Read Legacy of Darkness Online
Authors: A C Andersson
Summer was disturbed from her slumber by what she thought was Steve returning home but then she realised the sound she could hear was knocking at the door. Had Steve forgotton his key. Well he did rush out like a bat of hell so there was a strong possibility Summer thought. She wrapped her white dressing gown around her and wearly walked down the stairs and to the front door. Summer’s heart immediately sank when she opened the door and saw Adam Greenhorn and a uniformed Police Officer she didn’t recognise standing outside.
Fearing the worst Summer tried to greet the two men but as she opened her mouth nothing came out she litrally couldn’t talk. Summer’s mind suddenly became a mix of emotions as they hit her all at once, fear, anxiety, anger and a sense of hoplesness as she knew why Adam was at her door. Summer tried to push those horrible thoughts back, desperately trying to find another reason why her boss accompanied by a Police Officer was at her door. Nothing came to mind.
“We need to come in” Adam said in grave tone.
Summer just nodded her head and moved away from the doorway letting her boss and the Police officer in. Summer shut the door before leading the way into the living room.
“You need to sit down” Adam said as he followed the pretty detective into the her front room. He was already regretting his decision to tell her the news himself, but he felt like he owed it to her and he hoped that if the news came from a familiar face it may help ease the pain. But who was he kdding the news would be no less devastating if it game from the Pope or Micky mouse. He could already see the pained expression on her face, the poor girl looked as if she knew what was coming and was clearly struggling to hold herself together. How he wished that this was all a terrible nightmare. Trying to compose himself Adam Greenhorn took a few moments to gather his thoughts before breaking this terrible news.
“I’m so sorry” He started in his most sympathetic voice “But there has been a tragic accident. Its with great sorrow and regret that I must inform you that Steven Marigold is dead”
Still unable to form words tears began falling from Summer face as she stared at Adam unable to take the news in.
“He ran into a burning house” Adam continued “as he tried to rescue a young women who was trapped in her kitchen, but the house collapsed on top of them before they could make it out”
“Unfortunately no bodies have been recovered at this time.” Adam explained
“Then how do you know he is dead!?” Summer cried as she clutched at straws in the hope they had made a horrible mistake.
“Summer” Adam said softly but sternly “There were many witnesses including the rest of the Fire-brigade they are all in agreement that there is no chance anyone could of survived. The house isn’t even standing anymore its just a complete wreckage.
“Oh my God” Summer said as she sobbed uncontrollably. Adam watched as the tears flowed his heart bled for his work collgue and good friend, she was a wonderful woman and didn’t desreve to have her life shattered like this. Summer and Steve should of lived a long and happy life together but instead it had been creuly snatched away. Adam nodded at the uniformed officer who understood the signal and left the house leaving Summer alone with Adam.
“I will get you some water” he said as he stood up from the couch. DCI Adam Greenhorn walked into the kitchen found an empty glass by the sink and filled it with water from the tap. He carried the drink back into the living room and placed it on Summer’s coffee table, just in front of the grief stricken girl. Summer didn’t even look up she just continued to cry her heart out.
Summer Richards was unable think a coherent thought at this moment, she just couldn’t believe Steve was gone. She felt like her heart had been ripped out of her chest and right now she didn’t ever think it could be put back again.
Chapter thirteen
Inside the burning house Rebecca knew she was running out of time as the building was now falling down around her and the human. A beam fell to the floor with a tremendous crash, forcing Rebecca to make her move. There was another loud noise from inside the house and taking advantage of the humans distraction the female Vampire knocked him out with a stiff uppercut. With her target now unconscious Rebecca easily lifted Steve with her superior Vampire strength and carried him out of the building over her shoulder. Once outside she Hauled the human over a four foot fence, through another garden that led to another street just a block away from the burning house.
Still carrying Steve, Rebecca walked over to a Waiting car. As she approached the black Ford Focus the engine started up ready to make a quick get away. The driver’s door opened and another Vampire climbed out and opened that back door so Rebecca could bundle the unconscious Steve into the back seat of the car. Slamming the door behind him the female Vampire walked around the car and climbed into the passenger side. The male Vampire climbed behind the wheel and as he eased away from the curb the two Vampire’s heard the sickening sound of the burning house collapsing in on it self, but to the Vampires that horrific sound was music to their ears.
