Chronicles of Darkness: Shadows and Dust

by Andrea F. Thomas

Skylar beamed happily, while Kyrian winked roguishly at the cook. He went down on his knees. "We have reached our destination, Milady Leosol, the kitchen. I have fulfilled my part of the bargain. Now, fulfill yours."

  The blonde girl slid off his back. "I set you free," she declared and placed a tiny kiss on his forehead.

  "Thank you, Milady. You are quite lovely," he replied, hugged her tightly and stroked her hair for a moment. Then both began to laugh and rose from the floor.

  Monique smiled and shook her head. She hadn't seen it often that siblings got along as well as Kyrian and Skylar did. 'These two... always fooling and joking around with each other.'

  "Since I had to carry such a load today," Kyrian began with a wink in direction of his sister, who scowled at him upon his choice of words, "I really think, it's time to get my strength back."

  Skylar rolled her eyes. "One day you are going to burst from eating so much. Just wait and see."

  Her brother just waved the remark off. "So what." Quickly he took his seat at the kitchen table and began to shovel fried eggs and a piece of dry bread into his mouth. Kyrian loudly praised Monique's cooking skills, nearly choking on his meal.

  The cook smirked and said proudly, "A good meal is worth anything."

  Skylar stood in front of the table and stared disbelieving at Kyrian.

  "What's wrong with you, Skylar?" Monique asked. "Take a seat beside your brother. You know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So you should hurry, before there will be nothing left, " she added smiling.

  The blonde girl grinned and took her seat next to Kyrian.

  *****

  Helena sat in her room, in front of the mirror, and brushed her curly hair. Her thoughts circled around the mysterious vampire and his companion. "There was never a hunt so complicated and long as this one. I have accomplished nothing until now. The population of Paris still has to live in horror and fear."

  She put the brush aside and looked into the eyes of her reflection. "I failed." Pain was evident in her voice as she said, "If only you were still with me. Everything would be much easier for me." Helena took the silver bracelet her husband had given her and closed it around her wrist. "So much easier..."

  Restless, she rose and began to pace. "I met a nice man, but I cannot share my thoughts and wishes with him. With you, I could share everything, but nothing is for eternity. All I have left are our children."

  Firm determination shone in her eyes as the huntress came to a decision. "I just said it myself... nothing is for eternity. I will master this difficult task. I made too many mistakes. From now on, I will concentrate only on destroying the vampire. I will not rest, until I have wiped him off the earth's face."

  Full of zest for action, she took a seat on her small desk and wrote a short letter. "Why did I forget to ask Bernard about it? I should have realized sooner that I need a drawing of them." She folded and sealed the letter. "Then I will finally know the truth. Especially in the case of Chalice and my terrible suspicion."

  Quickly, Helena left her chambers and gave the letter to Jean. "I trust you with this message, Jean. Ride to the king's court and give this letter personally to Monsieur Bernard Delacroix. You will not leave his side, until he either gives you a letter or another message. Understood?"

  Jean nodded dutifully and put the letter in the inner pocket of his jacket. Then he left the castle under Helena's watchful gaze.

  Some time later, the huntress joined her children.

  "Mama!" Skylar cried happily, leapt from her chair, ran to her mother and hugged her effusively. "Oh, I am so happy to see you!"

  "I wish you a good morning too, sweetheart," the huntress responded smiling and returned Skylar's warm embrace. "Good morning, Monique."

  "Good morning, Madame." The cook dropped a curtsy. "Breakfast is ready."

  Helena nodded gratefully. "And a good morning also to you, my son." She hoped that their fight from last evening had been forgiven and forgotten.

  Chewing, Kyrian waved and responded to her greeting. "Good morning, Mama."

  Helena was relieved. He was talking to her, which was a good sign.

