CHAPTER 33. BITTEN
It was a dark and stormy night. Not long past sunset, but it might as well have been midnight for all Leesa could see outside the windows of Professor Clerval’s old VW van. Lightning crackled to the west, sending twisting yellow forks ripping through the umber sky, followed by rumbling explosions of thunder that seemed ready to shake the van apart. Every time the lightning flashed, Leesa’s muscles tensed in preparation for the next fusillade of thunder. The rain was intermittent, at times pelting down in gust-driven torrents that rattled against the van, then subsiding to a light drizzle that floated quietly down, enveloping them in an eerie silence until the next peal of thunder. No screenwriter could have scripted a more fitting night for what she was about to do.
She was alone with the professor, parked beside the road just outside the closed parking lot for the Hadlyme Ferry. She had considered asking her uncle to drive her, but decided Dr. Clerval was the better choice for dealing with Stefan and for taking care of Bradley afterward. While the professor was distraught about the reason they were here, Leesa could tell he was looking forward to seeing an actual vampire.
When lightning illuminated the sky, she could see the macabre outline of Gillette Castle looming above them on a wooded hillside a quarter mile away. The odd looking structure, full of angles and asymmetrical towers, was built mostly of rough gray fieldstone collected from the surrounding area. She had googled the castle after Stefan selected this spot for their meeting and learned it had once been the home of an eccentric stage actor who gained fame playing Sherlock Holmes in the early 1900s. He’d designed the place himself, and since his death, the castle had become the centerpiece of a sprawling state park. The structure would have looked strange even in the daylight, but at night, with the rain and lightning, it appeared foreboding and sinister. If the castle hadn’t been part of a popular park, she would have thought it a perfect home for vampires. She wondered if Stefan was displaying a dark sense of humor by choosing this spot, but thought this was not a matter he would treat lightly. More likely, they were simply somewhere near the vampire lair.
The rain began to fall more heavily again, pounding upon the roof of the VW and streaming down over the windows, turning them opaque.
“You certainly picked a miserable night for this,” Professor Clerval said.
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Leesa said. “But if I don’t do it now, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to.”
“Are you absolutely certain about this? It’s not something that can be undone. Ever.” He rested his bony hand atop Leesa’s. He knew her mind was made up, but felt he had to make one last attempt to persuade her to change her mind. “We can still drive away. No one would blame you.”
Leesa shook her head. “Believe me, I’d rather be anywhere but here. But I don’t have a choice. I have to do it. For Bradley. He’d do the same for me, I know he would.” And probably wouldn’t have agonized over the decision nearly as much, she thought.
She had explained her bargain with Stefan to Professor Clerval the day before to prepare him for what was going to happen. He’d tried hard to talk her out of it, but she’d been resolute, and finally he had given in and agreed to help. Once her plans were made, she’d spent most of yesterday and all of today with her mom, cherishing every moment. She’d hung out with Cali, Caitlin and Stacie for a couple of hours last night, drinking wine and trying to have fun. At the end of the evening, she told Cali she was going to meet Stefan tonight about helping Bradley. But she didn’t tell her what that really meant.
So her unsaid goodbyes were done. She hadn’t trusted herself to see Rave again, instead letting their time beside the stream be their final farewell. All that remained now was to wait for Stefan.
She didn’t have long to wait.
A flash of lightning revealed three dark silhouettes by a trailhead in the closed-up park, maybe fifty yards from the van. So brief was the illumination, Leesa wasn’t even sure she’d actually seen them, but if she had, it had to be Stefan—nobody else would be out on a night like this. But was one of the figures Bradley? Desperate to see, she squinted hard into the darkness, but it was impossible to pierce the blackness.
“Did you see someone?” she asked the professor, pointing anxiously through the front window. “Over there, a little way up the trail?”
“I think so.” Professor Clerval leaned forward, trying like Leesa to see where seeing was impossible. “Three of them?”
Before Leesa could answer, Stefan glided into the pale glow thrown by the van’s parking lights. He was alone. As usual, he was dressed in black—jacket, jeans and boots. He seemed oblivious to the rain streaming down his uncovered head and dripping from his long hair and his chin. He smiled at Leesa through the window.
