Realm of Monsters - Chapter 644: A Mother’s Death

Chapter 644: A Mother’s Death

  Elise Veres led Callum into the manor’s cellar. She shifted over a wooden crate and placed her hand over a small, faded sigil carved into the wall. The stone groaned and shifted, revealing a hidden passage.

  “How long has that been there?” Callum asked.

  “I had it built a few decades ago.” Elise winked. “Follow me.”

  She channeled Orange and spun up a small orb of fire in the palm of her hand, then led him into the dark passageway. They took a right turn after a few steps, then a left, and then another right. Elise pulled him along a series of corridors and Callum quickly found himself lost.

  “All this for a secret chamber?” Callum asked.

  “I may have built several chambers to serve my needs. The maze is set with traps in case anyone tries to come down here when they are not supposed to,” said Elise pointedly.

  Callum raised his hands in surrender. “Trust me, I have no interest in exploring your death trap of a labyrinth, thank you very much.”

  “Good. I’d hate to find your skewered body.”

  “How many people know of this place?”

  “Just Lynette and me. And now you.”

  “So just your Shadow and me. Let me guess, Lynette was the one who set up all the traps.”

  “Hardly. I am a chromatic Brown, you know.”

  “You were never the trusting type.”

  “You’ll find secrets unravel quickly the more people know them.”

  “What about the workers who built this place?”

  Elise gave him a flat look as if he were stupid.

  Callum sighed. “Right. Dead.”

  “Dead and buried. We can’t have people asking questions about their whereabouts.”

  “What’d you tell their families?”

  “They didn’t have any close relatives. I made sure of it before I recruited them from the city dungeons. All of them were set to be executed by shade devouring.”

  “Seriously?”

  “It makes things easier.”

  “For them or for you?”

  “For me, obviously. Here we are.” Elise stopped in front of what looked like a vault door. Hundreds of small sigils were etched into the steel. She pulled out a dagger hidden within her sleeve, pricked her finger, and dabbed the pinprick of blood on the center of the vault. The sigils lit up in a ring pattern until all of them glowed red. 

  “Are you ready for this?” Elise asked Callum quietly.

  “…I don’t think I’ll ever be.”

  “What would your mother have wanted?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What would Father want? If you could avenge his wife, what would he say to you right now?”

  Callum inhaled and steadied himself. “Open the door.”

  “Understand, there is no going back.” 

  “I understand.” Or at least, he hoped so.

  “Good.” Elise grabbed one of the vault handles and turned the wheel. The locking mechanism resounded with a deep rumble. Elise gave a hard tug and the heavy steel door slowly swung open.

  A blast of stale air and the rancid stench of sweat assailed Callum’s nostrils and he grimaced. Inside was a small, dark room with no light. The ceiling had small holes for air and there was a torch sconce hanging on the stone wall. Elise walked over to the sconce and ignited the torch with her flame. The cramped room lit up a dim orange. 

  A woman lay on the cold, hard floor, clothed in sigil wrappings and chained with dark metal manacles. She had on a scarlet mask with no eye holes that covered her ears and locked her jaw in place like a muzzle.

  Callum stared in disbelief. “Is that…?”

  “Regina Veres Née Lilith. First wife of Lord Eldrin Veres. And the woman responsible for the murder of your mother.

  “It’s really her…” Callum couldn’t see her behind the mask, but when he saw Elise’s proud expression, he knew her words to be true. She had told him of Regina’s capture when she had locked him in his room, but he half thought she was lying in order to lure him to stay. “How?”

  “It was fairly easy. After her daughter, our lovely Carmilla, died on the battlefield alongside Father, Regina was distraught. She was planning a trip back to Frost Rim to request her family’s aid in person. But I moved faster.”

  Callum knew where she was going with this; they both did, but Elise went on anyway. “I have eyes and ears everywhere. My spies informed me of Father’s death long before the others found out. Feryd and Ava were already dead by the time she heard the news. At which point, it was easy to seize control of our House and imprison Regina. She hardly put up a fight. For being a Lilith, she isn’t much of a mage; the years of the noble sedentary life have made her soft.”

  “Can she hear us?” Callum stared at Regina’s body. She had been still before they entered, but now her head was lifted. Her body shook ever so slightly.

