BOOK THREE in THE GUARDIAN'S SERIES
Book One: A Guardian's Touch, Book Two: A Guardian's Love
TEASER
Converted four hundred years ago, Trinity O'Riordian went through the mechanics of life, carrying an extremely painful past with her. Then one night, while hunting renegades, she saved a beautiful girl from a band of vicious renegades and suddenly life didn't look so bleak any more. She wasn't alone any longer and for a while she was blissfully happy. But her past eventually caught up with her and this time Trinity knew she only had this one chance to finally lay it to rest.
Orphaned twice, Gabriella Talos, had made the best of a bad situation. She'd risen above all odds to become a well-known and respected expert in her field. She had it made…or so she thought. One night in a dark alley, she was once again confronted by a past she'd thought she'd successfully buried almost eighteen years ago.
Special thanks to Allison for reviewing the first two chapters of this story.
Disclaimer
The characters in the story are a product of my own imagination and hopefully have no resemblance to any living persons or vampires for that matter. But if it does it is entirely coincidental. Some of the places mentioned are either fictitious and or adapted to suit the plot of the story.
Sex: This story contains sexual content of a graphic nature between consenting adult women, thus if you are not 18 years old and not allowed to read content of this nature, please move on to other suitable stories.
Violence: Scenes of violence can be expected.
Feedback: Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, so feel free to drop a line or two at steinwillard80@gmail.com .
PART ONE
Chapter 1
Tears were blurring her vision, but her eyes were riveted on the scene in front of her.
When she'd decided to come home early from her trip she had expected something – anything - but not this. Never this. The conference ended earlier than she'd thought and as luck would have it she was able to catch an earlier flight
Only to be confronted by this.
All of sudden, it was too much for her and she was about to close the door and slink away, then her Latin temper flared.
This was her apartment, and she refused to run away like a coward. With a hand that shook slightly she pushed the door open further, startling the couple on the bed. The blonde's face, which just moment ago was still contorted in the throes of passion, was now frozen in shock. But she wasn't of any interest to her. Her anger was directed at the dark haired woman whose muscled arms were still around the blonde.
“I'm sorry for interrupting,” she said in a calm voice. “I was just about to start on supper, and wanted to confirm if your guest will be staying for supper.”
The couple stared at her in mute shock, before scrambling for the sheet to cover their nakedness and she continued wryly.
“I take it that's a yes. Please wash your hands before you come down to eat.” She then pulled the door close and walked down the hallway to the stairs.
No, nothing could have prepared her for what she'd just witnessed. The loud moaning still rang in her ears, but it was the image of her girlfriend, using their favorite toy on the blonde, that would stain her memory forever. Attentive, loving Jessica. Who would've thought?
She opened the fridge and scanned its contents. She wasn't hungry, but reached inside the fridge and took out the ingredients for egg white omelets. She had to keep busy, otherwise… Otherwise what? She was hurting too much to think of a way to deal with this now.
After six years of absolute bliss, she had the impression they were doing well, that their love was secure. And then this. She left for Los Angeles on Wednesday, the female reproductive health conference was not to be missed, and since she was a guest speaker, not going was not an option. On Tuesday when she'd come from the office, Jessica had taken her out for a movie and dinner, with a bed in front of the huge fireplace, for the rest of the night was spent in torrid passion. That's one thing Jess was good at. All-night sex was her specialty, she though absently. She was still a bit sore and groggy when Jessica drove her to the airport the next morning. But she was happy. So very happy.
Angry with herself for her naiveté, she slammed the fridge door shut and stiffened when she saw Jessica's reflection in the mirrored doors. Her short black hair was still a bit ruffled, just the way she liked it after they'd had sex, but now she hated the look – for obvious reasons. The grey eyes were sad as they stared back at her, but it only strengthened her resolve not to allow Jessica to talk her way out of this situation. Turning around she placed the eggs on the counter.
