by K. M. Ashman
‘Got it,’ said Leatherman. ‘It’s a shame though, we were so close.’
‘This isn’t the end, Leatherman,’ said Montague. ‘Nephthys can’t have been the only one out there, and now that I know they exist, I will make it my life’s work to find another. Immortality is possible, Leatherman, and within my grasp. All we need is vampire blood.’
----
Epilogue
Amy opened her eyes and stared at the wall in front of her. She was lying on her side in a large ornate bed, the curtains were drawn and the room was in darkness. Behind her, she could hear the slow and heavy breathing of Lucas, obviously still fast asleep. Slowly, the memories of the last few days came back to her. It had been everything that she could have hoped for. A wonderful, handsome man had finally taken her to his bed and introduced her to the wonderful world of lovemaking. Lucas had been a patient and attentive teacher, and in her wildest dreams, Amy had never imagined that it could be so wonderful. In fact, they had been so besotted with each other, that Lucas had made some calls and secured the cottage for a whole week. Amy had called work to book some leave, and sent a text to her mother, telling her not to worry, she was safe and would be home in a couple of days. After that, the time was all theirs.
They had dined in local pubs, walked the forest paths, and even risked a freezing skinny dip in one of the secluded pools in the forest. All in all, it had been amazing, and even when a heavy storm had been forecast, they both got quite excited about being stranded for a few days in their secluded cottage. They had stocked up on provisions and added a few extra bottles of red wine to the shopping list.
Lucas had piled up the log basket alongside the fire, and by the time the first thunder clap came, they were cuddled up in front of a roaring, comforting fire, enjoying a bottle of deep red wine.
That had been last night, and Amy felt slightly uncomfortable at the way the night had unfolded.
At first, it had been wonderful. They had made love in front of the fire and the quality wine had flowed freely as they discussed the world in general and how they were going to spend the rest of their lives together. But as the storm increased, the conversation turned to darker things. Their shared interest in the occult came to the fore and they found themselves comparing stories of everything paranormal, supernatural or simply mysterious. Eventually, the subject had turned to vampires, and Amy had been surprised to find Lucas’s passion about the undead matched hers for intensity. They talked for hours, getting steadily drunker as the night progressed, and with the storm now in full swing outside, the atmosphere was positively gothic. Suddenly, Lucas had jumped up and staggered out of the room.
Amy recalled the conversation.
‘Where are you going?’ she asked.
‘Back in a second,’ he said, ‘I just remembered something.’
Within a minute, he was back and resumed his place alongside Amy. He grabbed the bottle of wine and filled their two glasses to the brim. The look on his face was intense, and when he had finished, he stared at her for a few seconds without speaking.
‘Lucas, what’s the matter?’ giggled Amy.
‘I’ve got a fantastic idea,’ he said.
‘What idea?’
‘This,’ said Lucas, and pulled out the vial of blood.
‘I’d forgotten about that,’ she said. ‘What about it?’
Lucas undid the lid and after a moment’s hesitation, poured several drops into either glass.
‘Lucas, what are you doing?’ she gasped.
‘Come on,’ he whispered hoarsely, ‘let’s do it. Let’s toast the undead in wine, the colour of blood, containing the life force of a vampire.’
‘Lucas, that’s disgusting,’ laughed Amy, ‘I’m not drinking that.’
‘Why not? You won’t taste it, it’s hardly anything.’
‘I don’t care; it may contain germs or something.’
‘Human blood is a natural substance,’ said Lucas, ‘and anything contained therein will be destroyed by your stomach acids before they can do any harm.’
‘You may be right,’ said Amy. ‘But still. What if it is from a vampire? We may become one.’
‘Oh come on, Amy,’ said Lucas, ‘all that guff about vampires turning people into vampires is rubbish. Vampirism may exist, but it is a condition of the mind, not the body. I’ve left enough in the vial for testing, but this is a special occasion.’
He picked up both glasses and handed one to her.
‘How many people on this planet can say that they actually drank vampire blood?’
She took the glass nervously.
‘Are you sure?’ she asked.
‘Positive,’ he said and raised his glass. ‘Where’s that fearless Goth, I first met only last week?’
As the glasses clinked, her eyes bore deep into his and after a second’s pause she put her glass to her lips.
