Squatter

Butch: -I was back on lockdown once again and my nuts were telling me about it loud and clear. A near constant grumble followed me like a cartoon rain cloud over my head. One thing was for sure, I wasn’t giving a damn about the ‘no clothes in the Pit’ rule. Fuck all that noise. Two minutes walking around with that frickin pendulum of metal playing bongos on my nuts was enough to clue me in. Keep the cage from swinging and ya minimized the level of nut cracking. And to think, this time he had me put the damn thing on myself. Mind games, that’s what it was. He was fucking with me. I was tempted to take the thing off from time to time just let the poor dick breathe but something stuck in the back of my head like an irritating little bug, he would know. Somehow that mind reader would pick it right outta my brain and my stay at gitmo would extend to two months or some shit like that. Hell, knowing my luck I would broadcast something like that directly at him. ‘I took the cockcage off and even spanked it some, how you like them apples?’ For shits and giggles I’d even attached the key right to the loop of my collar. I liked to tell myself that I did it so that I would have the thing handy just in case I actually had to take the metal contraption off for some reason, whatever the hell that might be. I knew that wasn’t going to really happen it just felt better having it where I knew it was. In a typical fidgety fashion I played with the key often. It would only be a matter of time before someone asked me what was doing. That would be a funny convo right there. I laughed to myself and hid everything away under a layer of expensive clothing. Even the collar was hidden beneath the starched purple dress shirt and matching striped tie. Speaking of the devil, I hadn’t seen him in awhile. I poked my head into the area he converted into an office. When we had finally stopped sleeping in separate rooms his room had become the place for his computers but since the Pit had been completely renovated he had it set up just like he liked it now. It was insane the amount of shit he monitored. I honestly had no clue how he kept track of it all. The mansion alone seemed like a hassle but V was watching a ton of other properties as well. My eyes idly scanned over the images, not really registering what was going on with most of them because it was downright boring. But then something caught my eye and I found myself sitting down at the desk.- What in the fucking hell?! -The feed changed and went somewhere else.- Nope, not happening. Come back here you little fucker. -I starting fiddling with the cameras, something I was sure to catch hell for later, and pulled up the one that had caught my attention.- Well hello there. Who the fuck are you and what are you doing at my sister’s cabin? -I didn’t even know that V had wired that place but I should probably thank him for thinking of it. I recognized it right off from the last time I had been there.- What is that place? Some kinda love nest where Piper hides dudes? -I got up from the desk and went back into the bedroom. A few minutes later I was loaded down with a small arsenal and pulling my coat on.- Don’t tell me shit anymore. ‘Oh hi, back from Paris for like a month now. Oh and I shoved some guy in my cabin too. Ya know cause he looked lost and shit.’ -There was some more grumbling and a whole lotta cursing before I made it to the Escalade.- What’s behind door number two Alex? Well Butch, today we have for you a complete stranger squatting at your sister’s house. Lovely Alex, thank you for telling me. -I pulled the SUV out and hightailed it to the cabin wondering if I was ever going to told about this one. Hopefully he didn’t pull a cookie out of his ass like the last one cause that just made me wanna kill the guy on principle. I got out of the vehicle and straightened my coat so that none of the weapons were making themselves known. I walked right up to the door and gave it the standard loud pounding that cops all over the nation used.-

Ghrimm: -The past few days have been great. Piper and I talked and just relaxed. I finally found a bit of peace in my life.  I had just got out of the shower and pulled on a pair of sweats when I heard the insistent pounding on the door. I quickly made my way to the door and threw it open, more than a little pissed and prayed Piper stayed asleep. Seeing the large male in front of me I guessed this was one of the brothers she had told me about.- Can I help you with something? Or are you content with trying to wake the dead?

Butch: -My eyes narrowed to mere slits when the fucker answered the door with a heaping helping of attitude and a decided lack of a shirt. Fresh from the shower. Oh boy.- I’m sorry, am I bothering YOU? This is your place than? Maybe I’m just intruding. -I made as if to turn around and then stopped, holding a finger up.- Wait. No, that’s right. I know who’s place this is and it’s most certainly not yours. So why don’t we start all over again with you telling me why you are here? -I put my foot just inside the door in case this sonofabitch decided that it would be good fun to close it on my face. A wide and completely fake smile took up my features.- And please, let’s keep it civil shall we?

Ghrimm: I can ask you the same thing. -I cross my arms and stand my ground. I didn’t know who the male was but I’d be damned if he was stepping foot inside. I growled low when he placed his foot in the doorjam.- Maybe we should exchange pleasantries. Name is Ghrimm. Now other than door banger and asshole, what is your name? And unless you make a move I will be more then civil. -I did a quick scan of the male, checking for signs of weapons, knowing full well he could have anything under his jacket.-

Butch: -My eyes sparked when I heard the growl. So he didn’t want me here hrm? He might as well have held up a sign that said pester the shit out of me. I stepped closer until I took up the space left by the open door. My feet planted firmly and I held my hands loosely to either side.- Ghrimm?… Alright Ghrimm, you can call me Dhestroyer. -I grinned wide enough to flash a little fang.- Now let’s get back to that question. Why are you here?

Ghrimm: I really don’t think that’s any of your business Dhestroyer. As you haven’t told me why my being here is your concern. -I held my ground, not moving an inch when he stepped to take up the entire doorway. My eyes showed no emotion while I stared the male down. For all I knew this was an ex of Piper’s coming to check up on her or worse. He wasn’t getting anywhere near her and I would make sure of it. The scent of citrus filled the air as my bonded male began to take over where this hardass was concerned.- I will answer your questions once you answer mine. Who are you to Piper and why are you here?

