A Bend in Time

Filled with panic and dread at the mere thought, Ambrogio's gaze turned wild and frantic. "There is much I can show and teach you. Secrets of the world and magic that you have not even discovered or could have ever imagined. Please allow me to teach you, it will be my utmost honor to pass my knowledge to worthy pupils."

"There is no need for flattery, Pontifex Maximus," Hecate coldly answered. "Your time has set."

"Luther, think of the Coven!" Ambrogio Sangria wildly pleaded. "The coven needs to stick together in this dark time. Our alliance with the Dark Lord is needed in order for us to survive. The witches and wizards will never allow us the same rights. We will always remain secondhand citizens in their eyes!"

A charming smile slowly spreads across Luther's striking face. "That is exactly what I am doing, Pontifex Maximus," and signaled for Nikolas and Noctis to act.

Obeying the directive, Nikolas Van Helsing raised the silver stake high and directly plunged it into the heart of Ambrogio Sangria. A stifled shout erupted from Ambrogio Sangria's throat, which turned into a gurgle that died. There was blatant fear and horror in the eyes of Ambrogio Sangria as he passed from this world into the next. Whatever Ambrogio Sangria had witnessed in his last moments of death had filled him with sheer terror.

The body of Ambrogio Sangria decayed rapidly before them, leaving behind only a pair of elegant sleepwear and bones. The silver stake shone brightly between the sternum and ribs of the skeleton, along with an arrow sticking out between the skeleton's ribs. The needle point of the stilettos pinned the shoulders of the skeleton to the wooden coffin.

"Well, that went better than I could have ever thought," Nikolas cheerfully whistled, before pulling out the silver stake. With a bit of maneuvering around the bones, he successfully pulled out the silver stake and arrow.

Unable to hide his discomfort, Noctis much more carefully removed the stilettos from the coffin. Sheathing them, Noctis paused to look at the skeleton before bowing to the skeletal remains of the former Pontifex Maximus. The Pontifex Maximus deserved his ending, but he had also been good to the coven. And for that, he would thank him.

No words were further exchanged. Noctis simply turned on his heels and left the chamber. With the departure of Noctis, Nikolas politely excused himself as well, knowing that the two elder vampires wished time alone to discuss the future of the coven. The coven was about to enter a new dawn, and that was not a figurative form of speech.

That and well, he needed to contact his family, his family needed to hasten their plans. The Van Helsing's had been vampire hunters for generations, and if the vampires were no longer a threat, then the Van Helsings no longer held a purpose. Nikolas knew his family remained skeptical of the proposed peace treaty, but time would prove his words true. His family needed to plan for the upcoming changes, there was simply no alternative. Moreover, if the Van Helsing's dared attack, the Ministry of Magic would seek justice for the vampires. His family would be destroyed, and he could not bear the thought.

Left alone in the cavern, Luther and Hecate remain still and silent until they are certain that Noctis and Nikolas are long gone. Hecate glances around the dark, empty cavern and idly remarks, "One would think that the hidden quarters of the Pontifex Maximus would be filled with treasure, I find myself somewhat disappointed at the lack thereof."

"Oh, I'm certain the wealth of the Pontifex Maximus is hidden elsewhere in the Citadel," Luther pointed out. "I'm afraid we'll have to hire one of the curse breakers from Gringotts and possibly one of their Nifflers to sniff out the exact location. It will cost us quite the galleons."

 "Well, it is not, though we can very well go and ask, is it?" Hecate sarcastically muttered before pointedly gazing at Luther. "The council will have questions."

"And we shall say the truth, the Pontifex Maximus was discovered flouting one of the forbidden blood laws. Though the council will be disgruntled, they will not protest in the face of the evidence acquired."

"I surmised as much," Hecate pressed her lips in thought. "With the Pontifex Maximus Ambrogio Sangria gone, we will have to elect a new Pontifex Maximus. I tend to throw my hat in the ring, and you, Luther?"

