Chapter Seven (The Black Hand)

The Archbishop Diente glided across the floor of the main salón coming to a halt before the roaring fire. She was a beautiful kindred, with midnight blue eyes and long wavy black hair parted down the middle, which rested now upon the flat of her back. She was dressed in a long, black silk robe, the bodice open and revealing. Pearl earrings dangled from her pale earlobes, and her eyes were lined in black kohl. Hearing a noise behind her, she turned to see Moracas striding into the room. Her ruby red lips parted seductively as she eyed his resplendent figure. She had always had a fondness for Moracas, as he was such a handsome creature. “Moracas, it is good to see you mon amour” Diente was of French descent, not the usual Spanish of the Lasombra Clan.  Her beauty was renowned, and she had enamored a Spanish Lasombra kindred to the point where he had quickly embraced her to be his lover. Cunning and politically inclined, Diente soon overrode her Sire, and rose to a position of political stance. As Archbishop, her future within the Sabbat was secured.

 

“Your Excellency” Moracas replied with a smile as he stopped before her, leaning down to take her hand in his, and kiss the palm. His lips left a burning trail as Diente drew in a deep breath, desire clearly displayed in her blue eyes. His 6’4” frame towered over her petite 5’2” body; however, she was strong, and she pulled herself up into his unsuspecting arms. Kissing him fully on the lips, her tongue crept into his mouth mingling with his. Moracas was taken by surprise; however, he quickly hid it, and returned the kiss, thoughts of Rayna fleeing from his mind. The passionate kindred in his arms sparked his desire, and soon, the two of them were naked and lying upon the thick fur run that lay in front of the fire. As the golden flames flickered upon their bodies, the sound of their lovemaking filled the air. Moracas pounded the petite Diente into the rug, as she met his every thrust with her own. As they climaxed together, he fell into her arms, spent. “Moracas, you are as magnifique as ever.” She whispered, kissing and sucking his neck. “As are you, Diente. It has been awhile.” He replied, getting up off of her. “Now what brings you here, and so quickly, for I know it was not just to joder me.” Her eyes narrowed in anger as she watched him quickly dressed. “What is the matter, Moracas? Why the hurry to leave my arms?” She sat up, her naked body gleaming whitely in the dim lighting of the room.

 

Moracas gazed down at her nude body, feeling desire try to creep back in. He quickly extinguished it, for Rayna would surely wonder what was taking him so long. “I have something to tell you Diente, and I do not want you to feel angered.” He responded, picking up her black robe and tossing it to her. Angrily, she put it on, and quickly gathering her composure, was once more the Archbishop Diente. She glided over to the empty chair, and sat down. “What, no refreshment?” She inquired in a silky voice. Raising his eyebrows, he smirked. “But of course, mi querida. Bloodwyne, or other sustenance?” She smirked in response, and replied. “Bloodwyne will do for now.” Moracas rang for a servant and ordered the wyne. Once they both had a glass, he got down to business. “How did you know I was here?” Diente sipped her bloodwyne, and grinned. “Moracas, Moracas. Do you not know me by now? I know all that transpires within my realm. Let’s just say a little birdie told me.” She finished her glass and set it down upon the walnut side table. “Now, what news do you have for me before I tell you why I am here?”

 

Moracas sipped his bloodwyne while he studied Diente. She really was hermosa. However, he knew that beneath that beauty lay a cunning and manipulative female, who would not hesitate to cut off his balls, should the occasion require it. Sighing, he drew in a deep breath. “Diente, we have a new addition to the clan. Her name is Rayna, and she is my childe.” Holding his breath, he slowly released it when Diente did not immediately explode in anger. “A new addition, eh? And where is this Rayna? She must be une renarde belle for you to have embraced her Moracas.” Diente narrowed her eyes, and continued. “Well? I shall meet this Rayna immediately; for I want to see for myself what the chienne has that has you thinking with your dick.”

