Vampires, Magic, and Monsters - Page 12

“Yes, I mean I wasn’t aware of the vampires around me, but I knew several of the other staff and they were like me just work a day people from Charlotte. They weren’t vampires were they?” Neal turned to look at him and waited for his response.

“I don’t know. I never had much to do with them, but most coven members hire other vampires because humans are fragile and can be problematic if they happen to see one of us acting out our vampire selves.” Alistar wasn’t sure how to explain it, but it was easier to hire other vampires than to go through the difficulty of having a human on staff.

Neal looked forward and nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense. You’re right; no one has worked for her very long. The humans especially seemed to disappear quickly.”

“Master Kilconnor requires those that have humans on staff to keep him abreast of who they are and other specifics. Humans can be taken advantage of, and he makes sure that does not happen.” Alistar started his car and pulled away from the curb. He was relieved to be taking Neal home with him. He would be safe at the Coven house.

Alistar wasn’t going to relax until they figured out why those vampires came after Neal. Maxwell had been at the drycleaner and had participated in baiting Neal with his employer’s dress. After that fell through and his cohorts were killed he still tried to come for Neal when he could have gone after any human. What was so special about Neal? Until he answered that question he was going to stay very close to his adored.

“What about Byron?” Neal erupted. He turned to Alistar consumed by fear and panic and grabbed at his arm. “We have to go back what about Byron?”

Alistar pulled to the side of the road and parked before giving Neal his full attention. “What has you so afraid? Why should Byron be in danger?” He asked and put his arm around Neal comforting him with his touch.

“What if they go after him? What if he stops by, and they see him and target him?” Neal was panicking, and his anxiety was taking over, but Alistar knew he had to solve the problem and not try to convince him there was no problem. He understood worry and anxiety and how it can build, and he wanted his love to be at peace.

“Call him and let him know that you’re going to be staying at my place for a few days and inform him that if he wants to stop by and see you he is welcome.”

“You’re okay with that?”

“I’m okay with anything that makes you happy, my love.” Alistar cupped the side of Neal’s face and turned it up to him and kissed him thoroughly. “You’re my adored and I will do anything for you.”

“Thank you, Alistar.”

“I’ll also have someone keep an eye on him until this issue is resolved. He won’t know they’re there, but you can then be assured of his safety.” Alistar was blessed with a big smile and a heartfelt hug.

“Thank you that makes me feel so much better.” Alistar put in a call to Von who assigned a guard to Byron Shawn. He had no problem or qualms with giving Neal everything he needed.

“Maxwell and the men he took with him failed, Madam.”

“Are they dead?” She demanded.

“Yes, they are dead, and the Coven has disposed of their remains. They have not connected them to this household or to you.”

“Where is Neal Shawn?” She turned on the messenger and grabbed him by the throat. He was a clever vampire, but she easily overpowered him.

“He left with the vampire who killed them. That vampire also killed those at the dry cleaner. He was sent by Kilconnor to eradicate the rogues.” He coughed and tried to get her grip off his neck but to no avail. “It’s only a matter of time before they trace all of it and all of them back to you. You need to leave; you need to hide.”

She tightened her grip as her eyes took on a blood-red hue in her anger and thirst. “That human will not best me. That little bastard will not get away from me.” She threw him across the room, and he slammed into the far wall. “Find him and bring him to me.”

“I will bring you another. He is not worth it, Madam.” He pleaded with her.

Franchesca lost it on him. She flew across the room, landing on top of him, screaming and tearing at his face. He tried to throw her off, but she dug her long nails into his neck and began ripping away the flesh. She continued with her nails and her teeth until he lay still and silent on the floor. She twisted his head and gouged at connecting tissue until she could tear it off and held it in her hands when one of her private guards stepped into the room and froze at the bloody scene before him.

She took the head and tossed it toward him, and it rolled to a stop at his feet. “Are you going tell me it’s too dangerous to go after Neal Shawn, or are you going to bring him to me?” She growled as blood dripped from his mouth and hands.

“I will bring him to you.” The man said and promptly left the room.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Alistar didn’t begin to relax until he pulled into the garage of the Coven complex. The building was large and housed all of Coven leadership along with guards, soldiers, support and surveillance personnel. Other members resided in neighboring buildings and structures within the Kilconnor compound.

His adored would be safe in his quarters and he planned to convince him to move in the sooner the better. He had no desire to return to his apartment so he might as well make the move now.

“This is really nice.” Neal had commented on the landscaping and then the architecture and now the interior layout. “It looks like this place has been here a long time. This isn’t any kind of new build is it.”

“It’s been here a couple hundred years but has been updated and expanded over the years. Master Kilconnor maintains the historical look so the old and the new blend.” Alistar didn’t know a lot about the structure, but he knew that much. Architectural style and designs were not his interest. He could appreciate a nice look, but he didn’t dwell on it.

“Everyone looks so serious.” Neal whispered and stepped a little closer to Alistar as they made their way down the hall on the third floor to Alistar’s apartment.