Chapter Thirteen
Vicente has been awake for some time, his thin lips curled up slightly as he bemuses himself with the memory of her stay in the sanctuary. When he saw her first time, he never thought she would make it this far. The petite, pretty figure, albeit looking rather wretched, seemed to better suit cooking and socializing than hunting down and assassinating. He was proven wrong, and this time he didn't mind it a bit. What she lacked in her ability to learn the illusion magic, she made up for with her sneak and security skills. She truly knew how to walk in the shadows. Her ability to make herself likable has helped her successfully complete any given task. It was after all Antoinetta who succeeded in bringing an end to the life of the formidable Adamus Phillida, even though he himself could never see the point of crossing the entire Imperial Legion. The Brotherhood should have learned by then that intimidation was not the best strategy when it comes to those who regard themselves as the servants of the Empire. No matter, it was a well-deserved triumph for the latest recruit of the Cheydinhal Sanctuary. Antoinetta is turning out to be one of the best assassins he has trained in his two hundred years' career with the Brotherhood.
Antoinetta's sleepy eyes open as Vicente's cool fingers stroke her cheek. Something akin to warmth and trust in her expression pleases him, even though he tries not to think about her temptingly full lips.
"Your touch is so soothing," she murmurs, leaning closer to him. "It's nice to feel you so near."
"It felt good to have you next to me when I woke up," Vicente confesses, trying to sit up so that he doesn't have to feel her warm breath dangerously close to his lips. "I will get some food and drink. The owner of this place serves good wine. Would you like to stroll around the town for a while?"
"Not without you. It's not everyday I am sent on a mission with you."
"You'd rather have my company?"
Such an obvious question, Antoinetta thinks with a twinkle in her eyes. She answers by pulling him back to bed and moves in to press her lips to his before he has time to think about his reaction. The surprised look on his normally serene face is worth any scolding that may come her way. But the only reprimand she receives is a fierce kiss in return, which nearly bruises her lips.
"You have returned my kiss," she says with a triumphant grin, after puling away to regain her breath.
"I hope it wasn't disappointing, considering that you risked rather a lot for curiosity's sake."
"Do I look disappointed? The only shame about it is that I won't be able to tell anyone what it tastes like to kiss a vampire."
"You won't?"
Antoinetta is happy to see Vicente's relieved look. She understands that he risked a lot, too, even though his reaction was instinctive rather than intended. That she penetrated the impeccable barrier of a disciplined vampire is something to be proud of.
"If I tell anyone in the sanctuary about our kiss, they won't be able to look at you without being reminded of me, at least for a while. I don't make a good authority figure. Not exactly. It could compromise your influence within our family."
Vicente contemplates the Breton girl with an enigmatic smile. He was not worried about his own reputation within the Sanctuary. The next step for Antoinetta to aim at will be Lucien's Silencer, the fastest way into the Black Hand. The position, however, comes with higher risks to her safety. Lucien will be reluctant to give her that rank if he suspects that Vicente has feelings for her. Vicente believes that Antoinetta will be a good addition to the Hand. She will make a different but able Speaker. He does not tell her that, however. The important thing for now is that he has not jeopardized her future.
"So, do tell me. What is it like to kiss a vampire, now you have finally done it?"
Antoinetta steadily meets his gaze, which reminds her of the strong sensation she experienced moments ago. It was almost like the Void unexpectedly revealing its secret. Ice that is so cold burns like fire.
"I can get used to ambushing you. It yields a surprising bounty."
Arabella silently enters Summitmist Manor, completely unaware that not long ago five souls have been claimed here in the name of Sithis. It is just past midnight, and for once she is glad that the place is completely dark. Lucien will have to use his Night-eye spell to see her face, and it will be difficult to notice how pale she looks when everything appears blue. As she follows up the stairs onto the bedroom area, she feels his presence close by, and her apprehension at having committed her first murder is hopelessly replaced by exasperating heartbeats. The fact that the act was not carried out as a means of self-defence no longer troubles her. That she poisoned a defenceless Bosmer boy to his untimely demise just out of caution seems almost a petty trepidation, knowing that it meets Lucien's approval. To her, the Imperial Speaker is like an intoxicating beverage that only deepens her thirst the more she drinks it.
