The Pariah Child & the Ever-Giving Stone

by Natasha D Lane

  “Get him upstairs,” a guard shouted at the others in reference to the still struggling vampire. They began to push him through the dungeon hall toward the stairs when he threw himself at Sarah’s cell.

  “Maybe, you’ll be next, redhead,” he snarled. A guard pulled him away and dragged him from the dungeon. The door slammed behind them.

  “So, what the heck just happened?” Jacob asked.

  “The start of a rebellion.” Serwa took in a hardy breath. Her golden eyes sparkled and she shivered. “I can feel their emotions. The anger... the pain. Hm... feels good.”

  “Serwa,” Sarah said, shocked at her friend’s comment. Her voice was already shaky from the scene that had played out.

  The witch scoffed. “After being locked in this cell for who knows how long, I suggest you be happy I can get excited about anything. This isn’t exactly the best place to come to smile, you know?”

  “Still...”Sarah’s voice trailed off.

  “No one is all good, Sarah. The sooner you realize that the easier this work will be. Take the shivers out of your voice. I told you before, if you want to survive this trip you better get used to bloodshed and violence.” Serwa glanced up at the dungeon door. “Unless you want to give that vampire a chance to make good on his threat.

  “I –” the child began her rebuttal when a low groan stopped her mid-sentence.

  Alexander’s dark brown hair matted down by dried blood began to crack as he moved his head from side to side. Sarah’s heart leapt into her throat and before she could stop herself, her arms were wrapped around him. For an instant, he just froze as if he weren’t sure where he was or who was touching him. He looked down at Sarah, and at first there was no recognition in his eyes. But gradually it came. She held herself to him, tears brimming in her eyes.

  “What happened?” he asked sitting right up. He touched the back of his head. “I thought... my father, he...”

  “Someone helped us,” Sarah sobbed into his shirt. “He brought you back! I thought I was never going to talk to you again but then he –” The rest of her words were swallowed by tears.

  Alexander held her to him and patted her head. “Serwa?”

  “I’m here,” the witch said, her voice a bit shaken as well, “Alexander...”

  “What’s happened?”

  She summoned a weak flame and lit the small lantern they had. The dark dungeon hall illuminated. Alexander looked across at her. He smiled, quickly followed by a happy sigh.

  Serwa lowered her eyes and fiddled with her hair. She was dirty and covered in the blood of dead men. Still, her hair remained untamed and free like cauldron flames, made her fierce beauty stand out even more in contrast to the filth she was residing in.

  Sarah watched them. The witch looked up at Alex and seeing him looking at her, Serwa turned away to work on straightening her clothes.

  The corners of his lips turned up. He laughed. “You don’t look well.”

  Serwa stopped, her hands still running over her clothes. Her brows drew together and her eyes blazed. “What did you say? Well, while you were sleeping, Oh Great Prince, we were awake and trying to survive! This isn’t exactly a King’s suite, now is it? How dare you wake up throwing insults this way and that?” She crossed her arms and mumbled several more of her own insults.

  Sarah’s freckled cheeks rose in a smile. “That’s her way of saying she was worried.”

  Serwa gasped. “It is not! Don’t lie to him.”

  Alexander smirked, before his eyes found Jacob.

  “And who is this?” he asked.

  “He’s my friend,” Sarah replied. “The one we were searching for. The other is locked in the caves below us. We have to save her.”

  “We think there may be a rebellion going on,” Serwa interjected. “Some time ago a servant boy came down here and brought you a nearly dead man. He let you feed from him. I’m assuming that’s the only thing that saved you. He wouldn’t tell us why he saved you, but guessing from that and today’s recent event, I would say some of the vampires may not be happy with how your parents are running the domain.”

  “If there is a rebellion our chances of escape are much better,” Jacob added.

  “Hm.” The witch raised her brow and nodded toward him. “Finally, something we agree on.”

  “But why would they be rebelling? What could William and Isabella have done?” Sarah asked finally managing to detach from Alexander.

