She tried to be strong. Taking a deep breath, she let it out as slowly as she could. She even counted to ten, but once that first tear escaped, the rest just spilled down her face. She couldn't imagine life without Kent's jokes, his smiles, even his temper tantrums. She had lost a friend as well as a brother and knew she would never stop missing him as long as she lived. She would mourn the loss of him forever.
So Kate stood there, still as a statue, with her arms folded across her chest. The tears slid silently down her pale face as grief refused to be cast aside. Fifteen minutes passed before she sensed a presence behind her. Unwillingly to be caught with a red, puffy face, Kate refused to face whoever stood behind her. A long time passed before she whirled around, unable to stand it any longer.
She was angry at the invasion of her privacy, but the bitter words died on her lips as her mouth fell open in wondrous horror. She took a step back and found herself pressed against the porch rail. Her recently deceased brother stood before her with the most amazing smile on his face. Kate blinked, not trusting her grief stricken eyes, but Kent still stood before her.
As she stared speechlessly at him, her horror was soon overcome by curiosity. He wore the jeans and shirt that she had buried him in. His sandy-brown hair was only slightly ruffled. She took his large hand in hers, amazed at the warmth. A chill swept through her as she looked up into his brown eyes.
Kate started to speak, but he pressed his fingers against her lips. “Not here,” he whispered, glancing at the crowded house.
As if in a dream, Kate allowed her dead twin to escort her down the porch steps and into the yard. They walked past the pond, his arm in hers as if nothing had changed. It reminded her of their many nighttime walks before his death.
* * * *
Kent had died of an illness that no doctor had ever seen. It seemed as if his blood just evaporated from his body until there wasn't a drop left. During those last four weeks, the two had joked about vampirism, but never once had either believed it, until now.
They had shared a house with all its expenses since college. Both were dedicated to their careers and had no time to date. Kate owned a real estate firm and worked long hours. Kent was a journalist for the local newspaper, The Advocate, and was constantly rushing off to foreign lands.
One night, while Kate was at work, Kent had been writing on the back porch. He had been scribbling furiously, unaware that there was even a presence with him. The vampire did not hesitate when he attacked, sinking vicious teeth into Kent's neck. Unable to scream or move, he was pinned to the table while the vampire drank his fill. He left just enough blood for him to live. When Kate got home later that night, she had thought nothing of finding Kent asleep at his work. She simply helped him to his room.
Kent had woken at noon the next day and was lethargic and frighteningly pale. When he began vomiting, Kate feared that the night air was making him sick. He stayed in bed all day with the chills.
After that, his appetite decreased day by day, making weight loss inevitable. Kate forced her brother to eat, but he even struggled with broth. At one point, she had tried serving him a good juicy steak from a local restaurant.
Throwing the plate across the room, he had yelled, “I told you. No meat!"
Hurt, she had run from the room in tears. Cooked meat was out of the question. Raw meat was dangerous. So he became a vegetarian but even that did not last long. Soon he refused to eat at all.
Then, one morning, Kate woke with a start, trying to remember the dream she was having. The images, however, were too fuzzy. All she had was the impression of a tall man in a black trench coat standing over her. She felt that the dream man was well satisfied with himself, but she couldn't figure out why.
It took Kate a few minutes to become fully awake, but even then she felt drugged. She looked at Kent, noticing how still he was. Panicked, she jumped out of the chair that she had fallen asleep in.
Her heart fluttered wildly as she checked his wrist. His skin was too cold, and she was unable to detect a pulse. Frantically, she shook him a number of times in a futile effort to wake him. Then she had hung her head as tears poured down her face.
This is it. The virus has taken his life. How do I cope with this world without him? My older brother, with me from birth, now gone.
* * * *
Now Kent and Kate stood in front of a pond that they had found years ago. Her heart pounded furiously.
He's alive, but how?
Solemnly, Kent placed his hands on her shoulders and looked in her brown eyes. “You know what I am now. We joked about it before, but it's no joke. I'm not human. My soul has been trapped in this body by a vampire."
