Hello, readers. I realise it's been a month since my last update but I have been super busy so I apologise for how long it's taken to update. The chapter is sort of a part 1 of a super long chapter which I will hopefully have up sometime next week: if all goes as planned.
Quickly a response to the last review, from a mysterious guest. I think we all need a bit of Bad Vlad in our lives as he is just so lovable, I love dark characters just because of that. Anyway more of him to come later on. Thank you for your review.
I started off with a quote which really relates to this chapter; see if you can guess why. Without further ado Chapter 6:
Sweet
Be careful who you trust, the devil was once an angel. –Unknown-
Chapter 6
His black cape swept across the floor as Vlad made his way to Cate's chambers. She had a collection of rooms in the west wing including a coffin room, sitting room/study, on suite and small kitchenette. It was similar to a small apartment and furnished similarly with Cate's own style rather than original vampiric ornaments- she had kept the deep brown furniture carved of oak. As Vlad drew up to the door he became a little nervous, which was silly he and Cate were good friends. He knocked on the door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"One moment," a melodious voice called out from inside. A rummaging could be heard and then the unlocking of the door. It swung open to reveal… a goddess? Was the first thought that rushed through Vlad's head.
The Cate before him was not the usual professional women with long straight hair and black skirts, but a more glamorous, sophisticated biter. A strapless leather bodice, embroided with darkened swirls, clung to her chest and travelled down to the small of her waist where the leather became chiffon and flared out forming a circular floor length gown, edged in lace. Small twinkles of jewels were sown into the skirt and a large silk ribbon marked out her waist. A black cape draped along the back of the bodice and dragged on the floor below- the fashion was a very modern one for the vampires under fifty. Her golden hair shined in the low candle light and was pinned carefully to the back of her head with small ringlets tumbling upon her shoulders. Dark makeup shadowed her eyes and a deep red covered her lips. Only her shoulders and neck line were visible where a silver necklace hung.
"What do you think?" asked Cate as she grasped a black clutch and shut the door behind her. "It was quite risky wearing this dress I had to use a lot of make up to cover up the bite."
Vlad stuttered out a few words. "You honestly look beautiful."
"Goodness, your surprises in language never seem to stop amazing me. "
"Come on, I think you'll be the jewel at this ball." Vlad said, holding out his arm. "My lady."
"Oh, thank you, your grandness." Together they walked towards the great hall.
Cate and Vlad walked in synchronised steps down the empty hall. Low candle light lit up the walls and black carpet they strode upon, arm in arm. Ahead lay the two wooden doors that led into the great hall, on arrival they unhooked arms and Vlad smiled at Cate.
"You ready?" Vlad asked, turning towards her.
"Totally, let's have some fun." Cate replied.
With a click of Vlad's fingers the double doors swung opened, an abundant collection of vampires turned towards the door. Vlad strode forwards into the hall, Catherine only a few paces to his rear. The ball was already in full swing each vampire had a drink in their hand, most definitely Chateau Chevalier '45 vintage; it was one of the easiest to purchase and in vast amounts, the best for a party such as this.
A midnight carpet slid across the front of the door way, it was upon this Vlad stood. He walked further into the room, on either side vampire made signs of respect to his authority- bowing and some put down the collars if their leather capes. The Chosen One walked until he was in the centre of the room, the vampire rose and tuned towards their leader.
"My most hallowed greetings, guests. I trust all arrived well and I trust all will enjoy tonight. Your attendance is gratuitous and for that I wish you enjoy this feast." With his speech over, Vlad walked back on himself and the crowd dispersed. The music started up again and a large chattering once more filled the room.
Vlad had walked deeper into the throng of night feeders most bowing and congratulating him on his half decade rule. He sat down upon an elegant leather seat amongst the tables and near to the north wall. Most rulers or hosts would have a throne to sit on at a feast such as this, but Vlad was subtle. Not only did he hate the grand wooden chair nonetheless he wanted to keep an eye on this feast. Trouble was brewing and Vlad would rather be able to move freely and secretly than be trapped by a showing of whom was who.
