Chapter 2 The Cantilevers
A/N: Enjoy.
About time for anyone telling you off for all your deeds
No sign the roaring thunder stopped in cold to read
No time
I get mine and make no excuses; waste of precious breath
No time
The sun shines on everyone, everyone love yourself to death
So you gotta fire up, you gotta let go
You'll never be loved till you've made your own
You gotta face up, you gotta get yours
You never know the top till you get too low
A son of a stepfather
A son of a
I'm so sorry
A son of a stepfather
A son of a
I'm so sorry
No lies and no deceiving, man is what do you loves
I keep tryin' to conceive that death is from above
No time
I get mine and make no excuses; waste of precious breath
No time
The sun shines on everyone, everyone love yourself to death
So you gotta fire up, you gotta let go
You'll never be loved till you've made your own
You gotta face up, you gotta get yours
You never know the top till you get too low
A son of a stepfather
A son of a
I'm so sorry
A son of a stepfather
A son of a
I'm so sorry
Life isn't always what you think it'd be
Turn your head for one second and the tables turn
And I know, I know that I did you wrong
But will you trust me when I say that I'll
Make it up to you somehow, somehow
So you gotta fire up, you gotta let go
You'll never be loved till you've made your own
You gotta face up, you gotta get yours
You never know the top till you get too low
A son of a stepfather
A son of a
I'm so sorry
A son of a stepfather
A son of a
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
I'm so sorry
I'm so Sorry by Imagine Dragons
London 1751
The sun finally went down and it was something that Elizabeth will be getting use to these days. Of course there is nightlife everywhere but this was a whole new scene. The two sisters were in a little inn just outside of London. News would spread about the church fire but that shouldn't phase the sisters any.
Other than adjusting to the night Elizabeth had a few more things to get use to. One was no mirrors. Of course she can see a mirror but she could not see herself in it. She can't cast any reflection or even cast a shadow. In essence this makes vampires great hunters. And of course no more food. A vampire can eat food but it will not sustain them, blood is needed animal or human, preferably human.
Elizabeth's eyes opened to the night as she laid in bed. She wasn't home; she wasn't in her own bed. Elizabeth sat up and looked around the room. Once, she wouldn't have been able to see much in the dark but as a vampire she could see the entire room as if it was lit up. She was a creature of the night. Elizabeth peeled back the covers and then sat on the edge of the bed. Across the way Darla was still asleep. The sun had just set and Elizabeth could feel it. But this was the first time she was not on her own even if she ran away only for a night. She was not home; her father was dead.
Elizabeth thought about it for a moment. What if her father was dead but she was not a vampire. How would she feel? Would she be sad? Would she cry? Would she end up dying herself because no one ever taught her how to take care of herself? Would she actually be free? 'Guess I'll never know.' Elizabeth stood up from the bed and headed to a little wooden table where some books were. On their way out of London they broke into a store not just for money if there was any but some vampire lure for Elizabeth.
Darla doesn't travel with much; travel light, be ready for a fight and be ready to fly. Elizabeth sat on a chair and picked up a random book. Well of course it wasn't the smallest of the books in the pile. It was huge, rather new as if it had been printed not that long ago. The cover was a hard type of cover and seemed to be locked by to latches. On the front of the book it said 'Vampyre'. Elizabeth unlocked the latches and opened up the cover.
"I never read up on us." It was Darla as she came over with a lit candle and took a seat next to Elizabeth. "Mine was all through stories of others. But I figured," Darla then reached for a smaller book and randomly opened it. "We both could read…" But then something hit Elizabeth as she looked to her older sister. Darla was in a white night dress although it wasn't as conservative as most nightdresses should be. It was low cut with lace straps and was probably considered more of naughty lingerie than a nightdress. Elizabeth wore the same thing but she won't admit that she was just a little uncomfortable or at least not use to it. Even the dress she left London is was more reveling than anything she's ever worn. It was going to be one more thing to get use to. But it felt liberating.
"You can't read Darla." Elizabeth pointed out and the blonde sister smiled. "Unless you learned."
