Chapter 25

Our Siblings' Sides

Alexander

I was truly amazed at the secret room my beloved granny had built here. Being a miniature replica of our home back in Romania, I now know where the original room is located. It made me wonder what other imitations granny had been able to recreate. I know there are a total of thirty hidden rooms here, but there were 300 that I knew of in the original mansion. This room has been built with gypsy magic to provide a mystic barrier. The original room is believed to be a tomb or mausoleum for our ancestors, the original Sterling vampire, and the royal lineage of previous Barons and Baronesses. I know that isn't the case for this room because my granny is buried in Dullsville cemetery. If she had been able to smuggle my grandfather's ashes here, she'd have chosen to remain by his side. But she hadn't, so I know he isn't here.

Looking around the spacious room with a high vaulted ceiling, I knew this would serve very well as the Master Chambers. I would need to break down the coffin and have it rebuilt in this room. All furnishings would also need to be in pieces and built within the room due to the lack of space in the secret tunnel that leads here. The walls are cemented, but I know there are layers of other materials surrounding the structure of the room to keep the spell in place. When I have completed the tasks of preparing our private chambers and my bride's personal space, I will need to finally go through granny's room to collect all documents she may have kept on gypsy magic and culture, the vampire passageways, and anything else that may become useful to secure my case within the council.

Thinking about the council and all I was forced to endure and participate in made my stomach churn. I dropped to my knees and clutched my chest to keep the monstrous rage within me from escaping. When I had my emotions and vitals under stabilized control, I felt grateful for the room I was currently in. I looked up at the high vaulted ceiling and imagined my children above in the Study, learning about vampire laws, territory laws, and blood rites. I must do everything in my power to make sure they won't be scrutinized and under the council's thumb, especially young Alexander. As my firstborn, and heir, the King and the royal bloods will notice him. Perhaps that was why my mother kept their existence a secret. She was right in that I realize. Raven will not be pleased. She will need to fully understand our position and hierarchy structure, along with our ways before she could understand my mother's reasons for discretion. I truly cannot blame mother, now that I have children of my own. With that thought, I made a mental note to arrange for my parents to come sooner than Raven wanted. And to prove my consideration, I will let her know first and a more tamed version of why we can no longer put it off. Now, back to these rooms!

I will need Jameson to do some shopping for me to get both rooms in order, mainly this one. I'll need to make a full list later. For now I will concentrate on Raven's room for her personal space. With one more look around the Master Chambers, I finally left while making sure all doors were properly sealed. I went back to the main floor and checked in on my children. Without disturbing their lesson, I remained outside the door and tuned into my senses. Jameson was pleased to be teaching the young vamplings of our ways. Alexandria was wondering if there were any vampires her age to play with in the gathering territories nearby. I'll check on it for her personally. Young Alexander was absorbing the information like a sponge. I could literally sense his mind storing the information away after breaking it down to his understanding. I've never been in a position where I could sense the process of memorization, but I can now. Pride surges within me and I mentally prepare my own lesson plan for him alone.

I walk away from the room silently and ascend the stairs to Raven's room. Now that she has agreed to remain by my side as we sleep, I can store her coffin away in the basement. For now I'll keep her things in place because she obviously has more space for it all here rather than the attic. Taking my phone from my pocket, I dial Stormy's cell phone number. She answers on the second ring the same time I notice Raven's phone that was left behind flashing on her bed. "Hello big brother! It's about time you called, I was ready to fly over there and wreck havoc for not calling me sooner! Seriously, I already bought my plane ticket and everything. What's happened? Why didn't you call me when you got back? Are you okay?"

While my little sister was rambling away on the phone, I checked Raven's and saw she has three missed calls from Billy. When Stormy was done I chuckled at the thought of her storming to Dullsville because I didn't call her. "My apologies little sister, a lot has happened. Don't ask just yet, because I would like to continue processing it all first before I'm ready to share. The reason I'm calling is because I want to surprise Raven with a personal space here in the mansion. I'm using the master bedroom, but it's not where she'll sleep. So I need some advice and ideas." I rushed through that whole speech so she wouldn't pry. The thought of her not knowing something only makes her get sneaky, but any opportunity to do something creative, and possibly involve shopping, is the best way to occupy her.

