February 24, 2021

231 Bowery in Lower Manhattan. That was the address Alec had given her when she asked for the location of the new domain Prince Panhard had gifted his coterie. Anastasiya was unimpressed with the neighborhood. It wasn’t nearly as posh as the high end surroundings near the auction house. She wasn’t sure she wanted Alec cavorting with the types of people who frequented the area. He was better than that. True the Bratva counted equally seedy people among their number but he wasn’t forced to live with them. For her, this environment just seemed dirty. Add to it the number of days he spent away on business for the prince, handling private affairs for Fiorenza, not to mention his increased interest in Victoria Ash and Anastasiya was less than happy. She found herself receiving the shorter end of his time, something she certainly did not like. In fact she had not seen him in nearly a week and that was downright unacceptable. Sure the pandemic had made business difficult. Certainly it had adversely affected the life of a kindred, nothing more so than the negative impact it had on feeding opportunities. Alec’s decision to hire female security agents almost seemed smart now, if not for the fact that she detested the idea of him spending time alone with another woman, even if it was just to feed. 

As the car pulled up in front of the building she could see why it held appeal to him. There were several local art galleries nearby, a museum and even a few night clubs and bars. The homeless shelter down the road she could do without and the no name hotel was without question in need of an update but the building holding the coterie’s office space was a new construction, and done quite well. The time and planning that Alec had put into it would almost have been worthwhile had it not kept him away from her. She walked toward the entrance and two large sliding doors parted, allowing her admittance. The floor was done in white Italian stone, marbled with black and gold veins. There was seating in the unoccupied lobby in the form of leather couches and comfortable arm chairs. Modern glass tables accented the waiting area. She glided through the space until she reached a large desk where two very attractive receptionists stood smiling. Their bright expressions and comely appearance only worsened her mood.

“May I help you miss?” One of them asked. She had red hair, the color of dark wine and emerald green eyes.

“I don’t think so.” Anastasiya growled. “I’m here to see Alexander. Where is he?”

“I’m sorry. Who?” The other inquired. This young lady had jet black hair that layered over to the side but was shaved on the other. Her smoky shadowed eyes framed a bright blue iris.

“Alexander Dragomir. Your boss.” Her eyes flared angrily. “I’m guessing the man who hired you.” She was livid and began cursing in Russian.

“There’s no one here by that name. Are you sure you have the right building?” 

Anastasiya slammed her hand on the counter. The loud smack reverberated through the spacious lobby.

“Don’t play games with me or I assure you you’ll regret it,” she threatened through teeth clenched so tight she bit into her bottom lip. The taste of blood only excited her more. 

The first woman reached under the desk and pressed a button.

“Now take your pretty little ass wherever you need to and bring Alec out here.”

The second woman heard a tone sound then nervously eyed the elevator off to the side before speaking.

“Ma’am perhaps you should go. I’ve already called for security.”

“Is that where he is?” Anastasiya asked rather rudely, looking toward the foyer by the elevators. She turned abruptly, storming off in that direction.

“Ma’am you can’t.” The first woman said, moving to intercept her.

Anastasiya glared menacingly at her. Drawing on the power of her vitae her presence became daunting and the young woman recoiled away in fear. The two security guards who had just appeared from a side room took a step back as well. She reached the elevator and just as she was about to press the button the doors opened.

“Oh. It’s you.” Elena looked past Anastasiya and into the lobby. “Are you the cause of all the commotion?” She asked when she didn’t see anyone else.

“What do you mean by that?” The vampire hissed angrily.

“Nothing Miss Dragomir.” Elena said pleasantly. “Someone pressed the emergency button. I’m curious to find you were the cause, that’s all.”

The two guards had regained their composure and had closed in on them.

“It’s ok fellas. I have her. This is Miss Dragomir. She’s a VIP. I’ll take her where she needs to go.”

The guards nodded and walked away.

“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Miss Dragomir. The girls are new. They haven’t been here long enough to receive a proper briefing on who you are and Alec wasn’t expecting you so he didn’t leave word.”