"Nope," Darla causally tossed the book back into the pile still smiling. "But you can read to me." Elizabeth continued to stare at her sister. "Lizzy," Darla's smile dropped and her voice lowered a little. "You're free now, no more being serious or scared." Darla then scooted closer to Elizabeth. "It'll pass in a few days. It's like," Darla paused to think. "It feels like you're stuck in two different places. You have to let go completely." Elizabeth continue to look at Darla. "Last night, you burning down the church, the house, that's the raw power in you. I know you're confused but just let it in. There's no need for suppression or fear, there's nothing."
Elizabeth thought about that for a moment. "Us, people like us have no rules. We do what we want when we want." Darla went on and smiled. "It'll pass, it did for me." Elizabeth then looked back up to Darla.
"How did it happen to you?" Elizabeth asked and her sister smiled a little and leaned back in the chair.
"After I ran away, I had no money and you need it to do anything." Darla began the story. "Sex paid for everything." If Elizabeth was human and had her soul she would be appalled by this new information but that was not the case. Instead Elizabeth started to laugh. Darla didn't seem too amused though. "I had to live somehow."
"You had sex for money after what father did?" Elizabeth asked and Darla didn't say anything.
"I became richer than you didn't I?" Darla asked and Elizabeth began to quiet down. "Although, money couldn't save me from syphilis."
'Darla laid in her bed sweating. She wanted to take the blankets off but when she did she would be freezing cold. Her servants tried to comfort her but there was nothing that could be done. Next to her bed was a doctor as he examined her and the outlook was below poor.
"How…how long?" Darla asked. Her face was pale; the rash had spread throughout most of her body and was very definite around the mouth and eyes. She had open sores on her body and she was dying inside and out.
"You'll be dead by morning, nightfall if you're lucky." The doctor was blunt about it. The people of this place know the whores of the city and they were very much frowned upon even though they were wealthy. The doctor packed up his items and left without a parting. Darla continued to lay there almost too weak to move.
"My lady," A young woman came in. "Father Michael is here to see you." And a young priest walked in with his robes and his bible. Darla looked over to the man as he stood there.
"I did not call for a priest." Darla sounded a little upset.
"I have come to read you your last rites madam." The young priest stated why he was here.
"I'm going to hell no matter what, you can't save me." Darla insisted and the priest sat on the edge of the bed.
"No, only you can do that." The father continued.
"God never did anything for me, he didn't save my mother, he let my father rape me and my little sister is probably dead. Why would he show mercy now?" Darla asked and the priest sat in silence. "This will be the most merciful thing that has ever happened to me." Darla then with all the strength she had sat up. She felt a wash of nausea and dizziness hit her. "God was not with me…" She was completely out of breath. "With me…before and…I will not…accept him now." She then fell back into the bed. That was the Father's cue to leave and he did.
Once she knew she was alone Darla started to sob. It wasn't out of fear of death in fact she wanted to die years ago. She was crying because she had made one promise and that was to save her sister and she has failed to carry out that promise. Darla had no idea what has become of Elizabeth. She could be dead; she could still be suffering the torture of their father. Whatever it was, she couldn't save Elizabeth.
This job she took, this lifestyle was for Elizabeth. Get rich, save money and then save her baby sister. Now it was all for nothing. She was going to die alone in this room as a complete failure. She just wanted to die right now, have it end. "I'm so sorry Lizzy, I'm sorry, forgive me." She begged to herself and wept.
The storm outside was a nasty one, the wind howled and the lightening flashed. Darla was asleep, she was sweating profusely, she was whimpering in pain, she was dying a painful death alone. Darla's eyes flashed opened and she tried to scream out of pain but what strength she had was no more. She managed a whisper though.
"Lizzy," It was quiet and it was as if she was hoping Elizabeth would be with her to help her through this.
"My child," A voice was in the air. Darla could barely open her eyes because of the pain. "You called me?"
"I called no one," Darla explained and the hood figure that sat next to her reached out to her.
