THE DOMUS AUREA LIBRARY

Finally, Uncle Carmelo spoke the words she had been eagerly awaiting: "I'm going out tonight and probably won't be back until morning. Don't wait up for me, my child." He kissed Latona goodbye on both cheeks. The girl looked up at him, trying not to show relief or joyful anticipation. It was hard for her to continue sitting calmly with her embroidery hoop until her uncle had left the house.

But then she threw the handwork onto the table, jumped up, and tore open the lid of her trunk. What should she wear? - As if that mattered. She just wanted to pick up the mask. And she would have to fulfill her promise and give the strange London boy a kiss. Her stomach was doing strange flips. A kiss! So what? What was a kiss, anyway? But her soft knees and wobbly body couldn't be easily deceived.

Latona changed her clothes three times before leaving the house in a simple yellow dress, still quite new, and a summer cape too light for the night. It was hard for her not to run. He probably wouldn't even be there. Why would he wait for her every night in the ruins field? Besides, it was still too early. He had said the same time. Latona crossed Piazza Venezia and headed towards the remains of the Roman ruins. The closer she got to the stone block where she had sat with him, the more violently her heart pounded. She felt like she couldn't breathe. But it didn't feel like fear. "But it should," she whispered softly to herself. "It's midnight, and you don't even know him. And there's no one around for miles!" "I consider that an advantage," his voice replied. Latona's heart skipped a beat, and now it began to flutter irregularly. Malcolm walked towards her, but no rustling or crunching could be heard. He sat back down on the marble block and motioned for Latona to come closer. Even if it hadn't been her decision, she couldn't have done otherwise than to comply with his invitation.

She hesitantly sat down on the edge. Although the blue of his eyes had haunted her every night, she now looked down at her hands as if spellbound. "Did you bring the mask for me?" "But of course. That's what we agreed upon," his voice sounded gentle. "Then please give it to me." She still didn't look at him. "Right now? Are you in such a hurry? Don't we want to chat a little longer?" "What do you want to talk about?" She hesitantly let her gaze wander up his so British attire until the blue eyes captured her again. "Perhaps a little more about your dangerous mission as a vampire hunter?" She shrugged embarrassedly. "Oh no, that's all top secret." Malcolm's lips twitched a bit, but his voice didn't change. "I understand that, but I'm terribly curious nonetheless. Vampires are exciting!" Latona nodded. "Yes, exciting indeed. I've thought a lot about them. They are evil beings not intended by God on this earth, and yet sometimes they almost - pity me." She let out a nervous laugh.

Malcolm's eyebrows raised in surprise. "That surprises you, doesn't it? But they can seem so human, as if they have feelings like us. Fears and desires. And then that look when it's all over." She stared at her hands again. Malcolm cleared his throat. "How many have you seen and helped to, uh, 'destroy'?" "Not so many. Uncle doesn't always take me along, but let's talk about something else. Won't you give me the mask now?" Malcolm took it out of his pocket and held it out to her. Latona grabbed it hastily and tucked it away under her cape. The girl stood up. "Thank you, you don't know how important it is for me and for Uncle to have it back."

He didn't ask further. Instead, he also stood up and came to the point she had been tremblingly awaiting and fearing. "And my kiss?"

"I stand by my promises," said Latona dignifiedly, raising her face slightly. But her body stiffened as he put his arms around her. His breath was cool and smelled sweet, like something she couldn't quite remember. Then she felt his lips. How cold they were. They remained motionless for a moment. That was it. She had fulfilled her promise and would now leave. But she couldn't move, even though his arms didn't hold her tightly. His lips parted slightly and began to move gently. Something hard and pointed pressed against her lower lip.

Latona didn't think about going home anymore. She couldn't think anymore. Her body and mind had slipped out of her control. Yet it was just a kiss! And it wasn't her first. Once a boy had forced a kiss on her against her will, but twice she had wanted and provoked it. It had been exciting and tingling like the first forbidden sip of champagne, but this was something completely different. It robbed her of her mind! Latona looked into his eyes and was startled, they were like those of a predator. He let go of her, took a step back, and crossed his arms behind his back.

"Thank you," he said flatteringly, and his gaze softened again. The dim moonlight must have deceived her.

"I thank you," she replied. Unintentionally, her hands rose to his cheeks. She wanted to pull him closer and experience that incredible feeling again. "Malcolm," she whispered with a hoarse voice.

Then the moon emerged completely from behind the clouds and cast their shadow over the white marble. Her shadow alone. Latona's hand remained motionless on his cold cheek as her mind began to grasp. A shadow. That of a girl. That wasn't possible! Her gaze flickered over his white, pure face and searched for another explanation until she noticed the two points peeking out between his lips.

"You're a vampire?" she blurted out.

