elrhiarhodan | White Collar Fic - Blood of Helios

Title: The Blood of Helios - Vampire World Prologue
Author:

elrhiarhodan
Fandom: White Collar
Rating: NC-17, for Horror
Characters: Peter Burke, Neal Caffrey, Elizabeth Burke, Jones, Diana Lancing, Lauren Cruz, Satchmo, Reese Hughes, June, Mozzie, Garrett Fowler, Kate Moreau, Maurice (Fowler’s stooge)
Spoilers: Most Episodes – Alternate Universe
Warnings/Triggers: Lots of blood and gore - plus plot
Word Count: ~ 2800
Summary: Vampire Peter, Shapeshifter El and Neal, who is something more than he ever expected to be. Prologue - We are at some point between the beginning and the end of the tale.

I had started writing this as a fun bit of crack, emotional release after finishing Wash the Sins Away. It took on a life of its own. This story is dedicated to

gyzym who has held my hand and encouraged me when I felt this was all turning to shite. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.

Beta’d by the awesome

riazendira, and also help from

deedo_2313 All mistakes, naturally are mine. Feedback is adored.

______________________

Author’s Notes:

Cadre – Generally, a group of allied vampires, also a group of blood-related who control all or part of a Kiss.

Gift, The – The exchange of blood between Master and subordinate vampires.

Ghoul – An undead creature (usually human, but not always) that needs to consume uncooked flesh (not always human) for nourishment. Ghouls retain all of the sentient characteristics of their animate life, gaining no special powers except the ability to regenerate. Ghouls should not to be confused with zombies, which are mindless reanimated corpses controlled by another preternatural creature.

Kiss – A vampire clan, always headed by a Master vampire and supported by one or more cadres.

Shape-Shifter – An immortal preternatural creature that can change to human or to animal form at will. Shape-shifters can take many forms, depending on age and power. Most human based shape-shifters will prefer to keep within a particular genus, i.e., felidae (cat) or canis (canine). Do not confuse with a Were, a preternatural creature that is compelled by moon phases to change into a predetermined animal shape.

Silver – Deadly to all preternatural creatures.

Vampire – An immortal preternatural creature, informally the blood drinking undead, who gain power through allegiance, time, and personal will. Most vampires exist outside a Kiss’ internal hierarchy, but are owed protection by and owe allegiance to a Master, which is made and regularly re-confirmed through the Gift. Vampires can be destroyed easily when very young (less than 5 years as a vampire). After this mark, a vampire can only be destroyed by fire, by a silver strike, or by decapitation. As for the sun, vampires older than 100 years can naturally withstand early dawn and late dusk, at the five century mark, they can watch the sun rise and set. All vampires, unless otherwise protected, will burst into flames when exposed to the sun when it is above the horizon.

Prologue

Just after midnight of the third day, Peter materialized inside his rival’s lair, a huge black leopard at his side. Cloaked in shadow, the pair carefully made their way around the host of reveling vampires. Looking around, he realized that this was not an Opyra lair. Garrett Fowler had gone completely rogue, and was collecting only young, newly made vampires who had not made and taken the Gift. Screams from unwilling victims floated all around, and the smell of spilled blood was sending these lesser vampires into a frenzy.

This is a nest of vermin - it should be exterminated . Peter thought in disgust. They finally arrived at a large low table surrounded by couches at the far end of the room. Fowler and his cadre lounged around it, some sipping hot blood from goblets, others guzzling right from the source. Fowler was far too comfortable in his own lair, believing it completely secure against intruders. The only guard was his stooge, the ghoul Maurice. He stood behind his master with two large semi-automatic pistols on his hips. Peter could smell the silver in the right one over the stink of cold iron. The left one was loaded with more conventional ammunition, probably armor piercing rounds.

Peter drew his sword – the blade forged from palladium and steel, edged with silver was inscribed with sigils of his Kiss. He dropped most of the glamour around him, but kept the big cat cloaked. “Hello Fowler, you have something of mine and I’d like it back.”

Fowler looked up from the nearly drained corpse spread across his lap, blood and gore coating his mouth and throat. He hissed, “Burke – you have some nerve coming here. I never thought you were that stupid.” Stepping forward, Maurice drew his left gun, waiting for his master’s command to pull the trigger. “I’m loathe to kill a kinsman, but I owe you two in the heart.” With a bloody hand, he gestured. Maurice took aim at Peter’s chest, and put two bullets into his own brain.