"You called to someone." The voice answered as Darla opened her eyes a little to see the cloaked figure. "You called out to death in your sleep."
"Are you death?" Darla asked the dark figure. The figure stood up and removed his hood. Darla wanted to scream in terror but she did not have the strength to do it. A white face looked to her, the red eyes lit up with the dancing candlelight.
"I am your savior, I can save you, make you whole, make you beyond death, you just have to say yes." The man said. Darla felt the tears rushing down her face but what choice did she have? She was going to die anyways.
"Yes," She whispered and then man smiled. He leaned in and Darla felt a sharp pain in her neck. Once again she wanted to scream but she felt her own life force fading. The white face man pulled away and with his long sharp fingernail made a cut across his wrist and brought Darla to drink from it.'
Darla paused looking to Elizabeth as they sat in silence for a moment.
"What was his name?" Elizabeth asked.
"He goes by the name of Master, a very old and powerful vampire." Darla answered and Buffy looked to the book of Vampyre. "You might find him in there somewhere. But he's from the Order of Aurelius, a very old group of vampires that supposedly came from The Old Ones themselves." Elizabeth then looked confused. "Don't worry, I'll teach you. But you are now apart of this Order as with me. Although the Master is one of the few left as are we now."
"Should I be proud?" Elizabeth asked.
"He saved me which in turned saved you." Darla added and Elizabeth didn't say anything. "I came back for you."
"You left me," Elizabeth pointed out. "You left on a beautiful day, 1741 and you never came back. You've been gone for ten years, I've been alone for ten years." Darla didn't say anything. "You left and became a whore for ten years."
"I was saving money so it could be you and me." Darla defended herself.
"You…" Elizabeth paused for a moment. "It took up until you died to save me?" But there was another question to ask. "How long have you been a vampire?" Elizabeth saw it in Darla's eyes and Elizabeth nodded.
"Five years." Darla whispered.
"And what have you been doing?" Elizabeth asked wanting to know.
"I can take you to those places little sister." Darla didn't answer the question directly but the answer she gave met she's been at least around the country. But that lit some kind of anger, some kind of fire in Elizabeth. In a blink of an eye Elizabeth stood up and flipped the table over in one swift motion and let out a loud scream of complete hate and disgust. She then picked up the chair she sat in and threw it across the room. Darla continued to sit in her chair looking to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth took a step and then kicked a book away and looked to Darla. Elizabeth's eyes were always filled with innocents, with hope. But not now, there was this rage in them, pure rage.
"Our father raped us, you sold yourself for sex…" Elizabeth was either talking out loud or making a point. "It's men…we're this way because of them." Elizabeth then started to walk around. "Men have no idea what it's like to be afraid," The wheels were turning she was coming up with an idea. "All of this is men's bullshit! They call wars a cloud over the land but they made the rain and then they stand in the rain and say shit it's raining!" Darla continued to listen; Elizabeth was letting all the pain out. "I already had my revenge but…I want more." She was now standing behind Darla and leaned in. "We have a lot to do big sister." It was a whisper and Darla couldn't help but smile a little.
It was late in the night as a man was still reviewing some papers. On the papers there were numbers and this man was a banker. Even back in biblical times bankers and tax collectors were always tinkering with numbers. Just as the man was calculating there was a knock on the door and he looked up. First he checked his pocket watch and saw that it was pushing eleven o'clock at night. So, who would be knocking on his door at this hour?
The young gentleman got up from his chair and took the candle and walked to the door, as there was another knock.
"Who, who is it?" The man asked.
"We need help." It was a woman's voice. The voice sounded innocent enough so the man opened the door and before him were two blonde girls. "A man, a man has been following us." The older of the blondes explained and the man nodded.
"Come in, come in," He insisted to the girls and they walked in. "The hour is late, what are you two doing outside especially in this cold weather?" The man sounded concerned.
"Local house party." The younger blonde answered. "We were on our way home we noticed a man following us." She explained.
