A Weekend Affair # 1 - The Great White Reception

[Berserker]

The Gardens

There was just something about Haleigh that made his dick hard. It wasn't just her beauty, or her strength, or that she was married to someone else. She had a quality he couldn't define that made him want to fuck her brains out every time he saw her. He suspected it had something to do with the fact that she was a killer, just like him. And at this particular moment, he could smell fresh blood on her. He told her so, and that he liked it.

“Then you’ll LOVE the slippery new stain I just made on the lawn.”

"Not unless we're rolling around in it."

He licked his lips and raised an eyebrow at her, but she continued on to business.

“By the way, I fired the Florist. Not that you should care, but I know you like to be kept abreast of Hellfire staffing changes.”

"I'd say I'd make sure the old florist no longer has access to the grounds, but it appears you've taken care of that already."

He showed her the surveillance video he had queued up.

“A toast to ghosts.”

"Indeed. But insolent none the less."

They were of a mind on the subject. That was good. Absolutely loyalty was expected. Even the appearance of disloyalty could not be tolerated. Especially not with prying eyes around. Alek told her that the other courts needed to deal with their people, or he would. Haleigh agreed. That was another thing he liked about her. She was level headed: she didn't allow pride or posturing to get in the way of her decision making. Diana would have felt threatened. Haleigh, on the other hand, would do what needed to be done.

Haleigh turned and directed Zach to deal with Gia. He had barely noticed the rook's presence. He was little more than a concubine for the mansion, his power flowery at best. Of course he was bedding the Red Queen, but she was fucking any number of inner circle members, even including Alek at times because, hey, any port in a storm. But Alek had stopped being jealous about his Queen's indiscretions long ago. But that didn't mean he didn't take pleasure in Zach's disappearance.

“Now as for the Black Princess. I can’t imagine Ava needs another reason to hate her. Perhaps you and I should speak with her instead.”

He was busy staring at the White Queen's cleavage when she addressed him again.

"What care do I have in protecting a member of another court?"

He waved his hand in the air, then sighed in assent. Ava hated him, and there was the possibility that she would do nothing to spite him.

"What do you have in mind?"

 

[Savage]

Hellfire Club - - The Garage

He handed Her a beer, and offered to do anything else She required of him. He had a vulpine instinct to serve Her, his Valkyrie, his Queen. There were other instincts too, just as feral. She was the most exquisite creature he had ever encountered. He thought so, while he watched Her drain Her beer. He didn’t even open his. He wasn’t going to drink it.

Ash: AJ...

She rubbed Her hands down his front. She knew what that did to him. She could only want one thing.

Ash: If you’re going to insist on doing these kinds of repairs yourself, at least do it with a shirt on.

“Your wish, my command.”

He replied, as She pushed his shirt up and off him, giving him a chance to set his beer on a shelf. She pressed against him amorously.

Ash: Hmm...maybe you should show me what you’ve been working on.... I wouldn’t want to get grease on my shirt, though. Whatever will we do?

He slid his body around behind Hers, a predator in hunt. His hands pulling Her shirt up to Her waist, he pressed against the back of Her until She moved forward. There was a workbench a few steps away, which he pinned Her against.

“We should keep it over here.”

He suggested, smoothly pulling Her top off. His right hand prowled up Her abdomen to grope Her breast, as he bit Her neck, and kissed it. She had to be able to tell now, he was hard for Her. His left hand crept up Her spine to grasp the name of Her neck, when he nipped Her earlobe.

“But before I show You the car, I really must have You.”

He said in Her ear, his tone devolving to a deep growl. He leaned forward, bending Her over the bench. He dragged his right hand back down Her front, and then he was yanking at the zipper of his pants.

 

[Persephone]

Why was it so hard for people to follow her instructions? Chic, classic, sexy, stylish....it wasn't rocket science for someone who got PAID to shop for a living and gather dresses that would complimented Ava's style. She had always had a sexy sophistication to her, making even the most mundane attire look like it was on fire. Ava was notorious for her fashion and how she carried herself, even before becoming the Black Queen. She was aloof, cold, and sadistic in the most raw way possible. She craved the hunt even more so than the kill. But she was smart about it, never irrational in her methods....that was unless someone really pissed her off. Which was why she spear headed the plan that ultimately killed Diana and Helena. Haleigh was bold and unbridled while Ashley was cut throat and cunning. But they were sloppy and she was not. She was a Cassadine. She was fucking royalty. Which was why Ava took pride in her court and wanted to fashion it after herself.

Amanda was absolute perfection with her abilities and intelligence. If it wasn't for that psychotic cunt Kelly King, Amanda would have been appointed Black Princess, rightfully so. Then there was John, more loyal than anyone could ever expect of a man. He would die for Ava, and in some twisted way, Ava loved him for that. He had been with her for years - beyond just Hellfire. Her heart was as black as her court, but there was a flicker of light because of John. Then there was Cassandra, appointed Black Princess, giant paint in the ass. If she didn't respect Cameron King so much she would have killed Kelly AND Cassandra on the spot the moment it was even suggested the little Hannah Montana strip club dancer become Black Princess. But alas, Ava was smart and knew when to pick and choose her battles. She would not butt heads with the White King but build alliances and empires with him instead. Then soon enough she would get her revenge, and his mother would be six feet under along side her counterparts and Cassandra Johnson.

The sickening cracking and chewing of bone filled the room as Onyx happily ate his meal while Ava watched. She heard a knock on her door, and although John announced himself, she had already known it was him.

John: "My Queen? May I enter?"

"Of course, John."

Looking over as he entered, Ava smiled as he stood formally in front of her, ever the professional. Onyx stopped eating, climbing to his feet as he licked the warm blood off his chops. His head was low as he prowled over to John slowly, letting out a little growl as he approached him. To anyone else it would look as if Onyx had found dessert, but John knew better. Onyx pressed his nose against his hand, sniffing and then licking him, his ears perking up happily. Onyx adored John, but because John had tended to rough house with Onyx since he was a kitten [due to John's strength and durability], he always played big bad cat when John showed up.

