Haunted Past

Ok... you know how it goes... don't own this... even though i wish i did! but who doesn't right?!

Know i haven't been on for a while so I hope you guys enjoy this! Sorry for the delay... read and enjoy
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Everyone scrambled to the fallen woman, struggling to help Hugue with moving her. She could hear them asking questions but everything was so distant. Everyone was wondering what had occurred to make her pass out. Esther had said that she had been fine, or so she thought. Leon said she had been acting a bit sluggish, probably due to a lack of sleep. Caterina had been too busy to notice anything, but she knew that this was out of the ordinary.

The Duchess merely watched as the silent blonde carried the young woman away from the hall with Father Abel in tow to accompany him in case he required an extra hand. Well, that certainly put a damper on things. She would definitely have to move her meeting with the Cardinal up to most likely this evening.

Once everyone had stilled she approached the blonde woman, gaining her attention immediately.

“My Lady, I was wondering if I could speak with you this evening? I was hoping to delay this, but I find it important to bring it up now.”

“Of course, we can go to my office and you may speak privately with me there.” She replied, motioning for Father Havel to come to her. She didn’t listen as they spoke but shortly the tall Father approached her to take her to Caterina’s chambers.

“The Cardinal will be here shortly My Lady, she wishes to speak with Father Hugue and Father Abel about what just occurred.”

She merely nodded in reply, trying to figure out just how to approach Caterina with her proposal. She had really wanted to wait, but honestly it wasn’t a possibility now. Not after what just happened. Hugue’s attachment could pose a problem too. His feelings really were serious and not just a fling. How would she handle this indeed?

Quietly Vaclav left her alone in the Cardinal’s chambers to ponder her thoughts. She heard him take post outside and sat down to continue her speech in her head. Hopefully Caterina would be receptive.

Sighing she rested her head in her hand, distressed at the situation. Hopefully she wasn’t too late, but all she could do now was wait.

Wait in the darkness hoping her request would be heeded.

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Hugue rushed down the hallway, alarmed at the feel of Nora’s skin. She was like ice, but her breathing was ok. Still it wasn’t normal. She had been through a lot and she never passed out. He knew she wasn’t ill, there weren’t any signs of it and Tres would’ve detected something. He was excellent at that. Once Abel had sneezed loudly during mass and Tres informed him that he was catching a cold. Sure enough the next day the goofy priest was bed-ridden and miserable. So Nora definitely wasn’t sick.

What was it? What in the hell could be wrong with her? Lost in his thoughts and worry he walked right passed Nora’s door and nearly toppled over when he heard Abel call out to him.

Abruptly he turned around and flew inside the open door. Coming to her bed he laid her upon it and began to wrap the blankets tightly around her. Once he had her wrapped up he took a moment to gaze at her sleeping form. Carefully he reached out to her, stroking along her cheek softly. She was freezing. The feel of her dead like skin almost brought tears to his eyes. He felt sick suddenly and the room seemed to tilt beneath his feet.

Dropping to his knees he rested his mouth against her cold cheek, a few tears coming forth. Even her lips were blue, but he could feel her breathing. How could this be? How could she be breathing so normally but feel this cold? He felt a hand rest upon his shoulder and without thinking he jerked away from it, burying his head into Nora’s neck.

He could sense Abel kneel behind him, placing both hands on his shoulders trying to pull him back. He knew this didn’t look normal. People didn’t react this way with friends, but he didn’t give a damn. He didn’t know what was happening. What if she died? What would he do then? Abel’s efforts were in vain because Hugue wouldn’t be moved by anything.

“Hugue, you need to move from her. Caterina’s coming. Come on Hugue, she’ll be fine.” Abel tried, attempting his best to move him. Even the normally optimistic priest’s voice sounded unsure. Neither of them had ever seen anything like this, what if she did die? She was as cold as death itself.

