Evanescence (Black Rose #1) (14 page)

"I was sent away," I finish. He flinches and redirects his attention back to the painting nodding.

"Your anger is very much expected. I don't blame you, son."

“I’m not angry, just afraid.”

"Shall we eat and talk about it?"

"Yes."

Without another word, we meet in the dining room where Abel, Bianca, Mike, and even Cedric, sit. The table is covered with a white sheet, and there's baked potatoes, mixed vegetables, biscuits, a huge bowl of minestrone soup, and chocolate cupcakes and cookies. For a species that drinks blood, they sure remember how to cook and bake human food.

"Hope this would suffice," Kaius says as he and Valencia take a seat at the table.

"Hello, Evan,” Abel says as he stands to his feet. “And who might this be?" he asks turning to Essence.

"Essence, meet my uncle, Abel. You know as much about him as I do," I joke.

He chuckles and pats me a welcoming pat on the back.

“He most certainly gets his wit and humor from me I can tell you that much!” he boasts. “It's great to meet you, Essence. I hope you’re hungry. I prepared majority of what you see,” he says with a whisper.

"I'm starving actually," she chuckles.

"Same here," I agree

"Splendid! Dig right in!" he pats both of our shoulders and takes a seat.

"Wow, your family is very welcoming," she says.

"Just don't get too close. They bite," I chuckle and she joins.

"You really do have your uncle’s wit.

"Evan!”

By the tone and loudness of such a voice, one name comes to mind. Mike. He and Bianca rise from their chairs and meet us in the doorway. Mike then gives a strong pat on my shoulder. I wince.

"Nice to see you buddy," he laughs.

"Yes, just remember I'm not as strong as you," I remind rubbing where he hit.

"Not yet at least," Bianca corrects smiling. "Anyways. Hi, brother."

Her hug is tight and strong. She must have forgotten that I'm not as strong as her either -- 'not yet at least.'

"Nice to see you too, Bianca," I struggle to get out after getting beat up by them both.

"Not surprised to finally see you next to Evan," Bianca says smiling at Essence.

"In the flesh," Essence, smiles. "And blood.

"Nice to see you," Bianca hugs her.

"It’s great to see you and Ev together. No more of him drooling over you," Mike laughs.

I nudge his arm with an elbow. Essence giggles. I look over at Cedric who has not moved an inch since we arrived. His hands are clasped together, elbows on the table, and hair covering one of his dark eyes.

"Ahem!" Kaius grabs our attention, "The food's getting cold," he smiles.

We all take a seat and I reach for a piece of fruit.

"Uh, uh, uh, not so fast," mother says. “Prayer.”

She holds out her hands. Kaius grabs hold and we do the same with one another.

"Vampires pray?" I ask.

"Yes," father answers. "Doesn't hurt."

I nod and hold a hand out to Cedric. He sits still with his hands in his lap.

"Cedric," mother says.

Cedric grabs hold of my hand with a cold, tight grip. It hurts, but I try to ignore it. I look over at him. He looks at me. A smile spreads across his lips behind his hair, then his face become serious and annoyed again.

"Go ahead dear," mother says to father. We close our eyes and bow our heads.

"Today, Lord, we give thanks for this wonderful meal we have prepared for our guests. May this food give the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy. We say prayers over Essence and thank you for bringing her here. For Sarah. She has been such a great friend to this family, we couldn’t ask for anyone better. And prayers for Evan,"

I flinch.

"--for guiding him home. Bringing him back to us. His family. Filling the gap that has been awaiting him. May his destiny rest in your hands and may we guide him selflessly. Amen."

"Amen," everyone says.

"After the three of you eat,” father says, “we shall show Evan how to be vampire.”

"Ah, yes! Can't wait for that, brother," Abel exclaims.

"You think you'll be able to handle it?"

I look up to Bianca after taking a bite of cantaloupe and see everyone awaiting a response. Essence slips her hand into mine. I look over and smile at her.

"I think he'll be able to manage. I believe in him."

I blush.

My father throws his arms to the ceiling.

"A woman with faith in a man! Splendid!"

"It's good to see that Evan has taken a great liking into you," mother says. "Sarah informed us of it."

I grimace at my step-mother.

"Throw me under the bus why don't you," Sarah jokes.

"That'd be too easy," mother responds laughing.

"Eventually, it will be for Evan too," Mike adds.

"Why yes, I'm rather thrilled to begin his training. As his father, I'll train him well."

Cedric readjusts himself in the chair and coughs, but it sounded fake. He looks over at me and smirks, then rolls his eyes.

"Now, before we get into greater detail about training," Abel says, "care to share a little about yourself, Essence?"

Essence clears her throat from chewing.

"Well...umm, my story is…um. I’m originally from Rochester, NY, but… “

“Ah, Flower City,” Abel interrupts. “Home of the annual Lilac festivals.”

“Let her finish, brother,” father says.

“Well, I moved to Utica with my parents and haven’t visit Rochester since. A vacation or two here and there, high school is a bit of a drag. I guess if what you're asking for is some excitement, being here and meeting all of you has been the most excitement I've had so far, I mean, I've had my fair share of heartbreaks."

She begins to toy at her bracelet. I grip her hand and she looks over at me and smiles. She holds my hand with both of hers.

"I use to live in Rochester," father adds. "Well, before then, it wasn't called Rochester. Nor a city actually. It was um, dirt."

"Not that much of a difference to what it is now," Cedric says. Essence flinches, and father looks at mother and shakes his head.

"And what is it that you like to do?" mother asks.

"I like to read, go hiking, biking, swimming, but I do LOVE to play the violin."

