Captured By A Ruthless Vampire King
|98|~The Blood Gathering~

Unedited.

Embry POV.

King Nicklaus Estate (Boston, MA)

"Don't spoil a good story by telling the truth. -Isabella Stewart Gardner," quotes Jadis as the five of us stroll through the old Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, which is now Nicklaus home whenever decides to retire to Boston.

The girls and I've arrived here a few minutes ago. We've made it here before the men, which makes perfect sense when you consider the fact that us girls arrived here by the private royal jet and the men are arriving by cars.

Claire's new guard Raphael that she refers to by the name of Mr. Meany two point 0 is also here with the lot of us. He's a very serious man, who hasn't spoken a word. He just sits back and observes. I kind of feel bad for him, Claire alone is a lot to handle but when you include the rest of us girls.

That's a lot of responsibility if you ask me.

Well, Claire and Jadis are double trouble! Victoria and Abigail are both kind of chill, especially Victoria. She's very reserved and I consider myself to be very laid back for the most part.

So, when you take all that into consideration I guess Raphael's job can't be that bad. Right?!

Anywho, there are also three separate armies of toy soldiers here to protect us. Claire said that she has no clue why they're here because we can protect ourselves better than they ever could but I disagree. My father always said that's a pack of wolves is better off than a lone wolf. It's always good to have an extra layer of protection just in case.

Besides, there is no way that our mates would allow us to go anywhere unguarded.

Nope, not a chance.

"Can anyone withstand a fearless, kick-ass woman with a vision?" Jadis continues to give us the 4-1-1 about the infamous Isabella Stewart Gardner. According, to Jadis she was one hell of a woman that was way before her time. "She was kind of like you, Claire mixed with your beloved, awkwardly enough."

"Instead of slaying vampires she was slaying human men. She was a maverick during a time when women were supposed to be seen and not heard. She was a feminist." She smiles.

“What’s a feminist?” Victoria questions.

“A kick ass woman like ourselves, who supports the rights of other women!”

“So we’re considered to be feminist humanists?” asks Abigail placing pointing fingers hand underneath her chin.

“Yup!” Claire answers for Jadis.

“And how do you know this?" Abigail questions Jadis. "Now, correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that all of the boarding school is centered around a more slave appropriate curriculum?"

"They are for now," says Claire. "But Jadis's upbringing was a little different. Nicklaus raised her into she was old enough to be inherited by a mistress."

"The coursework he assigned me was a lot different," Jadis explains. "He still taught me the typical slave academy bullshit for appearance's sake, but for the most part, my studies were very colossal and extremely diverse. I'll be more than happy to help expand your knowledge, Lollipop," offers Jadis.

"I help Claire with her studies all the time."

"Jadis is my personal study guide," Claire leans over and says to me and Abigail.

"And mine," tells Victoria.

"She's been helping us with the work that our tutor assigns to us and trust me when I say that she's a lifesaver," informs Claire.

"That's so cool," Abigail sounds amazed.

"Yup," Jadis pops the p. "I'm actually considering applying for a position at the new academy that Claire suggested to Nicklaus to open."

"What new academy?" Her statement catches my attention. I've been so captivated by the beauty of the portrait in front of me. I've barely spoken.

"In actuality, the coursework will become an entirely different education system," says Claire as I turn around to face her. "Students of all species shall have a chance to enroll at the academy. The first one is just a test drive, like my wickedly not so sweet beloved likes to call it."

Then out of nowhere, Claire's face turns pale, very pale.

She looks like she's about to, "Gross," Victoria cries out as Claire releases the intents of her stomach all over her scarlet red knee-high boots.

"Your highness," Raphael is at Claire's side at once and for the very first time that I've seen him express emotions, or even utter a single word since I've been in his presence. It is more than obvious that he's concerned for his queen, our queen. We all are.

"I'm fine! I'm fine! I'm fine," Claire says, holding her stomach while Jadis assists with wiping the throw-up off her face.

"Gross, gross, gross! I'm covered in puke. Puke!," Victoria grumbles incoherently, appearing quite famished. She looks rather pale herself, her face is an awful shade of blue.

Abigail stands frozen in place, mortified. That makes two of us. I'm stunned, stuck.

I'm just lost for words.

How on goddess green earth did our day viewing art turn into Claire creating a masterpiece of mess all over Victoria's shoes?

