Vivienne was in and out of consciousness, having exhausted all conversation with Seraphina. In her dreams she still saw the vampire and Endymion. She saw his blood splattered face, crashing the vampire's skull into the Earth with reckless abandon. Every time she closed her eyes to sleep again, more nightmares followed. She dreamt of angels and demons, of bloodshed and death. Her dreams had always been vivid and imaginative but they were especially so now that she was on pain killers and after the traumatic experience she had just been through.
Somewhere through her dream she heard a familiar ping from her cell phone which brought her out of her sleep. Vivienne groaned as she stirred, eyes fluttering open. Seraphina was still there, leaned back in her chair and reading a book. Vivienne reached over to her side table and grabbed her phone. She had a long string of text messages from Claire. Vivienne squinted, eyes still tired from sleeping. "VIV!!! Vivienne?! Are you okay? OMG please respond." Vivienne quickly texted back that she was fine. "Oh thank GOD! What happened? Also just warning you Lionel is on his way right now." "How did you even find out something happened?" "Word travels, babe. Fill me in later, he should be there soon. I'm glad you're okay."
As soon as she received the last message, she heard the doorbell ring. What was it with people showing up right on time today? Vivienne let out an irritated sigh and Seraphina looked up quizzically from her book. "Is everything alright?" She asked, curious. "No." Vivienne answered honestly. If there was anybody she wanted to see the least at the moment it was Lionel. She made a mental note that as soon as he left she would have a word with Oliver about the staff. Clearly someone was a gossip or informant for Lionel. Either way, she didn't want them working in her home. Seraphina looked at her with questioning eyes when the door opened. Lionel strode in quickly. "Miss Westing, good evening."
Vivienne didn't respond and only stared at him blankly. Seraphina had put her book down now and looked up at Lionel with curiosity. "I came as soon as I heard... I apologize for disrupting your rest but I'm sure you understand I have a few questions." "And what questions would those be?" Endymion's dark, commanding voice entered the room. He stepped out of a shadow from the corner of her room, hands slipped gently into his pockets of his trousers as he stared at Lionel with annoyance. Lionel's eyes widened, "King Endymion? What are you doing here?"
"I think that's a better question for me to ask you, wouldn't you say, Lionel?" Silence filled the space between the two men. Vivienne and Seraphina watched the tense exchange. Yet another dynamic she was unaware of. Just how many people did Endymion know? He had to be old, she thought, because he seemed to know everyone. Lionel's eyes narrowed at Endymion, clearly annoyed at the interruption. "Vivienne is a member of the Circle. As such, when I heard that she had been attacked by a vampire, it was my responsibility to come and check on her and figure out what happened." A devilish smirk fell upon Endymion's face. He had no time or interest in Lionel's games.
"It was nothing more than someone who was interested in something that I possess. It's been handled." "Handled how? What exactly was a vampire doing attacking a member of the Circle?" Endymion scoffed with a grin. "You needn't worry about how I handle my affairs." "I think I do when it comes to one of our members." "Come, Lionel, you know that doesn't even mean anything." "She did the ritual, Endymion, it means everything." Endymion took two steps forward, eyes cast downward on Lionel. Lionel looked small compared to him. Endymion was easily a foot taller than even Lionel was and was of a more muscular build.
"The future Queen will not be bound by some false, incomplete ritual." Endymion's voice was filled with hatred for this man. Lionel's eyes widened and he looked to Vivienne and back to Endymion. "What are you talking about?" He asked, genuinely shocked. Seraphina had a cat like grin on her face again and Vivienne was stuck in shock from the entire conversation. "You will not set foot in this home again, nor will you contact Vivienne for any reason. Do you understand, Lionel? This is no longer any of your concern." The anger was radiating from Lionel who had clenched his fists at his sides now. He swallowed and regained his composure. He took one last look at Vivienne, clearing his throat, and turned to leave without another word.