by Damian Serbu
26 May 1789 Late afternoon
XAVIER HAD CRIED himself to sleep after running away from Catherine and her so-called fiancé. He had to hide and found refuge only in his dreams. Marcel trapped him into silence, and now, back at his church, he had only questions. What was that liquid? Was she under a spell? It sounded absurd. Xavier did not believe such nonsense, but Catherine had acted so differently after she had drunk it.
After dressing, Xavier headed toward the Saint-Laurent home, deciding that he would wait to talk to Thomas before doing anything about Marcel. Xavier drew all the courage he could muster as he climbed the stairs and entered the house. To his surprise, he walked into the parlor and saw Catherine sitting with Jérémie.
“Xavier, I hoped you would come. Have you recovered? Are you sick?” she asked, with concern in her voice.
“I’m well,” Xavier lied as he knelt and kissed her on the cheek then nodded toward Jérémie.
“Your timing is exquisite,” Catherine said. “We were discussing my engagement. Jérémie had no idea, can you imagine?” Jérémie glanced miserably at Xavier as Xavier took his seat and prepared for an evening of torture. “I told him all about Marcel, and the money—did I tell you about his holdings?”
“Yes,” Jérémie whispered.
“Did you tell Jérémie that you don’t love Marcel?” Xavier asked, trying to coax some sense into her.
“A minor detail,” Catherine said and rolled her eyes. “My brother dislikes the arrangements I have made. He believes in marrying for love and devotion, trivial impossibilities, if you ask me. I’ll never be able to love in a situation where someone dictates my life. So I chose based on financial interests and pure attraction. Look at you two,” she added. “You’re acting positively forlorn.”
Xavier rubbed his temples. How could she be so blind? “Is it an attraction to him or to spite Michel?” he asked.
“Don’t patronize me. It’s true that I don’t love Marcel, I just feel an attraction to him. But I know that society expects marriage, so I’ll choose my husband. Spiting Michel in the process is just an added bonus.”
“It sounds as if you have decided,” Jérémie finally said, “but why do this so hastily? Don’t do this to spite Michel. I’m sure that his suitor will leave you alone now that you can take your time with whatever decisions you want to make.”
“You’re so sweet. I know you worry about me, but I won’t rush into anything. Despite our engagement, he leaves soon for a voyage. Part of his business, and that delays further discussion. Actually, that’s another aspect that I love about this arrangement.”
“What are you talking about?” Xavier asked, trying not to push her further.
“His leaves of absence. His business takes him all over the world for months at a time to collect the goods that he sells.”
“And this is good?” Jérémie asked, puzzled.
“You two, such romantics. Of course it’s good. It means he’ll leave me alone to govern my own life. I can live as I do now, but without the stigma of being a spinster. I can marry but maintain independence.”
“Honestly, it makes little sense,” Jérémie said.
Catherine had finally detected the hostility—Xavier recognized this side of his sister instantly. She knew when people disapproved and hated thinking that they were angry with her. But rather than change what she did, she campaigned to win them over.
Catherine put her hand on Jérémie’s knee and implored with her eyes for him to agree with her. “You can’t understand the plight of a woman. I’m cursed with the necessity of marriage. Not because I don’t want to love. I desperately want to, but because any such arrangement condemns me to obey a man. I don’t have the freedom to choose. So what chance do I have for love? It’s an absurd fantasy, and I can’t lead my life with the notion that I may find it by accident. I have to act. So I chose a man who only takes a limited amount of my freedom, who travels constantly, which will preserve my autonomy. Not to mention his wealth. Believe me, too many of my friends talk about needing good fortune to find a husband. Fortune? I’m not waiting for chance. I have watched for the right situation and found it.” She sat back, satisfied.
Xavier shook his head. She told the truth. She had sought someone who would nurture her freedom and not try to control her. She also wanted a business partner, and Marcel gave her both. She had articulated her philosophy a hundred times, and it always made sense to him. He just had never envisioned the vile Marcel.