“I thought omelets would be quicker to prepare. I take it you and what's-her-name must be famished after…” She swallowed her words quickly. She was never one to act out emotionally, Jessica told her once that her cool outer façade was at most times a turn-on, and just as well a turn-off. Only when they were in bed, that was when she lost control, allowing her fiery Latin spirit to surface. Jessica loved seeing her like that.
This moment however, she was committed to keeping her cool, staying clearheaded. In all of her thirty-two years she can't even remember ever losing her cool, sure, she got irritated and frustrated, but always managed to keep her temper in check. Today, was a close shave and Jessica was very lucky. As calm and collected as she looked outside, inside she was boiling, wanting desperately to throw something – heavy things – at Jessica's head.
“I'm sorry, Gaby.” Jessica's usually husky voice sounded broken. “I never meant to hurt you.” Jessica came closer, but the slight hardening of the amber eyes, made her stop. “It was just sex.”
Gabriella reached above her head and pulled a pan from its hook. She noted with grim satisfaction how Jessica eyed the pan before taking a small step backwards.
“I'm sex therapist, Jessica, and I could see that the two of you were having sex. My problem however is that you were having sex with someone who isn't your partner.” She cracked an egg and threw it, shells and all, into the mixing bowl. It felt so good to break something, other than Jessica's head. She went on cracking six more eggs, while the silence stretched between them.
“Was this the first time, Jessica?” She sounded calm, but the amber eyes were spitting fire.
“What do you mean?”
“Was…this…the…first…time…you've…cheated…on…me? Is that clear enough?”
She saw the hesitation in Jessica's eyes and nodded, her heart weighed down by the pain in her chest.
“On second thought, I'd rather you and your floozy have dinner somewhere else.” She pushed the mixing bowl away. “I am going to take a shower, by the time I am done; I want you out of my apartment. You can leave the key on your way out.”
She turned and walked out of the kitchen, up the stairs and into the bedroom. The bed was still unmade and the smell of sex hung heavy in the room. Like a zombie, she pulled the sheets off the bed and threw them in the corner. She will throw them in the trash after her shower. She stripped off her black pantsuit and threw it on the floor as opposed to her habit of hanging and folding her clothes carefully.
Naked, she reached for a towel and stopped in act as she caught sight of her frame. She often told her patients that they should embrace their bodies, no matter the shape; what was important for them to remember, was how they shared themselves with their partner. She was comfortable with her body even though it was on the curvaceous side. She remembered when she was fourteen her breasts already started to fill out, making her quite popular with the boys in the neighborhood and at school. College was a joy for her and despite her being labeled a geek; the boys were still drawn to her because of her unmistakable dark sultry look. But still it wasn't enough for her to keep her girlfriend from cheating. No matter how many times she gave in to Jessica's sexual demands and fantasies. She stepped under the lukewarm jets of water, leaning her head against the cool tiles.
The bathroom door opened alerting her to Jessica's presence. Earlier she would've been happy to have her lover join her in the shower. Now she just felt numb. She'd met Jessica, a fashion photographer, six years ago at a fashion show that a friend dragged her to. While Valery, a publicist, was busy networking, she'd walked over to the bar to get a drink. As she'd waited for her turn to be served, she'd watched the tall dark woman ordering a light beer. Reading the stranger's body language, she immediately identified the woman as highly sexual. The aura around the woman was crackling with sexual confidence. It was evident in the way she held herself and making bold eye contact as she subtly flirted with the cute female bartender. Taking a swig from her beer, but keeping her brooding grey gaze on the flustered girl, Gabriella could tell the brunette was a master at foreplay.
She'd felt a twitch between her legs all the while she was studying the woman.
The bartender had noticed her standing there and quickly came over to take her order. While her drink was being mixed, she could feel the dark woman's gaze on her. Refusing to acknowledge her scrutiny she'd continued to wait for her drink. Her drink was placed before her and after a muttered ‘thank you'; she'd picked it up and turned to leave. But she was stopped by a deep husky voice and had known instinctively whom it belonged to.
