Lord Devon Edmonton stepped out of his carriage to the governor's mansion.
The governor of Pitsbellow was the victim this time. Servants were lined up outside the large mansion.
They were being questioned by two councilmen.
"Looks like Lord Valeria's men beat us to it." Ward Brunswick, Lord Devon's chief counsel said.
"This isn't a competition, Ward." Lord Devon said looking around.
They headed towards the mansion but were stopped by two guards.
"This is a crime scene, sir, no one is…"
"How dare you, do you not know who stands before you?" Ward snapped.
"That isn't necessary, Ward. These men are simply doing their jobs." Lord Devon said.
"Lord Devon." Lord Devon turned to find three men approaching them.
"For a moment I doubted you would show." Nicholas Thornton descended the stairs with two other councilmen.
"Pitsbellow is partly my territory. I am concerned with the well-being of my subjects, whether dead or alive." Lord Devon said.
The two guards glanced at each other astounded.
"Apologies, Lord Edmonton, we mistook…"
"No apologies lads, you were only doing your jobs." He said.
"Pardon their behaveor, my Lord but strict measures have been put in place due to our current crisis." Darren Jenkins, Nicholas's right-hand man apologized.
"I understand, Master Jenkins. It's a pleasure to see again, Nicholas. Even though, it's under unfortunate circumstances." Lord Devon tapped his shoulders.
"The pleasures all mine, Lord Edmonton." Nicholas shook his hand with a smile.
"It's good to see you as well Counsel Ward." Nicholas said.
Ward nodded with a displeased look.
"Shall we go see the crime scene now, since it was the reason we came all the way." Counsel Ward said.
"Patience, Ward. Nicholas is the man in charge. He definitely knows what he's doing." Lord Devon said.
Counsel Ward looked at Nicholas displeased.
For a very long time, Lord Devon has had a close relationship with Thorntons. The witches and the wolves weren't the best of friends. Because the wolves served under the vampires, there was an automatic enmity between them.
But this wasn't so with the Edmontons and the Thorntons. Particularly between Lord Devon and Nicholas Thornton.
"If it's not a bother, my Lord, we have to wait for the arrival of Lord Valerian." Nicholas said.
Lord Devon nodded.
"Father." A voice called from behind.
Both Lord Devon and Nicholas turned to find Blaise. Lord Valerian stood next to her with a cold expression.
"Vivian." Lord Devon approached his daughter.
"Father." Blaise headed towards him.
They both embraced each other.
For someone she barely knew, she was strangely pleased to see him.
"Vivian, how have you been? What are you doing here?" Lord Devon asked.
"Firstly, I've been fine. Secondly, I am accompanying the Lord." Blaise replied with a smile.
"Is that so?" Lord Devon turned to Lord Valerian.
"Lord Valerian." Lord Devon extended a hand.
"Lord Edmonton." Keith shook his hand.
"Shall we." Keith gestured.
"Lord Thornton." Keith said with a nod.
"Lord Valerian." Nicholas responded.
As they shook hands, Blaise sensed a slight hostility between them.
"This way, my Lords." Darren said.
They all headed up the stairs and into the large mansion.
Blaise walked behind her father and Keith. Apart from looking around the mansion, she listened in to their conversation. They spoke mostly about recent political issues.
"It's such a rare sight to see a lady lingering around a man's business." Counsel Ward said at her side
.
Blaise glanced at him.
He cleared his throat.
"I mean, respectively, my Lady." He said with a bow.
Blaise had no idea who he was. She noticed how he lingered around her father early on.
"It's a man's business, yet I'm here. Aren't I?" Blaise asked.
Counsel Ward forced a smile.
"You are, my lady. Nonetheless, one presumes, a queen wouldn't linger in places…"
"As you said, Council Ward. She's a queen. And a queen can linger anywhere she wants. Can't she?" Nicholas came to Blaise's aid.
"Of course she can." Council Ward said with a frown.
"You have your answer then." Nicholas replied.
"I do. If you would excuse me." Counsel Ward said with a bow.
Blaise watched as he walked past them to Lord Devon's side.
"I could have handled him myself." Blaise turned to Nicholas.
"You are welcome then, my lady." Nicholas smiled.
Blaise smiled back.
"Does it seem like an inappropriate place, to ask how you have been?" Nicholas asked.
"Yes, but I've been doing well. Thank you. What about you?" Blaise asked.
"Good I suppose." He said with a smile.
This was followed by an awkward silence.
"I was…" They both spoke at the same time.
They smiled in turn.
"Please go ahead." Nicholas said.
