Post by bkdargavell on Feb 1, 2012 10:56:22 GMT -5
CHAPTER ONE:
Club Chaos
Evangeline sighed softly as the cab drive, turned the narrow twist and turns heading towards the Badica Estate. It had been years since she’d last visited her home; Dark Springs, Romania. She was extremely nervous to see her sister again, not because it had been so long but because of the things she had done. She shook her head mentally; I am not going to think about that now. She told herself, crossing her arms over her chest, she looked out the window. Not much had changed since she was last here, 200 years ago. The town of Dark Springs was tiny, barely a blimp on the map, and still held its old world charm. The very thing she and her sister had loved so much. Evangeline took a deep breath, thought it wasn’t necessary.
“Nervous miss?” The cab driver asked.
“I’ve not seen my sister in some time; I guess you could say I am a little nervous to see her again.” Evangeline replied.
“There’s no need to be nervous, she’s your sister after all.” He replied with a smile. “What was the address again?”
“That is very true,” She replied wishing she could believe him. She frowned; the last time she was here there really wasn’t a need for an address. Everyone knew who she was. She shrugged. “I can’t remember, however it’s the old Badica Estate.”
The cab driver hit the brakes. “Miss, you don’t want to be lurking around that place.”
“And why is that?” She asked with a growl.
“Evil lives there.” He replied turning around and looking at her. “Perhaps it was a mistake? Maybe your sister made a mistake?”
“My sister made no mistake.” Evangeline hissed baring her fangs. “Now take me to my sister or I will kill you.”
He stared in horror. “M-miss.” He stammered.
“Very well then,” she stared back at him. She rarely used compulsion anymore, but she knew the instant his eyes slowly hazed over, it was working. “you are going to turn around and drive me to the Badica Estate, there you will open the gate and drive me to the door. I will not be paying for your services tonight either, you will drive home and forget about bringing me here.”
He nodded and then turned around, and continued driving. She felt slightly guilty for compiling him but it faded quickly once the estate came into view. She tightened her grip on the handle of her purse. Mary-Katharine was the only family she had left, even though she knew Mary would never abandon her, she couldn’t help but worry that she might not want anything to do with her again. Evangeline needed her sister. Once they reached the main gate, the cab driver got out and did just as she commanded him too. He then drove up the, now paved, driveway stopping at the front door. She then told him to get her bags out of the trunk, which he did, and then she stepped out of the cab. She told him good-bye and he left. Evangeline stood staring at the door, before she knocked on it.
“May I help you?” A man asked opening the door, clearly human and from the looks of his neck Evangeline knew Mary had been feeding from him.
“I’m here to see Mary-Katherine.”
“She is out at the moment, perhaps you should have phoned before coming?” The man’s tone was harsh, he slowly closed the door, but Evangeline put her foot between the doors and pushed it back on the man. “Excuse me miss?”
“Maybe I should have mentioned she was my sister?” She hissed, baring her fangs. “I doubt she’d be pleased with how you are treating me.”
The man frowned, and took a step back. “Evangeline?”
“Correct servant,” she barked. “are you going to let me in?”
“Of course Miss Evangeline.” The man moved and allowed her to step in; he then went and grabbed her bags. “Miss Katherine is out at a nearby club, I will write the address down for you.”
“Thank you.”
Club Chaos packed, beyond belief. Its grand opening was four weeks ago, but every night since then, it seemed to draw more and more club goers. Katherine smiled as she watched the people dancing, the club was her dream. She had owned something like this 40 years ago in New York, but it was nothing compared to this very moment. She walked back to her booth and sat down. She hated drinking alone, but Scott was busy running the club and her friends were too busy with official vampire duties. She snorted at the thought. The Romanian Vampire Council was something she had avoided all of her life, she refused to get caught up in the politics. However, she was finding it harder and harder to turn down Mr. William Ambrose, the president of the council in Romania. His offers were getting better and better by the moment.
Kat ordered a bottle of Rum with blood, and three glasses from the waitress. She was tapping her foot on the floor when she heard two male voices coming from behind her. She smiled; William Ambrose was walking along side Scott. She knew what they were talking about, the club, he was proud of them. When they reached her table, she stood and smiled at the gentlemen.
“Mr. Ambrose,” She said holding out her hand. “I am so thrilled you could make it.”
“Please call me William.” He replied shaking her hand. “I wasn’t sure if Dark Springs was the right place for a club, but I was wrong. I am very happy you are doing well Miss Badica.”
“Call me Katherine, or Kat.” She replied stepping out of the booth. “Please have a seat, I ordered us something to drink, it should be here shortly.”
William stepped into the booth, Kat slid in next to him, and Scott slid in opposite of her. Moments later the waitress returned with the bloody Rum and three glasses filled with ice. She poured each of them a glass and then left. William took a big drink and smiled.
“Is that blood?” He asked.
“Yes,” Scott started. “for the vampire clients we offer blood. Lily there serves this section, she’s a psychic so there’s no chance she’ll delver blood to the human clients.”
“That is very interesting.” William replied.
“Dark Springs has a very large population of vampires,” Kat started. “it seemed fitting that we would offer a club that served blood for them.”
“So I’m told, what is it about Dark Springs?”
“Dark Springs has many estates from the old days; most of them are owned by vampires. They provide a safe haven of sorts.” Kat took a sip from her drink. “One-third of the vampire population lives in townhomes just inside the city, while the rest live outside.”
“Buying property is pretty tough around these parts.” Added Scott, with a smile. “It took me thirty years to obtain the Ozera Estate.”
William laughed. “What did your aunt say? I know she had her eye on it.”
“She was highly upset that I bought it, but even more upset when I told her I wasn’t letting her live with me. She has to understand, I am a bachelor, and I need my privacy.”
At this Kat and William both laughed. Then the meeting turned more serious, but she knew that was coming. Scott excused himself, even though Kat’s eyes were pleading for him to stay. She took a few more sips from her drink.
“Katherine, you are the only powerful vampire who isn’t tied to a coven or the council. It makes us a little nervous.”
“I understand William, but I have avoided the politics all my life. I don’t think I am willing to give in.” She replied as polite as she could.
“I know it isn’t the responsibility you are concerned about, you’ve helped us out with major tasks before. Why won’t you accept my offers?”
She laughed sweetly. “William, I am more than capable of taking on the responsibilities the council will offer but, I do not want them. I have worked to maintain a simple life, and I’m not sure I want to hand that over.” She wanted to add, at least not yet, but she didn’t want to give him any hope. Kat didn’t want to serve the council, she didn’t hate them but she wasn’t fond of them either.
“Miss Badica, I have offered you everything but the world. There has to be something you want? The council will give you everything and anything you want.”
“I don’t see you asking my sister.” Kat replied harshly. “Evangeline is perfectly capable of serving the council, Scott De Luca is as well. Why do you want me? Please be honest Mr. Ambrose.”
“Evangeline can’t be found, after you turned us down the first few times, I sent a messenger to her last known residence. She wasn’t there.” He sighed. “As I’ve stated before, you are very powerful, you are the oldest resident of Dark Springs. Everyone knows you here. You’ve managed to make an agreement with the wolves, long before anyone else was able to. You are very beautiful, but just as deadly. We want you Katherine.”
Kat, at hearing the news about her sister felt a little worried, she made a mental note to search for her after her meeting. “What of Mr. De Luca? He has years’ worth of business experience; he was also a general before he was turned. I may know everyone here, but that is simply because I don’t hide. Most of the residents know I am a vampire, but I have never harmed them. Most of my blood comes from blood banks that I pay, and occasionally I feed from a human, but that is not the point. I do not hate the council William, I find them useful to us vampires in most situations. However, as you say, I am one of the older vampires who have not joined your little council, because I believe it has run its course. I stand behind my answer, that I am not interested nor will I be anytime soon. Perhaps someday I might change my answer, but until then please stop offering me things. When I change my mind I will send word.”
William didn’t say anything for a moment. “Katherine, the world we know is about to change, and when it does you need to pick a side. You can’t keep telling us no forever.”
“Actually, I can.” She replied quickly. “Keep in mind, that I am older than the council, and most of its members William.”
“I have offered you everything I can; money and power are what most desire. What is it you desire?”
“Peace and quiet William, I desire the right to live my life the way I choice, and not to have a group of people make all of the rules.”
“Without us, the vampiric world would be in chaos.”
“With you, I find the vampiric world in chaos. Vampires still kill each other, in some parts of Romania they attack and murder humans, not for food, but because they are bored. I have made it safe in Dark Springs, and I will continue to do that. Me saying yes to the council opens the door for them and their bullshit. Dark Springs is the last unclaimed haven, and I will keep it that way.”
“You can’t mean that Katherine?” William asked in shock.
“I do William.”
“We want to make Romania stronger, will you deny us that?”
Katherine laughed. “I am not denying you anything, but you will never make that happen.”
“Why is that?” William snapped. “We can take Dark Springs if we wish, you might be older then the council but we have numbers. We could, if we wanted, crush you and anyone who stood in our way.”
“You could, but then you would cause a war.” She snapped back. “Vampires may flock to Dark Springs, but it belongs to the wolves. They do not want the vampire council here, so I am helping them with that because I do not wish to be a part of it. This town is just now getting back off its feet, perhaps you remember what happened the last time the council tried to force it’s self upon its residents?”
“Yes, I remember, the wolves killed all but nine of our army.” William’s voice was soft. “You would protect them over us?”
“I am protecting myself.” Kat growled, and crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t put all of the blame on the wolves, you were warned. They asked, more like pleaded with you to leave, but you wouldn’t. So, they attacked. I would have done the same thing.”
