Castlevania: Awakening

Chapter 2

Again she imagined the red eyes and the howling of wolves but this time the dreams were worse; her head was hammering.
She felt as though she were falling constantly. She couldn't tell when she was awake or dreaming and there was a voice citing phrases in Latin. She could deliriously make out the words "Revertimini a Tenebris" (Return from darkness).

After what seemed an eternity she awoke to light streaming through the windows only this time it was pale evening sunlight.
Had it only been one day?
Her eyes hurt from the faint multicolor of the room. Laeleth attempted to rise in the bed but her aching head made her dizzy and faint.

She seemed to be breathing easier however and her arm was not nearly as searing.
Laeleth surveyed the room and saw it appeared to be a little less dank and disarrayed. There was a small fire crackling in the fireplace and finer bedding around her. She could also see the butterfly, now in an unusual wire cage, but moved to the windowsill.
As she continued to peer around the room she started when she noticed the vampire sitting in a corner near the fire.

As if he could read her mind he spoke softly but with no emotion, "It has been three days. Your wound became infected and caused a fever. You will live … for now."

His words were chilling and she still didn't understand why he was caring for her. "Please," she asked faintly, "can you tell me why I'm here? Why are you doing this?"

He rose from his chair and came to stand at her bedside; staring down intently at her with his flickering eyes, she felt quite small but still unafraid.
"You are in no condition to return home, even if I were to allow you,” he finally spoke after studying her a moment.

Laeleth was feeling less apprehensive and started to be agitated again. This constant guessing game and waiting was on her last nerve!
"Well, if you are going to kill me eventually than just get it over with and done!" she declared hotly. "I am not afraid of you Gabriel, or of what you did to my father! My brother is not afraid of you either and it's only a matter of time before he discovers what's happened and comes to finish the job!" Her face was stern and the usually large, kind eyes were narrowed in anger.

Laeleth was testing him, he knew that.  If he truly meant he would kill her at the mention of his name then now was his chance.

Her lack of fear or intimidation seemed to unnerve him slightly, but he was not letting it show. He bent down within inches of her neck, fangs bared, sharp as daggers and said in a low voice, "Your father was a coward; I didn't have to kill him. He took care of that himself."

Laeleth drew back in horror; not at his presence but from his words."How dare you say that! My father was a hero! He did everything to protect that village. He gave his life for us!" Her voice was now high and vehement - every word spoken with strong resolve.

The vampire smiled to himself with the same satisfied smirk. "If that is what you want to tell yourself to help you sleep at night; but I know it doesn't work. I think you know as well, Laeleth, of what I speak.”

Laeleth was disgusted. How could he know of her past visions?
Visions she had nearly every night since her father left; the ones that she saw her father driving a great sword through his own heart. The nightmares that awoke her in a cold sweat; the ones that Laevon had told her were simply born from worry for their father.
Her head was swimming again.

"My father would … never. No! he wouldn't kill himself, especially without a fight. He was a fearless and devout man!" Laeleth was deeply troubled and although her words sounded firm her face could not hide the doubt she was feeling.

"Perhaps in the sight of others; but alone he was nothing more than a fraud - a miserable lie.” These cold words seemed to taunt her as they fell from his accusing lips.