Oh, thank the gods. Thankthegodsthankthegods.
In the midst of his feverish prayer, he heard a sound. A faint, but familiar whisper. The whoosh of wings. Far in the distance there was movement, a swirling red glow…
It came closer, morphed into three naked females, their scarlet wings beating slowly…
As they came toward him, Marek realized the depth of his punishment.
* * *
Marek opened his eyes. In the lull between the end of one attack and the beginning of another, he had to think. Quickly.
I must survive… No matter what I suffer, I’ll live through it. I swear. Accept and trust. I’m more then worthy and I’ll attain that destiny whatever it is. When I’m free, I’ll kill Ravagiu and that royal bastard. And then… Céline, I’ll come back to you, I sw—
All thought ended as he was drowned in a flurry of wings.
Epilogue
Paris, France
1811
It was midnight as Céline walked with Diana to the waiting coach. At sundown, the Prince’s steward brought news of Marek’s execution, telling his brothers they wouldn’t be held responsible for following his orders in upholding the sânge ravensa. To everyone’s horror, Dan gave way to a crippling siege of hysteria, leaving Andrei to assume command, stating he was taking his family away.
Just before sunrise the next night, the Strigoisti took leave of their brother’s widow and departed France. Diana was leaving, also, for Vienna, where Karl-Josef, absolved of aiding an Exile, agreed to become the girl’s guardian.
Mircea Ravagiu, carelessly left alone by those sent to guard him, disappeared before Marek’s sentence was passed. Because of this, the Markgraf requested the prince send a royal escort to make certain no attempt was made to get the girl back. Since it was improper for one so young to travel alone, la Marquise duCharne was going with her.
That was the official reason. In truth, Céline had no wish to stay in the town house with its many reminders of the man who was her lover for nine months and her husband for only a few hours. Earlier that very night, she’d discovered another heart beating beneath her own, and sought Sabine’s counsel.
“Madame, I don’t know whether to offer my congratulations or my condolences.” He proceeded to reveal to her the circumstances of her husband’s birth, and of the Oracle’s prophecy. “I’ve been physician to three generations of Strigoi ghidaji. Now, I’ve no master. Have this child, Madame. Give me back someone to pledge my loyalty to.”
In her shock she allowed a thrall to see her tears as she informed the doctor she intended to have Marek’s child, no matter its existence violated the Principiu destroying its father.
Before they could formulate a plan, however, she was confronted by the Domnitor, demanding she refute her marriage to her beloved as unconsummated or die as he had. For her unborn child’s sake, Céline did as he asked, and prayed to the gods the prince never discovered what her love for Marek had brought into being.
The wind had risen, making the night unusually cold for this time of year. It whistled across the roofs, ruffling the horses’ manes, and stirring the women’s petticoats. As Céline reached the coach, there was a high wail of sound, swooping to wrap itself around her before whirling away into the air.
Ceelliiinnne...
“What was that?” Diana looked up, eyes searching the sky.
“Just the wind.” Céline placed a hand on her shoulder. “That’s all.”
“It sounded like a soul in torment.” The girl shivered as she climbed into the coach. Céline didn’t answer for she knew exactly what the sound had been.
The shriek of her beloved’s spirit...crying out for justice...
She placed a protective hand on her belly before taking the footman’s arm and climbing into the coach. As she settled beside Diana, the footman shut the door and clambered up beside the driver who gathered the reins. As he cracked his whip over their backs, the horses threw their shoulders against the harness and galloped into the dark, leaving behind the wind…and its demands for revenge.
…accept, and trust…
The End
Glossary of Aventurieri Vocabulary
(NOTE: suffix i denotes plural, a is masculine ending, e is feminine ending)
aberatie - adolescence; period preceding adulthood when aventurieri powers form.
amestecatura - halfbreed; cross-breed; a being created by unlawful mating of
aventurieri and human.
armate - the assignment given to an assassin by his prince.
accesoriu parinte - foster father.
Atentatori - the assassin caste, the leader of which serves the prince as his taietor.
aventurieri - the Second Species, a branch of Mankind called vampire by humans.
banchet - banquet, a special feast.
blestema - damn.
bou - stupid.
bursier - scholar, one who is in charge of gathering information.
căpitanul - captain
casa - home; clan.
castel - castle.
celebrare - celebration.
cetate - estate; castle.
Consfatuire - the council consisting of four aventurieri who advise the prince.
crearea lumii - aventurieri fertility cycle.
cu toane - queer (crazy) in the head.
Domnitor - prince; the absolute ruler of the aventurieri and representative of the Oracle.
deomi - the First Species; one of the two branches of Mankind; human.
destrabalat – libertine.
devotat - followers; vassals; those swearing allegiance to a clan.
domnul - master.
dormit - sleep; rest.
faternitate - brotherhood.
fetita - sissy.
fortreasta - fortress.
fărămaestru - a thrall without a master.
fraten - brothers
gardi - guards.
ghidaj - leader of a specific aventurieri clan.
Inferno - Hell.
Ingrijitor - Representative of the prince; his steward.
