Principles...Who Needs Them
1517 Words
The rich, deep tone washed over the woman at his feet, who pushed the effect aside rapidly.
Althea scrambled upright, dusting her rather fetching bottom of debris. "Well, fine!" She disgusted. "Why didn't you just say so in the first place! I don't give a crap! Never did!"
She crossed to Christopher, falling into a full-fledged sullen mode. The Vampire knew from experience, it would take several thousand dollars to get her out of such a mood. Well, it was only money.
"Why?" Alex had to know. "...Why did you do it?"
"A dept repaid." Came the all too ready reply to the younger Vampire's astonishment. He had not truly expected one, after all.
"A debt to who?" Althea asked, pouting prettily for all to see.
"To whom." Christopher corrected.
"Whatever!" the female vented.
" ... To me." A disembodied voice answered the question in everyone's mind.
Alex Wilder swirled about, his face registering his amazement. He had sensed nothing. No warning, no premonition, no danger. Nothing.
When he sought Christopher Colton, he knew the other Vampire had felt nothing as well.
Christopher stared transfixed at the enigma before them. It was uncanny. No decay. No scent.
Nothing.
"This... is your Sire?" Christopher had never met an Ancient before. Elders, yes. He had heard much of this being. The cold, unfeeling stare told him it was probably all true. The younger vampire inclined his head minutely, holding the penetrating eyes with difficulty.
"I believe there have been enough theatrics for one evening." Marcus seemed more than bored. "Are you ready to come home now?"
Althea shifted her eyes, her mood dropping considerably. For one brief second, she allowed herself to believe that Hans...Edwin had cared enough about her to come see if she was ripped asunder by the other bad guys.
She had never been ripped asunder, but it didn't sound like too much fun. Fido hadn't cared anything for her, the Enforcer had simply owed Marcus, big time, she was guessing. She had never even been a factor in the equation.
And why did it matter, anyway?
"What about them?" Althea knew she would have to pay for her ways. She wasn't that stupid.
Marcus probably wanted her alone, with no witnesses. Not that he cared anything about witnesses. The Master just preferred to work his magic away from prying eyes. He was such a private soul, after all.
"It is ended." The sentence had such a finality to it, that Alex almost believed it.
"You have spoken to the Council?" Christopher wanted confirmation. The ice-blue eyes turned upon him, and even Colton felt the weight of such powerful antipathy.
"Go about your meager existence and leave me to my peace." Marcus drew in an even breath. "It is ended. But I had nothing to do with it, did I, Althea."
The female lowered her head, feeling her Sire’s displeasure to the core of her being, suddenly chilled. She suddenly felt so alone and empty.
Marcus turned, exiting without another word.
Althea swiped her cheeks, angry at herself for such a display, but she had just lost her father. No, he was more than that. He was her mentor, confessor, future lover, and her Sire. Surely, she was allowed some measure of release.
"What did you do?" Edwin demanded her answer. "What the hell have you done now, Althea?" he shook a woeful head, her tears affecting him. He dismissed the sensation angrily.
She sought Christopher Colton, her eyes conveying her misery and pain for once. "I did the right thing." She was fairly certain of the fact now. "For the first time ever, and you know what, Hans?" She laughed hollowly, shifting her attention to the other being. "I really f*****g hate it. I really do. I don't think I will ever attempt such folly again."
She touched Christopher's hand as she passed on her way to the closest exit.
Christopher's fingers tightened on the slender ones. "Stay." He advised sotto voce, meaning the statement.
She shook the long blonde tresses, continuing on. Thea closed the door on her way out.
Colton searched out his other guest only to discover...
"...Where?" Alex voiced the obvious question. The Enforcer was nowhere to be found.
"People come and go so quickly here, Auntie Em." Christopher's tone held his rancor. Damn,
he felt shitty for bringing Althea into this mess now. He set his mind. He would put this to rights with the woman. He would fix it.
"I'll get Annie home." Alex asked more than stated. "Then I'll be back to help."
Christopher shook his head. "No," he smiled at the human, "stay around close tonight. Just to make sure everything is kosher. Althea is strong. She’ll be fine. I'll check in with her." He reassured Wilder.
"That... man!" Annie had been speechless until now. "God, Alex!" She sought answers she didn't think anyone could supply at this point; she knew.
"An Ancient. Very powerful being." Christopher nodded at nothing in particular. "You felt it, hum? Yeah, well..." He let it go. “If he says it’s over, I think we can take that to the bank, but stay with her."
Alex nodded. He was a little worried about Christopher, but he also knew Marcus was not the only powerful being around these parts.
He bundled Annie up and headed for the city. It would take hours to get there, but he felt more comfortable being in familiar surroundings.
"Take care, Christopher." Annie tip toed, kissing the Vampire's cheek. "Thank you for everything you did for us tonight! We would be lost without you."
"The way Alex drives, you will probably be lost, period, so keep the cell phone handy."
"Amusing." Alex appreciated the small effort at lightness. "The Cleaner?" He had glanced
back at the mess left behind in Edwin's wake.
"She should give us a discount. We've sent a lot of business her way of late."
Christopher stood looking after Alex and Annie's departure several minutes later. The sounds of the night filtered into the air. They were somehow comforting. He allowed the moment to regroup his sensibilities. It was the least he could do for himself after such a harrowing episode.
He closed the door finally, glancing about the remnants of his home away from home. Well, one of them.
Seeking his cell, he waited patiently for the call to connect.
He hoped they could get the stench out of the place. Enforcer blood differed from any he had ever experienced. Unpleasant and strong. The odor hung like a sickly-sweet perfume from the five and dime, the kind that was impossible to wash off your hands.
It wasn't his problem. He had other more pressing ones.
*****
Christopher waited patiently. He stood on a cliff overlooking the Valley. The lights stretched on for miles. Vacating the premises, he allowed the Cleaner to do her job without interference. It was a mild night, the wind from the ocean refreshing and brisk.
The darkness of the mountains allowed for the luminescence of the stars overhead. They appeared closer and decidedly brilliant. The Vampire pulled his attention from the quietness of the panoramic view.
"Where are you?" He spoke into the cell phone, his tone uncensored.
"I'm okay, Christopher." Came the hesitant reply. The soft voice caressed him like a soothing balm.
"It’s my fault you’re estranged from your Sire. I put you in the middle of this mess. Let me at least feel a little guilty over the matter." He insisted. "Let me come to you. I'll make it all better. You know I have such abilities, don't you."
"I do." He could hear the smile in her reply. "But it’s best right now that I go away. Marcus will forgive in time. All should be well soon."
"He didn't seem like the forgiving type." Christopher told his point of view. "I can't believe he’s that uptight about you choosing the wrong side in this issue. I'm sensing something more is going on. Tell me what it is."
"You are a good friend, Christopher."
"You state facts of which I am already aware. Tell me what you did that pissed Marcus off, Thea. Other than just being your normal self, of course."
"It is a family problem. If I divulge its intricacies, he will be even more upset with me."
Christopher thought that one through. "What can I do to make it better?"
"I am uncertain anyone can make it better." Althea sighed lightly. "If I need you, I will not hesitate to call, yes?"
"Promise, your most excellent promise."
She smiled. "Have it then, noble knight."
"I'm not noble, but I can play the part of a knight if you so desire. Or a Celt. I like Celts." She chuckled her amusement. "I rather enjoy them, too."
"I remember." His tone dropped to a silky provocation as he parodied her previous answer to the question he posed concerning a similar encounter they once shared.
"I will contact you soon."
"You do that." He advised strenuously. The line went dead.
- Writer