Rebecca and her partner pulled up outside a block of abandoned houses. Homes that had long since been condemned as unsafe for living and thanks to a slow economy they had yet to be demolished. Good news for Rebecca and her cohorts as the old decaying homes made perfect hideout’s for Vampires. They pulled the still out cold Steve from the car and carried him into one of the condemned terraced homes, where their master awaited.
Inside the house was an empty shell where the last remnants of human life had long since dissipated.
The boarded up windows lent the interior eerie darkness that would be hard to see through for the human eye, Vampires on the other hand had no such problem. There was no furnishings inside, no carpets and what little wallpaper that was left was peeling off the insect strewn walls. The male Vampire dumped Steve unceremoniously onto the floor in the middle of the room. He then walked out of the house leaving the still unconscious man alone with the female Vampire Rebecca.
“Wake him up” came an inhuman voice from somewhere in the darkness.
Obeying the commands Rebecca knelt down beside Steve and gently lifted his head propping the unconscious man up. Supporting the weight of the mans upper body Rebecca leaned in and whispered in Steven’s ear. The words she softly spoke were illegible to anyone but Steve but whatever they were or meant they seemed to work as Steve’s eyes flickered open.
As Steve came round he had no idea where he was, the only things he new was that his head was throbbing, he was surrounded by darkness and that a beautiful women seemed to be holding him. Though he seemed to recognise the women he couldn’t quite place her and his head hurt to much to think.
“I am I dead” he asked the girl
“no you are not dead” came a cold emotionless voice that was clearly male, though through the darkness Steve couldn’t detect its exact origin.
“Then who are you?”
“It doesn’t matter who we are what matters is what we are”
“What is that supposed to mean?” asked a clearly concerned Steve
“You will see” the male voice replied.
Steve didn’t hear another word for what seemed like an eternity until the silence was broken by the striking of a match. In the still silence of the dark room the sound of the match been struck seemed loud and vulgar and sent a chill up Steve’s spine. The petrified human stared tentatively at the small flickering flame wondering what horrors it was about to reveal. As the lit match was slowly brought to a long candle stick Steve thought he caught the briefest of glimpses of the emotionless man that he had heard talking to him. For a tenth of a second the tiny flame illuminated the mans face, though it was partly covered by what was either a cowl or a hood, Steve glimpsed enough to see a hideously disfigured face. Where in the hell was he and who where these people?
With the candle now lit and burning brightly Steve was able to see the full horror of the situation. The man was indeed terribly disfigured, his brow and cheek bones seemed to have strange ridges protruding from them, his grey skin seemed worn and leathery and narrow red eyes seemed to glow menacingly in the dimly lit room.
“What are you?” Steve gasped in horror barely able to get the words out.
“Oh Steve I think you know the answer to that” the deformed man said knowingly as he removed his hood with two talon like hands revealing a bald head.
“Your face” Steve stammered as he finally saw it completely unveiled
“My master has grown past the curse of human features” Rebecca told him proudly
“Your going to kill me” Steve stated
“No” Whispered the disfigured man who Steve was now starting to accept was some sort of ancient Vampire. “I’m going to offer you salvation”
The female Vamp clamped her hands around Steve’s arms holding him in a vice like grip as her Master leant in opening his mouth wide revealing two long fangs. Steve felt intense pain as the Vampire bit into his neck and then started to drink his blood. As the ancient Vampire fed from his jugular Steve could feel his very life force draining away. He was feeling weaker and fading fast. As he felt himself slipping into the dark abyss of death the Vampire suddenly stopped feeding. Using an almost claw like nail the Vampire cut a deep wound in his arm letting his own blood flow freely. Thrusting his bleeding arm into Steve’s face the ancient Vampire instructed him to feed. The Firemen didn’t even hesitate greedily clutching the demons arm as he fed heavily on the Vampires tainted blood.
“Enough” the Vampire declared after several minuets as he pushed the greedy human off his arm. Steve glared at the Vampire a disappointed look etched across his face but he began to feel ill. The whole room started to spin and colours seemed to blur into one another before becoming a brilliant white and then there was nothing.
Steve felt different as he came round and slowly opened his eyes, he didn’t know how or why but he was a changed man now. Something that became even more apparent when his eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness. There was no light at all in the tiny room in which he had awoke yet Steve could see perfectly. Maybe better as he could make out all the different insects scuttling across the walls, he also realised that he could hear their normally silent movements and noises. Some how his senses had been heightened to an extraordinary level. What In the hell was going on?
