Generation V

by M. L. Brennan

  “What’s with the entourage?” I asked, tipping my head toward the oddly matched pair.

  Chivalry’s voice was so soft that I had to strain to hear him. “A Renfield is a less polite term for a host, though still an improvement from those who prefer to call them thralls. Phillip is the same as Grace and Henry.”

  “But why is he walking around? Grace and Henry don’t ever get to leave their cells.”

  “Clearly Luca has less reverence for life than our mother.”

  I let that horrifying thought roll over me, then asked, “And what about Maria? She looks really young.”

  “She is very young, Fort. Not more than fourteen if I’m any judge.”

  I hadn’t really wanted to believe that my impression had been correct. I’d been telling myself that she was probably one of those eighteen-year-olds who looks really young.

  “But—”

  “Don’t say anything,” Chivalry hissed in my ear, and I could feel his hand gripping my wrist tightly enough to make the bones ache. “Mother has already welcomed them to the territory.”

  “But that girl—”

  “Be silent. Mother will handle it.”

  I bit my tongue and followed them into the dining room.

  Dinner was a long and difficult affair. Vampires slowly lose the ability to digest food as they get older, deriving more and more of their primary sustenance from blood. Madeline’s cook had prepared three versions of a meal—for me, another jab at my vegetarianism with a filet mignon, which meant that I had to spend the entire meal eating around the beautifully prepared steak and filling up on potatoes and veggies. For Chivalry it was a thick stew with chunks of meat, and for Prudence a potato soup with finely diced shavings of steak. Madeline sipped at a glass of wine.

  Luca had dished himself out some of the stew, but I noticed that he avoided most of the meat, and eventually he set it all aside and ladled a small bowl of the thinner soup. Noticing my attention, he gave me an oily smile.

  “I have found lately that dishes that used to entice me are more difficult to eat. But such is our lot as we get older. For the gifts we gain in power, small sacrifices must be made in comfort.”

  “How very true,” Prudence said. Luca gave her an even oilier smile, along with some significant eyebrow action, not realizing that he was barking up the wrong tree. I was seated next to Prudence, and I knew that she’d been checking stocks on her BlackBerry underneath the table for the last twenty minutes and tossing in the occasional conversational sop to make it look like she was paying attention. Apparently she felt that having dressed up, she’d completed her contributions.

  “Won’t Phillip and Maria be joining us?” I asked. They had been standing against the wall since we walked in, and while I was very happy to have Phillip and his pus as far away from my meal as possible, it was hard to eat while Maria just stood there.

  Luca’s eyebrows shooting up his forehead alerted me to my faux pas, as did Chivalry’s quick kick under the table. After an elaborate mouth dab with his napkin, Luca smiled expansively and waved a finger at me. “How droll you are, Fortitude. I would certainly never insult your family by having my servants eat from your table.”

  “Yes, Fort’s wit is our constant companion,” Chivalry said, straight-faced. His second kick was even harder, and I shut my mouth on what I would’ve said next.

  “On a serious note,” Madeline said, leaning forward. Everyone sat up straighter, and I saw Prudence slide her BlackBerry back into her evening bag. Apparently now we were getting down to business. “Given that you have already created Phillip, Luca, I wonder that you have come to me for advice. Surely with this accomplishment there is little that I could tell you that your own father has not already.”

  “You cut right to the heart of me, great lady,” Luca said, making a little flourish with his spoon. But there was a more calculating aspect to him that wasn’t quite covered up by his compliments. “My esteemed sire, Dominic, is most eager for me to successfully brood offspring, and of course Phillip is but the first step in this process. I have attempted to breed him with my little Maria, but as of yet with no success.” I looked over at the scabrous, mangy Phillip and at Maria, who might as well have been carved out of stone as Luca talked about her. My stomach tightened and I fought to keep down my dinner. “Dominic has cautioned me that some Renfields can be bred a lifetime with no success, yet you are known the world over for your easy fecundity, so I felt that I should naturally seek out your expertise in this area.”

