By the time afternoon had rolled into evening, Angelina felt that her hours had been well spent. The day had been profitable, though an eternity as always. Customers had come and gone, each with their own demands and wishes, but despite the constant interruptions, she had still found the time to finish the first pile of mending. In addition, she had even been able to lay out the newest garments on her table, pinning them for the next day's work.
Once night had fallen and the cacophony of Genoa had calmed into a gentler hum, she hung the "Closed" sign on the outside of her door and slid the five bolts into place. Then, her attention turned to the one task that she had kept for the evening. Through the loneliness of daylight, her eyes had often found the tidy package residing on the floor by her sewing basket. Now, a shiver passed through her, not one of discomfort for she had no issues with feeling either cold or hot at any given time as was her nature, but the involuntary response was one of anticipation.
Taking a needle in hand, she threaded black thread into the eye and used her teeth to snap the fibers. The sun disappeared as she began to work but no heed was given to that fact. Her attention was solely upon every tiny stitch made into the first shirt and the quality of each small repair. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she wasn't as desperate to tame the night as she would usually be. A contentment came over her as her needle flashed in and out of the fabric with lightning speed. She had only seen Adam Cartwright once but that one glimpse had been enough.
One day on the way to her shop a few months before, she had nearly been run over in the street by a careening wagon. But before she had been hit, strong hands had encircled her waist and pulled her out of danger. When she had looked up to thank her savior, the most handsome man she had ever seen was held before her vision. A smile played around his cupid-bow mouth, he smelled of spicy cologne, his chest and arm muscles were defined but what captured her attention the most was the luminescent shine of his hazel eyes. Flecks of the purest gold dotted the olive center and when he tipped his hat, the crystal clear orbs turned to caramel along the edges. She had thanked him and he had simply smiled then before being called away to converse with a passerbyer. Often, she would replay the encounter over and over again in her head, until every detail of his resplendent appearance was just right and every shadow cast over his handsome face could be seen once more. She gave herself over to the memory and a soft smile creased the corners of her ruby lips.
The flickering shapes on the walls darkened with the passage of time and grew bolder. By the time that she had finished with all of Adam's shirts and had almost completed his pair of pants that needed to be hemmed, crickets could be heard outside, crooning to no one in particular with the constant hope that "the one" would answer. A forlorn sound to be sure. She paused to listen, suddenly feeling quite sad. No longer wishing to remain with old memories, she decided to go out for her nightly ride, a hunt and a chance to clear her head.
Rising from her seat, she went about, blowing out all of the lamps except one which was taken in hand. She walked into the tiny back room, packed floor to ceiling with bolts of colorful fabrics, and reached behind one of the shelves, pulling forth a wad of red material. Stuffing the garment into her saddlebags and hoisting them over her shoulder, she opened the back door and slipped out into the darkness. She moved by way of the shadows of the city buildings and arrived at the livery stable. Slipping inside, she found the stalls to be quiet and serene. A calm passed through her and she began to feel decidedly more relaxed as she passed down on the line to where her horse was kept.
The black stallion whickered softly upon smelling the faint scent of his mistress. He took a step forward and put his head over the half-door to place his muzzle in Angelina's outstretched hand. Brushing aside the long forelock, she leaned in to kiss the white star and rested her own forehead against the black velvet.
"Hello there, Cole, I missed you so today," she crooned softly, slipping her arms around the massive neck, feeling the heavy locks of his mane surround her body. She scratched his jaw thoughtfully and looked up into his hooded eye...an infinite swirl of ambers, gold and copper. ""Are you ready to go, my pet?" She smiled and he inclined his large head towards her, his ear turning in her direction as he waited for her next wishes. "I have a new place I want to visit but don't worry. Once we get there, you will have your fill of tender clover and sweet alfalfa. How does that sound?"
Tossing his head high, he sent a clear message that he was more than impatient to begin their nightly routine. She busied herself with tacking him up and once he was ready, she tied the saddlebags on the back of her saddle. Opening the nearest bag, she withdrew the red wad and unfurled it. Undressing quickly while the stallion stood guard, she slipped on the blood-red yards of robes. Finished with swooping the length into the traditional Arab arrangement, she stuffed the black dress into the bag and latched it closed.
Leading Cole from his stall, she vaulted gracefully onto the tall back, took the thick reins in hand and guided him out of the stable then out of town. Once they were a safe distance, she looked back at the glowing town and let out a deep sigh. Covering her nose with the end of her robes, she gave Cole his head and he lunged into a gallop, his hooves pounding as he ate up the ground. With every stride, his reach increased until she felt as if her body was flying. A piercing cry broke from her throat, almost as broad and purely joyful as that of an eagle. A grin lit her face as she laughed and leaned low over Cole's back. She put her heels into his sides and felt a fresh surge of speed in his muscles. The night was ahead for the taking and she couldn't wait to begin her newest adventure.
I* * * * *I
His throat was so tight...he clawed at his chest, tearing his shirt asunder as a panic washed over him. His fingernails drew blood as he thrashed, feeling a million hands holding him down, a crushing weight that was squeezing the life out of him. Demons haunted his dreams, screeching into his ears and sending his head to pound relentlessly. He cried out in pain, more fearful than he had felt in a very long time. His stomach heaved of its own accord, the discomfort nearly bringing him to consciousness. A pain unlike any other ripped through his lungs and he came to, coughing and retching.
