The Art of Darkness (Part 12)
“What is done out of love always occurs beyond good and evil.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11
Previously…
Tensions are high as Amber and Morvinus prepare for a very important council meeting with the Curiae. Lord Cawston has both on a grueling schedule, every day filled to the brim with individual training and nightly feeds.
Their relationship feels the strain as well as they contemplate taking it to the next level, nearly letting temptation get the better of them.
All comes to a screeching halt, however, when they are hit with devastating news. Mr. Hollings is in the hospital with grave injuries from an attack. And Amber won’t take no for an answer when requesting to see him. But doing so could put her in serious danger.
Lord Cawston's last words stuck with me as we made our way out to the hospital. Morvinus and I were both quiet during the journey, though his hand stayed clasping mine for most of the drive. Looking at our fingers entwined, I realized I hardly noticed the cold anymore. When we arrived, before I got out of the car, I turned to him, suddenly acutely aware of how uncomfortable he may be in a hospital.
“You don't have to come in with me.”
He brought my hand to his lips for a brief kiss, making my cheeks flush. “I gave my word I would protect you. I plan to keep my word. I will manage.”
With Morvinus in tow, and already on edge, I hurried through the hospital doors, met with a less than enthusiastic nurse at reception, her stethoscope haphazardly slung around her neck.
“Yes?” She said through narrowed nostrils. Her gaze stayed glued to her computer, mouse clicking away sporadically. Her auburn hair was thrown into a messy bun, strangled by a bright magenta hair tie, her eyes looming behind a pair of turquoise glasses. She obviously couldn't be bothered with either of us, smacking away at her gum as though it were necessary for breathing.
“I'm here to see Mr. Hollings, Drake Hollings.”
“Uh huh. And you are?” Finally she looked at me, her mouth skewed in an apathetic gesture.
“I'm his daughter, Amber.”
A few more boisterous clicks of her keyboard and I had my answer. “Room 303. Up the elevator, third floor, to your left.”
“Thank you.”
“Uh huh. You best make it quick, visiting ends in less than an hour.”
When we reached his room, I stood frozen outside the door, feeling the weight of the guilt bearing down on me. This was all my fault. He was here because of me.
“Amber?” Morvinus took my hand, squeezing lightly. “What is it?”
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
“What?”
“Morvinus, all my life, at least the life I thought I lived, he’s been the only father I’ve ever known. Now that I know the truth, what do I say? He didn't deserve any of this.”
“He did what he was asked, out of love for you. And I, for one, am eternally grateful he did so. Amber, knowing the truth about your past does not change the man.”
I scuffled out a rattled breath.
“Ready?”
I nodded and he tugged on my hand, leading me through the door.
When we came into the room and I saw him all bloodied and bruised, bandages covering nearly every inch of him, the tears I had been holding back poured out.
He had propped himself a bit. Miraculously, despite all his injuries, he was awake and alert enough to manage a small smile.
I pulled a chair to his bedside, laying my head gingerly in his lap.
“Oh Dad, I’m so sorry,” I muttered into the blanket.
“Amber,” he whispered, “it’s all right. I’m okay.” He glanced at Morvinus, keeping his distance in the far corner. “I take it you haven’t been on vacation then?”
I sat up as he reached to touch my face. “It's good to see you. I assume you know the truth now.”
“Some.”
“Are you angry with me?”
“How could I? It's you who should be angry. I'm the one that put you here.”
“Oh no, sweetheart. Please don't take this burden on yourself. You've been through enough already. You shouldn't have come. It's far too risky for you to be around me.”
“Dad, I'm scared. We have a meeting in three days. Somehow we have to convince-”
“Shh, I know. Listen, your mother, Lord Cawston and I, we all knew this day might come. You’ve been preparing for it your whole life. Longer than I've even been alive. You can do this.” He wiped the tears from my cheeks. “You do so look like her, you know.”
“What was she like?”
“I'm sure Lord Cawston could say far more than I could. But, the few times I met with her, the last being when they brought you to my doorstep, she was radiant. I could see why your father loved her so much. And you. Look at you. You have so much of her in you. She would be so proud. She and your father both. I know I am.”
“Why did you do it? Take me in?”
“I suppose now is as good a time as any.”
