Love's Punishment

The Cost of Loving a Mortal

Allen walked through the dark streets alone, searching for an opportunity to hunt. Unaware of where Genevieve was, he did his best to hold off thoughts of her.  At the beginning of his training these moments before coming face to face with the creatures, but now his mindset began to change as he convinced himself that they were afraid of him. On his back on the inside of his coat was a wooden stake and in his pockets two pairs of silver cuffs.  The night continued to grow late so he stood by a lamp post and kept his sights on every one who passed by. After some time, he found his target, a young looking woman dressed down with loose fitting bodice. Not completely sure if was indeed a creature, he would need to get close. Subtly he strolled up to her.

“Excuse me madame.”

“Hello! What’s a handsome gentleman doing out so late aye?”

“I wish to make the acquaintance of a lovely lady.”

She smiled in flattery as she stuck out her hand to him. He then took her hand and kissed it softly. She giggled and took an elegant fan from her side and began to wave it before her face. 

“Acquaintance made. What shall we do then?”

“May I walk with you a ways miss...?”

“Camilla. And certainly Mr....”

“Anthony.”

Allen then took her arm and began walking with her as if they had been together for a long time. He examined her for a moment as they walked. Her hand was cold to the touch and she wore a silk scarf around her neck, which told Allen that she was likely hiding the fang scars beneath. He remembered hearing that those who walked the night would likely use their victims first before biting them so he had a chance to find out for certain. 

“It’s been a long evening, Miss Camilla. Do you know where we could… rest?”

“Aah… indeed I do. This way.”

She then led him through a long alleyway. When they stopped she knocked on an ordinary looking door. From behind it came a voice.

“Wine or champagne?”

“Ale if you have it!” Camilla shouted back.

The door was then opened by a lanky man with long gray hair. 

“C’mon in, Camilla. And this… friend of yours?”

“My date Wendell.”

The man looked at Allen suspiciously but allowed him in.

“Haven’t I seen you before?”

“I don’t believe so.”

“Oh bugger. My mind is slippery today it is. Oh well it’ll hit me. Always does.”

Allen took a look around and noticed it was a saloon of sorts. Billiards and poker tables filled the smokey room. There were men and loose women all about though Camilla seemed to be the only one of suspicion. The two sat at the bar on old wooden stools. 

“What's yer pleasure fella?”

An old haggard woman asked from behind the bar. Allen had not thought about drinking in some days but now he figured he would have to in order to blend in. 

“A simple ale if you don’t mind.”

“And I’ll have Belladonna ale Gerty.”

“What’s the difference Camilla?”

“Belladonna ale is the best there is.”

“Then I’ll have the same.”

The woman then went and poured them each a glass of Belladonna ale. She leaned on his shoulder and began to play with his hair.

“So are you new to Garrison Anthony?”

Allen had missed the taste of ale as it hit him strangely. He had almost forgotten that he had lied about his name and hesitated to answer.

“Oh um… I’ve been here for a few weeks. Just feeling lonely tonight.”

“Well I’ll take care of that for you.”

In that moment he realized that it was indeed not part of a lie and he was feeling lonely from Genevieve’s absence. It was nice to have a woman next to him despite the fact he would soon kill her. 

“How about some billiards before the fireworks Anthony?”

“Certainly.”

The two then went to an empty table and began to play. Allen was definitely impressed at her skills as she beat him a number of times. Between shots she seemed to be teasing him as well. After a victory shot from Allen she stepped up to him and kissed him. He became frozen and his stomach ached. He was betraying Genevieve. How could he let this happen? Though it was part of the overall charade, it still hurt to kiss another woman's lips. He then remembered that this girl was likely a creature of the night and it soothed him a bit. His eyes opened for a moment and he noticed another man staring at him from the bar. He was a larger man than Allen and had a thick blonde curled mustache wearing a plaid suit. The man caught Allen looking at him and winked while drinking a pint. The girl then broke the kiss and looked into his eyes with a large smile. 

“I think I’m ready to rest now.”

