Lucian
Dario did not look happy, but I have to say I sort of agree with the King. Whether he made the right choice by keeping me in the interview? That I am not so sure about. If Vladimir did take Thalia, I can't promise that I would not end him myself. As I and two guards left to fetch Vladimir. I felt the anxiety I was feeling ever since Dario, came rushing into the ball like a man possessed, to inform us Thalia and the girls are gone spike. What if Vladimir didn't have her, I have my suspicions about Lord Marcus but even though he hated Thalia, would he really risk her life like this? My heart went out to her and I prayed to the powers that be that she and the girls, will stay strong and endure whatever they have to face till we can find and rescue them. Especially Thalia, hopefully, the 'change' will not reach its conclusion until she can be reunited with Dario.
Vladimir lived at the other side of the great forest that surrounded the main town of Nosferatu. The forest was vast and the trees seemed impenetrable. He chose this house for reasons unknown. He is not a recluse by any means, but as far as anyone knows he doesn't have a lot of guests, but then again who is to say he doesn't just portal them straight into his house?
As we reach the house, I was strangely taken aback by it, it wasn't a mansion or even that big. It was a modest house with modern architecture. The gates opened as soon as we stopped in front of it. As we drove up the drive, we stopped in front of the heavy-looking wooden door the only thing that looked strangely out of place. With the strange faint blue glow around it. Before I could knock the glow disappeared and the door swung open. Standing inside framed by the door was Vladimir looking rather as if he had just woken up, as he looked a little disheveled.
"Well, I must have done something to receive a visit from the captain of the royal guard. Good evening Lucian, would you like to come in, or is this more of a; we just stopping by to escort you to where ever situation?"
"Good evening, Lord Vladimir would you please accompany us to the castle; as the King would like to speak to you."
"Summoned by the King. Well, that sure as hell is going to make my day interesting. Would it be ok if I shower first? I would like to look a bit more presentable when I see his Highness."
"Of course, we will wait."
"Then do come in Lucian, you and your fellow guards can wait in the lounge."
His house was as modern on the inside as it was on the outside. He clearly went for the minimalist look. Except for the books. There were bookshelves and bookcases all along the wall of the study and stacks of books on every other table, not in an untidy way. It still looked neat and organized but there was a lot which did surprise me. I did not pec him as a book lover. He did not take very long and was back showered and dressed. I noticed that like always he was wearing all black with accents of color. Today he chose a royal blue silk scarf that hung loosely over his black button-down shirt, which he paired with black pants and black leather shoes. His black-blue hair was neatly combed and washed; his sapphire blue eyes were weary but also filled with a sort of excitement.
"Alright, gentlemen we can go. I am ready when you are."
As we left, he stopped outside his door and waved his hands in a strange pattern. Blue light emanated from his hands and in the next second the strange glow was back on the door.
"To keep unwelcome guests out. You see as of late; I had a few encounters with uninvited guests demanding things I am just not interested in."
"I see."
"Do you? I think not, you would be surprised Lucian what some people will want from you. If they themselves have no means to get what they want."
After the last cryptic statement, we drove in silence. We reached the castle quite quickly. As we were walking towards the king's study, I didn't see Dario anywhere nor did I see the others. After knocking on the door, we went inside. The king sat behind his desk. He looked normal as if nothing was bothering him, but I have been his guard and friend for a long time and I could see that he was tired and worried.
"Lucian, you have returned. I am glad to see you are not empty-handed. Lord Vladimir please would you sit down."
"Your Highness"
Vladimir greets the king and bowed low as a sign of respect. Just as he was straightening the study door opened, and Logan and Leo entered. They exchanged a quick look with their father and he just gives a small nod. Clearly, something happened.
Vladimir greeted the princes and sat down in the chair facing the king waiting. But it became clear to all of us that his intelligent eyes had already noticed that one: Dario wasn't present and two he already picked up on the atmosphere of the room.
"Well, I will not bore you or insult your intelligence with small talk Lord Vladimir."
"Your Highness, if you would please just call me Vladimir. I was never really big on the title thing. Also thank you for saying you will get straight to the point, but if I can just have a moment to guess why I was brought here. As prince Dario is not here, I would presume that he would be with our little dhampir. But as everyone looks tense and well, trying very hard not to give me death glares. I guess he is not with her. This leads me to two conclusions one she dumped his royal ass. Which is highly unlikely. That girl is totally lost to the world of men and only sees Dario. Now my second guess would be she is gone, which would explain the tenseness in the air as the 'change' is upon her. With that said, being away from prince Dario would not be good for her."
"Well look who is as smart as he is smooth."
Logan says this with his every word dripping sarcasm. Giving no illusion to the fact that he doesn't like Vladimir one bit. Probably due to the fact that he had in the past made an attempt to win Francesca over.
"Logan, please let's all keep a calm level head, shall we?"
"Yes, of course, Father."
"Touche prince Logan. Thank you for noticing that I am not stupid. Look I get it the lovely Thalia is gone, and naturally, I am suspect number one. I know why I love to flirt with her and at times I have placed her in some uncomfortable situations. But I did not take her. I like doing all those things because she is the one girl that doesn't throw herself at me. She made it clear she is not interested. But; and here is the truth and I am not sorry about this; I love doing it not because I think she would one day fall for me, but because I just love pissing prince Dario off. See it always bugged me he is always cool and calm, the perfect little prince. That is; until it comes to Thalia. Then, mister cool and calm prince loses that perfect image; of nothing can faze me. Also, I love to see how I seem to get under his skin and annoy the hell out of him. I just love pissing him off. That is why I always flirt with Thalia, plus maybe a small part wishes that she would see past the image and bad reputation and see the real me. But alas that has not happened yet."
"So, you would want us to believe you do all this just to piss Dario off?"
"Well, prince Logan if he wasn't your little brother, wouldn't you love to do that sometimes? I mean come on the freaking Vampire is practically perfect. Do you know how hard you all make it for normal vampire males? The females all see his perfectness and expect us all to be like that. Though I don't really care, I am in a league of my own. Look, I know I am a jackass and I have a; bad boy/player reputation. But I have never and will never take a woman against their will, ok! I have never forced or compelled any woman to be with me, either! I never said I was an angel but I have some morals."
"Alright, it does seem to me that you are being truthful. If you weren't you would definitely not list your flaws like that! Though I do not know what Dario will do wants he finds out your just being a…"
"Prick? Jerk? Jackass? Dad that might be the words you are looking for."
"Yes, well thank you Leo for those lovely colorful phrases! So, Vladimir! If you did not take Thalia… then who did? "