Draugs

Chapter 1 : New Beginnings

Phayu stood at the large French windows overlooking the beautiful gardens of the home he shared with his brothers. He felt restless, and stared unseeing as he felt something brewing but not quite there. "The Council just called. They want to see us," Phayu turned at Pai's voice. "Why now? And who is us?" he asked, scathingly. "The four of us. You, me, Win and Dean," Pai said, a frown furrowing his brow. "Why now?" Phayu repeated his question. "Don't they know we have retired?" he asked, as he saw his other friends walking in. The four of them had known each other all their lives and their trust in each other was a thing of beauty. Nothing and no one could break their bond. They had gone by several names over the years, but now, they lived as brothers more than friends, even sharing the same surname, making it easier for them to leave their properties to each other in case something happened to anyone of them.

They mostly lived their lives away from the lights, the darkness and mystery shrouding them and their past, adding to their allure. To top it all, the fact that they were amazingly gorgeous looking made their lives tougher, which made it easier for them to hide away, as easily as they could. And then, they could help each other to keep the darkness inside the others a little at bay. Just a gentle presence. But enough for a lifetime. "Chai said it was urgent, and that only we could take care of it," Pai said, breaking Phayu's train of thought. "Let's go find out what they want Yu. It must be something very bad, if Chai personally called," Dean said, putting his hand on Phayu's shoulder. "Okay then. If that's what you all feel," Phayu said.

The Council was housed in one of the calmest places in downtown Bangkok, beside the Wat Arun. Phayu always thought that the ancestors really had the weirdest sense of humour. But contrary to popular lore, their kind was nothing like what history made them out to be. They were not blood-sucking soulless fiends. On the contrary, they were god-fearing and did not actually need humans to survive. They had beating hearts, and loved a good meal. They did need blood, but of another vampire. Mostly friends and family, but once a mate was found, no matter the species, only that blood could fulfil and complete them. 'Draugs' or mate were the ultimate victory and achievement, and very rare to come across. Draugs did not have to be other vampires. In fact, many of their kind had found mates in humans, fairies, weres, the list was endless. The Draugs could become vampires, but it was not a single bite. It was a whole process, and could only happen with the complete consent of both the partners.

As the four men stood outside the chambers of the High Commissioner, they were immune to the glances from other vampires who moved around. Several of the younger vampires actually slithered in to catch a glimpse of the Four Horsemen of the Council. With their looks, Phayu, Prapai, Dean and Win, all garnered attention when they were alone, but together? They were beyond formidable. All were tall, more than 6 feet, and all except Win, had dark hair and dark eyes. Win was blonde and had honey brown eyes. While Win and Phayu had longer hair they pulled back in a bun, Dean and Pai had softer cuts framing their face. But even though they were so different in looks and styles, there could be no iota of doubt in anyone's mind that they were together and a force to reckon with. The entire group of people were taken aback when the for of them turned together with military precision as the door behind them opened.

"Come on in, all of you," someone ushered them. "Swasdi Khap P'Chai, we are glad to meet you," all four of them waiied to him. He waiied back, and the four stood in front of the High Commissioner. "Swasdi Khap P'Pakin," they waiied quietly. Pakin turned around. Pakin and Chai single-handedly ran the South East Asian Council of their community. They were highly respected and were known for being ruthless and just at the same time. Both of them stood no nonsense and were the epitome of great leadership. They were not only partners, but also mates, which made them that much stronger and invincible. Phayu had been one of Pakin's first recruits. He had found him even before he met Chai, living off the streets, orphaned after his parents had been killed in rogue attacks. He had educated him, and trained him, making him his protégé. It was through Phayu that he met first Dean, then Prapai and then Win, and realising that they fit each other like a glove, with excellent non-verbal communication, he trained them to have each other's backs.