Prologue: Return of the Master

Steel-toed boots click-clacked on the tiles of the empty hallway as the stand-in Master made his way down to the main office. It was nearly night time and the building was just beginning to come alive, although it had been a cloudy day and there hadn't been a genuinely good reason not to begin the business day early. It wasn't like the lower officers actually needed the sleep; they usually spent their 'rest' time gambling and having a 'good time' with their mistresses.

Marco and Ilias were already in the main administrative room, waiting for him to return from his daytime outing. The underboss grinned darkly, pleased by their obedience. Even though he knew with a stab to his pride that they only obeyed because of the legacy of their administration's previous Master, all he cared about was the obedience factor. He didn't really care how they got to listening to his orders – as long as they did. As the previous advisers to the supposed-dead Master, they were compliant with him as the temporary Master. Soon he would become the newest Master; after ten years of the actual Master's absence.

But ten years was nothing. After centuries of his rule, the minor ten-year departure could mean one of two things; he had been killed, which was unlikely; or he had abandoned the business, which was even more unlikely. So, going with the most likely option, he was assumed dead and in three nights' time, the anniversary of the previous Master's disappearance, Sid would rise to become the next boss of the underworld's mafia.

Finally he reached the end of the hallway and opened the door to the office. Marco and Ilias were sitting in their designated chairs, Ilias to the left smoking a cigarette, and Marco to the right filling out one of the many forms that were to be signed for their attorney's benefit. They both stood up when Sid entered, nodding their heads in acknowledgment of his presence.

"Hello, Marco, Ilias. How was your hunt?"

"It went well," Marco said in his deep voice. Marco had been turned later on in life and was a relatively elderly specimen. "I do enjoy draining those young children."

Ilias, a younger version of Marco, replied in his higher-pitched voice, "Yes, very well. I found a handsome boy, perhaps 17 or 18, and he was a good snack…and a good fuck."

It was well known that Ilias was a gay as they came, one of the few gays that were allowed to work in the business. Normally the Master wouldn't allow such personas to work for him, but Ilias was known for his dark mind and his renowned ability to find victims. He had been more of an adviser to the previous Master for clearing out obstacles in his way and Marco was more for handling business and negotiations.

Sid inwardly wrinkled his nose at Ilias. He had never been fond of the younger adviser, but the Master had been impressed with Ilias's talents and kept him around. Once Sid was the new Master, he would have Ilias 'replaced' as his first decree.

"Good," Sid replied. "I'm glad to hear it." He directed his comment towards Marco. "Now, how are things going with Judge Scotts? I would hope that she's cooperating quite enthusiastically, seeing as her family is on the verge of being massacred."

"No, the woman is still fighting back, I'm afraid," Marco responded. "I'm thinking that we pick off the children first – then she can see her husband suffer, too. Besides, it's more fun that way."

Sid allowed a tick of a smile to animate his face. "Well said, Marco. If she refuses one more time, I'll let you take your pick of the litter. You can let those who have been watching over the Scotts to have a taste, too."

Ilias piped up. "I also think that we should step it up a notch with the mayor. He's resisting the money, so I figure that his only relative left should be taken out to prove that we're serious."

"And who might that relative be?"

"His brother, Eugene Wetherfeld. He's a relatively well-known musician in the city. Been to rehab a couple of times and claims to be clean now, but a relapse and a successful 'suicide' would not only destroy the mayor's chances at reelection but would also leave him all alone in the world…what a wonderful sob story." Ilias chuckled.

Sid couldn't help but appreciate Ilias's dark mind, even though he disliked him. However, he gave no sign that he valued his opinion and simply nodded at him.

"Then everything is set. If both Judge Scotts and Mayor Wetherfeld agree and follow through with their commitments, then we will be able to successfully release the rest of those arrested in that bar brawl. Not that they deserve to be freed, but we can't have them spilling anything, either. Besides, they must be awfully hungry by now."

"One of them was accused of murdering a cellmate, though," Marco said darkly. "He couldn't last and wait until his cellmate was asleep."

"Then we'll let him starve to death," Sid replied simply. "There's no reason to save those who endanger us."

Marco nodded in understanding. Sid went over to the chair behind the desk around which Marco and Ilias sat. He casually put his feet up on the table and motioned for Ilias to pass him a cigar from the case near the edge of the desk.

"So, with all that taken care of, what other business should be addressed?" Sid asked before lighting up the cigar. He took a light puff of it and then turned to face Marco.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Sid glanced at the older adviser and Marco stood up to open the door.

