saint Sebastian the Rose

  “Who is that?” Jacob asked.

  Sebastian kept focused on the running figure as it came closer. What could he do? His primary thoughts narrowed now—the twins—they were in danger.

  Hoping the figure would go away and veer back into the woods, they stared, but that was a foolish hope. That hope was dashed as it came closer to the tower, and as it did the figure leapt from the ground and began to soar into the air towards them.

  The eyes of the twins were as big as melons when the realization of what was happening before them set in. Sebastian let it settle in him like calm water and he focused. He grabbed the twins by their shoulders and forcefully pushed them backward.

  “You must run!” he yelled as he kept pushing. He knew there was no time; he turned to face the wall.

  The twins had fallen to the ground from the “gentle nudge.” Sebastian stood in the center, waiting, watching. They looked at Sebastian and then beyond him. A hand appeared over the lip of the wall. Only a hand, a very pallid hand that held tight with its long fingers.

  The twins had known fear, but now they also felt disbelief and could only watch as another hand came over the wall. Every bone in their bodies told them to move, but they couldn’t. Every brain cell they had told them to run for their lives, but they couldn’t. Their eyes flicked between the wall and Sebastian, who stood like a statue between them.

  The hands gripped the wall and pushed on it, slowly bringing up the head and body. Effortlessly, the thing stood on the edge. Her visage was unsettling; her eyes shown like rubies and remained unblinking as she looked to the group one by one. Her head moved slightly and her mouth opened at them unnaturally, showing clearly the teeth that marked her for what she was. The effect was total on the twins; they really didn’t know what to do or what to believe. This was not a big screen at the local Cineplex, but the scene was eerily familiar to them.

  She stepped down lightly from the wall. She was tall and dressed entirely in white. Her face was pale and her hair almost matched her skin, so blonde one might guess her to be albino. All of this made the effect of her eyes even more penetrating. Sebastian did not take his eyes off her for a second and tried to make himself as much of a barrier between her and his friends as possible.

  “What a night to be out,” came the voice that revealed pleasure in every word that came out of it. She began to leisurely walk around the edges of the tower and look around, even turning her back to them.

  “And what a view to have.” She turned her head back to them. “I saw how you were all enjoying this stunning view on this beautiful night, and I decided I would join you.”

  “You are not welcome here. You must leave,” Sebastian demanded.

  “Not a very pleasant welcome. You should learn to respect your elders. After all, I have traveled all this way to visit family … and you must be Sebastian. Ha ha! Wonderful!”

  “I do not care for your games. Once again I must demand you leave!” Sebastian said, slowly moving his hands in search of items he hoped he would not need.

  “Excuse my rudeness. I am Constance,” she stated, bending into a low bow and sweeping her hands out to the sides in the most graceful manner. As she was bent over, Sebastian could see an ivory handle protruding over her back.

  She rose, and her eyes returned to their stare. She continued walking on the wall, barely taking in everyone whose eyes were transfixed on her. Sebastian turned his head quickly to see the twins were rising.

  When the twins regained their legs, Jacob began to think more clearly. He looked over at the door leading down into the castle. As he looked back at Constance, she held his gaze. Jacob knew she was aware of what he wanted, and he knew they might not be able to beat her to the door, not after seeing her speed and strength.

  Sebastian was conscious that she was regarding the twins, and he hoped Jacob and Jessica wouldn’t do anything foolish. He was caught in the middle and was trying to play out the moves of their little game to see how he could win without losing any pieces. Constance took her eyes off of the twins and looked back at Sebastian. She smiled broadly.

  “Do you have it?”

  “What is it that you want?” Sebastian asked, a little puzzled.

  “What we want.”

  “I was told we had a week.”

  “I am here to make sure you are working, to ensure urgency. I do not think I have to explain.” Constance stepped closer to Sebastian.

  Sebastian knew she was playing a game, and he was a pawn; she was testing him at every step to see how far she could push him before he made his move. This wasn’t about survival for himself, and she was playing that against him.

