Martinique Gastropf was no longer the face of the Dallas Vampires since he let Antoine take up the throne, but Martinique was certainly not unimportant or even uninvolved in the slightest. He was the old king who had set up a new free vampire community in the USA. He had created new rules and was very strict with enforcing compliance. To many vampires in Dallas, it was the ultimate death sentence if you pissed off Martinique. His power in strength and his extra skills were not exceeded by any current Dallas Vampire member. To be short and frank, angering Martinique was creating your own funeral with a cheap grave and no flowers. At this moment, Martinique was definitely mad, livid, angry, and upset. However, this was all focused on his son.
Despite how ruthless he was, the Old King loved family more than anything else. He had caused an entire rebellion across Europe because of it. His wife Gina was his pride and joy. She was greatly respected for her kindness and compassion. She completed Martinique and made him more human. For an outsider, Martinique's greatest rule of never marrying a human is the greatest sign of hypocrisy. Except that Martinique knew his mistakes.
He knew that the European Vampires had always considered all vampires as the first community and family. By loving and marrying a human he had created a new order above his vampire community. When Martinique fled with his wife and children to Dallas, he knew that his family would always come first. Yet, maintaining the community meant that his new vampire society should not separate as he had. He bended the rules to allow children and love. As long as each vampire was married to the vampire community first and above all else.
Despite allowing children, none had been born in centuries. Most vampires mated among existing vampires in the community and some occasional European vampires moved to Dallas for the American experience. Willard, Tony, and Alex came years later and settled in Dallas. Alex was born of Willard and her new husband. Growing up a century later than Antoine, Alex always admired Antoine and the two quickly became best friends. Even Alex, was still born before they moved to Dallas. No children in centuries. A new world order about to come about. Martinique was more anxious about how the community would flourish amidst the new baby.
Teresa had kept her details short but Martinique had used his own men to figure out more. One of his reliable guards was in the backyard taking photos when Iris's eyes glowed and she drank the blood barrels in front of the kitchen windows. Golden eyes and a baby who compelled its own mother out of control. This power was more than Martinique's and Antoine's combined. While such a powerful heir could mean great things for Dallas Vampires, if word spread to Europe the European Vampires might consider it a threat. The fragile truce between the two major Vampire communities was carefully kept between all the urban human habitation in the last several centuries. A new war would be more dangerous than ever with modern technology sharing secrets like never before. Martinique pondered all of this while waiting for the approaching dinner and the arrival of his guests.
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On the other side of the metroplex, Antoine and Iris just finished their movie. Antoine had texted Teresa to get a nice outfit for Iris. She hadn't been home in 24 hours and it could possibly be longer depending on Martinique's verdict. After leaving the in-home theater, Iris noticed a few shopping bags draped over the couch. She pulled out a nice pair of jeans, a comfortable black T-shirt, and some great boots with minimal heels. Some other essential items were also included. Antoine nodded at Iris and advised her to get changed. Iris ran upstairs and quickly changed her clothes. She put on some red lipstick Teresa had given her and some tassel earrings. She went downstairs to meet Antoine who had put on a plain black T-shirt and dark washed jeans. He had cowboy boots showing under the hem of his denim. Iris blushed. She really couldn't help but be reminded of how handsome she always thought he was. Antoine had been staring back at her red lips. He might need a double dose of frozen blood margaritas tonight to manage his thirst.
Antoine and Iris quickly hopped in the back seat of the limo as Antoine's driver took them to the old castle. Within 30 minutes the limo had entered the long driveway and stopped at the grand entrance. Iris gawked at the sheer size and elegance. She thought Antoine's place was impressive. This was just jaw-dropping. The gardens were twice the size with roses and wildflowers. The main door looked like a giant castle door from medieval ages. A metal star hung as decor above the door. Antoine nudged Iris to stop her gaping as they entered inside.
"We're here," Antoine shouted. Gina came rushing in first and gave her darling son a big hug.
"You must be Iris. I am Gina, Antoine's mother."
"Nice to meet you, Gina," Iris responded as she was suddenly gripped in a tight hug by Gina.
"Let her breathe, Mom," Teresa said as she popped around the corner to greet the guests. "Brother, Dad wants to see you in his office first. He will make his introductions to Iris at the dinner table."
Antoine nodded and left to visit his father. Gina and Teresa gently guided Iris into the massive living room for some small talk. Iris settled onto a giant leather couch and breathed loudly. Gina and Teresa lightly laughed and the three women started talking about everything, beginning with shopping.