Love is Darkness

Chapter 16 Prague, Czech Republic

Marion told Val to stay close as they entered. The room was filled with rows of chairs and crowded. Atleast a hundred vampires filled the hall. She looked around slowlyat the male and female vampires who were chatting and laughing, asthough this were a fashion show, not a contest to the death.

The group was decidedly odd, not just theirPC appearance (Pigmentally Challenged as Val liked to say). But itwas like a conference collision, with half the attendees dressed inbusiness wear and the other half dressed like they were going to anadult Halloween Party. A party where inhibitions and lifeexpectancies were left at the door.

Lucas was seated in a massive throne thatwas covered in red velvet. He'd cut his hair and all those silkenstrands that she'd been unable to resist touching were gone. Hishair was wavy. Some of it fell forward onto his forehead while theback was barely long enough to graze his collar. He looked modern,the haircut exposing his cheekbones, making him look morealive.

His clothes were different too. He was nolonger in a modern suit, but wearing what she could only describeas gentleman's clothing from three hundred years ago. He worebreeches and even hose. Hose! How could a man make tights look sosexy? His shirt was ivory and unbuttoned at the throat, he lookedlike a romantic hero come to life.

Val realized that she hadn't reallyunderstood that Lucas had lived through civilizations, discardingcenturies and customs like clothing, until now. But now, he lookedlike a warrior. A man who had survived for over a millennia,because he was stronger, fiercer, and more beautiful than any otherman.

He was deceptively relaxed, his chin restingon one large hand as he watched the vampires below him. His gazemoved to Marion and Rachel, then beyond, settling on Val. Shewondered if he could sense her through the cloak. She felt herheartbeat slow as he watched her. A wave of energy enveloped herand she felt herself answering an unvoiced question.

'Yes, it's me. I'm here.' The response wasalmost intangible, but she felt it well from her and radiateoutwards towards him. He didn't change expression and she wonderedif she'd imagined the odd connection. Was it real? A reaction tohaving his blood inside of her?

Lucas looked away from her as though bored.He drummed his fingers on the arm of the throne.

Marion hissed something at her and pushedher into a chair, her back slamming against the wood. She made aslight noise and found Lucas' gaze back upon her. He shook his headslightly, his gaze leaving her and continuing around the room.

She tried to reach him again, stillwondering if the connection from a moment ago had been real orimagined. His shoulders tensed and felt the connection she hadn'treally recognized, shut down.

She clenched the holy water tight.

There was nothing to do but wait.

With a hush, the vampires stilled and Valgot goose bumps. A guard behind Lucas moved forward, a silver staffin his hands. He stopped at the edge of the steps and struck theground with his staff three times, the sound crashing through theroom in a heavy beat.

Then he stepped back to his place behind thedais and Marion stood. Murmurs rose around the room.

Marion stood before him and waited. Lucaswas patient, letting the moment drag out until the excitement inthe crowd swelled, then began to subside. Valerie realized Lucaswas a showman, playing the crowd. Seconds passed as Lucas andMarion stared at each other.

Marion broke the stare, head jerking uphaughtily. As far as a dominance contest went, Lucas won. He lookedaround the room, all the other vampires looking away or at theirfeet as his gaze touched them.

He spoke, voice deep and flowing with almostno accent, "My child, will you not bow before your maker?" he said,chidingly.

Marion's voice rang out inresponse, "No, my liege. My path is no longer with yours. Weare via fracta and I offer you Challenge." Valerie heard the formality inthe words and translated the Latin to 'a break in theroad'.