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The two kindred made their ways towards the nearest small city, nothing major, mainly an out laying city compared to London. They talked about what has happened, what was to come and how they would deal with it as the time came. Melanthus seemed almost distant for once. It showed that even tho Larynda had been gone a short time, he was already missing her. "Cheer up, M‘lord, she’s in good hands and will be back soon enough." Melanthus nodded and chuckled slightly.. "Aye, old man, she will be, its just that when you find the one you love so much, you dont want to be separated from her." Dareal nodded and grinned a bit as he and the prince continued their pace towards the outskirts of the town about twenty minutes later.
"Ah, well shall we see what we can dig up for dinner?" Melanthus said with a bit of a smirk as Dareal snickered. "Indeed m‘lord, indeed. But dont you sometimes wish.. that you did not have to do what we do in order to stay alive?" Dareal asked in all seriousness as Melanthus looked at the older kindred. "aye, i do wish it sometimes, but you cant cheat fate. Unfortunately, if it was meant to be, so be it. Its not easy on any of us, to leave behind some of the things we could of had in life, but there are things that even in the darkness we share, there’s great beauty in it as well." Dareal nodded lightly as he thought upon that. "Aye, yer right.. your right.." He sighed as they started to enter the town and walk along the semi-darkened streets.
Few cars passed by, with it being so late at night and a few of the lamp posts casted a soft light from their tops as the two kindred would walk slowly along the streets, looking for the more disreputable and beggars that no one cared for, to feed upon. A nearby alley caught their attentions as they heard the scuffle that echoed up thru the alley. Any normal person probably would not have even heard the scuffle, but a vampire’s enhanced sense of hearing was by far much better than a normal humans. They both looked at eachother and headed off towards the dark alleyway, seems dinner was not that hard to find afterall.
Elizabeth felt the hands of her two attackers holding her firmly despite her struggles. The one had his hand clamped over her mouth as his partner began groping her with obvious intent as to what he wanted. Tears stung her eyes as the young musician and singer fought back. Her teeth sank deeply into the soft area of the blonde’s thumb. He cursed loudly as his blood flowed thickly over the two of them. "Damned bitch!" He yelped as his hand struck her hard along side her head.
She felt dizzy from it all, this couldn’t be happening her mind kept telling her. Slowly they started to wrestle her to the ground. Elizabeth was beautiful by any standards. At 23 yyears old she was an acomplished master of three instruments and sang like an angel from heaven with a voice that could reach both ends of the scale with equal ease. She had spent 5 years at Julliard and had only recently taken a position at the local theater. Not that she needed the money. Far from it. Her father had left her a sizable bit of land with a comfortable home in the countryside she loved so much as a graduation gift from Julliard.
Now though it was nothing but a distant memory locked away as the men raped her with savage brutality. Her thick chestnut brown hair lay streamed out on the ground under her head, the soft golden hazel eyes shut tight as tears streamed down her cheeks. She muffled a scream as a knife wedged its length into her side. "Oh god no!" She cried as the pain dulled her senses.
It was the screams that brought Dareal’s attention further down the alleyway as him and Melanthus saw what was going on before them. The scene itself was sickening, and Dareal rushed forward towards the attackers. Melanthus went to say something, but grunted as he too went quickly down the alley. It was only sheer moments that the shadows seemed to swallow the two kindred, appearing one on each side of the attackers, standing there as each cleared their throats. "I do say, that’s no way to treat a lady, you chaps should have better manners." Melanthus said as he definetly caught the men off guard and Mel reached forward to the first man, yanking him up and shoving him roughly into a nearby brick wall. As Melanthus went to deal with that gentleman, Dareal took the blonde that was gouging at the young woman, hands clasping upon him as he too pulled him free from the woman. "And dont you know its a hideous sin to do the distastefull act that you are doing right now?" An almost murderous look crept into Dareal’s gaze, but soon vanished as he took the man, beating the living tarr out of him as Melanthus did the same. No, they would not waste their time making these men their meals, they would be foul blooded enough to give anyone heartburn to say the least.
After the nice scene, and the two kindred pummeling the daylights out of the two attackers, who did manage to collect themselves enough to stand, they looked back, screaming obscenities at the three and took off, bloodied and bruised as they ran from the alleyway to god knows where. It was Dareal who made the first move towards Elizabeth, careful not to startle her as he knelt down upon one knee not far from her.. "Dont be afraid madam, we are not here to hurt you. We heard the scuffles and came to see what was going on." He looked at the knife in her side and frowned as he looked at Melanthus. He looked at the woman for a good long bit, before nodding lightly. "Dont move, let me take care of the blade, alright.. i promise i wont hurt you." Dareal murmured softly, his words still as caring and calm, and yet, held so much truth as they always have.
