The Blood Red Rose

by Mark Stewart

  THE LIBRARY looked modern and sat adjacent to the church. Sprinting across the road, Amber made it to the main door, undetected.

  "I sure hope they stock the book," Amber mumbled, stepping through the self-opening door.

  Standing inside the entrance, she scanned the large room. She counted at least ten rows of shelves stacked to the brim. The automatic doors were half shut before she spied a woman sitting at a desk at the far side of the massive room.

  Amber ran across the room and hovered over the elderly-woman who looked busy placing stickers on the back of books. After applying each sticker, she placed the book, spine up, on a waist high trolley.

  "May I help you?" asked the woman looking up over her frameless glasses.

  "I sure hope so. I need to borrow a book titled 'The Blood Red Rose.' Do you have it in stock?"

  "I'll take a look on the computer. I don't suppose you know the name of the author?"

  Amber shrugged, scrunching her nose. "Sorry, I don't."

  "No matter, if the book exists and we don't have it I can order it in for you."

  "If I can't obtain a copy in the next five minutes it won't matter."

  "Pardon?" questioned the woman, pulling her glasses off her nose.

  "I assure you I mean no disrespect." Amber continued their conversation by mumbling. "I sound exactly like William. The sooner he loses the old-fashioned words, the happier we'll both be."

  "Young lady I didn't quite catch the last sentence you said?"

  "It's not important."

  The woman replaced her glasses on her nose, focusing on the computer screen. She typed in the title of the book, pursing her lips. She grunted a few times before looking up. "If you will follow me, I'll show you where it is."

  "So, you have the book in stock?" squealed Amber.

  "Yes, we have several. You do realize if you knew the name of the author you could have found it yourself."

  "I'm sure I'd have no trouble."

  The woman led the way down the middle of the room, her salt and pepper hair bouncing slightly. Her stiletto heels hardly left a dent in the new grey fiber carpet. The librarian stopped at the shelf marked with the letter 'M' in big bold lettering.' Changing direction, she faced the books at the start of the 'S' section. "The author's name is Mark Stewart. The book you seek is under 'STE.' The woman squatted to take a red colored book off the shelf.

  "That's the one," squealed Amber. "'The Blood Red Rose.' May I borrow it?"

  "Certainly, do you have a library card?"

  Amber's gaze fell onto a small dirt patch on the carpet at her feet. She sighed heavily before lifting her gaze to look the woman directly in her eyes. Wearing a confident expression, she said.

  "No, I don't. I think I'd like to join this fine establishment. The service so far has been first class."

  "I'll be more than willing to complete the paperwork. I can make a library card while you wait. It'll only take five minutes."

  "Can it be done any quicker?"

  "Five minutes isn't long."

  "At this moment in time, it is. What if I buy the book?" suggested Amber.

  "I guess it can be easily arranged. The library can always buy more books. It would also save me from making a laminated card. The problem is, I don't know the price of the book."

  "Do you think forty dollars might cover the cost?"

  "I'd say so."

  Amber handed over the money, swiping the book from the woman.

  "It will only take a moment to write you a receipt."

  "It's okay, I don't want one, but there is one more thing I'd like to ask."

  "You want me to search for a second book?"

  "Nothing so difficult; I have a huge favour to ask you."

  "Ask away," said the woman. "I'm more than curious."

  "I'd love for you to be a witness to a wedding."

  "Where and when is the wedding to take place?"

  "At the church across the road; right now."

  The woman started to shake her head from side to side. I think you came into the library to butter me up by asking for a book you don't want. I feel a headache starting. I think you should leave."

  "This is entirely legitimate," said Amber.

  "I don't have the time, come back tomorrow."

  "No is not an option."

  "Who'd be getting married at this hour?"

  "Me. It will take exactly five minutes of your time. Surely you can spare five minutes."

  "I certainly don't like the tone in your voice. My answer is a definite no."

  "I'm Amber Cantala. Please, this is extremely important to me." She glanced at the diamond ring on the woman's finger. "Do you remember your wedding day?"

  "Yes, of course. It had been an exciting day. I didn't even know it was raining."

  Amber read the woman's name tag pinned to her shirt. "Miriam, it's not raining, but the excitement you felt on your day is how I'm feeling right now. You wouldn't be so insensitive as to leave me without a witness to my wedding or to deny me the happiest moment of my life?"

  The woman dropped her reading glasses into a side pocket of her long skirt, smiling at Amber. "Very well, five minutes you said?"

  "Yes," replied Amber.

  "I don't know what it is about you, young people today, you want everything yesterday? What about your wedding dress?"

  "I don't have anything traditional. It's an extremely different set of circumstances. Please, we have to hurry. We only have thirty minutes."

  Amber escorted the woman across the road. They trotted up the stairs to the church, opened the door and marched along the red carpet to the altar.

