by Yirak, Laura
“Yes, I won’t bother you Patrick, now off you go, you’ve done plenty now.” Alesta stood up and fluffed out the bottom of her dress. “Judy will be in about 2 tomorrow for training, she accepted the position. She sounded delighted on the phone. She has a friendly voice.”
“Oh good then, she’ll learn a lot tomorrow.” Patrick followed Alesta out to the Great Hall. “Is she spending the night then?
“Yes, she is, so we can all go out tomorrow night.” Alesta checked the table to make sure a place setting was there for the guest. It was the finest Lennox china.
“Where are we going?” Patrick asked.
“Maybe down the High Street or to Glasgow, whatever.” Alesta went back into the kitchen, “Patrick, off you go, I’m fine.”
“Right…..uh…..good night Alesta.” Patrick paused just a second and watched her. She was stunning in blue, it brought out her eyes, he thought. “I kept the paper for you.” He pointed to it on the counter and left.
Alesta thanked him and picked it up; the headline caught her eye immediately, “Baby Snatcher at Mercy Hospital.” She read the article quickly. A newborn boy had been abducted under inhumane circumstances, which were too horrific to describe in the paper. The culprit had managed to escape, passing several guards and security methods that had apparently been unsuccessful to stop him. They would have used stun guns but couldn’t due to the fact that they did not want to harm the newborn. The mother died a few hours later after massive amounts of bleeding. Alesta exhaled, she had been holding her breath. She was shocked. At the bottom of the page was a sketch of the wanted criminal, but it wasn’t very good. Alesta looked at the drawing closer. Something was off. He looked familiar to her but she couldn’t remember where she had seen him. There was a number to call if anyone had any information.
She put the newspaper down on the counter top and thought about the incident at St. Michaels. She was off that day, but Monica was there. The man had not passed through her ward and it was total chaos when the code alarmed. The staff had not trained appropriately on infant abductions because they were so rare. No one had done what they were supposed to do and most forgot the protocol. Monica said everyone just stepped out into the hall looking up as if it was raining; they all looked at each other and just stood there like a bunch of idiots. The Matron and other managers had met up at the front desk looking through the protocol books and by the time they all figured out their duties, the man had escaped. She wondered if the same had occurred at Mercy. She went out to the front desk and sat in front of the computer. She browsed the internet looking for old articles in the local paper. She found the article on the abduction at St. Michaels. The description of the culprit was similar, perhaps related. It unnerved her.
The computer served as some light distraction while she continued to browse online looking at new clothes and such things, but the hunger came as it always did, washing over her like a hot flash. She felt a little antsy and her pulse quickened. She retracted her fangs as sometimes they had a mind of their own. She would have to wait however. Patience was her strong suit; spending weeks without blood had prepped her well. Guests always eat first she thought. She went back into the kitchen and cut up the rest of the ham and put it into the fridge for breakfast. She left some out, it was still piping hot from the oven. Dead meat was disgusting to her, but she had gotten used to handling it over the years. She looked up at the clock and as she did she heard a male voice call out. It was an older man and his voice was refined.
“Hello, anyone here?” Allister called out from the Great Hall. He had freshly showered and changed into more comfortable clothing. He stood by the windows and looked out.
“Yes!” Alesta stepped into the dark and as she did the candles lining the big table flared up. Allister, with a shocked look, turned to face her.
The look of surprise turned into a smile. Wow, he thought, who is this enchanting woman standing before me. He felt a pit in the bottom of his stomach. He was quite hungry after the long journey and he was looking forward to the relaxing weekend ahead of him. His client had recommended the Manor to him a few weeks before; it was more expensive but his new client insisted on covering all of his expenses.
“Good evening, my name is Allister but I am sure you already know that.”
“Yes, nice to meet you. Please take a seat, my name is Alesta, I am the Lady of the Manor.” Alesta directed him to the table. “You are our only guest. I am afraid you will be dining alone.”
