So Dead, My Love Page 9

  Samantha was still in shock. How could all this be real? This was a new millennium. Technology was god. There was no room for superstition and vampires. She shook her head to clear the cobwebs threatening to strangle her sanity. What would Carmen think? The very name of her friend brought a reassuring feeling, an anchor to the real world.

  “I want to get this straight,” Samantha said, “You’re telling me that the Karnov are an ancient family who happen to be vampires and that Lara Karnov was the only one that might be saved or changed in some way?”

  Samantha barely finished her rushed question, when she noticed the strange, faraway look on Tamara’s face. Her features were so serene and still, that Samantha thought she might be dead. Her eyes were closed.

  The feel of the air was stagnant, and the pungent smell of mildew reached her nostrils. She shuddered involuntarily. She became aware of the smallest part of her wanting to leave, run into the open arms of Carmen. The thought of Lara Karnov quickly smothered it. She couldn’t leave until she got everything she came for.

  Tamara slowly opened her eyes and looked straight into Samantha’s face. A smile that Samantha could only describe as blissful cracked her face. It was unnerving.

  “The prophecy speaks of only one Karnov who would become different. Because of that, she was mistrusted and even feared by the others.” She spoke in a dreamlike voice. “The Karnovs were without love, Samantha. They would never feel the euphoria, the consuming flames of love in their entire lives. They lived on blood, yes. They had immortality, but at what a price. Oh, she was a Karnov. She craved blood and would die without it, but she believed that this would only allow her limited life. That the chosen one was the only one that would bring her a new kind of life.”

  Samantha’s throat tightened with emotion. She closed her hand over it and coughed.

  “Tamara, I can’t believe any of this. As much as I want to sit here and take all of this for the truth, I just can’t. I don’t understand some of the things that have been happening to me and I certainly don’t pretend to understand my obsession with Lara Karnov, but to really believe in vampires, curses, blood and murder…” She stopped abruptly. She didn’t know what to say.

  She felt like she wanted to break out in tears. She wanted so desperately to believe. If she couldn’t, then Lara Karnov would cease to be a part of her. The silence seemed to close in on her and for the first time, she felt uneasy. Here she was in this forsaken house, at the mercy of a possibly disturbed woman.

  When Tamara didn’t speak, Samantha inched forward in her chair, sorry she had spoken in such an insensitive manner.

  “I don’t have time for this, Samantha!” Tamara almost jumped at her. “Surely you have felt something? You have heard her call.” Her breathing was raspy and irregular. She clutched Samantha’s wrist, bony, withered fingers digging into her flesh.

  Samantha suddenly wanted to turn and run as far and as fast as she could. But then she remembered her dream. Hadn’t Lara Karnov promised eternal love? Wouldn’t anyone give anything to have that?

  “Samantha.” Tamara had let go of her and was eying her expectantly.

  “I’m sorry. I have to go.” Samantha’s brain was reacting. Her mouth was speaking, her hands were reaching for her handbag, but her heart was frozen.

  “You must not leave yet, Samantha. Please wait and listen!”

  Samantha tried desperately to drown out Tamara’s pleas and the sound of Lara’s whispers in her mind. As she got up, determined to leave, she heard the Karnov book drop on the floor behind her.

  “The police will destroy this place, Samantha, and Tommy too.”

  Samantha stopped before she got to the parlor doors. The police? What did they have to do with Karnov Estate? She felt her resolve melting with each stumbling step Tamara took towards her.

  Tamara finally came and stood in front of her, trying hard to keep her balance.

  “Yes, that’s right, Samantha. They have been here more than once questioning Tommy. They wanted to speak to me but Tommy convinced them I was too ill. Told them they should come back later.”

  At that, she made a strange, gurgling sound that Samantha thought might have been laughter. She pressed her hand to her mouth and wiped it, never losing sight of Samantha.

  “Forgive me for my strange sense of humor. You see, I will be quite dead by the time they return.”

  Escape was no longer possible. Samantha couldn’t even remember why she had wanted to run in the first place.

