Chapter 40 - Great Preparations (2/2)
”He did,” Pablo confirmed, ”But they haven't existed in several millennium.”
”I've only seen a few in my life,” Gabriel recalled, ”Cornelius killed and skinned that bad boy himself. He was burned so badly that over half of his skin was black from the flames charring his body. It took a lot of blood and a few months to recover from that battle. Not even our father was bold enough to challenge a dragon, but Cornelius was willing to at least try.”
”How did he kill it?” Alyssa asked.
”We're not sure,” Gabriel honestly answered, ”There were no other witnesses. He just into the mountains and returned weeks later with a charred body, pulling a wagon full of dragon skin. There was a lot of it there, so we assumed he had killed it. We asked him so many questions but he refused to answer them. He's been pretty mum about it but that's where the coat came from. For some reason, the dragon hide prevents the sun from hitting our skin so if you're strong enough to carry it.”
”And as far as we know,” Pablo added, ”Only one vampire is strong enough.”
”Speak of the devil,” Gabriel said, ”And he shall appear.”
”Greetings,” Cornelius said, walking into the room through the front door, carrying a decent sized crate. ”I hope that I'm not interrupting anything.”
”Not at all,” Alyssa said, looking at the box. ”What's in there?”
”I wanted to make sure dinner remained civil,” Cornelius answered, as he opened it and pulled out a wine bottle. ”So I procured some fine wine from the wolves. They're not known for their drinking, but they sure can bottle the stuff rather well. I think their secret has to do with their advanced noses.”
”That makes sense,” Pablo said as he walked over to take a look, ”That seems quite nice, a gesture I am sure they witches will appreciate.”
”You're coming too, aren't you?” Cornelius asked.
”I am?” Pablo said, rather surprised.
”I insist,” Cornelius said, ”Any friend of Gabriel is one of mine.”
”Thank you,” Pablo said, as he walked to the door to leave. ”I guess I better start getting ready.”
”Brother,” Cornelius called out. ”I brought your dinner suit.”
”No,” Gabriel said, surprised by the thought. ”No.”
”A dinner suit?” Alyssa said, curious about it.
”It's more of a uniform, actually.” Cornelius corrected, ”We are dining with people who represent another group. To not wear them would not only upset the council, but imagine what father would say if he ever found out?”
Gabriel looked like he wanted to say something snappy and try to talk his way out of it, but even he realized that his brother was right. ”How did you even know we'd need them?”
”I had a feeling,” Cornelius said, handing it over to him.
”I hate these things,” Gabriel said, looking at it. ”What if we're seen by the town wearing these?”
”They're costumes,” Cornelius answered, ”From an old play we used to do. They're believe anything if it's told with a good spin.”
”I guess,” Gabriel said, ”But yours looks cooler than mine.”
”I could say it was the perks of being the Dark Prince, I suppose.” Cornelius said, ”But that's what you get for skipping the royal fitting! Those who didn't show up had to suffer the abuse that was Father's poor fashion sense. No one to blame but yourself.”
Alyssa could barely stifle her laugh as she watched Gabriel take his suit and walk out the main door, to return to Pablo's apartment to change. Once the door had closed, she turned to Cornelius immediately.
”Is it really that bad looking?” she asked him.
”I don't think so,” Cornelius answered, ”But mine does look better. Father is partially color blind so that didn't help either.”
”You can have the bathroom to change once I'm done with it,” Alyssa informed him as she bolted off to change as well. Cornelius dr.a.p.ed his own suit over the back of the chair, and paused for a moment.
”I can't see you, but I know you're there.” He called out.
Out of the shadows of the room, the small black cat emerged and jumped up into the couch to elevate his position with the vampire.
”I assume you've come to confirm our count for dinner?” Cornelius asked.
”I have,” said the black cat known as Oscar ”You know the protocol.”
”Indeed I do,” Cornelius said, ”Notify your master we shall not be late and appreciate the preparations that she's undertaken for us. Also inform her that our party has five members that will be attending. Two humans, two vampires, and the young witch. I cannot speak for my brother, but I consume ordinary cuisine and look forward to sampling what your master has made great efforts to prepare.”
”Very good, my lord.” The cat replied, ”Are there any other customs we should observe for yourself?”
”There are none that I care about,” Cornelius confessed, ”Tell her I will be alright with whatever rituals or traditions they care to use.”
”I will do so,” Oscar said, ”Dinner starts at eight thirty, which is just after sunset. Please try to be on time.”
Cornelius didn't respond but simply nodded and then watched as the small black cat backed up and disappeared into the shadows.