Angel's Guardian: A Contemporary Vampire Romance by Zeecé Lugo

some urgency for him.”
    “Can you trust Luca?”
    “Yes, I can. Luca has a sense of honor and loyalty I have yet to discover in my own children. He may not be happy with Maxim, but he is loyal to me.”
     
    ******
     
    “I need a message carried to Maxim and I need it done secretly because I fear that the messenger may run into danger should his purpose be known.”
    “Assassination?” You fear the messenger may be killed? Surely, you’re becoming unreasonably paranoid. We are family. We do not murder each other.”
    Luca was the epitome of the handsome, noble vampire. His silvery, long hair fell like a waterfall of silk over the sleek, elegant Armani suit. His sculpted face and silvery eyes were beautiful in the way an Angel's might be. Luca was the son of Sergei, Vadim's younger brother. Maxim, Toma, and Luca were first cousins and had been best friends throughout their early years.
    “Our history is riddled with instances of murder in families and always for one reason: power. Even in normal families without royal blood there are murders for money, status, jealousy. If I’m paranoid, you’re naive. Naive people do not see betrayal coming. A warrior can never be naive.” Vadim placed his hands on Luca's shoulder, squeezing to emphasize his words.
    “I understand, Uncle.” Luca sighed and relented at the seriousness of the man's words. “You know I’m your man. I will go and do the job whatever it might be.”
    “I knew I could count on you, nephew. It is family business after all.”
    “Is Maxim still in New York? Still leaping the parapets covered in hair and fleas?”
    “Yes,” answered his uncle, going to the sideboard and pulling out a bottle of vodka. The younger generations had given up vodka for the more trendy scotches, and even those that still imbibed the traditional spirit, opted for the newer foreign brands. “He still refuses to accept or even acknowledge his place within the vampire nation.”
    “He ever was different, even as a child,” observed Luca. “He was introspective,  romantic, softer. He never reacted to taunts or ridicule. Strong in that way. Invulnerable, almost. It used to anger Toma.”
    “Yes, and he was always too curious about the human world, attracted to its technology, refusing to see its danger.”
    “So, you want me to travel to New York City, find my wayward cousin, and give him a message. What would that message be and when do I leave?”
    “You'll leave as soon as possible, tomorrow night.”
    “Why such short notice?”
    “Because I fear that Toma's men are already on their way and will get to Maxim within days. You might not find him alive.”
    “You know this? It is not just a fear?”
    “I know it. I have spies too. Toma plots to kill his cousin, hoping his own father will become king instead of steward and pass him the crown in succession.”
    “The murder of your own blood is anathema to vampires. Surely, Toma has not traveled that far into his ambition.” Luca seemed shocked at the revelation.
    “Take with you a few men you can trust. Be cautious and expect trouble. At the least, expect to be spied upon. Once there, keep out of sight of Toma's men, but protect your king if the need arises. No matter how unkingly he may seem, he is what he is. And tell him that he must come home. I need him here, now.”
    “Yes, Uncle,” chuckled Luca with unexpected humor as he raised the glass of vodka to his lips. “I will do your bidding while I make every effort to dodge the fleas.”

 
    CHAPTER 9
     
    He looked down on the woman through the tangle of his unkempt hair. He was lucky to have found an open-all-night pharmacy.
    “For a fever,” he asked. “What do you have for a fever?”
    “Child or adult?” the pharmacy assistant asked, watching him over her metal-rimmed glasses.
    “Adult. A human female.”
    “A human female? Are there other kinds?” She gave him a strange look.
    Max realized his error and moved quickly to correct it. “I meant