"How long are they going to go at it?" Cyrus griped plaintively. He was sitting with arms crossed on a bench outside of the Fisham town hall. "And why wasn't I included? I killed the vamp; that's got to be worth something."
A long suffering guard said nothing as he stood outside the hall, leaning heavily on a spear he had wedged into a nearby snowbank. He'd occasionally pace to warm himself up, then go back to dozing on his feet. Linda and Lily sat on a bench which was positioned on the other side of a set of double doors. Lily leaned against Linda, who was staring at the night sky. "You're as bad as them Hawk boys. Think killing gives you rights to anyone you please."
Cyrus leaned forward, looking around the drooping guard at Linda. "You know, I think it might be good if you and I cleared the air." Cyrus suggested.
"Don't see the point," Linda grumbled as she placed an arm protectively around Lily's shoulders. Lily mumbled and nuzzled further into Linda's shoulder.
"I do. I'm not going anywhere, and you're following Rena like a couple lost puppies..." Cyrus paused, glancing at Kerfuffle who yawned just then. She swept her tail side to side, leaving a mark in the snow. Surely, the dog couldn't understand a word he was saying. All the same, Cyrus eyed the malamute suspiciously as she laid there. "...so we'll have to put up with each other."
"Still don't see the point. Plenty of folk I don't like back home, but I still work with them," Linda responded bluntly.
"Ah. Well then. You can't say I didn't try. Please, resume your man-hating ways," Cyrus said, leaning back again.
Linda did not dignify Cyrus with a response, instead tightening her hold of Lily. This caused her sister to stir, lifting her head momentarily and looking around. After a large yawn and a few lip smacks, Lily asked, "They still talking in there?"
"Oh, don't get him started again," grumbled the guard.
"Excuse you!" Cyrus chided. "I'm sure my constant complaining helps keep you awake. I'm doing you a favour!"
The guard just sagged his shoulders and sighed.
"Linda, let's go. We ain't gonna make things go faster sitting in the cold," Lily said, pawing at her sister like a cat mooching for scraps.
"Yeah. Good idea," Linda said, sliding Cyrus an unholy stink eye as she rose to her feet. The guard joined in this gesture. Lily seemed completely oblivious as she stood up and stretched, a series of cricks and cracks heard even from her young bones.
"Would ya like to come wait with us, Cyrus?" Lily asked.
"What? Now hold on!" Linda objected. Cyrus raised his eyebrows at the invitation, looking between the two sisters, content to sit back and see them sort it out before dipping in his oar.
"What? It's cold out here," Lily said, seeming surprised with her sister's hostility.
"You forgotten what he did? How he treated you?" Linda was beside herself with incredulity.
"No. I was hurt, but I got bigger problems, Linda. If he and Rena can help me, then I ain't regretting anything," Lily said with experimental firmness, her cheeks blooming like roses as she glanced meaningfully at Cyrus. He let out a low whistle and tried not to snicker, quickly regaining his composure.
"Don't mean you need to let him in our space," Linda griped, gesturing to Cyrus with broad, frantic swings of her arm. "He can't be trusted."
"Maybe. But wouldn't it be nicer if we tried to get along? Not like we're gonna... you know... again."
"I really shouldn't be hearing this," the guard objected.
"Eh, just sit back and enjoy the show," Cyrus suggested to the guard ever so helpfully. The guard let out a beleaguered sigh, deciding that was an opportune moment to pace to try and warm up.
"Lily, I can't believe we're talking about this," Linda exclaimed, her own face growing red.
"I can't believe you're making such a big stink. I'm the one wronged, and I'm forgivin' him. Why can't you?" Lily questioned. Linda's face only got redder, seeing her usually meek sister challenge her like this. She sputtered a few times, flailing an arm out while a cacophony of syllables escaped her mouth. Finally she turned to face Cyrus, about to blame him. She ended up staring at an empty bench.
"...Where'd he go?" Linda asked. She grabbed Lily's hand, looking around as if expecting the vampire to materialise from the shadows. She had not forgotten the way Rena and him had chased them through the streets, intent on killing Lily.
