Crimson Peak 5: Chapter 5

(Disclaimer: see chapter 1 and on with the story.)

It had been a couple of weeks since that beautiful night, Eden and Thomas had gotten a lot closer, Eden was always smiling. Her grandfather always attenting her concerts, and now Thomas was going to as well. And Sarah and Tempest were going to attend as well, Eden was taken aback, even though they had talked a couple of times; they were going to go with their friend, just to hear her play? It was the day before Christmas Eve, the concert hall was packed, Eden loved Christmas and the concerts. She was far from nervous; she welcomed it, she had smiled while she was getting ready, Eden had decided on a simple but beautiful red halter dress that barely brushed the floor, her shoes were a red heel, her hair was down. And that was rare, Eden had always put her hair in a breath-taking chingon, she had decided to wear her hair down. Eden's hair fell straight down her back, barely brushing her hips, she was going to be doing a good bit of solos with a couple of her instruments, most of the night. And there will be a few chor performances, the people in the crowd were cheering them on, the building and the stage looked so beautiful decorated in Winter Wonderland theme, but with a bit of a romantic twist to it, here and there. Eden was up, the story teller was an older woman, slender like Eden, but a bit taller. Her voice was soothing, she had the kindest gray eyes that anyone would have. The woman was telling the story of Christmas, while Eden was playing her violin, one by one, selected instruments were keying up and playing. Everyone was in perfect harmony, "Ladies, and gentlemen! I thank you all for coming! And tonight playing 'Silent Night,' and 'God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen,' Eden Brown!'' The applause was thunderous! Taking out her violin again and began to play, she had never missed any little note, and tonight was no acceptation, her grandfather was crying out of joy. Both women had wrapped their arms around him and rubbed his back, it was clear that he loved Eden, with the same fierce love as a father would.

Thomas was sitting there with his eyes glued on his Eden, she was his future, after she had played both songs, the crowd was on its feet, throwing roses and flowers. Thomas had then hunkered down for a moment and walked over with his arms full with a boquet of long-stemmed red roses. Eden had looked shocked, as a smiling Thomas had walked up to her and kissed her as he was handing her the flowers; the wolf whistles were non stop, Thomas had slid his hand up in her hair, feeling the soft texture that was being stroked by his slender but strong fingers. Normally, after the concert, there would be an after party for all that were involved with anything and/or everything. Eden and Thomas had other plans, and tonight, he kept on telling her that he had something very important to ask of her and it was no small thing; biting her lip. Eden was inwardly hoping that he would either ask her to marry him, or... after the curtain was closed on the applauding audience, Thomas had told Eden that he would wait for her by the left exit. Smiling, Eden had agreed, as she was walking to her dressing room, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being stalked. Stopping her walking, she had turned around and saw the same ghost a year ago! She looked really pissed! She was literally snarling like an animal, Eden's eyes had widened in surprise and in shock, slowly backing up, making sure that she was facing the apparition; she glared at her with her cold blue eyes, "Edith! I will kill you!'' Blinking her eyes rapidly, "Um, wack job, I'm Eden, not Edith, so go back to hell you harpy!'' Ok, now that was the stupidest thing in the world for her to say, and she was a child prodigy! Spinning around as fast as she was able, and running like hell, and it was a good thing that she could run. Eden was running for her life, and she was a very fast runner.

"Edith!" The ghost woman had screamed while flying in hot persute of her victim, Eden had to think fast, and by some for of good luck, her room was there. Smirking, she had quickly opened it, and practically fell in the room, and using her foot, kicking the door shut. Quickly getting on her knees and locking the door, and peaking through the keyhole, during her run, she had thought that she had heard Bryon, and a scream, and finally: nothing.
Biting her lip, and pilling some clothes and spare cloths under the doot jam, and in the keyhole, placing her hand on her chest, to try to calm her racing heart. With her teeth chattering, Eden was able to get up and ring her hands together and muttering to herself, 'An illusion... nothing more,' raking her hands through her hir, and shaking her head at the thoughts that were running in her head. If she didn't know any better, she could've sworn that was a poltegiest! And she was out for blood... Without wasting anymore time, Eden and stripped off her dress, and showered, the hot water was doing her mind and body wonders; as she had turned off the water, she had the feeling that something wasn't right. Grabbing up her towel, and wrapping it around herself and reaching for a pair of scissors, looking around slowly looking for anything out of the ordinary. Confused, and dripping wet clad in a towel, she couldn't find anything, what were these feelings that were passing all over her? She had gasped when she had felt someone wrap their hands around her throat and start to strangle her, "Help!'' She had screamed while she was in the air, and her towel had dropped to the floor, soon slashes were decorating her body, blood was leaking out, her vision was going blurry... she was getting cold... only thing that came out of her mouth was... ''THOMAS!" As she was thrown across the room and the discarded scissors were picked up...

