Eternal was frantic. She severed her connection with the demon and searched for Edouard. Time had run out.
~~~~
Edouard had not done his duty. He had collapsed in a state of exhaustion on his bed, fully clothed. His room was awash with glorious gold light, bathing him with its warmth. He murmured in his sleep full of dark visions of orgiastic blood-letting tormenting his tortured soul. That faint voice, so alluring, yet so disturbing, echoed in his nightmares, begging him to wake and fulfill his destiny.
Edouard muttered, “Eternal.”
Edouard dreamed of pleasuring his true love in every possible way. Eternal showed him how to drink blood without spilling a drop. She showed him just how powerful The Count was, slashing his enemies in half with his sword. Lancelot was no match for Mordred, the Black Knight. Mordred threw a rock at Lancelot’s head then impaled him. Mordred slid the sword all the way to the hilt and kissed Lancelot’s helmet. “You dance with the Devil ... you sleep with the Devil.” He laughed demonically.
~~~~
Lucien and his blood-thirsty friends cleaned their clothing and washed all traces of their blood-feasting from their bodies.
Lucien removed the disgusting mud from his face and neck. He inspected the wound in his side. It was still seeping blood and hurt like fucking hell every time he moved.
Jacques nudged him aside and washed the stumps of his missing fingers. He cringed in agony. “Will they grow back, Lucien?” He showed the stumps oozing blood.
Lucien gave him an obviously sarcastic smirk. “What do you think?” He turned to see Claudette casually plucking splinters from her thigh. Blood gushed from many puncture wounds. The more she tried to stop the flow the more she lost. He sensed her desperation. This fueled his hate for his Delicate Rose to new depths.
“Damn her to Oblivion!” Lucien doubled up in pain. The day had not gone as anticipated to say the least. “We must rest or we’ll all bleed to death.”
They collapsed in an exhausted heap on the double bed and immediately fell into a deep vampire slumber where blood ruled the night.
~~~~
Eternal heard the key scraping inside the lock and the bolt sliding. Her utter dread plunged her into her other world where vampires ruled supreme and hunted demons for pleasure.
The door squeaked opened. She stared in anticipation at the monstrous demon filling the prison doorway. It had the face of a rotting gargoyle and smelled of lemons. The creature locked the door, leaving the key and approached with deliberate intent. She felt helpless before the grotesque creature looming over her trembling body.
Chapter 47
Eternal pressed against the window bars ignoring the needle-pricks of pain the sunlight inflicted on her ravaged skin.
The crimson sky heralding a coming storm created a perfect setting for Bonbon’s revenge. He snarled a grin at her, sunlight glinting off his rotting teeth.
Eternal convulsed at the demon’s face erupting with green puss. Its black tongue flickered in and out from its bloated lips and slithered across cracked brown teeth resembling weathered logs. It grinned at her. Something hideous squirmed between its legs leaving a spreading damp stain.
Eternal screamed her fear away and replaced it with all her power. “Confuse it. This demon will make you Eternal. Drink its vile blood now and rid this realm of its presence.”
Eternal smiled in a relaxed, peaceful way inviting strong hands to grasp her throat, forcing her to gag for air. Its fingers stank of rancid cheese, a remnant of self gratification. Those filthy fingers tore her flimsy gown revealing naked flesh to the early morning light. She ignored the sun’s effect. The sickly stench of its Devil’s breath of rotting flesh and lemon crept into her nostrils. The snake-like tongue licked her pale cheeks. She fought against the need to throw up. Rough, trembling hands ending in filthy cracked nails groped her breasts. One hand tried to force its way between her legs. Her knees clamped her legs tightly together.
The demon slapped Eternal hard across the face and hissed its displeasure. “You’re Bonbon’s now.” It squeezed her breasts and twisted her nipples.
She sensed dismay at her refusal to cry in pain. “Not yet. Let it think its power over you is complete.”
“Come to Bonbon. Show Bonbon a good time and he’ll give you a sweet.”
Eternal looked into its sexually induced blank expression just inches from her own. A sudden sharp pain in her mouth told her the gleaming was complete. She knew what to do.
