ACADEMY OF THE UNDEAD; BOOK TWO Stand Together ... Or Fall Together
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

The Alliance

On a cool December evening, Isabelle and Sophia opened the gates, and they watched as the vehicles rolled in.

Merle Gravate, Christian and Alison climbed out of a black Mercedes Benz, Devil and Chester got out of a Chevrolet Jeep, and Apollonia, Charlene and Jenna arrived in a red Jaguar.

Livinia met them at the entrance. “Thank-you for coming. Please come through.”

They adjourned to the dining room, and Livinia sat at the head of the table, flanked by Piper and Vicky. Apollonia sat at the opposite end, flanked by Charlene and Jenna. Merle, Christian and Alison sat on the eastern side of the table, facing Devil and Chester.

“Girls, please arrange the hot drinks.” Livinia said, and Elizabeth and Aleisha nodded respectfully then walked into the kitchen.

Always willing to having a dig at a zombie, Apollonia said, “Glad you slipped something on, and we don’t have to look at your bare ass.”

Devil gazed at her and said, “I normally dress when I step out in public Queen, but if you wish to bare your ass, you have my permission.”

“Haa, dream on Devil,” Apollonia laughed, “You ain’t ever gunna be lucky enough to see what I’ve got, although …” Apollonia gazed at Chester and asked, “How ya doing Cutie?”

Chester nodded and said, “Good thanks.”

Christian looked at the small, youthful looking Africa American girl and asked, “Who’s she?”

“Ohhh yes, introductions,” Livinia began, “My name is Livinia, and to my right is Piper, and on my left is Vicky. I think everybody knows Apollonia, the Queen of the Pearl River Witches, and on her right is Charlene, and on her left is Jenna. Devil of course is the Leader of the Laveau Voo-”

“Excuse me.” Chester interrupted.

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“We refer to Devil as the Supreme Leader of the Laveau Voodoo’s.”

“Supreme fat-ass Leader.” Apollonia smirked.

Livinia raised her eyebrows at Apollonia, and the witch mumbled, “Sorry.”

“Yes, so Devil is the Supreme Leader of the Laveau Voodoo’s, and by his side is Chester. On my right is Merle Gravate, leader of the Mammon Clan, and with her are the team leaders, Christian and Alison.”

Elizabeth and Aleisha strolled back in and distributed the cups, then placed the coffee pot on the table.

“Hey Cutie, hey Pretty.” Apollonia said brightly.

“Good evening Great Queen.” Aleisha replied.

“Nice to see you Apollonia.” Elizabeth said shyly.

“Thank-you ladies.” Livinia stated, and Elizabeth and Aleisha walked out of the room.

Christian watched Aleisha the whole way, which Alison noted, and Chester watched her as well. At the Ranch, with the exception of their leader, everybody was equal. The commune lifestyle meant that all her fellow resurrected’s lived in peace and harmony. There were no fights or arguments at the Ranch, hardly ever any petty bickering or grand-standing, just creatures working together, and laughing and loving together, although this current situation was something Chester had never experienced. She felt intimidated being in this company; three vampires to her right, three vampires opposite her, and three witches to her left. The feeling of being overawed had abated though, when she had gazed at the vampire with the blue eyes. A few of the boys at the Ranch were still talking about her, talking about her breath-taking beauty, and they spoke in such grandiose terms about how stunning she was, that Chester had assumed that a certain amount of exaggeration had flowered their descriptions, although having seen the blue-eyed vampire up close, she began to think that maybe the extravagant descriptions hadn’t quite done her justice.

Apollonia noticed the cute zombie shyly looking at Aleisha, and she said smugly, “She’s one of my lovers.”

Livinia frowned at Apollonia, and Apollonia shrugged her shoulders, “Sorry.”

Chester glanced at the Queen and said quietly, “Lucky you.”

This was the first time that Devil had seen the vampire that everybody was talking about, and quite stunned by her beauty, he said quietly, “My presumption would be that she is the vampire responsible for the war.”

“She wasn’t responsible for it, although she was the object of it.” Livinia corrected.

