Chapter Twenty-One
It took until dark the next night before they arrived at the Hamilton Estate. They had stopped for a late afternoon meal and refreshment in Kirkland, Charles and Alexander visiting the local tavern. Elizabeth waited with the carriage and was given a piece of bread when they returned. Alex rode his horse most of the journey, staying in a place along side of the carriage where he could keep watch of his love without Mr. Hamilton observing. Other times he would ride on the carriage beside the driver. They both couldn't believe their fortune to be so close at last.
Charles was not one to stay in one place long and announced a few days after their arrival that he would be traveling alone to the Alps for the summer. After making the announcement he discussed with Alex what his expectations were.
"There are five fine young horses that I am hoping you can have ready for my return in September. Two are studs and I expected them to be gelded soon, the blacksmith will help you with that. You are welcome to use the shop when you need. I hope that your cottage suits you."
"It is fine, sir."
"As for the women, you can bed who ever you please, they aren't much good for anything else anyway - but keep your hands off of my wife or your balls will be thrown to the dogs with the horses'. Remember, the walls have eyes here and no one is loyal to anyone except me."
"Yes, Sir."
It seemed almost too good to be true. At last after so many years to be almost thrown into each other's arms. It was true that they had to be very careful, as anyone's eyes were a danger. For the first week they saw each other only at a distance, but there was a convenience at Elizabeth's hands, which was almost unbelievable. When the mansion was first built an exceptional precaution against an invasion was put into place, in the event that a quick escape was needed. In the master's room, through a false back in the armoire a route was built down several flights of stairs, and a tunnel traveled under ground across a hundred yards to the stables. Elizabeth's room was next to Charles' for his convenience, but now the convenience was hers.
Helping with the laundry one day she found a pair of workers pants and an old shirt. She tried to cut her own hair to look like that of a boy's, put on the clothes and walked quickly out to the stable through the passage. She carefully unbolted the exit door and stepped into the tack room. She found a farmer's hat, put it on and stepped quietly into the stable. A horse greeted her from the next stall and Alex could be heard, "Just a minute Bird, you're next," as he came around the corner from the paddock. He stopped short when he saw the boy standing there. In the dim light of the stable he wasn't sure who it was.
"Do you need a stable hand?" she asked trying to disguise her voice, but to no avail.
"Lamb?" he asked trying to be cautious
Her answer was to put her arms around him and kissed him as she had wanted for so long.
As the stable boy, Elizabeth was able to be with Alex most of the time. She had to be in her room at meal times and when her bed was to be turned down, but otherwise her time was her own. Rumour around the home was that she suffered from melancholia, but nothing was further from the truth.
Except for the fact that their lives had to be kept secret they lived like they had wanted for so long. Alexander taught her to ride a horse, like a man, not sidesaddle, which he felt would slow them if the time came for escape.
They made love only when the moon was right, being as careful as possible, a pregnancy now was unacceptable. Even though she had a supply of the bulb extract, she knew that to abort Angel's child was something she could not do. There was nothing she wanted more than to be his wife and have his children, but for now it would have to wait.
One night while they were together, Alexander removed from his pocket a gift covered in cloth. She carefully opened it and found two beautifully forged hearts encasing crosses made of three square headed nails. A ring joined the heart and cross delicately together and threaded through each was a piece of leather thong. Obviously they had taken Angel much time and patience to prepare.
"Oh Angel, they are beautiful."
"I cannot give you a ring to show our bond so I made us each one of these. The cross shows our faith in God and in each other. The heart shows the love we have surrounding all." He took one in his hand and carefully put the thong around her neck, "I will love you forever." Then Elizabeth did the same, returning the vow with her faith and love in him.
They continued this way for almost three years. Occasionally Charles spent up to three months in Northumberland. In his old age his cruelty to Elizabeth seemed to diminish. Her appearance of severe depression seemed to be enough to satisfy him. The lovers decided that while he was there, they would have no contact what so ever so there was no danger of a slip. Of course as soon as his carriage was out of sight they were in each other's arms.
Finally in the late of winter of the third year, the couple realized that they would have to leave. As they had planned for so many years they would go to London, then sail to the colonies in the new world. Charles was expected to return in May from his Spanish winter home, so they felt early April would be the best time to travel. They could expect wet weather, but the evenings should have lost their chill.
One afternoon while they were making their plans, they got lost in each other, enjoying the knowledge that soon they would be on their way. The humidity was high and the hay that they lay on took on the smell of freshly cut feed. Elizabeth lay back after they had redressed, just to enjoy the fragrance.