Alek: "Your new stylist and maid will be here presently. May I escort you to another location while your suite is cleaned?"

Ava smirked as Onyx trotted back to his meal, laying down to continue to eat. Standing from her couch, Ava placed her drink on the coffee table before linking arms with John.

"The conservatory?"

Making her way out of her suite, the maid and her clean up crew were arriving as she and John walked down the hallway.

"How are the plans coming along for Haleigh's mixer tonight?"

Ava gently stroked John's muscular forearm absentmindedly as they made their way to the elevator.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Garage

She played with him, removing his shirt then being suggestive about her own, drawing his eyes where she wanted them. He circled her, the look in his eyes making her pulse quicken. He exuded something primal and savage as his codename, and that made her hot. His hands were pulling up her shirt, but he didn't rip it off her - hadn't lost control, not yet. He moved her from behind, pinning her against a workbench, and she bit her lip in anticipation.

“We should keep it over here.”

And then he finished the job he'd started, pulling her shirt over her head.

"An excellent suggestion."

She sighed out contentedly as his mouth found her neck, she tilting it for him. His hand grabbed her breast, and it immediately responded to his touch. AJ was a man who knew how to take a woman, and just now she was of a definite mind to let him. His hardness pressed against her deepened her own desire, and though she was a woman who liked to tease, to deny pleasure so she could grant it later, she was in no mood to wait.

“But before I show you the car, I really must have you.”

It came out as a growl in her ear, and she smiled deviously. She replied in an exaggerated tone.

"But I really have so much to do before tonight, I'm sure I can't spare the time..."

His response was to bend her over the workbench, and she laughed, her hands gripping the top of it. She pressed her ass back against him, wanting him to take control. Her voice came out more breathily this time.

"Though I suppose all that can wait, if you make it worth my while..."

She turned her head to see the need in his eyes, and show him the lust in hers.

"And I know you will..."

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire Club - - The Gardens

Alek: Not unless we’re rolling around in it.

He replied, when she suggested he’d love the bloodstain on the lawn. Haleigh smiled wickedly.

“Rolling around fighting, or rolling around fucking? Because I’d be down for either.”

She said, and then she informed him about the Florist.

Alek: I’d say I’d make sure the old florist no longer has access to the grounds, but it appears you’ve taken care of that already.

“Well in any case, I do appreciate the attention you always pay to detail.”

She assured him, and then they were discussing the misconduct of the Black Princess, and her own White Bishop. Haleigh sent Zach to deal with Gia. It would be easy for him, and he wouldn’t lose his temper, like she might. And it left her alone with the Red King. She suggested they care of Cass themselves.

Alek: What care do I have in protecting a member of another court?

He asked her tits. She stroked his beard, tilting her head to find his gaze again. His blue eyes reminded her of her husband. If Cameron was going to run off to work all day, Haleigh was going to need someone to release her pent up energy.

“Do it for me, Bearclaw. I don’t want my Sister-Queen to be mean-mugging her own Princess while the foreigners are here.”

She knew he at least understood that they needed to seem like there were no fissures in their group.

Alek: What do you have in mind?

“Well, since I am feeling so aggressive today.... we could announce ‘sparring’ matches to sharpen their instincts, after the visit from Europe. I could send Heidi to discipline Cass, and You could command Savage to fight Ben.”

Her arms wrapped around his neck, as a scheme gleamed in her eyes.

“We’ll tell our champions to demonstrate our displeasure with regards to treachery. To everybody else, it can just be a ‘training exercise’. And if Ava is furious with them for getting their asses whipped, so be it. She’ll have every excuse to rip them them a new one, especially since I’ll tell the Black Queen about her little toast once the Europeans have gone back across the pond.”

 

[Steel]

The Black Queen's Suite

Steel asked if she wanted him to escort her somewhere else while her suite was cleaned, and she stood and took his arm, sending a thrill up his arm.

"The conservatory?"

He smiled, turning and walking her towards the door.

"I suspected you might say that, so I had it cleared for you."

It made him happy to anticipate her needs, and have things the way she liked them. They passed the cleaning team in the hallway, and he allowed himself a small chuckle.

"I hope they don't try and take Onyx' meal from him before he's finished."

"How are the plans coming along for Haleigh's mixer tonight?"

"As well as can be expected. The Red Court is handling security of course."

Which surely meant the security of the other courts would be compromised, but he kept his opinion to himself.

"An escort has been sent to meet the European delegation's plane. And in a last minute change, I'm told the White Queen has sent her rook and bishop with them."

He didn't have to mention that no such representative of the Black Court had been asked to attend. They reached the elevator, and he pressed the call button and the doors dinged open. He stepped aside but took her hand to help her inside before stepping in himself and pressing the button for the roof.

"The White Queen seems to have planned her event to impress. The things I've heard about this European branch, though-"

The elevator reached their destination, and he reached out to hold the door then paused to look at her seriously.

"They're dangerous."

 

[Berserker]

The Gardens

Haleigh mentioned he'd love a new bloodstain she'd made in the grass, and he suggested only if the two of them were rolling in it.

“Rolling around fighting, or rolling around fucking? Because I’d be down for either.”

"Is there a difference?"

He said it casually, but he shifted his stance because things were definitely looking up in his slacks. He showed her what he'd come there to show her, and Haleigh sent Zach to deal with Gia - a task he supposed the rook could manage on his own. Maybe. Perhaps he'd just fuck her: that would be punishment enough. Haleigh suggested the two of them deal with Cassandra. Alek bristled. She was the Black Queen's problem to deal with - he just wanted it dealt with. He was already distracted from this line of discussion by the proximity of Haleigh's breasts. Which she also noticed, her hand stroking his beard and bringing his eyes back to hers.

“Do it for me, Bearclaw. I don’t want my Sister-Queen to be mean-mugging her own Princess while the foreigners are here.”

He sighed.

"I hate it when you're right."