  Trying to ascertain what the twins were doing without taking his eyes off her, Sebastian reached out with his senses. There was movement, but he knew it was not the twins. He was a move behind his adversary and she was already making a play to win.

  Sebastian offered a glance over his shoulder to see another figure coming over the wall of the tower behind the twins. Moving fast, he reached for his dagger, as he began to twist, moving away from Constance. He knew as soon as he did this she was going to come his way, all of the pieces in play.

  “Behind you, get down!” Sebastian yelled to the twins. Their reaction was instantaneous, they were so on edge and paying such close attention to Sebastian they did not hesitate to do as he said. Both of them dropped to the floor rolling to the side, Jacob grabbing Jessica and she likewise pushing him.

  Sebastian turned and as he twisted, he threw a dagger at Constance, hoping that would occupy her momentarily so he could deal with another. This figure was more familiar, darkly clad with the ever- present glowing eyes. He was making his way toward them.

  This one didn’t expect the sudden approach of Sebastian. He also didn’t think too much of Sebastian; he was too small and not very impressive.

  Nevertheless he came to face his attacker and reached out to grab him. Sebastian roared and batted his arms away with one swipe and punched with his other hand. The figure appeared slightly stunned. Sebastian grabbed him and lifted him fully off of the ground and into a brazier.

  The fire in the brazier engulfed the figure. Howling with fear and pain the vampire wrenched back and forth in some crazed dance. The twins tried to make their way toward the door, but Constance cut off their exit. Jacob and Jessica moved to keep as much distance between themselves and her as possible.

  As Sebastian finished with one he turned to find Constance in his face. Reaching for his sword, hoping to be able to draw it in time, she grabbed his hand and held it, exerting her strength over his. She reached up and grabbed him by the throat. Pulling his hand outward drawing out his rapier, she moved him like a puppet.

  “Do you really want this? Do you want to strike me down like my friend there?” she mocked him.

  She jerked Sebastian’s arm sending his sword flying out of his hand to skid across the stone. Sebastian tried to fight against her grip, but she held him firmly by the throat.

  “What should I do? Should I kill you and then kill the others? Or should I leave you alive and have you watch me kill them?”

  “You should burn like him. I will see to it you do,” Sebastian said as forcefully as he could with the hand clenched around his throat. She smiled at his brave remarks. Surely his reputation in that regard did stand up.

  Jacob and Jessica felt torn standing there. Should they run for their lives as Sebastian had commanded? Constance’s attention was off them so their escape seemed more plausible, but should they help their friend and risk their own lives in the process?

  Jacob looked down at Sebastian’s sword. He felt his resolve strengthen as he thought of how Sebastian had risked so much for them. He knew he would surely die now, but his debt was great: Sebastian made all of the sacrifice for them and he would not be able to live with himself if he did not try.

  Jacob walked over and bent low to pick up the sword, lost in another world where one sees with clarity, where there is no doubt and no fear,
and there is only one course. Jessica watched her brother and knew what he was about to do. She wanted to scream for him to run but she too understood why he was doing this.

  Constance gripped Sebastian by his throat and his arm, holding him off the ground. She caught Jacobs’s movement out of the corner of her eye and smiled. This was even more fun than she had expected. She turned her head slightly to regard Jacob who was growing more confident, letting the blade get more comfortable in his hand and working through a plan. He began his slow approach.

  “You inspire bravery, it would seem—a noble quality.”

  Sebastian tried to respond, but she tightened her grip to the point he wanted to pass out. Fighting off the fact he might lose consciousness, Sebastian reached with his free hand to grab her hand. This would not end without a fight; he knew if he died Jacob wouldn’t stand a chance.

  She reveled in the battle, feeling the fight renew in her captive with the approach of Jacob. Sebastian’s hand pulled at her arm and she twisted his other arm so that his whole body began to contort. With her hand on his throat her nails began to dig into his skin and blood began to flow from the wounds. His face became twisted in a mix of rage, pain, and exertion.