Lily looked about as well, a chill that wasn't from the night air trembling up her spine. She tightened her grip on Linda's hand. Unlike Linda, Lily was not afraid of Cyrus, but she found his sudden disappearance disconcerting. "Um hey, did you see where he went?" Lily called out to the guard, who had distanced himself by a length to get away from their bickering.
The guard paused and walked back, shaking his head. "No."
"Then where is he?"
----------------------------------------
Where was Cyrus indeed? While the sisters were bickering, and the guard was derelicting his duties, Cyrus had slipped into the town hall antechamber. The Fisham security really needed to step up their game, it would seem, as Cyrus bypassed them with ease. He walked up to the door which led to the meeting hall, placing his ear to the thick oak door. Although he wondered where they got oak in this forsaken flatland. He saw plenty of poplars and pines, but nothing so sturdy as an oak.
"...ensure a future for all of us," Cyrus could tell that was Rena's voice. She was always so concerned with the future.
"But those who chose not to be fed on were stigmatised, and it needs to stop," a male voice which Cyrus was sure was the Chief argued.
"That was never my intention! I never wanted anyone to feel they didn't have a choice," Rena insisted. This didn't sound nearly as juicy as Cyrus had hoped, as evident by the glazed over look on his face.
"It's not Rena's fault that some of the previous generations pushed their children to make the oath," another masculine voice chimed in. Cyrus squinted, tilting his head.
"I'm not assigning blame. I'm stating the facts. The personal pacts are to end. Rena's oath should be to the town itself," Chief Fisher stated.
"And who am I to approach for blood?" Rena inquired.
"We will provide you with blood as impersonally and anonymously as possible. That way no one can put themselves above others for being one of your... chosen," the Chief said, distaste clear in his tone at the last word.
"I never chose them, they chose me," Rena clarified. Cyrus could tell she was losing her patience, but was trying hard to contain it. That was a tone she used with him often. It was gratifying to know he wasn't the only one.
"All the same, it will reduce squabbling and unite us. And when we introduce you to the Ward..."
"They what?" Cyrus blurted before he could stop himself, then covered his mouth.
"...they can contribute as well, if they wish." The Chief made a sound as if he were going to continue speaking, then cut himself short. Cyrus held his breath - an easy task for a vampire that required breathing only for talking - and strained to listen. Footsteps approached the door and he knew he was caught. Scramble? Or stay and play nonchalance? Of course, there was only one option. Cyrus pushed the doors open before anyone else could and walked in as if he were invited.
"I'm sorry, what is this about introducing Rena to the Ward? And what is a ward?" Cyrus asked, aware all eyes were on him, and none of them were friendly.
"This is a private meeting between Fisham residents only," the Chief said severely.
"Fine. Try and remove me." Cyrus invited cockily. He finally saw the owner of the third voice - a rather unremarkable man of average height and build. He was at the procession that met them outside of the gates.
The Chief's face reddened as the lines in his craggy deepened disapprovingly. But neither men made a move to dislodge Cyrus. "Out of curiosity, how many of your clan are direct descendants of Monty Fisher?" Cyrus asked, a glint in his eye. Oh time to stir the pot!
Rena's face was pale. It was always pale. To say that it had gone pale would have been inaccurate, but Cyrus knew by the contraction of her pupils and the sudden change in heart rate that she would have gone pale, were she mortal. He found a sensitive spot.
"Both of us are," the Chief responded, showing the signs of guarded curiosity. Peter, unlike Rena, actually did look a shade paler.
Grinning smugly, Cyrus began to walk in and speak, until Rena stalked over to him and grabbed him by the ear. She dragged him out of the room like a naughty boy. But then, Cyrus was a naughty boy, so the method of removal was fitting. Fitting, but it did hurt. Rena's grip was like a snap turtle.
