Locked Down

Vishous

It’s been a week since things went from pure fucking open bliss to locked shutdown. I’d kept busy until when the morning hours crept up then I would pass the hell out in bed. I wasn’t going to push and pull shit from Butch. He already knew what I had offered; he either came willingly or not at all, that was on him and right now I had to stand back and let him realize that and do with it what he will. In the meantime I made provisions inside and around the Manse. I had taken inventory of the inhabitants and still wondered who the fuck all these people were and at what time was the rest of us left in the dark fuckers going to be let in. I mean fuck, how am I to keep a place this size secure when I don’t even know who has clearance and who the fuck I should be watching or not watching. Things around this place seemed to be running amok and so I strengthened the security as best as I could, and just for spite because I was pissed the hell off; I changed the codes on every motherfucking door in and outside of this place. Let someone try to go into a secure place, they’ll get locked in or locked out and then they will have to get clearance, that seemed to be the only way that I was going to be clued in on who the hell was who. 

Wrath

[My conversation with Savage had actually gone far better than I had anticipated. Telling someone that their mate was two steps away from being hunted down was never pleasant news to lay down. I had full confidence that those two males in particular would have no problem virtually disappearing. Though I hated to ask it of them, especially considering the fact that I wasn’t losing any sleep over who they had killed. I was in the middle of drawing up the appropriate paperwork with Fritz when the light of my intercom flashed next to me. I needed to remember to have someone add a noise to that soon. I flicked the button and demanded in a gruff voice.] What? [A very nervous doggen on the other end cough and sputtered some until he managed to tell me that him and some others where locked in the tunnels and their code wasn’t working. My brow furrowed and I turned to Fritz.] Check it out. [He nodded and hurried off and I returned to my recorded dictation thinking nothing of the situation until the light lit up again. This one from a doggen from the kitchen staff that couldn’t get in the front door and had an armload of groceries. As soon as I turned the intercom off I would get another urgent request from someone that couldn’t get in our out of some place in the mansion. I didn’t need Fritz to come back to know what the hell was going on here. I let out a loud growl and flicked the intercom on to transmit to the entire manse.] VISHOUS! Unless we are under some goddamn attack that I don’t know about you’d better start letting people go right now!

Butch

-To say that I’d been walking through a living hell would be putting it too mildly. I hadn’t spoken to Vishous since that night and he hadn’t pushed me for anything. I knew that it was long past time for me to pull my head out of my own ass but I really was scared shitless. I laid next to him at night but I didn’t sleep for more than two hours at a time. I’d stare up at the ceiling or turn my head to watch him sleeping. I hated not knowing whether or not it was okay to touch him. So many times I almost woke him up to tell him what a fucking fool I was. I was an amateur when it came to building up walls around myself, as high and thick as mine were I was going up against the pro of cold and hard. Often I didn’t even stay in the bed the whole day and would find myself in the training area for another round of beat myself up on the exercise equipment. The truth was I couldn’t figure out what I was going to say to him. That I needed to apologize was plain and clear but I couldn’t exactly just spill with the ‘why’. I’d run that scenario through my head more than a few times and it never ended well. But that was me taking what I knew of my hellren and applying it and he always seemed to amaze me in how he reacted to things. Maybe it wouldn’t be all doom and gloom like I thought that it would. I’d just gotten through with another grueling session on the weights and I stepped from the shower into the locker room as I ran through what I would say in my head. My hands were shaking as I pulled my clothes back on but I needed to get through this. It was that or live in this hell for the rest of my days and that ticket was for two. My head was low, watching the floor as I walked through the tunnels and back to the Pit. I continually told myself that I had to start somewhere. Small steps… I could do this. I punched in the code to the Pit and was welcomed with an angry beep. My brows wrinkled and I tried it again with the same results. I instantly went into full panic mode and my heart seized up in my chest. Oh god… he’s finally tired of my bullshit. I didn’t even have the frame of mind to try other codes. I pounded on door, screaming as loud as I could.- Vishous! Please god let me in!…-I turned my back to the door and slid down it as I sunk to the ground. I was quickly falling down a deep, dark well of despair when I heard Wrath’s voice boom over the intercom. My head came up and turned back and forth a few times. What the hell was going on here?-

