Memories and Cravings

            In a seedier portion of Paris, in the dead of night, down a darkened street the stranger walked briskly and angrily back to his hotel room. He slammed the door cursing himself for being loud. He yanked off his formal attire, his muscles tensed as he gripped the edge of the sink. He splashed the cold, murky city water on to his burning face. He touched his lips. She’d burned him. That was something he’d never experienced before.

‘What did it mean?’ He flopped down onto the uncomfortable, lumpy mattress and closed his eyes. He tried to bite back the craving for human flesh. He couldn’t chance going out tonight. He was too angry, too emotional. His throat was dry, his mind screamed for blood.

            ‘How could she not be the one?! After so long, how could she not be my mate, my match? There was something else though. It wasn’t the memory of her that burned my mind or my lips. There were two other women I saw. Her friends perhaps? They have to know her well and she has to know them well for me to see them. Only the sharpest, most engrained memories can be called up out of the depths of her mind so quickly. These two women, they must be from her hometown. I need to see her again to find them. Perhaps they are the keys to finding my mate. I have never been burned by a memory before.’

            The stench of death began to permeate the room, his eyes flew open. He looked up at the shadow creature looming over him.

            “No, my pet. We cannot feed tonight. Soon, I promise. Go, leave me be.” His firm but quiet voice made the shadow disappear, the stench left his nostrils. He hated that too. The monster that turned him never told him he’d be in control of a wreaking shadow of death.

            He didn’t know he would be doing his hunting and killing through a stinking, vile creature from the beyond. But it was how they hunted. It was how they took their prey. He should have read into their myths and legends more carefully before committing his soul to that wretched darkness. He rose out of his bed. Restless with the memory of what he saw in Ashley’s mind. He had to see her again before she and her man left Paris. He had seen a conversation about them leaving soon when his lips met her skin. He needed more from her. He took pity on her now, she was marked for death. He could not let her live. It was how things worked in his world now. She was not to be his mate after all, but she could never go free. She was to join the jar of souls. He walked over to the pulsing, glowing jar and picked it up. Its weight heavy in his grasp. The energy from the light consumed him, he could feel them, he could hear them.

            “You’ll forever be mine, my loves, my treasures.” He lifted the jar and gave a wicked smile to the women’s faces floating inside the glass. Their screaming, tortured expressions pled with him to be freed. They cried out, begging for their souls to rest. He sneered as he watched them weep. The purple glow illuminated his icy blue eyes, turning them a vibrant violet hue. He salivated remembering how they tasted. The weak little harlots all trapped, all his. He had to swallow hard and breathed deeply to stifle his flesh cravings. He hadn’t fed in almost three days. It was getting harder to resist the calling of the warm flesh, the flowing crimson liquid in the human’s veins. He wanted it, he needed it.

            “Damn it.” He slammed the jar of souls down on the nightstand. The table creaked under the weight of the jar. He knew he had to feed. He wouldn’t be able to control himself with Ashley if he didn’t. He had to take his time with Ashley, he had to glean more information before he consumed her. Once her soul was trapped her memories would no longer give him what he needed to know.

              He quickly redressed himself in all black this time. He opened the window that led to the dirty streets. The tattling glow of the gas lamps could be avoided. He hoped some poor fool was out wandering alone. It was late, but he needed flesh, blood and bone. He jumped down three stories to the street below, landing quietly on the cobblestones. No one was around. The stench of death began to form in his nostrils, his shadow was ravenous. He crept silently down the avenues, keeping away from the lights. He headed towards the noise of a pub still open, he could smell the flesh. He hated drunk man’s flesh and blood, but it would have to suffice. He couldn’t be picky right now. This kill would be out of necessity. He didn’t keep the souls of men, they were merely food, a bridge filling the gap until his next exquisite meal.

