After the child was born, and Bethany’s mother went to tell Samuel, Bethany would retrieve the medallion from where Samuel had it tucked away, and give it to Natalya. The child had been thrilled that she could bring such a smile to Lady Natalya’s face by agreeing to the plan, and was even at that moment flitting about the cottage in anticipation.
It hadn’t been hard in the least to convince the child this was the right thing to do. Natalya was the pretty Lady who stood up to her mean uncle and brought her gifts and was so kind to her. How could she not do as she asked? And the child had seen her uncle take the pretty gold necklace out of its hiding place many times just so he could look at it and dream of the riches that could be his if he ever dared to sell it. Bethany always watched him with envy at these times because the medallion was rightfully hers. She was the one who had found it, but Samuel had slapped her viciously and snatched it from around her neck in his greed.
A loud cry from Rowen brought Natalya back to her task at hand and she knelt at the foot of the bed, lifting the sheet to see if the babe was ready to come into the world. She reached up to feel for the tot, and finally was able to get her hands in place and begin a slow turn that would hopefully make it easier for the babe to enter the world. The question was though, where was Lucian?
Darkness had fallen hours ago and she and the lone guard were now alone. Natalya shook off the tiny tingle of fear that raced up her spine at the thought. Nothing would happen to her inside the cottage. Besides, how could Marishka know where she was? She couldn’t, plain and simple. Natalya told herself she was safe as safe could be.
Another cry form Rowen signaled that the woman’s labor was finally increasing, and that the contractions were actually doing the needed work. The babe must be in position now. Natalya reached up and could feel the head entering the birth canal and whispered a small word of thanks.
“Bethany, bring me those hot towels. Push now, Rowen. Tis time and things will be fine now. Push at the next pain.”
The contractions were coming fast and hard and Rowen struggled to do as Natalya told her. Her body was exhausted; she’d struggled in her labor long before Samuel had sent Bethany to fetch Natalya.
Natalya went to the head of the bed and took the large loop of rope hanging from the ceiling from Rowen’s hands and slipped it over Rowen’s head, then slid the woman’s hands up high on the rope to give more her leverage, and her body more support. When Rowen was in the proper position, Natalya went back to the foot of the bed.
“That’s it now, bear down, Rowen. Push with the next pain.”
A scream came forth from deep inside the struggling woman on the bed, but finally, much to everyone’s joy, the child made his way into the world.
Natalya held him up, proclaiming him to be a son, and wrapped him in the clean sheet that had been made ready after cutting the cord, and laid him at his mother’s breast.
“You did well, Rowen.”
“Thank you, Mistress, for everything. I can never thank you enough.”
“I was happy to help you, to help him.” Natalya gave Rowen a smile, both for the happiness that was evident on the woman’s face, and at the thought of how Samuel would scowl when he saw one of the rare pieces of soft bedding ever to grace their humble home had been used to wrap his child in; son or not, twas only a babe and certainly not more important than himself in his own eyes.
Natalya watched as Rowen’s eyes drifted shut, she had done her job well, but it was over and exhaustion could be fought off no longer.
“Let us give her some peace. Go and fetch Samuel while I gather up my things.” Bethany’s mother looked at the dark night with a frightened glance but did as Natalya asked. It had to be done and the frightening things that had happened so often in the past had become less frequent occurrences as of late.
When she had gone, Natalya looked at Bethany and raised her eyebrows as a smile lit up her face, and the child knew immediately what she wanted. She went to a brick beside the hearth, halfway up the wall, and stood on her toes to touch it.
“Here.”
Natalya smiled again, encouraging the child. “Go on with you then, sweet.”
Just as asked, Bethany began to wiggle the brick back and forth in an effort to retrieve what Natalya wanted, and finally was able to pull it free. Stretching to her tallest, searching with her fingers, Bethany reached into the secret crevice and pulled forth the medallion, then held it up to the light, beaming with pride that she could please the sweet Lady.
