CHAPTER 24 - CHRISTOPHER AND CONSEQUENCES
LIBERTY AVENUE PITTS COVEN - SECONDS LATER
GREAT HALL [WARLOCK SEALED]
KING CRAIG
“What’s happened?” I demand of a stony faced Brandon. With us are Ted, Todd, Lindsay, Jennifer, the Master Lieutenants, their Master at Arms, Aldermen Lorelle and Caroline. “Is this about the locking?”
“Yes.” Lindsay replies. “I’ve known Christopher for years. Both of them in fact. Michael was always crowing about his affect on men, so, naturally, I got determined, but his adoration of Michael was unwavering. And then I overheard Chris saying that even if he wasn’t gay, I was looking old…”
“And that’s when she asked me to turn her into a halfling.” Jennifer interjects nervously; the Aldermen are yet to give her a decision. “I’ve spoiled her, so when she told me that she wanted him for herself.. I locked off any positive loving thoughts, feelings and memories he had about him. But not before I told Debs about it. She was in full agreement, as she found his obsession with Michael creepy and...” Suddenly she sits down, looking horrified. “...maybe, no surely not! She wouldn’t use me like that!”
“Like that for what?” I take her hand. “Darling, what is it?”
“Three months after his return from his round the world jaunt, Michael was very elusive, considering his ego, this was unusual. That’s when the first cases of Herma started to crop up in Pennsylvania.”
“What are you saying?” Brandon frowns.
“He brought it here! And she knew that?” I ask, I feel for her at her friend’s betrayal when she nods.
“Queen Jennifer, do you think that Christopher made the cure for Michael? And by unlocking him, he may be able to help us find one for this current strain?!” Todd exclaims.
“Mom, could that work?” Lindsay kneels at her side
“Yes, I’m so sorry, she was my friend, she...what have I done?!” Jennifer cries.
“Unlock him in Ohio.” I declare.
“What’s in Ohio?” Lindsay asks.
“Our little palace, for when it got too much with you.” I smirk at her astonishment. “You’ve always been a handful. It benefited us not to tell you about it.”
ALDERMAN LORELLE
They have known each other for centuries; for her to use her like that, it is for want of a better word, ‘heartbreaking’. We’re both here to render her punishment, which would’ve been death, but on hearing this I glance at Caroline, she winks. We can deal with the rest of them later.
“Queen Jennifer, your reversal of the locking would be appreciated. After which, you get to keep your head, your crown, your purity but half your powers.”
She looks stunned. “I do?”
“Yes, the fault with regards to Christopher and Michael lies with Lady Deborah. But everything else you did warrants the decrement.” When Craig mouths ‘thank you’ I know we’ve made the right decision. “Now, as for you, Lindsay, go back with Caroline, Todd and Ted.” Todd looks less than thrilled, then I realise why. “Actually, no, you go spend time with Gus and JR. Master at Arms, please prepare the training.”
“King Craig, could David go to Ohio too?” Bryan smirks. “I’ve heard that he and Christopher are quite the study buddies. Unlocking is a very exhaustive process, which requires tender, loving care afterwards.”
“Excellent idea Brian. Let’s get to blooming Caroline!”
Minutes later, it is just Brian, Justin and I. “Tender loving care, really? You just want them to have sex!” Justin jabs him in the chest.
“You have a problem with that Puck?” He jabs him back.
“Not at all!” He grins; then frowns. “Alderman Lorelle, where are we going?”
“Ah, his powers are improving. You must be reassured.” I smile at Brian. “As for where…”
“Wales?” Brian sighs, I nod. “How long have you suspected? Do you know who he has targeted?”
“Years. Caroline, especially, didn’t want him as an equerry. She is convinced that’s why he left England. Then when he saw Hunter, he…” The room shakes then I’m alone. I would feel sorry for what’s coming Sapperstein’s way, but I don’t!
