🪻《The cold-bloods of House Ambrogia》🪻

🥀Clodette continued to narrate:

A month had passed after Amadeus' premonition, Claudius would send me cryptic messages through the energy crystals.

The blood moon will start on the first winter solstice, Claudius told me to come and witness his brother's enthronement as the Seraphim. Little did I know, Marcus had followed me! He knew I was sneaking away, I walked through the fog and finally reached the Stonehenge, I quickly took a small vial that contained Claudius' blood and doused it all over the cold stone, it gleamed and parted, making an entryway. The moment I walked through the barrier cold hands pulled me back, it was Marcus!

He placed his finger onto his lips indicating me not to make a sound, he arched his eyebrows and smirked;

"So this is where you are going to at night!"

I twirled around and saw several vampires hidden among the trees! "You lead them here Marcus?"

"Well, in a sense you lead us here! I just told father about your little rendezvous."

I threw him a straight punch but he avoided it, he gripped my wrist before twisting it behind me and held me captive as we watched the enthronement took place.

The villagers were gathered in the village center for the enthronement. Claudius was standing beside his father on the platform, the three shamans in black tunics stood in the higher platform as they raised their hands to the heavens and began to chant. Seven men sitting below the platform with alligator skinned drums and gently hitting it, creating a clean, light sound.

A young boy stood in the middle of the platform wearing a golden silky dress with a silver sash tightly wrapped around his waist, his long black hair braided behind him, he wore a veil that was embedded with golden beads that chimed whenever he moved. A single silver earring, dangling freely on his right ear as he danced through the chanting, his movements were graceful and mesmerizing, he was mesmerizing!

The chanting grew louder and louder as Amadeus' movements became more aggressive and precise. With every turn of his legs and flick of his wrist, the golden bracelets he wore would chime! His movements seemed to synchronize perfectly with the chants. The wisteria trees began to sway with the wind and purple petals gravitating around him. It was such an ethereal scene, I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

Amadeus twirled rapidly around the platform as the chanting become louder and the beat of the drum grew aggressive then he knelt on the ground, the chanting and the drums ceased simultaneously. The clouds began to part revealing the moon on its fullest, a crimson shade began to cover the blue moon.

The blood moon has began.

The moon bathed Amadeus with it's illuminating light,
and from it, a white figure began to form, it immediately glowed and entered Amadeus' body. The crowd exclaimed with hopeful murmurs and gasps!

The elder shaman exclaimed, "The Seraphim has returned!" But before the crowd could make another sound, a mortifying scream was heard, I turned to where the scream was. A moon eyed man fell on the ground, blood covered his whole body and behind him stood, my father Lucius.

He pulled his sword from the dead body and strode forward, confidently. Like he owned the village. There were soft grasps, angry scowls and children crying mixed with the rustling of the trees. But Tobias, along with the elders remained calmly silent.

How did they find this place? How can they enter? I don't know.

"What a lovely sight!" My father smiled broadly.

"Lucian Anacletus!" Tobias exclaimed, as he came down from the platform.

"Tobias! How I longed to see you my old friend" My father's voice rang out laced with sarcasm and intimidation. His confidence didn't seem rehearsed and I could feel he came with that intent in mind. Narrowed eyes, I watched his every move intensely from where I stood, unsure of what would happen next. Lifting his cloak, he glided his sword smoothly on the thick fabric as his eyes fixated on Tobias with a smile on his lips.

"You are no longer a friend of mine!" Tobias barked back, his voice laced with displeasure!

My father tilted his head, looking hurt by Tobias' remark, if my father was indeed hurt no one knew for he suddenly sprung up and laughed merrily, his menacing voice echoed and the onlookers gave him a disgustingly disapproved expressions. Some shook their heads and the others murmured nervously to each other, eyeing the insane stranger!

"Did I come in the bad time?" his eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in everyone else as they too become fixated on him. His eyes traveled from Tobias to the elders as though searching for someone then, his eyes stopped wandering.

His ruby eyes gleamed with excitement as he found who he was looking for!

"The Seraphim—!" My father strode closer, his lips twitched and curled a wide smile! His wide eyes watched Amadeus firmly, "my, my, the seraphim has returned!"

Cold, articulate tone as though he was anticipating this dangerous meeting. I watched as my father excitedly strode forward gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, as though holding himself back from drawing it out. Stepping into the light at a better angle, Lucius slowly raised his arm and with his other, folded his sleeves up revealing a long scar on his arm, he held it high so Amadeus could see. "A wound that never heals, do you remember?" A statement for those who knew nothing.

