...........................................................................................................
EPISODE 7 "ANGELS OR DEMONS"
MICK: Someone once told me ... That our journey is a puzzle that involves the riddle of our existence and life is just the time that we have for deciphering it.
...........................................................................................................
Benjamin Talbot’s Apartment
B- “Ben I do not understand what price do you mean? Tell me, how does this have anything to do with the new cases that you told me about?”
T- “Wow!” He exclaimed lifting his glass in a toast in front of her. “It seems that nothing escapes you ... if I'm not careful you'll end up taking my job!”
B- “Don’t joke about that, Ben. Lt. Carl has been trying to talk to you all day. It seems that ...”
T- “Oh come on Beth, relax ...” He Interrupted with some apathy. “Nobody has been able to identify those bodies and I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that no one will. Anyway, the investigation just started hours ago. So what’s the problem? “He said staring at the contents of the bottle as if searching for the answer in it.
B- “A little time can make the difference between life and death for someone else as you very well know!” Her voice sounded a claim while she stole the drink from his hands. “What the hell is wrong with you? Where is the inquisitorial Talbot who always seeks the truth?” She snapped as she laid the photograph labeled in red on the table. “You really think that giving in to blackmail will help you to find her?”
The guy was surprised at this unexpected reaction from Beth, although she was right. He just wished it were that simple for him.
T- "Do you know?" He said while he awkwardly traced his fingers over the outline of the image of his sister Anne. "I remember little about that night. Sometimes I wish that I could completely erase it from my mind so I could have some peace. But I could never escape it, and it has pursued me every night in every dream, making my life something almost unbearable. No! You do not know what it's like!" He cried desperately in a voice ragged as if for a moment he was living in his own hell. I ... had to do it ... I had to try though there was little hope." And his voice became almost a whisper as he tried to convince himself by covering his ears with his hands in a desperate attempt to silence his conscience. "After all this time that scary laugh still resonates in my ears and makes me feel so helpless!" The young man's eyes was lost in a point of his past. “I ... I don’t remember his face and I barely remember his voice, but I remember his expression." And then he looked back at her. "Beth, he was a devil, a devil! Maybe the devil that Bustos saw during that interview with St John ... maybe he was the same one who killed Tejada.
B- “No Ben, don’t start that again. Okay? You know that is impossible!”
T- “I don’t know anything of the sort!" He screamed and now his voice sounded dry and angry. "During all this time I have needed someone to blame, someone to focus this anger on. The frustration I feel will not let me go on. Sorry, I´m not perfect, I´m human. All these years I had just a name in my memory, the name of the person who could have saved my sister and he didn’t! A little less than a year ago, fate decided to help me and it gave me a face. "He reached for a drawer next to the couch and pulled out a book that Beth immediately recognized. It immediately drew her attention. It was the book that her friend Julia had published in honor of LG. Talbot opened the book to the page that had the old picture of Mick, and looking in her eyes, he added: “You and I both know that this is not a coincidence ... right?”
B- “Ben I do not understand what price do you mean? Tell me, how does this have anything to do with the new cases that you told me about?”
T- “Wow!” He exclaimed lifting his glass in a toast in front of her. “It seems that nothing escapes you ... if I'm not careful you'll end up taking my job!”
B- “Don’t joke about that, Ben. Lt. Carl has been trying to talk to you all day. It seems that ...”
T- “Oh come on Beth, relax ...” He Interrupted with some apathy. “Nobody has been able to identify those bodies and I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that no one will. Anyway, the investigation just started hours ago. So what’s the problem? “He said staring at the contents of the bottle as if searching for the answer in it.
B- “A little time can make the difference between life and death for someone else as you very well know!” Her voice sounded a claim while she stole the drink from his hands. “What the hell is wrong with you? Where is the inquisitorial Talbot who always seeks the truth?” She snapped as she laid the photograph labeled in red on the table. “You really think that giving in to blackmail will help you to find her?”
The guy was surprised at this unexpected reaction from Beth, although she was right. He just wished it were that simple for him.
T- "Do you know?" He said while he awkwardly traced his fingers over the outline of the image of his sister Anne. "I remember little about that night. Sometimes I wish that I could completely erase it from my mind so I could have some peace. But I could never escape it, and it has pursued me every night in every dream, making my life something almost unbearable. No! You do not know what it's like!" He cried desperately in a voice ragged as if for a moment he was living in his own hell. I ... had to do it ... I had to try though there was little hope." And his voice became almost a whisper as he tried to convince himself by covering his ears with his hands in a desperate attempt to silence his conscience. "After all this time that scary laugh still resonates in my ears and makes me feel so helpless!" The young man's eyes was lost in a point of his past. “I ... I don’t remember his face and I barely remember his voice, but I remember his expression." And then he looked back at her. "Beth, he was a devil, a devil! Maybe the devil that Bustos saw during that interview with St John ... maybe he was the same one who killed Tejada.
B- “No Ben, don’t start that again. Okay? You know that is impossible!”
T- “I don’t know anything of the sort!" He screamed and now his voice sounded dry and angry. "During all this time I have needed someone to blame, someone to focus this anger on. The frustration I feel will not let me go on. Sorry, I´m not perfect, I´m human. All these years I had just a name in my memory, the name of the person who could have saved my sister and he didn’t! A little less than a year ago, fate decided to help me and it gave me a face. "He reached for a drawer next to the couch and pulled out a book that Beth immediately recognized. It immediately drew her attention. It was the book that her friend Julia had published in honor of LG. Talbot opened the book to the page that had the old picture of Mick, and looking in her eyes, he added: “You and I both know that this is not a coincidence ... right?”
..............::*&*::................
B- "Have you gone crazy? Do you think Mick abducted your sister?!" Beth shouted, getting up in an instant.
T- "I have seen so many strange things these days that I don’t know what to believe. I’ve only recently started receiving information about St John. At first the data was incredible, but little by little the pieces began to fit and suddenly it all made sense. I thought at the time that the price was right, and they asked me to help in exchange for finding the truth. I wouldn’t have to do anything except to stay quiet." He smiled bitterly. "The silence has caused me to blame myself and now this could give me peace. But I'm not sure of anything now." He said as he looked at the phrase on the photo. "Sometimes I have the feeling I'm going crazy. I don’t even know if I'm on the right side or if I have just fallen into the trap of my own making. I just know that I need to keep hoping or else I’ll lose the little sanity I have left in me!" He said as he held the picture tightly in his hands.
Beth, looking at him with compassion and she sat down beside him and put her hands on his hands.
B- “Listen, I don’t know who has been sending you the information or what it is exactly , or their intention, however I am sure about one thing". She continued while searching his eyes and squeezed his hand harder. "That detective could not help your sister because he never knew what was happening, if he had known, he would have helped, and if Mick had known all this, he also would have helped. Anyway we still have time, we can still find her if she is alive". She said that with such assurance that it even surprised herself. "Trust me, okay?” That was all she could say to him, and for the first time, she knew the anguish Mick went through, one year ago, when he asked the same thing of her. The young man stared back but there was different look in his eyes, something she could feel and it made her break contact with his hands. Her eyes looked at the pendant that was on the table and immediately changed the subject, she asked. “Tell me what you can about it?”
T- “Well, not much really, only it is pure silver and could date from the 1500 to the 1700’s. It was linked to an eccentric and powerful European lineage associated with witchcraft.”
B- “You said that it was a woman who gave this pendant to your mother. Do you remember who she was or what her name was?”
T- “I don’t remember his name, but I remember her eyes, so blue they stood on the paleness of her immaculate face, like two large lakes in the middle of a frozen desert. Right before my young eyes, she was like an angel and that further reaffirmed my idea of the power of that pendant. She was the one who gave my sister the name, Eliane. Though she was always Anne to us.”
B- “I understand. Do you know if she was any relation to your mother or if she was a family member?”
T- “She called my mother sister, but the truth is that I never had seen her before, my mother never spoke of her family. I never thought I had an aunt and it surprised me. I remember my mother’s attitude towards her. She looked scared when she saw her appear, but when she saw the pendant, she calmed. After that day I never saw that woman again, at least not consciously.”
B- “What do you mean?”
T- “Well, there was one occasion, after the death of my mother, I had a strange dream in which that woman appeared, a dream that seemed so real. But I guess it was just that, a dream, just one more thing from my nightmares.”
T- "I have seen so many strange things these days that I don’t know what to believe. I’ve only recently started receiving information about St John. At first the data was incredible, but little by little the pieces began to fit and suddenly it all made sense. I thought at the time that the price was right, and they asked me to help in exchange for finding the truth. I wouldn’t have to do anything except to stay quiet." He smiled bitterly. "The silence has caused me to blame myself and now this could give me peace. But I'm not sure of anything now." He said as he looked at the phrase on the photo. "Sometimes I have the feeling I'm going crazy. I don’t even know if I'm on the right side or if I have just fallen into the trap of my own making. I just know that I need to keep hoping or else I’ll lose the little sanity I have left in me!" He said as he held the picture tightly in his hands.
Beth, looking at him with compassion and she sat down beside him and put her hands on his hands.
