trusting… And if it’s such important for you, I’ll close my eyes while we kiss.”
“Hm… sounds fair.” Lucas was careful not to scratch or bite the mortal by accident. He wasn’t sure he could keep himself from draining him and it would be almost impossible to keep a psi’s mind under control while he’s drinking from this psi. Before he could tell Sean the first part again, he’d pierced the tip of his own tongue at one of his fangs… As soon as the first drop of psi blood reached Lucas’ tongue, restraining himself and controlling Sean suddenly seemed unimportant.
Sean turned his head away, offering his throat to the vampire. “Go ahead, Lucas, please.” Like promised, he didn’t opened his eyes before cold fangs were piercing the blood vessel in his neck.
The immortal fed - against his intentions - soon for serious. It’s stupid cause Sean could regain control if his survival instinct kicked in. And considering how developed this psi’s powers were, his unlife was pretty much ended as soon as he returned to himself.
A few minutes after he’d offered his blood, exactly this happened. Within a split of a second, Sean smashed Lucas’ control over his mind - making it work like a monkey. It took him another few seconds to process what exactly was happening and how it could happen. Before the vampire fully returned to his senses, he’s kneeling at him, Lucas’ own pistol against his right temple.
“What the hell…?”
“Damn, bloodsucker! You really believed this could work?!”
“But… hey, let go of me! I give you only one single warning, Sean. And that just because I would get into trouble if I kill you. Take this gun away from my temple or I’ll do it myself. And then this whole thing becomes very painful for you…”
“You tricked me once, Lucas, not a second time!”
“Fine. Whatever you want…” Lucas opened his purple, with anger flaring, demonic eyes. This shocked the psi just long enough to snatch the gun away from him. With superhuman speed, he sat up and threw Sean at full length onto the bed. At his stomach, arms in a painful angle and face pressed into the pillows. The gun was now resting against Sean’s spine. “If you move, I’ll shoot you. Then you’ll never be able to walk again!”
“Bastard!”
“Surely I’m that. And don’t even bother to cry telepathically for help. The psis in the rooms around are all away. Good plan, isn’t it?”
“You… you’re… you’re a Tiger! And a black widow. That doesn’t makes sense…”
“Let’s just say, we Tigers can be assassins if the circumstances leave us no other way to handle a certain situation. We don’t enjoy hurting other people like Jades and Lions do, for example, and we’re never pros. But we’re the best at the job if the victims are psis. We’re the only ones who can successfully handle psis. And I won the first prize at this week’s lottery!”
“Why?”, pleaded Sean in a desperate voice. He wasn’t really sorry for himself, he’d known when he started this fight that his life would end like this. He just couldn’t understand why Lucas went this far, why he couldn’t just kill him outside the bar.
“I’m sorry, I really am. I wish we could’ve met under different circumstances”, Lucas said honestly. He didn’t even tried to hide his sadness. “And I wish I wouldn’t have been forced to do this to you. I didn’t enjoyed it, please believe me, Sean. But I was forced to do that.”
“You always had the choice to say no, Lucas! It’s your decision to take part in this stupid game and now you can’t even confess that?!”
“Choice? What choice?!”
“But…”
“Lucas, that wasn’t my decision, at least so much you could believe me! Yes, I volunteered for the job. But just because I’m the only vampire of pure and very old blood at London who’s having experience with this stuff and whom you can’t have met already. I didn’t wanted to destroy you. And it’s not like we vampires started this whole crap! You with your godforsaken racism believe you could wipe us vamps out and now you have the impertinence to say me that we shouldn’t defend ourselves! And that’s unfortunately the only way we can fight you without making you a martyr!”
“Granted, it wasn’t right to expect from you to patiently endure everything we do and say to you. But what you did was overkill. If you just would’ve tried to kill me… but you destroyed my life and possibly my kind’s future! That’s the work of a killer, maybe even a black widow.”
“That’s what I am, Sean! A killer, a monster, an unnatural being and a mean bastard, if you want to call me that. But first and foremost I’m loyal to my kind.”
“Your people have to be scared terrible if they’re ready to send a black widow to me. Now go home to your petty Princess. Tell her that I’m glad she fears me and that she can look forward to my answer.”
