The Remains of Being Human
Chapter 8:
(Author's Note: The next few chapters happened about 7 years later from the last one.)
He was a slim, tall young man, with a mane of brown hair and arctic blue eyes. The noiseless steps that he made progressed to the interior of the British Museum, leading him to his rendezvous. Despite the nocturnal hour, the creature known as Joshua Chasez, the Ice Prince, walked intently, disregarding the guards and some other hapless curator that happened to be there.
His eyes, almost luminescent, never straying from the path he was taking, but paused a bit as he passed a mirror to look at his reflection. His brown leather jacket was immaculate, matching his bootcut jeans and worn dark suede boots. The band on his finger was the only thing that would distinguish him from other 'old ones'. It was his symbol of authority as the Prince, or the Head, of his clan. A singular, round Topaz stone craved with the Apollo clan symbol on it shone brightly as what little light graced it. Like the ring, his whole figure beguiled authority and simplistic beauty.
It was dark in the museum, but then he was used to the dark, at least for the past 330 years. Joshua was, after all, born in an era when the ideals of the world changed from the rule of the few to the will of the majority. During those days, being in the dark wasn't that all uncommon. In his day, he was part of the youth who rallied against social inequality, drank heartily in pubs, wrote poems for rich ladies and scullery maids, alike, and made bold proclamations for change. His contemporaries were that of Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas. In his earlier years, he witnessed bloody civil wars that started with Marie Antoinette's stale cakes and shifting alliances of the old monarchies of Europe. He was used to a life that of constantly balancing his own nobility with that of the necessity of a paradigm shift. All that changed one fateful night when he first encountered Christopher, and his last thought of the living.
Joshua made a right turn, all silent, graceful like a cat walking in the jungle, and saw immediately Christopher, or Chris as he now preferred, sitting down on a marble bench in Greek Statuary room.
For a fellow vampire, he was one of a kind. Chris was short, stocky, and warm to look at, not at all the usual tall, majestic fellows that Joshua knew of. But he was definitely beautiful; a vampire wouldn't be otherwise. The deep brown of his eyes made the average human being melt, just as his wicked smile gave a whole new meaning to the word 'Devilish'. In his own unique way, Chris is like one of those wild woodland creatures that dance around with windpipes and naked women, only corrupting them along the way with wild debauchery, and even wilder sex.
Chris flicked his gaze in Joshua's direction, smiles, and turns his attention back to the statue that he was looking at. It only had one arm, and upon closer inspection, it was a male nude that looked like it was in the throws of sleep. The sleek muscles and intense expression on its face gave one the impression that it was sleeping while performing under duress. Probably a nightmare visualized. It was amazingly detailed and beautiful. But then why, Joshua thought, would Chris look at this particular statue when the room was full of alabaster figures.
'Joshua,' greeted Chris, still looking at the same statue, intensely.
'Christopher. Now tell me why in the world am I here in London? I was finally getting settled in New York. Besides, the people there taste so much more to my liking than the drab, bland ones that you find here,' complained Joshua. This has been the first time he has been in England for 15 years.
'You are here so I could tell you a story,' said Chris, turning towards Joshua with an impish grin.
Even if a vampire was well above everyone else to do this, Joshua just had to roll his eyes. He knew that Chris loved to talk. That was his charm that lured people into his personal space. He always had a story to tell. Some anecdote about a long lost relative or a long explanation about how he discovered this up-and-coming new painter that eventually took the art world by storm. In an almost child-like manner, he would go off and tell something to somebody that greatly changes that person's life in a quick and sudden way. But then again, Joshua knew why Chris tended to babble about any things to people. It was because of the "Gift". On second thought, Joshua always presumed that it was because of his Irish origins.
The "Gift" is, for lack of better term, a power or ability that every vampire gains after he is turned. Usually, it doesn't fully manifests itself until past 50 years of being turned, but then there are the exceptions that get it after the first few years, like Chris. The "Gift" is different for every vampire. With Chris, he has the 'gift', in weird scientific terms, of Telemetry, the power to see, feel, and reveal everything with the touch of his hands. Ever since his first night as a bloodsucker, Chris has been blessed with the power of visions. As to whether it's credited to fortune or consequence, Chris liked to share what he saw.