Suddenly with absolutely no warning, Charles came through the trap door of the loft. His fury was extreme and his red complexion was darker than usual. He held in his hand a long bullwhip, which he started lashing at the couple with. Knowing the danger to Lizzie, Angel tried to confront the old man, but the whip was turned on him. Angel backed away from it, until he stepped into the hole in the floor, meant for throwing feed to the animals below, falling into a pile of hay. Charles grabbed Elizabeth by the wrist and dragged her back to the loft door and threw her to the stone floor below. As her head hit the floor, she could no longer move and was just barely aware of being dragged back through the tunnel.
By the time Alex got to the tack room the impenetrable door was bolted on the inside and he could not follow. Seeing the blood on the stone he was infuriated and ran directly to the house. The panic he felt for Lizzie was immediate, he would throw his own life down for her but he knew this time one life was not enough.
Alex bolted through the door, but was confronted by a tall dark young man he had never seen before. His build was slight, not the muscular stature of the blacksmith, but the strength this stranger possessed was unnatural and he was easily able to overpower Alex. Binding his hands behind him, this stranger held a sharp sword to his back.
"Bring him up here," Charles demanded from the top of the stairs. The young man jabbed Alex with the tip of the sword, drawing blood, which seemed to please him.
When they met at the top of the stairs, Charles forced Alex to his knees by grabbing a handful of hair. "I told you if you touched my wife I would castrate you, but I think even that is too good." Turning to the stranger he added, "Sol, I think we have our guests of honour for tonight's ritual."
The young man laughed as they threw Alex through the door of the room that had been designed to hold a prisoner if need be, the room Elizabeth had occupied as Charles' wife. The sound of the bolt being closed seemed to echo through the room.
She lay on the floor where Charles had left her, just inside the door to his own room. Alex knelt beside her, his hands still bound behind his back. Her hair was matted with blood where she had hit the stone floor, but from what he could see there appeared to be no other injuries. He placed his face down next to hers, "Lamb, its me."
She appeared to be unconscious, her eyes barely open, until she whispered, "I'm so sorry, I've killed you."
"It isn't over yet."
"You don't know him, what he will have planned won't be a kind death." She slowly pushed her way up to a sitting position, and felt the injury to her head.
"Can you untie this binding," Alexander turned his back to her. Weakly she worked at the knot and after sometime she was able to remove the restraint. He rubbed his wrists where the binding had cut through the skin, then took Lizzie into his arms, making sure she had no other injuries. Satisfied that she was not hurt any further he rose from the floor and tried both doors, which were bolted from the outside. Even the window held glass that was too thick to break without a heavy object of some kind, but the room contained only a small bed, night table and a lantern.
Elizabeth made her way to the bed where she sat holding her head. "Its over, we can't escape this."
Angel took her by the shoulders, looking her in the eyes, "I'll get you out of this."
Suddenly the door to Charles' room opened and the young man entered. Alex rose to confront him but the stranger sent him against the wall with a strong push. He grabbed Elizabeth by the hair, which was long again, and dragged her through the door. She fought back as hard as possible, but it didn't even seem to slow him as he dragged her back through the door. He turned back to Alex before closing it, "We will be here in my father's room. The door is just thin enough you should be able to hear my pleasure," he grinned.
As he bolted the door Alex's weight came against it, but it was built to take that kind of abuse and stood strong. He could hear the sounds that sickened him - his love was being beaten not six feet away, yet he could do nothing. The sound of something metal, probably the pendant, hit the wall. Alex had never heard her scream before, but several times Elizabeth could not hold back, but still the door held strong.
The sound of her clothes ripping drove him into an insane frenzy, but suddenly her aggressor screamed at her, "You bloody whore, you've ruined everything." The bolt was quickly thrown back and Alex fell into the room. He was covered with sweat and his hands bloodied from beating the door. A boot came down hard into his belly, knocking the wind out of him. "You bastard," the young man screamed, then left the room yelling, "Father!"
As quickly as possible, Alex made his way to the bed where Lizzie lay. It seemed that almost every inch of her had been abused. A large black bruise covered her right cheek and a cut ran from her left collarbone to just above her heart. This maniac had torn away her clothes. Angel removed the bed cover and wrapped his love in it. He held her close and rocked her, "I've loved you every minute of my life, Lamb. I'll love you forever."
