By Cryptos<\/p>\n
Below Hudson City a party raged. Deep pounding music hammered from behind the closed doors of The Nox, a bastion of mischief beneath the city\u2019s heart where no eye blinked at goings on. Red marked its walls and dim were its flicking candle lighting, but still its dance floor was a crowded place for many a neerdowell to gather among that heaving throng of warm bodies. In the office above, behind that one way window watched a man with pale blue eyes that glowed red in that dim office, no, a man-shaped thing named Lucius. He reclined in his simple chair, relaxed and yet posed like some great cat watching a bird that had wandered all too close.<\/p>\n
Clack, The sound of wood against wood drew his attention from the throng to the chessboard next to him and the young woman seated just beyond it. Her skin was nearly as pale as his, but where there was a calloused edge to his, hers were some mockery to thwart the masters of old. Skin akin to white marble with piercing eyes and raven. Yet when his gaze slid across her, she pulled her hand back from her black knight. Not in fear, never in fear only respect. His expression holding it intense yet cold demeanor he simply moved a pawn in response, leaving his king open her advance.<\/p>\n
Lucius\u2019 voice cut the still air like a knife, every syllable commanded attention in that cold voice spoken as some lost lord of death. \u201cAny more.. Annoyances from those families my dear?\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman responded in a soft pleasant voice, soothing to some degree to Lucius\u2019 ear. \u201cOf course, but it is not a major issue yet. They wish you to sell them the Nox and turn over the gambling of the underground to them. They have some of their number men taking bets down here already.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man looked back down at the throng his eyes now pausing on those who were not regulars among his,,, chattel. \u201cMy how the remnants of my former homeland have fallen. A bunch of thieves and brutes play acting, at power they can barely understand.\u201d There was but a slight tinge of anger to his words, yet still those his gaze rested upon seemed to flinch when he spoke them.<\/p>\n
Clack, the sound stirred the air. \u201cCheck.\u201d The young woman spoke again with a hint of joviality in her tone. Lucius once more returned his attention to the chessboard. She had moved her knight to assault his king. Lucius merely slid a pawn to intercept the knight removing it from the board like so much chaffe, yet leaving that open avenue to his king.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd your schooling, how go your classes?\u201d He probed her gently, his eyes now resting on her face. There was a slight fidget to her features before she answered.<\/p>\n
She answered after a moment. \u201cThey go well enough, I don’t want to burden you with a small hindrance I am having.\u201d Trying to change the subject she continued, \u201cIt seems several groups are trying to expand their influences into others dealing, even into some of our acquaintances.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes narrowed to a glower upon her queen. \u201cWhich Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProfessor Hall keeps insisting I have private tutoring with him. My work is better than most but he is downgrading them.\u201d<\/p>\n
No sound escaped the man as he steeple his fingers together, his nail curving into thick protrusion clicking against one another in that silent room. \u201cI see\u2026\u201d The two words dropped like stones atop a frozen lakebed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a history of such, one girl told me just to give in and I would pass with 4.0.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lucius smiled letting two long fangs protrude from his lips like razor points of swords slipping from their sheaths.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch a\u2026 troublesome man needs to understand his role.\u201d A subtle growled edge into that cold voice as his eyes truly flashed red in the dark room. \u201cPerhaps we should inform him of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clack. \u201cCheck.\u201d The young woman said again unfazed by his now obvious anger.<\/p>\n
As quick as his anger appeared it vanished and he moved his rook into place both blocking his king and pinning her. \u201cCheck-mate, a small night time visitation to his home might be in order.
