by D R Brooks
CHAPTER 3
IAN stepped out into the cobbled avenue and hailed a cab. No sooner had he flicked his wrist than a dark hansom appeared and slowed to a stop. The horse was eerily pale. IAN guided Betty over the gutter and as she passed close, both horse and driver turned towards her. She could swear they were both looking at her neck.
IAN looked on in amusement as Betty tried to sit down in her dress
“Driver? The Papillon Estate.”
“Very well, Sir.”
IAN turned his attention again to Betty. “Is it all that you thought it would be?”
"It's all very strange. I didn't expect another Dimension to share so many qualities with earth. It's like stepping into a Victorian novel with everything somehow...different. Everything seems to have a faint sheen or shimmer to it. A certain unreality. And I have a million questions. Is everyone here a vam-” She couldn't bring herself to say the word. "A, well, you know? And how are we ever to get back? How are we going to stay safe? Are we the only humans here?"
A thought suddenly occurred to her. "IAN, are YOU human?"
The cab rounded a sharp corner and Betty nearly tumbled out of her seat.
“Human? Betty, please. You should know that answer by now. Just think of all the absurd theories you had about where I come from and assume the strangest is true. But to answer your 75th question first, yes there are humans here. How else do you suppose the rulers of this world get their blood?
"That's a thought I didn't want to have to think. You mentioned a Papillon Estate? What's waiting for us there?" Betty fixed IAN with an interrogative stare.
"You'll forgive me for the questions, but I did just meet you, see my first Bigfoot and official Bleed simultaneously I might add, get bitten, have my carefully constructed disguise revealed, and now seem to be on my way to heaven knows where in what seems to be the middle of the night. All this within the span of a few hours no less!"
“If you wanted a controlled adventure, you should have booked a flight to Disneyland. You signed up for the Bleeds. This is the life you get. Papillon Estate is the home of Gabriella Papillon, an ambitious lady who married and widowed her way up the social ladder. I met her long before even her first marriage; when she was just a sweet farm girl who was quite susceptible to the songs of witches. I can’t tell you how many ritual sacrifices I saved her from.”
"Maybe I should have gone to Disneyland. That place isn't so bad you know. There's jazz bands and parades and castles and it's not overly populated by things that would like to suck one's blood. There's a monorail and one time I rode the monorail and it got stuck but as my late husband always said "If you're stuck, it's best to be stuck in someplace magical." And when they finally got the monorail going again, it was dark outside and there were fireworks going off and I love fireworks so much. Did you know that fireworks were invented to, to..." She realized IAN was smiling condescendingly at her and that, more importantly, the cab was no longer bumping and swaying over the road. "Witches you said? This Madame Papillon, is she a you-know?"
“The V-word, yes. The witches were from another Dimension and Gabriella, like you, had a special curiosity towards the Bleeds. And the Bleeds found her. She did pick up a few tricks from the old hags. I am fairly certain she used a charm spell to convince her first husband to turn her.”
"So, people can be susceptible to the effect of Bleeds, eh? That's a frightening thought. Poor Gabriella. I've heard that having red hair has a curious correlation with what I've taken to calling Bleed Afformation. Whenever they interact or are interacted with, something in them changes. Sometimes it's a whole personality shift, sometimes it's something slight - their ears hangs a little lower, one of their eyes is suddenly green. I've often wondered if that's how Changeling stories originated. In any case, the Celts would definitely say redheads were touched by fairies. I wonder why the witches didn't up sacrificing her after all."
Betty peered forward into the open air and saw they had pulled up to a large chateau-influenced house. Strange in the heart of a city, but somehow an appropriate dwelling for the lady that IAN had described. "It seems like we have arrived. Oh, dear. I DO hope she has tea set aside for guests, I am absolutely gasping.”
“Tea? How soon you forget where you are.”
"At this point I'd take tea steeped in blood, I'm not picky."