Amadeus stood up, his voice was laced with another eerie voice it wasn't child-like that I remember; "You deserve what you get cold-blood!" His voice was calm but rang with authority that no one could deny, he slowly stood at the platform as he did the bracelets around his ankle chimed mesmerizingly.

"It seems that your reincarnation isn't complete Seraphim, are you pretending to be a child again?" My father walked closer to the platform but Tobias blocked his way along with his weavers.

"That is the closest you can get!" Tobias warned him. His narrowed eyes suggesting Lucius not to come close or he will rip him to pieces but that threat couldn't stop my father!

Amadeus took the veil off, letting it fall on the ground, revealing his golden eyes. They were calm and no trace of fear nor frustration.

"You have offered a sacrifice to the Pale horse and he accepted, is this why you are so bold to come here?"

"As expected of the Seraphim, have you finally notice you are missing a horseman?" My father spoke arrogantly. Amadeus looked perplexed but immediately collected himself.

"What have you done?" Tobias gave my father a bewildered expression.

"Anything to be done!" My father replied without looking at Tobias.

"It matters not, I have not controlled them—not yet. They are free spirits they can choose who they serve." Amadeus' voice rang clear, giving defiant tone.

My father turned to Tobias, "This reincarnation seemed incomplete," then he reverted his gaze at Amadeus. "The horsemen only serve a master who is strong."

"And they shall have a master!" Amadeus spoke confidently.

"You should quickly return to your old form Seraphim, my sword is dying to hack you in pieces!"

"Try if you can!" Tobias shouted.

Amadeus looked down on his people. "It is unavoidable circumstance."Amadeus nodded at Tobias, who immediately signaled everyone to prepare themselves for battle. The women and children quickly ran to the forest where the transportation runes were. Tia, along with other magic users came to protect the children while the weavers and mageias were armed with their runes, ready to attack!

"You are not complete Seraphim, you are weak of heart! The Pale horse sensed it!" My father yelled at Amadeus.

"Shut your mouth!" Tobias yelled as he thrust his cane into the ground angrily, sending shockwaves that penetrated the ground. My body shook from the impact, Marcus loosened his grip and I took this opportunity to twist my body away from his hold! I grabbed his arm, planted my feet firmly on the ground and used my hip and upper arm to throw him over my shoulder!

"Argh!" he groaned as he lay on the ground. I ran toward the platform but vampires surrounded me! I stopped and waited for them to strike when Amadeus spoke to my father once again;

"We shall meet again cold-blood. There is no lifetime that we will not meet but if I am awakened again, mark this—" Amadeus pointed at my father, "It would be your last breath, pray you kill me first."

Suddenly Amadeus fell on the ground as the spirit left his body.

My father laughed heartily. "Nonsense! You will die in my hands today! Your vessel's blood is mine!"

"You will not have it." The elder weaver spoke as he stood beside Tobias, already finished knotting a rune symbol.

"We shall see, soon the exalted one will be mine!" My father looked at Amadeus.

My father quickly advance toward the elders but he was blocked by the barrier. Tobias knotted several golden threads that were already gleaming in the air and formed a golden arrow, he raised his hands as through he was holding a bow and released a thunderbolt-like arrow toward my father. My father avoided it but several thunderbolt-like arrows repeatedly coming his way.

"Moirai!" he shouted. Three black veiled witches appeared out of nowhere and blocked the arrows.

The elders were bewildered, a white haired elder spoke "You have summoned the moirais?"

"Then the pale horse—" Tobias' voice was shaking in anger.

"—he serves me now!" my father finished Tobias' sentence.

"What have you done? There are consequences of what you did! If you are not a blood of Wicca, the pale horse will surely collect a sacrifice!"

"and I paid dearly for it!" my father retorted. He quickly ordered the moirais "Call him forth—"

"NO!" Tobias' voice echoed through the night.

Claudius hurriedly carried Amadeus away and into the palace. I quickly followed them as the elders and Tobias faced my father.

Marcus grabbed me by the arm and sneered. "Where are you going? You stay here!"

I crouched down and kick his leg with my own, as he was about to fall down he supported his body with his arm and pivoted his body so he could land on his feet. "Nice try!", he smirked. I didn't want to waste my time with my unruly brother so I darted toward the platform, leaving Marcus but he continued to follow me!

