Time, Death & Scar Tissue...

51. The Inevitable

Kathryn and Amanda sat in the dark theater. There were a few other people there, but none of them were sitting nearby. Throughout the short time they had spent together, Amanda had cycled between relaxed and smiling, and nervous and uncertain about whether or not she had done something wrong. Now that they were settled in the theater Amanda looked more relaxed, but there were still unusual things too. When Kathryn offered her popcorn, Amanda leaned forward and closed her eyes as if enjoying the smell of the salty, buttery kernels, but then declined Kathryn's offer. It was strange, but Kathryn put it down to this being a fairly new acquaintance, and Kathryn's own unusual position at the club.

By now, she was used to people walking on eggshells around Lucien. She wasn't sure if he actually liked it, or if he just thought it was necessary to maintaining order. Since she started meeting and interacting a little more with the others who worked for him, she noticed that they treated her with an almost frightened reverence. Kathryn wasn't comfortable with that, and she didn't entirely understand it either. At first, she thought that would change with familiarity. It hadn't though. She didn't really know any of them either. Hopefully this would be a turning point and Amanda would see that she could relax.

Throughout the movie, Kathryn glanced at Amanda from time to time. She could see the tension leaving the other woman's body in degrees. In one of her glances, Kathryn noted the odd way the dim light from the screen glinted off of Amanda's eyes. It reminded her of how Lucien's eyes caught the light sometimes. It was a small thing, but it gnawed at Kathryn until the movie ended.

“Feel like some coffee?” She asked as they walked out of the theater.

“Sure.” Amanda sounded surprised and happy that Kathryn would ask.

“There's a great place just down the block.” Kathryn and Amanda began to walk down the street.

The Jasper Moon was one of those little places that one only happened upon by accident, and kept a closely guarded secret for fear of spoiling the uniqueness of the place. They walked into a narrow, deep purple room that was crowded with laughing groups and singles lost in their laptops. Kathryn grasped Amanda's arm and darted over to an empty table in the corner. Amanda looked around curiously.

“Where did you find this place?” She asked.

“I was at the movies one night and as I was leaving I saw the sign. I thought it was an interesting name so I stopped in. They have this incredible hazelnut hot chocolate and all of their desserts are positively decadent.” Kathryn said. When the waitress appeared she ordered the hot chocolate and a slice of chocolate cake. Amanda got a cup of the hot chocolate, but nothing else.

“So when did you move here?” Kathryn asked. Amanda seemed surprised by the question.

“Just before the new year.” She answered. “Have you always lived here?”

“No. I grew up in Boston, but after college I felt like I wanted to put some distance between myself and my family.” The waitress returned and Kathryn took a bite of the rich cake. She closed her eyes and savored the first taste. “Want some? I really don't need this whole piece.”

“No thanks.” Amanda smiled shyly. “It looks really good though.” She looked as though she wanted to say something else so Kathryn paused. “Why did you have to leave? I mean, if that's too personal, you don't have to tell me.”

“No, it's not too personal.” Kathryn smiled. “I didn't really HAVE to leave, but I was published and making a good living. My father didn't really like the idea of me being a writer, and told me so every chance he got. I figured he could tell me I was wasting my life if he wanted, but he was going to have to do it long distance.”

“Is he?” Amanda's eyes were wide.

“Pretty much.” Kathryn laughed. “I think now he's more unhappy that I'm with Lucien, but he'll learn to deal with it.”

“That doesn't-” Amanda paused. “Scare you?”

“My father is a lawyer, not a hitman.” Kathryn smiled. “Besides, he loves me. He'll learn to deal with it. What about you? Where did you move from?” Kathryn risked a sip of the steaming hot chocolate.

“Northern New York.” Amanda answered.

“I thought I heard a little bit of an accent. Small town or big town?”

“Small town. You know, three churches and one bar.” Amanda smiled again, this time it lasted a little longer.

“Ladies Night on Tuesdays, karaoke night on Thursdays?” Kathryn smiled a little. Amanda giggled, her dimples showing themselves again.

“Nickel beer night on Tuesdays, but karaoke was on Thursdays.” She answered.

“Did you ever sing?” Kathryn asked, an idea forming in her head. Amanda seemed to catch the drift of Kathryn's question.

“Well, yeah, but I couldn't do that again.” She shook her head and looked away.

“Why not?”

“Well,” She was searching for an answer. “Well, I wouldn't know anyone.”

“So? That makes it better.” Kathryn took another bite of her cake.

*~*~*~*~*~*

It took the next two hours and a second cup of hot chocolate for Kathryn to convince Amanda to at least go to a karaoke night the following week. Kathryn hadn't been to one herself in quite awhile and she hadn't really been looking to go again, but after spending time with Amanda she realized that it might be just what the shy woman needed. Or one of the things.