Jenna felt daunted by sitting at a table with this collection of high-ranking vampires and zombies, and she noted that Mistress was her usual self, calm and relaxed while she threw out one-liners, and the respect Jenna had for her Mistress continued to grow. She had a quick glance at Aleisha as the stunning blond strutted out of the room, and she noticed that Devil, Chester, Apollonia and Christian were all gazing in the same direction. To try and justify her presence among the Leaders, Jenna wanted to declare, I’m not entitled to call Aleisha one of my lovers, although I did blow her off once! But no, this was not the time to try and pump up one’s ego, and besides, she was so nervous that if she did speak, she was pretty certain that her voice would come over as meek and timid. She shifted her gaze to Piper, and Piper smiled and nodded at her, and after returning the smile, Jenna was struck by an awesome revelation; two former homeless girls from the back streets of Sioux Falls were present at what promised to be the most significant meeting in supernatural history.

“Anyway Leader Crenwinkle, I’m sure you didn’t invite us here so that the witch could tell us who she’s sleeping with, so please, get proceedings under way.” Gravate stated.

Apollonia smirked at the smug vampire, then turned her attention to Livinia as she spoke.

“Yes, I’m sure everybody is aware that a nomad vampire clan led by our former leader Jason Cordeir started a war with us, and because of the support of the Pearl River Witches, we were able to defeat them. The Mephistopheles Clan has now formed an alliance with the Pearl River Witches, and if either group needs support, the other group will come to their aid.”

Christian was bemused, and he asked, “The two groups who tried to wipe each other out in the Vampire-Witch war are now allies; how did this come to be?”

“Mistress is friendly with one of the vampires.” Charlene replied sulkily.

Apollonia glanced at Charlene, then turned her attention back to the handsome male vampire. “Yes, I am friendly with a vampire, but we came to their aid because we had a common enemy, Jason Cordeir. The ass-hole and his right-hand man abducted, tortured, then killed one of mine, so when he wandered back into this region, he was always in our sights.”

“Of what of Cordeir?” Devil asked. “Is he still with us?”

Apollonia pondered, then replied, “The only physical part left of him, is his blood.”

“Anyway, we owe our existence to Apollonia and the PRW, and if they are ever threatened, we will come to their aid,” Livinia began, “Now it has always been understood that we don’t trespass on one another’s turf, and if a creature does trespass, they will pay the ultimate price, but here tonight, I would like to redefine the restrictions.”

“What do you mean?” Gravate asked.

“If we can all agree, I’m putting forward the proposition that if anybody wanders into foreign territory, rather than be attacked, they are allowed a safe passage.”

Devil leant back in his chair and said thoughtfully, “I came here tonight with an open mind and a will of conciliation, but let me say, I don’t feel entirely comfortable about vampires being able to wander around our territory whenever they like.”

“He has a point.” Apollonia agreed, “You vampires are the most hostile creatures, and while I believe that we have made peace with your Suckers Livinia, I’m not sure that I want any of the Mammon Clan wandering around on my turf.”

“Yes, understood, and we need to respect each other’s territory, I’m just saying that if by necessity or accidently, any member of any group wanders into a foreign territory, they be allowed safe passage.”

“Okay, so no-one can push their business interests into anybody else’s territory?” Apollonia asked.

“If everybody agrees, we will make that our first rule.” Livinia replied.

“Happy with it.” Apollonia replied.

“Yes, territories must be respected, so I agree.” Devil stated.

“Unanimous.” Gravate added.

“Excellent, so on to the main point of the meeting. When Cordeir threatened us, Athena was frantic, and she decided to travel down and see you Merle, hoping to engage your assistance, and just out of interest, would you have helped us?”

Gravate pondered, then asked, “Have you ever heard of a clan helping another clan?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“I have always believed that we have enough to worry about without involving ourselves in other clan’s problems.”

“Indeed, although that brings us back to the crux of the matter; do our worries lessen if we stand together as a united force, a dominion built upon an unwavering allegiance to one another? As Merle said, vampire clans don’t form alliances, but if we did, word would spread quickly, and nomad clans of any caste would understand that our dominion is not for invading.”

“Hmmm, having two clans of vampires on our side will make wandering zombie clans think twice about messing with us.” Devil acknowledged.

“Really?” Apollonia asked, “I didn’t realise that thinking was a high priority for you fuckers.”

“Yes, well, I humbly state the Laveau Voodoo’s may very well be the wealthiest group in the region, and I put us there by making sound and reasoned business decisions.” Devil replied.

“I heard that you just charge a lot of money to bring dead people back to life.” Gravate chipped in.

“And what are you saying, that isn’t smart business practice?”