Charles burst into the room. "You bastard", he shouted at Alex. He forced the two back into the other room at the point of the sword, Alex carrying Elizabeth, still wrapped in the bed cover. He bolted the door again behind them.
The lovers knew that it was over for them, although it was impossible to know what had been planned for their disposal. No doubt it would be torturous, but they could no longer fight it. He lay down on the bed beside his love. They lay just holding each other, remembering what had made them love each other so.
They stayed this way until well after dark. There seemed to be a great commotion coming from downstairs. Many voices could be heard drifting from the floor below. Two men, the couple did not know, came into the room and forced Alexander to carry Elizabeth down the stairway to the sitting room.
He held her for quite sometime, standing in the corner out of the way of the twenty some people. No doubt they were to be the entertainment for the crowd that evening. Except for the odd glance their way not much attention was paid to them.
Charles introduced the young man to the group as his son, Sol, born in Romania, twenty years ago. He was a rather good-looking young man with eyes black as the night. The drinking and conversation continued for a time. The host seemed to be waiting for someone else to arrive. Sol walked over to the couple, looking at Elizabeth he said, "You have loved him for a long time. If my father had known he would not have made it so convenient for you." He placed his hand on her arm creating a burn. Angel pulled her away from his grasp. "Only true love bypasses the curse that I have laid on you … the burn of human touch. But soon we will eliminate his ability to offer you comfort. You were to be my hostess, to take me from human to immortality, but your actions with this man have thwarted that notion. But instead you will die, after you watch the destruction of your lover."
Suddenly the guest of honour arrived. Into the room walked a very beautiful young woman with an air of confidence surrounding her.
"Darla," Charles greeted her with a kiss to her cheek. "You've met my son, Sol." They went through the formalities of greeting each other.
But her impatience was obvious. "Charles, where is the gift you promised me?"
Charles motioned to the corner to Alexander and Elizabeth, who by now were showing evidence of fear.
"Oh, Charles, he is wonderful. He will do quite nicely."
Alex stood Lizzie on the floor and took his place in front of her for protection.
"And so gallant," Darla continued, "We'll take that right out of you." She ripped open his shirt to expose his strong chest and ran her hand over it. Grabbing the pendant she pulled it from his neck with a hard tug and threw it into the fireplace. Alex grabbed her to force her away, but with superhuman strength she grabbed his wrists and forced him to submit to her on his knees. She looked into Elizabeth's eyes, saying, "He will make a handsome lover for me and help me create great destruction." Then she smiled and continued, "And you can watch." Darla's features changed as she went from human to vampire characteristics. Elizabeth moved to stop her but was pushed with great force to the corner. Alex tried to move but with little effort Darla held him. Bending toward him she bit into his neck, sucking the blood from his body. As he slumped to the floor she took her fingernail and made a small cut at the top of her breast and forced his mouth to touch the blood that eased from it. She looked at Elizabeth, "Your Angel has fallen … he is my angel now … Angelus, an angel of destruction."
Elizabeth fell down on Alex and cried openly. All the pain they had inflicted on her was nothing like the pain that she felt now.
"Take her out of here," Charles ordered the two men who had brought them there. "You're turn will come," he scowled at her, "You have shamed me."
She pulled away from the burning when the men grabbed her and pulled the bed covers around her. The door was bolted behind her and she lay on the bed, waiting. There was no longer any reason for her to live if her Angel could no longer be with her.
The daylight had come and gone when the men came for her again. She pulled the covers around her and went willingly.
Other than Charles and his son the only people that were there were Darla and Alexander. Elizabeth gasped when she saw him, but was not totally surprised … she had seen things like this before. They stood beside each other, arm in arm and seeing that hurt her more. He looked the same yet his eyes were distant and unfeeling. Elizabeth walked over to him and let the covers hang loose around her shoulders. She looked deep into his eyes, trying to find her love, then said, "Take me with you." She closed her eyes and turned her neck to him and as he changed and sank his teeth into her neck she continued, "I'll love you forever." He tried to cut himself to let her drink, from somewhere very deep inside he wanted her to be with him, but Darla was furious and demanded that he would not. Elizabeth had met her end at the hand of the man who had loved her so.
Suddenly the intercom voice came over the speakers. We have begun decent into Heathrow Airport, please place you seats …" Angel did as the voice told him but didn't notice a thing around him. Almost in a dream he was walking down the outdoor stair ramp at Newcastle. How he got there he did not know but it was where he did not want to be at that moment.