He could tell she was scared, and frightened, but in a lot of pain as the blood slowly ebbed at the edges of the wound that the dagger made. Dareal leaned over, nearing her more as he reached for the hilt of the knife and gently placed a hand upon her arm.. "Remain still.. do not move, alright?" He asked as he made sure she would be alright before he did anything else.
Elizabeth’s frightened but intelligent eyes locked on Dareal’s. Something inside told her he was good to his words. Her hand came to rest slowly on his. Even battered and in pain, an inner strength shone back from the depths of her hazel eyes. She shifted her gaze to Melanthus, wary but resigned to the fact she was in the hands of these two strangers.
Gradually she eased into a calmer state. "My name is Elizabeth" The voice matched her eyes in its inner strength. With her movements though slow, it caused the dagger to shift slightly, grating on the rib it sat just below. Elizabeth bit her lower lip, taking a sharp breath against the burning in her side. Through it all though her hand never strayed from Dareal’s. Opening her eyes to look back, a thin cool sweat had broken out on her forhead. "I trust you." The words so simple held total truth in them.Fear radiated through her touch, she did indeed trust him, but something lingered in her eyes. A question of sorts, but it was one she refused to ask for now.
Dareal smiled as he went to remove the knife from her side, carefully but quickly pulling it free and tossing the weapon off into a dumpster behind him as he placed his hand over the bleeding wound. "The name’s Dareal, my friend’s is Melanthus." He smiled as melanthus knelt down beside Dareal, having pulled out a cloth hankerchief that he kept in his pocket and handed it to dareal. With a nod of thanks, he placed it over the wound and looked back at the woman, she was indeed beautiful and he sighed inwardly. "We must get you to either a doctor or to someone who can stitch that up. You dont need to bleed everywhere, besides, i dont think you want to either." He smiled as he looked at the wound a bit more. It was a pretty good sized wound, but not one that could not be stitched up and heal on its own. "come, let me take you there, alright?" He asked as he went to go lift her up in his arms, but not doing so till she was alright and agreed to it. Melanthus just stood there, grinning up a storm, but inwardly chuckling to himself as he sent a mental messsage to Dareal... :::: well old man, seems you still have the touch?:::: Dareal said not a word, nor a response back ,but made a mental note to trounce Melanthus later for trying to pick on him. But in truth, the chances of finding an open doctors office at this time of night, was not going to happen, only place that was open would be the hospital, and that unfortunately would have to be where they would go.
Elizabeth watched Melanthus smiling like a cheshire cat at Dareal. The two were obviously close friends. She relaxed more as Melanthus moved nearer to her. She sat slowly leaning into Dareal slightly, her eyes closing briefly with a soft gasp through clenched teeth. "That was dumb now. Especially since you made an offer to carry me." A slight wry smile filtered through the pain.
"Please don’t take me to a hospital though ok? One I can’t afford it and two I know an intern staying at Rhionne manner. His name is Ricky. We had lunch together yesturday." She smiled a bit, "He’s expecting his first little one in a few months and is a nervous wreck." Her gentle chuckle, brought her up short from the pain it brought. Leaning her head into Dareal’s shoulder she muttered a soft prayer of thanks. She had no clue as to the natures of the two men who kneeled next to her and was unaware of the fact that they could hear her words quite well.
Taking a careful breath, Elizabeth rested her forehead into Dareal’s shoulder. Both kindred could feal her pain, yet noticed she spoke not a word of it. "My car is a few blocks over. If you dont have yer own with you...we can take mine. My home isn’t far from there and I can call Ricky from the house phone...or even the car phone." She muttered softly against Dareal.
Melanthus lofted a brow as he heard the words Rhionne manner. Ah, yes, he remembered the place, indeed. Dareal looked at Melanthus, recognizing it too as he then turned and looked back down at Elizabeth in his arms. "Well, since we know of the place you refer to, Melanthus shall drive us there, if that is alright with you. As for mode of transportation, unfortunately we are closer to where your car is than to ours, so we shall take yours and you can call ahead to Rhionne manner and let them know you are coming?" Dareal smiled as his arms went beneath Elizabeth and with ease lifted her into his arms.
With the directions that Elizabeth gave them, they found the car without a problem. "Now, m‘lady, keys would be nice so i can drive us there?" Melanthus said with a calm and kind demeanor as the keys were lifted from a pocket and dropped into his hands from Elizabeth. Melanthus opened the doors, letting Dareal carefully lay her in the back seat, then going around to the other side and sitting in beside her. Melanthus soon followed as he got into the front seat and turned the car on, driving off towards Rhionne manner. "I do say, i think this is the phone ye were referrin to, miss?" Melanthus said as they drove down the road, handing her the cell phone that had been left on the front seat of the passenger side of the car. Dareal kept close watch on Elizabeth’s wound, keeping the cloth to her side to keep the blood from oozing out any faster.
