CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Trust Questioned

Cantaria smiled nervously at Cham and replied, "No, I don't mind if you call me Taria." His presence still made her feel slightly nervous. She felt a sort of pressure. No one had ever invoked such feelings in her. She wanted to prove her trustworthiness to everyone, but especially him. She hoped that he and Vilona would permit her to stay at the Manor. It felt good to stay in a house of such splendor again, and it had been way too long. While she never minded staying in abandoned warehouses, the Manor is what she was accustomed to. She really didn't want to leave her sisters either, after searching for them, for such a long time.

Vilona and Taria arrived in the kitchen, Taria still deep in thought, her concentration broken by the sound of a blood filled crystal goblet being place on the counter in front of her. She smiled and thanked Vil, picking up the goblet, she took a sip. She felt the effects of the blood in her system immediately. She was beginning to weaken, as it had been over a week since she had last fed. Being a PSI vampire has its advantages, as she could just siphon off the energy of mortals, as they passed by, never really having to come in close contact with them and risk revealing her secret. But, in situations such as this, she had to revert back to blood drinking. She took several large gulps of the warm red liquid; she felt it surge through her whole, entire body, making it tingle. Before she knew it, she'd drunk the whole goblet, placing the empty glass on the counter. She hadn't even noticed that Vil was perched on the tall, black, wrought iron stool next to her, until she whispered, "Cantaria, I need to know if I can still trust you...your life depends on it."

Cantaria was taken aback. Her trustworthiness had never been questioned by anyone ever before, let alone by someone that she loved and cherished as much as Vilona. She took a moment to compose her answer and herself, trying not to look or sound too hurt, by such a question. She took a deep breath and began, "Vilona, I can completely understand that my past associations are cause for concern, to both yourself and Cham. Not only do you have your own personal issues with Clave and my leaving him, but this places everyone at the Manor in danger. I would never betray anybody here. Surely, you can sense this in me? Please know that I would never intentionally place anyone of you in danger. For, I would rather leave the Manor before I allowed that to happen." She paused for a moment, waiting for Vilona's response.

*In another room at the Manor*
Heylo sat quietly next to Cham, and soaked up every word, and then some. She watched his demeanor...and listened to the rhythm of his voice, as he spoke to her. It had been a while since she had spoken to him in private, and she realized that love flowed from him for Vilona, with every word he spoke. Heylo smiled silently to herself, knowing the deepness of his feelings for his Beloved. She, too, loved Vilona...as a friend, confidante, playmate, in good times and in bad, as a mortal, and now as her sire. She understood the heartfelt feelings he expressed for Vilona, as he shared some things with her.

Heylo had been worrying, too, about Natashia. She wanted desperately to have her return to the Manor...unharmed. She worried that this Clave was a violent sort...and feared for her sister Natashia. When Cham mentioned Clave and the need to control him or banish him, a shiver ran down her spine. But, in the next breath, Cham wanted to know about Cantaria.

Heylo, with a moment of silence, began to speak quietly to this strong man...our protector. She took a deep breath, and ran through her feelings about Cantaria, so she could be accurate about how she truly felt, then looked Cham in the eye, "My personal feelings are, that she has been honest about everything when she has been asked. I feel no malice from her...no deceit. The warm feelings of friendship are still very real from her...towards me...towards Vilona. I've never known Cantaria to betray a trust...EVER. Yes, Cham, I feel I can trust her implicitly...and I feel that your trust will not be ill placed, if YOU trust her, too. I think she feels at home here, with us, at Death Manor...and I think she is glad to be reunited with trustworthy friends. Cham? I want Cantaria to be part of our family. She is more distrusting of others, for all that she's been through, but the basic person that I knew a while back, is still present within her...and...and...I love her like a sister."

"One more thing, if you don't mind. I know you are an honest and trustworthy person. I've never felt alarmed or unsure of you...EVER. As a matter of fact, I feel safe, with you back in the Manor. I wanted to let you know, personally, that I'm very happy you have returned. It is a joy for me to see Vilona so happy. But, you listened to your heart when you fell in love with Vilona...and you listened to your heart when you accepted me as a friend and now sister, part of your family. Please listen to your heart when you deal with Cantaria, too. That is all I request of you...that you listen to your heart."

Then, with a twinkle in her eye reflecting from the hanging candles, she asked Cham, "MiLord, what is this gift you have discovered in our beloved Vilona? I'm quite curious, now, since you brought it up a few moments ago."

Cham lowered his head slightly, then looked at Heylo, "This is something Vilona needs to tell you, herself, but tonight we must plan Natashia's rescue. I don't trust Clave one bit. I only hope you are right about Cantaria, but I have no choice but to rely on You and Vilona for this. For all involved...I hope you are not wrong!" His face was extremely stern, then in the next moment he softened, "Come lil sis, let's join them upstairs and get our girl HOME!"

*back in the kitchen*
Vilona kept her eyes steady on Cantaria's for a moment. She warmly brought her hand up and cupped Taria's cheek. "My dearest Empress, I served you loyally, joyfully, in our time in the Dark Family. My sorrow of having my mortality taken from me, in a cruel and hasty way, was softened by the close friendship I found with you. I wish you and Emp had told me what you were doing when he gave me the Ventrue blood that He had stored." Vilona paused and searched Taria's eyes again, "Maybe you didn't know." After a slight hesitation, she poured them another half glass of blood and sipped it. She furrowed her brow, "It's almost cold, I must have left it uncorked too long. Anyways, I..." Just then Cham and Heylo walked into the kitchen.