 

Moracas sighed, and nodded his head in agreement as he rang for a servant. “Bring Rayna here immediately, por favor” The servant bowed his head and left the room. Within a few minutes, Rayna appeared at the door. “You called Sire?” She said in a soft, melodic voice. Diente turned her gaze to study the belle blonde. ‘She is exquis’ she thought somewhat enviously, taking in Rayna from head to toe. She gazed into the girl’s turquoise blue eyes, and could understand Moracas’s infatuation with her. Rayna slowly approached Diente, her eyes lowered. Moracas got up out of his chair and went to stand next to her. “Rayna, mi querida, this is the Archbishop Diente.” Lowering his voice, he continued. “Remember how I told you to greet the various leaders of the Sabbat.” Rayna struggled to remember, and finally responded with, “Your Excellency.” Pleased, Moracas looked at Diente. She got up out of her chair, an imposing and beautiful figure. Rayna’s self-confidence immediately lowered, as she found the female kindred the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Jealousy arose from deep within Rayna, as she caught the look that passed between Diente and Moracas.

 

“You are ma chère belle, Rayna.” Turning to Moracas, she continued. “And when did you embrace her?” Moracas gazed deeply into Diente’s eyes, seeing the jealousy along with bitterness resting there.  “Last night, Your Excellency. However, I have begun her lessons on the clan as well as Sabbat. She is remarkably intelligent for a female, and should learn quickly.” Diente nodded her head, and glided up to Rayna. She traced the outline of Rayna’s jaw with her red fingernail, stopping just at her carotid artery, the sharp point nicking the skin. “Rayna, ma chère, you must listen and obey Moracas in all things, do you understand? For to disobey means extreme la peine.” Feeling the trickle of blood as it slowly wound its way down her neck, Rayna nodded her head. “Good” Diente continued, leaning forward and sensually licking the blood off Rayna’s neck and chest. She licked the tiny wound, closing it immediately.

 

The threat was not lost on Rayna, who did not say a word. When Diente licked the blood, Rayna felt a tingling of desire, and immediately was mortified. ‘Mi dios’ she thought with shame and embarrassment. ‘Am I becoming a puta for real?’ Diente, an experienced vampire, read the ambivalence as well as desire in Rayna’s body and eyes. Laughing, she stepped back. “Rayna ma chère. You have entered into a very sensual, passionate existence now. There is much you will learn and experience. Just give in to the sensations and enjoy the learning process.” Turning to face Moracas, she immediately dismissed Rayna with a flick of her hand. “Leave us now.” Rayna acknowledged the command and left the room without a word. She fairly ran back to the bedchamber, confused as to what just transpired. ‘Will I ever understand what has happened to me?’

 

“Moracas, there has been trouble in this area and I must call upon your expertise to assist me. You know what I speak of.” Diente said all business-like now. Sighing, Moracas nodded his head in understanding as he walked over to stand in front of the fire. “What has happened?” He asked simply. Diente glided over to stand next to him, her eyes following the dancing flames. “One of the panders has incited an uproar, and needs to be stopped. I am calling out a wild hunt for him.” Sighing once again, Moracas reached for the decanter of bloodwyne and poured himself a full glass. Downing it immediately, he responded. “I had not thought I would be needed so soon. Rayna is newly embraced and requires my assistance Diente. Is there not anyone else who can fulfill this obligation?” With narrowed eyes, Diente quickly moved up to Moracas. “No, you are the best, and you took an oath swearing fealty to me and to the Regent if ever needed. Do not try to back out now.” She reached out scratched his face so quickly all that was seen was a blur. The scratch was deep enough to leave a trail of blood from his eyebrow to his chin. Moracas calmly took out a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and wiped the blood from his face. “Of course, Your Excellency. Is there anything else you require?”

