"What have you got for me today? Anything good?"
Ugh, his presence is so brooding the way he lords over us every time he comes here. Does he think that we're invalids or just slow with following orders?
"You know Stephen, I can read your thoughts when I want to. Hahahaha…and it's fun lording over you because my mate is the father of your species and that my friend gives me free reign over your kind." I pat his shoulders from behind. "Also, I could snap you like a twig if I choose to."
"Please forgive him Master Marques. He is not only one of our newest hires but also one of our most recently turned."
"That doesn't excuse his behavior. I remember you were an annoying prick during your schooling. Come to think of it. You still have a ways to go before you graduate." I lean down next to his right ear. "You still have one more course to pass and I'm your instructor."
My keen eyesight glimpses his micro shivers.
Dorian clears his throat and hands the open file in his hands to me.
"After studying the hidden files that Master Lucian gave to us we are able to determine that just a micro drop of salvius and a very tiny drop of blood from one of you has given Matthew enhanced abilities. Right now he is still very much in the testing and observation stage. According to the data and Master Lucian he is responding greatly with little to no side effects. He currently possesses the ability to share a mind link with anyone that wishes to speak to him this way, superior strength, and right now we are monitoring his speed."
"Hmm…sounds promising."
"According to the files they used intravenous injections to implant the blood and salivus over two months ago."
"Oh, two months." I pause watching Matthew running around the large gym on the basement floor of the Shanghai branch. "Give it a few more weeks and begin the other two experiments."
When I found out about what they were doing to my little Matthew I decided to confront Lucian about it. He was so forthcoming and excited even to share this small experiment with us. It makes me wonder what other secret experiments Tadanya has been doing behind our backs. I know for my personal safety and that of our children I think it's in our best interest to have very few humans enhanced this way, especially if they develop other abilities in the future that are beyond our control. If our recent battles with those hunters that sprang up out of nowhere is evidence enough, we should really tread carefully with these humans.
Thinking about this on my way back to Edwin I remember something very important that I think we have overlooked after the latest incident. I walk straight into Demetrio's office as soon as I step inside the manor.
"Am I interrupting anything?" He looks up from a file with a few documents and photos on his desk.
"No. Just looking at some of the intel from Seoul. What's going on?"
"Just checking to see if we have any candidates to replace the Mayor. Assuming…that we will replace him."
"Of course we will!" He laughs deeply as if it's the joke of the century. "Shit. I would like to kill him. But we have settled with wiping his memories of us and the Council from the last eight years and replacing them with something 'nice'."
"When the hell was this decided and why was I excluded?"
"It was Harimah's decision. No one wanted to argue with her or dwell on the issue too long. We still have to bring Cisla and Smarrah back into the Council so she is focusing on that."
"Mm…yea. That." I shrug and walk out. Lucian's ability to manipulate humans' minds still amazes me. He's just as frightening when he manipulates the mind of one of our own or a Vampire. I'm so glad that I'm his mate and not his enemy.
****
As if I don't have enough to worry about, I have to find an excellent candidate to take over as Mayor and rig an election. This type of shit really makes me regret bringing humans into the First Council. But to be fair, we had never had any problems of this kind with them until now. Hunters. Hmph! Who do they think they are? We barely disturb their populations after our jelted past. Now the humans are employed or voluntary. It's also why we keep a firm leash on the Vampire's activities and interactions with humans. Because of those stupid human hunters we still have a huge mess to clean up retracing their steps with others they have come into contact with. To think there were thirty nine fucking hunter houses.
I have a feeling that some people will slip through the cracks. For instance, we discovered some strange activity in Seoul a few days ago two months after we thought we had completely exterminated them. Tadanya thinks we should let Ji Suk take the lead with Marques and Damarcio with him as they deploy the Yarit operation with Lucian II and Alexander.
"MmUmmMM…coughs.."
"If you have something to say just say it, Lucian." I'm so uncomfortable around him these days. And the lump in his tail brings chills down my spine. It takes all of him from going into a fit of rage like a child.
"Matthew is showing great promise. Marques and I both agree that this operation would be a good opportunity to put his skills to the test."
"A human on a Yarit operation?" The smirk on his face tells me that my expression is one of disgust. I can feel it as my upper left lip lifts and a fang emerges.