Steve got up from the cold wooden floor boards on which he had lain and stood up on his feet. The harshness of the floor should of left his body feeling stiff and achy yet he felt nothing of the sorts in fact he felt better than ever. Steven Marigold felt taller, stronger and better then ever before and something inside him told him he was now beyond human.
As Steve slowly came to grips with his new self and heightened senses he felt a strange sense of thirst running though his body. Not only was his throat starting to feel dry but his whole body was beginning to crave nourishment in a big way, he was incredibly hungry but he wasn’t sure what for. Not wanting to lose control of his faculties through this intense hunger that had struck him so suddenly Steve sat himself down on the wooden floor, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. Trying calm himself and find his inner piece a yoga technique he had learned several years ago. But as he did so he could hear what sounded like soft footsteps walking towards the room. As the sound of footsteps grew closer Steve could also feel the presence of a very powerful being coming towards him.
Steve heard the sound of a lock disengaging before the door swung open and the powerful being he could sense walked into the room.
As the being walked towards him Steve felt an extraordinary power surge through his entire body as he recognised the being almost instantly as the Vampire who had sired him. All of a sudden his mind was so clear and everything made sense. He was no longer Steven Marigold because he was longer human he was a Vampire. It was if a fog had suddenly been lifted from his mind and he began to remember the events from the night before that had led to this point in time.
“
“Hungry” Steve replied urgently
“How do you feel besides hungry” the Vampire reiterated with a harsher tone in his voice
“I feel fantastic. I feel stronger, quicker, better!”
“Good” the Vampire replied “I am Lucius master of all Vampires and I have chosen you to join our ranks, elevating you from the mediocrity of humanity and turning you into a higher being. A being of supreme power
“
“
“So hungry” Steve begged
“Yes I know” Lucius smiled “That’s why I sent Rebecca out while you were sleeping to get you something to eat”
“Will you bring in Steven’s breakfast” Lucius called out through the door. Moments later the pretty blonde Vampire who had taken him from the burning house walked into the room dragging a very attractive young girl who was gagged and bound. Almost instantly as the girl was lain down beside him Steve could hear the soft rhythmic beating of her heart, it sounded like a drum beating through her chest. For the first time he felt his face turn revealing his true demonic visage and as he did so he saw the pretty girls big brown eyes widen in horror and disbelief.
“Enjoy” Lucius said as he and Rebecca left the room. For some reason Steve had the urge to hear the girl scream so he relieved her off her nylon gag and bit deep into her neck. The shrills of the girls scream’s could be heard throughout the house as Steve fed on her sweet blood.
Chapter fourteen
The funeral of Steven James Marigold took place just four days after his death, the towns Christian church was full to bursting as friends and family crammed inside to pay their last respects to a wonderful man. But there was an empty feeling to the funeral as Steve’s casket was empty. As his body had never been recovered Steven’s coffin was just a symbol that represented his existence in this cold and cruel world. Summer had been informed that the force of the building crashing on top of him and the sheer heat of the intense fire would have left very little if any remains behind. Sat in black in-between her Mum and Steve’s grief stricken parents was Summer, who herself was unable to hold back the tears. The large sandstone building felt cold and unsympathetic from where Summer sat as she stared dismissively at the stained glass windows that depicted the different stages of Christ’s life starting from his birth right up to the last supper.
She felt herself wonder that if such a God truly did exist how he could take away someone like Steve well before his time, it wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right. During the service the Vicars hollow words offered little comfort as they echoed around the Church. Then a couple of close friends some how found the courage to offer their hand written eulogy’s, but none of them came close to describing the greatness of the man she had once loved, indeed still loved. All Summer could do was sit in silence and stare into the abyss hoping against hope that there had been some mistake that Steve had somehow made it out of the building and was perhaps in a hospital somewhere recovering. But deep down summer knew it was just wishful thinking. His entire crew had seem him run into the house to save a trapped woman and not one of them saw him come back out. At least he died with dignity a true hero.
