Pride x Familiar (22 page)

My Awareness was linked to my Fragment, and I
was able to learn how many people were inside the MEV by using the
Fragment’s sensory abilities. It was something I’d learnt recently
from Caprice, and it was one more sign my body and consciousness
were tuning to the Fragment. I was able to use my enhanced
Awareness to follow the movements of the individuals on the other
side of the window.

But as I sat in the interrogation room, and
listened to the sounds of my breathing, and the sound of the
air-conditioning system, I had to time to think about the
manifestation of my two shield-blades.

I had time to wonder if my Fragment was really a
Fragment, or an Artifact that was slowly opening itself up to
me.

If it was an Artifact, why hadn’t the Lanfears
told me about it?

Or didn’t they know what kind of Fragment they’d
given me?

Somehow I felt that hard to believe.

After today’s event what would Arisa and Van
Demon have to say about me and my Fragment?

Eventually, all my worries came down to a single
one.

What would happen to Caprice?

#

(Alessandro)

I studied Desanto as he sat on the uncomfortable
chair, and stared straight at where I stood.

I had moved to the left of the window, and
Desanto’s eyes had moved to follow me.

When I moved right, he looked right, and then
his eyes shifted in the direction of the man standing nearby.

Christian Ventiss Raynar.

I wouldn’t call him a childhood friend, but he
was someone I’d known for many, many years.

He was someone who held the rank of Senior
Investigator within the Enforcer Division, while I held the rank of
Vice-Commander of Special Interventions.

We were colleagues, but we were not friends.

At least, we were no longer friends.

Knowing that left a bitter taste in my
mouth.

But what mattered most in this situation was
that technically I outranked him.

Christian spoke softly. “He’s using his
Fragment’s sensorium to know exactly where we are. He can probably
tell our age, gender, height and weight via his Fragment.”

I snorted. “Would you tell me something I don’t
know?”

“Desanto was imprinted onto that Fragment three
months ago. Before that, his compatibility with all the Fragments
the Lanfears tried on him was less than thirty percent.” Christian
nodded his head at the silent teenager sitting alone in the room.
“But that one Fragment recorded a ninety percent resonance with his
body. Ninety percent compatibility. That’s quite rare these
days.”

Christian turned his head and faced me.

“And your family gave him to the Lanfears. What
the Hell were you thinking?”

“Our esteemed Primatriarch made the decision to
offer him to the Lanfears as a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Payment for the recent work the Lanfears helped
us with.”

“That’s crap, Alessandro.” He pointed at
Desanto. “He’s a Familiar, and his family has served the Raynars
since the days of the war between the Aventis and humanity.”

“And they have suffered for it,” I replied
smoothly. “To that end, our esteemed Primatriarch made a decision
to spare him the same fate by having him Awakened by another
Pride.”

“And so she let slip a very valuable Familiar
right through her fingers.”

I couldn’t help my expression from darkening.
“Are you questioning her judgment?”

“We are all questioning her judgment.”

“I see. I hope she doesn’t hear you, Christian.
There could be consequences.”

“Don’t threaten me, Alessandro. Considering the
Primatriarch is a member of the Alucard Family she shouldn’t be
surprised to find others questioning her decisions.”

I took a deep breath before sighing. “Valuable,
you say.” I shook my head. “They’re not tools, Christian, they’re
people. Try to get that through your thick head.”

“Familiars have only one role, and that is to
serve the Aventis.”

“Is that so? So now you’re re-writing
history?”

“What?”

I crossed my arms. “Have you forgotten the
reason why the Aventis won the conflict for survival against
humanity?”

He fell silent but it only lasted a few moments.
“You don’t believe that farcical reason, do you?”

“Of course I do.” I indicated Desanto seated in
the interrogation room. “His family bloodline runs all the way back
two hundred years to the Familiars that sided with the Aventis. You
and I are having this conversation because of the decision his
ancestors and many others made the decision to side against
humanity. Of course, we all know they did it to bring a quick end
to the conflict. But then again, they could have helped humanity
rather than us and still brought about a quick resolution to the
war.”