Meanwhile with Thomas...

He was waiting alone, Sarah and Tempest had already gone for the night, and Eden's grandfather was now seeing someone. And the old man had given Thomas permission to 'entertain' Eden, he was chuckling at the old man's silly nature, when a cold feeling had went straight to his heart, placing his hand on his heart, *Tempest, Sarah, is everything alright with you?* He had asked his sires/friends, not even a beat went by, *Thomas, we are fine, Sarah senses Lucille's spirit, and she's attacking Eden! We will meet you, at Eden's room...* With a nod, Thomas didn't hesitate a nano second longer, he had formed himself into mist and hurried to Eden, that evil harpy would kill Eden! Thomas's mist form had made it there before both Sarah and Tempest, as his solid form took... The ghost had hissed and turned around, Thomas had glared at it, it the most evil being on this Earth besides his mother, "I see that you got kicked out of hell, Lucille...'' Thomas had said coldly, the ghost had snarled, "How are you alive?!'' She had gasped when she saw his fangs, and a red light burning his hands, combined with the blood that he was drawing with his nails! As she had turned to see Eden's passed out, as she blinked two more mists trials had seeped in the room, and two women were standing in front of her and protecting the naked and passed out mortal girl. Thomas had glared at the woman that had dared to take everything from him! His life, his boy-hood innocence, everything. And now, now he will have his payback! Snarling and raising her hand, in came Bryon, he had kicked down the door, breaking some of the door frame, Bryon's eyes were glowing a cold silver, Lucille's ghost had floated into the boy's body! As the boy disappeared, leaving the three vampire/mages, in the room with the barely concious young woman. Thomas had made sure that his hands weren't glowing, he had taken off his coat and wrapped Eden up in it, and picking her up in his arms, "he..lp.'' Eden had whispered.
Thomas had pressed a kiss into her hair, Lucille had cut off Eden's long beautiful hair, up to her shoulder blades.

"Eden, shhh, I'm here..." Thomas had whispered, as Sarah and Tempest had approached the figure, "We must act fast Thomas, she needs your blood, not for conversion, just for her to heal.'' As they had linked their arms around Thomas's waist and teleported to their home, Tempest went to get some clothes for Eden. As Sarah and Thomas were tending to her, "Thomas, remove your coat, I need to see and assess the damage,'' Sarah had said while a green light was showing itself from her hands; Eden was a mess! There were slash marks on her arms and her legs, and a couple of marks on her face and back. Her hair was hacked in all ways, Thomas had felt his heart break all over again, blood tears were pouring from his eyes and on to Eden's face; he had looked up at Sarah, who was healing her, there was so much blood, and damage. Biting his lip, Thomas had looked at the approaching Tempest, with her arms full of some clothes, "Love?'' Tempest had asked while placing the clothes by them. With a slight gasp from Sarah, "Now, Thomas, give her your blood. And do not take hers,'' She had advised, as Thomas had picked her top half up and placed her in his lap, opening his shirt as he did so, placing his forehead against hers. As Thomas's nail had lengthened and slashed his chest, like before. Gently pressing the back of her head to the cut and taking control of her mind, "Drink, my love, drink for both of us. I need you Eden.'' He had whispered to her, knowing that both Sarah and Tempest were listening to every word of it, but chose not to but in on their private moment, Thomas was rocking her back and forth, Lucille nearly succeeded in killing her! As Sarah had her eyes closed, monitoring the intake of blood that Thomas was providing for her, "Enough, Thomas, enough.'' Sarah had said gently; as Thomas had commanded Eden to stop taking his blood, Tempest had then leaned over and with one swipe of her tongue, healed the cut there. Eden had let out a soft moan, as Thomas had leaned down and gave her a small kiss, on her lips, seemingly instant, her wounds were healing! Eden's hair had grown back to its glory!