'Well, let's have it so I can go back home and still get back for some Primetime drama and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' To Joshua, that show simply cracks him up. He met some slayers in his day, but never one that was that young and nubile. If there were any left in this world, most likely they were bitter, old men who are just as paranoid as the next person who believes in government conspiracies.
Christopher stood up and reached out to touch the arm of the statue that he was looking at. For a brief second nothing, then a bluish glow appeared around the spot where his hands touched the ancient marble. Chris' eyes were closed, but you could see some of that light peeking through his eyelids. Joshua knew that this wasn't a subtle use of Chris' power, but necessary to get the full story behind an object. After about five minutes, with the blue light getting steadily brighter and brighter, it flashed like a quiet explosion and the darkness immediately returned. Chris withheld his hand and sat down beside Joshua, who had his arms crossed and waited patiently. After 250 years of knowing Christopher, he was used to these showy displays of power.
'This statue was made by a man who was a long-time lover of a Corinthian king. Both of them met first as student and master, as the king, then a boy, wanted to learn a trade. Their relationship grew to that of a platonic kind of love until the boy-king left to claim his birthright after the old king died along with his queen and older children in a ship accident. And so it came to pass that the boy and sculptor remained separated for twenty years.'
Christopher looked at Joshua and took note of the expression of ennui in the French vampire. He took this a sign to move this story telling to somewhere more comfortable.
'Joshua,' Chris said, startling his companion. 'Focus on my projected thoughts and bring us to that place.' The latter did as he was told and, in a haze of gray, they were gone.
If Christopher has the gift to see things by touching objects, then Joshua has the gift to appear and disappear from one place to another. It was an amazing gift that allowed him to move anywhere in this world, and beyond if he weren't so limited by his imagination. Being in every corner of the globe is an understatement, for Joshua, as he's seen places that haven't been witnessed by any human being. 'Why bother with airplanes or cars which take time to travel? I have my way of getting where I want to be, you got yours,' he would say this to kindred who knew of his power. The down side to this power is that he can't use it on other people, unless he's with them. 'So transferring mortal to their doom is totally out of the question,' he would answer when someone asked them for favors of getting rid of some poor clueless vampire. At least, he could always beat the clock whenever he was late.
Moments later, Joshua and Chris materialized in an alleyway somewhere near the West End part of London. It took a few more moments for Chris to get his bearings for he never really gotten used to traveling with his favorite immortal. After the initial vertigo subsided, they went out of the alleyway, paid little noticed of the leering stares of the passers-by, and entered a bar that was a few block from where they arrived.
The bar was dark, but that never bothered a vampire not the least. Full of cigarette smoke and oppressive murmurings from every side, it was reminiscent of a black and white Greta Garbo movie. Common people just openly stared at the pair with fascinated eyes as the two sat down in a far corner. They gave their order to this tragic looking blonde who rather fitted herself to some British melodrama. She came back with a couple of pints of Guinness. With a hearty swig, the Irish vampire drank until half way.
'Now, where were we? Oh yes!' exclaimed Chris as he almost slammed his mug to the table. 'The boy-king, twenty years later, ruled Corinth with a firm hand and a loving heart. The people loved him and his country's neighbors respected him. In short, he was a damn good king.'
'Now, in the years of being king, never once did he visited or acknowledged his old teacher. When the king finally decided to visit him, the sculptor became blind because of years of staining his eyes. The king felt grief and resolved to bring the sculptor home with him. Within 2 years time, the sculptor died but not before finishing his last and greatest work.'
Christopher watched to see if any connection was made. Joshua remained unaffected.
'Joshua, it was that statue that I touched. The sculptor named it 'The Sleeping of Endymion'. Rather fitting since the sculptor was blind in his last few years of life.' Chris looked at the passive, smooth face of his friend. Nothing really gives Joshua a reaction unless it interests him, and obviously this story bored him. Joshua merely stared at his pint and set it side, not really giving it any attention at all. 'I'm not getting to you at all, am I? Okay, how about this?' Chris forced Joshua to face him leveling his stare straight to his glacial eyes. 'What if I told you that the boy-king and the sculptor lived again? What if they have been reincarnated into a new life, destined to find each other again?'
