Chronicles of Darkness: Shadows and Dust

by Andrea F. Thomas

  "He claimed he was a hunter?"

  "Well, my old master, Apophis, barely told me anything about them. It seemed that he didn't like speaking of them. I only could lure bits and pieces from him. Those I met, didn't fit at all the descriptions. Maybe they were mercenaries with a washy bloodline. I really can't say. Perhaps, there no longer is anyone to be afraid of. Already in ancient times, there weren't many of them. Still, if Apophis did talk about them, then only with the outmost respect."

  Chalice leaned forward. "Who exactly were they? Did he reveal any names?" she asked, with restrained breathing.

  Azrael stroked his beard. "Leosol."

  Hearing that name, Chalice froze and remembered the siblings she had encountered at the funfair. 'What had the young man said his name was? Had it not been exactly this one? Yes, she could clearly remember his words, "I'm Kyrian Leosol, new to town." Could this be mere coincidence? Rather unlikely.'

  Her thoughts were interrupted as the vampire went on. "I haven't had the pleasure to meet a hunter of this family yet, but this clan has existed for many centuries. What makes them so dangerous is the knowledge they posses and which they pass on to their descendants, generation after generation."

  "But you will defeat them, my Master, won't you?" she asked. "If they truly still exist and should ever cross your path, then you will kill them all," Chalice rubbed her hands, gleefully, giggling amused at this vision.

  "Certainly. There is no doubt about that, as I'm incomparably better than anybody of the Old Blood," he answered in his usual arrogant tone. "Alright, enough with the history lesson. I feel a greedy craving that I need to take care of. Get our things. I have a date with a virginal baroness, who is longingly waiting for me in her chambers. It is time for my meal!" He laughed and rose. His black cape hung over the back of a chair. He grabbed it and wrapped it around his tall frame.

  "I wish to know more about the hunter family," Chalice demanded. "Do they have a clan symbol they can be recognized by?"

  Unmoved, Azrael took his black leather gloves. "Yes. It is said, they bear the tattoo of a lion's head at the nape of their necks." Calmly he strode from the room.

  The young woman hurried after him. A maniacal grin formed on Chalice's face, as a thought crossed her mind. 'The hunters have arrived. Soon, life will get interesting.'

  *****

  Helena smiled warmly upon entering the dining room. Her son was curled up in one of the armchairs, fast asleep. The glow of the fire let shadows dance across his face. Slowly, the head of the Leosol family walked to the long dining table, which was still hidden under a heavy drape. She removed the fabric from the table and put down the bundle of documents.

  A piece of wood popped loudly in the fireplace, startling Kyrian awake. His mind still dazed, he looked around and finally discovered his mother. "Mama, there you are," he said, his voice hoarse from sleep. "We were worried. Where have you been for so long?"

  Instead of answering, she asked, concerned, "Where is Skylar?"

  "In her bed. Sleeping," her son responded.

  Helena took off her brown leather coat, and hung it over the back of an armchair. Then, she left the room and climbed up the stairs to check on her daughter. Carefully, she opened the bedroom's door, tiptoed to the bed and sat down on the edge. For a few heartbeats, she gazed at her sleeping daughter in the pale moonlight, which filtered through the window. "If anything like what I've seen today were to happen to you or your brother, such a cruelty... God, no, I couldn't bear that. It would surely tear apart my heart," she whispered, tears gathering in her eyes. Her thumb gently stroked Skylar's soft cheek. Helena breathed a little kiss on the girl's forehead and went back to her son.

  Meanwhile, Kyrian had detected the parchments on the table. He sorted the pages and began reading them. He looked up as his mother joined him, asking with great interest, "So? How did you faire at the festival? Did you two have fun?"

  "Yes, sure," Kyrian answered, absentminded. "Skylar will tell you all about it tomorrow. I'd rather like to know where you have been and what all this is," he said, pointing at the scrolls he had been busy perusing.

  His mother sighed and took the documents from him. "These are lists, birth certificates, containing names of every noble family's daughters. I also have a file with the current addresses of their estates."

