And so, their training and strategy began. For the next few days Ray spent time teaching Victoria how to fight a vampire, what weaknesses to look for and what weapons to use in which situations. Meanwhile Gerald gathered every piece of intelligence he could on the current whereabouts of the Wynters and Spencer’s latest movements.  Scouts sent carrier pigeons across the city with notes that the Wynters will arrive by boat to Southampton and take a train upto London within the next two weeks. They didn’t send over their clan in groups, it seemed one by one, they had crossed from France. 

Lady Diana hoped her letter to the Moncourier clan in Paris would reach them in time to lend aid. It was time Victoria met her older brother. A half vampire they named James whom was taken away shorty after Diana gave birth. She barely survived the pregnancy, but Alex was there for her. She even had a C-section scar across her tummy where they had to cut the baby out, it was draining too much of her blood. Her second pregnancy came with complications too and they had to remove Victoria the same way, and then Diana was too badly haemorrhaged to have any more children. She was lucky to be alive. Thanks to the doctors of The Order with more advanced practices and teachings from ancient times being kept alive through their millions of tomes in their vast library. Something about transformation rituals had to be in there.  

 Victoria had a quiet moment to herself and perched herself at the piano to play something. She’d been afraid to touch the piano since her father died but it was time to pick up his mantle and honour his love of piano, of which he taught her well. 

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO_rL0QAKWM]Via Purifico[/url] 

Diana came down the stairs and watched her with a smile, she held a paper in her hand, which Gerald gave to her. It held accounts of the Wynter’s movements. This copy was meant for Peter Hygrace himself. Sharing their information first and being forthcoming about any intel should be received as a token of a gesture of forming an alliance. Seeing Victoria would only anger him further, but Diana was the current head of the household.

“Beautiful, as always.” She commented and walked over to her daughter, who harboured more scratches and bruises than ever thanks to her hard training. As much as she ached, her determination to be a better fighter was more important than her health. If she couldn’t defend herself or fight, she was dead anyway. Victoria noticed the note in Diana’s hands. “Is that for Lord Hygrace?”

“Yes.” Diana kissed her forehead. “I’m going over there now to give it to them.”

“Say hello to Vail for me. If you see him…” Victoria’s eyes glazed over with sadness. Diana sighed. “I’ll try.” She knew how her daughter really felt about the vampire, which Diana admittedly didn’t like but she also knew how stubborn Victoria was. She knew she loved him very much, she found some sketches she made of his portrait from his image committed to her memory. Victoria couldn’t ask Vail to meet up with her when she sported so many injuries, it would worry him no doubt. 

“Wish me luck.” Diana sighed and Ray was ready to escort her to the Hygrace manor.