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“Well that was an epic plan.”

“This is too weird for me, is it ok if I get out of here?” I nodded as I said,

“I’m with you on that, let’s go.” We headed for the door as the group had begun to disperse into the night. I stopped as I looked up to the landing and saw her standing before me. She had been cleaned and her wounds had all healed from climbing out of the ground. She wore a long chartreuse summer dress, I suppose she was unaware that it was winter. I cursed as Marc followed my gaze, she began to descend the stairs as Carter pushed his way until he was at her side. He whispered something in her ear as she looked at him as her face grew dark. She started again down the stairs as he grabbed her arm. She fought against him as he pulled her up to him,

“This is not the time,” his voice was low but forceful. I watched as Aerin followed him upstairs and back to what had once been my room. I looked to Marc as he said,

“Lets just get out of here. These people are not like us.” I looked around and noticed that we were being watched now, their faces were not welcome to us. I opened the front door as I headed into the night. I looked back as Carter followed us out,

“The night is just getting started!” I saw that Octavius was already at the gate waiting for us as I looked back to Carter,

“Look we came to your gathering and I see that Aerin is still alive. As far as I’m concerned Klaus’ death makes us even. You’ve got our protection now get the fuck out of my city.” He watched us as we headed for Octavius as he said,

“Oh I’ll leave now that I know you won’t come after me. Tell me Rent – how does it feel to know where you came from? Was it enlightening? Do you feel complete now?” I stopped as I turned to face him and headed back toward the porch. He started to back up now as I stopped, it was then that I knew he had created a trap. I looked around as I smiled back at him, I could see Aerin descending the stairs once more. She was calling out my name in her mind, she was warning me even now.

“Keep her locked up because no telling what I’ll do if I see her around my city.” He looked back to her as she ran forward he grabbed her by the arm as he stared back at us,

“Keep away from us,” he growled as he pushed her back into the house.

“Likewise,” called out Octavius as we headed into the night. I could see Matthieu and his wife standing across the street now. Octavius nodded to them as they crossed now and were at our side,

“I take it he got the message?” I saw that Matthieu carried a small crossbow in his hands.

“Yes, he will leave now.”

“Good.”

“I don’t like the way she’s looking at you, Rent.” Meredith glowered at Aerin still watching us from the house. I didn’t look back as I shrugged it off.

“I’m not worried about her now, Meredith. She’s his problem now.”

We headed back to Octavius’ home as the fog started to roll in. I waved off Meredith and Matthieu as they climbed into their car,

“Call us if they come sniffing around. I refuse to have anything to happen to you all.” I nodded as I looked to Octavius,

“I think tonight was a sort of truce. As long as Carter plays by the rules, we’ll all be fine.”

“Drive safe,” called Octavius as he climbed the steps into his house. As I followed I saw movement in the shadows and knew I was being watched. I waited until I caught a glimpse of her blonde hair. She stood still as she stared in my direction. I wanted to tell her to go home. There was something in her eyes that was close to pleading but I didn’t call out to her.

“Did we really take out Klaus?” I sank into the seat next to Marc as he tossed me the game controls.

“Player two has joined,” said the console as I pounded on the keys. It was boxing game on the television. The sound of the blows echoed in the parlor as Marc cursed.

“Yeah, he’s really gone.” I landed a few more blows with my digital alter ego wearing black trunks while his bloated boxer sweated profusely. I landed one final punch as his character fell to ground.

“Dammit, you always win!” I laughed as I tossed the controller aside,

“I saw Aerin outside tonight.”

“Yeah, I know. I feel badly for her. She’s stuck with Carter for a father. That has to suck.” I watched him as he got to his feet and looked as his watch.

“It’s almost daylight…I’m going to head to my room. See you tomorrow, Rent.” I sat in silence for a long while after he left the parlor. He was right, what was I doing punishing Aerin. She had only done what she thought was right.

It was still early in the evening when we arrived at Octavius’ home. We followed him inside taking in the small boxes that had been delivered throughout the day.

“It looks like you have people that are paying their respects.”

“Isn’t it odd the way people send gifts? I don’t understand why they are so quick to congratulate me.” Marc leaned down as he lifted and shook a few of the boxes,

“What do you get for the person that stakes another vampire?” Octavius smiled as he pushed open the front door,

“You buy him a plot and hope he never needs to use it.” Marc began picking up the boxes and heading indoors. I followed them inside as we headed into the front parlor.

“You know she warned me about Carter tonight.”

“I know,” said Octavius as he took off his jacket and draped it over his arm. He looked back at me then headed for the stairs, “She still cares for you even if she wants to tear you to bits.”

“That’s comforting to know,” I said as I walked over and hit the button to turn on the fireplace. I could hear Marc kicking in the last few packages and shutting the door. He nodded to me as he headed toward the back of the house. I sat down and stared at the fire before me, I felt my eyes shut and knew that I had not rested since arriving from California the night before. I didn’t want to put too much weight on the subject of Aerin or her father. I had dealt with them longer than I had wanted to. I needed the rest and I didn’t want to fight it off any longer.

“Oh man you’re going to love this,” called Marc as he entered the room holding what appeared to be a can with a set of sponge like fangs attached.

“I don’t even want to know what that is for,” I called as Octavius took it from his son. He looked it over as he frowned,

“If this is some sort of sex toy, I’m willing to give it a try.” I groaned as I shut my eyes,

“If you regift that my way, I will be horribly upset.”

“Yes because Rent Tres is horrified if anything with fangs gets near his…”

“I think we get the idea,” said Marc as he tossed the toy aside and began tearing into more boxes.

