Sweet Dreams to Nightmares Chapter 18
A day in waiting.
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Faith K: This is way late but happy belated birthday! Haha I get the same thing about my age too. I don't even feel like I'm 20 though so when people say I don't look it I say I don't feel like it either. I daydream about having powers too like all the time to where it's distracting in class, which is not a good thing. And don't worry about the ending. It will be happy...or will it? Haha you'll have to stick around and see! I'm most definitely glad, more than glad, to have an awesome fan like you! Oh, and I hope you like the pic!
Heather: I'm so excited to hear from another reader! I'm happy that you stopped by to check out my story! Thanks for commenting! I hope you stay till the end! Enjoy!
Youareawesome: A smile stretched from ear to ear...miles on end when I read this comment. Thank you so much for the compliment! It really did come at the right time for me. And trust me, if I ever do get a book I will definitely cue you guys in. You guys are my start so there's no way I could leave you out! I hope you hang around till the end! Thanks for reading! Enjoy!
Lovelycritic 123: haha I'm doing my best to not keep you guys waiting. And I gotta say your begging was very effective haha! Thank you so much for commenting and for the compliment! All of it was super sweet! Here's your chapter! Please enjoy!
***
"What?" Vincent erupted.
Her impromptu outburst stunned them all. They had all flinched in their seats and broke away from the story altogether. All eyes settled upon Vincent who had propped herself up on her arm. Her hair was a mess from tossing and turning in her sleep and her eyes were a light shade of red from exhaustion. Julia relaxed in her seat and hid a smile of relief. Vincent had awakened, everything thing was alright...now if only Charlotta would stir her mind would be put at ease.
"Vincent?" Julia called with laughter filling her voice.
"You're awake." Julianna stated in disbelief.
"Where did all that power come from?" Vincent asked, fixing her gaze upon Sonya. She knew her instincts about the woman were correct. There was something about her earlier when she first laid eyes on her that told her she could be more than a threat. Luckily she hadn't decided to challenge the woman. She would have been a goner, she thought. "No human can do that!"
Sonya placed her eyes upon Vincent, weighing her words. A moment had passed before she finally decided to speak. There was no need in hiding her secrets now. There was no human society to run from any more. Not since the devil himself raised his dark claw and engulfed the earth into the abyss. "I am daughter of Saturn and Jupiter." She sighed. "Protector of travelers and those lost in the mist of condemnation. I am bestowed with the gift of light from birth and darkness by choice."
"And that means?" Vincent lifted an eyebrow, not understanding a single word that had escaped Sonya's lips.
"She's a witch." Julia answered.
The declaration sent Vincent's skin prickling. "What?" she sat back, more grateful than ever of her past decision.
"Why do you think the vampires and werewolves have not found us
yet? I have erected a barrier around this place." Sonya said as she poked at the logs within the fireplace, sparking the flames to life once more.
Julia watched Sonya closely, taking in her disposition. Sonya's response had seemed more callous and curt than her earlier remarks. And who could blame her? The moment they tasted freedom it was snatched away from them again, sending them burrowing away back into the earth for survival. It wasn't fair to her and it wasn't fair to her children. They deserved to live up amongst the outside world, free to live without terror or threat. "That's good and all but what will you do? Wait around until someone finds you?" Julia inquired softly, being careful not to ruffle her feathers. "Very soon you'll run out of tools for survival and you can't very well walk out in the middle of a vampire kingdom."
"We have enough to survive for a lifetime." Sonya replied impassively. Her eyes remained fixed upon the fire, watching as the flames ate away at the core of a log until it snapped in two. The orange flames jumped forth and savagely ate away at its remnants.
Julia shook her head. "That's not enough. You shouldn't have to be confined to your home in fear. You'll never be able to walk in the sun again. Doesn't that bother you?"
"We have always lived our lives in fear. I don't see how that should be a problem now." Sonya shrugged. She laid down the poker against a wall and turned in her seat towards Julia. "I can protect my family as long as I need to. These kids can survive here. For their whole life they were forced to live in hiding in a worse place than this in fear of being killed or chastised, beaten or forgotten. I too can live this way. My people were burned at the cross or beaten to death for who they were-"
"That's your fault for being weak." Vincent interrupted in a dismissive tone, collapsing back down onto the couch. "If you want to change then fight back. That's how our people did it."
"That's not who we are!" Sonya snapped. Once Sonya realized that the room had dwindled into silence she scanned her surroundings quickly, seeing all eyes upon her. She caught herself, straitening her posture while placing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry..." she began once more, her voice mellow. "...but our people did not wish to build a life based on fear from others. All we ever wished for was a place of peace where we can live like everyone else."
"But you're not like everyone else." Vincent reminded.
Sonya dropped her eyes. The truth seemed uglier when said aloud. "I know but-"
"Sonya," Julia uttered. "I didn't mean to rub salt on old wounds. I am only worried for your wellbeing. You have experienced a period in your life when you were liberated from all those worries. Do you really think that you can give all that up to return to a previous life that you fought so hard to escape? That would be like clipping the wings off a bird."