"No, you first." Blaise said.
For an instant, they both stood staring into each other's eyes.
"I…I only wanted to say…you…"
"Lord Thornton." Counsel Ward called him.
Both Blaise and Nicholas turned to find the others staring at them.
"Excuse me." Nicholas walked past her to join them.
Blaise stood rooted at the spot.
Her heart pounded loudly in her chest.
What just happened? She thought.
"It's nothing, Vivian." She shrugged it off.
Blaise immediately headed for the governor's chamber. She walked to a stop at the entrance. Before her was a gruesome scene.
There was blood splattered every where.
There was a large bed in the middle of the room. In it laid the governor and two other women.
Blaise walked towards the bed to have a closer glimpse.
There was a dagger in the governor's hand. He was face flat on the pillow with his blood all over the white sheets.
"The cause of death still is a mystery." Nicholas explained.
"Any logical theory at the moment?" Lord Devon asked.
Keith stood at a window staring outside.
"At this point, our working theory, is poisoning. But we can't continue the investigation due to lack of evidence." Darren Jenkins said.
"The gruesome nature of these murders can't be because of poisoning." Counsel Ward said.
Blaise stared at the body of the blonde woman on the right side of the bed. Her eyes were widely open from shock. There was dried blood on her mouth and a wine glass in hand.
Blaise looked over at the governor's body. She reached out to touch his neck.
"Pardon me, Lady Valerian. This is a crime scene you are not allowed to touch anything." Darren said.
The men turned to stare at her.
"Oh I was just…"
"Please step away it's…"
"Allow her." Keith said abruptly.
Blaise glanced at him.
"Tell us what you see." He told her.
Blaise nodded.
She turned back to the body to examine it. With her gloved hand, she touched the governor's neck and moved down his spin. His spin was broken. So were his hands and legs.
Blaise moved over to the woman on his left. She was face down on the pillow.
The men watched her as she observed the bodies.
She bent down and looked under the bed.
"Found something." Blaise said quickly.
"What is it?" Lord Devon asked.
"It's a paw print and a this." Blaise took a small black bottle from the ground.
Nicholas walked towards her to examine the paw print.
"Surprising, how we've been here all morning yet never found anything. It's a wolf print." Nicholas announced.
Darren stepped next to observe the print.
"The governor suffered from a major paralysis before he died. His cervical, thoracic and lumber vertebra are all broken. Quadriplegia it's called. It's strange though, quadriplegia, is caused by brain injuries, stroke or compression of the spinal cord, which can be caused by car accidents. But from the looks of it, he was just in bed. The two suffered from hemiplegia. They were paralyzed on one side of the body. The woman on his right, has broken carpals and part of her sternum is crashed. The woman on his left, has similar paralysis but the bruises on her neck, shows signs of struggle. Totally different as compared to the governor. But they all have one thing in common, they all have dilated pupils, which means there was a loss of oxygen to the brain and spinal cord due to choking or anaphylactic shock. Whoever did this didn't just want them to die, he wanted them to suffer." Blaise concluded.
The men stared at her in surprise.
"You got all that from just observing them?" Counsel Ward asked.
"Yes. It more of a scientific theory but it explains a lot more. Also, I presume this bottle qualifies as a some poison of some sort. It smells funny." Blaise said.
"May I?" Darren asked.
Blaise handed him the bottle. He sniffed it and frowned.
"It's witch scourge." Darren said.
"Let me have a look." Keith told him.
He looked beneath the bottle. There was a symbol of a snake on it. Unfortunately, he knew this symbol too well.
"There was a superficial presence here." Keith said.
"There's a possibility whoever did this, worked here." Lord Devon said.
"The paw print only adds to the possibility it could be a wolf." Nicholas said.
"Whoever did this had a wide knowledge in witch potions and spells. The witch scourge is a very rare and dangerous potion. It can be made with very rare ingredients which are incredibly hard to find. Especially, the witch root which only grows once a century." Keith said.
"But witch scourge has been banned in Eldovania for decades. How to make it over the years has been forgotten." Counsel Ward said.
"I'm afraid this shows not all have entirely forgotten about it." Lord Devon said.
"I think we can finally proceed with the investigation due to the new evidence found." Nicholas said.
"We will have to question the servants and his family members again." Darren said.
"Potential suspects will be a witch or a wolf." Nicholas added.
"I advise this investigation be done with absolute discretion, whoever is doing this is closer than we imagined." Keith said.
Nicholas nodded.
"I think we will take our leave now. The coroner will be here in no time for the body." Darren said.
