The Progeny

by Shelley Crowley

  Caius felt the crushing weight of the sunlight lifting off his body, slowly allowing his muscles to uncoil and loosen. He flickered his eyes open and peered through the darkness of the bedroom until he was able to focus on the crumpled lump on the bed. Evie was still asleep and hidden from him. He watched her, trying to simmer the nervousness that began to make him twitch. Finally, after a long stretch of stiff silence, Evie’s form began to roam about under the duvet. She flipped back the cover and pushed herself up onto her elbows, blinking away her dead-like state of sleep. Caius’ chest tightened as he stayed in the chair, waiting for her eyes to wander and set on him.

  She looked to the door and pulled a face of anguish before shifting up to a sitting position and resting her back on the headboard with a sigh. Caius knew that the longer he stayed there, silent and shrouded in shadow, the more violated she would feel when she realised he had been watching her.

  So, through a lump in his throat, he made his presence known. “Evie.”

  She stiffened, yanking the duvet up to cover herself, and found Caius. A smile curved onto her lips but then it turned into a frown. “Caius.”

  He leaned forward to rest his forearms on his thighs as he watched her. “I know you’re mad.”

  “You created another progeny,” she said, her face twisted with betrayal. “You never wanted to be a Maker, Caius. You had been forced to Turn me. And then you just go off and Turn another.”

  The pain in her eyes was too much for him to bear. His gaze fell to the floor. “It’s not that simple.”

  “You didn’t have a choice to Turn me.”

  “I didn’t have a choice to Turn him, either,” Caius added quickly, shooting her a look.

  She gulped and her expression softened. “You didn’t?”

  He knew he couldn’t tell her the truth and he thought he had trapped himself in a corner before something that Varsee had said came to him. “It was Milah,” he said. “She forced me. She wanted me to continue the bloodline. She knew about you. That you were no longer mine.”

  “So you didn’t want to Turn him?”

  He shook his head. “Of course not. You’re all I could ever want.”

  Her bottom lip began to quiver and a sudden wave of panic washed over Caius. Had he said something wrong?

  “Oh Caius,” she sobbed, clasping her hands to her chest. “I’m so sorry. I thought… I thought… I don’t know what I thought. That you’d changed. That you were getting me back for what I have with Varsee.” She crawled to the foot of the bed. “Because you know you’re all I could ever want, right?”

  He nodded vigorously. She scrambled off the bed and jumped onto his lap, wrapping her arms him. “I love you,” she mumbled against his neck.

  He squeezed her tightly against him. “I love you, too,” he said and pressed a heavy kiss to the soft skin behind her ear. “I love you so much.”

  After a moment, he could feel her letting go and he fought back the urge to hold her tighter. She brushed back his hair from his face and searched his eyes. Blood tracks smeared her cheeks, making the hazel of her irises look like shining sliver against the red. “How is he?”

  Lost in her beauty, Caius choked on his words and wasn’t able to piece together a coherent thought. “How’s who?”

  She smiled and ran her thumb over his cheekbone cherishingly. “Your new progeny.”

  “Oh. He’s okay. He has some serious abandonment issues but other than that, he’s your average teenage boy.”

  “Are you sure you can handle him?”

  He nodded. “He’s doing well so far.” He smoothed his hand down her back and her eyes fluttered closed at his touch. “I have to be there for him, Evie. I need to be a good Maker for him. It’s my responsibility. But just because my focus will be on him, doesn’t mean I care for you any less. Okay?”

  She nodded in understanding but dropped her eyes to his chest.

  He touched her chin and angled her face to his. A pained look creased her brows but then he smiled at her and it faded. “I wish things were how they used to be.”

  “Me too.”

  “But to be honest, the whole world could crumble to ash but as long as I have you by my side, I’d be happy.”

  She smiled and cupped his face, drawing him closer to her. His hands snaked around her waist and pressed into her lower back as she stole a kiss. His heart swelled as the kiss deepened and she forced his back against the back of the chair. He loved this woman so much he wished he could breathe just so she could know how much she stole his breath away. He wished his heart could beat so she knew just how fast she would make it hammer in his chest. But even though he was missing those vital parts that made him one of the living, she always had a way of making him feel alive.

