The Eyes Of 'Rah

The gods are vexed

The sound of feet as it approached his wing woke Xavier up from his slumber, groaning as he willed his drained body awake. In order not to raise suspicious from his butler even though Herbert is tight-lipped, Xavier wore his usual cool expression as Herbert entered after a soft knock.

He grunted as he felt a residual pain in his joint, never had his pain took this long to go. It always vanishes few seconds after regaining his abilities, unsure of why he was still in pain after gulping the whole jug of blood, he turned when Hubert entered.

In the years Herbert had taken the role of serving under Xavier Orsini, as he had done for his father, this was the first time he would notice his master appeared anything but alert. Tired lines marred his face, as if he had a sleepless morning, not that many people would have notice but because he had known master Xavier since infant, he could tell his master wasn't in his usual sharp form today.

Since it was not his place to comment on his master's appearance, he kept his mouth shut.
"Good after Master Xavier, your friends are waiting for you in the garden. Should I call for your valet?"

"That won't be necessary today, tell him not to come and get me someone who is willing and fit to drink from" he dismissed him after sending a message to his friend that he would join them soon.

Thinking perhaps, if he drink directly from the source, he would feel better. He managed to reach for the jug of water with his shaky hands, downing some, he recalled how intense his night had been.

The pain he felt was worse than usual, at a point he thought his existence had finally come to an end. He closed his eyes when the memory of how his bones sounded as they were breaking and the torn skin flashed in his eyes.

As two heartbeats neared his door, he moved to his mini drawing room to wait.

Xavier gently bit into the outstretched arm of the maid, with no time to savour the fresh blood, he kept drinking till he felt the weight of the girl on his knees. Careful not to drink her to death, he stopped immediately.

Watching Hubert's carried to the girl out, Xavier felt energized, the pain slowly ebbed always, leaving his joints a little bit numb. He felt quite better than before, he took his time to get ready and joined his friends in the garden.

The sweet scent of his mother's Magnolia flowers mixed with the aroma of foods laid out on the table seduced his nostrils, the table was occupied by the twins and Francis and his cousin, leaving one chairs vacant.

"Word in the vampire world is that a human dared accuse you of assault" Daniel spoke as soon as he sighted Xavier.

Poking a chunk of apple in her mouth, Diane added, "that she went to report you at the station" sounding impressed, she chuckled.

"How true is that?" Francis asked, with curiousity.

Settling down, Xavier directed a pointed look at his cousin who had been grinning the whole time, "somebody here attacked the girl after claiming to be part owner of my factory. Dear cousin, you want my factory that bad?"

All eyes turned to Stephen, "don't mind the lying bitch, she assumed I was you because I said I was an Orsini"

"I know you're lying through your fangs but I'll let it go" Xavier glanced at his cousin, "let it sink through your brain though that it won't do you any good to associate yourself with my things. I don't share" he pinned his gaze on his cousin.

His friend had gone quiet, knowing better not to interfere with the matters between the cousins. Stephen disliked the way Xavier talked to him, especially in the presence of his friends, "I hear you" smiling on the surface to brush the issue asside even though he boiled with anger on the inside.

Xavier knew his cousin was just putting on a friendly face, he could see right through him, behind the smile was a rage he was trying to rein in. Xavier wished he could dare him one day so he can put him in his place once and for all but the bastard knows just when to halt.

Turning to the only person he would love her company, Stephen turned to Diane, "would you like to join me on a ride to town?" Flashing her the brightest smile he could summoned.

Stephen was the least person she was fond of among the Orsini family, she would've turned down his invitation if she hadn't made up her mind to seek out the brave human whom had survived both brothers.

"No!" Daniel spoke, there's no way he would allow his twin go on a ride with him.

Diane who wanted to decline the offer at first but changed her mind, upset that Daniel spoke on her behalf, acting like her spokesman when she can easily decline without his interference, "Sure, no problem Stephen"

While Francis and Daniel looked surprised at Diane's response, knowing how irritated she gets whenever Stephen approaches her or start one of his gimmicks in hope of expressing his feelings. Xavier on the other hand only concentrated in his meal, he knew the reason she accepted his offer.

After the two departed, Xavier glance at his werewolf friend, "trouble in paradise"

"Nothing gets past you, as usual" Francis waved him off, "nothing really, just some minor problems in the werewolf community"

Xavier went back to his meal but Daniel, a complete opposite of Xavier, who never learns the habit of respecting boundaries and minding his business broach further, "if it isn't serious why the worried look?

"Sorry my friend, it's a werewolf matter and I'm not obliged to tell. Better luck next time" Francis winked at the sour look on his friend's face.

Herbert's presence drew their attention to the female behind him, "Lady Knox is here to see you" Herbert looked at Xavier.

The pretty blonde woman in a cream dress, styled to show a little bit of their bossom than necessary which all the elite had taken a fancy, advanced towards the men, "pardon me gentlemen, I insisted Herbert take me to Xavier without announcing my presence, I hope you don't mind"

She sat beside Xavier's chair, pretending she didn't see the one Daniel pulled for her across him.

"Not at all" Francis responded.

After exchanging pleasantries with the men, Priscilla Knox returned her attention to the one she had come to visit. She had been fortunate to glimpse Stephen and Diane in the carriage on their way to town. Glad to know the lady she couldn't stand won't be present when she visits the Manor, Priscilla had quickly changed her route to deliver the invitation herself. If she was lucky, she could get the opportunity to be closer to Xavier Orsini, the vampire every mother wants their daughters to wed.

"I would like to invite you to my birthday soiree this weekend. I would be overjoy if you could accept my invite" putting on a puppy eye to persuade Xavier. It is no longer news that Xavier Orsini hardly accept invite and even if he does, he doesn't stay that long.

Signalling Herbert to take the invite, he didn't bother to show her the courtesy of reading the small pink card tied with a white ribbon, "I'll try to honour your invite, Lady Knox"

"I'll settle for you trying than not to show up at all" deliberately, she subtly rubbed her hand against his as she picked up her customised handkerchief she had earlier placed on the table, an act which didn't go without noticed by the three men.

"I don't understand how the beautiful women flock over you knowing how hard-hearted and coarse your mouth is" Daniel shook his head in disbelief.

"I think naturally, women are attracted to things that are difficult to get, like the rarest gem of jewelry or the most expensive dress and that also applies to our dear friend here" Francis slapped Xavier's shoulder.

"Women are complicated I guess, can't they see how close-mouthed and rude he is?"

"When you're done analysing the way women's mind work and taking a jab at me in the process, meet me in the carriage so we can leave on time."

Before entering the carriage, he spoke to his coachman, "slow down when we get to the pawnshop in town."

If his guts was right, which they usually is, he would see the the nosey vampire, Diane Manchester in there.