"Not in a thousand years did I think I would ever come back here." Heather said as she stepped out of the carriage.
Blaise stepped out after her.
Before them stood a vast manor. It was a three-story just like the Valerian manor. It stood in grandeur even though it was one of the oldest buildings in Runen. The Runen manor it was called. It was built by the first Valerians and name after the Runen, the first Valerian. It was located in the capital of Valeria, which was also named after Runen.
Several servants lined up in front of the manor to welcome them.
"My Ladies, welcome to the Runen manor." A woman in her late sixties welcomed them.
"Oh, I hate this bloody place." Heather sighed.
"I see you still have that mouth, Heather." The woman said.
Heather rolled her eyes.
"You love me for it, Morgan. I thought you were dead already." Heather said.
"It was nice meeting you too, Lady Heather. Welcome to the Runen manor. I am the butler, Morgan Derby, at your humble service." Morgan bowed.
"Derby? Just like Jared?" Blaise asked.
"Yes my Lady. Jared is my younger brother. I hope he served you well?" Morgan asked.
"He did." Blaise smiled.
"Lady Vivian, may I introduce Eva and Darlene…"
"Darlene? Like Darlene Sinclair?" Heather asked.
"Yes, my Lady." The human girl bowed.
"So Claire Sinclair is your mother?" Heather asked.
"Yes, my Lady," Darlene replied.
"Who is Claire Sinclair?" Blaise asked.
"Just an old companion. How is the old hag these days?" Heather asked.
"Our mother passed away last fall from the pox," Darlene replied.
"Oh…I…that's…where was she buried?" Heather asked.
She quickly disguised her shock.
"Between the maple trees near the…"
"Lake of skulls. That silly lass, she did it. Didn't she? Let's go, Vivian." Heather walked past them.
"Coming. You said, our mother?" Blaise asked Darlene.
"Yes, my Lady. Eva is my little sister." Darlene said.
Blaise looked at the two. They had the same brown hair and blue eyes.
"Darlene and Eva will be your maidservants from now, my Lady," Morgan said.
Blaise nodded.
"Will you like to have a tour around…"
"Leave her to me, Morgan," Heather said.
Morgan bowed lowly.
Blaise headed up the stairs towards Heather.
"So you were close to Claire Sinclair?" Blaise asked as they stepped into the manor.
Heather glanced at her.
"You are being meddlesome." Heather said.
"Alright then, forget I…"
"Claire was the only human friend I've ever had." Heather said abruptly.
"That was fifty-two years ago. Now that I think about it, almost seemed like yesterday. I came back home from an afternoon ride to find a human girl at my door. I'd already killed my previous help because I felt bored. I scared her away, told her if she stayed I will make a nice blood tea out of her. I remember the terror in her eyes at that moment." Heather smiled in remembrance.
It was the first time Blaise had seen that smile.
"Even though she was scared, she had the guts to tell me, 'I am not one of your meals, I don't recall the Lord telling me it was part of my obligations. But if you want to feast on me, wait till I'm fifty.' She said." Heather chuckled.
"She had guts," Blaise said.
"Of course she did. I laughed and called her a silly girl. She was just 18 but she was braver than anyone I've ever met. She was beautiful too, she had long brown hair and these outstanding blue eyes, tsk. Now I'm talking too much." Heather sighed.
"You loved her. Didn't you?" Blaise asked.
Heather chuckled.
"You are one nosy lass, aren't you?" Heather asked.
"You loved her. Heather, there is nothing wrong in…"
"Oh goodness, shut up Vivian. You know nothing. I am a Valerian and even though I can do anything I want. We are royalty. That means we will do anything to uphold that name." Heather said.
"Even when it means you end up unhappy?" Blaise asked.
Heather nodded.
"Heather that's…"
"Forget I ever told you this, Vivian. There's no need to wallow on abandoned folly." Heather said.
"Abandoned folly, yet you talk about her as if it was yesterday," Blaise said.
Heather glared at her.
"You don't give up, do you?" Heather said.
"Trust me, I don't." Blaise smiled.
Heather sighed in exasperation.