  Kyrian wrinkled his forehead. "And, why do we need that?"

  "To find the next victims before the vampire does and therefore ensure their protection," Helena responded.

  "Mama, I don't really understand how that will help? What are you getting at?"

  Helena felt the beginning of a pounding headache. She rubbed her temples and pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to find the energy to explain things to Kyrian. "My son, it would be best to start at the beginning."

  Kyrian nodded in agreement.

  Together they sat down in front of the fireplace and Helena began her tale. "The man from the funfair, who asked me to accompany him, is the police chief of Paris. His name is Michel Dutroit. Be that as it may, he led me to the crime scene of a horrible murder, which took place last night. Also, he told me that other murders have occurred, frequently. God, Kyrian I've never seen such violence... such cruelty like in this case. It leads to only one conclusion... Bernard was right. It is the vampire we seek and he doesn't operate alone. He is in cohorts with that woman, Chalice."

  "What's making you so sure of that?" Kyrian wanted to know.

  "There were two corpses," his mother explained, patiently. "The baroness bore the usual marks on her throat, her rib cage had been opened, the heart cut out, then neatly sewn close again. The body of the governess was badly battered. I will spare you the details. Let's just say, she had to suffer a horrible and painful death. Now, it is time for us to be very careful. Not only do we have to fight against a tremendously strong vampire, but there is also a very disturbed human mind on the loose, something that has me quite worried."

  "But why the lists of the nobles?" Kyrian asked. "Where is the connection?"

  "It seems that our vampire refrains from drinking common blood, he prefers that of the upper class. He especially likes to feed from untouched, noble, young girls. His companion Chalice though, she takes out her sick mania on other victims. We have to be on guard, because the danger has doubled. For that reason, I need to ask you for something."

  Kyrian's mind went to the strange conversation he had had with the old fortune-teller, Madame Zynora. He shuddered at the thought that the Queen of Cups could be the vampire's companion.

  "My son, are you listening to me?" his mother interrupted his heavy thinking.

  Kyrian jerked. "W-What," he stuttered.

  "I said, I don't want you and your sister to leave the castle after nightfall," Helena repeated in a determined tone.

  She saw that he wanted to protest, but she shot him a pointed look. With a brisk motion of her hand, she silenced him. "This is not open for further discussion, Kyrian! You will just accept my wishes and comply. Do I make myself clear?"

  His mother seldom raised her voice, but when she did Kyrian knew it was of no use to oppose her in any way.

  "Yes, Mama. I will not forget it," he said, his eyes lowered to the floor.

  "Good," Helena replied. "I'm glad to hear that you will listen to me... this time."

  For a short moment an awkward silence reigned. Finally, Helena rose and stretched her tired body. "It is very late," she announced. "We will continue our talk tomorrow. Now, it's time to get some sleep. Good night, my son." Helena brushed a hand through his hair. "We will see each other at breakfast. I can't wait to hear all about your adventures at the funfair."

  Kyrian forced a small smile to his features. "Sweet dreams, Mama."

  After his mother had left the room, his eyes returned to the dancing flames of the big fireplace. The picture of Madame Zynora's second card wouldn't leave his thoughts. Death.

  He shivered. "No, I will not dare to believe that. There is no way for that old woman to f
oretell the future."

  *****

  The Transylvanian castle melted with its dark surroundings in the melancholic moonlight, veiling itself with the rigid silence of the imposing mountains. Around the castle at the lake, an impenetrable forest spread out.

  Two silhouettes appeared on the narrow path. Due to Sadden's explicit wish, it was Lilith and Andrej. In silence, they slowly walked, one behind the other, through the woods. The trees were standing so close to each other that the moonlight barely reached the ground. Andrej guided them confidently along the serpentine paths. He knew his way around the woods and could have walked them fast asleep. After a while, they safely arrived at the outskirts of the village.

  Lilith had insisted that they come here. Now it was the vampire, who quickened her steps and led the way.

