by Gerald Lopez
RAFAEL AND ROGET were helping Samuel pack while Veronique spoke to him.
“Once again,” Samuel said, “why the change in plans? I didn’t think we were going to Cesare’s new house until tomorrow.”
“He called to tell me that he’d like us there today instead,” Veronique said. “It’s already nine and he wanted us there no later than twelve thirty for lunch. His new woman, Janelle will be there.”
“Oh. What do you think about her, Veronique?” Roget said.
“I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her in person,” Veronique said, then sat on the edge of Samuel’s bed and crossed her legs. “She sounded nice enough on the phone.”
“No jealousy?” Rafael said, surprised by Veronique’s calm response to Roget’s inquiry.
“None,” Veronique said. “I have no time for such trivial things at present.”
“What is your mind on?” Samuel said.
“Have you found a new lover?” Roget said. When he got no answer, he tried again. “Maybe you’ve rekindled a romance with an old lover.”
“This conversation is getting tiresome,” Veronique said. She stood and brushed off the burgundy pants she wore. Checking in the mirror, she straightened the matching jacket she had on, then checked her ponytail. Clearly aggravated, she reached into her purse, pulled out a gold lipstick container and applied some of the lipstick to her lips.
“It’s a good thing that vampires really can see their reflections or you’d be having a hard time of it,” Samuel said and smiled. It was his attempt to calm Veronique, but it wasn’t working. On his second try at making her smile, he made a funny face. This time, she cracked a smile then threw her lipstick at him which he caught and looked at. “Chanel. No wonder you never have money.”
“He’s packed and ready,” Rafael said.
“Let me look at him,” Veronique said. Samuel always cut a fine figure when dressed properly and cleaned up, she thought. The tight V-neck, ribbed white shirt he wore over slim pants and slip on shoes was simple yet stylish. “Perfection. You can put on the matching jacket when we get to Cesare’s new home. I’m anxious to see the house.”
“Wow, you haven’t even seen his home yet?” Roget said. “You definitely have someone in your life.”
Veronique ignored Roget’s comment for a moment then she spoke. “Janelle designed Cesare’s home and grounds.”
“That’s impressive,” Rafael said.
“Well, I saw to the interior decorating and design of Cesare’s home in Rome and the apartment in London,” Veronique said.
“Those are certainly breathtaking,” Rafael said.
“They should be for all the money that got spent on them,” Samuel said.
“Cesare had the money to spend,” Roget said. “Not everyone likes to live as simply as you do, my dear.”
“Me-ow,” Rafael said. “Samuel’s just content with what he has. He also doesn’t entertain as much as Cesare is required to do.”
“OK, let’s go,” Veronique said. “We’ve wasted enough time.”
“Amadeus,” Samuel called out. His furry companion quickly appeared when summoned. Samuel bent down, petted, then hugged Amadeus. “You be a good boy and behave for your Uncle Rafael and your Uncle Roget.” He heard Amadeus whine. “I’ll be back soon, I promise.”
“We’ll have a great time while your daddy’s gone,” Rafael said.
“Oh yeah,” Roget said. “We’ll have some fine bitches over for you to sniff at, Amadeus, and we’ll play some high-end fetch.”
“What exactly is high-end fetch?” Veronique said.
“Who knows?” Roget said. “I just made it up. Don’t let Amadeus know.”
“Oh, brother,” Samuel said.
AN HOUR AND A half later Samuel, driving Veronique’s red Ferrari, pulled into a dirt road that led to Cesare’s house.
“How many acres does Cesare have here?” Samuel said. “It looks fairly secluded.
“It’s not really all that secluded,” Veronique said. “Cesare told me he got the idea for the dirt road from seeing your place.”
“I thought it seemed unusual for him,” Samuel said. “He usually has such luxurious taste. It’s more common for him to have a tiled or at least paved road. How many acres does he have here?” He repeated using a more assertive tone this time.