Kent stepped away from her. “He changed me right before you woke. It was strange. I felt you shaking me, but I was paralyzed in sleep."
He chewed on his fingernail. “Mercifully, he took me from the ground before I woke.” Kent shuddered at the thought. “Otherwise, I would have had to dig my way out."
Kate's hand worried the cross at her throat. It was old and had been in her family for years. The ruby in the center of the cross felt cool to her fingers. Her mind was a jumble, and she didn't know what to think.
Turning swiftly to her, Kent grabbed hold of Kate's hands. “I have to warn you. You're in danger. He knows you, Kate, and not just through me."
Angry, Kent glared up at the Heavens. “Why?” he whispered. “Lord, I love you so much. How could you have allowed this?"
Kent broke down in tears before Kate. He sank to the ground and covered his face with his hands. His bitter sobs tore at her heart as the full reality of what he had become sunk in. He would be forced to feed on humans.
She started to back away from him, suddenly fearful. Reading her thoughts, he jumped to his feet, shaking his head in denial. “No, Kate, no. Not you. Not anyone."
Bloody tears poured down his face. “There must be another way. I'm still a God-fearing soul. I still love Him with all my heart. I refuse to believe He has cast me aside. If there is a way into Heaven for me, I will find it."
The silence of the night surrounded brother and sister as each became lost in thought. Then he whispered, “Animals. I will live off them. Blood is blood."
Kate watched him carefully. Lost in a world of shock and confusion, she couldn't think. She took comfort in keeping her mind empty.
The two had prepared for Kent's death, knowing it was inevitable. His deep belief in God had blossomed even more. They had prayed faithfully everyday. They went to church looking for answers but received comfort instead. What was happening now just did not make sense.
She realized she was shaking and took a deep breath and tried to get a grip. Then she remembered his words. “Why am I in danger, Kent?"
Wildly, he broke out of his reverie and grabbed her hands. “From my sire. You have to run from here. Run from me,” he hesitated. “But, I don't want you to. Oh, Kate, what to do?"
He had let go of her and began to pace before her. He was a pack of nerves, running his hands desperately through his hair. Then he stopped and looked fearfully to the sky.
"He's coming,” he whispered. “I can't let him get you. I won't."
The next thing Kate knew, he swept her off the ground and into the air. Scared, she clung to her brother, trying not to thing of the height.
"I have you, little sister,” Kent assured her. The wind rushed at them, tearing at her hair and clothes.
"But, how?"
"The wind. I commanded the wind to help me fly. Now be quiet. You're distracting me."
Within seconds, they were back home. He set her down on the back porch with a stern warning to stay inside with company. The vampire wouldn't dare try anything with someone else around. At least, Kent hoped he wouldn't.
Placing a kiss on her cheek, he took to the air once more. A bit stunned, Kate quickly entered the house.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Fifteen
Kate didn't see Kent until the next night. Their co
usin, Celeste, was in the kitchen making dinner. Kate stared blankly at the television set, not really watching. She just needed the background noise. Her thoughts were too chaotic. She wasn't sure how to deal with this situation. She was in a period of shock she couldn't get out of.
Visions of vampire movies picked at her brain, and her stomach twisted at the thought. There was no way she could deal with coming across a bloodless body or, for that matter, any lifeless body at all.
A light tapping on the French doors brought her out of her reverie. Instantly alert, she jumped to her feet and looked fearfully in the direction of the doors.
Is it Kent or the—?
She was unable to complete the thought. Not wanting to alarm Celeste, Kate quickly stepped closer to the doors.
"Who is it?” she whispered.
"Kate, let me in. It's Kent."
Relief flooded through her. Unlocking the doors, she swung them open for him to come in. He stared helplessly at her.
"What are you waiting for? An invite?” Kate snapped impatiently.
"Are you offering one?” he asked meekly.
"Don't be stupid. Of course I am. What the hell is wrong with you?” She looked at him like he was crazy.
