The Art of Darkness (Part 2)

An unexpected reunion

I never intended for this story to continue, however, as these things often go, the muses decided otherwise. If you missed Part 1, you can find it here. Enjoy!

When the day came for my graduation, Dad was the proudest I had ever seen him, telling everyone he came across that “we have a doctor in the family now.” He knew I wasn’t that kind of doctor, still, he beamed from ear to ear. No one in my family had ever gone to college before, much less earned their Ph.D.

With the stipulation that I continue my research on vampires, Professor Isaacs offered me a full time position in his department. I wasn’t sure how much more I could offer, however. I had my theories but the encounter with Morvinus became a glaring example of how much I didn’t know. For the first time I had actual insider knowledge. Something no one still living had ever done before. And the few insights he provided showed me just how wrong many of my theories turned out to be. Still, I knew there was so much work to be done.

After graduation and the celebratory dinner with Dad, I returned to my apartment throwing my keys into the bowl by the front door, looking forward to the first well rested night's sleep I hadn't had in ages. My grey tabby cat, Dinah, greeted me with a soft but firm meow, pawing at the edge of my dress. I reached down and picked her up, cuddling her form, fuzz in my face, her whole body vibrating with her purr. Carrying her to the kitchen, I got out a can of cat food, dumped its contents onto a saucer and placed it on the floor for her. She gave me a small meow for gratitude and promptly stuffed her face.

My apartment was modest. A single bedroom flat above the main house with its own entrance and an iron staircase winding down the side of the house into a small courtyard. As apartments go, it was actually pretty decent being this close to the university, and even without a roommate it was surprisingly affordable. My landlady, Mrs. Norris, was a kind old soul, a grandmother whose children sadly don't come by very often anymore. And while her small hoard of cats more than make up the difference, she's taken to me like one of her own, presenting me with her freshly baked pies every chance she gets. I'll never forget the smell of that warm golden crust wafting through my open window.

Throwing my coat and purse on the couch, I dragged my poor aching feet into the bedroom to finally peel off my high heels. My window was open, letting in the cool night air, something I often did on nights like this. So I didn’t notice the other person in my room until it was too late.

A cold hand clasped around my throat, throwing me into the wall, knocking the wind from my chest. I buckled to the floor, blood already starting to seep into my mouth. My ears were ringing, still I could hear voices above me, a frantic pacing along the floor.

“Not so strong now are you. Stupid bitch. You caused a lot of trouble for us, you know,” one voice said.

“Enough,” another growled. Before I could rise myself, the icy hand returned, lifting me off my feet and pinning me back.

“Get off me!” I squirmed and flailed to no avail. He was too strong.

He leaned in, hand tightening, whispering his frostbitten breath into my ear. “I’m going to drain you dry.” With those words he unleashed his fangs, thrusting them full tilt into my neck.

I remember the pain. My veins on fire, blood rushing in only to be taken away. Soon everything faded behind me, and my body grew cold, a strange sort of peace overtaking my mind. I was dying.

When my eyes opened again the light flooded in, blinding and stark. It was quiet at first, but as I began to adjust, my surroundings came into focus, one by one. The surface beneath me was firm but still had some give to it, with a thin papery fabric covering the outside. A bed. The pillow smelled mildly of cheap laundry detergent and crinkled under the slightest movement. Not that I was moving much. There was an odd sort of rhythmic beeping coming from somewhere off to the side. It was then I realized where I had been taken. The hospital. But why? How? I didn't recall anyone coming in to save me. Was I even alive? Am I in a coma? So many questions.

I tried to swivel my head but was met instead with a sharp pain in my neck. I winced, sucking in a shallow breath. Okay, definitely not dead. That still didn't explain how I got here. Pushing through the stabbing force etching into my skin, I rolled just enough to catch a face, seated in a nearby chair. A face I never expected to see again.

“Morvinus?” I was weak, my voice barely registering in my own ears, the air passing through scratching at the inside of my injured throat.

His expression said it all. He hated that I was there, despised the fact he had saved my life. And yet, there I was. I pushed on my hands, attempting to sit myself up, only to be met with more pain.

“I would not advise that,” he said.

“No kidding,” I croaked, rubbing my aching ribs as I laid myself back down.

There was a small moment of silence, tense with everything neither of us wanted to say. But I had to know. “Why?” It was all I could mutter.

He sighed, “I do not know.”

