Alarich

In my 200 years, I've never felt so strong. I feel power flowing through me. I gesture to a guard to open the main door. He shakes his armoured head but obliged. The guard hides behind it as the sunlight bursts in the Palace. I hesitantly dip my foot over the threshold.

 A joyous laugh comes from me as I jump out. Running with my arms wide. I feel the heat of the sun on my skin but I'm not burning. Incredible! Guards watching shocked from the shadows behind the doors. One of them follows my actions. Unfortunately he bursts into flames, leaving a pile of armour on the ground. That was enough of a warning to the rest. They slam the door shut. I jump in a car. Got to appear as human as I possibly can. 

I wait for the alleged human to drive out and I follow behind her. Thank goodness we aren’t in the same car. I heard her babbling to Janice. Her voice gets right under my skin.

I wait outside her home. Sunbathing! Ha! Imagine that! My thoughts drift off. The money to be made selling drops of the queen's blood. Many a vampire would pay out the nose for it. I have so much energy, I'm unstoppable. I shake the treasonous thoughts from my mind. Grateful that her Majesty's presence isn't in there to hear it. The girl walks out

 "Ulrich, I'm going to a bar to meet some friends. Celebrate the new job" I take the box from her "A-LAR-IK" sounding my name out for her as I place the belongings in her car. "I don't think her Maj.." I clear my throat "The boss would be happy to have a hungover maid" I turn around to see her walking into a trendy cocktail bar across the street. Great! I really don't want to be babysitting a drunk human. Alleged human or not.

I walk in the bar, music playing over the chatter. A nice establishment if you like that kind of thing. I spy the irritating girl at a table surrounded by women. Their laughter is grating on me. I stand at the table and clear my throat to get her attention. "Oh hey, guys this is Ulrich. He works ther" I cut her off "ALARICH" The table erupts in laughter. The blonde one puts her hand out to me. I shake hers in return "I'm Kitty, Ignore Helena. She is terrible with names. Took 2 years before she remembered mine". A waiter appeares with shots in test tubes. I roll my eyes. The girls grab one each. Helena nods her head towards one. She gives me a look thats says 'don't embarrass me infront of my friends'. I suppose one won't hurt. 

Some time has passed and I'm wedged between twins. I can't remember who's who. One is named Sierra the other Sienna. They are quite beautiful. Dark skin, bronze eyes. If it wasn't for my beautiful Mara, I'd indulge. They keep giggling, referring to me as Ulrich. The name has become a sort of inside joke between the group. "Uuuulllricch, your phone is practically leaping out your pocket" One of the twins gesture to my phone. Shit! In a panic, I grab it. 5 missed calls - Dante, 2 new messages - Arlo. Jeez not the twins, I want to talk to right now. 

Arlo 1/2

Rick, Rick, Ricckkkkaaaayyy! My man. (smiley face emoji) Queenie (crown emoji) wants to know the hold up is? (peace sign and fist bump emoji)

Arlo 2/2

Oooo (eyes emoji) You're in trouble (peach and waving hand emoji) Queenie can't reach you! She demands an explanation (gritted teeth emoji)

I quickly climb over the table and head outside to call Arlo. The lesser of 2 evils. "Go for Arlo" So young, so stupid "Hey it's Alarich, tell her Majesty we will be back shortly" I go to hang up "Dude, that ain't gonna cut it. I'm with Queenie she is maaaaaddd. She was worried you were hurt! She can't reach your mind" Well if I'm already in trouble, might as well confess "I'm at a bar, I've consumed to much alcohol, have you had an appletini before? It's quite delightful. Anyway, the alcohol will be muddling my mind. Pass my apologies on to our beloved Queen" I notice some patrons eyeing me, curious of my discussion. 

"Hold up, the one time you get drunk and I'm not there. Text me the deets bro, I need to see this" I do not want that one bit "No, I will go get Helena we will be back soon" he laughs "I will just inform Mara and she will scent you out" Oh god! "Fine ! You win! I'm at the trendy cocktail bar. The one with the giant cocktail glass sign". I look down at my phone, the call has ended. I feel a gust of wind so strong I'm nearly knocked over. 

The blur infront of me materialises. It's none other than Arlo "What do you think you are doing? You could be executed if you expose us" I whisper shout. I think I do anyway "Chill! Drunk humans are gullible they won't even bat an eye" We walk back in the bar. Arlo stands beside me. His black skinny jeans hanging around his backside. A chain by his thigh and white v-neck tee. Sandy tousled hair. He fits in here. We make our way to the table.

"Helena we need to go back now" I look over to Arlo walking across the table. Settling himself between my twins. He puts an arm over each and flashes a smile "You know, I have a twin. I'm the better looking one. Obvs" Oh please! More shots and drinks are brought to the table. I guess a couple more wouldn't hurt. 