They needed to present a united and problem-free image to their visitors. The (nonexistent) relationship between the Black Queen and her princess was volatile to say the least. This was not a time to add fuel to that fire. He knew she had a plan, so he came right out and asked.

“Well, since I am feeling so aggressive today...we could announce ‘sparring’ matches to sharpen their instincts, after the visit from Europe. I could send Heidi to discipline Cass, and you could command Savage to fight Ben.”

Her arms were around his neck, and he pressed his hips against her to let her know exactly where he stood. Embarrassing the Black Queen with Savage's complete dominance over her lackey? He didn't need to be asked twice. He smiled deviously.

“We’ll tell our champions to demonstrate our displeasure with regards to treachery. To everybody else, it can just be a ‘training exercise’. And if Ava is furious with them for getting their asses whipped, so be it. She’ll have every excuse to rip them them a new one, especially since I’ll tell the Black Queen about her little toast once the Europeans have gone back across the pond.”

"I like the way you think. Almost as much as the way you fuck."

He moistened his lower lip, his hands sliding around to her back.

"And if the black princess can't be brought to heel? Well then there's no reason for us to stop Ava killing her."

His lips teased along her collarbone.

"Now. Why don't you tell me all about your kill."

His hands slid down to squeeze her ass.

"In detail."

 

[Persephone]

John asked if Ava wanted to go somewhere while her chambers were being cleaned. She suggested the conservatory, linking arms with him as they headed out of her suite.

John: "I suspected you might say that, so I had it cleared for you."

She grinned up at him cheekily.

"You know me so well."

Her's and John's relationship was unique at best. While amongst other Inner Circle members they were very professional and cold, but alone? The veil was dropped and Ava could be a bit more playful with him.

John: "I hope they don't try and take Onyx' meal from him before he's finished."

Lightly laughing, Ava shook her head as she glanced back to see the maid and crew enter her chambers.

"I told him to behave. For now."

Ava felt comfortable with John in every way, trusting him with her LIFE, which was nothing to dismiss or overlook in regards to the Black Queen. Ava trusted no one, not even her father who just so happened to exile himself back to Greece after the Queen's were murdered. It was convenient AND smart on his part. The Cassadine legacy was hers to continue to grow and build now. And coming full circle, it brought Ava back to the mixer Haleigh was throwing. The European Branch were notable if not forgettable. She had duel membership with both American and European Branches because of her ties to Greece. However Ava knew where the power was, and that was at the American Branch. So, while the others wanted to impress and put on a show for their sister club, Ava was ready to observe and BE observed. However she was curious about how the plans were coming along for the party, asking John what he knew.

John: "As well as can be expected. The Red Court is handling security of course."

Rolling her eyes as they reached the elevator, John took her hand and stepped aside, allowing her to enter the elevator first before entering himself.

"You mean Alek is pretending to handle security when in reality Haleigh is doing all the work? Uh huh, go on."

The Red King's only accomplishments were in the bedroom, or so Ava heard. Otherwise he was Ashley's mouthpiece. A very loud and entitled mouthpiece at that.

John: "An escort has been sent to meet the European delegation's plane. And in a last minute change, I'm told the White Queen has sent her rook and bishop with them."

It wasn't lost to her that a Black Court member wasn't included, but that didn't matter. Amanda had more pressing issues to deal with that involved cutting Sharon Kelly off at the knees, and Ben was doing a little security sweep of his own, making sure that he gathered every bit of information about who would be joining them from Europe as not only leverage but arsenal.

John: "The White Queen seems to have planned her event to impress. The things I've heard about this European branch, though - They're dangerous."

John held the door for her to exit, Ava taking a step forward before locking eyes with him.

"So am I."

Walking into the conservatory, Ava's gold and black heals gently clicked against the stone pathway as she walked, John coming up beside her once more.

"Haleigh wants to show a united front which is smart. Because if *I* were in the European Inner Circle's shoes? I would be looking for any signs of weakness and immediately strike before they knew what hit them. Like you said, they're dangerous. But we're ready."

When push came to shove, the Inner Circle and Sisterhood united as a front to show their solidarity and strength. Ava would gladly fuck Alek in the middle of the ballroom to prove she 'liked' him in order to cast away any doubts. Or sing high praises of Cassandra to keep face. Diana, Helena, and Kelly may be gone, but this was all still a giant game of chess.

Looking over at John, Ava's wine stained lips curled into a smirk as she stopped and put her hands on his chest. He was dressed in his typical black jeans and fitted t-shirt, accentuating all of the ribs and divots of muscles that lined his body. Her fingers slowly slid down his body, her mightnight eyes locked with his.

"Please tell me the stylist got you a proper suit before I killed her?"

She teased, knowing John well enough that he wouldn't dare show up under dressed.

"I need my Steel by my side tonight. Understood?"

 

[Savage]

Hellfire Club - - The Garage

Ash: But I really have so much to do tonight, I’m sure I can’t spare the time...

She said, but She couldn’t have meant it, because She laughed when he bent Her over. Her body was begging to be taken. He nipped at Her neck again, as a sound of protest rumbled in his chest. The scent of Her was intoxicating, he couldn’t stop himself now.

Ash: Though I suppose all that can wait, if you make it worth my while...

She suggested, Her gaze locking with his.

Ash: And I know you will....

He gave Her a leer that showed his canine teeth as the sound of his zipper answered Her. He kissed Her aggressively, as his hands tugged Her pants off Her hips. It was much easier than pulling a transmission, and much more exciting too. He shoved the bottoms down towards Her knees and let gravity do the rest. He was already pressing himself against Her insistently, when he stuck his foot in between Her ankles and forced Her legs apart.

He claimed Her quickly after that, rocking Her against the bench with such fervor that he could hear the tools rattling as the whole structure began to wobble. His mouth sought Hers again, as unrelenting as the thrust of his hips, one hand returning to the back of Her neck, the other grabbing Her hip.

 

[Masque]

Hellfire Club – Driveway


Zach: “We are to escort the Europeans from their jet to the mansion.”