“You should be. I was only half lying about the effects of blood here. Drink too much and your mind will be under the control of the master of this realm.”
As they reached the massive door, she arched her eyebrows. "The 'Master', eh? That's never a good sign. Well, desperate times..." She began rummaging around in her carpet bag while IAN used the door knocker, which strangely enough made no sound but pricked his finger as it slid back into its resting position. IAN nonchalantly pulled a silk handkerchief from his breast pocket and wrapped it around the small wound.
"Do you think they'll mind terribly?" Betty held up a dainty porcelain teacup and saucer, copper kettle, and small package of tea leaves. "I forgot to pack cream, but one can't remember everything!" The door swung silently open and they were greeted by a long, pale face.
"Ah, Sir. Nice to have you back with us."
“Good to be back, Schreck. How is the Madame treating you?” As they entered the house, Betty immediately noticed a patinaed painting on the wall that looked suspiciously like IAN.
The servant's face remained stoic. "No complaints, Sir. Madame had me set out a decanter of your preferred Vermilion Whiskey in the parlor. She asks that you wait for her there." He glanced at the slightly stained handkerchief. "Do you wish that laundered, Sir?"
“No, no, you can have it, I know how much you like a dry blood.”
Schreck's face spasmed as he carefully pinched the fabric and held it at arm's length. "You are too gracious, Sir. Madame will be with you shortly." He pushed open a set of double doors, revealing a vast room that even the large fireplace only dimly lit. Between two overstuffed chairs, a crystal decanter shimmered, red and inviting. Schreck bowed stiffly and disappeared into the hall's shadows.
Betty stammered, "IAN? Did you see what he did with that handkerchief as he was leaving?"
“A gentleman never pries.”
"Well, he, he almost shoved the thing up his nose and his eyes rolled back in his head. At first I was offended that he never even acknowledged me, but now I am glad. What a strange creature he is. Oh, dear. Oh, dearie dear. What have I gotten myself into?"
Betty sat in the nearest chair, setting the tea accouterments back into her bag. "I'm afraid I've gone off the idea of tea altogether."
“Are you aware that you ramble when you get scared?”
IAN poured himself a finger of whiskey.
"As my late husband said, 'A ramble's just a bramble minus the thorns.' I never quite understood what that meant. Most of the time he made sense, but in this case, no. I don't quite understand what he meant at all." Betty's face turned quizzical.
"I saw something odd when we first entered. Exactly how long have you known Gabriella? Is she friend or foe? Can she be counted on? To, uh, not eat, uh, imbibe, uh, you know...” She made a V with her first two fingers and pantomimed them going into her neck. "Pft, pft? None of that, right? Because, I'm getting a feeling here kind of like dread. And, oh. Rambling. I see what you mean.” She looked longingly at IAN’s glass. “Those spirits, I don't usually partake, but I don't suppose they provided two glasses by chance? My nerves could do with some steadying. Oh, here, my teacup!"
IAN poured her two fingers. “Partake away. Now, in answer to your question, I have known her long enough to have considered her friend and foe on several occasions. And don't worry, she won't kill you. If she did that, she would only get blood from you once. At worst she would turn you into her willing slave.”
Betty took a tentative sip and then a hearty one. "Oh. Ohhhhhhhhhh." She sighed. "I do feel a mite better." She hiccupped loudly. "Pardon! This is stronger than I
had anticipated. You seem so nonchalant about it all. I suppose my fear must seem rather silly to you. Call it a mortal's whim. And I would be no one's willing slave. So put that in your mental dossier."
“One night with me, darling, and that could all change,” a female voice said behind Betty.
Betty started out of her chair. "I BEG your pardon?! You listen here, hussy, I don't care who you are, I'm not above slapping the living daylights out of..." Betty trailed off as the woman locked eyes with her and motioned towards the chair, compelling Betty to once again sit down, silenced.
“Well Professor. You did bring a lively one.” The redhead purred.