Lucas nodded solemnly. He resigned himself to that he wouldn’t been forgiven at the moment - like he’d already expected. The vampire heaved a sad sigh, laid the gun aside and leaned over Sean. After he’d prepared himself for an attack, he kissed the mink-haired psi.
Sean was surprised the most that he responded eagerly. Cause he could never admit this aloud and had finished with his life, he “voiced” his feeling telepathically. “I can understand that you did it, Lucas, that you’d no other choice. But I don’t understand why you didn’t just killed me outside the club.”
“I don’t want to kill you! When’s that gonna get into your thick head? If I would’ve wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t have seduced you first. Well, at least not with you being this absent-minded. It would’ve been easy to kill you instantly.”
“Uh… - ouch - okay. Ouch! Will you now please stop to dislocate my shoulder?!”
“Oops!” Lucas giggled and unintentionally intensified the pressure.
“Ouch! Damn, you idiotic, undead bloodsucker! You don’t have even a trace of brains between your ears! If you’re trying to kill me from pain, you’re doing a very good job!”
This’ very funny for Lucas. Only when a rubber and two ballpoint pens flew against his forehead painfully, he got the hint. “Oopsie! Oh, I’m really sorry, Sean, I didn’t noticed that I’m hurting you.”
“…and when you noticed it you thought it’s funny and hurt me by accident even more which you thought was even more funny”, finished Sean. Now that he knew to which clan Lucas belonged, he couldn’t be mad at the young vampire. “If you weren’t a Tiger, I would try to kill you for this. But I admire your clan just too much…” Cause Lucas got another fit of laughter, Sean looked puzzled at him. “Is there anything you don’t think of as funny?!”
“Uh… death? Yeah, death isn’t funny. Not at all. I can’t really laugh about death. But I guess that’s the only thing.”
“Then you aren’t funny, you’re just being all the time into hysterics”, commented the psi pointedly aloud. Affectionate, he run one hand through Lucas’ honey-blonde hair and made himself more comfortable at the bed. “With you, Lucas, it’s easy to forget the hostility between our kinds…”
“I feel the same way about you. Although I’m supposed to hate you because you’re my enemy. I still don’t understand why you’re hating my people so fiercely. We aren’t really bad. Among your kind are evil people and among my kind are evil people. Everyone are black sheep, that’s a part of nature. If we would be all the same, life would be way less interesting. We vampires are just different, Sean.”
“Maybe I can try to understand. But it’s very hard. I learned to hate you from my birth on, I never felt anything for vampires than hate. And it’s not right to socialize with the enemy I learned - now I know why. You could start to see the other side if you bother to get to know them. Unfortunately, I can’t change what’s done. And in this city we have to fight the vampires. It’s your kind or my kind. Somewhere else we maybe be able to live next to each other. Not at London, though.”
“Why? We never hurt you?”
“But you want our blood. You want to drain us and you want to turn all psis. That’s not a reproach, I know that vampires can’t resist that attraction. And I’ll tell you a secret: To some extent we’re also drawn to you. The problem is, we’re dead at the end and you still unliving.”
“But Princess Kaya could forbid to drain psis without being attacked. Of course you can’t understand that cause you don’t want to. And as long as you’re not powerful enough to kill all vampires at London, I don’t mind.”
The light bulb going on over Sean’s head was almost visible. “You… you just wanted Jeannette to break up with me!”, he exclaimed laughing and heaved a sigh of relief.
“Of course! Until something gets into your head…! Did you believed I was ordered to seduce you in order to kill you?”
“To humiliate me, ruin my career and my reputation. That’s what I believed.”
“Only a welcome addition. It’s not like that’s necessary if you loose Jeannette. She anyway didn’t noticed that you’re sleeping with a vampire, so shocked she was. If I’d wanted her to tell everyone you prefer undead lovers, I would’ve shown her which kind I am. But I wasn’t ordered to do that, so I didn’t.”
“Thank you.” Most likely Lucas had only had pity with him, but it’s better than nothing. “What… what will happen with my bite wound?”
“Oh, don’t worry, that heals. When we bite, we transfer a poison that makes the marks close within minutes. Only if you clean the wound it’ll heal with usual speed and little scars stay. They’ll never go away - not even if you’re turned. Pro is that for the old-fashioned clans like us, Moons and Jades, you’ll be claimed - means, you’re my property, only I can drink from you, can hurt you and turn you. For us, every non-vampire who’s allowed to live by a vamp and wears the scars is a claim.”
