Blood Haven: Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Malediction

France: 1915

Darrin

I saw her pivot back, and the dungeon began to contract. She took a step toward me, and I could feel the air crackling with energy.

“What did you say?”

What little warmth was formerly present in her voice definitely chilled out. Her voice sounded like falling icicles.

“My sister is Mersdei.”

Mersdei; the Hungry One, the antithesis. Thousands of years ago, they reigned supreme over all other kind in the world. The Hungry Ones were likened to gods upon earth, possessing all sorts of fantastical powers and abilities. They were also cursed with insatiable bloodthirst that forced them to constantly feed and ravage. Even on Vampires.

There was a legend that Mersdei were actually the original version, and that Vampires were an unfortunate mutation. Form twisted from its true function. This was because Mersdei essentially had all and more of the Vampires’ strengths and none of their weaknesses.The Mersdei was the only creature the blood suckers feared; they were called among their kind by a different name. Kruszhim.

The confirmed existence of Mersdei was rare, almost mythical. Something must have happened, some cataclysm at the height of their prominence because they suddenly disappeared. It was as though they were wiped off the face of the earth. According to lore, it was some sort of plague, others said it was magic that made them turn against each other, because there was no other creature that could stand up against the Mersdei.

Nevertheless, the hearsay persisted about the awesome powers of Mersdei, making them one of the most sought after objects in the world. It was said that the blood of Mersdei could cure any illness, heal the gravest wound…bring back the dead. The blood of Mersdei was said to even make the Vampire lose the fear of the Sun.

She crossed her arms in an attempt to maintain indifference but her voice betrayed her interest. “Somehow I find that difficult to reconcile, considering your current condition.”

I shrugged in the face of her unbelief. “Lilith and I have different fathers.”

Mersdei are born, unlike Vampires. They were all related by blood; every single Mersdei was a part of one bloodline. They could not reproduce with one another, and every one of them was born blind. I’d learned everything there was to know about my sister’s nature in due time.

There was a long silence after my statement and for a moment I thought she had left. I looked up to see she was still there, standing stock still and completely riveted by my story. “From birth, we could see that there was something special about her.”

She still didn’t say a word, but I was getting tired of spilling my guts to her. “Now you see why your Adrian Bacardi wants my sister bad enough to cross the ocean for her. He is not the first of your Kind that has shown interest in Lilith; like I said, I have killed a lot to get where I am.”

Even though silence replied me, I could tell she was coming to the same conclusion that both the bastard and I had already reached. Adrian Bacardi would definitely not tell anyone if he had indeed managed to get his hands on Mersdei. Even a Master would have a difficult time keeping one subdued.

“Your sister has not come into her own, otherwise you wouldn’t be in this position.”

She was already connecting all the dots, and that sounded a bell of warning inside me. What was to say that telling her would make a difference, except maybe create a struggle over who would get Lilith.The value of a Mersdei could not be lost on her, even if she did look like a powerful immortal.

Lilith had no idea what she really was, and my family had gone through great pains to keep it that way. But now, what if that ignorance led to her detriment?

“What makes you think she isn’t dead by now.”

Her voice was soft and low once again, like honey pouring over a smooth surface. Instantly I knew she was thinking in the same direction I was.

“I told you that I can sense her. That wouldn’t happen if she wasn’t. ”

I saw her take a step too close to me, and my insides began dancing to the strange tune again. Without much conscious thought, she was influencing my mind just like any other predator would psyche prey. And I was already weak enough as it is. One bidding from her and I would practically forget my survival instincts and jump down her throat.

“If Adrian has indeed gotten hold of Mersdei … ”

She took a few steps back and turned toward the door, but this time I could actually see her leave the dungeon.

---------------------------------------------------

Adrian returned to his little prisoner, but this time with a different agenda than before. The anger in his stride was almost tangible but he wouldn’t be a Master if he couldn’t keep it on a leash.

Lilith cringed on the bed as the door slammed open and shut. He was here. He was back. The usual tendrils of fear and anger shot through her. 

Adrian motioned to the guards who followed him in, and they deposited their load on the rugged floor, leaving the room without even a murmur. “You are more stubborn than I gave you credit for.”

He reached for the tied bundle his guards had left, and opened the sack. Out rolled a child, a little girl not much older than Lilith herself. Except, this one had been recently Turned and recently fed. The childe gasped in pain as Adrian seized her by the hair and dragged her to her feet. He reached inside his jacket, withdrawing a small dagger and grabbed for her arm.