Elizabeth took the cell phone offered to her by Melanthus. Hitting speed dial she put the call through. On the third ring it was answered on the other end. "This is Elizabeth Montgomery, may I speak with Ricky please...its rather important." Her hand squeezed tightly over Dareal’s as the car dipped through a few bumps. The sharp intake of breath and closed eyes the only clue as to the pain it caused.
A younger male’s voice replaced the other. "Elizabeth, it’s Ricky what’s up sweetheart? Edward said it was important." "Seems I went and got my self mugged, and stabbed to boot. Two gentlemen are bringing me over to see you. Hope its not an inconvienence." A thin smile crossed her face at Ricky’s answer.
"Jesus, Lord n Lady Bethy! No its not...look can I talk with one of them? Just give me a quick name ok?" His voice suddenly very much the concerned doctor now trying to get information on an incoming patient.
Elizabeth looked up towards Dareal since Melanthus was driving. "That’s easy enough. Dareal and Melanthus. I guess they know where the place is at."
Ricky laughed softly, his voice easy and calm now as he recognized both names from Edward’s discussions. He was pretty sure he’d met Melanthus once before in passing at Rhionne when he had been getting a stern lecture about jumping his hunter over guests cars and letting the small pack of fox hounds chase after some snooty lady guests pompus poodle. He figured it probably wouldn’t have been so bad if the hellraising bunch hadn’t detered into the actual garden party and knocked all those tables flying.
"Ok sweetheart, I need to talk with who ever isn’t driving. Just need to get some information on you is all. That ok?"
Elizabeth tensed for a second before answering, "No problem Ricky. Here’s Dareal." There was an underlying worry to her face as she startd to hand over the phone.
"Hey Bethy! Hold on a second..." The concern in the voice on the other end stayed her hand and she took back the phone, just as Dareal’s hand brushed her to take it. A trace of a nervous smile touched her lips. "What Ricky?"
"Beth answer me fully now...was it just a stabbing? Or is there more to it?" The now very serious question causing her face to lose color as her hand trembled slighly.
Elizabeth swallowed a few times as Ricky waited with infinite patience on the other end. A soothing sensation filled her, though she wasn’t sure from where it came. A tear trickled down her cheek as she leaned her head into Dareal’s shoulder handing him the phone without answering. Giving Ricky the unspoken answer to his question.
He spoke in a rapid brisk tone to someone in the room with him telling them which room and how many to expect. The professionalism showing clearly in the young doctor’s voice.
Dareal took the cell phone from Elizabeth, holding her closely as he did all he could to comfort her. "Ricky, this is Dareal. Elizabeth was indeed stabbed, but its not life threatening..but she’s gonna need a lot of stitches and wraps." "Ok, where was she knifed at exactly, Dareal?" Ricky said as he tried to diagnose over the phone the best he could till they got there. "Left side, just under the ribcage. I managed to retrieve the dagger out and have the blood flow under control at the moment, we should be there at your place soon." "Ok, good, just try to keep her from moving too much, Dareal, so she does not lose much more blood." Dareal chuckled lightly and smiled down at Elizabeth.. "Oh indeed, she will be fine, dont think i could hurt the lass if my own life depended on it at the moment. I just hate seeing her in pain, gods know that i have seen enough of that in my lifetime." His words softening as Ricky replied a few more questions and then hung up the phone.
Dareal placed the cell phone on the floor beside him as he brushed a few strands of hair from her face. "Shhh, dont move so much, your going to be fine, and i have no doubts that young Ricky will heal you soon enough." His words so filled with such certainty, and for the first time, he felt something inside him softening as he held the woman close. It was as if his heart, that was alone for so long, having been so cold for so long, started to actually warm up, all because this one woman.. who he knows nothing about, yet.. he’s got a feeling that he definetly does not want nor wish to leave her side anytime soon.
As Melanthus pulled the car into the drive it was obvious that their arrival was well expected. Edward and Ricky stood out on the front steps of the large manor watching the approach of the car. Both wore concerned expressions and were talking quietly as they approached the car.
Ricky opened Dareal’s door motioning for him to stay seated and still as he kneeled in to check Elizabeth. His strong, gentle hands moved with expert grace over her as he smiled and spoke in a low tone. "Hey there Bethy. Seems you found yourself in good hands with these two gentlemen. I’m jealious." His eyes watched hers closely as she responded with a half smile. "Honey I need to ask if anything more besides just the knife wound happened." His voice had dropped to a bare whisper near her ear.
