“Something’s wrong,” Arel cried between screams of distress.
Rushing from the room, he clenched her tightly in his arms, yelling to his father to get help. A trail of blood followed the pair through the rooms to the door leading to the unfinished maternity ward he had begun building. Laying her on the bed, he held her hand as he stroked her head, worry hanging on his face. His clothes soaked with her blood clung to him as he leaned over the pillow where her head rested. Sebastian looked down, waiting for the doctor to return, trying to ease her pain.
The pain in her voice as the screams escaped her chapping lips struck Sebastian’s heart. Helplessly he watched as her body twisted in agony. Tears flowing full force out her eyes, he helplessly watched. Legs curled under her, the blood continued to pour down her leg, pooling on the firm mattress.
“It’s okay, breath. Arel, you have to breathe,” commanded Sebastian.
“You have to save her,” she gasped between breaths. “She has to live, she will . . . will unite them,” cried Arel.
“You’re going to be okay. I can’t lose you,” whispered Sebastian. Focused on easing her pain, he would not entertain Arel not surviving the birth.
“Promise me, you will save her. Promise,” Arel begged.
“You’re going to be okay. Shhh, save your strength. You’re going to be okay.”
“We have not been lucky, I’m sorry I won’t be able to,” whispered Arel. Her voice stopped abruptly as the pain shot through her limp body.
Clutching her stomach, Arel screamed in pain, overcome by the contractions. Tossing, she turned to her side, curling up in a ball. Blood trailed down her leg, pooling underneath her as she held her stomach. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her face squinched in pain.
“Help is coming, you both will be well,” he whispered. Fearfully Sebastian clenched Arel’s hand as she went in and out of consciousness. With his other hand, he caressed her head, trying to comfort her.
Aeron entered the room, his eyes resting on his son, watching his unconscious wife. The sporadic beating of Arel’s heart worried him, unsure of how much time she could hold on. Time was of the essence, and he would have to assist Sebastian if the child was to be saved. The child’s survival was important, but if his son lingered, they both would die.
As Catrin entered the room, Aeron quickly turned towards the door. Slightly he shook his head as Catrin approached Sebastian. Rolling up his sleeves, he walked closer to his son. Resting his hand on Sebastian’s back, he inhaled mentally preparing for the struggle yet to come.
“Sebastian, she’s lost a lot of blood,” Aeron spoke from behind his son. “They both will die if we don’t do anything.”
“Where is he,” Sebastian demanded to look up at his father who now stood across from him.
“I have sent someone to find him. I don’t believe they will last if we don’t take action now,” replied Aeron.
“What am I supposed to do,” questioned Sebastian.
“Help her. Deliver the child.”
Sebastian looked down at the blood-covered Arel as she lay quietly, the contractions seemingly eased her breathing shallow, her heartbeat slowed. His doubt quickly displaced by the fear of losing her, he rushed to his feet. Lifting up the soaked skirt, he glimpsed the top of the child’s head.
“Quickly, her heart,” whispered Aeron to his son.
“You have to take him out,” said Catrin standing next to him.
Placing his hands around the child, he slowly pulled him out as Arel’s breathing grew lighter. His hands held tight to the warm bloody body of his child. Tears welled in Sebastian’s eyes as he listened to the faint heartbeat of Arel. Knowing as he pulled the lethargic child from his wife’s body that she didn’t believe she would survive.
Finally free, Sebastian looked down at the lifeless body of his son, the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. With his free hand, he removed it. Gently Sebastian massaged the child’s chest carefully not to push too hard. Holding his limp son, tears filled his eyes as he looked down at his wife. He would fight to bring his son to life in hopes it would keep Arel with him.
“Arel,” he cried, cuddling the newborn in his hands.
Slowly her eyes opened, a soft smile on her lips. Pouring her effort into raising her hands, she looked at the small child in Sebastian’s arms.
“Give her the child,” whispered Catrin, hope on her words. Moving closer, Catrin looked at the silent cavity of his chest, hoping there was enough energy in his mother to make his heartbeat.
