CHAPTER THREE
Heylo is Home

*Heylo took the key for her new room from Vilona and put the key into the lock.* Turning the key, she heard the sound of the bolt sliding out of the lock, so the room was now open. She turned the handle of the door, and pushed it slowly open. Hearing a slight creak as the door moved open, she was suddenly in awe of the beauty of the room. The room was paneled with a dark mahogany, with insets all around the room. To the left, and behind the door, there was a built in bookcase, full of very old books and manuscripts, from around the world, many of them first editions.

Vilona walks to the bookshelf and smiles as she gently slips the Book of Noble into an empty spot that it fit into perfectly. Then with a knowing look, winked at Heylo, as she had just given the insinuation that Heylo was now the Keeper of their treasured book. Vilona then turned and walked along the wall to the right of the bookcase. There was a sitting room grouping with a loveseat, two chairs and an end table. All were of black lacquer, with velvet, gold geometric pattern, for the upholstery, and looked to be all European antiques. She ran her hand along the back of the loveseat as she passed by, then rested herself in one of the chairs.

In the far corner of the room, next to the grouping, there was a magnificent wardrobe...handpainted with cranes and bamboo on black lacquer. On the wall facing the door, was a wonderful stone fireplace, complete with andirons and a set of bronze, antique fireplace tools, in their own stand. The handles of these tools all had a dragon's head, and the stand had a dragon with wings that curled around to hold the tools. On the wall to the right of the door, and adjacent to the fireplace wall, was an unbelievable Chinese barrel bed...complete with purple velvet bedspread. There were two matching lamps on the bedside tables that were electrified gone-with-the-wind lamps. These had hand painted purple and burgundy roses on the two globes that make the lamps. The nightstands were marble top oak washstands with turned pieces going down the corners. The room was anchored by a room size, hand woven oriental carpet...very old, with deep reds, greens, golds, and purples on a black background. The room was simply gorgeous.

Dark Angel Heylo:
Turning to Vilona, asked..."This is mine?" *mouth hanging open* "Thank you, my Mistress...it is GORGEOUS!"

I walked into the room and over to the bed and sat down to try out the mattress. It was plush, but firm enough for a good sleep. It did seem a little odd though...there were no windows in the room. I know this is all underground, but I did notice their absence. I guess now, though, I need a room without a view, so to speak...*smiles* Don't wanna get a nasty sunburn from any daylight coming into the room while I'm asleep...*snickers*

*sighs* Leaning back on the bed, I say aloud..."This is my home now. I'm home!," Heylo whispers.

Priestess Death:
"Yes my sweet darkened one you are HOME...it's been a long time coming, but I had to be so very sure!"

DarkAngel Heylo:
I extend my finger in the direction of the fireplace and think...*fire*...and the fireplace lights. I smile at Vilona. "Did you see that? I'm not sure how I knew I could do that, but...I knew I could...so I tried it...and it worked." I blow the end of my finger, as if it were hot or smoking...and grin again at Vilona. "Cool, huh?"

I jump up and run over to the bookcase and run my finger along the bindings of all the books there. They are mostly all tooled leather coverings...most are VERY old. I'm almost scared to touch them...afraid the paper in the books would crumble with age. I pull one from the shelf. It is an ancient book of magic spells. I thumb through it and see all the etchings for illustrations. It is a beautiful book. I set it back into its place on the shelf. I pull another from the shelf. It is a rare copy of a Charles Dickens book, complete with etchings also.

Priestess Death:
Remember dear we are Vampires NOT witches and Ventrue are not in the habit of using spells. That falls on the discipline for the Tremere I believe. We simply rule and try to keep the nobility running among our beloved kindred brothers and sisters. These were gifts and lost treasures I found, bought, or *eyes twinkle with the growing smile* acquired through *a soft giggle* a chance meeting.

DarkAngel Heylo:
I turn to Mistress..."This collection is unbelievable. I will enjoy many long hours of looking through these."

Priestess Death:
I hope you noticed the addition of OUR book to your collection. This is now YOURS to safe guard. You have proved yourself worthy and precious in our family. It would seem a mere linage but it has the BLOOD of our linage and in the wrong hands would be an unfortunate and miserably revealing for us. This is now your place in our home...The Bookkeeper if you will. *winks*

DarkAngel Heylo:
"I am pleased you feel comfortable enough to honor me with this esteemed position. I will safeguard this important treasure of our family as I have done for so many months now, as a mortal. I have never let the book out of my site during this whole time I was in my search for you. Now, the book is home, where it belongs...but I will still take very good care of it. Thank you, Mistress."

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice something on the mantle of the fireplace. I walk over to inspect it further. It is a Samurai sword with a carved ivory handle, encased in a carved teak sheath, on a lacquer stand.

"Ohhhh, look at this!" I take the sword from the stand and remove it from the sheath. "This is beautiful...is it mine, as well?" I study the blade. It has lots of things engraved on it. There is a dragon in clouds etched on both sides, from the hilt, half way down the blade. There is gold where the blade and the hilt meet, encrusted with emeralds, in a swirl. The ivory handle is carved in mountains and clouds. "The workmanship of this exquisite blade is unbelievable," I mutter, halfway, to myself. I place the blade back into its sheath and put them back on the stand.

Priestess Death:
"Yes, I only possess three swords, unlike Cham's hordes. One, I keep for myself. Maybe someday I will show it to you, but it holds many hurtful memories and I keep it hidden and untouched. This is one of my three. It is called Graileron. The dragon is the symbol of wisdom and when a dragon is pictured in the clouds it insinuates wisdom from on high. If it should ever be used as more than decoration...use extreme wisdom in doing so. This blade is deadly sharp and can kill a mortal much faster than we should ever wish to. They are fragile and we must protect them until they become useful to us. Remember we were once mortal. Cham and I differ in this philosophy, but this is because of the dreadful hurt he's endured at their hands. My hurt began in my Embrace, so he and I balance each other and we are good together. The third, I hope to give to Natashia, if ever I find this little one. I know she is still around here somewhere and is in trouble...I have felt her summons, but can not locate her, yet. Someone is interfering! And that someone will pay with his or her life! This I do swear!"

DarkAngel Heylo:
*I walk to Mistress and take her hands in mine.* "Thank you, Vilona. Your gift of the room and bestowing me Keeper of our Book, is totally unexpected and is greatly appreciated. I feel more a part of this family as the minutes tick by. Thank you."


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