He snorted. “Those mutts were lucky; the council’s army was weak then.”
Kat wiggled her finger. “Watch yourself, not only was my brother a werewolf but this club is open to wolves. They have excellent hearing you know.”
William looked around; he spotted a few wolves who were staring at him. He flashed a fang filled smile. “Katherine, the council doesn’t give you enough credit. If you won’t become a part of the council, what do you expect us to do? Vampires will run here to avoid trail that is a problem.”
“Thank you William.” She smiled. “It does, I’ll admit that, but that doesn’t mean I will stand against the council. Think of it this way, when a criminal does something in the US, they are wanted in all states. If they are found they are sent back to the state where the committed the crime. I can’t protect the guilty, but I can the innocent.” She bit her lip.
“The council and I will take that into consideration; perhaps we could make some agreement.” William stood, finishing the rest of his drink. “If you will excuse me, I have to get back to the council and tell them of your decision. I shall send word when we have come up with something.”
Katherine stood. “Perhaps.”
It took Evangeline thirty minutes to find a parking space; the club’s parking lot was full along with the next two blocks. A night club in Dark Springs was a brilliant idea, Evan had to admit. As she walked the three blocks to the club, her stomach felt tense up. Kat was her sister; surely she’d forgive her for losing contact with her of the years? Or maybe she would hate her for it. Either way, she couldn’t worry about it now. Once she reached the parking lot of the club, she paused. The line was halfway down the parking lot. She sighed loudly and started towards the door, maybe her name would get her entrance into the club.
“Excuse me?” She asked the bouncer, who was clearly a werewolf.
“Yes?” He asked flashing a smile.
“Do you think it would be possible for a girl like me, to skip the line?” She asked, flashing a smile back.
“The only way you could do that, is if your name was on the list.” He waved a clip board at her. “Otherwise, it’s the back of the line.”
“Well,” she paused. Would her name really be on the list? She shrugged, it was worth a try. “Evangeline Badica.”
The bouncer looked over the clip board, at first she didn’t think he’d find her name but after a few seconds he smiled and unclipped the rope. “Welcome to Club Chaos Miss Badica, have a nice night.” He said as she walked into the club.
Once inside, she made her way to the bar, she needed a drink. She managed to squeeze between to large males, who were talking to two women. They glared at her as she sighed, elbowing them slightly so she could have more room. She hissed at them, and they backed off. The bartender asked her what she wanted, and she ordered a Rum and Coke. She took a few sips of the drink before she asked the bar tender if they had seen her sister.
“Katherine is your sister?” The bartender, named Isobel, asked.
“Older sister, have you seen her?” Evangeline asked again.
“Not in the past few hours. As you can see, this place is packed.” She waved her arms around; Evangeline looked as she did so. People were shoulder to shoulder dancing, while others were trying to sit at tables that were at the edge of the dance floor. She felt sorry for the waitresses.
“I noticed, thank you.” Evan replied as she finished her drink and made her way through the club. She searched the entire lower level, realizing the club had two levels. The lower level of the club were for the general population, she assumed because looking up at the second level she could see it was filled with mostly vampires and a few werewolves. She scanned the booth before her eyes spotted a familiar figure sitting in one of them. Evan smiled, her sister hadn’t changed much. She made her way over to the stairs and found another bouncer at the entrance.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“My sister is up here, and I wanted to see her.” She said pointing towards the booth Katherine was in.
“The only way you can get up here is if you have the password.” He replied.
“Password?” She asked with a frowned.
“That’s right,” He hissed. “Why don’t you move along, there are plenty of other people in this club. I’m sure one of them could be your sister.”
She hissed, showing her fangs. “Asshole, my sister is Katherine Badica, why don’t you ask her! She’ll tell you I’m her sister.”
The bouncer frowned, and smirked back showing his own set if pearly white fangs. “Whatever,” He replied and walked towards the booth her sister was in.
From where she was standing she could see him talking to her, and pointing towards herself. The club was too loud for her to hear what he was saying. After a moment, the bouncer walked back towards the stairs, Kat following him. When they reached her, the bouncer unclipped the rope and apologized for being rude. She took a few steps and was greeted by Kat.
“Katherine.” Evangeline spoke her sister’s name in a whisper.
“Evangeline.” Katherine replied back, holding her hand out to her sister. Evan took it, and walked behind her sister towards the booth. Once they were seated, they sat in silence for a few moments. Evan expected this much. After all, it was her sister she was dealing with. Kat didn’t wear her anger on her sleeve.
“I’ve missed you.” Evangeline said at last, breaking the silence between them.
“I’ve missed you too sister.” Kat replied. “Where have you been?”
“Around,” she paused. “I’ve been avoiding the council here in Romania; they sent me an invention to court.”
“I know. I spoke with William Ambrose tonight.”
“He was here?”
“You missed him by an hour and a half.” Kat replied. “Why didn’t you just deny their request?”
“I’m not you Katherine,” Evan paused. “I noticed my name was on the list outside.”
She nodded. “I always put your name on the list, in case you show up. Of course I thought Steven would be a little less bitchy about who he let up here. I told him to expect my sister.”
Evan laughed. “It’s fine.”
“So, tell me sister, how have you been? It’s been what 200 years?”
Evangeline sighed. “200 years, one month, and four days…but who’s counting?” She teased. “I’ve been good, trying to manage some privacy but that is impossible. If it’s not the American Vampire Court pestering me about something, it’s the Romanian.”
“The Americans wanted you?”
“I was working with them, though I wasn’t technically apart of the court its self, they needed an outside agent for a couple of investigations.”
“Oh? How interesting, how did that work out?”
“I almost lost a finger, actually my hand but lets not dwell on negative things. I see you’re doing very well.”
“Oh Evan,” Katherine said with a smile. “I’ve been good. If only I could get the R.V.C off my back I’d been even better.”
“William Ambrose doesn’t like then word no.”
“Clearly.” Kat replied looking at her sister. So much had changed since she’d last seen her. “I take it you’ve been to our estate?”
“Yes, your door man was an asshole.” Evan replied leaning back into the booth’s cushion. “He snapped at me.”
“Norman snaps at everyone. You wouldn’t believe the people who come there asking for me, mostly for William.”
“I like what you’ve done with the place.”
“Thank you. I’ve redone all the rooms, except our parents, yours and Mikael’s.”
Evan nodded. “I noticed, it still feels like home though. I noticed the greenhouse is still standing.”
Katherine shrugged. “I know it holds bad memories for us, but it was mom’s favorite place.”
“I wonder what Mikael would think?”
“He’d probably burn it to the ground, and yell at me.”
“Do you miss them?
“Not as much as I missed you sister.”
Katherine and Evangeline’s conversation went back and forth between the old days and the present days. Evan of course lied most of the time. She couldn’t tell her sister that she had really been doing all of these years. It broke her heart to think about how it would affect their family.
Dante ordered his drive to pick him up at 1 and not a moment later, as he exited the sleek black car and headed up the parking lot towards the main entrance of Club Chaos. By the time he had arrived there were three people standing in line, all three of them women. When he reached the door he sighed slightly and then looked at the bouncer.
“Why are three of the most beautiful women standing out in the cold?” He asked winking at the girls.
The bouncer laughed. “Because rules are rules, I can’t let them enter the club until three people exit.”
“You’d let them freeze to death?”
“I doubt they’ll freeze.” The bounder replied with a sigh. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to know why they were standing out in the cold.”
The bouncer shook his head. “No, I mean what do you really want?”
Dante sighed. “Very cleaver, my friend Evangeline Badica arrived here a few hours ago, and I wanted to know if she was still inside, as I wanted to speak with her.”
“She’s still inside.”
“May I see her?”
“Not unless someone leaves the club, or your name is on the list.”
“Hmm.” Dante said. “I don’t think my name would be on the list, and I really don’t have time to wait for someone to leave.”
“Then I guess you’re screwed.”
“How about,” Dante reached into his pocket and pulled out three hundred dollars and waved it at the bouncer. “it’s just me and the three ladies, why not let us in?”
He shook his head.
“Five hundred?”
The bouncer sighed. “I could lose my job.”
“I see.” Dante handed the man one thousand dollars, the bouncer then allowed him and the three ladies inside.
He had a few drinks with the girls before he went off to find Evangeline. He looked throughout levels of the club, before a familiar sent caught his attention. He looked up and spotted Evangeline speaking with a woman, he remembered from a photo. Mary-Katherine or Kat as Evan often called her. He stood there for a moment comparing the two women. Kat was slender with long black hair that was curled loosely. He knew from the photo they were a shade of blue, which contrasted with Evan’s brown eyes. Evan had long dark brown hair that was pulled into a tight pony tail. They both dressed differently as well, from what Dante could see Kat was wearing a black strapless dress that looked painted on. Evan on the other hand, had a short red dress on. Thought it was fitted, it didn’t really fit her.
He blinked his eyes a few times, forgetting how easy it was for him to get lost staring at beautiful women, it was one of is down falls. Dante walked towards the stairs that led to the upper-level of the club, he was greeted by another bouncer. He flashed a smile and then spoke.
“Mind letting me up?”
“What’s the password?” The bouncer asked.
“Evangeline and Katherine Badica?”
“You know them?”
“I know Evangeline, who is the younger sister of Kat.”
The bouncer snorted. “I need the password.”
Dante sighed, he had already given up one thousand dollars just getting into the club, and he wasn’t planning on giving up anymore. “How about you move out of my way, and I won’t tell Kat you were being difficult?”
“How about you give me the password?”
He growled. “Lilly?”
The bouncer smirked. “Wasn’t so hard was it?”
