by Phil Price
He watched them kiss. He was sat immobile in the darkness of the forest. His yellow eyes hooded. The kiss ended with the woman standing up, stretching her arms up into the air. The boy stood up and walked over to the group who were tying arms and legs to a frame over the fire. To Eddie, their scent was unusual. Not sour, but odd. Almost like the beasts from Reggan’s land, he surmised. However, the woman with the yellow hair had captivated him since he’d first set eyes on her. She was magnificent. A warrior. Eddie had to have her. And he would have her. Before the sun came up, she would be his.
☨☨☨
Later in the night the fire had died down to a carpet of embers, gently crackling away between the stones. The clan had retired to the forest, Eddie following from the darkness. After a short distance the impenetrable trees opened out into a clearing. Heavy logs had been secured into the existing trees to make small buildings. Windows were cut into the sides of the structures, giving Eddie a view inside. He counted the cabins. Twelve in total. This would make it difficult. He needed to remain unseen until he found his quarry. If they saw him he would either fight or flee. And he’d seen how they dealt with intruders. He kept out of sight in the trees, waiting for a sign. The camp was settling down for the night. Torches and candles were being extinguished in the cabins until only one remained. Eddie circled the camp, coming around the side of the largest structure. The two windows still spilling light out into the forest. He heard low moans and grunts as he stood next to the window, almost moulding himself into the logs. He peered inside through slitted eyes. The boy was lay on a carpet of dark furs, his long legs pointing towards the window. The woman was sat on top of him, grinding herself into him, her breathing heavy. Eddie shrank back as she uttered a cry. A brief, stark exclamation that carried out the window, through the trees. Eddie heard the rustle of limbs and furs as the woman collapsed on top of the boy. He could hear low voices. The boy was out of breath. He couldn’t quite make out the words that were being exchanged. The boy suddenly got up, leaving the cabin. Eddie watched as he stood naked in the darkness, relieving himself against a tree. His one arm propped against the trunk as he held himself with his other hand. Eddie came up behind him silently as he continued to spray the bark. He had no wish to kill the boy. He was here for the woman. In a lightning move he rapped the boys head against the trunk. Coop fell almost silently to the ground. Eddie shrank back into the shadows, waiting for the woman to come looking for him.
Sure enough, she came out of the cabin, naked. She spotted Coop’s prone figure on the ground and moved quickly to his side. “Coop. What is wrong?” She turned him over to see an angry red welt on his forehead. “Did you fall?” She shook him. He was out cold, but breathing. Karaa suddenly came on guard, aware that someone was nearby. She let go of Coop, coming up on the balls of her feet, ready for an attack. Nothing. No one was there. She looked around the forest for signs of danger. It was quiet. She relaxed slightly, suddenly aware that she should get Coop back into the cabin. She lifted him easily, throwing him over her shoulder. She carried him back to the cabin, laying him out on the furs. He was still out cold. Karaa covered him in furs, putting a rolled one under his head to keep him comfortable. She stood up, remembering that she too needed to relieve herself. She heard a noise behind her. Then nothing but blackness.
☨☨☨
Karaa woke three days later in Wilf’s old house. She was lay on a double bed in a back room of the house. Eddie sat in the corner, waiting for her to wake. Her yellow eyes looked at the ceiling, red veins running across them. She screamed in pain, her throat feeling like it was on fire.
Eddie was next to her, holding her down. “Be calm. Everything will be alright.”
She looked at him, hissing. Her lips pulled back to reveal fangs that had burst through her gums. They were wickedly curved, grey in colour. “Who are you?” she demanded. “Where am I?”
“ Your name is Karaa. I found you in the forest. You’d been attacked by beasts. I brought you here and made sure you were safe. You’re like me now. You’ll never grow old. You’ll never die. You are Eddie’s.” She calmed down, looking at his face. His skin was grey but she could see he was handsome. She smiled at him. He was about to smile back when she screamed again. She’s thirsty, he thought. I need to bring him to her. “Wait here. I have something that will take away the pain. He left the room for a moment, returning quickly with a bundle over his shoulder. He dropped the boy in the bed next to her. He was semi-conscious, moaning as he landed in a heap. Eddie reached down to the boy, snapping his neck, his life blinked out in a sickening crunch.