She saw, no, she heard the squish-squish pumping of the carotid artery in the demon’s neck. Ancient hunger blossomed with all its terrible passion. Eternal opened her mouth wide and bit through skin, flesh, sinew and gristle, tearing a huge chunk from the demon’s throat.
The festering thing fell backwards to the floor clutching its terrible wound. It could not scream for its entire throat was now hanging from Eternal’s mouth.
She sucked on the putrid flesh smirking at the geyser of blood spraying from the awful wound, splashing the walls, creating a crimson masterpiece. She spat the bloody chunk of rotting flesh into its face.
A series of bloody bubbles gurgled from the hole in the demon’s neck.
Eternal pounced with a vicious growl and gorged on the life’s blood pumping from the artery with every beat of its rotten heart. She ripped the demon to pieces with an animal savagery dormant since her birth. Her triumphant growl witnessed its impending death. With a satisfied smirk she grabbed its groin and twisted. Blood poured between its legs.
The demon no longer had the strength to fight her off. It succumbed to the wondrous symphony of screaming angels, dark and malevolent, filling its mind with impending oblivion.
Bonbon thought it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard, reminding him of the church bells that celebrated the end of the war.
Eternal drained the demon of every drop of blood before its vile heart finally gave out.
Bonbon froze lifeless with a rapturous smile upon his face, finally at peace.
The festering demon stepped from Bonbon’s bloody mess of a body and hissed at Eternal. Its python-like black tongue snaked about its rotting corpse of a body. Feral eyes glowed yellow with hatred and fear set deep in sunken sockets of its reptilian-like skull. It clawed the air with long bony fingers ending in serrated nails. Sharp talons scratched the tiled floor in annoyance. It whirled around, screeching in terror and backed away from a black rip hovering in the air. Icy mist billowed from the tear. Clawed hands protruded from the dark hole, accompanied by screams and wails of torment. The hands grasped the demon and pulled it in. The rip closed and vanished with a scream. Shards of ice fell to the bloody floor.
Eternal grimaced with the bitter taste, tainted with a subtle hint of lemon. Her senses begged for attention all at once, for her transformation was now complete. Dark power older than the pyramids pulsed through her. Her bloody hands flexed as if for the first time and gripped the bars but there were limits to her abilities.
Now it was time to wait. Her obsidian eyes stared at the door and beyond into the infernal furnace of sunlight bathing the corridor. There was little hope escaping through that.
Eternal went rigid, her body felt like nothing she had ever experienced before. Her skin grew stone cold and the monotonous thud of her heart became still. She felt so powerful, so invincible, her mind exploded with the thrill of heightened awareness.
Patients in the nearby rooms wailed pathetically, infected by ripples of her vampiric energy spreading outwards. Their hysterical screams blended in unison with her angelic symphony. She sensed their pitiful crimes. The concoction of twisted lunacy reminded Eternal of the old times when Rome was all powerful. Those were the days.
Eternal sat on the cot and stretched her arms to the heavens in joyous exaltation. She screamed, “I am free!”
She stared at the window and was blessed by her beautiful reflection, dripping glorious blood that covered every inch of her skin, protecting her from the sun’s rays. The Eternal vamp
ire sighed, touching her fine cheekbones and perfect nose.
“I am Eternal!” Pure undiluted joy rippled through her body. She hopped off the bed and danced a swirl of gore and naked flesh. The rapturous completion had been fulfilled as destiny foretold. She unlocked the door. Her tongue licked her fangs clean of demon gore then it hit her full force.
A chill breath of hatred froze Eternal in place. She could sense Lucien’s evil so close she could reach out and touch him. To confuse his search she imagined herself back on Troy’s ramparts. She turned to the door and with her mind located Edouard still asleep in his room. She sent a scream to him. The message was simple – “Edouard! You must confront the Count. He is weak from injury and needs to die. The time is now!”
Chapter 48
Father Papineau stepped from his church and breathed in a fresh new day’s cool air. He stretched aching muscles. His fears about those strangers were now left behind. What a fool he had been to believe they were evil. He laughed, remembering Doctor Colbert mentioning they were part of a film crew scouting for locations. He straddled his bike and cycled from the rear of the church whistling with the joys of summer.
