Winter's Bite

Owen Chapter 4

Owen

Chapter 4

I watched Cait from the shadows until her uncle's car drove away, then turned and descended the moonlit hills until I reached the woods. Heading home, brooding, I almost missed the scent. I sniffed the air. Blood, human blood.

The body hadn't been well hidden. Whoever hid it had hurried or didn't care if it was found. No-one traversed these dim woods except us though, so if I hadn't ventured this way maybe no-one would have found it.

I scrapped away dried leaves and loose loam. A teenager, short dark hair, sleek as raven wings. A heart-shaped face. The body smelt fresh. No animals had been here, yet her throat gaped, bloody and torn. My hands shook. It was happening again.

I covered the corpse over until I could inform my uncle. I noted trees and boulders, marking the spot. Shaken, I approached my home from the back, through the woods. Shadow and Mist, our Irish wolfhounds, greeted me as I stepped through the postern gate. They licked my hands. Most animals shun us, but those we raise from birth overcome their natural fear.

The manse's many windows were bright. Light spilt out into the yard. Our sight is perfect by night but we do love glitter and ostentation. I've often wondered if our riches and materialism aren't a compensation for something essential we lost along with our humanity.

I slipped through french doors into the kitchen. I found Chloe and Justin watching TV. Chloe lounged on a black leather La-Z-Boy doing her full Goth impression, with ripped black clothing and blood red lips. It suited her pale skin and long dark hair.

Pantera, Chloe's black panther, lay at her feet. Pantera raised her head, recognised me, and lowered it again. Chloe didn't give me even that much acknowledgement. Justin, tall and fair-haired, wore a Prodigy teeshirt and green khakis with biker boots. He smiled and sat up on the sofa, making room.

'Where is everyone?' I asked, without sitting.

'In town. Nathaniel's about somewhere.'

I nodded. Nathaniel, enthralled by scientific work and not much else, was usually found in his lab.

'What are you watching?' I asked.

'Twilight.' Justin grinned.

I glowered at him. Did he mock me? Did Justin know about Cait? Or did Chloe? And if so had they said anything?

I had the answer a minute later.

'Owen, can I have a word?' Nathaniel's head of wavy, dark hair appeared around the door.

It wasn't really a request. Nathaniel, oldest of those who visited the manse this winter was an elder and in charge. I followed him into the wood-panelled study.

'I found a body,' I told him.

I described the scene. I stumbled over words as he sat behind a heavy mahogany desk and watched me silently, a frown puckering his lean, studious face. Nathaniel had been changed older than most and looked mid-thirties.

'Chloe says she saw you with a girl.'

Of course trouble-maker Chloe had told.

'I only met her twice,' I protested.

Nathaniel's eyebrows raised and I realised my mistake. He'd only known about one meeting. I groaned inwardly.

'You know how dangerous human allure can be. We want no trouble here.'

'I never killed the girl.' I said quickly.

'Are you in love with this human girl?'

'I hardly know her,' I protested. 'The others speak with human girls all the time.'

'The others have partners. They're not under the same temptation. Are you attracted to her?'

I hung my head. I couldn't deny it. Something about Cait drew me inexorably.

'You know vampire emotions are stronger than those most humans experience. Especially when they're young. You haven't yet learnt self- control. Desire for a human can override the substitute's effects. Is that what happened?'

Nathaniel, a brilliant scientist, had developed a substitute which gave vampires sustenance from animal blood, even when bottled. But the mating instinct that drove vampires to turn humans could reawaken blood-lust for human blood.

'No! I didn't kill her!'

'Maybe you should join your foster-parents in Boston.'

'There's no need,' I interrupted.

'You're sure?' Nathaniel's pale blue eyes bored into mine.

'I'm sure.'

'I'll deal with the body.'

He turned away. Dismissed, I returned to the TV room.

'Thanks very much,' I said, dropping onto a sofa.

'You're welcome,' Chloe said.

Her eyes remained fixed on the TV screen, although I knew she'd seen the movie many times. I loved my little sister but Chloe could be a queen bitch.

She was my 'sister', since we came from the same vampire line. A lot of families weren't close but our eldest sire, Dominic, insisted we stick together. Right now though, I couldn't bear being in the same room as her.

I wandered upstairs. Flame looked up from his basket at the foot of my bed when I entered. He pushed his wet nose under my hand. Even my beautiful red setter couldn't comfort me tonight however.

'Sorry, pal,' I told him.

I needed fresh air. Opening french doors onto the marble balcony, I stepped outside. Stars glittered overhead. Wind whispered through the woods. I heard the rustle of animals, smelt their feral musk. I inhaled the scents. Confusion roared through my blood.

I soared up into the sky. Swiftly I flew over deep woods and peaked hills until I reached Garntoran Hill. Lights still shone from Cait's farmhouse. I wondered which bedroom she lay in. I wondered if Cait slept and if she dreamt of me?

I don't know how long I stood there. The large farmhouse fell dark long before I turned away. I flew back over the woods, landing in a clearing where a small red deer herd slept under nearby trees. They stumbled upright and raced away as I approached.

I gave them a headstart. The thrill was better that way. I chased them, drawing level with a doe. Her dark eyes darted towards me, bloodshot with fear. I seized the deer's neck, forcing her to a standstill. The doe bucked and kicked but I held firm. I wanted my teeth in her neck, her blood in my mouth, flowing down my throat, hot and sweet.

I thought about Caitlin. I sighed and let the doe go. With a flurry of black hooves she disappeared into the undergrowth.

A/N This is a short chapter so I've updated the next chapter as well.