Chronicles of Darkness: Shadows and Dust Read online

  Bernard dabbed at his forehead, before he continued in a broken voice. "Her light brown hair was completely disheveled and one arm hung over the side of the bed." The corpulent man shook himself, intending to banish the horrible image from his mind's eye. "Her skin was unnaturally pale, and then I discovered the marks on her throat. I was shocked, because clearly, it was a bite mark. The imprint of teeth was recognizable." Again, he shivered. "In that moment, I felt panic rise inside of me. Without thinking, I tore open the connecting door, which leads to her sister's room. There I saw him in front of me, the personified nightmare. This cursed..." Bernard hesitated and looked at Helena, who nodded encouragingly. "Vampire," he spat, terrified. "He stood in the middle of the room, directly in front of me, holding Joséphine in his arms. Her petite body didn't move, her head was bent back, so I could see the fear she must have felt in her eyes. I froze at the horrible sight, but the scenario didn't end."

  "'Who are you, monster?!' I demanded. He looked up from his bloody deed, right at me. The piercing gaze of his black eyes burnt its way into my heart," Bernard said and placed one hand on his chest, while clenching the other to a fist.

  "Can you describe him to me?" Helena asked carefully.

  "Yes, of course," Bernard answered erratically. "He was tall, well-muscled. His skin was pale, his face angular. Hair and beard were of raven color. And his eyes... they strongly reflected the danger he emitted.

  After another break, Bernard returned to the story. Consternation was heavy in his voice. "While I was standing there, a smile appeared on his features. The devil actually smiled at me! It was unbelievable, and the whole time he was stroking Joséphine's fox-red locks, and then he kissed her blood-drained lips..."

  Tears were streaming down Bernard's face. "The most abominable thing was how he showed off her dead body. He grabbed her waist and started to dance. Right in front of my eyes, he danced with the soulless girl, and I couldn't move."

  "It wasn't your fault," Helena said, wishing to destroy his self-reproaches. "The power of a vampire is unpredictable, and you were under his spell. You couldn't have foreseen this kind of manipulation, much less fight it."

  Bernard shrugged his shoulders. "Thank you for your kind words, Madame. Still, I failed as a protector."

  Helena urged him to go on. "What about the boy? What happened to Philippe?"

  "Philippe. Oh, little Philippe," Bernard said, as if he were in a daze. "His happy laugh amused the whole family, especially in summer when the children were romping through the gardens."

  "Please, concentrate on that night," Helena begged him.

  The caretaker sorted his thoughts and continued. "After the degrading dance, he let her sink down to the bed and laughed loudly. Then he spoke his first words, not to me, but to the dead girl. 'In the silvery light of the moon you are innocent angels, but deep inside, deeply hidden in your hearts, your poor souls are screaming for redemption.' His cruel expressions had me choking with fear. This vampire was acting as if he were a poet, and not an unscrupulous murderer, who had just killed in cold blood. As if nothing at all had happened, he adjusted his elegant clothes and dabbed some drops of blood from the corner of his lips with a silky handkerchief."

  "It is a peculiarity of vampires to wear beautiful clothes, and to surround themselves with wealth," Helena explained, nodding.

  "I wanted to make him pay for his crime, but I couldn't do anything. We stood a few paces away from each other, but still, I could feel his ice cold fingers, wrapping themselves around my throat, choking me."

  Helena was dismayed. "You must have met a very powerful one of his kind."

  "Oh, he wasn't alone," Bernard added, almost matter-of-factly. "A young woman was with him."

  Silence fell, until Skylar, who had been following the story with great interest, just as her brother had, leapt from her armchair, pointed an accusing finger at Bernard and exclaimed, "Vampires always hunt alone! You've just been proven a liar, Monsieur."

  The small group jerked.

  A warning glance from Helena was enough to silence her daughter.

  Surprised, Bernard looked at Skylar. He opened the top buttons of his shirt, to be able to breathe better. "I assure you. It's the truth."

