Shadow of Death: Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles (56 page)

Slipping the coat on cut the chill but did little to warm his body. He shivered and hugged the leather tight. Of all the new experiences and sensations being cold evoked the worst memories from the time he was alone and outcast, existing in a cave.

He found the ladder and made his way down the rickety fire escape to stand in the garbage strewn alley. With several hours to go he frowned into the darkness. A grumble emanated from his stomach and he closed his eyes as the hunger for food made its presence known – yet another undesired reminder of his mortal state. It was clear how he would spend part of the time and he pulled out his wallet from the inside jacket pocket. Walking out of the darkness and into the diffuse street light, he checked his cards and hoped Notus had not lied about allowing him continued access to the accounts. He slipped the wallet back into its pocket.

Despite the late hour finding an open eating establishment proved promising. Toronto was a city that never truly slept. The question he had to ask was what he was willing to try, if anything. The thought of sitting under the scrutiny of staff and patrons while he attempted to master knife and fork as he ate unknown food dulled the roar of his stomach. He rounded the corner of the building and back into the main thoroughfare, his eyes landing on
Beyond the Veil’s
active entrance.

No sign of the impending confrontation took place. Only the natural late night behaviours of mortals unaware of the dangers they placed themselves in. His jaw tightened to grate his teeth together and he turned away before he did something rash. The time to deal with the Vampires was soon approaching and that had to be enough.

He turned to his left, deciding to walk westward in hopes to find a quiet place to eat and to kill some time. Hands left out of his pockets at the ready it was a surprise when a man leaning against a limousine hailed him.

“Excuse me, sir,” came the fear tinged voice.

He halted and turned to face the fair man, the black driver’s cap covering most of his corn silk strands. A frown pulled as he recognized the man from earlier this morning. What were the Vampires playing at?  “What?” he spat.

The driver recoiled as if hit, blue eyes wide.

“I would appreciate if you would stop scaring my manservant.”
A short young man with dark curling hair and large brown eyes stepped from the back of the car. For his fancy appearance he looked no older than his mid twenties, but held the bearing of someone much older.

Was there fear in the man’s dark eyes? He crossed his arms to glare down at them. “Why are you following me?”

“I – well – uh,” stammered the man, flustered at the direct assault. “We need to talk.” The words flowed out in a nervous rush.

He cocked his head, narrowing his eyes. “What other conditions do the Vampires place upon me in order to get my sword back?”

“My master isn’t—” blurted the driver, finding his courage.

“Still, Godfrey.” The man placed a restraining hand on his servant. “It doesn’t matter.”

The driver looked askance at his employer before relaxing his stance.

“I was hoping we could talk in private.” The dark haired man offered the warmth of the back seat of the car by holding the door open, his brown eyes flickering nervously.

He studied the two for a moment before turning on his heel to continue on his way.

“Please wait,” called the short man, panic colouring his tones.

He halted but did not turn around. Enough was enough. “I will be back for my sword at the agreed upon time.”

He did not wait for a response as he continued down the sidewal
k.

Thanatos stood dumbstruck as he watched the Angel’s retreating back. There was no doubt that a serious misunderstanding took place. The question left hanging was what exactly did the Angel assume was going on? He frowned and closed the car door. After searching for answers and hoping the Angel was the one to relinquish them, Thanatos had hoped that finally meeting the    Angel would have gone differently. To have the Angel react to him so cut deep, but after all the Angel had gone through maybe it was too late to find the answers he sought since before the    Angel’s birth.

“What do we do now, sir?” Godfrey’s question cut to the heart of the matter.

A sigh escaped and Thanatos frowned. “I’m not sure, Godfrey.”

“Sir, he took you for a Vampire, why would he do that?”

Thanatos gazed up into hurt blue eyes, saddened by what he saw in his Godfrey’s face, and shook his head. There were so many reasons and none that he could tell his most trusted of     servants.

“Let’s go home, Godfrey,” he said, opening the car door for himself. “I don’t know what else to do.”

Godfrey took the door once his master was seated on the black leather. He had almost closed the door before snatching it open.

“What is it, Godfrey?” Thanatos stared up at the man, surprised by the strange behaviour.

“Sir, the Angel said he’d be back.” Godfrey’s voice rushed out in excitement.

Thanatos was going to debate that but then nodded, remembering the Angel’s last statement.

“He said–”

“He said that he’s coming back for his sword as if we knew where it was.” In his excitement Godfrey realized his
faux paux
. “Oh, sir! I’m so sorry!”

Perturbed by Godfrey’s slip Thanatos dismissed his servant’s behaviour with a wave of his hand. “Just so that it doesn’t happen again. We will stay here and wait. Corvus is up to something and I
will
find out if he’s still dead set on defying me. If the Angel refuses to listen there is nothing to be done about that.”

“Yes, sir.” Godfrey closed his Master’s door and entered the driver’s seat, settling his cap more securely upon his head. It was a surprise when the yawn overtook his professional veneer.

“Godfrey,” spoke Thanatos, gently. “Take a nap. I will wake you when the time comes.”