Leesa grabbed her umbrella and climbed out of the van, snapping the umbrella open as soon as she was out the door. She heard the driver’s side door thunk closed, and a moment later, Professor Clerval was standing beside her, also shielded by an umbrella.
Stefan turned to the professor. “Professor Clerval. We’ve not met, but I’ve sat in on your class several times over the years. I assume Leesa has told you who I am?”
Dr. Clerval swallowed hard, scarcely able to believe he was talking to a vampire. He almost forgot why he was here. “She has, yes,” he said evenly.
“Then this must be quite a moment for you. To actually stand before the object of your lifelong obsession.” He let his fangs drop slowly down from his jaw. “To know now without a doubt that we exist.”
Leesa faltered back a step at the sight of Stefan’s fangs. Even though she knew he was a vampire, the sight of the pointed teeth startled her. An image of those yellow fangs piercing her throat rose unbidden into her mind. She shivered.
Professor Clerval was similarly distracted, but for a different reason. He stared at Stefan’s fangs, studying them. They looked exactly like the ones on his prized skull. He forced the thoughts away and returned his gaze to Stefan’s eyes. “Please don’t make Leesa go through with this.”
Stefan raised his eyebrows quizzically. “I’ve not yet even heard what her choice is,” he said. His fangs disappeared, replaced by a thin smile as he turned to Leesa. “Am I making you do anything, Leesa? Or are you here of your own free will?”
Leesa studied his face, annoyed that a part of her still found him sexy. “I’m here of my own choice,” she said. “To save my brother.”
“You know what I mean, Stefan,” Dr. Clerval said, still trying to make this turn out differently than these two intended. “You’re forcing her to make this horrible choice for her brother’s sake.”
“That’s where you and I differ, Professor. I don’t see it as horrible. Indeed, I relish my current existence. I would not undo it even if I could. As for Leesa’s brother, my kind do not lightly meddle in one another’s affairs. What I’m offering her is no small thing.”
Leesa spoke before Professor Clerval could respond. “Enough, you two. I’ve made my decision.” She looked past Stefan, trying to probe the darkness, but still could see nothing. “Is Bradley out there?”
“He is,” Stefan said. “Shall I bring him to you? Do you accept my offer?”
Leesa took a deep breath. This was it. She could still turn back, could still return to her old life, could still enjoy life with her mom, with Rave, with Cali and her other friends. As Professor Clerval had said, no one would blame her. Indeed, except for Rave and the professor, no one would even know what she had done. Or failed to do. No one but me, she thought. “Yes. I do,” she said, her voice little more than a whisper. “Get my brother, please.”
Stefan nodded, then vanished into the darkness. Leesa kept her eyes fixed on the spot where he disappeared, waiting to see her brother. The seconds dragged by. The rain slackened, floating down now in a misty drizzle. Without the drumming of the rain on the ground and on their umbrellas, the night was suddenly silent. After what seemed an eternity, she heard the splash of slow, heavy footsteps, and a moment later St
efan and Bradley emerged from the blackness. Lurking behind them, Leesa saw the outlines of three more dark figures. Stefan knew she had a volkaane friend and was clearly taking no chances Rave might be somewhere nearby. She guessed there were other vampires out there besides the three she could see and was glad she hadn’t let Rave talk her into letting him come with her.
As Stefan and Bradley splashed nearer, Leesa’s hand rose unbidden to her mouth. She’d thought she was ready for anything, but she was not prepared for this. Not even close. Bradley lurched forward woodenly, his arm around Stefan’s shoulders, his weight supported almost entirely by the vampire. His blond hair was longer than she’d ever seen it, plastered by the rain in twisted strands across his cheeks and shoulders. Soiled clothes hung loosely from his gaunt frame, and his pale skin looked almost yellow. But none of that was as distressing as his eyes. Eyes that should have been as bright and blue as hers were instead dull and lifeless, staring vacantly into nothingness.