Kathryn dropped Amanda off outside her building and drove back to the club. When they went somewhere together, Lucien never let her drive. When she went somewhere on her own though, he was more used to her taking her own vehicle. He'd even made sure she had a place to park in a small courtyard behind the building. Kathryn was pleased by all of that, but the more she drove in at night, the more she noticed the inky darkness that surrounded her as soon as the headlights went off. She looked around and then walked quickly inside, splashing through a puddle of inadequate yellow light from a single bulb over the entry door as she went. He wasn't in his study, but she hadn't really expected him to be. Most Thursday evenings the club was slow so he spent most of his time upstairs reading. He was sitting in his usual place at the end of the sofa, a book laying closed on the seat beside him. Chopin was playing softly.

She stepped out of her shoes before crossing the room to him.

“I thought you would be back earlier.” He said.

“We went out for coffee after.” She replied and curled up against him. His arm wrapped around her and pulled her close. She smiled when his lips teased over hers.

“Coffee?” A little smile tugged at his lips.

“Hot chocolate.” Kathryn laughed softly.

“You had a good evening then?” He sounded slightly surprised.

“Pretty much, Amanda is so shy though. Hopefully next week will help her break through some of that.” She kissed his cheek, then got up to change before starting work for the evening.

“Next week?” He followed her.

“Yes. Karaoke night at Charlie's Tavern. She and I are going.” Kathryn disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door behind herself. She knew for a few minutes he wouldn't follow. When she emerged he was standing outside the bathroom door, his arms crossed over his chest, looking down at her. Kathryn was familiar with that particular disapproving gesture.

“You think that singing to a room full of drunkards will increase her confidence?” The way he said it made the idea sound perfectly ridiculous.

“I don't know.” Kathryn admitted. “But when I mentioned Karaoke she smiled the most she'd smiled all evening.”

*~*~*~*~*~*

LaCroix had tried to subtly convince Kathryn that her plans with Amanda should be canceled, and she deflected each and every one of his attempts. He cursed the fat lawyer for that. While she was gone, he couldn't settle his mind to any particular task. When she returned safely and smiling it was clear that she would be spending more time with Amanda. Once he thought about it, his feelings were mixed.

True, the time was growing near when she would have to start to make connections within the community. It would be easier logistically for him to bring her across if he had the assistance of another. Usually he preferred one with experience, but that was not an absolute necessity. All that was really required was the ability to follow orders.

The few times he saw Amanda after that second outing, he did notice a change in her, though he doubted that a mortal would have noticed. There was a slight lift in her chin, the nervous slouch was gone from her shoulders. He wasn't certain that he wanted to give her association with Kathryn all the credit for that, but the timing was an interesting coincidence.

The third time that Kathryn and Amanda went out together, LaCroix worried less. It was an unusually busy night in the club, and he decided to spend his time downstairs in the study. He doubted he would be called upon for any reason, but being too unavailable was never entirely wise. He'd been immersed in Kathryn's latest installment for about an hour when Kellen found him.

“Am I interrupting?” Kellen hovered in the doorway.

“No.” He closed the folder and set the pages aside. “What are you doing here this evening?” Kellen coordinated security at the club. It was a task that required a deft hand in his particular establishment, but even he took a night off.

“When I called Edgar told me the place was busier than usual.” Edgar was one of three bartenders, and the only mortal he currently employed in that position. On quiet nights, that usually didn't matter much. “I came in to make sure that Jerry and Brian were alright on their own. I figured as long as I was here I would stop in and see you for a minute.”

“A social call?” LaCroix smiled slightly. He doubted it. He had never been one to encourage others to just 'drop by'.

“No. May I?” He gestured to a chair. LaCroix nodded and Kellen sat. “It's about Amanda.”

“Kellen-” The name came out in a little growl. Kellen caught the meaning immediately.

“Nothing like that.” Kellen waved a hand dismissively. LaCroix gave him credit for retaining his composure. “I should have started that differently. What I mean is that the change in Amanda has been remarkable. She made her first independent kill last night.”

“Really?” He sat back in the chair. “I was under the impression that she'd reached that particular milestone already.” In the beginning, the young were much like children in many ways. They relied heavily on the guidance of their makers for even the most basic things until they adjusted and gained some control. A first independent kill was usually a first sign that those adjustments were underway.

“Elsbeth never allowed it.” Kellen said. “From what Amanda said, it was her practice to control those she made that way. Anyway, I've been encouraging her, but she never had the confidence. Kathryn has had quite an effect.”

“You're so certain it's not your influence?” LaCroix smiled slightly.

“I take credit for the rational side of it.” Kellen said. “But, I have no special affection for Amanda, and she seems to be one who needs those kinds of connections. Just thought you'd like to know.” Kellen got up and wished LaCroix a good night.