Sonya kneaded the fabric of her apron between her fingers. The truth had reared its hideous head for a second time. Her stomach was twisting into knots. She knew deep in her soul that her children couldn't live in such a place. They didn't deserve to be confined in a hovel of a home, fearing for the worst...constantly peering over their shoulders whenever there was a thud in the corner or a rattle near the window. They were innocents and yet lived like prisoners. However, no matter how perverse the truth seemed there was nothing she could do to change it. Sonya shook her head trying to erase the ache deep in her chest. She turned her back to them. "Enough." She said and walked to kitchen. She knelt to a set of cabinets and extracted some carrots from a sack. "I'll fix you something to eat. Should I wake your friend?"
Julia spied upon Sonya, noticing her sudden sullen behavior. She decided she would let the subject rest. Sonya had spoken wisely. It was enough. She had heeded their words and that was all Julia could hope for. "No." Julia replied. She glimpsed over to the couch where Charlotta lay. She didn't want to stir her. She had taken the hardest blow of them all these last few days. And now she took hand in slaughtering her own kinsmen. For Charlotta that would be a fate worse than death. Her people meant everything to her. She would sacrifice anything to protect them. Cutting them down would be as if she ran herself through with her own sword. Charlotta needed rest for her demons were quite the load to bear. "Let her rest. She needs it more than any of us. You too Vincent. You should sleep too."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Vincent rolled over onto her side.
Julia eased herself back down onto the table. Every move she made required great effort. Never before had her body felt so heavy. Gradually she could feel her strength returning to her yet she knew it would take what would seem to be an eternity to fully recuperate. Julia gnashed her teeth when she came back upon the table. The smell of Julianna and Sonya's scent was too sweet. The smell of their saccharine nectar was almost sickening as her throat panged for the warmth of their lifeblood. The voice that she thought she had subdued in its cage began to rattle in her ears. It urged her...goaded her... it whispered against every fiber of her being, telling her of how easy it would be to scoop up the child and claim her life. Knowing Julianna she would probably welcome her fate, the voice reasoned. Julia clasped her ears shut, repeating over and over in her head her mother's sweet remedy. She was not an animal. She had greater things to worry about...far greater things to dwell upon.
There was no way that she could reach Jizabel within this fallen city. Inch from inch it seemed to be teeming with vampire and werewolves all under her command. There was no way she could make it to the church undetected. For miles and miles the snow stretched its icy fingers deep within the roots of the earth. No doubt it was Jizabel's doing. The snow was connected to her somehow, giving her eyes and ears to her massive territory. There was no way all three of them could stand their ground and survive. She knew she could never request Charlotta to stand against her brethren once more. The experience last time seemed all too sinister. Their fate seemed to be inevitable. They were faced with a complete stand still where death seemed to be the only option. As the thought seized her she suddenly felt Julianna's pulse beat hard against her skin. The feel of her soft, warm fingers gliding gingerly across her arm made her hair stand on end. Her body ignited with instinct, wanting to pull the girl closer for the kill. Julia took in a sharp draft of air, clutching on tight to her sound mind. She retracted away from Julianna's touch and looked upon her with prudence.
Julianna flinched as if she had been ripped violently from a trance. When she saw the guarded look in Julia's expression she pulled her hand away. But what rattled her most was the crimson hue of Julia's once brown eyes. They were filled with so much lust and hunger that Julianna sat frozen, uncertain if she should speak let alone move. She opened her mouth to speak but the words lodged in her throat. She was on the brink of crying out desperately but she knew Julia. She knew Julia wouldn't do anything to bring any harm to her. Deep down she knew that Julia pulled away to protect her and now it was taking everything she had to resist. Julianna pushed back against the balls of her feet, scooting her chair away from the table slowly. Her eyes remained locked with Julia's as the ruckus from the chair sliding against the wooden floor boards groud in their ears. "I'm sorry." Julianna spoke in a soft, meek voice. "I didn't mean to...they're just so mesmerizing." She stammered as she gestured to Julia's arm.
Julia marked Julianna's apprehensive composure. It pained her to see Julianna look upon her in such a way. It had been a while since she witnessed and swayed under the weight of the gaze of a human that saw her as a mere fiend. She wanted to reach out to her...to console her...but she knew it would only result in terrifying her further...and perhaps something far worse. Her mere touch could end up crushing her fragile body mercilessly. Julia closed her eyes, screaming inside of herself that she wasn't a beast...that should could withstand her hunger and push past it. She had for fifteen years. She had honored her father and mother's will for fifteen years and she wouldn't let it break apart so easily. She inhaled a deep draft of air and released it slowly to calm her nerves. She opened her eyes and glanced down at her arm, still feeling the tingling warmth of Julianna's fingertips against her skin. Instantaneously it seemed as if all her thoughts of hunger drifted away. Her heart fluttered as she gazed upon the Marks of Lucifer that branded her skin. "Markings?" she inquired to herself breathlessly. She eased herself off the table, never tearing her gaze away from her arm. "Were these always here?"
Julianna released her held breath. She relaxed in her seat and sat forward. Julia's revelation of the markings surprised her. "Y-yes." She began vigilantly. "You mean you didn't know? When we found you, you were like this already. Do you know what they are?"