“Dr. Talos, I would hate to let you go without telling you how much I admired your work. Marion Shaw's rating skyrocketed after she had you on her Woman's World show last month.”
Despite the woman's obvious confidence, she'd half expected a flimsy pick-up line; such as the usual ‘You look familiar. Haven't we met before' lines, but she'd never expected the woman to be so unassuming in her approach. Impressed, she turned to face the woman and was stunned by the dark grey eyes which stared back at her. There'd been no leering, not even a sign of romantic interest. Just obvious recognition. She had stuck out a hand. “Jessica Milroy.”
Gabriella had returned the gesture and mumbled a modest ‘thank you' for the earlier compliment.
They were still chatting when Valery joined them and Gabriella was surprised to notice that Val was actually flirting with Jessica. She had known Val almost all her life and never once had she suspected that her friend might've been bisexual. Had she known she would've come out to her a long time ago. Two failed relationships had made her realize a long time ago that she was attracted to women, but had never acted on it. Not for a lack of female admirers, but because she'd been waiting for the right one. Unknown to her she had struck gold that night.
“I know you are very upset right now, but I don't think it's such a good idea for us to part ways without clearing the air.” Jessica said from the other side of the frosted glass cubicle, breaking into to her reverie.
“Let's face it, Jessica; we have nothing more to say to each other. I came home and found you screwing another woman in our bed. Not to mention, you admitted to cheating on me, before this. I don't know what more do you want to talk to me about?”
She'd expected Jessica to deny the accusation, but she didn't. Jessica had never been predictable.
That was one of her best traits. She was a stimulating companion – in so many aspects.
“I want to… need to… ask for your forgiveness and another chance to prove to you that I really regret what happened.”
“Why should I consider giving you another chance. You are obviously bored with me and wanted something different - hence the affairs.”
Jessica pushed the glass sliding door open and stepped into the shower, still fully clothed. She was soaked almost immediately her black hair plastered to her forehead and her tight white t-shirt clinging to her braless breasts. Gabriella was momentarily distracted. Jessica was gorgeous and after six years together, she was very much attracted to her. She felt the first stirring of desire in the pit of her stomach and it was only when Jessica spoke again, that she realized she was in fact staring at her breasts.
“Let me hold you tonight, then we talk tomorrow after you have had a chance to calm down. Six years is too long a commitment to just sever it like this.” The grey eyes were troubled. “Please.”
They would have sex. Many times over to the past six years when they'd had an argument, they would fall into bed and have sex over and over again until they were both too sore to move. If she allowed Jessica to stay, that's what was going to happen.
After the shock she'd got when she'd entered their bedroom earlier and the numb feeling in her heart, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to resist Jessica's appeal. She didn't want to be alone tonight, but she couldn't risk allowing Jessica to stay. She turned away from Jessica, lifting her face into the downward rush of water. She needed to put space between them, if she was going to make such an important decision. Before tonight, their arguments were silly misunderstandings, about either of them claiming negligence by the other or the shopping not having been done by the person assigned to do it.
This however was different. Jessica had cheated on her before and tonight she caught her red-handed. She felt the light touch on her back and turned sharply. Any other night, that soft question touch would have been endearing and sexy, but tonight all she could think about was those same hands holding the blonde in position while she'd screwed her. Those hands touching other faceless woman, touching them there…
She looked up into the grey eyes. Her decision was made.
“No. I want you out of here in the next ten minutes.” She squeezed passed Jessica and left the shower cubicle.
She was dressed in her pajamas, sipping on a mug of hot chocolate, when Jessica came down the stairs, a duffel bag swung over her shoulder. They just stared at each other for a few seconds before Gabriella looked away.
“I will come back later for the rest of my stuff.”
“I will ask Anita to pack them for you and have them ready by tomorrow.”
When Jessica still didn't move, she looked up to find the grey eyes swimming with tears. “I never meant to hurt you, please believe me. I just don't know how I could've screwed up like this. You're the only woman I've ever loved.”