B- “Listen, I don’t know who has been sending you the information or what it is exactly , or their intention, however I am sure about one thing". She continued while searching his eyes and squeezed his hand harder. "That detective could not help your sister because he never knew what was happening, if he had known, he would have helped, and if Mick had known all this, he also would have helped. Anyway we still have time, we can still find her if she is alive". She said that with such assurance that it even surprised herself. "Trust me, okay?” That was all she could say to him, and for the first time, she knew the anguish Mick went through, one year ago, when he asked the same thing of her. The young man stared back but there was different look in his eyes, something she could feel and it made her break contact with his hands. Her eyes looked at the pendant that was on the table and immediately changed the subject, she asked. “Tell me what you can about it?”
T- “Well, not much really, only it is pure silver and could date from the 1500 to the 1700’s. It was linked to an eccentric and powerful European lineage associated with witchcraft.”
B- “You said that it was a woman who gave this pendant to your mother. Do you remember who she was or what her name was?”
T- “I don’t remember his name, but I remember her eyes, so blue they stood on the paleness of her immaculate face, like two large lakes in the middle of a frozen desert. Right before my young eyes, she was like an angel and that further reaffirmed my idea of the power of that pendant. She was the one who gave my sister the name, Eliane. Though she was always Anne to us.”
B- “I understand. Do you know if she was any relation to your mother or if she was a family member?”
T- “She called my mother sister, but the truth is that I never had seen her before, my mother never spoke of her family. I never thought I had an aunt and it surprised me. I remember my mother’s attitude towards her. She looked scared when she saw her appear, but when she saw the pendant, she calmed. After that day I never saw that woman again, at least not consciously.”
B- “What do you mean?”
T- “Well, there was one occasion, after the death of my mother, I had a strange dream in which that woman appeared, a dream that seemed so real. But I guess it was just that, a dream, just one more thing from my nightmares.”
.............::*&*::...............
Little Benjamin Talbot grabbed his father's hand tightly as he walked among the green paths defined by an endless number of marble tombstones. Finally they stopped in front of one where the name Lilith Talbot was engraved.
The man crushed by sorrow, fell at the feet of the cold stone, and from his hands fell a beautiful bouquet of white roses. The boy lowered his eyes and walked a few steps away from the stone that seemed to reclaim his guilt. When he saw that he had gone far enough, he raised his eyes, but what he saw then terrorized him. Next to the grave was that beautiful silver-haired woman with the deep blue eyes. She was the woman he saw with his mother four years earlier. The luminous purity of her skin blended with the brilliance of the marble under the sunlight that made her look like a being from another world, like the most beautiful ghost. Her hands brushed carefully against the cold stone with an infinite tenderness like she was caressing the hair of a child which was sobbing in her lap. But she barely detected Ben’s gaze. She raised her face towards him and her sweet expression became the frightening fury of a wild animal.
The man crushed by sorrow, fell at the feet of the cold stone, and from his hands fell a beautiful bouquet of white roses. The boy lowered his eyes and walked a few steps away from the stone that seemed to reclaim his guilt. When he saw that he had gone far enough, he raised his eyes, but what he saw then terrorized him. Next to the grave was that beautiful silver-haired woman with the deep blue eyes. She was the woman he saw with his mother four years earlier. The luminous purity of her skin blended with the brilliance of the marble under the sunlight that made her look like a being from another world, like the most beautiful ghost. Her hands brushed carefully against the cold stone with an infinite tenderness like she was caressing the hair of a child which was sobbing in her lap. But she barely detected Ben’s gaze. She raised her face towards him and her sweet expression became the frightening fury of a wild animal.
Her beautiful blue eyes became two circles of ice in a sea of fire and looked at him with a hardness that hurt him. Terror gripped Ben, who could not even cry. Then a strange light rammed him and everything went dark. When he woke up his father was carrying him in his arms. He turned his head to the grave, but there was nothing, just a bunch of white roses scattered on the green velvet grass.
.............::*&*::...............
B- “Tell me, what happened to the pendant that was beside the dead little girl?”
T- “It was buried with her, my mother wanted it that way.”
B- “But that wasn’t her pendant…Right?" She hinted, waiting for an answer that maybe she already knew.
T- “No, but it was exactly like the original. It seemed as if the alleged murderer would not want to leave any doubt, as if he would want to ensure that no one would look for Anne and finally it was like that.”
T- “It was buried with her, my mother wanted it that way.”
B- “But that wasn’t her pendant…Right?" She hinted, waiting for an answer that maybe she already knew.
T- “No, but it was exactly like the original. It seemed as if the alleged murderer would not want to leave any doubt, as if he would want to ensure that no one would look for Anne and finally it was like that.”
.............::*&*::...............
Finally Talbot surrendered to the effects of the alcohol and fell asleep so Beth decided to let it rest. Actually she was exhausted herself, it had been a long day. With so many things happening she had almost forgotten what happened that morning. She had been in the hospital because of severe anemia, and maybe that could have been from Mick. The fear arose inside her while a lot of questions assailed her mind.
Why two pendants exactly alike? Her pendant and Anne´s, they may have had the same origin, but which one? And if, as her parents had made her believe when she was a child, it had belonged to the family of her father who was actually his father. What kind of link could there have been between Anne´s mother and him? But above all, why did they had to protect them both and from whom? Maybe from Coraline? Unfortunately she had no one to ask, neither her father nor her mother could now answer her questions. So far she only knew one thing, both were made in silver and this by itself could be a protection against something concrete… vampires. No vampire could touch the silver and it could be the reason they would have to wear them forever. In fact, they both were kidnapped because they weren’t wearing them, but why, or rather, for what?
She noticed the silvery little figure that was resting on the table, those inanimate eyes seemed to be looking at her. She breathed deeply and carefully took it between her fingers. Instinctively she held it to her nose. Its scent was like she remembered. She began to observe it carefully, something seemed to glow under those inert silver eyes. It was such as a tiny flash of bright red that it scared her. She slid her fingers along the outline of the wings, its edges scraped her skin. Suddenly something broke and the angel opened showing its valuable and secret content. "Blood!"
Why two pendants exactly alike? Her pendant and Anne´s, they may have had the same origin, but which one? And if, as her parents had made her believe when she was a child, it had belonged to the family of her father who was actually his father. What kind of link could there have been between Anne´s mother and him? But above all, why did they had to protect them both and from whom? Maybe from Coraline? Unfortunately she had no one to ask, neither her father nor her mother could now answer her questions. So far she only knew one thing, both were made in silver and this by itself could be a protection against something concrete… vampires. No vampire could touch the silver and it could be the reason they would have to wear them forever. In fact, they both were kidnapped because they weren’t wearing them, but why, or rather, for what?
She noticed the silvery little figure that was resting on the table, those inanimate eyes seemed to be looking at her. She breathed deeply and carefully took it between her fingers. Instinctively she held it to her nose. Its scent was like she remembered. She began to observe it carefully, something seemed to glow under those inert silver eyes. It was such as a tiny flash of bright red that it scared her. She slid her fingers along the outline of the wings, its edges scraped her skin. Suddenly something broke and the angel opened showing its valuable and secret content. "Blood!"
...........................................................................................................
Far from there
Someone waited patiently at the back of a room completely darkened, playing with a small object that glittered like glass lit by the moon, sliding it between his fingers thanks to its agile and swift movement. Suddenly it made the sound of a faint clink of glass and the figure turned toward the soft and tenuous moonlight that began to enter the room timidly from outside.
“Lance... What have you to tell me?"
"Sire". The newcomer greeted respectfully. "The community is going to meet right now in the place provided".
"Great… What about the prisoners?"
"Everything was done according to your orders, Sire, they will not survive a new dawn".
“Okay, so we'll kill two birds with a single shot, the secret will be safe and we have our trophy. The time is coming, the miracle will soon be real. What more could we want!" He exclaimed and his lips curved into a grin that showed his long fangs, sharp like razors. Then, he opened his hand and while watching the red contents into the cylindrical container, he said. “We will do it tonight, we cannot wait any longer, it could be dangerous if our enemies decide to come back, you know, it could happen and on the other hand, I´m afraid, St John might escape, so, I don´t want any mistakes this time.”
“St John will not approach the mortal if he thinks that it can put her in danger.” Lance replied dryly.
"That could be changed if he discovered the truth!!" His sire interrupted curtly. "And this truth could mean the difference between life and death for us". He roared . "Now, have it all ready, I do not want to spill a single drop of her blood. It is too valuable to waste! He added with an almost sadistic smile as his gloved hand came up with a small test tube and his eyes sparkled with lust watching the crimson content. "Whoever does it, will pay with his own live. Do you understand?”
"Of course, sire..." But a brightness in his eyes showed rebellion shone in the eyes.
Someone waited patiently at the back of a room completely darkened, playing with a small object that glittered like glass lit by the moon, sliding it between his fingers thanks to its agile and swift movement. Suddenly it made the sound of a faint clink of glass and the figure turned toward the soft and tenuous moonlight that began to enter the room timidly from outside.
“Lance... What have you to tell me?"
"Sire". The newcomer greeted respectfully. "The community is going to meet right now in the place provided".
"Great… What about the prisoners?"
"Everything was done according to your orders, Sire, they will not survive a new dawn".
“Okay, so we'll kill two birds with a single shot, the secret will be safe and we have our trophy. The time is coming, the miracle will soon be real. What more could we want!" He exclaimed and his lips curved into a grin that showed his long fangs, sharp like razors. Then, he opened his hand and while watching the red contents into the cylindrical container, he said. “We will do it tonight, we cannot wait any longer, it could be dangerous if our enemies decide to come back, you know, it could happen and on the other hand, I´m afraid, St John might escape, so, I don´t want any mistakes this time.”
