Falk Clan Tales - Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Nikolai Falk looked up from his laptop and cursed soundly. How the fuck was it three o’clock already?
He groaned and quickly stretched, standing up in the process. All those lines of code had a way of sucking him in for hours on end until he lost track of space and time. Shit. His EnergyDragon growled at him.
The beast needed to fly, to stretch his wings against the cooling skies. His ability to exercise control over technology was something unique to him. Energy came in many forms, and he simply excelled at this one.
He’d discovered December was an unusual month in their new hometown of Maccon City, New Jersey. It was milder than fall on some days, then colder than a witch’s tit on others. Er. He’d best not repeat that colorful colloquialism in front of his brother, Edric.
Dragons and Witches had some history together. Mainly an antagonistic one seeing as how those who followed the Dark had a nasty habit of killing Dragons to get their bits and pieces for spells. Fucking monsters. But all Witches were not evil. IN fact, he knew quite a few that followed the White and practiced their craft honorably.
Either way, his brother, Edric, was more than a bit touchy about the whole Witches thing, and he did not appreciate any negative remarks about their kind. The ThunderDragon was mated to a Witch, and he didn’t take kindly to any perceived slurs against her.
As if Nikolai would ever disrespect his newest sister-in-law. Joselyn was just great and perfect for his older sibling. Her psychic powers were benevolent far as he could tell, and she chose to remain outside the local coven. Choosing to look to her mate for protection and security. As it should be. Lucky bastard that Edric was.
Another one mated. And he alone. Nikolai rolled his eyes as he looked back down at his laptop for a second. Hmm, just one more adjustment.
His cell chirped annoyingly with the alarm he’d set for himself. Fuck. Good thing though. He’d never hear the end of it if he was late for his niece’s naming day.
The ceremony was going to start in half an hour and he still had a shit ton of work to do. But not today. Being responsible for their small Clan’s finances was one hell of a job. Especially when his brothers had no concept of managing money, only spending it.
He smirked and shook his head. Arrogance was not only a human fault. But he had a right to be overly confident. Nikolai was damned brilliant at making money. The Falk Clan’s worth was currently in the hundreds of millions. Not too shabby indeed considering where they’d been a little over a year ago.
He jumped into the shower and hurried to dress. Nikolai had no time to revel in the hot spray of water. He washed quickly and chose a pair of navy-blue Armani slacks with a simple white silk shirt.
Like his brothers, his tastes were expensive. Dragons loved treasure of all sorts, he mused as he tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. Besides, after five-hundred years of servitude to a tyrant, he figured they were entitled to a little luxury.
With his newest endeavor, they could have all the luxury they’d possibly want. He’d managed to secure the future of their newly founded Clan in a year. Booyah. He mentally fist-bumped himself, proud of his pending success. The four brothers would be able to provide for their mates and children for many generations to come.
Generations that were coming upon them sooner rather than later. He frowned. His siblings had all been blessed with their fated mates within a year of settling in the supernaturally inclined town of Maccon City.
They’d found their little slice of heaven in New Jersey of all places. He’d been none too happy when his elder brother, and their leader by unanimous decision, Callius, had told them where they were going to build their castle and live.
Quite frankly, he’d always thought New Jersey sounded like a shithole. At least, it did according to the internet. Nikolai had flown around the world a few times before visiting. He’d tested his wings and tasted the freedom they’d all craved. Duty had forced them to serve out their sentence without much resistance.
He’d always wondered why Callius hadn’t fought to get out. He’d asked his brother about that once and the FireDragon’s reply had been one word. Honor. Nikolai was young and didn’t understand, but he’d done his part. Because of that, he had always had more freedom than his brothers. For that, he’d always felt guilty.
Nikolai had used his talents and brains for his captor for centuries. The technological advancements the last hundred years had made it easier and necessary for him to interact with the outside world.
He’d travelled outside of his old cell every time he opened a book, and later, when he’d turned on the computer. His two eldest brothers were Clan Warriors, fierce Dragons of worth and honor, his youngest an artist highly valued amongst their kind, but Nikolai was the odd man out.
A geek. A money maker. Sure, he had value, but the Blackthorn Clan followed the old ways. He’d been mocked and ridiculed, but he’d added to their jailor’s coffers. So much so, his excursions, virtual and real, had been tolerated.
He fucking hated thinking about his old cell. His tomb of information where he’d thought to die under the weight of all the scrolls and books. Most of all, he hated when his mind strayed to that prick who’d kept them under lock and key for the past five-hundred years. Dragomir deserved no more of his time.
The second he left that compound on the Isle of Pain, he’d sworn to never look back. He’d gone positively wild in the months since. Making a name for himself, converting the fund they’d been allowed to keep into stocks that multiplied with the slightest bit of concentration.
