At the same moment, as the sacrifice’s face was finally revealed, Arianna finally knew where the scent was from. Breaking from Devin’s grasp, Arianna pushed her way through the crowd to the staircase. Hurrying to her aunt at the top of the stairs, Arianna tried to climb two stairs at a time.
“Don’t, Aunt Lilly!” Arianna called to the woman, who watched Arianna trip as she approached her.
Arianna felt the sting in her knee as it hit the edge of the stairs, but quickly stood to continue up the last few. Arianna desperately wanted to save her aunt. As she moved to continue, Devin appeared beside her, and offered her his hand. Arianna finally realized the crowd had become completely silent. Arianna turned to her grandfather as he nodded to Devin. Molina and the other guards removed several people from the crowd. Remembering her aunt, Arianna climbed the last few steps and hugged her.
“What do you think you are doing?” Arianna asked, pulling her mask off.
“Arianna?” Lilly questioned. “But why are there two of you?” Arianna hugged her aunt closer, protecting her from the fake Arianna who had just planned to kill her.
“I can explain that,” Lord Randolph replied. “It’s so nice to finally meet you Arianna,” he added, kissing his granddaughter’s hand before returning to the platform next to the trembling impostor. “As everyone who isn’t human here can tell from the scent of her blood, the girl on the steps is my real granddaughter, Arianna Caoimhe. There was a bit of trouble this morning, but it has all been sorted out now.” In one fluid movement, Devin reached forward and grabbed the base of Lord Randolph’s walking stick as he pulled the sword from its case. Before anyone could speak, Lord Randolph moved so quickly that only Arianna could watch his movements. With one swing, the frightened girl’s head rolled to the floor behind her. Arianna shuddered at the sight.
As she stood in shock, Arianna held onto her aunt. Both were horrified by Lord Randolph’s actions. Arianna had never seen anyone die before. The headless body remained lying on the top platform next to her grandfather as he handed the bloody sword to Devin. Confused, Arianna was disgusted by the scene in front of her, but the scent of blood was beginning to make her thirsty. Suppressing the thirst within, Arianna stared at her cold-hearted grandfather. Lord Randolph’s evil expression softened as he looked kindly down at Arianna.
“I’m sorry about shedding blood at your party,” he replied honestly. “It will be cleaned up in a moment.” Lord Randolph waved a hand. Several people appeared on the steps and removed the body.
The crowd stood like stone below, watching the scene unfold. Unable to move or talk, everyone stood completely still waiting for some indication of what to do. It was obvious, by the scent of her blood, Arianna was a purebred, a rarity amongst most families, but expected of the Randolph family.
Arianna continued to hug her aunt to keep from shaking as Lord Randolph addressed the crowd. “With great pleasure, I’d like to introduce everyone to my granddaughter, heir to the Randolph family.” Lord Randolph offered his hand to Arianna, but scared, she continued to hold onto her aunt. Lord Randolph smiled. “I guess she’s a bit shy since this is our first meeting as well.” Devin walked back down the stairs to Arianna.
“I’ll stay beside you,” he said only to her, knowing Arianna was afraid to let go of the only person in the room she knew. Hesitantly, with the urging of her aunt, Arianna took Devin’s arm and walked up the last few stairs to the platform beside her grandfather. Lord Randolph beamed as she neared him. Arianna could feel his genuine happiness, yet she couldn’t do anything but fear him. The applause began as she took her grandfather’s outstretched hand.
Arianna began to feel her knees weaken. The scent of blood was becoming more overwhelming. The body of the dead girl was gone and the blood wiped away, but her scent was now mixing with the new scent of additional blood. The aroma was growing stronger, and, closing her eyes, Arianna felt her face flush. It wasn’t the overpowering thirst she felt before when Devin had given her blood, but more of an automatic reaction to the large amount of blood she could smell. Arianna opened her eyes as she felt Devin place his hand softly on her back to steady her.
“A toast,” Lord Randolph began. “To my beautiful granddaughter, Arianna.”
“To Lady Arianna,” the crowd cried in unison as they raised their red-liquid-filled glasses.
Lord Randolph nodded to Devin standing beside Arianna. He momentarily let go of her back, causing her to turn towards him. Quickly, he pricked the tip of his finger and Arianna stared at the blood. The scent of his blood was different than the blood in the glasses below and from the blood of the imposter. The slight sweetness in the smell made Arianna unable to keep her composure. A thirst began that hadn’t been triggered by the scent of the blood below. Arianna felt the change come over her as she involuntarily began the transformation into a dearg-dul. The scent of blood and the change of her body disorientated her. Arianna reached out her hand for Devin, and he smiled in response, bowing to Lord Randolph. Confused, Arianna turned to her grandfather. He smiled as the crowd began to whisper. Arianna listened from one conversation to the other.