The Two-Hearted Spider
PART II
"I saw our shadows dance before the dawn,
And it breaks me…
Every move you make,
Breaks me…
Every smile you fake,
Breaks me…"
- The Editors, "Two-Hearted Spider"
England, 1041
Months had passed…
Edward had reminded me how to live again – how to feel and be human. The euphoria I felt was almost too foreign – yet I normally ignored it, swallowing it down, relishing in its indulgence almost too selfishly. During the day, I live an almost too mundane of a lifestyle, interacting with humans at the village as Edward proceeded to day-to-day tasks. Then by night once everyone was asleep, I live like the monster that I really am, going off into the night, hunting for prey and quenching my thirst.
There was almost this guilt that I feel. It was as if living two different lives seemed rather too unfair and quite deceitful. What if the man that I had deep affections for knew what I was? Would he still love me as I am, or would he shun me forever? Sometimes I wonder, and also somehow, I did not want to know.
Yet, tonight was no different.
Once I was certain that the silence indicated deep slumber, I snuck out into the cold winter night. It was nothing but utter darkness ahead and the white glaze of snow that my feet were buried in. The mist came with my breath, indicating the harsh winter that I did not even feel. Yet, with my heightened senses, I could see and hear very clearly. I knew I should not waste any time, considering how my stomach grumbled ever so uncomfortably, with this great desire to be satiated. And so as quietly and as swiftly, I moved further into the woods, going to the faraway village in the east, past the river bend.
If I had to feed, I had to very careful. The villagers knew Edward, and thus, knew me. There were rumors spreading of a monster that fed on blood during the ungodly hours of the night, and most of the story was told to children to scare them off of playing and sneaking from their homes when they should be sleeping. Most of the people however, considered it to be rubbish, but there were some that still believed in it. Though, I'm not quite certain why they wouldn't. After all, I was one of those monsters, and I could imagine that someone else of my kind – someone who was far more despicable than I was, such as my uncle, Mikael – could spread more terror and inflict more fear and pain than I ever could.
Was I any better than he though? I couldn't help but wonder.
Perhaps not…
Not when I was about to go and kill for my own indulgence and survival. It seemed almost hypocritical, and in truth, I despised myself for it. Every day, the guilt crept into my mind, leaving this sour taste in my mouth. And I had to face Edward, with this joy and love for such a man as kind and generous as he was, but once I turn my back, I had nothing but shame. How could I lie to him? How could I live this life that he had no idea of? How could I blatantly pretend to be someone that I was not?
With a heavy heart, I soon stopped in my tracks and saw a house nearby. I hid myself up in the tree, sitting by a strong branch, and glanced down at it. I could smell them, hear the steady rhythm of their hearts and feel the blood streaming down from their veins. I could almost taste them, and quickly, my heart began to race in anticipation. My fangs prickled down as my features began to turn before I inhaled deeply, wanting to gain control. But no… My throat was already closing up in thirst, and my stomach grumbled so strongly in utter protest. What was I waiting for?
Go on…
Feed.
Kill.
I clenched my hands into a fist. Starvation had its own way of blinding me. My thoughts were nothing but a haze of desire to feed. I inhaled deeply, trying to focus yet again, but somehow, their hearts only beat louder in my ears. And I closed my eyes, swallowing it all back down, but I couldn't. Quickly, I jumped down from the tree branch, and picked a rock from the snowy white ground. That was when I threw it towards the window, breaking a pot by it. I knew that I simply couldn't trespass into someone's home – I had to be invited in.
And so, I'm luring them out.
Soon enough, a woman looked towards the window with those eyes weary of sleep. She was a middle-aged woman, and so, I only threw another rock. I blatantly missed her of course by a fraction of an inch, but judging by the terror in her eyes and her sudden disappearance from the window, I could hear her waking up her husband. And as expected, a man came out of the door with an axe in hand. He had a huge scar across his cheek, and an ugly snarl curled upon his lip.
"Who's there?" He demanded bravely, walking forward into the snow with his bare feet. "Show 'ourself!" He added, and for a moment, I only gazed back at him, preparing to strike. When silence and a crisp breeze only answered him, he let out a puff, thinking he had succeeded into scaring someone who was pulling a prank off. That was when he turned around. "Nothin' it is, Mary. Must've been some boy pullin' a jest."
Within a blink of an eye, I lunged at him and dug my fangs deep into his neck. There was a deafening scream, but I was too distracted as I only kept drinking. The man tried to fight, but I only held him by the shoulders in place, making him unable to move. I was far stronger than he was and his large frame. It was only a matter of time before he went limp under my grasp, and his heart slowed down into a final thump. That was when I blatantly let him fall onto the ground with a thud, and the woman screamed again as I saw her son shoot an arrow towards me. Impressively, he had good aim, but before it could possibly land on me, I had already caught it in midair using my quick reflexes. The next thing I knew, I threw it back towards the young man, and it hit him in the shoulder.
The woman screamed again.
"Charles!" She exclaimed with much concern. But I was too quick, so much so that I grabbed the young man using the bow to yank him out of the house. When I yanked him far enough, his mother followed suit begging me as tears trickled down her cheeks. "No! Not my son! Please! Please, I beg you!"