"Don't just stand there help me get to her chamber before she pukes on one of us next," Jadis snaps me out of my trace.

Oh, right! Help. I follow them as Raphael scoops Claire up and carries her out of the room.

Cyrus POV

To say, that I've missed my brothers would be an understatement.

It appears that I've craved their presence, or more like craving the ruthless presence of true monsters.

The way that they bask in the blood of our enemies with a devilish smirk on their faces the entire time that we rid the world of canine scum.

Yes! I think this brotherly reunion will be the celebration of a lifetime and I can not be more thrilled.

"That's the last of them," smirks Rufus as he throws the remains of a little she-wolf on top of the pile of her peers. What's left of them anyway!

The blood from the abomination of a mutt drips down his chin.

He met up with us in Cambridge a few hours ago and it's been lovely. We've been having the time of our lives ever since. The mouthwatering smell of burning flesh floats freely in the air.

Seneca slaps my back and gives me a menacing grin. "Aww don't look so grim, brother. There's still an army of dogs that we shall soon feast upon. We all know how important it is for you to have the last kill."

"And the honor shall most certainly be his," Nicklaus says with a menacing grin of his own.

Oh, yes! The fun has officially begun.

"But first we must feast," he announces.

Ah, here we go again with the traditions. Out of all of his lively qualities, the need to preserve our more humane tendencies is quite the bore if you ask me.

"What's the point of the got damn feast, Nicklaus?" asks, Xander. He's been in one of his moods all day. His patience is wearing thinner by the second. It's more than obvious that the cold-hearted king is here for one thing and one thing only... Blood.

He craves the mutt bitch Mecca head on a platter and for the first time in history I crave the same thing that Xander craves. I want her so bad that I can taste her. I can literally hear her screams as I rid the world of everything that she holds dear, and then when I have her begging for me to end her as well I won't hesitate.

I'm going to pluck the bitch eyes out before finally ending her once and for all.

"Patience, brother! Patience," Nicklaus places his hand on top of his shoulder. "You'll have your revenge. We all will," he promises looking me dead in the eye. "Then we shall place our focus onto eliminating the next abomination of a species." His gaze turns to Luscious, who currently has a smug look on his face.

After that, Nicklaus removes his hand from one brother to the next, Vlad.

The new addition to our family, who nods his head in agreement. Although, very quiet. He fits in perfectly. It took him less than a second to put several dogs to sleep. I've grown very fond of him. We all have.

"After we wipe our enemies in the New world we shall then unless hell on earth onto the Old one. We can finally put your pain in the ass family in their place." Nicklaus says to Cornelius.

"It's been a long time coming," Cornelius adds in.

"And that's when the fun really shall begin. It shall be the performance of a lifetime. The season finale! The best fucking series that has ever existed. Ha! Ha! Ha!" The fool just has to say with a silly little grin plastered across his face.

"Shut up, Marcellus!" I roll my eyes at him.

He's such a joker, even when it's time to be serious you can count on Marcellus's monstrous humor and that's all it takes for all of us to burst out laughing.

"I believe what Marcellus is trying to say is that all our enemies shall meet a fitting end but first we must feast. However, this won't be the typical feast of the brothers. No. Not at all! This feast shall also be the event of a lifetime. The blood gathering to be exact."

"The Blood Gathering?" I question. Nicklaus picked a fine time to host an event filled with politics.

Every one hundred years the vampire's houses come together to host a massacred ball. The Blood Gathering! This ball is where they discuss the well-being of our future. The last ball was when the Awakening was determined each and every house agreed upon the events that lead to the slavery of the human race.

We haven't had one ever since. There's hasn't been any reason to. We don't need to play politics to get what we want, nor do we need the approval of our houses to do anything. We own them. Now, the feast of the brothers I can understand because that's where we typically strategize, but to The Blood Gathering just seems like a waste of our time.

What is Nicklaus playing at? Out of my parallel vision, I can see that all of my brothers are in agreement. This is meaningless.

Nicklaus sighs. "We all know the purpose of the ball," he explains. "But you all seem to forget the importance behind the grand extravaganza. The ball was not only created to discuss important matters in our species."

"It was also created to draw out our enemies." Seneca finishes for him with a look of realization. "Genius! The ball is not only a distraction it's a massacre."

