Chronicles of Darkness: Shadows and Dust Read Free Page B

through the billowing curtains, painting unsteady shadows on
the high walls, but little Philippe wasn't bothered by that. Happily he let his
wooden horse roll over the parquet."
             Bernard
tightly clenched the napkin in his hands, before he continued, "This
terrible dame sat next to him, greatly amused by his innocent playing."
             " 'Isn't
he a honey sweet boy with his short red curls?' She reached for him. 'Come
here, my little prince. Come to your Chalice.' W ithout suspicion Philippe
went to her, and she hugged him tightly to her chest.
               'Don't
you dare touch the boy,' I screamed.
              But she only
grinned, demon-like, and kissed his forehead. 'What if I do?' she asked.
             The vampire
came out of the room, reprimanding her. 'We don't have time for your games!
Did you bring the small chests, so I can finish my work?' "
                I shouted, 'What are your intentions, monsters!?'
                'Be
quiet,' the vampire replied. 'The hearts of my angels belong to me.'
                My thoughts
tumbled with shock. 'You spawn of hell! They are dead! Now let them rest in
peace!'
             A gesture of
his hand and I was flung into a corner of the corridor. 'What do you know
about death?' he screamed at me. 'For how long will you be walking this
earth? For fifty or sixty years, if you can stay healthy. What is this compared
to immortality, which none of you will ever earn? But I'm in a gracious mood
tonight. I want to show you how much you humans are clinging to your restricted
beings. The empty shells of the girls, for you and the vivacious boy. It's your
choice!'
             Frightening,
he stood in front of me. Subdued, I chose life. That of Philippe and mine. I
had the terrible feeling that I had made a pact with the devil himself."
             "It was
the right thing to do," Helena said. "Otherwise, he would have killed
you, too."
             Bernard
shrugged his shoulders. "It's a miracle he didn't. Anyway, I scrambled up
from the floor and snatched Philippe from the demonic woman. Reluctantly, she
let go of him. Then she reached inside a leather bag and pulled out two small
silvery chests. Chalice gave those to the vampire, together with a wickedly
gleaming knife. I didn't dare to imagine what he planned to do. They went
inside Joséphine's room and the big doors closed behind them. When that
happened, I couldn't stand it anymore. I pressed Philippe against me and ran
down the stairs, as fast as my legs could go. We spent the rest of the night
inside the stables, hidden beneath the hay. Only after the sun had reached its
zenith, did I dare to go outside with the boy. What we found was just plain
awful. The hearts of Luise and Joséphine had been neatly cut out and were gone.
So, it's understandable that the family left this place after the horrible
deed. Now, they are living in Versailles, at the court of the King. The
Bouchardons never want to set foot into the castle again. They want you, Madame
Leosol, to have the servants and the whole estate at your disposal, until you
and your family want to leave France. It is your decision how to proceed, but
Monsieur le Comte demands a complete solution of the case."
             Helena could
sympathize with the desperate parents and responded, "We will do
everything that is humanly possible to defeat this vampire, and his companion,
Chalice. Now, we would like to turn in to take some much needed rest."
             Bernard rose
and showed them to their bedrooms. "I had the rooms on the first floor
prepared for you, because I wasn't sure if you would want to sleep on the
second floor."
             "Thank
you. How very thoughtful of you," Helena replied, grateful. "We will
arrange everything ourselves."
             "I will
go back to Paris. Tomorrow, in Versailles, I will tell my lord and lady about
your