Writer Wednesday: Cynthia Arsuaga

Cynthia Arsuaga’s Villain Questions

Hello Everyone and thanks to Flossie for having me on her blog today! This week I’m the Author of the Week for Secret Cravings Publishing and trying to squeeze in some blog time. So, again, thanks a lot for giving me this opportunity to showcase my back list of fourteen titles! I’ve done a little interview with one of my villains from the Born Vampire Series. I’ll be doing a sweepstakes, picking a winner by random from all the commenters over the three days on this and the other blogs I’ll be a guest on. The winner will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to Secret Cravings Publishing. Good Luck!!!

I’m presenting Dragos Munteanu, one bad-ass vampire who along with his “squeeze” Ecaterina, wreaked havoc with my heroes and heroines in two Born Vampire stories. Between the two, I’m not sure who was worse, but each gets their true come-uppance, eventually. This interview/interrogation takes place during the High Tribunal Trial after Dragos was brought before them to answer for his crimes against vampires and humans. This “court case” was behind the scenes and not in any of the books, only talked about. Enjoy!

Washington, D.C.

HIGH TRIBUNAL: Dragos Munteanu, you have come before this tribunal to account for your crimes against not only the North American Blood Families but also against mortal world. Do you understand these charges that have been brought forward?

DRAGOS: My dear lords, surely you jest. I do not answer to you. You have become nothing more than pathetic puppets of these, these humans who think they control us with their laws. We are superior to them and I intend to take back what is rightfully ours.

HIGH TRIBUNAL: Enough, Dragos. You will answer our questions and take the proper punishment if so judged. Do you think following the rules and laws of our kind are only for a select few? They were created to protect both our worlds from—

DRAGOS: From what? Us annihilating the human race? You pompous, arrogant fools. Vampires should not fear these fragile beings. We can bring them under our control and use them any way we wish.

HIGH TRIBUNAL: Enough, Dragos. We’re not here to talk politics. You have been charged with serious infractions. You were the Master and Commander of the Florida and went beyond your territory to bring harm to innocents. Would you like to explain?

DRAGOS: I do not have to explain what I did. I answer to no one and did nothing against my nature. Your nature. We are vampire and would do the same as I did if you weren’t more concerned with your positions instead of using them to elevate our kind to reign as the omnipotent being we are. If I had to do this over again, I’d do the same except for dealing with that red-haired bounty hunter. She destroyed my love, Ecaterina, and if I knew she’d be such trouble, I’d have had my son, Stefan, take her out sooner.

HIGH TRIBUNAL: This is how you show your respect for us? You are blaming us and are taking no blame for what you have done? You attempted to create, what did you call it, The Sange Empire? Stefan Marin claims through his testimony you promised him the position of your Elector in exchange to assist you in distributing the drug Blue and addicting both vampire and human. The deadly virus your pharmaceutical company produced killed several people, innocents to create chaos and disrupt the fine balance created by the Vampires Laws of 1905. This grand plan of changing these laws has been thwarted and you continue to stand here in front of this High Tribunal and refuse to take responsibility for your actions.

DRAGOS: Ah, my wayward, misguided son. He’s been influenced by that meddlesome woman Alex Carlton. If she hadn’t stuck her nosey body into my affairs we wouldn’t be standing here now. She murdered my beautiful Cat, reduced her to dust. I will deal with her separately I assure you, but my Stefan, he has disappointed me. I was ready to share the world with him, but he betrayed me.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Your lord masters, if I may. I’m Jason Worth with Minardi, Beall, and Lamont and represent Mr. Munteanu. Please forgive the ramblings of my client. He is distraught and not thinking or speaking clearly. In light of the last minute retaining of our firm, may we ask the High Tribunal’s indulgence and ask for a continuation so that we may prepare our client’s statement?

HIGH TRIBUNAL: This is highly irregular Mr. Worth. This council recognizes the seriousness of the charges against your client, but the evidence is quite compelling. We are here to listen to his explanation and determine the proper method of dispensing his punishment.

ATTORNEY: With all due respect lord masters, my client is not entirely at fault in the charges. The author has put Mr. Munteanu in a very precarious position. His character is being besmirched and is unfairly characterized. There wasn’t enough backstory written about him and his plight as a bad vampire. He and his lady love were made into villains, but they were only following their true nature as creatures of the night. To give him a fair trial, adequate time has to be put into his defense. The author has promised to give him more time to develop his character.

