67__Out of the darkness

Viktor stood over the large screen, looking down at what the Legion had put together.
He pulled off his black leather gloves, tossing them on the chair behind him. The gloves made him think of the corpse he'd touched just before heading here.

Just as he'd told that kid back in London, Rogan didn't leave loose ends. And because of it, the Legion had had to collect the body before it drew the attention of humans. The very fact that Rogan had gone all the way to England just to kill the kid told Viktor that he thought Viktor knew nothing about all the bullshit he’d done to cause Onyx trouble.
But Viktor knew every last thing and his annoyance had sky rocketed at this point. Rogan was a bug. A damn irritating bug that Viktor had to squash because ignoring him hadn’t worked.

Viktor's jaw clenched as he looked down at the report spread over the electronic surface.
He tapped a point on the screen and watched it expand.
An image of Rogan in London filled the screen, the camera capturing his side profile as he exited the alley where he'd made the killing, his dark aura so intense they could nearly feel it through the screen.

“He was in Cassius for a very short time,” said Seth from where he stood. “Having lost his position as Elder of Onyx, I don’t think his allies find him useful anymore.”

Viktor ran his tongue across the inside of his cheek and glanced up at the Legion as the surrounded the screen.
“If what I’m thinking is correct,” he said. “Rogan is more than just... *allies*... with Cassius. And when I confirm it, I’ll make both parties pay accordingly.”

The words were spoken easily and with promise, leaving no room for the Legion to doubt that Viktor was serious.

He glanced back up from the screen. “When Rogan was in Cassius who did he meet? Rena?”

Xavier shook his head. “No, he was at the private pub you spoke about. The place was filled with Cassius Royals when I took a look around. I don’t get how Rogan got that close to them.”

Viktor focused on the images on the screen. “He’s got more connections than any of you know,” he murmured to Xavier. “And he’s been using that to fuck up my Kingdom.” With a grimace, Viktor looked at them. “What the fuck was Darrius doing while Rogan ran around doing whatever the hell he wanted? Huh? And Klayton? Why the hell did nobody decide to control that mess?”

Seth shrugged a shoulder. “Rogan’s never openly made such a mess, King. He shows people nothing but a smiling face. The other Elders practically worshipped him... before they saw his true colors.”

Vlad rubbed at his chin, leaning against a table in the dark behind his brothers. “But Darrius...” he murmured. The others looked at him. “He was strange with Rogan.”
Viktor raised a brow. “Strange how?”

Vlad tilted his head in thought. “It was... nearly as if the late King feared him. Pardon my words, King, but it always seemed to me that your father allowed Rogan to get away with things that he would have killed anyone else for.”

“That definitely didn’t go unnoticed,” said Fayed with a nod. “I picked up on it too.”

Viktor ran his tongue over a canine as he looked at them. “Rogan knew something,” he murmured. “He must have. He knew something that he threatened Darrius with. And I’ve got reason to believe that that something has to do with the woman who birthed him.”

His words were dark and heavy as he spoke them, sending the Legion into their own thoughts, fazed by the knowledge that their late king could have had a secret bad enough that he, a Vampire King, had been threatened by it.
Viktor clenched his jaw as he looked back at the screen. An image caught his eye and he slowly drew it forward.
With a tap of his finger, he enlarged it across the screen, turning it so the guys could see.

“And this?” Viktor asked quietly, his throat tight with tension.

The Legion leaned forward as a unit and peered at the screen, studying the image it displayed.

“This was when Rogan left for London,” said Ethan. “He did it in secret, this was around one in the morning.”

Viktor nodded and with a harsh sigh, slowly reached forward, pointing at something on the shadowy carriage.
“And that?”

Seth frowned, looking at the emblem at the bottom of Rogan’s carriage. “Shit.”

Viktor nodded, barely restraining his anger. “Shit, indeed.”

“I don’t understand why I didn’t see that, King. My apologies!” Seth lowered his head in a bow while his brothers just gaped at the screen.

“That’s...” started Syre. “That’s one of Vernon’s carriages. It’s a luxury one too. The V... right there.”

“Well done,” muttered Viktor with a glare. “You’d have gotten maximum points if you hadn’t realized it a week too late.”

The other six also inclined their heads. “Our apologies, King.”

