by C. M. Sipes
“Yes,” she said again.
Marcella nodded and sighed. “Every time you experience a memory from her you go blood hungry.”
“Her hunger is so strong Marcella,” she answered. She could feel blood leaking from her eyes now.
“Shh,” Marcella soothed, wiping the blood tears from Vittoria’s face. “It is getting worse, Vittoria. The hunger is more severe each time.”
“I know.”
“Vittoria,” she began, her voice hesitant. “These memories from Lilith. They are not normal. No other Queen has experienced as many of her memories as you have.”
“Why have you not said this before?” Vittoria demanded.
“It is different for every Queen when it comes to Lilith. But—this…this is different.”
“Marcella, I feel as if I am becoming mad,” she whispered. Vittoria could hear the fear in her voice as she spoke. “Is it possible to go mad from memories?”
“No, my child. It will be fine,” Marcella soothed. “Come, we need to feed you.”
Vittoria nodded and allowed Marcella to help her stand. They slowly walked down the path that would eventually lead them to the city.
“I am sorry for racing so,” Vittoria said after a few moments of silence.
“I am just glad I am here to stop you. The last thing we need is for our kind to be properly exposed to the mortal world,” Marcella commented. “I also do not want any harm to come to you.”
“Marcella, no harm shall come to me. These mortals could not stop me if they wanted to,” she replied.
Vittoria could feel Marcella’s stare burning into the side of her face.
“We are extremely powerful, Vittoria. We may be immortal in the sense that we will live forever and never succumb to mortal disease or natural death. But—we are not so immortal that we can never be killed.”
“I understand, Marcella. But, we are unstoppable; the mortals would not stand a chance. We survived the Blood War. That was certainly more of a challenge than defending oneself against mortals with pitch forks,” she replied with a light chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood.
“Are you forgetting that I almost lost you?” Marcella asked seriously.
Vittoria paused her movement and looked at her maker. Marcella’s eyes were brimming with blood as she stared at her face.
“The Blood War was an unfortunate event as a whole. But I almost lost you in that war, Vittoria—in physical form as well as mental,” Marcella said seriously. “These memories of Lilith’s are disturbing and I do not understand why you continue to experience them—and ones that no other Queen has seen. It concerns me, Vittoria.”
“Well then, Marcella, what do you propose we do about it? You know just as well as I that I cannot control the memories,” Vittoria added with a wave of her hands.
“I am considering speaking to a priest,” Marcella explained, immediately earning a growl from Vittoria’s lips.
“I will not listen to some man with a Bible,” she replied.
Marcella rolled her eyes. “Vittoria, I mean one of our own priests. They know just as much about our history as the Queens do. Perhaps a past Queen has had the same problem, and I have just never heard of it.”
“Fine,” Vittoria sighed. “We should continue on, we also have a den to destroy.”
“Vittoria, we can leave that for another night. Let them believe we have no interest. We can strike later. Right now, you need to feed and then rest.”
“Marcella—”
“No buts, Vittoria. Please.”
“Fine, but I can find food on my own.”
Marcella eyed her wearily. “Vittoria—”
“I will be fine, Marcella,” she assured. “Please, go attend to any matters you need. I will feed and come straight back.”
She eyed Vittoria another moment before nodding. “Do not take long. Remember, we have a council meeting tonight.”
“Yes, mother,” she teased, earning a small smile from Marcella before she turned and raced down the path.
The hunger had subsided for the most part. She was more peckish than starving, and decided to walk the streets for a bit. Vittoria walked and watched the people move about the pathway. Most were heading home, but others continued on to the pubs or to other unsavory areas. She glanced up ahead and suddenly realized she was just down from the apothecary. Smirking to herself, she made her way to the shop, opened the door, and stepped inside.
Immediately she was met with an exasperated sigh.
“I just closed the shop up, please come back in the morning,” Isabel said loudly, not bothering to turn around.
“Well that is a shame,” Vittoria replied.
Isabel spun around, her cheeks red with embarrassment.
“Vittoria, my apologies.”
“No, no. The apologies are mine, I keep appearing in your shop at close.”
“I was actually expecting you earlier today,” Isabel replied with a shy smile. A light pink blush coated her cheeks as she glanced at the ground.
“I could not make it. I was tied up with a few things,” Vittoria explained as she walked to her. “What are you doing after you close the shop?”
“I was going to head straight home, but if you—”
“I was going to see if you wanted to—” they spoke at the same time.
She laughed and Isabel smiled. “I was going to see if you would like to walk with me?” Vittoria asked.
“I would love to,” Isabel replied. “Let me finish closing up and I will meet you outside.”
Vittoria nodded and smiled, feeling a strange emotion in her chest that suddenly caused her to frown. She turned and exited the shop, and stood against the outside wall. Isabel emerged a few moments after and offered her a small smile before they began to walk down the cobblestone roads together.
“So, an apothecary, what is working in one like?” Vittoria asked.
“Are you truly curious or are you just attempting conversation?” Isabel replied with a smirk, drawing a light chuckle from her lips.
