~ A Pebble that Started an Avalanche ~

[mikel]

Why did dark rainy nights bring back the most interesting memories? Why did the dark clouds, the claps of thunder, the strokes of lightning all seem to paint the same picture in Mikel’s mind? It was more of the same from his past and it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to such a troubled mind. Mikel knew all too well the things that he had done; the things that he experienced. It was getting to that time where Mikel knew he was going to begin to have the memories of older days, of later years and of a past set too far in darkness to change the course of its future. Perhaps that was what the deep pit, the emptiness that Mikel felt inside his body on these late nights. Perhaps it was a sense of hopelessness. What did Mikel have to look forward to in the coming years of his life? He had already acquired everything any man could wish or ask for in ten lifetimes and he had enough money remaining to satisfy the dreams and ambitious of thousands more. Yet his own ambitions and dreams were still empty and barren. Was it Mikel’s fault that he was raised trained and created into the being that he found himself? Could blame really be placed on Mikel for what harm he did to others? In a world where the only way to prosper was to crush that couldn’t, should there be remorse for doing just that? Who created morals? Who determined laws and what should or shouldn’t be?

Mikel would not be caught dead in the rain, especially not a torrential like the one that he was experiencing now. No, certainly not. He was not about to experience the fire of Sheol for no reason at all. Mikel watched the rain as closely as he could from his covered balcony. He stood, looking out over the long winding road that led away from his estate, and on occasion led people to him. Mikel’s left hand was placed firmly on the cold stone railing of the balcony, his right hand gripping his silver cane that was a constant aid to him. Hours went by and yet the rain continued. This was Seattle, Washington and it rained an awful lot. If there wasn’t business to be down here then Mikel would certainly not be interested in staying here. However, there was business and a lot of to be dealt with now that things were beginning to heat up in the world, especially in a small town called Forks not from Seattle. Mikel didn’t have interest is most werewolf dealings but it was the vampires that he was beginning to notice were growing and greater still; they were starting to create havoc. Apparently the Volturi weren’t doing their jobs properly again. What was it with vampires that caused them to create havoc? That was Mikel’s job, not the vampires. Perhaps it was time that he started meddling with the affairs of not only his charmers, but others as well. He did wonder how such a war would turn out if someone with a masterful plan actually got involved. The wheels started turning….

A stroke of light fell upon Mikel as he stood, fixed against the backdrop of mansion. His face was firm, set; his expression was chiseled as if he was a sculpture of stone. The light was not from the lightning and could not be from the mind which was veiled behind the dark clouds above. Alas, the whole reason Mikel stood outside on this dreary night. He had been expecting visitors. The processes that had to be taken for Mikel to actually get visitors were quite literally harder than meeting the president of the United States itself. Mikel security points throughout the road through the forest to his residence, a massive stone wall around the actual mansion, a number of tactical locations where any vehicles could be stopped if needed. Mikel feared no one but spared no expensive in precautious. There was no reason to be stupid or irrational about he dealt his well being. Mikel rarely had visitors that he had no invited. There were the occasional vampire that decided to drop by but Mikel had his own creatures to deal with them. Mikel was well versed and well respected by those he worked and they would and many had given their lives to protect him. Loyalty like that couldn’t be bought. The car wound its way up to the gate and was let past after a few moments. Mikel watched the vehicle, a silver camero, no more than four visitors then. How many had they brought with them? This was going to be a meeting that started it all.

(Anyone is welcome to join...but know i have limited internet right now and would be able to perhaps do one post a day. )

[tyra]

The rain drummed on the hood of her black Saturn like a child banging on pots with a wooden spoon. The droplets created a melody that was almost peaceful; a lullaby at the end of a storm. Usually the rain called her soul and made her contemplate on the days events, but why did this rain bring such despair? Everything that could have gone wrong today did. She had woken up late for work and none of her leopards had notified her that her alarm had gone off, but she didn’t hear it. A hour late for work and Tyra had to take a quick shower (which she hated) and grab two bananas on the way out. Traffic had been horrendous heading to Seattle. It seemed like time had stood still on the highway as if people didn’t have places they had to be at and the rain hadn’t helped. The honking of horns hadn’t helped the noise pollution either, just became an annoyance to her acute hearing. A half a hour later, Tyra arrived at work and her boss gave her a serious lecture. She had explained that she hadn’t heard her alarm and had gotten stuck in traffic. Tyra also explained that she tried calling the job from home, but she kept getting the busy signal and on the highway she kept losing service. Paul let it go, but for the next time, she knew she wouldn’t be so lucky. Tyra cursed to herself silently. She was a prompt person. Something that she couldn’t control killed the Leopard Queen.

The rest of the day had been extremely busy. Usually when it rained, the day had been relaxed. Once night fell and the night club portion of the restaurant opened, that was when everything came to life. You would think the rain would keep people away? At least that was what Tyra thought. She had worked hard throughout the day, but the night would be worse. A long shift and she had felt every bit of it. She put on a smile and served the club goers. A few customers had had too many drinks and didn’t know their limits. That was when Tyra had to play the mother and nurse them back to health, at least to the point where they could understand what she was saying. She had made sure they had a designated driver to bring them home. It wasn’t apart of her job description, but she would have been upset if she knew one of her leopards hadn’t been taking care of at a club. Everyone was adult enough to handle themselves, but it was apart of her nature to be concerned. Other customers had pissed her off something terrible. Most of the time she had to control the fire within before she did something she would have regretted. If Tyra wasn’t at work, she would have given them a piece of her mind.

The rest of her bad day had seemed to progress through out work. She couldn’t wait to get out of there and return to her nice, comfortable suite at the mansion. Why was the rain punishing her? Tyra couldn’t come up with any reasons, but she had known today wasn’t her day. Fingers gripped the steering wheel as she took the back roads through Seattle. She didn’t want to get stuck in traffic even though it was ten o’clock. Her hazel eyes kept focus on the winding road ahead of her until the engine light flash. Shit. What else could go wrong?, she asked herself. The Nimir-Ra bit her lower lip as her eyes kept flickering between the engine light sign and the road. She could feel the difference in her car as she kept on driving. Something was wrong. Tyra pulled over to the side of the road and shut her engine off. The door swung open and she stepped out. The rain drenched her black jeans and tube top as if the goddess of the sky had been crying. A sigh escaped her lips as she walked to the hood of the car and opened it up. Everything had seemed to have been fine. Slamming the hood down, Tyra walked back to the driver side and climbed in. She started the car, but it kept shutting off. ”Just great!,” she with anger in her voice even though no one could hear. Her right hand reached for her phone and realized it was dead. When did it shut off on her? She needed to contact one of her leopards and AAA to tow her car. How will she find a phone to use?

A growl emerged from Tyra’s throat as she reached in the back seat and grabbed her black umbrella and her purse. She placed her dead phone in her pocket along with her keys. If she was going to walk to find a pay phone or house, she wasn’t going to leave her personal belongings in her car. Stepping out once more, she opened up the umbrella and started to walk in the direction she was heading. The forest surrounded her and Tyra wanted nothing more than to shift and stay in animal form at the moment. So much stress for one day and no release. Tyra kept her eyes open as she tried to figure out a way out of the situation despite on how much she wanted to shift and run. Finally, the Leopard Queen saw two headlights turning into what seemed like driveway. She followed silently as the car passed through the gates and so did she. Hazel eyes looked at the marvelous mansion before her. Even though it was dark, she could see it perfectly. For some reason, Tyra didn’t want to knock on the car window to ask to borrow someone’s phone. There was something about the mansion that pulled her to walk up to the door and find out who lived them. With no hesitation, she did just that. She stood there with her umbrella and rung the doorbell. People who were in the car followed not too far behind her. They didn’t say anything, so nor did she.