Vishous

I was sitting lazily at my desk, a lit hand rolled in one hand and a glass of Goose in my other while watching all the the chaos on the video feeds in front of me. A wicked grin split my lips as in each different scene, people tried to move from areas within and outside of the Manse. I kicked my feet up on the desk and actually laughed out loud seeing it all. Like they say go big or get the fuck out of my way. I was done as done could be and this shit that was going down within these walls was some bullshit. I took a nice long drink and savored the taste before switching it out and taking a slow draw on my almost done cig. My head bent back some as I exhaled the smoke in series of shapes. But all my calm and laughter died in my throat when I heard a beating at the Pit door. My feet dropped to the floor and my head came up quick as hell. It wasn’t just the voice that cut into me it was the underlying panic in the tone that worked me over. I dropped the hand rolled in the glass of Goose and headed for the door. Even before I got to it I heard Wrath’s booming death keel voice over the intercom. Shaking my head I pulled the door open and looked down at Butch sitting on the floor. A tatted brow shot up and I reached a hand down to Butch. “My bad Nallum, I changed the codes and fucked up with changing this one too.” With my other hand I pushed the button on the panel beside the door. “Meet you on the tree Brother in five.” Releasing the button, I looked back to Butch. “I’ll be back, I gotta answer to the pied piper and get some answers in return. Wait for me.” I didn’t give you a chance to speak before I leaned in and grabbed the back of your neck and kissed you full mouth on with some tongue action. Regretfully I pulled back and walked back to my office. I grabbed one of my main laptops and left the Pit to head upstairs to the Manse to see Wrath.

Butch

-My head whipped around as soon as I heard the door opening and I at least had enough presence to keep from falling back on my ass when it swung open. My face was a twisted mess that I tried to get under control and I gladly accepted your hand to help me up. Hell, just touching you again was nice. I didn’t even question the change of codes thing, that was your department and I was sure I would get the whole story soon enough.- I thought for sure you done with my crap. -I was still shaking despite the knowledge that it wasn’t how shit played out and my voice broke halfway through. My eyes shot wide open as you pulled me in for a kiss and my stomach did a back flip. I melted completely and even moaned a bit. There it was once again, your ability to completely take my breath away. God how I missed it. My tongue glided over my lips after you pulled away and I watched you walk back into the Pit and out.- I’ll always wait for you Vishous. -I stood there until you were out of sight before I turned around and sat down on the couch. I felt better already and I hadn’t even gotten to the hard part yet. Funny the difference a kiss could make.-

Wrath

[I wanted to jump through the intercom and wring V’s neck when I heard his reply to me. Fritz came back into the room to report that everything was locked out and I just nodded my head and stood up.] I’ll talk to him. [I really hoped that this was actually something serious and not some wild hair that Vishous got up his ass to show everyone that he was still alive. I grabbed a bottle from my pocket, popped it open and spilled out two pain pills into my hand. I stuck them in my mouth and chewed on them as I headed down to the foyer, grumbling the whole way.]

Vishous

I came through the door in enough time to hear the disgruntled mumbling coming from Wrath. I had my laptop in hand and stopped exactly on the polished apple tree that graced the floor.” You rang My Lord.” A smirk curled the corner of my lips up. 

Wrath

[I drew up in front of a very pleased with himself Vishous and folded my arms over my chest.] Why does this feel like a hostage negotiation? What’s the deal here, V? I was kind of in the middle of something.

Vishous

“Good to see you too Brother.” I stepped over to a small glass table that lined the wall and in no time I had my system pulled up on the screen. I looked over my shoulder at Wrath then did a quick countdown. Once I was done I went back to stand where I had been in front of Wrath. “I would say that maybe you have left me out of the loop because I’ve been staying in the Pit more. But case as it is I always stayed there when not on rotation or meeting with you and the Brothers. So in saying that you know what I found while doing an inspection and tightening up of the system around here?“ 

Wrath

Did you want a hug perhaps? [My head turned to follow V’s movements but I honestly didn’t have a clue what he was up to, which was always something to worry about.] I can’t blame you for hiding out. I’ve done the same from time to time. So tell me what dragged you out of your hole but not quite all the way up to my office.

Vishous

“That’s an easy answer and also why I locked things down. Like I said I did a check up on things and what did I find but a Mansion with strangers in it and animals.” My feet braced apart as I crossed my arms over my chest, almost mimicking Wrath’s stance.”Now unless we started running a half way house for females and animals, I think you should have kept me abreast of things. “My arms dropped away and I let my frustration show through.” This is some fucked up bullshit, how am I to protect you, the King of our race and the Brotherhood when I am not told the basics of people being brought in. There is steps that need to be taken, Wrath you know this stuff, this is some elementary shit here. So tell me what the fucks up?”

Wrath

I’m assuming that you determined that this isn’t some type of lesser invasion so could we please let the poor doggen do their thing. I’m pretty sure you scared them all half out of their minds. [My brow raised at the animal comment] Animals? See, I actually rely on you for this shit as well brother. I didn’t know that we’d become a farm. Though my nose should have told me… [grumbling some more under my breath] I must be losing my touch. I actually haven’t been in the mansion full time ever since your male brought Kisa home with him. So if this starts anywhere than it would be there. You are correct to worry and I apologize that my attentions have been somewhat divided. On a more positive note, she will be staying here now… indefinitely… [My grin was wide as hell and my stance eased up some. I stopped to clear my throat before continuing.] I should thank Butch for that little bit but I don’t want him think that type of behavior is kosher. And there is another matter that only recently came to my attention so I haven’t had time to let you know about it. It seems that Qhuinn has come back from his excursion into the real world and brought himself back a female. That discussion was less than pleasant but he knows that if shit goes down, I’m going to toss both of them out on their asses.