Papineau came to halt, noticing a girl’s body slumped at the fountain. He left his bike and ran to her, gently turning her and gasped to see Annette Busson in a dreadful state. She seemed lifeless. He placed his ear to her chest, exhaled with relief, hefted her and staggered across the empty square to the pharmacy. He tapped the door with a foot, looking down at the limp body in his hands and moaned with impatience. He kicked the door harder.
A groggy-looking Doctor Colbert opened the door, still fussing with his shirt and trousers. His eyes widened at the sight of Papineau and Annette. He ushered them in.
Papineau placed Annette onto the sofa in the waiting room and stepped aside for the doctor to treat her.
Doctor Colbert examined Annette with a stethoscope. He looked up at Father Papineau. “What in God’s name happened to her?”
Papineau looked concerned. “I have no idea doctor. I found her like this at the fountain.” He thought about her sodden clothes, filthy hair and skin. “She is soaked and not from the fountain. Perhaps she fell in a ditch?”
Doctor Colbert sniffed her mouth and grunted. “You could be right, Father. It seems she might be suffering from nothing more sinister than too much alcohol and a nasty fall.” He frowned at her pale skin with veins bright blue. He saw bruising at her neck. “What’s this?” He checked the wound on her neck. He gasped and continued, “This can’t be?” The doctor checked her all over. He removed wet leaves from Annette’s filthy legs. His hand stopped at her groin. He stepped back quickly, pointing. “She has similar marks on her thigh.” He thought for a moment and shrugged. “She could have fallen on barbed wire.”
Papineau frowned at the doctor. “You don’t sound convinced, doctor.”
Doctor Colbert looked significantly worried. “The Moreau massacre!”
“Sweet Mary, Mother of God,” Papineau exclaimed with eyes wide in terror. He kissed his crucifix, sanctifying Annette with a wave of his hand. “God help us all. I knew they were evil.”
Doctor Colbert used a handkerchief to mop his brow. “Who are you talking about, Father?” He used a cloth to wipe filth from Annette’s face, neck, arms and legs. She remained unconscious.
Papineau shrugged. “Those strangers at the café ... they must be responsible.”
Doctor Colbert checked Annette’s pulse. “Too weak. This doesn’t make sense ... all the evidence points to vampires ... no, I must have proof of evil goings on ... she fell on barbed wire and passed out ... that is the logical conclusion.”
Papineau shook his head. “Vampires are responsible.”
Doctor Colbert shrugged and said, “I know but we must have proof Father Papineau. We must keep our wits until all the facts have been verified.” He made Annette as comfortable as possible. “You must fetch Busson right away.” He frowned. “And where are Monique and Francois? I saw them all leave with that film crew.”
Father Papineau’s eyes bulged. “Merde!” He clenched his fists with indecision. “I will check Madame Rousseau’s patisserie ... but I believe Lisette will not be there.” He left in a rush.
Moments later Father Papineau returned. “As I suspected ... no one is home.”
Annette stirred and regained consciousness. She looked around her. “Where am I?”
“You’re at the surgery, my dear,” Doctor Colbert offered. “You have been injured. Can you remember what happened to you?”
Annette shook her head no and started to cry. “I ... I ... I can’t remember anything. Not a thing. My head hurts.” With that she threw up all over the doctor.
Father Papineau gave a worried look to Colbert. “This is the work of vampires ... of that I am positive. It must be those strangers at the café.”
“They were just film people scouting for a location for their next film enjoying a drink out ... in the sun.” Doctor Colbert made his point with emphasis. “They couldn’t be vampires ... do you not agree, Father?” He shrugged. “Besides, they left late last night.”
Annette groaned, her eyelids fluttering open. “Father Papineau is right, doctor ... they are vampires.” She tried to sit up but slumped back. “One of them is no stranger to Douvrey ... Lucien Dupont has returned. He is looking for a woman ....” She looked to Father Papineau and cried. “They killed my Papa and Madame Rousseau.” She screamed with anguish. “They are monsters.”