*disappointed*: “That’s it? That’s our ‘mission’?”

But the White Rook had more.

Zach: “And on our way to the airport, we’ll discuss your perfidious prank.”

Gia shrugged. She had nothing to hide about that, really. Cass would handle it and take full responsibility. But still. Something told her to be on guard in front of the Black Princess from now on. Would she heed that little alarm bell going off or would she sorely regret not listening to it later on?

Whatever. She could be considered a best friend.

She completely trusted Cass, though many people have told her not to. Gia climbed into the vehicle and got herself all situated before looking over at Zach and making an ‘out with it’ gesture.

“So? What would you like to know? The prank itself? We had talked about pranking Alek a few years ago by coming up with the idea of saying something completely salacious and inappropriate somewhere in Hellfire where the cameras and audio feed could easily pick up our words and actions. You know how he is about security. But, as Cass is always saying, timing is everything. So, now that Alek is Red King, we decided to pull it on him.”

It wasn’t entirely true, but no matter. She looked at Zach.

“There’s still loyalty between us. Yes, it was a prank that completely backfired on us both, but come on. Like we would brazenly toast the two dead bitches, where ANYBODY can hear and see us, and mean it. I mean, Cass HATED Diana after she discovered Cass trying to pull a prank on her via her telepathy and then shamed, humiliated, and made an example of her in front of the entire Inner Circle and general population of Hellfire. But that was just Diana also punishing her for turning a humiliation – by forcing Cass to be a dancer when she arrived – into something spectacular.”

Ah, but that was the thing about complete and total humiliation. You never knew how deep the trauma ran. Gia was unaware of that, but perhaps she should've been.

 

[Steel]

The Conservatory

Ava asked about the preparations for that evening, and he told her that the Red Court was taking care of security. Clearly neither of them was too confident in that.

"You mean Alek is pretending to handle security when in reality Haleigh is doing all the work? Uh huh, go on."

"I'm sure everything will be satisfactory."

He said diplomatically. There was no love lost between his Queen and the Red King. While Ava, Cameron and Haleigh ran the corporation that fueled Hellfire's resources, the Red King and Queen freeloaded off that success. He broke the news that the Black Court had been excluded from the escort for the European branch, and gave her a warning about their visitors. He told her that they were dangerous, but Ava countered his statement.

"So am I."

He found her side again after they exited the elevator and entered the Conservatory.

"Though T-virus zombies don't show up at your gatherings. Usually."

"Haleigh wants to show a united front which is smart. Because if *I* were in the European Inner Circle's shoes? I would be looking for any signs of weakness and immediately strike before they knew what hit them. Like you said, they're dangerous. But we're ready."

"They'd love to take over the American branch. It's the jewel in the crown of Hellfire. But they don't know who they're dealing with."

For just a moment, he let his adoration for her shine through his eyes. And then he cut it off, the mask of propriety firmly back in place. And then she stopped walking and put her hands on his chest. He could hardly breathe as she touched him.

"Please tell me the stylist got you a proper suit before I killed her?"

He smiled abashedly.

"Desmond Marrion. Black jacket, black shirt, black tie."

"I need my Steel by my side tonight. Understood?"

"My Queen, where else would I ever be?"

 

[Valkyrie]

The Garage

The growl that came out of his chest when she suggested that they might have to stop was priceless. She didn't think he could stop now if she melted his dick. He looked even more wolflike than usual now, and she felt his hand go between them to unzip his jeans. His mouth attacked hers, and she lifted one hand off the table to thrust into his hair, holding him against her mouth. No more teasing, she wanted his cock and she wanted it now. His hands were working her pants down, and she wished she'd thought to wear a skirt. His need was as apparent as his arousal in the haste that he was making to take her, and her heart skipped a beat when he pushed her ankles apart.

She had to return her hand to the top of the bench to steady herself when he entered her, an exclamation coming from her lips.

"Oh gods."

He didn't start slow, and he didn't back off. He was relentlessly ramming himself against her, such that she anticipated the bench was going to topple over. Not that she gave a fuck about that right now. He was in control, and she loved it. His hands held her, his mouth took hers again, and she surrendered to him. She hooked her arm around his neck, pushing her hips back against him, feeling him go deeper. She moaned against his mouth, and lifted her knee to the top of the bench.

"Harder."

He felt so fucking amazing, his aggression heightening everything. It was like a drug to Ashley, how much he had to have her. She was getting louder, feeling the pressure build low in her body, driving her mad until her hips bucked and she released. The heat washed over her, spreading out to the tips of her fingers and toes, body shuddering as he continued to move inside her.

 

[Persephone]

John was concerned about the European Branch and what they were capable of. She tried to ease his worries, knowing it was his job to be concerned about the possibility of someone hurting his Queen. But Ava was prepared, as were Haleigh and Ashley. All three of them didn't get to where they were by underestimating the enemy.

John: "They'd love to take over the American branch. It's the jewel in the crown of Hellfire. But they don't know who they're dealing with."

There it was. The unbending loyalty and trust Ava came to rely on from John. She smiled seeing that flicker in his eyes that she enjoyed so much before he shut it down quickly and efficiently. Good boy. She smoothly veered onto the subject of his clothing for the evening, poking fun at the fact that he always wore jeans and a t-shirt. However John cleaned up well when he had to, these functions never his favorite, but he always played the part. He smiled.

John: "Desmond Marrion. Black jacket, black shirt, black tie."

Ava grinned, patting his chest.

"Perfect."

Her smile slowly faded as she looked up at him, telling him she needed her Steel this evening. The enforcer. The man who quite literally tore Helena's head from her shoulders with a simple side glance from Ava. He was her pocket Ace, always.

John: "My Queen, where else would I ever be?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips, no thanks needed in the moment. She simply turned on her heal and began to walk again down the path with him. She could hear John's phone buzzing in his pocket and watched as he took it out. She caught a glimpse of multiple notifications on his home screen which piqued her interest.

"What is it?"

