When Lanius returned to Diana he was glad to be with her, and that San Francisco was handled, but remained distraught at having to kill his old friend. She comforted him as best that she could but he was depressed. He was also exhausted. They stayed in for several days to decompress from the whirlwind of events.
Diana was content but still knew of one unfinished errand and awaited Lanius' interrogation.
Then, rather suddenly, into a casual night's conversation, he interjected.
"There is still the matter of the boy." he said to Diana.
"I told you, I will not give him to you unless you make me your wife." she replied defiantly.
"I have told you that I will never leave you again, is that not enough?" he asked.
"No, I want you to marry me. Legally in both vampire law and human law, i want us to be wed. I want to be Mrs. Diana Dunn. Only then will I reveal the boy to you."
"My pledge is not good enough for you?"
"No. I want it to be legally binding."
He walked into the living room and sat down on the cushiony leather chair. She followed him. He sat silently for some time pondering. If she doesn't reveal the boy to me he could grow to maturity. If he is then turned he will be too strong for me to defeat alone and may be used by my enemies to kill me.
After some time thinking he finally made a decision. He turned to her, patiently waiting for him.
"I will marry you. This I pledge. We will set a date and have a ceremony. We will make it legal in both human law and vampire. I agree to your terms. Will you now reveal to me where he is?"
With joy in her eyes she replied. "I do not know where he is, I only know who has been keeping him safe for all of this time. I knew that if I knew where she took him that you
would be able to read the location from my mind. I will contact the woman holding him and have her bring him to us."
"But ... ?"
"But I want the date set and the marriage certificate signed before I do."
"Very well, when do you want to do it?"
"Six months from today. We can go to the human city hall today and to the Magistrates office afterwards to fill out the paperwork. Once that is done I will make the call."
Lanius was annoyed. "Very well, Diana. Let's go now."
Diana leapt from her seat with glee and wrapped her arms aroundLanius' neck and kissed him.
`
With the marriage certificates signed and in Diana's hands for safe keeping she kept her promise. She called Angela.
"Hello Angela, It's Diana."
"Oh thank God. It's been so long I thought the worst. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I am fine. How is the boy?"
"He is here with me. He has many questions I have no answers for. What is to come of him?"
"Bring him to Chandler. I will text you the address of our property. Tell him that when he arrives here with us all of his questions will be answered."
"Must I still disguise my destination?"
"No, the danger has passed, travel at ease."
"Okay Diana, I'm so glad. I've been very worried all of this time."
"I'm sorry to keep you in the dark. It was a dangerous time but now all is well. I will see you soon."
She hung up the phone. "She will bring the boy to us. We can expect her to be here in a day or so."
"I hope so." said Lanius "I have made a big commitment here for you."
`
Angela arrived at their property and Diana greeted the two at the door.
"I'm so glad to see you both are well."
"It was a long flight."
"Well, I thought that you two would be hungry, I have prepared dinner for you, please come in."
They came in and found a spread of different foods on the dining room table. Finger sandwiches, chips and crackers and cheese to start, to be followed by a delicious meal. They sat down and began eating.
Cesar spoke freely. "What will become of me, my Lady? And where is my family?"
Lanius stepped into the dining room. "Your family were murdered by a powerful vampire." he said. "I'm sorry for your loss but they are gone. Worry not, you will remain here with Diana and I."
Cesar began to sob."My mother is dead?" he asked through tears. Diana comforted him. "I saved you from being murdered with them. You are a special boy. We will take care of you."
He continued to cry but was somewhat comforted by Diana, he trusted her.
"So that was the danger you had us hide from. Has that vampire been killed?" Angela asked.
"There were two battles since you went into hiding and I was forced to kill a very old friend. You have to worry no more about the vampire that killed your family." Lanius replied.
Cesar was distraught but felt he trusted Diana, though he was wary of Lanius. He was quiet while the adults spoke amongst themselves about various things. Diana comforted the boy throughout the visit.
"Cesar," she said "would you like to stay here with me?"
Through sorrow and tears Cesar said that he would, if she would bring him to visit his family's graves.
"Of course. That is the least that we can do for you." Lanius declared.
Finally, Angela thought that if all was settled with Cesar that she could be on her way.
"I'm glad that I could be of help to you, Diana. And thank you, Lanius." She stood and went to the door. "I cannot wait to get home. I hope to see you soon. She turned to Cesar, who was still crying intermittently. "I'm glad for the time that we spent together. You are a good kid. I wish you well and hope to see you soon, too."
"Good bye, Angela. Thank you for caring for the boy for me." Diana said and closed the door behind her.
`
They let Cesar grieve alone in the living room for some time. He was watching cartoons on the TV to entertain himself but really he was crying over the loss of his family. Finally, after a few hours, Diana called him to the dining room. He came back in and found a single place setting of food. He sat down.
"Will you not eat." he asked Diana and Lanius.
"We will eat soon." Said Diana "You eat your fill now."
They sat with him while he ate and talked with him. He spoke about his mother and how much he would miss his family. How he would visit their graves often to talk with them. He ate slowly and talked more than he ate. When he had his fill he pushed the plate away.
"I'm full." he said.
"Good" said Diana and took his plate into the kitchen.
When she returned she led Cesar to the other side of the dining room.
Lanius and Diana both crouched in front of him, facing him, saying nothing. Then they both leaned forward and sunk their fangs into either side of his neck. He tried to fight but they held him fast. Soon his blood was drained and he fell to the floor, dead.
Lanius and Diana stood and looked at each other.
"That danger is past us now." Lanius said.
"Yes, my Lord. And soon we will be wed. We have much to plan. I love you so."
The End