"Her looks would be a bit more enhanced than normal, and her senses would be a bit more accute. But she will live, this cannot continue Thomas, Lucille tends to kill Eden, and that Bryon boy, he's apart of it,'' Tempest had said while placing her hand on his shoulder, she had always given him the truth, no matter how ugly it was. He knew, "Thomas, she will be half way in our world, if you love her like you say that you do, then tell her the truth. And if she does love you, and I know that she does, then she would understand.'' Thomas had interrupted Tempest, "Or drive a stake in my heart...'' He had finished flatly...

*A couple of days later...*

Eden had thrashed and bucked about on the bed, as if she were fighting an unseen attacker, until a pair of familiar hands had wrapped her up in warmth and in comfort; her eyes had then popped opened and there was Thomas, her Thomas. He was holding her close to his heart. Eden had shuddered and wrapped her hands around his bicep, and cried, and she never cried, she didn't remember much of anything. Thomas had to alter some of the events, so that Eden could deal with it, and when she was ready to do so, the truth will come to her, he felt bad about doing it, but Eden would suffer more. Thomas knew that he was between a rock and a hard place, he knew that Eden would find out the truth eventually. And he hoped that she would take it... well... without anything sharp around. Making eye contact with her, and leaning down and kissing her forehead, Lucille had crossed the line! And she knew that he wasn't afraid of her anymore; she knew- as well as he did- that she couldn't manipulate him anymore. And that would put Eden in trouble, well even more so than normal, now that Byron has been possessed by Lucille. Those two deserved each other, in hell, "Thomas, what happened?'' Eden had asked, giving her a small smile, "You were attacked from behind, I scared off the attacker...'' Well, that wasn't a complete lie, that harpy that was his 'sister' was scared of him,
now because he was now a vampire and that meant that she couldn't touch him. However, they both knew that Eden would be used as a pawn in this game of chess, biting her lower lip, Eden had then leaned into Thomas's mouth by pressing her own lips into his. He had returned her kiss, "Maybe you should wear the red cape... Superman..'' She had said while he had chuckled and placed her in an upright position, he knew that she was hungry and thirsty, "Was it a man, or a woman?'' Eden had asked the question so suddenly, that Thomas had nearly dropped the chicken broth that he was going to feed her, "Love?'' He had asked, confused. Even with his super keen hearing, did he just hear her right?

"The person who attacked me, were they male or female?'' Eden had asked again, as Thomas had blew on the hot contents and handed her the broth for her to drink it in a small cup; Eden needed to keep up her strength. She had managed about half the broth and reached for some water; those two things should be able to go down easily. Thomas had noted that Eden's natural beauty was much more enhanced than normal, he would have to keep more of an eye on her now, he had taken the items away and placed them on a table near the middle of his room. Eden was watching him, he seemed upset, and somehow, she just seemed to know that he was upset, "Thomas, what is it?'' She had asked while she just so happened to look down and notice that she was wearing a night dress that didn't leave much to the imagination: she had looked at the soft peachy material, it was silk and low cut in the front, and tied at the shoulders, Eden had looked at the dress, it was beautiful. Sensing her question, Thomas had walked over to her, and stroking her face, "That night dress, is Sarah's, and she barely gets to wear it, Eden, she had thought that you would get more use out of it. And Tempest's stuff is... a lot bigger in the chest...'' He was choosing his words wisely, and he was adorable doing it, well, Eden had found it adorable. Inwardly laughing, Thomas was adorable in her eyes? Ok, he'd go with that, considering what she had been through; he would allow her a 'pass' but if she continued to think that he was adorable, then he would tickle her until next week. Thomas knew that it was only a matter of time, and Eden would figure out that he never ate or drink around her, he had told her that he was on a strict eating schedule and a 'very' strict diet, due to him being very ill a very long time ago. And Tempest and Sarah had saved his save with this diet, and that he would have to do it religiously. Thankfully, Eden had understood.

