Part 6.

CURSED

Having checked on the still sleeping Katie Mary now sat in the living room. Burying her head in her hands. Katie was possessed the Awakening controlling her every thought her every movement. The Vampire blood was slowly destroying her, was it to late for Valan to save her. Valan! one of the rare Vampires, he had compassion a soul, she remembered the day she found out. She had been working for him for nearly four years when one evening she had worked late, walking into the hall just as he materialized. She was terrified but he had calmed her fears, explained what he was, how it happened. She had stayed with him even moved into the castle, he was the Son she never had. Mary sighed, that was so long ago. Katie!, her heart went out to her. "God! please help her"

Katie woke, it was dark outside, she reached for the clock, God! how long had she been asleep?

Running a bath she sank into the warm water and tried to remember last night. She was asleep then on the floor Valan on top holding her down......anger a rage so deep so powerful.....then......what?.......laying on the bed in Valan's arms. What happened? why was he with her? Falling asleep with him beside her, holding her...it felt good, as if she belonged. But it was a dream, a hallucination.

She had just finished getting dressed when there was a knock on the door. "Come in"

"How are you feeling?" Valan stood in the doorway. "Better" The hunger had gone for now but he knew it would return. "We need to talk"

"I'm sure whatever it is can wait, surely it's not that important" Katie didn't want to know, didn't want to hear it, Sorry but you've taken after your dad...nuts. "I have to go out but when I get back we will talk"

"I'm planning an early night, I still feel tired..."

Valan pinned her against the wall. "We will talk! you need to know....something" Katie's heart pounded, she went weak at the knees, he was so close! Valan wanted to touch her, run his hands over her delectable body, he inhaled deeply, the smell of the soap the talcum powder and under it all the scent of woman. Katie looked at the floor, why didn't he say something, she felt a need to touch him, she wanted him to kiss her. Valan stepped back, no longer trusting himself, if she had lifted her head, met his gaze he would have kissed her, shown her how he felt. "We will talk" the door closed behind him. Katie sank to her knees, what the hell just happened.

A bat hovered at the window. It watched the scene in front of it. As it flew off it looked as if it was smiling. The others would be pleased, they had been searching for years, had found her alone and vulnerable at the collage, the perfect place till she suddenly left, went home. She didn't know the harm she had done, giving her address left her open. The other...Valan would be a problem but nothing they couldn't handle.

Mary was having chocolate when Katie came in. "My dear, your looking better, how do you feel?"

"Fine, a bit tired"

"Sit down I'll make some more chocolate"

"You've given us quite a scare the last few weeks, Valan has been beside himself" Katie smiled, Valan worried...about her? of course she was his ward. "Is he still out?" Mary handed her a mug and joined her at the table "Yes I'm afraid so, work commitments, so what would you like to eat?"

"Oh no I'm fine, really, I'm not hungery" the thought of food still turned her stomach. "Are you sure, something light perhaps?"

"No but thank you, I think I might have a walk get some fresh air then go to bed"

"Well stay in the castle grounds, we have snow forecast for tonight, I don't want you getting lost"

Katie walked down the path till she came to a cross way, which way to go, down the hill to the main road or turn right. Turning right she carried on till she came to a bridge, stopping she looked down into the water below, it was cold the water had started to freeze, a blanket of white crystals covered the ground. It was their in the back of her mind, waiting for the right moment then...what will happen to her, pills for the rest of her life, a new home in a locked room or...BANG! a hole in her head. "You shouldn't be out here, you'll catch cold" Valan stood behind her. "I'm fine, I don't feel cold" strangely enough it was true. "Never the less, you're not a hundred percent yet" A hundred percent! would she ever feel even ten, Katie shivered.

Valan put his arms round her. "That better?" his mouth inches from her cheek. "Yes" her voice hoarse, leaning against him she closed her eyes, it felt good, so very good. Valan buried his face in her hair, the scent of apple blossom tore through him, the feeling of her in his arms, she was too thin if he squeezed hard enough she would brake, when had she last eaten? He felt the rhythm of her heart, her breasts rose and fell with each breath, his senses were going crazy, becoming aroused he shifted in the hopes she didn't notice. Katie could feel his body, his strength, she could smell his maleness and something else, she always smelt it on him but didn't know what it was. For an instant she felt his hardness, she wished he would take her to his room, desperate to feel his touch. "I think we better go in doors before Mary starts looking for us" Valan laughed nervously backing off. Katie could only nod, disappointed the moment was gone.

