Meet the Go-To Guy
1641 Words
#Vote#
Althea approached the living area of the stylish home cautiously.
She never knew in what mood her Sire would be found. She had never been the model daughter, but this time, even she realized the severity of her disobedience.
The room was enormous. Heavy drapes lined each window, cutting off the view and any rays of moonlight or...sun. The furniture was tasteful and from another era. A fire burned cheerfully in the mammoth hearth, belying the atmosphere of the occupants found within the space.
The young vampire searched out each face, her own features carefully composed. “Hi, Pops.” She smiled tentatively at the only individual who really concerned her.
“Do not...” the deep tone sent shivers down her spine, “refer to me as that."
Althea swallowed, venturing into the area, her hand trailing across the lush softness of a huge chair to her right. She made her way around an occasional table with a marble top.
“Anna Lisa, how...nice.” Althea’s tone suggested otherwise, as did the animosity in her eyes as she observed the other female present. “Where did you park your broom?” She smiled sweetly to lessen the barb.
“Will you never mature, Althea?” The weariness in Anna Lisa’s tone said it all. “I grow so very tired of this constant strain between us.”
“Oh, like I give a fig.” Althea’s smile softened, but not her eyes. “Why is she here, Dad?”
“Because I allow, she be.”
Althea couldn’t say much about that. She turned her attention to the last member of the group which had greeted her arrival home.
“Did Benedict Arnold get all his facts straight?” She swept Hans with a neutral gaze. “You big snitch!” She disdained.
“I cannot work with her constant interference,” Hans interjected, his tone and manner beyond cool.
Anna Lisa stepped gracefully, her hand sliding along the dark cloth of the Enforcer’s sleeve, as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
There was something so intimate in the gesture it served to nullify Althea’s reaction for a long spell. She stared at the contact, her mouth slightly agape.
It was not allowed.
Hans never allowed anyone to touch him. Not ever! Such liberties were simply unheard of.
Althea felt the blood flow from her extremities.
The shock of Anna Lisa’s actions, but more so the Enforcer’s acceptance of them...
She blinked, totally shocked, stunned into silence for a very long time.
Anna Lisa’s smile was one of pure venom.
“I will not...” the Ancient was speaking, his tone as always, most soothing to the soul, “have you embroiled in this farce, Althea.”
“I...” The woman lost her bravado for a beat when confronted by the essence of her Sire’s displeasure. “But she is... she hasn’t said anything! The human loves him. Alex Wilder. She won’t...she hasn’t...” Althea trailed away, unsure even in her own mind suddenly of anything any longer.
“You disgrace your Sire with such affiliations, Althea.” Anna Lisa was genuinely concerned about the fact. “I know you do not wish that.”
So many things rushed through Althea’s mind. Her senses were reeling, truth told.
She had not realized just how much she had liked Hans until this moment. This horrible moment.
It was more than evident that the Enforcer approved of Anna Lisa’s touch. He had stood, hands in his pockets, just staring at the younger vampire’s-stricken features.
The bastard! Allowing Anna Lisa to lean all over him, and before Marcus! Her own Sire! How devastating! How embarrassing a thing! After Althea had made it known that...
Althea closed her eyes to her lost pride, humiliation flooding her mind. A coldness gripped her soul, an icy numbness seized her heart.
She lifted an empty gaze, her mood undeterminable yet, even in her own mind. It was bad enough she was suddenly at odds with her Sire, but to bear this...unconscionable absurdity!
“You cannot possibly know my wishes right now, Anna Lisa!” Althea’s tone dripped with revulsion. She turned her attention to... “Well, Hans...”
“That is not my name!” The being’s cool was momentarily absent, the dark eyes flashing their fury and impatience.
“Whatever.” Althea dismissed with a wave of her hand. “You look like a Hans to me.” She sighed lightly. “And since you are so f*****g secretive about your real name...be grateful I didn’t christen you Adolph or Fido.”
"b***h!" Fido could christen, too, apparently.
The Enforcer had jerked from Anna Lisa’s touch at least, but his expression did not bode well for Althea either at the moment.
