The Blood Heiress

Gossip

Cassian

Night had finally descended and the Wednesday night regulars had just started to trickle in, joining the barflies already here. There was a live band on the full dance floor and I enjoyed the bass moving through me as I worked on finishing a round of drinks for a very noisy bachelorette party. I pulled Sloane over and handed him the tray. He gave me a curious look.

"Take these over to the booth with all the almost drunk ladies."

"Sure thing boss." He gave me a cocky smile and left with a swagger in his step. That guy would pimp himself out for the right price no qualms and no questions asked.

Sloane wasn't going to bother me about why I was suddenly shoving perfectly good tippers off onto him. Of course, he probably already knew why. Adella. My thoughts strayed again to the only place my thoughts seemed to dwell lately. Our phone conversation had been strange. Short. Uncomfortable. Perhaps I should have just texted her back.

I couldn't blame her. It made sense, she had just recovered, hadn't been sitting around worried for days like me. Of course, it was strained and strange and not anything like how it was supposed to go, what I had planned in my head. But we had connected, at least, until we had been interrupted. By him, I am sure of it.

Some of the regulars sat down on the empty stools in front of me. I quickly grabbed their usual and passed them out.

"Thanks Moretti," A regular named Jothan and his friend Lonny took the offered 'house drink' with greedy hands.

The hunger they displayed made me greatful I could help. But it also made me wonder how much longer I could get away with just handing them sans verification. It had been a few years and no one had come to check up. The shipments still came. Eventually my luck would run out. It always did. A sad smile worked its way onto my face. I would deal with the fallout then I guess. For now, why couldn't everyone who needed a drink, get one?

"Hey Moretti," the last in Jothan's group, Seth arrived and took the stool next to them. I passed him a drink as well. "Thanks man. Did you hear?"

Jothan and Lonny swiveled over to him then, breaking their conversation. I didn't miss the slightly anxious expressions on their faces.

"I am sure he already has, Seth. Just let the bloke work." Jothan's said in an effort to cut him off.

"Come on Jothan, he practically lives here, we are the only source of his news of the outside world." I put the bar towel on my shoulder, amusedly taking in the exchange.

"You aren't wrong." I pointed up to my aparment on the next floor. These guys had been coming in since I opened. And true they did bring in a lot of news but most of it was straight up gossip. No good to anyone. Usually I took everything with a grain of salt and let them feel important. I crossed my arms and waited for them to work it out amongst themselves.

"He doesn't want to be bothered with your natter." Jothan tried again. Lonny, the quiet one, was as usual sitting this one out.

"Well, why don't we just ask him. He always hears us out with everything else. Besides this one is kind of important, don't you think? We haven't had news like this...ever." He turned back to me, excitment in everyline on his face. He was older than I was, they all were. And times had been tough for them but somehow Seth hadn't lost that childlike enjoyment of the simple things.

"I have to admit I am rather curious to hear this one out guys." Jothan's shoulders dropped and Lonny looked up at me with a guarded expression. Seth was the only one that seemed unaffected. This must be big news. Seth licked his lips and took another sip before rubbing his hands together excitedly.

"So I was down at the docks, working as I do. And Martin said that he heard from Tom or was it Paul? I don't remember which. Well anyway. Martin said that Tom or Paul had been downtown the last few days running deliveries..." I groaned inwardly. I had forgotten how very long winded Seth could be with his stories. I leaned forward on the couter as a way to look more interested than I felt. I wasn't quite ready to regret egging him on for the story quite yet but I was getting there.

"...dropping off the freight at some big swanky place they got to talking to one of the guards who knows some of those crazies you used to run with Moretti." He paused and looked me in the eyes making sure I was following along. I nodded twice and he was satisfied. "The crazies told Paul...Tom whoever, that some of them had been reactivated into service."

