Lethal Beauty

XXI - The War of Blood

Thirty-eight years ago.

A large grandfather's clock swung on oiled hinges beside a wide and rectangular bookcase. A young woman in her twenties, wearing a military outfit, with medals on her left breast pocket indicating that she was a high-ranking officer, pulled out a faux book on the case allowing a clearance.

Nikita Yuri Romanov stepped in quietly and peered on the small occupant of a crib near the window sill. The view outside was stunning despite the scalding sun. The land was the epitome of perfect bliss.

"Hello, my darling Eve. How is your day? Mom has quite an adventure today. Do you want to hear it?"

In the crib, was the two-year-old Eve. A sleeping angel with skin as white as snow. So much that she was practically glowing. Suddenly, she felt the presence of an archaic figure.

They were called in many names. Higher Immortals. Purebloods. The Originals. The Elders. Since her teenage years, the government trained her and her classmates and then molded them to feel these immortals. Fight. Defend Survive. Even if neither one of them stood a chance.

"Yuri."

Standing outside, watching silently was a primordial vampire. Strikingly beautiful. He inclined his head, seemingly waiting for her. Glancing down at the crib, she pulled the canopy to cover the precious thing. A vampire wouldn't enter a human's house unless invited. And she wasn't about to invite a predator inside her home.

After a while, she moved toward the window and gazed at the man.

"Jessen. What do you want?"

⛧☾༺♰༻☽⛧

Rome was known as the Eternal City with a captivating blend of rich culture, history, and sophistication. Janne Marie Rosenthal chose a private dining with exclusive settings. So private that no one would think that she was meeting an author who had lived for centuries.

Arriving just on time was a really tall gentleman with raven hair that was slightly wavy, brushed up with a few layers falling down his thick brows. He wore a black mid-length coat and printed pants. There was not a trace of the past in his present stature. He was as modern as the rest of the mortals in the world. Eyes an intense grayish-blue.

"Hello, Yuri. It's been a while."

"Yes," Janne smiled. The wrinkles on her face suggested her age. "It's been a while."

Jessen Milen-Kirkorov walked to the table and took his seat in front of her. They faced each other, and he studied her in close proximity. The last time they met, a shtriga almost had the child. It was the first time he used his skill on the boy. It was a risk. There was no guarantee it would work given his bloodline.

"You found a nice place. We often meet deep in the woods. This is too...public for a private restaurant."

"I'm tired of hiding. Besides, no one would suspect you're meeting someone important, in a place where you could possibly be seen by one of your kind."

They regard each other silently. He conceded, "Make sense. How is the boy?"

Janne fidgeted for a moment and moved her hand under the table. "There are things that I allowed to happen. Because I believe that it has to happen."

The vampire went rigid. In fact, he could easily pass for a statue made of pure alabaster. "Explain."

"Abel was the one sent in Saint Constantine as the representative for the humans."

Although he appreciated the straightforwardness, he didn't think it would be this drastic. His mood instantly turned sour. "Are you fucking kidding me? All these works we did all these times; you've thrown them away! Why would you send that kid back to that place?!"