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Chapter 1-
A Daughter is Born
“France…. What has happened to you?” The scratched voice of the scientist questioned; his arm across his forehead and pressed to the window overlooking the English Channel. A knock came to the door, intruding on the man’s thoughts. “Lord Victor?” A young female asked, well in her youth and in a servant’s gowns, no doubt. “Yes, yes, what is it?” Victor asked, turning quickly to the girl. She was new, sent from the Emperor to their household. She was cute, nonetheless, to those who were interested in red-heads. “Sire, the Lady requests your presence.” She whispered, bowing her head. Victor flinched slightly before turning fully on his heel, moving past the girl. Still too young to be a vampire, her scent filled his nostrils with excitement as he passed. His wife, Maria, was in the birthing quarters of their home, prepping for their final attempts of a second child. Victor’s prayers were silent as he walked down the halls, and into the nursery. Maria stood, her long silver curls glistened in the moonlight as she turned, smiling to her husband. Her belly was swollen, massive and at the point of birth, and her hand extended out to him. Victor smiled warmly, walking towards his beloved and took her hand, bringing her in to kiss her softly. “I’m nervous, Victor.” Maria said, looking up to him.
“I understand… I am too, Maria.” Victor was hesitant with his answer, and a small tap came from the door. Both turned to see their ten year old son, Lucian, standing in his pajamas. A small brown bear was tucked under his arm as he wiped his eyes from the sleep he had gotten. “Momma, Papa, I can’t sleep anymore.” He whimpered. Lucian had his mothers’ silver curls, and his father’s crisp eyes. “Was it another nightmare?” Victor asked his son, who silently nodded. “Come, now, let’s get you to bed.” Victor grinned as he walked over, picking his son up. Maria watched as Victor turned to wink at her, before disappearing into the corridors and down the halls, where Lucian’s room was. The door open, Victor peered into the toy-filled room and admired the blue wallpaper that had been put up for when his son could have his own room.
“Is it true? Will I have my own sibling?” Lucian asked his dad, excited to know his new sibling was about to be born. “Of course, Lucian! Just promise one thing for me?” Victor asked. “No matter what happens, always be there for your little sibling. Promise?” Lucian nodded his head excitedly, and Victor grinned. Rubbing his son’s head, he stepped out of the room and shut the door, to return to his wife.
Commotion came from the room, and Victor stepped in to see Maria greeting another man. The man turned, his green eyes glowing and his brown hair tied at the nape of his neck and in a suit. “Logan!” Victor greeted his long-time friend, walking over to meet him with a handshake. “How have you been, my friend? It has been a long time.” Victor said, smiling gently.
“It has! I’ve been alright; it’s been hard for me since…” Logan’s voice trailed off, his eyes looked down and into the distance until Maria waddled over, placing her hand on his shoulder. Logan could only smile; he reached a hand up and placed it upon hers. “Thank you, Maria. I am fine; it’s been hard since I lost Evelyn.” He sighed softly, shaking the feeling away. It turned to a smile and from his pocket, Logan pulled a letter out. “You had asked to see me, my friend? I am here waiting what you have to say.” He smiled towards Victor.
“I have a request, and want to know if you are interested.” Victor began to slowly pace the room back and forth. “Maria has predicted, it seems, our child is to be a female. You know how long we have tried for one, and how painful it has been- for the both of us.” Victor took a deep breath and exhaled, shakily, before stopping and turning his gaze towards Logan. “Should her prediction be correct, Logan… I would like you to protect her. I do not wish to see any harm coming to my daughter. Lucian, I have never been worried for. He’s always ventured for himself. However, a daughter…” His voice trailed off. Logan understood, female vampires had been slightly scarce the past century or so, for a majority of the women had decided when they become of age, to stay mortal. The custom was when each child turned eighteen, they were given a choice- to become vampires with their parents, or to stay mortal and live on their own in the world, making a living. Each child was taught and prepared how to handle life, whether mortal or vampire.
Logan thought of it for a moment, before smiling towards his friend. “Victor, I will protect your child with my life, even if it is a boy. There is nothing left in this world for me anyways.” Logan explained. His home had been overrun by the Black Plague which had been spreading, and Logan had noticed here in the countryside, the Plague had been scarce and health was better. However, the town below their home was swarmed with the disease, killing at least a dozen every other day. Victor smiled and nodded his head.
“I am happy to hear this, Logan. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, my friend.” Victor put his hand on Logan’s shoulder and smiled. A brief gasp of shock caught both of their attentions; the sound of water splattering onto the carpet of the room turned both of their heads in surprise. Maria stood there, her hands on her stomach and her eyes massively wide, breathing quickly as she winced and fell back into a small chair behind her.
It’s time.” Maria said to them both. Victor went over and picked up his wife, cradling her as he once had upon their wedding night, and Logan left to gather the nursemaids to help with the birthing. Victor laid his wife back on the bed in the room, sitting with her and squeezing her hand. She breathed, squeezing back as she winced again, the pain surging through both of them as Victor winced with his wife. The servants rushed in and escorted Victor out, shutting the door behind Victor to keep him and Logan from the room. It felt like hours, wails of pain echoed in the corridors. The pale color of Victor’s skin turned bleach white when he heard the noises begin to die down horrified at the idea something happened to both of them. As Victor began to slump to his knees, Lucian walked up towards his father.
“Papa?” Lucian asked as Logan went over to scoop the boy up. “What’s wrong?” Lucian was worried; he could see tears well into his fathers’ eyes as he shook his head. “I heard momma screaming, and I wanted to come help.” Lucian spoke. A nursemaid cracked the door open, and motioned for Victor to enter into the room. Victor hesitantly stood from his crouched position, wiping the tears from his eyes as he entered the room. The soft humming of his wife eased him, and looking up towards Victor was an exhausted Maria, holding a baby with a soft silver curl on its head. The baby moved, its little arms waved up to grasp hold of Maria’s dampened hair and cooed, its body had been wiped from blood and was wrapped in a soft, white silk blanket. “Maria, is everything-?” Before Victor could respond, Maria smiled brightly and nodded her head.
“Come Victor. Meet your baby daughter.” Maria whispered to him. Victor rushed to his bride’s side and scooped the girl into his arms; her massive pink eyes looked up to his as he cried in happiness. “Thank you, Lord. Thank you.” Victor prayed and kissed her forehead. “What is her name?” Victor asked, looking back towards Maria. Maria smiled gently, and motioned towards their daughter again.
“Victoria. Victoria Elisabetha Dark.” The name was perfect for her. Victor stood carefully and stepped into the corridor, where Logan and Lucian waited. Lucian looked to the little girl in awe; Logan’s eyes were wide and filled with happiness as he congratulated his friend on the arrival of their daughter.
“My little angel; my little Victoria.” Victor whispered, kissing her forehead again. Victor saw it as a miracle, the infant had not cried once since being born. All she did was coo, giggle and pull at his hair or his fingers each time he held them out towards her to grasp ahold of. Returning her, Victor found Maria had fallen asleep and he smiled. Placing Victoria into her new crib in the same room, he looked upon the infant with adoration. “Sleep well, little miracle. Tomorrow begins a new day.”
Here in the darkness
I know myself  Letharya · Wed Aug 27, 2014 @ 12:29am · 0 Comments |
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