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Chapter 14: Asking for Permission
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Vampire of the New World Chapter 15: Sparkling Wine
The dark bottle of wine sat inside a metal bucket that was filled with ice. Jon did not know when the cart was rolled into the library, not having seen it when he came in. Pablo or another staff probably opened the door quietly and placed the cart there without disturbing them.Jon held the bottle neck and at once felt the chilled glass on his palm. He uncorked it and poured the red liquid onto a long-stemmed glass. The dark liquid sparkled in the dim light of the library and Jon wetted his lips as he filled his glass, a bit more than what he actually intended.Jon drank the wine slowly, savoring its many distinct yet unknown flavors and let himself get lost in the swirl of strange and pleasurable sensations. As he did so, he lost track of everything else around him until he realized that he had emptied his glass."No need to lick that last drop off your glass. You still have an almost full bottle in your hand," Dante smiled as he sat comfortably in his chair.Jon realized that he had
Vampire of the New World Chapter 16: The Maid's Request
The maid looked as surprised as he was and she shifted her eyes nervously from side to side. Then, with a more composed face, she lifted her chin and spoke. "I-I'm sorry, Sir. I just forgot something when I was cleaning here earlier," came the apology from the maid, still avoiding Jon’s eyes. She was holding her hands behind her and Jon was sure that she managed to slip something into her pocket."It's alright. I was just surprised to see you here. I thought all of the staff have gone for the night. I hope you found what you were looking for," said Jon.The maid seemed at a loss for words and with her head still bowed, she proceeded slowly towards the door. However, she paused on her way out and decided to turn around to face Jon."I was just wondering if you could help me, Sir.” The maid began, not quite knowing whether she should continue with what she was about to say or to leave the room at once.“What is it?” asked Jon. “Just tell me and I promise to help if I can.” Jon tried to s
Vampire of the New World Chapter 17: Pablo Talks to Jon
Jon woke up with a jolt and for a moment wondered where he was. His work had taken him to numerous places before and he had to stay in hotels most of the time. On several occasions, in the first few moments after waking up, he would feel disoriented, as if whisked to another time and place. He recognized the ceiling of the dim room where he was staying, lit by soft rays of the bedside lamp that he kept on the whole night. It was quiet, dead quiet, as if he were sleeping inside a mausoleum where he was the only living occupant.Everything seemed surreal and Jon blinked his eyes a couple of times. For brief moment, he had to ask himself whether he really was in an island somewhere in the Pacific, effectively imprisoned within shark-infested waters by a wealthy client who could be a monster with burning eyes. Jon looked around his room and for the first time saw how everything seemed old even though the mansion was built only in the past several years. The curtains, the furniture, and th
Vampire of the New World Chapter 18: Trapped
Jon held the coffee mug and stared at his face reflected on the surface of the dark liquid. He remembered Flora’s face when she talked to him, the desperation in her eyes as she pleaded to let her and her daughter join him when he returns to Cardena. He saw the same desperation forming in his eyes and he looked away. He avoided Pablo’s gaze and just stared at the still life paintings that looked dull without lights shining on them. Pablo had only switched on a few of the dining room lights when they entered.Jon slowly raised the coffee to his lips, using both hands to hold the mug and steady his slight trembling. He realized that Pablo was watching intently and did not want to show the distress that was forming within. With a final gulp, Jon finished his coffee and thanked Pablo.“Thanks for the coffee, Pablo. I really needed that. I hope we can get the communication lines back. No one can work without the internet nowadays.” Jon tried his best to be cheerful, but it sounded forced to
Vampire of the New World Chapter 19: Mind Games
Dante was playing with Jon's calling card in one hand while the other remained hidden behind his back. He flicked the card and it traveled between his fingers until it emerged again between his thumb and forefinger. All the while, Dante's eyes were directed at Jon who had just entered the hall.Hiding any sign of shock, Jon spoke first. "I didn't realize you're awake. I thought you slept during the day. Or haven't you slept yet?"There was a loud thunder that reverberated in the entrance hall. Even within the windowless entrance hall, Jon knew that the rain had gained in strength. Dante stopped flicking the card and lowered his hand. He did not answer Jon’s question but looked him intently. A few seconds had elapsed before he turned his head to the side and spoke.“In Victorian England, they would see dead strays strewn across the streets after rains like these that it appeared as if the dead animals came with the rain. Hence, originating their phrase 'raining cats and dogs'.” Dante l
Vampire of the New World Chapter 20: The South Terrace
Jon felt like a giant trap had closed in on him. He remained standing by the staircase where Dante left him for a full minute before coming back fully to his senses. If the gardener gave the calling card to Dante, who knows what else the gardener told him. Jon searched his memory and tried to recall what he said to the gardener. Did he sound desperate? Did his words betray his own thoughts about Dante?Jon shook his head in despair. Even if the gardener did not repeat their conversation, the calling card itself would be a telltale sign of his desperation to escape the island. Why else would he give it to the gardener with instructions to call Fernan and Lisa?Aside from this, Dante listened to his call as he talked to Lisa and Vicky. This meant that Dante wanted to hear for himself what the people on the other side of the call were saying. He obviously wanted to stop people from looking for Jon in the next seven days. At the same time, this meant that Dante already knew what Jon was up
Vampire of the New World Chapter 21: The Three Sisters
Jon felt weak in his entire body and he struggled to keep his eyes open. His eyelids suddenly felt very heavy and his limbs were as if encased in cement that he could hardly move. One of the women was bending very close to him until he could smell her perfumed black hair. She had on a flowing white gown which brushed across his face as she stood up and stepped away. Jon's skin tingled as if touched by a rush of cold air wherever she came in contact with him. Then, Jon felt hot liquid flowing from his neck towards his collar and assumed it to be his own blood. In his mind's eye, Jon could see himself surrounded by the three women much like the same way that vultures surround its prey."Hush! I told you to be quiet," said the woman who was bending over Jon to her companions. "He's going to wake up.""You spilled some. Let me get at it," cried a second woman and Jon saw from the corner of his eye one of the women rising and approaching him. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders and fe
Vampire of the New World Chapter 22: The Devil's Face
He first heard the sound of heavy breathing and wondered who it was who would breathe so close to his ears. He realized that it was his own breathing when he observed it to be in rhythm with the movement of his chest. He forced more air in and felt the life-giving oxygen enter his lungs, then quickly expelled it when the air was spent. He wondered where he was and tried to lift his eyelids. The room that he saw in the dim light seemed familiar and he tried to see more of it by moving his eyes around. He saw light streaming in from the outline of the door and somehow expected a shadowy figure with red eyes emerge from the darkness. He waited, but no dark figure appeared.Blinking his eyes, he tried to peer into the darkness and saw the faint shapes of furniture all around him. Not the dungeon that he expected himself to be, but a furnished room with a carpeted floor and decorated walls. His limbs felt heavy as he tried to sit up from where he lay. He realized that he was on a soft bed,
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