I stood, stunned by the latest development to the already bizzarre happenings in my life.  Here I was, in a dusty, run-down house, in the middle of nowhere, with a man - no, correction, a vampire -  who claimed to be my biological father.  Who was also, going by the history lesson I had had from Vittorio, well over 500 years old!

Dante, the Elder who had founded the Sanctuaries and discovered the "gift" of The Desired, smiled gently at me.  "I can appreciate this is all somewhat...frightening and confusing for you, Sienna," he said.  His voice was like velvet. 

   I was in awe of the man.  "Can you?"

His smile deepened.  "Forgive me if I sounded patronising, it was not my intention."  His hand was still held out in greeting to me.  I decided not to be ignorant, and accepted it.  The moment our flesh touched, there was a sensation like a torrent thundering through some deep cavern.  It escalated until yet another feeling over-took it, like lightning, wild and free making sudden contact with the earth.  I withdrew my hand.  The vampire looked at me kindly.  "That is the sensation that tells one which Elder is their father, and who is their vampire kin. That is my blood in your veins, child."   

My mind processed this information quickly.  "So...Vittorio is not of my blood? Not an Elder or an Heir?"  

Dante shook his head.  "No, he is a Fleshing."

Everything from the past few days ran through my mind's databank.   My terrified flight from the snarling and biting night-terrors; the photo of Marsica Nuovo; the dream of the forest with the wailing child; the watchful figure (Ugly) in both my dreams and reality;  the warnings from Kula; and now I had been duped by Vittorio into thinking he was one of the originals, an Elder or Heir.... 

Dante went on to explain some more.  Kula was indeed a familiar, but she was his familiar not Vittorio's.  She had been a follower since she was very young.  She kept this quiet, initially, when she met Peter, however, he was soon introduced to Dante and the "arrangement" was made known to him.  Familiars were sworn to secrecy.

   "You're a familiar too?" I asked Peter.

He chuckled, "No, Sienna.  Just the husband of one.  And considered, I hope, a good friend, ...." he paused, looking at Dante, who nodded in acknowlegment, "...to your father, here."

   "And my parents? Did they know what I was?"

   "No," Dante replied.  "We would never disclose such a thing to a Desired's adoptive family.  We do not believe they would handle such a revelation very well."

I turned to Kula.  "You were telling the truth, then!  But....." I tried to gather my thoughts.

   "What is it, Sienna?" Dante asked.

I positioned myself so I was facing them all. "I don't quite understand how, in my dreams, you.."  I looked at the vampire, "...you called out Vittorio's name.  You said it was time for him to find me."

The glint of firelight reflected on his slightly extended fangs.  "You mis-interpreted.  I was calling on the remaining Elders once I realised Vitorrio was on your trail."

Ahh. That was that one explained then. "Ok, " I nodded.  "But you, Kula.  How come you were with Vottorio?"

I watched as all three of my companions smiled.  "I am merely a spy!" she said mirthfully.

Dreams, behind enemy lines...what else does she get into! Baby Si had recovered from he earlier faint.

 I dismissed Baby Si's sarcasm and carried on, "Vampires have special powers though don't they?  How could he not know? Doesn't he read minds or something?"

   "That is where the Fleshings fail," Dante explained.  "Because they were once human, they do not have the gifts that the likes of Elders and Heirs do.  Only those of us who are born of immortals can possess such powers."

   "And he doesn't suspect anything?  Not even about you as....Ugly?"

   "That is where my Jamaican roots played a part," Kula injected.  "I pretended to be a Priestess, a practitoner in Voodoo. I dabble a little in de arts, not harmful t'ings. But I know enough about it to be convincing. Once we knew where Vittorio was, I was asked to pursue him. I claimed I could help him with whatever he desired.  Your father," she nodded in Dante's direction, "was more than willing to play the part of my ghoul."

   "Your ghoul?"

   "Yes, but of course, as Vittorio considers me his Priestess, so he thinks the ghoul is his too."

   It was all starting to make sense, I thought anyway.  "So, as he has none of the true vampire's powers or gifts or whatever, he has no way of knowing you are imposters?"  They all nodded confirmation.  "And you...." I aimed at Dante, "...can morph at will?" 

   "With a little help from some potions of Kula's, yes," he explained.

   "What of Carter?" I could not disguise my dislike of the man. 

   "Ah, he is Vittorio's familiar.  He must be watched."  Kula answered darkly.

One last question remained.  "So why has Vittorio not drank from me yet?"

  Dante answered.  "He can neither compell a Desired to surrender to him, nor can he drink from one, without their permission.  He has to rely on his human charm.  He has to woo you, if you like.  The Fleshlings did not know of that little clause in the Desireds' genes at the time of their rebellion." 

   "But he can bite and kill anyone else, right?"

They all stared at me.  Dante, for the first time, looked intimidating.  "Listen carefully, Sienna.  There is an order to how we do things.  Do not let your emotions run away with you.  Carter, no doubt, will have his time, but for now, you will  follow our ways. My way."

It was a reprimand, and now I had an understanding of this species' power, I wasn't going to disobey.