CHAPTER EIGHT
Home at Last

Heylo just gazed in the direction of the Priest and Priestess. Her mouth was agape...full of awe and surprise. She was stunned, to say the least. She knew that Priestess had been summoning and summoning him, but to no avail. Now...standing before her, were the two, reunited at last.

Heylo, realizing that this was a momentous event, kept her composure just long enough to set the Vampire wine on the table. Her eyes never leaving Priest and Priestess, she jumped with such gladness to see them reunited, that she bound over the table and flung her arms around them both. She hugged them tightly...without being able to say a word...but wanting to express her joy for this moment.

Heylo whispered, finally able to get a few words out, "I'm soooo happy that you have FINALLY come home to Mistress."

Heylo released her hold on them both and stepped back a bit, but continued to touch them...one hand on Priest's arm and one on Vilona's arm. She squeezed them both gently, smiling with such joy in her heart...then whispered again, "We surely have something to toast tonight. Let me fill everyone's glass."

As Heylo filled the glasses, Vilona stepped forward and smiled at Cantaria, "This is my husband, and Childer, Priest of Death, but I call him Cham, for his given name is...Chameron Death."

Cham extends a hand in introduction, but grips Cantaria's hand firmly and pulls her closer to him looking directly into her eyes, "I know of you, and of your link with Clave. I understand you left his clan and you, yourself, are now on his bad side for betraying him. But, I warn you, if you do anything to harm Vilona or allow our home to be touched in any way...your pretty face will never be the same." Cham released her hand and the deep red glow, that had begun in his eyes, cooled. He stepped back and again placed his arm around Vilona's waist. His face softened and he allowed a small smile to play at his lips. As he spoke again, his tone changed, from stern warning to warmth, "Vilona has told me alot about you when she knew you as Ress. She has a deep love for you, and I respect that. I know it will be a matter of time for us to know where you stand on things, and you will have to prove yourself. I do not trust easily and friendships mean nothing to me. Vilona's love is all I need. But if you show yourself to be loyal and a true friend, then I will be honored to call you friend and welcome you into our home."

Vilona smiled up into his dark eyes as he turned and kissed her forehead. She turned her gaze to Cantaria and spoke warmly, " I know that you understand our mistrust of a Brujah, especially with the happenings of late. Cham is the protector of our clan, and with him home, I can feel a peace and let some of the burden of things rest upon him. But together we will protect our home and family from any and all others. It is up to you whether you are family or an 'other'."

They all sit down as Cham explains the events that brought him home...Vilona sitting on his lap with both arms wrapped around his shoulders; Cantaria and Heylo sitting on the couch adjacent.

"Well, I was in Spain trying to locate my assistant, Samron. He was a young man that had helped me for many years here. Well, he was young when he started and is now in his late 40's or 50's. I never keep up with true age when mine slips passed so unnoticed.

Anyway, I became a swordsmith. I developed a love for swords, while in Japan. My kendo master had also been trained in the craft of sword making. He allowed me to watch him one afternoon as he worked on the handle of a sword he had just forged. The carvings in the ivory were so delicate and detailed, I was mesmerized. Then, about a year later, I was allowed to help him forge a blade. I still carry that blade today! Well, as time went on, I developed a skill and a deep love for swords. I've mastered several techniques in using them and I enjoy the creation of many styles.

Through the years I have acquired swords from around the world and have been able to put my creations into distribution. That is what Sam was doing for me. He was my PR man. He would advertise, sell and deliver my hand crafted Swords around the world. Each sword would sell anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000.

Sam was the only mortal to know of Vilona's and my 'condition' for many years. I trusted him with our lives. He lived in this house and was our protector by day, at first. Then he became my distributor and did the traveling for me. He would fly to Japan, England, Italy, Australia, all across the U.S.

Then about 18 months ago, Sam flew to Spain. He phoned and said he'd met the buyer and was meeting with some of his business associates that evening for dinner and drinks and would call me before I would be retiring the next morning. He never called. In fact I never heard from him again. I tried to find him from here, phone calls, emails. I finally hired a private investigator via phone contact and wiring money directly from my checking account over the internet. The investigator found that Sam had actually gone to dinner with these men and during dinner there had been some kind of an outburst. Sam stormed out of the restaurant and the men followed. Sam and these men were never seen again. I suspected the worst and set out to find Sam or find out who had caused him to disappear. During my search, I found that the men where a group of 4 Brujah vampires. I suspect that they killed or embraced Sam.

Then about 6 months ago I got word that the same group of Brujahs were holding up in a town just north of Madrid, Spain. Since my family used to live in Madrid, I decided it was time to go home for a visit...and possibly even the score with the Brujahs. Unfortunately, my anger clouded my judgment and I fell prey to being captured by a gang of vampire hunters and was being tortured and drugged. I was in that predicament when I received Vilona's summons, but I couldn't respond.

A young man came to my rescue. Apparently, I was being held in his family's old, abandoned home. After I was unchained, we were able to kill all the mortals that had been holding me hostage. Once I had time to look the man over, I realized that he was only a boy, about 16 years old. I felt there was something familiar about him, the moment I saw him. It was not until I was walking away from him and he called out after me that I fully remembered him. I had saved his life several years earlier, unfortunately I was too late to save his parents. I don't know that he knows I am that man, but he does know I am a vampire and became my travel companion on my journey to America.

The boy has served me well in doing the things that Sam once did. But, I will not make the same mistake twice. I have sent Disciple to Japan to learn the art of kendo. He must be able to protect himself. If he is to continue to serve me, he must be able to fight and he must have a deeper understanding of what it is to be the protector of such as Vilona and myself!" Cham paused for a moment and gulped down the last of his wine, then set his goblet down.

Vilona stayed silent with her head resting on Cham's shoulder as she listened to his story. The light of the fireplace cast long shadows behind them, as Cantaria and Heylo sipped their wine and listened intently to Cham's words. He looked around to see all eyes still settled on him, eager for him to continue.

"Well, once I got to America, I got off the plane...posing as a dead grandmother in a coffin to be transported home for the funeral. Disciple continued on to Japan where my friend is training him. It took me so long to get home because, first of all, my driver got lost. Then I got hungry. One night, as we were driving in circles, I climbed out of the coffin in the back of the moving van and gently knocked on the back of the cabin behind the driver. He stopped and got out to investigate. Well, once he saw me he began to scream...like a woman! I just can't stand that and he was about to wake up the entire community, where he had pulled over. Sooo, I figured it was time for dinner, about then. I pulled him inside the back of the truck and solved both problems. My only problem then was having to drive the truck myself and only being able to do so during the night time. And I had NO idea where I was. My only guide was Vilona's nightly summons. I simply followed my heart as I heard her sing.

I finally got home just before dawn. I was able to make my way into the secret entrance we have, that goes directly from the garage into the bedroom there. *Cham pointed to the mysterious closed door, now revealing that it was, indeed, a bedroom. He grinned down at Vilona.* She didn't see me lying on the bed, as she pulled her rocking chair into the room. I let her sing for about 5 minutes, but then I couldn't stand the pull of the summons any longer. And then...well...and then is a private matter. *his grin broadened and Vilona quickly looked up and grinned back at him. She glided a fingertip along his lower lip then kissed him gently as she whispered, "Very private."


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