“St John will not approach the mortal if he thinks that it can put her in danger.” Lance replied dryly.
"That could be changed if he discovered the truth!!" His sire interrupted curtly. "And this truth could mean the difference between life and death for us". He roared . "Now, have it all ready, I do not want to spill a single drop of her blood. It is too valuable to waste! He added with an almost sadistic smile as his gloved hand came up with a small test tube and his eyes sparkled with lust watching the crimson content. "Whoever does it, will pay with his own live. Do you understand?”
"Of course, sire..." But a brightness in his eyes showed rebellion shone in the eyes.
...........................................................................................................
New York City, 24 hours ago
It was a rainy day in New York City and the gray, overcast sky was announcing a major storm. At the bottom of a large and bright living room, elegantly decorated in a timeless style, a handsome man with silky blond hair almost white, and a somber and elegant look, was watching through the huge windows overlooking the great Avenue. At that moment the doorbell rang and a diligent butler proceeded to open the door and then announce the visit to his young sir.
"Monsieur, the visit that you are expecting, has come".
"Thanks Geoffrey, bring her in." Ordered the young man with a soft, velvety voice, while he turned back slowly, fixing his deep and serene blue eyes to the entrance to the living room.
The butler gave way to a lady with long silver hair and beautiful blue eyes, wearing a vaporous delicate dress in a pale blue color. She walked to his host with the elegance of a gazelle.
- Celine…
- Gabriel…
When they were face to face, both stayed motionless, sunk in a deep silence though their eyes seemed to speak for them. Finally the voice of the young man broke that eternal silence.
"They’ve found her... right?" He asked even knowing the answer he had just read in the young woman’s mind. "They know… right? They know that the other girl is alive." He said as he turned to look out the window again.
"I'm afraid so, Gabriel." The beautiful woman confirmed behind him.
The marble face of the young man was wrinkled by a gesture somewhere between anger and disappointment. Then, he closed his eyes and pressing his fist against the glass, murmured a name with fury. "Coraline!"
"Monsieur, the visit that you are expecting, has come".
"Thanks Geoffrey, bring her in." Ordered the young man with a soft, velvety voice, while he turned back slowly, fixing his deep and serene blue eyes to the entrance to the living room.
The butler gave way to a lady with long silver hair and beautiful blue eyes, wearing a vaporous delicate dress in a pale blue color. She walked to his host with the elegance of a gazelle.
- Celine…
- Gabriel…
When they were face to face, both stayed motionless, sunk in a deep silence though their eyes seemed to speak for them. Finally the voice of the young man broke that eternal silence.
"They’ve found her... right?" He asked even knowing the answer he had just read in the young woman’s mind. "They know… right? They know that the other girl is alive." He said as he turned to look out the window again.
"I'm afraid so, Gabriel." The beautiful woman confirmed behind him.
The marble face of the young man was wrinkled by a gesture somewhere between anger and disappointment. Then, he closed his eyes and pressing his fist against the glass, murmured a name with fury. "Coraline!"
...........................................................................................................
In the shelter, in the present
Coraline sat exhausted in a chair in her room. The arm wound was bleeding again and serum prepared by Cynthia could not stop it. No doubt, the countdown was beginning for her, but she needed more time. Then she took the oval pendant from around her neck and opened it. Inside was a silver angel, she took it, smelled its perfume and then, she started thinking. Really, she didn´t know what to do. Finally she had decided and when she was about to extract the precious liquid, a male voice surprised her.
- “Are you trying escape death again, Coraline?”
- "Gabriel!”. The woman exclaimed terrified just before opening the vial.
PART 2 "DESIRE"
"No!" Cried the young vampire puzzled by the intensity of his own desire. Then he opened his eyes and her image faded.
MICK: "Despite the thirst, despite the desire and the need to take her, to have her, to make her mine, in spite of herself and of the vampire who lived in me, I did, because all that really matters is her. Yet this time her call had been like an order, an order which, inexplicably, at that moment I could have fulfilled. Why?
I keep wondering about the reason why Lance has been keeping me away from her. And if he really fears that I´ll turn her? What if that was the only way she would be safe? “No!” There must be another way, there has to be.”
But a new perfume came to him. Mick approached the sofa to smell the scent that was impregnated in one of the cushions. He closed his eyes to visualize what that smell could show him, yet this time he did not perceive desire, just fear.
Coraline sat exhausted in a chair in her room. The arm wound was bleeding again and serum prepared by Cynthia could not stop it. No doubt, the countdown was beginning for her, but she needed more time. Then she took the oval pendant from around her neck and opened it. Inside was a silver angel, she took it, smelled its perfume and then, she started thinking. Really, she didn´t know what to do. Finally she had decided and when she was about to extract the precious liquid, a male voice surprised her.
- “Are you trying escape death again, Coraline?”
- "Gabriel!”. The woman exclaimed terrified just before opening the vial.
- “I see. Some things never change even through the centuries.”
- I'm surprised by your life of practicality, Coraline. The young man said as he looked at her, leaning against the door frame. You cannot deny what you are, if you have to choose between survival or love, you always have a clear answer. But it seems that in the long road of betrayal in which you began your life, you have lost your immortality too.” He added with infinite sincerity, fixing his eyes on the silver angel that she was holding between her trembling hands.
- "No, you're wrong!" She cried. "That was the punishment for following your orders. I betrayed my family because of you. I made them think that Beth was dead, but in the end they discovered the truth.”
- Yes, I know. But they have discovered the truth precisely because of you". He added harshly. "I also know that your betrayal was because of love. Love is a weakness that can be dangerous, especially when it comes from you." His deep blue eyes found the fearful eyes of the woman and his snow white hand gently caressed the terrified face of Coraline. Then, he turned to the mirror and he added. "It´s curious the perspective that eternity gives us. Three hundred years ago, my brother Eric gave his life for loving you and now, death is stalking the man that you have chosen to take his place. Mick St John will die too and it will be because of love.”
- "No, please!" She said her voice sounding desperate. "Have mercy! You could change his fate, if you don’t want to do it for me, do it for the one who has your blood running through her veins!"
- I tried that twenty three years ago, but it did not work". He said as he turned away and for a moment his perfect face showed a little sign of pain, but then he returned to his indolent expression. "No, I can just watch and wait. She has to fulfill her mission, fate must take its course and at the end of the road everyone will reap what they sowed." He turned back to the woman adding. "And you Coraline?, tell me, what have you sown?"
- "And you, Gabriel? What have you sown?" She asked full of anger but all her fury relented when her eyes met his deep blue gaze, her past seemed to show in his eyes and it hurt her. The tears filled her eyes and she answered. "I want to live and to love ...It was what I ever wanted, just that."
-“Love?” He asked ironically. “Your love means death, Coraline.” Did you forget that he’s already died once because of your love? You sealed his fate when you turned him into a vampire and you gave him my brother’s cross." He said, showing a cross of white gold that he also wore around his neck. “Eric’s soul lives in him, but he is not yours and he never will be. You inadvertently closed the circle that day when you took the little girl. He chose his road saving her, and now it is useless for you to try and claim what your own betrayal has made you lose. Trying to keep him with your tricks is so low." He took the silver angel in his hands and noticed her perfume while he was looking at the woman with an ironic gaze. “Tell me... do you really call this love? Taking something that is not yours? I´m afraid it´s not the right path, lies always succumb to the truth, Coraline. Now you must let it go back to its real owner and pay the consequences for your actions.” He laid the little silver angel down on the piece of furniture, and then turned toward her, watching the little spot of blood that began to widen in her lap and he whispered. "Believe me ... sometimes the only way to love is to die. So, you decide."
- I'm surprised by your life of practicality, Coraline. The young man said as he looked at her, leaning against the door frame. You cannot deny what you are, if you have to choose between survival or love, you always have a clear answer. But it seems that in the long road of betrayal in which you began your life, you have lost your immortality too.” He added with infinite sincerity, fixing his eyes on the silver angel that she was holding between her trembling hands.
- "No, you're wrong!" She cried. "That was the punishment for following your orders. I betrayed my family because of you. I made them think that Beth was dead, but in the end they discovered the truth.”
- Yes, I know. But they have discovered the truth precisely because of you". He added harshly. "I also know that your betrayal was because of love. Love is a weakness that can be dangerous, especially when it comes from you." His deep blue eyes found the fearful eyes of the woman and his snow white hand gently caressed the terrified face of Coraline. Then, he turned to the mirror and he added. "It´s curious the perspective that eternity gives us. Three hundred years ago, my brother Eric gave his life for loving you and now, death is stalking the man that you have chosen to take his place. Mick St John will die too and it will be because of love.”
- "No, please!" She said her voice sounding desperate. "Have mercy! You could change his fate, if you don’t want to do it for me, do it for the one who has your blood running through her veins!"
- I tried that twenty three years ago, but it did not work". He said as he turned away and for a moment his perfect face showed a little sign of pain, but then he returned to his indolent expression. "No, I can just watch and wait. She has to fulfill her mission, fate must take its course and at the end of the road everyone will reap what they sowed." He turned back to the woman adding. "And you Coraline?, tell me, what have you sown?"
- "And you, Gabriel? What have you sown?" She asked full of anger but all her fury relented when her eyes met his deep blue gaze, her past seemed to show in his eyes and it hurt her. The tears filled her eyes and she answered. "I want to live and to love ...It was what I ever wanted, just that."
