by Belita Renn
The upper level would have been servant quarters, and as such, the condition of the furnishings would be uninteresting, if any remained. It's time to go.
She stayed close to the wall and hurried down the wide staircase to the entrance hall. She scurried out the door and down the dirt path. The courtyard was overgrown with patches of grass, small bushes, and sprouting trees. She didn't know why they had let her go. Whatever the reason, she was glad to be in the sunlight again. She ran down the drive, feeling as though something evil was watching her from within the castle. Were the vampires able to enter the sunlight? Valo, or was it Cader, had said they were different from vampires. What she knew about a real vampire could fit on the nose of a cow.
Gana ran at a slow pace. When she reached the road, she intended to keep a steady pace to prevent fatigue. She didn't want to be forced to stop for a rest before reaching the safety of her home. Seeing the town come into view, she felt her fear returning. She had been this close when they captured her last night. The sunlight reassured her she was safe, but she had no way of knowing their true powers.
Gana slowed to a walk as she approached the first house on the outskirts of town. She held her side against the painful stitch, and worried what to do once she reached the house.
It was doubtful her absence had been noticed. Her uncle, Jonathan Sart, was a heavy drinker. She had lived with Jonathan since her parents died of lung fever two years past. Each night, he returned from the pub in his cups. He would stagger in and go to his bedchamber. It was always late in the morning before he dragged himself from his bed. His face unshaven, his clothing rumpled from sleeping in them, Jonathan would eat a small meal, usually a hunk of bread to settle his stomach, before doing chores. In the evening, he would don fresh clothing before returning to his cronies at the pub. There, he would eat his evening meal and drink the night away. She never interfered with his activities, and he never bothered with her, as long as she kept his clothing repaired and neat. She was accustomed to being alone in the house. Now, she wished there would be someone waiting for her.
Her home was in the middle of town, which was comforting. There were plenty of people to come should she scream for help. Widow Horpopkin was picking herbs in her garden as Gana passed. Calling a neighborly “Hello,” the widow waved. Waving back, Gana continued walking as she needed to reach the security of her home. Carts loaded with hay were being pulled by horses, and wagons rolled down the dirt road toward the main street. She nodded, and tossed up a hand in greeting. It was a large village. Even if they weren't friends, she knew most of the faces.
Upon reaching the cottage, she allowed the tension she had been holding at bay to slip beneath her guard. This was the one place she didn't feel as though she had to pretend all was right with her life. Her muscles began to quiver, and her knees felt as though they were melting. She willed herself to reach the hearth before she collapsed.
The dirty, old-wood entrance was a familiar and welcoming sight.
The first thing she needed to do was protect herself, and then she would worry about the rest. She had a feeling these vampires were not going to give up too easily.
Going to the bedroom, she rummaged around and found her necklace with a cross. She sighed in relief. Putting it around her neck should make her protected. She wouldn't be foolish and take it from her neck this time. Once the necklace was nestled on her chest, she quit the bedroom. Crossing the front room, she entered the kitchen and found a pail, and then she hurried from the house. Saul Steed was the only one she could think of that might possibly believe she hadn't gone insane.
Gana hurried down the street, nodding to people she passed, but she didn't have time to stop for a chat. Her first stop was the church. She filled the pail with blessed water, and started toward the door. The priest came from a side room, and stared at her with a solemn expression, but he didn't attempt to detain her. Shaking his head, he turned and started back toward his office mumbling about the foolishness of his flock. “Vampires. Such foolishness.” She heard him snort. So he knew of her theory about vampires and didn't believe. As long as he didn't stop her from fetching blessed water, she didn't care what he believed.
She lugged the heavy pail from the building and descended the front steps to the dirt street. She shuffled down the street with the bucket of water dangling before her. She walked to the mercantile where Saul worked. She paused in the street and was undecided about entering with the pail of blessed water. However, she wasn't going to leave the water unprotected in the street, it was too valuable to her now. Gana readjusted her hold on the handle and turned toward the steps. She climbed the stair to the wood porch. Shoving the door open, she stepped inside.
He looked at her oddly when she entered with the pail of water, but Saul was busy with customers. She stood against the wall, and waited while he finished. The customers gathered their wrapped packages and cast puzzled glances her way as they left.
"Why are you carrying a pail of water around?” Saul gazed at her with an indulgent expression.
His features were unimpressive, but Saul had a great smile. When he smiled, she forgot about his receding hairline, and that he wasn't handsome. That smile gave him all the charm he needed to seduce the ladies and Saul took full advantage of that ability. He had been her first lover, and although she had thought at the time that he was going to ask her to wed, she quickly wised up after a few quick couplings and put an end to their affair. Saul didn't marry because there were too many women available to bed. He preferred the rush and excitement of secretive affairs that marriage could never afford him.
She pretended she didn't care that he had used her for his gratification, but deep inside, she did. He hadn't even made certain that she enjoyed their couplings and she resented him for letting her believe he was going to marry her. Still, she didn't have many friends, and she couldn't afford to lose one over an affair that lasted only a month.
