Dark as the Grave

by Peter Dawes

  She broke her gaze, focusing on pouring water into the machine and scooping coffee into a filter. I watched her going through the motions, but focused more on my girlfriend’s superstition than her actions. Once her hands had become unencumbered, I crossed the slight distance between us. Opening my arms to her, I drew her close to my chest, engulfing her in my embrace.

  “I’m scared, Peter,” she whispered.

  “You don’t have anything to be worried about,” I said. In my ignorance, I cradled her close and determined the best way to address her fears was to dismiss them. “Nothing terrible is going to happen. Whether I ever see the world like you do, I refuse to believe it has the type of monsters you envision existing in the shadows. And I wish I could do something to prove that to you.”

  “We’re always going to disagree on this. At least, until you see it for yourself.”

  “That is about as likely to happen as that pendant I bought you becoming a magical talisman.”

  She stepped away from me, looking up to meet my gaze while reaching for her new necklace, the action almost subconscious. I saw that I had hurt her in the way she regarded me. “I’m sorry,” I said, frowning. “That wasn’t right of me. I just don’t like seeing you so upset.”

  “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight, but no vision,” she said, her voice developing an edge to it. She shut her eyes, taking a deep breath inward while the words of her favorite quote hung in the air between us. I opened my mouth to speak, but she interrupted me by continuing. “I wish I could believe for you, because there’s a huge cloud on the horizon and I can’t look away from it. I can’t save you now and I’m starting to think I won’t be able to save you from it in the future.”

  The admission made even less sense to me, but I still felt chagrined enough from my one slip not to indulge another. I coaxed her against me again, hearing her cry and wincing as I realized I had helped cause that. “Shh, it’s okay,” I said. “I’m here now. And I have a feeling that if something happens, and you’re not able to be here, that you’ll be clever enough to figure out a way to help me. I might not believe the same things, but I have faith in you.”

  “Just hold me,” she said. “Let’s not talk about it anymore. I didn’t mean to get so down. It’s a beautiful necklace.”

  “I know. Don’t worry about it.” Pulling away only enough to make eye contact, I slid my hands from her back to her shoulders and managed a smile. “Come on, let’s have some coffee and make dinner plans. It’s still your birthday, and I want it to be special.”

  Lydia nodded, resting her head against me for a few additional minutes first before fetching our cups. While we drank coffee, I made one last pledge, swearing to protect her against whatever she feared lay in wait. If she doubted me at all, she had every right to. Three months later, I would be the one to commit the ultimate act of betrayal against her. No more than ten feet away from where we had stood in her kitchen was a block of butcher knives. My hand would be the one to take one of those blades and cut through her heart in the most literal way possible. She had been the one to tell me she had feared her own demise.

  But I would be the one to ensure it became a reality.

  The days passed, leaving me in the position of being a conflicted vampire. I was an assassin, after all. My hands had taken life so often, my actions had nearly become mechanical. Precise and unmerciful. Sociopathic. What Robin had said about the monster I had become could be proven time and time again, but, after our talk, it became a bitter pill to swallow. Forcing myself to soldier past the internal angst it created, I reminded myself I had been tasked with a challenge to surmount. And doing so would require my wits to be at their sharpest.

  As such, I continued to meet with Sabrina, grateful when the demand for my services lulled and required fewer conversations between us. She gave little sign that my behavior had become suspicious to her, though I knew better than to count on that. At some point, I reckoned, she would remember our yearly ritual had gone unobserved, my desire for her far more distant than it had ever been. When that happened, I had no idea what I would do.

  In the meantime, I avoided Timothy, to keep the Spymaster from reporting back on my actions. My sunglasses remained on my face always, beyond my usual need to shield my sensitive vision and even during my talks with Sabrina. I still hunted, and still found myself dull to the plight of the humans I consumed, but something about my apathy seemed less about them and more about the mortal I had killed within me. The doctor’s hypocrisy remained the one barrier I could not surmount, casting me as the worst transgressor of the lot. Not to say my victims were any better in comparison.