“Uh… okay.” Sean felt Lucas sliding his fangs again into the already closing puncture marks and sucking at his blood vessel like at a lolly. Naturally, this unsettled the psi. Not that he believed Lucas would kill him - he just didn’t liked being treated like candy. “Lucas, I need some blood for myself, ya know? And although I understand your… excitement about a psi donor, it could get difficult for me to wage war when I’m weakened from serious blood loss. You already took last time a dangerous amount of blood.”
“That’s a very nice description for almost draining you. But I told you that I can hardly control myself and you wanted to take that risk. So it’s your fault as much as mine. And I won’t feed now, promised. I just want to take a little bit of your blood cause it’s so tasty.”
“Yeah, it’s pure psi blood for seven generations.”
“Cool! But it’s not just because your blood is psi, I like yours itself. That makes any sense?”
“More or less.” Sean frowned, the uneasiness increasing. Hadn’t he distrusted vampires so much, he wouldn’t have been worried. But the mortal couldn’t forget such easily years of hate and mistrust. Next time he would buy some lollipops before he got himself a vampire lover… “Lucas, I really need this blood”, he said as resolute as he could manage, overjoyed and light-headed from the bite.
“Geez, don’t freak. I’ll give you some compensation, Sean.”
“What “compensation”? Huh? Oh… Oh…! Sorry if I wasn’t explicit, but I don’t want to become a vampire, Lucas.”
“Silly! I wouldn’t make you my Childe without you wanting it. I’ll just give you some of my blood. You’ll enjoy the taste, I enjoy someone drinking from me and when you go to school again Monday evening, the Tiger blood will have worked it’s magic already. It’s not dangerous and nobody smells it cause I’ll only give you a few sips.”
“No, I don’t think so. Drinking vampire blood’s really below the end of my list of things I want to do. No way!”
“We’ll see…”, chuckled Lucas meaningful.
Heaving a sigh of perfect happiness, Sean Ireland lapped another few drops of blood up from the crook of Lucas’ elbow. Sucking at the little wound Lucas had tore open for him, he pushed his neck against the vampire’s mouth. “No more appetite?”
Lucas chuckled softly. “Never gonna happen. I could feed from you for hours. But psi or not psi, it won’t be healthy if I replace so much of your blood with mine, Sean. And if I bite you just another time, you’ll be able to use your throat to sieve noodles!”
“Huh?” Sean ran his hands in alarm over his throat. Really he found countless bite marks around his blood vessels, some almost healed, others just made. His anger and scare disappeared when he remembered a fear of all psis. Addiction to vampire bites - a very easy caught sickness among his kind. “A….a… am I…?”
“Ssh, it’s OK. You can’t be addicted that fast. It’s just a story made up to keep young psis from becoming willing donors. It happens occasionally that psis come cause they want to experience the bite. My Sire intimidates them and sends them away. Most vampires wouldn’t refuse such an offer - and kill their victims. Psis who offer their blood to vampires are stupid and have a death wish.”
“So you think that of me?”
“Nah, it’s not dangerous with a Tiger. At least not, as long as this Tiger is from a dynasty like mine. We don’t accept black sheep.”
“What is your dynasty, Lucas?”
That’s gonna be interesting… “I’m the favourite and youngest Childe of Prince Jason, leader of the Clan of the Tiger.”
“Goodness! Just my bad luck! Of all vampires I’ve to meet the one who’s favourite of my family’s most hated enemy!”, muttered Sean.
“Enemies? Hey, Jason never told me about that. But when I think about it… he never told me anything about his enemies. Care to explain that?”
“Uh… no, that’s not such a good idea. I suppose we better should avoid each other, now that I know who you’re… it’s absolutely impossible that my family finds out I’m socializing with vampires. And if they know that I’m starting to befriend with a Childe of Prince Jason, they would kill me. And most vampires have a problem with him because he never ever accepted the presence of psis in his cities. If someone didn’t left, he killed them.”
