Blaise walked down the stairs with a single candlestick in hand. She was in a white nightdress with a shawl wrapped around her. The weather was awfully cold since it was raining cats and dogs outside. It was accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. The wood beneath her feet creaked every step she took. The manor was eerily quiet as always. It had been over two days since Corentine's visit. Keith had been distant ever since then. He wasn't present for breakfast or dinner. Neither did he sleep in their room. Blaise was worried sick about him. She descended the stairs and headed towards his study. The strong winds blew out the candlestick she held. She stopped at the door to the study to listen. She didn't want to risk seeing what she saw the other day.
They were no sounds coming from within. She wondered if he was in there at all. She pushed the door open and froze. She candle-stick in her hand fell to the ground. Blaise looked down to find the body of a lifeless woman at her feet. Her eyes slowly traced the blood trail on the floor to find close to eight bodies. She looked up to find Keith roughly feeding on a half dead woman.
'Leo.' Blaise gasped with horror.
Keith slowly looked up at her. His mouth was covered in blood and his golden eyes were crimson. He instantly sped towards her. He grabbed her neck and pushed her to the wall. Blaise's eyes flew wide with terror. He was going to kill her…
Blaise woke up abruptly from sleep. She was panting and trembling all over. She touched her neck unconsciously. Was it a dream? She wondered.
But it felt so real. She looked around the room to find it empty. It was already morning. She rushed towards the mirror and gasped. There was a hand imprint on her neck. It was Keith's. So it wasn't a dream after all. Keith stepped out of his dressing room.
'Vivian…'
Blaise turned around startled. She was frightened and confused.
'Leo y…you tried…'
'I didn't mean to hurt you.' He said abruptly.
He looked at her and the terror in her eyes was evident. She looked like she would strike him if he came any closer.
'Vivian…I…I…' he looked up at her struggling with his own words.
Blaise took several paces back and stared at him. Until now, she'd almost forgotten who she was married to. He was Lord Keith Valerian. The first and the only tribrid. He was powerful, ruthless, and vicious. Seeing him feed was supposed to be normal. But seeing all those dead bodies on the ground terrified her. And his attempt to strangle her made it all worse. His golden eyes traced her face and he could read her fear. He turned away with a sigh.
Keith walked out of the room without saying a word to her. He heard her sigh with relief and her thudding heart slow down. She was afraid of him. He couldn't believe he tried to hurt her. Several months ago, he would have loved to tear her apart but things were different now.
But he was who he was. Not feeding for some time now has had its toll on him. He was just trying to have a peaceful meal then she showed up. She had a habit of showing up out of the blue. He felt annoyed at her behavior. Yet, her reaction was somehow justified. He almost lost control over his blood lust. He could have killed her.
He ran his hands through his hair in irritation. He remembered what Torment said to him over three months ago.
'Bloody Torment.' He mumbled.
'Good morning, my Lord.' Morgan greeted with a bow.
'Morgan, the Lady will need your aid with a bruise. I am off to the council. I won't be back till nightfall. Take care of her.' Keith told her.
'Yes my Lord but the Lord Torment is here to see you.' Morgan reported.
'Speaking of the bloody devil.' Keith muttered.
'Where is he?' He asked.
'In your study, my Lord.' Morgan replied.
'Thank you, Morgan.' He said.
Keith headed towards his study. Upon entering, he found Torment sitting quietly with his face buried in his palms.
'I thought I wasn't seeing you till…'
'There's been another murder.' Torment said abruptly.
'Why haven't I received any reports then?' Keith scanned through the files on his desk.
'Because I didn't call it in.' Torment stared down at his palms.
'Tor, what happened?' Keith asked.
He noticed Torment grim expression
.
'Nichole, they killed Nichole.' Torment mumbled.
Keith furrowed his brows.
'What do you m…'
'Nichole is dead, Leon. She was killed just like the previous victims.' Torment said quietly.
'What happened?" Keith asked.
'I happened to leave for a night patrol with Nick and the pack. We came back this morning to find the wolf guard massacred. I rushed to Nichole's room to find blood splattering everywhere. I found her lifeless in her bed. She was in her wolf form, clawed brutally with her bones crashed in all directions. Her blood was…' His voice broke.
