Out of My Grave

by Stephanie O'Hanlon

  I could hear his blood rushing to the one area, feel his body tensing beneath me and his heartbeat sounded in my ear, fear rushing from him to me as it filled the area. It began to slow, until it stopped and I let go.

  I pushed the body to the ground as my body nearly collapsed. Thankfully, Vincent’s strong arms found me before I fell. I felt that same sensation, wanting to cough, wanting to expel what I had just ingested, but I tried to fight it this time.

  Again, Vincent pulled me up into his arms and made his way swiftly back to the manor. He nearly jumped up the back staircase, running down the hall and into his bedchamber, putting me down on the bed.

  For a while, it was just a bit of nausea. Then, my legs started to feel restless. I started twitching, my arms, my legs, my fingers and toes. Just, suddenly, they would twitch, taking me by surprise. I was unable to sleep, unable to do much except pace the floor as Vincent read.

  A few hours later, close to daybreak, I started to feel strange. I stopped pacing, turning to Vincent.

  He looked up from his book. “Are you alright?”

  I shook my head. “I do not feel well.”

  “Hmm, probably the withdrawal starting,” he said. “Come here, get into bed.”

  I did as he said, walking towards the bed. I stopped, that sudden pulse running through me, making me slightly dizzy. I almost collapsed right there, but again, my champion as always, Vincent was at my side, had me in his arms and then on the bed.

  My eyes welled up with tears, the pain starting, being almost unbearable. I bit my lip as I tried not to scream. I felt it building in my throat—a shrill ear piercing scream was going to find its way out of me and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to stop it.

  It started all over again. I was lying in bed with Vincent, in his arms as the body aches ripped through me. They were constant, my whole body tensing, only relaxing for a moment before they started all over again.

  I struggled in his arms, trying to keep myself silent, though all I wanted to do was scream. Tears ripped down my face violently as I tried to keep that scream buried deep inside me.

  Again, it took hours for this to stop. The body aches again became less frequent, the time between them stretching from seconds to minutes.

  Vincent’s voice rose softly. “Is it subsiding?”

  I nodded, pulling my head into his chest more. “Yes.”

  “Good, then I was right. Did you notice anything about the way his blood tasted?” His voice was soft, very gentle.

  I thought about it, sighing heavily. “It was good.”

  He laughed lightly. “Yes. But, do you know why?”

  I shook my head, closing my eyes, the sweat still sticking to me.

  “That man had just killed a woman in that tavern. That is why he was so nervous, he thought I knew what he had done and was concerned why I was leading him off.”

  I felt my eyes begin to close. “They taste better…”

  I remembered Vincent’s words as we were at the symphony, telling me about virgins, whores, evildoers, how they tasted. I could never imagine it, but I understood it at that moment.

  He nodded. “And it satisfied you longer, made the withdrawal less intense.”

  I realized he was right. It was still painful, but it did not last as long as the previous had. As Vincent said, my body would adjust quickly. I suppose the type of blood helped the transition as well.

  “You can fall asleep now, darling,” he said, kissing my forehead. “I will keep you safe.”

  His voice never seemed distant, I knew it was there. I knew he was there. I knew he would not leave me.

  “I am always safe in your arms…” I trailed off, my eyes drifting closed as I fell into the silent darkness.

  Chapter Twenty

  You Are Asking Questions

  When I awoke, I could hear a voice and a drum booming in my ears. I was in our bed at the manor, in a new nightgown, curled under the blankets, my hair fresh, and a mass of waves. I smiled lightly knowing it was Vincent who took care of me and made sure I was bathed and safely tucked away to get my rest.

  I sat up as the drum continued, pulling back the blankets and making my way to the doorway. I peered out into the hallway, which was now barren of the paintings and curtains that once hung around it. I saw a light coming from the stairway, no doubt being cast from the dining room.

  I tiptoed down the hall, the voice getting louder and being accompanied by another. I went down the steps, standing by the entrance to the dining room, on the second step, hearing Vincent’s voice and another man’s.

  “I have complied with Doctor Harding’s request. I have packed my things and I am moving away from the area, by the middle of the week. I do not know what else he could want from me.”

  I peered around the corner to see Vincent walk over to the fireplace and lean against it. The other man was standing by the window with a glass of wine in his hand, a man I didn’t recognize with dark short hair and a mustache. His suit was dark, the color indistinguishable in the low light. His white stockings gleamed, his breeches covered by a long frock coat.

  “I am sure you are aware Miss Harding’s body has disappeared from the Harding crypt. Her possessions stolen from Doctor Harding’s manor.” The strange man’s voice was very rough. I didn’t like it.

  “Am I to understand you are implying I am the one who took her body?”

  Vincent’s eyes flickered to me and then back over to him, the man’s mortal eyes not picking up the little glance.

  The man shook his head. “No, no, of course not. But…something or someone did rip that coffin apart. Doctor Harding is aware how upset you were when you were not allowed at the funeral.”