“Well very pleased to meet you as well, won’t you join me?” Allister asked. He could not take his eyes off her.
“I would, but I prefer to eat later. I will sit with you however, if our guest wishes it,” Alesta said. “Would you care for some wine, I have a classic rose, which will go perfectly.”
“Sounds marvelous, thank you.” Allister sat down at the perfectly set table. He looked up and she was gone.
The candle light flickered on the walls, revealing shadows that did not quite match. It was as if the room held other people. It was a strange effect; he must be more exhausted than he thought. There was not a noise to be heard; he wondered where Alesta had gone too. He looked up at the tapestries on the wall, the patterns danced in the light, how would he be feeling after some wine? His mind wandered and his stomach rumbled.
There were thoughts about the train ride up and the woman that would not stop talking. Her voice had irritated him the entire trip, he had taken the odd walk to the restroom to get peace, but then he came back to the same high-pitched prattle. He could not understand a woman’s need to go and on, and frankly he had not cared. He had never married and enjoyed the prestigious life of a single male lawyer with money to burn. He had owned fast cars, old cars; he had a stunning town home in downtown London. He even had a maid, she was plump but she was quiet and that was a very good thing.
This was not to say that he had never had women, he had many buzzing around in his youth. He just did not like commitment. The action was slowing down a bit in his older years, and he did not have the stamina like he used to. Mostly he wanted to read the paper, enjoy his tea, and work. His new case was going to pay very well if he won and he would be making many trips back and forth to London and Glasgow. This Manor House was a perfect place to stay and the views were amazing. His new client had excellent taste.
Alesta came out of the kitchen with a large plate of steaming food, and a bottle of wine. She moved so gracefully. She placed the food in front of Allister and opened the bottle, the pink liquid dripped down the side of the bottle as she filled his wine glass half way. She placed the bottle in front of him and took a seat beside him. She wanted him to enjoy the view of the loch and the night. It was rare that a guest was interested in her, but she figured she would play along. Her typical guest always had company, wives, children, mistresses and the like. They both sat in silence as he enjoyed his ham. He ate quickly.
Alesta could see his red blood pulse through his body as his heart rate increased to digest. He gulped down the wine and she poured him another. She offered him seconds as he was almost finished. He declined and inquired about dessert. He smiled at her when he asked. She knew exactly what he meant, but offered sorbet instead. He accepted and she brought it out to him.
“Just wonderful! Just wonderful!” Allister said. “My compliments!” he tilted his wine glass towards her.
Alesta nodded in acknowledgment and poured him a third glass. Allister was very relaxed. He tasted his sorbet slowly savoring its cold touch as it went down his throat. He was almost finished and they had not spoken a word. This female was perfect he thought, just what I have been looking for, it’s as if she is reading my mind he thought.
The service was swift and the table cleared. He sat there fully relaxed but suddenly very tired. It was time to go to sleep. He wanted to stay and talk with Alesta and find out more about her, but he would do that another time. He stood up and felt the heaviness of the wine, then remained for a minute to even out his balance. Alesta was no wh
ere to be seen; he searched around the room, nothing.
A sweet voice came from behind him,
“Have a good night’s rest Allister.” Her voice floated on the air surrounding him.
“Thank you,” he said. “I will see you in the morning then?”
“I am afraid not. I only take care of the night,” Alesta said. Allister could not tell where she was. He decided to go; his mind was playing tricks on him.
“Good night Lady of the Manor, till tomorrow.” Allister carefully left the room.
The stairs creaked even louder under his heavy steps and he gripped the banister the entire way. He had not felt this intoxicated in a long time, couldn’t remember how many glasses he had had, just that Alesta kept his glass full. A lovely woman he thought again. His room was the last and he was pleased, he liked his privacy. He fumbled in his trouser pockets to find the room key and dropped it when he did. He slowly picked it up and fumbled to open it.
“Bloody hell,” he cursed under his breath. The door opened and he tripped over to the bed and fell back on to it. He managed to kick off his shoes and that was it. Sleep won him over.