  "We're cutting it close," said Haleton, joining Amber and Miriam. "We only have twenty-eight minutes."

  Amber handed the book over to Craig, introduced the librarian then stepped next to Haleton to take up her position. "I'm ready."

  Haleton watched Craig pondering over the fine print.

  "Macularta was a clever priest," mentioned Craig, digging his nose from the last page of the book. "It says here. Haleton, if you drink the antidote while concurrently marrying a woman, at the exact second of your departure, you will stay in that particular time. You will by all reckoning have changed back into a mortal."

  "I don't understand," interrupted Miriam. "If this is a ritual of some kind, I'm leaving."

  "Nobody is going to leave this church," boomed a deep threatening voice.

  The main door to the church slammed shut. The lock was slid home making an audible bang.

  Peter Tuxen looked up. He stood staring through bulging eyes.

  Miriam's mouth fell wide open. She tried to scream.

  Amber sidestepped off the altar platform, diving for the front pew.

  Craig crumbled to the floor, trembling.

  Haleton turned, hissing at the man.

  "Dear cousin William, I am displeased you didn't invite me to attend such a formal gathering. You know how much I love weddings."

  "Crompton, the only thing about a wedding you love is how quick you can gate-crash."

  "How true are your words? The only thing I love more than the free wine and food is seeing how many women come my way." Crompton slid his knife from the sheath inside his boot. He raised it slowly so the long metal blade could catch the light from the sunlight shining through the stained leadlight glass window.

  Haleton jumped from the altar. He extracted his knife from his boot, pointing it at his cousin. "I have no qualms in fighting you Alex. First, answer this one question."

  "Ask away. I have all the time in the world. I've certainly many more hours than you."

  "How is it possible? I witnessed your leaving in a puff of black smoke."

  "If I were a mortal like you want to be, I'd have to consider myself the best magician in the world."

  "Answer me, or I'll see my knife entering your heart."

  Crompton waved his hand, dismissing the threat. "Before you turn huffy, I did leave this time in a puff of smoke. Unlike you, I
have perfected my re-entry into the exact time. Practice makes perfect, cousin. I have been back in this time for only one hour. I tracked you here. I've been waiting in the wings for the right moment."

  "The right time for what?" yelled Amber.

  "Come now Miss Cantala; you don't expect me to believe you don't know what I'm doing here?"

  "Young man you've gate-crashed a very important date between Amber and William. I suggest you leave post haste," yelled Miriam.

  "Old woman you are indeed an annoying creature," hissed Crompton.

  "Forget about harming the innocent woman and everyone else in this church. This is between you and me," yelled Haleton. "Cousin, let me warn you, the antidote you seek will never fall into your hands."

  "I can wait. The moment your time here is exhausted I'll simply walk to the front of this magnificent looking church and take it. Who will stop me, Cantala? I don't think so. What about the old woman or the priest, or Craig Benyon?"

  Amber checked her watch. Her spirit sank knowing the fight would be over before it began.

  Haleton thought the opposite.

  "William there's only ten minutes remaining," Amber called, walking up to and standing next to her future husband.

  Haleton leaned over, whispering in her ear, pointing to the darkest corner of the church.

  Amber stared at the pinprick of light. "What is it?"

  "That is the orb of light. It's the one vital component which makes up the curse. It's the one Crompton has forgotten. By the time the fight is over, time will be gone. I need you, the priest, Miriam and Craig standing in front of the altar. One of you must be holding the vampire antidote."

  "Okay," whispered Amber. "I'll go console the librarian. She's standing over at the side wall looking like she's half out of her mind in fear." Directing her gaze at Haleton, she added a warning. "Whatever you're about to do, there's only nine minutes remaining."

  Haleton swiveled on his toes, shouting at Crompton. "This is where I make my stand against you." He pointed his finger and hissed. The noise seemed to bounce from wall to wall.

  Crompton's chuckle sounded dry. Stone faced he stared at his opponent. "So you think you can defeat me in seven minutes and still drink the antidote. My dear, William, I'd love to see it. You'll need a miracle."

  "Maybe my miracle has arrived. Look across to the left-hand side of the church to witness your demise."

  Crompton jeered. "I don't take orders; I give them."

  Even though the tall wide front doors to the church were bolted shut and the twenty windows were tightly closed, the group inside the church could feel a draft. The wind started to ruffle the ends of Amber's long hair. She started patting Miriam's right hand, noting the old woman looked to be on the verge of fainting.

  The small pinprick of light in the corner of the church started growing rapidly.

  Crompton glared at Haleton. "The orb of light has come for you."

  Haleton growled. "I won't allow it to suck me back to 1749AD where this entire nightmare began. It will consume you."

