Lissie
Bilinda Ní Siodacaín
Copyright 2011 by Bilinda Ní Siodacaín
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Staring out the window, Elisabeth watched the ladies in evening gowns and the gentlemen in their dress coats as they hurried past. Her parents had already left for the night to attend yet another high society gathering. Every evening was the same and Elisabeth could feel the ennui creeping over her.
Being the only child of London’s most sought after socialite couple had its ups and downs. Constantly being left behind whilst they danced and chattered the night away was one such down, she often observed.
Glancing away from the street her eye caught sight of the birdcage in the corner. The little yellow canary tweeted cheerily and Elisabeth couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. The bird did not have to learn piano or be taught languages. The bird wasn’t forced to sit for hours and listen to how a young lady should conduct herself. Oh no, the only thing the bird had to do was sit in its cage and chirp chirp all day long.
Elisabeth picked up a small stool that stood in the corner of the room. Walking quietly over to the cage she reminisced over the last pet she had owned. A small marmalade cat which her father had brought home for her after she had begged and pleaded for such a pet. Her friend Charlotte had a kitten and if she could have one then so to would Elisabeth. Unfortunately the kitten didn’t like water and had tragically drowned when Elisabeth was trying to give it a bath.
She placed the stool down in front of the stand, hesitating she listened carefully. She was supposed to be in bed after all and if the maid caught her up out of bed and her parents happened to find out, it would mean her plans for the ball her parents were hosting tomorrow night would be utterly ruined. She just needed everything to go to plan so they would relent and allow her to go to the very beginning of the ball
Stepping carefully up onto the stool she found herself looking down on the birdcage. The fragile yellow canary flapped nervously as she popped the door open. Her plan originally had been to simply release the poor pathetic creature. But the more she thought of the little marmalade kitten and the way it had looked as the life had seeped from its body the more she wanted to know if she would have that same feeling of power if the bird met an untimely end. The canary’s death would certainly guarantee her parents’ consent to attend the ball.
Oh how upset she would be, her tears would flow like an unchecked faucet and if her parents were not entirely swayed by this then she would have to throw a tantrum. Her parents never could resist her when she threw a tantrum. It was sometimes whispered amongst the serving staff that when she stamped her twelve year old little foot the whole house trembled.
As she reached carefully inside the cage, the small bird pecked violently at her soft hand, drawing blood. With a cry she fell back from the cage and stumbled from the top of the stool. As she hit the ground her ankle twisted beneath her and the birdcage crashed down on top of her. The bird escaped, yellow feathers falling all around Elisabeth as she scrambled to catch it. Pushing the cage off her body she pulled herself up right and screamed under her breath as her ankle protested beneath her weight.
She knew she could not make too much noise or the servants would come running and then she would be in trouble. Her eyes scanned the room quickly, looking for any sign of the little yellow bird that had now caused her so much grief. Finally spotting it atop her bureau she hobbled over to her bed and picked up the shawl that was draped across the end. Her blue eyes locked onto her prize and stealthily she crept across the carpeted floor. The bird sat there nonchalantly preening its feathers and the air hissed from between Elisabeth’s teeth as she dropped the shawl down on top of it.
It chirped fiercely and flapped its small breakable wings against the lace it found itself knotted in. Staring down at it she felt no remorse for what she was about to do. The bird was simply an animal, it didn’t know how important attending tomorrow night’s ball was. In fact it was so small it hardly deserved the life it had, why did God create creatures so small and pathetic? What good was it? Elisabeth pondered on these questions as she readied herself.
Lifting the shawl gently she was careful not to let the bird loose. Gripping it firmly in her dainty child sized hands, she looked at the birds beady black eyes staring into her blue ones. With her right hand she swiftly grabbed its head and jerked it upwards. The light she had witnessed just seconds before flickered before disappearing completely.
With a satisfied smile Elisabeth carried its small body back to the upturned cage on the floor. Wincing each time she was forced to put weight on her damaged foot she hoisted the cage back up onto the stand and laid the body of the bird on the bottom of his home before once more fastening the door.
With a cruel smile, she shuffled back to her bed and climbed beneath the covers. Her parents would not be able to deny her request to attend the ball tomorrow evening. So with a happy sigh she laid her blond head on the pillow and drifted off to sleep.
The screams echoed throughout the house and everyone came running. Elisabeth stood in the middle of her pink bedroom cradling the small feathery body of her dead canary.
“He, he, he’s dead!” She managed to get the words out past hiccups before once again lapsing back into pitiful wails of despair.