  With an effort, he drew her back until their lips parted. Evie rested her forehead against his and closed her eyes. “I should go and check up on him. See how his first day of sleep went.”

  “Okay. I’ll go downstairs and talk to Varsee. Tell her everything’s okay.”

  Caius smiled and managed to briskly catch her lips before she jumped off him. Her hands smoothed down her pyjama top. “I’d better get dressed. You go. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  He nodded and left the room, shutting the door behind him. Lamp light streamed up the stairs and Caius could hear voices and footsteps coming from the living room as he made his way across the landing. The door to the spare room was shut so he gave it a knock, figuring Robin wouldn’t have braved going downstairs alone.

  He had been right.

  “Yeah?” Robin’s groggy voice called from behind the door.

  “It’s Caius. Can I come in?”

  “Sure. Whatever.”

  Caius opened the door and slipped into the room. Robin was perched on the single bed, bathed in the greenish glow of the light of the lamp on the bedside table that was dulled by the mint green lampshade. He had his head bowed and his hands clasped between his open knees. Caius crossed the room and sank beside him.

  “How did you sleep?” he asked, his voice quiet and soft.

  “I feel like I’ve been asleep for a year.” Robin’s eyes flicked to him. “I’m guessing I’m going to get used to that, right?”

  Caius nodded. “It’s a lot to take in, I know.”

  “I see your girlfriend didn’t bite your head off.”

  Caius smiled faintly. “We made up.”

  Robin nodded. “That’s good. And what about the blonde chick? I get the feeling she doesn’t like you very much.”

  “She’s Evie’s Maker. She’s just protective.”

  Robin nodded again, his eyes casted downwards. “I get that.”

  “Are you going to come downstairs?”

  Robin sucked in a pained breath through his teeth, making his whole body grow taut before it slumped with his exhale. “After the reception I got last night?”

  Caius caught a glimpse of his face through his messy hair before he turned away slightly and looked to the lamplight. He looked hurt.

  “Evie is going to talk to Varsee and clear everything up.”

  “And what about the guy I heard last night?”

  “Alexander?” Caius thought for a moment. “He’ll be fine.”

  “What’s he like?”

  “Says what he thinks and doesn’t understand the concept of boundaries.”

  Caius heard Robin laugh a little but when his face came back into view, he looked sombre as his eyes scoped the wooden floor. “Do you think he’ll like me?”

  “Well there’s only one way to find out.” Caius stood but Robin didn’t move.

  “I feel like I’m being intrusive,” Robin admitted, his face pinched with discomfort.

  Caius sank back down beside him and folded himself into a position mirroring Robin’s. “You belong here, Robin - with me.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve never belonged anywhere. I thought that when I actually did, it’d feel different. This feels the same.”

  “That’s bec
ause you haven’t given it a chance. This is all new to me, too. Do you think I like living here? I didn’t choose this place. I just sort of found myself here. And it’s not about where you are- it’s about the people you’re with.” He leaned in a little so his shoulder knocked against Robin. His eyes flickered up tentatively and caught Caius’ warm gaze. “You lost your family but you have a new one now. I am your family.”

  Robin smiled slightly and quickly looked down, shying away from showing emotion. Caius slapped him on the back and got to his feet once more. This time Robin followed, glancing wearily from the closed door to his Maker.

  “They’ll like you,” Caius promised.

  “No one likes me.”

  “I like you.”

  Robin gave him a doubtful look. “You have to say that, you’re my Maker.”

  Caius laughed, making him smile up at him. “Well they’ll tolerate you at least.”

  Robin shrugged. “I could work with that.”

  “So I’m on my stage doing my thing and then this chick practically dives at me and shoves a wad of twenties down my-” Alexander’s voice trailed off as his eyes hit Robin who had just placed his feet onto the floor of the hallway.