Joshua scoffed. 'You summoned me to a city halfway around the planet so you can tell me a fairy tale about fate and having nine lives like a Jellicle Cat. Unlike you, my dear scholarly friend, I don't believe in superstition. The story was nice and all, but to follow that up with questions about past lives just makes me bored. Please, tell me something new, my friend. You told me about this junk when you tried to recruit me for that sorry excuse of an organization of dabblers into the mystical arts in the 1920's that you founded. What is that name again? They used it in that Tomb Raider movie? The Illuminati! Yes. As the anachronism goes, Poppycock! Now tell me something worth my time so I can go back home.'
With pacifying hands, Chris conceded. 'Okay, I just wanted to tell you something, that's all. In the near future, there is a boy who will be your new fledgling. He will be your greatest possession as the love of your life. It is through him that you will gain the most power among us, and ultimately save us from disaster.'
'How do you know this? You can't really tell the future. You're not Brian. It is only through your actions that you happen to break the cycles of events to some fortunate conclusion. One of these days, your meddling will cost you much more than what you can pay, Chris. Don't make assumptions.'
'I'm not telling the future here. Only that I've seen the past and I've seen the two souls involved. You are the first being that you are the soul of the old sculptor. To a soul, the experience somehow always repeats themselves in every lifetime. It will repeat itself now with a few differences, but the end result is always the same. I've been researching it all and my research points out to you. You may not know it, Joshua, but your soul is very old despite your 330 plus years as a vampire. Just watch yourself, that's all I'm saying. I know having a fledgling is nothing new to you. Goodness knows, you had a brood of them over the years, but your next one will be your prize. Guard it carefully for this your boy-king.'
The French vampire regarded his friend with a critical eye before blinking away, gone back to the new world continent that he truly loves. He reappears in the living room of his apartment and turned on the TV. The swift kicking moves of Sarah Michelle Geller quickly filled out the screen, with a stake in hand.
Chapter 9
What nagged at his brain is that Christopher could be right. Joshua wasn't sure whether to believe in him because he can't really predict the future though he could infer and reason about it. It is his job, after all, as the Scribe of the clan of Apollo. That and being the left hand of his position in the council means that his words were meant to be heeded. For now, it's best to set this aside and worry about this later.
A week later, Joshua looked bored. He sighed with discontentment as he looked over the main floor from his second floor office of the Jazz Club in Manhattan that he owned. It was called 'Prospero', named after his favorite Shakespearean hero. One look at the club would tell you more. Sky blue walls mixing with stormy grays and violent patches of colors. And the clientele, almost as amazing as two rams butting heads. The mix of humanity in the place greatly pleased Joshua for here, like Paris in the old days, rich, poor, and everyone in between would drink, eat, and listen to the music that was born out of the blood, sweat, and tears of displaced Africans. Not even he could have predicted the success of the Jazz Club. It's building was ancient and dilapidated when Joshua strolled past it one bright evening while hunting for a victim. He had the best architects and interior designers let loose on it and they exceed even his own wild imagination. Now, the structure reveled in glass, steel, brick, stone, marble, wood, silk, leather, wax and other materials that the good earth have provided. Since the club opened, the music would often change with the mood, though always staying within the same musical theme, as the entertainer differs every night. He also hired the best chefs that focused on taste and simple appearances, if just to add a little more hedonism to accompany the wine and liquor. Going into Prospero's is like entering the home of a sensualist. After all, what else can be expected from a vampire with his natural senses magnified many times over than the norm?
He looked over the railing and played his little game that he used to play when he was just a young fledgling in the old Paris. He appraised one elderly gentleman in a tuxedo with his delectable wife in tow. The power the man held and command was apparent as his employees started to scramble the moment the couple entered his establishment. He knew 'his' kind well. Self-made billionaires that worked their asses off, then retire comfortably until some young thing would arrive in the scene, much like the wife. The girl looked like she just left jail-bait territory not so long ago, but she still looked cheap, no matter how much respectability was paid in those shoes and Versace dress. Maybe, she won't see the light of morning after Joshua was done with her, or he would just let her live a little longer, if just to provide some kindness to the old man before she could divorce him and grab his money. It would all depend because he fed earlier in the evening.
