The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (15 page)

The instant she touched the watch, she felt an electric charge.

“Wow! Okay, connection formed. He must
really
love that watch,” she commented.

“It’s a nice watch and Tony bought it for him,” Xavier said as he placed the watch back on the dresser. “Let’s go downstairs. Antonio will be here soon.”

“How do you know?” Natasha asked.

“Darian told me.”

“Ahh, this is a mental thing right?”

Xavier chuckled and nodded.

“I’m surprise he didn’t call you, knowing how much he loves technology. Never thought he would miss an opportunity to play with his techno gadgets.”

“It’s quicker to contact me mentally.”

“Oh. That makes sense, too,” Natasha agreed.

The two left the room and headed downstairs. Elise and Devin were already eating a heaping helping of taco salad, one of Natasha’s favorite meals. She went into the kitchen and made herself a plate then joined Xavier, Devin and Elise as they waited for the others to return as well as Antonio who Natasha suspected would be there shortly.

Chapter Six

B
illy answered the door and led Antonio to the living room. The mobster looked around, marveling at the grandeur of the mansion.

“Have a seat, Darian is on his way, he should be here shortly,” Xavier said.

Antonio nodded as he adjusted his expensive black designer suit and sat down gingerly in one of the leather chairs.

Xavier could sense his fear and he could smell it. He lowered his head to hide his smile.

“Hi,” Natasha greeted innocently.

She had seen Antonio once before, four months ago when they were in Russia. Antonio had brought the weapons they had needed to defeat their enemies. However, he had wanted something from them in return and that was the gift of immortality. John had turned him and now he was of Darian’s bloodline... forever bonded to him.

Antonio looked at Natasha, his light brown eyes trailed over her body with a mixture of bloodlust and sexual desire.

“Hello,” he replied with an Italian accent. His hands smoothed back his slick hair, making sure every strand was in place.

Natasha blushed and waved. Xavier tossed Antonio a warning look, but remained silent.

“Antonio, how nice to see you,” Darian said upon entering the room followed by Tony and Sergio. He made certain to allow Antonio the benefit of sensing a fraction of his aura.

Frightened by the powerfu
l sensation he was feeling emanating from Darian, Antonio rose from the chair, walking towards him, offering him an apology. “Mr. Alexander

”

“You will call me, Master,” Darian demanded.

Antonio swallowed hard. “Yes, Master. Look, about earlier ... I’m sor
ry. I have an image to keep up, you know how it is?” His voice was shaky as he spoke and he lowered his head as if he were afraid to look Darian directly in his eyes.

Darian took hold of Antonio’s chin raising his face to meet his own.

“The blood that flows through your veins belongs to me. We are forever bound, I will always be your Master... don’t ever disobey me again. I will not tolerate such disrespect,” he said threateningly. Then with a harsh shove, he sent Antonio sliding across the floor, only to be stopped by the fireplace which he hit with a resounding thud, shaking the antique vases that adorned the mantle.

Antonio grunted from the pain, but refrained from making any more remarks. Slowly he rose to his feet as Darian settled into one of the chairs. Natasha sat on the sofa, still amazed by Darian’s display of power, though she too, remained silent. Xavier was unruffled as were the others, each aware that a leader must show his or her strength if they are to keep their members in line.

Antonio settled on the end of the sofa next to Devin.

“M-Master... what can I do for you?” he asked apprehensively.

Darian smiled then spoke. “One of my vampires has gone missing, and, as far as we know, two other shape-shifters are missing as well. I was wondering if you may know anything that can be of help to us.”

“I didn’t do it,” Antonio declared nervously.

“I know that. Do you know who might have, or why?” Darian asked. He crossed one leg over the other and folded his hands in his lap.

“Shit, I don’t know. I know there’s been some talk going around about some top secret drop. I don’t know what the drop is for. I heard that some people are paying a shit-load of money and it’s like, government protected, or some shit like that. Can’t nobody touch that shit but the government, so I don’t know what the fuck’s going on,” Antonio said.

“Do you mean an illegal dealing with the US government?” Xavier asked curiously.

“Yeah, I guess. Look, there are these two cops that I talk to on occasions, like when you guys wanted those weapons when you were in Russia. Well, these two cops made sure that I got the shipment. They might know something about this, you can talk with them,” Antonio suggested. He darted a nervous glance at Darian then looked at Xavier again.

“What are their names?” Sergio asked.

Antonio turned to look at Sergio, he knew that Sergio was a shape-shifter; he could smell it in his blood. He also remembered him from Russia. His eyes trailed over the others, some faces he recognized, some he didn’t. “Ryan Davidson and Jesse Foster, they’re on my payroll, they’re also with the S.U.I.T. division.”

Darian’s eyebrows creased, but he remained silent.

“Do you think this is a shipment of weapons?” Tony asked. Everyone turned, looking at him, then back to Antonio.

“That’s my guess. The only reason why anyone would get in bed with these two is for weapons. Not to mention, it must be some pretty high-tech shit. Even the underworld is shut out on this drop. Normally, I know everything that going on in my city, er...” Antonio look at Darian apprehensively. “ ...This city, but I know very little about this exchange.”

“Taking everything into consideration, I think it’s safe for us to suspect that this ‘drop’ is about weapons and I think these people paying a ‘shit-load’ of money are connected, especially with supernaturals turning up missing all in the same time span,” Sergio said as he settled back into the cushions of his chair.

“A hunt?” Natasha blurted out, finally ending her silence.

