Hyblood

by Budd, Stephanie; Wolf, April

  "Are you mad at me for keeping this from you?" He asked softly, his chin resting on her head softly as he looked into the distance

  "No. I don’t care what you are, I'll always love you." She moved her head enough to look up at him. Everything felt so strange. Like something out of a fairytale her mother used to tell her at bedtime. It suddenly struck her that maybe the stories were never really fairytales at all. But real life in the actual world she lived in.

  They looked at one another for a moment before Gaspard pressed his lips to hers softly, briefly, enjoying the warmth in her lips. He sighed as he pulled away, smiling before pulling her close once more.

  "What are we going to do?" Jocelyn asked quietly.

  "I...I don’t know," his answer was soft, full of worry. Her father wanted him dead. He was a vampire and she was a werewolf, how could they keep this safe on both sides?

  "You changed on your birthday didn't you," Gaspard suddenly spoke up, startling Jocelyn with his question, or rather statement. "Yes… how did you know?"

  "I didn't until now."

  "I'm sorry I lied to you before, I just couldn't tell you then. I wasn't allowed to anyway. It's against the rules to tell a human."

  Gaspard nodded, chuckling lightly. "We have that same rule, among others."

  "When did you become a vampire?" she didn't have trouble saying it like she did with saying werewolf.

  "The night... the night Elijh died," he managed to choke out. It had been weeks since he had said his friend's name, and it still pained him as if it had just recently happened.

  "I’m sorry," she whispered, hugging him gently, as much of a hug as she could get sitting down that is.

  "Don’t be."

  They sat in the small clearing for hours, mostly sitting entwined in each other’s arms, while the rest of the time they just talked quietly, as if they were trying to get as much conversation in as possible before something tore them apart again.

  The moon had covered half the sky by now. Gaspard looked down at Jocelyn, feeling her body grow cold. She had fallen asleep just recently, and he hated to wake her when she looked so peaceful, but he had to get her home; as much as he hated to take her there of all places, but she needed to be warm again, something he couldn't do with just his cold arms.

  "Jocelyn… Jocelyn, wake up," he cooed softly to her, shaking her very gently until her eyelids began to flutter.

  "Hmm?"

  "I think I'll take you back home, you'll freeze to death out here."

  "I don't want to go back there," she almost whimpered, causing Gaspard to wrap his arms around her tightly.

  "I don't want you to go back either, but it has to be that way for now. I promise I'll see you again soon. I won’t let anyone keep me away from you." His voice grew angry as he spoke the latter words, visions of Victor, Lucas and Olivier flashing through his brain, but calmed himself as he looked down at Jocelyn once more. He picked her up gently and carried her the few miles back to Roux Mansion. His steps stayed steady, as if he weren't carrying anyone. As he got to the mansion's front grounds, he lopped into a steady run, clutching Jocelyn closer to him as if she would be torn away at any moment.

  They reached the walls of the building without trouble, Gaspard wasting no time as he scaled the walls and jumped the last few feet to her balcony, landing nimbly in front of her balcony door. He opened the door quietly, making sure to be as silent as he could as he entered her room and laid her down gently in her bed. Covered her with a quilt and kissing her forehead softly, he turned back to the balcony. He looked back once to make sure one last time that she was safe, and before he jumped down the two stories he whispered back at her, "I love you. I promise I'll be back," and then jumped down. As is boots hit the lawn with a soft thud he could have sworn he heard her reply back to him, "I love you too." He kissed his hand and placed it against the wall briefly before jumping into a very swift run through the miles between the Vampire Castle and Roux Mansion.

  Chapter 22 Intention

  As Gaspard ran to the Vampire castle his mind was working

  at full blast. He desperately needed to find Gabriel tonight. So many questions he had for him now. How was the existence of werewolves being really kept from him? Was he only supposed to learn of them by nearly dying from their claws? Gaspard felt his self begin to heat up at this but cleared his mind away. Now was not the time to be angry. There would be plenty of time for that after he found Gabriel.