"Well, there is a small fire going and if you need to stay you may." The man offered very graciously to them. But he didn't seem too concern or in any fear of the girls. He then headed back to his desk as Elizabeth and Darla looked around the small home.
"You, you live alone?" Elizabeth asked and the man nodded. He was rather young maybe just a few years older than Elizabeth.
"He's a banker," Darla stated and the man nodded. "Oh, excuse us we haven't even introduced ourselves. My name is Darla and this is my little sister Elizabeth."
"My name is Markus." The young man introduced himself. The two sisters smiled at him.
"Maybe you could help us with something then." Elizabeth step closer to him. She wanted to eat because she was hungry but this man might be a some use to them, a big use and depending on how this turns out they can be set for the rest of their eternal lives. "Our parents have recently passed well…one a long time ago and another recently. And rumors were there was a rather large inheritance."
"I can look that up for you." Markus offered and so far no threats were made.
After a short horse ride into town Markus took the girls to a building well a bank.
"What were the names of your parents?" He asked as he led them into a records room.
"Ophelia and Henry Laverick." Darla answered and they turned a corner and Markus began to look. Elizabeth and Darla waited as Markus sifted through something that looked like files.
"Was your mother's maiden name Cantilever?" Markus asked as he looked through the papers. Both Elizabeth and Darla nodded and Markus' eyes widen. "Come with me." He said and they follow him as he grabbed the last bit of papers. "Did anyone ever speak to you and your father after your mother's death?" Both the girls shook their heads no. "Ok then,"
"Why?" Darla asked. "I mean, I know our mother's family was wealthy…"
"Very, very wealthy and…it looks like the inheritance went to you both." Markus explained but Elizabeth reached forwards to the papers and looked at it. Darla couldn't read so she was going be relaying on Elizabeth.
"So…how did our father?" She asked looking up to Henry.
"Well, at the time of your mother's death it appears you two were too young to contest this so by name and next of kin the money went to your father." Markus explained and Elizabeth kept looking through the numbers. "And, and now you say Henry is deceased?"
"House fire," Darla answered. "He turned into a drunk and just a few nights ago something happen, probably was too drunk to save himself." Markus nodded. "I was in town visiting and I saw the house in flames, barely got my little sister out alive."
"Ah, yes I heard about that, the local church also caught fire that night." Markus looked to them. "Apparently a candle caught fire to something within the church."
"I do not want to stay in this place so we're about ready to leave, too many memories." Elizabeth sounded innocent and so far Markus was buying it.
"Well, since you are the surviving relatives of your parents you two now are the next in line." Markus took the paper from Elizabeth and Darla saw a little flicker in his eyes to Elizabeth, a twinkle of lust and longing. "Darla, you would be next to inherit."
"Oh no," Darla shook her head no. "My little sister is the smart one, she can read and write."
"So you wish to turn everything over to Elizabeth?" Markus asked as he took out an ink pen. Darla nodded and he began to write. "Are you absolutely sure because that means you inherit nothing from this?"
"Absolutely," Darla answered and Markus pushed the paper to Darla. "Sign your name here then." Darla took the pen and signed her name; she knew how to do that. She can read and write but very little.
"Then, Elizabeth, the money is yours." Markus looked to Elizabeth and she smiled a sweet smile to him. "You can set it up now as an account in fact we can help manage your money."
"I'd like that." Elizabeth nodded, so Markus got up to get more paper. As he left Darla nudged Elizabeth.
"He likes you," Darla teased. "Sleep with him, seal the deal, we're going to need him for a long time."
"You mean turn him?" Elizabeth asked and Darla smiled.
"No, well…not yet." Darla answered and Markus came back and Darla continued to give Elizabeth a teasing look.
The banking deal went long into the night and before the sun rose for the day Elizabeth and Darla were back at Markus' house. They were invited to stay for a while.
Elizabeth and Darla were in a small room to get some sleep but Darla never shut up about Markus and Elizabeth.
"Lizzy, you could walk right into his room and he's do what ever you want." Darla insisted. Elizabeth said nothing and then it finally hit her. "That's right…you…you've never been with a man."
