“What’s your name?” Lan walked up to the male and eyed him curiously.
“Angel.” The male offered a hand to Lan, who shrugged and shook it vigorously. I glanced at Enric and told him to watch the newcomer. For now, he was on our side and the others could take him out if he made a wrong move. I had a kitten to see.
Chapter Forty- Eight
Katsumi
That martyring bitch.
That asshole vampire jammed a rod through my stomach, and we are just going to give into his condition. Was it truly worth the cost? I couldn’t handle it if something happened to her. Tatsou came to cheer me up after I’d fled into the house, but I wasn’t in the mood. I’d go along with everything, because what choice did I have? I just needed a moment. Tatsou understood, kissed me gently, then raced to get me some tea. He’d plot and plan with others, and I’d listen to said plan later.
He mentioned going after my father tomorrow. I sat in the room and focused on my breathing, even did some yoga. The efforts barely took the edge off. I needed to sew, I need to use my hands to create something instead of being idle. Sewing had always been a calming act to me. Determined to turn my anxious energy into something beautiful, I searched the house for a needle and thread. Luckily I found a small basket in a closet. It was a simple set of tools, but it would do. I was going to battle tomorrow, so I’d need a badass outfit. Was it necessary? No. Were there other things I should be focusing on? One hundred percent. Did I give a fuck? Not a single fuck was given. Everybody coped differently, and this was my way of feeling in control of my life.
I visualized all the material in the house and cut the pieces I wanted. The owner had a set of red curtains with gold embroidered dragons on it. I liked the look, the bold colors, and the thicker fabric. Images of an almost mid-thigh kimono dress with a black belt around the middle and thigh-high black boots to match strutted across my thoughts. It was perfect. Should I be a little more camouflage or wear black to a blessed event, probably. But again, no fucks were given.
My hands moved quickly over the fabric as I cut and sewed each seam. Being a vampire cut my project time down to an hour. My focus, speed, and steady hands were a pure gift to the craft. By the time I finished my little dress, I felt stronger, ready to take on an army.
Romi arrived at dawn. She walked over to Angel and threatened his manhood if this was all a trick.
“Immortality is gonna suck without a dick and balls. This better not be a trick or you’re gonna know that unfortunate future.”
She stormed into the house with Eleanor and Asta cackling in her wake. She came into my room and admired the outfit I had created and the black books I Jedi mind tricked a store into letting me take. Once the villain was killed, I’d have access to my money. I mentally vowed to pay them back for the boots, belt, and jewelry. I had faith in our team, but I also knew there was a chance I could die. I would not turn into the deceased wearing anything less than stellar.
“I’d say I’m surprised you decided to sew a defeat father dress. It looks badass.” She sat next to the dress and touched the elegant dragon design. I pinched my lips together, unsure if I could withhold my bitchy thoughts.
“I know you’re mad. But it’s my life, my choices. You would have done the same. This is who we are. I don’t know what sort of life I’m gonna have after today. I have no fear of him or this dangerous task. You can’t protect me all the time, and I sure as fuck can’t protect you all the time, either. I love you, Katsumi, my best friend and cutest sister.” Her hand reached to grasp mine and I intertwined our fingers. I was scared. I had fear, unlike her. I didn’t know how to turn it off.
“How can you be so fearless?” I asked. I wanted to shed my doubt and fear but didn’t know how.
“You know the saying that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed? Well, as cliché as it sounds, you really only have this moment. Five minutes from now isn’t a sure thing. I lost Takeo. I wasted so many minutes that I can’t get back. I refuse to live out however many I have left allowing fear to stop me. The point of life is to live. Soak it up. Find peace in every experience. Love, smile, hurt, cry, get pissed, and laugh. I will not let Father ruin more of my life, and if I have to give Angel my time or go out on a date with him to up our chances of taking Father down, then I will.”
My arms wrapped around her shoulders as soon as she finished speaking. She’d always been the fearless one, but something in her words clicked with me this time.
“I love you, Romi.”
“I love you, too, Kat. Even if you still make me ridiculous rice animals when I come to visit.” She laughed and giggles bubbled up my throat.
“This Angel thing is weird, and I still don’t trust him. But I do trust you, so that’s going to be enough for now.”
“You’ve got yourself a good vampire boyfriend. He’s been taking control of everything and you so flawlessly.”
“Don’t tell him that. He’s got a big enough ego already.” I rolled my eyes at the same time a chuckle came from outside. Of course, he had heard it. Now I’d have to call him silly nicknames again to bring him down a few pedestals. Romi laughed then offered to help me get ready for our attack. I didn’t need it, but the sister time was appreciated. Asta eventually found her way into my room and asked if she could braid my hair. She already had some amazing braids along the side of her head and dark eye shadow on. She looked like a scary Viking. I wanted to be badass like her, even if I couldn’t murder a shit ton of vampires or give them nightmares, at least I’d look the part.
“Angel claims Father is going after the Prime Minister. He has a meeting at nine this morning. He’s already gained control of everyone beneath him. Our goal is to get there first, ambush him and his personal guards, then hopefully that will be it. Angel warns Kano is nervous of an attack and has planted vampire soldiers all around Kentei. He will try not to make a scene, but Angel also suspects he will do anything for power, including exposing vampires to the world.” Romi talked to the group as we all sat in the living room space. Angel had left a few hours ago to keep up his façade of being second-in-command.
“I like it. We get in, take him down, then get out.” I clapped my hands together and stood. Tatsou’s eyes glowed when he saw me exit the room looking like a Japanese deity. Maybe if we finished this whole gruesome ordeal soon, he and I could celebrate with the horizontal tango on the ceiling later. Enric tapped at his expensive watch and suggested we leave. The Chief Cabinet Secretary worked for my father now and had the time to let soldiers into the building before Kano arrived for his meeting slash takeover.
Tatsou wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck as the others readied themselves to leave. We’d all left the house to refill our energy for a fight. I ignored that most of the vampires besides me drained the humans. Maybe after hundreds of years I could do it without crying for hours, but today was not that day.
“My kitten has her fangs and claws out today,” he hummed against my skin and whatever tensions I’d held onto were released. I turned in his arms to stand face to face.
“I didn’t even know I had them until you showed up. All that assholery unsheathed them,” I teased. Honestly, I was hard to think of a time when Tatsou’s unreadable face didn’t occupy my life. He forced me to be stronger, to fight for my breath, and flourish in the beauty. I’d thought him the villain, and he still sort of was. He would tear the world apart for me, and there’s something beautiful in that. He loved me, but the rest of humanity could suck it.
“I’d woken up into this life with a revengeful heart. Now I am transformed thoroughly because of you and our spark.”
Swoon. He said our spark, not just mine but ours.
“Who taught your mouth to utter such sweet words?” My head tilted up to kiss his sexy lips.