Anger shot through him in that moment and more tears came to his eyes. A growl ripped from his throat as he acted without thinking. In a flash his hand connected with Abel’s shirt and threw him back a good distance from his side. He wouldn’t be bothered, not now and how dare this man try to make him move. The entire Vatican had ignored her health concerns in his absence and he was furious. He heard his gasp and pleas from afar which only further enraged the swordsman. Slowly he pulled away from Nora to regard the serious priest against the wall he was thrown into. The tension in the room was palpable as Hugue’s eyes met with Abel’s worried gaze. He hadn’t felt that rush of fear in a long time, his blood actually chilled at the intensity of Hugue’s stare.

“I will not move. Do not sit there and tell me everything will be fine. How dare you Crusnik! And I don’t give a damn. I don’t give a DAMN if Caterina sees me. She went to a lot of effort to keep me here, you can’t tell me she doesn’t know! I will not pretend to be unmoved by this. I will stay by her side. Not you, nor Caterina, nor Tres if he was so ordered could move me from beside her.”

Fear quickly fled Abel at that moment, only shock was evident. Hugue had never looked so angry and had never spoken so passionately. He was in love with her and as the swordsman turned from the silver haired priest he allowed a smile to curve his lips. Good, another soul starting to heal. Slowly trying not to disturb Sword Dancer, Abel stood and took his post at the door to wait for Caterina to arrive. Quietly he shut the door giving Hugue and Nora some privacy. All he could do now was pray that the woman that meant so much to the silent swordsman would make it through this ordeal.

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Anger wasn’t even the word to describe Caterina’s current state of mind. How in the hell had she not known that something was wrong with Nora? No one had said anything. She noticed that she hadn’t quite been herself but she figured that it was only because Hugue was away. Apparently it had been worse than she thought.

Briskly she walked down the hall noticing Abel standing outside Nora’s door without Hugue. Obviously he was inside with his lover.

“Are they inside Abel?”

“Yes, Hugue is quite upset.”

“I imagine so. Do you know what happened?”

A look of concern came over his face as he shook his head in answer to her question. Apparently it was a bit more dire than she thought. Unfortunately she had someone waiting for her at the moment and she couldn’t stay to look in on her sister or deal with Hugue. Hopefully Abel was up to the task.

“Abel, will you…”

“Yes, I’ll stand guard out here and inform you immediately if anything happens.”

She merely nodded at him, thankful he knew she wanted from him. Hesitating slightly she looked back at the door one last time, praying that Nora was ok. Quickly she turned away from Abel and hurried back toward her office to the Duchess.

With great haste she entered her office and walked to her desk taking her chair quickly to regard the Duchess.

“Forgive me Duchess, I am here now. What is it you wished to discuss with me?”

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Time seemed to stand still as he gazed down upon the slumbering face of his lover. She still wasn’t awake and her skin continued to get colder as each minute passed. The moonlight poured in her window, blanketing her in a soft glow that made her seem lifeless.

He sat there idly stroking her face, as if his touch would bring wake her, as he peered down at her. What was going on with her? What was he to do? Once more tears came to his eyes as he realized how helpless he was. Revenge had kept him going for so long but now he didn’t need it. She was the replacement. Not a replacement, that isn’t how he thought of her. More of she took his need for it away. He longed to be by her now instead of out roaming bent on the destruction of vampires. What would he have if she was gone…

Nothing.

He would have no reason to go on. Life wouldn’t really be worth living anymore. A pain so intense seemed to well up in his chest at the thought of Nora dying. He couldn’t breathe and it was hard to focus. A sob was wrenched from his throat as he bent over in pain, resting his head against the floor as he sobbed. Never had he felt so helpless in all his life. Nothing could be done, and he wasn’t even sure if he could wake her. It had been so hard before and now she was worse. Losing his family had nearly killed him; it had left him completely barren inside. She gave that back to him, if she was gone…

A presence settled behind him and once again he felt the strong arms of his occasional partner. Gently Abel pulled him up off the ground, wrapping his arms around his waist as he held him tightly to his chest. His mouth was close to his ear whispering quiet words of comfort but he couldn’t hear them. All he could do was weep and gaze at the woman before him. She looked like a fallen angel in the light of the moon as it poured in her window, framing her perfect face. It was as if he was staring at a portrait, but he wasn’t, the woman before him was a living, breathing creature. For how long though, was she strong enough to wake up from this?