"He just might shock you. It won't hurt you to let him tag along. And it will help Marques and I with our research. Do I have to say 'please'?"
I laugh and lean back in my chair looking up at the ceiling. I inhale and exhale deeply.
"You must hate me don't you?"
"I wouldn't call it hate, just a strong dislike."
"Why?"
"Why!" I lower my head and look at his calm face with his cold gaze.
I snort as I think back over the years we've spent together.
"I really don't think that I need to answer that, Ahriman. Do you?"
I rub my forehead trying to ease the dull drumming that I've had since I smelt Patheos all over his office that day. I open my eyes and spot him rubbing his tail, his eyes peering through me.
"No." I breathe before saying, "As you wish. Matthew can go. But I shouldn't have to tell you that he is your and Marques' responsibility."
"No, Ahriman. You don't." He gets up and walks out before I can utter another word.
I slump back in my chair and try again to reign myself in.
****
"There are two of them. A couple of stragglers from the hunter house in Japan."
"Hahahaa…I can't believe they actually ran down here!" Young Master Ji Suk laughs holding his gut.
"Given all of the intel that they had on us you would think they knew that Domenici Corporation and Cheoyong Hotel chain were linked to us." Says Master Young Lucian.
"Guess their intel isn't all that great. We gave them too much credit." I smile at the thought.
"Well, it's good that we know that they are oblivious to our business operations." Master Marques says.
I'm so glad to be able to go along on this mission. I've been itching to put my skills to the test. Training with Master Kara and Young Master Adam was fun! My adrenaline was pumping so fast like it is now.
"Remember Matthew, if it gets too hot know when to back off and get behind someone." Master Marques tells me for like the tenth time.
"I understand Master Marques."
The intel that we got told us that these two people hooked up with a hidden house here in Seoul. Most of us were stunned when we came across this new discovery. They have some kind of secret code that they use to communicate with each other. We are using it to our advantage. Cyprus, one of the Yarit, sets a low emission charge on the metal door and blows it. Once we are inside it's a total bloodbath. The hunters were taken by surprise. But still attempted to destroy all of their equipment and data. Using my speed I was able to stop one of them from hitting a button that would destroy everything in their comm center.
Young Master Lucian catches the other guy that tried to shoot me while disabling their computers with a different button. No such luck! His speed is still ten times faster than mine. He snaps off the guys' hand and rips his neck open before he could finish his scream. I'm in shock for a moment until his finger snapping brings me back to reality.
"Grab the files and the hard drives." He says.
Myself and a few others start grabbing the hard drives and all the files we can find. Some even took to busting out the walls, floors, and ripping furniture so that we don't miss anything. While we are doing that another section of the team sets charges of C4 around the inside perimeter and the outside as we planned. Once that's done Master Alexander gives the command to detonate after we've cleared the building.
I learned beforehand during the briefing that we will no longer keep any of them alive for information. Gathering all of their files is just a bit more accurate than words spewed after being mercilessly tortured.
During the mission I learned two things. One, I'm much more agile than I used to be and two, my vision has improved a lot! I let the two Masters know what I've discovered as instructed. They are very happy with my improvements and everyone congratulates me on not getting killed.
I was not aware that these guys have a party after every mission. I was stoked when they invited me. It's an amazing party at someone's villa. I have no clue where I am. The booze still has the same effect on me as always and I get a little wild. The Vamps are clearly enjoying themselves and even though liquor doesn't affect them the way it does us they still are wild partiers and freely play around with their powers. I guess it's okay because the Masters just let them be.
When I wake up the next morning the familiar thick arms and broad chest brings me to the realization that I slept with Master Lucian. I adjust my eyes and see Master Marques on my other side. It's only now that I hear his soft breathing and feel his arm around my waist. Man, how wasted was I? The more I look between them and around the beige and white room it all starts coming back to me. I sink back down into his chest in an attempt to cover my face. I feel so embarrassed. I did some shameful things last night. Their laughter and moans fill my ears again. Just then I hear a low grunt above me and the gentle pull of his arm on my shoulders pushing me even deeper into his chest.
"Sleep some more…"
"Mmhaammaa…ssh, unless you wanna again this morning." He chuckles again as I feel the brush of his lips on my ear.
"Mm…" I moan unintentionally from his teasing of my ear and the soft touch of the tip of his nose on my head.