"Ooooh that sounds fun, I'd love to help. Does she still like to design clothes?" she asked. I thought of Alexandria and Raven's dresses. I knew she made them herself the way only she could. I remembered she had dreams of making clothes for the Goth community and having them featured in magazines. Did she still have those dreams?

"She still makes clothes. Yes." I answered. I'll need to speak with Billy after Athena to understand if Raven's tastes have changed over the years. I could always ask her myself, but she may be inclined to lock down her aspirations and dreams. I knew sadness in me could rise with the thought of my wife's broken dreams. I focused on my breathing to quiet my emotions from my son, knowing I was in his sensory range.

"Really? Wow, that's great then. So you should get a section of the room dedicated to her sewing, designs and stuff. You could get an armoire or racks to keep her fabrics. Oh and get her some fabric swatches and catalogs to order from. Maybe Sebastian can get the Internet set up in the room incase she wants to do anything on the computer. Oh my gosh! Does she have a computer? Whatever! Get her an updated laptop or tablet. You know what? Do both. Then get her the best sewing machine you could fine. But before you do, find out if she's more into new age or old age because trust me Alexander, there IS a difference. Then you must get her a chaise lounge, like a really comfortable and stylish one. Um… what else, what else?" Stormy was on a roll and I was quick to right everything down. She continued with giving me ideas and telling me what to buy, asking what Raven preferred, and telling me the difference in qualities and many other confusing yet apparently important details.

"Maybe I should come out there and help you!" Her suggestion brought me back before I could unconsciously agree.

"No, it's okay. I really want to do this myself…" feeling like I could let her know my reasoning I added, "Raven's been through a lot lately, I haven't been able to make her feel important. Saying it is not enough, plus she keeps mistaking all of my intensions for carelessness. I want to make it all clear to her." I explained.

"What did you do to my sister-in-law Alex?" She scolded. I had to stop myself from releasing a laugh not only at the nickname that is now being used for my son, but also at her tone reminding me of my daughter.

"Athena," my use of her given name let's her know that I needed her focused. "She is hurting." I imagine the sadness my little sister feels to know this, but I don't want her to walk in blind as I had. "Raven and Billy have been hurting and our absence has made up a big portion of that hurt. The death of their parents has made up the rest." A hitch in her breath told me she was unaware of the news. I was relieved that she hadn't kept anything from me during her exchanges with Valentine. Maybe now I could tell her the rest. "When I left… I hadn't known Raven was pregnant."

"OH MY GOD! Oh my god… OH MY GOD ALEXANDER!" I couldn't tell if she was happy or sad but I knew she was shocked to tears. "H-h-how-w is… are? Um…"

She knows of the risks as I do, and suddenly I needed to be away from my son before the sadness over Zander's death overcomes me. NO! He will be reborn… his soul has found it's way to be reborn. He's not gone, Alexander! Calm yourself, I reminded myself. "I have twins, Athena; a boy and a girl. They are living and healthy. Raven had enough of my blood within her to pass it on to them. So they are born pureblooded. They've inherited the Sterling gifts. They are okay. And she has always told them about me, so they knew who I was when we finally met." Stormy's relief was apparent and I knew that she was now crying with joy in her heart.

"That's amazing, Alexander! I know you're happy. What are their names? When do I get to meet my niece and nephew? You seriously need to tell me everything. No, no, no, I need to be there with you guys. I'm coming as planned after all. I'll be there by next week. Ahhhh! I want to come now! Do mother and father know?" Again I was relieved that there was no betrayal on my sister's behalf. It also pleased me she was eager to be with them and know them.

"My firstborn, and heir, is Alexander II. His little sister of two minutes is my beautiful Alexandria. I do not know if Constantine knows, but Mother knew and was the one to tell Raven. She told Raven not to tell me, and Raven refused but she never got the chance. I had left before she could. I wasn't kind to her before my departure and left her unaware of the details in my summoning, including the timeframe they had given me. So you can imagine a small measure of what she had to go through."

"Wow… that's really intense Alexander. It's going to take a lot more that a private space to make all that up to her. She must have been painfully lonely." The truth hurts more than I was ready to voice. The reality of Raven's affair is not something I care to ever discuss, let alone recall. But the hurt was still there. I'd forgiven her, only because I understood the magnitude of her pain and misgivings.