  “It could be multiple things,” Alex replied. “Do you think the boy will come back?”

  “If he’s still alive,” Serwa said, a shrug in her tone. “Before you woke up there was a little brawl. A vampire ripped another’s throat out.”

  Sarah shivered and turned her eyes to Alex. “Her skin fell off, and she turned into dust.”

  “They must have staked her,” Alex said. “But a fight isn’t unusual.”

  Serwa smirked “You think so? The vampire whose throat was ripped out was an elder and female. The one who killed her was much younger and male. The guards managed to separate the two, but and here’s the best part, they allowed the boy to rip her throat out and drink from her.”

  Alexander’s face grew solemn. “That’s not common.”

  “But why?” Sarah asked.

  “Elders are stronger than young vampires,” Jacob said. “Usually, a young one would never think of fighting one older than him, especially a female since women are valued somewhat higher than men in vampire society.” He tossed the words out like a professor at a college lecture on vampirism. Everyone stared at him.

  “After weeks of being their prisoner, you learn a few things. It’s also not normal for vampires to feed off of one another like that.”

  Alexander nodded. “Too much of another’s blood can drive a vampire crazy. In only select situations will vampires feed off one another and only in small amounts.”

  “Trust,”—Serwa looked at him pointedly, right down the bridge of her nose—“he took much more than a small amount.”

  “I have a guess at what’s going on, but I can’t be sure until we get more information.” Alex stood up to stretch. He wobbled for a minute, his legs out of practice. He placed his hand against the wall for support before finally reaching the cell bars. The blood the boy had given him had definitely been of use, but the effects were wearing off.

  “We need a plan,” Alexander sighed. “Without a plan; we aren’t going to make it out of here.”

  Serwa bobbed her head. “I’ve been thinking of something. We’ll need the boy though. Without him there’s no way we can pull it off.”

  “We’re not even sure he’s alive.” Jacob looked at her. “If we could get those chains off maybe you could magically slip through the bars or something?” He grinned.

  Serwa glared at him. “You may have learned something about vampires, but you know nothing of witches.”

  Jacob shook his head, eyes full of amusement. “That’s not true. I know you all ride on broomsticks.”

  She glanced from Jacob to Sarah with death warnings in her eyes. Her face calmed and she turned fully to the girl. “We have to get out of here soon, or I’m going to kill him.”

  Sarah managed a meek laugh to try and lighten the suddenly dark mood. Serwa glared at her. “Do you think I’m joking?”

  “She’s not,” Alexander whispered. His eyes drifted down to the chains that were still bound around her wrists. “Are those chains made of black diamond, Serwa?”

  The witch looked at her restraints and recoiled. “Yes, your parents are smarter than before. I haven’t been able to use much magic, though I must say I’m flattered they went through all this trouble for little old me.”

  “Okay,” Alexander said. “We need to make a backup plan in case the boy doesn’t show. Because of all the commotion earlier today, I’m sure someone will be sent down to check on us. If I can get close enough to one of the guards, I’ll snatch his key and unlock the cell. It seems like that’s the best we can do right now.” There w
as no disagreement on that.

  “And what if the plan doesn’t work?” Jacob eyes wandered from Alex to Sarah.

  “Then, it’s killed or be killed,” Sarah said staring at Serwa.

  The witch nodded.

  Chapter 18

  Stupid, Charles thought. They were all so stupid. If they had stuck to the plan and waited for King Alexander to wake up, all would have been well. But, no. They decided an early attack was better. Couldn’t wait. Idiots.

  He grabbed another body and dragged it to the bucket. He held up the dead man’s already slashed throat to the bucket’s rim and squeezed, trying to get as much of the blood out as possible. It had only been past a week since he gave Alexander the man’s body. Whether he was or wasn’t awake, the King would be hungry. He wanted to check on him earlier, but the fools had delayed his plans.

