CH 5.

'Complications'

[Settridge Manor, Night]

Sneaking into the Settridge Garden Zephir pressed on the center of the crest beared on the shield of the statue in the center of the garden.

The steps leading up to the statue sunk down to reveal a passage way a secret tunnel system reaching under many of the mansions Kit and Zephir descended the stairs until they came to a large cavern that seemed to once be an old mine that never was opened for business there were many other paths in the central cavern that the duo now stood in.

"Howdy Zephir!" A female gnome wearing belted leather and a pair of goggles around her neck said cheerfully.

Zephir didn't say anything just looked straight ahead.

"One a those kinda days eh?" The gnome said ignoring his silence.

"I'm fine." Zephir growled.

"That wasn't so hard huh?!" The gnome said once again cheerfully.

Zephir ignored her again and continued towards his destination.

"Any upgrades you wanna run by me?" Kit asked the smaller being.

"Not yet." The gnome answered.

"Keep working." Kit said a hint of authority in her voice.

"You can count on Gizmo." The gnome said as she walked towards a gnome sized desk.

Kit followed behind Zephir as he stalked towards the only door in this cavern She shut the door behind her as Zephir swung it open.

"Ah do you have need of me?" A tall slender built female Vampire wearing fine clothing greeted the duo.

"There is a ... new development in the plan..." Kit started hesitantly.

The tall woman turned to face the two fully as Kit continued.

[Bouiser Mansion, Night]

A human butler led Mr. Berenger to a great hall.

"The master will grace you with his presence shortly." The hunchbacked butler said before skulking through a secret crawl space.

Thomas waited a few moments before he looked up the stairs to see the person he was seeking standing at the top stair with a malicious smile.

"Bouiser. Must you frighten people so?" Thomas said slightly aggravated wondering how long Bouiser had stood there.

"You still haven't a sense of drama do you Berenger.. and you call me Éric." The vampire Lord said with a sly smile.

"Éric..." Thomas said carefully.

Éric's evil laughter was silent as he came down the stairs to meet the fellow vampire.

"What can I do for you Mr. Berenger?" Éric said with a devilish smile and his arms outstretched as though to give Berenger a hug.

"Well.. Éric.. I thought you might find this rid bit of information.. interesting.." Thomas said with a hint of fear hiding in his voice.

"Well.. you have my attention then." Éric said darkly.

Thomas exhaled calming his nerves. "It appears that the Fletchings have resurfaced." Thomas said hoping Éric wouldn't do anything rash.

Éric's faćade faltered for a split second before continuing. "Berenger I have to admit I didn't expect this. Éric said stopping midway down the stairs looking at the railing to his grand staircase. "You best not be pulling my leg Berenger." Éric said pointing a finger in a dark playful manner. "If you are I'll make sure you beg for scraps with the humans." Éric said with a sly smile.

Clearly shaken by this threat Thomas bid the Lord of Mordrid a good night then left as the hunchback butler held the door for him.

Walking up to his butler and placing a hand on the hump of the butler's back. "I presume I put him off." Éric said with an evil snicker as he walked back up the stairs. "Host a ball! Invite the Fletching family and all the rest of the families!" Éric ordered.

"Yes my master!" The butler said before skulking through a secret crawl space.

[Under Settridge Manor, Night]

Kit had only just finished explaining the events of last night.

"You may have damned us all!" The Vampiress yelled furiously stepping towards the Dhampir.

"Do you hear what I'm saying?!" She continued yelling in his face.

Zephir didn't answer or make eye contact.

"Charlotte... calm down.." Kit said trying to alleviate the situation.

"Perhaps we were wrong to trust you." Charlotte said trying to be intimidating she was met with more silence. "I assume you regret your actions?" Charlotte said seeming pleased that he hadn't the gall to talk back.

Hearing her ask that Zephir met her eyes Charlotte could see the anger and hatred in his eyes the pure malice in his features caused her to step back from him.

"You may leave.." Charlotte said trying to hide the shakiness in her voice.

The duo took their leave back out into the central cavern Gizmo stood at her work table when the two walked by her she waved them down.

"How'd that go guys?" Gizmo asked.

"We'll manage.." Kit said plainly as her and Zephir started to walk around her.

"Before ya guys go!" Gizmo almost shouted jumping in front of them. "Scratch wants to see ya guys over at the dam." Gizmo informed them.

"Ok.." Kit said as they turned towards the old wooden bridge that would lead right under the dam.

"What do you think he wants?" Kit asked looking up at Zephir as they walked side by side.

"I don't know." Zephir said plainly.

Kit took his plain answer as a sign he didn't want to talk so she just continued beside him quietly.

They crossed the bridge one after the other they winded down the path until they got to their destination and found the old Pren.

"Gizmo said you wanted to see us."

"Aye we did." Said the dwarf looking Pren wearing nothing but overalls and an old miners hat with an unlit cigar in his mouth.

"Dig up information?" Kit asked.

Ol' Scratch was burrowing 'round you an' Zephir's place when we heard weird footsteps overhead so we investigated and found this on yer door step." Scratch explained handing a piece of paper to Kit.

"An invitation.. to a ball.. held by the Lord Bouiser? To celebrate our moving in?" Kit spoke aloud when she finished reading she looked at Scratch in surprise.

"Don't look us we can't read cursive real well." Scratch said with his hands up.

Kit looked next to where Zeohir had been standing but couldn't find him.

"Zephir?" Kit called.

Scratch cleared his throat and pointed to an old rickety lift Zephir was standing there waiting for her but she could tell he was angry as well Kit walked over there as soon as she stepped on he yanked the lever sending them up to the surface not far from their mansion.

They made it back without any complications but Zephir stormed through the house up to the music room Kit stopped to close the front doors behind her then followed him up she found him sitting at the piano.

"Are you ok?" Kit asked voice suddenly small but Zephir answered so she made her way to him slowly cautiously. "Zephir?" Kit called quietly.

Zephir flinched when she laid her hand on his shoulder but he relaxed Kit felt his muscles jump at her touch then relax.

"Is something wrong?" Kit asked in a quiet voice.

Zephir wanted to speak but stayed silent he didn't even dare open his eyes.

"Tell me." Kit urged him.

"I fear him." Zephir said after a long moment of silence.

"What?... who?" Kit asked utterly surprised that Zephir was afraid of anything.

"Bouiser..." Zephir said a waning growl in his voice.

"Why? You've met him?" Kit asked surprised once more.

"Years ago." Zephir said.

"What happened." Kit asked placing her other hand on his.

Zephir opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her and noticed how close she was to his face. "It matters not.. when is the ball.." Zephir said looking away.

"Tomorrow..." Kit said visibly saddened that he had closed himself up again she pulled away and left the room.

Zephir waited for her to close the door behind her then he stood up and stood and stalked his way to the large picture window where he could make out part of the Bouiser Mansion. "Damn."

Sorry for the wait I'm trying my best to make sure this is best I can do please enjoy!