Jérémie thankfully spoke first as he rose from his chair. “Catherine, do what you wish. You’re too good a person to bow to others. Yet you sell yourself short. With such a good soul, a passion for life, and all the beauty in the world, there are men who would love and care for you without taking away the independence that makes you such a wonderful woman. It doesn’t sound as if Marcel understands the depth of the person he plans to marry. I hope I’m wrong. Love exists in this world. I wish you would give it a chance before you lock yourself into something else. If you’ll excuse me...” he bowed and took his leave.
“He’s so sweet,” Catherine said. “Such a good man. We’re lucky to have him as a friend.”
“Indeed,” Xavier responded, throat dry.
“If you’re going to be morose, you can leave, too.”
He stood to do so.
“Wait. Come back.” Catherine pulled at his arm. “I didn’t mean it.”
He gently disengaged her arm. “I respect your independence, you know that. I’ll honor your decision, you know that, too. But you can’t coerce me into agreeing with it.”
“Fine. But come back.” She pushed Xavier into a chair. “I need my freedom.”
“I know, and I don’t blame you. I pray for your happiness every day. I see the same world as you, with all of its faults and unrealistic expectations. Maybe I’ll understand over time.” But he knew he never would. Xavier grabbed her hand as she kissed him on the cheek and put her head on his shoulder.
Thomas: The Announcement
27 May 1789 Evening
THOMAS LISTENED TO Xavier’s latest news about Catherine’s engagement as he followed him toward the Saint-Laurent household for the first time. He had fed earlier than usual, in order to devote his full energy to Xavier on this important night. While Thomas relished interacting with humans in a social setting, it also exhausted him and demanded that he drink more blood than usual. He worried that Xavier accepted too much responsibility for his sister, who did what she pleased, yet he cherished Xavier’s concern for those he loved.
The increased looting and riots in Xavier’s neighborhood also concerned him as Parisians grew angrier by the day as they starved and inflation continued. They blamed the Catholic Church for not providing relief while it never paid taxes and received financial support from Louis’s government. Xavier insisted that nothing threatened him directly and that most of his parishioners knew that he sided with them. But how long would this alliance last? What if people from outside saw Xavier and attacked him?
Tonight, Thomas had panicked when he first saw Xavier’s church because an angry mob surrounded it, shouting expletives about authority. But he raced up and found Xavier in the middle of a remarkable scene. The priest had allowed the people to gather, and he sat in the middle listening to them rail against the government and Catholic hierarchy. Xavier held their hearts like no one Thomas had ever seen. He listened until Xavier convinced those gathered to return to their homes. He also invited those without food to dine at the church, where Xavier found enough to feed the few who remained. Afterward, Thomas had pledged a large sum of money to Xavier, to assist with this cause. Xavier resisted, saying that Catherine gave him plenty, but Thomas appreciated how Xavier helped those in need and he wanted to contribute.
“Thomas? Did you hear me?” Xavier asked as they continued toward the Saint-Laurent home.
“Of course. I’m just worried.”
“About the mob?”
“A little.”
“Don�
��t worry about them. I love them, and I think they love me. They just need to voice their grievances to someone who will listen.” He pointed up the street. “We’re almost there. Are you ready? Do you have any other questions about my family?”
“I already know too much.”
Xavier smiled. “Here we are.” He paused, then trembled and played with his cross. Thomas squeezed his arm in support, worried.
“After you.” He ushered Xavier forward and followed him into the enormous house, further confirmation of the Saint-Laurent wealth that Xavier so desperately tried to conceal. Catherine had decorated it in the latest fashion, although it retained an older charm. They stood in a vast entryway, illuminated by what looked like a thousand candles. Xavier walked toward a hallway when someone approached from the other direction.
“Xavier? Is that you?” A uniformed man came down the hall. Quite handsome, Thomas thought, though without the baby-like innocence of his brother. Michel’s features were harsher, perhaps from his time in the military.
“Michel, allow me to introduce Thomas Lord.”
“My pleasure,” Michel bowed.
“I’m happy to put a face with your name, Lieutenant. I’ve heard much about you and your family.”
