Kissed by a rose (Diana)

[Robert Alexander Lovelace]

Life was going to hell, not in the usual sense of losing ones job or being sick but in the literal life is going to hell way. Robert didn't know what else to call it when you had a daughter marry the Alpha of the werewolves, and you were a vampire. Worse yet, Daryl had a child with her. This was not boding well for his family at all. Merry was happy, which was good, but with Lidija sturring things up she was in danger. Sighing he walked into Bloodlust with his hands in his dress jacket pockets. He was wearing a nice dress suit without the tie and the collar unbuttoned a little. The red shirt and black jacket and pants gave him an air of sophistication that showed he had the confidence to pull the look off. His hair was longer again, Diana seemed to like it when he didn't look like an enforcer. And he glanced at his rollex as he made his way to her office.

Smiling he knocked on the door lightly, his other hand holding a single red rose for her. He didn't know what kind of a mood she would be in but if it relaxed her it was a good thing. He was worried about everything that had been going on. Philip was trying to get Mari to marry him and Trent was trying to hold on to what he had while Lidija went about causing chaos. At least it wasn't his sire doing all the damage this time. He relaxed a bit and grinned. There was always hope. Striking a casual pose that he knew would get a chuckle out of her he grinned at her when the door opened and presented her with the rose, "Your majesty?" he said with a courtly bow and flourish that showed his respect and admiration for her. Somewhere along the line they had gone from casual sex partners to actually caring for one another. A fact that surprised Robert given how much Anne had broken him.

[diana Regina McKenZie]

A sharp yell filled with pain was heard through Diana's office, something that still made her happy and pleased that she had removed the walls with the best material she could find to block out sound, to even make it hard for vampires and other enhanced senses species to listen through them. She looked at the werewolf who closed his eyes in pain because of the dart in his chest that she had just thrown there, next to the other two that were stinging in his body, until she signed the vampire with her to take them out, and hand them back over to her. 'I could swear I just asked you a question, and I already told you the rules of this, so don't look at me like that.' Diana said when she got the darts back and put them next to her on her desk as she sat on it, tilting her head to the side for a moment. 'You know... Sooner or later, you are going to tell me what I know, and I'm still leaving it up to you, how much limbs you'll have left when you do, or how much silver there'll be in your bloodstream.' She told him innocently grinning and pulling out a new set of darts and keeping them up in front of her. 'I had these darts specially made, just in cases like this.' She said, a bit prideful even, before she threw one of them with vampire strength toward the werewolf, who's body shook of the pain and shouted again that he wouldn't tell her anything and bla bla bla, all things she'd heard before, and had already expected nothing less than to hear it again now.

'I'm not telling you anything! How many times do you want me to say it? I already told you, if you're going to keep doing this, you can just as well kill me!' The werewolf shouted again when he had recovered, which made Diana narrow her eyes, then jump of her desk to walk closer to him. 'Your good friend Philip, is undermining the vampire/werewolf treaty, more importantly, he keeps getting after my daughter...' She said as she stepped closer again with her eyes still narrowed and dragging the tip of the remaining darts in her hand across his naked chest and looking at the small stream of blood coming out there now too. 'Ask anyone, there's nothing I wouldn't do to make sure my daughter's safe, nothing.' She said as her voice got softer, but a lot more dangerous and threatening.

'My queen.' She then heard her fellow vampire in her office respectfully call her and before she could ask him sharply what it was, she saw how the office door was open and saw and heard Robert, with his rose and how he addressed her, which instantly created a smile on her face for a moment. 'Look at that, temporarily saved by the enforcer slash advisor.' Diana said teasingly as she looked at the werewolf, before sticking the two remaining darts in him on purpose first and then walking to the door and Robert, after the vampire had let him in, closed the door after leaving the room himself, knowing that that was expected of him with Robert's arrival. 'You shouldn't have.' She said softly then with a smile to Robert as she took the rose from him and smelled it. 'But I won't complain anymore than that of course.' She chuckled slightly, before she looked more seriously and easily placed the rose on her desk, then pointed her eyes back at the werewolf which she pointed at with her hand for Robert. 'Don't worry, I'm not breaking my own treaty, this is one of those "freelance" werewolves that Trent told me about after Philip kindly let that slip, all I need now from him, is some useful information on Philip that I can use, or at least, SOMETHING useful, other than having some fun.' She said, shrugging her shoulders for a moment, grabbing the darts again, getting back in position, and one by one throwing them with force back at him, smirking devilishly automatically because of the painful sounds coming from him again, mixed with the angry growls.

