A Stranger in the Night
Chapter 40

"What are you trying to say? That doesn't make any sense!". My confusion was frustrating me. Draven always frustrated me when he was being aloof with things. "I'm just saying, whatever Mother saw about Luna must be serious or she wouldn't have reacted as she did. Maybe you should go talk to her.". I didn't want to admit it, but he was right. Mother was never wrong with her powers and the fact that she had seen something that rattled her, whatever it was, would have been the same thing that Alaric had seen, which was even more concerning. I nodded in agreement with Draven. "Don't stress bro. Whatever it is, we will get through. We are all in this together," he said, as he patted me on the shoulder. I appreciated my brother's support, I only hoped it was enough. But for now, more importantly, I had to see Luna. I know she was worried and concerned and had already shut herself off in our room.

The halls of Ventrue House seemed long and eerily empty. I did not pass one servant or member of the House my entire walk from the Gardens to our room. Something didn't feel right and the overwhelming feeling of dread left me feeling very unsettled, which wasn't that surprising. Anyone who has a visit from the Council, would always feel the same way. As I pushed open the heavy wooden door of our room, I spotted Luna curled up on the lounge chair by the fire, partially hidden under a blanket. I moved to where she was and cuddled up beside her, wrapping my arms around her and drawing her in close as she turned and buried her face in my chest. I swept the hair back from her face and caught the glistening trails of where her tears had run down her cheeks. "I'm sorry..." she said softly, as she wiped a tear away. I hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. "Why are you apologising?". She looked me in the eyes and sent the thought to me - I messed up today with the Council. I'm sorry. I tried to say and do the right thing. My heart broke a little at her thought and I kissed her again. "You don't need to apologise darling. You were perfect.". I held her tightly, trying to reassure her that everything was ok and not letting her know that I was a little worried myself.

We laid there for some time and had both drifted off to sleep. If it wasn't for Nerine entering the room, I would have slept longer. Nerine entered and placed a tray with two large silver goblets on it beside us and continued to plot around tidying up and setting the room straight. I slid out from beside Luna and hopped up, grabbing a goblet from the tray as I moved away. It had been some time since we both fed, and as Luna was still learning to control her hunger when feeding from our donors, the goblets were the best answer for now. "Are you ok Master Alex? There has been talk amongst the servants about the meeting with the Council...is everything ok?", Nerine whispered. I nodded and moved a bit further away from Luna so we could talk. "Yes. For now.". I moved to my wardrobe to pick out some less formal clothes. As I was changing, Nerine continued to speak. "OK. Well if there is anything I can do Master, please let me know." She smiled brightly. She was such a sweet and caring woman and I was always grateful for her and how much she cared. "Actually, do you know where my Mother is? I wish to speak to her.". Nerine nodded, still moving around the room. "She was in the Throne Room with the King before I came her. She sent 2 of her chaperones out earlier and I believe she is waiting for them to return. From what I understand, we have guests arriving soon.".

Guests....at a time like this? Was my Mother mad? Why on Earth would she invite some visitors over when all of this was going on. "Nerine, do you mind staying with Luna till I return. I need to speak to my Mother.". She nodded and found a comfortable spot in the arm chair as she sunk down into it. "Of course Master Alex.", she nodded. I thanked her and left, making my way to the Throne Room. It felt as if my feet were barely moving, no matter how fast I was trying to travel. I needed answers and I needed them now. I needed to speak to Mother and I wasn't letting her get away without telling me what was going on. I was nervous, the palms of my hands were sweating profusely and sparks of flames were exploding from my finger tips without me even meaning to. It wasn't a moment too soon that I arrived at the Throne Room and swung the heavy doors open. My Father and Mother were standing there, facing each other and in deep conversation, but abruptly turned to meet my gaze as I stormed towards them. "What the hell is going on! What was all that non sense with Alaric and the Council and why are you bringing guests back here. I know Alaric found out something something about Luna and I would die before I let him take her away from me.". Both Mother and Father sighed deeply, but it was Father who spoke first, which surprised me.

"We never planned for this to happen Alessandro. If we did, we could have planned for it. Not even you're Mother knew until she followed Alaric's footsteps through Luna's energy.". I didn't know Mother could do that. Only a few vampires could conjure up the energy and power to do that successfully without impacting too much on the person they were exploring. "I'm sorry Son. I should have seen it earlier...but I didn't. I was just so happy that you had finally found happiness, that I was too busy basking in the light of your love and hadn't delved in as deep as I needed to.". A tear ran down my Mother's face, but Father quickly wiped it away. "It is not your fault dear. It is no one's fault, but for now, we do what we must to take control of the situation before it's too late.". My anger had now begun to get the better of me. "You both need to tell me what is going on now! Alaric and the Council have been trying to end our family for over a millennia and now, it seems like they have us where they want us. You need to tell me, especially if Luna is involved in it somehow.". Again my parents both sighed, but that was cut short as Draven, Silvano and Eligio burst through the door. "Well, no one told us it was family catch up time.", Draven jested at the 3 of us. Silvano shoved him aside and made his way to us, Eligio helping Draven up on his way. "What is going on? What can we do to help?". Silvano asked, almost pleading for there an answer. Mother turned away and began to pace, before coming to me. She grabbed my hands tightly, squeezing them before she spoke.

"I have sent my 2 top servants to go and fetch our shortly arriving guests," she began. "I know you think this is no time for guests Alessandro, but they need to be here.". Her answered frustrated me even more. "Who is coming and why is it so important Mother? Surely we should be sorting out what we are going to do about the Council?". She squeezed my hand again. "We are darling. The Guests that are arriving should help us out and stop what is about to happen. I should only pray they arrive in time.". Eligio came forward towards us, "Who is coming Mother? Please? We need to know...". Mother could never say no to him. He was her sweet, kind and caring child, something not all of us children had obtained in our development. "The people who are arriving are Luna's family...Luna's parents.". I dropped my Mother's hands instantly. "What is this foolishness Mother! Luna's parents died when she was younger, she had been living with an Aunt before moving to the city.". Mother lowered her head, "Yes, I know. Yes that is her aunt, but I'm sure if Luna met her today, she would see that she hasn't aged a day. Luna was told her parents had died, but they had actually gone into hiding from the Council. The Council had sought them out Luna's family because of their unique gifts... and I have kept in touch with them, all this time but never once realised that Luna was there's until today's meeting with the Council. I am bringing them here for their own safety and to help us finally end this matter with the Council for all of our sake.".

My anger had reached a new high and I could not control the flames bursting from my hands and out from my coat that I wore. "You are telling me Luna has grown up alone and isolated from the world when she could have been with her family! People who were meant to love her but abandoned her! I will happily turn them over to the Council! Stupid people! Why would they do that to her? Why? Why would they?". I wanted to burn down everything I was so angry, what they had put my beautiful Luna through and now we were protecting them! They should have protected her as well!

"Son....there's something you need to know about Luna....".

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