“Elisabeth, how can he be dead? We only just got him.” Her father’s voice carried over the sound of her crying and Elisabeth turned to face him with a tear streaked face. Her blue eyes shimmered with unshed grief as she held the cold stiff body out to her father.
“He’s dead. I woke this morning and I didn’t hear him greeting me as he usually does. And when I went to investigate...” She broke down once more and her mother gathered her into her arms as her father examined the unfortunate creature. “He was just lying on the bottom of the cage like that!”
“Oh dear, looks like the little fellow must have taken a tumble during the night. Don’t worry sweetheart we will get you a new pet.” Her father said trying to soothe her.
Elisabeth saw her opportunity and seized upon it. “I don’t want another pet, father. They always die on me, I don’t want another one.” She increased her crying and wailing tenfold and her father looked on, a worried expression creasing his brow.
“Elisabeth, would you really not like another little pet to keep you company?” Her mother’s voice whispered against her ear as she gripped her tight in a comforting embrace.
Elisabeth shook her head and sniffled loudly. “No mother. I think there must be something wrong with me. Perhaps I am simply too horrid to have a pet.”
“Don’t be silly child, of course there is nothing wrong with you. Charles tell her.”
“No my darling, you are not at fault. He was probably of a weak constitution anyway. I believe these birds are originally from much warmer climates and they do not do very well in our cold one.” As he spoke, he gently patted the top of her head and Elisabeth knew she had them completely on her side.
“I don’t know how I shall get over this, I just know I am going to have nightmares for weeks to come.” Elisabeth’s voice was hoarse and she scrubbed at her face with the back of her hand.
“What can we do sweetheart to cheer you up? Would you like to come shopping with me today, perhaps a new bonnet?”
Elisabeth shook her head. “No, somehow bonnets seem trivial after what happened. Although...” Elisabeth paused and glanced between her mother and father. “No it is no use.” With a sigh she pulled out of her mother’s grip and walked back to her bed. She winced as she placed weight on her injured foot and her father noticed.
“Elisabeth what happened to your foot?”
“I think I may have twisted it somehow but I don’t really remember.” She lied easily, it didn’t bother her conscience anymore. It used to, but not now and it was for a very good reason.
“Oh my poor dear,” her mother said sitting down beside her on the bed and arranging her skirts neatly around her. “Surely there must be something we can do to bring you out of your melancholy?”
Elisabeth pretended to think hard as her mother stroked her tussled blonde curls from her face.
“I know you and father won’t like it, but I feel it is the only thing that might help cheer me up.”
“You name it and we will do our very best to let you have it.” Her mother’s face wore an expression of someone eager to please. Lissie knew the one she had to look out for was her father, he after all was the master of their household and his word was law. However, could he really deny his only child such a request after her poor canary perished?
“I wish to attend yours and fathers ball tonight.” Elisabeth let the air rush out of her lungs as she spoke, her words beginning to tumble on over the other. “I know I am too young, and I have not yet reached the age of my debut but I just want to see it. I know I cannot be with your guests but surely I could watch from the staircase and observe the dancing from the gallery?”
Her mother automatically turned to where her father stood, her eyes pleading on behalf of their daughter. Turning towards her father Elisabeth could see the emotions flickering across his face. She almost had him of that she was certain.
“Why not Charles, what harm can it do?” Her mother spoke softly, “She would remain out of sight and all she wants to do is see the dancing. Why, I can remember wanting that exact same thing when I was her age. Surely we cannot deny her this? Not after what has happened?” Her mother indicated with her eyes the now empty bird cage.
“I suppose it would be alright, just so long as you remained on the staircase and the gallery. I do not want you mixing with the strangers, it would just be unheard of for that to happen.”
Elisabeth could not stop the smile from breaking across her face. “Thank you father, oh thank you!” Beaming she jumped up, forgetting her sore foot, and with a yelp she crumbled to the floor.
Her father hurried to her side and gently lifted her back onto her bed. “Perhaps it is not such a good idea after all? Your foot seems much worse.”
Elisabeth cut him off. “No father it is fine, truly, I only put a little too much weight on it suddenly. It caught me off guard is all, I’m sure it will be much improved for tonight.”
Her father did not seem convinced but her mother quickly interjected, “Charles she will be spending the evening sitting down, I’m sure her foot will manage that at least. If you want we can call Dr Burtrum to come around and take a look at it. It is probably nothing more than a little sprain.”
