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EPISODE 9 "THE CHALICE I. DYING FOR YOU"
MICK: Two days, eight hours and thirty-five minutes ago, I had her in my arms for the last time. It´s almost an eternity without touching her, without having her, without feeling the gentle warmth of her body on mine, without the light of her eyes warming my soul . Two days, eight hours and thirty-five minutes ago I felt alive for the last time and every second that passes I feel the cold of her absence that becomes more and more unbearable. I need her desperately and this anxiety is driving me crazy. I need to cling to the hope of finding her to keep my sanity, to keep me alive. Oh God, Beth, where are you? The echo of your voice rings in my ears calling me over and over again, but I can only see the damn darkness closing around you. God have mercy! Help me find her before it’s too late. Please help me to find her.
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Lance looked with an enigmatic expression at the girl lying in front of him while his gloved hand stroked her beautiful sleeping face. The little girl had become a woman. Anne Talbot was connected to her other half by a catheter while the precious blood of her sister Beth was traveling slowly through her veins till her weak body started to respond gradually to its warmness, tinting the whiteness of her skin with a faint pink color while its apparent innocence was transformed little by little into a voluptuous temptress that was able to stir in the eyes of anyone who looked at her an irrepressible desire to own her purity and take the pleasure that was hidden in the softness of her body. However there was no desire in Lance´s eyes when he was looking at her. There never would be… ever… not for her. It was another woman that he wanted to take more than anything in the world but she was still forbidden to him, and instinctively, his eyes strayed to the leaden chamber located just a few feet. There, behind the locked door was what he coveted and had proposed to have at any price…Beth. Then, almost unconsciously, he extended his hand toward the camera, tempted by the irresistible desire to touch his treasure, but the creaking sound of the door to the basement and deep and strong voice of his Sire pulled him out of his thoughts.
-“Is she ready?" The sire asked with eager impatience.
-“She will be very soon, Sire” Lance said in a deliberately neutral tone.
-“Perfect, I´m dying with desire to taste the exquisite elixir that will open the doors to the most absolute power. I must add that you could not have created a suitable chalice. She really is beautiful.” His cruel eyes fell upon the throat of the young Anne, over the succulent creaminess of her skin, throbbing slowly with the sweet rhythm of her heartbeats that pumped more and more blood accelerating his desire to drink of her. "I thought that this moment would never happen and we would have to start over. But it has arrived and I must thank you Lance because you made it all possible. The pure blood of her sister that filters through her veins, the mixture of the two races will protect us from the prophecy and finally we will get the sweetest of pleasures, revenge”. His eyes lit with a fiendish glow while he turned toward the leaden chamber, thinking of the treasure hidden inside.
“Once we are immunized against the venom of Grigoris we will take the woman which carries the blood of those who humiliated us in another time and we will turn her into the source of our new race, turning the prophecy against them, and making them pay with death." There was a kind of demonic euphoria in his voice as his eyes glowed also while Lance kept silent. "On second thought." The sire continued "On second thought, I find it absolutely delicious that St John will be the one who opens the door with his blood to let in his own killer. Really love and death walk hand in hand, don’t you think so?" When the Sire pronounced the name, St John, and the word "death" a wicked smile formed on Lances’ expressionless face. “And the lover's eyes will close so that his lady can open her own to the darkness.” The sire dramatized his ironic cruelty with his terrible laughter that echoed within the walls of the gloomy room. "We will kill two birds with one stone, on one hand the last Grigoris and their minions will die at the hands of their own blood and on the other hand, we will remove that annoying intruder from our family. There can be no better way for starting this new era… our new era." His eyes turned to focus on Anne and his long white fingers caressed her delicate face traveling to her throat. "And… judging by the beauty of his mate, I'm sure it will be a doubly exquisite pleasure… ummmm." He growled with lust to feel the warm, soft velvet of Anne´s skin under his hands.
The comment from his sire made Lance's fingers curl furiously into fists. And for a moment the thought of sharing what he wanted with someone else, awakened in him an instinct of territoriality that was almost uncontrollable. The scent of the heady perfume of the chosen one when he locked her in her leaden prison had led him to the brink of madness, so much so that he could almost understand Mick St. Johns jealousy, and yet his moment would come soon, he knew that. All he had to do was wait…yes, wait and obey… just a little while longer and the power would be his ... only his and she will be too. Yes, he had created her and she should belong only to him.
-“Is she ready?" The sire asked with eager impatience.
-“She will be very soon, Sire” Lance said in a deliberately neutral tone.
-“Perfect, I´m dying with desire to taste the exquisite elixir that will open the doors to the most absolute power. I must add that you could not have created a suitable chalice. She really is beautiful.” His cruel eyes fell upon the throat of the young Anne, over the succulent creaminess of her skin, throbbing slowly with the sweet rhythm of her heartbeats that pumped more and more blood accelerating his desire to drink of her. "I thought that this moment would never happen and we would have to start over. But it has arrived and I must thank you Lance because you made it all possible. The pure blood of her sister that filters through her veins, the mixture of the two races will protect us from the prophecy and finally we will get the sweetest of pleasures, revenge”. His eyes lit with a fiendish glow while he turned toward the leaden chamber, thinking of the treasure hidden inside.
“Once we are immunized against the venom of Grigoris we will take the woman which carries the blood of those who humiliated us in another time and we will turn her into the source of our new race, turning the prophecy against them, and making them pay with death." There was a kind of demonic euphoria in his voice as his eyes glowed also while Lance kept silent. "On second thought." The sire continued "On second thought, I find it absolutely delicious that St John will be the one who opens the door with his blood to let in his own killer. Really love and death walk hand in hand, don’t you think so?" When the Sire pronounced the name, St John, and the word "death" a wicked smile formed on Lances’ expressionless face. “And the lover's eyes will close so that his lady can open her own to the darkness.” The sire dramatized his ironic cruelty with his terrible laughter that echoed within the walls of the gloomy room. "We will kill two birds with one stone, on one hand the last Grigoris and their minions will die at the hands of their own blood and on the other hand, we will remove that annoying intruder from our family. There can be no better way for starting this new era… our new era." His eyes turned to focus on Anne and his long white fingers caressed her delicate face traveling to her throat. "And… judging by the beauty of his mate, I'm sure it will be a doubly exquisite pleasure… ummmm." He growled with lust to feel the warm, soft velvet of Anne´s skin under his hands.