  The businessman who routinely cheated on his wife, for example.

  Or the woman who married purely for their spouse’s money.

  The fraternity brothers who raped a young co-ed.

  I found myself wishing ill on everyone, and dispatched them with impunity. Ordinarily, this would have been the moment when Monica might have surfaced to scold my behavior, but the witch had disappeared and the entire time passed without any hint of the impish Miss Alexander. Granted, I doubted she remained absent due to any fault of mine, but it still bore a conspicuous nature, causing me to fear whatever portents her estrangement alluded toward. If not for other, more pressing, matters, I would have searched for her whereabouts.

  Robin took precedence, however. For as much of a mask as I had been forced to wear, Robin had to be that much more polished as the coven’s second-in-command. In public, we retained the same decorum, squabbling and scheming in the same manners we always had without missing a beat. Other times, we would find a secluded part of the city in which to speak, and only then would our words turn conspiratorial. Early into the throes of March, we became embroiled in one such discussion, centered on the demise of our Mistress.

  “I do not trust myself to pull the knife on her, Robin,” I said as I drew from a cigarette, exhaling smoke while I talked. Flicking ash from the end, I let my gaze stray heavenward. “The one to do it must have a clear mind regarding her. I cannot vouch for my mental faculties right now.”

  “Cannot?” Robin asked. He scoffed. “You’ve successfully eluded her suspicions for over two weeks. If anyone is skilled enough for this task, it would be you.”

  “With as many weaknesses as I have, presently? No, I am merely fortunate she has not discovered any of them.”

  “Such as your eyes? The pendant?”

  “Amongst other things.”

  Robin raised an eyebrow when I looked down at him again. “What else?”

  I sighed. “If you must know, there are some existential problems I have been sorting through, some of which have nothing to do with Sabrina. The last thing this plan needs is an unsteady executioner.”

  He studied me until his brow arched, skepticism latent in his gaze. “You just don’t want to be the one to do it. After all this, the assassin is still devoted.”

  “Try my patience again and watch how quickly I walk away and leave you to sort through this mess alone.” Drawing from the cigarette one last time, I flicked the depleted remnant away and adjusted my coat over my concealed blades, the action one more of habit than necessity. “Yes, I am aware a part of me remains loyal to her and, I apologize, but I cannot help that. My gifts and the revulsion toward her they inspire have formed a wall holding that back, but if she finds a crack in my defenses, then your whole plan goes to waste.”

  “Forgive me for saying this, but I believe we’ve found the first creature that Flynn cannot kill.”

  I glowered at him through the barrier of my sunglasses. “Robin, you want your coup and I am giving it to you, even though I could decide to turn on you. Is that what you want? Do you desire to put everyone else’s life at risk?” When he failed to answer, I took a deep breath to calm my temper. “Perhaps I do fear evil, but I admit I do not hate it as much as I should.”

  Robin sighed. “I believe that, dear brother.” My gaze returned in time to see him regard
me softly, the look in his eyes a mystery to me, but bearing a distinct level of fondness. “You’re still of warring minds. At some point, one of the two sides must vanquish the other and claim victory.”

  “Well, I wish it would hurry up. This middle-of-the-road bullshit is taxing.”

  He chuckled, and I could not help but to smirk in response. While I relished the small moment of levity, I sobered almost instantly, reaching in my coat for another cigarette and lighting it. “So, tell me what your co-conspirators have planned,” I said. “I want to know how the amateurs do it.”

  “You would mock your teacher?” he asked, a hint of amusement lingering in his smile. “I’ll have you know I can still handle the sword just as well as I did when we last sparred.”

  “Which makes me fearful for your sake.”

  “Then search my thoughts, seer, and tell me what you think of my plans.”

  I took a long drag of my cigarette, pivoting to face Robin. He extended a hand as if inviting me and I sighed, shaking my head in recognition of his theatrics before focusing intently on him. On the surface of his mind I saw both his loathe for Sabrina and his sentiments for me and brushed them both aside. In that moment, a host of images assailed me.