“Yes, I suppose you are right my dear. Very well then, have the doctor fetched around and let him bandage poor Elisabeth’s foot up.”
“So I can still go to the ball tonight?” Elisabeth asked the question cautiously, not entirely sure if her father had agreed to it.
“Yes, as long as the doctor signs of as fit then you can but only as far as the stairs and gallery missy and remember this is a once off. I am only allowing you to do this because of the unfortunate events surrounding your bird.”
Elisabeth’s grin split across her face, “I promise father it will only be to the stairs and gallery.” Clapping her hands together she turned to her mother. “May I wear my cerulean gown mother? It does so bring out the colour in my eyes.”
Her father turned an indulgent look on both his daughter and wife, “I suppose I better allow you ladies to sort out the particulars of tonight s finery. I shall arrange the doctor and have him brought around.”
As he turned to leave Elisabeth spoke. “Thank you father, I promise you shan’t regret or be disappointed in me. I shall be the very best daughter you have ever seen.”
“I’m sure you will my child, I’m sure you will.” He smiled as he strolled out the door and closed it gently behind him, leaving them to their preparations.
The evening finally rolled around and Elisabeth sat on her bed. The blue dress she wore picked out the brilliant blue of her eyes and her blonde ringlets had been arranged on top of her head. The day had dragged by, each minute seeming more and more like an hour.
The doctor had insisted she keep her weight off her foot entirely and to keep an ice pack on it but Elisabeth had quickly dismissed that. She sat on the edge of her bed her foot throbbing painfully. Her shoes pinched, but it would be worth it.
Hobbling over to the window she glanced outside. The evening appeared much like any other. The streets bustled with people all attempting to go about their own business. Horses with fine carriages moved sluggishly up and down the streets. A bubble of excitement formed in her stomach, soon she would get to witness a ball first hand.
Turning back towards the bed she picked up her shawl and hobbled to the door. Tonight, not even a sprained ankle would stop her from soaking up every glorious second. Straightening up, she pushed her shoulders back and lifted her chin. This was as her mother said how every young lady should behave. Opening the door she quickly made her way across the hallway and followed the curve of the staircase to the nook she had chosen for herself. From here she could easily see everything and it allowed her easy access to the gallery that overlooked the ballroom.
It wasn’t long before the first of the guests began arriving and Elisabeth sat enthralled. The ladies gowns seemed much finer than anything she had ever seen and she longed for the day when she would sweep into a ball with the same elegance displayed by the ladies below her.
One guest in particular seemed to capture the eyes of all those around him. The ladies could not keep their gazes from him and even the gentlemen present seemed to follow his every move. Elisabeth was not a very good judge of age, but his black hair was beginning to grey so she presumed he was of a similar age to her father. As she continued to stare at him, he turned and looked directly up at where she sat hidden from sight. It should be impossible but it felt to her as though he stared right at her. Shrinking further back against the shadows, she watched as a smile secret smile curved his lips and he winked before he turned his attention back to those around him.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she sat silently in the shadow. How could he possibly have seen her? It wasn’t possible and she probably imagined the look he gave her, in an attempt to dismiss her fears she watched as more and more guests arrived. But the vision of him staring directly at her haunted her.
When it seemed as though the last guests had finally arrived she decided now would be a good time to sneak into the gallery. Moving as silently as her injured foot would allow she crept towards the door at the end of the hall. From here she could sneak into the upper library and enter the gallery from there. The floor creaked beneath her as she moved and the sound of laughter and music could be heard drifting up from downstairs. Soon she would bear witness to her first ball.
The heavy wooden door opened noiselessly and she stepped into the gloomy room. It closed quietly behind her as she made her way into the middle of the room. The noise from downstairs could be heard much clearer now and excitement bubbled within her at the prospect of watching everything.
“Shouldn’t you be abed?” The sound of his silky voice made the blood run cold in her veins. Twirling around she sought out the owner of the voice but the dimmed lighting refused to reveal his whereabouts.
“Who are you?” Her voice came out in a high pitched squeak and inwardly she cringed. “You shouldn’t be up here, this is a closed area of the house. All the guests are expected to remain downstairs at the ball.”
“Your parents shouldn’t let you wander around so late at night when there is a party on, you never know who might turn up.” Elisabeth’s eyes widened as he stepped from the shadows nearest the door she had been heading towards. The same secret smile curled his lips and a shiver ran across her skin as she recognised him as the man who had seen her when he first arrived.
“Why are you up here?” Her voice came out a little stronger and she balled her hands into tight fists at her side to control the tremors she felt.