“I hope you know I took a random guess.” Dante replied once he was on the other side of the rope. He then took two steps at a time. When he reached the booth, Evan was in the middle of a story he knew. He then added. “If I remember correctly, Hanna had to save you.”
Evangeline was taken by surprise at the sound of Dante’s voice; she jumped almost spilling her drink all over her lap. She growled at Dante. Who simply smiled back. Katherine, her sister, eyed Dante and then smiled.
“Who’s this sister?”
“Dante Dalca.” Evan replied eyeing Dante.
“I take it you weren’t expecting him?”
“No, I thought he was dead to be honest.”
“Ouch Evangeline,” Dante replied placing both hands over his heart. “I found out you were here in Dark Springs and I wanted to stop by and see you, and also to apologize for what happened in Russia.”
“What happened in Russia?” Asked Kat.
“He jumped off a bloody fucking bridge and I thought he died!” Evan yelled crossing her arms over her chest.
“Seriously?” Asked Kat. “That is not how you treat a Badica woman Mr. Dalca.”
“I know, and I am truly sorry. Would you please forgive me Evangeline?”
Evan sighed. “No, but I know if I don’t say yes you’ll drive me nuts. How’d you get up here?”
“The password,” He replied as he slid into the booth next to Evan, Dante then added “It’s actually very sweet.”
Kat smiled. “Thank you, I can’t believe she didn’t think about it.”
Evan frowned. “Didn’t think about what?”
“The password sister, it’s your middle name.”
“Oh.” Evan replied softly. How could she have not thought about that? She was mad at herself for not even trying to think of the password, but also at Dante for knowing what it would be.
“This is a very nice club, I didn’t know Dark Springs had one.” Dante replied.
“It didn’t until four weeks ago, I was approached by friend of mine who wanted to open the club, but he needed assistance, I am one of the owners of Club Chaos.”
“How many are there?” Evangeline asked.
“Scott and I are the main owners, but Tessa Blackwell keeps us level headed. If it were up to Scott he’d spent it all on dancers, and well I’d spend it all on décor.” Katherine laughed.
“Tessa? I don’t think I remember her.”
“Tessa wasn’t around until the 1940, she’s a childe of mine.”
Evangeline raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Really Kat, I didn’t think you’d create a childe, didn’t you say you’d never create any-.”
“Yes Evangeline, I did say that but times change. You left me and Tessa came, she…well that’s a story for her to tell you not me. Tessa is amazing, she reminds me a little of you.”
“You didn’t create her simply because I left you, did you?”
“Don’t be so vain Evan.” Dante added. “When will we meet Tessa?”
“You won’t be meeting her,” Evan hissed. “I’m sure you have things you have to be doing?”
“Don’t be rude Evan, Tessa doesn’t come around the club much, however she’s in London right now, visiting an ill family member.”
Evangeline wanted to protest, but she didn’t get the change. A tall figure walked up to their table, one Evan recognized as a messenger for the court. He flashed a smile at Katherine and Dante, before his attention turned to her.
“Miss Hawthorne,” the man started. “Mr. Ambrose has heard of your arrival and would like to talk to you. He’s staying at the Hotel on Stark and King.”
“Did he send you to fetch me, Mr?” Evan asked with a smile.
“My name is Leo, Leo Ambrose and yes he did send me to come get you. He’s already been turned down once tonight.” His eyes glanced over at Katherine quickly before looking back at Evangeline.
She sighed. “I suppose.” She pushed Dante making him get up out of the booth, she kissed her sister goodbye and told her she’d see her at home.
Dante and Katherine talked for what seemed like hours, when one am arrived, he wasn’t prepared for it. Dante told Katherine goodbye, collecting her number and address before leaving the club. Once he was outside, he didn’t see his driver anywhere. He growled with annoyance and dialed the phone number to his house, no one answered. With a sigh Dante took off down the parking lot. He was half tempted to call a cabbie, but he’d already spent more than he wanted too tonight. He was half way down the parking lot, when he caught a familiar sent in the wind. He stopped, looked around but didn’t see anyone. There were only two people in the world who wore that sent; his mother, Ana and Lissa.
He stood there for several moments before he started down the parking lot again, the sent was still in the air but he had other things on his mind. For instance the light drizzle that had just started, he took off into a run, dodging three pedestrians and a red Camry. Dante reached Main Street in three seconds, but the scent of Lavender and Green Tea was still around him.
“Who’s there?” He called almost at a whisper.
From behind him he heard a girlish giggle; he turned around and saw Lissa standing behind him. Her long black curls were straight and pushed slightly behind her ears. She had a pale pink dress on and black ballet flats. After a moment she closed the gap between herself and Dante in two sift skips.
“Dante my dear brother, where have you been?” She asked, wrapping her arms around her brother.
“Are you a ghost?” He asked, placing his arms awkwardly around Lissa’s shoulders.
She giggled again. “Heavens no, I am a vampire like you silly. Why did you leave me and mommy Dante?”
“Lissa, you’re just a child. How did this happen?”
She pulled way, a frown replaced her smile. “Dante I am most certainly not a child. I am 459 years old that does NOT make me a child.”
“Li-”
“No,” She held up her hand in protest. “I know what you are thinking, but I’m not a child Dante. I was 18 when I was turned, yes that makes me young. However, I find it insulting that you refer to me as a child, when I have been a vampire almost as long as you. Actually, I was turned four months after you, so in a sense we are the same age.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I didn’t come here to argue or make you feel guilty. There was nothing you could have done to save me, mother tried to sell me to some man who I didn’t love, so I ran away. I came across a vampire who reminded me of you, I asked him to turn me and I have been with him ever since. I need help, and I was hoping to speak with Katherine Badcia, but I saw you. I need your help Dante.”
Dante didn’t say anything for a few moments. “What happened? Did your sire hurt you?”
“No!” She yelled, and then sighed. “Cam is amazing and would never do anything to harm me, he sent me here hoping you’d be able to keep me safe.”
“Safe?”
“A mystic of his saw something, about four months ago, shortly after that one of his childe went missing. He went back to her and asked if she knew this would happen, she told him yes but it was only once they had been taken that she fully understood. Cam got angry with her and killed her,” Dante frowned at her, she shook her head. “That’s not the point I’m trying to make Dante. A few days later the vampire was found, dead, it looked like he had been sent through a paper shredder. He grew worried, and called upon all of his Childe, all but three arrive. He went to a witch named Nia who told him something dark was lurking over him, there were men who wanted revenge. Cam asked her who, but she couldn’t say. They had some kind of invisible spell over them. The three missing vampires haven’t been found yet, but he has a feeling he won’t find them alive. He sent me here, hoping you could help.”
“Lissa how can I help you? I don’t even know where to start. Vampires are murdered all of the time. You do realize there vampires who are in the mob? The vampire mob is nothing to screw around with! They probably got caught up in something they weren’t ready for and tried to get out, or possibly they ran across a werewolf who wasn’t too thrilled with them? Some wolves still hunt humans, and vampires, well you know.”
“It wasn’t wolves Dante! Cam spoke with all the wolves in the area, and they didn’t do it and they weren’t in the mob either. They were all loyal to Cam.”
Dante sighed. “Did you come alone?”
She shook her head. “No, Cam sent two vampire guards with me but I lost them in Russia. I don’t trust them, please you have to help. If not him, but me because I don’t want to die Dante. The way Sol died, it must have been horrible.”
“Lissa what do you want me to do? I can’t just give you an answer, hunting down people who are invisible is nearly impossible.” He then added. “Not to mention I have my own shit to deal with.”
“I AM YOUR SISTER!” She yelled, a single bloody tear falling from her eye. “Please just let me stay with you. Cam, even though he’s trying, can’t protect us. I overheard him talking to Zoli, two of her childe have been murdered as well.”
“Zoli?” He asked
“Yes Zoli, do you know her?”
“She created me.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment. If what his sister was saying was true, then he would need to contact Zoli. He would also need a way to protect himself. He looked back at, Lissa. Her face was frozen in horror, he wanted to help her, but how could he? He was already in too deep with Alastair; he didn’t want Lissa around him. But could he turn his sister away, knowing very well she could die? He shook his head, not realizing Lissa was watching him. Finally he spoke.
“If they are attacking the Childe of Cam and Zoli, then they will be after me. I promise I will try to protect you, but I cannot promise you anything. Katherine Badica, why did you think she could help?”
Lissa shrugged. “Dark Springs is a haven; it’s protected by the wolves and the angels. Cam thought it might be the safest place for me, he wanted me to ask her if she knew of a way to help. I still need to speak with her.”
“She’s busy at the moment, I have her number we will call her tomorrow.” He held out his hand. “Were going to have to run, it seems my driver has lost track of time.”
“Actually, he’s back down that way,” She pointed the direction she had come. “on Carleton Street, I compelled him to park a block away. I need to talk to you.”
“Lissa, when he finds out what you’ve done, he won’t be happy.”
She simply giggled and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards Carleton Street.
Evan sat quietly as Leo drove to the hotel; she had nothing to say to him or anyone else for that matter. She was not only pissed of that Dante had followed her to Dark Springs, but at the fact he seemed a little too interested in her sister. She sighed once the car pulled into the Hotel’s parking lot. She opened the door, slamming it behind her. She then followed Leo towards the south west door and up three flights of stairs. From there, they took an elevator up to the 20th floor, they went down the hall, and made a sharp right and then a left. William’s Ambrose’s room was the first room on the left. Leo opened the door, ushering Evangeline into the room. She wanted to run, but unlike her sister she wasn’t brave enough to tell William no, at least not flat out. She had avoided him for the past 30 years, it was about time he caught up with her. William was sitting to her left, drinking a dark red substance. Evan didn’t have to smell it to know that it was blood.
