*Gudrun*
It has gradually become dark as we roll into the courtyard in front of the hut. Soleil is about to step out, but I stop her.
"What do we say to them ?"
"What do you want to say ?"
"We tried to talk to the Pugh boys, but we had a falling out. They ended up in a fight and we had to save them ?”
"It's okay, Gudrun. It is my fault. I will telI them that I attacked Luca and Martin stopped us. We patched them up and no more than that”.
"Precisely. There is no more than that. It may be that the runes tell of an alliance between them and us, bu
*Gudrun*I welcome the surroundings when we go out in the evening to another out sitting on the sejdhjal.Finally, I can get a respite from my confused thoughts and just enjoy the cohesion.The winter cold has begun to whisper between the trees as far north as we are, and we agree not to sing too long with nature."Our kin will forgive us". Siri chuckles. "My old bones can no longer bear it”."Yes, we are some fragile meat suits". Soleil concludes."Meatsuits "? Martha looks up from the fire. 
*Gudrun*I turn hesitantly, ready to go. Suddenly I feel a cold breath on my neck. I turn around and see the huge body rise to its full height in front of me. He holds a paw out to me, and with a strained snarl he pulls the wolf's features back. He does not manage to fully transform before I, driven by an impulse I can not control, throws myself around his neck and presses my lips against his.He freezes and pulls his face back."I ... hurt you". His dark voice rumbles. He narrows his eyes, and when he opens them again, the last remnant of the wolf is driven away. "I'm talking like a caveman"."Martin, you're a caveman". I laugh. My fingers curiously follow the powerful jaw line.
*Lefu*They have been holding me captive at Matelli's winery for over a week now, and I have begun to think they will keep me here forever. That my punishment will be to live on bagged blood until the earth goes down. I am just about ready to prefer thefinal death rather than sucking more of that plastic shit.A suffocating smell of übervampire hits my nose and I make a face in disgust.Without any kind of polite knock, the door is opened shortly after.“Come to hover ?” I ask.“Enzo has told me about your threat.
*Lefu*I am led into a large throne room and the doors are closed behind me.The castle is officially a museum, but inside the historical exhibitions is the Matelli clan's headquarters. It is here, I am to retire when my age no longer matches my appearance. In the past, we could move to a new land immediately and take over the place from one of the others. But now it is impossible not to get ones picture in one or other media, so you have to retreat here, and get an anonymous identity until you can safely appear on the surface again somewhere else in the world.I am sorry to have to leave my clubs, but Celine will find someone among the royals who are worthy enough to take them over. She has taken over more and more lately and is accountable for part
*Luca* "Good morning”. I stop when hearing Martin's overly playful tone of voice. "Morning ? It's dinner now". I mumble. “Why are you in such an annoyingly good mood ?" "I had a good long run last night". Martin finds a mug with a lot of coffee spots. "Where is the little nerd ?” "Somewhere outside with Linus". I stare at my uncle, who takes a sip of his coffee. When did I last see him drinking coffee ? "How did it go with him last night ?" “Same as yesterday. He was about to sm
*Luca*I put effort into every gallop and let the rage propel my body forward. I have made a mess, yes, but had they needed to wade in it ? I snarl and slap after a defenseless branch that hangs in the way. The thigh-thick branch breaks off right at the trunk, but I continue the wild sprint preoccupied with my inner angry debate.What the hell is it now with Martin ? The happy grin, which is chronically smeared all over his face, is about to make me vomit: Can the man not understand how dangerous it can potentially become ? An emotion creeps through the diaphragm, then,the sight of my uncle's face and the nauseating praise he had uttered about the red-haired witch brings back memories.Jealousy. For that is exactly how I had had it with Soleil i
*Lefu*How long can this take ?I glance back at the antique Venetian clock, which adorns the office's large desk. The Council has been talking for an hour. How difficult can it be for them to decide ?After my elegant exit, I had been led back to this office upstairs. I can not go anywhere, for beside the two lackeys who has more or less been glued to my ass since I landed in Italy, four moremassive vamp-troopers have joined them.Luckily, they are so mirror-bright that they have not confiscated my mobile.While I sit and wait for
*Lefu*"Good news, gentlemen !" I clap my hands as I come up in the hall. “We're going for a pub crawl! Shall we see who can eat the most Italians ?”The six lackeys glare hesitantly at each other.“I am a free man! Do you need to ask the boss for permission first ?” I wave my arms resignedly. "Okay then ! Then stay here if you must be such a bore”.“Signor Pusscat. A moment !" stammers one of them."It's okay, Ciro, Signor Pusscat will escort me. Drive the car forward”. Lyndsey McNeil comes up from the basement and walks straight towards me without heeding the lackeys. “My Italia