  Andrej was furtively gazing at her from the corner of his eye. 'Her appearance bears the semblance of innocence, as if she wouldn't be a day older than twenty summers. But I mustn't get deceived by her lovely appearance. She is and will always be a vampire.' Andrej cleared his throat, and with a small touch of sarcasm in his voice, he announced, "Welcome to Ardeal, a little Romanian village in the majestic Carpathians."

  One look at Lilith's face was enough to tell him how much she was interested in this place. 'Just what am I doing here,' he thought to himself. 'I'm showing a hungry vampire the living space of her next potential victims.' Discouraged, Andrej rubbed his eyes, and as he looked up again, Lilith had vanished. Concerned, he scanned his surroundings, discovering her in front of the tavern.

  Lilith stared through one of the tiny windows.

  "This is just great," he mumbled. "She's probably taking her choice. I have to prevent her from being seen by anyone." Hurriedly Andrej went over to the vampire. "Not here! Not in this village!"

  He got no reaction from Lilith. She didn't even take her eyes off the tavern.

  Andrej tried again. "Please, you must not be seen. It would be bad if they make a connection between you, me and the castle."

  Lilith completely ignored his concerns.

  "The people in this valley are put under taboo for your Highness," his voice became harder, because Lilith's indifference began to make him angry, even though he usually wasn't a man who lost his calm. 'This staring gaze... as if I'm from another world that doesn't exist for her...'

  "Do you want me to plunge my teeth inside you instead?" she suddenly asked, sounding very nonchalantly.

  The tall man paled considerately.

  They were interrupted as the tavern's door was kicked open. A young man came out, swaying drunkenly. From inside, the innkeeper called after him, "The next time you try to plunder my pantry, I'm going to throw you and your buddies out!"

  As an answer, he received mocking laughter, and the door was kicked shut."We were thirsty and looking for beer, old man! It's not like you would want to tangle with the mayor's son! Is a man not allowed to celebrate his birthday with his friends?"

  Immediately, Andrej recognized the man who had his back to him. Protectively, he stepped in front of Lilith, shielding her. Without taking his eyes off the young man, he whispered to her, "Go, I will try and distract this unpleasant fellow."

  But his words were lost, because Lilith had already disappeared. Andrej turned to the spot she had been standing just a moment ago. He cursed. "Damn! Where did she go now?" His eyes swept his surroundings, searching for the vampire.

  "Hey, Andrej! Say, you poor fool, are you talking to yourself? It seems like the loneliness, up there in the castle, finally caught up with your head, huh? No wonder the whole village thinks you're crazy," the drunken man slurred.

  Andrej took a deep breath and turned around. "Rouven," he acknowledged. "What a joy to meet you."

  The mayor's son was much younger than Andrej, but made up for that with insolence. Scrutinizing him up and down, Rouven asked, distrustfully, "What are you doing here, at this time of the night? Are you stalking somebody?"

  Andrej rolled his eyes. "That would be something you would do, don't you think?" He had other problems and thought about Lilith, especially about the things she could be doing right that moment. "I'm sorry, Rouven, but I've got no time to waste with you."

  Staggering, the mayor's son took a step toward him. "Is that so? The master of the bewitched castle thinks the soon-to-be head of the valley unworthy of his presence?"

  "Not really. Besides, it is a position one has to be elected for."

  Threatening, Rouven pointed his index finger at Andrej's nose, and looked into his eyes with great hostility."I will keep you in my sight. Never forget, you are only tolerated here, as was your dead father. Only thanks to the kindness of my father are you allowed to stay in Ardeal. Keep that always in mind, Andrej!"

  "I'm sure you will remind me every chance you'll get," he replied, unimpressed. "The chunk of gold, which the Dimov family received from my father, probably helped ensure the warm welcome we got. Actually, do the villagers know about this?" Then he just left the fuming Rouven standing there, turned around and went back to take care of his much bigger problem. Somehow he had a feeling where he would find the vampire.

  Andrej hurriedly crossed the market place, which was the only paved place of the village. A square-shaped well made up its center. It was surrounded by a group of figures carved from beech, showing a shepherdess and her animals. In her hands she held a pitcher, fresh water flowing out of it and into the well.