‘So he is here?” She asked with a slightly duller edge. “Why did they say they didn’t know who he was then?” 

“Oh. New mask. Sorry. I made it for the business so as not to attract any unwanted attention.”

“I see.” Anastasiya said with a hint of skepticism.

“If you’d like I’ll take you to him.” Elena smiled, motioning to the elevator.

“Yes. Do that.” The vampire walked stiffly past her and onto the lift.

The elevator stopped on the second floor opening into a luxuriously appointed sitting area. Expensive leather couches formed a horseshoe around a massive big screen tv. There was a man sitting there, wearing jeans and a plain white t- shirt, chewing on a toothpick. He was unkempt, with tattoos on most of his body including his face. He had his over worn work boots up on a coffee table. He sucked his teeth onto the toothpick as he watched her walk approach. Disinterested, he looked away, focusing his attention back to the television. Anastasiya recognized him immediately as the brujah the prince had forced upon Alec. “Sbrod.” She said to herself. 

Elena fought back a grin. 

Anastasiya’s eyes swept the floor. In one office she saw a middle eastern man, well dressed and meticulously groomed having a conversation with a very pretty girl also of middle eastern descent. She wore a driver’s uniform that was far from modest with fishnet stockings and high heels. She seemed to share a connection with the man and so Anastasiya was able to appreciate her style and her beauty without any pangs of jealousy to trouble her. The man’s eyes took notice of her but just as quickly returned to the woman he was speaking to.

In a separate office, another man with boyish good looks was sorting through some papers. He had a messenger bag slung over a chair and a bike helmet resting alongside it. She assumed Alec must have hired him to run messages for the coterie, keeping to the rules of avoiding technology. 

“Who’s the messenger?” She asked.

“Oh that’s Wylee. Clan Tremere.”

“Oh. So not a ghoul?” 

“No Miss Dragomir. He was selected by the prince as part of the coterie too.”

“I see. Wasn’t there a Toreador. The musician?” 

“Yeah. He’s away on business right now.”

“And the La Sombra?”

“Is with Alec.”

Anastasiya gave her an incredulous look. “Doing what?”

“He’s a banker. He’s helping Alec with the finances.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. Right this way.”

Elena brought her to an office with it’s door closed and blinds drawn. She tapped lightly on it before she opened it. 

“So a fight club could…” Alec was deep in conversation.

“Alec you have a visitor.”

“A what. I wasn’t expecting…” He stopped mid thought. As soon as he saw Anastasiya he smiled wide. Stasi. What are you doing here? You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

She had an annoyed expression on her face as she surveyed the room. Ysa was leaning over his shoulder exchanging signed forms for ones that required signatures. Seated to his right was a very large man with a full beard and mustache. He looked up from the spreadsheet he was reviewing, distracted by Alec who had stood to his feet. 

“Well I would have but you’ve been rather difficult to reach. Are you so busy that you can’t stop by and say hello?” She had her hands on her hips in a demanding pose.   

“I’m sorry Stasi.” He said as he closed the distance between them. He leaned in to kiss her lips but she turned her head offering her cheek instead. “Anastasiya. Why do you hurt me so?”

“Hurt you?” She glared at him. “I told you this coterie business would be a problem. I should never have let the prince…”

Alec cut her off. “Forgive me moye serdtse, I have not properly introduced you to my friend. Stasi this is Marshall Helbrecht.”

“The La Sombra. I know who he is.” She answered with attitude.

“Marshall, this is the love of my heart, my sire, my sweetest Anastasiya.”

“Oh yeah. The one from all the pictures. Nice to meet you.”

“Pictures?” She asked confused.

“Pictures Stasi.” He motioned to Ysa who turned a framed picture of the Russian vampire toward her. “You don’t think I could spend this much time away without seeing your pretty face or your infectious smile do you?” He reached for her hand and she begrudgingly accepted. He pointed out several more strategically placed about the room so no matter where he stood he’d have a view of at least one.

“Oh.” She seemed a bit startled.

“So you see lyubov’ even when responsibility forces me away nothing keeps my thoughts from you.”

