CHAPTER SEVEN
Chris dialed Jason, and he answered on the first ring. "What the hell are you doing, Chris. That man is dangerous." Those were Jason's first words to him before saying hello. He expected this, and normally he would have responded appropriately since he'd always listened to Jason.
He was smart and level headed, but in this instance, he did not know the full story, and Chris couldn't tell him everything.
He had to make him understand within the parameters of his normal understanding of the world.
He couldn't tell him about the fantastical world that he'd stepped into or about the devoted vampire who'd pledged his life and love. This was going to be difficult.
"I'm going to Belleville with him, Jason."
"No, you're not going anywhere with him." He was scared, and it was hard to hear.
"I love him, Jason, and he loves me, and I want to see where this goes. He's invited me, and I'm going." Silence fell hard. They sparred back and forth for about fifteen minutes, and finally he must have said something that lightened Jason's stance.
"I want you to call me every day for the first week, and then we can decide on a schedule of calls going forward after that." He demanded, and Jason agreed. "He won't have a problem with you calling me?"
"He does not have a problem, and he said that you are free to visit any time you wish." Silence fell again, and he could hear Jason's labored breathing. He wasn't completely convinced that this was a good idea, but he recognized the fact that it was Chris' decision.
"Okay, I don't like it, but I trust that you will make the right choices for yourself." He paused and then added. "You're sure this isn't some sort of terrible rebound from Elliott?"
"I don't care about Elliott; he doesn't affect me anymore. I care about Arman, and as long as he's near, I am happy." Chris was realizing that he really did not care about Elliott any longer; he was nothing to him. All his thoughts and feelings circled Arman and no one else.
"Alright, but call me often."
“I will.”
“Was that a difficult call, baby?" Arman came from the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Chris' waist from behind and placed several kisses along his shoulder and neck.
"Not as hard as I thought it would be. I know I'm doing the right thing. I'm still a little confused by it all, but I'm following my gut and it feels right."
“I love you, Chris.”
"I love you too, Arman, and that is the honest truth. What I feel for you far and away exceeds anything I ever felt for Elliott. This is a real connection, a real love, and I know the difference now."
"You honor me, my love." His phone rang, and he released Chris and stepped back to take the call, and then moved further away, and Chris could feel the anger rolling off him in waves. Chris waited and did not speak he reached out and placed his hand on Arman's lower back.
***
“Master Cass and at least two of his guards are in a suite downtown. He called for the attack on you and Chris. He’s angry that Conall Rose agreed to do business with you.
His goal was to disrupt the relationship, and he’d hoped to do injury to Chris.
He didn’t know he was your beloved, but he knew he was important to you. ” Trey fell silent and waited.
Arman felt the rage, ancient and absolute, bleed through his veins. The medieval knight, the warrior of old, took his place front and center. Arman would have his vengeance; he would destroy those who sought to bring harm upon his most precious possession.
He called Trey and Regal to Chris’ apartment, and they were there within a few minutes.
Chris was surprised when they walked in and turned to regard Arman, who was standing beside him.
Chris still had his hand on Arman's lower back, sensing that the contact was important, and Arman loved that his little human had immediately understood the situation and did not try to interfere.
He simply gave Arman what he needed in his touch and his presence.
“When I return, we will leave for Belleville. Stay with Trey and Regal and do as they tell you." He would not explain beyond that, for his beloved did not need to know the degree of death and madness he was about to level against Master Lucan Cass and his associates.
"Be careful, Arman." That was all he said, and Arman could see the turmoil in his gaze, but he remained strong. Arman held him and kissed him like it was his last breath and then stepped back.
"Don't be long," Chris said with a soft smile that barely touched his lips but gave Arman the love and connection that he’d searched for over the course of a lifetime.
“I won’t be long.” He stated and left. He made his way through town with fury, a pure, crazed frenzy fueling his actions. There was nothing civilized about him now; the vampire of old had taken control, and nothing would satisfy it, only blood, only vengeance.
He quickly made his way to the suite occupied by Master Lucan Cass. He did not knock he announced his presence by tearing the door off its hinges and exploding into the room.
"Who the hell are you and what do you want?
" The Master was there with two of his men, along with a poor bastard currently lying bleeding upon the floor.
