Untamed: A Beautiful Nightmare Story

by L. C. Son

  He’s still faring better than I did only weeks ago.

  We arrived just before sunrise, taking refuge in Tabitha’s place until the sun set. Not a second after the final ray of light dimmed to the shadows, I made my way out of the door. Barely taking a sip of the stash Decaux gave us, all my thoughts were of Chalmette and my need to see her.

  Images of her with a round belly and a smile brighter than the sun, stirs a happiness within me I haven’t known in months. Although DeLuca, Scotty, Tabitha and Decaux have become my family, no one will ever replace or compare to the bond and love I have for my precious Chalmette. Knowing she and Claudius are bringing life into this world gives me a hope for the future I believed escaped me.

  Checking the mirror often, I am hopeful my otherworldly face doesn’t push forward. While I’ve made mention that I’ve discovered a new power in myself since we last saw each other, I’ve yet to tell her I am vampire—or whatever I am. I don’t know if I’ll reveal my truth tonight either. Right now, my only concern is seeing her lovely face.

  Standing in front of the massive DeVeaux estate, it is the first time I realized the type of life my sister has become accustomed to in such a short while. Sitting on a plantation well over twenty acres, the grand ten thousand plus square foot home rivals any mansion I’ve ever seen. Despite the grandeur of Dalcour’s estate, it dwarfs in comparison to Chalmette’s new home.

  “It’s big!” Both Scotty and Tabitha say in unison as their mouths drape open.

  “I think we can all agree it’s not a good idea for us all to go inside. Corbin DeVeaux is a new human faction leader, taking the place of Oliver. While he’s very familiar with our way of life, he will not take kindly to having all of us in his home at once. Besides, the last time I was here I discovered he had a Bulwark seal his home from otherworldly entry. Poppet, we’ll need an invitation” DeLuca says, looking to me for agreement.

  “Makes sense to me,” Tabitha answers as her eyes remain fixed at the mansion.

  “Me too,” Scotty quietly agrees.

  “Okay, well we have accord! Beloved, Scotty, you two remain here at the tree line. I’ll accompany Chartreuse. If nothing else at least Corbin won’t ask many questions of either of us,” DeLuca adds as both Tabitha and Scotty nod in agreement. “Red, is that all right with you?” he asks.

  Calling my name once more, DeLuca circles me, gaining my attention. I want to answer, but remain still, quietly listening to the sounds of the manor. A small shrilling shriek captures my attention before I have a chance to respond and I take flight.

  “Chartreuse!” DeLuca screams after me and is at my side in an instant. “What’s wrong, poppet?” he questions as we land on the porch.

  “Shh—” I demand, lifting my hand in caution. “Do you hear that?” I ask as the sound of painful screams echo in my ears.

  “I do,” DeLuca replies as his eyes grow wide with dread.

  Memories of seeing Victoria with a blackened eye score through my memory and I fear her fate shall now be my beloved sister. I may not have been able to save Victoria, but I refuse to allow Chalmette to come to such a pass.

  Kicking the door open, I bellow a loud yelp, growling at the butler who stands with a white towel hung over his arm. “Invite us in!” I demand. His mouth quivers in fear, but he does as I command and DeLuca and are free to enter.

  Tapping the temple of the butler’s head as we enter, he faints, and DeLuca postures the man into a chair as we make our way toward the screaming sounds coming from upstairs.

  “Red, please try to remain calm,” DeLuca warns but I don’t care to hear his admonishment. If someone is hurting my sister, they will face my wrath.

  Once more the screaming sounds echo in our ears, but this time the sound is closer than before. Reaching the top of the staircase, Corbin DeVeaux and a small, elderly woman stands against the wall.

  “Chartreuse!” He exclaims, surprised to see us. “What are you doing here?” he asks with a small smile. “How did you know so soon?”

  “We heard screams,” DeLuca snaps.

  “Tell me where is my sister? Now or I’ll tear this house down!” I shout.

  “Just down the hall, first door on the right, but you should wait until—”

  I don’t wait for him to say more before I fling the door open and hear yet another cry, but this one sounds different. It’s small. Tiny.