  With the bucket nearly full, Charles picked it up and headed down toward the dungeons. Everyone had gone back to their chambers for the night. After the blood bath, King William and Queen Isabella had threatened to kill anyone who didn’t retreat. They still didn’t know the cause of the attack. That was one good thing.

  He slipped the keys one of the guards had given him from his pocket and pulled the door open. The dungeons were dark and quiet, that was no surprise, but he had given them an oil lamp, why weren’t they using it?

  He walked down the damp hall with the blood sloshing in the pail. He looked around him to ensure he was alone – vampire eyes came in handy in the dark. Both cells were quiet. Charles peered into the King’s cell searching for the redheaded girl.

  “Damn!” The girl was lying face-down and motionless on the floor with Alexander also motionless beside her.

  Charles grabbed the cell keys at his side and unlocked the gate. He moved the door aside and stepped into the cell.

  Alexander was on him in a minute, fangs bared and eyes beaming red. The boy’s breath caught in his throat, and he dropped the bucket. He was scared, there was no denying that. But if he was going to be killed by anyone, he was glad it would be his king, Alexander, the one destined to return the Alclian vampires to their former glory. Better him than one of those cannibals.

  “Alexander, no!” Sarah grabbed his arm. “It’s him, don’t kill him.”

  Alexander hesitated with the boy’s throat inches from his mouth before tossing him to the floor. The king rested his head on the stone wall by his side, trembling. Charles could tell it had taken a great deal to hold him back.

  “Alexander,” Serwa said cautiously emerging from the shadows. “Remember. Control. Are you all right?”

  Alexander panted his mouth beginning to water. “I just... he smells like blood Serwa... and I’m so hungry.”

  Charles, who was lying on the floor still partially in shock, scrambled for the fallen bucket. Some blood had spilled, but it was still more than half full. He handed the bucket to his king who immediately started to down the red liquor. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Sarah watching Alexander. Then, he saw the King turn away to avoid her gaze.

  “Boy,” the witch called out to Charles. “Let me out. Let me help, Alexander.”

  He paused. “First turn the lantern on. You’re going to need the light.”

  She nodded and lit the lantern. The small space was illuminated. He unlocked her from the cell. She raced beside Alexander who had by now downed the whole bucket and was sitting on the floor attempting to catch his breath. The other prisoner followed her into the cell and wrapped his arms around Sarah.

  “He’ll be okay. Don’t look,” he said offering words of comfort.

  “No, Jacob” Sarah said. “I need to look.” Watching the four captives comfort each other in their dreary cells, Charles couldn’t help but wonder if they would be able to save his people. He watched Alexander, his supposed to be king, as he shivered on the floor like a scared child. Could this really be the man he was to serve?

  “Was there vampire blood in that pail?”

  Alexander’s voice broke Charles thoughts. He nodded slowly. “I’m not sure how much. I tried to only grab humans, but it was a mess up there and everything was all mixed up. I apologize, Sire.”

  Alexander shook his head. “It’s fine. I needed some sort of sustenance. It shouldn’t have an effect on me.” He turned and eyed the boy. “What is your name?”

  Charles straightened up. It was time to tell them everything. “My name is Charles, and I am part of the Alclian rebellion, organized to overthrow William and Isabella.”

  Alex chuckled. “According to what I’ve been told, you all aren’t doing so well in that part. Tell me more about this group.” His breath had returned to him, he wasn’t shivering or huffing so much anymore.

  Charles continued, “Years ago, your father and mother disbanded their advisory council, so they could have absolute power. Without the advisory council, your parents became very... lenient. Instead of training and discipline, Isabella and William encouraged binging and feasts. Vampires around my age have never been taught to hunt or fight by our elders because of your parents. All everyone does now is drink until they go into madness every night. Now, we couldn’t hunt if we wanted to. The humans know how to avert us. The elders are always too intoxicated. The Queen has encouraged cannibalism because we can’t get meals from anywhere else. We’ve tried reaching out to the other clans, but our requests have gone unanswered. Your mother also executes anyone trying to make contact with them. She revels in the madness. As I’m sure you know, Sire, too much vampire blood can drive a vampire insane. As food gets scarcer vampires feed off of one another more and more. And now –”

  “They’ve lost control, haven’t they,” Alexander interrupted. “My parents. Now they can’t stop them from feeding from one another so they let it happen. The people have started to enjoy the feeling, am I right?”

