Chronicles of Darkness: Shadows and Dust

by Andrea F. Thomas

  Breathless, he stopped and looked at the floor, his gaze shying away from Zephriel's. Whispering, he added, "At first, I assumed that humans were responsible, but the clan and its household were wiped out by the hand of..."

  "Vampires!" Zephriel interrupted loudly, finishing the sentence.

  Kean managed to nod in agreement.

  Ajatarah was shaken and covered her mouth with a hand to keep from screaming out her pain. She rose and went to the open window, staring at the sea.

  An uncomfortable silence fell. No one present dared to speak.

  With barely restrained anger, Ajatarah asked, "Just how precise can your judgment of the situation be?" She turned to Kean and searched his eyes. The sharp, sad gaze of his mistress pierced his heart.

  "Milady, I so wish I could have spared you the details of his death. But it is the truth."

  "What happened to our friend Apophis?" Zephriel wanted to know.

  Tortured, Kean reported what he had discovered "He sat on his throne, his cloak covering him as if he was merely sleeping. I had no hope that he really was doing that. So I searched for the reason... a stake or some other tool. I drew closer and pulled the cloak aside. And then I saw... someone had sucked him dry. Dried-out, he slumped on his throne. Shock slammed into all my bones. Still, I had to be certain and so I examined his throat... and found the typical marks."

  "No!" Zephriel exclaimed disbelievingly, his eyes darting through the room.

  "This is proof that I have spoken the truth." Kean reached under his jacket and pulled out a fine pendant of pure silver. It looked like a fragment, a small part that had been violently torn from the rest. Respectfully, he held it out to Zephriel. "I took it from Lord Apophis' stiff hand and hope that you recognize it, Milord."

  The head of the Dragons took the piece of jewelry, regarding it quietly. A cobra had been engraved into the medallion's front. Silent, Zephriel closed his hand around the pendant and leaned back. "What did you do afterward?"

  "I torched the palace, Milord. Three days and three nights, I waited in a nearby cave, until the blazing inferno had burnt it down to the foundation walls."

  Betraying no emotion, Zephriel nodded and said, "You may go, now."

  Kean left the room.

  As soon as the door closed audibly, Ajatarah stopped reining in her emotions. Supporting herself with one hand on the window's sill, she rested the other over her heart. Tears trickled down her beautiful face.

  Comforting her, Zephriel pulled her into a strong embrace.

  Crying, Ajatarah buried her face at her life mate's shoulder. "How is such a disaster possible? The Serpentes are gone and we never even noticed! There was no message, no call for help. Nothing. We did not feel anything at all."

  "It was an ambush. They probably did not have time."

  Lost in thought, Ajatarah let go of Zephriel, her tears barely constrained. "No time? I thought time is the only good, meant for eternity, for us? Is it not time that makes us immortal? Or are we destroying ourselves... with time?"

  Zephriel nuzzled his face into the silky soft hair of his soulmate, breathing in the sweet scent of roses. "We have a big burden to carry."

  Ajatarah looked up, her eyes still glistening from shed tears. "I am frightened. This clan was the closest to us, not only in the ways of friendship, also in distance between our countries. What if..."

  Zephriel gently caressed his beloved's cheek with the back of his hand, "Worry not, my Evening Star. I will protect you with my life and kill everyone that attempts to harm you, us or our clan."

  "I know. However, should the next attack be meant for us..."

  Confidence returned to Zephriel's voice. "Do not forget that we know more about the dark threat than the unsuspecting Serpentes. The guards are aware, the clan has been informed. We know that it must have been an ambush. Whoever our opponent is, he will have to face the punishment which he deserves for slaughtering his own kind. This terrible madness will not befall our clan."

  "Whoever it is, he enjoys killing. Sooner or later his blood-stained path will cross ours," Ajatarah said. "We will find him or he finds us. It is of no matter, because the result will be the same. Vampire against vampire, in a world that belongs to the humans. I do not like the thought. But, if fate is forcing us to fight, I will stand loyal by your side." She placed her hands flat against his chest, endless love shining in her eyes. "I wish, we all could be together in this hard time." Her longing gaze turned to Hraban.