“You tell me that you hope we never see each other again, for my sake mind you, and all you can say when I ask why you saved my life is ‘I don't know'?”

“You do not think I have asked myself that very question, Ms. Hollings? You should be dead. If not by the hands of the one who left those scars on your neck, then by mine.” He wouldn’t look at me, exhaling roughly.

“What happened?”

“They came for you, I suspected they might.”

“Who? Who are they?”

“Your book has caused quite a stir amongst my kind. There are those who think you ought to be silenced before you say too much.”

“And is that what you think?”

A terrifying thought. From my first impression I didn’t think he would go that far but I had to be honest with myself and admit the possibility. When he finally looked up at me, his eyes were flooded in darkness. He was angry, that was clear. But there stood a small part, a tiny corner that held something else. Something he didn’t want me to see.

“Regardless of my thoughts on the matter, they will return.”

“Let them,” I uttered.

He scoffed, “Foolish girl, do you not see what you have done? You have threatened our very way of life. They will not stop. And next time, they will not hesitate.”

“If that's how you feel,” I reached up pulling down on the covering against my neck, “here. It's what you want isn't it?”

He tensed, straightening up and backing further in his seat. “You know not what you do.”

“I’ve dedicated my life to this. My research means more to me than you or any of the rest of them will ever understand. I won't let it go. So, you will just have to kill me.”

Before either of us could say any more, a knock came to the door and an older woman wearing plum colored scrubs arrived at my bedside.

“I have good news, honey,” she said, grinning over her spectacles. “They're letting you go home tonight. How are you feeling, hon?”

I cleared my throat, “I'm alright.”

“Great. Any pain?” She took my wrist between her fingers, eyeing her watch.

“A little but nothing I can't handle.”

“Well, if that changes just let us know. Doc's getting you all set up. Do you have someone to take you home?”

“I'm–”

“I will be arranging her transport,” Morvinus interrupted. “Please forgive me, but may I have a moment with Ms. Hollings alone?” His voice was strained, unusually tense.

She gently replaced my wrist, her smile fading some, “Oh, alright. I'll be back in a couple of hours with your discharge paperwork.” And with that, she disappeared, closing the door behind her.

“You want to tell me what that was all about? What exactly do you mean by ‘you'll be arranging my transport’? Morvinus, what is going on?”

“You are in grave danger, Ms. Hollings.”

“Yeah, I gathered that. What is it to you?”

He let out a heavy breath. “I made you a promise once, a vow I still intend to keep.”

“Morvinus, your promise was not to kill me during our interview. Now, unless I'm dead and don't know it, that's it. You held up your end.”

“Not if it was our interview that nearly got you killed.”

“Is that what this is? You feel guilty?”

“Not usually, no. Ms. Hollings, you need to understand I am unsure how to proceed here. I have never met a human I have left alive at the end of our meeting.”

“Then why me? Why agree to the interview in the first place?”

“The truth? Curiosity. For decades I have lived amongst your species but only ever saw you as a way to sustain myself. A means to an end.

That is, until a year ago, when I heard a young student at your university give a lecture on vampires. I take it you remember it well.” He grinned.

“I was laughed out of that auditorium. The only one that took me seriously was Professor Isaacs. Why didn't you come see me then?”

“It seemed like nonsense at the time, no offense. Most of the information was only half correct, if at all. Still, I did wonder. When I received your email, I decided to take a chance. Never did I imagine how…enlightening that conversation would be.”

“You didn't seem too happy about it at the time.”

“Ah, the kiss. Yes, well, I proved my point did I not?” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, intertwining his fingers. “Ms. Hollings, what you asked of me that night I had never performed before without the intent of seeing it to its end. Certainly not while the other is aware of its purpose. In the moment, everything narrows to a singular purpose. Hunger, gratification, even desire all come together. And the further I travel down that path, the harder it becomes to turn back. You have no idea how close you came.”

“So what changed? Why were you there the night I was attacked?”

“After I read your book I knew there would be those amongst us who didn’t want these things known. Even some in my own coven house were angry. My intent that night was to warn you.”

“Why?”

“Because you have made an impression on me, Ms. Hollings. Because, for reasons I know not, I’m compelled to protect you.”

To be continued…Part 3

---

Thanks for reading! I have the sneaky suspicion this story is not over yet so stay tuned! Don’t forget to like and share with your friends (every little bit helps!). Consider becoming a subscriber (it’s free!) to catch all my work as it’s released.

As always, I welcome any feedback I can get so feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below!