They stepped into the manor and headed up the stairs.
"What happened to her?" Blaise asked.
"Keith sent her away." Heather said.
"Why?" Blaise asked.
"One night, I lost it and took it out on Claire. I nearly killed her. Keith came in time and snapped my neck before I could kill her." Heather smirked.
Blaise furrowed her brows.
"Go on, judge me. How can I be so ruthless and try to kill the woman I love? One thing you should know is, we Valerians are as selfish as it is. You may not see it now, but you will know soon enough. Although what Claire and I had was forbidden, we have loved each other. But the standards of society claimed she was of age. She was to be married off to some human boy. When she told me, like the typical me, I lashed out. I planned to kill her. If I couldn't have her, no one could. She was too good for anyone, even me." Heather said.
"Keith sent her away after saving her life. That was the last time I ever saw her. I guess she married the prick anyway, those two girls are walking proof." Heather said.
"Heather I am so…"
"I don't need your pity, Vivian. Anyway, that's enough heart pouring for one day." Heather said.
"Come to think of it, what happened with Sarah and Belle?" Blaise asked.
"Oh, those two, probably some lovely blood tea boiling in a kettle somewhere." Heather smirked.
"What?" Blaise furrowed her brows.
Heather sighed.
"Aren't you the smart one? Keith ordered all the servants present last night to be killed.
Klaus did the honors." Heather said.
"You killed them?... why?" Blaise asked.
"Oh, now you are just playing dumb. After the ruckus you caused last night and this morning, all present witnesses were killed. News of your powers should never get out." Heather told her.
"But…"
"No buts Vivian. You are now a Valerian. In time you will learn with the name comes great responsibility. What needs to be done has to be done. Besides, those two weren't the only ones to die." Heather told her.
"Oh my god…what about their families? Don't you care what happens to them?" Blaise asked.
"No, I don't," Heather replied.
"How can you be so insensitive about…"
"Oh spare me the lecture, Vivian. It had to be done. Do you know the chaos news of your powers will bring?" Heather asked.
"Back in Eldovania…"
"Don't be naïve, Vivian. This is not Eldovania. You, not some goddess here. You are all but a threat here. As much as I hate to say this, we did this to protect you. So instead of judging us, you should be thankful." Heather said.
"What about the mess the manor is in now? Don't you think people will raise questions about what happened to it?" Blaise asked.
Heather sighed.
"You are a pain in the bloody ass, Vivian," Heather said.
"You offered to show me around," Blaise said.
"Urgh… I regret it already. Fortunately for you, this isn't the first time the Valerian manor has been in shambles. Thanks to Keith, we've had similar occurrences in the past. Take hundred years ago, before the great purge, Keith wrecked the whole manor because he was in a foul mood." Heather said.
"How did he do that?" Blaise asked.
"You seriously have no clue who you married. Do you?" Heather chuckled.
"He's a tribrid. Part vampire, wolf, and warlock. Currently, the most powerful supernatural is to be born. Unfortunately, he has a disastrous temper. So he takes it out on the closet thing whenever he's mad. Don't worry, one of these days you will get to know at firsthand." Heather said.
"I'm not sure I want to," Blaise muttered.
They both stepped into the balcony on the ground floor.
"Ah, no lake. One reason why I hate this place." Heather said.
Blaise looked around. Beneath them was a very large garden. It was filled with black roses.
"Black roses," Blaise mumbled.
" Keith's favorite," Heather said.
"They are beautiful," Blaise said.
"I know," Heather replied.
Thunder suddenly rumbled.
"Oh hate Runen. We should go inside. It's about to pour heavily." Heather said.
"Why do you hate Runen so much? You were born here." Blaise said.
"You just answered that question yourself," Heather said.
"You hate this place because you were born here?" Blaise asked.
"You don't understand. I was born here, that's more than enough reason to hate it. I grew up here. Killed my first prey here. Most importantly, this was the very last place I saw my mother." Heather said.
"Lady Evangeline." Blaise muttered.
"I see you've been informed. I am not the only one who loathes this place though. My brothers and I have the same sentiments towards this place. However, we have no choice now but to stay here, well, thanks to you." Heather said.