Once they were back outside, Rena gave Cyrus a forceful shove, causing him to skip a few paces, laughing. "Seriously though, they should know you're more to them than just a parasite!" Cyrus insisted. Rena lifted her chin and said nothing as she took a step back, and slammed the door on him. The guard then stepped in his path when he gathered himself up and approached. Cyrus could take the guard with both hands tied behind his back, but it wasn't in his interest to make enemies here. Although he could tell by the baleful look he was receiving from the shabby guard, he wasn't making friends either.
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"Alright then - I bid you goodnight! You can tell the high-and-mighties that I retired to yonder lodge." Cyrus said to the guard, bowing with supercilious flourish and then turning and leaving. Problem was, he didn't know where the lodge was. Surely in a small town, it wouldn't be hard to find, though.
Cyrus took some time to wander through Fisham. There weren't many lanterns to help those out or a night stroll to find their way, but it was hardly a requirement for a child of darkness. To Cyrus, most of the town was clear as day. A large tower, well, towered over the settlement, and Cyrus could only guess it was an old radio tower. At its base seemed to be a retrofitted ranger's station, which suggested the Fisher clan had the audacity, or smarts, to settle in what used to be a municipal or provincial park. Why Rena elected to go to the prairies was beyond Cyrus, however.
Cyrus paused in front of a wooden shed with stacks of logs neatly placed outside, beneath an overhang. Although the town was surrounded by an impressive bullseye of windbreaks and shade trees, he doubted the firewood was local. Gone were the days of just walking down to the closest petrol station and buying a pre-wrapped firelog. Cyrus sighed as he cast a glance about at the sod houses, interspersed with stone or wood frame buildings. The most impressive building, besides the radio tower, drew his attention and he found himself approaching.
Cyrus looked up at the two-storey feat of stonework. There was a red cross painted on the front, above two heavy doors. Light streamed out from windows guarded by wire meshes. Although the low wall around the building, and its first storey seemed to be rough hewn stone, the second storey appeared to have more carefully fitted bricks, suggesting it was a later add on. He could tell that this building was more important to them than even their dinky town hall. Next to it was a mostly glass building - a solarium perhaps - but it didn't attract his attention as much. Unlike the stone building it was adjoined to, it smelled of earth - but this here, this hospital, it smelled of blood.
Cyrus's nostrils flared and his stomach churned. He had not fed in some time, and he was beginning to feel the hunger. But if he touched any of Irene's precious brood, he'd be in for a lecture. Not that he minded Irene's lectures. Hearing her ideas on morality and principles was always quaint, if misguided and impractical. But she kept trying to make them work in a world which had long rejected them. It was adorable.
Cyrus needed to get away from this building. The temptation was too strong. And other temptations quickly chorused with it. He just had to alienate the Day girl with that bog muffin remark. But maybe something could be salvaged.
As Cyrus passed a few more hovels, he finally saw a respectable looking house with a hastily crafted banner with the words, "Relay Lodge" painted on. He could detect activity within, if the flickering lights through the windows weren't any indication.
The vampire made his way in, looking around. The main room was cramped, with small tables scattered about and mismatched chairs attending them. A fireplace was at last present, warming the room with its jovial crackling. A woman who was sitting behind a table stood up upon seeing Cyrus enter. "Welcome to the Relay. Here for a pint or for a bed?"
Cyrus looked at the swarthy lady and her coarse, dark hair. "Bed, please. Also... did two young women come in earlier? I'm just making sure they made it back safely."
The hostess's thick eyebrows dug down into her brow as he stared at Cyrus a moment. She then mustered a smile. "Safely back, yes." She stooped more than nodded, perhaps due to a stiffness in her neck. "Come this way."
Cyrus was led upstairs and into a bedroom. It had three lumpy looking beds, likely with straw mattresses. Of course, what else would he expect in a land where its main export was grass? But it was better than a tent. Most importantly, the room was warm. He just tried to ignore the walking blood sacks in the adjoining room. Er. The young women. That's right. It was probably the sisters. Cyrus sighed as he laid down, placing his hands on his stomach and stared at the ceiling. The world just kept getting bleaker.