  He slowed his swift foots steps as he caught sight of the castle looming closer and he stopped as he made it to the door. He ignored the guards as he usually did now, and entered the castle, his eyes narrowed as he looked, and listened for any sign of Gabriel.

  Nothing.

  Where could he be? Gaspard thought desperately as he made his way up a flight of stairs then turned down a hallway, his ears constantly listening. As he followed the familiar hallways and series of doors in the castle to where Gabriel's room lie, Gaspard picked up his pace once more.

  As his hand went to reach for Gabriel’s door handle, Gaspard stopped. It was too quite. Gabriel rarely moved around in his room as it was, but Gaspard could always tell if he was inside. He felt nothing. After shoving open the door rather roughly out of anger and finding his self to be correct of Gabriel's absence, Gaspard started to search the castle room by room.

  The one night I actually need to speak with him, he is going to be out feeding? Gaspard thought angrily as he continued to search. Most of the rooms were deserted, as always with the vampire castle. And the few rooms he barged into that weren’t empty, he was met with the familiar hostile and hate filled glares he usually received from the other vampires. But no matter how many glares he received, Gaspard would keep looking or stay until Gabriel came back from wherever he currently was hiding.

  He eyed yet another unexplored door and headed towards it as he had the many others in his quest that night. He flung the door open to only be caught by pure surprise. The scene that came into his vision of the newly entered room gave him a mixture of feelings between shock, and nausea.

  Gaspard realized all too soon that the room he had just burst into was not just a common room of the castle, but Lucas very bedroom itself as he took in the scene going on before his eyes. In the middle of the vastly decorated red silken room sat Lucas in a very large, finely furnished chair. But Lucas was not alone. Behind him stood Alexis, rubbing Lucas shoulders as she nibbled on his right ear with one of her fangs. And sitting on Lucas lap was Aimee. Lucas looked up at Gaspard with a very calm, and rather pleased, smile on his face as he pulled away from whispering things in Aimee's ear that caused her to giggle.

  "Ah, Gaspard! What a pleasant surprise. And, might I add, perfectly timed." Lucas grinned and took a sip from his goblet.

  It wasn’t until Lucas drank from it that Gaspard finally realized what must be in it- blood. He felt his gut clench at the sweet, inviting smell of it and fought his urge to take it from Lucas' very hand and gulp it down. The strong smell coming from the glass made Gaspard wonder if the blood was human, as it smelled more nourishing then the animal blood, or if he was just that ravenous for a taste. He shook his head slightly to try and clear the scent from his nostrils as he began to feel his fangs peak from under his lips.

  "Oh, dear, girls, someone looks awfully hungry." Lucas grinned ever so evilly, barring his thirsty fangs, causing both female vampires to giggle.

  "I'm looking for Gabriel, Lucas. Do you know where he is?" Gaspard asked as calmly as he could while fighting the hunger that rose inside him.

  "I am afraid I do not. But, since you are here, would you care for a drink?"

  Gaspard turned away from them as he ignored Lucas' taunting and headed for the door, wanting to be away from this room as quickly as possible. Not only that, but he had to find Gabriel as soon as possible. And Gaspard was not going to waste time by playing one of Lucas' sick games. Or so he thought.

  Just as his hand grasped the doors handle Lucas spoke up once more,
freezing Gaspard not only in his tracks, but to the very core of his body.

  "So, does the wolf-bitch know of your blood-lust yet?"

  Gaspard's grip upon the doors handle tightened dangerous. The metal of the handle bending to his inhuman strength as anger, and fear, filled him from Lucas' comment. Lucas couldn’t possibly know of Jocelyn. How could he? As Gaspard began to peel his hand from the smashed handle, he desperately tried to still the panic inside of him.

  "What are you speaking of, Lucas? I do not have time for this." Gaspard tried to play off Lucas' bait with a calm reply as he continued to face the closed door. But both of them knew his words were merely a bluff.

  "Oh, dear. We haven’t forgotten of Jocelyn already have we?" Gaspard's un-beating heart lurched as her name was spoken."She has just changed not long ago, has she not? Or does her fur and saliva repulse you? I know it would me." Lucas grinned and Gaspard heard him sip from his goblet once more.

