"A Dangerous Affair"
January 2001
By: raq-UMALI
umalific@hotmail.com


Chapter 5………… The Bookstore.

Serena's days have been sadden since Darien revealed his secret and it 
had been days since she was brought back to her home without a word 
from him nor his mortal servants.  

Nightmares flocked her mind in the evenings.  Waking up to a 
frightening sweat as she called out his name.  In her dreams all seemed 
well his eyes were of the bluest of her summer days.  Then as the dark 
clouds appear his eyes turned their bloody red form, filled with so 
much evil and menacing intentions.  His handsome features in her dreams 
disappeared and were covered by his non-human form, ugly and demented.  
Serena would cry out in vain screaming and calling for his name.  Her 
cries were very loud and her sobs were very deep.  Unknowing to her was 
the same man she called out to was at a short distance.  He sat 
depressed and silently calling her name as he sat on her balcony window 
listening to her weep.

During the weeks that pass Serena went on with her days with a shroud 
of gloom dimming her usually lit features.  Large darkened bags 
produced itself under her normally bright eyes and the smile that once 
always appeared on her face was no more.  Serena kept herself in the 
dark, not wanting any visitors and avoiding calls from families and 
friends.  Unwilling to eat nor to even leave her home, she was 
dishearted and beyond low spirited.  Her lethargic state was worrying 
all.

"Miss… I came to see if you would like more food?" asked her governess 
looking down to the untouched tray of food that she had prepared for 
Serena earlier.  Waiting for a reply she got none.  Only the 
disinterested state was returned as Serena stared to a nothingness. 
"Miss you should really eat…. It is not healthy for you to let yourself 
be in such gloomy state"
"You may go" said Serena halfheartedly as she turned her body away from 
her governess.  Her governess sighed and nodded taking her tray of food 
out the door.  Worried her governess made her move to call her cousin, 
if anyone could lighten her mood it would be Mina.

After getting the call late one evening Mina had made her way to make 
sure she paid a visit to her favorite cousin.  Though not thinking any 
of it before, she wondered why Serena had not returned any of her calls 
nor met her for any social parties.
"Michael honey, I wont be able to go to the opera tomorrow" said Mina 
as she leaned closer to her new beau.
"Oh, why not?" he asked as he kissed her arm lightly.
"Honey, its Serena" she sighed.  Micheal hearing her name stopped in 
his affections for his woman.
"What is the matter with her?" he asked curiously.
"Well her governess called and said that she was not at a healthy 
state"
"Is she ill?" asked Michael wonderingly if he must go and inform Darien 
of her illness.
"Im not sure, all I know is that her governess said that she hasn't 
eaten in days and un wanting to leave her bed."
"That's not good, not eating its not healthy for her"
"I know! Honey, did Darien say anything to why the sudden break up?"
"Baby, I have no clue" he said lyingly.  Michael and the others knew of 
what had went on between the two after the attack with the two outcast.  
He knew of Darien's confession and knew of the pain his master's been 
feeling.  For he too was sick and depress as his love.
"So I hope you understand why I cannot attend the performance tomorrow" 
said Mina as she smiled to her lover.
"Of course my sweet, take all the time you want and give me a call if I 
can be of any help"
"Thanks Love"

The chill factor in the castle seemed to have grown colder and icier.  
For everything that the master of the home did was be the more cold 
baring Prince he is.  He kept to himself and when he dined he dined 
alone or in silence.  His nightly cravings were beyond mortal sin.  He 
had by any means no mercy to his prey and it was not of a pretty sight 
to witness his grotesque way of seizing their deaths.  As if he held 
his victim responsible for his vampire being, his cruelty and violent 
affliction can only state his angered state.  

The master of the house rarely left his room and was constantly on his 
every last nerve
His mortal servants were indeed scared and almost frightened to serve 
their impervious master.  For one wrong word or wrong hint of 
disapproval their life was in limbo.
"Master will you be dining with the others this evening?" asked the 
mere servant mortal.
"No, I will not be eating tonight" said Darien as he stared into the 
fire that burned.
"Yes Master" said the man as he made his way out passing by Michael 
along the way.
"Darien, why don't you have dinner with us tonight?" asked Michael as 
he waited for a response but all he got was nothing. "Darien come on, 
you need to get yourself out of this slumpen state its not good for a 
prince"
"A Prince" chuckled Darien "The Prince of Darkness to die of 
starvation" laughed Darien.
"You miss her don't you?" asked Michael as he finally gained Darien's 
attention.  
"Miss… Miss would be an understatement" chuckeled Darien as he glanced 
to his friend than back to the fire.  Silence brimmed the air and 
Michael waited for another one of his quirky comments.
"Darien…. She is ill" said Michael waiting to have his attention once 
more.
"what?' whispered Darien "What is the matter with her?" he asked 
worriedly "Why hasn't those incompetent mortal servants of mine 
informed me on this."
"Darien, they haven't seen Lady Annesley for she does not leave her 
home"
"What do you mean?"
"Darien, just like in your state, she has dejected herself from society 
and thus never leaves her home" Michael watched Dariens features grow 
worryingly.
"and?"
"Lady Annesley's  governess had called Mina and told her of her 
worries.  Apparently since Lady Annesley left here that one morning, 
she has been in the midst of emotional turmoil.  The lady has not eaten 
in days nor is she willingly wanting to leave her room" he said.  
Darien stayed quiet, he did not know what to say.  "My Lord, with all 
do respect, I think you both are blind and stupid for allowing yourself 
to wither away to instinction. You both need each other and I think its 
time for you both to stop lying to yourself"
"I cant Michael"
"Why not?"
"Michael………. You should of seen the way she looked at me." Said Darien 
as he recounted that evening. "her frighten features, the way she 
backed away from me.. and when she said nothing..I cant see her, she is 
afraid of me and besides she would never look at me the same way."
"Darien, you need to find out how to make things right, for one of you 
wont last and I assure you it will be her" said Michael as he left for 
the evening leaving Darien to think and mull things over.

