LEGENDS

Chapter One

It was the eve before the tri-century court and the festivities of the Great City were under way. The night air was filled with a collection of delicious scents and warm laughter. Druce stood on the bow of the boat as it was being docked. He loved this place, The Great City. It was like traveling back in time to the era of knights and kings, but his eyes were solely focused on the huge castle in the center of the island. If indeed that is what this place is, an island. The castle was very grand, standing in a semi-circle of five watch towers and surrounded by a dense forest. It was said that the first legend spent thousands of years carving the castle out of the mountain that used to stand there. No one could dispute the story, for upon close inspection of the castle, there were no seams in the rock. The only person who could truthfully confirm or deny if it was true would be the next in the sacred line of legends. Ardra. He would have to ask her, someday. That is if he could ever get her alone and if he did what then? She was out of his league. Always so cool, she would toss him aside like an old paper that had lost its usefulness. Druce hung his head low and tried to regain his composure. This is not the time for romance, even imagined, it was important that he speak to her alone. His people were revolting and his loyal numbers were decreasing. Ardra must know.
Druce made his way through the village. The houses were more modern and so were the clothes, but it was peasant life. They still cultivated the land and had their own professions. Most of the people he didn’t know anymore. Their life was simple, the legends made sure of that. Those who made the choice to stay always had food and clothing and never had to worry about money. It was utopia in every sense.
He had made his way through over half of the village and was deep in thought. Suddenly, a little girl in jeans and a pink sweater ran straight into him and flopped on her butt. Smiling, Druce reached out his large hand to the girl. She was no more than five and had silvery, golden hair with eyes as green as any emerald dare hoped for. The girl looked uncertain of what she should do and made no attempt to reach for his hand. It hurt his heart. She knew he was one of the undead and though vampires were welcome in this land, the children never understood blood as nourishment. She was afraid of him. He slowly retracted his hand and stormed off. It was no use pretending, he was a monster. Every child should be afraid and why not? He was certainly afraid, afraid of his own powers and afraid of his blood lust. This was the end of his race. Druce would fight to help Ardra defeat those of his kind who denied the pact. After that he would offer his life to her and die by her hand. Centuries of being alone were too much for the bitter taste it left in his mouth. If the vampires were to carry on, it was time for a new king, a new pact.


Waiting for her bath to heat, Ardra couldn’t control the music spilling from the strings into the night air. Her heart wept through her hands and into the strings of her favorite harp. Tears were for the brave. Though all would deny, she knew the truth. Ardra, Lady of the Legends, was a coward. She had killed more in her days then she could remember, but anyone could kill. That was not bravery.
She walked through her dark room to the bath that should be heated by now. Ronan hadn’t let off of her today at all. Maybe the people did want to see her married, but what of it? Ardra loved no one and the many who swore their dying love for her were mistaken. All she had to do was open their minds eye to hers and she knew, even before they did. So much time on this earth and no one really loved her. Her eyes went to the mirror and lingered for a moment. There was no denying why men fell at her feet. She knew she was beautiful, her snowy hair fell thick past her calves and her eyes were large and smoldering. Her body was curvy with a feminine muscularity that added to her haunting allure.
Ronan had offered her his hand in marriage. He knew she would refuse, just as she always had. Theirs was no more than friendship and it never would go any further. He just should have left it at that! It wasn’t her fault that he had made preparations for their wedding to take place at the tri-century court. What was he thinking? Ronan made a fool out of himself; he made a fool out of her.
Ardra had been so upset when he told her his plans that she had cursed in as many languages as she could think of. He had the audacity to tell her that this was going to be the way it was and she could just get used to it. Shame was still red on her cheeks. She had known better, but couldn’t let it go. Rage surged through her veins and she stabbed him straight through his heart and left him in the court room with blood spilling all around him. Leaving him there to reanimate himself was cowardly.