            He watched as the pub patrons spilled out of the door, the owner had decided enough was enough and was forcing them out. They screamed and shouted obscenities in their drunken speech as they stumbled down the pathways to whatever rock they crawled out from. It disgusted him to watch the humans in this state. A wicked grin appeared on his face now, he spotted an easy target. Two large men were hauling out a nearly passed out, drunken man and flung him into the dark alley next to the building. He would be quiet, he wouldn’t make noise, he had no idea he was about to meet his end. As the last stragglers filtered out of the musty-smelling pub, the stranger silently slipped past them and into the blackness of the alley where the drunken man was now trying to stand.

            The stranger watched as the man climbed to all fours and crawled like a child to the wall, in a feeble attempt to pick himself up. Death wreaked in the dark stranger’s nose now, his shadow wanted flesh, he released it. Silently it plumed into being. The shadow creature grew to a massive size as it’s rotting smell filled the air.

 The drunken man froze where he was. Even he knew in his ale and whiskey haze that something was dreadfully wrong. He began to walk as quick as his intoxicated body would allow, sliding his hands along the walls for balance. He was afraid to turn around. The stranger could smell the fear and it was mouthwatering. The drunken man began to pick up his pace, trying hard not to stumble. He was mumbling nonsense as he tried to escape his inevitable fate. It grew darker the further in he went down the abandoned streets. The gas lamps did not stretch this far outside of the city. Only the stars lit the battered and cracked cobblestones.

            The shadow grew impatient, it wanted its prey. The stranger urged it forward as the drunken man tried to run now. He stumbled over a stone that jutted up out of the ground and fell face first onto the cold, hard ground. He was afraid, he was deathly afraid. The shadow loomed over the drunk now, as he turned slowly to meet his fate.

            “Carnivaura… N-!” The man screamed, only for a moment when a giant silver claw sliced him across his windpipe and silenced the shrieking. Warm blood pooled down onto the stones as the stranger approached the dead drunk.

            “No one will miss you.” The stranger hissed, his face echoing the disgust he held for the drunk. He could taste the blood, the flesh, the bone. The shadow creature extended its giant, grotesque silver clawed hand, lifted the dead man and consumed the body selfishly. As the monster ground the bones down between its razor-sharp teeth, the stranger smiled and moaned in sheer pleasure as he felt his cravings subside. His thirst for blood was satiated for the time being and the taste of fresh flesh on his tongue was erotically sweet to him. The stench of death disappeared from the air once more. The monster inside was satisfied. For now…

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             Day light peeked in through Ashley’s windows and into her eyes as she slowly roused from her deep sleep. Her dreams were troubling, and she was grumpy when a soft knock came to the door.

            “What.” Ashley growled. Her aunt appeared and opened the door wide as she rushed in.

            “Young lady, it is late in the morning! We need to get you dressed. Christoph waits for you, sweetness.” Her aunt sat on the bed next to her groggy niece. She noticed the dark circles under her eyes. She was pale too, her aunt worried she might be coming down with an ailment.

            “My dear, are you feeling alright?” Her aunt fussed as she put her hand to Ashley’s forehead to check for fever.

            “I’m just tired, auntie B. I didn’t sleep overly well. Bad dreams.” Ashley sat up slowly and swore as one of the servant ladies opened the heavy drapes fully. The sunlight blared into the room, flooding it with golden light.

            “Ashley Louise Lyon, don’t you dare use that language in front of me!” Her aunt chided.

            “Really, auntie B? You taught me most of the curse words I know!” Ashley argued.

            “Well, that is just a plain lie!” She bopped her niece on the nose with her finger, laughed and she set out to get Ashley’s clothing for the day while thinking back on the beginnings of her and Reginald’s life together.

            In truth, Ashley was right, her aunt had taught her every curse word in the book. Beatrice had never grown accustomed to the formalities and proper speeches of the wealthy folks when she wed her Reginald so many years ago. She’d come from a small farming village outside of the Paris city limits. Her papa never held back any of his colorful phrases from his seven daughters. She grew up thinking it was the way people talked. Just shy of her twentieth birthday, Reginald came to their farm for the wool they had been selling. It was love at first sight. He was from a wealthy, well-to-do family from Windemire. She knew much about Windemire society, since their wool was frequently sold to the textile mill that had been built just outside of the booming town. Reginald knew the owners of the mill and was asked to bring back a wagonful of their prized wool on his way back from Paris. She remembered the look in his eyes when they had met. She had never seen such a hulking, yet impressive man before. His rigid, formal behavior was funny to her and she frequently teased him about it.