They stopped walking and Ava looked over at his phone, a deviously sadistic smile spreading across her lips. Her midnight eyes were even darker if that were possible, filled with a dark glee at the headlines flooding every news outlet in the state of New York. Senator Sharon Kelly's son, DEAD! Ava softly moaned with pleasure at the thought of Sharon sobbing over her dead son's body.

"God this makes me so wet."

A deep, calculated laugh came deep within Ava as she looked from the phone to John.

"Senator Kelly is a non issue now. And if she becomes one again? I'll give Amanda the pleasure of wiping out the ENTIRE Kelly family bloodline."

Nodding to his phone, Ava began to walk once again.

"Text her [Amanda]. Tell her I want to see her. And call Neil. I want that custom diamond necklace delivered to her chambers before the mixer tonight. She more than deserves it."

 

[Steel]

The Conservatory

They started walking again, and his phone was buzzing in his pocket. He didn't like to look at it when he was with her, out of respect. But it was going nuts, so finally he pulled it out to see what was so urgent. It was confirmation that Amanda had succeeded in her task. She was nothing if not thorough, and Steel respected her abilities implicitly. He trusted her - as much as anyone in his position could - to have his back and that of his Queen.

"What is it?"

He showed her his phone, and she smiled with pleasure, her eyes seeming to sparkle even more than usual at the news that Kyle Kelly was dead.

"God this makes me so wet."

Ava laughed as her eyes looked up at him, and he cleared his throat.

"Senator Kelly is a non issue now. And if she becomes one again? I'll give Amanda the pleasure of wiping out the ENTIRE Kelly family bloodline."

"Sharon Kelly should have known better than to cross you, my Queen. And now she is paying for it."

Ava gestured at his phone.

"Text her [Amanda]. Tell her I want to see her. And call Neil. I want that custom diamond necklace delivered to her chambers before the mixer tonight. She more than deserves it."

He immediately did as she asked, sending the text then excusing himself to make the call so as to not disturb Ava with details. When he finished, he returned to her side.

"Everything is as you requested. Amanda is on her way to the mansion now."

He felt a twinge of disappointment at that, but didn't let it show on his face. It meant their walk together would soon be over.

"Is there anything I can do for you, my Queen? Anything else you need for tonight?"

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire Club - - The Gardens

He didn’t want to bother with it, so she had to remind him that it wouldn’t look good if the Black Queen was clearly furious with her own Princess. Regardless of which court the problem was on, it reflected poorly on all of them if there was anything amiss. They were only as strong as their weakest link. He relented with a heavy sigh, and she slid her arms up around his neck. He asked her what her plan was, to punish Cass for her mislaid loyalties.

She could have told him Cass was calling it a joke now, a prank on the Red King himself. But even if it was only that, who did the Princess think she was? Did she assume she was protected because of her favor with Kelly? Haleigh shared her scheme, which not only would result in Heidi beating Cass down a bit, but also put even more pressure on, by beating Ben as well. So if he sent Savage against the Princess’s lover, they would double team the issue.

His smile said he was in, and in case she wasn’t certain, laying against his hard body proved he was in for something. She explained that they could easily decree it was training, so it would not be read as an attack on the Black Court. It was NOT an attack on the court itself, just a rogue element.

Alek: I like the way you think. Almost as much as the way you fuck.

She nodded in understanding as he wrapped her up. Haleigh checked the garden cameras. They were relatively alone out here.

“It IS sometimes difficult to tell which skill I am more adept at.”

Alek: And if the Black Princess can’t be brought to heel? Well then there’s no reason for us to stop Ava killing her.

She smirked as his kiss grazed her skin. It was a challenge to keep her train of thought.

“None so long as My husband can keep his mother under control.”

Alek: Now.

He started, as her hand slipped down his neck, her fingernail tracing the lines of his chest.

Alek: Why don’t you tell me all about your kill.

He suggested, his hands on her, squeezing her ass.

Alek: In detail.

She grinned darkly.

“Well. First, I ripped off her jaw, because I was tired of her fucking excuses. Still, she was a screamer.”

She said, and then she laughed.

“Flatscans are as easy to pull apart as boiled chicken. Little bitch didn’t last very long, unfortunately.”

Her fingernails were back in his beard. She could feel the warm throb of anticipation.

“But you know how it goes sometimes.”

 

[Prophet]

The Zenith Group

Kelly: "I could use a little less judgment from YOU, boy. Especially considering you've spent the afternoon tanning the ass of your secretary."

"She doesn't mean to mind."

His mother waived away the staff like she did pretty much everyone else in her life. Always bothered, always bored by anybody who didn't immediately pick up on her intellect and cower to it. It was both annoying and amusing. For all the things he hated about his mother, he couldn't help but wonder if those same things were why people hated HIM.

Kelly: "Your staff is certainly beautiful, Cameron. But you might want to hand out an aptitude test every now and then."

"We do. You'd be disgusted by the subject matter. But we do. We're all about education here at The Zenith Group. Dirty. Sexy. Disgusting education."

Kelly: "So how is my favorite son?"

Cameron cocked a bemused eyebrow.

"You mean your only son?"

The second his wife was turned on, his mind's eye appeared in the garden, watching her as both Zach and Alek flaunted their feathers at her, a smile curling up in his lips. He was turned on by how much they wanted her. How much they needed her. She was a conquest for them to have. She would tease them. She would fuck them. Drain them completely while still giving them the hope that at some point, they could break her. Bring her to her knees and make her beg for them. She would never. The true grit of her beautifully twisted soul belonged to The White King. It was a bond the others would never understand, a sensation they would never experience. He wanted nothing more than to have her right then and there. Irritated, his mind went back to his office.

"You really want to hear about my day?"

Kelly: "Not especially. I was just taking a stab at being maternal. You know if I live long enough, I just might get it."

"Not likely."

