Avalon Revisited Read online

  It was my own collection of vampire mythos and stories throughout the ages, all in one place.

  Mostly a journal with scraps and clippings pasted in where appropriate, it was as complete a collection as anyone had. Here were the most commonly believed vampire myths, although, just like most myths, most had nothing to do with the actual truth. The sunlight thing wasn’t fallacious unfortunately. Neither was the stake through the heart or decapitation, but the rest was pretty much pure fantasy.

  Tonight, it was study. Tomorrow, dispel all suspicion of me as a vampire and position myself to help find the real killer, and perhaps woo the lady in the process.

  Chapter 9

  After studying all night, I didn’t awake until one o’clock in the afternoon. When I sleep, I’m dead to the world. Quite literally. I already had two notes waiting for me on my nightstand. One from Lady Bainbridge accepting my offer to tea “with pleasure,” and the other an invitation from Avalon, just as she and Victor had planned. Cecil had left the letters as well as today’s newspaper on the silver tray. Before I even picked up the paper I saw the headlines. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There seems to have been another high profile vampire murder last night. Three nights in a row. Police are baffled, the article read. This victim was a man, Lord Walter Haldenby, aged sixty-four. That name sounded familiar to me, but I couldn’t quite place it. Certainly as a titled gentleman, he and I must’ve made each other’s acquaintance, but it somehow felt even more familiar than that.

  I put his name out of my head for the time being, for trying to remember where I had heard the name was sending my thoughts in never-ending circles. I arose, donned my dressing gown, and went downstairs where Cecil had tea ready for me.

  I took five drops this morning.

  Taking my time, I read the article in full, twice, and tried to place Haldenby again to no avail.

  It would no doubt come to me. In the mean time, I wrote a reply to Avalon’s invitation and enjoyed the rest of my tea.

  I had Cecil send the reply back to Avalon, telling her I would not be able to meet with her this afternoon for tea and proposed meeting this evening for dinner instead, although that probably wouldn’t help dispel Victor’s suspicion, meeting at night. It would still be my preference anyway. It was more intimate and more conducive to my special charms. Since it was after sundown, I would need to be quite convincing of my innocence. After all, very few women could resist my natural charms. Failing that, my supernatural charms.

  After my morning tea, I returned to the library where I had spent most of the night refamiliarizing myself with vampire lore. I knew, of course, the reality of being a vampire, but I was still unclear on what humans thought vampires were. The myths were quite varied. Some were completely ridiculous, like the idea that vampires glistened in the sunlight. Perhaps they did the moment before they caught fire. Still one must give credit for originality.

  Other myths were more of the normal sort, pertaining to garlic, mirrors, crosses, holy water, and stakes. All ranged drastically as to how each of these things affected vampires. For example, some myths suggested that the wooden stake had to be made from a certain type of wood. Some said ash, others claimed it to be oak or hawthorne. One even said it needed to be silver tipped.

  Regardless of the truth on that one, I didn’t care to find out first hand, but I gathered that any sharpened stake of wood would do.

  The myths on how one became a vampire were equally diverse. That from a virus spread by the consumption of dead human flesh–the cannibal theory–to the number of times one was bitten by a vampire, suggesting that a vampire’s fangs held a sort of venom. All balderdash. Vampires are another species that predates most current species. We may even predate the human species.

  Vampire origin myths are long forgotten. Antediluvian, no doubt. Not sure how I even know that, as there was no documentation. I never had a vampire tutor to teach me the ways of this new life.

  Even the wise Linacre, who was quite learned and a fine tutor to me as heir apparent, wouldn’t have known such things. But somehow I knew innately. I also knew that vampires could indeed reproduce, as it were. They can turn a human. It was how I was made after all. Still, I don’t understand the science of the matter, but it does have something to do with ingesting vampire blood at or near death.

  I thought about the more popular theories along with what was undeniable about me, such as the hue, or lack thereof, of my skin and my aversion to sunlight. As I looked at the papers strewn about my desk and my scribbled notes, my brain was formulating a new plan.