When she didn't respond, Jessica turned and after a few seconds she heard the door closing softly. Alone at last, she broke down. Deep, shuddering sobs shook her body as she succumbed to the sadness inside. She can't remember when last she cried like this. It was such a long time ago. Eighteen years in fact when her best friend's body was found in an alley. After Luisa's murder, she had cried and cried for days, until she finally managed to get through a day without crying. She hadn't felt like that again until now. Jessica's betrayal had hurt her deeply.
After the tears had subsided, she flicked on the TV set and tried to focus on the screen. The news was on, showing visuals of the city morgue. Death. She was so sick of death.
“ The discovery of two more bodies in Central Park has the city's police force baffled. Last week another body of a young teenage girl was found with no traces of blood in her body. NYPD Detective Mike Orson confirmed that the latest grisly murderous corresponds with that of the suspect, dubbed the Leech. The police urge anyone with any information about the deaths to contact Detective Orson at …”
With a shaky hand Gabriella reached for the remote and switched off the TV set and came to her feet. She had been so busy of late with her ever growing clientele and her relationship that she had completely forgotten about that part of her life. She picked up her half-empty mug and carried it into the kitchen.
Rinsing the mug, her thoughts went back to the news report. Vampires . Just the thought of them made goose bumps appear on her arms and back. They exist, but only few people were aware of them operating on the fringes of daily life. The moment the news of how Luisa was killed reached her, she knew that a vampire had killed her. She was only fifteen and having had her life taken away so brutally. That was also the last time, she'd seen her . Even though she'd had sporadic thoughts and memories of her over the years.
Trinity had known how close she was to Luisa and had come to her that night when Luisa's body was discovered to comfort her. But she was inconsolable.
She had sent Trinity away, asking her never to make contact with her. She'd craved a normal life after her parents and brother were killed by vampires when she was only seven years old and for eight blissful years she had lived a relatively happy life. Trinity made sure that she'd never wanted for anything. She'd felt happy and protected. But then Luisa, her tough-talking, fearless friend was killed on her way home after a short visit with her to exchange comic books. Her adopted parents had tried to break the news gently when she came home from school, but when Luisa didn't show up for school; she'd known something was wrong.
She had vented her fear and frustration on Trinity that night, saying the most awful things to her. She hadn't seen or heard from Trinity since. For months afterwards she had found herself waiting for that soft ripple in the air which would signal Trinity's presence. But it never came.
After finishing high school, she'd traveled Europe for a year to make up her mind on what she'd wanted to study. She'd come back, opened a catalogue of a college, a reputable one, thanks to the college fund Trinity had contributed to, closed her eyes and blindly made a career choice. Her parents were stunned at her choice, but allowed her the freedom to pursue what her heart desired.
Her heart constrict at the though of her parents. They were wonderful and had loved her like she was their own until that day four years ago, when a drunk driver crashed into the back of their car while they waited at a traffic light. She was devastated by their deaths and till this day she had not gotten over her loss, not completely.
She took the stairs to her bedroom and couldn't help but notice that the apartment felt big and empty without Jessica. Maybe she'd been too quick to tell her to leave. And then maybe it was the right thing to do. Maybe if she could get through this night she would be okay. Repeating the thought over and over in her head, she quickly made up the bed, using fresh linen and slipped in. All she needed to do no was sleep and wake up tomorrow morning, refreshed and ready to consider the next step in her life. Without Jessica.
Chapter 2
The pain was so intense that she quickly came to her feet.
Gabriella!
Just as she was about to dash for the door, a gentle hand held her back.
“Do you think it wise to go to her now?”
Trinity's green eyes narrowed slightly.
“She's hurting and needs someone to be with her.”
Another set of green eyes studied her somberly. “She is seeing someone now, Trinity, and she's happy. After eighteen years, your sudden appearance might only raise more questions and in the end cause trouble for her. I don't think you want that, my child.”
