Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 14: Heart to Hearts

The sky was dark and full of stars by the time Viktor and Drogo took their leave of the Foret family.  They had continued their little charade when it came to Josette's birthday cake.  Luckily, their hosts had accepted their excuses without even blinking. As they made their way back to the hotel, Drogo suddenly felt Viktor's hands around his neck.  He didn't have a chance to react before the older vampire lifted him off the ground.

"Don't ever play that game again, you fool!"  Viktor growled as he squeezed Drogo's windpipe.

Drogo smirked at his Father.

"I'm sure you realize this isn't hurting me one bit," he sneered.  "Thanks to you."

Viktor gave him a murderous look before tossing him with all of his might.  Drogo flew through the air and landed on his rump twenty feet away.  He started to laugh, to Viktor's annoyance.

"Wow!  I didn't think you'd get this mad!"  Drogo stood up and brushed the dust off of his bottom.  "I thought you were having fun."

In two long leaps, Drogo was back at Viktor's side.

"Come on... Dad," he elbowed Viktor in the side. 

Viktor scowled.  "You realize you were playing with fire.  What if you couldn't hide your aversion to cooked food?  You could've changed on the spot.  I'm sure the Forets would've been a teeny bit surprised by your red eyes and fangs," Viktor held his index finger and thumb a centimeter apart as he spoke.

"So?"  Drogo shrugged casually.  "If that had happened, we simply could've killed everyone and had ourselves a nice dinner."

"Don't be stupid," Viktor scolded him.  "You know that I'm interested in Josette."

"Yeah... about that," Drogo started.  "She's quite attractive, I'll give you that.  But... I'm not sure she'd stay loyal to you."

"Why do you say that?"  Viktor asked gruffly.

"Because... it was so easy to mesmerize her," Drogo answered.  "I guarantee you — if I wanted her, she would've been mine after the first five minutes."

"That's because you used your hypnotic powers to control her," Viktor scoffed.  "Unlike me."

"You mean to say you've never influenced her mind?"  Drogo sounded incredulous.

"That's correct," Viktor answered.  "I want to see how she truly feels about me.  There's no other way to be sure."

Drogo pulled a face.  "Well then... I'm impressed."

"You should be," Viktor said.  "And you should learn to obey me.  I thought I was very clear when I instructed you to behave yourself around the Forets."

Drogo laughed.  "You know very well that I can't help it!  It's so much fun.  You should've seen your face."

Viktor stopped and turned toward his son.  "Next time, I won't bring you along.  In fact, if you continue to push me like this, I may have to banish you from my household."

"Banish me?  What's this, the Middle Ages?"  Drogo smirked.

"Don't try my patience, Drogo.  I am warning you," Viktor said mirthlessly.

"Fine.  Whatever you want."  Drogo gave his father a cross look.  "Then you can eternally enjoy the company of boring Nicolae and sad Peter." 

They walked in silence for a while.  "At least they listen," Viktor eventually remarked.

"Be honest," Drogo prompted him.  "You had a little fun... didn't you?"