The glossy black Range Rover pulled down along the private drive and stopped before a rusted wrought iron gate. Elliot Leclerc stepped out of the vehicle and paused to take in his surroundings before stepping through the gate onto the walkway before him.

The path to the house was rough with loose gravel and rocks, weeds and brush growing in the way, so that Elliot had to be careful not to turn his ankle or lose his way entirely as he made his way from the front gates. He had been pleased to be chosen to represent his family in this matter. His grandfather had received the invitation to renew an old agreement between their families.

Elliot had expected the Bowers old estate would be grand and majestic, but was surprised at the state of ruin it had fallen to. Uncared for and dead weeping willows, magnolia and rotting vegetation abounded.

The perimeter fence and road leading to the manse was well maintained and kept up, leading him to believe the summons had been in good faith. But passing these into the decrepit grounds, his sense of foreboding quickly rose. The gray clouds overhead and tingle of electricity in the air doing nothing to ease him. Elliot wondered if this was truly the staunchest ally of his family and source of their wealth.

He trudged on, scuffing his oxfords in the wet gravel and getting his chinos caught on a thorn.

“Well dammit,” he breathed. This was not how he wanted to present himself as the scion of the Leclerc family. He was here to represent their interests and it wouldn’t do to present weakness in any form. They had not renewed ties with their enigmatic benefactors for three generations and upon his graduation, as the firstborn son, it had fallen to him to reforge the alliance.

Minutes later he stood in a circular drive, staring at a once magnificent house. Now falling into disrepair, Elliot took note of the faded and cracking paint, the hanging shutter, and out-of-control ivy. It was dark with very little light shining through. Only some flickering as if old lanterns.

He steeled himself with a deep breath and walked up the porch to knock at the front door. The dark iron knocker made a hollow, booming noise. Elliot took a step back from the door to wait.

Moments later the door opened to reveal a gaunt, aged man in a faded, threadbare black suit. He had lanky gray hair and a mean glint in his eyes.

“Mr. Leclerc, you are expected.”

His breath was stale and Elliot suppressed an involuntary shudder.

“Thank you…”

“I am Isaac, sir.”

“Ur yes. Thank you Isaac.”

“Follow me sir. Master Benjamin and the others are here and await you in the dining room.”

Elliot followed him into the house. The inside was as worn and aging as the exterior with hardly any light; cold and silent as a tomb.

Their footsteps echoed on the marble flooring, announcing them before they arrived. Isaac threw open the doors to the dining room giving Elliot his first sight of the Barrows family.

“At last!” boomed a voice dripping in Southern charm.

Benjamin Barrows, a pale giant of a man stood at the head of a long dining table holding covered dishes and elaborate place settings. Candelabra lit the room in a flickering warmth that did nothing for the chill in Eliot’s bones. Seated in high back chairs at the table were a sideshow’s assortment of guests.

The tall man who spoke was white as bone and showed to have much muscle beneath his plantation suit. Next to him was a bony woman in a black taffeta dress complete with black pillbox hat and veil. A rotund man wearing only a stained undershirt and suspenders with his meaty arms laid out before him on the table and a glare to his piggy eyes.

A couple sat across from him. The man and woman were both gaunt and gray with long, sallow faces. The last place was held by a young appearing woman in a pure white wedding dress. She sat with gloved hands resting in her lap and an opaque veil shadowing her face.

“Mr. Elliot, we have waited so long for this day. Yes so very long. When the Leclerc line would honor their pledge and reunite with the Barrows. Sit. Be seated and join us.”

Elliot looked around the table taking note of the odd gathering and took the only remaining seat at the opposite end of the table from Mr. Barrows.

The silence stretched as those gathered gazed at Elliot.

He coughed and stood,” My grandfather sends his regards by me and wishes me to convey the desire to continue as we have done. May our families continue to strengthen one another and grow.”

With that he sat back down. Those were the only words he was told to convey and the remainder was up to the Barrows. Elliot’s grandfather had let him know in no uncertain terms that he was to insure the relationship endured, no matter the cost.

A predatory gleam entered Benjamin’s eyes on hearing this.

“He sends you to renew our pledge,” he said as he stood and began to walk around the table.

“This is wonderful. Young, fresh blood to instill vigor and life into a withered vine.”

Elliot looked around and noticed the change in the atmosphere. Where there had been malicious looks there was now delight.

“Did your grandfather tell you of our pact? How we give you the power to grow and build your empire?”

The candelabra flared as Benjamin’s voice grew through this speech but now dropped to a whisper still heard throughout the room.

“Do you know the demands you now fulfill?”

Elliott swallowed, trepidation growing as the room seemed to darken and the light fade.

“You take care of our competition and provide us with insight.”

Benjamin let out a wild laugh,” Yes! Yes we do. We take care and provide. But our power grows weak and needs to be renewed, the pact fulfilled.”

Benjamin gestured to the bride.

“As such, you will now join us. My daughter Liselle and you will join in union. You will bring strength to our line again. And she will provide the power for a new generation.”

Elliot knocked over his chair as he stood suddenly at the pronouncement.

“Marriage? I think there is a misunderstanding.”

Benjamin laughed again,” Why who said anything about matrimony?”

Elliot turned and looked at Liselle who was removing her veil. Beneath was the brown husk of a creature with wrinkled, papery skin.

Elliot let out a cry as Liselle lept at him and sank her teeth into his throat. Benjamin continued to laugh as the members of his house partook of their feast.

Outside the lights over the well kept paths bloomed brighter, shining light on the stately old mansion. It gleamed white as if constructed only that day, and the crickets chirped among the beautiful trees and ponds of the Barrow estate.