Chronicles of Darkness: Shadows and Dust

by Andrea F. Thomas

  Kyrian saw the tears glistening on her pale cheeks. He lowered his body to the bed's edge and gently wiped the tears away, trying to soothe the sobbing woman.

  Chalice lifted her bound arms that had been stretched to the bed's head. The chains clanked with the movement.

  Kyrian was shocked. He didn't know what to make of the image in front of him.

  Chalice whimpered, "This is the Heart Taker's work."

  The hunter paled and stuttered, "D-did... d-did... he do... some-something to you?" His fearful gaze darted all over her body, trying to find wounds or other signs of violence.

  More tears fell as she answered, "No, but he scared me to death. Oh, Kyrian! Please hold me!" She writhed in the chains, until she sank back exhausted.

  Kyrian rose and looked around. "How shall I free you?"

  "There, he placed the key inside the small chest over there. He thought it amusing to leave the key in my view, knowing I could never reach it on my own," Chalice responded.

  "Pervert swine!" the young man exclaimed in anger while he retrieved the key. His fingers were trembling as he freed Chalice from the chains.

  Instantly she fell into his arms and he calmed her, stroking her hair. She snuggled closer, holding on tightly to his body.

  After a while, he asked carefully, "Do you know something about his plans?"

  The young woman collected her thoughts before she started to talk. "Well, he didn't say much in my presence. I just heard that they said something about leaving Paris this night... to go north." She pretended to think very hard, as if attempting to remember something really important. "He mumbled something about... the hunters are on my trail... they are near... we have to go..." From the corner of her eye she watched him, trying to figure out what he was thinking.

  "Oh," was the only reaction of the surprised young man.

  "Do you know what he meant?" she asked, looking deeply into his eyes.

  Kyrian returned the gaze. He was just about to reveal everything to his beloved Christine, but then answered, "No."

  Silence ruled until Chalice pulled him down to her, onto the bed. Softly she breathed into his ear, "Do you know that you are my savior, Kyrian Leosol? Without you, this house would have become my grave."

  The young man was caught in a trance as Chalice pulled his head down to rest upon her soft breasts, her fingers running gently through his long, smooth hair. Her gaze wandered to the ceiling and her innocent eyes became hard and cold. "I really mean that. Bound by the heavy chains, I would have died in here."

  Abruptly, Kyrian rose and supported himself on an elbow. The thumb of his other hand tenderly traced her soft, rosy lips. "Stop talking like that, my beloved. It's over."

  "Yes, it's over," she whispered. Her eyes grew distant, while her fingers trailed to his vest and pulled it off him.

  Kyrian gave in, his eyes never leaving hers.

  Tenderly Chalice pulled the shirt from his pants and slid it over his head. His athletic, tanned body became visible. Her slender fingers ran over his gleaming skin, touching everywhere she could reach. Chalice sat up und began to open her corset.

  Ashamed, Kyrian looked away. Blushing heavily, he tried to explain, "Uh... Christine... I... I never have... before..."

  "Shhh... don't say a word. Just let it happen." Light blonde hair fell across her bare shoulders as she took off the corset.

  Kyrian's breathing grew faster upon seeing her naked form for the first time.

  Chalice took his hands and placed them on her pale skin, showing him how to caress. She lay back and pulled him on top of her, kissing him passionately.

  Willingly, the inexperienced young man let himself be guided by Chalice. She helped him to take off his pants and removed her skirts. Their naked bodies touched and pressed against each other in perfect harmony as they made love in the flickering candlelight.

  Afterward, Kyrian fell asleep next to Chalice, a smile gracing his features. His calm and gentle breathing was soothing the young woman's soul, giving her a feeling of safety she had missed for so long. Still, she couldn't give in to it. She freed herself from his tender embrace and left the bed. Silent, Chalice put on her clothes and headed out of the room, without looking back.

  At the door, she hesitated, her fingers clawing at the wooden frame and a lone tear rolled down her cheek. Her voice shaking, she whispered, "I think I could have truly loved you."