-“Love?” He asked ironically. “Your love means death, Coraline.” Did you forget that he’s already died once because of your love? You sealed his fate when you turned him into a vampire and you gave him my brother’s cross." He said, showing a cross of white gold that he also wore around his neck. “Eric’s soul lives in him, but he is not yours and he never will be. You inadvertently closed the circle that day when you took the little girl. He chose his road saving her, and now it is useless for you to try and claim what your own betrayal has made you lose. Trying to keep him with your tricks is so low." He took the silver angel in his hands and noticed her perfume while he was looking at the woman with an ironic gaze. “Tell me... do you really call this love? Taking something that is not yours? I´m afraid it´s not the right path, lies always succumb to the truth, Coraline. Now you must let it go back to its real owner and pay the consequences for your actions.” He laid the little silver angel down on the piece of furniture, and then turned toward her, watching the little spot of blood that began to widen in her lap and he whispered. "Believe me ... sometimes the only way to love is to die. So, you decide."
Coraline closed her eyes. It was her answer. Then, she felt a supernatural force around her wounded arm. At first it felt like fire was burning her skin and then a strange warmth, both sweet and soft, as it spread slowly throughout her body. Little by little her eyes were closing as the blood began to stain everything in red.
...........................................................................................................
PART 2 "DESIRE"
BETH: Sometimes fate is displayed cruel and inexorable, separating you from your hope second by second and you have the feeling that you are running through a tunnel where there is no way out . Then the panic takes hold of you and you try to turn around but it’s useless, as there is nothing you can do but run ... run till the end.
The past was written. Twenty three years ago someone came to take away two little girls, one of them was rescued then, but not now. There was no guardian angel, no talisman that could save her this time, both were lost and far from home, she was scared and alone waiting like a lamb at the slaughterhouse gates. Part of her wanted him to appear as he had that night, come back to fight against her fears once again ... but no! ... In her mind came the words she heard in her dream just a few hours ago. "Get away from him or your fate will be his death." "No!” She shouted, she could not stand to see him dying like in her dream! She was alone and she had to be, but she needed more than ever to look into his eyes and feel safe again.
There, standing in front of the mirror with her eyes closed and her head bowed, Beth struggled against herself to overcome that damn feeling of weakness that came over her, to feel invincible again like when he was with her and to have the strength to face the end.
Then she looked up and for the first time she saw in the mirror the importance of her mortality and that bothered her. She wanted to feel like his partner and not a burden, weak, and helpless, always in need of protection. More than ever she wanted to cross the line between life and death just for him, but it was too late. She had reached the end of the tunnel. But now all she could do was wait. So she turned on the faucet to the shower and let the water wash away her fears, stoking her memories about him.
The past was written. Twenty three years ago someone came to take away two little girls, one of them was rescued then, but not now. There was no guardian angel, no talisman that could save her this time, both were lost and far from home, she was scared and alone waiting like a lamb at the slaughterhouse gates. Part of her wanted him to appear as he had that night, come back to fight against her fears once again ... but no! ... In her mind came the words she heard in her dream just a few hours ago. "Get away from him or your fate will be his death." "No!” She shouted, she could not stand to see him dying like in her dream! She was alone and she had to be, but she needed more than ever to look into his eyes and feel safe again.
There, standing in front of the mirror with her eyes closed and her head bowed, Beth struggled against herself to overcome that damn feeling of weakness that came over her, to feel invincible again like when he was with her and to have the strength to face the end.
Then she looked up and for the first time she saw in the mirror the importance of her mortality and that bothered her. She wanted to feel like his partner and not a burden, weak, and helpless, always in need of protection. More than ever she wanted to cross the line between life and death just for him, but it was too late. She had reached the end of the tunnel. But now all she could do was wait. So she turned on the faucet to the shower and let the water wash away her fears, stoking her memories about him.
.............::*&*::...............
The Penthouse door opened without resistance when Mick ran his card through the electronic lock. Entering he made a quick glance around making sure that everything was as it should be and in just a split second he went upstairs to the freezer room.
His cell phone was still where he’d left it that morning after returning from Beth’s apartment and for a moment his gaze fell on the deep blue eyes which were watching him, smiling back at him from the small screen. He was just about to turn on the sound to hear her voice and he knew he couldn’t even do that without endangering her, Logan and Guillermo. So he tried to concentrate on what he had to find. He reviewed each message one by one until finally...Eureka! He found what he wanted. "Well done my friend, I have you.” He descended the stairs at full speed, but just before reaching the exit door, a familiar scent, intense and penetrating caught him and made him stop...”Beth”
His cell phone was still where he’d left it that morning after returning from Beth’s apartment and for a moment his gaze fell on the deep blue eyes which were watching him, smiling back at him from the small screen. He was just about to turn on the sound to hear her voice and he knew he couldn’t even do that without endangering her, Logan and Guillermo. So he tried to concentrate on what he had to find. He reviewed each message one by one until finally...Eureka! He found what he wanted. "Well done my friend, I have you.” He descended the stairs at full speed, but just before reaching the exit door, a familiar scent, intense and penetrating caught him and made him stop...”Beth”
.............::*&*::...............
Beth´s apartment, at that same moment.
The water from the faucet fell warm and monotonous, sliding softly over her skin, brushing it and numbing it little by little. Beth closed her eyes and drifted through that pleasant sensation. Then a memory came to her and she could feel her heart begin to accelerate again despite the relaxing and warm contact with water. But this time it was not fear that caused her blood to rush through her veins. It was the desire that arose in her skin from a memory, from a need.
At that time, the water was cold and she was struggling to turn off her desire, but the mere touch of his body, the strength of his arms around her, holding her, the freshness of his breath timidly stroking her skin, burning her, his bittersweet scent so male, so irresistible that she could feel every molecule because of black crystal. All that sensation made it impossible for her to turn off her desire... that night she begged him to take her. She really wanted to be of him, even if she had to die. She wanted to be part of him, to feel like him, to surrender to him in body, soul, and blood, but that night he closed his eyes and ears to the plea of her desire.
After that night... she always doubted if that unusual lack of control was one product of the drug or that it had just released her from her fears, showing what she really felt and wanted. The truth is that at this time her body seemed to light up like a flame with the memory of that day and part of her wanted to repeat that time and get to the end, despite the fear, despite what that meant. "Mick”. She whispered as the water kept sliding over her skin till it came to her sex, soaking her with desire as if the touch of water could be his hand caressing her. She closed her eyes and figured out it was him coming for her, loving her right there, taking her forever. If she had to die, she preferred to die in his arms. Only with him and no one else.
The water from the faucet fell warm and monotonous, sliding softly over her skin, brushing it and numbing it little by little. Beth closed her eyes and drifted through that pleasant sensation. Then a memory came to her and she could feel her heart begin to accelerate again despite the relaxing and warm contact with water. But this time it was not fear that caused her blood to rush through her veins. It was the desire that arose in her skin from a memory, from a need.
At that time, the water was cold and she was struggling to turn off her desire, but the mere touch of his body, the strength of his arms around her, holding her, the freshness of his breath timidly stroking her skin, burning her, his bittersweet scent so male, so irresistible that she could feel every molecule because of black crystal. All that sensation made it impossible for her to turn off her desire... that night she begged him to take her. She really wanted to be of him, even if she had to die. She wanted to be part of him, to feel like him, to surrender to him in body, soul, and blood, but that night he closed his eyes and ears to the plea of her desire.
After that night... she always doubted if that unusual lack of control was one product of the drug or that it had just released her from her fears, showing what she really felt and wanted. The truth is that at this time her body seemed to light up like a flame with the memory of that day and part of her wanted to repeat that time and get to the end, despite the fear, despite what that meant. "Mick”. She whispered as the water kept sliding over her skin till it came to her sex, soaking her with desire as if the touch of water could be his hand caressing her. She closed her eyes and figured out it was him coming for her, loving her right there, taking her forever. If she had to die, she preferred to die in his arms. Only with him and no one else.
.............::*&*::...............
MICK: “They say that when a vampire savors the blood of his beloved, it creates a link between them both for a lifetime and the vampire is trapped in it. Caught in the spell of her perfume, her blood was calling him, waking up his thirst even unwittingly, until he ends up succumbing to it. And it is a real torment to break this influx, fight against oneself, to escape the frenzy where your desire pushes you and to resist her call, the need to possess her, to feel her, to take her. The vampire has two sides, the man and beast, both may join in a common sentiment, love, but may also face each other by the duty and sometimes the boundaries between them are not always quite clear.”
Mick breathed her scent with real greed, moving his head from one side to another eagerly, as if unwilling to let one of those valuable molecules get lost in the air away from him. At that moment all time seemed to stop while the spacious lounge in his apartment was fading before his eyes. He closed his eyes and he let her perfume intoxicate his mind, penetrating to the depths of him, awakening all his senses. Then he saw her right there, in front of him, breathing excitedly, her lips and her arms open waiting for him ... and he could feel her desire, which was also growing uncontrollable in him.
Mick breathed her scent with real greed, moving his head from one side to another eagerly, as if unwilling to let one of those valuable molecules get lost in the air away from him. At that moment all time seemed to stop while the spacious lounge in his apartment was fading before his eyes. He closed his eyes and he let her perfume intoxicate his mind, penetrating to the depths of him, awakening all his senses. Then he saw her right there, in front of him, breathing excitedly, her lips and her arms open waiting for him ... and he could feel her desire, which was also growing uncontrollable in him.