“Why Elisabeth, I’m waiting for you.” His smiled widened and she caught her first glimpse of what appeared to be fangs.
“I don’t understand. What do you mean waiting for me?” Stammering over her words she took a small tentative step backwards.
“You look just like her you know, it’s uncanny in fact. Although if she were still here... well she would be much older than you.” His sigh was wistful as he stared off into space, lost in remembering. Elisabeth used this opportunity to creep back towards the door. Reaching for the handle she slid it open just enough to slip out through the opening. Turning she tried to run back to where her own room was situated but her foot hampered her movements.
Hearing the door click behind her caused her heart to jump and looking out over her shoulder she could see nothing but an empty hallway. Sighing she turned to continue her journey to her bedroom. Whoever he was he hadn’t followed her and for that she was grateful. Reaching the safety of her room she flung the door open and shut it quickly behind her. Closing her eyes she began to gulp down some deep breaths as she pressed her forehead against the door.
“You didn’t think I wouldn’t notice you sneaking away?” His voice was filled with genuine puzzlement.
The sound of his voice caused her to scream but he was there before the sound could even leave her mouth. His hand snaked across her mouth and he spun her towards him.
“Sssh.”
Lifting her frightened blue eyes to his dark ones she couldn’t stop her body from sinking forward into his grip. There was just something so calming about his gaze, she could feel all the tension leaving her body as her eyes grew heavier. Slowly he removed his hand from her mouth and she sucked in a deep breath.
“Come and sit with me child so we might talk a little.” His voice came from far away but it echoed through her head causing her body to automatically obey. Following him to the bed she sat beside him. He carefully arranged the skirts of her dress around her and it reminded her a little of how she liked to arrange her dolls.
“My daughter was just like you. Headstrong and always doing exactly what she shouldn’t be doing. Although she never did kill her own canary. That was quite the show you put on. Yes, I was watching through your window.”
Elisabeth simply sat beside him. Her mind had slowed right down as though it were filled with thick syrup. She could hear every word he said but none of it truly bothered her the way it might have if she were in full control of her own mind.
“I saw you in town with your mother the other day, you do take after her you know. I knew you would be perfect. You see, I’ve spent a long time searching for one like you.”
He paused and absentmindedly stroked the top of her head, his fingers sifting through her blonde curls.
“Jessica’s hair was a little more fine than yours. I think in general she was just very fragile. I didn’t mean to, you know. It just happened. I’ve never forgiven myself for it.” Scrubbing his hands across his face he quickly cleared his throat and stood up.
“You know Lissie, you don’t mind if I call you Lissie do you? It just sounds much less formal than Elisabeth and well if all goes to plan we will be spending quite a bit of time together.”
Elisabeth nodded her head she could not refuse him anything he asked of her.
“There’s a good girl,” smiling he ruffled her curls once more before continuing. “Did you know the vampire council forbid anyone from turning children? Have you ever heard anything more ridiculous in your life? Why would anyone forbid such a thing? I certainly wouldn’t. What happens if you want to have a family? We cannot procreate but we could take children and raise them as our own.”
Elisabeth followed him with her eyes as he walked over to the empty birdcage and plucked a yellow feather from the bars. “My own daughter was a terrible accident. I could not control myself, I was so new to this life and I slaughtered her. I killed them all, my wife and my daughter. It’s not something you simply get over.”
Elisabeth watched as his eyes grew wilder and one single tear slid down her cheek unchecked.
“Come now, don’t cry Lissie darling. It’ll all be alright you wait and see.” He moved faster than her eyes could follow and was kneeling before her. He still held her mind in his grip and she couldn’t pull away from him as he reached up with cold fingers to brush her tear away.
“It will all be alright as long as you don’t fight it. I think you will quite like your new life with me as your father. We will have such fun together... You look so much like Jessica, it’s as though I am looking upon her twin.”
His control on her mind slipped for an instant as he was lost in the memory of the daughter he murdered. Elisabeth sobbed once and reached up with her small hands to push him away but he was stronger than her and pinned them to her side easily.
“Please don’t. I want my mother!” His mind closed over hers once more and she found herself unable to fight against him. Her mouth wouldn’t open and the scream that bubbled in her throat refused to dislodge from her vocal chords. Salty tears poured down her cheeks unchecked as he gently tilted her head to the side. She could taste the warm salt on her lips as his mouth closed over her small neck.
The scream wouldn’t leave her body as his fangs pierced her throat and the warm blood flowed into his mouth. Pain tore through her and she bucked and heaved against him but he held her effortlessly.