My eyes shoot open when I feel him probing my entrance. They both laugh again. I bite my lips trying to contain the moan that threatens to escape as he enters me.
By the time we return to Edwin I think a couple of days have passed. Did the seasons change? The new decor and color scheme suggests that it's now Spring. Wow, maybe because it was so warm in Seoul that I thought it was summer. Hahaahahaaa…I can only laugh at myself. I report to Daniel in the butlers wing and collect my taks for the day.
"Don't forget to check on Bradly."
"Oh! Hahaha…I forgot I'm a father now! Man, I won't ever get used to that."
"Mm…well you better. The next time you plan to skip town for two weeks, let the babysitters know."
I feel the heat rise on my face so I quickly lower my head, "Yessir."
Walking down the hall after leaving his office I can't help but to feel my cheeks with the back of my hand and exhale heavily. What am I, a twelve year old girl? I have to admit though, I haven't had fun like that for a long time. Now that I'm enhanced and did well on the mission I expect to be invited to many more in the future. And those parties. It actually erased some of the gruesome images from that night.
Lost in my thoughts I bump into a hard chest. Ouch! My nose!
"Ouch!" I look up and see his dark sparkling eyes looking down at me. "Excuse me Master Lucian! I was careless…not watching where I was going." I bow quickly, backing up and stepping to the side.
"Don't fret over something so minor Matthew." I can hear the smirk in his voice.
My hole twitches every time I see one of them now.
****
When dad asked me how I felt about Matthew tagging along this time I didn't know what to think. I met privately with him, Uncle Marques, and Brother D.
"We have a lot of plans for him. This is the second step." Dad hands me a glass of vodka.
"What kind of plans? May I know?"
"Oh, nothing special. Just giving him a little more enhancement to see where it leads."
I was so confused about the whole conversation. It wasn't until after the twins were born was it all made clear.
The twins were born without much trouble. Jakartha got through it so well. Unfortunately, though, Scott had to witness it. He would not give my fur up and it weakened me too much to be too far from it. Adam even snapped and snatched it from him. Scott started whimpering so father made him give it back. I was so sensitive to the touching and pulling of my fur that I fell to the floor for a moment while pumping my blood into Jakartha. I know that I gave Adam the most horrible look.
After that fiasco, it was explained to Scott the importance of having our wolf's fur near us and on us. It's my skin! No matter how powerful we are, not being whole takes a toll on us. Him and grandfather were able to convince him to let it go. Since then, I have let him play with my tail.
Now in my father's study they are talking about something that I never considered.
"Matthew is showing tremendous strides as the first genetically enhanced human. I've thought about this long and hard. If a human shared your DNA Lucian or mine for that matter…what would be the outcome?" Grandfather looks at him while walking back and forth. His arms are crossed.
Sharing our DNA with a human is something only the other three have done. Uncle Demetrio still doesn't know the truth about father's birth and I think they like it that way. Dee for sure will never say a word!
"What you're proposing is that we give Scott my blood?" He looks at him with shadows playing under his eyes.
"That would be nice…but no." He stops pacing and looks over at me.
I tense up and look around the room at everyone. Adam sneers, Uncle Patheos looks thoughtfully at grandfather, and Dee meets my eyes. When he shifted into a wolf, he was so ecstatic. He doesn't seem to mind including others in our secret club. As a dropnutem his wolf is like the omega wolves in an actual wolf pack. I wonder if Scott will be that way?
"Okay. Let's do it." I say nodding my head. I slap my thighs and look at grandfather.
His face lights up like the sunbeams on a forest path and turns to father. His hand goes up to that favorite spot of his and Uncle Patheos on his face. There is a small glow in his eyes. He nods 'yes' too.
"Let's choose a day."
"His 17th birthday is coming up." Uncle Patheos says.
"Hmm…"
"I think we should do it after."
"I think we should do it that day." Brother Dee says.
"I think …" I pause weighing our options, "…. How about midnight on his birthday? Before the day gets started. Sure, he will need time to adjust…assuming he lives through it, but he can enjoy his birthday outside of the estate after we clear him."
"Hmm…okay…let's do that." Father says.
"We will have to watch him carefully. Make sure that after his first shift he doesn't start shifting randomly in public."
"I will help to teach him how to control it." Dee says.
"Then it's agreed."
"I'm eager to see what happens." Uncle Patheos clasps his hands together.