A Stranger in the Night

I stood there for a few moments as the car began to drive off. She watched me as I waited, never breaking eye contact until the car was out of sight. My heart ached already for her. But I knew it was for the best that she left the House for now. I would not subject her to our soon to be arriving guest.

Unfortunately, Meredith was known for her bad temper, draining the humans without a care and punishing pets without warrant. All part of the reason that I despised her. My Father had pushed me to partner with her for as long as I can remember. Meredith's Father was the Head of the Ravnos clan. I did not trust their family's bloodline or clan. Many a times have they tricked and cheated their way to move to power. I did not want to be part of that. But my Father believed our two clans joining would make us a stronger force to reckon with and would make the other clans not question our power. I do not agree and no matter what Father wanted, I knew what I wanted. I wanted Luna.

I could hear footsteps coming up behind me, already knowing it was Draven and Eligio. "Don't look so sad brother. She shall return. Let us deal with Meredith's arrival first. You know Marco is super keen to have his chance with her, we just need to make you unobtainable for now.". Draven slapped me on the shoulder, "Well yeah. What he said. But you didn't have to send Jess too! We were just starting to have some fun!". I could tell he was frustrated with me for sending her away too. "Would you rather Meredith have her way with her and turn her into an empty bloodbag!". Draven, look shook to the core, although he tried to play it off as nothing. "Meh! Plenty more of them in the sea, isn't that the saying?". He swiftly placed his hands in his pockets and scuffed his shoes into the gravel. "Yes...I suppose so. But I'm not willing to risk either of them Draven.".

I began to walk up the grand stairway and towards the front door when I heard something approaching quickly on the gravelled path behind us. I turned to see a silver sedan speeding towards the parking bays infront of the House. The car pulled up quickly to a stop. The driver jumped out to open the passenger door as quickly as he could. The door swung open and out stepped a tall, slender and tanned woman. Her long, flowing hair fell past her waist. She wore a silken silver flowing dress with matching high heels. A fur throw wrapped around her shoulders and a small clutch in her hands. "Move out the way you insolent fool!". She bellowed at the driver before turning and spotting us on the top level of the staircase. "Why hello boys! So good to see you". She almost floated above the ground with how smooth her movements were. She urked my being to the core and even just the sight of her made me cringe. She began to walk up the stairway when Marco came bouldering out of the House and smashed into Draven, Eligio and I, almost knocking us flying. "I heard her! Is she here???". Draven smiled before stepping aside and bowing, his right arm pointing down the stairs to the creature walking towards us. Marco straightened his jacket, ran his hands through his dark, slicked back hair and began to approach Meredith. She flicked her long, dark hair around till it fell forward over her shoulder. She slid up the stairs, like a snake, approaching us slowly, her eyes never leaving me.

Marco was the first to greet her. Almost falling over himself as he did. "Good evening Mistress Meredith. It is good to see you....". She waved her hand at him, "Yes. Yes. You too. Alessandro my darling! It has been too long". I could taste the distain in my mouth as I went to reply. "Good to see you Meredith. What do we owe the pleasure of your visit?". A smile crept in across her face, slowly growing till her fangs showed. She loved flashing them whenever she could. "I just wanted to see you. Can't an old friend want to catch up?". She rubbed her hand down my arm. I had to resist the urge to brush her off. "OK. Well, welcome back to Ventrue House. I do believe the servants have made arrangements for you already. I must remind you that previous House rules and boundaries apply during your time here. I also must apologise as well. I am very busy and have urgent matters to attend to. Marco has offered to keep you company during your stay.". She began to pout and tried to make puppy dog eyes at me, "Oh poop...you always were such a buzz kill. I was hoping to spend as much time as I could with you before your parents arrive!". What! My parents were coming? "Sorry, I beg your pardon?". I was confused. I had not been told of this and I began to feel anxious. Now this was going to ruin my plans. I could see on Draven and Eligio's faces they felt the same. "Yes, your parents are arriving in the next day or two. They want to throw a big ball too once they arrive.". I couldn't believe my ears. This was the last thing I needed. "So, where shall my driver drop my stuff? Hopefully your room Alessandro?".

I stepped back, looking for a servant to come and assist. I felt a sigh of relief as Claude appeared and stepped in to grab her belongings from the driver. Marco pounced at the opportunity to intervene, "Well Meredith, I have helped with arrangements for you. I hope you are happy with them. If you want to, you can stay with my in my room or you can stay within the guests wing.". I felt the buzz of static through the air and noticed that her dark eyes flicked quickly with shades of electric blue. She huffed at Marco then began to calm. "Ahhh....I guess the Guests Wing it is....". Marco, somewhat deflated now nodded at her, offering to escort her there, but she refused. Claude was the one to escort her to her room. "Oh, I almost forgot, where is Silvano. I expected to see him greet me this evening.". Knowing that she wouldn't settle till she got an answer, "He has been called away on an errand. He will return later this evening". She smiled, seeming to accept my answer. "By the way Alessandro, that human I can smell on you smells divine. I would love to taste a drop or two if you will share with me?". I stormed away. I didn't want to even consider the idea of Meredith drinking from her. I would ensure that she never touched Luna.