That same pain came back with a vengeance as his world crashed in around him and for the first time in a long time he let go. In the darkness of the room he let Abel’s warmth surround him as he fully let out his feelings. Anger, frustration, sadness and worthlessness poured out of him and all Abel did was sit there holding him. He let him hit at him, let him tear at his arms struggling in vain to throw himself against the floor. Through all this Abel accepted his cruelty without a word and only pulled him back into the comfort of his embrace. Exhausted at last Hugue merely rested against Abel, breathing deeply as he felt his tears dry on his face. The long fingers of his companion stroked through his wild hair as he continued to watch the love of his life lay in complete silence basked in the moonlight.

No words were exchanged; Abel just sat there with Hugue allowing him whatever he needed. He knew pain and the results weren’t pleasant. Silence at last settled over the room and all they could do was watch Nora. She wasn’t in peace as she looked, but Abel wasn’t going to tell Hugue that, though he probably already knew. Every time she twitched a whimper escaped him. She was undoubtedly dreaming, god only knew what about.

All they could do was wait until she woke up… if she would.

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She was in the kitchen from her childhood before her mother had been killed. Everything was blurry and had no distinction but she knew it was her mother’s kitchen. It was warm and familiar and her mother’s presence seemed to surround the entire room. Then suddenly she was interrupted from her reminiscing to voices talking. She knew both of them, one was her mother, the other a woman who had once visited them.

They were at the table as she gazed upon them, her mother clear in her line of sight but the other woman had her back to her. She seemed so familiar though. They were arguing about something. Her father it sounded like. Ah yes, this woman was related to her mother somehow and she wanted them to return to her home. It would be safe from her father if they went.

Her mother was stubborn though and slowly she turned to gaze at the closet door where her younger self was. She had been too young to know what was happening then, but she knew now. This was the last night she was to see her mother. Maybe it could be different this time… maybe.

The coldness crept over her and she was rooted to the floor, all she could do was let her tears roll down her face as she watched the scene in front of her. She longed to call to her mother or the other woman. Wanted to beg her mom to get up and take her with this woman. She had tried desperately to forget this moment in her life but it was back to haunt her… why?

Would she forever be plagued? The dreams had subsided as of late, Hugue had driven them from her thoughts, but now they were here again. Why did she have to continue to experience this? Why wouldn’t her mother go this time? Anything to put her at ease for once. Release from this past was all she seeked, but still, she knew it was in vain. It would not come this night.

The door creaked where she hid when she was a child gaining her mother’s attention. It was over in that minute, all hope was lost as she watched silently. Her mother turned to the other woman and commanded her to leave. Her last hope was leaving. Her mother wouldn’t survive this time either.

Soon her father would come and all she could was pray that she would wake up so she would never have to see this again.

Sorrow closed in around her and not even the warmth of the room could bring life back to her body. It was as if she was dying and could do nothing to stop it. Hugue’s voice was nowhere to be heard to pull her out of this and a deep heavy feeling settled in her stomach. This would kill her, watching this again. She would die this night too. Her heart ached and she could feel it slow with the heavy burden of her pain at the knowledge she would watch her mother perish at the hands of her father once more.

Monster… that’s what he was. She could do nothing either. Vengeance wouldn’t be hers this time either because she was only here to watch. A sob escaped her in that moment and she knew her body moved with the force of it. She was desperate to wake up, she knew it was a dream, but she could feel it pulling the life from her.

Both Abel and Hugue glanced up at the sound that came from Nora and they watched as she struggled for breath. Desperately Hugue broke away from Abel, the other man right behind him as they fell at her bedside. Their hands fell on her, shaking her desperately, their voices frantic.