"Precisely!" smirks Nicklaus. "I've meant it when I said that we shall rid the New world of all our enemies and what better way to do it where it all began. We shall broadcast the event on the media and the werewolves and their useless allies we'll come running like cattle's to a slaughter."

"Yes! Ingenious indeed," Xander says to his brother before pulling out a flask filled with his favorite whiskey spiked blood. "But you're missing a critical key."

"The Queens," I turn around to face Xander. He's right! There's not a chance in hell that Claire, nor Embry will just standby and watch us end the pack of mutts without stirring up a wicked brew of defense. We all know that they're up to something, and there's no telling what wicked mischief that the two of them and their little friends are planning as we speak.

"They will be long gone before the fight breaks out. Raphael has already been advised to ensure that their glass of champagne will be laced with a sleeping pill that's strong enough to send them night, night, but yet harmless to humans and supernatural creatures," Nicklaus seems to have it all planned out.

"Yeah, right!" Marcellus gulps. "I hope that whatever we shall use to put Claire to sleep will keep her down for centuries to come because when she awakes there shall be hell to pay."

"Allow me to deal with my beloved." Nicklaus shakes his head.

"And I shall deal with my own," I announce, as Xander passes me the flask.

Oh, fuck that's good and well needed.

After, Nicklaus announcements the group of us sits in front of the bonfire that we've created to burn away what's left of the pack of ruthless mutts. Nicklaus has orchestrated the perfect plan and I'm hellbent on playing composer. The only problem is my biggest blessing and my greatest curse.

Embry.

I can only hope that someday she will forgive me for what's to come, but if by chance it takes an eternity for her to forgive me. Then, I shall spend the rest of my immortal days groveling, doing whatever it takes to make it up to her.

For now, I should do what I do best. I’ll be Ruthless.

We will be Ruthless as we kill them all.

Embry POV.

"How are you feeling?" I ask Claire while handing her the steaming hot mug-filled with ginger tea and a slice of lemon. I've been instructed to ensure that Claire drinks every drop while the other girls ran off to play nutritionist, Doctor Jadis orders.

I swear, though tiny that little human has a heart of a lion and is more protective than a mother goose. She went into beast mode to the point that she even managed to convince Raphael to give Claire some space so she can rest. In fact, he damn near jetted out of the door.

Say what you want about Jadis but she's fit for leadership. She's an interesting girl.

There's no wonder why Claire gravitated towards her. They are like peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper, and every other pair that blends in perfect unison. They are so different, but yet go so well together, quite the pair them two and most importantly the two of them are co-co crazy.

They were made for each other.

"Embry seriously, I'm fine," says Claire, taking a sip from the mug before placing it down on the dark oakwood corner table.

We're currently in the overly marvelous venue of what Jadis called the old ladies' reception area. I, on the other hand, named this captivating space The Blue Room. It's glorious. It displays the work of many extremely talented artists with its low ceilings, detailed teal blue, and gold-trimmed fabric-covered walls, and well-lit alcoves gold-framed showcasing paintings. Everything is classic and classy. The most amazing thing by far is the full wall bookcase. It sits perfectly overtop the cozy golden fireplace, hanging in its well-stocked glory as if it's a piece of art itself.

On the wall with two bay windows overlooking the courtyard, there's a wall jutting out just in front of it, there's an etiquette metal lantern hanging from the ceiling. It's in the shape of a boat.

For most, it most likely won't captivate their eyes but for an admirer of art's, I'm dazed.

I can vividly imagine the artist taking their sweet little time creating the breathtaking metalwork that now reflects impeccable skills. If that's not enough the collector's item of furniture inside of this room is to die for. Everything inside of this room literally screams masterpiece.

"Nicklaus is also a lover of the arts," Claire says to me. "Whenever we walk into an art gallery he has that same sparkle of excitement that you currently have lingering in the irises of his eyes. You two have a lot in common."

"I doubt that," my wolf pitches in. "To be quite candid, I'm still in belief that he defended my human."

"Aw, hello little wolf." Greets Claire with a wicked smirk."I've been wondering when you would make an appearance."

"Hello, Claire," she says back with a wink. "I'm here for business."

"Houston we have a problem," interrupts Jadis entering the room with five dresses in her hands. Abigail and Victoria come in right behind her. Besides the darling of dresses on the hanger that Jadis is clinging to, I notice that Victoria changed her attire. Officially, showcasing her style.