\nFear is a powerful tool when wielded correctly.\u201d Lucius turned his attention back toward the dancing throng.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn’t wish to bother you with it; it is minor compared to the families making moves. Hopefully they are very good at playing chess. They will be going against you.\u201d She stood from the table barely batting an eye at her loss. \u201cAre you thirsty? I have a nice bottle of AB chilled.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be lovely my dear.\u201d He gave her a gentle smile. \u201cHas the shipment from that new winery in Michigan come in yet?\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman moved to the office\u2019s private bar and quickly poured the thick red liquid into a crystal glass. \u201cYes and they have sent a sample of something they call Fire Wine. It is supposed to be better than the white.\u201d She quickly yet smoothly returned, serving him the glass.<\/p>\n
He breathed deeply, the strong fragrance before sipping the crimson nectar. \u201cExcellent.\u201d He said with a smack of his lips.<\/p>\n
She stated, pulling a small pamphlet from among the bottles at the bar. \u201cThe production of the new wine is limited to fifty bottles a year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAn interesting marketing ploy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman flipped through the small booklet. \u201cThe literature says it was from a hybrid fruit that only they grow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt some point I would like to meet these owners, they\u2019re quite intriguing.\u201d He said amusedly.<\/p>\n
She pulled a plain bottle from the rack behind the bar and presented it to him. \u201cA full bottle is ten thousand for their loyal customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
He sniffed the cork of the bottle, breathing in the sweet rich scent from the simple cork stopper. \u201cMmm, this is worth the price,\u201d He smiled placing the bottle before him, next to the chessboard. \u201cNow about the families, they need to learn who is lord of this land and to whom the chattel belong.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are getting a little too bold, what would you like me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused for a moment. \u201cAre the invitations ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWaiting for your seal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lucius nodded and his wicked smile returned in full force. \u201cBring them; it seems the world is in need of a reminder of what lurks in the dark.\u201dShe quickly, but gracefully, headed to his desk retrieving a set of match embossed envelopes, invitations, a stick of deep red wax, and a lighter. In a moment she sat them before him waiting patiently for his instruction.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you my dear.\u201d He reached across the chessboard and plucked the black king from its surface. With a flick of his thumb the king false bottom fell away revealing his seal, a down turned moon overshadowing the globe. As he raised the lighter to the wax, hurried steps echo from the staircase followed by a fearful voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cMay I enter?\u201d<\/p>\n
With a tired sigh Lucius put down the wax and turned toward the entrance way. \u201cEnter.\u201d He said allowing his annoyance to be heard.<\/p>\n
A tall dark skinned fellow entered through the spiral staircase bearing a canvas money bag.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope there is a just cause for this intrusion\u2026 Anthony.\u201d The ways the syllable of his name rolled from his lips, made Anthony flinched visibly.<\/p>\n
\u201cW-we had a small problem at the house.\u201d Anthony said nervously.<\/p>\n
Lucius was silent for a moment before gesturing for him to continue. \u201cExplain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anthony spoke quickly, but clearly. \u201cWe had a big winner last night and paid him out, everything was fine. This morning only this bag was left.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave there been any members of the families in last night?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes sir, there were two from the yuppies last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lucius nodded. \u201cThe reckless younglings, its seems they are in need of discipline.\u201d Lucius mused allowed. \u201cThank you for informing me Anthony, you may take an additional percentage this night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you sir.\u201d Anthony said before quickly placing the money before the young woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow be gone with you! We have matters to plan not meant for your ears!\u201d Lucius\u2019 raised voice bellowed passed Anthony as he quickly scurried down the stairs. Lucius drained his glass before breaking it in his hand. \u2018I am going to throttle those insects when I get my hands on them. I should\u2019ve taken Vlad\u2019s advice and invested in a pair of pikes!\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman stood unfazed by this outburst and made a note to clean up the crystal shards.
\n\u201cShall I prepare more bottles for you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d He half growled at her. He took a moment to compose himself before picking his seal once more and dealt with the invitations. \u201cThese will be long nights indeed my dear and many women of the families will be made widows before I drain them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShould I inform the orphanages to prepare more rooms?\u201d<\/p>\n
A sick smile passed over his lips. \u201cThat would be a wise course of action.\u201d He stood and moved toward the shelf of glass cases along the wall. He ran a clawed finger across one containing an ancient spear head. \u201cThey should be thankful these long years have made me soft… I left no orphans in the sacking of Rome, a lovely campaign that was, so many deaths so much blood, a veritable feast.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe good old days?\u201d she asked with a hint of a smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d He smiled and looked toward his desk. \u201cRemind me to continue my memoirs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will get you more parchment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you my dear.\u201d He paused looking at a script of faded brown paper.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould I deliver these personally?\u201d She asked gathering the envelopes.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes and take a few of our enforcers for protection.\u201d He ran a claw down the case pursing his lips. \u201cI wonder… if William was still alive would he want to make a play out of this business?
\nIt would make an excellent tragedy bloodier than Hamlet or Macbeth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOne to beat them all,\u201d she agreed, making her way to the stairs, \u201cI will return soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdieu my dear Camilla.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdieu.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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