Bloody secrets (2)

Author's note: This is from Calista's point of view

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I looked at Serina who was nonchalantly sipping blood and I got irritated. How can she talk about it like it's not a big deal? She just told me that her lover died (and resurrected), she started craving blood, and she is not sure how or why it happened, and that's fine!?

"You BELIEVE that the seal reversed your ability? What does Aldi say?"

"Nothing. He doesn't know. By the time I realized I have this side-effect, he was gone to do his research."

I looked at her in disbelief and then I sipped the blood from the glass she prepared for me. It was good.

Did she give me blood to distract me from asking questions? I had so many! How can she talk about abilities so freely? Doesn't she know that others shouldn't know what she is capable of? But she already mentioned it, so I was curious.

I glanced around to make sure no one can overhear us, before asking, "You said that you had the ability to give vitality. However, that got sealed and reversed and now you need vitality, so you drink blood. If you take vitality by drinking blood, how did you give it away?"

Serina hesitated before responding, "I would get close to the person, animal, or a plant and release vitality."

I found this interesting and slightly disturbing. "You didn't need to bite them or touch them?"

"No. Actually, even for taking vitality, I don't need to touch my food."

"Can you show me?", I asked and gestured toward the glass with blood.

"It doesn't work on blood, it needs to be a living thing.", Serina said and glanced around before standing up and walking to the window where several potted plants were standing. "Like this…"

Serina extended her hand toward the plant, and I saw the plant withering away at the speed visible to the naked eye. Serina's hand was at least ten centimeters away from the plant and I gaped at the sight. In just a few seconds, the plant was yellow and dry, like it will crumble at the slightest disturbance.

For the first time in ages, I felt my heart racing. I was not sure what to do.

This was related to the biggest secret my family is guarding for centuries and Serina became the biggest liability.

If anyone saw her doing this, she will be hunted, and my family as well. Based on Serina's innocent expression, she obviously didn't understand the gravity of the situation.

Should I kill her and end it here?

What if it's too late? What if someone already saw it?

Can I kill her?

What would my brother do if I harm his precious daughter?

I know that Aldi is fond of Serina, and to be honest, I'm fond of her as well. It would be a pity to just end her.

I reminded myself that Aldi trusts Serina enough to introduce her as his heir. At first, I thought that he was only using her as a bait to flush out the enemies, but then I saw a range of emotions she invokes in him, and for the first time in a long time, I saw my brother caring for someone (other than himself).

As much as it hurts my ego, I am also aware that my brother shared many of his secrets with Serina, secrets I'm unaware of. She is part of his life I only heard about in rumors, and part of me is jealous of her.

But if my brother trusts Serina that much, maybe I should trust her also. After all, this is not just my secret to keep. It's the secret of the Mezzanotte family, and Serina is part of it.

"Rina, who knows about this?"

"That I drink blood?"

"No. That you can extract vitality like that.", I said in a whisper and pointed at the dried-up plant.

"Only you."

I was surprised that she didn't disclose this to her lover. I thought that Drago knows everything about her, and considering how friendly she is, I expected the list of people who are in the know to be longer. But I didn't want to dwell on it.

I decided to tell her about the importance of such ability and to observe her reaction. Then, I will see what to do.

"Do you have a place where we can talk so that no one overhears us?", I asked.

Serina returned to her chair, and I felt a slight disturbance in the air around us before complete silence enveloped us. Did her left wrist glow for a second? Today is a day for weirdness.

"No one can hear us now.", Serina said, and I gaped at her.

How many secrets does she have?

"Rina, no one should know about your ability. And I mean NO ONE."

"Does that include you?", she asked with a smirk, and I rolled my eyes.

"You don't understand, Rina. If my brother is here, he would be the one having this talk with you. How did you end up with an ability that is in our bloodline? Are you Aldi's lost biological daughter or something?"

"Ability from your bloodline? How can you be sure of it?", Serina asked, and I saw that I got her attention.

Well, she had a point, but even if it's a different ability from the one my brother has, it looks to be the same and considering that she is a Mezzanotte, people will make the connection.

I was not sure if it's the right decision to tell her, but she won't understand the gravity of the situation unless I explain it. Besides, with this ability, she is officially part of the family, and I had so many questions for my brother.

"This is a big secret, and those few who know about this, believe it's a myth because we chose to mix the truth with lies. There is a reason why Mezzanottes are royalty, and no one dares to challenge us."

"Is it related to extracting vitality without touching food?", Serina asked.

I confirmed. "There is a story about a powerful bloodline that doesn't require their members to get messy because they can feed without touching the food. However, that's only half of the story. That same bloodline carries another ability, which is influencing the mind of vampires."

Serina's eyes flashed in excitement. "Are you saying that you think I have that powerful bloodline and I can influence your mind?"

"I don't know. Can you?"

Serina shrugged. "I never tried. How does it work?"

"I don't know."

Serina scrutinized me. "But you said that it's part of your bloodline. Don't you have that ability?"

Now this stung. The ability is in my family, but not everyone has it. Of course, my brother is gifted with this power which is our curse as well, while it skipped me. And the bigger blow is that someone like Serina has it, while I don't.

"I don't have it.", I admitted and Serina made a thoughtful expression.

"Does it apply to only males? Or firstborns?", Serina asked questions, based on which I understood that she saw my brother using it.

Aldi didn't kill her which shows that he trusts her, but why didn't he explain the importance? I will never understand how his brain works.

"Rina, this is serious. If anyone finds out about your power, you will be targeted. Vampires don't like to be controlled, but they love to control. Can you guess what will happen to you if they find out what you can do?"

"I don't know if I can control vampires."

"Do you think that power-hungry people care? They will capture you and if you don't do it, they will torture you until you obey. You will be alive as long as you are useful, and they won't let you go after discovering that you don't have that ability because you can expose them."

"Won't they be afraid that I will control them?", Serina asked.

"There are ways to protect your mind, but it comes at a cost and the effects are temporary. Vampires fear us because they believe that all Mezzanottes have it, yet they can't confirm. If they find out about you, they will stop at nothing to get their hands on you. If you can control vampires, they will want to control you. You are not safe, and neither are your loved ones."

Serina nodded slowly. "I see."

"You don't look surprised."

Serina stifled a laugh. "Surprised about what? About having an ability that puts a target on my back?"

She patted my hand. "This is just one more thing that I need to conceal. Don't worry, Cali. I showed you this ability only because I knew that it's related to Aldus and because I trust you. You are my aunt and I know that you won't harm me."

I felt a pang of guilt in my chest.

Serina said that she trusts I won't harm her, yet only a few minutes ago I was thinking about silencing her. Permanently.

No wonder my brother softened next to Serina. Her kindness shines on everyone around her.

I think I understood why Aldi didn't tell her how important is to conceal this ability. He told her to hide everything, so she didn't understand how that one ability is dangerous.

Well, Aldi is right, any ability carries risks. We were raised with teachings that Mezzanottes are above others and that what we have is special. I guess I still believe that, even after years of mingling with other creatures in the human realm.

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