Sebastian rushed to her side, placing the newborn on Arel’s chest. Completely opening her eyes, she looked down at her son’s still body. Her heart ached, desiring to feel his breath, see him move. Snuggling close to the top of the baby’s head, Arel moved her free hand towards his chest. Her lips parted as she whispered into her son’s ear. Slowly she breathed in and out, her hand completely covering the baby. The child’s chest began to move in and out; their breathing in sync.
“A son...we...have...a…son,” she whispered. Her voice barely above a murmur. Smiling, she looked at Sebastian before dropping her eyes to her son resting on her chest. With her last breath, her hand fell to her side. Catrin grabbed the child as Sebastian pulled Arel into his arms.
“Arel, Arel, AREL,” he cried.
Sebastian pulled her into his lap. Clutching her in his arms, the tears fell down his face onto the top of her curly brown locks. Rocking her back and forth, he cried out. The pain released, desperate to bring her back he called her name. Listening, the heartbeat he loved was silent, ignoring his pleas for her to return.
Catrin cuddled the sleeping child, hugging his warm body in her bosom. Wrapping him in a towel, she slowly cleaned the blood off his tiny limbs, warming him as she rubbed. His chest moved up and down as he restfully slept in her arms. The beat of his heart was powerful, purposeful.
Aeron looked on at his grandchild, the first of his kind. They would have to protect the child, it had been Arel’s dying wish, and he would honor it. Sebastian’s cries tugged at his heart as he knew the pain of his son’s loss. The half Vampire half Darken child stirred; his hands moved about, a cry coming on. Catrin walked him over to Arel’s unmoving body.
“Sebastian,” she whispered.
Looking up at his sister, he lowered Arel’s body back to the bed. The cries of his wife’s name gone from his lips as the tears continued to fall. Silently he wept, looking at the child which Arel gave her life for. Catrin placed the squirming infant next to Arel, and the child began to suckle. As he fell asleep Catrin again set him into her arms, rocking him gently.
“Blood,” said Aeron.
Since the time of Emi and Iona, all children born were given their father’s blood. The Vampire child was bonded naturally to the mother, sharing her blood, but lacked the connection with the father. It was through the blood that the child would be bonded to his father. Catrin handed the sleeping child to her brother.
“Give him your blood, create the bond,” said Aeron.
Sebastian’s eyes looked over the top of the child’s full head of brown hair to his round chubby cheeks. His finger traced the side of the child’s head, outlining the small ears than jaw and chin. Opening the towel, he looked over the tiny pale body, memorizing each curve of his son’s frame.
Immortalized within his memory, he wrapped the boy back into the sheet. Looking down at his son, he pierced his finger, bringing the small droplets forming on its tip to his son’s mouth. After the first few drops, a faint sucking noise could be heard from the baby.
Smiling down at his son, he watched as the baby suckled his tip, forming the bond. After a few moments, he removed his finger, letting the child drift peacefully back to sleep. Sebastian looked over at his father, unsure of what to do next. The sleeping infant in his arms and Arel’s lifeless body compounded his fears. Thoroughly unprepared for her passing, he sought his father’s guidance.
“She wanted him to live,” Aeron replied to his son as he watched the
infant in his arms sleeping. “She wanted him to be safe, protected.”
“We’re here, Sebastian,” cried Alexander as he entered the room with Dr. Weaver in tow.
Alexander still blooded from the attack earlier walked towards Sebastian. Dr. Weaver followed behind Alexander, a large black box hitting against his leg as he limped. The doctor’s gray suit, disheveled, his face ashen, Dr. Weaver followed along hurriedly. Large sweat stains patched his white shirt, his hair uncombed, his eyelids swollen, he trailed along behind Alexander.
“I’m sorry,” he said, looking over at Arel’s lifeless body.
