Augusta Fern's Blog - Posts Tagged "revenge"

Estella POV:

I returned to my chamber exhausted by another one of Xavier’s ridiculous proposals to find a girl sobbing, curled up in the corner. Silently she made my gaze with pink tears, she had been turned, but by who and why was she in my chamber. I moved closer and she began to quiver drawing her knees to her chest.

As we were eye to eye I could see her fear growing to anger and her wounds weren’t quite healed which meant the transformation wasn’t over. I stood quickly and left the room drawing the heavy door behind me. I wasn’t interested in reliving a very painful part of my past through that girl. As the door closed I could hear a whimper from inside, “Wait…” the girl said, her throat cracking.

I turned back to see through the final crack of the door her fear had returned. Against my better judgment I pushed the door slightly revealing her entirely, “You will be okay…eventually.” I said lethargically, trying to comfort her. What comfort could I offer; I knew what lie before her. After all what consolation can the undead offer the soon to be undead?

I stood my ground before her with nothing left to say and with that I turned to leave. The door closed slowly behind me and as I heard the latch snap so did that girl. The screams echoing until I was beyond the haven doors. I made my way into Morte’ and nearly ran over Romeo.
“Estella, just who I was looking for.” he said panicked.

“Yes?” I replied calmly figuring his demeanor had something to do with that girl.

“I’m looking for a girl, she was supposed to be…but she escaped, got past me and Dame.” He explained breathlessly. “I have to get her back to Mad before…” his words trailing into heavy breaths
“Before…what?”

He looked back at me in frustration, “As old as you are…never mind.”
“Wait, you didn’t tell me she had already been bitten?!?!?” I said playing to him, trying to keep my knowledge of her secret. “Well, we’ve got to find her, gather everyone!”

He looked back at me relieved and as if I was a General and he was a Private, he nodded to begin searching the West Hall, my chambers is in the East Hall. That poor girl is already on the way to becoming one of us, if Madliene finds her before the transformation is complete she will kill her. It was not the girl’s destiny to become food for immortals but to become immortal herself. What’s done is almost done. Curious, how would a girl her size, get past Romeo or even Damien for that matter. Those two are massive humans. I shook the thought as I had more important things to deal with at work. Obtaining humans for vampire consumption is a tricky task and specifics can get a little hairy.

The club atmosphere was heavy, thick. Walking through Morte’ this night was different from others, the air was weighing down on me like I had never felt before, but as I tried to focus on the energy I was violently rebuffed out of my own mind. Every vampire patron was consumed with the nights feast and the humans that were left were too intoxicated to be bothered to care. I looked to the loft as I slipped behind the bar and saw Madliene taking it all in.

She seized my gaze immediately and smiled. This was an odd occurrence, Madliene doesn’t usually grace Morte’ with her presence until almost closing. I continued to observe her, her hands placed on the railing with her shoulders drawn up as if she was peering out at the ocean from a cruise ship. She seemed pleased with the gathering and occasionally looked back behind her to speak to someone. I thought, of course it Xavier, but he was at the bar trying unsuccessfully to charm Sophia.

When I looked back to the balcony Madliene was gone. At that moment I saw Romeo and Damien. Romeo leaned into and whispered to Madliene and the longer he was in her ear the less she smiled. Slowly she turned her head until finally they were eye to eye and without Madliene saying a word; Romeo and Damien were down the staircase and halfway down the South Hall. I couldn’t help but be pleased with myself.

I thought back about the girl in my chamber, Madliene’s two humans and what her words were to them. I turned my gaze to the Haven doors but my thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the bounty hunter. His heavy boots pounded their way through Morte’, the onyx floor being beaten by his stride. My gaze followed him as he went to report to Madliene, up the stairs to the balcony where she held her court. Just as he reached the top step he turns to make my gaze; smirking deviously. His mischievously furrowed brow hangs over his baby blue eyes that tell me he feels the emotion radiate off me, it’s difficult…actually impossible to hide my attraction. His six foot four frame takes precedence among the others and he strides through the crowd like a dark demonic angel, I imagine Lucifer himself not looking much better than Cian.

Confidence exudes him with every step his heavy boots take. His loose fitting, worn out carpenter jeans hang perfectly on his sculpted hips and tonight his dark blue t-shirt envelopes his massive chest and tattooed biceps. He is the epitome of male loveliness which is only magnified by his diluted Scottish baritone brogue. He rolls an R and simultaneously, I melt and burst ecstasy in impudent sparks, my own personal vampire butterflies.