“Who is he?” Karaa asked, suddenly aware how good he smelt.
“He’s nobody. I took him from another land. We will talk about that soon enough. But for now, enjoy him.” Karaa lifted the youth into her arms, wrapping her legs around his back. Eddie left the room, walking out of the house to sit with Hagen on the stoop. On the bed Karaa held the boy tight, savouring the smell that was making her drool. She sank her fangs just below his ear, her eyes rolling back in ecstasy as she drained the blood from the kill.
Seventeen
December, 2010
Jake opened the front door, smiling at his father on the door step. Doug was holding a large red sack with white fluffy trim.
“Merry Christmas Dad,” Jake said, hugging his father. “Where’s Alicia’s presents?”
“Oh shit, I forgot them,” Doug said handing Jake the sack. They made their way into the lounge, where Alicia and Katherine were sat by a huge fir tree, decorated in white lights and tinsel. A wicker angel sat on top, almost touching the ceiling. Alicia cooed at Doug from her bouncer. Her little white stockinged feet bouncing up and down at the sight of him. He got on all fours, planting a kiss on her forehead. She giggled in ecstasy, grabbing his nose with her dainty hand. “Hello princess,” he said.
“Err. What about me?” Doug climbed to his feet, gasping in awe at his daughter-in-law to be. Katherine was dressed in a mauve velvet dress that finished just above the knee. Below the knee, she wore dark nylons that seemed to sparkle. Her hair was down, cascading around her face in bangs. She had minimal make up on. Just a hint of eye shadow.
Doug gave her a bear hug, kissing her on the cheek. “Merry Christmas you.”
She pulled back, planting a kiss on his lips. “Merry Christmas you,” she beamed.
“Kath, you look beautiful. Far too good for that scruff bag in the corner.” Jake rolled his eyes, walking out to the kitchen.
“Shall I trade him in for the older model?” Doug laughed. In the short time he’d known Katherine, he’d grown to love her dearly. She was like his first daughter-in-law Katie, only cheekier. He loved their banter. It made him feel younger. It helped him get over the loss of his wife. It was his first Christmas in over forty years without her. For all her moaning and complaining she would love to have seen Alicia and Katherine on Christmas Day.
Doug smelt the aroma wafting into the lounge. He suddenly remembered that he’d skipped breakfast. He sauntered in to find Jake putting on his oven gloves. “How’s the dinner coming along?”
“Not bad. Just need to baste the turkey then put the veg on. Do you want a drink Dad?” Doug checked his watch. Just after midday.
“ Okay. Have you got anything to nibble on? I missed breakfast. My belly thinks my throat has been cut.” Jake smiled at his father’s turn of phrase.
“Got some boiled bacon in the fridge. We had it for breakfast with toast and mustard. Help yourself.” Doug walked over to the fridge. He opened the door to see stocked shelves full of alcohol and food. He spotted the bacon, on a plate underneath some foil. Pulling it out he walked over to the counter, the fridge door slamming shut. He popped a piece in his mouth, his eyes closing in ecstasy as he savoured the salty meat. Five minutes later he had two pieces of toast, smeared in English mustard, laden with bacon. He stood eating it as Jake brought him over a glass of ale in a pint pot. “Get that down ya Dad,” he said, taking a slurp of his own beer.
“Cheers Son. Merry Christmas,” Doug said as they clinked glasses.
“Merry Christmas Dad. Here’s to Mom.” Both men fell silent as they thought of Alison.
A silence descended over the kitchen until Katherine walked in with Alicia on her hip. “Princess is due a nap. Don’t you two get into any mischief while I put her down.” She walked over to Jake, who kissed her and Alicia in turn.
“Sweet dreams button,” Jake said, on account of her cute button nose. Doug placed his own kiss on the top of her head before Katherine headed out of the kitchen.