I should have tried harder then to let her know I'd be back. It was my first summoning from the council, and knowing the reason behind it made me fear for Raven. If anything were to happen to me during judgment, I didn't want her to know too much. If they found me to be insolent, they would have wiped her mind if she knew any small detail of their existence. Telling her it was the royal families was a safer reason to give her. I was too afraid for her more than myself that every time she begged me to let her come made me think of everything that could go wrong, ultimately leading to her imprisonment. They wouldn't have killed her, but they'd have done anything to keep us apart as a lesson.

I could hear Stormy's hesitation through the cell and paid closer attention to what she was trying to say. "Uh, how's Billy?" as if on cue, Raven's phone rang again, with Billy's number flashing.

"He's different, Stormy. I can sense that he's still a good kid. But like I said, they have been hurting all this time. He doesn't hide his anger with me. He's about to graduate, Raven tells me. He's in town visiting during his break before he goes back for tests. He's a lot taller than he was eight years ago. And his style has changed. Raven says he's going through an Emo phase. That's all I know for now. We haven't had a chance to talk yet with all that's been going on, or all that I've had to personally catch up on. And I'm sorry little sister, but Raven says he believes you pretty much dumped him for Valentine. The two of you were also very young, still immature. He's grown and moved on. But I do know he cares for you still. He wouldn't have held on to the pain if he didn't." She remained silent. I hope that when she does come, they could at least befriend each other. It is unwise to think ill of the council, but I wish they could have given us more time before leaving our loved ones for an undeterminable amount of time. When she still kept quiet, I felt protective of her more than the sympathy that may have been required for this moment. "Athena, our position is being stressed. You needn't worry about him now. Valentine may be your best option at this point. You've both come of age. It is ultimately your choice, but you've seen first hand how serious those matters are taken. You need a strong mate who can protect and support you in title."

"You're an ass, Alexander," she huffed, and then hung up. Dammit, Athena! I'll need to mend that, later. For now, I'll need to speak with Billy. Hopefully everything is okay since he stopped calling repeatedly.

Before calling my estranged brother-in-law, I made sure to store his number in my contacts along with Raven's Aunt Lily. Once that was done, I made the call. "Hello?" he picked up right away.

"Billy, this is Alexander," I said. Hopefully he doesn't hang up on me too.

"What," he said exasperated. I could hear the music and chatter in the background so I knew he was at The Crypt.

"I was hoping you'd come by before the night was through. I wanted to do something for Raven and needed your insight on what she'd like. Plus, I really would like for us to talk, get caught up." He was quiet for a brief moment before responding.

"Did Raven call you just now?" he asked incredulously.

"No, why? Is everything alright?" I asked confused. Why would Raven call me?

"Uuurggggh everything is fine. Sure. I'll be there. Right after my free drink." He was tersely, reluctantly agreeing. And I was pleased with the effort I know it cost him. Then more relaxed after he audibly released a breath he said, "You two must be on the same friggin wave lengths or something. Just don't expect a bro hug or anything." With that, he hung up. I shook my head and chuckled to myself. He and Stormy share the same level of mannerisms.

I left the room and descended the stairs to see my little ones running around in chase with laughter. They stopped when they saw me coming. "How were your lessons?" I asked to them both.

"Good!" Alexandria shouted as she jumped in place. Without pause for breath she says, "I want to meet other kids like us, Daddy. We don't have many friends, but there are some kids at the theater where Aunt Lily works that we get to play with. But they're not like us; they can't play hide n' seek in the dark like us because they're too scared. And we're not allowed to use our powers with them so we always have to be super slow. And Jameson said there are gathering territories where the vampire community socialize and gather for events, and the closest one is in Hipsterville, and we never got to go. And mommy told us in a story that she got to be apart of the Dungeon and you were there pretending to be Phoenix. And you're their leader, and they all look up to you, and it's for vampires only, so I know Aunt Lily can't go. But I really, really, really, REALLY want to go. ANNNND the only vampires I've ever met in my WHOLE life is Alexander, Mommy, you, and Jameson. And I love you all so much, but I want to know more kids, more vampire kids. I promise to behave if you take me, pleeeaase?" She was so very much like her mother and Stormy. Throughout her whole speech, she didn't miss a beat in her jumping that threatened to release her bun from it's form. Meanwhile Alexander was just as amused as I was with her animated rant, but still nodded with her on some parts.