They both walked inside.
"I'm sorry about that," Blaise mumbled.
"Look who finally decided to show up." Heather stood at the head of the stairs.
Blaise walked to her side to find Keith and Klaus at the main entrance.
Blaise's stomach did a funny turn the moment she saw him. Images of what happened earlier flashed in her mind.
Keith glanced up to look at her. Her heart skipped a beat that instant. He had a blank expression as always. He turned back to Klaus. They seemed to be engrossed in their conversation.
Heather glanced at Blaise and back at Keith.
"Typical Keith and Klaus. Always whispering and scheming." Heather sighed.
"Huh?" Blaise turned back to her distracted.
"Oh, you poor thing," Heather mumbled.
Not long, Heath and Damien joined them.
"Come along lass. This house isn't going to show you itself." Heather turned away.
"Won't you join them or something?" Blaise asked.
"No. I want no hand in whatever my brothers are cooking up. Seems tedious anyway." Heather said.
She headed down the hallway.
"Well, it seems to me they don't want you included in whatever they are doing," Blaise said after her.
Heather furrowed her brows.
"It's that obvious, isn't it?" She sighed.
"It's just as it's always been. Keith and Klaus are as thick as thieves. Heath and Damien are inseparable even though he is my twin. And there is me, Heather Valerian, and herself." Heather said.
"You have me now," Blaise said.
Heather chuckled.
"Right, Aren't you adorable?" She mumbled.
"I'm serious Heather." Blaise said.
"A month ago, I would have snapped your neck without hesitation. Now, look at me smiling even though you said the silliest thing ever." Heather said.
"Call it silly. But it's about time, we gals stick together." Blaise said.
Heather smiled.
"You say the strangest things, Vivian Valerian. But you are right, we gals got to stick together." Heather replied.
"Don't get too comfortable though. Who knows I can snap bad to your worse nightmare." Heather smirked.
"Right. But don't you think you deserve to know whatever they are up to. It's your right as a Valerian?" Blaise asked.
"Oh love, I know my rights alright. But things have always been this way. My father made sure of that." Heather said.
She stopped at a portrait of a man seated in a royal chair. He had the dominant Valerian features, grey eyes, and blonde hair. His head was adorned with a crown.
"Is that him?" Blaise stopped by Heather's side.
"Lord Gerald Kelvin Solaris Sulien Valerian himself," Heather said.
"Those are many names." Blaise said.
"To continue his legacy, he made sure every one of his children had one of his names. Keith, Damien, and I are Solaris. Klaus and Heath Sulien." Heather said.
"That's…"
"Selfish? That's not the end of it, love. My father was nothing but a narcissistic bastard. He made sure every one of his children knew that. I wonder what mother saw in him. No wonder, her death was his undoing." Heather spat.
"He's one of the reasons you failed to mention then?" Blaise asked.
Heather sighed.
"He's the real reason." She retorted.
"What comes into mind when you hear the Valerian name?" Heather asked.
"Power," Blaise replied.
"Power, dominance, pride, and wealth. To have the Valerian name is worth gold. People squirm at the very mention of our name. That power has been in this family for generations. But this man soiled the name. His true colors came to light the day he fled from Ronovia like a coward." Heather said.
"He was grieving, Heather. What happened to your…"
"I don't know what you heard but the truth to what happened to my mother has been buried within these walls. If only walls could talk, the world would know about the atrocities we keep buried in our hearts." Heather said.
"My brothers and I have our special traits you see. Our father made sure to bring the monster in us after mother died. Keith is the big bad wolf. Known for his arrogance and unending cruelty. Klaus is the master idealist with a murderous temperament. Heath is noble, with a hidden sense of extreme paranoia. Damien is the mischievous deviant. Always walking around with that little journal of his, scheming atrocities beyond the mind's imagination. And I, the fierce woman amongst men with a great passion for violence. He turned us into monsters you see." Heather gleamed maliciously.
"Looks like he did a number on you," Blaise mumbled.
"He did. Yet, we are stronger than any other. Beneath all the pain and suffering, we are the true definition of a family. With hideous secrets." Heather said.
