Hyblood

by Budd, Stephanie; Wolf, April

  "You're in an anxious mood to learn something today," Gabriel said looking up at Gaspard, and then returned to looking at the book while he continued talking. "I was just reading up on some history of our earliest ancestors-"

  "Gabriel, how did you really burn your hands?" Gaspard demanded, interrupting him.

  He looked taken a back at his question before he glanced around nervously. "What are you talking about? I already told you how."

  "You lied. I know how. I saw it happen. Memories don't lie, Gabriel." Suspicion and irritation filled his voice while his eyes flickered darker than Gabriel had ever seen them.

  Gabriel closed the book and looked him straight in the face. He saw anger and exhaustion behind his words. "Tell me what you think happened."

  Gaspard was a little surprised by his response. He was prepared to hear his denies and argue with him. He began slowly, like he was in a daze. "My family was attacked by the werewolves... My father told us to hide while he tried to fight them.. When my mother and I were hiding in the barn, it was set on fire.. You appeared from behind us by, which I know now, breaking through the wall that was already swarmed in flames." As he spoke, his memory became clearer and he could explain without hesitation what he thought he could never remember in full detail before.

  Gabriel listened gravely. He moved over to a table and put the book down and sat in a chair next to it, then clasped his hands under his chin as Gaspard continued.

  "My mother was caught underneath burning lumber that had fallen down from the ceiling. You went to talk to her first. I couldn't hear the conversation... She gave me my necklace before she died, and then you took me out of the barn and into the forest just before the barn collapsed entirely..." Gaspard glanced over at Gabriel. He was staring straight ahead, far away from the present. Clearly reliving painful memories that he hoped to have forgotten. "We ran together faster than I ever thought I could run through the woods until we heard pursuers closing in behind us. I remember your burnt hands touching my shoulders as you told me to go on to Paris without you. I obeyed because I was afraid. When I arrived to what I thought was Paris, I barely made it to the road before I passed out. Your face still clouded my mind then. But ever since I lived in the orphanage, I have dreamt the same dream almost every night, but I could never make out the man's face that saved my life anymore. Until now."

  Gabriel nodded. He was still staring at the far wall on the other side of the room. His face softened before he looked down at the ground.

  Gaspard was getting impatient with him to respond. Just before he was going to tell him off, Gabriel finally spoke.

  "It is true. I was the one who saved you that night."

  "Who are you?" he said suspiciously.

  Gabriel brought his head back up and looked him meaningful in the eyes. "I am your father's brother, Gaspard."

  Gaspard was shocked. Both anger and astonishment clear on his face. How could it be possible that Gabriel was his uncle? "Why... Why didn't you tell me?" His words came out in no more than a whisper.

  "I wanted to so many times. But it’s complicated."

  "I don't care. Tell me."

  Gabriel sighed and started from the beginning. "When you were born, your father wanted to protect you from the vampire world. I promised not to interfere with your upbringing and help keep you a secret from the others. Cedric married a human, which is against the Laws of the vampires, and if they had found out about you and Claudia, Cedric would have been forced to change you both then."

  Gaspard suddenly remembered when his father fought the werewolves with unbelievable strength. "So you are saying my father was a vampire as well?"

  "Yes."

  "I- I don't believe you! My father couldn't possibly have been a vampire!"

  "It’s true, Gaspard." Gabriel put his hand through his hair and sighed. "I don't want to lie to you anymore. You deserve to know who your family were... and are."

  "How do I even know you are telling the truth?" He asked heatedly.

  "Do you remember who wrote the peace treaty between the vampires and werewolves?"

  "Yeah, he was our previous leader," Gaspard said slowly, not really following what Gabriel was trying to say.

  "His name was Cedric Dautry."

  "You mean my father was our leader before Lucas?" he asked with shock still audible in his voice.