  Andrej's thoughts circled around Lilith and the moment when she had been standing in front of the tavern. Except for Sadden, he had never met another vampire, but Lilith was obviously more than different.

  Meanwhile, he had reached the place he thought he might find Lilith. An old, austere church, built of grey stones, witness to the hard life of the people, who lived here, in the seclusion of the mountains. Its tiny bell tower rose defiantly against the hostility of nature.

  Andrej made sure that nobody had followed him. He looked to the little vicarage, which was not far from the church. He was relieved to notice that no light was on. "The old priest is sleeping tightly in his bed, probably dreaming of the sermon he will give tomorrow, while I'm about to creep to the graveyard, in the middle of the night."

  At that moment a door creaked, and Andrej turned in the direction of the sound. He noticed that the church's door was open just a crack. With his heart pounding hard, he slowly walked to the entrance. Carefully he peered inside, but his fears that somehow the church's interior had been violated were unfounded. He released a heavy sigh, as he heard a long, drawn out "Meow". A grey cat came out and nestled against his legs.

  Andrej smiled and stroked the cat's head. "Hey, you little loafer. Are you searching for mice?"

  After the cat went on its own way, the tall man stepped onto the graveyard, apart from the church. The area was hilly and difficult to perceive. Simple wooden crosses and roughly hewn stones adorned the majority of the graves. Most names were weather-beaten or covered by moss, so they had become unreadable. The grassy ground was slippery because of the dew, and Andrej had to hold on to an old, gnarled tree to keep from falling.

  Fog came rolling in, and he could hardly believe his eyes when he discovered Lilith. There she was, like a dream, not burdened by mortal concerns or fears, wandering between the tombstones. Faced with this sight, Andrej's heart nearly ceased to beat.

  "Is she floating above the graves? Or is it just my imagination?" he mumbled, disbelievingly.

  Just after the words had left his mouth, Lilith literally vanished into thin air. The patches of fog faded. Andrej rubbed his eyes, but the vampire was gone.

  *****

  Visibly exhausted, Andrej entered the room and Sadden looked up from her book. Mutely, he removed his gloves and cloak, put both carelessly on a little table near the wall, and sat down in an armchair, next to Sadden.

  Seeing that he didn't show the slightest inclination to begin, Sadden's first question was, "Where is Lilith?"

  "She has..." his voice faltered as he
tried to explain, but didn't know how. "She... uh... disappeared... somehow... I don't know."

  Immediately the vampire noticed his grumpy tone. "Your voice is full of glum."

  "Give me a bag of fleas. That will be much easier to guard." Andrej ran a hand through his hair, leaned back and put his legs on the little foot stool in front of him. "You never told me anything about this part of your family. I mean... you know what I mean. The vampires. I've always respected your wish to not talk about them, but..."

  Sadden set her book aside, got up, walked to Andrej and embraced him from behind. "I never expected to reconnect with the world of immortals ever again. But as you can see, even I can err."

  Cheek to cheek, they regarded the burning fire. Sadden sighed, absentminded, the blazing flames reflecting vividly and dangerously in her cool, unapproachable eyes.

  Andrej broke the suppressing silence. "She is so... so different. Not at all like you."

  Greatly irritated he looked at Sadden, who returned to her armchair.

  "It is not Lilith, who is different," she said in a sad voice. She covered it with a light smile and remarked, a tad amused, "Be lenient towards Lilith, Andrej. She was brought up by kindred souls and does not value the company of mortals like I do."

  Her friend groused, "But still... I do not understand her behavior, nor will I tolerate it. Because this..." He was searching for the right words to describe Lilith without hurting Sadden's feelings. "... this... um... brat didn't follow my instructions at all."

  "I think Lilith never had to obey a human in all her existence."

  "I know it is difficult for her to adapt. The situation isn't easy for me either," he continued. "What I also don't understand is, I'm sure your powers are far greater, but..."

  'That was a long time ago, Andrej,' Sadden thought. 'A long time ago.'