"Mama, no…" Charles managed to exclaim under his breath. "Go back inside!" I then glared down at him from under my hooded cloak that hid my face behind the shadows. There, he saw my deep green eyes and I held his gaze.
"Be quiet." I compelled. His pupils dilated and without further ado, he did as he was told. There, I pulled him up to his feet, and plunged my fangs onto his neck. Again, I drank deeply, giving into the feeling of ecstasy, making me feel more alive than anything else in this world. I drank until the very last drop, and almost without thinking, I continued to revel in my true nature.
The quiet whimpering of the grieving mother almost tugged something at my heartstrings and made me feel pity. But I was still hungry and thirsty, and I could not possibly leave her alive and well. Not when I have taken the lives of her family. Not when she would suffer all throughout the remaining days of her life. I couldn't spare her.
"Please… Please…" She continued to cry helplessly, on her knees. It must be cold with all that snow beneath her; I could not help but wonder. If only I could still feel such irritable sensation. But alas, I no longer could. So I crouched down, as I took off the hood from my head, and I gave her a piteous smile.
"You must not cry…" I compelled yet again, and indeed, she had stopped instantaneously after her pupils dilated. "I do not want to wish death upon you, nor cause you any more suffering than I have done to you for the night. But…" And I could not stop myself as I revealed my vampire features. She then gasped in horror. "I must feed."
Once I have drunk from her until she was drained into nothing, I then proceeded to hide all evidence. I dragged their bodies back into the house, and set everything ablaze. From a distance, I watched it all burn down into a crisp as I stood under a tree, setting my hood back up in place. After a while, I began to head back to stop by the river to wash my bloodied hands and mouth.
Then the dreaded feeling settled in my stomach yet again.
What have I done?
After shedding tears by the river, I was back soon towards our home. My emotional state had returned to feeling numb yet again, hiding my sins and my face in shame under this cloak. But there was something down by the pits of my stomach that weighed heavily, and made my hands shake. If only I could cease my own nature. If only it could be that easy.
But alas, I couldn't.
And I realized that the more I associated myself with whom I had deep affections for, the more I despised who and what I am. For a moment in my life, I had nothing to lose and nothing to offer. Yet now, that had changed. I realize how I could easily hurt Edward and his friend, Peter. I realized how I could easily hurt anyone that was within their perimeter. It wasn't that difficult to, I know. And it took every ounce of resistance from me just to refrain myself from doing so.
Every time I was successful, there was nothing but utter relief.
I was near the house, before I heard the steady beating of someone's heart. It wouldn't be a few more hours until dawn, and it would be enough time for me to slip back inside without anyone noticing my absence. Yet apparently, someone was afoot, and I had my own speculation of who it was. Dread was what I could only feel right in this moment.
"So you have finally returned…"
I stopped in my tracks, refusing to glance up towards the trees where Peter must be perched. Clearly, my speculation had been correct, and indeed it was him. Who else could it be? The man never trusted me, especially not with Edward, and of course, I could never blame him.
"I needed some air." I simply replied, as I decided to remove the hood of my cloak, so as not to cause suspicion – even if his tone implied just that. I heard a shuffling sound before his feet landed on the snowy ground with a soft thud, and I slightly turned my head onto the side, refusing to face him and give a regard.
"And what could have possibly caused you to wake from your deep slumber?" He pressed on, prying ever so slightly, still in the same tone. I exhaled slowly, knowing what I would say, considering that I have expected for such encounter to happen soon.
And apparently, that time had finally arrived.
"A nightmare…" I replied under my breath, but still loud enough for him to hear me. Though, I could not help but look straight towards the dark house, where Edward lay sleeping so peacefully. All I wanted to do now was return to his side, and leave this dreaded inquiry.
"Ah, of course…" Peter said, moving so slowly towards me. "It must have been the stories that you hear within the village – of a monster, lurking in the shadows of the night, feasting on the blood of humans." His tone now dripped with mockery, and my eyebrows furrowed slightly. I knew that he was pointing such accusation in my direction, as if dropping a hint that he knew exactly what I was. For a moment, I felt my stomach churn while I remembered the deafening screams of my own prey earlier.
I swallowed as I feigned innocence.
"No…" I breathed before I silently took in mouthfuls of air. I could hear his steady heartbeat drumming in my ears as he approached closer, and I clenched my hands into a fist, trying to regain control. "I have had them since that fateful night when my family was murdered."
His footsteps stopped.
"My apologies…" I heard him say quietly behind me. In turn, I sighed in relief. Perhaps his suspicion would finally cease now. Yet, before I knew it, he added with such menace in his voice. "Though perhaps such vile deed must've been caused by that monster that they all speak of; pray tell, Elizabeth, have you known those savages that had done your family wrong?"
"Vikings," I replied matter-of-factly, raising my chin ever so slightly. I was no longer pleased with this wretched conversation. I wanted nothing more than to escape. But I must face the music. The only thing that I feared now was my temper – and with my heightened senses, it was only tempting that I struck such a man down. Though of course, I had no intention of causing my love's dearest friend harm. It would break Edward if anything happened to Peter. "My uncle was one of them. He could not stop them from striking his own brother." I couldn't help but add to my thoughts how it was he who had done the deed on my father.
