Esme studied the bookcase in Estefan's private quarters, although a book wall would be a more accurate description. She had been slowly making her way through them as they were all filled with Estefan's past lives. Currently she was on volume 29, so it wasn't like she would be skipping a great deal by reading memoir 34.
At first, they started off like a diary recalling the day's events, but slowly as Estefan's mind began reforming into what it is today and the entries only focused on certain events.
Grabbing a well-preserved journal with delicately carved edging, Esme made herself comfortable on the bed. Estefan decided to leave her to it as he completed some more paperwork downstairs in his study.
Opening up memoir 34 Esme began to read.
Date: I've lost track - perhaps a Monday sometime in the start of Summer.
Today something quite peculiar occurred that I felt the need to record it. Sir Cassius started his day off like every other dragging me along as he skipped his vampire duties. The crimson family he created seemed to be more like a rogue vampire hideaway for those with strength and little responsibility. Not quite sure what he would do if I didn't keep up with the vampire council on his behalf. Sir Cassius was more of a shadow figurehead while the actual dealings were done by Grimoire- his nephew? Vampire family trees can be confusing.
As we headed down to the human village, there was a lot more commotion than normal.
It wasn't rare for us to hide ourselves amongst the humans, in fact Sir Cassius was quite popular with the town folk. His long dark hair and wealthy attire made him seem like a young heir to a good family. So much so that people never seemed to notice the humans that went missing after interacting with him.
Today, people were talking of the sickly baron's daughter that had finally ventured out in public. The news seemed to interest Sir Cassius for some reason. And as always I was to follow as he fell victim to his curiosity.
The lady was sitting in an open top carriage to witness the busy village high street with a clear view although she was dressed in an intricately designed cloak hiding her face from the public.
Sir Cassius wasted no time as per his usual tactics and slipped between the crowd and guards, scaling the carriage to find a seat next the lady.
The commotion blew her hood off to reveal her stunning beauty. She was beautiful even I must admit that.
'Wow Estefan so found her beautiful, I'll have to remember to bring that up with you.' Esme thought out loud as she let her obsessive jealousy interrupt her reading.
The once rowdy and excited public had been silenced upon her blonde locks and honey-coloured eyes. Perhaps it was her slight sickly complexion that gave her flushed cheeks a fragile element. One that made your protective instinct activate.
What was a surprise for me, however, was Sir Cassius' facial expression. It seemed that he had also been captivated under her spell. Dare I say love at first sight. His look seemed that of infatuation unlike his usual look when he found a new prey.
Without warning and before the guards could act, he swooped in a stole a kiss from the lady's lips. 'I'll visit you again my lady.' He shouted as he ran off before the guards could catch him.
The words made me think it wasn't going to be a normal hunt.
Date: Still summer
Today Sir Cassius said he needed me while he ran an errand, of course this was simply a pretence for some other mischief he was going to find himself in. Regardless I still followed along, it wasn't as though I could refuse.
As we were making our way it became more and more evident that we were headed into the Baron's direction, Sir Cassius intentions were clear. Despite my warning he continued forward, most crimson blood vampires acted in their own interest, but Sir Cassius embodied this trait.
Sneaking into the Baron's manor was quite simple I don't believe any amount of human security could prevent a vampire from silently scaling the walls and hiding within the shadows.
Acquiring information regarding the lady's quarters was my task as Sir Cassius was never one for such tactics. He was a more charge in and think later, with his strength he had the luxury of doing so.
Eventually we found ourselves directly behind the southside of the manor where a large overgrown tree led the way directly to the lady's room window.
The tree was practically begging for us to climb, as though it was made as a route for the lady's intruders. I suppose the Baron never expected any human could make their way up such a colossal piece if nature.
My second task was to keep watch as Sir Cassius did what he needed to do. It should have been a simple feed, charm and exit. However, when Sir Cassius took longer than expected I peaked in to see what was delaying him.
They were simply talking.
Laughing and talking. Sir Cassius was smiling.
Not his eerily smirk that sent shivers any humans spine, but a genuine smile. Someone else peaking in would think he really was just a young man meeting his secret lover.
Perhaps it was my instinct, but something was telling me that this was the start of something terrible.