Leo cleared his throat. “Sir?”
“I know Leo.” William replied. “Leave us.”
Leo nodded and then left the room. Evan walked deeper into the room, if her heart could beat, it would be pounding in her chest at this very moment.
“Have a seat,” William said point towards a chair. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Evangeline sat down, placing her hands on the table. “What do you want Mr. Ambrose?”
He looked up from the book, she didn’t notice him reading. “I want you to serve on the council. Your sister keeps refusing me, and I am getting tired of pleading with her. We do not have a Badica, you and your sister come from a powerful family.”
Evan shrugged. “What makes you think I am going to join the council?”
“Evangeline I am not a fool. Unlike your sister, I know that you crave power. You ran because you were scared, but there is no need to be frightened of me or the council. We can give you whatever you want, housing, money, power, servants…just name your price.”
“Name your price Mr. Ambrose.”
He smiled. “I do not have a price, as I’ve stated above, we do not have a Badica on the council. It would make and nice addition.”
“For some reason, I do not believe you. Everyone has a price, and I want to know what it will coast me to join your council. I know what my sister said to you, she doesn’t want the Romanian Vampire Council in Dark Springs, neither do I. Why are you pushing so hard for Dark Springs? Deva doesn’t have an official.”
“Deva,” he laughed. “that is the city of the wolves, a smart vampire wouldn’t step foot there unless they were mad. Deva is a lost hope.”
“I disagree,” Evangeline replied. “the wolves in Deva aren’t controlled by an alpha, it’s mostly rogues. I know for a fact that there are several alphas eyeing it, it’s much nicer then Dark Springs. Deva is upbeat and full of hope, if you can ignore the untamed beats inside.”
“How to you plan on changing that?” William asked.
“We could place an alpha in Deva that would be loyal to the R.V.C, I might know a vampire who has a loyal werewolf army, the only problem is…well he’s not a friend to the vampire court.”
“Who might that be?”
“Their name stays with me. I need word and documentation that he wouldn’t be harmed, before I turn that name over. I would also want to be in charge of Deva, and you would have to promise me you’d leave Dark Springs alone. I could make sure that Katherine didn’t get in your way, but I love my home town and I know what the council can do.”
“I can’t make any promises, but I can talk to the court about this. Victoria will be arriving in Romania soon and she is very curious as to why I haven’t taken Dark Springs yet. I will tell her your plan, and the new can go from there.”
Evangeline nodded. “I am not accepting the position, these are my terms and I will not accept anything but that.”
“We will work out an official contract,” he paused. “there is something I also want to ask you.”
“What’s that?”
“The murders of three vampire officials in New York, LA, and Miami, I noticed that you lived in all three of these places. The Court doesn’t believe they were murdered, but I knew Lady Elisabeth, it saddens me she is dead. Have you heard anything about them, during your stay there?”
Evangeline shook her head. “Mr. Ambrose, if I had heard anything don’t you think I would have come forward? I knew Elisa and Thomas, and as I told the Court when they questioned me, I don’t know anything.”
“It just puzzles me that all three of them died in the same way but yet everyone calls it a natural death. There is nothing natural about that.”
“It seems that way, but don’t put stock into it Mr. Ambrose. Sometimes we make nothing out of something.”
“Perhaps Evangeline, but perhaps they were murdered, that would be most tragic don’t you think?”
“It would be.”
Katherine enjoyed seeing her sister again, even though she knew she had been lying about what she’d been doing over the past 200 years. Dante, on the other hand, had caught her attention. He was unlike anyone she had ever met before; she enjoyed the mystery that seemed to radiate off of him. She hated having to rush off on him, but Steven said there was something that needed her immediate attention in Scott’s office. She sighed, as she walked to the back of the club, down a flight of steps and down a long narrow hallway. When she finally reached Scott’s office, a strong aroma of wet dog hit her in the face and then she heard her voice. She pushed the door open, there sitting in Scott’s chair was Calla. Her dark eyes were rimmed with red, she had been crying. She looked her over, realizing she had just been in a fight. She took a moment to calm herself before she spoke.
“What the hell happened?” her question was directed at Scott.
“We caught her sneaking into the club, we pulled Morris away from the door and he ID her as the girl who tired giving him 20 dollars to let her into the club. He told her she was too young, he though she left but while Steven was using the bathroom, he caught her sneaking into the window.” He paused. “If you’re thinking that we did that to her, then you are mistaken Katherine, she was like that.”
“Calla are you okay?” Katherine asked, walking into the office and closing the door behind her.
“No,” she said trying to hold back her tears. “I was jumped at the airport. He took my bag, that was all I had Mary.”
“Honey, why are you in Romania?”
“I couldn’t stay there with my parents anymore! They keep pretending like Eden never existed.” She wiped away a tear, cursing under her breath. “You told me if I ever need anything, you’d help. I need help.”
“Scott, can you leave us?”
Scott nodded and left the office, closing the door behind him. Katherine took a seat in the chair closest to Calla, resting her hand on her knee. She had told her she’d be there for her if she ever needed help. She remembered that promise well. It was 10 years ago, she had learned her sister was in America, and she wanted to see her. Kat came up empty, but she ran into Calla, standing in the middle of the woods yelling. She only came because she thought someone was hurting her, but there was no one around, it was then she learned she was a medium, cursing the spirits for tearing her family apart. Kat found the seven year old interesting, her courage and strength radiated off of her, even if she didn’t know it. Since then, Kat had kept a close eye on her. For the past few years she had been side tracked, how could she have missed it? She looked a Calla, and realized she had been turned into a werewolf. If she was still human, she would offer her shelter, but she wasn’t. Katherine retracted her hand and ran it through her hair.
“Zet, I am not turning my back on you, but why didn’t you ask the werewolf who bit you for help?”
She paused. “It ran off. I woke up in the hospital, the doctors told my mom I had been attacked by a wolf. As much as I wanted to tell them it wasn’t just a typical wolf, I knew where they’d stick me.”
“When did this happen?”
“About 5 years ago, I was 12. I don’t blame you Mary, for what happened to me. I shouldn’t have run off into the woods, but I was so angry.”
Katherine smiled. “You know everyone calls me Katherine, or Kat now.” She placed her hand back on Calla’s knee. “If you want to stay in Dark Springs, you’re going to have to contact the wolf pack. Conner and Logan have kept this town rogue free for 30 years, and they plan on keeping it that way.”
“I know, but you’ll always be Mary to me.” Calla thought back to the first time she had met Mary or Mary-Katherine as she introduced herself. She thought she was another spirit at first, with her pale skin and the way she seemed to float across the ground, later she learned that Mary was a vampire. At first she was terrified of her, but after some time she realized that Mary wasn’t going to harm her. They formed a friendship, and then she left. She wrote to Calla and sometimes the letters would have tiny surprises in them. She wished she could return to those days so much, her past was so much easier to deal with then her future. She sighed. “I am not a rogue, I don’t even want to be here but I don’t know where else to go.”
“Why didn’t you stay in Kentucky? I know you hate your parents for what they did to Eden, but you are 17!”
“I’m a monster Mary, I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t face Eden and I didn’t want my parents treating me like I… like the treated Eden.”
“Calla, you aren’t listening to me. You are 17 years old, you aren’t adult, I could go to jail for having you here. Not only for holding a runaway, but because this is a club and you are not 21. We need to contact your parents.”
“No!” She yelled. “I’ll be 18 in three weeks, what’s the big deal? They won’t even know I’m gone, they left for their ‘honeymoon’ yesterday. They won’t be back until August 8th, that’s the day before my birthday.”
“Your parents just left you?” Kat asked, a bit annoyed that her parents would just walk of and leave their daughter.
“Yes, my aunt was supposed to be there but she called and told me something came up. That’s not the truth though, she just doesn’t want me around her daughter, she’s afraid I’m ‘crazy’ like Eden and it’ll rub off.” Calla rolled her eyes. “Please don’t make me go back.”
“What about Eden? You just left her there, what happens when she gets out? She won’t have any family there.”
“I wrote her a letter and told her I was leaving.”
“Did you tell her where too?”
Calla shook her head. “No, I didn’t want to risk someone reading the letter and calling my parents. I’m hoping Eden will try to contact me, she has my number. I just don’t want to deal with them,” she paused. “I don’t even think that woman is my mother.”
Kat sighed. “Fine Calla, but things here in Dark Springs are different then in the US. Here I hold power, and people aren’t always pleasant to my friends.” She glanced over at the clock that was to her right; she couldn’t believe it was almost 2 in the morning. “How long have you been in Dark Springs?”
“I got here around 11, it took me two hours to figure out where you were.” Calla rested her head against the back of the chair. “Are we going to figure out who stole my stuff?”
“I will get one of Scott’s men on it, in the meantime, I can loan you some money to buy some knew things? I also have an apartment in town you could live at, but for the night you are coming home with me. I’ll contact the boys in the morning.” Katherine stood, opened the door. “Oh, and Zet I don’t mind if you call me Mary, but everyone here knows me as Katherine or Kat.”
“Thank you Ma-…Kat.” Calla replied with a smile, as she stood. She really hadn’t expected this much from Kat, maybe a place for her to stay overnight, possibly help getting her stolen things back. As the two of them walked through the club, her mind immediately went to what Kat told her, she was a rogue wolf. Even if she didn’t want to admit that, she didn’t belong to a pack. She sight slightly, Calla didn’t know much about being a werewolf, her first full moon she nearly killed herself jumping out of her window, thinking about it now, she doubted she would have actually died from the jump. Werewolves were stronger than humans.