“Yes, about that I know. I… I know pretty good about it, if you can imagine what I’m trying to tell you…”, admitted Lucas reluctant. Trying to avoid Sean’s eyes, Lucas looked out of the window. Doing that, he noticed the sky being painted in a beautiful red. “Damn! The sun’s going up and if I don’t leave soon, I’ve to stay the whole day cause I can’t get my car while mortal guards are on duty!” With a whispered spell, Lucas was dressed. “Uh… Sean…?”
“You’re loyal to your people and I’m loyal to mine. I accept and respect that decision of yours. Still I have to kill you, Lucas.”
“If that’s how you want things to be between us…” Lucas threw a last sad glance at Sean, then he went to the window. With superhuman speed, he opened it and jumped down from the fourth floor.
Sean watched the vampire leave with equally sad eyes. He regretted that this fragile first bonds of friendship had to be destroyed by the hostility of their kinds and families. For the first time, Sean’s himself a victim of a battle that raged since the dawn of time - a battle he could never end, even if he would’ve wanted to.
And in this moment, the commander of the new psi gang made the decision that he didn’t wanted it to stop. Now he’d paid the price everyone of them had to pay for surviving, now he could feel truly free of the fear that he would sometime feel something for a vampire. If he couldn’t stop this bloody game, he would become an active player of it and use it for his own advantages. Why should he suffer from something without any gain?
And still, he made another crucial decision. Pouring the contents of his water glass onto his shirt, he scrubbed the bite marks at his neck, clearing them of the poison inside. Now they would heal at usual speed and a mark would stay. This could become different to explain, but Sean wanted - almost needed - this souvenir. To certify him that this’d really happened. And about the claiming he could worry if Lucas asserted his rights…
Only at late morning, Lucas entered Castle Goldbrook with his own key. From the boarding school, he’d sent Kaya a message that the mission was accomplished and he’d lessons to attend before he came to her for a quick debriefing. The truth was, that he needed some time alone to sort his thoughts out. Otherwise, he may say something very stupid to his Princess…
“Lucas! Finally!”, shouted Kaya.
“My Princess, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t come any earlier and I don’t have much time.”
She hurried down the hallway and into their foyer, seizing her inferior up. “Boy, you’re looking awful. I don’t understand why you’re having a bruise at your forehead as well as well as blue and black scrawling and something like… rubber, but it makes you look quite miserable.”
“That’s nothing big. The only thing important is that the mission was a success and S… Ireland is still alive. Well, at least he was as I left…”
“Good. I would be very disappointed if your victim would’ve died by your hands. If Henning or his gang mates kill him, it’s not my business, though.” A malicious smirk appeared at Kaya’s face, “so you had a nice night…”
“I don’t understand what you’re implying, my Princess. I did my job and risked my life. Apart from that, the night was pretty much eventless.”
“Well, I’m sure that you can’t regret too much what you did. Cause I can smell it and you’re having that grin at your face that guys only have when they’d had a very good night. Trust me, I know this stuff cause guys always look like this with me!”
“Uh… thank you? Well, I still don’t know what’s going on. Can you please be a little bit more blunt? We Tigers don’t understand subtlety.”
“Okay, if you insist… You enjoyed yourself with Sean Ireland, Lucas!”, stated Kaya. “Admit it, young one, your whole body is reeking of him and your blood is too. There’s no way you can find an excuse for this. And it’s no secret that you’re enjoying your countless conquests!”
“Uh…” Lucas squirmed under the proving gaze. “How can you smell that?”
“This senses you’ll also have when you’re as old as me. And you don’t have to worry that your little love affair brings you into trouble with me. I mean, I’m not the one you seduced - and you never will have even the tiniest bit of a chance with me. Sean, in the contrary, has very good reasons to split your head with an axe and then feed you your own heart…”
“Thank you, you’re very understanding, Kaya!”
“Well, I’m not the one who’s in big trouble with a psi commander. You’re maybe good with your psi skills, but Sean’s as well. And he can’t become your long-time lover cause he won’t be able to feel anything for you if it’s risking his career. I don’t know how you feel about him, but you Tigers have the weakness to fall for mortals - all kinds of mortals. So I fear that your love won’t be returned - if you can even stand his presence long enough to fall in love with him. This man’s a ruthless killer, he won’t do anything that’s not bringing him any advantage.”
“Since when are you afraid my feelings could be hurt?”