[mikel]

Mikel could have been anyone he wanted. He could have been a governor, an investor, an actor, a figure head of marketing, anything that would easily draw attention to him. Yet, he remained a figure behind those that stood in power, a quiet investor and supporter of people like the president, governors, house representatives, congressmen, actors, authors, businessmen, and anyone else that people would accredit great achievement and accolades. Mikel liked attention, he enjoyed a tactful spotlight, a casual photographer, a well timed interview but he was not cut out for the life of a celebrity. His estate was not something he wanted people to be nosing around or investigating. Mikel had far too many secretive things in his life for people to be prying into his business as reporters tended to do. Some many important people would claim they had nothing to hide in hopes that such a claim would detour investigators. Mikel knew he had things to hide and made sure he stayed in the shadows and made sure that he didn’t have to deal with such problems. His mansion’s location was a prime example of his secretive nature. It was in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of a privately owned forest that had plenty of things to keep out people. His mansion was fenced in and only those requested or approved were really allowed entrance. In all seriousness, Mikel’s mansion looked beautiful from first glance but was much more like a prison compound upon further inspection. Mikel didn’t like intruders and he let them know right of the bat. If a full ton steel gate, twenty foot stone wall and armed guards didn’t detour your average traveler then chances were, they weren’t your average traveler.

So then the question of whom this random woman was that had appeared on Mikel’s doorstep raised a very interesting question. What wasn’t average about this woman? Mikel was not feline, nor did he have overwhelmingly keen eyesight and for him to miss a woman walking alone wasn’t too uncommon. The fact that Mikel’s main focus was on the vehicle driving and parking in his driveway aided to Tyra’s eluding Mikel’s initial gaze. Mikel watched as the driver of the vehicle exited with an umbrella and proceeded to open the door for an elegantly dressed woman, styling a strapless maroon gown that hugged her curves all the way to the provocative slit that ran up to her right thigh. Mikel’s people came out with several umbrellas of their own in an attempt to prevent any part of this woman’s attire to become saturated with even a single drop of water. The woman’s brunette hair was curled and bounced as she walked, the clicking of her black stilettos on the stone pavement could be heard over the raindrops. She had a slightly tanned skin, her facial features were set and it was clear that she was on a business meeting with a clear goal in mind simply by the expression on her face. It was also a fair assumption that she had negotiated with men on previous occasions by her attire and with the figure God had given her it was clear that with she was used to getting what she wanted simply by her appearance. She was not the only passenger of the vehicle. The driver went around to the other side of the vehicle and opened the door for an equally well dressed male. His suit was perfectly white, his posture was perfect as he walked, exiting the vehicle under the protection of the umbrella. It was a tossup on which of the two passenger’s clothing was more expensive. The man’s shoes literally sparkled, his suit was neat and tight with not a wrinkle to be found. His dark hair was slicked back and neat as well, not a hair out of place or untidy. He sported a white handkerchief in his front suit pocket. The only oddity to his outfit was a slight bulge along the left side of the man’s leg. It was not to be noticed by anyone with a common eye. The man’s skin was much fairer, but his eyes were dark like the woman’s before him. Both of them came to the door moments after Tyra rang the doorbell. There was a momentary silence.

Under the canopy of the stone roof before Mikel’s black oaken door the men working for Mikel no longer needed to worry about sheltering the two guests from the rain and could focus on everything. Apparently some guard had not thought that a woman on her own in the dark was anything to worry about until she was literally knocking on Mikel’s door. A burly man, dressed in a black pants and a dark blue shirt walked up to Tyra, his sidearm holstered and strapped, his boots clicking against the stone as he walked. His voice was booming and assertive.
“Ma’am, I am going to have to ask for you to stand aside for a moment so we can allow these guests into the premise. Please stand with the dark haired man behind you until we do so and then we will settle whatever problem you may have.” The man’s voice wasn’t aggressive, it was just a business voice like that of a father to an unruly child. The door opened. Mikel stood in an impressive outfit of his own. Mikel was a man of fashion, neatness, perfection, order and organization. His appearance told all that about him. Mikel’s black suit was matched by his black tie, black shirt, black undershirt, black pants, shiny black shoes, and black cane with the exception of his silver crest handle piece. Mikel’s hair was flawless, his complexion perfect, his own facial features set. The doorway of the mansion was easily twenty feet wide with just a single door opened but somehow Mikel Machnerum seemed to fill the entire void. He extended his hand in welcome. His voice was pleasant, provocative in a very subtle and deep way,


“Welcome my guests, I do hope the journey suited you. If I could stop the rain to make the journey more feasible I most certainly would have but unfortunately I have not been granted that particular power. Please, enter, enjoy my estate and if you would follow my servant here to the lounge I will be with you promptly.” Mikel expressed and gestured to another tall man dressed in black and blue to his left. The man bowed respectfully and beckoned for the couple to follow him which they did. Mikel’s eyes followed them for a moment but Tyra’s presence was not lost on him and his head turned and Mikel spun half his body, his hand turning on his cane. His eyes flashed at her, his brow furrowed for just a moment. There was a charmer’s connection. Mikel paused for a moment and looked at the man that had opened the door. Mikel was quick to compose himself and the secondary surprise of Tyra’s presence was over. He understood his goal and his purpose in all of this.
“We seem to have another guest; however, it would also seem as though she has not had the same invitation nor travel arrangements. The rain is not place for a lady.” Mikel turned his whole body this time, once again filling the doorway and to Tyra it looked as though the doorway literally narrowed in front of her. “If it is alright with the lady we could welcome you our own hospitality in any way that would suit you should you care for it.” Mikel was a man of his word and his words were smooth and well placed, never without purpose, never without need and never without a secondary motive. Without Tyra realizing it at the moment Mikel knew that the next decision she made was going to make her life and his own harder or easier, more comfortable or less comfortable. It was simply important…more than just a question.

[tyra]

Rain dripped from the umbrella as she stood there clutching her purse close to her body. Her other hand collapsed the umbrella as she shook off the excess water from it. She heard the last door slam as footsteps were in close range behind her. With smooth elegance, the Leopard Queen peered over her shoulder to only find many men holding several umbrellas. From what she could make out, a female in a flowing burgundy, almost brown color dressed that was made to fit her body stood under one of the umbrellas. Hazel eyes looked to the driver who hurried to open the other door. A man stepped out in a while suite that was well tailored from what Tyra could see from her angle. Umbrellas were held over his head as the couple walked behind up behind her. A soft smile pressed on her lips as she turned her head forward. The Nimir-Ra couldn’t have helped to think that she had walked in on an important business affair due to how the two people behind her were dressed. She had no intention of ruining their night, using the phone and getting out of there in a timely manner was her only focus. She didn’t say anything to the people behind her, nor did they say anything to her. They were in a position of power just like she was, but of a different. Why did she have to speak first? She took that time of silence to admire the gorgeous detailing of the old structure of the modern mansion. Apparently, the person who lived there had the same taste that she did. Maybe there was a reason why she was there after all.

The soft click of heels approached the side of her as she turned her head in order to see the person. He spoke with authority as he asked for her to move off to the side. With a neutral expression on her face, the short-haired female gave a nod and moved off to the side to stand next to the man with dark hair. The Nimir-Ra wasn’t pleased by his command since she was only simply there to ask to use the phone. To show respect, she did as she was told, but bit her tongue as she did it. She wouldn’t have treated a stranger at her mansion step like this, but then again, she wasn’t at her mansion. Silently she stood off to the side under the stone canopy as the door opened. Light cut through the darkness like a lightening bolt and in the doorway stood a slender, but well built man in a dark suite that was well tailored as well. Power prickled across her shield as it tightened against her skin. She inhaled deeply, but only thing she could smell was human. Power wouldn’t emanate off of a human unless they were gifted and this person who stood in the doorway certainly was. The ebony leopard’s head tilted to the side as she looked at the rainbow of auras in front of her. Tyra tilted her head and looked into the soul of the man who greeted everyone with a pleasant voice that was smooth as butter. It had been awhile since she had met another charmer, especially with one who had equal as much power even with shields up

. Charmers ran through her veins, but there was only so much she knew about it. Every person on her mother side of her family was and the only living person she knew of was her aunt Merith. For some reason, Tyra had never asked her if they had any living relatives. It hadn’t been too long since she found out about being a born leopard. A part of her knew the reason her past had been a blur to her was due to her aunt, but didn’t know what had happened. There was a secret that wasn’t time to be revealed to her and a history that might be too dangerous for her to know. Her aunt was hiding more than she led on, Tyra knew this. Did she really want to know about the hidden? Yes, she did. It was like walking around blindly, wanting to find out more about yourself. Aunt Merith told her she was of power and that was all she knew. Tyra’s parents didn’t mention anything to her when they were alive. Why hadn’t they? Why did her father resent being a leopard?