  “Yes.” Charles nodded fervently. “This is why the rebel group was formed. We want to put a stop to this insanity, and we believe that you showing up here is a sign it’s time we strike. We have a king again.”

  Alexander’s bright red eyes had dulled. “Though it has always been a dream of mine to stare down at my father from the throne, I can’t be your king. I’m sorry to disappoint. I think I’ve been separated from vampire society for too long.”

  “I don’t understand,” Charles voice had fallen. “We need you.”

  Alex sat a little straighter. “What I mean is I no longer kill to feed, and I try not to feed from humans as much as possible, especially those who are unwilling. Your elders may not have taught you how to fight, but these concepts are part of the basic culture. How can I be your king if I don’t believe in what you do?”

  “No, listen.” Charles stepped beside him, urgently trying to make his would-be-king understand. “The group has a few elder vampires. Most of us are young. We have new ideas and beliefs. We don’t see humans as only meals anymore. We’re different. Please, my King, without you, we will kill each other off. We’ll drain each other until we’re all gone. We have to do this for –” Charles caught himself.

  Never get personal. Don’t mix tasks with your own concerns.

  Charles swallowed hard.

  “I have no issue begging,” he said and fell to the ground, face pressed against the floor. “Please, please, Alexander, help us so we can help our people. I beg you from the bottom of my heart. I will do anything if you will reign over this clan. Your people need you.”

  “I have a feeling it isn’t so much my people need me as you want me, Charles,” he said. “I can see the desperation in your eyes.You’re not fighting for yourself or the group. It’s someone else.”

  Charles bit his lip, trying to hold back the tears. He didn’t want to cry, but the tears were already brimming. He had tried to be strong for so long. How much could a person really take? He was only twelve years of age, yet he was already carrying the burden of a soldier on his back.

  The tears had started pouring down his face before he even realized it. “I,” Charl
es began, his voice holding none of the strength it had before, “couldn’t protect her... I didn’t do anything! I watched as he fed from her like some blood sack, like she wasn’t even his wife... my mother. Please.” He looked up at Alexander with watery eyes. “I need to do this for her. To make up for it all. I won’t be able to live knowing I let her die. This is my only chance. If you’re not going to help me, then please, kill me now. I’d rather die than watch another night of their ‘feasts.’ I want to die!”

  The cell was eerily quiet. Exhaustion weighed Charles down, along with the fear that Alexander would never help him. He balled his fists and closed his eyes, quietly sobbing.

  He couldn’t see his king staring at him with pity. Or know that Alexander was thinking of how he must’ve looked just as young, just as helpless when he saw his brother dying and could do nothing to save him. It was the same face full of pain, anguish and anger.

  “I’ll help you.” The words filled the small space leaving no room for anyone to breathe. Charles stared at Alexander, a shuddering smile stretching across his face.

  The witch stiffened beside Alexander. She turned to him wide-eyed with lines set hard on her face. “So, you’ll become his King then?”

  “No, Serwa” he said. “I’ll help him along with all those of my people who want help. He’s right. I can’t rightfully leave the kingdom like this. Maybe I don’t have to be king, but I have to at least set things straight. Plus, we don’t have any other way to escape. We’ll have to fight them no matter the plan.”

  Serwa glared at him but nodded.

  “Thank you,” Charles whispered softly. “Thank you.”

  Alexander took a deep breath. “The first step is for us to get out of these cells and kill my parents. Charles, release my friend from her shackles.”

  “Yes, Sire,” Charles said and began fumbling through the set of keys.

  Alexander turned to the boy Sarah had called Jacob. “The diamond chains will have no effect on you. You should switch with Serwa before they call us.”