“She's not a gift, nor the reason I am here.”
“In good time, Professor.” Gabriella looked deeper into Betty’s eyes. “Now pet, what was it you were saying to me?”
"I, uh, forget." Betty’s brow was wrinkled in confusion.
“Really? And here I thought you were going to compliment my dress.” She pouted.
"Oh, yes. Lovely. Simply divine. You must tell me where you..." Betty again trailed off as her mouth went slack and her eyes stared vacantly.
“Oh, aren't you just the most precious thing! I could just eat you up!”
"Yes. Eat." Betty listlessly bent her head and swept away her hair.
IAN poured another shot as Gabriella pulled off Betty’s self-made collar, revealing the bite mark.
“Bit by an Ancient One. Well you are full of surprises my little darling.”
"Mmmmmmm. Hmm?"
“I am guessing that is the reason you are here.”
“Yes the...” IAN started.
“I was asking Brigette. Do you like that name? It suits you.”
Betty's head lolled in IAN's direction, uncomprehending.
Gabriella gently grabbed Betty’s chin and directed the human’s eyes back to hers.
“No, no, Brigette look at me. Now tell me why you are here.”
Betty recited almost mechanically, "My name is Betty Mortimer. I am a research student who has focused on Transdimensional Bleeds. I responded to an unclassified incident to meet this person whom I have been corresponding with. He is strange. Then a creature erupted out of a Sasquatch and bit me. Then I was here. You are strange too. I would like some tea."
Gabriella took Betty’s cup and filled with blood, returning it to her.
“You like strange things, don't you, Brigette?”
Betty pushed it away like a petulant child. "No. Uh-uh. No."
The cup hit the ground and blood spilled on the floor
Gabriella hissed, her fangs suddenly prominent. “Brigette! Look at the mess you made!”
Betty managed to kick feebly at her bag until the tea spilled out. Gabriella began to sneeze, quickly descending into an uncontrollable sneezing fit, breaking eye contact with Betty. As soon as she was free, Betty quickly scooped a handful of the loose leaf, chewed and swallowed.
“Help yourself. The finest garlic tea available."
“Why, you ill-mannered bitc-...”
“Gabriella!” IAN rose from his chair and walked over to her. “You cannot throw a tantrum every time one of your little games doesn't go your way. If you continue on like this I will not play any games with you later. Don't you want to play?”
Gabriella looks down like a chastened toddler. “Of course, Professor.”
IAN looked over at Betty. “Are you okay?”
"Oh, I think I'll be fine, IAN. You should've told me she was such a...treat."
The bite marks on Betty's neck began to burn with a searing pain. "Oh my lord, maybe not fine!"
“Garlic in the wound, my beloved Brigette? Would you like me to kiss it better?”
"Only if you want to end up with your lips burned off." Betty said through clenched teeth.
"Ahem."
All three turned toward the sound in the doorway where Schreck stood. In a flat monotone, eyes lazily moving from one subject to the other, "Mum. I do not wish to interfere, but is everything quite all right?"
“Yes, dear Schreck. Mummy was just having some fun with our guest.” Schreck nodded and walked away. Betty was shocked when she noticed the battle axe he was holding behind his back.
Meantime, the bite marks were widening on Betty's neck and red streaks appeared to be shooting towards her heart.
"This is unexpected. And bad. Most certainly bad." She turned towards Gabriella. "It seems we have reached an impasse. Perhaps, for the sake of your apparent 'friendship' with IAN, you might be willing to render me some assistance? And IAN, so that I don't make this fainting thing a habit - another whiskey if you would."
IAN poured a glass and handed it to her. “You will need this to chase it down.”
Betty gave him a puzzled look, but her attention turn to Madame Papillon as she cut her left wrist and put it next to Betty's lips.
“You said you needed help, so drink up.”
Betty gave a wry grin. "I suppose I will be having blood with my tea, after all, IAN."