Love Bite

By Arielle Sag

Chapter One

The rain pounded down on the empty road ahead. There was lighting and crashing of thunder. All Beth Anne could hope for is to find shelter for the night. The nightmares would of course come later when they reached their destination. She was alone. She rode in her carriage with the driver she hoped would get her to the visible shelter ahead. She hoped they would reach there in one piece and that he wouldn’t turn around. She paid him enough to get her to her destination safely.

They saw the castle in the distance. They saw it during the daylight. They were lost and thought they could find shelter in the night. But then, it had to rain and be so pitch black dark that there was no hope in knowing if they picked the right road. Or more over, did her driver pick the right road. He wasn’t the smartest person. All Beth Anne wanted was a place to rest her head and someplace to get away from people like her driver. She was lucky he put money ahead of his duty. She was lucky she wasn’t dead.

“We are almost there! I see the gates! They are opening!” The driver yelled at her. Beth Anne tried to look out her window. She saw the castle and the gates, which were opening. In a few minutes they would be inside. She hoped the owner was kind and wouldn’t turn them away. That would defeat the whole purpose of picking this direction.

The pounding of the horses’ hooves couldn’t even be heard above the thunder. Her driver must be soaked and angry now. She would have to give him the rest of her money for what happened. That meant she was now broke. She had no money left. How much longer can she run? She wanted to run until she felt safe and she didn’t feel safe even being lost and near a castle so mysteriously absent from society. She didn’t even think society knew of this castle. It looked like it came from the medieval ages. There were very little windows that Beth Anne could see. There was a light inside but near the top. It was one slit in the wall that had a window glass.

“Is this a good idea miss?” The driver asked.

“We are still going! We don’t want to be out in this storm any longer.” They went through the gates. The gate closed behind them with clank. They were stuck. Beth Anne had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was scared. She didn’t know who was in that window, and this castle was so mysterious that it made her want to do what her driver almost suggested. That would be to not go in. This not going in was too late. She had to think on her feet and hopefully they would get shelter, some food, and a nice hot bath. Most people were hospitable then again, where she just came from was the opposite of hospitable.

They pulled to a stop and she heard her driver pull the horses to a stop. He jumped off the carriage and opened the door. There was a hanger near the front door. She didn’t know if it was open, but there was a chance it might be. She got out and ran to the door. She opened the door and to her surprise it was open. The driver was hot on her heals. They both shut the door behind them.

“I’ll take care of the horses later…wow. This place is so dark.” There were no lights in the building. There were no windows except slits in the walls.

“At least its dry.” Her driver was soaked. He was ringing out his clothes. He didn’t look angry though, which was a good thing. The air was thick and had no freshness to it. It was like an antique. She wondered who was in that one room that had light. Her heart pounded in her chest. She didn’t know if she should trust her driver either. He was one of ‘them’ and even though she was paying him, that didn’t leave much for trust.

“What was that?” Beth Anne went behind her driver. There were footsteps and a light coming from one of the tunnels. There was a whistling coming, it was pleasant but she didn’t know if they were going to be killed for trespassing on his property or not. The driver snorted.

“I’m sure its nothing. He or she is probably the owner here to kick us out. Anyone who owns a castle is surely to rich to keep us around.” Beth Anne had distaste for her driver now. His true colors were showing. She wondered if she would last past the next hour. It was better dying by a knife in the heart then having one’s head be chopped off in the guillotine.

The light was coming closer and the whistling had stopped. Beth Anne was wondering if the light was ever going to make it there. There were no servants to let them in, she noted. There were also no servants to take their horses. She wondered who opened the gate to then shut it. Was it the same person who was whistling? Such a mystery, she thought to herself.

“Who goes there?” Her driver stated at the light. There was no answer. She noticed his hands were trembling. He murmured in his rustic French, the words this wasn’t worth the price he got paid. He should of stayed in France and saw her head be chopped off. The money wasn’t worth it and such. She heard him sprout these words quietly to himself. She knew he wouldn’t hesitate in killing her now. She needed to get rid of him, but where would she go?

“Welcome. Its late to be visiting a stranger’s house.” The voice echoed from the hallway. The face came moments later. He wasn’t that tall. He wasn’t short either. He looked young to own a place like this by himself. He wore a black pants and white shirt. He held a lamp. He was lighting candles as he walked down the hallway. When he got to the room, he lighted a few lamps. There was now light. She could see that the castle was well decorated inside, despite the lack of windows. The rain and thunder could be heard but they were nice a dry, at least she was.

