“Lord Randolph wants to go over the reports with you,” a startled Molina said to Devin as he stood at the door. Devin nodded as he hurried over to a door on the left side of the sitting room.
Arianna sat on the bed, staring out into the sitting room. Devin returned from the door he had entered, dressed in new clothes. He walked across the sitting room to another door. He paused briefly.
“Molina can answer your questions about dearg-duls,” he added, before heading through the door.
Molina stood in the doorway to Arianna’s bedroom.
“Why don’t you get dressed for the day first,” she suggested, shutting the door behind her as she left.
Arianna dressed and found Molina waiting in the sitting room patiently.
“So you have questions?” Molina asked. “First, you can look around the apartment if you’d like.”
“Apartment?” Arianna asked. So far she had only seen the sitting room and her bedroom. She hadn’t realized she was in an apartment.
“The door on the left is Devin’s bedroom, the door straight ahead leads into the rest of the estate, and the door on the right here leads into the rest of your quarters,” Molina explained. Arianna nodded as she cautiously opened the door on the right.
Stepping into the large living room, Arianna looked around. The plush sofas were facing a large-screen TV to the left. Straight ahead were French doors leading outside. Arianna walked to the doors and looked through the glass panes.
“What floor are we on?” she asked, seeing that the balcony was several floors off the ground.
“The fourth floor, or rather, the top. Your grandfather’s apartment is right below yours,” Molina replied. “It’s past two; you can go outside if you want.”
“Past two?” Arianna asked.
“Along with a thirst for blood, your skin is now more sensitive to UV radiation. If you go outside between ten in the morning and two in the afternoon, the sun’s rays will instantly cause severe burns on any skin exposed,” Molina explained. Arianna hesitantly opened the doors and walked out onto the veranda.
“We can go outside, into sunlight, as long as it isn’t between ten and two?” Arianna asked, as Molina followed her onto the balcony.
“Yes, but it’s still dangerous to stay in direct sunlight at any time for too long,” she added, as she tried to usher Arianna into the shadows.
“What else is now bad for me?” Arianna asked. “Garlic or crosses?”
“Rubbish, all that movie stuff is rubbish,” Molina replied, still trying to move Arianna, who remained in the sunlight. Arianna sat down in the warmth.
“What about killing a dearg-dul then, no stake through the heart?”
“A stake through the heart would kill just about anyone,” Molina replied, and Arianna laughed.
“I suppose that’s true,” Arianna replied.
“The most common way to kill a dearg-dul is to drain their blood, or prevent access to fresh blood. We need blood to survive. It gives us the non-human powers such as a good sense of hearing and makes us heal quicker. Without blood, any dearg-dul or night human would die,” Molina explained. Arianna thought back to when she was sitting in the cell. The men who took her were planning to deprive her of blood until she died.
“How long can you go without new blood?” Arianna asked.
“For a new dearg-dul like you?” Molina asked, and Arianna nodded. “Only days. Once you get used to everything, and learn how to regulate the amount of blood you use, you’ll be able to go weeks without needing fresh blood.” Molina looked into the sky again. They were staying outside too long in direct sunlight.
“How do you get fresh blood?” Arianna asked. “Do you have to keep finding someone to drink from?”
“The fridge in the kitchen is filled with packs of fresh blood like the one Gabriel gave you yesterday. There are markets around dearg-dul towns that provide blood. Otherwise, dearg-duls can take a keeper or custodian. Normally a keeper is a human, but it could also be another dearg-dul or night human. There a bond is made between the person, or ward, and the custodian so that the custodian promises to provide blood to the ward.”
“Oh, but isn’t that a lot of responsibility for one person?” Arianna asked.
