The Night of Promise -- Part 2

The Night of Promise

By

B.D. Adams

©2014

 “Burns,” Cynthia said with her smile, “Robert Burns, a favorite poet.”

Cynthia had scored yet another positive mark with her recognition of poetry. He

would need to quickly neutralize whoever this was!

“Who is this?” Spencer asked abruptly. He had gone to the other side of the oak tree to take the call.

“Ah, Lad. Have ya lost yer patience with age?” said the old memory of this voice. “I gave yew th’gift ... ‘member now?”

= Part 2 =œ

            “All the saints,” Spencer quietly avowed. Surely, the cell phone must be damaged. He was flabbergasted! He was astonished!

            “Come lad. Is tha’ all ye can say?” The voice was the same as when he was first bitten!

            “What do you want?” was all Spencer could ask. He peeked around the tree to glimpse Cynthia, to smile to her. Momentarily, he felt another biting cold shiver.

            The old man knew what was felt and assured, “That not be me, lad.” His voice was sincere. “‘Tis another. Worry not, lad. I desire not thy lady-love,” the old man declared.

            “Where are you? What do you want?” Spencer couldn’t sense where the old vampire was. He continued to quietly search for what he could not see ... or sense!

            “I be here to warn ye, lad. There is danger t’night.”

            “What kind of danger?” Spencer asked. Now, he was more than alarmed. This ancient vampire sought him out to tell him of danger!

            “Come to th’ meadow, west of the village t’night. Nigh th’ midnight hour. I shall be a-waitin’ for ye.” The cell call went dead. The foreboding cold discontinued, as well.

            Spencer began to walk back to Cynthia with the phone to his ear, as if he still spoke to someone. To remain calm was what he wanted to do. He wanted to hug and kiss Cynthia with no other matter clogging his emotions. As he approached, she smiled so sweetly to him.

            He continued to talk, as if the caller was still there, “Yes ... we’ll talk more next week. Yes ... take care.” He returned the cell phone to his pocket. “There! Now, it’s definitely off!” he confirmed. He seated back to her side, the blanket was more on her legs. “Now, where’s my wine?” Spencer asked. Wine always warmed his blood.

Before the call, he had taken out a thin, rectangular board from the basket, on which to set their wine glasses. He wore a small smile. Cynthia happily handed his glass.

            They drank the wine and she nibbled on a bread roll. Accidently, she bit her lower lip, which caused a spot of blood. She sat her glass on the board. Spencer gently took his thumb to wipe the blood from her lip, and pretended to wipe the blood onto his napkin. The bleed stopped instantly. Actually, he easily licked the spot of blood on his thumb, and so rejoiced in the taste he had. She was what his society referred to as “sang exceptionelle” (the French named this), rare blood. He felt very privileged to have this taste!

She apologized for staining the linen, he said not a worry.

They truly enjoyed the music, along with their conversations of all subjects with light laughter, also. Spencer had been able, years past, to create history for him that wouldn’t inspire too many questions. Most of the subjects were mostly current events, what’s in the news, visits in Europe. Much in common! She mentioned, however, that she had been “under-the-weather” lately, and was so glad she was better tonight. He had noticed the lack of peaches in her creamy cheeks, but nonetheless, she was so lovely.

He began to hold her close, and so wanted to kiss her. It would be so sweet to have another small taste of her fluid. However, now, the more he thought about it, he was concerned about the cell phone call. He must go to that meadow by midnight! How sad.  

            “Spencer, is the call on your mind? Was it bad news?” Cynthia asked. She looked into his eyes, as she only wanted to see thoughts of her.

            He poured the last of the wine into both glasses, as he asked, “Am I that transparent?”

            “I wouldn’t say transparent, but you seem to be ... some place else.”

            The quartet began to play a Beethoven piece, their last piece for this concert. He had heard this piece in Vienna a few centuries ago, in 1798. A moving composition, when the composer was a young man. Such a talented composer, with so few instruments.

So inspired by the music, he softly caressed her cheek. She seemed to melt at his touch, and simply closed her eyes. He gazed at her alluring, albeit somewhat wan complexion!

He couldn’t help it, but he put his thumb under her chin to guide her lips to his. Now, it was his turn to melt. Her lovely eyes opened, she anticipated what might happen.

“Kiss me, Spencer,” Cynthia requested in her sweet way. Her eyes closed, again, and Spencer did! He kissed her! They enjoyed the closeness of their lips! Her lips were warm and begged to be kissed again. He obliged.

