Castello Vannucci: The Confrontation
The ancient grounds of Castello Vannucci were bathed in the eerie glow of the full moon. Shadows danced across the gothic architecture, hinting at the secrets the castle walls had witnessed over centuries. Cesare Vannucci, the Grand Master Elder and leader of the most powerful vampire lineage, stood in deep contemplation in his private courtyard. His son, Caelan, a formidable warrior with a notoriously short temper, was at his side, their presence alone exuding authority and power.
Without warning, a swirl of starry mist appeared in the center of the courtyard. Out of it stepped a figure with dark hair flowing and eyes gleaming with mischief and power. His entrance was dramatic, yet controlled, immediately putting the vampires on high alert.
Cesare’s eyes narrowed as he observed the intruder. “Who dares to intrude upon my domain?”
The stranger smirked, clearly enjoying the tension he had caused. “You may not know me, but I most certainly know you, Cesare Vannucci, the revered Grand Master Elder, the king of the vampires himself. I must say, your castle’s defenses are quite… porous for a man of your reputation. I couldn’t resist a visit.”
Before Cesare could respond, Caelan stepped forward, his temper flaring. “How dare you disrespect us like this! I’ll make you regret ever setting foot here. And that will be your final thought, too!” He lunged towards the stranger, his combat prowess evident in his swift movements. He killed other, powerful vampires for a living, at the behest of his father, the leader of them all.
But the intruder was faster. With a mere flick of his wrist, Caelan was lifted off the ground, immobilized by an invisible force, screaming from unfathomable pains. Cesare watched horrified, a mix of anger and intrigue flickering in his eyes. In a split second he had the intruder by the neck, his fangs inches from the neck. “Let Caelan go or you are dead.”
With a swift motion, Caelan fell to the ground, scrambling up, dazed and affected.
“You see, Vannucci,” the stranger said calmly, “I didn’t come here for a fight. If I did, you would both be dead. I know you are powerful, but so am I, and if I use the power of surprise, I can win any battle. But I came with a proposition. Power recognizes power, after all. Kill me now, and never find out how and why I came, or release me.”
Cesare’s voice was cold, he let go, his gaze never leaving the stranger. “Talk.”
The stranger smirked again. “My name is Gwydion ap Aberffraw.”
Cesare’s eyes widened slightly. “Gwydion… named after the trickster from Welsh mythology?”
Gwydion’s smirk widened into a grin. “Maybe. Or maybe mythology was based on me? Who knows? I am very much real, as real as you. And you, good Sir, are too trusting,” he retorted, his voice dripping with amusement.
Before Cesare could respond, Gwydion vanished with a still weakened and struggling Caelan in tow. The courtyard fell silent, the only evidence of their encounter the lingering mist and the shocked expressions on the remaining vampires’ faces, stable attendants and others with business at the castle.
Days Later: The Missive
Days passed, filled with unease and heightened security at Castello Vannucci. Then, a strange missive appeared out of nowhere on Cesare’s doorstep, found by castle staff, swearing nobody came of left. Cesare stared at it sealed with a symbol unknown to most, but he already knew whom it was from.
Cesare broke the seal and read the letter:
Cesare Vannucci,
Now that I have your attention, and you know I am not just a mythical tale, I trust you understand the gravity of our situation. Your son, Caelan, is in my care. He remains unharmed, for now, but his fate depends on your decision.
I propose an alliance. I seek to father a son with one of your descendants, one who bears the vampiric spark, not a mere mortal, to fuse our powers and create a lineage unparalleled in both magic and strength. In return, I will release Caelan, safe and sound. Don’t try my patience. You have until the next convergence of the celestial spheres, after which Caelan will face the sevenfold death—each death more harrowing than the last.
Consider this carefully, Grand Master Elder. A son for a son.
Gwydion ap Aberffraw
Cesare’s eyes scanned the letter, a mix of fury and fascination brewing within him. The audacity of Gwydion’s proposal was appalling, yet the scholar in him couldn’t deny the potential of such an alliance. The fusion of their powers could indeed lead to unprecedented strength and knowledge.
He folded the letter, his mind racing. This was a decision that would shape the future of his lineage and the magical world at large. Intrigued but appalled, Cesare knew he had to weigh his options carefully. The balance of power, loyalty, and the safety of his son hung in the balance.
Castello Vannucci: The Witch’s Revelation
Cesare gathered his most trusted advisors, Riordan Hargrave, his nephew and right hand, as well as Cesare’s only other child, Scarlett Cameron, in the dimly lit study. With them was Leeora, a powerful witch known for her vast knowledge of the arcane, but also Caelan’s daughter. She studied the missive with a mix of curiosity and dread.
