Knowledge Revealed

by D. S. Williams

  For most of Sunday afternoon, Lucas, Ben and the other men were busy outside, preparing the garden for Saturday. From what I'd overheard, a marquee had been hired which would take up a considerable area of the manicured gardens to the side of the house. From the kitchen window, I could see them flitting from one area of the garden to the next, pruning, mowing and tidying. Monday was the same; Lucas disappeared early in the morning before I woke up and didn't reappear again until dusk approached.

  The women were also busy, I saw them for brief periods as they flew round the house, cleaning, polishing, and dusting. Nothing in the house escaped Marianne's attention and I deemed it best to remain quietly on the couch and let them get on with it.

  To keep myself amused, I'd been doing research on my new iPad. Never having owned a computer in my life, it was all a new experience to me. Lucas and Ripley had been giving me lessons, teaching me how to use the internet and showing me the workings of some of the programs they'd loaded. I'd discovered the joys of Google and had been using it to do some research into vampires.

  Starting with Wikipedia, I'd read through the information provided about folklore, pathology and the various belief systems throughout the world which regarded vampires as a real entity. Then I'd glanced briefly at a website called 'Vampires.com', which seemed little more than a webpage devoted to comparing movies and television programs, which featured vampires. It certainly didn't provide any information I was interested in. For most of Monday afternoon, I'd been studying a website I'd discovered called the 'A to Z of Vampires' and I was poring over this site when Lucas found me, and flopped his tall frame down onto the couch beside me. Wearing faded blue jeans and a t-shirt, he was covered in dirt and a smudge of grime adorned his cheek.

  “How are the gardens coming along?”

  “Considering there was little wrong with them in the first place, fine, I suppose,” Lucas said with a derisive smirk. “Marianne is becoming more fanatical as each day passes.”

  “It is her wedding day,” I said reasonably.

  “A fact which she has reminded me of regularly,” Lucas responded drily. “What are you up to?”

  “Studying vampires.”

  He raised one eyebrow mockingly. “And what, pray tell, have you discovered?”

  “A whole lot of myths I've already debunked while I've been living here with you,” I admitted. “But I've found some interesting information, too.”

  Lucas's look was disbelieving. “What sort of interesting information?”

  “Mainly myths and legends from around the world. For instance,” I glanced back at the webpage I'd been studying, “the Chinese believe in the Kuang-shi, where a vampire is the result of the demonic possession of a recently deceased corpse. They have a terrifying appearance and as the vampire matures, it gains new skills – like flying.”

  “Fascinating,” Lucas retorted dryly. “And complete nonsense.”

  I smiled. “Well, obviously the terrifying part is wrong. I did wonder about flying though…”

  Lucas laughed, the deep sound echoing through the empty room. “What, you think I forgot to mention that I turn into a bat?”

  “It is one of the myths I haven't asked you about yet.”

  Lucas shook his head, his eyes filled with mirth. “You never cease to amaze me, my love.”

  “So I guess I can draw a line through the bat myth then?”

  In answer, he took the iPad and laid it on the table, then in one swift movement lifted me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me. He lowered his head and kissed me, his mouth firm and insistent against mine. When he drew back, he winked. “Yes, you can draw a line through the bat myth,” he whispered against my cheek, nuzzling my earlobe with his cool lips. “Anything else?”

  “Nope,” I whispered back. “Only that I want you to kiss me some more.”

  With a growl deep in his chest he drew me closer, his lips capturing mine again. I surrendered myself to him, all thoughts of anything else swept from my mind as I lost myself in the feel of his hard chest against my breast, the heady aroma of his scent sweeping over me. Beneath my backside, I could feel the firm pressure of another part of his anatomy and all too soon, Lucas groaned and released my lips, leaning his head back against the couch and closing his eyes. I rested my head against his shoulder, waiting for him to gain control of his desire, aware of the now-familiar pattern we found ourselves regularly repeating.

  When he regained his equilibrium, he lifted his head from the couch cushion and gazed down at me, tracing patterns against my shoulder with his fingers. “I love doing that,” he admitted quietly.