Walking to Catrin, Sebastian placed the sleeping infant in her arms before turning back to Arel. Catrin looked down at the small face of her nephew, studying his tiny nose and deep inset eyes wondering what color they would be. With her free hand, she touched the soft brown curls atop his head, trailing her finger to his cheek. Holding his hand, she played with his palm until he grasped her finger, drawing it to his mouth. Smiling, she brought him close to her inhaling his scent.
Without warning, Sebastian moved swiftly towards the doctor. Grasping him by the throat, he held him above his head, his voice full of rage. “You have failed at the one task I had given you. I’ve lost my wife and son today,” he spoke to the doctor tightening his grip. The doctor’s legs dangled as Sebastian shook him.
“Sebastian,” said Aeron to his son, resting his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder, he stood behind them.
“Master Sebastian,” gurgled Dr. Weaver as Sebastian’s grip tighten around his neck. Reaching into his front pocket, he pulled out a letter. Sebastian saw the delicate letters of his name in Arel’s handwriting on the pale green envelope, the same stationery in their room upstairs.
“Let him go,” whispered Aeron his arm resting on Sebastian’s shoulder.
Sebastian lowered the dangling doctor to the floor. Fully upright, the doctor stood at attention, waiting for the grieving Sebastian to open the letter he had handed him.
Bringing the note to his face, Sebastian looked over the envelope, inhaling Arel’s scent off of the crisp linen stationary. With eyes closed, he exhaled before breaking the seal on the envelope.
My dearest Sebastian,
I am sorry that I could not complete this part of the journey with you. Do not blame Dr. Weaver, he could not have prevented this outcome any more than the Darken. I sent him away so that you would not hold him accountable for being unable to keep me alive. I come from a long line of women who have died in childbirth, so I hoped against hope that I might have been different.
I have made arrangements for our child to protect her. I know you don’t think that she is the one they have prophesized about. I’m not sure if I believe it, but many do. She is in danger just because of her existence. The Darken will seek her out, and if they know, she has survived no one will be safe.
She should be cremated in a ceremony with all that is due to her status. Dr. Weaver has what you will need.
Your love,
Arel
Sebastian lowered the note to his side, looking at the box the aged doctor held up to him. Taking the container from the doctor’s hands he opened, it’s top resting in his palm.
Dr. Weaver limped over to Catrin, holding the sleeping child. Removing a silver necklace from his pocket, he placed it around the newborn’s neck before walking back to his spot in front of Sebastian. Facing Aeon, he bowed his head.
“It has been my pleasure serving the Cadell family. Forgive me for not being able to fulfill my duty,” he said, smiling. Closing his eyes, the doctor’s body fell to the floor, leaving Alexander standing behind him.
The others parted the house at the sound of Sebastian’s grieving. Silence permeated the upper rooms of the Cadell estate, the only witness to the unfolding events were those present. With his cries reaching their sensitive ears, they knew the doctor would pay with his life. Despite their feelings towards Arel, they did not wish to witness the grief of the young Cadell.
“Earlier Arel had me swear an oath, protecting Catrin and,” said Alexander looking at Catrin holding the sleeping child. “As long as there is breath in my body, I will keep my promise.”
Tiptoeing as not to disturb the sleeping child Catrin stopped near Sebastian. Holding the child out towards him, she rested him in her brother’s arms. He remained unmoved lost in his sorrow.
“Sebastian,” said Catrin drawing her brother’s attention.
The infant stirred as Sebastian brought him closer to his chest. He looked down as his son opened his eyelids, revealing small blue-gray sparkling eyes staring up at him. Holding the infant close, Sebastian inhaled his scent. Gently he traced his finger along the tiny pink lips. Bringing his thumb back to his own mouth, he pierced its tip allowing the blood to form into drops that he trickled into the baby’s mouth.
As the iron-rich elixir traveled down the child’s mouth, he opened his eyes, staring up at his father, grasping the finger to suckle. The pair remained locked in a gaze for a few seconds before the child closed his eyes, releasing the finger. Bending over, he kissed the child’s head before placing him back into Catrin’s arms.
“What will we call him,” Catrin asked, looking again at her brother.
“She would have wanted him to be named after her brother,” whispered Sebastian.
