part0033

Reina stared up at the bedroom ceiling. Both she and Elise had refused to lie with Master Vrykólakas, a defiance which angered him greatly, but he knew he had nothing left to threaten them with. Both would welcome the release from their duty as a courtesan and with Damien’s execution looming he was fast losing any power he held over them.

A knock at the door to her bedroom brought Reina from her thoughts but before she could get up Sarah had opened the door. Her presence had become a comfort to Reina, the two almost becoming friends but not quite allowing themselves to cross that boundary. Each night Sarah would try to convince Reina to drink from her; with Elise and Phaedra’s support she would cajole and almost bully Reina, but still she wouldn’t give in.

Master Vrykólakas brushed past Sarah without seeing her and stood at the foot of Reina’s bed. He brushed the velvet drapes admiringly and Reina scowled at him, refusing to be the first to speak. She knew what he wanted; he had come to her and Elise each night since Damien’s arrest. Each night both refused him, and yet he still continued.

‘Join me.’ His tone was soft but clearly a command. Reina felt her body tense as she fought off his command; he hadn’t put his full force into it and she knew that he wouldn’t.

‘No,’ Reina said; her voice was hard, and she stared unblinkingly at him.

‘Little Slave—’

‘Stop calling me that. I’m not a slave.’ She nodded at Sarah, who closed the door behind her as she stepped out. Standing up, Reina pulled a robe over her chemise, knotting the belt tightly. ‘You are always telling us you do not like women unwilling. If you murder Damien, do you truly think I will ever share your bed again? That I would be willing to lie with you?’

‘You have a duty—’

‘As do you. Is it not your duty to uphold your own laws? You know Damien didn’t kill Cassandra, yet you are executing him for it. You clearly do not care about your own duties, and I do not care about mine,’ Reina cut him off. ‘What will you do? Release me as a courtesan? Put me in a cell? I’d welcome either of those.’ As she spoke she watched Master Vrykólakas’s knuckles whiten as he grasped the bedpost, the wood cracking beneath his grip. Reina smiled coolly; for once she was in more control of her emotions than he was. Since Damien’s arrest Master Vrykólakas had been on edge, Damien’s arrest clearly playing on his mind. ‘Because of you I lost my freedom and family. You drove my sister insane and now you are going to execute my Creator.’

‘You are my courtesan—’

‘You have plenty of other courtesans to keep you company. Leave me be.’ Reina glared at Master Vrykólakas, her violet eyes flashing dangerously, until finally he left. Sarah slipped back in, sitting beside Reina on the bed. Neither of them spoke but Reina could see that Sarah was as deep in thought about Damien as she was. She wanted to question Sarah more than ever; how had she met Damien? Had he been with Grace when she had met them? As she thought of Grace she quickly pushed the thoughts from her mind. She wanted to know what was happening; she knew there was something more than she’d first thought. But she also knew that her ignorance was vital now more than ever.

‘Do you think he really will go through with the execution?’ Sarah asked. Reina could only nod, too frightened that if she spoke she would burst into tears. She glanced up at the ceiling, wondering if she had been too rash. She had not seen Damien since his arrest. Would Master Vrykólakas allow her to see him one more time? She shuddered, knowing what he would expect in return; would he really stoop so low? ‘Where are you going?’

‘I have to see Damien.’ Reina tried to keep her voice steady. It was a futile mission, but if she didn’t try she would regret it. Eternity was a long time to live with regrets. Walking into Master Vrykólakas’s quarters, the first person Reina noticed was Elise, who stood silently crying beside the fire.

‘I assume you are coming to make the same request.’ Master Vrykólakas stood behind a chair which seated Madeleine, who was watching with cold amusement. A half-conscious slave was draped in her lap and she smiled to reveal several blood-stained teeth.

‘He is my Creator, I have a right to say goodbye.’

‘You and Elise have refused your duties, yet you argue to me of your rights?’ Master Vrykólakas gripped Reina’s left hand and twisted it back painfully to reveal her scar. ‘You have no rights. I have had enough from both of you. Damien will be executed tomorrow; as is custom he will not have visitors. Tomorrow Elise will attend the execution as a courtesan, and I expect you to act as one.’ He looked towards Elise, who nodded meekly. ‘Little Slave, you will remain in your rooms. You will not attend.’ Reina’s curses were silenced as Elise grabbed her arm and pulled her back down the hidden staircase.

Hatred churned in her belly and Reina ground her teeth in an attempt to calm down. But how could she keep calm when the only man she had loved was about to die? How dare Master Vrykólakas? He denied her not only a simple goodbye, but the chance to see Damien in his last moments. How could she not be there? The hatred continued to grow so much that it was beginning to hurt. Her vision darkened, and her sense of smell sharpened. She could smell Sarah at the foot of the stairs and she was dimly aware of Elise calling out to the woman. The hatred was beginning to fizzle into bloodlust; she had to kill. The desperate desire to feel the rush of air as her victim took their last breath. Thoughts of killing turned to Master Vrykólakas and she longed to feel Master Vrykólakas’s skin turn to leather as she drove a stake through his heart.