Then something, or rather someone, caught his eye. It was a very attractive boy. Man, he berated himself for that's how the boy carried himself. Vaguely familiar, he had short, bright curls, an appealing aura of innocent sexiness, and an unnaturally smooth tenor for someone of his age. Physical aesthetics
With quick steps and a curiosity that would kill any cat, he left his post and mingled with his customers, just to get closer to the boy. His aloof nature however prevented him from approaching him directly, so he talked with the other customers while slowly making his way to the boy's table. With further examination, he recognized the boy group of friends. Lance Bass, on the extreme left of the boy, is a semi-famous photographer from the Northeast. Christina Aguilera, between the boy and Lance, a rich widow at a young age who's known to have survived more tragedies in the past two years than anybody else. To the boy's right was Nickolas Carter. Now, this made Joshua slightly intrigued. This was the chosen of one of his Kindred; no harm would fall on him tonight, even if he were known throughout the eastern seaboard as a lout and dilettante. Next was another young thing, Ms. Amanda Moore, one of the more intelligent supermodels in the city. And lastly, someone he didn't fully identify. A scruffy ace in the hole Italian that blended well into this little clique. The approach would now be easier, for Joshua was a good acquaintance of Amanda and Lance, sometimes of Christina, for he rarely saw her. The unknown Italian and Nick were not really of high important, though that could change at any moment.
'Well, if this is one unusual group if ever saw one,' he said with his French tinged voice that has been known to seduce even the most virginal of nuns. 'How is everybody?'
The group looked up, most of them jumped up and smiled at the vampire's approach. Amanda and Christina stood up and lavished him with pecks on the cheek. Nick and Lance laughed and shook his hand vigorously and asked him to join them. Joshua sat between the stranger and Lance as the questions started to be asked. Then Lance slapped himself lightly on face.
'Gracious me! Where are my manners? Joshua, this is Justin Timberlake. He's a new artist that released his album about two weeks ago. Critics are raving about him so don't be surprised if ever he becomes a regular here whenever he's in town. And this is Joey Fatone, an old friend of Justin, Chrissy, and myself from way back. He recently inherited a diner here in the city so he's moving here pretty soon.
The young Italian shook his hands and Justin did the same, then a surge of déjà vu filled him as he gazed into the boy's eyes. Recognition and shock fell into those eyes, instantly darkening their color.
Everything and nothing flashed in Joshua's mind and he remembered. Justin was younger still back then when Joshua wanted to try the pleasures that Orlando promised. He passed by the window of some café and he saw a vision of grace, apparently cleaning up a storm. He looked a little awkward then, lanky, and he was dancing up a storm with moves that were not associated with his age group. He was dancing to a Fred Astaire Song that he was singing with his beautiful tenor. That was enough for him to want to try him.
His blood was sweet, like cherry brandy, or like Belgian chocolates. Eventually, the pure temptation of the boy was too much for Joshua to bear and he just had to see him again. The next time was positively an angelic experience. His boy could sing, not like that first evening, only more divine. How he wanted to taste his fount again, but alas, it was not meant to be as he left. Joshua wished that fate wasn't against him when he wanted to visit the boy. Now, a few years down the road, the boy was now a man, adding the allure of this angel.
He let go of the soft hands, a bit calloused on the fingertips from years of playing instruments, and allowed his gaze to linger not far from Justin. 'So what's the occasion of this gathering, people?'
Christina spoke up with her commanding soprano. 'Oh, we just found out that Justin's first single has reached #3 in the Billboard Top singles. Since all of us were in the area, we decided to meet up here and celebrate.' Her hand then held tightly to Justin's. A sudden surge of possessive came over Joshua but he knew better.
Even as he talked and effectively charmed everyone on the table, the Ice Prince kept on giving minute glances towards Justin's direction. His blue eyes were more enticing now, more like the forgotten sky that he hadn't seen in an eternity. His angelic voice still gave him shivers enough to almost make him moan in delight. His mental worship halted when a tap on his shoulders announced someone's presence. Normally, this would annoy him because of the acute preternatural senses that vampires are blessed with, but a quick turn of his head changed that to momentary joy.
'Alexander! What brings you to the city? Where's your father?'
Alexander had his usual dark glasses that covered his luminous yellow eyes. His hair, now bleached blonde, cut in short spikes. His trimmed goatee was set in way to make his appearance positively feral. And the clothes! His apparel not the usual fare you would see on everyday people, as today he seemed to favor a shimmering, sleeveless blood red shirt accompanied with a pair of leather pants that was meticulously embroidered. Tattoos covered his arms, giving character to his skin.
To the normal person, he was a Mad Hatter. But to his family, it was just a side effect of his 'gift'. Everyone in the table felt the intimidation rise from their skin, even the head of a powerful vampire clan felt Alex's unforeseen menace.