Tyra didn’t have time to dwell on her past as the couple walked through the door. Her eyes lingered on them for a minute before focusing on the other charmer. Her hazel eyes glowed like honey suckles as for a second, her and the man’s eyes connected. A pleasant look took over her face as she was announced as another guest. The door narrowed before her eyes as she lingered on the doorway for a second then looked up to the men in the doorway. ”Thank you. I am only here to ask of a favor. I won’t waste anymore of your time,” she said with a soft voice that was pleasant at the same time towards the other charmer. With that, Tyra took a step forward and walked passed the thresholds of the doorway. As she moved passed the owner of the mansion, his energy had seemed to slide past hers like oil that was bound to meet. There was something enchanting about the feel of the inside of the mansion even before exiting the hallway. On her heels, she turned to the man who allowed her in. ”I am Tyra and thank you for allowing me to come in,” she said as she extended her hand out to him. The Nimir-Ra was big on manners and this was no different.

[mikel]

Business was going to continue as usual and no simple secondary objective was going to detour Mr. Machnerum from attaining his ultimate girl. This new individual just added a new little variable to the equation. There was always a solution to linear equations, he just had to solve one variable at a time. Whenever someone was trying to solve any linear equation it was always important to solve the easier variable first and for Mikel, that variable was not this new guest that had walked up to his door. Mr. Machnerum had started this night with a plan, a plan that involved two guests and a certain outcome that he had already predetermined. To Mikel, the scheduled guests were the easier target. The only true problem that arose for Mikel was keeping Tyra in his home without her becoming too suspicious while giving himself enough time to deal with the first variable. Mikel was going to have to be very tactful in his approach to this young woman. He wondered a great deal of things about her even after just meeting her but those questions would come later when a more controlled setting was arranged. She had agreed to enter his house and apparently she only intended on staying for a short period of time although she, like Mr. Machnerum, had to know that they were both in for a very long night.

The two original guests were brought through the foyer and then through a long hallway that’s walls were decorated with famous paintings, well acclaimed sculptures and rare items such as the sword of Alexander the Great. Weaponry and warfare was as much an art to Mikel as sculptures and paintings. The pleasant sound of Claude Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” filled the hallway through a house wide speaker system that was used for music as well as an alert system and intercom. For now; however, it was a very effective entertainment system that helped set the mood for the meeting that was to come. Everything in a meeting was important and in most cases the setting and everything leading up the conversation that took place at the meeting was more important the actual meeting itself. It was utterly important to make the guests feel welcome and comfortable and feel as though they wanted to trust the host. It was for this reason that Mikel’s servant that led the couple down the corridor and eventually into a chandelier lit lounge was extremely cordial and respectful. The man led them into the room and beckoned for them to sit on a plush red couch of the finest quality and material. There was a cedar wood foot table between the red couch and a black couch across from it where the host would be anticipated to sit. Not it was just a matter of waiting for the host, which the attendant respectfully explained to the couple after they took their seats.

Mikel was currently occupied gaining what information he could on the woman in front of him after she walked into his home. There was definitely a certain power about her that caused him to be a little uneasy. He could tell that she was a charmer but that wasn’t the more dominant side of her character; there was something more. Not knowing certain things about people, especially charmers were something Mikel did not enjoy. She told him she was going to ask a favor and Mikel’s subconscious response was to smile. He outstretched his hand to take hers. In was a false offer of good faith. She had no immediate reason not to trust him and at this point he was pretty sure she had no idea who he was and what she had gotten herself into. Mikel nodded his head as she told him her name and her appreciation for his hospitality. “Well my dear, you have walked all of this way and with the rain coming down on you like it has, it is the least I can do to accommodate you. You are welcome to stay until the rain passes over us. About your favor; though, I feel as though it is going to look something along the lines of me aiding a damsel in distress. What other reason would a woman be alone in the middle of the night and come boldly enough to knock on my gates?” Mikel inquired. He was a masterful thinker and didn’t overlook things in people. Mikel knew she knew what he was because of the link between charmers and he knew how to the handle the numerous questions she was going to ask about his nature; it was just a matter of figuring out which exact questions she was going to ask. Mikel calmly reached into his pocket and withdrew a sleek black cell phone and handed it to her. “If this can’t help then one of my men will certainly be able to fix your vehicle.” Mikel stated in a polite manner.

[tyra]

From the corner of her eyes, Tyra watched as the elegantly dressed couple disappeared down the long hallway with a servant that had seemed like it elongated with step they took. The hallway seemed like a box of illusions like in the circus that unfolded before her eyes. Soft classical music hummed in her ears that seemed like she had entered a different realm that was stuck in the past. Exquisite sculptures and paintings lined the walls that made Tyra think about an old antique shop. The artwork in that hallway along must have been worth millions which was very impressive. A sword that hung on the right side of the wall caught her attention like a bee drawn to a daisy. Any type of blade was the Leopard Queen’s weapon of choice. She didn’t feel confident holding a gun, but a blade seemed to enhance her inner power. Using a blade was like speaking for Tyra; it came so natural. She did recognize Alexander’s sword and she pondered on if it was authentic and if so, how he got a hold of it. So many questions ran through her head, but it just wasn’t the right time to ask them. He had other guests to entertain and she was taking away time for them.

The short haired female turned her attention back to the owner of the estate as she shook her hand. His energy was warm, yet dense and a dark. It was something she couldn’t pinpoint as he withdrew his hand and hers fell to her side. Tyra had met others who were born into the world of magick, but this was something entirely different. This energy was darker than she expected, even though she only had a taste of it through his shields. Negativity didn’t emanate her way, but he was hiding something. Did she want to know what? Probably and she would probably regret being so curious in the long run. Despite what she felt from him, it felt all most right that she stood in his home. It was something Tyra didn’t understand, but there was a reason for everything and she believed in that strongly. As far as him opening his arms until the rain passed, it seemed like a good idea since she didn’t have anywhere to be, but she didn’t want to spoil his night more than she already had. ”Thank you for your generosity, but I feel like I have interrupted your night and I honestly do not want to waste your time. By the way it seems, you have business to take care” she said. He honestly didn’t know how bad she felt about intruding on his plans. A brow quirked and a smirk quickly formed on her lips. A damsel? That was the first time she had been called that. ”I am woman enough to handle myself, especially with being so comfortable near the forest at night. There is more than beauty behind this pretty face, dear,” she said with almost a purr. Her words held meaning since she was a queen and also a charmer. That didn’t make Tyra seemed like a normal female; the Nimir-Ra was far from human.

The other charmer reached into his pocket and handed her a phone. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to realize what she had rung his doorbell for. ”Thank you…sorry, I didn’t get your name,” She didn’t like not knowing people’s name, especially if they did a favor for her. Hazel eyes looked down at the cell phone as she excused herself for a second to peak on it. First, Tyra called AAA and hold her where her car was at. She knew it would have to be tolled and probably would have to wait until tomorrow to figure out what is wrong with it. Second, she called home and told Carson (one of her leopards) what happened and that he would probably have to pick her up. She also mentioned that her phone was dead so she would call back in. ”Bye,” she said to Carson and hung up the phone and stepped towards the man. ”Thank you for allowing me to use your phone. I am waiting for AAA and then I will be on my way. I apologize for taking up your time,” she added. If he didn’t have company, she would stay, but Tyra didn’t want to be disrespectful and ask if they could talk for a bit.