"The weather forecast is not good for the next few days" Mary told them. "We have plenty of provisions so if the worst comes to the worst we'll be OK" Valan nodded, "If we don't get to a filling station within a couple of days the generator will die and we'll be left with now power, It'll be back to the old range I'm afraid but theirs plenty of wood for that and the fires"

"You never did get round to upgrading the electrics in this place" Mary smiled. "I'll get it done in the spring, get a bigger gen installed as well " Mary laughed, "You've been saying that for as long as I can remember" turning to Katie, "Valan is not the best when it comes to the running of the castle" "I always wondered why some parts were done and not others" Katie looked at Valan. "I know, I know, next spring I'll get the place finished" Saying goodnight Katie left the two of them discussing what was to be done.

"Now that she's gone we can talk" Mary pointed to the seat beside her. "Whats on your mind?"

"You love the child!" Valan sighed, taking the seat beside her. "Am I that obvious?"

"Not to Katie but me? yes I can see it, it's written all over your face even if you do try to hide it"

"You've been with me to long, I can't hide anything from you"

"I know what it's like, I was in love to once remember" Mary smiled sadly. Valan nodded. "Are you going to tell her?"

"No, I don't know, not yet anyway"

"Why?"

"She's ill, she's half Vampire and doesn't know it and she doesn't know I'm one, I think those are good enough reasons"

"You have a point, but I think she feels something for you"

"I doubt it, and besides when she finds out the truth she'll run a mile and more"

"I don't think so" Mary smiled patting his knee. "I am old not blind, she feels something for you too" Mary rose and went to the door. "Don't leave it to late, goodnight dear"

It wasn't tiredness but a feeling of lethargy, as if all her energy had been sucked from her. It took what little energy she had to go downstairs in the first place. Hopefully after a good sleep she would feel better. Katie reached for her nightie, a single white rose sat on her bed, where did it come from, she picked it up and smelt it's delicate perfume, Valan? how did he get it? She smiled, it was beautiful.

Changing she stood at the window, a few flakes of snow fell, a warning of what was to come. As if her madness wasn't enough she had to deal with her emotions regarding Valan. Whenever he was close she went weak at the knees, she wanted to touch him, kiss him to see the man under the clothes, their was still that feeling of union as if they were the same, she felt it as a teen, she felt it now but stronger. Their was another feeling a feeling of desire, of want, closing her eyes she imagined what it would be like to lay beside him, touch his bare flesh....to make love. A heat coursed through her body a hunger that was pleasant but also torment, a hunger that was unlike the other she felt....a hunger for Valan. Pulling back the covers she slide into bed falling asleep instantly.

Valan sat, he had a lot of thinking to do. Could Mary be right? did Katheryn feel something for him? Hearing a noise he walked into the hall, it was probably Mary, "You forget something....." Katie stood before him, snarling. "Katheryn, it's OK" The snarling stopped. Valan stepped closer, prepared in case she went for him again. "Katheryn!" Katie shook her head trying to clear her mind, Valan moved towards her, she hissed. "Katheryn, you'll catch cold" he whispered. Katie glared at him. His voice low, he spoke of anything and everything. She hissed again but Valan paid no attention, he kept talking his voice soft, soothing. Katie listened.

The urge passed, Katie burst into tears. "I'm mad, aren't I? just like dad"

"You're not mad" Valan insisted, putting his arms round her. "I wanted to kill you" Katie was near breaking point, it was hopeless, when it took hold, controlled her she could do nothing, it was if she was under a trance and when it didn't have her she felt hollow, empty, either way she was lost. Valan wished he could take it away, the hunger, the anger, take it all away.

Pulling her close Valan silently cursed Emily again for what she was putting Katheryn through. He waited for the sobs to turn to whimpers just as he had done all those years ago before she had run away. "I'm sorry I seemed to have made your sweater damp, I have a habit of doing this to you" Katie didn't move she loved being in his arms, loved being close to him. Valan held her tight, closing his eyes he tried to burn this moment into his mind, he didn't want to let go, he opened his eyes and looked at the wall his expression grim. "I think It's time you knew"

He guided her into the living room, offering her a seat. Valan paced back on forth, were did he start and how?