Fowler jumped up, dumping his meal, as Maurice’s body fell. He stared at Peter, whose eyes turned brilliant white. He pushed his power against other vampire’s, without success. “Burke – you do not have that kind of control, not over a ghoul.”

Peter spared a glance at the slowly reanimating body. While a lot of brain matter was splattered over the walls, floor and ceiling, there was enough left for the ghoul to rise again. “Apparently, you’re wrong – it seems that I have more than enough power. Over ghouls…” Peter spread his left hand and every bone in Maurice’s body shattered – it would take days, not hours for this ghoul to rise again, if it could. “And over vampires…” When he closed his fist, dozens of the young, newly made vampires in the lair burst into dust. “I see that you don’t even make any pretense of loyalty to Opyra anymore. I’d ask if it was easy to foreswear your oaths, but the answer is obvious.”

Fowler’s blood-drunk cadre, finally realizing that their master was in danger, arrayed themselves in front of him. The still twitching Maurice, reduced to a half-brainless sack of flesh and broken bits of bone, had been his nemesis’ best tool. Fowler didn’t keep strong vampires in his cadre. Even before he had gone rogue, Fowler claimed no vampire older than twenty years, perhaps worrying that such an older vampire could rise in power and challenge him. The girls and boys Fowler now called his lieutenants may have had some cunning and guile in life, but as vampires they lacked the strength and power that developed over time.

“I see you now have La Moreau at your call.” He turned to the treacherous brunette, and couldn’t resist taunting her. “Hello, Kate.” She bared her fangs at him. Peter was not impressed. She was young and had little true vampire power – Fowler had made a vampire her during the last four years that Neal had been in captivity.

Fowler smiled, despite the loss of his guardsman. “Very impressive, but you are just one vampire, alone in his enemy’s territory. How long can you hold out against the hundreds I have collected here? Your power is not infinite, and will not stop them all. All I need is for one to get through, and you’re done.”

“You underestimate me, Garrett. I did not come alone.”

There was an unearthly animal cry, followed by Kate’s scream. Peter’s cloak of shadow and mist dissolved around the black leopard, as she bit and clawed into Kate’s soft belly. The vampire fell to the floor, blood gurgling in her throat as the cat ate through her intestinal cavity. The damage would be fatal if she did not get fresh blood soon.

Peter watched as the leopard gorged herself. “El, don’t overdo it. You’ll get sick - that meat isn’t good for you.” She lifted her head from Kate’s belly, droplets of blood decorating her whiskers. Abandoning the soft flesh, Elizabeth bit down first on one of Kate’s thighs, her powerful jaws crushing the femur, and then on her kneecap. As Kate shrieked and moaned in agony, El stood over her body, lifted her tail and pissed.

Fowler and the remaining members of his cadre just stood by as Peter’s wife padded back to her husband’s side. Garrett let his power bleed into his eyes, turning them white, as he enjoyed watching his toy get torn apart. “Lovely Elizabeth, I didn’t think you had such tastes for fresh meat. If I had known, we could have had a much nicer time the other night.”

Peter controlled his anger and kept a steadying hand on Elizabeth, who started to growl, her hackles raised. Four nights ago, Fowler had used Peter’s devotion to his shape-shifter wife to force him out of his position as second-in-command in the Whryccrid Kiss. Decades earlier, Hughes, the Kiss’ master, had reluctantly accepted Peter’s marriage to a woman of another preternatural species, and extended the protection of the Gift to her. Fowler actions had had forced Peter to declare a greater loyalty to his wife than to his line. To save face and maintain status, Hughes formally abjured the oaths made by and to his first captain, rendering Peter clanless.

“You did me a favor when you forced me out - I am no longer subject to the bindings of fealty to Hughes and the Kiss.”

Fowler looked puzzled at this apparently contradictory statement. He believed that Peter had spent over four hundred years serving Hughes and the Whryccrid because he wasn’t strong enough to form his own Kiss.

“Since you were never much more than a rogue monster, I’m not surprised that you don’t know the rules that go along with the exchange of power. A vampire who willingly places himself under the protection of a master and swears the oath of fealty grows in power. But that power is controlled and checked by his master.” Peter smirked at Fowler’s cluelessness. “When Hughes released me from my oaths, he also released his seals upon my power.”

