Part 24 (1/2)

That morning when Tyler opened his eyes, he knew that it was going to be hard to get through this day. He walked into his office and shut the door, leaving instructions that no one was to disturb him. Although the staff didn't understand why he did this each year on this date, they knew better to disturb his solitude.

Sitting in his office, he looked around him and sighed. Ten years. It had been ten years now since he had last seen Dino. He remembered the moment like it was yesterday. He had opened his eyes, feeling happier than he ever had in his life. He was gone. There wasn't any note, no explanation, nothing. And there had continued to be nothing from that day on.

He had fallen into a well of sadness, certain that he would never be able to crawl out again. But the responsibilities he had to run Ruby Miracle wouldn't wait. He went through each day like a robot, becoming more and more like the man he said he'd never be, Jack Rose.

In the day, he went about mechanically doing the tasks that were required of him. He led a chaste joyless life designed for a man far older than he. But at night, the dreams came, fraught with memories of when he was a l.u.s.ty and pa.s.sionate vampire who couldn't wait to completely possess his lover, the young vampire Dino.

He lived for the night because in the day, he was as near to dead as any corpse could be.

After it became clear that Dino was not going to come back to him, he had done everything he could to find him. He had even sent soldiers on what he called exploratory expositions, telling them to search for ”unusual life forms,” never going as far as mentioning the word vampire. They came back reporting nothing.

He remembered that last night, the night he had fulfilled his deepest fantasy, the night he had told him he loved him. Then, after giving him everything, he had left him to suffer, left him longing for something he could never again have, left him unable to find s.e.xual satisfaction with any other lover. He had condemned him.

Now after all this time, he was bitter. He had carried the hope with him for years that he would return. He never did. He now believed that Dino had toyed with him that night. He had decided to punish him in the worst possible way because of what happened to him on that horrible planet.

This morning, after awaking from yet another erotic dream where he was allowed no release, he had made a decision. He was through protecting him. Let the chips fall where they may.

Dino was somewhere with Thor, that golden angel who could satisfy his vampire l.u.s.t in a way he never could. He would be d.a.m.ned if while they wallowed in s.e.xual ecstasy, he would suffer in a chaste h.e.l.l. He was Tyler Rose. He was master of the galaxy. He was through being his victim.

THE MISSION

Seth Murdock had left the Sky Patrol six years ago to join the military. He was now a high ranking officer, based in Ruby City. Since Tyler Rose had taken over; the military and Sky Patrol had merged, making it easier for people to transfer from one to the other.

This afternoon, he was surprised when his phone buzzed ordering him to go directly to the Ruby Mansion for a meeting with Tyler Rose.

He was a little nervous when he arrived. It didn't help that the staff seemed a bit on edge as well.

Ryan Fulton, now Tyler's personal a.s.sistant, eyed Murdock a little suspiciously before he was told that Tyler requested him. Tyler always acted weird on this date. He usually wouldn't see anyone.

Murdock followed him down the huge hallway with its thick red carpets, adjusting his hat as he went.

Ryan stopped in front of Tyler's office door. He knocked, running his gaze over Murdock. Too good looking for his own good, this one, and he knew it.

”Unless it's Murdock, forget it,” a voice bellowed from behind the door.

”It's Murdock,” Ryan said.

Suddenly the door flew open. Tyler stood there. He cast Ryan a look. ”Alright, go away.”

Ryan sighed and walked back down the hall.

Tyler ran his gaze over Murdock and told him to come in.

Sitting behind his desk, Tyler motioned to Murdock to sit down.

”Sir,” he said, taking off his hat and taking a seat. He looked at Tyler Rose. Physically, he hadn't changed at all in ten years. Then again, with the Ruby Miracle, the aging process was much slower. But there was a definite change in personality. He was staunch and serious. In fact, he looked sad.

”This is a top secret meeting that I've invited you to. Is that clear?” Rose said stiffly.

”Yes, Sir.”

Tyler looked at him again. He was good looking enough, although as hard as he tried he couldn't picture him with Dino. ”Did you enjoy it when the Commander f.u.c.ked you?” he asked him.

Seth Murdock's blue eyes widened. ”I beg your pardon.”

”Oh give me a break, Murdock.” Tyler rose from the seat and came around to where he was sitting. ”You wanted him from the moment you saw him, just like I did. He's gone now. We can be honest.”

He cleared his throat. ”I...it was once in the back of the police vehicle and...”

”So you did lie to me that time?”

”No, it was after...” he stuttered, ”after he came back.”

That b.a.s.t.a.r.d! ”Really? How interesting. And you still dream about it,” Tyler sneered.

He bit his lip and fell silent.

Tyler regarded him for a moment, then said simply, ”Take off your clothes.”

”What?” he blinked.

”You heard me, take them off.”

He stiffened, not moving.

”I'm your Commander in Chief, Murdock. If I want to see you with your clothes off, I will. Don't worry; I'm not going to ask you for any s.e.xual favours. I gave that up years ago.”

”You gave up s.e.x?” The words tumbled out of his mouth.

”That's right,” Tyler eyed him, motioning for him to stand up. He went to take his seat behind his desk again. ”Take them off.”

Seth stood up hesitantly. Slowly, he took off his s.h.i.+rt, then his boots and his pants.

Feeling very uncomfortable, he stood there naked.

”Drop the clothes and turn around,” Tyler told him without emotion.

Seth Murdock slowly turned around. He was beginning to think the rumours were true. Over the last few years, Tyler Rose had lost his mind. Tyler eyed him almost clinically, deriving no s.e.xual pleasure from seeing him naked. He had a nice body over all, slender, some nice muscle tone, an average sized p.e.n.i.s, a nice a.s.s, firm, curvy.