“She had a brother,” asked Catrin.
“James. She would have named him James,” answered Sebastian.
Catrin stood, smiling, she walked over to her father, looking up his scarred face. The wounds from the battle early had begun to heal. Aeron placed his hand on Catrin’s cheek before wrapping his arms around her waist. Lifting both in the air into his chest, he inhaled.
“So much like your mother,” Aeron said.
“Father, I will make you proud,” said Catrin. Leaning her head against her father’s, they shared a breath.
“Catrin,” Alexander whispered. “We must go.”
Sebastian remained sitting at Arel’s side, his focus on her chest. Ignoring the conversations taking place, he held her hand, stroking it gently. His thoughts reliving the events that led up to the outcome before him.
“As far as anyone knows Arel and the child did not,” instructed Aeron, pausing he looked over to his son still sitting motionless by Arel’s side.
“Survive,” said Sebastian completing his father’s sentence. “They did not survive. Set the pyre for the child.”
“Sebastian,” his father responded.
“I’m not ready to let her go.”
“Catrin, there is no one I would trust more to protect him,” said Aeron.
“I’ll protect her with my life,” said Alexander looking over at the pair.
Looking down at the baby, she walked over to Arel lying on the table.
“Maybe he can help her wake up,” she said. Bending down, she placed the still sleeping infant on Arel’s chest. Wrapping Arel’s limp arms around the baby. Standing back, she stood looking down at them, hoping it would bring Arel back to life.
“Please Arel, wake up,” Catrin whispered hopefully.
“You must leave,” Sebastian replied, gently picking the infant up; he handed him back to his sister. “He’s not like her, he can’t bring her back. He’s one of us.”
Sebastian watched Arel hopeful she would heal herself like she did when she was a child. He remembered the story of her survival when she and her sister escaped from the Darken. He had not thought about Arel’s sister, but she gave him hope. Despite his founded fears, she might provide aid.
“Her sister,” he said excitedly turning to his father.
“What,” Catrin asked, rocking the stirring infant.
“Teraya, Arel’s sister,” responded Sebastian. The tears dried from his eyes; hopeful he could save her.
“Isn’t she with the Darken? Do you really want to involve them,” questioned Alexander.
“Sebastian even if they were able to revive her, she would be vulnerable in their care. They would im
prison her and you, she wouldn’t want you to go to them,” said Catrin.
“I won’t live without her. If they can promise to bring her back, it’s a chance I would take. I would give anything to have her back.”
“Sebastian, there is no coming back from death,” replied Aeron. “We will let the others believe that Catrin has gone to speak with the Darken in light of the events. Alexander, keep my daughter safe, keep your promise.”
Obediently Catrin prepared to leave. Turning towards Sebastian, she now stood next to him. Hesitantly she looked down at the sleeping infant and back at her brother before extending the infant towards him.
“James Winters,” Catrin whispered to the sleeping child.
“James Amias Cadell,” whispered Sebastian.
Quietly the trio left the room, the infant still wrapped in the towel held tightly in his aunt’s arms. Alexander led the way through the house into the garage where several cars were parked. Catrin walked over to a four-door with dark windows parked furthest from the wall where she stood waiting for him to open the door. Slipping inside, she tucked the child into the nook of her arms as she waited for Alexander to start the car.
The fading light of dusk entered the full garage as the wall opened, allowing the car to emerge. She focused solely on the child while Alexander drove down the drive through the gates to the paved road leaving her family to mourn Sebastian’s loss.
Within a few hours, the door opened as a crew of four walked over to where Sebastian still sat by Arel’s side. Slowly a female from the group approached him. As she reached the motionless Arel, Sebastian awoke from his trance.
“Don’t touch her,” he yelled, lunging towards the startled woman in a gray cleaner’s uniform.
With her head turned, she looked down at the floor waiting for calm to come over him. She had been warned by Aeron about his son’s grief, advised to take caution. A member of the human cleaning crew, his family, employed she knew the volatile behaviors of Vampires.
Sight Page 21