“For normal dearg-duls like me, we can only take one keeper, which is fine because I don’t require much blood. For you, and other purebred dearg-duls, you need a lot more blood, and therefore have the power to take multiple custodians,” Molina explained, as she winced from the increased sunlight that peeked from behind the clouds. “We aren’t the monsters you’re picturing,” she tried to reassure Arianna. “And, like you, we are not this way by choice. It’s just what we are. The biggest difference between us and the movie versions of us is how we choose to live. It takes time to get used to, but this is your life now.” Molina could feel the skin on her arm start to bubble. “We need to go in now,” she said quietly. “Please come with me.” Arianna finally noticed the blisters forming on Molina’s exposed arms.
“What’s this?” she asked pointing to Molina’s arm.
“Even though it’s later in the day, direct sunlight will easily burn our skin,” Molina explained.
“This is my fault,” Arianna complained, carefully looking at the blisters on the back of Molina’s left arm.
“Don’t worry. It’s nothing a little blood won’t heal,” Molina replied, leading Arianna through the living room and adjoining dining room to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, Arianna peered inside as Molina grabbed several packets of blood from the bottom shelf. Her face changed suddenly as she bit into the packet. The bubbles stopped growing, and began to shrink. After Molina finished the second packet, the blisters still remained but were much smaller. “Dearg-dul is named for our undead properties. Day humans consider us undead because we don’t die from normal things due to our intake of blood.” Molina ran her hand over the blisters. “I guess they need a little time. I didn’t realize they were so deep.”
“So, blood heals your wounds?” Arianna asked.
“The same with yours,” Molina replied.
“But why are they still there?” Arianna pointed to the remaining blisters.
“To heal you first need blood, and then you need some time for it to work,” Molina replied.
“Is that night human blood?” Arianna asked. She could still smell the faint odor on Molina’s breath. Molina nodded. “So, will it heal quicker with dearg-dul blood?”
“The stronger the blood, the quicker it heals,” Molina replied.
“Then my blood should heal you quicker because I’m a purebred?” Arianna asked.
“Correct, but don’t get any ideas. It’s a crime to drink purebred blood,” Molina answered.
“But what if I offer it?” Arianna asked, feeling guilty that she caused Molina to get burned. Arianna took the knife from the counter and sliced the palm of her hand. “You have to follow my orders, correct? I order you to take some of my blood to heal.”
Molina was stuck. It was true she had to follow Arianna’s orders, but it was also true that it was a crime to take it. Molina shook her head as Arianna held out her bleeding palm. Hesitantly she licked the blood off Arianna’s hand, which had already healed itself. The blisters faded until nothing was left from the burn. Arianna smiled.
“My blood can heal that easily, even with just a drop?” she asked, surprised that it had actually worked.
“Just a drop of your blood could heal over fifty people. You know nothing of this world you are now a part of, but you are the strongest I’ve ever met, and you haven’t even finished turning yet,” Molina replied.
NINE
Arianna followed Devin and Molina downstairs from the dining room into the apartment below hers. From the lingering scent, she could tell that it was her grandfather’s apartment. She curiously peered into the side rooms from the dining room she was standing in, beginning to remember only fragments of her childhood: the deep burgundy satin-covered pillows on the couch, the
leather-bound books stacked near his desk, the little ship sitting on the fireplace mantel in a bottle. Lord Randolph sat quietly in the formal living room, watching his curious granddaughter. As soon as she realized he was there, she backed into Devin. Lord Randolph had the same glaring indifference from the night before as he looked to Molina, who was standing beside Arianna. Arianna quickly understood, as she could also still smell her own blood on Molina’s breath.
“I ordered her to take my blood,” Arianna began. “It was my fault she got burned while outside with me.” Arianna waited for her grandfather’s reply, but he said nothing. With a wave of his hand, Molina bowed and returned up the stairs. The fear in Molina didn’t decrease even as she left. Lord Randolph was not a forgiving man.
“You seem to be fine,” he commented, as his tone and facial expression changed.
Arianna looked at her own arms. It was true. She had been sitting in the sun longer than Molina, but nothing was burned. “I don’t know why, but I’m fine. We were only outside for ten minutes or so.”
