Franco sat in the throne’s anteroom as he waited for the court to empty of people. He’d spent hours hearing the senseless prattle of so many, including that of his mate. No one gave him the truth about anything. It was all one selfish spin after another. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t regret his actions. Taking on everything back then sounded like such a grand idea. It fulled his thirst for living and gave him a purpose. Sadly, he’d lacked the insight he had now. Franco couldn’t trust anyone anymore. He couldn’t even allow his daughter, his true daughter, to reside in the palace and the court with him. There was no trusting anyone, and he knew others plotted against him. So he did what few would do. He found the most capable stranger to do what he couldn’t. Now as he sat there and read the latest report from Atwood. He definitely took his job seriously. Franco sincerely hoped so after he’d poured o
Ana’s evening was relaxing. She’d gone to visit Edith and company after the final sitting with George. The previous nights before this, they spent their time sorting out living arrangements for the new security staff. It took a night to settle the people and a couple of nights to settle all their belongings and gear. Now the entire delegate had some form of security and protection.She’d not expected the emperor to care one way or the other. Ana left, reporting the incidents to the emperor to George.Her only excuse why she didn’t inform him herself was she feared being turned away with no help forthcoming. After all, why would the emperor send protection to a person he’d exiled a few short weeks ago?So, she thought that was strange enough. Ana so far avoided opening the last of her correspondence from home. She’d expected one from Edger instructing her of the emperor’s wishes pertaining to how she did her job. The letter she resisted opening so far came from her mo
It was difficult getting away from her mother. But there were times when having your daughters around made entertaining oneself difficult. If you were entertaining yourself with a person, you should be with in an entertainment like this. Tatiana’s mother dropped her daughters like a hot potato when her love made it to court. Now was a perfect time for Tatiana to have her way with things. Her plans today were to contact her own lover and talk about their lovely plans for the near future. Lucia Hocks, leader of the Blood Traitor’s Network, was Tatiana’s lover and to Tatiana, they were fated mates. Perfect in every way. Even their goals in life lined up. Lucia made Tatiana feel like she was already the empress and Lucia was her consort. Tatiana slipped from the hidden door in the far garden and walked into town. It took her time to get to where she was going to meet Lucia. Because she needed to keep
Finally, the last things of his left his apartment on their way to their alternate accommodations. Maximus stood, annoyed with this entire prospect. He’d sent a formal complaint to his counterpart in court, but he’d received no response and Maximus could only feel it fell on deaf ears. At least once he stepped out of here, there wasn’t much reason to be present for the princess’ benefit. He could come and go, for the most part unnoticed. Maximus felt far too restricted, and he didn’t receive the respect he felt he was due. This didn’t help him achieve any of his missions. Now he wanted to step out and be himself for a time while there was no one looking over his shoulder. Their belongings would travel as one to the new residence. The staff would travel by their own means. That pleased Maximus greatly because he planned to take his time and let off a little steam. “Mr Lioness. The head of security would like to see
George watched Ana pack her own belongings. It shouldn’t have surprised him she would do this. He stayed there to assist with supervision of the removal of the packed items for her. He’d never get bored with watching her move. She didn’t flutter or tiptoe about like most at court. He never understood why the vampiress’ at court thought it necessary to act flighty and he wouldn’t believe that they were that simple. None of them would survive with how innocent they pretended to be. Ana, he didn’t believe that name fit her as well as her full name. It felt too soft and weak for the strong and graceful vampiress who battled closing a trunk of clothing at this moment. He couldn’t stop his indulgent smile as he heard her quietly curse the thing out. George found it adorable. He liked everything about her, even her cursing and temper. “I will say this again, George. I can do this by myself. I don’t need supervision or pr
“Yes, I requested you here because we need to clear up a few things. I’m hoping it won’t take too long to clear it all up and all be on the same page.” George tried to sound professional and keep his dislike from shading the tone of his words. As far as George knew, currently he didn’t have proof that Maximus lied about his whereabouts and his alibi at the time of Mary’s murder. But Maximus was an artificial as any creature could be. His image possessed several cracks that George could see, and it didn’t endear him to George in any way. “What do we need to clear up between us? How many things do we have problems with?” Maximus, of course, played dumb to George’s words and meaning. “I’ve had several complaints about you and your treatment of others. No, no. I’m not done yet. They range from the serving caste all the way up to the ambassador herself. Now I know right now we have no way of replacing you. So instead o
Adriana met George an hour later at her apartment door and with an umbrella in hand, George escorted her to the Phantom and opened the door for her to enter. “I think this is the first time I’ve had the chance to ride in a car.” “Yes, well, this is the New Phantom. They only arrived on the market. It’s supposed to be greatly improved from the Silver Ghost model. So it should be an entirely new experience.” George stated as he closed the umbrella with a shake and followed her into the limousine’s dark interior. George knocked on the partition between the driver and them. A moment later, they were moving. Adriana’s eyes were wide in surprise as their speed steadily built. “Well, I didn’t expect it to go this fast. We’ll be there in no time. Why didn’t someone think of making something like this before?” George couldn’t help but smile. He’d been able to acquire the vehicle through a channel, somethi
Maximus left the office with as much dignity as he could possibly muster, but he stormed down the corridor and left the building. Frustrated as he went to his vehicle, he took his claw and punctured the tire of the vehicle George acquired. Let George explain why the vehicle can’t move when the princess wanted to leave. That was Maximus’ idea of how things should go. This wasn’t good enough for Maximus’ petty nature. He needed to release his emotions and rebel a little or a lot. With a smile that didn’t reach his cold, dead eyes, Maximus drove to the red-light district of the closest city. He wanted to have some mindless fun before returning to his work. He found a gin joint that was hopping with life. He parked across the street from the gin joint and ran through the rain to get to the club’s entrance. The music was loud, the glitz and the glam was over the top. It was teeming with life. Everyone there was looking for the time of their lives. Maximus knew for sur