(Chapter 18- Heritage)
Everyone round the room was speechless after we told them what happened. I myself was still in shock over everything. I had so many questions and no answers like, why did Don want to meet me? Why did he not hurt or even kill me? What was his game?
I'm glad I never trusted the guy or else I would be setting here with out my powers right now. Part of me was worried that I didn't sense something off about him from the start. I wonder why that is? He had so many opportunities to kill me but he didn't why? I mean he already has the ultimate gift he didn't need mine. If he wanted me out of the way why didn't he do it? Wasn't a threat to him? My head hurt from all the thoughts going through my mind.
"We will double security and hire new staff. One of us will be there to make sure everyone receives the blood." James said.
"I agree, I just hope it's not to late." Sharon added. " Anything can happen between now and then."
"I suggest everyone stay together. We can only trust each other at this point." James said.
"Agreed now lets get this taken care of." Alessandra ordered.
Everyone left the parlor but me and Chase. I'm sure he sensed my confusion and wanted to see about it. Maybe he could give me the answers I was looking for.
"What wrong Ashlyn?"
"I'm still slightly... No extremely confused." I admitted.
"I know." He said. "Ask me anything you want and I will do my best to answer your questions."
I was relieved to hear him say that but I had no idea where to start. As I thought of all the things I wanted to ask I finally settled on the most important one. The one that was eating away at me.
"Why am I not dead?"
"I don't know but I think he in going to use you against us some how." Something about that sent chills down my spine and not the good kind.
Chase's face looked worried and that was not a good thing. Chase was pretty confident person so when he is worried than so am I. For the first time since being here I was scared about the safety of everyone, I am scared that someone else is going to get hurt.
"Do you think he knows about my power?" I asked.
"I think he may. He could have compelled someone to tell him or he could have been watching this whole time. I don't know for sure."
I wrapped my arms around Chase for comfort hoping it would help, I didn't what else to do. I hated seeing Chase this way and I wanted so bad to make it better. His arms wrapped around me in a protective manner before speaking.
"From now on I'm never letting you out of my sight. I wouldn't be able to live if something happened to you." He said sadly.
"This is probably what he wants. He wants everyone to be so focused on protecting each other that we can't focus on the more important things like planning our attack. Don't worry I can take care of myself. I'm a element controller remember." I smiled trying to lighten the mood.
"I know but I have to protect you." He said before kissing me sweetly.
I responded by kissing him back more passionately. Having Chase's lips on mine instantly made me relax. I had missed having this kind of contact with Chase. Ever since everything has happened we haven't found the time to be been together and I was ready to make up for that.
"Let's take this to our room." I gave a seductive grin. Before he could talk or react were interrupted.
"Sir you are need at the front gate, it's an order." Chase quickly broke our contact and stood up.
"Thank you, you are dismissed." He said to the butler. After he left the room Chase turned back to me.
"Go I'll be fine." I ordered.
Chase looked like he was going to argue but decided not to. "Fine but please don't leave this room, I'll be worried if I think you're wondering around unprotected."
"I won't leave now go on." I sighed leading Chase to the door and kissed him goodbye. I was relieved when he didn't fight me on not leaving.
Being alone gave me the chance to check out the parlor by myself. It was a very nice room, beautifully decorated. There were large pictures hanging on the walls, they were nice but I didn't recognize any of them. I walked about the room taking it all in when I noticed a few books on a desk. I picked up the book on the top and read it aloud.
"Family history of the Organization."
I opened the book eagerly wanting to find out more about the family. The first page held what I'm guessing is a large family crest. I flipped though until I came to the index. I went through it rather quickly until something caught my eye. 'Donatello Tavella.' It had to be the same Don, I wonder why he has a different last name. I flipped to the page it was on and it read:
Donatello Tavella, Son of Caroline Hayesworth and Nicholas Tavella. Donatello was born August 18th,1780. He lived with his mother and father for three years until his father took ill and died on November 12th, 1783. A year later his mother Caroline married Alessio Hayesworth her soul mate and became pregnant with a second son Augusto Hayesworth. Both sons were raised equally and were deeply loved by both their parents. Augusto and Donatello grew up to be very close until it was time for their transformations. Augusto refused the throne and his heritage and left out on his own while Donatello stayed and accepted it gladly. 15 years later on his deathbed Alessio handed over his title to Donatello to take as his own. After his step fathers passing Donatello set out to find his brother to tell him the news.
After a year passed until he had finally found his brother cohabiting with a woman named Arianna. The moment Donatello met Arianna he fell in love with her. Augusto not understanding the bond due to not being a vampire at the time vowed to fight Donatello to the death for her. In the midst of their fighting Arianna tried to stop them and was killed. Donatello went into a rage after he saw what happened and took Augusto to the palace to be be tried for murder. On the day of the trial Augusto revealed to the people that he was the sol living heir to inherit the Organization which makes him the rightful leader and not his brother due to no blood relation. They courts convened a meeting and ended up ruling in Augusto's favor and let him go on to rule the kingdom. This very act is what set Donatello on a path of revenge. Before leaving the castle Donatello vowed to return one day to kill his brother and claim his rightful place once again.
"Wow." I said stunned.
Before I turned the page I noticed some words at the bottom and read them. See picture of Arianna on page 375. I quickly flipped through the book only to find it missing. Someone had tore out the page leaving behind little pieces where it was once attached. I sighed in disappointment, I was curious what she looked like.
"I see you have learned a little about me." A voice said behind me. I quickly turned around to come face to face with the person I feared seeing most, Don.
"How did you get in here." I said back away from him.
"Through the door where else?" He laughed. That very laugh is what sent chills up my spine.
I didn't say anything as I continued to back away from him. I hope he has not hurt anyone else. I silently hoped he came here first before visiting the family. I would rather something happen to me instead of them.
"Miss me beautiful?" He smiled.
If I wasn't so afraid right now I would have blushed.
"You don't have to worry, I won't hurt you." He said gently. I know he is trying to play games with my mind. Why would he not kill me? He must be trying to get me to trust him.
"Just like you didn't hurt Augusto." I said shakily .
"He had it coming." He said without a trace of sorrow in his voice.
"What are you doing here." I spat.
"I'm here for you, my love." He smiled.
"I'm not your love, and Chase will be back any minute so leave now." I tried shouting but barely came out a whisper.
"Come with me and I will."
"I'm not going anywhere with you." I continued taking my last steps back until I hit the wall. Suddenly a set of hands grabbed me from behind. Wait a minute walls don't have hands. I screamed just before everything went black but before I lost consciousness my last thought was, Chase I hope you find me soon.
****
Chase POV
"That's the last of them." I stated.
"He's getting more dangerous. He just compelled 10 of our staff to try to kill us." My grandmother said.
"I know, we have to do something. This has gotten way out of hand." Mom said.
"It's time for us to start training for battle." Dad said.
Suddenly a scream was heard and I heard Ashlyn's voice in my head. "Chase I hope you find me soon." I took off in my vampire speed to find her. When I entered the room I saw that was empty. All that was there was a open book lying on the floor and a crumpled up piece of paper laying next to it. When I picked up the paper I seen and it was a picture of Ashlyn in 18th century clothing. At the bottom of the page it read:
Arianna Calitri 1796
As I picked the book up beside of me I put the pieces together. Ashlyn was gone and Donatello has her. I screamed in rage before storming out the door. I won't rest until Donatello is dead. No one takes Ashlyn from me.