Her once bright red knee-length high heel boots have been replaced with a pair of knee-length black combat boots that are quite similar to Claire's. I guess she is prepared to run this time if need be. Either way, they are paired nicely with her black tube top, black, white, and gray, plaid collar coat, and a matching plaid pleated skirt.

This girl really knows how to dress. That's for sure.

"You never had a problem with pretty little gifts before, Buttercup," suggests Claire. There's a delightful expression on her face when she sees them.

"That's what I said," agrees Victoria."She's had no problem with selling her soul to the devil in the past. I hear Abigail begin to giggle along with Victoria but I'm with Jadis on this one.

Just one look at the breathtakingly beautiful pieces of fabric takes my breath away.

One more than the others, it's the inviting backless emerald green floor-length gown that will match the green specks inside of my eyes perfectly. It's made with liquid Satin that was crafted to melt on anyones' skin. The deep plunge is cut deep enough to showcase the perfect amount of cleavage and the long double slit on each side of the gown will show off the perfect amount of skin.

It's a seductress of the gown if you ask me, alluring enough to even bring the Ruthless King down to his knees.

I'm sure the other gowns are just as captivating as this one before me, but they haven't caught my eye as that one has.

"There's also this," Victoria shows us five velvet boxes that I didn't realize that she was carrying.

"More gifts," sighs Claire before she carefully opens up one of the boxes. I gasp when I see an extremely expensive matching set of diamond earrings, a necklace, and a delightfully dazzling diamond embezzled masquerade mask.

"I don't get it," I say with a frown. "Is the feast a masquerade theme?"

"That's what I thought," says Victoria into Abigal showed us this." She grabs the remote off the center table and flickers on the gigantic flat-screen television that hangs on the wall on the other side of the room.

One of my allies Cindy Lou knows you appear in front of her audience.

"So first the Ruthless King and his darling she-wolf beloved gives us the show of a lifetime," she addresses the crowd. "Then, we've received an anonymous tip that the King of All Kings and his Golden-haired Chosen has arrived in the country alongside with all the other victorious vampire kings. And now all of the respected and wealthy families are bragging about their invites to the event of the century," she nods.

The crowd before her breaks out in a fit of excitement. "The Blood Gathering is expected to be held in our Kingdom in a matter of three days."

"What? You can't be serious," Claire nearly trips over her two feet as she jumps up from off the couch. Victoria and Jadis are quick to assist with balancing her.

"What is up with them?" says my wolf. "I know that they are all best friends but they act like they are scared that she will break at any second.”

"The Blood Gathering." I ignore my wolf. The Blood Gathering! Oh, no, no, no!

This isn't good, The Blood Gathering, more like The Ball of Blood like my father likes to call it is an event that happens every one hundred years or so. It's when each vampire's house comes together to host a massacred ball to discuss the well-being of their future. If my memory serves me correctly, the last one was the ball of blood. Literally.

That was the event where my people's futures were set in stone. They so foolish attacked and almost killed who we all now know to be the King of All Kings. It was a huge mistake that nearly wiped out my species off the face of this earth and still to this day we're paying the price because of our ancestors.

There were hundreds of packs back then but now only four remain and it's all because of that got damn event. So, imagine what will happen if the last packs of America decide to allow history to repeat itself. It won't end well. This time the vampires will be expecting them to, and my people will be slaughtered, but that's the point isn't it.

"It's a trap," I call it out like I see it. Oh, my Goddess! Oh, my Goddess! They will be demolished.

"That Mecca would most certainly fall for. What better way to attack your enemies on the same stomping ground that you once dominating before?" says Claire, smacking her forehead.

"That's exactly what I said," Jadis panics. "And knowing the history behind the matter just makes it all tragically bloody. The event shall be a battlefield and final resting place of many.”

"No, it won't. Not as long as I have breath in my body," promises Claire. Her expression is deadly. " Tardant emissicius aures, (clog prying ears)" She chants the words in Latin as she waves her hand towards the door. A bright, electric, emerald green, light flashes as a gentle force vibrates throughout the room.

Moments later, a green force field illuminates around us, like a protection shield.