LaCroix picked up the pages again, but Kellen's revelation left him too curious to read. He was reasonably certain that Kathryn had no idea what Amanda was. He trusted that Kellen impressed upon the girl that Kathryn was to remain in the dark about that particular fact. He wondered if Kathryn would be mortified to know what her influence made possible.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Kathryn drove back to the club, still humming Hazy Shade Of Winter. She and Amanda had done a duet that had gone over very well. Half the crowd was drunk, but that didn't really matter. Amanda was finally coming out of her shell. There were still a few oddities, but everyone had their quirks. Who was she to judge?

She pulled into the small courtyard, glad that a motion activated light was due to be installed the following day. She left the headlights on while she collected her bag, but as soon as she shut them off she thought she saw something move in the newly gathered dark. She stayed where she was, her eyes scanning the darkness for what seemed like ages with her heart pounding in her ears. She turned the headlights on again, but saw nothing in the weak light. Kathryn told herself she was being silly. She got out and started toward the door.

The man stepped out of the darkness into her path, a little smile on his face. Kathryn stopped in her tracks.

“Well well well, we meet again.” He took a step forward, she took a step back. There was an air of menace surrounding him. Her heart was pounding in her ears.

“You have me confused with someone else. Please, excuse me.” She tried to move past him, but he stepped into her path.

“No, I'm quite sure that I don't.” He advanced, making her retreat further into the darkness. “We only met once, and our meeting was very brief. I remember you quite vividly though.” Kathryn's head was spinning. Something about the oily charm stirred her memory.

“That night in the club?” Kathryn asked. Shocked he would remember her, much less wait for her like this.

“You DO remember.” William Russell smiled a predatory smile.

“But that was months ago!” Bethany was shocked, but she knew that her situation was more desperate now. This man was obviously unbalanced.

“I know, but the sweet scent of your blood lingered in my memory.” He stepped forward again, and Kathryn stepped back, her back contacting the rough brick wall. “Besides, I've a little score to settle with your vampire in shining armor.”

“My WHAT?” Kathryn stepped to the side, but he followed her.

“Let's not pretend ignorance. Your dearly beloved Lucien took one that was precious to me. I believe you met her in better days, her name was Elsbeth. What could be more fitting than for him to lose the one mortal who thawed his infamously cold heart?” His hand appeared out of nowhere and twisted in her hair, jerking her neck sharply to the side. Kathryn let out a little cry, inside her head though, she was screaming. Her eyes were wide with fear. From this angle, the dim light caught his face. His eyes glowed amber and two sharp fangs were clearly visible in his wide smile. Her fists battered his chest, but he was undeterred. He opened the clasp of the cloak and took it away, then tore the shoulder of her mock turtleneck. “Come now, it's not as though you're a virgin. Seems as though you've been enjoyed quite recently. This won't be that much different, except you'll be either dead or mine at the end, I haven't decided yet.”

“Stop it! Let me go!” The memories came flooding back to Kathryn, weakening her voice and her protests. She withdrew into the screaming part of her mind.

*~*~*~*~*~*

LaCroix felt the terrified tug that came through the link as a physical pain, the force of it shocked him. When it increased he tossed the pages aside and went out into the courtyard, certain that if her mind was exerting such force she was close-by. He wasn't prepared for what he saw. Kathryn was struggling and screaming, but she was no match for whoever had her pinned against the wall. All thoughts of maintaining the illusion were gone as he rushed toward them.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Kathryn didn't know exactly when the advance stopped. She didn't remember falling to the ground, and once she was there she couldn't feel the cold pavement beneath her. She was too lost in the flood of memories. Every time his teeth broke through her skin, every drop of blood he took – she begged him to take – from the very beginning. The weakness. The wounds. The times she ached to her bones when she woke up. The nights when she felt like something was missing. It washed over her in vivid waves that stole her breath and filled her senses. Kathryn didn't know how long she lay on the pavement, trembling, but the sounds of what was going on around her finally broke through.

She heard snarling, insults, bodies and brick colliding. Finally she pulled herself to her feet and forced herself to look over in the direction of the sounds. Immediately she wished she hadn't. Lucien lifted her attacker off of his feet and shoved him backward onto a pipe that protruded from the side of the building. Blood cascaded down his chest, his feet jerked and danced, Kathryn turned and retched. She stumbled toward the car.

“Kathryn!” He called out to her. In spite of her better judgment, she turned. His face was spattered with blood, his eyes glowed, the weak light caught the elongated teeth. She got in and locked the door behind her, and crawled over to the driver's side. She could feel him inside her head, trying to pull her back.

The force of resistance made her fumble with the keys, but she finally got them into the ignition. The only clear thought in her mind was escape.