Paul had only some minutes he had left Prince Jame's office. He still couldn't believe his luck.
Not only the prince hadn't punished him but now he had almost limitless power in his hands.
For a young vampire with only months in the dark world of the undead such position could be a fast way to the top of the food chain.
He was walking fast towards Roxanne's house, he needed to share his success with the people he liked.
That was a win-win situation after all, he was now able to help Roxanne more efficiently than before, he could provide safety for Suzan and Sarah and he wouldn't have to look over his shoulder for the crime he had committed towards his clanmates.
Even when Liza opened the door showing him her dislike, he still couldn't wipe that big smile off his face.
Inside the living-room Suzan was as usual behind her computer and Sarah was wathcing TV and from the noises coming from the bathroom he could assume Roxxane was preparing for another wild night, propably at Purgatory.
-My lo...I mean master Paul, said Suzan, didn't you say you had some business to attend to tonight?
-And I did but I finished a lot earlier than expected. Hello Sarah how are you?
Sarah strafed towards him to greet him with a smile that faded almost immediately.
-What have you done youngling? She screamed and got up showing him her fangs.
Liza and Suzan almost froze in place seeing Sarah in such a condition.
-Wait, wait, I can explain, said Paul losing his smile.
-You dare come here smiling murderer and you expect me to let you explain? out of nowhere a shining sword appeared in Sarah's hands.
-Please, Sarah, just let me talk...Paul hadn't managed to finish his sentence when thick shadows surrounded him draining his stamina. He felt helpless inside those shadows and he knew that Roxanne had just entered the fight alerted by Sarah's screams.
-Please...let...let me explain...and then you can do whatever you like, he managed to whisper to two burning, red eyes staring him inside those abyssal shadows.
-Speak youngling! he heard Roxanne's voice.
-I had no choice, they decided to fight and I was caught in the middle of it, I had to fight for my life. I was wounded and the beast took over, when I woke up they were already gone.
-Is that your explanation? I have warned you about this. Consuming other vampires is the greatest sin amongst our kind.
-I know and I am deeply sorry for failing you but it was not a choice. I fought and luck or fate decided I would be the last man standing.
-If the prince finds out he will kill you in the worst possible way and I will be in his disfavor.
-Not really. Prince James already knows, I was in his office before coming here.
-And you are still alive? Why?
-He offered me the chance to live and serve him as a sheriff's helper. You see my clanmates held that postion and he offered it to me now. And you know I can be of much help in that position to you. Slowly the shadows began to fade.
Sarah was still holding her sword but Roxanne was much calmer.
-Are you telling me the truth, youngling?
-I wouldn't lie to you after all you've done for me.
-Roxanne, amaranth is our greatest sin, he needs to be punished, Sarah insisted.
-Sarah you were the one speaking about forgiveness, is it so hard to forgive me? It is not that I wanted to kill them.
-I don't care about you killing two other assasins, but drinking them dry, consuming their souls and destroying any chance they had for an afterlife is a sin I cannot forgive. Roxanne please step aside, let me clean this sin from our house.
-One minute Sarah, I respect your beliefs and as you see I am trying to uphold them but here we have an opportunity.
-How can you even trust him? You know his clan's weakness, now that he has tasted vampiric blood he will do it again and again and who knows he may even try kill you.
-Would that be the first time someone comes for my blood? Am I to be afraid of a youngling that got lucky in a fight? Please Sarah, I have fought many a war to start fearing now.
-And what exactly do you propose? Forgive him?
-Who said anything about forgiveness? James ignored his crime for a reason, Nansy and Narssel -yes youngling I knew damn well who were your bloodline- were valuable allies to him and still he chose not to punish him, what's more he made him the sheriff's assistant. If that is not part of a weird plan of his then I am not a shadow lord! Did James ask anything else of you? You better be honest with me Paul.
-He ordered me to keep this position one year for each murder and then I will be totally free. He said that when he calls I'll have to be at his side as fast as possible, nothing more.
-Okay, said Roxanne who was looking a bit satisfied, I better gather my shadows before those two pitiful ghouls choke to death and Sarah I know you have that power that can clean someone's soul why not offer it to Paul?
-That I will not do! said Sarah.
She was looking calm again and the sword was nowhere to be seen as she was bending over the two ghouls that were on the floor trying to breathe.
The shadows that shadow lords commanded were so thick that a mortal could choke to death if they stayed enough time inside of them.
