Scarred

Chapter 1: Michael

A/N Please note that this is an original work, and is copyrighted all rights reserved. Writers pour their time, hard work, hearts and souls into their creation, just as much as any other artist. Please respect us and the copyright we place on our labor of love. Thank you.

WARNING: This book will contain mature content, and by mature I do mean more than just kissing and feeling someone up. Some of this is actually important to the story and characters, but if you are underage or are not comfortable with adult scenes, then please either skip those sections or do not read this book. You have now been fairly warned, so I don't want to hear any complaints! lol  

This is a first draft of an idea I've had bouncing around my head, so feedback is welcome. Negative feedback without any reasons given will be deleted since it's useless. I can't fix something if I don't know what's wrong.

Finally, I typically do not write a ton of author's notes, but I do read comments and will respond. I will not give spoilers, though, so if you ask me questions about what's to come, I won't tell you. ;)  

Without further adieu, enjoy!

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"The investigation is complete, sir," Elijah told the man in the shadows, keeping his tone cold and professional while waiting for acknowledgment. Normally he wouldn't be quite this formal, but tempers were very high at the moment, and he deemed it wiser to use caution.

Receiving a nod, Elijah continued, "Sam confirmed that Hayes stole the plans, and she says she uncovered proof of several incidents of subtle theft and sabotage as you suspected. She copied all the data to this thumb drive, along with a cross referenced summary." Elijah handed over the pink bit of plastic, careful not to let the slightest hint of amusement at the girly color slip out

Yeah, I like my ass nice and unchewed, thank you very much. Just because Sam is a fucking amazing forensic accountant and can get away with telling guys to suck it up if they don't like her taste, doesn't mean the rest of us can get away with laughing at the joke. At least not when he's in a mood like this.

"Sir," Elijah continued, keeping his tone professional. "She also said to tell you that with Axe's help, she can recoup your losses with interest. She has tracked all of his assets, including a couple hidden accounts, and she says she included a file of physical assets and their locations if you wish to send teams to seize those."

The man in the shadows shifted slightly, his mouth and chin entering the light, creating a stark relief to the golden eyes almost glowing in the dark above. "Good. Tell her to investigate any known acquaintances and be prepared to freeze their assets should they attempt to aid him," the soft voice flowed like liquid silver, and was as cold as it was beautiful. Elijah caught the white tips of his fangs flashing as he spoke, telling him just how enraged his employer and Maker truly was.

He mentally shook his head. For Michael to show his fangs in simple conversation was rare. The man's control was legendary, and Elijah had only ever seen him this close to the edge once in his long life. The final result of that incident had been... memorable.

Damn Hayes is stupid. He should know better than to screw with Michael Reece of all people. Besides, it's not as if my sire isn't generous to his own, not to mention protective. Most vampires would give up their fangs to work under him. Instead Hayes has made the worst enemy of his soon to be short life.

"Get Axe to drop all other projects for the moment. I want his hacker mind's full attention until this situation is handled. Let him know I was recently gifted a small bottle of draconic blood, and that it's his if I am pleased with his work."

Elijah nodded. Axe had very exotic tastes and with the promise of such a reward, the young hacker would not only devote his full attention, he would become downright obsessive over the project. "You, Elijah, will be in charge of monitoring our dear Hayes. We wouldn't want anything untoward to happen to him until the time of my choosing."

"Yes sir, it shall be done," Elijah replied with a nod to his sire before leaving the dark office to make preparations.

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Michael leaned back in his chair, letting the shadows fully envelop his face once again. Elijah was the most devoted and loyal of his Made. Not that I've turned that many, he thought, running a hand across the scarred ridges of his face. Of course I prefer quality to quantity, meaning each of my turned are exceptional. Even SHE was exceptional, though I had to kill her in the end.

He frowned, remembering his very first Made, an opera singer by the name of Diana. He'd loved her which is why he'd turned her in the first place. She was beautiful, intelligent, with the voice of an angel. When she sang, the music came alive like never before.

Too bad she chose to betray me, and with Louis of all people.

A snarl escaped his lips as he remembered how she'd led Louis straight into the heart of his home and sanctuary. The place he'd brought none but her. I was a love struck fool to allow my passion to override my reason. Still, my revenge on them ended up cementing my power. When others found out not only what I did to Louis, but what I did to HER, my own Made... well Machiavelli would have been proud.

Still, it came at a cost, he sighed. She not only scarred me, where once it brought pleasure, music now brings only pain. I am just grateful that popular music has changed so greatly in this century. It makes it easier to walk down the street when I am not assaulted with familiar songs.

After her betrayal, Michael devoted himself to protecting his people and to his architecture, channeling his creativity into functional and beautiful designs. His extreme focus very quickly built his reputation and business, positioning him into the prominent position he held today.

His thoughts drifted back to Hayes. The young vampire was a talented architect and Michael had intended to ensure the youngling would be well rewarded for that talent. That was until he'd realized the level of Hayes' greed and began his investigation. The plans that Hayes had stolen were planted fakes, though they looked real enough, and had been the final nail in the idiot's coffin.

He growled in anger feeling his teeth grow longer. Enough wool gathering, and make use of your famous control, you are not some new made youngling, Michael berated himself, retracting his fangs. When he was fit to go into public, he put on his wide brimmed fedora and sunglasses, heading out to his car. He always tilted the hat at a slight angle to shadow the scarred side of his face.

I'm more aware of the light than most fashion models. Rather ironic considering I am hiding ugliness while they are displaying beauty. At least modern times have brought effective makeup. It allows me to walk about without people noticing unless I get close, which I never do, he sighed.

To this day I don't know what Diana used on her knives, and not for lack of trying to find out, either. There seems to be no information anywhere, not even amongst the oldest of our kind. In fact, they damn near had a conniption when they saw me. After all, he thought with bitterness as he drove home, whoever heard of a scarred vampire?