  “Tamara, I’m sorry. Please, come back with me and we’ll finish talking.” Samantha led her back to the couch and they both sat back down. Tamara made no motion to pick up the book on the floor, so Samantha picked it up carefully, feeling the weight of it on her lap where she placed it.

  “The FBI were here too.” Tamara said.

  “The FBI? Why Tamara? Why would the FBI or the police question you or Tommy?”

  “She needs blood, Samantha!” Tamara yelled so loud, Samantha jumped in her chair.

  “How do you think we can get her the blood she needs when I can no longer give it?” Tamara’s voice had dropped to a whisper.

  But it still wasn’t fitting together for Samantha. It was beyond her comprehension. Tamara could see the confusion in her eyes. She shook her head slowly and sighed.

  “Do not think us monsters when I tell you what I must tell you, Samantha. You will come to understand. Do you remember that boy who was found dead right beyond our property just days ago?” Her voice trailed off. “Tommy did it. I ordered him. Lara has to feed. And it will happen again and again if you cannot accept your destiny with Lara.” Tamara was hardly able to get the words out.

  Samantha sat numb and unable to fight the images that she was reliving in her mind. The memory of the morning where she was so spellbound by the newspaper article describing the horribly mutilated body of Billy Phillips was still fresh. It was true. He was found in the woods near Karnov Estate. Everything that Tamara was telling her was true. She couldn’t speak, only look helplessly at Tamara.

  “I suppose it was too much to ask of you to not feel horrified and repulsed by what we have done,” Tamara spoke in a hushed voice, “But if you’ve felt the presence of Lara, then you know that this was something that had to be done in order to keep her alive. She is vampire, Samantha. She needs blood in order to live.”

  “But a child….” Samantha struggled with the emotions inside her. Deep down inside, she knew she would have done the same for Lara.

  “They are so innocent, Samantha. So trusting. It is the easiest alternative.”

  Tamara held one long, bony arm out to Samantha. “Those hospital visits are a common occurrence for me. You see,” she brought her arm closer. “I can no longer give Lara the life substance she requires. If I continue to cut myself for the blood, I will die. And if I had died without having found the chosen one, I could not have been responsible for the repercussions to my family or to Bayton Isle.”

  Samantha stared at all the scars and scabs that dotted Tamara’s arms.

  “And those are not all of them. My legs, my stomach, my entire body bears these scars.”

  And this is what Lara expects of me, thought Samantha to herself. This is what having her love means?

  “No. This is not your fate.” Tamara intruded into her thoughts. “You are the one that will free Lara from this curse and in turn, gain eternal life and love.”

  Samantha let the words sink into her heart. Eternal love. But her head started to hurt with all the confusion and questions.

  “But what can I do for Lara?” She heard the question escape from her lips. “How will I be that important in her life and how do you know I’m the one?”

  “You must go to Lara. She is here. She will explain everything to you. You will make your home here with her. Your friends will not understand. You must give them up. It is such a small price.” Tamara’s voice was getting weaker and harder to hear. She was taking quick gulps of air.

  “Pl
ease…call for Tommy.” She was motioning feebly to Samantha. “The rope.”

  Tommy came shuffling in, quick to come to Tamara’s side.

  “Prepare supper for two.”

  Samantha was surprised. “Oh, no. Please. I can’t stay.” “You must.”

  Samantha could almost feel the pain in Tamara’s lungs. She looked at Tommy, but he just stood there, stone faced and ready for whatever Tamara wanted.

  “Samantha, please stay for early dinner.” She took Samantha’s arm gently with her hand.

  What was she supposed to do? Right now, she was so confused and torn that she couldn’t think straight, let alone make any kind of rational decision. She smiled. Lara was here. But where?

  “I’ll stay for dinner, Tamara.”

  Tamara seemed to be breathing easier and it appeared she had regained some of her strength. She motioned for Tommy to leave and he did so, closing the double doors behind him.

  “I eat very little, Samantha, but I have taught Tommy to cook some very basic foods. He prepares a very good pasta and beef dish.” She paused long enough to smile a crooked smile at Samantha.

