Adrianna; Psychic of Valecon Shadow Oranization
Copyright© 2026 by A duck named TEF
Chapter 4
Weeks had gone by since Adrianna began calligraphy and cartography from Lord Daemion. In that time she had yet to glean much about Mr. Dietrich’s mysterious past. She did however grow a closer friendship with Miss Shureaux, who now and again would give Adrianna a few tid-bits of ancient Valecon mixed with the usual chemistry lessons. Otherwise, everything seemed to be business as usual at the Estate.
Adrianna was on her way to her next class when she overheard a couple of people. She didn’t get a chance to see, or probe, into who it was but she lingered around the corner long enough to listen in.
“He’s in a foul mood again today.”
“Can you blame him? Baphomet was apparently one of the most prolific at reproducing, and yet none of her offspring have had much luck. It’s a miracle that bloodline still exists.”
“And here we are doing everything we possibly can to make sure the two of them are at peak fertility. Any other couple would have had a bus-load of children by now.”
“It doesn’t look like she’ll be providing him an heir anytime soon. Even if she does, will it inherit anything from them?”
“Maybe a dormant carrier, but it could take generations for anything to show in that case.”
She stopped listening at that point and silently went to her destination. Adrianna knew that Mr. Dietrich wanted an heir from her. The two had been working on that for a while now, and each time the doctors gave her a null prognosis she would retreat into a quiet place.
Was she not woman enough to bear a child? The technicians in the hall were right, any other couple would have had a full family by now.
Why not try artificial insemination? Something about physical copulation being the only viable way to pass the bloodline gifts. It wasn’t that she was infertile either. Both Adrianna and Mr. Dietrich were quite fertile, it was something about a curse on Baphomet, and others gifted with a psychic trait. It was difficult for a psychic to have a child.
Hearing the conversation of those two reminded her of the fact she wasn’t normal. She was quieter than usual and not as engaged in her current lesson in politics. It was impossible for her tutor not to notice.
“Lady Adrianna, are you getting any of this?” He asked her pointedly.
Adrianna looked right at her tutor. She hadn’t actually heard anything he said in the last twenty minutes. She slowly shook her head and looked down at her blank paper.
“It’s okay, you need to focus on the task at hand. Whatever is distracting you, you’ll need to work through it to continue. Do you need to talk about it?” His voice was tender, and he knelt down by her desk to look her in the eyes.
The tutors she had were exceptional, each one was caring, understanding, and would approach the subject in a way that really helped her take the lesson to heart. Her politics and history tutor was no different. She felt safe with them all, and comfortable enough to open up about anything going on.
This matter though was different. It felt too personal to talk about. She was never going to measure up to what she believed Mr. Dietrich deserved in a partner. She didn’t feel she could open up about this to anyone. With a shake of her head she signed that she would concentrate better moving forward.
Her tutor didn’t believe her, but continued the lesson anyway.
All day Adrianna struggled to concentrate on her lessons. Mr. Dietrich was going to be late that day, and usually Adrianna would take that opportunity to go visit Lord Daemion. Today, because she wasn’t feeling up to it, she went to the athletic fields instead. Nothing was scheduled for that day out there anyway.
She walked by statues of the old pantheon of gods, angels, and even devils and monsters.
She went to her favorite among them, the grand Chimera. She had always felt drawn to this ‘monstrosity’ of a creature.
The legend went that once, many years ago, the grand chimera ruled the feral beasts of the high lands. It would battle against hordes of humans, and gods alike. The great creature was not cowed by anything, rushing first into the throes of battle.
Of course, all legends have an end in tragedy, and the grand chimera had been betrayed by an angel, his mighty bestial kingdom came to an end, and mankind emerged triumphant over the world.
Adrianna found herself wondering what a world run by beasts would be like as she sat under the chest of the great statue. This was also the best spot in the fields to watch the sun set. Even better if one sat atop the mighty Chimera form, but Adrianna didn’t want to make the climb. She wanted to sit, and reflect.
“You shouldn’t stress so child.”
Adrianna looked around for the origin of the sing-song voice. She saw no one, and she didn’t feel anyone either. Where did it come from, who did it come from?
She heard a lilting chuckle, as if it was a wisp in the wind speaking to her.
“I’m up here.” The voice dropped a small pebble by Adrianna from atop the head of the Chimera.
Jumping down from the statue and looking up she saw a youthful looking being, almost glowing in the fading light. He effortlessly leapt off the Chimera and stood before Adrianna, looking her over as if taking a slow drink of water.
“So you’re big brother’s new pet? I see he has some taste.” He said and tossed a lock of jet black hair behind his shoulder. His piercing green eyes made Adrianna shiver, and his sign-song voice was becoming slightly unnerving.
The man was amused by her visible discomfort. He looked to be around her age. Had he just called Mr. Dietrich his older brother? Could they possibly be related?
He reached a long nailed finger under Adrianna’s chin and lifted her face to get a better look, “You are a cutie. Not my type, but cute.” He released her and took a step back.
“How incredibly rude of me, I should introduce myself shouldn’t I?”
