“Is this your decision?” Devin asked, interrupting the arguing.
“Yes. I want to use my blood to help,” Arianna replied.
“But Lord Randolph’s order…” Molina tried to remind Devin.
“We follow the orders of the leader of the family, correct?” Devin asked in reply. Molina nodded in confusion. “Then we will follow her orders.” The group stopped, and all turned to Devin for an explanation that wasn’t needed.
“We won’t let her overuse her blood,” Devin replied to Molina, who was still in shock. Devin offered his hand to Arianna, pulling her away and back down the hallway, to the ballroom.
Turner ran and grabbed the closest pitchers of water.
“One drop in each,” Devin explained.
“Just one?” Arianna asked.
“Your blood is more powerful than all the dearg-duls in this room,” Gabriel replied, coming up behind her. “One drop is more than enough.” Arianna followed their orders while not looking directly at Gabriel. Devin and Turner hurried around the room, pouring water into the glasses of the injured people.
“I need to leave now,” Gabriel said quietly to Arianna. “I told Patrick and the others to head back, and I must meet them there. All sides have been attacked.” Arianna wanted to protest, but remained silent as she still couldn’t look him in the eyes. “Everything is changing, and I’m needed at home to make sure it is alright. I’ll check on Lilly and Dean when I get back.”
“Is he really gone?” Arianna asked.
“Yes,” Gabriel replied.
“What does one do when a night human dies?” Arianna asked, still unsure of the world she was living in.
“Celebrate their lives and remember every moment you spent together.” Gabriel placed his arm around Arianna to comfort her. “And the answer to that question is: nothing. Dearg-duls turn to dust and are gone in the wind.” Gabriel took Arianna’s hand and placed a ring in it. “He lived a long life, regretting only the loss of you and your mother. He did his best to make amends.” Gabriel nodded to Devin, who was still circling the room. “They’ll take care of you.” Arianna nodded. “You are in charge now, here and back home too. Don’t worry about home for now, as I’ll be there to take care of everything. I’m never too far away.” Gabriel vanished as fast as he had appeared.
Turner returned with two more clean pitchers of water. Arianna nodded and pricked her finger another time.
* * * * *
Arianna was glad to return to her own room after the long day dealing with the injured. Opening the door to her apartment, Arianna paused, catching the faint scent of her grandfather. She looked absently across the room to the stairway. He was already gone, but there was something of him that lingered on.
“Why don’t you go get some rest?” Devin suggested. Arianna nodded. “I’m sure the council will all be arriving soon. This is only just beginning.”
Arianna opened the door to her room and stared around the neatly organized space. The whole mansion had been in chaos all afternoon, but her room looked like it hadn’t been touched. On her desk, a small laptop computer was playing the same clip over and over. Arianna paused to stare at the new addition to the room before scanning for any intruder. Arianna walked closer to the computer before sitting down. She could faintly sense her uncle, and didn’t fear that the computer was part of a stunt to kidnap her. The screen loop began again. Reaching over, she turned up the sound.
In the main ballroom of the Randolph manor, a small blond-haired girl ran across to an older man. The child giggled and laughed as she caught up to the man. The man reached over and placed the young child on his own feet. As they whirled around the room to the sound of a familiar tune, Arianna finally caught a close look at their faces; it was her grandfather and herself. She watched her younger self gracefully dance around with her grandfather, giggling at every chance. As the song ended, her grandfather paused near enough for the camera to pick up their conversation.
“Papa, again,” the young Arianna demanded.
Lord Randolph laughed. “I am an old man, child. One dance is enough for me.”
“Again,” she demanded, the stubborn child that she was.
Lord Randolph plopped unceremoniously to the ground and lay on his back, giving up.
“Really, I’m old and tired,” Randolph complained. Young Arianna climbed up onto her grandfather’s lap and stared intently at the old man.
“Hmm,” she paused and pushed a bit on his wrinkles in his face. “Nope, not old,” she determined, and Randolph laughed, much more happily than Arianna remembered hearing.