TRUE INHERITOR

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The Mansion

The Quarter

New Orleans

They all appeared in the parlor room.

"Are we in the mansion?"

"uhm."

"I hate it when I go to a different time zone. I just can't get use to it." Marius grumbled as he disappeared into mists.

In a moment, a slight buzz can be heard in the entire house. All the blinds automatically went down and everything turned dark.

A sizzling sound followed as a fire started crackling. Then the fireplace brightened as flames starts to wave its greetings.

Damien occupied his previous seat and continued to look at his discarded chess pieces. Then he took a black piece and stared hard at it.

Seeing Damien looking intently at the black bishop, Stefan sat down opposite him but did not move nor speak.

Isn't that a weird arrangement? Stefan thought as he studied the chessboard in bewilderment.

Luca disappeared to another part of the house and came back with a bottle of brandy. Five glasses were hovering behind him.

He poured brandy to all the glasses and handed it to everyone in the room. He placed the bottle of brandy and the remaining glass on the fireplace mantel.

"Do you want me to set up an enchantment here?" Luca asked.

"No need."

"Damien, can you lend me a recovery stone and the serpent dagger?" Alexandru asked.

Damien glanced at Alexandru. Without asking why, he inclined his head in silent affirmation.

"Do you need help, Alex?" Stefan asked.

"No. Just a minor annoyance."

"What annoyance?" Marius asked as he appeared out of nowhere. Then he took the only glass left on the fireplace mantel.

He sat down beside Luca.

"He needs the serpent dagger and recovery stone." Stefan answered.

Marius gave Alexandru a look. But did not comment. He just took a drink of his brandy. Then he looked at Damien.

"What do you expect me to do with the plantation?"

"Do what needs to be done."

"You don't feel the blood in Andrea?" Luca asked.

"No." Damien decisively answered in a flat tone.

"Sara must have kept it a secret."

"She chose another Inheritor." Alexandru muttered as he looked at the ceiling with dead eyes. "This new Inheritor must have a story to be hidden like this."

Damien just stared at the chessboard.

"Let me know if one of the Elders make a movement. I can feel one of them trying to stir something."

"You can't figure it out?" Stefan asked in surprise. His brows raised, his eyes wide.

"Its shrouded. I can only feel the leak."

They watched at Damien's weird placement on his chess pieces.

He doesn't seem to play chess?

"Are those chess pieces a representation of some people?" Luca considered the chess pieces.

Damien's lips curved at one corner while his eyes emitted a chilling intent.

"Update me."

All four looked at each other.

"I woke up a decade ahead of you." Marius said in a soft, quiet voice.

"When I woke up, Iona's husband was already dead for a few years." He continued. "I haven't been paying attention to the elders. That is.." Marius coughed awkwardly.

"Your fiancée is asking for you. She said...."

Damien glanced at Marius.

Marius choked back the words. He raised both his hands in surrender.

Damien looked back at his chessboard.

"I haven't been paying attention to anything." Alexandru muttered. "I have been gathering stones and artifacts. Following the trails of any signs and sightings."

"Something?" Damien asked, a brow raised in interest.

"Found something interesting in Egypt."

Damien hummed.

"I came from the Mystics." Luca answered.

They all looked at Luca in surprise. But did not ask anything.

"That's why I knew there are new Vampires in residence here." He continued. "The Elders know about it. So, I did not take it to heart."

"I just woke up when I heard you calling." Stefan answered.

"Nikolai?" Damien asked.

All his four brothers have blank faces. Damien got his answer.

Damien was about to say something when he frowned.

Then they all disappeared quietly without a trace. Leaving Luca behind.

Luca glanced at the arched entrance as he heard the sound of a loud heartbeat and harsh breathing. He then turned his attention to the swirling liquid on his glass.

"Come in." He murmured softly.

After a moment, the heartbeat is getting louder followed by an even more loud breathing.

"Turn right." He continued to murmer.

Then he saw two women standing at the last step of the marble staircase.

One woman has a slim, petite figure with a huge rack. She has black hair, beautiful amber eyes and golden skin. She is holding a satchel.

The other woman has blond hair, blue eyes and slender figure ---the skinny model type of body.

Luca gave a second look at the woman with the huge rack.

What a powerful chest from such a small body frame. Luca thought inwardly as he took a drink from his brandy.

He motioned his glass towards the chaise lounge opposite him.

"The petite one is the Inheritor." Damien's voice echoed in Luca's ear. He was startled for a bit before he regained his composure.

He looked at the big chested woman. The chest is really distracting. Luca thought.

"Good afternoon." The slender figured one spoke. "I am Andrea. I was suppose to give the stones to the Master." She motioned for the petite woman to hand in the stones.

The petite woman stood and respectfully bowed her head as she gave the satchel bag to Luca.

Luca accepted it with a cold face. He placed the satchel bag at his feet as he turned to Andrea.

"You are the Inheritor?"

"Yes." Andrea answered.

Luca gave the petite woman a glance.

"She is Taylor. My secretary." Andrea immediately introduced.

"Why bring her?"

"She handles the Gate Stones."

"She?" Luca looked at Taylor.

"Yes. Since young, Taylor has an affinity with stones." Andrea said with a slight inflection in her voice.

"You grow up together?"

Andrea looked at Taylor.

Taylor just bowed her head. Wishing she was anywhere else but here. They talk about her as if she is not here anyway.

"Taylor." Luca called softly.

Goosebumps run all over Taylor's body. Its as if the voice is stroking all parts of her body into complacency.

"Yes?" She looked timidly at the man before her.

"Have you tuned the stones?"

"Yes."

"How long can this be used?"

Taylor frowned as she pursed her lips in thought.