Club Chaos
Evangeline sighed softly as the cab drive, turned the narrow twist and turns heading towards the Badica Estate. It had been years since she’d last visited her home; Dark Springs, Romania. She was extremely nervous to see her sister again, not because it had been so long but because of the things she had done. She shook her head mentally; I am not going to think about that now. She told herself, crossing her arms over her chest, she looked out the window. Not much had changed since she was last here, 200 years ago. The town of Dark Springs was tiny, barely a blimp on the map, and still held its old world charm. The very thing she and her sister had loved so much. Evangeline took a deep breath, thought it wasn’t necessary.
“Nervous miss?” The cab driver asked.
“I’ve not seen my sister in some time; I guess you could say I am a little nervous to see her again.” Evangeline replied.
“There’s no need to be nervous, she’s your sister after all.” He replied with a smile. “What was the address again?”
“That is very true,” She replied wishing she could believe him. She frowned; the last time she was here there really wasn’t a need for an address. Everyone knew who she was. She shrugged. “I can’t remember, however it’s the old Badica Estate.”
The cab driver hit the brakes. “Miss, you don’t want to be lurking around that place.”
“And why is that?” She asked with a growl.
“Evil lives there.” He replied turning around and looking at her. “Perhaps it was a mistake? Maybe your sister made a mistake?”
“My sister made no mistake.” Evangeline hissed baring her fangs. “Now take me to my sister or I will kill you.”
He stared in horror. “M-miss.” He stammered.
“Very well then,” she stared back at him. She rarely used compulsion anymore, but she knew the instant his eyes slowly hazed over, it was working. “you are going to turn around and drive me to the Badica Estate, there you will open the gate and drive me to the door. I will not be paying for your services tonight either, you will drive home and forget about bringing me here.”
He nodded and then turned around, and continued driving. She felt slightly guilty for compiling him but it faded quickly once the estate came into view. She tightened her grip on the handle of her purse. Mary-Katharine was the only family she had left, even though she knew Mary would never abandon her, she couldn’t help but worry that she might not want anything to do with her again. Evangeline needed her sister. Once they reached the main gate, the cab driver got out and did just as she commanded him too. He then drove up the, now paved, driveway stopping at the front door. She then told him to get her bags out of the trunk, which he did, and then she stepped out of the cab. She told him good-bye and he left. Evangeline stood staring at the door, before she knocked on it.
“May I help you?” A man asked opening the door, clearly human and from the looks of his neck Evangeline knew Mary had been feeding from him.
“I’m here to see Mary-Katherine.”
“She is out at the moment, perhaps you should have phoned before coming?” The man’s tone was harsh, he slowly closed the door, but Evangeline put her foot between the doors and pushed it back on the man. “Excuse me miss?”
“Maybe I should have mentioned she was my sister?” She hissed, baring her fangs. “I doubt she’d be pleased with how you are treating me.”
The man frowned, and took a step back. “Evangeline?”
“Correct servant,” she barked. “are you going to let me in?”
“Of course Miss Evangeline.” The man moved and allowed her to step in; he then went and grabbed her bags. “Miss Katherine is out at a nearby club, I will write the address down for you.”
“Thank you.”
Club Chaos packed, beyond belief. Its grand opening was four weeks ago, but every night since then, it seemed to draw more and more club goers. Katherine smiled as she watched the people dancing, the club was her dream. She had owned something like this 40 years ago in New York, but it was nothing compared to this very moment. She walked back to her booth and sat down. She hated drinking alone, but Scott was busy running the club and her friends were too busy with official vampire duties. She snorted at the thought. The Romanian Vampire Council was something she had avoided all of her life, she refused to get caught up in the politics. However, she was finding it harder and harder to turn down Mr. William Ambrose, the president of the council in Romania. His offers were getting better and better by the moment.
Kat ordered a bottle of Rum with blood, and three glasses from the waitress. She was tapping her foot on the floor when she heard two male voices coming from behind her. She smiled; William Ambrose was walking along side Scott. She knew what they were talking about, the club, he was proud of them. When they reached her table, she stood and smiled at the gentlemen.
“Mr. Ambrose,” She said holding out her hand. “I am so thrilled you could make it.”
“Please call me William.” He replied shaking her hand. “I wasn’t sure if Dark Springs was the right place for a club, but I was wrong. I am very happy you are doing well Miss Badica.”
“Call me Katherine, or Kat.” She replied stepping out of the booth. “Please have a seat, I ordered us something to drink, it should be here shortly.”
William stepped into the booth, Kat slid in next to him, and Scott slid in opposite of her. Moments later the waitress returned with the bloody Rum and three glasses filled with ice. She poured each of them a glass and then left. William took a big drink and smiled.
“Is that blood?” He asked.
“Yes,” Scott started. “for the vampire clients we offer blood. Lily there serves this section, she’s a psychic so there’s no chance she’ll delver blood to the human clients.”
“That is very interesting.” William replied.
“Dark Springs has a very large population of vampires,” Kat started. “it seemed fitting that we would offer a club that served blood for them.”
“So I’m told, what is it about Dark Springs?”
“Dark Springs has many estates from the old days; most of them are owned by vampires. They provide a safe haven of sorts.” Kat took a sip from her drink. “One-third of the vampire population lives in townhomes just inside the city, while the rest live outside.”
“Buying property is pretty tough around these parts.” Added Scott, with a smile. “It took me thirty years to obtain the Ozera Estate.”
William laughed. “What did your aunt say? I know she had her eye on it.”
“She was highly upset that I bought it, but even more upset when I told her I wasn’t letting her live with me. She has to understand, I am a bachelor, and I need my privacy.”
At this Kat and William both laughed. Then the meeting turned more serious, but she knew that was coming. Scott excused himself, even though Kat’s eyes were pleading for him to stay. She took a few more sips from her drink.
“Katherine, you are the only powerful vampire who isn’t tied to a coven or the council. It makes us a little nervous.”
“I understand William, but I have avoided the politics all my life. I don’t think I am willing to give in.” She replied as polite as she could.
“I know it isn’t the responsibility you are concerned about, you’ve helped us out with major tasks before. Why won’t you accept my offers?”
She laughed sweetly. “William, I am more than capable of taking on the responsibilities the council will offer but, I do not want them. I have worked to maintain a simple life, and I’m not sure I want to hand that over.” She wanted to add, at least not yet, but she didn’t want to give him any hope. Kat didn’t want to serve the council, she didn’t hate them but she wasn’t fond of them either.
“Miss Badica, I have offered you everything but the world. There has to be something you want? The council will give you everything and anything you want.”
“I don’t see you asking my sister.” Kat replied harshly. “Evangeline is perfectly capable of serving the council, Scott De Luca is as well. Why do you want me? Please be honest Mr. Ambrose.”
“Evangeline can’t be found, after you turned us down the first few times, I sent a messenger to her last known residence. She wasn’t there.” He sighed. “As I’ve stated before, you are very powerful, you are the oldest resident of Dark Springs. Everyone knows you here. You’ve managed to make an agreement with the wolves, long before anyone else was able to. You are very beautiful, but just as deadly. We want you Katherine.”
Kat, at hearing the news about her sister felt a little worried, she made a mental note to search for her after her meeting. “What of Mr. De Luca? He has years’ worth of business experience; he was also a general before he was turned. I may know everyone here, but that is simply because I don’t hide. Most of the residents know I am a vampire, but I have never harmed them. Most of my blood comes from blood banks that I pay, and occasionally I feed from a human, but that is not the point. I do not hate the council William, I find them useful to us vampires in most situations. However, as you say, I am one of the older vampires who have not joined your little council, because I believe it has run its course. I stand behind my answer, that I am not interested nor will I be anytime soon. Perhaps someday I might change my answer, but until then please stop offering me things. When I change my mind I will send word.”
William didn’t say anything for a moment. “Katherine, the world we know is about to change, and when it does you need to pick a side. You can’t keep telling us no forever.”
“Actually, I can.” She replied quickly. “Keep in mind, that I am older than the council, and most of its members William.”
“I have offered you everything I can; money and power are what most desire. What is it you desire?”
“Peace and quiet William, I desire the right to live my life the way I choice, and not to have a group of people make all of the rules.”
“Without us, the vampiric world would be in chaos.”
“With you, I find the vampiric world in chaos. Vampires still kill each other, in some parts of Romania they attack and murder humans, not for food, but because they are bored. I have made it safe in Dark Springs, and I will continue to do that. Me saying yes to the council opens the door for them and their bullshit. Dark Springs is the last unclaimed haven, and I will keep it that way.”
“You can’t mean that Katherine?” William asked in shock.
“I do William.”
“We want to make Romania stronger, will you deny us that?”
Katherine laughed. “I am not denying you anything, but you will never make that happen.”
“Why is that?” William snapped. “We can take Dark Springs if we wish, you might be older then the council but we have numbers. We could, if we wanted, crush you and anyone who stood in our way.”
“You could, but then you would cause a war.” She snapped back. “Vampires may flock to Dark Springs, but it belongs to the wolves. They do not want the vampire council here, so I am helping them with that because I do not wish to be a part of it. This town is just now getting back off its feet, perhaps you remember what happened the last time the council tried to force it’s self upon its residents?”
“Yes, I remember, the wolves killed all but nine of our army.” William’s voice was soft. “You would protect them over us?”
“I am protecting myself.” Kat growled, and crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t put all of the blame on the wolves, you were warned. They asked, more like pleaded with you to leave, but you wouldn’t. So, they attacked. I would have done the same thing.”
He snorted. “Those mutts were lucky; the council’s army was weak then.”