  "Yes. He was a strong leader and perhaps the best there ever was. Dautry is one of the oldest and strongest vampire families in all of Europe. Our family has been leading us for centuries and it has only been broken once. When, of course, your father died and Lucas became leader."

  Gaspard was still astonished his father wasn't only a vampire, but was their previous leader who came from an ancient family!

  He suddenly thought of his necklace. He remembered his father giving it to his mother to keep safe in case anything happened to him. "My necklace," he managed to croak and then cleared his throat. "It belonged to him." He took his necklace out from under his shirt and held it tight.

  "It is the reason why Lucas is so anxious to get his hands on it," he said sadly. "It has been passed down to the leaders from generation to generation in our family."

  He put his necklace back under his shirt when a thought came to him. "Since my father was a vampire, how come I was born a human?"

  "You weren't necessarily born a human. Your mother was mortal. So that makes you half human and half vampire. A hyblood."

  Gaspard's ears rang with memory as he remembered that he had been called a hyblood once before. "So that is what a hyblood means... One who's blood is mixed with a vampire." It wasn't a question.

  "Yes, or werewolf. But how do you know that word? You have heard it before?"

  "Marcel called me that several weeks ago… But at the time I had no idea what it meant."

  Gabriel scowled and got up from the chair. "They knew better than to say anything to you-"

  "What?!" Gaspard interrupted. "You mean to tell me that everyone else here knew who my father was, but me?"

  "Well, yes. But, it was for your own good! Lucas didn't want you to know-"

  "How could you keep my own life away from me?! I have been without any knowledge of my family for over ten years! When you and the others knew all along!" He had become angrier now than ever with Gabriel. He didn't realize he was screaming at him, making Gabriel flinch back.

  "It wasn't up to me! Not all the others know you are a hyblood. Only the ones that were present at the time of your parents’ death found out. And could you keep your voice down! The others are far from deaf."

  "Why bother? You said the others already know everything!"

  "No. Not everything."

  "What do you mean?"

  "They do not know I was Cedric's brother. I would like to keep it that way."

  Puzzled, Gaspard asked, "Not even Lucas?"

  "Not even him."

  "I don't understand..." he trailed off, starting to feel lightheaded.

  "Was your vision triggered by the trance you went into the last time we spoke, Gaspard?"

  "Yes. How did you-"

  "So I figured," he interrupted. "But why did you not tell me of this?” He sighed. “Anyhow, I can see it in your face how thirsty you are. You must have been in that trance for too long as it is. You must feed."

  "I am fine." Almost like it was on cue, Gaspard clutched his stomach in anguish.

  "No, you're not. Come with me." He grabbed his arm and tried to lead him towards the stairs.

  "No! I'll live." He swung his arm away from Gabriel's grasp angrily. "I am not finished with questioning you- there's so much more I need to know."

  Gabriel almost laughed at the figure speech of that he’d live. "Not now and not here. We'll finish with our conversation another time. Your health comes first and that's that."

  Gaspard had no choice but to give in. He felt like he was going to fall into another trance if his blood lust got any stronger. He glared at Gabriel's back before following him up the st
airs. His thoughts were everywhere- some things didn't make sense but he wouldn't let that destroy his moment of happiness on the inside. Not only did he find out who he really was, who his parents were, and about his past; but his uncle had been with him all this time when he thought he had no one left in the world to call family. For the first time in over a decade, he felt like he belonged somewhere.

  Chapter 26 Punishment

  The next morning Gaspard could hardly control his

  excitement, despite everything that had happened recently. He spent most of the night thinking of questions to ask Gabriel of his family and past when he wasn't with Jocelyn. When Gaspard came to visit Jocelyn, he was happier than ever to see her and share with her the news of his uncle. Jocelyn shared in his excitement and assisted in trying to put his past together. There were still several pieces missing, but what they could not figure out Gaspard would ask Gabriel in the morning.