"How much do you remember of your mother?"

"Not much, I can see her face sometimes at least I think it's her, I know dad loved her very much" Valan doubted that, more like Emily controlled the poor fool but he would let her believe in her parents love. "Your mother was a .... a Vampire" their he had said it, he watched for a reaction. Katie looked at Valan, it was a joke, a poor one but a joke none the less. "You don't believe me, hear me out" He explained about how her parents met, how she was born against all odds and how Emily had got caught in the daylight. He deliberately left out the societies involvement and the ban between Vampire and human relationships. They didn't know of her existence so why tell her.

Valan sat next to her. "Katheryn, I'm a Vampire" She looked at him waiting for his laughter, to say Got you!.

"Do you really expect me to believe all this?"

"I tell you the truth" his voice sombre. Katie stifled a giggle, ridiculous! "I will show you, then you will believe" Katie nodded, well this should be interesting.

Valan escorted her into the hall. "I'm sorry but you can't really expect me to believe this?" Katie turned. She looked in amazement as a bat flew round the hall, climbing higher then diving, doing loops and turns. Where did it come from?, how did it get in? Katie looked round, Valan was nowhere in sight, was he playing a trick? the bat a toy. The creature flew closer to her, it was real. "Valan!"

The bat stopped in front of her, a cloud of smoke appeared. Katie could see nothing as the smoke swirled and shifted, thickening. Something was forming in the center, at first she couldn't make out what but as the form grew more solid, took shape she realised it was Valan.

He stood before her, at any other time her face would would have been funny, but not now. Katie stared her mouth open in shock, he was telling the truth, he was a Vampire and that meant he was telling the truth about her. Katie didn't know what to say, how to respond...my God! he had the most beautiful eyes, they were like the ocean, calm and soothing but capable of fierce anger, a storm. She wanted him to kiss her, take her here and now, this man, creature, whatever he was it didn't matter she loved him. Her legs buckled.

Valan grabbed her before she hit the floor. He sat holding her, waiting for her to recover from the shock, he was surprised how well she had taken it, after all it wasn't every day you find out your a Vampire. Finding out her heritage was a shock but not as big as the realisation of finding herself in love with him, but it was futile her love would never be returned. "Are you alright?"  Valan asked. "Am I like you?"

"Not quite, your what is called a halfbreed, it's been a myth in your world but never actually happened". Great! she thought, I'm a freak.

"Whats it like?" Constant darkness, never seeing the sun, moving in the shadows, a secret never shared for fear of destruction, loneliness, empty, never to love or be loved, till you came along, Katie, my love, you gave me a reason to live such as it is, he thought. "It's different but you get used to it"

"Do you sleep in a coffin?"

"Yes"

"And drink blood"

"Yes, but I haven't taken a human life in centuries, never really had the stomach for it" Katie was glad about that but what about her? "When I, take one of my turns...is it blood I want?"

"Yes, it's called the awakening, when a mortal become immortal"

"Have I drank human blood?" remembering what happened in collage. "No, never" he lied, the truth was he didn't know.

"What about crosses?" Valan laughed, "No they don't harm us, a fairytale"

"So if their has never been a halfbreed before how do you know what will happen to me?"

"I don't"

"Will I die?" she felt him stiffen, "You don't have to answer that" she didn't need to hear the words. "There is a lot of things I can show you, teach you, if you'll let me?"

"I'd like that" if she was not going to survive then she wanted to spend as much time with Valan as she could.

He had told her all he could without frightening her. Now she was sound asleep in her room. Valan stood at the fire watching the flames dance, listening to the logs crack, he felt the warmth but it had no effect on him, hadn't done since his own awakening. He thought of those long lonely years, he had had woman, girlfriends, they satisfied his need but not his heart, if it still existed. With Katheryn it was different, he didn't feel lonely or empty, he had a reason, someone to carry on for...to live for.

But what if he lost her, the awakening killed her, then he would have nothing again, could he go on knowing what it felt like to love, to desire, to cherish, for a short while to have it all then.... He loved Katheryn with a passion so deep it surprised him, NO!, he would not let it destroy her or anything else to harm her. If she remained human then they would have but a short time together, he didn't know how long a halfbreed could live for but when the time came, when she left this world, he would follow.