He rushed in, making a point of closing and locking the French doors. He looked wildly around. “Let's just say it's a technicality. Who's here?"
"Celeste. She's in the kitchen."
Grabbing Kate's hand, he pulled her toward her bedroom. Thinking fast, she yelled to Celeste that she was taking a bath. Once in Kate's room, he locked the door and started pacing. Kate sat in her favorite old armchair and waited for him to speak.
"He is close by, and he wants you. However, he can't get in here unless invited."
"What?"
Kent waved his hands at Kate. “Don't ask me. Like I said before, technicality. Call it formality. Call it crazy cuz that's what it is. This whole thing has got me going nuts. This guy has a silly notion that you are his reincarnated lost love."
Kent laughed. “Boy, do I find that hard to believe. He told me if I didn't hand you over to him tonight, he would begin killing our family, one every hour. Now how am I supposed to survive with that on my conscience?"
Bewildered, Kate shook her head. She felt numb, and nothing made sense. Why on earth did this vampire want her?
"If he is that persistent, then maybe I should just talk to him,” Kate said quietly.
Kent stared at her in horror. “He did this to me. He'll do it to you. Do you want that? Do you want to be a vampire? Do you want to know what I ate for dinner tonight?"
He shuddered and hung his head. “Do you want to have your soul snatched away against your will? To be lost forever to God and Heaven with all its glories? I've been basically good all my life. Look what it has gotten me. Why must I reap what I did not sow?"
As he ranted and raved, his face changed slightly. His pupils turned fiery red. His teeth flashed prominently, and a dark shadow passed over his face.
Kate rushed over to him and placed her hand on his arm. “Kent, please, calm down."
Aggravated, he pushed her away a little too roughly. She flew across the room and hit her head on the wall. The next thing she knew, she was in her bed staring into a pair of worried brown eyes. Kent placed his hand on her cheek. He had a painful expression on his face.
"I'm so sorry, Kate."
"What happened?” she asked groggily. She started to sit up. Her head throbbed. Moaning, she collapsed back onto the pillows.
"Here.” Kent handed her some aspirin and a glass of water. “I didn't realize how strong I've become. I'm sorry."
"It's ok.” She looked around the room. “What time is it? Have you talked to him?"
His eyes darkened. “It's only nine o'clock. You hit your head two hours ago."
"What about the vampire? He hasn't started killing our family yet, has he?"
"I spoke to him through the window. He is furious with me for what happened to you. If I had gone outside,” he shuddered. “As it was, he could not hurt me. He can't come in here unless you invite him. He promised he would wait for you to wake."
She threw the covers back. “I'm going to see him."
He panicked. “No, you can't!"
"You mean I should sit back and let him kill? I don't think he'll harm me, Kent. I have to get to the bottom of this. Now."
Resigned, Kent helped her up. He knew that once Kate made up her mind, nothing would stop her. So he followed her out onto the back porch.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Sixteen
The night air was heavy with the scent of magnolias. Kate welcomed the warm breeze that caressed her skin. Louisiana's tropical-like weather suited her. She wasn't one who enjoyed being cold. Hot, sultry nights were her thing.
Brother and sister stood side by side, waiting for the vampire that had sired Kent. Kate's heart hammered in anticipation. Something familiar stirred in the atmosphere.
"Katherine."
Kate whirled around. The vampire's dark hair was shoulder length, and his blue eyes sparkled with joy. She couldn't shake the feeling that she knew him from somewhere.
"M'lady,” he whispered. His lips held half a smile, as if he dared not believe. He took her hands in his and pulled her closer to him. “Ye are me Katherine, soul and body. The very image I loved long ago."
Kate looked at the vampire with mixed emotions. His speech was odd, and she couldn't help relating it to that of a pirate. His huge hand touched her cheek in amazement.
"The soul does shape the body,” he whispered. “How extraordinary."
"I don't know you,” Kate said quietly.