BETH: "My mind kept calling him, my skin imagined it could feel him close to me".
And drops of water became soft, warm hands, which roamed her body, slowly and gently, slipping past her breasts, drawing the outline of her waist, traveling daringly, sensual and possessive over her hips to her thighs, while she could feel his fresh breath brushing her against her neck, feeding her desire, her need by the contact of his lips. Oh yeah, she was hungry for his kisses. "I miss you, I love you, I want you, and I need you" And her mind stopped thinking. The fear disappeared and desire arose.
And drops of water became soft, warm hands, which roamed her body, slowly and gently, slipping past her breasts, drawing the outline of her waist, traveling daringly, sensual and possessive over her hips to her thighs, while she could feel his fresh breath brushing her against her neck, feeding her desire, her need by the contact of his lips. Oh yeah, she was hungry for his kisses. "I miss you, I love you, I want you, and I need you" And her mind stopped thinking. The fear disappeared and desire arose.
.............::*&*::...............
Mick could almost feel the heat emanating from her perfect nudity and it was penetrating and spilling down his skin to infect him with her warmth. He wanted to embrace her and to feel her belonging only to him. He wanted to get lost in the hot, wet paradise of her body...Oh yeah. An Eden that he already knew and wanted to have again and his thirst for her grew more and more until it became almost unbearable clouding his mind and his will while he could almost feel the soft throbbing of her veins which were inflamed by desire, waiting for him. He heard her voice pleading with an irresistible sensuality "Come to me ... make me yours... I want to belong to you."
Those words sank into him like water in the sand making his desire so real and so strong that at that moment, only the distance could keep him under control.
MICK: “Sometimes the desire becomes so intense that you can almost touch it and I could almost feel her in my arms. Her absence, my need, her scent, so sweet, so sensual, the memory of her body trembling with pleasure when we made love, the memory of that delirious taste of her blood in my mouth. It was like a drug that became more and more difficult for me to resist".
She exposed her throat to his eyes.
BETH: "Turn me…"
MICK (voiceover): "How could I resist? But…I did."
Those words sank into him like water in the sand making his desire so real and so strong that at that moment, only the distance could keep him under control.
MICK: “Sometimes the desire becomes so intense that you can almost touch it and I could almost feel her in my arms. Her absence, my need, her scent, so sweet, so sensual, the memory of her body trembling with pleasure when we made love, the memory of that delirious taste of her blood in my mouth. It was like a drug that became more and more difficult for me to resist".
She exposed her throat to his eyes.
BETH: "Turn me…"
MICK (voiceover): "How could I resist? But…I did."
MICK: "Despite the thirst, despite the desire and the need to take her, to have her, to make her mine, in spite of herself and of the vampire who lived in me, I did, because all that really matters is her. Yet this time her call had been like an order, an order which, inexplicably, at that moment I could have fulfilled. Why?
I keep wondering about the reason why Lance has been keeping me away from her. And if he really fears that I´ll turn her? What if that was the only way she would be safe? “No!” There must be another way, there has to be.”
But a new perfume came to him. Mick approached the sofa to smell the scent that was impregnated in one of the cushions. He closed his eyes to visualize what that smell could show him, yet this time he did not perceive desire, just fear.
...........................................................................................................
Meanwhile, at the shelter on the outskirts of the city, Josef was trying to calm down his restless guests while it was time for Mick to come back with news about Logan and Guillermo.
“Why is this tour last minute, Josef? Why in the hell have you brought us to this dungy place?”
J- “Quiet ladies and gentlemen, we have seen worst places. Isn’t that true? Also, my instinct of being an old vampire tells me that you will end up thanking me for…”
But Joseph could not finish the sentence. Rider, his computer support staff, interrupted him in the middle while he was turning the computer screen so all could to watch.
R-“I don’t believe that…Josef! A minute ago there was a blast in your new complex, the whole plant has been blown up”.
J- “Well, there you have it ... Pity! I liked that office but it seems that lately all my buildings end up devoured by the flames.”
“What does this mean? There are rumors that our people are being killed without a trace and now this? Can you tell us at once what the hell is happening?" The person, who asked that question in an aggressive tone, was the leader of a group of three ladies dressed in black. The cleaners.
J- "It means that they have just declared war on us, Kassandra." Josef said in a somber expression, looking perplexed at the interlocutor.
K- “War? Who? Why?”
Josef did not answer her this time, just he looked at the rest of the vampires and he added with his usual irony. “But please, my friends sit down and relax. Alfred, would you bring us something to drink? And then he looked at Kassandra. “Excuse me my dear, but news like this cannot be given or received with a dry throat.
Josef did not answer her this time, just he looked at the rest of the vampires and he added with his usual irony. “But please, my friends sit down and relax. Alfred, would you bring us something to drink? And then he looked at Kassandra. “Excuse me my dear, but news like this cannot be given or received with a dry throat.
...........................................................................................................
Mick stopped a few feet in front of Beth's apartment in a place where he could see without being seen. He had to check to make sure she was okay before going to search Logan and William.
At that time, one of the windows that was facing the street lit up and Mick could see Beth approach and stop in front of it. She looked out of the darkness to the street, glanced at the street as if she was waiting, as if she could feel him. The wind of the night cooled her skin and Beth closed her arms about herself and was struck down by not finding him. She turned back and turned off the light. Mick could feel her anguish and had to contain his desire to reach out to her, to hug her and to take her away. The silence and the distance were to him the worst of tortures, the cruelest punishment, but his torment would end soon. "Will be together tonight, my love, tonight ..."
At that time, one of the windows that was facing the street lit up and Mick could see Beth approach and stop in front of it. She looked out of the darkness to the street, glanced at the street as if she was waiting, as if she could feel him. The wind of the night cooled her skin and Beth closed her arms about herself and was struck down by not finding him. She turned back and turned off the light. Mick could feel her anguish and had to contain his desire to reach out to her, to hug her and to take her away. The silence and the distance were to him the worst of tortures, the cruelest punishment, but his torment would end soon. "Will be together tonight, my love, tonight ..."
...........................................................................................................
Meanwhile in the shelter ...
"Ladies and gentlemen, I appeal to the basic rules of this community." Josef explained to the people that were present. "LOYALTY!" He added lacing his fingers in a thoughtful gesture, addressing in special way the three ladies dressed in black who occupied the opposite corner .Loyalty has always been welcome, especially who it came from, and it was always rewarded in the same way as any betrayal that could constitute a danger to our survival and was always severely punished. But, well..." Josef stood up supporting his open palms on the table. "Today someone has invaded our territory and our security has been seriously violated, but I cannot demand you to take part in this battle, even if I am the leader of this community". His eyes traveled for each women and every one of the members sitting there. "The enemy who has declared war on us is too powerful and I cannot guarantee the safety of those who choose to stay and face it, so I must give you the option to flee if you want to. You have the pretext of the explosion. They aren´t going to search those who they think are dead.”
“I´m sorry Josef, but if you need us for this war, we need to know what we are going to fight for?" It was said by a vampire with an honorable look and a French accent. “I’ve known the Duvall clan for a long time and I know that if they have broken the rules by invading foreign domains and endangering our own secret, which is also theirs, there must be a compelling reason and I wonder what that reason is ...”
"Sorry, dear Donatien." Josef answered making a slight movement of his head as a sign of respect. “I'm afraid I cannot tell you anything more for now, everything I tell you today, could cost you your lives tomorrow." He leaned forward and further intensifying his gaze around the table. "So I give you a choice, those who will decide to stay will do so without questions and those who decide otherwise, you have my permission to leave and seek safety elsewhere. Nobody chases the dead and the Duvall clan are thinking that all of us are already dead. That's the only guarantee I can give.”
"You must understand that we cannot risk our lives without at least knowing the reason." This time the question came from a beautiful woman with white hair who was sitting to Josef’s left.
“Oh believe me, Catherine, I understand perfectly but my mission is to put you on notice and that's what I´m doing. There will not be more questions or answers, now the decision is yours. I´m going out for a few minutes so you can decide freely." He warned. “Time is running out for everyone. When I return I expect to see only those who have decided to stay. For the others, good luck." He gave a last look to the three ladies in black, opened the door and left the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I appeal to the basic rules of this community." Josef explained to the people that were present. "LOYALTY!" He added lacing his fingers in a thoughtful gesture, addressing in special way the three ladies dressed in black who occupied the opposite corner .Loyalty has always been welcome, especially who it came from, and it was always rewarded in the same way as any betrayal that could constitute a danger to our survival and was always severely punished. But, well..." Josef stood up supporting his open palms on the table. "Today someone has invaded our territory and our security has been seriously violated, but I cannot demand you to take part in this battle, even if I am the leader of this community". His eyes traveled for each women and every one of the members sitting there. "The enemy who has declared war on us is too powerful and I cannot guarantee the safety of those who choose to stay and face it, so I must give you the option to flee if you want to. You have the pretext of the explosion. They aren´t going to search those who they think are dead.”
“I´m sorry Josef, but if you need us for this war, we need to know what we are going to fight for?" It was said by a vampire with an honorable look and a French accent. “I’ve known the Duvall clan for a long time and I know that if they have broken the rules by invading foreign domains and endangering our own secret, which is also theirs, there must be a compelling reason and I wonder what that reason is ...”
