Raaksha's Story: Chapter Five

Chapter Five1

I sat quietly as Damon told me of one hunting trip he went on with his parents when he was around eleven years. The detail in which he remembered that night was enough to send shivers down my spine and make my stomach do back flips.2

His parents had taken him to a park in which they picked off passers by, whether they were elderly or young Mothers with children. Count and Countess De Noir left six bodies to be found n the park that night and Damon had left none, not having the stomach to do as his parents had shown him.3

“There was so much blood that night; I had nightmares for years…” he blushed slightly, “Still do to be honest.”4

“Did they ever hunt… were’s?” I asked quietly.5

“There was this one hunt I remember,” he whispered visibly shuddering, “Two were’s brutally murdered…”6

“Damon?!” a stern male voice called.7

“Shit!” Damon whispered standing abruptly.8

“What is it?” I asked confused.9

“My Father…” he whispered back, moving towards the Manor, calling, “Yes, Father?”10

“Come here, boy, I have someone I’d wish for you to meet.”11

“Yes, Sir,” Damon said as he disappeared out of sight down the path.12

I sighed, sitting there still, trying to remove the images Damon had so vividly painted from my mind.13

So Count and Countess De Noir hunted were’s and humans…I thought to my self, Maybe…. They know of or were the ones that killed my parents… I shook my head, no point in jumping to conclusions they only cause trouble.14

Mother would know more about them. I stood and walked back towards the Manor, the sound of music drifting from the open doors leading to the garden, and the sound of idle chatter dancing with it.15

The sound was comforting but a shiver still went down my spine as I passed through the threshold and felt someone watching me. I didn’t bother turning around, I knew who it would be, their cold stare was the same one from when I sitting across from them at the dinner table. Scanning the crowd I found Mother standing on the outer edge of the dance floor talking to a balding man and the woman standing next to him, who I would presume to be his wife, with the beak life nose. 16

Yes, the myth of all vampires being beautiful and drop dead gorgeous was purely that. A myth.17

I weaved my way through the crowd, trying to avoid the sympathy seen in many of the guest’s eyes and the condolences said. 18

“Excuse me, Mother,” I said, coming up behind her.19

“Excuse me,” she said to the couple and turned to me, “Yes, dear?”20

I linked my arm through hers and lead her away, towards the library, “What can you tell me of the De Noirs?”21

“Count and Countess De Noir?” she asked, puzzled, “What of them?”22

I explained to her the way they were watching me as I ate and the way they kept on watching me when I’m in eyesight. 23

I closed the library door and asked, “What can you tell me of the two were’s they killed?”24

Mother paced the room, a slight frown wrinkling her smooth skin, “The De Noirs have been around for centuries, and many rumours have spread through the nation about them, but from what I know, they do hunt were’s for sport, dear.” She looked at me sadly, “Unfortunately there are still those, on either side that still hunt the other.”25

“Do they still hunt my kind?” I asked quietly.26

Mother nodded slowly, “They do, yes.”27

“Why?”28

“They still believe that vampires are a higher race than the were’s. That they should be serving us and protecting us, rather than thinking they are equal to us. It is because of that way of thinking that they hunt them for fun, since they can’t have them as slaves they will hunt them for the fun and thrill of it.”29

I resisted the urge to growl, and asked, “Do you have any idea as to why they would be watching me so closely?”30

She shook her head, “I haven’t the slightest clue, dear,” she thought for a moment longer, “Although it could be the fact that their son has fallen for you…”31

“Fallen for me?” I almost choked with laughter, “Mother you and I know perfectly well that Damon and I are just close friends.”32

She raised an eyebrow, a mischievous gleam in her eyes, “Maybe he is waiting for you to want what he wants too…”33

“And what would that be, oh wise one?”34

She chuckled, “If you’ve not figured it out your self by now, maybe you need not to be told, but left to see what happens.”35

I looked at her puzzled, “…right. Anyway… so you think they may be watching me because Damon has ‘fallen’ for me?”36

“Indeed.”37

“Are you sure you can’t come up with anything else?”38

She shook her head, “No, dear.”39

Something in the way she shifted then told me she knew more than what she was letting on. 40

I looked at her for a while, and then nodded, “Alright then, can you let me know if you come up with anything else, please?”41

“Why not find out for your self dear,” she said tapping her temple, “You’ve got a talent you seem to have forgotten.”42