She handed him a prescription bottle of M. It was bascially mutant ecstacy, but much, MUCH better. It made a mutant like Cameron, a telepath..very, VERY...VERY good in bed, causing his powers to flex in a number of surprising ways. She wanted to start selling it to the masses. and worse. Give some to Archer Fairchild. Cameron was unimpressed.

"Our family pushing street drugs is a little. Well it's trashy. We move weapons, not coke."

His mind's eye drifted to his wife again, as she perfected the art of the siren call, beckoning Alek towards her like a magnet with a mystique that was unique to her. He found himself nearly hard, which was incredibly awkward considering who was in his office.

Kelly: "We will introduce it to London, wait for it to become a pandemic. I'll release a treatment pill, we'll open up rehab centers and in five years tops, I'll have a never ending supply of mutants nobody cares about to experiment on."

Cameron nodded. Impressed. The way that his mother found avenues for herself was impressive.

Kelly: "I haven't lost my touch..."

"Touche."

Kelly: "Has your wife?"

Cameron was on her in an instant nearly grabbing for her neck before he realized the body the words came out of. If it hadn't been his mother, she would have been dead. Cameron would bring down entire nations for his Queen, and his mother would do well to remember that. His rage turned into passion once again.

Kelly: "I promise I did not just come here to pester you aboure your wife and give you drugs I promise."

He was tiring of his mother's bored machinations, so his mind went back to the garden where things were heating up between Alek and Haleigh. Alek's hands cupped her ass as it were hers, but The White King new better. She was closing in on him.

With a flex of his power, Cameron was now behind Haleigh, his psychic presence undetected, unknown and probably not caring to Alek as he kissed his queen's earlobe before biting it and burying his head in her neck, kissing just above her collarbone. Sex with a bear was good, but sex with a telepath of Cameron's degree was something different altogether.

[in Haleigh's mind] "I knew you couldn't be a good girl."

He flexed his power once more as his empathic abilities stirred a feeling of passion in Haleigh that coursed up and down her body in a beautiful symphony, her arms and thighs now ripe with goosebumps.

"You DO pick the most delicious play things...I'll give you that."

All while this was happening, his physically body and presence was with his mother. It was about as perverted as Cameron liked it.

Kelly: "It's about your sister, Erika. I've invited her to visit for awhile."

<< TIRE SCREECH >>

He almost left Haleigh immediately. She was used to him coming in and out of her mind throughout the day, teasing her. Pleasing her, being with her whenever she required. But right now, the threat of Erika King being unleashed on Hellfire required his full attention. Cameron made sure to leave the slightest semblance of a graze upon Alek's ass as he left - a goodbye kiss from an unknown voyeur.

"ERIKA!? You invited that bitch to stay in the mansion? Well...restraining orders be damned I guess."

Cameron had no relationship with Alison. She had left Earth quite some time ago, to do something important, or so she told herself. In reality she was a insufferable bitch, who thought she knew everything and when she had burned through every single person she encountered in this realm, she decided to move on to another. Erika, on the other hand was a thorn he would never be able to remove from his side.

Kelly: "She's not my favorite person either, Cameron. But she's gotten better. And my Omni Sight tells me that is in the midst of carving out a path of power for herself. Power that could be very useful to us."

He rolled his eyes. Erika was as brilliant as her mother, that was for sure. But she didn't seem to like to use her intelligence for anything important. Spoiled, entitled and petty, Erika used her intelligence to manipulate men and women alike, desperately trying to get attention, attention that she never got from her mother. As mother's favorite, Erika and Cameron were often like oil and water. Thankfully, Erika never seemed to be interested in the workings of Hellfire or entering the family business. She much preferred yachts and perpetual vacations, and designer clothes and ridiculous stories. Cameron liked it that way. She would show up once or twice a year, drive everybody nuts and leave without saying goodbye.

"A path of power? Actual power? I don't believe it..."

[smirking]

"Unless she found Stavros in Greece and married him."

Cameron stood from his chair and threw his hands up in the air.

"Look..I appreciate the visit. But I have things to do. Erika is my sister. If you've invited her..I trust your judgment. But my wife has gone to great lengths to ensure this visit is a success and if EITHER of you get in her way, or tarnish The White Court...in ANY way."

He grabbed his mother's glass of hemlock and took a sip, his lineage allowing him to imbibe in the concoction without dying.

"I will end your life AND Erika's. In every sense of the word. And that's not even the tip of the iceberg of what I will do to your precious Black Princess. She will BEG me for death. Are we clear?"

Kelly: "Crystal."

They weren't and Cameron knew it. Kelly was up to something. He would keep an eye on it. Meet with the right members of The White Court to ensure Kelly AND Erika would be watched.

"Good. Now get out of my office."

Kelly smiled as she kissed him on the lips.

"I love you."

Kelly: "I know."

As soon as Kelly was gone Cameron was practically already in his lambo pressing the pedal to the medal, ignoring traffic lights before arriving at the mansion, hoping he hadn't missed any of the good stuff between Haleigh and Alek.

[to his attendants]

"I'll need to see The White Knight before dinner this evening."

[to Haleigh in her mind]

"I'm home. Tell me you haven't came yet."

 

[Berserker]

The Gardens

Hearing her laying out her devious scheme made him want to fuck her even more, and his lips were on her neck before they'd even finished discussing it. He was already hard, but suggested she give him the play by play of her killing the florist, just to really turn him on. And he knew she wanted to tell him, anyway.

“Well. First, I ripped off her jaw, because I was tired of her fucking excuses. Still, she was a screamer.”

He made a noise of approval. One of his hands moved from her ass to start unbuttoning her shirt, while the other unzipped her skirt.

"Could you hear the blood gurgling in her throat while she screamed? That's how you know you've done it right."

His head went between her now bare breasts.

“Flatscans are as easy to pull apart as boiled chicken. Little bitch didn’t last very long, unfortunately. But you know how it goes sometimes.”

Her fingers were in his beard, and he lifted his head to look into her eyes. He knew she could feel him through the thin fabric of her skirt.

"You really need a metahuman if you want long and hard."