The comment from his sire made Lance's fingers curl furiously into fists. And for a moment the thought of sharing what he wanted with someone else, awakened in him an instinct of territoriality that was almost uncontrollable. The scent of the heady perfume of the chosen one when he locked her in her leaden prison had led him to the brink of madness, so much so that he could almost understand Mick St. Johns jealousy, and yet his moment would come soon, he knew that. All he had to do was wait…yes, wait and obey… just a little while longer and the power would be his ... only his and she will be too. Yes, he had created her and she should belong only to him.
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MICK: The welcome from Grigoris family paradoxically meant a boost to my vampire powers. It was as if all the disciplines that are achieved only through centuries of existence, had come to me in just a moment with that light touch, wrapped in the knowledge of a past that does not belonged to me entirely. But at that moment, it was a part of me in one way or another.
However, contrary to what I had hoped, the vampire had not disappeared. He was still present in a corner of my being and I could feel him more alive than ever biding his time… waiting for her, only for her.
However, contrary to what I had hoped, the vampire had not disappeared. He was still present in a corner of my being and I could feel him more alive than ever biding his time… waiting for her, only for her.
...My beautiful sweet Beth. Only she could quench my thirst and calm me. Only she makes me want to live, and while I can feel that, I know she is alive.
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In the shelter, time seemed to stand still while two world enemies were placed face to face under the same light. One side vampires and the other side the Guardians and in the middle of them, stood Josef and Mick. Josef stood motionless watching Mick with a strange mixture of relief and distrust. His friend was alive, but would he still be his friend?
MICK: “I guess my vampire side went unnoticed by Josef at that moment. My previous contact with Grigoris had prevented him from smelling the vampire that was still inside me. And if you add the fact that I was escorted there by the messengers of death…well, I guess distrust was the least thing I could expect from him.
It was not easy for me to understanding what was happening while I felt myself fighting against a time that I was not trusted. Trying to make sense of the whys that raced through my head. For example, the feeling I had that Josef knew more than he had told me. He also kept me away from Beth, but why? I could not believe that Josef had preferred his survival to our friendship, he was a vampire with old ways, but there was something that was above all that for him, loyalty. Josef had filled countless tar pits with the bleeding corpses of traitors and I know that he would fill many more to protect those who had managed to win his respect and loyalty. Beth had done that. However, why did I have the feeling that he had done nothing to prevent what had happened to her?
Distrust came knocking again at my door, but this time a part of me refused to hear it. Now I know that everything has a reason, but sometimes the emotions and feelings cloud my senses and at that moment, the guilt had turned to blindness. Josef was just trying to protect me, it was just that, but I didn’t want his protection, I just wanted his help in protecting Beth.
............:::**¨**:::............
Silence filled the air with a strange tension while Josef scanned the new Mick who stood in front of him, trying to find the answer, but the question that lay behind the eyes of his friend couldn’t resolve all his doubts.
- “I need to know if I can count on you.”
It sounded like a mixture of accusation and a plea wrapped in the dark cloth of an infinite pain that loomed in his icy eyes. All that could have only been for one reason... Beth.
Josef understood at that moment that it was time to fulfill his promise so the silver in his eyes slowly faded to brown. He adjusted his Armani jacket and without taking his eyes off Mick, Josef came down the stairs to where his friend was and answered:
-"Of course you can. Yesterday, today and forever ...never doubt that."
His words sounded strong in the middle of the silence as he extended his hand showing the palm open in a position of respect and dedication to the astonishment of everyone. At that moment the eyes of the old vampire slipped stealthy towards Gabriel. The Guardian appeared to tacitly nod as if only those two knew something the rest didn’t. Mick also caught the gesture between them and then lowered his eyes to the offering Josef expressed with that hand extended and accepted it. A smile of relief and satisfaction was drawn on Josef’s face as he firmly shook hands with his friend and added.
J:"I guess the student has surpassed the teacher.” He moved closer to his friend and glanced over to where the Guardians were. Josef whispered to his friend in a more ironic way. "Indeed, I must confess, there is nobody like you for covering my back.
Mick gave him a half smile but before he could answer him, another voice spoke among them.
K: “I´m so glad all is well between you.” Kassandra’s voice, the leader of the cleaners, sounded dry and sharp. The beautiful vampire came down the stairs in a solemn way, to deal with the two friends while she was looking at them with an inquiring gaze. “I know we agreed to take part in this issue without asking questions." She said with a, calm before the storm attitude, while she dedicated a veiled criticizing looking at Josef. "But at this point, I think we also deserve some answers before we risk death in a war that might not even be ours." Her eyes scanned the faces of those who were there one by one, as silence was again the answer. "Obviously this is not a simple war of clans and this is proof of that." She said, pointing to the two Grigori, who until now had remained stood stone still as guests. "Tell me.” Her eyes turned to Mick who now seemed to be the leader, with Josef’s permission. "What in the hell led the Duvall clan to kill their own kind and to declare war on us? Why would you want Grigoris’ to participate in a war between vampires when everyone knows they only intervene as our judge and executioners to protect mortals? And above all, what are you doing with them, Mick?”
But it was another soft and sinuous female voice that answered her.
C: “I'm afraid that all these questions have but one answer.” At that moment all eyes turned to the upper floor where Coralines silhouette sprang from the shadows like a ghost, timidly lit by the dim light of the lamps that surrounded the lower hall.