“Please join Devin and me for dinner,” Lord Randolph added, as he stood and walked to the set table.
Arianna stared at the elaborate elegance of the place settings. This wasn’t a normal dinner in her eyes. From the delicate flower pattern around the edges of the expensive china, to the lace napkins at three place settings, everything indicated that it had been specifically arranged for Devin and Arianna to join him for his meal. Lord Randolph sat down at the head of the table as Arianna moved to the seat set next to him and across from Devin. Arianna’s forehead wrinkled in confusion as food was brought to the table by a maid.
“Don’t I need blood to survive? Isn’t that my food now?” Arianna asked softly, afraid of her grandfather, who was still mad.
The loud laugh at the head of the table nearly made her jump. Lord Randolph’s tone changed as he replied. “Yes, you will need blood to survive now, but you are not always a night human. There’s a day human side to you too. So, for that we eat food as well as blood.” Arianna nodded. The older man’s eyes twinkled at his granddaughter. It had been ten years since she left, but he had thought of her every day. Once a year, he had traveled with Devin to check up on Arianna, but he never talked to her. Each time, he found delight in watching her do just about anything. Her mannerisms reminded him of his own daughter so much. It was hard, year after year, to leave her behind.
Arianna sat uncomfortably through the meal as she was waited upon by maids in black and white dresses. It was too extravagant for her, but Devin and her grandfather didn’t seem to find it odd at all. Devin and her grandfather talked to great lengths about everything and nothing at the same time. There was a clear bond between them. As the meal finished, the maids returned with dessert. Arianna stared at the pie on the delicate plate. It was her favorite, lemon meringue pie.
“Was it made correctly?” Lord Randolph asked as Arianna took her first bite.
“It tastes just like Captain Lou’s,” Arianna replied. “I didn’t know anyone could make it like him.”
“Lou did teach our staff how to cook,” Lord Randolph replied, and Arianna stopped eating.
“Is Lou,” she began to ask, and Devin nodded a reply. “I didn’t know.” Arianna stared at the pie in front of her. Everything was so new to her; she didn’t realize that it had always been happening around her. Just because she didn’t know about it, didn’t mean that it didn’t exist. “Who else?” Arianna wondered.
“More than we can list right now,” Devin replied.
“But then, why didn’t anyone tell me about all of this?” she asked.
“Because I ordered them not to, and Gabriel did the same. Very few people knew who you were, and those who did could not say. We wanted you to have a childhood free from this world; the same world that killed both your mother and father, and would do the same to you if they knew about you,” Lord Randolph replied.
“Are Aunt Lilly and Uncle Dean really not my family?” she asked earnestly.
“No. Lilly is a friend of your mother’s and Dean is her older brother. Lilly was raised here at this estate beside your mother, and they were the best of friends, almost like sisters,” Lord Randolph explained.
Arianna turned to the entering maid, who had the lingering scent of blood on her. Arianna’s sharp eyes quickly glanced over the maid. She wasn’t a night human; yet, she had the strong scent of blood all over her. Her blond curls bobbed as she near Lord Randolph and bowed to him before speaking.
“Excuse me, my Lord,” she said quietly. Arianna guessed she was not much older than herself. “Would you like me to bring it in a glass or medical bag?”
“I don’t think she will readily drink it,” he replied. “Medical should be fine.” The young girl curtsied again and left the room. Arianna stared from Devin to her grandfather unaware of what they were cryptically discussing. “We need to finish your transformation,” Lord Randolph explained, as the maid returned with a bag of red liquid.
“I heard you were being very picky after you turned, and refused any blood but Devin’s, but you need to take more blood to finish your transformation. Devin will take care of everything for you upstairs,” he offered. “Devin, after you get Arianna settled, please send Molina back down here.”
Unsure of what was happening; Arianna followed Devin upstairs to the sitting room outside her bedroom. They didn’t explain how she would take the blood that smelled so unappealing. Arianna sat patiently on the couch as Devin and Molina put an IV in her. She knew immediately their plan to give her blood, and she was thankful she wouldn’t have to drink it.
