The Profilers Shield [COMPLETED]

Seven – King Tacky

After Dagur told her to get changed, Ember did as she was told and put her dress on. It was as gorgeous as she remembered. Off-the-shoulder sleeves, just under knee length, lace at the bottom of the skirt, matching the waistband.

“Black or beige heels?”

Ember asked Cleora, both pairs in front of her feet. Her best friend could be heard inside her head, muttering to herself.

‘…Black!’

The dragon had spoken! Ember slipped her feet into the black heels. She didn’t have any jewellery so she had to make do with a bare neck and wrist. She smoothed her hands down her waist and she felt pretty. A grin slowly crept onto her face.

‘You look great, Em, really beautiful.’

“Thanks, Cleora. Good enough for my Mate?”

‘Better.’

Ember thanked her before applying a minimal amount of make-up (she didn’t get much, not that Ember wore a lot before anyway). Mascara, a small winged eyeliner and red lipstick that matched her eyes finished the look off.

‘Damn, girl! If I was your Mate I would take you there and then!’

Ember didn’t know she could blush that hard when she looked at herself in the mirror. It wasn’t like she was opposed to it though…

Ember went to see Dagur who was sitting on the sofa, waiting for her. One glance was all it took that stole his breath. He quickly stood up and looked at her from head to toe and back up again. “Wow.” Was the only thing Dagur could say to her. He cleared his throat and quickly took her coat from the hooks by the door and helped her in it before they left. His arm encircled her waist subconsciously as he guided her to the car and chauffeur, who held the door open when he saw them coming to said car, he rented for the night outside. “You look pretty great too.” Ember said shyly as she played with her hands on her lap.

“I look like a homeless guy compared to you.” Affection Fluttered in Embers heart. They stared at each other fondly for a few seconds before they both looked out the window to look at their surroundings.

The familiar mansion loomed towards them. Nothing screamed rich other than that. Oh wait, a red carpet that was rolled out and the valet that was waiting for them were also a very rich thing to have. “Thanks. Here.” Dagur said and gave a pretty good tip to the chauffeur, who grinned and thanked him before driving off after they got out, stepping onto the carpet outside the mansion. Hundreds of people were inside, most were coupled together, chatting to other couples or in a small circle, laughing and making joke. Ember noticed a few people eyeing up her Mate, which she wasn’t happy about but tried to keep her face neutral. Ember also noticed the dirty looks she got as they glanced to the arm that was holding her close by her waist. Ember looked around the room to find any familiar faces. She stared at the familiar man that was standing on his own, glass in hand. Why was he here? She was glad of it though. Ember saw him glance up and gave her a friendly smile and wave. Yup it was definitely John, she grinned and waved back. Finally, someone she knew! “So who is this pretty woman you came with?” Ember turned her attention to Dagur, who was having a conversation with an older gentleman with a bit of a beer belly who had a cheerful smile.

Dagur was having a conversation that mainly consisted of him being talked at. He was chatting to a man he had known for years with a reputation of being generous and kind. Mr Ainsley owned several orphanages that came from his own pocket that he took pride in. In fact, it was one of the safe houses Dagur introduced the woman a few days ago that was owned by Mr Ainsley. It wasn’t known of Dagur to donate huge amounts 3 times a year that would be used for all the orphanages and safe houses, but he didn’t need people’s recognition to do something what he wanted to do. Dagur slightly smiled whilst answering Mr Ainsley. “She’s my Mate.” Pride could be seen on Dagurs face without his knowledge which made Mr Ainsley beam with joy. “Really!? It’s about time you took interest in someone, and what better someone than your Mate?” Mr Ainsley laughed heartily and patted Dagur on his shoulder. He stopped and leaned in to whisper in Dagurs ear. “Though, she looks a little confused, is she ok?” Dagur turned to Ember, who indeed looked out of her depth. Dagur translated their conversation to her which made Ember feel a little better and relaxed. “Oh, she’s not from around here! I know a treat language tutor if you need one.” Mr Ainsley recognised the language but didn’t mention it. He had been around the world for work and he was particularly fond of the Dragon Country. Dagur translated to Ember, her eyes lit up and nodded her head enthusiastically. “I will get you one then, it will help you in the long run.” Dagur said to Ember before he agreed with Mr Ainsley’s offer.

Ember liked the idea of a tutor, if it could help her live where her Mate was then it was an offer she couldn’t refuse.

‘Or you could take him home.’

Cleora felt content with watching her Mate. It was a good idea to introduce him to her parents, but would they accept Dagur? They kind of had to since he was Embers Mate but it wouldn’t mean that they would like him.

