Haunted Past

Ok, so here's the sequel, Hope you guys like it! Enjoy this story's almost completely finished!

************************
The day was over and at last she could retire to her quarters, alone. Hugue had been gone for over two weeks, leaving her completely alone in the Vatican. Abel was off on a mission with Leon, and Gunslinger was with her lover. That left her with Vaclav, her sister and Esther. Vaclav didn’t make for extremely productive company seeing as how he hardly spoke to her, and Caterina… well she was just Caterina. Most of her days had been spent with Esther actually, which wasn’t really as bad as she anticipated it to be. That however, was not the point. Caterina had sent Hugue away with Gunslinger to guard a head official for The Empire and she was left behind.

She had tried her best not to cause problems. After all, Caterina had decided that Hugue would be her permanent partner, but she obviously didn’t feel as though she was capable of doing an effective job of being an escort for this important official.

Yeah right, what did she know? Hell she had gotten through Caterina’s entire entourage to get to her. Damn near succeeded in killing her half sister too. Of course that was until Caterina had talked her way out of it. That still aggravated her to this day. Besides, who the hell was she to decide that she was an ineffective agent for this mission? She wouldn’t stand out as much as Gunslinger did. Ridiculous.

Angrily she marched down the hallway, quiet for the most part except for frustrated sighs and hard footsteps as she went. The dark hallway was void of any other life and for the first time in a long time she felt alone… truly alone. Hugue wasn’t here to sneak into her room and comfort her and she desperately craved his attentions. Something was horribly wrong but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She had tried desperately to push it away too. Still, there was a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. In fact the very thought of The Empire made her almost painfully ill. Hugue wasn’t in danger, that wasn’t where her fear stemmed from. Yet she still ached to be with him. At least then she may feel at ease somewhat.

Still, she couldn’t because he was gone on her sister’s orders. It just didn’t make sense. Why would her sister send Hugue away without her, especially to the Empire? Then again, Caterina knew of there relationship. Perhaps the Cardinal thought that maybe they wouldn’t have been so efficient in their mission if they had gone together. This woman was a high ranking official for the Empress of the Empire. Some say she would most likely be the next in line to succeed the Empire’s leader if ever something should happen to her. With recent activities that Father Nightroad and Sister Esther had been tending too, the empire was in a great upheaval. Protecting the important citizens was a high priority and the Vatican had agreed to lend their assistance whenever it was called for.

So far several high ranking members of the court had been escorted out of the Empire at their own request and their leader’s.

Not only that, but they probably would’ve been found out. Caterina knew what was going on, but their actions were never serious enough for her to have to confront them about their relationship. This had always perplexed her, but she never asked. In truth she was pretty sure that Caterina had brought her here for what had happened between Hugue and herself. But she was just fine not knowing that for sure or not. She wasn’t going to push her luck.

Still it was odd. They had moved out certain officials without taking so long. In fact, both her and Hugue had gone together on one occasion. Abel had accompanied them, but they were still together. Why was this any different?

Her door was suddenly looming in front of her and with a groan she pushed the heavy oak doors open and glided across the entry way, her door clicking shut once she was inside. The darkness was a bit of a comfort, but not enough. The irritation at being away from Hugue and the distressing thoughts of the Empire and this Duchess made her stomach ache.

Exhausted from thinking she merely let her clothes slip off of her body, feeling the cold air from the window blowing in against her heated skin. The moon shone in brightly, illuminating her bed with a soft glow. Normally it looked warm and inviting. Tonight it looked lonely. Her lover’s warm body was far from gracing it and she didn’t even want to be near it without him.
With another sigh she let herself wander to the bed and fall upon it. Gazing out at the moon she let her thoughts plague her for a bit longer before she drifted off to a restless sleep.

*************************
Caterina watched the full moon shining down upon the earth just like her sister had alone in her room. She knew that Nora was angry with her for not letting her go with Hugue. In fact she had never been away from him for so long. Not only was he away from her, which made her testy, but something else was upsetting the younger girl. Though she had no idea what it could be. Either way it was very obvious she was furious about being left behind while Hugue ventured out into the field on this mission Caterina had sent him on.

