Wolfhood: Queen Of Rogues

Chapter 10

Jefferson marked off the last of the species that had been collected, nodding to Darius as he fixed the stack so that it didn't lean. That was all that the group needed, poisonous spiders running about their own home. "Now how do we get them in? Carrying in stacks of spiders is a bit blatant don't you think?"

Victore held up a satchel. "No one will know it. I have to meet the prince as it is a long overdue meeting."

Darius looked to him in astonishment, his wonder for the spiders lost in sight of possibly meeting the strange looking man that stood even taller than Nymphrodite. "You know the man personally?"

He motioned for someone to take the satchel, Jeff being the one to snag it while Eli went to pack the arachnids in carefully. Stuffing paper towel between each one so that they didn't clink together. when shifted "I have known him since I was a young thing for a vampire. He was amazed to see such an elderly man accepting the gift of vampirism and was quick to jump on the chance to listen to the tales I had under my wings. He was refused the joy of meeting any humans and as his parents were both young he was inexperienced with any sort of aging." Victore chuckled, shaking his head before Darius could even say something. "Do not think he was dumb. He is on the other side of the spectrum in fact.  He was naïve to the way it really effected one is all. The fine lines at the corner of my eyes and the 'strange' look in them was something he specifically focused on. That man is obsessed with people's eyes."

"Is it true that his eyes can change color?" Eli asked, wincing as he let a glass slid to crash against the other. Waiting for the thing to break and spiders to run free though nothing came forward and he relaxed long enough to be slapped up along the side of the head by his middle sibling.

"Easy Jefferson." Victore raised his own hand, pointing it at the irritated vampire, shaking his finger. "I let Nymphrodite get away with it because she did it fot disiplinary reasons. You on the other hand are doing it because you are having a hard time holding onto your emotion."

"So what if I am? How do I appear to be the only one effected by her absence?"

"We all handle things differently. Do not think we feel nothing for her absense when all but one of us have known her longer." Darius snapped, a rare view of his fangs passing as he released an annoyed snarl. rubbing his face roughly with his hands.

"You are a grown man Jefferson." Victore shakes his head bitterly. "I have known her longer than all of you. Nursed her back from the brink of death and raised her like my own daughter." His voice cracked, a betraying tear slipping down his face as he shook his head again and turned away.

"What are we to do?" Eli called when he noticed the man to be hobbling away and towards the door.

"Remember the door in the back of the main hall where we gathered to listen to the queen?"

"Of course. The prince entered through these doors."

"Go to those. When someone stops you tell them you wish to be led to me."

"Do you think that going near the prince is a wise idea?"

"I do believe so. Finish packing and clean yourselves up before you come."

"Of course sir." Jefferson bowed is head.

The Ancient  was near the exit when he finally turned back around. "Know that I love you all. I may say that Nymph is my daughter but the three of you are the broodlings that I have grown closest to. Like my sons. As I say 'I love you.' it comes from the deepest part of my heart where you have all taken root."

"Be careful father." Eli broke the silence with his near cry. The other two mimicking him under their breaths.

He didn't appear to hear  them though and closed the door behind himself with a small click. He took a shaky breath, resting his head back against the wood. Tears coated his face now that he was alone. He had to be strong to support his broodlings any way he could. It didn't matter how much he was hurt, they were to.  The elder closed his eyes.