Kat wiggled her finger. “Watch yourself, not only was my brother a werewolf but this club is open to wolves. They have excellent hearing you know.”
William looked around; he spotted a few wolves who were staring at him. He flashed a fang filled smile. “Katherine, the council doesn’t give you enough credit. If you won’t become a part of the council, what do you expect us to do? Vampires will run here to avoid trail that is a problem.”
“Thank you William.” She smiled. “It does, I’ll admit that, but that doesn’t mean I will stand against the council. Think of it this way, when a criminal does something in the US, they are wanted in all states. If they are found they are sent back to the state where the committed the crime. I can’t protect the guilty, but I can the innocent.” She bit her lip.
“The council and I will take that into consideration; perhaps we could make some agreement.” William stood, finishing the rest of his drink. “If you will excuse me, I have to get back to the council and tell them of your decision. I shall send word when we have come up with something.”
Katherine stood. “Perhaps.”
It took Evangeline thirty minutes to find a parking space; the club’s parking lot was full along with the next two blocks. A night club in Dark Springs was a brilliant idea, Evan had to admit. As she walked the three blocks to the club, her stomach felt tense up. Kat was her sister; surely she’d forgive her for losing contact with her of the years? Or maybe she would hate her for it. Either way, she couldn’t worry about it now. Once she reached the parking lot of the club, she paused. The line was halfway down the parking lot. She sighed loudly and started towards the door, maybe her name would get her entrance into the club.
“Excuse me?” She asked the bouncer, who was clearly a werewolf.
“Yes?” He asked flashing a smile.
“Do you think it would be possible for a girl like me, to skip the line?” She asked, flashing a smile back.
“The only way you could do that, is if your name was on the list.” He waved a clip board at her. “Otherwise, it’s the back of the line.”
“Well,” she paused. Would her name really be on the list? She shrugged, it was worth a try. “Evangeline Badica.”
The bouncer looked over the clip board, at first she didn’t think he’d find her name but after a few seconds he smiled and unclipped the rope. “Welcome to Club Chaos Miss Badica, have a nice night.” He said as she walked into the club.
Once inside, she made her way to the bar, she needed a drink. She managed to squeeze between to large males, who were talking to two women. They glared at her as she sighed, elbowing them slightly so she could have more room. She hissed at them, and they backed off. The bartender asked her what she wanted, and she ordered a Rum and Coke. She took a few sips of the drink before she asked the bar tender if they had seen her sister.
“Katherine is your sister?” The bartender, named Isobel, asked.
“Older sister, have you seen her?” Evangeline asked again.
“Not in the past few hours. As you can see, this place is packed.” She waved her arms around; Evangeline looked as she did so. People were shoulder to shoulder dancing, while others were trying to sit at tables that were at the edge of the dance floor. She felt sorry for the waitresses.
“I noticed, thank you.” Evan replied as she finished her drink and made her way through the club. She searched the entire lower level, realizing the club had two levels. The lower level of the club were for the general population, she assumed because looking up at the second level she could see it was filled with mostly vampires and a few werewolves. She scanned the booth before her eyes spotted a familiar figure sitting in one of them. Evan smiled, her sister hadn’t changed much. She made her way over to the stairs and found another bouncer at the entrance.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“My sister is up here, and I wanted to see her.” She said pointing towards the booth Katherine was in.
“The only way you can get up here is if you have the password.” He replied.
“Password?” She asked with a frowned.
“That’s right,” He hissed. “Why don’t you move along, there are plenty of other people in this club. I’m sure one of them could be your sister.”
She hissed, showing her fangs. “Asshole, my sister is Katherine Badica, why don’t you ask her! She’ll tell you I’m her sister.”
The bouncer frowned, and smirked back showing his own set if pearly white fangs. “Whatever,” He replied and walked towards the booth her sister was in.
From where she was standing she could see him talking to her, and pointing towards herself. The club was too loud for her to hear what he was saying. After a moment, the bouncer walked back towards the stairs, Kat following him. When they reached her, the bouncer unclipped the rope and apologized for being rude. She took a few steps and was greeted by Kat.
“Katherine.” Evangeline spoke her sister’s name in a whisper.
“Evangeline.” Katherine replied back, holding her hand out to her sister. Evan took it, and walked behind her sister towards the booth. Once they were seated, they sat in silence for a few moments. Evan expected this much. After all, it was her sister she was dealing with. Kat didn’t wear her anger on her sleeve.
“I’ve missed you.” Evangeline said at last, breaking the silence between them.
“I’ve missed you too sister.” Kat replied. “Where have you been?”
“Around,” she paused. “I’ve been avoiding the council here in Romania; they sent me an invention to court.”
“I know. I spoke with William Ambrose tonight.”
“He was here?”
“You missed him by an hour and a half.” Kat replied. “Why didn’t you just deny their request?”
“I’m not you Katherine,” Evan paused. “I noticed my name was on the list outside.”
She nodded. “I always put your name on the list, in case you show up. Of course I thought Steven would be a little less bitchy about who he let up here. I told him to expect my sister.”
Evan laughed. “It’s fine.”
“So, tell me sister, how have you been? It’s been what 200 years?”
Evangeline sighed. “200 years, one month, and four days…but who’s counting?” She teased. “I’ve been good, trying to manage some privacy but that is impossible. If it’s not the American Vampire Court pestering me about something, it’s the Romanian.”
“The Americans wanted you?”
“I was working with them, though I wasn’t technically apart of the court its self, they needed an outside agent for a couple of investigations.”
“Oh? How interesting, how did that work out?”
“I almost lost a finger, actually my hand but lets not dwell on negative things. I see you’re doing very well.”
“Oh Evan,” Katherine said with a smile. “I’ve been good. If only I could get the R.V.C off my back I’d been even better.”
“William Ambrose doesn’t like then word no.”
“Clearly.” Kat replied looking at her sister. So much had changed since she’d last seen her. “I take it you’ve been to our estate?”
“Yes, your door man was an asshole.” Evan replied leaning back into the booth’s cushion. “He snapped at me.”
“Norman snaps at everyone. You wouldn’t believe the people who come there asking for me, mostly for William.”
“I like what you’ve done with the place.”
“Thank you. I’ve redone all the rooms, except our parents, yours and Mikael’s.”
Evan nodded. “I noticed, it still feels like home though. I noticed the greenhouse is still standing.”
Katherine shrugged. “I know it holds bad memories for us, but it was mom’s favorite place.”
“I wonder what Mikael would think?”
“He’d probably burn it to the ground, and yell at me.”
“Do you miss them?
“Not as much as I missed you sister.”
Katherine and Evangeline’s conversation went back and forth between the old days and the present days. Evan of course lied most of the time. She couldn’t tell her sister that she had really been doing all of these years. It broke her heart to think about how it would affect their family.
Dante ordered his drive to pick him up at 1 and not a moment later, as he exited the sleek black car and headed up the parking lot towards the main entrance of Club Chaos. By the time he had arrived there were three people standing in line, all three of them women. When he reached the door he sighed slightly and then looked at the bouncer.
“Why are three of the most beautiful women standing out in the cold?” He asked winking at the girls.
The bouncer laughed. “Because rules are rules, I can’t let them enter the club until three people exit.”
“You’d let them freeze to death?”
“I doubt they’ll freeze.” The bounder replied with a sigh. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to know why they were standing out in the cold.”
The bouncer shook his head. “No, I mean what do you really want?”
Dante sighed. “Very cleaver, my friend Evangeline Badica arrived here a few hours ago, and I wanted to know if she was still inside, as I wanted to speak with her.”
“She’s still inside.”
“May I see her?”
“Not unless someone leaves the club, or your name is on the list.”
“Hmm.” Dante said. “I don’t think my name would be on the list, and I really don’t have time to wait for someone to leave.”
“Then I guess you’re screwed.”
“How about,” Dante reached into his pocket and pulled out three hundred dollars and waved it at the bouncer. “it’s just me and the three ladies, why not let us in?”
He shook his head.
“Five hundred?”
The bouncer sighed. “I could lose my job.”
“I see.” Dante handed the man one thousand dollars, the bouncer then allowed him and the three ladies inside.
He had a few drinks with the girls before he went off to find Evangeline. He looked throughout levels of the club, before a familiar sent caught his attention. He looked up and spotted Evangeline speaking with a woman, he remembered from a photo. Mary-Katherine or Kat as Evan often called her. He stood there for a moment comparing the two women. Kat was slender with long black hair that was curled loosely. He knew from the photo they were a shade of blue, which contrasted with Evan’s brown eyes. Evan had long dark brown hair that was pulled into a tight pony tail. They both dressed differently as well, from what Dante could see Kat was wearing a black strapless dress that looked painted on. Evan on the other hand, had a short red dress on. Thought it was fitted, it didn’t really fit her.
He blinked his eyes a few times, forgetting how easy it was for him to get lost staring at beautiful women, it was one of is down falls. Dante walked towards the stairs that led to the upper-level of the club, he was greeted by another bouncer. He flashed a smile and then spoke.
“Mind letting me up?”
“What’s the password?” The bouncer asked.
“Evangeline and Katherine Badica?”
“You know them?”
“I know Evangeline, who is the younger sister of Kat.”
The bouncer snorted. “I need the password.”
Dante sighed, he had already given up one thousand dollars just getting into the club, and he wasn’t planning on giving up anymore. “How about you move out of my way, and I won’t tell Kat you were being difficult?”
“How about you give me the password?”
He growled. “Lilly?”
The bouncer smirked. “Wasn’t so hard was it?”
