by Megan Duncan
Hours ticked by, the sun finally settled behind the horizon, soothing my sunburnt skin and still I sat beside her. I had to wave off the groundskeepers countless times before I ultimately threatened their lives if they bothered me again. I wasn’t ready to leave yet. I’d pulled up a chair, rested my head against the casket and talked to her as if she could hear me. I shared my every secret without reserve, my every fear and every dream. I told her all the things I tried to conceal.
“I love you, Autumn. I wish I could have realized it before, but I know it now. I’ve never loved anyone before,” I confessed, drawing a heart against the frosted wood with my index finger. “I wish I could have been honest with you. If I had told you what I was…if I had given you the option…you could have chosen. I took that choice away from you and I’m sorry.” I repeated those last two words over and over until they melted together into a trance.
The ticking of my wrist watch pounded my ear drums, mocking me with every second. Time. Time was the one thing that I had an eternity of, yet it was the one thing I didn’t have enough of. I’d trade in all my years, and give up my immortality all for her. Why would the world choose to keep a creature like me alive, but take away an angel? I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. The only thing I could understand was that life was as wicked and malicious as the beast I had tried so hard to destroy. There was no beating it; no avoiding it.
The night swallowed the last rosy ribbons of the sunset, before shadowing the sky in darkness. I stared up at the starlit sky as the memory of the worst night of my life flashed before me. I shot into Shady Willows like a bullet, startling the sleeping receptionist as I sailed past her. Autumn’s door was ajar as I barreled through it, implanting the knob into the drywall as my strength forced it beyond its hinges. The next few moments played out in slow motion when I found her lying, motionless on the floor. Moonlight poured across her ivory skin, and her head was turned up at a painful angle; tilting up as if her last moments were spent starring out the window waiting for me to come back.
I fell to my knees beside her, pulling her body to me and screaming her name. With her head hugged against my chest, I rocked her back and forth, begging her to wake up, but she never did. I kissed her paint stained fingers, bringing them to my lips and then pleading with her to squeeze my hand. Desperate, and unwilling to accept her death, I swallowed my pain and tried to think like a vampire. Maybe I wasn’t too late! I carried her to the bed, and held my breath as I rested my ear against her chest.
Nothing.
My fingers pressed against every major artery in her body and I felt no pulse. I tried CPR even though I knew it wouldn’t help, but I had to try. I had to do anything I could think of until Ming arrived. His doctors could perform miracles; I’d seen them bring a human back to life after being completely drained. The man had been dead for nearly an hour, but they’d brought him back, and they could do the same for Autumn. Seconds before Ming arrived the thought to try and turn her crossed my mind. I was so frantic to have her back that I brought her throat to my lips, but I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t turn her into a monster. Her goodness, and purity had been what I loved most about her. I couldn’t destroy that.
When Ming stormed in with his team, they kicked me out of the room. I wandered the halls finding that the entire staff of Shady Willows had mysteriously disappeared. Ming had no doubt cleared their minds and they would wake up in the morning with no recollection that anything had ever happened. That’s what I thought had happened to Maryann until tonight. Somehow she’d been missed, or maybe there was more to it than that. Could I really believe anything she said to me? Did Autumn really leave something for me, or was Maryann part of something sinister? I’d known Ming a very long time and there was no way he would leave a human witness, unless…unless she was working for him!
That was it! That’s why she didn’t tell me about Autumn’s illness! That’s why she didn’t answer the phone the night Autumn died! She was working with Ming to keep tabs on me and to insure he’d get what he wanted; me. He knew there was a good chance I was lying when I said I’d return to the family if he saved her. I cursed myself for not being a better liar. The only way he could have a guarantee that I wouldn’t stray was if he took away what I cared about most. Autumn.
“Bastard!” I screamed into the night, my mouth salivated and my fangs ached as my heart hammered in my chest.
My thirst for revenge devoured me.
I was going to kill them all!
Blinded by my rage, I sailed through the gloomy fog of night guided by only one thing; complete, and utter hatred. They were baiting me, promising me a piece of Autumn to lure me into a trap so that Ming could capture me. Won’t he be surprised when his little ploy didn’t work? I could almost see the whites of his eyes expanding in shock as I imagined clenching his throat in my hands before tearing it from his body. The sound of his scream pulled up the corners of my lips as I ran.
~
13
Lies
I wasn’t surprised to find Shady Willows washed in complete darkness. The double doors of the foyer squeaked loudly at my entrance, crying out their protest to my arrival. I teased with the idea of opening and closing the doors again to ensure my “captors” knew I had come. My feet clapped against the linoleum, echoing throughout the empty hallways as I followed the path I knew so well. My tongue slid across my fangs in preparation for the glorious assault that was about to happen. It was almost comical that the vampiric beast I had been fighting, and confining for so long was the one thing that would give me retribution. Ming wanted me to embrace the vampire I once was…he was going to be sorry he ever laid eyes on me.
My breath came in ragged gulps, and my muscles flexed; pulsing in preparation. I was ready. Any second now and Ming would make his attack; he’d wait for the perfect moment to catch me off guard. There would be no perfect moment, but I’d definitely make him think there was one.