  "I agree with my daughter, but also don't doubt your words, Bernard. That brings me to the next question. Was she human?"

  Bernard gazed at their astonished faces. "Why? Is this an odd occurrence?"

  "Actually, vampires are loners," Helena explained. "They are never in company of mortals. They avoid contact with humans... until they choose them as prey."

  Bernard fanned himself with a napkin. "Human or not, she scared me just as much as the vampire."

  "Go on, Bernard," Helena said, clearly alarmed.

  "I noticed that I became more and more dizzy. I thought that my life would finally be over. A door creaked open and the vampire released me from his spell. Wheezing, I fell to the floor, looking out at the long corridor. Bright moonlight shone through the billowing curtains, painting unsteady shadows on the high walls, but little Philippe wasn't bothered by that. Happily he let his wooden horse roll over the parquet."

  Bernard tightly clenched the napkin in his hands, before he continued, "This terrible dame sat next to him, greatly amused by his innocent playing."

  "'Isn't he a honey sweet boy with his short red curls?' She reached for him. 'Come here, my little prince. Come to your Chalice.' Without suspicion Philippe went to her, and she hugged him tightly to her chest.

  'Don't you dare touch the boy,' I screamed.

  But she only grinned, demon-like, and kissed his forehead. 'What if I do?' she asked.

  The vampire came out of the room, reprimanding her. 'We don't have time for your games! Did you bring the small chests, so I can finish my work?' "

  I shouted, 'What are your intentions, monsters!?'

  'Be quiet,' the vampire replied. 'The hearts of my angels belong to me.'

  My thoughts tumbled with shock. 'You spawn of hell! They are dead! Now let them rest in peace!'

  A gesture of his hand and I was flung into a corner of the corridor. 'What do you know about death?' he screamed at me. 'For how long will you be walking this earth? For fifty or sixty years, if you can stay healthy. What is this compared to immortality, which none of you will ever earn? But I'm in a gracious mood tonight. I want to show you how much you humans are clinging to your restricted beings. The empty shells of the girls, for you and the vivacious boy. It's your choice!'

  Frightening, he stood in front of me. Subdued, I chose life. That of Philippe and mine. I had the terrible feeling that I had made a pact with the devil himself."

  "It was the right thing to do," Helena said. "Otherwise, he would have killed you, too."

  Bernard shrugged his shoulders. "It's a miracle he didn't. Anyway, I scrambled up from the floor and snatched Philippe from the demonic woman. Reluctantly, she let go of him. Then she reached inside a leather bag and pulled out two small silvery chests. Chalice gave those to the vampire, together with a wickedly gleaming knife. I didn't dare to imagine what he planned to do. They went inside Joséphine's room and the big doors closed behind them. When that happened, I couldn't stand it anymore. I pressed Philippe against me and ran down the stairs, as fast as my legs could go. We spent the rest of the night inside the stables, hidden beneath the hay. Only after the sun had reached its zenith, did I dare to go outside with the boy. What we found was just plain awful. The hearts of Luise and Joséphine had been neatly cut out and were gone. So, it's understandable that the family left this place after the horrible deed. Now, they are living in Versailles, at the court of the King. The Bouchardons never want to set foot into the castle again. They want you, Madame Leosol, to have the servants and the whole estate at your disposal, until you and your family want to leave France. It is your decision how to proceed, but Monsieur le Comte demands a complete solution of the case."

  Helena could sympathize with the desperate parents and responded, "We will do eve
rything that is humanly possible to defeat this vampire, and his companion, Chalice. Now, we would like to turn in to take some much needed rest."

  Bernard rose and showed them to their bedrooms. "I had the rooms on the first floor prepared for you, because I wasn't sure if you would want to sleep on the second floor."

  "Thank you. How very thoughtful of you," Helena replied, grateful. "We will arrange everything ourselves."