Peter let a little of that power trickle out, pressing it against Fowler, testing his enemy. Fowler called upon his own resources and pressed back. Peter let Fowler believe that they were evenly matched, neither gaining or giving up anything. Peter broke off first – unwilling to display more strength than necessary. Fowler perceived that as a weakness, and pressed his strike, calling upon the other vampires to swarm over Peter, dividing his strength and leaving him and Elizabeth vulnerable. Peter raised his sword and in the seconds before the mass of vampires reached Peter and Elizabeth, four vampire warriors materialized around the Burkes.

He felt a familiar echo of warmth in the region of his slowly beating heart at the sight of his former lieutenants, Jones, Lauren and Diana standing by his side again, eyes white, swords drawn and ready for battle. They no longer had clan ties to him, and no reason other than friendship to join this fight. It was hard to keep emotion off his face when his former master, Hughes, nodded to him just as the battle was joined.

The fight was short and brutal. Despite their greater number, the mass of young and untrained vampires had little chance against their combined strength and silver-edged steel, and were quickly turned to ash and dust. Peter knew that this was only the first salvo – these raw, newly made vampires were cannon fodder, shock troops to sap their strength. Fowler held back his cadre and the few older vampires he laid claim to for another attack. The tactics made sense, but were not typical for Fowler, who was a master of manipulating events to his own ends.

Drifts of burning dust settled around Peter and his cadre as they faced off against Fowler and his remaining vampires. For the first time, Fowler displayed true anger. Hughes’ presence infuriated the rogue. “You do not belong here – you abjured Burke. He is severed from your cadre and your Kiss.”

Hughes smiled at Fowler, the tight-lipped grin on his cadaverous face a frightening sight. “You played right into my hands, Garrett. Peter had long since grown strong enough to stand on his own as a clan Master. Your stunt gave me the excuse I needed to cut him loose from the old bindings.” Hughes gestured, and the rank insignia that had been striped from Peter’s collar four nights ago reappeared, this time in pure, glowing white and bordered in gold and blood rubies – the same as Hughes.

As the color bled out of his eyes, Hughes gestured again, and the vampires who had been creeping up on them at Fowler’s subtle command burst into flames. “I’m not as merciful as Peter – I don’t like bullies and I don’t forgive treachery.”

Peter looked at Hughes, and then turned back to Fowler. “I said before, you have something of mine. I want Neal back, now. If I have to cut down every member of your Kiss to get to him, I will.” The sword in Peter’s hand began to glow, the sigils burning red as he stalked towards Fowler. Elizabeth roared, the sound drowning out the agonized shrieks of the still burning vampires.

Fowler stepped back and tripped over the hapless Maurice. He lost his footing in the brain matter spattered on the floor and landed on his ass. The Whryccrid vampires didn’t laugh at their enemy’s humiliation, though Jones cracked a smile - a little payback for what went down four nights ago. Peter pushed forward through the rapidly diminished curtain of power that Fowler tried to maintain. The full force of Peter’s will and power, cascaded down to the tip of his sword pressed against the other vampire’s vulnerable throat. “I will not ask again. Bring Neal to me now.”

Fowler, realizing that Peter could destroy him with just a thought, commanded one of the remaining members of his cadre. “Get the Helios.” At Peter’s look of surprise, Fowler laughed – a grating sound. “You didn’t know? After so many years – you never even tried to taste him?”

“I have always known exactly what Neal is. Helios or not, Sunlight Agent or not, he is my friend, something I don’t think you can understand.” Without turning his attention from Fowler, Peter commanded Jones to accompany the other vampire. “If he tries anything, take his head.”

Fowler hissed at Peter. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. He’s not yours. He doesn’t wear your leash anymore and he came to me of he own free well.”

“No, Fowler - you used his regard for Kate to trick him. He had no clue as to her real nature, and who she calls ‘Master’. She brought him to you - and you will destroy him.”

Fowler laughed, but not with any humor. “The Helios is not for me - and you’ll be the one to deal my masters when they come looking for him. Enjoy him while you can.”

“If you have so much as bruised Neal, if one drop of his blood was taken, I’ll stake you to the ground with silver and let you burn as the sun rises.”

Fowler just bared his fangs at Peter in a display of contempt.

Lauren stepped forward. “Master Burke, let me fetch the rest of your cadre, and Neal’s friend. You may need him.”