I jolted upright at that, while Seth took a break to have a drink. I wasn't certain which 'crazies' Seth was referring to. Or even if he had had the assumption correct. but only a handful of 'crazy' people or groups I knew of talked about activation. Whatever Seth had heard was serious if they were involved. A sense of dread filled me as I waited for his next words. I was regretting egging him on now. I tuned back in when Seth took a breath in and continued.

"Annnddd they had been reactivated because, rumor has it. So says Martin that...." Seth drums his hands on the bar counter and beckons me closer. He then delivers the actual piece of news in a whisper. "...the Russo heir has been found." I reel backwards as if physical hit, tensing immediately, my hands curled into fists, my jaw clenched.

"What did you say?" The words tore out of my mouth way harsher than I meant them. Seth realized his mistake and recoiled. His two friends jumped up to sheild him.

"Hey Cassian, don't shoot the messenger eh?" Lonny's rare used voice snapped up my attention and he put a tentative hand on my chest. I realized then that I had taken an aggresive posture and was poised to attack, my fangs extended. Quickly I stepped back and took some deep breaths, holding before exhaling.

"Sorry guys, round's on the house okay?" I put down the towel and ran a hand through my hair and sat against the back counter. The Russo heir? After all this time. I guess it has only been a short year beyond eighteen but...but...now? Had I been foolish to really think that the whispers had been rumors? Why hadn't I taken them more seriously? The pounding of the bass amplified the fast beating of my heart, aggravating my frayed nerves even further. I should get out of here. I wasn't feeling stable. As if on cue, Sloane returned.

"Taking fifteen." I growled at him, tossing my towel down. He nodded without missing a beat and took my post back at the bar, his pockets bulging with the tips from the boozy bachalorettes.

I pushed out the back alley exit, like a bat out of hell and welcomed the jarring, cool, spring evening air. The alley was empty and for that I was grateful.

"f**k!" I yelled into the void of the back alley, my voice reverberating off the walls and feeding back to my ears. This was going to change everything. My fist smashed into the brick of the wall coming away bloody for only a moment as the wound knit back together quickly. A gift from my biological father.

My skin grew tight, the monster inside begging for release, the fire burning white hot. I couldn't lose control here. It had been so long there was no telling what I would do with my head this f****d up. My feet carried me the length of the alley and back again as I mindlessly paced, my thoughts too jumbled, too raw to order. I needed to warn Valerie, mom, dad....Dells. My pacing feet froze. With her under Santos's thumb she was a sitting duck. Santos and the Russos had been thick as theives before justice had been served. The one saving grace for Santos had been his lack of participation in the shadier pursuits. I had no doubt now, knowing him as I did, that he was fully aware of them. Sitting idly by while they were commiting crimes against humanity. Which was a long ways shittier than acutally commiting them. I am sure the powers that be had been on the fence about him. Until...until he came up with the vampire world's saving grace. All was forgiven and forgetten in a nanosecond after that. Now he was untouchable.

I had to find a way to get her out from under his attention. God knows why he took a liking to her of all people. Powerless, clueless, halfbreed what did she have to offer him? She certaintly wasn't the type he usually went after. The type he used and kick to the curb when they bored him. That trail was a long one. Maybe he was after new prey now, trying something different. Or maybe it was simply because of me. My breathing sped up as guilt tore through me with that thought. What if he took only because of me? She had nothing to do with what had happened, was he really that petty? The flames began to lick at my heart beckoning me to transform, to wreak havoc. This wasn't working. I needed to find somewhere safe. Someone who could help me sort this out and make a plan.

I set out for a nice run to Val's. Her lights were out but she still answered my frantic pouding when I arrived. Part of me wanted in, the other part just needed to hit something. Her thin brows arched at my fist frozen mid pound when she opened up her metal door. Her green eyes looked over the indents on her door and then she directed them icily back at me.

"Brother, by all means come in." Her eyelids weighed heavily as if she had just gotten up.

