Shadows of Society (19th century vampire romance)

Nightmares or Dreams

Lucy endured a restless night, tormented not by insomnia but by feverish, nightmarish dreams that seemed to haunt her even in slumber's embrace. When she finally awoke, she found herself drenched in perspiration, her body trembling with a peculiar sense of unease. The dreams had been vivid, almost too real, as if she had been trapped in a liminal state between wakefulness and slumber.

As she struggled to shake off the remnants of her unsettling dreams, Lucy became acutely aware of her weakened state. Despite having slept for more than twelve hours, she felt drained, her limbs heavy and her mind foggy. She dismissed it at first as merely a symptom of her body adjusting to its unfamiliar surroundings, but the memory of her feverish dreams lingered like a sinister shadow in the recesses of her mind.

In her dream, she had been visited by a dark, mysterious figure—a creature neither human nor beast, its presence both alluring and menacing. She remembered the sensation of floating, weightless as a feather, while icy fingers traced delicate patterns upon her skin, sending shivers of both pleasure and dread down her spine. The juxtaposition of warmth and cold, of desire and fear, had left her unsettled and disoriented.

Then, as the dream progressed, she felt a mounting sense of terror as the figure drew closer, its shadowy form looming over her bed like a specter of the night. The sound of scratching at the windows, the eerie red glow of its eyes, and the distant rumble of thunder all mingled together in a surreal symphony of dread.

Before she could dwell further on the strange occurrences of the night, Adeline entered the room, her cheery greeting falling flat in the face of Lucy's pale and gaunt appearance.

"Good Morning, Miss! Did you have a good night's sleep?" Adeline paused, her brow furrowing as she took in Lucy's wan complexion.

"Are you quite well, Lucy? You seem rather pale and worn."

Lucy nodded weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not feeling quite myself, Adeline. I had a restless night, and I fear I may be coming down with a cold. I feel terribly weak. Would it be possible for me to remain in my chambers today?"

"Of course, miss," Adeline replied, concern evident in her voice. "But it's no wonder you're feeling unwell. There was a storm last night, and you had the window open throughout."

Lucy's confusion deepened. She had no recollection of opening the window, but the evidence was undeniable. Was she truly so feverish that she had forgotten such a simple act?

"Shall I bring you some breakfast and a few books to pass the time while you rest?" Adeline offered kindly. "I'll also inform Baroness Carmilla that you're not feeling well."

Lucy nodded gratefully, sinking back into the pillows with a sigh. All she desired was a respite from the unsettling dreams and the lingering weakness that now plagued her body.

This time, Lucy found herself spared from unwelcome nightmares. When she awoke again, she felt a semblance of her usual self returning.

She had been engrossed in her studies when a soft knock echoed upon her chamber doors.

"Please, come in," Lucy called out.

In came Carmilla, the deep frown from yesterday still etched upon her brow. Lucy couldn't help but notice the worry lines etched into her aunt's features, softened only slightly by concern for Lucy's well-being.

"Good morning, Aunt Carmilla," Lucy greeted her cheerfully, trying to dispel the lingering tension in the room.

Carmilla didn't answer immediately, instead asking if she could sit on the edge of the bed. Lucy nodded, and they both settled themselves into a comfortable silence.

"Adeline told me that you weren't feeling well. Are you coming down with a cold?" Carmilla inquired, her voice laced with genuine concern.

"Oh, I'm not sure. I feel much stronger and healthier now that I've rested today. I think I shall be back to my old self by tomorrow!" Lucy replied, trying to sound optimistic despite the lingering sense of unease that still clung to her.

Relief flooded over Carmilla's countenance, though Lucy could still detect a shadow of worry lingering in her eyes.

"I don't mean to pester you about private conversations, but tell me, Carmilla, what is it that troubles you?" Lucy asked, her voice gentle as she reached out to squeeze her aunt's hand in reassurance.

Carmilla let out a light chuckle, though it was tinged with a heaviness that did not escape Lucy's notice. "Oh, I'm not upset with you about that, if you're wondering. Even though we haven't seen each other for years, I still very much remember your insatiable curiosity."

Lucy offered a mortified smile in response, grateful for her aunt's understanding.

"What was Lucien doing here? I didn't know you knew each other," Lucy continued, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"We are rather close, in truth. Lady Arden is probably my most trusted companion, and Lucien is hers, so I trust him with my whole soul," Carmilla explained, her tone softening with fondness as she spoke of her dear friend.

Lucy was astonished by the revelation. Her aunt seemed to navigate the intricacies of society with a grace and ease that Lucy could only admire.

"But he brought some troubling news, Lucy," Carmilla continued, her expression growing somber once more. "He knew firsthand, as Lady Arden's confidant. I don't mean to burden you with heavy matters so soon after your arrival."

"No, please, Aunt Carmilla. I want to know," Lucy insisted, squeezing her aunt's hand again in a gesture of solidarity.

Carmilla nodded, her gaze meeting Lucy's with a mixture of sadness and resolve. "Well, Lucien told me that Lady Arden has disappeared since the night of the ball. No one has seen her, and she's gone without a trace. We might even be the last people to have spoken to her. That's why Lucien came to inform me of the situation."

Lucy had to swallow hard upon hearing such a revelation. "What do you mean disappeared? How can that happen? Does this occur often?"

Carmilla responded with a measured patience, "We lack many details at present, but you needn't fret overmuch about this matter. I'm certain she will surface in due time. Perhaps she has taken a fancy to some gentleman and ventured off with him. One never knows with Lady Arden. I advise you not to dwell overly on her."

Though intended to assuage Lucy's concerns, she sensed her aunt's deception. It was evident that Lady Arden's vanishing act was anything but ordinary. Their unspoken exchange conveyed a mutual understanding of the gravity of the situation, despite Carmilla's attempts to downplay it.