He knew that this encounter would not be a one-night stand! Damn that stupid call, Spencer cursed silently!

He gently hugged her closer to him. After this hug, they just faced the stage, finished the wine and listened to the last melody of the evening.

Spencer didn’t need to look at his watch. He knew it was near ten-thirty, as the musicians stood to bow at the applauding spectators. They bowed three times. Cynthia and Spencer applauded, but more to themselves. A delightful evening.

After a moment, Cynthia’s entourage came to them. They stood to meet them.

“We would love to stay longer to visit, but we need to make it back to Charlotte,” the man said. His voice was a low timber. The woman handed Cynthia her shawl and purse.

“Spencer, this is my brother, Aaron, and his wife, Julie,” Cynthia introduced.

Hands were shaken. “So nice to meet you both,” Spencer said sincerely. Aaron seemed pleased with his sister’s new friend.

“Spencer? Nice name. Are you British?” Aaron asked. He reacted to Spencer’s accent.

Spencer grinned to Cynthia, and remarked, “Runs in the family. Yes?” He knew the family must be educated travelers.

Aaron lightly grimaced, but Cynthia giggled and said she’d explain in the car. She encouraged the others to go ahead, she’d be only a moment.

Spencer and Cynthia folded the Tartan blankets, then Spencer packed everything back into the basket. They strolled hand-in-hand.

Before they got to the entrance, Cynthia stopped them. Shyly and sweetly, she said, “I had no intention to meet someone tonight, but I am so glad I did.”

“Me, too,” Spencer concurred.

She reached quickly into her purse and pulled out a small spiral notebook with a ballpoint pen. With no fanfare, she wrote on the paper, and then tore off the paper sheet to hand to him.

Cynthia Vanderbilt, he read. “Very distant cousins,” she assured with her smile.

“Your name could be Smith and I’d still be impressed,” he spoke honestly. He quickly took out his wallet to retrieve one of his business cards to hand to her. She grinned so happily, as she looked into his eyes. They shared a few fond kisses with hugs before they reluctantly proceeded to the parking area.

Aaron and Julie were already seated in the Mercedes sedan, and waited for Cynthia. Aaron emerged slightly from the car and bade Spencer to have a seat, they would drive him to his door. Spencer assured nicely that he had not far to walk, but thanked for the offer. Cynthia waved a disappointed wave to him, as they drove off.

In a way, because of the summons he had received, he was glad they had to leave. He’d get in touch with Cynthia on the morrow.

He had no inkling of what to expect. Once he got to the meadow, however, surely he’d be enlightened. At this hour, there were few people out strolling in the area where he lived. It was nearly eleven-thirty.

As he turned up the street to his apartment, an ambulance and a police cruiser screamed past on the street where he had been! The vehicles began their sirens to move traffic and the few pedestrians. Spencer wondered if he should pursue to get a late snack. He was feeling a bit peaked, but continued along; he needed to prepare for this late night meeting.

His antiquated, but pristine, bathtub Porsche (Royal Blue) was parked in front of the building where he had left it much earlier. The building had been a dormitory for students of the small university, a college until August a year ago. A new, more modern dorm had been built with the new monies allowed for a university. The vintage dormitory was refurbished into small rental apartments, available to anyone with the finances.

Spencer entered his apartment on the second floor, placed the wicker basket on the counter in his undersized kitchen and went immediately into the bedroom. He took off his Argyle sweater and donned an old, red sweatshirt and exchanged the jeans he had worn for an older pair. There had been only three summonses since he had been bitten, but those had been turf issues ... who infringed on whose territory! But those days were gone. What now?

Since he had no idea of what might happen, he took out the wooden box from the bottom drawer of the bureau. The box housed his ancient, but deadly, cross-styled dagger in its sheath. It was placed in his belt! Always cautious!

The car’s convertible top was closed, so quietly he entered, turned the key and drove to his destination. He parked under some old Elm trees, still fully dressed with the colorful leaves, which somewhat hid the car. Guardedly, he walked beyond the trees to look for the old man.

He was there. As he sat on a tree-stump, he appeared not as decrepit as when he bit Spencer. His attire was more like in the current day. There was no smile from his creator, as he approached, but no anger, neither. It was midnight.

“Ah, lad. Good ye could make th’ short journey,” he praised.

“We’ve never spoken of our names. I’m Spencer.” No hand was offered to shake, but congenial behavior might be appropriate with this old vampire, Spencer deduced.

“Aye, lad ... I know,” he said blandly. “Ye can call me, Angus.” All he did this time was wink to Spencer.

