He snickers as we take our seats. I must say that I’m looking forward to watching this now that I am here. It’s taken a while to get me here as my leaving the ballet has left a bitter taste, but with the best seats in the house, we have a fantastic view of the stage.
I get completely lost in the performance, the music, the steps I haven’t danced in over a hundred years, but I remember them all so well.
A t intermission, Devon, Cole and I are left alone to talk quietly for a few moments.
CK comes back to find us after talking with a group of Vampires whom I don’t recognize. It’s odd for me to see him interacting with strangers. It’s been so long since we were in this kind of setting. Usually it’s just me and him, and of late Cole and Devon. I actually feel kind of jealous, which must show on my face as he peers at me curiously before I adjust my expression, but he says nothing.
The rest of the performance is fantastic, and I end up thoroughly enjoying myself. When we stand and clap at the end, CK pulls me towards him and whispers, “I love you, Aefre.”
A ll too soon, we are back in the car and heading towards the hotel.
“Stay awhile?” I ask CK and he agrees.
As we are standing at the door to the hotel room, I get a weird vibe and hesitate, hovering the key card over the lock.
“What is it?” CK asks immediately as he feels my Vampire senses go into hyper drive.
“I think we’re about to enter the next phase,” I say slowly as I unlock the door and push it open.
As we all warily peer through the doorway from the threshold, all we see is the hotel room. Exhaling in relief, I step across and into the room, while everyone follows. As soon as Devon pushes the door closed, the room goes hazy, and sure enough, we are now standing in the cave from my vision with Corinne and, who I think is, Ahmed, in front of us. With a quick glance at me to confirm, I nod as CK strides forward to stand in front of the man. He tops CK’s six feet with at least another foot and glares down at him as CK glares up and starts speaking to him in…Sumerian? Actually, no, not Sumerian. Similar. Akkadian then? Either way, a super dead language. Having no experience of actually speaking either of them outside of a scholastic environment, this is quite fascinating for me. I glide forward intent on their conversation. Yes, definitely Ahmed, trying to patiently explain to my furious sire where he has been for the last two thousand years. My wide eyes flick to Corinne, standing serenely watching me. A petite brunette, she is like a little china doll: flawless.
She inclines her head. “Aefre,” she says. “Nice to finally see you again.”
“And you, Corinne,” I reply. I have only met her once briefly back in 1053 when she came to Tuscany to see Constantine. He wasn’t there and she left and never returned. “You brought us here?” I indicate the cave.
“Yes, my magick transported you,” she says, lightly placing her hand on her irate sire’s arm. He breaks off his conversation with CK and looks adoringly at her.
“You are being rude, my love,” she scolds him gently.
He clears his throat and looks at me. “I apologize,” he says in that deep, gravelly voice I am now familiar with. “Your sire is a stubborn man.” He glares down his nose at CK, who glares furiously back.
I smile as I say, “You don’t need to tell me twice.”
CK glares at me now, but I ignore him.
“Ahmed, I presume?” I say, holding out my hand.
He bows in response, taking my hand to his lips. “At your service, my lady,” he says straightening up. “You have kept us waiting for a long time,” he adds.
I raise both of my eyebrows at his comment. “Through no fault of my own, I assure you, sir,” I say haughtily.
He laughs. “Of that I am certain,” he says cryptically. “You are the Chosen One, my gi
rl. You will become more Powerful than you can imagine, but first there is something you must do.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Let go?” I ask.
Again, he laughs. “She listens,” he says in delight.
“What do I need to let go of?” I ask, still having no clue.
Ahmed glances over my shoulder at Devon, who is watching this with interest. “Your boy knows. He will go with you.”
Devon looks suspicious but stays silent.
“You will also need the strength of your sire and the love of your new charge. The four of you will go and return here when you are complete,” he says.
“Go where? And where is here?” I ask.