He runs one of his giant hands through his ever tousled, ever messy raven hair, trailing it back to rub the back of his neck and, oh, how I long to sink my teeth into the flesh back there. He is aware of this but rarely acts on it; our seductively playful relationship. All part of his ruse, as he is not without his proverbial and literal scars; he is old and as I head toward the Haven doors, I am reminiscent of the tales of his life. The things he has seen and….done. I take one last look at his decadence and return to my chamber.

Doors to the Haven open; I am pushed back into the club. Damien and Romeo drag the girl from the Hall. Both men had one arm and as the girl lashed out at them they strategically drew back while keeping her secure. She stops trying to bite Damien and Romeo long enough to catch my gaze and appeal to my eyes. I didn’t change my stance to reveal anything that transpired between us in my chamber.

The boys presented her to Madliene and while holding her down Madliene approached and reached her hand down to lift the girl’s face to meeting her gaze. The girl did nothing; she didn’t scream or fight to escape while Damien tied her hands together behind her. Madliene released her face and her head fell down. Curly black hair cascaded to the floor and beneath a mass I could make out her piercing hazel eyes. Her transformation was complete. I stood my ground as the girl broke free from her binding, throwing Damien and Romeo across each side of the room like rag dolls. She stood up still with her head down as Madliene approached her once more. Madliene smiled at the girl then appeared as though she were about to address the vampire patrons, yet she said nothing. She turned her gaze back to the girl, “Sophia?” The girl looked up at her, “You are free now.”

Madliene took the girl, “Sophia” by the hand and lead her toward the haven. I looked back to see Damien and Romeo dusting themselves off, slowly picking themselves up from the floor and observing, what we all once were; Madliene’s “new” child. I again glance up to the bounty hunter, his face indifferent from tonight’s events. I give him an apologetic smile before returning to my, now uninhabited, chamber leaving Morte’ to its final closure.

I met Xavier halfway as he was entering through the outer passage, on his arm a young woman stumbling in behind him. She let out a boisterous laugh and Xavier; falsely intoxicated, silenced her but not before soberly and deviously smiling at me. His drunken performance was either Oscar worthy or this human was not aware of Xavier’s fatal nature. He was no doubt taking her to Madliene for the evening.

The human may have been extremely intoxicated but she was deliciously attractive. Only the most decadent of humans was to be presented to the Queen and this poor beauty was to be tonight’s main course; but was this staggering feast was for Madliene or her newest child?

Regardless, Sophia slaughtered the entire club and after that night Sophia was one of us, a sister of the blood. As she shared what we all did, Madliene’s “love” and “protection”. No harm would ever come to this girl after tonight. She would be under the shield of Morte’ and if needed, The Bounty Hunter.
The following night no one at Morte’ intrigued me so I made my way into the city, venturing as far from the sound of Vile Valo singing “Venus Doom” as I could. Lamp lights flicker in the dark water underfoot. I walked until I happened on Esplanade when the stench of death lingered in my senses. I continued to walk until it passed. I walked for what seemed like forever, the stench following me. I stopped in my tracks to assess what was around me.

I saw nothing but the smell, unbearably present. I decided to make my way back to Morte’ and stop on the way to feed. The stench lingered even as I fed on one of the homeless. I was no longer following the stench, it was following me. I paid it no mind as I could defend myself should I happen to require to but as I reached Morte’, the smell dissipated and upon entry Madliene stood waiting, a demure Sophia tucked behind her.
“No luck, my dear?” she said speaking of the feed.

“Nothing to speak of, how can I be of assistance my Queen?” I said smiling, knowing there was a task ahead of me.
“Oh Estella. My sweet Estella.” She said stroking my hair and face. “I would appreciate your assistance with young Sophia?” She asked knowing her orders would always be answered.
I respectfully bow to her and begin to take stoic Sophia back within the walls of Morte’.

“And Estella,” she called back my attention, I turned to face her. “Angelique seems to have missed her shift.”

My stomach turns, but I make no motion to the thought that Angelique may be running around in the New Orleans night, ravaging, killing….conspicuously.
The silent walk with Sophia made the outer corridor longer and more desolate than normal. I could feel her lack of fear now and wondered how this could be the same girl not hours ago sat whimpering in my chamber, a puddle of pink tears gathering at her feet. The transformation at its completion and her pace as we reached the heavy club doors slowed. She was ready for whatever Madliene had planned.