Suddenly, Spencer felt that same biting cold, same as earlier! He turned quickly on his heels to see who was there!

From across the narrow meadow, three figures came with stealth speed. Human shapes, but detail was not sharp!

“These shall ... observe,” Angus explained. He did not display fear. “Another vampire wishes to challenge.”

“Observe? Challenge? What the hell?” Spencer asked a bit nervously and irritated. “What is this?!” This had to be the first time he was ever nervous about anything, since his change. Why now? Spencer knew not to run or hide, that would be futile.

Angus stayed seated on his tree stump near the tree line. “This is necessary, ye shall see. Now, lad, seek yonder,” Angus stated. He pointed to another, an unknown vampire, who bolted so close that Spencer had to jump out of the way! Fangs bared ... prepared for a death combat!

            “What is this?!” Spencer screamed at him. The coldness was more noticeable, now!

            The unknown was younger than Angus, Spencer sensed, but older than he. The vampire all but growled, “You’ve taken my prey! She’s mine!!” He wore all black, like a ritual costume.

            Because he was threatened, Spencer’s blood fangs grew for his defense and to attack this agile vampire! The unknown sprang again to attack! Spencer used the dagger and cut him. Since the dagger was a religious cross design, the other vampire was affected, more wounded. Between jumping and hitting and cutting, the two vampires fought. The unknown had lost more blood than Spencer! Much weaker.

The vampire growled, panted harder, “She’s mine, you bloody bastard!”

Spencer could not fathom the reason for this fight! After several minutes of the melee, they both retreated, to regroup!

            The other figures appeared to just watch the fight. This was a very new treatment!

If he was going to die by this vampire, Spencer decided he should know why. “Who is she? What are you talking about?” he insisted. He made an attacking gesture toward the unknown and saw him back a bit away. Ah, Spencer acknowledged to himself, his sneak attack was out of fear! He wants the woman he began to turn, but he is not brave. He is ... he is.

Spencer jolted in his realization of what this fight was about. He remembered that Cynthia mentioned she had been “under-the-weather,” and appeared pale. This vampire had tried to bite her as Angus had done to him, but evidently had been interrupted, was not able to complete the deed!

            “No!!” Spencer yelled in anger. His blood fangs became more dangerous, as he howled, “She’s mine NOW!!” This unknown vampire had no claim ... he had messed up!

            “Ye must defeat now, lad,” Angus called out firmly.

            Spencer needed no further encouragement! With the thought that this rude, blood-sucker intended to hurt his Cynthia, his sweet Cynthia, he needed to perish that thought! This ignorant vampire should have never gone after Cynthia! Never!!

            With minimal movement, but with speed that blinded, Spencer attacked the other vampire with his deadly fangs by attacking from behind. He was able to hold the other vampire’s arms to his sides and easily sank his fangs directly into the jugular!! Spencer had become so much stronger! The feeding began and ended in just moments! Spencer was an accomplished feeder. When he finished, he felt so empowered!!! Much stronger!! The cold had diminished.

            He looked to Angus and saw a smile finally. A small smile, but a smile broke his thin lips.

            The unknown vampire, drained of all blood, was nothing more than a squishy blob, to be dried by the morning sun. Such is the death of any vampire.

            The figures said something to Angus, but Spencer couldn’t hear their words. The three merely became vapor and disappeared into the dark.

            “Come forth, lad. We must make haste!” Angus strongly said, as he rose from his tree-stump. He headed to where the Porsche was hidden.

            “Angus, what’s going on, good fellow?” Spencer asked genuinely concerned. “Do I need to combat another?” He followed Angus to his car. His fangs took awhile to recede, but he managed to make them normal.

            “A different combat, lad. The combat of time is thy enemy, now! Drive, Spencer, drive!!”

            Spencer did not hesitate. Both vampires sped away, and Spencer knew, in his vampire sense that he was to go outside of town.

            Angus explained:

            “Ye saw the ambulance afore? It headed to an auto accident on the main highway to

Asheville. A nasty accident ... Mercedes was mangled ... attacked by a big commercial truck.”

            Spencer knew a Mercedes would go through Asheville to travel to Charlotte. All he could do was whisper the name of, “Cynthia .......”

            Angus continued, “She hast been with surgeons whilst ye battled that other. Now, she needs thy blood, Spencer. With out it, she shall certainly perish! Thee and Cynthia are meant to be. That vampire wanted to be chosen by her, wanted the Observers to support his desire. They denied him, the reason he wanted to kill thee. Thank the saints, ye bettered him!!” he grinned for real to Spencer.

