Bella Vita

by Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

  “These new laws you'll be putting into place, will the leaders get to know about them before they're written into the books?” William spoke.

  The drinks were brought in.

  “Of course, we're not a dictatorship. We expect input from our people. The only law that will be changed, regards the werewolves.” I answered.

  “Why the protection of the hounds? Will they be implementing a similar decree?” George asked in a low growl.

  “We will not have unnecessary bloodshed and violence. There is no reason why we can't coexist with them. Once their leaders have taken rulership, I'm sure that there will be a similar law cast. Does it bother you to be the first to offer good tidings?” I tried to keep the emotion from my voice and keep my voice level, it was one of the hardest things I've so far had to do.

  “Of course not, Milady. It will be hard to change something that has been going on for our entire existence.” Morgana stepped in for her men.

  “Change is hard, but often necessary.” Dom commented.

  “Very true, Sire.” Morgana lowered her gaze in respect.

  “Morgana, I ask you frankly, will we have trouble with the vampire community in the States?” Dom's voice was honest and welcoming of a true answer.

  “I don't think that there will be much resistance. I've spoken with many of the leaders already, and they're willing to fall in line behind you. But there are a few that don't like the idea of being ruled- they will resist, fail, and have their areas taken from them.” Her voice was like venom.

  “Then that is all we can ask for. Please enjoy your stay here, however brief.” Dom smiled and sipped on his cup.

  “Thank you. We heard about an attack. If you don't mind, before we part, we'd like to know what's happening with this.” George quipped.

  “George!” Morgana snapped.

  “It's quite alright. We don't mind sharing the information we have.” Dom laughed lightly.

  “In the early morning hours, a newly turned was destroyed. The attack was a set up to frame the wolves, however, it was not done in a way that left no room for question. The wolves have had similar attacks. It would appear that someone is trying to pin us against each other. Dominic and I'll be going to the site shortly after my assistants arrive.” I tried to be as upfront as possible.

  “Assistants?” William cocked a brow at me.

  “I'm gifted in many ways, I've called in two seers to try and help me trace the attackers. I will not have our people in harm's way and not do a thing about it.” My voice turned fierce.

  “Emma.” Dom's voice carried a gentle warning.

  “As one would expect from you.” Morgana beamed at me.

  “Is there any assistance that we can offer?” William asked.

  “Not at this time. However, should anything occur in the States that smells of this, please inform us immediately.” Dom responded.

  The door creaked open behind us and Yasmin stepped in.

  “Excuse me, Your Excellencies, but Charlie has arrived and Bettina's flight will be landing thirty minutes before schedule- I've already sent a car.” Yasmin spoke as she glanced through her notes.

  “Thank you, Yasmin. Please take Charlie to the War room. We will be there shortly.” I dismissed the woman.

  “You have a War room?” George's eyes sparkled.

  “But of course, would you three care to join us for the preparations before we head to the site?” I smiled.

  “Yes, we would be honored to be included.” Morgana said as she rose, George and William shot out of their seats.

  “Please follow us.” Dom and I led the way back to the War room.

  It took about fifteen minutes to debrief Charlie before he was ready and waiting for Betty to get there. He watched the New York vampires with suspicion, which was amusing because he was originally from the States.

  It seemed that people were drawn to me, and once they had found me, their loyalty was unquestionable.

  Leland appeared as we waited for Betty.

  “Merry Met, Your Majesties.” His smile was cocky.

  “Greetings, Leland.” I smiled at him.

  “For Pete's sake, I know you'll won't be using that nonsense with me, we're like brothers.” Dom clapped him on the back.

  “Just trying to be proper. So what's this I hear about you two going out to the attack site?” He looked at me with knowing eyes.

  “I need to be there. I want to know if there's anything left that I might see.” I responded.

  “And you agree with this, bro?” Leland's hair gleamed as he turned to face Dom.

  “We're in agreement that this is the right course of action.” Dom looked at me.

  “Uhha, that sounds like a bunch of bull. I get that whole united front thing and all, but if you're both dead- what will it matter?” His tone turned hard and his voice raised just a little.

  “This isn't up for debate, Leland.” My tone shot icicles at him.

  “Aw, darl, it's just because I don't wanna see anything happen to the lot of you.” He walked to me and hugged me sideways.

  “I appreciate the gesture, but as I said, we're going. Period.” Silence followed in the wake of my statement.

  Dominic, I will not have him question our rule. My message slipped into his mind.

  I'll talk to him, but not now. Yasmin says that Bettina is pulling up the drive. He slipped out of my internal conversation.

  “It's time that we join the other member of our party.” I stood and Charlie bounded up behind me, Dom and Leland tagged along in the back.

  We caught Betty just as she climbed out of the car.

  “What the bloody hell was so bloody important that I had to feckin' fly here instantly?” Betty's hair flew around her like an angry storm cloud.

  “They didn't inform you of anything?” I questioned her as I turned to stare at Dom.

  “Alls I was told was that you yobs had some kinda hoo-ha going round here.” She was reverting back to her street slang.

