Virlaq Kingdom

16

"Hey Auntie Stella," Darius greeted the receptionist. The red-head looked up, adjusting her glasses to see the man clearer.

"Darry! You usually don't come inside to see me!" She stood up and hugged him over the desk, "You usually just wait outside for your father. This is the first time I didn't have to try and hunt you down this year."

They both laughed. "Yeah," Darius sighed, "I'm in a really good mood today."

"Is it about that girl you were seeing?" She asked, sitting back down.

"Nah," he answered, "A guy."

"A guy?!" She threw her papers up comically. Before replying, she took a moment to blow and pop a bubble in the gum she was chewing, "Oooooooh! A guy, I see. Tell me about him."

"Nah, I can't" Darius grinned from ear to ear, "It's a bit of a secret. But let me tell you he's very special."

"Oh yeah?" She pulled down her glasses suggestively, "Another werewolf?"

"No, a vampire. One of us." He assured her.

She faltered for a second. The corners of her smile twitched, but she laughed anyway. "O-oh yes. A vampire. Your father will be so pleased." she said. If he was a bit smarter and not floating on cloud 9, he would've caught the obvious sarcasm in her voice.

"Well I'ma go up and see him," he announced, "Is he free now?"

"He sure is," Stella said slowly, without even looking at her computer. "You can go right up, sweetheart."

He beamed and sped to the elevator. It was empty when he went inside and easily found his way to his father's office. They weren't very close, but every time he went up, he always left smiling.

He didn't realize he wouldn't leave smiling this time.

He knocked on the door and heard a deep, "Come in, Darius."

He opened the door with a laugh, "How did you know it was me?"

"Your scent," his father said without looking up. Dwight Mallory was busy writing something on his desk with a focused expression. "What can I help you with, son?"

"Ah, I have a request from the prince." He said excitedly, sitting in the chair in front of the man's desk.

At this, Mallory looked up. "The prince?" he set down his pen softly, "What do you mean a request?"

"He wishes to meet with you sometime this weekend," Darius explained, "He told me you have something valuable and he wants to make a trade."

"Does he?" He crossed his arms, sitting back in his chair with a grin, "He's gonna give me what I want?"

"I don't know," Darius shrugged, "He said he's gonna give you something valuable, I know that. I'm not sure what though"

"Well aren't you so well-informed," Mallory raised an eyebrow, "What else did Nicholas tell you?"

"Since when are you on a first name basis with the prince of Virlaq?" Darius scrunched up his nose.

"Since I have something he wants very dearly," Mallory scowled, "Now answer my question, Darius. I didn't ask for back-talk."

"All he told me was that you were giving him a hard time and that he really needed this thing- whatever it is- but he needs to give up something valuable to get it." Darius rolled his eyes, "What are you guys trading anyway?"

Mallory didn't answer. He just eyed his son for a second, a plan formulating in his mind.

"Darius, my dear son," he said standing up and walking over to him, "You're in love with the prince aren't you?" he said leaning on his desk in front of his son.