::CHAPTER 15::

{Third Person POV}

La Cupola D'oro was a place of opulence and finery. The hotel was grand enough to host not only its regular guests and tenants, but thousands of immortals and their favored humans. Every year the most highly regarded vampires from all over the world came together, mixed, mingled and played politics and power games.

As a newly dubbed Master, this was Alejo’s first year but he was by no means a stranger. The moment he stepped into the ballroom, he was approached by a lanky yet elegant vampire who’d only been Changed a century ago despite his older appearance.

The man took a flute of Lifeline Crimson and another glass of Lifeline Scarlet from a passing waiter before offering a drink to Alejo.

“Master Veracci, I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said because even immortals called Alejo Master.

“That’s because we haven’t,” was his cool reply then he took a discreet sniff of the drink before chancing a sip.

“Amos Cipriani,” the vampire held out a hand ignoring the expected harshness. It had been rumored to be his primary trait long before tonight.

“Pleasure I am sure.”

“Yes,” Mr. Cipriani said wondering if that statement meant the pleasure was Alejo’s or his. This immortal behaved more like the wise Elders than anything else. Amos planned to warn the others who planned to test him tonight. This new Master had a silver tongue and a sharp intelligence hidden behind few words and open disinterest. Those facets of his personality would undoubtedly lead to people fighting to get into his good graces. It was a part of human nature the immortals still had in them.

“You know many people here?” Alejo asked licking a droplet of mildly bubbly, scarlet alcohol from his lower lip. A woman slowed down to look her fill.

“Yes I do,” Amos said noticing that more than one woman had been affected by the careless movement.

“I should specify. Important people.”

“Everyone here is important.”

Alejo’s semi-transparent blue eyes followed a young immortal who appeared to be about two or three years into his Change. He wore a blazer that didn’t match a single part of his overall outfit. His hair was unkempt but the human females didn’t seem to mind as they hung onto his every word. The boy looked more human than anything. Alejo’s disgust was barely veiled.

“I’ll need further convincing it would seem.”

“That is the son of Alexandre Louvre, founder of Louvre & Ulliel Ltd. It’s the biggest law firm in the world and that kid there is one of the new lawyers there.”

“Interesting,” Alejo said but he didn’t sound interested, “So what I’m hearing is that Junior isn’t the important one. Senior is. Again, I’ll need further convincing.”

Before Amos could comment, Alejo had already stopped paying attention. He walked away and placed his empty flute onto a table. It was clear that Alejo was a man who was not in the least bit nervous about being invited to this exclusive dinner. He was fully aware of the power he had and knew how many was willing to kiss his behind because of it. He didn’t need to fake manners and concern for anyone’s politics. No one would make him a fool unless he wanted them to believe they had.

Alejo went to his date and got another drink. Caroline was fully enjoying herself talking to all of the bluebloods and high ranking immortals. He didn’t get in her way but to flash a smile her way and ask if she was alright. She confirmed and he excused himself again. She didn’t mind. She knew he was possibly the most important man in the room. He was expected to mingle.

Caroline waved as yet another two immortals left her. It seemed that the moment she walked in with Alejo she raised in popularity and she didn’t pretend not to know their motivation. That didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy toying with them.

Grabbing a glass of very expensive Donor Liquor, she took a sip and sighed. It was rare to have access to three thousand dollar liquor…for free. She hadn’t expected reconciling with her old friend would have been like this. It was fun to live in his world even just for a night. Taking another savoring sip, she moaned at the sweet flavor and winced at the alcoholic burn.

Feeling eyes on her, she looked to a pillar where a little human stood. She was slender with short, red hair and was standing beside the CEO of NextGEN Corporation. The handsome immortal had a hand on her back that acted as a silent warning to others. There was utter ownership in that touch. The green eyed girl was not to be approached by another without his consent and she didn’t seem to mind. Even with his full attention on the other man he spoke to, Caroline noticed that Alejo’s brother never removed that hand.

It took a second for Caroline to understand. On the girl’s arm, just above where upper and lower parts joined, she was branded with the Cortada crest. Suddenly it made perfect sense.

Caroline gave a small wave and Ana signed something to Loki. His eyes slid from her to meet Caroline’s and narrowed. There was mistrust in them and she couldn’t blame him. She was Alejo’s date after all and the red head was under Loki’s care. There was nothing to trust. Caroline offered him a smile and, somehow, his eyes narrowed further. He signed something that made the girl laugh and shake her head.