“I can’t use telepathy on them.”43

“And why not?”44

“You know why, it’s the same reason I don’t read your thoughts.”45

She sighed, “Raaksha, what is the point in having that gift if you refuse to use it?”46

“I don’t refuse to use it…I just don’t like the idea of rummaging through someone else’s thoughts without having good enough reason.”47

“This is not a good enough reason?”48

“They’re only watching me at the moment,” I said, “If things change to something…more drastic, then yes I’ll use it. Till then, just tell me what you find out or remember, please.”49

Mother rolled her eyes but smiled and nodded.50

“Alright then, dear, I shall do so,” she said embracing me in a hug and kissing the top of my head. 51

“Thank you, Mother.”52

I watched as she drifted from the library, her elegant form and figure still recognisable as she weaved back through the crowd, playing the perfect hostess; smiling, and nodding, thanking the guests for their condolences and for coming for the service. I didn’t know how she did it. All those people paying attention to you, wanting to talk to you and reaching out a hand to either pat your shoulder or wanting to embrace you fully. I shuddered, crowds where never my favourite place to be.53

Closing the library door behind me, that similar shiver went down my spine as the hairs on the nape of my neck stood on end. Something was different this time. They weren’t just watching me.54

I evened out my pace as I walked through the crowd back towards the doors leading to the garden. The doors were within reach when Countess De Noir suddenly appeared before me.55

“Hello, dear child,” she smiled, a cold smile that coated my insides in ice, “You must be Lady Elizabeth’s youngest daughter, yes?”56

I nodded slowly, trying to slow down the pounding of my heart as my mind screamed for me to get away from this woman.57

The Countess stood about a foot above my 5’4 figure, looking down at me as she spoke, trying to intimidate me. And hell, it was working. 58

“I believe we have not yet been formally introduced, I am Countess Usha De Noir,” she said bowing her head slightly.59

“Pleasure to meet you, Countess,” I said, happy that my voice didn’t tremor with the fear that was seeping into my bones, “I’m Raaksha Avarus.”60

“The pleasure is all mine, Child,” she said.61

I looked at her while she stood in the doorway staring at me, seemingly trying to burn a hole through my head with her gaze.62

Maybe I should try what Mother suggested… I thought.63

Without changing my expression or giving away what I was going to do, I let my mind meld with hers, hitting what seemed to be a brick wall. She had her guards up. Interesting. I prodded around gently, looking for a weak spot in her defences, when I was assaulted by bloody images. Blood dripping from walls, bodies torn apart by hand, the point of view the Countess’ own, an image of my parents gardening and waving goodbye to me as I walked down the street flashed in my mind before I was shoved out of her mind.64

I looked to the Countess; my expression must have been what she wanted, one of shock and horror. She laughed wickedly.65

“I knew it was you the moment I saw you,” she said, leaning towards me, her breath caressing my face, sending more shivers down my spine.66

I couldn’t say anything. Didn’t want to say anything. She was there. She was there the morning my parents were murdered. 67

“Oh Raasa, dear, you’ve grown up so much,” straightening and smiling still.68

My hands began to shake uncontrollably, and I heard a faint voice breaking through the clouds that had suddenly descended on me.69

“Mother, I see you have met… Raaksha, are you alright?” Damon asked, his touch on my arm pulling me back through the clouds.70

My hands still shook from the shock, but I managed a slight nod.71

He looked to his Mother, “What did you say to her, Mother?” he asked.72

“Oh, nothing too interesting just reminding her of the past…” she said turning and walking away.73

Damon watched her, and I just stood there, staring and shaking.74

I can’t believe it. She was there.75

So many questions formed in my mind, forming a tornado of thoughts, which made me feel queasy. Damon’s arm slipped around my waist and caught me, as my knees gave way from underneath me. 76

“Come on Raaksha, I think you should lie down for a while.”77

I didn’t say anything as he led me to my room, closing the door behind us and laying me out on the bed. He sat quietly, watching me with concern.78

“Are you sure you’re alright, Raaksha? You look really pale…”79

I tried to smile, but it didn’t stop the tears from breaking out and rolling freely down my cheeks.80

“She was there, Damon,” I whispered between sobs as he wrapped me in his arms, holding me close.81

“What are you talking about, Raaksha?” he asked quietly.82

I took a shuddering breath, “She was outside of my house the day my parents were murdered.”83