Sacrifices

Allen struggles to cope. Genevieve remains with her people

Some months had passed since Allen had received the letter from Genevieve. His heart was becoming hard and bitter and despite his best efforts he began to drink daily again. He was now living with Gwen full time and still hunting though he was less lucky to find them around as it seemed they were either dying off or moving to other towns. Despite often being drunk, he still treated Gwen very well though in his heart he did not love her in the way he did Genevieve, as he often thought of her and would fall into a depression. Gwen herself fell deeper in love and even imagined them spending their lives together. On a surprisingly warm morning in January, Allen and Gwen were awakened by a loud knocking on the door. Allen had been drinking the night before and the loud knock had caused his head to throb so he found his bottle of whiskey from the night before and finished in a quick drink. 

“Mind getting that dear?” Gwen said as she stretched herself.

Allen simply nodded and put some clothes on. He opened the door to reveal Gwen’s brother and his employer Leopold, who was dressed very formally. 

“I did not expect you to be here Ol’ boy! Where is Gwendolyn?” He asked as he walked inside and sat on the couch.

“I’m here Leopold.”

He looked at her for a moment and then back to Allen. His demeanor changed from jolly to stern in no time. 

“Well… I did not expect this either ol’ boy, but then you are quite the charmer.”

“Brother…”

“No it’s quite alright sister. Just stunned is all. Are you going to speak ol’ boy?”

“Just to say you’re as timely as death. Why are you here?”

“Never one for pleasantries ol’ boy. I respect that. I’m here for the wedding I suppose.”

Allen began to get angry with him but kept his composure as he brought firewood in and kindled a fire. Gwen returned to the room and readied herself before returning to the kitchen and putting the kettle on for tea. 

“Well I suppose I can kill two birds with one stone. One, I have come to collect my percentage and two, I have to inform you Allen that you’re going to have to return to the Sun.”

“Why is that Leo?”

“I’m going to step away for a moment. I’m not feeling so well.” Gwen said as she handed him a bag of money.

“Of course my dear Sister and trouble. Trouble is why.”

“What trouble?”

“Seems as though the pure-bloods are retaliating. Art and Damian are both missing ol’ boy and William was with Art at the time. He confirmed that they were pure-bloods. In all likelihood they… they’ll be taken to their source… and sacrificed”

“This isn’t good then.”

“Well the sun is well protected ol’ boy and there may not be much work for a time. It seems as though you’ve made enough to last quite a while.”

Allen thought about what he was saying. He wondered if Genevieve was responsible for these sudden events. Would she have a change of heart like this? Or perhaps to keep her cover? Even so he wondered if he was safe or in more danger. He then thought of Gwen and the relationship they had built. Sure He didn’t love her in the way that he loved Genevieve but he did have feelings for her. He understood that she was in love and for her sake, he didn’t want her to be sorrowful but he wasn’t ready to be together with her. His inner conflict was increasing the pain in his heart. Suddenly she returned looking pale and out of breath.

“Are you feeling alright Gwen?”

“Yes dear, just feeling under the weather.”

“Well I better head off ol’ boy but you know what you need to do.”

He stood and kissed Gwen’s cheek and left the home. Allen took another drink of whiskey and spent the rest of the day taking care of Gwen who continued to be sick. He informed her about what Leopold had said which made her upset but she understood. Allen packed his belongings but decided to stay an extra few days for Gwen. The next morning she felt sick again but was better by the afternoon. The days were happy and even Allen began to feel sad about leaving, he stayed sober as well though it was hard. The morning of his departure, Gwen felt so sick that she decided to visit a doctor but asked Allen to stay. The morning was getting late and Gwen was still away. He was becoming anxious as his ship was set to leave, though he wanted to say goodbye and despite his best intentions, he could wait no longer and wrote her a short farewell note and departed through the Ferguson Forest and to the port where his ship would be ready. He recognized the familiar ship he had arrived on, and his friend Geoff Wallace noticed him and immediately left the ship to greet him. 

“The famous Allen headed back! How are ya, you b*****d?”

“Have I got a lot to say to you old sod. Not the best of times.”

“May have to wait some time. I don’t think the captain’s up to bringing you on board.”

“Giving trouble again? I’ll have a word with him.” 

Allen went aboard and looked around for Captain Wells. When he spotted him, he was berating a crew member near the stern. Allen confidently approached him and tapped his shoulder.