  “No, the mask prevents all sound from entering her ears, but she can still feel the vibrations of our steps on the ground.”

  “Does Stryg know about this? About her?”

  “He does. The Gales were aware of Regina’s disappearance and informed Stryg about her when he took the Veres throne.”

  “But does he know she’s here? Trapped in a deep, dark cell?”

  “Why do you seem agitated? Do you sympathize with Regina?” Elise narrowed her scarlet eyes.

  “N-No, it’s just— Does Stryg know or not?”

  “Stryg confronted me about Regina. I didn’t explain every detail regarding her imprisonment, but he does know I have her.”

  “And he’s alright with that?”

  “When I told him what she had done to your mother, Stryg wanted her executed on the spot. But when I explained that her death should come by your hands, as is the way of Veres, he agreed and left it at that.”

  Callum lowered his gaze, deep in thought. “I see… Take off the mask.”

  “As you wish.” Elise walked over and reached behind Regina’s neck. The imprisoned woman jerked at the touch, but stilled as Elise unlocked the clasp at the back of the mask. Sigils flared to life over the red ceramic, then the mask dropped on the floor with a quiet rattle.

  Regina gasped for breath and her eyes darted around the small room. The once proud noblewoman was now disheveled, her dark hair a greasy mess. She had always been somewhat lithe, but now she was emaciated. Her cheeks were sallow, her eyes gaunt.

  “What have you done to her?” Callum gasped.

  “Lynette visits once a day to feed her human blood and change her chamberpot,” said Elise.

  Vampires needed blood in their diet, and they could theoretically survive on blood alone, but they needed regular food and water to be healthy. Callum had never seen a vampire treated in such a manner as this.

  Regina squinted at the firelight as her eyes adjusted.  “Elise? Callum? Why are you—? What do you want?” 

  “She doesn’t know?” asked Callum, wide-eyed.

  “I have not bothered to speak to the prisoner,” said Elise.

  “Are you even sure she’s the one then?” asked Callum.

  “Of course.”

  “Elise, I told your Shadow I’d give you whatever you want. Just let me go.” Regina blurted. “Why are you doing this to me? We’re family.”

  “Family?” Elise chuckled. “You’ve detested your step-children since the day we were born.”

  “That’s not true. We’ve had our differences, but I have never wished any of you harm,” said Regina, her voice resolute.

  Excluding the fate of his mother, Callum supposed it was true. Regina had always been cold, distant, but she had never antagonized Callum and Elise. Not like Feryd and Ava’s mother had.

  “You can drop the act,” said Elise indifferently. “I slipped a sleeping drug into your daily blood the first day I captured you. Then I had Lynette use Purple to dive into your mind and search through your memories. I’ve known you are a snake for quite some time.”

  Regina’s expression turned into a mixture of confusion. “I don’t… I’ve never harmed either of you. That is the truth.”

  “Then what would you call Sandra’s murder?”

  Regina frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never even met a Sandra!”

  “What?” muttered Callum.

  Elise cocked her head to the side. “You really don’t remember. Did she mean so little to you? Unbelievable.”

  Callum shook his head and took a step back, “I can’t do this.”

  “Stay where you are, Cal. You need to know the truth,” snapped Elise.

  “What truth? I’m telling you, Elise, whatever you think Lynette saw in my memories, she was wrong,” said Regina.

  “Father’s human concubine whom he ended up marrying. His 3rd wife. Callum’s mother. Sandra Veres,” recited Elise sharply.

  Regina furrowed her brow and then it dawned on her. Regina’s already pale face grew a shade paler.

  “Ah, there it is,” Elise smiled. “Is it starting to come together for you, hm?”

  “I… I-I…” Regina swallowed. “…You’re wrong…”

  “About which part?” Elise asked. “The part where you orchestrated Sandra’s murder because you couldn’t stand the idea of our father loving a human woman? Lynette saw the memory. There is no hiding it.” 

  Elise put a finger to her lips, “How did it go? Ah, yes. You tolerated Father having a human concubine. You found it an insult to your person when he chose to marry her. And you were livid when he admitted to loving Sandra. But worst of all, you despised the thought of the abomination growing in Sandra’s stomach. The idea of a human-vampire child was so abhorrent to you, that you orchestrated the plan to have the baby killed before he drew his first breath.”