  Still keeping a tight hold on her mother, Skylar whispered into her ear, "Mama, I really need to tell you something." There was a trace of nervousness in her voice and Helena became concerned immediately. She looked at Kyrian, who motioned with his chin to his younger sister and his lips formed a word. Helena felt her heart constrict as she saw it: nightmares. Compassionately, she stroked her daughter's long, blonde hair. The gift of prophecy. In each generation of the Leosol Clan there were people with that gift. Dreams that sometimes came true. For some it was a gift, but for Skylar it was a curse, because she wasn't able to distinguish between truth and dream among the dark pictures that haunted her at night.

  Helena's eyes scanned the kitchen and came to rest on Monique's also concerned face. The huntress knew they had to postpone the conversation, until they would be undisturbed. She took Skylar's face in her hands and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "We will talk later about it, when we are alone, alright?" Helena whispered into a small ear.

  The girl nodded, took her mother's hand and led her to the table where they sat down.

  Monique prepared a plate for Helena and left the kitchen as the doorbell rang.

  They took the rest of their breakfast in silence. Everybody seemed to be lost in their own thoughts.

  While Helena and Skylar ate, Kyrian was overcome by fatigue. He slid more and more down on his seat and his head grew heavy. Yawning widely, the young hunter supported it on his arm.

  Seeing that, Helena wrinkled her forehead. "Did you not sleep well, my son?"

  Caught, Kyrian opened his eyes wide. "Why? I am wide awake!"

  Before the huntress had the chance to question him further, Monique returned to the kitchen and cleared her throat. Helena looked up and the cook said, "Madame, I truly am sorry to interrupt your meal, but Monsieur Dutroit has arrived. I left him waiting in the library."

  "This early? Well, Monique, would you please tell him that I am on my way."

  "As you wish, Madame," Monique replied and went to inform the police chief.

  Kyrian rolled his eyes and snarled, "What does he want now? I am beginning to wonder how the guy managed to become police chief. He always comes running to you, asking for help to solve trifles."

  Helena decided not to answer, in order to avoid another useless discussion. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and hurried from the room. 'It has to be something important if Monsieur Dutroit wants to see me this early. Maybe there are some clues pointing to our culprit. It might be that the observation of the D'Ardenne twins gave us another trace to follow,' she thought to herself.

  Helena entered the library and found Monsieur Dutroit, who was standing close to the window, his back to her.

  Straight forward, he said, "Bonjour!" Finally he turned to her and went on, without giving Helena the chance to return the greeting. "At the gate, I met your stable master. Jean, n'est-ce pas?" Helena wanted to answer, but Michel continued, "He was acting quite mysterious. His chest puffed out, he said he had to carry out an important mission for you, Madame." The police chief waited for a reaction, but the huntress bit her lip, not saying anything.

  Michel prodded on, "The man behaved strange towards me."

  Eventually, Helena relented to Michel's persistence. A wry smile on her face, she said, "Well, it seems that Jean is a bit overzealous. There is no reason for you to grow suspicious of him." Helena pointed to a comfortable chair, but Michel shook his head. Friendly, she asked, "Can I get you something to drink?"

  Again, the man only shook his head. Instead, he inquired, "You are evasive, Madame. Is there a reason for not telling me the meaning of my rather strange encounter with Jean?"

  Helena suddenly felt unwell and cold. Never had Michel acted so brisk and straight forward in her presence. "I am not avoiding your questions, Monsieur. Jean is just doing me a little favor."

  "What k
ind of favor?" His voice sounded dangerous, threatening.

  Helena retreated a step, puzzled by his tone. "My dear Monsieur Dutroit, today I am truly wondering about your curiosity."

  Instantly his voice was normal and polite as usual. "Forgive me, Madame, but it seems that you are keeping something important from me. Something to do with the murders. You know, I am also interested in solving these cases."

  When Helena didn't answer, he added charmingly, "I am concerned about your safety, my dearest."

  For a moment, the huntress doubted Michel's words, but she brushed the thought aside as he stepped closer and smiled at her. He took one of her hands and whispered, "You are trembling, my dearest." Compassionately, he caressed her fingers.

  Helena swallowed hard and pulled her hand from his grasp to retreat further. Her breathing increased, and she noticed his surprised glance, which followed her. Unsure and embarrassed, she said, "You are so unusual frank."

