The Vampire Queen's Mate

She could hear the gentle tapping of the rain hitting the smooth glass and running down the window. It would be almost relaxing if it weren’t for her foul mood. Her red manicured nails strum against the cool marble desk impatiently. Not only was Sascha furious after losing the bid on a new luxury condo building in downtown Moscow, but she also drained another familiar last night meaning they would need to orchestrate yet another cover up. The elders were bound to be annoyed with her continued lack of carelessness and empathy for human life.  The phone line clicked and Jasper’s annoying voice finally came over the line, “Miss Sascha, to what do I owe this pleasure?”  “Cut the crap J!” she ruthlessly replied, “You know exactly why I am calling. What happened with the deal on the Renaissance Towers? We had a cash offer and I thought we made a deal they couldn’t refuse.” The last sentence implied Sascha had instructed her buying agents to use whatever means necessary to acquire the property. It was not unusual for her to instruct the agents in this way, everyone knows what Sascha wants, Sascha gets. She was a self made real estate tycoon after all. Taking her family's money and investing it in luxury real estate properties across the globe. Sascha Boykavich was a force to be reckoned with and her company portfolio worth trillions. Just last month she had been named as one of the youngest and richest women in the world.   Jasper’s voice wavered, “I’m not quite sure how to tell you this without making the situation worse, but I would appreciate it if we can handle it without the eccentric flare you used last time around. The seller’s agent decided to go in a different direction last minute. It seems they received a late offer and it was substantially better than yours.” Sashca rolled her eyes at the mention of her last temper tantrum before turning her focus to the last minute offer. “And who is it that made this last minute offer?” she demanded.  Jasper winced as he replied, “Michael.” Even though he was miles away sitting in his own plush office he knew the news wasn’t going to go over well. This guy had been pushing her buttons for months now and the high ranking members of the coven along with the elders were really struggling to keep the Queen from going on an all out rampage. Her recent string of familiar deaths were already drawing attention from several news outlets about the uptick in recent violent unsolved murders. These outbursts were merely small temper tantrums. The wake of destruction from a full meltdown might be more than the team can handle cleaning up.  The telephone line went dead. Sascha flung her hands across the desk, throwing the phone across the room where it burst into a thousand plastic pieces along with the keyboard and iMac. Pens and pencils bounced off the floor before coming to rest lifelessly. Across the room a massive and majestic panther lifted it’s head to stare annoyed at the one responsible for disturbing his afternoon slumber. After glaring at Sascha for a few minutes the big cat blinked a few times, stretched, and began twitching his tail against the fur rug. A fire roared and crackled behind him in the fireplace warming the cool floors of the office space.  “Sorry if I disturbed you, Lestat, you lazy beast,” Sascha crooned as the sound of pounding footsteps echoed outside the hall.  Bianka and Milana appeared in the doorway concerned and alerted to the loud crashes. Lestat laid his ears back against his large black head and growled more irritatedly at the women standing in the doorway.  “One of you get Jasper back on the phone,” Sascha barked, ignoring the mess she had created.  Bianka spoke into the security mic on her black buttoned up shirt requesting the cleaning staff and IT team to come deal with the mess in the office, and Milana, Sascha’s right hand woman, whipped out a cell phone and dialed Jasper.  “Jasper!” Sascha shouted the minute she heard the line connect, “Get Vlad on the line with us she commanded.”  Jasper wasn’t going to make Sascha ask twice. He wasted no time in dialing Vlad and getting him on the line with them.  Moments later Vlad’s voice boomed into the phone, “Sascha my Queen what can I do for you?” He was one of the Queen’s favorite henchmen. He was also one of the most brutal. To make matters worse he never refused. He was one of Dimitri’s most loyal cousins and was always in the Queen and Dimitri’s favor any time he was reincarnated to walk the same lifetime as either of them.  “Michael has ruined another one of my deals. I am growing tired of his games.” Sascha spat, “Be a dear and send him a message loud and clear that I am growing tired of his childish games!”  Jasper chimed in, “your majesty I mean no disrespect, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. People are still speculating about the last message you sent.”  Sascha retorted, “well then, it’s a good thing I didn’t ask for your opinion Jasper. Now Vlad, you will do as I say because you don’t want to see me angry, do you?” “What did you have in mind, my Queen?” Vlad asked with delight.  “First I want you to find the agent who delivered the deal and lock him in the basement. Don’t harm him though. Lestat has been bored lately and I think a good chase might improve his mood. Plus he seems hungry and everyone knows a vampyre panther needs fresh warm blood to keep his strength up,” She purred.  Jasper interrupted, “ Your majesty, a high profile agent like the one who delivered the deal can not just disappear.”  “He can and he will! The details of his disappearance are not my concern. I trust you and your team will figure it out, you always manage to do so.” she lamented.  Jasper was silent. There was no stopping her or convincing her once her mind was made up.  “And Vlad,” Sascha continued, “I also want you to burn it. Burn it to the ground. Your men can devour anyone inside the building before it erupts in flames as a reward for your services. I will see to it that a large sum is transferred to your account once the tasks are complete. I am only going to say this once Vlad, I want the building in ashes and make sure it’s a clean job, no witnesses.” With that she hung up the phone knowing Vlad would not disappoint.  Sascha turned to the panther who was sitting on his haunches glaring at them all hungrily. “Come Lestat, all these phone calls have left me hungry for a snack. Maybe mommy will share with you.” The big cat perked his ears forward alertly at the mention of food and sauntered out of the room following her towards his next meal.