Peter gave her permission.“Go, come back quickly.” Lauren disappeared in a black swirl of mist. As the seconds and minutes ticked, Peter considered Fowler, who he still held at sword point.

Lauren returned, accompanied by several other Whryccrid vampires, a stocky blond-haired shape-shifter, and Neal’s friend, The Moz, a short and balding sidhe princeling. Lauren had also brought the Summer Queen with her. Peter was not happy with this unplanned addition.

The Lady, easily sensing Peter’s concern spoke quietly. “I didn’t give her a choice.”

“June - this place is dangerous for you.”

“I can hold my own, Peter. Neal may need me.”

To Peter’s great relief, Jones returned, with Neal by his side. He was shaken, disoriented and blinking against the light, but no visible evidence of physical injury. There was no sign of Fowler’s vampire, and then he noticed the head in Jones’ hand. Peter looked at his first lieutenant, who he had brought over nearly a century ago. “Trouble?”

“Yeah, nothing I couldn’t handle.” Jones rolled the head across the floor and it came to rest against one of the table legs. Jones looked the ball of flesh and bone, held out his hand and closed it quickly. To his satisfaction, the head burst into dust. He smiled.

“Good man.” As Peter turned his attention to Neal, who was looking everywhere but at Peter, Diana and Jones moved next to him. “Boss, go see to Neal. We’ll watch this fortz n’ zovver.” Peter raised an eyebrow at his second lieutenant’s use of Yiddish. She shrugged. “I’m dating a shaineh maidel from Brooklyn.” Jones notched the length of his katana against the right side of Fowler’s neck and Diana rested the curved edge of her talwar against the left, the sigils on both blades glowing brightly with their power.

Peter sheathed his sword, but nearly tripped over El, who was weaving around Neal like an old lady’s tabby cat. The shape-shifter that Lauren brought back with her stepped between Neal and both Burkes. “Please Master, Mistress, let me make certain Master Neal is unharmed.” Peter and El stepped away as he sniffed at Neal - hands, arms, torso, neck, crotch and legs, then around to his back, buttocks, knees and feet. “Neal is well,” he told them, finishing this inspection. He stood close to Neal and gave him a lick across his chin and cheek, then rested his head against Neal’s beating heart.

Neal scratched him behind the ears and petted the long, graying blond hair. “Satchmo, it’s good to see you.”

The shape shifter looked at him and wriggled with pleasure. “I’ve missed you, Master Neal. Come home and play with me?” Satchmo then stepped back in deference to Elizabeth, who butted her head against Neal’s hip, but did not lick him – she didn’t want to kiss him in cat form when her face was still coated in Kate’s blood and gore. Peter was, as always, impressed with his wife’s intelligence and sensitivity.

Peter watched as June enveloped Neal in a hug. Although it was several hours before dawn, when her magic would become potent, Peter could sense the cloak of protective grace that the Summer Queen laid upon Neal. I was wrong; it is good that she is here, now. June and Moz will protect him when I cannot. The Moz, always reluctant to initiate physical contact, just grinned at his friend.

Peter looked at Neal, but did not approach him. When they parted three nights ago, Neal had made it clear that he wanted Peter out of his life, even returning the sigil-inscribed clan amulet Peter had given him. If Peter could give him choice of freedom, he would. But now, finally identified as a Helios by other vampires, Neal would never be safe.

“I hate to break up this touching scene, but we need to go. Now.” He drew his sword to cover Jones and Diana as they stepped back from Fowler. In the instant as he dematerialized, Peter’s chest exploded in an agony of fire, and he heard Neal scream “NO”.

GO TO CHAPTER I - Coming From The Darkness

Current Music: The Song of Amergin - Immortal Memory - Lisa Gerrard & Patrick Cassidy

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

chevron17.livejournal.com

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

Totally. Have. No. Words. For. Joy. At. This. Story!!!!

Okay, I'll try . . .

Master Vampire Hughes supporting Loyal Captain-now-Master Peter! Jones! Lauren! June! Moz! And sniffer Satchmo - talking like Doug the Dog from Up! Shapeshifter Black Leopard El ripping Kate's guts out! Peter wielding silver-edged sword of Justice against Fowler! Massive run-away Woobie Neal rescuing. Wheeeeeee!

So many wonderful parallels to the show, you did such a fantastic job! Thank you so much for writing and sharing, I eagerly await more!

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White Collar Fic - Blood of Helios - Vampire World Prologue

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