[mikel]

Apart from the initial intrusion, this Tyra was fairly respectful and polite. Mikel’s intuition told him that she had some official training. She held herself in high esteem and she had a strong head on her shoulders. Her posture was excellent; the words she spoke were charming and definitely had an authoritative feel to them. Mikel wondered if she was used to getting what she wanted from men. Her words to him and the conversations she had on the phone brought questions to Mikel’s mind as he began to inquire about her. Mikel wanted to know everything he could about her before he had to deal with her in his own way. How old was she? How strong? What type of magic did she know and how proficient was she? She seemed very sure of herself and confident of her own ability to defend herself. Stubborn woman tended to be that way until they realized they were in a situation they couldn’t win. Then they were always the first people to call of help. Apparently she already had called for help. She spoke on the phone to someone and had requested to be picked up from Mikel’s mansion. Mikel found this to be quite unnecessary. He waited quietly next to Tyra and simply contemplated his thoughts and questions until she had finished speaking. One of Mikel’s men walked over to her and held out to receive the cell phone. Once he received it he walked down the hallway and simply left Mikel and two men with him. Tyra asked him for his name and Mikel paused for a moment. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to give it. Perhaps she would know who he was if he said his name. It was doubtful. “My name is Mikel Machnerum and this is my estate.” He responded in a rather authoritative tone of voice. “You need not to have anyone come and pick you up my dear. I certainly have people that can take you anywhere you need to go within one hundred miles of here. Now, do pardon me as I do have business to attend. In the meantime, feel free to make yourself at home and my absence should be short. My business is quick and if I can help it…painless.” Mikel said smoothing, smiling.

He bowed his head to her respectfully before turning and walking down the hallway, the click of his cane and shoes on the marble floors echoing through the halls along with the impressionistic music playing through the intercom. Mikel walked in no hurry and with no nervousness. He knew what he had to do. The men with Tyra were kind and one of the men walked up to Tyra and requested her umbrella as the other man beckoned for her to follow him down an opposite corridor to the left of the foyer. There was definitely somewhere Tyra could have stayed and lounged in the foyer because of its size and furnishings. Directly in the middle of the foyer were a set of enormous stone stars that led to the second floor with a balcony overlooking half the foyer. There were couches and plush chairs for company throughout the foyer and tapestries hanging from the ceiling and walls to make the room look quite elegant. If all of these things didn’t accomplish that task, the enormous glass chandelier above them that lit the foyer certainly did. Tyra was led to a slightly smaller room where there was a warm fire crackling in the fireplace, several lounge chairs around it. There was a comfortable rug spread in the center of the room and numerous glass cases with swords, spears and other artifacts from Africa. There was an exact replica of the combined crowns of the pharaohs of upper and lower Egypt dating back to two thousand BC. “Please wait here for Mr. Machnerum. If there is anything that you need, we will be more than happy to accommodate you ma’am.” The man said kindly. “He shouldn’t be too long.” The man reassured.

Mikel walked into the room with the invited guests already seated and waiting for his arrival. Mikel took his respective seat and then the meeting began. “It is good that you are here for there is something that we desperately need to discuss.” Mikel began calmly. “It would as though you are not doing your job quite as well as you assured me that you would. My agenda has not changed and therefore I feel as though yours should not have changed either.” Mikel inquired. The man spoke first.
“Well it would seem as though we received the more complicated end of the spectrum Mr. Machnerum. You expect us to be able to keep things quiet and secluded from the outside world and yet you continually supersede our recommendations trying to fulfill your interests. I don’t think you understand how our friends overseas feel about helping you without the proper return anymore.” The man responded, sitting upright in his chair.
“Well,” Mikel retorted, “All I have ever asked for is time. I simply must find what I am looking for and with your help and the help of those above you will be able to aid us both. Truly you must understand that the way you are living is fare inferior to the potential you have been given. Why live in secret when you rule publicly? What amount of followers you could have as gods among men. There are not but the few creatures that oppose you that I have welcomed the challenge of eliminating…for you.”
The woman responded, “Yes but you have not shown us how you are going to do the things you claim. You must understand that we can only assume that you will do what you claim once you have what we have helped you find. We have not but your word that you will do what you say. For some of us on the council it is simply not good enough anymore.”
“Perhaps you should find someone else to help you. I challenge you to find someone more resourceful and more powerful!” Mikel exclaimed. “Show a man more determined and more proven as a killer of your kind as well as all other strange things that walk this earth! To come here and claim that my word is not good enough for you is an insult to me.” Mikel exclaimed.
“We do not wish to insult you. We would just like to see much more production from you. Perhaps instead of killing the assets you have with your power, you use them to accomplish your tasks. This world requires people helping you. Use the resources you have. Do not believe we do not know about this random crusade you have against your fellow brethren. Surely you all together would be more powerful than just yourself!” the woman responded quickly, the man following afterwards.
“This is our requirement for you Mr. Machnerum. You must help us and quicken your search and find the object you are looking for. We will continue to cover your tracks but perhaps you would be less likely to make them after this meeting.” Mikel paused for a moment and then nodded his head in agreement.
“You want me to use my power more readily? You know it draws certain people to me, those of my kind that would love to be rid of people like me. I risk much by doing those things so you must guarantee me much in return. I am not as immortal as you. You have your men here in Seattle and I may need them at my disposal when called. There is a certain woman of your kind that I need your help persuading. It is part of the plan I assure you. Do I have your cooperation?” The two looked at each other and nodded to Mikel in agreement. “Very well then, I wish you the best on your journeys.” Mikel said as he arose from his seat.

“If you don’t mind do have another person I must attend. It would seem as though my nights are filled with surprises and in this case I may take your advice, as much as my inner being warns against it.” Mikel said calmly. Mikel bowed his head respectfully and walked out of the room. Mikel did not like long meetings and lengthy debates. He wanted to make sure everything happened like it should and that the point was arrived to as quickly as possible. Mikel had very little patience for people and that came from the fact that no one had ever had patience with him. Mikel walked into the lounge and there was the next problem that he had to deal with. Why was he going to have to spare her? Why not just kill her? Because some vampire order requested that he didn’t. The temptation was there, the urge was there. He wanted that drive of adrenaline, that rush of ecstasy that came with killing another charmer. It was an overwhelming rush to Mikel’s head as he simply thought about it. He calmed himself a bit and looked down at Tyra. She was a pretty woman indeed, a woman of influence beyond any doubt. He needed to know more. He knew his men were already running checks on the numbers she called and would locate those she knew but he had a moment to find out about her just as his own. “So my dear, do tell me what brings you out in the middle of nowhere so late at night besides the fact that your vehicle broke down. This highway does not receive an awful lot of traffic and you and I both know you aren’t a usual traveler and that I am not your usual host. Perhaps we can simply cut to the chase and I simply ask you what you are planning and lies do not bode well my dear.” Mikel inquired boldly.

[tyra]

Tyra didn’t like the slight hesitation in the man’s voice when she asked him his name. Did he have something to hide? After all, it was only polite to speak your name after someone spoke theirs. There should have been no hesitation on his behalf since he was a stranger to her. It was something she would take note of that and places a soft smile on her face as he announced who he was. The name Mikel Machnerum didn’t ring a bell, but she guessed he had something to do with political power of some kind due to his luxurious estate. Then again, she could have been wrong and Mikel could have been a millionaire living in Seattle that just so happened to be a charmer that she stumbled upon. A neutral expression held on her face as she shook her head to the next thing he said because it was expected. Even though his men would provide a way for her to get home, it really wasn’t necessary. She knew how the conversation would go if she protested against his offer. Call it a hunch, but Mikel seemed like the type that wouldn’t accept no as an answer. Hospitality was burned deep within his soul and arguing about a ride would get them no where. So she would allow one of his men to bring her home when the time was right. When she was close enough to Forks, Carson would realize that she was alright. He usually wasn’t the worrying type of person, but if she did take long enough, Tyra would expect for him to try to call. She knew him like a book.

