Castle Vitale

Part 16: Pitter Patter Is the Matter

A month.

A month of bliss, and I woke to this: Shanti laying and snoring softly at my side, nights of passion. I had learned to rest part of the night, and into the day so she could sleep and be up at the same time as the blood slaves. She needed time with Charlotte and the others, even though some blood slaves were jealous of my treatment of her, but when she added touches to the house, they started liking her too, except Fae, that is. I laid in bed and everything was suddenly different. I was used to the sounds of the house but now there was a new sound-a fast thudding. I ignored it at first, but after a week, it was driving me crazy. What was it?

"Shanti."

She slightly stirred, still half asleep. "Hmm?"

"Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

She sounded agitated, so I kissed her forehead. "Never mind, love."  I moved away from her and out of bed. I'd had it with that sound! It sounded stronger, too. I didn't want to bother Darius, but I was starting to be concerned.

I took a cleansing breath, summoning  my powers. I moved out of my room, and the thudding was louder...it was like a heartbeat...of something small...

Wait. Someone  small.

I let the sounds guide me. If this was what I thought it was, I was going to have a lot of questions. As a rule, we do not feed or use pregnant blood slaves. So, whoever it was would no longer be welcome...

I was on the medical floor. Examination rooms were empty. 

"Uh, Drake?"

"What is it, Darius?" I kept looking around. 

"I think I need your help."

His tone made me stop what I was doing. I turned back and looked at him. "What is going on?"

Darius blinked. "What?"

"I hear the heartbeat of something or someone small," I stared him down. "Is there something you want to tell me? You know I don't like pets."

He swallowed hard. "No."

"What is it?" I asked. "What is it then?"

Darius took a deep breath. "Follow me."

As I followed him, I listened. This sound was getting closer. And then I realized I'd heard it before. "Darius, tell me you didn't!"

"Drake, I didn't even think I could!" He said, looking a little scared. We stopped at his bedroom door.

"Does she know?" I whispered.

"She suspects," Darius whispered back. "Anything you can tell me--"

"Open the damn door, Darius."

Darius swallowed hard, and then opened the door.

In Darius's bed, laying there fast asleep, was Charlotte, and a little one in her womb, its heart beating quickly but steadily.

Charlotte began to stir, and then awakened suddenly. "What do you want?" 

"To congratulate you apparently," I said sarcastically. "I can hear that little one's heart from downstairs." I saw her sit up quickly as if she thought she would have to fight. "Easy, easy, Charlotte. I heard the sound, I tracked it down. I wouldn't hurt you-either of you-besides, it's Darius's child, is it not?" She nodded. "I will protect you if I need to. You have nothing to fear from me."

She looked at Darius, who nodded in agreement.

He sat on the bed and took her hand. "He has protected me for almost two centuries, Charlotte. I am sure that protection extends to me."

"It does, Charlotte," I told her. "and the fact that Shanti regards you as family only intensifies the need to keep you safe. It would kill her if something happened to you." I watched Charlotte relent, and finally relax.

"Alright, I've seen this before," I told him. "Let me know when the headaches come--"

"Headaches?" Darius's eye went wide.  "She's been having them, but not severe."

"Yet" I told him. "She needs to feed."

"So, which blood slave--"

"No." I watched Darius frown. "She needs vampire blood."

"You're kidding!"

"I'm not." I said sadly. "You won't need much, but you will need it so you don't suffer."

She shook her head. "No, you're lying."

I felt sorry for her. The headaches she could have would be maddening if I remembered correctly. "When you're ready, then." I turned to Darius. "She cannot sell her blood."

"Because of her condition?"

"Yes," I nodded. "Full blooded vampires will taste that she is carrying a child-a double life. They may want her, and if they've been drinking product, they know how to track her."

"I have some in storage for the fourth quarter from her."

"Then let's do that." I turned to go and found Shanti in the doorway.

"She's pregnant?" Shanti asked.

"Yes," Charlotte nodded. 

"Oh my God!" Shanti's arms stretched open and she ran to her. They hugged and rocked each other. "She sat back and looked down at Charlotte's womb. "There's a little one in there! Why didn't I detect it?"

"It has no consciousness yet," I explained. "I heard the heartbeat, which puts you at about five weeks, I'd wager."

Darius blinked, "When will we detect him--" 

"Or her!" Charlotte and Shanti put in, making Shanti giggle.

"God forbid, no 'hers,'" I rolled my eyes. "A little girl?" Ugh, some little princess making all us men jump through hoops? No. "Consciousness is in another eight weeks."

"We will be able to talk to him?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes," I nodded. I watched Darius hug Charlotte. A new generation. I couldn't help but be prideful.

Then I saw Shanti. I could see the question in her eyes, feel it. Would she be able to have a child with me? I honestly didn't know. Darius was half human and young, Charlotte was human, but Shanti was full human and I was full vampire and more than double Darius's age. I decided to stay quiet, and wait for her to ask. I knew I was being a coward, but I wanted a chance at making her happy and keeping her safe, see if it would or could be enough.