Were her blood flowing she’d have blushed. She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. “I’m sorry Alexander. You know how I get sometimes.”

“No need to apologize, my heart. It’s my fault. I should be more understanding of how this stresses you and try harder not to be gone for so long.”

“True.” She smirked. “I forgive you. This time. But Alexander I expect better of you.” She kissed him again.

“Of course my love.”

Elena fought back a dry heave as Ysa shot her a warning with her eyes.

“As long as you’re here darling let me show you around the place.”

“Papa said you have an apartment here too, a place to safely sleep. I’d like to see that.”

“Sure. Marshall my friend. If you’ll excuse me…”

“Yeah no worries. We’ll pick this up later.”

“Thanks. Ysa could you…” 

“Forge your signature again?”

He winked at her then led Anastasiya from the room.

Back in the common area once more Anastasiya was able to make out that everyone in the coterie was afforded their own office space. They shared the oversized central part of the floor that served as both a professional receiving area and a sitting room for waiting guests. There was also a board room, break area and bathrooms to go along with file storage. At first glance there would be no mistaking the place for anything but a legitimate business operation. Alec led her to the elevator and keyed in a string of numbers.

“You coded the elevators here the same as the auction house?” 

“I did. We can’t have just anyone off the street finding our havens.”

“Smart Alexander.”

“Thank you.”

The doors opened and they stepped into a large communal recreation area. Multiple Screens and monitors were situated about offering both security camera footage and leisure programming from the satellite system. They had a pool table, poker table and even a mahjong table. A wet bar was installed though she couldn’t really understand why. None of the coterie could drink alcohol. Even so the bar back shelves were lined with only the best selections representing their spirit category. More luxury furniture appointed the place and there was even an area with theater seating in front of an enormous screen. An Xbox must have been attached to it and a user named Scrim logged in. Beyond the central living area were six apartment doors, one for each of the members of the coterie. Alec pointed to one with a stone arch and dark wood door with artistically rendered panels. He opened it and motioned for her to step inside.

She stood in a comfortable living room area decorated to give the illusion of being in an old Italian villa. Imported furniture, hardwood floors and decor reminiscent of renaissance era Italy gave the place a welcoming feel. Anastasiya wandered over to the kitchen where a very expensive espresso machine rested on an island.

“Why do you have this?”

“Ysa. She likes cafecito. Some nights when we work late until the morning we’ll come here. It’s more comfortable and considerably more private than the office area.”

She looked around and saw a bedroom where a woman’s shoes sat on the floor, one heel on its side and a black party dress tossed on the unmade bed.

“And what is that  Alec?” She asked. Her tone had sharpened once more. 

“The guest room.”

“Whose things are those?” 

He peeked into the room. “Oh. That’s Ysa’s stuff. She uses it when she’s too tired to head back to the apartment Fiorenza rented for her.”

“Really.” She was obviously irritated. “And where do you sleep?”

“Here.” He walked to the master bedroom and opened the door. The room was immaculately kept. The bed was made and there wasn’t a single speck of dust to be found. Much like the office, there were pictures of her on every nightstand as well as the dresser. He took his jacket off and hung it in the closet. His suits were orderly and neat. He removed the shoulder harness that held his pistol and hung that up as well then removed the second pistol he carried from the small of his back, placing it next to a solid silver frame. The picture it held was of Anastasiya in an emerald green dress that had creeped up mid thigh. She was sitting, smiling at an event held at the auction house. Once again she melted.

“So no one shares this bed with you.”

“I didn’t say that.” He smiled as she frowned. “I’d like for you to. I’ll call your father and tell him you’re staying here tonight. That is if you want to.”

“I think I’d like that.”

“Good.” He turned away and dialed the number.

“Mr Dragomir sir. Yes, it’s Alec. Stasi and I will be out til tomorrow. Of course sir. We’ll see you then.” He turned back to her and said, “There’s business your father needs me to address tomorrow. We’ll have to head back as soon as it’s dark.”

“Ok. But until then…”

“Until then Stasi.”

“No Stasi tonight. Nastiya.”

Alec smiled. “Nastiya it is.”