All eyes turned to her, making her feel uncomfortable. She was never a person who wanted a lot of attention. Even in high school she was the modest student, always made the honor roll, but was never in the popular school cliques.

“I think you’re right,” Darian said softly. “This wouldn’t be the first time that supernaturals have been hunted. We have to find them before they receive their shipment.”

“Rachel is very young and from what I understand, so is Gary. Do you believe they chose them because of that fact?” Elise asked.

“Interesting question and it does seem possible,” Darian answered.

“The first thing we need to do is contact these two S.U.I.T. officers, and find out who they’re working for,” Xavier said.

“I’m going to call Xander and tell him what we know,” Natasha said as she pulled out her little cell phone from her pocket. She dialed Xander’s number and waited.

“Hello?” A female answered.

“Hello, it’s Natasha, may I speak with Xander, it’s very important. Is he available?”

“Hello, Natasha, this is Tatiana and yes, my husband is available, one moment,” Tatiana said. There was a moment of silence before Xander spoke.

“Natasha, I take it you have news?” he asked in his charming British manner.

“Yeah, we believe we have a lead, or at least a link to a lead,” Natasha said. She began to tell Xander everything that had been discussed by the others and he listened carefully to the information.

“I’m sure Warren knows who they are, I will contact him. We may not get our information right away, because he’s working right now in the field. But as soon as he has it, I’ll call you.

“Oh. Okay, makes sense.”

“Thank you,” Xander said.

After their conversation, Natasha slipped her phone back into her pocket.

“Can I go now?” Antonio asked Darian respectfully.

Darian nodded. Antonio rose from the chair bowing humbly to the man he now acknowledged as his
Master
before leaving.

Sergio watched Antonio as he exited the room.

“He’s a testy little son-of-a-bitch, isn’t he? Are you sure that’s all he knows?” he asked Darian.

“That’s all he knows, it’s enough,” Darian said. “Xander is going to ask Warren to track down these two cops. It would be wise if they trail them. Most certainly, they will know something about this mysterious ‘drop’. We need to speak with them.”

“How’d you... oh, I forgot, vampires have excellent hearing.” Natasha smiled shyly once she realized how Darian knew about her conversation with Xander.

Elise and Sergio rose from the sofa. “Darian thank you for your help. I’m going home now, I need to rest, but please don’t hesitate to call. Devin wants to stay here to wait for John. That won’t be a problem, will it?”

“Of course not. Besides, I’m sure John will be happy to see him when he gets home,” Darian replied with a smile.

He rose and approached Elise, kissing her lightly on her cheek. Sergio stiffened imperceptibly, but said nothing.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Elise said to everyone in the room then she turned and left with Sergio following behind her.

Devin looked at Darian. “Thanks. I think I’ll just go up to John’s room.” He rose from his seat and headed up the staircase.

“So they hope to hunt supernatural game, do they,” Darian said, almost to himself. He slid his hands into his pocket as he thought about their dilemma.

“My guess is, the weapons they’re going to use will be the silver-nitrate and ultraviolet gel bullets. It makes perfect sense seeing as the government is involved,” Xavier said reflectively as he rose to his feet.

“What are you guys going to do?” Natasha asked almost innocently.

Xavier looked at her, “Whatever we have to.”

Darian only nodded.

Natasha remained silent as she thought about that response. In Russia, she witnessed first-hand the extent of their perseverance. She knew exactly what Xavier meant when he said ‘whatever we have to.’ She saw Darian and Tony speaking and decided to go back to her bedroom as to not disturb them.

Xavier followed behind her, stopping her before she went into the room.

“Are you going to be all right?” he asked her.

She nodded. “I just hate what’s happening. You know, is it me, or are you guys always wrapped up in something?”

Xavier chuckled sadly. “It most certainly would seem so. Before the exposure, supernaturals mainly had other supernaturals to worry about.” He smirked and snorted. “... Now we have ‘rogue demon hunters’, the law, human rebel hate groups and who knows what else. I must say, I do long for the days of the past.”

“When I get Gary back, I’m going to kill him,” Tony said as he walked past Xavier and Natasha in the hallway.

“I take it, he doesn’t mean that?” Natasha asked.

Xavier shook his head. “He’s angry that Gary was taken through a little fault of his own. And that he can’t help him right now.”

“Oh. But it wasn’t Gary’s fault.”

Xavier looked at her. “Gary should have sensed that he was in danger. His guard was let down. He’s young, and there’s still so much for him to learn. I believe Tony is blaming himself for Gary’s naiveté, Tasha. Under those circumstances, he can’t help but feel somewhat responsible. Gary is his fledgling as well as his lover.”

“I hate this... all of it.”

“I know. Come, I don’t like to see you so distressed. Don’t worry.” Xavier grabbed Natasha’s hand and led her into their bedroom. She sat on the bed, he sat down beside her. Both looked up when Darian entered.

“Is Tony going to be all right?” Natasha asked.

Darian nodded. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, why is everyone asking me how I’m doing. I’m just pissed that there are assholes out there who are messing with my friends!”

“So you’re pissed off.” Darian smiled.

“Well, yeah, aren’t you? You guys are just so calm... I don’t understand it,” Natasha admitted, looking at them.

“Ahhh. Natasha, it’s not that we aren’t upset. Gary is a part of our coven, he’s important and we care about him. But ‘flying off the deep end’ as you like to say, is just not the thing to do right now. We have to keep ourselves grounded so we can think rationally. Do you understand?” Xavier looked at Natasha as she nodded. “We know they are alive and that means we still have time to save them.”