Chapter 20: Guards

They came out of the tomb a couple of minutes later and Nate couldn't be happier.

The heavy weight on his chest, the one that's been there for the last three thousand years has finally lifted. All because he's now reunited with the woman who was supposed to be with him in the first place.

Oh before he forgot. "I've got people I want you to meet. Now, I'm not sure that when you meet them, you wouldn't deck me."

"Why's that?"

Why indeed. "Just come with me."

She followed him without any question to the throne room where Montoya was killed.

She hesitated before going in.

"I wish I could erase from your mind what you witnessed that night… I regret now involving you in killing him." Nate said with regret.

Teye took a deep breath.

"You've always had a kind heart. Even to those who hurt you… I'm not criticizing you. It is an asset." He supplemented.

"I suppose I should learn not to feel sorry for those who deserve it…"

Nate could only nod as they stood in front of the four chairs.

"You can come out now." He ordered seemingly into the darkness.

Quin came out from the darkness first, then kneeled with one knee in front of Nate and Teye.

After him came out from the darkness, Sophie and Selee. Both kneeled with one knee behind Quin.

"Who are they?" She asked him.

"The Chalice Coven Court is able to govern the vampire race because we have certain help. These people act as we need them to be… As bodyguards, as our researchers, they even dispense our judgments for us… We call them the CHALICE GUARDS."

Quin stood up and Nate started to introduce him. "This is Quin, he's my Guard."

Quin bowed from the waste. "My Lady." He then knelt again.

On Teye's face, Nate could see that she didn't know what to make of the formality. "Uhm, nice to meet you too."

Sophie and Selee stood up next. "These are Sophia…" Sophie bowed her head. "And Selena…" Selee did the same.

"Uh, nice to meet both of you."

"My Lady." Both said in unison before kneeling again.

"Uh, Teye?" Teye looked to him. "I've been having them watch you for me."

"What?!" She looked at him sternly.

Despite her small stature, Nate had to take a step back. She'll make a great vampiress, if she ever decide to become one.

"Remember we had that fight? I had to guarantee, at least to myself, that you'll always be safe even though I'm not there…" He reasoned to defend himself.

The anger in his Teye's eyes softened for a bit and her shoulders sagged. "You had them protect me in your place?"

"Yes. I just realized then that I was in love with you and it had nothing to do with how I felt about you when we were in Egypt."

She looked at the two women at her feet. "Can I still have my time? You know… To myself?"

"Of course you can. They're trained to make it look like they're not there except only when you need them. So you want them to investigate something for one of your stories, they'll get the facts you need…"

In her eyes, Nate saw that Teye was debating the possibilities. "Okay, you two can stay." She finally said after a minute or two. "But I want my me time and help with my job at the station."

"Yes, My Lady." The two replied.

"If I may speak." It was Sophia.

"Yes?" To Nate, it looked like the sisters uncovered something while following Teye around.

"What is it?" Teye asked.

"My Lord, my Lady, we aren't the only ones following you."

So, his suspicions were right all along.

- o -

"Do they suspect something?" He asked his subordinate.

"No sir."

"Good."