If Only We Could Always Choose Family

[dr4gos]

It is late on a Thursday night. I have finished with all the necessary business and have been enjoying watching Jaco dancing. Drinking down the last of my brandy I am about to go down and join him when I feel a presence that jars me. I look out the large window that overlooks the club and see him. He has only just stepped into the club and has

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[vadim_rr]

I look around as I enter the club. The atmosphere is charged with power, sex and success. I sneer at it all. Of course my elder brother has made a name for himself. A popular, successful club owner.

His scent hits me fairly quickly and I look but it is not my dear brother, no. A young, beautiful, and erotic vampire reeks of Dragos. I raise an eyebrow; so brother has taken a mate.

I close in on him seeing just why Dragos chose him. I would like nothing more than to taste him, but as usual Dragos is there to spoil my fun.

I turn and smirk as him, "You have not lost your accent after all these years among all this, "I wave my hand, "opulence."

My eyes travel down his mate, "Just as your taste in lovers has not changed."

[j4c0]

I feel his eyes on me and I know he is a predator. I can smell the thrill of the kill in him and something else familiar. I keep dancing while every one of my senses keeps him in my minds eye. I feel Dragos close in and then he yells a name and the club goes still every eye turned to the newcomer.

I move by Dragos' side and with a subtle flick my thrower is in my hand hidden by Dragos back and I lean into him feigning naivety and fright. My eyes never leave the one he called Vadim. I don't want him focussing too much on me and definitely don't want him seeing me as a threat. I want that to be my advantage.

He speaks to him with that same familiarity I sensed and that's when I realise from his scent, that he is family but I don't relax.

I look around and see a few of the others come into view, standing, waiting, then Edward appears. He stands there coolly towards the back, looks at me and holds a finger up to his side and I know that is my cue to wait.

He then speaks to Dragos, smoothly and calmly. Trouble Dragos

[dr4gos]

Speaking in our native tongue I tell my brother, "You will not bait me brother. I have no time or desire to play games with you. Why are you here?"

I answer Lord Edward while leaving my eyes on Vadim, No my Lord, is only my brother. He is no trouble.

[vadim_rr]

I see other moving forward while others back away. I nod my head to them, "Your family.. yet not your clan."

Turning my head I see the one he addressed as Lord, "My brother is correct, for now."

Smirking I look back to Dragos, "Mind speak is child's play Dragos. Care to introduce me to your Lord?"

[edward_w]

Even before I spoke I knew this to be Dragos' brother and I know some of what he is. Dragos may tell me that he is not trouble but I see it differently. I have to. I have no need to interfere in his family business but this one's attitude makes him Clan business.

Mind speak is child's play Dragos. Care to introduce me to your Lord?

I eye him as I speak. "I think you are quite capable of that yourself Vadim. Spare me the banter and state your business here."

[vadim_rr]

I sneer, "It would seem you both have made up your mind that I have alterior motives."

Typical of Dragos. Offer me a bone laced with arsenic. Why even bother?

"Same old Dragos I see. Expecting little brother to fail, expecting me to take and not give! You have no idea what it took for me to come ask you for hel... assistance!"

[dr4gos]

My temper flares and I slam my hand down on my desk, "Vadim! I do not have to expect it as you have always come through with flying colors!"

This time I know I see hurt in his eyes. I shake my head calming myself, "You are being offered a place in a very powerful family Vadim. You know the history of this family, Lord Gaspard is a legend. This was once his. Lord Edward has offered you this chance because of your power, not because of me."

Moving around the desk I touch Jaco's lower back letting him know how much I love him. Standing next to Vadim who is looking down at the desk I talk softly, "This is of your own making, make of it what you wish my brother."

[vadim_rr]

I look over at Dragos, I want to believe that is hope I hear in his voice. I want this, I know of the family history, it would burn quite a few to know I was brought into this family. But all would think it was only because of Dragos.. though none would voice that opinion and live.

Can I do this? Can I be apart of something bigger than myself? Can I live in my brothers shadow once again?

"I would be honored to have you by my side once again Vadim."

Shame washes over me as I clench my jaw against it and nod my head, "When do I start training?"

[edward_w]

I watch from my place in the ether as their emotions barter back and forth and am pleased but worried with the result. This will be a test for more than one I suspect.

When do I start training?

I step out in front of him and smile. "Patience Vadim. First we need to get you settled in and introduced to the rest of the family. Once that is taken care of then I will let Jack have his way with you." I cut my eyes to Dragos with a small smirk. "We will require chairs and popcorn I expect." With a chuckle I leave them to it.