The door to the blue room, slowly opened, Alesta glided in like a ghost. Allister lay on the bed quietly snoring, with his arms on his belly and one leg hanging off the edge. He had not closed the curtains and a light glow from the night softly lit the room and reflected off Alesta’s silk dress. His silhouette was sharply outlined against the white bedding. Alesta watched him for a minute and then stood over him. He was handsome for an older gentleman, he reminded her of William for a flashing second, but it was only her imagination and a play of shadow.
His neck was an inviting neck; she leaned over him admiring it. She touched his face with the back of her hand; his jaw line had a five o clock shadow. She slid her fingers over his prickly chin and let them rest on his pulse. It was strong and steady like a grandfather clock. She leaned in a little closer and took the smell of him in; she could smell the rose and a faint aftershave. He was a clean and kept man, even better she thought to herself. She wanted that neck. She opened her mouth and let her fangs extend, she slid her red tongue over his pulse. It was so hard to resist. She turned her head away and looked down at his hands.
Alesta moved and lifted his wrist. She tilted it towards her; his skin was white and smooth. She let her sharp long nail pierce it. Allister let out a small sound and his snoring stopped. She quickly placed her mouth over it being careful not to extend the wound and spill the blood. His hot blood filled her mouth. The sweet metallic taste quenched her hunger and his warmth passed through her. She lingered till she felt content but the vampire wanted it all. She fought this voice every day and tucked it away deep inside of her. After all she wanted repeat customers. She licked the wound when she was finished and the edges bound together, after a good nights sleep, it would appear as a small cut by morning. Allister looked very relaxed. She pulled him up in the bed and pulled the covers out from under him. She tucked him in and patted his forehead. Alesta pulled the curtains closed and left the blue room feeling very refreshed.
After cleaning up from dinner, Alesta sat by the fire again, it was just a pile of glowing embers. Allister had been too tired and woozy to enjoy it, but she had also forgotten to mention that she had even put it on for him. Her hunger had got the better of her. It was not the first time.
Ian stood alone in the horse shed. The air was cooling as the sun set and the strong smell of hay was settling down. The horses made the odd sound as they went to sleep. Ian loved taking care of the majestic animals. They soothed his restless spirit. His mother had exchanged him as a child to their feudal lord. His mother owed the lord more than the time of her personal servitude, but that was the trick of indentured servitude. The indentured owed more and more time as they exchanged for goods and land. Ian was a slave the old fashioned way. He had been passed from lord to lord, till William McKenzie had bought him. His new owner was strange man and was rarely around. Ian much preferred this. William did have people overseeing the day to day work, but they were harmless and not as violent as what he had experienced in the past.
Ian finished up for the day and closed the doors to the old shed. One horse gave him a friendly good bye neigh. Night had fallen and he was tired from the day’s labor. The sound of the waves from the loch softly crashed in the background. He decided to take a walk along the shore before he went to bed. It was a rocky beach; he picked up a couple wet stones and skipped them along the surface. He thought about the last few weeks events and sat down on an old washed up log, it was slightly damp, but he did not mind.
The Lady of the Manor had been away for quite some time. Ian oddly enough missed her presence. The place was dull without her smiling and curious face around. She was a great balance to the angry face of his owner. She was refined, gentle, kind, not the typical nobility. They would not even look at the help, giving one the identity of absolute inferiority. There was something very different about her. She was charismatic and he had the feeling that she was not born into nobility. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He lingered for quite a while till he heard a noise behind him. Someone was there. He turned to see red eyes, which quickly vanished.
Alesta sat in the kitchen waiting for William to bring her dinner. She was ravenous like a hungry wolf. William had not given her much after her jaunt in jail. He teased her daily, with the odd chicken and goose. She felt insane with blood lust. He came in from outside and threw another squawking fluffy white chicken onto the small wooden table.
Alesta gave him a very angry face, “William, I need real food. I can’t take this.”