Footsteps outside piqued Cyrus's curiosity. He got up and went to his door. Pacing. Perfect. It could only be one of the two sisters, and the foot fall was too delicate to be that stomping oaf, Linda. Cyrus swung his door open and poked his head out into the hallway. "Trouble sleeping, Lily?"
Lily paused and spun around, her heart racing. Cyrus loved it when he had that effect on people. "Oh it's you..." Lily said, her hand to her chest. She had her cloak and parka off, and was just wearing a loose gown, the colour of undyed linen. It hung off her shoulder, being a bit too big for her - likely passed down from someone else. "Where did you go?"
"I snuck into the town hall to eavesdrop, then got kicked out rather rudely," Cyrus responded, absolutely unashamed. Lily looked astounded at his honesty. She adjusted the collar of her gown so that it lay on her properly.
"Oh... that's... well..." she meandered verbally. "Um... can we talk?"
Cyrus nodded his head, stepping aside and beckoned her inside. Lily gave an anxious glance to her room, then quickly slipped inside, looking over her shoulder as Cyrus closed the door behind her. She looked almost as if she might bolt at any moment. Indeed, she had the look of an alert prey animal, spooked by movement, and trying to determine if it were just wind in the tall grass, or a predator lying in wait.
Cyrus smirked and walked over bed and sat down, gesturing to the bed opposite him for her to take a seat. She shook her head, eyes to the door, and remained standing. Cyrus lifted his eyebrows in what he intended to be an open and disarming expression, waiting for Lily to begin talking.
"So... as Rena said, you are a vampire." Cyrus nodded, waiting for Lily to go on. She played with her long sleeves and shifted her weight. "I know there's a big chance I ain't gonna live long. But in case Rena figgers something out... I gotta make sure, 'coz I dunno much about real vampires, as you'n Rena put it. I gotta know... um..." Cyrus held back the smirk as her cheeks grew rosy and he could sense the anxiety stirring her blood into action. He was also aware of his hunger. What a pest. "...Can I, uh... can you... you can't have children, can you?"
Cyrus straightened up at the question. It'd been a long time since anyone even bothered to ask. Cyrus chuckled and shook his head, raising a hand when Lily looked offended at his levity. "Don't worry. I'm sterile."
"I never said you was dirty," Lily said, bemusement enmeshed with her irritation.
"What? Oh. No, I mean infertile. I can't get women pregnant. Haven't been able to for hundreds of years," Cyrus explained, leaning back and placing his hands on the bed. He didn't blame her for asking, and was more than happy to set her straight on this matter. He even enjoyed seeing the transformative effect relief had on her as she exhaled and relaxed. Although he could still detect hints of tension hiding.
"Thank the stars!" Lily responded in a breathy voice. "Last thing I need is to get married off."
"Woah now, who said anything about marriage?" Cyrus asked, holding his hands up.
"Hm? Oh don't worry. I wouldn't marry you." Lily smiled in a way that might have been sweet if it weren't for the subtle snark she wielded in her tone, which belied her usually docile nature. This earned a double-take from Cyrus, who squinted ever so slightly.
"That's a relief. But what does the one have to do with the other? Is marriage still a thing here? They did away with in several European countries," Cyrus remarked.
Seeing that this might turn into a larger conversation, Lily belatedly took a seat on the other bed. "Well it is in Goldilocks. Women with children by law gotta be married. Don't matter if their spouse ain't the baby's father. Which, from talking with my friend from Perch, ain't what marriage is like in their village. He says children are the result of marriage, not the other way around. And couples kin have more'n one child each. I mean, who can afford that? I dunno how they keep hunting enough to feed all 'em if they don't put limits like we do. One child, one family."
Cyrus absorbed this information, rolling it around in his mind, seeing what sense he could rattle loose. Or what nonsense. He was a stalwart fan of nonsense. "So no one gets married until a woman's fallen pregnant? Why get married after if at all?" Cyrus asked as he lifted an eyebrow.