“Well Lilith, I’m not about to let you die on me.”

He pressed the dagger to the child’s arm and slit her wrist, ignoring her loud cry of shock as she slumped to the floor, her blood spilling all over the rug.

Lilith sucked in a breath and was almost overwhelmed by the heady sweet scent in the air, her mouth became filled with saliva and the pounding of her heart filled her ears. No matter how hard she tried, there was no resisting the sharp hunger growing in the base of her stomach.

Hunger pressed against her head, until the only thing she could feel was the ache in the back of her throat. Adrian smiled slowly at the change that overcame his charge; he could feel the strength of her bloodlust wash over the whole room. He walked over to the bed and gently released the ropes holding her down.

Lilith rose from the bed, shakily at first, but then her steps grew surer and became a predatory stance. She could see the prey in her mind’s eye, lying on the floor, eyes closed tight in dread of what was to come. She sniffed the air, tasting the fear that seeped from the other girl, and the pang in her stomach become a powerful need. Lilith knelt down and grabbed her by the neck. She roughly reached for the bleeding arm, and buried her face in the bloody mess.

“Yes, that’s it, feed to your hearts content. We too find pleasure satisfying our thirst, isn’t it a nice feeling?”

Lilith nodded slowly, not looking up at him. She didn’t want to let go, even though something deep inside her screamed for her to let go or she wouldn’t be able to stop. Sis had only let her drink like this just once, and even then, it was only a little. Lilith knew now she didn’t have to drink only a little; the pleasant tingle she felt all over would become stronger with the more she drank. Her face sank even deeper into the girl’s flesh, and Lilith didn’t let go until she felt Adrian’s hand on her shoulder.

“Its alright, you can let go now, she has fulfilled her purpose.”

He grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up, reaching into his jacket for a silk handkerchief. “Now that felt good didn’t it?”

Lilith smiled slowly and nodded, the innocent aura that surrounded her was now tinged with something darker.

“More.”

--------------------------------------------------------------

Allana:

It was late evening that day when I finally sought my host out. He was sitting in his private study and from the brief flash of annoyance on his face, his hosting skills were wearing a little thin.

“Good evening Allana, you’ve been quite the elusive guest these days.”

I shrugged  and crossed the length of the room, towards a rather large fresco on the opposite side. Only Bacardi would have such a thing indoors. Adrian rose from his desk and moved towards me.

“Let’s say your guest in the dungeon has been quite the ample diversion. Darrin Hartford is a fascinating character.”

He came abreast of me and we both inspected the painting for a moment. “Really? Well I’m glad you’re sufficiently occupied.”

The smile never left his face, but I could detect tension in his emotions. I probed gently but was casually rebuffed. Darrin’s allegations still weighed in my mind, not only was I interested in the case of the Mersdei, I was also curious about my colleague’s motives. “Apparently the little girl she seeks is no ordinary human.”

Adrian turned to me with both eyebrows raised in an expression of mock concern, but I had seen the briefest flicker of disquiet in his eyes. “That is … mildly interesting.”

I walked away from the painting and towards one of the armchairs in the room. My eyes scanned the furniture and I noted that like the painting, almost everything in this room was a priceless item. For example the tapestry above his chair, made from only the finest silk from the orients. “Now my question to her was, why would a Vampire Master be interested with Kruszhim?”

Hard silence followed my words, and I knew Darrin Hartford was telling the truth. He shrugged flippantly, but it was obvious to me that Adrian wasn’t very pleased with my knowledge of his ultimate plan. He hadn't expected the human to open up to me. I smiled and made for the door.

“You must excuse me Adrian, I have taken enough of your time.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Orleans, 1920

He ate like a starved animal; grasping hands reached blindly through the array of plates on the table, filling his mouth with food that disappeared too quickly to have been chewed. Darrin was in equal parts impressed and disgusted by the alacrity with which her new charge inhaled everything in sight. He barely even looked at her, barely acknowledged her presence in his single minded task. it was tempting to think he was kept undernourished by his former owner, but she couldn’t believe that. His frame was by no means lean or spare and his complexion carried the glow of comfort. Besides, the canine instinct to nurture pups ensured that werewolves were indiscriminate and meticulous in taking care of their young.

“You might wanna slow down a bit, kiddo.”

The suggestion was roundly ignored as the boy finished every morsel in front of him. He looked around the table, clearly not satisfied, and trained his gaze on the slices of toast on her plate. His small hand moved inhumanly fast, and so he was startled when she grabbed his wrist midway.