  "How do you know of her?" Gaspard asked. His voice was hoarse as he turned to face the vampire once more.

  "How could I not? She is of wolf blood. I am a vampire. If I did not know of her, I might as well hand myself over to the werewolves on a silver platter," Lucas laughed and added in an undertone, "Although I don’t think they'd like the touch of silver."

  "If you harm her in any way I swear I'll-!"

  Lucas held up a hand calmly as Gaspard had begun to walk swiftly towards him in rage, "Oh no, Gaspard, why would I kill her when I need her? Poor Gaspard, you never were very bright were you?"

  Gaspard's jaws tightened, his nostrils flaring in rage until a certain part of what Lucas said hit him fully. "What the hell do you mean you need her?"

  At Gaspard's question Lucas turned his head a bit so he could see both Aimee and Alexis. "Would you two lovely vampires excuse us?" He grinned and gave each one a nip with his fangs on their necks. Lucas eyed both of them as they left the room. Them giggling as always.

  "Now that we have the floor to ourselves, what is it you wanted to know?"

  "What do you want with Jocelyn, you leech!" Gaspard snarled. His fists clenched in rage. He hated Lucas. But what he hated more was Lucas' mind games. And it seemed Lucas would enjoy playing every game that came to mind right now just to torture him.

  "Ah, yes. Well, without her, there is no prophecy of course. And without her, how can I get what I want? It's all very simple really."

  "I do not understand."

  "Well of course you don’t. The prophecy was made before you were born after all."

  "How could you need a werewolf for some vampire prophecy? It doesn’t make any sense."

  "I don’t just need a Werewolf, boy," Lucas stood from his chair, set down his cup, and took a few swift steps towards Gaspard until they were a foot apart, "I need someone else."

  Gaspard felt his stomach lurch. He couldn’t mean him. How could Lucas need him? How much Gaspard wanted to turn and flee from the deranged vampire leader. But something kept his feet from moving. Jocelyn. "Why is Jocelyn so important? And why do you need me!"

  "Have you ever known of a child to be conceived without a male and female, boy? I know I haven’t."

  Lucas grinned enjoyably as he watched Gaspard's expression of shock grow from his words.

  "What are you playing at Lucas?"

  "I am not playing at anything. It is merely what the Prophecy speaks of. And I plan to follow it thoroughly."

  "What would it matter if a werewolf and a vampire have a child? It can’t be any different-"

  "You are so naive. But, I should expect as much. You see, Gaspard, when a Werewolf and Vampire breed, a stronger breed is created. And you are the prophesized vampire to sire him."

  "You cannot be so sure it is me the prophecy speaks of!"

  "Oh, I can. I know what it mentions. And I know you boy, very well. Maybe even better then you know yourself."

  An evil glint shone in Lucas' eyes as he spoke with such relish. It was if just speaking of Gaspard being the one he needed gave him some sort of strength.

  "I will not do this! And what makes you think Jocelyn will either?!" Gaspard shouted angrily, his body heating up with rage at what Lucas was saying.

  "You have no choice, boy! And as for the girl, that is where you play your part once more." Lucas grinned.

  The full force of what Lucas was saying suddenly hit him. He wanted Gaspard to trick her? Just to help get Lucas what he wanted? If Gaspard and Jocelyn could ever have a child together, it would be on their own terms and not because of what a psychotic vampire wanted!

  "I will not do this, Lucas!"

  "And what is that?"

  "You know what! You want me to trick her to do your own bidding!"

  "Yes. And I know you will do it."

  "And what makes you think I will go along with this insane plan of yours, Lucas?" Gaspard growled in a low voice, "Nothing you say could ever make me trick her to your own wants!"

  Lucas grinned at Gaspard's response, his face clearly amused by the firm words that were spat out at him. But, instead of replying with an equally firm and threat filled response, he instead walked casually over to his wall covered in blades and picked up a rather longbladed sword. He tested the sword in his hand for a moment, and then ran his fingers over the blade slowly, relishing its smooth touch.