Vishous

I was listening to Wrath I really was but it all stopped when I heard, replayed then replayed again the part about not being in the Manse much lately. My eyes narrowed as I fought to control the anger mingled with fear. “And what Brothers did you take with you when you decided to take a walk into insanity and go wandering about?”

Wrath

[My face fell instantly and I gritted my teeth.] We are so not having this discussion. I have spent centuries out there on my own. I do not need an escort like some damn cripple or someone who doesn’t know their way around a knife.

Vishous

“Fuck you Wrath, you are not pulling that cripple shit on me. I more than most know you are bred to fighting but that doesn’t change the fact of the risk. And especially now with Xcor running loose and his newly found ties to the Glymera. I don’t like this shit either but I am being realistic in that facts of it even if you don’t want to be.” I grunted out a low throatily growl as I heard more beating on various doors around us. I quickly stepped over to the laptop and opened the doors back up then went right back over to Wrath. “Alright first things first, I need a list of the new occupants, full names and last residence would be nice to. I will be doing a full scale background check on everyone. I want to know where they will be staying within the Manse and what areas you want them to have access to. You get that and then I can do my job.“I let out a long heavy breath as my stance relaxed and I actually grinned at Wrath. “This female that Cop brought in, so she is staying and should I already assume where she will be residing? And if I am right then should there be a Brother attached to her or are you planning on continuing the role of watchdog and risking yourself?” I ended that with a smirk.

Wrath

[I dropped my arms and paced around V restlessly. This was a conversation I’d had many times and I hated. I got enough of it from Fritz but he always eventually backed down where I knew that Vishous wouldn’t. I was somewhat caught off guard by the glymera comment and I stopped.] Why, V. Have you been reading my mail?[The corner of my lip twitched upward and I watched as he let the doors open and doggen pass by us.] Come with me, V. I would actually appreciate your counsel if you were done berating me for chasing after a fine ass female. Who I’ve got now and hopefully isn’t going to get herself captured again. [I turned and walked back toward my office where I could cut down on who heard what.]

Vishous

I groaned raking my fingers down my face hearing some shit about capturing but I kept my mouth shut and went with Wrath upstairs to his office. I walked in and went straight over to pour myself a Goose then looked back at you.”Want anything before we get started, I have a feeling I am going to need it.”

Wrath

Water. Thank you. [I sat down behind the desk and tapped it with my hand appreciatively] I love that Darius kept this. [With a flick of my hand the doors closed and locked on us.] Your methods might be a tad unorthodox but you are right to be concerned. Not all of the glymera have sided with Xcor but he is taking advantage of the deaths of two of their number to point a finger at me and what an inept leader I am. It has joined them together in a way that I should have anticipated but did not. I didn’t put any effort into investigating the issue because the two that died were supporters of Xcor and I already knew who did the deed. [I brought my foot up on my leg and forged on.] In the interest of full disclosure, the female that the Cop brought here had a vampire friend who was stalked by lesser. They tracked back to her through him I took them out and eventually brought her here but this is a disturbing trend in lesser behavior.

Vishous

I sit the glass of water in front of Wrath before I took a seat and grinned wide seeing the desk.”Could always count in Darius to think of something like that, you look a damn sight better there then behind that vanity.” Leaning back taking a drink I easily soaked up the info that Wrath was confiding. By the time the end rolled around I had drained my glass and was shaking my head in disgust. Sitting up, I rolled the bottom if my empty glass over my knee.“So on top of a ongoing war with the Lessers we now have them seeting up and tracking down civilian vampires, a close to exploding revolt of Glymera dickheads and a renegade King running around in the mix of it all and now a houseful of strangers. Damn we really know how to fuck shit up. One of these times you are going to call me in here and the biggest issue will be a Doggen streaking in the Manse.”

Wrath

Renegade King? [I smiled and ran my finger along my brow.] Fair enough I suppose. Tell me you would not do the same for what was yours. [I took a drink from the glass that V left for me.] It wouldn’t be fun if our lives weren’t on the line. Though a house full of streaking doggen does sound hilarious, it would be lost on me. [I set the glass back down exactly where I had picked it up from.] I could use your help on the glymera front. I know that you’ve been tinkering around in their video surveillance and I need to make sure that no evidence of the identity of the real murderers comes to light.