Alaric wasn’t stupid. He knew not to stick around if he didn’t have to. Lackeys abounded, though they weren’t in the know about who he was or what his agenda was. He certainly wanted to know what became of Petra — but that’s what contacts were for, and he wasn’t about to let Brandon, his leash dog, or any other lackeys catch him. Instead, he boarded a plane for New York, and with relative ease had any inkling of his presence in Los Angeles over the past couple of weeks erased, replacing discrepancies in the story with a different personage. Likewise, he ensured that it was well known for him to have been in New York for that same amount of time.
When he learned that Petra had awoken, and had been helped, he was unhappy, having hoped that she would have suffered longer. Still…precautions had been taken, and bits of hair, blood, and even small bits of flesh had been taken from her, stored for any future spells that may be needed. While teaching her a lesson was a necessity, to be sure — his real goal had never changed. Brandon had made himself mighty, and Alaric would see the mighty fall.
~ ~
“Is this the one you’ve told me about?” a woman asked.
Emilio looked to hie friend, then nodded before looking back at Petra, checking first on her and then the sleeping forms of both Vince and Brandon.
“You’re bound — your attentions should be focused on the one you are bound to, Emilio.”
“I know that, Kida. But she was brought into the household. I helped test her when she first came to my Master, and have watched the changes she’s brought about. Brandon can be vicious and cruel when it suits him — most assuredly not someone to cross. Petra seems to have…tempered him a little.” he said.
“Made him malleable, you mean.” Kida responded.
“Perhaps. But something has to change before it can be reformed.” he continued.
“I thought you were happy enough with the way things were?” she asked.
“Serving Brandon is far more an honor than serving his father had been. There is a difference between someone driven by greed, and someone driven by thought and ambition.”
“You believe Brandon to be one of these?” she said, pulling up a chair next to him.
“I think that yes, perhaps so.” he responded, watching her.
“But his chrysalis is not complete, is it?” she pondered.
“I don’t know if it ever will be.” he said. “The only thing I am sure of, is that Brandon cares very deeply, for very few people.” he stated.
“You’re one of them aren’t you?” she asked.
“Yes. He would likely say that it is due to my being a loyal and trustworthy servant. There is a part of me though that thinks perhaps he sees me as something more of a father figure than his own relatives ever were.”
“You always did want a family.” she said, a hint of smile on her face.
“It was never in the cards. While I may have done the better part of raising him, I did not shape him. Similar could be said of Petra.” he said.
“Please continue with your analysis.” Kida gently prompted.
“Vince is a friend. The only real one Brandon has. Petra… I’m not sure when, or even how, but he captured her heart, and he has been unusually patient about her reciprocation. Normally he might move on, but he isn’t used to being turned down. Now that she’s come to terms and is reciprocating? I can only hope things don’t change. Things finally feel like they’ve…clicked. And yet…”
“There is a piece missing.” she offered. Emilio nodded, and then she continued with a sigh. “We are tied to families — bloodlines, more specifically. The feeling will always be there for you. Brandon is the last Decacious, and even if he were to release you, you cannot do anything but serve him until he dies.” she explained.
“I know, I know.” he said, sighing.
Kida got up and moved next to him, sliding an arm around him. “I’ve missed you, mi amor.” she whispered.
“Someday.” he said, reaching a hand up to clasp hers.
“Someday.” she repeated, taking several moments to stay leaning against Emilio before moving back to her seat