Zachary POV
I slammed my fist down onto my desk and looked at the man in front of me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The rage flooding my body at the moment would have left me breathless had I any.
''When were you going to tell me''? I yelled at my second.
'Elias, what the fuck is wrong with you at the moment? Get your head in the game, or you'll find yourself left behind when I move the lodge''. I hated having to threaten him, but he had screwed up. What was I supposed to do? Stand back and do nothing, while the other originals looked on with glee. If they thought, for even a moment, I was losing control, they would launch a takeover.
As strong as i am, even I could not fight back against hundreds of Vamp soldiers.
As I counted to ten, I felt some of my anger dissipate. I looked at the ever loyal Elias, I had conflicted feelings about him at the moment. I couldn't put my finger on it, I just knew something was off.
''Do you know what the other originals would say if they knew I was working on breeding the perfect hybrid? Do you have any clue how they would react? They would all want them. And that would put us on a crash course with the council of elders''. I tried to explain again, but I could see the stubborn set of his chin, so I told him he was dismissed.
After bowing to me, he quickly fled my office. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I thought to myself ''you can't get a headache, what do you think you're doing''?
But I did have an ache in my head, how was that possible? Vampires as a whole do not suffer the same afflictions as men. On the contrary. We were blessed with perfect health. To the point where a human could die from an incurable illness, they would ask us for the kiss of eternal life. Once they had become vampires, they would be cured of all their maladies.
So me having a headache? It was preposterous. I needed to go and see the doctor. I picked up my phone and told the doc I would be down and see him shortly. As I made my way down from my penthouse apartment, I mulled over what had happened earlier. Perhaps I had been a little hasty in placing the blame with him. He didn't let the creature out. ''He was just a convenient Buck stop'' I muttered to myself. I did feel a bit of an arse, but I soon got over that.
I made the decision to apologise to Elias for shouting at him. I shouldn't take my fraught energy out on anyone. I just needed to get the lodge moved, find that baby, and kill it!
*Remus POV*
''Why am I here?" I kept asking myself, over and over.
I didn't mind helping with the moving of the lodge, we had done it a few times now. Unfortunately, that was not the main reason I was summoned here. Even though I had not been told the details, I knew something was bothering Zachary. And whatever it was, it involved us all and our way of life.
It had always been a bone of contention, being the three of us. The fact was I liked my life here in this realm. I had never understood Zachary and Remus's need to find and return to the goddess realm.
I was happy here, I was adored here. The vampires and humans i surrounded myself daily were enough for me. I knew if we went back to the goddess realm, we would become soldiers again. And we would have to follow Selene's orders out or face her wrath.
No thank you, I'll stay where I am thanks!
I strolled around for a bit longer, it was a beautiful place to live. The woods surrounding the lodge were thick and lush. As much as I loved my home and surrounding area, I knew this was the best. When Selene dumped us here, Remus and myself knew Zachary would move mountains to get back home.
I, on the other hand, don't have the faintest desire to leave this realm.
When I was in my own part of this world, I was number one. My brethren listened to me, and were controlled by ME. Why would I want that to go away?
I had nothing waiting for me in the goddess realm. I will not return to being number three.
My only problem was Zachary. If he knew I was the one who stood against his plan, he would simply kill me and explain it to Remus as a coup. The likes of which took my other brothers out. Be it real or not, I was in danger.
So I must play along for now. Find out what his plan is.
Then sabotage it as best I can, without being found out.
As I continued to walk amongst the trees, I heard the faint sound of conversation. My natural curiosity peaked as I moved closer to the place.
to my surprise it turned out to be Elias, talking on the phone. And from the sounds of it, he had a very heated conversation with someone.
I moved a bit closer until I could hear everything clearly.
Evidently, whatever poison he had procured had not worked. A shivered thrill ran up my back. Was Mr perfect into something bad?
I had to find out, so I confronted him. Well, I stood in his way when he had finished the phone call.
''What the fuck are you doing all the way out here?'' Elias spat at me, clearly I had surprised him.
''Now, now, Elias, remember who you are talking too?'' I said back in a calm and even voice.
''You should be beneath the ground, moving the lodge. Why are you out here?'' He demanded of me again.