-They will be fine Sarah, they are not normal humans and the shadows did not last that much.
-Look Roxanne, you say you can use him and I don't doubt it. You say you want no punishment for him, this is your house and you make the rules BUT I will not betray my beliefs and help a murderer.
Even now in his soul he doesn't feel sorry about what he has done. I can see clearly he is full of pride about his actions. He even feels pride about getting that sheriff position.
''Damn that woman and her mind-reading powers'' Paul thought.
-Okay, okay I get it, you don't want to help him and I will not force you to. But as you said this is my house and my will will be done. One last question youngling. Do I still have your loyalty?
-Of course my lady, never doubt that, said a still scared Paul.
-Never forget that then, if you try anything foolish enough even James won't be able to hide you from me...and Paul?
-Yes?
-Remember, cannibalising is a downward path to your inner beast, you cannot imagine how easy it is to lose yourself to your beastial instincts. Remember also that the day your beast controls your mind I will kill you myself, am I clear?
-As always, my lady.
-Fine then, I already lost much time with this and I need to get ready for that party Sofia is throwing tonight. Ah by the way Paul, as long as this black stain stays on your aura I would rather you didn't accompany me on social gatherings, it will affect my status and will unnerve the others.
-As you wish my lady, said Paul with dissapointment in his face and voice.
As soon as Roxanne entered the bathroom again Paul went to Suzan.
-My little Suzan are you ok?
-What happened? Why did Sarah scream?
-I can explain to you but not now. Are you okay? Can you move? We could take a walk maybe and I'll explain everything to you.
-I have to finish some paperwork, I thought you wouldn't be free tonight as you had said.
-Then later? Do you want to come by my place and sleep together?
-Of course I'd want that, said an ever-smiling Suzan while going back to her computer.
Paul looked for Sarah, she wasn't there. After she had checked both Suzan and Liza she propably had left for her room.
He took a deep breath -a useless habbit from his mortal days- and knocked her door.
-Who is it?
-It's me and I would really like to speak to you.
-My door is locked for you young Paul, leave me alone.
-Sarah please, of all the people in this house you are the one I need to apologize to the most.
-I don't need your apology, my clan suffered grave losses from cannibals like you and I now have one in the same place where I live.
-You know what? I am done trying to convince you that I am sorry, I did what I had to to protect my life and Suzan's and I will do it again if I have to. I am not proud of my crime but I am proud that I am still alive and that the Prince gave me a chance to get a place among my kind. I know you are perfect and all this humane shit but if you ever, ever, did something you were not proud of then you should give me a chance to prove that I am worthy of your forgiveness.
Paul heard the door unlock and suddenly Sarah charged out of her room. But this was not the usual Sarah.
Her silken skarf was gone and a terrifying third eye with a deep red glow was open and looking at him like looking into his very soul.
-You want forgiveness? I will grant you your wish then murderer! Spirits of my forefathers hear my call! Suddenly Sarah grabbed his arm. Archangel Michael I summon thee to haunt this man's dreamless sleep, to fill his soul with remorse and terror for what he has done, to reveal to him the true face of his own evil! Let him know no rest until he understands the severity of his crime.
Paul had fallen on his knees while Sarah was uttering this ancient curse of her clan and when he regained his strength the third eye with the red glow was gone.
-What kind of sorcery is this? What have you done to me?
-What you asked for youngling. When you will be ready both in your mind and your soul then and only then will I forgive you. Till then I consider you unclean and I order you to stay away from me.
-What will happen to me? What were those words you said?
-Believe it or not it was my effort to save whatever part of your soul has remained intact after your crime and now leave me. Come back only when you will be clean of your sins.
-And when will that be?
-You will know...said Sarah cryptically and locked herself inside her room.
Later that night Paul explained to Suzan what had happened with his clanmates and what had happened tonight in the living room and later with Sarah.
In her human heart there was only love for him and no place for mistrust.
-I am sorry, he said to her, for everything, I never wanted any of that to happen.
-You don't need to be sorry, you fought for your life and I prefer you alive rather than dead. I believe Roxanne doesn't care that much for what you've done and Sarah will forgive you too. We only look towards the future not the past and I want a future with you.
Just moments before the sunrise Paul believed the worse had passed but as soon as the dreamless sleep claimed him he realised that his nightmare had just begun and he would be alone and helpless during his personal Hell.
Not only the prince hadn't punished him but now he had almost limitless power in his hands.
