Bloodless Dreams

Chapter Two: Pendent

Evangeline Fitzwilliam’s is an average woman living a dismal life. All she wants in life is something exciting, something to give her meaning. Something important. It did not seem like that is a likely outcome for her. She is destined to live this way alone in the world and alone in death. 

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Evangeline

I woke up this morning in my same normal emotionless mood. Looking out of the window in my room, I can see the beautiful streams of water cascading down. It is raining a warm summer day's rain. I love the rain. It brings life. Smiling to myself, I got up from my bed and went to my washroom to get ready for the day. Then coffee and a slice of toast with butter before waking to work. This morning’s walk differs from the rest. There is a woman sitting under a canopy selling beautifully crafted jewelry. I stopped to look at everything she has when I spotted a gothic style pendent holding a green emerald in the middle. Something about it called to me, swinging in front of me, showing me genuine beauty. 

“May I purchase this one, please?” 

“Yes, miss. It likes you.” 

“How much would you like for it?” 

“No child, please take it, it wants to be with you.” 

Confused, I nodded my head and held my hand out she can lay the pendent softly in my palm. I do not feel right just taking something like from her for nothing. As I walked away, I placed a hundred in the tray marked tips. When I got to my place of employment and settled at my desk, I took a better look at the pendent admiring it more. The way it shined in the light looked like the sun bouncing off the water. 

“Eva, did you get that report in?” 

“Uh… I am almost finished with it now, Sir.” 

“Hurry, I need it before you leave today.” 

“Yes, Sir.” I said as I placed the pendent around my neck. 

I spent the rest of my day working on the reports he needed. Technically, it is his responsibility to do these, but my boss is lazy and prefers others to do the hard work while he reaps all the rewards. This is my life, and I have no power to change any of it.

I finished my work and placed the papers into his mailbox before going to collect my things and head home. Walking through the cubicles, I can hear everyone making plans to all go out this evening for drinks. They all got silent as soon as I go close and then continued talking once I passed. I am used to this kind of treatment, but it does not make any of it easier. 

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As I walked home, it began raining harder soaking me to the bone. I started walking fast, hoping to get out of the rain before it started pouring, unfortunately I hoped too soon. 

“Just my luck.” I said to myself. 

As I ran down the sidewalk everything began slowing. The rain droplets started floating in the air. The streetlights flickered, and the wind started whirling around with anger. I stumbled off the sidewalk into the middle of the street, listening as a soft melody echoed off the buildings. Such a beautiful sound, so soothing. I closed my eyes as the melody soothes my body, making my muscles feel like gelatin. My body began swaying when a white light consumed me. It felt as if I were flying and then the music stopped, and it became unbearably cold as the rain came down harder. I opened my eyes, prepared to run home. I recognize nothing. Suddenly there are men that do not look like men surrounding me. I can hear the stranger noises they made. I can smell that odd ashy smell they gave off and I can see the yellow glow in their eyes. 

“Now.” I heard a deep roar call out. 

Blurs. All I can see is blurs of bodies, I can hear the screams and growls then silence. A large figured walked over to me and stood in front of me. I never lifted my head to look at him. 

“She comes with us.” 

The words left his lips, making a wave of fear rush through me. I let my body take over and ran as hard and fast as I could. I do not know where I am or where I am going, I just know I need to get away from the men clad in black. I began thinking I was safe and slowed my pace. Then I heard the heavy footsteps behind me before I felt a pair of heavy arms wrap around me. I tried to struggle and fight to no avail I cannot escape this vice. 

“Do not run from me again.” The voice growled. 

He freed me just enough to pick me up and slinging me over his shoulder. In a white flash We are no longer in the dark snowy field. We are now in a dimly light warm room. The walls are covered with cherry wood planks, each one engraved with different things I cannot see them clearly though. The man set me down on my feet and turned to the other men in the room, saying something to them. He turned and grabbed my arm, dragging me up a flight of stairs, then in front of a mahogany wood door. The man knocked on the door three times and then took a step back next to me. 

“Enter.” 

He placed his hand on the knob and entered the door, dragging me along with him. 

“What is it, Deacon?” 

“The Croten want this woman and we do not know why.” 

The man behind the desk looked up at us. His eyes focusing on me as anger started covering his face. 

“What is she?” 

"Human.” 

The man from behind the desk stood up and walked around to stand in front of me. He leaned down taking a deep breath and pulled away with wide surprised eyes. 

“It can’t be.” 

“What my Lord?” 

“She is human.” 

The man who brought me here released my arms and looked at me with the same surprised expression. 

“That is why King Avden wanted her.” 

“She must stay here. Deacon do not let her out of your sight do you understand me?” 

“Yes, my lord.” 

“I need to call on the Splintered Oracle.” 

Deacon nodded his head and went to grab my arm. I retracted from him running out of the room and down the stairs, heading straight for the front door. 

“Grab her!” I heard the man from the desk yell. 

Another large man stepped out of the room trying to grab me, I moved just in time and went out the front door straight into a snow-covered lawn. I stopped for one moment, looking around, finding a gate at the other end of the yard. I started running again and then out of nowhere Deacon materialized in front of me. He looks very unhappy and I could care less. He can see I will not give up on my attempt to escape him. A wide smile spread across his face and I swear I can see fangs. I turned in another direction and ran, finding a stone wall covered in thick vines. I jumped up and grabbed onto the vines, climbing as quickly as possible I got to the top and looked down to find grass. I sat down and then jumped, landing on my knees, rolling, and then getting back up into a full sprint. 