  A self-confident smile formed on Michel's lips. "I always thought you are unshakeable, my dear Helena."

  "It just caught me off guard," the huntress defended herself. "To get back to your question, Monsieur, Jean is contacting Monsieur Delacroix, the caretaker of this estate."

  Michel drew his brows together.

  "Monsieur Delacroix is the only eye witness. He knows what the intruder looked like." Helena' regarded Michel, who kept silent. Deliberately, she didn't mention his companion, Chalice. "I would like to have a picture of the cold blooded murderer."

  Michel paled with fright, but Helena drew the wrong conclusions. "Do not worry, Monsieur. You know that I can take care of myself."

  "Of course, of course. Shouldn't Monsieur Delacroix be put under protection? I'd like to have him under my personal protection."

  Helena contemplated his words. "I don't think that the murderer is concerning himself with getting identified."

  "How can you be so sure of that, my dear Helena?" Again his voice sounded different, lurking.

  Their gazes met and Helena thought she could read something in his eyes, something strangely foreign. Her senses kicked in, but she didn't know how to classify this feeling and so she brushed the objections aside. "Arrogance," she said abruptly.

  Michel cleared his throat and replied, "I don't think I understand, dear Helena."

  "Do not underestimate the culprit's arrogance. He is so sure of himself that it doesn't matter to him if he gets caught."

  "Are you trying to suggest he wants to be discovered?"

  "Yes. He is tired of his own game and now he wants to end it."

  "That is outrageous." Lost in thought, Michel stroked his beard. "And it changes everything."

  "I fear I do not understand you."

  "Helena, from this moment on, I will not leave your side."

  Her eyes widened. "What? Impossible..."

  "No argument," Michel interrupted roughly. "From your words I gather that you are in grave danger!"

  Helena was speechless. She had not expected this reaction. Before she was able to object, Michel added, "This morning I have to take care of a pressing matter, but I will be back soon, my dear. Please, excuse me." Michel bowed politely and left the room.

  The huntress was thunderstruck. "That cannot be true. I think, I heard wrong. Now of all times, when I am so close to the truth." Brooding, she sat down on a chair. "What am I to do? If Michel follows me everywhere, my hands are tied." Eventually she came to a decision and went to search for her son.

  *****

  Kyrian threw his head back, his fingers fumbling for the towel. "Ugh, the water is cold." He dried his face and pushed the washing bowl aside. Then he looked at the mirror and grinned broadly, telling his reflection, "I am going to meet Christine again. I will just put on some fresh clothes, and then I am off to see you, my beloved." Kyrian blushed a bit at his own bold words. Humming, he busied himself with his clothes, until a knock at the door interrupted him.

  "Enter," Kyrian called and his mother stepped into the room.

  "Mama?" he asked in surprise. "Is there something I can do for you?"

  "Indeed, there is." Helena closed the door. "But, as I can see, you already have other plans."

  "Um...no... I just spilled something and have to put on new clothes," he lied and turned his gaze ashamed to the window.

  There was a long pause and Helena stood in the room, feeling helpless. "I know, we had some differences, but I do not want to fight anymore." Tense, she waited for Kyrian's reaction.

  Slowly her son turned around. "I do not wish to fight with you either."

  Before the young man could mention the topic of Christine, Helena announced, "If you are interested, I have a mission for you."

  "What kind of mission?" There was a mixture of suspicion and excitement in his voice.

  "Monsieur Dutroit has made the decision to not leave my side."

  Kyrian rolled his eyes and groaned.

  His mother responded harshly, "Save the annoyed glance, my son. He thinks he has to protect me from the Heart Taker." Helena sighed. "No matter what I say, he will not leave."

  She placed her hands on Kyrian's shoulders and locked their gazes. "That is why I want you to go to the Quartier Latin in my place. Look for old, abandoned houses. I am suspecting that the vampire spawns are hiding somewhere in this quarter."

  The young man was astonished, faced with his mother's openness. He was ashamed about his own lie and didn't dare tell her that he had spent the whole night in the Quartier Latin.