”If you insist,” she said with a shrug knowing there was no way she was going to win no matter how much of an independent woman she was. ”Wouldn’t you want it to be painful?,” she whispered with a hint of amusement in her voice as Mikel excused himself to handle his other guests. His bow was slow like the ones that were given during the Victorian Era, probably a little bit before that. The Nimir-Ra could imagine the blond haired man in a ballroom bowing to a female he intended to court. It was a pleasant thought; however, it made her wonder how old Mikel really was. The man looked like he could have been in his late twenties, early thirties, but she knew better. Most people who were natural magicians lived to be a few hundreds of years old. It was something in their blood that allowed them to age slower and live longer. She had heard stories of some being truly immortal, but that was someone Tyra would have to encounter for herself in over to truly believe. She wondered how old people on both sides of her family truly lived to be. For that factor, how old really were her parents? That question seemed puzzling to think they could have been a few hundreds of years old and for her not to know about it. Aunt Merith was the only living relative that she knew of and maybe she would tell Tyra the truth. With all of the secrets she was hiding, Tyra doubted it.

While she was lost in her head, a man kindly asked to for her umbrella that she had forgotten that was in her head. She handed it to him and another man led her to a hallway to the left of the foyer. Tyra took her time walking as she examined all of the pictures and statues they passed. As they entered another foyer, she took in the beauty of it all, especially the staircase. There was something about it that drew her in. Finally, she was led to a small room off of the foyer where she could hear the crackling of the fire. Tyra let out a soft sigh as the room almost seemed like home. It had a very African décor which most leopards were found at. Hazel eyes were automatically drawn to the fire that seemed to stand on end as she walked farther into the room. Her eyes slowly trailed to the casings of weaponry of rare swords and spears. The Egyptian artifacts were captivating as Egyptian deities were one of her favorite to work with. For a second, she man who brought her to the room was nonexistent until he spoke. ”Thank you,” she said with a nod. He left and she was left wondering around the room. For some reason, it felt like that part of the corridor was meant for her. Strange thought, but Tyra accepted it and relaxed while she waited.

It didn’t take long for Mikel to finish the business he had to handle. His scent was noticeable as he came through the room. Hazel eyes lifted from the blazing fire as it seemed to have more of a red hue that matched the flame. Something was different about him, almost urgency. He looked down at her as she sat on one of the plush deep brown chairs. Usually his stance would have bothered her, but since they were not playing by leopard rules, she let it go. The next thing that came out of his mouth seemed to ignite the fire within her. Who was he to ask why fate brought her there? ”My car breaking down isn’t enough for you? Such a suspicious host aren’t you,?” she purred out like fiery butter. ”There is nothing wrong with exploring back roads Mikel.” The next thing he said struck her the wrong way. A laugh passed through her lips as she shook her head. ”Do you think I am out to get you? I do not even know who you are let alone plotting something against a stranger isn’t my taste. Accuse someone you know for wronging you, not someone like me who only wants to get home. Guilty, guilty conscious you have Mr. Machnerum,” she said with sarcasm that rolled off her tongue as she shook her finger. Usually Tyra wasn’t the sarcastic type, but Mikel was pushing it. “Tell me what I am plotting Mikel since you are convinced that something is up my sleeve. Can you simply accept that fate brought me here? Of course you can’t,” Tyra spoke.

[mikel]

Mikel always loved to find out what kind of people was dealing with and it would seem that this Tyra didn’t cut corners and she went right to point. She didn’t seem to want to play any games or jump through hoops with her words like Mikel usually enjoyed. Mikel was masterful with words and he enjoyed anyone that would try to defeat him in a battle of wits. He had not met his match so far. The one thing that could defeat Mikel’s mind games was not playing them. This woman didn’t seem to want to play the same games Mikel played and that was something a little different for Mikel. Usually Mikel dealt with very prideful people and a classic tell tale sign of a classic person was the fact that they liked to be the ones in control of everything. It also helped that prideful people thought they could do the same things Mikel did and even on a greater scale. Mikel was considered prideful by a great many people but it was simply more of a fact that Mikel was very confident in himself. He knew what his capabilities were and he knew where they stopped. No one else knew that they had limits besides Mikel himself. Mikel had prepared himself for a mind game and he very quickly figured out that he wasn’t going to be playing the game that he thought. Perhaps she wasn’t worth killing after all. He did have other reasons and people that told him to keep her alive as much as it went against every instinct that he had within his being.

Mikel’s response was a little bit less speedy. He couldn’t help but smirk a little bit at this new and somewhat welcomed quirk in his plans. His fingers drummed over the silver wolf crest of his cane as he thought for a moment. His eyes looked into hers and cast over her for a moment, looking at his posture, his body language. She wasn’t lying. It was very strange to not be lied to from the beginning of everything. It was very strange indeed. “I find it hard to believe that you don’t know who I am and yet I find it every harder to say that you are lying to me in this instance. I don’t like to be proven wrong but a man in my position can’t take an awful lot of chances. You must understand my hesitancy to trust anyone. I still don’t trust you.” Mikel announced very plainly and honestly. “You and I are one in the same and because of that we both are able to tell what we are before anything is ever needed to expressed. Something still makes you different than I and I think I know what it may be.” Mikel paused, looking at her, analyzing his next statement. It was going to be a bold statement and if he was correct in his assumption then it would be the first time that he had ever seen that particular mix. He wasn’t even aware that a charmer could be something non human. A mixed breed made for quite a powerful combination and Mikel liked power. “You are more werecreature than you are charmer.” Mikel announced, his eyes telling her that he was still very curious and for once not entirely sure of himself. Mikel had seen many things in his day and this was one of the more surprising things for him to witness.

Mikel paused for a moment and let his previous sentence sink in a little bit before he continued. There were many thoughts going through his head and Mikel couldn’t help but state just a few of them. “You have my respect for simply being what you are and do not take that for granted because I respect very few people for very few people deserve it. You challenge in my domain, in the very home that I offered to you and after my hospitality was presented. You are bold, fiery and not afraid to speak your mind. This is admirable but also very testing of my patience. You have my respect and you must remember that but you also need to understand that my original intention was to kill you.” The last statement was difficult for him to say out loud because it did divulge a great deal about his character. If she didn’t know exactly who he was before now she might begin to have an idea now. It was too late for her though because without her really realizing it, she was in over her head with Mikel. There wasn’t going to be any going back from this. She would find that out soon enough but for the moment ignorance was bliss. “Don’t be alarmed, your fate has eluded you this night because of powers higher than those of you or I. Perhaps the gods deem your soul somewhat worth saving. I am still here because they simply don’t want mine. Now you and I a dilemma.” Mikel paused. “These are all things…You aren’t supposed to know…”

[tyra]

Tyra was beyond irritated at the moment, but she managed to keep her cool even though the fire inside of her was lit. She didn’t appreciate being accused of something she hadn’t done, nor knew anything about. At this point, she didn’t care who Mikel Machnerum was and what secrets he was hiding. It was very disrespectful on his part and it made her think twice about how well his manners were. Yet, a smirk held on his lips and his posture held no intensity in them. Was this a twisted mind game? Tyra knew how to play mind games, but that was the only thing she liked to do when flirting. Usually, the Nimir-Ra was straight forward and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind if it concerned her and her family. If this charmer wanted a mind game, the short haired female was the wrong person to approach because she wouldn’t allow him that satisfaction of having one. ”Seems like lycanthropes aren’t the only ones good at sensing a lie or your just really good at reading body language.” Her words came out softer, but intensity in her voice was still there. Was he expecting her to lie? If he was, she would sit there and tell him a bunch of crap knowing that they both knew she was lying. A lie can get you into more trouble then you attended. Tyra knew by observing people around her. One thing she knew notice about Mikel that he was cocky and that cockiness turned into pride. Pride was the kind of sin that Tyra loved to claw her way at. Expose someone’s ego and tear it down and you have a hurt person underneath. She wondered what was under all of those layers he had build up, especially since he made it seem like he was well known.

