Awakening
by Tyler Blackwood

I.

The sun had set by the time I awoke. I was lying on the floor of a dungeon in a dank old castle. The walls were etched with the foul words of men long dead, no doubt killed brutally and slowly. The dirt floor was littered with old straw, now soiled with various bodily wastes. The front of my shirt was stained with blood, but I couldn’t remember how it had gotten there. In fact, I couldn’t remember how I’d come to be in this dungeon. I sat up, looking around, searching for something that might spark some recollection. My muscles were tired and my legs were sore, but I had no idea how I’d gotten that way.

I walked to the front of the cell, looking to see if there might be someone who could answer my questions, but I was alone. The dungeon was small, with only one door that would surely be locked. If anyone were to enter this despicable place, I would know it straight away.

Again, I wondered what I’d done.

As I stood, the door unlocked and swung open, creaking softly as it moved. A tall man, dressed in blue velvet, entered the dungeon with two guards behind him.

"Unlock the door." His accent was undeniably French, and he was clearly an aristocrat.

Had I left Britain?

The guard to his right quickly inserted the key, moving aside as he opened the cell door. He walked in and stood facing me. He was much taller I, with long, dark hair and amber-colored eyes - an unusual, striking combination.

Turning momentarily to his guards, he sent them off with a single wave of his hand. They bowed to him, retreating quickly.

"What do you remember?" he asked, turning back to face me. His skin was pale and clear.

"Nothing," I said. "Please tell me what I’ve done to justify this imprisonment?"

"Then you don’t know who I am?" Ignoring my question, he raised his eyebrows, waiting for my answer.

My pulse quickened. I did not know his name.

"No, I don’t," I lowered my eyes, confused and a little embarrassed that his name had completely escaped me.

"My name is Michel," he said, smiling.

He moved closer to me. His scent was intriguing, almost hypnotic. I found myself captivated by the fluid movements of his hands, the seductive gaze of his golden eyes. As he slowly unbuttoned my shirt, I watched as if in a dream, far away, somehow detached from what was happening. He slipped his hands inside my shirt, and slid it off my shoulders. Then he lightly placed his hands on my skin, at the base of my neck.

"I know all there is to know about you, dear Elspeth."

"I don’t understand," I said. How was it I had no memory of such an exquisite creature? I began to feel tired and lightheaded. It was difficult to focus on what he was saying. Perhaps I was misunderstanding his words.

"It’s not important," he said.

He bent to touch his lips against my neck; soft kisses that sent chills down my back.

"Perhaps this will serve to remind you of our first meeting," he whispered.

I felt pressure at the base of my neck, then pain, and I knew at once that I was bleeding. Fear rose in my throat and sweat broke out on my face, yet I did not move.

I could not move.

I was losing my ability to stand. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to fall back but his arms were around me, holding me. He gently laid me down on the dirt floor. I felt his hair fall over my face as he leaned over me, his mouth still locked to my neck, but I no longer cared. I was not afraid.

I knew now that the blood on the front of my shirt had been mine.

And then he kissed me. I tasted blood in his mouth and knew it to be my own, but it didn’t matter. I was so tired, wanting only to sleep, but he continued to press his mouth against mine, and now his blood flooded to the back of my throat.

Sudden, ferocious desire came over me: I wanted more of his blood.

I swallowed it, greedy for more.

Reaching up, I held his face to mine. He began to resist, but I didn’t care. I wanted all the blood I could get from him. I’d become so thirsty; it seemed I could not get enough, and yet it was pouring into my mouth.

He pushed himself away from me, standing quickly and watching me with fierce golden eyes.

"And now you are mine," he said.

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, savoring the thick juice that lingered on my tongue.

"I think not," I rose to my feet, watching him, defiant.

He glanced toward the door.

"I haven’t much time," he said. He placed his hands on my shoulders.

"You must listen very carefully," he said. "My life is at an end. Lord William has been hunting me for years and I have become so tired. I have traveled the world, and seen all I really wish to see. In my chamber, in the bottom drawer of the bureau, you will find more riches than you can spend in a lifetime. It is yours. But, you must do this one thing for me."

"What?" I heard commotion outside the dungeon door.

