Chapter 21

Rhode Island has it's own quite, wealthy way about it. The streets were unfettered by cars as we made for The Chanler hotel. Jerry was driving and made it clear we would sit in the back, me behind him. I knew his reasoning. It was hard to believe that only twelve hours ago we were in Zurich. Nick had finally growled out his frustration and gone to the library. It seemed Jerry wasn't his cup of tea. I had felt the prickle of his power coming from the hall and knew Nick was having trouble completely cutting off his immense power. Jerry had asked many questions of me and was flabbergasted to find out I had had the house built, and had been the Genesis for the company he had worked. It was interesting talking to him. He had wanted to know about World War 1 and 2, and when I told him I had survived the Civil War he had looked stunned.

The day had passed quickly and before we knew it, we were getting on a private jet back to the United States.

So now, in the luxury Mecedes Benz SUV, my mind drifted. I hadn't seen any of my family, descendants or otherwise in almost 200 years. Nick was right that it was strange that I had such a morbid fasination with my lineage. But somehow knowing they were there gave me comfort in knowing at least the line continued and I still have a small piece of humanity beyond the phantom world.

I couldn't help but think back to my first realization I was no longer human. It had started slowly, at least a week after my final meeting with Nicholi. The fever had the whole house in a panic. Though our family was by far small, I was the last namesake of the Duke, his only heir.

It had left me delusional, and nothing could stop my hunger. No matter what I ate, or what I drank, it turned to ash in my mouth, leaving me always in search of what my body required. The first instance I realized I wasn't human any longer was when I could hear butlers and maids in the house, moving slowly and whispering about my condition. The fever was unrelenting, seeming to slam into me, then disappear for a time. No doctor could explain it and my father was desperate for answers.

Nights became my day. The sun was harsh on my senses though I could stand it. The sharp pains in my head, the fear, and agony as my muscles spasmed.

'Are you alright?' Nick's smoky voice asks, snapping me from my memories.

'Pardon me?'

'Are you alright?' He didn't look concerned, his face the mask it had always been, but his soft tone surprised me. I nod.

'You suddenly started breahintg quickly, your heart rate accelerated, and you put off a strange scent.'

Of course the Dracul Pureblood would read me. Though his powers were tampered for Jerry's sake, it didn't mean he wasn't observant. I smile softly and say, 'Just a bad memory making it's appearance.'

That's when I see the unmistakable blue roof and, white terrace of the Chanler. The old rock wall surrounding it was beautiful as Jerry turns into the gates entry and cobble drive. Jerry let's out a whistle and says, 'Fancy, fancy. This is old wealth, not the Ritz.'

Nick huffs, giving me a side glance. If Jerry only knew old wealth was sitting in the back seat. I had booked the rooms yesterday while Jerry had reserved the vehicles we would use. He stops at the front as the doorman comes forward and turns looking at me and asks in a dramatic whisper, 'How much are the rooms here again?!?'

'Somewhere in the three to five hundred, though I have been in more luxury before.'

Jerry looked stunned as the doorman opens Nick's door and says, 'Welcome to the Chandler at the Cliff Walk.'

I felt so hymned in as I stood, pacing the Rennesance Room. Pretending to not be able to walk around during the day time was torture. Nick was securely in his room and I felt a growl of frustration knowing he could hear me moving about in my room. I wondered if he ever felt so stuck during the day, vulnerable. A knock comes to the door and I jerk. Walking over, I open it, feeling the warmth of light on me, though not the mild first sting of sunlight. Jerry beams and says, 'The Maserati is down below, I drove to your um, families home and they are there. I talked to some locals that told me they are usually there through the summer.'

'Thank you for doing all of this Jerry.'

He shrugs and pushes me into the room. I frown as he closes the door. I'm about to protest but he puts his finger to his mouth as he pulls out his phone and starts texting furiously, while saying, 'So on further inspection, I've had some thoughts on my severance package.'

I frown as this. He hadn't seemed interested just yesterday. Then he holds up his phone, 'He can hear us can't he?'

Shock was my only response and a dumb nod. He says, 'I did look at it, and you have got to be kidding me, 3 million dollars? What would I do with that?'

Then he holds up his phone again, 'How good is his hearing?'

I hold out my hand for him to give me his phoneas I say, 'Invest it. You've been watching me for years. Though I thought you planned on staying with us.'

I hand the phone to him which said, 'He can hear our heart beat and breathing.'

'Oh..' he let's out in shock and quickly covers his mistake and waves his hand saying, 'I do! But you know... Retirement and all.'

I chuckle as he types away and hands it back, 'Put it on record and place on your chest.'

I frown at him, but do as asked. He pulls another phone from his pocket and says, 'Though I have to admit I was surprised to know you still have living family so far down the line.'

'Subject change? Or contemplating yiur own descendants?' I ask having stopped the recording and he chuckles as he takes it from me, doing his voodoo to the phone.

'You know me, always have many things on my mind.' He hands the other phone to me which read, 'I'll put it one a loop. If you are a vampire you can probably jump from the window and get to the front. I'll be waiting.'

I frown but nod as he says, 'But really, descendants, I like that thought. Anyhow I'm going to go get some grub and will be back later. I'll run back by the fams house in a bit to make sure they are still there for tomorrow.'

With that he says his goodbyes and leaves. I had to give this man credit. He was an amazing spy of a PA.