Tears fell from his eyes as he described his sister's gruesome murder.
Keith moved to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder.
'This is not just your loss, Tor. Nichole was my sister too. I swear to you, whoever did this will pay.' Keith told him.
Torment suddenly laughed.
'You think I don't know that?' He mumbled.
'She didn't deserve this.' Torment mumbled.
'How is Nick holding up?' Keith asked.
'He's not said a word since. He wouldn't stop looking through the evidence, for new leads. There was nothing on the scene, Leon. Just Nichole and this…' Torment pulled out a blood stained paper from his pocket.
Keith took the paper and opened it. He furrowed his brows at its content.
'So far, this killer's pattern still isn't clear. But there is something strange you should know. I noticed this from the first murder in Theroden. At first, I thought it was nothing until Nichole began going after it. The first victim, Ronald Edgerton…' Torment said.
'Yes, the collector.' Keith retorted.
'He collected very rare artifacts. Mostly of dark magic. His collection was burnt down after his murder. I checked through his hidden catalog collection and there was only one item missing. An ivory dagger.' Torment said.
'I thought those files were lost.' Keith said.
'I don't know how but Nichole had them. She also discovered Old Harry's father's grave was unearthed a week after he disappeared. Harry's son, Darwin, told her, his grandfather's body got lost at sea but his dagger was buried in place of him. The governor at Pitsbellow had a priced saber made from of bones. Its composition was made of similar elements to the previous daggers. Nichole began research on the daggers two years ago even before the spree began. When she heard the governor owned one, she took up a job as a governess at his house. That was two months ago. He allowed her to take the dagger for her research. Nichole found something… she tried to tell me about it last night but I ignored her. All the information she collected over the years was taken. And the saber was nowhere to be found this morning. But she told me one thing first. She said you knew.' Torment told him.
Keith looked down at the blood tainted paper in his hand. At that instant he knew what he was talking about.
'I wasn't sure what she meant by that. I was looking forward to an explanation this morning only to find her dead. But I now understand and from the look on your face, I can tell there is something you are not telling me, Leon.' Torment stood to his feet.
Keith glanced up at him with a stoic expression. He folded the paper and placed it in the side pocket of his coat. A black crow flew in with and landed on his desk. Keith pulled a paper from his desk and scribbled something down with a quill and ink.
'I need you to leave for Eldovania immediately. Give this to Klaus and tell him to come back immediately.' Keith tied the piece of paper to Ares's leg.
The crow flew out instantly.
Keith turned back to find Torment with a small frown.
'What are you not telling me, Leon?' He asked in a calm tone.
'We should leave for the council. I will tell you on the way.' Keith told him.
'About the letter? I think it's better to warn her?' Torment asked.
'Now is not the time. Besides, at the moment my face is not something she would want to see.' Keith said.
They both headed outside the mansion and into the royal carriage.
Heather turned away from the window and headed outside her room. She descended the stairs and headed for the underground ground dungeon.
As she descended the stairs to the dark hallway, screaming coming from the depths of the dungeon could be heard. She got closer to the screams every step she took. She burst through the dungeon door to find Jared in a blood stained apron. He held a tray of torturing tools made from silver.
Damien turned around with a frown. He had blood all over him and a dissatisfied look.
'What do you want Evie?' He asked.
Heather glanced up at the chained figure of their cousin William on the wall. He had several open wounds that weren't healing. His tawny blonde hair was disheveled and his face was bruised. He slowly looked up at Heather with a smile.
'Look who finally decided to join the party, good old Evie.' William smiled.
Heather quickly grabbed a wooden stake from the tray and stabbed it in his chest. William groaned in pain.
'You are going to pay for what you've done, you bloody piece of shit.' Heather screamed with tears in her eyes.
'Evie, I was in the middle of…'
'They killed Nichole!' Heather yelled.
Damien's eyes wavered as he watched her. She was trembling with rage.
Heather grabbed William by the neck.
