"We have a chance for a new life here. There's no need to chase what cannot be had."
Antonio clenched his fist. Ann stood and flinched away, yet she studied his profile. Antonio smirked at his control over her, then walked away with no care for the ward's opinion.
"Then I'll make her like me."
* * * *
Gaston rode through the main street lined with his worshipers. His bay horse was tall. Antonio's cousin was sandy haired, grey-eyed, and proud. He sat high above the peasants, brushing his legs and waving. Antonio watched this spectacle from high in the castle.
A new casualty.
The door to his room swung open.
"Have you seen my pin?” Ann hurried in and opened one of the table's wooden drawers.
"Did you ask Elizabeth?” Antonio removed his booted foot from the windowsill and turned his concentration from the street charade to Ann. She looked under a pile of clothes, in a trunk, and on the table again.
Antonio straightened his plaid dressing and smoothed his white blouse with his hands. Ann stomped in frustration, but caught his humor.
"Are you making fun of me?"
"Of course I am.” He approached her, but Ann's hair was hanging in her face. Antonio reached up softly and swept the delicate hair back behind her ear.
"I like your yellow dress. It's like your hair. You look lovely. Now, let's hurry before we miss him.” Antonio pressed Ann out the door. He glimpsed his ax among his bed sheets, then left.
They hurried downstairs, but even after seeing Gaston up close, Antonio was still not impressed. Gaston dismounted at the front of the castle as Antonio watched from inside the door.
"Glad you're back in one piece, lad.” Uncle Henry shook hands with his son.
"Thank you, Father.” Gaston noticed Ann and Elizabeth with his sister. “I'm glad to be back."
Romina took Gaston's hand. “These are our cousins, Ann and Elizabeth."
He took a fair hand from each sister and kissed them both. Antonio shifted as he cringed in the door frame.
"Seems that Romina forgot about our other new arrival.” Henry put his arm around Gaston and led him to the door. “Gaston, this is Antonio."
Gaston bowed his head as Antonio removed himself from the door frame. He sulked toward his cousin, his body language reflecting his opinion of the arrival perfectly.
You shouldn't be here.
Gaston put out his hand for a handshake, but Antonio ignored the outstretched hand. He stood still while Antonio's eyes examined him, but Uncle Henry slapped both of them on the back, unaware.
"Come inside, boys. The butcher will have something special ready."
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Chapter 3
Romina stepped onto her balcony under the moon's quarter light. She stood on her toes, leaned over the railing, and peered into the dark pool. Her hair was down, and a light breeze blew it away from her young face. She wore only a plain ankle-length white night gown.
She gazed down at her crude image. She gazed at the moon's reflection, then up at the sky. She looked around the newly completed courtyard, skimming past Antonio's window without seeing. She shuddered and rubbed her arms.
Romina returned to her room. She sat at her vanity and picked up her brush. After a few strokes, she set the brush aside. She cupped her hand around the candle flame and blew out the light. The moonlight dimly lit the room as she took one last glance in the mirror. Antonio stood behind her. With a gasp, she bit her white knuckles.
She stood and turned around, but Antonio was upon her. He put his hand over her mouth, and she fought vainly to push him away. Swift and strong, Antonio twisted her arm behind her back and pushed Romina to the floor.
* * * *
Antonio sat on his window ledge and looked at the courtyard below. He frowned at the statue of Gaston in the fountain. The final piece of the castle's construction, but he could have done without the rearing horse, proud rider, sprinkling water and pretty lily pads. He dabbed the scratches on his forearm with a cloth. Gaston burst through his door.
"What do you want?” Antonio stood up and tossed the cloth aside.
"For you to pay."
Gaston lunged at him, but Antonio moved toward his bed and the ax.
"Who whimpers here? Romina!” Gaston jumped on his back, and both fell to the floor. Antonio elbowed him in the stomach, and the avenger released his hold. Quickly, Antonio reached between his sheets in search of the ax.
Blast! I can't find it. I cannot fight man to man. My advantage is gone.