Trinity slowly took her seat again. Genevieve was right. Gabriella seemed to have moved on with her life – without her. She had kept Gabriella a secret from everybody, except Genevieve. The woman was like her mother and she would've felt betrayed if she hadn't told her. She looked around her and couldn't help feeling like the outsider on so many levels. She was still very uneasy around the master vampires. They were in no way threatening towards her anymore, but they still kept their distance from her. After the showdown with Mercredi, she was accepted into the Clan. Although she had gone undercover and infiltrated Mercredi's guards as requested by Pierre , she'd felt her acceptance was only because Genevieve and Pierre claimed her as their daughter.
Maybe she was only paranoid. Maybe they did accept her, but over the past eighteen years, she'd mostly kept to herself. The only other person she interacted with, excluding Pierre and Genevieve, was Inger. She wouldn't say they were close, but they had lot in common and they would often go out to the movies together or go out to do evening shopping. And only when Paloma didn't hog her lover's time, spending hours on end in bed with her.
Long before the police and news agencies got wind of the murders, they had already been aware of the presence of another renegade master in the city and tonight they were going to meet with the Consortium members, and attempt to try and identify the killer. The sun went down an hour ago and while they were waiting for the Consortium members, everyone was paired up.
Playing a game of chess nearby were Tahlia and Jemima. After more than fifty years together, they were still very much in love and it was obvious in the gentle smiles they threw each others way and the subtle touching of hands. The Vampire Queen still made her nervous, but when in the presence of Jemima, the Royal was a totally different person. Her gaze lingered on them and she only looked away when a pair of black eyes rose to meet her gaze.
Paloma was leaning over the plush sofa, reading over Inger's shoulder. At the age of thirty eight, Inger had grown into an even more beautiful woman. What also added to her appeal was the fact that she was a tough-as-nails divorce attorney and reputed to be one of the most powerful women in the field of justice. When it comes to her work she was almost ruthless in ensuring that her client came out victorious, but she had been known to turn down high profile cases that she felt might put too much of her private life in the spotlight. She had never made a secret about her sexuality – it was well-known that she is gay, but she still guarded her private life jealously. Paloma on the other hand doted on her lover, hand and foot. They were a striking couple; both were tall and beautiful and they still continue to slip into the garden at Marsden Mansion more times than she cared to remember.
Since their reunion Pierre and Genevieve weren't seen out and about that often. But when they were in public together, they always sat together, chatting softly with their heads bowed closely or simply sitting in silence looking deep into each others eyes.
Jonas had his Joan, who after eighteen years looked more like his grandmother than his lover, but they too were still very much in love.
She was the only one who had nobody. Alone. Cast away. She thought back to that day, eighteen years ago.
<She was out hunting a group of young renegades, fledglings who had recently been turned. Those were the most brutal of all, led by their uncontrollable bloodlust. She had followed them into Brooklyn , to a popular nightclub. She knew their moves before they even made them.
This was one of the most exciting parts of the hunting experience. Renegades are so predictable. They will enter the nightclub, using their mental persuasive powers, girls will flock around them, giving the fledgling's ample time to choose their victims and lure them out and away from the nightclub. Then the mass killing will begin. They will repeat this action two or three more times during the night until it wasn't their bloodlust dictating to them any more, but the thrill of the kill. She'd waited for them outside when she'd suddenly felt a strong somewhat familiar presence nearby. But before she could investigate, the six renegades exited the nightclub. Each had two girls on their arm; twelve lives were at stake here. She would investigate that presence later. She had followed them to a deserted warehouse and had destroyed them all.
Afterwards, she'd rushed over to the location she'd felt the strong presence coming from earlier and felt her heart constrict at the sight of the lifeless body of the girl. She knew her from the pictures she'd seen in Gabriella's room and on her computer. Luisa was Gaby's best friend. She carefully scanned the area for clues, but found none, except for the lingering evil that hung in the air. The sound of a siren nearby made her quickly duck into the shadows and with a heavy heart she leaned against the cold rough wall of a nearby shop. How was she going to break the news to Gaby? There were still a few hours before dawn and she contemplated going to see her. But three hours might not be enough to console Gabriella.