He excelled at increasing their holdings, but lately he’d developed other interests. Software development. He’d started a small firm to get his toe in the market. He now found himself firmly grounded in technological advancement specifically designed towards supernaturals. Unheard of really, but totally obtainable.
This New World, he smirked as he recalled his brother’s archaic name for the country, they now called home, was a wondrous place indeed. Supernaturals of all types intermingled with each other. Wolves and Bears, Goblins, Faeries, Witches, Vampires, Dhampirs, and now Dragons too.
They conducted business just like the normals, who lived oblivious to the powerful creatures that surrounded them. From giant corporations to small independent consultants, they all used computers to operate. They were at the mercy of technologically inefficient firewalls created by normals to keep them safe.
Not anymore. He’d just solved all their fucking problems. And he should be psyched and ready to party, but instead he was dreading going downstairs.
Nikolai was the last single Dragon in his Clan. All three brothers found their mates, gave them their roses, and were fully mated. All but him. He tried not to think about it. Choosing instead to bury himself in work.
Anything to stop him from dwelling on that one all-important question. Would he ever find his one true and fated mate? Would he find his emerald rose?
He’d been hiding behind the old line that he would rather hang himself then be chained to some maiden, but the truth was, he’d simply given up. He’d circled the globe and had not felt the pull in any town or country. Better not think on it till after the party.
The idea he was doomed to die alone was too damn depressing. That and the way he’d been fielding unwanted attentions for the last century had led rise to certain ugly rumors he’d rather not think on. Nikolai had a secret. A deep, dark one, he did not want advertised to the entire damn universe.
He hid the truth behind his good looks and charm, using his work, books, and computers as an excuse. Genius had its prices after all. He told himself he was too busy for such trifles as affairs. It was true to a point, he had plenty of pressing work to concentrate on.
With several patents pending on groundbreaking new software, he was an extremely busy Dragon. Nikolai had been thoroughly involved with the technological age since its infancy. Being over five-hundred years old had its advantages.
Right after they’d been granted their freedom, he flew solo for a few months. Stretching the wings of his emerald-green Dragon and breathing freely for the first time in his long life. He’d met up with other supernaturals he’d done business with for the Blackthorn, attempting to reconnect under his new Clan.
It had worked to a point, until he turned down the offer to spend the night in a certain skinny, blonde Witch’s bed. He’d pleasured her, there was no doubt, but he’d hated the taste of her on his tongue.
She was a hard one, but she had many connections. Valuable ones. The excuse he gave as to why he didn’t seek pleasure for himself was the usual, lack of time, urgent business, etc... She’d accepted it at the time.
He hated that he gave in to her seductions even a little bit, but she’d repeated the dreadful rumor and he’d had no choice but to stifle her tongue. So, he did. With his. It would have been funny if the woman wasn’t at the party tonight. Fuck.
Afterwards, he’d flown to the mountains and stayed alone for a few days until he’d returned to the castle his eldest brother had built them feeling refreshed and ready to work.
He’d partnered up with local guru, Randall Graves. He was the creator of the online gaming universe called Wolf Moon and an overall computer genius.
They’d just finished the last round of testing on his secret project. An extremely sophisticated firewall system that had been recently purchased by Merlin Banking Solutions. The largest international bank covertly owned and operated by supernaturals in the world.
Nikolai had worked on the finer details of the program using his incredibly unique ability to imbue software with Dragon magic. Merlin Banking was just the kind of corporation to benefit from his expertise. They required a special system.
When he’d approached Randall, a Werewolf in the Macconwood Pack who were both allies and friends of the Falk Clan, he’d been very excited to partner up with Nikolai. Being isolated as a result of his incarceration had left him at a distinct disadvantage when it came to networking and Randall had used his contacts to make the project happen.
The Falk brothers had only been out from under the Blackthorn Chief for a little over a year. It was under Dragomir that Nikolai discovered his aptitude for technology. After making money for that cretin for centuries, he was finally allowed to reap the fruit of his efforts. And they were sweet as honey. The only kind of honey he was getting his hands on these days. Stupid stubborn Dragon.
Nikolai shook off his anxiety. It was always difficult to keep his secret when confronted with a crowd of women as this party was sure to have. They were an important up and coming Clan. Their business connections alone afforded them a long guest list at any of their social events.
Necessary for business, he reminded himself. He took in his appearance one last time in front of the large black framed mirror that sat against his bedroom wall. He nodded at himself. Taller and leaner than all three of his brothers, Nikolai had the same rugged good looks.
His pale green eyes glowed with the presence of his Dragon and he worked to soothe the magical beast inside of him. He smoothed his hands over his dark hair and readied himself. You got this.
He’d played the carefree playboy several times over the past year, and he’d do it again to save his reputation. Draco Fortis meant everything, and its CEO could not be perceived as weak in any way. Nik would get through the party just fine.
He grabbed the small blue box from his dresser and headed to the first floor of Castle Falk where the naming day ceremony would begin.