VIOLET DAWN

Chapter 11

"Leader, if you have a moment?"

Patrick turned to face the young Viscount of Barton. Dressed in his evening formal wear, the Viscount looked the part of a perfect English aristocrat. Of course, Patrick thought wryly as he looked about the dining room, none of the guests would ever dream that the man was a German born Vampire nearing his one-hundredth birthday.

"Go ahead Henry, is something wrong?"

Henry had the grace to blush as he shook his head in the negative. "No, nothing is wrong. I was just wondering, Leader, if I could move to a different city."

Uncertain why Henry seemed so hesitant with his request, Patrick replied easily, "You know you are permitted to move whenever you like. Just come by my house and I will show you the list of accommodations that is available in the various cities of the Northern Clan territory."

"Thank you," Henry smiled, but Patrick could sense the man's unease.

"What is it Henry? And do not say nothing. I don't like liars."

Patrick followed Henry' glance as it darted to the left where several men stood speaking about the current political climate. Having fought in more wars than he could count, Patrick found the little political maneuvers of men who made too much of themselves boring. For nearly 500 years he had been watching humans conquer and lose lands with endless obsession. It had made Patrick realise that if one was going to fight, it should be for something lasting and of real substance...a country without family or love was just sectioned off soil.  

"There is no real problem, per say. It is just that Daniel... I thought you might like to know that he speaks ill of you."

"Daniel?" Patrick scanned the room for the weasel and found him bowing over Lady Summer's hand. Ever since the he had admitted his defeat in the waters of the North Sea, the younger Vampier had hated Patrick.  

"It is thoughtful of you to tell me of this Henry, but you need not worry. Daniel is a nuisance, but he is also a coward. I doubt if any harm will come from him."

"You are right, Leader. We are all wise to his jealous ranting in either case, so no one listens to him. I just wanted you to know...because you don't enjoy reading minds so you might not have found out..."

Clasping the man's shoulder, Patrick smiled, "Don't worry, Viscount. Now why don't you get yourself back to that lady's side, she has been looking forlorn since you left her."

Henry grinned then with a curt bow, made his way to the red head he had left waiting by the refreshments table. 

"Shameless liar, she wasn't looking forlorn, she looked like she would like to jump on you."

Patrick raised one sardonic brow as Angelica walked into his line of vision.

"And here I thought you would have outgrown that habit of eavesdropping, especially after the last time you were caught at it..." he said. 

Angelica raised her brow in imitation of his look and had him laughing. It was almost a year ago now that the Princess had been discovered while watching a Vampire ceremony through a keyhole. She had not known of their existence until that moment, and had become a virtual prisoner after that.

"And what kind of lesson would I take away from last time when it led me to marry the love of my life?" Angelica asked sweetly. Before Patrick could think of a response, her face fell and she looked around. "Another boring affair, don't you think? I really should be with Alexander."

 Patrick understood her agitation, he too wanted to be anywhere but here, making pretty with human aristocrats. Nevertheless, agreeing with Angelica would not make her feel better. Distraction was more useful. "Our hostess claims there will be a great surprise this evening."