“Leeora, what can you tell us about this?” Cesare asked, his voice heavy with concern.
Leeora’s fingers traced the parchment, her face pale. “This is not ordinary parchment. It’s made from the skin of demons, flayed and cured in the darkest depths of the underworld. The ink… it’s not ink at all. It’s the blood of fallen witches, each drop imbued with ancient curses. The seal, it’s druid, no doubt in my mind it’s really him …”
The room fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Cesare motioned for her to continue.
“Gwydion ap Aberffraw,” she began, her voice trembling slightly, “is a figure out of Welsh mythology, a powerful sorcerer and trickster. In legend, he’s known for his cunning and mastery of dark magic. He once transformed a woman from flowers and tricked his own kin. But our Gwydion, he’s more than just myth. He’s an immortal mage, whom the tales were based on, most of them embellished, but from what I know, the real man behind the myths isn’t to be taken lightly. His power has only grown through centuries of manipulation and forbidden spells.”
Scarlett, pale and trembling, finally spoke, her voice breaking. “What should we do? How can we even begin to fight someone like him? We have to do something.”
Leeora turned to her, her eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and resolve. “There is only one thing we CAN do to save my dad. Give him what he wants. It’s the only way. He’s a trickster, powerful, and you can’t fool him. It’s either that, or your brother will be lost forever. He’s not playing, Scarlett. He will kill Caelan.”
The gravity of her words hung in the air, the room engulfed in a chilling silence. The once unshakeable Cesare, the Grand Master Elder, now faced a decision that would test the very core of his power and legacy.
Castello Vannucci: The Revelation
Fiona sat in the chair, staring at her great-grandfather Cesare, whose warm complexion and light grey eyes contrasted with his striking features and tied-back brown hair. Next to her was her father Connell, tall and slender, with long, partially braided silvery blonde hair and deep blue eyes with a distinct purple cast. Her mother, Emmy, with youthful flaxen blonde hair cascading down her back, clutched Fiona’s hand. Fiona’s younger brother Damon, who was 21 years old and a coven enforcer like their father Connell and grandfather Caelan, stood nearby, his intensely deep blue eyes with a purple cast and light skin making him a striking figure. Fiona, at 23 years old, looked similar to her brother, with the angelic flair of their mother.
Connell now spoke into the heavy silence, when Cesare, normally eloquent and determined, couldn’t seem to find the words.
“Grandfather, why did you summon us here, and then just sit there, staring holes into the air with a grim expression? Is this about the name change? I told you I wanted it, my family sides with my mother, even if father abandoned her, trading her in for that Indrid, so we assumed my mother’s name, which did wonders for her emotional state. My mother is still a mess, father hasn’t checked up on her or asked about her once too busy with that wench he dug up, And you approved Fiona’s turning. I explained to you why initially she didn’t want to be turned back to the vampirism she was born with, but now she does. True, it was because of a bad breakup, and initially her mother and I were against it too, thinking it was a knee-jerk reaction, but she explained to us that the guy who broke my sweet daughter’s heart was also the reason she declined to be what nature had intended her to be to begin with, for him, not because she wanted to stay mortal. We’ve been over it. So, what is all the doom and gloom about? Why summon us here to drown us in grim expressions and silence.”
“You are here because I am not only your grandfather, Connell, but also your employer, not to mention your leader and I wanted you here, that is all that should matter. Besides, I am not senile! Of course, I remember what I have been told and what I approved! This isn’t about that. We have a problem, a significant one, and I need Fiona to help solve it. That is why you are here, yet it is a tough topic for me, especially considering how bitter you are about your parents’ breakup, I gave you adequate time to mope around about it, but let’s not forget that your mother initiated it. She left your father first, without any warning to any of us, including you, not the other way around. Caelan only reacted in a way that doesn’t really surprise me too much, and honestly, a lot more favorably than what I imagined. It’s their marriage, they chose not to work on it, that is not for us to judge, you worry about your own marriage, as that is all you can do. I know your grudge extends to me, for granting their divorce and accepting Caelan’s renewal of the engagement, but what would you have me do? Force them to stay married? To what end, exactly? I seek LESS discord in our realm, not to create more. And even if I forced them to remain married, what was I to do about the resurrected bride, huh? I am not above killing, if the situation calls for it, but killing an innocent, for the second time, no less? Poor Ingrid had nothing to do with anything. Hate her, if you must, as your future stepmother, but that still won’t tarnish my opinion on her. I liked her the first time around and I still do, she is good for Caelan, I noticed a significant change for the better. Well, until recently anyway, which is why you are here. Like I said, it all boils down to Fiona and her willingness to help with a major problem for which I see no other solution.”