“Just sit here until it’s empty,” Devin instructed, as he and Molina left the room.
Alone in the fancy sitting room, Arianna studied the paintings on the wall as she drifted into peoples’ conversations throughout the house: two maids talking down several hallways, a young man helping an older man with tools outside, the splash of water as an older woman washed clothes. Arianna focused to the room below hers as the scent of blood caught her attention. It was dearg-dul blood.
“I am sorry, my Lord,” Molina repeated after Lord Randolph hit her across her face. “I didn’t mean to disobey you.”
“You were told that you are under her command on everything but one issue. No one is to take even a drop of her blood,” Lord Randolph growled. “No one includes you.” Arianna winced as he slapped Molina again. Though she couldn’t see him, Arianna could feel the anger in Lord Randolph’s voice. Arianna listened as Devin helped Molina back to her feet. “The next time anyone takes her blood—I don’t care if she offers or is forced, I’ll kill them.”
“Out of my sight,” Lord Randolph ordered. “Just remember, next time I won’t be as lenient.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Molina replied. Arianna listened as the click of Molina’s shoes brought her upstairs and through the kitchen.
“She doesn’t understand the value of her own blood,” Devin said quietly to Lord Randolph.
“She needs to learn it soon. As soon as we let her out of this house, they will all come looking for her.” Lord Randolph’s tone of voice changed as he talked alone with Devin. “I have already received over fifty marriage proposals, and just as many custodian proposals.”
“You expected that much,” Devin replied. “Do any of them look promising?”
“I threw them all in the fire this morning. She’s only sixteen. There’s no way she’s ready to be promised in marriage to someone. She doesn’t even know the value in her own life,” he complained. “As to custodians, she doesn’t need to decide that for a few more years. Besides, she has you.”
“Forever,” Devin replied. “Is everything set with the school?”
“Yes, she can begin tomorrow. You and Molina will accompany her,” Lord Randolph ordered. “I prefer to keep her here, but she might get suspicious if we never let her out of her apartment.”
Arianna tried to continue listening, but realized the words were now starting to sound funny.
Arianna giggled as the last bit of blood drained into her arm. For some reason, she felt so warm and happy. Maybe the blood had something in it. The overly-decorated room became amusing to her as she looked from one corner of the room to the next. So much stuff in such a little space, she mused. Arianna giggled more. Everything she just heard sounded so scary, but she just had the urge to giggle. She now was a prisoner in her grandfather’s home. He was going to arrange a marriage for her. Her life was now completely in his control, but for some reason, Arianna found herself not caring. The blood had to be spiked with alcohol.
Devin returned to find Arianna lying upside down, hanging off the couch.
“What are you doing?” he asked as he placed her right side up and took out the IV.
“Eww,” she said plugging her nose as Devin picked up the IV bag and threw it in the fire. “That smells so gross,” she complained. Devin turned to Arianna, and she smiled back at him before giggling. “You look better upside down.” Arianna turned herself around and upside down off the couch again.
Devin sighed. “He really gave you his own blood didn’t he?” Devin asked, knowing Arianna wouldn’t know the difference.
“Grandfather’s blood? Is that why it smelled so badly?” she asked poking his arm with her toes.
“Promise me, that from now on, you’ll only drink my blood?” Devin demanded.
“Devin’s blood is nummy,” Arianna said while bouncing her feet off the back of the couch, refusing to sit up. As Devin made to move and sit her on the couch again, Arianna clumsily rolled off, and hit the floor with a thud. She burst into giggles.
Ignoring her, Devin picked up his papers from the coffee table and began to read over them.
“What’cha doing?” Arianna asked, as she crawled around the couch and hung over the back behind Devin.
“Babysitting,” he replied, not looking up from his papers. Lazily, for her own amusement, she blew the edges of his hair over his ears.
The Legend of the Blue Eyes Page 8