[Robert Alexander Lovelace]

Robert waited quietly till he was acknowledged and looked at Diana's handiwork. She was good at extracting information and getting what she wanted out of weak willed people that was certain. Maybe they could play good cop bad cop and get this wolf to talk. He was an omega so after they were done with him they could dump him off at Darryl's to be disposed of. Daryl did have a back entrance for such things so Merry was none the wiser which helped.

Robert could see the rage building up within her. The anger at being forced to have to ask for information. Philip shouldn't be harassing Mari and from what he had gathered Philip had taken advantage of her in her weakened condition over Halloween. Now it was close to Christmas and Mari was at an emotional low point. She'd felt that she had let everyone down.

"I figured he was an omega. He wasn't screaming about Daryl coming to rescue him." he said with a simple shrug of his shoulders. "I could try and read him if you like." he said simply with a casual look to his gaze, "It might break him of course but you don't really NEED him once we're done with him." he said simply as he glanced at the werewolf's bleeding form.

"We can always take a break from this and come back to it. Give him some time to think over his options and see our side of it." he said with a slow smile, "I reserved tickets for a show. My daughters in it and I thought it might be good to show a bit of solidarity given the situation." He said simply with an elegant shrug of his shoulders as he waited for her reaction.

[diana Regina McKenZie]

'No, it's pretty damn impressive though how a damn lonely dog like this one, without being part of any pack and having any kind of support, is still resisting.' Diana said to Robert's remark that he figured he was an omega because he wasn't screaming about Daryl or anyone for that matter coming to save him. 'I've tried and done that myself, after the two first attempts, he couldn't distract me in his head as much as he'd hoped, but still...' Diana said as she bit her lip and shook her head before looking at Robert momentarily. 'Oh I've been working on breaking him, before I decided to give myself some fun, I made him realize what a low life he actually is, how alone he actually is, I have most of what I probably can get out of this one but... There's still more, there's more to what this Philip guy has in mind, you don't go off for ten years, then come back, get into bed with my daughter and not have any more than a plan of oppertunity.' Diana said before she shook her head in frustration.

Diana had grabbed the darts again and just as Robert decided they could always take a break, she threw all of them with a lot more force this time toward him, hearing the werewolf scream again and watching how he lowered his head and how some of his hairs were sticking to his face. She then turned around and walked closer to Robert until she was in front of him, a bit shorter or not, she didn't care about that, if she wanted to, she was still pretty convinced she could beat him, not that she never tried, their relationship wasn't really lovey-dovey to begin with.

'Honestly I'd love to take a break, but I can't, you know damn well what this guy's friend did to Mari, how he manipulated Trent into fighting him, having to force me to come into that disgusting smelling hole and pulling them off each other! This has to stop Robert!' Diana said as she looked straight at him, but then sighed as she let a hand cross along her face and closing her eyes for a second, having to admit that she actually had a bit of a headache of everything she still had to do, and how this Philip was only making matters much much worse. 'How is Merry anyway? And what kind of show?' She asked eventually, her voice clearly somewhat softer as she tried to calm herself down anyway, hoping that that would also give her a new idea and at least better perspective again. And she was really curious to how Merry was doing, but she was still getting more and more the idea in her head of having to track down and talk to Sienna, because she was starting to lose control, they were starting to lose power, and with Lidija also in town, that was something she couldn't allow to be noticed and especially continue.