"That smell of blood! Tears, torn. Invader!"
Antonio spotted his boots on the floor. He shoved Gaston and reached for one. He threw it, but Gaston saw it coming and ducked. The boot continued out the window and splashed into the water below.
Gaston came toward him again and squeezed his hands around Antonio's neck. He tried to pull away, but after a few moments, his eyes slowly closed. He slumped to the floor, feigning victory for his cousin.
"My revenge is complete."
Antonio dared to open one eye as Gaston wiped the sweat from his brow and walked to the window. He looked to Romina's room and panted. Silent as a snake, Antonio crept behind. He inched closer and pulled him into a tight headlock. Antonio whispered in Gaston's ear.
"Now it is I who claims revenge."
"Never."
Antonio pushed Gaston out the window. He flew down, but the fountain and statue came up too fast upon him. He turned himself around and slammed into the great statue. The stone slid off its pedestal and shattered on the courtyard brick. The statue's face crumbled on the patio, and Gaston could see no more.
Dim lights brightened all over the castle, and Uncle Henry entered Antonio's room.
"My boy, what has happened?"
Antonio tried to be emotional.
"I was lying in bed.” He forced a knot to his throat. “Then I heard a noise."
"It is all right, my boy. Take yer time.” Henry put his arm around his performing nephew.
"The robber—I'm sure it was a robber now—there was a struggle. He scratched me, and I threw my boot at him.” Antonio looked to the window for clarification. “Gaston came in. The robber pushed him out—"
Uncle Henry's face turned rigid, and Antonio looked to the window again. Henry ran from the room, but Ann and Elizabeth stood in the doorway.
"You didn't,” Elizabeth whispered as Ann walked to the window. Gaston lay on his stomach among the broken pieces of his statue.
"Why?” Ann looked back as Elizabeth stared down at him. “He was no threat to us. Not like Father."
"He was in my way."
His adopted sisters stood silent before him.
Uncle Henry ran out to see Gaston. He stopped midway in his tracks and clung to his dressing robe. Henry half ran, half walked to the slain body. “Oh, my son! My heir! My good Gaston!"
He slid his hand over Gaston's face and shut the eyes forever. “My poor boy. Your kind heart punishes you in the end. Oh, what has happened to our family?” He looked up to Antonio's window. Ann gazed downward with a solemn look on her face. “Yer cousins will miss you; our whole village will mourn yer passing. You were to be their first King. Gaston, we will find the poor soul who did this to you. We will find the bloody bastard, and he will suffer for all eternity!"
Henry's vow echoed above the sprinkling fountain. Antonio turned from the window, wiped sweat from his brow, and collapsed onto his bed.
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Chapter 4
Five Moons Later
Elizabeth moved into Gaston's abandoned room and kept a closer watch on the reclusive Romina. Faint sounds came again through the stone walls.
Sobbing again, no doubt.
Elizabeth crept out of bed and picked up the candle on her bedside table. She limped down the hall to Romina's door and turned the knob slowly. She pushed the door open and shined the candle into the room. Romina sat crying in her bed pillows.
&nbs
p; "My dear Romina.” Elizabeth rushed to her bedside. “What is troubling you?"
Romina wiped the tears from her face.
"Oh, Elizabeth.” She sat up and away from her propped pillows, and Elizabeth noticed a full roundness in her stomach. She pushed Romina's hair away from her face.
"I must leave here."
"This is your home, Romina. Why would you want to leave?"
Romina flung the covers away and stood. “Look at me. This place, this room. They're evil! Evil. He's evil!"
Elizabeth sank to the edge of the bed, stunned. Romina stepped close and whispered to Elizabeth, “I have become possessed by evil! Evil has taken over my body. I am infested with its demon seed!"
"Look!” She stepped back and ripped open her nightshirt. “Look at the devil within my womb. I don't want this thing. I want it out of me! Every time I feel it stir and kick inside me, I want to rip open my stomach. Tear myself to pieces until it or I am destroyed.