His own blood.
Peter now stood in front of me, only a few yards away, with a twisted smile on his face. "You could fool Edward, but not I." He shook his head in an obnoxious way, as if he knew me oh so well, and had done me in. As if I was a child, already caught red-handed, and was still foolish enough to lie. I gazed back at him, my eyes widening ever so slightly as my heart skipped a beat. I did not want to give anything away, but judging by that slow, widening smile of his, he knew he had caught me off guard. "That is right." He nodded knowingly as he took a few steps closer, trying to taunt me further. As much as I did not want to admit it, it was working. "I know what you are." He added in amusement before he stopped and stood a step away from me, leaning forward, inching closer to my face, before he whispered that dreaded word. "Vampyro."
I clenched my fists tighter.
"I have watched you take lives, draining them of their own blood." He now added, all the amusement gone from his face, and all was placed was his fury. His hazel eyes glimmered darkly towards my deep green ones. "Then you dispose them so carelessly, as if they were nothing." I sharply inhaled and took a step back, as my own fury rose, yet my fear was also ignited. All I could think was what if Edward knew? What if he already told him? But apparently, I couldn't let him see that that was what I feared. My gaze then travelled around his figure, seeing it perfectly through my heightened vampire senses, and saw no indication of a wooden stake – or vervain even.
My fear faded.
"You speak so surely, Peter." I replied, with my voice low and terrifying even while I slowly raised my chin. For a moment, I thought I was in danger, but now I saw a way out. I may not have any intention of harming Edward's dearest friend, but for my own safety and his, perhaps there was no harm in compelling him to forget such encounter and such memories that he witnessed. "It seems you have just forgotten what you have accused me of. And if so, would you not be afraid of what I am capable of doing – especially unto you?" I detested him. And as I made a step forward, I wanted to taunt him just before I could make the horridness of all of this forgotten. So, as I glanced at his hazel eyes, I revealed my vampire features for a moment before they returned to normal.
He gasped and took a step back.
With my vampire speed, I appeared in front of him, held onto the sides of his head, and finally compelled, "You shall forget this encounter and what you saw that I am." For a moment, he blinked his eyes rather dazedly, before a low throaty chuckle escaped from his lips. I frowned as I let go of him. What just happened?
"Vervain does work, so it seems." He said mockingly as he continued to chuckle. I breathed heavily as my gaze shifted. How could I have possibly missed it? So that was why he was so brave as to go against me – to confront me so boldly in the middle of the ungodly hours of the night.
Just then, I felt a piercing pain onto my side, jolting me backwards ever so slowly. I gasped and glanced at him, smiling ever so triumphantly knowing that he could hurt me. My gaze shifted down to myself, and saw that I had just been stabbed by a stake, near my stomach.
"I suggest that you bid your farewell to my good friend, before I avenge all my people that you yourself have murdered." There, he brought out another wooden stake from a pocket inside his vest. I glared at him before I pulled out the stake from my side, painfully feeling the wood plunged deep within my flesh.
"And if I refuse?" I asked, gasping for breath while the pain continued to knock the air out of my lungs.
"You cannot."
"You would not dare wish Edward such unhappiness…"
"I cannot. I thoroughly admit." He nodded, holding onto the stake with such conviction, willing to strike at any moment. "But it is my duty to protect him. And you – you would cause him more harm than anyone, even his own family, will." There, he waved a hand. "So take my offer, and leave peacefully. You have until midnight, before I kill you myself."
My wound already began to heal, but the pain in my heart, knowing that I would bid Edward my goodbye was not. I stared back at Peter as I continued to breathe heavily. I couldn't possibly take such dreadful offer. For two decades since I've turned, this was the only time that I have experienced such happiness. I have lived in the shadows of my own misery, and Edward was the only one who had filled the dark void that was deep within the confines of my heart with such blinding light. How could I possibly let him go?
Yet, in the back of my mind, I knew that I was being selfish. Edward was entitled to live a more beautiful life – with his own wife and children, seeing no darkness than the woes of working for a living to provide for his own family. And with me, he would not have those.
Not ever.
So as Peter disappeared back into the shadows, guarding the house for Edward's protection, I knew I had to do the right thing.
And set my love free.
But I couldn't find myself brave enough to do it.
Not when he sat across from me, with flakes of snow on his hair and his shoulders, and his cheeks flushed from the cold. I glanced at him as he stared straight ahead, across the river bend and got to his feet, collecting stacks of wood. Every day I would come with him to the woods, near the river where he first had found me months ago, to obtain wood for us to have fire in the evening. Since the winter brought harsher winds and even colder nights, some villagers had thought of it as nothing but unforgiving. And they even compared it to last winter when they said, the snow didn't fall as much until later in the season. I however, had nothing to compare it to. I did not feel the unforgiving chills of the winter, not since after I was turned a few decades ago. The warmth I only felt was the blood from the veins of my prey, which would spread all over my body; giving me more life than it should…
Suddenly, I felt my throat close dry, as my stomach grumbled in protest.