This was not the Bradley she’d expected, not the Bradley she could return to their mom’s joyous embrace. This was a zombie straight from some horror movie. She should have rushed forward to hug him, but was unable to move. Her vocal cords seemed frozen as well.
“He’ll recover,” Stefan said, reading the distress on Leesa’s face as he brought Bradley forward the last few steps. “His blood level is very low. He’ll need rest, and lots to eat and drink.” He looked at Professor Clerval. “And keep him warm. Very warm.”
Leesa stepped forward and placed her hand lightly against Bradley’s cheek. His skin felt like rubber and was icy cold. “Bradley?”
Bradley lifted his head. His eyes seemed to find some focus as he looked at her. “Pumpkin?”
Tears streamed down Leesa’s cheeks at the sound of that single word. She dropped the umbrella and threw her arms around her brother, holding him close and trying to will her body’s warmth into him. If only Rave were here to lend his heat.
She was suddenly aware that Bradley had put his arms around her, returning her hug, and she squeezed him even more tightly. The brother she adored was still inside this frail body. Her bargain would be worth it after all.
“Yes, it’s me,” she said. “Leesa.”
“Leeee-saaa,” Bradley whispered. He seemed to gain strength from her presence, from her touch. After a moment, he pulled his head back and looked down at her face. “I told you…not to…look for me.” He turned toward Stefan, then back to Leesa. “Ohhh, pumpkin…what have you done?”
More tears welled up in Leesa’s eyes, but she fought them back. “Only what you’ve done for me my whole life.” She drew Bradley deeper into her embrace. “I’m taking care of you.”
Bradley’s knees buckled, his strength gone. Stefan caught him easily and held him upright. Leesa was glad her brother didn’t have the strength to fight her.
“Let’s get him into the van,” she said.
Stefan lifted Bradley in his arms and carried him to the van. Leesa pulled the door open, and after Stefan deposited Bradley onto the seat, she buckled the seat belt around him. She kissed her brother’s cheek and closed the door. She turned to Professor Clerval, waiting behind her, a sad look on his wizened face.
“Turn the heat up high,” she said. “Get him home as quick as you can. You heard what Stefan said. Feed him and keep him warm. When he’s better, take him to my mom, and give them the letters I gave you.”
Professor Clerval nodded. “I will. I promise.”
“Don’t tell anyone the truth until Rave tells you I’m dead.”
“I understand.”
Leesa gave him a quick hug. “Thank you, Professor. For everything.”
“I wish I could do more,” Professor Clerval replied sadly.
“Don’t worry about me. I won’t suffer long. Not like Bradley would have suffered.”
Stefan moved closer. “It’s time, Leesa. Let’s go.”
Leesa looked into his eyes, hoping to see some sign he might change his mind, might release her from their bargain, but saw only the familiar bottomless pools. “Yes… okay,” she mumbled. “Go ahead, Professor. There’s nothing more you can do here.”
Dr. Clerval’s face was a mask of anguish. He stared mutely at her for several long seconds, then turned and climbed into the van.
The sound of the door clunking shut was like the sound of a prison door slamming shut behind her. Without really thinking about it, she picked her umbrella up from the ground.
Stefan rested his hand on her forearm. “You’ll soon have no need for that. We do not feel the weather.”
Leesa turned toward him. “Except for the sun,” she said wryly.
Stefan grinned. “Well, there is that, yes.” He grabbed both her hands in his. “Are you ready?”
Leesa was anything but ready. How could anyone be ready for what was about to happen? But she had made a deal, and Bradley was now free. She must keep that thought foremost in her mind, must cling to it and let it carry her through the dark days ahead. Glancing toward the van, she saw the professor watching them through the driver’s window. She wondered if Bradley was watching as well.
“Not here, Stefan. Not where they can see. Take me into the darkness.”
Stefan took her elbow and guided her away from the road. They didn’t go far, perhaps a dozen steps into the deserted parking lot—the longest, most difficult steps of Leesa’s life. Her bad leg felt like an anchor, dragging heavily through the puddles, as if it were reluctant to let her leave her old life behind. She wondered if she’d still limp once she became a vampire, then chastised herself for the ridiculousness of the thought.