'Now you better start talking, Willie. Because right now the is no patience left inside me.' Heather threatened.
William struggled in her clutch. His blue eyes turned bloodshot and his blood oozed from his neck.
'I…It wasn't part of the plan.' William yelled.
'Evie let him go.' Damien told her.
'No! Until he tells me why Nichole had to die I will make him suffer.' Heather yelled.
Heath grabbed Heather to the wall. William gasped for air and coughed loudly.
'Let go of me!' Heather yelled. Heath pinned her to the wall.
'Evie calm down. Calm down!' Heath yelled back.
He quickly pulled her into his arms. Heather burst into tears.
'They got Nichole, Evan. They killed her and it's all my fault.' She whimpered in his arms.
'It's not your fault, Evie.' Heath cooed her.
Damien walked towards William. William slowly looked up at him.
'I'm…sorry. It…it wasn't… I will tell you everything I know.' William stuttered.
'Get on with it then.' Heath said.
'It started ten years ago….' William started.
Blaise touched the bandage around her neck absent-mindedly. She sat by the window with a book in hand.
'My Lady, is there anything I can get you?' Morgan asked.
'Where is the Lord?' Blaise asked.
'He left very early for the council this morning.' Morgan replied.
'Oh… Did he say when he was coming back?' Blaise asked.
'He said he will arrive by nightfall.' Morgan replied.
'Thank you, Morgan. That will be all.' Blaise told her.
Morgan bowed before taking her leave. She closed the doors behind her leaving Blaise alone to herself again.
She glanced around the large room. It was so empty and lonely.
She felt terrible for her reaction this morning. She wanted to talk to him. But to say what exactly?
She placed the book down and stepped out of the room. She walked down the stairs towards the drawing room. Maybe she could speak with Heather and know what to do.
'Give me one bloody reason why I shouldn't rip that stupid head of yours of your neck?' Heather yelled.
Blaise stopped to listen.
'Don't blame me. I was just curious.' An unfamiliar voice replied.
Blaise stepped in the doorway to find Heath, Heather, and Damien with William. Heather stood a safe distance from William who sat with a glass of blood in his hand. He wore fresh clothes and most of his wounds were already healed.
'You are one bloody idiot, William. Do you have any idea what you've done?' Heath asked.
'Of course, he has no bloody…'
'Vivian?' Damien mumbled looking in her direction.
They all turned towards her.
'I'm sorry. I…I didn't mean to intrude.' Blaise said.
'It's fine, Vivian.' Heath said.
'Lady Vivian I was looking…' Heather blocked William's path instantly.
'Don't even dare.' Heather hissed.
William raised his hands in surrender and returned to his seat.
'Err… Heather, can I speak to you? if it's not a bother.' Blaise said.
'Let's go.' Heather took the lead shortly after throwing William a deadly glance.
Blaise followed after Heather and they headed up the stairs.
'Is there any chance, your cousin was the rat Damien was experimenting with?' Blaise asked.
'I regret not lending a hand.' Heather mumbled.
Blaise noticed she wasn't in her usual mood. She couldn't figure out why but she looked somber. And to top it all off, she had no idea where she was leading her to.
'Heather, are you alright?' Blaise asked.
Heather ignored her and kept walking up the stairs. They stopped at the last floor and headed down the hallway. Blaise looked around the walls and realized she'd never ventured to this part of the manor.
The walls had several paintings like the lower floors. Heather stopped at the last door at the far end of the hall. She opened the door to reveal an old dusty room. Blaise stepped into the room and looked around. Everything was covered in white. Heather walked towards the center of the room to what seemed like a piano. She pulled away the veil to reveal an old black piano.
'Do you play?' She asked.
Blaise watched as she sat down and played a key.
'Come here.' Heather tapped the space next to her.
Blaise sat in next to her slowly. She turned to the piano and played a quiet tune.
She'd always loved to play the piano. Courtesy of her mother, her mother from the 21st century that is. She found herself smiling. The feeling of nostalgia was so strong than before. She missed her old home. Her old life and family. Her father, mother even Ember and Xavier. And most of all, her Merma. Her old Merma to be precise.
