With her father back on her side training resumed as normal.
This evening lessons were focused on her opening the Praedictum Impaver.
"Focus your energy."
Bertrand's voice was calm he was on her left, guiding her through the task.
"Hold it..." Valarie could feel something happening, hey eyes darkened to black. "Let it circulate through every nerve and channel. Now push that power outwards... towards the Book."
She pushed the power out, she could feel it working.
The skeleton hands on the book began to loosen.
"That's it! Well done, Vallie."
Her dad was perched on her right.
His praise almost caused her to loose focus but she quickly regained it.
"Keep going." Bertrand's soft voice focused her.
A bony finger unlatched, then another.
"At last we'll see how you lead us into the future."
A delicious scent filled her nose, it was coming from her left.
Hair tickled her face.
Bertrand had leaned forward in anticipation.
The hands snapped back down.
Bats!
All three let out sighs of disappointment.
"Two fingers? That's it?!" The count turned accusingly to Bertrand. "If you were any good at your job this pile of bones would have given up weeks ago. Valarie would be commanding a glorious vampire army and I would be out of this stinking breather-hole and in a luxury castle in Surrey."
"Surrey?" Val questioned.
The count shrugged his shoulders.
"Just a little pad I've had my eye on for a while. And if it wasn't for this buffoon, I'd be picking out a portcullis by now." The count walked until he was right behind Bertrand and then grabbed his chin and turned his head sharply to the side."Do better. Or you'll answer to me."
With a gust of wind the count was gone.
"I'm sorry." Valarie apologised for her father, it wasn't Bertrand's fault.
"He's right. You should have opened the Book by now. You've got the raw power, I can sense it. Something's distracting you. What?"
You
Valarie wanted to scream.
Seriously these last few days, weeks even thoughts of Bertrand had clouded her mind.
How enticing he looked when he was in his training gear working with Val, the way his broad shoulders and arms would flex.
The tempting curls of his hair, how val wishes to run her finger through them.
His vast knowledge on nearly every historical event was so inviting.
But she couldn't tell him that, he was her tutor.
Besides Bertrand was an old fashion vampire and held certain belief, one of which was as a half-fang it would be improper manners to ever Per-sue someone with such high standing in the vampire community such as Valarie.
"Oh, er...global warming. Yeah, you know. All the little polar bears and penguins and...er….ice."
Bertrand continued to stare at Valarie but eventually nodded, if he really believed her val wasn't sure.
"All right, let's take a break, We'll do vertical flying at eight"
Can't wait.
...
...
Valarie walked into Erins coffin room.
"Hi."
Erin looked up from her work and returned the smile.
"Homework?"
"Yeah Romeo and Juliet."
"Pretty stupid story, right?"
"One guy gets the wrong message at the wrong time and they both end up dead..."
Exactly, all the girls in her class swooned at the idea, val just found it weird.
"Anyway i was wondering if you wanted to go into town, I need a break from training and I want to do some late night shopping."
The only person she's ever gone shopping with is Ingrid, as mos tof the time she will be spent as a personal Clothes rack for her sister.
Erin seems to consider it, then nodded with a smile.
"I'll meet you by the gates at eight o'clock."
Great.
...
...
Val was shaken from her small bat nap with the room shaking and the hollering of her father.
"EVERYONE IN THE THRONE ROOM NOW!"
Val knew it would not be a good idea to leave her dad waiting especially when he was in a mood like this.
She was quickly joined by Erin and the two walked into the throned room where her father, renfield, Wolfie, Bertrand and Ingrid were already gathered.
She and Erin joined the line up in front of her fathers throne.
Her dad was in his throne and In his hands was an empty bottle of blood, not just any blood The Duchess of Cambridge 1937, dad's favourite blood.
He looked at each and everyone of them.
"You are all suspects. Well, except for Renfield, obviously, because he's a filthy little breather. And Wolfie, as he's too young to drink blood. You two may go."
Renfield and wolfie leave the line up.
"Might I suggest that you put a guard on the blood cellar?" Renfield suggested.
"Good idea. Wolfie, guard the blood cellar. Don't let anyone in. Or you'll be out on your ear."
This didn't please the servant.
"But Master, all that pup does is bark and scratch himself."
"And yet he's be more useful to me than you've ever been."
"But I can prove myself, Master. I'll catch the blood thief."
"Stop whining and Help Wolfie prepare for his guard duties."
"Yes master." Renfield muttered.
Val shot wolfie a wink.
The count descended from the throne to walk past every single one of them throughly observing them looking for guilt.
"So…..which of you was it?"
Val was quick to cut herself out of the interrogation.
"You know I don't touch the stuff. I only drink soy substitute, Erin to."
Ingrid scoffs at her sister.
"Right! I've seen her drink blood! He drinks it by the gallon." She gestured to Bertrand.
"When could I have stolen it? I'm always training Val." Bertrand defended himself.
The count silenced them all.
"ENOUGH! You're all grounded until the culprit owns up."