Julia hadn't heard a word Julianna had spoken. Her attention remained fixed upon her body. With childlike wonder she held her arms out in front of her, twisting and turning her hands back and forth for better vantages of the intricate markings. This was what she had been waiting for. It all seemed too good to be true. For once her fortune had turned and granted her what she desired most. "The Marks of Lucifer..." she breathed. "I wonder..." She turned her palms up before her. Quietly she focused on her hands, feeling the familiar warmth she craved so much pull from deep within her, trickle down her arms until it ignited in her hands and burst forward with life in the form of a spurt of electricity. In the moment of her excitement her concentration broke and the spurt diminished, the warmth still lingering like hot breath against a cold window pane.
Julianna jumped back in her seat. "How did you do that?" she exclaimed merrily.
An infectious smile possessed Julia's face. "I have no idea." She laughed. However, as she spoke the words she realized that what she spoke was true. She had no idea. She may have obtained her wish but she had absolutely no idea how to conjure it at will or if it would remain at all. She had to use this opportunity wisely. She needed to master her skill quickly before her luck ran dry. "I have no idea." She breathed as her smile vanished from her face. "Julianna, do you have somewhere that I can go to be by myself for a while?"
Julianna thought for only a minute second. "The children are in the back room. I could move them up here for a while." She provided happily, more than willing to assist Julia in any way possible.
"Could you?"
Julianna lunged to her feet with great energy, a smile across her face stretching from ear to ear. "It would be my pleasure." She announced aloud. "Anything to help you."
Julia studied Julianna. She was astounded by her sudden vivaciousness. Only moments ago she had looked upon her as if she were a deranged stranger. Julia was uncertain if the child would ever look upon her the same way with such affection and joy. To see her beam brightly before her now was a relief in itself. She smiled to herself. For a second time this child had rescued her and opened up her home to her. And it was for a second time that the child came face to face with Julia's true form and embraced her with little hesitation. She owed much to her. Her pure spirit was what her mother and father wanted her to see in the human race. This little girl embodied everything her parents saw in the hearts of every human alike and what they fought to maintain. If there was such a child in the world then maybe...just maybe...Julia shook her head. Such hope could never be recognized. She rose from the table and rubbed the top of Julianna's head. "Thank you."
Julianna giggled to herself with self satisfaction. Julia's acceptance was all she could hope for. She felt needed...useful. Without further delay Julianna rushed to the back room and ushered out the children fervently, ignoring their protests and their hesitation to give up their hiding. When the room was emptied Julia slipped through the door. Julianna stepped in behind her. Quickly she tended to the mess of seven small beds that circled the room. Julia watched her as she yanked the sheets and covers up about the bed with a practiced ease. Julia was surprised by how much space was within the room. She thought for certain that the room would only be no bigger than a small closet. However the room was large enough for all seven of them to dwell comfortably. When the last pillow had been fluffed neatly in its place Julianna glided over towards a rickety dresser, taking up a match and striking it to life.
Carefully she put the small flame to the wick of a candle stick. She shook the flame out and rushed to the bedroom door. As she pulled the door shut behind her she stole one last glance of Julia and flashed a smile her way. Julia waited until she heard the door click shut. Once she knew she was completely alone she looked about the room and settled for sitting on the bed closest to the window. As she sat the bed squeaked from age and the mattress sunk in softly about her. She held her hands out before her, allowing the light from the moon to cascade upon her branded flesh. She held her palms out before her, staring at them as if it were the first time.
"If I could just get it to work for me I'm sure I could do this." She said to herself.
Where to begin...she couldn't begin to fathom where. All of it was a mystery. The only thing she knew to do was concentrate. If she could concentrate on the warmth and the source of it she would be able to call up her power. With the idea in mind she continued to stare upon the center of her palms and imagined the warmth erupting within her chest and pouring over her entire body. Slowly she could feel the warmth creep over her skin and trace over her markings down to her palms. She anticipated for the electricity to burst forth like all the other times she happened to call upon it however her anticipation was only met with disappointment when only a small spurt of lightening eddied up within her palm and disappeared as if it had never been. She sighed heavily, giving up her held breath. She closed her eyes and calmed her nerves. This was all she had. This was what would determine her fate in her impending battle. She couldn't fail. She wouldn't fail. She took in a draft of air and began to concentrate once more.
***
Vincent clasped her eyes closed tightly. The sound of the children's laughter and Sonya chopping up vegetables ransacked her slumber and brought her into wakefulness. Yet there was something more that caused her to stir...something that had seeped into her mind and made her restless. Their journey seemed to come to a screeching halt. If they set one foot outside the alley door they would indisputably face the countless number of vampires and werewolves waiting to rip them apart. There was no fighting back...there was no survival...only sudden death. The thought wasn't one she enjoyed. There was no way she would allow herself to perish so easily. She wasn't one for losing a battle and if she did she always imagined it to be during an epic battlefield where she was the only survivor and would sacrifice her life valiantly and eradicate the enemy in an awesome display of power. She would have a glorious victory for her people and she would live on through history.