Dazed and more than a little confused, Adam rolled over onto his stomach and lay still. He heard what he thought was an animal's growl but then realized that it was his own breathing, rasping with each inhale and rattling with each exhale. He tried to open his eyes but found his eyesight to be blurred, merely a collection of dim light and shadows. A sound assaulted his hearing, a droning that roared painfully. Then he realized that it was not a figment of his imagination but instead, it was the sound of crickets. Night had fallen. He was so cold, he couldn't feel his hands or feet. Numbness controlled him so that he couldn't move though he tried. He was in more trouble than he had ever imagined. Pa...Hoss...Joe...please, someone find me. I don't want to die alone...I can't. I am not finished...not finished. With this last thought, he slumped into the grass and lost consciousness.
I* * * * *I
A rich scent wafting to her senses, Angelina pulled up harshly, holding Cole steady while she searched the air. Her eyes turned red; human blood and close by. She fought the sensation that sent an euphoria straight to her brain. The fever had already started and her fingers twitched on the reins, longing to give the command that would carry her in that direction. She was hungry and needed desperately to feed; her muscles were already starting to creak with dryness. They needed to be lubricated but...she hadn't tasted human blood since the Great War. What if this was an innocent person, someone that had fallen upon hard times? From the start of her curse, she had refused to take an innocent life and that pledge had always guided her every step. Daily, she had satisfied herself with the blood of animals but it never quelled the fire. The hungered addiction that tore at the fabric of her being, threatening to tear her limb from limb, rose higher than ever before and...she gave in to the blood's cry.
Making the decision, she turned Cole's head in the direction of the highland woods. The stallion took off once more with a neigh and a toss of his head, bearing his mistress away. As the pair plunged into the trees, the aroma of fresh blood and its lure grew stronger. Stray branches caught at her headdress and tore it off to hang down her back. Black veins appeared around her red, glowing eyes and her mouth opened in a smile that revealed fangs growing from her canine incisors. Her eyes burned hotter as she smelled the warmth of a body close by but only when Cole broke through the last section of bushes did she spot a man lying face down in the grass. To her surprise, as her mount to a heaving standstill, she had arrived back in the meadow of the night before.
Dismounting, she accelerated in the blink of an eye across the clearing to kneel by the man's side. His face was turned away but his breathing was rasping and painful to hear. The glow in her eyes and the black patch around them faded as pity overtook her hunger. Closing her eyes, she placed her hand on his back and listened. His heart was dangerously slow and the blood flowed sluggishly through his veins. His lungs were filled with fluid, causing a cough to escape every now and then. He was near death and suffering greatly, no doubt in horrible pain. Now, she knew that this feed would not be one of enjoyment. Memories of battlefields ridden with mangled bodies of men pleading for a quick end came to her mind and tears blurred her vision.
Tenderly, she grasped the man's shoulders and turned him over, drawing him into her chest. She cradled him close, as a mother would a newborn babe. Blood covered the right side of his face from a deep head wound and shrouded his identity. The overwhelming saturation caused her nature to rebel and plead with her to feed immediately. Her fangs dropped down against her will but she took a deep breath to quell the hunger. She wanted him to have a dignified end, befitting any creature of the Earth.
A cough racked his body and he groaned, swallowing dryly. His eyes opened and he stared up at her, the moon casting a pale light on his bloodied features. A look of terror passed across his face and he struggled weakly. Angelina easily held him still while locking eyes with his. The thought crossed her mind that perhaps she had seen these beautiful hazel eyes before but let it pass so she could focus on the moment at hand.
"Look at me, it's alright. I am going to take away your pain. I will help you slide peacefully into the next life so that you can be with those you love," she whispered, using her hypnotism to calm the sick man.
"Mama?" the man whispered, his eyes taking on a faraway look as he saw someone who he obviously adored but had long since lost.
"That's it. Relax, give in to the light," Angelina soothed, tipping his head away to expose his neck. This time, she allowed her fangs to appear and her eyes glowed crimson. Dipping her head, she sank her pointed teeth into his neck and delivered the bite that would drain his life away. A pained groan hitched from his throat but was followed by a deep, rattling sigh as death began loom close.
However, Angelina was startled beyond belief for as his blood began to flow into her, his memories also flowed freely and within them, she had seen his identity. Tearing herself away with a wounded cry, she stared down at him, her eyes wide with fear. This was not simply some poor soul lost in the forest. This was...Adam Cartwright, in the flesh. Her thoughts ran wild, wondering what she should do and wondering if he could be saved after all. Would it be terribly selfish to let him live?
Hearing a sigh, she looked down at this special man and found him to be sleeping in her arms, a soft smile on his face as her venom had placated and pleasantly drugged him. The effect would last for a few hours, temporarily taking away his considerable pain. That would give her time to figure out what to do. Her heart troubled, she gathered his limp body into her arms and easily rose to carry him to Cole who was waiting patiently. Instead of putting Adam on top of the horse, she walked on by. Adam's head lulled against her shoulder and she smiled, tenderly pressing her lips to his forehead.
"Come, Cole, we are going home," she commanded and, obediently, the stallion fell in behind, following his mistress who carried her precious burden into the trees and out of sight.