She could hear them but still her voice wouldn’t come, then she saw the woman her mother was talking to. Heat began to creep over her and time stood still as the woman turned slowly, her eyes were closed as she finally faced her and at last Nora felt hope. Wait… this wasn’t how it was to happen. Too much time had passed. This woman should be gone; her mother was no longer at the table. She was at the closet pushing her inside. Her father was knocking at the door trying to gain entry.

Nora could do nothing but stare at the woman before her, her eyes still closed to her desperate gaze. Why wouldn’t she look? She needed her to look at her that was the only way she would be free. Please…

She hadn’t noticed until that moment how painfully her stomach ached. She felt as though someone were trying to rip out her insides as this woman faced her. Desperately she clutched at her stomach, it was almost enough to bring her to her knees, but somehow she stayed standing. The pain became more intense as the moments passed and she knew that this woman could dissolve that pain. She could hear a voice calling to her, and a long suppressed thirst began to creep over her.

Caterina stared silently at the Duchess. She was silent and concentrating deeply her head in her hands. Her eyes were closed as she struggled with something. She could only watch as her face contorted in pain at her thoughts. What was happening? Then she felt it, the air in the room seemed to cool drastically, but how? What was going on? Without a word she got up and moved to the Duchess, coming to kneel beside her as she continued to concentrate. She rested her hand on her shoulder and felt her jerk under her touch. Her head snapped up in that instant and at last her deep blue eyes opened to drown Caterina’s in their endless depths, pulling her into her thoughts. Caterina gasped at the scene before her.

Desperately Hugue crawled over Nora, watching her thrash against him. She was trying to get to something but couldn’t. Suddenly she stopped and a snarl let loose from her mouth as her eyes snapped open to regard him. Slowly she sat up, looking but not seeing who it was above her. That’s when he saw them and before he could act she was on him.

The door was forced open and suddenly her father entered grabbing her mother and throwing her against the wall beside her. Another presence was here but she couldn’t turn to it, she could only feel it. The woman before her continued to demand her gaze and she could feel the presence beside her reach out and slowly a hand came to rest upon the other woman’s shoulder the same moment her father’s blade slipped through her mother’s chest, piercing the heart instantly.

Those eyes she was desperate to see opened to her in that instant and suddenly she could move. Without hesitation she turned to her father, fangs elongating and with a growl she bared them to him and sank them deep within his neck, his voice a shrill scream in her ear. Her teeth pierced through Hugue’s throat at the very same moment, drawing his blood into her waiting mouth as he held fast in shock to her body.

Caterina was thrown from the dream and she could feel the Duchess holding onto her. What the hell was that. Her sister had just killed her father. She could hardly breathe and desperately she turned toward the Duchess for answers. Trying her best to catch her breath she merely stared at the other woman, waiting.

Slowly she turned toward her then and spoke.

“It is done. She has awakened.”

Caterina merely stared at the Duchess, and without hesitation she told her the reason she came to the Vatican. For Nora.

“That is why I’m here Caterina. To take my granddaughter home to the Empire with me.”

Caterina couldn’t speak and merely sat there stunned as she let the words sink in. The Duchess was Nora’s grandmother…and Nora was a…

Methuselah.


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Nora pulled away from Hugue at last and slowly she fell back from him. He could feel blood trailing down his neck as her eyes gazed up at him brilliantly. A small smile came over her beautiful face as she stared up at him almost as if she were in a daze. Words wouldn’t come to him. What could he say? Maybe it hadn’t happened… perhaps…
In that moment her eyes closed to him and she fell back onto the pillows the moonlight washing over her face. Slowly his eyes trailed over her and at last came to gaze upon her lips. There they were, giving him proof. He was unable to deny it… the light that poured in through the window glinted serenely off her white fangs. Terror swept through him as the truth settled in and slowly the world went black as he realized what had just happened.

She was a Methuselah… just awakened.
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Ok... so i spiffed up the story a bit. hope you guys liked it. it's gonna get kinda sappy in the chapters to come so if you want to see what happens between Hugue and Nora... REVIEW! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! Ok... enough begging! hope you guys enjoy!