“Enough,” Veronique said. “One hundred and sixty. And it’s more than enough for what you’re thinking.”
“A hunt—this is Cesare’s new hunting ground. Why are we here?”
“You’ll find out very soon, be patient. Please.”
“I don’t care for these hunts,” Samuel said.
“Cesare only brings the baddest of the bad to his hunting grounds. Rapists, murderers, child molesters… the like. You know that.”
“Yes I do. And I’ve been invited to what—hone my skills?”
“Something like that,” Veronique said.
Veronique let her guard down for a split second and it gave Samuel enough time to read her emotional state.
“You’re genuinely worried… and not just a little. It’s not like you ever let down your guard, not even to me.”
“I’m tired and feel at least a small portion of my age today,” Veronique said.
“I could never hate you,” Samuel said. He could feel Veronique’s pain. “I’ll always love you.”
“And I you,” Veronique said. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you things myself, but I suppose I’m a bit of a coward.”
“You, never,” Samuel said. “Would it help if I say I forgive you in advance?”
“Not really.”
In front of them stood a plain, two-story home with a stucco exterior.
“Very unlike Cesare,” Veronique said.
“Unassuming,” Samuel said. “Nobody would have any reason to explore the home or this area. He parked in front and an attendant emerged from the residence and headed their way. Samuel looked at Veronique, then smiled and held her hand. “Let the games begin.”
Chapter 9
Surprise After Surprise
THE ATTENDANT DEALT with Veronique’s car, and another man came from the house to help with the luggage. After she exited the Ferrari, Veronique took Samuel’s arm and they walked in the front door.
“How unusual,” Veronique said. She peered up at the barrel ceiling in the entry hall. Both ceiling and floor were covered in brown tiles.
Samuel noticed the narrowness of the hall and thought the design clever. The interior space could be easily defended from intruders who’d have no way to turn but forward or back. The hall ended at a solid wall.
“There must be a hidden door,” Veronique said.
“Several hidden doors,” a woman’s voice said from a hidden speaker in the ceiling. “But I can assure you, the door to your left is perfectly safe.”
A hidden door opened on the left side of the hall. Veronique walked toward it and entered the dark doorway. She place her foot on the first step and a light illuminated the space. A staircase led to the second floor.
“Beautiful!” Samuel said, genuinely impressed by the view upon exiting the stairwell and entering the upstairs space.
“I’m impressed,” Veronique said, “and I don’t say that often.”
“Janelle handled everything regarding this house,” a man said as he stepped forward dressed in a white Polo shirt, jacket, and slacks. “Don’t I at least get a hug and kiss on the cheek from you two.”
“It hasn’t been that long since I’ve seen you, Cesare,” Veronique said. “This home on the other hand is new and remarkable. Let me take it all in a moment.”
“I need a second too,” Samuel said as he looked around the open space.
Instead of having a left side wall, the room opened onto a balcony with rustic, wooden columns. Furnishing were simple and kept to a minimum. Two oversized chairs and a large moon-shaped sofa anchored the space. Scattered tables held one or two special objets ‘d art as well as lamps. A long bar with a mirror
and shelves above it holding liquor bottles took up most of the right wall space. Samuel walked out to the balcony and looked over the garden below. Past the perfectly manicured formal garden he saw an area that looked almost like a jungle.
“I love how the floor tiles in here extend onto the balcony area,” Veronique said. “In fact this whole place is the definition of understated elegance.”
“Do you really think so?” a woman said in a soft voice.
Samuel turned and became awestruck by the person in front of him. The tall, slender, Japanese woman looked more like a goddess than a human… or former human. She wore a simple, sleeveless white dress that had a knotted design of the same fabric below her bust. The fabric skimmed her body as it draped softly to just above the floor. She’d pulled back her raven hair and arranged it into a twist at the nape of her neck. The style showed off her young-looking oval face and large brown eyes. A simple but expensive-looking diamond choker nicely finished off the look.
