Deiseh was nervous but I decided not to ask the reason why. There had once been a news report where a woman who asked too many questions about the supernatural world-she was murdered by a group of Vampires behind a doughnut store. The police couldn't identify who killed the woman but once the press blamed the murder on a random Vampire that happened to be passing by everyone pointed the finger. Including the judge on evidence that wasn't even true.
I honestly felt sorry for her-the Vampire. Yet, the next day, she broken out of jail by an unknown organization. It couldn't have been Vampires-not with her being chained down by silver with silver bars and all. The jail was perfectly Vampire proof. I guess that meant not all humans hated Vampires. At least, I don't.
Maybe Angels saved her?
The Vampire Saga was in complete chaos when we arrived. Vampires were yelling, arguing and even snarling. Once Zach said Deiseh's name, everyone fell silent and returned to sitting in their seats.
Zach was leaning on the podium with a wide smile. "So glad you came. I thought for a moment we would have to send someone to your house and fetch you."
Deiseh led me onto the stage. "Zach, what are you doing?"
"Stating what needs to be heard," replied Zach nonchalantly. "Each Vampire in here deserves to speak their own opinions." He motioned his hand over the crowd who was already beginning to mutter and whisper amongst each other.
"Deiseh." Someone stood up from the crowd. "Tell us what we should do. Nyx has to be protected. She's one of the last few remaining Royals." He was a Vampire with long red hair and a clean shaven face. He was tall and thin like a basketball player or a light pole.
"We certainly shouldn't be causing a riot," replied Deiseh. "Storming into the castle will only get her killed faster. We need better planning than some ill-thought rebellion." Deiseh glowered at Zach who was enjoying himself.
Zach began to say, "Deiseh, weren't you the one-"
"Don't even!" Deiseh warned as I cowered behind him.
Zach was very stubborn and hardly realized the danger he was in. If he did realize then he was too stupid to take notice or care. Deiseh could kill Zach with ease which was frightening yet comforting all the same.
"Deiseh." A Vampire I had never seen before walked up the steps and onto the stage. I quickly hid behind Deiseh-away from both Zach and the other Vampire.
The new being was taller than Deiseh with short blonde hair with a single braid that hung down in front of his ear and onto above his shoulder. The color of his eyes was metallic silver-gray. He confronted Deiseh like any old friend might do-minus the hand shake.
"Albert?" Deiseh recognized him. "What are you doing here in Robcross?"
Albert gave a light smirk. "This isn't exactly Robcross, now is it?" The tone was friendly and joking. "I have business in Libson and decided to come by here. Little did I know that Deiseh, Darkangel Vampire, would be here." His voice was smooth like cool whip just opened-just like Deiseh's-and it sent chills in my bones to hear them both talk with each other.
"Good to have you." Deiseh gave a nod. "It seems Zach wants to start a war and have Nyx murdered by Horus." His eyes trailed to Zach.
Zach looked up blankly as if he had heard nothing of their conversation. He gave a timid smile which showed me that this Albert must be powerful. I felt sorry for Zach even if he was the one to put himself, idiotically, into this situation.
"You're willing to take on Horus?" Albert asked. "That's a bit of a suicide mission, don't you think Zach?"
"I… No, I…" Zach swallowed his anxiety. "Of course."
"The meeting is over." Albert raised an eyebrow as if to say, "Go ahead and challenge me." He looked over the crowd and everyone felt the same unusual power that emanated from him.
"What about Jill's son?" asked Zach. "Horus took him prisoner on our last raid? We can't abandon him?" The crowd muttered in agreement.
"We shall talk to Horus," said Albert. "There's no need to make this into a much larger problem than it really is. Horus can be dealt with much easier than your idea, Zach."
Deiseh sighed. "I'll have to go down there and fix things." His eyes pierced through Zach and the poor Vampire didn't know whether to run or plead for his life.
"Deiseh," Albert said. "Come sit with me so we can talk."
The three of us sat down at a table far away from the rest of the Vampires. It wasn't too long after sitting there with Deiseh and Albert that I placed my head on Deiseh's shoulder. They talked about business matters such as a new club opening. I was too tired to actually pay attention. Before I knew it, my eyes had slid shut.
It was moments later that I realized Albert had brought me into the conversation. I had only caught the end of his sentence. "…is the Archangel?"