Surprise made me hesitate for only a split second, when I entered Autumn’s room to find it completely empty. Every piece of furniture, framed picture, potted plant, and area rug was gone. Even the standard items that belonged to Shady Willows were missing. Maybe this was what Ming had planned; to make me falter when I saw they’d erased all evidence of Autumn ever being here.
Not wanting him to win, I kept a strong hold on my wrath as I stepped further into the front room. The small kitchenette was just as bare as the rest of the space; they didn’t even leave behind the automatic soap dispenser that Autumn had used. I understood their thinking on removing the sentimental items to try and elicit an emotional response from me, but the soap? Seriously?
I might have thought I had control, and I might have fooled myself into believing that the level of my ire was unmatched, but that couldn’t hold a candle to the absolute misery that overcame me when I turned into the bedroom to see the one item they did leave behind for me to find. Or, the item “Autumn” left me. The painting she had been working on right before she died stood lonely beside the window, right where she’d left it. The sheet she used to cover it from my peeping eyes lay in a wrinkled pile on the floor. I had repeatedly tried to get just one glance at it, but she always scolded me saying I had to wait until she was done. The ground became quicksand as I fought for every step across the room. Had Maryann been telling me the truth all along? Had Autumn left this final painting for me? Desperation bloomed within me, I wanted this painting. I needed to have it near me always, so that I could keep her with me, forever; just as she had promised.
There had never been a more powerful piece of art ever made. My own face was scrawled across the canvas, staring back at me with a familiar, severe countenance. Her own profile eclipsed mine, a peaceful expression softening the penetrating glare in my gaze. I stepped closer, my fingertips reaching forward to trace the trail of the pencil, hoping to feel her presence. She had captured our likeness with striking perfection. Subdued colors trailed from the sketch, dripping down the piece with an eerie sad
ness as if the work itself felt the separation from its creator.
My eyes scanned the curve of her face and the few curling tendrils that framed her features when a sound behind me brought my thoughts back to reality. This would be the perfect time for Ming to make his move. I might have been weakened, softened by the image Autumn had captured so seamlessly but I wasn’t about to let him take me without a fight.
I rounded on the intruder behind me, growling from the pit of my stomach as my fangs flashed menacingly in the streaming moonlight. The figure stood in the doorway, shrouded by shadow and I was ready for them. As soon as they made their move I would strike.
“I’m a little disappointed in you, William. I thought you would have figured it out by now,” Ming’s controlling voice boomed.
There was no time for words, I could only act. I lunged for him like a lion, my legs propelling me skyward. My vision blurred as unbridled rage penetrated every molecule of my being. I wanted him dead. I wanted him to cease to exist, to know the agony of the limitless void of death. He had some part in this I was certain. I didn’t care what it was, but I sure as hell was going to make him pay. Make him sorry he took her away from me.
As I knew he would be; Ming had been ready for my attack. He avoided my strike with timeless ease, shifting to the right as my fist struck drywall. Dust exploded in my face as the wall gave way to the brute force of my strength. If only that wall had been his throat this would all be over.
I tore my hand from the wall, ready to lash out again when an iron grip clutched my throat. Sharp nails dug into my flesh, threatening to slice into my windpipe as Ming pushed me up the wall; my feet dangling off the ground.
“You always had such a temper, tsk, tsk,” Ming said, sounding amused as he tightened his grip. I jerked furiously, clawing at his hand to free myself but his abilities more than surpassed my own. “It used to be one of your finer qualities…” he trailed off, as if the memory of who I used to be was so fond to him he had no choice but succumb to it.
I could never be that thing, again. Ming and I had spent countless decades living a life of extravagance, of domination, and ravenous hunger. Women flocked to us, love-sick with our power and strength; happy to fill our every desire, our every thirst. Men would pay us mountains of gold to kill their enemies, and help them rise in high society. First it was dukes, and lords; then it was kings. Now, now it was politicians and presidents; anyone with enough money to tantalize our interests. Anyone who could give us something we wanted. For Ming it had become about destroying his competitors. He would pay anything, hire anyone and kill anyone to make sure he was the leading blood bank for our kind. For longer than I liked to admit, I had been his right hand. I had been his mercenary, and when he’d lost me, his reign over the other clans had lost its footing. As the decades grew into centuries, Ming’s hunger for power only grew stronger. I, however, began a descent that would leave me in the grips of his mercy.
“Just do it,” I wheezed.
“And what is it you think I’m going to do?” His voice was full of evil amusement.
“Please, just kill me.” I might have wanted to lose myself in the monster I was, but I knew there was only one true escape. Only one way to end my pain.
“Always such a flare for the dramatic,” Ming chuckled, releasing his grip and dropping me to the floor. I coughed violently, rubbing my throat as I watched him pace around the room. His finger trailed around the edge of Autumn’s painting, and my heart lurched into my throat; fearful that he would rip it to pieces just to torture me.
“I’m not going to kill you, William,” he said, smiling at me with a sneer that made my skin crawl. “I was angry with you, but you’re too important.”
“Then what do you want? Why are you here?”
