"And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea -
What are all these kissings worth
If thou kiss not me?" -Percy Shelley
The Brighton Estate, London; September 5, 1913.
Izabella had confronted Adam and confessed her dream about the wayward vampire and her suspicions were proven correct when he had claimed to have a similar dream, nearly identical. When that fact was established she then knew that it was inevitable, soon Ava would arrive at her home, hungry and bothersome as Eve had shown no intention of leaving Tangier yet. Ava was the picturesque definition of carefree and reckless, she had yet to tame herself and indulged herself with the blood of anyone and everyone, not giving a second thought when she sank her teeth into a person's jugular.
Adam had always joked that it would be blood poisoning that killed the younger vampire and after seeing some of the people she feed from Izabella suspected that soon his theory of her demise would prove itself and become fact. Belle had never truly wished ill actions on a person but at the mention of Ava her blood boiled and the thoughts of driving a stake into her chest was entirely too enticing.
"What do we do when she gets here? Our supply is low, Adam. Her presences threatens our precarious presence in London." He frowned and laid back on the bed, she knew that he was bugged by the youngest vampire in their small group. The last time she had shown up to the Brighton Estate she did so with a bounty on her head and a pack of more lethal and primal vampires in pursuit of her. Izabella was foolish enough to allow her stay at Eve's persuasion and Adam had concocted all sorts of potions that would ward any others away. The tension constantly ran high and regardless of what the eldest thought Belle forced Ava from her house after killing one of her maids, unable to control herself and the killer thirst. He turned and look at her, his expression deadpan.
"We could kill her if you wanted, there is a brilliant spot at the creek we used to go to where the body could be disposed. It would look natural." She wanted proof that Adam was joking lest she agree to the plan but his voice was level, there was no sign of amusement or jest on his features. Eve would never forgive them for killing Ava, well perhaps it would take several centuries but she wanted no part in such a plot. Groaning she sat up and looked at the dusty drapes that hung in front of the windows. For safety purposes she had sent her entire work staff away for the week, a retreat of sorts, and after vaguely explaining to James who Ava was and her tendencies he had agreed to not call upon her at her own house, if she could, she would take leave and go to him.
A hand settled on her back, rubbing circles, calmly. Adam pulled her back as it was still light outside and unlike her, Ava was still nocturnal, she would need her rest and sanity to deal with the other vampiress without killing her. He was tracing script on her palm, up her forearm, trying to lull her to sleep. It did not work, and despite being tired Adam remained awake as well, gently stroking her hair and cheek, tracing over the curve of her lips. It took over an hour for Izabella to shut her eyes and as she had not moved and her breathing had changed Adam took that moment to find more blood. He could feel Ava's presence growing nearer.
It was the sound of her cast iron door knocker being slammed against the wooden door that caused her to wake. It was dark out, as it was already ten o'clock and to her dismay she woke alone. Adam was not with her, nor could she feel his presence in her home. Tying the worn floral printed dressing gown at her waist, she walked down the stairs leisurely, in no hurry to see who was on the other side of the door, because she already knew.
Izabella pulled the door open, the wind howled and rain was pouring, not even seeing the young vampire soaked and pale could elicit an ounce of compassion. She was quick when she yanked Ava into the house and even quicker when she slammed the door and seized the other vampiress by the neck, pushing her against the foyer wall, lifting her arm until her feet dangled. "What the ever-loving fuck are you doing at my house, Ava?" Izabella did not give her time to answer as her grip on the girls neck tightened. "I swear if you have come with people hunting you I'll do their job for them." When Ava had begun to struggle Belle released her, letting her slide to the floor grasping at her neck, erupting into a melodramatic fit of coughing and hoped that Eve would soon come.
"Hello to you to Izabella." The cheerful voice was a rasp but Belle only grimaced and turned to see Adam standing in the foyer as well, his hair was damp, as was the fading leather jacket he insisted upon wearing. Ava looked up with a crooked smile, wringing out her hair. "And if it isn't my favorite brother-in-law." Her clothing was sodden and water dripped down on the polished hardwood floor as she pushed herself up to stand and walked to Adam, holding up her gloved hands, silently asking him to remove them for her. Adam rolled his eyes and moved to stand by Belle. The young vampire was more than unsettled that Eve was not there as well, it would leave her at the mercy of two people she knew loathed her existence.
"You did not answer Izabella, why are here Ava?" Izabella could see the vein at his temple throbbing, the muscles in his jaw clenched tightly with unbridled anger as he gritted out the words. She had passed a threshold without asking to enter knowing that she was unwelcomed, breaking one of the oldest customs he could remember. Had he his way he would have struck her dead in that moment. His hands curled into loose fists at his sides, the feel of the hard container in his pocket reminded him of the single flask they would allow Ava to have.
