Page 16 of The Vampire Curse

Clara

Beams of morninglight drift through the windows of the library as I pass, sending a sharp pain through my temples. My pulse hammers, and my entire body aches. I squint, wanting to avoid that room for the first time since coming here.

My nerves got the better of me last night. It was foolish to drink so much. I have only had the occasional glass of wine or mead in town with Xander. But it was never anything as delicious as what Alaric served last night. It tasted like sun ripened, sweet berries.

Who knew drinking wo uld lead to fitful bouts of nightmares?

I still can’t shake the chill lingering from that dream. It had seemed so real. I can still hear the demon hissing—still feel their words slide over my skin.

I shudder thinking about the demon that haunted me throughout the night, lurking in the shadows as I tried to sleep.

Meandering my way through the manor to the dining area, I look forward to a nice, hot cup of tea to clear my head. Thoughts of monsters and demons can wait for another time.

The softest sound of breathing seems to follow behind me. A chill skitters down my spine.

I spin around to face a silent and empty hallway. Nothing is out of place, nothing moving. The windows are closed off to the cold morning air as winter creeps its way into being.

I scoff at myself. It is nothing more than my sleep deprived mind and remnants of nightmares playing tricks on me.

When I finally make it to the dining room, I find the table empty. Not that I can stomach eating, but I’ve grown accustomed to finding large breakfasts laid out. I walk in and take a seat at my usual spot, too drained to go back to my room.

I lick my parched lips. The only thing I crave is a large glass of water before I go any farther.

Flittering leather wings swoop through the room and Cherno lands on the table several feet in front of me. I don’t have the energy to be bothered by those tiny feet on the table.

The pounding in my head intensifies. I bury my face in my hands—a poor attempt at escaping the relentless pain.

The serving cart bumps against the door as it pushes it open, rattling the dishes on top, sending a pain like several hundred needles prodding at my brain.

I wince at every sound Mrs. Westfield makes as she sets a cup in front of me, then pours tea. Then a plate piled with food—the scent which would usually make my mouth water now churns my stomach.

She leaves without so much as a single word or glance in my direction.

Pushing the plate away, I wrap my hands around the hot cup and let the heat seep into my chilled fingers. I take a sip and the warmth fills my belly, spreading throughout my body.

Cherno stares at me with those large brown eyes that almost seem to glow a soft red in the dim light. For a second, I wonder if I am still drunk because it looks as though Cherno issmilingat me.

That’s silly—bats don’t smile.

But, with that expression, those large, pointed ears, there's nothing threatening about this little beastie.

“You know,” I mutter more to myself. “You’re kind of cute.”

Cherno squeaks and shuffles within reach.

Alaric adores this tiny creature… I saw it clearly in his face when I had called Cherno “that.” It is a strange choice for a pet.

I suck in a breath and slowly reach out my hand, hovering over Cherno’s tiny head. Then when the creature doesn’t move, I stroke its head right between the two large ears. The simple gesture is almost enough to make the pounding in my head abate.

“Good morning,” I say.

Cherno squeaks twice, but the third sounds like my name.

“You can understand me?” I ask, then I freeze. The absurdity of the question is glossed over as my brain catches up. I pull my hand back. “Did you just speak?”

Cherno blinks once, twice, those large eyes seemingly getting bigger. Then a small and quiet voice answers, “Yes.”

I straighten my back and clasp my hands together in my lap. There’s a long silence. I have so many questions, but all words seem to have evanesced from my mind.