Elizabeth’s eyes closed tightly as a tear trickled down her cheek. Her only response was a brief nod. She tightened her grip on Dareal’s hand as the images of the rape rapidly replayed through her mind. The pain hidden in deeply behind the bitter sweet pain of the stab wound. She shielded herself with the more physical reality of the bleeding wound. Ricky let her do so without another word. In time the mental trauma from the rape would ease. His eyes flickered to Dareal’s. It was obvious that some sort of bond was establishing itself between the kindred and Elizabeth.
The young doctor smiled softly. "In time she’ll be fine sir. Right now we need to get her inside and attended to rather quickly. She’s a bit hard to judge at times when it comes to just how much something hurts her." He chuckled slightly at Elizabeth’s look of irritation at him. ’Better than the fearful pain of being violated.’ He thought in calm silence. Being a doctor not only ment healing bodies, but also finding ways to heal the mind’s hurts. The two went hand in hand he had learned.
He hung back as Edward led Dareal, carrying Elizabeth, into the manor. His hand catching Melanthus’s elbow carefully. "A word with you sir as we walk. I need to explain a few things before we get started." He walked slowly towards the house now studying the figures in front of them. "Please sir do not take this in the wrong manner. Elizabeth is a dear frind and the godmother of my unborn son. I have no wish to see her come to any more harm." The young doctor sighed running a hand through his thick golden brown hair. "She has no knowledge of what you and the others are sir, and truth be told I’m not real sure how she would take the news."
Ricky knew the rules about having mundanes knowledgable about kindred society. It often ment one of only a few things...being ghouled ,or bloodbonded, as he now was, embraced into the dark gift, or...killed. Only a few of the kindred were strong enough to block the memories of a mortal permanently. Often in doing so though, other parts of the mind were lost. Killing was often the kinder thing to do then. After all they couldn’t very well embrace every mortal that discovered them.
By the time the two entered the room, Edward and and dareal had Elizabeth settled into the large comfortable bed. Ricky noted she looked tired and scared. She had every right to be he thought grimly. She had been raped and stabbed. Now she was surrounded by strange men she knew nothing about. All strangers except him. Yet he once again took subtle note of her hand on Dareal’s arm. She had come to trust him rather quickly, that was good because he, as her doctor, would need to cause her more pain to fix the damage done to her. Ricky nodded for Melanthus to go sit with Dareal near Elizabeth, noting she didn’t flinch or draw away from the kindred Prince either. Ricky nodded to Edward slightly and the two of them readied the things he would need to repair what damage he could to the beautiful woman. He hoped that Dareal would kep her mind occupied while he readied the iv’s. Elizabeth had a deffinent fear of needles.
After a few minutes he calmly approached the bed and sat on the opposite side of Dareal next to Elizabeth. Sqeezing her other hand gently he locked eyes with her, holding her gaze firmly as he carefully explained in detail what he needed to do. Her body tensed and he could feel her pulse quicken beneath his fingers on her wrist. "Bethy I need to put you to sleep to fix the damage. I can clean the wound and such while you are awake, but it will be very painful honey. After I’m done I’ll give a sedative that will let you drift of into a deep sleep for the rest." Her eyes held nothing but fear as she eye’d the iv next to him. Ricky sighed softly as he went through the process of hooking it up. The sharp stab of the large needle caused her to flinch badly and only Dareal and Melanthus’s quick reflexes in holding her kept it from causing severe damage. "Hold her gentlemen please." Ricky quickly finished his work with the iv talking softly to Elizabeth as he worked to clean her wounds.
Once done she leaned into Dareal tired and shaking. Ricky smoothed her hair gently while she regrouped herself. As she relaxed he slipped the needle into the iv and let her drift off into deep slumber. He slipped the intubation tube down her throat rapidly and set up the oxygen with Edward’s help. He rapidly sent mental images to Melanthus and Dareal of what he was doing as he went about the sugery. If they were going to be caring for the woman as he suspected, then they needed an indepth crash course on what to watch for. An hour later Ricky finished and stepped back, his face tired and his clothes bloodstained. There had been a few rough moments but he had felt Edward’s calm reassurance that he was doing fine and it had steadied the young ghoul immensely.
With tired grin he slipped the tube from Elizabeth’s throat and listened with rapt relief as she drew a deep shakey breath of her own. Thanking god silently he left the others to talk quietly as he went to clean up and rest.