“I’ll have to ask him first.”

‘He would agree to anything you ask.’

“You don’t know that.”

‘I think so; he looks like the doting type.’

“We haven’t known Dagur long enough to know that.”

Ember cut off communication with Cleora for the time being. She needed her wits about her and Cleora liked all the attention. Mr Ainsley pointedly turned towards Ember with a knowing smile. “I know where you from. Sorry, I not know much your language.” Granted, it was broken, but it was still her language. “How did you learn?” Ember spoke slow and clearly so he could understand. “From your country. Met king.”

“You met papa?” Confusion laced Mr Ainsley’s face, not knowing the last word, so Dagur translated. “Yes! He misses you dearly.” Ember wanted to cry when Dagur translated. Mr Ainsley thought he offended but Dagur reassured him that he didn’t. They said their goodbyes after Mr Ainsley apologised profusely. “We can visit whenever you want. I will not keep you from your family.”

“That means a lot to me.” Ember replied, affection in her eyes when they met with Dagurs.

They went to John next, as per Embers request and they chatted and sat down to eat with him and Mr Ainsley opposite the table. An hour later they were all back in the original party room to mingle. Mr Ainsley, being honest, said he only came for the food and left shortly after eating saying his usual excuse of being old and needing to rest and be with his family, which consisted of his wife and 6 dogs. Dagur had met his wife who was just as nice as the man and they suited each other perfectly. King Malik wasn’t seen at his own party which was making people restless. Why bother inviting people to a party and not show up? Suspicion clouded Dagurs mind, he was usually invited to these boring things for work yet the client wasn’t even in his own party? Something wasn’t right. Dagur looked around for anything out of the ordinary. He tensed up, his eyes narrowed as he saw his target. f**k. The man slowly turned and smirked at him. The man went towards them and Dagur instinctively went in front of his Mate to protect her from the man from his past.

“Dagur.” The man greeted him once he stood in front of him.

“Vincent.” Dagur greeted through gritted teeth.

Vincent looked behind Dagur to see a dragon shifter behind him. Hmm, interesting. The woman shied away, as if knowing Vincent wasn’t someone to interact with. “What are you doing here?” Dagur snapped, making Vincent put his attention back to Dagur.

“I was invited.” Vincent paused, still interested in the dragon. “Why are you here?”

“Work.”

“Sure, but where is the king?” Vincent smirked at the child in front of him. Dagur hadn’t changed much since Vincent kicked him out of his clan. Dagur shrugged, Vincent felt a little offended but knew that was how Dagur was: a boy of little words. “Something doesn’t add up, don’t you think?” Vincent tried to give Dagur a hint. He was there because he was invited, but for added protection. It was hard to kill vampires so having them as a sort of protection was useful. But he couldn’t find King Malik. “You know something?” Dagur asked, looking around for the king. “Come.” Vincent commanded and went into another room, away from prying eyes and ears. Luckily Dagur wasn’t stupid enough to not follow. But he was stupid enough to bring the dragon. “Why is she here?”

“My Mate.” Mate? Vampires didn’t have Mates; they only had eternal blood banks.

For vampires, a blood bank was like a Mate, except they create a blood pact between the vampire and the blood bank so that the vampire kept them forever. The pact usually happened when a vampire finds that one person that taste the best and not being able to go back to any other blood than theirs, so a pact is made so that the vampire feeds on that one person forever. They were usually called Loves, as the feeling of feeding from that person makes the vampire feel things similar to love. Except it was more like an obsession for the blood, rather than the forced love the blood bank forms for their master. Vampires thought that the obsession is a form of love; hence the pact couple called Loves. Vincent had one and kept a vial of their blood around his neck.

Dagur was different; he didn’t need a blood bank since he only heeded strength essence, which made Vincent feel threatened back in the day. “You mean her Mate? You don’t have Mates. You always did want a soulmate, though.” Vincent changed the language to the dragons tongue. It seemed to shock the little dragon. Dagur didn’t want the women, or men, that flung themselves his way. He was a pure at heart in that way. “In the human sense, at least.” Vincent added. He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of hers, which made Dagur glare at him but he didn’t do anything. Dagur knew it was only out of politeness and to rile him up so he decided against doing something about it. The girl wasn’t impressed though, she ripped her hand away from Vincent’s grasp whilst looking disgusted, wiping the back of her hand on her dress. It made Vincent chuckle. “King Malik had a threat not too long ago, saying his head would be on a spike if he didn’t meet their demands.” Vincent decided to drop the last conversation to something more important.

“Demands?”

