Chapter 2 - An Unexpected Guest

.2.

An Unexpected Guest



         Kalune moved as quietly down the hall as he could, not wanting to be heard by the mortals, but wanting even more to not draw the attention of his own kind.  He didn’t like this place–didn’t like the cold nor the shortage of food.  Surely there had to be a couple of survivors hiding somewhere, cowering in fear.  He didn’t think for one second that all those lucky enough to live through the onslaught were conveniently locked away upstairs.  He was determined to score some blood before the others.

         This floor was likely reserved for servants.  The walls were solid mortar, seeping moisture in various spots and soaking up soot across the low ceiling.  There were no light fixtures save for the scant torch every couple of feet.  All of the doors were open, spilling clothes and trash across the passage.  Either the mortals left in a hurry when they heard the mayhem upstairs or the other vampires had already found this place.  From the looks of it, he wasn’t going to find any food here and he surely didn’t want to try again upstairs.

         Kalune had seen the way Dyne treated Lorne, had seen it many times before.  They had created quite a ruckus in front of the mortals and vampires that ended in one probable death and one loss of dignity.  And for what?  Because Lorne wanted to feed a second time.  Kalune was just as hungry but he wasn’t about to make the same mistake Dyne’s first-in-command had made.  No, he would make sure she wasn’t around when he fed tonight.

         The hallway turned to the left, opened into a small room and then another hall beyond.  Kalune was getting ready to stop and turn around–to search elsewhere on the grounds when something caught his attention.  He raised his visor and rubbed his eyes, making sure that what he sensed wasn’t just a figment of his own bloodlust-driven imagination.

         Around the corner, his heat-intensive eyes locked on something warm–something alive coming toward him.  The mass of red energy wafted off the creature and he could smell blood, could smell the thing oozing with it.  Kalune didn’t relish in the fact that a meal had just presented itself to him.  A small part of him was scared at what he sensed, not because he’d left his sword pinned in someone upstairs but because the mortal wasn’t touching the ground.  It was floating in the air, as if flying right to its would-be killer.  The aura of heat was a few feet off the ground and bent over slightly.

         Quickly Kalune pressed his back against the wall, attempting to hide, but there was nowhere to go.  He wasn’t exactly terrified but he did want an advantage–he wanted to see it for himself before it saw him.  It was not to be however, and Kalune found himself standing in the middle of the barren hallway, slack-jawed.

         A dark figure wearing a thick, ominous robe strode toward the vampire, carrying a person across his shoulder.  The limp mortal gave off an intense heat so Kalune knew they were still alive, but she was no longer important, nor noticed.  His complete attention fixed upon the hooded one.  The mysterious person who wished not to be seen gave off no heat whatsoever.  In addition to that, the aura that normally surrounded both vampires and mortals alike was completely absent.  This person should have been surrounded in red warmth, or blue death.  It was as if he didn’t exist.

         When the figure was about ten feet from the bewildered vampire it stopped and raised its head slightly.  Its face was no more than a shadow.  There were no eyes–no expression. Kalune found himself backing up slightly and then realized how absurd he was.  In the last three hundred years he’d never once retreated a step.  What was different now?  Why was this one before him so unnerving?

         The figure grabbed the backside of the mortal he’d been carrying like a doll and pulled it forward, whipping long brown hair to the side.  Kalune could see it was a woman–an unconscious woman who looked injured.  The cloaked one placed her delicately against the wall and turned his attention back to the vampire before him.

         For what seemed like an eternity, the two were locked into each other’s eyes, or at least Kalune thought.  There were no eyes beneath the hood to see so it was impossible to judge.  The figure was shielding everything from the vampire.  Its heat, thoughts, and intentions were all cloaked.  This had to be a powerful mage, Kalune concluded.  Finally the hooded one spoke.

         “Whenever the buffalo wanders off from the herd, it’s usually never seen again,” his voice came out low, but calm and relaxed.  He generated a lot of tension that Kalune didn’t like at all.

