Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

- - -

Out of an unknown number of Aldus's familiars, I know about Marius and Krob.

Staff members that work on Aldus's properties use pills that allow them to live longer, but they are not familiars. Staff sticks to housework and maintenance of the grounds and even though most of them have additional skills, they are not exposed to anything super-secretive other than knowing about the world of creatures.

Each of them has a predetermined set of duties, and I don't need to deal with them, other than to provide them will the pills when the right time comes. Luckily, Aldus had a list of people and dates, so I could plan and not miss anyone.

From the emails received, I saw that Marius was investigating who shot Duke.

I called him to get the latest status.

The surveillance camera caught sight of a person wearing a hoodie, and I couldn't believe that I've almost had her. That's the same person who nearly slammed into my car as I was entering the garage. Damn it!

I clearly remember a strand of long blonde hair, and that was definitely a woman.

The shooting itself was outside of the camera's view, but other cameras show a person wearing a hoodie approaching where Duke was, and a few minutes later, she dashed out. It must be that person because no one else was there.

That only confirmed my suspicion that Duke knew the woman, otherwise, they wouldn't spend a few minutes together. Talking, probably.

I was irritated that even after so many days Marius didn't find Duke's shooter, but Marius told me that they were all watching me on Aldus's order, and by the time he went chasing after the culprit, her scent mixed with other mortals. However, Marius said with confidence that it was a human because he didn't pick up any scent of a creature nearby.

Well, it's not easy to find a specific human in London, and knowing that it's a female, blonde (assuming that was not a wig), is not narrowing choices to a manageable number.

I would think that it might be Duke's ex, if he had any. He told me that other than me there were no other women in his heart, but that doesn't exclude the possibility of him dating a woman, or a woman feeling that he should be hers. And then there are business competitors and just because it was a human, I can't neglect the possibility that the shooter was working for a creature who figured out that my Duke is Mateo Testa.

The more I think about it, the messier it becomes.

Duke was shot in the chest, from a close range, and I believe that he knew the shooter, or at least saw her, and that can help in catching her.

I wondered how long it will take for Duke to wake up.

Duke made arrangements for two weeks of absence from work, and even though there was still plenty of time until that expires, I was dreading the possibility that Duke doesn't wake up until then because I will need to tell Sergio what happened.

I remembered Sergio saying how he is bound to protect Duke because of the blood oath he made with Damiano, and I thought that might be just the thing that will work for me to get helpers while fulfilling Aldus's 'trust no one' condition.

I called Sergio.

"Hi, Sergio. Is this a good time to talk?"

"Good as any other."

His lack of enthusiasm was tangible, but I didn't allow it to impact me. I already had too much to deal with.

"What can you tell me about blood oath?"

"Why do you want to know about it?"

I started to understand Duke's irritation with Sergio. Why can't he just answer the question?

"I need to ensure that I will not be betrayed. Tell me, how to make one? Are there any side effects? Is that only specific for werewolves?"

Sergio grumbled something and it took him some time to respond. "There are different kinds of oaths that depend on what you are trying to accomplish. If you want to ensure the other person doesn't betray you, you will probably pick the strongest one. It is done on a full moon and as the name suggests, it involves spilling blood among other things. If the oath is broken, it causes serious consequences such as disability or death…"

I listened carefully to his every word, and I was delighted to hear that he can oversee such an oath.

"Who are the unlucky ones you want to bind with this horrible oath?", Sergio asked when he finished his explanation.

"I'm not sure yet. If it comes to it, I will ask for your services."

"Mine? Aldus can probably do a more thorough job. Vampires are known for creating faithful servants."

I scrambled my brain for a believable answer because I couldn't tell him that Aldus is unavailable. "I agree with that. However, this will involve werewolves, and I believe that you are the expert in that area."

Sergio snorted. "Do you think I will do it because you said a few nice things?"

I rolled my eyes. Does he need to be so dramatic? "Of course, not. It will be a business transaction. I know you are not lacking money, but maybe there is something else I could do for you."

I could hear Sergio swallowing hard and I knew I got something he wants. Considering that he is a shaman, I guessed that it might be a plant or some other ingredient.

I decided to hit that iron while it's hot.

"You know that my father is well connected, Sergio. Think about what you want, and I'm sure I can figure out a way to make it happen, as long as it's reasonable."

To my surprise, Sergio agreed. I was curious about what he wants, but there were so many options that I decided to stop thinking about it. He is not getting anything unless he helps me with the oath, and that is only if my kids agree to it.

Dinner was lonely. I was the only person at the table and the seat on my left, the one where Aldus always occupied, was empty.

Tears pooled in my eyes, but I forced them back because Maria and a few other maids were watching, and I couldn't tell them why I was sad.

"Don't worry, Miss…", Maria said while bringing in the second course. "Mr. Orsini will wake up soon and make a full recovery."

Of course, Maria noticed. Others probably noticed as well.

Yes, I was concerned about Duke, but the gaping hole in my chest was caused by Aldus's absence.

I don't remember how much I ate or how it tasted. I was going through the motions because the staff did all this for me. No amount of food seemed enough to fill my stomach and give me a sense of satisfaction, and I couldn't wait to be done with it.

I crawled in the bed next to Duke, snuggling next to him to take in some comfort from his scent of pine trees and the ocean.

Duke's warmth and steady heartbeat told me that he was alive, and I hoped that he will wake up soon because I was all alone and barely keeping myself from falling apart.

---

If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l . c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.