Melanthus and Dareal remained silent thru out everything, tho learning all they could from Edward as they were givin the crash course they most likely would need if the did become the ones to take care of Elizabeth. Once the surgery was done, Dareal heaved a heavy sigh of relief as he looked up at Edward as ricky left to clean up. He slowly turned his gaze to the woman, as if debating something, but did not want to speak aloud, worried that she would wake up any time, and hear what he was fixin to say. "Lord Edward.. " He spoke, and for the first time, realizing he was not sure of what to say.
Melanthus lofted a brow at Dareal, the old kindrd for once seeming a bit unglued as melanthus himself chuckled. "Go ahead old man, i dont think she will hear us for quite some time, at least not till the drugs wear off." Dareal cleared his throat a bit and sighed, muttering to himself more or less as he searched to find the words to explain what it was he wanted to say. " I have a feeling we are probably the last people you wanted to see here, again. Tho, i will say... im glad we found her when we did." Dareal murmured as he looked again at Elizabeth, smiling faintly. "And i had a feeling she did not know about our kind.. and i intend on keeping it that way. "
Then Melanthus smiled a bit as he reclined in the chair as he spoke up.. "The mission with brian tho is going well.. complicated, but well so far.. there’s only one thing we need to find now.. and that’s the book. Once that is found things should be resolved.. tho till then.. my beloved, Aaron and Countess have.. lets say, accompanied brian on an..odd journey." Melanthus spoke as he fought hard to figure out how to put that into words the best he could.
Melanthus tho himself, sighed, missing Larynda it would seem as he fidgeted with his ponytail, tightening it up and back over his shoulder as he let his fingers slowly trace the pin on his upper lapell of his shirt. The red and black rose, crossed in an almost intricate design had stood for his clan for a very long time, and even now tho, he wondered how his beloved was doing, and hoping things were going well. "Seems sometimes things never go the way we expect them to, does it, Lord Edward?"
Melanthus asked, tho seeming at ease for the time being as he was still a bit on the hungry side, their dinner plans having been... sidetracked now for a couple hours. Wonderful..and they both needed to feed, but there was no way at the moment they would be able to, that is for sure.
Edward listened intently to what Dareal and Melanthus told him. He recognized the hunger in both kindred men. "Gentlemen I may be able to help with your ’needs’ right here in the manor. I do ask only that you be as gentle as possible with the young ladies." His eyes sparkled warmly as he thought of the young women under his care and protection. "They are, um how do I put this in modern terms? Wards of mine until their father returns for them. He is a dear friend and amazing individual on the hunt."
He stood away from the wall. "I trust you to bring them to no harm and that their memory of the incodent will be of nothing but a quiet evening of talk and light drink." He motioned for them to follow him as Ricky slipped back into the room under his mentor’s arm. "Ah Ricky just in time lad. Melanthus and Dareal will be stepping out to have dinner. I have no doubt that Dareal will be returning afterwards though to relieve you so you may rest."
The young doctor nodded smiling a bit. "I’ll keep an eye on Beth until you return sir." His smile at Dareal suggested he knew more than he let on aboutmany things. His head tipped in a respectful nod to the three kindred before he moved to sit next to Elizabeth’s deeply sleeping form.
"Gentlemen this way please." Edward held the door open as they passed through. HIs steps took them to the far end of the hall. A young woman with raven black hair and subtle red highlights came round the corner almost bumping into them.
"Excuse me my Lords. I was told you were looking for me Edward?" Her deep brown eyes and features denoting her gypsy heritage. She was stunning and vibrant in her youth and health. Her voice came in firm tones of respect to Edward and the others, a hint of love for the old man tinged her words.
"Rebecca this is Lord Melanthus. would you mind showing him the outer gardens before dinner?" He hugged the young woman briefly stroking her soft hair before releasing her. His hand still holding hers for a moment as she turned to look at the kindred Prince.
"It would be my please sir." She nodded at Melanthus may I have yer company sir?"
As they left, Edward took Dareal around the corner talking quietly now. "I will introduce you to Miranda, Rebecca’s sister. She is a quiet gentle soul unlike her firey sibling." His hand caught Dareal’s elbow. "Sir she is a special child of rare faith in many things. I suspect she knows of us. If it is so please see that those memories are removed. That is all I ask of you." The pain of the possibility ran strongly through his touch to Dareal. He knocked softly on her door before entering.
Miranda turned her eyes locking on both men instantly alert, yet calm. "Good evening gentlmen. How may I help you both this evening?"
Edward stepped forward and whispered softly in herear as he took her hands in his. She nodded once before turning to Dareal. "My deepest sympothies and prayers for your lady. I’m sure she will be fine my lord." She stepped forward top Dareal. "Why don’t you leave us to talk Edward? I’m sure we will be fine until dinner." The lord of Rhionne manor nodded slightly and took his leave.
