Proluge

An introduction to the story.

.Introduction.

New Orleans, Louisiana

June 4^th, 2010

      He stood on his terrace facing the darkness surrounding his city of New Orleans. He brushed his long brown hair from his emerald green eyes and straightened the cuffs of his cream colored dress shirt. Luis Adams sighed and stood on the railing of his terrace; he twirled around on the edge of it and looked down at the empty street, contemplating whether or not to jump.

      Henery laughed softly to himself, taking small steps toward Luis. “Don’t you think your date would be upset if you left so abruptly?” he inquired, leaning on the rail and peering down into the street.  Henery chewed his lip childishly and, pushed onto his tip-toes, attempting making sure there was now one lingering beneath the balcony.  “Get down, now, Luis.” Henery tore his eyes away from the lit city to cast and icy, slate color look at Luis.

      Luis smiled and gave another twirl before hopping down beside him, "I didn't do it because you told me too, but I like my date." The wind ruffled his black coat and he leaned back against the railing, he tapped his chin with his index finger and cast a sideways glance towards his companion, "Henery, are we going to be alright?"

      Henery gave a short, cynical laugh, “Honestly, now, Luis, what would make you think we’re going to be anything but alright?” he inquired, shutting his eyes. The wind caused wisp of black hair into his ashen face. A frown spiraled onto Henery’s face and he straightened, adjusting his coat. He picked invisible flicks of dust, and debris before turning his attention back to Luis. “Look at this city, Luis. New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s known for us, for the immortal, for the deviant underbelly in a beautiful urban society. We’ve made history Luis. We’re going to be alright.” he nodded in a matter-of-factly manner and smiled. He grimaced, adjusting his tie. “I’ve always hated these things. Will you help me?”

      He sighed and turned to him to fix his tie, “I know this Henery; I’ve been in this city for over a century, this is our city but I…” He bit his lip, gazing down at the ground before forcing himself to look into Henery’s eyes, “I have a feeling that I can’t get rid of, in ache that no matter how much I feed, it won’t leave me. Some thing is changing…” Luis moved back a little, his face seeming more boyish in the moonlight as he peered over the edge once more.

      Henery smiled lovingly and pat his comrade’s shoulder. He peered out at the city once more, shook his head, “Things are always changing Luis,” he was at a loss for words. He felt the same way; something ominous was on its way. “Come on, Luis, our guest our waiting, let us not be rude.” He turned his back to New Orleans and made his way to the gently lit room where five figures lingered, speaking casually.

      Luis put his face in his hands and shook his head, trying to rid the feeling. He put on a smile and followed Henery into the main room; he cast a look at the figures and his forged smile melted into something genuine. His brother Seth stood among them; he peered up at Luis from beneath his black bangs and gave a slight nod to an unspoken question. They looked away from one another and Luis turned to his guests.

      Henery smiled, seeing the face of his date—Edward. The small boy stood away from the crowd, messing nervously with the hem of his jacket. He went to the boy and leaned down, his lips hovering just above his ear. “You look fine, come on, stop being anti-social, Mon Cher.” Henery stood to his full height of six foot two and extended his hand. Edward took it after a bit of hesitation and led him to where the others stood. H e nudged him and smiled, “Say hello.”

      Edward peered at the other around him before dropping his eyes quickly, “Hello everyone.” He muttered.

      Lilly leaned down, placing her hands on her knees. She looked up into his green eyes and smirked, “Hello Edward, how are you on this fine evening.” Lilly stood, smoothing her dress. She side-stepped, taking Seth’s hand in her and smiled, pulling him downward to whisper in his ear. “Why are we having a party?”

      Ice smirked, moving across the room to Luis. She draped one arm over his shoulder, placing a kiss on his jaw line. “Shall we sit down for dinner?” she stated, giving a small wave to Edward, who missed it. 

      The fourth figure smiled up at Luis and removed his hat, revealing a head of curly brown hair. Johnny shifted nervously and nodded, “Dinner sound good about now. How about it? Edward--,” Edward raised his head and smiled a bit. “Yes. Dinner.”