Eventually the burning in her neck began to subside and her eyes grew heavy, the pounding of her heart grew louder and slower. She was sure that any moment it would stop altogether but it didn’t.
Dragging his mouth away from neck he bit down on his own wrist drawing dark blood to the surface. It bubbled sluggishly before dribbling slowly over her lips. The metallic taste filled her mouth and burned down along her throat. She swallowed hard and the burning flowed down through her body. It poured through her and she arched against it. Black ate at her vision and she simply let her body slide into the abyss. It seemed preferable to the burning of his blood as it trickled through her.
Her eyes flickered and she shifted uncomfortably on the bed, the horror of her nightmare still clung to her. Opening her eyes fully the first thing she saw was the empty birdcage. Two small yellow feathers were caught in the bars. They fluttered gently in a breeze she couldn’t feel and each individual white spine stood out in stark relief.
Elisabeth blinked a few times trying to clear the dream from her mind. It was still dark outside and she could practically taste the cool air beyond her closed bedroom window. She felt different, her mind moved at a faster rate than it ever had before and her eyes picked out details that previously would have gone unnoticed by her. A dust mote floated down towards her nose and as she gently blew her breath out it floated lazily upwards once more.
The creak of a floorboard beyond her door caught her attention, and she held her breath as the door opened softly. Her parents stood framed in the soft light of the hall. Her mother’s blonde hair had come loose in several places and the tendrils drew Elisabeth’s attention to her long graceful neck. The pulse beat its rhythm just below the thick pearl choker her mother wore. She watched as her father drew his hand up and stroked down along the back of her neck his fingers brushing the strands of hair aside and raising goose flesh along the skin under his touch.
“Poor child, she’s worn out.” Her mother’s voice grated in Elisabeth’s ears as though she had shouted and Elisabeth fought to stay motionless on her bed. She knew if she moved it would be to lunge across the room and sink her teeth into the pulse that beat in her mother’s veins. What would it taste like to feel her skin give beneath her razor like teeth. Would she scream as Elisabeth ripped the flesh away and gulped down the rich warm crimson liquid? Or would she just wear the surprised look of someone whose dog suddenly turned on them?
The thoughts whizzed through Elisabeth’s mind and saliva gathered in her mouth until she was sure she might drown in it. Running her tongue along her teeth she could feel two sharp points descending slowly. Fangs.
Her mother turned a knowing look on her father and as gently as they had arrived they closed the door behind them. Elisabeth was up and on her feet even before the door had clicked home. Hunger rolled in her stomach and she folded over gripping it tightly as cramps tore through her.
“You held yourself well child. I was unsure if you would be able to resist the call of their blood but you did.”
“They’re my parents, what did you expect of me? I am not an animal. I am not like you!” Elisabeth spat the last words out, saliva clung to the two razor sharp fangs in her small mouth.
“Lissie, now is that anyway to talk to the man who gave you life?” His laugh brought rage flooding through her tiny frame.
“You did this to me! You turned me into this monster and now all I want to do is rip their throats out and taste their blood!”
“You do not understand this gift I have given you. Trust me given time you will come to realise just how wonderful it is to be of the night.”
Elisabeth sat with her face in her hands. She felt old. This morning all she had wanted was to attend her parents ball and now? Now her life had changed forever.
“Lissie, are you hungry? Would you like to hunt?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Her voice held a petulant tone but she didn’t care. She was still twelve after all and this man had murdered her.
“I don’t think you have a choice. When I was turned the hunger nearly consumed me and I murdered my family. The same thing will happen to you. Do you really wish to stay here and risk murdering that which you love?”
“I never asked for this.” Her voice was quiet and grief stricken. She just wanted to lead a normal life, grow up become a debutante, get married and have a family of her own. Now she would have none of that. Tears trickled down her face and plopped onto her lap.
“I know child but it was meant to be, now come on, we don’t have much time and you need to eat.” Reaching out towards her he gently took her hand in his and lead her towards the window.
“The window?”
“Yes. I told you child what I have given you is a gift, one that you will soon learn to appreciate.” He slid the sash upwards as he spoke and gently lifted her onto the ledge before climbing out alongside her.
“I don’t like this, couldn’t we just have escaped out the door?” Elisabeth swung her legs back and forth from the third story window. The ground seemed to be very far away. She had heard a story once of how a girl her age had climbed out onto the ledge only to slip and fall. She had died and it was said her parents had never recovered from the loss. What if the same thing happened to her?