She left to come over to Caroline but Loki’s eyes followed his human. He was not leashing her the way some Masters did with those under their care. It was concern that had him looking at her. Looking after her. The downturn of his lips screamed protectiveness.

“Can you sign?” her fingers moved as gracefully as Loki’s had.

“Yes. Can you hear?” Caroline signed back.

“Yeah, thank God. Being mute is bad enough.”

“I bet. I’m Caroline. You?”

“Ana.”

“Your Master cares for you,” she said looking at Loki who was now speaking to the other gentleman while keeping an eye on Ana.

“It’s mutual,” she gave the man an indulgent smile, “He’s good to us. Bossy at times, but good.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Caroline glanced down to the branding on the girl’s arm.

“Do you belong to Master Alejo?”

“I’m immortal. I don’t belong to anybody. Except maybe my husband but not even him really.”

“I never got that infidelity thing with immortal married couples.”

“You’re young,” Caroline shrugged, “He’d resent me if I was the only one he had for all of eternity and vice versa.”

“So you and Alejo are a thing?”

“We were. Right now I’m still trying to get him to remember me,” Caroline sipped on her drink, “Al is a tough one to get tied down to.”

“Figured.”

“Oh really? You and Al?” she chuckled, “Well your Master must be thrilled about that. His brother and his human.”

“He’s not too happy but he can’t exactly forbid us from hanging out. Master Alejo doesn’t follow orders. Besides it’s not like I plan on dating him.”

“Smart girl,” she grinned, “You’d never be able to put up with him in a relationship. You look like you have a gentle stomach.”

“He’s darker than he seems, isn’t he?”

“Much. And a million times more twisted. But I like him anyways. That’s my Al. Wouldn’t change him for the world.”

“You’re a bit nice to be his friend, aren’t you? Then again, so am I. What’s up with that?”

“I know him but I won’t pretend to understand him. Even he doesn’t understand him so who are we to try.”

Caroline downed the last of her drink with a dainty tipping of the glass. Her full lips were stained ruby until she licked it off. Ana looked with secret envy at the taller woman. Caroline might not have been as exotic in her other life but she was in this one. When a vampire was Changed, the venom that altered them cell-deep brought out the ancestral traits that had been hidden before. Some suddenly got the Indian complexion of a great-great grandfather or the Russian bone structure of some distant great grandmother.

“Ana,” a pouty voice sounded. Both girls turned to see an adorable girl with hair as red as Ana’s and freckles sprinkling her collar bone. Her big, blue eyes assaulted her older sister into submission before she’d even made her request. “Come see the dolphins with me. They say they’re only allowing groups of ten and we need two more.” Ana didn’t have it in her to say no when Ria gave her the pleading eyes. “What about you? Come join our group,” Ria turned to Caroline, “Mr. Veracci won’t mind, will he?”

“He won’t care,” she corrected and followed the girls to the room with the dolphins. They were allowed to touch them but not feed them. Ana didn’t really like animals much but she melted when she saw how her sister fawned over the creatures. She knew she spoilt Ana but how could she help it? The girl was her only living family member and looked to Ana for love, affection, comfort and just about everything else. Ria returned those same things whenever she felt her sister needed them.

It took true effort to tell her no. The young girl was sweet and kind in the way that made people love her wherever she went. In turn, Ria rarely disliked people. Alejo was a special case.

The one thing they disagreed on was Masters. Ria refused to accept Loki no matter how well the man treated her when she visited.

Ana and Caroline looked on as the others crowded around the animals. They were tame and knew how to behave in front of company. There was no splashing or wildness so no one was in danger of getting wet. Ria’s laughter bubbled out of her and Ana saw why. One of the cheeky beasts was trying to get near her, stealing dolphin kisses.

“I’ve never loved anyone like that before,” Caroline commented, “I’m an only child. You’re lucky.”

“What about your husband?”

“I love him, but as a friend. Not the way you’d do anything in the world she asked you to.”

“Master Alejo?”

“Al and I have never loved each other but I cared about him. As another friend, like my husband.”

Ria came over, eyes sparkling with the sort of joy that could only come from spending time with animals and children.

They left to return to the ballroom and met with none other than Alejo. He looked at the three women who had each found a place in his life; whether it was for entertainment, or to find his memory or to get information. “My brother is looking for you,” he said to the Ana. She nodded and went off to where he pointed to Loki.

