He let her go.
No arguments, no games, and no strings attached.
She needed time to think, time to recuperate and he also needed a time of his own.

But he recalled her leaving through the window. She didn't look back not once.

Nicholae sighed. He tore his eyes from the window for the hundredth time that hour alone.
He already missed her.
And it had been mere hours ago.

Something knocked on his window sending him in an eager flight from the bed.

Maybe she'd changed her mind and wanted to stay with him after she realized that she also missed him.

Complete disappointment washed over him when he saw that it was a silly bird knocking on the window.
It was already dawn. So what was this bird doing at his window so early?
But before he could utterly dismiss the creature, he saw that it carried something.
He slowly opened the window and the bird rushed in, dropped the folded paper and rushed back out.

Nicholae shut the window and then picked up the item.

He opened the paper, uncertain about what he might find.

There were three words written on it: Kiss of Death.

Nicholae stared at his bed. That was a kind of poison.
'Tiana.'

She'd come through after all.
He now knew the name of the rare poison used to destroy the guardians.

His investigation was on course. Today he was one step closer to finding the killer and possibly the mastermind.
But he couldn't do that in his room.

He took a quick shower and dressed in warded clothes.
Thinking about the last time he got his ass whooped, grabbed a charmed ring for extra effect, to avoid have a repeat of last night's events.

Nicholae's first stop was the feeding room.
He wasn't hungry, to be honest, but he grabbed one bottled blood with herbs in it.
Those were the only ones he drank.
Albeit they were bitter, but the healthy ingredients gave his skin a healthy glow.
So what if he cared about his looks? No one could sue him.

Until recently he'd really had no reason to, but he'd found his reason again.
Valentina. Not that she'd even appreciate it.

His entire morning was about to be ruined when he ran into his parents sauntering arm in arm.
Honestly, the two of them were made for each other.
Two arrogant and pompous vampires.

The devil must have had a personal hand in this match.

Nicholae groaned. He'd been avoiding them ever since the family meeting because he knew they'd have his hide. And now he was trapped in the room with them.

'My, my darling. Look who is going out without letting us know.' His mother spoke first.
God the woman was so petty.

'Ignore him. Ever since he brought his 'son' home with him, he thinks he doesn't need us anymore.' His father added.

His mother snapped her fingers at the two feeders standing in the corner.
'Wait for us in the other room. We'll be with you shortly.'

How typical. They wanted to mix blood and alcohol. That's what the other room held. It was a lounge with assorted drinks from all over the realms.
The sofas and seaters in the room were plush and matched the dark wine decor of the entire establishment.
Except the interrupt designer had given it a more modern look, a stark contrast to the rest of the manor's archaic one.

'It seems he now understands what being a parent is all about when he's barely been around to care for the kid.'
His mother picked up and n the conversation.

Nicholae reluctantly bowed to his parents in greeting.
'Mother, father.'

'He remembers we are his parents after all. I thought the nine months of carrying him was all a dream.'
Nicholae woefully looked at the doors.
He attempted to make a move but his father stopped him.
'But he doesn't recall the proper way to show respect to people of higher ranks in the house. We aren't done talking to you boy.'

'I'm going into town father. I do not have much time to waste here.'

His mother placed a hand on her chest.
But his father spoke for her.

'See the way he disrespects the next heir of the manor?'

'You've changed. Why?' His mother sized him up and down.

'If it's because I don't spread myself on the floor for all of you to walk over me anymore means I've changed then yes, yes I have.'
He stepped closer to his parents to say something more. But he thought better of it.

In his chest, an unfamiliar fire burned in him pushing his rage to an unknown length.

'Is that so? Is that why you chose to oppose us during the meeting? Because of some newfound enlightenment?' His father yelled.
'You can do as you please. But remember there will come a time when you will have to answer to me. I am still your father and of higher standing than you. So you better learn your place.' By this time his father was all up in n his face.

Sonya stepped into the doorway.
'I heard you are going into town, Nichole. I have a few short errands for you.'
Then she walked away.
It was clear she'd heard the exchange but her face showed no signs.
She must obviously agree with his father but Nicholae wouldn't ask her since there was no use in getting lectured by her as well.

'You better do so before the banquet. I will not tolerate you disrespecting me in front of our guests and your future bride.' His father said to his back.

Nicholae growled lowly in his throat and walked away.

All his years, he still had to fight off arranged marriages and still, it was a battle up till now.

He found Sonya at the entrance waiting for him with Eric standing in wait with her.

She only handed him a list of things.
'The supplies are in the truck which will follow you into the town.'

'I'm taking Fauna with me.'
Fauna who stood with three other witches eyed Nicholae with uncertainty.

'As you wish.'