“I hope you know I took a random guess.” Dante replied once he was on the other side of the rope. He then took two steps at a time. When he reached the booth, Evan was in the middle of a story he knew. He then added. “If I remember correctly, Hanna had to save you.”
Evangeline was taken by surprise at the sound of Dante’s voice; she jumped almost spilling her drink all over her lap. She growled at Dante. Who simply smiled back. Katherine, her sister, eyed Dante and then smiled.
“Who’s this sister?”
“Dante Dalca.” Evan replied eyeing Dante.
“I take it you weren’t expecting him?”
“No, I thought he was dead to be honest.”
“Ouch Evangeline,” Dante replied placing both hands over his heart. “I found out you were here in Dark Springs and I wanted to stop by and see you, and also to apologize for what happened in Russia.”
“What happened in Russia?” Asked Kat.
“He jumped off a bloody fucking bridge and I thought he died!” Evan yelled crossing her arms over her chest.
“Seriously?” Asked Kat. “That is not how you treat a Badica woman Mr. Dalca.”
“I know, and I am truly sorry. Would you please forgive me Evangeline?”
Evan sighed. “No, but I know if I don’t say yes you’ll drive me nuts. How’d you get up here?”
“The password,” He replied as he slid into the booth next to Evan, Dante then added “It’s actually very sweet.”
Kat smiled. “Thank you, I can’t believe she didn’t think about it.”
Evan frowned. “Didn’t think about what?”
“The password sister, it’s your middle name.”
“Oh.” Evan replied softly. How could she have not thought about that? She was mad at herself for not even trying to think of the password, but also at Dante for knowing what it would be.
“This is a very nice club, I didn’t know Dark Springs had one.” Dante replied.
“It didn’t until four weeks ago, I was approached by friend of mine who wanted to open the club, but he needed assistance, I am one of the owners of Club Chaos.”
“How many are there?” Evangeline asked.
“Scott and I are the main owners, but Tessa Blackwell keeps us level headed. If it were up to Scott he’d spent it all on dancers, and well I’d spend it all on décor.” Katherine laughed.
“Tessa? I don’t think I remember her.”
“Tessa wasn’t around until the 1940, she’s a childe of mine.”
Evangeline raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Really Kat, I didn’t think you’d create a childe, didn’t you say you’d never create any-.”
“Yes Evangeline, I did say that but times change. You left me and Tessa came, she…well that’s a story for her to tell you not me. Tessa is amazing, she reminds me a little of you.”
“You didn’t create her simply because I left you, did you?”
“Don’t be so vain Evan.” Dante added. “When will we meet Tessa?”
“You won’t be meeting her,” Evan hissed. “I’m sure you have things you have to be doing?”
“Don’t be rude Evan, Tessa doesn’t come around the club much, however she’s in London right now, visiting an ill family member.”
Evangeline wanted to protest, but she didn’t get the change. A tall figure walked up to their table, one Evan recognized as a messenger for the court. He flashed a smile at Katherine and Dante, before his attention turned to her.
“Miss Hawthorne,” the man started. “Mr. Ambrose has heard of your arrival and would like to talk to you. He’s staying at the Hotel on Stark and King.”
“Did he send you to fetch me, Mr?” Evan asked with a smile.
“My name is Leo, Leo Ambrose and yes he did send me to come get you. He’s already been turned down once tonight.” His eyes glanced over at Katherine quickly before looking back at Evangeline.
She sighed. “I suppose.” She pushed Dante making him get up out of the booth, she kissed her sister goodbye and told her she’d see her at home.
Dante and Katherine talked for what seemed like hours, when one am arrived, he wasn’t prepared for it. Dante told Katherine goodbye, collecting her number and address before leaving the club. Once he was outside, he didn’t see his driver anywhere. He growled with annoyance and dialed the phone number to his house, no one answered. With a sigh Dante took off down the parking lot. He was half tempted to call a cabbie, but he’d already spent more than he wanted too tonight. He was half way down the parking lot, when he caught a familiar sent in the wind. He stopped, looked around but didn’t see anyone. There were only two people in the world who wore that sent; his mother, Ana and Lissa.
He stood there for several moments before he started down the parking lot again, the sent was still in the air but he had other things on his mind. For instance the light drizzle that had just started, he took off into a run, dodging three pedestrians and a red Camry. Dante reached Main Street in three seconds, but the scent of Lavender and Green Tea was still around him.
“Who’s there?” He called almost at a whisper.
From behind him he heard a girlish giggle; he turned around and saw Lissa standing behind him. Her long black curls were straight and pushed slightly behind her ears. She had a pale pink dress on and black ballet flats. After a moment she closed the gap between herself and Dante in two sift skips.
“Dante my dear brother, where have you been?” She asked, wrapping her arms around her brother.
“Are you a ghost?” He asked, placing his arms awkwardly around Lissa’s shoulders.
She giggled again. “Heavens no, I am a vampire like you silly. Why did you leave me and mommy Dante?”
“Lissa, you’re just a child. How did this happen?”
She pulled way, a frown replaced her smile. “Dante I am most certainly not a child. I am 459 years old that does NOT make me a child.”
“Li-”
“No,” She held up her hand in protest. “I know what you are thinking, but I’m not a child Dante. I was 18 when I was turned, yes that makes me young. However, I find it insulting that you refer to me as a child, when I have been a vampire almost as long as you. Actually, I was turned four months after you, so in a sense we are the same age.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I didn’t come here to argue or make you feel guilty. There was nothing you could have done to save me, mother tried to sell me to some man who I didn’t love, so I ran away. I came across a vampire who reminded me of you, I asked him to turn me and I have been with him ever since. I need help, and I was hoping to speak with Katherine Badcia, but I saw you. I need your help Dante.”
Dante didn’t say anything for a few moments. “What happened? Did your sire hurt you?”
“No!” She yelled, and then sighed. “Cam is amazing and would never do anything to harm me, he sent me here hoping you’d be able to keep me safe.”
“Safe?”
“A mystic of his saw something, about four months ago, shortly after that one of his childe went missing. He went back to her and asked if she knew this would happen, she told him yes but it was only once they had been taken that she fully understood. Cam got angry with her and killed her,” Dante frowned at her, she shook her head. “That’s not the point I’m trying to make Dante. A few days later the vampire was found, dead, it looked like he had been sent through a paper shredder. He grew worried, and called upon all of his Childe, all but three arrive. He went to a witch named Nia who told him something dark was lurking over him, there were men who wanted revenge. Cam asked her who, but she couldn’t say. They had some kind of invisible spell over them. The three missing vampires haven’t been found yet, but he has a feeling he won’t find them alive. He sent me here, hoping you could help.”
“Lissa how can I help you? I don’t even know where to start. Vampires are murdered all of the time. You do realize there vampires who are in the mob? The vampire mob is nothing to screw around with! They probably got caught up in something they weren’t ready for and tried to get out, or possibly they ran across a werewolf who wasn’t too thrilled with them? Some wolves still hunt humans, and vampires, well you know.”
“It wasn’t wolves Dante! Cam spoke with all the wolves in the area, and they didn’t do it and they weren’t in the mob either. They were all loyal to Cam.”
Dante sighed. “Did you come alone?”
She shook her head. “No, Cam sent two vampire guards with me but I lost them in Russia. I don’t trust them, please you have to help. If not him, but me because I don’t want to die Dante. The way Sol died, it must have been horrible.”
“Lissa what do you want me to do? I can’t just give you an answer, hunting down people who are invisible is nearly impossible.” He then added. “Not to mention I have my own shit to deal with.”
“I AM YOUR SISTER!” She yelled, a single bloody tear falling from her eye. “Please just let me stay with you. Cam, even though he’s trying, can’t protect us. I overheard him talking to Zoli, two of her childe have been murdered as well.”
“Zoli?” He asked
“Yes Zoli, do you know her?”
“She created me.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment. If what his sister was saying was true, then he would need to contact Zoli. He would also need a way to protect himself. He looked back at, Lissa. Her face was frozen in horror, he wanted to help her, but how could he? He was already in too deep with Alastair; he didn’t want Lissa around him. But could he turn his sister away, knowing very well she could die? He shook his head, not realizing Lissa was watching him. Finally he spoke.
“If they are attacking the Childe of Cam and Zoli, then they will be after me. I promise I will try to protect you, but I cannot promise you anything. Katherine Badica, why did you think she could help?”
Lissa shrugged. “Dark Springs is a haven; it’s protected by the wolves and the angels. Cam thought it might be the safest place for me, he wanted me to ask her if she knew of a way to help. I still need to speak with her.”
“She’s busy at the moment, I have her number we will call her tomorrow.” He held out his hand. “Were going to have to run, it seems my driver has lost track of time.”
“Actually, he’s back down that way,” She pointed the direction she had come. “on Carleton Street, I compelled him to park a block away. I need to talk to you.”
“Lissa, when he finds out what you’ve done, he won’t be happy.”
She simply giggled and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards Carleton Street.
Evan sat quietly as Leo drove to the hotel; she had nothing to say to him or anyone else for that matter. She was not only pissed of that Dante had followed her to Dark Springs, but at the fact he seemed a little too interested in her sister. She sighed once the car pulled into the Hotel’s parking lot. She opened the door, slamming it behind her. She then followed Leo towards the south west door and up three flights of stairs. From there, they took an elevator up to the 20th floor, they went down the hall, and made a sharp right and then a left. William’s Ambrose’s room was the first room on the left. Leo opened the door, ushering Evangeline into the room. She wanted to run, but unlike her sister she wasn’t brave enough to tell William no, at least not flat out. She had avoided him for the past 30 years, it was about time he caught up with her. William was sitting to her left, drinking a dark red substance. Evan didn’t have to smell it to know that it was blood.