I look at him for a few seconds, doing nothing. Should I play? Or should I just rip the fucker's head off?
before I said another thing a thought struck me like lightening. Looking around to see if i was right I saw it. A duffel bag, sitting just off to the left of us under some shrubs. Elias was leaving?
''lucky we had not moved the lodge, with you out here you would be lost to it. You would never find it again, so why are you out here? EXPLAIN!!'' I emphasised the last word with subjection. I needed to find out if I could use this or not.
To my surprise and annoyance, Elias simply laughed in my face, ''you weak ass fool, you can't subjugate me. Not anymore. None of you can''.
He had such a look of triumph about him, he looked almost regal, almost!
I was getting angier by the second, how dare he speak to me this way. Does he not appreciate how close he is to death? He went to walk past me, but a hiss left my mouth and he froze. Good.
''I am not weak, nor a fool, Elias. Why do you speak to your superior this way? It would only take a second to slash my fingernail across your throat for you to lay dead at my feet. So, you're either very dumb or jacked up on something to make you think you could win a fight with me. Which is it?'' I had to admit I was becoming more curious than angry now.
I could see Elias weigh his options, then sigh and shrug his shoulders.
''You know what Remus, I'll just tell you. For killing me here this day would be preferable to carry on this charade'' He wiped his hand down his face, then looked around. Spotting whatever he was looking for, he gestured for me to follow him 'as if' I thought to myself.
''Please, Remus. Come and sit. I will explain everything," he gestured again, and this time I saw a few fallen trees that could make a seat. I was hesitant for a moment, but once again let my curiosity get the best of me. So I followed his lead.
*Elias POV*
''what the fuck do you mean you can't do it today? It must be today or I will be killed. Do you understand brother? Killed!''
I shut off the phone down the exact moment I became aware that someone was near and probably heard my conversation.
Well, wasn't that just fucking peachy!
I started to make my way along the path when I found myself blocked by Remus. Shit, why did it have to be him? Anyone, but him. He was such a fucking sycophant he would relish in my demise, whilst telling Zachary what he had heard.
Well, I'm not going out like that. No way. I'm too tired of this shit.
''What the fuck are you doing out here" I spat at him. He merely looked at me with equal parts suspicion and curiosity. I didnt trust this creature. He was a pampered prick.
After a surprising exchange of words, I thought 'FUCK IT' and asked the arsehole to sit down with me. The fact that he hadn't ran, screaming for Zachary, at the first chance might mean a chance for me. Even if it finally meant death.
Leading him over to some fallen trees, I asked him to sit down.' Mind the pokey branches now,'' I said Sarcastically.
The response I got was ''HA HA''. I raised my brows at that. Remus didn't have a sense of humour, everyone knew that. I admit I was intrigued.
When we had both sat, I allowed myself a minute before starting to explain. I doubt Remus would guess what I was about to say, so straight to it.
''I'm leaving, I have had enough of being Zachary's nurse maid. I am a general and get treated like some cadet. I can't live this lie anymore. so i guess I have two options, join my brother or get one of you lazy fuckers to kill me. I had hoped Marcus would do it, being someone I respect. But I suppose you'll do in a pinch''.
I could see Remus get riled up as I spoke, and I got a sick kick out of it. When I finished saying my piece, he was quiet, which actually shocked me. He looked at me through narrow eyes. And tilting his head this way and that.
It was getting harder by the second to just remain sitting here and do nothing. If he were to strike out at me now I would surely be dead.
'But isn't that what you want?' a little voice in my head said. I almost nodded to myself when he finally spoke.
''Let me get it straight before we continue'' he said, looking at me in the eye. I nodded once to tell him to continue.
''You have become disillusioned with this life. So, you wish to leave it. You want to try and become Fae, or you just want to die. Do I understand?'' He said this in such a holier than thou tone. I had to fight my natural response and not punch him in the face.
''Yes, that's the crux of it'' I held my head high as the semi powerful creature looked back at me.
What he said next shocked me so much I was rendered speechless.
''Elias, it seems to me that we have a common enemy. I have a counter proposal for you. Stay where you are, and help me bring down Zachary from within. He will never see it coming. You would get a new life, and I will be able to stay in this realm'' He straightened his back, then held out his hand to me.
''Do we have a deal?''.