A Fate Worse Than Death

Chapter 4

Chapter four

Before Clara even put on proper clothes she rushed down the hall to Vladamire's room and pounded on the door. As he opened the door she realized he wasn't wearing a shirt.

She stared at him for a moment then pushed him back into his room "Clara isn't it a bit late for a social call?" She spun around to face him "Is this really how you wanted to tell me? Why didn't you just come out and say it?"

He looked up and down her body "You're in your night clothes."

"Don't change the subject! Why did you tell me through a book? Why didn't you just tell me?"

He looked at her sadly "Because I didn't want to scare you. I was worried that you would be to afraid to be around me."

Clara walked up to him and hugged him close. "I always want to be around you Vlad." He smiled and held her close. Clara felt his heart beat against her chest. She felt his warm breath on her neck and his arms around her waist.

After a while she let go of him "I need to go. I'm sorry I stormed in." She said blushing. He held her hands and kissed her cheek "I'm glad you did. I hope to see you tomorrow. I want to explain it better." She smiled and nodded "You will." She walked to the door but felt him stand behind her closely.

He put his arms around her and kissed her neck "Good night Clara." He whispered into her ear. She felt herself shiver and get goosebumps smiling. "Goodnight Vladamire."

__________ part 2

Wednesday September 29, 1886

Clara slowly opened her eyes smiling thinking of the day ahead of her. She turned over to see if Xandria was awake but she was met with a different face "Ahh! Vlad what are you doing here?" He made an overly dramatic sad face "Well thats not a very nice welcome." She sat up suddenly "Where's Xandria?"

Vlad turned to lay on his back and smiled up at her "Gone off with her mystery man. It was her idea to let me in." Clara looked down at him and pushed him off the bed. "It's not very gentleman like to lay next to an unclothed girl without her knowledge." She said trying to sound as elegant as possible.

She heard him groan as he sat up "Well I guess I better tell you I'm not always a gentleman." As he said that he gave her a sly smile and a wink.

After she got dressed they went to the dining car. "What would you like to know about the vampirism?" He said as he poured their wine "I want to know everything you're willing to tell." Clara said somewhat excitedly.

He wiped his mouth and set down his napkin. "Well I know Benny told you our family history. My mother was a vampire. I know in all the stories it's the males that are the vampires but it's not always like that in real life.

"After my mother left us my father explained it to me and Benny. I'm the only vampire in our family. Benedict wasn't cursed. Besides you he's the only one on the train who knows my condition and if you don't mind I would like to keep it that way."

As he said that he reached across the table to hold her hand. Clara smiled and held his hand signaling that she understood. As he went back to eating many questions swirled through Clara's head. How does he go through life as a vampire? How is he able to be in the sunlight? Does he need blood to live?

At the moment though Clara didn't want to bog him down with so many questions. They had the rest of the trip together,maybe longer. Clara smiled at the thought of spending weeks with this wonderful boy.

_________

Part 3

Clara spent the rest of the day with Vlad walking around the train. As they headed to the dining carriage that night they didn't hear the usual laughter or music. Vlad swung the doors open dramatically yelling "The party can now begin!"

Clara looked around the room and saw everyone at the table looking incredibly sad. Benedict looked up from the table straight at Vlad with tears in his eyes "Brother. We need to talk."

____part 4____

After Benedict and Vlad left the room Eliza and Xandria took Clara to her room. "Eliza what happened?" Clara said softly.Eliza wiped her eyes and cleared her throat "Benny and Vlad's father died two days ago. They just found out.They were never really close to their father but they still loved him."

Clara looked down at her bed thinking of how much pain Vladamire must have been in.

Benedict Came into Clara's room quietly"Eliza lets go." Eliza looked over at Xandria and Clara, hugged them both and left. Xandria kissed Clara's head "You need to go be with him Clary."

Clara knocked on Vladamire's door quietly. She heard him mumble and assumed it was an invitation in so she walked in slowly.

He looked up from his glass slowly "Clara... What are you doing here?" She walked in and kneeled next to him as he sat down on the edge of his bed.

"Eliza told me about your father. I'm so sorry Vlad." He lifted the cup to his lips and held it there for a moment before he set it down and kissed her pulling her up towards him.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. As they stood together he pulled her close. He kissed down her neck and nibbled it softly.

She moaned and felt him grow cold as he bit into her neck tenderly "Vlad.. wait." Clara whispered softly as she let go of him.

Vladamire let go of her and stepped back taking his seat on the bed. Clara felt her neck for holes but felt her heart beat wildly instead. She walked over to him and kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry." She whispered into his ear as she held his hand in hers.

She walked to the door and looked back to him. "If you need anything just come get me alright?" She saw him pick up his glass and quickly drink from it as she left.