His lips straightened, letting out a heavy breath, “Before I took you in, I had a wife, Louise, and a daughter, Anna. One night we were coming back from the theater when we were attacked, robbed at gunpoint. They took Anna. As the days stretched on into weeks and months, the hope of finding her alive fell apart. I never saw her again. She was only twelve. Louise found the grief too great to bear. She, um-“
His lip began to tremble a bit, the water brimming in his eyes.
“After that, I just shut down. I stopped talking to people, stopped going anywhere unless I had to. When Lord Cawston approached me, he said he had been watching me for some time, even following me when I moved across the country. When he told me what he wanted me to do, I thought he was crazy. But when I heard your story, I don’t know, something just hit me. When I asked him why he chose me, he said, ‘Only one who has lost a child as you have will provide her the protection she requires.’ I told him I don’t know anything about vampires. He said I didn’t need to, that I should raise you as a human. Still, I'll admit, I was hesitant.
That is, until they brought you to my doorstep. That night I saw your face, the fear in your eyes. All I could think about was Anna. Almost as if it was her who brought you to me. I knew then I couldn't just turn you away.
So your mother and I went through the story, our story, everything to help you acclimate once you-” He tensed, letting out a breath before continuing, his expression skewing. “You begged her not to go. She promised she would always be with you. Then, you laid down and closed your eyes, holding her hand. She cried so much. I'll never forget those cries. The kind that make you gasp for air. I'm sorry.”
I grasped his hand as his tears breached his cheeks. “Please Dad, it's okay. I want to know. I need to know.”
“She gave your forehead one last kiss before she left. That was the last time I ever saw her. Some time later, Lord Cawston came by to tell me she was dead. And it killed me that I couldn't-”
I sat up, bringing myself closer so we could embrace. And it was there, we just…sobbed. Years of holding in that pain let go in an instant. After a moment, when his breath began to slow, I pulled back, seating myself on the edge of the bed beside him.
“Thank you, for everything.”
He extended his hand to grace my face. “You'll always be my darling girl. Even though we don't share any DNA.”
“It doesn't matter. You were there when it counted.”
“I love you, baby girl.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
He pulled me into another hug and I felt him relax a little.
“Now, why don't we stop all this blubbering and you tell me who your friend is.”
“Oh.”
Morvinus had kept to himself in the chair off to the side, I suppose not wanting to interrupt the moment. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I stuck my hand out for him to come closer.
“Dad, this is Morvinus Andonov.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
“So, is this the part when I ask you what your intentions are with my daughter?” He chuckled.
“Dad.”
“What? That's part of my job isn't it?”
I looked over at Morvinus. “You don't have answer that.”
Morvinus grinned, “On the contrary. I believe I do.” He turned his attention to my father, straightening up in his formal way. “As to your daughter, sir, she is unlike any woman I have ever met. There is not a day that passes that I am not enamored by her. As to my intentions, I will acquiesce to any arrangement she wishes, though I do hope it continues to be a favorable one. The truth is, I love her very much.” He took my hand, giving it another graceful kiss.
“Well, I guess that settles that.”
A soft knock signaled the entrance of a small framed nurse in purple scrubs, her dark hair hanging around her shoulders, greeting us with a kind smile. “Well, Mr. Hollings, I didn't realize you had company.”
“My daughter.”
“Ah, so you’re Amber. It's nice to meet you, Amber, I'm Shannon. Your father here is quite the fighter. I wasn't sure he was going to make it when he first arrived.”
“Dad, did you see who attacked you?”
He shook his head, “No. It was too dark, and they came on too fast.”
“They?”
“More than one. That I can tell you.”
“I'm so sorry to cut this short you guys,” Shannon interjected, “but visiting is done. And Mr. Hollings, you have a date with the MRI. Doctor's orders.”
“Dad, we have to go back.”
“I know. I love you.”
“I love you, too. I promise I’ll see you soon.” I gave him one more hug before backing off so Shannon could unlock his bed.
As she wheeled him out of the room, he eyed Morvinus, “You take good care of her, you hear?”
“You have my word, sir.”
And with that, he disappeared around the corner. I nearly collapsed, all the energy I had, drained. When we made it back down to the lobby, I excused myself to the restroom to wipe my face. “I need a minute,” I told him.