  The only other thing he noticed was Jacob coming closer and closer with the sword held out before him. Sebastian knew he must free himself before Jacob could engage Constance.

  With all of his strength he pulled on her hand and then he felt her grip loosen as she dropped him to the ground. She still held his other arm and twisted his body wickedly. Constance pulled her arm free from Sebastian’s grip raising him up, placing Sebastian’s body between her and Jacob who had come within feet of her.

  Jacob stopped dead in his tracks, now faced with his friend blocking his attack. He held steady, obviously a novice at any type of combat and extremely nervous, this being his first time to fight a vampire. Constance put her face against the neck of Sebastian and licked him. How she wanted to drain him and send waves of terror through Jacob.

  “Jacob, you must leave and take Jessica, please,” Sebastian pleaded, hoping he would understand the futility of the situation.

  “Oh, yes. Please leave me alone with Sebastian,” Constance whispered to Jacob.

  “I won’t leave; you will have to kill me if you want to kill him,” Jacob said.

  “If that is your wish.”

  As she said this Sebastian’s eyes became a little wider and his expression took on a pained look. To Jacob’s horror, Sebastian’s back arched reflexively and his mouth opened but no sound came. Jacob stepped forward to help, but he saw the point of a blade push through Sebastian’s chest little by little until it fully pierced him, sheathed in his blood.

  Jacob’s jaw dropped in silent protest as he stepped back lightly. Jessica’s protest was not so silent; she screamed at the top of her lungs. Now she ran toward Sebastian, wanting to seek vengeance upon this thing that had so ruined their beautiful night. Jacob caught her as she attempted to run past him. Holding her was the only thing that brought him back to reality.

  Sebastian’s face alone showed the pain as she twisted the blade. His eyes rolled and his body went limp and she let him fall to the stone floor in a heap, an ivory handle sticking out of his back.

  Jacob walked toward her, bringing to bear the sword he remembered he was holding. Constance walked over Sebastian’s body to meet her new combatant. How she looked forward to this moment.

  Jacob brought the sword around attempting an attack that would not bring him too close. The attack was a smart one, but she was smart as well, and very fast. She blocked him with one arm and sent him down to the floor with the other. Jacob lost the sword as he hit the stone with his body. He back- pedaled on the ground as she approached.

  “Your wish has come,” Constance said innocently.

  Her eyes flared, giving her a very unnatural appearance. As she reached down to grab Jacob, Jessica screamed at her, picking up the sword. Constance looked to her now with equal glee. Jacob moved back again, trying to put more distance between himself and the vampire.

  Constance looked back to Jacob and reached for him, unwilling to let him out of her grasp. As she grabbed his shirt Jacob pulled a crucifix he’d almost forgotten about out of his back pocket. He held it up to her face and she backed suddenly. Her face went from instant horror back to calm again.

  “You are so young and your faith is so weak.”

  Constance reached back for him and Jacob swung the crucifix out toward her, and in that motion came a rain of holy water. The effect was immediate; she began to burn spontaneously.

  She backed up, her face contorted in excruciating pain. She held up her arms, which were also burned. Her visage went from pain to fury as she once again reached for Jacob, but she was stopped short again.

  A twang and a thud were the only sounds heard. Constance looked down to see a crossbow bolt had struck her in her chest. Backing up from her new attackers, she grasped the bolt with both hands and attempted to pull the rod free.

  With that there were two more twangs and two more thuds. Now, not only were there two more bolts sticking out of her chest but they were also flaming bolts, and she was quickly being engulfed in flames. She stumbled to the wall in a mad frenzy, hit the edge, and fell over.

  Jessica ran to Jacob and grabbed him in a bear hug. Both looked at the door to see Father Lemoine and two other monks reloading their crossbows. She felt safe for the moment, and she had her brother in her protective hold. Then she looked over to see Sebastian’s body lying very still and a large pool of blood forming around him. She let go and felt the tears as they ran down her face.