"I got bored in France," she pouted and both Adam and Belle scoffed at the childish display, "I was in town and I...I smell blood and I'm hungry. I haven't drank in days." Izabella scowled, her arms crossed as an impatient mother would do dealing with a petulant child, only she would gladly toss Ava out the door and not feel a damn thing. Adam pulled out a flask. A look of pungent distaste encompassed harsh and grim features as he tossed the flask to Ava. Her greedy gloved hands quickly unscrewed the lid tipping the container up to her mouth.
"That is all you get for your brief stay." He ground out before gripping onto Ava's arm contemptuously and dragging her to the farthest away room on the west wing of the house. Izabella could hear their arguing and Adam's choice words, she waited at the top of the stairs cringing when one of the three century old doors slammed shut, echoing throughout the house. Despite wanting to wait until Adam could join her she entered her room and pulled back the covers after gathering a handful of books to keep herself occupied.
The vampire slipped into her room quietly, his violin in hand, though he sat that on the settee and sat a canister of blood aside on the nightstand. After a moment of silence Belle looked up from her open book, searching his features and body language. Glancing at the words on the open page he determined she was reading A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Izabella sighed and closed the fading leather bound cover. "Why so generous?"
Adam slid onto the bed, folding his hands behind his head with a ridiculously pleased smile toying at his lips that was unbecoming when Ava was near. "Because that blood, though it is O Negative, is from an anemic who is severely deprived of other nutrients. If we are lucky it should put her in a catatonic state for a day. Several days if she drinks it all at once, which she will." Izabella's squeal of delight was shocking but before she could calm her excitement she had leaned over and kissed Adam, out of sheer habit she supposed, but it was like in the past. Deep and burning with a passion that never seemed to die or flicker.
The hand he placed on her cheek was gentle, but despite how lovely he believed her kiss and taste was the vampire pushed her away. With her unsteady breathing she sat back away from him and smiled delightedly. "You, my dear Adam, are a bloody genius." Her laugh was vivacious and in its own unique way haunting. It had been years since he had heard her laugh like that, but he knew from the times he saw her and James together that she was constantly like that. After two centuries she had reason to feel alive again, to survive. "How are your experiments coming along?" She raised her eyebrow and quickly looked away, fiddling with the ends of her hair.
"Well enough, though I am thinking about looking further into Tesla's studies and ideas." Adam picked up the violin and rested it partially on his shoulder, his fingers deftly plucking at the strings for tonality before he lifted the bow. "Does the lady have a request?"
"I do love Bach, if you would indulge me with one of his pieces." A wry smile crossed his lips before he began, firstly playing a short scale which she could tell by sound alone was in a minor key and then he began playing. It was magic, to Izabella, to see this ageless being playing. She admired the way his fingers found the right strings and fingerings, the fluidity of the bow in his right hand. Izabella sighed, thinking his hands to be amazing with the talent they held. The piece moved, swelling and shrinking like the sea, at the thought her expression grew staid.
She had not left London since the American Civil War, she remained here, on her estate, still wishing to see more of the world before it was destroyed, before the natural beauty was diminished. But now she had James, and oh how wonderful he was. Her motions were didactic when she laid back, absently looking at the ceiling, and not fully paying attention to the composition that Adam was playing for her.
Izabella leaned closer to Adam, she could smell the subtle hints of cinnamon that seemed to come naturally to him, as well as clove and rosin. It was a change from James's scent of lavender and saddle wax, he always had a tinge of leather about him as well as brandy though he never seemed to drink any. They were decidedly different but she missed the floral notes even though she laid her head on Adam's stomach. She knew the piece would be drawing to a close and when it had ended he sat the instrument aside and busied himself with her uncontrollable curls.
After a long silence she propped her chin up on his chest revealing gold eyes that were distant and filled with longing. "Do you think it would be wise if I had James over tomorrow?"
Adam forced one side of his lips to curl up in an insincere smile, his fingers tracing her cheek. "During the day it would be perfectly safe, though you know how Ava is. If you chose to go to him I will watch over the little prat while you are away." She knew he was right and though she would love to see James sooner than later Izabella decided it best if she stayed and helped Adam with the young and untamable vampire, lest she get out and create havoc which would draw unwanted attention.
Mindlessly she traced over his skin and too his annoyance she fiddled with light dusting of hair on his chest. But still he enjoyed her attention and the physical contact was comforting. "We have to get her out of here as soon as possible, Adam." The vampire sat up, shifting so that Belle's head rested in his lap whilst he poured their crystalline glasses with blood.
"Agreed." He noted, smirking as she offered him her mouth. Adam brought the glass to her lips and tipped the cooled contents back, his breath caught when her expression changed to that of ecstasy. He watched her neck move as she swallowed and the way her pupils dilated until there was nothing but a golden ring surrounding black holes, it drove him to madness to know that he could not have her. Without further ado he drank as well, placing both glasses back to the night table and forced himself not to give into the temptation.
The Brighton Estate, London; September 14, 1913.
