The Christmas Ball arrived swifter than I could have anticipated. Carlo and Alessandro came to help me prepare as a put on a beautiful golden dress which Alessandro had chosen for me. I looked like a wealthy actress from Hollywood as we went out to the automobile which Carlo would drive to the Royal Palace.
It did not take long before I saw the glorious palace as it was close to the Hills of Superga was I lived. The royal palace was closed down for the Ascendants to use. It was lit up in the dark of the night with an illumination which gave it the appearance of the presence a higher power.
Palazzo Reale di Torino lies in the heart of Torino,on central Piazza Castello, and for centuries it was the heart of the House of Savoy. It was symbol for law and power. The rigid fasade was similar to it’s baroque counterparts but had no extragavant decorations. The façade was built with a geometric balance which made it a splendid symbol for order. Two sculptures of cavalieri greeted us by the gate as we entered the palaced yard.
I tried not to look too giddy as Carlo helped me out of the automobile and I took hold of the arm Alessandro offered. He gave me a gentle smile as I swayed a bit in the darkness which drained my strength.
“Before we go in, I would like to give you a Christmas present. You will need it in the nest of vipers,” Alessandro said and pulled out a small casket.
I gave him an eager smile of gratitude and opened it. The light hit my face as the interior of the casket glowed from the jewelry inside. It was made of gold with a strange blue, glowing rock in the center. Beautiful and useful as I could feel a small part of my body reviving as I drained the light with my ability Solaris.
I sighed in relief as strength came back to me when I put the necklace around my neck.”It’s beautiful, but what is it?”
“Human’s discovered a glowing substance called fluorescence mineral in the last century. In certain lights, they glow. Very rare, and vital to us of I Soli. I put out a fortune to have this made from you after I found out about your weakness. The alchemists from the Mage clan used alchemy to make sure it glows during the night. It will give you strength when fire cannot.”
I thanked him and felt guilty for not giving him a present but he merely dismiss my guilt and we started to walk into the palace. I noticed that Leonide came over with a smile and also noticed a hint of a grimace as he came closer to me. He glared at the necklace and I realized what gave me relief is most likely torture to him.
“There you are. I cannot enter without my sponsors,” Leonide exclaimed dramatically and extinguished his cigarette.
“You cannot enter?” I asked curiously.
“No, Only the Heralds and their guests can enter. My clan has no presence in this city so we have no Herald. I work for Signor Borgia here in exchange for being allowed to enter these events. It would put my face on the map for future possibilities to become a Herald,” Leonide explained and followed us as we entered.
A handsome older man stood by the entrance with blue eyes and dark hair. He watched us approach with clear eyes before he turned them to Alessandro.
“We welcome you, Herald of the I Soli, as well as your guests. Two faces I recognize but who is this young lady?” The man asked with a pleasant voice even if it was a tad cold.
“Signor Umberto Biancamano, the father of the Sovereign should not stand in the cold to greet the guests!” Alessandro said with a voice as silken like honey.
“I had too. We had an incident earlier with that brute Clepho di Lombardi. He always causes an incident each year, I can hardly fathom that he once called himself the king of the Lombards. I do believe that you didn’t answer my question, who is the young lady?” Signor Biancamano said and watched me with piercing eyes.
I could feel Alessandro’s hesitation and he remembers his words to me. My father was a close servant of the Monarchs. I summoned my courage and answered him instead. “My name is Valeria Di Santis, signor?”
I was about to curtsy but Alessandro held me back which told me that I should do so.
“Di Santis? Any relationship with Antonio Di Santis?” A glimpse of recognition came into Biancamano’s eyes.
“Sì, Signor Di Santis was my father,” I said and gave Alessandro’s arm a gentle stroke to ensure him that everything was well.
“I see. My deepest sympathies for the departing of your family and I’m relieved to see you well, Signora Di Santis. Your father was a great man and a close friend. I do hope that you will enjoy your stay at our palace and that we can speak further later on,” Signor Biancamano said while narrowing his eyes at my hand at Alessandro’s arms.
“I’m sure we will, Signor, but I beg your pardon, I would like to enter as the cold bites my cheeks,” I said with a radiant smile and he gestured for us to go inside. I could feel this gaze on my back.
“Well, that was dramatic. Give me a heads up if things go south. I want time to escape if it comes to that,” Leonide muttered as we entered the glorious building. Our coats were taken care of as we were lead to a dimly lit but golden ballroom filled with people.
I recognized at least one person as I saw Signora Ariana Ruzzo speak with a beautiful lady who seemed to have a conversation with a painting as well. I frowned at them and Alessandro noticed the path of my sight. He chuckled as he saw the target of my bewilderment.
“That is Signora Ludovica Romano, the Herald of the Prophets and Signora Ruzzo’s kin.”
“Why is she speaking to a painting?”
“That is not unusual for the Prophet clans. They have the ability of Clairvoyance. It allows them to see the past and the future. Unfortunately, their weakness is that they have a difficult time controlling it when age reaches them and they often have a hard time distinguishing reality from a phantom of the past,” Alessandro explained to me in a whisper and I could hear Leonide chuckle behind me.
“Saw a prophet walk into the wall of a skyscraper once. He hadn’t seen the building as it hadn’t been there in his vision of the past.”
“Sounds rather hard to deal with.”
“Indeed, and they often become targets for humans as they have no great physical strength like many other of their sibling clans. They need the other clans to protect them and as such, they are doomed to live in their shadow never rising to power themselves,” Alessandro replied and received a glass of blood from Carlo who had just arrived at the scene after leaving them to find beverages.
“Valeria, don’t leave our sight tonight.” Carlo seemed tense and Alessandro gave him a frown.
“Has the Clepho di Lombardi caused further troubles. The Therians always does-“
“No, it’s not that,” Carlo muttered and gave me a strange look. I felt a shiver go through my body as I saw what he wanted to hide.
A face which I tried to forget as it haunts my memories. A beautiful woman, with golden hair and eyes like the sun. Lucretzia Borgia lifted her glass to me and I felt like throwing up. Why was she allowed to go free? She is a monster and a murderer. How dare she enter my sight with such glee!?
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