"Depends on the user, I guess?" Taylor answered vaguely.

"Some users just use the stone as a bridge and does not tap it's energy. Some users tap on its energy to stabilize the bridge. Other users just directly use its energy to build a connection." She added.

"Can anyone use this stone?"

"Yes. But if you rely on the stone, it will be a waste. The stones have been gathering energy for more than a century. And to be used like that..." Taylor trailed off with a sad note in her voice.

Luca looked at Andrea.

"Stone synergies. Do you have those?"

Andrea looked at Taylor. She did not pay much attention to these stones. Why compete with someone who is a genius when it comes to energy stones and synergies? So she diverted her attention to business and spell casting.

An imperceptible glint appeared on Luca's eyes.

"Some." Taylor answered.

"You, stay." Luca directly ordered.

Taylor and Andrea was dumbfounded.

Luca remained silent.

Andrea looked at Taylor with her eyebrows snapped together. Her lips tight. Then she stood up elegantly with her chin raised a little bit higher.

"Then, please take care of her for me." Andrea decided without even asking for Taylor's opinion.

"If you'll excuse me. I have some other things to do." Andrea bowed her head slightly.

Luca inclined his head just as slightly.

Andrea glared at Taylor once, then left.

"Are you hurt?" Luca asked.

Taylor's eyes widen in surprise. But kept silent. Her lips pursed in stubbornness.

Luca sighed.

After a moment, four people appeared out of thin air in front of Taylor's eyes.

"Aaah!!!" Taylor backed up and toppled to the couch as she screamed in fright!

Stefan raised a palm on Taylor's direction and the sound was muted. With the other hand he covered his ears with a grunt.

"Jesus...!" He exploded.

"Woman, your screaming my head off!" He continued.

Marius laughed softly but he too cringed from the shrill shout.

Damien sat on his wing chair and stared at the woman before him.

"Be calm." Alexandru murmured in a velvety hypnotic voice.

Taylor's mouth shut close as her heartbeat calmed down, her breathing slowed. But her eyes remained as large as saucers!

"Why are you not the Inheritor?" Luca asked.

Taylor gaped at Luca!

"You....you..." Taylor stammered.

Marius disappeared and appeared with a glass in hand. He went to pour a brandy for Taylor and handed it to her silently.

Taylor was still in shock. People just appeared and disappeared just like that!

Is she in a magic show?!

She looked at the hand holding a clear glass with a brown liquid swirling in it. She swallowed hard as she accepted it.

Then she directly chug it all in one swoop!

Cough! Cough! Taylor thump her chest repeatedly as she coughed.

They all stared at Taylor in surprise and humor.

Marius snickered as he sat next to Luca.

Taylor continued to batter her chest as she coughed with tears in her eyes. Then she looked at the five handsome men before her.

Are they all Vampires?

When her eyes fell on Damien, the glass dropped from her hand.

She immediately stood up and knelt down on both knees with her chin on her chest.

"Master." She whispered in a solemn voice.

Damien looked down at Taylor.

"So you knew."

Taylor looked up at Damien with a confused look. Not understanding.

Damien studied Taylor's face.

"Sit."

"Yes, Master."

Taylor stood and sat back down. She gasped when she stepped on the glass. She did not notice she dropped it. Good thing the floor is carpeted.

She took the glass and placed it on the table in front of her. Then she put her hands properly on her lap.

"Who exactly are you?" Damien asked.

"I am Mistress Sara's apprentice."

"What are her last words to you?"

Taylor frowned. "Nothing?"

"Can you feel me?"

Taylor looked at Damien.

"I know you are Master."

"I mean FEEL me."

"I....don't know?"

They all looked at Taylor with a questioning look. Then they look at each other.

Damien just silently closed his eyes.

How can the last Inheritor choose such a strange successor?

"Did you learn the same things as Andrea?" Stefan asked.

"Yes." Taylor answered.

"That's why I was chosen to be her secretary. We grew up together. Learn things together." She added.

"Relatives?"

"No." Taylor answered awkwardly.

~oh~ They somehow understood the peculiarity.

"You are the true Inheritor. Not Andrea." Damien said. "Do you want me to arrange this or..."

Taylor looked at Damien with a pale face. She is clearly frightened.

"Taylor. Take care of this." Damien said in a no nonsense tone. His voice full of authority and power.

Taylor's back was immediately ramrod straight.

"Yes, Master."

Damien looked at Luca. "Help her deal with this." Then he gave Taylor a once over. "If she needs your help."

"Don't make me wait too long." Damien said to Taylor with a low, deep voice. Making Taylor shrink her neck.

"Let's check the stones by nightfall."

Damien was about to stand when he remembered something.

"How proficient are you in spellcasting?"

"Good enough."

"Potions?"

"Good."

"What do you know about Vampires?"

"All the things Mistress Sara taught."

"Good."

"Were you aware she has chosen you?"

Silence. Taylor bowed her head. Tears welling up in her eyes. She looked aggrieved.

"Was obliged to choose me. Not her personal choice." She answered softly. Her voice quavering.

"But she gave you her blood, yes?"

"Yes."

"Did you willingly accept?"

"Yes."

"Think things over. It would be unpleasant to bind you with me if your mind and heart is in conflict."

"I can set you free." Damien added.

Taylor looked at Damien. Her lips quivering.

"I already knew from the start I will be your support. I had dreams since I was young." She whispered. "I saw you and your beautiful mate."

Damien's heart skipped a beat.

"She is awakening." She added in a ghost like voice. As if her voice came from the grave.

Damien's eyes twinkled.

It seems like his new Inheritor is a great talent. More powerful than her predecessors.

Interesting.