  A round woman with a blood stained apron stares back at me, surprised by my entry. Even more surprising is the small baby now nestled in her lap. “It’s a boy!” The woman announces as Claudius runs nervously from near the corner window. His face is full of both joy and wonder. Tears well in in his big bright eyes as he cradles the baby in arm.

  “Treuse?” I hear the raspy voice of Chalmette call to me.

  Taking a deep breath, I work hard to force aside any blood lust and keep my eyes on my sister. As I keep my eyes on her face, it becomes easier to breath without feeling the pangs of hunger.

  “You’re here!” She exclaims with heavy breaths. “I—I’m so glad,” she pants.

  Nearing her large poster bed, nothing but joy wells inside me upon seeing her beautiful face. I didn’t realize how much I’d truly missed her until now. With her wet auburn ringlets cascading her pillow, and the dewy mist of sweat at her brow she looks more like a woman to me now than the girl I recall learning table etiquette just months ago.

  “Yes, I am here, my beautiful sister,” I reply, running my hand along her forehead. She feels warm, hotter than she should, but I do my best to keep a smile on my face. There’s also another smell in the air. A smell I’ve known too well in my recent months, but it isn’t one I’d wished to encounter here.

  “I—I’m so glad,” she repeats, as her eyes roll to the side.

  “Chalmette!” Claudius screams as he hands the baby to a small woman who was in the hall with Corbin and rushes to her side.

  “My newsboy,” she whispers, reaching her hand across her body to touch his chin.

  “Sister!” I shout, shaking her free hand, but she slowly turns her head, weakly smiling back at me.

  “What’s going on in here?” DeLuca calls from behind, now standing at the threshold.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. DeVeaux, but she’s losing a lot of blood!” The woman in the apron yelps.

  “Isn’t there something you people can do?” Corbin barks, shooting hard glances at both DeLuca and me.

  Shaking his head, DeLuca answers, “I’m sorry, sir. There’s nothing we can do.”

  “Surely just a drop!” Corbin pleas. “Can you not? She’s your sister!”

  It takes everything in me not to detach his head from his body at his rebuke, but I know he means well. In her short time in this family, he too has come to love her. How could he not?

  “Our venom doesn’t heal. Only kill. That is, Red, unless you want to turn—”

  “Don’t you dare speak the words!” I lash back at DeLuca. “I’ll never condemn her to our fate! My sister deserves the greeting of every patron saint awaiting her arrival. We deserve our hell.” My words are cold and stoic as I utter them but DeLuca doesn’t protest. He knows I speak the truth.

  “But what about me?” Claudius cries at her side, running his hand along her forehead. “Our life was just beginning,” he sobs.

  “Claudius,” I begin with a tone darker than I intend. “I see the light leaving her eyes. Bid your farewell.”

  Sobbing once more, Claudius cries into her chest and Chalmette forces a small smile. “It’s okay, my newsboy. Sister will look after you. Won’t you, Treuse?” A lone tear races down the side of Chalmette’s face as Claudius holds her hand. “Where’s Victor?” she whispers, looking around the room.

  “Who is Victor?” DeLuca whispers over his shoulder to me.

  “Victor is my father’s name.” I mutter back.

  “She’s going into the light,” DeLuca replies, somberly placing his hand on my shoulder.

 
A small coo cries from behind us and the small woman brings the baby to Chalmette’s arms.

  “It’s what we named our son,” Claudius answers, looking at us briefly with a proud smile breaking through his otherwise solemn state.

  At his admission, a waterfall of tears flood my face and DeLuca pulls me in close.

  “Beautiful,” Chalmette sweetly says as the small child nuzzles itself at the nape of her neck. Kissing the baby on his cheek, she smiles once more and takes her last breath.

  Claudius screams in agony as her life leaves her body, holding tight to her hand as he cries almost inconsolably into his pillow.

  The small woman takes the baby from Chalmette’s arms as the baby cries, likely sensing the loss of his mother. “Would you like to hold him?” the woman asks, turning to me.