Such a fate was what she dreamed of and what she treasured. Battle was her specialty and yet she only seemed to be completely useless and helplessly, lost in the care of humans no less. She groaned and began to rip the bandages off her body. They only seemed to irritate her further and did little since her wounds had already healed. She rolled over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. She had to think of something. If only there was a way where they could gain an advantage over the enemy...if only there was a way where they could continue to move in secrecy...only then would they at least gain a sliver of a chance. As she pondered to no avail she suddenly recalled Sonya's story. There was a way that they had escaped underground undetected. There was a way that they could maneuver and evade the enemy. She turned her attention upon Julianna who sat on the floor and played with the children.
"Hey kid." Vincent called. "Tell me, how did you guys make it to this place anyway? I mean, with this entire city getting attacked, how did all of you make it here safely?"
Julianna glanced over her shoulder. "My name is Julianna."
Vincent raised her eyebrow. "Julianna?"
"Yes."
"Such a weird name." She twisted up her nose.
"Well what's yours?" Julianna questioned, annoyed by Vincent's remark.
"Vincent."
"That's a weird name too. Especially for a girl." Julianna quipped.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Vincent questioned in a hard tone as she propped herself up from the couch.
"I'm just saying that Vincent is a boy's name. It's weird for a girl to be named Vincent."
"Enough." Sonya commanded, silencing Vincent who had growled and opened her mouth to retort back. "Both of you." she said towards Julianna who had prepared to argue back with Vincent. Sonya walked from the kitchen and took a seat in a chair near Vincent. "To answer your question Vincent, our people have made several underground channels in order for us to move around freely without being detected. If we ever needed to escape for some reason the passages were always there for a safe escape."
"So, where do they lead to?" Vincent asked, abandoning her frustration and turning her attention towards Sonya. "I mean, how far do they go?"
Sonya wiped her hands on her apron. She dug her hand into her pocket and pulled out a small mahogany compass. "Do you see this?"
"It's a compass." Vincent stated with a blasé tone.
"To the eye, but when we witches enter our channels it points the way and opens the paths to a next safe haven. There isn't just one direct path, there are several to confuse any finders of the channels. When we witches don't use the passages, Mother Earth constantly moves the channels around so that we may never be found. Without the compass, any user of the passage will be lost."
"So what, does it glow or something?"
"No. The correct paths just open up automatically."
"Oh." Vincent sat impressed with the witch's crafty tool. It was just what they needed to bypass all their adversaries and head straight for their real target. If they could reach the church dead on from underneath they wouldn't know what hit them. It would be a sweet victory. But one thing still seemed to trouble her. "So who's this Mother Earth person?" she questioned with immense curiosity.
Sonya smiled and returned the compass to her pocket. "Mother Earth is the earth itself. We believe that the earth has a spirit of its own."
Vincent lifted her eyebrow, irresolute on the woman's state of mind. "Now that's weird." She said while plopping back down on the couch and turning over onto her side.
Julianna scoffed and shook her head, returning to the children. Sonya chuckled and returned to her cooking.
***
Plip. Plip. Plip. The sound of water droplets whispered in Father Randolph's ear. Plip. Plip. Plip. They teased him...forced him back into consciousness. Plip. Plip. Plip. They vibrated against him, dredging up his pain and pounding with the beat of his open wounds. A twinge here, a sharp sting there, Father Randolph could feel each and every lash on his bare back. The dripping...the incessant dripping...he wanted it to stop, he needed it to stop. It irritated him, grated against his nerves. The pain, the noise, his existence...he wanted it all to fade away until he felt nothing. Every breath that he drew into his body stung and rattled in the back of his throat. The metallic taste of carbon filled his mouth. His arms began to grow numb. The weight of his body pulling against his restraints proved torturous but he was too weak to stand on his own. Instead he rested on his knees, his body suspended upright by his arms which were bound tight in frozen shackles cutting, digging deep into his wrists. He needed to move, to break free. He had something to do.
He had someone to look for...that's right...he had to look for Trista. The very thought of her name sent his heart pounding and something sinister possessed him; something he managed to cage away for what seemed like centuries. He didn't want it to win but the longer he remained in his despicable state there was no doubt he would fall. He willed himself to move. His quivering fingers wrapped around the icy shackles, grasping on tightly as he urged himself to stand. His long, midnight black hair had fallen loose. It draped about his shoulders and into his face, wet from perspiration, blood, and water. His vision began to blur and his head began to swim. He clasped his eyes shut and struggled to gain control. His chest began to heave. Each pant was marked by a puff of smoke from his hot breath meeting the frost bitten air about him. His foot gained a firm ground yet slipped against the grim and frost on the cobble stone. His body dropped viciously back down onto his knees. He cried out from agony as the sharp pain of the shackles digging into his skin and the wounds on his back wrenched through his body. There was no energy left. He couldn't continue and remain...he had failed her.