Butch: Oh it’s my business alright. I’m making it my business. So much so that I will set up camp right here in this spot if you don’t start spewing some answers. Trust me, I can be very fucking annoying and stubborn when I wanna be, just ask my Hellren. -My eyes went wild, one corner even started twitching, as soon as I smelled a frickin bonding scent rolling off the fucker in front of me.- No! -I backhanded him swiftly- Knock it the fuck off! You are not spraying bonding scent all over frickin the place. Stop it right now! You did NOT bond with my damn sister! She just frickin got back from Paris after breaking up with a dude. When the hell did you find the time to wiggle your dick up in her?

Ghrimm:-My head snapped to the side once his hand made contact with my cheek. I tasted my own blood from a split lip and casually swipe my thumb over it, smirking.- So you are the cocky ass brother? She has spoken so highly of you. Too bad she forgot to mention hotheaded. -I clear my throat and stand toe to toe with Piper’s brother- As for bonding… yeah too late for that. Already done and /nothing/ will change that. You feel me Dhestroyer? -at this point I really didn’t give a fuck what he said. He wasn’t going to come between Piper and I- I am here because Piper wants me here. She helped me recover from an accident that your Hellren found me after. As for what we do in the privacy of the bedroom, that is definitely none of your fucking business.

Butch: Oh trust me, I’m familiar with the mechanics of bonding. I’m saying don’t spray your stank all over me cause I gotta go home to a male who would show you what the meaning of hotheaded really is. -My eyes narrowed and I tried to get a read on this guy. Bully for him that he was keen on protecting my sister cause if he wasn’t I would really have to put the screws to him. What bothered me was how all this went down last time.- Ya know Piper, I’ve found, has a habit of not exactly telling the whole story. The last guy I talked to in this very room didn’t know thing one about her having multiple personalities. It makes me wonder if it’s her slutty one that keeps hitting on my husband that’s drawing in all of the dudes.

Ghrimm: - Without thought I lunged at the male in front of my and pinned him against the wall , my hand around his throat.- How dare you talk about your sister like that! A true male of worth would never speak of a female like that. -My hand squeezed like a vice, turning his face a nice shade of purple before I released him.- You sister has problems. I know this. We’ve talked about it. And while her “slutty”, as you called it, personality is one I have met, I also have met and bonded with her other side. Since you know about the bonded male you’d do well to tread lightly around me or next time your Hellren will be picking you up in pieces. Feel me? -The blood pounded in my ears as rage coursed through me. Who the fuck did he think he was talking about his sister as if she were a whore.-

Butch: -I didn’t bother to fight back when the hand closed around my neck. I’d purposely been pushing the guy and it didn’t surprise me when he did what he did. I just held my breath and waited with a wry smile and a flash from my hazel eyes. When he finally let me go sucked in some welcome oxygen and made as if to straighten my suit. I came away with one of my daggers which I used to pin the hand that had been around my neck to the wall. I moved far enough away that Ghrimm couldn’t get at me right out without yanking the dagger out of his hand first.- I wasn’t exactly raised in world of ‘males of worth’. I much prefer to say it like it is. Don’t mistake my words as a lack of love for my sister. -I turned toward the door and stopped just before leaving.- Next time you start with the foreplay at least buy me dinner first. Keep the dagger. You’ll need it to protect my sister. -I got in the Escalade and pointed it back toward the mansion before this turned into an all out brawl.-

Much Needed Release

Vishous

I walked into the gym and for once I was grateful it was empty, I didn’t want anyone around me, no fucking small talk or pretending that I gave a fuck. Everywhere I looked anymore there was someone under foot or too damn close to me.

I scraped a hand through my black curls and let out a deep breath. Space, at one time I had it in spades,that was right before we all converged and parked our asses under one roof. Change, it happened whether you wanted to or not, hell I got that shit, I didn’t survive over three hundreds not getting that one main factor. Still the fact was It didn’t mean I had to like it, I dealt, stood back, observed and waited for the clusterfuck of all these changes to fall out, and there was always some kind of after effect.

I pulled my black T off and dropped it on a weight bench, I wiped my hands down the sides of my shorts and eyed the punching bag. It was mid-afternoon so outdoors was obviously out of the question. I had too much pent up shit rushing through my head to sleep and going out looking for a fight wasn’t an option. Which brought me to the here and now. I had slipped out of bed and pulled on some shorts and Jordans before bailing out of the Pit.

My head rolled tightly around between my too fucking tight shoulders and I stepped up to the bag. With a glance over at the sound system I set up in this bitch it came on and the beats poured through the wide open space and myself.

Every time I closed my eyes to try and fall into that darkness I was assaulted with images and not a fucking one of them clear or pleasant in any damn form. Nightmares I could handle, fuck I’d welcome a lifetime of nights filled with only nightmares. These visions though seeped in and took root in my head and demanded attention, there was no escaping them and not a fucking one had any damn rainbows or mystical unicorns in them.

Blood, pain and betrayal, clogged every portal of my brain and it all was attached to each one of my Brothers and a few of the extras that had crossed my path.

At first I let my lids drop close and gave over to letting all the fucked up shit flooding my brain to flow free and each heavy bass word of the song weaved their way through all the blood, faces and sceen in my head. I drew back and let the blow follow on through, a satisfied grunt followed as the bag bobbed and shook from the force of it and that set it off. I drilled the stationary bag, hit after hit fell easily and came all to easy and I was easily in a flow with the movement of the inanimate object.

The skin covering my shoulder bunched and tightened with every fucking punch of my fist and I breathed heavily through my flaring nostrils already following up with a left hook and swiftly moving out of the way as it weaved towards me.

