The Venantium Auallonia Trilogy: Summer Tide

Chapter 10: Oh the Tangled Webs We Weave

         I woke to the sound of a twinkling voice. So softly it sang yet--it was demeaning, haunting. Reaching for my head because it was pounding like a jackhammer, I tried to sit up; that claimed to be a challenge close to the Olympics, but somehow I was able to. Although it throbbed to no end. My eyes tried to focus on my surroundings, but the images were distorted and blurred. The only things moving were a few familiar shapes.

One of the shapes drifted towards me once it heard the whimper that escaped my lips. No, it didn't drift. It floated, was I in the presence of another 'something' that was beyond normal means? My breathing was rough and cracked, but I was purely glad that air was at least going in and out. So there was no way I could be dead right now; I wouldn't hurt this much.

Vision granted me clearer sight with each second that passed, and I finally got to see what danced before my clouded eyes. Charlotte. Her doll-like appearance shocked me only for a moment; stopping my breathing and gazed in wonder. When the moment passed, the wonder faded into resentment. The curly, wavy pale gold hair swirled when she spun like a ballerina, the lilac summer dress fell to her knees, and criss-crossed in the back to tie in a bow in the front. Charlotte twirled again to her song, allowing the ivory satin skin to shine a little in the light. Now I can see what tempted Emery on the night of his change. She must have been absolutely beautiful to him.

As weak as I was, I looked up to see her gazing at me intently, but her song never faltered, "Ring around the rosy. Pocket full of posies. Ashes, ashes; we all fall down...tis' always been a favor to thine ears since the lovely black plague. The screaming and aromas of death merely applied to its glory. I sing it during my feeding games. Everyone deserves to die with music in their ears, don't you think, Dawny?"

Revulsion filled me the second her heavy old English accent faded, and I spat, "Go to hell, you evil bitch."

To my surprise, she laughed. Somehow, my tiny human anger amused her. "It's a lit'l too late for that, darling. I've already been there. Tis' quite warm, and welcoming."

With an obnoxious giggle, Charlotte picked up her beautiful singing again; gliding over to a limp hanging figure that was so familiar, a shiver ran down my spine. There was no feeling coming from his body except numbness and unconsciousness. Oh god, Emery! Please be all right, please!

Emery's body twitched a little, as my anxiousness grew. I was clueless to where we were, but I know it was a theater. I had been strewn on the stage like a rag doll, and Emery was tied up on a costume rack; hanging limply. Finally, he began to breathe.

"Emery! Baby, can you hear me? What's going on? I don't understand." I said, panicking.

He looked up at me with fiery blue eyes. It must be the blood,

I had cuts all over me. Emery had them as well. Charlotte had cut hearts into his skin with sadistic, child-like care.

"Don't move. I'll get us out of here."

Charlotte pranced back over to us with glee, "You shall not be slipping away from me anytime soon, my dear. Welcome to the show my little kiddies. Today we shall have a spectacular presentation that I like to call Love or Life. This performance stars the up and coming Dawn Elizabeth Waters who have been taken against her will for the mere sake of torture. Her staged lover, and also my past sweetheart from more than two hundred years ago, will be performed by Emery Winchester. This story tells of a young man whose life is taken by a beautiful creature and he falls for another woman years down the road. Except this time, the first woman is scorned. Like the saying, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Ladies, gentlemen and vampires, this is our theme today."