“Not like you to be out alone, Isahpu.” Mr Dietrich managed to appear behind Adrianna. He set a hand on her shoulder protectively.
The other man held up his hands in a show of peace, “Big brother, I only just returned and happened to see such a lovely lady in distress. I couldn’t help myself.”
Adrianna felt a bit of tension rising between the two.
“Adrianna, this is Isahpu, you could call him a younger brother of mine.” Mr. Dietrich pulled her closer into his hold.
Isahpu grinned, the tips of his sharp canines showing through his deep red lips. “Yes, the great Isahpu, at your call.” He made a show of a rather elaborate bow before the two, mostly directed to Adrianna.
Adrianna wasn’t impressed. She leaned into Mr. Dietrich’s hold, a slight tremble in her and a barely noticeable bead of sweat at her brows.
They didn’t look related at all, but even Mr. Dietrich said that they were brothers. This other man didn’t give off the impression of being one who was part of Mr. Dietrich’s and Lord Daemion’s race at all.
Mr Dietrich ushered Adrianna and himself away from Isahpu.
“Aww, leaving so soon? Big brother, I haven’t seen you in years.” He began to follow them.
“By design.” Mr. Dietrich replied curtly, “I’m taking my Adrianna to our room, I’ll meet you in my office.” He practically snapped at Isahpu.
Adrianna waited for about ten minutes after Mr. Dietrich left her in their room, and then left to eavesdrop on what he and this new ‘brother’ would be discussing. Her curiosity was far too strong a pull, and she welcomed the distraction from her otherwise depressing state of mind.
She stood just outside the door, and gently probed mentally, just enough to stay off the radar, easily done with how Mr. Dietrich’s emotional state was.
“I’m thinking of changing my name again, it’s about time anyway. What do you think of ‘Reginald’?” Isahpu asked with a playful tone.
Mr. Dietrich rolled his eyes, “I really don’t care, why the hell are you here? Is the north not enough for you?”
Isahpu pouted, “It’s no fun anymore. All the pretty boys got old, I don’t have anyone to keep me warm at night like you do. I’m homesick.”
“Reynard.”
Isahpu glanced at Mr. Dietrich sceptically.
“It’s a better fitting name. Reynard.”
“You are in a bad way huh big brother? Is it the little Baphomet girl? Why a psychic anyway?”
“That line just happens to be more likely to produce a convergent within a human. I’d like an heir vessel. This body is getting old, time comes for all in the physical world.”
So he was worried about having no legacy at all. Adrianna felt a hollowness in her chest she had never known before.
Isahpu glanced back towards the door for a brief moment, a hidden grin on his lips. “Human biology is quite a strange thing big brother. You’ve never been one to care for them, so you probably don’t even realize just how empathetic they can be,” He made his way to stand behind Mr. Dietrich’s sitting form.
“As a psychic she’s even more sensitive to your emotional state. You need to get her out of here.” By now he was rubbing the shoulders of his brother. “She needs to relax, you need to relax. Then her body will be more receptive to your seed. Take her on a vacation, you both could use it.”
His trickster brother made a valid argument. There was no doubt some hidden agenda, but for the most part his antics were harmless. Mr. Dietrich was seriously considering the idea. Perhaps that really was part of the issue. Maybe Adrianna and he needed a change in scenery to relax. Isahpu was far more knowledgeable about human biology than had cared to be. Unless of course it was the mechanics of death, reanimation, and if they were of a privileged bloodline.
“I see your point. Perhaps I shall take her on a holiday to the islands.” He leaned back some into the back rub.
“See? Little brother knows best.”
“I’ll arrange for Daemion to be in charge. He’s most competent with my other council members otherwise engaged.”
Isahpu frowned, “I highly doubt he’ll be happy about that.”
“He’ll be fine, he’s been working closely with the lower level staff anyway.”
Mr. Dietrich stood, he turned and looked at Isahpu, no expression. “I’ll still get to the real reason you’ve returned, so be on your best behaviour, Isahpu.” With that he headed for the exit.
“Reynard. I like the name too, and I’d love to hear it from your lips again.” He made his way past Mr. Dietrich so as to leave the office before his brother, but not without running a finger over Mr. Dietrich’s lips first. As he exited he gave Adrianna a quick wink.
She was taken by surprise when Isahpu, now Reynard, exited the office and quickly took the opportunity of his leaving first to hide around the corner so Mr. Dietrich wouldn’t see that she had been eavesdropping.
Breathing heavily after sprinting to beat Mr. Dietrich, Adrianna quickly changed and slipped under the covers of the bed. She worked at calming herself down and slowing her heart beat.
The sudden illumination in the room was all Adrianna needed to know that Mr. Dietrich had returned. She rolled the blanket off her top half and looked over at him, smiling that smile she reserved just for him.
He didn’t look at her quite yet, too busy getting himself ready for bed. He still had that expressionless look on his face. This was a look that Adrianna had come to know as his thoughtful look. She knew that her inability to conceive was the cause of his frustration of late and the conversation between him and his brother only cemented this belief. What she would give to know exactly what was going on in his mind. She didn’t dare probe.
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