"You must take me away. Perhaps a cleaner place will help my soul until I rot its cleanliness with my presence. Gods of mine, I would rather die than allow this demon the Earth as his playground."
An old wagon crept out of the barn. Elizabeth sat on the seat and held the horse's reins. Her head was covered with a hooded cloak, and Romina lie sleeping in the back. The heiress left behind all of her earthly possessions, except for a skin bundled with her winter dress and cloak and the leather bag of gold pieces beside her.
* * * *
The maid knocked on Antonio's door, then opened it.
"Come in, Catherine. Shut the door."
The loyal maid of Romina no longer, Catherine did as Antonio said. He had his back to her and sat in a chair by his window, sharpening a sword. Let her watch his bare back and arms flex with each slice. “Speak."
"All the soldiers have returned,” she said. “They did not find any sign of Miss Romina."
"Thank you, Catherine.” Antonio sliced the sword again, but turned as Catherine moved to leave. “Wait. Bring me something to write with."
"Yes, sir. Paper as well?"
"Of course. You may go."
Catherine left the door open on her way out, and Ann stopped in the open door.
"What is Catherine doing?"
"She is earning her wages.” Antonio sliced again.
"Excuse me, Miss Ann.” Catherine returned and put the paper, quill, and ink on the windowsill.
"Thank you, Catherine.” Antonio stood and put on a charming smile for the girl.
"Can I do something for you, Miss?"
"That will be all for now,” Antonio answered for Ann, and the dark-haired girl left with her head down.
"What sway you have.” Ann stepped into the room.
"Can I not write a letter?” Antonio picked up the writing tools, feigning innocence.
"You did it, didn't you?"
"I did what?” He dipped the quill in the ink.
"You got rid of Romina."
"I had nothing to do with it.” Antonio looked directly at her. “And if you were anyone else, I would slice you in two for that. Please leave."
Ann slammed the door.
Antonio didn't have time to worry about Ann. Let her think what she wanted, so long as she and Elizabeth stayed out of his way. Henry had a squabble with their neighbors, and Antonio could take his aggression out on them.
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Chapter 5
"Men.” He sat atop his horse and ordered the farmers plucked right from their fields. “If you have any fear, any concern for your life, swallow it!"
Though they had loved Gaston, the recruits huddled in fear before Antonio, and rightfully so.
Uncle Henry pulled his horse up next to his new heir. “Men, it is all right to fear. It shows your humanity. Clan wars are what keep us strong."
"Fear is a weakness,” Antonio said. “If not suppressed, the enemy will exploit it."
He turned to Henry and whispered to him, “Quarreling among heads is not wise. The men will betray us, and the enemy will scoff at us."
Antonio looked out across his sea of men. “None of them want to be here. It is my job to make them stay here."
"We'll try it your way and see how it goes.” Uncle Henry patted him on the back.
He will never touch me again.
By midday, Henry and Antonio were in sight of the neighboring castle. Antonio sighed on his horse.
Why are we here again? So, they stole a few sheep! I want our sheep back and more.
The drawbridge was up, but Antonio knew the enemy army hid in wait behind it. Archers on the castle walls held their bows and arrows ready.
"Ready, men?” He yelled.
"Their entire army must be ready in there. We must place a sneak attack after dark.” Henry finally applied his wits to Antonio. “Are you mad, my boy? This is to preserve our clan, not destroy it. You must be mad."
Antonio glared at him. “Yes, I am mad."
He dug into his horse's sides and pushed her toward the castle. The enemy charged out of the village gates and over the lowering drawbridge. He cared not as Uncle Henry's horse spun and reared in the commotion. His clansmen charged beside Antonio, but Henry tumbled to the ground. The horses trampled over him, and swords clashed above him. Antonio rode on.
He swung his sword to and fro, clearing himself a path through the now mingled soldiers and stabbed toward his left. A rival leaped from his horse and knocked Antonio to the ground. He jabbed the soldier's side, then stood and pulled his sword from the limp enemy. Antonio looked for the next person who might be in his way and surveyed the battle.