I stared at myself in the mirror. Who was this girl staring back? I thought. I ran the water in the sink until it warmed a little, splashing it on my face, even wetting a bit of my hair by accident. But I didn't care. I finally had all the pieces together. And yet, I still felt like a broken puzzle.
A loud bang echoed around me, startling me, and I jumped, relieved to see it was only the trash can lid that had fallen off. I replaced the lid, drenched my hands with warm soapy water, throwing a bit more on my face, and left.
When I emerged, Morvinus wore a worried expression. “What is it?” I asked him.
“I fear Lord Cawston may have been right. I believe we are being followed.”
I felt the cold splinter down my spine as my muscles tensed. He leaned in to kiss my forehead, whispering in my ear. “They will not attack inside these walls. Far too many eyes.”
“What do we do?”
“Stay close to me.”
He hung his arm tight around my waist, leading me out to the parking lot toward the car. He kept our pace even so as to not arouse too much suspicion. I tried to do the same, only glancing a time or two out of the corner of my eye.
The lobby was relatively quiet, only a small gaggle of people besides ourselves and the receptionist who was already tuned back into her computer screen. Maybe he’s just being paranoid?
Then, I saw them. Two men flanking us from either side of the lobby. Vampires. Their pale skin and dark eyes gave them away. Something Morvinus would’ve recognized in a second. Though, judging by their size, even if they were human, they would still pose quite a threat.
I stiffened. Morvinus kept his hold on me as we funneled out the sliding door. “When I tell you to run, run. No matter what happens to me, you seal yourself in that car and you do not come out, do you understand?”
My heart was already racing. My nerves rattled. I braced myself. I knew I needed to do what he asked, but the thought of leaving him to face it alone terrified me more than anything. He leaned in one last time, “I love you. Run, now.”
Shoving me away, he turned to face our pursuers and I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, sprinting towards the car.
“Go after the girl,” the stranger ordered.
“No! Your fight is with me.”
I could almost feel the door handle under the tips of my fingers when a heavy hand came down on my leg, jerking me onto the hard asphalt. The surface was ragged and rough, scratching the skin open on the heel of my hands. I rolled to my back, desperately kicking my free leg in his direction, finally finding purchase on his face. He grumbled, his grip tightening as he pulled me toward him, using the gruff of my jeans like a rope. When he had me face to face, he clasped my wrists together in one hand, using all his weight to hold me down. No matter how much wriggling I did, it was no use. He was too strong. My mind raced, my thoughts scattering. For a second, I closed my eyes, allowing a deep breath to settle my nerves. Then it hit me. I squirmed enough to lift my head, barely reaching the edge of his collarbone and took my teeth to his neck ripping into the icy flesh.
He let out a fierce growl of pain, blood beginning to seep from the small divot I was able to gouge out, letting loose and backing off just enough for me to squeeze through and escape his hold. I limped back toward the car and locked myself inside, leaving a dazed vampiric guard trying to piece together what had just happened.
“You little bitch,” he huffed, marching to the car and yanking on the door handle. After trying every handle to no avail, he came back to my side lifting his elbow to the window. Instinctively, my arms went up to shield myself from the incoming glass. Only, it never came. Instead, his elbow hit the windowpane with a dull thump. He tried three more times, with each thrust of his elbow, nothing, not even a crack. Frustrated, he slammed his hands on the hood and returned to his partner who was still across the parking lot, battling Morvinus.
I held my breath, my heart in my throat. I didn't want to watch, but I couldn't make myself look away. I promised I would stay put, and with every punch, every kick, I clenched my hands harder, trying to resist the urge to bolt from the car. Yet, as I sat there, my hands sweating, trembling, I realized something. He didn’t need my help. Watching as he fought, his movements were methodical, his expression robotic. He hardly even looked at his opponents, as though he focused on some other instinct instead. Every one of his hits landed a target, in the end leaving his enemy scrambling. Grace and power combined. A well balanced machine. Almost pathological.
For the first time since we met, I felt that lump grow in my throat, a reminder of just how powerful and dangerous he could be.
Continued in Part 13
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People should write more stories like this. Though it is indeed on the sadder side, it being a vampire drama, there is a balance of hopes here which I find quire refreshing. Keep going!