Chapter 54
Sun, rain, curving sky
Mountain, oceans, leaf and stone
Star shine, moon glow
You're all that I can call my own.
- Maya Angelou
Warnings/Bonuses: Adult themes. Coarse language.
245 Piccadilly Road, Greenhill. November 27, 2005. 07:08 pm
As the sun finally set, Katia made her way indoors. She blamed the chill that was creeping into the air and the grumbling of her stomach for forcing her in, but even here, she felt threatened by the darkening skies.
She did a quick search of the fridge and pulled out a few ingredients from which she could make a quick meal for herself. As she sliced through a few vegetables, Katia thought about what Daniel had told her the night before. She studied her finger and was surprised that it had healed completely, there was no sign left to show that he had ever cut her finger. Her grip tightened on the knife handle as she pressed the point against her fingertip hard enough to cause an indentation, but not enough to break the skin.
She closed her eyes and gave it a quick poke, relieved that it was enough to cause a small bead of blood to form on the tip of her finger. Her own effort had hurt less than what Daniel had done the night before, but it still stung sharply. She gave it a shake, and once the pain eased a bit she resumed chopping, holding her finger out, away from her food.
Katia had managed to eat and was just finishing up washing her dishes as the door to the basement opened. Daniel guided Sophie out in front of him, manoeuvring her towards the door and away from Katia. Allowing herself to be led away, Sophie turned back and reached out for Katia, “I'm so sorry.” Her face contorted, her eyes widening in shock, she stammered, “Oh my god. What is wrong with you?”
Daniel said softly to Sophie,“I think it would be best if we go now.”
Katia breathed, “Sophie?”
Sophie turned away, covering her mouth with her hands, “I feel sick.”
Kieran appeared, shutting the door behind him and taking a step towards Katia and then quickly staggering back. Daniel nodded towards him, “I will leave Katia in your capable hands then,” and pushed Sophie towards the door.
“What is wrong with her?” Katia asked in a whisper.
Kieran looked from Katia to Sophie and back again, “You are. The scent of your blood is most unpleasant.” With an annoyed smile he added, “What a devious trick for mother nature to pull on us. I could easily mistake you as a sumptuous meal, but you are foul and wicked to the core. I can hardly imagine what terrible thing might happen to me if I attempted to feed off of you.”
He then shooed her towards the door, “Shall we see them off?” Katia rushed to the front porch just in time to watch Sophie and Daniel getting in the car. She started to yell something, but Kieran interrupted, advising, “Hold your tongue child. You are not the only one who is feeling the pain of separation. Words now would only serve to make it sting all the more.”
Travelling north between Greenhill and Kingston. November 27, 2005. 7:49 pm
Sophie took her eyes off the road just long enough to ask, “Are you going to explain what that was all about? Is she sick? It was like she was dead or something.”
“The dead are far more palatable,” he replied coldly, “Truth be told, I have no idea. I can speculate, but just like you, I have to wait to see exactly what she is becoming.”
She winced, “I'm a bit scared about what that might be.”
“I am too,” he admitted.
“If anyone can handle whatever is coming, Katia can. I don't think there is anyone more determined on the planet.”
Laughing softly, he replied, “Nor anyone as stubborn.” Despite her concerns about the changes in Katia, Daniel's comment made Sophie grin widely at his remark.
Travelling north between Greenhill and Kingston. November 27, 2005. 08:17 pm
Their brief interlude of humour had fallen away to silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Sophie was the first to break their repose, “Am I going to see her again?”
“It will be some time before either of us will.”
“You can't just leave her there,” she hissed.
Daniel growled, “I have no intention of going back to that house again.”
“Lily,” Sophie said absent-mindedly. She stared out the window for a bit and then asked, “Is that why you wanted Katia there? So you would have an excuse not to be around her any more?”
Daniel's fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel, “It was a safe place that was not too far away at the time.”
“I think you've actually convinced yourself of that.”
Daniel jerked the wheel, taking them into the gravel lining both sides of the road, and then jamming on the brake so hard, Sophie had to hang on to keep herself steady. He growled at her, “You will keep going north to Kingston. I want you to cover the territory between Mount Heath and Tabor each night. By car, by foot and by keeping track of what the locals are saying. There is money in the glove box for whatever you might need. Find somewhere out of the way and keep a low profile. If you suspect another vampire in the area, track them but do not engage them. Call me, and we will deal with them together.”
She nodded at him and he made a move to get out of the car. As he flicked the door latch, he warned, “Go back anywhere near your sister without me, and Kieran will end you.”
to be continued
Note: Hope this managed to fill in the gaps for a few of you who had questions last time. Have a great New Year everyone!