'D is upstairs. He told me to look for you. Something big.'
Joshua tensed at his words. It was unusual for the 'Hand of Death' to come to him without a summons. There must something happening that he doesn't know anything about, which is rare. The hairs on the back of his head suddenly stood on end. If Chris was right about one thing, something is going to happen.
'He said to come on up after you've settled everything down here. A few more of the 'board' are coming over.' Before he could leave, he intensely gazed upon Lance and left as if he wasn't there in the first place. That made one of the eyebrows of the prince rise. The 'board' meant the rest of the council is here as well.
A waiter then approached him with a somber expression. He could feel the nervousness roll out of him in waves of panic. 'Sir, we have a problem.' He quick scanned his surface thoughts and smiled ruefully, but he let the man speak. 'The band had to back out at the last minute. One of their members had an accident just an hour ago and they had to bring him to the hospital. Sir, we don't have a band to play the final set.'
'Uhm, I think we could help.'
The waiter and Joshua looked at Justin with questioning eyes. The uneasy emotion eased back a bit as he made his offer.
'As you know, I'm a performer. Well, some of us here have been in a band in high school and we could help you out. Lance here plays a mean bass. Joey wasn't in the band but he can play a piano better than some people I know. Nick, do you still play the drums?' Nick nodded. 'Chrissy sings like a diva, and I can do the guitar. We could just stick to an R&B-Blues set if anything. If you have any sheet music of some of the stuff you usually play here then it would help. I guess what I'm saying is that we are willing to help out.'
Joshua considered it for a moment with a blank face before turning to his employee. 'Bring them to the back room where we keep the other music stuff and give them what they need.' The smiles of the group intensified as Joshua 'felt' their thrill. He turned to all of them and gave a small grin. 'Just follow Antoine and he will give all that you need. We'll talk later, Bass, for repayment. Antoine, everything they ordered tonight is on the house.' And with another grin and another quick smile, he left their company.
Joshua knew that he should be upstairs on the roof meeting with the rest of the council, but he wanted to see Justin perform before he had to face whatever may be ahead. After an excruciatingly long hour, Justin and his band of friends took the stage. Anticipation and adrenaline were pumping as Justin introduced himself. Joshua loomed over on the second floor landing and waited.
'Uhm, hello everybody.' A few recognized Justin and promptly applauded loudly. 'Some of you may know me. I'm Justin Timberlake, and I'm here to take over this stage for tonight. The band that was supposed to play had been called away, so luckily I'm here to take over. A few of my friends wanted to help so here they are with me. The first number that we have is called 'Flow' by Sade. With the help of my friends Joey and Chrissy, of course. And here we go.'
Lance started with his bass with a few starting chords and Nick followed suit with a slow rhythmic tapping. Fortunate enough to find someone in the crowd who actually play a decent horn, the guy played a low sound that Joey accompanied. Justin's tenor blended well with Chrissy's soprano that she modulated to a husky mid range.
Ooh baby mm, when you hold me
Oh Oh, when you hold me the sound
Is it possible I could feel this cool I could really love you
The way I do
Is it possible I could feel this good I could really love you
The way I do
See me (within the light)
Flowing (take me to you)
Like the river to the sea
You come down (I'm in the light)
You cover (pull me to you)
And the waves rush over me
I feel a love light rush over me
I feel the love turn to me
And then your love just
Creeps over me over me
See me (within the light)
Flowing (take me to you)
Like the river to the sea
You come down (I'm in the light)
You cover (pull me to you)
And the waves rush over me
Ooh baby mm, when you hold me
Oh Oh, when you hold me
And I won't let you go
I won't let you go
And i won't let you go
I won't let you go
Take up your love
Take up your love
Take up your love
And come to me
This love's not a liar
To cold it's a fire
I'm on the run
and it's a comfort to me
Take up your love
Take up your love
Take up your love
And come to me
This love's not a liar
To cold it's a fire
I'm on the run
And it's a comfort to me
And I won't let you go
I won't let you go
And I won't let you go
I won't let you go
(Flow by Sade)
Chapter 10:
Joshua could not look any more and not be tempted by Justin's face, so he left for the rooftop. There, along with the pollution and the stiff breeze gathered the council of the clan of Apollo.