"Sorry, dear Donatien." Josef answered making a slight movement of his head as a sign of respect. “I'm afraid I cannot tell you anything more for now, everything I tell you today, could cost you your lives tomorrow." He leaned forward and further intensifying his gaze around the table. "So I give you a choice, those who will decide to stay will do so without questions and those who decide otherwise, you have my permission to leave and seek safety elsewhere. Nobody chases the dead and the Duvall clan are thinking that all of us are already dead. That's the only guarantee I can give.”
"You must understand that we cannot risk our lives without at least knowing the reason." This time the question came from a beautiful woman with white hair who was sitting to Josef’s left.
“Oh believe me, Catherine, I understand perfectly but my mission is to put you on notice and that's what I´m doing. There will not be more questions or answers, now the decision is yours. I´m going out for a few minutes so you can decide freely." He warned. “Time is running out for everyone. When I return I expect to see only those who have decided to stay. For the others, good luck." He gave a last look to the three ladies in black, opened the door and left the room.
.............::*&*::...............
Josef walked away from the bustle that began to be heard in the makeshift meeting room and he was already heading towards Coraline's room upstairs when he saw Mick coming through the door.
“Please!! Tell me that you have something.” Josef said with impatience.
" Well, I have. I think I have controlled the first front." Mick said waving the phone in front of his friend. "I need Rider to activate a pager. Logan installed it on his watch after the threat to Emma... He told me that he was testing its effectiveness. Luckily he had time to send me the test code before those bastards took him and William... But ..." Mick noticed the noise from the other room. "Tell me, how are the other fronts?”
“Well, Lance blew up my office today.”
“I don’t know why but I'm not surprised at all. Well, at least that will give us a small timeframe.”
“Yes, and an excuse to select our allies. I want to be sure that those who remain will be loyal. As you know we cannot talk about "your suspicions" with some vampires, it could be dangerous for Beth.”
“Yes, I already know that and at the moment I´m going to talk to one vampire specifically. Coraline has to explain some things to us.”
Mick looked at his friend with inquisitive eyes and Josef replied quickly. "No, it´s not about distrust, it´s just that I know both all too well and lately your "talks" are not exactly good especially when it´s about Beth. In fact, the last time I saw you "talking" you were about to kill her. A habit that’s repeated itself with dangerous regularity between you two, don’t you think?”
"I guess with an ex-wife like mine is hard to keep control." Mick said as he raised his eyebrows slightly at Josef’s ironic in tone. "So, okay, I accept your explanation, with Coraline you never know. But before we alert Rider about the locator, we need to find Logan and Guillermo as quickly as possible. Tonight, time is golden and we cannot waste a single second. If Lance has broken the truce, Beth can be in danger.”
“Please!! Tell me that you have something.” Josef said with impatience.
" Well, I have. I think I have controlled the first front." Mick said waving the phone in front of his friend. "I need Rider to activate a pager. Logan installed it on his watch after the threat to Emma... He told me that he was testing its effectiveness. Luckily he had time to send me the test code before those bastards took him and William... But ..." Mick noticed the noise from the other room. "Tell me, how are the other fronts?”
“Well, Lance blew up my office today.”
“I don’t know why but I'm not surprised at all. Well, at least that will give us a small timeframe.”
“Yes, and an excuse to select our allies. I want to be sure that those who remain will be loyal. As you know we cannot talk about "your suspicions" with some vampires, it could be dangerous for Beth.”
“Yes, I already know that and at the moment I´m going to talk to one vampire specifically. Coraline has to explain some things to us.”
Mick looked at his friend with inquisitive eyes and Josef replied quickly. "No, it´s not about distrust, it´s just that I know both all too well and lately your "talks" are not exactly good especially when it´s about Beth. In fact, the last time I saw you "talking" you were about to kill her. A habit that’s repeated itself with dangerous regularity between you two, don’t you think?”
"I guess with an ex-wife like mine is hard to keep control." Mick said as he raised his eyebrows slightly at Josef’s ironic in tone. "So, okay, I accept your explanation, with Coraline you never know. But before we alert Rider about the locator, we need to find Logan and Guillermo as quickly as possible. Tonight, time is golden and we cannot waste a single second. If Lance has broken the truce, Beth can be in danger.”
Mick knocked on the door of Coraline´s room, but there was not answer. He tried to open the door but it was locked from the inside and a strange smell of fresh blood flowed from the other side. " What's that smell?" Josef asked, surprised.
"What do you think?” Mick replied as he proceeded to break down the door with a kick. A second later, the passage was free.
J: "What in the hell happened here?" Josef asked while Mick was running toward Coraline who was lying inert in a pool of blood at the foot of the dresser. "Is she dead?"
M: "No ". Mick replied. "She´s only unconscious but she needs blood.”
J: “Okay, I´ll go to...”
M: “No Josef.” Mick interrupted. “I don´t think that any blood type will do this time.”
J: “What do you mean?”
Mick closed his eyes listening. The beats of her heart were weak, but it was beating. “Coraline is not a vampire, not now. Luckily her wound has stopped bleeding. Call Cynthia please, she will know what to do". Mick suggested while he was checking her.
J:” Do you think that she did it herself or was she was attacked by her brothers?”
M: “Suicide does not fit with Coraline´s personality, and I don’t think that her brothers have been here either, at least not this time. It does smell like a vampire, although…” Mick closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. “She was not alone ... Someone else was here with her.”
J: “Someone like whom?”
M: “I don’t know exactly, it´s a strange smell that I can’t recognize. No vampire´s, no human´s ... but whoever it was, it did not intend to hurt her, quite the contrary. “. He watched the old wound that Coraline had on the right arm. “It seems as if it had been opened and then cauterized”.
"What do you think?” Mick replied as he proceeded to break down the door with a kick. A second later, the passage was free.
J: "What in the hell happened here?" Josef asked while Mick was running toward Coraline who was lying inert in a pool of blood at the foot of the dresser. "Is she dead?"
M: "No ". Mick replied. "She´s only unconscious but she needs blood.”
J: “Okay, I´ll go to...”
M: “No Josef.” Mick interrupted. “I don´t think that any blood type will do this time.”
J: “What do you mean?”
Mick closed his eyes listening. The beats of her heart were weak, but it was beating. “Coraline is not a vampire, not now. Luckily her wound has stopped bleeding. Call Cynthia please, she will know what to do". Mick suggested while he was checking her.
J:” Do you think that she did it herself or was she was attacked by her brothers?”
M: “Suicide does not fit with Coraline´s personality, and I don’t think that her brothers have been here either, at least not this time. It does smell like a vampire, although…” Mick closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. “She was not alone ... Someone else was here with her.”
J: “Someone like whom?”
M: “I don’t know exactly, it´s a strange smell that I can’t recognize. No vampire´s, no human´s ... but whoever it was, it did not intend to hurt her, quite the contrary. “. He watched the old wound that Coraline had on the right arm. “It seems as if it had been opened and then cauterized”.
J: “No. It cannot be happening.” Josef came to where Mick was and inhaled the strange scent that hung in the air, then his expression changed from surprise to the perplexity. "Oh my God. They're here again!”
M: "They? Who?” Mick asked in a surprised reaction.
J: "Grigoris."
M: “Grigori? Who the hell are the Grigori, another vampire clan eccentric and dangerous as Duvall?
J: "No, not exactly, although that depends on ..."
Before he had ended the phrase. "Josef!” Rider interrupted. "Wow! I certainly am stuck with you ... It seems you never get bored!” Rider exclaimed watching Coraline as she lay unconscious in Mick’s arms. "I came to warn you that I have already located Guillermo and Logan, it seems that they are not far from here but we must hurry ... oh! And on the ground floor our small army has gathered for the rescue.”
“Perfect! You and Josef go ahead. I’ll join you in a minute". Mick said while he was picking up Coraline in his arms and laid her gently on the bed.
He was about to checking the room for evidence about the strange visitor and he noticed the oval cameo brooch that was lying on the dresser. It was the same pendant that Coraline was wearing last night when he awoke believing she was Beth. The oval cameo brooch was half open and from inside came a glint of silver. "Silver!" Mick heard footsteps racing up the stairs and decided to hide the pendant in a small cloth bag that was next to it. After that, he put it in the pocket of his coat to examine it later, more calmly. Just a second after that, Cynthia came in with all the material needed for the transfusion.
Mick crouched beside the small pool of blood on the floor, he sniffed its scent and suggested. "It might be useful to collect a sample of this blood for analysis. I think it could give us some clue about the other corpses found by the police."
"It will not be needed. I did it when I was looking for an antidote."
"Really? An antidote to the cure?” Mick asked ironically.
"Not exactly." She replied coldly. "Lance poisoned her, he injected her with another substance that was with the cure and that mixture made its effects slow down and while she was becoming mortal, the poison was spreading through her blood. Believe me, Lance can be extremely ruthless when it comes to betrayal." Then Cynthia gave him a questioning look and added. "She was just trying to protect you when he brought you up here. I think you should take that into account.”
"I do". Mick said. "But she should know too that the goal does not justify the means by itself. Take care of her, I have to come back with Josef and the others, let me know when she´s awake.”
“Do you know? There may have been a possibility to stop the infection at first" Cynthia snapped at him. “But she refused because she wanted to be human for you, she wanted to be loved by you if only for a moment.”
Mick then stopped a few seconds in the doorway but he did not turn back, he only repeated in a cold tone. "Let me know when she´s awake". Immediately afterwards he went out the room.
M: "They? Who?” Mick asked in a surprised reaction.
J: "Grigoris."
