The Guests

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The Guests
Darksoul20032001
Stormgoddess1228


I never expected to hear from Nathaniel, only three people had my cell phone number, he wasn't one of them. He was so agitated; it took me quite some time to get him calmed down enough, so that I could understand more than a few words from him.

As I tried to make sense of his garbled words, their meaning became clear; Noah had told him to call me, to warn me. Some one was looking for me; they had already been to Guilty Pleasures. Nathaniel had been there, working, he called Noah, and they went to my hotel suite. While Nathaniel waited in the car, like a good submissive would do when ordered to, Noah ran into my "guests" as it were. Funny, that, I didn't have any "guests". Noah told Nathaniel to leave immediately. Nathaniel was to call me in order to let me know that Tabitha was going to keep Noah entertained for the evening. This did not bode well at all. My blood turned to ice as I imagined the horrors that Tabitha could inflict on him. Noah was in deep trouble, I just hoped I could get there in time for some damage control, if nothing else, I needed details.

I asked Nathaniel how long ago this happened, that was a mistake; he became so upset that he was incoherent again. Being submissive was taking its toll on his nerves today. An hour had gone by, I was in shock, a lot could happen in an hour, I only hoped Noah was still alive. I knew Tabitha all too well. I told Nathaniel to calm down; that I could handle this, I only hoped I wasn't inadvertently lying.

I wondered how long it took Nathaniel to realize that I'd hung up as I left Dead Druids. I had to get to the hotel and I couldn't take any more time placating him, I would just have to make it up to him later. I couldn't take the chance that Tabitha would hurt anyone else, so I didn't tell anyone I was leaving. If she were traveling with others like she usually did, the situation would quickly escalate into an uncontrollable mess. I had to keep everyone safe. It was toward that end that I drove at the speed of light to get there, hopefully in time to save Noah.

Many things could be discerned as I stepped off the elevator. The scents hit me like a living entity. Fear and pain were most predominate, although blood and lust were also very pungent.

As I cautiously approached the open door, I could sense others near. It seemed like Tabitha still had a thing for muscular blondes. I could sense Mark and Ross in there with her. I walked in, only to have the door slam shut behind me. The smell of blood was so strong; I had to breathe deep to gain control. I was enraged, I knew as soon as I cared to look, that I would see Noah, see the mess Tabitha had made of him. I only hoped he was still alive.

I looked toward the direction where the blood scent was strongest. I saw Noah lying in a pool of his own blood, I could barely perceive that he was still living. Tabitha must be slipping, she never was one to "Live and let live", only if it caused someone more pain. I was betting that she was going for the maximum pain approach, all the way around

I felt her silent approach. I noticed small differences in her appearance, nothing unusual in itself, she liked to change her hair color a lot. What had once been blonde, was now coal black, Tabitha was a woman of contrast indeed. I couldn't help notice the silver body suit that she had on either; it looked like it was poured on, not a millimeter of excess fabric anywhere. She made sure to put a teasing sway in her walk as she came toward me; I couldn't help the sigh that escaped my lips.

"I'm surprised Tabitha, he's still alive. Going soft?"

"Well, considering whom I really want to kill, you should hold off on the sarcasm. You were told to come back with Patrick, aren't you still loyal to Sebastian?

" He doesn't deserve loyalty not since he let you take over; I'm surprised that you haven't killed yet yet."

" He does have his followers; I can't get rid of him, yet. You really have no choice Elijah, you will come back with me, or I will destroy all that you've found, all that you are. Every last measure of peace will be gone; every last modicum of serenity will be forever out our gur grasp, I guarantee it. Don't make the same mistake others have, doubt me at your own peril."

I was beginning to wonder if this was indeed the same the same Tabitha, the last statement was oddly reassuring. I would deal with her as I always had, like a poisonous reptile. I would definitely handle her with extreme caution.

It was then that I noticed Ross coming out of the bedroom with a dark stranger. Although he was of medium build, warning flags went through my senses at an incredible rate. His pale skin was another warning, albeit an obvious one. He was a vampire.

"Since when do you hang out with vampires, Tabitha? I know you like to travel with a harem, but isn't this a little odd even for you?"

Using her best seductive glide, she went to the stranger's side. Caressing his cheek in a proprietary fashion, she turned to me and said, "Diego is not your concern for the moment. If you want to continue playing twenty questions, I'll be glad to play, but know this, for every question you ask, I get to have a little fun. I'm going to start with your friend, or maybe I should say I'm going to finish with him once and for all. Does his life mean so little to you?"

I thought of all the people that were important to me; I couldn't let Tabitha hurt any of them. I had to do whatever it took to protect them. Unfortunately that meant going with her, playing willing captive for a while, I was so screwed. I knew what she was going to do to me, not only was she going to punish me for not returning to her, she was going to use me in another of her evil, disreputable plans. My only hope, besides surviving what she was going to do to me was that no one else suffers. She was brilliant at causing others misery, not to mention capable of doing anything to get her way. As I glanced at Noah, and thought of everyone I held dear, I said the only thing I could.

