********************************
Author's Note: This chapter has been a long time in coming. To my reader's that have been waiting a while, I promise to not keep you waiting this long for the next chapter. Life just gets crazy sometimes. I suggest that you read the first few chapters before starting on this one. It's a short one, but I couldn't wait anymore to post it. I split one huge chapter into two, so watch for the next one. It's good to be back. :)
********************************
It had been a long few days since the incident between Elizabeth and the Duke. The man was going out of his way to try and gain Elizabeth’s attentions despite the warnings from Gabriella, a fact that made the vampires anger boil. She had to keep it in check though. She’d promised Lothie that she wouldn’t kill the worthless waste of flesh, but the thought did seem very tempting.
She’d thrown everything that she had within her into molding Elizabeth into the very vision of a lady. The young girl had flourished under the attention, learning to read at an alarming rate and smiling for the first time since Gabriella had known her. To say that she was a pet would be a bit of an understatement, Elizabeth was now, in Gabriella’s mind, a daughter and she would do everything in her power to protect and nurture.
Somehow Gabriella wasn’t surprised when the Duke announced a feast to be held the day after she’d dragged Elizabeth away from him. The man was playing every card he had in his deck and his ultimate goal would be Elizabeth, well, over Gabriella’s dead body and suddenly being immortal had it’s bonuses.
Gabriella never saw the point of a feast. It was just a way to show wealth, of which the Duke had much, but it was a waste of time and money. Food she couldn’t eat, a person she couldn’t stand, and people that were just as fake as he was. At least Elizabeth looked forward to the revelry. In fact, they’d spent quite a lot of time in the evenings picking out an outfit that would look outstanding on her. It had taken a while to find one that would fit her ever shrinking frame just right and give her a hint of color, but the red brocade gown did just that. Elizabeth looked almost normal, in fact, something that delighted Gabriella.
The night of the feast was cold and dark, a spitting snow outside as everyone, from servant to noble, tried to gather within the halls. Gabriella stood smirking as Elizabeth danced with the men assembled, much the envy of the ladies of the house, she was sure. Out of nowhere, she felt the presence of another and looking to her right, she smiled as she saw Dmitri standing there, arms crossed as he brooded.
“You seem to be everywhere these days, Dmitri.” She murmured softly as the Duke cut in on Elizabeth dancing with a young knight. She narrowed her eyes as she saw this, biting her tongue to keep from rushing out into the hall and causing a scene. “Lurking in every shadow. You’ll make quite the reputation for yourself.”
“If people notice that is.” He answered back, turning his head slightly to smile at her.
“Tell me, what brings you here? Still working for Alexander?”
He laughed slightly as he turned and leaned against the stone wall beside her, turning so no one could hear their conversation. “Da, Sasha and I still do business together.”
“And how is he doing these days?” She asked, genuinely taken by the conversation. Alexander was a man that was very highly regarded by both her and Lothie along with many other vampires in the area.
“Well for a man that is over 500 years old.” He said with a laugh as he turned to watch Elizabeth dance. “I’m here to collect a soul.”
“Morbid business you have there, Dmitri.” Gabriella said as she looked at him closely. She hadn’t expected that he would be here on business, but she couldn’t say that the news exactly surprised her.
“Well, being an Immortal is no different than being a vampire, now is it? We both collect souls, just for different reasons. I, to continue to cycle of life, and you, to feed and survive.” He explained, brushing off a piece of lint from his doublet. Stepping in front of her, Dmitri took her hand and placed a soft kiss against her skin. He smiled up at her, straightening up as he prepared to leave. “Please tell Lothie that I send him the best regards.”
“I will.” Gabriella said with a slight curtsy. She paused for a moment, staring into his eyes as she tried to delve into his business. “Dmitri, whose soul are you here to claim?”
He smiled sadly and looked over his shoulder at the pair dancing on the floor. Elizabeth and the Duke, palms touching were dancing to the music as they talked quietly among themselves.
“Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Their soul is black, weak, and now it is time for them to continue on with their next life.” He said mysteriously as he bowed deeply and left as quickly as he had appeared.
Gabriella stood stunned at Dmitri’s admission. Immortals only took the souls of other Immortals, that was the way that their laws worked. Looking up as the music ended, followed by light applause, she shook her head gently. One of them is an Immortal. She thought, looking at the Duke and Elizabeth. A dark soul that is weak, he must be talking about the Duke. She soothed herself with that thought, the moment of panic that he was here to take Elizabeth quickly passing. Her thoughts were interrupted by a hand on her shoulder and turning, Gabriella had to restrain a squeal of delight as she met Lothie’s dark eyes.
“Darling.” She whispered, wrapping him in a tight hug and kissing him passionately.
“I see that you missed me.” He said with a chuckle as she pulled back from the kiss.
“More than you will ever know.” Gabriella whispered, her smile fading slightly as she saw the pained look in Lothie’s eyes. “Darling, what’s wrong?” She asked, loosening the hold that she had around his neck and taking a slight step back.
“We must talk.” He said as he took her by the elbow, making her forget about leaving Elizabeth alone with that detestable man as Lothie led her through the halls to their chambers. Shutting the door behind him, he turned to look at her, thinking of what he wanted to say. “We have a problem.”