M: “Grigori? Who the hell are the Grigori, another vampire clan eccentric and dangerous as Duvall?
J: "No, not exactly, although that depends on ..."
Before he had ended the phrase. "Josef!” Rider interrupted. "Wow! I certainly am stuck with you ... It seems you never get bored!” Rider exclaimed watching Coraline as she lay unconscious in Mick’s arms. "I came to warn you that I have already located Guillermo and Logan, it seems that they are not far from here but we must hurry ... oh! And on the ground floor our small army has gathered for the rescue.”
“Perfect! You and Josef go ahead. I’ll join you in a minute". Mick said while he was picking up Coraline in his arms and laid her gently on the bed.
He was about to checking the room for evidence about the strange visitor and he noticed the oval cameo brooch that was lying on the dresser. It was the same pendant that Coraline was wearing last night when he awoke believing she was Beth. The oval cameo brooch was half open and from inside came a glint of silver. "Silver!" Mick heard footsteps racing up the stairs and decided to hide the pendant in a small cloth bag that was next to it. After that, he put it in the pocket of his coat to examine it later, more calmly. Just a second after that, Cynthia came in with all the material needed for the transfusion.
Mick crouched beside the small pool of blood on the floor, he sniffed its scent and suggested. "It might be useful to collect a sample of this blood for analysis. I think it could give us some clue about the other corpses found by the police."
"It will not be needed. I did it when I was looking for an antidote."
"Really? An antidote to the cure?” Mick asked ironically.
"Not exactly." She replied coldly. "Lance poisoned her, he injected her with another substance that was with the cure and that mixture made its effects slow down and while she was becoming mortal, the poison was spreading through her blood. Believe me, Lance can be extremely ruthless when it comes to betrayal." Then Cynthia gave him a questioning look and added. "She was just trying to protect you when he brought you up here. I think you should take that into account.”
"I do". Mick said. "But she should know too that the goal does not justify the means by itself. Take care of her, I have to come back with Josef and the others, let me know when she´s awake.”
“Do you know? There may have been a possibility to stop the infection at first" Cynthia snapped at him. “But she refused because she wanted to be human for you, she wanted to be loved by you if only for a moment.”
Mick then stopped a few seconds in the doorway but he did not turn back, he only repeated in a cold tone. "Let me know when she´s awake". Immediately afterwards he went out the room.
...........................................................................................................
When Mick walked into the meeting room, Josef, Rider, the three ladies in black and two burly-looking vampires loyal to Josef, were waiting for him.
J: Is everything okay?”
M: Yes, you could say that. Tell me, where did you located them, Rider?”
R: “They're in a kind of abandoned building about 150 miles east of here, right in the middle of nowhere, in full sun.”
M: “It is obvious that the deal with Lance is broken." Mick said as he watched Josef. “It seems they have left them abandoned to die and if we do not hurry it may be late.” Mick confirmed as he prepared all things necessary for the rescue.
K: “Wait! We have to be careful when we rescue them, after all it wouldn´t be the first time, you know." Kassandra gave a friendly smile to Josef and Mick. "I don’t think that Lance is waiting for us. In fact, he must be thinking that we died, burnt to death in the explosion, we'll use that to our advantage while we can. On the other hand, if Josef is right and the Guardians are here, I wouldn´t want to see the look on the face of the messenger of death.”
M: “Okay.” Mick replied as he glanced at his friend. “But I advise you to takeg protection and a blood supply, they're going to need that.”
J: “I'm afraid that at this time will have to settle for what you have." Josef commented. "You know, tasteless but effective." Josef raised his eyebrows at what Mick replied with a slight smile. "Anyway my dear ladies, I agree with Mick, you should not go alone, we do not know in what state you are going to find them in or with whom and every bit of help may be welcome" A subtle glance at his two trusted men was enough. "Well, my friends, be careful, we´ll meet back here.”
J: Is everything okay?”
M: Yes, you could say that. Tell me, where did you located them, Rider?”
R: “They're in a kind of abandoned building about 150 miles east of here, right in the middle of nowhere, in full sun.”
M: “It is obvious that the deal with Lance is broken." Mick said as he watched Josef. “It seems they have left them abandoned to die and if we do not hurry it may be late.” Mick confirmed as he prepared all things necessary for the rescue.
K: “Wait! We have to be careful when we rescue them, after all it wouldn´t be the first time, you know." Kassandra gave a friendly smile to Josef and Mick. "I don’t think that Lance is waiting for us. In fact, he must be thinking that we died, burnt to death in the explosion, we'll use that to our advantage while we can. On the other hand, if Josef is right and the Guardians are here, I wouldn´t want to see the look on the face of the messenger of death.”
M: “Okay.” Mick replied as he glanced at his friend. “But I advise you to takeg protection and a blood supply, they're going to need that.”
J: “I'm afraid that at this time will have to settle for what you have." Josef commented. "You know, tasteless but effective." Josef raised his eyebrows at what Mick replied with a slight smile. "Anyway my dear ladies, I agree with Mick, you should not go alone, we do not know in what state you are going to find them in or with whom and every bit of help may be welcome" A subtle glance at his two trusted men was enough. "Well, my friends, be careful, we´ll meet back here.”
.............::*&*::...............
When Mick and Josef were alone...
J: “Okay, if you didn’t go with them it must be because you’ve found something. So tell me what is it?!" Josef exclaimed with impatience while Mick gazed him with skeptical eyes. "Remember my friend, I drank your blood, you have no secrets from me. Tell me what it is?”
Mick took the small bag from his pocket and showed him its content.
M: "It was in Coraline's room." Mick commented and looking directly into his eyes he added. "Tell me the truth ... Do you know what this is?”
J: “I don’t know exactly.” He replied without looking away from the object. But I think it might be an Angel of Life and if it´s true, there is no doubt, the Grigori are here.”
M: “Okay, tell me about them. Who are the Grigori? I need to know the whole story.”
J: “Ok, the Legend says that Grigori and vampires are brothers and at the same time, ancestral enemies. You know, there are many legends about the first vampire and what I know is that the first undead arose from a curse for a heinous act committed by a man against his own family. The man was condemned to wander in the shadows for eternity, feeding on the blood of the mortals. That curse was upon him and his seed, but before dying and being reborn into the shadows, the man had two sons, who both grew possessed by the beast. One of them succumbed to thirst and gave into the dark, but the other managed to dominate his dark side. He was forgiven and became a Guardian, an enemy of his own brother. You know, the eternal question, good and evil always come from the same source and both are necessary to keep balance.”
M: “So Grigori are vampires too?”
J: “No, not exactly. The "Grigoris" do not feed on blood. They have a strong mental power to control their beast, they are superior creatures, invulnerable to fire, and silver and can read minds. They can see the future, they are masters at hypnosis. The "Grigoris" are a small but powerful clan. They are Guardians of balance and of destiny and they must watch for it, for better or for worse, being human or vampire. They mediate between the two worlds, some of them live among humans and sometimes they become their protectors. But Grigori just watch them, they aren’t involve with anything except in extreme cases.”
M: “And just what are those extreme cases, exactly?”
J: “Well, Lola told me there was a time that vampires got carried away by their thirst and they massacred whole villages, becoming a real pest. At that time the Guardians resurfaced and converted their killers. That's what happened at the time of the Inquisition, a dark time in many ways in which thousands of vampires were killed in the fire by order of "Grigoris. Since then they have been called Messengers of Death. They have never been seen by any of us and it’s better like this. When a Guardian crosses your path it´s because you are about to die. So, you know, nobody wants to meet with any of them.”
M: "No, I guess not. But you have said they only act when someone violates the rules or breaks the balance." Mick thought aloud. "And that is exactly what the Duvall family has done, however Coraline Duvall is still alive. Tell me, what has this angel of life got to do with them?”
J: “Well according to legend, it was created to protect the mortal descendants of his enemies until their awakening."
M: “Hey wait! You said mortal descendants? Can they have children?”
J: They are not a cursed race like us, don’t you remember? However it's not something that happens often, only rarely and there is always a reason, besides the price is high. Let's say that "Grigoris" are invulnerable to everything. Fire, silver and death itself. They are invulnerable to everything except one thing...love. When their bodies are no longer "pure", you know what I mean..." And Mick arched an eyebrow at the answer. “...Then, they must give up their power and their immortality. At that moment, they are vulnerable like a mortal.”
M: "And what happens to their descendants?"
J: "I have understood that only the descendants born of two Guardians are called Chosen, and therefore they would be the only carriers of the Angel of Life. No one has ever known a Chosen in all these centuries and frankly I do not think that this talisman belongs to Coraline."
M: “Me neither.” Mick turned the pendant over with his gloved hand and showed Josef the initials engraved in it "E.T." Maybe Coraline stole it from its rightful owner.” Mick smelled the pendant. “This is what I smelled on her, it was Beth’s scent, and if this pendant does belong to Beth, and if Beth really is a Chosen, that would explain the reason why Lance is interested in her.”
J: “I don’t know, maybe. The blood of a Guardian is somewhat poisonous to a vampire so none of us would dare to confront them. But I do not know what power the blood of a chosen has who has not yet woken up, but maybe you do. After all her blood was what brought you to life when you were dying in the desert.”
Mick placed the pendant in the cloth bag and took his gun and ammunition.
J: “Where the hell are you going?”
M: “I have to answer a call, just I hope it´s not too late.”