"Lord William believes that his plan has executed without my knowledge of it. He used you to find my castle, and now they come for me. You will be taken back to Lord William. He will most likely have you executed. The blood I’ve given you will give you the strength of ten men, and the ability to hear and alter the thoughts of all other living beings. This is your greatest asset. Use it to destroy Lord William. Heed me, for he will hunt you down. He will not stop until you are dead."

"Why would Lord William destroy me?" I asked.

"You are becoming a creature of the night and will soon require only human blood to survive. Any other food or drink will become repugnant. During the day, you will sleep. Avoid the sun from this time forward. He has proclaimed me his enemy and vowed to destroy me and all those like me."

Suddenly three men, covered by heavy armor, burst through the door to the dungeon. Two men were carrying crossbows, and the other had a long sword with an unadorned hilt. The swordsman entered the cell, taking me roughly by the arm and dragging me out of the cell as the bowmen raised their weapons, aiming at Michel. My captor turned me to face the cell; to witness: the first bowman shot Michel in the shoulder with a slender silver arrow, driving him backwards to the wall. He was not afraid; I could see it in his eyes. His eyes turned to meet my gaze.

Destroy Lord William. I heard his thoughts clearly.

The second bowman, wasting no time, speared him directly in the heart. Crimson blood oozed quickly from the fatal wound, soaking the white shirt beneath blue velvet. He looked at me for only a moment, and then his eyes became dull and blank.

My hands were bound behind my back with heavy rope. I was placed upon the back of a horse. The bowmen rode behind me with weapons loaded, as my captor led me away from the castle. No one spoke to me.

II.

It was near morning when we arrived at large castle. It was a monstrous thing made of dark gray stone with three towers. Guards, posted atop the wall surrounding the castle, watched us arrive with crossbows aimed until they recognized their own men.

I was tired, shivering from the cold, and now I felt nauseated and weak. It was difficult to keep my eyes open. I longed for sleep in a warm down-filled bed. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been in my own bed. It frightened me to realize this, but I really couldn’t remember any part of my life, as if my past had somehow been erased from memory.

My captor took me down to a dark, cold dungeon where a small, young-looking woman was huddled against the wall. The door to her cell was opened and I was pushed inside. The cell door locked behind me. I turned to see my captor grinning at me, presumably knowing something I did not. He left the dungeon, his armor clanking as he walked.

I turned to the young woman. Her blonde hair was matted; her clothes soiled with dirt and grease.

"You’re a woman, but you dress as a man," she said, looking at me.

"Yes, but I don’t know why. I have no memory of my life," I said, looking at my brown trousers and bloodied white shirt.

At that moment, the door to the dungeon opened, and a very stately blond-haired man entered with the two bowmen in tow. He wore crimson-colored velvet. His white shirt and cravat were perfectly pressed and clean. He stood before the cell, watching us with a look of disdain. I felt a sense of déjà vu, recalling last night when Michel had entered the dungeon. I was grateful to have the simple memory of last night, when I had nothing else.

"Has your memory returned?" he asked.

"No."

"Pity," he said, sniffing. "Then you have no idea why you’ve been brought here."

"No."

He chuckled, softly. "You were in this very castle two days previous, attempting to abscond with my jewelry and gold. My guards found you, of all places, in my personal chamber. Very naughty of you." He leaned forward, raising his eyebrows, speaking to me as one would a small child.

I remembered none of this, and stood looking at him, speechless.

"You were injured when one of my guards attacked you. I’m told you hit your head on the wall and lost your memory. They say you fought well, to the very end." He crossed his arms across his chest. His blue eyes were bright against the crimson of his coat.

"My name is Lord William. Michel made the mistake of terrorizing my castle too many times, killing innocent people I knew and loved. But, we could not find his lair. We needed to entice him into making a mistake. And then we found you." He smiled at me. "You’re a pretty little thing, despite your atrocious attire.

"When you lost your memory, we knew at once we could use you to find his lair. We know he likes young, dark-haired women, and we know he’s been looking for a companion. I’ve had several people watching him, learning his ways, but he always managed to elude them, as if he knew they were there. Some think he can read minds," he looked at his hand, studying the lines and shape of the fine royal bones.

"We put you outside the castle walls after midnight, and he did the rest. He found you wandering and took you back to his lair. My men followed, staying back far enough that he did not realize what was happening. Once we discovered his castle, it was simple enough to destroy him with a single silver arrow to his heart. Michel is no more," he said.