"Fine Tabitha you win, you get me back, I just want to make sure that Noah gets taken care of, he needs medical attention, you usually don't leave things half done like this, are you sure you are the real Tabitha?"

That was a mistake, in not letting her think she had me completely under her control, I opened up the field for her to start the damage on me. I had forgotten how talented she was, only for a second, but that was all it took for her to sink her claws into my chest and shred not only my shirt but also all of the flesh underneath. At least Noah would be spared any more of her torture tonight, she now had a new target, me.

It was very difficult taking the cell phone from my pocket. I called Nathaniel on Noah's phone. It was tricky getting him to listen without interrupting, I told him about Noah and what needed to be done. Nathaniel listened very carefully, I knew he would follow my instructions to the letter. Zane and Cherry would pick up Lillian, the wererat doctor, and bring her to my suite to treat Noah. As soon as I hung up, Ross grabbed the phone from me, eliciting a gasp of pain. I saw Tabitha give a sly smile at that; she did so enjoy another's pain.

As luck would have it the phone rang. Diego took it from Ross before he could answer it. I had forgotten just how fast a vampire could be, no wonder Tabitha kept him as a pet. He got her blood and she got someone moradlyadly than any of her wereleopards and certainly more intimidating than most. I was amazed that the vampire was in this territory without Jean Claude's knowledge, or was he? That was something I would certainly have to think about, and just how had Tabitha hidden her presence from Anita? It looked like I had a mystery to solve as well. I didn't think Anita would take too kindly to Tabitha at all. Most likely shoot her full of holes just on general principle to save the time of doing it later. Tabitha was one of the bad guys and if nothing else, Anita was good at getting rid of the bad guys. This was too much for me to puzzle out at this momenthad had to concentrate on the important things. The immediately important things like keeping myself alive and making sure no one else got hurt because of Tabitha.

A little submission on my part should do the trick, I just hoped that Tabitha would fall for it. I walked over to Her, pulling off my ruined shirt as I went. I knew that I had taken the right tact whenaw haw her eyes light up like neon signs. I knelt by her feet as I slid my body down hers, coating her with blood as I did so. This was too easy, a little blood and a little hint of sex was all it took to manipulate her. I also noticed Diego staring with lust in his eyes, but was it bloodlust or another kind; this definitely had possibilities, ones I had never thought of before. If I played my cards right, I would be free much sooner than I thought. I would play this game, play it to win, play to keep my friends safe. It was time to leave, as Diego and Tabitha noticed the other's reaction, the spell was broken. They both spoke out at the same time.

" There had better not be anyone waiting for you."

I noticed an odd expression on Tabitha's face; it seemed she was a little annoyed that one of her pets would speak out like that. This definitely had possibilities.

"Can I grab a new shirt? "

I asked for two reasons, I wanted to test their relationship. I wanted to see who would take the lead and I wanted to stall just a little longer. The more I healed before we left, the better off I would be. They both utt the the same standard B-movie bad guy warning you know the one, don't try any thing, or they would kill me. Who wrote their lines? Surely they could come up with something original. This was getting ridiculous, if it wasn't for Noah being as hurt as bad he was I would have laughed. I almost did anyway, I guess blood loss will do that to you, go figure.

"Get your shirt we are leaving now"

Diego wastingting impatient. Tabitha was furious that he gave an order without consulting her first. Just what did she expect? He was very old, not ancient, not a master, but old nevertheless. You don't get that old unless you are very lucky, very smart, or very careful. I had a feeling he was all that and more, so why was he acting as Tabitha's pet? Another mystery to solve. I'm also betting that he came over with the Conquistadors. Call it a hunch, I'm not usually far off the mark. That also had possibilities, I would have to get Anita to check it out with Obsidian Butterfly; they still had occasional contact after all that had happened.

As we left the suite, Tabitha motioned toward the stairs. I guess she was being cautious but it seemed a little paranoid to me. Then again, we were still covered in blood, this shirt soaked through also. I didn't want anyone calling the police, it would be a massacre, and they tended to shoot first and ask questions never, when lycanthropes were involved.

I followed Tabitha and Diego like a tame, submissive creature, the role I chose in dealing with her coming back to me with ease. Next came Ross and Mark. It was only slightly disconcerting that they would view me as such a threat. I may have the advantage of height but they had the advantage of muscle, appropriate I suppose considering they were supposed to be bodyguards. Good thing I was more skilled at martial arts

As we approached the outer door, I was given another warning, along with a shove that almost sent me sprawling. They were really into playing B movie tough guys so the least I could do was to play along and let them think I was weaker than I was.

"If anyone is out there you die first, Elijah; we will rip you apart before they can rescue you."