         “Who are you?”  the vampire asked, instinctively placing his hand over his empty scabbard.  Surely he could kill this creature, sword or not.  Mages couldn’t cast spells with teeth in their neck, Kalune reminded himself.

         “It’s not important, lad, I assure you.” The cloaked one began walking to Kalune.  “But I’m going to be sharing this mansion with your lady and company.”

         Who was this person?  He was much too bold to be a mere mortal, but what else could he be?  Surely it wasn’t a breed of vampire.  Vampires were easily sensed by other vampires, despite charms and wards that protected one’s identity.  Kalune had to know, he needed to know, and he would know. 

         The vampire reached out, ready to jerk the hood from the shady figure’s head when a hand, quick as a breath grabbed his wrist in a grip that Kalune hadn’t known since his mortal days.  He could see his metal wrist-guard crumple under the pressure, digging metal into flesh.  Kalune screamed in pain–pain that he didn’t think was possible to feel anymore.

         Another hand struck him across the jaw, sending the vampire across the room in one direction and his helmet in the other.  The granite stones in the floor bunched up like a rug beneath his weight and momentum.  Sparks flew in protest to his skidding armor. 

         The pain in his wrist now seemed trivial to the pain in his face.  Kalune stood on wobbly legs, unsure if he had the strength to stay upright.  Out of instinct he shook his head to clear the daze and slung blood across the hall–much more blood than he thought should come from his mouth.  With shaky fingers he reached up–wanting to survey just how bad the damage was, just how big the gash on his jaw was when–

         –he touched his upper row of teeth.  His jaw was gone, ripped from his face.  Thick tendons and muscle hung exposed just beneath his ears and cheeks, ending in a row of teeth and a dangling tongue.  Blood ran down his armor in individual streams from his exposed veins like a watering can.  His severed jaw lay several feet away, still nestled inside his helmet.

         Kalune was fearful for his life now.  This obviously was no mortal, no vampire.  Kalune was a large man–a beast of a man with a strong and fit body.  There was no logical explanation why someone as seemingly small and frail would be able to harm him in such a way.  He closed his eyes and tried to change form–to become a wolf or bird to escape, but found himself unable.  The creature before him was blocking his abilities. 

         With his last ounce of strength, Kalune turned and tried to run, but found the hooded creature standing in that direction, blocking his escape. 

         “Lady Dyne will destroy you for this!”  Kalune screamed, completely incoherent without his jaw.  He sprayed blood all over the hallway with each syllable.  Truly, he didn’t believe Dyne would avenge anyone’s death, certainly not his own.

         The hooded one approached the vampire and in one quick action snatched Kalune’s spine through the exposed hole in his face.  Kalune could only watch in horror as his body was mutilated.  That, however was not enough to kill a vampire.

         The shady figure walked past and grabbed his mortal from the wall and perched her on his shoulder once again.  Kalune was unable to stand any longer.  Blood had begun to form a puddle beneath him. 

         The hooded one grabbed the vampire’s breastplate and pulled him up, head and tongue dangling from lack of support.  “Do you really think so?”  The creature asked, still calm as ever.  “Lady Dyne and I are going to be close friends once she finds out what I know.”  The hooded one reached through his breastplate with ease and pulled out his heart, vanquishing the vampire in a brilliant flash of white fire.

         The shady one kicked the empty armor to the side and continued down the hall.  Somewhere beneath the folds of the creature’s hood a smile surfaced, a smile that, until lately, had been scarce for many long years. 



         Dyne knew it wouldn’t be that easy to stay asleep.  Sure she was tired, exhausted to the core and the bed beneath her was the most comfortable thing she’d touched in months.  Wealthy people lived in the utmost comfort and the bed was a testament.  Sleep didn’t come easy because she needed to see someone, needed to hold someone before her mind could be at ease.