He wrapped the small bottle in a brown envelope and placed it in a briefcase.
"Excellent job, my lady." Nicholas said with a smile.
"I guess reading wide paid off." Blaise smiled shyly.
"Even so, what you discovered here was exceptional and will help the investigation in a long run." Darren said.
"I…I'm glad I could help." Blaise smiled.
"We will take our leave now. I good to see you again, my Lady." Nicholas said.
Blaise nodded with a smile.
She watched as he headed towards the entrance after saying farewell to Keith and her father.
Nicholas halted at the door and turned to look at her. Their eyes met and just like before neither could look away.
He finally turned away to leave. Blaise sighed heavily.
"Once again, you surprise me as always, Vivian." Her father kissed her forehead.
"I learnt from the best." Blaise smiled.
They both stood outside the mansion. Keith was already in the carriage waiting for her.
"You can not imagine how I've missed this smile, Vivian." Lord Devon said.
"Yet, neither you nor mother, ever bothered to reply my letters." Blaise said.
"I did reply all your letters. Even the twins left you a small gift in the last one." Lord Devon said.
Blaise furrowed her brows.
"You did? But I've never received any of them." Blaise said.
"You didn't? Perhaps, there was a mix on the part of the courier. But no worries, your mother and I will soon come visit you in Valeria." Lord Devon said.
"I will like that father." Blaise replied.
"I wish we had more time to speak. But as they say, a Valerian's time is more precious than his gold. Be careful, will you?" Lord Devon kissed her head and hugged her.
"I will." Blaise hugged him back.
"I love you, little flame." He whispered.
Blaise pulled back to look at him.
She recalled that was the name her Merma used to call her.
"I love you too father, kiss mother, Freya and the twins for me." Blaise said with a smile.
"I will, farewell." Her father waved her.
The carriage took off the instant she sat.
She turned to find Keith staring outside the window.
He seemed to be in deep thought.
"So what do you think of…"
"Keep your thoughts to yourself, Vivian." Keith said abruptly.
Blaise furrowed her brows.
"Excuse me." She muttered.
"One thing you should know by now; I hate repeating myself." He said in a cold tone.
His eyes held the same hostility like the very first day they met.
Blaise turned away furiously.
Why the sudden rudeness? Not long ago, she actually thought his attitude towards her had changed.
"How could you be so naïve, Vivian?" she scolded herself.
The ride from
to the Valerian manor felt like eternity.
Blaise sighed with relief when she stepped out of the carriage.
She quickly headed for the stairs.
"Welcome back, my lady." Jared greeted her at the entrance.
"Thank you, Jared." Blaise replied.
"Jared, prepare my horse." Blaise overheard Keith order.
"Yes master." Jared replied.
As Blaise entered the manor, a hand grabbed her arm from behind.
"What did you to him?" Heather asked with a frown.
Blaise swatted her arm.
"Why don't you go ask him yourself?" Blaise snapped.
She turned away from her and headed up the stairs.
"Well, look who finally learned to talk back." Heather snickered.
Heather rushed before her with her vampire speed.
"Bloody... Heather get out of my face." Blaise shoved her aside.
"Be careful, Vivian. Speak with me politely, or else I will forget the fact that you've grown on me." Heather followed her.
"Oh, I'm so scared." Blaise said sarcastically.
"You should be. Anyway, I don't care whatever marital catastrophe you and my brother are having. I only came to inform you about the soiree at the royal club on Thursday. I took the pain of going through your clothes today and they all look hideous. We will go see the royal seamstress tomorrow at 10. We will get something befitting for a queen." Heather said.
"Fine, whatever." Blaise said.
"Vivian." Heather called her.
Blaise walked to a stop.
"What now?" she sighed.
Heather walked towards her.
"I do not know what you did to make my brother so furious. But whatever you did, keep doing it." Heather said with a smirk.
Blaise furrowed her brows.
"Huh…there I was, thinking he almost liked you." Heather chuckled.
She walked away leaving Blaise rooted to the spot.
For that instant, she wasn't angry anymore. Why was she even angry in the first place?
She reached her room to find Sarah and Belle.
"Evening, Lady Valerian." They both greeted.
Blaise simply nodded. She sat on her bed still pondering over Heather's words.
Why was Keith mad? What did she do?
She kept wondering until she circled down to one thing. It couldn't be her slight encounter with Nicholas. Could it?
Blaise shrugged the thought off.
For a month now all he'd done was resent her. There's no way that changed overnight.
Blaise sat by the window reading a book in hand.