HIGH TRIBUNAL: Yes, we can understand your argument Mr. Worth. Ms. Arsuaga, the author, hasn’t given any of us much page space as well. Our purpose has been brief and we too wish our voices to be heard. We shall grant your stay until further investigation can be made and allow you time to prepare for a defense of Mr. Munteanu’s crimes. Until such time, we declare all blood family possessions of Dragos Munteanu be forthwith turned over to Stefan Marin to run as he so pleases, all manufacture of the drug Blue to cease and any biologicals produced that are harmful to either humans or vampires also cease to be made and/or destroyed immediately. Dragos Munteanu?

DRAGOS: (Stands and faces the High Tribunal) What?

HIGH TRIBUNAL: You shall remain in the custody of the U.S. Federal government under silvered confines until such time as this tribunal reconvenes in two weeks. We suggest you use this time wisely and confer with your attorneys to explain your actions to this court. Perhaps, you can also spend this time of solitary confinement to develop a better attitude.

DRAGOS: (With a smirk on his face) I’ll be back.

Author’s Note: Dragos Munteanu made his debut in Born to Be Wild and like all true villains seeking revenge, does return in Born to Play. Unfortunately, his lady love met with her demise in Born to Be Wild and won’t be returning.

EXCERPT from Born to Be Wild (Book 1 of the Born Vampire Series):

He gripped her wrist. “Prinţesa, that’s where you are wrong, now come with me. It’s time to leave. I’m through playing games. If you don’t leave, Dragos may find you and he will want you dead or turned. I can’t protect you if he catches you here.”
“And what do we have here?” Dragos asked. He and Ecaterina stepped in from the foyer of the office.
“I told you I sensed unrest in the building, Dragos. It was her,” Ecaterina said.
“Stefan, would you like to explain what is going on?” Dragos asked.
“I found her going through your desk and I was taking care of it when you walked in,” Stefan said.
“We’re you really? The little human thought she could find something to use against me? For what my dear, to put me in prison, take me before the High Tribunal? Please, I own them.”
“She’s a hunter. It’s what they do, hunt and put our kind away for crimes against humanity,” Stefan said.
“She’s Stefan’s woman. They’re working together. I saw her at the club last night with that Fed,” Ecaterina said.
Alex grimaced. Oh shit! I’m in trouble now.
Dragos drew closer, turning his head to take in her essence. “Yes, now I see it. The red hair, the green eyes, the plump flesh.” He drew a long fingernail across her cheek down to her chin, lifting it slightly.
After experiencing a moment of fear at his touch, she remembered about her appearance and her eyes narrowed defiantly. “Hey, I’m not plump.”
Dragos’ menacing gaze ran over her slowly, inch by inch. He didn’t miss anything; his eyes lingered on her face, her breasts, and her legs. Even though she had on clothes, he made her feel exposed. Her defiance began to waiver. What would he do to her? Kill her quickly, turn her, or lock her away to die a slow death. Or worse, turn her over to Ecaterina.
“My dear, it was a compliment. My son, you always did like the feisty ones. They make you feel alive don’t they?”
He nodded.
“Tell me, my dear, why were you in my office? By the looks of the mess, you were looking for something. May I ask what?”
“None of your business.” As a bit of defiance returned, she glared up at Dragos.
“I’ll ask you only once again, little one. What are you looking for? Next time, I probe your mind and I won’t care if it hurts you.” He grabbed her wrists.
“I told you none of your business and I’d like to see you try.”
A low growl escaped his mouth. “Woman, you are testing my patience. You have no idea what I’m capable of and what my business is here.”
“Why don’t you just kill her and be done with it Dragos? Stefan can find another mortal submissive to train.”
Stefan shot Ecaterina a venomous look, and then turned to Dragos. “Alexandra is a hunter, and yes, my woman. When you walked in, I was about to take care of her recklessness and disrespect. She seeks information about Ecaterina.”
“In my office?”
“I know she was close to you and had something to do with the vamp virus. I wanted proof, something to use against her. I want her dead.” Alex chimed in.
Ecaterina came toward Alex. Stefan stepped in the way. All Alex saw was a blur of motion.
“Enough,” Dragos said. “Stefan I know we have had our problems in the past, but you were never dishonest. I believe what you say is true. Ecaterina is the jealous type and I believe she did attack your woman. And what I’ve seen of her, she’s a fighter.”
“This is ridiculous. You’re taking his side?” Ecaterina asked.
“Not entirely.”
Dragos walked over to his desk and picked up the handset. A few moments later, two guards arrived.
“Take these two downstairs to my personal dungeon. I’ll be along later. Cuff him. I don’t want him to try anything heroic,” Dragos instructed.
Stefan groaned as the silver-coated cuffs were placed on his wrists, searing his flesh. Alex turned her head, grimacing at the sight.
“You evil bastard!” Alex directed at Dragos.