  *****

  The deceitful semblance of peace lay on the castle. Only from Helen's bedroom came the flickering light of a candle.

  Unable to fall asleep, Skylar had tossed and turned for a long time. She had lit the candle, hoping that after some reading she could finally find some rest. The girl reached for the newspaper, which lay unread on top of her mother's nightstand. Her mouth fell open as she saw the headline.

  The sound of crunching pebbles drifted to her ears.

  Skylar went to the window and watched a person, who wore a long cloak, disappear through the entrance door.

  "Mama!" With the paper in hand, Skylar left the room and saw a dark figure entering the library. The girl ran through the corridor and pressed down on both handles. The doors flew open and Skylar stormed into the library. "Mama! Have you seen the newspaper? It is saying..." She trailed off in surprise, as she recognized the person that stood beside the window. "Oh, Monsieur Dutroit, it is you. What are you doing here? In the middle of the night?"

  Questioningly, the girl wrinkled her forehead. She didn't receive an answer.

  The police chief just stood there, not moving an inch.

  Skylar didn't know what to do. Michel's nightly visit seemed strange. The whole situation frightened her, but she tried to conceal that. Matter-of-factly, she began to rattle off some harmless questions. "Monsieur Dutroit, are you not feeling well? Is something wrong?" Waiting for an answer, Skylar began to light some candles.

  Suddenly, the police chief turned around and gazed at her with empty eyes.

  Unconsciously, Skylar retreated a step, while his dark eyes remained firmly fixed on her. The play of light and shadow of the flickering candles made Michel's face appear demonic and the girl swallowed hard.

  Michel's mouth formed a sneer and he started to speak in a strange voice, "Look who is still awake. The little lioness..."

  Skylar retreated further, her heart beating fast. The weird behavior frightened her more and more.

  Michel took a step toward her. "So innocent..." He hesitated. "Awww, what is it? Are you scared?"

  The girl shook her head bravely. At the same time she retreated, until her back hit the wall. She kept the newspaper tightly grasped in her hands and hidden behind her.

  Suspicious, the police chief eyed her up and down. "What are you hiding behind your back?"

  Skylar gathered all her courage and countered with a question of her own, "Where is my Mama?"

  The police chief went down on a knee. "My dear sweet child, how am I supposed to know that? She wanted to make us some tea, and since early evening, she's kept me waiting for it..." He laughed about his joke. "But it doesn't matter, because I'm very, very patient. Why do you ask?"

  "Because I have something important to tell her. Alone." She added the last word defiantly.

  At lightning speed, Michel's hand shot out and took the newspaper from her grasp. His eyes scanned the headline. Again he grinned evilly.

  The girl shivered. Something was seriously wrong. Skylar could only watch on in disbelief, while he tore the paper to shreds, right in front of her eyes. "My dear sweet child, such horrible stories are not meant for you. You should leave that to the adults. Why don't you go back to your room and play with your dolls?"

  In that moment the door opened and Skylar released a relieved breath as she saw her mother, who entered with a tablet full of tea utensils, acting like it was the most normal thing to do at this time of night. The scent of mint filled the room.

  Michel rose from his place on the floor and Skylar used the chance to hurry to her mother's side. />
  "Why is no fire burning? It is so cold without it." Helena said friendly, despite the awkward situation the three were in.

  Skylar shrugged her shoulders, sneaking glances at Michel.

  He took the tablet from Helena's hands and set it on the table. "My dear Helena, who needs a fire? Your presence alone is enough to warm my heart and I feel no cold."

  The sharp gaze of the huntress fell on the tiny pieces of paper that were strewn across the floor. "Before I am going to ask what you are doing here at this time, what is the meaning of these pieces?"

  Not bothering to answer, Michel pulled her to the table. "The tea, Madame. We should drink it, before it gets cold."

  "Yes, sure," she replied and smiled. "Since I brewed it, we should drink it right away... and we have had to wait for it so long." She turned her back to Michel, whose attention rested once more on Skylar.

  The girl was still standing rooted beside the door, in her white nightgown.