“Hey.”

He growled and yanked but her grip was iron. He bared his teeth, hackles clearly rising in challenge. Darrin raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“Is that how you wanna play it?”

She heaved and sent him flying out of the chair, across the table, to land in a crumpled heap at her feet. It all had happened too quickly for him to react and he lay there, stunned for a moment.

“Allana was right, you are a feral little thing.”

Perhaps it was the shock of the violence he’d witnessed that kept him so subdued last night. Now, in the light, she wondered how she could have mistaken him for anything else. He tried to rise but she gave him no quarter and pressed him to the ground; her hand tightened around his neck as he hissed and bucked, vainly trying to twist out of her hold. She might not be a werewolf, but damned if she couldn’t handle a nine year old.

“Heel, puppy.”

The boy fought for all he was worth, scrabbling and scratching at her arms and face, as increasingly frantic whimpers escaped his lips. Darrin grimly held fast, until he wore himself out and began panting from exhaustion, until he yielded and went slack under her.

She waited for one heartbeat, and then another, but the fight was gone out of him. Darrin removed her hands from his neck and he instantly rolled away from her, unto his stomach, while she surveyed the damage to her arms. Even puppies had sharp claws after all, she mused with a wry smile. This put a literal meaning to bringing home a stray.

Sniff.

She frowned and turned aside, to the still boy. Was that …

Another sniff, followed by a sniffle, and yet another.

Darrin listened, dismayed; she’d only meant to put a check on him, not cause a meltdown. She reached for him but he growled and shook her off, curling tighter into a ball.

Aww hell.

She reached for him yet again and drew him into a hug, ignoring his squall of protest. Her arms tightened around him and she held him close, rocking side to side as his whole body shook with wracking sobs.

“Shhh...it’s okay, I got you. I got you.”

She didn’t even realize when the change happened, but now he clung to her like a lifeline, face pressed into the crook of her neck.

“It’s okay, you’re safe now… you’re always safe here.”

There was no way she could just hand this kid back to the werewolves, even if that was what Allana wanted. He’d been through so much already, all of which culminated with the destruction of his entire family. He must have witnessed the killings, and for sure it messed him up. The waterfall soaking her shirt slowly subsided to a couple of whines and a hiccup. She smiled somberly and wiped his eyes with her sleeve. They were such a pretty shade of blue too. There was no doubt in her mind that this kid was going to break all sorts of hearts when he got older. If he even got the chance.

“Feel better?”

He nodded self-consciously but his lower lip wobbled for an instant before he managed to compose himself. Werewolves were raised to see have a practical view of death and loss, because it came hand in hand with the full Moon. Darrin wondered if this emotional display would have even been allowed back home, even as he tried to maintain a stoic expression.

“We might have gotten off on the wrong foot.”

He looked up to meet her gaze and quickly looked away.

“Let’s start over, okay? My name is Darrin, what’s yours?”

He hesitated and pursed his lips, uncertainty flickered in his eyes. The emotion disappeared as quickly as it came, and he whispered.

“Solenbam.”

Darrin smiled and extended her hand. “Solenbam, welcome to Blood Haven.”

-------------------------------------------------------

In her study at the other side of the house, Allana vainly tried to ignore the musky scent that pervaded the air. The stink of fur and pheromones lit up like a flare behind her eyes, and with every passing second was a constant reminder of the stranger in her house. It was well past morning, almost lunch time now… She began taking a breath but stopped with a grimace. It was a good thing that her kind didn’t need that reflex after all. None of her internal irritation showed on her face, neither did her pen waver over the pages of reports and acquisition details on the desk. She hadn’t actually set eyes on the child all day, and assumed he was with Darrin. No doubt the other woman was running interference between them, because out of sight was also out of mind.

Allana had dispatched her feelers to gain more information about the werewolf feud, but already knew that it would come to no good end. She had few friends in the canine camp as it was, and harboring the brat wasn’t going to earn her any new ones. She wondered what Darrin was going to do when they eventually came for him. For one thing, there could be no fighting in or around the club; so the other woman had that advantage if it came to that. There was also the public knowledge Darrin had the Vampire’s protection, and few people would risk inviting her ire. However, Allana was determined not to personally intervene over this matter in any way. It was none of her concern, none of their business. If the human was stupid enough to muddle into something like this and get her self k-

Allana got to her feet and purposefully strode out of the study, pausing for a few moments in their bedroom. Deftly avoiding the usual traffic of staff and deliverymen, she made her way below the house. Most people believed there were only two levels to the basement, few among the senior staff knew about the secret tunnel that allowed quick getaway for their VIPs. Only she and Darrin had access to the true depths of the house; the empty hall with stone walls and damp floors, and the clammy air that held on to the salt sea. This air was free of the taint of people and food and dog. The walls only rang with the purpose of battles past fought. And won. 