  “I love you doing that, I completely lose track of everything I'm thinking when you kiss me.”

  “I'm going to take a shower. An icy cold one,” Lucas said with a grimace as he deposited me carefully onto the couch and passed the iPad back to me. “And you can continue this fascinating journey through the mythology of vampirism.” He stood up, leaning over to kiss my forehead briefly. “You can tell me what other snippets of brilliance you come across when I get back.”

  I poked my tongue out at him and watched appreciatively as he strode across the room and disappeared upstairs. Turning back to the iPad, I continued to read the webpage as the others began to reappear from their work around the house. Soon I'd been joined by Marianne, Gwynn, Striker and Ben and they were followed shortly afterwards by Rowena, who appeared with a dinner tray for me. Acenith and Ripley were the next to appear and it was only then I realized William was missing and asked where he was.

  “He's on his way; he went into Billings for a few things.” Marianne was sitting at the end of the couch, writing copious notes in a notepad. Still dressed in the clothes she'd been working in all day, she had her hair pulled up in a short ponytail, from which strands of hair had slipped and were falling down around her face as she scribbled. I feared the scribbling could only be leading to further work for Lucas and the others.

  Lucas appeared from his shower and sat down, placing his arm around me and I leaned against his chest. “Found anything yet?” he questioned, kissing the back of my neck and making me shiver in delight. “Actually, let me rephrase that question. Found anything that remotely resembles anything realistic?”

  I giggled. “No; more myths about bats, silver bullets, holy water, and stuff.”

  Ben glanced up from the newspaper he was reading. “What's going on?”

  “Charlotte is doing research about vampires.” He rolled his eyes. “On the internet.”

  The front door was pushed open and Gwynn stood effortlessly, rushing to greet William who'd appeared from the darkness outside. He drew her into his arms, kissing her deeply and I was humbled once again by how deeply these people cared for one another. It was beautiful to see and heat grew in my cheeks as I drew my eyes away from their open display of affection.

  William released Gwynn after a time and they walked hand in hand, to where we all sat. William threw a small package to Lucas who caught it effortlessly.

  “Thank you, William. I appreciate it.” Lucas said, drawing his arm from behind me to open the small box.

  “What's that?” I asked curiously.

  “Insurance.” Lucas lifted the lid from the box and I saw a cell phone inside, similar to the one Lucas owned. He pulled it from the box and flipped it open, pushing a button inside before handing it to me. “This is for you.”

  I stared at it wordlessly for a second. “You bought me a phone?'

  “Not just any phone. It has all our contact numbers in it and see here?” He pointed to a button at the top of the phone itself. “This button activates a taser which is built into the phone. Press it once to arm the taser,” he turned the phone over and showed me the base, where two small silver knobs sat about an inch apart, “then press it a second time before you touch anyone with is. It will discharge a 600-volt surge of electricity in a pulsating frequency. Enough to debilitate your attacker long enough to allow you to escape safely. I hope.”

 
My eyes widened at what he was explaining. “Does this have anything to do with my trip to Puckhaber tomorrow?”

  “Yes it does. I want you to be safe.”

  “I told him it was overkill,” Striker announced cheerfully.

  I sighed heavily, both impressed by his desire to keep my safe and aggravated by his overreaction. “Lucas, Puckhaber Falls has a population of 942 people. Do you honestly think I'm going to be attacked in the middle of Main Street?”

  “I'm not taking chances,” Lucas replied smoothly. “Please humor me, Charlotte.”

  Sighing inwardly, I looked at him with a flicker of a smile. “Okay. But I'm pretty certain I won't need to taser anyone.” Eyeing the small phone sitting in the palm of my hand, a thought occurred to me. “Will it work on vampires?”

  Lucas frowned and I couldn't miss the flicker of worry in his eyes. “Unfortunately not. I don't have any weapons I can give you in that regard. I'm relying on your psychic abilities for warnings with regard to danger from vampires.”

  “And my psychic ability,” Marianne piped up. “And we can relax, because Puckhaber Falls appears to be completely vampire-free tomorrow.”

