Paradigm Shift [On-going]

Imperium impending

* * *
Dean

The next day started out uneventfully. Seth told us what Jasmine wanted for breakfast and when she made her way into the kitchen, Roman presented her with a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast. She was quiet as she ate, and all three of us knew why. I had told Roman and Seth about the conversation we'd had on the way back from the restaurant and now Jasmine was upset with us. She didn't like being lied to and she hated thad we were keeping secrets from her. She hadn't slept well. I could tell by the tiredness she felt. No doubt, her mind had been busy trying to make sense of everything. Seth placed a cup of tea in front of her and she sighed.

"I know you are annoyed with us" Seth said "and believe me, if we could tell you the truth, we would"

Jasmine ignored him as she continued to eat her breakfast

"Jazz please" Seth pleaded

"Can one of you give me a lift back to my apartment?" Jasmine asked without looking at anyone "I'm going to freshen up then I want to go home"

"You don't have to leave" Seth replied. "You can stay longer if you want"

She finished her tea and stood up before making her way back upstairs.
After cleaning up Roman, Seth and I drank some blood and were deciding who would take Jasmine home when the security system buzzed, alerting us to someone at the front gate. Seth made his way towards the surveillance screen and tried to see who it was.

"Who is it?" Roman asked

"I don't know the car has tinted windows" Seth explained. "I don't recognise the car either"

"Have you had a vision of anyone visiting us?" I asked.

"No" Seth answered

"Buzz them in" Roman said. "If it's Imperium, then we follow Frederick's advice and stand our ground"

Seth buzzed them in and the three of us watched as a 1965 Lincoln Continental made its way up the driveway. I instantly felt uneasy and, by the way Roman and Seth tensed up, they felt it too. I rushed upstairs and Jasmine was just coming out of the guest room, dragging her suitcase behind her.

"You need to get out of here. Now" I warned.

She looked confused. "What are you talking about? That's what I'm trying to do!!"

"Some men have arrived and they're bad news" I explained. "If they know you're here, they could hurt you"

She was stunned, and I grabbed her arm and led her downstairs towards the hideout beneath the stairs. She seemed unsure but didn't fight me. Once inside, I turned towards her and gently touched her face. All I could think about was her safety and if these guys got the better of us, it could be the last time I ever saw her.

"I'm going to lock you in. Try not to make any noise" I told her. "If they come for you, do whatever they tell you. Don't fight them and they may spare you"

She gulped as she realized just how serious the situation was. I turned to leave, but she grabbed my arm. She leant towards me and kissed me softly on the lips.

"Come back to me"

I made my way back to the kitchen just as three men were making their way inside and I knew instantly that they were the men Frederick had been talking about. They seemed to move in sync and weather on purpose or not formed a protective circle around who I assumed was Alastor. They stopped a few feet in front of us, and I took a moment to look at them. The man who I assumed was Alastor was around 40 years old, had long black hair and was thin. The second man, who seemed to be glued to Alastors right side was slightly shorter, African American and had very short black hair and the third man was heavily tattooed, taller than Alastor, bald and he was either wearing contact lenses or his left eye was clouded and white. I remembered not to look them in the eye, as several emotions surrounded me at once. Anger, vengeance, hate, anticipation, curiosity and excitement..

Roman was the first to speak. "Can I help you gentleman with something?"

The man who I assumed was Alastor replied "I must confess I expected to be greeted by someone else. However, it appears that he isn't here"

"Who were you expecting?" Roman asked

"Frederick Walker" the man replied

"He doesn't live here any more" Roman explained

"I can see that...you wouldn't know where he is, would you?" the man voiced

"We don't even know who you are" Roman pointed out

All three men visually examined us, but without eye contact, they wouldn't be able to use their powers on us.

"My name is Alastor" the man confirmed. He pointed to the man on his right. "This is Victor" he gestured to the man stood to his left "and this is Damon. We are Imperium"

So they were who we suspected

"We just bought this house" Roman lied. "we know nothing about the previous owner or where they moved to"

Alastor squinted his eyes slightly. "Yet you seem to know his name and who we are. I think you know more than you're telling me. In fact, I think you are the three vampires that Frederick has been associating with"

"So what if we are?" I asked "what are you, the vampire police?"

''What do you intend to do with your little clan?." Alastor asks

"We don't intend to do anything" I answered honestly. "we're just trying to live our lives"

Alastor was full of hate and it reminded me of what Frederick had told us about him. Just by being linked to Frederick, we were automatically their enemy.

"Tell me" Alastor added "What powers do the three of you possess?"

He wanted to know if we were a threat to him and if we had any powers, he could utilise

"We don't have one" Roman replied

Based on his emotions alone, I could identify Alastor's motives. Being a vampire for him meant revenge. He valued nothing and no one. Little pleased him more than making others suffer. The other two were just blindly following his lead. He provided them with entertainment, and that was good enough for them.

"I suggest you give me your assurances that you intend to be of no trouble and abide by our rules or we will be forced to carry out whatever punishment we see fit" Alastor voiced

Before we could answer, Damon whispered something into Alastor's ear

Alastor scented the air. "Is there a human here?"

"I drank some blood before you arrived" Seth answered. "That's probably what you can smell"

"No" Alastor continued "The scent is too heavy to simply be blood. Are you keeping a pet human in the house?"

His words enraged me. Pet!?.

Alastor breathes in the air again. "Sweet blood too. Must be a female"

"There are no humans in this house" Roman lied

Alastor's eyes darken "I don't appreciate being lied to...which one of you is going to bring her to me?"

I braced myself to fight. There was no way I would let them take her.

"You'd have to kill me first" I replied

Alastor looks at Victor, and Victor nods, understanding Alastor's silent command. I made the mistake of looking Victor in the eye, just for a moment and in a matter of seconds; I lose my vision and hearing. I'm unaware of the fight happening around me as I begin to panic. All I had left was my touch and I feel around me as, unawares to me, Seth and Roman both suffer the same fate as I do. I feel someone pulling on my arms and I shout; at least I think I shout. I couldn't be sure. I feel pain on my face and chest, and I swing and kick aimlessly. Pain overcomes me as I feel like someone is squeezing me. I try to protect myself, but I'm unsure which direction the attack is coming from. I must have passed out because when I wake up all my senses have returned and Imperium are gone.