“Anyway Boss,” Chester broke in shyly, “Having vampires as allies means that they won’t only protect us, but they won’t attack us either.”

“Yes, I understand the multiple advantages,” Devil acknowledged. “We were attacked by a nomad group of zombies more than a decade ago, and while we obviously defeated them, we did lose many.”

“Your Holiness, a nomad clan wiped out the Astaroth Clan six years ago and took over their estate, although it could just as easily have been us.” Alison stated. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Yes, and we do have spies who keep a watch on that clan, because we see them as our biggest threat.” Gravate acknowledged.

“Three years ago a coven of witches slaughtered another coven in Alabama, and that’s getting a bit too close for my liking.” Apollonia stated.

“I have heard recently that a large nomad clan of vampires wiped out a clan in San Francisco, then annihilated another clan in Texas, and they’re believed to be still on the move.” Livinia added.

“Yes, I heard the same thing, so having support available seems like a sensible option.” Gravate acknowledged.

“As the leader of the Laveau Voodoo’s, I would willingly throw our support into this alliance.”

Livinia gazed at the Queen, “Apollonia?”

“Hey, like the Three Musketeers, all for one, and one for all!”

“Ummm Queen of the witches, there are four groups involved here.” Devil said politely.

Apollonia thought about his statement, then she said wryly, “So maybe we’re like the Three Musketeers, plus a stupid zombie.”

Devil didn’t seem to take offence, so Livinia nodded and stated, “So let me officially declare that from this night onwards, we stand united, we stand with each other and for each other.”

*

Three creatures sat in the trees outside the Academy, one of them against his will, another one on his phone. “This prisoner says that the Academy is the home of the Mephistopheles Clan.”

“Ohhh wonderful, we’ve found them at last.” came the reply.

“Something strange here though My Lord, he says that one group of three who entered the premises are from the Mammon Clan.”

“Hmmm, different clans meeting, how interesting.”

“That ain’t all, he identified another party of three as being from the Pearl River Witches, including the Queen; and also a party of two zombies from the Laveau Voodoo’s.”

“My interest is running high,” came the voice, “Stay there and I will send reinforcements.”

“Reinforcements? What, do you want us to attack?”

“No, of course not, I mean we haven’t even settled into the area yet, but when the reinforcements arrive, I want you stay there with two others and watch everything that happens in the Mephistopheles estate, then assign three to follow the witches, three to follow the zombies, and three to follow the Mammon Clan.”

“Understood My Lord.”

“We need to know where all the groups are, and importantly, we need to know the numbers in each group.”

“Rodger.”

*

“This is a historic night for all of us, so please everyone, stay for awhile and we will provide refreshments.” Livinia offered.

Elizabeth and Aleisha acted as hostess’s and handed glasses of champagne to the guests as they all stood and mingled.

“What else do you have on offer?” Devil enquired. “I didn’t bring my peace-pipe with me.”

“We have four-twenty whistle sticks.” Piper advised.

“Do you feel like a chuff Chester?”

“Always Boss.”

Piper scampered away, and Chester slowly swung her gaze to She-of-the-blue-eyes. The vampire moved elegantly, distributing or filling glasses, her face lit up in a friendly smile, and Chester found it difficult not to stare at her. The vampire was dressed in a tight black jumpsuit, and Chester flinched when the vampire hugged the Queen of the Witches, the jumpsuit highlighting the vampire’s buttocks. She noticed the male vampire staring at the buttocks as well, until his female companion nudged him in the ribs.

Devil noticed his charge staring at her, and he whispered in her ear, “You like?”

Surprisingly, the vampire turned to look at them, smiling knowingly, and Chester mumbled, “I believe they have enhanced hearing Boss, so maybe we should watch what we say.”

Aleisha wasn’t interested in the fat, old zombie, although she was mildly interested in the attractive dark girl. Smiling brightly, knowing that timid gazes were on her, she hugged Jenna and kissed her cheek. “How are you?”

“Very well thank-you Aleisha.”

The blue-eyed vampire had a name, and having heard her name, Chester would never forget it, and unfortunately, having seen her up close, she suspected that she would never forget the vampire either.

Piper handed a joint to Devil, then asked, “You gunna share his Sweetie, or do you want your own?”

“If you have a spare one ma’am, I’d be mighty grateful.”

Vicky strolled over and began chatting with Jenna and Charlene, while Christian and Alison stood beside Merle as she chatted with Livinia. Apollonia walked over to Chester and asked, “Mind if I have a suck?”