As despair began to wash over him he suddenly heard an even pair of foot falls resonate through the hall of the prison. The sound of steady marching filled his ears. Each click of the boot marked his fate. He knew that they were sent for him. The footsteps grew louder and louder until finally they stopped curtly before his cell. He didn't make to acknowledge them. He had grown to despise them. He merely wished for his sentence to be served so that he could finally perish. The sound of the grating iron door screeched about him. The two soldiers entered the cell. Keys were drawn from their belts and they proceeded to unlatch the shackles. As they snapped loose Father Randolph collided to the floor of the cell, grunting on impact. It wasn't long until he felt their unmerciful hands apprehend him about the arms, dragging him off the floor. He was brought back upon his knees. His head was snatched back by his hair and he was chained about the neck and his arms shackled behind his back.
One of the soldiers forced Father Randolph onto his feet while the other soldier took up the chain connected to the restraint around Father Randolph's neck. The soldier shoved Father Randolph forward as his companion yanked him forward by the chain. Under command Father Randolph stumbled forward, barely keeping on his feet. To the best of his ability Father Randolph urged himself to keep up with his possessor but found his movement to be sluggish and the soldier's consent for him to be little. He prayed that this would be his last summons. He prayed that once he was taken to that godforsaken whipping block his life line would be severed. He found salvation in his inevitable release. He followed along blindly until his feet gave way from exhaustion. He expected them to stop, to force him back up to his feet yet found otherwise. The soldier continued to march along, dragging him by the cursed chain. The shackle about his throat began to cut deep into his neck, cutting off his airway.
Father Randolph gagged and wheezed, struggling to stand. No matter how much ground he obtained to stand he would slip from exhaustion and the filthy grime of the cobble stone. This was it, he thought to himself. This was how he would perish; dragged like a dog through the halls of a despicable hell hole. Suddenly the faint scent of altar incents filled his lungs. The familiar smell made his eyes snap open. He looked about the room as best he could through his blurring vision. Images of Christ and the Virgin Mary swam before him before they disappeared into a stream of indiscernible colors and shapes. Then he saw them. The prayer candles extinguished by the altar, only one burned defiantly. His eyes locked upon it, watching as its flame flickered and wavered on the brink of dying out. He was in the sanctuary. He had no idea why he was brought here but knew this would be the last place he would see.
He would die here no matter what, even if it meant ending his life by his own hand. He paid little heed to the soldiers as they grabbed him by the arms and proceeded to lift him off the ground. His eyes remained fixed upon the small, flickering light. His arms lifted above him and were shackled to the wall. His body suspended down much like his position in his holding cell. The position was curious enough for him to shift his gaze away from the candle and glance about the room. His eyes drifted about the sanctuary until they traced the stairs up to the altar and rested on Jizabel. She smiled softly upon Father Randolph and stepped around the podium where her sinister orb drifted above. Her fingers traced the marble of the podium.
She shook her head and began to tisk. "Look how pathetic you've become Randolph." She said, her voice riddled with dolor. "It's quite sad to look upon you in such a manner. Really depressing."
The soldiers completed their task, clicked their heels together sharply as they saluted Jizabel, and left the room down a corridor. Father Randolph's eyes never left Jizabel during their display of allegiance to her. She was the source of his despair. She was the source of all of his sufferings. She was the one that brought harm to their kingdom and wounded Lady Trista, leaving her to a detestable end. He could feel a pressure swelling in his chest. Something burned deep down inside, pulsating through every fiber of his being. He never wanted to kill in his life until now. He never felt such an urge to sink his nails into flesh...to break...to rip apart...to sink his teeth-he stopped himself. His hate was so strong that he heard an inhuman growl rumble deep and low in his chest. His arms had even locked against his restraints, causing his wounds to go deeper. He thanked God for his constraint and fought against his rage.
Jizabel examined Father Randolph's glare. She found that she enjoyed seeing something other than a cold composure cross his face. "Oh, don't look at me like that. You know how much it wounds me so." She said with mock despair. "Besides, is it really me you should be upset with? Come now Randolph." She left the podium and began to walk down the altar stairs. "Let's think about this. If it hadn't been for Trista none of this would have happened. It was her selfishness that put you in this situation. So in actuality, you're being punished for her actions. I don't warrant your revenge. It's her..." She stepped up to Father Randolph and leaned in close to his ear. "...and I'm going to give it to you." She whispered.
Father Randolph closed his eyes and gnashed his teeth, struggling to find a way to talk against the pain. "W...why?" he growled.
Jizabel grinned and wrapped her arms lovingly around his neck. "Because I care for you. You are like a father to me. I love you."
Father Randolph detested her touch. His arms pressed against his restraints as he forced them to try to break free to seize her about the neck. "Get off me you disgusting wretch! You are a foul beast! You know no such thing remotely close to love!" he hollered at the top of his lungs.
"A foul beast?" Jizabel pulled away as if stunned. "How cruel these words are. It surprises me so, how easily these words trickle from your lips when they are at best suited for you."
"To what do you speak?" he barked. To be accused of being such a thing was a slap in the face when it came from someone so vile and disgraceful.
