The stairs leading to the second floor were beautiful. An exotic flower carved from wood sat on top of the first baluster. The handrail was shaped like an ivy vine. A very talented carpenter had created the intricate detail of the rail, and Kate knew the carpenter must have hated it when the task was completed.
The second floor had a nursery, four bedrooms, and a master suite. The only room with furniture was the master bedroom. A large canopied bed occupied one side of the room. When Kate noticed the bedding was new, she glanced at Vincent.
"I was hoping ye would stay with me at times,” he whispered boyishly, twirling the unlit cigar between his fingers.
Smiling, Kate replied, “It's a possibility.” She sat in a nearby chair, suddenly tired. “I don't suppose you have anything to drink?"
"Believe it or not,” Vincent said, “I did think of yer needs. Stay here and rest while I get it for ye."
Kate blinked, and he was gone. Sitting back in the chair, she closed her eyes and waited. The silence began to press down on her, and it wasn't long before she sensed that someone was staring at her.
Opening her eyes, Kate was startled to see the ghostly figure of a man standing before her. She had expected Vincent. The apparition was hazy and unclear at first, but soon the figure came into focus. Before long, the ghost had become a solid creature.
"Katherine de Minsky,” he whispered. “I have come for you."
The familiar voice sent a rush of terror through her. Before she could escape, he had placed a hand on each arm of the chair. His face was inches from hers, and his foul breath made her gag.
"I have returned,” he smiled. “You should've stayed home, Katherine. Now you get to watch me steal the power from your beloved Vincent. Only with his vampire blood will I be able to keep my form."
Kate started to scream but a dirty hand covered her mouth. The demon's eyes had changed blood red. He smiled, revealing pointed teeth. Helpless, she was forced to listen to his mad ravings.
"You should have stayed home on Halloween, Katherine. Spirits come alive on a night like this, if they're strong enough.” His filthy lips touched her cheek. Shutting her eyes, she cringed. “I intend to keep you around, after I kill Vincent, as my human slave. I have a feeling your blood is sweet, as sweet as my revenge will soon be."
At that point, he raised his head and listened. Then he pulled Kate from the chair, wrapped one arm around her waist, and placed his free hand on her chin. Then they faced the door and waited.
Vincent soon appeared, a soft drink and a basket of food in hands. Upon seeing Kate's dilemma, he stopped dead in his tracks. The sudden fear in his eyes turned to a barely controlled rage.
"Let her go,” Vincent growled.
The ghost laughed. “It seems we have a situation here, now don't we? You want her to live?"
His fingers dug into her flesh painfully, and he forced Kate's head to turn from side to side. “I'll break her neck, my friend."
"What do ye want, Beaux?” Vincent asked quietly.
"You, Vincent."
Time stood still as the two stared each other down. Then Vincent carefully set the food and drink on the floor. Kate's heart sank. He was giving in to the fool's demands.
"Ok. Ye have me. Now let her go."
The fiend shook his head. “No, not here. I have someplace special in mind."
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Nineteen
The lonely howl of a distant wolf sent chills down Kate's spine. The fiend had brought Vincent and Kate across the Atlantic, to the castle Vincent had left so many years past.
Vincent stopped just before entering the dilapidated building. Though he had found Katherine, the memories plagued him. He felt terribly guilty that he had been unable to save her before, and now history was trying to separate them again.
Beaux pushed his old friend inside. Then he quickly stepped ahead of Vincent with Kate firmly in his grasp. He practically dragged her to the dungeon. She stumbled blindly behind him, admitting to herself that at least she had something to hold on to. It was too dark for her frail eyes to see anything but inky blackness.
The dungeon room was lit with torches. Beaux had thought things out quite thoroughly. There were chains bolted deep into one wall. Heavy and thick, Kate had a feeling that he had somehow stolen them from a ship.
On the opposite wall was another set of chains. These weren't nearly as thick as the others. Into these, Kate's captor locked her. They may have been made of lighter steel, but they worked. Try as she could, she was unable to escape. The cuffs rubbed painfully against her delicate skin. Helpless, a feeling of doom descended upon her as she watched Vincent allow himself to be locked into the heavy chains. Across the dimly lit room, their eyes met, and Kate's heart lurched in her chest.