Behind them, the van’s engine rumbled to life. She listened sadly while the professor let the motor warm. What she wouldn’t give to drive away with them, to take Bradley back to her mom and see the joy on her face. But that would never be, Leesa knew. She had made a bargain, and her future, such as it was, was with Stefan. As if to reinforce the thought, his hands gripped her shoulders. She could barely see his face in the blackness. There was no way her brother could see them from the van.
Stefan’s pale face inched closer, near enough now that she could see the sharp fangs curving down from his mouth, could feel his frigid vampire breath on her neck. She shivered as his teeth pressed against her throat. Her heart pounded inside her chest and her knees began to grow weak. She felt a brief moment of searing pain as his fangs punctured her skin, then mercifully, consciousness left her.
Leesa awoke slowly. Her first awareness was just that—a simple awareness of being. No details of who or where or what. She was a disembodied spirit, floating in a sea of nothingness. And for a while, that was enough. More than enough, for there was a strange comfort in not knowing. Something deep in the core of her being, some last vestige of herself, told her to hold on to the nothingness, to cling to it, that it was safer, preferable to what might await her. But slowly her consciousness increased, and the comfort faded, replaced by a growing disquiet.
She lay on her back, unable to move—or unwilling to. Unable or unwilling, it didn’t really matter. There was no need for movement. She tried to let her mind drift, tried to regain the comfort of not knowing and not caring, but it grew increasingly difficult. Questions began to emerge from the recesses of her awakening brain—simple questions, but questions that pricked at her comfortable complacency. Where was she? How had she come to this state?
With infinite slowness, it began to come back. Fleeting images in her still foggy mind, images that became steadily more clear. Stefan… And Bradley. A thin, unfelt smile moved her lips. She had saved Bradley; she remembered that now. But at a price—a terrible price. For the first time, she noticed the dull ache on the side of her neck.
She reached toward her throat but stopped her fingers just above her skin, afraid of what they would find. How long her fingers hovered there she had no idea, for time still had no meaning to her, but finally she could wait no longer and forced them down to her neck. She gasped when she fel
t the rough scabs of twin punctures. So it was done. So be it. She prayed that Rave would find her quickly and put an end to her torment.
Opening her eyes, she saw only darkness. She rolled her head from side to side, trying to pierce the blackness, hoping to see something, anything—perhaps a window a bit less dark than the inside of this unknown place. But there was nothing. She’d been foolish to expect anything else—the vampire cavern would have no windows, would have little need of light.
She let her eyelids fall closed. Why wake up, when what awaited her was worse than any nightmare? Better to sleep. Better to die—but she could not die, she realized. She could only be destroyed. Mercifully, sleep once again claimed her.
As before, wakefulness came slowly, but as her mind climbed from the depths, she realized something was different now. Instead of blackness, dull purple light flickered behind her eyelids, and she sensed a presence beside her. Her first thought was Stefan had come to claim his prize, but instead of cold, she felt warmth in the air. Warmth that hadn’t been there earlier. A familiar and very welcome warmth.
She opened her eyes and found Rave standing beside the bed, his copper hair glinting in the glow of a tall candle he carried in his left hand. Somehow, beyond any hope, he’d found her. She smiled weakly up at him. Her ordeal would be over before it had barely begun.
Rave returned her smile and moved his hand toward her throat. Gently, he touched the twin scabs. She felt his heat seep into her wounds. If only he could make them disappear, but she knew he could not. That was beyond even his powers. And even if he could, so what? Healing the wounds would not change what Stefan’s bite had done to her. That was something that could never be undone. Nothing but death could undo that—the kind of death only one of Rave’s kind could bring to a vampire. The kind of death she would eagerly embrace.
She watched as Rave bent his face toward her, drinking in his handsome features one final time. She closed her eyes just before his lips met hers. Thank you, my love, she thought as her lips parted for a final kiss.
His delicious heat surged through her, reaching every inch of her body, burning into every fiber of her being. She snaked her hands behind his head and pressed his mouth to hers more tightly, trying to draw the full force of his fire even more deeply inside her.
She could think of no better way to die.