“I should have seen to his melding!” She should have, but she couldn’t have faced loosing a good friend. It might have been a mortal wound, but Ronan was not mortal. She hoped it would piss him off just as she had been. The gall of that man. If she was to be with a man, it wouldn’t be some one as domineering as he was. It had taken her a few hundred years before her people gave her any respect. She was the first female in the sacred line to become Lord, well, Lady as it was. If she married Ronan, she would be passing the throne along with her freedom. He would keep her locked away from her people and from their problems, as he always tries to do now. It was the time he came from and he thought it was improper for her to mingle with commoners. Ardra could never fall in love with such a man.
The hot bath did nothing to calm her nerves or to soothe her body. Her body was electric and feeding her senses messages that she didn’t understand. Ardra laid her head back on the stone tub and tried to call to her brother. Devyn, the eve of the court is upon us. I would much like to speak to you…
There was silence and she waited with a patience that had been honed for over a thousand years. Her heart started to race. Devyn always answered her and it had been nearly an hour. Ardra was growing restless and as she was about to call to him again she heard him answer her. His voice was barely a whisper, but strong and menacing. Do not call to me again. I will speak with you at the court as I said I would. You cannot distract me again, little sister.
The breath slowly left Ardra’s lungs when she realized she had been holding it. What was becoming of her world? It was stupid to call to him when he was gathering information, but her senses were on overload and she had no knowledge of elfish ways. She would have it out with him for being so abrupt when he shows up tomorrow. The corner of her treacherous mouth was trying to smile in spite of herself. Devyn always treated her like everyone else. Elf or not, she loved him for that. Ardra finished washing off and was preparing to get out of her bath. She was starting to boil herself.
There was a knock on the door. She knew it was Ronan, that blasted man. Even his knock sounded chauvinistic.
“I thought I told you, that I did not want to hear your voice again, until court. And even then it had better only be saying ‘Yes, my Lady.’” Her body was red with anger. She had an idea to march up to the door naked and open it long enough to give him a beating. The lady in her would not allow, but the warrior in her was screaming for her to rise up to the occasion. There was a brief moment of silence as he was, no doubt, weighing his options.
“I’m sorry my Lady, but Druce has arrived early and is demanding to see you. I told him you were not to be bothered until tomorrow night, but he is insistent that it is of great urgency that he speaks with you. He is even brazen enough to ask that it be alone. What do you wish me to do?”
“I will speak to him immediately. And I will honor his request for privacy.”
“My lady, I do not advise a session alone with him. He is the King of the Undead and I don’t trust him. You cannot be allowed endanger yourself by being alone with one such as he.” Ardra’s blood roared with contempt. She thought for a moment and sat herself back down in the heat of the water. If Ronan was going to be an ass, so could she.
“Send him into my chamber alone! That is my wish and you must obey it. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my Lady, but I feel it is in your best interests to….”
“My word is law, Ronan, do not forget that. Send Druce to me at once, alone, and it will be your duty to see to his needs while he is here for court. Do I make myself quite clear or do I need to assert myself more, Ronan? I am quite capable of taking care of myself.” This was actually quite fun. Ardra didn’t understand why, but she felt quite giddy. She was going to sit in the water naked with another man coming into her room and drive Ronan insane. And the thought of it was ever so delightful, wickedly delightful.
The fire under the stone bath was subsiding and the water was getting cooler when the door to her chamber opened.
“My Lady, I am so sorry for the interruption. Had I known that you were otherwise occupied, I would have waited until you at least finished your bath. It was rude of me. I thought that your aid was just denying me entrance and was agitated.”
“He is not my aid, Druce, and don’t worry about bothering me. I assume what you have to say is important and that you weren’t just trying to see me naked in the bath?” Druce was suddenly aware he was staring at her and blushed as he averted his gaze. It took him a few minutes to gather his wits together again. Ardra took his sanity away. She even seemed to know he needed to regain his composure, for she sat quietly in the candle light with the moon spilling over the bath and stared at him. She was hauntingly beautiful.
