Into The Unknown World

“An ancient?” Grayson asked as walked down the stairs and to my office.

“The few elders we have are over 1200 years old, although, I am the oldest living vampire. At least that I know of. But an ancient is someone who has been around for 800 or more years, and there isn’t a lot of them either. And after that time, there is never any reason to go into a blood lust.

“We only take a few sips of blood, truly. The days of killing were many, many ages ago. And the older you are, the more the urge to drain dry disappears. A blood lust really does only happen to younger vampires, and again, we are there with them, teaching them and coaching them. We learned a long time ago that we couldn’t just change vampires and leave them to their own devices; that could ruin them and our secret.” We walked into my office and I picked up the line. “Hello.”

“Ah, Fire.”

“Stefano, what a pleasure.”

“Nonsense, and you know that.”

“Astute, aren’t you. What happened?”

“Some of Michael’s men were out in a nearby town, having a quiet lunch with him. They said as he started talking he got more aggressive and loud; they were very worried, but not enough to call anyone.

“They went on to say that he left to go to the bathroom and a few moments later, they heard a scream and ran back to the area, seeing a female body on the floor, drained dry, with no sign of Michael. They got in the car and picked up his scent and found that he had killed another in less than 15 minutes.” I sat down in my chair as I listened, this not sounding like the man I had known. Michael was very soft spoken and even had a soft spot for most humans. So, it was blowing my mind that he would do anything like that, especially being 900 years old.

“They came upon him about ten minutes after that. He was hunting his fourth victim, and they were at least able to stop that. But they said that when they saw him that he was talking gibberish, that his eyes had glazed over and that he had started foaming at the mouth.”

“What? How is that even possible? Those are not traits of vampires and nothing I have ever heard of!”

“In all your years?” I tugged on my bottom lip and glanced up at Grayson as his eyes narrowed on my lips.

“In all my years, I swear that’s nothing I recall. As odd as that may seem, Stefano, those are traits of mutts.” That caught Grayson’s attention. “Where is Michael now?”

“At his coven, locked away.”

“He needs to be moved. I’m not sure about his mind frame right now and I don’t believe in his vampires, they could easily let him loose. Move him to either yours, or God forgive me for saying this, Derrick’s.”

“Derrick? He is ruthless!”

“No doubt Stefano, but as my friend…” I paused as Stefano snorted at that, “yes, my ex lover as well, but we are talking 200 years ago! But he is also someone who’s prison and security I trust above all others. If you don’t want to keep Michael, send him there.” And with that, I hung up. I rested my arms on my desk and leaned forward, looking at Grayson.

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“It’s not. I’m not sure exactly what got into Michael, but it’s like we got a rabid vampire.” Grayson wrinkled his brows.

“I didn’t think that was even possible.”

“It shouldn’t be, but I’m not sure what else to call it.” My cell dinged with a text from Stefano saying they were taking Michael to Derrick’s. I sat my phone back down and smirked. “Ever tortured a vampire?”

“No.” I got up and walked over to him.

“I have a small coven, more a home than anything. But, I’m the lady, the ruler here. And as my beloved, it will be your job to help me rule. It’s time to see the other side of vampires.”

-----

I walked up to the front door and knocked, looking at Grayson, who looked around with caution; smart.

“Follow my lead. And under no circumstance, do you mention you’re an Alpha.”

“Why?”

“Derrick doesn’t like wolves, but out of respect for me, won’t say anything to you. But, he would gladly pick a fight with you as an Alpha.” He nodded and the door opened. “Dom!”

“Fire, what a surprise.”

“I’m sure. Derrick was…”

“Let her in Dom.” I glanced behind Dom and saw Derrick there. I took a deep breath and tried my best to smile.

“Hello Derrick.”

“Hello Fire. Why is a mutt with you?” I felt Grayson stiffen beside me and placed my hand on his arm.

“Grayson is an ally and is better at getting information out of vampires. I thought he would be helpful.” Derrick sized up Grayson and finally shrugged.

“In the state Michael is in, I doubt you’ll need him, but suit yourself. Follow me.” I glanced at Grayson, finding that even more strange. Derrick opened the door and allowed us in first and I had to suck in a breath. This was not Michael that I knew; this had become a shell of a man. It was as if death was at his door ready to claim him. I glanced at his chained arms and legs and went to grab them when Derrick hissed at me.

“I’m aware they are silver, Derrick, you wouldn’t hold anyone with anything less.” I grabbed the cuff, biting my lip but quickly ignored the pain to examine his wrists. “These haven’t marked him.”

“What?” Derrick asked, stepping beside me as Grayson did as well.

“Look, there are no burn marks. That’s not possible. Derrick, did he do anything when you chained him?”

“Now that you mention it, no; he didn’t howl or even move.” I leaned down, but paused as I saw Grayson reach for my hand to stop me. This vampire was in some type of comatose state, he wouldn’t try to grab at me. But I had to smile at the concern there. Watch it big bad wolf or you might fall.

I opened the vampires eye lids, shocked to see the eyes as white. No one had eyes like that! I stood back up and motioned for both men to leave. But before I did, I turned back around and snapped a picture, needing to research this on my own. Derrick had left the room before us and Grayson turned to me. I looked up at him and shook my head, even more confused.

“Fire.” The wolf in Grayson growled that out and I saw a jerk of a movement come from Michael, but nothing after that. Well, shit, there was nothing at all, no movement from him, but Grayson growled and that old vampires moves. “Did you see that?” Grayson asked softly.

“Yeah. Let’s go, I need to talk to Derrick. Michael needs to be killed.” Grayson stopped me gently.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I don’t know what that is, but it can’t stay alive.” We walked into the office Derrick was in and he looked up at me. “Do you have a doctor around?”

“Yes, why?”

“My thought, have your doctor check him out, examine him, and then kill him.” I saw Grayson move closer to me, which didn’t go unnoticed from Derrick either.

“A friend, I’m sure.” I narrowed my eyes at Derrick’s comment, knowing he was talking about Grayson but he didn’t elaborate anymore. “I’ve done that, what about his coven?”

“Split what you want, tell the vampires to do what they like, but their lord is died. They can go to other covens or create their own, make…” I trailed off as Grayson stepped up to me and whispered in my ear.

“I’m sorry, I got to go. There are rogue’s spotted again.”