SURVIVAL

PART 5.

POSSESION

Katie had been at collage for just over a year and was enjoying every minute of it. Studying Drama, she enjoyed  the classes and had got very good results in her exams so far. The people here accepted her, she had even been to a few parties. The strange feelings would still hit, invade her body and mind but she ignored them, pretended they didn't exist. For the first time in her life she felt normal...almost.

She hadn't been in touch with Mary or Valan since she left, fear of being dragged back prevented her from even picking up the phone. But someone was keeping a close watch on her, every night a small creature would fly across the sky circle the rooftop then settle on a street lamp. It would watch the activity below before flying off to report.

One afternoon while studying a man appeared at the table Katie was sitting at. "Hi there! mind if I join you" not waiting for an answer, "Wow! what a crazy place, you wouldn't believe what happened just as I was walking in here, a streaker, that's right, a lad run passed me naked as a jay bird".

"You'll get used to it, happens a lot here" Katie laughed. "Gary Williams"

"Katie Hatfield" taking his out stretched hand. "So what you in for?"

"Drama you?"

"Physics" Gary announced proudly. "That's heaving going, I heard it's not an easy class"

"You can say that again"

Gary latched on to her, she didn't mind he had a great sense of humor always coming out with something silly. There wasn't anything between them, Katie wasn't interested, Gary was slim, blond and boyish if she was looking for a man he would be tall dark and brooding, someone like Valan... Gary talked non stop, about  family his home anything that came into his head, if he wondered why she never spoke of her family he was polite enough not to ask.

                    

The dorm was quiet everyone asleep, everyone that is but Gary. Sealing the letter in an envelope he headed to the main door. Checking nobody was about he put the letter in the post box. They will be interested to know what he had written, very interested.

                    

Katie attended a few more parties but they weren't really her thing, Gary was the party animal but if she didn't go then neither did he. The two of them would spend there evenings studying, playing cards or computer games. Having become close friends she was looking forward to the following year.

Katie woke feeling great, in fact she felt so good she could have run the Glasgow marathon. Heading for the shower she grabbed her wash bag from the dresser, glancing in the mirror. She stared at her reflection, her eyes had changed to that odd colour and blood smeared her face. What the hell had she done? Fear griped her plunging deep into her stomach, she felt sick. "OH my god"

It became a regular occurrence, every morning she would wake to find herself looking at a blood stained stranger. She couldn't eat, the smell of food made her feel sick, she was scared to sleep, worried what she would find in the morning. It was if there were two different people within her, Katie the quiet student and then....this. The worry and lack of sleep started to tell on her.

                     

One night she found herself standing in the middle of the street in her PJ's. How she got there and why she couldn't remember, she had visions of flying, her mind was messing with her. Sitting in the corner of her room she tried to think, was she going to do something, go somewhere? Was she following her dad? Physically she felt fantastic mentally she was a mess. The blood, did that come from someone?, was she a killer? if there was a murder surely she would have heard about it, collage gossip, the papers, TV! Her mind filled with all sorts of horrible thoughts all ruled out by a sensible Katie, a Katie that knew from one minute to the next her actions for the day, but she didn't know the other the Katie, the one that wondered the night, that would leave her bed her room and....?

Then the dreams started. It was walking the streets an immense hunger over whelming it, controlling it's actions. It moved silently blending in with the shadows, looking to satisfy it's need. It fixed on something, watching it's every move. Pouncing it took it's prey by surprise, there was a scream. The human didn't stand a chance.

It stepped back and looked down at the life it had just snuffed out. With a screech it took to the air circled a few times then climbed higher. Watching the people below, they new nothing of the life that had been extinguished nor would they care, all to obsessed with their own lives, there jobs, friends, to selfish to care about anything else. The bat flew on over towns and farm land, free from the concerns of normality, from life.

It cared for nothing but it's need, the desire to kill, to feed, it's existence revolved around this act, and when that was satisfied it returned to it's lair to sleep and wait for the next sunset.