Melanthus was lead out to the gardens with the lovely young woman on his arm. yes, she was beautiful, which caused him to sigh inwardly as he was definetly missing his lady. "I will have to say, the garden here rivals my own at Muncaster." He said as he smiled towards Rebecca, taking her hand in his and leading her to a small spot in the garden, picking out a small spot on the ground and sitting. "Mmm.. join me?" He said, rebecca smiling and taking a seat beside him. "You say Muncaster Castle is where you are from m‘lord? I have seen it before, tho only in passing, tis a huge castle to say the least and very old looking as well." "Aye, that it is m‘lady, that it is. Tis several hundred years old."
Melanthus smiled as he gently lifted his arm and drapped it around Rebecca. The minutes passed as they got closer, talking about history of the places, and family. It was then that as he leaned in close to her ear to whisper to her, his tongue gently caressed the tender flesh that he chose to pierce, and he did so very slowly and gently. No pain was felt but the sensations that rebecca felt were to be intense and very passionate as all she could do was to let out a deep sigh and moan as Melanthus took her in his arms, taking only the amount of the life giving fluid he needed to satisfy his hunger. But as he did so, he gently went along and wipped out the memory of this incident, so that by the time he withdrew his fangs and gently healed the tiny holes upon her neck to nothingness, his voice brought her back to a previous talk, causing Rebecca to blink as she had a feeling that perhaps she had dozed off, nothing else. " So, shall we go back inside my dear? Afterall its getting late, and i believe you seem a bit on the tired side. Sleep is something that is very demanding at times." "Yes My lord, i think you are right. Tis odd tho, i guess i got up a bit early today and with all i have been doing, never really realized how tired i truly was." Melanthus chuckled lightly and stood to his feet, gently helping her up and leading her back inside towards where Elizabeth and ricky were at.
Meanwhile, Dareal stepped in the room with Miranda, smiling a bit as he took a seat upon a nearby chair, sighing. "Well, what seems to be bothering you? Seems you had a rough night no?" Miranda asked as Dareal looked up, looking dazed for a moment as he sighed.. "A long night indeed." Miranda took up a chair beside him, tilting her head as she studied him for the longest of moments. "How is that, if i may ask?" Dareal looked up into her eyes, seeing a definet knowledge that she knew of their kind. "Family problems as of late, and a few other personal issues along the way." She nodded lightly and gently placed a hand upon his shoulder as they met eye to eye. "Family sometimes i guess has a way of wearing one out, no?" Dareal smiled and nodded as he leaned slightly closer to her. "Aye, that they do for some reason.. and lately, that is no exception." Those words murmured gently against her ear as he leaned back and smiled. He did not want to do anything too quickly or off guard here. They continued their chatting and talk, both seeming to be relaxed with the new found company of eachother as Dareal caught sight of the earings she was wearing and smiled, leaning closer to get a better look. "These are real, are they not? Rubies? They fit you well, my lady, and they are very gorgeous." As she went to reply, Dareal leaned forward to lightly nip at her earlobe and as she giggled, he gently lowered his head enough so that his lips touched her neck and in that one instant, silently inbedded his fangs into her neck, drinking of the sweet nectar that lay beneath the flesh.
As the blood flowed thru his veins, he savored each drop, and made note that indeed she knew what they were. Like an eraser on a chalkboard, he went bit by bit, erasing those memories from her mind, which would in the future have proven to be nothing but trouble for her. He did it gently and carefully, making sure not to injure her as he drank of her. Several minutes later he withdrew from her neck, licking at the wounds as they healed up, to reveal no sign of having been breached. "Now, miranda, i had a wonderful talk.. tis good to know you. Perhaps we can talk some more at a later date. But i really must get back to the others and make arrangements to get back to Muncaster castle in a bit." Miranda nodded lightly, having no memory of their kind at all as Dareal got up and lead Miranda over to the bed, letting her rest. "I know the way my dear, you look tired, so rest and ill let Edward know that you have retired for the evening." She nodded lightly, defiently feeling tired all of a sudden. Dareal then took his leave and as he left the room, he caught up with Melanthus as they both then made their way back to the room that Elizabeth was in.
Ricky eyed the vial in his hand, the hypodermic needle for it resting lightly on the table next to elizabeth’s bed. His brow was troubled as he sat next to her brushing the stray strands from her face. "Oh Bethy. You are starting to care for someone who is of another world. I hope with all my heart you are doing the right thing." Pain and worry creased his brow. "Love is so rare for them. I wish you both the best with all my hearyt my friend." He let his hand trace her cheek.