Ardra was silently cursing herself. This might be fun to do to Ronan because she was so mad at him, but it was unfair to Druce. The sensual energy in the room was overwhelming and she quietly waited for him to gather himself. He had been staring at her as if she were a priceless doll that couldn’t be touched less it should shatter into a thousand pieces. It truly had touched her. No one thought of her as breakable. No one. The whim was too compelling and she just couldn’t stop herself, she was lonely.
“Would you mind stoking the fire? The water is getting cold.” Her heart slammed in her chest as Druce froze at her request. She felt his indecision, he didn’t want to make a fool of himself, but he couldn’t make himself leave either. Ardra feigned a shiver, manipulating him into doing as she wanted.
His mind was racing and his cold heart felt as if it were choked. He couldn’t just stand there like an idiot. Druce assured himself that she was just used to being pampered. This was nothing to her, he was just there to be heard and used. His gut clenched and convulsed at his thought. He was nothing to her. Lifting his head to overlook her glistening body, he walked over with every confidence of a king and stoked the fire. As he leaned on the tub the scent of herbs and spices filled his senses once more. His body ached for hers and yet he could never have her.
She was staring at him with somewhat of an amused smile crooked on the corner of her mouth. He was making an ass out of himself. Druce was a king and was not going to be treated like her maid servant. He sat on the side of the bath and stared back into her deep royal eyes.
“I do hope I don’t amuse you. I’m sorry that I intruded, but I had to speak with you as soon as possible.” Standing, he sighed and started pacing around the tub. “As you are well aware, some of my people have been against the pact from the beginning. I have tried to keep them in line and under lock and key. There are traitors in my ranks. I was afraid they might try to do away with me and draw out of the pact in that manner. The problem is that they don’t see me as any real threat compared to you.” Druce stopped right in front of her and capturing her eyes with his, compelling her to deny it. He wanted to make her squirm, but she held fast and met him gaze for gaze. That made him want her all the more. Nowhere had he met any woman who was as ballsy as this one was. They dubbed her the Ardra the cold, but he knew better standing in here with her. She was probably the fiercest of any man or woman on this planet and probably several others. But he did not miss the compassion he saw there in her eyes. Eyes that resembled dark amethysts, beautiful.
“There had been rumors of a rebellion underway for quite sometime, but one of my counsel assured me that it was nothing. Just the bickering of those who think they’re now oppressed, he said to me. I believed him then and should not have. It is my fault and I will accept whatever punishment you wish to bestow upon me, but I must warn you. I still have some loyal subjects. They are afraid though, and those who aren’t are very few in number. My Second recently heard rumors that some of my counsel members are among the rebels.”
Druce sat on the window sill and looked out at the haze of the night sky. He could not look at her and have her see the tears there. Ardra could feel his betrayal. It made her heart heavy for him; she had never seen someone with such loyalty since she met him in battle. He truly would have died for his people if Ardra had not offered a pact. Druce was different from any of the blood-suckers she had hunted down. Not many held a place in her heart, but his fierce loyalty and selflessness affected her. Grabbing the towel, she stood and climbed out of the bath. There was no attempt to hide herself, she simply dried off and put on her robe before walking over to him. His sorrow was beating at her soul and she couldn’t control the urge to gather him into her arms. Here was the King of the Undead, sitting in her quarters so menacing and powerful. And yet, he cried in front of her and made no attempt to hide his emotions from her. In that one moment something changed in Ardra. She could do no more than cradle him to her breast and stare at his tears. His hair was long, straight, and pulled back in a leather thong at the nape of his neck. The moon spilled light over him making his hair shine silver in the night, like it was too black to be seen. Muscles were visible through his gray suit and the vest made him look like some kind of high dollar lawyer. He was more than handsome and Ardra found she was taken by him. Why had she never noticed he was gorgeous before? She had been infatuated by him when they had met in battle, many years ago. But she had chalked it up to admiration for his skills in battle. He had held his own with her, when no one had done so since the early days after the change took her. But now with him so close, skin touching skin, her body felt as if it were on fire. She had been married as a mortal and knew husband and wife intimacies, but this was something more gripping than lust. Her body ached, hungered, craved his.
