Requiem of Humanity

by Catherine Stovall

  Jenda stood in the shadows, hidden behind the thicket of trees and plants. Caught in the dance of the predator, her patience was unlimited. Watching her prey come into sight brought a wicked smile to her lips. Two young females walked close together on the edge of the woods. They spoke candidly with each other, unaware of the impending danger waiting for them.

  Leaping up, Jenda landed silently on a small branch that hung near the edge of the path. Like a wild animal, she sniffed the air and bared her teeth in a soundless snarl. Muscles tensed to spring on the guileless victims, Jenda moved to attack as the voice sung. “Meat. Meat. Blood and death. Yesss. Feed the hunger, satisfy the beast, and heal the girl.”

  Jenda coiled, a deadly viper ready to strike. Drawing her strength, she timed the jump to take both victims at once. She counted the pace in her head. “One and two and three and—”

  A hard impact caught her from behind and the sound of bodies, harder than stone, cracked through the cool air. Quickly overcoming the shock, Jenda twisted to face her attacker before they could hit the ground. Her body jolted and her head smacked the ground as they landed, the attacker on top. Deep feral growls escaped her as she snapped her jaws in an attempt to snare the body pressing against her. The smell of strange and ancient blood filled her nostrils as she ripped at his flesh with her claws.

  In the distance, the sounds of squeals and laughter penetrated the maddening haze of her thoughts. A stray thought from the two human girls hit her frontal lobes like a fist. A spike in their heartbeats and the silly giggles made her hunger lurch. Her defenses and offenses slipped as an image flashed in her mind. The crashing had scared them but their human minds rationalized the fear as a tree falling in the woods. They thought themselves safe from wild creatures as they walked in a sunlit public place.

  The moment when she faltered, the attacker took his shot. Jenda felt a fierce burn in her chest. The world around her brightened and the angry red bled from her eyes. The darkness faded with a final scream. In a moment of clarity, she saw his face. Disbelief coursed through her as the burn in her chest spread like a wildfire and everything faded to black.

  5

  Blood sweat dampened Matteo’s skin. He woke to find his bed empty other than the note Jenda had left behind. He had intended to seek her out so that they might spend a few hours together before the sun went down and the others began to stir. His concern for her was growing with each day. Jenda’s youth, both in years and the blood, worried him. He had seen many other vampires commit suicide when faced with fewer burdens.

  He roamed the castle grounds following her scent and hoping that she had not ventured too far. The path that she had taken seemed wildly disjointed, the product of someone running from themself and unable to escape. Raking his hand through his long dark hair he moved as quickly as he dared with so many humans around. When he finally spotted her, he could tell she was in trouble.

  Jenda’s movements were erratic and her face filled with dark mayhem. He moved to join her, afraid to call out her name. Without noticing his presence, she sped away before he could reach her side. Matteo recognized the language of her body and he panicked. He recognized the blank determined stare and silent swiftness—she was on the hunt.

  He lost her when she flung herself through the forest, moving with powerful force and speed. Slowed by the strain of the bright sun so soon after waking, he struggled to throw off the dullness and track her. Moving as swiftly as he could through thick woods, he hoped he would find her in time. If she made a kill, there would be hell to pay. Not even the heir to Celeste’s throne was allowed to hunt Vajdahunyad.

  Matteo caught her scent and spun just in time to see a figure move in the shadows. At first glance, he thought a member of the Chovihano had lured Jenda out. The idea was dismissed when the electric tingle surged through him, leaving him with the desire to scream. He caught the scent of an ancient, and instinctively prepared for battle. Before Matteo could act the man sprung himself on Jenda.

  As Jenda and the vampire fell through the air, she fought her attacker with powerful bites and claws. Seeing his beloved in the enemy’s arms, Matteo crouched and sprang. His movements resembled a deadly panther as he used his powerful muscles to catapult himself. Just as Jenda’s small body collided with the earth, the man’s arm crashed down onto Jenda’s chest. Matteo hit him with vicious force, sending them both toppling.