         The vampiress pulled open the closet doors in her room and discovered an expansive array of dresses and formal clothes.  Her delicate fingers slid through the dainty pieces, admiring each as she went and finally found a thin nightdress that buttoned to the neck.  Dyne donned it but only fastened it up to her breast.  She didn’t care for anything to touch her neck.  One time was enough for her.

         “This woman is just about my size,” she said to no one in particular.  “These will certainly go with me when I leave.”  Dyne pulled the closet shut, wiped as much dried blood from her face and neck as she could and then left her room.

         The mansion was still.  There were no more screaming mortals, no howling vampires, no glass breaking and no swords clashing together.  All of the mortals were secured away while most of the vampires had already found themselves a room to occupy for the night.  They’d been living like swine for the past few weeks and everyone, especially Dyne, was happy to be sleeping indoors and in such comfort.

         She backtracked her way to the main hall where Tali sat in a chair propped against the wall.  The young vampiress was hurling daggers into the opposite wall.  Every few seconds the door behind her would rattle, pushing her chair forward.  She simply smiled at the feeble attempt of the mortals trying to escape.  A small mound of fingers were on the ground next to her, obvious attempts to get out.

         “Mistress,” she offered and uncrossed her legs.

         “Where’s Hannah?”  Dyne asked, wishing she’d put on more than a skimpy nightgown.  The hall was freezing and the door had not yet been repaired.  Her arms broke out in gooseflesh and she shifted her weight back and forth as the cold, marble floor pained her bare feet.

         “Playing outside with Lorne and a few others,” she said and pointed to the doorway.  The snow was falling heavily.

         “Lorne is with Hannah?”  Dyne asked, her attention suddenly fixated on the doorway.

         The young girl, no more than seventeen when Dyne spawned her, couldn’t bring herself to look at her mistress.  Tali knew that Dyne didn’t approve of Lorne’s presence around Hannah, despite the fact that he was the one who looked after her when Dyne wasn’t around.  Hannah had been frightened of Lorne ever since she’d been around him. 

         Dyne didn’t want her little girl to be a part of the killing, the bloodshed, and the carnage, so therefore she couldn’t be around Lorne.  It wafted from the vampire.  He lived for fear and pain and loved nothing more than the destruction of a mortal life.  Dyne had even seen him kill children who got in his way–children whose only crime was being out in the night when no other food was available.  That would not be the fate of Hannah.  Dyne would see Lorne’s head on the end of her sword should she ever get the feeling he was a threat.

         Dyne left Tali to her guard duties and exited the mansion, cold wind turning her silk gown to ice.  She paid it no mind and found Lorne standing on the porch next to a column, eyes fixed on the trio across the snow-laden lawn. 

         Two of Dyne’s minions were playing with Hannah, throwing snow at each other and wrestling on the ground.  The little girl’s high-pitched voice squeaked with excitement.  Her cheerful laughs seemed almost alien and out of place considering the noises that rang from the mansion earlier tonight.  This was the first time Hannah had seen snow.  Rarely did she ever get to play, so Dyne was quite pleased that they were settling in for a few nights.

         “How long has she been out here?”  Dyne asked, moving next to Lorne.  The tattooed vampire was careful to stay out of Hannah’s view.

         “About an hour.  I was just about to call for her to come in,” he offered, never taking his eyes from the little girl.

         One of the vampires picked Hannah up and put her on his shoulder and then carried her toward the house.  The little girl was panting and her nose and cheeks were pink.

         “Leave,” Dyne said flatly, wanting Lorne to be far away when Hannah saw her mommy.  “Make sure you send Tali by later tonight to see that she’s changed.  I mean it.”

         “Yes, Mistress,” he said and then was gone.

         Dyne smiled the wide, toothy grin that made the little girl boisterous with glee. Hannah hopped off the vampire’s shoulder and wrapped her arms around her mommy’s neck.  Anyone else who got that close to her would feel the end of a sword. 