  A council meeting came to life, with several elders and coven masters gathered together in a large room. While such occurrences were commonplace among the area covens, from Robin’s thoughts, I got the sense of grave importance from their gathering, seeing one man rise to address the others.

  “We are gathered here,” he said, “to cast judgment against the House of Sabrina for its crimes against the Delaware Valley covens.” While I did not hear whatever else he might have had to say, Robin made it clear in his mind that testimonies would be made against Sabrina, the most damning of which would be his, with our immortal mother sitting in silent audience. As much as I scoffed at the idea that she would ever be quiet during an inquisition, I continued to watch, realizing how unanimous the call for her execution would be. And when she was killed, Robin would take her place as Master.

  Focusing again on my brother, I raised an eyebrow. “And how does this punishment get exacted?” I asked. “Do you see Sabrina simply laying her head down on the chopping block and waiting for the axe?”

  “No, she will resist,” he said. “This is where I had hoped you’d be present to ensure the execution proceeded without incident, but if you don’t feel inclined, then I should make other arrangements.” His gaze turned distant, both hands digging into the pockets of his coat. “I might have to do it myself.”

  “And would you be up to that task?”

  He shrugged. “Does it matter? Considering how complicit I have been toward her actions, I suppose it’s the penance I must serve.”

  “Well, I hope to be far away from this debacle.” Drawing from my cigarette, I exhaled and flicked ash from the end. “It should not be too difficult, determining what to do with the remainder of my eternal existence.”

  While I had spoken the words with a hint of sarcasm, I saw Robin’s gaze shift back to me just as his face lit with epiphany. Within seconds, he mirrored my arched brow. “I could use a bodyguard,” he said. “Not an assassin, but someone to protect me while we make the transition from Sabrina’s leadership to mine. Would you be my guardian as I have been yours these past few years?”

  I regarded him in silence, weighing the seriousness of his request. As he maintained steady eye contact, I felt the temptation to delve into his thoughts again and saw no sign of deception. Simply the earnest request of a brother. He continued, as if sensing my hesitation. “No seducing,” he said. “No manipulation. You wouldn’t be my servant. You would be my companion. I only ask for your defense, Flynn, not for you to be subject to my whims.”

  Robin grinned and added, “Unless your human destiny comes to claim you first, that is.”

  “Please,” I said, dismissing his statement with a flick of my wrist. “Human destinies are for mortals and I am hardly that any longer.” Studying Robin, I turned the notion around in my head. “Only a bodyguard? Nothing more?”

  “As surely as you named me Robin and I named you Flynn, I will never ask for you to be an assassin.”

  I nodded, considering his statement while taking one last draw of my cigarette and tossing it onto the ground, half-finished. Never had the thought of using my sword as anything other than an executioner occurred to me. Even the notion of realizing my destiny as a slayer brought with it the demand that I would kill, but this request bore a level of neutrality I did not think possible. My eyes met him again, with a weight lifted from my chest. “I will not stand in your way,” I said. “And after the assassination is carried out, my sword will be used for your protection.”

  My answer pleased Robin so much, he crossed what distance remained between us and threw his arms around me. Falling into the embrace in an awkward manner, I winced at his enthusiasm while he patted my back and pushed away, his hands sliding up to my shoulders and clutching onto me. “Very good, Flynn,” he said. “I prefer this over the thought of you and I being at odds.”

  “I should say so, for your sake,” I said with a laugh.

  He succumbed to a chuckle as well, his hands lifting and instantly setting me more at ease. “I can’t argue with that,” he said. Robin sighed, the sound rife with relief. “This is the best I’ve felt in decades. When this can all be put behind us, we will all find peace.” His expression softened as his eyes met mine again in a more deliberate manner. Something about his gaze unnerved me with the amount of affection it contained. “I won’t ask you to play the actor much longer,” he added, as if to soothe me. “The elders are stirring. We plan to meet soon.”