We stood before the doors and I ask her sternly, “Your orders?”
She stared at the doors before her and smiled demonically, “She’s my sister.”
I held her still and gave her a confused glance before releasing her to Morte’. The doors flew open to reveal vampire patrons still engrossed in their meals. At that moment, observing the lot, I realized that this was another of Madliene’s cleansings. A new vampire created to destroy and cleanse the club of the hedonistic group that now fills it.

Who is Sophia’s sister?
Deep in thought I feel a jerk from Sophia, I turn back to find she is leaving my side, making her way to Madliene. I stared in disbelief, as this girl was already blessed with immortal gifts. She was extremely fast, blowing through the club like a demented dervish. I felt the sensation fall over me as I heard the Queen speak. “Estella, your place is also by my side.”

I immediately realize; Angelique is Sophia’s sister. The swift movements and her scent, as vaguely familiar as Angelique’s; her hair and the tone of her eyes once her transition finalized, were Angelique’s. My thoughts fade to nothingness.

I felt “Controlled”; making my way to stand on the opposite side of Madliene, turning an about face. As I took my place I noticed Xavier, Damien and Romeo already positioned behind her. The Bounty Hunter, Cian also stood waiting in a back corner of the club. The light from my eyes vanished and I along with my family raged war on the lethargic vampires. Legs, arms and feet fly from every corner and heads rolled on the floor like bowling balls.

Blood spattered the walls and demonic screams echoed the halls as “my new sister” and I executed immortal after immortal, a human or two getting caught in the crosshairs. During the fray I lost sight of Sophia only to discover her dragging one vampire over to Madliene. Blood poured from the creature’s body as Sophia flung him to the Queen’s feet. Madliene bent down, clasping her hand around his throat, pulling his body up to meet her gaze. She bore her fangs and spoke. The words were foreign to me, an unfamiliar dialect of any language I knew. I searched the club for the Bounty Hunter, holding his position; he met my gaze then lowered his head as not to bear witness to this atrocity. I returned to my task at hand as I still felt “controlled” to do so.

Madliene was praising Sophia for her selection as I made my way over to them.
“My Queen, what are we doing?” I asked partially out of breath.

The interaction between Madliene and Sophia ceased and the Queen stared at me intently, no emotion in her eyes. I knew at that moment this was not her doing and she too was being “controlled”. But by who? And why? Her blank stare was burrowing in my being as if to say, “if you do not go and do what you are meant to do, you will become one with them.”
I turned my back to them and was about to inflict death on another one when I caught Xavier in my eye line. He was being fed upon by one of them. I quickly dispatched the creature and picked him up, getting him to safety, he lazily pulled on my shirt.

“Why did you do that?!?!” he asked breathlessly. “I want it.”
“What? To be fed upon by a creature that will NEVER get enough of your blood to be satisfied? Are you insane?!?!” I held him close.

He began to speak but the more he talked the less strength he had and he was fading fast.

“She’s never going to turn me.” He said of Madliene. “It’s all I’ve wanted since she took me and she is never going to oblige me.”

I looked up to see Madliene; intently staring at me holding Xavier bloody body in my arms. She didn’t waste time and returned to doting on Sophia. Xavier also saw this betrayal, “You see she cares not for me. I, like you and her,” nodding his head toward Sophia, “are just possessions to our Queen, her collection.”

I was never a fan of Xavier or his extreme closeness to the Queen, but he didn’t deserve this treatment either. I looked around for the easiest exit to get Xavier to a safe place but saw none. Madliene was not concerned with her old pet and the bounty hunter was still and observant. I quickly got Xavier through the fray and just inside the Haven doors. I dropped him there at the entrance and returned to the battle.

Saving him was a mistake as my mind was now consumed with his wellbeing. I hated the diversion of these thoughts but I did care for the mortality of most humans and this one, Xavier, I was acquainted with his ways. He was vile, ruthless, hateful and arrogant. If he is this in his human life, he will be unimaginable as an immortal. All his monstrous idiosyncrasies magnified beyond comprehension. His demeanor, of course is one of Madliene’s greatest accomplishments.

I’d known Xavier since Madliene saved only him from the massacre of his family. She had fed upon the mother and father, the sisters were next. As she finished them off she made her way to the boy’s room, standing over him like a cobra just biding her time before she strikes. She emerged from the boy’s room; wrapped in her arms the frightened child screamed, tears streaming his angelic face. She gave order to burn his family home then gazed longingly into his eyes and said, “You, little one, will be mine. All mine.” Smiling as our Queen does.

I like to think at one time our Queen was a mother and saw in the little boy the son she lost but we will never know. No one knows how old Madliene is; she doesn’t speak of her turning. I assume it, like mine, was not a pleasant experience.