She paused at the doorway. “Can you fix me one of those fruity ciders please Babe? I don’t want two thinking you can have all the fun.” She stuck her tongue at both of them, drawing smiles from Jake and Doug.
“No problem Babes. I will have one ready.” She left them stood in the kitchen, absently sipping at their drinks.
Doug suddenly remembered something, putting his glass on the counter top. “Father Stephen called me last night. Bad news. His wife died a few days ago.”
“Oh no!” Jake said. He knew that they’d just returned from East Anglia, attending the funeral of Denise’s mother. “What happened?”
“It looks like a heart attack. He found her out the back of the vicarage. She must have been putting something in the recycling. Kenneth was in the shower. He came down to find the back door open. She was in the yard. He phoned an ambulance but she must have been dead before they arrived. Poor guy. He’s had a rough couple of months.”
“She can’t have been that old though,” Jake said, still reeling from the news.
“Sixty-four. Which is no age. Kenneth said she’d struggled with her blood pressure and cholesterol over the years. I suppose as shocking as it sounds, it’s not uncommon.”
“When’s the funeral?” Jake said it instinctively, half knowing the answer.
“Well everything shuts down over the Christmas period. He’ll probably start the arrangements after the New Year.” Both men stood in silence, each with their own thoughts.
“You don’t think that something else happened to Denise?” Jake said tentatively.
“I had thought of that. But it just looks like it was natural causes. I still can’t believe sometimes that all that stuff happened. Doorways, vampires. It’s still keeps me awake some nights, wondering how it’s all possible.”
Jake slapped his dad on the shoulder. “Join the club. I’ve had my fair share too. Let’s just hope that all the drama and adventures are far behind us.”
Doug raised his glass. “I’ll drink to that. To Denise.” They clinked glasses once more, Jake draining his pint, heading for the fridge. He heard footsteps coming down the stairs as he cracked open Katherine’s favourite Swedish cider.
She walked into the kitchen, noticing the coolness that had descended. “Is everything alright?” she said, heading over towards the fridge.
Jake handed her a fancy pint glass, filled to the brim with a purple liquid. “Father Stephen’s wife died a few days ago. Heart attack.”
Katherine’s eyes widened in shock. “Oh no! That’s terrible. Poor man. How is he?”
“As well as can be expected.”
“Does he have any children?”
“No. They couldn’t have kids. His only family is a brother in Portugal. He’s up there on his own by the look of it?”
Katherine looked close to tears. She put her drink down and walked over to Jake who put his arm around her, squeezing her. “You should call him Doug. Invite him down.” She looked at Jake. “How do you say it? The roads should be quiet. He could be down here in a few hours. He shouldn’t be alone, especially during this special time.” Doug nodded, heading out to the hallway to make the call. Katherine turned to Jake, her eyes misty. He lifted her chin gently, kissing her. She let him kiss her, pushing her body into his, needing to feel close to him. Jake snaked his hand into the back of her hair, drawing a gasp from Katherine in between kisses. They parted, both sets of eyes fuzzy and out of focus.
“I love you Kath. You’re an amazing woman. You’re beautiful. Sexy. I mean really sexy.” She smiled at him, her eyes closing ever so slightly. A warm sensual smile that only he had seen. “And you’re an amazing mom. I’m so lucky to have met you.”
She kissed him on the cheek, raising goose flesh along his arms. “You’re not so bad yourself, Jake Stevenson. I think I may keep you on for a while longer.” He laughed, loving her dry sense of humour. “My sister would have loved you. She’d have mooned over you like the soppy wench that she was. I miss her. She was scatty, always up to mischief. But she had a good heart. You’d have gotten on with her like a house fire.” Jake laughed. An uncontrollable laugh that made him almost double over.
“I’ve done it again haven’t I?” Katherine said, laughing with him. He regained his composure, hugging her tight.
“Sorry Babe. I couldn’t help that. It’s get on like a house on fire, not a house fire. Two very different things.”
She pulled away from him, smiling. “Don’t tell Doug. I know how you two like to team up on me. You both make sport at my account.”
He handed her the cider, taking his own drink in his hand. “Deal,” he said as the two clinked glasses before taking swigs.