  Nodding, I broke eye contact and straightened the wrinkles in my coat. “The sooner the better. I do not like having to be so tense.” When I looked heavenward, I made note of the hour and remembered I had been instructed by our Mistress to report to her. “Speaking of which, I must go. Shore up your plans.” I glanced back at him again. “Decide who your assassin will be, even if one needs to be hired. Sabrina is a crafty woman, as you have noted, and will become wise to the ambush faster than you will like. You might have to act swiftly, without the formality of charges.”

  “I will ensure we have a few contingencies in place.”

  “Good.” Lifting my hand in a two-fingered salute, I turned to depart. I had made it only a few paces away when Robin called out toward me.

  “Flynn,” he said.

  Pivoting, I lined him in my sights and quirked an eyebrow.

  He hesitated, seemingly wanting to say one thing, then abandoning it in favor of simply adding, “Soon, brother. I promise.”

  I flashed a small smile. “Thank heaven for small mercies,” I said, then finally made good on leaving. It did not take long for me to walk back to the coven, past the sentries at the front doors and well on my way toward the stairs. Footsteps rushed toward me, however, their owner stopping me with my hand on the banister.

  Rose appeared in my periphery, prompting me first to glance to the right, where she first appeared, then swing around to the left as she assumed a place by my side. Her sultry smirk piqued my curiosity, but before I could ask, she spoke. “Just the devil I was looking for,” she said.

  “Seek the devil and you will find him, dear Rose,” I said. “What do you want?”

  “I have a message for you.” She started her ascent, which inspired me to do the same. “Sabrina had other matters to attend to and says she’ll call on you tomorrow evening. Does that mean you’ll be free tonight?”

  Without looking directly at her, I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, seeing the wicked way she regarded me. I mirrored her smile. “Have I left you wanting, Rose?” I asked. “It has seemed to me that you have been the busy one.”

  “Now, I never said I was cross with you, I only want to know if you have other plans. You and Robin have looked cozy lately.”

  I chuckled, masking the flight of nerves her mention of Rob
in brought about. “Well, we have had to fill the time somehow,” I said. “All of the beautiful women of this coven have not needed us.” Releasing a long, forlorn sigh, I continued using theatrics as a mask. “Left to our own devices, we seek solace in brandy and chess. This is the state you have left us in.”

  “You’re impossible.” Rose slithered closer to me while we finished our ascent. I felt the way her side touched mine, slowed only when her hand settled on my backside, sliding up to my back and settling between my shoulder blades. When we reached the top of the stairs, I smelled her perfume wafting toward me and permitted myself a glance at her plunging neckline, feeling my baser nature take hold with the reminder of how long it had been since I last had her in my bed. She did not inspire the same revulsion Sabrina did, and with the absence of something to curtail my carnal desires, they raged into palpable need.

  “Are you alright, Flynn?” she asked as we turned down the corridor, her actions indicating she intended to follow me to my door.

  I winced. Evidence of my interest would be difficult to conceal, leading me to wonder if I should entertain her company, regardless of how obvious it was that I could. No, I knew I could not trust her, but Rose never liked to linger on details anyway. ‘Just this once,’ I conceded, convinced that, with the lights out, she probably would not even notice my eyes. “I was considering whether I had anything further to do,” I said, “but it seems the rest of my night is available.”

  “Brilliant.” Rose pressed our sides together even closer. I shut my eyes as we stopped in front of my door. Her cool breath hitting my neck as she whispered, I felt prickles form on my skin. “Tell me about your latest conquests,” she said. “I want to imagine you covered in blood while I fuck you.”

  A shiver ran the length of my spine. Opening my eyes, I turned my head to regard her, my fangs descending. Rose flashed her teeth at me, too, and within moments, we found ourselves in my room, hastily divesting each other of clothes. She might have taken more blood from me than usual and might have been wilder that night, but the moment I relaxed into the bed, sated and spent, the siren call of sleep took me under with little effort.