"But, now we must deal with you," he began to pace back and forth. "You don’t realize this yet, but Michel has turned you into a creature of the night, the same as he. Just as we could not allow Michel to live, we cannot allow you to live. I’m sorry, my dear Elspeth, but you’re to be executed tomorrow night, along with this filthy wench." He nodded toward the young woman behind me.

"What do you mean, I’m a creature of the night?" I asked. Michel had referred to me as a creature of the night. I hadn’t had the time to ask him what that meant.

"You will begin to feel very tired. You will lay down to rest, and your heart will stop, but you will not die. You will awaken with a new heart as a creature of the night, with the fangs of an animal, and a blood thirst satisfied only by feeding upon the living. It is a deplorable existence. You’re really better off dead." He turned to leave. One bowman followed behind him, the other remained.

I watched him, wondering if he spoke the truth. He was mistaken about Michel wanting a companion. Michel had been looking for an heir to his fortune.

I turned to the woman behind me.

"What’s your name?" I asked. I spoke softly enough that the bowman would not hear me.

"Anissa."

"My name is Elspeth," I said. "Anissa, I do not want to stay here, and I certainly do not want to be executed tomorrow night. We must find a way out."

She nodded.

"So, I was a thief," I was speaking more to myself than Anissa. "I must have been a clever thief to break into the royal castle. I must be clever enough to break out of one."

As I stood, hands crossed over my chest, I realized that what Michel had said was true. Thus, Lord William’s prophecy about my future would also be true. I was very tired, and I knew instinctively that my body was changing, though I did not know how.

"I must lie down," I said.

There was no bed in the cell, only the dirt floor. I lay down in the corner, facing the front of the cell, and closed my eyes. I quickly drifted into slumber.

I dreamt of Michel. His mouth covered mine and the blood poured into my mouth. Once again, the desire for blood filled me utterly; I thought of nothing more than taking every drop in his body.

Slowly he pulled away from me.

Suddenly, an arrow flew past my head and plunged into Michel’s shoulder. His jaw tightened with pain, but he said nothing. I turned to see who had released the arrow, but there was only darkness. Blood seeped quickly from the wound. I grasped the arrow, pulling it out. The blood spurted from the wound. Quickly I covered it with my mouth, drinking deeply, taking all I could swallow.

I awoke, quickly looking around me. Anissa was sleeping quietly a few meters away, and the guard was dozing at his post across from the cell.

I was exceedingly thirsty. At that moment, I knew my body had changed and now had the long, sharp fangs of an animal. Would I now have the strength of ten men?

Quietly crawling to the other side of the cell, I covered Anissa’s mouth with my hand before awakening her.

"Shhh," I whispered. "Be quiet."

She nodded.

I moved my hand from her mouth.

"It is time to leave," I said.

"How?"

"You must trust me. I will not kill you," I said.

I leaned over her and pierced her neck with my new teeth, savoring the hot blood that flowed from her. She became frightened and pushed against me with all her strength, but I held her firmly.

The guard awoke from his slumber, hearing the commotion. He rushed to the cell door and opened it. As he drew a knife to subdue me, I quickly reached up to grab him by his throat. I pulled him down, puncturing his throat with my teeth. As I drank, his life force slowly faded; I could feel it. He was my first kill.

With Anissa behind me, I opened the dungeon door with the guard’s key. As it was very late at night, the castle was quiet, save for the guards posted in strategic positions or patrolling the castle grounds.

Dungeons were most often located near the rear entrance to the castle, so the master would never be troubled by what vermin might come and go beneath the marbled floors. And so it was with Lord William’s castle.

We slipped out into the night easily enough. High walls and a single drawbridge, now solidly closed and preceded by the portcullis, surrounded the castle itself. There would by no escape.

Fortunately, Lord William’s castle was located near a large river. A small tributary had been siphoned from the main river to pass through the center of the castle. Only a small portion of the tributary was actually above ground. Most of it ran beneath the surface. This would be our only hope of escape. We would be required to swim underground, not know how narrow or winding the path might be, or how long it might take to reach the surface.

Anissa would not do it.

"You have no idea how long it will take before you come to the river. It cannot be done," she said.

"I must do this. I will not die in Lord William’s castle."

"You will die," she said.

"As it must be, then." I watched the water flow as I spoke, the water sparkling in the moonlight.