She ignored him. “I don’t want to go against you, Marcus.” Her eyes and manner had softened when she sought the being out. “You know that. You know my heart. But I cannot,” she lowered her head, the long blonde tresses obscuring her face for a beat, “I cannot, not do this thing.”
There was an infinite sadness in her gaze.
“I forbid it, Althea.” Was the deathly quiet response.
He stood apart from the others. A force to be reckoned with.
A lone figure, set against the blaze of the hearth’s fire, which outlined the imminent perfection of his body. The still handsome face silhouetted by the harsh light given off by the flames.
Althea lifted her head. “I know how you hate long goodbyes.” She leaped onto the upper balcony, gracefully landing on the outside of the ornate balustrade, looking down on the area below with an intent stare. “...Your luck with your children is still running to form, isn’t it.”
Marcus’s features were expressionless.
“Oh, well.” She used his most favorite remark. “You can always make another, can’t you.”
*****
Alex paced the area like a caged animal. Where was Christopher? What was taking so long? Why hadn’t they heard...
“Alex, can I ask a question?” Annie was sensing the man’s turmoil. She thought to make the situation more tolerable by taking his mind off things for a while. “This woman...this...”
“Althea.” Alex nodded absently, slowing his pace, searching out the lovely features. His heart softened, realizing that this must be even more upsetting to the human; but she was remarkably subdued.
He smiled at her, crossing to take a seat across from the divan where she reposed. The lights above gave a soft glow to her hair. She looked beautiful and vulnerable.
He wanted desperately to protect her. To make her world safe and content, suddenly.
“Yes, Althea. Is she, well, of course she is, but I mean...” Annie smiled at her own folly. “Do you know anything about her? She’s Christopher’s friend, but for how long? Do you have any idea how old she might be, say? Or...”
“Never you mind how old I am, young lady!” The soft, musical rejoinder halted any further prying.
Both individuals turned at the unexpected statement and unexpected presence.
Alex arose, his nerves on edge. He had sensed an approach, of course, but he could not identify the scent, which troubled him to no end.
Christopher could have done so, but...speaking of whom, the older vampire had just appeared on scene, coming through the front entrance in a casual, almost mundane manner.
He lay his coat aside, smiling a welcome to Althea Adams.
“What a thing to ask!” Althea pushed Christopher bodily aside, heading for the most comfortable chair in the house. "Shotgun!" She flopped into the deep cushions, propping her feet on the...
“Get your feet off my coffee table.” Christopher removed the shapely legs physically as he had passed.
“That’s the gratitude I get?” Such a lack of protocol dumbfounded Althea.
“Look, you need one of those.” Christopher knew how to misdirect the female’s attention when he needed to do so. He had motioned to the television screen, handing her the tuner from the table. He headed for the bar. “Don’t you?”
Althea watched with avid interest; the info commercial being displayed on the gigantic flat screen which took up most of the west wall. “Only 19.95?” Her interest was instantly piqued.
Despite herself, Annie found herself smiling at the woman’s obvious amazement.
“Plus, shipping.” Christopher reminded.
“Still a bargain.” Althea reminded peevishly.
“I-I didn’t know.” Annie was ever curious. “Eh, can you actually use a vegetable slicer? I mean, do you eat... vegetables?”
"No.” Althea scoffed at such a concept. “But come on...19.95! That’s a steal!”
Christopher handed the woman her drink that he had prepared, being the gentleman he was. “And if you act now, you get an extra one free.”
Alex shook his head woefully. “Damn it, Christopher! What happened? Did you get to speak to...” he turned fretfully to the female vampire, “your Sire?”
“Is probably holed up in some secluded little hide-a-way with the first cabana boy that caught her wayward attent... oh, you mean her.” Christopher took the tuner from Althea’s resisting hands, ignoring her sullen expression, as he switched channels. “He wasn’t very receptive to our entreaties...was he, Al.”
“No, and it’s all your fault, Christopher!” The female whined. “And now we are all going to die horrible deaths. Probably worse, and I’m just sick about it!”
“What could be more horrible than death?” Christopher philosophized.
- Writer
