Vampire's Eternity (Vampire's Valentine Book Four)

by Rosette Bolter

  Reese remained with Elliot in the kitchen as Christine and Raymond searched, her hope diminishing with every door handle turned and light switch flicked. By the time she’d made it into the bathroom, pulling back the shower curtain, and opening up the sink cupboard, Raymond had had enough.

  “What are you doing?” he asked. “There’s no way she could be in there.”

  Christine rolled her eyes at him. “I’m looking to see if he has any of her makeup.”

  “Would you know her makeup if you saw it?”

  Christine shrugged.

  “Well, do you see any makeup at all?”

  She closed the cupboard door and stood up. “Well, maybe he has her at another location. He must have –”

  “Jesus, wake up, Christine,” Raymond cursed. “He doesn’t have her. I could see it the minute we walked in. This whole thing has gotten completely out of hand.”

  “You didn’t think he seemed suspicious? How his eyes were moving … everywhere?”

  “What? His eyes? No,” Raymond shook his head. “Just … look at your own eyes. Look in the mirror.”

  Christine swallowed. “My eyes are fine.”

  “Look.”

  Christine turned to face the mirror. She knew what he was talking about already. Her eyes were red. Her makeup blotchy. The rain and the wind and goddamn stress had punished her all over.

  She was exhausted.

  “It’s time to go home,” Raymond said. “Time we got some proper rest.”

  She touched his hand. “I know you mean well, babe. But I just feel … Like I’m … Almost…”

  Reese stepped in from behind Raymond. “Is everything okay?”

  Christine looked down at the floor.

  “We’re fine,” Raymond assured him.

  “You’re convinced she’s not here?”

  “I think so.”

  Christine looked up after a moment.

  They were both staring at her.

  “Whatever,” she muttered.

  “I’ll call you guys a cab,” Reese said and left the frame.

  Raymond did his best to smile at her. “I’ll give you a minute. Alright?”

  Christine nodded.

  Then she turned back to the mirror.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  The flames in the fireplace were intoxicating. He stared into its reaches, as if it was the first time he’d ever seen them before. The way the tops moved. Back and forth. Back and forth. Waving to him. Dancing to a hidden beat underground. The textures, the aromas. The crackling of the wood. He could do this forever.

  Bastian, darling. I’m ready for you now…

  His face tilted back towards the stairs. How long had he been down here? What was he doing before –

  Don’t keep me waiting.

  He wiped the heat from his eyes and walked towards the foot of the stairs. He ascended them slowly, his mind dropping in and out of a trance.

  That was Prudence calling him, wasn’t it? He had found her … hadn’t he…

  “I’m coming,” he murmured aloud. “I’ll be there soon.”

  The corridor outside felt alien to him. As if he could lose his way here.

  As if he didn’t even know where he was going.

  He walked slowly around the edge of it, tracing his hand along the wall. He tried to think – tried to picture things … but nothing would stick.

  Over here.

  Bastian turned and saw an open doorway, with red light flickering from within. He approached it nervously, each step bringing the doorway closer. He stopped in front of it.

  “I can see you standing there,” the woman called to him. “Don’t be shy.”

  He peered round the corner.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, outstretched and beautiful, none other than his beloved.

  “Prudence,” Bastian gasped. “It is you.”

  He hurried towards her, his vision drifting in and out with the candle’s flicker. He bowed down to the ground beside her, his hands touching her knee.

  “It’s really you,” he said. “How … what … what is …”

  “I’ve got something for you,” Prudence said.

  He looked up and saw what she was offering in her palm.

  “Is that my wedding ring?”

  She showed him she was wearing hers with the other hand.

  “Thank you,” he said, accepting the ring.

  “You can stand up now.”

  Bastian stood.

  Prudence patted the top of the bed. “Lie down.”

  Bastian walked past her and climbed onto the bed. He laid down on the pillow, his neck upright and focused in her direction.

  Prudence stood from the bed.

  “Take off your robe,” she instructed. “And whatever else you’re wearing underneath.”

  Bastian inhaled quickly. He sat up and began to comply.

  Prudence moved to the corner of the room.

  He watched as the red dress dropped to the floor.

  “I’ve missed you, Pru,” he whispered. “I’ve missed you for so long.”

  “What’s it like?” Prudence replied. “To be so cold?”

  Bastian had no answer for her.

  She walked back towards the bed, carrying something with her.

  One of the candles.

  “What’s that for?” he murmured.

  “Don’t worry,” she assured him. “I know what you like. I know how to make you feel good.”

  She touched his forehead. Stroked him.

  “Relax,” she said.

  Bastian continued staring into her eyes as she moved the candle over his stomach. Hot wax began to fall.

  “Fuck!” Bastian screamed. “What the FUCK are you doing?”

  He rolled over, writhing in agony.

  Prudence put the candle down and hurried over to the other side of the bed.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I thought that was what you wanted.”

  He looked up at her and then realized with horror –

  “You’re not Prudence!” he shouted. “Where is she? Where did she go?”