Slowly he picked up the vial and turned it over in his hands. What he had not told any of them yet was that amongst the vials of blood he had drawn, as a matter of course, was one for a pregnancy test.
The test result had come back positive. She was pregnant from the rape. Ricky leaned forward, his head in his hands. He held the possible solution to the pregnancy in the vial. One heavy dose..and it would be over in a day or so. He knew though deep down it would never be a thing he could forgive himself for totally.
He closed his eyes against the thoughts that came unbidden now. The pain would be bad enough for her but he could control that with a careful mix of drugs. There were other complications to..shock, hemorrage, possible reactions to the drug and others that would be needed. The door opening brought him out of his dark tormented thoughts. His heart pounded as Dareal and Melanthus entered the room.
"Good evening my Lords. She rests quietly now and should awaken soon. I will leave you with her if you wish." He set the vial down next to the syringe and snatched up the lab paper, stuffing it into his pocket. Elizabeth stirred at that moment causing him to jump a bit. Nervously he checked the iv. He had given her a small dose to check for reactions to it, but not enough to end the pregnancy. It would take a much more than the small amount he had recently injected. She’d run a mild fever and have some stomach pain but hopefully no more than that for now. Ricky stepped away from Elizabeth and made to move past the two kindred.
Dareal and Melanthus nodded lightly to Ricky, but Dareal stopped and looked at the man as he started to pack his things up. "Please, if you are not finished here, we can wait outside." Melanthus agreed with Dareal, neither wanting to rush off the young one as they motioned ricki to finish his business. "Just when you are finished, let us know. We shall be waiting outside." Dareal murmured and then Melanthus twitched his nose slightly.. "Actually old man, i need to tend to a few things back at the castle. Do you think you can handle being here alone for now?" Dareal chuckled and ribbed Melanthus a bit and took him but the arm as they turned to leave the room together. " Who me? Handle it? Oh please, i believe i can handle it for now." The two of them walking out of the room, letting ricky finish up what he needed to do. Neither of the two kindred knew what he was doing, and that perhaps was for the best. Tho Dareal did seem worried to say the least.
Melanthus and Dareal got to the front door, where Edward just so happened to be passing as he stopped and looked at the two kindred. "Ah, leaving so soon gentleman?" Melanthus shook his head a bit as he spoke back in kind. "Dareal will be staying for a bit with the lady upstairs. I have business back at the castle once again.
Many things to do, and more than i wish to be doing." He sighed and ran a hand thru his tresses. "And the woman are fine. Thought i would tell you that both were treated in kindness and are sleeping nice and soundly. And our kinds secret is safe as well. Dareal removed all knowledge of our race from the woman he was with."
Edward nodded and let out a relaxed sigh. "Thank you both for what you have done. M‘lord Melanthus, take care of yourself and the thing that are ahead are going to be long, but i have a feeling that things shall work out fine." Melanthus nodded lightly, smiling as he looked at Dareal. "If you need me, old man, let me know." Dareal nodded lightly and chuckled.. "Aye, ye shall know if i need you, but i dont think ill need you for the time being anyways." Melanthus nodded and stepped outside with Dareal following behind him so as to talk a bit more in private and giving Ricky the time he needed to finish up with Elizabeth.
Ricky froze in place not sure how to deal with the situation now. He had thought more than anything he was busted big time! The young doctor stood over his sleeping patient his mind in turmoil. The sound of a truck pulling into the drive outside caught his attention.
Looking outside he saw his young wife pull in driving the large Ford Explorer. He smiled with pride at her complete control over the large vehicle. His eyes followed her movements as she got out of the vehicle, one of the manor stablehands rushing over to help her step down. The horse whose reins the boy had dropped suddenly looking quizzickaly at the scene from under its long white mane, Lord Edwards mount he noted mentally watching the large white stallion absently.
His wife’s laughter floated up to him through the open window. She was standing sideways her hand lightly resting on the boys arm he had offered. Her belly distended with their first child. Tears welled up in Ricky’s eyes as he turned and left the room to great her outside.
Sarah McConnely looked at the horse laughing steadying herself on the boys arm. "You’d think he’d never seen a sillier sight than a pregnant human waddling about." Her golden eyes sparkled with life as she stepped up to the animal standing near Melanthus and Dareal. Her golden hair hung in gentle waves over her shoulders and drifted gently in the breeze. The gift of life growing inside of her radiated outwards and infected those near her with a sense of calm inner peace.
Her delicate hand touched the white stallions rehead, "Greetings ole man. When my son be born you and I will enjoy a ride in the highlands again eh?" The horse’s large head dipped down and rested with great care against her belly, as if he understood somehow the treasure she carried. Sarah rested her cheek on his warm softness, her celtic birth and bond to the lands creatures showing fully.