I then pushed the thought out of my mind, and focused on what Edward had been saying instead.
"We shall go into town tonight." He said with that wide smile of his that usually indicated that he had made a decision. "There will be a feast by the tavern, and everyone has been invited to come." There, he finally glanced down at me as I sat on the snow covered ground, which left my cloak wet, but I couldn't really have cared any less about it, considering as my brows were furrowed in mere protest.
"A feast?" I asked in mere curiosity. "For what occasion?" That was when Edward had let out a throaty chuckle, as if the question I proposed was utterly ridiculous. And yet, I couldn't help but enjoy his amusement. Somehow, his laugh was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.
"Why, my sweet love," His eyes twinkled in sheer amusement, as if I just asked the most ridiculous question ever – which again, it indeed might have been. "Today is the day of my birth…" He finished with a wide smile. Quickly, my eyebrows shot up in surprise. I had no clue whatsoever that such day was to be celebrated. For a moment, I wondered if he practiced the pagan rituals, considering as rumors of such culture was deemed as nothing but filled with conceit. But apparently, it was a fast-growing tradition. Not that it mattered to me, of course. I was already living a cursed afterlife.
"Oh..." I replied as I sat up straight. "I-I did not know." There, I slightly looked down in shame, wondering why I only learned this now. But that was when a tender kiss landed on my forehead, and the moment I looked up, his face was inches away from mine.
"Do not feel bad, darling," He said softly, with that warm gaze in his eyes. "Though, I must say that your presence would be greatly appreciated. If not, then with no conscience, shall I play with your guilt forever." A smirk crept along one side of his lips that slowly developed into a lopsided smile. Quickly, he got back up on his feet, and gathered the logs in his arms. "Come, dear Elizabeth. I shall take you to town, and get you something to wear for tonight." I furrowed my brows yet again, already about to protest for there was no need to make such a grand gesture. Besides, I detested walking amongst crowds of humans. I only end up feeling hungrier and thirstier and more exhausted afterwards from resisting my urges. But Edward gave me another one of his charming yet determined smiles. And somehow, all my protests faded. So I faintly smiled back as I got back onto my feet as well, and fixed the creases of my fur cloak. Then together, we made our way back to our home, before we proceeded to town.
The walk was not too far away, but the snow did make it a bit difficult – at least for Edward. Being a vampire helped me regain my footing ever so gracefully, no matter how high the flight might be and it was one of the many qualities that one might gain from being a dead woman walking, aside from the horrors that lurked in the darkness, at least. But as he trod on, I was simply too lost in thought. Somehow, my mind kept recalling my conversation with Peter earlier today, and every time, I would feel my heart sink to my stomach.
I had become silent all the way. We had dropped by the house first to keep the logs he had gathered, before we finally headed to the village. Many greeted Edward enthusiastically and cheerfully, as always. He was warm and charming, even if there was this side of him that could be quite reserved. But the villagers seemed to have taken a liking with him, and in turn, their eyes always landed on me as well. It was quite strange to be under a human's gaze where they express their kindness, speaking to me as if I was actually one of them. In the past, I was, but not anymore. And there was always that great divide – as if there was a wall now, with me inside fighting my urges and my true nature. Certainly, it was a challenge enough as it was, and after our little trip there, where Edward had gotten me a new dress for tonight, sewn by a young woman living far off the hill, and was called by the name Freya, I was tired and starving.
It wasn't until a few hours before sundown that we got back to the house. We found Peter building a bonfire yards away outside, and he gave Edward a warm smile. "I take it that it must've been a good visit to the village, mate?" He had asked, and quickly, as his gaze fell onto me, the warmth in his eyes slightly faded. I bowed my head down, ashamed that I had selfishly indulged into this small endeavor, when I knew that I had to leave Edward soon before midnight.
"Oh yes, indeed, it was." He replied, nodding rather cheerfully. "Elizabeth surely enjoyed it as well, did you not my love?" He then turned to address me, in which I quickly raised my head, smiled faintly, and nodded.
"Yes, I did." I replied rather quietly. "The villagers have always been kind and rather sweet." I gave him a wider yet soft smile, in which he gave me triumphant one, before he turned to address Peter again. That was when I saw how he slightly glared at me, and I realized how my words seemed to have been quite ironic. I did not mean to, apparently, but it clearly struck a chord within him. As always however, in front of Edward, he appeared calm and collected – not the kind of man he showed me to be. I knew he loved his dear friend, and would go out of his way to protect him. As much as I'd like to hold some sort of animosity for pressing me to leave, I couldn't help but respect Peter's wishes, even if that would mean that I'd have to break Edward's heart.
I agree that I would cause nothing but trouble, and certainly enough; I could also put Edward in danger. It was not only because of my true nature, but also because of the fact that my uncle, Mikael, might still be out there hunting for me. And if he knew where I was, I knew that I, along with the whole village, would face his wrath. To be honest though, I had grown to like the people here, and I wouldn't want Mikael to hurt them.
