Vampire - In the Beginning (Vampire Series Book 1) (3 page)

Chapter Four

Robert and James joined me in the small courtyard a few moments later, and although I hear their approach, I do not turn around and acknowledge their arrival. Instead, I looked towards the dark outline of the farmhouse. The house that sat before me should have been my home forever, but because of the two men behind me, I would never set foot on this land again. With this realization came the sad thought that likewise, I would never again glance upon my mother, father, or brothers, and in time, although I did not know it then, they would for me become just a vague memory. My life was to change beyond anything I could ever imagine; but I didn’t cry. Crying would have been a pointless exercise because there was nothing I could do to change my predicament, and so I simply turned to Robert and James and said, “I am ready.”

A shrill whistle rents the air, and from nowhere a pair of black horses appears. I am somewhat startled by their appearance, and I guess the shock shows on my face, because Robert says, "Contrary to common belief we
cannot
change our appearance into that of other animals... We travel like humans on horseback. Although we do hold power over all animals, including humans. We are their master!"

I could think of nothing to say in response to his words and simply bow my head in acceptance of his bold and commanding statement. A statement I do not doubt is true. Both men jump with grace onto the backs of the animals and once settled, Robert held out his hand to me. "Come, Gwen," he said. "We must leave," he then grabbed my outstretched hand and pulled me up behind him.

I had never, up until this time, traveled on horses such as these. I had only ever ridden the small ponies on the farm. These animal, in comparison, seemed to almost fly through the air and such was their speed that I clung to Robert in order to remain seated. My eyes watered from the icy winds and so I pushed my head into Robert’s back, my hands grew numb from the cold and I clenched them painfully, so as to ensure that I did not lose grip and fall.

On and on we rode and I clung on to my captor in fear. I was afraid to loosen my grip, and was growing tired and very weary. Vampires, I was to quickly discover, are extremely strong. I, however, was at this time only human, pregnant, and fast becoming exhausted by the attacking speed of the journey. Robert, whom unbeknown to me was able to sense every beat of my heart and any weakness in my body. Realised the journey, combined with the bloody scene I had witnessed at the farm, was fast getting the better of my body and mind, and motioned James to stop at the next inn.

When we finally arrived at an inn. Robert pulled my exhausted body into his arms and carried me inside. His shouts of 'Innkeeper...where are you man?" echoing angrily as we entered the small but comfortable warm rooms of the establishment. However, it was not long before the innkeeper, a short, fat man of about fifty years old, scurried to our side. He obviously recognized that Robert was of noble birth and his humble attitude attributed to this fact.

"Yes, sir," he said bowing low, "I am at your service, sir."

"Is that
so
, man?" Robert bellowed. "Well in that case we shall have your best room, and my wife here will have a tankard of your finest mead and a platter of your finest fare."

The man glanced in my direction in a somewhat startled manner. I, unlike Robert, was not dressed in fine clothes, but instead dressed in the clothes of that of a simple farm girl, which of course was exactly what I was.

"Do
you
understand that order, man?" Robert asked the innkeeper in a slightly threatening but sarcastic voice.

"Yes, yes of course, sir... Follow me, sir."

The innkeeper led us to a small but comfortable room, and stayed just inside the door whilst Robert placed me on the bed. He then turned back towards the innkeeper and stated, "I take it
you
do not understand the order, then?" His stance was aggressive and irritated.

"Yes, sir of course, sir!" the innkeeper stuttered.

"Well set to it then, man, before you feel the weight of my hand!"

"Will you be sleeping alongside me?" I asked as I watch the petrified innkeeper scurrying away. A quiver is evident in the tone of my voice, and I know that it betrays my fear. Robert must have heard it too, because he said softly, "I have told you there is no need to fear me, Gwen, you are quite safe."

"That may be so...but I do not wish for you to sleep here!" I say in a frightened whisper.

"Ah, well that may be so but I cannot trust you yet! You have had an eventful day and I cannot be sure that you’ll not run... I
am
sorry but I must stay here with you tonight."

I digest his answer, and then ask, "When we reach your home will you remain at my side?" I notice a slight smile touch his lips and he says, "No, Gwen...you will not be able to escape, so there will be no need."

"And where will James sleep tonight?"

"He will continue on and inform my wife, Matilda, of our plans."

I waited for him to add to this information, but he remained silent, and so I fell back on the bed and gloried in the comfort. I normally slept on the floor, and the bed felt warm and luxurious in comparison.

The innkeeper returned shortly afterwards, and although I'd thought earlier that I wouldn't be unable to touch the food that he brought, I found that I was ravenous, and ate the cold roast beef and hard bread quickly. When I was full, I fell back onto the comfort of the bed, and said, "Will you be sleeping on the bed?"

"Yes of course! But like I have already said, you will be safe."

I had already reached the conclusion that I was safe, and so ignoring his words said, "How long have you been a vampire?"

"For a very long time, enough questions now! It’s time for you to rest."

I turn onto my side and stare at the dark wall of the room. A few moments later Robert climbs into the bed beside me and I am somewhat shocked to discover that I am neither afraid nor feel uncomfortable about the fact that I am sleeping next to him. For some reason I cannot connect the man lying next to me with the man who had committed the disgusting murders at the farmhouse. For, all I can see in him is kindness.

I surprise myself by saying, "Why did you kill them? You had no need to kill them!"