"Farmers, fight well. Think of your wives and children if we lose!"
Who would stop me?
"Come!” He ran toward the drawbridge, but the retreating enemy raised the overpass. Antonio took a deep breath and jumped for the bridge. He clung to the edge, but the bridge rose higher into the air. The ax had made him strong—Antonio knew it—and he used all his upper body strength to pull himself over the drawbridge. He slid down the almost vertical wood and ran toward the pulleys controlling the bridge. With one swift swipe of his sword, the ropes were cut, and the bridge slammed back down.
"To the castle, men!"
The women in the village screamed and scattered. Antonio threw one aside and perched on top of her wagon. “You.” He pointed to some of his men. “Search the village for valuables.” Antonio smiled as his fearful peasants raised their swords while hollering and clamoring in the heat of battle.
"The rest of you.” He jumped on a loose horse. “To the castle!"
Antonio led the recruits from the depths of the mighty castle to its highest turret. He saw to it that fear was replaced with lust and the need to take. Men stuffed gold and jewelry into bags and drank wine as they rampaged through the castle. Antonio, however, kept his eye on power. He burst into the highest tower, and there was the defeated king and his wives. They lay dead by poison or by the sword.
"Find wagons for the goods.” Antonio's successful men left him alone, and he stared at the gleaming crown toppled from the King's head. Antonio stepped over the fallen bodies and embraced the crown in both hands. His path of strife and pain was complete and gilded before him.
"I am now the ruler of all the land I know. None rule me. My plans have been fulfilled, my competition eliminated. I have put fear into those who serve me. I am the insurmountable, undeniable among men!"
* * * *
The shabby rider panted and stood waiting for Antonio to speak. Antonio sat at his desk in his library, reading. Henry had quite a library, and it was going to further Antonio's vile purposes now. He put the book down. “Speak."
"A small homestead on the edge of the—your lands—on the edge of your lands. There is a young woman there who resembles Romina."
"Burn the place to the ground.” His scorn was perhaps equal to his power. How dare she leave him? Power made this weak old man stumble over his words.
"Sir ... the woma
n is with child."
"With child?” Antonio changed his harsh tone. “She is expecting a child?"
"Yes, sir. That is what the talk and look says."
Antonio stood. “Have my horse saddled."
He rode fast and hard. The horse grunted beneath him, but Antonio did not stop to explore his territory. He dismounted outside the small home surrounded by soldiers. It was stone and thatched, almost as his childhood home was. A woman screamed inside, and Antonio stepped toward the door. How dare a guard stop him?
"Forgive me, sir, but have some respect. This is no place for a man."
"Move out of my way and live."
Antonio shoved him and burst through the door.
There, on an old and warped wooden table, lay the once young and beautiful Romina. Her exquisiteness had been unwittingly traded for a pool of blood below the table and screams hovering in the wind.
She cried again, and her old woman caretaker spoke. “Come on, lass. Only be a few more now."
Romina's once refined nails and delicate hands clenched at the old man by her side. She bit down on her bleeding lip and pushed. She screamed and pushed and dug her nails into the old man's calloused hand until he bled. Antonio flinched not, unlike the soldiers wincing beside him. The screams came again and again. A baby's cry rang out.
"It's a boy, lass!” The old woman cleaned the child and wrapped him warmly in the dull burlap in her hand.
Antonio glared at the baby. He approached the table and looked down at Romina. The old man and woman cowered before him and clung to the baby.
How dare she leave? How dare they take her in?
Romina's eyes wavered and drifted to Antonio. She tried to speak, but no words came. He leaned closer, but Romina still panted from her efforts of labor. She worked her throat again and opened her mouth. Romina spit in Antonio's face and laughed. He wiped the spit from his face, but at last, Romina fell silent before he could reprimand her any further.
Death. She deserves it.
Antonio looked across the table to the old couple. He circled the wood and approached them. The old woman clutched the baby and ran for a side door, and her husband stepped in front of Antonio. He shoved the man aside and went back out the front.
The Vampire Family Page 2