Black Rose [Regulus Black]

51 - new lives & awaited explanations

There was a disgusting squelching sound as Alessandra turned the Muggle's liquidating skull inside out, causing his head to begin to cave in. He gurgles as blood and slime began oozing out of his orifices, but Alessandra flicked her wrist to wrap a tight black cord around his mouth to shut him up.

"Beautiful," Voldemort marveled. "The fact that you can perform magic this Dark without a wand is a testament to my blood running through your veins."

There was an appreciative murmur from the crowd of Death Eaters gathered around Alessandra and their Dark Lord, but she didn't feel anything. Not disgust or pride or even boredom, just nothing.

Voldemort carelessly swept his hand to dismiss the Death Eaters and they scattered like mindless sheep.

"When will you be able to perform the Cruciatus curse?" he demanded when everyone was out of earshot. "All this is child's play compared to that. It doesn't look good that the next commander of my army can't perform it, people will begin to ask questions.

At that, a small part of Alessandra's consciousness awoke and screamed Never! However, it was only an infinitesimal piece of her; the rest of her had this uncontrollable desire to make her father happy, and so, she gave him the response that would please him the most. "Soon, Father."

His eyes bored into hers, searching for a lie. Pleased with what he found, he clicked his tongue and turned around, wordlessly expecting her to follow. As though an invisible string was pulling her around, she walked behind him, reveling in the way everyone in the room's eyes seemed to follow her. "Would you wish to know more about your past?"

She remained silent.

"I would certainly like to know how your mother abandoned you in an orphanage, of all places. Wouldn't you?" his voice ended in a whisper, and Alessandra saw a small hint of rage concealed in his red eyes. Oh, he was angry, angry about the years of wasted potential in which he could've used her as a weapon, and he wanted answers. "We will find out today."

He strolled out of the ballroom at Malfoy Manor, his annoyance vanishing the moment he exited. It was something Alessandra had noticed about him: he too hated these parties, hated being around these lavish fools who were far beneath his station.

He ascended the stairs, and for some reason, it always looked like he was floating, or gliding. Perhaps it was his incredibly pale feet that were hidden by his black robes most of the time. She didn't know. Either way, he seemed powerful. That was what was important.

The door to the left of the landing clicked and swung open without him even moving a finger. It was more than what she, or any of the blithering fools in the ballroom downstairs, could even dream of achieving. She followed him into the room, blinking in surprise when she saw Dabria, Evan and Pyrrhus Rosier sitting down, all visibly anxious. They were surrounded by a few of the key members of the Death Eaters, like Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange. The Lestranges looked incredibly smug, probably because they knew wherever the Dark Lord walked, death followed. They enjoyed watching people suffer. 

Voldemort sat down, and Alessandra took a seat to his right. This cleared angered Bellatrix, who sharply said, "I do not think you are supposed to be sitting there."

"She would not be sitting there if I didn't want her to, Bella," he said sharply. "You can all leave now."

Confusion flickered across her face. "My Lord? Is it a good idea to leave you alone in the hands of these people, who may have lied to you and concealed an important weapon of the cause?"

"Are you saying that I am not capable of maintaining control?" Voldemort hissed. "Must I remind you of your own incompetence a few months ago, when I asked you to bring back my daughter and the Black traitor?"