Make Your Move Katherine

2.0

Anthony

“Hah. Now is not a joking time,” Oscar said to him, answering the third time he rang his mobile when he said he needed to come to his wife’s room. “I am with Eric.”

Just how had Katherine sensed his change? The phoenix shared its senses with her?

“The queen has an emergency, come to the meeting room, now,” Anthony commanded and Katherine twisted her head frowning, giving him a death stare. Whatever Oscar said next, escaped his hearing as he felt the change threatening to happen. He had tried his best to ignore the scent of blood and in the process leaned toward the table. “The phoenix,” he managed to get out before his phone dropped out of his hands and onto the oval-shaped object.

‘No, no what is this?’

His vampire senses kicked in. Yes, Oscar transformed him into a half blood-sucker, a hybrid; part human-part vampire.

His enhanced hearing came into play and he could catch the heartbeats of the firebird or Katherine- either one. But the sound was different, an echo almost followed each beat…like a hollow roar, that is how he knew something was different. He sucked in a breath, raising his chin in defiance- it was calling him- her heart…the queen wants him.

Hearing her catchy throaty gasp when he’d walked in, ringing inside his head as he did his best to resist her, was confirmed that the feeling was mutual by the similar sound he heard again. Katherine wanted him. Her heartbeats weren’t quickened because of fright but by attraction and unlike Oscar, he didn’t want to feed on her. He is a half-vampire that wanted the woman in front of him as a man would- not as food.

“Come,” Katherine whispered and Anthony’s large frame rocked forward and he grabbed the table’s edge to prevent himself from going into her arms. It might sound like the queen but the demon bird was probably controlling her. He fought for restraint- Oscar might be his friend but he is still king. One might find it tough to forgive a friend but a violation of a royal is a different matter- especially to a queen whether she wanted him to or not. Oscar will behead him and love had nothing to do with it. He could lose his neck and Ju would be a witness- death might be in the witch’s calling too for royalty dislike embarrassing situations and spared nobody.

The guards outside- dead. Maids, servants- anyone the misfortune of being in this hallway- all dead.

Anthony closed his eyelids, praying for inner strength just as he had done in the past months as a regular human before he became Anthony 2.0. Back then it worked; seeing her, smelling her in this pre-altered self for all he had to say to himself is that she is safe and he is obeying his king. Sneaking a look at her every now and then was a death sentence to any man if caught but Anthony couldn’t help himself. As a human he could have denied himself the right of the king’s wife but now- this…this new version of himself made everything heightened. He longed for her more, he ached more and with those also had the downside- he hurt more, he was sad more, jealous more, angry more than the usual.

There was this one time when he’d heard them- the king and queen going at it and he’d tried to stop the moans of pleasures meeting his hearing by slamming his head against the wall. It bled and bled but the sounds were still heard. Thank goodness Yeon had found him and used a cloud of enchanted dust on him that he’d gotten from the king he’d said. He’d awoken hours later and the groans had ceased by then…the only lingering was the thought to murder Oscar for touching her.

He had become capable of anything really- a madman unhinged.

His mouth sneered as his teeth fought the urge to sink themselves into Ju’s neck. Aside from the fact that she aided in his altered state and hence this agony he’s in- but it’s what he’d pledged to his crown so it’s not her to blame. It’s something, he had to sometimes remind himself of when the sudden spurges of anger threaten to overcome him. He's better but still so messed up inside his head emotionally with all the thugs and twists and pulls with scents and what he used to like but doesn’t now and what disgusted him he liked…mess up really but blood…the strongest pull and sniffing deeply he groaned. He could smell her blood- sweet, begging him to drain her and he slammed his fist against the glassed table. Not seeing any visible wound, he supposed it must be a hidden one and hoped it actually was and not- his stomach didn’t even allow him to cringe for it was exciting nevertheless- her menstrual cycle.

“What are you doing to him?” Ju’s horrified voice was directed at the queen who looked stricken herself. Of course, the silly witch-doctor would think that he would never have to restrain himself against her- his creator. The witch had no idea of what he’s become and was under the impression that the phoenix was harming him. Comical but he groaned out, slamming his fist against the table again, this time the glass took on a c***k.

“Get out,” Anthony gasped out, nostrils flared and Ju’s saucer eyes blinked at him, unsure of if she’d heard correctly.

The guard wasn’t even sure if he should be here himself but Ju’s death was not something he was looking forward to. He actually liked the little weirdo but harming her was more on his mind now as his elongated teeth protruded.

“She- she’ll, it- Lilith will kill you, come on let’s go,” the witch shouted as she pointed to Katherine and Anthony stifled a groan.

“The phoenix? If you don’t leave, I will harm you, witch.”

Still, Ju stared at him. Not able to contain it any longer, the beast in him railed out, “Get out now!”

Taking one look at his slightly altered eyebrows, Ju recognized the meaning of it and her eyes dropped to his mouth- vampire teeth and she screamed. Anthony hated that scream for his hearing is heightened at the moment and he still didn’t have complete control over his new abilities. Yeon being the first successful one and him the second. So far anyway for the prior ones had died. Check the blood type to add more.

Part of him wished he’d never confessed his love for the queen as he felt this was part of the reason why Oscar did it. See Yeon was the test but still, he was being monitored to see if it was an overall success and Anthony was the punishment for loving his wife.

Anthony wasn’t stupid. He along with the rest of the king’s personal guards were selected to undergo the hybrid transformation but only when it had been proven a total success but Oscar’s anger is another issue and Anthony’s alteration came earlier because of it.

Part of him wished he’d died- at least then he would not hinder his king’s plans or be the cause of any misjustice the queen might face because of his love. But who would protect Oscar after his death? And who would save Katherine from Oscar’s wrath?

He embraced his change now for he was better, swifter.

“Your eyes,” the witch uttered and his jaw clenched a bit annoyed now. Yes, his eyes are red. Yes, his eyebrows had a slightly more arched look now because of the way the peak looked. It looked higher but the reality is the inner corner, closer to his nose are bit pulled nearer- only those that knew his face properly would notice that for his face had no other change as this new creature he’s become.

To the non-believers of vampirism, he would look like a man under deep fury, with red contacts of course.

His skin looked clearer, healthier even- a glow perhaps. His muscles feel new and energized all the time- he didn’t get tired. Yet he has to test himself and travel through the present time with Oscar to see if his strength would weaken like the king’s.

“Come to me, Anthony,” Katherine’s clear voice was music to his ears, especially what Ju’s annoying one just put him through. Something about her made him feel- human and his teeth shortened to their regular size.

“Ju!” he shouted and the woman cried out before she escaped the room. Two things; he didn’t want to harm the witch and he wasn’t sure if she would defend herself and he would be the one hurt instead and two, he was going to fulfill his wish and taste the queen and he didn’t want a witness to it.

Before the door even slammed shut, he was standing in front of the queen and the king be damned.

Not wanting to scare her, he raised one hand gently to her ear, tucking her already neat hair back behind slowly bringing his hand back down to up her delicate jaw. He could feel her hand coming up to nestle between them, resting softly against his beating heart. It still worked, only slower than the regular- slower as in one beat every three minutes.

Nobody noticed the door behind them was ajar.