“This?”
“Oh yes, honey. That.”
Bethany walked over and handed the medallion to Natalya, a shy smile on her face. It was rare that she was praised or made to feel good about something she did.
“Tis the right one then? I did well?”
Natalya hugged her as she tucked the medallion into her pocket, and then handed a small stone to the child. “Yes, honey, you did very well. Just remember, it’s our secret.”
Bethany nodded, twas a secret to be sure. One the child knew she would never spill.
“And what are you to do if Samuel finds it missing?” A look of fear came over the child’s face.
“Tis okay poppin. You’ll not be harmed. Go do as I said.”
Bethany quickly went and put the small rock where the medallion had been then placed the concealing brick back in place. She then turned back towards Natalya, satisfied with what she’d done, confident all would be well.
“He won’t know because you played a trick on him. If he opens the brick he shall
find this stone but he won’t know it’s only a rock. Oh he may say so at first, but I’m to tell him that no it isn’t, tis his pretty necklace, and then he will see that it is.”
“That’s right, Bethany. I played a special trick, and he will see what is not there. All you have to do is tell him so. I promise. Believe me?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Good girl. Now I must go, tis dark and I should get back to the castle.”
“Will I see you again, My Lady?”
“Oh yes. There are other women here who require my help, and I promise the gifts will not stop. Sweets for my sweet girl right?”
“Oh yes, Mistress Natalya.”
The door opened and in came a scowling, drunken Samuel. He took one look at his sleeping wife and at the child wrapped in the expensive bed linen and gave a grunt of disapproval.
“You’re certain tis a boy?”
“Quite. You are to leave Rowen to her rest. I will be back to check on her soon and I shall ask her of your treatment.”
“Always the high and mighty bitch aren’t you?”
“And you, Sir, are always a bastard are you not?” Samuel raised a meaty fist in a threatening manner and waved it in her direction, but Natalya simply scowled and pushed passed him, patting her pocket as she did so.
Once outside, she tied her satchel to the saddle of her horse and mounted up as the guard did the same. They then quickly set off for the castle, neither asking the question burning in their minds. Where was Lucian?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The pair rode swiftly through the night; their fear increasing as the brush along the road became thicker, making for numerous hiding spots for one who might see them as prey. Natalya dug her heels into the sides of her horse, urging it to greater speed and the guard did the same. He knew he was no match for anything that might choose to accost them. Unfortunately, their worst nightmare was about to come true.
Andor was just a bit further up the road, and his keen hearing picked up the sound of their hoof beats at once. He stopped as he heard the approach of horses, not certain if he would be the hunted or the hunter, probably the first, but hopefully the latter. While it was true most humans wouldn’t be about at this hour, there was the possibility someone may have lost track of time in the tavern and was now rushing home to their farm on the far outskirts of the village.
He hid in the brush, melting back into the shadows of the dark night, waiting, watchin
g, hoping the ones approaching would be supper for his hungry Mistress, then stared in shocked delight at who he saw racing towards him. It was the red headed Gypsy, it had to be, no one else had locks that shade, and she was with but a lone human. Their scent filled the air at once, making him know the man was not a creature of the night.
He crouched low, waiting, waiting, then sprang as they raced towards him, quick as any wildcat, leaping out and screaming a shrill bestial sound that cut through the night, frightening both the horses and their riders.
Natalya’s horse reared and she grabbed for a handhold but wasn’t fast enough, and her fingers slipping across the smooth surface of the leather. Though her fear had put her on edge, she was weary, and that weariness may have just cost her life. As she tumbled from her horse, Andor pounced upon her, snarling, fingers already tearing at her, eyes flashing, and Natalya thought she was looking into the face of certain death.
The guard slowed, and then pulled up his horse, shocked, confused. He knew he was no match for the thing that had attacked Lady Natalya.
“Lady Natalya!”