For a young vampire with only months in the dark world of the undead such position could be a fast way to the top of the food chain.
He was walking fast towards Roxanne's house, he needed to share his success with the people he liked.
That was a win-win situation after all, he was now able to help Roxanne more efficiently than before, he could provide safety for Suzan and Sarah and he wouldn't have to look over his shoulder for the crime he had committed towards his clanmates.
Even when Liza opened the door showing him her dislike, he still couldn't wipe that big smile off his face.
Inside the living-room Suzan was as usual behind her computer and Sarah was wathcing TV and from the noises coming from the bathroom he could assume Roxxane was preparing for another wild night, propably at Purgatory.
-My lo...I mean master Paul, said Suzan, didn't you say you had some business to attend to tonight?
-And I did but I finished a lot earlier than expected. Hello Sarah how are you?
Sarah strafed towards him to greet him with a smile that faded almost immediately.
-What have you done youngling? She screamed and got up showing him her fangs.
Liza and Suzan almost froze in place seeing Sarah in such a condition.
-Wait, wait, I can explain, said Paul losing his smile.
-You dare come here smiling murderer and you expect me to let you explain? out of nowhere a shining sword appeared in Sarah's hands.
-Please, Sarah, just let me talk...Paul hadn't managed to finish his sentence when thick shadows surrounded him draining his stamina. He felt helpless inside those shadows and he knew that Roxanne had just entered the fight alerted by Sarah's screams.
-Please...let...let me explain...and then you can do whatever you like, he managed to whisper to two burning, red eyes staring him inside those abyssal shadows.
-Speak youngling! he heard Roxanne's voice.
-I had no choice, they decided to fight and I was caught in the middle of it, I had to fight for my life. I was wounded and the beast took over, when I woke up they were already gone.
-Is that your explanation? I have warned you about this. Consuming other vampires is the greatest sin amongst our kind.
-I know and I am deeply sorry for failing you but it was not a choice. I fought and luck or fate decided I would be the last man standing.
-If the prince finds out he will kill you in the worst possible way and I will be in his disfavor.
-Not really. Prince James already knows, I was in his office before coming here.
-And you are still alive? Why?
-He offered me the chance to live and serve him as a sheriff's helper. You see my clanmates held that postion and he offered it to me now. And you know I can be of much help in that position to you. Slowly the shadows began to fade.
Sarah was still holding her sword but Roxanne was much calmer.
-Are you telling me the truth, youngling?
-I wouldn't lie to you after all you've done for me.
-Roxanne, amaranth is our greatest sin, he needs to be punished, Sarah insisted.
-Sarah you were the one speaking about forgiveness, is it so hard to forgive me? It is not that I wanted to kill them.
-I don't care about you killing two other assasins, but drinking them dry, consuming their souls and destroying any chance they had for an afterlife is a sin I cannot forgive. Roxanne please step aside, let me clean this sin from our house.
-One minute Sarah, I respect your beliefs and as you see I am trying to uphold them but here we have an opportunity.
-How can you even trust him? You know his clan's weakness, now that he has tasted vampiric blood he will do it again and again and who knows he may even try kill you.
-Would that be the first time someone comes for my blood? Am I to be afraid of a youngling that got lucky in a fight? Please Sarah, I have fought many a war to start fearing now.
-And what exactly do you propose? Forgive him?
-Who said anything about forgiveness? James ignored his crime for a reason, Nansy and Narssel -yes youngling I knew damn well who were your bloodline- were valuable allies to him and still he chose not to punish him, what's more he made him the sheriff's assistant. If that is not part of a weird plan of his then I am not a shadow lord! Did James ask anything else of you? You better be honest with me Paul.
-He ordered me to keep this position one year for each murder and then I will be totally free. He said that when he calls I'll have to be at his side as fast as possible, nothing more.
-Okay, said Roxanne who was looking a bit satisfied, I better gather my shadows before those two pitiful ghouls choke to death and Sarah I know you have that power that can clean someone's soul why not offer it to Paul?
-That I will not do! said Sarah.
She was looking calm again and the sword was nowhere to be seen as she was bending over the two ghouls that were on the floor trying to breathe.
The shadows that shadow lords commanded were so thick that a mortal could choke to death if they stayed enough time inside of them.
-They will be fine Sarah, they are not normal humans and the shadows did not last that much.
-Look Roxanne, you say you can use him and I don't doubt it. You say you want no punishment for him, this is your house and you make the rules BUT I will not betray my beliefs and help a murderer.