“I am genuinely curious. I have never been good at concocting remedies,” Vittoria explained. “I have tried and everything has turned out…unwell.”
Isabel laughed loudly and Vittoria found herself smiling at the sound. It was musical, but boisterous and full of life.
“It is an art form, that is certain. My mother taught me how to mix the herbs, and my father taught me how to locate and pick them.”
“It is a family business then?” Vittoria asked, her eyes roaming over each person they passed on the street.
“Indeed,” Isabel replied with a smile. They locked eyes for a moment before smiling and looking away. “So, what do you do in this fair city?”
“That is a difficult question to answer,” Vittoria replied.
Isabel raised an eyebrow in question, and her companion sighed.
“Perhaps it would be best not to ask me,” Vittoria replied. Isabel’s eyebrows rose in surprise, but she obeyed her request.
“Well, if you ever find yourself bored, you can always come to the shop and I will teach you how to properly mix remedies.”
Vittoria smiled. “That would be lovely.”
Her eyes continued to scan the streets, and she smelled the air quickly to make sure everything was in order. Her nose crinkled at the stench of earth and she looked to her right, her eyes landing on the vampire from the previous evening. He had not noticed her, yet, as he was eyeing a nearby prostitute.
“Isabel, where is your home? I was wondering if you would like me to escort you,” Vittoria asked suddenly, taking Isabel’s arm in her own as they continued to walk.
She looked surprised for a moment before blushing and smiling. “I am just a few blocks away. You do not have to if you wish not to.”
“I insist. It is late and there could be blood-sucking fiends about,” Vittoria said with a laugh.
Isabel smiled. “What do you think of such things?”
“Blood-sucking fiends?” sh
e asked, her ears listening for any danger.
“Yes.”
“I believe they are a creation of the Church to scare the masses,” she answered as they rounded a nearby corner.
Isabel’s eyebrows rose in surprise as she pondered over the answer.
“And you? What do you believe?” Vittoria asked after a moment.
“I believe they exist.”
“What do you think of them?” she asked, now genuinely intrigued.
“I believe that there are good and bad creatures, just as there are good and bad humans. I believe they just exist alongside us. Such is the way of life,” Isabel replied, their arms still linked. “My home is just here.”
They came to a halt outside a half-timber house, medium in size, where candlelight flickered behind glass windows.
“Will you be alright walking home by yourself?” Isabel asked suddenly, her eyes wide with worry.
Vittoria gave a small smile. “Yes, Isabel, do not worry yourself. I will be fine.”
“But it is so late,” Isabel replied.
“I shall be fine.” Vittoria laughed and offered a wide smile. “It is getting late, you should go inside. Thank you for allowing me to accompany you.”
“It is I who should be thanking you,” Isabel replied, a small smile dancing on her lips. “Thank you, Vittoria. Be safe returning home.”
“Goodnight, Isabel,” she said with a slight bow before turning on her heel and walking back the way they had come.
“Will I see you soon?” Isabel called from her doorway.
“Perhaps tomorrow!” Vittoria called back as she spun to face her. She waved and turned around, continuing on her way toward the coven house.
As she strode down the street she took a deep breath, forcing herself to numb the butterflies that continued to flutter in her stomach. She focused her ears to the sounds around her, listening for the slightest movement of anything unusual. Footsteps echoed somewhere behind her and she paused for just a moment, smirking when the footsteps followed suit. Vittoria sighed to herself as she turned down a side street and continued on her way.
Fledgling vampires were so stupid, it was almost adorable.
Vittoria grinned to herself before disappearing from the street and landing on the top of a roof. She took up her perch and watched the fledgling enter the alley, stop, and then look around.
“Are you looking for me, my dear?” she called to the fledgling. His eyes flickered upward, widening as he realized he was bested. “You must be quite confident to follow me, or you are just stupid and have no idea who I am.”
Fangs shown in the moonlight as he growled and glared up at her. “I do not know who you are, but I come bearing a warning to you.”
“Oh? Well, deliver your warning,” Vittoria said with amusement as she stepped off the roof and dropped into the street.
His scleras were bloodshot, contrasting against the brightness of his green eyes.
“Stay away from the witch,” he warned firmly.
“Witch?” she asked, curiosity evident in her voice as she searched the fledglings’ eyes.
“Isabel,” the bloodluster replied with a nod.
“Isabel is a witch?” Vittoria asked, her hand coming up to pull a twig from his bushy hair.
He remained rooted to his spot. “Yes. She is,” he replied warily.
Vittoria raised her eyebrows in amusement.
She grabbed his throat and spun, slamming him into the nearby stone wall. Dust fell onto his head and a trickle of blood dripped from his nose.
“Who do you think you are to tell me to stay away from her?” Vittoria growled, her grip tightening around his neck.
“You’re strong,” he gasped.
“Still unsure of who I am?” she asked. She felt her fangs press against her upper lip as her eyes slowly changed to red.
“Your Highness,” he replied, his eyes wide.
“Ah. There we go,” she said with a grin. “Now, while I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the warning, I am aware of our…rules.”
“My apologies,” he gasped.
“Better.” Vittoria released him and he fell to the ground with a soft thud.