I paced my room for some time after we had parted from Meredith. I was angry. Not only did I not want her here, I also didn't want my parents here as well. This would delay any chance I had of being with Luna any time soon. I knew I bought myself some time. Not only had I told Luna I had to go away for business soon, buying myself some time should I have to deal with anything here, I had also told Meredith that I had alot of business to attend to. I never like lying, but if those lies protected Luna, I was prepared to do it. This woman infuriated me to no end and I still can not believe the lengths my Father would go to, to see us partnered. I paced some more and decided to jump into the shower. I needed to release some of the anger I had. The cool water hit my back and instantly created steam. I turned the water colder. I needed to calm down. I tried to think of Luna. I filled my head with thoughts of her, her beauty, the way she moved and her soft voice. I finally began to calm, although I'm sure that's not what my body was feeling. Again, my body yearned for her. My being ached for her and I knew my dark side was beginning to appreciate her as well. As the cool water started running over my body, I began to soap myself up, scrubbing my body hard to get the scent of Luna off me. That was the last thing I wanted to do. I was already starting to miss the smell of her on me, but I didn't want it to be something that Meredith found appealing on me. I also didn't want Meredith to go and search her out. If she realised that she was not one of the humans here, she may actually go out into the city to find her. The thought of that made me so angry, I slammed my hand into glass, shattering it into a million pieces. Damn it. I didn't mind the few cuts I got. A perk of being a vampire is swift healing but now I had to get this cleaned up.

I jumped out of the shower and called for Claude to come and assist me. He brushed me off and told me to leave him to it. I got dressed and sat at my desk, knowing I would have to attend dinner with my brothers and Meredith soon. I noticed my phone sitting on the desk flashing. I reached forward and turned on my desk lamp before picking up my phone and opening it. I had a messaged from Silvano.

Both girls are home now safely. Mason and I are returning. Be there shortly.

- Silvano

A small sigh of relief escaped my mouth. She was safe. I sent him a reply explaining that Meredith had arrived and to return as soon as possible. I noticed another message on my phone. It was from her. I felt my heart skip a beat as I went to open the message.

I miss you....

Those three little words shocked my being. I wanted to go to her now! I wanted to hold her in my arms and tell her it was going to be ok, and never let her go. I began to feel the anger again but dismissed it as I became distracted by Nerine entering the room. She hung clothes in my wardrobe, placed some mail on my desk before advising me that dinner would be served in 15 minutes. I nodded to her but did not say a word. "Master, are you ok?". I nodded again, but Nerine knew I was bothered. She had been with me too long and knew me too well. "Master, things will work out fine. I have faith in it. I have faith in you. Miss Luna will return. I know.". I stared at her for a moment, "Oh do you now. And how would you know such a thing?". She let out a slight smile, not something she did very often. "Just a few things I know. The main one being the way you look at each other. It's not hard for anyone to see it. Your eyes give it away Master.". She was right. Even I knew they did. "Tell me Nerine, did you know of my parents attendance here shortly? Or hers for that matter?". Nerine shook her head intensely. "No Master. I would have informed you at once should I have known.". I believed her. I trusted Nerine. "Master, I do not mean to be pushy, but dinner will be shortly. You should get a move on.". I slumped in my desk chair and groaned at the thought of being with that woman. "I suppose I must.". I stood slowly and dragged myself to the dining hall.

The dining hall was full of laughter as I entered in. Her laughter to be precise and Marco chiming in. I went to sit in my chair, all of us brothers had our own, unique to each of us, but as I approached, I realised she was seated in it. "Oh Alessandro darling. I am sorry. You! Bring me a chair!" She ordered to one of the servants in the room. As she stood and moved aside for me to be seated, she leant down and whispered to me "I kept it warm for you". I simply nodded, not wanting to give her any more attention than required. The servant attended presently with a chair and went to make room beside me, however Marco reading the situation grabbed the chair and placed it between his and Silvano's chair. She huffed as she watched him do it but still sat there none the less. "I can not wait for our parents to arrive. I am looking forward to this ball.". She lifted her arm, with her cup in hand as a toast. "It will be a big celebration.". Weary at her words, I brushed them off. Claude instructed the servants to serve the meal. Yes, we are vampires and our main sustainance is from blood, but we are also to eat some human food as well. I picked at my meal, curious as to what was taking Silvano so long. Just as the thought popped into my head, he burst into the dining room. Meredith began to greet him, "Silvano darling! Wherever have you been?". He did not halt his pace or even acknowledging her, which I could see frustrated her to no end, but walked determinedly towards me. He bent low and whispered into my ear, "I need to speak with you. Now!". I pushed my chair back and stood with Silvano, both of us exiting the room hastily. I ignored the chatter behind us, but couldn't ignore the stirring in the pit of my stomach. Something was not right.