"I never claimed otherwise," he said almost cheerfully.

"A vampire!" Now there was bright panic. Suddenly, she could move again. She took a few steps back, still keeping him in sight, but he didn't follow her. Then Latona turned around and ran like she had never run in her life.

On his way back, Malcolm had much to think about. Not only about the kiss and the rush of desire it had awakened in him. If he had initially dismissed Latona's talk about vampire hunters as boasting, now an uneasy feeling arose in him that she really knew what she was talking about, and this had nothing to do with a girl's flourishing imagination anymore. What should he do now? Go to the Count and tell his story? Malcolm laughed bitterly. That would not end well for him! But how could he report about the girl and the vampire hunters without mentioning the meetings? He tossed the problem around in his head. By the time he reached his coffin, he had come to the conclusion that the Count surely didn't need his services. The clan probably already knew about these people and was watching them to neutralize them in case of danger.

And if not? Malcolm tried to push his discomfort aside. Even if he talked to the Count, what could he say? He didn't even know where the girl lived, who the others were, and what they were planning.

Yes, a voice in him hissed, a voice he didn't want to hear. Your pitiful information would be useless because you missed the opportunity to interrogate the girl. For the kiss of a human!

The next night, Alisa and Ivy went to the library again. After Leandro had shown some openness during the anatomy class, they wanted to try once again to search the collections on their own.

They set out right after class.

"I really want to learn more about anatomy, and besides, I'm still not satisfied with my essay on vampire hunting," said Alisa.

Ivy smiled. "And even if you had turned the entire library upside down and written a whole book about it, you would still think there could be more."

"Am I really that bad?"

Ivy shook her head, causing her silver locks to fly. "Not bad, curious, and thorough. Two very good qualities."

"Which annoy others!" Alisa sighed.

"Only those whose existence is solely driven by their greed and its satisfaction! You shouldn't let yourself be influenced by that."

Alisa stopped. "But even Luciano makes fun of me!"

"Perhaps so he doesn't have to show how much he admires you?"

"He admires you!" Alisa asserted.

"Oh no. He's taken a little fancy to my unusual curls, but his admiration is for your intellect!" Alisa sighed once more. "What's wrong?" Ivy asked. "You're not becoming like those young human women whose vanity serves only to be admired by men for their fleeting outer shell, are you?"

"But no," said Alisa as dignifiedly as possible. "I certainly hope I don't carry that human shallowness within me."

"Whether it's solely of human nature, I doubt," Ivy murmured, nodding towards the end of the corridor, from where the two Viennese women in their lavishly decorated hoop skirts adorned with frills and bows were rushing towards them.

"Make way!" Anna Christina commanded them and then squeezed past them with her chin held high. As soon as the two were around the corner, they heard them snapping at someone who had inadvertently gotten in their way. Shortly after, Luciano came panting along. He looked a bit as if he had just survived a battle for life and death. Alisa and Ivy eyed him almost pityingly.

"Here you are," he panted. "I've been looking for you everywhere. Where are you going?"

"To the library," Alisa readily provided information. Luciano seemed disappointed but offered to accompany them. They continued on, crossed the courtyard, and followed the corridor that led them to the octagonal hall. Voices echoed towards them. They stopped and peeked curiously around one of the pillars into the hall.

"Claudio, you must find out who is responsible for this and punish the perpetrators accordingly," demanded one of the venerables, whom Alisa only knew by sight. "It's your nephew who's gone missing! If you're not man enough to resolve the incident, then I can also take matters into my own hands. This must stop! He's not the first."

He raised a cane with a silver knob and pressed the tip against the Count's chest. The Count pushed the cane aside with a powerful movement.

"I will do something about it, and I am also not idle in the investigation of these notorious murders of high-ranking human men, rely on that, venerable Marcello."

"Nonsense, empty nonsense!" The old man clenched his bony fist and pounded on the table. "Another strangely bloodless corpse with insignificant injuries to the neck! Another important man from the royal palace!"

Another venerable chimed in, who was even smaller and more emaciated. His voice sounded like parchment being torn. "The Codex was established for everyone when Conte Giuseppe was still the leader of the family, and for many decades, everyone has adhered to it. With united forces, we have strengthened the human-repelling aura around the Domus Aurea and created a place that provides permanent protection for all of us. Conte Giuseppe led us with a firm hand, and that was good. He also had the capricious and reckless under control and taught them a lesson in time that they would not forget. There was no such thing under his rule!"

"It was a mistake to pledge allegiance to you," venerable Marcello interjected again. "Your nephew was right! We should have sensed back then that you were too lazy and too soft and perhaps too dumb to continue Conte Giuseppe's legacy."