Perched on the edge of the rooftop sat Jessica, the Bird of Prey, looking over like a hunter just waiting for food to unwittingly pass by. Beside her stood Alexander, the fledge of Death, like an overseer of all the damned souls in Tartarus. Hidden in the shadows was Christopher's Bloodkin, the one they call Darkness, or to his own intimates, Kevin, holding on to the longest sword man could ever see. In the center, talking amiably to each other were Christopher and Brian, spoken cousin of Darkness and Visionary. Sitting among the smoke stacks were Howard, the Hand of Death, and Samantha, the blood witch. Joshua studied each one of them. With Kevin, Howard, Chris, and Jessica, they formed the higher council of the Apollo clan of vampires. Brian, Alexander, and Samantha are mere fledglings but they had the highest ranks among their equals. Only when a vampire turns a century will he be considered as a Sire, until then he is a mere fledgling.
The feeling in the air is tense, either from confusion or apprehension. One look towards Darkness and Death only did Joshua realized the gravity of the situation. With one raised hand, he called to order the council and its members formed a circle. Christopher and Howard on either side, while Kevin and Jessica stood opposite. The fledges just sat about around the circle. Ruefully, Joshua spoke with authority to all present.
'By the powers of Dionysus, God of Wine and Debauchery, and Apollo, our patron God of Music, Prophecy, and Light, I hereby call on the council of our clan.' He lowered his hand and asked, 'Now why the hell are we all here?' He then looked at each one intently.
Christopher, in jeans and a turtleneck sweater looked on with abandoned curiosity. Howard, dressed in black and with leather gloves, looked stoic, but Joshua could see the panic in his eyes. Kevin, in rugged pants and a white t-shirt, had the same expression as Death. Jessica, draped in a gray cloak, felt disinterested. Brian, on the other hand, has the expression of utter fear on his face. Alexander and Samantha, perplexed, huddled close in conversation. The Ice Prince frowned. This could be bad if it had two of the most vicious members of the clan worried.
Kevin spoke first. 'Joshua, for the past week, Howard and I have been receiving a steady stream of news about some of our fledglings disappearing or have been killed. Not that it was anything unusual, except that it seems that the accounts are greatly underestimated until this morning.'
Joshua raised an eyebrow. 'Yes, I've heard of those reports. I was going to ask you about it. What is the latest report from the rest of the clan?' Death and Darkness looked at each other, unsure of what to say. Brian was pale with fright. Death then took his turn.
'Joshua, there is no easy way to say this but everyone, and I do mean everyone, of our clan in Asia and in Africa are dead.' The dead blood in each immortal present turned frozen. 'And that's not all. This is not only affecting our clan, but also that of Hephaestus, Athena, and Mars. Only the clans of Hermes, Venus, and Artemis are spared for some reason, though there have been reports that only a few of them have been victimized.'
The worry quickly spread among their minds. Something was threatening all the clans, and whoever it is, it's working fast. Now all of the young ones were in near panic, while the Sires managed to keep their cool.
'Has anyone started to do anything at all to stop this unknown threat?' asked Jessica who was hugging her cloak as close to her body as possible. It was rare to witness the Bird of Prey ruffled in any way.
Howard shook his head. 'Nothing. The thing is moving too fast. There are no witnesses to the genocide, only the leftover ash that remains. Its like a systematic Christian persecution by the Romans, only no one is around to see anything. No one knows anything,' the Hand of Death said with fury.
Kevin raised his hand and Howard stopped his ranting. 'Yes, we do,' he said and looked at Brian. Joshua saw this and nodded toward the young vampire who shivered.
They all knew of Brian's 'gift', whether it was a blessing or a curse, it was still a debate. He was gifted with prophetic nightmares. Its simply amazed everyone that knew about it that Brian, or simply known as the Visionary, is still sane. Depending on the degree, the nightmares could paralyze at the extreme, and draw headaches at the least. He knows the fear is something that he has to live with the rest of his eternity. No one that met him would envy his gift.
'I-I-I have seen what the-the-the killer lo-lo-looks like,' Brian stuttered in his fear. 'He lo-lo-looks like he-he-he's made of me-me-metal. He-he-he carries a sword and w-w-wears a helmet. I-I-in m-my dreams, he-he-he would keep on k-k-killing everyone and h-he would be-be-behead me.' With quick strides, Alexander bridged the distance and embraced Brian tightly to help him calm down. Kevin smiled, grateful at Alex's thoughtfulness.