  “Inspector,” Vincent turned to him. “I know Doctor Harding blames me for her passing. I understand he is grieving. I myself am grieving. I had asked Annalee to marry me before she took her life! I tried to explain this to you before, yet you still think I would kill her! I would kill the woman I love. It made no matter I had an alibi, I was here at home, bathing, all my servants confirmed that notion, yet I am still being accused of doing things I am not accountable for.” Vincent’s voice was angered, hurt.

  I wondered how he did it, convinced everyone he was human. Convinced them he was a mortal man who had lost the woman he loved.

  The inspector nodded. “I am sorry Mister Moor. I know this must be difficult for you.”

  Vincent walked towards me stopping and staring at me, his back to the inspector, who stood and stared at the fire, ashamed. “I can still hear her voice and see her beautiful face. I love her more than anything, I could never hurt her.”

  I smiled as his eyes burned and he smirked before turning back to the inspector.

  “Have you actually questioned anyone else? What about Mister Dale MacMurphy or Mister Sean Pertrew? Have these people not been questioned? They were the ones who held ill feelings for Annalee, not me. My only crime was loving her.”

  Vincent walked back over to the fireplace, looking into it. If I were human, I would have really thought he was upset, even tried to comfort him though I knew he was acting and doing an amazing job of it.

  The inspector reeked of shame, his eyes firmly planted on the floor, his voice coming out low and filled with regret. “I apologize, but they have been questioned and they also have alibi’s, much the same as you do.”

  “Then it is clear she took her own life. Why can you not leave me be to grieve?” Vincent put his hands on the ledge of the fireplace looking into it. After a silence, his voice rose throughout the room. “Is that all?”

  The inspector nodded his head. “Yes. I am sorry to have disturbed you.”

  Vincent turned. “I will walk you to the door.”

  I turned and hid myself in the shadows as they walked past the entrance way and disappeared from sight.

  I sighed as the beating drum began to pull away from my ears, silence filling the room around me. I started to think about all the things Vincent had said. The me
ss I had got myself into. If only patience was one of my virtues.

  I wonder how Vincent saw the proper way.

  I turned, walking up the steps, stopping at the top landing as I heard a fast-paced drum and something drop. The boy, Jacques, stood in the hallway, his mouth nearly to the floor.

  “M…my lady?” He swallowed hard as he stepped back against the far wall.

  My eyes went wide as I ran towards him reaching out to put my hand over his mouth. “Shh! Please, don’t!” I looked back towards the stairs that led to the dining room hoping both Vincent and the inspector were not in earshot.

  “What…what did he do to you?” He continued to crawl along the wall away from me until he hit the top landing of the staircase. “You are supposed to be dead…”

  I stopped in the middle of the hall, continuing to look over my shoulder.

  “Please tell me you are a… an angel…” He closed his eyes tightly as if it was a bad dream.

  “Far from it I am afraid,” I said as my eyes went to the floor, keeping my voice low.

  He looked around frantically. “I must inform—”

  “No!” I ran up to him throwing my arms up. “Please, Jacques. I was nothing but kind to you. If you tell anyone, your Master will get in a lot of trouble, far more than I am worth!”

  I walked towards him, following him as he tripped down the first few stairs, trying to get away.

  He shook his head. “I warned you. I told you of his secrets.”

  I nodded my head. “Yes. I knew then what I know now. Now I am a part of his dark secret! You have not told anyone of his secret before. You must not do it now.”

  His eyes were on me warily, but nodded his head.

  “You promise me now. You promise me you will not tell a soul I still walk this Earth!”

  He nodded again, his eyes filling with tears.

  I sighed heavily. “Thank you. I want you to know this was my decision. Your master…Vincent was against this. He is not to blame.”

  He nodded, walking up the steps and past me, picking up the tray from the floor. “Be careful around him, my lady.”

  “I am just as dangerous now as he is.”

  He swallowed hard before he disappeared back down the hall and down the staircase, running as fast as his legs could carry him.

  I sighed heavily as I turned to find Vincent standing beside me suddenly. I gasped, startled. “Oh! You scared me.” I laughed as I put my hands on his chest.

  “How are you feeling?” He smiled as his hands ran up my back.

  I nodded. “I am all right. I feel a bit light-headed.”

  “Hmm, you may need to feed again. I suppose if you keep sleeping the days away, you really will be a vampire, well, like one from myths.”

  My brow furrowed. “I slept away the day again?”

  “Yes, it is Sunday now,” Vincent said, leaning down and kissing me. “We will be on our way by Wednesday, I hope, if you feel up to travelling.”

  I nodded, putting my hand to my forehead. I looked up to him, licking my dry lips. “What was all that about with the inspector?”

  “Hmm. Questions about your body disappearing,” he said as he began to lead me back towards the bedchamber. “You missed quite the performance, it was my best yet. How shocked I was when he told me your body was missing.” He laughed, pleased with himself.

  I smiled. “Well, you got some entertainment out of it, I guess that is good.”

  He stopped and turned me towards him. “Is there something wrong?”

  I sighed and smiled.

  “Yes, I suppose what is not wrong,” he laughed. “Are you…do you…?”

  “Regret my decision? No,” I said. I smiled and stroked his cheek, enjoying how unbelievably soft his skin was beneath mine, almost like the finest cashmere.