“Go. Get help.... save yourself.” He heard her cries and sat uncertain. They were ones filled with terror and despair, and they made him struggle with his decision. He knew he would most likely die for leaving her, but also knew he would die if he stayed. No, it was best to ride as fast as he could and get help.
He turned his mount, throat constricted with near panic, and set off into the blackness, desperate to reach the castle, praying to God he would find Master Lucian along the way, for no man could battle what had fallen upon the Lady.
Behind him he heard the waning cries of the woman he was supposed to have protected as she fought the vile beast that had begun to do what creatures like him did, and sick dread filled him. The guard couldn’t think about it, he couldn’t, so he rode on.
Natalya fought Andor but he was too strong, much too strong, and her struggles only managed to make his blood lust roar stronger in his veins. He would have her, take her, rip her open as he raped her, drink from her body and then take her home to his Mistress to be a sweet little pet. Oh but wouldn’t Marishka be pleased with him then? They could keep her like a dog, enslaved, crawling upon the floor, using her as they pleased. The thought filled him with even more lust and strength.
She was a strong one, that was to be certain, but he overpowered her easily, tearing her bodice as he held her hands over her head with one hand, then raising her skirts and ripping them as well. He grasped her legs, yanking them apart, leaving bloody gashes where his talons ripped her flesh, then knelt between her thighs making ready.
Her rage had been replaced by a growing panic, and he breathed it in, toying with her bare breasts to heighten her sense of terror, grinning a hideous grin, fangs dripping with saliva as he lowered himself over her body pressing her down. Letting her feel the weight of him as the earth ground into her back.
He freed his cock even as his fangs pierced her throat, and Natalya knew all was lost. She stopped struggling as he drank deeply and a haze of grey began to buzz in her brain. She felt his cold, hard member pressing where no man but Danior had ever been, and knew that soon he would be inside her. The thought filled her with revulsion and she welcomed the blessed blackness that would save her from facing the brutal rape by this creature.
Just as the blackness clouded her vision and began to wipe out everything she knew, she whispered the name of the man she wished above all else could be her savior. Where was he? Why hadn’t he come?
“Lucian.”
Andor jerked up, mouth dripping with her blood, cock poised to thrust into her. “No, whore, not Lucian, Andor.”
“No...”
“Oh, yes.” That said, he lowered his mouth again, intent on drinking just a bit more before he took his fill of the rest of her body. He drank her blood anew, relishing in its sweetness, focusing only on the woman who lay helpless beneath him, forgetting all else. She was warm, and soft, and full of terror, and what was to come had been denied him for far too long.
So intent was Andor on his task that he never heard the pounding hoof beats coming at him from the darkness, but Natalya did. She heard them and whispered one last longing plea, but the word carried no sound, she was too far gone. The name on her lips was but a cry in her mind. Lucian.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lucian saw the dark hulking shape in the road before him, and saw the gleam of red hair fanned out upon the dirt as well. A roar of rage ripped through the night as he flung himself off his horse and onto the creature that would dare to attack Natalya.
His mind left him, replaced by an insatiable need to kill. His handsome visage disappeared as his beast emerged, ready to do battle and end the miserable life of the thing before him.
He caught Andor off guard, so intent had the other vampire been on his raping and feasting, and knocked him off the near unconscious Natalya, and they both went tumbling into the shrubs lining the road. They scuffled about, both landing blows, then parted, wanting to size up their quarry. Standing apart in near blackness with only a sliver of moon to light the arena of their battle.
They circled each other, eyes burning with the fire of hell, both intent on killing the other, Andor’s mouth and chin dripping crimson drops of Natalya’s blood.
“You...” Lucian hissed the words, so infuriated that he was almost beyond speech. “She is marked by the Master.”
“I care not. Before the night is over she will be mine. In all ways.” He stroked himself crudely then tucked his cock away with nimble fingers. “Such a sweet whore she is. She’ll make a good pet.”
Lucian snarled and they circled, circled, circled. “You’ll never touch her again.”