Being in action felt good, doing something that it took the basic and most ingrained trainings felt even fucking better. Fighting I knew, harsh panting breaths that burned your lungs with strike after strike, sweat pouring from every pore and arms and hands aching from the exertion of the whole dance.

It was an escape, a free pass to say fuck it to all the other shit in my head, for those brief time I gave all that was in me.

I wanted the deep seated pain and burning aches that came afterward and it was that shit that set me apart. It was always a slippery slope that I balanced on, fact is had I not went in with the Brotherhood I knew I’d ended up just as bloodthirsty as the male that fucked the Scribe Virgin and begot my twisted ass.

A male of worth was not something I aspired to, I could give two fucks on it but because of Butch and my Brothers I walked that veiled line. They were my constant that pulled me back from stepping over. Without them the male that held it all in control would not exist.

I finished the bag with a right and backed up to land my hands on my knees and breathing out harshly. My head hung low and I watched as the sweat dripped off my shoulders and splattered on the mat beneath me.

I needed to set up a boxing match with Z, that fucker always gave as good as he got. A wicked grin split my lips as I thought back to the last fight we got into, I left that one dripping in blood. A hoarse chuckle mingled in with the tunes of Tupac’s ‘Gansta Party’.

I pushed up off my knees and stretched my arms out long and hard over my head, feeling every fucking snap, pop and ache in my worked out muscles. “Almost as good as a rough and bloody fucking.” I took another step back and snatched up my shirt from the bench, using it to wipe the sweat from my face and neck. A hot shower that would seep into my bones was in order but I wasn’t giving into that need until I got back to the Pit.

The tunes switched off as I walked out the double doors of the gym and my Jordans were soundless as I made my way through the tunnels towards the Pit.

Chipped

Throe: -I had been sitting around for most of the day, lost completely in a book as I lay back on my bed with my legs stretched out in front of me. I had managed to have First Meal and another meal midday without the appearance of everyone to check on me. Zsadist must have been consumed with something important, but still, I didn’t take advantage of any freedom I may seemingly have gained. I stayed in my room instead of heading to the gym and entertained myself, my head lifting from my book as I heard footsteps approaching the door-

Vishous: I had already heard over and over the 411 on the newest inhabitant of the Manse, I still wasn’t sure I believed it, I mean fuck, now we are taking in Bastards as well as other walks of life. Every fucking time I turned around there were new peeps to trip over which was only more reason for why I kept my ass in the Pit. Screw all the noise of having wall to wall people around me, that shit makes me antsy and irritated and neither reaction was good for me. But here I was now, doing my part, doing something I never thought in my lifetime I would be doing and wrapping the back of my knuckles on the bedroom door where a fucking Bastard lay comfortably.

Throe: -I lifted my head when there was a solid knock on my door, knowing it wasn’t Zsadist because he wouldn’t have bothered knocking. Sliding off the bed, tossing my book onto the blanket as I walked slowly towards the door, I hesitated before pulling it open, unsure of who would be on the other side. Looking around quickly to make sure I hadn’t made a mess of the space I was lucky enough to have been given, I straightened my back and twisted the door knob, slowly opening it as I saw who was standing on the other side. I knew right away from the tattoos that lined the side of his face and his bright teal eyes that this was the Brother Vishous, having heard of him so many times during my stay at the Bloodletters camp. Having him standing right in front of me sent my memories of that place flashing to the forefront of my mind, and while I had never met this male, I was aware that he, in some ways, had a past like mine. I pulled the door open all the way, nodding once and smiling as I looked at him hesitantly- Hello, Vishous.

Vishous: A single black brow rose when the male before me greeted me by my name. We all knew of the Bastards, hell how could I not when the leader was supposed another offspring of the illustrious Bloodletter. I always did believe Xcor had daddy issues but fuck, to take them to the extent he’s taken them to in the past and the present was more than a simple ‘I was fucked over by my dick head of a father’ situation. I barely nodded and dove right into my reason for being here. “It’s my place to shove a GPS up your ass and make sure that we know what alley ways you piss in and what dumpsters you fuck behind.” The corner of my lips quirked up and I crossed my arms over my broad chest. “Don’t worry, I’ve done this a fuck load of times, you’ll only hurt for a minute or two.”

Throe: -Raising both brows in surprise at the directness of Vishous as he greeted me, then narrowing my gaze when he mentions the GPS chip. I knew much more about technology than I’d ever let on to Xcor, so I was aware that this brother wanted to be able to find me anytime, anywhere. The bastard in me wanted to protest, considering I’d spent the last centuries doing as I pleased, roaming the earth with the others, keeping out of the limelight. Now I was being forced to always be under surveillance, and as much as that didn’t settle right in my stomach, I said I would do anything to earn trust, and I intended on keeping that promise. Opening the door wider and motioning for him to enter, I nodded once, watching him as he moved inside-

Vishous: I stepped through the doorway in full gear as if I was getting ready to hit the street, of course that wasn’t a big surprise. I mean come the fuck on, I was entering a room that a supposed ex bastard was occupying, no way in hell was I entering it without my blades. I walked over to stand by the small desk in the corner of the room, my back to the wall and I started removing a few objects from my jacket pocket and laid it all out on the wooden desk. My diamond eyes took in the male in front of me, For all intents he looked like any of the Brothers under this roof. He had the build, height and obvious skills for fighting to last this long with Xcor. I kicked the chair out and nodded at it. “Take a seat and lets have some fun.”