Only I could, for my survival…
Quickly, I felt my heart sink yet again, as that dreadful thought ran in my mind. I was a hypocrite in its entirety, and I did not deserve someone like Edward, whose love was as pure as the waters running down that stream. "Surely, I shall expect your attendance, Peter?" He now turned to address him again before he proceeded back to the house. "We all must get ready. It's nearly sun down." And without waiting for our reply, he was inside. I bowed my head in silence as I began to follow suit, but that was until I heard Peter and I stopped in my tracks.
"Time is running out, little vampyro." He said in a low, hushed voice. "I suggest you make it worthwhile and quick." Tears began to prick my eyes, keeping my head down, before I began to walk past him.
I didn't need him to remind me of Edward and I's doomed fate.
Soon enough, it was sun down. I could hear the low thrums of music distinctly in the distance, and all I could feel was this knot in my stomach as I followed Edward in the path leading the village. I knew that it was not just hunger or thirst that I felt, but also a mess of nerves that I couldn't seem to shake off, knowing that the dreaded moment would soon come. Goodbyes were always the hardest, and yet, until now, I've never had the chance to experience it. Somehow, I wanted to close my eyes and wake up in Edward's arms and realize how this was all just a bad dream.
If only…
"Why so quiet, my love?" He asked, stopping in his tracks. And so, I did as well. There was a look of concern in his eyes, while his brows were furrowed, and all I wanted to do was remove such expression on his face. "You've been acting so strange today." Indeed, I was. Normally, with him, I was far more at ease. And yes, probably a lot more cheerful – in that contented, subdued way. I then realized how utterly attached I've become.
No wonder I was a potential threat.
"It's nothing." I shook my head as I gave him an easy smile, one I had to feign and probably would have to try and believe as this night would go on. "Just the cold…" There, he gave me a soft smile, and I couldn't help but sigh in relief. He then wrapped an arm around my shoulders, rubbing my arm for a moment before he took my hand in his.
"Oh my poor, darling." He said, giving me a quick kiss on my forehead. "It's dreadful, isn't it?" There, he tugged my hand as we both continued walking. "Come now, with supper and a little dancing, you won't feel the wretchedness of the cold. This, I promise you."
And so, we walked on and on, until we arrived. The villagers were all out, eating, chatting, dancing around the huge bonfire that was situated conveniently in the middle, and children were happily playing and scattering along. I saw familiar faces that greeted Edward with glee, and thanked him for preparing this feast as he also expressed his gratefulness in return for them to have helped him. I had no idea how this was planned all along with Peter's help. I somehow wondered where I had been all this time to have been so clueless.
"I did not know that you have planned for this for quite some time," I now tell him as I gently pulled on his hand. "I wish I had known sooner."
"Oh, but this was all so sudden." Edward replied, shrugging casually, as we passed by several other villagers. "In fact, it was Peter's idea all along, and I did not know any of this until last night." There, I furrowed my brows as I glanced around, and quickly, my eyes had landed onto the subject of our conversation – Peter, who sat by several other men, with a goblet of ale in his hand. He caught my eye and gave me a conspiratorial smirk while he raised his cup. Instantly, I glanced away with this fury rising deep within me, and I didn't realize that I squeezed Edward's hand. Fortunately, it was not hard enough considering I did not use my vampire strength. "Yes?" He asked. I shook my head as I smiled yet again.
"I am glad that he was thoughtful to have planned this for you," I said all of a sudden. Words began to spring out of my mouth while I tried my best to compose myself.
"Indeed, he is." He smiled and nodded, before proceeding to let go of my hand and took goblets for us to drink. "Here, this shall make you feel warm just a tad bit." I accepted his offer, and smelled it. I never liked ale. I heard him chuckle, but I was in no mood now to be playful.
So Peter had planned for this all along... I couldn't help but think. He had set up this timely event so as to give me a way to forcefully say goodbye to Edward. He must hate me so much to have this all mapped out. I knew that I shouldn't feel so infuriated at the moment, but my heightened emotions couldn't help it. I was devastated and partly humiliated that I was being forced by some man to be torn away from the only one who made me happy in such a long time. I hadn't exactly taken a liking to Peter, but I respected his friendship with Edward. Now however, I thought he was being unfair. How dare he make decisions for Edward without as much an inkling of his knowledge that he was doing this for him? Certainly, he was doing his best to protect his friend – from me, at least – but I was also certain that Edward's love for me was true. And perhaps that meant that he could accept me for who I was and what I really was.
I could do that, couldn't I?
Couldn't a man embrace me for my true nature, and love me as I was?
Perhaps I could also turn him… But no, I would never subject him to an eternity of damnation. Yet, what if things would go really well? What if we could be happy together – forever? It was surely a risk to take, wasn't it?
There, I drank from the goblet, almost absent-mindedly before I felt this bitter, burning sensation reach my mouth and my throat, and quickly, I spat it out. My eyes began to tear up, my skin felt like it was caught on fire, and I knew immediately what else had been in the ale.
Vervain.
I saw Edward come up to me with another of his concerned expressions before I saw him pull out a wooden stake beneath his belt and stabbed me with it by my abdomen. I screamed and hissed in pain as I clawed onto his shoulder to keep myself upright. But really, I was in shock. What was happening? How could he do this to me? How could he have already known what I was? "E-Edward…" I breathed, feeling the wood pierce through my flesh and immediately, he pulled it out and stabbed me again.
