The Watchmaker

5 - A dead end.

Silence was the only thing that met me as I walked into the house, or rather the small shack.

My orders had been clear, enter the village and find the deserters. But the place was empty, whoever hid here before was long gone.

I sighed to myself, my work was so much harder now, since the other Lords had gone against my Prince.
Anthony laughed it off, he called them disposable cowards, since they weren't as powerful as him and Luis. But I couldn't help but feel worried about the sudden changes in allies. Months ago, when this life was still new to me, we had prominent vampires and noble humans visiting almost every day. They made deals, drank the finest wines and laughed all night.

But a few months ago a majority of the vampire houses had chosen to take another path, fearing Anthony's temper and siding with the human royals, thinking they would be stronger than him if they all teamed up. If only the humans knew what they were inviting to their homes.

Maybe they were right, I thought as I searched the second building, maybe they would be strong enough to end House Maisonette.
I would fight them all, because in my heart I knew Anthony had made the right choice, siding with the commoners, and he wasn't alone. He had his brother, he had Lumiere, he had his own stab and he had me. I was almost at my full potential now, I could feel the power of my prince course through my veins.

Which led me to another thought.

It had been almost six months since Anthony had told me about Luis' feelings and expectations of me, if I would accept his hand in marriage, but none of them had mentioned it since. It was up to me to decide.

I opened a rugged door and stepped into an abandoned bedroom. There were no signs of inhabitants or tracks to where they had left. It must have been weeks ago.

I muttered at the lack of evidence, and my thoughts wandered back to my own life. With a civil war on our hands, a wedding had been the last thing on my mind. But suddenly it felt urgent.

It wouldn't be an emotional bond, but a business agreement, I told myself. And I could live with that. My position amongst the vampires of France would rise to new heights. Luis was likeable and I wouldn't mind spending my life in his company.

I stepped out on the old square, which was just as abandoned and empty, except for my horse that was waiting for me. I walked towards it and sat up in the saddle with a grunt. This mission had been as fruitless as the others. We were grasping at straws here, and Anthony would be furious.

Someone was about to die tonight as I was to deliver the report. It wouldn't be me, but perhaps some poor servant or maid who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

My horse started moving along the dirt path and into the woodlands. It would take me a few hours to reach the mansion, and I already longed for my well deserved bath.

As branches slapped my face and the horse jumped over roots and stone, I couldn't help but feel excited to tell Luis about my decision, and see his reaction.

I knew it wasn't love, even though Luis was fond of me, the brothers wouldn't hesitate to use me as a weapon. Anthony would never send his beloved brother on deadly missions, he would never risk his life.
Which meant, the new powers we'd have would be mine to use. Alone.
And truth be told, I would prefer it that way, I hated working with someone over my shoulder.

***

My family was already seated by the enormous dining table when I entered the hall.
I hadn't taken my time to freshen up, I was starving and my mood was terrible after my long ride on horseback.