“What the bloody hell…YOU again! BAH! I haven't the time for ya you blithering idiot!”

“Sir, I kindly ask you again for passage.”

“Oooh kindly it is eh? Well then boyle kindly screw yourself then!”

Allen picked him up by his shirt and angrily pushed him against the wooden rail. He pulled out the Homicida and held the blade to his neck. He glared into his eyes with fury while the captain struggled to get away but the blade was too close for comfort on his neck.

“See here you lily livered jackass! All I ask is for peaceful transport to Saint Francis and nothing more. If you speak to me like that again, I’ll cut your bloody throat! Savvy?”

He looked into Allen’s eyes and saw no bluff in him. He snarled but nodded in agreement to which Allen pulled back and released him, and sheathed the Homicida. Captain Wells held his throat for a moment whilst a host of men stared at him looking stunned.

“What are ya looking at you black hearted picaroons! Back to work or ya will dance with Jack Ketch!”

The men quickly returned to their jobs and the captain as well. 

“The devil was that Allen?”

“Just persuasion Geoff. Give me a hand will ya.”

The two brought Rutherford and Allen’s cart and luggage aboard. Throughout the trip, Captain Wells didn’t so much as look at Allen. Throughout the trip Allen told Geoff of the letter and about Gwen. Geoff recognized something was different about him and noticed that he was drinking again. Geoff, being a good friend to Allen, did his best to encourage despite his sorrow and anger. The days passed and Allen returned to the Sinking Sun where he called home for a long time.

Gwen had left the house the morning Allen was set to leave after feeling very sick. She was disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to spend the morning with him and hoped she would in the least see him off as he left for Saint Francis. Gwen spoke of her symptoms with the doctor and of course mentioned that she had been with Allen for a few months. 

“Well my dear, with everything you have told me… and the time frame… it seems you are with child.”

“Are you certain?”

“Trust me, I have not been mistaken on this before.”

“Oh my God…”

“Don’t be afraid my dear. They are a blessing and I’m sure the father will be more than proud!”

The doctor gave her a series of advice before she was able to leave. Her mind became full of confusion and excitement. She loved Allen and the thought of carrying his child made her feel comforted but she wondered how he would react, not to mention that he was leaving soon. She looked up towards the sun and realized it was already time for him to go. She began to run a short way before holding her stomach and decided to pace herself for the baby’s sake. When she returned home, he was gone and all that remained was the short note he had written. She went outside again holding on to her stomach and looked out to the distance hoping to see a glimpse of him but he was nowhere to be seen. She spoke encouragement to her unborn child and began to weep. 

In Belladonna, Genevieve had returned to normality within Demetri’s underground palace. She was seen regularly walking the halls and was present for events and royal services. She was regaining the trust of her Brother as well as Samuel, though she rarely spoke with him specifically. Still banned from leaving the palace for 18 more months, she had no choice but to fall in line if her goal was to be accomplished. Word had come in from Goldenmire that in the past year many had gone missing and were in all likelihood dead. Genevieve of course knew that Allen had been in that area and it was him who was doing the huntings. She still loved him and despite fear for her own life, she would not surrender him to the elders. While sitting alone in her room one day, she found herself  thinking of him. Remembering the short time they had spent together and wished she had more memories to ponder. Suddenly a knock came to the door. 

“Who is it?”

“Gabriel.”

“Come in.”

He opened the door and shut it behind him. His face looked at Genevieve with frustration. Genevieve looked at him with concern but said nothing.

“I’m sorry to bother you this evening Genevieve.”

“Never. What is on your mind Gabriel?”

“Oh nothing, just had to see you.”

“Gabriel… You can tell me. You’re a terrible liar.”

“Well… it’s just… I found… Paul.”

“He’s dead isn’t he…”

“Yes. Murdered… by him.”

She turned her face from Gabriel for a moment and then back at him. 

“Are you certain?”

“See for yourself.”

He handed her something small and burnt. She examined it for a moment before realizing it was the ring Allen had proposed with. She gripped it tightly and sighed. She expected him to be upset but she never imagined he would murder another mortal. It seemed to her that it was truly the end for the two of them. 

“I didn’t see him anywhere either. He’s moved on.”

“What else do you need to tell me?”