Connell looked down, realizing Cesare spoke the truth.
Fiona’s eyes widened in surprise. “Me?! What kind of problem? And how am I supposed to help? My powers aren’t very good yet. I am learning as fast as I possibly can.”
Cesare took a deep breath, his usually commanding presence slightly faltering. “Your grandfather Caelan has been kidnapped.”
Gasps filled the room, shock and horror etched on the faces of everyone present. Damon clenched his fists, rage boiling just beneath the surface.
“Kidnapped? By whom? Who can kidnap Grandpa? HOW? He taught me how to be a warrior, and I know better than most you can’t defeat him. It’s impossible.” Connell demanded, his voice trembling with fury.
“That’s what we all thought. Well, a sorcerer named Gwydion ap Aberffraw proved all of us wrong, and not only that, he managed to break into this very castle while it was crawling with vampires,” Cesare replied, his tone grim. “He’s a powerful mage, the man behind many stories from Welsh mythology, but very much real. He seeks an alliance with our lineage to father a son with one of our descendants. That is where you come in, child.”
Fiona felt a cold dread settle over her. “WHAT!?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Connell, her father, immediately became defensive, his stance and tone underlining it. “No way! Grandfather, no! NO!”
Cesare nodded, his expression filled with regret. “It’s the only way to ensure Caelan’s safety. Gwydion is not someone we can easily deceive or overpower. He demands a son for a son. I obviously can’t do that for him, your wife isn’t my lineage, nor is Caelan’s future bride, who is in her chambers crying her eyes out for him. She offered to sacrifice herself for him, which clearly won’t work either.”
Emmy clutched Fiona’s hand tightly, tears streaming down her face. “There must be another way! You can’t ask this of her! Send in your daughter! She has seven children, what’s one more?!”
“I cannot trade my daughter for my son. I need both here. Scarlett is not an option! She helps me keep on good terms with the fools from the mortal governments; Caelan would be useless for that! Fiona is the most logical candidate. It’s not forever. You don’t have to stay with him, just have a son with him and let him have the child. Then you will be free. Leeora confirmed the demand and conditions.”
“My sister is not a broodmare to some lunatic! NO WAY! NO WAY!” Damon yelled until a grim glare by Cesare silenced him.
He looked down then back at his great-grandson, the passionate way the 21-year-old defended his 23-year-old sister resounding with him.
“I think you do not understand the weight of this situation. I do not have any other choice. We looked at them all.”
Fiona looked away, trying to hold back tears, as her mother Emmy pulled her into an embrace, while Damon spoke up.
“Listen, now is really not a good time to involve my sister in such nonsense. The man she loved just dumped her, literally from one day to the next, and married another woman, you know why? Because the king introduced them and thought they were a better match, yet, the king never knew that idiot Lukas was dating my sister! So, Fi never saw it coming, the rug was pulled out from underneath her. My sister is healing, she’s not stable enough to get dragged into this crap! I went to see the asshole, to rough him up for making Fi cry all the damn time, and you know what he admitted to me? He found out that Fi has roots to vampires, especially the Vannuccis, which was too much for him. He said he can’t have that in connection with the royal house of von Ahrensburg, in case you don’t know, Fiona’s ex is the personal advisor of King Alexander von Ahrensburg of Windenburg. And YOU are the reason Fi was dumped, Great-grandpa, we all are. You and the lineage you are always so proud of! And now you want her to screw some rando weirdo who abducted the fiercest warrior we vamps have? Seriously!? What is wrong with you, old man!? My sister, your great-granddaughter is not a common whore to pimp out for hire as you see fit!” Damon exploded at his great-grandfather when his father pulled him back.
“Damon! Remember whom you are talking to. Remember your place!” his glare at his son was a warning not to speak that way to someone who may be his great-grandfather, but also the coven leader, and dangerous.
“Or what? Great-Grandpa will punish me, even though he just stood there when grandpa was abducted from right under his nose?! What the actual fuck, Dad?!” the young man challenged.
“Grandfather, I am so sorry. I will take Damon outside for a …” Connell offered, a hand placed firmly over his son’s mouth, who was fighting to liberate himself from his father’s strong grip, while Cesare looked down.
“No! He’s right. He only says what I have been thinking. I failed all of us. Now there is nothing I can do. But I will say this to you Fiona, I am not sorry for what happened to you. As much as it may hurt to hear those things from someone you loved and whom you thought loved you, watch them marry someone else, and only because his king suggested them to him, and because he was ashamed of your lineage, at least you found out the truth before you might have ended up marrying him. His feelings would have been the same then, but it would have been a lot more painful and messy. Now you have fangs again, and you know the next man you let near your heart will know and love you for you.”