As the two had laid down on the bed, Thomas had turned her over on her stomach, and started to rub her back, at first, Thomas was with Eden because she had reminded him of Edith. But now, now, he was with her because he was falling in love with her... Eden... and the thought of her gone, killed him and his undead heart, he knew that it was only a matter of time, until Thomas had to tell Eden, and only God knew what she would do, or even how she would even react to that. Maybe she would think that she had gone insane and commit herself to the nearest nuthouse; with a sigh, it had been another couple of days, and Eden was able to walk without Thomas carrying her all over the place, not that either of them had minded. The other night, had led to more love making, and just holding each other and talking; ealier in the evening hours, she had talked to her grandfather, told him that she was feeling better, Thomas had called the man and told him that Eden had been attacked by a crazed fan, and that he and Tempest and Sarah had scared them off, and that Eden didn't remember much of anything during the attack. Her grandfather had then said that it was for the best that she didn't remember barely anything. And that he would call again and check on her, so far, Lucille's ghost hasn't visited Eden's grandfather; due to the fact that both Sarah and Tempest had taken that older man's blood and could find out what was going on with him at will. With a sigh, tonight was the night, he had to tell her! Closing his eyes and counting to three: it was now or never! And frankly, he had preferred never, he had found her in his study, he had warned both Tempest and Sarah the Holy Hell would go on upstairs, and that if they didn't hear from him then Eden had killed him. The two were watching him, as he was walking up the stairs, he knew that she was in his study, sitting at his desk, reading like always. Like Edith... No! They are NOT the same! Just because they look alike and have similar habits; then that doesn't mean that they are the same, he was trying to keep that in mind. Clearing his throat and opening the door, as he did so, Eden had lifted her head from his book, "Hi!'' She had greeted, he had given her a small but sad smile, now she was looking worried, normally he would walk over and give her a small kiss either on the forehead, or on the lips.

"Thomas, what is it?'' She had asked, sheh ad never been this way before with anyone in her whole life, and she would hope that he had felt the same about her, because she had told him that she was falling in love with him, and he had told her that he had felt the same. However, she was sensing a problem from him; she was still looking at him with a concerned/confused look on her face. A big part of him was halfway tempted to kiss the look right off of her face, but somehow, he had refrained. Walking up to her, their bodies were nearly touching, she could feel the heat pouring off of him, "Thomas?'' She had called his name, "Eden,'' He had answered, "I need you to listen to me, okay?'' Seeing her nod her ok before he continued, she was very interested about where this was going, "I love you, I love very much, Eden. And I can't imagine my seconds, let alone life without you, and I haven't been very honest with you.'' Okay, now she was curious as to where is little chat was going to, "Eden, let's say that you have a secret, and this secret saved your life a very long time ago. Would you tell the person that you want to be with right away? Or would you wait awhile, and have the person know you, as a person, not a secret?'' Ok, that within itself was a very good question, what would she do? She honestly didn't know, biting her lip, she had replied, "I don't know Thomas, I mean that it just dpends on the secret, I mean, you're not married... are you?'' He had winced, inwardly, "No...'' Came his one word reply. Well, that wasn't a complete lie, he wasn't 'married' anymore, "Ok, then what is it?'' With a deep breath, he had to tell her now! With his hands at his sides, "Eden, I'm not what you think I am. I am a vampire...'' She had looked at him, as if he needed to be on the 'Nutbar Express,' As she called it...

"T-Thomas, look at me, in the eye, and tell me again. Because, I don't think that I heard you right.'' There was just no way that he could a vampire! The whole idea within itself was obsered at best, as she got up to face him, eye to eye. Thomas had kept his hands at his sides, "Eden, you heard me correctly. I am a vampire,'' Now everything made sense, Thomas never ate or drank around her... wait a minute! Vampires drink blood?! Did Sarah know? Did Tempest? If not those two were in trouble, "Eden, listen to me...'' Holding up her hand, "Do your friends know?'' She had managed to choke out. As she was scooting slowly away from him, he was following her every movement. Eden's eyes had never left his, "Yes, they know, because they are vampire as well. I was dying Eden, and they saved me...'' She was shaking in fear, she was not taking this well... Spinning around on her heel, and running for the door to the study, that had narrowly shut itself on her fingers, she had backed away, and found herself, with her back against Thomas's chest. He had wrapped his arms around her shocked frame, and he had used his other hand to keep her quiet, "We do in fact need to talk, and I think that you need to know the truth...''
He had said... he really wanted her to take it better, but then again... if he were in her shoes than he might've reacted the same way...

(End of Chapter 5: Read and Review... any suggestions? credit will be given, )