“I’m leaving Belladonna. Demetri has requested my presence in Ravenwood. I will be the Governing authority in that province.”

“...Anything else?”

“There is a ceremony before twilight. It seems they have captured two hunters. They will sacrifice them and I hope… your love is not one of them.”

In anger she pounced at Gabriel hissing as she bared her fangs with blood red eyes. She took hold of his neck and was prepared to bite him but he refused to fight back.

“Will this… bring him… back Genevieve? Will this… bring… Selene back?”

Her eyes filled with tears as her eyes returned to normal. She let go of him and fell onto her bed and wept into a pillow. Gabriel stood beside her and gently caressed her hair. All his wisdom and he had no words for her. For the first time in many years, he had nothing to say. The only thing he could do was stand there speechless, caressing her hair until she was ready to compose herself. She thanked him and he stepped out. She dressed in a purple ceremonial gown and readied herself for the evening events. A number of pure-bloods and half-bloods who were in clans stood around greeting each other. Demetri stood from his throne and kissed her cheeks to which she returned with a smile. 

“It’s good to see things returning to normal sister.”

“Yes, normality. May our kind prosper.”

“Oh we shall.”

Demetri stepped forward and motioned to the crowd for silence.

“On this most pleasant of evenings, while the moon above us shines full in all its glory, I want to thank each and every one of you for attending this prestigious event.

The crowd began to applaud Demetri, which made him smile with debonair.

“Thank you all. Now before we head to Bell Hill for the festivities, I want to introduce to you our newest members of the Taurus Clan Amos and Celeste Slade! The name just rolls off the tongue does it not?”

The two stepped forward and waved at the crowd. Genevieve stared at them closely and felt sorrow.  Allen’s parents! Clan members? My God I hope he hasn’t found out. He would come here with a vengeance like no other.

“To Bell Hill!”

“TO BELL HILL!” The crowd shouted in unison.

Through the long and winding tunnels of the underground palace, they walked in glee for a long time until they made it outside. Once out each of them flew into the sky in the direction of Bell Hill, a sacred place to them where they made sacrifices in atonement. When they landed, there were many tables with empty chalices and one larger Chalice near a marble pedestal. Genevieve and the others each took a chalice and turned towards the pedestal which shone brightly under the full moon light. She began to feel sick, she knew if Allen was the one to be sacrificed that she would be forced to drink his blood along with the others. She feared if she saw his face that she may fall in grief. What would they do to her then? Demetri and Elder Elliot McClain stood upon the pedestal.

Elliot McClain spoke: “I wish I could say that this moment came at a more joyous time. Our kind is being savagely and mercilessly hunted like never before. Unfortunately some of our people have betrayed us and… some have been punished accordingly. But tonight we call upon our ancestral Gods to protect Belladonna and those who live there, as well as all other places we dwell. Of course it will do no good without… a sacrifice! I present to you all… two dedicated hunters!”

One of the servants brought forward two men shackled with bags on their heads. They stood before Demetri and Elliot facing the crowd. Demetri then removed the hoods from them and to Genevieve’s relief neither was Allen. She would still have to endure the drinking of their blood but she was comforted knowing it wasn’t his.

“State your names.”

“...My name… is Art Haven.”

“Damian Crowley… and your so-called… Gods…will not spare you! Our brothers will avenge us a thousand fold! Your kind will die and be returned to the pits of bloody hell… where you belong! Scum…”

Demetri smiled and began to caress Damian’s head.

“Well said. Like my sister  said to me earlier… May our kind PROSPER! You may begin!”

Demetri stood by Genevieve’s side, chalice in hand. Two half-bloods took Art first and shackled him to the pedestal. Elliot McClain took his elder blade and stabbed Art in his heart. He gurgled as the blade was removed. His blood drained through a small trench etched in the marble. One by one they filled their chalices with Art’s blood. By this time he was dead and they removed his lifeless body and began to strap Damian as well. They each lifted the chalices and drank the blood from within. Genevieve could overhear Damian praying as they shackled him. Normally this would cause them to be weakened but while he was on the pedestal, his prayers could do nothing. Then Elliot stabbed Damian and blood too was drained and was consumed. They remained there until before daybreak and celebrated but Genevieve could only pretend to be happy. Someday she may find Allen sacrificed here and hoped wherever he was, that he was cunning as she expected him to be.