  “Beef is an important part of my diet, and liver too. It builds the blood, even though that matters little now. As you see, my lungs are failing, my entire system is failing.”

  Samantha wasn’t exactly listening. Her thoughts were far away with Lara Karnov. She imagined what her life would be like living here in Karnov Estate with Lara. No Carmen. No Bayton Isle. She liked it. Except for Carmen. She wasn’t sure she would be able to give her up. And she wasn’t ready yet. It just wasn’t right for her. Not now.

  They had dinner in the most beautiful dining room Samantha had ever been in. Even though it needed airing out, the antiques, the furniture, everything was breathtaking.

  Tamara’s strength held out until Tommy had taken the cups and saucers with the coffee away. It was well past six and the sun had disappeared long ago.

  There was a strong tug from the real world that seemed to be insistent on pulling Samantha away. Away from Lara and away from her future. Yet, instinctively she knew that Lara Karnov and she were inexplicably intertwined. She stood up from the dining table.

  “I think you know that I can’t do this right now. I can’t stay. I don’t know how to take all this in. I have to go home. I have commitments there…I have friends…” She paused and thought of Carmen. “I just don’t know.”

  She turned to leave, for if she stayed longer, she wasn’t sure what she might feel. If she should hear Lara’s voice again, she might not be able to leave.

  Tamara didn’t even try to stand. Her face was frozen in a sad and haunting look.

  “I am not the one to convince you. If you cannot hear Lara, then all has been for naught.” Her eyes seemed to be looking past Samantha, at something hidden in the past. “I may not see you again, but this is your home as it is Lara’s. She waits for you. Come when you wish. But remember, Samantha—there must be blood.”

  Her last words were almost a whisper.

  Samantha had to leave now. She put her handbag on her shoulder and inched closer to the door.

  “Tommy will show you out,” Tamara’s voice sounded behind her. She had barely spoken them when the door to the dining room opened and Tommy stood there. Samantha couldn’t look back, regardless of how rude it appeared. This house would not break its spell if she didn’t go now. She walked briskly away.

  Chapter 9

  Samantha closed the door behind her and leaned back on it, head resting on the firm wood. She was finally home. She closed her eyes and saw only Karnov Estate. Tamara Weissman. Lara Karnov. What was going to happen now? Her life had changed in one afternoon from the borderline mundane to dark madness. Was it all real?

  As she made her way to the kitchen for that coffee fix her system desperately needed, she made sure every light downstairs was on. She flipped the master light switch. Instantly, the soft, comforting glow of the recessed lights embraced the darkness.

  She tried to remain focused on the coffeepot. The coffee filter. The water. Anything but the last seven hours of her life. The smell of Pumpkin Spice coffee wafted through the kitchen, relaxing her instantly.

  The coffee was ready and as she added the creamer, a very strong and intrusive thought struck her brain and wouldn’t let go. Billy Phillips. He wouldn’t be the last one. Not unless she accepted the Karnov destiny. Not unless she gave herself to Lara. And what then, Samantha questioned herself silently as she made her way to the couch and sat down slowly.

  She took a sip of the coffee and only then realized how cold it was in the house. It had already begun to freeze outside and she knew she had left the heater on. She had never gotten around to calling a repairman.

  The coffee was smooth and it helped to clear her head. The entire episode with Tamara Weissman began to fade. She wished all of it could just go away. But Lara Karnov remained seared in her very being. Samantha could never leave her behind. Since seeing her portrait in Edmund Furrows’s book, their destinies had become inexplicably intertwined.

  She had worked so hard to build a barrier around Samantha Barnes, a barrier that would withstand all the pain and hurt the world could dish out. And here came Lara. She was offering eternal love. Forever together. The only thing Samantha had to give back was her life. Her blood. Was she ready to accept this? Was she ready to give her life for love? Was it sane? Did vampires really exist? Or was this all some crazy plot devised by a madwoman?

  No , answered Lara in her heart. Samantha knew. “But why me?” she asked herself out loud, laughing lightly at the sound of her own hollow voice. Tamara had said Lara would explain it all.

