Fear and Blood

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Val sighed deeply and shook his head. “I'm sorry but you'll never regain the full use of your arm,” he told Cassian, who just stared blankly at the wall, as if he couldn't even hear what the doctor was telling him. “Your leg will heal with no permanent damage, but the wound to your shoulder was more serious. Any lower and you wouldn't be sitting here today.”

“This is nothing when compared to what happened to Lord Tristan,” the injured vampire replied sadly, turning his face away. “If only I had been faster, maybe then it would have been me. Maybe then he...oh gods, how could I have let this happen? He was one of the last of his family. How is Lord Ly doing? This must have hit him hard.”

“He's recovering from his own wound as well as can be expected,” Val said as he packed away his medical supplies. “The wound in his shoulder wasn't as severe as yours, but the silver was in his system for longer, so it will take a while for him to recover. As for how he handled Lord Tristan's death, well I suppose his actions speak for themselves.”

“And what about Lady Tricia?” Cassian asked, looking concerned. There was nothing that could be done for Tristan, but at least he could keep his family safe. “I know she cared deeply for Lord Tristan, even if their marriage was arranged. How is she taking the news?”

“No-ones been able to find her for some time,” Val said stiffly, not looking up at his companion. “She went missing a few days before Lord Tristan was killed and no-ones seen her since.”

“Val, I feel rather guilty that I didn't say anything before, but...” Cassian looked rather uncomfortable now. “Well, Lady Tricia has been nothing but loyal to Lord Tristan for as long as I have know her, but, for a while now, she's been acting a little strangely, wondering around at odd hours, trying to keep an eye on Lord Tristan, Lord Ly and myself. I hate to raise suspicion that might be groundless, but I have a feeling she might have been up to something.”

“Well she hasn't really been herself lately,” Val said thoughtfully, wondering why Tricia could possibly be acting so strangely. “But I really find it impossible to believe that she could be involved in Lord Tristan's death.”

Cassian's eyes went wide and he shook his head violently. “No, not at all,” he said quickly. “You misunderstood me. I can't believe she was involved in that in any way. I only meant she was acting a little out of the ordinary. I was a little more worried for Lord Ly than anything. It's no secret she doesn't like him and I was only thinking that she wouldn't want him to succeed Lord Tristan as head of the Aleron family.”

Val nodded, thought something didn't seem right about the situation. Could Tricia really want to take away Ly's birthright? It's true that she didn't like him, but then no-one really did. Tricia had always been politically active, if she thought Ly might put the vampire community in danger there was a chance she wouldn't want him to lead. “Well, Lord Tristan made you his second, so whilst Lord Ly is recovering and Tricia is missing, you are in charge here,” Val said slowly. “If you think it important to find Tricia then we can send some men out to look for her.”

“Do you think that necessary?” Cassian asked frowning, like he didn't like the shape of the idea. “I don't think we need to go after her, only to protect Lord Ly. Forget all about Tricia for the moment, he could still be a target for a hunters club. If they found Lord Tristan then it wouldn't be hard to find Lord Ly as well. He is the last remaining member of the Aleron bloodline, so his survival is very important. Maybe we should have him guarded while he's recovering.”

“I'll have people posted at his door,” Val said. It wasn't hard to believe Ly was in danger, though it was hard to believe it was a danger he couldn't handle for himself. Still, he was the only Aleron left and if the hunters did come after him they had to be prepared.