As soon as the knob was turned, in burst a frantic officer of the lower ranks. His face was drenched in sweat and he had a terrified look in his eyes. He was one of the human soldiers, easily distinguishable from those of the higher ranks. Humans had only recently been hired to work for the business since the former Master left. Sid knew that he would never tolerate humans in the business – but they were more cost-effective and easily disposed of if need be.

Before the officer could speak, Sid raised a hand for silence. "Calm down. I don't want to hear any nonsense."

The officer took a deep breath prior to continuing, satisfying Sid greatly. He preferred nothing above being obeyed. That much was obvious to him and most others around him who had been in general contact with him since the Master had left. As soon as he became Master, Sid would be most pleased – it would mean that he would experience more power than ever before.

"All of the other officers in my department have been murdered."

Marco and Ilias seemed to freeze in time, and even Sid couldn't help but blink his eyes in astonishment. That was before he regained composure and was levelheaded enough to find out more.

"And what department was that?"

"That was the department of human officers," Ilias replied, still partially stunned. The panicked human looked confused, eyes questioning the three higher-ups. He began to open his mouth in a question before Marco aimed a glare in his direction, quieting the officer.

Sid turned to the confused human. "You're sure they're all dead?"

"Yes, boss."

"And do you have any idea what the cause of death was?"

The human officer shuddered. "I-I don't know. I was packing up to go home, and when I returned to the office to pick up my keys everyone was…slaughtered."

"Ilias, send two guards to go see what happened. I'll be down shortly to see the carnage myself."

Marco waved the officer away before frowning and turning to Sid. "Are you sure about that? Whatever killed those humans is obviously not human itself."

Sid frowned back. "You don't think that I became the underboss because I was weak, do you? I'm sure I can handle anything that comes my way. If not, I always have the guards there who will be able to defend me."

Marco nodded in understanding.

Ilias turned to Sid. "If you don't mind, I'll be hanging back. We wouldn't want anyone to get any ideas now that our entire human department is murdered."

Sid silently agreed and turned back to Marco. "Let's go."

Just as they were about to leave the room, a terrified scream echoed down the hallway. The cry of fear was abruptly cut off and a thump resounded as a body hit the floor.

Sid suddenly noticed as familiar scent from the hallway. Marco had obviously detected it too and hurried forward, almost blindly.

The underboss followed forward, more carefully than Marco. He was apprehensive of this new event and not quite sure what to think of it.

However, as Sid continued forward, the scent was unmistakable. He heard Marco say in overwhelming excitement, "Master Dante! You've returned!" The adviser bowed his head in acknowledgment of the powerful Master and turned to the unhappy Sid.

"He's returned!" Marco exclaimed. His joy at the return of Master Dante made it all too obvious that at least one of the advisers had preferred the previous Master to Sid.

"Yes," came a deep voice. His tone darkened as he took a step forward to address Sid. "It seems you have overstepped the boundaries of your position. Hiring humans to do our dirty work in the mere ten years I was absent? Tsk, tsk, I would have expected more from you."

Sid blanched. Yes, he had hired the humans because he had wanted to display his newfound power, but he hid that under the guise of 'needing more throwaways'. But for the Master to have seen that, even with the years he had been gone, meant that he knew his right-hand man a little too well.

"I-I-" Sid's mouth worked itself but never came to a sturdy answer.

Master Dante raised an eyebrow at Sid's lack of composure and frowned when the underling could still not come up with a good excuse. With inhuman speed, the Master was suddenly in the underboss's face, a strong hand wrapped around Sid's throat.

"It's too bad suffocation won't kill you," Dante hissed malevolently. "It seems too kind to just break your neck."

Sid began to flail, forgetting his vow to always obey the Master of the business. He fought against the Master's tight grip, but before he could get the upper-hand it was all done with a single crack!

Ilias appeared in the hallway. "Oh, good. You're back," he said appreciatively. "That Sid was getting annoying, anyhow."

"Have someone set him on fire, or he just might wake up," the Master ordered. Marco pulled out his cell phone and dialed a quick number.

Master Dante allowed the body to crumple to the floor as Marco negotiated having Sid's body taken away for cremation.

"Funny," said Ilias as he, Marco, and the Master began to walk towards the main office. "He was pushing to become the new master in a few days."

Master Dante scoffed. "Yes, of course. A creature as power-greedy as someone like him would expect to push the date forward a bit. It was fifteen years before I replaced Master Azel. But the chances were higher that I would proclaim to the world that vampires exist than I would allow him to fill such a coveted position, ten years or ten thousand."

Ilias and Marco both laughed heartily as the doors closed behind them.