With the help of Mina, Serena had gotten herself to a very slow 
recovery.  Empty and bleak Serena allowed herself to be dragged around 
town by her happy go lucky cousin.  Who was determined to crack the 
sulken state she was in.  Serena was forced to attend society luncheons 
and boring woman of the society readings.  Her mind was never at heart, 
for everything was with Darien, from her grieve stricken mind to her 
broken heart it was still his.  NO matter what form, he haunted her, 
day or night.

One day during on of Mina's poetry reading dates, Serena had snuck out 
to relive herself from the haughty women that surrounded the poetry 
room.  She wasn't feeling well and being stuck with them was pure 
torture.  Walking aimlessly she had the distinct pull to walk towards 
the west.  It was dark and knowing she should not be walking alone but 
still she pressed on.  After a few blocks, she stopped in front of 
another book store.  This one a little dark and a little clairvoyant 
looking.  A pull gripped at her heart as she slowly opened the door.  
Inside were candles strewn everywhere and the fragrant smell of wild 
roses roused her sinses.  She looked on furthur and found many books to 
hold each wall and many flowers strewn throughout.
"Can I help you?" asked the woman.  The tall woman was a bit masculine, 
her brunette hair tied up in a pony tail. Her eyes were green and her 
complexion was fair but something about her mere presence sent Serena 
to an ease.
"Um… I was just wandering and I found you bookstore"
"Oh… My name is Lita and I am the co-owner of this mystical bookstore" 
she said coming closer to Serena.
"My name is Serena Annesley"
"Annesley…..Annesley…." thought Lita as she tried to remember that name 
"Where do I know that name from?".  Serena smiled then laughed at the 
woman's features as she tried to remember. "Ah…It'll come to me sooner 
or later" she smiled largely.
"So what can I help you find?" asked Lita
"Well, I'm not sure.  I was compelled to come in here and I don't know 
why"
"WE do have that affect."
"What types of books do you sell anyways" asked Serena as she walked 
around rummaging through the books.
"WE sell many ancient books from old times, mid-evil, tales of the 
unknown…lets say Mystical ones… We also have manuscripts for old play 
writes and such."
"Ancient books…" said Serena as she made her way to a large table "what 
is this?"  Serena found herself to what seemed like an ancient book.  
Large and dusty it held an emblem that seemed familiar to her.  Running 
her fingers over it she wiped all remnants of dust making it a little 
more clear.  The pages were dull and faded but yet the words were 
readable.
"Oh…that is 'Mortal Affair' by an unknown writer"
"What is it about?" she asked turning quickly to Lita.  Serena's hood 
fell behind now showing her grieving but still beautiful features.
"It is unfinished but Its about a mortal girl and a…..a"  said Lita as 
her eyes found something in the mirror to be of interest.
"What's the matter?" asked Serena as she sensed the woman's features 
turn a little bit pale, Serena turned around to find what the woman was 
looking at and found a mirror reflecting her very own.  Serena looked 
at herself in the mirror then back to the woman.
"Oh nothing… I was just thinking…" said the woman still staring at the 
figure on the mirror.
"Are you okay?" asked Serena worriedly.
"I'm fine"
"Are you sure?" she asked
"I'm fine…. Listen Lady Annesley, Why don't you take the book and read 
it." said Lita taking a rag cloth then wiping the rest of the book.  
Staring at the emblem that protruded on the top cover then glancing at 
the mirror.
"Oh…let me pay for that" said Serena as she brought out some money.
"Oh… No… its okay"
"Please I cant possibly.."
"Lets say for first time customers neh!" said Lita smilingly faintly.
"Lita…. The moon is in half course…and the insignia.." she said before 
noticing a customer.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know we had a customer" said the small petite 
woman.
"Lady Annesley..this is Ami, we both own this humble bookstore"
"Nice to meet you Ami" said Serena
"You as well" she said as they shook hands.
"Well I'm sorry but I must be going.  I do hope to stop by again" said 
Serena as she took the book and held it to her. "I left my cousin at 
the poetry reading all by herself she must be worried" smiled Serena 
"Bye and thanks again"
"Bye…."
"What were you saying now Ami?" asked Lita
"I said that the moon is in its half course..the emblem should show 
itself this evening" she said looking at her ancient scripts.
"It already has" said Lita staring at the door.
"What do you mean?" asked Ami as she looked to where Lita was staring.
"Lady Annesley….. she… she..bore the insignia of the dark prince."
"How did you know it was her?"
"She stood by Neptunes Mirror of Truth and the insignia on her neck was 
glowing"
"Did she take the book?" asked Ami
"Yes, she came in here not knowing what made her come in here.." paused 
Lita "Little did she know that the book was looking for her"


End of Chapter 5….stay tune for chapter 6

umalific@hotmail.com