While I was running toward Claudius, my surroundings became hazy because of the dark smoke. The vampires had set the village on fire, burning every cottage they could see! Some villagers were crying, screaming and running toward the transportation rune but it was destroyed by Vladimir, Marcus' aide. They were trapped!

The vampires started slaughtering them, blood and mud mixed on the ground! Some magic users fought them off but they were overpowered, the shapeshifters stood their ground and fought the vampires taking down as many as they could.

The witches quickly conjured a barrier spell around the  moon-eyed children and lead them to the western forest where another transportation rune was located. No matter what happened the villagers prioritized the safety of the children!

I finally reached Claudius and I could see the anger, betrayal, and pity in his eyes. I approached him cautiously but he ignored me, he quickly ran toward the witches and gave them Amadeus. Tia, who I recognized with her silver hair, held Amadeus tightly.

Tears streaming down her face as they made their escape! Several vampires rushed to them, I quickly unsheathed my sword and pierced the vampire in his heart, Claudius pointed at the vampire and burned him into ashes!

Another vampire came running toward us, I immediately swung my sword and beheaded him, his head came tumbling on the ground as his blood splattered on my face. The other one lunged onto Claudius but with one wave of his hand, the vampire was consumed by his flames. 

"How could you lead them to us!?" Claudius shouted. His mad eyes glared at me and all I could do was to beg him to forgive me.

"I'm sorry! I wasn't careful! I'm so sorry" I cried out. Tears streamed down my face, the only thing I couldn't bear in this life was Claudius hating me!

"The village is destroyed because of you, you lead them here! I thought you are my friend!" His voice rang with frustration as I clung on his arm.

"I am" I tried to reassure him.

"Oh my! What a touching scene" Marcus spoke from behind me, interrupting our colloquy. I quickly turned to face Marcus, his approaching figure headed toward my side! The twinkle on his eyes gave me the impression that Claudius was only an object on his way that should be cut down!

His flashing grin slowly turned sour, a cold scolding gaze upon me as his jaw tightened, clearly he was upset!

A couple of vampires surrounded us. "Good work, my darling sister." he walked beside me and kissed my cheek. I was standing there petrified like a coward, Claudius looking back and forth between Marcus and I, unsure of what to make of our relationship. I tried to speak up, tried to tell Claudius that this but a mistake, a mistake of my own doing.

I wanted to beg him for forgiveness but what can I do? No amount of begging would fix anything! Marcus reverted his attention to Claudius who was glaring at us, I could feel the hostility in his eyes.

Marcus rested his arms around my shoulder, I flinched from his touch. "I didn't know my sister is in love with a livestock, oh well! That can be changed" he hissed.

Claudius stood his ground unafraid of Marcus. "You are not welcome here cold blood!" His azure eyes gleamed with animosity!

"Azure eyes!" Marcus hummed. "You are a direct descendant of Wicca! That means you are a weaver!"

"Stop this!" I threatened Marcus but he ignored me and continued on.

"The child, the Seraphim. I want him!" His smile was maniacal, he was trying to buy time for father to come here and get rid of the seraphim himself!

"Over my dead body!" Claudius shouted, crouching his body and ready to strike!

"Well, if you want it that way" Marcus waved his hands to his subordinates. "Get him!"

The vampires charged toward Claudius, he muttered his incantation and blue flames appeared encircled him. The vampires hissed, unable to walk through the burning circle. Marcus sprung and landed inside the circle.

"Big mistake!" Claudius hissed. He raised his hand and shot Marcus with an invincible arrow, Marcus blocked it with his sword. Claudius muttered an incantation, he held his hand out and a red light formed into a sword, he charged forward and swung his energy sword at Marcus!

Marcus blocked it and pivoted himself and swiftly giving Claudius a round kick on the torso! Claudius stepped back, avoiding the impact, then immediately transformed the sword into a bow and fired a red thunder-bolt arrow at Marcus! He tried to block it with his sword but it was too strong, Vladimir quickly pulled Marcus away but Marcus' sword had already melted!

I quickly ran toward the vampires and without a moment hesitation severed their heads!

"My lady! What are you doing?!" Vladimir, Marcus' trusted aide, shouted at me!

I ignored him and charged toward the three vampires in front of me, they were hesitant to fight me. I held the hilt of my sword tightly as I darted my way to them, with one swing of my sword, their heads rolled on the ground!

