VIOLET DAWN

Chapter 8

 "Will you give this to Angelica?"

"Of course," Patrick took the letter from Ismail and slid it into his coat pocket. The carriage shook as they turned another corner, "Is this an invitation from Isabelle?"

After it became apparent that Princess Angelica Kourakin was the Blessed one and that she was pregnant with Leader Alexander's child, the Vampire nation celebrated for weeks. This was what they had all been waiting for: the beginning of a new era.

For centuries Vampires had struggled to survive. Blessed with many capabilities, but fertile only after their fifth century, Vampire women rarely gave birth. The main reason for this tragedy was that many Vampires gave into the depression that came from living for so many years, and took their own lives before they became fertile.

The future had looked bleak. Only the strongest of mind became elders, but even they had hoped the prophecy of the Blessed Ones would come true.

And it had, Patrick reminded himself. The Blessed one, a human with a bloodline compatible with Vampires, was on the verge of giving birth to a member of the new race.

"Yes, Isabelle is inviting the Blessed One to visit the Western Clan after the birthing ceremony." Ismail replied.

Patrick nodded, "I'll deliver the letter now, since I'm on my way to the Kourakin residence."

"Good," Ismail lifted his cane to tap the roof. The driver pulled on the reins in reaction and the carriage came to a stop. "I have to meet with some men from the House of Lords, I will see you later Highlander."

"Play nice with the humans." Patrick grinned as his friend opened the carriage door and stepped out.

The door closed a moment later and they were on their way once more. Patrick pushed aside the thick drapes and watched the busy streets of London pass by until the carriage came to a halt in front of an elegant mansion. The Kourakin residence was set in a large garden with colourful flowers and exotic trees. Hopping down from the vehicle, Patrick walked swiftly up the stone pathway that led to the dark oak door, and knocked.

A minute went by, but no one answered.

He knocked again, wondering where Alexander's servants could be. After a few more moments went by, Patrick tried the handle and to his surprise, the door creaked open.

"Hello? Angelica? Where is everyone?" His voice echoed in the entrance hall.

"What's going on?" He muttered to himself as the sound of a piano came to him in muted tones.

Angelica was obviously at her piano again. There was no surprise there, the Princess loved to play and she was magnificent at it. But where was everyone else?

When he reached the end of the hallway he got his answer. Six servants stood gathered around the door to the music room, apparently listening to music. Amused, Patrick stood behind the group and glanced into the room. Because the door was only partially open, he could not see the piano. He did see the group of settees, however, where Mikhail was seated, listening to the performance.

"Is there a special occasion?" Patrick whispered to the closest maid.

She answered him without turning around, "No no, but it's beautiful, it is. The piano and then the violin, it's enough to make a girl cry!"

Violin?  Suddenly the soulful tones of a violin joined the piano, the sounds blending, dancing, and caressing the ears of its listeners. Patrick moved forward without thinking. The servants who noticed him scurried out of his way with hurried curtsies which he didn't notice. He took several steps into the room, his eyes finding the violinist unerringly.