Carrying the bucket to the counter, she set it down on the floor. “This is blessed water I fetched from the church. Saul, I killed a woman—a female vampire—the night before last. I went to the castle with the crowd that night. This woman knocked me across the room, and all I had for protection was a bottle of blessed water. She was a vampire, Saul, and I killed her."
Saul snorted. His straight eyebrows drew down in a frown as he turned away. “I thought you were serious. Are you going to start that silly vampire nonsense again?"
"I know it sounds crazy, but I killed her by tossing holy water on her before she could murder me."
"What were you doing with blessed water?” he queried, with obvious disbelief.
"I was taking it to my parents’ grave. When the crowd decided to go to the castle, I had it with me, and so I carried it to the castle,” she lied.
Saul shook his head. He didn't believe a word she was saying.
"Anyway, I tossed the blessed water on her. She melted. I mean really, as if the water were something that destroys, so she had to be a vampire. It was horrible watching her die. I'm sure she was the one killing the people in the village. By killing her, I got rid of evil, a vampire."
He leaned on the counter on his elbows. “All right, so you killed a blood-sucking vampire night before last. Where is the body, and why are you carrying water today?"
"Well, I want to protect myself. You see...” The words died in her throat. She couldn't bring herself to tell Saul about the two vampires. “I'm frightened."
She tilted her head to the side. It was irritating that she couldn't speak of the male vampires. It had to be their influence over her. It also revealed that they could control her. I really am in trouble. Double trouble. I don't know if I can take on two at once. They beat me before, so I must be wise this time if I am to survive.
"Very funny, I'm waiting for the joke. Listen, if you are through spouting tales, I do have things I need to accomplish.” Saul stood and turned his back to her and pulled down a box from the shelf. “However, if you wish to step into the back fo
r a quick poke..."
Gana ignored the proposition and tried once more to convince him. “But, Saul, I want to tell you...” Again the thoughts drifted from her mind. She wasn't able to tell him about the male vampires. It was there in her mind, she knew about them, but she wasn't able to make the thoughts verbal. She stood with her mouth working, while Saul flashed a grin he hoped would charm her into lifting her skirt for him. Her shoulders slumped. “I did kill the vampire."
"Then we are all safe. Once the killings stop, I will announce it was you who saved us, if you suck my member,” he bargained.
Sighing heavily, she picked up the bucket. I would rather suck the vampires. “Never mind. I had hoped you were the one person in this town I could depend on. I am sorry I wasted your time.” She lowered her head, and watched the water, making certain it didn't splash out onto his floor, as she quit the mercantile. She wondered if he asked every woman who entered the mercantile alone to suck his penis.
Gana held the pail handle away from her thigh as she strode down the dirt road. The village was mostly quaint houses trimmed in brown with thatch roofs, the yards having flowers and herb gardens. The large food gardens were outside of town. Fruit and nut trees were grown near the houses to offer shade in the summer, and protection from winter winds. While acting friendly, the people were mostly distant. She didn't think having vampires living here would make a big difference to the town, as long as they didn't kill.
They had apologized for bringing the woman vampire here since she had killed. Now that she was dead, they could fly back to their home. Did they really fly? The wind last night was a good indication flying wasn't a problem for them. That must be amazing. It was totally astonishing to her that vampires did exist. She hadn't been able to tell Saul about the creatures, so he would be no help.
Gana slowly made her way back to her home. She had a bucket of water and a cross. It wasn't much protection; still, it was all she had. It would have to be enough.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. After she got home, she filled two glasses with blessed water. Taking a rag, she dipped it into the blessed water, and squeezed it over her clothing and hair. She felt wicked using blessed water on her person; also, she felt a deep guilt over wanting them. After all, she had never desired anyone before, and what if she never did again? What if she never had this opportunity again? What if they were meant to be together? If they were her destiny, then she would be safe, and they could love each other. “If you really want me, and can claim me now, I will be your mistress. If it is meant to be, why should I object? You know I wish you could.” Talking to herself was normal, since she spent so much time alone in the house. “Heaven knows I'm tired of being alone and unloved.” But she wasn't going to wash away the blessed water and make it easy for them. Gana wasn't just going to give herself to them; her conscience wouldn't allow it. They must prove they desired her enough to try. She needed them to want her enough to try to claim her.
It started growing dark, and she lit a few oil lamps, setting them around the room. She sat in the chair beside the two glasses of water. Her heart started pounding from the tension in her body, and her breathing became shallow. Darkness soon blocked the view beyond the window. Jonathan entered and walked straight through to his bedchamber. When he came out, she was waiting in the rocking chair beside the hearth. “Jon, could we talk for a minute?” She didn't know how she was going to explain. Still, she would try, even if she had to lie, as she had with Saul.
"Don't have time,” he grumbled, striding toward the door, a look of irritation on his face bloated from excess of imbibing. “People are waiting for me."
"It will only take a few minutes. I am certain your friends at the pub can wait a short time.” She rose from the chair and started across the room intending to detain him.
He opened the door and slipped through without a backward glance. The door swung back to the frame, all but slapping Gana in the face, then latched behind him.