He nodded and followed her to a room up a stairway. Inside was a large bed surrounded with pillows and silk blankets. Camilla began to aggressively kiss Allen and forced him onto the bed. A bit taken back, he began to untie her bodice. Knowing his goal he picked her up for a moment and put her on her back and broke the kiss.

“Close your eyes love.”

She smiled and closed them tightly. Allen then reached into his pocket and pulled the cuffs. Quickly he grabbed her hands and locked them on her wrists.

“What the devil is…” 

Her wrist began to burn from the silver as he pulled the scarf from her neck and wrapped it around her mouth. Sure enough there were the scars from some other ungodly creature’s fangs. She began to kick and forced Allen off of her. She tried her best to break free but the silver continued to burn her skin. Allen then pulled the other pair of cuffs and locked her legs. He then pulled off his coat and grabbed the stake from his back and held it to her. She looked at him in fear and even shed a tear. For a moment he pitied her but then drove the stake through her heart. The usual ungodly screech was let out as she died before him. Not too long after a loud knock on the door was heard. Allen looked around for a window, but there was none. He was trapped. The door was then forced open by the lanky man. He went to her body and cradled it for a moment. Allen tried to run out of the door but the man stopped him.

“I know now where I saw you! Walking to the ball you were. Where those pure bloods died. A hunter!”

“Keep away or you will be next.”

“Abomination! Murderer!”

Allen then ran out of the room but before he could make it to the stairs the man had caught him. He heard a loud hiss but Allen began to recite verses from the bible.

“Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright!”

The creature then jumped off of him and hid his head under a rug hissing. Allen then rushed down the stairs and headed for the door but was met by another man. 

“Aye, haven't you heard boyle? Ye can’t checkout here!”

The man hissed as well but Allen fell back hitting his head and blacked out for a moment. He was awoken by the sudden sound of a gun. His ears rang for a moment but he saw the man from earlier with the thick mustache standing over him waving a pistol around. He helped Allen to his feet and shot a kerosene lamp. Flames jumped around and the man and Allen rushed out. They made it out of the alleyway to a horse drawn wagon at the edge of the street. 

“Come with me son!”

Allen then jumped into the wagon and they rode off. 

“Where are you staying, ol’ boy?”

“447 Hampton.”

“Jolly good then! We’ll have you home in a jiffy!”

“Are you a hunter as well?”

“I used to be. Now you can say I hunt for hunters ol’ boy. In a manner of speaking. Allow me to ask you this ol’boy… how do you plan on making a living?”

“... Haven't really thought about it quite yet. The woman… the person that trained me was… is still in the process technically.”

“You don’t seem entirely sure now ol’ boy. Well it just so happens that I am looking to employ folks of a certain skill and when I heard of the huntings taking place in Garrison, well ol’boy I had to find the fellow responsible and take him in. I operate out of Saint Francis at the Sinking Sun. I could take you there of course. But you know the job would require much travel. What say you ol’ boy?”

Allen thought about the offer for a moment. It would be crazy to think he could survive for very long. What could he lose? He was enjoying hunting and the more he did the more it became part of him. Doing something he enjoyed and making money as well. Why not?

“Of course I would have to sleep on it… what did you say your name was?”

“Leopold. Leopold Friedburg. And I suppose you’re not Anthony ol’ boy?”

“Allen Thomas Slade.”

“I will tell you ol’ boy… after tonight’s commotion, it’ll have to be a short sleep. That was a hive and they’ll know where you are by morning. Oh by the way we are here. And just to sweeten the deal Allen, I’ll give you the wagon as a down payment. It’s still new. I’ll wait here for your answer ol’ boy.”

Allen stepped off the wagon and entered Genevieve's house. He took a look around for a little while and thought of Genevieve. He knew she would be gone for a long time and she did tell him he would have to leave eventually. He grabbed his things and placed them into an empty chest and placed them into the back of the wagon and returned inside to grab the Homicida and wrote Genevieve a letter and left it upon the bed. He returned to the wagon and sat next to Leopold.

“I want the horse too.”

“Rutherford? Out of the question.”