Vladimir stood in shock, "My Lord..." he cried out to Marcus. He reverted his gaze at me "My Lady! We are your coven! How could you—"

Marcus was startled of what I have done. "You traitor!" he shouted. I lunged toward him with my sword, I swung it to behead him but he immediately unsheathed his dagger and blocked it. "Are you fucking insane!? What are you doing?" he pushed my sword with his dagger.

Marcus swung his dagger, aiming for my neck but I ducked down and aimed my sword on his knee when Vladimir quickly blocked it with his sword. Marcus pivoted and aimed his dagger at me when Claudius shot an arrow, relinquishing Marcus of his weapon.

I quickly sought the opportunity to swiftly retreat beside Claudius. I crouched my back with a sword in hand, ready to strike.

"What are you doing?" Claudius spoke.

"Protecting you!" I replied.

"I am capable of protecting myself Clodette, you should not betray your family."

"But I cannot standstill while they are killing my friends."

Marcus strode toward us when a gust of wind blocked his way. Claudius already finished his third knot of spells and immediately conjured the wind magic, Vladimir came rushing toward Marcus protecting him!

I sprinted toward them when Vladimir quickly moved behind me and hit me with the hilt of his sword, before I hit the ground I used my arm as leverage and rolled back up! I quickly pounced and I used his thigh to swiftly propelled myself up and held him tightly from behind in a deadlock!

I choked him tightly, he tried to throw me over but I already wrapped my legs tightly around his waist! Vladimir used his elbow and hit my lower torso! "Argh!" I loosened my grip and Vladimir grabbed my the arm and threw me over his shoulder!

"I apologize my lady, but this will slow you down for a bit!" He plunged his sword into my chest! I screamed painfully as the metal pierced my body.

"Clodette!" Claudius shouted!

Vladimir thrust the sword deeper into my chest! Before, I lost consciousness I saw Vladimir rushing toward Claudius!

Before Vladimir could reach him, Claudius already casted an enchantment, his rune tattoos gleamed and the golden threads were replaced by a blackened color!

Claudius' hands weaved the spell in haste, revealing a septegram also known as the Elven star, the seven-pointed star was encircled by ancient symbols in all it's edges, it gleamed a darker shade of crimson almost blackened.

It was forbidden magic! Amadeus told me that black magic can cause madness!

I couldn't move, I lost too much blood and my body felt heavy then drifted to a moment's immobility. I woke up with Claudius rampaging toward Marcus, Vladimir lay on the ground, motionless. My eyes lingered at Claudius, his movements were somewhat strange, I looked closer and saw his azure eyes were replaced by dark ones, his pale skin turned white with visible purple veins protruding from his skin. His nails were black and his eyes were bloodshot, I couldn't grasp what was happening.

But all I know, this was not Claudius! He was a rampaging monster! I immediately broke the sword into two and pulled the remaining metal from my chest, the pain was excruciating! I could feel the blades slice my skin cleanly, I threw the blade away and crawled slowly to where Vladimir was.

I need blood! I need blood now!

I sat up beside Vladimir, he slowly opened his eyes "My lady—"

"This is payback!" I bit his neck and used his blood to regain back my strength! The wound slowly closed and I could feel adrenaline coursing through my veins!

"You stay here Vlad!" I patted his chest as he drifted back to unconsciousness. Marcus was already worn out his sword torn in half and he hissed angrily at Claudius!

"What's happening to him?!" I shouted at Marcus.

"He used black magic!" Marcus spoke as he avoided Claudius black flames.

I stood up and ran toward Claudius, I embraced him from behind, I was pleading him to come back but it didn't work instead he turned to me and grabbed me by my neck!

He lifted me up and I immediately grasped his hand, kicking him but it was no use. I couldn't recognize him, he was moving unconsciously.

"Claudius" I gasped for air, I clawed on his tight grip but with no avail, I could feel my strength leaving me. My eyes felt heavy and I am losing consciousness when I heard his voice. Amadeus.

"Clodette wake up!"

My eyes suddenly opened! I kicked him on his face which loosened his grip on me, I twisted my body and wrapped my legs around his arms and pivoted my whole body, bringing Claudius down on the ground. We rolled back up and with one swift movement I pierced his heart with my hand.

"Clodette," he whispered. Claudius was back to his normal state but I already pierced his heart! His hand caressed my face as he fell on me. I held him tightly, and after a moment I realized what I had done. A single tear fell on my face!

"No, no, no" I touched his face. "What have I done?!"

"Clodette," his eyes turned back to the azure ones that I love.