            Her carefree spirit and untamed tongue not only caught him off guard but entranced him so much that the following week he sent for her hand in marriage. She was whisked off to live in high society, away from all she knew. She was able to see her family of course, but over time her sisters married and moved far away. When her father had passed away her family’s farm was purchased by another growing family and she never set eyes on it again. She had a difficult time adjusting to the speed and way of life in Windemire. She was considered an outsider, and everyone scoffed at Reginald for marrying below his status. He defended and loved Beatrice with all of his might. He had unkind words for anyone who took exception to his new bride. When his brother Nathaniel and his new wife, Annalise, arrived in Windemire, Beatrice and Annalise became the best of friends. When it became known, for one reason or another, that Reginald and Beatrice could not conceive a child, she was afraid she would be cast aside. She had heard awful stories about women who could not have children. Their husbands and families properly disowned them, and they were forced into a life of poverty or prostitution. Many barren women took their own lives out of shame. She was terrified at the thought of her Reginald not wanting her anymore. When she confessed her worries to her sister-in-law, Annalise swore she would never let that happen to Beatrice. She became Beatrice’s champion and boxed Reginald’s ears with her words about what she would do if he shamed his wife and cast her out. Reginald soothed and reassured his sweet wife and fiery sister-in-law that he would never leave Beatrice’s side or cast her out of his life. It didn’t matter to him if they had children or not, he loved Beatrice, and spending his life with her that was all that mattered to him. He had other family members that could carry on the Lyon name.  Beatrice was so pleased to know she would not be shunned she wept in his arms for a good half an hour.

            When Ashley came into all of their lives, it was the happiest day for the Lyon family. Beatrice and Reginald doted on their niece and showered her with love and affection. They did have other nieces and nephews, but they were much farther away. They visited them when they could, but the journeys to the other countries were dangerous and difficult. They could not get the time in with their distant relatives as much as they would have liked.

            When Ashley was fifteen or so, Beatrice and Reginald had to move to the outside of the Paris city limits for Reginald’s growing business. The Lyon family worked closely with the Larimer family in Windemire. The Larimer’s owned and operated the textile mill that bought the wool from Beatrice’s family. The Lyon’s took the transformed wool and made colorful blankets, heavy coats, sweaters and other fashionable articles of clothing from it. Since fashion was becoming more and more prominent, it made sense for the Lyon’s to branch out. The brothers decided to open a business near Paris and grow the family’s wealth. Paris was only a day or two’s journey to visit, not long by any of their standards and they visited each other often. Ashley had grown up to love and cherish her aunt and uncle, they loved her just as much in return.

           Beatrice smiled as she came back to the present. She grew misty-eyed knowing her niece was going to be married soon and hoped that she would be blessed enough to have a child of her own. Beatrice would spoil and love that child too. She laughed at the happy thought and brought Ashley, who was now wandering around her room with a hazy look in her eyes, a light pink dress to try on.

            “Get up, love, try this dress. I had it made just for you.” Beatrice beamed as Ashley slinked out of her bed and did as her aunt asked.

            “It’s so beautiful auntie B. I love it!” Ashley twirled around and ran her hands over the fabric. A cart was wheeled into her room, carrying a tray full of tea, eggs, sausage and toast. Ashley ate and drank it while her aunt fussed over her hair.

            “Good lord, child, your hair seems to get more and more curly every time I try to control it.” Her aunt teased.

            “It has a mind of its own, I’ve given up trying to be its master!” Ashley smiled, setting down her tea and ran her fingers through the unruly locks, destroying everything her aunt had done to try to tame it.