"How dare you interrupt?" Arman answered the irritated man by beheading the guard standing next to him.
He watched in shocked horror as his guard dropped to the floor and his head rolled away.
The Master was tall and broad, but he lacked instinct and skill; he was a man used to having others fight his battles and run his life. He'd lost all personal power and ability, if he ever had any, and now he was facing death, a death he'd organized for himself, and he had no defenses.
The other guard did his duty and attacked with his sword, slicing Arman's upper arm, and he pushed forward, acting swiftly, trying to overwhelm, but Arman was a warrior who could not be overwhelmed.
Everything in his life was calculated and expected, nothing ever took him by surprise except for his beloved. His beloved flooded him with emotions and surprised him at every turn, and these monsters had thought to take that from him.
With that thought in mind, he surged and forced the guard backward until he had nowhere to go, and Arman cut him down, driving his sword through his heart and twisting the blade, bringing instant death.
He then looked back over his shoulder at the Master standing back, and as he attempted to reach the exit, Arman threw his dagger, burying it to the hilt in his back between his shoulder blades.
Lucan dropped to his knees and crawled the few feet over to where Casidy lay.
"Pull it out, Casidy, please pull it out.
" He begged. Arman turned and moved slowly toward them, his predatory gaze watching every move. Casidy managed to reach up and pull out the dagger, and just as Lucan began to move away to face Arman, Casidy swung his arm and drove the dagger into Lucan’s throat.
Arman was impressed and watched as Casidy loomed over Lucan Cass, who was now writhing on the floor desperately trying to stop the blood that was gushing from his mortal wound.
Casidy looked him in the eyes and spoke.
"Does it feel good, baby?" He said and pushed the dagger deeper.
Casidy rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling.
Arman walked over, pulled out the dagger, and drove it into Lucan's heart and twisted.
He wanted to make sure the bastard was dead.
He then looked over at Casidy, who seemed to be resigned to dying and was just waiting for the final blow.
"You may go," Arman said, and the shock on Casidy's face was plain when his eyes found Arman's.
He struggled to his feet, grabbed a few things, and then disappeared without a word.
***
"We stayed outside the hotel, and when Arman left, we went in and cleaned up," Drakon reported to Master Rose.
"After seeing what he did to the vampires in that room, I never want to get on the wrong side of that man.
" Drakon chuckled. "It took less than fifteen minutes for him to completely devastate the Cass Coven, and then he casually walked away. "
"I'm glad we were able to contain it as much as possible, and I'm glad that Lucan Cass is finally out of the picture. He was a weak leader with no self-control and too much ego. I’ll send Victor down to Naperville to take over and set up a leader who answers to us.” Master Rose was very pleased.
“Was this your goal all along?” Drakon gave another chuckle.
"I saw an opportunity and realized all I had to do was allow things to unfold naturally, and Arman would eliminate my enemies for me." He admitted. "Never waste an opportunity when it presents itself."
“Noted.” Drakon laughed.
***
Arman entered the apartment, and Chris launched himself into his arms. It was the finest homecoming that Arman had ever experienced. Chris rained kisses down on him and then held him in a grip that spoke to his worry and his relief. "I'm so glad you're back." He said.
"I'm glad to be back, sweetheart." Arman kissed him hard on the lips, and Chris slowly slid down Arman's body to stand in front of him.
"Everything resolved as you'd hoped it would?" He asked, being careful not to ask for specifics.
“Everything is resolved.” He glanced over at Trey and Regal. “I’m going to take my beloved home. I want you to check in with Master Rose and offer any assistance he may need in the cleanup and then follow us home when you are finished.”
“Yes, sir.” They both said and left the room.
"Are you ready to go, my love?" Arman asked Chris, who was looking at him with a longing that mirrored his own heart.
"I'm ready, I am so ready." He went to grab his bags, but Arman beat him to it and took both in one hand while wrapping his other arm around Chris' shoulders.
“I love you, baby, so much.” Arman kissed the side of his head and was rewarded with the sweetest smile and an expression of excited happiness that would live in his heart and mind for all time.
This was the good life; this was the perfection he’d sought for a lifetime.
This was his beloved and his partner for eternity. “Let’s go home.”