Fiona had stopped sobbing, pulling away from her mother, to look at Cesare, nodding.
“You’re right, I am better off without him. But now, I have no place in this world. I moved back in with my parents after I had my own place. I have no friends, as all were kind of mutual with Lukas. I have nothing but my family. And Grandpa Caelan is part of my family. I will do it. At least I can do something meaningful with my life.”
“FI!” Emmy looked shocked.
“Sorry, Mom, but at least I can help someone. Sounds like we are low on options. Fine, I’ll meet that person and do that thing with him. I don’t want kids yet anyway, so he can have the baby.”
Her family and Fiona argued back and forth, but her decision stood, until Damon spoke up.
“Hang on — You said he wants a son. What if Fiona gives birth to a girl? Are we supposed to raise that child then? What do we tell others about the father? I mean, if he’s such a powerful mage, and Fiona is from a powerful ancient vampire line, no telling what that child will be.”
Cesare closed his eyes, pressing his lips together, so Riordan, who had been standing by quietly, spoke up. Riordan bore some resemblance to Cesare, as he was Cesare’s sister Caterina’s illegitimate child, which she never accepted, so Cesare ended up rearing the boy. Yet, Riordan’s lighter skin and large, almond-shaped eyes stemmed from his Japanese heritage.
“That won’t be a worry. He will kill any female offspring until he has a son. Once he does, he will take the child and Fiona is released to return home. Those were the conditions.”
Neutral Grounds: The Exchange
The neutral grounds chosen for the exchange were a secluded clearing in an ancient forest. The moonlight filtered through the canopy of trees, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. The air was thick with tension, every rustle of leaves and distant animal calls heightening the sense of unease. Cesare, Connell, and Fiona stood waiting, their expressions grim and resolute.
Fiona stood beside her father Connell, her silvery blonde hair cascading down her back, her deep blue eyes with a purple cast flickering with both fear and resolve. She reached out to grab her father’s hand, but Connell, protectively put his arm around her shoulders, holding her close to offer comfort and strength. It was undeniable how much they looked alike, their matching features highlighting their familial bond. Fiona was determined to save her grandfather but couldn’t hide the dread that churned in her stomach.
A sudden swirl of starry mist filled the clearing, and out of it materialized Gwydion ap Aberffraw, his dark hair flowing, eyes gleaming with mischief and power. Next to him was Caelan, bound by invisible spells, his formidable presence reduced to a mere shell by the sorcerer’s enchantments.
Connell’s immediate instinct was to rush to his father’s side, but Gwydion’s voice, cold and amused, stopped him in his tracks. “Ah, ah, ah. Don’t be foolish, vampire. Approach him now, and both of you will perish.”
Connell’s fists clenched, his eyes burning with hatred, but he held his ground. Cesare stepped forward, his voice steady. “Gwydion. You have what you want. A bride with strong Vannucci lineage. Release my son.”
Gwydion smirked, his gaze shifting to Fiona. “Not so fast, Cesare. Who said anything about a bride? I have no desire to marry, let alone a vampire. What I want is a child, a son, a foot holder, and for that I want your bloodline mixed with mine. First, let’s see if this one meets my expectations.” He walked towards Fiona, his eyes scanning her with an intensity that made her shiver.
Turning back to Cesare, Gwydion raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Not even a proper introduction, vampire king? Tsk, tsk.”
Fuming, Cesare introduced them. “This is Fiona O’Cavanaugh, my great-granddaughter.”
Gwydion’s smirk widened as he addressed Fiona. “Ah, behold my lady fair, Fiona O’Cavanaugh. A pleasure, I’m sure. An Irish name, no less. How enchanting.” He paused, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Fiona, meaning ‘fair’ or ‘white’. Most fitting for My Lady Fair, white as the moonlit glow. But look at those eyes, like the darkest violets on the forest floor, and hair as bright as moonglow.” He smiled at Fiona, who couldn’t suppress a shiver of discomfort.
Fiona stood her ground, trembling, her heart pounding. Gwydion circled her like a predator assessing its prey, his expression a mix of curiosity and dark amusement. “Hmm, determined yet afraid. Good. Fear is a powerful motivator. Let’s see what else you have.”
He reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek, sending a jolt of icy magic through her. Fiona flinched but did not move away, her eyes locked on his. Gwydion’s smirk widened. “Impressive. There’s strength in you, girl, and bravery as well. Easy to look at too, I’ll admit, I was wondering if you would try to serve me off with the runt of the litter. I am not particularly attached to any one look, or even age or gender, but I do require certain aesthetics. Who wants an ugly mother to possibly spoil their son’s appearance? But this one might just do. Is she a virgin?”
The mage began to run his index finger slowly along the neckline of Fiona’s dress, coming dangerously close to fondling her. Connell, unable to hold back any longer, snarled, “Get your hands off my daughter!”
Gwydion’s eyes flashed with amusement and annoyance. “Careful, father bear, I wouldn’t want to have to demonstrate what happens when people defy me. Try me, and your little innocent girl here will be a half-orphan.”
Connell froze in place, staring at his father, dangling lifelessly in the air, an occasional groan the only sign of life, while Gwydion turned his attention back to Fiona, his finger lifting up her chin to look into her eyes. “Tell me, girl, are you pure?”
Her eyes widening at the question, Fiona shook her head, then averted her glance to the ground, blushing, while the mage nodded. “Well, maybe hoping for that was a bit too ambitious for me, given the current times. Have you bore children yet?”
Fiona’s head snapped back to stare at him, frowning, shaking her head, pulling away from him. “No! I am 23! I am barely out of college! Who has kids at my age nowadays?! Quit treating me like cattle you want to buy at some auction. I said I will do what you ask to save my grandpa and that’s that! Let my grandpa go!” she burst out, her voice tinged with desperation and barely held back tears, as she realized having a child was exactly why she was here, which silenced her, making her look down, while generating a smirk in the mage’s face. With a sudden movement, Gwydion sent Connell flying across the clearing, until his back hit a tall ancient tree, where he fell to the ground with a loud thud and a groan, thwarting an attempted attack by a desperate father. The wizard had shown how powerful he really was.
“Let this be my final warning! I do not like repeating myself. The next attempt to defy me will be lethal!” Gwydion’s voice changed from the softer raspiness while talking to Fiona, to a harsh one turning to Cesare. “You have no control over your own family, vampire king. Your castle’s defenses are laughable, I must say I am very disappointed. You are not at all what I expected. Wondering if my plan is actually as good as it seemed. You’re not as indefiable as they say, you have too many flaws. You are too human, vampire.” Gwydion laughed.
Cesare’s voice cut through the tension. “Enough of this! The agreement was to trade Caelan for Fiona. Release my son. Produce the heir you want, then return this innocent child back into our fold. My word is currency, how about yours?”
Gwydion turned back to Cesare, his expression mockingly thoughtful. “Is that what you think, vampire king? The agreement will be whatever I choose it to be. In case this fact eluded you, it is I who holds all the aces now.” His voice dripped with arrogance and a twisted sense of humor.
Cesare’s eyes narrowed, but he knew he was outmatched. “I should kill you for this. What else do you require?”
Gwydion’s smirk widened, his gaze never leaving Fiona. “Oh, I beg you to try, vamp. Your powers are no good here, I am no fool either. However, I gave you my word, and I already told you I desire not a wife but an heir, so I need to ensure this arrangement will bear the fruit I desire. A son with the right mix of power and lineage.” He looked back at Fiona, his eyes narrowing. “Tell me, girl, are you ready to fulfill your end of the bargain?”
Fiona swallowed hard, nodding. “Uh, no, not really …”
Gwydion’s smile was devoid of warmth. “Well, I wish I could say I cared, but I don’t. So, say your goodbyes, and let’s hope you act as angelic as you look, because any defiance, any attempt to thwart my plans, and not only will your grandfather suffer, but you will too. Do you understand me?” Fiona only nodded, looking back at her father and great-grandfather, then at her still motionless grandfather, knowing none of them could save her now. This was going to happen.
Connell’s rage simmered, but Cesare placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. “We have an agreement then, Gwydion? One you will actually honor?”
Gwydion nodded, his eyes never leaving Fiona. “We do. I will release Caelan and Fiona, both unharmed, once the child is born and in my possession.”
With a flick of his wrist, the starry mist began to swirl around them again. Gwydion’s voice echoed through the clearing. “Remember, any deviation from our agreement and the consequences will be severe.”
In an instant, the mist engulfed Gwydion, Caelan, and Fiona, and with a final, menacing smirk, Gwydion vanished, taking Caelan and Fiona with him. The clearing was left in an eerie silence, the lingering sense of dread hanging heavy in the air.
Cesare and Connell stood in stunned silence, the weight of what had just transpired pressing down on them. The fate of their family now hinged on an uncertain and perilous future.
EchoesOfLegacy 