Page 62 of Fratelli: Eternal Bloodlines

He didn’t answer. He slammed the door behind him.

Charmaine glanced at Darlene. “He’s upset.”

“Russ’s fine. He’s just my big baby. He thinks he’s in charge, so I let him think it,” Darlene said, stuffed her mouth with fries.

“Care to explain that?” Charmaine asked.

“No,” Darlene replied.

“I’d like to understand, Darlene. Really. If not you, then help me understand, Russ,” she asked.

“Dolly wants to talk to you, but it’s my turn. She’ll come back out when the sun goes down. I promised her. Now go away and leave me alone, okay?”

I’d like to talk to you.

Charmaine froze. The voice was soft and persuasive, as if the speaker stood right behind her. She resisted the urge to check. Thanks to her new gifts from Liora’s soul joining with her own, she identified the speaker. He was right outside the door.

“Hello, Tristan?” Charmaine replied telepathically.

Darlene didn’t seem to notice, but she couldn’t be sure. Charmaine moved casually to the food carts, pretending to fix a plate.

Hello, Your Highness.

“Why so formal? We’ve already met,” Charmaine said.

Not properly. I’d like another try… Maybe we should talk.

“About?” Charmaine asked and licked her fingers.

When she turned, she saw Darlene shoot her a sideways glance before returning her attention to the television. As the Chosen One, Darlene’s powers were boundless. Charmaine had to be careful. How she wished Sonya was there.

Join me downstairs. I’ll be waiting.

“We were told not to leave, remember? The rules.” Charmaine remarked.

I assure you; the rules can never apply to you.

The doorbell to the suite rang. Darlene jumped up and pranced to the door. Charmaine braced herself and lowered her plate, ready for Tristan to charge inside if necessary.

Darlene opened the door to a man in a business suit carrying a case of casino chips. He asked her to sign a form. Darlene giggled, signed, then rudely pushed the man out the door, putting her back to it. “Wanna have some fun?!”

“What?” Charmaine asked.

“Let’s gamble,” Darlene whispered.

“But… Lucio said we couldn’t leave. And Russell is in the room. We can’t leave him. What about Dolly?” Charmaine asked.

“I’ll put Russ to sleep. Lucio isn’t the boss of me. Or you,Guardian,” said Darlene.

“So, you know?” Charmaine gasped.

“Of course, I know. I kept ordering all that damn perfume, trying to identify your fragrance. Then you went into the bathroom, and the whole place smelled like a flower shop. Yeah, I know what you are. Did you kill Charmaine? I hope so. I can’t stand her,” said Darlene.

Darlene walked away with her chips.

“I don’t think we should leave,” Charmaine reasoned. She glanced at the door. If Tristan was outside just a minute ago, he was near. He was luring them into a trap. That had to be a bad sign for Sonya and Kaida.

“The others can’t stop me. Only Lucio can. He’s gone. Dolly said he’s gone to the Palazzo—they keep talking to each other. We can have fun before he comes back,” Darlene said.

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