AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Tell me what you heard even if you believe it extreme." Archer was pushing for something. Kevin held his gaze and, after a few seconds, shared the crazing things he'd been told.
"They say he is an immortal who has lived for centuries both in Europe and here. His second in command, Ismael Patronne, is a vampire, and they fought together in France during the wars with England." Kevin felt crazy for sharing such things, but the rumors were rife with talk of the paranormal and vampires. "They say he has the power to wipe minds, removing thoughts and memories, and to be in the room with him is unsettling his power, and his presence can be overwhelming. They make him sound not of this world, and no one goes to Mt. Pleasant. No one has ever seen the place DuCane calls home." Kevin paused, assuming he was giving Archer what he was asking for.
"Are you compelled to believe any of these rumors?" Archer's words were clear and paced, and his eyes were like steel, molten steel.
"I wasn't aware that he ran his territory like a general with his army with highly skilled security teams and assassins, but that's not hard to accept considering the size of his holdings." He took a breath and dropped his gaze to the floor for a few seconds as he gathered his thoughts.
“I was in Toledo the day of the major upset and takeover. I had business with a particularly difficult local restaurant chain that didn’t like our presentation, so I went in person to try and fix the problem." Kevin glanced up at Archer and saw that he was still holding him fast with those dark eyes. "It struck me as more than just business. The atmosphere was charged, and tense like in a war, and yet everything was quiet, but it was a quiet that made you believe the end was near. It wasn't peaceful by any means or measure. It was edgy, and people were fearful for what appeared to be no reason."
He felt the sudden urge to get up and start pacing the room but forced himself to stay seated. "When it was over, DuCane people flooded the town, and many of the prior owners of businesses and industry throughout the city were gone, just gone. From what I heard, it has taken a lot of time and cleanup to put the town back on its feet financially, but no one is complaining. Most are referring to DuCane's takeover as a blessing. Things were getting ugly and dangerous, and now they can relax." Kevin decided to end it there and wait for what Archer had to say.
"I was there in Toledo and also in Perrysburg. Are you familiar with the happenings in Perrysburg?" Archer asked, and Kevin shook his head. "The events in Perrysburg were the catalyst for the takeover of Toledo and our moving into the Ohio area." Archer didn't elaborate but rather shifted direction.
"I'm going to tell you who we are and what I am, and it is going to sound unbelievable, unreal, and you may think I'm crazy. Please understand, and let me start with the fact that the rumors surrounding Louis DuCane and DuCane Industries are based in fact. Also, you are correct; the Duke of Burgundy, along with his friend Ismael and Ismael's son Silas, moved with their people to the new world from their home in France. They settled first in Fort Detroit, and then they moved, picking up a huge tract of land in the area that is now known as Mt. Pleasant." Archer paused, but Kevin had nothing to say. His mind was reeling at what Archer was suggesting.
"I originally belonged to a coven in Maryland before petitioning Coven DuCane and being accepted into their ranks. I've been a member of Coven DuCane for the past ninety years. I am one hundred and thirty-eight years old. Our lives span centuries, not decades like humans."
"Humans?" That caught him square, and he found his breath stuck in his throat.
"Master DuCane is the leader and ruler of Coven DuCane, a vampire coven. Master DuCane is over nine hundred years old. Vampires have existed since the beginning, but our safety is contingent on the human world never knowing that we exist. Everything you heard about Louis DuCane is true, and there is so much more."
"You're a vampire? You're telling me you're a vampire, and DuCane runs a coven out of Mt. Pleasant? You sound absolutely insane." Kevin jumped to his feet and then backed up, putting more distance between them.
“Toledo was a coven that had gotten out of control and had helped to spawn other rogue covens in Ohio that were threatening our anonymity and the human populations. They were uncontrollable and going rogue and had to be put down before people started noticing. What you felt that day in Toledo was exactly what was happening.” Archer stood but did not approach him.
