Instincts: A Roven Story

Chapter 7: Return and Capture

A/N I apologize for how long this took. I intended to have it up over a week ago but haven't had any time to write.

I needed somewhere to go. Somewhere no one could find me. There was only one place I could think of. Cyborg is the only one who knows of my connection to this place. It's so wretched he'd never guess I'd voluntarily come here. As I looked up at the dark manor an eerie chill ran up my spine.

"Ah young Raven. What brings this pleasure of your visit to Transylvania?" Standing in the doorway was the man himself.

"I needed a vacation.." I said cautiously. "Where is Salyard?" I inquired of the butler.

"Right here Mademoiselle." Salyard shuffled from the house. "Your bags?"

I shook my head. "None."

"Ah. So it's this kind of vacation. No problem my dear. Salyard have Arbilla prepare her old room, and bring Raven's things from the cellar." The man in the doorway grinned at me.

"You still have them?" The knowledge heightened my hesitance.

"Of course. What kind of a father throws his daughters things away? Just because she had to grow up does not mean she could never come home for a visit. I've missed you my daughter." He beamed at me.

"You aren't my father." I gritted my teeth.

"Raven.. Trigon might have been apart of your creation but he's never been any father to you. I am more of a father to you than him. I couldn't imagine allowing any harm to come to you... After all, your friend discovered my existence in my attempt to save you." Sympathy filled his deep midnight eyes. Sincerity rang in his heavily accented drawl. Even his natural manipulative evil tone had left his voice.

I began to relax. A secret just as hidden as my destiny is my residence here in between my time on Azarath and becoming a Titan. This was the most normal home I've ever had.

"Let me call your sisters. They will wish to see you."

"And Vlad won't?" The corners of my mouth twitched up when I mentioned his son.

"Hmm. Maybe he'll want to get revenge after you impaled him with that fork during your last visit. I'll call him too." His brooding figure disappeared into the shadows of the house.

I easily followed him inside no longer feeling any unease. The parlor was the same as it had always been. Dark mahogany furniture with beautiful ornate tapestries and a magnificent mural covering the walls. I breathed in the fresh scent of the black and red roses in urns on the hearth.

"Mademoiselle? Your room is ready." A shy girl in her early twenties gave me a hesitant smile. She had deathly black hair framing her pale face before twisting down to her waist.

"You must Arbilla. I'm Raven." I held my hand out to the new maid.

Relief flooded her face. "It's a pleasure Mademoiselle. The Count and the ladies speak so highly of you and your heroism."

"That's very sweet. I don't mean to be rude I enjoy your presence already but is Natasha still employed here?" I tried my best to seem sweet and polite. The staff here is scared enough of the Count.

"Right here." A thick Russian accent sounded from the top of the stairs. "Lady Raven it is a pleasure." She gave me a nervous smile as she reached me.

Lady Raven? Natasha and I have been close since I first came to earth. She was always feisty and has never once called me anything but Raven. So what's changed?

I was about to ask when I saw Natasha look at the top of the staircase almost like motioning me with her eyes. I subtlety glanced and that direction where I saw a tall slender woman who could've been Mortica Addams doppelgänger. Who is that? She isn't dressed in the staff uniform. And why is Natasha scared of her?