Leo cleared his throat. “Sir?”
“I know Leo.” William replied. “Leave us.”
Leo nodded and then left the room. Evan walked deeper into the room, if her heart could beat, it would be pounding in her chest at this very moment.
“Have a seat,” William said point towards a chair. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Evangeline sat down, placing her hands on the table. “What do you want Mr. Ambrose?”
He looked up from the book, she didn’t notice him reading. “I want you to serve on the council. Your sister keeps refusing me, and I am getting tired of pleading with her. We do not have a Badica, you and your sister come from a powerful family.”
Evan shrugged. “What makes you think I am going to join the council?”
“Evangeline I am not a fool. Unlike your sister, I know that you crave power. You ran because you were scared, but there is no need to be frightened of me or the council. We can give you whatever you want, housing, money, power, servants…just name your price.”
“Name your price Mr. Ambrose.”
He smiled. “I do not have a price, as I’ve stated above, we do not have a Badica on the council. It would make and nice addition.”
“For some reason, I do not believe you. Everyone has a price, and I want to know what it will coast me to join your council. I know what my sister said to you, she doesn’t want the Romanian Vampire Council in Dark Springs, neither do I. Why are you pushing so hard for Dark Springs? Deva doesn’t have an official.”
“Deva,” he laughed. “that is the city of the wolves, a smart vampire wouldn’t step foot there unless they were mad. Deva is a lost hope.”
“I disagree,” Evangeline replied. “the wolves in Deva aren’t controlled by an alpha, it’s mostly rogues. I know for a fact that there are several alphas eyeing it, it’s much nicer then Dark Springs. Deva is upbeat and full of hope, if you can ignore the untamed beats inside.”
“How to you plan on changing that?” William asked.
“We could place an alpha in Deva that would be loyal to the R.V.C, I might know a vampire who has a loyal werewolf army, the only problem is…well he’s not a friend to the vampire court.”
“Who might that be?”
“Their name stays with me. I need word and documentation that he wouldn’t be harmed, before I turn that name over. I would also want to be in charge of Deva, and you would have to promise me you’d leave Dark Springs alone. I could make sure that Katherine didn’t get in your way, but I love my home town and I know what the council can do.”
“I can’t make any promises, but I can talk to the court about this. Victoria will be arriving in Romania soon and she is very curious as to why I haven’t taken Dark Springs yet. I will tell her your plan, and the new can go from there.”
Evangeline nodded. “I am not accepting the position, these are my terms and I will not accept anything but that.”
“We will work out an official contract,” he paused. “there is something I also want to ask you.”
“What’s that?”
“The murders of three vampire officials in New York, LA, and Miami, I noticed that you lived in all three of these places. The Court doesn’t believe they were murdered, but I knew Lady Elisabeth, it saddens me she is dead. Have you heard anything about them, during your stay there?”
Evangeline shook her head. “Mr. Ambrose, if I had heard anything don’t you think I would have come forward? I knew Elisa and Thomas, and as I told the Court when they questioned me, I don’t know anything.”
“It just puzzles me that all three of them died in the same way but yet everyone calls it a natural death. There is nothing natural about that.”
“It seems that way, but don’t put stock into it Mr. Ambrose. Sometimes we make nothing out of something.”
“Perhaps Evangeline, but perhaps they were murdered, that would be most tragic don’t you think?”
“It would be.”
Katherine enjoyed seeing her sister again, even though she knew she had been lying about what she’d been doing over the past 200 years. Dante, on the other hand, had caught her attention. He was unlike anyone she had ever met before; she enjoyed the mystery that seemed to radiate off of him. She hated having to rush off on him, but Steven said there was something that needed her immediate attention in Scott’s office. She sighed, as she walked to the back of the club, down a flight of steps and down a long narrow hallway. When she finally reached Scott’s office, a strong aroma of wet dog hit her in the face and then she heard her voice. She pushed the door open, there sitting in Scott’s chair was Calla. Her dark eyes were rimmed with red, she had been crying. She looked her over, realizing she had just been in a fight. She took a moment to calm herself before she spoke.
“What the hell happened?” her question was directed at Scott.
“We caught her sneaking into the club, we pulled Morris away from the door and he ID her as the girl who tired giving him 20 dollars to let her into the club. He told her she was too young, he though she left but while Steven was using the bathroom, he caught her sneaking into the window.” He paused. “If you’re thinking that we did that to her, then you are mistaken Katherine, she was like that.”
“Calla are you okay?” Katherine asked, walking into the office and closing the door behind her.
“No,” she said trying to hold back her tears. “I was jumped at the airport. He took my bag, that was all I had Mary.”
“Honey, why are you in Romania?”
“I couldn’t stay there with my parents anymore! They keep pretending like Eden never existed.” She wiped away a tear, cursing under her breath. “You told me if I ever need anything, you’d help. I need help.”
“Scott, can you leave us?”
Scott nodded and left the office, closing the door behind him. Katherine took a seat in the chair closest to Calla, resting her hand on her knee. She had told her she’d be there for her if she ever needed help. She remembered that promise well. It was 10 years ago, she had learned her sister was in America, and she wanted to see her. Kat came up empty, but she ran into Calla, standing in the middle of the woods yelling. She only came because she thought someone was hurting her, but there was no one around, it was then she learned she was a medium, cursing the spirits for tearing her family apart. Kat found the seven year old interesting, her courage and strength radiated off of her, even if she didn’t know it. Since then, Kat had kept a close eye on her. For the past few years she had been side tracked, how could she have missed it? She looked a Calla, and realized she had been turned into a werewolf. If she was still human, she would offer her shelter, but she wasn’t. Katherine retracted her hand and ran it through her hair.
“Zet, I am not turning my back on you, but why didn’t you ask the werewolf who bit you for help?”
She paused. “It ran off. I woke up in the hospital, the doctors told my mom I had been attacked by a wolf. As much as I wanted to tell them it wasn’t just a typical wolf, I knew where they’d stick me.”
“When did this happen?”
“About 5 years ago, I was 12. I don’t blame you Mary, for what happened to me. I shouldn’t have run off into the woods, but I was so angry.”
Katherine smiled. “You know everyone calls me Katherine, or Kat now.” She placed her hand back on Calla’s knee. “If you want to stay in Dark Springs, you’re going to have to contact the wolf pack. Conner and Logan have kept this town rogue free for 30 years, and they plan on keeping it that way.”
“I know, but you’ll always be Mary to me.” Calla thought back to the first time she had met Mary or Mary-Katherine as she introduced herself. She thought she was another spirit at first, with her pale skin and the way she seemed to float across the ground, later she learned that Mary was a vampire. At first she was terrified of her, but after some time she realized that Mary wasn’t going to harm her. They formed a friendship, and then she left. She wrote to Calla and sometimes the letters would have tiny surprises in them. She wished she could return to those days so much, her past was so much easier to deal with then her future. She sighed. “I am not a rogue, I don’t even want to be here but I don’t know where else to go.”
“Why didn’t you stay in Kentucky? I know you hate your parents for what they did to Eden, but you are 17!”
“I’m a monster Mary, I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t face Eden and I didn’t want my parents treating me like I… like the treated Eden.”
“Calla, you aren’t listening to me. You are 17 years old, you aren’t adult, I could go to jail for having you here. Not only for holding a runaway, but because this is a club and you are not 21. We need to contact your parents.”
“No!” She yelled. “I’ll be 18 in three weeks, what’s the big deal? They won’t even know I’m gone, they left for their ‘honeymoon’ yesterday. They won’t be back until August 8th, that’s the day before my birthday.”
“Your parents just left you?” Kat asked, a bit annoyed that her parents would just walk of and leave their daughter.
“Yes, my aunt was supposed to be there but she called and told me something came up. That’s not the truth though, she just doesn’t want me around her daughter, she’s afraid I’m ‘crazy’ like Eden and it’ll rub off.” Calla rolled her eyes. “Please don’t make me go back.”
“What about Eden? You just left her there, what happens when she gets out? She won’t have any family there.”
“I wrote her a letter and told her I was leaving.”
“Did you tell her where too?”
Calla shook her head. “No, I didn’t want to risk someone reading the letter and calling my parents. I’m hoping Eden will try to contact me, she has my number. I just don’t want to deal with them,” she paused. “I don’t even think that woman is my mother.”
Kat sighed. “Fine Calla, but things here in Dark Springs are different then in the US. Here I hold power, and people aren’t always pleasant to my friends.” She glanced over at the clock that was to her right; she couldn’t believe it was almost 2 in the morning. “How long have you been in Dark Springs?”
“I got here around 11, it took me two hours to figure out where you were.” Calla rested her head against the back of the chair. “Are we going to figure out who stole my stuff?”
“I will get one of Scott’s men on it, in the meantime, I can loan you some money to buy some knew things? I also have an apartment in town you could live at, but for the night you are coming home with me. I’ll contact the boys in the morning.” Katherine stood, opened the door. “Oh, and Zet I don’t mind if you call me Mary, but everyone here knows me as Katherine or Kat.”
“Thank you Ma-…Kat.” Calla replied with a smile, as she stood. She really hadn’t expected this much from Kat, maybe a place for her to stay overnight, possibly help getting her stolen things back. As the two of them walked through the club, her mind immediately went to what Kat told her, she was a rogue wolf. Even if she didn’t want to admit that, she didn’t belong to a pack. She sight slightly, Calla didn’t know much about being a werewolf, her first full moon she nearly killed herself jumping out of her window, thinking about it now, she doubted she would have actually died from the jump. Werewolves were stronger than humans.