“Soon, soon, we haven’t had anyone pass through lately.”
“Well who have you had, where have you been eating?” She watched the chicken flail around as he held its neck. She was like a mesmerized little kitten.
“I never reveal my sources, I wouldn’t want to stretch them too thin my dear.” He stood beside her and ran his hand through her hair.
“Don’t touch me William,” Alesta snarled.
“Do you want it or not?” He stepped away and threw it up. Feathers floated on the air as it scrambled away to safety.
“You have absolutely no appreciation for me anymore do you? I took you in all those years ago. You are a handful; I tire of your games Alesta.”
“Games, you are the one playing games. I have seen you with other women and I am supposed to be accepting of your behavior. William McKenzie, I hate you.” She slammed her hand on the table. A vase of flowers crashed to the floor, glass shattering everywhere. Alesta opened her mouth and hissed at him. She filled with fury.
“Leave me in peace woman. No chick chicken for you.” William pointed to the door.
Barely composing herself she ran her hands over her red satin dress. She fluffed out the back and put her face in his. His eyes were a fierce red; she quickly slapped him, flipped her hair over her shoulder and opened the door.
Alesta went to the only place that gave her comfort, the shore. She saw a figure sitting there. It was Ian. Happiness welled inside of her. He looked so calm and peaceful. It was like he knew she was coming. He turned to look at her. A smile came a cross his face, he had tried to hide it, but he couldn’t.
“Alesta, you are back from your trip. You look amazing.” Ian stood and took her hand in his.
“Oh Ian, I am so glad to see you…..I have just had the…..well I won’t get into it, but, you look so good.” She looked at the ground.
He put his finger under her chin and lifted her face up to his. “What is it Alesta, you can tell me.”
“Oh Ian, it’s nothing you could ever understand.” She turned her head away and looked at the black water ahead.
“Alesta, I’m here for you, you can trust me.” Ian pulled her in close to him. She felt cold.
“I can’t Ian, I can’t, please.” Alesta looked back at him. He was so handsome, she thought.
They stood together quietly, looking out at the
loch. Alesta rested her head against his chest. His heart beat strongly. She felt the vampire stir in the pit of her stomach. It hissed within her. She looked up at his neck and his broad chin and quickly looked away.
“Alesta, I care for you,” Ian whispered, he leaned over and kissed her cool lips.
Everything snapped within her. Everything gave way, the water from the dam. Her mind rolled, and the vampire escaped. She pushed him away. Ian fell to the ground, Alesta rolled on top of his back and pinned him against the wet rocks. She pushed his face into the beach and twisted his head to the side. Ian couldn’t tell what was going on. He pushed up against her with all of his might, but his hands slipped pushing away the rocks beneath him, he felt the wet sand underneath. She was incredibly strong.
“Alesta, are you playing with me? Come on get off,” Ian said laughing.
He fought hard to get up. Alesta was thrilled. She punched her sharp fangs into his hot salty neck and fed as he squirmed beneath her.
“Ahhhhh!” he yelled as he tried to get away. Ian felt pain rush through his body. He was becoming weaker and weaker. He was losing his strength. He let his head relax and the rest of his body followed. He looked across the ground at the water ahead of him; he heard his heart slowly beating. Sweet memories flashed before him, pulsing through his mind till he saw black, till there was nothing.
The once tough body went limp and she waited, the soul stirred in her arms. She opened her mouth and laughed an absolute evil screech. It echoed across the loch. Anyone who heard it would stop in terror. She let the soul enter her; they became one and she fell over in absolute peace and power. She lay there with Ian’s corpse in her arms and looked up at the starry velvet night. The vampire finally felt whole again and better than it ever had. The rush of Ian’s soul made her feel almost alive. She leapt up and into the air, transforming herself into a bat-like woman. The red velvet dress she had been wearing ripped from her body revealing black leathery skin and a wingspan three meters long. Her face remained like Alesta but became more defined. She flew straight up till the dark earth lay below her, horizon everywhere. She was free.