He grabbed her arm suddenly and looked directly into her eyes. “Trust me Lissie, you will be fine.” With that he jumped and took her with him.
The ground quickly rushed up to meet her and she braced herself to feel the cold cobbles slam into her small frame. Her feet touched the ground with barely a whisper of noise and the tight grip on her arm dragged her off the main street and out of sight. Opening her eyes she realised that indeed what he had said was true; she was fine. A smile crept across her face as she fell into step behind him, her dainty feet skipping across the cobbles effortlessly.
“What’s your name?”
“That is irrelevant, you will call me father. If anyone asks, I am your father and if one of our kind asks you then without doubt I am your father. Do you understand?”
“There are more like us here, in London?” She asked, her voice filled with surprise, “do you suppose I could have a friend? I’ve always wanted a little sister but mother and father were content to have only me. This way I could have a sister and you could have another daughter!”
“No.” His voice was firm and resonated along the street they were running down. He stopped and Elisabeth almost ran into him. “Perfect. Feel like trying your hand at some hunting Lissie?”
Glancing around his large frame she caught sight of a young gentleman who appeared to be making his way in a very unsteady manner. Her fangs quickly descended and saliva gathered at the corners of her mouth. She could practically taste the steady flow of his blood beneath the thin membrane of skin. She itched to sink her teeth into his neck and spill his blood into her mouth. To feel its warmth flow down across her chin and drip into the street.
“Can I?” She asked, as she tried to pull her hand from his grip.
“Yes, but do not make too much of a mess, we do not have enough time to clean it up properly. The sun Lissie, it will rise soon.”
She didn’t hear the rest of his words, her brain simply acknowledged her permission to hunt and she did. Skipping down the street towards the young man she tugged on his sleeve gently and he spun around to face her. He was well and truly foxed and would not pose a challenge at all.
“Please sir can you help me, I’m lost.” She used her best little girl voice, the one that never failed her in getting exactly what she wanted.
“You’re out very late. What are you doing out here?” His words were slurred and he gripped her shoulder as he reached a hand out to steady himself.
Pretending to be shy, Elisabeth beckoned him to lean down toward her as she reached upwards to him. The sweet scent of his blood pulsed and her instincts took over. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, he tried to draw back in surprise. Elisabeth’s grip tightened and she was delighted to find herself so much stronger than him. Opening her small mouth she sealed her lips over the pulse that was pounding in his neck. Her mind grew blank as her fangs sank through his skin and the blood began to flood into her mouth. The copper taste poured down her throat igniting a fire in her belly. She felt powerful and strong. The feel of his life essence as it filled her was an intoxicating moment.
“Elisabeth, come on, it’s time to go.” Strong arms gripped her tight and began to pull her away from her prey. She clung onto the lifeless body with her small hands. Her sharp teeth held onto his throat but something had to give. The sound of tearing flesh brought Elisabeth back to herself.
Looking down at the dead man in her arms she noticed the skin across his neck was ripped and jagged.
“Lissie, let him go, we have to get home. Don’t you feel it?”
Releasing her grip on the man in her arms she closed her eyes and reached out with her other senses. Right on the edge of her mind she could feel it, like a prickling of heat that was growing steadily stronger.
“Oh my God what is that?” Her voice was filled with terror.
“It’s the sun, it’s very close to rising. We need to get under cover soon.” Holding her as though she weighed nothing he began to run. The streets disappeared around them in a blur as he picked up speed. The more she concentrated on the prickling of heat the stronger it grew. What would happen when the sun came up? What if they never made it to cover?
“Please hurry!” Her voice came out in a strangled whimper but she knew he heard her. His grip tightened on her for a moment almost imperceptibly and she buried her blood-stained face in closer to his chest.
He turned down a small side street and Elisabeth could feel panic building inside her chest. The heat was beginning to grow louder in her head and it threatened to drown out every other thought she had. Instinct told her that if they didn’t escape the rising sun that they would both perish. Heat built inside her mind and she tried desperately to suck in a deep breath. The air was stifling and no matter how hard she tried the air didn’t give her the relief she sought. To her it felt as though every breath she took was just flooding her lungs with burning air.
“I don’t want to die.” Her voice was hoarse and her head felt as though it might explode.
“Lissie we’re here.” His voice seemed to come from very far away and Elisabeth felt the blinding heat beginning to eat at her mind. She never felt him enter the house nor did she notice their descent into the basement.