"Thank you for releasing me I wasn't strong enough to control my bloodlust and it controlled me." He spoke breathlessly.

"We need—need healers, you need to heal!" I panicked,
I tried to lift him up but he stopped me.

"This is where my life ends."

"No, no!" I shook my head, I don't want it to end not like this!

"You know, Amadeus told me that this will happen but I ignored his warning." He lifted his hand and placed it on my cheek, "I am glad I have met you" he paused;

"In western forest there is a transportation rune, it will bring you to them, to Amadeus, to an island in the Strait of Gibraltar." He spoke breathlessly as he coughed blood!

Claudius grasped and his azure eyes were out of focus "I have a premonition of you."

"Claudius —what?" I sobbed.

His voice was laced with another voice, it was so ghastly and chillingly eerie.

"A child will be born under the full moon he will bear my insignia and he will end your life"

"This premonition could be wrong, only you can change your fate Clodette." Claudius' azure eyes looked foggy, he was already in the brink of death.

"Drink it." He muttered.

"Drink?"

"My blood, drink it."

"No, no, I will not!" I shook my head, furiously.

"My blood will be of help for you, this is my one and only favor to ask you," he thrust his wrist to me. "Go on!"

I closed my eyes as I hesitantly plunged my fangs on his skin, the blood oozed immediately, it was sweet and warm. The most delicious blood I've ever tasted, I gripped his wrist tightly as I drank his blood, hungrily!

"That's it, good girl!" He whispered. I stopped myself from drinking more of his blood, this was my beloved's blood and I shouldn't lose my impulse for it now.

Claudius lay still, watching me. His lips curled to a smile, I couldn't stop the tears from falling, my heart was broken into several pieces and it couldn't be mended back. My heart died with him that day;

"I love you." I whispered.

"I have loved you."

—and he was gone. 

A few Nephilims successfully escaped from House Ambrogia, they found refuge in the Strait of Gibraltar, where their ancestors reside after the great flood, but we couldn't deny the fact that many of their lives were lost that day, their homes, their families and their honor were destroyed. I tried to search for the transportation rune platform but I was too late, someone had already destroyed it!

For my betrayal to my coven, the elders has sentenced me to be sealed in the crypts, it was a grave sin to betrayal my brethren and it was the law. My father could not break the law however my brother, Marcus aided me and convinced the elders to banish me to the Americas.

My father told me to bring back the last surviving moon eyed child or never return to the coven. I knew he was greatly disappointed in me, I have betrayed him and broke his heart.

Marcus has always been envious of the females' position of power in the coven but he wasn't delighted of my banishment, I might be his competition to the crescent throne but I am still his sister . He gave me his necklace as a token of our bond and I gave him my ruby ring. He told me that his subordinates will take care of me, knowing that I am in his favor.

🥀End of Clodette's Narration.

"I spend many years in this pain of loss and guilt" Clodette held Claude's hand tightly.

"I couldn't protect them, I killed Claudius with my own hands"

"You had no choice" Claude gazed upon Clodette with his intense stare. "—and I will never let you make that choice again" he kissed her forehead; "I am not Claudius, I will always come back to you"

"I think Claudius cursed me that day"

"It wasn't a curse but a premonition, a warning"

Claude looked up at the ceiling "I think in some ways he had love you, a moon eyed would not tell your future if he didn't care about you because looking at someone's future is taboo."

"How did you know —" Before Clodette could finish her question Claude pressed his lips on hers.

"Thank you for telling me this, I understand what I need to do now. If I am Claudius' descendant that means I have the blood of Wicca in me, I need to find out more of my powers so I can control it."

Claude enveloped Clodette in his arms. "I promise Clodette, you will never go through that again."

Claude's azure eyes were filled with determination, Clodette got lost in them, it was so clear and pure.

Claudius' insignia.

🪻《Author's Note 》🪻

Hey Lovely People! 🥀

I am so delighted that you guys stuck around until Chapter 17! That was a long backstory, but I think most questions have been answered now. Claude just need to harness his new found powers!

🪸| Glossary

Moirai: They are mythological deities that are often called 'Fates'. They are also the goddesses of fate and destiny.

🍂| Question of the day:

What do you think of Clodette's backstory?
Do you think Claude was the moon-eyed child that will kill Clodette as per Claudius' premonition?

Please leave your comments below and Please do not forget to "VOTE" Thank you!

Stay tuned for more chapters!

Love, Julia 🫶🏻