Perhaps she had been wrong to allow the relationship Nora and Hugue had been participating in. While it seemed to do them both a lot of good it was “wrong” and she shouldn’t be allowing it. But that is what she had brought Nora here for anyway. Tearing them apart could be disastrous.

Either they would be miserable alone and wreak havoc upon the world with their actions. Or they could sin in private and contribute to helping the world’s problems. She liked the second alternative much more. Hugue’s rage was an ugly thing, and Nora was just as vicious when provoked. She would never get either of them back if she destroyed their bond. Besides, she had guilty pleasures of her own.

Their relationship really wasn’t the problem at this moment. Well it was, but it wasn’t. The woman that had contacted her from the Empire hadn’t been seeking safety. She had been seeking one of her AX members. The woman never said who, but she said specifically that she wished for Hugue to escort her to the Vatican.

It was of course an odd request. This woman was a high ranking official of the Empire’s court. In fact she was the highest under the Empress’ command. She was the Duchess of the Empire and the Queen’s right hand. What in the world she wanted with Hugue was of no knowledge to her, but nonetheless if this opened up communications with the Empire, Caterina had no problems with opening the proper channels.

Still, it was odd. Not only that but it wasn’t entirely safe. Hugue hated Methuselah, and this Duchess was indeed one. Anytime Sword Dancer was forced to enter the Empire Nora had always gone because she was the only one that could keep him in check. Yet the Duchess had insisted that Hugue come and Nora wasn’t allowed to be with him. She had been relentless in her desires, and finally Caterina had conceded to her wisher after countless attempts to sway her from choosing Hugue to escort her.

Looking out at the lake shining so brilliantly under the moon’s gaze, Caterina could only hope that Gunslinger could keep the peace and that the Duchess could be brought to the Vatican without difficulty.

She prayed that Hugue would find patience and remember his place. Instructions had been given, and his punishment would be harsh if things went badly. He knew her threats weren’t idle. She also knew he was plenty capable of disappearing and leaving no traces of his whereabouts. Still she had one bargaining chip… Nora. He would not desert her and though Nora was unaware she had ordered Esther to keep her company throughout the day. At night she had guards posted at her door and outside of her windows. Perhaps she was over cautious, but better to be safe than sorry.

With a sigh to herself Caterina walked from the window and exited her office to retire to her chambers for the evening. Her agents would be back in two days time. She could only hope that the report would be a good one.

*********************
They had arrived over a week in advance to the Duchess’s desired leaving time. Hugue wasn’t sure why, but she had requested their attendance to her home early, and to say that it aggravated him was an understatement.

Not only was he surrounded by Methuselah, but the woman herself was one. And she always requested his presence at her side when she would leave for the palace or venture anywhere within the Empire. He had no idea why she would seek his company and it unnerved him greatly. Her company wasn’t of any interest to him; he didn’t know why his had to be to her. Besides, she didn’t even know him, how could she be interested with him so quickly?

There was something familiar about her, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He almost felt a direct comfort by being around her. Almost like when he was with Nora. There was warmth that seemed to emanate from her.

He always pushed that aside though. A filthy vampire, how could he welcome such feelings of comfort? It was insane, and he refused to fall in whatever trap she was laying.

Caterina was a fool. This woman had wanted them to come here to escort her back to Rome. But for what purpose? She had given none and the Cardinal had accepted this. How foolish. It was probably another attack plan. This city was crawling with degenerates; none of them could be trusted. His mind was rampant with paranoid delusions though, and a small voice of logic told him all would be well. Still, trust came hard from him, even if he had walked the palace grounds as if he was a trusted guard. That had surprised him, including his meeting with the Empress. They would not be so open if they were planning something.

Not only that, but this Duchess was practically a myth. Everyone knew of her, but she was never seen, not for over twenty years. She had simply disappeared. No one knew why either, only the Empress. He also noticed that this Duchess was almost protected more highly than the Empress herself. Her estate was located directly behind the castle, hidden from view and impossible to get to on foot. He didn’t know why and no one spoke of it out loud. Some say she went into hiding because she was mourning a great loss, others claimed that the Empress was preparing to step down from her thrown and turn it over to this woman. He had no idea, but he wasn’t going to pry either. He really could care less.