Viktor’s eyes fell closed. “Just... forget it.”
Swiping his hand across the screen, Viktor brought up all the images they’d captured of Rogan going and coming from different places. His jaw grew tighter as every single one showed Rogan making free use of Vernon’s property.
“Is this how it is?” murmured Viktor angrily as he swiped the images across the screen.

Zen looked at Viktor. “This is actually how he’s been getting around lately. These carriages. Not causing trouble, but visiting different places as if putting a plan together.”
“If Vernon’s been allowing him to make use of his property even after Rogan got ostracized...” said Fayed.

“Then Vernon’s backing him,” completed Vlad with a menacing snarl. “Traitorous bastard!” He pushed away from where he was leaning, his eyes a fierce glow beneath his dark hair. “Say the word, King,” he murmured.

Jaw clenched, Viktor raised a calming hand. “Easy, Vlad. Easy.” His mouth curved. “I’ll deal with him.”
***********************
Kamilla smiled. “Oh, Mr. Vernon! There you are! My, is your house suh-poo-key! Perfect for a Halloween party.”

“I don’t engage in such, my dear,” said Vernon quietly. “Allow me to say that your visit is rather surprising.”

Kamilla nodded. “Yup. I know. Don’t worry, Viktor didn’t send me or anything.”
“I don’t imagine the King would,” agreed Vernon.

Kamilla jerked a thumb at the photographs on the wall. “Sasha’s your daughter? Damn. How do you feel about that?”
Vernon blinked at her. “Pardon?”
Kamilla’s expression grew grave with sympathy. “It must be hard. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll survive it. She’s horrible, but she wouldn’t kill her own father, surely.”
“My Queen—”
“You may call me Kamilla,” said Kamilla with a gracious smile. “The ‘My Queen’ thing still makes me cringe. Now then, where do I sit?”

“Uh, well...” Flustered, Vernon looked about him for a chair and yet saw none, bringing him within an inch of panic.
“Don’t worry!” said Kamilla. “I can stand. I just need to speak with you for a moment.”

Taking in a breath, Vernon attempted to calm himself. What was this? He’d never before lost such total control of his composure. This girl was quite something! How on earth did Viktor survive with her?
“Uh... regarding what?”

With all seriousness, Kamilla marched over and stood directly in front of Vernon, not fazed by how he jerked back and stared at her with wide green eyes.
“Now,” said Kamilla. “You’re about a thousand years old, right?”

Vernon nearly choked. “No! Not at all, my Queen. I’m eight-hundred-and-thirty-years-old.”

Kamilla blinked, finding herself unable to even fathom that kind of age. “Anyway,” she said, waving the matter away. “You’ve been here for a long time, haven’t you? Even when Viktor’s father was around?”
Vernon nodded. “Yes, I have. I was born fifty years after Darrius became King.”

Kamilla brightened. “Really? Then you were also here when Rogan was made an Elder?”

The question had been very clear, but Kamilla saw hesitation contort Vernon’s features. He tilted his head uncertainly. “Well... yes, but—”

A sudden loud smash splintered the quiet of the Elder’s home.
Kamilla jumped at the sound, clutching herself. With wide eyes, she looked up at the high ceiling and at the dark upstairs. “What the hell was that?”

Vernon looked over his shoulder up at the stairs with worry in his eyes. “Nothing at all, my Queen. Perhaps you should leave.”

Kamilla made a face, dodging his hand when he reached for her. “Wait, are you seriously going to try and convince me that that loud crash was nothing? I have excellent hearing, you know? Even better than the average human female because I’m half-Vamp.”

“I know, dear,” agreed Vernon with an exasperated nod. “But for now, dearest Queen, you should take your leave. I will pay you a visit at the castle...”

Vernon trailed off and Kamilla frowned in curiosity up at him. What was the matter? She watched his expression slackened as he stared beyond her.
Slowly, Kamilla looked over her shoulder and very quickly became as frozen as Vernon.

It wasn’t smoke. Neither was it air nor fog. It was darkness. Kamilla gulped. Darkness seeped into the room, creeping in from the shady hallway to her left.

Kamilla felt her bones turn to ice when Rogan materialized from the darkness, walking up to them, his dark gaze focused solely on Kamilla, like a Tiger’s on prey.
He smiled his slow, cold smile.
“Kamilla,” he greeted darkly. “If it is about me you must know... why don’t you come and let me tell you all about me.”