Chapter 1 Chapter

　　It didn’t take a genius to work out that Alessandro De Luca was batshit crazy.

　　With a raised brow, Marcus turned away from the floor to ceiling windows to eye his father and then the lifeless body at his feet. A pool of blood was rapidly forming around it as it gushed from the large hole in the neck. He felt his teeth tingle as the intoxicating scent hit him, forcing him to turn away from the temptation.

　　“Don’t judge me,” Alessandro snapped. “I said I wanted creases on the sleeves of this shirt, this fucking ingrate should have listened.”

　　His father kicked the body with enough force to send it flying across the room.

　　His first thought was the blood would stain and he would have to hire professional cleaners to get rid of the metallic, delicious scent. His second thought was he now had to go through all the trouble of disposing of the body without being seen. He didn’t trust Cleanup not to report the killing. And that meant he was going to be late to meet Aidan.

　　Since the truce had been called after the Great War, it was against the law to kill a human without good reason. It would do no good to remind his father of this. He was an Elder and had therefore been present when the Council had decided on the new laws.

　　“How long will our guests be here?” he asked Alessandro.

　　He looked away from the view of Scarlet City again to look around the opulent penthouse suite, his sharp eyes not missing a thing. He had already scanned the area within a two mile radius of the hotel many times. Everyone he sensed was either human or cleared to be in the area. The hotel was owned by one of their own so it had been no trouble to ensure there were no bookings besides the ones he had personally approved. Two human maids were quietly unpacking in one of the bedrooms probably unaware of their friend’s demise while a vampire bodyguard stood just inside the entrance door. The guard’s eyes were glued on the mess that had left a trail of blood across the room and landed right next to him, but he had been in Alessandro’s service long enough to know not to react. He knew two more guards stood outside and the whole building was swarming with members of his League, a special sect of the army known throughout the realm for their systematic ruthlessness.

　　It had been his job to assemble only the best security, a lot of whom he’d called in from their posts around the country. They would handle any situation discreetly, professionally and with all their inhuman skills and strength. It still did nothing to abate the nagging in the back of his head.

　　“We’ll leave just after the Council meeting. Make sure you have everything in place by then.”

　　Great. A whole two weeks with a bunch of fucking sitting ducks.

　　He watched Alessandro De Luca wipe the blood from his mouth and hands before he poured himself a shot of whiskey into a crystal glass. The offending white shirt now lay useless in the pool of blood. Alessandro moved gracefully to the black leather sofa, straightening his black silk robe like he hadn’t just killed a man. He had always walked like that, like he didn’t give a shit about anything – which, of course, he didn’t. That was probably one of the reasons why a lot of his enemies underestimated him. That plus the fact that he looked like a harmless twenty-five year old boy with nothing to offer but his good looks. Had Alessandra been born in this generation he would probably have been a movie star. He was a tall blond with the killer baby blue eyes, the only consensus to his Italian heritage in this century being his name. He had lost the accent even before Marcus had been born. He grew or cut his hair depending on his mood and had even been known to put strange colours in it. At the moment his hair was colour-free and tied at the back in a neat ponytail, a sure sign of how serious this meeting was.

　　His father picked up a file from the table, a report from one of his deputies that was among the many he had to read before the meeting. Alessandro had never been one for paperwork. It was highly likely he would only read one or two before he passed them down.

　　And it was likely he was going to be the unfortunate recipient of his father’s work load, even though he was already in charge of more than three-quarters of his father’s business empire.

　　“Yes, sir.”

　　The Elders hadn’t met since the war had ended. Having them all under one roof in this hotel now with rumour of the truce coming to an end was a very bad idea, no matter how heavily secured and how much power the occupants had. Then to have the whole Council, all the leaders of the species they would soon be at war with, was an even worse idea. Any fool could have told them that.

　　“Maybe you should stay somewhere else,” he suggested. “You could use my apartment at headquarters. It’s just as secure and not likely to get attacked.”

　　The last thing he wanted was to have his father anywhere in his space, even though he hardly used that apartment. But his first duty lay with his family so he had to protect his father.

　　“We’re not likely to get attacked here either, Marcus.”

　　“With all due respect, we’re in a fucking glass building that’s thirty storeys high, and at the brink of war. This isn't the best tactical decision. Forgive me for not sharing your optimism.”

　　Even with all the extra security the witches had erected, if there was an attack not many of them would come out of it intact. If some of them survived, it would take a long time for them to heal, and they would lose before the war had even begun.

　　Alessandro put the paper down and trained his icy gaze on him. It was meant to intimidate him and it worked. Though he looked like a mere boy, Alessandro had more power in his little finger than a lot of males combined, himself included. And he was never afraid to use it. In his five hundred years, he’d earned his place among the Elders in the most gruesome fashion.

　　“Are you questioning our judgement, Marcus?”

　　His father crossed his legs and looked at him squarely in the eye. Alessandro would think nothing of condemning him to death, even though he held a valuable position both in the family and among their people. Family meant nothing in his father’s world. It was only respect and loyalty that mattered to him.

　　He bit down on his jaw.

　　“No, sir,” he answered carefully.