  Samantha shook her head slowly, as if to shake it all off with the swing of her hair. She just couldn’t think straight tonight. Perhaps in the morning, when all of it would appear different, she could make more sense of it. She took one last sip of the coffee and decided to call it a night.

  It was then that it happened. She became aware of low, heavy breathing in the room with her. Underneath her feet, the house seemed to be vibrating. And yet, Samantha wasn’t afraid. Instinctively, she knew who it was. She felt a warm and loving hand caress her being as she arose from the couch. Whispered words escaped her lips and from far away an answer seemed to reach her ears. The soft voice enveloped the mounting excitement in her heart.

  “I am here,” it seemed to echo, “I can love you. You shall keep me alive.”

  Samantha couldn’t answer. The words would not form. She couldn’t move. She could only motion weakly as she stood numb in the room. The steady thumping of her heart thundered through her whole body so loud that she thought she was having a heart attack. Then she realized it wasn’t her heart at all that echoed through the house.

  Lara Karnov stood before the door. Not the Lara Karnov that she had seen painted at Karnov Estate, but a figure bathed in blood. Lara Karnov was a living, pulsing image of blood. Samantha almost fell back as she fought the nausea bubbling up. Then, before her shocked eyes, the bloody figure collapsed in one violent splash on the floor and as the blood seeped and spread, it began to form into tiny red snakes that squirmed and slithered toward her.

  And she could do nothing. Samantha stood frozen, unable to move. The snakes traveled swiftly across the room and when they reached Samantha, blended into one giant red snake of blood that began to slide up her body, slipping into and under her clothing. She broke out into a cold chill as she felt the wet, hot blood caress her legs and work its way into her crotch and up to circle and caress her breasts. Samantha wanted to scream, but when the thing that was Lara Karnov entered her, she moaned out loud in ecstasy as she felt the wetness slip and slide into her places of pleasure.

  Samantha fell back onto the couch, conscious of the orgasm she reached as the blood streaked down her legs away from her and began to take the solid form of Lara Karnov again. The figure in blood smiled and held out a hand to Samantha. Samantha looked at her and closed her eyes as she let one final
moan of pleasure escape her lips. When she opened her eyes, Lara Karnov was gone. As quickly as it had come, the enchantment was gone. Samantha shook her head hard trying to clear the mushy feeling in her brain. What the hell had just happened? She couldn’t have imagined it, the throbbing between her legs told her that much. She was still out of breath.

  Her mind was feverish with confusion. She didn’t know what to do or what was expected of her. Was it all really happening or was she finally going over the edge? Then she thought of what Carmen would say. She had no real friends except Carmen. Would she understand? Samantha laughed out loud. She didn’t think anyone would believe her if she tried to explain what had happened tonight.

  Samantha wanted to know Lara Karnov. She alone wanted to be special in her eyes. She wanted Lara to love only her. Samantha’s thoughts stopped short as she realized what she had admitted to herself. She had been trying to hide it since the very moment she set eyes on Lara Karnov. And now, things had come too far to turn back.

  With one single purpose and intent, she went to her large file cabinet where she kept all of her works in progress, drawings and art supplies. Pulling out the sketchpad, she flipped through the pages quickly, finally coming to the sketch of Lara Karnov.

  She fingered the paper slowly and reached for her pencil case in the same drawer. There was no doubt now what she had to do. But first she had to paint her. Nothing else mattered. No one else existed.

  ***

  “This is Samantha Barnes. I can’t take your call right now because I’m busy painting. If you wish to leave a message, I’ll get back to you whenever it becomes convenient for me.”

  Her recorded message was meant to let all who called not to expect much in return from her anytime soon. However, she hadn’t counted on so many people wanting her attention.

  This time it was Carrie Nathers from Taylor Publishing. She wanted to discuss a contract for a new romance series premiering the following year. Before her had been Carmen, an unwanted Stephen Kendall with an invitation for lunch, and finally Bob Holder. He attempted some kind of humor and thanked her for working so hard on the bank painting. He was sure it was going to be something that all of Bayton Isle would be proud of.