Appreciative blue eyes met brown through the rear view mirror. “Thank you, sir.”

Godfrey slipped his cap low enough to shade his eyes as he relaxed into his seat.

It did not take long before his servant was snoring softly. Quietly, so as not to disturb Godfrey, Thanatos opened the door and stepped out of the limousine to lean against the trunk. His dark brown eyes narrowed as he watched patrons of
Beyond The Veil
exit and enter.

What are you up to, Corvus?

Corbie Vale, Lord of Valraven, once Corvus Valerius Tertius of the Roman legions, caressed the length of the sword laid across his white oak desk and scanned the faces of the Vampires who ruled beneath him. Satisfaction burned through as he named the faces. Some were of Brian’s progeny, such as Michael and Stephanie who lounged on the white leather sofa, touching and
making eyes at each other. Who knew that two Vampires could love, especially love one another? Disgust warred with astonishment
and Corbie slid his study onto Orchid who was speaking with his other flower – Rose. A smile quirked his thin lips, everyone was here to witness Corbie’s revenge against the Angel and thus the Chosen.

No longer would the Chosen be able to cower behind the Angel’s skirts. Tonight would usher in a new age of dominance where Corbie would be truly free of the Chosen’s threatening presence. He would be able to take back what was rightfully his. It was time to pursue, in full measure, the destruction of the Chosen and the domination of the humans, placing them properly in the food chain. Let the Chosen hide, for the moment, across the Pond. One day soon the Vampires would cross the Atlantic and finish what Bastia had intended – the decimation of the Chosen.

The door opened and Corbie’s right hand walked in. Their
eyes connected across the room and Brian nodded at the unspoken
question. It was time. The room grew still as Corbie stood, all eyes turning to the Dominus.

“You all know why you are here,” stated Corbie. Many Vampires nodded while others, like his beautiful Rose, smiled maliciously. “Tonight we humiliate and destroy the creature that sent us fleeing to these untouched shores. For that we thank the Angel by giving back what we took from him. Since he cannot give back what he took from us we will take it from him.” Snickers flitted through the room. “It is time to take our destiny into our own hands. Everyone here knows what he or she is to do, let’s do it.”

Brian opened the door to let the Vampires prepare themselves.

“Not you, Rose,” called Corbie.

Rose halted and frowned at her Dominus.

“It’s alright, Brian.” Corbie raised a stilling hand as his second
was about to close the door to stay with Corbie and Rose. “You can go and oversee that everyone is where they are supposed to be.”

Brian inclined his head and left, sealing the room behind him. Rose walked over to Corbie and the sword that glittered in the darkness. “Why are you keeping me from this?” she demanded, hands on her green skirted hips.

“I’m not,” said Corbie. He stood and walked around the desk to meet her floral green eyes. He loved to see the angry spark flare to life before being extinguished by his generosity. “You are given the honour of presenting the sword to the Angel.”

“Really?”

Rose’s stunned visage almost made Corbie smile and he   nodded. “Most definitely. This is what I want you to do …”

I
t was nearly time for his meeting with the Vampires and the slice of pizza and can of soda sat like lead in his gut. It had been a quick choice that proved the wrong one. For all the foods he had to consume now that he was mortal this had been, by far, the meal that had made him most crave to be Chosen again.

He rounded the corner and halted, anger tightening is pale features as he saw the dark haired Vampire leaning against the trunk of the black limousine. He would have to find another way around to the back of the club.

Careful not to draw the Vampire’s attention he backed up before turning around and was surprised when he bumped into
someone. The girl, all dressed in ragged and mismatched clothing,
attempted to walk past him but he knew a pick-pocket when being fleeced by one.

He thought about letting her go with his possessions, but it was just one more thing that someone was trying to take from him. Before she could disappear into the night his hand shot out and grabbed her arm, spinning her around.

“Ye’d bedder let me go, or’ll scream,” she said as she swung about. Whatever else she was about threaten evaporated once she caught sight of her pick. Eyes and mouth wide, fear rippled over her smudged face.

“I believe you have something that belongs to me,” he stated coldly.

Her hand shook as she pulled his wallet from the inside of her ratty and stained sweatshirt.

He took the wallet without losing eye contact. “And the rest?”

A shudder ran through the street urchin and she quickly revealed the cash and cards she had hoped to sneak from the wallet.

“In the past I would have dealt with such offences in a more permanent manner.” He took the money and plastic, returning them to the wallet. “Count yourself lucky tonight is not one of those nights.”

Eyes widening further it took her a moment to realize that she was free to go. Her footpads came quickly together as she fled the fearsome angel.

He watched her retreating back and slipped the wallet into a deeper internal coat pocket. It was ever the same. He sighed and shook his head. Chosen or mortal, people still were either drawn to him or, more often than nought, fearful because of his appearance. He was about to turn around to resume his search for an alternative route to the back of
The Veil
when he noticed that the Vampire and the limousine were no longer there. Frowning, he decided to take up his original course.