It was a book on vampire lore and culture. It was part of the collection of books Klaus had brought her.
She had no idea why she was reading this tonight. Maybe, it had something to do with the fact that Keith pointed out how little she knew about vampires.
Until now, she realized how true it was. Back in the 21st century, she was part witch part vampire. She never bothered about that part of her, even then. She grew up in an environment where her witch side was more dominant. She fed on blood once a while and never cared for the rest.
But in this century, she was a full witch. She wondered how that was even possible. But considering how she even got here in the first place, she didn't dare question the changes.
There was so much to learn. But maybe not tonight. No amount of reading could stop her from thinking about Keith.
He didn't show up for dinner. Her best guess was he wasn't back from his ride.
She checked the wall clock and it was eleven o'clock.
He couldn't possibly be still riding this late, she thought.
She was surprised at how worried sick she was.
Blaise moved towards her wardrobe quickly. She pulled out a blue shawl and wrapped it around her.
She stepped out of her room into the quiet hallway. She headed down the stairs quietly. She passed through the kitchen to the back door.
Blaise had no idea where she was going. She let her feet carry her wherever it wanted.
After a while, she found herself by the lake. The full moon hung high in the sky. The wind was cool and everywhere was quiet.
Blaise closed her eyes. She took in a deep breath and exhaled. A small smile found it way to her lips as she stood. This was nice.
A rustle from the woods nearby startled her.
"Who's there?" She asked in a shaky voice.
She flipped her right hand and they went aflame.
The rustling continued as she headed in it's direction.
"Come out, whoever you are." Blaise said.
Suddenly, a huge black wolf pounced on her.
She fell to the ground and the wolf encroached over her.
Her heart pounded loudly as she stared at it.
It was the largest wolf she'd ever seen. It growled and bared huge teeth at her.
Amidst the terror, Blaise looked into its eyes. The two familiar golden orbs stared down at her.
"Keith?" She mumbled.
The wolf moved away from her instantly.
Blaise stood to her feet shortly. She noticed the wolf limping. It had an arrow stuck in it's back.
She rushed towards it in attempt to help. It instantly growled at her.
"Okay, calm down big guy. I only want to help." Blaise slowly reached for it.
"I'm not going to hurt you, just want to help." She said.
She moved closer and touched its jaw. It flinched but didn't move.
"There, easy now." She said calmly.
She moved her fingers up it's jaws and tickled it.
Blaise sat down in the grass as it moved closer to her. It laid its head on her laps and curled to her touch.
Blaise slowly reached for the arrow.
It whimpered when she touched it.
"Sorry, it's going to be over soon." Blaise caressed its fur.
She slowly reached for the arrow and pulled it out quickly.
The wolf whimpered loudly.
Blaise reached for her shawl and fastened around the wound.
"It's fine now." Blaise caressed its head.
It stood to it's feet and looked at her. It moved closer to her face. Its hot breath fanned her cheeks.
Blaise in turn moved closer and cupped its face.
"You are stunner aren't you?" he muttered.
She looked down into it's golden eyes. They seemed very dull and lonely.
"We should go inside." Blaise said.
She brushed the grass from her dress and stood up.
"Let's go." She took the lead.
Blaise turned to find him still limping.
She walked back to him to check the wound.
The wound was still open and not healing.
"Well, that's odd. You should've healed by now." Blaise mumbled.
She wrapped her arms around him and carried him.
"Goodness, you are heavier than I thought." Blaise said.
She carried him towards the back door through the kitchen and to the main foyer.
"Lady Valerian?" a voice called her from behind.
Blaise veered around to find Jared. He held a large lit candelabra in hand.
"Goodness, Master." Jared muttered.
"Can you give me a hand?" Blaise asked.
"Of course, my lady." Jared replied.
"Let me take that." Blaise took the candelabra.
Jared in turn carried the wolf.
"Be careful, he's badly hurt." Blaise told him.
"Yes, my lady." Jared replied.
They both headed up the stairs to Keith's room.
Blaise realized Keith's room was adjacent to hers. It was totally opposite to hers. Everything thing in the room was black including the sheets on the large bed.
There was no burning wood at the fireplace. It made the room very cold and dark.
Jared laid the wolf on the bed and checked the wound.
"The wound it still not healing." Blaise said.
"The master was shot with wolf's bane." Jared said.
"Wolves bane? But that's deadly. Is he going to be okay?" Blaise asked worriedly.
"He will. It will take time but he will be fully healed by morn. This isn't the first time the master has been attacked. I will be back with some warm water for the wound." Jared stood up.
