The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (28 page)

“No,” Darian responded. The man jerked slightly, surprised by his response. “I already know why you’re here.”

“This is nothing personal, you just knew too much. I have other guys on the grounds, I’ll call them off if we can make some sort of arrangement…” the assassin’s voice trailed off as he watched Darian’s reaction.

Darian chuckled deeply.

“Why do you humans always feel that your lives are so valuable that you can use them as bargaining chips.”

He advanced on the man, catching him by the collar. He lifted him until they were eye level. “You should feel honored to die by my hands.”

He bared his fangs. The man screamed, but it was too late. Darian plunged his fangs deeply into the pulsating artery. Slowly he drained the man, taking in all of the information he could gather. A string of images that carried various memories raced through Darian’s mind as he continued to feed. He now knew where the hostages were being held. He knew who the kidnapers were. The blood trickled, then ceased along with the man’s heartbeat. He drew back and tossed the body from the tree onto the ground below. John, April, Miko and Annabelle walked up to their Master as he floated down from the tree.

“We’ve killed the others,” John said. They were all sated now and were enjoying the heat that flowed through their bodies.

Darian nodded. “I want you to go to Elise’s mansion, stay there. I will let you know when it is safe to return. Go now,” he ordered.

Without another word, they turned and walked back towards the mansion to get their belongings. Darian walked into his home to inform his human servants of the evacuation.

“We could stay and watch the house, we could tell you if there are people hanging around,” one of his servants suggested.

Darian studied him, his head tilting slightly. “Could you, Colin?”

The servant swallowed hard. “Yes, Mr. Alexander.”

“Just as you could detect someone planting a bomb in one of my automobiles?” Darian asked, as he stepped closer to the servant.

Sweat began to seep from Colin’s pores. The other servants looked on, but remained silent. Darian began to read their
minds, it was as he suspected. The one standing in front of him

betrayed him, betrayed all of them. It was money he wanted, money and vengeance. He wanted immortality and it was something Darian would have never granted him. Colin had met with Adam at
Des
ires Unleashed
, it was there that he pointed out Gary and showed pictures of the others, as it was part of their arrangement for him to find their targets. Colin had informed their enemy of their supernatural status and he knew first hand that Gary was the youngest member of Darian’s coven. He was paid fifty grand for his services.

Colin could feel Darian’s judgment, and he knew that all of his secrets were now exposed. He tried to flee, but Darian caught him by his throat making it impossible for him to b
reak free of the Master vampire’s iron grip.

“How dare you!” Darian growled, his fangs extending.

“I’m sorry, I just want

”

“

Your reason for betraying me is inconsequential, your death is inevitable.” With a jerk of his wrist, Darian broke the man’s spi
nal cord, snapping it in two. He released the body, dropping it to the floor. He looked at the others; they were not part of it.

“Get rid of this.” He pointed at the corpse. “I want you to go to Elise’s home. Stay there until I contact you. Go.” When he spoke, his tone was calm and it seduced his human servants, almost putting them in a trance. They nodded, becoming focused and began carrying out Darian’s orders.

Darian went to his bedroom, where he washed quickly and dressed in a fresh change of clothes. Afterward, he sat down on one of the comfortable chairs in his living room and thought about the information he now possessed. He hadn’t suspected the governor of Illinois and the president of
Synblood
would be in on this scheme, although he was not overly surprised by such a revelation either.

“Master, we’re leaving,” John said.

Darian looked at him and nodded. He monitored them as they entered the garage, climbing into two SUV’s. They drove off toward Elise’s home. He closed the door, locking it behind himself then he took to the skies, flying at a miraculous speed. The wind whipped his beautiful jet black hair around as he shot through the nighttime sky. The city below was a blur of lights as his speed increased. Within five minutes, he arrived at Xander’s home, landing on the front porch. Adrian opened the door and stepped aside to allow him entrance.

“Thank you,” Darian said with a nod as he passed by.

“Don’t mention it.” Adrian closed the door and walked into the den, Darian followed him. The other
s looked up when they entered, waiting to hear an update.

Darian began to tell them what he’d learned. “There were twelve people involved in this kidnapping. I’ve killed one tonight. His name was Julian Chandler, the

”

“

the Director of the S.U.I.T. Organ
ization!” Warren and Matthew exclaimed in unison, unintentionally interrupting Darian.

Darian nodded. “Correct. But the list goes on. Miriam Foster, the President of
Synblood
is involved as well.”

There was a collected gasp in the room from some of its occupants. Xander remained silent, though he was also shocked to find out the information.

Darian continued. “
George Masterson, whom I’m sure you’re familiar with being as he is the manufacturer and distributor of those fancy, high-tech weapons that are at your disposal.” He looked at Warren and Matthew, who both nodded.

“Chandler and Masterson were working together. That explains why there were so many middlemen involved. They didn’t want anyone putting two-and-two together. Especially concerning those involved who are that high up in the political and financial ranks,” Warren said.

“This shit is deep. It seems like every time we take one of these bastards out, we pull back another layer,” Adrian stated.

“Because we are,” Xander added. “Please go on,” he gesture for Darian to continue.

Darian obliged. “Phillip Bison of
Hightower Communications
; Victor Foster, the actor; Jeffery Kingston, the President of
Kingston Records
; Walter Bailey, owner of the
Esquire Hotel
chain; Jesse Harthorn of
Harthorn Advertising Agency
;
Amanda Patrick, owner of
Amanda’s Fashions
; Peter Johnston who owned KOTD
Radio
station; of course, we know about Richard Parker, the billionaire
Old Port
cigarette tycoon. But even I was surprise to hear about Governor Andrew Wallace. And to think, I held his campaign at my club.” He shook his head as he watched the collection of shocked expressions from all.