“Could it be that you want the bitch for yourself? Perhaps you’ve already had her, but no. The honorable Lucian wouldn’t touch what belonged to his Master. Fool. Now you’ll never know her sweetness.”
Natalya moaned and Lucian chanced a glance in her direction. She was motionless, lying near bare in the dirt and cool night air, as blood still seeped from the jagged wound in her neck. He had only taken a second to look at her, but in that time knew at once that she needed tending or she would die. The jagged holes in her neck had to be closed, and soon, or it would be too late.
Andor took that moment to spring at him, flying forward full force, but Lucian had seen him coming from the corner of his eye and dodged at the last moment. Still, Andor caught his shoulder and knocked him off balance, sending him back, arms cart wheeling, his boot heel catching on the root of a tree making him fall.
Andor was upon him at once but though the other vampire outweighed him, Lucian had pure rage to fuel him. The sight of Natalya, the thought of her dying because of the thing before him... it was too much to bear.
With a roar that pierced the blackness Lucian wedged his arms between he and Andor and then thrust upward with all his might, throwing the other vampire backwards through the air. Andor landed with a thud close to Natalya, much too close, but Lucian moved quick as lightning and yanked Andor away from the unconscious woman by his hair.
He jerked back with a rage borne of pure hatred fueled by the insanity brought on by the sight of her near lifeless body and flung Andor to the ground like a rag doll then began to pummel his face and upper torso, shrieking as he did so.
The sound was chilling, sending bone numbing fear into the villagers who heard him almost a mile away and he continued to roar and rage as his fists flew.
Andor, no weakling himself, thinking of the fate of his Mistress should he die here upon the road, roared as well and grasped Lucian’s head, thumbs pushing towards his eyes, intent on tearing the head off the vampire who was beating him, but Lucian’s mad thrashing prevented him from gaining hold.
Andor flung his body up, knocking Lucian off him and the pair tumbled over and over, first Andor on top, then Lucian, and finally Andor gained the upper hand, pinning Lucian to the ground beneath him. He put a hand around Lucian’s ne
ck and began to squeeze, intent on tearing the head off the vampire he despised, but Lucian was smart, faster.
His hands reached around him, fingers searching, knowing what he needed and knowing that chances were it would be there if he simply didn’t give up. Hands patting the ground, his fingers finally felt a slim branch lying upon the dirt. It wasn’t much, wouldn’t do the job if thrust through his opponents back, but it would do well if he were able to flip Andor over one last time.
Lucian grasped the slim branch and heaved upward with his hips, bucking wildly, yanking Andor’s hair back with his other hand, pulling the man up and back and finally over. As Marishka’s pet fell backward, Lucian in turn rose and fell forward, landing upon him and raising his hand which held the branch, bringing it down, thrusting it straight into Andor’s chest much to the other vampire’s amazement.
Andor paused for a moment, frozen in time, eyes staring, mouth red with Natalya’s blood open in shock, then turned to dust beneath a spent but supremely satisfied Lucian.
Lucian sat for a moment in the blowing ashes of the vampire he’d just slain, then wiped his hands on his leggings and rose, rushing over to the woman who was so very close to death.
As he knelt by her side, the scent of her potent rich blood and that of the stink that was Andor assaulted him. He paused, needing to gain composure, but knowing he hadn’t time to waste. Still, he had to be calm before he tended the gaping wound in her slender neck. He cared for this woman, he could admit it now because the fear and rage that had filled him at her assault spoke the truth plain as day, but still, she was human, and the ivory column that was her neck still glistened crimson from the careless bite left by Andor, and care for her or not, her blood would be heady, even more so because his loins had ached for her so many times.
He took in a breath and closed his eyes, reverting back to his human façade; then bent over her near naked form, bringing his mouth to her torn throat and extending his rough tongue to begin the healing process that would close the wound.
Beneath The Shadows of Evil... Torn Page 33