As the service came to an end the sweet sound of the opening cords to Gun’s ‘n’ Roses November Rain started to play through the Church as the dozens of mourners began filing out of the building. As Summer left following the casket with Linda, Gary and Karen she appreciated the sombre sound of Axel Roses’ piano accompanied by strings and woodwind of the orchestra that accompanied it. It was a fitting piece of music for this darkest of days, even the lyrics made sense as Summer played through them in her mind.
“Nothing last forever not even the cold November rain”
As the funeral procession marched up to the cemetery delicate flakes of snow started to descend from the heavens, gliding delightfully to the ground and disintegrating in the blink of an eye. Feeling the chill Summer hoped that the service would conclude before the light snow turned into a full blown flurry.
She watched heartbroken as the pallbearers’ carefully and gently lowered the vacant casket into the ground. Then out of insistence from Steve’s parents Summer walked up to the grave to ceremoniously throw the first handful of dirt on to the shiny pine casket
“Good bye” She whispered under her breath as she threw her handful of earth.
“Dust to dust, Ashes to ashes”
Price had decided not to attend the church service as he despised funerals to him they were futile and empty, a last hollow grasp to stoke the dying embers of memory. Even after hundreds of thousands of years people still had such a poor understanding of the circle of life. To live we must die and to die we must live. Death is as inevitable as the night yet people always seem so surprised when it happens. So they cling on to false Gods and religions offering prayers and sacrifice in the blind hope of finding some understanding or some sort of hidden meaning where there is none to be found. The whole world is full of people endlessly searching for something that doesn’t exist.
But despite all that he wanted to be at the burial to offer his support for his protégé, a shoulder to lean on a voice to comfort, whatever comfort he could offer no matter how little it may seem. He was also glad for the mourners that the snow held off long enough to lower the casket and complete the service. He watched as summer threw in the ritualistic first handful of dirt as an endless stream of tears flowed down her face. Her task completed she walked away from the burial site and into the gathering crowd of mourners where Price gave her a consoling pat on the shoulder to let her know he was there. She looked up and gazed into her mentors eyes offering him a weak smile. “At least she had managed smile” Price thought as he stood alongside Summer watching her fellow mourners leave the cemetery as the cold unforgiving snow began falling heavily from the grey sky’s above.
Chapter fifteen
Summer sat inside her old room at her Mother’s house watching the snow fall from the sky it hadn’t stopped for two whole days and a thick white blanket now covered everything in sight. It was cold and annoying yet at the same time beautiful and awe inspiring. Summer was at her mothers as she couldn’t face going back to the home she had shared with Steve for all of two days. She didn’t think she could ever go back there with Steve gone and was seriously considering going back to her old flat. But for now she didn’t want to be alone and her Mother had assured Summer she could stay with her as long as she needed. Linda had been a real rock for Summer and she didn’t think she would of made it through such a difficult time without her, where would anyone be without a Mothers Love and support. Summer knew that there was still a long road ahead before she was anywhere near getting over loosing Steve but at least she had caring people standing by her.
Bored and tired of been stuck inside Summer pulled on a pair a knee high boots, found her woollen gloves, scarf and hat and Put them on along with her customary black trench coat. She then left the house and walked through the crunching snow into town. It was three in the afternoon on a cold December and with the grey sky’s it was already reasonably dark out. But Summer was undeterred and marched town-ward’s none the less not even knowing for sure where she wanted to go. As she turned into the High Street Summer thought she could see a familiar looking silhouette in the distance. As she stared at the lone figure Summer told herself it couldn’t possibly be, but there was no denying the likeness, It was Steve she was sure of it. The figure certainly had Steve’s muscular build and he seemed to be wearing a similar black leather motorcycle jacket. Summer couldn’t help herself as a huge smile covered her face but as she glanced away for just a second and then looked back the silhouette was gone. She ran down the street to where she thought she had seen him but nothing. Summer frantically looked in all directions but saw no signs of the man she was convinced was Steve.
Forgetting about the shops Summer decided to go back to Steve’s house to check if his leather Jacket was still there. If he was alive maybe he had gone back for it she told herself forgetting all sense of reason and logic.
Three quarters of an hour later Summer arrived at the house, she fumbled in her handbag for the key and let herself in. It certainly didn’t look like anyone had been back nothing seemed to have been disturbed since she had left. Undeterred Summer climbed the stairs and went into Steve’s bedroom, a place where they had enjoyed many nights of love making and passion, some of the best nights of Summer’s life. She opened the wardrobes and began searching through Steve’s clothing looking for his jacket and there it was, still on its hanger in the closet. Pulled it down and held onto it like a small child clutching a security blanket, she fell on to the bed crying hard as she hugged the jacket. She had been letting her mind play tricks on her, Steve had never been in the street earlier and she should of known better.