"It wasn't a corporate or business takeover. It was a war, a paranormal war, violent and bloody, and now Master DuCane rules Ohio as well as Michigan. Covens exist throughout the world, each carving out their territory and defending and protecting the inhabitants, human and paranormal alike. It is a world and realization that is blowing your mind, I know, but look into my eyes and see the truth that I am telling you."
Kevin reached up without thinking and touched the slightly raised scar at the base of his throat. “You bit me, and I liked it.”
"You are my beloved, and we are eternal."
“This can’t be real.”
"You saw things out in the woods and here, but you dismissed them. Remember what you saw." Archer was pushing, and Kevin knew what he was referring to but feared going too deep. He started shaking his head, and he felt a rising panic enveloping him. After everything he'd been through, this was too much. Why would Archer, his dream man, turn on him like this in a manner that was insane.
He then stopped suddenly and looked at Archer, who appeared ready to jump out of his skin. His body language looked scared and sad, but that didn't make sense. Archer took a step toward him, and Kevin raised his hand and stepped back, making it clear he was not in the mood to be touched. He then darted out of the room, stepped outside onto the porch, and sat down.
With his head in his hands, he tried to reconcile everything that was said. It was stupid and idiotic, yet he was compelled to believe maybe he was going insane for real this time. Ted and Emily gave it a good shot, but it took someone like Archer to send him completely over the edge.
He needed to talk to someone, and he recalled the conversation of that morning between Archer and Easton. He mentioned his maternal grandfather, Theodore Harshman; Ted was named after him. He hadn't spoken to his grandfather in a long time, but it was nice to know that he refused to loan Ted any money. He decided to call him and tell him what happened from his point of view and not the garbage the family was peddling. He just needed to talk to someone.
He stepped down off the porch into the front yard and dialed his grandfather's number. The housekeeper answered, and he identified himself. "Oh Kevin, I'm sorry, we tried to contact you but . . ." Her voice trailed off and Kevin broke in.
“I know, I should have left a number with him, but everything happened so fast. Why were you trying to get in contact with me?”
"Your grandfather, Mister Harshman, died in his sleep almost two weeks ago." Kevin found it impossible to hear anything else. What more could go wrong in his life? Everything was falling apart. He closed the call and let the phone drop from his grip as he stared off in the direction of the forest. Then he started to run with his entire focus on getting back to his cabin before he lost his mind completely.
Archer watched him from the window, and the moment he stepped off the porch, Archer quietly stepped outside to maintain a visual and to be close if he was needed. He could see that Kevin was talking to someone on the phone, and then suddenly, he went stiff, and the phone dropped from his hand. The despondency and hopelessness came over Archer in waves, and Kevin began to lose it.
Kevin began running, and Archer followed. He didn't overtake him but remained about ten yards behind. He would give him space, but he would not leave him unprotected. Archer saw several security people, and he waved them off, letting them know he had the situation in hand. He also noticed Johnny following Kevin, keeping up with him but also not interfering. There was an amazing amount of empathy in that little beast.
Kevin's sadness and sorrow were nearly palatable and swamped Archer over and over, breaking his heart at the pain his beloved was suffering. He'd handled things so poorly, believing that their bond was strong, and Kevin would naturally see the truth in what he had to say. He should have taken it slower and included others, so it wasn't just him telling him these outlandish stories.
All he wanted was another chance to do it right, and to ease Kevin's mind and emotions; he wanted him happy and content. After about a mile of running, Kevin slowed down to a jog and then a harried walk. His emotions were noticeably on the edge of collapse, and Archer was kicking himself for pushing the man too far.
They cleared the garden and were getting closer to the forest edge. DuCane property went far into the woods. If he was heading to his cabin, he still had a good three miles before he was even close. They entered the forest, and Kevin stopped to look back over his shoulder and saw him. He hesitated for just a beat and then turned and kept walking. His beloved was pissed and confused and not trusting anyone right now.
He glanced to his right and saw Dallas keeping pace with him just out of sight of Kevin, but Archer could see him. Archer acknowledged him and knew there were others in the woods following as well. Kevin kept his eyes forward, and his determination to make it to his cabin was beginning to outweigh his previous devastation.
