Deadly Beautiful

Count D leaned heavily against the door of the pet shop. It had been a long day that promised to get even longer. Detective Orcot was currently camped out on his couch, snarfing down tea and honey cakes at an alarming rate. Chris was curled into a ball against T-chan's side and was fast asleep.



D?



D's head turned slightly trying to recognize the voice. It took him only a few seconds to realize who it was speaking to him in his head.



It is time.



Yes.



I will be there as soon as possible.



“Detective, I have to leave. Please lock up when you go,” D said brusquely, making his way toward the door.



“Where the hell are you going in such a hurry?” Orcot said, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.



“I hardly think that is any of your business,” D said huffily.



“It is if you're planning on leaving town.”



“Detective, I really do not have time for this just now.”



“Damn it D, where the hell do you think you're going?”



D lost his temper. “To see my children born if you must know!”



Orcot blinked several times, trying to wrap his mind around what D had just said. He picked Chris up from his resting place and settled him against one shoulder. This earned him a dirty look from T-chan.



“I'll drive you,” Orcot said snagging his keys from the table.



“I only need to go to the airport.”



“So, where are we going?”



“I am going to the woods.”



“And I'm coming with you.”



“If you insist. I really do not have time to argue.”



D did not direct Orcot to the international airport but to a small private airstrip on the other side of the city. They were met by the pilot and boarded the plane in less than ten minutes.



“Dear god, D. This is a Lear jet.”



“What is your point, Detective?”



“That was my fucking point,” Orcot said, staring around at the luxurious plane.



D sighed and rolled his eyes.



The Captain's voice came over the intercom. “If you would please take your seats, we are clear for takeoff in approximately two minutes.”



D sat down in one of the plush seats and settled himself comfortably. Pulling what looked like a fur coat over his legs and adjusting it to his liking.



Leon did the same, though with much less fussing. He pulled another over Chris as he curled up in the seat next to him smoothing out the soft fur. D made an annoyed noise and frowned as the detective continued to pet the pelt.



D, you know we do not waste what is given us. It is an honor to wear that of our fallen comrades and brothers.



I am aware. Though I do not have to like it.



“You will need to take a few more of those when we leave the plane. Where we are going, it is extremely cold this time of the year.”



“Hey, D. What the hell kind of fake fur is this? It's really good.”



“It is hardly fake, Detective.”



“You mean this is real mink or somethin'?”



“No, Detective. Those are the pelts of wolves.”









Within a few hours the Lear touched down. Into a world that seemed to be made completely of ice and snow. Though it was late afternoon, even the approaching dark didn't seem to deter the endless white.



Chris was awake and staring wide eyed out of the window as the plane landed on the ice covered runway.



Wow! This is great! Where are we, Count?



“Siberia,” D answered casually, tamping down his shudder of distaste as he pulled the fur tighter around his body.



“SIBERIA!? Are you out of your fucking mind?”



“Why would I be, my dear detective?” D questioned, one elegant eyebrow lifting in question.



“Why the hell are we in Siberia?!?”



“I am here to see my children born, as I have informed you. You are here for the sheer purpose of annoying me apparently,” D said, sweeping past him and to the door of the plane as it opened.



Orcot closed his mouth and followed D out of the plane, carrying Chris on one shoulder.



“Ah, it seems as though the welcoming party has arrived,” D said.



The “welcoming party” looked far from welcoming to Orcot. All were dressed in leather and furs and none of the group looked happy to see them.



D walked to the biggest one of the bunch and was immediately clasped in a bear hug from the huge man. When he finally released D, Orcot half expected him to be flat as a pancake.



“Come. We leave for the palace,” the man said. “I do not like to leave our Alpha for too long. Especially not now.”



“I can certainly understand why, Sergi,” D said.



“Sadly, you have missed the first two being born,” Sergi said. “We must hurry if you are to see any of them enter this world, Count.”



D nodded and he, Chris and Leon all piled into the large dog sled that was situated just off to one side of the airstrip.



“D, those are the biggest damn dogs I've ever seen,” Orcot said, staring at what was pulling the sled.



D sighed and suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. “Those are not dogs, my dear detective. Those are wolves.”



“I think I'm sensing a pattern around here,” Orcot grumbled.



“By this point, you certainly should be.”