  He took my hand, kissing it gently before he turned me towards the bed, sitting me down on it.

  “How did you see us doing this? Tell me. How did you want it to happen?” I asked, looking up to him, though when I did so, I felt a little light-headed again.

  He walked over to the fireplace, leaning against the wall beside it. “How did I want it to happen? You think I had it planned out?”

  I smiled. “I know you did. You always have things in order.”

  He laughed and crossed his arms. “How did you see it?”

  I felt the warmth of the fire beating on to me, the small amount of light from it pulsing onto my eyes brightly. “I suppose we would have told everyone we were engaged, did all the normal mortal things.”

  “Mortal things?” His brow raised.

  “Yes. You know an engagement party and such,” I looked down to the floor.

  He walked over and sat on the bed next to me. “Get married in a church?”

  I nodded. “Then on our wedding night…that way I would have been able to tell my father I was just busy with married life, meeting your family and such while really I was going through what I am now. Getting used to things as it were…” My voice trailed off thinking about what I had before, about visiting my father after I changed.

  Would he take notice? How different would I be? Would he see me differently?

  I felt his hand on mine, grabbing it and turning it over, stroking it and my wrist.

  I turned to him. “But, things did not go as planned,” I felt tears building in my eyes, pain riddling through me. “They would have taken you away from me. I would have been back where I started and unbearably unhappy.”

  His eyes met with mine. “They would not have taken you from me. Do you think I would not have been able to steal you away? Charm your father?”

  “I do not know.” I began to sob, my head falling into his shoulder. I felt his hand come up and stroke my hair as his lips softly pressed against my forehead. I felt my eyes closing again, my mind wandering off though I heard birds chirping outside and I looked around the room, the heavy drapes on the window covering it. I could hear them so clearly.

  “Do not cry, darling,” he said, soothingly. “You need to keep calm right now. You are still in the process of adjusting.”

  I nodded tiredly.

  “You need to stay in bed. When you wake I will have a little something for you. We should probably leave hunting to a minimum while you are still going through all the—”

  “Adjustment,” I said, yawning.

  He laughed lightly. “Well, that is what is called. That is what Christos called it, but he was not as comforting as I am being for you.”

  I sighed, my eyes going to him. “It must have been awful…going through all this alone. So alone.”

  He looked my face over, finally nodding. “It was. But, in the end I learned how to stand on my own. I learned how to take care of myself. It seems I somehow picked up pushing people away…until you. You are teaching me a lot of very new things.”

  “Is it just as painful as my changing?” I asked, my voice low, my eyes feeling heavy.

  He nodded. “Change is always painful, darling. But, it means growth. It makes one a better person…or, vampire in our case.”

  I smiled tiredly.

  He sighed, standing up. “We need to get you back to bed.”

  I stood up and he led me around, pulling the linens back and helping me into the bed. He pulled the linens up on me and then leaned forward, kissing my forehead.

  “I will check in on you every so often,” he whispered.

  I nodded, cuddling into the pillows, which all smelled like Vincent. I was in a cloud of his scent, my eyes closing, my body relaxing into the comfort of having Vincent there when he was not physically present.

  I opened my eyes to a little dreamland where everything was very bright, glowing, blurry from the warmth. I was in my yard, my old mortal home with the fountain sitting in the center like always, water beautifully making its way out to each level, only very slowly, impossibly slow, a rainbow bursting throughout the water.

  I looked around seeing the table and chairs sitting in the grass, peopl
e sitting around it, talking, laughing, the birds chirping around us. I walked over to see my father sitting in one of the chairs, Bess standing behind him with a tray in her hands.

  My father was dressed as he was the last time I saw him. He had his blouse sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the dark curly hair on his arms shining in the light, his dark powder blue waistcoat seeming to suck up all the color on him and make his hair a mass of dark brown waves, which were combed back, as always.

  Bess was as always too, her hair stuffed under her cap, save for a few brown strands escaping at the nape of her neck. Her brown skirt gleamed in the light as her apron reached from the bottom of her skirt up and around her shoulders.

  I smiled as I ran towards them but stopped, a voice echoing in the distance, a dark shadow creeping into the corner of my eye. I quickly twisted, looking around me until I turned back, seeing my father drenched in blood, still sitting in the chair with a cup and saucer in his hands limply.

  My eyes widened, Bess still standing behind him, but with blood coming from her eyes, her posture as if she fell asleep—or died—standing up.

  I looked to the other people around the table, Deirdre, Peter, Dale, even Sean was sitting around it, and they took no notice of my father or Bess. They laughed and acted as if it was normal. They were all dressed as they were at the night of the party, which felt like so long ago. Peter in his blue velvet evening suit, Deirdre in a crimson gown, Sean gleaming in his golden brocade attire and Dale in his green frock coat.

  “Come, Annalee! Join us!” Sean said as he stood up.

  Deirdre nodded, her soft voice ringing through the air. “Yes, we have missed you so!”

  Peter hugged her close as I looked each of them over, pointing to my father. For some reason I couldn’t form words. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from my father and Bess.

  “Oh, them? He is just a little…drained!” Sean said, laughing annoyingly, pointing to my father.