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Chapter 162
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Urban Vampire Chapter 163
It was Saturday when I prepared for the territory meetings held at my old home … now owned by Monica. My minion hated having territory meetings on the weekends. I made sure we had meetings on Saturdays so they would have to determine which was more important—having a nice Saturday, or bombarding me with useless complaints.Paul and I had just made love and he was still naked and wet from his shower as he sidled up behind me and kissed my shoulders and neck. "You're tense baby. Relax. Monica barely says anything at the meetings."I nodded. "I know.""She knows you have her number so she stopped with all the shocking shit."I grimaced. Yes, there was a time when she enjoyed flaunting her donors around us, their mesmerized eyes like cows being led to the slaughter, blood still spilled upon their clothing as evidence of her recent feedings. It repulsed her sisters and distressed me until finally I chastised her and threatened to punish her if I saw it happen again. By that time, I had
Urban Vampire Chapter 164
"I could have remained your assistant," Monica said out of the blue. She stood at a distance regarding me solemnly. When I didn't answer, she tried to hide a look of contempt. I could feel it even if I couldn't see it. "But you wouldn't allow that because of that baby."Indeed. I didn't want her anywhere near BJ, Paul, or me for that matter. Her posture changed in resolution. "I'll help her. Your new assistant if she needs it." I gazed at her, searching her expression before nodding my head in agreement. "I can take a bit of her blood today so that she can communicate with me.""No," I said flatly. I met her eyes. "I forbid it.""Yes," she replied and none too happily. I tried to figure out if Monica hated me and what I had caused her to become … or if she was only trying to be me.The territory meeting moved swiftly, and although Paul, Jason, and Tyler had to flex their proverbial muscles a few times, there weren't any deadly incidents. I was especially proud of Sam, who never s
Urban Vampire Chapter 165
Monica stood, and her chair hit the floor. Her face grew fierce. "I said I am innocent, and you will not threaten my sire!"Keada picked up the sword that lay across the table. She would use it to behead Monica—I'd seen her do it to other rogues."I will make this quick, my beauty." Then Keada leaped across the table swinging her sword with almost impossible speed.I tried to scream "Wait!" but before the words could leave my mouth, Monica flung something at Keada. It glinted through the air and hit her in the face. A flash of light and the sound of sparks filled the air, and Keada faltered and landed on the floor at Monica's feet, the sword skidding harmlessly across the floor. Keada screeched and came to her feet, hands shielding her face. And then I saw what had struck her—Monica's crucifix.There was a hiss as the other Council members reacted to the sight of the religious relic as well as to the smoking, screeching vampire who was darting blindly around the room.Frank jump
Urban Vampire Chapter 166
A week later Ran and I flashed ourselves to the first Council meeting that would include Monica as more than a rogue on trial. It felt strange not to see Keada, who had always reminded me of K.D. Lang with her androgynous look.Monica sat waiting in a wingchair for the meeting to convene. She wore a stark white pantsuit that looked familiar. And then I realized that it was one of the outfits that Tony had purchased for me when I'd first moved in with him. Much of my wardrobe had been left behind since it didn't reflect the real me. I glanced at him wondering if he recognized it, but he seemed to be ignoring Monica and sat far across the room from her. Her eyes were locked on me as soon as I appeared, obviously sensing my arrival even before I materialized. Ran and I crossed the room to her, and she rose with a smile."Kim." She leaned forward to briefly embrace me and then Ran. "Are you getting settled in to your role as a Master?" I asked."Very easily. Having been with two Ma
Urban Vampire Chapter 167
"Down, Mommy. Down!" Julie strained to be put down so she could scoot along the floor and undoubtedly discover something new to put into her mouth. At ten months old she had grown adept at getting around by scooting along on her butt, and in that way she seemed to be able to move a mile a minute. Why crawl when you can get around hands free?"Hold on, baby." I carried her into the family room, which we had cordoned off with baby gates. She kicked her chubby legs clad in tiny bib overalls and strained and stretched her body until it took some juggling to keep hold of her as I guided her safely to the floor.She babbled gleefully and scooted to her loudest toy, a set of chimes that were supposed to be hit with a harmless wooden mallet. But the mallet had long ago disappeared so now Julie just slammed it on the floor until it made a melodic racket. She often pulled herself up onto shaky legs to stand along the cocktail table so she could slam the toy against the hard surface, thus ensur
Urban Vampire Chapter 168
Councils across the nation were forced to adhere to these changes just as ours did, which amazed me that there was so little information as to why. No one knew anything, and it set me on edge. I placed more responsibility on my Masters to control their liege and to keep order in the territory they managed. I even required them to send their reports to me by good old-fashioned email so that Sam could keep the reports in order. I never heard so much complaining after requiring all Master vampires to know how to use freaking email! But this meant that the territory meetings were reduced to hearings of judgment or punishment or disputes between our humans or Master vampires.Change was not something vampires easily adapted to, but as an ex rogue, I'd had to survive by my ability to change. If we were going to stay on top of whatever game was being played, I was going to make sure my territory adapted well to change.I heard Paul's motorcycle as it winded the circular driveway. He and R
Urban Vampire Chapter 169
It pained me that the loss of our Julie still stunted him. Once upon a time Ran had intended to end his existence, but sensing his thoughts I kept him grounded by making him Julie's protector. Of course, I always needed as much help as I could get. Maybe it was selfish of me to want him to remain in existence, but the idea of losing yet another friend was not an option.Ran's brow furrowed. "It's strange, Kim. Something is going on. Changes being made, alliances forming, and all on the Elder level." The entire vampire nation was aware that things had made a shift, but even utilizing our many contacts, no one was able to determine what or why.What was certain was that every vampire Council in the Nation was now required to keep a strict reign over his or her territory and to monitor the behavior of both the living and the undead. Before, we kept our ear to the grindstone when it came to humans but did not interfere in their affairs. Now we had to answer for any and everything that co
Urban Vampire Chapter 170
I noted that the others in the room regarded the exchange curiously but even the more rambunctious of my minion made no attempt to flex their muscles and observed with equal curiosity. Ran seemed surprised by the human's response. He glanced at the monitor and quirked up a brow, seeming a bit amused, but only allowed it to flash at us briefly before his professional demeanor returned. "He's a cocky little bastard, but I don't sense even an ounce of—"What occurred next happened fast and was hard to understand. I saw the stranger glance at the monitor, Ran swung his head to the man in surprise, and a moment later the stranger collapsed. It wasn't the type of collapse where you swoon and black out. No. It was as if he was simply no longer alive. He dropped like a rock, and Ran caught him so swiftly I couldn't understand how he could have ever known it was about to happen. One moment they were both standing there and the next he was supporting the man's unconscious body with one arm.
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