  Chapter 29: Puckhaber Falls

  Early the following morning found me sitting in Ben's sleek black car and I waited impatiently while Lucas adjusted the seat for me and pointed out the radio controls, headlights, and various other items in the luxurious car. The weather was overcast and steady rain had been falling since I'd woken around six.

  “Okay, I believe you are ready to leave,” Lucas finally announced, crouched beside the car in the garage. He looked up and I saw the concern in his eyes, along with the tiny frown creasing his forehead.

  I brushed my hand against his cheek and Lucas captured my hand in his, closing his eyes. “I'll be fine, Lucas, I promise.”

  “You have your cell phone?”

  I nodded with a patient smile. “And I've practiced my cover story. I fell over skiing in Aspen with you at Christmas.”

  Lucas's mouth flickered into a ghost of a smile. “Good girl. Remember if anyone asks you something and you're not prepared—”

  “I need to take a deep breath, remember my cover story, and keep to the plan.”

  He nodded encouragingly. “We know you will not betray us, love.”

  “Of course I won't,” I leaned from the car and kissed his lips. “I love you and I want you all to be safe, as much as you want me to be safe.”

  “Does that mean you would consider staying home today?” he asked with a hopeful smile.

  “No.”

  Lucas pulled himself up with a sigh and leaned in to kiss me hungrily. When he drew away, I felt my heart thumping crazily in my chest and took a second to breathe deeply and shift my brain back into gear.

  “I will see you when you get home,” he said softly, watching as I started the car and carefully backed out of the garage and onto the gravel drive. With a wave, I drove off.

  Ben's car was luxuriously appointed, with leather trim, a brilliant stereo and extremely comfortable to drive. Despite the continual onslaught of rain, I felt secure in the car and the steady swish of the windscreen wipers afforded me a clear view of the road.

  I found a radio channel to listen to and turned it up a little, humming to myself as I drove. I had Marianne's painting sitting on the back seat, and hidden inside the roll of canvas was the charcoal portrait of Gwynn's mother. Despite Lucas's concerns, I was excited about the trip to Puckhaber, it had been such a long time since I'd seen my friends and I was looking forward to visiting.

  Opening the mental box, I enjoyed a conversation with Mom on the way to Puckhaber. Having discovered I could close my mind to the spirits voices, I delighted in the sense of peace it afforded me. Now I was in control, only releasing the spirits when I desired to have contact. It was a liberating experience and having discovered the ability, the spirits were closed off more often than not. I felt a little guilty about shutting them away, but after years of constant contact and the headaches associated with it, I thought I deserved a little peace and quiet.

  It was a little after ten when I drove into the outskirts of Puckhaber and slowed down on Main Street, looking for a parking spot close to Hank's store. Fortunately, it wasn't busy and I found one close enough that I wouldn't get soaked going into the store.

  Holding the artwork close to my chest, I walked quickly to the door of Hank's store, the umbrella Rowena lent me keeping me dry. The bell over the door tinkled as I entered and Hank looked up from his normal position behind the counter.

  A delighted grin appeared on his heavily lined face and he leaped up to take the paintings as I folded the umbrella and put it in the stand near the door.

  “Lottie! It's great to see you, honey! Lucas told us about the foot, took you skiing, did he?”

  “Hi Hank, it's lovely to see you too,” I responded with a genuinely warm smile. I followed him to the counter, glancing around the familiar shop with interest as he bustled about, putting the paintings on the counter before turning back to drag me into a bear hug.

  “You look really well, Lott, other than the ankle, of course. Went to Aspen, didn't Lucas say?”

  “Yes, Lucas took me at Christmas.”

  “You're a dark horse, that's for sure. Lucas Tine! I swear, the women around here went into mourning when I told them he was off the market,” Hank responded. “You're happy?”

  I couldn't stop the wide grin that spread across my lips. “Yes, we're very happy.”

  Hank carefully unrolled the canvas as we spoke. “I hear you're staying at Lucas's place now?”