  The light hovered in the corner of the church and quickly grew to the size of Haleton's hand. He could feel his body starting to tingle. To win against the orb, he needed to gamble everything on split second timing. Haleton watched Crompton closely, blocking out every heartbeat pounding inside the church.

  Everyone's except Crompton's.

  Haleton's heart quickened. His eye teeth grew long. He hissed and sprinted at Crompton. For a few seconds, his cousin stared directly at the orb of light which looked to be the size of a human head. Short sparks shot out from the surface of the orb. The wind quickly strengthened inside the church, slowing Haleton's speed. He glanced at the clock on the wall. The hands were warning him only six minutes remained.

  By the time, Crompton faced Haleton; it was too late, a double-fisted punch hit him, square in the chest. Crompton's torso smashed into the main doors. The old-style wood creaked but withstood the violent pounding.

  Crompton quickly recovered, landing a lightning fast jab to Haleton's chin. He overbalanced for no longer than a second; more than enough time for Crompton to plan an attack. He dived through the air. Both men rolled underneath the orb and came out on the other side. They pushed each other away, glaring at the other.

  The orb was now the size of a man.

  It slowly moved towards them. Thin fingers of light arced out from the orb's center. One spark hit Crompton. The shock sent his entire body into convulsions. Haleton could feel his living soul starting to be sucked from his body. Crompton staggered a little while he came out of the convulsive state, straightened and dived through the air. Haleton jumped, clinging to the main roof beam.

  Crompton survived two more lightning sparks from the orb then it was Haleton's turn to dodge the series of sparks heading directly at him. He somersaulted, landing in striking distance of his foe.

  The wind in the room felt equal to a category two storm.

  Amber used her hands to shield her eyes from the wind. She squealed when the large lit candle with the year 2010 engraved on the side, toppled over sending the short flame onto the carpet. The wind quickly blew it out. She leaned into the wind in an attempt to walk across the floor to stand at the altar.

  The orb of light now measured the size of a small car and rapidly closing in on Haleton. He groaned at the tingling sensation eating into his flesh. He knew it was now or never. His mouth felt dry. Around the edges of his eyes, his vision started to blur.

  The ball of light hovered in silence a full metre from the ground taunting its victim.

  Haleton squared himself to Crompton. He used all his will-power to fight to stay conscious. He needed to stay focused on his plan. Crompton looked to be slightly taken-a-back by the orb. He focused one eye on it, the other on his cousin.

  Haleton saw his one desperate chance. The throbbing in his ears boomed louder. He knew in a few minutes he'd be gone.

  "Three minutes," yelled Amber at Peter Tuxen. "We have to be standing at the altar when William gets there."

  The priest nodded. Slowly he started to claw his way to his feet. He took hold of Miriam's hand. Craig stood on his left, and with Amber on his right, the group pushed their way to the altar.

  "Surely this wind is capable of blowing the walls out," yelled Craig through a cupped hand.

  "I hope not," called Amber.

  Haleton noted the noise in the room began to die. He glared at Crompton. The orb of light started to brighten, its pulsating doubling. Haleton could feel his internal temperature rising. He sprinted at Crompton at full tilt and dived at the man, managing to tumble roll end over end towards him. When he came out of the second roll feet first, Haleton twisted his body so he could be face down and kicked out at Crompton's rib cage. He heard a loud crack. Crompton reeled backward. Before he could manage to straighten and attack, Haleton saw him fall through the orb of light and disappear.

  Haleton didn't waste any more time. He jumped to his feet. He viewed the group cheering him at the altar. He sprinted across the room. The wind managed to blow apart several hymn books. The papers littered the carpet.

  Haleton took hold of Amber's hands. "Are you sure you want this?"

  "I've never been more positive in my life," she answered. "We don't have much time. We have only ninety seconds."

  The orb of light slowly rose above head height, centering itself over Haleton. Light particles from the orb were starting to fall on his head.

  Amber screamed at Tuxen. "Please, hurry; conduct the marriage ceremony."

  The walls of the church creaked. The few remaining pictures hanging on the walls were knocked clean off and blown effortlessly across the room.

  "Where's the antidote?" asked Haleton.

  "It's been poured into the gold chalice and is waiting for you to drink it," instructed Craig. He slid the chalice from under his arm, handing it to Haleton.

  "Is the formula correct?" questioned Amber.

  "Trust me, I mixed the antidote myself,"
said Craig.

  Amber looked sideways at him. "I want to see you for a moment in private."

  "We don't have the time," blurted Craig, checking his watch. "We only have sixty seconds."

  Amber glared at Craig. "I'd like to believe you about having mixed the antidote correctly. My fianc? told me what you said."

  "I relinquish my love for you?"

  "Yes."

  "It's the truth."

  "How can I believe you?" Amber growled. "You downed your knee, asking me to marry you. I can't understand how you could love me then let me love another man?"

