Bloody Rose

Roman

Roman returned home to hear laughter echoing through the large home. It was his sisters and the sound of a man's voice to. "Adriana I'm home." Roman called. His sister came running down the hall. Her dark hair was curled and she wore a sundress.

A tall man walked behind her. "I'm Vasile Constantin. You are Roman. So very nice to meet you." Vasile had dark hair and looming dark eyes. There was an evil about him. He had the same accent Ashton had.

"Same. Adriana what did you cook?" Roman asked remembering his father's words.

"Alfredo. Come on and sit down-" her voice was interrupted by sound of the doorbell. Adriana looked at Roman in confusion as she went to open the door. Ashton stood there.

She wore dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt with her jean jacket. Her long red hair was in tight curls. She was leaning up against the door with a sly smile. "I'm Ashton."

"She's with me." Roman smiled at her.

The look on Vasile's face was priceless. But Roman did not make it obvious that he knew about him. He let Ashton run the show.

"Come in." Adriana smiled allowing her to enter. She walked in and looked around silently observing the room.

"This is Vasile, my sister's new friend." Roman introduced. They all began walking back to the kitchen table.

"I'll pass, I'm vegan." Ashton said smiling. Adriana nodded as she made everyone else's plates.

"Ashton, you have an accent. So where are you from?" She asked staring at her green eyes.

"I'm from Romania, Italy." She answered.

"What a coincidence, Vasile is from Romania also. And Roman and I have Romanian heritage." Adriana looked at everyone in fascination.

"I was just telling Adriana of how my father came to America." Vasile finally spoke. He was clearing the air of any tension. "There was a serious plague in the town where we lived, my father took my family above seas. We traveled on a journey that was months long-"

"Hold that thought." Ashton reached out to touch Adriana's hand. They locked eyes. "You are going to sit back and stay silent. You are going to forget this whole conversation when I leave." Adriana nodded with a hypnotized smile. "Now let's get to the point. Why are you here Vasile?"

"Charming, dashing Ashton. Why are you here?"

"Do not play games with me." She ordered.

"You were once pleasant, I loved you."

"Watch it." Roman said.

"You've certainly scraped the bottom of the barrel with this one. A human?"

"There has to be a reason you are here, bothering this family. I want to know, and answer me before I get in a bad mood." Ashton gritted ignoring his comment.

"Have you forgotten? He can bring Michelangelo back." Vasile pointed to Roman.

"What are you talking about? Who is Michelangelo?"

"The man that turned you."

"Why do you want to bring him back?"

"I'm assuming you're gonna stop me." Vasile smiled. "Michelangelo has a lot of followers. He even has family members. You can kill me but others will come after me. Everyone will want the boy."

"No one will get him. I'll kill everyone that comes near him. Even you." Ashton stood and grabbed Vasile by the neck. She dragged him outside and threw him against a tree. Roman followed watching her.

"I would love to die by the hands of you, my love. But my job here is not done." He smiled before disappearing. Ashton punched the tree in frustration.

"Ashton, what about Adriana?" Roman asked. She turned to him and walked back inside the house.

Adriana sat at the table with a stuck look on her face. Ashton walked over to her and touched her shoulder. Adriana looked up at Ashton's green eyes.

"Dad what are you talking about? I'm protecting Roman. I am!" She yelled making her eyes wide. Ashton looked at Roman in confusion.

"Adriana snap out of it." Ashton demanded shaking her. She blinked her eyes and looked at her.

"What happened?" She asked her.

"I don't know. You were talking to your father." Ashton informed.

"He said that you're a vampire." She blinked again. Her tone was if she didn't believe it.

"You will forget that your father spoke to you. Vasile excused himself there was an emergency at home. You will go to sleep and sleep until tomorrow morning when it is time for you to get up." Ashton released her hand and watched her walk up the steps.

"What are we gonna do about Vasile?" Roman asked.

Ashton sighed, "Mia and I will hunt him down. Hopefully before he bothers anyone else." She headed towards the door. "Get some sleep because you'll need it and do not invite anyone in." She ordered. He watched her walk towards the door and leave.

Roman ended up back at his old house. He was staring at his father. "Dad?"

"Roman, there are bad spirits in this town. This town will fall. Whatever you do, do not help Vasile or anyone in their plot to bring back Michelangelo. He is dangerous and it is suicide."

"Why is our family in the middle of this?"

"I cannot tell you everything. You're body is weak to vampire compulsion. Vasile will take advantage of you and drain you of information. Ashton will find a way to save you, despite her murderous past she will help because she has grown fond of you."

Roman watched as Cezar's body faded.