"Vincent Bellamy, at yer service, m'lady.” Sadness darkened his face. “Am I at all familiar to ye?"
She hesitated, unsure of what to say. “I feel that I know you.” At a loss for words, a queer smile of disbelief crossed her face. “Kent said you think you know me from a past life. That would mean reincarnation."
The vampire nodded. “I am positive ye are me lost love."
Suddenly overwhelmed, she sank into the closest lawn chair she could find. Her mind was swirling with questions, too many to possibly ask. “How can you be so sure?"
Vincent knelt beside her and looked into her eyes. “A love such as ours cannot be erased by time. I am of the spirit world, Katherine. I can see spirits that are all around us. Each one is unique."
"Do memories stay with the soul?"
"I believe it to be so,” Vincent replied. “Human beings mistake these memories for dreams."
Kate swallowed over the lump in her throat. She thought about the dreams she'd had all her life. She'd termed them “chase” dreams and always involved someone doggedly pursuing her. She had casually disregarded them, deeming them as products of an overactive imagination and too much television.
After a moment's hesitation, Kate asked, “Is reincarnation a chance for redemption for lost souls?"
Unsure, Vincent replied, “I have no idea. Perhaps God intended for us to live again and again until we are at last accepted into Heaven."
Fearlessly, Kate touched his face. It was hard and cool. She instinctively knew he would not hurt her. “God is merciful then when it comes to memory, some of us anyway."
Pausing, Kate searched his face. The porch light illuminated his features clearly. “I have often dreamt of a man whose face I could never see. I thought nothing of those dreams, only of a great longing."
Vincent carefully took her hands in his. They were cool to the touch, but they nonetheless warmed her soul. She felt connected to him as none other, even Kent.
"In the year 1719, ye saved me from a group of vengeful pirates. Ye were vampire,” Vincent whispered.
Kate's eyes grew wide, and she felt short of breath. I was a vampire? Oh, dear God.
Kate bit her lower lip to keep from crying out and closed her eyes as they began to water. Tumultuous thoughts bounced in her head. Her stomach churned at the thought of taking human life.
I drank human blood.
Her hand flew to her mouth as horrid visions flew through her mind. Vincent placed his hand on her knee.
"You did not feed on humans every night. You took only what you needed to survive. No more, no less. You had a strong aversion to being a vampire. Your feeding habits made you weak, and I lost you."
By now tears were rolling down Kate's cheeks. “How?"
Not ready to divulge the complete truth, Vincent said, “Another vampire took you from me."
"Kate!"
Startled, Kate jumped, recognizing her cousin's voice. “Oh, no. You have to go."
"But I have to talk to you,” Vincent protested.
Kate looked frantically at Kent. “She can't see you here. She won't understand. Go, please."
Vincent's face darkened with frustration. “I won't be far. Call my name when it's safe."
Nodding, Kate turned her back on them and rushed inside. Celeste was two steps away from the door. Kate froze, feeling as if she had just been caught sneaking in.
"Where were you? You gave me such a scare.” Celeste said. “I thought you were still sleeping."
Looking at her with a confused expression, Kate asked, “Huh?"
"When I came to get you for dinner, you were asleep. It just surprised me that you were up."
"Oh, that. Yes. Well, I just needed some fresh air,” Kate said.
"Come and eat. You must be starving.” Celeste grabbed Kate's hand and pulled her toward the kitchen. Kate resisted, protesting all the way. When they reached the kitchen, Kate decided that enough was enough.
"Stop it, Celeste. Let go of my hand.” Kate dug her heels into the floor and refused to budge one more step. “Stop treating me like a child. I am not hungry, and I will eat when I am damn well good and ready."
Shocked, Celeste let go. Her face paled. “I'm sorry.” There was a moment of embarrassing silence before she broke down in tears. “It's all just so hard. I miss Kent so much."
Ashamed at her outburst, Kate hugged her cousin tight. “It's okay, Celeste. We're all going to have a hard time adjusting."
Forever Yours Page 7