  No one noticed when Helena added the white powder to Michel's teacup. She stirred the fluid with a small spoon and gave it to the police chief. Then the huntress made a cup for herself and sat down in an armchair, opposite him. Helena suppressed a smile as she saw Michel taking his first tentative sips. "Mhhh, a strange aroma," he remarked.

  Helena raised an eyebrow. "You think so?"

  Michel took another sip. "Well, yes, one can get used to it... kind of bitter aftertaste... still... it is delicious..." The police chief frowned as his eyelids grew heavier with each passing second.

  "Tell me, Michel, how is your new task going? I mean the protective observation of the D'Ardenne twins?"

  Skylar opened her mouth to intercept Michel, but Helena's warning glance was enough to keep her silent.

  "Everything is fine..." came the slurred answer. His tongue felt numb and he had trouble to concentrate on her question. "Why... why... do... you... ask?" He had to blink several times and kept rubbing his eyes to get rid of the sudden double vision.

  "Well, I thought you might have found some hints concerning the Heart Taker?"

  Michel didn't listen to her anymore. He had emptied his cup and stared disbelieving at the small traces of powder at the bottom of it. The police chief wiped his finger across it, rubbing the substance between his fingertips. His eyes turned to the huntress. "Bitch!" he roared outraged, accusing.

  Helena and Skylar flinched.

  "What have you done? You poisoned him!" He leapt up, but his rubbery legs gave way and Michel went down hard. His eyes rolled back and he lay there unconscious.

  Helena put her cup back on the table, regarding the prone Michel. All her romantic feelings for the man disappeared as suddenly as they had come. She motioned for her daughter to come closer. "Skylar, help me to put him in the armchair." Together they managed to place the tall man back in the chair.

  A bit out of breath, Skylar asked concerned, "Mama? What have you done to him?"

  "Don't worry. The good Monsieur Dutroit is just taking a little nap."

  "There is something wrong with him, Mama."

  "After what he just said, I believe he is not quite himself," she replied and turned to her daughter. "Did he do something to you, sweetheart?" Helena asked, concerned.

  The girl shook her head. "Beside scaring me, he only tore up the newspaper."

  "Yes, that is very weird." Helena drew her brows together, thinking. "Why would he do that?"

  "Because it said that the D'Ardenne twins are dead and their hearts are gone."

  "What?" The head of the Leosol family was utterly stunned. "But if he was guarding the girls, why did he say that everything was going well? That makes no sense... his sudden visit tonight makes no sense either. He didn't seem to know anything about the weird message left at the old palace... it could be that..." Her eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Good God! That would explain, why he was acting so strange lately, and why he wanted so much information... the sudden death of Bernard, the only witness... everything is coming together... it can only mean that he is under the vampire's spell."

  "Mama, what are you going to do now?" Skylar wanted to know, feeling unwell at the sight of Michel's unmoving body

  Helena grabbed her hand and they left the room. Outside, the huntress brought out a key and locked the big doors.

  "Mama? What were you talking about? What message?" Skylar asked, excited.

  But the huntress didn't listen to her daughter. Her mind was working feverishly, trying to figure out what to do next. "No, Michel was not the trap..." Before she could finish the sentence, she was interrupted by a loud crashing sound.

  Skylar clung tightly to her mother. "What was that?"

  "That was downstairs, in the hall," Helena answered and pulled her sword.

  At the same time, Monique and Jean came running towards them. The crashing had woken them from deep slumber. Astonished, they stared at the weapon.

  Before either of them could ask any questions, Helena ordered, "Go! Run for your lives and do not come back before the sun is high in the sky!"

  Dumbfounded, the servants looked at each other, thinking their mistress had lost her mind. Jean was about to burst into laughter. Then they heard footsteps of several people downstairs and Monique began to tremble in fear.

  "Go on!" Helena urged again. "Take Skylar with you and make sure she is safe!"

  The girl protested strongly. "No, Mama! I will stay with you!"

  Helena didn't have time to make her daughter see reason, because Monique started to scream hysterically and ran to the main stairs. Without thinking, Jean followed the cook.

