Chapter 2: Alastair's Estate

         The sun streamed through the windows and dust motes danced happily in the beams. Elizabeth was still groggy and she still was in a lot of pain. There were sounds in the house but they were far away, she still didn’t know where her daughter and son were and that worried her. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and let her feet sink into the rug. She grabbed one of the tall posts on the bed and shakily made her way over to the windows. The light hurt her eyes and she really didn’t feel like seeing the new day, it felt like she was betraying her children some how. She caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror on the wall, there were deep black circles under her eyes, and her cheeks normally round and rosy were sunken and ashen. Her burgundy hair hung in limp ringlets down her back; the eyes that were normally a deep blue were now lost and haunted.

       She ran her hands down her body and felt the soft flesh of her stomach. There were footsteps coming nearer to her room but Elizabeth was lost in her own vain thoughts. She used to be so beautiful but things changed and she became this shattered image of herself. The door clicked open and she chose to ignore the painful pressure of milk in her breasts, the growling of her stomach and the person who came into her room.

            “Madam, the master has inquired as to your health. He also wishes to know if you will see him.” Elizabeth whirled on the girl, snarling, she grabbed the frightened girl by the neck.

            “You tell your master the only way I will see him is when he has a stake in his cold dead heart. I want my children and I want them now!” Elizabeth could feel the changes taking place in her body, the smell of fear from the maid was like an exotic perfume she wanted all over her body. The girl cried out and started wriggling under Elizabeth’s grip, this excited her prey drive even more; she let out a deep rumbling growl and flung the girl out of the room. She slammed the door and fell to the floor, she heard the girl crying and running down the hall. Elizabeth convulsed and vomited blood, she curled into a ball as pain seared every nerve in her body.

            “You always did have such a way with words. Was it really necessary to scare the poor house girl?” his voice echoed in the room and vibrated through her body, another snarl escaped her lips and she heard his cruel laughter.

            “Show yourself! Or are you a coward? Yes that is what you are, nothing but a coward!” something cold and steely ripped through her stomach and she screamed. She looked at her abdomen and saw crimson staining the front of the white gown she wore. Elizabeth started laughing and spat at the floor, pain exploded in her head and she saw red.

            “It seems you have become more the feral cat, rather than the spoiled, pampered lap dog that your mother wanted you to be.” Icy needles stabbed at her flesh and she felt the bones shift in her hand. “Your mother really didn’t know about your father and what your father was.” Elizabeth could feel herself start to shift, she would not give him the satisfaction of having her vulnerable and easily controlled. She fought the urge and heat surrounded her in the room, she screamed as it burned her skin. The smell of burnt hair and seared skin permeated her nose. She cried and saw white, curling up even tighter and felt the blood pooling around her head. Its metallic scent calling and beckoning, the phantom taste of it on her tongue as its warmth poured down her throat. Elizabeth was becoming more beast than human. The room grew hotter and she screamed again as wounds opened along her back.

            “I grow tired of this Elizabeth, I can kill you and don’t forget that. Now sleep and if you are a good girl, you can see your children later, but.” She choked and gasped as invisible hands closed around her windpipe, “if you don’t behave I will kill you where you lie. Now let Mrs. Hastings tend to you. You will not want our Elinore and our Darius to see their mother in such a state.” The room disappeared as Elizabeth sank back into the darkness.

~*~

            “Mother this costume is beautiful but must I wear the mask it ruins the effect of the dress.” Elizabeth turned around and admired herself in the mirror. The dress was a deep green but looked as if fairies made it with a high waist it fell in folds of gauzy silk and lace, the green seemed to shimmer and change when she moved and the light hit it. Her hair hung in loose waves, the deep burgundy color almost looking black; she wore simple pearls in her ears and an elaborate emerald and canary diamond necklace. The jewels spilled down the front of her like glittering green and yellow rain, they stopped in a single amber piece that hung above the swell of her breasts. Her hair was twined with ivy and roses a few pieces of baby’s breath, the mask was beautiful but it just seemed such a pity to hide her face.