  “Perhaps you should restrict your Phillip’s efforts to mature women,” Chivalry growled. He was giving Luca extremely unfriendly looks, and I felt a rush of pride in my brother.

  “Oh, but I do assure you, my Maria reached maturity almost two years ago.” There was a malicious gleam in Luca’s eyes as he looked at Chivalry. “It was of course most distressing to me when it happened, but at least she can continue to serve me in her own small way, despite her current shortcomings.”

  “Maria’s youth is rather separate from your problems,” Madeline said, smoothly cutting in. “You could attempt Phillip with a dozen young women of proven ability and likely come to the same result. Our blood changes much about a host, enough that he is no longer truly human. To breed a host to a human is therefore often an exercise in frustrated hope, for the odds of a successful pregnancy are low, and the resultant offspring are exceptionally difficult to coax beyond infancy. If you truly wish quick success, I would recommend crafting a true mate for your Phillip. A matched set, if you will.”

  Luca stared at Madeline, who sipped at her wine.

  “You say that I must maintain two Renfields?”

  “I certainly do. Of course, as it is almost certain that you required Dominic’s assistance to even create Phillip, I do not expect that you will achieve this. Not at your age, Luca, or at your abilities. But perhaps in another fifty years or so you can give it another try. Do give my best to Dominic, however.”

  “But Dominic—”

  “Yes, Luca, I knew from the moment you walked in that you are the offspring of a host and human pairing. I imagine that Dominic spent the better part of a century in dreary repetition before he was rewarded with you, and that your lack of siblings is due in no small part to his inability to create and maintain two concurrent hosts. Heaven only knows just how many women he had to breed his own host to until you caught. Dominic probably also buys lottery tickets. Heed or dismiss my words, it matters nothing to me, but they are the truth behind my success.”

  There was a long silence, and Luca managed to force another sickly smile across his face. “I will certainly pass your observations along, madame. And now I have obviously taken up enough of your charming company.”

  Luca made a show of getting up. Phillip and Maria immediately returned to their positions at his side. I started to stand, but another kick under the table kept me seated with the rest of my family.

  Chivalry cleared his throat, drawing Luca’s attention. “And how long do you intend to remain in my mother’s territory?” he asked.

  “Not more than a week,” Luca said, inclining his head by a few very precise degrees, then raising it again. “I do desire to see the sights before I return home, and I have found sufficient lodging in Providence.”

  “Be welcome, then, Luca,” Madeline said. This time Luca did a full-on head dip, then turned and started for the door. Phillip fell in behind him, like a twisted fun-house mirror image of his master, and Maria walked last.

  I was seated closest to the door, and they all had to pass close by me. I stared at Maria, looking at that shuttered, empty expression on her face, and the bite marks that ranged from purpling scars to cuts so fresh that they’d barely even scabbed over. I glanced back to my family—Prudence was on her BlackBerry again, while Madeline was fussing with a napkin. Only Chivalry met my eyes, and whatever look I gave him had him shaking his head frantically. I pushed my chair back from the table abruptly, feeling a whooshing sensation under the table a
s Chivalry’s behavior-enforcing kick failed to land. He was on his feet in a second, moving to stop me, but it was too late. I leaned out and grabbed Maria’s wrist with my right hand.

  Her skin was cold and dry under my hand, and her arm was so thin that I could feel the bones practically flex under my grip. My hand not only completely circled her wrist, but there was enough room to spare that my fingers pressed against the back of my thumb. Maria didn’t jump or say anything, which was how I would’ve reacted if someone suddenly grabbed me. She just froze in place, not reacting or looking anywhere except Luca’s back. It was like stopping a robot. Even her pulse, which I could feel against my palm, failed to deviate from its steady beat. Whatever she’d seen in her life, my action wasn’t enough to make any impression.

  I could hear movement and rustling behind me, but I didn’t glance back at my family. I kept my eyes fixed on Maria’s face, which I saw only in profile. A second later I was also looking at Luca, whose expression was less than thrilled.

  “Leave her here,” I blurted out. That brought a reaction from Maria, a full-bodied twitch, as if she’d just been startled awake. Her eyes shifted off Luca for the first time, and she looked down at me with those dead, despairing eyes.

