Chapter 14 – The Note

The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself. ~ Anais Nin.

April 22, 2006, Club Inferno, Firenze, Italy

“Lucian! Ciao, thank you for meeting us here.” Serena exclaimed kissing her brother fondly on each cheek. He smiled and as his twin glided from his clutches.

“Did I have a choice?” he stated as he directed his gaze toward his brother Dominic seated on the sofa.

“Lucian, have you not fed? You are acting so cruel.”

“Well, if you must know, I was about to go for a hunt.”

“How delectable, I’m hurt you didn’t invite me.” Serena pouted.

“Boy’s night to play.”

Serena sneered at her brother. “Well, this won’t take long and you can stalk your flavor of the month.” She replied indifferently and then joined Dominic on the sofa. Serena crossed her long legs exposing a thigh.

Lucian’s eyes were instantly drawn to her well-toned legs purposely exposed by the split in the seam of her black silk dress. She smiled as she detected his approval by his growing erection and the release of vampiric pheromone with which he and other male pure blood vampires exuded when aroused. The scent was heady with light spice, and perhaps a note or two of sweet brandy.

She directed her attention to Dominic, who sat for all intent and purpose clearly bored wishing he were anywhere but sitting in Serena’s office. His tell was a twitch upon his right eye when his thoughts were roaming, a trick she learned as a girl.  Lucian plopped down squeezing in tightly next to her on the sofa.

Dominic scowled. “There are other chairs for which I am most certain would be entirely more comfortable.” He stated rather sarcastically, even for him.

“Actually, I am most comfortable where I sit now. So if you do not mind I will continue to sit here.  Perhaps you would feel more comfortable elsewhere my brother.” Lucian responded, licking his lips after taking a swig of crimson fluid, from his jacket pocket.

“Really, do we really need to succumb to such pettiness? We are all adults here not children like the two of you are so hell-bent on being. Acting like five-year olds, you both should be ashamed of yourselves. We are family! I must insist that you both play nice, as I have something very important to discuss with you both.”

Serena’s face became serious, frigid which had her brother’s direct attentions. Her glare dropped to her chalice. She drew it to her lips and took a large swig, licking the deep red blood from her lips. Her eyes caught Lucian.

“A messenger delivered a package to me.” Lucian and Dominic looked on with intrigue.

“Who was delivered, a new pet?” Lucian chuckled.

“I am serious – here look I have a note.” She grabbed a small manila envelope, pulled the note, and handed it to Dominic.

“Ask your papa about your mother’s death.”

“Where was this note delivered, here or at the Castello? Dominic inquired.

“At the Castello, but what difference does it make?”

“Did you talk to Tobias?” Dominic asked as he gleaned the photos.

“Yes, he said he had no idea, a courier brought.” Her gaze searched Dominic’s reaction, and then to Lucian’s.

“Papa told me she died in childbirth. So I never knew he was less than honest.” Dominic said his eyes permeated with concern nearly if he understood the gravity of his sister’s insinuation.

“Only papa knows the truth.” She said worriedly.

“Or was indeed responsible,” Lucian chimed.

“Lucian, don’t be ridiculous, papa would never do such a thing. She was the love of his life.” Serena cried.

“We don’t know that. I don’t think the man has ever been capable of loving anyone. The lying bastard killed probably her; or had someone do it for him the coward. Whatever the case, he was responsible, I’m sure of it.”

“Lucian, do you hear what you are saying?” Dominic questioned as he took a long swig from his chalice. It was common knowledge within the family the unscrupulous capabilities of the Count, the man wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone who stood in his way of gaining more power.

“I do! And you know as well as I, he is more than capable of killing. He would not hesitate if it were to serve him or benefit him.”

“I don’t believe you.” Serena raised her voice, grabbed her chalice, and walked away from the bar as she took a full gulp from the glass. The conversation was not at all going where she thought it would. Although quite frankly she wasn’t all knowing where it would go. She only recognized she would require assistance from her trusted brothers to help with the quandary she had found herself.

“Serena, don’t be so naïve. He is a bastard. A malevolent ass, that would kill anyone to attain power and/or control. That you are your father’s daughter is no mistake. You two are cut from the same cloth or blood as it were,” an agitated Lucian retorted, visibly appalled by his sister’s unrelenting loyalty to their father.

“I am not sure whether to be angry or flattered by your remark, Lucian.” She snapped as she moved near her sibling.

“No matter, it is merely the truth, which in fact makes me the fool in your eyes; weak. As I, unlike you have managed to keep up some semblance of integrity, perhaps like our mama.” Lucian griped.

“And you see where that got her! And a saint you are not Lucian.” Dominic added.

“Lucian, your ambivalence astounds me.” Serena pronounced as her dark liquid eyes penetrated his.

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Oh whatever,” she replied exasperated.

“I may flirt with the flesh and partake in the pleasures of my sister, but make no mistake I have my limits. I do bear some scruples. ” Lucian arrogantly stated as he wrapped his arm around the narrow curves of Serena’s waist and tightly squeezed. “I would no more undermine my family or our bloodline to gain or obtain power. We live, far more vicariously than most humans. We are the superior race, which that in of itself beholds to us to the greatest power. That my sister, is enough power for me.”

“You are a fool Lucian to believe we are not worthy of so much more.” She stated with utter conviction as she hastily removed his arm from her waist.

“Alright you two, in Serena’s words, let’s play nice, shall we. Are you going to ask him?

“I will ask him later, he is so busy with all the party planning, and making significant alterations to the guest list and menu since Erric’s proposal. I must know the truth, regardless of what that truth holds.”

“As you wish. But, don’t kill the messenger.” Lucian laughed.

“Your humor merely annoys me, Lucian. In case you both have forgotten I have a club to run.”

“Try not to kill each other tonight will you please.” Dominic said as he gave his sister a kiss on the check. I will see you at your party.

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