Elizabeth never had the time or courage to do so. That was the surface of it though. When you were abuse by your own father though for most of your life the last thing you want is to be with a man. "Lizzy, we leave tonight but you could give a farewell, one he might never forget." Again Elizabeth didn't say anything. "It's not hard to please a man, in fact it'll be quick and that's it. He could be a pet for a bit."
Markus was about ready to get some sleep when he turned around seeing Elizabeth at his door. She had gotten out of her dress and he tried to advert his eyes because now she was in her nightdress.
"Miss Laverick…can…can I help you with something?" He asked and Elizabeth felt extremely nervous. She has never kissed a man, been with a man. She only knows what it's like to be pushed against her will and to just lay there. Markus then turned around and Elizabeth was before him. She just reached out and held his hand into hers.
"I need to thank you for helping my sister and myself." Elizabeth started.
"You're welcome but…a simple thank you like you did now is just enough." Markus insisted and Elizabeth smiled. Markus felt his heart beating faster now with that smile. Elizabeth picked up the fluttering heartbeat so she reached out and placed her hand on his chest feeling the heart beat. Hers no longer beats and perhaps it never really did. She leaned in for a kiss and Markus didn't back away. The kiss was very soft and hesitant but it intensified quickly. Markus pulled Elizabeth closer but she pulled away. "What's wrong?" He asked.
Elizabeth's defenses went up and she wanted to defend herself like she has so many times although now she could. If her father tried to make advances to her right now she would be able to snap his neck. She might be a vicious killer but the killer in her hasn't taken her completely. She gets these bouts of waves of the need to feed, to kill but it hasn't taken her yet. She almost wanted to open up to Markus; she's never been able to open up to anyone.
But before she could say anything to him he placed his hand on her cheek, it was so gentle it caught her off guard. He leaned in for another kiss and it was like something took over her. It was this animal instinct and she pulled closer to him. She wanted to feel warmth; she wanted something she couldn't describe. Darla said she would feel this, this lust this want and need. And there was only one thing to satisfy it.
Elizabeth felt Markus wanting to take control but that wasn't going to happen. Instead she pushed Markus back with enough force to the bed and climb on him. He was surprised but it didn't stop him. They just continued to kiss and Elizabeth let herself lose all control. This was also very different from what Elizabeth knows. She's never been in control until now and it was this great feeling, this great and powerful feeling. She felt Markus sit up and pull her closer. She looked at him seeing that look of lust in his eyes. It wasn't the same look that her father had. Yes it was lust but there something else.
"You're leaving?" He asked and she nodded. "Where?"
"Anywhere but here." Elizabeth answered and he nodded.
"Will you come back?" He asked and she didn't give him answer. "If you do…I'll be here." He stated and Elizabeth nodded and they both leaned in for a kiss. She didn't hesitate for a moment and started to pull on his tunic and it came over his head. He started to loosen the string on the front of her nightdress. Elizabeth then pushed him back to the bed and there was this driving force in her telling her what to do.
Elizabeth leaned in and Markus render himself to her control. He pulled on her nightdress and it came over her head and in a swift move he held her all while moving her so she was underneath. She was so light and near weightless he thought as he moved her. But that's not what Elizabeth wanted, she felt the need to be in control, she had this wave hit her that no one will keep her down. She allowed it for just a moment and then slightly shoved Markus off of her so she could stay in control. Markus swore he felt a little extra push but he brushed it off and continued.
Night fall had come as Darla and Elizabeth left the small house. Elizabeth looked back to the house to a light in a window and small shadow looking out. Markus was watching her leave hoping she would return. Elizabeth then looked ahead walking Darla.
"We are rich little sister, rich." Darla sounded elated but she noticed Elizabeth was quiet. "You like him," Darla still had a smile and Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Turn him then, keep him forever."
"We'll come back." Elizabeth answered and Darla stopped walking and Elizabeth turned facing her.
