Chapter 8 Aurora
EIGHT
aurora
“You did well, Violet,” Cyrus’s familiar voice says from behind.
I turn, finding the man who purchased me. “What the hell was that?” I stare into pale-blue eyes. “You made him do it, didn’t you? You coerced him into slicing his own throat with that thing you do with your eyes!”
“Simon is alive and well.” His voice stays calm as he moves closer.
“I witnessed him slice his throat from ear to ear,” I argue. “There is no way that man is still alive.”
On cue, Simon enters the room. His shirt and pants are covered in blood, but the wound on his neck is closed. “I can assure you, I am very much alive.”
I look between the two men. “How is that possible? Your throat…”
Simon looks at Cyrus, and they exchange a silent conversation. Cyrus nods, giving the chauffeur permission to speak freely. “I’m alive because I’m not human.”
I sniff the air. “You don’t smell like any of the vampires I’ve met.”
“That’s because I’m not a vampire.” He stands a little taller. “My name is Simon Ward, and I am a lycanthrope.”
“A lycanthrope?” I remember reading the meaning of that word years ago, but at this pivotal moment in my life, I have no clue what it means.
“You might recognize the term werewolf,” Simon says, wiping blood from his cheek.
I stare at him, trying to decide which one of us is delusional. “You…You cut your own throat, and you’re a werewolf?”
“I did.” He wipes a white dishcloth across his neck, cleaning the space that was pouring blood minutes ago. Nothing more than a faint white line remains. “As you can see, I’m healing quickly.”
“Am I the only one who understands how crazy that was?” I look between them. “Was that supposed to teach me a lesson?” Anger fills me.
“Yes, and yes,” Cyrus answers. “Lycan blood holds a strong appeal to vampires. If you can withstand the blood lust for Simon’s blood, you are stronger than I thought.”
I cross my arms in front of my chest, fighting the words that I want to say. “He could’ve died,” I say. My voice is softer than before. “What if I hadn’t been able to stop?”
“I can assure you, Ms. Violet, I was in no way, shape, or form in danger of dying.” He looks back at Cyrus. “We have an understanding, Cyrus and I.”
“I wouldn’t have allowed you to hurt him,” Cyrus says.
I rock back and forth on my heels. “Are you really the chauffeur?”
The lycanthrope shrugs. “When needed. I have many duties.” He moves toward the stairs. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to clean up.”
“Thank you, Simon,” Cyrus says, watching the wolf ascend the stairs. He turns back toward me. “You did well.”
“You said that already.”
Cyrus smirks at my attitude. “Let’s take a walk downtown, shall we?”
I stand in place. “Will there be more tests? Maybe a puppy thrown at me or, I know, a baby?”
He offers an elbow toward me. “Nothing quite so dramatic,” he says as we exit into the garden. His voice has a hint of amusement to it.
“Is this how you train all the vampire women you purchase from Harrison?”
Cyrus’s laugh echoes off the stone wall. “You do enjoy your questions. No, my dear. Most are not as…how do I say it without sounding rude? Most are not as advanced as you.”
“Advanced?”
“You passed a test that most would not. I’ve seen vampires several centuries old fall at the scent of lycan blood. You did not.”
I stop walking, and Cyrus stops with me. “I lost my mind for a minute.”
“A minute, yes. But the important part is you gained control quickly.”
“What if I hadn’t?”
“I would’ve stopped you before that happened,” he repeats from earlier. “You have much more to learn, but I see a great future for you, Violet.”
I open my mouth to ask another question when Cyrus pulls me with him. “Inquiries later. Right now, there’s something I’d like to show you.”
We continue walking down the dusty roads of St. Augustine. We pass several couples out for an evening stroll. All of them ignore us, almost as if they don’t see us. “I have a question,” I announce, warning him in advance.
“Imagine that,” he says. His voice is filled with humor. “Ask away.”
“The people that we’ve passed act like they don’t see us. Are we visible?” That sounded much more intelligent in my mind than on my lips.
Cyrus smirks. “We are very much visible.” He pats my hand with his words. “Most humans are not sure what they feel, but they’re smart enough to trust it.”
“Hello, sir,” a man says, tilting his hat and startling me. His ebony skin is covered in sweat beads, making him smell delightful to my grumbling stomach.
“Good evening,” Cyrus answers. “How may I help you?”
“I don’t know,” the man answers. The look in his eyes reminds me of the woman on the train. Confusion mixed with desire. “I…I…” He takes a deep breath. “I think you’re beautiful,” he says to me.