‘To vampires,’ she said.
‘To vampires,’ he repeated, and they both drained their glasses in one draught.
----
Today was their last day and Amy stood up to open the curtains. She threw them open to find the storm had stopped and the sun was streaming through the branches of the trees. She turned away as the light hurt her eyes, but left the curtains open.
‘Bloody hangover,’ she murmured.
She wandered into the kitchen and opened the fridge. She was surprisingly thirsty and drank almost a litre of milk straight from the carton, a habit that usually disgusted her.
‘Lucas,’ she called, ‘do you want breakfast?’ When there was no answer, she shrugged her shoulders and pulled out the pack of bacon. ‘Nah, sod that;’ she said to herself, ‘I’m having steak.’ She put the bacon back, and placed the thick piece of rump steak in the cold frying pan, before returning to the bedroom.
‘Are you waking up today?’ she asked as she walked to the window, but only received a moan as an answer. The light still hurt her eyes, so she closed the curtains before sitting at the dressing table and stared in the mirror.
‘Oh, my god,’ she said, ‘I look awful.’ Her head moved closer to the mirror as she focussed on her own eyes.
‘Bloodshot eyes,’ she said. ‘Never had that before; must be too much red wine. Right, wake up sleepyhead. I’ll make us some breakfast and then we need to make the most of our last day before you go back to Germany.’
Lucas groaned and swung his legs out of the bed.
‘Hah, lightweight,’ said Amy. ‘Drink like a man and get up like a boy.’ She walked out into the kitchen, still talking as she went. ‘So, what are we going to do today, then? Do you fancy going for a walk, or shall we go down to the village?’
‘I feel awful,’ murmured Lucas.
‘Sorry,’ called Amy, ‘I didn’t hear that.’
‘Amy, I’m sick,’ he said, ‘I need a doctor. Something’s wrong.’
Amy walked back into the room with a concerned look on her face, still chewing on something she had placed into her mouth.
‘Are you okay?’ she mumbled. ‘You look terrible.’
Lucas stared at the girl with a look of disgust.
‘Amy, what are you doing?’ he asked.
‘Me? Making breakfast, why?’
‘What are you eating?’
‘Oh, this,’ she said, holding up her hand. ‘I found it in the fridge. Best quality rump steak.’
‘I know what it is, Amy, but it’s not cooked. It’s raw!’
Amy looked down at the slab of bloody steak in her hand, before spitting out the chewed meat from her mouth. She looked up at him, her face confused.
‘I didn’t realise,’ she said. ‘Oh, my god; why did I do that?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Lucas, ‘and I don’t care. I need a doctor. I think my head is going to explode.’ He stood up and tried to walk, but as he did, he collapsed and lay shaking on the floor.
‘Lucas,’ screamed Amy, and knelt to help him. His body was convulsing violently, and as he did, he retched up a thick red flu
id over the bedroom carpet.
‘Don’t worry, Lucas,’ cried Amy, ‘I’ll get some help.’
She grabbed her coat and ran to the front door, but as she opened it, a more overpowering need tore at her senses. For an age, she stood at the open door, struggling with the two emotions, but as the stronger need triumphed, she slowly closed the door and returned to the bedroom.
‘I will get you help, Lucas,’ she said. ‘I promise I will. Just as soon as I finish this.’
Amy picked up the steak that she had thrown across the room and with only a few seconds pause tore into the raw meat, relishing the way the blood ran down her throat.
Deep inside her veins, strange shaped blood cells were already absorbing her own natural cells, and though she didn’t know it, their cannibalistic tendencies would soon demand more and more blood.
When that happened, then and only then, would Amy begin to realise the true meaning of hunger.
----
The End
More books by K M Ashman
The India Sommers Mysteries
The Dead Virgins
The Treasures of Suleiman
The Mummies of the Reich
The Tomb Builders
The Roman Chronicles
The Fall of Britannia
The Rise of Caratacus
The Wrath of Boudicca
The Medieval Sagas
Blood of the Cross
In Shadows of Kings
Sword of Liberty
Ring of Steel
The Blood of Kings
A Land Divided
A Wounded Realm
Novels
Savage Eden
The Last Citadel
Vampire
Audio Books
Blood of the Cross
The Last Citadel
A Land Divided
A Wounded Realm
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