            “Ashley Louise!” She scoffed, throwing the brush onto the vanity and put her hands on her hips. Ashley laughed, she knew her aunt was bluffing her annoyance. She kissed her aunt on the cheek with a loud smack of her lips and twirled around the room again.

            “Don’t worry, auntie. I’m going fresh and wild today! Let them look and talk, I don’t care.” Ashley felt rejuvenated by her morning meal and the joys of seeing Christoph. She wanted to see just a little more of Paris before their journey home.   

           “Alright, get your behind downstairs and kiss your man good morning.” Her aunt laughed as they walked out of her room together.

            The two women were arm in arm as Christoph and Reginald watched them make their way down.

            “Good morning, handsome.” Ashley kissed Christoph softly on his cheek.

            “Ahem.” Her uncle raised his eyebrows at the display of affection his niece was making.

            “Oh, uncle Reggie, good morning!” Ashley threw herself into her uncle’s bear hug.

            “You two run along and enjoy your day. I have business to attend to. Tonight, we’ll dine just the four of us for your last meal here. Be sure to have your trunks packed sweetheart, you’ll need an early start if you’re to make it to Christoph’s family’s home before sundown.” Her uncle held onto her a little longer. He was going to miss the whirl of chaos his niece brought into their quiet home. He blinked the tears away and released his grip.

            “We’ll make sure everything is ready. I am going to miss you two, so much.” Ashley began to grow sad.

            “Try not to think about it now. It’s a beautiful day, enjoy it with your love and we’ll spend our time together tonight.” Beatrice beamed at the couple as they walked to the front doors together.

            “We’ll see you soon auntie! Have a wonderful work day uncle!” Ashley called out as she and Christoph headed out to the small carriage that would take them to the heart of Paris.  

            The city was alive with people crowding the shops and streets. Everything appeared to sparkle in the morning sun, and the sky was a bold blue. Ashley smiled at the sight and took the picture-perfect scene into her memory. Carriages with cargo and people rumbled past, fresh baked goods scented the air, vendors called out their marketing goods while people laughed and talked happily.

            “Christoph, I want to go into that tea shop again. Kasandra would love some of the herbal teas they carry.” Ashley talked excitedly as they wandered the street.

            “Yes my love, the tea shop... again...” Christoph laughed, his fiancé loved to wander the stores even if she’d been in them a million times before.

            “You know, Mr. ‘I hate tea’, you could go into the tobacco store and pick out some different pipe tobaccos to take to your father while I shop for ‘the tea.’ He would love the thoughtfulness of your gift.” Ashley teased, pinching Christoph’s cheek.

            “Fair enough. I’ll meet you at the little Bistro we love so much, say in about ten to twenty minutes. There’s some other items I’d like to buy to show my father. I was thinking of carrying some new and exclusive items at the store. We’ll get a little snack after you’ve picked the tea shop clean.” Christoph chuckled, leaned down and kissed Ashley on her rose-colored lips.

            “Mmm, as long as you keep kissing me like that, I’ll listen to anything you say.” Ashley winked and scurried off to the tea shop. Christoph watched in adoration at his bride-to-be. He suddenly wanted to get home and have the wedding already. He smiled while he wandered towards the tobacconist, fantasizing about his wedding night with his new wife.

          Ashley went into the quaint shop with a smile, she carefully studied the shelves and tins of loose tea. She knew Kasandra would adore this place if she were there. They had a tea store in Windemire, but they didn’t have the expansive selection of teas from around the world like this one. She thought it would be fun to have Kasandra and Derrick come with her and Christoph the next time she visited her aunt and uncle. Auntie B would love to have both girls in her house, she always thought of Kasandra as another adopted daughter. Ashley began to plan the next voyage while she gazed happily at the glass jars of loose herbal teas, root teas and other exotic blends. She bumped into another patron in her haze of trip planning.

            “Oh I’m so…” She stopped as she looked up. It was the stranger from the night before. Her eyes widened in surprise. He had the most beautiful smile on his face and he was staring at her again.