  Their bodies tumbled into the brush as they grappled. A hard kick to the chest knocked Matteo backward and filled his ears with the sick crackling of bone. Before he could react, the other vampire was up. The stranger tore away with such speed that he was only a blur of movement through the trees. Leaving a trail of blood and broken branches behind him the man took to the trees and disappeared.

  Matteo wanted to chase after the fiend but his attentions were needed elsewhere. He turned to see Jenda lying unmoving nearby. Her hair was strewn about her, filled with leaves and other matter. Her jeans were badly torn and he could see the pink lines of healing wounds on her face, neck, and arms. Her dark sunglasses had been lost during the fight and her eyes stared unblinkingly at nothing at all.

  Matteo staggered to her side and fell to his knees. Searching, his hands ran over her chest frantically. Surprised at the lack of blood, he tore open her shirt to reveal the swell of her breasts and the lacey red bra she wore underneath. Gently probing the reddened flesh, he found no gaping holes or other wounds. He had been certain that the man had staked her but there were no outward signs of injury.

  Terrified by the deathlike stare, Matteo scooped Jenda up into his arms as tenderly as he could. He spoke her name repeatedly and gently patted her cheek. When she did not respond, he pulled her tighter against his chest and ran through the wooded area closest to the castle. He ignored the risk of exposure and used his supernatural speed to get her to Vajdahunyad as quickly as possible.

  Once inside the safety of the castle walls, Matteo screamed out for help. His tearful and frightened voice echoed off the stones as he called on Patrick, Celeste, Agi, and even Imre to help him. Agi was the first to respond. Appearing at the top of the stairs with her husband Ishaan at her side, she seemed like an angel floating above him with her halo of golden curls.

  With one hand on the banister for balance and the other on the small rise of her stomach, Agi ran down the staircase. Ishaan sped by her, throwing a reprimand over his shoulder to his wife about taking care of the baby. Agi slowed slightly but her large blue eyes filled with tears. She could think of nothing but the sight of her best friend lying lifelessly in Matteo’s strong arms.

  Matteo snarled at Ishaan when he attempted to check on Jenda and the young man leveled his gaze on the frightened vampire. “Matteo, I only wish to help.”

  Ishaan kept his voice level even though he knew the vampire could hear the fear making his heart hammer hard inside him. Agi’s tears fell in endless rivulets but her small Cupid’s bow mouth was set in a determined frown. Possessing an inner strength that would rival any of the undead, Agi took charge. Her tiny hand fluttered to Ishaan’s strong arm as she insisted, “Darling, go wake Celeste. Go find help. I will handle this.”

  Swiping her tears away with the sleeve of her shirt, she gently stroked Jenda’s hair back from her face. “What happened, Matteo? Who did this to our girl?”

  Matteo stared at Ishaan violently as the man left the room at a sprint. Irrational thoughts filled him, the vampire male protecting his mate. Instinct finally gave away to the knowledge that the little human woman posed no threat. A rational voice sounded inside his head: “She is a friend.”

  “Someone attacked her in the woods. I thought he staked her but she has no wounds. I don’t understand what was done to her. She lies as if dead but what could kill a vampire that walks in the sun other than a stake or beheading?” He sounded like a frightened boy instead of the powerful vampire she knew him to be.

  Agi’s motherly instincts were already strong from the new life growing inside her. She coaxed Matteo like
a stubborn child, “Let me look. Loosen your grip, sweetheart. Let me see her.”

  Matteo did as she asked and Agi studied the mark on Jenda’s chest. She had no time to be embarrassed for herself or her friend as she gently probed the area where the man had struck Jenda. Her voice was timid and without accusation as she questioned him. “What manner of mortal could have harmed her like this? How could a human overpower her, even if he caught her by surprise?”

  Matteo shook his head, causing long hair to fall around his face. His voice was dark. “No human did this. An ancient and powerful vampire attacked her. We must have been mistaken. Belle must have made another before us. It’s the only way another blood drinker could be out in the sun.”

  Agi started to respond but her exploration of Jenda’s chest suddenly revealed a sharp point. A piece of metal hidden beneath Jenda’s rapidly healing skin pricked Agi’s finger. The girl yelped and uttered a foul word as she drew her hand away. The scent of blood filled Matteo’s nostrils and for a brief moment he fought the want inside him.

