Chapter 54 Luca's Secrets Wrapped in Untold Memories

Chapter 52 Cold Corpses and Changed Forms

JULIEN

Julien felt the warmth begin to leave the skin of the man he was drinking from. Normally, it was a clear sign for him that he needed to stop or else he'd drain the body completely, but this time that was the plan.

It was rare for him to kill someone like this, but it was always with intent when he did. Leaving bodies drained of blood tended to leave quesitons for the humans. Questions, he would rather not have to answer if it was traced back to him or his family.

Yet, with this one, he'd taken his time in chosing who it would be. A pawn in a bigger plan. It had to be a Matranga. Which was the only part of the issue that he loathed doing, but he couldn’t deny its necessity.

The Lafitte spies that were in the main houses had alerted him earlier in the week that Eveet was asking her people strange questions. Questions about vampires. He also knew that she'd had a Voodoo Mambo visit a couple of times over the last year and he didn't want her questions leading back to the Lafittes.

He'd picked someone he knew was already on the take with the Provenzanos. A lowlife hoping to score big with one of the families, no matter who he had to screw over to do it. Well, it wasn't going to be the Matrangas. Not after tonight.

He felt the slimy chunk of muscle and vein press up against his mouth, telling him that he'd drained every last drop from the human. He dropped the body to the floor and it landed with a heavy thud at his feet.

Julien bent and picked up the arm, dragging the man's sleeve across his face to get the remaining blood that had smeared there.

It wouldn't take him long to carry the body over to the Matranga warehouse and plant the Provenzano dagger in the mans back. If Eveet's people were any good, they'd notice the two puncture wounds and ignore the knife but either way, it would get them looking at the Provenzanos for vampires and not the Lafittes. Anything that made her question the Provenzanos was better than none.

He moved through the shadows of the night like he was part of them. Even though he moved by small groups of people, they didn't see him. He moved too fast.

When he finally made it to the back of one of the alleys beside the warehouse, he laid the body against the brick wall. Then he shoved the dagger deep into his back before slumping him forward.

He stepped back and looked down at his work. Satisfied, he pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. It was still early, only one in the morning. He'd have plenty of time to make it back to the house and go over plans with his father once more.

They'd received a copy of the wedding invitations that Eveet had picked out, along with a short list of her preferred locations for the event. He wanted to go over the list and plans with his father before he saw Eveet again. Which thankfully, should be this weekend.

He was growing more anxious as the wedding drew closer. He looked back down at the white skin of the body and breathed deeply. He hoped one day he wouldn't have to hide his truths from Eveet.

He'd told his father that she was strong enough to handle their reality. In fact, he planned on telling her exactly what they were the night they were married. No more lies and deceat. He no longer cared what his father had to say about it any longer.

A high squeal from a group of bats sounded overhead, pulling his attention to the sky and away from his thoughts. It was an unusally clear night for fall in the South.

He glanced once more at the body before he moved with speed back towards his family's estate.

Only, when he arrived, he found that he too had a visit from the Mambo waiting for him. She smiled up at him with the look of an old woman. Her fine white hair hung around her face is light wisps, hidden behind a grey cowl. The cloak hung around her form like some kind of mimicry to Death.

"To what do I owe such a visit?" He paused and looked over her odd form. "And why are you hiding behind such rags, Celestine?"

A laugh trickled out, wet and thick, before he watched her form change. Spindly hair became full, with wide curls that hung in blonde waves. Her wrinkled skin titghtend to smooth satin and when her eyes met his again, it was the face of a young child that looked up at him.

"I've found that I'm taken more seriously if I don't show up in my true shape. Apparently, in this age, children are far more stupid then in earlier times." She bent her shoulders in on herself and when she spoke again, an odd Creol accent tinted her words. "A frail, an old woman has no'ting to hide. Right?"

His eyebrows creased. "Who is it that you've been visiting that you would need to take you seriously?"

Another laugh left her petite lips but this time it wasn't covered in the sounds of an old woman. It was light and pretty. She dropped the accent and said, "Why do you ask questions, that you already know the answer to?"

Frustration was building. He had things to do and wasting time with a Mambo was not one of them. Even if she was one his kind.

He pulled his watch out once more and spoke while still checking the time. "Do you have something you need to say? If not, I'm rather busy this night."

"I hear it's not just nightime that has you busy. The Chamomile plant has been kind to you."

"Celestine..." He pressed.

She lifted her hands into the air. "I come here, bound by the prophecy to do so."

The prophecy. He hated that term. So much of his family and life were surrounded by its dark words and he loathed it.

"Yea?" He asked. "And what exactly is it about that telling that has you gracing my doorstep?

"Your family's mingling. You've changed it beyond alteration. Nothing now will stop what is to come."

Exhaustion filtered in. More threats? He wondered.

Like she could hear his thoughts, her next words sent a chill down his spine. "Your bride will send you to the wastes."