So far, the old clan chief had remained silent, but now he pushed himself up from his resting place. "Enough now! I have led you, and you have trusted my decisions. And it was also my decision to pass the leadership on to my grandson Claudio. You're right that not everything is as it should be, but nothing will happen to us here! Claudio is capable of handling the situation and will protect and strengthen our family. And now leave him in peace with your bickering! Go to your chambers or take a litter and have yourselves carried into the city!"

The three eavesdroppers looked at each other uncomfortably and then quietly retreated before they were discovered. They chose another way to the library.

"I don't quite understand what that means," said Alisa after a while. "Is it forbidden for you to kill humans?"

"As the venerable said, it's a codex we adhere to. Everyone swore to it. Is it allowed for you then?" Luciano asked in return.

Alisa pondered. "There is no law against it and no punishment. Lady Elina and her confidants eventually realized that the police commissioners were also investigating unusual deaths among the common people and showing increasing persistence in hunting down the perpetrator. It became too dangerous for us to kill our victims and leave their bodies behind. So, the Vamalia learned to take only enough blood so that the humans would recover by the next day and to ensure that they did not remember the incident. It was not necessary to enact a law, as it would be unreasonable to draw attention to ourselves from the police."

"Are all Vamalia so sensible?" exclaimed Luciano. "Doesn't anyone act on their hunger and go too far? I can't believe it! Well, when I look at you, maybe I can. In any case, with us, there's passion and uncontrollable greed, and that's why there must be prohibitions and penalties to remind everyone what is good for the family."

"Yes, from what I've gathered, the matter has slipped a little from the Count's control," Ivy cautiously added.

Luciano raised his arms apologetically. "He can't be everywhere in Rome. Many go out alone, and no one can say what they get up to during the night. I think he'll handle it correctly. He is our clan leader, and we can trust him!"

With that, the topic seemed to be settled for him. Alisa, on the other hand, would have had many more questions. Also about the nephew who was missing. Was it perhaps the wild black-haired one whose argument with Count Claudio they had overheard here in these corridors? Then it might be understandable why the Count reacted so coldly.

As they reached the library at that moment, and Luciano was already holding the door open for them, she postponed the matter for later and instead greeted Leandro. He showed something akin to a smile and waved the three young vampires inside.

"What do you want? Still the essay? I can hardly believe it!" It didn't sound dismissive but also not pleased. But perhaps that was just his way. The important thing was that he let them browse in peace!

Ivy stepped beside Alisa and smiled up at him. "There are actually a few aspects we would like to add to our essays, and then we are also interested in - other works," she lamely finished her sentence.

"Other works?" Did the librarian want to help them find the books, or was there a certain suspicion in his voice?

"Do you have medical treatises?" Alisa asked. "Your lecture on the structure and functioning of the human body was very interesting, and we would like to deepen what we have learned."

The librarian regarded her with a furrowed brow. Perhaps he wasn't sure if he should believe her eagerness to learn. Then he nodded. "Come with me. The books on medicine and anatomy are over there. In the second row, there are works on poisons and antidotes, herbs and their healing effects. Those up there are in Greek, starting from the book in red leather, they are Latin writings made during the Middle Ages in various monasteries. Over there are the newer works from the universities. Some are in German, too."

"Thank you for your trouble, we can manage on our own now!" said Alisa, beaming at him. Hopefully, he would finally leave!

They heard the door to the library open and then close again. "Hello? Leandro, where are you? I'm returning the books you gave me," called a bright voice. That was Vincent. What a lucky coincidence! Leandro turned away and disappeared between the shelves. Shortly after, they heard his deep voice alternating with that of the childlike vampire from London.

Alisa turned her attention to the books around her. What treasures on all the shelves! She could spend years here without ever getting bored. Luciano, on the other hand, had had enough soon. He returned the books he had been leafing through to the shelf and then wandered aimlessly between the rows. Quite a distance from the medicine shelf, he met Ivy, who hastily put a book back when she heard him coming and looked up startled.

Luciano raised his hands placatingly. "It's just me. What are you looking for?" he asked, curiously looking over her shoulder.

"Not what's here, anyway," disappointment tinged her voice. "Are there no books about the early history of the families? The first wars and even the time before?"

"Yes, of course. I remember Francesco once showed me such a book. They're all over there." Luciano led Ivy around the shelf to a cabinet behind the column. But it was empty. "Hmm, I'm sure Francesco put it in here. It's been a while since he borrowed it, and I only happened to accompany him when he returned it, but I'm pretty sure."

He scanned the empty cabinet with his eyes. "Well, maybe I'm wrong, and it was another cabinet. Everything looks the same in here. Surely, no one came to borrow the whole stack at once, did they?"

Ivy shook her head. "Probably not, but maybe Leandro put them away?"

"Yes, maybe," Luciano reluctantly admitted, "although I can't imagine why he would. Anyway, now I have no choice but to ask him," Ivy added with a sigh and turned to leave.

