Dragon 5 Chapter 5 (Patreon)

As the vampire walked over to me, I knew my intuition was right. This was the man who owned the club.

The bare chested vampire strolled up to our booth, and one worker scrambled to get a chair in place for him.

He turned it backwards, straddling it and leaning forward casually as he scanned our table, his eyes landing on my mate.

“Morgana.” He said with a thick accent. “I heard the famed killer was here. To what do I owe the pleasure? Want to introduce your friends?”

I didn’t miss how his eyes flickered over to me. He knew exactly who I was, but it didn’t seem that he was going to admit it.

It was some sort of power play.

“Denis, was it?” Morgana acted bored and messed up his name. And I didn’t miss that she ignored his question, replacing it with one of her own. “I’ve never heard of you before. Which of the blood lords do you do grunt work for?”

The vampire barked a laugh. “My name is Deniz, actually. And those stuffy old men are busy playing with baubles in their castles. I much prefer to play with women. They’re so much sweeter. But I was turned by Yusuf Wallachia.” He grinned from ear to ear when he said the name. I assumed those in the vampire circles would recognize it, but it meant nothing to me.

“Interesting. The Wallachia family hasn’t tried to spread past the Balkans in a very long time. Don’t you think coming here might be seen as an expansion attempt?” Morgana took a sip of her drink, looking almost bored as she let her eyes rove around the bar lazily.

“I’m just having a little fun.” Deniz leaned back while holding onto the chair with a cocky grin. His ripped and tatted body was clearly on display, and he knew it. It seemed like his prized possession.

“You never introduced me.” Deniz addressed Morgana once more.

“Because we both know you don’t need it. This is my mate and partner, Zach. And these are Sabrina and Trina.” Morgana was short.

Deniz breathed deep. “Dragons. Two delicious dragons.” He eyed me before looking back at Morgana. “There was a rumor that you are now with the king of dragons, Zach Pendragon.” His eyes flickered back to me. “I didn’t know we were among royalty, or I would have dressed for it.”

“Hard to dress up when you don’t dress much at all.” I replied dryly, enjoying the small snicker from Trina. He bristled, but I moved us on before he responded. “We are here on business, unfortunately.”

I let just a little of my dragon aura slip free to keep others away from our booth. Deniz could feel it and narrowed his eyes at me.

“For privacy.” I said simply, although flexing my power felt good. “After all, you let humans wander around here, and we have sensitive matters to discuss.”

“A man has to eat.” Deniz grinned wide, showing off his fangs. I could feel his nature wanting to rebel against my aura. His eyes sharpened as he looked at me. “What business do you have? This is time for pleasure.”

I didn’t beat around the bush. “It seems vampires aren’t being so careful in Philly anymore. We came here on behalf of Philly’s council. We are getting significant complaints of freshly turned vampires hunting in the open. The fae are concerned; they’ve had several attacks on their people. Spring is fading, and Summer is about to be at the height of her power. If it isn’t solved, it is likely she will come and resolve it for herself.” I tried to add some urgency into the statement, hoping it would make Deniz be more open.

While the fae hadn’t outright said they would become more involved, what I’d said was factual. They were nearing the Summer’s apex, and it was possible they would retaliate.

Deniz nodded. “But I’m still not clear why you would come here. I keep my vampires in line.” He gestured about to the club, where several vampires were obviously feeding in public. “You have no problem from me.”

“Given the change in vampire behavior and a change in leadership, you can understand why we’d be concerned.” I narrowed my eyes and folded my hands on the table. “Fix this Deniz. If you are going to claim leadership of the vampires in my city, then this is your problem.”

“A dragon does not command me.” He sneered back.

I didn’t react, keeping my head held high as I stared him down. “While you are in Philly, the Paranormal Council does command you. Otherwise, you won’t be welcome in the city. And I can assure you that removal would be the kinder option of our choices.”

Deniz’s club disgusted me, and I’d be more than happy to burn it down. But he was clearly well connected, and this was a matter for the council. While I had serious sway on the council, I didn’t command it.

I looked over at my mate, who still had a bored look on her face. But I knew better. She was calculating and adding her own context over everything she was hearing. I was eager to be alone to get her thoughts, and maybe relieve a bit of her own hunger.

Deniz pursed his lips and shrugged with his hands out. “I suppose then that I should join this council if I’m to lead the vampires. Things are difficult being new, but I’ll get a handle on my brethren. A few must be acting up.”

His tune changed on a dime, and I knew he had ulterior motives.

“Come to the next council meeting. I’ll make sure someone sends you a message.” I played along. “There you can represent the vampires.” Honestly, I looked forward to not playing messenger. And it never hurt to keep my potential enemies where I could see them.

“Yes. That would be great. Philly will come to understand that vampires are good for everyone.” Deniz grinned at me like we were best friends. I smiled back, letting my dislike for him shine in my eyes.