Finally we were down to one and the bounty hunter had yet to lift a finger. This last one was old, strong and fast. He was running circles around Sophia and I. Frustrated, I lashed out him, “Feel free to join us Cian!!” I scream amid trying to catch the last immortal.
Sophia continued trying as if mechanical. Racing around the room after him; her black hair a blur behind her. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Cian push himself off the wall he had been propped up against, stand for a moment, then bam.

Out of nowhere the being crossed his path and he snatched the head from his body, tossing it at Madliene’s feet. Sophia halted and stood completely still, dumbfounded; I looked from her to our Queen to Cian. All stood still in their places until Madliene spoke.
“Excellent work Cian!!” Speaking with exuberance; clasping her hands together. “You truly are a superb being.”
He bowed to her in gratitude.
He then turned and bowed to me in sarcasm.

The Queen spun around and walked toward Sophia. She placed both her hands on the girl’s face and spoke her name softly. Sophia seemed to snap out of whatever was driving her, blinking her eyes over and over as if to focus her vision. She gained composure and instantly wrapped her arms around Madliene. The Queen embraced the girl, stroking her hair while looking at me.

I breathlessly bowed my head to the Queen and looked to Cian who began assisting Romeo and Damien by kicking limbs and severed heads from the middle of the floor toward the incinerator. Instantly I am reacquainted with the thought of Angelique being Sophia’s sister and in all the final commotion I had forgotten about Xavier, bleeding to death beyond the Haven doors. I ran quickly to see what had become of him but as soon as I made the move to do so; Madliene stood before me.

“My Queen?” I asked trying to pass her to get through the doors.
“Estella. Sweet Estella. You’ve done so well this night. Where are you off to?” she spoke so sweetly still barring my passage.

“Xavier, my Queen.” I said hastily knowing that every moment wasted would be his ending.

She smiled and placed her hands on my face as she had done to Sophia and spoke my name in the same manner. The controlled feeling I had, was gone and the worry for Xavier has also diminished. I shook slightly and pulled myself away from her. Stared at her in disbelief momentarily then bowed to her in submission. I hated the feeling.

“Do not concern yourself with Xavier, he is in good hands and healing as we speak. He is fine; as are you.” She hugged me closer this time. “He will be one of you.” She whispered into my ear.
I pulled away from her looking at her in disgust. I then focused my gaze on Cain, who heard every word, his face mirroring my emotions.

“Oh, I know he’s not your favorite, but he withstood more than any other human tonight.” She said reassuringly.
“What about Damien and Romeo, my Queen?”
She pulled away from me long enough to see them stop what they were doing and observe our conversation. She smiled in their direction and said, “The boys know I have their best interest in mind.”

They both stood in position and bowed to their Queen. I remained in her embrace until she deemed otherwise, I bowed to her and she excused me to my chamber.
I entered my chamber and was instantly reminded of the last time I was here, with that girl, now Sophia, Angelique’s sister, sat whimpering in the corner frightened of what was transpiring inside her. Where the fuck is Angelique!!! I removed my clothes and climbed into the bath tub, reaching to turn only the hot water on; blood spatter littered my skin.
Slowly I rinse the crimson spots from my arms and I bring up the scalding water to splash my face. It felt good to let the liquid wash over me, the chunks of the flesh of others falling from my body collecting at the bottom of the tub.
I am completely relaxed and the world was drifting away when I heard the deep throaty screams of what sounded like another new vampire. I sat up startled, trying to concentrate on the tones of voice, to maybe identify our new sibling. It was definitely male, Romeo? Damien? Could it be Madliene finally decided to turn Xavier?

Curiosity has the best of me and I jumped up out of the tub to grab a towel. Drying off I heard and felt the screams intensify, I couldn’t take it. I had to know. I grabbed the first pair of jeans I could find without blood on them and the first t-shirt I saw. I had on no bra or panties as there wasn’t time. I reached my door, pulled the handle but it wouldn’t open. I pulled with all my strength and for a vampire that is really saying something but it wouldn’t budge.

I took a few steps back and closing my eyes concentrated on the events surrounding the door. I saw myself finding Sophia and Damien and Romeo dragging her from my chamber. I saw vampire patrons luckily escape the madness and Xavier at the end of the hall bleeding to death. I kept my concentration but the vision became blurred, Xavier being dragged down the hall by nothing. No one was pulling him but he was visibly moving across the floor a trail of blood behind him. His image left my gaze and I returned to the reality of agonizing screams echoing the Haven. It had to be him; finally getting his wish.

My stomach turned once more.