      Luis cast his gaze across the room once more and then turned to Ice, he kissed her lower lip and then turned to face Marquis who stood among them, his face serene, his eyes distant; Marquis’s gaze flickered to Johnny and then to Seth, “Answer her, why do we have this party?”

             Seth cocked his head to the side and stared at the older vampire before turning his attention to Lily, “We are having this party simply to be together.”

             “Is his answer sufficient Luis? Is that the matter?” The Roman questioned, sliding his blue-eyed gaze to Luis.

       He nodded and replied, “Why else? Now shall we eat? They are hungry, I am hungry.”

      Lilly grabbed Ice’s hand, and then reached for Johnny’s and began to pull them toward the table. “Sit by me,” she commanded in a softly voice.

      Johnny smiled, a rose color filling his cheeks, “All right, all right.” he laughed, tossing a curious glance back at Marquis, then to Ice, who smiled charmingly.

      “Come on now, Luis, Ms. Saden is impatient.”

      Henery shook his head and ushered Edward forward, his hand placed gently on the other males back. “I don’t know what is troubling you, but forget about it for a while, it’s a party.” Henery murmured in Edward’s ear. They reached the table and he pulled out Edward’s chair, Johnny doing the same for Lilly and Ice before sitting himself.

      Luis seated himself by Ice and shot a glance to Seth who placed himself at his side, Seth leaned forward and murmured something in another language to Luis and they both looked at Marquis. He frowned at them, taking a seat opposite of Johnny, “Why do you speak in a tongue we don’t know, say what you will if you’re not a coward…”

      Seth glared at him, “Let’s not speak of cowards Marquis.” He leered at him, “Unless of course, all of our dirty little sins are going too be placed on this table tonight to devour?”

      Lilly rolled her eyes, removing the silver, dome-like structure over her food. She hesitated, chewing her lip while she decided where to place the dome. A young man came to her, a large, forced smile on his place and he opened his hand to take it. She returned the smiled, handing it to him as other people, both male and female all dressed in the same uniform: black trousers, a white dress shirt, and a small, neat red bow tie. The group leaned forward and removed the rest of the domes uniformly, before disappearing back into the kitchen. Lilly peered around the table, before smiling.

      Henery smiled at his daughter before peering down into the plate of food. Tonight they would dine on a traditional French dinner. L’Entrée was a tossed salad, on the side rested two cherry tomatoes. The gentleman who had assisted Lilly returned, accompanied by a young woman with her red hair tied neatly in a bun. They worked from opposite ends, the one gentleman offering vinaigrette for your salad while the lady offered cheese.

      Seth cocked his head to the side and licked his lips watching the waiters, Luis laughed softly and nodded to him, following his gaze to the woman, “You are the Devil brother. Tonight we’ll go hunting.” He muttered softly and looked down at his food.

      Marquis inhaled deeply, his gaze burning into Seth’s face, “Why wait? It’s a party, can’t we have entertainment?”

      Seth grimaced, “We’re supposed to have manners Marquis, and we can’t eat them…yet…”

      Johnny grimaced, shoving Marquis gently, “Stop instigating.” He pointed to Seth,” You stop lusting after out waiters,” and then to Luis, “and you don’t encourage him.” 

      Henery laughed loudly, watching as Lilly rose her class. “A toast—to our greatness, yes?” she  smiled to her father and this date.

      Edward lifted his cup in sync with Henery and smiled, “Santé.” He called, the other cheered as well.

      Henery grinned, ushering the group into the sitting room. He sat down in the leather chair at the far side of the room, patting his lap and smiling coyly at Edward. The other male blushed and took a seat on the couch adjacent to where Henery was, beside him at sat Lilly.

      Johnny lingered near the dining room, holding Marquis’ hand. He wavered, a drunken smile on his face. “I need to go home, Marquis, my mom is going to be worried.” His words slurred a bit, the Le Digestif had only added to the inebriation and forgetfulness. “Please.”

      Ice chucked, her hand locked in Luis as they made there way toward Henery, Lilly, Seth, and Edward. “The dinner was lovely, Henery, thank you.”

      “You are more than welcome, Ms. Silver.” He smiled.