Chester gazed shyly at the statuesque witch, and said, “The dark-haired vampire named Piper was handing them out, and I think she has more available.”

Apollonia smiled wryly, then said, “Okay, but I’d like to share yours, I mean I’d like to suck on yours.”

Chester stiffened, because she overwhelmed by the occasion already. She couldn’t wait to get back to the Ranch and tell her clan about the alliance, and she thought excitingly, she could also tell them about her personal highlight; Freak out man, I mean I shared a joint with the Queen of the Witches! Chester drew in, then handed the joint to Apollonia.

“How ya feeling Cutie, being in a room with vampires and witches?”

Chester thought about her answer, then replied quietly, “Ma’am, I have the ability to control or isolate my feelings, although I must admit, I am a little freaked out by being in such distinguished company.”

“Ohhh, ain’t you just the sweetest little thing!” Apollonia gushed, “This here is a collection of the Big Wheels in the region, and everybody is important, except maybe for your Boss.”

“Yes, very amusing Queen.” Devil noted.

Chester always defended her Master, and she said quietly, “To me, Devil is the most important being in the world.”

“Ohhh, you poor little brain-washed baby.” Apollonia joked.

Aleisha noticed the dark girl looking at her constantly, and interested to see the girl’s reaction, Aleisha waltzed over and gazed at her as she asked, “What’s your name?”

Chester gulped noticeably, then replied timidly, “Ch-Chester.”

“Well Chester, can I get you a champagne?”

Chester stared into her eyes, immediately knowing that she shouldn’t have, because staring into the blue eyes was making her knees tremble. Devil sensed that his young charge was starstruck, so he said, “Yes, get her one thank-you.”

Aleisha gazed at him, turned her gaze back to the girl and looked into her eyes, then she spun around and flicked her hair back, and then she walked away with a swagger.

Apollonia knew the feeling, she knew the range of emotions that the stunning vampire could arouse, so she handed the joint back to the girl and said, “Suck back on this Cutie, it seems like you need it.”

“Thank-you.” Chester mumbled, then she drew back harshly.

Apollonia patted Chester on the shoulder as she said, “Looks like she’s got you under her spell Cutie, but don’t worry about it, I mean everybody who looks at her falls under the same spell.”

In the kitchen, Aleisha poured out two glasses, then nodded as she whispered to herself, “Thank-you for that information Great Queen.” After collecting the glasses, she strolled back out to the group. Aleisha clinked glasses with Devil and Apollonia, and said brightly, “A toast to the new alliance!”

“Cheers to that!” Apollonia replied.

“A toast to a future without enemies.” Devil added.

Aleisha turned to face Chester, and after producing a provocative smile, she clinked glasses with the girl and cooed, “And here’s hoping that we get to know each other better.”

Devil assumed that was a subtle come-on, and he said, “Young vampire, Chester is my life-mate.”

“How unfortunate for her.” Aleisha joked.

Chester regretted accepting the champagne, because not only were her knees trembling now, so were her hands, and fizzing liquid dribbled down the sides of her glass as she gripped it tightly. Quite heated and flustered, Chester didn’t want to admonish the vampire, although she needed to come to her Masters defence again. Being this close to the stunning vampire had her brain doing somersaults, and she said shyly, “Excuse me, to me, the being is the most important Devil in the world.”

Apollonia thought about the embarrassed mish-mash of words, and she chuckled, then declared, “Okay, so zombies do have emotions!”

Realising what she’d said, Chester wanted to kick her own backside, or find a hole to dive in; but she managed to mumble, “Sorry, that didn’t come out right.”

Apollonia gazed at Aleisha and said wryly, “Maybe you need to turn the sexual electricity down Pretty, because you’re unsettling my new friend.”

Aleisha raised her right eyebrow, then replied smugly, “Even if I knew how to turn it down, I wouldn’t.”

“Don’t worry about her Cutie,” Apollonia began, “Blood Suckers have enhanced senses, and because of that, all vampires are sluts.”

Of all the things the witch could have said to try and calm her, Chester thought that comment was the least appropriate, although it was the most exciting.

Devil liked to explore all opportunities, and he asked politely, “Just how slutty are-”

Aleisha cut him off and said, “Not that slutty.”