“This dress really looks good on you,” Alejo said his eyes taunting as they roved over her. Ria folded her arms but threw him a smile and a thanks. He saw the darker words she wanted to aim his way and that was what made teasing her entertaining. His amusement faded when a genuine smile lit up her face. He turned to see what caused the change.

“Master Amos,” she went over to the man Alejo had spoken to when he’d first arrived. The man opened his arms in invitation and Ria went into the embrace. Amos looked like he was a short person who had been stretched. His limbs were long and thin with slim, spidery fingers. As unnatural as he appeared, the lines of his oddly attractive face were curved in the most doting smile. There was no doubt that Ria was his most favored.

Amos fingered a loose tendril that had been left down from her clips. Running the curl through his fingers, he rained adoration on the girl, “How are you, little one? Has Loki been good to you?” She nodded.

“Ana wouldn’t let him be unkind to me even if he wanted to be,” she said with full confidence in her sister’s ability to shield her from her Master.

“Have you been eating properly? Who am I fooling? Of course you haven’t,” he shook his head, “Honestly, if I don’t keep an eye on you, you’d eat cheese crackers all day every day.”

“My bad?” she said with an expression with such guile as Alejo had never seen on her, “I might have had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at some point.”

“I give up,” he looked up to the heavens but his expression when he looked back at her said otherwise, “Come little one, it’s been too long. We must catch up. And where did you get that beautiful dress?”

“From,” a pause that made Alejo smirk at her, “Darla Cardington.”

“Of Darlington Designs? How did you pull that off?”

“Oh,” she said clearly not expecting him to know female designer brands, “Mr. Veracci pulled some strings.”

“I see,” Amos said and looked up at Alejo, “He bought you a thousand dollar dress? My wife says there aren’t any DD dresses under a thousand.”

“He did it as a favor for my sister. They are…acquaintances.” Alejo saw her try not to make a face.

“For Ana?” Amos looked to Alejo, “Surely you have more honor than to poach your brother’s humans?”

“I have enough humans of my own,” was the crisp reply, “I have no need.”

“Apologies. I had to be sure.”

Amos placed a kiss to the top of Ria’s head and took her hand in the way a father would take a child’s. The half smile she flashed him returned the care he flooded her with. This was often how it was sometimes. The immortals spent so much time sheltering and protecting their humans, providing for them and looking out for them that a bond formed between certain pairs.

It was difficult for some immortals not to look on them as children. They were all so young and naïve and utterly trusting until you gave them reason not to be. Amos had clearly fallen under the spell that others had when it came to Ria. She had a way of making people adore her with everything in them until they couldn’t deny her anything. Alejo was, of course, immune. He did notice the trend though.

He wondered why she never tried any of her charms on him. He’d never been particularly horrible to her or her sister. It didn’t bother him but it definitely made his curiosity flare up.

“The dinner is about to begin. Sit with us,” Amos said.

“I’m sure he would prefer to be alone with his date.”

“I’d love to join you,” Alejo replied as if she hadn’t said a thing, “I’ll go fetch Carol.”

“And I’ll go grab my wife,” Amos said.

He went over to a woman who was doing some overt flirting with another immortal nearby. Amos wrapped his arms around her and murmured into her ear. The woman laughed and smacked her husband on the chest in a move that was both playful and adoring. Amos nodded to the other man who appeared amused by the two. The couple left hand in hand, not taking any issue with the blatant unfaithfulness that had been going on moments before.

Ria watched them return and she took a seat beside Amos. “No sweetie,” he placed a hand over hers, “This year they’ve split up the dinners. You sit over there.”

“Why can’t I sit with you?” she asked frowning at the place he pointed at. It was on the ground floor, as opposed to the balcony like her current seat.

“Our dinner is straight from the source this year. The organizers said it would be better for our humans not to have to see us feeding in front of them.”

“Oh. I was looking forward to seeing you. I sort of expected that we’d be at the same table together.”

“Oh Amos, let her stay if she likes,” his wife said. She had a soft spot for the child much like her husband.

“Are you sure? Maybe it would be better for you to sit with the others,” he said.

“No I’ll be fine,” Ana beamed knowing when she’d gotten her way.

Worry still lined the immortal’s face, but he didn’t say anything. Alejo and Caroline took their seats just as the lights dimmed.

When the waitress came to them, she froze at the sight of Ria. “She’s staying,” Amos said and that easily the problem was settled.