‘Reina!’ Elise yelled, and Reina felt herself shaken back and forth. ‘This is why you need to drink blood.’

‘Not now,’ Reina said but she had to admit Elise was right. Sarah hovered in the doorway of the bathroom, peeking out from the half-closed door and visibly shaken. Reina was disgusted to think that she could have torn the woman limb from limb just to alleviate her anger. And that she would have enjoyed it. ‘Stay with us, please?’ she asked, looking up at Elise. She didn’t trust herself to be alone with Sarah, a thought which terrified her. Was her self-control really wavering?

Reina sat in front of the empty hearth in Master Vrykólakas’s quarters. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap and her eyes focused on a spot on the wall slightly above Master Vrykólakas’s shoulders. Clustered around the grand door to his quarters were the remaining five courtesans: Madeleine, Opal, Zoe, Phaedra and Elise. All wore sumptuous black gowns of damask and velvet. Elise’s gown was lavishly embroidered with golden thread and seed pearls; clearly, she had taken on the role of first courtesan for the event. Her blonde hair was swept back into an elegant knot; her face was pale and drawn. Reina wanted to approach the woman and embrace her, but she was too afraid to move. She noticed that Phaedra’s fingers were gently brushing Elise’s hand, her eyes warily meeting Reina’s when she saw her watching.

‘The bell will toll ten times. After the tenth—’

‘You will have murdered my Creator. Our Creator.’ She nodded at Elise and spat at Master Vrykólakas’s feet. She wore a simple black gown over a grey kirtle; she had seen no point in dressing lavishly if she was to be locked up. She saw no point in anyone dressing lavishly; it was an execution they were attending. There was a knock on the grand doors and the courtesans moved aside to admit Lance and Grace. Reina’s eyes narrowed at the appearance of her former friend. She wanted to catapult herself across the room and attack the woman. What was she planning? Why had she come to Tenebrae? ‘Is she to be your newest addition?’

‘No.’ Master Vrykólakas nodded at Lance and stared Grace up and down coolly. The woman trained her eyes on the floor and Reina continued to glare. Had she and Damien been plotting? She had never had the chance to speak to Grace, nor did she want to. At first, she had been frightened to point out that she and Grace had once been friends, especially when the woman went to great lengths to pretend she had never met Reina. ‘The courtesans are honourable and highly respected; it is a coveted position. Grace has not been with us long enough, nor am I sure on her status within Tenebrae.’

Reina bit down on her tongue, showing no sign of pain as her fangs sliced across the tender flesh. Looking back at Grace, she could see the woman trying to inch away from the rest, to distance herself somehow. When Reina had told her of life in Tenebrae she had seemed horrified. So how was she coping with life here?

‘I am not doing this to be cruel, Little Slave. Do you truly wish to watch your Creator die?’ Reina looked pointedly at Elise. ‘She is a true courtesan, despite her recent neglect. She knows what is her duty and what is expected of her. This is one.’ As the bell struck the hour, Master Vrykólakas gestured for the courtesans, Lance and Grace to leave. As the door closed behind them, Master Vrykólakas sat beside Reina and took her hand in his. His black eyes were heavy, and Reina stared at him curiously.

‘He didn’t do this,’ she said in a final attempt to plead with him. ‘It should be me.’

‘No, Little Slave. Executing you would not be a punishment. This is your punishment. Murdering your own sister and living with the guilt that it brought the death of your Creator and lover. I imagine the grief will be terrible to bear.’ His tone was heavy and for once there was no trace of mockery. ‘Remember this, Little Slave; Damien has long been my favourite. I never envisioned this fate for him.’

As Master Vrykólakas moved forwards to kiss her cheek, Reina snapped her head back. She could see now what he hoped to achieve. He might not want to execute Damien, he might even be sorry, but he would use this to his advantage. He would drive her insane like Cassandra, all to force her into drinking blood? I can’t keep fighting this, she thought.

‘After the tenth bell it will be over.’

Tugging Reina to her feet, Master Vrykólakas ushered her through the door leading down to her own room. Her ears twitched at the sound of the lock clicking. She wanted to sprint up the stairs, to pound on the door and shout for her release but knew it would be futile. Sarah emerged from the bathroom; her skin was pale and clammy, and the odour of rich sweat was intoxicating.