  “I’m right here,” Phillipa replied awkwardly.

  Bastian grabbed hold of her throat and shoved her across the room. Then he fled out into the hallway, his feet running, running as fast as they would take him.

  “Prudence!” he cried. “Prudence, where are you?”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Christine’s gaze into the mirror in Reese’s bathroom was full of emptiness, hopelessness, desperation. As if she didn’t want to leave because to leave would be giving up the last bit of Prudence she had left. Christine couldn’t know how close she was in that moment – how unnerved Reese must have been that she was taking so long– and how crazy-going-out-of-her-mind Prudence was screaming her lungs out on the other side of the mirror.

  “Christine,” Prudence sobbed for the twentieth time. “I’m here. It’s me Prudence. Please hear me. Please just listen. Please…”

  Christine’s eyes drifted up the mirror, until they were almost in line with Prudence’s.

  “Yes,” Prudence exclaimed. “I’m here! Behind the mirror!”

  Christine’s gaze then quickly shifted to the left and she walked out of the bathroom.

  “NOOO!” Prudence shouted. “Come back!”

  She tugged on her chains again, the skin tearing at her waist and ankles.

  Her fingers…

  Her fingers could almost reach the glass…

  She slipped and fell on the concrete floor, her effort in vain.

  Outside the house she could hear voices drifting in and out. The sound of a car’s engine.

  The slamming of doors.

  Prudence leaned against the wall, tears streaming down her face.

  So close.

  So close to finally escaping.

  If only … if only she had screamed a little louder …

  If only she’d been able to reach the glass –

  The opposite wall suddenly snapped
open and Reese’s shadowy figure emerged into the room.

  She could hear his breathing.

  And he could hear hers.

  “I’m sorry about that,” he said. “I didn’t know they were coming.”

  He turned on the light and surveyed the room.

  “Shit.”

  He walked over to where the opening of the mirror was and pulled the curtain down over it, shaking his head.

  Then he turned towards her. “This will all be over soon. Don’t worry.”

  He then saw the blood on her ankles.

  He quickly hurried over and unlocked her chains, hoisting her over his shoulder. He carried her out through the hidden wall at the back of his bedroom closet, and laid her on his bed. He went to the bathroom to retrieve bandages to treat her wound.

  “Will you say something?” he asked, while assisting her. “Let me know you’re okay?”

  Prudence couldn’t talk. Her lungs had no words in them.

  “I really hate doing this to you, but you know it’s the only way,” Reese said. “Until the enchantment is broken you won’t know your own heart. You won’t know how much you love me.”

  He embraced her, like a ragdoll in his arms.

  “I’ll stay with you tonight,” he whispered in her ear. “It will be just like it was before. You just have to accept it…”

  Prudence moved her jaw to wrestle free of him.

  They stared into each other’s eyes.

  “I need my children, Reese,” she said. “I’ll die without them.”

  “I know, I know,” Reese said. “But I haven’t got him yet. He’s still out there. That room is the only place that’s safe for you. That’s the only place he can’t see.”

  “No,” Prudence said. “No. I can’t. I can’t no more.”

  “You have to,” Reese countered.

  “Why?”

  “Because I saved you. I saved you from him and you belong to me now. You still remember don’t you? You still remember it was me who was there for you…?”

  Prudence closed her eyes, collapsing in his arms.

  “I remember…”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Hello…? Is … is that you Bastian?

  It wasn’t Bastian.

  The Sorcerer’s hand reached down for Prudence as she lay in a broken mess. She accepted it unaware of who was standing before her, or what their intentions were.

  “It isn’t safe for a young woman like you to be wandering this maze alone,” the Sorcerer remarked.

  Prudence looked back down the pathway to where the spider had been, now recoiling within the recesses of its lair.

  “Do you know the way out of here?” she asked.

  “I do,” the Sorcerer answered. “Follow me.”

  Pru staggered on behind her savior, his dark robes dragging along the pathway as they traversed the maze. His face, from the little she saw of it, seemed old, elderly. As though he was in his sixties or perhaps older. His skin was discolored, wrinkled and thin. His lips however were wide and vibrant.

  His body was not yet tired.

  “Who are you?” Prudence asked, breaking the silence.

  “I am Bastian’s former master, the Red Glove. You may have heard of me before.”

  Prudence recollected. Reese had mentioned him.

  “Do you know who I am?” Prudence asked. “Where I come from?”

  “I do,” the Sorcerer replied. “I am sure Bastian will be pained when he learns of your escape. But his pain won’t last.”

  They reached a small set of steps and climbed up them, the path now leading to a large open area. In the centre of it there was what appeared to be a large white temple, its doors drawn open.

  Prudence stopped as she laid eyes on it.

  The Sorcerer motioned for her to continue forward.

  “That doesn’t look like the way out,” she muttered.

  “She who worships is divine,” the Sorcerer said.

  He motioned again.

  Prudence walked slowly on towards the temple, her anxiety increasing with each passing second. She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to ask. The air from within the temple was damp and warm, humid. Her forehead burned. Her veins pulsated. The figure continued walking from behind.

