The Bride and Her Bloodlust

I stood back with Al, watching nervously as Eva looked on at the Master. He was awake and straining at the shackles clamped around his wrists, not caring that they dug into his skin so deep it was drawing blood. I had my arms folded as my eyes remained fixed on that familiar face holding such an unfamiliar expression. That face I loved to kiss and touch was contorted with rage and his soft eyes were black with madness while his teeth were bared. It made me hurt. My chest twisted with pain at the sight. Al seemed to notice, even though my face was scowling, at grasped my shoulder in comfort.

“Uncle will be fine, Susan.” He murmured.

All I could manage was a stiff nod in response.

Vincent growled softly in retaliation to my Master’s savage snarls. He was still but it just made me concerned he might try to rip his throat out. Vincent was a quick pouncer, one who’s more likely to move in for the kill when they’re eerily still. Part me was very conscious of Vincent and I kept glancing at his broad back. If he dared make a move to end my Master’s life, I would bury my hand in his chest and rip his face off.

Testily I waited as Eva quietly assessed Lucius. She fidgeted, constantly wringing her hands, before she eventually turned to me.

“His mind is blocking me. It’s too awake and savage.” She said. “He needs to be calm.”

“That will be difficult.” Alphonse said warily. “He’s fast and strong. Susan only managed to knock him out last time as he was so fixated on me.”

“I will deal with it.” Vincent growled, still unmoving. He was practically part of the darkness now.

I scowled at him. I didn’t trust him, in fact I didn’t trust anyone to go near Lucius. I feared they would kill him.

But Eva waited quietly for my approval, watching me with those pale blue eyes. “Susan, he must be unconscious.”

I glared at her and very stiffly nodded. “Fine, just don’t hurt him too much, Vincent.”

He shrugged his shoulders with a grunt as he approached the cell door. Inside, my Master grew more adgitated. He snarled and spat with saliva spraying from his mouth. As Al pulled back Eva, drawing her back at a safe distance, I stepped infront of Vincent with keys rattling in my hand. I placed it in the lock and, after giving Vincent one firm scowl, I twisted the key. A thunk echoed and I pulled the door back, trying my hardest not to look at Lucius’ crazed expression.

Vincent stepped inside, calm as could be, and rushed Lucius without hesitation. As Vincent’s vice like hands gripped my Master’s neck, Lucius’ claws raked at Vincent’s arms. He didn’t care though. H eignored the burns tears as Lucius’ hooked claws ripped through his shirt and flesh. He simply focused on Lucius and his snapped jaws. Without much effort, Vincent rushed forward and smashed Lucius’ head against the wall with a sickening crack.

I had to try hard to stop myself from leaping to Lucius’ defence. My instincts screamed to jump in and defend him with my life but I held myself firmly in place, gripping the cell door until my knuckles turned white. I forced myself to watch as Vincent hit his own head against my dazed mate. Instantly Lucius went limp and slid to the floor.

Shaking his shoulders and observing the damage done, Vincent stepped aside to let me rush to Lucius. His nose was blood and there was broken skin on his forehead but that was all. He was safe. I breathed a sigh of relief and let my nose briefly brush against his cheek before I forced myself to step aside as Al brought in Eva.

I could see the worry in her eyes when she looked over at Vincent. I knew she wanted to go to him, to check his wounds and soothe the pain, but she held herself back and focused on Lucius.

She crouched in front of him, letting her dress pool around her, and gracefully raised her hand to touch his face. She closed her eyes and her soft face turned into a frown as she focused. I remained close to Lucius, taking the opportunity to hold his hand, to feel how large and comforting it was. It had been so long since I had simply touched him like this. I looked at his battered face, pleased he looked far more like himself when unconscious. I missed my Master terribly, not that I would admit it.

Eva let her hand drop and she opened her eyes slowly. They instantly flickered up to Vincent with concern before they fell to me.

“He is poisoned.” She said heavily, as if she was admitting her worst fears.

I gripped Lucius’ limp hand tightly. “What do you mean?”

“His mind is black and thick with madness, much like a parasite.” Eva said gently and sadly. “This is just like Vincent’s mind when he first came to me. Only this is worse.” She said. “Vincent was stable, his mind was still there. The parasite would only take him when he felt a slight spark of anger or fear. This poison has completely swamped Lucius. It is constantly ruling him.”

Al sucked in air sharply behind us and a soft growl followed. “He’s a parasite?”

“Right now, yes.” She said solemnly.

My stomach squirmed with panic. Lucius can’t be poisoned. He can’t be a parasite. He is a Blue Blood. It’s impossible. “You can help him, can’t you?” I asked thickly. Hysteria was gripping my throat, making it hurt to speak.

