“Honestly, I didn’t tell anyone. Please believe me.”
Something about his demeanor told me to believe him.
“What would I gain—“
“Money. Power. Status.”
Basura advanced on Giovann. She didn’t seem angry or disappointed in him. Giovann looked around nervously, looking for an ally. That’s when I saw the faint scar on his cheek. I was convinced that that it was not Inamorta who dealt that blow. It was Basura. Giovann was afraid of Basura, and she was using this to press the truth from him.
“They would adore you. Hold you in high esteem. Isn’t that what you wanted? Untold power?”
“They’d kill me. They’d put up with me until I gave them Dahlia, then they’d throw me away. They’d kill me when they find out I don’t know how she does it. I don’t want to die. If I did, I wouldn’t have become a vampire.”
“But you didn’t make that choice, did you? It was made for you.”
Giovann narrowed his eyes at Basura. She mouthed something to him, but I couldn’t make out what it was. It made Basura smile and Giovann storm off. He headed down the hall toward one of the “forbidden” parts of the castle. I paid no attention to it then, but I should have. I should have paid attention to a lot more. For the moment, I was more preoccupied with everything that had just happened. My mother looked at me, and I knew what she was thinking. Our vacation here was over. Someone had let loose a dangerous secret, and before this whole thing was over, we could very well pay with our lives.
“He didn’t tell.”
Basura looked at my mother.
“No, he didn’t, but that puts us in a very awkward situation. Someone in this castle is lying.”
“But Inamorta would have no reason to say anything.”
“Those aren’t the only two answers to this dilemma. Dahlia, you went back to the states recently to visit your grandchildren. Is it possible that another vampire saw you there?”
None of us heard Inamorta coming down the hall. I’d grown to expect her sudden appearances. I hated them, and knew she used them to her advantage, but I couldn’t help feeling like she was always sneaking up on me.
“No,” I said after much careful thought. “I didn’t see any vampires. I didn’t sense any either, and I took careful pains to act as if nothing was different. Asilda and Marcin brought blood packs to me. I was the cousin who was on dialysis.”
Inamorta nodded, and walked away. She stopped and turned, as if she had something to say, but changed her mind, and continue walking. My mother nodded to me and headed to the library. Basura took my arm and we headed to the courtyard to finish our conversation.
“How did you get those scars?”
Basura laughed. She smiled at me and brushed stray strands of hair out of my face.
“You will be lucky if you do not find out first hand! The one that dealt this blow has a cruel and powerful hand. These will net even fade, unlike the one I gave Giovann. It was during the time when this castle was full. As Inamorta said, there were some who weren’t happy. They caused trouble for the lot. Started rivalries, spread rumors and lies…Eventually a fire was started. Some perished in the fire, but many got away. From there, some lived, some chose death.”
Basura paused and looked into the distance. She narrowed her eyes and grabbed my arm.
“Come. We are being watched. If I were not bound to her in one form or another, I would leave with you. I would have left long ago. Inamorta has not told you that she has enemies. She would rather have you believe that she is loved by all. While many do love her, there are just as many who would see her dead. However, this will never happen. They know that to kill her would be nearly impossible. She has the secrets of the “old world,” and when she dies, they die. They also know that she’s been around too long to be careless. I told you earlier that, if any vampire was most suited to eternal life, it is Inamorta. She will not die easily.”
“Is the one who caused all the problems still alive?”
“Very much so. I cannot tell you now who that is because we are being desperately watched, but I can tell you this. It was Inamorta herself who gave me these scars. It was not too long after I was turned. Please be careful in everything you do. When you went to visit your family, you were watched. You are always watched. Know that you are never really out of her sight. And this I tell you out of desperation.”
Basura walked hurridly away, pressing a tiny book into my hands as she left. When I turned around, I saw Giovann walking toward me. He held something in his hands, and his face was red. As he got closer, I could see a tiny handprint. He held out the note to me, and I took it. His hands shook horribly, and there were small marks on them.
“It’s from Inamorta. When you see her, tell her I will be her slave no more.”
The moment Giovann opened his mouth, I could tell he was shaking, not only from fear and humiliation, but from rage and anger. I reached out a hand to touch him, but he stepped back. His eyes were cold.
“Don’t trust her half as much as your mother does. She hasn’t been quite so trusting of either of you.”
Giovann started to walk away, but came back. He got really close to me and began to whisper.
“The note’s not from Inamorta. It’s from Basura. She says it’s really important, and that you should read it as soon as you’re alone. And alone is better inside your coffin. But my sentiment still stands. Inamorta will call you, and when she does, tell her I’m not her dog.”
Giovann hurried down the hall, cautiously looking over his shoulder. His suspicion made me look over my own. I heard a light shuffling coming around the corner. Inamorta looked happy, very pleased with herself. I wondered then if our voices carried down the hall. But when others talked, I couldn’t hear them unless they were within earshot. She must have had the castle insulated, and I made a mental note to ask Basura. Unfortunately, I never got that chance. I found myself very busy in the coming weeks.
“I think I want a puppy.”
