The Darkest Veil

Dracula's Account

�What did you tell him?�

�Merely that we are studying a rare flower, blooming only when night falls.�

�Yes, I understood that part,� I clarified impatiently. �And he believed you?�

Kelantha bristled. �The man will believe anything, whatever you tell him. I do not pretend to know why we are participating in this farce, but it is very unworthy of you��

�What are you doing with those spectacles, Kelantha?�

She removed them but did not meet my gaze, and though she affected an air of indifference, she was very much displeased. The moonlit forest in which we stood cast long shadows, and Kelantha retreated into one of them, leaning against the nearest tree and crossing her arms beneath her cloak. Neither of us spoke, but the sound of distant footsteps caught our attention, the rhythmic pace mesmerizing in the stillness. I was anticipating this approach and turned to advance toward it, but a slight yet firmly determined hand caught my arm.

�My turn, I think, darling,� Kelantha hissed, her eyes flashing.

�Your predatory practices are usually lengthy,� I answered, amused by her sudden display of anger.

�I take my cue from you,� she rejoined smoothly, pushing back the hood of her cloak and brushing past me. 

Choosing not to follow, I waited for the inevitable response once Kelantha recognized the traveler on the road. Her footsteps mingled with his, the silken tones of her voice carrying easily over the chilled air, succeeded by prolonged silence. Suddenly fear entered her voice, and within instants her hurried step brought her back to me, her face pale and her eyes wide. It is no easy feat to startle a vampire, and so bewildered was Kelantha�s expression, I wondered for a moment if she was overwrought.

�Not quite suited to your taste, I imagine?� I asked laconically.

�Who is that man?� Kelantha demanded, her tone preternaturally calm.

�I should think you would recognize him, for he is none other than your traveling companion.�

�Surely he died months ago!� she asserted, and when I offered no response, she continued, �How could he survive the accident?�

�He was barely breathing when I found him and had failed his purpose utterly. But that would not prevent him from fulfilling mine. You see, my dear, the gypsies of this wood are not the only ones who heed their master�s call.�

�I have seen you exercise authority over the wolves,� Kelantha began, �but what has that to do with him?�

�You are better acquainted with him than you may think, for your traveling companion and Giovanni Cavalieri are one and the same.�  I let my words sink in before adding, �Werewolves are incredibly useful.�

�Why?� she asked quickly. �Why him? A banker could have meant us no harm. He might be in Rome now, and we free from his ridiculous brother.�

�Keeping one�s enemies constantly humbled by dependence is the heaviest burden of all,� I said softly. �duardo is not aware of it, but his brother was never a banker. He was an assassin, sent from Rome to see to it that I would meet my end. Once the servant of those who would destroy me, he now does my bidding.�

�And Eduardo?� Kelantha prompted. �Where does he fit in this quest of honor?�

I knew how strongly she disliked him, how she loathed the role she had come to play and the demands his nervous presence placed upon her. Drawing her toward me, I stroked her hair and murmured soothingly, �He will be gone once he has the evidence to persuade him. Until then, the nights are always ours.�

Cradling her chin in my hand, I gently tilted her face upward, but her eyes remained lowered. She stiffened slightly but did not turn away, unresponsive to my touch but not wholly indifferent. She was both beautiful and formidable, this creature I had made from darkness, and now she used that darkness as a veil to draw about herself. My lips brushed her temple briefly just as I released her. With the slightest of sighs, I turned in the direction of the castle, drawing my hand across my face for only a moment before addressing her once more.

�You should feed, Kelantha. See that you satisfy yourself.�

�Where will you go?� she called after me.  It was a benign question but unnecessary; we did not always hunt together.

�I already have all I require.�

She did not leave immediately but watched me as I wended through the trees. Only when I disappeared from view did she finally disappear into the night. I did not turn to look at her, but I felt her leave as if her departure had torn something within me. 

For an instant I felt what she experienced in a single moment, for though my emotions remained cold and unmoved over the centuries, Kelantha could still feel those sensations and pangs long forgotten by my impervious heart. She was still newly born into this darkened world, and Change undergoing within her would not be complete for a year. Until then, she would still be open to joys and pains common to the humans, only they would be viewed through immortal eyes. Of course I desired to hold, to shelter something so exquisite; at once so delicate and so indomitable. In the course of a summer her entire existence had changed: she had lost her life and gained eternity, she was cut off from the world she lived in and the family she knew. Not once had she looked back or suffered remorse. Yet now that the world she had been reborn into was altered with the entrance of the Italian, I could sense the uncertainty she did not show and hear the disappointment she would not give voice to.

Despite whatever persuasion my influence may have had over her, I ultimately knew nothing would hold Kelantha against her will.

I cannot keep her.

I shuddered inadvertently just as I passed over the threshold of the castle, closing the entrance to my stone fortress with swift determination. 

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