"And Jared, while you are at it, please fetch some wood for the fireplace." Blaise said.
"Pardon me, my lady but the master never lights up the fireplace." Jared said.
"He doesn't?... He will now. Please make a fire quickly." Blaise ordered.
"Yes, my lady." Jared hurried outside the room.
The light from the candelabra illuminated the room.
Blaise moved to the wolf's side. She caressed its head and stared down at him.
"And to think I was worried sick about you." She chuckled.
His eyes were half way open and his breath was ragged.
She leaned over and kissed his head lightly.
Jared walked in with wood and bowl of hot water.
"Let me take care of the wound while you see to the fire." Blaise offered.
Blaise took the bowl of hot water and the white towel.
Blaise cleaned and dressed his wounds while Jared made the fire.
In no time the room was filled with light and enough warmth.
After a while, Blaise finally yawned and stretched out.
"You should retire to bed, my lady." Jared said.
"No, no I'm fine." Blaise said.
"I will stay here with the master." Jared told her.
"Alright then." Blaise caressed the wolf's fur one last time.
She stood up and headed for her room.
In her room, she changed into a black night dress.
She didn't realize how tired she was till her head touched her pillows. She sighed with a satisfied smile.
As she closed her eyes, all she could see were a pair of golden eyes.
In the break of dawn, Keith rose up from his bed. He transformed from wolf form to his human form.
His nostrils were the filled with the scent of petal roses. He could sense her sweet scent all over him.
He headed towards his wardrobe to put something on.
He immediately pulled on a pair of black pants.
"Master, you are awake?" Jared entered.
"I am, Jared. Thank you." Keith said.
He his hair tied with a black ribbon.
"You need not thank me, Master. The lady refused to retire until you were better." Jared said.
"Did she now?" Keith smirked.
He looked down his chest to find his wound all healed up.
"You should get some sleep too Jared. I will see you in the morning." Keith said.
"Yes, Master." Jared said with a bow.
He stepped out of the room and closed the doors behind him.
Keith headed towards the bookshelf to right side of the room. He pulled a black book from the shelf. The shelf moved to reveal a hidden door. He opened the door to find Blaise's room.
It was the first time he'd entered here ever since she arrived at the manor.
The fire from the fireplace had burnt low. The doors to her balcony were wide opened.
He closed the door behind him. He walked towards the balcony doors and shut them. He pulled the blinds closed and stared at her.
Keith slowly walked to the side of the bed.
For the first time, he took in her every detail.
Her long red hair was sprawled over her pillows. She had long eye lashes and tender lips. Her night dress slipped off exposing her thighs. She looked so peaceful and beautiful.
Keith unhurriedly pulled the covers over her.
A strand her hair fell in her face. He moved closer to touch her.
He reluctantly pulled back and watched her. He listened to her calm breathing and her racing heart.
He slowly touched her face. He gently tugged her hair behind ear and stroked her cheek.
Blaise pulled closer with a dreamy smile.
"You came…Leo." She mumbled.
Keith found himself smiling.
His name on her lips sounded and felt different. He couldn't look away. All he wanted to do was watch her sleep.
Events of the day flashed through his mind. He saw how she looked at Nicholas. He saw the way Nicholas looked at her. This was all too familiar to him. He'd been here before and it got him no where.
Suddenly, he pulled back and turned to leave. A hand grabbed his stopping him. He turned to find Blaise still asleep.
Her grip on him tightened. She began shivering and muttering inaudibly. A bead of sweat formed on her forehead.
It didn't take him long to know she was having a nightmare. She tossed and turned in her sleep.
Suddenly, the manor began trembling. She screamed and the glasses in her room shattered.
"Vivian." Keith shook her.
"No…no…NO!" she screamed.
The fireplace burst in flames. The fire rapidly spread out to the left side of the room.
Jared rushed in with the Valerians behind him.
"Bloody hell…we need water quick." Klaus ordered the servants.
"Vivian!" Keith shook her.
Blaise woke up abruptly screaming and panting.
"Vivian." Keith held her.
Blaise looked up to find Keith looking down at her. Her eyes were welled with tears.
Blaise hugged him abruptly.
"Leo…" She whispered.
Keith slowly pulled her close in his arms. She broke down into tears.
He could feel her heart still racing. She still shivered in his arms.
"It's okay now Vi, you are safe." He whispered in her ears.
She looked up at him.
"I…I..." Blaise turned to find the Valerians with alarmed expressions.
Blaise looked around to find shattered glass everywhere and a half burnt room.
"Goodness… what have I done." She gasped.