  “Well, we've had an attack. I'm requesting yours and Charlie's services in assisting in trying to identify the murderer or murderers.” I tried to remain calm, all I really wanted to do was drag her to the car and take her with us.

  “Interesting.” Betty's eyes became calculating, Dominic noticed instantly and stiffened beside me.

  “Bettina, the Queen of the Vampires has requested your assistance, will you deny your Queen?” Dom's voice was like icy shards.

  “Stand down, ya git. I've no intention of denying my Queen anything. I was merely considering what the point of attacks was. I assume that the wolves have been framed for it?” She arched her black brow at me.

  “Indeed they have. However, very poorly.” I was missing something that Betty saw.

  “Do you not see, they're not only trying to frame the wolves, but test the strength of your relations to them. They obviously don't know your binding to them, Emma. These will be dangerous times for you- most importantly you.” Betty's eyes glazed over and she stood as though she were a statue.

  “Betty?” Panic coursed through my body as I realized she was getting a vision.

  “Bettina?” Dom didn't know what to make of her, but he knew something was wrong from my reaction.

  “Betty?” I reached out to touch her when her hand grasped my wrist.

  “Child, listen and know. For you're the key. They seek to destroy both, but only require thee. Hold fast your ground, don't sway, for if you do it shall rue the day. More comes, clouded in night, they use these tactics to create fright. Trust yourself above all, for if you don't then we all shall fall.” Bettina's voice boomed, but was barely over a whisper- as soon as the words were spoken her hand dropped and so did Betty.

  I grabbed her before she hit the stairs.

  “Give her air. What do I do?” I stared up at Dom.

  “I'm not sure, mia bella. Perhaps we should take her inside.” Dom moved to take her from me.

  “I shall attend to her.” Bernie stepped out o
f another car that had just pulled up behind the town car Betty had ridden in.

  “Bernie?” I blinked at him.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” He bowed to me.

  “What are you doing here?” I wasn't sure what was happening, I felt adrift in the chaos flowing around me.

  “Surely you didn't expect Betty to travel alone. I stayed to collect her things while they brought her here.” He scooped her out of my arms.

  “Will... she be... alright?” Distress washed through me.

  “Fear not, she'll be fine. She just needs rest after such a vision. It's common enough. Is there a room ready for her?” He motioned toward the house.

  “Yes, of course, I'll have Yasmin guide you to it and have someone else bring in your bags.” I sent Yasmin a mental message as Bernie carried her into the house.

  “Bernie, will you let me know when she awakens?” I asked before we left for the site.

  “As you wish, Milady.” He bowed slightly and then allowed Yasmin to direct him.

  Once we stopped at the site, no one wanted to get out of the car. There were tents set up everywhere- an attempt to keep prying eyes out of view of the things that needed to be down. I could feel death was present, but it wasn't the kind of passing that people wanted to touch or even look upon. I knew that Charlie would be highly affected because of the loss of his sister, in such a similar fashion.

  “Charlie, if you'd like you can stay in the car. I didn't even think...” I trailed off, embarrassed by my lack of judgment.

  “Emma, it's an honor to be asked to participate in such a task. I've grieved for my sister, and now I'd like to assist those that have lost this loved one by finding out who did this. I'd rather be outside to try and get my visions as they come. From here, one only gets the stink of oppressive death.” Charlie's face was bright with determination.

  “Charlie, you're most welcome. I've already had an easel set up in one of the tented areas. I'll have someone walk you to it. Leland, you and Dom can escort me to the execution site. But both of you know this, don't interfere with me while I take this on. I'll find out what's hunting my people and trying to turn us against the wolves.” My words were final as I climbed out of the car.

  “When did she turn all Amazon warrior queen?” I heard Leland whisper to Dom, I didn't wait around to hear the response.

  I got Charlie set up in the tent directly next to where I would be. I wasn't sure how things would go, but I needed to know that a fellow seer was near.

  Jean-Paul, the head detective, was waiting for me as I stepped out of the tent.

  “Pardon, Madame.” He bowed slightly.

  “Bonjour, Jean-Paul.” I responded.

  His tall frame towered over me, but his kindness was present in his mannerisms and eyes.

  “La jeune fille avait dix-sept ans. Elle a été brûlée, après sa mort.” He didn't bother trying to speak to me in English, just used his native French to explain how the poor seventeen year old girl was burned after her death.

  “Tout?” I needed to know if anything was left of her.

  “Il y a une dent.” He stroked his dark auburn goatee.

  “Une dent?” I couldn't imagine why only one tooth would be all that remained of an entire body.

  “Oui, une dent. C'est ici.” He led me over to the evidence, where a single tooth remained.

  “Emma, I don't think you should touch that. What if they need some evidence you'll erase from it and they haven't tested it yet?” Dom tried to reason.

  “Pardon, Monsieur, mais il a été pris en charge.” Detective Jean-Paul told Dom it had been taken care of.

  “Darl, maybe you should wear gloves or somethin' before y'all reachin' into the unknown.” Leland piped in as I grabbed for the tooth.

  “It won't be necessary. I need to see what happened.” I gently picked up the tooth and focused on what it wanted to show me- soon I was lost to this world and watching the scene play out before me.