“Money, mainly.” Vincent knew Dagur was the only person he could trust at the party, not even the little dragon next to him was trustworthy, but he didn’t want to anger Dagur just yet. He needed an ally and Dagur was the only option. “Mainly?” Dagur asked. Vincent nodded. “Your head was the other demand. Who have you upset this time?” Vincent chuckled. Dagur thought for a while. His eyes narrowed once again. “I’m not here for work then. How can I trust you?”

“I may have kicked you out, but you will always have me as an ally… if you don’t fight me for my crown, that is.” Vincent challenged. The dragon looked confused and looked at Dagur for an explanation, but he only shook his head. “I don’t want it. Never have.”

“Correct answer. You know you could overthrow me, but you decided against it. That makes me an ally, not an enemy.” They stopped talking for a second, letting the information sink in. Finally, Dagur took the dragons hand in his left and offered it to Vincent, who accepted with his left hand.

By Dagur giving Vincent Ember using their left hands, it signifies giving the person that owns their heart to another to protect with their heart (their left hand being closer to the heart than the right). It was a serious thing amongst vampires, if they needed to give their blood banks to someone else for protection that was how they did it because they were so important to the vampire giving them away. Ember thought it was a little weird though because she didn’t know the custom but she at least knew what Dagur wanted: Vincent play as her babysitter whilst he went gallivanting off to find the king.

“Look after her. If not, you die.” Dagur threatened once he handed Ember to his ex-clan leader, Vincent. “You have my word.” Vincent said, still holding Embers hand. It was custom to hold the hand of the blood bank, or in this case Dagurs Mate, until the master left. Ember struggled but Dagur smiled slightly and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be right back. Vincent will take care of you.” Dagur said he was suddenly out of character, since when did he kiss people? Dagur didn’t care; it felt natural for the moment.

“Aren’t I your Shield though?” Ember almost whined.

“Not today you’re not.” Dagur muttered before he left in search for King Malik. He felt betrayed. His trust had been broken by one of his clients, one he was most loyal to. The king himself. Why would someone want him dead? Well, it wasn’t like King Malik was well liked. Why would people want Dagur dead? Well, he wasn’t well liked either. Dagur weaved past the guests and made his way upstairs, trying to find anything to do with the king. Dagur knew where King Malik liked to spend his time, being with him for a few years and quickly gaining his trust had its advantages. Dagur looked in all the rooms he could be hiding in, including his hidden safe space but he wasn’t in any of them. He decided to jump down from a balcony to quickly go back onto ground level. Outside, he went into several outhouses before finally going to the last place he could think of: the circular gardens.

He wasn’t there either. Dagur turned in a full circle before going back into the mansion. And who showed up? King Malik. Dagur sighed in both frustration and relief. He didn’t need to do anything to get everyone’s attention. It was like everyone froze in time, some were shocked, some angry and some relieved. Dagur was in the angry category. King Malik beamed at everyone; his teeth gleamed in the light. His ensemble was a tacky gold colour, in Dagurs opinion. For some reason The king thought it would be a good idea to rock up in cheap looking gold attire, even though his invitation for everyone else was the complete opposite. At least his plain black leather shoes were normal looking. He raised his arms high and wide over his head and greeted, “Welcome, everyone! I’m glad you could all make it. Excuse my attire, I was busy.” He sent a wink to the crowd which made Dagur grimace with disgust. He came down from his pedestal, which was a wide staircase, and kept talking as he descended to the common folk. “I shall get to the point: I have had death threats for a little while now. Money that was far above your means, but obviously not mine, was included in said threat…” Dagur didn’t like where his speech was going. “…The other was none other than the head of my most loyal employee-” King Malik paused once he was standing in front of Dagur, who heavily swallowed. “-Profiler Dagur.” Everyone decided to gawk at the spectacle. Dagur in his brand new suit, well dressed and his hair somewhat neat whilst King Malik was in a tacky tracksuit that looked one size too big and his hair looking like a birds nest. Dagur decided not to say anything until King Tacky was finished. He tried not to inhale too much since he knew what the king meant by ‘busy’, the musky scent even Dagur recognised as s*x lingered on the king and it was disgusting. “Now I have a proposition for everyone in the room. Whoever kills this man in front of me tonight shall receive the same amount of money I shall give to the enemy and have my protection for life. Dagur here hasn’t got my protection as punishment so all of you can do as you wish without my intervention. You will be knighted as you would contribute for saving my life which will give you many benefits in the future. For whoever isn’t interested, leave now. But for those who are, murder this man and claim your reward!” King Malik’s voice crescendo and echoed throughout the room, people were silent, unknowing what to do. It gave Dagur a chance to figure out what he needed to do to get out of there alive.