A young vampire, acting as a waiter at this feast, passed by him; Vlad lifted his hand and grasped one of the smart glasses that lay upon the silver platter he was carrying. Vlad stared intently at the glass and slowly sniffed the contents as if he was smelling the aroma of a fine vintage wine. He was checking for soy blood- many a times had a slip of human blood been put into the glasses especially his. Vlad slowly lifted the glass to his lips the thick crimson liquid nearly spilling over the rim.
"Having fun?" Vlad looked up to the melodious voice of Cate. She was smiling down at him a glass of soy blood in her hand.
"Yes, plentiful. I'm just worried about tonight." Vlad replied. "Things seem a little dangerous."
"Well make sure you at least enjoy yourself a little. Dancing, for example. Would you like to dance?" Cate asked with a persuading smile.
"I would love to but I really can't you go enjoy yourself. Dance the night away I think their just about to start the Transylvanian Merican Waltz." Vlad smiled. "Sorry. There is a woman meant to come tonight and I must talk to her. It is vital."
"I understand I'll come back later, there is always time for a dance later." Cate spoke softly. She turned at that moment and started to walked away understanding but a little hurt by Vlad's words.
"Cate, I am truly sorry and I promise you we will dance later in the night." Vlad said as he stood and grasped her hand.
"You promise?" Cate looked at him, questioning his words with all her mind.
"Cross my heart and hope to die."
"Pretty lame thing to swear on, I mean think about it."
"I swear on my unlife." Vlad raised his eyebrows in offer.
Cate nodded in satisfaction. "On your unlife it is. See you later, your grandness."
She stood a little prouder, but still a bit annoyed. Cate lifted her head and walked back among the vampire. Not looking where she was going a shoulder knocked into her small frame and at the same time she stepped on to some ones toe. Cate stepped back and looked up into a dark face.
"Gosh. I apologise intently for knocking into I was not looking where I was going at all." The tall figure in front of Cate said. She noted his raven hair, the stubble on his chin and his green eyes. It was quite peculiar, his attire, black boots, no cape and he was so tall.
"No har.. r..m done. I am sorry I stepped on your foot." Cate replied sort of transfixed on the figure in front of her. "I was just on my way to the dance floor."
"Ah, aye. I noticed the Merican my favourite dance. Would you like to dance with me?" The tall figure asked.
"Of course. I mean I would be honoured.. mm."
"Daniel Ulrican but everyone calls me Ulric."
"Well, I WOULD be honoured Ulric."
Ulric held out his arm to Catherine. "Let us dance."
Cate giggled as she took his arm and walked up to the dance floor.
Vlad had watch Cate's interaction with the strangely familiar man. He was watching as they stamped and twirled in synchronised movements. Cate's smile and the swishing of her cape and dress made Vlad sigh. He had not wanted to turn Cate down in such a way he just wanted her to be happy and have a good time. Her dance partner lifted her high into the air; the musical laugh of Cate's lips reached Vlad's ears.
It was unfortunate, but he had to wait the Baroness Lorelai was here and he was hoping to catch a glimpses of her. He was looking for Malfèvre he would know what she looked like. The feast was just so packed it was hard to see anyone especially in the low light.
Vlad settled back into his seat and turned away from the dance floor.
"Oi, get up brother. You don't want people thinking their ruler is weirder than, well, he is." Vlad looked up to his right to see his sister in an indigo gown that showed of her small baby bump with a silk black cape draped on her shoulders.
Vlad stood to his full height. "Ingrid, what did I say to you about saying stuff like that to me in public? It's like you forget who I am."
"Oh little brother, it is you who forgets. Before you were vamp number one you were the wimpire winner of the century." She smiled mischievously, her white teeth glowing in the candle light.
"Shouldn't you be off with Pier's dancing or whatever lovey, dovey things you to do?"
"My husband went off to get me a nice glass of AB positive, according to the doctor it's the best form of nutrition for a vampire child. I am not allowed to dance like that," Ingrid gestured to the loud stamping dance occurring at that moment, "and I wouldn't want to. Shouldn't you be dancing though maybe with Cate?"
"What?"