The next evening she found out that no amount of time would ever be enough to console Gaby. She found her lying on her bed, deep sobs shaking her slight frame. Trinity laid beside her and pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her. They stayed like that for half an hour before Gabriella had pushed out of the embrace.
“It was a vampire, wasn't it?” Her strange amber gaze held so much hatred that it stunned her into silence for a while.
“Yes. I tried to look for clues but he was very clever. I found nothing.”
The amber gaze still held hers, the hatred still present.
“You are a vampire too. You are one of them.”
She'd felt a sense of unease at the tone of Gabriella's voice and sat up slowly.
“What are you saying, Gaby?”
This time the amber gaze broke contact and she turned her back on Trinity.
“I hate vampires… all vampires.”
Trinity had placed her hand on Gaby's shoulder only to have her shrug it off. There was something happening here that she wasn't sure she liked.
“Not all vampires are bad, my angel. One day you will meet my mother and my clan. They are good people.”
“I will hate them, because they are all vampires. You are all responsible for Luisa's death. If vampires hadn't existed Luisa would still be alive.”
Trinity had slowly turned her over so she could see Gaby's face. The amber eyes were hard.
“How can you say that? If all vampires are bad then where does that leave me?”
Gabriella's eyes had hardened further.
“You are a vampire too, aren't you?” Gabriella had whispered and this time her eyes clashed with her dark green ones. “I want you to go and never come near me again.”
The pain was so intense, but still she tried.
“Please, don't do this, baby. I understand your anger, but do not send me away like this? I will leave for now so you can have time to mourn and then I will come tomorrow evening to check up on you.”
The ink-black locks swung around her beautiful face as she shook her head.
“No. I don't want to see you again.” She swung her feet off the bed and walked over to the window. Her back was stiff with determination. “If you really love me, you will do as I ask and leave. Don't come back either.”
Slowly she had gotten up from the bed and walked over to where Gaby was standing. She had placed her arms around her from behind and held her tight for a few agonizing seconds and gently kissed her crown. “I love you.” And then she'd left, never to return again.
Over the years she had watched her from afar. She had watched her, as she grew from strength to strength. Dr Gabriella Talos, celebrity sex expert. Trinity was heartbroken when she hooked up with her girlfriend. It was supposed to be her that Gabriella came home to instead of the photographer. Still she watched over her. Saw her with her lover. They were happy, although she knew that the other woman wasn't always faithful. But as long as she was making Gabriella happy, Trinity was willing to turn a blind eye to the woman's little affairs.
The boardroom door opened and snapped her back to reality. Michael and Joan stepped in. Joan immediately went to Jonas' side and he tenderly lifted her face for a kiss.
“We apologize for being late. The research took longer than we thought. Our Euro-branch supplied us with valuable information. They have confirmed what the captured Servant's of Redemption fellow gave us.” Michael reached over the shiny table and pushed a stack of ledgers into the centre of the table. Each of them took one.
Opening her file, Trinity gasped, making everyone look at her. The picture was very old, but she would recognize that face anywhere. It still haunted her dreams.
“Trinity?” It was Tahlia.
She kept staring at the grainy black and white picture, her green eyes were hard.
“I know him.”
Michael nodded and flipped through his ledger. “His name is Lord Tristan Vermont , the fourth Marquise of Cleaver, born to Lord Giles Vermont and Lady Bertha Vermont on 23 March 1580 in London . He was very well educated, in the hope that upon the death of his father, he would inherit his father's title as well as his seat in the House of Lords.” Michael reached for a glass of water. “Young Vermont had other plans though. He craved power, absolute power and having to rely on his father's money, infuriated the young lord. His life consisted of hopping from the bed of one beautiful woman to another, sipping expensive brandy and gambling his monthly stipend away. Disillusioned by his son's lack of ambitions, The Marquis sent his son to his friend and confidant,” he looked up and grimaced. “ Columbus Mercredi. Columbus had a son of roughly the same age and it seemed that Vermont 's hoped the young Italian nobleman would inspire his son to take an active interest in his life and hopefully change for the better.”
