Chapter 2

He frowned. Exciting? He would do his duty; he would fuck whichever female was brought to him until he planted his seed. His main purpose as a Born vampire was to bear an army as enhanced as he was, so they would remain dominant. Turned vampires were not as strong and didn't get any special abilities. The newer ones also couldn't stand too much sunlight. Before the war had outed them to humans, there had been hardly any turnings. Then, the war started, and strategic mass turnings became a requirement to acquire soldiers to aid their efforts. He would order his men to do that again if required, even though the truce with the humans forbade it.

So yes, he would do his duty. But would he get excited about it? No.

He was lucky Alessandro had not asked him to do this before because the Elders required his talents elsewhere. Unlike his older brother. He’d lost track of how many children Mario had. Some were even older than he was because Mario had been so eager to participate in this twisted program. Damn psychopath, just like their father. He didn’t even know half their names. Did all of them have enhanced abilities? They must have. There had to be a lot of demented mini Marios and Alessandros wreaking havoc somewhere in the world, or he wouldn’t be forced into this situation, ready to donate his seed for the good of his people. Like a fucking baby-making factory. 

Distaste snaked up his throat again, but he squashed it down quickly. His father was more sensitive than most. 

Alessandro put his arm around him and grinned.

“You really are the most boring son a man could ask for. Do you know that? How can the thought of fucking a female in heat with her blood flowing through you not excite you?”

He’d obviously failed to hide his feelings. Fuck. He’d had centuries to perfect his reactions towards his father, so whatever trickle of emotion Alessandro had felt was a colossal failure.

“I prefer to pick my own females, Father.”

It was a statement he had repeated too many times in the past.

“Don’t call me that,” Alessandro frowned.

“Sorry, sir.”

Alessandro had peaked at twenty-five. He, on the other hand, had peaked at thirty. Not only did he look older than his father, but he’d also made sure his physique fit the role he knew he had to play. It also helped that he was six feet five to his father’s five feet eleven. 

“You will go through the whole process, Marcello.”

Marcus didn’t flinch. His father only used his birth name to convey how serious he was. Defiance meant death.

And before you start on the virtues of modern medicine and artificial insemination, you know it doesn't work like that,” Alessandro continued.

“I understand, sir. I’m ready. I won’t let you down.”

His father seemed satisfied with that answer. Marcus had always done as he was told and would continue to do so until he died—or Alessandro did—whichever came first.

“Now clean this shit up. And get me another shirt,” Alessandro barked, turning towards the bedroom. “Make sure it has fucking creases.”

As the door shut behind his father, he let out a long breath and looked at the mess on the floor, and then at his watch. He had no time for this shit, but it had to be done. Alessandro had to be kept happy, or everyone in Scarlet City would remember why people called him the Mad King. 

The two humans exited the bedroom quickly, probably at Alessandro’s command. His father had been a pain on the phone the past few weeks leading up to his arrival, so he could only imagine what his staff had gone through. They were lucky they weren’t dead, too.

The girls spotted the man on the floor and froze. One of them stopped cold; the other’s lips trembled like she was about to scream. 

He sighed again. He really had no time for this shit.

“Come here,” he ordered.

At the sound of his voice, the girls jumped. They looked from him to the body and back again. But they didn’t move.

He tilted his head and repeated, firmer this time, “Come here.”

Though his father was known for his madness, his own ruthlessness was legendary. He never ever had to repeat himself. These humans should have known that.

The maids scurried to obey, but he could smell the fear on them a mile off. It was good that, once in a while, they were reminded of just how dangerous the world they’d chosen to be a part of was. It wasn’t all fun and games. It wasn’t all orgies and pretty jewellery.

“Look at me,” he commanded.

Both were pretty little blue-eyed blondes, Alessandro’s type. He could only imagine what else his father made them do as part of their employment.

“What was his name?” he asked.

“J-James,” one of them whispered.

“James is not dead. He’s gone away,” he said softly. “He told you he wasn’t happy here.”

He held their gazes, one at a time. Their irises dilated as he spoke.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes,” they answered.

“He’s been saving, working very hard to leave. He wasn’t satisfied being in Alessandro’s service. If his family asks for him, let them know.”

“Okay.”

“Go downstairs and take a break. Get something to eat.”

He broke the contact and watched the girls walk out without sparing another glance at the body. Not many vampires could compel more than one person at a time, but he had been able to do that even before he had peaked. 

With another irritated breath, he looked at the dead man. On day one of his father’s visit, he was already hiding bodies. James. James probably had a family somewhere. He would have to find out and take care of any loose ends if he had to. Whether it was to compel them, give them money or kill them was a problem for another day. 

Right now, he had to move the body if he was going to make it out of the building in time. James had to disappear from a building full of ancient vampires who would probably smell the blood the second he opened the door. Then he’d call the human cleaners, not the usual cleanup service, and use his persuasion on them so they wouldn’t call the police. It wouldn’t be the first time.

The things he did for this fucking family.