  Zephriel's eyes followed hers to the bird. "I feel the same. There is no one my heart could miss more." Sighing, he gave in to her unspoken plea. "Fly safely."

  The raven that had been silently sitting on the chair's backrest, croaked loudly. Then the big bird rose and flew out of the window.

  Ajatarah looked after her and whispered, "Will you return?"

  *****

  Bored, Chalice lay on the big bed, gazing at the ceiling that was covered with dots and specks of water and mildew. One of her legs bent, she had placed the other on top, constantly bobbing one foot. From time to time, her eyes flickered to Azrael, who seemed rooted to the spot, utterly entranced by the Ancient Babylonian epitaph, which he had pulled out of a chest.

  The young woman sighed and turned to the window. On the highest part of the closed shutters, she noticed the new day's first gray ray of light. For a while, she observed small particles of dust, which danced in the beam, until she said quietly, "My Master, dawn has arrived."

  Azrael's eyes turned from the slab to the window. "Recently, during a brief conversation at the opera, an old man told me that he is the uncle of wonderful twins. They will visit him this autumn, here, in Paris. They are young, not even close to twenty, incredibly beautiful and identical." He looked at his companion, eyes piercing. "I must have them to play with. Their names are Valérie and Véronique. You will prepare my way."

  "Of course," Chalice managed to say, trying to ignore the jealousy that clawed at her insides.

  "I wrote down the address for you." He gave her a tiny slip of paper. "Oh, and please, be as careless as you can and leave lots of hints. Because we do want the nice police men to find our trail, so they can immediately report to the widow Leosol. I'm sure that won't be difficult for you, right?"

  Silently, the young woman endured the humiliation.

  "I will rest now. You know what you have to do."

  Chalice jumped from the bed. "I will not disappoint you, my Master."

  "You had better make sure of that. I'm very hungry after you abandoned me last time. Remember one thing, rats are not suitable for my needs!" Disgusted, the vampire spat on the floor.

  Submissively, his companion lowered her head. "It won't happen again. I promise, my Master."

  He accepted the apology begrudgingly. "I count on you," Azrael sneered, before he disappeared to his stone sarcophagus.

  CHAPTER SIX

  TOWER AND SANCTUARY

  Forcefully, the wind rattled on the locked wooden shutters, as if demanding entry to the highest tower of the Transylvanian castle. It was denied, the shutters of the tiny window stayed locked. Only impenetrable darkness ruled behind the castle's thick stonewalls, like it always had. It was a prison, even though the current prisoner had chosen it herself. Old straw covered the cold, rough stone floor. There was a hatch, which led to a narrow, spiral staircase and from there to the castle's interior. The air was stale and stifling.

  Wrapped in a ripped, gray sheet, Sadden lay on the clammy straw, awakening from her death-like sleep. The wind's fury reverberated in her ears. With great effort, she managed to open her tired eyes and stared into the darkness that surrounded her. Her hair, which usually fell across her back in silky waves, stuck in wet strands to her sweat-soaked body. It was nearly impossible for her to speak, because she had trouble opening her chapped, dry lips. A hoarse sound came from her throat that slowly formed to a voice, which whispered, "How much time has gone by, Beloved? Not enough to free me from my guilt, but enough to drive me to the edge of
abstinent madness."

  Her senses reeled between dream and reality. Gathering all her strength, Sadden tried to rise, but her limbs didn't exactly obey her wishes. Her face a mask of pain, and with her lower arms supporting her body, she crawled across the floor, until she reached the hatch. With the last of her strength, the vampire grabbed the big, iron ring and pulled with all her might. She flung it open so hard, the wooden trapdoor burst into tiny pieces as it connected with the stone floor.

  The shine of torches, which illuminated the staircase, hurt her eyes. Momentarily blinded, she squeezed them shut. "Help me... oh please... why are you not at my side? I am coming to you, my Beloved..." Exhausted, Sadden sank down near the opening. Once again, she fell into an uneasy, feverish slumber.