When we finally make it back to the Palace. We stumble in the door singing out of tune. Not one of us know the words. Our fun is over as we are greeted with a very pissed off Mara and Dante. "Uh-oh" Arlo laughs out. Mara's cold stare is upon me, and suddenly I feel very small.

 "Alarich!! What the hell is going on? Get to bed. Now!" Arlo and Helena are in a fit of giggles. Mara turns her gaze to them and that stops them in their tracks. "Queenie won't mind, we brought her, her maid back" Arlo will be the death of me for sure "Queenie that's a retro name for someone so badass and tatted like the boss" Helena adds. 

Dante walks over to his twin and slaps the back of his head. "Ow shit! What the fuck man?" Dante leaves and Arlo follows behind him, bickering. Mara takes me by the hand and starts dragging me away "Helena your room is down the left hall, 4th door" I manage to cry out as I'm being manhandled away.

......

The next day, I awake stricken with a splitting headache. Ugh! Hangover. Mara shakes her head and hands me a glass of blood. "That will make you feel better" I down the blood and get ready. I Slip my jacket on and tie my hair back "finally Alarich, I hear you've been drinking. Naughty boy" I freeze at her voice in my mind "Meet me in the gardens" I take Mara by the hand. She gives me the softest and most beautiful smile as we head to the garden and my possible death.

We see the Queen with Arlo and Dante. She is laughing as the twins entertain her by fighting. If you call rolling around the grass fighting. At least they always know how to lift her mood. We walk up to where she is seated under the moon. She is dressed rather casually.

 Mara is stunned by the queen wearing sweats. If I'm honest so am I. "Majesty, I would like to apologise" She lifts a finger "No need Alarich, I know I can be hard on you but Arlo reminded me, you never take a break. So it seems one was in order. Any new information on the unknown entity?"  To say I'm surprised is an understatement. I could kiss Arlo 

"No, your grace. Helena seems painfully ordinary" Mara kneels before her. Her eyes filled with concern. She is such a caring soul. "My queen, what troubles you?" Her Majesty sighs and looks past us to the twins still trying to best one another. "I didn't sleep, He has been in my mind. Constantly. The pain of it has subsided, now that I've stopped trying to block him out" 

I've heard stories of the master but I can't help but feel it's trumped up. If I'm not mistaken, I see fear in her Majesty's eyes. "Majesty, forgive my boldness but I still don't understand. You've dealt with many a strong foe, why do you seem... Frightened at the thought of waking him" I've gone and done it now, she is glaring at me. Her eyes are glowing. "I'm not afraid of him. I'm afraid of what will happen, if I wake him. He has never been satisfied to sit back and let me lead. He believes, despite the laws and ways of our people. He should rule. He cares not for our laws and hard work to maintain balance and friendly relations with other species. He is power hungry and no doubt will start a war"

 Mara takes her hand and gives a gentle squeeze "Your highness, you can take out an army, surely you would not allow him to do as such. Our people answer to you" She cups Mara's face "Sweet Mara, you truly are a kind soul. Still very new. You see, you both cary my mark. I am your maker. If I order you to do anything, you'll oblige regardless if I'm queen or not. You both can hear me in your mind." 

I look down at Mara and see her makers mark. Each of us have one unless you are pureblood, one born naturally. Arlo, Dante, Mara and I have either have a small vine or flower on our bite scar. The only scar on our forms. It's the sign of our Majesty. Only purebloods or her Majesty can turn humans. Each have their own insignia so to speak. Nothing in comparison to her Majesty's mark, The mark of the Queen.

 The previous Queens mark was snakes, hard to imagine the carvings in the Palace as snakes. We are most loyal to our makers we cannot ignore their call. We sense their presence and if we were told to stake ourselves by them, we'd do it no questions asked.

"So the maker bond still applies to you, your majesty?" She sighs "Unfortunately, I do have an internal struggle and I can break away from his command. Sometimes. It's tricky. He is birthed of the queen's mark. It's unheard of. My scholars assume my makers mark and queen's mark have bonded in a sense. They are tied. There has never been a case like this before. They also believe he was able to retain some of the power due to his birthright." 

Mara ponders over the new information "Why not kill him for treason?" Good question, My Mara is smart and beautiful "A long time ago, Janice bound us. Meaning if he dies, I die and vice versa" So that's how Janice betrayed the queen. "Spells can be broken" The queen shakes her head "Not ancient curses between lovers" The edge behind the word 'lovers' chills me to the core. "It's been an eventful couple of days and I must feed. Arlo watch your new friend, Dante with me" Arlo breaks away and salutes her majesty and Dante follows her.