"Now that sounds marvelous," Abel says. "We’d like to see you play sometime. Evan's birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Why not then? Yes?"

"Great! I'd love to."

"Teach me," Bianca says.

"Of course."

"Maybe, I'd like to learn too," Mike adds.

Bianca exchanges a smirk.

"So, you can compete with me I'm assuming?"

"Always am," he laughs.

We finish our meals and push our plates away.

"How was it, son?" mother asks.

"It was very good. Thank you."

"So," father clasps his hands together. "Are you ready to learn more about being a vampire?"

"I'm ready," I nod sounding much more excited than anticipated.

Cedric rises from his chair and walks out of the dining room without a word.

"Why does he hate me so much?" I ask.

"Ohh, he doesn't hate you, Evan," mother assures. "He's just having a rough time -- misses his father."

“Part of the most reckless of all vampire clans if you ask me,” Abel comments.

Father clears his throat and Abel listens.

“You see, Cedric’s father, the Dracula at the time was destroyed in a war between vampire versus vampire. Of course, Cedric believes his father is still alive. Claims that he can still
feel
him breathing somewhere and claims to have had a dream that he's locked someplace dark. But the war raged, between the vampires and --"

"Over what?" Essence asks.

"The humans," mother answers.

“Humans? Why?" I ask.

"Ages ago,” Kaius says, “Father Verin, well, my brother, Lucid, became very -- power hungry. I couldn’t understand what more power could he possibly want over the vampires. To play God, perhaps? So, he spilled human blood maliciously bringing risk to the exposure of our kind believing only one species shall exist – vampire. Many clans joined together to overthrow him. Not exactly smart to wage war against the Dracula – your own species for that matter. Despite my difference and beliefs, I sided with him, not against him.”

"You lost?" I ask.

"Yes. There had been many fatalities human and vampire alike. Full cities and civilizations destroyed over those many years. In the final war, over twenty years ago outside of Paris, we were outnumbered and there were massive amounts of betrayal. They took something delicate from Lucid. The source that separates his strength and power, as a Dracula, from any other vampire."

"What's that?" Essence asks.

"The Viscus Charm. A necklace worn by the Dracula containing a small vile of the ashes of Viscus Maudere, the first Dracula, or 'god' to some vampires."

"What does it do?" I ask.

"The charm works as an enforcer. It really has a mind of its own or more accurately, it carries the spirit of Viscus Maudere himself. He created this charm and vile, if he were to ever be destroyed, he will live forever in spirit amongst his kind. When it’s time for a new vampire to rule as the Dracula, the charm would make its way. It would coil itself around the neck of the new, righteous owner, unlocking the true power of the vampire beast--a piece of Viscus becomes you."

"How'd they get it from Lucid?" I ask.

Mother places her hand into father's.

"While I was fighting amongst many, my brother Lucid, allowed his strength to become his weakness. He got lost in his madness, it made him careless. While he was fighting, they overwhelmed him. I tried my best to help, but the crowd was too thick. One mistake in turning his back, a vampire removed Lucid's head from his shoulders, thus the charm was freed."

"I'm so sorry," Essence apologizes.

Father nods.

"So we lost the war. The vampire ran off with the charm hoping to put it to better use. They tried to negotiate with him in the past, warning him of a revolt if he does not contain himself for the sake of our species. At the time, I knew they weren’t wrong, but he was my brother. When they killed him, his wife, built a vengeance and disappeared for a few years. But when she returned, she laid waste to many vampires and became even more destructive than Lucid himself. She tried to locate the charm and was completely outnumbered. I then found her in the streets of Paris, dying. She had been attacked. It was then she told me of her son."

"Cedric," I answer.

"Yes," Kaius continues. "But not only that, she told me she had succeeded and reclaimed the charm. After telling them the charm had been destroyed, it devastated the vampire species. They vowed not to ever fight amongst their own kind for destroying a divine relic of Viscus – a representation of who we are and where we came from. We then took Cedric and our family away from Paris and came here to live a new life, but of course, the charm wasn’t actually destroyed."

“Where is it?” Essence asks.

Father reaches into the neck of his collar. A diamond shaped necklace with a vile of ash is protected by golden swirls like thorns from a rose wrapping its body.

"Where it is safe. I knew that lying would make our kind see the error of our ways and selfishness. I knew it would create peace among us if it was believed to be destroyed. Before her last breath, Scarlet’s spoken will was for me to have and protect it and to take care of Cedric, but I can never be the true Dracula apart from not having any people to govern besides our clan…family.”

“Why is that?” I ask.

“The charm hasn't chosen anyone since Lucid’s death. It hasn’t glowed even faintly. Cedric believes by default, he should have the charm because it’s technically, still his father’s until it chooses, but he needs to understand that he must be chosen and the responsibility that comes with it. Besides, I'm afraid if Lucid were alive, or even where Cedric's mind is now, the charm would be misused. He curses me for the death of his father during war and not helping his mother thereafter, but had I known of her intentions, I would have been by her side. Instead, she wanted me to protect Cedric."

"That's not your fault I'm sure you tried your best," Essence says.

"Yes, but it was not enough,” father shakes his head. “Please do understand, Cedric is a good kid. He’s just been through a lot and has so much on his mind."

Everyone sits quiet.

“Sooo, uhh, great story, yeah?” Mike says trying to ease the mood. But I have more questions.

“Tell me about my childhood,” I say.

“Mike, let’s let them speak,” Bianca says rising to her feet.

“You can stay if you’d like. I don’t mind,” I tell them.

“I’d rather not, Evan, sorry,” Bianca says. “We’ll see you in a bit.”