Allana relaxed to the cloaking darkness, focusing on the cargo in her hand. She slowly unwound the layers of silks keeping it bound, relishing the build up of expectation that came with the simple act. it was like unwrapping a missive from an old friend, one long awaited. 

Finally the last layer gave way to a sheath. It was made from alligator hide and the supple leather was an incongurous choice for such a weapon. Allana released the sword from its final restraint, and it sang through the emptiness; a single, shivery note echoed through the entire space and shattered the illusion of silence with resounding clarity. Allana swung a decisive stroke through the air, sending a flash of light in its wake. She smiled and slashed again, savoring the crackle that came with each burst of movement. The hall came quickly alive with static electricity, as the sword pulsed with controlled energy.

This was why Allana kept it bound under layers of restraint; down here was the only place she allowed herself to acknowledge the blade. Once unsheathed, her Katana blazed like a beacon that attracted all sorts of attention.

Her arms flowed into a perfectly rigid extension and her foot counterbalanced the shift in weight, bones and muscles fluidly maintaining kata after kata in stances honed from centuries of practice.

Allana remembered that sharp Winter morning when her Master had presented her the scabbard, under the impassive gaze of her Sire. She remembered the slow twist and pull; the song that emanated unbidden from the tempered metal upon its release. She remembered the flash of consternation in the two men’s eyes because the sword wouldn’t stop singing. Only when she reluctantly sheathed it did silence return to the temple.

“Most assertive,” the Master had simply murmured, looking at her.

A sword was an extension of its wielder, a reflection of his or her spirit. After all, it was her blood that had dripped into the molten metal, her sweat that had fueled the bellows. Her Sire had wanted it destroyed but she flatly refused.

“So be it. You are the sword, and now you must also be the sheath.”

The sword was an extension of Allana’s self; she named it appropriately with the ancient calligraphy characters embossed on the hilt:

‘Dancing in night, She sings with the Moon’

She had expected that the energy resonance would fade after the Turning, but it didn’t. The Katana kept on singing and Allana kept it bound. She was the sword and its sheath, just like Zeke predicted.

Why was she even here, in the womb of the earth, wielding this trouble maker? The question was followed by a vertical slash with enough force to split a man.

Allana tossed the blade high into the air and leapt to snatch it mid-flip, twisting to complete its rotation as they both came back to the ground.

When She sings, no one knows peace. Allana regarded the sword critically. They had been quiet for so long now.

One final swish and the Katana went back into its sheath. The ensuing silence beat harsh to the ear. The air still burned, this the Vampire could feel prickling against her skin. Allana resolutely rewrapped each layer, muting their invisible glow, until it once again resembled more a misshapen lump than a sword. Once this was done she swiftly turned around and marched out of the darkness, back up to the club.

Allana was almost at the entrance when Zeke's voice suddenly whispered in her ear, his touch ghosted over her neck. She fought the urge to turn back, because she knew he was not there.

“Three weapons I give you to conquer the world, Mishka: your bow, and your steel, and, the greatest of them all, your will.”

The memory came unbidden as she crossed the threshold.

-----------------------------

France, 1920

Allana:

It was almost dawn when I returned to Bacardi Arms, the first faint tinges of dusky blue were streaking across the inky sky and the early risers were already stirring. I passed by many a drunk or prostitute slinking back home after a night of debauchery but I was well sated and paid them no heed.

The halls of the mansion were also stirring but the servants and guards knew better than to get in the way of late walkers like us trying to beat the sun. I made my way through the back stairs and to my room, checking for any disturbance during my absence. I couldn’t be too careful, considering my last conversation with my host.

There was nothing amiss and I crossed toward the bed. This was not the kind of place where I could repose without worry but I was going to rest despite Adrian’s presence. My mind drifted to Valla as my eyes closed, and I wondered what my companion was doing wherever she was.

My rest may have been for hours or perhaps a moment but suddenly I was jolted from repose, In that instant I knew where Valla had kept herself all this while, and I also knew she was gone forever.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Author's note: I won't lie, I fight the urge to apologize for this chapter