"But I've got p..." Val tried to plead.
The count wasn't having it.
"The only thing you've got to do is open the Book so we can all get out of here! When will you do that?"
They were all dismissed.
...
...
Valarie caught up with Erin on the way back to her room.
"Where do you want to go tonight? I was thinking forever 21 they have a lovely pair of boots I've been looking at."
"We can't, can we? We're grounded." Erin pointed out.
Val shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
"It's OK. Bertrand will cover for us."
"Cover for you?"
Speak of the vampire.
"Erin and I are going out tonight, girls night out."
"You're skipping training and you want me to lie to your father?" Bertrand accused.
"If that's ok?"
Val expected a fight, perhaps an argument. So imagine her surprise when Bertrand just nodded his head.
"Yeah. Don't worry. I'll take care of the Count."
That was easy.
"Thanks. Really appreciate it."
Bertrand bowed before speeding off.
...
...
Val was beginning to think she'd gotten the wrong time, had Erin said 9 instead of 8.
Val had arrived by the courtyard just before 8 and yet still no Erin.
Valarie had been waiting for almost an hour, she had even gone to check Erins coffin room, the young girl wasn't there.
So val came back to wait.
...
...
It was now past 1 In the morning, and Val had to accept the fact that Erin wasn't coming.
Disappointment filled her, all she had wanted was a girls night out with someone normal, perhaps go shopping, get some food, gossip.
Just be regular teenagers.
Heels could be heard on the stone walking her way, Erin didn't wear heels, that's left the only other woman in the clan.
"Hey, You expecting someone?"
"No. What do you want Ingrid." Val leaned against the bricks.
Her sister shrugged.
"Just wanted to hang out with you. What's wrong with that?"
Since when had they ever just hung out?
"Everything, go away."
"so moody."
Valarie you now had learned not to rise to her sisters bait.
Most of the time.
"Hanging around the school gates on a Friday night? Fun way to spend it."
"Shut up Ingrid."
"What's biting your neck?"
Couldn't her sister take the hint.
"Nothing."
"You're angry, defensive, paranoid. Anyone would think you'd been stood up."
How would she kno-
It clicked.
"What have you done with Erin."
"Haven't done anything to Erin."
"But you know something don't you."
"Seeing as you asked so nicely, I suppose you know that she's gone."
"What?"
What did Ingrid mean Erin was gone.
"Some of the girls in her class invited her out to the movies so she went with them."
Oh.
Vals heart sank.
Erin was a nice person, of course she would be invited out by the girls of their year, most of which avoided val like the plague.
It just hurt that she couldn't even be bothered to tell Val.
There was no point in waiting then.
"Thanks Ingrid."
"My pleasure."
Val began walking back towards the school.
Perhaps she could talks Bertrand into a quick lesson, she needed to clear her mind of the betrayal.
...
...
In a dark room two voices conversed quietly.
"Is it done?"
"Almost."
"What good is "almost"?
"As we speak, she's trapped on a balcony, she can't fly, and at sunrise, she's toast. Distraction removed."
"Valarie?"
"Believes she's gone out with friends, vals currently training."
"Good."
...
...
Apparently dad had found the culprit, so once again they were all lined up.
Well minus Erin.
The count once again walked past each and every one of them.
"Thieves lack intelligence...style... ..and guts."
The count stopped at Ingrid.
"Why are you looking at me?" Ingrid asked annoyed.
"Because you are the blood thief." The count concludes.
"No, I'm not. Think about it. Where's Erin? Why isn't she here? She's obviously guilty."
Val kept quiet, she knew Erin wasn't the blood thief but she couldn't tell dad that At risk of them finding out she was a breather.
"Exhibit A."
Renfield handed the count the evidence.
"Thank you very much, Under forensic examination, particles of your nail varnish were evident in the soy blood that was swapped for my vintage Duchess of Cambridge '37."
"Well, that figures. Erin borrowed my nail varnish." Replies easily.
"Then you won't mind me examining your hand."
The count grasped the hand showing Ingrid's red nail varnish the exact same and the evidence.
"Oh, what a surprise, it fits! Pack your bag and go."
"You can't throw me out." Ingrid argued.
Despite how much she hated her father, she had burned stokley castle to the ground, she had no were to go.
Not that she would ever admit that out loud.
"I should have done it weeks ago, Your infection's cleared up. Why are you here?!"
"I have reasons."
"Not any more. Get out now!"The count ordered.
By this point val would step in and defend Ingrid, yet this time the girl was quiet.
"But the country is crawling with slayers. What if they catch me?"
"I lend them a stake."
Ingrid used her trumpet card.
"They'll want to take me alive. They know I'm the Chosen One's sister. Then they'll use me to find all of you."
The count approached Ingrid.
"You wouldn't, would you?"
Ingrid smiled sweetly.
"Daddy I'll draw them a map."
The count knew his daughter enough by now to know she want bluffing.
He roared with outrage.
"Agh! All right, you can stay, I don't want to have to look at that stupid girl face, I'm enrolling you in school."