            “Daughter you are very vain and I suppose that is my fault. It is a masked ball you need the mask. Even if you do look like Tatiana.” Her mother patted her hand and gave Elizabeth the mask. Elizabeth sighed and held the mask up to her face, and then a thought occurred to her. As much as she dreaded meeting Mr. Crowely she really hoped he wouldn’t show and the dashing Alastair would sweep her off her feet.

            “My dear you are smiling, could it be that you have warmed to the idea of your betrothed?” her mother was beaming and Elizabeth was trying to restrain herself from telling her mother about the handsome stranger. She was surprised to wake up and find the teeth marks had healed and only a faint tinge of pink showed. She didn’t realize her mother was staring at her and expecting an answer.

            “I guess I have had a change of heart mama.” She grabbed her mask and walked down to the waiting carriage; before she left, she splashed some rose water on her pulse points. She raced down the stairs her mother was rushing after her huffing and gasping she lay a hand on her daughter’s arm.

            “Elizabeth, don’t you wish to know how to recognize Crowely?” she turned and flashed her mother a smile.

            “Mother if he really is to be my husband should he be able to distinguish his future wife from the rest of the ladies?” she climbed into the carriage and motioned the driver to move. She didn’t want to see the horrified look on her mother’s face, nor did she want to know how to recognize the man that would be her husband.

~*~

            Alastair held his son in his arms and smiled, it was a pity that his mother was so unpredictable; the baby cooed and grabbed his father’s finger.

            “My son, you have a long rocky road ahead of you.” He felt the sadness swell in him. He didn’t hear the soft footsteps and he started when a small hand slid into his.

            “Papa, when can I go and see momma?” Elinore looked up at him and he smiled. Why they couldn’t all be together it was beyond him. Elinore ran a hand over the baby’s head and her brother cooed.

            “My daughter, how you have grown. You look just like your mother. I promise though that you will see momma soon.” The baby started whimpering and Elinore looked concerned. This child was certainly strange; he reached out with his mind and felt a sharp burning prickle. He looked at Elinore and she was glaring at him, eyes burning, arms crossed, lower lip sticking out.

            “Papa why did you try and go inside my head?” he was startled and started rocking Darius in his arms, he looked away from his daughter ashamed at what he did.

            “I’m sorry my dear but I have no idea what you are talking about.” He smiled down at his son who held the same look his daughter had, it seemed they were both displeased with him. If the boy could cross his little arms he would have, Darius has knowing eyes; they made him look older than he truly was. Just out of the womb and already the weight of the world lay within the depths of his eyes.

            “Papa don’t lie, I felt you in here.” She pointed at her head and the room was becoming suffocating, his skin was starting to prickle with pain. He looked at his daughter wide eyed, she was a telepath that certainly was interesting, and he was going to have to train her to control herself or bad thing will happen. He smiled and held out a hand to her, the room grew even warmer, Darius started crying, and Alastair felt his blood start boiling, popping, and hissing. He put his hand to his head and closed his eyes, he knew the feeling it was like being out in direct sunlight.

            “Elinore please I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to lie. You’re hurting your brother and I.” As soon as the power surge started felt her withdraw her power, she was still looking at him quizzically. Ever so slightly, she lifted her head and closed her eyes.

            “Papa you are burning and I smell something funny.” She looked at her brother and wrinkled her nose, giving him an accusing glance. Alastair chuckled nervously and held the baby closer it would be time for the wet nurse to take him. “You’re afraid of me aren’t you papa?” Alastair caught his daughter’s eye and her lip trembled even more, he opened his mouth to say something to reassure her but she bolted from the room nearly colliding with the wet nurse. The woman looked at him then the girl who ran past her, he shrugged and handed the baby to her.

            “Sir may I ask why his mother is not feeding him?” she nuzzled the baby and he cooed and gurgled in her arms. Alastair turned a steely gaze on her and she shrank back.

