Fury (Chapter 3)
Summary: You have made it back to the mansion, but you and Sebastian were seriously hurt in the process. Comte comes to realization that more drastic measures need to be taken to protect you and the other residents inside the mansion from an ever-growing psychotic William.
Warnings: mentions of blood
Chapter 3: A Difficult Decision Made
As Comte held your body in the entry way, he gave orders to Leonardo.
“Take care of that man for me, I need to see to _____’s injuries.”
He turned to look at Arthur.
“After you finish tending to Sebastian’s wounds, please come to my room.”
“Sure thing.” Arthur replied.
Comte quickly turned around and walked away from the unfolding scene behind him. With you in his arms, he made his way up the stairs and to his room. As he walked, he took in your injuries. He could feel the knot in his throat begin to tighten.
“I can’t believe I let this happen. How could I not see what was going to happen? How could William have orchestrated this right under my very nose?”
He carefully stepped into his room and pushed the door behind him closed with his foot. He headed straight for his private bath at the back of the room. You were floating in and out of consciousness, but your guard was down now that you were with Comte. He set you down on a chair and began to gently remove your clothes. Once they were undone, he tenderly picked you up and set you inside the porcelain tub filled with warm water. Grabbing a washcloth, he began to wipe away at the blood, the dirt, the grime…the filth that those men had left on your soft skin. The warm water lapped at your sore body with a welcome pleasantness. He placed a makeshift bandage on your head, a temporary placeholder for whatever Arthur would decide you needed.
You looked at Comte through glassy eyes. You could see the grief on his face. You knew that he loved you, and of course he would feel guilty. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he continued to clean you and look at your bruises. He stopped abruptly and raised a hand to your neck. He brushed his fingers over the bruise. A handprint was now clearly evident on your neck. A reminder of the struggle that you just narrowly escaped. You reached up to grab his hand in yours, as you both looked at each other through blurry visions in silence. He gave your hand a squeeze as a tear fell from his eye.
“_____, I’m so sorry. I am so sorry. Please forgive me.” He whispered. He did not try to hide the tears; his remorse didn’t let him.
His voice was quivering. In all his years on this earth, he had never been so scared. He has searched high and low, believing that he would always be alone. But then you came into his life, an angel that fell in love with a fiend like him. He already felt undeserving of your love, but in this moment, the reality of what had happened to you hit him like a freight train. He was a pureblood vampire, and you…a human. Your life could have easily ended tonight. He might never have gotten to see your smiling face again. To look upon the smile that lit up his day. He might never have gotten to hear your voice again. His stomach turned and twisted at the thought of how close he came to completely losing you.
You could see that Comte was having an internal struggle with everything that had happened to you in town. You tightened your grip on his hand, pulling it up to your face. You laid a gentle kiss of the back of his hand. His eyes widened at the gesture.
“Comte, I don’t believe you have anything to be sorry for. It was not you that did this to me. It was William.” Looking at his face, he still appeared unconvinced. You reached your arms out to him and he leaned in a bit closer to your face and into your arms.
“I will always love you Comte. No matter what has happened to me in the past, today, or whatever will happen to me in the future, I will always continue loving you. Even when my life on this earth comes to a close, I’m sure that in the next life, I will continue to love you until forever comes to an end. Don’t you see, before I met you, I was incomplete. I was half of a soul wandering aimlessly through life. I genuinely believe that you are my other half. My soul is complete now because we are together. The happiness that I feel knowing that we found each other is immeasurable. Do you know how much I love you? Count the stars, and they will tell you how deeply my love for you runs through my veins. I could never be apart from you, so please, banish these feelings from within yourself. I love you.”
Upon hearing your words, Comte drew you into his arms. He held you against his chest, living proof that you were still alive and that somehow this angel still loved him. He whispered into your ear.
“_____, I will always love you. When you’ve long left this earth, I will love you. In a millennia, I will continue to love you. You are my everything. Before you, I was just existing, but now my life exists because of you. You are my life and life itself. I love you.”
You were both wrapped in a tender embrace, basking in the love you had for one another, a forbidden love that brought life into both of your existences.
Downstairs at the front entrance, there was no love of any kind to be found. Pierre lay whimpering on the ground as Leonardo stared coldly at him nearby. Dazai and Jean had returned with the stretcher and Arthur’s medical bag and were kneeling next to Sebastian, who still lay unconscious on the ground. Arthur quickly went through his medical bag and pulled out a neck brace and gently placed it around Sebastian’s neck. Sebastian’s face had begun to swell, both his eyes black and blue. His dried blood mingled with the fresh still weeping from his wounds, while his breathing grew more labored.