  The early morning air was crisp and a dense fog danced around the girl's legs. She was freshly changed and this was the only time when her family allowed her to go out- they didn't want her to lose control or draw unnecessary attention.

  The girl's thick auburn hair bounced around in its tight constraints. She was running as fast as her legs could carry her. The feel of the air swooshing by her caused a new sense of excitement that coursed through her body. Her face was alit with pleasure. The once familiar sights of her childhood took on blurry swirls as her world disappeared.

  A sharp noise to her left made her skid to a stop. Her body tensed with fear and panic- something was wrong.

  It sounded again, it was a clang of sorts- very metallic.

  Her mind raced with her choices. She decided to try and outrun this sound and whatever threat it posed. Her leg tensed and her running sneakers gripped the concrete in anticipation of her sprint.

  A pain coursed through her body as something was shot into her. Gravity was suddenly pulling her down and she couldn't fight it. Shadows appeared out of nowhere and stood over her. Words were spoken but they made no sense.

  Her world turned black just as the knife glinted in the air.

  My world spun and I fell to the floor retching.

  “Emma!” Dominic tried to catch me but I hit the ground before he knew it.

  “Darl?” Leland was trying to get a hold of my hair and Dom held me upright.

  “I...” Stars danced before my eyes and I vomited again.

  “Hey, take your time, pet.” Leland cooed at me.

  “Let's get you back to the car.” Dominic lifted me up and carried me to the backseat of our car.

  “You okay, Em?” Charlie's voice floated to me from the front seat.

  “Yeah. It was just really intense and horrible.” I lowered my head and took a deep breath.

  “I totally know what you mean.” Charlie's voice was pained.

  “Hey, are you okay? What did you see?” I really hoped that he had been spared.

  “The images are pencil sketches and I don't really ever wanna talk about it, is that alright?” He looked back at me from the rearview mirror.

  “Oh, Charlie.” Just seeing the haunted look in his eyes, and I knew that it had all been revealed to him as well.

  “Dom, can you have Charlie's sketches brought back to the War room?” I looked out the window as I asked, something felt suddenly off.

  “Yeah, sure, Em.” His stare was intense as he tried to figure out what was wrong.

  A wave of trepidation swept through me. I shut my eyes and followed the feeling. I couldn't grasp all that was happening, but fear overtook me. My eyes popped open.

  “I have to get back now!” I leapt from the car, throwing clothes as I went.

  “Emma?!” Dom squeaked behind me.

  “Head back to the house, I'll meet you there... this is faster for me to get there, Grandpa is in trouble.” The shift overtook me and I was a wolf.

  The world flew by in bleak bleeding colors. My heart raced with a new-found fear.

  Grandpa? Panic began to filter through my system as my message seemed to bounce around in an endless loop. I pushed myself faster.

  I could feel Dom further behind me, the cars had to stay on the road here- the local people couldn't see a small group of blurs racing across the city.

  Dom? I sent another message to him.

  What's wrong, Emma? He was confused.

  The smell hit me a few miles off the estate- fire!

  FIRE!! I dropped the link and rushed faster. I hit the front door with such a great force that is splintered into a shower of toothpicks. By smell alone I could tell that the fire started near the patios.

  A thick cloud of fear and panic filled my lungs as I took a long drag of the air- the sharp bitterness of death lingered. Someone has died today. I gulped down the panic that was trying to take control of me.

  My nails clicked in a high staccato. I rushed past shocked vampires as they were rushing from more of the flames. Our
fire system clearly had been tampered with. Someone will pay for this. It didn't matter who left this world for the next- it was merely the fact that someone under our rule had perished- there would be serious repercussions.

  The world was blocked out by thick smoke. My senses were blinded, all I could guide myself with was my hearing and knowledge of the layout.

  Grandpa! I needed to hear him.

  Emma... I could feel him as I crept closer to the War room.

  I knew I couldn't get in without going through one of the other doors, that room was planned for defense- but obviously not survival. I raced through the room I had spent earlier staring out the window and through the small passageway- heat and flames danced around me.

  I leapt into the room and sensed that there were more people than just my grandfather trapped in this room. I had to get them to follow me.

  This is your Queen. You will follow the howl you hear, if you're in need of assistance call out to those closest to you. I could feel their acknowledgment.

  The howl cracked the glass in the room, but I continued until I was sure people were moving toward me. I walked slowly out of the room.

  Make a chain of mental connections, feel those around you- no one is left behind. I growled at them mentally.

  Grandpa? I had to know if he was well enough to move.

  I think I'm the last one. One of the damn war boards has me trapped... His words were weak.

  Keep walking forward... I ran and kicked out the patio doors, some of the smoke billowed out with the outlet, it would provide a direction for them to go to.

  I slipped back into the room. I let my senses search him out as I rounded the room. He was the only one left and trapped in the far back corner.

  I nuzzled him to let him know I was here. I could feel the smoke and flames beginning to threaten us. I tried to pull him out, but he was too trapped. I decided on the only thing I could do. I wedged myself between the wall and board holding him down. As I pushed the heavy glass wall off of him, I forced him forward a little bit.