Throe: -Standing still with the door knob still in my hand, I watch the brother as he made his way into my room. He was dressed like he was ready to go out hunting, assuming that after he did whatever he was had planned to do with me, that that was where he was headed. He motioned to the chair after pulling several things from his leather coat, setting them down on the table and looking at me expectantly. Moving to slowly approach him, I sat down in the chair, looking up at him as I pulled my sweatshirt over my head. Tossing it to the floor beside me, I watched Vishous closely, trying to see in him what I had heard all these years. As much as I tried to dim the memory of the Bloodletter from my mind, I found myself conjuring him up in my mind, comparing his features to the vampire standing in front of me- A GPS chip?  I’ve heard of one but never seen them used. -Looking down at the table, watching Vishous as he unpacked the items from a bag, I was interested. Not because I was trying to fight it, but because the technology here astounded me-

Vishous: A black tatted brow arched almost to my hairline. The currents that were firing in the males head were strong as fuck and impossible to ignore. I said fuck it and let my head semi clear, I caught a series of flashes that finally settled down to reveal the Bloodletter image taking up front and center in the Bastards head. “Having fond thoughts of the camp, Bastard.” It wasn’t really a question, more of a statement to let the guy know that not much of himself was able to be hidden from us in more ways than just the chip that would soon become a part of him. A wicked grin creased my lips when Throe seemed curious about the barely rice size device. “I use many things, this is just a drop in the basket of all my toys.” Shrugging, I set about taking the Bastards arm and rubbing a pre-packaged alcohol pad on his upper arm. I was already loading the small black injector and holding it to the Bastard’s arm as I was talking. “Just chill and don’t flinch.” In a blink all there was, was a small click and even smaller sting as the undetected device was shot into the upper arm. With one more swipe of a new alcohol pad I traded out one tool for another and watched the small screen until the red dot lit up on it and it beeped to acknowledge the transmission. “That’s one thing down, now, you’ll have a cell phone, in it you will find everything you will need contact wise.” I let the guys arm go and repacked the small bag and took the phone out of my pocket and handed it to Throe. “Each Brother is in here, along with the Manse’e line, Havere’s and his clinic along with our own personal Doc’s number. Later after Wrath gives the go ahead, I’ll load up the full kit and caboodle but right now you have what you need. I did add in one safe place location that you can use in a sitch, protect this fucker, or I will do more than just inject a chip in you and I won’t be as gentle.” I ended that on a grunt and took a step back to lean against the wall, my diamond eyes once again taking in the male. “Curiously, How much of a death wish did you have when you delivered yourself into the pits of hell?”

Throe: -Tilting my head curiously as Vishous zeroed right into what I had been thinking about, studying him as he held my hand flat against the table. Before I even had a chance to question him, the chip was inserted into my skin, lifting my arm to run my finger over the spot that held the device. If I hadn’t of watched him put it into my skin, I would have never known it was there. Lifting my head to look back at the brother, I lifted a brow when he handed me a cell phone. At first I thought he was returning the one they had taken from me when I had arrived, but this one was far newer and more advanced. I ran my thumb over the glass screen as he rattled of the details of who I would be able to contact, excitement stirring inside me. If I was being given a phone it meant it was alright for me to leave, with a brother, of course, and more importantly, it was alright for me to come back. I slipped it into the pocket of my jeans as I rested my back against the chair, absentmindedly rubbing the spot where the chip now lay inside me- I’ll guard it with my life. It’s the most expensive thing I’ve owned in ages. -Chuckles, laughing at my circumstance as Vishous relaxed, his back propped up against the wall, shrugging when he questioned me- No death wish, really. It was just my time to leave Xcor, and the opportunity presented itself. I knew there was a strong chance of getting my ass killed when I came, but it was alright with me. In a lot of ways, I considered my life to be…done.

Vishous: Most times I stayed back and observed while the other Brothers clamored on or did their thing, whether it be in the Billiard room where we’d all gather to shoot the shit or the theater room on the nights you could carouse us all together and get us to actually agree on something to watch. No matter where it was or the sitch, I’d stand back and watch those around me, here with Throe, it was just the two of us with no buffers so I observed the male blatantly with no qualms as to what I was doing. Right now it seemed he was running the gambit on all kinds of all kinds of realms. There was definite and easy to recognize excitement when the male checked the phone out and that had me curious in itself and then there was that underlying uncertainty which seemed more what I would expect of the Bastard in his present location. On my end the only thing I showed was a cocked brow and a light hint of canines at the mention of Xcor. I didn’t try to keep the venom from my tone when I spoke after Throe’s spill. “I was under the understanding that it was a rare occasion that anyone ‘Left’ Xcor…at least still breathing that is.”  The wheels in my head started spinning at warp speed but as always I brought it under control and kept the next words out of my mouth from coming out with all the full onslaught of in depth details that I was already listing in my nonstop brain. “Word on the street is you have been received by our King, which means you have pledged yourself to him and only him. Let’s see how much truth there is to that vow. After you have been here for a length of time and we as a whole under this roof and especially Wrath, feels that your word is truth, will you be able to stand with us and take out your past leader?”

Throe: -I couldn’t help but chuckle when Vishous said that no one ever left Xcor, and he was absolutely right on that assumption. A few had tried, over the years, and whether it be him, myself or both of us, they always paid the price for their betrayal. This situation was different, however, and as the brother stood and blatantly observed me, I had no qualms at all about spilling every bit of the situation that brought me here-  He assumed I would die, and he could have fucking cared less. -Sucking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, my mind went back to the night where he let me go, returning Kisa to her male- I was by his side through century after century and it only took one day for him to decide that he cared nothing about myself or my life. I’m not saying that I thought he had any affliction towards me, but after all we had been through, he had no issue with sending me here. He had me feed his daughter, who we were both aware had the scent of another male on her skin. There were others he could have chosen to do such a thing, but it was me that he called on, not caring whether or not it put me at risk. -Growling under my breath as I forced myself to not fall subject to my anger, my eyes combed the room that I now called my own, taking in every piece of furniture and every article of clothing that hung in the closet, taking several deep breaths before I continued- The bottom line is that I wanted to leave the bastards because I did not agree with how things had changed and he did everything in his power at the time to set me up for the Fade. I’m sure he would be shocked to know that I am still alive. I resent the fuck out of him for everything that he has done, and yes, when the time comes I will without a doubt wish to be the one to put a dagger through his chest. I imagine I won’t be first in line for that, however.