Katie woke in terror, the dream so real she could have been there. She sensed it, saw what it saw, felt what it felt, the hollowness the deep craving that caused it to seek out satisfaction. The thing that scared her the most was she felt part of it, the desire to quench the craving to seek out and take what it wanted what it desperately needed, to obtain fulfilment and satisfaction, but it was only a dream, something her deranged mind had made up to torment her.

Katie was missing classes, hiding in her room. Her body ached, her blood roared through her body demanding what she couldn't give. You are going nuts, maybe one day you'll put a gun to your head too, blow your brains out like dad did. If she was going mad would she be aware of it? Her work had fallen the teachers worried about her, she didn't look well, maybe she should go home. But she had no home, where would she go...back to Agor, face Valan....no!.

In the end the rector of the collage made the decision, calling her into the office. She was sorry but she had to let Katie go, her grades were slipping she was missing classes. She could tell she was ill but it was collage rules, if she sorted herself out got better then maybe she could pick up were she left off. Katie agreed, it was all she could do, picking up the phone she took a deep breath. "Hi, it's me...is it alright if I come back for a while"

                           

Packing her stuff she said a tearful farewell to Gary. "Hey! you'll be back soon enough and then we'll party like mad" he chuckled giving her a hug. "I'll give you my address, if your ever in the area look me up" Getting in the taxi she waved goodbye. Gary watched till it went round the corner. This wasn't what he planned, it would have been easier here. Gary smiled, no matter.
                       

Mary waited for Valan in the kitchen apprehensive about what she was to tell him. How would he react? the night she told him Katie had gone played in her mind. He was furious he was going to fetch her back by the hair if necessary. Valan stood at the door, he looked at Mary.. "She's coming back!"

"Yes" she never could hide anything from him. "Go easy on the girl Valan, I sense something is wrong, I heard it in her voice a desperation, fear! don't loose your temper...please!"

"Very well" Valan promised but he would give her a piece of his mind.

         

Katie walked up the hill, dejected, the one thing she never wanted to do was come back. Mary was delighted to see her, when she explained she was coming back, taking a brake from collage. "This is your home" Mary had told her. Bet Valan would be pleased Katie thought grimly. "Katie!"Mary exclaimed, trying to hide the shock, the girl looked dreadful. "Come in, come in" Mary ushered her through the door.
                         

"You must be hungry!" putting a plate in front of her. Katie smiled politely and made an effort to eat. The housekeeper chatted away cheerfully for a while. "Are you alright dear?" Katie nodded.

                           

Her room hadn't been touched. Pulling on her nightie she climbed into bed. It was waiting for her, it forced it's way into her subconscious, tormenting her. Getting out of bed she ran her hand over her violin. She was her fathers daughter, his insanity griped her was slowly killing her. The dream invaded her sleep, teasing her with the it's satisfaction, it's desire quenched, Katie wanted that satisfaction to feel that same fulfilment, her body screamed for it. The hunger was torturing her, it wanted, needed sustenance but not food, no it didn't want burgers and chips or haggis and neeps, it wanted something else?

                           

Valan sat in the hall, he was quick on his hunt tonight, feeding then rushing back to the castle something told him to get home. He sensed it, the turmoil the confusion and fear and then there was the other feeling the one of  profound hunger. The awakening! this time was fierce. Normally not painful it was instantaneous, the turn from human to Vampire, but for a halfbreed?. Hearing the door close he turned. Katie walked from the kitchen. He watched as she headed to the stairs, the scent of her awakening overpowering. This was the reason she was back.
                         

"Katheryn!" Katie stopped, give me it! "So you've come back?" She didn't answer, I need it! "The world to frightening for you?" Nothing, Give me what I want! what you need! "You run away, not a word for eighteen months then come back as if nothing happened!" Still nothing, GIVE ME IT!

             

Valan was behind her, he was pushing trying to start a fight, angry at her for leaving. "Katheryn"She turned. Take it, take him! Valan's stomach hit the floor, she was beautiful, the pale skin, vibrant eyes and dark hair framing her heart shaped face, she was nearly as tall as him a bit on the skinny side, his eyes went down following her outline stopping at the hem of her nightie, below long creamy legs, something inside him stirred.

He could...