Realizing himself, Druce pulled away and stood, furious with himself. What a great King, crying like a baby, his head crushed against the unquestioned queen of all immortals. But she had cradled him. She had come to him and he felt peace at her bosom. Silence. There were no noises as they stared at one another for what seemed an eternity. Neither of them willing to break the silence as they were lost within their own minds. Ardra was taken with this man standing before her and she didn’t want to belittle her part in this awkward moment. After all she was only half clothed in a flimsy sheer robe and had cradled his head to her breasts. Her cheeks were flush for no reason at all, just having him this close to her did something to make her blood thicken.
And just like that, her good sense came back to her. Ardra pulled her robe tighter around her and stood, looking very regal. It was her place to set boundaries in this situation. She needed time to think about what he told her and she desperately needed to be away from this man. She couldn’t think let alone talk any more. This had already gotten out of hand.
“Do you know who the rebels in your counsel are?” She watched as the question relaxed him. He was just as uncomfortable as she was now.
“I have my suspicions, but they have learned to put up barriers in their mind so that I cannot read them. However, I do know where there base is and will be happy to give you the layout of the camp, if you wish?”
His smile was genuine and warm. The tension left the room and was replaced by strictly business on both parts. That made it so much easier on everyone, it seemed. Druce bowed in an elegant old world manner and offered to meet with her in her private office when she had gotten dressed and he would bring her up to speed then.


Ronan, who had been waiting outside Ardra’s chambers, didn’t waste time hurrying the Great King of the Undead to the private office. God, he was furious…furious! They had been in there too long together, just what had Druce needed to speak so desperately with her about? Well, he intended to find out before the Lady made her way to the office. He wasn’t blind and knew something was up when Ardra asked for Druce to be let in…alone, during her bath! And he had noticed that she wasn’t in the bath when Druce left the room either. He would kill that bastard if he had so much as touched her warm naked body. Damn him! Why had he come tonight of all nights? Ronan had already made a fool of himself by making all the wedding preparations without her consent. He knew it was wrong, but he thought that maybe she would just accept it when she knew it had already been put into motion. He had been tragically wrong. To make matters worse, she stabbed him straight through his heart! Damn it! Damn it, he would still have her. This…undead King would not get in the way of his plans for a happily ever after. Damn it!
Blood was rushing through Ronan’s veins like molten lava. Druce was picking up on his anger. The blood never lied. That was it then, he should have known. He was a pawn in her game, what a fitting role for him to play. He’s heard the servants talking about her wedding that had been called off. She was using him to make Druce change his mind no doubt. To punish him for calling off her wedding. It made perfect sense now. Ardra the cold. She certainly was; he was certain he saw compassion in her gaze. Could she fake that? The bigger question was why would anyone call off their wedding to Ardra? She was everything anyone could ever want, ever need. He was beginning to feel sick. His blood lust was too close to the surface and yet he had to beat it back down and keep his calm demeanor. Ronan would want a word with him and Druce still had to do his duty to his Queen, more precisely, Lady. It would do him no good to bite Ronan and bleed him to death as he wished he could for hurting Ardra. It must be hell on her to have some puffed up man call it off the night before. The legends blood was fatal to all vampires. And draining the blood from Ronan wouldn’t kill him, but for a few moments he should think. No one really knew for sure, because no one had ever drank long enough to drain a legend to death. Fighting down a smile, he wondered if it wouldn’t be worth trying…just to make a point. Well, two points for that matter. He couldn’t help it this time, Druce found himself laughing. Ronan flipped around like a striking viper with poison dripping from his eyes. Druce didn’t stop. It was just a little vampire humor to lighten his dreary mood and he didn’t think that Ronan would appreciate the joke. So he abstained from telling him and walked past him into the office.
Ronan shut the door a little too quietly and turned his full gaze on the so-called undead king. He hoped he looked as pissed off as he was and more. The thought of making the blood-sucker squirm was too much to pass up.
“Just who the hell do you think you are?” The question stood the in the air between them. Druce didn’t answer. He didn’t have to because Ronan would no doubt tell him. “That was completely against protocol, your highness.”