As he laid her in the cool dirt, Elisabeth could feel the heat of the sun receding piece by piece from her mind. She hardly registered the sound of the shovel and the feel of the dirt as it landed on top of her felt right. Closing her eyes, she felt darkness closing around her and she welcomed it without another thought.
Opening her eyes slowly, she tried to move only to find her body encased in dirt. Using her fingers, she gradually began to dig her way up through the muck covering her body. Pushing her face upwards she realised it was only a very thin layer of dirt. Breaking the surface, she dragged herself upright and shook the dirt from her blonde curls. Brushing her hands over her face, she pushed as much of it as she could from her eyes and opened them gingerly.
Looking around at her surroundings, she noticed the room was completely bare. The floor was entirely covered in dirt and the walls were black.
“What is this place?”
“It’s the basement of my house Lissie. Well my rented accommodation anyway. I move around quite a bit since I became a vampire. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to create a basement like this.”
“Why did you bury me?” She spoke as she dug her hands into the dirt surrounding her. “And why aren’t you also buried?”
“You ask a lot of questions for one so young.” He sighed, “you needed to be buried. I could see you were quickly succumbing to the rising suns effect. It tends to happen to vampires who are so young. It builds in the brain like a disease, spreading panic within your body. I’ve seen many young ones go insane from the effects. Which is why I built this place the way I did.”
“There are others?” She sounded quietly hopeful. If he created her then surely she could create others like her. What fun they would have, no one could stop them. She could create an entire army just like her and they could feed and play. They would be invincible.
“There were others, but they are gone. You are my newest one and what a success you seem to be. You survived the rising of the sun and you are an excellent hunter Lissie. Together we shall make the perfect team.”
“Why can’t I have a friend? Just one. I don’t think it is too much to ask for.” She dropped her voice to little more than a whisper, “If you don’t, I’ll create one myself and then I will take her and run as far from you as I can.”
“You cannot Lissie, I created you and so I will know where you are. You cannot hide from me child.”
“Just as you cannot hide from us Claude.”
Elisabeth jumped at the sound of the woman’s voice. It seemed to echo around the room. Her eyes sought about her until they finally came to rest on the figure of a lady standing on the stairs. Her bright red curls were arranged around her face in one of society’s most fashionable styles. The green emerald of her dress emphasised the paleness of her skin. It wasn’t that though that caused fear to thrill through Elisabeth’s body. There was something about her that made Elisabeth want to cringe away from her. It was as though if her eyes found her that she would forever be lost.
“Marianne! What an unexpected surprise. If I had known you would come I wouldn’t have been here.”
The woman he had called Marianne laughed, the sound tinkled against the walls and grated in Elisabeth’s ears. “My, my Claude, you have been a naughty boy. You know our rules. Surely you realised this day would come.”
“I suppose I never truly believed you would catch up with me, or even that you would bother with me. Tell me has Oskaar come with you?”
“Of course he has, this is official Claude. You know what I am here to do don’t you?”
Elisabeth sat in the dirt and tried to remain as unnoticeable as possible. Perhaps if she made no noise and didn’t move they would all simply pass her by and she could survive this.
“I’ve heard of what you do Marianne, so please do get it over with.”
Elisabeth watched with interest as Marianne’s eyes began to change colour as she walked to where Claude stood. They appeared to be a deep forest green but Elisabeth was mesmerised as they began to glow a bright purple. She wasn’t sure what Marianne was doing to Claude but she could see his face grow even paler.
“Oh my God.” He whimpered.
Marianne laughed and her eyes grew brighter still, “really Claude, you know God cannot help you now.”
Claude sunk slowly to his knees in front of her and Marianne drew her fingers through his dark hair. You have been very, very naughty. Oskaar is not going to be happy. We were unsure of how many you had turned but really Claude... seventy-three children. Now that is just being greedy.” Marianne inclined her head in Elisabeth’s direction as she added, “Is she the only one left?”
“Yes! Please stop! Please it feels like something is crawling through my brain and seeking out the information it wants. Please Marianne!”
“That’s enough, child.”
“Bur Oskaar, he deserves it.”
“Whether he does or not is not the issue at hand Marianne. What matters is we dispose of the two abominations.”
Elisabeth felt her body grow completely still at his words. He thought she was an abomination? How dare he? Rage trembled through her body, spreading like a cold fury down her spine and settling in the pit of her stomach. If he touched her, then she would kill him. It was the only thing she could do. She needed to protect herself and it seemed that the whimpering mess on the floor would be of no use to her.