Vishous: It was easy enough to tell that the males mind was spinning again, just this time I didn’t delve. There were times by an expression or a certain look in ones eyes that drew me in to take a walk through their head. What I seen there now was not one of those times. I waited until he finished reminiscing in his own mind and chose to speak. It didn’t take long and when the ex bastard spoke it was easy enough to hear the hatred mingled with pain lacing all that he said. “I’m sure the time for you to prove your words will come to pass and then I will see the validity in them. True.” An easy twisted grin curled the corners of my mouth up and I shrugged. “If I am present when the moment does come, I will be sure that you are holding the blade that ends his treasonous ways. I believe in proving ones words and that will hit home with doing just that for you and the words you have spoken.” I pushed off the wall and stepped away until I was standing in the center of the bedroom. ” I won’t say that it surprises me that you are here, it seems as of late the Manse is busting at the fucking seams with a bunch of rejects, why not add a bastard into the mix.” A dry chuckle filled the room and I eyed Throe once more. “I will say this, instead of setting you up with a tracking device in your arm, I would have been more in tune with finishing you off myself with my own blade through your chest. As it is, I am under orders by my Brother, our King to not harm you, for whatever reasons The Queen has taken a liking to you and as you know a mated male will roll over and die than to go against our mates. So in that regard you at the present moment are granted a reprieve. You just be sure to pay attention to the obvious and not so obvious key words spoken to you. Because all can change from one second to another and when it does swing in my daggers favor, I will be here for it. We understand each other?”

Throe: -Nodding quickly as Vishous spoke, I had to respect the fact that he would rather have killed me than welcomed me into his home. It was obvious that he was more than dedicated to his King and brothers, and I respected that more than he knew. Perhaps one day I would feel the bond that he felt, and defended, with the same group of vampires. I couldn’t help but hope that one day I would be within their circle, defended by them all, respected by them all, and loved by them all. Until that day, I would take what I could get.- We absolutely understand each other. I will do whatever is asked of me until the day where you all see where my loyalty resides. -Watching Vishous as he picked up his things and made his way towards the door, I nodded once when he said goodbye, the door opening and closing, leaving me alone again in my room.- 

The Call

Crimhson: {The night I’d fed from Rhemington had been an agonizing, heart-wrenching, lust-filled blur. I’d been seconds from ripping his clothes off, and falling into bed with him, when I’d had my moment of clarity. I’d pulled back, bursting into tears as my conflicting emotions had overwhelmed me. All I could picture was my mahmen’s ever disapproving gaze, as she shook her head in disgust as she had so many times before at my less than appropriate behavior. With those thoughts swirling in my mind I’d asked Rhemington to leave. To say he wasn’t happy was the understatement of the century. Even as he wore a mask of lust and anger on his gorgeous face, he’d left me the black business card I now held between my fingertips. So here I sat at my kitchen counter, trying and failing not to think of what had happened with Rhemington right there as I tapped the card against the granite. The contact number for The Brotherhood was the only thing embossed on one side. I vaguely recalled Rhem mentioning that the house my mahmen and his uncle had lived in was secured by the Brothers after the attacks. If I wanted to get in and see what was left of her, I’d have to go through them, but Scribe I hated those fuckers. They’d failed to protect my papa five years ago, just as they’d failed to protect my mahmen. And now…I had no choice but to turn to them if I had any hope of finding closure instead of falling into the dark depression, I felt pressing in at the corners of my mind. Before I could run through the pros and cons for the umpteenth times, I slid my thumb across my phone and tapped out the numbers.}

V: For a change it was a laid back night, I wasn’t on patrol and so I planted myself behind my wall of monitors and started going through the feed. I had a second station set up in the Manse and had trained a small number of Doggens on the equipment, no way I could keep my ass glued in this chair so bringing others in to do it was imperative. I sit back and let my fingers walk over the keys while I listened to the messages left on the Brotherhood’s main line. Most of the ones left were common, request to be seen by the King, squabbles about things within the Glymera, basically bullshit. I cleared the line and hung up just as the fucker rang again, for a minute I thought about letting it go to voicemail but what the fuck, I went ahead and answered it.
“Speak.”

Crimhson: {Dragging a fang over my bottom lip, my heart rate speeding up from nervousness with each ring, my eyes widen when I hear the terse answer on the other end of the line. Clearing my throat, I steel my spine trying not to sound like a moron} Hi, uh, my name is Crimhson, my mahmen was… {Sucking in a shaky breath to get through this as grief and anger threaten to derail my train of thought} killed in the lesser attacks. I need to get into her residence that has been secured by your brotherhood. How do I go about that? {My eyes close as I concentrate on keeping my mind blank, my breathing calm}

V: I waited while I heard breathing on the other end of the line and I was already planning on hanging up if the breaths turned into panting or moaning. Finally a rush of words spilled out and when the attacks were mentioned I already knew what this was about but I waited and let the female continue on. She seemed to be having a hard time with the words which were expected with the subject at hand. “Give me your full name and that of your Mahmen along with contact info, a brother will touch base with you and set up a night to escort you to the residence.” I kicked back in my chair and grabbed one of the many notebooks on my desk and a pin.