K: “And which is it?” Kassandra insisted addressing her new interlocutor.
Josef glanced out the corner of his eye at Mick. The guardian vampire cast a terrible look of warning to his ex-wife but she replied with a defiant gaze causing a flash of silver in the eyes of the vampire.
C: The answer you seek has a woman's name.” She finally replied, without take her eyes off his husband´s while Josef was observing the scene without taking his eyes off Mick´s fists that were now clenched now. "Oh, oh, this smells like trouble…" It would only be a matter of seconds before Mick was going to jump on Coraline before she could pronounce the name. But not only did Josef recognize the reaction in his friend, Kassandra also saw the tension and it was not difficult to guess the rest.
- “I need to know if I can count on you.”
It sounded like a mixture of accusation and a plea wrapped in the dark cloth of an infinite pain that loomed in his icy eyes. All that could have only been for one reason... Beth.
Josef understood at that moment that it was time to fulfill his promise so the silver in his eyes slowly faded to brown. He adjusted his Armani jacket and without taking his eyes off Mick, Josef came down the stairs to where his friend was and answered:
-"Of course you can. Yesterday, today and forever ...never doubt that."
His words sounded strong in the middle of the silence as he extended his hand showing the palm open in a position of respect and dedication to the astonishment of everyone. At that moment the eyes of the old vampire slipped stealthy towards Gabriel. The Guardian appeared to tacitly nod as if only those two knew something the rest didn’t. Mick also caught the gesture between them and then lowered his eyes to the offering Josef expressed with that hand extended and accepted it. A smile of relief and satisfaction was drawn on Josef’s face as he firmly shook hands with his friend and added.
J:"I guess the student has surpassed the teacher.” He moved closer to his friend and glanced over to where the Guardians were. Josef whispered to his friend in a more ironic way. "Indeed, I must confess, there is nobody like you for covering my back.
Mick gave him a half smile but before he could answer him, another voice spoke among them.
K: “I´m so glad all is well between you.” Kassandra’s voice, the leader of the cleaners, sounded dry and sharp. The beautiful vampire came down the stairs in a solemn way, to deal with the two friends while she was looking at them with an inquiring gaze. “I know we agreed to take part in this issue without asking questions." She said with a, calm before the storm attitude, while she dedicated a veiled criticizing looking at Josef. "But at this point, I think we also deserve some answers before we risk death in a war that might not even be ours." Her eyes scanned the faces of those who were there one by one, as silence was again the answer. "Obviously this is not a simple war of clans and this is proof of that." She said, pointing to the two Grigori, who until now had remained stood stone still as guests. "Tell me.” Her eyes turned to Mick who now seemed to be the leader, with Josef’s permission. "What in the hell led the Duvall clan to kill their own kind and to declare war on us? Why would you want Grigoris’ to participate in a war between vampires when everyone knows they only intervene as our judge and executioners to protect mortals? And above all, what are you doing with them, Mick?”
But it was another soft and sinuous female voice that answered her.
C: “I'm afraid that all these questions have but one answer.” At that moment all eyes turned to the upper floor where Coralines silhouette sprang from the shadows like a ghost, timidly lit by the dim light of the lamps that surrounded the lower hall.
K: “And which is it?” Kassandra insisted addressing her new interlocutor.
Josef glanced out the corner of his eye at Mick. The guardian vampire cast a terrible look of warning to his ex-wife but she replied with a defiant gaze causing a flash of silver in the eyes of the vampire.
C: The answer you seek has a woman's name.” She finally replied, without take her eyes off his husband´s while Josef was observing the scene without taking his eyes off Mick´s fists that were now clenched now. "Oh, oh, this smells like trouble…" It would only be a matter of seconds before Mick was going to jump on Coraline before she could pronounce the name. But not only did Josef recognize the reaction in his friend, Kassandra also saw the tension and it was not difficult to guess the rest.
K: “Wait a minute… It’s for that girl, your mortal friend, right? I can’t believe it!" A storm broke out in her voice. "How could you allow others to pay with their lives for your mistakes or your whims, exposing us all? And you Josef, whose side are you on?” Her eyes were almost on fire with fury when she turned toward the one that until now was considered responsible for the community.
J: It’s not as simple as it seems Kassandra, believe me.” Josef replied.
K: “Oh yes, it is. Relationships between vampires and humans only bring problems and these are the consequences.” She said as turned back to Mick, and began to walk slowly around him. "Tell me, why should we help you? You know a mortal´s life is not valuable. So if she is what they want why go against it? Kassandra growled contemptuously while she looked in his eyes. Mick clenched his jaw with all his might trying to control his anger, but Kassandra continued: "After all, she´s just a freshie that is not worth it… or is yes?” And her eyes strayed to the two Grigoris’ for a second and then shifted back to Mick, confronting the vampire.
The words hurt Mick more than if she had shoved a burning stake into his chest and all the fury that was in his eyes went directly towards Coraline, was focused at that moment on the Cleaners´s leader.
M: "Don’t you dare call her that! She's not a freshie to me!" Mick roared while the silver gleam of anger reigned in his eyes. Kassandra take a step back frightened because of what she saw in his gaze. "Beth Turner is my partner, she´s my life, my everything! But you can’t understand that. And now, that you mention it, at this point she´s much more than that, she could actually mean the difference between life and death for all of us. So perhaps I can give you a reason that is strong enough to protect her life. For example how about your own life?" Mick hinted with raging irony while his eyes began to exert a strange effect on her.
K: “But… what ...what has she to do with us?” Asked the "Cleaner" while dodging his gaze that seemed to have the power to block her mind. "What the hell are you talking about?" She cried.