  *****

  Though Andrej appeared composed, deep inside he was the exact opposite. He knew the situation all too well, since he had been a little child. Every time that she retreated to the tower, he was scared for Sadden. In their years of living together, he had learned not to let that fear rule him.

  Purposely, he didn't glance at the tower while climbing the stairs. He crossed the courtyard and walked towards the castle's main building. On his back, Andrej carried his portable scaffold and his painting utensils. Now and again, he looked at the painting, which he held in his hands. "Yes, the colors of the wood that are reflected by the lake are simply perfect, even though I had to hurry to make use of the day's last light."

  Happy and contend, he looked at the mountains. "The sunset's glow is the most beautiful light of the day, but now the night has wrapped its arms around our world again."

  He turned back to his picture, regarding his work proudly. "Hmm, the oil color has not dried completely. I have time enough to make a frame for the picture."

  As he took the steps to his workshop, his ears picked up unusual sounds that drifted through the quiet of the castle walls. His heart jumped in excitement and he asked himself, "Has Sadden returned from her chosen banishment?"

  Andrej put the painting aside and hurried in direction of the music. "Since when is she playing the harpsichord? Her favorite instrument is the..." He grew silent as the perfect music became louder and a light melancholia took hold of him. Andrej leaned against the corridor's wall, not realizing how the stone's coldness slowly slipped under his clothes. He closed his eyes, listening intently to the music that drifted to him, like waves of the sea. A heart-gripping longing had been woven into this strange melody, touching him deep inside, while his heart was seized by an unbearable, sensual sadness.

  Andrej walked into room, saying, "Sadden, I didn't know that one can create such sad music..." Dismayed, he looked at the harpsichord and recognized Lilith, who looked up and was also surprised.

  For a tiny moment, Andrej thought there was more in her eyes than the usual arrogance, but the old fire of hostility returned soon enough. "It is not Sadden, who's playing!"

  "Yes, whatever," he muttered, his happy mood disappearing. Ever since Sadden had retreated, he had to put up with Lilith by himself. It tested his patience greatly, although he was considered a very patient man. "Now that you are finally awake, we can begin with your next lesson."

  Lilith rose and strode over to the young man. In size, she came barely up to Andrej's shoulders, but her aggressiveness was far greater than his. After she reached him, she paused a moment and then said harshly, "How much longer do you want to stand around so useless? Let us go!" The young vampire never missed an opportunity to let him feel her profound aversion.

  Andrej sent a small prayer to the heavens. Gritting his teeth, he grumbled, "Yes, it is always such a pleasure to have to spend the night with you. I can't think of anything else I'd rather do."

  Together they left the castle behind and headed towards the woods. Soon, their silhouettes disappeared into the darkness, while the stormy wind whipped through the treetops.

  *****

  At the same time, up in the tower, Sadden's eyelids weakly fluttered open. Searching for comfort, a pair of blue eyes looked around in the dark chamber. It had become cold and drafty. The only sound Sadden could hear was the continuing whistling of the wind.

  With her tongue she wetted her chapped lips and called hoarsely, "Is anybody there? Can you hear me? I am so weak..."

  Only loneliness answered her, her plea reverberating unheard from the stone walls. Tears ran down her pale cheeks while she slowly sat up. "Where are you?" she asked. Sadden touched her index finger to her cheek, collecting a lone tear. Melancholic, she regarded the insignificant, little drop and guided it to her lips. "Salty... salt in my wounds... I will come to you," she called longingly down the stairs.

  Determined, Sadden wrapped the gray linen more firmly around herself and slid through the trapdoor to the first step of the spiral staircase. Faced with the unexpected strain, her legs buckled and heavily she fell to her knees. She managed to rise again and gripped the banisters for support. Slowly and carefully, Sadden made her way down the tiny, well-worn stairs.

