Chapter 10

Deja

They walked into his spacious apartment. Deja looked around. Art decorated the walls. Different pieces of artifacts and objects were spaciously spread

throughout the abode. They were layered on the tables, antique cherry wood cabinets, and behind large china cabinets. Luxury sofas and tables are set upon a large oriental rug in the center of the large living space. Oil paintings covered the walls except for a large floor-to-ceiling window over looked the New Orleans street down below.

“Wow, who would have taken you for an art buff,” Deja whispered in wonder as she ran her hand down a strange-looking object where the face and arms were missing. Neculai arched his brow as he turned an insulted look her way. She caught the look and grinned before turning back around and taking in the elegant apartment in wonder. Neculai turned back around searching for what he came for in a small antique-looking cherry wood cabinet. Vinna wandered over to the couch and flopped down, laying her head back against the sofa.

“What makes you assume that I wouldn’t enjoy art and such?" He finally asked, curious. "Besides you're a psychic right, shouldn’t you have seen that I'm a connoisseur of art?” he asked casually. She gave a throaty laugh.

"I don't get to see everything, it's not like a movie and you can find out everything that is going to happen within an hour". Deja informed him. After a few minutes of silence and wondering around, she turned to him.

"So, what are you looking for? Maybe I can help." She asked as she continued her slow walk around his elegant apartment. Neculai didn’t turn from his objective of searching the small cabinet as he replied.

"Oh, it's something priceless that I can't leave the city without. You don't need to worry about it though." He sighed before adding.

"Killing Jovian tonight might have been a mistake." He grumbled, pulling objects out of the cabinet now. Deja humped, before turning to him but didn't say anything. Instead, she went to stand by him as he searched the cabinet and the old antique desk next to the cabinet. She caught the way his hair fell over his forest-green gaze as he searched. His hands were gentle but looked strong as they moved objects around inside the cabinet.

Vinna approached Neculai taking hold of one of his hands in hers. He looked down at her and whispered something to her. Deja caught the intimate moment between them and turned away from them before replying.

“You see, that is part of the reason I just naturally assumed that culture and the finer things would be missing from your lifestyle. You say and seem to do things that are considered against the rules laid out and you don’t care. Why would I think anything else about you?” She replied. Again he turned and looked her up and down in exasperation.

“Well lady, you have a lot to learn.” He hinted while placing items back into the cabinet, before moving to another cabinet on the other side of the room.

“It’s Deja, and if you tell me what you are looking for maybe I could help you find it. I have a gift for that sort of thing.” She casually let drop. He stood up frowning down at the cabinet, he ran a hand through his dark hair messing up what had been laid perfectly on his head, to Deja's disappointment. He had pulled everything out of the second cabinet and laid it on the floor.

“Well, you couldn’t do any worse.” He replied. Vinna frowned as she stood back and listen to their interaction which seem to flow naturally.

"So, what are you looking for Neculai?" Vinna asked, glaring over at Deja.

“I am looking for a dagger. It is special. It has a gold handle with an intricate lion design and small sapphires and rubies running down the handle. The blade is pure silver.” He informed. Deja whipped around to look at him in astonishment.

“Of course, I can see why it’s so special to you. What are you going to do with it? Are you going to sell it?" She demanded to know. He turned to her, his silver eyes slashing her way at the excited tone in her voice. He cocked his head to the side observing her carefully. She tried to calm down the enthusiasm in her voice.

"Is that why you choose to go to your home when you know you have an army of Vampires hunting for you?” She asked with a look of curiosity on her face. He turned away from her and continued searching. Vinna rolled her eyes, before adding not too quietly.

"This is why you should have left her back at the hotel. She is never going to be helpful or quiet down so you can get what you are looking for and we can get out of here. I'm sure Safari will be here soon if not already." Vinna exclaimed. Deja frowned at the older woman.

"Don't forget if it wasn't for me you two would have never made it out of the hotel." Deja declared to the raven-haired woman. Neculai held a hand up stopping Vinna from responding before he turned back to Deja.

“It’s none of your business why I want it. You offered to help so help if not you can leave. I believe those hunters are only after me.” He moved from the living room to the bedroom. She stood for a moment in indecision and then she followed him.

“Fine, I will help you but tell me one thing first.” She paused. He didn’t stop moving but glanced back at her once before continuing to search around his room.

“Do you remember me?” She asked him. He sighed.

“What does that have to do with finding my dagger? You know a slew of vampires can be about to burst in on us at any moment and they won’t distinguish between you and me.” He cautioned.

"Yes, so hurry up and grab the knife or whatever it is and let's get out of here." Vinna urged. Deja ignored the woman and turned her attention back to Neculai.

“I know but answer me first. Besides, you're going to need me." Then remembering Vinna, Deja turned to the other woman and included her in the conversation. "You both will need me." She clarified. "And besides, I know where it is.” She explained smugly. Finally, Neculai stood up to his full six-foot height and turned to her. He approached her slowly. Once he was within arm's reach of her, he smiled showing her his fangs. He was looking down at her with hunger-filled eyes as he bent closer to her. Their faces were a mere few inches apart. She lifted her mahogany eyes and met a frosted green stare.