The smell of tension filled the air, a storm was about to give way to the tempest, but now was not the time for infighting, they had no time to lose. Josef chose to stand between them to calm them down. The moment of the truth had come, he was responsible of the community and he set out to calm them down in a diplomatic way. But the subtle touch of Gabriel made him understand that it was his turn. The Guardian stepped to the front leaving his position of silent spectator and his voice sounded strong, overwhelming, almost haunting.
G: “That mortal, as you call her, has running through her veins the pure blood of the Grigori, but she also has your blood too".” At hearing that comment Mick searched Gabriel's eyes. Gabriel looked at Coraline deliberately while she lowered her eyes. Gabriel then looked at the leader of the cleaners again and continued. "She is actually the key to the prophecy and she´s the only person who can save your two friends.” He said, pointing to the bodies of William and Logan. "She can protect all of you from the Duvall clan and the other clans that are just like them. But if she remains in their hands and they find the real chalice, her blood will be your death and ours too. I know Lance and Philippe, the sire of the Duvall’s. I know that they will not leave loose ends.”
K: But ... It cannot be real! The prophecy is ... is just ... a myth.” Kassandra said confused as she dropped down on the couch in the hall.
M: “They made it possible twenty-seven years ago." Mick said. "And if we don’t stop them, today the prophecy will be fulfilled. We're just wasting time that maybe we no longer have.”
K: What can we do about it? We don’t even know where they are and if they have the source, they have the chalice too.”
G: "Not exactly." Gabriel replied. "That's the advantage we have.”
J: “And about the "how" I would not worry too much.” Josef said ironically glancing at The Guardians. “They are on our side, remember? Or at least I hope so." Josef whispered to himself.
M: And about the where? I´ll take care of that." Mick´s eyes rose to meet his ex-wife´s eyes.
MICK: “My connection with Beth allows me to feel her and see into her mind. But it wasn’t enough, she wasn’t conscious when they took her away and now she’s in a chamber that is so strong I could barely get to her.”
Just then Coraline knew the exact place. After all she was also a Duval family member and knew all the secrets of her family. "No, I cannot do that!" Coraline cried and disappeared again in the gloom.
M: "Coraline!" Mick shouted and the vampire jumped after her. Cynthia stood in his way, but Mick's eyes made her withdraw from the confrontation quickly.
MICK: One more time and ironically, fate put the three of us together again. Coraline put Beth in my life and now she was standing between Beth and me again. That night it was Coraline’s hand which offered me her throat while threatening that little girl with an eternal and cruel damnation. And now, twenty years later, it was her silence which could condemn Beth or return her to me. However this time things were more complicated and maybe if Coraline will help me to find Beth, she could raise a new barrier between Beth and me. But none of that mattered when Beth's life was at stake.
J: It’s not as simple as it seems Kassandra, believe me.” Josef replied.
K: “Oh yes, it is. Relationships between vampires and humans only bring problems and these are the consequences.” She said as turned back to Mick, and began to walk slowly around him. "Tell me, why should we help you? You know a mortal´s life is not valuable. So if she is what they want why go against it? Kassandra growled contemptuously while she looked in his eyes. Mick clenched his jaw with all his might trying to control his anger, but Kassandra continued: "After all, she´s just a freshie that is not worth it… or is yes?” And her eyes strayed to the two Grigoris’ for a second and then shifted back to Mick, confronting the vampire.
The words hurt Mick more than if she had shoved a burning stake into his chest and all the fury that was in his eyes went directly towards Coraline, was focused at that moment on the Cleaners´s leader.
M: "Don’t you dare call her that! She's not a freshie to me!" Mick roared while the silver gleam of anger reigned in his eyes. Kassandra take a step back frightened because of what she saw in his gaze. "Beth Turner is my partner, she´s my life, my everything! But you can’t understand that. And now, that you mention it, at this point she´s much more than that, she could actually mean the difference between life and death for all of us. So perhaps I can give you a reason that is strong enough to protect her life. For example how about your own life?" Mick hinted with raging irony while his eyes began to exert a strange effect on her.
K: “But… what ...what has she to do with us?” Asked the "Cleaner" while dodging his gaze that seemed to have the power to block her mind. "What the hell are you talking about?" She cried.
The smell of tension filled the air, a storm was about to give way to the tempest, but now was not the time for infighting, they had no time to lose. Josef chose to stand between them to calm them down. The moment of the truth had come, he was responsible of the community and he set out to calm them down in a diplomatic way. But the subtle touch of Gabriel made him understand that it was his turn. The Guardian stepped to the front leaving his position of silent spectator and his voice sounded strong, overwhelming, almost haunting.
G: “That mortal, as you call her, has running through her veins the pure blood of the Grigori, but she also has your blood too".” At hearing that comment Mick searched Gabriel's eyes. Gabriel looked at Coraline deliberately while she lowered her eyes. Gabriel then looked at the leader of the cleaners again and continued. "She is actually the key to the prophecy and she´s the only person who can save your two friends.” He said, pointing to the bodies of William and Logan. "She can protect all of you from the Duvall clan and the other clans that are just like them. But if she remains in their hands and they find the real chalice, her blood will be your death and ours too. I know Lance and Philippe, the sire of the Duvall’s. I know that they will not leave loose ends.”
K: But ... It cannot be real! The prophecy is ... is just ... a myth.” Kassandra said confused as she dropped down on the couch in the hall.
M: “They made it possible twenty-seven years ago." Mick said. "And if we don’t stop them, today the prophecy will be fulfilled. We're just wasting time that maybe we no longer have.”
K: What can we do about it? We don’t even know where they are and if they have the source, they have the chalice too.”
G: "Not exactly." Gabriel replied. "That's the advantage we have.”
J: “And about the "how" I would not worry too much.” Josef said ironically glancing at The Guardians. “They are on our side, remember? Or at least I hope so." Josef whispered to himself.
M: And about the where? I´ll take care of that." Mick´s eyes rose to meet his ex-wife´s eyes.