“Since I need your assistance, Lucas. You won’t be of any help for me if you’re involved with my most dangerous enemy. Also, I don’t want to get into trouble with Jason. And he won’t be too pleased that his favourite Childe and occasional lover has an affair with the only remaining member of the family this decade known as Ireland and always his mortal enemies!”
“But I didn’t knew that. Just this night Sean told me that our families are hating each other - something you should’ve done. For me, it’s just a job - and then I found out that I like my victim a lot. That’s just a thing between Sean and me, not between Sean and Jason. Jason’s my Sire, I love him, I could never stop loving him - even if Sean would want me to - and that’s everything you’ve to know. Also, I don’t need a baby-sitter and it’s nothing of your business with whom I have affairs as long as you aren’t harmed by it.
And because I’m a very understanding person who likes to talk and who doesn’t wants you to be worried because of my behaviour, I’ll tell you the result of last night: We’re not having any relationship and we won’t start any relationship cause Sean Ireland isn’t willing to forget his hate for all vampires and my dynasty! He’s not interested and he wants to forget everything and I can live with that!”
“I’m sorry, Lucas. I should’ve told you. And I shouldn’t have ordered you this mission at all. Now go home. And wash your face, you’re looking ridiculous.”
“Thanks. Good night.”
“Sleep well.”
Monday night, Sean Ireland didn’t spent the time till lessons started with his gang. Instead, he told them rather harsh that he’d to take care of some business and would later talk to them. After he’d gotten rid of his kind, the psi went into Mount Olympus’ library.
In a big hall that smelled of dust, old books and stale air, seemingly endless rows of books were located. Although it seemed at first sight just like a usual school library with some free of charge internet terminals, here the purchase of new books wasn’t neglected and the students didn’t only visited if they got free candy. Also, not just world literature and boring textbooks the interested visitor could find here. Most of the books were about the undead and other surely not human creatures, their abilities, societies and customs as well as magic, civilizations so long forgotten that not even an average historian could see any use in studying them and many more strange topics.
Although with around 30 desks and reading corners - scattered over the whole three floors high library - generous seating room was offered for the students leafing through books, space ran short. Even at the floor some were crouching - and laying relaxed, if they’re Tigers or Lions. In front of the vending machines for canned drinks, hot beverages and snacks a long line was waiting.
Sean ignored the tumult and went straight to the biggest desk. Behind it, the chief librarian was sitting. A human, which he hoped to be still neutral. “Sir?”, he asked hesitantly, almost shy.
When he heard the familiar voice, Mister Berg looked up from his computer screen. “Mister Ireland, what a pleasant surprise!”, the old librarian said friendly. “How are you? I didn’t heard of you for quite some time - which’s of course understandable because of the war.”
“Uh… you’re not hating me because I’m psi?”
“Mister Ireland, I never hated anyone because he’s born into one of so many kind. It’s just fate that made me be born by a human mother, not a demoness, psi or witch, and the same way your kind is just luck. Or bad luck, however you prefer to call it.”
“Oh, I’m pretty happy with the choice fate made for me, Sir. Do you’ve got a few minutes for me? I need your advice urgently, Mister Berg… Sir. I understand that you’re having rush hour at the moment, but it’s urgent.”
“In this case, please take a seat and make yourself comfortable. Would you like a cup of coffee? We can’t go into my office because I’ve to be available for my young colleagues.”
“Of course. A cup of coffee without milk and sugar would be very nice, but I don’t want to cause you any trouble…”
“Nonsense! I always enjoyed our conversations. You’re possessing way more intelligence and cunning than most people credit you with. But who am I telling this, you’ll surely know this yourself.”
“Thank you very much. Some people told me this before, but I ranked it as flattery. From you, this compliment means a lot, Mister Berg.”
“You’re honouring me way too much, young one. Here’s your coffee.”
“Thank you.”
With unconcealed interest, Berg leaned over his desk to Sean Ireland. He couldn’t imagine anything being so urgent that the young commander would talk to him about it in public - especially who he’s such an obsessively private person. “Well, what big problem is bothering you that you’re willing to explain it to me in front of your actual and moral enemies, Mister Ireland? It’s to be something very important, I guess.”
“Uh… yes. I need to know as much as possible about claiming.”