  “What is that? Oh no, Matteo, there’s something in her. Matteo?” When Agi met Matteo’s eyes, she saw the battle in them. She snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Knock it off, vampire. That little pin drop of blood cannot be bothering you that much.”

  Matteo’s eyes focused and he ducked his head sheepishly. Placing his hand where Agi felt the sharp object, he could feel something lodged just below the skin. Leaning closer, he studied a faint bluish discoloration on her skin, a telltale sign something lay just beneath the newly regenerated flesh. Anger flooded him for a moment. He swore an oath of vengeance under his breath.

  Celeste came running into the room with Ishaan behind her. The lady was rumpled from sleep and her face was etched with terror. “Is she alive? Who did this?”

  “Another day walker attacked her. She was,” he paused, hesitant to continue. “She was walking in the woods. I arrived just as he attacked. I tried to fight him but he was incredibly strong. He broke free from me and ran. I chose to help Jenda rather than give chase.” Matteo didn’t know why he did not tell Celeste that Jenda had been on the hunt. He knew he should but he couldn’t bring himself to the say the words. They tasted like betrayal to him.

  “She has not moved or opened her eyes since the attack. There’s something inside her chest. I thought he staked her but there were no wounds.” Matteo shook violently with anger and fear.

  Celeste instantly took over. “Bring her to my room. Ishaan, can you summon Meredith, please? Agi, come along, I may need your help.”

  6

  The roaming ache in her muscles and the raging hunger that burned the back of her throat woke Jenda from her sleep. Shooting up in the bed, she gnashed her teeth. Her body instinctively tried to fight off her attacker though she could no longer see him or feel him. Jenda’s thoughts ran wild as she thrashed her arms and legs. Slowly, her surroundings became clearer and she calmed. Still trapped in a drugged haze full of fear, Jenda stared into space, trying to make sense of what had happened.

  Strong hands gripped her arms and a male voice snapped against her brain like a rubber band against tender flesh. The insistence in the voice broke through the haze of red inside her. “Jenda! Jenda, calm down. You’re safe.”

  Her eyes focused on Drew’s face, and more specifically on the metal ring in his lip. Labret piercings had always freaked her out a little. The tiny metal skull protruding just below the center of his bottom lip seemed somehow hypnotizing in its strangeness. With her eyes still locked to the ring, Jenda licked her dry lips. She felt as if a blowtorch was being applied somewhere near her tonsils.

  Drew understood her need and was well prepared. He quickly offered her a tumbler full of red liquid. Jenda grabbed the glass with both hands, unable to conceal the snarl that escaped her lovely lips. She gulped with wild abandon, needing the promise of relief it would provide. Rivulets of blood ran from the corners of her mouth and down the white skin of her throat.

  Drew watched the liquid run. A beautiful vampire woman feeding, even from a lukewarm glass of bagged blood, tugged at the loose ends of his primal instincts. Desperately trying not to stare at the Jenda’s barely concealed breast, he busied himself with opening another bag. When he finally pried his eyes up to her face, he found her staring at him with an odd expression.

  Jenda lowered her drink just in time to see the boy’s eyes focused squarely on her chest. He glanced up quickly but not quickly enough. Her feelings still swirled inside her as if her skull was a blender and someone had hit puree. She didn’t quite know whether she should be angry, embarrassed, or amused. Therefore, she simply looked at him blankly.

  Drew ducked his head as he handed Jenda a second glass, a small embarrassed smile curving his lips. She instantly forgot about the vampire boy. Greed burned in her eyes as she drank deeply again without shame. Her control had returned and not an ounce was wasted from the tumbler. When she lowered the glass, her mind slowed. The burning insanity of thirst eased from her body.

  Jenda could feel the sticky wetness on her own skin. Her voice was breathy and soft as she asked him for a towel. Snapping into action, Drew raced into the connecting bathroom and returned with a warm washcloth. His face was full of emotion as he spoke. “How are you feeling?”

