Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 22: A Little Brotherly Spat

Drogo watched Josette walk up the stairs toward her room.  When he turned back around, he saw that Nicolae was watching him closely.

"What?  Do I have something on my face?"  Drogo asked.

Nicolae shook his head despondently.  "Be careful, little brother.  You're playing a dangerous game," he warned Drogo.

"What's that supposed to mean?"  Drogo stared defiantly into Nicolae's grey eyes.

"You know exactly what it means," the older vampire answered.

Drogo pulled a face and shrugged his shoulders, pretending not to understand. 

Nicolae sighed.  "Do you actually think you could ever fool me?" 

Drogo didn't answer.  Instead, he started tapping his fingers on the dining room table in an aggravating fashion.  Nicolae frowned and his gaze darkened before continuing:

"If Viktor finds out what you've been up to...there will be a heavy price to pay."

"There's nothing for him to find out," Drogo said.  He then smiled ruefully and added:  "Yet."

Nicolae stood up and walked over to the window.  "Why exactly are you doing this?"

"Why not?  Have you seen her?  She's quite a tasty morsel," Drogo answered casually.

Nicolae turned around and faced his brother.  "She's Father's tasty morsel."

Drogo scoffed.  "Viktor should learn to share."

In the blink of an eye, Nicolae was by Drogo's side.  He grabbed the younger man by the collar and lifted him out of his chair with one arm.

"You are endangering all of us.  Not just yourself, you fool," Nicolae growled.  His eyes changed from grey to a deep crimson as he spoke.

"Put me down," Drogo sounded unfazed.

Nicolae let go of him suddenly, dropping him on the floor instead of back in the chair.  Drogo landed with a thump.  He looked up at Nicolae and sneered maliciously.

"Are you scared, Nicolae?"

"Me?  Scared?"  Nicolae scoffed.  He started pacing restlessly around the room.  "Let's face it.  Viktor is more powerful than all of us combined... so yes, I suppose I am... a bit."

Drogo erupted into laughter.  "I never thought I'd hear you admit it.  The great Count Nicolae Roman is afraid.  Shaking in his fancy boots."

As quick as lightning, Nicolae returned and picked Drogo off the ground.  This time, his large white fangs were showing.  "I told Viktor not to turn you.  You're just a stupid country boy.  And you'll never change."

Drogo's eyes darkened before taking on the same shade of red as Nicolae's.  His sharp fangs descended as well.  He grabbed Nicolae's hands with his own and pried them off of his neck.  At the same time, he kicked his older brother in the stomach as hard as he could.  Nicolae was taken by surprise and let go.  As soon as Drogo found his bearings, he threw himself upon his brother with all of his might, pushing him against the wall.

"Don't underestimate me," Drogo growled under his breath while holding Nicolae pinned to one spot.  "I'm younger than you, but just as strong... if not more so."

"What the hell are you two doing?"  Peter walked into the room and rushed to separate them.

"Stay out of it, Peter," Drogo turned his head toward him, giving him a warning glance.

Nicolae took advantage of this brief distraction and freed himself from Drogo's grip.  He then grabbed Drogo and threw him all the way across the room.  Drogo landed against a cupboard, making all the dishes inside rattle from the impact.