  “Fortitude,” Luca said, and there was the tight control and forced jocularity in his voice that people have when their bosses’ dogs pee on their shoes. “Perhaps you are too young to know this, but this is hardly a good example of manners.” He forced a smile that showed too much tooth in it for humor.

  “She can’t do what you want her to,” I said. Having so much of Luca’s attention on me was making me sweat, and I tightened my hold on Maria’s arm. “You can’t use her. Leave her here.” I didn’t know what any of my family behind me were doing, but I didn’t even dare to glance over my shoulder and find out. I kept my eyes on Maria and Luca. I had no idea how this could end, had no idea if grabbing Maria was a little offense or a vampire super insult, but I could feel Maria turning her wrist, that cold, dry skin sliding along my sweaty palm, and then I felt her fingers brush against my sleeve, so light and tentatively that if I hadn’t glanced down to confirm it I wouldn’t even have believed it. Looking back up, I also saw something flicker through her dull eyes. It was just the edge of hope.

  I felt a tight constriction in my chest—she didn’t know me, didn’t even know what I wanted her for. But whatever her life was with Luca and Phillip, the complete unknown was preferable to her.

  Luca saw it too, and his face darkened. He was definitely pissed off now. He looked past me, toward my mother. “Youth can only be pushed so far,” he started. “Hospitality rules are clear—” I could feel movement behind me, and Luca broke off whatever he was going to say. Then Chivalry was standing next to my chair and leaning toward Luca.

  “Let us not turn to rules and our elders,” Chivalry said smoothly. “You have an item that has become nearly useless to you, and here is my baby brother showing an interest in it. Can we not resolve this, offspring to offspring?”

  A muscle in Luca’s cheek twitched sharply, but with obvious effort he cleared the expression off his face. “Your involvement surprises me,” he said, his eyes raking over Chivalry, measuring and considering. Compared to Luca’s skinny male model look, Chivalry practically looked like a Charles Atlas ad. The European vampire was looking more cautious now.

  “Should it? Perhaps,” Chivalry conceded. “But you have not had the pleasure of siblings, Luca. For my brother’s delight is very much my own.” Slowly, with clear intent, Chivalry leaned forward, toward the other vampire, invading his personal space. The tips of Chivalry’s fangs slid out just enough to rest against the top of his lower lip, and his voice dropped. “Never would I deny Fort a treat he longs for.” With that utterly untrue statement, Chivalry began reaching out for Maria.

  Just before he could touch Maria’s shoulder, Luca moved suddenly and caught Chivalry’s hand in his own. The tension in the room shot up as the two of them stared at each other, each pushing hard against the other vampire’s arm. Both were wearing long sleeves, but I could see the muscles in both their hands standing out, and Chivalry’s knuckles were whitening.

  The pupils in Luca’s eyes began expanding, darkening in a clear sign of aggression, but when he spoke his voice was still superficially polite. “I find myself longing for an older sibling, as you paint a compelling portrait. But this is my property, and I find some strong attachment to it.” His fangs slid out as well, longer than Chivalry’s. Against all apparent laws of physics, Luca’s thin hand began to push even harder, and I heard Chivalry give a small grunt as he attempted to hold his ground. But, with agonizing slowness, Luca pushed Chivalry’s hand back, bending it toward his own arm. I winced at the sight, and now Chivalry was sweating visibly. It was clear now that Luca was stronger, but Chivalry didn’t let go, and Luca didn’t stop pushing.

  Chivalry glanced down at me, and I shook my head frantically, willing him to keep trying. He looked away from me, took a deep breath, then threw all his weight into it, and for just a second Luca’s hand wavered. Against my hand, I could feel Maria start to shiver, almost vibrating as she stood, but I didn’t dare look at her, focused on my brother.