  “Red, no!” DeLuca cautions as the woman places the child in my arms.

  While DeLuca’s warning is valid, I know I can do this. Looking at this small life in my arms, I know I can restrain myself for no other reason than I must. He is the last semblance of love I have. Watching the pain rippling through Claudius, Corbin, and the small woman I take to be some relative, it is clear my sister was greatly loved. Even this small child who will never know his mother, feels the sting of her loss.

  She was a great light in this world. But her light was too short lived. Why a beautiful soul like hers is snuffed and a monstrous one like mine is allowed to remain is a mystery to me. She was too good, kind, and lovely for this world.

  This world didn’t deserve her. A world filled with monsters, wraiths, vampires, wolves, abusers, and those who take just to suit their fancy do not deserve the delicate and delightful manners of my father, Calida, Sebastian or now my precious sister. A world as cold and vicious as this one deserves the bitter cruelty monsters like me inflict.

  “But do not worry, Victor,” I begin, gently swabbing the side of the baby’s rosy cheeks. “I shall ensure no monsters fill your dreams. I will guard you with all that I have. You my dear one will live a long and happy life. And after you, your children, and children’s children. As long as your name remains in the earth, I shall see that happiness and peace be your fortune more than all.”

  Handing the baby to Claudius, we share a knowing smile and I plunge myself from the window, taking flight into the nearby forest.

  The echoing pain of my cry expands the night sky. A shrieking yelp is all I have to give before I drop to my knees in grief. Although I can sense Scotty, DeLuca, and Tabitha near me, they keep their distance, allowing me the space I need to bear yet another loss.

  Chalmette was the last tether of humanness I had in this world. I may not understand it yet, but I have no doubt her loss will have a lasting impact on me for years to come. While I’ve promised to protect and keep Victor and his family safe for as long as they remain, nothing will replace what father, Calida, Sebastian and now Chalmette means to me.

  If it be the fate of this world that I should endure without the only ones to which I cared for more than my own life, then so be it. Now this monstrous world to which I belong, will get exactly what it deserves.

  Fangs, claws, songs, and all.

  Epilogue

  Patience. It is a virtue I never much cared for in my human existence nor do I care much for it now. However, for the sake of Chalmette’s family and her precious son, Victor, I put my own cares aside to exercise this rare fruit.

  It’s been two weeks since Chalmette died. With Mardi Gras in high swing the priest thought it best to wait before commencing with her final rites. She was never baptized so there didn’t seem to be much incentive for the priest to carry out her ceremonies. Thankfully, Dalcour can be rather convincing.

  While I’m not surprised that he totes a strong reputation with both clerics and potentates alike, I was surprised with how quickly he acted when he heard of her passing. Despite everything that has happened between us, Dalcour yet makes good on his promises to treat me with familial care.

  Still, seeing Jerrica Jeffers at his side at Chalmette’s funeral revived my jealousies. I’d hoped she’d return to wherever she came from after being jilted at the altar. Instead, I find her aptly perched in his life. Not only is she now serving as curator, the job Dalcour once spoke of for me, but I’ve learned she’s actively living in the mansion.

  She has completely taken over a life meant for me. Although Dalcour contends they are nothing more than friends, my gut tells me she desires more.

  Decaux sent a card, but contended he still had matters to tend in Natchez that prevented him from attending my sister’s funeral. Although I’m sure this is true, a part of me knows he cares little for human affairs and refuses to insert himself in such matters.

  I don’t entirely fault him. The cares of this human world have become quite tedious over these past two weeks and acting as though I care for their rituals and conventions is rather vexing. Nonetheless, I do this all for Chalmette.

  Now, however, my patience has waned.

  After convincing Claudius to leave Louisiana with baby Victor for Boston soon, I have no further need to delay my vengeance.

  Upon arriving back here, I had no desire or interest in returning to the saloon to exact my revenge, but now I have no other choice.

  Catherine had one job in the entirety of her miserable existence—be a mother—and she’s yet failed to do so, even to the bitter end. Claudius hand delivered notice of Chalmette’s passing himself, and still she chose not to attend her own daughter’s funeral.