"Sorry Val, I'll straighten out the door tomorrow." A sense of calm washed over me as I walked over the threshold. We walked in the dark, silently up the stairs to her studio. I followed her willingly through it and back to her living quarters. We stopped at the kitchen.

She finally spoke up as she put a kettle on.

"What's going on Cassian? You usually choose to time your visits outside of bar hours." I jumped in to get the mugs. She put the canister of cocoa mix on the counter I must look terrible if she is pulling out the cocoa.

"I need a sec to let my thoughts settle. There is...alot I need to go through." I ducked my head and found a stool at the counter. Working through the best way to break it to her.

Her eyebrows arched again and she sccoped out the mix to each of the mugs. "Is it Adella? Did something else happen? I thought you said she had recovered."

My lips formed a tight smile instinctively. "No"

"I see. So not Adella exactly but she is also on your mind." The kettle went off and she filled the mugs. I greedily took mine in hand and let the warmth anchor me. I sighed and looked her in the eyes. I had taken the news poorly, but Val this was going to shatter her.

"Adella is fine." My words did little to convince her or myself but she only nodded and didn't push it. "I still don't know exactly what happened or how she got so injured, but for now she is fine."

Her spoon clanked against her mug a she mixed absent-mindedly. Her eyes were laser focused on face.

Maybe this had been a bad idea. But she would find out eventually. If word was already circulating down low it would eventually be drawn higher. Val was far more connected than I. It was only a matter of time.

Val tried to stiffle a yawn and the clanking spoon stopped. Just as she finished her yawn, I was trying to stifle mine.

"Cassian, you are more than welcome to crash here. However, whatever is bothering you should probably wait until morning." Her next yawn swallowed up the last few words.

"Thanks Val." That might be best. Giving myself some more time with it before I told her could only help.

"I have..."

"a pullout in the living room. I know sis" I smirked and she swatted at me as she passed on her way to her room.

"Get some rest. I plan to be informed of whatever drama has befallen you in the morning."

I listened to her quiet padding down the hall until it stopped. The clock on the stove drew my attention, its green glowing numbers drawing my eyes in the dim light. My eyes widened as the time sank in. I hastily pulled out the phone and sent a text to Sloane. I had only mentioned being gone for fifteen. It was going on an hour.

He got back to me quickly. He had it handled. Probably didn't want to share tips. Another smirk found its way onto my face. The pullout couch was as stylish as any other piece of furniture at Val's place. Which is to say she often chose form over function. I made a face as I tested the stiff cushions after getting the sofa converted. How is it whenever my sister is around I am always on the couch?

Despite the heavy thoughts weighing on my mind, sleep visited me quickly. Before I knew it I was waking up to the sound of my sister banging around in her kitchen and the smells of breakfast. I sat up, stretching out the knots and working out the kinks that had worked their way into my back and joints overnight.

"Morning sis." I walked into the bright and airy kitchen to a sight not often seen. Valerie being domestic.

"Morning sleeping beauty. Did a good night's rest ease your mind?" She wore a warm smile and I was instantly transported to an earlier time, during my childhood. My mother in Val's position, us just waking up to her in the kitchen. I bit back a sarcastic reply comparing her sofa to a granite slab and took a seat, shaking the memory out of my head. Val placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of me. I had scarcely taken a sip before two plates of eggs and bacon were also put down and she joined me.

"This looks great Val. To what do I owe this rare occurance?"

"A sister can't just cook for her heartbroken brother?" She smiled smugly and took a drink of her own coffee.

"I told you it's not about Dells."

"Yes, you did mention that, doesn't mean I believe you. Have you forgotten you knows you better than yourself?"

"You do not. Just because you are right...a good majority of the time, doesn't mean you know me better than I do."

"Sure, sure. Whatever you need to tell yourself." She took a bite of her food and I followed her lead.

"Look Valerie." Her head immediately snapped up at her full name. I hardly used it.

She kept her rapt attention on my face and I forced out the words that I had been holding in for too long.