Crimhson: {Listening to the deep no nonsense voice at the other end, I nod even though I can’t be seen as he pretty much orders me to relay information} My name is Crimhson, daughter of Preston and Dierdrah, but… {sighing as I rub a hand over my forehead} it’s complicated. My mahmen lived with Dalton..um, I’m sorry, I never paid attention to his lineage, but his nephew is Rhemington. {Grimaces behind the phone feeling and most likely sounding like an idiot at the mishmash of information I’ve given} Is that enough? I mean, I know where the house is….

V: I scribbled down the info as it came slowly and choppy from the female on the other end of the line. I knew the names, not in depth but with the research I had done on the family after the attacks had taken place I recalled them easy enough. I dropped the pen and listened to the heavy sighing and uncertainty coming from the one named Crimhson. When the last came out I was already sending a txt to Z to see about him handling this issue. “No, that is all we will need, I know the place and the lineage. A brother will contact you and in the mean time, no going to the residence until we do escort you there. Understand me on that one?”

Crimhson: I understand. {Speaking as I nod again behind the line. As anxious as I was to get to the house, I had no intention of going alone. I had no idea what I would find, but I felt it to the core of my being that this was what needed to be done. I needed some semblance of closure. Then I would be able to compartmentalize the anguish and concentrate on the anger I felt building like a slow burn in my soul. If the lessers responsible for this were still out there…I’d find them and end them.} Th-thank you for your help in this matter. I look forward to hearing from someone…soon I hope. {The last was said with a hopeful yet determined ring to it. Contact with the Brotherhood was the last thing I wanted, but if I had to use them as a means to an end, so be it.}

V: My brows drew down with each broken part that came through the other end of the phone. I heard more than uncertainty, there was a definite undertone in the females voice. It wasn’t until that last part that came out that I picked up on what it was. She didn’t seem in any way to want to be on the other end of this call and it wasn’t just about what she was calling into the Brotherhood about. Not a big fucking surprise there, and it mattered little to me either way. “You will, and soon. just sit tight and as I said you will be contacted and then taken to the location. Until then sit tight and stay alive, later.” I switched the phone off and shot Z another txt, “Just to be warned, the females is respectful enough, but I doubt she has much love for us males, have fun with that sitch Brother.” I couldn’t help but chuckle as I sent that one to the unsociable male.

Crimhson: {Scowling as the call drops of, I set my phone down with a little more force than necessary. I let out a heavy breath mumbling to myself} Well I guess that’s that. {Rolling my head around on my neck to relieve the tension and begin to mentally prepare for what would come next. Returning to the house I hated and never even lived in. It represented everything I hated about the Glymera and my mahmen’s decisions after papa had been slain. She’d gone to Dalton and I’d gone away….Suddenly, I didn’t know if I wanted the next call to be tonight, or to be put off for an eternity. But we don’t always get a choice of what we have to or want to do. This visit was necessary, for so many reasons.}

The Prodigal Son

Butch
-I was beginning to hate the daylight hours. Just the fact that I had to stay indoors during them really chapped my ass. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’d been working a case and gone straight through days and nights on maybe two hours of sleep. Now I was stuck inside for a large portion of my frickin life. It was maddening when I had shit to do and I was use to being able to do it whenever the fuck I wanted to. The price for living longer I suppose. Whatever. Hated it. Only so many times you could hit the gym or watch the game for the millionth time. I knew why V stuck his head behind those computers all the damn. I sure as fuck didn’t blame him. I was just more hands on when it came to tracking things down. It equalled being shit outta luck during the daytime so I should probably just get over my damn self. Ah but bitching was in my nature. I grumbled through all of the typical things I would do every morning: shit, shower and shave. I even wasted a good portion of my time picking out a suit. I might be irritated but I could at least look nice doing it. I didn’t plan on spending my entire evening patrolling, there was stuff that I needed to look into that weren’t exactly leathers wearing type stuff. I was never a huge fan of the leathers. They looked tight as shit on my mate but give me a well tailored suit any day of the week. I wandered through the underground hallways until I found my way up into the mansion. I didn’t exactly have a goal in mind but as soon as I saw the pool table I knew what I was going to do to let my mind just mellow. I set up a rack and walked over to the assorted cues that were lined up on the wall. My fingers ran over them all until I found ‘mine’. Anyone touching my pool cue risked broken fingers, I was very particular about it. Before I took my first shot I walked over and poured myself a Lag. I took a sip and set the glass on the edge of the table and broke. Another sip, line up the next shot and tap it in. Over and over again until my mind was numb with it.-

Murhder
[I was going stir crazy being stuck in a house with Z all the time. I was supposed to be avoiding him at all costs. Kind of hard to do when you not only work together but live together too. And ever since the Fade ceremony rotations had been put into overdrive. I didn’t mind it one bit. It helped me get my mind off…um a certain brother and all the confusing shit. I hated dwelling on it too long. I’d been working out a ton on top of rotations, if I wasn’t on rotation I usually found any Brother but Z to kill time with and dick around. Today was one of those days. I had already worked out, took a shower, shopped online, now I was bored and antsy again. I headed down the stairs and into the game room. I stopped when I saw someone in there I hadn’t yet met. He was big like a Brother but idk then I smelled it. He reeked of Vishous. So this was V’s mate. Bout time we finally got a proper introduction. Grinning wide as I stride inside.] Hello.