         Dyne eyed the thin chain and necklace, which was purposely turned backwards around the little girl’s neck.  She was sure to rest her hands no farther back than the little girl’s shoulders.  The trinket was deadly to a vampire, but didn’t hurt a living thing.  However, it was necessary to have.  It’ll be gone soon, useless in a few days’ time, she reminded herself.

         “How is my little girl?”  Dyne asked, brushing snow from the child’s shoulders.

         “Look, mommy!”  she yelled with thick enthusiasm.  The little girl scooped up a handful of snow and presented it to Dyne.  “Snow!  Mommy have you ever seen snow?”

         Dyne smiled, taking the clump in her hands and tossing it back and forth.  “Yes, sweetie.  Mommy saw snow way before you were born.  I’ve walked through miles and miles of snow before,” she said, looking up to her two minions who offered wide grins.  Dyne was referencing a march her army made during their mortal years.

         Hannah had come to Dyne a few years ago as sort of an unexpected gift.  Any other vampire would have simply walked away from her–some would have stayed to feed, but not Dyne.  The desire to have a child of her own was too great during her mortal life, and unfortunate for her, it was ripped from her before she had a chance to bear children.  Like very few traits, the longing for a child of her own carried over into her vampiric state.  She grabbed the child when she had the chance and left with it.

         “Come on sweetie, let’s find you something to eat so you can get to bed,” Dyne picked the little girl up and carried her inside.  The other vampires disappeared around the side of the mansion.  “I think you’re going to like it here, Hannah.  There’s lots of room to play.  We just need time to clean a little first, that’s all.”

         “Mommy, did you bring my pencils?”  the little girl asked, sleep heavy in her voice.  It had been a long day of traveling.

         “Of course I did.  What else are we going to do in this cold?”  Dyne carried her upstairs, but headed to the opposite wing of the house.  There had been too much bloodshed on Dyne’s wing for the little girl to be a witness.

         “We can play in the snow!”  she shouted, the sleepiness suddenly fleeing.  Her small voice seemingly echoed throughout the whole house.

         Dyne found a room that was far from her own, far from the nested vampires, but luckily the cleanest she’d seen.  This would do for Hannah.  There was no one here to hurt her–no one would dare suffer the wrath of Dyne.  The vampiress thoroughly searched the room, making sure no mortals had managed to hide under the bed or in the closet and dresser.  In her searches, she found a small bag of nuts and a flagon that turned out to be grape juice.  This would have to do for Hannah until they could scour the place a little more.  If all else failed, she could have one of her minions hunt game in the woods when the sun went down tomorrow.

         “I want you to eat then get in bed and wait for Tali to change you, sweetie.  She’ll be along shortly.”

         “I’m not sleepy yet, mommy.”  Hannah said, sitting on the edge of the bed.  She took the nuts and the juice and started in.  “Can’t I play a little longer?”

         “Listen sweetie.  Mommy and her friends have to get to sleep because we have a lot to do tomorrow night.  If you go to bed now, I’ll let you play in the snow as long as you want when we get up.  How does that sound?”

         “That sounds great!”  the little girl said with a mouthful of nuts.  Dyne kissed her on the cheek and gave her a quick squeeze before leaving.

         “I love you, mommy,” came the girl’s goodbye.

         Dyne turned around and gazed at her daughter’s eyes.  This was the only way this emotion could be struck.  Dyne’s body was numb with the ages of immortality and the torments of pain, but to hear that little girl utter those words thawed her heart long enough to feel joy.

         “I love you too, Hannah.  Goodnight, little squirrel.”  With that, she closed the door and made her way back to her room.

         Dyne went down the steps from Hannah’s wing and up the steps to her own where they joined in the foyer.  “Goodnight, Tali,” Dyne called down below, without waiting around for a response from the vampiress.  She would have never gotten one, nor did she notice the young vampiress’ squirming body being dragged from the mansion.