"Yes," replied Deiseh. "She hasn't quite mastered everything."
"She has just begun to learn about it all," agreed Albert. He leaned forward with a smile playing in his words. "She is youthful but is she available?"
"She is with me," Deiseh stated grimly.
Stupid, Angel blood. It's always attracting unwanted attention. Does that mean Deiseh only loves me for my blood? I guess it work for the saying: "It's what's on the inside that counts." So much for that piece of advice. I bet they didn't consider Vampires for the equation.
"Then I'll bother you no more," Albert said, still with lightness to his words. "If she ever needs anyone else I am here for her."
Deiseh laughed a little, knowing Albert was simply joking. "Don't dare."
"I would never." Albert was lying, devilishly, as I opened my eyes. He didn't seem to be affected to know I was awake. Perhaps they already knew.
"We should head home." Deiseh looked down at me then stood. He wrapped his jacket over my shoulders and helped me stand next to him. "Please visit us," said Deiseh as Albert courteously walked with us to the parking lot.
"I'd love to," said Albert.
"Albert," said Deiseh. "If I do have to go to Horus then I will need you to take care of Aida. I hope you don't mind." It's nice that Vampires like to share but I'm not up for it in any way.
"Don't I have a say in this?" I asked but was hardly heard.
Albert smiled. "I'd love to." He bowed his head and walked towards the forest where Shifters were hiding earlier. Dawn and Casey had left home earlier just before briefing the Shifters on what had happened.
"Deiseh," I grumbled as we drove home. "I seriously don't-"
"Please," he said gently. "Albert would never harm you. I trust him with my life. If I were to leave then he would be the perfect person to leave you with. I'm not asking you to do anything else."
What bothered me the most was not Albert. It was the idea of Deiseh leaving.
Deiseh was the first to enter the house. His cold hand around mine soothed some of the fever in me. Before we could make it into the living room Deiseh halted in front of me.
"Someone's here," he stated.
"Yeah, Tom." I nearly laughed.
Deiseh sternly stated, "Someone not Tom."
Thousands of hideous scenes swirled through my mind like an our of control merry-go-round. If anything happened to my little kid brother I was going to hunt down and torture the sorry demon.
"Look, they're home," said Zach who had his cold Vampire arms around Tom. "Took you long enough." Tom was bounded and gagged with a frightened expression that he was desperately trying to hide behind a mask of calm.
Deiseh, full of anger, hissed with acidic hatred. "Let the boy go, Zach. Your battle is with me."
Zach gave a joyous laugh. "I'm not planning on hurting him unless you refuse to cooperate." He sneered and kissed Tom's cheek. "Give me permission to rally a rebellion or I shall suck him dry."
Deiseh grounded his teeth. "No."
"What?" I blurted. "That's my brother!"
Deiseh never pulled his attention from Zach's eyes. "If I give in he'll kill Tom. Either way Tom dies." His casual tone angered me in a way I could not express with words.
The only thing I could think about was tom. I wanted Zach dead and out of my house. I didn't care how it happened or why; Zach needed to disappear. In one unconscious swipe of my hand Zach was dropping to his knees with a gasp. There was no scream as might have thought. Only a gasp of air and then Zach tumbled over and limply tumbled down the stairs.
Deiseh didn't hesitate and neither did Tom. As Tom ran to me Deiseh was gathering Zach in his arms and carrying him out the front door of the house. In a flick of a switch Tom's entire countenance twisted to tears and terror. My only brother shook with fright in the grasp of the ropes.
As soon as Tom was unbound and free to speak he mumbled everything that had happened. Zach climbed through Tom's bedroom window and tied him until his wrists were bleeding from rope burn. Winola had left an hour beforehand to spend time with friends from school.
I wrapped his wound using the first aid kit that I had always hoped to never use. Tom fell asleep minutes later on the couch next to me.
"Zach is being held in custody," said Deiseh who calmly stepped into the living room as if nothing had happened.
"Get out," I muttered.
Deiseh kneeled down, confused. "Aida?"
"You were going to let Tom die," I growled. "Get out Deiseh."
Deiseh went to speak but quickly gave up. The sound of the front door closing echoed through my thoughts until I feel asleep. Everything that happened replayed itself in my nightmares.