  Inside the temple, she could see all the pews were covered with skeletons.

  Sitting upright, dressed formerly, their hands held with their loved ones.

  Facing forward, at attention.

  “Oh God,” Pru moaned. “What the hell…”

  There was nothing beyond the dark stage in front of them. Nothing but wall.

  She looked over her shoulder nervously, and the Sorcerer remained calm, continuing to slink forward.

  “This is gross,” Pru muttered. “I can’t be here.”

  She went to run past him but his hands reached out, latching onto her.

  “Ouch,” Pru cried. “Stop it. Let go!”

  The Sorcerer pushed her out in front of him, and she went toppling forward.

  She tripped at the base of the stage, and peered over her shoulder again to see that he had stopped.

  “What are we doing here?” Pru asked. “Are you going to hurt me?”

  The man pulled back his hood to reveal his entire face, his eyes twisted and bulging. He grinned at her, exposing his fangs.

  “It’s been so long since I have consumed live blood,” he whispered. “I’ve almost forgotten how it tastes –”

  Pru jammed her foot into his leg and rushed past him as he stumbled, running for the doors.

  Before she could reach them however, they inexplicably slammed shut.

  “Shall I hunt you then?” the Sorcerer questioned. “Is that how you wish to die?”

  “HELP!” Pru screamed pounding on the doors. “SOMEONE HELP ME!”

  The Sorcerer roared with laughter. “There’s no one here!”

  Pru sunk against the door in defeat.

  The Vampire’s shadow loomed over her.

  Suddenly the doors were ripped right off their hinges, blowing out into the labyrinth outside. Pru looked up and saw standing in their place that someone had heard her cry for help, and someone had come to save her.

  The Wolf and the Vampire stared at one another for a moment.

  And then the Vampire fled.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The light was still on in the room when Reese carried her back to it. Prudence looked up as he lay her back down on the mattress, pulling the blanket over her, adjusting her pillow. She knew soon she would be in the dark again, alone. Her head rolled round wincing at the situation. The reality crunching her insides.

  “Go back to sleep,” Reese soothed.

  She grabbed hold of his hand. “Please let me go. Please, Reese.”

  He pulled out of her reach.

  Then stood up and walked to the edge of the room.

  She sat up as he flicked off the light and stepped through the open wall.

  “Listen to me,” Pru said. “You just listen, okay?”

  He turned slightly.

  “Take me to the maze.”

  Reese laughed. “That’s the last place I’d take you.”

  “Listen. You’ll use me as bait. Bastian will see that I’ve returned. He will leave his realm and try to reach me. I’ll then lead him out of the maze where you and your gang will be waiting for him.”

  “It’s too dangerous,” Reese said dismissively. “I’m sorry.”

  “I have been your prisoner for a year now,” Pru launched forward. “At first you said it would be just a few days. Then a few weeks. Then till I gave birth. And now … months and months later you still haven’t found him. You just keep me chained up here, like I’m nothing to you. Like I’m meat. Well, I don’t understand. If you want me so much, then why don’t you treat me like a decent human being?”

  “I don’t want you,” Reese muttered. “But you’re the mother of our children, and I need you alive.”

  “And what will our ch
ildren say, when they find out what you’ve done to me?”

  He looked down at the floor.

  “It won’t be long,” he said softly. “I’ll get him soon. I promise.”

  “Reese, you know you won’t –”

  Reese closed the wall.

  “Reese!” Prudence shouted. “REESE!”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Less than a street away from Reese’s house a taxi cab slowed down on the side of the deserted road, and a shaken Christine stepped outside, rushing with both feet.

  Raymond exited shortly after her. “Christine!” he called. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “We didn’t check his backyard,” Christine hollered back.

  “Are you crazy?” Raymond shouted. “What are you thinking?”

  Christine didn’t pay him any attention. She couldn’t. Not now. The moment they’d got in that cab and started driving away, something inside of her said it was wrong. That they’d been in the right place before. That they almost found where she was.

  Christine knew Raymond was being smart, rational – but she couldn’t listen to her own brain now. This feeling she had inside – it consumed her. It … possessed her. The closer she came back to Reese’s house, the more and more sure she was that Prudence was still waiting for her there.

  Somewhere…

  Raymond eventually caught up. He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. He grabbed hold of her shoulders and started pushing her back.

  “No,” Christine yelled. “Fucking, no!”

  Elliot came up from behind. “Let it go, Christine. Just let it –”

  “No!”

  Christine broke free of them and started running, full ball at Reese’s house. She made it to the drive before they caught up, Raymond jumping on her, pinning her to the grass.

  “Fuck off!” Christine squealed fighting him.

  She slapped his face violently.

  Raymond’s head went back, his arms deflating, in total shock. He rolled off her, and Christine forced her way back to her feet.

  “I was only trying to…” Raymond muttered, then trailed off.

  Christine’s focus turned back to the house. She took a deep breath and then began to move in from the side.