Christian had a bitter look on his face.

I added, “They sided with us, probably expecting
a better future for their kind. They even disarmed themselves of
the Artifacts they used in the war. And what did it get them? A
life of servitude to the Prides for them and their descendants. An
existence where they’re treated as a lower caste in our society,
barely one step above the Regulars.” I crossed my arms. “Aventis
and Regulars see them as freaks. How demeaning.”

Christian looked incensed. “You would put them
above us?”

“Why not? We all know they can do things we
can’t. If it comes down to the superior species, why is it only
they can operate the Fragments and Artifacts?”

“I’m not going to have this debate with you
here.” He turned to face me fully. “What I will have is your
co-operation. We’re taking him into custody, and we’ll be
conducting the questioning.”

“On whose authority?”

“Mine. I’m the senior investigator for Island
Three. I have the authority.”

“Then I will make a request to our Primatriarch
that she veto your authority.” I shook my head. “You’re not getting
your hands on him.”

“Why are you protecting him?”

I couldn’t help raising my voice. “What kind of
stupid question is that, Christian? We know all too well how the
Ventiss Family looks after its Familiars. I have no doubt your
Family’s attitude toward them drove that girl to attempted
murder.”

“That was a personal matter between Steiner and
Peligree. That had nothing to do with the Ventiss Family.”

“Bullshit!” Now I was seriously pissed. “Every
Familiar that has served the Ventiss Family has ended up with
issues
, and more than a few have taken their own lives. More
than a few have defected to Crimson Crescent. You are driving them
into the welcoming arms of our enemy.”

“Peligree was not instructed to take down
Steiner. Don’t blame that on the Ventiss Family. As for the others,
they simply weren’t fit to serve my family.”

“I already stated my stance on the matter. I
have to admit, I feel sorry for that girl.”

“You would feel sorry for a Familiar?”

“Yes. And I feel sorry for your niece as well,
trapped in a family like yours. She’s becoming as twisted and
biased as you are.”

“Take care with your next words,
Alessandro.”

I tapped the one way window. “He stays here.
Don’t even think of taking him away.”

My palm-slate rang and I was spared having to
listen to his retort. I fished it out of my jacket’s inner pocket.
I answered the call, and listened to a subordinate on the other end
of the line. “I see. Please show her in.”

Ending the call I looked at Christian. “Arisa
Imreh Lanfear and her people are here. Would you like to have a few
words with her?”

He almost sneered at mention of Arisa’s name.
“That would be a complete waste of time.”

I shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

Then I walked away, heading for the vehicle’s
exit. I opened the door and when I looked out, Arisa was standing
at the foot of the retractable stairs.

Her emerald green eyes met my hazel ones.

I watched her fiery red hair catch the breeze
and remembered better times between us. Pushing down the hurt in my
heart, I greeted her with a polite smile.

“Lady Imreh, if you’ll come this way….”

#

(Caprice)

When I woke up, I knew I was in a hospital
room.

I could hear the soft beeps of the equipment
around me, and I could smell the scent of antiseptics in the
air.

Then of course there was the white washed
ceiling and walls surrounding me.

My chest ached. For a moment I wondered why
until I remembered I’d been stabbed by Constance Peligree.

I remembered seeing Caelum’s shield-blade slice
through her skinsuit like it was paper and then send her flying
through the air.

Was she still alive?

Well, if I was alive, then it stood to reason
Constance had most probably survived.

I closed my eyes.

How long had I been unconscious? Was it still
Saturday? How the Hell had things turned out this way?

I replayed the events in my mind as best I
remembered them.

I had no doubt Constance hated me now more than
ever.

But now Caelum had made an enemy of her.

I remembered the look of rage on his face, and I
opened my eyes.

No, she had made an enemy of Caelum.

I lifted a hand and rubbed my eyes.

Truly a horrible way to end the day.