'An Aleax,' exclaimed Chris with wide eyes, and everyone turned to him.
'A what?' asked Samantha.
'An Aleax, or in layman terms, a God's Enforcer. Legend has it that when a God is offended, sometimes he would send his Enforcer to extract vengeance for him. It has supreme tracking and hunting skills so that the target would never get away. Virtually nothing escapes the power that these creatures expand in the service of their master. Some say that Atlantis was destroyed by Poseidon's Enforcer.'
'Maybe that's why no one has been able to defeat him yet, though why are we the targets of a God's wrath. We are the blessed children of Dionysus. We are the Bacchae. We are gifts to the Olympic house of Aggression as a thank you gesture from the Wine God. Why are we targeted? Have we done anything to offend the Gods? Have we?' questioned Death in hysterics.
'I don't know. This needs further investigation.' Everyone saw the gleam of determination in Joshua's eye. The Ice Prince would do what's right for the clan, and maybe to the whole Kindred. ' Christopher, Brian, Jessica, start researching in the archives; see if there is anything we can use against this supposed menace. The rest of you, continue exploring any avenue of possibility and report back to me if any development should come around. If there is no more business left for the council then that is all. Remember to report any discovery.'
With those last words, the immortals disbanded. Christopher took Brian's hand and led him to the edge. Both of them jumped and disappeared from sight. Only those with preternatural sense could see that they were now jumping over the buildings at incredible vampire speed. With a swing of her cloak, Jessica transformed herself into a large hawk and flew away to the sky. Alex, wanting to join the crowd back in Prospero's, opened the roof door and closed it behind. Samantha muttered some words and then faded away with a wisp of red smoke. Only Death and Darkness are left. They approached the Prince.
'Anything that you two need, because I thought that I told you to get back to your jobs,' chided Joshua to his two friends.
'We both need your permission,' said Kevin, the vampire that Joshua has always know as the master spy that could literally meld into the shadows. The long sword that he was holding shimmered and laid out in front of the prince.
'Really? What do you need?'
Both Howard and Kevin kneeled and bowed their heads. 'My prince, we need your permission to allow us to mark our Chosen,' said Kevin. Joshua's cobalt eyes widened. 'I have found a boy who captured my affections. He is perfect, much like the statue of Eros, and with eyes of the sea. I have been following him for the past year and I want to put my mark on him.'
'You realize, of course, that the rules have changed in the turn of the 20th century and that you will only be able to mark him with his permission. Have you thought this through?'
Kevin nodded. 'I think its time that I finally move on. I can't stay in mourning of my own Sire. It's time I learnt to be my own Sire.'
The Ice Prince smiled. 'Yes, you have the my permission, but only if the boy agrees and that you remain faithful. Of course, the choice of turning him will come along later on but first things first, okay. Now, what is the boy's name?'
Darkness raised his head and smiled his thanks 'His name is Nickolas Carter.' Wide-eyed with shock, Joshua witnessed the master spy smile with mischief and then melted into the dark. The prince turned his focus to Howard, the master assassin with the touch of pain and death underneath his be-gloved hands.
'I presume that you are going to ask the same thing.'
'Yes, I am, but it's not for me. My Childe Alexander has his eye on this boy. I know the laws specify that he's not allowed to mark or turn anyone yet without consequence, but I ask on his behalf that he be granted to at least be able to mark him when he turns a century in a few weeks. He's willing to be patient. And I think that it would do him some good if there were someone for him to take care of.'
The request wasn't that impossible but it still needed careful thought. A century of being a vampire was the 'legal' age limit of the vampire to commit certain vampire tasks. 'I will think about it though. Who is the boy that young Alexander wants to mark?'
'I think you were with the boy earlier. His name is Lance Bass.'
A low, mellow laugh suddenly came out of the Ice Prince, surprising the assassin. 'Oh this is too much. Kevin wants Nick Carter. Your Childe wants a photographer who is quite a polar opposite to him. And I have my eye on their friend, the singer. Oh what a mad world we live in. Yes, I will allow your boy to mark him, but remember that he is only allowed to do that when he turns 100 years. Alright? Now be off with you and find that Enforcer.' Without another word, Joshua blinked out of view and left a very confused Howard still on his knees.
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