            “No need to apologize, it’s a small shop and your thoughts were clearly on something else.” His smooth voice washed over her like a hot bath.

            “I was, yes. I was just thinking of my friend and how much she would love this little shop.” Ashley moved a step back from the stranger.

            “Your friend, is she as pretty as you?” He smiled again as he took a step forward.

            “Oh, Kasandra is so much more pretty than myself.” Ashley stammered, she suddenly felt closed in, but couldn’t find her feet to move away from this curious, unnerving stranger.

            “I find that hard to believe. You are so beautiful, I cannot imagine anyone else comparing.” He lied as he stared into her soul. She was already his, he just needed a little more of her memory before he took her completely.  

            “Well, I must be getting the tea for my friend. My fiancé and I will be meeting up shortly.” She tried to back away as he moved closer again.

            “Please, join me for a coffee before you run back to your man. I want apologize for my erratic behavior last night. It was most ungentlemanly of me.” His words dripped with sugary seduction.

            “I don’t even know your name. You are a stranger to me.” Ashley stood her ground and put her hand on his chest when he towered over her. She felt the solid muscles of his chest flex under her fingertips. She scolded herself for thinking about that, but kept her hand in place.

            “Oh, well that is easy enough to clear up my dear. My name is Andre D’Marque.” He slightly bowed as he took her hand again. He smoothed his thumb over where his lips had singed her skin the night before. “You will have coffee with me, Ashley Lyon.” He growled low as he stared hard into her eyes. She widened her own eyes in surprise at his command. Everything inside her screamed for her to turn and run, but she found herself agreeing to have coffee with this bold stranger.

            “Wonderful, come along, I know just the right place. Delicious pastries as well. We’ll have a little chat you and I.” Andre guided her out of the tea shop and down a quiet street. Ashley could hear her mind rebelling, but her legs kept walking forward, arm in arm with this strange man.

‘How can I get away? Why am I feeling compelled to stay?’

            They reached the quaint café on the corner and sat together. She eased slightly when she saw other patrons casually talking and sipping on their coffees and teas.

            “Andre.” Ashley whispered, drawing his attention. “I really wish to be going back to the square to find my fiancé. He will be worried about me.”

            “Do not fret, my dear. I do not wish to do you harm. Your beauty just captivates me.” He smiled at her as the waiter took their coffee order. Andre ordered for the both of them. “Trust me, this is a delicious cup of coffee you’re about to enjoy.” He took her hand gently and placed it to his lips. Ashley blushed at his boldness but did not draw her hand way. He didn’t pull away from her the way he had the night before either. She felt the tip of his tongue, concealed by his lips, glide over her skin and shivered in reaction.

            “Who are you?” She asked, breathless. He kept his lips pressed to her hand. She felt the strangest sensation come over her, blissful almost, as a hauntingly beautiful song played in her head. She’d never heard the tune before, but she was enchanted by it, drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Andre closed his eyes for what seemed the briefest of moments and slowly placed her hand back on the table. His icy blue eyes looked as though they had darkened. She furrowed her brow, wondering what had come over him to cause such a drastic change. Ashley shivered under his stare. Despite her feelings of dread, she continued to converse with the stranger named Andre as he explained his business in clothing and fabrics of all kinds. He talked about the different textures and colors he’d seen on his travels around Europe. Ashley was so enthralled with his stories and excitement of his adventures, she lost track of the time slipping by.

            “Ashley!” A loud voice sliced through her blissful haze. It was Christoph and he was enraged. She’d never seen that look across his face before in her years of being with him. She felt a pang of guilt knowing she was the cause of his ill-tempered expression. He approached the two slowly, carefully. The stranger unnerved him, Christoph hated him instantly. Ashley stood and went to Christoph’s side as he continued his stare down with Andre. She gripped his arm and felt his muscles tense under her grasp. He wouldn’t look at her, he couldn’t, not now. He was terrified when he could not find her, then enraged when he saw her sitting with another man so closely. A sense of trepidation took him over as he watched how this stranger gazed upon his fiancée as they sat at the table.  