Cantaria greeted Heylo with a warm smile and a hug, "I'm glad to see you up and about again. You gave me quite a fright."

Heylo smiled...then returned Cantaria's hug, full of care for her friend. "I'm fine now, thanks." She pulled up a barstool and sat next to Cantaria, then nodded greetings to Vilona.

Vilona smiled at Cham and extended a hand to him, then continued her conversation," We will discuss that matter later, right now we MUST discuss Natashia."

The phone rang, Vilona looked at Cham, with a start. This is the first time the phone has ever rang in the many years that it has been in service. There are only two people who have this number. Vilona and Cham go into the bedroom, off the living room, to answer it. They close the door behind them, leaving Heylo and Taria alone in the Kitchen.

Heylo looked at Cantaria, wondering what she and Vilona had discussed. She figured it was something having to do with trust, since that is what Cham had wanted to know from her. She said, "I understand you were the first to check on me this evening when I passed out. Thank you, my friend." *smiling warmly* "Now it is my turn to check on you...are you ok?"

Taria smiled warmly at Heylo, "I am a little shaken, but alright. Vil questioned my loyalty. I can understand in these troubled times that she has to be 100% sure, but I’m not accustomed to anyone doubting me, least of all someone I know." Realizing she had limited time and this maybe her only chance to discuss Samron with Heylo, she changed the subject suddenly. "Heylo, I need to talk to you urgently about Samron and the Assam......."

*Cham and Vilona return to the Kitchen, interrupting their conversation, abruptly*

"We had hoped to be able to discuss things fully, but it would seem our hands are being forced. We have just received a report that a mortal has breeched the stronghold of Clave's Clan, and I fear for his life!" Vilona looks at Heylo directly. "Heylo, it's Mullen. Yes, I know of your rooftop friend. I'm sorry to say, but I had watched you two for a while, before approaching you, because of my need for anonymity. I saw the fondness shared between you. I must warn you that he is a Hunter."

Cham stepped up and placed a firm but non- threatening hand on Taria's shoulder, "It is time for you to prove yourself..." He paused and looked at Vilona, she nodded. He looked back at Taria and continued, "Natashia is another of Vilona's childer. She has been captured and is being held underground in the house, where Clave is staying. She is being tortured, trying to bring us to light. He has a grudge against me and is betraying the traditions to carry it out. Tonight, You and I will be confronting him, possibly in battle. Vilona has reminded me that we do not have the option to kill him, unless he refuses submission. Our task is to bind him and bring him to her...and let him decide for himself how he shall be punished for his actions."

Cham's eyes gained a slightly lighted rim to them, as he looked at Cantaria, "I am warning you now, that if there is any sign of betrayal in you. I have asked permission and it has been granted from Vilona...to kill you." He pauses to let it sink in, then continues, "Vilona has a heavy heart in this matter, but I will sacrifice any and all who would betray my home. I truly hope, for your sake, that Vilona's trust in you is well placed." Cham looks at Vilona as he steps back from Taria and stands behind her. Vilona steps forward and places both hands on Taria's shoulders. Her hands tremble slightly, then steady themselves as she visibly gathers her strength from within. "My friend, you know what it is to be a leader. Tough choices have to be made. I value your life as something precious and I know you will not fail me, but I have to grant this to Cham to insure our safety. If tonight is successful, we will have TWO new residents at the Manor. You will no longer be a guest, but this will be home."

Vilona turns to Heylo, "Tonight, your task will be difficult. You must protect Watcher. And you must use a discipline I have not had the chance to train you in, but you MUST try. I do NOT want that man brought into my home. I can not trust a Hunter. BUT, I don't wish him harm either, because of your friendship to him. The first Tradition says for us to keep the Masquerade, therefore you can NOT reveal yourself to him, and once tonight's events are done, you must try to administer 'the forgetful mind.' I don't use the Dominate power often, but this one, I find is the best for the mortal's sake. If you can NOT do it, then I will do it for you, but I think this is a good training time. You will be very drained afterwards, but I believe we will be able to find you a 'donor' somewhere in that neighborhood."

"My task will be Natashia," Vilona looked toward the clock, then toward Cham, "April said She saw him go INTO the house, so we need to hurry. Follow me!" Vilona lifted the hood of her cloak and stepped out the front door and disappeared into the forest. Cham extended a hand in front of him, allowing the women to go before him. He closed the door behind him and followed as each increased their speed to a blinding pace, keeping Vilona just within sight.

They reached the back of the house and all stopped just outside the bedroom window. As they looked up, blood splattered against the inside of the window just above them. Without speaking, Vilona motioned for Cham and Taria to circle to the other side and for Heylo to follow her to the cement stairs that lead down to a basement door. Vilona looked at Heylo, "Try to turn to Mist. If you can't, wait for me to get inside and I'll open the door." Vilona dissolved into a misty cloud and whiffed under the door as Heylo watched with wide eyes...


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