Doug walked back into the kitchen, grabbing his own pint. They both looked at him expectantly. “He’ll be here in a few hours. I thought he would politely decline the offer. But no. He won’t make dinner, I’m sure there will be plenty on offer tonight. He can stay at my place for as long as he wants. He’ll be on the road in a few minutes.” He took a pull on his ale, wiping his lips with the back of his hand. “He’d not even thought about a Christmas dinner, poor guy. Oh well, hopefully this will take his mind of things, if only for a few days.” He took the rest of his boiled bacon on toast and sat at the kitchen table, munching away contentedly.
“Right,” Jake said. “Let’s get the rest of the dinner on the go.”
☨☨☨
They waited for the sun to set before they left their refuge below the monastery. Eddie had used the same storeroom a few times. He knew that it was safe. They made their way through dense trees and shrubs, vaulting a high fence before walking out to the crest of the hill.
Karaa looked out at the far-off lights of Birmingham. Her eyes had never taken in such a sight. “It’s beautiful,” she said, standing close to him. Her muscled arms now the colour of ash.
“This is the world that I came from. It may look beautiful to your eyes, but it is a dangerous place. Even for us. We must be quick. The doorway will open soon. Come.” They made their way down the forested slopes until they were faced with a high brick wall that backed onto houses. They silently made their way through the deserted streets of Rednal, shrinking behind hedge when cars rumbled by. A few minutes later they were stood at the back of the vicarage, hidden in a row of conifers. Two sets of yellow eyes looked across the frosty lawn to the dark house.
Eddie sniffed, not liking what his senses were telling him. “He’s not here. Merde!”
Karaa looked at him. “What does this mean?”
“It means there is no prize here tonight. I wanted to finish what I’d started. His woman was just a taster. She was dead before I had chance to do anything. Where can he be? Wait here while I check something.” She nodded as Eddie moved away, across the lawn to a side gate. It opened with a squeak as he shouldered his way through. His metal beast is not here. He’s away, he thought as car headlights lit the road. It was growing misty as the night gathered pace. The beams of light meandered by, heading off down the road away from the vicarage. Eddie made his way back to Karaa, checking the windows and doors as he went. She was stood where he had left her, unmoved, waiting. “He’s gone. And I don’t know where he could be. We have to leave this tonight. The doorway will open soon. We need to get back to Elias. Maybe we can find someone else as our prize.”
“I’m thirsty. I do not care who it is. Let us hunt.”
☨☨☨
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They made their way around the outskirts of the Lickey Hills, searching for signs of life. They were not to know that it was Christmas night and that most people were home with families and loved ones. Eddie was about to give up hope when he spotted a car leave the road nearby. They watched as it bumped its way over the uneven ground of the car park before parking next to a low wall. The lights extinguished, leaving the car park in darkness.
“We may be in luck. Let’s get a closer look,” Eddie said eagerly.
☨☨☨
Beth sat in the passenger seat as the man killed the ignition. He turned to her, a waft of expensive aftershave assailing her senses. His arm made its way behind her neck, pulling her gently towards him. She let herself be led. He kissed her with little care or skill. She could taste booze on his breath. She didn’t care though. This was better than being sat at home with her dull parents, watching re-runs of old TV shows. This was exciting. She had told them that she was heading over to Claire’s for a few hours. Her parents were not impressed. Christmas was for families, not friends. But she didn’t care. As soon as Jay had called, only one thing was on her mind. Escaping. Jay was her boss at a local estate agent. The owner of three branches in the Birmingham area. He was over twice her nineteen years. His head was clean-shaven. His eyes piercing grey. She was drawn to the power and confidence he exuded. She loved how he looked in a business suit. It made her weak at the knees. Knees that his hand was caressing. She looked into his grey eyes. He smiled, knowing that she was putty in his hands. He kissed her again. She’d not been kissed by many boys at school, having no benchmark as to what was good or bad. She just accepted the fact that he was experienced and knew what he was doing. She sat back in the car seat, lost in the moment. His hand squeezed each of her large breasts, a little gasp escaping her lips.