Jizabel grinned. Delicately she twirled a strand of Father Randolph's hair between her fingers. "The Devil has often been transformed into an Angel of Light." She explained coolly, placing his hair behind his ear. "You are the beasts yourselves-"
"Blasphemy!" Father Randolph shouted. He refused to let her finish her absurd remark. Her proclamation was enough to make his ears bleed.
All at once, Jizabel stabbed her nails into one of Father Randolph's open wound. His blood ran down her fingers and bled down his side, falling in droplets onto the floor. Father Randolph screamed out in agony. He gritted his teeth together hard, waiting for the pain to cease with no avail. "Don't..." she yelled. "...cut me off." She finished, dropping her voice back to its previous volume. She watched him closely as he writhed against her hold. "Wait your turn." She snatched her nails out of his wound, enjoying the sound of his cry. His warm blood against her fingers beckoned her for a taste. Her eyes glazed over with crimson as she brought her hand up into her line of vision. "Its things like that that support my accusations. You preach words that seem to drown out the senses of your followers with its saccharine effect, when it is you who should take your own teachings into consideration.
You hide behind your supposed anointment and spiritual connection to your so-called god when in actuality you are as salient as a thorn in your corrupt ways. It sickens me how you kill and justify it for the sacrifice to your God. You are crafty audacious creatures that can take a single scripture and utilize it as the driving force to kill an entire nation because they will not submit to your ways. You stand for a religion that you say is sacrosanct but cause the followers to become sick and deranged to the point of rupturing and ending in a ruinous fate." She turned her eyes upon him. "You are the beasts with your contentious and deceitful reign."
Father Randolph dropped his head. He clenched his eyes closed trying to drown out her dangerous words. "You lie." His voice trembled. "I know no such thing to which you speak! We are a pure race built on complete alliance to the holy one!"
"A tainted race drenched in blood that lives in blood thirsty lies with an alliance to the devil himself." She returned, taking up his face in her hand and lifting his eyes to hers.
"All lies!" he hurled back at the top of his lungs.
"I know. It's funny watching you people build a nation on them." She chuckled.
Before long Father Randolph's frustrations possessed him so deeply that tears began to streak down his face. He was weak...powerless...her words embodied evil and yet they rang true. They were being punished, he thought. Lady Trista...the Sregneva Namuh...himself...this was their fate for trifling in magic and treacherous tactics. They had fallen from God's grace and were left to be judged as their enemies saw fit. There was no escaping it. Her words merely reflected their sin.
"Hard to take in at once?" Jizabel wiped his tears gingerly. "I know. I understand. Let me make it better for you. I have something that will cheer you up." With a swift swing of her hand her nails sliced through the shackles and freed Father Randolph, who fell limp to the floor. Surprised, Father Randolph lifted his gaze up to her. Jizabel smiled down upon him. "I promised you your revenge and your revenge you shall have."
Father Randolph balled his fist. He hated that he still clung so foolishly to his vain hope. "You really expect me to believe that you will let me gain my revenge?"
"Of course." She shrugged. "I want to show you that I'm not a beast."
Over Jizabel's shoulder Father Randolph could hear the sound of a door opening slowly. Its ominous creak pressed deep inside his ears. Instantaneously he heard the clinking of shackles and deranged snarling follow after. The bestial grunts were enough to make his blood run cold. A familiar, sweet aroma drifted across the room and filled his lungs. He gnashed his teeth and clutched onto his chest. The cage inside of him was rattling again. But there was no time to think on it...he wouldn't allow himself to think on it...not if what he was thinking, what he feared, was true. As if in response to his racing mind Jizabel stepped to the side and revealed Lady Trista. Father Randolph's heart dropped in his chest. He watched in astonishment as Lady Trista growled, kicked, and snatched back and forth in a deranged quest for freedom from two soldier's that held on to her shackles that were locked on her arms.
"Trista?" his voice escaped in a whisper. "W-what have you done to her?" he yelled to Jizabel. His gaze remained fixated on Lady Trista.
"Nothing. She's just hungry." Jizabel admitted innocently. She strolled to Lady Trista and held her blood stained hand out before her. "She's still the same. Just a little better now I would like to think." she grabbed Lady Trista's face and squeezed her cheeks, causing her mouth to open. She wiped Father Randolph's blood on Lady Trista's tongue and grinned.
Lady Trista's eyes dilated, turning crimson from her insatiable appetite. The taste of him was more than satisfying. Her throat burned for more...to feel his warm blood pour through her and course through her body. Her instincts took over. All reason was lost. She only wanted the hunt. She only craved the kill. Jizabel waved her blood stained hand under Lady Trista's nose, teasing her. Lady Trista lunged forward to sink her fangs into flesh yet her attempt failed as the soldiers held firmly onto her restraints.
"Oh. You want more don't you? Don't worry." Jizabel took up Lady Trista's face and forced her gaze towards Father Randolph. "There's plenty left."
Lady Trista's gazed locked on Father Randolph like a lioness to her prey. The smell of his blood from his open wounds fueled her yearning. Her mouth began to water. She began to salivate profusely down her chin. Drawn by the call of his sweet scent she took a step forward dragging the soldiers with her.