MICK: “My connection with Beth allows me to feel her and see into her mind. But it wasn’t enough, she wasn’t conscious when they took her away and now she’s in a chamber that is so strong I could barely get to her.”
Just then Coraline knew the exact place. After all she was also a Duval family member and knew all the secrets of her family. "No, I cannot do that!" Coraline cried and disappeared again in the gloom.
M: "Coraline!" Mick shouted and the vampire jumped after her. Cynthia stood in his way, but Mick's eyes made her withdraw from the confrontation quickly.
MICK: One more time and ironically, fate put the three of us together again. Coraline put Beth in my life and now she was standing between Beth and me again. That night it was Coraline’s hand which offered me her throat while threatening that little girl with an eternal and cruel damnation. And now, twenty years later, it was her silence which could condemn Beth or return her to me. However this time things were more complicated and maybe if Coraline will help me to find Beth, she could raise a new barrier between Beth and me. But none of that mattered when Beth's life was at stake.
...............:::**¨**:::...............
The place was an old mansion built in the seventeenth century, and located in the Hudson Valley, in the region meriodinal in the state of New York .
MICK: It seems that after all, the Duvall family had left Europe and its power extends beyond the old continent.
At first glance the old house offered a look of neglect. Time had let the ivy extend its roots on the walls like a second skin that covered the ornaments of the facade under a grayish green, while the dim light of the full moon illuminated in blue and gray shades the surrounding vegetation, giving it a more gloomy look. But despite the apparent abandonment, the surrounding perimeter was heavily guarded by Lances men who were watching for the arrival of any stranger to the area, from strategic points.
J: "Well, now the fun begins." Josef said in a whisper while he distributed his men and Coraline did the honors and allowed entry to a very special guest… Gabriel.
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While inside.
Everything was ready for the ritual. Anne had been taken to another room, her body now rested on an immaculate altar that almost merged with the white purity of her skin as rare red orchids covered her nakedness, managed to break that purity. Around her there were eager eyes waiting to quench their thirst on her and steal her soul.
Everything was ready for the ritual. Anne had been taken to another room, her body now rested on an immaculate altar that almost merged with the white purity of her skin as rare red orchids covered her nakedness, managed to break that purity. Around her there were eager eyes waiting to quench their thirst on her and steal her soul.
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It was time and Mick took a deep breath, pulled from his pocket the scented bag where Beth´s pendant was hidden. He drew it from its wrapper and for a moment smelt the perfume, like if it was the last time he could feel it. Then, his fingers began to slide slowly down the silver, so cold and yet so soft. The contact to him was like a new and strange feeling and for a moment he thought that forbidden softness was the same sensation that he felt the first time he stroked her skin.
MICK: The acceptance of the Grigori could protect me from what they had created to keep their enemies away. Because of that, I could hold in my hands Beth´s silver pendant even though part of me was still a vampire. The Angel of Life would prevent Beth from awakening to darkness at the hands of the Duvall’s when the moment comes, but also, I was her Guardian and I had to give it to her and protect her. But I was also aware that such immunity would not go beyond the contact. If an amount of silver got into my bloodstream, it would kill me ... something that surely Lance would have foreseen. God don’t let death come to me before I save her.
Josef came from behind and placed his hand on the shoulder of his friend, he asked, "Are you ready my friend?"
"Yes, Josef, I´m more than I have ever been"
"The universe is on your side, I know, and it will remain, Mick, it has to be ...there must be a way that your story has a happy ending I'm sure. Otherwise destiny would not have stepped in so many times, even in spite of yourself."
"Destination is sometimes capricious, Josef." Mick´s eyes were lost in that prison of stone which kept his love, his soul and perhaps, in a few minutes, his own life locked up, while his mind remembered the image of Beth, asleep forever in darkness just as her father, Coraline´s true love and too Sarah, Josef´s love, also she would be lying in that bed, without living and without dying, forever. "Monsters never have happy endings."
MICK: The acceptance of the Grigori could protect me from what they had created to keep their enemies away. Because of that, I could hold in my hands Beth´s silver pendant even though part of me was still a vampire. The Angel of Life would prevent Beth from awakening to darkness at the hands of the Duvall’s when the moment comes, but also, I was her Guardian and I had to give it to her and protect her. But I was also aware that such immunity would not go beyond the contact. If an amount of silver got into my bloodstream, it would kill me ... something that surely Lance would have foreseen. God don’t let death come to me before I save her.
Josef came from behind and placed his hand on the shoulder of his friend, he asked, "Are you ready my friend?"
"Yes, Josef, I´m more than I have ever been"
"The universe is on your side, I know, and it will remain, Mick, it has to be ...there must be a way that your story has a happy ending I'm sure. Otherwise destiny would not have stepped in so many times, even in spite of yourself."
"Destination is sometimes capricious, Josef." Mick´s eyes were lost in that prison of stone which kept his love, his soul and perhaps, in a few minutes, his own life locked up, while his mind remembered the image of Beth, asleep forever in darkness just as her father, Coraline´s true love and too Sarah, Josef´s love, also she would be lying in that bed, without living and without dying, forever. "Monsters never have happy endings."
Mick shook his head as if he wanted to toss aside that thought and lowering his eyes to Beth’s pendant that was resting on his hand, he added. "But ... this time there will be a happy ending my friend. When she is safe, then it will be." And then he closed his hand on the Angel of Life and turned to his friend and said. “You will see to that if I'm not here... won’t you?”
“Of course ... I will.” Josef looked away while he was fighting the lump in his throat which barely allowed him to speak.
MICK: At that moment I knew that Josef’s role had been the most difficult.
"Thanks brother.” Mick gave him a slight smile as he put the pendant back in the little bag. "Now, cover me, I´m going to go in.”
