Chapter 8: Reuniting with Some Old Friends

UNKNOWN

Willow, Andrei, and the rest of their team make their way back to the Royal Pack. Boris, their leader, welcomes them with open arms, hugging Willow and shaking Andrei’s hand. He ushers them into his office, eager to hear their report.

“All right, Willow. Let’s hear it.”

She recounts the events of the previous night, detailing their encounter with the vampires and the ominous words of the last one before he met his end. Andrei, for his part, remains silent, only grunting in agreement a few times.

Boris turns to Andrei, his brow furrowed in concern. “Are you worried for your life, King Andrei?”

Andrei corrects him with a small smile. “Just Andrei now. And no, I’m not worried for my life. But it seems my brother has you in his sights as well. It’s time to deal with him, council be damned. I created them to maintain peace and balance, but they’ve become corrupt. I have a plan, and I’ll need your top ghost wolves. Would you mind lending them to me?”

Willow looks at him, her eyes wide. “What’s your plan? And how many wolves will you need?”

Boris clears his throat, a grin spreading across his face. “He was talking to me, Willow. But yes, what she said.”

Andrei explains his plan to take down the three ancient vampires on the council. “They’ve outlived their usefulness. They were allies of my father’s, turned on the same day in an ancient ritual.”

Willow’s curiosity is piqued. “So, they’re all brothers?”

Andrei shakes his head. “No, they weren’t turned by the same vampire. It was a ritual that turned only the strongest of a tribe into vampires. Sekhmet, the daughter of the sun god Ra, was sent to Egypt.

“They started a ritual where they would drain her blood into a cup and share it among the strongest, making them immortal. The bloodlust this caused led to the creation of the first vampire.

“They craved blood. They could still eat food, but the craving for blood became a part of their souls. In the beginning, they could reproduce like any mated pair. But Sekhmet, who was a healer, not a destroyer, realized they had corrupted her gift and made it impure.

“So, she took away their ability to father or birth their own offspring. Over the generations, the men started feeding their blood to their victims, turning them into creatures of the night.

“Ra then took the sun from them, burning them and killing them if they sought him out for what they had turned his daughter’s gift into. My father and these three remaining vampires are of the original ritual.

“Over time, their minds have deteriorated. My father was mad when he met the sun. He thought he was a god himself and simply woke one morning and dared Ra. He turned to dust and disappeared in no time. These men are reaching their madness as well. I’ve been keeping tabs, knowing that eventually, I’d have to step in.”

Willow looks at him, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Why are you still sane? You’re ancient.”

Andrei smiles at her. “My father was still relatively new when he created me. I was subjected to horrific scenes of violence and beatings, but eventually, I broke away from his world and created my own. I never turned another soul to the darkness.

“I kept my blood and never shared it with another. I even fell in love. Several times over the centuries, but never attempted to turn anyone. I think because of this, I’ve been able to keep my sanity, unlike my brother who’s several thousand years younger than me and has clearly lost his mind.”

Boris nods, his expression serious. “I can give you a team. Willow will lead. She’s our best. Let her choose the members and share your plan with her.” He stands up and moves away from his desk. “In the meantime, we have some old friends who are eager to reunite with us. They’re waiting for us in the dining room. Shall we?”

Boris moves toward the door, and Willow and Andrei follow him.

In the dining room, they find Willow’s parents, the dragon king, and his mate, the queen of witches, Eros and Lira. Lyric, Willow’s mother, spots her daughter and Andrei immediately. She sets her glass down and rushes over to them, hugging Willow tightly and reaching out to Andrei over her shoulder.

“My old friend. It’s so good to see you looking well!” She turns from her daughter and gives Andrei a quick hug.

Kaiser, Willow’s father, also hugs his daughter, planting a kiss on her head. “Mein Liebling! I’ve missed you so much!”

Willow returns the greeting with a smile. “Hi, Daddy.”

Kaiser turns to Andrei, his expression serious. “Andrei, it’s been a while, my friend. I’m sorry it’s war that brings us back together.”

Andrei shrugs, a grim smile on his face. “We live among monsters, Kaiser. What else can we do but fight them?”

Eros and Lira approach, and everyone exchanges hugs and handshakes before sitting down for dinner and catching up. Willow sits across the table from Andrei, observing his interactions with her parents. It is clear to her that they hold a great deal of respect for each other, which brings a small smile to her face.

Lyric notices the look on her daughter’s face and then turns to Andrei. She sees a spark in his eye and begins to wonder. “Could they possibly be…” She shakes her head and reaches for her mate’s hand. In a mind-link, she tells Kaiser, ~“I think our daughter is smitten by the old charmer. She keeps glancing his way.”~

Kaiser looks at his daughter and notices Genesis rise to the front. ~“No, my dear. It’s more than being smitten. I’d say Genesis is ready to claim him.”~ Kaiser chuckles. ~“If our daughter is his mate, then he better hold on to his seat. Genesis will definitely take him for a ride.”~

~“But doesn’t it worry you? Our daughter is so young, and he is…well, almost as old as dirt,”~ Lyric links back.

Kaiser squeezes his wife’s hand reassuringly. “Our daughter is guided by the Goddess. She will follow the Goddess’s directions in all things, even love. If the Goddess paired them, then there’s a reason.”

He gives his wife a comforting squeeze. “He’s a good man, Liebchen. He will love her wholeheartedly. It’s a second chance at real love for him. I trust our daughter and the Goddess. I trust him as well.”

Lyric nods, reassured by her mate’s words. They join in on the banter around the table.