In the morning she rolled over and realized he was not in bed. She opened her eyes, stretching her limbs, and saw a tray on the table in the corner smelling of rich, delicious food. She got up and took a bite out of the pancakes, savoring the taste, wondering where Lorenzo had gone to. When she had finished her meal and gotten dressed, she brought the tray down with the dirty dishes and placed them in the sink for Kyra or her to clean later. She went in search of the old woman and found her in the living room writing something, probably a letter.

"Kyra, have you seen Lorenzo?"

"He said he wanted to take a brief walk before you headed out to meet with your father."

"He's still feeling sick, isn't he?"

"He wouldn't eat breakfast."

She thanked her as she anxiously waited outside on the porch where a swing sat overlooking the street and she gazed at the castle wondering what long ago secrets it held. It didn't look so menacing during the day as Lorenzo was returning from the brisk walk he had taken, remembering those long forgotten days and how everything had changed. He noticed her staring at the castle entranced by what mysteries it may hold and ever since they had arrived he had felt an uneasiness about that place, yet he still wanted to visit since it had been many centuries.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

She jumped a bit, but smiled at him.

"It's mysterious, but we can explore it later because right now I really want to meet my father."

"All right, just let me get the car keys from Kyra."

"It was gracious of her to let us borrow her car."

"She understands a bond between child and parent."

He went inside to get the car keys and when he came back he noticed Skye impatiently waiting in the car which made him laugh. He got in and handed her the directions Kyra gave him as he started the engine.

"You know it'll be two hours before we get there."

"I know, but what's two hours compared to a lifetime?"

"You're just excited and anxious."

"Wouldn't you be?"

"I'm sure I would be."

He placed his hand over hers and then squeezed it.

Two hours later, they drove up the long dirt road leading to Rion's home and noticed a strong handsome man in his late fifties with salt and pepper hair coming from the barn. He saw the car pull up then a young woman with flowing red hair run towards him and into his arms. He knew this day would come as he squeezed her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

"Skye, my beautiful baby girl."

"I finally found you, daddy."

He pulled away and wiped away the tears of joy that were freely falling down her face.

"You look so much like your mother, but I can see you have the Sorin strength, it's in your eyes."

She smiled and he led her into his house and noticed the gentleman watching them.

"Where are my manners? Daddy, this is my friend Lorenzo Alcazar."

"Alcazar, eh? I didn't think any of your family survived."

"I was the only one, but I now have a son."

"Do you two know each other already?"

"Let's just say our families have done business with the Alcazars in the past until a tragedy struck where his family was exterminated and our business relationship has been strained ever since."

He motioned for them to sit, but Skye stood gazing at the pictures on the mantle above the fireplace and she pointed to a young man on his wedding day.

"That is your half-brother, Rion Junior, and in that picture he is twenty-four, but he is twenty-eight now and they are expecting their first child in February."

"I'm happy for them, but why did you leave me and do not tell me it was the color of my hair that made you run because that's a bunch of bull."

"That was part of the reason, my child."

She turned to him and he sighed.

"Please, sit."

She sat on the couch next to him and noticed pain in his eyes.

"Never doubt that I have and will always love you, but my darling Skye, I left you for your own protection because your mother and I had planned to get married then move back here."

"Until I was born."

"No, you were perfect, but because the hue of your hair I could not risk your life because of the curse."

"Kyra mentioned it was the color of what the beast lusts."

"Ah, yes, the vampire, that creature has been devastating our family for centuries."

"What do you mean?"

"The curse is only upon our family and it goes back to one of our ancestors who was murdered by such a creature. You remind me so much of her at this very moment, but ever since she died any girl that had red hair would die early, they would never reach their sixteenth birthday if they even lived that long."

"What of the boys that were born into our family with red hair?"

"They lived unhappy lives and I know that you have lived a very unhappy life since your mother likes to write me every month."

"So, she knew all along, but would not tell me?!"

"She wanted a better life for you."

"Is that why she sold me?"

"No, that was Edward Quartermaine's doing, he didn't want a bastard child or a scandal and without your mother's permission sold you to the Chandlers."

"The curse sure works fast, but what I don't understand is why I didn't die."

"Here in Romania it is much worse and I attribute it to the castle because every girl would wander close or into the castle and were never seen again."

"Are you sure they didn't run off or get kidnapped?"

"They always left in the middle of the night and none of us sleepwalk."

"There's a first for everything."

"Skye, my sister was six years old, I had to share a room with her and she had never walked in her sleep before until the night she disappeared. I tried to stop her and followed her to the edge of the forest trying to wake her up, but she would not stir and I knew I would never see her again, she was doomed."

She hugged her father when she saw tears well up in his eyes and he kissed his daughter's forehead.

"I didn't want to go through that pain again with you, I wanted you to grow up beautiful and strong like your ancestor Antanasia."

"Antanasia?"

"Yes, she was invited to the castle as a guest to a Halloween party, but she never returned and her body was never found along with some others who had gone to the party."

He gazed over at Lorenzo for a reaction, but he showed none just intrigue of hearing Rion's version of that long ago night.

"Would you like to see a painting of her?"

She nodded and he stood up going into another room to get into the attic. She turned to Lorenzo who grinned at her.

"Why didn't you tell me you knew my father?"

"I didn't know you were related to him until you gave me his name."