  "I can due to the fact I do love you and I always will."

  "You'd let me off the hook?"

  "So, to speak," admitted Craig.

  "You do realize if the antidote isn't exact, I won't ever talk to you again."

  "I've thought it through. It boils down to the fact, you, Amber Cantala, have no choice except to trust me." Craig raised his eyebrows, cementing his words.

  "I'll make another batch of antidote," yelled Amber.

  "You don't have the time; there are only thirty seconds left," Craig spat. "Please, for once, trust me. I'll never steer you wrong."

  "Amber, if there's something between you and Craig I'll understand?" said Haleton. "If you've changed your mind it's okay. I'll never hold you personally responsible for anything that goes wrong."

  Amber shot both men a furious look. "Craig, I will marry William whether you like it or not."

  "He's all yours."

  "So what's the holdup?" questioned Haleton.

  "Amber thinks I deliberately stuffed up the antidote so when your time is up in this year, you'll be gone, and I'll be free to marry her."

  "Did you?"

  "No. I'd never betray either of you. I'm a man of my word."

  "It's good enough for me," said Haleton.

  "How can you be so sure?" asked Amber. "If something were to go wrong I'd miss you."

  "I'd miss you too. I believe the possibility of never seeing you again will be too much to bear."

  Amber and Haleton hugged each other. Already he felt the pangs of the endless years of loneliness. He shuddered at the thought.

  "If we don't hurry, drinking the antidote or not won't matter," urged Craig, tapping both lovebirds on the shoulder.

  Amber broke free of the cuddle. "Craig, it looks like I'll have to trust you."

  Haleton checked his watch. "We have to be married in twenty seconds."

  "It shall be done," announced Peter Tuxen.

  The wind whipped up by the orb of light suddenly ceased. The group watched the orb settle itself directly over Haleton's head. Several sheets of A4 size papers slowly floated back to the carpet.

  "There's no time left," whispered Haleton. "This is the last part. When it descends, I'll be gone." His words started to sound distorted. He quickly squatted to help prolong the time.

  Tuxen completed a sign of the cross over Amber and Haleton. "You two are standing before God in a show of complete love towards one another. In the sight of our two dear witnesses, Amber and you William Haleton, are now joined in marriage. I now pronounce you husband and wife." Tuxen handed Haleton the gold chalice.

  "Craig, hand over the book, the orb is flattening out!" shrieked Amber.

  Haleton raised the gold plated cup full of the antidote to his lips. The liquid felt like hot acid, sliding down his throat. His heart pumped the antidote in surges throughout his body. He felt nauseated. Haleton's knees buckled under his weight.

  Amber raised her hands to her mouth and screamed. Nobody heard the noise. She reached out to grab Haleton's arm.

  Haleton knew he needed to concentrate on keeping the liquid down. He focused on trying to work out how long it had been since he'd drank or eaten anything, but as the liquid swirled through his veins he gave up. He tried in desperation to focus on the year 2010. It seemed an impossible task.

  "The brew is doing its job," he coughed. "I feel my strength returning. I feel clean for the first time in hundreds of years."

  "I can hear you," squealed Amber.

  "Look, the orb is rising," yelled Craig.

  Miriam rushed to Amber's side. Together they helped Haleton to his feet.

  Amber leaned in for her first wedded kiss. Haleton backed off.

  "What's this? You're not scared?"

  "Before the first kiss, I have to say the last line of the book."

  "I don't understand any of this," screamed Miriam, rubbing the sides of her head. "The antidote thing, wind inside a church or the orb of light which has moved off to a short distance?"

  Amber grinned. "You will."

  Craig thrust the book titled 'The Blood Red Rose' under Haleton's nose. Focusing on the last line, he read the words in an exact voice.

  "William Haleton, have a long happy life and enjoy the love of your new bride. Congratulations signed Priest Macularta."

  A woman's voice echoed outward from the center of the orb of light. "William Haleton I know you can't see me. This recorded message has been sent to you from me, 'Rose-a-lee Cantala.' If you can hear my message, I'm glad the antidote worked. For how long I have no idea. My prayer is for you to look after your new bride with all the love inside of you that has been sitting dormant in your heart for all those years. Have an extra-long happy life. You deserve it."

  Haleton placed the book on the table and kissed the woman he longed to be with.

  The group watched the orb of light rise into the air. For a few seconds, it had hovered before it started to shrink back to nothing.

  Then it vanished.

  Haleton smiled at his new bride knowing his old life was finally swept away. His new life had just begun.

  Dear reader,

  Thank you for reading my novel 'The Blood Red Rose.' I do hope you enjoyed it. Any feedback is gratefully accepted. The information you, the reader give, helps me to become a more professional author.

  If you liked this book the next two in the series continues the story of William Haleton and Amber Cantala.