"Aw. Look Randolph, she likes you." Jizabel sang. "But of course I'm not completely heartless." she unsheathed one of the soldier's sword and tossed it to Father Randolph. The sword landed with a clang and slid to a stop inches before him. "Aim for the heart." She instructed. "I trust you won't miss." She turned on her heel and walked past Lady Trista, leaving down the corridor behind her.
At the sound of the door closing behind Jizabel the soldiers quickly released their hold on the shackles, letting the chains fly from their hands as Lady Trista lunged for Father Randolph with no reserve.
***
Sweat trickled down the side of Julia's face. Her body trembled as she forced herself to hold on. Sparks of electricity crackled and struck out about sadistically in a large ball in the palm of her hand. Finally....finally she was able to give her ability life by her own free will. Now it was merely the ability to keep it alive for an extended period of time in a controlled intensity by her will. The more she shaped it into a concentrated ball the harder it was to keep her power sustained. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. She coached herself over and over in her mind. As she felt herself slipping she forced herself to exert more energy into the ball. The size of the ball grew immense and the warmth on her skin ignited like a raging fire. She felt as if she were going to burst apart in flames. Slowly the Marks of Lucifer began to retract, melting into the pale white of her skin as if they never were. Julia immediately retracted the ball, the sparks of electricity spurted away into nothingness in the palm of her hand. Her heart raced with fear. Now that her marking were gone what did that mean? Had she pushed herself to hard?
She stared at her shaking hands, uncertain of her fate. "Did I lose it?" she questioned aloud.
She rose to her feet, staring intensely at her open hands before her. The cold of the room caressed against her skin, sending a chill through her body and making her feel something she feared...emptiness. There was only one way to determine whether or not her powers remained. She would just have to summon them again. Doubt and sorrow began to ravage her mind. She couldn't begin to fathom what she would do if she lost her powers. She was so close only to come so far...she couldn't accept it. She coaxed herself, focusing on the warmth in her body that slowly began to dissipate. But with the mere thought of it electricity flashed to life with ease. She smiled and laughed to herself. She had done it. She had tamed her power. Now there was a chance. Now she would finally avenge her family's spirits and lay them to rest.
Suddenly at the door she heard three soft raps. Immediately she released her power and glanced towards the door. The door eased open slightly and Julianna craned her head around the corner. "Julia," she called softly. "Your friend has awakened."
Julia's heart fluttered in her chest. Charlotta had pulled through. She was able to once again face the brink of death and survive. The thought seemed too good to be true. Julia immediately abandoned the room with a flurry of movement and escaped to the front room. Her gaze immediately locked on Charlotta who sat on the coach, fully dressed and taking a bowl of soup that Sonya offered her. Slowly she brought the spoon to her lips, giving the soup a gentle blow before eating the first bite. The sight of Charlotta alive and well was enough to make Julia's eyes begin to water. Both of her companions still remained alive. She didn't know how much more she could take of their flirt with death.
"You finally came out of that room." Vincent stated. Her mouth was full of bread and soup. "How long were you in there for?" She spooned another large helping of soup into her mouth. "This food was ready hours ago. You should try some. Surprisingly it's good." She said merrily as she broke off another piece of bread and shoveled it into her mouth.
Julia searched Charlotta's body. Her bandages had been removed and the bite marks were now faded bruises upon her skin. She was healing nicely which was a good thing but a lot of blood was taken. Julia was uncertain just how well she was. There was no telling if she could continue on with them. In the back of her mind Julia contemplated leaving Charlotta here in Sonya's care. The more she dwelt on it the more the idea seemed to appeal to her. "How are you Charlotta?" she managed to push herself to speak. "Are you okay?"
Charlotta lifted her eyes from her bowl onto Julia. She already knew the hidden meaning behind Julia's line of questioning. Julia was beginning to doubt her ability to continue on with their voyage. Yet, she had a right to worry. Even Charlotta was beginning to doubt her strength to continue on. However she knew she couldn't let it end here. There was something far too important that she had lost and it was her duty to restore it to its rightful place. No matter what Julia advised she would continue on. "I am well." She replied in a firm tone.
"Will you be able to go on and fight?"
Charlotta leaned forward and placed the bowl onto the kitchen table. "Julia," she closed her eyes finding that the words came easy yet the ability to voice them did not. "I am profoundly remorseful on the subject of what I must speak." She rose from her seat and looked into Julia's weary eyes. The exhaustion in her gaze put a weight on Charlotta's heart. Julia had been pushing herself too hard. Her wellbeing in their voyage was uncertain as well. Charlotta felt torn and more powerless than ever. Her decision was all the more bitter than before. "I am not going to be able to accompany you on your task. I have a greater vocation to answer to in regards to my kingdom. I must depart at once."
"What?" Vincent exclaimed, dropping her spoon back into her bowl.
Julia met Charlotta's unwavering gaze. She had expected Charlotta to stand her ground for her people but by herself...? She knew she couldn't advise her to stay hidden and safe in Sonya's care now that her people's lives were on the line. It would be like asking herself to abandon her family's memory as their name burned in the abyss. Julia banished her selfish idea of Charlotta's stay with Sonya. There was just one thing...one thing that she needed Charlotta to do so that she knew she would at least have a winning chance. "I understand." She complied.