“Carefully, we’re going to put him on the stretcher and be sure to keep his head and neck as still as possible. We don’t want to cause further damage.” Arthur ordered.
Dazai, Jean, and Arthur carefully transferred Sebastian to the stretcher, making sure to heed Arthur’s warning. They picked up the stretcher, and headed inside to Arthur’s room, leaving the rest of the vampires outside, with Pierre still on the ground.
In his rage, Leonardo had done a number on Pierre. Pierre was bleeding profusely, taking shallow breaths in trying to regain his senses. He knew that something was not normal about these men, who so easily overcame him in strength and speed. One of his eyes had already swelled shut and was colored with dark purples and reds. He was missing a couple more teeth as blood flowed from his mouth down onto his clothes that were already stained with crimson and dirt. He struggled to breathe, as Leonardo had broken a rib or two in the process of teaching Pierre a lesson. His pained gasps gained no sympathy from any of the vampires, especially Leonardo.
Pierre tried to drag his body in agony, away from these men that he had already deemed to be some kind of monsters.
“Scusa, where do you think you’re going?” Leonardo said, pressing his boot into Pierre’s back.
Pierre yelled out in anguish, pain shooting throughout his whole body.
“You’re not going anywhere, bastardo.” Leonardo reached down and grabbed the back of his blouse, dragging his body into the house.
“Everyone else, wait in the dining room for me.” He instructed the rest of the vampires.
Leonardo headed towards the basement of the house, opening the old door that had rarely been used. He took his first step into the basement, making dust rise from the old wooden step. The weight of his and Pierre’s body made the stairs creak as he descended into the cool basement. He headed towards one of the stone walls. Some metal chains were attached to the walls, which he used to restrain Pierre. Pierre was unable to put up a fight with his injuries, not that he would have been able to if he tried. He was no match for a pureblood, an angry pureblood at that.
Leonardo grabbed Pierre’s face, bringing it close to his own. His forehead creased as he spoke in a low voice, almost a growl.
“We will deal with you later. Make no noise, understand? Or else I might have to come back and finish the job.”
Pierre nodded weakly, understanding his place and the situation that he was involved in.
“These men are monsters! Evil monsters! I never should have gotten involved in Jacques stupid ideas.”, Pierre thought to himself as the pureblood walked back up the dusty stairs.
Leonardo reached the top of the stairs, closing the door and leaving Pierre in total darkness.
In Arthur’s room, Dazai and Jean were quickly following Arthur’s instruction, trying to help their injured friend. They had set Sebastian down onto Arthur’s bed, as Arthur began a thorough inspection of his injuries. While Sebastian was still unconscious, they cleaned up his injuries, put him in a fresh set of clothes, and made sure to put salve and fresh gauze onto his open wounds. Dazai and Jean were left impressed with the English author. They had no idea that he was so proficient in the medical field, as Arthur rarely told anyone of his secret past as a doctor.
“Dazai, do you think you could stay here and look after Sebastian? I still need to check with Comte and look over _____’s injuries.
“Absolutely, I will let you know once he awakens.” Dazai said.
Arthur looked over to Jean, who had begun to sway upon seeing all the rags soaked in blood.
“If you want to head downstairs, I can handle it from here Jean.” Arthur said.
“Thank you, I think that would be best Arthur.” Jean left the room quickly, making his way downstairs into the dining room, where he found some of the other vampires waiting and discussing the nights events.
Arthur grabbed his bag and headed promptly to Comte’s room. By the time he arrived, Comte had already dressed you and laid you down onto his bed. You were resting when Arthur knocked quietly on the door. The knock roused you from your groggy state, as you were still a bit nervous from the assault.
Comte swiftly opened the door and let Arthur into the room. He motioned to you.
“I’ve already cleaned up the blood and took a look at her injuries, but it would put my mind at ease if you could have a look as well and treat her wounds.”
“Of course, that’s why I’m here.”
Arthur headed over to the bed and knelt down beside it. He took off the bandage that Comte had placed on your head and began to examine the gash on your head.
“You did a good job of cleaning out the wound, but I’m still going to apply some antibiotics and give her some medicine to ease the pain.”
Comte nodded as he watched Arthur apply a salve to your wound and place a clean gauze bandage on your head. He then mixed together some medicine in a cup and had you drink it down, making sure that you drank it all.
Arthur looked at you as you settled into the bed and then began to speak hesitantly.