  Jenda was surprised to see real concern burning in the boy’s eyes. The riveting blue sparkled in the lights of the room and mesmerized her as she responded. “I’m okay, I guess. What happened?” She dabbed the blood from her neck and chest as she spoke. When the cloth scraped against the tender flesh of her healing wound, Jenda gasped, “Ouch! What the hell?”

  Drew took the towel from her and laid it carelessly on the table beside them. “You were attacked in the woods near the park by another day walker. He stabbed you with a needle filled with witch blood and Casava. The mixture paralyzed you and the needle broke off in your chest. Luckily, Matteo fought off the attacker and brought you back here.”

  Indicating the small pink line just above her breast he continued, “Celeste had to cut the needle out. You will heal in no time. The council has gone out to track the other day walker. When they find him, he will no longer be a threat to anyone.”

  Jenda tried to remember what had happened but the entire day was lost. She pushed her mind with a ferocity that caused her brain to ache. Drew watched her carefully, waiting for any signs of severe distress. Attempting to distract her, he prepared two glasses of blood and handed Jenda another drink. He despised how the packaged and processed liquid tasted but, until he was able to return home, it would have to do.

  As he tipped his glass upward, the light caught the red liquid inside and the familiar obscure hunger and lust filled Jenda. The sight of the thick red substance triggered her memory and she remembered the dream, the walk, and her thirst. The darkness inside her had driven her as if she was a puppet to the point that she had almost taken a human life. Her mind ripped through the sequence of events and she recalled the site of Augustine’s face looming above her.

  Jenda jumped up from her seat. “Drew, we have to stop them. There is only one other day walker, no one else could have attacked me. The other vampires and the witches are hunting Augustine. He is ancient and powerful and he has Soborgne.”

  Drew nearly dropped his glass as he stood to intercept her. “Jenda, what are you talking about? Sit down. You should rest. The others will be fine and no one will be able to hurt you again.”

  He mistakenly thought she was afraid because of the incident, a normal victim’s reaction to a violent attack. He couldn’t know all the things she did—no one knew. Jenda inwardly cursed herself—it had been stupid to go out alone. Her carelessness had put the others at risk. Soborgne was in danger. If they found her, they might kill her as well.

  Jenda stepped forward and looked directly into the bright blue of Drew’s eyes. “I need your help. The man the others are after is the one who has Soborgne. If they find them before I do, the others may hurt my friend. I need to
track them, Drew. Can you help me?”

  A war took place inside the boy. Celeste and Matteo had charged him as caretaker of the beautiful girl but she was also the vampire princess of Vajdahunyad. He couldn’t disobey the girl who lived in legends long before she lived on Earth. His loyalty to Jenda won out over his fear of Matteo and Celeste. “Yes, I will. If you will please get dressed, the others left only an hour ago. I think we may be able to follow them easily, but you can’t go out like that.”

  Jenda looked down to see that she was standing quite exposed. Turning her bare back to Drew she snatched the white linen sheet from the bed. With little time to prepare, she could waste none on embarrassed apologies about her state of undress. “I will be back in a minute. Meet me in the garden.”

  She ran blindly through the castle, trying not to trip over the trailing ends of the sheet she still clutched to cover her nakedness. Rushing into her and Matteo’s room, Jenda threw open the closet. She paid little attention to the clothing she dragged on in her haste to be on the move. The pain in her chest was barely a nuisance. Only the smallest pinprick of irritation flashed as the fabric of the clean shirt brushed against the wound. Within minutes, she was back to the other side of the castle and waiting for Drew.

  He stood in the shadows for a moment, taking in the sight of her. She wore a tight fitting black T-shirt, jeans, and heavy boots. She had pulled her red locks up in a ponytail that hung in cascading curls down her back. As she turned her head to listen to the night, the moon caught her skin and the whiteness of her neck beckoned him. He knew if she turned to look at him, he would see fear and determination light up her emerald eyes.

  Drew knew he could not have her. Jenda’s heart belonged to Matteo. Yet, he still felt drawn to her as if by a force outside himself. From the moment he’d seen her in the meeting room, he had wanted her. He loved her strength, her determination, her fire, and her rebelliousness. Most of all he loved her vulnerability. Even as she bravely took on the others, she leaned on those she loved with abandon.