  Indeed. That just might work, I thought, then gathered up the papers and arranged them neatly back into their files, along with my large bound vampire journal.

  Next, I pulled down my medical journals. I had just a few hours before Lady Bainbridge would be here, so I must hurry. For after my meeting with Emily, I was meeting Avalon, and she would try to make me. She was clever, but I’d think I still had the advantage after 350 years.

  Lady Bainbridge arrived precisely on time at four o’clock. Just as I had looked down at my pocket watch to check the time, Cecil stood at the doorway to the parlor situated just off the foyer and announced her. I clasped the watch closed with a tinny snap and replaced it in the small watch pocket in my waistcoat.

  “Emily,” I said, moving to greet her with my hand extended, “how wonderful to see you again.”

  “I must admit Lord York,” she said, accepting my hand, “I was quite surprised to receive your invitation yesterday. After all, we didn’t even get a chance to dance on the airship.”

  She was reminding me of how I slighted her that evening in favor of her niece, and none too subtly either. Still, she wouldn’t be here if she was truly cross.

  “And that, my dear lady, I truly regret,” I said and then kissed her proffered hand. They were gloved in white satin. She wore a chartreuse dress with white accents that buttoned all the way up to her chin. She turned and gave a matching chartreuse parasol to Cecil. Her medium-brown hair was pulled back tightly into a bun with loose-hanging ringlets. A small chartreuse hat with a long chartreuse feather was pinned in place. She took my arm, and I led her to a small, round tea table near the front window in the parlor, but conveniently out of the afternoon sunlight. It was covered with a burgundy tablecloth and set with my fine afternoon china. Two ornate wooden chairs, padded with dark tapestry, sat on either side of the table. They were scandalously not skirted, so their shapely legs were bare for all to see. As I pulled out the padded chair for her to sit, I saw her large, beautiful bustle which was, of course, chartreuse. It dangled delicately over a white skirt.

  Chartreuse: what a horrid color.

  I sat opposite her across the table, dressed in black, as usual. My gloves were black as well.

  Always black. Even the parlor decor was dark. The walls were done in such a deep blue they were almost black. The golden accents were that of a deep gold, rather than brassy, and they complimented the dark walls brilliantly, like moonlight reflected on water at night. A dark marble fireplace dominated the far wall, its mantle garnished with an array of deep red roses. The deep burgundy and blue rug that covered most of the floor created a warm, cozy feeling. I had spent many a cold night in this parlor by the fire, reading or writing at my leisure. Even the curtains around the window were heavy, deep burgundy, which proved useful in keeping out the daylight when necessary.

  I liked it dark.

  “I’m so pleased you could make it on such short notice,” I said, leaning against the table, towards her. Let the flirting begin.

  “It was rather,” she said, looking out the window rather than looking at me. She was being coy. “But one is always glad to accept an invitation to tea with such fine company.”

  With the last, her eyes turned to me, and we held each other’s gaze without speaking for many moments. I could already feel the heat coming from her, but still my thoughts went back to Avalon. Must stop that, however, at least for this afternoon. Lady Bainbrid
ge must feel as if she was the only woman in the world. She may still be my best way to get to Avalon, and I certainly could learn much about my beloved through her. Mustn’t burn this chartreuse bridge just yet.

  Besides, it has been a few days, and a man has needs!

  “Ah! Here is Cecil.”

  Cecil carried a silver tray with a steaming pot of tea, a bowl of sugar cubes, small sandwiches, and chocolate biscuits. He had a napkin draped over his wrist, so as to more effectively hide the blood-letting contraption. I’d be having no drops with guests, of course. He expertly placed all the matching plates on the lace-covered table between us while balancing the silver platter in the other hand, but Lady Bainbridge and I never took our eyes off of each other.

  She was ripe indeed. Dare I say even eager.