Chester was in a daze. Being the assistant to the Boss of the zombies meant that she was the least important creature in the room, although the Queen of the Witches was flirting with her, and a breath-takingly stunning vampire was teasing her. Chester didn’t want to make a dick of herself again, although she needed to issue a statement so that the vampire could hopefully turn the teasing into flirting. She drew in a breath, then said quietly, “Aleisha, Miss Aleisha…”

“What Chester?”

The vampire was standing two feet away from her, staring into her eyes, and Chester mumbled, “Y-you are very attractive.”

Aleisha struck a pose as she asked, “Do you think so?” She turned side-on as she pushed her chest out, and then she spun around, facing away from them.

Chester’s brow was pounding, and so was Devil’s, and Apollonia laughed, “Cut it out, stop torturing the girl!”

“Ohhh dear,” Aleisha moaned playfully as she spun around to the front, “I do apologise, because my intention wasn’t to torture you Chester.”

Devil saw a tiny window of opportunity, and he asked, “What was your intention?”

Aleisha glanced at him, then slowly turned her focus to Chester as she cooed, “I want her to like me.”

“I’m just taking a stab in the dark here Pretty, and I’m guessing that she does like you,” Apollonia began, then she faced Devil and asked, “Can I borrow her one night, I mean can we borrow her?”

“For what purpose?”

“Jesus, you really are dumb as all-fuck,” Apollonia smirked, “This witch wants to get to know your life-mate better.”

Devil raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you saying that you wish to lay with my life-mate?”

Apollonia thought about her response, gazed at Chester, then said, “Okay, sure, you want honesty? Yeah, I’d love to lay with this little Cutie.”

Most of the vampires heard the conversation, and Livinia inquired, “Great Queen, are you behaving yourself?”

“Yes and no.” Apollonia replied.

Sensing a salacious opportunity, Devil said, “You can pop in and see us sometime Queen.”

Apollonia laughed, then said, “I asked you if I could borrow her, which means that you send her over my way.”

“Chester rarely leaves my side.” Devil replied.

“Hey listen, we’ve formed an alliance, so in the spirit of the alliance, I’m just saying that I’d like to get to know you fuckers better, and I’ll start by getting to know Cutie-Pie better.”

“You said that you want to lay with her.”

“Fuck me!” Apollonia snorted, “Yes, I’d love to lay with her, and I get the impression that Cutie-Pie wants to get to know one particular vampire better, and that vampire Is a slut, so she’ll lay with anybody that’s breathing, or almost anybody; so get in the groove Devil-Boy, and in the spirit of the alliance, send her over, and a witch, a vampire and a zombie can start strengthening the alliance.”

Chester was stunned that the Queen of the Witches was basically trying to organise a fuck-date, and she herself was the fuck part of the date. The Queen was statuesque and attractive, and she came across as a straight-shooter, so Chester would lay with her if the Boss allowed it, although she was wishing that she had the courage to organise her own fuck-date.

The small window of opportunity may still be open, and Devil glanced at Aleisha, then faced Apollonia as he replied, “Chester is my life-mate, although if you wish to engage with her, I extend an invitation to both you and the vampire to pop into the Ranch anytime.”

Christian heard most of the quiet conversation, and he stared at the blond vampire until Alison nudged him in the ribs again, “Christian, for goodness sakes, stop staring at her!”

Devil gazed at Chester, and he saw the confusion in her eyes. He touched her cheek lightly and asked compassionately, “Love of my life, do you wish to spend an evening with the vampire and the witch?”

Chester was so wound up, and she didn’t want to make a dick of herself again, so she nodded and said quietly, “Yeah, guess so, I mean we got the alliance, so you know …”

Devil said affectionately, “If this is what you want, this is what you shall have.”

Chester hugged him and kissed his cheek, then pulled away slowly as she swung her gaze to the vampire.

“Tomorrow night?” Apollonia asked.

“Tomorrow night is good for me.” Aleisha replied.

“I shall have her dropped off here tomorrow night.” Devil advised.

“Arhhh, actually, maybe we’ll meet at Apollonia’s place.” Aleisha suggested.

“Why?”

“Ummm, witches can do stuff, you know, witchy stuff.”

“Okay, agreed.” Devil replied, then he faced Apollonia and asked, “Queen, you will guarantee my life-mate’s safety?”

“Sure, I’ll guarantee her safety,” Apollonia replied, “But you may not get her back.”

Chester tore her gaze away from the vampire and faced Apollonia as she said quietly, “I will always return to my Master.”

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