May 12, 2022

“Qadir, would you be so kind as to inform Massara I’d like to see him?”

“I’ll summon him immediately my prince.” The Middle Eastern vampire withdrew his cell phone and dialed.

 “Hello.”

“Good evening Mr. Massara.”

“Good evening Sheriff. May I assume this is not a social call?”

“Your prince has made time to see you. Midnight, her suite at the Continental.”

“Thank you Qadir. I’ll be there.”

“Good.”

The line went dead.

“He’s coming my prince.” Qadir announced.

“Of course he is. Massara is loyal.”

She stared at a board full of pinned photos. To the left were a dozen so pictures, Alec’s photo as well as those of his coterie, along with several others that had proven themselves trustworthy during the Archon’s failed attempt to wrest New York City from her control. To the right were known dissidents, those believed to still be alive or at least not yet confirmed dead, that had foolishly challenged her rule. They numbered more than the loyalists. Prince Panhard was incredibly selective of those she placed her faith in. In the center, arranged by clan were all of the known kindred in the city sequenced by status within their clans. On another board were the same pictures however, arranged by coterie, at least the ones she was aware of. Alec belonged to a group she dubbed ‘Irregulars’. She had created the coterie from what many considered spare parts and damaged goods. Much to her surprise and benefit, they not only accomplished every task set for them, but proved their loyalty time and again. She might even dare to credit them for turning the tide of the recent war against the archon and securing her rule. Helene Panhard didn’t play favorites, but were she so inclined, these Irregulars might just be the beneficiaries of that benevolence. Now she had formed another coterie, of similar stock and unproven ability. She hoped Massara could help mentor these new ‘Misfits’ and groom them to be as productive if not as loyal as his own coterie. If not… at the very least, she’d have eyes on them.

…………………………………………………

Ysa parked the Black Masserati SUV in the underground lot. With the car coming to halt, a blonde woman exited from the passenger seat and opened the rear door, all the while her eyes scanned for potential threats to her sire’s safety.

“Thanks El.” He smiled.

Alec Massara stood just over six feet tall. He had well-groomed black hair and a handsome face. His slightly olive skin showcased his Italian descent.  He wore a custom tailored suit and imported Italian leather shoes. He turned his wrist to look at the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime that was one of three like it in the world, 11 pm.  He moved with confidence and despite the accompaniment of the two very attractive women on his sides, many of the heads in the room turned to look at him, following him over to the bar.

“The usual Alec?”

“Please Addie.” He said with a warm smile before leaning in to kiss her cheek.

The bartender laid 3 glasses out. Tequila for the brown skinned Mexican ghoul with ink black hair. ‘Ysa’, as Alec called her, wore a black pants suit and heels that brought her near to Alec’s height. Vodka for the blonde haired woman with bright blue eyes and distinctly Eastern European features. Elena wore a playful floral print dress and blood red open toe pumps. Alec was served bourbon, neat, in a glen cairn.

“Thanks Addie.”

“You’re early.” The red headed bartender commented.

“There’s early and there’s late. No such thing as on time Ads.”

She smiled and stepped away to help other patrons.

They waited about half an hour before they saw him. A well-dressed man of Middle Eastern descent, Qadir wore his long black hair in a tight ponytail. On his hip was the scimitar that had brought so many to their final death.

“Good evening Alec. Ladies…” He acknowledged the ghouls cordially.

“Hello sir.” Alec greeted, extending his hand.

Qadir shook it and said, “This way.”

Alec followed him, leaving his escorts behind. They walked toward a stairwell that had two guards he recognized as Hounds in the service of the prince. They parted allowing the two the pass up to the next floor. They entered through an ornate white door that led into a sitting area where Prince Panhard was waiting comfortably on a sofa.

“Good evening my Prince.” Alec bowed. “It’s kind of you to see me.”

“Is it?” She queried with a flat expression. “What if I called you here to take your head.”

“My prince need not take anything. You spared my life several years ago. As I see it, it’s already yours. If you wish for my head, I’ll gladly give it.”

“And what a terrible waste that would be. Has Anastasiya tormented you so that this is your outlook on life?”

“She’s delightful, my prince. I’m a lucky man.”

“Lucky man? I don’t know about that… but a good man Massara… Far too good.”

“My prince is far too kind.”

“I’ve been called many things Alec. Kind is not typically one of them.” Her stoic expression broke ever so slightly into the smallest of grins. “I did not summon you here to test your charm though. There is another matter I need attended to. I felt you would perfect for the assignment.”

“How may I serve?”

“Sit” She motioned to a chair off to her side.

The prince opened a folder that had been resting on the coffee table and began to spread pictures across the surface. When she was done the entirety of the table had been covered. Alec looked over the display. All the photos depicted young girls, teens through early twenties he imagined.

“All girls. All pretty. All…” He had begun to think aloud.

“Missing.”  The prince interjected. “Well not all. She reached over the table and picked up one of the photos. “This one was found dead. Drained of all her blood and left like refuse in an alley near a garbage bin.”

Alec stared at the photo. “Fourteen?”

“Only just. She had snuck into a nightclub with her friends and some bad ID’s for her birthday. “Not the celebration she expected.”

“You want me to hunt down whoever did this and find the rest of these girls?”

“No.”

Alec paused, confused. But he knew better than to ask a question that was about to be answered.

“I want you to oversee my new coterie of misfits and determine if they’re worth the blood we spent on them. They’re all new makes, unknown quantities. Let them handle this and see how fare. They will report to you and you will report to me as needed. Understood?”

“Yes my prince.”

“Intervene only if necessary to protect the masquerade. I want these fledglings to learn to fly.”

“As you say my prince.”

“And Alec… You speak with my voice in your dealings with them. Should they disappoint…”

“I will address it.”

“Good.” She stood and walked over to a full pane window. “You can see yourself out.”

“Good night my prince.” When she didn’t respond he bowed to the Sheriff.

Qadir nodded and Alec took his leave.