The dripping sarcasm was not lost on Druce, but still he didn’t acknowledge anything the man was saying to him. In fact he turned walking right up to the giant wooden desk in the back of the room facing the fire place and sat down in the main chair. It was a challenge. It didn’t matter to him in the least that he was breaking protocol. It had to be done, it was a time of war and this fool knew that. If Ronan wanted to take his guilt-ridden anger out on him that was fine. He didn’t think this man was worthy of Ardra. Why did she love him anyway? He figured she went more for the equal partner type anyway. The bastard just didn’t deserve such an angel. Not that he did either, he decided, reaching into his jacket and dragging out a small ornate box. Ronan went on the defense immediately. He was a little disappointed, Druce thought, when he saw that it was only a cigarette box. Lighting the cigarette, he decided to oblige the runt.
“It was necessary. I don’t usually go around breaking protocol. Unlike some, when I make a commitment I don’t break it.” He deliberately set the table for a fight. Not that he needed to, but he found he needed to tear into the asshole.
Ronan’s eyes went brilliant obsidian with hate and rage and unnamed emotions. Druce could feel the power being summoned to the room, to Ronan. He had set the table for a feast of a fight. Now he knew for sure, his theory had to be correct. The legend hurtled himself across the room at the undead king. Druce didn’t flinch, but a split second before impact Ronan went sailing across the room away from him.
Ardra stormed into the room, eyes swirling with fire. She stared at Ronan with a menacing, accusing glare. It sent chills down Druce’s spine, but he found he rather liked that. He loved the way she became enraged.
Her voice was ever so quiet, but deadly serious.
“What the Hell was it that you were doing, Ronan? Before you answer, I would ask that you think about what I did earlier and ask yourself if you are ready to meld?”
She never took her eyes from his face and Druce got the feeling that her gaze had him pinned to the wall. It was hell fighting the smile trying to come through. She was clearly fighting with herself for control. He must have hurt her more than Druce had thought, the bastard! She sighed heavily and walked to within a few feet of his shocked face. She leaned closer and spoke so softly that even with his heightened sense of hearing; Druce had to strain to get what she was saying.
“If I ever, ever again walk into what I just walked into…I will meld you with me so fast that you won’t even know your essence has left you. This is the last warning. I will not tolerate anymore of your nonsense. And spare me…spare me the apology. I am not of a mind to accept it as of now. My trust in you is dwindling.” She knew she should have hurried up. The tension from Ronan was tangible to say the least. And she also knew that Druce felt it. It was wrong of her to drag him in the middle of this, but he was taking it in stride. If she hadn’t been so worried about her choice of gown she would have been here a lot quicker. Sighing, she leaned on the fact that no one got hurt. For some reason she had been frightened beyond belief, thinking that Ronan would slaughter Druce. It made her skin crawl at the very idea.
Damn it Ardra! Get your act together…these are just men. No one can love you; no one has ever really loved you. She stood there looking so menacing that Ronan flinched. It really didn’t bother her; in fact it was kind of the point. Besides, it allowed her to gain her composure before she spoke again. When she had first opened her mouth she had to make an effort to allow words to even come out. She had been worried more than she cared to admit. Allowing herself a deep breath, she turned slowly around to face him. It must just be part of his powers. The myths always spoke of them as sexual creatures and until this evening she had never touched…held one the way she had tonight. That had to be what it was, because she knew her fate was to be alone. She was always alone.
Ronan, finally showing some sense, left without further words. She didn’t even bother to acknowledge his leaving. It didn’t matter anymore. The Earth’s inhabitants were walking precariously on the edge of a horrible fate. As Lady of the Legends, it was her life’s duty to see to it that that didn’t happen.
It took every ounce of energy to step closer to him; there he was sitting in her chair. He was looking every bit of the warrior, of the King that he was. His hair was spilling out of the tie in the back, due to force that she had used to knock that brute of a Scotsman out of the way. He was just staring at her with those eyes. More like black holes is what they were, for she felt her life essence seeping into them. God how she wanted to walk up to him and kiss his perfect lips…what was she talking about! She marched up to him and tipped him out of her chair. She was not feeling herself and needed to turn the tables.