It took a little over a week, well four days as the tainted blood had rendered her unresponsive for three before Adam had been annoyed to the point where he shoved Ava out of the door, tossing her bag out as well. He turned and locked the doors, Izabella had been standing at the top of the staircase wrapped in her dressing rode, laughing at the look of exasperation he wore. As he climbed the stairs that look faded into something that Belle would have described as elation. It was the early morning hours, the sun had not yet risen leaving the expatriated vampire plenty of time to vacate herself from the property and even London if she was able to hail a driver or coachman.
Izabella reveled in the feeling of having her house back, she would need to send word to her staff and perhaps if she bathed and slept for a few hours she would venture to the Nicholls Estate. She had already started running a tub of water when Adam came in with their small glasses filled with blood, even though they had already drank for that evening. She suspected it to be based in celebration, for ridding herself of Ava was definitely a reason to celebrate.
She settled into the tub, the water lapping at the copper edges, before taking the proffered glass. As per usual the vampire seated himself beside the tub, his head resting against the curled side. "When is the last time you washed that mop you call hair?" She laughed when he turned and scowled. "The water will not hurt you, dearest. You will not melt." Izabella downed the crimson fluid and set the glass aside.
"I know that." He snapped, crossing his arms like a scolded child.
It had to have been the bloodlust and euphoric high that caused her to drag him into the tub, water splashed out onto the tiled floor and the look Adam gave her was murderous as his clothing was now soaked. But regardless he shrugged off the garments and caved into relaxation, resting his head against her chest while she ran her fingers through his hair, gently scraping her nails against his scalp. "See Adam, a bath every century will not kill you." Time was lost until the sun began breaking through the windows. Scrambling away before the light could reach him Adam glared as Izabella leisurely removed herself from the water and wrapped a towel around her body, basking in the light.
The vampiress drew the curtains in her room close and before she could tell Adam that it was done he was already curled up in her bed. Rolling her eyes, Belle tossed a sheet over him as he still had not dressed. She on the other hand readied herself for the day, for she would need to retrieve her staff and go to the Nicholls Estate. She rode by noon, firstly stopping at a lavish hotel of sorts in the busy streets of London to see her house staff. Tutti was more than relieved to see her lady well and gladly retrieved the others, their week long reprieve was over.
She arrived at the Nicholls Estate to find James sitting under the large tree, an open book resting on his khaki clad thigh. He stood and stepped forward, offering to lead her horse to the stables. The Captain took the reins from her dusty leather gloves and guided Glaurung to the empty stall next to Bill. Izabella slipped from the saddle and into his arms. He smiled and reached for her gloved hands, silently pulling off the obstacles and bringing her cold palms to his lips.
Together they sat under the tree, the warm summer sun beating down on the green leaves, the light breeze ruffled grass but more so caused James's loose flaxen curl to grow even wilder. The smell of a distant storm lingered in the air. James did not ask many questions about Ava, he was honestly frightened to know what the woman was like if only her name could put Izabella in a foul mood. Her tone was tart and her words clipped at the few questions. Though when he reopened the book to the marked page Izabella rested her head on his shoulder.
She recognized the book to be a collection of poems from various poets and authors, though the one he had opened the page up to was written by Marlowe. Izabella had met the man only a handful of times, but the things he spoke of and wrote of reeked of the past and enlightenment, Eve had taken a keen liking to him, Adam on the other hand preferred to be reclusive, hiding away for decades at a time when he and Eve were apart. The next page had a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, a man she had known fairly well at the turn of the eighteenth century and the words printed on the page formed her favorite poem by him. The silence that consumed the two was comfortable as they both read the poems until James sighed and turned his head, catching her lips with his own.
"How have you ever read any of John Keats' poems?" Izabella found herself tracing the lines and creases that were in the Captain's palm, his face scrunched up as he contemplated the name, not remembering it in the book he had just closed or at any other time for that matter. He did not have to respond when Izabella took his hands within hers. She always held great admiration for hands, and his were a miracle that she could watch for hours. Her voice was low when she began speaking, her eyes alight with passion. "There is one poem titled The Living Hand, I love it dearly. I have for nearly a century."
James felt like he was rooted in place, his eyes fixed on her, a tinge of pink rushed to his cheeks at the prospect of being caught staring so blatantly at Belle, his eyes fell to their hands. "Would you do me the honor of reciting this poem to me, darling?" The vampiress leaned forward and complacently kissed the corner of his thin lips.
"This living hand, now warm and capable
Of earnest grasping, would, if it were cold
And in the icy silence of the tomb,
So haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights
That thou would wish thine own heart dry of blood
So in my veins red life might stream again,
And thou be conscience-calm'd-see here it is-
I hold it towards you."
James replayed the words, thinking over their meaning, "I must admit, that is rather good." James had the brief beginnings of a smile before it faded and his eyes grew serious. "Though it sounds like something your dear friend would have written."
Izabella tittered at the proposal. "Adam is not poetic, Eve is. Adam, he -he. I'm afraid I do not even know where to begin with that man." She shook her head at all the fond memories before looking up from her hands to James. There was a quote on her tongue she smiled as it would fit the vampire perfectly. "What a piece of work is a man?"