  “Thank you, Cecil. That will be all,” I said with a lazy wave of my hand and with my gaze set squarely on the chartreuse woman before me. I’d like to get her out of that gown, if for no other reason than to save my eyes. Still may not have time for that today, and I’d much rather Avalon satisfy those particular needs.

  Emily broke our gaze first, turning again to ostensibly look out the window, but it was meant as a message to me. She would not let me off the hook so easily. Now the games begin.

  “Did you have a nice time with my niece on the airship, Lord York?” she said, her voice purposefully aloof. She picked up a cup of tea and plopped two sugar cubes within. She stirred it slowly without looking back at me.

  “I did. Interesting girl.” With whom I’m completely enamored. “Although I only spoke with her a short time after you left” Must choose my words carefully. Build an alliance without being too insulting to my love. “Very interesting girl. Rather an odd bird, is she not?”

  “My dear, Arthur,” she said, turning her eyes back me at last. There it is. Didn’t really take much, did it? “You have no idea!” she said, reaching across the table to touch my arm as if to ensure she had my full attention. For the purpose of this visit, at least, she did. However my more honorable intentions were reserved for Avalon alone. “She’s my niece by marriage, of course; otherwise I’d have much more to say about the way she chooses to live... and dress. Horrid, really. If she were in my family, she would’ve been married, as woman should be. It just isn’t proper.” She sipped her tea, quite pleased with herself.

  “Why isn’t she married?” I inquired, showing only polite curiosity, but my true interest in Avalon’s life ran much deeper than that. So, this was good. She thinks it’s her idea to talk about Avalon. Must keep it that way.

  “She refused!” she exclaimed with a scandalous lilt. She set her tea down and leaned in, assuming the gossip position. She even lowered her voice. “She had several offers in her day, which is now long passed, of course. But ten, fifteen years ago, she had them lined up. As you noticed,” Momentary coldness. “She’s not bad to look at, but she refused them all. Said she had no interest in men or getting married. Ever. A modern woman, she. Rather, she studied and went to college, the gall!”

  “Indeed. It is uncommon.” I tried not to look overly interested. I sipped my tea and looked away, as if bored with this conversation. It worked, for she came back at me with even more appalled zeal.

  “Uncommon! It’s scandalous, my dear man! Once her father died, for her mother had died in childbirth and her father never remarried, she was all alone. Her father’s death did trouble the poor girl, but there it is! It was her own fault she had nowhere to go.”

  “What about her family’s land?”

  “All went to Henry, my husband, Albert’s older brother, as Albert Bainbridge had no other issue but Avalon, unfortunate man. He certainly couldn’t leave an estate to a spinster!”

  The look on her face demanded that I agree. After all, it was social law!

  “Certainly not.” I played my social role well.

  “So, my Henry took pity on her and bought her a house on Baker Street. She works there as a landlady. Her tenants are her life now. That and her books, of course. She does love her books. I say, terribly unnatural. Don’t you find?”

  “Quite,” I said, sipping my tea. My mind was reeling with images of Avalon and how it must’ve pained her to lose her father, but I kept my outward expression courteous, yet uninterested.

  “So, Arthur,” Emily said, reaching across the table to touch my hand, “Enough about my bizarre spinster niece and more about you! Do tell me your story.” She patted my hand twice before picking up her tea again for another sip. She sat in silence, graciously waiting for me to begin.

  Here was a good time to practice, for my story must be the same with Avalon, as they are family. I did not fear that any indiscretions between me and Emily would find their way back to Avalon’s ears, as Emily had as much reason to be discreet as I, but there might be small talk.

  Must ensure they heard the same story, more or less. Best stick with the truth, or as near as the truth as I could get without giving too much detail. Naturally leaving out the supernatural parts.

  “Not much to tell. Mother died in childbirth.” True, just not giving birth to me. “And father was consumptive.” The official story, anyway. No need to mention that this was all over 350

  years ago. Certainly. “That left me alone with a fine inheritance, so here I am.” I raised my teacup to her in a sort of toast. Must milk the pathos with Avalon, as I was quite sure my normal charms wouldn’t sway her, as they haven’t yet, but I mustn’t let this one feel too maternal.