[Robert Alexander Lovelace]

Robert exhaled slowly as he listened, "We both know Philip is obsessed and insane. Its hard to say what he will do. Have you had a chance to talk to Mari about it? My guess is that he is playing the first love card on her. She's a cupid that is going to have an affect on her because she does not remember her angelic past." he exhaled and looked at her quietly, "I can see where torturing this one would give you some satisfaction but I doubt Philip is the kind to announce his plans to the world. He's got that much sense even if he hasn't got much else." he put his hands in his pockets and stretched. "How is Mari handling this? I mean Logan just came back from the dead and Trenton is still around. I thought she and Trent were getting closer."

Looking into her eyes he bowed to her, "Yes, My Queen?" he said politely as he rose and looked at her to see what her orders would be. The leather of his jacket creaked as he moved and watched how the strain was wearing on her. This was not a good thing.

"You aren't helping yourself if you let the stress get to you. Sometimes taking a break helps you to think of what to do next. Just letting your mind and body relax." he exhaled. "Have you thought about suggesting Mari marry Trent finally? I mean I know you don't want to force her hand and I respect that but Philip is going to keep trying and as bad as this might sound, now that he's slept with her he'll think this gives him some sort of territorial rights. He's going to rub it in Trent's face that HE slept with Mari and Trent hasn't. Its like giving an addict a hit. He knows what he's missing and he's not going to stop until he gets it."


"She's in a dance production. Its giving her a chance to get out and do what she loves but she's still working as my VP at the Music Company." he shrugged his shoulders, "She's manifested her powers finally. And appears happy with Daphne and Daryl." he said as he relaxed into the conversation, "She loves him even if its not something I ever expected. Connor really messed up with her." he sighed softly and gritted his teeth, "She does remember her heritage though. I do know that much." he added as a way to calm himself down. "I am worried Lidija will find out about her and Daryl and she'll lash out. Its not safe right now." he admitted as he looked out a window. He folded his hands behind his back and looked thoughtful.

[diana Regina McKenZie]

Diana shook her head as she listened to what Robert said before she looked at him. 'You're right, but I might not know exactly what Philip is up to, but I can try to find out as much as possible, you can't expect me to sit still and wait for his next step on her, and I'm not going to let him make me force Marina into marriage either.' Diana said as she shook her head again and then looked away at a random spot for a moment again. She put a hand to her forehead as she closed her eyes and lowered her head when she listened to what Robert said then about Philip not announcing his plans because he just had enough sense left for that. 'Have you seen him Robert? He's the kind of guy that does love to brag, he might not have given vital information away, but even to Trent he said enough to give away that he has SOMETHING planned.' She asked and then told him as she had a serious look on her face and a determined look to not sit still in her eyes.

'So did I.' Diana said with a sigh to how Robert asked how Mari was doing but that he thought that she and Trenton were getting closer. 'Sometimes I just wonder, if I had killed that smug son of a bitch sooner, before he got to her...' She said thoughtfully before shaking her head slightly too. 'Maybe it would have made things easier for her, maybe things would be clearer now.' She said as she couldn't stop the thoughts for a moment and then sighed while closing her eyes again and pushing them back.

She sighed again before softly laughing a bit sarcastic after Robert remarked how she wasn't helping herself by letting the stress get to her and that maybe taking a break would help. 'That's the problem Robert, I know the next steps, but things are looking more and more desperate, uncertain... I can't take a moment to rest, because if I do I'm making sure that what I'll have to do next, is going to temporarily make me back into the person I was before I came back to this city, and with that taking a risk of Mari... And even you probably, hating me for it, but I can't let Philip win, I can't let Mari get hurt, and not to mention this Lidija after all, I want to try and prevent having to do that...' She said as she for just a second gave him a look that told him how desperate she would otherwise get, before that disappeared again and she let her head lower again. 'If Philip finds a way to turn her...' Diana started as he bit her lip and shivered a little at the thought before she lifted her head to look at Robert again in the hopes of him knowing what she was going to say, that she wouldn't know then what to do, how to help her and everything.