"Oh wait no I can see her with that… I've seen better but everyone's got their types. Is that why you're so sad breather boy? One of your own, actually one of my own who went to you has flown the nest. Cute."
"Ingrid." Vlad nearly screamed at her. "For garlic's sakes, can you please for once in your life stop going on."
Ingrid laughed. "Fine, fine but my coffin Vlad language. There is a child present and I don't want its first words to be anything from your or mine own swearing vocabulary."
"Sorry." Vlad mumbled out of habit more than apology
"Good, now why aren't you out there with Cate."
"Business. Dangerous business which I think could cause big consequences in the future if something is not done now. I don't want her or anyone getting hurt, especially you Ingrid. Look at you what seven months and counting."
"Brother, I can look after myself. Just keep yourself safe, I haven't seen you for nearly two years as it is. I am done with my plots for power we've done them enough I don't want to see you in the dirt again.
A man actually spoke to me a few months ago at one of the council meetings. He seemed curious about what was going on with you and said you've been kept in the shadows. Vlad I need you to come out and look after yourself. Remember, be careful who you trust, how many times has that statement been in our lives right now is a good time to consider it. The Dracula's never seem to be able to trust one another."
Just as Vlad processed that information Piers appear a glass of rich AB positive in one hand and just a general Chateau chevalier in the other. He handed the glass of AB to Ingrid who nodded in thanks.
"Ah, Vladimir or your grandness I never actually know what to call you at these things."
"Seriously, after five years I think Vlad is perfectly fine. We're brother-in-law. Anyway how are you? I haven't seen you for what two years. " Vlad asked willing to change the subject and keep his mind preoccupied.
Piers replied in his perky manner. "Well, I've.. we've been well. In fact interesting news is we plan to reopen Garside. Just had the roof fixed, the classrooms reinstated and redecorated…"
"…and," Ingrid interrupted "we have installed a new high tech computer system into the whole building."
"Yes, we have. All the forms have been resigned and we're set to reopen next September." Piers finished and grasped hold of Ingrid's hand.
"Wow, that's exciting I did here plans but I thought they were just rumours."
"It seems like a waste of space of all the old classrooms. We were going to open years ago, but we've been quite busy with setting up and Ingrid's high council role." Piers said
Vlad was suddenly rather intrigued- Ingrid had not said anything about her role at the high council being relatively busy, recently. Only the peculiar council member she had mentioned earlier. "What do you mean, by being busy at the VHC?"
Piers looked at Ingrid. She replied. "After being reinstated as head of education for the under aged vampire at the council last year, I received a lot more insight with the other members especially the head of recruitment. There were a lot more placements at the council and one of the first people that offered their application form and votes in was none other than our Talitha. She said she needed more insight on what was going on in the council and you, Vlad. She too had been informed and talked to by someone, like I had. We've been busy trying to find out what's going on?"
Vlad was extremely confused. "What do you mean by finding out what's going on?"
"No one has heard of you for almost a year, brother. Many though their leader had been assassinated only Émilek Malfèvre reassured everyone that you were fine. What have you been up to, Vlad?" Ingrid was almost in a shock of tears by the look on her face, Piers decided to interrupt.
"Everyone's been a bit confused, worried."
"Well, accepted Dad. He's far to content in his Australian home. It's insane a vampire living in one of the sunniest countries in the world." Ingrid interjected.
"You've been a silent ghost, maybe it's time to find out what's been going on." Piers finalised.
Suddenly, a great upbeat sound arose from the musicians. "The Wallachia." Ingrid and Piers cried out. Ingrid drowned the rest of her glass of AB and went to drag her spouse to the dance floor. "Bye, Vladimir." Piers called out.
Vlad held up his hand in farewell.
A clock ticking got Vlad's attention. It was the one that hung in the main hallway just outside that of the great hall. Eleven ticks; eleven o'clock at night, only the beginning of the party. Vlad grasped held of his glass and went through the throngs of people receiving many congratulations on his way.
"Ah, your Grandness." Vlad felt a cold grip on his shoulder and turned around to come face to face with Malfèvre. "How are you enjoying the feast?"
"It is rather impressive, Lord Émilek." Vlad replied.