“She is over the wall!” A voice called out from behind me. 

These guys just don’t give up, do they? My body and mind on the same page I kept running, everything in me screamed for self-preservation. Just when I thought my night couldn’t get any worse the snow began falling. Perfect. The temperature started dropping drastically and my body slowed until I stopped falling to the ground. I laid there wanting to get up and continue, but my body rejected my attempts. I am spent. I am cold, and I am alone in a place I am unfamiliar with. My eyes closed and my heartbeat slowed. I am becoming unconscious when a pair of warm hands lifted me into a tight, warm embrace. 

“Why did you have to run like that?” 

It was not a question. It was an unhappy statement. Deacon is unhappy. Very unhappy, and now I am helpless to get away from him. He carried me close to his chest, warming me when he entered the house with the other large men. Each one took a second to look at me in amazement and awe. 

“I will bring some soup and hot tea down for her.” 

“Thank you, brother.” 

Deacon walked down a hallway and then down a set of stairs into another hallway before entering another room. The door seemed to shut and lock by itself. I expected him to set me down, but he took me into a washroom covered in white marble tiles. He took me over to the shower and set me on my feet, keeping one arm wrapped around my waist, keeping me upright. He reached into the shower, turning the hot water on, then he turned to me and helped me undress before kicking his shoes off and taking his shirt off. He stepped into the shower with me, holding me close while the water hit his back. He shifted slightly, letting the hot water rush over my feet and then he turned me completely, so I stood under the water.

It feels so nice to have the hot water rushing over my body, to have his hands gripping me to his chest.

He is so soft and firm. Evangeline snap out of it, girl. You do not know this man and you do not know what they all want from you. 

“Come, let’s get you dried off and into something warm.” 

Even though I want to fight him I also know it is useless to do so. I am already locked in his room and I am fairly sure the other men will not allow me to escape again. I let him lead me from the shower, wrapping a thick warm towel around me. He left me standing there as he left the room. I took a moment to look around the room. It is really beautiful and well put together and spotless. It sparkles in the light. My attention is grabbed when he walked back in the room holding neatly folded clothes in his hand. He set everything down and then helped me dress. He turned me around and began brushing my hair when someone knocked on the door. Deacon guided me back into his bedroom and went to answer the door. The one he called brother walked into the room carrying a try with a hot cup of tea and a big bowl of steaming soup. 

“It is lavender tea and lentil soup.” He set the tray down. “If you need anything else, let Deacon or one of us know.” 

I nodded my head, standing there with my head dropped. I focused my glare on my toes, which are now turning blue. My whole body started shivering as my goosebumps covered my every inch of my skin. 

“She is cold.” 

“Help her into my bed I will go get her a pair of socks.” 

The brother nodded his head and took my hand softly leading me to a gigantic bed. I am fairly sure without help to get into it is going to be a tad difficult. The brother placed his hands on my hips and lifted me up effortlessly. 

“Get under the blankets.” He said holding the blankets up. “We need you to stay healthy.” 

“Why?” I said, unable to catch myself. 

“You are special.” 

“I still do not understand.” 

He stood up straight, rubbing the side of his face with his hands. He looked like he wanted to say something but couldn’t. 

“I will tell her brother.” 

He nodded his head in agreement and then ran from the room, swinging the door shut behind him. I looked up at Deacon staring back at me. 

“Let me help you put these on and then you can eat.” 

“Will you explain what he said?” 

“After you eat.” 

“I am not hungry.” 

He looked at me, annoyed, and shook his head, pulling the socks onto my feet. Then he walked over and grabbed the tray, bringing it to me. He picked the spoon dipping it into the bowl bringing the spoon to his lips blowing it softly then he placed it to my lips. He glared at me, challenging me. I conceded and opened my mouth, allowing him to place the warm liquid into my mouth. Dang it. I hoped that it tasted terrible to avoid eating more. Instead, it tasted delicious, and I wanted more. 

“More?” 

“Please.” I whispered, slightly ashamed.

“Good.” 

He finished feeding me, and I finished my tea. He took my mug placing it back onto the tray and bringing it to the table setting it down. 

“Explain now, please.” 

He turned back to me, sizing me up and clearly debating on whether he was going to explain or ignore me. 

“You need to sleep.” 

“No, I need to understand what in the world is going on!” 

He looked at me, surprised, and then sat on the chair near the end of the bed. 

“You are human.” 

“The last time I checked, yes.” 

“We do not have humans here. The last human here was four hundred years ago. You are special because you can give birth to half-breed children, which keep our species going.” 

“Your species?” 

“Yes.” 

“Which is what?” 

“Vampire.” 

I knew I saw fangs. But this is all too much. I threw the blankets off of me and got out of his bed, heading straight to his door. 

“Do not run.” 

“Do not order me around.” 

“I will order you.” 

I took one last look at him and rolled my eyes. I unlocked the door and pushed it open, leaving the room. I ran up the stairs and directly into a man bouncing off of him, sending me tumbling down the staircase, hitting my head. Everything went black.