Beaux stepped into the middle of the room and surveyed his work with an evil grin. That's when it dawned on Kate where he had brought them—to the site of her first death. An image she couldn't discern flashed briefly in her head.
"I have a secret to tell you before you die, Vincent,” Beaux whispered. “I don't ever intend to let Katherine go. She will be my slave throughout eternity. When her body is about to die, I will make her cross over and keep her chained and weak. You will never be together."
Beaux attacked Vincent before Kate realized what was happening. She screamed and tried in vain to get loose. Vincent tried to fight, but his arms were too far apart. It wasn't long before Beaux let him go. Vincent collapsed to his knees. He couldn't even lift his head. The chains held him up by his arms.
Tears poured down Kate's face. She begged and pleaded for Vincent's life. She was like a mad woman, fighting with every ounce of strength she had. The cuffs caused her wrists to bleed.
Kate prayed silently. Oh, God, please save us.
Holding Vincent's head up by his hair, Beaux raised an ax high in the air. Kate's breath caught in her throat. She closed her eyes tight, unable to watch. It was too painful. She waited for the horrible sound of death as the seconds ticked painfully by.
At last, she could stand it no more. Fearfully, Kate opened her eyes. Surprised, she watched Kent set Vincent free. Beaux's body lay in the middle of the room; his head separated from it. Suddenly, Beaux's eyes popped open and stared directly at Kate. The mouth opened and closed like a fish.
She screamed, drawing attention from Kent and Vincent. “That thing is still alive,” she cried. “Why is it moving?"
Kent kicked the head across the room, far away from the body that was trying to find it. “That thing is a ghost, not a vampire. Different rules, I guess,” Kent mumbled.
"Oh my God,” Kate whispered. “How are we going to escape?"
"We have to survive until dawn, sis. It's only a few hours away.” Kent set her free. Then he looked from her to Vincent, who had collapsed on the floor. “He needs blood."
Without hesitation, Kate offered hers, but Kent vehemently shook his head. “No. Stay here. I'll find something."
Kate rushed to Vincent's side. He was so white and still. She began to fear he wouldn't make it. She couldn't help but to cry.
Kent was back before she realized it. In his arms, he held a lamb. “Get out."
She reluctantly grabbed a torch from the wall and stepped into the hallway. The lamb bleated repeatedly. She wiped the tears off her face.
A few moments later, she realized the lamb had become quiet. Then Kent and Vincent appeared in the doorway. Vincent smiled weakly at her.
Vincent took the torch from Kate and set Beaux's body on fire. Then he took care of the head. “It may not last for long, but it'll detain him. Let's go."
"Where?” Kate asked.
"Yer place,” Vincent replied. “To enter a living being's dwelling, spirits must have permission."
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Twenty
Kate followed Kent inside the house, expecting Vincent to follow. She turned to ask him something and saw him patiently waiting for her invite him in. Shaking her hea
d at the oddness, she welcomed Vincent in, hoping Kent wouldn't start his bullshit again. Then she closed all the curtains and locked all the doors. Exhausted, she dropped down on the couch. Vincent sat beside her. “I need more blood, Katherine."
Nervously, she gulped. “Mine?"
Vincent closed his eyes. “No, not yers."
Kent pushed a bowl filled with blood under Vincent's nose. “I found some raw meat in the refrigerator. Drink. This will have to suffice until tonight."
Kate sat back against the couch and closed her eyes as weariness overcame her. A sweet drowsy sensation swirled around her. She was almost fast asleep when she heard a horrible scream outside the front door. Jumping to her feet, she prepared to rush over and open it. Vincent grabbed her arm as Kent placed himself before the front door.
"Katherine."
Her eyes grew wide. Stunned, the twins looked at each other as their cousin pleaded to be let in. “Katherine, please, let me in."
Kate dragged Vincent to the window and peeked out. Beaux definitely had her cousin. Celeste thought he was human. They stood side by side, chatting quietly. Celeste knocked on the door again.