The tributary slipped underground several hundred feet before the outside wall. Anissa was right: I would most likely die before I reached the river. I would be forever submerged.

Suddenly, a silver-tipped arrow pierced my leg. The force of it knocked me forward and I fell into the water. As I pulled myself out of the water, I looked up to see Anissa slowly falling forward, an arrow protruding from the center of her throat. A second arrow struck her in the back; the tip of it sprang forward through her body, tangled with her torn innards. She fell to the ground, silent and unmoving.

My own leg was bleeding heavily, but the guards were approaching. The dogs had been released. I quickly pulled the arrow forward through my leg, the muscle tearing and pain shooting up to the middle of my back. The ripped muscle extended from the wound, but I had no time to dress it.

I took a deep breath and slid into the black water, allowing the current to carry me underground. I could see nothing; it was black as pitch. The narrow walls were soft, slimy, and cold. Roots from vegetation above ground brushed my face as I rode the current.

Suddenly, my shoulder caught on something large, and I could not move! The current rushed by me, but I was trapped. I struggled to get free, pushing against the soft walls holding me to this thing. I was running out of air! I needed to get to the surface. Pushing with all my strength against the thing against my shoulder, I broke free finally.

The current, once again, carried me with it.

I was becoming dizzy, in desperate need of air. I began to kick my feet in hopes of getting to the river more quickly. My hands remained at my side, but now my fists were clenched. I was panicking; the terror of dying underground more than I could bear. Where is the river?

WHERE IS THE RIVER?

I DON’T WANT TO DIE!!

Suddenly I was in it. Moonlight shone above and I swam towards the surface. I burst through it, immediately taking in a deep breath, and then breathing, breathing. The panic that threatened, only seconds ago, subsided quietly. I then looked around to get my bearings.

I was immediately assaulted with arrows, whizzing near me, yet not striking me somehow. The guards had been waiting for me to surface. Four of them stood at the riverbank, preparing to strike again.

I quickly took another breath and submerged. The river’s current was fast. I allowed myself to be carried some distance from the castle before surfacing. Now, I was not afraid to be underwater; there were no walls threatening to crush me.

III.

Morning was coming.

I would require shelter for the day. The castle was far off in the distance when I finally crawled from the river, shivering. An early morning fire would feel good, warming my skin, now pale and shriveled from the cold water.

I walked to a small house, situated near the river. Some people locked their doors at night; others did not. I was fortunate to find this door unlocked. With soft footsteps, I padded to the bedroom where a young couple lay sleeping.

Approaching the husband first, I placed my hand over his mouth to keep him quiet. I quickly bent to his neck, piercing his flesh with my sharp teeth. The blood rushed to the back of my throat and I swallowed it as quickly as I could. It was not long before the flow stopped. His eyelids fluttered for a moment, then his body was still.

The wife had not awakened. I walked around the side of the bed to stand above her. My thirst was not yet satiated. I leaned to her, and punctured her throat with my teeth. Once again, the sweet flow of hot blood flooded my mouth. I loved the stickiness of it, the way it lingered in my mouth after I was done. I disposed of the bodies out in the thick brush, away from the house, before the sun rose.

There were several logs stacked near the fireplace. I placed several in the fireplace, with kindling underneath, and lit it. As the fire blazed, I sat down before it to warm myself. It was not long before my clothes were dry. It was now time to rest.

I placed more logs on the fire before retiring to the bedroom. The thick, warm quilts felt heavy and protective as I slowly drifted off to sleep.

When I awoke, the sun had already set. The logs had long since burned out and the house had a chill to it. I rose quickly. I knew what I had to do.

Outside the house, in an old barn, were two horses. I saddled the larger of the two; a tall chestnut gelding with a long mane and tail. I needed nothing for my journey.

I rode to the castle. I meant to fulfill Michel’s request, not for Michel, but for myself. Clearly, Lord William deserved to die for what he had done to my life. It was as simple as that.

When I arrived at the castle, I left my horse at the back entrance and slipped in unnoticed. I had been concerned that I might arrive too late, but I had not. As I entered the large kitchen area, I found cooks and servants scurrying about, busy preparing the night’s feast.

It was a special evening, I discovered. Lord William had found two prostitutes to sacrifice in place of Anissa and myself. There had been a public execution, and now it was time to celebrate. Lord William and his guests were all dressed in their finest clothes and wearing masks over their faces. As the Executioner wears a cover over his face, so too did Lord William, as if he were actually a part of the execution itself.