Feeling penned in, Reina began to pace back and forth. She could not sit around just listening to the bell toll down Damien’s final moments. Without thinking she pushed open the French doors leading onto the balcony, surprised that they actually opened. Of course he wouldn’t have thought to lock them, she realised. She was on the sixth floor; there was no way down from the balcony. The jump wouldn’t kill her, but she would hardly walk away unscathed. She’d most likely be found lying on the ground with several shattered bones after Damien’s execution. The air was freezing and the ground cold as she stepped barefoot onto the balcony. Sarah stood beside her and although Reina could see she was shivering, she could tell Sarah welcomed the cold. Both stared over at the looming building of the auction house. There were few people gathered outside; many would be inside already.

‘I will destroy this place,’ Reina vowed, gripping the stone edging so tightly that it cracked. She turned to look at Sarah, but the human woman’s attention was focused elsewhere. Reina watched curiously as Sarah moved to the face of the mansion and began running her hands over the rough surface.

‘Reina…you could climb down.’

Reina let out a scoffing noise as she followed Sarah’s gaze. She was too weak; her supply of blood that she was rationing herself was rapidly running out. She might be able to climb down to the fifth floor, but there were no balconies for her to rest on. It would be a miracle to make it past that without falling. Even if she was lucky and did not lose her grip, at her pace the descent would take too long.

She looked back towards Sarah, but the woman had disappeared back inside; when she returned she was carrying an almost empty bottle. The last dregs of animal blood, cow’s by the scent, slid sluggishly against the curved surface as Sarah moved the bottle. She held the bottle out for Reina to take; shrugging, Reina accepted and drained the last few mouthfuls. The blood did little to satisfy her and she couldn’t see what Sarah hoped to achieve. She handed the bottle back, wincing as it was suddenly smashed against the face of the mansion. Fragments of glass showered over the balcony floor and Reina gently nudged them out of the way, so she wouldn’t slice the soles of her feet.

‘Don’t you dare!’ she warned, fearing that Sarah was about to cut herself.

‘Reina, Master Vrykólakas is going to force you to drink from me – I bet as soon as he returns from the execution. If he does, you’ll kill me. You won’t mean to, but he’s hardly going to stop you from losing control. I’d rather not die to be honest, so you need to do this on your terms.’

‘This is hardly my way,’ Reina pointed out. ‘I don’t want to drink human blood.’

‘What are you so afraid of?’ Sarah snapped but waved her hand. ‘You’re weak. If you drink from me it might give you enough strength to get down there in time. Damien should see you in his final moments…you should see him. He loves you.’ Reina choked back a sob. ‘You know I can’t say anything, but he did love you. He never stopped. Drink from me now. I told you, before I came here I worked feeding vampires at a club – I know how to make you stop.’ Reina looked at the broken bottle, seeing what it was for.

‘Please, Reina, I don’t want to die.’ Sarah’s voice was pleading. ‘If you don’t do it now then before this night is over I will be dead and Master Vrykólakas will have won; you’ll be a killer. This isn’t just about you…please.’

Reina opened her mouth to continue arguing but the mournful toll of the bell silenced her. There wasn’t time. She had spent over a century resisting her nature; was she really about to give in so easily? Sarah is right, she realised, this isn’t just about me. If she refused Sarah’s offer now, then how many people would she end up killing? How much longer could she go on fighting this? Perhaps she had been a fool resisting all this time when she thought she had been strong.

She looked at Sarah helplessly; for the first time she was beginning to dislike the girl. In the back of her mind she could see Cassandra, her silver eyes sparking with insanity. He will do that to me, Reina thought in horror. Swallowing her disgust, Reina nodded at Sarah. As she clasped Sarah’s shoulders she realised in horror that she didn’t know what to do. She closed her eyes, trying to picture a deer in Sarah’s place, but the scent of human blood and the texture of skin was far different to that of a deer’s soft fur.

Clumsily Reina bit down on the tender skin of Sarah’s throat. It wasn’t until the third attempt that she was rewarded with a mouthful of sweet blood. After a century of drinking from animals, Sarah’s blood was crisp and refreshing like drinking straight from a spring. A century of fighting her natural instincts collapsed and Reina pulled Sarah closer, sucking with a desperate thirst at the wound.

Distantly she was aware of Sarah struggling against her and crying in pain, but Reina ignored it. She felt as if she was watching everything from a distance, but her mind was enveloped in a warm fuzz and she barely acknowledged what was happening. She could hear a deep ringing sound, but the sound meant nothing to her.

Fire erupted across Reina’s cheek and she pulled back, hissing in pain, the warm fuzz holding her mind evaporating. Dampness trickled down Reina’s face and she pressed a hand to her cheek; when she stared at her fingertips she found them covered in blood. Horrified, she stared down at Sarah, who was slumped on the floor, her hand pressed to her neck.

‘Go.’ The woman cried in pain as Reina touched her and she was hit by a fresh wave of guilt. ‘The fourth bell rang. You have to go, I’ll be fine.’ Reina didn’t believe her, and she wanted to stay and check that she would be alright. But she knew that time was against her. As Sarah moved her hand, blood pulsed from the wound and Reina’s fangs ached to bury themselves back in Sarah’s neck. ‘Reina, please go.’