            “His mother is quite ill right now, if you wish to still be employed tomorrow I suggest you take orders and ask no questions. Now tend to my son while I go find my daughter.” The nurse nodded and left the room. Alastair could feel the sun peeking its deadly eye into his office; he found the vial in his desk and drank it. It didn’t keep him safe enough to walk in the daylight, but safe enough to endear walking through his home and encountering the stray beams that snaked their way into his sanctuary. He looked around the dark paneled office over flowing with books and sighed. He needed to try and assure Elinore that it wasn’t her that scared him, it was her unbridled power that scared him, with tutoring in self control she will be able to control her powers. He ran his hand through his hair and pondered all the things he really needed to teach his son and his daughter, sighing he realized there were two immediate problems, Elinore and Elizabeth, he may as well take care of Elinore and then tend to Elizabeth.

~*~

            Elizabeth laid on the rug her veins burning, stomach growling, and churning. She slowly sat up and stared at the room. She couldn’t shift either, damn Alastair, she stood up on shaky legs and made her way over to the bed. She stared at the ceiling and felt her eyes grow heavy again, she hoped her daughter and son were safe and that they were being taken care of. She wished death to have the reaper breathe his icy breath on her heated skin. To be enveloped in his cold bony hands and taken to eternity. This would never have happened if she never met Alastair, of course not every experience was awful. She felt pain tug at her again and she let out a sob. Her William would be waiting for her if she ended it now. Then who would take care of Elinore and Darius? She was at the point of no return and didn’t care anymore. She longed for death that was all that mattered to her now. She gasped and groaned as fire and ice coursed through her body. She made her way to the mirror; she looked at reflection and saw a scared and trapped beast looking back at her. Elizabeth lifted a hand and placed it on the surface of the mirror feeling its polished smoothness under her scorched fingertips. It would be so easy to feel the slice of the smoothness against her burning skin, the sweet release of power as blood flowed from its veined prison, free and flowing like the river. Ellizabeth looked for something to shatter the mirror and saw a heavy iron candelabrum on a table in the corner of the room. She smiled and looked at her reflection again, hair hung in clumped waves, and wisps clung to her sweaty face. She slowly turned and made her way to the table grimacing and moving gingerly; she felt moisture dripping down her legs. She stopped and stared at the blood dripping on the floor, she screamed and collapsed again hitting her head with a solid crack on the floor, pain exploded in her head and she felt herself being swallowed by white pain filled light.

~*~

            The carriage pulled up in front of a sprawling estate, the circular drive was lined with people, horses and scrambling servants. Gaslights burned brightly in every window. The day disappearing outside was transported inside the huge stone house. She breathed in the air and smelled horses, several layers of perfume coming from the stately women, soap, and even body sweat. Everyone seemed to be in great spirits, laughing and prancing, tonight everyone was the same, an unknown person behind a mask. The play of life, everyone had a role but it did not matter what your social status, the mask hid your identity and no one knew about what dark secrets lay beneath your socially polished exterior.

            Elizabeth seemed to float as she descended from the carriage and made her way to the entrance. Eyes followed her and she could feel the weighted glances on her back. Her vanity was getting the best of her and she raised her head higher, shoulders thrown back, she entered into the marbled foyer. A butler with a crisp white shirt on under the dull black coat took her cape and looked at her curiously, she smiled at him and made her way to the ballroom. Tonight she was a queen even if she wasn’t next in line for the throne. Nothing will stop her from stealing every man’s heart and being the envy of every woman in England.

            There were already people dancing under the gilded ceiling, they looked like figures in a music box. Elizabeth beamed as she descended the few stairs onto the main floor. She held her dress and flashed glimpses of pale ankles and calves and emerald colored slippers. She caught the eyes of the nearest women and nodded they turned their backs on her, her smile turned smug and she ignored the voice in the back of her head telling her that she should keep a low profile. Elizabeth made her way over to one of the darker corners, she wanted to watch the colorful dancers before finding a gentleman of her own to dance with.