J: “Okay, if you didn’t go with them it must be because you’ve found something. So tell me what is it?!" Josef exclaimed with impatience while Mick gazed him with skeptical eyes. "Remember my friend, I drank your blood, you have no secrets from me. Tell me what it is?”
Mick took the small bag from his pocket and showed him its content.
M: "It was in Coraline's room." Mick commented and looking directly into his eyes he added. "Tell me the truth ... Do you know what this is?”
J: “I don’t know exactly.” He replied without looking away from the object. But I think it might be an Angel of Life and if it´s true, there is no doubt, the Grigori are here.”
M: “Okay, tell me about them. Who are the Grigori? I need to know the whole story.”
J: “Ok, the Legend says that Grigori and vampires are brothers and at the same time, ancestral enemies. You know, there are many legends about the first vampire and what I know is that the first undead arose from a curse for a heinous act committed by a man against his own family. The man was condemned to wander in the shadows for eternity, feeding on the blood of the mortals. That curse was upon him and his seed, but before dying and being reborn into the shadows, the man had two sons, who both grew possessed by the beast. One of them succumbed to thirst and gave into the dark, but the other managed to dominate his dark side. He was forgiven and became a Guardian, an enemy of his own brother. You know, the eternal question, good and evil always come from the same source and both are necessary to keep balance.”
M: “So Grigori are vampires too?”
J: “No, not exactly. The "Grigoris" do not feed on blood. They have a strong mental power to control their beast, they are superior creatures, invulnerable to fire, and silver and can read minds. They can see the future, they are masters at hypnosis. The "Grigoris" are a small but powerful clan. They are Guardians of balance and of destiny and they must watch for it, for better or for worse, being human or vampire. They mediate between the two worlds, some of them live among humans and sometimes they become their protectors. But Grigori just watch them, they aren’t involve with anything except in extreme cases.”
M: “And just what are those extreme cases, exactly?”
J: “Well, Lola told me there was a time that vampires got carried away by their thirst and they massacred whole villages, becoming a real pest. At that time the Guardians resurfaced and converted their killers. That's what happened at the time of the Inquisition, a dark time in many ways in which thousands of vampires were killed in the fire by order of "Grigoris. Since then they have been called Messengers of Death. They have never been seen by any of us and it’s better like this. When a Guardian crosses your path it´s because you are about to die. So, you know, nobody wants to meet with any of them.”
M: "No, I guess not. But you have said they only act when someone violates the rules or breaks the balance." Mick thought aloud. "And that is exactly what the Duvall family has done, however Coraline Duvall is still alive. Tell me, what has this angel of life got to do with them?”
J: “Well according to legend, it was created to protect the mortal descendants of his enemies until their awakening."
M: “Hey wait! You said mortal descendants? Can they have children?”
J: They are not a cursed race like us, don’t you remember? However it's not something that happens often, only rarely and there is always a reason, besides the price is high. Let's say that "Grigoris" are invulnerable to everything. Fire, silver and death itself. They are invulnerable to everything except one thing...love. When their bodies are no longer "pure", you know what I mean..." And Mick arched an eyebrow at the answer. “...Then, they must give up their power and their immortality. At that moment, they are vulnerable like a mortal.”
M: "And what happens to their descendants?"
J: "I have understood that only the descendants born of two Guardians are called Chosen, and therefore they would be the only carriers of the Angel of Life. No one has ever known a Chosen in all these centuries and frankly I do not think that this talisman belongs to Coraline."
M: “Me neither.” Mick turned the pendant over with his gloved hand and showed Josef the initials engraved in it "E.T." Maybe Coraline stole it from its rightful owner.” Mick smelled the pendant. “This is what I smelled on her, it was Beth’s scent, and if this pendant does belong to Beth, and if Beth really is a Chosen, that would explain the reason why Lance is interested in her.”
J: “I don’t know, maybe. The blood of a Guardian is somewhat poisonous to a vampire so none of us would dare to confront them. But I do not know what power the blood of a chosen has who has not yet woken up, but maybe you do. After all her blood was what brought you to life when you were dying in the desert.”
Mick placed the pendant in the cloth bag and took his gun and ammunition.
J: “Where the hell are you going?”
M: “I have to answer a call, just I hope it´s not too late.”
...........................................................................................................
At Talbot's apartment ...
The young prosecutor's dream began to become restless while many thoughts and images of the past were escaping from oblivion by the hand of the subconscious. Suddenly his mind traveled back many years ago. He was with his mother at the moment that the strange woman appeared with the pendant for Anne.
-“Celine!”. Lilith, his mother, cried when she saw her. She seemed really scared while she was trying to protect the baby in her arms.
-“Do not be afraid my sister, I have not come to kill her, I came back to protect her. We will protect both sisters. No matters what kind of blood is running though their veins, they are two innocents.”
Talbot was stirring, restlessly, while the scene in his dream changed again and he saw himself on the phone.
-“I need to know if she is okay.”
-“She will be when we have what we came for.”
Talbot awoke drenched in sweat. He took the pendant and he noticed there were two initials engraved on it. "E.T." He repeated to himself. "Oh My God, is she?” And taking the pendant, he holstered his gun, took his jacket and he left the apartment in a hurry.
The young prosecutor's dream began to become restless while many thoughts and images of the past were escaping from oblivion by the hand of the subconscious. Suddenly his mind traveled back many years ago. He was with his mother at the moment that the strange woman appeared with the pendant for Anne.
-“Celine!”. Lilith, his mother, cried when she saw her. She seemed really scared while she was trying to protect the baby in her arms.
-“Do not be afraid my sister, I have not come to kill her, I came back to protect her. We will protect both sisters. No matters what kind of blood is running though their veins, they are two innocents.”
Talbot was stirring, restlessly, while the scene in his dream changed again and he saw himself on the phone.
-“I need to know if she is okay.”
-“She will be when we have what we came for.”
Talbot awoke drenched in sweat. He took the pendant and he noticed there were two initials engraved on it. "E.T." He repeated to himself. "Oh My God, is she?” And taking the pendant, he holstered his gun, took his jacket and he left the apartment in a hurry.
...........................................................................................................
Mick came to the door of apartment of Beth and before he could open the door he smelt the strong scent of vampire, a smell that was uncomfortably familiar.
"No please, no!" He pleaded when he came in "Beth!" He screamed with despair and could not fine her anywhere. When he reached Beth’s room, he saw a few drops of fresh blood that stained the bed sheets. Mick came to realize what he already feared. His worst nightmare had come true, it was too late, she was not there. His hand slid down the fresh blood and its smell made him detect the joy of her abductor and the anguish of his victim. Mick felt as if something inside him was breaking too. He felt her pain, her fear and it was so devastating like death. Then a horrible cold covered his soul till there was only darkness.
"No please, no!" He pleaded when he came in "Beth!" He screamed with despair and could not fine her anywhere. When he reached Beth’s room, he saw a few drops of fresh blood that stained the bed sheets. Mick came to realize what he already feared. His worst nightmare had come true, it was too late, she was not there. His hand slid down the fresh blood and its smell made him detect the joy of her abductor and the anguish of his victim. Mick felt as if something inside him was breaking too. He felt her pain, her fear and it was so devastating like death. Then a horrible cold covered his soul till there was only darkness.
Suddenly, he recognized another odor. Instinctively he turned toward it and his fury was aroused by what he saw. There, huddled in a corner of the room, was Talbot, he seemed to be in shock. The mere sight of him in that place made Mick break out in an unusual and uncontrollable rage. He came to him, grabbed his chest and he lifted him up with one hand. "Where is Beth?!" He roared with an icy bloodshot, gaze. "Tell me! Where have they taken her? What have they done with her?" At this time his voice was not human, it was the growl of a wounded and desperate beast, but Talbot, confused by the dream, could not even see the vampire who was in front of him. He kept repeating again, and again. “The devil has taken her again...It´s my fault ....my fault again."
Mick could smell Beth on him and let the anger and helplessness take possession of his will. The pain had canceled his compassion and he became like a thirsty animal seeking revenge. However, when he was ready to attack, a strong hand held him firmly while he heard a voice echoed in his head. "No! Calm your beast, we don´t kill innocents." Mick, was confused at hearing the voice that was so familiar, he let go of his prey and turned toward that strong arm that was holding him. Then his eyes met the calm blue eyes of Gabriel, who smiled kindly as he looked at Talbot. Mick followed his gaze that seemed to say something else and then he saw between the trembling fingers of the young prosecutor, another pendant identical to that he had found. Mick was absolutely confused. He looked again at Gabriel who answered him. "Yes, brother. It's time you know the truth."
Mick could smell Beth on him and let the anger and helplessness take possession of his will. The pain had canceled his compassion and he became like a thirsty animal seeking revenge. However, when he was ready to attack, a strong hand held him firmly while he heard a voice echoed in his head. "No! Calm your beast, we don´t kill innocents." Mick, was confused at hearing the voice that was so familiar, he let go of his prey and turned toward that strong arm that was holding him. Then his eyes met the calm blue eyes of Gabriel, who smiled kindly as he looked at Talbot. Mick followed his gaze that seemed to say something else and then he saw between the trembling fingers of the young prosecutor, another pendant identical to that he had found. Mick was absolutely confused. He looked again at Gabriel who answered him. "Yes, brother. It's time you know the truth."
TO BE CONTINUED...
I´LL SEE YOU ON THE NEXT MOONLIGHT
"THE PROPHECY"
"THE PROPHECY"
...................................................
.
0 comentarios:
Publicar un comentario