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Chapter 3.

After travelling for two hours, they arrived at Arianne’s home. It was a large manor, situated on its own grounds. As they walked up to the front door, it opened. A handsome young man was standing in the doorway.

“Please, come inside. Arianne has been expecting you.” He spoke with a soft Spanish accent. They followed him into the large drawing room where they were asked to sit and wait. Isaac placed the heavy leatherbound chest on top of a circular marble top table which stood in front of the open fire. Sophia and Isaac sat together on an elegant silk covered sofa. Caine opted for standing by the fire it was nice to have the illusion of warmth. Ten or so minutes passed and the doors flew opened to reveal the beautiful Arianne wearing a backless red satin dress. Her long black hair was pulled back off her face, pinned up in an elaborate knot. Her full lips were painted in the same provocative shade as her dress.

“Well, well, well, Son of Adam. To what do I owe this pleasure?” She said walking into the room, her heels striking on the hard wooden floor. “Twice in one century.” She smiled, “This is getting to be a bit of a habit.” Her voice dripped with seduction, tracing her hand along the silk of the sofa that Sophia and Isaac were sitting on as she moved around the room to stand before Caine at the fireplace. She looked up at him her sultry green eyes staring straight into his dark brown eyes. “I see you brought the kids with you this time. I really am honoured.” She spoke in a mocking tone.

Caine took a step back and bowed his head. “Arianne, I have come to seek your counsel once more.” It killed him to bow before her, but he really was desperate. He may even have considered sleeping with her.

“Let’s dispense with all the bullshit, shall we. We’ve known each other too long for that. You want me to tell you where she has hidden herself, do you?” She hated the false ceremony. Turning away she walked to a table at the side of the room that had been laid out with large crystal decanters filled with all manner of liquids. “Can I get you a drink?” She asked insincerely as she poured the dark brown liquid into a deep cut crystal glass. “Maybe later, huh?” She lifted a cigarette out of a case on the table, lighting it and taking a long, slow drag, as she inhaled her cheekbones appeared sharper than usual. Smoke curled high into the room creating ‘S’ shapes that seemed to echo her temptress ways. She looked straight over at Caine waiting for his next move.

“I’ve brought some gifts.” Caine spoke boldly. They really had known each other for too long and in all fairness, he wasn’t afraid of her. He knew he could seduce her if he chose. The only man who had ever refused her, Caine, if a man was what you would call him? Centuries had passed since then, but she was still sore about whole thing.

“Was she pure?” She sparked a smile continuing to smoke the cigarette in her hand. Caine knew that the quickest way to get Arianne to agree to a vision was to tempt her with the offering. He opened the lid of the chest and lifted out the jars. The glass chinked as it hit onto the marble of the table, they really were quite heavy. Mesmerised she stubbed the cigarette out in the bulky glass ashtray on the side table and moved in for a closer inspection.

“Completely untainted.” Caine stated, proud of the fact that he had shown restraint, killed the young girl without tasting and contaminating her body.

She licked her lips seeing the pretty green eyes in the jar made her happy. She could see the pride written all over him. Unable to show the same restraint, she mocked, “That must have been hard for you. I know how you like the innocent ones.” She was impressed that he was able to get a virgin of such quality. He was talented that way she had to admit to herself. “Very well, but what makes you think things will be different this time?”

“They have to be, we could not find her before. There was no such woman.” Caine sounded so confident in his response, and a little irritated that they would have to be here again going through the same thing.

She moved away from the marble table and stood in front of the fireplace again. The flames danced behind her. Head bowed, she brought her hands together as if in prayer, raising them above her head, she breathed deeply. As her hands separated, a large orb of swirling light appeared between them. She brought them back to eye level, gazing into the abyss, her eyes blazed red, she spoke. “Go to the city as I told you before. She is there, all grown up now. Seek her out, a woman who shares your father’s name. She will come looking for you, her curiosity is strong and you will draw her near. You have until the next new moon or she will be lost forever.” The light vanished and Arianne collapsed to the floor. Her servant ran in to help her, carrying her off to her chambers to rest before returning for the jars so that she could replenish herself.

Filled with confusion they all gazed blankly at each other, hoping for some kind of inspiration to hit and Arianne’s prophecy to make sense. A short time after, her servant returned to them.

“Arianne offers you to stay here under her protection until tomorrow night. You may also dine here. Arrangements have been made.” His soft Spanish voice filled the room, he was very handsome and Caine mused as to how he must be keeping Arianne occupied. They accepted her offer and the servant showed them to their rooms.

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