'You are really good.' Heather mumbled.
Blaise smiled.
'You don't play, I guess.' Blaise said.
Heather furrowed her brows.
'I never said I don't.' She mumbled.
'You just don't seem like it.' Blaise said.
Heather rolled her eyes. She stood up and headed towards the window. It showed an open view of the Runen city.
Blaise began to play a different tune. Heather turned sharply with a smile.
'When did you learn to play that?' Heather asked.
Blaise stopped to look up at her.
'Err… my mom used to play this. She learned it from a friend.' Blaise replied.
Heather smiled.
'I never knew your mother was friends with the Thorntons.' Heather said.
Blaise smiled uneasily. When she said her mother, she meant her real mother Veronica Nobel Edmonton.
' I remember my father giving me this is piano for my thirtieth birthday. I hated it.' Heather traced her fingers down the fine wooden cracks on the piano.
'Why? I mean the piano is one of the loveliest instruments in the world.' Blaise said.
'I don't know. Let's just say being the only girl amongst four lads, growing up wasn't so… so feminine. I love archery, duels, and of course hunting.' Heather smiled.
'I guess that's why this was shoved here.' Blaise looked around the dusty room.
'Not really. Although I never learned to play. I loved to listen. I used to know someone who loved to play all the time.' She told her.
'Used to?' Blaise walked to her side.
Heather nodded.
'She was the only friend I had growing up. I was never the interactive kind. But she was different. She was wild and at the same time gentle. She was bloody inquisitive and talkative.' Heather chuckled at the memory.
Blaise noticed the sadness in her voice as she spoke. The only time she'd seen Heather this way was when she spoke of Claire Sinclair.
'So…What happened to her?' Blaise asked.
Heather sighed.
'We parted ways in a very awful way. We had a very stupid fight. When I look back, it was about something so bloody silly.' Heather said.
'My stupid temper wouldn't let her be. I pushed her away and said hurtful things. Even after that, I remember her smile my way every time we met.' Heather said sadly.
Blaise looked over at Heather. Her eyes glinted with tears.
'She…she seemed like a nice person.' Blaise said.
Heather sniffed and pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket. Blaise placed a hand on her shoulder.
'Oh…she was the best. I regret not walking up to her a chance I got. I regret not apologizing for all the horrible things I said and did. Now I'm going to leave with this guilt forever. Oh, Nichole.' Heather sighed.
Blaise furrowed her brows.
'Nichole?' She mumbled.
Heather glanced at her.
'Yes, Nichole. You probably met her. She had a very infectious smile.' She said.
'Nichole Thornton?' Blaise asked still not sure of herself.
Heather nodded.
'W…what happened to her?' Blaise asked slowly.
'She was found dead in her bed this morning. She crashed to death.' Heather told her.
Heather noticed the sudden shock in Blaise's eyes.
'S…she was so nice to me the day we met. She showed me around the Valerian manor. She knew almost every single detail about every painting.' Blaise smiled sadly.
Heather chuckled.
'Typical Nichole.' She mumbled.
'Who did this to her?' Blaise asked.
'Something we still haven't figured out. Until now, the death sprees didn't bother me. I didn't care but now… I will give everything to lay my hands on whoever did this to Nichole.' Heather said through gritted teeth.
'I guess the saying is true then. You will never know how it feels until it happens to you.' Blaise mumbled.
Heather nodded sadly.
'Oh, I can't imagine how Nick is feeling right now. And Torment…Oh, they both adored her.' Heather said.
Blaise thought about Nicholas. She could imagine him cooped up somewhere in his work trying to forget his sorrow. She felt so sad for him.
'Her funeral will probably take place tomorrow at the Thornton manor in Theroden.' Heather told her.
Blaise nodded.
'I didn't mean to ruin your day.' Heather placed a hand on her shoulder.
'It's fine Evie. I didn't get to know her as you did but it hurts all the same. Whoever did this is going to pay. Maybe not today but real soon.' Blaise said looking down at the view of the city.
Heather glanced in the same direction.
'I can't wait for that day.' Heather said in a dark tone.