Still a small smile came on Diana's face as she listened to Robert telling her about Merry and how she was doing and then tilted her head to the side with a slightly teasing look for a moment. 'Don't tell e you ever saw coming that you'd be your Queen's primary date.' She told him before she moved a little closer to him. 'I know, that's why someone from our side is keeping watch on her too, you know I won't let anyone harm her.' Diana said with the small smile still on her face and looking him right in the eyes. Even though her plans kind of included both Sienna and even Merry, she did mean it, she wouldn't let anyone harm them, especially not if they just cooperated, but she couldn't tell Robert, she didn't want him to have to make a choice either, also because she didn't actually want him against her, honestly she was even a little scared of ending up with him against her even if she wouldn't easily say that out loud. She then quickly grabbed his hands behind his back to put them on her sides and then putting her own arms around his neck, completely ignoring the werewolf for jut a moment. 'Whatever happens, I will never forget how you've been there for me, and I wouldn't want to lose you from staying by my side.' She said in a quiet tone before she smiled a little more and then kissed him.

[Robert Alexander Lovelace]

"I am not suggesting you pressure Marina. I am saying that you should explain to Trenton the risks that he takes in letting Philip have access to her. Mari is not ignorant she doesn't wish to ruin his chance for a suitable vampiric wife. She knows that if she does more than date Trent it gives him rights to shut the possibility of an alliace down."

"He said it to rile you as a mother. He did it because it gives him power over you if you let
his words have this effect. You are far older than him. He is cunning but you have experience. Don't play the game by his rules. Ask Marina how she feels. Her answers may surprise you." he said as he gently placed his hands on her shoulders, "Look at this as a game of chess. I know that sounds callus but if Mari is your prized piece then it makes sense to guard her from all sides."

"It would not have stopped Logan from arriving here to deal with the issue of the impending problem that that renegade angel presents. Logan would still be reminding her of her duties and his feelings for her. She would be in the same situation you would just be dealing with the wrath of the Angel of Mercy. An odd thought I know but truth none the less. You might also have Lidija raging more than she is. There are those who actually respect her choice to not marry Trenton." he exhaled softly and ran a hand through his hair.

"You are assuming she wants to be a werewolf. Have you actually ASKED her what she wants? She came home. If she was going to run off with Philip she would have then and would not have gone about the tasks of confessing what happened. Yes, she was weak but it wasn't in a way that was permanently damaging. She didn't kill anyone. Didn't go after any vampires, she just ended up having sex. Granted its not the best option but...at least you know she's gotten over her fear of it." He sighed, "Even if she did turn into a werewolf she would still be your daughter. She'd be stronger and faster and actually able to defend herself. Yes, her shape would be tied to the moon but you know its really not that different than teaching a fledgeling to curb their bloodlust. If you could not devote the time I am sure that Trenton would."

"I will grant that it never entered into my mind that you would want a fledgling like myself in your bed. Can you blame me for not presuming such a thing?" He said as he smiled at her, "I know you have someone keeping an eye on her. She's remarked as such." he agreed as he looked down at his Elder and she embraced him. Leaning down to hear her words he smiled"I will admit that my fledgling blood lust blinds me from time to time, but if you can forgive me for those lapses in judgement than the least I can do is stay by your side. It is my pleasure and privilege, my queen." He kissed her with passion as she pressed her lips to his. The blood singing in his veins as she brought up his dark side. Breaking away a moment he smiled evilly, his eyes black with his bloodlust up, "First let me take care of something. If you would permit?" with that, assuming she didn't object, he took a syringe out of his pocket and plunged it into the tortured wolf's heart making sure the plunger went all the way down, "A little silver nitrate takes care of ears that hear too much." he said with a feral growl as the wolf howled in agony and died.

Then turning once more to Diana he swept her into his arms in a heated embrace. All thoughts gone as he lost himself in her kiss. Trying to calm her fears and sooth her mind as well as tickle her senses in a passionate embrace.