The man called Oskaar turned towards her and Elisabeth found herself sizing him up. He was tall and wiry, his hair was entirely grey and although he wore the clothes of a gentleman they hung from his frame. He couldn’t possibly have had them made for him, Elisabeth thought to herself.
“You can try and hide all you like child but I see you.” His accent was one that Elisabeth was unfamiliar with but it still sent a shiver down her spine.
“I’m not hiding. I’m trying to decide how best to kill you and escape.”
His barking laugh caused her to jump and she dug her fingers even more firmly into the ground beneath her.
“Kill me? Escape? No, no child, you are mistaken. The only deaths here shall be yours and your maker’s.”
Turning away from her he slowly approached Claude as he lay snivelling on the floor. She wished he would get up and protect her. He had created her after all; didn’t he at least owe her that?
“You understand the crimes you are guilty of Claude and so I am here to carry out your sentence.” He reached down to the man cowering before him and Elisabeth got the first taste of power that rolled from his body. It hit her like a slap in the face and she blinked hard attempting to clear the confusion of what had happened from her mind. How did he do that?
The moment his hands touched Claude, Elisabeth could see what sort of fate she too would face. Claude’s body jerked upwards, his face contorted into a mask of horror and pain. She could see red lines beginning to run up and down his skin as though little lines of red fire traced through his veins. Oskaar moved faster than Elisabeth’s eyes could follow, his hands grabbing Claude’s face. He jerked his arms upwards in a similar motion to the one Elisabeth had done to her own canary. Before Elisabeth had time to scream, Claude’s head came away in Oskaar’s hands. What was left of his body jerked and writhed on the floor before the red lines consumed him and he burst into flames. His body was gone in seconds and all that remained were the ashes of his head that Oskaar dusted from his fingers.
He turned back to where she sat, a grim smile covering his lips.
“I would try to make it as painless as possible but I’m afraid all death is painful. I’m truly sorry he got to you before we could stop him.”
She watched as he moved towards her. Fear ignited the rage in her belly. He could not kill her, she would stop him. She had to survive; she had just found this life and would not have it taken from her so easily.
The rage boiled inside her and spread up through her chest and down her limbs. It reached her fingers first and spread into the dirt. Her eyes had grown dark and she felt as though she was looking out through a black veil. Oskaar had stopped moving towards her and held his hand out as though he would stop her somehow.
Thoughts no longer formed coherently in Elisabeth’s mind but instead fragmented. The only clear vision she had was the one where she stopped Oskaar from killing her. The ground trembled softly beneath her fingers and she dug them deeper into the dirt. It trembled harder this time and dust and dirt fell from the ceiling.
“Oskaar, she’s an earth mover! We have to go before she buries us all.” Marianne’s voice was high and frightened as she reached out and grabbed the man’s arm.
“No, I can stop her. She has only just been turned. I can stop her.” His voice sounded confident.
The trembling of the ground became softer and Elisabeth knew she was losing to him. She felt his power push against hers, He pushed her own power back inside her until it curled quietly back down at the pit of her stomach. Her breathing was ragged and her mind tired. It took her a moment to realise that Oskaar was speaking to her.
“You have an unusual gift, child, it has been many centuries since one like you has existed. It seems a pity to waste such a gift. Wouldn’t you agree Marianne?”
The woman beside him glared warily at Elisabeth. “I suppose it is, but do you think the other members of the council will agree or will they see her as a liability to us all?”
“They will agree with me Marianne, there is great power in this little one and she will prove to be an asset. Trust me on this.”
He carefully approached Elisabeth and reached his hand down to her. “I mean you no harm child. Come with me and I can offer you safety with the council. Wouldn’t you like that? It would be your home.”
She watched him through tired but wary eyes, whatever power she had tapped into had exhausted her but at least it had kept her alive.
“You won’t kill me?”
“No. I’m sorry about our misunderstanding earlier, I was unaware of all the details. It won’t happen again.”
Elisabeth knew she didn’t have a choice but to trust him. The man who had created her was dead and she was alone. Without someone as powerful as Oskaar on her side she probably wouldn’t survive a week.
She took his hand, her small one quickly engulfed in his large bony one.
“What should I call you child?”
She smiled up at him as he pulled her gently to her feet. “My name is Elisabeth, but I’ve grown quite fond of Lissie. It think it suits my new life.”
“Then Lissie it is. Let us go and introduce you to the rest of the council” Scooping her up into his arms Oskaar carried her from the room. The last she saw of it was the smouldering ashes that were scattered across the floor.
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