He paused and grinned, pushing the skirt the rest of the way off her hips and then undoing his fly. His mouth went back to her neck, and he felt her hand on his ass...except that he was pretty sure her hands were elsewhere. There wasn't time to ponder that odd occurrence, because he was pulling her leg up to his hip and pressing himself forcefully inside her. He grunted as he thrust again and again, hot breath on her neck. And he waited, because he knew she wouldn't just let him have his way with her. He was counting on it.

 

[Goliath]

Havana, Cuba - El Gato Tuerto

It may have been a bit cold in New York, but it was sizzling hot in Havana. In the back of a shifty nightclub in the heart of downtown, Ben sat, his feet perched on a table, leaning back in a wooden chair, puffing an Opus X and watching the show. A beautiful cuban woman sang from center stage, a flower in her hair, a brass band and piano accompanying her. But she was not the show he was paying attention to. Ben was monitoring the fat ponce in the corner who could smell worse than he looked. God. Ben loved being in the field.

Taking a sip of his pisco sour, a drink a little too fruity to ever be imbided stateside, he waited. The Black Queen had requested a security sweep of sorts into what they could be prepared to deal with once the Brits arrived in New York, and he always did what Ava wanted, even as kids. When she was nine and wanted to play doctor, he was a willing patient. When they were twelve and Ava wanted to steal Stavros porsche and joyride through the Hamptons, he sat shotgun. She always made him feel as if he weren't an outsider, even though he was. His father, Finn Lewis, was once a decorated agent of MysTech, before he became a miserable alcoholic and offed himself. Or at least that's what Ben was told. He had learned a long time ago that the less questions one asked, the more answers they got. Ben became a ward of Hellfire, the first child in their welfare program. Both parents dead, belonging to nobody, he was shipped to boarding school, tolerated at Holidays and for the most part ignored. And then along came Cassandra. He remembered loving her once, before Talisman sent him to The Body Shoppe. Two ostentatious cuban men, complete with gold chains and bowler t-shirts came into the bar with briefcases, as if they were begging for somebody to call them criminals. But that was why Ben loved Cuba. It was a place that he could sit in a bar with a blood stained shirt and not be noticed.

Ben had been tracking the movements of Sub Zero, Archer Fairchild's crime syndicate, doing his due dilligence. It would make sense for both the European and American Black Courts to work together, and in terms of sheer revenue, it appeared that Archer was a lynch pin for the european cell. He brought in a LOT of money and resources. He was likely even stealing assets of Cassadine Corporation and selling them on the black market. It was just about the only promising thing he had gleamed in his recon mission. Juliette kept things very cloak and dagger. Bretta O'Malley didn't seem to do anything but her nails. If Ava wanted to expand her influence, her only real option was Archer, but Ben had his reservations at the operation.

In the most apparent drug deal of all time, Ben watched as the men with briefcases opened them and produced a metric ton of unmarked bills. Ben laughed outright, downing the rest of his drink and standing from the chair, before pulling his glock out and opening fire like mad into the club, the screams of people clammering about trying to escape making him firm with pleasure. That was the thing about Hellfire. All of them were turned on by violence.

"Dame el dinero, cabronas!"

The men in the corner scampered before opening fire themselves straight at Ben. Deciding to end the act, he threw his gun to the side and continued to walk forward as bullets ricocheted off of his chest with ease. The man of stone made his way over to them, flipping the table, cracking the neck of the fat man and grabbing the one gold chained man brave enough to stand tall against Goliath. He lifted him up from the ground as he watched the man's eyes widen and begin to plead.

Man: "Por favor! Por favor!"

Ben gripped his throat with a fraction of his strength, his cobalt blue eyes gleaming at the man as chaos erupted around them. He stared at the man stone faced.

"Quien es tu jefe?" he asked. A man with a british accent speaking Spanish was the spectacle it sounded like.

Man: "Por favor! Por favor!"

he gripped TIGHTER.

"Quien es tu jefe, cabron?"

The man wrapped his hands around Ben's, seemingly incredibly small in comparison. He was trying to escape, and when he found out that he couldn't, he began to talk, like any other little bitch did.

Man: "No soy un jefe!!! Yo trabajo para el Rey de Hielo! POR FAVOR! NO me mates!"

Ben shook his head before crushing the man's throat entirely and dropping him to the ground like a wet towel.

"El Rey de Hielo. The King of Ice."

The Black King ran an international crime ring with members who would give him up with the SLIGHTEST notion of harm to themselves. This was child's play, but it was information that Ben and The Black Court needed. Sub Zero had holes, and they were easily exploited. Archer was nothing but lucky. At least right now.

Looking around, he had noticed the club had cleared out. Walking over to the table, he picked up the suitcases and walked out of the club and towards the location of Blackbird, a military grade jet that Ava had gifted him upon the official recognition of him as her Black Bishop. He was back in New York in record time as he landed the jet on the roof, headed downstairs and made his way towards the Black Corridor. He learned that Ava was in The Conservatory with John, which was not unusual. The details of that relationship was again something Ben learned more about by not asking. That was what made him unique as a bishop.

John: "Is there anything I can do for you, my Queen? Anything else you need for tonight?"

"Perhaps a few suitcases of our good Yankee friend Benjamin Franklin?"

Ben appeared in front of them, dropping the suitcases at their feet.

"I come bearing gifts..as well as intel. Do you have a moment my queen?"

Ben's eyes looked John up and down, never really sure what to make of the man, which he guessed was the point. One thing was clear, he was loyal to Ava, and that was good for all of them. So he never bothered John.

 

[Persephone]

John stepped away to text Amanda and make the phone calls that she had requested leaving Ava to walk a bit more into the grassy knoll, folding her arms across her chest and looking up. The clear glass enclosure of the conservatory gave a perfect view of the surrounding concrete jungle mixed with the cloudless blue sky. It was then she saw the familiar shadow of the Blackbird pass by.

John: "Everything is as you requested. Amanda is on her way to the mansion now."

"Excellent."