"So, last night at the bar..." Only some came out.

She motioned with her hand to keep going.

"The regulars came in with their tall tales. And I humored them as they seemed to be particularly worked up." I took a bite of egg and thought through the my next words carefully. "Seth wanted to tell me some big news but Jothan and Lonny didn't think it was a good idea. Naturally this had me wanting to hear whatever Seth knew even more. And...let's just say it is a doozy..."

"OH my GOD, Cassian, get to the point." She let out an exasperatted sigh, interrupting me.

With a sigh of my own I granted her wish.

"Look Val, we both know of the whispers that the Russo heir has been found. Well, the boys say there is more than that now. They say that the heir has been found, alive."

Her eyelids flew open, the color draining from her face and her mouth opened in surprise. She wobbled a little but steadied herself with a hand on the table. A calmer reaction than I had expected.

"Rumors that their heir...is...alive?" Her voice brittle and low.

"Just rumors for now..." I pushed the rest of my food around on the plate. "I didn't really know if I should tell you until I was certain but I didn't want you to hear it from someone else."

I heard her get up from the table and place her dishes in the sink. When my eyes looked to her again, she was propped against the counter, back to me.

"It has been almost twenty years Cassian. I had so hoped that this could be over." Her voice was brittle still, on the edge, ready to crack into tiny pieces. She turned around and I saw the tears falling silently down her face. A vice began to squeeze my heart at the sight. "What are we going to do if it's true?"

I got up and swept her up into a hug. She leaned into my arms and let her sobs out. She was handling better than I thought she would.

"I haven't figured that out yet. But I am working on it. I mean there is still the chance that this is all just a rumor. People bored amd stirring up trouble. We should hope for the best." I kept the rest of what Seth had said to myself and chose to be optimistic in front of her.

She pulled out of my hug and wiped her eyes. Pulling herself back together she hit my arm.

"Best to prepare for the worst."

"Alright mom." I smiled and rolled my eyes at my sister using our mother's favorite expression. If that depressing tidbit wasn't enough to let any random stranger know our life in a nutshell, I don't know what would.

"Hey, thank you for telling me Cass." Just as I hardly used her full name she hardly used my nickname. It bought my full attention.

"Of course, what else are brothers for than to bring doom to your doorstep in the middle of the night?" I ruffled up her hair just the way she hated and walked back to the living room to put it back together.

The couch may have been more style than substance but it did benefit from modern design. It easily went together in seconds. I replaced the cushions and retrieved my phone from the side table.

I quickly unlocked it and started kicking myself for forgetting about calling Dells back last night. In the all the disruption last night, I had completely let it fall to the side.

She only left one voicemail at three in the morning, and a smattering of texts. I didn't know if I should be grateful for her sensible amount of attempted contact. Or worried that she hadn't left me more. Did that mean that she was busy with Evander? Too busy to really care that I hadn't called as we had planned? I felt jealously clawing its way up again and shoved it down hard. She had called, she had texted. It wasn't her nature to be a clingy person.

I only had my previous poor choices in partners to blame. Only concerned about one thing in an effort to avoid messy entanglements I often hadn't exercised good judgement in my brief encounters. That often came back to bite me for the next few weeks. Those days were firmly behind me now. Had been for awhile and with the arrival of Adella, they were for good.

Feeling defeated in more ways than one, I sat heavily on the uncomfortable couch. Last night had thrown me for a loop. She would understand. But how much should I tell her? She likely has just found out what she is, then by extension what Evander is. Probably what I am as well if I know him as well as I unfortunately do. He will not give any pause over revealing someone's true identity if gives him an advatage. Should I burden her with something this heavy, this big without any proof? No better to play it safe, keep it light.

When I had proof that would be a different matter. She would need to know, every half breed in the city would. Their very existence would depend on it. My resolve in place, I took a few steadying breaths, thought happy thoughts and called her phone.