Mick ventured up into the vegetation to one of the entries, he felt secure with the promise of his friend about Beth, while Josef was covering his rear. Then, the brightness of a tear came into the eyes of the old vampire who saw his friend walking out of his sight, perhaps forever.
“Of course ... I will.” Josef looked away while he was fighting the lump in his throat which barely allowed him to speak.
MICK: At that moment I knew that Josef’s role had been the most difficult.
"Thanks brother.” Mick gave him a slight smile as he put the pendant back in the little bag. "Now, cover me, I´m going to go in.”
Mick ventured up into the vegetation to one of the entries, he felt secure with the promise of his friend about Beth, while Josef was covering his rear. Then, the brightness of a tear came into the eyes of the old vampire who saw his friend walking out of his sight, perhaps forever.
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Once inside, Coraline allowed Mick to enter her mind to see exactly where the camera was. But Mick read other things in Coraline mind too. He looked at Gabriel and their minds spoke without words. Mick´s hand gently stroked the face of his ex-wife while his blue eyes rested softly on hers, invading her mind, numbing slowly her muscles and her senses until finally the reading ended with Coraline falling unconscious into his arms.
"I'm sorry Coraline but it´s better like this". Mick said as he carefully placed her body in the floor. "I will not have more deaths on my conscious. He would not want that."
"I'm sorry Coraline but it´s better like this". Mick said as he carefully placed her body in the floor. "I will not have more deaths on my conscious. He would not want that."
Gabriel nodded. "Well, the time has come. Go and get her, I'll cover you".
Mick nodded and disappeared a second later. At the same time Celine appeared from the shadows. Gabriel picked up Coraline's body and handed her over to Celine. “You know what to do with her.”
Celine took Coraline in her arms. "You know that St John will not agree".
"I know Celine, but we must let fate take its course, and besides, she is also entitled to choose her path. He will understand later."
Mick nodded and disappeared a second later. At the same time Celine appeared from the shadows. Gabriel picked up Coraline's body and handed her over to Celine. “You know what to do with her.”
Celine took Coraline in her arms. "You know that St John will not agree".
"I know Celine, but we must let fate take its course, and besides, she is also entitled to choose her path. He will understand later."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile inside of mansion...
Philippe, the Sire, was doing the honors of the ritual. He took the delicate wrist of young Anne in his hands and sank his fangs into it. The delicate skin opened and the blood began to flow from her veins as he poured it into a golden chalice while reciting. "And the light will feed the darkness." Philippe raised his glass in front of everyone and said." To immortality ." And without touching the cup with his lips, he passed the cup to Lance. One by one, all his sons drank the contents of the cup, starting with Lance, his favorite, until the cup came back into Sire´s hands. But when Philippe put his mouth on Anne´s wrist to drink the precious liquid directly from the vein that he had opened, a strange odor filled his vampire senses. Lance was also able to perceive it and he hastened to say.
L: “Sire, the visits we expected have come.”
S: “Ok, go to the chamber, see that everything is as it should and make sure he dies. You know, I want him dead.”
Lance made a gesture of respect and obedience and went out. Philippe continued to collect Anne´s blood, slipping his tongue over the immaculate whiteness of her skin as he began to suck greedily on the vein until he could feel her pulse weakened almost to the point of disappearing. Then, he took her wrist to his mouth and opened his own vein with his fangs to feed her. “Now you'll be mine and then your sister will be…” Just when his blood was about to fall into the young woman’s mouth, he heard behind him the thunder of a powerful voice and it forced him to turn while the drops of his blood ended up falling harmless on the floor.
G:“Get away from her!”
S: "Gabriel!" Philippe exclaimed. "It's quite a surprise to meet you here, though a fairly predictable surprise I might add. You have arrived just in time to contemplate my triumph."
G: “I´m afraid you are wrong one more time. I´m just here to introduce you to death.”
S: “Death? Hahahaha. So, tell me, just how do you think you´ll do that? You can no longer beat me, Gabriel, your power is mine now.” Philippe said showing him the Anne’s bleeding wrist.
G: “You really think so?” Gabriel asked as he approached his eternal enemy. “You should heed your nose before drinking that blood.” Gabriel's eyes focused on the wrist of Philippe. The Sire observed that the two small punctures that he has done to himself had begun to bleed in an unstoppably way. Why hadn’t the wounds closed?
S: "What ... what in the hell is happening?" Panic appeared in the vampire's eyes.
G: "You're dying." Whispered the Grigori.
S: “No! You lie! It is only an illusion created by you. It's just an illusion!” He cried. “It has to be it!”
G: “No, it is not. Look around, Philippe". The blood began to flow also from the eyes of all who had drank of the chalice staining their faces red. "Your ambition and your pride made you believe you could manipulate fate as you wish, but you cannot… no one can… not even me. The real Chalice can only be the work of fate but you tried to force it and now you have fallen into your own trap.” Philippe could not take his disbelieving eyes off the blood falling from his arm.
G: "Anne Talbot was not the real Chalice… she´s your executioner. Her blood is sick from the abnormality that there is in her mixed blood and now all of you are infected by the evil that is in it… all except for one of you. The only person that was able to sense my presence after drinking the contaminated blood. The only person that really never drank her blood because knew the truth".
S: “Lance!” Cried Philippe while he dropped to his knees on the floor absolutely defeated.
G: “Yes Philippe ... Your warlock, your right-hand man. It seems that your blood can only beget betrayal, and now you are paying for yours." Gabriel leaned down to his height and fixed his cold blue eyes on the vampire´s bloodshot eyes and whispered. "You defiled my family, you challenged us with your pride, but today you are going to experience what you fear the most… death. However, before that, you´ll face the pain you've caused, second by second, drop by drop and I assure you when feel the burning, when your flesh will be consumed in the flames, death will be like a liberation for you.”