Ria didn’t mind the idea of seeing her Master and Mistress feeding, but being in the semi darkness with Alejo set her teeth on edge. His eyes sparkled in the flickering candle light in a color she hoped no one else on earth owned. He flashed her a grin that showed off his pointed incisors. At that moment she wished vampire teeth could retract like in the movies. She was used to seeing teeth like his but on him it took on an animalistic look.

Shifting her gaze she took in his clothes. The three-piece pinstripe suit was paired with a tie and well starched shirt. It was an amazing imitation of the wealthy, civilized male. Ria couldn’t help but think of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. An unconventionally handsome wolf but more dangerous for his allure.

She stared at him trying to figure out what it was that made his face so interesting. He wasn’t classically sexy, but there was something about Alejo that made you look and keep looking. She couldn’t put her finger on it. Every plane of his face was smooth and well put together, the fair skin rarely ever creasing with movement. When he spoke he seemed to use so little facial muscles that nothing shifted. He was like a mannequin; interesting to look at but not natural despite how much he physically appeared human.

Ria held back a smile. A dragon. She finally figured out what he reminded her of and wondered what he’d say if she told him. All perfect lines and slanted eyes and brows, he was built with an almost medieval bone structure. Down to the widow’s peak at his hair line added to the most angular set up she’d seen in her life.

Her meal, surprisingly enough, came first. As she ate she felt eyes on her. Her chewing slowed down and her eyes rose to see Alejo’s gaze trained on her neck. It wasn’t too much of a surprise. The others were used to blood out the bottle. Alejo had spoiled himself with the stuff straight from the source. The only thing he drank from a bottle was blood topped with alcohol. His hunger was turned to the only source of food at the table; the human having dinner in front of him.

He licked his lips in a way that made her wish Darla had not put up her hair. She found herself hating the clips at the moment. Having him stare at her bared neck with such focus felt violating.

She was grateful to see the waitress returning with humans in tow. Each was given to an immortal and, only then, did Alejo’s attention leave her. Now that he had his own meal, she didn’t concern him.

Personally, Ria did not support from the source feeding. She understood the need immortals had to feed but she preferred to hand them a bag of the stuff and keep her distance. It just seemed barbaric to latch onto a person like some animal and drink from them. She didn’t judge those who chose to allow themselves to be fed on though. It was as much a personal preference as pants versus skirts.

She watched everyone’s style of feeding now that she was done. Ria’s Mistress tasted and sipped from her meal. Her Master brushed calming kisses to the girl before dipping his head to her flushed flesh. Caroline murmured soft nothings to hers, cajoling him to come closer when he felt comfortable enough with her. Alejo didn’t bother with any of these pleasantries. He didn’t care to put his meal at ease. It was obvious that the girl sitting with him was just that. A meal. Someone to be forgotten after she was discarded.

Alejo looked at his dinner whose eyes dropped the second his met hers. Ria didn’t blame her, poor soul. She’d never be able to look the man in the face knowing her life was going to be in his hands. If it was her Master and he needed to feed, she would gladly offer. Her trust in Amos was undisputed. But a stranger? Alejo? Never. She could never be such a glutton for pleasure to offer her body up to faceless strangers.

When he bent his head, he kept an almost bruising hold on the girl. Ria frowned. Blood hosts were not supposed to be hurt. It took a second for her to see that the girl didn’t mind. Her expression was almost impatient.

She couldn’t see his face from this angle, but Ria knew the moment he began to feed. His jaw moved, his grip tightened and a sharp gasp shot from the girl’s lips. Her breasts rose and fell as if it were a task to simply catch her breath. Lips parted, her body was one tense line arched toward the source of pleasure. She retained enough presence of mind to bite her lip when it looked as if a moan would escape. Ria saw that her hand rose as if to touch his hair, but it froze and fell away. Even doped up on endorphins the girl remembered that Alejo was not a man to touch without permission. Or perhaps it was some primal, life preserving instinct kicking to life.

When it got too inappropriate to continue watching, Ria turned her attention to the humans eating below. She understood now why they were separated. Watching so many immortals feeding at once was beginning to make her feel like a virgin at an orgy.

She got up and left the balcony seats to join the others downstairs. The attention she was getting from the guys didn’t go unnoticed. She knew it was the dress. She would have looked nice either way but the Darlington Designs dress gave her that innocent yet sultry edge no one else had in the room. Not the humans at least.