"I-I do not know what is happening…" He uttered, with his eyes wide in panic, but he couldn't stop. Instead, he plunged the stake deeper and I gasped, with blood spewing out of my mouth. I could hear everyone erupt in an angry cheer, with the music and the merriment stopping in an abrupt manner; even the children cheered for my demise. Was I dreaming? My gaze had blurred ever so slowly, as I breathed heavily, the pain still present.
"You... You've been compelled." I gasped at him, just as another stake landed on the middle of my back and I was on my knees.
"I-I cannot stop." He said, before a dazed look washed over his eyes. "You must be burned."
"Burnher!"
"Yeah, killher!"
"Vampyro!"
"Murderer!"
Tears trickled down my cheeks as Peter's grinning face appeared, and hoisted me roughly up. "Please… No." I begged, stifling sobs, but he continued to drag me towards the bonfire, where a wooden pole stood in the middle. "No. No. No." I shook my head as he and Edward carried me. I knew I could fight, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. It was as if all the strength I had had been taken out of me. I glanced at my love, and I saw those tears in his eyes as well. He was doing this against his will, and that was the moment I felt like I wanted to die as I remembered all my prey that I have compelled to do my bidding. How could I have selfishly indulged in my own survival? How could I have done that to those who had every right to live just like Edward?
As the fire was lowered, and they had tied both my feet and my hands with ropes that were laced in vervain behind the pole, it was ignited yet again. The fire circled around me, and I felt its uneasy warmth brushing along near my skin. I did not want to die this way, but I quietly sobbed, foolishly embracing it while the villagers threw rocks towards me, hitting every part of my body, bruising and healing. But they were almost ignored, because I could only look at Edward, who stood there with his arms crossed over his chest, glancing at me in that dark gaze. I didn't know what he was thinking at the moment. I didn't know why he was just standing there, watching this all unfold. But then, I saw tears glisten down his cheeks, and then I knew he was compelled to be that way. Peter laughed beside him, throwing another rock towards my head, as the fire grew and it hit my feet, burning me now ever so slightly.
I screamed.
The crowd's erupted cheers seemed to be so distant now, all I could hear was my own deafening scream, and fire cackling, building a wall around me. I could hardly breathe from the smoke, yet I could smell my flesh burning. I was now dizzy. It was all so painful – but not as painful as to be betrayed. I knew it wasn't Edward's fault, but I felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest.
Suddenly, the pain stopped.
Everything had gone silent.
I opened my eyes, and saw the last man that I expected to see. I gasped in horror.
"Look at you embracing death so idiotically." Mikael said in a low, menacing voice. I breathed heavily, fear crippling my veins, making me unable to move. I realized that everyone was watching, standing still and so quietly. All of them had been compelled by the monster that was my uncle. "How easily you were to fool… You disappoint me." He added with his nose scrounged in disgust, as he turned around and began to pace.
"Wh-what have you done?" I found myself mustering enough strength to speak. I said it quietly, my voice quavering in fear and in pain. He quickly turned around yet again to face me, a smile now creeping along his face.
It was horrible.
"I have compelled everyone to do as I wish." He replied in sheer amusement at stating the obvious. "I thought you would be wiser as to know how to hide your tracks after all this time, considering as you have hidden yourself from me. Unfortunately, my own offspring were far more difficult to track down than you." He then turned around again and approached Edward, who still stood there and continued to watch this. "But now, I see why you have remained here…" That was when he roughly patted Edward onto his shoulder, and dragged him towards the middle, near where I was still situated. "All because of your love for this petty human." He laughed; that horrible sound of a laugh of sheer and vile mockery. I cringed. "Stupid girl…"
"Let him go." I now said firmly, still breathing heavily. I was not going to let him do this to Edward. I was not going to let him do what he did to my parents. Mikael already took away my family, my home, my humanity… I was not going to let him do this to him. I then found myself tugging at the ropes that were tied on my hands, but it was laced with vervain, and they burned my skin. I hissed in pain.
He let out a throaty chuckle at my futile attempt.
"Oh no…" He shook his head. "No, not yet." He gave another slow smile, and I clenched my fists in disgust. "You see, I did compel him to do all of that to you, but his affections for you remain to be there. Shall we see if it changed?"
"Let him go!"
"He is not part of our deal, Mikael." It was Peter who now spoke. "I said I would incapacitate the girl, and you let us be." He stepped forward and gave Mikael a glare. But certainly enough, he was unfazed. Instead, Mikael appeared in front of Peter, slapping his head off of his neck. I gasped in horror yet again, just as his head landed yards away, with that surprised look on his face. It was too late, apparently, because his decapitated body fell lifelessly on the ground, blood spewing everywhere.
"Now..." Mikael then turned to Edward again, as it he just killed a fly that kept buzzing around. It was irrelevant. "Tell me, chap." I squirmed as I tried to let myself free. "Do you love her?" I saw that same blanked expression wash over his face, and I tried to wriggle my hands again, only to fail.
"No."
Mikael turned to her, feigning a look of surprise on his face. I glared at him with pure hatred as my nose flared in fury.