  "Do you know what this is made of Gaspard?" Lucas asked but didn’t intend to wait for his answer, "This sword's blade is made of pure silver. A very heavy blade to wield for a human, but very affective. Very affective indeed. Especially when it's used upon the correct opponent for its making. Werewolves die when Silver infects their blood stream…," Lucas' voice suddenly turned heated, "And if you do anything what so ever to thwart my plans or warn the wolf-bitch, I will do nothing less than slit her open and watch her die a very slow and painful death that will rest upon your conscience forever. That is a promise, boy."

  Gaspard's jaw tightened as he watched Lucas flip the sword around once more before setting it back upon the shelf. He's insane, Gaspard thought to himself as Lucas walked back over to sit in his chair. Gaspard had the urge to turn and leave without a single word otherwise when something struck him.

  "How is it that you say you need Jocelyn for your plan, but you’re willing to kill her off if I warn her? Would that not mess up your plan more than my words to her?"

  "Such a silly boy. Yes, I did say I needed her. But, I never said she was irreplaceable. You are the one I really need. Without you this will not work. She is just the only werewolf in Paris right now who is of the same age. But, that does not mean I couldn’t have another werewolf trapped. That would only inconvenience me, not stop my plan."

  Lucas knew his words were an utter lie. But Gaspard did not know that. Only Lucas knew that Jocelyn was the exact werewolf needed to create the stronger breed. Yes, Gaspard was a major factor in his plan for without him there would be no creation. But Jocelyn was delayed one year from changing into her werewolf form and from the very little knowledge Lucas knew of the prophecy to make the stronger breed, he knew she was the only one who had been delayed. But if threatening the very girl’s life would help get Gaspard to do his plan, then so be it.

  "Her father wants me dead, Lucas. How do you expect me to do what you are forcing me to do when I will be killed on sight if I even go near the mansion?"

  "Be creative, Gaspard! Do not try and think of an excuse now. You are a vampire now, boy! Use your power and skills. I don’t care how you do it, just get it done or I swear I will follow through with my threat!"

  Gaspard looked away from Lucas, his eyes blazing. How was he supposed to keep Jocelyn safe now when he was tied in with Lucas' insane dream of the breed? How could he possibly protect her when he would be doing her the most harm? He would be lying to her. That thought killed him inside. He would have to tell her. Lucas would never know if he just warned her. And maybe, if he at least tried to tell her the truth she wouldn’t hate him as much for it in the end.

  Gaspard closed his
eyes for a moment as he tried to keep everything in place. When he opened his eyes once more he looked at Lucas with a mixture of hatred, and determination. "Since you are going to make me go along with this psychotic plan of yours, I have a request to ask of you," Gaspard spoke between clenched teeth. He never wanted to ask anything of Lucas. But what choice had he when he no longer had a place to stay?

  "Make you? Not at all, my plan was merely an offer," Lucas grinned innocently.

  "An offer I could not refuse. And you knew that," Gaspard growled his retort as he desperately tried to keep his anger in check once more.

  "How do you expect one to trap a mouse without the proper bait, hmm? Now, what is your request?"

  "A room."

  "Why is that?"

  "You know why, Lucas! I would be shocked if you did not know one thing of my life! As it appears you've planned this all out!"

  "I've only planned the birthing of the breed. Everything else was simply a happy coincidence for me, boy."

  "Will you give me a room to stay in or not?"

  "You will take the room you had woken up in the night of your transformation. I shouldn’t have to tell you where it is. You should know this castle well enough by now. More so, that now it is your home."

  "This wretched place will never be my home, Lucas."

  "You may continue to think so. But at the present moment, it is. So you best get use to it, boy."

  "Are you through with me yet? Or do you still wish to torture me some more?"

  "You are free to go. For now. But I expect to see you doing what you've been asked, or you will have hell to pay."

  "The same goes for you, Lucas, if you go back on your word and hurt Jocelyn," Gaspard growled, venom in his voice, before leaving the room once and for all.

  Lucas chuckled evilly at Gaspard's response. Raising his goblet to his lips Lucas finished off the blood within and grinned happily. "Yum."