Malfèvre let out a great laugh. He took one of the bottles of bloods from a table near him and a glass. Pouring the blood into the glass, he let a great cry.
"Silence, silence!" The crowd hushed slowly after the second shout. The musicians slowly ceased their tunes and the dancers came to gradual end. "My fellow vampires, and vampiress," he nodded in the direction of a group of young females, all here with their well-off and authoritative fathers.
"I wish to remind each and every one of us just why we are here. To celebrate a reign of half a decade to our astound ruler, for though it may have been a short period, it has affected our community greatly. So here I cheer to our great Grand High Vampire."
A great cheer erupted from the night feeder once again, slowly they we're hushed once more by Émilek.
"I have one last thing to say, for us to enjoy tonight in celebration of our race and our powerful leader, influential on us all. Oh, on this dark night may all drown oneself in red in celebration for until the light of dawn does stream through those drapes shall we cease this feast. "
Another roar came from the hunters before departing to their respectable groups of conversation. The music started up and the dancer once again started to prance in tune.
"You are quite a speaker, certainly gripping the crowd with your last words." Vlad said in compliment.
"All the vampires enjoy a nice cup of blood whether it is human, animal or soy." He smiled. "Cheers to your reign, sire." Vlad knocked his glass in response.
"And cheers to your worthy speech and fine words."
They both drank from the glassy slowly. Vlad lifted the crystal rim to his lips and tipped it back. He took a plentiful and greedy gulp as he felt the thick liquid rush down his throat, the metallic after taste having a pleasant feel on his vampiric taste buds.
As he lowered the glass, he closed his eyes and sighed in satisfaction. On seeing once again Vlad looked at Malfèvre- he had paused mid-gulp and looked over to his left. Vlad followed his line of sight to a… a woman. A very, very familiar looking petite figure.
Dressed in a laced black dress clasped at her skinny neck, she was mingling around other people and laughing at what they were saying. "Émilek, what is it? Who is that?"
"That, Vladimir," he pulled his gaze to Vlad," is Baroness Lorelei." He gripped hold of Vlad's shoulders. "I tell you now be wary of her she seems sweet, but is a snake in the grass. She will come to you, it's your feast, do not let her draw you in. Until the council and I know what she is up too. I must depart you for I have business to attend to. Enjoy the feast. Just head my words." Émilek Malfèvre gave a low bow before departing.
This was quite troubling. The head council member being worried at another, it was unheard of. Vlad could recognise the girl now her blonde hair, pale complexion, slight figure. The name had brought it back; she was the girl from his dream (or, as it turned out, his vision) the girl who had killed the red headed teenager.
She seemed to be slowly heading this way, Vlad backed up carefully. For the third time this evening, since the entering of the feast and Cate, he was nervous.
Cate smiled, she had had a wonderful evening so far. Ever since meeting Ulric she had just had fun. Dancing to her hearts content and until she could not feel her legs. She and Ulric had then eaten their hunger away on the piles of gastronomical delights all vampires would be dust for. Cate had laughed as Ulric ate like a hungry wolf, stuffing hundreds of different meats down his throat. She had even joined in a little but could not eat near to the same amount that Ulric did.
After their fulfilling supper they had chattered away about everything and anything.
"So you were born in 1953?" Cate asked amazed.
"Yeah, I look good for a man in his late sixties." Ulric replied.
"Beat my gran any day…" She drifted off; she should not and could not say anything about being a half fang to this man. She did not know anything about him. "Old joke in my family. Thank you for dancing with me."
"Can never resist a beautiful woman no matter how many years younger she is." Ulric smiled a cheeky grin.
"You do flatter me. I just cannot believe you've lived so long."
"Well many of the people at this party think I am very young. Take that girl there for example." He pointed to a blonde girl in a black lace dress. "She's my boss and has about sixty maybe seventy years on me."
The girl was very beautiful, thought Cate. As a woman way past a century she certainly did look young.
"Look," said Ulric, "it's half a' eleven I have to go and talk to a man about business. Maybe I'll see you later."
"No problem," called out Cate. He waved goodbye and she leaned on her elbows. What a guy?