      Marquis sighed and bent forward to whisper in his ear, “Mommy is dead, dear one, the only one to worry about you is me.”

             Seth stood and crossed the room to the window; he crossed his arms over his chest and peered through the glass, “Pour vivre et mourir dans cette ville…” He murmured, he fidgeted and then placed his hands in his pockets, “If you’ll excuse me I’m going to check on the children.” He whispered and left the room to use the phone.

             Luis grinned and brought Ice’s hand to his lips, he kissed her knuckles and then addressed the room, “The other night when I was hunting I came upon someone quite interesting, he’s like one of us but he wasn’t made…’naturally’ like we were, I didn’t get a chance to speak with him but I followed him, he was lovely, really, he killed a young woman in the park beautifully… I think I might find him again…” He muttered, looking away from them in thought.

      Henri looked up, frowning, “Luis, you know very well we don’t play with the governments toys. We leave them and theirs alone, and they leave us and ours alone.” He shook his head, though Luis had since turned away. “Don’t. Just, don’t Luis.”

      “What do you mean ‘naturally’?” Ice inquired, watching as Lilly half skipped, half tripped after Seth. ‘They really shouldn’t let that girl drink.’ She shook her head, blonde strands of hair falling into her eyes. She moved them and grimaced.

      Johnny frowned, his eyes glazing over. “Why?”

      Luis looked back at them, “Yes, we were made by our sires in a…supernatural but natural way; this boy was immortal but he had something black under his skin, something different…” He leaned back, “I need to talk to him, he knows, he has to know…” He babbled on.

             Marquis sighed, “She just… couldn’t live any more. Don’t worry about her, you have me now.” His eye wandered to Luis’s face, “What does he know?”

             Luis stood suddenly, “He knows…I’m not sure, but I…” He stopped and sighed, “It doesn’t matter.”

      Edward had removed his black dress shoes and curled up on the couch, ignoring the conversation fully with thoughts of his own. ‘Today was dad’s birthday.’ He thought, ‘And I’m at a party, getting buzzed.’ He shook the thoughts away and curled up on the couch.

      Henery rolled his eyes, “You’re being paranoid, Luis. Calm down.” He stood and straightened his coat, “perhaps the drinks have finally affected you. I think we should resume this conversation tomorrow, say, noon? When everyone is sober and at their best. Look, poor Johnny is in a drunken confusion.” He motioned toward the door.

      Johnny bit his lip, “Can we go home? Please.”

      Marquis nodded and slipped his arm around his waist; he said his goodnights and escorted Johnny from the house. Luis frowned, “To be paranoid is to be alert to what could happen…” He mumbled and held out his hand for Ice, “Shall we hunt for a bit amore or do you wish to…attend to other things?” He inquired, a devilish glint appearing in his eyes.

      Ice laughed to herself and waved her goodbye to Henery, moving with Luis toward the door in slow steps. “I would like my cake, and to eat too.” She nodded, and then clarified, “A hunt and…other things would be nice.”

      He grinned and went into the night of New Orleans, he slipped his arm around her waist, “Where do you want to hunt?” He inquired. Luis looked up at the sky and smiled, “Maybe Henery was right, maybe everything will be alright.” He muttered and looked back down at her; he leaned down and kissed her.

      ššš

      March 19th, 2098

      

              Simon Landry stood on the porch of Aryan and Lynn Hawthorne; he knocked and stepped back to straighten his black suit. He gave a slight smile when Stacey Cissanarro opened the door, the young man returned the grin and held out his hand, “Simon, you made it to our little party after all.” He said pleased.

                  Simon took his extended hand and nodded, “I suddenly had nothing better to do.” He countered as Stacey led him inside. They crossed the foyer to stand at the base of the stairs with the other men; he smiled and nodded to the others; among them stood Aryan Hawthorne, Knox Scarlet, and Eros Espositio, he peered around the room and noticed his son Hannibal standing with another male whose name registered in his memory as Louis Charleston; he caught his eye for moment and he looked away. Simon turned back to Stacey, “Where are the rest?” He inquired, putting his hands in his pant pockets.