  “What are you talking about?” Callum asked in a shaky whisper.

  “She’s lying!” Regina shouted hoarsely.

  “Sandra was never the target, Cal. Regina seduced Marcus Gale to aid her, a man who secretly agreed with her beliefs in keeping the Veres bloodline pure. He was Sandra’s guard the night she gave birth. Marcus slew the wet nurse and healer, then your mother, but when he saw you, an innocent newborn, he just couldn’t do it. So he ran away in shame for the betrayal of his oaths. Regina, afraid that he might tell the truth, had him hunted down and killed.”

  “That’s not true, it’s not true!” Regina shook her head vehemently. “Think about it, if I had wanted to kill you, Callum, then why are you still alive? I’ve had decades to harm you, but I never did.”

  Elise rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. The only reason you didn’t make a move on Cal was because our father was onto you. After you murdered Sandra, he suspected you, but he could never prove it. So he put several Gales to watch your every movement for years. Hurting any of us without the blame leading back to you became impossible.”

  “That’s a lie—!”

  “We’ve seen your memories, Regina. It’s useless to lie about it now,” said Elise.

  “You murdered my mother?” Callum asked, his voice unsettlingly calm.

  Regina looked at him and smiled weakly. “Never. I could never do such a thing. We’re family. How could you even think that? Your sister, she’s the evil one. She murdered Feryd and Ava. Did she tell you that? If you’re not careful, she’ll murder you too! Why do you think she brought you down here? I am a daughter of the Great House of Lilith of Frost Rim. She wants you to kill me so you can take the fall. The half-breed son of Veres. My family would believe it was just you. They won’t blame the entire Veres family.”

  “…You’re right,” said Callum.

  Elise glanced at him, shocked.

  “My sister did kill Feryd and Ava. Elise is capable of many terrible things. But she also raised me. She taught me many things, like how to spot when someone is lying. Tell me, Regina, what was so wrong about me that you wanted my death before I had even lived?”

  “I didn’t. I— You are my son, maybe not by blood, but you are my son, Callum. I would never wish for your death, I swear it,” said Regina.

  “When is my birthday?” asked Callum.

  “What?”

  “It’s a simple question. I am your son, right? When is my birthday?”

  “I don’t…” Regina laughed awkwardly. “I’m terrible with birthdays.”

  “So you can’t even remember the day you deigned to murder me? The day you murdered my mother?” 

  “T-That’s—”

  “You know,” Callum cut her off. “I understand why you would hate half-breeds, like me. Many vampire nobles do.”

  “I don’t hate you, Cal.”

  “Oh, then, you would love, Stryg,” Callum chuckled.

  “Who is Stryg? Is he a friend of yours?” asked Regina.

  “Yes, actually. He is a half-breed like me. You know the thing about half-breed vampires is that while we aren’t as strong or fast as full-blooded vampires, we do not share your aversion to the light.” Callum lifted his hand and channeled White. An orb of light spun into existence above his palm.

  Elise and Regina both grimaced and looked away at the sight.

  “Sister, may I have a moment with her?”

  “I’ll be outside,” Elise turned and walked out.

  “Wait! Please, don’t leave me with him. Elise!” Regina’s shoulders shook as she cried. “Callum, stop!”

  “My mother was innocent.” 

  “Wait, just wait a second, please! If you do this, House Lilith will never forgive you!”

  “I was innocent.”

  “Yes, you are innocent. You’re not like Elise. You’re a good person, Callum. You’re not a murderer. You’re a gentle soul, you always have been. If you do this, it will break you.”

  Tears ran down Callum’s cheeks. “I know.”

  Elise turned and shielded her face as a blinding white light illuminated the cell and the hallway outside. Regina’s wretched screams rang out until her voice was an agonizing shrill. Then there was silence. Then darkness. And finally, the smell of burnt flesh.

  “Cal…?” Elise stepped back into the room.

  He sat on the floor, his shoulders slumped, as his body shook. His quiet sobs filled the chamber. The black, charred remains of Regina lay next to him. Elise crouched and embraced him.

  “I had to,” he mumbled through his tears.

  “I know.”

  “For mom.”

  “I know.” She kissed him on the top of his head. “I know. You did the right thing.”

  “I don’t think I did,” he whispered.