The demon looked straight at Kate and grinned. That's when she noticed the silver dagger in his hand. Unconsciously, Beaux raked it back and forth across his palm. Kate knew immediately his intent was to kill Celeste, unless he was let in.
"Oh, great,” Kate moaned, stepping away from the window. “What am I supposed to do? We don't have long until sunrise."
Kate looked outside again. The sky was definitely getting lighter. The sun would be up in only a matter of minutes.
"Katherine. It's your old friend. Do let us in. I fear for Celeste. She might catch a cold, or something, and die,” Beaux implored.
Kate was torn. She couldn't let him murder Celeste. Yet if Beaux got inside, he would win. Undecided, the trio stood unmoving in the house, fighting time on one hand, welcoming it on the other. Kate shifted uncomfortably. Then an idea occurred to her. Vincent grasped her by the shoulders, and she realized that he knew her like a book.
"What are ye planning, Katherine?"
"The sun is almost up. We let him in and stall,” she said.
"But Celeste thinks I'm dead,” protested Kent.
"Which is perfect,” Kate replied. “She'll faint and leave him without a hostage."
Vincent looked out the window. “We have only a few minutes."
He grabbed Kate's arm and stood between her and the door. “Whatever ye do, Katherine, if all goes well and Kent and I find refuge in yer closet, do not disturb our sleep."
She nodded. “Don't worry."
"Invite them in,” he whispered.
Nervously, Kate pulled open the front door. Beaux's green eyes were murderous. Distraught, she tried to stall for time. “Celeste, hi, ummm, come on in, Celeste."
Celeste started to come in, but Beaux grabbed her arm. His eyes met Kate's. “What about me, Katherine? You'd leave your old friend out in the cold?"
Confused, Celeste looked at Beaux, then at Vincent, then at Kate. When Kent stepped forward to help her in, her mouth fell open. Her scream startled Beaux, causing him to let go of her and drop the knife.
As predicted, Celeste fainted, luckily into Kent's arms. He pulled her across the door's threshold and carried her to the couch. Beaux became enraged when he realized he had lost his bait.
"Let me in,” he howled.
The sun's rays were creeping over the trees. Kate could smell burning flesh. She turned to urge to Vincent and Kent to go, but they had already been forced to hurry for cover.
Beaux reached for the knife, but his fingers could not grasp it. He was already transparent. Kate could see right through him. He was infuriated and raised his fist at her. His mouth moved, but Kate's human ears could not hear his curses. In an instant, he had faded into the sunlight.
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Twenty-one
Pyre crossed his arms and stared down his nose at the spirit before him. Since that first night he had tasted an angel's blood, he had been driven insane for want of more. The sniveling rot of a soul before him held the secret, yet he refused to part with it.
"I can take your precious Katherine, and you won't have any say in the matter,” Pyre sneered.
Beaux clenched his ghostly fists and glared. “Why'd you bring me back, then? At least when I was trapped in my sleeping body, I was oblivious."
Pyre leaned forward and answered maliciously. “You insufferable little spirit. How dare you question the father of your race? Be thankful I'm a master at witchcraft, else you'd never have your dear Katherine."
Beaux smiled coldly. “I've killed every father I've had."
Pyre sighed in exasperation and chose to ignore the remark. “You know what I want."
Beaux smiled wickedly. “Then help me, Pyre, and when all is complete, you shall have your angel."
* * * *
Vincent stepped out onto the back porch, and his eyes immediately lit on the vampire lounging on Katherine's favorite chair. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, and his muscles tensed.
Pyre smiled coldly. “Battle much, do you."
"Who are you?"
"The answer to your prayers."
"And what prayer might that be?” Vincent asked warily.
"Why, to be a living, breathing, beating-heart kind of man."
* * * *
Kate shivered and clutched Vincent's arm. She stared at the cup of blood on her coffee table. Her heart beat rapidly at the thought of Vincent becoming human again.
"How did you get this?” Vincent asked.
"Let's just say I know how the serpent snuck into Eden's Garden,” Pyre smirked.
