Poison Orchid

Chapter 3

Senses befool us. We all are befooled one time or the other, tend to make mistakes most of the time in each and every edge. The more mistakes we make the more we learn, the more we learn to know, the more we learn to trust or distrust. The more trusting we become the world seemed to be seen through a rosy glass and as every rose has thorn once or the other every balloon of trust gets pricked by the thorn. The more distrusting we become the world seemed to get seen by a glass darkly tinted. Darkness reigned supreme in his world.

Arkhangelsk---- The city of the Archangel. Although the countrymen have forgotten the glory and glitz of the mediaeval era , his family has not. The Lords of the city of Archangel, blessed by the Archangel himself to protect his town for an eternity. He was the uncrowned Prince of the city. This was his city and they were his people. It was his duty to protect them from any harm befalling on them.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, turning back from the window he spoke in Russian, ”Come in.”

“Master Agnoski has asked for you, my liege,” said Petrov, his own personal servant and most trusted confidante.

Gabriel Agnoski looked up at his friend, his eyes as dark as the coal, but glinting as hard as the diamonds.

“What now?” asked Gabriel his voice taking a hard edge.

“He hasn’t said anything, my liege. Just that your presence is required immediately in the study,” said Petrov.

Gabriel took a moment to compose himself. He tried to stay away from his father as much as possible. He despised the man as much as he despised his own cursed existence. Gabriel came out of his room with short , sure and calm steps. His boots making a loud noise on the stone floors of the ancient castle.

The door of the study opening by itself as he reached to push it. Another technique of his father to intimidate him. Showing that he as nothing before him. But long ago Gabriel had stopped showing anything on his face but his father still managed to rile him up so easily.

The study was filled with clouds of smoke, from the atrocious cigar that his father loved to smoke. Gabriel loved the study. It was also the library of the castle. Other than Petrov , the books of this library were his best friends for the past two hundred years.

“There has been a summon from the High Council,” said Sariel Agnoski.

Gabriel stood there waiting patiently for his next words.

“There has been a lot of problems in mid America leading to disappearing of a lot of young girls. The bodies have not been found yet but if they do unfortunately our kind is prone to being exposed to the species who pride themselves to be Homo Sapiens. Do you understand what I am trying to say?”

“Yes Father,” Gabriel answered like a dutiful son.

“The summon has said that the rogues have escaped from our clan and are now hunting and preying in the land of savages. Not that I mind. I would like to snack on a few myself, but unfortunately this summon calls for a detailed investigation and you, my son, have been specifically requested for the job.”

“When do I need to depart Father?”

“Eager to scamper away, right? Anything to get away from me?”

“This is nothing to do with me running away Father. But it has everything to do with our Family’s honour, your honour before the Council. I know it has taken us a long time to get to this prestige and I don’t want to let you down just by not doing what is expected of me.”

“That is quite a speech, son. And truly speaking I hadn’t expected you to care a bit for my honour. But on second thoughts, you would say so because you also know that those tiny little insects called humans whom you care for so much are being trampled a few predators.”

“They are criminals Father.”

“I have forbade you several times to argue with me, haven’t I? You insolent boy. Now get away from my sights and do what you have been commanded to. And Regina will accompany you as your guardian.”

“I don’t need…,”started Gabriel.

“You don’t need but the world that you are going into is not habituated seeing seventeen year old children without parents. So you will do as I instruct. Go and meet her in her chambers. And of course, I expect you to take that dog of yours.”

Gabriel’s clenched his fists and his teeth started mashing, but he kept silent because his father was again successful in riling him up. He turned away on his heels and stormed out of the room. As he was walking out, he could hear the sounds of atrocious laughter of that monster whom he had to call as his Father. Petrov followed him closely behind, like he always did.

Loud sound of an opera singer’s voice was coming out of the room, to which he was going. His Father’s mistress, the timeless and ageless, ever beautiful secretary Regina. The woman was not a bad one, but she was the reason his mother had walked into dawn. She was the reason why he could never experience a mother’s love again for the rest of his blasted life. A small voice at the back of his mind pointed out, it was his father who had turned Regina, and brought her to the castle and placed her here as his mistress in front of his mother.

His mother was a loving and caring woman who had been a very weak woman by health, who was from another very influential family of their province. Gabriel’s grandfather had thought that marrying off his son would get him over his wreckless and philandering ways. His grandfather was right to some extent, but that happened only after his mother left this earth after the countless number of times her heart was broken.

Gabriel entered the room, with Petrov closely behind him.

“I have been expecting you, Gabriel, “said the beautiful vixen.

“I am not anyone to you, and you are not in a position to call me by my name, you w***e. Address me by the proper respect and name that everyone calls.”

“Respect is earned and not given. I shall call you so when you have earned my respect. For now you have to suffice yourself with me calling your name. Anyways, mothers don’t call their children as Master, do they?” she winked at Gabriel meaningfully.

Gabriel rushed forward baring his fangs, but Petrov held him back.