She backed up resting a hand on the stallion’s muscular neck. Looking up her eyes caught those of Melanthus and Dareal. "My pardon gentlemen. My first love being my husband...the second his Lord’s horses." She chuckled lightly in genuine love of life. "My name is Sarah." She stepped forward stopping the stallion with a subtle motion of her hand when he tried to follow her. Stepping up the stairs carefully. She faced both men, her eyes sharp and intent. In their depths was a knowledge neither dreamed of being there in this vibrant woman with child. She KNEW...without words or thought, her eyes told them she knew what they were.
Yet a calmness was there and acceptance. "We all have our secrets my Lords. I mine and you yours. I begrudge you not what you are. I ask only the same in return. Sometimes the knowledge is best left with those that learn of it and use it not for ill but to aide." Her gentle words sounding much like Williams. Her attention drifted to Edwards as he approached them. The kindred’s arms engulfing the woman in a hug of love and friendship.
"Sarah! I see you’ve been entrancing my horse again." His joy at seeing the young woman very evident to all there. The stableboy led the horse off whistling a light jaunty tune that the stallion stepped to in a prancing gait. Both Edward and Sarah laughed at the sight. His arm around her waist in a almost protective manner. Sarah brushed him off with a playful look, "You’d think I was a prized poession needing the protection of every male on this estate!" She laughed and kissed the kindred’s cheek. "Yer horrible sir you do now that of course?"
"Ah dear Sarah always the vixen you are my dearest. And yes I’m the rogue at heart and always will be." They laughed softly at the ribbing.
Ricky stepped out watching with a smile. "Trying to steal my wife again my Lord?" His voice calm and amused, yet his eyes troubled. Sarah broke loose as she stepped up to him. "Love what is it?" THe strong bond between them allowing to be shown. Ricky held her firmly in his arms his head tucked against her soft neck.
"I almost made a desicion that was not mine to make." His voice husky with the pain of his actions up in the room. Edward was immediately alert now. His eyes sharply on the young doctor now. His voice came firmly and as Lord of the manner. Ricky flinched under the tone. "Explain my boy."
Ricky nodded as Sarah stood in front of him holding her husband’s arm in a reassuring grip. "Elizabeth is pregnant from the rape. I almost ended that with a simple injection." He swallowed looking Edward in the eye now. "But tis not my right to make such a choice my Lord." His eyes drifted to Dareal, then back to Sarah. His hand resting on her belly now. Fear on his face. Edward was strict about such things. He’d pay dearly for this after Sarah left. The knowledge of this reflected in the fear and understanding in her own eyes.
Edward’s eyes blazed now. "Aye lad tis not yer choice. We will discuss this after our guests leave." He sensed Sarah’s fear...but it was the way things were and she knew it.
Both Dareal and Melanthus looked at Ricky, Mel frowning lightly as he shook his head before uttering.. "Well, it is time for me to leave, Dareal.. since you wish to watch over the lady, i wont agrue with you. You can stay, but as i said, if you need me, you know how to get ahold of me. " Dareal nodded once again as he turned his head to look up at the window above them that Elizabeth was behind before turning to look at Edward. "I’ll just excuse myself and go upstairs to check in on her.." Dareal frowning at Ricky as well. "Also.. just so you know.. my past was a secret, and ill let you all know now.. i dont like the death of anyone, one of the cloth despises it." And with those last words from Dareal, he went back inside and back upstairs to where Elizabeth was at. Melanthus turned to look at Edward.. "I shall return on the morrow to see how things are going.
If the lady asks about her vehicle, i have it and its in good hands." Edward nodded again.. "I shall let her know lord Melanthus. Take care." Melanthus got in the car and took off, leaving the three outside alone as he headed back to Muncaster castle.
Upstairs, Dareal gently nudged the door open to the room that Elizabeth was in, shutting it gently and quietly behind him as his steps took him to her bedside and he sat down upon the covers next to her. His hand lifted to gently push a few strands of hair from her cheek, brushing it back behind her ear as she seemed to slowly be coming around a bit more. "Hello there. You gave us all a good scare this night." His words soft and soothing as he could not forget the words that Ricky said.. she was pregnant.. and the question that bothered him.. was how was she going to take it when she was told?
He sighed softly, knowing its not his place to tell her, and he would not. Either ricky or edward would have to, and hopefully edward would not hurt the boy too much. Dareal moved his hand slowly from her cheek, brushing it gently as he let it come to rest upon her hand, letting her come to her own senses and out of the drug induced sleep on her own.
