On Eternity (Tentative)
an excerpt

Cool fingertips touched her chin, drawing her face upwards to meet his. Dark blue eyes searched her face without a trace of anger, which disconcerted her all the more. “I came to the Manor, expecting to find you at its head,” he said, releasing her. “But I find Genevieve d’Etoiles instead. Why are you here, hiding in this mausoleum, Rosaline? I find no madness in your eyes, yet I wonder if you still remember who I am, or who you are.”

“I am blood of your blood,” Vivian answered. “You are Dmitri Lancaster, my lord and my sire, who bore me in blood and moonlight. I am Rosaline of Bristol, and I am bound—”

Dmitri raised his hand and she fell silent. “Well, I am satisfied by your remembrance of the forms; I have never required the full oath from you. At least your mind is not completely lost.” he answered. “Sit with me, Rosaline, and let me know what madness has driven you far from the Manor where you belong to take refuge in this cave of parchment and ink. And tell me of Vivian Lancet, this woman who has abducted my most promising student.”

Vivian took the indicated seat, sinking into the soft leather with a wry smile. “I am not Aurelius or Ivan, my lord,” she answered. “I have never wished for the prestige your name could grant me and know too well the dangers one attracts when one is known as a child of Lancaster.” She smiled and added, “You called me your most promising student, and I learned at your knee that the most effective weapon at my disposal is the power that my enemies do not know I possess.”

Blue eyes faltered and Vivian almost laughed at the sight. It had been a long time since she’d seen Dmitri; she almost forgot how satisfying it was to confound him. Dmitri regained his composure quickly and laughed, the rich sound washing over Vivian and recalling memories that seemed like they had happened yesterday, not a hundred years ago.

“You always knew how to use my words against me. And while you claim you never wanted the prestige, you played the games of power like one born to it. It’s a shame your gifts are hidden away here.” Dmitri tapped the leather volume he had been reading, which he had placed face down on the table. “Though your taste in books is interesting, Ms. Lancet.”

Taking the use of her assumed name as a sign of acceptance, if not approval, Vivian relaxed a fraction. “You call me gifted, but that was simply because they did not expect a woman to be as well taught as you had me, my lord,” she demurred. “Now, I find that Genevieve and the other women of the Manor can play the games of power as deftly as I ever did, perhaps even more so.”

“Genevieve is a usurper,” Dmitri said dismissively, “an upstart who mimics the trappings of old in order to make those around her believe she is older and more powerful than she truly is, or could ever hope to be.” He seemed about to continue on, but at a glance in Vivian’s direction, Dmitri frowned. “You are still trying to play your games with me, child. Tell me of Vivian.”