VAMPIRE PRINCE

Chapter 2: Recognition

Chapter 2: Recognition

Tristan

I observe, shocked, as Giselle walks away. Giselle is even more stunning now than when we first met so many centuries ago. Though I was against the engagement, I can’t deny that Giselle was breathtaking, even at sixteen.

I’ll never forget the first time my parents introduced the idea of an engagement. I was appalled that they would arrange a marriage between me and someone who wasn’t my mate. When I argued against it, they reasoned that I had waited hundreds of years without results, and our kingdom needed its successor to bear children and create a power base for our people.

Once I met Giselle, it was difficult to deny my attraction. However, I knew it would be a mistake, so I treated her poorly to maintain my distance. When she’d speak to me, I’d be curt and cold. I knew it bothered her to be called Giselle, so I did it anyway. I also knew that she had a crush on me, so I’d always have another female around me to whom I’d be attentive. Though I felt wretched for treating her harshly, I was resolute in my plan to escape the kingdom.

Unfortunately, the hunter wars were commencing, and I convinced some of my vampire guards to help me leave, stating that the hunters would destroy our people if we were to be united with Giselle. Thinking back on it now, I can see that it was cruel for me to leave her in such a manner. Over the years, she’d sneak into my thoughts, and I’d wonder what would have been if I had stayed. I’d get a hollow feeling inside of my chest at the thought. Especially when I thought she had perished during the wars. Guilt ate at me that I wasn’t there to help her. That is until Rowan found the Tueur knife, and we discovered that Tueur hunters still lived.

Seeing her in the council chambers awakened so many emotions inside of me. I don’t know why, but I felt a sense of peace and delight. Let’s not forget that my heart would burst when I saw how beautiful and deadly she is now. The way that armor molded to her perfect frame and her eyes cut through everyone in the room, deeming them insignificant, made me painfully hard.

Her response made me feel edgy when I apologized for leaving her at the altar. I didn’t like that she wasn’t upset or intimated that she found pleasure with others. She’s no longer the sweet girl who used to follow me around with stars in her eyes, which disturbs me.

My body vibrates, and my fangs ache to break free as I watch her vanish into the distance. Looking down at my clenched fists and stiff chest, I furrow my brow. I feel strung tight, and I don’t understand why I feel so out of sorts. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I turn around and walk back to my men. I know Rowan wanted me to join him and the others, but I declined, stating that I had Halo business to attend to.

Days pass, and I can’t get Giselle off my mind.

I look out my office window and try to dispel my wayward thoughts. It’s pointless to dwell on what could have been.

Seeing it’s pointless to obsess, I head to a meeting at Azazel’s private rooftop above his nightclub, Garden of Eden.

The rooftop is comfortable with iron gazebos, sheer drapes, wicker lawn furniture, colorful pillows, and round brick firepits. The warm glow of the fires illuminates the roof like orange flares, and the billowing drapes flutter in the wind like wispy ghosts.

Rowan walks in as I take a seat in one of the comfortable seats and pour a glass of bourbon from the wicker coffee table, “Hey, bro, pour me one of those,” he says as he slumps down on one of the chairs. Rowan’s long body is covered in clothing similar to my black jeans and t-shirt. It’s odd to look at him and see my father’s eyes and my mother’s nose.

“What are you thinking so hard about there, bro?” he threads his fingers through his hair and pours himself a glass.

“Nothing,” I reply carefully. There’s no way that I’m going to tell Rowan about Giselle. I’m sure Giselle never mentioned our engagement to him and Jules.

I glance toward the scenery of the dark sky before me and back toward my little brother. Another surprise I found a little over two years ago is that the brother I thought was long dead was indeed alive.

I was resolved that I wouldn’t return after leaving the Royal Vampire court. Eventually, my parents realized I wouldn’t change my mind and decided to have another child.

Our kingdom was overrun, and my family was assassinated before I met Rowan. I always assumed that he perished with my parents until Mathias Black approached me and asked me to mentor a young vampire several years ago. I knew the moment I met Rowan that he was my brother. I could sense the bond and see the familiarity. It was an emotional moment to know that I was no longer alone in the world and Rowan had lived up to my expectations. He’s an amazing brother and friend.

“So, Mathias Black has requested an audience with us,” I tell my brother.

Rowan arches a curious brow, “Why?”

I shrug my shoulders, my shirt straining against my chest, “He said it was a very sensitive matter that required expertise outside of the Council. He was adamant about keeping it out of range of the Council’s ears, so I invited him to meet us here. He should be here in a couple of minutes.”

