In Darkness We Must Abide (The Fallen King, Episode 8) by Rhiannon Frater Page A

you’ve done. They’re coming for you.”
    Slamming his hands down on the table, Roman said, “I will not abandon our home! Our legacy!”
    “ This isn’t about family honor, Roman,” Vanora protested.
    “ Yes, it is, Vanora. The Socolis abandoned their ancestral home when the Communists took over Romania. Everything we could save is in this house. That mausoleum out there contains the bodies of our ancestors. This is our home. Our legacy.”
    “ It’s just bricks and dead bodies, Roman.”
    Lifting his head, Roman stared at Vanora in disbelief. “I thought you understood.”
    “ I understand that you’ve become king of your own small kingdom and you don’t want to leave it.” Vanora felt each word strike deep into her brother’s heart.
    To her surprise, Roman slowly nodded his head. “You’re right.”
    “ Roman, please, let’s go. Let’s leave. Tonight. You, me, Alisha, Carlotta...”
    “ Armando?” Roman’s eyes darkened at the mention the other vampire.
    Vanora nodded.
    “You and he...”
    “ I love him,” Vanora said softly, averting her eyes.
    “ And he loves you.” It was a statement, not a question.
    “ We’re not together. He only came into my life to save you.”
    Dragging her into his arms, Roman held Vanora tenderly. “He’s too old. He’s a vampire.”
    “ I know.”
    With a sigh, Roman released her. “Fine. We’ll go. Let’s finish this party for Carlotta’s sake. I’ll make preparations once it’s over. Where do you want to go?”
    “ I get to choose?”
    “ Yes. Choose.”
    “ I guess wherever Armando says it’s safe.”
    Roman rolled his eyes. “Fine.” Plucking the wine bottle from the table, he leaned over to kiss her forehead. “I love you, Snow Pea.”
    “ I love you, Roman.”
    The doorbell rang through the house.
    “I thought they knew to go to the back.” An icy finger slid along her spine.
    “ It’s a new vampire. She’s a bit nervous. We’ve been corresponding by email and I invited her to come out tonight. That way she can meet everyone.” Roman strode out into the main hallway. “She’s a bit different from all the other vampires.”
    Following her brother as he strode toward the front door, Vanora ’s hands began to tremble. Dread consumed her and she reached out to grab his arm. “How is she different?”
    “ It’s a sad story, “Roman answered as his hand settled on the door handle. “She was made into a vampire at a young age.”
    “ No!” Vanora screamed as he brother’s thumb pressed down on the lever.
    The door swung open revealing a diminutive blond girl dressed in a white lace dress and white granny boots.
    “Lorelei, you made it,” Roman said warmly.
    “ Greetings, Roman,” the girl answered, her big eyes shining brightly in the light from the chandelier.
    “ Don’t let her in!” Vanora cried out, surging forward.
    Lorelei ’s eyes instantly narrowed.
    “ Vanora?” Roman stood with his hand outstretched to welcome the vampire inside.
    Barely able to draw a breath, Vanora whispered, “She’s one of them.”
    “ Someone’s been using her witch powers to spy,” Lorelei said, her lips forming a snarl.
    Surprise registered on Roman ’s face a split second before Lorelei grabbed his hand, wrenched him through the doorway, and vaulted upwards, carrying him with her.
    The wine bottle crashed to the steps and exploded into a fountain of red liquid and glass.
    Vanora screamed.
     
    ***
     
    As Armando approached Carlotta through the vampires clustered along the edge of the pool near the temporary dance floor, he saw the gypsy’s gaze dart toward him. With a charming laugh, she squeezed the arm of the woman she was talking to, then excused herself to walk in the opposite direction of Armando. He immediately shifted into a dark mist, rushed through the partygoers, and rematerialized before her, blocking her way.
    “ Ugh!” Carlotta threw up her hands at him. “I hate it when you do that!”
    Catching her by the