“I thought you to be a subject, I was just trying to help.”
“I appreciate that,” she paused. “I apologize, what is your name?”
“Henry.”
“Henry. Strong name. Well, Henry, thank you for the warning.” She helped him from the ground. “I do apologize for having to kill you.”
His eyes widened. “Your Majesty, please spare me.”
“You are a bloodluster, Henry. Disposing of your kind is what we do to keep you from revealing our existence to the rest of the world.”
“I try to avoid feeding. I made a mistake—one mistake ten years ago. Please, Your Majesty. Spare me,” he pleaded. He dropped to his knees below her.
Vittoria eyed him a moment before sighing. “I will spare you on one condition.”
“Anything.”
“There is a cave on the outskirts of the city. North. Bloodlusters reside there. You would not happen to know anything about it, would you?” she asked, an eyebrow rising in question.
His expression morphed to disgust. “Indeed I do, Your Majesty. Those bloodlusters, they will drink dry anything they can get their hands on. The locals stay far from it. They say demons live there.”
“So, the locals are aware of the cave?”
“Yes.”
“Do they know specifically what resides within?”
“I believe they have an idea, Your Majesty, but they do not dare confirm it.”
“Ah. Well then.” Vittoria looked at Henry for a moment. “You may go, Henry. Behave yourself. Once again, thank you for the warning.”
Henry’s eyes widened with surprise. “You—you’re welcome, Your Majesty.”
Vittoria turned and broke into a run, blurring as she raced back toward the coven house. Her stomach rumbled in agitation; she had forgotten to feed. She spun on her heel, sighing as she turned and raced back to find a meal.
Vittoria sprinted across the ground and toward the coven house. She was running late for the council meeting, her feeding taking slightly longer than anticipated. She flew up the road and through the doors, blowing by the guards that watched over. She continued toward the throne room, coming to a halt outside of the two intricately designed wooden doors.
“Your Highness,” the guards greeted, their heads nodding in acknowledgement.
Vittoria pushed the doors open and strode into the room. The chamber itself was made of stone, and was cold, damp, and dark. Torches burned around the area, casting an eerie light on the vampires and their glowing eyes. At the end of the room sat two obsidian thrones. Marcella sat on one, her appearance more regal than any queen. Her blood-red eyes blazed in the darkness as she looked at the vampire kneeling in the center of the room. The coven council sat around the chamber on stone benches, a reminder of their place amongst their Queens.
Vittoria moved forward, circling the cowering vampire and approaching her own throne. Marcella glanced to her, her eyes conveying worry before focusing her attention back to the vampire.
“I apologize for my late arrival. I had some business to attend to,” Vittoria said to the room, her head turning to look at Marcella. “What did I miss?”
“This vampire here, he is in violation of our rules.” Marcella eyed the vampire with irritation. “We were just hearing his reasons for his violation.”
“I was unaware there was a trial tonight as well,” Vittoria said, amusement dripping from her words. “So, what did our friend do?”
“Your Highness—” the vampire began.
“Silence,” Marcella commanded.
Vittoria raised an eyebrow as she looked at her maker. Marcella was irritated.
“Marcella?” Vittoria asked.
“This vampire was discovered to be sleeping with a witch,” she said, her voice dripping with disgust.
Her eyes widened sli
ghtly but she quickly hid her surprise.
“Severe,” she muttered as she looked at the man. “So, why the interest in a witch? How long was this going on?”
“Does it matter?” Marcella asked, her voice rising.
“Calm yourself, Marcella. I am merely curious. You know how I am.” Vittoria smirked before turning her attention back to the vampire.
“I—I fell in love with her,” he answered meekly.
There was a murmur of disgust from the council.
“She was beautiful. She made me feel alive again…human…mortal.”
“Sweet,” Vittoria commented thoughtfully. She could feel Marcella’s eyes burning into her face. “So, how long?”
“Three years, Your Highness.”
Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “You managed to keep your witch a secret for three years? My my, I must say, I am quite surprised to hear that. Impressed as well.”
“Vittoria,” Marcella hissed.
She looked at Marcella, a blank expression on her face as she looked back the vampire.
“Tell me. You love this witch, correct?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Very much so.”
“Why not turn her?” Vittoria asked.
Another murmur went throughout the room.
“Absolutely not,” Marcella said loudly, a growl rumbling in her throat.
“Why not, Marcella? She is a witch. We have rules against sleeping with witches. So, why not turn her, make her one of us? She surely will not be the first witch made vampire in history.”
“They are a liability.”
“If she loves him though, I see no problem.” Vittoria looked at Marcella. Their eyes locked in a dangerous stare.
“Here I thought you would be all in favor of killing him and his witch.”
“Oh, I do love a good kill, Marcella. Especially when it is in violation of our rules.” Vittoria spread her hands in a gesture of nonchalance. “However, I am feeling generous tonight.”
Marcella eyed her a moment before looking at the vampire.
“You may both live, if the witch is turned.”
The vampire sighed in relief as objections erupted from the council. The chatter was deafening to her ears as it echoed off of stone walls. Her patience ended.