She...is Our Advocate?
1339 Words
#Vote#
I’m not going to just stand here and let them hurt Annie.”
“Okay, good luck with that.” Althea nodded. “I’m off then.” She brightened, turning to Christopher. “See you guys on the morrow, as old Hans would say.”
“You owe me.” Christopher stated quietly, his stare an intently quiet one. “You would put it on those terms?” Althea was indignant.
“Decidedly.”
“Well, that’s not very gentlemanly!”
“Ain’t no gentleman, if you will recall?” Christopher lifted a noble brow.
Althea smiled happily. “...I remember.”
“Still, Hans will not like me if I help you more than I have. I mean, I have helped tremendously, as you know,” Althea reminded helpfully, sipping her drink delicately.
“News flash...” Christopher informed her gently. “I don’t think he especially likes you all that much, anyway!”
“Stop being so negative; of course he likes me. Who does not?” Such a concept seemed to stump her completely. “I am likeable, and I dress well, as you can see.” She opened her arms, turning around, showing off the silk of the black dress she sported.
“I got this in Paris. Of course, Pops doesn’t know I got it in Paris just yet.” Althea cut her eyes warily. “But I’m sure he won’t mind. Right? I mean, how could he? I look amazing in it, yes?”
“Yeah, yeah...amazing.” Christopher had picked up on Alex’s urgency and dismay. “Al, listen to me. This is serious s**t here, ok? These two are star-crossed lovers, destined to be together, just like all those couples you read about in your smutty novels. You would hate yourself if you didn’t help them out in their time of need.”
Alex exchanged uncomfortable glances with Annie, both uneasy over such an evaluation of their relationship, stated so off-handedly.
He felt the need to intervene. “Christopher...”
The Master Vampire waved him silent, continuing. “This is so, 1890s!” Christopher stated enthusiastically. “How cool is that? Isn’t it romantic?”
The young vampire cut her gaze to the two other occupants of the room. Her features softened. “It is rather sweet.”
“Yes, it is very sweet! Terribly sweet.” Christopher concurred. “And all you have to do is talk to good old Papa and ask him to speak to the Council on our behalf.”
“Will you come too?” Althea bit her nail thoughtfully, sulking a bit.
“I will be there. Right by your side!” Christopher was looking forward to it. “All I need is an invitation.”
Alex was beginning to understand a little better now. He waited, unaware that he still held tightly to Annie Callahan’s hand, his thumb gently caressing the inside of her soft flesh absently. He bit his inner lip, the tension coursing throughout his body.
“No...no, let me set the path.” Althea knew how her Sire disliked uninvited guests. “I will send for you when all is well, alright?”
“Whatever you think best, Althea.” Christopher smiled charmingly down at the female.
She drew in a long breath, exhaling slowly. “Well, alright then. I will go now.” She sat her glass aside. “And let’s pray that Pops is in a good mood this evening.”
“Pray?” Christopher could not help the observation.
“Or a facsimile thereof.” Althea shrugged. “You look very nice in stripes, Christopher. That blue tie brings out the color of your eyes.” She decided to be polite if nothing else, finally.
“My eyes are brown, Althea.” Christopher sighed lightly.
The female squinted, peering at his face, scrutinizing. “Well, it’s not like I am attracted to that particular part of your anatomy, Christopher... excuse the hell out of me, alright?”
“I forgive you.” Christopher could be magnanimous if necessary. He folded his arms leisurely, leaning to kiss the full, sensual lips in a gentle caress. “Come back later, and I will forgive you...in private.” He flicked Annie and Alex with an impatient sweep of the brown eyes.
“Really?” The woman’s interest perked up.
“Absolutely.”
“You’ll forgive me...like you did last time? In Monaco?”
“It was Morocco, and yes, like that.”
"Oh.” Althea swept the being’s frame with undisguised interest. “I do wish Hans were more like you.”
“I’m sure you do.” Christopher commiserated.
The female left by the door, with but one suspicious look at Alex Wilder and Annie Callahan. “You had best be worth the trouble. I dislike being staked ever so much.” She scowled over at the two. “I’m just saying.”
The female took her leave with but one seductive glance Christopher's way.
The silence was uncanny for a spell, each to his or her own thoughts concerning the events of the past half hour.
“What the hell just happened here?” Alex was trying to assimilate it all.
“I was hoping everything was alright. It’s been a while, after all.” Christopher sat on the plush divan, then arose, too agitated to sit for very long. He began a slow, deliberate pace of the gleaming tile floor beneath his expensive Italian shoes. “We need an advocate with the Council. Her Sire is very powerful. They will listen to him, but I must make him see the merit in our plight.”
“Just go talk to the guy, Christopher.”
The Vampire grinned at such folly. “You just don’t pop in on this guy, Alex. Not and come out alive, I hear tell. He’s been very reclusive since the death of his son. He’s an Elder. We need Althea to reach him.”
“If he doesn’t come around, what are our options?” Alex didn’t like depending on anyone else where Annie’s fate was concerned.
“One?” Christopher tilted his head slightly, lifting his brows. “Hide out until, or if, this thing blows over. A couple years with no fuss or bother ...no headlines about our Society coming to the fore? Should prove our sincerity.”
“Two years?” Annie was astonished.
“And two?” Alex wanted more options than the one stated.
“We all die a horrible death at the hands of good old Hans.” Christopher looked around for his car keys, finding them in the crystal bowl on the bar area.
“Hans is that good...he could defeat even you? With me at your side?”
“He’s that bad.” Christopher quipped. “I’ve made provisions. All is not lost just yet. Let’s see what tomorrow brings. I’m assuming no one is really in a party mood any longer?”
Alex shook his head aimlessly, the question in itself having upset him even further. “No Christopher...we’re not.”
“Ah, then, I will take a little drive.” He had been scribbling on a notepad, tearing the paper off, handing it over for the other being to take. “Go to this place. Wait for me to contact you. Under no circumstances are you to go out alone...either of you.” He waited for Alex to peruse the bold script. “Do you remember it?”
Alex nodded. “I don’t like just sitting around–”
“Well, in this instance, you have no other choice.” Christopher cut him short. “Let me see what I can find out. Just sit tight and give me a few hours, alright?”
Alex checked with Annie, who seemed fine with the suggestion. “It will be fine, Alex.” She tried a weak smile of encouragement.
“Hurry, Christopher.” Alex asked.
The Vampire nodded, then took his leave.
- Writer