He tried to talk but his mouth was dry, looking at her he felt himself falling, can you feel so strongly for someone at first sight? She looked bad the awakening controlled her, it's grip tight, consuming her, if she didn't fight back learn to control it, he dreaded to think. Katie looked straight through him, the feelings manipulating how could she didn't understand what it wanted, what she had to do to pacify it, she didn't know the truth about her father the mother she lost as I child. "Katheryn!" Valan searched her face desperately looking for a sign anything that told him she wasn't already lost.

                           

Inside his heart was breaking. He had to get her back show her it didn't have to be this way. "Let me take you to your room" taking her arm and leading her up the stairs. Katie didn't resist, like a puppet on strings she did as she was told the voice in her head still screaming, Give me it!  Valan's body tingled feeling her slim body under his arm, it would be easy, so easy.....

The first sign of the dawn and Valan returned to his coffin trapped there till dusk. He lay feeling what she felt, so in sync with her it was if they were one. Staring at the lid of his prison he wanted to be with her to hold her. Christ what was the matter with him? He already knew the answer, he was falling for Katheryn..hard.

Katie slept unaware of Valan's thoughts, his feelings. She too was trapped but by her own mind, lost in a world of the subconscious, she was flying higher and higher over fields and lochs, searching. Her unbalanced mind found what it wanted, circling it waited for the right moment then diving, it attacked.

The sun had gone down when Katie woke. The hunger, it wanted needed satisfaction, the desire consumed her driving her to seek fulfilment. Valan walked the halls, how do you tell someone they are cursed, come straight..... "Katheryn?" She stood before him, he sensed anger a raw need...for blood. A low rumble escaped her like a growl barely audible, but he could hear it. Valan waited.

                        

She stood watching him, Take him! The want in her dominating her body, mind and soul, the rumble turned into a scream, TAKE HIM! Katie lunged at him. She was quick but Valan was quicker, stronger. Grabbing her arm he tried to turn her round so she was facing away from him. Anticipating the move Katie stepped back then lunged again. He had no choice, he ran at her, in an American football move he tackled her to the ground.

Pinning her to the floor. "KATHERYN! FIGHT IT" Katie squirmed screaming at him like a wild animal. His hold was tight. "Katheryn, listen to me, listen to my voice, you can fight it". Katie stopped struggling the screaming became a snarl. "Katheryn please, look deep inside can you feel it the fire the burning through you're veins, close you're eyes push, push hard force it back you can do it, concentrate listen to me" Katie went quiet, a flicker of recognition, her Vampire eyes stared at him, she listened as he whispered softly to her. "Valan?" Katie murmured. He watched her change back to normal, felt the need fade, leave. "I'm going mad!" she began to cry. "No my love, not mad" Valan stood, lifting her effortlessly, he took her to her room.

                           

Placing her on the bed he turned to leave. "Don't go, please!" Valan lay beside her, wrapping his arms round her he pulled her close. "What's wrong with me, am I going crazy?"

"Ssh! sleep"

"Stay with me" she mumbled as her eyes closed.

Dawn was approaching, carefully Valan slid off the bed, he looked at her then slipped out of the room. He would have to rest soon. Wondering onto the parapet he looked at the stars, this was not going to be easy for either of them. The Vampire blood in her was powerful more than he expected, if he didn't tell her, show her how to master it it was going to kill her. Valan was back in the field, amongst the dead, the man hovered over him. "Please!, kill me" he had pleaded with the stranger. "Why?" the stranger had asked. "I am done for the pain to much, release me now"

"And if I told you there is a way to free you from death from pain, what then?"

"Anything, please!

If he had seen what was coming, what he was to become he would have found the strength to lift a sword and plunge it into his own heart. He felt something dig into his neck his blood surged through him, taking one last breath.... It was still dark when he came round, the stars shone as bright as they did tonight, he felt no pain just an immense hunger, standing he checked himself over, not a mark, nothing. Taken a deep breath, something was wrong, putting his hand on his chest, his heart! it should be beating.... Valan looked round but the stranger had gone.

He thought of Katheryn, could she survive this? was she strong enough? he hoped so, he had never believed in love at first sight but he did now. Was that the reason he was so tuned in to her? Laying beside her he had felt wonderful, her warmth her softness, he wanted to hold her again, to kiss her make love to her. As long as the sun shone he was stuck, he would sleep till dusk, a permanent reminder of what he was, a Vampire.

CURSED