Climbing onto the balcony, Reina’s toes curled for grip as she tried to get her balance. The mansion had been built into the mountain and Reina now tried to use this to her advantage. She had seen people rock climbing in the world below, but she had never tried it herself. In the back of her mind she tried not to think about the equipment she was lacking. Knowing she couldn’t waste time, Reina wiped the blood from her fingers; she couldn’t afford to lose her grip. Reaching out, she dug them into cracks of the mountain front; lifting her foot, she found an even bump that she could use as a foothold.

Don’t look down, she told herself. She tried to move carefully but her need to reach the ground was overpowering. She was grateful to Sarah for convincing her to drink blood. Her fingers slid easily into the cracks and she was convinced she could have held herself up with just the strength of her little finger. Power rushed through her, a sensation she was unfamiliar with. She would reach the ground and she would get to the auction house with time to spare. She wouldn’t just see Damien. She would save him.

The toll of the fifth bell caught her by surprise and her foot lost its grip. The wind whipped the skirt of her dress around her ankles and Reina fumbled as she tried to get her footing once more. She was only just past the third floor. The rush of air pressing against her was suffocating; she had no need to breathe but did so out of habit. The force of the wind was disconcerting, and she forced herself to stop breathing.

A second burst of wind sent Reina flying and she barely remembered to tuck her limbs in to brace herself before she collided with the ground just as the sixth bell rang. Pain flooded her left side and as she stood up fire erupted in her ankle. Biting back the pain, Reina sprinted to the auction house, favouring her right foot. Sarah’s blood was already taking effect; she could feel the fire calming but less so in her ankle. She suspected it was just sprained, but how much energy had she spent climbing down? Whether it was adrenaline, Sarah’s blood or a combination of the two, Reina somehow managed to push through the pain. At the seventh bell she pushed through the front doors of the auction house. The entrance hall was completely empty, but she could hear Master Vrykólakas’s voice from the main hall.

Reina shoved onlookers out of the way as she limped towards the front of the hall and the stage. She saw the courtesans standing in a row at the back of the stage, Madeleine and Zoe on the ends with Opal, Elise and Phaedra in between them. Elise was clearly trying to stand upright, but she was failing, and Phaedra was holding her upright. Two guards stood at either side of the stage and in the centre was Master Vrykólakas, looming over a hooded figure who knelt in front of him.

‘Damien!’ Reina cried out, but a hand clamped over her mouth and yanked her backwards. Several people turned to glare at her and Reina barely caught Master Vrykólakas’s eyes. She could tell he had seen her though; anger and disbelief crossed his face as he glared at her, but he turned back to the hooded man, his hand gripping the stake tightening.

Reina glanced up to see who was still holding her and found her assailant was a guard. He refused to look down at her, but his grip slackened when she winced in pain. She bit down hard on the hand clapped over her mouth, blood filled her mouth and she retched against the taste. There was something reminiscent; it was different to Sarah’s blood but nothing like animal’s blood. Despite her fangs buried into his hand the guard still refused to let her go. Turning her attention back to Master Vrykólakas, Reina watched as his lips moved but she could no longer hear any sound.

It happened too quickly for Reina to process what was happening. One moment Damien was kneeling on the stage, his hands shackled behind his back and a black hood covering his face. Surely Master Vrykólakas would take it off? Would the last thing Damien saw really be nothing? He wouldn’t even know she was there? But within a split-second Master Vrykólakas had buried the wooden stake into Damien’s heart and Reina could only watch in horror as his body withered and slumped to the floor. The sound of bones clanking on wood made her retch and finally the guard released her.

Reina tried to let out a wail, but no sound came. She could tell she was screaming, she could feel it ripping through her throat. The pain blurred out the searing in her ankle, but still no sound escaped her. Slumping onto the ground, Reina buried her face into her hands; she didn’t care that the attention was turning from the stage onto her. Damien couldn’t be gone.

‘You’re making a fool of yourself.’ Hands picked Reina up and she looked up into Lance’s eyes. She was shocked to see they were bright with tears, his mouth a hard line. He moved to grab Reina’s arm, but the guard shoved him aside. ‘Take her back to Master Vrykólakas’s quarters,’ Lance said, and he seemed almost relieved that he would not have to touch Reina.

As the guard gathered Reina into his arms, she put up no resistance. Her throat was raw from her soundless scream and she felt drained. Only moments ago, barely minutes, she had drunk human blood for the first time. But she felt empty. Burying her face into the guard’s linen shirt, she closed her eyes to stem her tears. All around her she could smell Damien; even from the centre of the stage his scent was reaching out to her, tormenting her.