  Alexander leaped from the sofa and vampire-sprinted across the room to stop inches from Robin in a matter of milliseconds. Robin stumbled back; his eyes wide with surprise. Alexander’s fair hair settled back into place, framing his crystal blue eyes as they inspected the boy before him. He was wearing an oversized red and black plaid shirt with a pair of white jeans that were more holes than material, covering his crotch but very little else.

  “So this is the new guy.” The blond vampire smirked as he started prodding Robin like a child figuring out what the buttons did on his new toy. Robin squirmed and twisted to dodge his violating pokes. When he stopped, Robin gulped and looked him in the eyes. Alexander was smiling down at him. Robin smiled back nervously. “The sickly look really works for you.”

  Robin furrowed his brows. “Um… thank you?”

  “So scrawny.” Alexander grinned when he squeezed Robin’s thin waist and made him emit a surprised squeak. “And you’re stuck with that body forever. Fortunately for me, I was Turned in my prime.” He winked.

  Varsee rolled her eyes as she watched from the armchair.

  “At least your hair still grows so there’s some hope there.” He ruffled Robin’s chopped up mop of hair. Alexander stepped back with a smile and ran his fingers through his own blond locks. “Which I should be thankful for because the buzz cut did not work for me. Anyway-” He thrust his hand out. “I’m Alexander.”

  Robin took his hand and stared up at him, a little mystified. “Robin.”

  Alexander grinned. “Nice to meet you, kid. How old are you?”

  “Seventeen.”

  “Seventeen…” Alexander pondered a moment, eyeing Robin up in a way that made even Caius feel exposed. “I guess I could work with that.” He squeezed Robin’s hand with another wink before traipsing back to the sofa and collapsing lengthways across it.

  Robin edged backwards and knocked against Caius. “What did he mean by that?” he whispered.

  “It means you don’t need to worry about him not liking you. But remember to lock the door when you shower.”

  He looked up at his Maker in horror. Caius briefly caught his eye before he headed towards Evie, trying to contain the shudder at the memory of his first night in the house. Caius had been in the bathroom and had begun to undress, only to realise that Alexander had not shut the door. He had turned to find him watching him, his eyes scoping Caius’ naked chest with a wicked grin.

  The two armchairs had been turned around so they were now facing the sofa instead of the T.V. Caius stood by Evie’s chair and saw that Robin had only taken a few tentative steps, just about crossing the invisible threshold between hallway and living area.

  Varsee hauled herself to her feet and met him, folding her arms over her chest. “I’m sorry about how cold I was last night. It was just a shock.”

  Robin gulped and nodded.

  Varsee smiled. “Would you like a glass of blood?”

  His eyes shifted to Caius as if for permission. His Maker sent him a nod and Robin smiled.

  “Yes. Yes, I’d like that very much.”

  Varsee disappeared into the kitchen and Robin perched carefully on the end of the sofa after Alexander swivelled around, placing his feet on the floor and patted the spare place beside him enthusiastically.

  Caius watched carefully as Robin nodded his thanks to Varsee and took the glass of blood from her hands. Robin stared down at it for a moment then his fangs unsheathed with a click. It surprised him and he blushed a little when he realised everyone in the room had watched him and saw him start.

  “Only drink half,” said Caius.

  Robin paused, his lips on the rim of the glass. He raised a questioning eyebrow.

  “It will teach you self-control,” added Caius. Although he was pretty sure Robin could control himself, it was best to make sure. Robin did what he said with ease, placing the half empty glass on the coffee table. In the corner of his eye, Caius saw Evie lick her lips, her eyes trained longingly on the glass. But then she blinked and looked away. With Robin to take care of, Caius had almost forgotten that Evie was also only a new-born herself and was possibly dealing with the same struggles. Or possibly not. Maybe Evie wasn’t a completely clean slate when it came to her vampire instincts. Her connection to Caius had lasted through her becoming Varsee’s, maybe her knowledge and skills of being a vampire had, too. Either way, she was Varsee’s responsibility now, not his. He needed to focus on his own progeny.

  Varsee relaxed back into the vacated armchair and everyone fell silent. After a moment, Robin began to fidget and he slumped back against the back of the sofa. “So is this what you do all night? Just sit here?” He looked around the room.