Then, Gabriel rose and extended his hand to the gloom and added. "I introduce you to your death, Philippe". A beautiful and delicate hand rested on the Gabriel´s hand. "Tonight, death comes as a woman’s face for you." And Celine appeared to the terrified gaze of Philippe. "She will be your executioner."
Philippe, the Sire, was doing the honors of the ritual. He took the delicate wrist of young Anne in his hands and sank his fangs into it. The delicate skin opened and the blood began to flow from her veins as he poured it into a golden chalice while reciting. "And the light will feed the darkness." Philippe raised his glass in front of everyone and said." To immortality ." And without touching the cup with his lips, he passed the cup to Lance. One by one, all his sons drank the contents of the cup, starting with Lance, his favorite, until the cup came back into Sire´s hands. But when Philippe put his mouth on Anne´s wrist to drink the precious liquid directly from the vein that he had opened, a strange odor filled his vampire senses. Lance was also able to perceive it and he hastened to say.
L: “Sire, the visits we expected have come.”
S: “Ok, go to the chamber, see that everything is as it should and make sure he dies. You know, I want him dead.”
Lance made a gesture of respect and obedience and went out. Philippe continued to collect Anne´s blood, slipping his tongue over the immaculate whiteness of her skin as he began to suck greedily on the vein until he could feel her pulse weakened almost to the point of disappearing. Then, he took her wrist to his mouth and opened his own vein with his fangs to feed her. “Now you'll be mine and then your sister will be…” Just when his blood was about to fall into the young woman’s mouth, he heard behind him the thunder of a powerful voice and it forced him to turn while the drops of his blood ended up falling harmless on the floor.
G:“Get away from her!”
S: "Gabriel!" Philippe exclaimed. "It's quite a surprise to meet you here, though a fairly predictable surprise I might add. You have arrived just in time to contemplate my triumph."
G: “I´m afraid you are wrong one more time. I´m just here to introduce you to death.”
S: “Death? Hahahaha. So, tell me, just how do you think you´ll do that? You can no longer beat me, Gabriel, your power is mine now.” Philippe said showing him the Anne’s bleeding wrist.
G: “You really think so?” Gabriel asked as he approached his eternal enemy. “You should heed your nose before drinking that blood.” Gabriel's eyes focused on the wrist of Philippe. The Sire observed that the two small punctures that he has done to himself had begun to bleed in an unstoppably way. Why hadn’t the wounds closed?
S: "What ... what in the hell is happening?" Panic appeared in the vampire's eyes.
G: "You're dying." Whispered the Grigori.
S: “No! You lie! It is only an illusion created by you. It's just an illusion!” He cried. “It has to be it!”
G: “No, it is not. Look around, Philippe". The blood began to flow also from the eyes of all who had drank of the chalice staining their faces red. "Your ambition and your pride made you believe you could manipulate fate as you wish, but you cannot… no one can… not even me. The real Chalice can only be the work of fate but you tried to force it and now you have fallen into your own trap.” Philippe could not take his disbelieving eyes off the blood falling from his arm.
G: "Anne Talbot was not the real Chalice… she´s your executioner. Her blood is sick from the abnormality that there is in her mixed blood and now all of you are infected by the evil that is in it… all except for one of you. The only person that was able to sense my presence after drinking the contaminated blood. The only person that really never drank her blood because knew the truth".
S: “Lance!” Cried Philippe while he dropped to his knees on the floor absolutely defeated.
G: “Yes Philippe ... Your warlock, your right-hand man. It seems that your blood can only beget betrayal, and now you are paying for yours." Gabriel leaned down to his height and fixed his cold blue eyes on the vampire´s bloodshot eyes and whispered. "You defiled my family, you challenged us with your pride, but today you are going to experience what you fear the most… death. However, before that, you´ll face the pain you've caused, second by second, drop by drop and I assure you when feel the burning, when your flesh will be consumed in the flames, death will be like a liberation for you.”
Then, Gabriel rose and extended his hand to the gloom and added. "I introduce you to your death, Philippe". A beautiful and delicate hand rested on the Gabriel´s hand. "Tonight, death comes as a woman’s face for you." And Celine appeared to the terrified gaze of Philippe. "She will be your executioner."
............::::**¨**:::..............
The beautiful Guardian woman approached before the nearly dead body of Anne. Celine bit her own index finger and a small drop of blood came out from her pale white skin as she stroked it over Anne’s wounds. The healing power of the blood of the Grigori took effect quickly when it was mixed with the blood of the still mortal young woman and at that moment, the two punctures on her wrist closed with incredible speed. After that, Celine approached Anne’s face and a strange breath went out from the mouth of the Guardian woman to enter in hers. At that moment time began to recede on the face and body of the sleeping girl, repairing the damage, giving back the lost life turning her back into what she should be. Finally little Anne awoke from her long sleep, she seemed confused and scared. Celine kissed her forehead with the same tenderness of a mother. She placed her Angel of life around her neck and covered her bare little body with a sheet, cradling her in her arms with great tenderness like a daughter as she placed her into Gabriel’s arms. Later, her body and her beautifully face became rigid and turned to Philippe, but instead of looking like an angel, she looked like a devil ready to steal his life mercilessly.
The beautiful Grigory woman’s angelic expression turned to a grim mask. Her pupils were two pieces of ice amid a sea of molten lava that looked at him without mercy, promising him the worst that hell had to offer. Then she opened her left wrist and her blood fell on his wound, while she rested her hand of snow white on his face while Philippe was shaking uncontrolled with terror. The gaze of the Grigori woman entered mercilessly into his helpless mind while her blood was slowly killing the vampire, leaving just the man to face an endless pain that penetrated his mind and his blood as the poison spread throughout his body. Then a piercing scream came from Philippe’s throat invading the room bouncing off the walls. And then he knew that there would be no worse hell than the one he would have to live in.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The room that housed the chamber was apparently empty. He had barely put a foot inside the room when Mick felt the scent of Beth before being locked up. She was there just a few feet away and yet he had never before felt so far away from her.