“Then I suppose you heard about the latest problems.” Michel turned to Xavier. “She gathered us together to make an important announcement and thinks I have no idea. But Jérémie told me about her little scheme. Can you imagine that she invited him as well? This beast is sitting in that room with her.”
“Beast?” Xavier repeated while Michel shrugged.
But Thomas hardly had time to think about the spell that Xavier had described as the three men headed down the hall. When they entered a side parlor, Xavier whispered to Michel. “Be kind. You can’t do anything if you anger her.”
Another room, more opulence, and plenty of tension. Xavier introduced Thomas to Jérémie, who sat by himself.
“I thought Catherine was with you?” Michel asked.
“Still spying on me?” Catherine said from behind.
“I only meant—” Michel started.
Catherine pushed past him without acknowledgement. “You must be Thomas. I’m so glad that you’re here. Xavier talks about you all the time.” She put her hand out and Thomas kissed it lightly. “He used to spend more time with his lonely sister, but now he runs off every night to see you, so I was anxious to meet the person who can hold my brother’s attention even more than that little parish of his.”
Thomas smiled politely. She was as charming as Xavier had described, though the abbé stood red with embarrassment. “I assure you, Mademoiselle, that the pleasure is completely mine. Your brother has offered a most fitting introduction to Paris.”
Catherine laughed. “That’s typical Xavier, a martyr for any cause. But I dare say, Monsieur, that you hardly fit the part.” Her eyes twinkled as she winked at Thomas. With that, Catherine bustled past them into the room. Everyone followed as if she were a monarch and they her servants. Even Jérémie stood and greeted Catherine warmly without a hint of the despair Xavier had talked about.
The gathering eased into various conversations when Thomas found himself near the bar, away from the others and with Catherine.
“I’m glad you’ve befriended my brother,” she said. “He needs strong men in his life. Though you seem like more than the usual man running about Paris.”
“What do you mean by that?” he asked, alarmed. Did she know about his being a vampire?
“I’m not sure.” Catherine turned quickly and strode to the middle of the room. “Well, I suppose, as usual, you’re waiting for me. You all know why I called you here. Jérémie and Xavier already know, and I suspect that one of them has told Michel.” Catherine stood proudly, defiantly, controlling a group of men as if they were children. Thomas admired her spunk when she looked at him. “Don’t tell me. Xavier can’t keep a secret from you. He dotes over you constantly—”
“Catherine, really,” Xavier said.
“I’ve had enough chatter,” Michel broke in. “What do you want to tell us?”
“Very well,” she said smugly. “I want you to meet my fiancé, Marcel André. I won’t discuss it further. I made my decision, so you can make your commands when you get back to the army, Michel. I brought you here to meet him, nothing else. I’m having dinner served and it will be friendly and civil or you’ll leave. And that means everyone here. Understood? I’m sure that Thomas doesn’t wish to hear us griping.”
As she spoke, Marcel entered the room and Thomas instantly disliked him. Xavier stepped back, shaking. Thomas walked to his side and patted his back without anyone noticing. Xavier relaxed and leaned into Thomas’s arm. Thomas himself had never believed the drivel about getting to know someone before making a judgment. He operated on instinct, an animalistic behavior, and Marcel alarmed him. He remembered how Xavier described a feeling of evil when he entered the shop to meet Marcel, and that was indeed a fitting description. Marcel had a glassy look in his eyes, as if he stared through people and into their souls, looking for weaknesses.
“Come here,” Catherine cooed. She, too, changed when Marcel entered. “Is anyone leaving?” she asked.
No response. Everyone simply stared.
“Good. Marcel, I want you to meet Jérémie. You already know Xavier. This is his friend Thomas, and this is my brother Michel. And now, dinner is ready.”
Again they followed Catherine like ducklings, nervously avoiding her wrath. Xavier had told Thomas that no one agreed with her course of action, but no one moved to challenge her. Thomas, too, hid his discomfort. However, halfway through the first course, he saw Xavier staring at him from across the table. Without a word, Thomas tilted his head and grinned. Xavier glanced away, but Thomas had communicated for him not to worry.