　　Alessandro smiled, a boyish smile that didn’t quite light up his eyes. Like the psychopath he was. The danger had passed. When tensions were high like they were now his father was very unpredictable and dangerous, as proven by the body lying on the floor.

　　The file was flung to the end of the chair. Alessandro stood up and joined him by the windows.

　　“So," Alessandro started with that grin again. "Two weeks before you start breeding. Isn’t it exciting?”

Chapter 2 Chapter

　　He threw his father a frown. Exciting? He would do his duty; he would fuck whichever female was brought to him until his seed was planted. That was his main purpose as a born vampire: to bear an army as enhanced as he was so they remained dominant. Turned vampires were not as strong, and they didn't get any special abilities. The newer ones also couldn't stand too much sunlight. Before the war had outed them to humans, there had been hardly any turnings, Then the war started and strategic mass turnings became a requirement to acquire soldiers to aid their efforts. He would order his men to do that again if required, even though the truce with the humans forbade it.

　　So yes, he would do his duty. But would he get excited about it? No.

　　He was lucky he had not yet been called to do this because his talents were required elsewhere. Unlike his older brother. He’d lost track of how many children Mario had. Some of them were even older than he was, because Mario had been so eager to participate in this twisted program. Damn psychopath, just like their father. He didn’t even know half their names. Did all of them have enhanced abilities? They must have. There must be a lot of demented mini Marios and Alessandros wrecking havoc somewhere in the world or he wouldn’t also be forced into this situation, ready to donate his seed for the good of his people. Like a fucking baby making factory.

　　He felt the distaste building up again but squashed it down so his father wouldn’t sense it.

　　Alessandro put his arm around him and grinned.

　　“You really are the most boring son a man could ask for, do you know that? How can the thought of fucking a female in heat with her blood flowing through you not turn you on?”

　　He’d obviously failed to hide his feelings. He would have to do better next time. He’d had centuries to perfect his reactions towards his father, so whatever trickle of emotion that Alessandro had felt was a huge failure.

　　“I prefer to pick my own females, Father.”

　　It was a statement he had repeated too many times in the past.

　　“Don’t call me that,” Alessandro frowned.

　　“Sorry, sir.”

　　Alessandro was a little bit sensitive about the fact that he had peaked at twenty five. He, on the other hand, had peaked at thirty. Not only did he look older than his father, he’d made sure his physique was fitting for the role he knew he had to play. It also helped that he was six five to his father’s five eleven.

　　“You will go through the whole process, Marcello.”

　　Marcus didn’t flinch. His father only used his birth name to convey how serious he was. Defying him would mean certain death.

　　“And before you start on the virtues of modern medicine and artificial insemination, you know it doesn't work like that,” Alessandro continued.

　　“I understand, sir. I’m ready. I won’t let you down.”

　　His father seemed satisfied with that answer. Marcus had always done as he was told, and he would keep doing it until he died. Or Alessandro died. Whichever came first.

　　“Now clean this shit up. And get me another shirt,” Alessandro said. He turned away to walk towards the bedroom. “Make sure it has fucking creases.”

　　The door closed behind his father and he let out a breath. This man would be the death of him, he was sure. He looked at the mess on the floor and then at his watch. He had no time for this shit, but it had to be done. It was his duty to make sure Alessandro was happy while he was here, or everyone in Scarlet City would understand why he was referred to as the Mad King.

　　The two humans exited quickly from the bedroom, probably at Alessandro’s command. He had been a pain the past few weeks before he had even travelled to Scarlet City so he could only imagine what his staff had gone through. They were lucky he hadn’t killed them, too.

　　As he thought that, the girls saw the man on the floor and stopped in their tracks. One of them froze. The other’s lips started quivering, as if she was about to scream.

　　He let out a breath.

　　He really had no time for this shit.

　　“Come here,” he ordered.

　　At the sound of his voice the girls jumped nervously. They looked from him to the body and back again. But they didn’t move.

　　He tipped his head to the side and repeated firmly, “Come here.”

　　Though his father was known for his madness, his own ruthlessness was legendary. He never ever had to repeat himself. These humans should have known that.

　　This time the maids scurried to do as he said but he could smell the fear on them a mile off. It was good that once in a while they were reminded of just how dangerous the world they’d chosen to be a part of was. It wasn’t all fun and games. It wasn’t all orgies and pretty jewellery.

　　“Look at me,” he ordered.

　　Both were pretty little blue-eyed blondes; Alessandro’s type. He could only imagine what else his father made them do as part of their employment.

　　“What was his name?” he asked.

　　“J-James,” one of them replied meekly.

　　“James is not dead. He’s gone away,” he said softly. “He’s indicated for a while now that he wasn’t happy.”

　　He made sure he kept eye contact, first with one then the other. Their irises dilated as he spoke.

　　“Do you understand?”

　　“Yes,” they answered.

　　“He’s been working very hard and was not satisfied in Alessandro’s service. He left. If his family asks for him, let them know.”

　　“Okay.”

　　“Go downstairs and take a break. Have something to eat.”

　　He broke the contact and watched the girls walk out without another look at the mess on the floor. Not many vampires could compel more than one person at a time, but he had been able to do that even before he had peaked.