The release of emotion over Summer composed her self and left the house, making her way back to her Mothers house and even though she was thirty two years old Linda was probably worried sick to her daughters whereabouts. As Summer crossed the street at about the half way point between Steve’s and her Mother’s she saw the man in the leather jacket again this time standing outside a news agents. Summer couldn’t see his face as he was turned in the opposite direction. Even though she still couldn’t get over the similarities to Steve. his height, build, hair cut even the way he held himself. It was all consistent with Steve. Finally Curiosity got the better of her and Summer walked a few steps towards the man and right on cue almost as if he new she was there the doppelganger turned round to face her.
Summer couldn’t believe what she saw it was Steve! There was no doubt about it. She stopped stunned not sure what to do as Steve winked at her and gave her a knowing smile before disappearing into the news agents. Without wasting a breath Summer ran into the store desperately looking for Steve but he wasn’t there. She walked round the shop several times but there was no sign of him. Summer couldn’t understand what was going on as she was certain she had seen him, but where could he of vanished to so fast. As Summer wracked her brains she could only thing of one thing she could do in a situation like this and ring Price.
Picking up on the urgency of Summers voice Price had agreed to meet her at Joe’s coffee shop within the hour. The place where they had originally met had now become their regular haunt and it was as good and safe as place as any to have a drink and talk about the supernatural. As he entered the café Summer was already at a table a sullen look on her face, hugging a cup of hot coffee. He smiled to her as a form of greeting as he walked up to the counter to order his own beverage. Minuets later Price returned to the table espresso in hand and sat beside Summer.
“So what was it you needed to tell me” Price asked unable to hide his curiosity
“I saw him Giles” Summer said vaguely
“Saw Whom?” Price asked concerned that he knew where this was going
“Steve. I saw him today”
“You couldn’t of” Price said softly “You were at his funeral just a few day’s ago”
“I’m telling you I saw him” Summer said annoyed
“And believe you honestly think you saw him” Price said “But in times of stress and sorrow like this the mind plays tricks on us, makes us see things we want to see. Things that aren’t even there and couldn’t possibly be. It’s the minds way of trying to cope I’m afraid nothing more.”
He saw tears form in Summers eyes as she realised the painful truth, she had been hit so hard by her lovers sudden death that she had been all too eager to accept the fact he was still alive without ever thinking it through.
“I’m so sorry” Price said as she reached out and placed his palm on the back of Summers hand “I really am. But if he was alive and well surely he would of contacted you by now. I know it feels impossible right now but you have to let go and try to move on.”
“I know” Summer said “I’m sorry for being so foolish”
“Don’t be sorry” Price told her “it’s a perfectly natural reaction to such a devastating loss”
Summer found more comfort in Price’s words than she could of imagined, she was glad that she had someone like him to lean on in times of need. They finished their drinks in the café and then Price walked her home, Summer invited him in but he declined stating he had things to do. Once Inside Summer could smell Linda’s cooking as her Mother made dinner. When she asked her daughter where she had been Summer bent the truth slightly explaining she had gone into town to meet a friend. It wasn’t a big lie, Giles Price was a friend and she had met him in town. Summer didn’t like fibbing to her Mum but in this instance a little white lie was better than the truth. Linda would only worry about Summer if she had told her the truth about seeing Steve. She knew now that she would see him again when it was her time to leave this plain of existence.
Chapter Sixteen
York 1772
The cold air cut across Summers face as she rode her horse through the woods at a fast gallop.
An hour ago Summer had tracked down and killed a gang of Vampires, unfortunately the one Vampire she was hoping to find wasn’t amongst them. After slaying four of the five Vamps with ease, she let the fifth live only so she beat the information she needed out of him. The Vampire proved to be stubborn and at first refused to talk. That was until Summer took her sword and rammed it into the Vampires shoulder, right where she knew a cluster of nerves lay. The Vamp howled in pain as Summer twisted and turned the sword.
“Ok, ok” The Vampire screamed in desperation “I’ll tell you what you want to know all this was nothing more than a distraction