            In quick time, they made it to Asheville and Spencer located the hospital. He parked the Porsche and rushed into the ER! Both he and Angus cloaked themselves, to hide ... to move unseen through the shadows in the building!

            “Will she accept the gift? What if she rejects, hates me for it?” Spencer questions.

            “Lad ... she shall question, but as I hast avowed ... it is meant to be. Ye shall see,” Angus said. “All matters shall be explained in time.” His face seemed calmed and pleased.

No time, Spencer located Cynthia in a room in the ICU division, on the third floor! She wore a shapeless hospital gown in a plain light blue. Still cloaked Spencer stood near to her and discerned she had two broken legs, broken right arm, fractured collar-bone and a nasty brain injury, with a few other maladies. As well, he noticed a small bandage on her neck. He pulled it back to see the two puncture marks; he knew they were made by that vampire! Her sweater’s collar had hid the marks under her bandage.

Spencer wept to see his love so broken.

‘Take her sweet blood, and then let her feed on thee, lad! She needs thy blood to heal and to complete the cycle!’ Angus said to Spencer’s mind. This was new for him, never had had mental ability like that! ‘Concern ye self not ... I’ll hide ye!’ Spencer looked through the window and saw Angus dressed like a doctor. Angus closed the window curtain from outside the room.

Then quickly, Spencer uncloaked and sat on the bed beside Cynthia. Without hesitation, he pulled out the IVs and arranged the bed to make her sit up more.

Her eyes opened, and she recognized Spencer. “Am I dead, Spencer?” she asked weakly.

            “No, my love ... you will live forever,” he said with all the love in his heart.

            With the anticipation of what he was about to do, his blood fangs grew more than they ever had! He bit aggressively into her jugular and began to drink.

            At first she made a painful noise, but calmed as he made love to her with his vampire bite. She began to cling to him, forced him to take more. He drank nearly all of the real and transfused blood from her. When he stopped his feed, she became agitated, afraid. There was barely a pulse. Weakly, she reached for him to drink more, but instead, he took his fingernail and sliced a vein in his wrist, and made a few drops to puddle on her lips.

With the first taste of blood, Cynthia wanted more, so he turned her, to hug her from behind, as she easily drank from his arm. His other arm was around her, also, and hugged her so closely. She clasped his wrist with the uninjured arm and began her deep feed and moaned in ecstasy! This was a sensation she, and Spencer, had never had! This closeness gave them such indescribable pleasure! His epiphany with her taking his blood was limitless!! He nuzzled and kissed her neck with each suck that she welcomed!

            However, Spencer instinctively knew he had to make her stop her feed, but she whined, like a baby when the mother has taken away her tit.

            “My love, we need to leave. A new life awaits,” he explains. Gently, he licked away the

blood that drooled from her mouth, as they kissed.

            “Spencer ... Spencer ... I can’t walk. I’m hurt!” she insisted breathlessly.

            Spencer smiled so sweetly, and with his vampire strength, he tore the casts off her legs and her arm. She was prepared to scream, but then felt no pain. He looked up like he heard someone, and he answered, “We’re on our way. Yes, I understand.”

            “Who are you talking to?” she inquired. She sat on the side of the ICU bed to get her bearings. She tested what he had done, and affirmed that she could walk! She grinned, so astonished to Spencer, her new love! He cradled her in his arms.

=====

Angus recites:

            They exited the hospital by the vampire cloak. Amongst the shadows, Spencer speedily spirited Cynthia away. She shall complete her transformation in the peace of his small apartment. They shalt whisk away to Europe when she was more healed, more a vampire.

Once her brother was awake, a few days since, Aaron learned that he was healing remarkably well! As was Julie, but their injuries were still serious enough. The semi-truck driver had fallen asleep at the wheel! That nasty vampire caused this! He intended to kill Cynthia. His death was what the Observers had wanted! The trucking company would be sued for many millions.

The brother learned from a physician that his sister had been taken to a private clinic in the French Alps. By the benefit of an anonymous benefactor. Her injuries were more severe and needed the attention of the Nuns! Aaron would be contacted with updates on her condition. No one was privy to the benefactor’s name.

What Aaron and Julie would never learn was that they had been doused a wee bit with the healing vampire blood from my veins.

Amazing what vampires could do, physically or mentally.

            Yes, a night of promise. Spencer and Cynthia’s new life together had just begun!

Shadows - B.D. Adams - 2012