“She’s as beautiful as your new home is elegant,” Veronique said to Cesare.
“And as deadly as she I beautiful,” Cesare said. “Don’t let her soft demeanor fool you. She’s a master at warfare of all sorts.”
“Really?” Samuel said. “What is your background, Miss—?”
“Janelle is the name I currently go by. In ancient Japan I worked as a geisha. I learned how to sing, play several instruments, and dance. The dancing came in handy when I learned how to fight.”
‘Both things have to do with moving well,” Cesare said.
“That makes sense,” Samuel said.
“Please go on, Janelle,” Veronique said.
“The man who turned me into a vampire also taught me how to fight,” Janelle said. “Through the years I picked up several helpful styles and techniques.”
“She’s being way too humble,” Cesare said.
“I’m sure,” Veronique said. “Janelle why don’t you show me around. Cesare and Samuel need to spend some time together.”
Janelle looked at Cesare who spoke. “It’s fine, you two ladies take a tour. The time has come for Samuel and I to have a talk.”
“Is all about to be revealed?” Samuel said to Cesare once the ladies had gone from the room.”
“I don’t know about everything,” Cesare said. “But you, my son are about to be enlightened as to why you are here. The hall the ladies just disappeared into has two bedrooms. My office is this way.” He held his right arm out to the left and an empty wall. “Janelle is fond of hidden doors.” After turning to Samuel and smiling he placed his flat palm on a section of the wall and a door sprung open.
“Nice,” Samuel said.
“Come inside,” Cesare said.
“So said the spider to the fly,” Samuel said.
Cesare laughed heartily, put his arm around Samuel and ushered him into the room.
The room had a completely different feel from the airy environment they’d just left. Dark wood paneling covered the walls and the furnishings were equally dark-hued. In front of an imposing wood desk were a leather sofa and chair done in a rich burgundy leather. Absent were any windows, the only illumination came from the overhead light. Cesare showed Samuel to the sofa then sat behind his desk.
“Now this room feels like you, Cesare,” Samuel said.
“Janelle favors the new aesthetic where nature and abode become one,” Cesare said and smiled. “I like the idea of it to a certain extent. But my office needs to be secure.”
“Agreed. What has Veronique so upset she can’t tell me herself?”
“Don’t judge her too harshly, Samuel. She’s always had a soft spot when it comes to you.”
“Don’t most vampires have soft spots for those they create? They do pick them, after all.”
“You do have a point,” Cesare said, then decided the time had come to get down to the business at hand. “Veronique broke several rules recently.”
“Those being?” Samuel said.
“She came between a vampire and his prey while the vampire partook of said prey.”
“You mean she interrupted someone in the middle of a kill,” Samuel said, giving Cesare all of his attention. “That’s a big no-no, in our world. Unless Veronique had marked the victim as one of her own first.”
“That doesn’t really happen,” Cesare said. “It’s an old wive’s tale. We don’t mark or brand people. In any case, Veronique killed the vampire—a member of the cult of Gauthius.” He heard Samuel gasp.
“Why would Veronique have killed him… or her. And where? Veronique’s been in the states and the cult tends to stay in Europe.”
“The cult has expanded to the states now,” Cesare said. “Veronique had to kill him in order to save the victim—one of your descendants.” He sensed the news had shocked Samuel but he recovered quickly. Cesare couldn’t help but be impressed. “The intended victim is someone from your younger brother’s side. A drug addict.”
Samuel wanted to stand but kept his body and emotions in check. “That’s why she didn’t tell me herself. Because it involved my relations. One I’ve never met or even knew existed. For reasons you are fully aware of, Cesare, I do not keep up with my family.”
“You don’t, but Veronique does. It’s my understanding she took it upon herself to keep the drug addict’s children safe. Their mother is also an addict. When she was pregnant, Veronique managed to somehow suggest to the woman she stay off drugs at least until after giving birth. The mother’s name is Anna, I believe.”