"He said he'll wait right?" Darla asked and Elizabeth nodded. "They all say that, they'll wait, they love you." She walked closer to Elizabeth. "We'll come back of course…but he won't wait, he's a man." Elizabeth decided to silently accept the challenge. "Now, I'm starving, let's get something to eat and then leave. We can go anywhere now." They continued to walk the quiet road and Elizabeth looked up into the night seeing the stars. "Oh, I take it that things went well, you aren't the quietest little sister."
"And you are?" Elizabeth asked.
"Don't worry, you'll get a lot of practice in." Darla assured her.
"Hold it!" A voice yelled and the girls turned around seeing a man with a knife. "I want everything you two have and I won't kill you." The dirty bearded man insisted. The two sisters looked to one another and then turned to the man and he gasped. The girls put their demon faces on and before then man could scream or ever run Elizabeth and Darla were already on his neck feeding.
It didn't take long to bleed him dry as his now lifeless body hit the ground. The two girls wiped their mouths of the blood in a rather polite manner. They then took the man's body, picked it up with ease and tossed him into a nearby river.
"Try to not ever leave a trail," Darla stated as they began to leave. "There are some who hunt us."
"Who would be stupid to do that?" Elizabeth asked with a little bit of sass. The waves of rage were starting to stay rather than washing away.
"There's a lot to learn." Darla answered as the two sister headed out for the night together.
I say now it begins. So, what's next? Fun things are to come. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. There's a small review in the forum as always and of course small peek into the next chapter at the end of this note. Let me know what you all think. Elizabeth just had sex for the first time, be ashamed if this man betrays her right? Thanks for reading, commenting and following. You guys are the best.
Markus made it home and looked around the dark and quiet home. His wife and daughter were at his wife's mother's home for the week. The house only seemed empty but he could feel it, someone was here. Markus walked slowly around the place and then heard the piano being played. Markus followed the individual keys being played and saw Elizabeth sitting at the instrument.
"How did you get in?" Markus demanded and Elizabeth continued to play and looked up.
"You invited me, remember?" She asked and continued to look to the piano and then reached for the sheet music and turned the page. "I use to know this one," Elizabeth pointed out. She continued to play the soft melody. "I could only hear the music in church, had to teach myself on a dirty floor with stone drawn keys." She continued to play the church melody. "Come to think of it, this might have been the last song I played," She went on as Markus stood there listening. "I think it was…before I burned the church down." Markus' eyes widen as Elizabeth continued to play. Elizabeth closed her eyes swaying a little as she in the music.
"See, from his head to his feet. Sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet or thorns compose so rich a crown." Elizabeth sung and Markus felt his heart racing. Something wasn't right and something deep down told him to run. Then the music stopped as Elizabeth continued to stare at the sheet music.
"You…you…" Markus seemed to stutter. "Why the church?" He asked and Elizabeth stood up.
"Because there is no God." She answered and Markus' eyes widen. "If there was, there would be no war, no suffering, no betrayal…we would all be happy."
"Elizabeth…" Markus knew something was troubling her and he needs to apologize for what had happened. "What ever it is you suffer, what you suffered I am truly sorry," But before he could even continue Elizabeth was in front of him in a matter of seconds and shoved him to the wall.
"You're sorry?" She asked in the softest tone. "What are you sorry for?" She could hear Markus' heart racing and she could sense his fear. "I'm not sorry, I've been sorry for absolutely nothing," She then nuzzled a little closer to Markus. "I haven't been warm in over a year." She then felt Markus tremble. Elizabeth reached for his hand and then placed it on her chest. "There's nothing to be sorry for." Markus looked to her. "Can you feel that?" She asked and he almost said yes meaning he could feel her heart beat but all he felt was her cold chest. "What's there to be sorry for?" Markus then pulled away from and stumbled a little.
"Who, who are you?" He stuttered some more as she stood there. Elizabeth walked over to him and before he had time to react Elizabeth grabbed him by his tunic, shoved him against the wall and held him up. His feet were dangling off the ground he looked down to Elizabeth.