Even now in his soul he doesn't feel sorry about what he has done. I can see clearly he is full of pride about his actions. He even feels pride about getting that sheriff position.
''Damn that woman and her mind-reading powers'' Paul thought.
-Okay, okay I get it, you don't want to help him and I will not force you to. But as you said this is my house and my will will be done. One last question youngling. Do I still have your loyalty?
-Of course my lady, never doubt that, said a still scared Paul.
-Never forget that then, if you try anything foolish enough even James won't be able to hide you from me...and Paul?
-Yes?
-Remember, cannibalising is a downward path to your inner beast, you cannot imagine how easy it is to lose yourself to your beastial instincts. Remember also that the day your beast controls your mind I will kill you myself, am I clear?
-As always, my lady.
-Fine then, I already lost much time with this and I need to get ready for that party Sofia is throwing tonight. Ah by the way Paul, as long as this black stain stays on your aura I would rather you didn't accompany me on social gatherings, it will affect my status and will unnerve the others.
-As you wish my lady, said Paul with dissapointment in his face and voice.
As soon as Roxanne entered the bathroom again Paul went to Suzan.
-My little Suzan are you ok?
-What happened? Why did Sarah scream?
-I can explain to you but not now. Are you okay? Can you move? We could take a walk maybe and I'll explain everything to you.
-I have to finish some paperwork, I thought you wouldn't be free tonight as you had said.
-Then later? Do you want to come by my place and sleep together?
-Of course I'd want that, said an ever-smiling Suzan while going back to her computer.
Paul looked for Sarah, she wasn't there. After she had checked both Suzan and Liza she propably had left for her room.
He took a deep breath -a useless habbit from his mortal days- and knocked her door.
-Who is it?
-It's me and I would really like to speak to you.
-My door is locked for you young Paul, leave me alone.
-Sarah please, of all the people in this house you are the one I need to apologize to the most.
-I don't need your apology, my clan suffered grave losses from cannibals like you and I now have one in the same place where I live.
-You know what? I am done trying to convince you that I am sorry, I did what I had to to protect my life and Suzan's and I will do it again if I have to. I am not proud of my crime but I am proud that I am still alive and that the Prince gave me a chance to get a place among my kind. I know you are perfect and all this humane shit but if you ever, ever, did something you were not proud of then you should give me a chance to prove that I am worthy of your forgiveness.
Paul heard the door unlock and suddenly Sarah charged out of her room. But this was not the usual Sarah.
Her silken skarf was gone and a terrifying third eye with a deep red glow was open and looking at him like looking into his very soul.
-You want forgiveness? I will grant you your wish then murderer! Spirits of my forefathers hear my call! Suddenly Sarah grabbed his arm. Archangel Michael I summon thee to haunt this man's dreamless sleep, to fill his soul with remorse and terror for what he has done, to reveal to him the true face of his own evil! Let him know no rest until he understands the severity of his crime.
Paul had fallen on his knees while Sarah was uttering this ancient curse of her clan and when he regained his strength the third eye with the red glow was gone.
-What kind of sorcery is this? What have you done to me?
-What you asked for youngling. When you will be ready both in your mind and your soul then and only then will I forgive you. Till then I consider you unclean and I order you to stay away from me.
-What will happen to me? What were those words you said?
-Believe it or not it was my effort to save whatever part of your soul has remained intact after your crime and now leave me. Come back only when you will be clean of your sins.
-And when will that be?
-You will know...said Sarah cryptically and locked herself inside her room.
Later that night Paul explained to Suzan what had happened with his clanmates and what had happened tonight in the living room and later with Sarah.
In her human heart there was only love for him and no place for mistrust.
-I am sorry, he said to her, for everything, I never wanted any of that to happen.
-You don't need to be sorry, you fought for your life and I prefer you alive rather than dead. I believe Roxanne doesn't care that much for what you've done and Sarah will forgive you too. We only look towards the future not the past and I want a future with you.
Just moments before the sunrise Paul believed the worse had passed but as soon as the dreamless sleep claimed him he realised that his nightmare had just begun and he would be alone and helpless during his personal Hell.
''Nightmare lying here in the dark
Scared like my dreams made their mark
I wonder
Dreamer always alone
Lost in a part of myself I can't find anymore
I wonder if it's gonna end tonight
I can't sleep alone anymore
I need you here with me
Even though I closed all the doors
There's somethin' holdin' me
Never Ending Nightmare''
