" Victoria was helping Marta sit up; she was in obvious pain." Victoria was helping Marta sit up; she was in obvious pain. "Da... Da..." Marta hoarsely whispered, reaching feebly in my direction. Victoria looked at me, her eyes telling me what I didn't want to know. I walked over to the women, and replaced Victoria as Marta's support. My wife walked away silently, tears in her eyes. "See? -- I... knew..." Marta swallowed audibly. "That it wouldn't work." She gasped for breath, and her eyelids drooped. "It hurrrrtss so baaad..." she whispered. I bit Marta gently. She sighed, "Ohhh, ye-e-e-ess... My young, sweeet masss..." Marta's eyes closed, and her body went limp. Neither of us had wanted it to be like this. I lay her body on the floor with tender care. Then I stood up, and approached the groggy, defenseless mayor who had re- gained consciousness. Simon moved out of my way. Agnes stepped directly in my path, standing defensively over her father. "Please, master. I beg you, do not harm him." I was about to make Agnes move and beg me to kill her father. Slowly. "David. My love. Please rethink what you are about to do," Victoria said, using the quiet voice that always got my attention. "The vampire's ultimate revenge is to watch your enemies die. Revenge taken in haste is something that will haunt you for all eternity. |