CHAMBER OF ALDERMAN ELDERS, WALES - MINUTES LATER
EQUERRY OFFICE
SAPPERSTEIN
Finally the Aldermen are back! It’s been so dull here, just reading papers, but I’ve been amusing myself thinking of all the things I could do whilst at the Le Mont Coven, he has such a pretty mouth!
“Hello, Equerry Sapperstein, how are you doing today?” I’m surprised by his appearance. “I take it the Aldermen are not long behind you?”
“Please, call me Brian.” He smiles.
“Seriously? That would be such an honour!”
“Yes, absolutely.” Brian returns. “What’s happening here? I hope you’ve not been too bored.”
“Not at all. I’ve had so much to...aarrgh!” I yelp as I’m slammed into a wall. “What’s…”
“Please be quiet.” Brian sits opposite me, his eyes are pitch black. I frown, not entirely sure if I am reading the situation correctly. “Yes, that is true, no it won’t hurt, nor will it take long.” His gait is measured as he comes right up to me. “I just want to know what you will do. You would have to be kind and careful, what with it being his first time I suspect.” He strokes my chin, keeping my face in front of his. “I mean Hunter. I could give you tips. I’ve got many experiences with novices.”
“You could?” I’m still wary, but when he presses up against me, I’m sure I’ve got the measure, especially in inches, of the situation. Yes, he’s a little older than my normal bedmates, but the reputation of the guy will have me on my hands and knees in seconds! “So, how do you suggest I go about seducing him?” I whisper wishing to lean in for a kiss when he licks his lips.
“Gently, gain his trust, he's young, you would be his first.” Brian whispers in my ear. “You’ve got time, right?” I nod. “Good, good. I would suggest a movie, or maybe interact with him on a level that he knows…”
“Those rat things. He seemed enamoured of them, we could start there.” I’m finding it hard to breathe as he is so beautiful. “But in the interim, are there any moves that you could teach me?”
“Maybe, maybe not. But before that, James Dixon...do you know anything about him?”
“Not much. Well a little, he reached out to me to be a go-between for him and Michael…”
BRIAN
“Why not to the Aldermen?”
It takes everything not to vomit when I smell him, his fetidness is unbelievably high. His lack of morals aside, there is a darkness that angers me. I’ve not dealt with him much, there’s never been a need, but as I search his soul, now that he’s distracted, I realise why. Slowly I step backwards.
“Brian?” Sapperstein looks delighted. “Will the lessons start now?”
“Absolutely.” I take off my tunic, then my undershirt; he is almost dribbling, I release him from his bondage. “Take off your clothes.” He is naked in seconds, I pin him back to the wall. “You really thought I would ever want to do anything with you?!”
“What do you mean?” His struggle is futile. “Why are your eyes like that?!”
“How could you do that to humanity?!” I growl as I advance, my fangs at full Vamp and Warlock length, so that I can rip out his throat. Brandon is not the only one that can administer immediate punishment!
“Please let me…”
“No! I will show you the same mercy, you were prepared to show! None!” I’m about to bite down when it hits me. The spicy sweet scent of Justin, instantly I’m calm. “You move quick Puck.” My fangs retract; then the smell of his befoulment makes its presence ‘scent’. “Okay, you’re right, that is rank!”
“I can’t believe what they did.” Justin sighs. “What do we do with him?” We turn to the frozen in fear Sapperstein.
“Send him to the tundra, that should cool his jets. Until I can deal with him. You under…”
“No wait! I can…”
“Do what?!” Justin snarls whirling around. “I will be there as...” I take my chance; he slowly turns back to me. “...what?”
“You heard me.” I whisper as I take him up to the rafters.
“Why now?” He wraps his legs around me.
“Because I don’t want to wait anymore, do you?”
“No, I don’t. But we have to deal with that literal shitbag!” He shudders.
“I will take care of his return.” Elderman Rodney calls down, we have no idea how long he’s been watching, nor do we care. “But go back to Mercury Tower. You need to be nearby, you have my word that you will not be watched or interrupted.”