Six Weeks Later, London

Several copies of The London Times lowered as the gentlemen in the private club watched the newcomer walk through the rooms at a leisurely pace.

The humans among them watched out of curiosity. Though they knew the man's name, and that he was said to have many influential friends including two Dukes and the very popular Russian Prince Kourakin, most of them had not yet made his acquaintance.

The vampires among them bowed imperceptibly in deference to the new Leader of the Northern Clan, their eyes glowing red as he passed them by.

Having found the man he was looking for, Patrick took a seat and eyed the glass on the table between them dubiously.

"It's whisky," Alexander assured him.

Patrick cocked a brow at the Leader of the Eastern Clan of Vampires as he lifted the glass to his nose and sniffed.

"Rather presumptive of you."

Alexander shrugged, "I remember the first time I walked into Whites. The number of eyes on the back of my head had me ordering a drink quite swiftly; a double whisky it was, I believe."

Tipping a portion of the amber liquid into his mouth, Patrick put his glass down and sighed. He had needed a drink, though not due to the attention he was drawing. 

"Not quite like the Whisky they make on Skye, but it's alright." He was tired, Patrick realised suddenly. The responsibilities of being Clan Leader were ones he had anticipated and carried out willingly, but what he had found himself doing this afternoon had put him on edge.

"I heard about the Inn keeper." Alexander was watching him closely. His next words let Patrick know he must be showing his fatigue. "It is an unpleasant task, to erase a human's memory, but it is necessary sometimes."

Patrick's mouth thinned into a grim line. He knew erasing the Inn keeper's memory had been necessary. After The Age of Vampire Slayers, the leaders of the clans had taken steps to ensure the safety of their race. One such step had been the drawing up of laws that would keep the existence of their race secret from humans: The Punishment for Drinking Human Blood is Death, Humans Are Not To Be Harmed, Humans May Not Know of the Existence of the Vampire Race. Many of the laws in the Book of Vampire Laws were specifically designed to keep humans from learning the truth. If Humans knew the truth, how long before some of them decided that the existence of a race that was stronger than them, faster than them, lived longer than them and a race that needed blood to survive was dangerous? 

They wouldn't believe that Vampires could live off of animal blood easily. They wouldn't believe that Vampires had no intention of taking over their political world. They wouldn't believe and they would start another age of indiscriminant slaying. Another Van Helsing would lead bloodthirsty and fearful humans to kill Vampires; innocent men, women and children. Unclenching his fists, Patrick looked about for a less vexing topic.

"I see what you mean about the eyes. There seem to be a dozen trying to burn a whole in the back of my head." He reached again for the glass of whisky.

Alexander smiled. "You're a big hit, my friend. I have it on good authority that in only three weeks the news of your connections, wealth and numerous castles has traveled far and wide. You have been named the third most eligible bachelor in London."

"What?" Patrick blinked rapidly, hoping his hearing had gone awry. "By who?"

The Prince cupped his hand by his lips and mouthed three letters: M.M.M.

The letters struck a cord of fear in Patrick's stomach. Match Making Mothers. He'd had a taste of their manipulations at the last ball he attended and as humans went, the members of that particular association were formidable. He was fairly convinced that they could chatter a man to death.

"Why, why, why?" Patrick groaned, while his friend laughed heartily.

"How did they even find out about the castles?" Suddenly he had a nasty suspicion. "The informant wouldn't happen to be your sweet wife now, would it?"

Alexander's grin said it all. "Angelica has it in her head to match you with your soul mate. She says you are a scoundrel and need to be...what was the word she used? Tamed, yes that was it, tamed."

"Tamed?" Patrick sighed. It was worse than he had suspected. If Princess Angelica Kourakin joined forces with the M.M.M, peace would become a thing of the past.

"Do not misunderstand me Alexander, I like your wife and not only because she is the blessed savior of our race, but if she is planning to join forces with those mothers I may have to avoid her permanently."

A serious expression settled over the older Vampire's face. "That will not be an option my friend. I called you here, because I received news from Kiril. I need to travel to Russia to oversee a birthing ceremony."

Damn! Well that made avoiding Angelica and her match making ideas impossible.

"How long do you think you will be?"

Alexander shrugged. "A few weeks at most. Angelica will not be happy. Not that I am happy leaving her behind, but she can hardly travel in her pregnant state."

Patrick nodded and finished the rest of his whisky.

Now that he had settled his concerns, Alexander was smiling once more. "Did you notice that chap over there is reading The Invisible."

"Oh?" Patrick said nonchalantly.

"I read it myself a few years ago. It was good. Very good."

He supposed he should thank Alexander for the compliment, but Patrick only managed a shrug. He didn't like speaking about the books he used to write, not anymore, not since the words in his head had stopped flowing.

"You're very talented my friend," Alexander continued.

An ugly doze of jealousy rose up in his throat as he watched Prince Kourakin drink. Patrick had purchased one of Alexander's paintings only last week. If anyone had talent it was he. Not that Patrick resented Alexander's ability to paint the magnificent masterpieces that he did. He just wished he still had the passion that it took to create.

Loss of passion was a malady many Vampires suffered from. It came from living for so long. He had written for nearly two hundred years. He and his quill had had a good run.

"You're the one with the talent. Mine, if I ever had it, left me a long time ago," Patrick said with a smile.

"It does come back," Alexander said seriously, unfazed by his attempt at a careless attitude.

"Yes, well, even if it doesn't, I have a clan to rule now. That will keep me busy enough," Patrick said honestly. "And if that is not enough, I'm sure Angelica's attempts at taming me will keep me on my toes."

"You have the right of it," Alexander laughed.

Glancing at the clock above the mantelpiece, Patrick stood. "There are things I must see to."

"Good, then I will be on my way as well," Alexander pushed out of his chair. "My wife is in your care until I return, Leader."

"I will protect her with my life," Patrick assured him.

Seven pairs of eyes glowed red as the two Vampire Leaders left the gentleman's club.