”Consider yourself proven wrong Mikel. Your name is just another name in my book.” Maybe that might bruise his ego a bit, but she was telling the truth. A giggled passed through her lips as she crossed one leg over the other, exposing her tie up boots. ”Obviously you trusted me enough to allowing me in. That is a start. Usually strangers don’t trust each other. This is no different,” she announced as her face went back to a neutral expression. Was he the kind of person not to trust? By the way it seemed, the answer was a yes. She never asked for his trust nor did she do anything that would not allow him to trust her. All she simply wanted to do was use the phone. It was he who asked her to stay. Who had more trust in whom? Tyra let that thought linger in her head as she continued to listen. She thought it was natural for a charmer to be able to recognize another charmer. She could tell who practiced magick and who had magick in their blood. Lycanthropes could recognize another lycanthrope unless their shielding defensives were incredible, still she hadn’t ran across a lycanthrope that she couldn’t tell. The favor of a werecreature and shifter was a different story. Tyra just thought sensing was something most charmers could do. Something she learned every day.

Eyes that burned of fire started to return back to their hazel state as Mikel observed her like a doctor would when giving a check-up to a patient. Her eyes followed his before he spoke. ”I am no more than the other. I have the best of both words and for that, it batfowls people. I never explain unless people ask and sometimes I am unsure how I managed to be both,” she said with a shrug. Most of the time, Tyra allowed people to wonder. It was a long explanation that not everyone needed to know. In the back of her mind, she knew her father would have wished that charmer would have canceled out the leopard gene. Boy, if he could see her now. Tyra knew less about being a charmer and what she was suppose to do than how to be a queen taking care of a Pard. Both came natural and it was a plus that she was thought magick at a young age. Her loved for magick followed her and so did her curiosity for it. Tyra’s ability to generate and draw in fire was a mystery to her. It was like she held her own inner flame that she could unlock at any time. She was told that other people on her mother side could do similar things with certain elements. Was that part of charmer bloodline or something else? Sometimes it wasn’t worth contemplating about.

Fingers interlocked together as she placed them on her knee. A smirk crept on her lips, but no entirely. So she had left a mark on Mr. Machnerum without any effort. She was pleased that he respected her, though she had not intended for a conversation to come out of asking to use the phone so she could get home. The night was full of surprises and to think that her day and most of the evening had been filled with bad luck. Tyra stayed true to herself and she wasn’t going to change that for anyone. The next thing Mikel said made her face go lack. She had had people tried to kill her before, even torture her. The one thing Tyra had never had was an accident and she wondering to the right home of the person who attended to kill her. That gave her ever more reasons not to trust the man before her. He speared her life tonight, but he would another night? That was something she thought hard about as she closed her jaw. She had the safety of her Pard to think about as well as herself. Mikel was the kind of person she would have to watch out for, but why did she feel like she didn’t have to? When she got home, she would sort out her feelings, but there was something about Mikel that was drawing her to him, but that still didn’t mean she trusted him after hearing that.

”Talk about fate. I am sitting here with someone who was suppose to be my killer. Why were you suppose to kill me? You make it sound like you are an assassin for some odd magical force from hell,” she said plainly. A twisted thought popped in her head. ”You wanted to question me for coming here, but did you make my car breakdown to lure me here?,” she questioned. It made perfect sense to her, especially since his attentions were to kill her. How would he have known she was coming? A frown played on her lips as her hazel eyes darkened. ”What do you mean they do not want yours? Why not?.” Tyra felt like she was missing the whole picture. Was he speaking in code or has she truly been oblivious all these years? She had too many questions and not enough answers.

[mikel]

It was a lack of trust that kept Mikel alive for as long as he had survived so far. It was a lack of trust that Mikel fully intended to maintain to continue living. Tyra was not going to understand the whole picture because it was simply beyond her imagination all the things that he had done and what he knew about the world; about what was coming. Mikel was a man that prepared for things, in most cases, anything and everything imaginable. Mikel liked to know things and have everything it front of him so that he could determine the accurate decision and course of action that needed to be taken to resolve whatever the issue was. Mikel looked at Tyra as a potential problem but he knew that he had to turn her into a potential product that he could use. That didn’t mean he had to see her as a piece of meat or something to bye, it just simply meant that he needed to find a way to put her into play. The simple truth of the matter was that he had people all of the state and the entire world taking care of things for him. The only thing he hadn’t finished planning was how to deal with the issue in Forks, the pebble that was going to start his little avalanche. It was going to take someone with extreme talent but also an awful lot of drive to produce the desired effect for Mikel. He wondered if she was going to be willing to do the job he was going to need.

She mentioned that he reminded her or sounded like an assassin from hell. She wasn’t really that far off in her assumption of things. Mikel was not an assassin from hell but he did send people there and he did kill without too much regard. Mikel didn’t care about people, didn’t care about anything but accomplishing his goals because to him they were the most important. Anyone that got into his way would have a face to face meeting with God or the devil for their trouble. If Mikel’s thoughts could be calculated by any sort of technology then the technology would have been on overload by now. Mikel’s mind worked quickly as he began to readjust everything that was going to need to happen. She was slightly offended by his initial reactions to her and now she was actually accusing him of being the source of her car trouble and ultimately her being in his home. Yes, Mikel could have made all of those things happen but she had not been the top person on his priority list when this night had started. She had moved up on the list since then. Mikel even had a woman that waited for him in his room as a celebratory gift from his previous meeting that Mikel was ignoring to take care of this woman. Mikel was going to have her car trouble taken care of for her. Mikel turned his head and looked at one of his men when she mentioned her car and simply nodded. The man turned and left the room immediately. Mikel didn’t care if that looked a little fishy to Tyra. She was going to have to get used to the ways Mikel did business. He didn’t speak unless necessary.

“So you think that I am an assassin from hell?” Mikel paused and smiled, “I am.” He said simply. He didn’t care what she knew about him at this point because in the end it wasn’t going to matter. Mikel had thought of a way to use this little meeting to his advantage. “In fact I have killed more of mind kind than time itself. I suppose it’s sort of a hobby of mine if you will.” Mikel announced. Some of the men behind him looked back and forth at one another, not really sure why he was telling this woman all the things he had done. “But you, you are not just my kind. In fact I would say you are less of my kind and more of theirs.” Mikel continued, gesturing to two men that stood to Mikel’s right that had just walked into the room. “I hesitated to tell you who I was and I think I will tell you why.” He paused for dramatic effect. “If you were truly a charmer then my name would have brought shivers to your spine and you would still be here. Yes you are a charmer but, and please excuse me, an ignorant one to your species. It’s not your fault of course; you have your own life as a werecreature to deal with. Why should you abandon the thing you were born as?” His statement sounded rhetorical but it wasn’t. Mikel was about to speak again but another man walked up to Mikel and whispered something into his ear for a few moments. Mikel’s brow furrowed and then Mikel looked at Tyra for a moment and then back at the man. After a moment he gestured for the man to leave.

Mikel looked at Tyra for a long moment, his eyes matched with hers. “You are more special than I thought. You have an entire clan to yourself…My associate has informed me of your location. This is very interesting and rather confirms my initial thoughts. You are more them than I.” Mikel stopped and for a moment delved into her mind, rummaging through a few things that he needed to know. He could have done this before but he didn’t need the leverage. Mikel closed his eyes when he did this; his grasp on the silver crested handle of his cane tightened a bit as he attempted to remain anonymous within her mind. After a few moments he opened his eyes. “It would seem though my child as though you wish to know about the past you never had and the family you’ve never seen.” Mikel said with a smirk on his lips. “You were born into this right but you know very little about it. What if I did? What if I knew more than you could ever know about your true species? What if I knew more than you could dream of your family in particular?” Mikel stopped before he spoke the next sentence but he thought it. What if he had killed them? Tyra had never not been curious in Mikel’s home and he doubted that her curiosity would stop after Mikel proved to the know answers she had been looking for most of her life.