“I know that a lot has happened to you today, but any information that you can tell us about William and how you found out would be very beneficial.”
You looked up at Arthur and Comte, you tried to sit up as a pain shot through your entire body. Arthur and Comte rushed to help you sit up in the bed, making sure you didn’t move more than necessary.
Your throat was still very sore and your voice hoarse, but you managed to tell them everything that had happened. You explained about the first bakery, and how they ran out of bread because of a certain English author donating money.
“I thought at first they were talking about you, Arthur. I never even stopped to think about William being the one.”
Arthur looked at you quizzically.
“Why did you think it was me?” Arthur asked.
“Well, the baker said that the English author would frequent the pub across the street. And I remember from last week when you helped me at the same pub. Remember those two drunk guys? Those were the same men that attacked me. I thought I was just putting two and two together and came to the conclusion that the baker was talking about you.”
“So how did you find out that it was William and not me?”
“Well, I went to the new bakery that had just opened up. On my way out of the bakery, I was walking by an alley, when I was grabbed and then pulled to the back of the alley. It was there where they were talking, and they mentioned the name Will and how he had told them where I would be. They also knew Comte and mentioned his title. They knew all along who he was, and they were just playing dumb yesterday. When I said that I didn’t have the money, they said that I would pay in another way.”
You proceeded to tell them about how he had hurt you and cut your blouse, and about how he had treated you. You shivered as you thought about how you were almost taken. Comte looked at you, his eyes looked down on you with sadness.
“Ma Cherie, did anything else happen? Please tell me what they intended.”
“I am certain that they wanted me to pay….with my body. While he was choking me, he…he ran his tongue across my neck.” You touched your exposed neck at the memory and started to sob softly.
Arthur and Comte looked at each other in alarm, as they came to terms with how close you were to being sexually assaulted. Your retelling of the events left everything clear to the two men: Jacques and Pierre knew that you wouldn’t have the money, and they were going to take payment from you in the form of your body.
Comte could swear that he felt his blood begin to boil inside of him.
“THE FUCKING NERVE, HOW DARE THEY?!”
He had to calm himself down and he knelt down beside the bed and laid you back down.
“Go to sleep, Ma Cherie. You need the rest; I will ensure that the door is protected at all hours so you can sleep in peace.”
You nodded your head as you closed your heavy eyelids. The afternoon’s events had left you tired and hurting. The two men watched as you dozed off to sleep, and quietly slipped out of the room to let you rest.
Outside of the room, Comte took quick strides towards the stairs. Arthur swiftly followed.
“Comte, what are we going to do? We can’t let William get away with this, this is madness!”
“Don’t think for a second that I intend to let William continue to hurt _____. This is the final straw, there will be repercussions for what has happened tonight, I guarantee it.” With a flip of his tail coat, he continued his descent down the stairs and into the main dining hall, where the rest of the vampires were congregated with Leonardo discussing the nights events as they waited for Comte to show up.
The dining room fell into silence as the vampires looked at Comte with serious faces. Comte looked across the dining hall at each of them. He began to speak in a clear and direct voice.
“What has happened tonight is inexcusable, I cannot allow for William to continue unpunished. I was the one that brought him to this time and as such, he is my responsibility, I am much more aware of that now.”
At those words, Leonardo sucked his teeth. His eyebrows furrowed at his old friend. Comte skirted his eyes over to Leonardo before continuing to speak.
“Arthur and I talked with _____ and she gave us some more information that can be valuable to us, assuming that you are all willing to help.”
All the vampires nodded their heads in agreement. There was no one in the room who was not willing to help you, especially considering that their precious human had been hurt so brutally.
Arthur told everyone your account of the night, including that William was frequently seen going into the bar across the street from the bakery.
“Since that old chap was seen going into the same bar that I go to, I was thinking that I would head over there tonight and see what I can dig up on those two drunks and anything I can pick up on William as well.” At his words, Theo and Napoleon volunteered to tag along.
“I’ll do anything to see that he gets what coming to him, he’s the real hond. How could he hurt _____ like that?” Theo remarked while shaking his head, muttering to himself more than to anyone else around him.
Napoleon stood up a little straighter pushing his shoulders back, his eyes clear with determination as he tightened his fists. He is a soldier after all, and he can’t abide by such an innocent being abused.
All three men were ready, anticipating the battle that lay before them in the murky streets of Paris. The three of the men filed out the door and headed into the dark city with a hive mind of achieving one goal: find the remaining culprits and bring them back to pay for their heinous crime.