I smile. “Thank you.”
“Can I…Can I spend some time with you?” he asks.
Cyrus steps in front of me. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. It’s time for you to leave.”
He steps closer, sniffing the air. “Just a few minutes?” He looks down. “I’m sorry, sir. It’s just that she needs me.”
“I can assure you, sir, she doesn’t need you,” Cyrus retorts.
The man reaches a hand toward me. Cyrus wraps his arm behind his back and whisks him away in the blink of an eye. Less than a second later, he’s standing in front of me again with the human nowhere around.
“What was that?” I ask.
“That was a rarity,” he answers. “The other side of the coin, if you will. Where most humans have the innate ability to sense danger and run, others are drawn to us. He was attracted to you both physically and energetically. He would’ve died trying to make you his.”
“Like the woman on the train?”
“Exactly,” he answers.
“Why does that make me sad?” I ask.
“Because, unlike most new vampires, you still hold some of your humanity.”
“What does that mean?”
He scoffs. “It means, you’re different, Violet Du Four.” He wraps my arm through his, and we continue walking through the dusty streets of St. Augustine. We walk arm in arm, while humans make wide paths around us. We come to a large open field, and he stops in front of what looks like a spring.
“Do you know what this is?” he asks.
“Water,” I answer sarcastically.
“Right, you are. However, this water is said to hold special abilities.” He bends down, dipping his hand into the hole. “Quite a few people believe this might be the Fountain of Youth.”
I stare into the nondescript spring. “The Fountain of Youth?”
“Discovered by Ponce de Leon, himself.” He scoops a small handful of water from the hole, lifting it to his lips. “It’s believed that whoever drinks from the spring will live forever.” He swallows the clear water in one gulp.
“It’s a good thing you’re dead. If not, that water would probably kill you.”
Cyrus lowers his hand and stares into my eyes. “You’re just a bundle of questions and snark, aren’t you?”
I smile at his description. “I think you nailed my personality in one sentence.”
“There’s more I want to show you.” He offers his elbow once more as we move away from the spring and back toward civilization. Not long after, we’re standing in front of a large building.
“What’s this?”
“The jail.”
I look up at the man whose arm I’m attached to. “Why do I feel like there’s a lesson coming?”
“Because there is.” We walk closer.
“This looks more like a home than a jail,” I announce.
Cyrus looks down at me with an approving look. “You’re smart, Violet.” I fight the smile that wants to appear at his words. Am I seeking his approval?
“Thank you,” I answer.
“You’re right. The jail was built to look unsuspecting to the average person. A traditional building would draw fear to visitors and future tourism. Behind the walls of that unsuspecting Victorian Home, the jail houses seventy-two inmates.”
“That’s a lot of prisoners.” I stare into the brick facade.
“Yes, it is. Both men and women are housed here.”
I step away from Cyrus. “You just complimented me, but I’m feeling a little slow at the moment. What is the purpose of showing me this?”
Cyrus smiles. “Not everything you see on the outside matches what’s going on inside.”
I shrug. “I understand.”
“As a vampire, you will meet people and things that will want to be your friend, your lover, or your donor. You can’t always trust what you see on the outside. You have to be able to see the prisoners behind the walls.”
Looking back at the unsuspecting building. “You’re telling me I’m too trusting, aren’t you?”
He scoffs. “Harrison Chamberlin picked you for a reason.”
My feelings are suddenly hurt, and my ego is bruised. “I was…”
“You were young, na?ve, and flattered when the unsuspecting man made you his priority.” His lesson slaps me in the face. The facade that Harrison showed the world was the building we’re standing in front of. What he did to me is what’s living inside.
“How do I know?” I whisper my question.
“You just have to know.”
I look up, annoyed at his answer. “That’s not helpful.”
“Touch my cheek, Violet.” I sigh before lifting my hand to his face. “Close your eyes, and tell me what you feel.”
Following directions, I stand perfectly still, not moving, not breathing, just feeling. A rush of energy flows through me, literally slapping me in the chest. The energy feels safe, trustworthy, and calm. I open my eyes.
“What did you feel?”
“You,” I answer.
“And how did I feel?”
I shift awkwardly from foot to foot. “Safe,” I whisper.
“Good.” He smiles, showing a mouth full of straight white teeth. “Test over.”
“I already knew I could trust you.”
“No, you didn’t. You came with me because you had no choice. I purchased you. You are my property. I didn’t give you the option of staying.” His words hurt. I realize I’ve allowed myself to think of him as a friend, not an owner. When did that happen?
