Adela Augusta Blood Famine

Chapter Twenty Two

Chaise

"What? You're already dead." Chaise more yelled than asked.

"I grow tired of your curt demeanor. I have left no patience, generosity, nor blood. I dare say that If I had the energy, I've no doubt I'd kill you for yours."

Metal echoed in the cellar of Jacob Heywood. "Or I could kill you first." Chaise said through gritted teeth, sword in hand.

Adela's eyes burned with rage. "I pray that you don't. I've no desire to die. And if you did, I'm sure the Heywood family would be mercilessly executed as well as yourself. Now I don't care much right now what happens to you, but I will not have the blood of innocents shed on my account. And certainly not after the generosity they have shown me."

Chaise stood, yet again immobilized by the vampire before him. Adela appeared so different from the undead bloodsuckers he came to hate. She demanded less, put up with his disrespect, was denying herself blood, appeared to care for others, and even cried. He watched as she laid on the floor in a broken heap, no doubt she didn't sit up for fear her arm would break under the weight.

"I don't understand." He spoke at last.

"I need blood..." Adela whimpered. "I've held back the urge to feed with the blood of common cattle, but that can't replace the vampire blood. I need human blood. I didn't dare touch anyone for fear I wouldn't be able to control myself." Her words came through clenched teeth. "But if this persists. I will perish."

"So what do we do?" Chaise found himself asking.

"I ask... I ask that you give me some of yours. Enough till a search party finds me."

"Search party?"

"Yes. I left in quite a haste. I had to lie for the guards to let me out. I haven't returned and I'm sure my disappearance has been noticed by now in the manor."

"If they find you here like this-"

"I agree I can stay at the Heywood residence no more. You weren't supposed to be so hard to find."

Chaise put his sword away and began pacing not sure what his next move should be.

"We need to get you out of here."

"Agreed."

Chaise began to ask how long till she thought the Augustan search party would find her, but then remembered the swiftness in which Diya was taken. If they knew she was in Reaghan village then they could be here any minute.

"Couldn't you explain to them that this whole thing is your own dumb fault or demand that the Heywoods remain untouched? You are a princess after all."

"If I had the energy I would hurt you." Adela said from her spot heaped on the floor, and he didn't doubt her. "If I'm dead I can't say anything, and I don't exactly trust the situation right now. For me to be found in such a state. For anyone to have seen me in such a state, I worry that my father might believe in a no witness policy."

"Then what?"

"You get me out of here. And if I should crumble or fade to dust, or whatever happens to us vampires when we've been denied blood too long, you collect me. And make sure I am rejuvenated."

Rejuvenated. If Chaise was correct that'd mean he'd need a lot of human blood. He couldn't let Adela crumble as much as he'd like too, even if he believed it was her own fault. He couldn't explain the death of Aquilo's daughter. He had already had a bad run in with the law, and to be honest, she was probably the only reason Diya was still alive right now. That is if Aquilo had kept his word. He hated to say it, but he needed her alive.

"Where are you going?" Adela asked unable to raise her voice to the level of alarm he felt that question was to be made with. Her words were raspy, dry, and cracked much like the basement they were in now. Chaise ignored her, searching for anything he could use to drag her away from here. Preferably a barrel or maybe some spare blankets to wrap her with. She didn't need to breathe so that wasn't a problem, he just had to make sure he kept the sun off her. For something so hard to kill, for the first time vampires seemed awfully delicate. At last, Chaise found something that would suit his needs. A large trunk. It was perfect. He began hastily shoveling out the contents of the trunk.

"What are you doing?" Adela asked, but Chaise ignored her once more.

He pulled dresses, and hats, boots, and garments from the trunk, then paused as he happened across an old photograph. He recognized her facial features. It was Mary's mom. It had just occurred to him that everything he threw on the floor were heirlooms, or previous belongings to Mary's deceased mother, and Jacob's wife. He'd have to apologize later for the mess and intrusion. He dragged the trunk over to Adela and dropped it with a thud in front of her.

"Get in."

**Author's Note**

Short I know. That is how a  Chaise do. This was also the last fully written chapter I had (next one is a partial.) At least at the time of writing this. So never despair. Chances are if you ever read this note, There is already more if you are here on or around... Dec 8th, well good things come to those who wait. Now I have to get going to get that next chapter up!