  The vampires all glanced at each other.

  “Well no. I’ve got a job down in a vampire bar not too far from here. It’s very flexible though. I go when I want to,” said Alexander and draped his long legs over Robin’s lap. “I should take you sometime. It’d be fun.”

  “Not any time soon,” said Caius. “He’s too new to be in such a crowded room full of blood. Too much temptation.”

  “That there is.” Alexander grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. He stretched out his arm and curled a strand of Robin’s hair around his finger before Robin edged out of his reach. “But I’d keep my eye on him.”

  “When he’s ready.”

  “Really?” Evie blinked up at him from her chair. “You’re going to take him to a vampire bar? You hate those places.”

  “It’ll be good practice for him,” replied Caius, a little confused at the wounded look Evie was giving him.

  “But you hate those places,” she repeated under her breath, looking down at her lap.

  “Anyway, that’s what I do,” Alexander continued. “My sis fortifies the house to make sure the pyscho Nest vampires keep their distance. Which basically means going around discreetly killing livestock. And those two,” he gave Evie and Caius pointed looks, “they just mooch off us.”

  “Psycho Nest vampires?” Robin repeated.

  “Don’t worry about them, kid. We’ve got them under control.”

  Evie bristled and hugged herself. Varsee patted her knee comfortingly and Caius’ heart constricted at the adulation in both their eyes. They really were Maker and progeny. The way they should be. A Maker and a progeny were not supposed to fall in love and Caius was starting to realise why more and more each night. It was natural for them to love one another. It wasn’t natural for them to be in love with one another. Boundaries had been blurred and things had gotten complicated. And this living arrangement wasn’t helping that.

  Alexander leaned over the sofa and grabbed a glass settled on the floor. He swirled the remaining blood in it and pulled a face. “I’m sick of this bagged up shit. Sis, could you go call us a blood whore
? I need something fresh.”

  Varsee rose to her feet. “Sure.”

  “Make sure it’s blonde and hot,” he added as she made her way back to the kitchen.

  “Guy or girl?”

  Alexander flashed her a grin. “Surprise me.”

  Varsee grinned back then tried to hide it when her eyes flickered to the others in the room. She caught Alexander’s wink before she left.

  When Alexander turned back around, he met Caius’ disapproving glare. “I told you he didn’t need temptation.”

  Alexander rolled his eyes. “Relax, he’s a good kid. And we’re all right here if he loses it.” He looked to Robin. “Plus, I only like sharing my meals with my sis so you’ll have to go through me.”

  “I won’t need you to hold me down. I’m fine,” said Robin. He hadn’t even looked at his glass of blood since he’d set it down.

  “Argh, you’re just so darn cute I might let you take a bite anyway.”

  Robin shifted his eyes to Alexander. He seemed to be getting used to him now, he no longer looked like he was ready to jump out of his skin. “Only if Caius allows me to.”

  A flurry of emotion swam inside Caius’ chest. When Robin’s sober eyes caught his, he felt it. Their bond stronger than ever, tight and unyielding like a fist around his heart yet also comforting and familiar. Like finding a prized possession amidst a sea of junk and suddenly remembering how much you missed it. And he had missed it. The simple, impervious connection to his progeny and the feeling of knowing that they were on your side, no matter what. He remembered when his connection to Evie had been simple. Remembered the first moment he really felt it. Out in a dark street at night, the first time Evie had been around temptation since he had found her on the doorstep of her old house covered in blood with a body at her feet and a look of sheer terror in her eyes. She had seen the wounded man. Had seen the blood dripping from his shoulder. And had moved on.

  Caius caught Robin smiling at him. Robin was different to Evie. He was his progeny and only his progeny. Standing by Evie’s side, he felt a little guilty that he was starting to grow quite fond of being a Maker to Robin after doing such a horrible job at being hers. This was a chance for him to make up for his mistakes. If Evie had never fallen in love with Caius, he was pretty sure she would have turned rogue. And if he let Robin turn rogue, they’d all be dead.