Once the three vampires left, Comte gave orders to Mozart, Isaac, and Jean to stay near the mansion to protect it from any unwanted visitors that may be conspiring with William. The three vampires gave a curt nod and headed to separate points of the mansion, their eyes peeled into the darkness outside, looking for anyone that may intrude into their home.
The only vampires left in the dining room were Leonardo, Comte, and Vincent. Vincent sat at the dining room table as he ran a hand over his face. His shoulders sat low while a feeling of heaviness made its home in his chest. Comte looked at Vincent, his emotions in turmoil. He knew that Vincent was closest to William, and he had to be sure without a shadow of a doubt that Vincent was on his side. He took the chair next to Vincent and the two vampires looked at each other. Comte opened his mouth to speak first, determination in his voice.
“Vincent, I know you and Will are close, but I think that we would both agree that his actions here today are egregious. I don’t want to put you in any situation that would make you uncomfortable but understand that I cannot sit idly by and watch _____ get hurt. I need to know your honest opinions on William and this whole situation.”
Vincent shook his head and spoke with a low voice.
“I’m so sorry, Comte. I feel like since I am the one that is closest to Will, that I should have seen this coming. Clearly what he did was inexcusable, it’s just that I never perceived that he would be capable of such malice, especially towards someone as innocent as _____. I know that she is yours but do understand that I care for her and what has happened to her and shaken me to my core. I will do anything to keep her safe, even from William.”
Vincent had tears in his eyes, as he was speaking from a broken heart filled with regret. As they looked each other in the eyes, Comte could see Vincent’s true honest and empathetic nature towards what had happened. He grabbed Vincent’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
“Thank you, Vincent, your words mean a lot to me. I have a favor to ask you, pertaining to what happened tonight.”
“Absolutely, anything. Just say the word and it’s done.”
“I still need someone to guard my room. _____ is still asleep and recovering from her injuries. I want to ensure that she is kept safe and if she needs any medical attention, that you get Arthur for her.”
“I’ll head upstairs immediately then. Thank you, Comte.” Vincent said, laying a hand across his chest.
“No, thank you Vincent.” Comte replied with a sad smile.
Vincent headed upstairs, leaving Leonardo and Comte alone in the dining room. An indignant Leonardo loomed over Comte, who still sat at the dining table.
“What do you have to say Leonardo? I can practically feel you seething with anger.”
“Listen closely, you ingrate, cuz I have a lot to say about what happened to _____ tonight.”
Comte already knew what Leonardo was going to say, but he felt he deserved the backlash that Leonardo was about to unleash upon him. He slowly stood up and faced one of his oldest friends. Leonardo continued his barrage, his voice rising in volume.
“I’m sure _____ told you sweet things upstairs. Nonsense probably, saying how this was not your fault and how you shouldn’t feel guilty. But I am here to set you straight. Everything that happened here tonight is entirely your fault. How many times did I tell you that William was no good? How many times did I tell you that you should be keeping a closer eye on him?”
Leonardo took a couple steps closer to Comte. His forehead was creased and his adrenaline was flowing as he continued to speak his mind, agitation and contempt filling his voice.
“You should not have let him go. Every time we cross paths, the man becomes more and more crazy. I know you kept saying that I was biased because Will and I hate each other, but now everything has come to a head. I was right about Will. He is dangerous, and you were the one that brought him to this time and allowed him the free reigns to do as he pleases. And now what?! He hurt _____, because of your lackadaisical attitude!”
“DON’T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT?!” Comte yelled. “Don’t you think I know that it’s my fault that _____ was attacked. I know now that I should have heeded your warnings, but I never thought that he would stoop to such mad actions.”
Leonardo’s expression cooled upon hearing his friend admit that he was right. He spoke the next words without any combativeness, only with the intention to alert Comte to what needed to be done.
“You need to decide that you are willing to do what is necessary to stop William. You need to drop this pretend life of nobility and think about what needs to be done to stop him. Can you do it? Will you do it? Like you said to everyone earlier, this is your responsibility.”
Comte had a stoic expression on his face. His golden eyes were hard and dull, as he understood clearly what he might have to do in order to keep you safe. He had long ago banished that lifestyle, but he now realized that he had given too much trust to the playwright. Comte looked Leonardo in the eyes.
“I understand, I will take whatever action is needed to stop Will. I hope I still have your support.”
“Always.” Leonardo replied.
The two purebloods looked at each other, their actions now pointed toward a common goal. To stop William…by any means necessary.
Thanks for reading! The fourth chapter should be out next week! :)