"Yes, if it's so important to you."

Ivy approached Leandro, who was still talking to the little Vincent. "Yes? What do you want?" Ivy presented her request. She hadn't even closed her mouth when Leandro shook his head almost impatiently.

"Luciano must be mistaken! Well, he's not exactly what you'd call a bookworm." He let out a barking laugh. "Anyway, we don't have such books here in the library!" He turned demonstratively back to the little Londoner vampire, who stared at him in surprise.

As the three left the library to find their coffins for the day, Alisa brought up the conversation between the Count and the Elders they had overheard.

"Do you get the impression that the Count is really doing something about these incidents? Since we've been here, several clan members have disappeared, and as it seems, they didn't end their existence voluntarily. And then there are the dead humans? Anyway, I haven't heard that he's seriously trying to get to the bottom of it."

"Maybe we're not getting the whole picture?" Ivy suggested. "After all, he did send a few servants on admittedly fruitless searches whenever someone went missing."

Alisa snorted contemptuously. Luciano looked at her darkly. "Don't get me wrong, Luciano, I have nothing against your clan leader and don't want to insinuate anything, but maybe he's taking the easy way out? It's much more convenient to be carried to the theater or elsewhere every evening in a sedan chair and indulge in pleasure than to search among one's own ranks for a black sheep that doesn't follow the rules."

Luciano took a deep breath. She thought he would get angry and defend the head of his family, but he just said, "I don't know either, but I'll ask Francesco. There's hardly anything that escapes him in the Domus Aurea."

The three fell silent as they entered the octagonal hall and spotted the venerable Giuseppe lying on his bed reading a book. They approached and greeted politely. The Elder raised his gaze and then smiled. "Ah, it's you. What a beautiful night to stroll through the city - if only I didn't feel so exhausted. But maybe it's just boredom." He held up the book. "I've even read all the books multiple times."

Alisa tilted her head to read the title. "'Del Primato Morale e Civile Degli Italiani' by Vincenzo Gioberti. That sounds interesting."

The Elder cackled. "Interesting? About the moral and political primacy of Italians? Child, you still need to practice the art of lying! No, it's the lofty nonsense of a Catholic priest, but the idea is interesting! Gioberti believes that Italy has played an extraordinary role in the history of humanity mainly because it was the seat of the Papacy. It was the protective hand and the power of the Church that made the city-states of past centuries flourish. And now it's time for the Pope to take on the role of leader again. Of the spiritual and moral, but also the political!"

Alisa frowned. "Do you believe that? That the Pope could oust the king and take his place?"

The Elder shrugged. "The book is from the forties. At least at that time, Pius IX didn't seize the opportunity to unite everyone under his banner and drive out the Austrians, which was the greatest concern of the Northern Italian states." Alisa and Ivy listened attentively while Luciano demonstratively yawned.

"Ah, I see, human politics bores you. Besides, the night is far advanced. I think it's time for you to go to your coffins."

And with that, they were dismissed. Alisa shot Luciano a look of displeasure, but he didn't seem to notice. He was all too visibly relieved to escape the Elder's lecture.

The friends said their goodbyes and went to their sleeping chambers, where the servants were already waiting to help them out of their clothes and into the stone sarcophagi. Chiara was already nestled in her pillows, while Leonarda brushed out her dress. Ivy and Alisa wished the others a peaceful rest and climbed into their coffins. Hindrik came in, cast a scrutinizing glance around the room, and then closed Ivy's lid and then Alisa's.

Familiar darkness enveloped them. Silence descended over the Domus Aurea as the last coffins closed. Before Alisa fell asleep, a thought crossed her mind.

Perhaps the Count didn't need to search for the black sheep because he knew it all too well?

He threw the long, wide cloak over his shoulders and tucked the red mask into his pocket. Luckily, Latona had found it again. How had it ended up under the mattress of his bed? For a moment, Carmelo wondered when was the last time he had been so drunk that he couldn't remember his actions afterward. But then the upcoming meeting came back to his mind. The Cardinal had called, and the members of the Circle followed his instructions!

Carmelo shook his head. These Italians! They had always had a weakness for secret societies and masquerades. They loved secret signs with which they could identify themselves as members of a covenant if they happened to encounter each other in the alleys or taverns. There were touches of the hand, glances, step combinations, and of course, plenty of code words. So it was also in the Circle of the Red Masks. Carmelo groped for the velvety fabric. Although he liked to laugh at this strange covenant and mock the men who felt so important in their disguises to Latona, a cold shudder ran down his spine when he thought of the Cardinal. He was a dangerous man who knew what he wanted and pursued his goals ruthlessly. And if he had to walk over corpses to do so. Over the corpses of humans and other beings that, according to the Church, shouldn't even exist!