  “Yes, with Lucas and his friends.” I nearly added information, and then remembered Lucas's words when he was coaching me about today's visit. 'Only give enough information, no more. It makes it easier if the story isn't complicated.'

  “These are great, Lott. A bit of a departure from your normal works.”

  “They're commissions,” I explained.

  “You're gonna stay at Lucas's for a while?” Hank asked. “Maude says you've given up the lease on the cottage.”

  “I'll be there for a while, and then Lucas is taking me travelling,” I responded lightly.

  “I'm so happy for you both, honey. Where are you heading off to?” Hank pulled out a tape measure to start calculating frame sizes for Marianne's painting.

  “Um, not sure yet,” I stammered, cringing a little. This was harder than I'd expected. Despite the amount of planning I'd put in with Lucas, this was different and uncomfortable. Planning a lie was easier than putting it into practice. At home, I'd been able to think through my answers; here at the store I was rapidly discovering I needed to think on my feet with only a second's notice.

  “Lucas works in Billings, doesn't he? Is he going to take leave, or does he plan on quitting?”

  “Um, he's quitting,” I said, my tone non-committal. Lucas's advice echoed in my thoughts. 'Change the subject if you are feeling pressured.' “How's your wife? I hope she wasn't disappointed when I didn't come to your house for Christmas.”

  “No, no, she was fine. Please you and Lucas got together, I think even she has a little crush on that guy.” Hank finished measuring Marianne's painting, writing down a couple of numbers with the stub of pencil he kept perpetually behind his ear. He turned his attention to the charcoal I'd done for Gwynn. “These are really good, Lott. Did you use old photos to copy?”

  “Um, yeah.” I hadn't thought of Hank making that assumption – the clothing Marianne's family and Gwynn's mother wore was a dead giveaway regarding a different era. Taking a deep breath, I decided to take control of the situation before it got any further out of hand. “I was thinking of something wide and dark for the oil, maybe a finer frame in gold for the charcoal.”

  To my eternal relief, Hank got back onto the subject of framing and we spent a while choosing the perfect frames and mounts. After the decisions were made, Hank made coffee and we enjoyed a chat, which thankfully steered clear of anything that would
require more lies.

  “I'll drop back after I've finished my errands,” I told Hank from the door, preparing to leave and head to Maude's office.

  “No problems, Lott. Should have them done in a couple of hours.” He waved vaguely as I stepped out through the doorway, his mind already focused on his work.

  The rain drizzled constantly as I limped down the road, crossing carefully to the other side and trying to keep my foot dry by skirting around puddles.

  “Lottie! Good to see you!” Maude greeted me when I walked into her office a few minutes later. “How's the ankle? I thought you'd be out of plaster by now.”

  “Technical difficulty,” I explained, “the bone didn't heal as well as it should, so I had to have it broken again and reset.”

  “Did you get that done in Billings?” Maude questioned.

  “Um, yeah.” It seemed most of my conversations had been punctuated with 'um' this morning.

  “I see. I guess you're here to collect the bond refund?” Maude directed me to her desk in the corner of the small office. “Take a seat, sweetie and we'll get this sorted out. She turned to her filing cabinet and opened the top drawer, rummaging through the files. “So is the rumor I heard true? You're seeing Lucas Tine?”

  “Yes, we've been seeing each other since Christmas.”

  “You lucky girl, he is such a charming man and so handsome! If I was twenty years younger, I would have tried for him myself— ah, here we are.” She brought a folder to the desk and sat down, skimming through the paperwork. “I have to say, given you had to work with a cast on your leg, you did a fabulous job of cleaning the cottage. I swear it was cleaner than when you took the lease.”

  “I had some help from Lucas's friends.”

  “Oh yes, there's a group of them living at his place, aren't there? Ben Becket and his wife and young Marianne and her fiancée. That house of Lucas's is worth a fortune, I tried about six months back to get Lucas to let me appraise it, but he wasn't interested. They're a good-looking group, very pale though. All look like they could do with a holiday somewhere with lots of sunshine.”