  They were thankful for fewer disturbances by Victor or servants checking on Jocelyn than the night before. Luckily both of their abilities allowed them to sense anyone coming long before they did. They talked all through the night in each other’s arms until Jocelyn had grown tired just before dawn.

  Gaspard left a sound asleep Jocelyn with a soft kiss on the lips and one on her forehead. She looked like an angel to him, so peaceful and beautiful with the sun's morning rays illuminating her face. Gaspard suddenly thought of Blaise and what he said about Hannah to him. His only light that shines in his world. That was exactly what Jocelyn was to Gaspard now. His true light that sees through his dark life.

  With a sad smile, he walked out on the balcony and shut the doors. He watched them slowly consume her image until there was only the smallest crack left between them. Hesitantly, he shut them after one last long glance at his love.

  He entered the castle searching for Gabriel shortly after he left the mansion. He made his way into the first common room, heading towards the training grounds to look first. But was distracted when he suddenly heard a familiar voice and low growls. His curiosity got the best of him and led him into the dark corridor with a single door opened.

  Gaspard stopped dead in his tracks as he began witnessing what was taking place only a few feet in front of him. The voice that led him there was none other than the stomach turning sound of Marcel's. He and Blaise were in ready stances to attack one another as they continued to argue. Behind them lay a woman's limp body. She was boney and her face was sunk in. To Gaspard's utter shock, he realized that her blood had been drained entirely. He had never seen a human like this before--so fragile and helpless-- that it stricken him. He wanted her to still be alive and to not of had to suffer from this horrible experience, but he knew it was too late. She was already dead. It was hard enough knowing he did this to animals, but to see a human in this state was an exact reason why he swore to never allow himself to feed on them.

  "You and your games!" Blaise bellowed furiously, his eyes sparking to almost jet black because of his chestnut color, "Its twisted enough you lure and deceive women here to do your bidding. Did you have to kill her too?"

  "It’s all in good fun. Something you have been reprimanded to have before. Such a shame really." He shook his head sarcastically.

  Blaise ignored his pungent remark. "You are risking everything! Do you want to be discovered and have the castle torched?"

  "Our leader could care less about what I do." He gave a confident grin, showing his fangs.

  "Lucas should hear about this all the same."

  "What makes you think he'd care?"

  "You broke a Law, Marcel. Even Lucas honors the ones that will keep us hidden." He turned to leave, but Marcel had leapt in front of him before he made it to the doorway. He grabbed him by his vest and threw him across the room. "Where do you think you are going?" He would be damned if he let him reach Lucas. This was like a game to Marcel, and himself as the goalie.

  Blaise kept trying to make it out of the room, but each time Marcel would strike him to bring him to a stop. He struggled to block his offenses, but did not fight back.

  Gaspard was confused by this. He knew Blaise was strong and clever enough to win against Marcel. But why wasn't he even bothering to try?

  Marcel finally pinned him up against the wall with one arm. "What's wrong, Blaise? Too afraid you may get confined to the pillory to fight back?"

  Blaise's eyes widened at his words. His barred fangs contracted as he shut his jaw tight.

  "You're pathetic-"

  "Marcel!" Gaspard interrupted suddenly when he saw the terrified look on Blaise's face. He couldn't take watching this anymore. He had to do something- anything before this got any worse for his friend. "I think you ought to let him go. Now."

  His head shot to the side to look at the intruder with his forearm still pinning Blaise by the neck. "Stay out of this, Flame-boy," he hissed. "This is none of your business."

  "Your quarrel might not be any of my business," he walked a few steps forward, now in the room, "but it is still of my concern."

  "How so? You don't have the slightest clue what this is about."

  "I know enough." He motioned his hand indicating behind them, "The body on the floor is a dead giveaway to part of it at the least."

  Marcel looked him up and down with a disgusted look. The blood dripping from the side of his mouth made him look even more ravenous on his twisted face. "Standing up for this coward again?"

  Gaspard rolled his already turned dark eyes. "Just let him be."