                  Stacey gave a half-smile, “The women will be descending the stairs soon… we decided when all the parties had arrive we would begin in this fashion.”

                  Knox looped his arm into Eros’s and leaned against his side; the men looked up to see the women coming down the stairs, they stood in a line, Lynn and another female descended the stairs first wearing elegant gowns of black for Lynn and red satin for the other; Analize and yet another female Simon did not recognize followed, Analize in a gown of navy blue and the other a gown of white. He studied the one walking with Analize, Stacey noticed and leaned over to whisper, “That would be Olivia; Analize invited her. And the other by Lynn is my sister Britannia.”

                  The women reached the bottom of the stairs and Lynn beamed up at Aryan, she took his arm and together they led the group to the large backyard, set onto the stone floor was a long table adorned with lighted candles shining brilliantly like the stars beneath the night sky.

      Olivia leaned toward Analize, smiling, “Who is the guy staring at me?” she inquired, flashing another smile widely.

      Analize pulled away from Olivia, “That’s Simon.” She answered curtly and wandered to Stacey, smiling.

      They sat around the long table; Lynn glanced up at all of their guests, “I was not sure what each of you would be hungry for, but I am quite ravenous and cannot to wait to sink my teeth into something…sweet.”

      She alleged licking her lips, she began to continue when Simon cut her off, “I apologize for interrupting Lynn but I think I have more pressing matters to discuss with this group,” He stood to address them, “I came here tonight simply to appeal an idea to you, change, with everything, I think we should overthrow the Lords of our City, take their places, kill them if we have to… we deserve more power, they are stuck in their old ways and we could do so much better.”

                  Knox frowned and looked at him, “You aren’t serious, are you? Those ‘lords’ are family to some of us, tell him Lynn, we can’t…” He turned to look at his sister and his frown deepened when he saw her lips pursed in thought, “Are you contemplating this?”

                  She nodded and locked eyes with her brother, “Knox, our grandfather abandoned us, we forgave and even forgot but his afflictions towards us are becoming greater and greater, maybe it is time for a change…I…” She shook her head and looked at Aryan, “What do you think?”

      Aryan’s eyes moved from face to face before he gave a sharp nod, “I believe that is time, not for reform, for that is slow and peaceful, but for a revolution.”

      Olivia cleared her throat, “Are we prepared to go against our elders? Yes, we are trained, but some of them have decades—centuries on us. We work with them, live with them, as the case may be. I, personally, am all for change, Simon, but at what expense? The lives of many of the younger generation? You and I both know they play gritty; they will not just attack those involved but also our spouses, children, friends who are not involved. I think we should first evaluate who all we’re up against, what ways we are looking to change, and how prepared we are to make and enforce those changes.”

      Analize nodded in agreement, “And the term elders is relative…isn’t it.  I mean, we could consider Aryan an elder, could we not?”

      Aryan shook his head, “Luis, Marquis, Henery, Edward, Seth. Those people can be considered elders. I am an infant in compassion to that.” He turned his attention to Simon, “Ms. Golding makes an accurate point, Simon. Who would be in this league of the new generation?”

      Louis raised his hand, ignoring the giggle that came from Analize. “Alonzo wanted you all to know that you have his support.” He nodded.

      “Death is necessary for change, the younger generation will know this, and they should be prepared to die.” He muttered and looked away in thought. He turned his eyes to Lynn, “You know them, you’re in their inner circle; you’re a new-age enforcer, Luis said so himself, you would know how to break them. Would you?”

       Knox frowned and looked at his sister, “You wouldn’t, right? Lynn, look at me, tell me you aren’t going to do this? Not again, last time you…”

       Lynn scowled and looked at the group, “I think it would be unwise to finish this conversation outside, forget dinner, we need to have this discussion,” She stood and began towards the house and stopped, her shoulders tensed, “They aren’t like us, they can’t die like we can,” She turned back, “I want this more than anything, but we are perishable resources while as they are True Immortals, beings that will not die simply by cutting off their heads, we would need to become like them to even out this playing field.”

      Simon frowned and scrutinized her face, “Are you like them?”