“I’m incredibly sorry. He had no right to attack you. You are a very welcome guest here, as always.” She motioned to the smaller chair across the huge oak desk. “Please, I insist that you sit. We have much to talk about…my friend.”
The last words were hard to get out. It shouldn’t have been so hard. That was her usual greeting. She noticed that he had sat down, but had not said anything. No he was just staring at her in that peculiar way he always did. For once she would just like to know what he was thinking as he stared at her. It would be so easy for her to find out, but he would know and she prided herself on not having to intrude on others thoughts. If he wanted to stare, then let him. She could wait it out, or could she? God, after the way today and this evening had been going she wasn’t at all sure.

Magnificent! Simply magnificent, there were no words to describe the magical beauty she possessed. It had been unexpected when she tipped him out of his chair; for a moment he thought she might kiss him. And, God, he wasn’t going to move an inch if that was her plan. No. He knew his place, but he couldn’t help looking at her. She was a brilliant warrior, unsurpassed by any woman…or man. She was also gracious to her people and heard them out. She was not cold as they had named her. Of this he was certain, but he wouldn’t allow himself to wish for her compassion to spread it’s warmth to him. Oh shit, what an idiot! Here he was staring at her again and with a damned goofy smile. He shook his head to try and remember why he was even here. Thank goodness, his brain started to work again. Now if he could just speak without his voice breaking.
“As I said before, my Lady…it is with great regret that I should even have to give you such news. But…I…felt it would, I felt it would be better coming from me than any other. And I am not so sure who I could trust.”
There it was again. Tugging at her heart strings, she saw hurt in his soul. Ardra felt very defensive about him all of a sudden. No, she had to remember it was just his vampiric powers. Nothing more, nothing.
“You said that you knew where they met? We should start there.” She stood and waited for him to stand. He realized she meant for him to take her there. Smiling without his conscious consent, he stood. Ballsy this girl, very ballsy. He liked that.



The night was alive. Frogs were doing their best to attract a mate. The locusts cried out at the night. And the crickets were just trying to be heard. So much for the quiet country side, it was a symphony of nature’s night shift.
Amongst the choir, a single raccoon made its way around the smaller of the twin lakes to a broken down trailer in the middle of the thick trees. The raccoon didn’t even make the effort to conceal his approach. It’s not likely a few cracks of twigs would be able to be heard over the sounds of the forest, anyway. The ‘coon knew just where to go…the trash bin at the east side of the trailer. He effortlessly made his way to his favorite feeding area. They had arrived this morning and that meant food.
As the raccoon climbed up the side of the trash barrel, the back door flew open. A man was propelled across the yard into a tree like a flash of lightening. The raccoon froze in place and watched. The man thrown into the night was clearly stunned, for he just sat on the ground where he landed. He was young and rugged looking. Bulky. There was something evil about him and the raccoon was unsure what to make of it. He would just wait it out and maybe they wouldn’t shoot him.
“You wanna say somethin’ else?”
The bulky man on the dirt, slowly go to his feet. He didn’t reply to the old man at the door. Shaking his head in an answer was enough of an acknowledgement that he’d gotten the point. They stared at one another for a moment before the young man started slapping the dirt off of his clothing, breaking eye contact.
The older man went back in, happy that he’d assured his place in the order of things. It served the twerp right. If he wasn’t going to follow the plans then he could be replaced. Permanently. Dirguth never did mind getting his hands a little bloody. This was just an expression, of course, because he never really had to touch them to kill them. He was old and his powers only got stronger with age, as it was with all of those who practiced the wise arts. His power was strong enough to keep him alive for ninety years and yet he looked only fifty-ish. He was as strong as if he was just turning thirty, but that didn’t matter. Who needed strength when they had the ultimate powers of the wise arts? Wizardry. The practice was almost non-existent anymore, but that just meant that there were few elders. And Dirguth was one of them. Norm shouldn’t have spoken to such a powerful elder as he. Damn werewolves! They had no respect for elders. They ran in packs, much like human gangs. Galvin was never able to control his subjects effectively. What a joke! Galvin, king of the werewolves. Druce, king of the vampires. Sim, king of the wise arts. Bah! The notion was simply ridiculous. Damn pact! Damn Ardra!