Taking a step backward, I gather my thoughts. “Thank you, Cyrus. That was a helpful lesson.”
He stares at me, questioning my words. “Your energy shifted.”
“I’m fine,” I argue. Without prompt, I wrap my arm through his and lead him away from the jail. “I’m rather hungry.”
“Then we shall feed you, my dear.” We walk in silence back to the colonial-style home. Cyrus stops before entering the garden door. The warmth I’ve felt from him is replaced by something cold, something much darker. He closes his eyes before turning toward me. “What do you feel, Violet?”
“What do you mean?”
“The house.” He nods toward the structure. “What do you feel inside?”
I close my eyes, concentrating on the energy from inside. I take a needless breath, relaxing my body. I feel it in an instant. Opening my eyes, I stare into his. “Vampire,” I breathe.
“Yes,” he answers. “Who’s inside?”
I reach toward the visitor, not sure if I feel anything other than the obvious vampire energy. “I…I don’t know.”
“Feel, Violet.”
Closing my eyes again, I concentrate on sending my energy away from Cyrus and toward the home in front of me.
My energy flows through the garden, into the large sitting room, and eventually through every room in the home until I find the source.
Upstairs is a woman. Her energy is old and inconsistent.
“A woman is upstairs. She’s been a vampire for a while. Her energy is a bit confusing. She’s kind, yet evil. She’s honest, yet lies. She’s never the same person twice.”
I open my eyes to see a smile covering Cyrus’s face. “Good, Violet. You impress me.” He leads me through the garden and into the living area.
Simon joins us quickly. “Cyrus…” He starts.
“I know,” my teacher interrupts, looking up the stairs. “Keep her safe.” He nods toward me.
“From me?” a woman says from above. “Why, I’m one of the safest people I know. Just ask me.”
She’s standing in front of Cyrus a heartbeat later. “You look good, baby,” she says, cupping his cheek with her palm. Another heartbeat later, her lips are on his, and her arms are wrapped around his body. I don’t know whether to stare or leave.
Cyrus pulls away. “It’s good to see you, Aurora.”
“I would imagine it is.” She turns her attention toward me. “Is she the newest purchase?”
The look on his face shows anything but excitement. “Yes. I purchased her from Chamberlin.”
“Ahh, Harrison Chamberlin.” She laughs slightly.
“What did he do? Charm you?” she asks me.
Instead of answering, I stare at the woman in front of me.
Long dark curls hang halfway down her back.
Her hair is the perfect accent to her tawny colored skin.
Large brown eyes make her look both angelic and evil at the same time.
She looks me up and down, making me feel completely exposed. I might as well be standing here naked. “Your lack of answer is an answer.”
“Why are you here?” Cyrus asks.
Aurora scoffs. “Does a wife need a reason to see her husband?” Husband?
“In your case, yes. You don’t do anything without a reason, Aurora.”
She laughs, filling the room with hypnotic energy. “I’ve come to make a purchase.” She looks at me, and my stomach drops. “This one seems to be perfect for my needs.”
“No,” Cyrus answers quickly. “She’s not for sale. We’ve only begun to work on her training.” I stare at the spectacle in the living room, hoping to wrap my head around what’s actually happening. Cyrus is married, and his vampire wife is trying to buy me?
“Don’t be silly, Cyrus. Everything and everyone is for sale.” She moves in front of me. “She’ll do nicely.”
“She’s not for sale,” Cyrus repeats. “Especially to you.”
“Tsk, tsk. You dare to tell your wife, no?” She steps closer, and the scent of jasmine fills my nose. She wrinkles her flawless face. “You smell like Chamberlin. What’s your name?”
I stand straighter before answering. “Violet.”
A long finger brushes under my chin, reminding me of an action a parent might make to their child. “You have potential, Violet.”
“Thank you?”
Her hypnotic laugh fills the room once more. She turns toward her husband. “I’ll be back in three months. See that she’s ready to go.”
“Three months isn’t long enough,” he retorts.
Aurora turns toward my teacher. “As your maker, I am not asking.”
Cyrus closes his eyes. “Yes, my love.” What the holy hell?
The vampire is at the door a heartbeat later. “Three months,” she says before disappearing into the garden.
“Fuck,” Cyrus whispers a few minutes later.
“What just happened?” I ask the men in the room with me.
“You have three months to become what Aurora wants,” Simon answers.
“What does she want?”
“A killer,” Cyrus answers, walking upstairs at human speed. “Go change. We have work to do.”