I would like to dedicate this chapter to@ JabberlocksBox for being a great person as well as a fab Cover Creator! She made me two covers for this book and they Rock! Go check out her profile and her Cover Factory! They are there, y'all let me know which you prefer! And as soon as I have a device that can place them properly, the winner will go on!

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Rune's mouth was dry with nervousness. Who or what is the "Matron?" After all the unreal and odd experiences he'd endured in the past day, his brain was conjuring up visions even he thought only a lunatic could.

He could feel the uncomfortable vibe set off by Nathan and Nya, right behind him. It was obvious in their hushed whispers. No one but Kahn seemed familiar with the Matron. Rune guessed she was very elegant, but a bit older. Like a fanged Supermodel barely passed her prime.

"She probably looks like Lady Gaga from American Horror Story," Scarlett whispered in his ear. Rune rolled his eyes, a slight grin on his lips. Totally, he thought wryly. As the characters of that season ran through his mind, it took all of his willpower not to laugh aloud.

Jessie just gave them one of his renowned dirty looks, as if to say, "Be respectable, not a bunch of idiots!"

Behind the stage where the girls went to prepare was a white door with a purple star on it to the left. To the right a very old and beautifully decorated wooden door was painted blood red with an ancient copper doorknob shaped like a curled cobra in the early stage of striking. Rune was sure the Matron resided behind that door. And somehow his fear had morphed more into curiosity than anything else.

Iris was practically glued to Kahn, eyes wide. His usual unemotional visage appeared completely comfortable with his newly acquired siamese twin, and head held high he walked confidently to the red door and knocked firmly.

After about a minute of shuffling feet outside the door, finally the Ornate red door opened. Obviously it wasn't the Matron, for two dwarfs that looked like identical twins stood in the doorway. One with a shock of red hair, the other with brown locks under their matching flat hats. They stood about three and a half feet tall, with jolly pale faces, a smile on the dark haired one showed a shiny fang sparkle under the champagne chandeliers high above him. They were Vampires! Not what Rune had expected! He now knew the answer to his question; were all male Vampires built like gladiators or M.M.A. fighters! Apparently not. Just the ones he'd previously met or encountered thus far.

Somewhere in the last few seconds, Scarlett had decided to latch onto Rune. Out of fear, the fact her boyfriend Dan was attending to other important issues,or the way the group had more or less broken into pairings at some point, he wasn't sure. But he found it comforting to have a person with him closely to face whatever was awaiting them ahead. They were all together as a group, but when Nathan and Nya paired up, then Iris grasped onto Kahn, no surprise there! That left Scarlett, Rune and Jessie. And Jessie had been pretty much a loner every since his girlfriend Molly was killed by hunters the summer before. It was a life altering experience for him and he spent a great deal of time alone. Reflecting on the past before and after his turning.

As usual Kahn entered first. There was a room that seemed as though it couldn't possibly be attached to the rest of the establishment. Nearly everything was decorated in crimson satin, silk or velvet. Cream coloured lace accentuated much of the decor. An old antique desk of solid maple sat to one side with a chair nearly throne like in it's majestic appearance. Made of the same gorgeous wood, it was carved into tall pillar resembled arms that came at least two feet above the red leather backing. The intricately carved wood had winged creatures embracing down to the arms tips, where fanged faces were on display. They looked to be enormous pieces of excellent quality ruby, expertly crafted into practically life like renditions of vampire faces.

Even odder about the exquisite room was the placement of an enormous bed with thick crimson velvet curtains surrounding the huge canopy of velvet and cream lace. A Turkish style rug in shades of red, grey, black and ivory spread beneath and outward with ivory tassels around it's perimeter. The room looked like a Presidential office that was interwoven with a bedchamber for royalty.

To Rune's surprise, perched in the massive chair was a pretty dark skinned lady, with large brown eyes dominating her silk chocolate coloured face. Her dark eyes sparkled with either humour or mischief, possibly both. The enormous chair quite dwarfed her size, albeit difficult to judge considering the sheer volume of the desk and chair. She looked to be in her mid twenties, thirty tops, and not at all what he had expected a "Matron" to look like.

Kahn bowed a quick nod, and in his deep unusual way of speech addressed her.