"No?" He asked him again, before he proceeded. "And why not?"
"She is a monster." Edward remotely replied in that monotonous tone. "She deserves to die." A wide smile spread across Mikael's face, I could almost hear it when he continued to ask.
"And do you want to kill her?"
"Yes."
I stopped.
I was frozen in place.
I felt my heart drop to my stomach.
"Then kill her." Mikael said in approval as he began to walk past him, before he whispered to his ear. "And don't stop until you do."
I was released from the pole by one of the villagers. And quickly, Edward began to lunge at me, holding an axe, swinging it towards me. With my quick reflexes, I quickly was able to move away, but he only gave a mighty swing again, hitting the pole behind me.
"Stop!" I heaved, but he gave a low growl and swung again. "Stop this! I won't fight you!" My wounds only began to heal, and I was still a bit weak from the vervain. But apparently, I was still stronger than Edward will ever be. And at any given moment, when I choose to finally defend myself, I knew that he would only end up dead. Still, he gave all of his strength, to try and kill me, and again and again, I either blocked his attacks or I moved away.
That was until a mighty slap with the back of his hand caught me off guard. Then, I felt a blow by my nose that sent me taking a few steps back. He swung again, and I ducked away. I then heard Mikael cackle yards away, as he feasted on some of the compelled villagers. My nose dripped wet of blood, but I ignored it, I had to think of something to stop Edward without killing him.
Yet, I couldn't bear the thought of hurting him.
I could never.
"He won't stop, until you make him!" Mikael called back, and I ducked away again from Edward. There, I decided to appear behind him and pushed him down towards the ground. It seemed to have slowed his moment, just a tad, and I quickly stood yards and yards away from him. He ran towards me as soon as he regained his stance. "Go on, little girl, fight him!"
"I will not!" I yelled, just as I blocked Edward's axe that nearly hit me, before a kick landed at my abdomen, and I backed away with my breath knocked right out of me. I heaved a lungful of air, as I got back onto my feet ever so gracefully. Mikael smirked, clearly amused by this.
"Then he cannot stop." He shrugged.
I took a moment to glare at him with my vampire features revealed. But then, Edward advanced yet again, and he nearly got me this time. I managed to block the axe by its handle, before I heaved it out of the way. That was when he kneed me by my hip, which sent a jolt of pain that took me by surprise. He swung the axe again, and hit me by my ribcage. I gasped as I felt the cold and piercing blade plunge deep within my flesh, and pain continued to gush in my body, leaving me numb for a moment.
I glanced directly at his eyes, which I saw was filled with hatred and anger, and I realized how he was no longer my Edward. This was not the man I loved. The man, who I knew, loved me and would never hurt me. Mikael had turned him into a monster against his will. I coughed out blood, while he gave me a nasty yet victorious smirk, plunging the axe deeper into my body, as though he had every intention to rip me apart.
Mikael cackled nearby.
"Stop," I gasped out, and quickly, Edward's pupils dilated. I had no intention of compelling him, but with my emotions overwhelming me, perhaps it really was what I wanted. I wanted so much to believe that he was still the one I knew – somewhere deep down. I wanted so much to believe that his love for me was true, and it could overcome anything and everything.
He slowly loosened his grip onto the axe, and eventually he let it go.
I detested the fact that it was as though he was our mindless puppet that we could toy around, doing our bidding. But I had to make him stop. I had to save myself. Quickly, Mikael appeared behind him, holding him by his shoulders. I gasped again, and pulled out the axe from my side, discarding it onto the ground.
"You fool!" Mikael said under his breath, with this menacing gaze upon his face.
"Let him go!" I mustered the strength to try and advance towards him, but Mikael made the both of them step back.
"Not so fast, little niece." He sputtered, with his nose scrounged in vexation. "I wouldn't do that if I were you…"
"What do you want from me?" I cried, feeling the blood continue to spew out of my deep wound and falling on my knees. I was weak. I hadn't had proper time to heal. The vervain had slowed my natural healing process.
"You know what I want!" He replied. "I want to find my bastard son, Niklaus. I want him dead!"
"I do not know where they are!" Tears trickled down my cheeks, helpless against my uncle. "I swear to you…"
"I know you do not! And that is why you will help me find them."
"I refuse…" I now glared up at him, as he continued to hold Edward captive. I swallowed back before I added firmly, "I refuse to be your slave!" Slowly, I rose to my feet, my anger building up inside me, and using the remaining energy I had left to fight. "You have turned me into this cursed creature against my will; killed my parents. No more!" My vampire features were revealed, with my fangs bared. But then, he gave me a wide smile, before his features changed.
"Then he dies." His tone was filled with amusement, while his fangs were bared and they were ready prick Edward's neck. With much anger, I advanced with my vampire speed, picking up the axe, and went behind him to pull him away. I swung the axe squarely onto his back, but Mikael was fast, and blocked my attack. He pulled the axe out of my hands and gave me a mighty kick. I landed on my back with a thud yards away and I coughed out blood yet again, with my wound still slowly healing. But the moment I glanced back at him, he gave me a look and then he glanced at Edward, who remained to stand there – unafraid, and still madly compelled.