"Why didn't you tell me then?"

"You probably wouldn't have let me come along."

"Maybe, but we'll talk about this later."

Her father came back with the painting and turned it around to show her. They both gasped, him at how it captured Antanasia's soul and her in shock at how almost identical she was to her ancestor.

"That is why your real middle name is Antanasia. You have her beauty, strength, and gracious soul, I knew the moment I held you in my arms."

Lorenzo stood and gazed at the eyes in the portrait, studying it. Yes, whoever commissioned this painting captured Antanasia's very essence as Skye watched him stare at the painting wondering if there was some connection to him and her ancestor Antanasia because he did tell her that he lost a woman by that name. She would ask him about it later as her father returned the painting to the attic and then called for his daughter to speak with her privately in the kitchen.

"I need to warn you about Lorenzo."

"Daddy, it is too late to screen my friends and boyfriends."

"This is important, he is hiding something."

"We all have our secrets and he'll tell me in time."

"I'm warning you that he may be the beast that lusts after blood."

"If he was a vampire wouldn't the sun kill him if he didn't sleep in a coffin or wouldn't he feast every night on unsuspecting victims? Wouldn't he have fangs and if he was such a creature how can he drink coffee or tea?"

"You have a lot to learn about the true vampire, my child, but if you doubt me there is a telltale sign that a person is a vampire and that is if you do not see them eat a meal since they can have liquids other than blood, yet they do not need food like us. Have you ever seen Lorenzo eat?"

"No I haven't, but that does not mean he is a vampire."

"Just keep your eyes open since I do not wish you to be harmed."

"Lorenzo wouldn't hurt me."

He saw the sincerity in her eyes and didn't want to prove his daughter wrong now that she was finally here.

"Then I have to trust your word, so why don't you go relax and I'll make us some soup for lunch."

"I'll help."

"You are a guest in my home, but you could send Lorenzo in to help me."

"Okay, but you two play nice."

He smiled as she left the kitchen to get Lorenzo and he soon entered.

"I thought you had been vanquished."

"I left this country after that night and had decided to sleep until I needed to feed."

"You have a son, now?"

"Yes, and I am proud of him."

"I am happy for you, but…"

"You are still upset with me for taking your ancestor's life and I keep telling your family I did not want to, why do you think I forced myself to sleep?"

"You were hiding from us, I suppose."

"No, I was weak at the time and I have gained strength. I am taking steps to wreak my vengeance on Michael Corinthos the second, you can blame him for forcing me to take your ancestor's life."

"Ah, yes, the second Corinthos, Vlad's dark child and yet why did you not stand against him?"

"Vampire laws and like I said before I was weak, but I am stronger."

"Is that why you're courting my daughter?"

"At first I fell in love with her because of Antanasia, but she is different and I have fallen in love with who she is."

"You want her as a bride, don't you?"

"Yes, there is so much that I can offer her."

"But can you protect her?"

"Laws or no laws I will protect her with everything I have."

"I believe you, but you need to tell my daughter the truth soon or she'll get suspicious."

"I know and I have tried, but I am afraid she will reject the creature that I am."

"She may or she may not, but what still puzzles me is what happened to Antanasia's body."

"Do not blame me because I left immediately after I took her life."

"I wonder if Kyra knows something about it."

"From what Skye says Kyra won't enter the castle unless she has to."

"Probably thinks it's haunted."

"I wouldn't doubt that since I have felt a wave of uneasiness coming from the castle. Is that why you moved?"

"Well, it was more because of the curse and farming has made me wealthier."

"I am glad we had this conversation, Rion."

"Considering the last time you visited it was my grandfather you spoke with."

"I was feeling lonely that's why I traveled back here and saved your grandfather from getting killed by a thief."

"Yes, he told us about that and we'll forever be grateful for that, but that didn't stop my grandfather from blaming you for murdering Antanasia."

"We didn't have time to chat about that, but now you know the truth and that I am working to rid the world of Vlad's protégé. I will stand against him and the laws to protect Skye, I will not lose another woman I love to him."

Rion smiled and patted Lorenzo on the shoulder as they finished making homemade tomato soup. Rion went to get his daughter, but she was not in the living room and noticed the stairs to the attic had been pulled down. He went up the stairs quietly and found her gazing deeply at the portrait of Antanasia.

"Skye, lunch is ready."

She jumped at her father's voice and turned to see him trying not to laugh.

"I didn't mean to scare you, but if you like you may have that portrait."

"I can really have it?"

"You are family and probably the only one who would appreciate it more."

He wrapped it up in cloth and tied a rope around it so that it wouldn't get damaged, taking it downstairs for her. They soon entered the dining room where Lorenzo had finished setting the table and serving them soup.

"Have you ever had homemade tomato soup?"

She shook her head.

"Well, my darling daughter, you shall experience something very tasteful since I am known to make the best tomato soup."

She grinned sitting down to try her father's soup and was surprised at how delicious it tasted. He laughed when she started slurping it down hungrily and Lorenzo joined Rion in the laughter.

"This is wonderful, daddy, I never knew soup could be so tasteful."

"I have to agree this is the best I've ever had."

"Thank you, Lorenzo."

AN: The characters of Gabriel, Kyra, Rion, and Antanasia are mine, everyone else belongs to General Hospital. Thank you.