If anything, Thomas fretted about his relationship with the curé, not the odd family around him. They could work this out on their own, but where were he and this angel going together? Did a chance exist for the romance that Thomas sought? They certainly acted like a couple on more than one occasion, with a look, a glance, or a casual touch.
Thomas spent most of dinner gazing at Xavier. While everyone engaged in inane conversation, Thomas noticed the grace with which Xavier kept his brother and sister from bickering, how he silently comforted Jérémie, and how he avoided Marcel without anyone realizing it. Xavier’s laughter sent chills through Thomas. He was so beautiful. A couple of times Xavier discovered his stare and looked away. Thomas smiled to himself. Such a sheepish love, he thought.
And no one acknowledged the family problems. Everyone pretended to gaily talk. It was a bizarre display, but it afforded Thomas the opportunity to learn about the family what he needed to know to protect Xavier. Clearly, Catherine lived in her own world and would only hurt Xavier if something happened to her. Thomas saw that they loved each other and understood one another on a profound level. Michel, however, stood outside this circle, trying to control and act like the man society wanted but impotent around their self-assurance. Jérémie was a statue, a lost puppy longing for a home now that Catherine had crushed his dreams, though she seemed oblivious to it.
Marcel, however, was another matter. The others Thomas could leave alone, but Marcel surreptitiously glared at Xavier, demonstrating his distrust. Thomas observed from afar but would not sit idly if that fiend went after his angel. He sensed sinister forces around that man. And if Thomas had read correctly from Marcel’s snarling at him, Marcel knew about his vampirism, too.
Thus ended dinner, with no resolution, but rather, polite conversation and good food. Thomas had enjoyed the meal, though he seldom ate food any more. He was almost disappointed when dinner ended and everyone retired to the parlor.
Thomas: The Vampire and the Warlock
27 May 1789 After dinner
UNLIKE A TYPICAL household where women and men separated after dinner, Catherine’s hold on the Saint-Laurents kept the sexes together. How odd, Thomas fin
ally noticed, that no other women had joined them this evening. And so they followed her to the parlor for their après dinner conversation and drinks.
Michel served the drinks and Xavier took his glass and gulped half of it down in one motion. Thomas almost teased him when he saw the abbé’s eyes widen. Thomas glanced to see what had alarmed Xavier. Standing behind Catherine, Michel, and Jérémie, Marcel put something into Catherine’s wine, which fizzled for a moment, added a blue tint, and then turned the liquid to a dull gray. No one but the two of them had seen this happen.
“Jérémie, you seem sad. What’s wrong?” Catherine asked, taking the drink from Marcel.
“Nothing. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Well, forget about it. You’ve never fretted over things before.”
“Catherine, maybe we should move to the porch. It’s nice outside,”
Xavier suggested. “Good idea,” she agreed. “Come, everyone. Thomas, you need another drink.” He inclined his head respectfully. “I’ll get it myself. You may escort your entourage and I’ll join you in a moment.” Jérémie, Michel, and Xavier followed her, but only Xavier paused to smile at Thomas’s reference. Marcel, however, stayed behind as well.
“I need more wine, too,” he said, and he poured himself a robust red wine, staring darkly at Thomas, who for his part, was at a loss. He had killed more powerful and sophisticated men than Marcel, and potion or not, he could break Marcel’s back in one motion. Killing this wretch with no value would certainly not violate the ethic. Nevertheless, Thomas chose his battles wisely.
What bothered him was the intimacy he had experienced with the entire family. This Marcel threatened to disrupt more of the delicate ethic that Anthony had articulated upon his transformation. So many rules, Thomas lamented. He could hear the litany of laws that Anthony articulated the very first night: we must never interfere with the course of human history except on a limited basis. Doing so could bring discovery. An overt act destabilizes this balance because humans cannot explain what happened naturally and it therefore casts suspicion on the vampire. Mundane interactions escape human attention, and even killings can be concealed to look natural. But once we become intimate with them, Anthony had emphasized, the danger of exposure by interfering in their lives increased tenfold and must be avoided at all cost.