"Well, to raise the kid, course! Kids do better with two parents. I mean, those in the Warrens don't think so, but they're flint-nosed barkers. Miserable, all'em," Lily said, as if it were obvious that the Goldilocks way was correct, and ought to be perceived as such. Cyrus snorted softly at this.
"Wait, then how come you and Linda are sisters?"
"Oh. We don't got the same mother. Linda's died giving birth. So my ma's the only one she's known."
Cyrus scratched his nose. "Oh." He was still grappling with the absurd rules that governed Lily's home. "I think I'm going to regret asking but... what happens to women who have more than one child?"
"Oh..." Lily's eyes dropped. Cyrus placed his hands in his lap, trying not to grin at her discomfort. "Once the child is weaned, she gets banished. Unless someone else volunteers. We don't want overcrowding," Lily sniffed, lifting her chin.
"Goodness, no, wouldn't want that," Cyrus murmured, remembering fondly the crowded urban streets of an age gone by. How easy it was to sink into the shadows and work with complete anonymity, stepping into the spotlight only when it amused him. How his victims were rarely noticed and became mere statistics on a census somewhere. Those days were gone. It was time for shrewdness and stewardship. Another lurch deep in his gut reminded him he needed to feed.
"Everything alright, Cyrus?" Lily asked. Had he winced? Had he dropped his guard? Cyrus smiled, waving a hand at her.
"Fine. Fine. Just thirsty,"
"Oh I can go get you... wait..." Lily paused, then her eyes grew wide as she realised the situation she found herself in. Why did they always look as if he were going to pounce on them? Sure, sometimes he did, but that was beside the point.
"It's fine. Rena would have my guts for garters if I bit you. Well... unless you agreed to be bitten. I've already picked up your plague, so drinking tainted blood won't make a difference now," Cyrus said, waving it off as if it were inconsequential.
"You... what? You have the plague too?" Lily asked, alarmed.
"I'm not sick with it, I can just pass it along by biting. Which means... I really can't safely bite anyone but you," Cyrus said, glancing off to the side. "And I will grow weaker and weaker... until something in me snaps. Then I'll be as dangerous as those abominations which attacked you. More dangerous. But... maybe I can hold it together a few more days if I really put my mind to it. Maybe then they'll have made a decision and someone can get me some blood." Cyrus sighed. "But knowing the speed of bureaucracy... who knows?" He gave a light shrug, then surreptitiously glanced at Lily to see if she was buying it.
Lily stood up. "I should go," she said, rushing to the door. Cyrus watched her, remaining where he was, conveying nonchalance. Should he try it? As he was deliberating, Lily paused and looked back at him. In that space their eyes met and it was all he needed. His ears filled with the sound of her heartbeat and he focused intensely on her, reaching out to her with his consciousness. He could feel her stall, and her heart rate slow down.
"What's the hurry?" Cyrus asked as he stood up. Lily remained where she was, docile and placid as her hand, which was reaching for the door handle, fell to her side.
"I... no hurry," she responded, her brown eyes growing dull as he kept them locked in his sights.
"I know you don't want anyone to get hurt." He could see her eyes watering, and she gave a small shake of her head without breaking eye contact.
"I don't. I don't want anyone hurt," Lily repeated in a soft whimper. Cyrus smiled and took a step towards her, gesturing for her to approach. As he moved closer, so did she. Soon, she was in his arms, drawn in by the pull he had.
"I know, sweet girl, I know," Cyrus cooed. He put a finger under her chin. Without him speaking the command, she turned her head aside, exposing her neck. His finger trailed down her jaw, down her exposed throat. He could see goose pimples forming on her.
"...I'm already doomed. If it will help others... then... drink..." Lily whispered. That was all Cyrus needed. No. He didn't need permission; he'd hunted plenty of times. But he needed Lily to believe she gave permission to keep things civil. Without hesitation, he sank his teeth into her neck, prepared to hold her still as she gasped and squirmed. He knew it hurt, but he needed to feed.