"Matron Annette. I am glad you are able to speak with us."

Those were most likely the longest run of words that Rune had heard pass the big Vampire's lips since meeting him. Somehow Rune had the strange impression he wasn't entirely sincere in his act of respect towards the lady, and also that she knew it.

She came to her feet and around the desk, slowly descending the three steps between the entrance and the rest of the opulent room. She was a small lady. Probably just a tad over five feet, but she was a bit voluptuous, although she seemed to be trying to cover it. She wore an expensive Italian tailored silk suit in a very deep plum shade. Beneath was a white and plum pinstriped blouse. Her hair was short and curly, perfect for showcasing her lovely face. And the very pricey pearl and chocolate diamond earrings in her dainty ears as well. She wore short heeled Vito pumps in the same shade as her suit. The look suited her well actually. Feminine and business like both. For her Marilyn Monroe shape couldn't be concealed completely.

Rune was aware of the tension between her and the werewolves. Or maybe just the wolves. She seemed to act as if they were merely Kahn's pets and ignored them. She had eyes only for Kahn.

"How pleasant to see you again Kahn," the Matron smiled, flashing plenty of fang. "It's been much too long! I just cannot see what you prefer about life amongst these creatures" her little nose wrinkled as though there was a foul smell emanating from the others. "Wereanimals and humans and Golgotha only knows what else! You could have sat amongst my brother and I and the other elites! But you made your own choice I suppose. One I certainly didn't like, but Jean Luc permitted it for some reason."
A certain ugliness of character flashed across her face.

"You are to relay a message from Jean Luc, no game Annette." It was becoming increasingly apparent that Kahn was becoming agitated.

"Yes,I was. But I changed my mind, Kahn. I will tell you Jean Luc is at Madame Nonnie's. Some very interesting developments have occurred there. I think it would be lovely if you saw it all for yourselves! And I don't like being denied what I desire Kahn.
And I wanted you. So I have another surprise for you that my brother has not a whit knowledge of, but you're going to love this! You and your fleabags!"

The dwarves stood at the doorway with smirks upon their faces. Rune had a very sick feeling in his stomach.

Matron Annette walked over to where the lovely bed sat in all it's glory and whipped back the heavy curtains concealing inside and a figure lay as if asleep upon the velvet duvet. A lace cover barely covered her.

All of the sudden there were gasps and even a cry from Scarlett and a swear word from Nya. But the worst reaction came from Jessie. He flew over to the figure, his brow furrowed, but his light blue eyes holding disbelief and pain.

"M..Molly? No! It can't be - you were killed, I was there dammit! What the fuck is this shit!"

He started towards Annette, speed increasing as his form began to shift into wolf form. Immediately her dwarven guards were intercepting his attack, while Annette laughed a dusky rich laugh.

Kahn quickly stopped the fight just as it was about to ensue. Nathan and Nya also as fast as possible began to talk Jessie down.

He gained some semblance of control and with rage shaking his voice, but the look on his handsome face was heartbreaking. "What in the fuck did you do to her?"

"Well, little pup, Molly didn't die. At least not at first anyway. I kidnapped her and let the Doc do some - I suppose you could call them altercations on her. I wanted to experiment a little, and I am quite happy with the results. She isn't a dog anymore!"

"No!" Jessie whispered, slowly approaching his Mate's still form. Still lovely, just a bit paler, with her black curls resting around her head like a silky soft shawl. Her delicate features remained as he last remembered her. He reached out gently and stroked her cheek.

Suddenly her eyes flew open! They were blood red, no longer the soft blue they were.
She grabbed his arm that had been stroking her cheek and with a screeching and then hissing sound attempted to bite him. He jerked away in shock, stumbling as he looked at his mate who no longer seemed to recognise him.

Kahn and the others drug him away from her, as her red eyes stared hatefully and she continued to hiss at him. Annette and the dwarves laughed while the group left, knowing the fight had to be under the right circumstances. Kahn looked at Annette and with a look that could burn out a planet, said to her "This is why I walk with the ones I do. And why you make me sick."

Jesse too looked at Annette and with pure venom in his voice swore vengeance on her. He then sadly looked at Molly and with emotion pouring from his every pore, told her he would never give up on her and him fixing this until one of them were dead dead.