Butch: -I was racking up my next round when I heard someone come into the room. I’d assumed it would be Rhage trying to take a wack at losing again but when I looked up I didn’t recognize the dude at all. I fixed the triangle just so and lifted it from the table.- So who are you then? -I twirled the triangle around my finger and then hung it up on the wall.- Wait, no, lemme guess. I love this part. -I made a show of thinking about it a minute as I leaned back and took another swig of my Lag. What was plainly obvious was that he was more than welcome in the mansion. No alarms or bells and whistles were going off throughout the place. V hadn’t warned me about some kinda bad guy wandering the halls. And this guy was too old to be a trainee. He could easily be a relative, like a son or cousin, but I wasn’t betting on it. Couldn’t say why, just wasn’t betting on it. He carried himself like a warrior. Not a bastard or he would be down there with Throe. We hadn’t inducted anyone recently so whatever he was came before my time. There were a lot of things that I didn’t know about stuff before my time and I could probably spend lifetimes pouring over it all but I’d much rather learn as I go.- Long lost Brother. -I announced it with confidence and turned back to rub chalk on my cue. I still didn’t know his name but I felt good in pinning that much down at least.-

Mur: [Grins like a mother fucker when Vishous mate pins me down so quickly. Shouldn’t be surprised he was smart and quick, you had to be when it came to V. Plus V was a picky mother fucker. So it spoke volumes about this male before me.] Bingo. I am the prodigal son returned [spreads my arms wide] feel free to worship at your own will. [Laughs, grinning watching the male work his pole so to speak. Scribe I made my own self laugh.] So you know obviously know I’m the sexiest Brother since you’ve seen with me now with your own eyes. But what you don’t know is almost the funnest. I’m Murhder by the way. Please call me Mur. [Holds out my hand.] And you’ve got to be Vishous’s mate, true?

Butch: -I nodded to myself when I heard my conclusion confirmed. I leaned over the table, lined up my break and took the shot with a loud crack.- You know that the prodigal son left the home because he was a giant fuck up right? -I straightened back up and took another sip of my drink. My brow arched at the amount of attitude coming from this guy that was just meeting me.- Everyone knows that Hollywood is the sexiest and he also thinks he’s the funnest so don’t go preaching that shit to him. -My attention returned to the pool table and took a few more shots.- Why the heck would I want to call you Mur? That’s like a sound, a grunt, or maybe what someone says when they have a mouthful of food. Be like calling V, Vish. Or Z, Zsad. Since we are sticking with the letters here I’ll call ya M. -I grinned and took the offered hand, squeezing it properly and giving a firm shake. The art of the handshake, few people paid it much attention but it could tell you a lot about the person.- Dhestroyer… -My smile flashed a hint of fang.- But most call me Butch, or Cop, hardass, smartass, or any other version of words with an ass in it somewhere.

Mur: [Quirking a brow as I shook the Cops hand firmly.] Really? Is that what they say? I’m not really worried about Hollywood and his dreams of being the sexiest. I can handle him in the sexiest Brother alive contest hands down. [Grins.] So….Butch is it? How did you and V meet? I haven’t had the chance to have a good sit down with V yet. Shits been crazy ever since I got back. [nods towards the pool table] This where you spend your days waiting for V to wake his precious ass up? [Chuckles.]

Butch: I didn’t realize that title of ‘sexiest’ Brother was a contest but I’m biased. I think all o’ you sonsobitches are ugly ass mutherfuckers compared to my Hellren. -I laughed and gave up on pretended to shoot pool, leaning against the table with my Lag in hand.- I met all of the Brotherhood at once when I killed a forelesser outside of Darius’s house. Right out there on the lawn in broad daylight. -Thinking back on it now made me laugh and shake my head.- Talk about a rude awakening. That was straight fucked. -I replaced the pool cue on the wall and walked over to the minibar to refill my glass.- Can I getcha anything? -Motioning to the assorted bottles around me before pulling a smoke out and lighting it up.- If I wanted at V’s precious ass, as you so eloquently put it, I would just take it. He happens to be every bit as busy as the rest of us have been lately, I only came up here to clear my head. I would say that it’s rare to see me anywhere outside of the Pit. It’s more my home than the house I grew up in.

Mur: [Nods listening to the Cop talk, going still when he mentions Darius.] You killed a forelesser when you were human outside of Darius’s house? [Shakes my head at the offer for a drink.] Nah, thanks man. I’m trying to be good but I doubt I can still keep that up with not smoking. [Nods to the smoke you have in your hand.] What kind you got? Where did you used to work as a cop and for how long? [I leaned back against the pool table content to learn about V’s mate. Thinking of V I can’t help but grin.] Boy do I have stories about V, any type of story you can think of. We’ve done it. Ever want a story about your Hellren come to me.

Butch: -I had to stop and just kinda take in all that the guy was throwing at me. My hand was on the top of the bottle of Lag and I was getting ready to put it back after pouring a drink for myself and I just stopped to listen him.- You are just full of it aren’t ya? Big ole ball of energy. -I laughed and slid the bottle back into its spot. Wasn’t even sure where to start first so I pulled out my pack of Marbs, held it up to show him and just left them sitting on the bar. It was nearly finished off anyway. I flicked ash into a tray laying there and relaxed my elbow on the counter.- I quit smoking back when my lungs gave a shit. Not like I’m getting cancer now though is it? -I took a long drag and just let it float out of my mouth as I considered how much I wanted to do the ‘this is your life thing’. I could understand the level of curiosity though, had my own questions about him that he was filling in nicely just by talking.- Been a cop for long enough to consider retiring. Bounced here and there ended up here cause fate is just that fucked up. Detective O’Neal, Caldwell Homicide at your service. -I made a motion as if I was tipping an invisible hat to Murhder.- It’s how I ended up outside of Darius’s and I was lucky enough to have lil ole Fritz see me. He come running out with knife for me to use and was even kind enough to tell me what was gonna do the lesser in. Otherwise I woulda been six feet under for sure cause that fuck kept coming. Pretty sure I resembled hamburger after that little encounter…. fun times! -I laughed and took a big swig of my drink.- Stories about Vishous… You all make me feel positively youthful. It’s terrific. Here I was starting to get arthritis and shit. I would like to hear your stories, they sound blackmail worthy and that’s always entertaining. But don’t get me wrong, I know my baby like the back of my hand.

