20 June 1812
“France is so beautiful!” Dani said, gazing adoringly out
the coach’s windows as it bounced along the rough road. “When do we arrive in
Spain? How long will it take? Are
we to stop along the way and see Paris? Oh please! Oh please!”
She was like
a schoolgirl, grinning and pointing out anything of interest that captured her
attention. It made Elizabeth smile to be with her, a fledgling. She saw the world anew again when she
looked through Daniella’s eyes. It was enjoyably refreshing and the nights
didn’t seem long anymore.
“We can do
whatever you wish, my dear. But
first we must stop in La Rochelle. There is a matter of great importance that
demands my attention there.” Elizabeth’s face grew somber and darkness clouded her expression.
Daniella saw the change immediately. Living with a
gambler, never knowing which way the wind blew until the doorknob turned or she
saw his face, heard his walk; these things had made her an expert at judging
people’s moods. “There’s trouble. We aren’t safe anymore are we?”
“My dear
– you will always be safe if you follow my lead and remember what I teach
you,” she said with a kind smile. Seeing Daniella’s doubt, Elizabeth made the
decision to tell her what lie ahead. “Daniella, don’t look so. I’ll tell you
what I know and trust you to use your intelligence and do as I say when the
time comes. La Rochelle is a beautiful town on the coast of
France just two days ride from here. There is a vampire there that must be
dealt with. A group of us are coming together to deal with her and restore
order. Some are friends. Others are not. I don’t wish to know the latter, nor work with them, but I must, for our
common good.”
“If you don’t
wish to… then why must you?” Daniella asked, impatient as a child.
“Because we
have been given the same gift does not mean we have the same feelings or
dispositions. Not all personalities mix like honey and bread. I’m sure you have
people whom you trust and enjoy their company, and then there are those who you
must deal with even though you’d rather not,” Elizabeth looked to her young
audience for understanding.
“Millie,”
Daniella said quietly and nodded.
“Yes,
Millicent Blackwell is exactly like those of which I speak. In your society you
had to be polite to her and in our society, the same is true. In a life where
one does not die – one does not wish to have enemies.” Daniella nodded again, transfixed by
this confidence. “Centuries ago we
put in place traditions. Rules were set up that provide freedom through their
guidelines and also safety for us all,” Elizabeth said, looking out the window.
“What has
this vampire done then, that you all must come together?” Daniella asked.When she saw Elizabeth’s
eyes darken she felt she’d overstepped and hastily added, “If you do not wish
to tell me, or you do not feel I am ready for this news, I’ll not pressure you.
I trust you to take care of all that must be done.”
Elizabeth smiled at this and let her gaze fall on
Daniella. “My mood lightens with your gentle ways and naiveté. But no, that
which is dangerous must be made known to you. What has happened is this; In very rare cases, when one is given the gift, they become
cacodemonic. Uncontrollable. A danger to us all in that they
do not abide rules, traditions, nor care for anyone but themselves and their
thirst. They cannot be reasoned with. They threaten themselves and all
of us equally as they heedlessly engage in murderous rampages without the
slightest desire to protect our secret. Humans are not stupid. Were they to
discover us… we cannot let that happen.” She looked out the window again.
Daniella ventured forward, “I am familiar with the term,
cacodemonic. It means evil, I believe, yes?” Elizabeth nodded, still gazing at
the passing view. “How do you know
when this happens?
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