"Can we trust him?” Kent asked his sire.
Vincent quietly contemplated the situation before responding. “The question should be what does he have to gain?"
Pyre shrugged, acting as if he had better places to be. He reached for the cup. “If you'd rather not partake of the Son's blood..."
"Wait,” Kate cried and placed her hand on his arm. She looked pleadingly at Vincent. “Have a little faith, will ya? I mean, the healing blood of Christ is all my pastor preaches about every Sunday. So if this blood will make you mortal again...."
"Okay, my love, okay,” he sighed. Raising the cup to his lips, he said a silent prayer.
"Drink it all,” Pyre instructed.
"But what about Kent?” Vincent asked.
"Don't worry. There's more. The fountain of Christ runs plentiful,” Pyre said a bit wistful. “I'd have some myself but, unlike you, I enjoy my lifestyle."
A bit dubiously, Vincent drank deeply. He had never tasted anything so divine. He closed his eyes and licked the blood from his lips, savoring the last drop. The last thing he heard before slipping into darkness was Kate's panicked cry.
* * * *
Her eyes glazed in shock, Kate didn't fight as Pyre tied her to the chair. All she could see was her brother's body exploding into dust. After Vincent had lost consciousness, Pyre had wasted no time in taking the much younger vampire's existence. Now she had to grapple once more with his second death.
Pyre snapped his fingers in front of her face, and when she didn't respond, he smiled and gently patted her cheek. “Don't worry, my pet. You shall soon have your Vincent, if not in soul, then in body."
He slowly surveyed the room. He had designed it specifically for this purpose. His house sat by itself on a hundred acre lot deep in the woods of Clinton, Louisiana. The walls were made of steel, and there were no windows to let in the sun.
His eyes gleamed in anticipation. Soon, very soon, Beaux would have what he wanted, and then he'd have his angel. He smiled evilly and left to finish the potion.
* * * *
Vincent struggled to open his eyes. He was groggy, but he knew he had to wake. He pushed through the fog until he could at last see clearly.
He squinted, seeing what appeared to be steel above his head. He sat up in the bed, q
uickly noticing the welded cuffs on his wrists. They were attached to a heavy set of chains deeply embedded in the wall behind him. He could move but not much.
Then everything came back to him: Pyre and the tainted blood. He growled and tried to telepathically contact Kent. Panic rose in his chest when he could find no trace of fledgling. Then he took one look at Kate and knew instantly of her brother's fate.
"Oh, Kate,” he whispered. “Forgive me."
She made no response as she had retreated into herself, and his anger rose at the predicament they were now in. He struggled weakly against his bonds, but whatever Pyre had drugged him with was still at work. He sank back against the headboard and closed his eyes, trying to re-gather what strength he had.
He must have slept, for the next thing he knew, someone was chanting beside him. He forced his heavy eyelids open and focused on Pyre. The older vampire paid him no heed as he completed the last words of the ritual. Then, he snapped his fingers, and Vincent felt an agonizing pain as his soul was ripped from his body.
In the space of a second, his spirit stood beside the bed. Confused, he looked from his body to the spirit of Beaux and then to Pyre. Before he had a chance to completely comprehend what was happening, the old vampire blew black dust at him. It clung to his spirit and kept him immobile. Thus, he watched in mute horror as Beaux's soul slipped into his body. Then Pyre sealed him in with a fine white powder.
As Beaux's spirit filled its new body, the eyes turned from blue to green and the hair from black to blonde. He looked wickedly at Vincent's spirit, and his voice dripped with evil.
"She's mine now, Vincent."
A bright light suddenly appeared above Vincent, and Beaux panicked. “Quickly, Pyre. He must not pass through Heaven's gates."
More chanting sprang from Pyre's lips. The words hung in the air and a heavy, almost drugged feeling descended on Vincent. It suddenly seemed as if Pyre were shrinking, but he soon felt the force of Pyre's magic as it pulled him out of the room and through the night air. His scream of rage echoed within his wooden jail. Pyre had imprisoned his soul in a cypress tree.
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