Chapter 4

I heard the train as it was approaching town, grabbing my assistant we headed out to the station. They’d just started to off load my packages when I felt a sensation of almost pure evil run up my spine. Turning toward the train I saw a box being off loaded, damn it! From the feel of this one this was an older vampire, though he was alive when near me he was still formable, even becoming human didn’t slow the older ones down a whole lot. I was about to ask who’s box it was when a couple of lackey’s grabbed the box, turning they stared at me. Yeah they knew what I was and what I could do, this was unexpected I’d have to prepare for what ever this new threat was. It was a damn good thing father had worked me up so bad, I now had at least 2 active wards with me at all times, hey better safe than sorry right? I watched for a few minutes as the half dead helpers of the vampire carried the box toward the building Lana was in. Well screw that idea all to hell, there was no way I was getting any where near her now not with ... what it was that had just arrived.

Dan and I arrived back at the office an hour later to find one of the lackey’s waiting. In a raspy voice it told me as it handed me a wax sealed letter, “Madam Vishnew wishes your company tonight, she says you can not turn this down nor should you try. She’d rather not have to destroy the whole town if you become angry, she has said she finds it extremely quaint.” I bowed to the lackey, surprising him and told him I would accept the gracious invitation of Lady Vishnew. The lacky smiled and left. Damn it! Vishnew was here? Son of a bitch! What the hell did she want? Though not as old as Vidon Lana’s mother was still a creature I didn’t want to tangle with if I didn’t have to. Sighing I told a wide eyed Dan good night and headed to my building to dress for tonight. As I expected Lady Vishnew had gone all out, as she always did. Really? I shook my head a seven course meal? I ... wait! Food? Real food? Ok what was going on? She’d never been this accommodating towards me, something had definitely changed that was for sure.

Walking in I was seated at the far end of the table, moments later Gregor arrived not looking all that pleased his self. within moments Lady Vishnew and Lana entered I felt both their hearts start to beat and Lady Vishnew was actually breathing, she seemed to be enjoying it. “Thank you for attending tonight, Gregor, Mr. Timmings. I must say this is a wonderful experience, I can’t remember the last time I actually breathed in the air.” Lana had her head down, though at times she peeked a look up at me and her brother, the look she held gave me pause, shit something was definitely a foot. “As you probably know, Mr. Timmings, there have been many endings in the clan both clans actually, what you may not know is just how bad. At last count well over half the vampire clan was gone, nearly as many from the mage clan.” I looked at Gregor and he shrugged obviously he hadn’t known either, I got almost the same look from Lana well at least they weren’t in on any of this.

“My Lady,” I started, “I do not wish to be impertinent, but why are you here? Might it have to do with a certain betrothal? As I told you husband Lord Vidon, that is a dead subject that I do not wish to ponder on.” A small smile lit her face damn she was enjoying making me squirm! “I therefore respectfully request to be excused as there is nothing to keep me here.”

This got the reaction I was hoping for the smile turned into a grimace, good I don’t like to be played. As I stood up to go, Lana spoke for the first time, “Sir Timmings if you leave now neither mother nor I will be able to enjoy this feast.” Lana demurely flashed me a smile, son of a bitch! They were both in on it! Then I saw Gregor also smiling out of the corner of my eye.

Turning to Gregor I sighed, “Et tu Gregor?” Gregor quickly dropped the smile and stared at me like he was innocent. Trapped like a rat in a trap! Sitting I consigned my self to be as un emotional as possible, fat chance there!

Though I tried to not get involved, I was beginning to find the Lady Vishnew as charming and lovely as her daughter. Near the end of dinner I discovered that I hadn’t really had that bad of a time but I still had no inkling as to why her mother was here. “I have to say,” Lady Vishnew started, “I quite frankly enjoyed that, as I said it has been a very long time since I actually ate food. Now then I am sure you are wondering why I called you here.” I nodded my acquiescence. “My husband is not a delicate creature, he never has been. He has seen the union of you two as a way to save the clans and nothing else, what he didn’t see was that you would be as strong as you are. Do you know you are the only being to ever resist my husband?” I nodded no, “Now more than ever he wants you and Lana to wed. As do I, though for entirely different reasons. As you said to Gregor, yes he basically wanted you two as breeders, I do not and will not agree with that decision. I do not know what happened that night, nor do I wish you to expand on it, but I remember that for once Lana was happier than I’d ever seen her.”