  "I will go back to Paris. Tomorrow, in Versailles, I will tell my lord and lady about your arrival."

  At the main portal, Bernard bowed, put his hat back on and entered the carriage, which the stable boy had prepared for him. The caretaker clicked his tongue and immediately the horses galloped down the chestnut avenue. The carriage quickly disappeared into the night. The Leosol family went inside to prepare for bedtime.

  Helena showed Skylar to one of the bedrooms. After she had tucked her in, she quietly left the room. "She's asleep. It was a very strenuous and long day for her."

  Kyrian stretched and yawned widely. "We all are exhausted and tired."

  Together they returned to the dining room. Both sat down in front of the fireplace, thinking about the evening. Until late in the night, Kyrian and his mother were talking about Bernard's tale.

  Helena closed with a warning to her son. "Kyrian, we have to be very careful."

  "Bah, we will make the vampires pay for this family's martyrdom!"

  "You know about your father's view of killing. He didn't want a slaughter and a tormenting death. He preferred a quick strike with a wooden stake right through the heart. That's the way I also want it to be done."

  "You heard about the cruel fate of these randomly chosen girls, just like I did!" Kyrian opposed. "How can you still say vampires deserve a quick death?"

  Helena grew serious. "I want to keep our fighting traditions like they have always been in our family. The vampires were once breathing and sympathetic humans. This is a fact you should never forget. Besides, I don't think that the girls were randomly chosen."

  Kyrian didn't want to listen, because he wasn't convinced of his mother's methods to hunt. "What about those that were born a vampire?"

  Helena gazed deeply into his eyes. "Hope and pray that you never have to come across one of the Old Blood."

  But the boy was too furious to catch the meaning of her words. He started pacing restlessly. "These ruthless monsters with their insatiable hunger for blood are feared by every living soul. I'm not! I'm not scared! They have to be wiped out, and I will not feel any sympathy for them!"

  Faced with such unreason, Helena shook her head. "Vampires are far more than merciless monsters with an unrestrained thirst for blood. They are as complex creatures as humans are. To declare a vampire a soulless undead would be a fatal mistake. See them as immortal creatures, who were cursed to exist for eternity, at the expense of the blood of others."

  Kyrian remained angry, and didn't want to change his opinion. "The animal, the beast, that lives inside them turns them into abominable monsters, which only strive for fresh blood."

  Helena interrupted him calmly. "You cannot know what battles they fight inside for their soul, which tries to break free from the dark power. Many vampires are very sensitive and human-like. It depends on how strong their soul is. But the time spent in loneliness can turn even the most noble vampire into a horrible creature. In this you are right, my beloved son." She stepped in front of him and brushed some of his long dark hair out of his face. "You have a fiery temper. There is so much you've got to learn about the nature of vampires and the life of a hunter. For many generations our family has had the holy duty to hunt, but that doesn't excuse a lack of humanity."

  Kyrian jerked away from his mother's touch and responded, angrily, "For me it means we should have sympathy for their victims, the humans. Not to feel sorry for their tormenters!"

  Helena let go of him and went to the window, gazing out at the night. "Nobody is demanding that of you," she said, her voice sad. "Of course we have to find the vampires, and defeat them. But the most important thing is how we do that. The name Leosol has to be honored, no matter what fate has in store for our family."

  Lost in thought, Helena's mind went back to happier times, when her beloved husband, the father of her children, was still alive. Unconsciously, her thumb was running over the fine silver bracelet, which was dangling from her slender wrist. "Your father gave this to me on our wedding day. That was almost twenty years ago." Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

  Kyrian stepped behind his mother and hugged her tightly. "I share your pain, Mama. I miss him, too."

  Helena leaned against his chest. "Because of that, the three of us have to stick together. We have to support and protect each other. Kyrian, you have to promise me, no matter what, you will always be there for your little sister."

  He made that promise without hesitation. "I swear by our holy war cry 'sol invictus', that I will always protect Skylar."

