***
The Supreme Council was ready to assemble. Heinrich Von Steuben gaveled the meeting to order. There was no one else in the chamber but the nine judges. They had just pushed the two large tables together and put the chairs around them since no one was to testify. Von Steuben turned to Wilhelm and said “I believe that you have news of the Vienna incidents, Willy?”
“Yes, I do. Henri brought four others, and the situation was resolved quietly. The offenders are dead and a plausible story has been planted with the newspaper there. I am on record here in saying that never have I seen such a skillful handling of a bad problem. The group from France performed superbly and Ian McCloud is a tactical genius.”
“There is more too. Aldric Moreau was involved in this thing.” There were two audible gasps. “Ian killed Moreau himself face to face.” There were some murmurings at that. Hoffmeister turned to Henri and said “Once again, my thanks to you, my esteemed colleague. You’ve helped avert a bad situation. We were in real dire straits with so many assets sent to the Balkans. I’m in your debt.”
Henri nodded with a slight smile “We all need to remember that a problem for one of us may become a problem for all of us at some time. However we did have one who escaped.”
“Do any of you know who it was?”
“No. Ian discovered the outside cellar hatch thrown open when he went down to the cellar. We never did find a clue.”
Von Steuben said “Too bad you missed one, but with your numbers and the number that you knew were there, I can see no way that you could have spared two more to go in through the cellar hatchway. Likely whoever it was has been scared enough to hesitate to start up such foolishness again, Henri. I’m most impressed. To kill Moreau in combat…he was a formidable one. I couldn’t tell you how many vampires he’s killed. Since we’ve not had a Chief Inquisitor for around twelve years now is there any chance that Ian would take the position?”
***
At last Ian came to Barcelona House and quickly spied the white house sitting behind it on a small hillside. He eventually found a road that led to it and worked his way up there. There was a carriage there and a man was just coming out of the house. Ian approached the man and introduced himself as Adam MacRae. He inquired about the price and the man told him he had an offer and how much it was. Ian offered him twenty percent above what his offer was and the barrister told him he was sure that the other party wouldn’t want to pay any more. He said he’d come to the inn where Ian was staying either that evening or the next morning with an answer.
Ian spent the evening driving all around the city with the top down on the carriage. The more he drove around, the more he liked the place. He returned his rented horse and carriage to the stable for the evening and said he would want it the next day. Walking to the Inn he went to his room and changed into his running clothes. It was dark by then and he soon he had removed his boots and was out running the hills in the countryside a little distance away from the city. It was exhilarating to be in a new area with different vegetation and strange new sights behind every hill.
He bathed then, and afterward ran for the sheer joy of it, coming to a large stone building that he took to be a monastery. After scouting around the place, he easily bounded over a wall to see what was on the other side. Some robes were drying on a line near to a portico with a low roof. He leaped down to look closer and thought that a hooded monk’s robe would be an excellent way to walk about and observe without even being noticed. Choosing one that was his size he took it. He left a flat stone there and a gold doubloon lying on it that would have paid for thirty of the robes. Stuffing the robe into his rucksack he bounded up and out of the courtyard.
Soon he was back in the city. There he put his boots on and just strolled the streets until no one at all was out and about. Then he went back to his room and penned a letter to Tom and Celita telling them that the house was theirs as a wedding present from him. That way if he was able to buy it that day, he could just have the message and key delivered to the Barcelona House in care of the director. He then dressed in the best clothing he had brought, eating a leisurely breakfast and idling around a bit nearby. The barrister soon arrived with documents and a key. His offer had been accepted so Ian accompanied him to the courthouse in his carriage and signed the deed as an agent acting on behalf of Tom McBride and the house was officially sold.
Ian paid the barrister to take the key and the letter he had drafted to the director of Barcelona House, explaining that McBride worked there. The Barrister knew the place and knew the director. He told Ian that a young woman by the name of Senorita Vasquez was the director of the place. Ian froze at hearing that, and then he was puzzled by the title of senorita, believing her to have long since married and moved away. This meant that Alandra was living here and was director of Barcelona House where Tom worked and stayed. Ian pondered all of this information.
Refusing the offer of a ride back to his Inn, he asked around the courthouse for directions to the Vasquez Villa and soon had the information. Everyone knew where the Ambassador lived. Ian walked to the inn and changed into his monk’s robe and put on his sun glasses. He pulled the hood up and walked through the city toward the road that led southward to the Vasquez home.
As he reached an intersection, he spied a carriage coming from the direction of the Vasquez home. At the intersection there were four benches. There was an entrance to an old cemetery there. He just sat down for no particular reason and was collecting his thoughts. Alandra was still living here and was running a facility which cared for sick children. As he looked around, a carriage went past him. He saw a young woman driving it and suddenly his heart leaped within him. It was Alandra! Nearly calling out to her, he caught himself at the last instant, thinking what would I say to her? How wonderful to see you again and by the way, I am a monster?