 "No, I have no intention of becoming a candidate," Luther honestly met the eyes of Hecate. "My intent is to second your candidacy and advocate that the new Pontifex Maximus is you, Hecate."

Hecate blinks rapidly in astonishment, before her eyes narrow in suspicion. "Though I am flattered by the offer, Luther. I can't help but wonder what strings might be attached to such a generous offer."

"None," Luther raised his empty palms in a gesture of his sincerity. "Well, not in the manner you expect, Hecate. The coven is entering a new era, and we need a Pontifex Maximus willing to make changes, but at the same time appease those in the coven who will be afraid of the change." It was not to be said out loud that there would be those who would be in opposition, such as Pontifex Dario, who enjoyed the hunt and bloodthirst.

"And what will be your place then?"

"Mine will be in the shadows as always."

Hecate turns the response of Luther in her mind, before slowly nodding her head in acceptance of the offer. Luther would not betray her, at least without not cause and only if it was for the betterment of the coven. Luther was ironically steadfast and loyal. She would rather have him at her back than as an enemy.

Changing the subject, Hecate observes Luther out of the corner of her eye. "I must admit, I was taken aback by the offer of the old Prince. However, I was more surprised by how well you seem to know each other, Luther."

"The old Prince in his youth was quite active," Luther carefully replied. "The marriage to his wife, Sirsa, had tamed him until her passing unleashed him."

Seeing that Luther would not speak more on the subject, Hecate subtly prodded in another manner. "Speaking of Reginald Prince, what do you make of Sanderson's actions?"

A frown appeared on Luther's striking face. "Reginald Prince made a mistake in keeping that one alive. He should have heeded the warning of his younger sister and taken Sanderson's head."

"Oh?" Hecate is taken back by the gravity in Luther's voice. "I suppose there is some truth to the matter, considering that Sanderson has already betrayed Reginald Prince once before."

"The wife and the children of Sanderson are largely unaware of the business that Sanderson conducts," Luther flatly said. "Sanderson ensured that his family was innocent by not being involved in the business. It ensured he was never caught in the privacy of his home, and his enemies could not use his family against him without putting their own families in danger."

"Then that is precisely why Reginald Prince should act. There is no one in Sanderson's immediate family capable of avenging Sanderson, nor would they ever suspect that Reginald Prince was behind the death of Sanderson," Hecate argued. "I confess I find myself at a loss, then why would Reginald Prince not act at such an opportunity?"

"As am I," Luther grimaced. "One might argue that Reginald Prince is slipping in his old age, but he's never made such an imprudent mistake before. Whatever it is, Reginald Prince deems Sanderson of more value than the betrayal against him, and which makes one wonder exactly what that might be."

 "Then again, Sanderson is more trustworthy than the Acolytes," Hecate said through narrowed eyes. "There are rumors that the old Prince has been seen in their company again."

 "Reginald Prince will not trust the Acolytes, not when they have allied themselves with the Dark Lord known as Tom Riddle," Luther responded with a shake of his head, causing his silver mane to sway. "That being said, we will have to keep an eye on the Dark Lord ourselves. Riddle does not take kindly to traitors, and though the Coven never entered into a true alliance, the Pontifex Maximus Ambrogio Sangria privately did."

Be as it may, we will be in less danger now that we will willingly give up the blood houses. The blood houses were always a painted target on our backs," Hecate's nostrils visibly flared in thought. "The farms to grow Ichor Fructus will be much easier to keep secure and guard. Since they will be in the countryside, we will be able to increase security measures to include trolls if necessary. We will need to hire Gerrad Troels, but he is worth every knut since his trolls are well trained."

Hecate sighed and rubbed her temple with her hand, "Though the Ichor Fructus works, I am afraid my body still desires to rest. It is difficult to go against our regular sleep patterns."

"It will come with time," Luther answered, stifling his own yawn. "We are weary, and we have earned a good rest." He offered the crook of his elbow to Hecate to take.

 Hecate willingly accepted the offer and intertwined her hand with the crook of his arm. The two of them departed from the cavern without ever looking back. There was no reason to except look forward.