  Father Lemoine saw how terrible it really was. He directed the other monks to the walls while he went to Sebastian. The blade had fully impaled his chest and had surely pierced his heart.

  The twins came over to do whatever they could. They knelt down beside his body with Father Lemoine, Jessica crying softly and Jacob holding his sister’s shoulders as they shook.

  Father Lemoine considered both of them and knew his options were limited. Jacob and Jessica, having survived an attack from vampires again, were blessed with luck if that is what you could call it, but this time was different—they had seen Sebastian fall.

  Knowing he could not hesitate, Father Lemoine reached for Sebastian’s back, grabbing the handle of the short sword. Jessica’s shock was complete as he pulled the blade completely out of Sebastian. Jacob was also left speechless and dazed.

  “Stay with him,” Father Lemoine demanded as he made his way over to the others. They watched him as he gave orders like a field commander.

  Jessica looked back at Sebastian and recalled the short time they had together and how she had truly enjoyed those moments like no others she could remember. She reached down to his chest and placed her hand over the wound as if trying to stop the flow of blood or offer some comfort to a body that couldn’t feel anymore.

  She felt a hand come over hers; surely Jacob would know what she was thinking. Jessica looked down at Sebastian’s body to see the hand was not her brother’s but Sebastian’s. Looking at her brother she saw his stunned expression. She looked back at her hand and Sebastian’s. It truly did not register with her that her brother did not put his hand there until Sebastian’s hand let go of the tenuous hold and fell to the floor.

  “Jacob, he moved! Didn’t he move?”

  “I saw his hand move.”

  “Father Lemoine!” Jessica screamed. Father Lemoine ran over to them, fearing more danger.

  “He moved!” Jacob tried to vocalize what he could not seem to grasp in his head. Father Lemoine knew that now was not the time for explanations.

  “We must take him inside quickly, but both of you need to go find Father Donovan. We will bring him down.”

  “But how?” Jessica asked trying to rationalize.

  “We don’t have time,” Father Lemoine said urgently. With that the twins got up and ran from the scene.

  chapter TWENTY-TWO />
  EMERGING FROM THE NARROW STAIRS, they came to the topmost landing of the Great Staircase Hall. The once-peaceful room had become a work center bordering on a combat readiness zone. The activity made the twins anxious and they knew their news would only add to the chaos. When they reached the floor they spotted Father Donovan. He was talking to several of the monks and was oblivious to their approach.

  “Father Donovan! Father Donovan!” called the twins. They ran up to him in a frenzy.

  “Calm down! What has happened?”

  Jacob and Jessica’s faces revealed far more than they understood; their most recent encounter was something they didn’t know how to process, let alone explain. They had never been the bearers of such bad news before.

  “It’s Sebastian,” was all Jacob could muster.

  Father Donovan’s face grew grim at what might come next; he could not even fathom how bad the situation had become.

  “What about him?”

  “There was a vampire … Constance,” Jessica muttered. The old monk’s face aged as they watched.

  “You must tell me—what about Sebastian?”

  As if on cue, the door above swung open with a bang and through it came a couple of monks carrying a body. They made their way down the steps as Father Donovan slowly approached the base of the great staircase.

  The hall, which had been buzzing with sound and activity, was now silent with the approach of the small procession. Quietly they gathered around. The only one who seemed in control of his faculties was Father Lemoine, who followed from behind.

  They laid Sebastian on the floor. Father Donovan knelt beside the body and looked at Father Lemoine for explanation.

  “They were ambushed on top of the tower, by two … of them. We heard a scream as we were making our rounds searching the castle. We found them with one down, and we sent the other over. Sebastian … was already down and the others were … holding their own.” Father Lemoine said the last with pride, finding a glimmer of light in the dark situation.

  “He moved! He moved his hand, and I thought he was dead,” Jessica said. She wanted them to know he might still be alive.