I couldn't help but laugh at my beautiful daughter's energetic and dramatic display. I sat down on the forth step of the stairs and leaned forward with my forearms resting on my knees. "Is that all your lessons have been about? Well don't worry princess, I will find out if there are any young vampires for you to play with." Satisfied, she twirled around and beamed. Next was my son who remained silent and observant. "My son? How was your lesson tonight?"

"It was interesting. But I don't understand why all blood rites have to be done on sacred ground. I wanted to ask Jameson but I had a different question for him and forgot. Now I understand what's considered sacred, I didn't know it wasn't only cemeteries and churches. I found our not all of those are sacred too. But how would we know if we were on sacred ground? I remember mom telling us about you two finding out about The Covenant being on Sacred ground. That's another thing that confuses me. Mom works there right? Is the entire club on sacred ground, or just The Covenant?" All of these were good questions. I noticed Alexandria stopped her twirling to listen as well.

"Sacred ground is an area that has been spiritually bound, or blessed as the humans refer to it. Those with spiritual influence or sacred tools do this. The greatest necromancer in history is an ancestor of our Royal Vampire bloodline. She was responsible for sanctifying some of the largest grounds that support well-know cemeteries and churches. One would have to be skilled and disciplined in this particular act for it to be permanent. Sacred grounds could always be unsanctified by force or with time, depending on the strength of the binding. To know if you were on sacred ground, you would sense the weight it carried to be there. As time passes, it could weaken the weight, so you'd have to go by research, or identifying markings that would let you know something was sanctified. A common symbol being a crucifix, another would be a six-pointed star. There are many others that are listed in our library if you'd like to look them up.

"In this town, I am aware of at least three grounds that are sacred. The cemetery, The Crypt, and the drive-in theater. Your mother and I recognized the last two after Jagger realized it first. The Maxwell's were very thorough in their research when they came here. I wasn't interested in sacred grounds when I came here. But when you mother was in danger within them while other vampires were here, I had to protect her human soul. It was on sacred ground that I performed the blood rites with your mother to make her mine. Her spirit, her soul, is bound to mine for all eternity, and mine belongs to her. That means no other vampire is permitted to perform the sacred kiss."

"What happens if they try?" Lexy asked.

"Their fangs would be barred from piercing our flesh. It is a spiritual force. There is an acceptance for the children of bound vampires, allowing them to feed from their mother's breast for as long as their first year. There would also be an intense burning in their veins that lasts long enough for the vampire to give up their attempts."

"But that only works for vampires though, right?" my son asks.

"The bond has many defenses against other mystic creatures. But it is ultimately there to keep the pair connected."

"That's how mommy knew you'd come for us, isn't it?" my daughter asks in wonderment. I could never let them believe that Raven believed I had forsaken her.

"Exactly!" I said triumphantly as I silenced my vitals that would give me away. It was a habit any time I had to flat out lie, which is very rare.

"There you two are!" Jameson exclaimed as he came from around the corner of the foyer. "I've been looking for you two to tell you dinner is ready. Perhaps you could enjoy it better in the entertainment room with a movie?" Together the twins nodded in rapid movement as they made to go up the stairs. Alexandria sped up the stairs. I was ready to get up when I felt a new presence approaching the gates the same time young Alexander halted and turned his head towards the door.

"I'm impressed, my son, to see your powers at work. It is your Uncle Billy. I invited him over to help me with your mother's room."

He turned to me, and I heard his thoughts directed at me. 'She doesn't like that room, dad. It makes her lonely.'

I responded, that's because she thought I was kicking her out of our coffin. I only wanted her to have a special place for just her things. That's why your uncle is here; to help me make it a happier place for her. Don't worry, she knows I'm not kicking her out. He nodded in understanding, and I went to open the door and greet Billy. Young Alexander joined me.

A/N: Review, review, review please. Thanks for the support. Next chapter will come before the end of the month, so stay tuned. XD