Page 53

“If you do not take my life now, Glynis, he will slaughter me as he did your father. I know it. I do not want to die like that. ”

“Do not ask this of me!”

“And if you wait any longer, you will go mad with the hunger. Already it is tearing at you. I have heard you howl in the night with the agony of it. He waited until this night when it would seize hold of you to bring you here. If you wait any longer, will you even care that I am your mother?” She looked so brave and beautiful, my haughty, lovely mother.

“I cannot!”

She gave me her most stern look. “I ask you to take my life now before you go mad. I see it in your eyes. You will not care who I am when the hunger overwhelms you. I do not want to suffer that terror. Spare me that agony. Give me release!”

“Never!” I covered my face with my hands. “I will not take your life!”

But you will, my love.

The low, seductive voice of my Master whispered ever so softly into my ear, his cold breath chilling my cheek.

I whirled about, but only shadows surrounded me.

Mother was fidgeting, her hands trembling at her sides. “Please, Glynis, help me escape this place. ”

She begs for death. Will you not you grant her what she desires?

I could not see my Master, but his presence filled the cell. “I will not!”

My Mother held out her arms to me, her hands beseeching me. “Please, Glynis, release me from this place. ”

“Stop it, Mother,” I screeched at her. The hunger was ripping me to shreds and the soft, haunting voice of my Master filled me with dread. I could not do this thing. I would not!

If you do not take her, I will stake her through and leave her body to rot in our resting place. I will make her suffer as only I can.

I began to scream, my hands raised out against my invisible tormentor. As quickly as his presence had filled the chamber, it was gone, just the echo of his laughter remaining.

My mother was terrified by my actions, but she remained trembling before me, determined and strong. Grasping hold of me, she forced me into her arms, clasping me tightly. I shrieked in agony, throwing back my head in anguish.

Stroking my hair, my mother whispered, “Cara mia, cara mia, I love you. Shush now, be strong. ”

Overwhelmed, I fell against her. We collapsed to the floor together, my face buried in her lap. Weeping, my mother held me tightly, rocking back and forth. Whispering prayers fervently under her breath, my mother slowly slid her hand under my lowered head and lifted my face.

“As I gave you life before, I give you life once more,” she whispered. “Do not forget me. Do not forget that I love you. ”

“Mother,

I will not forget you, Father or May. If I should live until the world dies, I will not forget. Pray for me in heaven. Pray for me. ”

“I promise,” my mother sobbed. “I will pray before the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I will beseech the Blessed Virgin to watch over you. I pray that they will have mercy on your soul. I promise you. ” My mother took a deep breath. “Now drink, my darling. Drink and live. And do not forget your promise to me. You will escape this place.

“I will. I swear it. ” I raised my eyes and captured her gaze. “Now rest, my mother. Rest and feel no pain. Rest. ”

“Yes, I think I will rest,” my Mother whispered, her expression dazed.

“Rest. ”

“Yes. ”

“And feel no pain. ”

“Yes. ”

Her eyes fluttered shut and she dropped into my arms. Tenderly, tears streaming down my face, I lowered my head and kissed her throat. My fangs descended beneath my red lips.