 

Diente was no fool, and knew Moracas sought to bait her even further. She would not allow her emotions to overrule her common sense, not now, not ever. Smirking, she said no in response to his question. “The Black Hand knows what to do and if you need assistance, you know where to find the others.” Quickly, she told Moracas the pander’s name and last known location. “I expect results within 2 days, Moracas.” She walked over to the settee where her cloak lay, and picked it up. Handing it to Moracas, she waited while he slipped it upon her shoulders, and turned her around to face him so he could tie the ribbon underneath her chin. “You will not be disappointed, Your Excellency.” “Good. See that I am not.” With that, Diente, lifted the hood off her back and covered her black hair. Opening the main door, she made her way out into the black night…

 

 

Moracas finished his bloodwyne, still gazing into the fire. The Black Hand. He had not thought about the organization in years.  There had not been any need to do so, as Spain and France had been relatively quiet, without any dissension or unrest. Now, this pander, this Ramone, was causing unrest within France and the outer southern border of Spain. Moracas was damned good at what he did, and Diente knew it. He figured she had kept track of him over the years just in case he was ever needed…

 

Setting the empty glass down on the end table, Moracas slowly walked out of the main salon area and toward the bedchamber. Rayna was newly embraced; however, she was a female, and in his mind, all females were intuitive when it came to sexual matters. He hoped she would not guess what had transpired between him and Diente, but if she did, so what? He was her Sire, and she must obey him in all things. Her feelings did not matter, did they?

 

Rayna sat quietly by the fire, contemplating. She had seen the look that passed between Moracas and Diente, and knew there was a history there. Whether or not they had ever been intimate remained to be seen. However, even so, she was not going to be mired down in jealousy or possessiveness. Men were animals, and not to be trusted, even if the man in question happened to be your Sire. Slowly, a hard coldness began to build from deep within her. Hearing the door open, she turned to see Moracas walk in the room.

 

“You are back.” She said quietly, turning back to face the fire. “Si.” He replied, walking to the window. The servants had removed the black cloth per Moracas’s standing orders. He required the cloths be removed every night to allow the moonlight to peer into the rooms. He liked to stand by the windows gazing out over the lushness of the green grass, especially as it looked in the moonlight. Now, his eyes roamed the lawn, as he waited to see what Rayna would say or do. When nothing was said, he felt a curiosity began to build from within. ‘I wonder why she is not saying anything?’ He thought, slowly turning to face her. Her back was turned toward him, as her long blonde hair glistened in the firelight. His eyes bored into her back, causing Rayna to turn around.

 

“Was there something you wanted Sire?” Something for me to do?” He raised an eyebrow in surprise. “No, nothing mi querida.” He replied, walking over to sit down in the chair opposite of her. “However, there is something I must discuss with you.” She gave him her full attention. “The Archbishop came here to require me to perform a duty for her. I must perform a wild hunt mi querida, and I will explain to you what that is as well as of my organization.”  Rayna leaned back in her chair settling herself comfortably in. Gazing into Moracas’s eyes, she knew the truth of what had transpired between him and Diente earlier. Yet, she did not feel any emotion in response. ‘Interesting’ she thought.

“The Black Hand is a group of skilled, elite kindred Assassins, querida. The members of the Hand take orders from one of four Seraphim, who are the “generals” so to speak. Tonight, Diente gave me my orders, but she received them from Hendrik, who is Seraphim for this region of the world.” Moracus paused for a moment, gazing off into the distance as if remembering other times…

Bringing his attention back to the present, Moracas continued. “To become a member of the Hand querida, one must be chosen by a Seraphim. The chosen vampires have usually proven themselves in some manner of physical fighting, mental strategy, or some other way that will be of benefit to the Sabbat as a whole. I was chosen by Hendrik many centuries ago Rayna, and even now, I am still called upon to perform special tasks for not only the Seraphim, but for the Regent if needed.”

 

Rayna listened quietly as Moracas continued to explain to her all about the Black Hand and the importance of the organization; not only for the Sabbat, but for the Lasombra. Her eyes widened in surprise at his next words. “Eventually, I would like you to become a member. I have seen certain strengths in you, mi amour, that I feel would be of great benefit to the organization.”

 

Swallowing, Rayna replied. “Me Sire? Are you certain?” As he nodded his head yes, Rayna turned to gaze into the fire, her brows furrowed together in concern as she thought, 'what next?'