“Well, that settles the issue, and I’m afraid I have no need to stay here longer.” I pushed off the table. “Shall we?”

I stepped out of the booth, holding my hand out for Morgana. She scooted around the booth and took it, rising gracefully as her eyes met mine.

My beautiful vampire didn’t even look at Deniz as she moved past him. Although Sabrina seemed a bit more anxious, side eying the clearly dangerous threat still sitting at our table.

Waiting until the women were past me, I turned my back on Deniz and followed them to the exit.

“That didn’t go so well.” Ricardo commented dryly, leaning against the wall near the exit. “Anything we should know?”

“There’s a problem with new vamps running wild. If he doesn’t get it fixed, The Council will respond.” I replied, figuring he may also be able to help quell the problem.

Ricardo swallowed and stayed where he was against the wall.

We moved out into the street, and I was glad for some space until I spotted Helena standing on the sidewalk ahead.

“Helena, what are you doing in my city?” I moved into a naturally defensive stance in front of my mate.

Standing in front of us was the white-haired nephilim that had been a large part of the church’s attack on Sentarshaden, Yev and Tyrande’s home. While she’d helped me defeat the Archangel in the end, I still didn’t trust her.

But then my eyes zeroed in on the woman next to her, and my eyebrows shot to my hairline.

Agent Tills, an agent I’d only met once when they’d been trying to pin Jadelyn and her family for illegal shipments, stood right beside the archangel.

“Who knew tonight could get even more interesting?” Morgana commented from behind me.

Looking them over again, I noticed Helena had a badge resting on her right hip.

I groaned, already sensing the mess this was about to become. “Agent Tills, what brings you to Philly?”

I took a few steps to the side to get clear from the night goers entering the club.

“After I requested a new partner and a change of post, they put me on casework. I’m here about a recent problem.” Tills eyed me, like she was wondering if I was the problem.

“I see. Well, maybe we can help. Silverwing Mercenaries works in Philly. And I’d be happy to do anything that gets this one out of my city faster.” I grinned before turning my attention to Helena. “You didn’t tell me you joined the FBI.”

Tills stepped forward, her brow furrowing. “I have a few questions. Why did you call this your city? And what is your relation to Agent Albright?”

I shrugged off her first question. “Helena and I met on a trip to Switzerland.”

“Something like that.” Helena agreed. “I have heard the rumors since then. But I’m afraid that the woman next to you is a suspect in the case we are currently working.”

Following her line of sight, I expected her to be picking a fight with Morgana, but it was Sabrina that she was looking at.

“No. I don’t know why you are here, but she didn’t do it.” I growled, taking an aggressive step towards Helena. “Tills, I think you made a good call in getting a new partner, but I’m afraid to tell you that you’ve picked up someone who’s nothing but trouble.”

To my surprise, Helena stepped back in response to my aggressive stance. “If he won’t let us take her, then we can’t.”

The surprise was evident on Till’s face as her eyebrows shot up into her hairline.

“You didn’t come here for her anyway, did you?” They had no way of knowing she’d be at the club.

“No. We have a meeting with Deniz Wallachia.” Tills replied quickly. “I do not know who the lady next to you is. We are looking into a series of murders.” She frowned at Helena, then at me. Clearly, she was smart enough to know there was something she didn’t know.

I looked between the two ladies. “Be careful in there. If two federal agents die in my city, it’ll be a problem.”

“Zach.” Helena stopped me. There was a frown on her face, but it didn’t seem like it was directed at me. “I’m sorry for what happened before.”

I eyed her. “I don’t need the apology. Tyrande does. She’s in the city. You and I won’t be okay until my mate forgives you. If you can earn that forgiveness.” I growled.

Helena might have turned tables and fought the archangel when the connection to the celestial plane was gone, but she still endangered Tyrande. It was up to them to settle it. Until then, I’d stand by my mate.

“I’ll do that. After it all, I am working with the FBI to fix problems.” Her terminal resting bitch face softened just a little before she nodded and turned around.

Tills joined her, and I heard the agent ask. “Mate?”

Helena grumbled something in response as they sauntered up to the bouncers, flashing their badges.

“Sabrina, are succubi that rare?” I was surprised that she’d been the target of the investigation so quickly. She had also jumped to the conclusion that I’d suspect her after learning about the death.

“We are very rare.” Sabrina softly stated. “If it looks like a succubus killed someone, it is understandable that she would make me one of her suspects.”

I looked over at Trina. “Think you girls could take another in your house? I don’t want anyone jumping the gun on Sabrina if we can help it.”

“That’s okay, you don’t have to do that.” Sabrina protested.

“Nonsense. If you are getting roped into all of this, we can help.” Trina nudged Sabrina and shot her a wink.