  Seemingly aimless, she wandered through the castle's labyrinth of empty corridors. Again and again, she fell to her knees as strength left her, only to get up again and stumble on. Often she grew dizzy and the way in front of her would become blurry. Sadden wavered, hitting walls, until her bare shoulders and arms were covered with bruises and lacerations. Finally she came upon what seemed to be a dead end.

  The corridor's floor was covered with a well-worn carpet, which silenced the sounds of Sadden's footsteps. Candles were burning inside small niches and led the way to a bare, gray wall. Purposefully, she went to the bare wall and paused in front of it. The weakened vampire closed her eyes, gathered her thoughts. After some time, she found her inner calm.

  Keeping her eyes closed, Sadden reached out to the side, pressing her palms flat against the walls. The symbol of a flame had been carved into the walls. Under her palms, the stones gave way, activating an ancient mechanism.

  Having reached the summit of her strength, Sadden sank to the floor. In the place of the dead end appeared the entrance to a hidden room. Slowly rising once again, Sadden staggered inside. The wall closed behind her and the vampire found herself in a high, circular room. Moonlight streamed through the ceiling's window.

  In the center of the room stood a group of statues that had been made of pure, white marble. Carefully, Sadden made her way towards them. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the statues. Utterly exhausted, she fell to her knees in front of them. Her voice was full of love in this seclusion, in her own, little sanctuary. "Lisander... Amitabha... my beloved family..."

  Her piercing eyes were fixed to the group of figures. The life-size statues had been reproduced in great detail and anybody who was to look at them would think these figures were only dreaming and could awake at any moment. The group of three statues was dominated by a majestically man, whose longing gaze rested on his mate. One arm was wrapped around his partner's waist, the other rested loosely on his side. Sparkling emeralds were in the place of his eyes and a soft smile curled the corners of his mouth. His adored woman was covered with elegant clothes, and she wore real jewelry and fine gems around her neck. Unmistakable was her wavy hair and her chiseled features. It was no other but a statue of Sadden herself, artfully chiseled for eternity. Pure sapphires sparkled in the place of her eyes, her cheerful gaze on the bundle in her arms. A peacefully slumbering baby lay there, protected by her hands.

  Sadden gave vent to her feelings. "I miss you two, so much, like when you were taken from me. The pain is torturing me every second of every night since I was awakened."

  Sorrowful and begging for relief from her pain, Sadden gazed at the likeness of her loved ones. "Time is not healing my wounds... I am not allowed to forget... your silence is reverberating endlessly, as are the screams of my victims... echoes from a time long passed..."

  The vampire rose and leaned on her mate, Lisander, while her eyes remained firmly fixed on her precious, little daughter. Sadden rubbed her silky cheek against
Lisander's stiff arm, feeling the stone's smooth coldness against her soft skin. She kept that position for a long time, becoming lost in numbing pain. "How pale your love shines in the moonlight, reflected in your marble features. Frozen you are and trapped for eternity. In the realm of my fantasies your lives will be eternal. Forever visible, forever present, forever torturing."

  Tenderly, she ran her fingertips across Amitabha's face. "I am pulled towards you, caught in a vortex, with no escape. Lonely, I wait for the passage to cross over, to return to your loving arms..."

  Tears of never-fading longing ran down Sadden's pale cheeks. Sobbing, she sank down, covering her face with her hands. Then she looked up into Lisander's emeralds. "It is my indelible fate to continue living until... tell me, my soulmate... Why am I forced to still walk this world that took both of you from me?"

  *****

  At a leisurely pace, Andrej and Lilith strode through the woods.

  "For what reason do you always carry the pistol?"

  Andrej looked down at the weapon and pulled it from his belt. "There are a lot of wild animals around here. They could be a danger to us."

  "Ah, wild animals. You do know that I am immune to such weapons, don't you?" she responded sarcastically.

  The young man switched the weapon from one hand to the other, smiling provokingly, "Why do you think I'm talking about you?"

  Offended, the vampire didn't answer and so they continued their way through the forest in silence.

  Some time later and deeper in the woods, Lilith's sharp gaze found something beneath some dry twigs. Curious, she went to it.