A Confabulated Compendium of Anecdotes TEASER

CREEP-TACULAR

Valdo placed a candle on a tomb and several more around the stone pillars as Geneviève placed Melaina’s body and the shattered glass on the ground.

The afternoon sun glared upon them. Vampire’s had evolved since the times of old and now walked among mortals as if they were one and the same. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was a vampire and who wasn’t.

She read the inscription aloud. “From past to present and into the future, we will reside as one.”

Valdo looked up at her and smiled, “Yes, my coven lives on. In one form or another, we all do.” Then clearing his throat, he continued, “For the first part of the ceremony you must stand with me. I will tell you when to move. Understand?” She nodded. The vampire focused his concentration, his dark eyes narrowing, and as he murmured words in ancient Latin, his voice became louder. He chanted the same words over and over again until finally, he was shouting them.

Geneviève’s fear subsided as he took her arm and led her towards the body, the touch of his hand acted like a token of safety as he knelt and beckoned for her to do the same.

Still chanting, he reached into his cloak and pulled a short, ornate knife from his pocket. He cut his palm and then reached for Geneviève’s hand. She pulled away, shaking her head. With a stern look, he grabbed her hand back, still chanting loudly. She gasped as the knife sliced into her skin and red blood seeped through the slice.

Motioning for her to stand, she followed his direction as he circled Melaina’s body, dripping blood until they reached the start. His chanting was softer now as he turned to Geneviève and, taking her sticky red hand in his, he entwined their fingers. Their blood bound them. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

He began chanting again, but this time took her hand and placed it slightly above Melaina’s mouth and nose. A vapour swirled between Geneviève’s hand and the body. Wispy, it curled like smoke, white and grey, a shifting ghost in the breeze. Valdo let go of her hand and she held it there until all the smoke had disappeared and Valdo had stopped chanting. He leaned in close to her and said, “Now, rest your hand over her mouth and nose. Your blood must bind with her.” She did as he said. The torso of Melaina convulsed and heaved, lifting slightly, and then fell to the ground and disintegrated into dust. Geneviève stared at him wide-eyed.

The distress on her face made him chuckle. “What are you laughing at? Is she ok?”

“She is dead. Yes, she is ok … now.” Still sniggering, he reached his hand out and said, “How do you feel?”

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