Chapter 9 - Auðr

Was ensuring Sage caught my jacket, vest, and tie a bad idea? Maybe. Was it better than the alternative of someone else grabbing them and Sage’s wolf going all bitch slap happy in the audience? Definitely. Could I have forgoed removing the vet and tie? Sure, but that would also create questions. I’m known for tastefully disrobing during performances. If I didn’t, fans would question if something was wrong.

Léonel had stopped someone from the club and sent them to get Leo, River, and Sage. I’m sure it’ll stir up trouble, especially since he called Leo a Darby and his kid. I may not go by our surname, but Léonel still uses his birth name. So, all our fans know he’s a Darby. They’ll be curious if anyone hears that club employee all Leo a Darby. The nail in the coffin would be if they heard Leo directly referred to as Léonel’s kid.

The press is going to have a fucking field day. I made a mental note to contact Albert. He and his company will need to handle it. I don’t want anyone bothering Leo because they are Léonel’s kid. Being the estranged kid of someone famous shouldn’t suddenly fuck up their life. Leo deserves privacy. Plus, anyone trying to track down or harass Leo must enter Bloodmoon territory. I doubt Logan would be pleased with paparazzi poking around his pack.

“What the fuck was that, Auðr?” Rune asked as soon as we were in the back.

“The fuck are you talking about?” I asked.

“No one missed their cues. We were all on beat and key. And more importantly, the audience loved it. What’s your problem?” Léonel asked, wiping his face with a towel.

“You threw your jacket, vest, and tie at that wolf,” Rune said. “Don’t you think that will look suspicious to our fans?”

“Maybe. It’d look more suspicious if I didn’t disrobe at all.” I shrugged as I started to change into street clothes.

“You could’ve thrown them into other areas of the audience so different people would catch them,” Rune said.

“That wouldn’t end well.” Léonel shook his head, following my lead, and started changing out of his performance outfit.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Rune asked.

“That Sage and especially their wolf could’ve lost control and ended the night in cuffs for beating the crap out of people,” I answered.

“Would serve them right. I ought to file charges for what they did earlier.” Rune scoffed.

“Excuse me?” I turned to glare at him.

“I’d be within my right based on human laws,” Rune said, sounding uneasy as I took two steps in his direction.

“Human laws? Don’t talk to me about human laws. The only laws you need to worry about are mine and those of the Mythical Alliance.” I said.

“Sage bitch slapped you because you deserved it. You instigated, man.” Zeke shrugged.

“I think we all need to relax.” Rhapsody suggested, holding her hands up.

“And I think Auðr should think with his upstairs brain,” Rune said. “It’s not even been a full day, and he’s putting our livelihoods at risk for some ass.”

Yep, that’s enough of his shit. I’m not generally this guy, but Rune pushed the wrong buttons. And even if I’m unsure about Sage’s claim that I’m their mate, I’m protective of them for some damn reason. In a blink, I had Rune by the throat and off the ground. I was two seconds from ripping his head off when there was a knock at the door.

“Mister Darby, I have your kid and their friends.” Someone announced.

“Looks like Sage just saved your ass.” I snorted, letting Rune go.

I returned to getting dressed as the band fell into an uncomfortable silence. I said nothing, only nodded briefly when everyone but Rune said they were leaving. I don’t know what his issue with Sage is, but I will find out, and depending on whether he can move past it, either kick him out or kill him. He ought to know I’m not above killing someone, and if he’s going to make shit worse for everyone, especially Sage, I’ll end him myself.

I chuckled when Sage was more curious about Rhapsody’s issue than Rune’s. It’s probably for the best. I don’t know what precisely Rune’s issue is to answer. And I don’t want Sage to get the wrong ideas about me almost snapping his neck a moment ago for basically saying Sage was a piece of ass. I’m not willing to think too much about that reaction. I already know what my nephew would say the reason is—the mate bond.

Focusing on Rhapsody, her issues with Leo, and all the child represented was easier than even thinking about my problems. I’ve got plenty of problems, and all of them are spelled S-a-g-e. I don’t know what I will do about them and what being around them is doing to me. However, I could think of a few indecent suggestions, especially given how Sage was looking at me as I turned around.

“What’s a bunno?” I asked, focusing on the weird pet name River used rather than the indecent thoughts.

“I’m Bunno.” Leo pointed at themselves. “River’s called me that for years.”

“It’s a choice, but all right.” I shrugged, pulling my shirt on.

“So, back to my question. What’s Rhapsody’s issue?” Sage asked.

“Rhapsody issue? There’s only so many hours till dawn.” I half-joked as Léonel elbowed me.

“That’s not nice, Uncle Auðr.” Léonel shook his head. “And we shouldn’t discuss Rhapsody when she’s not here.”