By the time she enters a room with the only candle light in the entire manor, she no longer fears how she will look. She is not afraid of meeting his eyes squarely. She has not failed him.
"You look radiant. I believe your time has been well-employed."
A deep voice greets her, accompanied by smiling eyes. Even before she says a word, Lucien understands that she has secured something important for the future of the Brotherhood.
"I have the diary and something else that may interest you," Arabella reports, handing the items over to the Imperial Speaker. She is curious as to what exactly Bellamont wrote in his letter to Ulrich Leland. "Obtaining the diary wasn't as time-consuming as I thought. It took me longer to take possession of the letter which Bellamont wanted to be delivered to the Captain Leland. I thought it could be important."
Lucien nods approvingly. The seal of the letter has not been broken. It pleases him to know that Arabella brought it intact. There can be no doubt that the seal is definitely that of Bellamont. He will have no problem convincing Alval Uvani about who was communicating with the former Captain of the Cheydinhal city guard. Uvani will recognize the seal even if he is not familiar with the handwriting. This could prevent the possibility of having to slay the Dunmer battlemage. The more members of the Black Hand he could preserve, the better the outcome will be, with the exception of Ungolim and Arquen, whose lives were their own to defend. A bond forged in someone else's blood and death can only go as far as the Tenets demand it.
"Have you had a chance to glance at the letter before Bellamont sealed it? Do you know the exact contents?"
"I haven't. I just presumed that it would be information that Captain Leland was waiting for."
There is slight agitation in Arabella's words, her eyes dropping to the ground. She wonders whether she should have looked at the letter while she had a chance. It never occurred to her that she might fail to acquire it. Lucien smiles at his Silencer. She has done exceedingly well with her task, even though she still has room for improvement.
"There is always a possibility that things could go wrong. I know you have more than enough ability to take possession of a mere note. Still, that does not excuse your carelessness not to find out the contents before they are sealed. On this occasion, it is slightly disappointing because I want to know the contents without breaking the seal. However, you have secured most valuable evidence against Bellamont. For that, I am grateful, Silencer."
Arabella lifts up her eyes to meet his warm gaze. She believes that he will never fully realise how much the word 'grateful' and the soft glow in his eyes mean to her.
"I can create an exact replica of the sealed letter for you," she says, with a tinge of pride in her eyes. "I've already left a replica of Bellamont's diary where I found the original. He will not know anything was wrong."
"That will be most helpful. You have exceeded my expectations in your task, and they were by no means trivial. I have one last question for you as my Silencer. Did you take care of the unfortunate messenger?"
Arabella inhales deeply. The image of a lifeless, albeit peaceful-looking, body causes her to feel uneasy for a brief moment, which is not lost on Lucien. His presence, however, prevents her from indulging a sense of guilt for long. Somehow, it turns the unwanted emotion into more welcoming pride.
"I no longer have the poison in my possession," she replies with a sigh of relief. She has passed the most important test.
Lucien's gloved hand lightly grasps her chin, to prevent her from turning her gaze away from him.
"Was it … hard?"
Arabella feels as though his penetrating stare stabs right through the core of her soul, which now belongs to him. It should have been easier for her, but she did her best to keep her promise. His will governs her actions, and soon will dominate her feelings and thoughts.
"It was not as difficult as I thought. It will get easier. It's just that I never really had any need to kill anyone."
Lucien contemplates her reaction, almost forgetting the need to examine Bellamont's diary and letter. The Brotherhood always gave the members their choice over their admission into the guild. No one needed to carry out a killing if they did not agree to it. Even after their initiation, the members only carried out the contracts that they felt comfortable accepting. True, Silencers did not have such a luxury, but one did not become a Silencer without voluntary consent. Arabella didn't have the same choice. He made her his own, and she had no option but to follow his orders. For the first time, Lucien believes what he preaches to his subordinates. He feels a bond between himself and Arabella strengthened beyond the point of return. An indissoluble connection has been created, and this time he is not free from it himself.