[tyra]

Hazel eyes watched Mikel carefully like a leopard waiting to chase after its prey. He gave an unspoken signal to one of his men who were standing by when she mentioned her suspicion about her broken down car. Did he actually cause her vehicle malfunction? The man walked off silently, which made Tyra thought the he was going to take care of her care. AAA trip would become useless until for some reason, one of the men over heard her conversation with the female on the other line and canceled her request. She didn’t think they would wreak her car, so she sat there silently and shifted her eyes back to the charmer in front of her that held a smile on his face that showed that he was proud of what he was. It was hard to believe that he was an assassin that dealt with magick dark enough to place someone in hell. By the way he spoke, Mikel was not lying. A lie smelt like fear with its thick taste of a heartbeat and adrenaline coursing through the body. Certain things happened within the body when a lie was told and nothing about Mikel had changed. Actually, him boosting about how many people he had killed justified how prideful he truly was. Her stomach twisted, but not at the thought of him killing others. It was the way his men looked at one another, completely lost on what was going on. Why was he telling her these things? If Mikel was meaning to frighten her, he wasn’t going to get the kind of reaction he wanted.

Her face remained neutral even though so many thoughts were passing through her head. Was calling her a lycanthrope suppose to be an insult to her? She didn’t look in the direction Mikel pointed in because Tyra had already known what two men he was talking about as they walked into the room as if on cue. If he didn’t believe she was truly both and not more than the other, Mikel could believe what he wanted. She wasn’t in the mood to argue and the charmer seemed like a stubborn man. Tyra drew into herself as she pulled her fingers apart and rested one hand on the couch. Mikel hadn’t lied to her from the moment he had stepped into the room. For someone so dangerous, why hadn’t anyone mentioned him to her? Aunt Merith was the only one that she knew was still living, but she said it wasn’t time for Tyra to find out about all of her past. When would be the right time? A part of her felt like it was too late. What were these huge secrets that her aunt had been hiding? It was another case of her family hiding her past which only hindered her. A slight bitterness pulsated through her. Tyra hated playing the hide-and-go-seek game about what and who she truly was. Later she would have a talk with her aunt and demand for her to tell her something. ”Everyone is ignorant to something they do not know at first. I am not ashamed to admit that I do not know much about what I am.” What he said next really didn’t sound right to her. ”I have my life to deal with as both, I have next encountered another charmer out side of family,” she admitted. Her family’s past did help her situation any, but she wasn’t afraid to admit when she didn’t know or understand something.

A man came in and interrupted the conversation by whispering something in Mikel’s ear. It was obvious it was something about her by the direct stare the charmer held and it must have been interesting because he wouldn’t have given that expression. Oh boy, what did he tell him she thought as the man walked away and Mikel kept his eyes locked on hers. A frown crossed her brow as she dug her nails into the couch. Who was he to try to dig up information on her? ”You could have simply asked instead of going through the hassle on finding information on me. We could have had a nice game of twenty-one questions Mikel. If you just ask, people might be nice enough to tell you things,” she spoke trying to kept the tone of her voice even as possible. ”I would have told you that I am a queen, but didn’t think it was important. It is not like I am in the closet about that when it comes down to the preternatural world ,” she said calmly. Tyra hated to pull out the subject of her being a Nimir-Ra when it didn’t deal with the conversation. The more she thought, the more she realized that they must have traced her call back to her mansion. That made her blood boil even more. Mikel could mess with her, but had to leave her Pard alone. ”Say what you will Mikel, you are only conceiving yourself that I am more lycanthrope than charmer because I deal with them on a daily bases.” Tyra gave a shrug, even though it bothered her that they intruded on her privacy. Was the room bugged as well? Had he been watching her the whole time he was dealing with his other guests?

Tyra was too far in her thoughts to notice what was going on with the other charmer. As he spoke, her head tilted to the side only to realize that he had snuck past her shields to inquire information. For some reason, it didn’t occur to her to place more shields up because she didn’t think he would have tried to get past them. Boy was she wrong. ”Next time you will be burned if you come close to my mind. What happened to privacy,” she hissed. Tyra was known for her shielding that was nearly impossible to penetrate. It was the wrong day that she had let her guards down. The next thing he spoke had seemed to quite her. Was this a trap? It was certain that her aunt wouldn’t tell her everything since it wasn’t time for her to know. He could help her find out what more about herself, but was it worth it? After all, Mikel had invaded her mind and tapped her calls. Tyra shouldn’t trust him, but he hadn’t lied about a single thing. She weighed out her options, but first she needed to know more. ”If you did, I am sure you wouldn’t be willing to share so openly. Why would you want to help someone you had intentions of killing? A phone call was one thing, even though it was tapped into. Going into my mind was another which was a violation. You are not here to help me Mikel even if I wanted to know,” she stated very clearly.

[mikel]

Mikel was a man of tradition and even though he was a man that had killed numerous people and a man that simply only cared about his own agenda he definitely understood a couple of important things that kept him alive. Mikel’s mind was sadistic and cruel when someone truly got down to it. He was an evil man that could come across as someone that would be a good guy. Even though Mikel was someone that was truly evil at heart, he understood basic concepts that allowed for some loyalty amongst those he needed to use. Mikel was a man of his word and he would not break a promise he had said. Of course it was very unlikely for Mikel to make a promise for that exact reason. Usually due to Mikel’s way with words, he was someone that was very good at making someone think he had promised something when he had very cleverly given himself a loophole. Mikel was a gifted deceiver and if his words weren’t watched carefully then he could weasel his way into any agreement and always come out on top. Tyra, it would seem, was still under the impression that Mikel wanted to kill her. She still thought that regardless of anything she was going to die and Mikel wasn’t willing to divulge anything of importance to her. Even if he did divulge something it didn’t matter because she was going to die anyway. This was what it seemed like she was assuming at least. Mikel didn’t want her to think that her life was in danger of any kind because he had no intentions of killing her at this point. He was told to use his possible assets instead of killing them and this was an ample time to do that. She just needed to cooperate and that would be much easier if she didn’t think she was going to be killed.

She didn’t think Mikel wanted to help her especially after she caught him running around inside her mind. That was understandable and in all honestly Mikel was rather impressed that she had detected him at all. It was a hard skill to put up walls and shields around one’s mind but it was even more difficult to detect someone once they were inside. Mikel was also surprised that she was Nimir Ra, a queen of her kind. She must have had a great amount of passion for her pack. Mikel could use that. He could already sense how protective she was of her family. Mikel could only use things like that for his profit. It was in his nature. Mikel paused after she accused him or not wanting to help her. That wasn’t necessarily true. Mikel had no problem helping people but only if it also benefited him as well. She certainly would benefit him in the end. “You seem to think that I can only a cruel man and that I only care about killing you.” Mikel said calmly. He paused and exhaled. “I think you have misread me my dear. Something that you aren’t taking into account is the fact that if wanted you to be killed then I would have at least attempted it by now. I would have done it as soon as my other guests left. I assure you that your death is no longer part of the plan.” Mikel reassured. He needed to put her mind at least a little bit at ease. It was easier for him to speak with her if she wasn’t on edge all the time. It was going to be hard to calm her down and he knew that. It helped to have magic every now and then.