He went to the chamber where she was enclosed and for a second, he put his forehead on the cold metal that was keeping her away from him. He closed his eyes, stroking the metal and whispered. “I'm here my love and I will not let anyone hurt you."
Then Mick let the vampire come to the surface. There was just one way to save her. He bit his own hand and then he placed the open wound on the cold metal. Blood began to flow as if it was being sucked into the same chamber. Mick closed his eyes and felt that as his blood was filtered through the walls, the barrier between them weakened.
The cold that enveloped Beth was slowly heated by his blood and Mick listened for her weak heartbeat that was very faint. His blood was gushing and her body began to weaken from the loss, but his eyes could see again through Beth’s mind and he felt her fear, her anguish and her pain when she was locked in. His anger and helplessness hit hard against the metal when he saw Lance close to her, wanting her, touching her beautiful skin with his dirty hands, desecrating his mark on her neck and he prayed to God and to the devil for letting him live long enough so he could make him pay for everything. At that moment a distinctive smell suddenly came to him.
L: Oh, what a surprise! I'd say you were in a big hurry to see her… Ummm.” He groaned with lust. "Believe me, I understand you...you can’t imagine how much.”
Mick turned and saw Lance looking at the chamber licking his lips. Mick's instinct made him pounce on him in spite of the weakness that began to dominate his body. But he couldn’t take his hand off the chamber. There seemed as though an invisible force was keeping him glued to it while it slowly sucked the strength from his body, taking his life.
L: "Don’t fight it, it won’t let you go until it has absorbed your life. You know, love can sometimes be very demanding, don’t you think." Lance smiled cruelly. “But don’t worry about it, she will be in good hands and so you see that I appreciate your sacrifice I will help you to end the process as quickly as possible ...”
M: “I swear I´ll kill you if you touch her! Even if I have to come back from hell to do it! I promise you...”
He went to the chamber where she was enclosed and for a second, he put his forehead on the cold metal that was keeping her away from him. He closed his eyes, stroking the metal and whispered. “I'm here my love and I will not let anyone hurt you."
Then Mick let the vampire come to the surface. There was just one way to save her. He bit his own hand and then he placed the open wound on the cold metal. Blood began to flow as if it was being sucked into the same chamber. Mick closed his eyes and felt that as his blood was filtered through the walls, the barrier between them weakened.
The cold that enveloped Beth was slowly heated by his blood and Mick listened for her weak heartbeat that was very faint. His blood was gushing and her body began to weaken from the loss, but his eyes could see again through Beth’s mind and he felt her fear, her anguish and her pain when she was locked in. His anger and helplessness hit hard against the metal when he saw Lance close to her, wanting her, touching her beautiful skin with his dirty hands, desecrating his mark on her neck and he prayed to God and to the devil for letting him live long enough so he could make him pay for everything. At that moment a distinctive smell suddenly came to him.
L: Oh, what a surprise! I'd say you were in a big hurry to see her… Ummm.” He groaned with lust. "Believe me, I understand you...you can’t imagine how much.”
Mick turned and saw Lance looking at the chamber licking his lips. Mick's instinct made him pounce on him in spite of the weakness that began to dominate his body. But he couldn’t take his hand off the chamber. There seemed as though an invisible force was keeping him glued to it while it slowly sucked the strength from his body, taking his life.
L: "Don’t fight it, it won’t let you go until it has absorbed your life. You know, love can sometimes be very demanding, don’t you think." Lance smiled cruelly. “But don’t worry about it, she will be in good hands and so you see that I appreciate your sacrifice I will help you to end the process as quickly as possible ...”
M: “I swear I´ll kill you if you touch her! Even if I have to come back from hell to do it! I promise you...”
L: Really? Oh yes ... I bet you would.” Lance said as he watched the fury in Mick´s eyes. "But I don’t think you can do it this time.” At that moment the walls of chamber started to creak and Lance screamed. "NOW!!"
Four shots came from different angles at the same time and the silver impacted Mick’s body without mercy. He placed his free hand on the metal, trying with all his strength to stay alive for her. But the pain was so strong that his body could not stand, his legs failed him and Mick fell to his knees at the foot of the chamber. The weakness, pain and intense cold invaded every cell in his body, while the chamber walls began to release his hand. He fought against death to get just a few seconds with her and then looked up and saw her there, beside him. The physical pain ceased for a moment and Mick raised his hand to caress her face while one tear escaped from those beautiful eyes that were still asleep. But when his fingers were about to touch her, a thick fog covered his eyes. Everything became dark and his hand slipped and fell lifeless on the floor, exposing the small cloth bag that was empty.
TO BE CONTINUED...
I´LL SEE YOU ON THE NEXT MOONLIGHT
"THE CHALICE II. LIVING FOR YOU"
"THE CHALICE II. LIVING FOR YOU"
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4 comentarios:
ooh, thank you i love your story. cant wait to finish! you are a great writer, love to you
Sorry there was an error with the post of this episode, was missing a part that has already been included. Sorry for the inconvenience
Selene
I loved it! Poor Mick, but great pics, especially the eye. I edit for my local group so I catch things others wouldn't. 'woman which' should be woman who, and does not belonged - ed should be dropped. Basically, it is a beautiful translation and I thank her for making your story available to me. FYI - the Hudson Valley is 100 miles N of NYC, not east. East would be the Atlantic Ocean. The L.A. Moonlight writers knew the Tar Pits are in a museum now and every part is being excavated for ice age mammals, so the diggers would see if fresh human corpses were being added. It makes for good story-telling anyway. Tomorrow - Chalice Part II (it hurts my back and eyes to sit and read for so long.)
Ok, thanks for helping and thanks for reading my dear Penina. I´ll try edit the error.
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