by TL Travis
He shrugs and says nothing, but keeps moving forward with the rest of the group. I turn back to find her.
Re-entering town, I recall the young couple she was ogling wondering what her devious mind has in store. I backtracked up the main road, heading in the direction I last saw them. Making my way past the familiar buildings, I hear a dreadful sound. A gurgling comes from a nearby alleyway followed by the wafting of freshly spilled blood, which alarms me. What I stumbled upon next stops me dead in my tracks. My mother doused in blood, hovering over the lovers’ limp, lifeless, butchered bodies, fully engulfed in a demented feeding craze. Their necks severed, hanging on by a thread.
“Mother!” I scream.
She turns briefly making eye contact. Her eyes are as red as the blood she’s spilled. Completely entranced in her barbaric ritual, I can tell she is too far gone to recognize me. When Vampires fight or feed, their eyes are black as night – never red. Red is the sign of a Rogue Vampire, a soulless Vampire. She releases a deep, guttural growl before fleeing in the opposite direction, leaving her disfigured prey behind.
Out of respect for the humans she so mercilessly obliterated, I move their corpses to the woods, disposing of them in the same manner we did with the others. I don’t know what else to do, if their remains were found this would prove to be detrimental to our community. I bury the bones and head back to the castle, texting Tristan along the way.
Tighten security, I fear Rogue’s have been dispatched - David
Consider it done - T
Walking up to the castle, I find Amelia outside waiting for me.
“Has my mother returned,” I ask trying to walk past her.
Grabbing my arm, she asks, “No, where did you go?”
Carefully I weigh my response before speaking, “She wasn’t with the rest of the group so I went back to look for her.”
She seems to buy that. “Did you find her?”
I don’t believe Amelia’s to be trusted and according to Tristan she wasn’t.
I shake my head ‘no’ and walk inside.
I desperately need to find my father, but sunrise is drawing near, so it will have to wait. I’ll tackle that demon when I get up. Once I am tucked away in my room, I pull my phone from my pocket, shooting Jess a text to let her know all is well and that I love her. No need to alarm her any further with the details of tonight’s events so I go to bed.
Waking, I recall the previous night’s events knowing I have no other option but to find my father and Tristan’s parents. Filling them in on the crisis that unfolded last night is going to be difficult, but I fear for our safety with her on the loose. Nearing my father’s study, I note the door is ajar. I can hear my father’s voice, but he’s not alone. An argument is underway, but I don’t recognize who the other voice belongs to. Creeping closer, I try to get a visual on the other party involved.
“We have to put an end to this madness, Aurelio. We cannot continue to cover her tracks and jeopardize all that the council stands for.”
Father says nothing.
The man continues, “Did she return to the castle last night?”
“No,” my father says.
The door is blocking my view, but I now know my mother didn’t come home.
“Aurelio, we must convene the council immediately. Her actions could prove to be detrimental to us as well as to the humans.”
My father sounds so sad when he speaks, “What am I to do, Richard, you’re talking about the woman I love. The woman whom I’ve vowed to spend eternity with. Do you understand the position this puts me in? I could be condemned to death right along with her for her actions, none of which I had any involvement in.”
Richard, that’s Tristan’s fathers’ name. They’re talking about my mother and are aware of something she’s done, but what?
“Aurelio, do you think she had anything to do with the massacre in Belgium?”
My father sits there for a few moments, contemplating this question. “I don’t know,” he says though bated breath.
Richard’s anger increases. “You need to call an emergency council meeting now. Her family’s history speaks for itself and it’s time the Vasquez family permanently relinquishes their council seat.”
Richard storms toward the door. I dart around the corner, taking shelter behind a tapestry on the wall. Ironically, it’s the tapestry bearing the Vasquez family crest.
I stay behind the tapestry for a few more moments, considering whether or not this is the right time to speak with my father. Having barely known my mother’s family, and now I understood why. If she’s found guilty of these actions, she’ll be put to death. They’ll assume my father had knowledge of her wrong doings, so it’s likely he will be tried for her crimes as well. Although I don’t agree with what she’s done or what she’s become, I don’t wish her dead because she is my mother. Damn, I really need to hear Jess’s sweet voice right now. With that in mind, I decide to forgo talking to my father and instead go to my room to call Jess.
But I’m not in my room for very long before someone knocks on the door. I open it hoping to find my father standing there, but am gravely disappointed when I find Amelia.
“Are you hunting tonight?” she asks.
“No.”
I try to shut the door, but she puts her hand up to stop it. “Can I come in so we can talk?”
“I’m not in the mood to talk.”
Playing coy, she says, “Oh, if you’re in the mood for something else, I would happily oblige.” She licks her lips.
“Amelia, as appealing as you think your offer is to some, I must inform you I find it beyond repellant. I will never ever have any interest in you whatsoever.”
Hissing she spits, “You’ll regret that.” She turns, disappearing just as quickly as she came. Probably not the wisest thing for me to do, but I have no patience for her bullshit.
Her offer makes me ache for Jess even more, more than I thought possible. I pick up the phone to call, and she answers on the first ring. “Jess, I needed to hear your sweet voice.”
