France: Chateau Grimaldi October 1898
Henri Gramaldi, the patriarch of the Grimaldi clan paced the ancient hallway of Chateau Gramaldi. The Grimaldi's had tried to live in peace among the villagers since he built the chateau in 1620 for Serifina his life mate. But now a village girl was missing, taken from her bed while she slept. He knew chaos would soon ensue.The villagers would be quick to accuse one of their three sons, all bearers of the Grimaldi Curse, all vampires.
He must protect his sons. The two youngest Phillipe and Andre were already gone from the chateau, only their oldest Kristoff remained on the premises.
"Ma très chère Serifina, we must send Kristoff away to England."
He knew what her reaction would be. She was in tears knowing her beloved firstborn must leave her.
" My dearest, I know you do not want this, but it has to be; for Kristoff must remain safe."
Serifina loved her husband and never dared questioned his decisions and would not do so this time.
"Henri, I know we must send him away. It is getting dangerous here and we cannot risk his life."
"I have made arrangements for Kristoff to travel to England with our dear compagnon, Boris and his gypsy caravan. We must tell him at once."
Serifina raised in dark eyebrows in a questioning way."We?"
Henri knew that look. He would have to tell Kristoff.
"All right ma chère, I will tell our son. He is to leave tonight. I have made preparations with Boris to meet Kristoff near the forest at the cave."
"Oui Henri, I understand. I saddens me to lose my beloved son."
Serifina put her hand to her breast, as she thought about her sons and how she might lose them. "Damn the Grimaldi Curse!"
Henri went in search of Kristoff, who was probably off somewhere brooding.
His mood seemed to be dark these days and Henri was worried about his firstborn.



Henri found Kristoff in the massive library reading a Victor Hugo novel.
"Ah, Kristoff, my son, I should have known I would find you here." Kristoff was sitting in the "Voltaire armchair, his favorite chair;drinking a glass of vintage wine and smoking a cheroot , two human habits he acquired from his mother; a human.
"Oui, my father, I am reading Notre Dame de Paris. Such a sad story, it reminds me of myself.", he replied placing the book on the Louis-Philippe reading table, a gift from Louis-Philippe I, King of the French to the Grimaldi Family for their support during the revolution.
"How so Kristoff?" his father questioned.
"Hugo writes of a disfigured creature in love with a beautiful girl he cannot have."
"How can you compare yourself to Quasimodo son? You are not disfigured, in fact you are a very handsome man and are you in love with a beautiful woman you cannot have?"
"Bien sûr que non! Of course not father, I have yet to meet my life mate."
Kristoff saw worry in his father's eyes and on his face. "What is troubling you my father?" rising from his chair to face his father.
Kristoff stood about two hands taller than his father at six-foot. He had to look down to speak to him. "Say what is on your mind," he demanded of his father.
Henri knew Kristoff to ire quickly so telling him would not be an easy task.
"Please, sit Kristoff," Henri motioned for him to be seated.
"I am listening father",drumming his fingers against the glass decanter as he waited for his father to speak.
"Kristoff, you know we have always tried to live in peace among the villagers. With that girl missing, you are in danger. You must leave the chateau at once."
Henri waited for Kristoff to digest his words before speaking again.
" You have no choice son. I have made preparations for you to leave tonight with my friend Boris of the gypsies," barking at his son in anger.
"Leave! I am not going to leave my home father. I have lived here my entire immortal life." Kristoff was on his feet, waving his arms in the air.
He was livid at the idea of leaving his parents and his home, but he understood his life would be in danger if he remained at the chateau.



Henri knew his son loathed the gypsies because they once were mortal enemies until Henri saved the life of Boris. The decision was final. He would leave Chateau Grimaldi tonight and go to England with the gypsy caravan.
Kristoff knew he could not argue or persuade his father to let him stay. All he could do was agree to leave his homeland and go to England.