Mur: [Nods as I listen to the Cop talk.] That sounds interesting. I bet you’ve seen a lot like us then in that line of work. Definitely not your typical 9-5 job. [Chuckles.] And yeah I know I ask a lot of questions, I can’t help it. I’m a curious sucker. [Grins.] There’s tons of stories about V that would be great blackmail that I’m sure being his Hellren and all nothing I will tell you will shock you. [laughs] Just good fun blackmail stories. Anytime I’m willing to give you stories about my Brothers. Someone’s got to be the one to remind these dudes we got to live to ya know what I mean? You do even when you were a Cop. Our line of work isn’t easy. It’s why we need to never take each day for granted and live it up. [Shrugs.] And I love making my Brothers laugh. [Wicked grin.] But I’ll gladly make you feel youthful anytime Cop. Me and V have blackmail history. He was always my favorite to prank cause V didn’t just take my shit and bitch and moan. V pushes right back and retaliates even bigger. [shakes my head, lost in memories.]

Butch: No, see now there is where you are wrong. I never saw anything like you fuckers. You all go through great lengths to keep it that way though don’t you? -shaking my head- No, the shit I saw was somehow worse. Human aren’t exactly endangered, they don’t give a fuck what they do to each other and it’s typically pretty fuckin deprived. -My eyes took on a haunted expression for a moment as some of the more brutal cases tumbled forward in my memory. I blinked, took one last drag on my smoke and stamped it out.- Catching monsters is what I do. -I watched Murhder as he described Vishous and couldn’t help but smile. He was right, V didn’t take anyone’s shit and he was definitely about the payback. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.- I won’t tell anyone if you don’t mention it again. -Eyes flaring- I’m quite possessive of what is mine. -I rolled the tumbler of Lag between my hands and took a quick sip.- My turn. Why did you leave and what brought you back?

Mur: [I watched the haunted look pop into the Cops eyes and boy did I know that look. I looked at that everyday when I looked in the mirror.] That’s true. We do go to extra lengths to make sure humans don’t find out about us. [I went completely still when Butch mentioned monsters. I watch his eyes flare when he mentions Vishous and possessiveness. Hmm is that what I looked like when…Whoa not going there. V and the Cop were totally different. It was obvious they were meant to be, fate or whatever shit they call it. Me and the yellow eyed giant…I couldn’t even go there. Shaking my head mentally and bringing myself back to the present, brows furrowing. He really didn’t know?] You seriously don’t know? V never told you? [Shakes my head.] V is good at respecting peoples business. Well long story short, I fell in love and bonded with a female who was a Sympath and didn’t tell me. She lied to me. I took it really hard. Really, really hard. I got kicked out of the Brotherhood and that was the last straw. I felt betrayed by everyone I had counted on. Went away on vacation [snorts] finally woke up and realized my Brothers had actually been trying to help me but I pushed them all away. I took a lot of shit for granted but luckily Wrath and the boys have accepted me back. [shrugs] So that’s my Oprah story.

Butch: -I laughed and came out from behind the bar.- I could fill entire vaults full of the shit that V doesn’t say. -I walked across the room until I came to the couch where I sat down. I jumped right back up off the couch as soon as I heard the word symphath.- Shut the fuck up! A frickin symphath?!! Shiiiiiiiiit!… Dude, okay I’m feelin ya now. -My eyes went wide at the thought. Falling in love with a symphath… Though I did have to admit my recent experience with Rehv had turned out better than I thought it would that didn’t mean I was about to snuggle up to the guy.- They took you back huh? Isn’t that just sweet? -laughing- Good to know that you can fuck up and still have some kinda chance. Though your story is missing the tears and hugging at the end for an Oprah story I think. -holding up a hand- Before you ask, no, I don’t do hugs.

Mur: [Barks out a laugh.] I don’t know. I just forgot to appreciate what I had and when my Brothers reached out with a helping hand I pushed them all away. And I just left. [Shrugs.] So I guess you could call it fucking up. I am lucky Wrath and my Brothers have taken me back in. [Grins.] If this was Oprah I don’t want no hugs especially from a Red Sox fan I’d want new car parts. She gives away cars now haven’t you heard? [hops on top of the pool table sitting down]

Butch: -Being bonded myself, I knew what it was like to be apart from Vishous. The time that I spent away from him when I was at Darius’s by myself were near madness, and it had put V through his own little hell as well. I couldn’t help but wonder how this Brother had managed it. I wouldn’t want to do it, I didn’t even want to think about it.- You seem no worse for the wear now. But I know how much of that can be complete bullshit hidden in quippy little jokes. -I turned toward the door and took a step in that direction.- I can’t say that I know much about Oprah aside from how much she’s wiggled her way into the homes of millions. -I glanced back over my shoulder at Murhder and his obvious attempt to rile me.- In case you couldn’t tell, Vishous went all the way to Boston to find a mate that bleeds the Sox. Mock them at your own peril. They were the ones that came out on top. -I slid out the door with a wink backward, calling out over my shoulder.- Nice to meet you Murhder.