I knew immediately what he was going to do.
"No!" I appeared in front of Mikael, just as he was about to swing the axe towards Edward's head. When the blade nearly reached my neck instead, making me feel a shiver down my spine ever so slightly, he stopped.
"No?" He asked, with a smirk. I breathed heavily, glancing at his cold eyes and the blade right in front of me. "You might make your argument worthwhile, little girl. You are not doing yourself any favor."
I knew Mikael was never going to stop. He was going to haunt me forever. No wonder his children hated him – as I've heard. No wonder they ran away as well. He was a monster in his entirety. He had no remorse. He was a vicious Viking, too self-absorbed, too savage to even have any shed of humanity. With tears welling up my eyes again, I then pleaded. I knew what I had to do to save Edward. "Please… Do not hurt him."
He shifted his feet.
"I shall do whatever you want," I breathlessly added, shaking my head, dreading this moment. But this was the ultimate sacrifice. "Just please… Let him live. Let him free."
I felt like I was dying inside.
"Anything I want?" He asked, raising an inquisitive brow.
"Yes."
"You shall help me kill my son, Niklaus?"
"Yes."
I glanced directly at his eyes yet again, filled with much sincerity and fear. What have I let myself come to? What have I done? Somehow, at the back of my mind, I knew I was doomed in the first place, and having a moment in the sun with a bit of humanity and love and happiness was all I was ever going to get in this lifetime. I may as well cherish it, before I sold my soul to the devil himself. Mikael was everyone's nightmares were made of.
That was when he put the axe down.
I sighed in relief.
He then looked at me again, and with a vicious smile. "Good girl, Elizabeth." He said so triumphantly, which reminded me of that night when he got what he wanted – for me to turn into a vampire. "I knew you'd come around." With that, he approached me with open arms and embraced me roughly. I unwillingly let myself be pulled into him. Being this close in contact with him disgusted me right from the deep depths of my stomach. When he pulled away, still holding the axe, he continued to smile. "But first, you need to kill him or I shall."
My dazed expression slowly turned into a shock-stricken one.
"But… I thought…"
"Yes, but it was the deal you have negotiated with me, little niece." He casually shrugged. "Was it not? That you would do anything I wanted from now on? Was that not you pledging your allegiance to me?" I found myself too dumbfounded. I had been fooled. I had given into his manipulative ways. He was now in control of me; I was right at the very palm of his hands where he rightfully wanted. A few tears trickled down my cheeks again as anger and hopelessness flooded all over me. For a moment, I felt my knees buckle beneath me, but I willed myself to stand firm.
But oh, had I failed Edward. I thought I could save him. I thought I could save him from Mikael, from me, from himself. And I knew that after this, as I remotely turned around, knowing I had already been defeated, I would never forgive myself. Never could live with myself.
Not for all eternity.
And the only way I could ever go on and be able to bear with myself was to turn off my humanity. I inhaled deeply, and slowly, I exhaled with my eyes closed. With my vampire senses, I walked around to face Edward, and once I stood right in front of him, I finally opened my eyes. I saw how his gaze landed at me, breathing calmly, standing still.
And I felt nothing.
Without a moment of hesitation, I bared my fangs, held him by the shoulders, and bit him on his neck. My fangs pierced his flesh, popping that vein, and I indulged myself, feeling the warm fluid, the sweet taste of blood, hit my palate and line down my throat. It was delicious. It was intoxicating.
It was ecstasy.
In a few moments, his heart slowly thumped to a stop, and I quickly pulled away before I ripped his head out of his neck with my vampire speed. Then, I let his body drop cold onto the snowy ground. Mikael was grinning at me, but I couldn't have cared any less. I found it strange that he seemed so happy of me feeding and killing for my survival. It was in our nature. I was a vampire, after all…
I then stepped away, noticing for the first time several of the villagers that remained compelled to standby. And I felt my stomach grumble in hunger. I knew I needed more. I needed to satiate myself. I have wasted too much time trying to be human, trying to live a life that was no longer capable of.
I was capable of so much more.
I had strength and power. I had abilities that none could possibly imagine. It was foolish of me to delude myself. I knew that that must not happen ever again. I must embrace my true nature – who I really am. No more living in the shadows. No more depriving myself.
I take whatever I want, when I want.
And nobody shall stop me.
There, I smiled, and felt this raging energy inside of me. I went on and began my attack, draining them dry one by one, leaving no one at my mercy. They were useless. They were my prey. And I had them right where I wanted them.
Soon enough, the little village was lost. It was desolate. Not one man stood. And so, after burning everything down into oblivion, Mikael urged us to move forward. He walked to the path, over the hills into the cold, misty, winter dawn. And a few paces down, I followed him behind and never turned back.
**Author's Note: I know, I know. It took me a while. But believe it or not, this particular chapter had been quite difficult to write. In fact, the process of ending this Fan Fiction was, as well. This week, we shall celebrate its fifth anniversary, and so, I promise you all that the remaining few chapters will be posted within this week and next week. I hope you will continue to be with us until the very end...
And I hope that you guys loved this chapter. Feel free to tell me what you think! ;)
xxo, MsDearlady**