Before he left he went into his son's room.
He found Niko to be sound asleep so he chose rather not to disturb the boy.
The young maid stood up and bowed upon his arrival but he waved her away.

'Relax. When he wakes up tell him I went around on errands.'
He also added.
'Stay with him at all times. You'll be his feeder and babysitter. You go to no one else.'
His voice was getting louder so he quickly controlled it.

'I'll be back shortly. Go to Erik if you have any problems.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fauna studied Nicholae.
He'd noticed that she'd been looking at him for a while now.
'What is it Fauna?'
She quickly averted her eyes.

'I'm sorry for staring.'
She said.

'But there's a reason you're staring. What is it?'
Her eyebrows drew together in a small frown.

'Your aura my lord. Something is wrong, isn't it?'
I'm heartbroken.

'Nothing is wrong.' He lied to her.
But she knew that, so he changed the subject.

'Did you find out more about Osei's problem? Can it be reversed?'

Fauna shrugged.
'The practical solution is fairly simple but the magic that bound bullet is very dark. And powerful.'
Nicholae looked out to the lush trees that canopied the road to Skipping stones. The small town was nearest to the manor.

'But you're saying there's something that can be done.'

He saw her nod her head in agreement.
'Yes my lord. But it will take a while. And we'll need more than three or so witches working on it.'
Nicholae's blood began to boil. It would have been possible if only his damn family would corporate with him.
First, they laughed at his revelation about the unknown person after the tree, and then they tried to belittle his advice to make Osei an ally.
Now, they were in his case about the damn marriage.

Yes, get angry.
A voice in his head spoke.
And he just about listened to it. But Fauna's hand covered his.

'I know you're feeling frustrated with a lot of this my lord. But it'll all get better.'
He looked at her hand and then her face. His initial reaction would have been to throw her hand away. But he stifled it.
Fauna only meant to calm him.
He gave her hand a light squeeze.
'I'm praying Fauna. I really am.'

Soon they reached their destination.
An orphanage in Skipping Stones.
The building was a modern seven floored establishment. It's blue-grey marble columns gleamed in the sunlight, beaconing to the downtrodden as a refuge for them.

Nicholae smiled at the stampede of ordinary and extraordinary children coming at him. They circled him giving him no way to escape.
A pair of hundred eyes stared up at him in adoration.

Some of their faces fell when they didn't see Niko.
'Lord Nicho. You didn't bring Niko along?'
One child boldly asked.
Their caretakers looked apologetic for the child's boldness.

'He was fast asleep. He didn't know I was coming here today. But I promise to bring him along next time. So don't worry.'
He roughed the child's hair.
'We brought some gifts and supplies for your orphanage. Fauna here will show them to you.'
At the mention of gifts, the children switched direction to Fauna, who was just as happy to see them.
She'd grown up in this orphanage as well and now she could give back to them. That's one reason why Nicholae brought her along.

He signaled for the caretakers to follow him.
They went into the honorary Tchkovsky wing, into his office and passed in Sonya's instructions.
Fortunately for the orphanage, their budget will be increased for the sake of the children. Also, there would be an expansion to house more orphaned children in the territory.

Nicholae left the truck to be completely unloaded and sent his driver home with the truck.
He got in the driver's seat and ventured Fauna to get in.

'Where are we going, My Lord?'
She asked as she buckled her seat belt.
He pushed the start button and brought the engine to life.

'We're going to find someone who makes the 'kiss of death''
'Why?'
'It was the poison used to kill the descendants of Ximena all those years ago.'
'How do you know this.'

'I went to see Tiana a couple of nights ago and she finally sent word to me this morning.' He innocently responded.
Fauna's reaction had him asking.
'What?'

'My Lord, Tiana is dead.'
The news should have shocked him, but it didn't.

She was a traitorous bitch.
The voice said.

'She betrayed me.' Nicholae stared out at the road. Well, he didn't know how he knew exactly but his mind told him she was.

Fauna bit her lower lips and fell silent.

They later reached a different town, Hudson's pit.
The southern valley's shadiest town. Ghouls, rogue vampires and other fiendish beings based here since it was so close to no man's land.
If anyone knew anything about the Kiss of Death, they'd be here.
Fauna finally spoke.
'The Kiss of death is a very rare poison. Those who make it won't be willing to expose themselves.'

'That's why you're here.' He said.

They received a number of glances.
The two of them weren't dressed to fit in and Nicholae just realized that.
'We may not fit in, but your knowledge will serve us well.'
She gave him a small smile as they continued along as if they knew exactly what they wanted.

He stopped when Fauna did and moved when she did. He followed her every move until they stopped at a house squeezed in the middle of a cluster of others.

'We're here.'