  She remains more a monster than I’ll ever be.

  Even my poor sister Victoria found a way to make it to the services, with her wretched husband at her side no less. Although, I have no intentions of leaving my sister to any further abuse of her spouse, at least he had a shred of decency to grieve with his wife; even if it were half-heartedly.

  My Mother and Monroe couldn’t even be bothered to attend.

  I’ll not allow them to treat Chalmette with such cruelty even in death!

  “They’re here,” Scotty says, calling to me in the cellar of Tabitha’s house. “Are you ready?” he asks as I take one final puff of the sancho cigar Corbin gave me as a gift for ensuring his family’s new noble status among Dalcour’s human faction.

  “Indeed,” I reply, through the cloudy smoke as I rub the tip of the cigar into the metal tray on the small wooden table.

  Walking into Tabitha’s dining room, I am surprised to find so many familiar faces looking back at me. Corrine, Gretchen, Yasmine, and Sasha are just a few of the house girls I’ve asked Scotty and DeLuca to round up on my behalf. A few more I don’t recognize or names I forgot have also gathered around awaiting to see why they’ve been summoned.

  “We’ve got this one too,” Tabitha belts, as a squirrely shriek hits my ears when I see Elena held by Tabitha at the neck.

  “Ah yes, Miss Elena,” I begin, leaning into her, smelling the inviting scent of her fear-laden blood. “You are the most important,” I say, running a long pointy nail down the side of her face.

  “What do you want with us?” She cries.

  “Soon, Miss Elena, soon,” I whisper in her ear.

  Turning away from her as Tabitha forces her down into a small wooden chair, I set my attention on the women gathered around. “Ladies of the evening, I am sure you are wondering why I brought you here tonight. Let me assure you, I am here to offer you an opportunity to control your own fate. For years, I served alongside many of you at the whim of a monster. Our job, lay on our backs and take whatever a man gave us. Well, ladies, that day is over. No longer shall we sit idly while men treat us as nothing but repositories for their impotent thoughts and weak manhood! The time of the woman has come! Not the doting women of society, embroidery, nursemaid and servitude—though if that be your choice—let it be your choice—not a requisite of men! What I offer you tonight is the chance to take back your power—through blood!”

  Gasps and sighs erupt in the small spa
ce of Tabitha’s dining room and the women look to one another, still curious of my intent.

  “Chartreuse, tell us plainly, what are you selling?” Corrine bluntly asks. If there was anyone to force her way through the thistles, I knew Corrine wouldn’t mince words.

  “Ah, Corrine, darling, let me show you!” I answer, snapping my fingers in the air. DeLuca makes his way through the room holding Preston Savoy by the arms. Gagged with his hands tied behind his back, DeLuca forces Preston into a chair beside Elena. “What I have to offer you, means saying farewell to a world you once knew to take on a whole new life beyond anything you can imagine. All it takes is being willing to spill a little blood.” At my words, my fangs protrude, and nails lengthen. Preston’s eyes bulge as I pull his head to one side, digging my razor-sharp teeth deep into his flesh. Tabitha’s eyes darken with bloodlust as I do and her fangs also drop in response.

  DeLuca and Scotty growl low as I drink Preston like a fountain. Thanks to the dagger at my hip, I find the strength to release him still alive from my grip. The women groan and their eyes widen as they observe my new form while I lift slightly from the floor.

  Using my speed, I zip through the huddle, baring more of my power and they marvel at my reveal with parted lips and clasped hands.

  “Count me in!” Corrine shouts back first. “Do you know how many nights I had to endure the stench of mongrels like this one! I’ve lived through not only the diseases they brought to my bed, but their cruelty and disdain. Make me like you!”

  No sooner than Corrine chimes in, more women lift their hand, ready for the gifts we offer.

  “Are you all mad?” Elena gripes. “She’s a monster! Something from the very pit! And you’d align yourself with her?” Making my way in front of Elena, I lift her chin to meet my blackened eyes and her eyes grow wide with fear. “Do whatever you want with them, but I don’t want to be monster!”