Spotting the splash of red hair, she followed it and found her sister. She knew that the chance of it being anyone else was extremely slim. Red hair was an attribute that popped up rarely in children these days. Most kids were blondes or brunettes but red was scarce. When immortals accepted humans into their care, they almost always wanted the red-head. So despite her being mute, it was no surprise that a man as powerful as Loki Cortada would have taken Ana. Like diamonds, endangered animals and winning lottery tickets, the rarer the item the more valuable it was. Ana and Ria were highly coveted and were expected to be invited to the dinner tonight. They were the sort of valuables immortals wanted to show off.

Ria expected Loki to want to show off Ana but she didn’t expect him to be at her side most of the night. She always teased her sister about Loki being her boyfriend just so she could see Ana blush and go all shy. Despite knowing that the two weren’t as platonic as they wanted to pretend, watching them like this was a shock.

Loki was standing beside Ana with a little smile on his face. His hand cupped her cheek in an intimate hold not common between the two races. He was murmuring under his breath in a way that made her wonder if he would kiss her in the middle of the ballroom. That heat in his gaze surely would not go to waste. Ria couldn’t see what Ana signed but it made Loki flash his fangs again in a smile and drop his hand.

As much as she didn’t like him, he was good to her sister without a doubt. She would be happy for Ana if they wound up together. He brought the utmost joy to her face; a look that only a man who was important to a woman could put in her eyes.

Ana turned and spotted Ria walking toward her. Turning on her heel, Ana bounded over. “Told you he likes you,” Ria said teasing.

“I’m his human,” she shook her head.

“He doesn’t cup Kyle’s cheek…or does he?”

“Shut up, Ria,” she grinned, “And go back to your boyfriend.”

Ria’s smile melted. She didn’t have to ask. From the elated look on her sister’s face, she knew who she meant. “Not funny, Ana. Alejo Veracci is the last man I’d try to take on as a boyfriend. Ick,” she made a face.

“Well you did have dinner with him on the balcony and you are wearing his dress,” pure glee on Ana’s face.

“This is payback for all the Lokana jokes, huh?”

“Oh yeah. And as much as I know you’d rather date a roach, it’s still going to be fun teasing you. I’m thinking Rilejo for a cute shipping name. You know it’s never official unless there’s a cute shipping name.” Ria scowled as Ana threw her own teasing words back at her. She wished she’d never said that to her.

“You suck,” she told her.

“No. Not Rilejo. Master Veracci would never let his name be last.”

“Cut it out, Ana,” she growled.

“How about Alejia?”

“I’m going to kill you in your sleep.”

“Maybe I should let him choose,” Ana signed and then tapped her chin.

“And maybe I’ll tell Loki that you did a half naked drawing of him for your little art class while he was sleeping.”

“You wouldn’t…”

“I love you,” Ria grinned and gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek, “But don’t try to make me and Veracci a thing. It isn’t a thing. It won’t ever be a thing.”

“Are you trying to tell me or convince me,” a smirk.

“That’s it, I’m telling Loki.”

“Sorry sorry!” Ana signed frantically before grabbing her back.

“Sign it.”

“You and Alejo aren’t a thing. Alejia doesn’t exist. No shipping. Sorry,” Ana said tossing a glance back at Loki.

“You are so into him,” Ria shook her head and laughed, “I love it! Even if I’m not his biggest fan.”

“I’m going to start picking out baby names for you and Veracci,” she glared.

“I already have some for you and Cortada,” Ria stuck out her tongue, “Think faster.”

“I wish you two have twins.”

Ria gasped and reached out for her sister but missed. Ana had already scampered back to Loki. It wouldn’t have bothered her usually but those words had instantly painted a picture in her mind that she really didn’t want. Twin Alejos. Baby sociopaths. Her and Veracci doing the dirty. “If there’s a worse thought I’d pay to hear it,” she cringed. 

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Lol another somewhat earlier than usual upload. Pic of Alejo to the side as usual. What did you guys think of this one.

Vote, Comment, Fan, Like.

PS. There will be a new story coming out soon. It's a boyxboy (well manxman later in the book if you want to look at it that way). It's these kids that grow up together into adulthood so I cant really say if its BxB or MxM because the ages are split equally in the books. Umm...and there's an edge of supernatural too but maybe not a predominantly as in this story. You definitely get more hints of romance earlier on account of no one being a sociopath