“I can’t believe this,” Tony said. He put his head in his hands, running his fingers through his hair.

Darian leaned against the door frame as he listened to the others speak.

“Hell, I can’t believe the governor is in on this… I almost gave his ass my vote!” Natasha fumed. “Now, I’m extra happy I didn’t. There was something about him that was slimy.”

“He’s not even the biggest player. The Chief of the S.U.I.T. Organization and Masterson had major pull. It’s no wonder they were able to get the type of ammunition they’re using,” Warren stated, tossing a glance to Matthew who nodded.

“Do you think Ryan and Jesse knew that he was involved?” Devin asked.

Matthew shook his head. “No. They were being paid for the drop. My guess is, Masterson made it possible for an entire crate of weapons to become available, weapons that weren’t on S.U.I.T. inventory so they wouldn’t raise an alert when crates went missing. But they needed someone to transport the weapons.”

“That’s where Chandler came in,” Darian added. “Jesse and Ryan were the 'go-to' guys when Chandler wanted a ‘job’ done. They weren’t so high up in the ranks and for a fee they worked as the ‘middlemen’ between Masterson’s guys and Chandler’s. That’s why Ryan and Jesse were needed. But Ryan became greedy and we know what happened to him.”

“That’s a lot of middlemen,” Sergio commented. “Well, it’s all coming together now. These guys are professionals and I’m about ready to give them a professional ass-kicking.”

When it appeared that everyone understood the situation, Darian continued. “That isn’t all, they had help. One of my human servants took the liberty of providing them with the information they needed. That’s how they knew who to take. Once he told them what we were, they monitored us and waited for the perfect moment.”

“Which one, Master?” Tony asked, stepping close to Darian.

Darian’s eyes settled on him. “It’s been taken care of, Tony.”

Frustrated, Tony walked away, plopping down hard in one of the plush chairs.

“I can’t believe the president of
Synblood
is in cahoots with these jerks. I thought she really cared about supernaturals. I’m just completely blown away,” Natasha said shaking her head in bewilderment.

Darian chuckled at her naiveté. “Natasha, my darling, the creation of
Synblood
was not made with the well-being of vampires in mind. If it were, they would have improved upon the taste. No.
Synblood
was a means to an end. It is a very profitable byproduct created as a way to make money from self-loathing and fear.”

“I don’t understand.” Natasha looked at Darian, hoping he would elaborate.

“Vampires who shun the gift of immortality have embraced the escapism that
Synblood
provides. They refuse to accept that they are natural predators and no longer human. They are creatures of darkness, as cliché as that may sound, it is a fact. However, drinking synthetic plasma from a bottle aides them in their denial, it allows them to
feel
more human. And as for the fear;
Synblood
allows the humans of the world to believe that they’re safe. They no longer have to feel they’re being hunted. It’s all a façade.”

“Well, I for one will
never
buy another robe from
Amanda’s Fashions
for as long as I live!” Elise declared.

“Good. I’m tired of picking up feathers from the floor anyway,” Sergio remarked.

Elise smiled slightly, leaning forward, she kissed him deeply. He caressed her cheeks with the back of his fingertips, enjoying the smooth texture of her flesh. When he pulled away, he planted a soft kiss on the roundness of her stomach.

“So where are they now?” Xavier asked, getting back on track. He was able to borrow a complete change of clothes from Justin, which fit him well.

“Montana,” Darian replied.

“Montana? There is a lot of land in Montana. Do you know the exact location?” Xander asked.

“I do, there is just one problem,” Darian said. He had everyone’s undivided attention.

“What’s the problem?” Devin asked politely. Secretly wondering what force on earth could cause
Darian
a
“problem”.

“Montana is the territory of a very powerful Master vampire.” Darian looked at everyone, his forest green eyes settled thoughtfully on Xavier and Natasha for several moments then he looked at Xander. “We will have to attain his permission before we can enter. If he doesn’t grant us permission, and we enter uninvited, it will be a
Challenge of Authority
. Which you all know is a declaration of war.”

“Well, can’t you beat him?” Justin asked innocently. He had been so amazed by Darian’s display of power he couldn’t see him having any enemies he couldn’t best.

Darian turned to Justin, chuckling softly. “No, my dear wolf, I cannot.”

The room was filled with a deafening silence as the others contemplated the new development and wondered how they could overcome it, or even if they could.

“We have to save our members. I will not leave them to die for the sake of some vampire’s selfish pride,” Tatiana declared defiantly, finally breaking the silence.

Darian looked at her, he smiled slightly. He could appreciate her boldness, her strength, he understood her sentiments.

“I understand. I don’t want to walk away from this either. And quite frankly, I don’t believe that we can. On this day alone, we have killed over fifteen people. Our enemies are those who know some of our weaknesses. We can’t turn back now.”

“So do you think you’ll be able to negotiate a
Safe Passage
?” Xavier asked, stepping closer to Darian.

“I don’t know,” Darian said thoughtfully. “I hope that I can.”

“What’s gonna happen… you know… if you can’t?” Natasha asked obviously worried about this Master vampire.

The last one they had to contact for permission to enter his territory was in Russia. This Master vampire had demanded
Homage
from Xavier who had explained to her that vampires had rules and codes of ethics they had to work within. Still, this vampire angered her because he took advantage of Xavier. She didn’t care if it was his right as a Master, she didn’t like anyone abusing their position, no matter who they were.