“Well then I think I’ll have to offer my services somewhere else.”

“You got a deal ol’ boy.”

The two set off to Saint Francis and Allen could only think of Genevieve and the hope of seeing her again soon.

Dear Genevieve

As you suggested I am leaving Garrison to the next step in the journey. I met a man named Leopold who has offered me employment in Saint Francis to hunt the creatures. I suppose that isn’t exactly what you had in mind when you trained me but I think as long as the endgame remains the same then we might as well benefit. I admit that my thoughts are always occupied by your presence. Every second we are apart, is full of sorrow. I love you with all my soul and I hope wherever you are that you are happy and still in love with me. Best wishes to your brother! 

-Allen

Genevieve spent the next day alone in her room. She had hoped a sudden rain would come but it remained sunny. At times she would dance alone and imagined Allen playing a song for her. Afterward she would lay on the bed and imagine the future alongside him. She wondered to herself, when she would tell him. Surely he would understand, Afterall she sought him to become a hunter. When the sun finally set, she wrapped the sailor’s head in a cloth and packed it alongside her things within the luggage. Outside waiting for her was Victor.

“Evening Genevieve. Did you find your friend?”

“I did, yes.”

“Very good! Happy to know it my dear.”

“You’re a very friendly man. I can see that you’re good for this line of work.”

“Well you see, my back isn’t as strong as it used to be and I want my boy to earn a degree. So this will do.”

“What is your son's name?”

“His name is Henry. Wants to go to Dwight which is whereabouts your going in Belladonna. Going to check it out while I’m around. He wants to write a book about supernatural things.”

“Supernatural?”

“Oh you know vampires, werewolves. If you believe in such things.”

“A little I suppose.”

Genevieve smiled knowing full well that she was indeed one of these supernatural beings. Of course she would never tell him this. The two continued to make small talk as they rode forward. The road to Belladonna was not very far and would only take  a few hours. The closer they got, the more nervous she became. She began to fear that he caught word of her actions. They had killed a number of their people, including two pure-bloods. She bowed her head and tried to push her thoughts away. They arrived just outside the outskirts of Belladonna at a cabin that she had for times like this. Victor placed her things inside for her and headed to town. Once he was out of sight, she grabbed the head of the sailor and flew to the entrance and made her way through the tunnels. She was met by some servants and sent them for her luggage at the cabin. Then to Demetri's throne room. When she entered she saw the broken throne that he sat on. His mind was obviously occupied. He looked up and smiled but not tenderly. It was sinister and not something she was used to seeing directed at her.

“You have it then, sister?”

She handed the cloth covered head to Demetri and took a few steps back. He unwrapped it and stared at it for a moment. He didn’t say anything as he stood up and placed the head upon a stool. He walked up to Genevieve and caressed her cheek.

“Oh dear Genevieve… my reason for living…”

“Yes brother?”

“HOW DARE YOU BETRAY ME!”

He then struck her face harshly. She then fell to the ground and held her cheek in pain.

“Elenore and Finnes are dead. Word is lots of dirty ones have disappeared around Garrison. Can you explain that to me?”

“...”

“ANSWER ME!”

“You promised me… you would never hurt me…”

“Considering the circumstances… exceptions can be made.”

“You have his head. I’m home now… what more do you want?”

“I suppose that is true. I wanted your loyalty, but for saving your life and giving you eternal riches… you murder your people and recruit others to accomplish this? There must be punishment.”

Demetri then grabbed the head and placed it on a sharp pike that was in the corner of the room and walked back up to Genevieve and took her hand and forced her to her feet. 

“What do you suggest, Demetri?”

“Two years Genevieve. You must stay here for two years without leaving.”

“As you wish brother…”

“And… I will be handing you over to Samuel.”

“No please brother!”

“One month. And then two years. You’re dismissed.”

Suddenly a hand touched her shoulder. When she looked it was Samuel smiling at her. In her mind she had no choice but to follow him into the dungeons. She shed a tear as she knew that not only was she about to be tortured but now she would not get to see Allen for a long time.