“There is a small glow in his mind, a small part of him that still exists.” Eva smiled gently. “I can help him. I will create the cure that I used for Vincent.”

I breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Lucius’ bloodied face. I wanted to throw myself at him. To hold him and kiss him. He was going to be fine. I was going to have my stupid mate back in one piece. There was hope I would return to berating him and loving him again.

“What of the poisoner?” Vincent said deeply. “We must hunt them down. Leaving them roaming about is too dangerous.”

“I’ll hunt them.” I snarled savagely as my rage burned away the sudden relief and joy. “I won’t let them live for what they’ve done.”

Eva looked at me kindly, letting her eyes shine with worry and fear. “The poisoner is the human threat, Susan. They’re back, I am certain of it now. With the missing Blue child and Lucius’ poisoning that mirrors Vincent’s own, I can’t deny that they’re back.” She said heavily. “You must be careful Susan. This threat isn’t normal. They are powerful and hide eerily well.”

“I know. The Witch that attacked as was quick.” I said darkly. “But if I had my Matter, I can match her.”

Eva looked unsurprised by my silent request but she didn’t instantly jump at the idea. Instead she seemed to mull it over for a moment. “You must promise to keep your head low and out of the vicinity of vampires not belonging to your own Clan. If anyone finds out about you, the Elders will be informed. I’m not sure if I can stand against them and keep both you and Lucius safe.”

I nodded once, well aware of this. Lucius had told me about the Elders wrath so many times now that I couldn’t forget it. If they knew about us, that he had turned me into a Black Blood witch, our lives would both end very rapidly. “I know.”

Eva nodded gently. “Then I will release your Matter. You’re going to need it to hunt and keep this Clan safe.”

“I’m hunting with you, Susan.” Al said firmly as Eva stood up and stepped over to Vincent so she could observe his wounds.

“I hoped you would.” I muttered. “I can’t do this on my own.” I didn’t mention that having Arnold with me would’ve been far better. The old cat was far stronger than Alphonse and far more sensitive to scents and emotions. But Arnold was dead. Alphonse would have to do.

“I will be upstairs waiting, Susan. Once it’s done, I’ll begin on this cure.” Eva promised. “I won’t let him be lost, Susan, nor will I let this threat vanish again. We’ve saved him once before, we can do it again.” She said firmly.

I looked up at her, seeing the rare fire of determination and vengeance in her eyes. “Thank you.”

Eva smiled warmly. “You have nothing to thank for. You are my friend. This whole Clan is, as well as my people. I’ll do everything I can to keep you all safe.” She said and took Vincent’s hand and guided him away, telling him she had to clean his wounds soon. He didn’t argue, just silently followed like an obedient dog.

I watched the giant madman and the Lady walk away from the cell, vanishing from sight as they left the dank prison and up the spiral stone steps.

I turned my gaze onto Lucius, letting my fingers brush his thick hair and touch his stubble covered jaw, only now letting my expression show what I truly felt. Relief. Love. Panic. Hatred. Rage. I was a bundle of emotions, a storm that tore through my mind. I was overjoyed that Lucius was going to be safe, that he would be returned to me. I wouldn’t wake up alone and miss his embrace. But I was enraged that someone had done this to him. That the human threat had infected him with that goddamned parasite poison. I would slaughter every single one of them for that. That hurt Lucius, turned him mad and nearly took him from me. I couldn’t forgive them ever for that.

Al glanced at me before he approached me, noticing the whirlwind of emotions I was currently experience. He touched my shoulder, trying to get my attention. “We should leave.”

I nodded, knowing he was right, and gently dabbed away from of the congealed blood that was covering his chin and nose. Once I felt I did all I could, I kissed his mouth, lingering a little, wanting him to respond to me but knowing he never wound. I stood and followed Alphonse out of the cell. It wouldn’t be long until the Master woke and flew back into his savage madness.

Once the door was shut and locked, I gave Lucius a long loving stare.

“We shall hunt them down, Susan. We won’t fail.” Alphonse promised beside me, feeling as much rage as I did.

“We can’t. This threat needs to be dealt with. It can’t be allowed to hide again.” I said darkly before I turned sharply and walked away from the cage holding my mate.

Alphonse followed me closely as I sought out Eva so she could begin unravelling the lock on my Matter. While the situation was dire, I was slightly giddy about regaining my Matter. I would be far superior in strength than I currently was, far faster and able to feel like a witch again. But most importantly, I would have the ability to hunt that witch that had poisoned Lucius.

With my Matter back, she wouldn’t be able to hide for very long.