The following night we made our way to the old Palace theatre where a party was being hosted in Octavius’ honor. I stared at the top hat as I set it on my head then took in my appearance. I straightened my ascot as I headed for the door, I snatched up the thin cane before I shut the door behind me. I tipped my hat to the driver as I climbed into the back of the awaiting town car. I looked to Matthieu as he shook his head,

“What the bloody hell is this? Tell me you don’t always celebrate this way?”

“Actually we did when Klaus was given the job nearly two hundred years ago. We had a ball in his honor. It also turned into a bloodbath, quite literally.” I recalled the guests being of the living and the guests had not fed in several nights. It was the last time we had a ball to honor anyone. I looked to Matthieu as he nodded,

“Well, I guess you can hope the outcome is different this time around.” I laughed as I noticed his wife was not present,

“Where is your other half these days?”

“I told her it was a men’s event. Plus she values her ladies night out on the weekends. I really couldn’t force her to come to one of these parties.” I knew they worked hard to portray the normal married couple but it was obvious there was something otherworldly about them. I looked him over in his tuxedo as I replied,

“You clean up well, man.”

“Ha, this is the work of my lady. I wouldn’t be anything without her.” I smiled as the car sped along the freeway, I looked out to see the sun shining down on the Superdome. It was hard to believe that it had housed so many during the storm. I still felt a pain as I recalled going through the Lower Ninth to find old friends that had perished. Whole streets had disappeared and it was hard to place just where I was for a moment. I looked down at my cufflinks and realised that I had been lucky, we had all been lucky to have made it through the following days. I had to give it to Octavius for keeping me safe in my weakest time.

We entered the theatre already filled with people dressed in various costumes of yesteryear. I stopped to say hello to old friends as we made our way into the makeshift ballroom.

“Rent!” I turned to see a young girl with short black hair dressed as a flapper, she swung the long strand of pearls in her hands as she ran over to me. She wrapped her arms around me as we embraced,

“Harper, it’s so good to see you.” Her dark eyes lit up as she stared at me,

“Wow, you look amazing, I might have to hunker down and take a rest sometime. You look really good.”

“Are the boys with you?” She nodded as she smiled with her crimson painted lips,

“They are! Nicky, Joe…he’s here!” I watched as the two tall Italians headed my way. They wore dark suits and shared the same wavy dark hair. They nodded to me as I shook their hands,

“How goes it?”

“Very well, I’m really glad Klaus’ day ended,” said Nick as he looked to his brother who nodded.

“It really had been far too long. We were not at peace and he refused to listen to anyone’s problems.”

“So I noticed the last time I saw him. I know I’m not one to say anything especially after the situation with Aerin.”

“How is she?” I looked to Harper who was very conscious to anyone in pain, her eyes were already welling with tears as I put my arm around her cool shoulder,

“She’s well, I left her with Carter. I didn’t realise he was her father, she shielded her thoughts from me.”

“That is something,” said Joe as he lifted a wine glass and handed it to me, “Are you still eating their food?”

“Uh yes,” I said in a low voice as I took a drink. I noticed their looks to one another,

“Well I can’t judge, I have a strange love for royal blood,” said Nick with a smile. Harper tapped him on the arm,

“Oh stop! You met one girl who claimed she was a royal.” I laughed and remembered how good it felt to be amongst friends.

“Did you know Chris is here?” I shook my head as Joe nodded toward the stairs into the theatre. Chris had been the only sire Chloe had made. He wore a suit that looked uncomfortable and his hair was disheveled, as he looked my way. He was holding a bottle of blood as he managed a smile and headed our way.

“This is a surprise,” he said as he shook my hand then pulled me into an embrace. I held him for a long while as he said, “Damn shame that she’s gone.”

“I know, Marc still feels that he was to blame.” He shook his head as we parted,

“Now he needs to buck up, that Aerin girl was the only one to blame. Listen, I hear she’s Carters daughter, man that does not shock me.”

“Yeah, I couldn’t believe it, two daughters.”

“The other one was the girl killed by Klaus?” I nodded as he shook his head,

“Not shocked, hey I’m gonna head in and pay my respects to Octavius. We should go out before I head back home.” I nodded as I said,

“Where is home these days?”

“Way up north…I kind of met a girl and got stuck in Alaska.” I managed a laugh then patted him on the shoulder,

“Man, it must be love if you’re living way up there.”

“Got a whole month of darkness…I love it!” I watched as he walked toward the theatre, I looked to Harper who was already leading the way. I followed them closely as I waved to others I knew. It was already becoming a reunion of sorts.

Once inside the theatre I looked around to see that some had taken to the seats above and chatting amongst one another. Around us on the floor where the seats had been removed some were awaiting Octavius to step out. I excused myself from Harper as I climbed the side of the stage and headed off to see him. I could see young girls in various states of dress all around me and wondered what it was he was planning for the night. I made my way to his dressing room as I peeked through the open door to see him sitting with the dark haired woman from Carter’s house on his lap. I knocked as they looked toward me, he smiled as she got to her feet. She was much taller than I expected as she walked past me. I tipped my hat to him as he laughed,

“This I have to say is overwhelming but I wasn’t about to pass up a party.”

“The last one was a real bloodbath,” I repeated as he laughed and nodded. I crossed my arms as I continued, “They all believe you will be a good leader.”

“Yes, I’ve known for a long while that Klaus had stopped listening to his people. I intend to hold regular meetings and at least hear cases that have gone unheard.”

“It’s going to be quite a feat.” He nodded knowingly as I looked back to the girls and said,

“What are they for?”

“I’m not sure but I think they will be my escorts.”