“She is on the run. We need a place to stay for the night.” The driver stated before Beth Anne could speak. How Rude! She thought to herself. The stranger’s brown hair was short trimmed, and she wasn’t sure but she thinks he has blue eyes. He was quite cute.

“On the run? From who?” The man seemed intrigued now. Beth Anne didn’t feel like discussing it. She just wanted a hot bath, and some place to sleep. Though how rustic this place was; she didn’t think they had those comforts.

“People like him, and the French people. I don’t want to get into it please.” Beth Anne wanted anything but to talk about why she was running.

“Very well. I hear the French people are murdering a thousand people a day. Is that true?” Her driver stiffed at the word murdering.

“Its nothing different then what the aristocracy was doing to the poor. They deserve their deaths!” He almost yelled back. The man raised a hand and put down his lamp.

“No need to shout here. I don’t see the difference. They murder you for stealing bread, and now you murder thousands of people for being rich. They might not of had anything to do with the murder of those for stealing bread, but I doubt they deserve their death. If you want to duel it out, we can but I prefer not to.” Her driver went stiff. He didn’t like being told what it looked like from an outsider.

“I take it your from the aristocracy?” He turned to Beth Anne.

“No. I’m just from the upper middle class. I’m not from the aristocracy.” She hated being associated with the aristocracy. They were so rude to her family but no matter what happened between her family and the aristocracy, it wasn’t enough to keep her from running.

“Oh, interesting. So now they are killing the middle class?” Again, her driver went stiff.

“They are guilty as much as the aristocracy. They did nothing.” The man nodded.

“I see that you took a risk having him drive you into the night. But where are my manners, my name is Matthew. My last name isn’t pronounced well in French or English. So just call me Matthew. Your names please?” There was a grandfather’s clock in the entrance and it was starting to go off. It was two in the morning. No wonder she was so tired.

“I’m Beth Anne, this is Kyle.” She didn’t feel like giving last names. They didn’t mean anything here she had a feeling.

“Pretty name. Is that really a French name though?” She shrugged.

“My mom liked it enough to name me it.” Matthew smiled. The smile was addicting. She liked Matthew. He was on her side, which meant she felt safe.

“How do I know I can trust you enough to stay here for the night?” Kyle rudely inserted.

“Kyle that was rude!” Kyle just rolled his eyes, and Matthew raised his hand.

“I’m insulted by that. How do I know I can trust you not to kill me? You seem to be the type to want to kill me instead. But being a good host, I will let you stay the night. Beth Anne can stay forever long she wants, but for someone that doesn’t like the middle class I would be in that category. So I don’t want you killing me in my sleep. One night, with food, shelter, some money to keep you happy, a horse to take you back to the murder, a map to take you home and some food for your travel. Now let me take you to some rooms.” He gestured for them to follow.

“You can have her. I don’t want to drive her any farther. This was far beyond our deal.” Matthew sighed.

“Will you just sleep in a room I pick out for you, and be quiet for the night?” Beth Anne noticed he was so polite. He seemed delighted to have visitors. He looked a bit lonely.

“Fine. A bed, and perhaps dry clothes.” It wasn’t a request. It was a demand. Matthew sighed.

“I might have dry clothes. I will have to know your size and I can check. I’m afraid for the lady, I have no extra clothes.” She smiled.

“No problem. I can salvage.” All three of them started to walk down the hallway together. Matthew was walking next to her.

They got farther into the castle and into the main lobby. There was a staircase. There were lamps lighted around the room. There were paintings on the walls. There were antique chairs, and the stair case look to be made of old brick with a wooden rail. She gathered they were going up.

“Do you have a nice bath?” Kyle rolled his eyes.

“She asks for the bath. I think that’s rude.” Matthew didn’t seem to take that offensive, but he did give Kyle a long look.

“She is a woman don’t you know your manners or do they not apply to anyone above your station?” Kyle stopped walking.

“You are a very rude host!” They all stopped walking as they just got to the stairs.

“Take it as you will. I don’t have to offer you a place to sleep for the night. You are welcome to sleep in that carriage if you want.” Beth Anne hid the smile from her face. That would fit Kyle perfectly!

“No that’s all right. I’ll be good. I’m sorry madam.” He looked at Beth Anne as if he was forcing those words on his lips.

“Thank you Kyle. I feel dirty that’s all.” Matthew smiled.

“No there is a bath. I’ll have to heat you up some water though. Are you hungry? Where are my manners?” Kyle shook his head.

“I’m fine. All I want is a bed, clean clothes, and some sleep. She is spoiled so of course she would want food.” Matthew stopped going up the stairs, and turned to look down at Kyle.