  Luca’s eyes narrowed down to slits, and I could see just the slightest hint of perspiration at his temple. Then I saw his arm muscle flex against the shiny satin of his tight shirt, and with a hard push he threw Chivalry off balance and onto his knees. I was still sitting, my head now on the same level as my brother’s. Chivalry’s hair wasn’t perfectly pomaded anymore, but was wet with sweat as Luca began once again forcing his hand backward, the wrist bending far past where nature intended. Chivalry’s lip pulled back, exposing his fully extended fangs as he gave a sharp grunt of pain, but he kept his eyes locked with Luca.

  Then there was a sudden scraping as a chair was pushed back from the table, and Prudence stood next to Chivalry, her hand around his bent wrist, stopping all of Luca’s momentum. Everyone paused for a long moment of shock, while she stood there, not a hair out of place, her upper lip curled ever so slightly in disgust, though who that was directed toward was unclear.

  Luca stepped backward, removing his hand from Chivalry’s. The black of his pupils pulled in again, and his fangs slowly receded. He cleared his throat, and for a few tense seconds seemed occupied with adjusting his hair and shirt, smoothing out wrinkles and restoring his appearance. “And you, my lady Prudence,” he said finally, with clear deference in his voice. “Do you also intercede for your brother?”

  I didn’t even breathe as Prudence’s hard blue eyes trailed over to look up and down Maria, then shifted over to me. Chivalry pushed himself up from the floor slowly, watching her face, his expression unreadable.

  “Please, Prudence,” I said hoarsely, barely able to push the words through my suddenly tight throat. I hated everything she was, but I sought out her blue eyes and tried to beg silently.

  She looked away from me then, back to Luca. “Perhaps I am too far removed from the nursery,” she said in her coldest voice. “There are many pets with no devoted owner such as yourself. I see no reason to quibble further in this unseemly manner.”

  “How wise,” Luca murmured with a small smile. With clearly regained confidence, he reached down and put his hand on Maria’s arm, just above where I was holding her.

  “Prudence—” I said urgently.

  “No, Fort,” she interrupted. “You are indulged enough.” Then she turned and walked back to her chair, and I could hear her settle down, and then the little beep as she turned her BlackBerry on again.

  I looked back up at Luca, whose smile widened, then at Maria. That spark was gone from her eyes, and she slowly turned her face away from mine, back toward Luca.

  “Fortitude.”

  I looked over at Chivalry, standing next to me. His face was still flushed, and he was holding his abused wrist carefully with his free hand. He glanced at Maria, then back to me. “That’s enough,” he said, and I could hear the res
ignation in his voice.

  I shook my head, not letting go of Maria’s wrist.

  Luca gave a loud huff, then squeezed Maria’s arm tightly. Her high shriek cut through the thick air of the room sharply. I flinched, then hesitated. Luca lifted one expressive eyebrow.

  I let go.

  I stared up at Maria, desperately hoping that she’d look down at me, hoping that she’d show that she understood that I’d tried, but Maria turned her face completely away. Luca wrapped one skinny arm around her, pulling her close against his body, and I could feel acid at the back of my throat at how she closed her eyes and shut down, accepting it.

  Luca gave one last nod to Madeline, ignoring the rest of us, then walked quickly out the door with Maria, Phillip following closely behind them. I could feel the buzzing in the back of my head growing weaker and weaker as they moved farther out of the house, on to the driveway, then out into the night, until at last it was just me and the family.

  There was a long pause, a sudden scurrying sound, and then the entire kitchen staff seemed to burst into the room. There was a flurry of cleared plates and platters, and within seconds we were alone again. The rush made me very aware that Madeline’s human staff had been completely absent for the entirety of Luca’s visit.

  Madeline got up to leave. I realized that to her, there was nothing left to discuss.

  “Aren’t you going to do something?” I burst out.

  “About what?” Madeline asked. She glanced at the door to the kitchen. “If this is about dessert, there wasn’t one planned, but you can always ask for a slice of pie.”

  Unbelievable. “About Maria!” I said loudly.

  “Really, Fortitude, you’re going to have to be more specific. What should I be doing about Maria?” Madeline eased back down into her seat. With a clear indication of settling in, she unbuttoned her ermine cape and draped it over the back of her chair.