  *****

  Foaming waves crashed against the base of the gray fortress, which clung tightly to Great Britain's rocky coast. Behind it, there were only empty, grass-covered hills as far as the eye could see.

  Scowling, the tall man stood on the balustrade, regarding the stormy sea below, while the strong winds whipped through his chestnut-brown hair. His gray-blue eyes stared unseeingly ahead and his uncovered hands gripped the cold, moss-covered stone.

  A delicate, pale hand appeared at his shoulder and immediately the tension left his body. "Zephriel, my mate, what dreary thoughts are torturing you at this early hour? The devil's shine just disappeared," an enchanting voice asked, even though the owner of said voice could read his thoughts. "Our beloved daughter left on her long journey with a reliable escort. I am positive that she will reach her destination safely."

  The man turned to his companion, took one of her cool, delicate hands in his and kissed it tenderly. His concerned eyes gazed at her angelic face, which was framed by wavy dark hair. Her deep, sea-green eyes looked at him questioningly, making him sigh. "My beloved Ajatarah, I'm not concerned about our daughter. We gifted her with courage and pride."

  A smile appeared on her face, and she put her head against Zephriel's strong shoulder, relieved.

  "It is Sadden's welcoming that has me concerned."

  "Long ago, we promised her that we would not bring her back into the world," Ajatarah remembered. "And, we did not bring her back."

  "No."

  "For centuries we have kept this promise. Sadden will understand that the life of our daughter is the most important thing for us."

  "Yes," her companion sighed. "The greater danger lies among us. The creatures of the night are in an uproar. A new era is dawning. For so long, I have been observing the slow changes. The old power is falling apart."

  "Our civilization is deeply rooted to our heritage. That should give the clans the necessary protection," Ajatarah said, hopeful.

  "There is a change among the Unborn," Zephriel replied. "They do not belong to any clan. We do not have anything in common with them except immortality, and the need for blood. I believe the traitor is from their rows."

  Dismayed, Ajatarah looked at him. "Is there no doubt? They are outcast creatures with incapable minds, existing without any order or sense of our community."

  Zephriel wrinkled his forehead. "The dark presence, which I feel, is very strong. Too strong to be coming from a mere Unborn. Still... it is vague, only speculation. But I can feel that it will be the greatest danger in centuries. That was the reason I sent our daughter away. Sadden no longer cares about the concerns of this world. I am hoping that her seclusion will protect Lilith and keep her well hidden from the fast approaching evil."

  Ajatarah was worried about this development. "It seems absurd that the old power and values, which protected us for so long, are to fall apart. Do you not see any possibility to stop the downfall?"

  Zephriel took her hand. Softly kissing the back of it, he looked deeply into her eyes. "As long
as you, my soulmate, are with me, we are going to be victorious."

  Ajatarah nodded. "Eternally, I will stand by you. Despair shall never take hold of my heart."

  *****

  The fleeting scent of opium floated through the air as the door to the heavily decorated parlor opened on its own. Candlelight illuminated the adjoining bedroom where the young baroness lay dead on her canopy bed.

  Satisfied, a man in elegant clothes came out of the room. Without hurry, he put on his black leather gloves. An unbearable stench of intestines disturbed his acute sense of smell. Disgusted, Azrael placed the back of his hand over his nose, turned around and opened a window. With revulsion he looked at the scene of a slaughter.

  The governess, who his companion was supposed to take care of, moaned on the blood-stained carpet. Her dress, torn to shreds, hung off her body. The supporting corset was ripped apart and her abdomen had been opened with one vertical cut.

  Covered in blood, the young blond woman bent over the spilled entrails and gore, which she had removed and arranged neatly. Happily, she rubbed the still weakly beating heart of the dying woman against her cheek.

  "Chalice! What is the meaning of this slaughter?!" Azrael asked.

  His companion wasn't the least bit disturbed. "Look, I give you a heart," Chalice whispered.