I frowned inwardly, wondering once again if it
was still Saturday.

Then I heard movement to my right. When I turned
my head on the pillow, I saw a young girl dozing on a cushioned
chair. She wasn’t quite drooling yet, but she was getting close.
There was a large data-slate on resting on her lap. It looked like
she’d been reading something on it. Her head rolled slightly and
she startled herself awake.

“Damn…fell asleep,” she muttered. She wiped her
lips as she blinked the sleep from her eyes.

Her eyes met mine, and I saw her break into a
gentle smile.

“Ara ara, you’re awake. Took your time,
though.”

I looked at Simone Alucard, and couldn’t help
wondering why she was here watching over me. I swallowed a few
times but my voice was no better than a hoarse whisper.

“Why…?”

“Oh, why am I here? Hmm….” Simone shifted her
posture on the chair. “Well, you could say I’m watching over since
it’s my responsibility to do so.”

“I don’t understand….”

She took a deep breath and released a despondent
sigh. “It was my fault you were injured. My fault you had to face
off against Constance. I should have just let things be. After all,
what damage could Prissila have done? If she told him the truth,
would Caelum really react badly against us?” She shook her head. “I
just don’t know him well, so I panicked. We need him to be a part
of the Student Council’s plan to oppose Crescent. I didn’t want
Prissila jeopardizing his involvement.” She pursed her lips
together in a pout. “Maybe our plans are all wrong. Maybe getting
in Crimson Crescent’s way is a bad idea….”

I studied her forlorn expression, then shook my
head but it was barely noticeable.

If I moved too much my chest really did
hurt.

Good gods, how much damage had Constance done
with her blade.

I chose to change the subject. “Countess…how did
I…survive?”

The girl blinked a few times then broke into a
sheepish smile. “Ara ara, well that’s simple. I sliced my wrist and
poured my blood down your throat. I forced you to drink it no
matter what. After that, all we could do was hope the Symbiote
healed your injury.”

She gave me a curious look.

“You’re body reacted quite well to my blood. I
know Lanfear and Raynar blood is very close, but to think it could
have this kind of healing property on you.”

The Countess sagged back in the chair while
wrapping her arms about herself.

“But it’s all good. You didn’t die, though you
came close a few times, and that was even with my blood inside
you.”

I swallowed a couple of times.

I was really thirsty, not to mention my throat
was parched.

Simone appeared to notice. She operated the
bed’s controls in order to raise me to a semi-seated position. Then
she filled a plastic cup with water and gently handed it to me. I
sipped the water carefully. It felt good as it slid down my throat,
but a dull ache bloomed into fresh pain as it travelled down the
length of my chest.

I grimaced against the pain.

Simone noticed and said, “You had a nasty stab
wound. I’m afraid it’s going to leave a scar. You’re going to have
choose your bikini’s carefully for the next few years.”

I gave her a sour look.

Her words made me feel depressed, as did the
thought of disappointing Caelum if he ever saw me in a bikini.

How would he react if he saw me in a
swimsuit?

Oh my gods! I forgot all about Caelum!

I looked at Simone and winced as I turned my
head a little too quickly. “Countess, what happened to Caelum?
Where is he?”

Simone looked pained and didn’t respond right
away. “He’s…he’s in custody.”

“Why?”

The Countess folded her hands on her lap.
“Because Constance Peligree almost died. In fact she flat-lined
several times. Her injuries were much more severe than yours.
Caelum sliced her body almost in half. They had to inject
Prissila’s blood into Constance in an absolute hurry.”

I remembered a fountain of blood jetting out of
Constance the moment Caelum swung his shield-blade upwards. The
piercer-field generated by his Fragment had ripped through
Constance’s barrier-field like a knife through paper.

The Countess continued softly. “You could say
the Ventiss Family are royally pissed. Not only at Caelum, but
Prissila as well. They hold her partly responsible for what
happened yesterday. But Caelum’s ability shocked everyone. The fact
he could so easily dispatch Constance has set more than a few hairs
on end.”