“I met her and her friends,” Samuel said. “Why is Veronique so involved with my family?”
“That’s her story to tell not mine,” Cesare said. “But I’d better finish my tale. Veronique did something else she shouldn’t have attempted. She turned your relative—made him one of us.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“The man had already begun to cross over into the other realm,” Cesare said. “We never turn someone when they’ve progressed that far into a mortal death.”
“I don’t understand,” Samuel said. “Don’t we have to die in the mortal flesh in order to become vampires. Isn’t that a literal death?”
“No, not quite,” Cesare said. “It is right before the mortal death. The moment has to be perfect or there can be complications. Timing is everything. If the person has begun to cross over into the afterlife it’s generally too late.”
“Do you mean a vampire has to turn a person during their final breath and not one second before or after? Does it have to be that precise?”
“Yes it does,” Cesare said. “You understand things perfectly. Your relative William Colin Baker was turned a second too late. From what I understand, he’d seen the light and walked toward it.”
“I’m not sure I’d be happy being brought back from that,” Samuel said.
“You bring up a key point. Most people wouldn’t be happy being turned from Heaven. There’s something else I need to mention. Veronique shouldn’t have tried to turn someone on her own. She’s not strong enough.” He stood up, walked around the desk, and sat next to Samuel on the sofa.
“But she made me,” Samuel said. “Do I need to be worried? Is that why she checks me regularly?”
“You don’t need to be worried.” He sat closer to Samuel, so he could look him in the eye. “Veronique and I turned you together.”
“What? But I don’t remember you having been there.”
“No and you wouldn’t have. Veronique is your main maker. She chose you. But she needed my help. Not many of our kind can turn others by their own strength. It’s a good thing too or we’d overrun the planet.”
“So they have to turn to you then. The father of us all.”
“Not just me. There are also Germanicus, Kaelin, and others. Not to mention those who could be considered the mothers of our people. That would include Helena.”
“I’ve never met any of them except for you of course.”
“Your travels never seemed to bring you to an
y of our functions. You chose to live outside of our world.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Samuel said.
“No. But it does keep you in the dark. Most of us are travelers at heart. Necessity has made us so. It wouldn’t do for us to stay in one place too long. People would notice that we don’t age like they do. Some of us enjoy our travels—see them as adventures. You and I are very similar, Samuel. I wanted to see and explore the human world and all its wonders. Later I took on the duties of leading our kind when Germanicus retired.”
“Maybe your lust for travel got transferred to me along with your blood.”
“Maybe,” Cesare said, then smiled and put his arm around Samuel’s shoulders.
“I remember you being by my side and helping me when I turned Amadeus,” Samuel said and laughed. “God, has any vampire ever been sentimental enough to turn their pet?”
“More than you would think.”
“If you hadn’t been there with me and Amadeus could I have done it on my own?”
“Not successfully. Amadeus would’ve had to be put down because he’d have turned out dangerously flawed.”
“Wait a minute,” Samuel said, something having just become clear to him. “You said Veronique couldn’t turn someone on her own. William… William has to be put down, doesn’t he?”
Chapter 10
The Ugly Truth
“YES. VERONIQUE WASN’T thinking clearly. She desperately wanted to save the young man’s life,” Cesare said.
“What exactly is wrong with him?” Samuel said. “I know we’re all checked by our makers but for what exactly? Besides the rapid aging thing.”
“Melancholia can be a very real problem in a vampire who is weak. There is a restlessness that grows within them until they are moved to desperate actions. They can pose a danger to not only themselves but also others of our kind. Not only can there be rapid aging as you said, but also selective decay. Maybe only half of the face ages while half stays the same. One limb withers while another is strong.”
“And the only treatment is death?”
“That’s the only humane treatment. If you have any doubts then visit one of Gauthius’s enclaves. Some of their weak and infirmed are kept alive.”
