"So Leo is returning to Spain to celebrate Yule and taking Liam with him."

"Yes, and Harrison we want you to go to Spain as our agent. We need to know if Liam is a threat to our plans and if we need to take steps to neutralize him."

Harrison listened intently to the man who sat behind the desk. These were the main offices of The Order Of The Unseen, a shadow organization that pulled the strings of the Vampire-Human government.

It was the Order that ran the slave trade, the blood farms, and the baby mills. It was the Order that had rebeled against the rule of the Divinas.

It was Don Fernando's Sire that had decided that the old ways needed to end and vampires and humans needed to learn how to coexist. He was the first Divina to choose a different path. Don Fernando followed in his footsteps exercising his considerable power as Divina to control the vampire population and begin the preparations for vampires and humans to share the world as equals.

But there were vampires that did not agree with this new egalitarian way and so the Order Of The Unseen was born in the shadows.

They had been responsible for Don Fernando's death, although they did not manage to kill him before he had sired Leonidas, the current Divina. But by a stroke of luck in 800 years Leonidas had not found his perfect blood match, the one being that could complete him and help him access the full powers of the Divina. The whole purpose of the Order was to make sure that never happened, and so they had embarked on a campaign of murder and deception to eliminate anyone that Leonidas De La Cruz became close to.

In 800 years they had arranged accidents, murders, and bought people off with wealth and the promise of new lives, hoping to eliminate the possibility of Leonidas finding that one special person.

As Harrison sat in the office of The Order, he knew that his continued existence depended on the good will of the vampire behind the desk and he would do whatever was necessary to keep it that way.

"If he is celebrating Yule in the old tradition then he will have to open the house on the Solstice. Anyone can enter for that one night, that would be the best time to attend. I can make it seem as if I happened to hear about the occasion in passing and since I was in Spain already, I decided to drop in."

"Good, then I will leave the arrangements to you. Harrison, I do not need to tell you how important this is." The vampire stood up and extended his hand, Harrison shook it.

"I will see it handled, you can count on me."

As Harrison was about to depart a young man about 18 years old entered the office. He walked slowly, staggering to the desk. The vampire behind the desk grabbed him roughly and pulled him down on his lap, pulling his head back. He fastened his mouth to the young man's throat and began to drink greedily. The youth simply stared vacant eyed at Harrison as his life was drained.

As the vampire finished and pushed the young man off his lap onto the floor he spoke.

"If you see an opportunity to eliminate the threat you are to take it. Have a safe journey," the Vampire stated. Harrison nodded and departed.

As he walked towards the elevator he realized that seeing the young man being fed on had aroused his hunger and his lust. Maybe he should make a visit to the Order's pleasure floor before departing; he could satisfy both needs with one of the young men that the order kept for guests such as him.

As he stepped into the elevator he thought about his mission, The Order had stood for a thousand years blocking the Divina and preserving the old ways.

Eventually they would destroy Leo and eliminate the Divina Bloodline and then the Order could show its fangs once again and put humans back in their place. Vampires would again become ascendant and the only thing standing in their way was Leonidas De La Cruz.

******

"Leo, we are here." Tristan said pulling the car into the plane hangar. He pulled the car to one side and got out to open the door for Leo and Liam. As they got out they saw another smaller car pull in. Joseph got out and opened the pasenger door for Kara. They walked over to Leo and Liam.

"Pop, you ready for this?" Joseph said greeting Leo.

"Joseph, it's just Yule, nothing more," Leo said quietly. "Liam, Kara why don't you both go on board, I want to discuss a few last minute things with Joseph and Tristan. We will join you in a moment."

Liam kissed Leo on the cheek and then took Kara's hand and walked to the boarding stairs of the Gulfstream G700.

"Damn, I'll never get used to Leo's wealth," Liam said to Kara as they walked up the stairs.

"Wait till you see the inside," Kara whispered as she shepherded Liam inside the jet.

******

"Tristan, how are the preparations going in Spain?" Leo asked as Liam and Kara entered the plane.

"Dad said the staff has cleaned the manor house from top to bottom, fresh linens, towels, drapery and all new table linens have been ordered. The rugs have been cleaned and Genevieve's china and flatware has been taken out of storage for the family meal on the 17th. Claude flew over last week and has been in charge of the provisioning and staffing the kitchens. Everything is in hand." Tristan said looking at the checklist on his phone.

"Excellent, Joey, how about on your end?"

"I have been in touch with the Catalan, Basque and Spaniard Covens. Although there has been friction there in the past, all of them recognize the power of the Divina and the traditions of Yule. Representatives from all three will attend. We should expect Ancients from each coven as you are the living Divina even if you have refused the throne. Representatives from the VHA Vampire/Human Authority will probably attempt to attend although my overtures have been met with the typical government redtape. I imagine our presence will shake them from their complacency and we will receive a visit from an official shortly after we arrive."

"Good, I will leave things to you. You both have things well in hand. Tristan I want security with Liam and Kara at all times. I do not want anyone thinking they can get to me through the people close to me."

"Yes Leo, I will make sure that Liam is protected and I am sure Joseph will do the same for Kara."

"Good, well let's join the others on board before Liam comes to get me." Just as Leo said that Liam appeared at the door of the plane.

"Too late," Joseph said, trying to stifle a laugh.

"Leo."

"We are coming now, sunshine. Just going over some last minute arrangements," Leo said, pushing Tristan and Joseph towards the plane.

******

As Leo was entering the cabin, he saw Kara giving Liam a tour of the jet. They had already passed the gally and the seating area.

"Here is the lounge with a full bar and entertainment center, in the aft of the plane are 2 sleeping areas, the first has 2 twin size beds and the second in the tail section of the plane is the master suite with a queen size bed and private lavatory. There are 2 additional lavatories off the Galley."

As they made their way back to the front of the plane the pilot came out to greet Leo.

"Mr De La Cruz, it is a pleasure to have you onboard, we can depart at your convenience. Both Laguardia and Kennedy are aware of your flight plan and have cleared us for immediate take off."

"Thank you, you may depart when ready," Leo said smiling at the pilot. The pilot nodded and returned to the cockpit. Tristan and Joseph pushed the gangway back and secured the cabin door. Once the doors were locked and armed they came back and took their seats. Leo reached over and took Liam's hand.

"You ready for this, Mr Von Anderson?" Leo said smiling.

"Bring it on," Liam smiled back.

As the plane taxied out to the runway, Liam couldn't help think about how his life had changed in less than a month. Leo had become a part of his life and he was happy again. In a way he had Alexander to thank for that; he sent up a silent prayer of thanks to him.