"Every family has secrets. How bad can yours be?" Blaise said.
"If only you knew the lengths of our treachery, you would sleep with one eye open," Heather said with a smile.
Blaise furrowed.
"Now you are scaring me, Heather." Blaise said.
"Oh, you better be, love. So when the time comes, you won't be stunned when you unfound some secrets buried deep, deep…deep in these very walls." Heather's voice ended in a whisper.
Her eyes gleamed darkly and she wore a wide wicked smile.
A clap interrupted them.
"Bravo Eve, for a minute you scared me too." Klaus smiled.
Blaise turned to find Klaus, Heath, and Damien staring at them.
"Eve?" Blaise asked.
"Heather's maiden name, she hates it," Heath replied.
"Why it's…"
"How long have you lads been standing there?" Heather asked.
"From the part where Keith's cruelty had no end, I think, quite long. But Heather, me a noble with a hidden sense of extreme paranoia? Don't you think that is far-fetched?" Heath asked.
"It's true." Heather said.
"But you could have said better about me. A master idealist with a murderous temperament? Eve, I'm an artist. You forgot that part." Klaus said.
"Although, you weren't wrong about Damien. I've always wondered what he writes in that little book of his." Klaus said.
"You ought not to know," Damien said in a quiet tone.
He walked past them to his room.
"Classic Damien, I wonder which of our parents he inherited that?" Heather asked.
"You mean his genius mind or his villainous character?" Heath asked.
"Both, I think," Klaus said.
"Villainous side, definitely father's," Heather replied.
"Err…Klaus, where is Keith?" Blaise asked.
"He has an urgent meeting at the Salvatores so he had to leave." Klaus replied.
"Oh…" Blaise mumbled.
"The Salvatores you say? I wonder how Camille is now." Heather asked.
"Who is Camille Salvatore?" Blaise asked.
"Let's just say, she would have been Lady Valerian if you didn't show up." Heather said.
"Oh, I see." Blaise muttered.
"Pardon my intrusion, your majesties. Lord Klaus, Mr. Welsh is here to see you." Morgan said.
"Excuse me, ladies." Klaus said before leaving.
"Lady Vivian, will you like to see your room now?" Morgan asked.
Blaise stood in deep thought.
"Lady Vivian?" Morgan called her.
She turned sharply. A little distracted.
"Yes, what is it you said?" Blaise asked.
"I asked if you would like to see your room." Morgan repeated.
"Yes…yes." Blaise replied.
"This way, my lady." Morgan said as she led the way.
"I will see you two later then." Blaise said to Heath and Heather.
"Alright love." Heather said.
Heath and Heather watched her as she walked away.
"Poor thing, she's made a huge mistake," Heather said.
"What mistake?" Heath asked.
"Please tell me you can see it." Heather asked.
"See what Heather?" Heath asked.
"Oh goodness, brother you are as clueless as ever. Vivian is in love with our brother. It's obvious." Heather said.
"How sure are you?" Heath asked.
"Sure enough to know, whatever I said about bloody Camille got her thinking," Heather said.
"You shouldn't have said that, Heather," Heath said.
"I know. I just wanted to confirm something, considering the spectacle this morning." Heather said.
"You should be happy, Evie. Finally, something good is happening in our brother's life." Heath said.
"You said that about her, yet, he ended up with Clarissa and a heart colder than before." Heather told him.
They walked to their father's portrait.
"So what are you saying?" Heath asked.
Heather looked at her father's picture.
"I'm saying, this is only going to end in tears for our Vivian." Heather said.
"You want to call on bets." Heath asked with a coy smile.
"You bloody fox. You want something from me don't you?" Heather asked.
Heath shrugged.
"Fine. If you lose I get mother's painting to you?" Heather said.
"Fine. If I win you will do everything I say for the better part of a century." Heath said.
Heather chortled.
"Oh, you are such a bloody loser, brother. You will see I told you so when the time comes." Heather said before walking away.
Heath turned back to his father's portrait.
"Our brother can be redeemed this time. Can't he father?" Heath asked.