Author: catstark

From Protector of the Grey House:

Diana helped her rinse her hair then helped her out of the tub. Vincent watched with jealousy as the healer dried his woman off with a large towel, steps away. He crossed his arms, and balled his hands into fists. Though he wanted to reach out and grab her, there was business to take care of first. Vincent stared at his woman instead, and ground his teeth with impatience as he waited for her to acknowledge him. Diana left before Natalia said a word.

“Did you need something?” She looked at him sidelong, barley turning toward him.

“I have to speak with you.”

“About what?” She took the hair dryer and plugged it in. She turned it on low to continue talking undisturbed. She felt sleepy, and calm, and wanted nothing more than to lie on her bed and drift in her thoughts.

“I just finished a conversation with Lorraine.” His eyes traced Natalia’s body, as he wished he had time.

“Your sire?” She sighed and turned off the dryer. She finally faced him, her calm still fully intact. “What’s going on?”

“I have to go. She needs my help.”

“How long?” She stepped in front of him and let the towel drop from around her torso.

He ground his teeth, closed his eyes, and squeezed his fists tighter. It was becoming increasingly difficult not to throw her down on the floor and have his way with her. He just didn’t have the time. “I leave tonight and stay no more than three nights.”

Natalia reached out and caressed his closed fist. He opened his eyes when he heard her gasp. “What did you do?”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent’s fingers drummed quicker, annoyed at the truth in Joseph’s simple words, and at his own jealousy. His thoughts stopped as he understood he had made a decision regarding Natalia. He looked away from Joseph, toward the door, then looked back. He stood.

“We’re done.”

Vincent left the room as Joseph nodded. The vampire headed up the stairs quickly but stopped at the sitting room door. He composed himself and walked in slowly. He continued on to his bedroom and found Natalia. She stood at the window, her back to the door. Vincent leaned against the doorframe and wondered at his woman’s thoughts. She hadn’t heard him and therefore stayed at the window; the curtain slightly open.

 “Natalia.”

She drew in a deep breath and turned at the sound of his voice. He frowned slightly at the look on her face. She did, in fact, look remorseful. “Hello.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent glared and allowed Joseph to leave. Rebecca looked him in the eye one last time, nodded and left as well. Vincent took a moment to compose himself and left the study. Outside the door stood Anthony.

“When he joined, did you remove traces of his life?”

“Don’t I always?”

Vincent raised an eyebrow.

Anthony gave him a steady look, then added, “We know where more are, if needed.”

Vincent shook his head. “Not yet. We may not stay in the area long enough to need more. Rebecca and Charlie are enough, for the moment.”

Anthony nodded and the men moved toward the library. A human stood outside the closed doors. Vincent frowned. “Yes?”

“Sir, one of your guests from last night stayed up all day and drank from as many of us as possible. He took more than he should have from all of us.”

“Where is he now?”

“In his room.”

Vincent nodded. “Were his actions recorded?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tell Mierka to kill him.”

The human nodded and walked away. Vincent turned to Anthony and raised an eyebrow at the look on the younger vampire’s face.

“You didn’t ask the vampire’s name.”

Vincent turned his head, walked to the double doors and placed his hands on the knobs. “If that were important, the human would have said his name.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

“She did not set out to betray you. She was controlled by a powerful item. One we have seen take over others previously. It took the ring a long time to find her. To avoid future issues, I removed certain other items and placed them into Anthony’s holdings.”

Vincent nodded. His hand was near his mouth which helped to hide his reactions.

“Are you satisfied?”

Before he could answer, the intercom buzzed. He narrowed his eyes and reached for the answer button. “This is not good timing.”

“Lilly is back with her new apprentice.”

Vincent looked to Joseph. “Send her to me.”

When the intercom clicked off, Joseph went to the door and opened it. Once the ladies were in the room, Joseph closed the door and stood out of the way.

“Lilly.”

“Good evening, Vincent. This is Diana. Diana, this is Vincent LeGris. He’s our benefactor.”

Vincent looked the new healer up and down then let his eyes move back to Lilly. “She’s young.”

Lilly nodded. “Though she is young, she knows the arts well. She comes from a family of healers and has been studying the arts from birth. She is worthy of Natalia. Is she awake? I would like the ladies to meet.”

“She’s in our bedroom. You may leave.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent stared at Anthony for a long time before he spoke again. “Did the ring call to anyone as it melted?”

“There has been no news of anyone throwing themselves into the furnace.”