She drove past him and entered the cemetery, and he noted that she was dressed in black, but didn’t have on a mourning hat or veil. His curiosity piqued, he walked into the cemetery and took a parallel route to the place where she’d stopped her small carriage. She went to a well-kept grave site within an ornate wrought-iron fence, carrying a small bunch of flowers which she laid upon a grave. Then she sat a while by the grave, seeming to stare at it intently. After a short while she rose and drove away in her carriage, heading toward Barcelona House. Ian walked around idly, but was really making his way to the grave site where she’d been.
Reaching the site, he read the inscription. It was for a man named Philippe’ Rodriquez. As he thought about that he heard someone approaching him and just stood waiting for the person to pass by.
Instead a man of around fifty years age came to him and said “Father, do you know who is buried here? Ian was momentarily surprised, and then realized that the man was speaking to him. He replied “Other than the inscription, no.”
The man went on saying “It is the son of a fine family from Almeria. He was deceived and fought a duel and was killed. It was a senseless tragedy.”
“You’re familiar with what happened then?”
“Yes father. I have a flower shop near the seashore at the market and bazaar. I was selling flowers there the day that this poor man was challenged to a duel. He had approached to buy a bouquet for Senorita Vasquez and another man made as if poor Philippe’ had knocked him down. That wasn’t the case at all. The man who acted as if he had been knocked down told poor Philippe’ in a low voice that Senorita Vasquez was a whore, and that Phillipe’ should send her to him for satisfaction.”
Ian sucked in his breath and the man paused. He looked closer at Ian briefly because of that unexpected reaction; and then he continued “He taunted the man before anyone else got close enough to hear what he’d said. Poor Philippe’ was so angry that he struck him and afterward, couldn’t be dissuaded from accepting the challenge to a duel.”
“No one spoke up to stop it?”
&nbs
p; “Senorita Vasquez seemed to know the character of this other man and said that his challenge was a deception to exact revenge on her for refusing his advances and embarrassing him.”
“So she’d been approached by this one before?”
“Yes. She said in front of everyone that she would marry poor Philippe’ if he would just walk away from the duel, but Philippe’ would have none of it. He was killed by the man the next morning down at the market fountain. It was a tragedy, father. She comes often to put flowers on his grave. I fear that she’ll never get over the circumstances of his death. I’m surprised that you didn’t know this story though. It is common knowledge here.”
“I’m from another place and haven’t heard it. Who is this that did such a terrible thing?”
‘He is Senor Carlos Chavez, father. He’s the son of the crown prosecutor.”
Chapter 70
Marie heard a carriage approaching and walked to the front veranda of the chateau. She thought she had seen that carriage before, and then recognized it as it pulled up. The driver stepped down and opened the door. Anna stepped out and called to Marie “Hello, Marie.”
“Hello, Anna. Please do come in.”
“I’ve brought Serge with me. We’re traveling to my uncle’s place in Nice.” Serge stepped out of the carriage then and approached Marie. He bowed and said “So glad to see you again Madame Marie.”
“It is I who is so glad to see both of you. You are looking well, Anna. My, Serge, you are even more handsome than I remember! Please do come in and have some tea. You will stay with us at least for tonight I hope?”
“Well, we’re not on a schedule, Marie. Your offer is most kind.”
“We’ll all dine together this evening. Henri has returned and he’ll be glad you’re here.” They entered the grand foyer as the driver put all bags on the veranda. Mustafa was coming down the stairs and greeted them. Anna complimented him on how he was becoming such a handsome young man. He asked Serge if he would like to join him and Louis in some target shooting. Serge was enthusiastic having done no shooting since he was last at the chateau.
Soon Marie and Anna were alone having tea in the parlor. They chatted about banking and other things for a bit. She asked about Ian then as Marie knew she would.
“Ian’s in Spain now. He went to buy a house for a shipmate of his from his days as a sailor. It is to be a surprise wedding present for him. He’s going to take a draft-share proposal to Madrid for presentation to a new bank there. Oh, by the way, we’ve expanded into Britain. There is a bank there which has joined us. If this venture in Spain works out, we’ll have partners in seven countries and we think that we’ll expand into Prussia and Austria next year.”
The two engaged in a bit of small talk about her trip and Celeste and then Anna fastened her eyes on Maries’ and spoke.
“Marie, I came here for a reason. I’ve made a grave accusation against Ian.”
“I know. He told me all about it.
“I… I… didn’t know what I was seeing. The blood all over him… I… I couldn’t….”
“Anna. Your reaction to such a sight wasn’t abnormal at all. How many could dismiss such a thing?”
“So he didn’t deceive you about his…. his… condition… what he… does? He didn’t deceive his wife, Cosette?”
Marie got up from her chair across from the sofa where Anna was seated. She came to her side and sat down, silent for a moment as if gathering her thoughts. Then she spoke “Anna. We’ve all deceived you. And worst of all, you’ve deceived yourself. Ian didn’t choose to be the way he is. He was…. infected. Cosette found him and saved his life. She brought him here to us and he recovered here. He’s been part of our family ever since then. Henri and I think of Ian as our son.”
“So you don’t mind that he…drinks blood, Marie?”