“What are you telling me, that you care about me?” He asked sarcastically with a small smirk on his lips. She stood her ground but for a moment fear entered her eyes. He watched the fear leave her expression instantly and a hand settled on her hips.

“You’re doing that on purpose.” She accused. He stood straight and backed away from her another inch, but he kept the cynical look on his face.

“Doing what on purpose?” He asked.

“Trying to scare me. But it’s not going to work. So, do you remember me?”

“Why is that so important to you?” He watched her carefully.

“Do you?” She asked relentlessly. Finally, he sighed and turned away once again, and began to search. She didn’t think he would respond.

“Yes, I remember you. Are you satisfied?” he asked.

“Yes, I am. Thank you.” She said. She had more she wanted to say, he could tell but she refrained. He was thrilled. Vinna sighed.

"Finally, let's get this show on the road," she said impatiently. Deja nodded and pointed to the closet.

“The dagger is hidden in the back of your closet in a shoe box with pictures on top.” She revealed walking over to the closet and pushing open the sliding door on its tracks. He snapped his fingers and rushed to the closet. He pulled the shoe box out and found the dagger, Deja and Vinna inched closer to see it better. Deja beamed.

“You’re welcome.” She said smartly. As they all stared down at the beautifully intricate designs on the handle of the dagger.

“Sorry, thank you.” He added before wrapping the dagger back up in a black satin cloth and sliding it into a leather pouch. He stood up and motioned for them to go. Deja stopped him.

"Wait, I need to explain something to you about the dagger." She exclaimed. Not moving from the spot she was standing in. "Can't it wait?" He asked looking over to Vinna who was staring hateful eyes over at Deja. Deja was about to respond, but stop before panic crossed her face.

"I guess it will have to wait, they're here!" She informed them. Neculai cursed under his breath as he grabbed her upper arm and pulled her along behind him.

“Let’s go.” He exclaimed.

They made it out of his apartment and down to the first floor of the building. He decided to take the side door. He was glad he did, as he watched Sarafina, Aasir, Quintus, and Kayen enter the front foyer. He paused for only a moment. The Order members walked unimpeded. No one even noticed they were there. It could only mean Safari was with them. She had the ability to cloak their presence from humans and most vampires.

“Come Neculai, we must leave," Vinna whispered while heading out to the parking garage exit. Deja leaned closer to him before adding.

"Yes, the one who really scares me will be arriving in less than a minute.” With that, she turned to leave the building. Neculai saw that The Order had split up. Some took the stairs up while others took the elevators. Neculai rushed out the door behind the retreating figure of both women.

They begin to climb back into the Sedan but was stopped when a hand fell upon Vinna's shoulder as she attempted to climb into the passager seat.

“Where do you think you are going?!” Beau grabbed his sister, stopping her from following Neculai. Vinna gasped but upon seeing Beau, she exclaimed and threw her arms around her brother.

“Beau, I thought I would not see you again.” He didn’t smile, his eyes were on Neculai.

“You are not about to go anywhere with him!” Neculai only smirked at him, which he knew would irritate Beau even more. Vinna didn’t get to say anymore to Neculai as she was ushered away from him. Beau turned around before leaving. He cast an eye at the woman sitting inside the vehicle quietly before turning back to Neculai.

"Don’t come around Vinna again. I will kill you myself if you do.” With that, Beau stalked away…

“Who scares you?” Neculai remembered to ask Deja after they pulled out of the apartment complex. Deja had settled in the passager seat next to Neculai when she realized that Vinna would not be traveling with them. She turned and looked at him. Fear shone forth from her eyes.

“The one they call Vulcan.” She whispered.

“Vulcan, you just stood on stage with him earlier this night. You didn’t seem afraid of him then.” He frown as they pulled away from the parking space.

“I know but that was before I saw deeper into his future and looked back at some of his past.” She shivered. He frowned but didn’t ask her to elaborate, as his attention was focused on avoiding the werewolf guards standing outside the apartment complex as they pulled away, hoping to be spotted...

The Order

The group walked in unison like a military battalion to Neculai’s apartments on the upper floor of the luxurious California building. The first one to arrive stood in front of the door as it flew open without any aid slamming back against the wall hard enough to cause the sound to vibrate throughout the hall. A woman wearing long thick black and frosted white braids down to her butt walked in first. She wore a long black and maroon and black trench coat, a black catsuit, and maroon thigh-high boots.

Her eyes were outlined to look like a cat's. She stalked into the room casting her eyes around. The group behind her followed her in, then spread out.

They didn’t need to say anything to each other. They all could communicate telepathically. Finally, Vulcan spoke.

“This is useless. He is not here.” The others turned at once and begin to head out one by one. Safari whirled around with her maroon and black trench coat swinging as she turned to Vulcan.

“He came here though.” She stated. “I can smell the scent of that human woman and that LaBelou woman with him.” She finished. Vulcan stood in silence. He could tell the same thing as Safari, he didn’t need her telling him things he already knew.

“I know. Let us head back. The sun will rise shortly.” He stalked past her, ending the conversation. ..