“About claiming?! Oh, young one, you really should really not worry about the problems of the vampires. And I doubt this knowledge will be of any use for you in the war. Still I’ll gladly tell you everything I’ve learned in the last centuries and find some good books about this subject for you. In which part are you mainly interested, the claiming of vampires or of non-vampiric beings?”
“Psis beings claimed by a rather young member of a traditional, old, feminine clan with pretty much a modern society.”
“Tigers?”, whispered Berg too silently for anyone else to hear. The look of confusion and disgust at Sean’s face was all the answer he needed. “Oh, you can calm down. The Tigers would never just claim a member of your gang, nobody’s in imminent danger. As long as you don’t cross the Tiger Clan’s way and try to avoid confrontations as good as possible, you and your friends are safe. They’re setting great store by their ethical values and nobody can make them ignore them. Why don’t you return in a few nights - when I’m less busy - and I’ll till then have prepared some informations for you?”
Sean’s only response were to pull his turtleneck down and throw a meaningful glance at the librarian. If the human had only a little bit of common sense, this would be enough. He just wasn’t in the mood to explain his love life to half of the students of Mount Olympus.
Mister Berg gasped in shock. “Dear dear! That’s terrible! How…?”
“It’s a long story, can we talk somewhere else about it?”
“I’ll see what I can do. Just give me a few minutes. Till then, I’ll also have results from the computer about the best books in your case.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, I’ll just quote you the most important extracts of this texts and tell you the rest in my own words. I fear I can’t find more in the books I’ve here and will have to carry research on while you’re having lessons, so much I can already tell you, Mister Ireland. Okay, listen, teenager. Did you drank your vampire’s blood?”
“Uh… yes. Not very much, though. A cup or two.”
“Then the blood bond was established. With a mortal, the ritual isn’t necessary. Then you just need only one blood exchange instead of three to make a from all clans accepted blood bond. Within one year, your senses will develop in a way you never would’ve thought possible. Your night sight, strength and hearing will enhance slightly, you’ll be able to smell and taste better, your gut feeling and your psi abilities will be sharpened.”
“Cool!”
“Yes, but there’re also cons - like with everything in life or unlife. Maybe a Master or Prince can already smell the vamp blood in you. If they don’t, they’ll surely if you ever drink again from your vamp. No sane vamp will touch you anymore - which can become unnerving cause they’ll do a hell of an effort to avoid you. Maybe you get slightly sensitive to sunlight and evolve vamp characteristics like a minor lower body temperature. This effects will wear off within the next years, but you’ll forever stay a claim. What you did you can’t ever change, Mister Ireland.”
“I understand. Well, more or less. What about the right L… this vampire has over me?”
“Your claimer is owning your life, your very existence. He can beat you, drain you, sell you and kill you - whatever he pleases. The important point is that he won’t do it. A mortal doesn’t has as much responsibilities and duties as a vampire claim. But you never shall forget that you don’t own yourself anymore. If he wants to, he can remind you of this in every way he thinks of as appropriate. Most likely that’ll be stalking, waiting and sending for you, moving temporary in with you, asking you to wear a tattoo… The symbolic meaning is important, not the way it’s shown with.”
“So he can also do nothing?”
“Exactly. It’s his choice. If this vampire didn’t wanted you to become his claim, we can suppose that he’ll only take care of his compulsory duties and this mostly at a symbolic level.”
“Can he make me stop the war or betray my kind?”
“Not without you not wanting him to. It’s possible that you subconsciously already submitted to him and now desire his command. Then you’ll be very happy to oblige him - even if he’s not having this power about you. For Tigers, it’s mainly about what both of you want, not what your claimer wants. If you learn to stand in for your opinion and needs - even if he’s scaring you - you’ll have a good time and won’t regret your decision till the end of your - most likely very long - existence. And your friends don’t have to find out. That’s only your decision. Well, and your vampires’… More I really can’t help you, Mister Ireland. Now it’s your turn…”
“I understand. And you helped me already a lot. From now I can handle things myself.”
“Good. Have a nice night.”
“Thanks, the same to you.” Just then, Sean heard the school bell ringing. He smiled again half-heartedly at the chief librarian and went slowly to the exit.
“I wonder what the future will bring…?”
The End
Sequel is Book 6, Past - Present - Future (Or: Once upon a time)
Artemis' FanFiction