DEAD SEED (AKA "Vampires Don't Exist")

TWENTY-FIVE: A Beginning and an End

Several hours later, Aralyn was in the birthing bed they had set up, gritting her teeth and groaning as another contraction clutched at her. It wouldn't be long now and she would have her baby in her arms; that thought was the only thing keeping her going. Otherwise, she might have wished she would just die then and there — the pain was so intense.

Aimeric was standing beside her, dabbing her sweat-flecked forehead with a cool damp cloth. He was surprisingly calm and attentive. If she didn't know him better, she might think he was a loving husband and soon-to-be father. But after what he had done to Cora, Aralyn saw him once more as a monster. If she weren't in labor, she might be trying to figure out a way to escape again. How foolish she had been this whole time to think she could be in love with Aimeric.

And now she was bringing a child into this hell. She had to think of a way to escape. Maybe she would take Orrin and Claire up on their offer once things settled down. She just had to make sure Aimeric wouldn't find Claire first.

Another contraction gripped her, interrupting her thoughts. She would think more about this later; right now, she needed to focus on birthing this child.

The door opened and Morgan strolled in, smirking at Aralyn's pain. He had been a pest as always during the course of her pregnancy. Always antagonizing her when Aimeric wasn't around; groveling and being pathetically obedient when he was.

"Get him out of here," Aralyn snapped through her teeth.

"Morgan. Leave," Aimeric said coolly.

"I need to talk to you, Master."

Aimeric glared. "I think it can wait."

"N-no ... it can't, Master," Morgan stuttered and leaned back as if waiting to be backhanded for daring to talk back.

The midwife, Maggi, glanced at Morgan curiously but was too busy with Aralyn to ask questions about this strange household.

Aimeric looked at her and asked, "How long?"

Maggi looked up from examining Aralyn. "Not long. She'll need to push soon."

Aimeric leaned down and pressed his lips to Aralyn's forehead. "I'll return shortly, my love."

+++++

"What's so goddamn important, Morgan?"

"Claire. She's been spotted a few miles from the mansion."

Aimeric clenched his fist. "Fuck. Of course, she would return when I can't deal with her right now." He thought for a moment. "Send the others to search for her, but do not hurt her, Morgan — she belongs to me. Take her to the dungeon. I will deal with her when I can."

Morgan nodded and turned on his heel so he could gather the others. Aimeric opened the door to go back to Aralyn.

"Aimeric watch ou—"

Aralyn's warning was cut short as Orrin held a cold blade to her throat. Maggi gasped. Aimeric stopped in surprise, shocked that Orrin had managed to slip past his senses. Why hadn't he smelled him? Had he been too preoccupied with Aralyn? It was then he noticed the blood smeared all over Orrin. Whose blood was that? Someone from the household so Aimeric wouldn't be suspicious, probably a prisoner.

"You shouldn't have left her alone." Orrin grinned.

Suddenly, someone jumped on Aimeric's back, a pair of legs locking around his waist and an arm around his neck at the same time something was thrown over his head. A cross. A cross blessed by a priest, Aimeric realized as the wretched thing began burning into his flesh. His skin sizzled as a hole burned into his shirt.