“If you disrespect Ms Beth again, I will have to excuse you from staying here. For I don’t feel comfortable having you in the same building as both of us.” Kyle shut up and Matthew turned to her.

“Can I just call you Beth?” Beth Anne smiled.

“That’s my nickname. Its fine.” Matthew smiled.

“I can scrounge up some thing to eat if you are hungry.” Beth Anne had to think long and hard if she wanted something to eat. She didn’t know if staying with this man was smart. She could leave with her two horses by herself. She was headed somewhere besides where she was, which was anywhere but France.

“Maybe some cheese and bread?” Matthew seemed to think for a second.

“I have some of that. That is all? No fruit?” She was surprised he asked.

“That would be nice. I like fruit.” Matthew smiled.

“Very well. Now lets get to your rooms.” He turned back towards the stairs. They walked up for what seemed forever. They got to the second floor. The castle was a good four floors tall. There must be a hundred rooms! What does a man do with a hundred rooms by himself?

“What do you do with all this space?” Kyle finally broke the silence as they walked down the hallway.

“I read. The second floor is my library. It’s an old library and most of the books are in Latin. The third floor is my bedroom. The fourth floor is for more guests.” Beth Anne was excited. A whole floor devoted to books!

“Latin?” Kyle stated.

“Yes, I like old books. I collect them. Here is one room. Look in the drawers of the dresser, there should be some pajamas, and some clothes for the morning. I always have clothes in that room. They are my size though. Hopefully you can fit into them.” Kyle didn’t even say thank you, and he went into his room slamming the door.

Matthew stared at the beauty in front of him. He wasn’t used to company and he would have to make sure that his personal habits didn’t get in the way of what he wanted. He didn’t want her blood. She was too beautiful for that. He wanted to make a friend, and perhaps in saving her life he would have a friend. He was quite lonely and fellow Vampires didn’t make the best of company. Making vampires was all right; they would sleep at the same time and understand why he didn’t like the sunlight. Though at the same time, a vampire gets quiet violent. They don’t like sharing. They would try to kill him to keep this place. Vampires are quite a dominant species in respect to other kind of species.

“So to your room, Beth?” He tried to resist the heat of the moment. It’s been a hundred years since he had seen visitors to his castle. He doesn’t eat everyone he meets, and finds that most of the time if he did. He be feared and he would have no one to talk to. Beth Anne seemed like a nice girl and a very pretty girl. Her reddish blond hair in the firelight went with her light eyes. He couldn’t tell the color at the moment. He guessed they were green.

“Yes please. In fact, I’ll pass on the food and the bath. I’m really tired.” Matthew frowned.

“You look hungry though. It won’t take that long. You can even walk with me to the kitchen.” He stopped and she stopped.

“No I just want sleep right now. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you up on breakfast.” Matthew smiled. He had breakfast usually at 8pm, but he would have to change his behavior. Unlike what people though, he could go into the sunlight. As long as he wore a hat, long sleeves, and pants. He preferred not to, just on principle. He had a casket, but he liked sleeping in beds. He could turn into a bat, but he never did that unless he had to find food which was in a town about a hundred miles away. He ate normal food too. But he liked his blood, hence being a Vampire.

“Very well. I’ll make sure to make you a breakfast to remember. I don’t serve pork, I’m Jewish. But I can make you eggs and toast.” He was a Jewish vampire. Maybe that is where he got his ethics. He didn’t know.

“Well then here is your room.” They got to the second room. She was quiet. She was lost in thought. She didn’t seem to notice.

“Are you okay?” She blinked and he touched her shoulder. She pulled away. She has been hurt, he could tell. He didn’t like the French’s policy right now, and there was so much suffering going on in the world. It was one reason why he preferred to be alone, but on the other hand. He liked company once in a while.

“I’ll be fine. Thank you for your hospitality.” She went into the room. He didn’t hear it lock. He smiled and blew out the lamp. He could see in the dark and preferred the dark. But he would have to get used to having company that was used to the sun and light. Looks like his habits will have to change for some time. He would go to sleep and wake up when she woke up, to make her eggs and toast. He frowned and wondered if he should stay up to watch her for in fear that that Kyle might go after her. He didn’t seem the nicest sort of person.

Note from author. This is a different sort of vampire story. Please forgive my grammar if it’s off. I will go over it again to fix the problems. Please review if your reading. I’m a college student, and sometimes I don’t have time to write. But when I do, I will post the chapters as I go. Please if you like this story, try my other stories listed. I have a few. Thanks Arielle