As Rowan is about to reply, my second in command, Tresh, strolls over and stands beside me. Tresh and I have been friends for centuries. After leaving court life, I met her and her mate, Eliza. Both women were running away from Eliza’s coven because they didn’t approve of their mating. The coven was very conventional and did not want a witch mating with a vampire. They believed in keeping the lines pure. Tresh agreed to help me establish my Halo as long as Eliza was a member. I readily consented since I held no bias toward mixed-species matings.

Tresh stands proudly in her leather jumper at six feet of muscle, and her black hair is cut close around her head with a thick braid faux hawk in the middle, “The Council Head, Mathias Black is on his way up,” she mutters disdainfully. Tresh has never been a fan of the Council since they were against mixed mating when she and Eliza met.

Rowan snickers at her tone and retorts, “You know Mathias is a good angel, Tresh? He’s the one that changed the laws to allow different species to mate.”

Tresh scoffs derisively, “If there is one thing I’ve learned over the past centuries, it’s that decisions can change like the turn of the tide, youngling. So I’ll go along with whatever Tristan decides, but I won’t be happy about it.”

I nod, understanding her contempt, “Of course, Tresh, and I appreciate that you’re reserving judgment for now. Please inform Mathias we’re already here,”

Tresh bows slightly before she turns around and waves Mathias over.

Back stiff, I rise to meet Mathias.

“It’s good to see you again, Mathias,” I shake his hand.

Mathias’ crimson locks gleam like blood against the fire’s flames as he takes my hand and gives me a respectful bow, “Thank you for meeting with me, Tristan. I appreciate your help on this matter.”

Tresh stands beside me protectively while Rowan pulls a chair for Mathias, “Take a seat, man.”

Mathias gives Rowan a warm smile, “Thanks, Ro. It’s good to see you well and happy.”

Rowan beams, “It’s all thanks to Jules. She’s the best mate ever.”

A slight pang of emptiness shoots through my heart at his words. Unlike me, Rowan found his mate, and though I am happy for him, a small part of me is jealous that I never found mine.

Tresh must see something in my expression because she nudges my elbow and sets me back on my course. Taking a seat, I take a swig of my bourbon and face Mathias.

“What can I do for you, Mathias?”

Mathias looks down thoughtfully before answering, “I believe there’s a conspirator in the Council who might be selling information on supernatural females. However, I do not have proof of who it might be.”

My brow furrows, “Then how do you know it’s someone in the Council?”

Mathias leans back on the chair and exhales deeply, “Because one of my trusted men intercepted correspondence with secured information that can only be acquired with my permission. Traeger tried to track the interceptions, but the IP addresses were scrambled. Anyone sharing the information is good at covering their tracks. Recently, Lucifer informed me that his brothers uncovered an organization called The Hand of God. They are stealing supernatural females to breed and produce a child of pure angel blood who can release the Creator from his prison.”

Mathias shifts forward in his seat and hands me a file, “All of the information we gathered is there. Though Traeger is an amazing tech, I can’t risk someone intercepting it. This is why I’m personally coming to you. Your Halo works independently, and your track record is spotless. I trust you….” he gives me a direct look, “The way you handled the case of the missing college kids and helped The Council take down the clinic speaks volumes.”

I open the folder and peruse through the files, feeling alarmed at what I read, “It looks like you have possible locations from where they might be operating here. What exactly do you want us to do?”

Mathias melts back in his seat and sighs, “Unfortunately, I am very well known in the supernatural community by my council members. You, however, are not known in the Council since vampire halos work independently from us. The moment our traitor catches wind of our plans, or we show our faces at one of the rendezvous points, any nefarious activities they might be doing will be shut down, eliminating the possibility of us catching them in the act. Plus, no one would expect me to hire an outside source to help us with this issue.”

I look at Rowan, who agrees, “Alright, we’ll take care of this for the Council, and if we find your traitor, we’ll let you know.”

Mathias nods, “Alright, I’ll talk to Grand Imperial Exia and tell her you will help.”

My shoulders stiffen at his words, “You didn’t tell me we’d be joining forces with the hunters.”

Mathias’ jaw ticks with surprise, “Grand Imperial Exia was the one who uncovered the locations. Her clan has been working on finding other missing hunters who she believes were sold to the Hand of God by scientists at the Clinic. First Imperial, Giselliana, and Imperial Visier, Fiona confirmed that other hunters were housed in the Clinic until one day they mysteriously disappeared. Both hunters are good sources since they were imprisoned in the Clinic for many years. They also heard ramblings of females being sold for other purposes. We’re not completely sure if they were taken by the Hand of God, but it’s possible.”

Before I can respond, three familiar figures appear before us, and my heart flutters with excitement when I meet a pair of cold violet eyes.