Whatever the copper dragon was plotting, I was sure I’d find out later. But if the dragonettes could look after Sabrina, I’d feel better. I was becoming busier by the day, and she’d be safer with them.

Something was happening in Philly, and I intended to get to the bottom of it. New vampire power dynamics, a demon feeding, and FBI agents descending on the area. I had my work cut out for me.

My phone rang and I looked down, seeing a phone call from my ‘Fabulous Foxy Lover’. Scarlette enjoyed changing her contact info from time to time. I smiled, answering immediately.

“Scar, what’s up?” We started making our way back to Morgana’s van.

“Hello, Zach. It’s Detective Fox.”

“Oh my, what a deep voice you have, Scar.” I joked with my father-in-law. I could hear Scarlett behind him, saying something, but I couldn’t make it out.

Detective Fox cleared his throat. “Sorry, I’ll give the phone back to my daughter when I’m done. I wanted to give you a heads up. The case triggered something up the chain; we have federal agents in town.”

“Yeah, they’re FBI. I’m one step ahead of you. We just ran into them while asking a few questions at a local vampire watering hole. And we know both of them. Helena was the nephilim from the battle at Sentarshaden, and Agent Tills was present when Jadelyn’s family’s barge got pulled over.” I explained.

Scarlett squawked in the background. “Helena! That pigeon brained bitch is in the city? Dad, give me the phone.”

Detective Fox sighed. “I’ll do my best to direct them away from you.” He replied before the phone crackled as it was passed to my mate.

“Zach, did I hear that right? Helena, as in the very one who kidnapped Tyrande, is in this city?” I could tell that Scarlett was getting agitated.

“Yes, Scar, the same Helena. I told her to apologize to Tyrande, and I think she might actually do it. But I think we have bigger concerns. Put me on speaker.”

There was a pause as Scarlett worked to let her issues with Helena go for the moment to focus on what we needed. “Okay, you’re on with dad and I.”

I climbed into Morgana’s van and buckled in. “We went to see the vampires and got a surprise. They’ve gone through an abrupt leadership change. Some guy named Deniz Wallachia is now in charge.”

“Wallachia?” both of the kitsunes replied in sync.

And their reaction told me more than enough. “Yeah.”

Morgana cleared her throat, and I put it on speaker. “You have Sabrina, Trina, and Morgana here as well. I think Morgana is about to tell me about this new vampire.”

“I don’t know Deniz, but I do know his line, Wallachia. Vlad Wallachia was a vicious Romanian ruler. He was so ominous he was nicknamed Vlad the Impaler.”

My eyes went wide. “As in the inspiration for Dracula? Wait, was Dracula real?”

“Yes. The Wallachia family is one of the three big families among vampires. They have multiple blood lords among their ranks.” Morgana explained.

Detective Fox added on. “And they are bad news. Wallachia should not be expanding into America.”

The detective continued. “They still have a vicious reputation. Though their family extends by who they turn now. If it is really Wallachia coming into our area, the entire council will want them gone.”

I hadn’t expected that strong of a reaction from the detective. But based on Morgana’s expression, she agreed with him.

“Your thoughts?” I asked my mate.

“The Wallachia are brutes. They and the other two families have been isolated in the Balkans since the seventeenth century. The church would take action if they stepped outside of that. Maybe that’s why Helena is here.” She thought after a moment.

“Except the church just lost their celestial support, and Helena betrayed them.” I closed my eyes, realizing the implications. “Fuck. By cutting off the celestial plane, we opened the door to vampire expansion.”

Everyone was quiet enough that I knew I was at least partially right.

I didn’t regret our decisions, but it seemed that the global politics of the paranormal were sensitive enough that we’d caused a secondary reaction.

“Without the church, there are others that might grow bolder as well.” Sabrina commented quietly.

Her comment reminded me of the demon attacks in the city, and I followed her train of thought.

“Okay, so Philly is getting an influx of paranormals, and without the church, some players are looking to expand. Did I get that right?”

“That means there are more problems on the horizon.” Detective Fox echoed my concerns.

“Thanks for the talk, Father, but we need to run. The council gave Silverwing Mercenaries a few other cases we need to work on.” I hung up on him and let the phone slide off my hand and into the cup holder.

“Sabrina, is there a similar club for demons?” I asked.

But she shook her head, causing her black hair to fall in her face. “No. We are solitary most of the time if we are remaining on this plane. But if you know what kind of demon you are looking for, they tend to haunt the places where they can feed.”

“Interesting. Do you have an example?” I asked.

“Like a succubus lingering outside a brothel.” Morgana commented as she darted around a car that wasn’t moving fast enough for her. “But there’s always a number of options. Staking them out doesn’t make sense until we’ve narrowed it down. Let’s head down to the station and see if the morgue has more answers for us than Deniz.”