"Thanks for your interest in my problems,” she yelled at the closed door. Feeling downcast, she muttered, “I could well be dead tomorrow.” She shook her head and stiffened her spine. This was no time to be wallowing in self-pity. Being alone had made her self-reliant. Her wit was what she must place her faith in. Surely, she could make this decision on her own.
Calm settled over her body. Gana returned to the rocking chair where she had the glasses of blessed water waiting on an end table. She readjusted the glasses away from the table edges, suddenly afraid they might tip and spill the precious liquid. The vampires could react violently over what she had done and she had to be prepared to defend herself. She would handle this because she had no choice. Later, she would allow herself to fall apart.
Had she hit her head on a rock, Gana would believe this was all a weird dream. She ran her fingers over her scalp to be sure there weren't any bumps. Her scalp was still tender from hitting the wall, but there was no bump. There was only one excuse left for what she had seen these past days. There are two vampires living in the castle who claimed they want me to be their mistress.
A knock on the door startled her.
No, I'm not answering the door. I am not moving from this chair. Her hands moved close to the glasses of water on the table.
A scraping sound, as though someone was scratching on the door, came next. Her heart leapt, they had come for her. “I don't have a cat,” she stated. There was a tapping on the windowpane.
"Gana, are you all right?” Saul's voice came from beyond the door.
Could they imitate Saul's voice? How would they know Saul was a friend? Be reasonable, they couldn't know. Could they?
"Gana?” Saul's puzzled voice came again.
She rose from the chair; she had to get him inside quickly, before they came. Her heart fluttered in her chest. Were they out there watching him? Are they playing cat and rat again? I hate being the cornered rat. She hurried to the door and opened it. “Hurry, come in."
Saul pushed the door open further and stepped inside. She tried to push the door quickly closed after him, but it wouldn't budge. Valo and Cader stepped through the opening as she backed from the door.
"Thank you for inviting us in,” Valo said with a lazy grin.
Gana turned to run to the chair and the glasses of blessed water, but Saul stood in her way. Gana attempted to slip around him, but Saul caught her arm and forced her to stop. His large hand gripped her arm at the elbow and held her fast at his side.
"Where are you going, Gana?” Cader asked pleasantly. “I believe you have been a naughty lady today."
"You reek,” Valo accused in disgust. “We could smell you from outside."
"Saul has kindly offered us his assistance,” Cader continued, as though his words were a continuation of Valo's thoughts.
She twisted to escape Saul's hold. Saul stared at her with a grin that was more evil leer than friendly greeting.
Saul was her friend, he was on her side; but the wicked smirk belied her defense of him.
"Saul is more than willing to give you a bath. Aren't you, Saul?” Cader continued in an amused tone. His deeply seductive voice caressed her mind.
"Very willing.” Turning toward the side room, Saul dragged her toward the bathing area.
Gana struggled against him. She dragged her feet, and clutched at anything with her free hand to stop him from taking her to water. “This is not fair!"
"Saul, please don't help them. My friend, fight it, fight against their influence. You don't really want to help them hurt me."
Hesitating, he looked at the vampires in query.
"We will not hurt her,” Cader assured him.
"You cannot trust them!"
"Apparently, during your short affair, you never removed your clothing. Saul wants to see you naked, so it makes it easy for us to gain his assistance,” Valo said. His dark eyes calmly watched her struggles, his arms crossed over his powerful chest. “Just as we easily prevented you from talking about us today, you didn't real
ly want anyone preventing us from coming after you."
"Yes I did!"
He shook his head. “No, you didn't. Deep down, you are excited by us, even if you are frightened by the attraction,” Valo continued as though she hadn't interrupted. “Saul thinks it is exciting that you are fucking two men at once."
"I'm not,” she insisted.
Cader stepped forward. “We warned him you might deny it. Saul knows you aren't a virgin. Staying with us overnight is a much more interesting tale. Shall I tell Saul how you fondled yourself for our entertainment?"
"Don't you dare!"
Cader smirked. “Hold your hand out, Saul."
"No, Saul, don't do it,” she pleaded, pulling against his hold on her arm. “None of what they are saying is true."
"Do you deny spending the last two nights and yesterday at the castle? You did admit to Saul earlier that you were at the castle last night. Will you lie to him now?"
"Certainly not, I have nothing to hide. Yes, I was there, but not to be with them."
"The fact is you were with us.” Cader chuckled. “Saul, how many women do you know who spend a day and two nights alone with two men that weren't interested in having sexual relations with them?"
Smirking, Saul held out his free hand. Cader pierced his finger with a fang, and a tiny drop of blood appeared. He spit on it and mixed the saliva with the blood. Using his thumb, he rolled the solution around the pad of his finger. Most slid off the sides and dripped onto the floor. He spit again, then again, until the blood was almost nonexistent within the saliva that hadn't rolled off the finger. She struggled to escape Saul's hold on her while watching the ritual with fascination. Cader dropped the mixture onto Saul's fingers when he was satisfied with the mix. “Put it in her mouth,” he instructed.