“How do you know it didn’t spread the monk’s will to all the metal in the furnace?”

“That will be fairly easy to find out, Vincent.” He stated this as if he spoke to an infant.

Vincent narrowed his eyes. “I don’t appreciate your attitude.”

“It was not a good question, and you know it. We know that destroying artifacts breaks them and does not spread their magic.”

Vincent continued to glare at Anthony.

Anthony glanced to his side as both men heard a buzz. He looked back to his boss. “I have a meeting soon.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia shook her head. “Good. Now that you have more to think about, perhaps you’ll change your mind about me.”

“That remains to be seen. What else do you remember?”

“Does it really matter? You have the information you need to make a decision, don’t you? I wasn’t in my right mind. That ring took me over. Do you really believe I betrayed Vincent?”

He stopped pacing and stood quietly for a moment, then looked her way. “I will only tell Vincent my decision.”

“As if he’s not watching from the security room.”

Anthony shook his head. “I will only tell Vincent.”

Understanding descended upon her and she nodded. Natalia finished the brandy, stood, and placed the glass on the desk. “That sounds like I can leave then.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

“You think you’re too good to be a vampire?”

“Never said that.” Natalia circled with Lorraine, glad for the moment to assess her target and allow for tactics. She already knew of two things she could try, one if she were quick enough, which she wasn’t, and one she would do if she were desperate, which she was.

“So why not allow him to change you?” Lorraine continued to circle slowly.

“He will. When I’m ready.” She readied herself for her opportunity, which would present itself shortly.

“Has anyone informed you it isn’t your choice?”

Natalia frowned. “Everything in life is a choice.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

“Tell me another, weaver of tales.” He growled into her neck, to chill her jugular. She shivered in anticipation, and desired his bite. She cried out in frustration when he pulled away and sat back down on the seat. She glowered at him as she propped herself up on her arms.

“Which is it, Vincent? You act as if you’re going to ravish me despite my predilections against it at this time. Then warn me against enticing you.”

He gave her a hyena smile from his seat. She shivered: prey caught in a predator’s lair. “I plan on worshipping you, love, but I still would prefer waiting until we were in our bedroom, as there is more space.”

She glared at him. “You’re toying with me.”

“Perhaps.” He held his hand out to her and helped her up. She gave him an angry look as she sat next to him and crossed her arms. She had never seen him in such a mood. Generally, he was more predictable, and only changed his mind once per night. Currently his mood and mind seemed to be changing within seconds.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Annoyed beyond reason, Edwin stormed over to Natalia. He stopped ten feet away from her, confusion evident on his face. “Who dares call me out, at my party, in my house?”

Natalia twisted the sword in her hand as he advanced. Light glinted off the steel and she smiled. It would be a pleasure to kill this one. Too bad she had to leave him for Vincent. “Natalia Mirela Liliana Dveski. Protector of House LeGris. I demand you leave this city and turn over control to your betters or face me and die.”

Edwin stared at her, then started laughing. “On whose authority do you order the Captain of this city to do anything, human?”

“She’s already told you who she speaks for. Weren’t you listening, you malodorous twit?”

All turned to see Vincent leaning against the table. He looked rather relaxed and in control. His attitude seemed to suggest he was in his home dealing with a disobedient child.

“You use a human to challenge my rule? What absurdity is this?” Edwin tried to intimidate Vincent with his tone of voice. “If she kills me, it means nothing. You can’t be Captain if a Slayer kills me. My first lieutenant would receive the honor.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia watched her lover come into the room and wondered at the look on his face. It was a surprise to see all the people present. Natalia went straight to Rebecca, as she knew she could ignore the rest of the room if she spoke with her friend. As Vincent caught her eye, she felt the peace that had crept over her while she talked to Rebecca try and slip away. She held onto it. If the feeling left, her stress and headache would return. She took a deep breath and continued her conversation with Rebecca. The Alpha wolf was explaining how the dynamics of her family worked. It seemed that due to the pact they made with Vincent, it was easier for Rebecca’s parents to raise the twins. Rebecca’s grandfather raised her and her brother. They continued the conversation as Natalia tried to ignore the look on her man’s face.

Vincent stood silently and allowed the tension in the room grow. He watched patiently while Anthony nodded to Joseph then went to join Julia, who stood with the other vampires. Vincent stepped forward, crossed his arms behind his back and waited for silence. It didn’t take long. The room was thick with anticipation. All under his protection were present. The only creature that didn’t know something was amiss was Natalia.