Ingrid lost her smile very quickly.
"School? I'm 20."
"Slayers or school - make your mind up!"
She's just have to endure it, think of the bigger picture.
"Fine, I'll go to school. Think of all the breathers I can corrupt."
Ingrid looked at her sister one last time before exiting val following behind her.
...
...
Bertrand had been more than happy to give Valarie some more lessons, once again they were trying to open the book.
Yet vals mind was far from focused but instead of it being about Bertrand and how intense he was her thought kept sifting to Erin.
The girl she thought was her friend.
Val leaned in the book thinking out loud.
"Why did I have to invite her to town? What was I thinking?"
Obviously you wanted a new friend.
A new Robin.
"You weren't thinking, You were feeling And feelings have no place in your future. Now...let the power fall into you."
Bertrand instructed her.
"Who even invited her out, maybe becky they have been hanging out during free periods or even Veronica."
"Let the strength flow."
"Why didn't she tell me? Why leave me hanging?"
"You must banish all thoughts of Erin and focus." Bertrand pushed annoyance clear.
"I can't, This is doing my head in She must have known I would of been fine with her hanging out with others."
Val sped out the room, she needed some Fresh air.
She needed to make sense of it all.
She needed to find Erin.
...
...
Dawn was fast approaching, the sun was beginning to rise.
Val didn't care.
It seemed her dad and Bertrand had followed her.
"Valarie!"
"Val get inside!"
It's then she spot something on the balcony.
"Val? Val!"
"Erin?"
What was she doing out there?
As if reading her mind….
"Someone locked me out."
What!
Val the sun was rising fast, in moments it would reach Erin.
"Oh, what a shame. So you better come in now, Val. Dawn's breaking." Her dad tired to beckon her in.
"Val, go, please. It's too dangerous" Erin begged.
If she did the others would realise Erin was a breather, she couldn't let that happen.
They would kill Erin without a second thought.
What val was about to do was very stupid and would hurt like bat lice.
"-The sun, Valarie , you won't make it." The count tells her yet Valarie is past listening.
She begins running and jumping.
Her skin is burning, Smoke from her burning body is filling her vision.
But she keeps going.
Finally she gets to the balcony and all but hurtles Erin and herself through the locked door.
Erin is quick to shut the door behind them and Valarie pants.
"I'm on fire."
She's so weak she can't find the strength to put herself out.
"I'll say."
"No really!"
"Oh!"
Erin quickly grabs a blanket and starts patting Val down putting out the embers.
Valerie grunted in pain, that really hurt.
"Thanks."
"No, thank you. That was brave And stupid you could have died."
"So could you." Valarie argued.
"I'm not a vampire."
"As soon as the sun hit you, everyone would have known, Dad and Bertrand would have got you. What were you doing out there anyway?"
"Meeting you."
Now it was Val turn to be confused.
"I was waiting at the gates."
"Yeah, but Bertrand told me to meet you on the balcony. Why didn't you come to look for me?"
Val stared at Erin sheepishly.
"Ingrid said you'd gone to the movies with some of the girls from out year and then someone locked you out."
It was starting to make sense.
"Someone was trying to get rid of me." Erin figured out.
She was right but who.
There were two obvious choices.
"Bertrand or Ingrid."
...
...
Valarie advanced towards Bertrand.
"Why did you tell Erin to meet me on the balcony?"
Bertrand stared confused.
"I was passing on a message."
Val crossed her arms.
"From who?"
"Ingrid."
Of course.
Val turned to her sister, Ingrid had a look of confusion in her face if she didn't know her sister she would of believed her act.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Ingrid spoke.
Really.
Val was not in the mood to deal with her sister right now.
"You don't remember telling me Erin had gone out with friends?"
"Yes, but I was just messing with you, It was Bertrand that told me." She gestured to the teacher who looked absolutely confused.
"No, I didn't Now, why would you say that?" He asked Ingrid curiously.
Then it hit Ingrid.
The sudden flirting.
Bertrand was framing her.
Surly val couldn't really think that Ingrid was responsible.
"Can't you see what's right in front of you? It's Bertrand, he's the one pulling the strings around here."
Valarie glared at her sister.
"You need to stop lying to get yourself out of trouble."
Ingrid swiftly left but not before throwing Bertrand's very dirty look.
Val turned to look at the vampire she was crushing on.
"I'm sorry you got dragged into this."
"No problem But we've wasted a lot of time. It's imperative for you to open the Praedictum Impaver."
This again.
"I know, you keep telling me."
Bertrand leaned forward.
"Yeah, but you don't listen! Time's running out. There are other forces at work. The clan leaders are waiting. They have expectations. Don't disappoint them. If the leaders turn against you, there'll be no mercy for you or anyone you care about."
Bertrand needed to get though to Val just how important it was.
He didn't want to see anything happen to her.
He'd grown….. fond of her.
"All right! I'll do it. From now on, my priority will be opening that book."
"Good."