“Anna, come with me to the kitchen. I have something that I want you to see.” They sat down at one of the three large kitchen tables. Marie closed the doors to the kitchen before sitting next to Anna. She put a small bowl of water, a towel, and a kitchen knife on one of the tables. Picking up the knife she turned her other arm upwards on the table. Fastening her gaze on Anna she said “Watch this.” She delicately made a cut an inch long in her arm and then laid the knife down. Anna shrank back with her eyes wide.
“Don’t be afraid. Just watch.” She took the towel and dampened it and wiped the blood away. As Anna watched the cut healed and left not a trace. Anna gasped and looked up at Marie. Marie extended her arm to Anna to inspect. She shrank back, and then looked again at Marie who nodded to her. Leaning closer then she peered intently and exclaimed with eyes wide in wonderment. “Why there isn’t a trace of a cut!”
“Ian didn’t deceive us, he’s one of us.” There was silence in the kitchen then. Anna was aware of the wind playing about the curtains a bit in the kitchen window.
“One of you, Marie?”
“Yes. Cosette was too. She saved Ian by bringing him here. He was… infected and dying. We knew how to… reverse that; to cure him… and we did so. Ian had a hard time accepting what had happened to him. There was a period of adjustment for him to go through. We had to keep him here because he couldn’t go back to rejoin his shipmates. He fell in love with Cosette over time and married her. They were as a son and daughter to us.”
‘Us?”
“To Henri and I, Anna.”
“Henri is….?”
“Yes.”
“So you all drink….”
“Yes, Anna. We must drink a little from time to time or die. We eat food like you do too, but we must have blood from time to time.”
“Do you drink human blood?”
Her eyes widened and a frown came over her face. “No! That is an abomination!”
“Marie, I’m confused. I…”
“Anna, look…there is a governing body among our kind. They monitor reports from all over Europe, Russia, and some places in the mid-east. They won’t hesitate to kill such a one, and they won’t hesitate to do what is necessary to keep our existence secret. Ian told you that for your own sake, and I’m telling you now. Disclose this information Anna, and you and your household will all die. There would be no stopping it. Our kind do live in your cities as well as hundreds of others.”
“Hundreds…Marie…. What? I… I… understand, Marie. I’d never do that for any reason; never.”
“That’s good. I really like you and your son. I’d hate it for anything to happen to either of you, especially if it was because of us. I understand that the boy Andre is healthy and doing well?”
“Yes he is. I was worried that he’d become… you know, what…?”
“There is no danger of that Anna. A simple transfer of blood is nowhere near what needs to be done to become as we are. There is no small amount of pain and mentoring that accompanies such a thing either. Regarding what Ian did, none of us knew that it could be done. He’s the first one of us to save a life that way”
“We’re very grateful because we all know that Andre was as good as dead.”
“It’s likely that Andre will never suffer an illness in his entire life now that Ian did that. We’re very robust, very hard to kill. Ian is very sympathetic, and especially to suffering children. He saved Celeste’s life along with four others who’d been kidnapped to be sold to Satanists. He’s since done that three more times to rescue children being sold for heinous purposes. Celeste has become like another daughter to us. She lived a while in one of our orphanages.”
“I didn’t know all of that. I can see that…caring in him. I remember it well. He has so many wonderful qualities. I’m so sorry that I didn’t let him explain! Celeste…she knows… about you?”
“Yes, she does. She accepts us as loving friends, and she worships Ian. We’re like family to each other.”
She sat thinking, absorbing the concept of a family of mixed humans an
d non-humans. “I want to apologize to Ian. I do miss him so, Marie. I’ve cried myself to sleep more times than I can count.”
“I’ll tell him you were here and what you’ve said, Anna. It might be best if you just moved on with your life though. I won’t speak for him, but I’m not sure that he could ever feel the same toward you.”
“Oh Marie!”
“He wouldn’t hold a grudge though. It’s not in him to be that way. He was so sorrowful for how badly he hurt you when he came home, and he only thought of the pain he caused for you.”
“That sounds so much like him. What a fool I’ve been!”
“Anna, he refused to return to a girl he was in love with after his infection. He feared that she’d view him as a monster. She was seventeen years of age.”
“So young…why do you think he took up with me, other than that I did pursue him?”
“You’re mature, Anna, and have lived and had the opportunity to have children and live a full human life, whereas this girl had hardly begun to be an adult. When you reacted as you did, that reinforced to Ian that he is different and that he’s better off being only involved romantically with our kind. He has lost much and still seems to always find a way to give to others. I worry about that and what it will do to him over time. He’s never touched a violin or an artist’s brush once since you sent him away.”
“I feel bad enough already, Marie, but I’m glad you said that. I have his violin along with the belongings he left behind. He said something about being able to travel faster afoot than by carriage?”
“We run faster by far than a horse does and can do so for long periods, Anna. It is one of many things that make us different from you humans. I think Ian is slowly recovering. He may be sensitive, but he’s resilient too. You can be thinking about that while you’re in Nice.”