  Helena grabbed his shoulders harder, admonishing him. "I want you to write down the addresses of any suspicious looking buildings. And no heroic acts, understood? I will trust you to do as I said, alright?"

  Kyrian shook off her hands, grinding his teeth. "Yes, Mama."

  "Good. That is what I wanted to hear. Then go right away." Helena was already on the door when she turned around. "Thank you."

  Kyrian ran a hand through his long, dark hair and nodded wearily.

  *****

  Some time later, Helena sat in the library, sorting her documents.

  Monique entered and announced the arrival of Monsieur Dutroit.

  The huntress groaned in annoyance, but she hid her feelings well as the police chief stepped into the room.

  "Excuse me, Madame, but I bring bad news."

  Helena got up and a feeling of anxiety rose inside her.

  "I came to tell you that Bernard Delacroix is dead."

  She was thunderstruck. Disbelieving, Helena looked at Michel. "Bernard is dead? How..."

  Michel continued sympathetically, "An unsolved crime."

  "Deliberate murder?" the huntress guessed.

  "My men can't confirm that. This late morning, he was found dead in his private chambers... strangled with a belt."

  Helena's mind worked feverishly. "But where is Jean?"

  Calmly, Michel strode to the armchairs and sat down. "He is at my office, in Paris. He is being questioned at the moment." He noticed Helena's shocked expression and placated, "As an eye witness, of course." Michel watched her reaction like a hawk.

  Helena began to pace the room. "I have to talk with the boy, Philippe. I will ride there myself."

  "Impossible!" Michel countered, his voice unusual harsh. "His parents will not allow their child to be disturbed. Not after what transpired in that certain night, at this castle."

  Helena pricked up her ears. 'How can Michel know about that? Bernard said that nobody knew, especially not the police...'

  Michel noticed his mistake and added, "You know, the murders of the daughters."

  "Yes, still..." Helena began hesitatingly, but Michel interrupted her again, lying coldly, "My men found some of Monsieur Delacroix's notes that he kept like a diary."

  Alarmed, Helena pressed on, trying to sound as indifferent as possible. "Indeed? What kind of notes did you find?"

  A small smile formed on Michel's lips. "Nothing important to help us catch the Heart Taker."

  Helena was relieved t
o hear that Bernard hadn't written down anything about a vampire. To Michel she said, "Too bad," and returned to the table, where she had worked before.

  Time went by in absolute silence.

  Once in a while, Helena glanced at Michel, who seemed to be engrossed in a book.

  'This cannot go on.' Helena stood up and said friendly, "Evening is approaching and you look exhausted. Would you like to have a cup of vitalizing mint tea with me?"

  "I'd like that very much, dear Helena," he answered and stretched his tired body.

  "I will go and ask Monique to brew some tea. Please, stay here. I will be back shortly. Do not leave, yes?" Helena forced a winning smile on her face and left the library.

  Outside, she released a deep breath. On her way to the kitchen she told herself, "I have to do something. Michel is becoming a burden."

  She turned and went to her chambers, fetching a small glass tube, which contained a white powder. With that in hand, she went to the empty kitchen. Helena set up a kettle with water and searched for the mint leaves. "I hope that we do have mint." She found some bundles of dried leaves hanging from the ceiling in the storage room. The huntress grabbed one and returned to the kitchen. At the window, she plucked the dark green leaves from the stems. Looking up, her gaze fell on the herb garden. Helena frowned. "I think I saw something move out there." Her suspicion raised, she went outside and listened intently. Suddenly the huntress heard little cracking noises and her eyes turned to the edge of the woods, which lay right behind the herb garden. "Somebody seems to be hiding there. Are they observing me?" Her sharp gaze picked up another movement, behind one of the tress. Immediately Helena sprinted towards it. "You?" she exclaimed, horrified. Behind the old chestnut tree, she discovered the girl known as Christine.

  No less stunned, the young woman looked at the huntress with wide eyes.

  "Have you lost your voice?"

  Defiantly, Chalice just stared at her and kept silent.

  "What are you doing here? Did you expect somebody else?"