The only thing he did care about was that Nora was at home. Safe behind Vatican walls. However her absence also irritated him because he missed her desperately.

He could almost feel her at night while he had been gone from her. He could feel her small hands wandering over his body, touching him, coaxing him from his slumber, and her warm breath upon his bare skin. He missed those nights, when she would sneak into his chambers and just stare down at him, watching him sleep until he woke from her persistent gaze.

Then he would have her. No words would pass between the two of them. A kiss would be granted and he would roll her beneath him. Sliding his hands beneath her nightshirt, touching her in all the places she ached for him. Then ever so sweetly he would slide within her warmth without the slightest bit of resistance.

She was always so ready for him, hot and wet. The softest moan would let loose from her perfect lips and he would make love to her long into the morning, swallowing every noise she made within his hungry mouth as if she were the very nourishment he could live off of.

He would exhaust her, and she would pass out beneath him from their activities. That’s what he enjoyed the most. He would still be inside of her, watching her sleep under him. It almost broke his heart every time he would wake her, but that smile was always worth it. No matter how cranky she was, she always had that smile ready for him. And only him.

God it had been too long! It had been almost a full month now. Caterina had seen to it that they stay busy. Of course with all of the problems within the empire they had had to.

And now this. This was an insult. That was another thing though, soon Nora wouldn’t be safe, because he had to bring this woman back to Rome with him. Back to the Vatican, for what reasons he wasn’t sure, but he didn’t want to know either. All he wanted was to get this mission over soon and have this woman out of Rome as fast as possible.

He was close to his goal too. She was at last ready to depart, but first she had wanted to talk to him… alone.
That unnerved him greatly. She had been paying him a great deal of attention, asking many questions and hinting at the fact she wanted to know more personal things about him. He loathed it however when she mentioned Nora. They had gained quite the reputation as a skilled team and she questioned him about it.

Just hearing Nora’s name from her was enough to enrage him, but he knew he couldn’t react badly so he reigned in his anger as best he could. Her questions had strayed from typical proper questions and that’s what set him off. She asked questions about Nora that he didn’t appreciate.

Perhaps she knew they were closer than they should be. Sometimes he could see that she knew something no one talked of, but she usually stopped her questions before they were too out of hand. Mostly because others were near, but now he was to see her alone.

What sort of questioning would he face today? Hopefully nothing he couldn’t handle. After all Caterina had made her instructions quite clear if he were to offend the Duchess.

Rousing him from his thoughts a guard gripped his shoulder and waited until eye contact was maintained. Looking up coldly Hugue met his gaze watching as the young vampire flinched visibly and then motioned him into the Lady’s chambers. Pathetic.

With a nod Hugue allowed himself to glide through the open door and with a quiet click behind him he was left alone with the Duchess for the first time.

Without a word she turned from her window to regard him, and for the first time he gazed fully into her deep blue eyes, feeling a warmth settle in on him. There it was again, and without hesitation he pushed it away and broke her gaze. She had always had her face hidden before, but now she had showed it to him. Why?

She was beautiful to say the least and that same feeling of familiarity took hold of him. Words weren’t enough to describe her. It was fascinating to behold such a creature and he felt as if her aura were pulling him to her. That smile so gentle and kind, and those eyes so blue he felt as if he couldn’t breathe and it didn’t bother him one bit. She was intoxicating… and he was… outraged!

How dare she do this, how dare she assault him with questions of Nora. All the while smiling knowingly, and then do this. His loyalty to the woman he loved would not be swayed, and she was testing him. Why?

This woman was forever perplexing him. Why him? Why this? What in the hell was going on. He felt like a toy, a puppet in her very hands and it sent every hair covering his body to stand at attention. He felt like a caged animal, being stared and prodded at. Surely she knew of him, and then she knew he hated her kind. Yet still she was persistent and always so warm.

Why?

“Because Hugue, we should know each other. After all, we’re practically family.” She spoke aloud to him. Reading his thoughts.

A smile came to her face as she watched the words sink in.

All he could do was stare at her incredulously, stunned by such a confession. Her tone was far from playful, she was quite serious.

What the hell did she mean… practically family?

********************

Hope you enjoyed. Will have the next chapter up soon. Please please review!