  "No..." the huntress whispered, her arm reaching for the fleeing servants, but it was too late. Helena knew that they would run directly into the intruders' arms.

  Sobbing, Skylar buried her face at her mother's chest.

  "Come, sweetheart," her mother said, pain evident in her voice. She pulled the girl with her. "We have to find a place to hide you." To herself she said, "Now I know what the trap was. Hopefully it is not too late yet."

  Over some hidden staircases, they arrived at the quarters of the servants, which were under the roof. Helena opened a small hatch. "You will stay here, until I come to get you."

  "Mama, I'm scared," Skylar sobbed.

  Helena tried to calm her down. "Nothing will happen to you."

  "No, Mama, I'm scared for you. I still couldn't tell you about that dream I had..."

  Helena swallowed hard and took her daughter's face into her hands. She kissed her long and tenderly on the forehead. "Always remember, Skylar Leosol, it is our destiny." Helena hugged her child tightly, breathing harshly while trying to keep her own tears at bay.

  "Please, be careful, Mama," Skylar whispered, watching Helena leave to fight the unwelcome guests. The girl crawled into the small space, closed the hatch and awaited her mother's return.

  *****

  Azrael's cane clicked on the marble floor of the great entrance hall, his left arm rested on his lower back. Some blood was visible in the corners of his mouth. He licked it off with the tip of his tongue. Greatly interested, he scanned his surroundings, until the other vampires that he had sent out returned from scouting.

  Reverently, they all knelt at their powerful master's feet. "We took everything we could find from the hunters, as you requested."

  Azrael was satisfied. "It will enrich my collection. I'm looking forward to enhance my knowledge." With a nod, he ordered, "Store the goods safely in my carriage. Hurry, we still have a lot to do tonight."

  Immediately, they left the hall to carry out his order.

  Another vampire cleared his throat to report, "We couldn't find anybody besides the two fleeing humans, Master. Only..."

  A drawn out groan interrupted the vampire and Azrael saw Michel. Still numb from the sleeping powder, the police chief was dragged into the hall by two vampires. "We found him like that in the library, Master."

  Merciless, Azrael looked at Michel's sad appearance. Now that the vampire had removed th
e dark spell, there was nothing left of the police chief's former, strong self. "My dear Michel, what happened to you?"

  Greatly confused, the man looked up when he heard his name. He couldn't see anything, his view was blurry. Weak and exhausted, the man sank to the floor.

  "You have not taken good care of yourself lately, my dear Michel. A fact that is unforgivable for a... what's the word you use here? Ah yes... Gentilhomme." Azrael sneered. Then he turned away, demanding, "Light all candles in the hall! I want the perfect scene for the grand finale!"

  The vampires did as asked and lit every candle they could find. Also the big chandelier that hung from the ceiling.

  Azrael bathed in the flickering light and held his head high. "You did not find them, but still they are here. We saw the huntress entering the castle." The first traces of impatience were evident in his voice.

  The sound of an arriving carriage interrupted him. Shortly after, Chalice appeared and stormed into the hall, throwing herself into Azrael's arms. "I hurried back to you as quickly as I could, my Master."

  Roughly the vampire untangled himself. "Did you chain him so that he may rot in that house?" Scrutinizing, his eyes darted over her face.

  Chalice paled and stuttered, "I... I forgot." Expecting an outburst of fury, she ducked away.

  Unexpectedly, the vampire remained calm.

  Chalice used the moment for another confession. "The huntress knows who I truly am."

  Azrael nodded. "I thought as much."

  "What? I didn't want... it wasn't my intention..."

  "Enough! Everything will happen precisely as it should. This night is my night." He took off his cape and gave it together with his cane to Chalice. "A light was turned on in one of the rooms upstairs, before the huntress returned. It must have been her daughter." An evil smile was on his face as he silently climbed the stairs. "Hello, little girl!" he called out sweetly.

  No sound was heard and Azrael continued, "Oh, you want to play hide and seek with me? I have to warn you, I'm very good at this game." His eyes began to glow eerily.