“Who cares if she’s here? She’s the one giving Leo weird looks. So give us the CliffsNotes version.” River scoffed.

“Is CliffsNotes still a thing?” I wrinkled my nose.

“No clue. I haven’t heard that name outside of that Alicia Silverstone movie from the 90s.” Léonel shrugged.

“We get it, you’re all old.” River rolled his… their, I don’t know what River or Sage even identify as, eyes.

“Just give us the short version of why she’d have beef with me.” Leo sighed, folding their arms.

For a moment, I was transported to the 1920s, with my younger sister Marie exasperated with Joseph and me. It’s crazy how little innocuous gestures and behaviors can take you back in time and remind you of someone you used to know. It’s one of the reasons I rarely ever go to the old family home—all those Darbys. I couldn’t handle it. It’s enough to see Léonel daily and be reminded of my brother. Leo was undoubtedly a Darby. It appears nature beat out nurture, not that anything about the tidbits I’ve heard of her upbringing could be called nurture.

“Fine. Short version it is.” I nodded. “Rhapsody has been fucking your dad for the seven… yeah, it was seven years ago…today that I caught them fucking in MY hotel room.”

“First, ew. Second, so why be mad at me?” Leo asked.

“Did Léonel not wish her a happy anniversary today? Or does she think that finding out he has a kid will make him give all his time to Leo?” River asked.

“One, it wasn’t your hotel room. You and I were sharing a room, and you were supposed to be out feeding and doing, I don’t want to know what.” Léonel corrected.

“Potato potahto. I didn’t want to see my great great great-nephew balls deep in my keyboard player. Hetro sex is the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen.” I shuddered.

Sage snickered, at least.

“As for our fuck buddy anniversary, Rhapsody has never been big on celebrating it. I did tell her happy anniversary today.” Léonel explained.

“And I don’t think it’s so much she’s concerned about any division of my attention or focus. That’s Rune’s problem. Rhapsody is a female vampire. Meaning she could never have children and died before she had any in life.” Léonel said.

“So, I freak her out because she can’t have kids, and now you have one? What the fuck kind of nonsense is that? I’m not a little kid that you need to take care of. I’m a fully mated werewolf. I live with my mate and their family. I’m not looking to uproot your life.” Leo furrowed their brow.

“It’s not that. It’s just the reminder of what Rhapsody can’t have.” Léonel said.

“While I won’t promise, it’s not that. I can tell you everyone in this band has some level of damage we carry.” I shrugged.

“Oh? And what’s your damage?” Sage asked, cocking their head slightly, making strands of purple hair fall across their face.

“Deep seeded hatred for homophobic cunts.” I smiled.

“Uncle Auðr was beaten to near death by a punch of homophobic men in the 1920s because he slept with one of their brothers,” Léonel explained.

“Damn.” River whistled.

“That’s how you were turned?” Sage asked.

“Pretty much. Caleb found me near death in an alley where they left me. I wouldn’t have survived my injuries. He offered me vengeance. I took it and thoroughly enjoyed draining every one of those fuckers.” I nodded.

“Makes sense.” River nodded.

“I’d probably do the same. Did the rest of the band have similar experiences that led to someone turning them? How did they end up in a band with you?” Sage asked.

“There’s a trend to everyone that’s been part of Uncle Auðr’s band. Myself included.” Léonel admitted with a frown.

“What does that mean?” Leo asked.

“Léonel, like the others, were suicidal when I found them,” I explained. “Your egg donor and her scumbag did a number on my poor nephew,” I said, squeezing his shoulder.

“I don’t like to think about that time of my life, but yeah. I was at my lowest point when he found me and brought me into the band. They had an opening for a drummer; even drunk, I could carry a beat.” Léonel said.

“That… explains so much. Not about you, Léonel. I mean about the others. Does that mean you sired everyone else in the band?” Sage asked.

“Yes. Léonel is the only one I haven’t sired. But he’s a wolf, and I don’t think the world is ready for a vampire-werewolf. I don’t even know if that’s possible.” I nodded.

“So that’s Rune’s problem. And in a way, all their problems with me,” Sage sighed.

“Rune’s problem is he’s a little fuckwad who forgets that I have killed not only my fellow vampires but even our old drummer, who had been the first I ever sired,” I said.

“You killed your last drummer? Why?” River asked.

“Can we get back to him implying he was going to kill Rune ’cause he has a problem with Sage?” Leo chuckled.

I rolled my eyes. The last thing I want any of them, especially Sage, to think is that Rune’s attitude toward Sage was pissing me off. It is, but it’s not because of Sage specifically. I don’t like when anyone is unnecessarily an asshole to someone else., Especially when they are being an asshole to someone and using things like their race, species, gender, or sexuality against them.