Bloody disgusting, I thought.

But it no longer mattered.

I waited until I heard Lord William calling for more wine. One of the female servants rushed by the corner in which I was hiding. I quickly reached out to grab her by the throat. I pulled her to me. Quickly piercing her throat, I drank deeply, until there was no more. I wanted to be saturated with blood for my meeting with Lord William.

Dragging the servant’s body to an empty room, I removed her clothes and put them on. The fit was not quite right, but would suffice for now. I dressed the body in my own torn and bloodied rags.

I felt protected with the mask. I walked quickly to the kitchen for a goblet of wine. Lord William was impatiently waiting. Another servant had poured his wine already. It sat on a silver tray, ready to be delivered. I picked up the tray and carried it out to a room near the dining hall. I heard Lord William laughing and shouting with the other guests.

Behind closed doors, I poured out most of the wine in the goblet. Then I punctured my own wrist with my long fangs. The blood flowed quickly as I held my wrist over the goblet, filling it almost to the top before the wound on my wrist began to heal itself.

With my heart thundering in my chest, I strode out into the dining hall where Lord William sat at the head of a long table. I set the goblet down in front of him, then stood behind him to watch. And wait.

"I should like to propose a toast," he said, holding up his goblet. "To all the drinkers of blood in this kingdom: may you meet your demise at my hand!"

His guests cheered and raised their glasses.

And he drank every last drop.

I left the dining hall feeling satisfied with what had happened. Lord Byron had taken my blood. He would now become that which he hoped to exterminate. I wanted to see his face before I left the castle. He deserved to know what was to happen, and who was responsible for it.

I wandered the castle for some time before finding the royal chamber where he slept. Several servants were waiting for him, but I dismissed them as if I had a right to do so. While I waited for him, I looked through his jewelry and took the pieces I found appealing.

Hours later, he found me lying on his bed.

"My guards will have you drawn and quartered. How dare you soil my bed with your filth," he said.

"You had no right to use me as you did," I said.

"Yes, I did. You are my subject. I can do with you as I see fit." He stood tall, indignant.

"My life is not yours to throw to the wind. It is still my life. You have taken it from me."

"Michel took it from you," he corrected.

"Because of you. But no matter. We are even now, for I have taken your life," I said, smiling. I wanted him to see the long fangs I now possessed.

"I beg your pardon? You have taken nothing from me." He looked at my mouth with disdain.

"Oh, but I have. You did not drink only wine this evening. You drank my blood. I can see the change working in you already. I smell the blood lust beginning within you. Tell me, Lord William. How does it feel to have your life so callously altered by another?"

His shoulders sank. He knew I spoke the truth.

"Get out," he said, softly.

I left Lord William alone in his chamber. He stared out the window, his hand on his chin, looking deep in thought.

I walked down the stairs, past the empty dining room where I’d fed him my blood. From there I wandered through the kitchen where people were still cleaning plates and cooking utensils. No one paid much attention to me as I pass through.

I was about the leave the castle when I heard noise behind me. I turned to see what it was.

Suddenly, I was struck in the thigh with a silver-tipped arrow. The blood ran thick, soaking my trousers. I bent to pull it out when another arrow struck me in the back. Again, I felt the hot wetness of blood leaving my body, now soaking my shirt.

I fell to my knees. The pain in my back was excruciating. The simple act of breathing caused me horrible pain. I could not move my arms.

A third arrow struck me in the lower back, protruding through my abdomen.

Someone was walking behind me.

"I do not believe we are even, yet." It was Lord William.

I tasted my own blood in my mouth. I was bleeding on the inside as well as the outside. My clothes were covered with blood. It was clear, however, that I was not to be killed, yet. I would already be dead if that were so.

"What do you mean?" I asked. I fell to my side. The impact pushed the arrow through my abdomen through my body further, pushing my innards out more. They were almost touching the floor.

Lord William stood above me. In his hand was a long, narrow sword.

"This is a special sword, just for creatures such as yourself. It’s made of silver: not useful in battle, but excellent for destroying filth like you."

He pressed the blade to my heart.

"Now we are even."

©2002 Tyler Blackwood

Visit the suthors web site at: www.tylerblackwood.com