“I told you I wanted you to come back to me, didn’t I? I needed to ensure that would happen.”
I glanced around the room, waiting for the catch to reveal itself. Ming was up to something.
“What did you do?”
“Oh, I’ve done a lot of things.” He laughed again, adjusting his burgundy tie that slid down the center of his sleek black suit. “I got you this job. I helped you find a nice little town where you couldn’t cause too much trouble.”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t even tell you where I was going.” I attempted to stand up, but before I could even straighten one leg, he shoved me back down.
“Did you really think I haven’t known your every move since the day you left? Really, William, I thought you knew me better than that. You are my prized stallion; I couldn’t just let you leave. Could I?” I glared at him, my ire blazing inside me. I’d wanted to die, but I wanted to take him with me.
“So, what? You’ve been spying on me?” I honestly didn’t care if he’d watched every second of my life since I’d left the clan. What did that even matter?
“I wouldn’t call it spying…I’ve been protecting my investments.”
“Investments! Is that all I am to you? We’re supposed to be family, Ming!”
“But we are, William, we are.” His eyes gleamed at me with a sickening twinkle. “I had to protect my family. I couldn’t let these…these humans infect you. Not after all the work I’ve done. I stomached your little rebellion, but things were going too far.”
Something in my gut was telling me that Ming was hiding things from me. He was hinting at it, trying to see if I could figure it out myself but nothing made sense anymore. My life was spiraling out of control and I was just along for the ride.
“What do you mean all the work you’ve done?” The pain in my throat was starting to subside, and I pushed my back against the wall to sit up straighter. I wanted to spring up and lash out at him until one or both of us died, but right now he was talking, and I wanted answers.
“You, of course! Do you really not see it?” He laughed again, marching to the doorway of the bedroom and waving someone in. Two colossal guards ambled in, folding their arms across their chest and staring me down like I was an annoying gnat. “I used to think you were so smart, but I think your years among the humans have spoiled you. I thought for sure that after I got rid of your dear Hazel that you’d come back to us, but you just couldn’t let go could you?”
“What did you do to Hazel?” I bellowed, pulling myself up only to be slammed against the wall by his guards. They gripped me hard against the wall, fanning my arms out like they were waiting for Ming to start throwing knives at me. In a way he already had.
“Nothing that time wouldn’t have done anyway. I just sped up the process.” He shrugged his shoulders, spinning the massive gold ring on his finger around and around. “She was getting to you, William. Didn’t you see that? I couldn’t let her destroy everything I’ve worked so hard for.”
“Destroy what?”
“You’re special, William. I always told you you were, didn’t I? My most impressive creation.”
“Creation?”
“Oh, yes. You see, your maker never abandoned you. I didn’t just happen to find you in that alleyway. I am your maker, William.”
“How?” A million questions exploded in my mind. All these years I’d felt completely alone, and all along my true maker had been right beside me.
“The bond between a vampire and his maker is nothing more than a burden. A cage. Imagine the freedom to do as you wished without anyone knowing! Imagine the secrets that would stay buried, and the lies that would never be exposed! You were my experiment, William. You were the first born in the liberation of our species! You live that freedom every day. It’s only right that every vampire be awarded that gift.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Ming had gone mad. Without the bond, vampires could do as they pleased without having to answer to anyone. The ancestors wouldn’t be able to control us. Vampires would turn humans at an alarming rate, and deaths would sky-rocket to devastating numbers. With this amount of uncontrolled uprising, the entire human population could be decimated in no time.
“Happy?” I exhaled an exasperated breath, “Why would I be happy that I was your lab rat? You let me think I was an orphan vampire for centuries and you want me to be happy about it?”
“Yes,” his voice rolled with a deep vibrato as his eyebrows lowered into a scowl. “Up until recently you were my greatest accomplishment. I knew I’d found the key to unstoppable power. I will be a god among our species. Vampires the world over will come to me to have their bond severed, and I will be more than happy to oblige…for the right price of course.”
“You’re insane.” I risked a step toward him, wanting to gauge my chances of escape. I didn’t want to fight him anymore; I just wanted to get away. If I was as free as he said I was; then I could disappear and he’d never find me. Let him get drunk on his power trip; it would only backfire on him in the end. Sure, he might get everything he wants at first, but eventually it will all come crumbling down. With no bond to keep our kind in check; they won’t want to bow to him for long. If there is one thing I know about our species, it’s our thirst for power. Pretty soon every free vampire will start craving his throne.
“Maybe…” his eyes raked across me like daggers, as he waved his hand toward the outer door of Autumn’s room. “But I’ve figured out a way to make you do as I please.”
“You can’t make me do anything, Ming. You said it yourself; I’m free. How are you going to find me without a bond?”
“Oh, I’ll find you because you’re not going to leave,” he answered, smugly.
“Like hell, I’m not!” I risked another step forward, shoving off the steel arms of Ming’s two guards. They couldn’t keep me here. My eyes darted around the room for an escape route, and I could find only one. I would snatch Autumn’s painting and jump out of the window. I knew my way around these forests better than anyone, and my weeks of hunting would finally pay off. I had no doubts that I could flee their chase easily.