Bloodline and Bloodlust | On Hold

𝔓𝔯𝔬𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔲𝔢

𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔩𝔦𝔢𝔰

Silence lay steadily against the crumbling stone of Little Rock Cemetery. Deep beneath the surface of cold, dead grass, rested a flourish of five mahogany coffins encased within stone. 

The Valientes family crypt remained empty, with the exception of a singular tomb. A cracked and forgotten piece of marble. The surrounding forest had taken what it could back from man; vines stretched across the sarcophagus, desperate to retake the land.

Above ground, a young man stood uneasily, playing billiards in his pockets. Unequipped for the coming rainfall, he shuffled in place - and became increasingly ill at ease as another person approached behind him.

A woman, older than him. She dressed all in black, and her heels stabbed through the wet mud; with her, she brought conviction. Gentle droplets of rain fell on her umbrella, sure to miss her perfect blonde curls and dauntingly dark makeup. She grasped a naked candle tightly, the only light for miles.

She lifted her hand for a moment, only to reach onto the man's wrist; he jolted, as if afraid of her touch, but the thought of pulling away terrified him more. 

"Let us wake them." She said, her voice sharp. She stepped ahead, and glided towards the entranceway of the tomb.

Whether it was a question or a statement, he did not know. 

"Sister," as she passed, he grabbed her forearm, the skin forcing its way apart, "we mustn't do this. It's wrong...it's against nature." His voice wavered.

She pulled her arm from her brother, as if offended by his touch. "We're against nature, brother. If we don't do this...we'll be alone...forever. I can't do that again, and I know you can't either. We need them."

He stood still, defeated, scared. She was right, why must she always be right? Centuries with his sister and she was yet to be wrong. He begged for the day.

"Scarlet," he said, chin to the sky; the rain pulling his hair across his eyes, "I'll help you...on one condition."

Curiosity spiked her red velvet eyes, she gripped the candle tighter, wax melting its way down her wrist. "Which is?"

He breathed through grit teeth, as if the words were nothing but pain. "Mordecai...he stays in the ground."

"Zach," she shook her head, "if I wake the others, he will surely follow."

He stepped forward, panic in his round eyes. "Bella...Felix, they won't understand."

"Then help them to." She smiled softly, and held out her gloved hand.

He sheepishly took it, and together they ventured down the steps and into the lifeless mausoleum. No light emit inside; any ordinary person would lose their hand if held to their face.

Scarlet trickled her hands across the marble tombs until she reached the one farthest from the entrance. She handed her umbrella to her brother, who hesitantly stepped closer. Placing the candle on the stone floor beside her, she gently pushed the lid of the tomb encasing the coffin until it fell with a thud against the stone.

Engraved on the mahogany coffin before her was the name 'Felix Valientes'.

Scarlet grinned, bearing her sharp fangs and sadistic smile. "Time to wake up, baby brother."