The doctor looked anguished at a distraught Father Papineau. “Jean Busson and Lisette Rousseau are dead! What the hell do we do now?”
Father Papineau sucked in breath at hearing that name Lucien Dupont. He crossed himself once more and said a quiet prayer for Busson and Lisette. He could not hold back tears. “So, this is the work of Lucien, that little monster.” He remembered the conversation he had with Henri Vernier about Lucien’s deranged behavior. Damn that little swine! He wiped away tears from his face.
Annette tried to sit up. It was too much trouble. “They had fangs and used a spray on us.” She screamed. “I can still see him drinking from my neck.” She felt her wounds and trembled uncontrollably. “It hurts so much.” Her eyelids fluttered, slipping back into unconsciousness.
Doctor Colbert checked her pulse and grunted.
Father Papineau looked confused. “But Lucien is no vampire, just insane.” A sudden thought struck him like a thunderbolt, remembering Lucien’s mother pleading with him that her son drank blood and was possessed by a demon and the servant girl.
“Perhaps he believes he is a vampire, as do his evil friends,” the Father pondered out loud.
Doctor Colbert interjected, “What about those bite marks, Father?” He shook his head with confusion, “No human teeth could make them.”
Father Papineau took a close look at the wounds. Two blood-red punctures, ringed with swollen white flesh circled by dark bruising. “God help us all,” he declared, crossing himself. He recalled the exorcism at Busson’s barn and had a strong feeling the child now a grown woman was to blame for all this.
Doctor Colbert became galvanized. “Inspector Gerard must be informed right away.” He dashed off but returned grim-faced. “The telephone is dead. What can we do against supernatural creatures?” He looked close to panicking. “How can we ....?” He rushed off, snatching keys from a jacket slung over a chair.
Father Papineau looked on in dismay. He stroked Annette’s forehead and silently prayed. He knew a great battle between good and evil was about to begin. He whirled around at Doctor Colbert’s return.
Colbert gave a look that said all was lost. “They have ripped the electrics from my car. They have planned this all along.” He held his head in his hands and wept.
Papineau shook some sense into him. “Snap out of it! We need you right here. Look after Annette while I fetch help.”
“Forgive me Father.” Doctor Colbert looked down in shame.
“Tend to Annette ... I will get he
lp.” Papineau patted the doctor on the shoulder and gave him a grim smile. He left the pharmacy.
Papineau raced across the desolate square and entered the church, locking the door with shaking hands. He hurried down the aisle, stopping briefly before the cross then scurrying off to his private quarters at the back of the church.
He had so much to do and he sensed time was running out. First he had to bottle the holy water, find enough crosses, bless them too and deliver them to his flock.
Chapter 49
Eternal sat naked wearing a cloak of Bonbon’s blood. She grinned at a shocked Nurse Collette, slowly backing away from the slaughterhouse to become a statue, staring at the gory scene. Groaning with joyous rapture, she sensed danger approaching in the form of the demon witch. She probed Nurse Marteau’s disgusting mind full of hatred. Eternal saw through the nurse’s eyes.
She saw the fob watch in the witch’s hand pronouncing the time, a half hour since the Eternal Hour. She giggled, picking up the nurse’s dark pleasure at the thought of Bonbon’s plans for her. The evil witch desired above all else to see Eternal lying in a pool of her own blood.
Eternal suppressed a chuckle with a hand to her mouth in anticipation of the confrontation with the hapless demon. She lured the thing into the abattoir. She smiled at Nurse Marteau rushing to the open door, stuttering to a stop, a look of horror and defeat etched upon its gargoyle-like face. Eternal’s dark music raped the witch’s mind, ravaged its soul and tore all reason from its tenuous grasp.
She spoke into its head, “You didn’t expect that ... did you, demon?” She laughed at her triumph but it wasn’t over yet.
The nurse fell on Bonbon’s corpse and frantically rummaged its trouser pockets. It retrieved something metallic and bloody, grinning with sadistic pleasure. “Get out of my head, bitch!” The old hag screamed, holding hands to ears.
Voracious Vixens, 13 Novels of Sexy Horror and Hot Paranormal Romance Page 39