            “I apologize, Christoph. I met your lovely fiancée last night at your engagement party. I rudely rushed away and was begging her forgiveness for my abrupt departure.” Andre’s smooth voice and calm explanation eased the mounting tension.

            Christoph carefully looked down at Ashley. She was on the verge of tears and trembling. He put his hand gently over hers and gave it a soft squeeze, telling her it would be alright. She bit her lip and tightened her grip on his arm.

            “Who are you?” Christoph asked through clenched teeth. Though, he didn’t really care who this man was, he wanted to pound his face into the ground for putting Ashley into a compromising position.

            “My name is Andre D’Marque. I work in the same industry as Ashley’s aunt and uncle and I was invited to your engagement party last night. I apologize again for my boldness in taking her to have coffee, but I felt I needed to apologize for my behavior last night. I was quite rude, and I detest being rude to a gentle lady.” Andre lied, he could smell the hate emitting from Ashley’s lover, he relished in the sensation.

            This man loved the woman now clinging to his arm. ‘Too bad she will be my prey later on and die by my pet’s fury. Christoph will move on and find another woman. They were all the same anyway.’ he thought with a disappointing sneer. Ashley was no different than all the women he had come across before. Weak, flighty, soft, and using her beauty to get her places. He was growing bored of the hunt to be honest. He was convinced that if all women were as weak and idiotic as the one shaking before him, he would give up trying to find his mate. As he thought that depressing realization, a flash of memory from Ashley plowed through his mind. The hint of a stunning brunette… Hair the color of rich chocolate, hazel eyes speckled with gold, though he could not see her features all together. Slender, young, full of life and strong. Andre smiled as the pieces of the memory flashed through his mind. His smile boldened when he found himself physically reacting to the vision he was seeing. He was still trying to sort out the images he had taken from Ashley when he kissed her hand. He needed to touch her again, he needed to make her bleed. The memories were always stronger when they were bleeding and terrified.

            “We need to leave. We have a long journey to make soon and I am sure your apology is quite finished.” Christoph gently pushed Ashley behind his back. He didn’t want this boorish, intrusive stranger staring at her any longer.

            “Of course, and I am so sorry to have caused you both distress.” Andre flopped down enough money to pay for the untouched coffee and the alarming scene the café patrons were witnessing. He grinned at Christoph and walked away, whistling as he disappeared down another street.

            “We’re leaving tonight.” Christoph growled as he tugged on Ashley’s hand.

            “Christoph, no, please! I want to spend this night with my aunt and uncle.” Ashley yanked on his hand making him stop his break-neck pace.

            “What were you doing with that stranger, Ashley? You could have been abducted by that creep!” Christoph’s rage was pushing through. He noted it was outlined with intense worry and a dread he could not describe.

            “I am sorry! I ran into him at the tea shop. He wanted to apologize, he felt awful about the way he left last night at the party. I… he...” Ashley couldn’t think, her mind was going hazy now. She was feeling like the whole encounter was a dream, like it didn’t really happen. ‘Am I about to faint?’ She put her hand to her cheek. Christoph pulled her close when he saw the color drain from her face.

            “I don’t know what that man did to you. We’re leaving the city and going back to your aunt and uncles. We stay on the grounds tonight.” Christoph was worried this stranger had taken a liking to his fiancée. He was not about to take any chances staying longer in Paris. They made their way to where they had their carriage waiting. Christoph and Ashley rode in silence back to her aunt and uncle’s manor. They didn’t speak a word to each other as they arrived inside the house. Ashley ran straight to her room and fell onto her bed sobbing.

             ‘What is happening to me? Am I losing my mind?’ She rolled onto her back and tried to remember the strange scene again. Every time she tried to recall the details, her mind went hazy and she felt strange. Suddenly that haunting song that had played in her mind before, was now racing around in her ears again. Her eyes felt heavy suddenly, she couldn’t keep them open. Before she knew it, she was falling into a heavy slumber.