John: "Is there anything I can do for you, my Queen? Anything else you need for tonight?"

Ben: "Perhaps a few suitcases of our good Yankee friend Benjamin Franklin?"

Ben appeared beside her, tossing two brief cases down by her feet. Cocking up an eyebrow at the cases of money, Ava looked up and gave Ben a sly smile

"Ever the showman, aren't you?"

Gesturing with her two fingers at the brief cases, John would know to gather them immediately.

"Good afternoon to you too, Benjamin. I suspect Cuba treated us well?"

Looking over at John inspecting the stacks of 100's within both brief cases, it certainly did it would seemed.

Ben: "I come bearing gifts..as well as intel. Do you have a moment my queen?"

Nodding, Ava looked to John.

"Place those in the vault."

She nodded to him, a silent indication that she would see him before the mixer. As John began to walk away, Ava smirked turning to meet Ben's eye. They may have known each other since they were nine, but that didn't mean Ava didn't enjoy the man he had grown into. Smart, savvy, and gorgeous? Everything she needed in a Bishop.

"You know I love it when you shower me with gift...."

She began to walk further into the conservatory knowing he would follow.

"But information is much more enticing."

They approached a bench near a koi pond, Ava taking a seat and crossing her legs at the knee.

"What do you have for me?"

 

[Goliath]

The Conservatory

Ava: "Good afternoon to you too, Benjamin. I suspect Cuba treated us well?"

"Treated ME well."

Ben pulled a cigar from his jean's pocket and put it to his mouth giving a Groucho Marx gesture before sticking it back in his pocket. He would be smoking that this evening. Ava had John placed the suitcases in the vault as she walked forward, silently gesturing him to follow her which he did.

Ava: "You know I love it when you shower me with gifts..."

He smirked.

"Happy Christmas."

Ava: "But information is much more enticing."

The two took a seat at the bench near the koi pond, a place they had gone for many years. In their youth it had been for Ava to vent about any number of innocuous stupid things going on in her teenage life, and now it was where they shared information. It was where Ben was center stage, and he enjoyed that dynamic.

Ava: "What do you have for me?"

He didn't need to be in the mansion for long to know where everybody was. For as devious and secretive much of The Inner Circle liked to believe they were, they were horrible creatures of habit. Ben knew that at this time everyday, Alek got bored and sought out Haleigh. Cameron would show up soon after because he could never not be apart of something. Heidi used to be a variable, but the arrival of Neptune had caused her to spend a lot more time in the Aqua Ring, if that was possible. In short, Ben knew when he could speak freely.

"We don't have much to worry about...but I'm not sure we have much to gain."

He began to mindlessly stroke his beard, watching the koi fish swim and dance in the water, trying his best not to look at Ava in the ways he once did as a boy. He valued order and rules and clear lines. Bishops didn't deal in ambiguity. Their value was the information they brought, and in order to find that information, Ben liked to sort through the grey and order things in black and white. And his physical appearance made him it seem very unlikely that he was as astute as he was. It was the only sound strategy there was in Hellfire. Taking a chance on someone, drawing a conclusion, trusting that behavior was not what it seemed, it toppled empires. Ben would not see that for the Black Court.

"This new incarnation of The Inner Circle leaves me wondering about the ineptitude of the ones they brought down. The new white queen relies heavily on her status as a vampire. Their rebellion was well planned, but Juliette was lucky. She had the right group of men, ready to believe the words she was saying. She flies by the seat of her pants more than she'd like the others to know. Whatever her agenda, or reason for wanting to claim a Queenship is unclear..and I'm starting to wonder if she actually knows.."

[leaning back]

"Which seems to be the problem with the lot of them. Here, there is a logical progression. We are moving pieces for a reason. The European branch seems to covet titles..which should mean alliances should be easy to build. Give them a vanity title, extort the hell out of them, and invite them to parties, and it will be business as usual..."

He was a bit nervous about the next part as he rubbed his hands on his tight jeans out a bit of a nervous habit.

"Speaking of business..Archer Fairchild's holdings are something to be looked at, if only because I believe he actually might be robbing Cassadine Corp blind on the black market. But his global influence is something we can't deny. And he doesn't know how to run a business.."

[coughing a bit]

"I took out three of his operatives in Havana."

[smirking]

"In our best interest of course. He wasn't even aware they were working for him."

"In any case, they gave Archer up faster than The Red Queen flashes her tits at the Christmas Party every year."

She was listening to him intently, and it felt incredibly good and important to him. He never thought he'd be in a situation with Ava where she would value his opinion professionally. For as big and strong and hulking as he was, he certainly still had hang ups from his child hood, which he was good at hiding.

"I'd throw him a bone. See where his head is out. He's full of piss, so if he hard balls you, rest assured, I can seize control of that operation in forty eight hours flat, that is if Cobra still plays around with computers."

He looked down at himself. Dirty, bloodstained. Probably smelling of a cuban ash tray. For a moment he felt self conscious.

"And to give you reprieve of my scent, I'll keep the Red Court short and sweet. They don't know their bangers from their mash. Completely up in the air. The only person of any REAL note is Daniel Reed, The Red Bishop. He was a close friend of Helena Quartermaine. She was his mentor, so he's probably awful, but we need to see if he makes moves towards an alliance with The Red Queen. He is like you, a man of dual membership. He might know a lot about how the old incarnation of our red court operated, which would be valuable to us."

Ben rose from the bench and extended one of his giant hands towards Ava, propping her up from the bench. The two now stood shoulder to shoulder, their heads turned towards one another. Ben noticed a wisp of cotton from the dandelions of the conservatory had gotten caught in Ava's hair. He reached for her hair, delicately removing it, a feat not easy for such a large man, before it rested on his finger tip.

"Make a wish."

She blew. Ben let out a relaxed sigh.

"It should be a productive couple of weeks. It appears the security deal with Hellfire Europe should be arriving shortly and I'd like them not to meet me looking like hell and smelling worse. Is there anything you need from me this evening? Anything you'd like me to focus on?"