One Big Happy Family

Chapter 8: The Plot to Wake Lorie Up

Nicolae and Drogo walked back into the house after formulating their plan. They had waited outside, in a hidden spot, until they saw Viktor leave to go hunting either in the woods... or the city. Their father was not fond of animal blood, so the latter was a more likely choice.

"We're going to need Peter for this," Drogo whispered, once he was sure that Viktor was completely out of earshot.

Nicolae nodded in agreement. "I'll tell him as soon as I see him."

He was interrupted by the soft sound of piano music.

"I think he's in the music room," Drogo remarked. "What a surprise..."

The two brothers approached the music room. They could hear Peter playing a melancholy tune on the piano. Drogo rolled his eyes.

"Can he ever play something a bit more... lively?"

"Leave him alone, Drogo," Nicolae frowned. "He's been through a rough patch lately."

"Oh... and I haven't," Drogo scoffed.

"Yours and his are very different scenarios," Nicolae said. "Peter is actually grieving... whereas you're just worried about saving your own ass."

"Whatever," Drogo turned the handle and opened the door. The music stopped.

Peter turned around, startled by the interruption.

"Whoa! You're both here! What's the special occasion?" He grinned seeing his two brothers.

"We have to talk," Nicolae replied in all seriousness.

Peter's grin disappeared. "Alright. What's this all about?"

Nicolae and Drogo exchanged a meaningful look, and then Nicolae spoke:

"Drogo and I want to wake Lorie up."

Peter's green eyes widened. "What? Why?"

"Because... we need to distract Viktor," Drogo explained. "He's been asking a lot of questions about the Osbornes... Nicolae is worried he might find out that Sarah is still alive."

"I see..." Peter said pensively. "And you think waking Lorie up is the best way to go about it?"

"Why? Do you have a better idea?" Drogo asked pointedly.

Peter shrugged. "No... not really... I just don't know if it's good for Lorie."

"I don't get why everyone is so worried about that," Drogo grumbled. "We were perfectly fine... weren't we?"

"Yeah... but Lorie is only six years old," Peter replied. "We have no idea how she'll be."

"Well... there's only one way to find out," Drogo said, a mischievous look in his amber eyes as he started heading for the door.

"Hold on, Drogo," Peter jumped off the bench. He placed a hand over his younger brother's arm, holding him back. "Let's think about this... really carefully."

Drogo sighed. "What now? What do we have to think about?"

"For example... what are we going to say to her when she wakes up?" Peter asked.

"How about: good morning, sleepy head. How do you like being a vamp?" Drogo proposed, snickering.

Peter rolled his eyes. "No... somehow I don't think that's the best way to greet her."

Drogo turned back around and plopped into an armchair. "Fine. You decide then, Peter... since you're the only one fretting about it."

Peter ran a hand through his dark hair. "Maybe we should say something like: Lorie, don't be afraid... it's just us... your brothers."