　　With another irritated breath, he looked at the dead man. Day one of his father’s visit, and he was already hiding bodies. James. James who probably had a family somewhere. He would have to find out, and take care of any loose ends if he had to. Whether it was to compel them, give them money or kill them was a problem for another day. Right now he had to move the body if he was going to make it out of the building in time. He had to somehow make it disappear from a building full of ancient vampires who would probably smell the blood the second he opened the door. Then he’d call the human cleaners, not the usual Cleanup service, and use his persuasion on them so they wouldn’t call the police. It wouldn’t be the first time.

　　The things he did for this family.

Chapter 3 Chapter

　　Danielle waited at the edge of the forest, waiting for the danger she sensed to pass. She could hardly hear anything above her loud, erratic heartbeat. It had been like this all week while she had staked out the place. Patrols had increased, the vampires meaner looking than the ones she had previously seen. Everyone in town, human or otherwise, knew something important was about to happen.

　　It had been a risk coming here but the choice had been taken from her hands. It was too late to travel to another town now.

　　The full moon peeked through the branches and leaves of the large trees above, like it was mocking her. Her wolf prowled impatiently, but she firmly pushed her back. She couldn’t afford to give over her control, not now. She could pick up howls far away, as all the wolves felt the call of the moon but thankfully they were very far away. It would be a death wish to be in vampire territory tonight, even for a strong pack such as hers.

　　The danger passed as the patrol car rounded the corner and she quickly emerged from the forest, keeping to the shadows and using all her senses. She had to take deep breaths to try to calm herself down. The sound of her heart would be like a beacon to any bloodsuckers nearby.

　　You know this but you’re still going.

　　She ignored the wolf to concentrate on her surroundings.

　　It didn’t take long to get to the road, which was brightly lit up as it served as the boundary to the city. Even on a good day she would never have crossed this boundary, would never even have strayed so far from her pack’s territory. She sped across the road and started running up the brightly lit street adjacent to it, just as she had practiced a couple of times. Even that road was brightly lit for easier patrols but not many people ventured this far out of town anyway. She would stand out if another patrol car came back down the road she had crossed if she was still anywhere near here. Her calculations suggested that would be in another minute.

　　Scarlet City was vibrant and densely populated but this side of town was mostly old warehouses and factories. In werewolf territories it would be the other way round - the land near the forests would be bursting with people as most wolves preferred to be closer to nature. But among the vampires, even with her speed, it would take her some time to reach the crowds of humans enjoying the nightlife so she could blend in.

　　When her senses pricked her she found a big dumpster to hide behind. Not many vampires ventured too far from the safety of their compound so she knew it would be another patrol car. Kira, her wolf wanted out, wanted to snap her teeth around her enemy’s throat as she had done too many times in the past. It saddened her that this was all her wolf knew. War and death. Unimaginable pain.

　　Calm, girl. You know why we have to be here.

　　Her wolf knew but she still didn’t understand. This wasn’t a punishment, but the guilt she felt now as the wolf retreated made her feel as if it was.

　　Or we could just turn around and re-join the pack for the ceremony.

　　She ignored Kira and concentrated on sensing the guards. It sounded like they had stopped but she wasn’t sure if they had come out of their vehicle. Had they smelt something? The witch had told her the potion would hide her scent as long as she used it everyday. Though wolves and witches didn’t really get along, they much preferred each other to the arrogant vampires. Dani really hoped this meant they could at least trust each other.

　　When the vehicle drove on, she let out a breath of relief but still waited until she was absolutely sure there wasn’t a vampire patrolling on foot before she left the cover of the dumpster and sped through the streets again. Eventually she joined a small group of lively humans heading to the centre of the city and let out a breath of relief. She didn't know how their security worked inside the city but hopefully it would be as flawed as their weak patrol system. All she had to do was find a room and stay put for a few days. She had enough supplies in her bag to last a week if she had to. Mostly long lasting, energy rich food as she would need a lot of it.

　　We’re going to die.

　　Don't be so dramatic, Kira. We're safer in here than out there tonight.

　　At least for the next few days. Her pack wouldn’t dare enter the city, even for her. Not even on a special night like this. There was a super moon tonight, and even the humans could feel the pull. They were always... more of everything. More rowdy. More daring. More horny.

　　She almost laughed at that one. Why would the goddess be this cruel? Everything would be amplified and Kira would definitely hate being confined.

　　A glowing sign caught her attention across the street. Vacancy. Perfect. The motel was not too close to all the bustling activity in town, it would be the perfect place to avoid any attention. All she had to do was break off from this group of humans and make it inside.

　　As soon as she thought that she felt a tingling sensation at the back of her neck and fought the urge to turn around and look. Was it a vampire? Humans didn't have strong enough senses to detect any other species around them so the last thing she wanted was to look back and blow her cover. If she had to carry on walking with these humans to find another motel or hotel then she would.

　　The sensation eased and she breathed easy again. Maybe she was just being paranoid. With her scent blocker, no one would think she was anything but human anyway. She kept her pace as she crossed the road but her heart didn’t stop beating erratically until she had walked into the motel.