“You see, you have to learn a lot of things child. Patience and restraint is one of them. Of the virtues none of you possess. We shall be going by nightfall and reach by tomorrow midday. Finish your packing and take all the lighter clothes and few leather items… You know what I mean.. Where we are going you need to blend in with the teenagers and get in the high school. So pack accordingly son.”

Gabriel wanted to drain that b***h that instant she called her a son and was giving her instructions, but Petrov guided him out of the room.

“You cannot touch her master. She wants that. She is a sadistic person and gets off from pain. You cannot do anything she wants,” reasoned Petrov.

“And how do you know these things about her?” enquired Gabriel.

“The walls have their own ears , my liege. And after all the servants whisper among themselves and I keep my ears and eyes open for your protection,” answered Petrov truthfully.

“Very well Petrov. But do you have the clothes that are required of us in the blasted country?”

“I have some, but as they say, master, they are quite out of fashion.”

“Well then, there is no better occasion for shopping, is it? Make the call to Paolo, and ask him to bring us the wardrobe that a teenage American boy can need for more than three months. And also mention that he will be adequately compensated for this hurried purchase.”

“Very well, Master. I shall do that immediately.”

“Oh!! And Petrov…”

“Yes, my liege.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m happy to be of any kind of service, master.”

Within an hour, Paolo was at his room showing him all different kinds of clothes. Shirts, T-shirts, jeans, shorts, track pants, base ball clothes, socks, shoes, some cardigans, a few leather jackets, some boots and sports shoes, beach wear—swimming trunks. Gabriel’s head was swimming within a few moments. Finally he said, ”We’ll take everything in greys, blacks and browns for me and all the brighter colours for Petrov.”

“Oh no! Master, I hate these colours,”whined Petrov.

“But my liege, the brighter colours will flatter your skin tone in such a beautiful manner…,”started Paolo.

“Unfortunately Paolo, I don’t need to look beautiful. But sensible. And we both will be going as brothers and as the elder one I need to dress a bit more sensibly.”

“I understand your concerns, my liege. But teenager boys are not sensible at all.”

“Pack everything for me, will you Paolo? The ones as I said for me and other for Petrov.”

“As you wish, my liege.”

In his lifetime as a vampire, Gabriel had tried his utmost not to change any human being into this cursed existence but the ones he did would pay him off for more than a several lifetimes. Gabriel had found Paolo in the streets of Moscow, dying, because his gay lover had betrayed his whereabouts to his competitor. As he lay dying, from multiple stab wounds, Paolo had pleaded Gabriel to save him, for any price. The price was to live in darkness for ever. The most sought after designer in the world, from 60’s was now his personal designer. And Gabriel was glad he had saved Paolo because he would die before betraying his liege.

Gabriel and Petrov sat in their limousines and told the guard to bring Regina in the other car. At this moment Gabriel did not want to deal with that vile woman whom his father claimed to love. After all according to human myths, matches are made in heaven but this was a match that was absolutely cordoned by that of hell. His phone started ringing breaking his thoughts. It was his grandfather Daniel Agnoski, one of the people who had made life bearable for him along with his grandmother Electra.

Gabriel took the call and said,”Hello Grandpa.”

“ Already on your way, are you?” asked Daniel in his usual jovial voice.

“Yes Grandpa. The Council has…” Gabriel was rudely interrupted.

“Oh stop that, will you? You tend to forget that I myself am on that Council. So why do you think I already know about this journey of yours? I know everything child, but that is not the reason that I am calling you. Your Grandma wants to talk to you.”

Saying this he handed over the phone to his beloved wife of six centuries.

“Is that vile creature with red hair with you?” asked Electra in a conspiratorial tone.

Gabriel said, ”No Grandma,” with a smile on his face.

“Thank precious heavens. Listen up child. I shall curse my entire life for the day your father was born. He is the only reason that I lost Ruriel and your mother. I shall never forgive him for making me lose my most precious children. But listen carefully son, I have come to know a very vital piece of information. Your father had paid handsomely to cause the death of a certain woman named Cattaleya. But even after fifteen years no whereabouts had been found of the people who were sent after her. A little bird has also told me that Ruriel was smitten by that woman. Try to find her whereabouts, will you?”

“Grandma, whatever you have said, it is a very heavy information do you get that?”

“Do you consider me to be a bamboozled chimpanzee?”

Gabriel could hear snickers from the background and was very sure that it was his grandfather laughing. He himself could not control his giggles but he dared not smile. Because she was a woman of whom the entire Council was also afraid of.

“Of course not My beautiful lady. I shall obviously try to find out anything that had happened so early. I’m happy for you considered me for this job.”

“I need to know what happened to my son, my lovely child. Do you have any idea how much it pains to lose a child?”

“No but I know how much it pains to lose a mother.”

“Oh my poor baby… I didn’t mean to hurt you..”

“Obviously not Grandma. I have reached the airport. I shall talk to you once I land. Okay?”

“I love you my child.”

Gabriel licked the phone off and said,” Petrov make sure that insane b***h is at one end of the plane and I and you are on other end. I want no where near that blasted woman in this entire journey.” And with this they walked off into the airport.