Not a young man anymore, Michael pulled out a chair and gestured for Joan to take over.
“Young Vermont stayed in Italy for five years, writing his father regularly never talked of the type of business he and Jonah Mercredi were engaged in. The Marquis became worried when his son stopped asking for money after two years and decided to visit him in Naples . To his shock he found that his long time friend and his son were heading a vampire slayers faction. Killing vampires was a lucrative business, leaving them to claim the wealth of their victims afterwards. Mercredi got richer with every kill and so did Vermont . The Marquis ordered his son to return with him to England or else he will be disowned. Although he had more money than he could spend in one lifetime, Vermont returned with his father, it seemed there was just one more thing he needed. His father's title. Being disowned would mean that the title would revert to the crown.
While back in England , he still kept in close contact with Mercredi and his son. When Drake heard about the Servants of Redemption, he approached them and offered them immortality, in exchange for their servitude and loyalty. Mercredi liked the idea of living forever and he and his son asked to be the first and only ones to be converted. But Drake ordered them to recruit two more members and to form a council of some sorts. Jonah Mercredi left for England and brought back Vermont . He too was converted, but he himself nominated the fourth Council member.” Joan ruffled through her ledger. “Lady Mary Huntington, the Countess of Glensdown and a one-time lover of his. She is renowned for her cruelty. To this date not many people know her first names. She's simply known as Bloody Mary, Queen of the Damned .”
Joan looked up and reached for her glass of water. After a long sip, she continued.
“The hierarchy has changed significantly over the past four decades. With Drake, Mercredi and Jonah gone, Vermont is next in line to head the Council. Throughout the centuries, he had been relatively quiet, moving behind the scenes. After his induction into the Renegade Council, he returned to England . Soon afterwards the Marquis and his whole family were found dead, murdered. The Marquis' throat was slit from ear to ear, but authorities were baffled by the lack of blood considering the severity of the wound. More bodies started piling up. It's believed that the bloodlust and the murder of his own family pushed him over the edge, removing all traces of humanity. His terror spread spanned for more than a century before he'd settled down. Since then he had crisscrossed the planet, never staying long in one place. Our sources believe that he is searching for someone. If there is another renegade leader in town, Vermont will be the most likely guess. Mary hasn't been spotted in a very long while, nor is there any reference made to her since the mid-1800. Rumor has it though that she's somewhere in Germany .”
There was a long silence after the presentation with everyone absorbing the information.
“This person he is looking for, do we know anything about this person? Maybe if we could find them first we could lure him to us.” Inger was chewing her lower lip thoughtfully. Despite her thriving law career, she still liked sitting in on meetings. On rare occasions she still goes out hunting with Paloma.
Joan shook her head. “ Vermont is very private. Nobody knows who the person is? Our only other hope would be to trace his movements over the past three hundred years. We can feed it into our network and get the names of all the vampires who had moved through the same route to get here. It seems an impossible task, but who knows, we might get lucky.”
Pierre rubbed his chin slowly.
“And if we don't find this person, then what?”
“Then I guess we'll have to go out there and look for him. The three bodies which turned up recently and all the others over the past eighteen years were all in the same age group. We will have to monitor all the places where these kids like to hangout, day and night. He will surely strike again.”
Trinity cleared her throat softly, drawing all the attention to her.
“There is no need for that.” Her green eyes held a bleak expression.
“Why do you say that?” Paloma asked as her as eyes narrowed.
“It's me he's looking for.”
The silence in the boardroom was deafening. Everyone was staring at her. Some with suspicion; others with shrewd curiosity.
“You will have to explain.” Tahlia said after a while as she leaned back in her chair.