Celestial Clans: The vampire prince's origin

The big secrets

The father and son sat side by side on the sand with the Mississippi river flowing quietly few feet from where they sat. Valerian sat there looking right into his father’s eyes as he always did when he wanted something from him, now what he wanted and what he expected was an answer to each of his questions. Eric on the other hand was also looking into his son’s eyes now but his thoughts were on how to successfully dodge the questions that were just thrown at him without making the young man angry or suspicious. He was going to avoid an argument with his son; he planned to deflect the questions hanging in the air above them.

“Valentine if you want all the answers to your questions then it’s very simple, you have to join the Guild camp and pass the first stage at least.” Eric said and then stopped to take in a deep breath. “The questions you asked are all linked to a big secret that is not mine to share. It is so big that anyone who gets hold of it without being an official member of the Guild gets in some serious trouble.” Eric added with a short laugh. “It’s actually not just a single secret the Guild keeps but a web of inter-connected secrets, if they got out to just anyone then the world could be thrown into chaos. Pass your tests Valentine, pass them and your uncle Michael will probably tell you all these secrets himself.” Eric said before placing a hand on his son’s head and ruffling his hair like he usually did when he was a kid. “I can answer some of the questions you asked though, the less interesting one. Are you interested?” Eric asked still looking at his son.

“You know I am always interested in hearing something important when it is from my Dad, please go on.” Valerian said with a slight smile on his face now.

“Michael Callahan is the Director of the Guild as you know it and he comes from an old family that has helped govern the Guild for years, you are my son and a member of the cacciatore family which means you has some privileges in the Guild. The Cacciatore family is a founding family of the Guild, just like the Callahan family so all I had to do was ask Michael to help. That is why you will be getting into the Guild at 15 unlike everyone else.” Eric explained slowly so his son would understand.

“Oh, could that be why you have been training me for so long, you were trying to make sure I live up to our family name and achievements in the Guild.” Valerian asked shaking his head. “You’ve trained me in more than 5 martial arts already. You started with me as far back as when I was 8 years old Dad, it has been very stressful. You introduced me to guns and other weapons by 10 and ensured I was gaining slow but steady mastery in each one of those weapons as the year progressed, I can’t believe you did all that for pride.” Valerian said with a shrug and a look of annoyance on his face for the first time that morning.

“No, to be honest with you I just wanted you to be strong. I wanted you to be strong and capable of protecting yourself and those you love from a very young age. The truth is that after losing your mum to violent men shortly after we had you, I have always had the fear of losing you in the same way too. I only wanted you to always be stronger than most people and I felt starting early would ensure that.” Eric said with the sincerity and honesty of an actually honorable man. Valentine always loved his father but he respected him a great deal as well because of how honest he always was. He placed his hand on his father’s shoulder and squeezed it now to let him know that he trusted him and believed him at all times. “If my training also helps you be the best and keep the intrigue and respect attached to the family name, I would be really happy about that as well. We can say I killed three birds with one stone. I made you strong, made me stronger by getting rid of my fear of losing you and lastly I made the Cacciatore family maintain its great name. It’s a win-win for both of us.” Eric said as father and son erupted into loud and hearty laughter.

“What about the funding for the Guild though? I just want to have an idea of who’s richer.” Valerian asked leaving Eric confused.

“Who is richer between who and who exactly?” Eric asked with wide eyed confusion that made his son chuckle

“Uncle Michael is the Guild Director and you seem to be a wealthy man as well, it’s only normal for a 15 year old to make comparisons.” Valerian explained

“Well based on the wealth of our families that has been passed on to us, I am probably richer. If you factor in the resources he has access to through his position as Guild Director then he is definitely richer than me and more powerful too.” Eric said in his usually honest manner. “That’s all I can answer right now, make me proud at the Guild recruitment camp and you’ll get more answers.” Eric stated with a stubborn roll of his eyes.

“I can accept just these answers for now. You said this was our final training, did you mean that?” Valerian asked trying to control the smile that was threatening to smile across his face.

“Yes I mean it. You won’t be with me from next week and won’t be back in USA till December when the first phase is done. I haven’t spent up to a week without seeing you since you were born, I wonder how I will survive months.” Eric said with a weak laugh.

“I’ll be back before you know it and we’ll have a lot to talk about. For now just let me be happy I will no longer have to suffer from you training. I am 100 percent sure I can survive whatever happens with the Guild if I could survive you all these years Dad, you’re on the verge of crazy.” Valerian said and they shared a laugh again.

“You are safe for now. It would be good for you to be away for some time. Maybe one of us can finally meet a girl and fall in love.” Eric said smirking at Valerian who said nothing and instead hit his old man lightly with his fist.

“If I find love then it’s going to be a Guild secret Dad.” Valerian said rising slowly to his feet. “What are we going to spend the rest of my days at home with you doing?” Valerian asked curiously.

“Well, we can do fun things. Go catch a movie, go to a parade, and go to a concert. Since you are single and lonely I guess those are places you can go with your Dad.” Eric said laughing hard as his banter kept going, he had been teasing Valerian about not having a female friend for years and Valerian up till today had not really reacted. This time the 15 year old left his father by the river side and began walking towards the large condo they were currently staying at, Eric owned a lot of property and it constantly surprised Valerian just how much his father owned.

“Yes we should get back to the house and have breakfast.” Eric said from where he still sat and got on his feet so he could follow after his son shortly.

“Old man, you have teased me enough. Do not tempt me!” Valerian shouted to his Dad without turning to spare him a glance. They both walked to the house laughing, they were close. Eric had forgotten that his son was actually not his, he loved the boy and he knew he loved him as well. He was a good father who had been fated to raise a wonderful son, he felt proud of his son every single day. He planned to eventually tell him he was adopted as Michael had advised him to do before letting him join the Guild but a part of him kept postponing it. He just decided there and then to tell Valerian the truth but on the day of his 18th birthday and not before then.