5

Cora sucked in air as she cautiously approached the bed where Cerie lay. Even though the restraints were strong enough to protect the vampires from an ancient witch’s retaliation, she was still fearful of what the notorious magic woman would do to her.

She’d seen very few witches in her day with only a few glimpses of Cerie on the occasions she’d paid Rowan a visit. She remembered her as being young and beautiful. The pitiful creature, shackled spread eagle to the bed, was anything but that.

Her dry, grey looking flesh was loose and severely wrinkled. If Cora had to describe it, she’d have to say it looked like it belonged to a body three times the size of this woman. Her face was gaunt with dark hollows for eyes and thin lips that were practically lost amongst the wrinkles.

Saying she looked monstrous was putting it lightly.

Gathering her courage, she said with a bold voice that sounded far more confident than she felt, “I am here to tend to you.”

Cerie’s head quickly popped up and her nostrils flared as she eagerly said, “I smell food.”

“I have broth for you. Later, I will bring you solid food,”  Cora said as she pulled a chair next to the bed so that she could spoon feed the old crone.

“I could feed myself if you untied me,” Cerie pouted.

Cora vigorously shook her head. Not only was she afraid of this woman, but since Rowan’s death, she was uncertain of her standing within the vampire’s den. More than once she’d heard them discussing ideas of what to do with “Rowan’s pet humans.” Most of the human staff were already dead or dying. Only she and Bess remained. She’d been spared their abuse and use of her body for blood and sex while he was alive, but she just wasn’t sure how much longer that would last.

“I cannot do that,” she quickly stated. “I will feed you and tend to your wounds, but do not ask me to set you free. It is too dangerous for us both.”

“It will not be once I am back to normal,” Cerie assured her in between spoonfuls of the delicious broth. When her stomach roared its gratitude as the flavorful liquid entered it, she added, “Do you hear that? They have been starving me. Help me and I promise that I will help you.”

“Help me?” Cora nervously said. “Why do I need your help?”

“I am not just a witch,” Cerie said. “I am psychic too. I know you are afraid for your future here. Yours and Bess.’  They are already feeding on your old friend. If you help me, I will get you both out of here.”

Cora thought for a moment and sighed, “We have more to worry about than getting out of here. Rowan was keeping us alive over the centuries with his blood. I do not believe the others can or will do that. If we do not get blood, we will quickly perish.”

Cerie scoffed as she said, “That is nothing that a little magic cannot take care of.”

“Seriously?” Cora excitedly said. “I am feeling a little off, but Bess is in really bad shape. She is visibly aged over the last month. It is probably because they are feeding on her.”  Turning her face away, she said in a soft tone, “She did not tell me. I thought it was just lack of Rowan’s blood.”

Cerie gave a cackling laugh as she said, “I can relate to what that poor old woman is going through. She probably kept it from you to keep you from panicking. You are a virgin still. How did you manage that in this den of iniquity?”

Cora’s face showed her concern as she said, “Rowan kept me off limits. I do not know how long that will last, though.”

“I doubt for very much longer,” Cerie offered. “I cannot guarantee I will get you out of here before they take your virginity, but I can guarantee I will get you out of here if you help me regenerate. The quicker the better. I keep myself young and beautiful with magic. I can do the same for you and Bess, but you must get me well quickly. I feel Bess won’t live much longer.”

“This whole situation has me worried,” Cora muttered.

“Fetch me solid food later today,” Cerie ordered.

“I will do my best,” Cora said. “They are watching me pretty closely, but maybe I can get Bess to argue your case with the cook as well. It is my understanding that they intend to breed you like they did the other witch.”

“Other witch?” Cerie said with confusion. “I do not understand. Breed me to who?”

“That Jasper fella altered some of the vampire’s DNA. Samuel impregnated a witch. She is heavy with child. They think she conceived because she is magical.”

Annoyed that she was too weak to even pick up on the presence of another witch in the castle, Cerie asked, “Where is this witch?”

“They have imprisoned her in the rooms that the scientist used,” Cora replied. “I have not been near her, but I know that she is the same woman who was Jasper’s assistant. I had no idea she was a witch.”

“She is a weak witch,” Cerie blatted. “I felt her presence when I visited Jasper, but I never thought to visit her. Her magic was too weak for me to bother with.”

“She is in league with someone who was powerful enough to whisk her and Jasper from the castle under your very nose,” Cora said.

“That was only because that fool Rowan practically sucked me dry of my magic before exploding on top of me,” Cerie bitterly stated.

Not happy to hear the love of her life being called a fool, Cora slammed the soup bowl onto the nearby tray. The small amount of liquid that was left in the bottom of the bowl splashed onto the tray as the spoon clattered while it settled next to the bowl.

“He was no fool,” Cora hissed, “and I will thank you to hold your tongue where he is concerned.”

Cerie studied the younger woman before saying, “You loved him. I am sorry.”

With the threat of tears welling in her eyes, Cora keep them averted while she picked up her tray and headed for the door.

“Do not forget to bring me solid food today,” Cerie called out as the broken hearted woman left the room.