“David, are you okay?”
“Things are far worse than I imagined.”
In hushed tones she reminds me, “David, I’m not sure you should tell me this over the phone, the others may hear.”
“You’re right, Amor, but I need to hear you. God, how I miss you.”
“I miss you too, love. I hate to ask, but will you be coming home soon?”
“I’m not sure, things took an ugly turn. Jess, I need you to promise me something,” I ask.
“Anything, what do you need?”
“I need you to promise that you’ll never be out of Tristan’s sight.”
“I promise. Should I be worried?”
“Yes.” There is a knock at the door so I whisper, “Jess, someone’s at the door, I’ve got to go. I love you.” And I hang up.
Sliding my phone in my pants pocket, I cross the room to answer the door and this time my father is there. He looks so defeated, his face sunken and the circles under his eyes are darker than normal. A clear sign sleep has been an elusive demon for him. He walks across the room, sitting down at the desk. I have to ask the question for which I already know the answer to, “Dad is everything alright?”
“No, my son, it isn’t.” He rakes his hands through his hair.
“How can I help?”
“I wish you could, my son, but I’m not sure – wait, maybe you can. You might be our only hope.” He seems to perk up on that note.
“What do you need me to do?”
“Your mother has followed in her family’s destructive footsteps and I fear she’s reached the point of no return.” He proceeds to fill me in on the massacres that have taken place including the one in Belgium. Sharing stories of her family’s scandalous past and how they’ve all either been excommunicated or executed for their horrendous crimes. He also tells me she never returned to the castle after hunting last night.
Intently, I listen, feeling my father’s need t
o get this off his chest. But as soon as there is a break in the conversation I take the liberty of telling him what I witnessed last night and how she ran away after seeing me.
My father drops his face into his hands, shaking his head profusely. “No, my God no.”
I go to my father’s side, placing my hand on his shoulder. I don’t know what to say, mere words are not sufficient at this point and there is no mistaking my mother’s turned Rogue.
I tell him, “You know she sent Tristan to break Jess and me up.”
The surprise on his face clearly reiterates that he wasn’t aware of this. He apologizes, “I had no idea. I’m sorry for not letting you know what has been going on.”
I tell him, “Don’t worry, things are fine between Jess and I. Tristan is guarding her while I am here. She threatened to remove Tristan’s parents from the council and to personally kill Tristan and his parents if he failed.”
My father rises. “Come, my son, we are left with no other recourse than to convene an emergency council session.”
Council is alerted and seated in the meeting chamber in a matter minutes. Father apprizes them of the situation I witnessed, also informing them that he believes she spearheaded the Belgian massacre.
He tells them, “She threatened to end Tristan’s life if he didn’t succeed with ending our son’s relationship with his human girlfriend.”
Many growled their displeasure at the mention of a human, while others remained neutral.
Richard is present and nods his acknowledgement.
Gauging the council’s reactions as my father speaks noting all but Amelia’s family seem saddened by this. They remain emotionless, sitting stonefaced as though they are not fazed at all.
In order to remove her from her council, they will need eight out of ten members to vote in favor. But to permanently remove the Vasquez family seat would require all ten to vote in favor. It doesn’t appear as though this will be easily achieved based upon Amelia’s family’s alleged involvement. Her father represents the Brandt’s on the council, but his vote could admonish the whole deal.
The time has come to vote on the first issue at hand, barring her from the castle. One by one, all hands rise voting in favor. Now for the second and larger item, to remove the Vasquez family from the council as well as their family history from the castle forever, as though they never existed. Each council member raises their hands in order, dwindling down to the last vote. The deciding vote as all eyes shift to Guillaume, Amelia’s father. He raises his hand in favor never altering his icy gaze.
My father orders the servants to remove all Vasquez family photos, tapestries, crests and mementos from the common areas further instructing them to lock it all in the dungeons. This leaves him as Chief Elder, due to her removal. He takes charge, informing all, “I am placing a bounty of one million dollars on her head, but I ask that she be returned to the council alive where she will be placed in the dungeon until her trial.”
After adjourning the meeting, he swiftly exits the room. My heart goes out to him. This is clearly the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. He’s loved my mother since they were children, just as I’ve loved Jess.
Commotion ensues upon his exit with all eyes darting in my direction. Not wanting to be privy to their discussions, I choose to leave in search of my father. I knock on the door to his study, but he doesn’t answer, so I let myself in. He is sitting in the dark, facing the window with his back to the door.
He whispers, “Come in, son.” He must have been expecting me.
I walk over to his desk, clicking on the lamp. Blood stained tears run down his cheeks. Removing my handkerchief, I hand it to him.
“David, I’m sorry you had to bear witness to your mother’s evil doings. I know she’s your mother, but what she’s done is wrong and it jeopardizes all the council has worked diligently to maintain for centuries.”
I nod in agreement. “Dad, were you aware of any of this?” I have to ask.