"Wow!!!! Now that's cool," utters Abigail, the rest of us are rendered speechless, except Claire of course. She's standing in the middle of the room with a bright smile that stretches out across her face from ear to ear. "Ah, come Embry!' Claire looks at me. "You turn into a werewolf, for crying out loud. That's ten-time cooler if you ask me and for the rest of you chosen whore's it just a little hocus pocus."

The enchanting emerald around her neck glows with her electrifying green eyes.

"Or more like supernatural glory," pouts Victoria. Then, she falls down onto the couch.

"We've got some pretty big fish to fry," says Jadis also finally coming out of her trace.

"So go get the grease," laughs Claire. This girl is a stickler for comedy. " And, let's begin!"

The five of us sit on the giant navy blue sofa, putting our heads together. We sit there and conspire to outsmart our beloveds and family once and for all.

It will take a lot of mischiefs and we must be extremely cautious because we shall only have one chance and one chance only.

Either way, there's no doubt in my mind that my mate will be furious with the outcome but who cares.

Cyrus can suck it for all I care.

At least, when it comes to this matter he can because I will stop him.

We will stop them all.

3 days later.

Embry POV.

The five of us emerge down the massive, grand second-floor passage that offers a glimpse of the creator of this gorgeous art-filled museum interest in Asian art. There are Japanese lacquer, painted screens, and Chinese doors that I imagine are from many, many centuries ago surrounding us. The walls of these two transitional spaces place their visitors in the middle of landscapes and gardens. In addition, this grand passage, hosts illustrations of the unity of the three great East Asian religions and philosophies. They are representations of three sages representing Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism gather around a barrel containing wine that has soured to vinegar.

My father use to love to tell my sibling and me all about the story whenever we had a disagreement. How the three priests who beliefs we're so different all reacted similarly to the sour taste. In the end, all three of them shared puckered cheeks showing that despite their different paths, they respond in the same way to the same essential reality.

A story that my people, vampires, humans, and all other supernatural species could benefit from hearing. In the end, we all the same.

With that thought, I continue to walk in silence.

We're all surrounded by abundance, magnificence, and riches but yet I feel so gloomy. Even the beautiful emerald gown that clings to my body feels heavy. There's a heavy burden that is being placed upon my shoulders. On all of our shoulders, the collective uneasiness lingers around our posse like a massive black cloud floating above our head. It's just all too much.

The anxiety of what's to come begins to flips the contents inside of my stomach. Claire's been the one puking her guts out, for the last past three days but now I feel like it's my turn to let it flow.

Claire holds my hand and squeezes it in reassurance as if she can detect my sudden sense of nausea. Well.. maybe, she can when you consider the fact that she's an expert on puking.

As I stated she's been letting it lose just about every morning and sometimes throughout the day. She claims that it's just a stomach virus, the downside of being half-human but I'm no fool and neither is my wolf. We've been smelled what is growing in her womb. There's a bun in the oven, Claire's cooking.

"It will all be okay," Claire whispers in my ear. "I won't let anything happen to any one of our loved ones, Embry and that includes your family. This shall work."

"That's funny," I stop and hold her in place while the other girls walk ahead of us. "I should be the one saying that to you with you carrying my nephew or niece." My observations catch her off guard. Her mouth drops, "How did you know?" she gasps.

I place my hand over the top of her tummy. I can feel the calming beat of their hearts. Wait, their,?! Oh, my Goddess! Claire having...

"Twins," she smiles. Her entire face light's up. "Yes, I'm pregnant with twins. Nicklaus wants to wait to tell the others. So, please."

"Your secret is safe with me," I promise, not once removing my hand from over the top of the bundle of joy that's growing inside of her. Oh, my Goddess! Oh, my Goddess! Oh, my Goddess!"I'm going to be an auntie," I quietly squeal before looking around to ensure that we're still alone, and imagine my shock when I'm met with an extremely deadly predator, watching us or more like stalking his prey.

"Firecracker," he makes his presence known to both of us. He's so quiet, not even my advanced senses were enough to detect him.

To my left, I hear Claire soft beating heart skip several beats. This time her entire body seems to glow. It amazes me how the exhilaration of undeniable joy can be detected as it sparks fireworks inside her soul.

There is no doubt in my mind that she's head over heels for him.

Hey, love buys, as promised here is your update if you would like to read a chapter ahead please head over to Narugi.com. My next update shall be Friday. Love you all have a great week.