"Thank you." Charlotta returned. Her stomach wrenched at the thought of abandoning Julia in her crucial time of need.
"Take this too." Julia added. She slipped her fingers down her undergarments until her fingers wrapped around the delicate chain. She plucked the chain from her bosom and pulled out the Jewel of Azlamente.
Charlotta tensed at the sight of it. The eerie emerald glow cast shadows about her face. Its brilliance called out to her, insuring strength and stamina like none other but spelled danger. She wanted the jewel and yet...
"Julia! What the hell are you doing with that thing?" Vincent shouted, jumping to her feet.
"Take it Charlotta." Julia pressed, taking little heed to Vincent's outcry. "You'll need it."
"Julia! We left that behind so it wouldn't bind her down like it did her comrades! What are you thinking?" Vincent berated. What Julia was offering was insane. If Charlotta fell prey to the jewel's curse there was no way they could save her.
Charlotta managed to pull her eyes away from the jewel. The task was harder than she thought it would be. She focused on Julia doing her best to ignore the jewel's luminosity. "Vincent is accurate. I must decline your offer. Thank you though for your concern Julia. I must do this unaided on my own stipulations."
Julia wrapped the chain around her fingers and clutched onto the jewel. She knew asking Charlotta straight out wouldn't work but she at least had to try. "I understand. Just be careful." she decided to her say. She strode to Charlotta and hugged her as close as possible. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost someone else dear to me." As carefully as possible she let the jewel slip from her hand into Charlotta's pocket. If this was going to be the last time she ever saw Charlotta she at least wanted her mind to be at ease knowing that she had something to aide her in her fight.
Charlotta slipped her arms around Julia and embraced her back. She wouldn't allow herself to dwell on whether or not Julia would survive. She knew she would. She would return to her no matter what. She would not perish and they would return to Azreeai, her kingdom restored and Julia's soul finally at peace. They would all survive this. "You must not expire moreover." She squeezed her tight.
"Farewell Vincent." Charlotta turned to Vincent. "I bid you a safe expedition as well."
Vincent scoffed and turned away. She knew Charlotta had to free her people but to say goodbye in such a way as if they'd never see each other again...it was something she didn't want to take part in. If she didn't say goodbye then it wasn't the end...if she didn't say goodbye then it wasn't goodbye...
Charlotta secured her swords onto her back. She took up Julia's arm in a warrior's handshake and turned towards the door where Sonya waited. As she stepped away from the room she no longer allowed herself to dwell on her crippling emotions. There was something far more important that required her attention. She would end her life if it meant the restoration of her people.
"Charlotta, if you need help you can always come back here." Sonya provided with a smile.
"I understand. I am indebted to you." Charlotta placed her fist over her heart and bowed.
"And take this." Sonya added as she handed her a small pendant. The black jade twisted into itself. Deep in its core shone a faint tint of crystal blue and about its contours were engravings of unknown lettering. "This pendant holds many a magical property by my people." She explained smoothly, speaking as carefully as possible so Charlotta would take heed of her every word. "If used correctly it can unlock vast amounts of power. All you need to do is state a command and it will perform whatever you request. However, it only lasts for a brief period of time so it cannot be relied on fully."
Charlotta took up the pendant and let it rest in her hand. She traced the engravings with her thumb and marveled at the hidden hue of blue. She didn't hesitate in accepting it. She could use whatever magic provided if she was going to face an entire kingdom. "Thank you." she said as she took up the pendant and secured it around her neck.
Vincent quickly glanced over her shoulder. She finally realized that Charlotta really was parting their company. It wasn't a lighthearted situation. She had to say something...at least one thing. "Charlotta," she called. Charlotta turned from the door and glanced back at Vincent. Vincent searched her mind for the right thing to say. Not goodbye. Not goodbye. She told herself. "Be careful." She decided on saying.
Charlotta smiled. Vincent turned her eyes away and fell back onto the couch. Charlotta wasted little time in leaving. She turned from the room and stepped out into the arctic wind of the night. Julia watched as her figure slipped into the snowy wind until Sonya quickly closed the door and secured the lock. This was it. It was time to make their move and end this once and for all. No more hiding. No more running.
"We'll be off too Vincent." Julia announced. "The longer we wait the more time we waste."
Vincent didn't stir. She merely sat on the couch and stared into the crackling flames of the fire.
Julia walked across the room where her dress hung along with her possessions. Carefully she removed them from the line and returned to the back room. She closed the door and walked to the bed, laying her things upon it. Silently she picked up her dress and began to put it on. When every button was secured and every string was tied tight she delicately lifted her mother's necklace to her neck and fastened it. She grabbed her father's sword and placed it upon her hip where she tied it firmly. Lastly she plucked up her sister's favorite ribbon. She walked to the window and knelt down in the moon's rays that poured into the room. She tied the ribbon securely around her neck as she stared up into the dark sky. Softly she let her fingers linger on the ribbon where her mother's necklace lay underneath as she clutched onto her father's sword.
"This is it." Julia decreed. "I'm going to do this."
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