  "You two are a perfect match; both utterly pathetic," he chuckled. He returned his gaze to Blaise but was still speaking to Gaspard. "Can you believe he wanted to go rat to Lucas that I killed this woman?"

  Gaspard could have said a few sarcastic things to that, but he bit his tongue remembering that he was trying to get Blaise out of this, not brew another fight.

  "He would not listen to you before, Blaise. What makes you think he would believe you this time, hmm?"

  He swallowed hard. "I don't know."

  Marcel smirked. "Yes, exactly. You don't know. You don't know anything. Isn't that right?"

  Blaise nodded stiffly.

  "And you," his head flashed to Gaspard, "This never happened."

  "Agreed," he sighed.

  Marcel looked back to Blaise and, with an indignant smirk, released him of his hold.

  "I'll get rid of the body." Gaspard looked down at it sadly and with a hint of nausea. He began to imagine what her painful death must have been like, but stopped himself before the hate for what he was grew anymore even if he was not the vampire who murdered her.

  "You do that." He smirked and suddenly noticed the drying blood of the human below his bottom lip. He cleaned it off with a swipe of his hand and licked his fingers for an exaggerated length of time.

  When Marcel finally left, Blaise removed himself from against the wall with a scowl and bent down to help Gaspard move the body.

  They carried the woman into an abandoned room that looked like it had not been used in decades. Shelves were collapsed inside the bookcases with an inch thick of dust. Only other furniture was a chair covered in cobwebs.

  "May your soul rest in peace," Blaise said when they laid her broken body on the floor. "I'll burry her when I get the chance one of these nights soon to come. I won't be able to give her back to her family like this. But she deserves a proper burial even if she is not one of us."

  Gaspard only nodded gravely.

  After they finished hiding the body in the spare room, Gaspard stopped and turned to face him when they reached the hall. "Blaise, why didn't you fight back?" He finally demanded. "I know you could have taken him."

  "I didn't want to fight." He pushed passed him.

  "Bull shit." He turned around and cut back in front of Blaise. "I saw the fear in your eyes when Marcel mentioned the pillory." He narrowed his eyes at Blaise sudden tense at the word. "What is it?"

  "It’s nothing."

  "Fine. If you won't tell me, I'll go find
someone who will." He began to turn.

  "Wait, alright!" Blaise pushed him up against the wall to stop him, barring his fangs. "Not here," he said lowly. "Follow me."

  Gaspard nodded before following him down the dark corridor and then up a flight of stairs. A few doors lined an open hallway.

  Blaise stopped at the last door on the right and motioned for Gaspard to enter. He walked over to the window and sat on the sill. The room was obviously Blaise's from the small sense of relief that washed over his face when he was enclosed here and knew for sure that he wasn't being watched. No one could be trusted behind these castle walls.

  Gaspard walked over and leant up against the wall next to the window, facing him with his arms crossed.

  "There is a room in this castle that serves as a dungeon- for immortals," Blaise began. "Lucas locks the vampires in it that break the laws or do not follow his rules." He brought his gaze back inside and looked warily at Gaspard. "An indestructible room that causes days and nights of endless torture. The room is roofless. When it’s day, the sun shines directly on you. As you know, that exposure burns you from the inside out until the pain is beyond pain."

  "But couldn't the vampire just jump the wall?"

  "No. You are bound in unbreakable chains to the walls. No vampire has even been known to break out of its hold."

  Gaspard tightened his jaw. "And what happens to these vampires?"

  "You go mad. He starves you, making you suffer into trance after trance. And if you are really unfortunate, you may get a surprise visit from Lucas himself."

  "And...?"

  "Well, if it wasn't hell enough already for you, he'll make sure the flames are on full blast, so to speak."

  "How long are they usually sentenced?"

  "Being immortal, the sentence could be forever if Lucas wanted it to be so. But most of the time it’s only for a few days, a week or two at most. Heaven help whoever's cursed to an eternal punishment."