The Watchmaker

16 - The first day of your life

-Lumiere-

My hands were shaking, my mind was a mess. I stayed in my room and worked day and night for a cure. Some days Theodore would bring me food, sit down and have a chat. His face was covered with concern for me. But most days it would be Anthony himself who'd join me and actually tried to help me. Why? I had no idea. Something had changed in him, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"Have you tested it on her yet?"

I peered up at Anthony with a concerned face. "No, my Lord, I have not. It's too soon."

"Is it really, Lumiere?" He said with a faint curve on his lip. "You are doing this for her, you have worked for days and nights to help her. You and I both." He places a jewelled hand on my shoulder. "It is time we find out if we're on the right path, don't you think?"

I glanced at the vial in my hand, the green liquid we had created shimmered inside. "What if it hurts her." I whispered and my head fell low. "What if it makes her even worse?"

"What are your options Lumiere? To keep her locked up in that room for the rest of her life?" He asked as he snatched the container from my hands and walked past me and went straight for her room.

I walked behind him, my head hanging low, taking two steps at the time to keep up with his long legs. I had mixed feelings about this, I wanted her to get better, I wanted her to be able to go outdoors with me. I wanted her to have a normal life, as normal as you could as a vampire anyways. And I was hoping she would want to spend the rest of her days with me.

As we reached our destination I unlocked the door and stopped to stare at the pale girl lying on the floor sleeping. My heart ached, my muscles and my entire soul ached for her.

And at the same time I felt resentment towards the man beside me, Anthony had forbidden me to feed her with blood, stating that it only made her worse. How many times had I not tried to work up the courage to ask him to give her some of his. But I knew he would have proposed it himself if that was an option. I guessed he didn't want to spoil those precious drops on a monster like her.

"Now what?" I whispered, suddenly feeling nauseous.

I felt his eyes on me, piercing through my soul. "Do you want me to do it for you?" He asked, and when I didn't answer he chuckled. "You do, don't you. Poor Lumiere, you love her don't you?" I kept staring at her with tears in my eyes as he spoke. My body felt fragile after all those days and nights without sleep or food, all for her. All for this moment.

Then I felt the cold smooth piece of glass pushed into the palm of my hand and his warm breath against my ear. "This is your little project Lumiere, you started it, so you will finish it. And you will have to live with the consequences."

To be fair it was Clocksworth who had started it, I thought, by bringing her here. But this was not the time to be sassy with the Master, even though I had the strongest urge to slap him in the face.

I drew a deep breath and entered the room to sit down beside her. I moved my fingers gently over her face, removing strands of hair from her eyes. She slept so peacefully, but almost immediately started to stir as I touched her.

I looked up at Anthony. "You may leave now, I will manage on my own."

He gave me a quick nod and left, locking the door behind him. I did not care, I knew he would send someone to unlock it eventually. He did care about me even though he rarely showed it.

Instead I turned towards the girl, whose head was now resting in my lap. "Good morning my darling." I whispered. "I have something for you."

Her eyelids flickered and moments later those emerald eyes stared up at me. "Is it blood?" She exclaimed happily.

"No, my dear, it is not." I said and caressed her cheek. "If you drink this potion Marianne, you will feel better. "I held up the vial for her to see. "And then you may leave this room with me."

She instantly snatched the potion from my hand and pressed it to her lips, gulping it all down in one go.

My breath got caught in my throat. I had hoped to have a chance to talk to her first, to mention the fears I had. To tell her how I felt. But it was too late now.

I watched her body start to convulse, her eyes wandering back in her head, showing all whites. I held her body down, preventing her from hurting herself until she went limp in my arms. All I had to do now was wait.

-A/N-

I know it' been a while since I updated this story, but I am working on a lot more chapters. I hope you enjoy this one in Lumiere's pow.

Have a lovely weekend!