Tabitha always had a way with threats; at least she thought so. This was said as Ross checked outside, then motioned for us to follow. As we walked toward their van, I began to get the intense feeling of being watched, not necessarily a bad thing in this case, but certainly worth acknowledging. It seemed I was the only one of our group that noticed, that was definitely good, maybe I could use it to my advantage before too long. Tabitha must really be slipping, she should have been able to sense the other pnce,nce, so should the rest of them. I know it wasn't anyone from inside the van, it was empty, except for a collection of Tabitha's favorite torture toys. I guess she wanted to be thoroughly entertained during our drive to the airport.

Diego seemed oddly tense all of the sudden, It seemed we had company of the undead kind. What was worse was that something was definitely brewing. Tabitha and her bodyguards could not detect the presence at all. I was putting my money on vampire mind games. Why I exI excluded, I asked myself. I should have been as oblivious as they were.

I could see Diego eyeing the far end of the parking lot. There seemed to be more shadows then usual, more areas of darkness. I knew Master Vampires had many tricks they could use, but I had never seen one cloaked in shadow before. I wished for that ability myself all too soon.

Without warning, Tabitha and her cohorts became aware of our audience. Mark and Ross both grabbed me at the same time while she tried to dig out my heart. She was ripped away from me before she could finish the deed; luckily for me, the big surprise was that her pet vampire did it. With a flick of his hand, her throat was severed from ear to ear. With her legendary healing abilities, I knew this would put her down, but she was far from out for the count. There was no possible way that Diego didn't know this, too. I had a feeling someone wanted her alive. Who was he working for? I was beginning to think Jean Claude, none other than The Master of St. Louis. This was getting a little too complicated, even for me. It was time to break camp.

Before I could do anything, Mark and Ross were dispatched with amazing speed. Bullets to the head and the heart will do that I suppose, who knew? I was just glad they were gone, people that vicious don't deserve to live. I wasn't sure if there was anyone to mourn them, I knew Tabitha wouldn't.

She was still lying on the ground gasping for breath as the newcomers stepped forward. I recognized Jean Claude and Anita. They hao oto other vampires with them, a human, and another wereleopard I heverever met before.

"What's shakin' Lija? Anita asked with a smirk. "You look a little under the weather."

Jean Claude just rolled his eyes at her sarcastic understatement. I was still bleeding from the wounds Tabitha had inflicted at my suite, not to mention the new ones she had just given me; I was beginning to get worried.

As Anita and I greeted each other, the human that I was later to find out was Edward the assassin, checked the bodies for signs of life.hinghing like being thorough, even though it was redundant, they were looking like Swiss cheese with the bullet holes in them.

Anita introduced the other vampires as Asher and Damian. They were busy keeping an eye on Diego and Tabitha, no surprise there. This was getting complicated, trying to figure out all the subtle nuances of this strange gathering and even stranger circumstances.

The other wereleopard had me puzzled, I knew without a doubt, that he was not one of Anita's cats. I also knew that he was somehow involved with Diego. The most confusing thing was how she treated him as one of her own. I was betting she knew him well. This was confirmed when she introduced him as Cesar. Both he and Diego were Part of Obsidian Butterfly's property, part and parcel of her estate as it were; she owned them body and soul. What were they doing here? What was going on, and how did Tabitha get involved? She was in over her head, strangely familiar that, could it be because I was, too? The phrase, "Eyeball deep and sinking fast" came to mind. I was to ponder my fno mno more as I blackness engulfed me.

The drumming was driving me crazy; it was as if I could feel it in every cell. The odd murmuring music was the same. It took me more than a few moments to figure out that the drumming was the heartbeats of the people in the room, the music was their soft conversation. I could hear them discussing my injuries; it wasn't so odd that I had mken ken that for music, regaining consciousness can be more than a little disconcerting. I could also sense that only one being knew I was not completely unconscious any more. Great, another newcomer, just what I needed, more mystery.

My thoughts were traveling a lazy path through my mind, trying to understand what they were arguing about, I would heal, Lycanthropes usually did if the blood loss didn't kill us. As I listened I could identify individuals. Anita, Jean Claude, Asher and the newcomer were there along with Dr. Lillian and Cherry. The main focus of their quiet argument was that I wasn't healing as fast as I should be. That caught my undivided attention. I knew I felt wretched, having them confirm that something wasn't right made it worse. They were insinuating that Tabitha was somehow magically enhanced. What, she couldn't do enough damage on her own? As their voices grew louder I could feel a buildup of an unknown Power crawling over my skin. It was not unpleasant, far from it in fact, but very perplexing just the same. It didn't take me long to come fully awake and aware.

The Power was definitely coming from the new individual. She was very upset and her Magic was leaking into the room. I was amazed that the others weren't reacting to it until I realized that I was the only one it was merging with. I say a merging because it was an almost complete blending between her Power and mine. I could feel my beast rise up to greet this force, I wasn't sure I had enough con to to keep from shifting. I needn't have worried; it seemed to calm after a few brief moments. As my beast calmed, I looked to this Entity, I was amazed to find a rather petite redhead, she was something special, not her quiet beauty, though that was admirable to behold, her Aura of complete and utter sincerity was truly amazing. She was one of the good guys, a relief since she was so powerful.