Robert doesn’t answer for a quite a while, and although I could not see his face due to the darkness, I imagined his face was serious, as he contemplated his answer. I believe he found it difficult to explain to me why he had stolen the lives of my loved ones. For, after a long drawn-out sigh he simply said, "You will understand one day,” and then, “you
must
sleep now. We have a long ride in the morning.”

I must have fell asleep not long after our conversation, for all I remember from that moment on, is the darkness that comes from a deep and peaceful sleep.

Chapter Five

We set out early the next morning, and again I climbed up behind Robert as we immediately set off towards London at breakneck speed.

In the cold light of day, Robert looked even more intimidating and handsome than the night before. He was like a man mountain, being so tall and broad, and there was not an ounce of spare fat on his huge frame. His eyes shone like polished black coal, ringed by very long black lashes, and his skin was swarthy and shone with perfect health. His perfect features looked like they have been sculpted by an artist, and above all else he exuded enormous power.  I contemplated his looks and manner as I clung to his broad back. In other circumstances I would have been very attracted to him, and then suddenly the realization of what I had been thinking hits me and I am full of shameful self-loathing and self-disgust. How could I even think about the vigour of this man? How was it possible after witnessing the destruction he and James had wrought on Tom and his family in the farmhouse? 

Without warning, Tom's sweet face drifted into my mind and the consuming pain of loss rise’s up and stings my eyes with bitter tears. But then, Toms face suddenly changes, instead of his soft loving smile, I see his tongue protruding from his mouth, his throat dripping globules of thick blood, and his innards lying discarded at his feet. Guilt caused my whole body to shiver, for am I not clinging to the man who threw away Tom’s life just as a child discards a toy. How could I? Maybe I should have consented to die, for not only did I betray my sweet Tom by not dying at his side, but I am also betraying his memory by promising his son to the very man that killed him.  What type of woman was I?

I was so intent on my thoughts that I had failed to notice that Robert had slowed the horse and that we now traveled at a slow leisurely walk.

"You must push it from your mind, Gwen." I jumped at the sound of his voice.

"How do you know what I’m thinking?" I ask in bewilderment.

"
Oh, Gwen,
I may not be human, but I understand what it is to love. I feel you cling onto me in pain, and I hear your sobs close to my ear. It does not take a genius to work out why you cry, and I can tell you that guilt will destroy you, if you allow it to!”  Although I could not see his face, I heard the compassion in his voice, and I was, once again, confused by the emotions this man seemed to awake within me.

“If you need someone to blame... Then you must blame me! For I am the one who took his life...you simply made a choice, a choice that most would have made... You have nothing to feel guilty about! Ask yourself if Tom would have made the same decision and I think you'll find that your heart will tell you that he would have decided to survive." My tears began to subside, and I would be lying if I denied that Robert’s words were a comfort to me, because deep down I knew that he was right. Tom would have made a similar choice, but knowing this still did not eradicate the guilt or the image of him hanging from the rafters with his guts spilling out.

"Sometimes we make choices that we subsequently find difficult to live with, you will live with your decision, Gwen, but it will not be easy."

Anger rose up inside my body like an inferno of flames. "
How would you know?
” I screamed at him. The stallion plunged forwards in fear and shock, almost unseating me, but yet again I shout, "
You
, who has never felt pain or guilt! Tell me how would
you
know?"

"Oh I know of the deepest betrayal.” He momentarily paused, and then continued. “And I suffer the guilt of it every day, and will do so forever." His words hissed in an anguished whisper.

I wanted to ask why he would say such a thing. However, the bunching of his back muscles and the tone of his voice made it quite clear that it was a question which would anger him, and so I remained uncomfortably silent, and instead looked down over the countryside.

  I notice the spire of St Paul's standing proud in the distance, indicating that we are at last nearing the bustle of London. Closer to us I notice a sprawling stone manor house, majestic, and just visible through the trees. It is to this house that Robert points and says, "We near my home, hold on tight." He then kicks the stallion into a gallop, and by doing so, he ends our conversation.

It is about noon when we finally ride into the stable courtyard of the stone house. As we drew closer, the magnificent building looks to be more of a castle than a manor, and I felt overwhelmed by the grandeur that surrounded me. The house was actually called, Vanike Hall, but at this time I did not know of its name, and so thought of it as 'The Castle'.

As we reach the courtyard, Robert abruptly jumped from the stallion, and quickly pulled me down beside him. He then threw the reins to a stable hand. He then grabbed my hand, and marched me into the house.

The great hall was huge and majestic, adorned by ancient tapestries and ornate warfare objects. It was quite simply put - magnificent. I was completely awed by such wealth, but then again, the farmhouse was the largest and grandest house I knew of up until this time in my life.

"
Where's Matilda?
" Robert bellowed to a passing serving girl.

"She’s on her way, Master," the girl stuttered back. I noticed as she turned away that her neck had two small puncture marks just above the collarbone. I shuddered in revulsion at the realization that her blood was obviously a meal for one of the vampires living in the castle, and the thought made me feel sick to my gut

It is then that I hear the sound of footsteps behind me and I quickly turn towards the staircase that leads up from the great hall. Several well-dressed men and women, including James, are descending the heavy oak staircase. But not one of them is engaged in conversation, and what is more is that they all seem to have their eyes fixed firmly on me - suddenly fear almost strangles me. I was in a room full of violent murderers, all of them quite willing to drain my body of my life’s blood. What if Robert had lied to me? What if he suddenly decides that my son isn’t going to be good enough?