Within Darkness

Within Darkness - Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Four: “Aye.” And so it was that, before the sun rose on that day, Alexander and Dmitri of the De La Cruz Family were born.

Celeste just smiled as everyone looked at her, horrified.

“Oh, come on! None of you can say you’ve never killed an immortal. It’s how you get to be a Court member; kill the competition. I know Lord Tristram massacred hundreds.” Lord Tristram jerked his head up and abruptly stood. As he hurried away, Celeste pouted. “Oops. Did I hurt his feelings, Sweety?”

“I think so.” Dmitri murmured.

“Too bad. I‘m just getting started.”

“No, you are not.” Lord Aldon rose from his chair. “We did you the honour of asking you to join us and now you insult us. You are finished now.” A hand rose above his head and he flicked it slightly. Immediately, a group of around thirty vampires, dressed in white with the emblem of the vampire Court over their hearts, appeared from out of the open doors. Efficiently they surrounded Celeste, Dmitri and Alexander. Celeste frowned.

“You’re wearing my colour.” She turned to Alexander. “They’re not allowed to wear my colour.” She faced the Court again and snarled suddenly. “Please destroy those thieving schal-taijs!” The ancient curse rolled easily off the child’s tongue. The male witch asked her companion,

“What does… that mean?” The vampire winced.

“You do not want to know.” Casually, the twins stepped around Celeste to place themselves in front of her. As Alex stepped forward and the Court guards automatically stepped back, Dmitri moved to grasp Alex’s wrist. Alex looked at him curiously.

“What is it?”

“Brother, Celeste phrased that as a request not an order.” Alex’s eye lit up as he immediately grasped Dmitri’s reasoning. He grinned wolfishly.

“And will it contradict any of her previous orders?” Dmitri’s smile was equally grim.

“No, it will not.” Alex looked at him admiringly.

“Brother, have I ever told you that I love how smart you are?”

“Not nearly enough I’m sure.”

“Something that will be corrected at the nearest time.” As one they turned and strode past Celeste, hand clamping tight over their ears.

“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?” The twins showed no sign of hearing or stopping. As they stopped just in front of the door, backs to the ball room, Alex spoke casually,

“She is all yours. Have fun!” They disappeared.

“Well, well, well, isn’t this interesting? Have you been keeping your children by your side through orders? Tut tut, Celeste, you know how that always ends up.” Lady Vega’s voice was patronisingly sympathetic. Celeste hissed in anger. 

“I can still kill you all!” Lord Kieran suddenly rose and flicked a hand out.

“End her now. I’m bored.” At that sign the vampire Court guards, buoyed by the twin’s absence, fell on her with such frenzy that she could no longer be seen. Only her screams could be heard.

Agonising minutes passed before the unrecognisable mass of red that was previously Celeste managed to squirm her way out of the guards. She leaped over the vampire Court guards and then fled, screaming, towards the exit of the ball room. She easily made out the two brothers, hiding just next to the door. The twins had removed their hands from their ears and heard her whisper "Do svidaniya." at them as she ran by them and out of the ball room. The vampire Court guards ran quickly after her.

The two brothers moved silently and unseen to stand behind the Court table. They looked at each other. Celeste had told them "Until we meet again.” Alex shook his head. There was no way Celeste would survive; even if she evaded the vampire Court guards, her wounds would kill her very quickly, especially out there in the wild of Russia. They dismissed her from their minds and Alex drawled,

“That was fun.” Every one’s heads whipped sharply to look behind the Court table where the twins stood. High Lord Cian stood.

“Why did you turn against your sire?”

“She was no sire of ours. She was a puppet master.” Dmitri took over speaking.

“We would strongly prefer not to be tied to someone that: controlled us through orders; made us participate in horrendous acts; threaten to harm one brother if the other acted out; and refused to allow us to choose names.”

“You have no names?” Lord Eamen asked, shocked.

“None other than the ones our parents gave us. And we were forbidden to use them. It was not until we came here, and Celeste explained who the Court was, that we even realised we should have chosen names for ourselves.”

“I think it’s… too late to choose names now.” Lord Eamen frowned.

“Yes,” Lord Aldon replied, “For embracing the life of being turned. But not for embracing life as Court members.” The twins arched their left eyebrow in unison.

“Court- Members of the- Aldon! You can’t be serious!” Lord Eamen stuttered.

“I am.” Lord Aldon turned to the High Lord Cian. “Old friend, these two have been wronged by the laws we are duty bound to protect and enforce. The wrong that has been made against them must be righted. They are strong and intelligent enough to be members of the Court.” High Lord Cian looked steadily at him. Lord Aldon did not flinch. High Lord Cian turned to look at the other members.

“What say you, members of the Court? Remember that they must be reimbursed in some way.” The High Lord looked at Lord Aldon curiously. “What is the other option?”

“Hmm… £20,000 and a portion of land measuring roughly 7 hectares squared must be taken from each member and given to the twins.”

“Wait, is that both together?” Lord Eamen sounded hopeful. He deflated when Lord Aldon stated,

“Each.” Lord Eamen sighed and raised a hand, “Aye.”

“Aye, they’re cute.” Lord Vega winked.

“Aye.” Lord Aldon did not add anything onto the end of his affirmative.

“Aye, can I go now?” Lord Kieran looked at the High Lord Cian impatiently.

“Can you go find Lord Tristram for me, child.” Lord Kieran’s eyes lit up at the prospect of a game. He scampered out of the room.

“Nay.” Lord Damien’s stare was not friendly. “They turned on their sire; what would stop them attacking us?”

“Warriors’ loyalty.” Lord Aldon spoke quietly. Lord Damien snorted and muttered what loyalty? under his breath. Lord Kieran entered, hand dragging Lord Tristram into the room.

“I told him the nasty girl was gone but he still didn’t want to leave the Church so I had to make him.” Lord Tristram’s pained face showed that it was a not pleasant persuasion technique used. The High Lord quietly explained what the vote was for.

“Aye.” Lord Tristram took the opportunity to rub his wrist as Lord Kieran let go to run to the High Lord Cian’s side. He wrapped his small arms around the High Lord’s waist.

“Do I win?” The High Lord smiled gently.

“Yes, baby. You won. Congratulations.” The other Court members softly murmured their congratulations as well. Lord Kieran basked in the satisfied glow for a moment then squirmed out of the High Lord’s arms and ran away. High Lord Cian turned back to the twins. Even though the majority had replied “Aye” the High Lord could still over rule them.

“Aye.” And so it was that, before the sun rose on that day, Lord Alexander and Lord Dmitri of the De La Cruz Family were born as members of the Vampire Court.