  “Such a sad tale,” Emily said with the aforementioned maternal pity. This time her hand stoked my shoulder rather than my hand. Must change directions quickly.

  “Not at all. I rather like being alone. I mean, once the grieving was over, and it was several years ago, my dear lady. No need to feel sorry for me.” I smiled and she followed suit.

  “Truly,” I continued, “it’s not much to tell. I’d much rather talk about you.” I took her hand from my shoulder, kissed it, and then laid it back onto the lacy tablecloth near mine, allowing my hand to linger on hers while my eyes told her that I was indeed a man, not a boy.

  It didn’t take her long to take full advantage of that opening. She smiled and then prattled on about her childhood and marrying at such a young age to a much older man. Twenty-plus years her senior. Still, it could’ve been worse. She alluded to her needs not being met anymore and that was my opening.

  “Shall we retire to the library?” I asked, placing my hand over hers, which she took, offering a sweet, knowing smile as she did so. “It is much more... intimate.”

  We passed Cecil on the way out of the parlor, and I said to him, “We’ll be in the library, Cecil, going over some important papers. Please do not disturb us unless absolutely necessary.”

  This, of course, was Cecil’s cue to do just that. Disturb us after about twenty minutes. Time enough to establish my intentions of seduction, but not enough time for any true impropriety.

  After all, Emily would have to go through the stages a proper married woman must go through in a seduction. The flirtation. The feigned insult. The blushing. Before finally giving in to what we both knew we were going to do. But she had prattled on so long about herself, that I no longer had time for intercourse before I had to dress to meet Avalon tonight. Although such action would be greatly pleasurable, it was with Avalon that I would much rather be. Hers was a much more important meeting.

  This was also supposed to be a long seduction, so getting pelvic too soon would ruin it. After all, Emily would only be an appetizer to Avalon’s main course. And appetizers can be skipped to save room for the more succulent meal. With some luck, I could forego this one and have my carnal appetite satiated with Avalon. Long shot, that. But still, one can dream.

  We entered the library and she commented about my extensive book collection, making a snide remark about how Avalon and I would make a good couple after all. It was meant to put me on the defensive, but it didn’t work.

  She sat on the chaise long
ue. Her chartreuse dress grossly clashed with the rich, dark-patterned burgundy upholstery of the chaise, as well as with the overall darkness of the room, which was mostly done in deep walnut and burgundy tones with gold accents. Bookshelves not only lined the walls of the entire room, stretching up to the third story, but there were more self-standing bookshelves in the center of the room as well. A wooden ladder sufficed to reach the higher books, and it was set into a track so that one may move it from section to section. Quite a fine room, really, and this chartreuse dress was a blight upon it all. She looked like a giant lime bobbing in a pool of fine wine.

  I closed the heavy door and sat down next to her, but not too close. Not yet.

  “Let’s drop any pretense that we don’t know what’s about to happen, shall we?” she said, and I was immediately turned on.

  This was new!

  Before I could even respond, she had moved against me and was kissing me. Her hand massaged me just in the right place. She sure knew what she was doing, and she wasn’t shy about it. Only a few moments of her forceful caresses, and she had my complete attention.

  Everywhere. Chartreuse or no, that dress was coming off. Soon.

  “Mmmm,” she said, stroking me over my trousers, “let’s take him out to play.”

  Really?

  This woman wasted no time. My pants were unbuttoned and I was out for all to see before I could fully comprehend what was happening. Certainly a change from the customary order of things.

  “Um,” I said, not quite sure how to stop her or if I even wanted her to stop. What a complicated position. My heart was with Avalon, but my body was here, and-- OH! She grasped me firmly in her gloved hand and began to move it up and down my engorged shaft.

  Ohhh...yes....

  NO! Avalon. Must remember Avalon. My love. She began stroking me faster. Ohhh... No. No.

  Avalon. I tried to keep my thoughts on Avalon. Must stop Emily. Ahhh.....