Intamplare - the One-eyed King; literally the "half-blind one"; both the savior and
destroyer of the aventurieri
intrare - entrance; attainment.
iubita - mistress; sweetheart.
Kashkaval – a type of Romanian cheese
locotenent - lieutenant
Maiestate - majesty.
montant - major domo; the head servant in a household.
murdar - damn; any other expletive.
nemernici – bastards
nenerocit - bastard
nurliu - sweet; lovely; pretty.
pace - peace.
palatul – palace
placinta cu branza – cheese pie
poarta - gate
Prezicere - the Oracle; the one who speaks for the aventurieri gods.
prevazator - researcher; one who gathers information for another’s use.
Principiu - Law; rules given by the Oracle and set up by the prince and the Consfatuire to
govern the aventurieri.
rapitor - predator; renegade aventuriere who preys on humans.
regiune - region; a specific country or area.
salut – hello
sanga dirijare - High Blood; the cycle of lust of a male aventuriera.
sanga răzbunare - Blood Revenge; oath taken by cutting one’s wrist and letting blood flow,
the wound will not heal until the oath has been satisfied.
sărbătoarea – a feast
scarba - abomination; hybrid created by a rapitor killing and then reviving a human.
schimbaţi – change position, transport
sectiuna - aventurieri ruler of a specific country or area.
şef de poliţie – chief of police
soldati - soldiers.
soția regelui – king’s consort
sufletul conectat – connected soul; blood-bonded lover
strigoi - shadow.
<
br /> taietor - killer; assassin; the leader of the atentatori who serves the Domnitor.
thrall - one who has exchanged blood with an aventurieri and received a
prolongation of life in exchange for serving his master.
vanjosi - servants; those who serve the aventurieri, usually blood-thralls.
vita - cattle; humans kept by the aventurieri specifically to supply blood.
zapacit - crazy; queer in the head.
The Ordine of the Neaos
(Commandments of the Ancient Ones)
We are the Neaos, the Ancient Ones. It is we who came out of the Void when the World was Young. We made the Aventurieri. We gave you Life. Heed our Commandments or forfeit that Life forever.
Obey the Prezicere: The Oracle is our Voice. It relates our Laws to you. Obey the Oracle as you would Ourselves.
Obey the Domnitor: The prince is chosen from the Best among you. He upholds our Laws, given through the Council by the Oracle. Obey him as you would the Oracle.
Avoid the Lure of other Religions: Listen not to the Preachings of other Faiths. Neither look upon their Holy Articles and Relics. Turn your Face away and guard your Eyes when confronted by Them.
Honor those from which you spring: Do nothing to shame your Clan or make your Kinsmen turn from you. Teach your Sons obedience. Educate them so they will bring Honor to their Sire. Bestow your Clan Gems upon them within a day of their Births.
Chose your Heir by the Law of Anomaly: He who has a physical aberration will be the one to succeed you. He will be as a Father to his brothers and they will obey him as their Ghidaj.
Protect those who seek Shelter under your Shield: Keep from harm all who are weaker than you, the old, the infirm, children, servants, your Thralls, your Vita. Treat those you enthrall as you would your children. Keep your Cattle healthy and well-fed and be grateful to them for the Nourishment they provide. Do this all of you.
Be careful in your Dealings with Deomi: Do not initiate Friendships in Business or Social settings. If Interaction is unavoidable, do so sparingly. If the Time should come when you must Live among Deomi, exercise Caution and keep your self secret from them.
Avoid sexual Congress with Deomi: Aventurieri may be forgiven lusting after Deomi, but male or female Aventurieri may not lie with Deomi for the purpose of procreation. This is Forbidden. To bring into Existence a Creature of neither Species is an Abomination and the Punishment for this Sin is Death without Plea, of the Parents and the Abomination Itself.
Follow our Commandments and you will receive near-Immortal Life. Disobey and suffer the Frozen Depths of Hell and the Wrath of the Furies for Eternity.
Author’s Notes
Cigaritos were originally imported from South and Central America. The cigarette used various plant wrappers. When brought to Spain, maize wrappers were introduced, and by the 17th century, fine paper. The resulting product was called papelate. The cigarette did not arrive in France until 1830, where it received its modern name. The use of cigaritos by the Viennese before this time is the author’s license.
Sulphur matches originated in China around AD 577. The “friction match” mentioned in the text was invented in 1826 by John Walker, an English Chemist chemist and druggist. Marek’s use of it at the Sectiune’s Ball precedes its invention by fifteen years. This is literary license on the author’s part.
About the Author
Tony-Paul de Vissage is a Southerner of French Huguenot heritage, whose first movie memory is of being a six-year-old viewing the old Universal horror flick, Dracula’s Daughter, on television. He was subsequently scared sleepless—and that may explain a lifelong interest in the supernatural.
He is now paying back his very permissive parents by writing about vampires.
Find out more about TP at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonypaul.devissage
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tony-Paul-de-Vissage/e/B007BDHDZY/
Twitter: @tpvissage
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