            Several hours later, she was exhausted and her feet were starting to suffer from being stuffed into the slippers. She still did not meet the Mr. Crowely that was supposed to be here, she made her way to one of the outer gardens. Elizabeth endured an hour of dull gossip with Mizty Van Cleef who also gushed about her costume. Elizabeth could have had one of the footmen summon her carriage but she didn’t quite feel like going home yet. The night air was cool against her flushed skin and a light mist had settled across the grass. Elizabeth looked around and saw no one, she kicked off her shoes and smiled walking barefoot through the grass. Letting the chilled wetness soak her feet, the air was heavy with the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle, it was a very intoxicating night, the kind of night written about in romance novels were lovers steal forbidden kisses in the moonlight.

            She inhaled deeply and sighed, she flung off her mask and ran across the grass to the bushes. She felt free and dangerous as the air was whipping through her hair and caressing her bare skin and her gown. She sat down on a bench by the honeysuckle bushes, panting, and becoming intoxicated on the scents and sounds of the night.

            “You really do not follow the mannerisms of most young women do you?” her heart caught in her chest as hands caressed her bare shoulders and warm breath snaked along her neck. She closed her eyes and smiled.

            “I am not like most women. What are you doing lurking in the shadows sir?” Lips played along her collarbone as a hand cupped her breast. She opened her eyes to stare into his but he was nowhere to be seen. She frowned and looked around frantically.

            “My dear all you have to do is ask and you will be by my side.” She started toward the voice and felt a soft breeze caress her intimately; she shivered and wanted to see him again. Elizabeth didn’t care if her betrothed was in the ballroom tearing it apart looking for her. His laughter tore through her body and she shuddered, she was acting like a cat in heat and she didn’t want him to have that power over her.

            “Actually Alastair, if you want me, you can come find me. She turned her back on the bushes and made her way back to the party. When she reached the paved veranda she saw Mitzy standing there, holding her shoes and mask. Elizabeth sighed and stared at the woman and silently took her shoes and mask.

            “Mr. Crowely has been asking after you and I told him you were probably feeling faint from all the dancing. He is waiting for you in the library let’s not keep the gentleman waiting any longer.” Mitzy led the way back through the thinning crowd in the ballroom and down a hall towards the back of the house. She stopped at a door and Elizabeth felt her heart sink, they made their way into the dark library and Mitzy cleared her throat.

            “Mr. Crowely I present Miss Elizabeth Westwood.” Mitzy pushed Elizabeth towards the chairs by the fireplace and closed the door behind the befuddled Elizabeth. She waited for her eyes to adjust to the dimness in the room and saw a dark shape stooped in the chair.

            “My lord I apologize for keeping you waiting, I was feeling quite ill.” She curtsied low and the figure remained stooped in the shadows. A gloved hand gestured to the chair in front of the one in which he sat. She was feeling very uneasy and irritated that her future husband couldn’t even stand up and greet her properly. She sank into the chair and blew out an exasperated sigh; this certainly was not what she had in mind, her thoughts drifted back to finding Alastair. The shadow shifted in front of her and a mask as white as bone stared back at her, she felt like she was staring at the Grim Reaper himself.

            “Well Mr. Crowely if you have been looking for me all night and all you can do is sulk like a spoiled child. I am afraid that whatever arrangement you had with my mother will not be honored.” Her voice was icy and she stood up heading towards the door, pausing for a response from him. A heavy sigh escaped the stooped body behind her, she gritted her teeth he was not taking the bait, she could just walk over and rip his mask off.

            “So Westwood is your last name, strange I never would have thought you were the same woman I was supposed to meet tonight.” The voice slithered around her and wrapped her in a blanket of ecstasy. Elizabeth turned to find the man standing close to her, his spicy scent filling every pore of her body; she felt faint and grabbed the front of his jacket.

            “You were the one I was supposed to meet this whole time?” her voice was breathy and she fainted into his arms, like many of the women from her romance novels.