Inside the trailer no one spoke until Norm came back in and closed the door behind him. The tension in the air was like a thick fog of cotton candy. You could touch it, taste it. There were nine men and one woman. They were discussing the plan while waiting for Maglor. He would be giving them the next step of their mission. Only…he was late and they were growing restless. Too much power in such a small trailer was not a good idea.
As if reading their minds…the wind blew with a disturbing moan…and there he stood. Immediately the occupants of the small dwelling stood and gathered around the rickety old table. Maglor was a myth, a warrior of the old stories. Yet, here he was, standing amongst them looking like a lost little boy. He was very short, very thin, but with muscles chiseled as if in stone. His hair was so white it was nearly clear and fell in several braids to the left side of his head. Looking at him could be deceiving. Unless…you met his gaze. Those blood red eyes spoke of death and hate and despair. Maglor smiled. “Sit.”
Like a trained army they obeyed him. No doubt everyone in the room was now nervous. This was their first meeting with him. The black elves were supposed to have been destroyed countless years ago. Yet, here was one, standing and staring at them as if he could devour their souls. Not just any black elf either, but the black elf. No one could speak.
“I trust that you have made all the…preparations…that were previously discussed. Cerin has told me great things about the lot of you.” His slim lips formed a most menacing smile. Maglor loved to smell their fear. He reveled in his ability to make their hearts pound and their mouths go dry. The big man to his left was even sweating. How delightful.
“Surely this is not how you have held your meetings in the past. Relax…I will not kill you…tonight. Nor will I kill you unless it becomes…necessary. You fear for nothing.” Eyes were everywhere. They looked from one to the other hoping for some one to step up to the plate.
“You are late.” The woman spat it out as if she were spitting venom into his eyes. She was very beautiful. Black, thick hair that fell to her ankles caught on her blue velvet dress. Her skin was so pale. She must be the vampire, Amber. Maglor had heard of her meddling in various matters. Oh what he would do to her when he got her alone. Elves like strong women. This one had much strength and was almost fearless. Almost. She had been just as afraid as the others until just now. Leave it to women to assess the situation and jump in feet first. She was staring at his chest rather than his eyes. He was sure that it had something to do with the stories about his killing his enemies with just a look. It didn’t matter; he would show her just what those eyes of his could do. It had been too long since he’d been with any female. He would enjoy her screams at least one way or another.
“We’ve been waiting for hours. And, yes, all of us have done our part. We are anxious to know how soon we will be making our move.” She sat back down waving her hand in some what of a regal manner as she finished talking. Beautiful.
“Sorry? Is that what you want, Amber? I was not under the impression that it mattered whether or not I kept you waiting. You are so high on yourself that you think you deserve my punctuality?” She met his eyes then, just as he knew she would. You do not challenge a vampiress and not expect a rebuff of some sort…doesn’t matter who you are.
Amber was furious! She didn’t care at that point if he did kill her, but she’d be damned if she didn’t teach him some manners. Aggression pulsed through her veins and she forced herself forward. Maglor did not budge. It then occurred to her just what he was doing. He was testing her. Well, she would make it an interesting grade; that was for sure. It would not be wise for her to go off half cocked, anyway. She had to find out his weakness. Swallowing hard…and her pride too, Amber sat back down again and sighed.
“Just get down to business, damn it. You know why we’re here and we have cargo. Forgive us for being a little nervous, but there is a leak. We can’t have Ardra traipsing in on us at the moment. It would ruin ten years worth of work.” It was Dirguth who now spoke. He looked at Maglor who turned his head toward the one bed room in the rotting trailer. Dirguth nodded.