Mikel began to weave a web of peace and tranquility around the Nimir Ra’s mind. He didn’t want her to have to worry about anything else anymore. She needed to focus on what he was telling her. She may catch on to what he was doing but it was doubtful. She simply didn’t have enough experience in the arts to recognize the things Mikel was doing especially with how well Mikel could disguise things. Still, she had surprised him once before. Mikel didn’t need to close his eyes to concentrate on this task and he could continue to talk to her. His magic worked slowly and it was easier to control because of that. “My dear my dear, you must simply understand that I am not here to cause you pain or emotional trauma. At this point I want to help you. After all, you are royalty. I have nothing to gain by causing you harm.” Mikel assured. Mikel would have no problem causing harm to her clan if that was what it came down to. Mikel was going to try to calm her on his own this time but if he felt like she was becoming irritated again and if she became impossible to reason with then he would use blackmail. A queen would do anything to protect her pack and Mikel knew that. The queen also knew that Mikel had the reasons to destroy what she loved. That was a powerful combination. That was the secondary plan. A man walked up to Mikel and whispered to him again and he smiled in return. “Ah yes, your vehicle is fixed and waiting for you in the parking lot.” Mikel said calmly, continuing with his attempt to calm her and make her feel more comfortable where she was than even with her pack. “I would prefer; though, if you would stay and listen to what I have to say.” Mikel requested.

[tyra]

Tyra tried hard to control her temper. If she thought of it like a meeting between other clan leaders, she would be able to keep her composure. People of power always seem to rub each other the wrong way. It was almost as if it was too much power that clashed with the different flavors of species. Even though Mikel was only half of what she was, Tyra still needed to keep herself under control so she could think clearly. As much as she was trying to contain herself, she couldn’t believe on what great lengths this man had gone to find out information about her. That lingered in the back of her mind like an insect pestering her. The Leopard Queen was a kind person and usually if people asked question of her, she would answer depending on what was asked. She felt like she was getting lured deep into a trap that didn’t seem quite right. Mikel seemed to calm despite everything that had been said. Tyra knew charmers weaved darker magick, but why wasn’t she taught any of them? Conjuring spirits and deities came natural to her, but everything she had dealt with was in the grey area. The most she had done was conjure a demon, but it wasn’t used to harm anyone. Was she truly battling her nature or was her nature batting her? That questioned stayed within her as she listened to Mikel speak. She was still highly upset for what he had done, especially going through her memories. Thank goodness he hadn’t been able to dig deeper for what he truly was looking for. That thought made her add steel behind a blazing wall of fire behind three other shields. She wasn’t going to allow that mistake to happen again.

As she thought about what the other charmer had said, the more he had a point. Most people would have killed instantly. Others would have dragged it out a bit than would have killed someone. As for her, she had been there for about a hour and no harm had been done to her. Could she truly believe that she wasn’t on his agenda anymore? No, but she did recall him mentioning that she wasn’t wanted dead. Some being wanted to save her which meant that she was important in some shape or form. Did the Gods truly want to save her soul or was there more to the story? Was what she was truly rare? Apparently. There had to have been a reason why her past had been kept a secret from her. If Mikel wasn’t going to kill her, than who would in the future? That thought made her stomach tighten, but then she felt as if she had made a big deal out of nothing. No one was going to kill her. Mikel had only told her the truth and for that, she couldn’t punish him for something she would have done in return. A sigh escaped her lips as she felt like a weight of worry had been lifted off of her shoulders. She had been thinking too hard and it had gotten her no where except for a knot in her stomach. That harden ball had been released and she felt a little bit more confident that Mikel wasn’t out to kill her, but that didn’t make her any less cautious around him.

”I hope you know that what you have done is what most lycanthrope leaders can do. I am not upset at you for calming me down for that is what I would have done to another and that means human and lycanthrope alike. It is a skill that I use very often, but it has been a long time since it has been used on myself. See being a lycanthrope and dealing with magick goes hand in hand sometimes,” she said calmly looking Mikel directly in the eyes. He hadn’t tried to alter her thoughts so respect of her privacy was greatly appreciated. His energy was warm like soft fur and touch was greatly valued to any lycanthrope, especially leopards. She wasn’t under a spell, but he had simply had her think a little bit clear instead of focusing on something that wasn’t going to happen. The Nimir-Ra considered what Mikel had said as another man entered the room. Her eyes lit up as the charmer mentioned that her car was fixed. It was the perfect opportunity for her to head home, but she was curious on how he would help her. ”I appreciate having my car fixed and I have considered your offer to help me. I will stay awhile longer, but how will you truly help me? What do you know about my family, about me, that I do not? I am very tired of hearing it is not time for me to know, Mikel,” she said with softly. Tyra wouldn’t explain who had said that, because it wasn’t his business to know. What if he knew her whole bloodline through mother side? That thought was exciting, yet frightening at the same time.

[mikel]

Magic was something that was difficult to use no matter how old or well experienced the user was. Mikel had been using magic his entire life and he could still remember every time he has used magic incorrectly and he had the scars to prove it. Inadvertently, magic did something to the user no matter how pure of heart. There was no matter that could ultimately be used for good, no books of life, no spells that didn’t lead to harm. The very origin of the charmer race was set in chaos and destruction. There was no magic source or book that could turn magic into something that could be used for good. No charmer was ultimately good. Since before their race began it was set in stone that charmers would cause problems and bring chaos to the world. They had no other purpose. For a charmer to ultimately reject that purpose would certainly mean death, or at least, that was what Mikel had always learned. Mikel knew the life of his former master and nothing could come close to killing that man. Mikel could think of nothing that would have defeated him except time itself. Time was something that, for better or for worse, that Mikel had avoided because of his curse. Mikel only used magic he was familiar with and had used time and time again in situations like these. He would not attempt to truly charm her or anyone without being prepared beforehand.

So she was going to stay after all then. Mikel in the back of his mind knew that was going to be her answer, especially after he had calmed her down. She seemed to know what he was doing and it seemed as though she was used to having to do the same to her cubs in her pack. Mikel wondered just how much about magic she actually knew. He wondered if she was aware of all the implications and of all the downsides there were to the dark arts. For instance, Mikel knew that if she had used as much magic as she claimed then there was a dark part of her that was there. He knew how to access it and bring it to light. There were few things that could keep a charmer from coming forth as a truly sadistic person and one of those things might have been being a lycanthrope. Mikel had never experienced with a mix breed and he had no doubt that it added to her power and her abilities. Magic was also somewhat dependant of physical stamina and capability and for that reason Tyra would have a slight advantage over Mikel. As a Nimir Ra she would have much more stamina than Mikel. That was when it helped to have experience and a far better knowledge of spells. She asked if he could truly help her or not. She asked what his intentions were and whether or not he knew anything. Apparently she had been promised answers before but had not received them. Her last comment made Mikel wonder how long she had pondered her history and who she had asked about it.

Mikel was by no means going to divulge her entire family’s history to Tyra at that moment. In all honestly Mikel had to go back and research everything about her family before he could tell her much. He knew the history of magic and the history of his race but individual families over charmers were much harder to track down. Mikel would actually need to work to find her family but for the moment he would have no problem telling her things that she wanted to here. He wondered if when she got truly curious if she would try to delve into his mind. Mikel had ways of dealing with that. He hoped she was smart enough to know that only bad things could happen if she messed around in the mind of someone like Mikel. “Well I believe that it wouldn’t be too hard to know more than you about your family. I am fairly certain that you only know one or two of your relatives and I wouldn’t be surprised if neither of them were alive. You see, something I don’t think you understand about charmers is that we don’t usually live very long. There are many people that want to see you dead. There are many more that want to see me dead. Our history has made us a very unwanted race but that was what we signed on for I guess. We have never been wanted or liked by any race and I think it is interesting that a cross breed would have gotten as far in the chain of lycanthrope to become a Nimir Ra. One of the reasons you have my respect. Part of you must know what you are doing. I wonder though if you have ever wondered about that part of you, that deep part you feel at night when you’re alone that wants you to do something that has become some foreign to you…” Mikel paused… “To do what I do…” She didn’t know what he did. That would be her next question.