“I’d heard rumors, but never personally saw any of it. She’s the love of my life, David, and I hoped it wasn’t true. It appears now I was foolish, blinded by my love for her and I wouldn’t be surprised if the council called for my dismissal as well. You should go home, son, once your mother catches wind of the council’s vote she’ll delve deeper into hiding and I fear she and her Rogues will hunt you, Jessica and Tristan. Jessica’s no match for them, but being Lourdes’ son you may be the only possibility in bringing back the woman we love. That is, providing any of her soul is still intact.”
“I’ll leave tomorrow night, but I need to speak with Tristan’s parents first to let them know I’m going to ask him to stay with us until mother’s apprehended.”
“Agreed. I’ll draft a covenant approving your marriage to Jessica. This will also allow you to turn her prior to her twenty-first birthday with no repercussions if the need were to arise. Given our present situation, she’d be safer as a Vampire than a human.” He turns handing me a red velvet box.
I open it, finding it contains an antique diamond ring.
Glancing from the box to my father he explains, “This was the ring last worn by my mother, your grandmother who as you know, was killed by a Rogue almost a century ago. This ring has been in my family for as long as I can remember. It would mean a great deal to me that this be the ring Jessica wears, signifying your love and binding her to our family.”
I am blown away by his act of kindness, of love. My father stands and we hug. He thanks me for my help then resumes his position facing the window.
I take that as my que to leave, but the happy moment we’ve just shared is short lived as I run into Amelia on the way back to my room.
“David, it was not wise for you to come here. Look at the trouble you’ve caused. Marry me and I’ll save you from all the disgrace you and your family have brought upon the coven.”
“Save me? I’ve done nothing wrong, seems to me that you’re the one whose soul will need saving.”
She moves closer, wrapping her arms around my neck. “We belong together, there’s no denying it.”
Forcefully, I remove her arms, holding them tightly and making certain what I am about to say is crystal fucking clear. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but we don’t belong together – not now, not ever.” I release her with such force she stumbles back.
She hisses, her eyes glowing red. “Your puny human will be no match for the Rogues. She will die a very slow, very painful death.”
My fangs descend as I close the gap between us, pinning her to the wall with my hand around her throat. “I’ll destroy any Vampire that dares come near her and that includes you, as well as my mother.” I drop her and she disappears as her growl echoes through the corridor.
The need to tell Tristan and Jess all that transpired is urgent. Retreating to my room, I am once again forced to put locating Tristan’s parents on the back burner. Tristan answers on the first ring, I fill him in on the council votes and share the reactions of Amelia and her family. I tell him, “I’ll leave tomorrow night to head home. Make sure you don’t let Jess out of your sight.”
“I won’t.”
I ask him, “Will you extend your stay?”
He informs me, “Theres not a chance in hell I’m leaving.”
We hang up and I immediately call Jess. Not wanting to frighten her, I choose to keep the information to a minimum until I return and can tell her face to face. “Jess, things are getting resolved and my father said for me to head home.”
She is ecstatic. “Text me with your flight information as soon as you have it.”
“I love you, Jess, I can’t wait to see you.”
“I love you too,” she says before ending the call.
I wake the next afternoon a bit earlier than usual needing to seek out Tristan’s parents before leaving for the airport. Walking by my father’s study, I hear Richard’s voice. The door is open so I knock lightly announcing my presence then step inside.
I tell Richard,
“Tristan is fine. He’s going to stay with us a bit longer, at least until things calm down or my mother is shackled in the dungeon.”
“Rogue Vampires are not to be trusted, they have no regard for life – human or Vampire,” Richard shares with me.
I tell them both, “Yesterday, Amelia demanded I marry her, when I refused, she threatened to kill Jess, and sic the Rogues on us. Her eyes were blood red.”
My father and Richard exchange looks before my father speaks, “Thank you, son, we’ll notify the other council members. Please be mindful of what you say to her.”
I thank them both then approach my father to say goodbye.
He stands, placing his hands on my shoulders. “My son, I must apologize again for the pain your mother’s actions have caused. I was so blinded that I was unable to see her for what she truly is. It’s not fair that she involved you in this, but please know that word has been communicated to the Vampire community highlighting the large bounty we’ve offered. Once she’s returned to the castle she’ll stand trial for her actions.”
I can see the pain in my father’s eyes, but he continues, “I have the documents we spoke of yesterday and filed them with the council so all are aware of our agreement.”
“Thank you, Father. I’m sorry for your pain. I wish I could do more to help.” We hug before I bid them farewell.
After checking in at the airport kiosk, I call Jess and Tristan to let them know. They tell me everything is fine and they’re excited I am finally coming home. I give them my arrival information so they can pick me up.
Taking my seat on the plane, I glance out the window before pulling the shade down when I notice a figure lurking in the trees alongside the runway. The figure steps forward so it is in view, it’s my mother. She makes eye contact for a split second, swiftly retreating into the darkness. Quickly, I text Tristan and my father letting them know.
Chapter 16
Jessica
Back in Arizona…
The drive to the airport takes forever. Tristan and I arrive a bit early so we sit at the Starbucks outside the security checkpoint to wait. I have made my decision to spend the rest of my life with David, even though I don’t fully comprehend the ins and outs of the whole ‘change’ clause.