The Vampire Covenant

Chapter Eight

The old grandfather clock on the mantel moved its fingers with precision. In exactly five minutes, it was going to chime midnight, and Ophelia still hadn't returned.

David paced back and forth, nervously glancing outside through the curtains. Despite the chill air, beads of sweat settled on his forehead and he clutched his pentagram necklace. His face had turned ashen as he waited for the return of his daughter. He had tried calling her earlier, but the weather stopped any signal and her line had been unavailable.

He tried to call her again and it returned the same result.

Sam had already passed out due to exhaustion but he knew the moment he woke up, another more violent outburst would happen if he doesn't get the haloperidol medication. But right now, David was more worried about the safety of his daughter.

Florence stood on the foot of the spiraling staircase, a bunch of old keys in her hands. There was no worry on her face, but only mild annoyance and obvious determination. She patiently waited for midnight.

"If she doesn't return by midnight, we have to close the doors." She declared.

David glared at his sister. He was aware of rule number eight, but how could she be so heartless?

Rule number eight: Lock all doors before midnight, and don't answer the knocking and the rattling of the doorknob you might hear afterwards.

Just then, headlights flashed through a window and David dashed out the front door, quickly sprinting to the red Lamborghini that parked.

Ophelia ran out of the car and met her father halfway, engulfing him in a hug. The heaters had dried her clothes and hair, but the effect of the chilly night air still made her shiver a little.

"What happened?" her father asked, inspecting her face and body for any sign of distress.

"Stranger... helped me... car died, no reception, too far to run home." She panted, holding on to her father's arm to prevent herself from falling down the earth that was now spinning for her. Her vision blurred, and for a sick moment, nausea rose up her throat, but she gulped it back and force herself to not pass out. The exhaustion heavily weighed down on her.

David took in the sight of the tall handsome stranger that gracefully stepped out of the car, and waved for him to come closer. He strode confidently to where David and Ophelia stood, and gave her father a curt nod.

"Thank you, for helping my daughter. May I know where you're from?" David inquired politely, holding on to his daughter, who now completely rested her weight on him.

"Actually, I live in the house opposite yours, Sir. I happened to be driving through the highway where her car stopped on my way home." He explained.

"Wonderful. What's your name?" David inquired again.

"Seth Bonavich." He replied.

Ophelia’s eyes rolled back, and unable to stand the splitting pain in her head and the chill in her rattling bone, she began to sob. She turned away from Seth and buried her face in her father's chest, still quietly sobbing and trying to hold herself upright. She clutched the paper bag, wallet and car keys in her hands until her knuckles turned white. "Twelve..." she managed to murmur to her father.

David patted his daughter's head sympathetically. "Please, come for brunch tomorrow if you're free." David quickly invited, lifting up Ophelia and heading back inside.

"I will, Sir." Seth called, watching until they both disappeared into the mansion. He started his car and pulled out of the property.

The grandfather clock on the mantel chimed twelve just as David stepped inside the house, carrying Ophelia.

With skilled precision and years of practice, Florence swung into action, closing the doors with a slam and pulling the locks into place. She slipped the key into the key hole, turned thrice, and activated the old security alarm system.

The doors started rattling, the doorknobs twisting and turning.

Florence glared at her brother. "If we were a second late, everyone in this house would be done for. All because of that irresponsible child!" she spat, and without waiting for David's reply, stormed off to her chambers.

He sighed, and carried his daughter upstairs to her room. Ophelia had already fallen asleep, so he tucked her into bed, making sure that her clothes were dry, and turned on the heating system in the room. He made a mental note of calling a doctor in the morning since there was nothing he could do now.

Rule number seven: Don't invite anyone into the house within the hours of midnight and sunrise.

David collected the items that were still tightly in Ophelia's hands, despite being asleep. He made sure his daughter was comfortable before exiting the room, and headed straight to Sam's room, to make sure he takes the medication.

-​

The sun shone dimly, partially blocked by dark clouds, but for a town like Westwend, it was the brightest day they've had in weeks. A few songbirds chirped peacefully into the early afternoon air, which smelled of dew and flower blossoms.

A white Mercedes Benz drove through the double gates of the Clemonte mansion, stopping a few feet away from the main entrance.

Seth Bonavich stepped out of the car, running a hand through his silky raven black hair, styled into an undercut. His face was ghastly pale, but clean-shaven and flawless. His mysterious feline eyes scanned the mansion, and with a confident stride, approached the main doors, knocking twice.

He wore a spotless white shirt which stretched over his muscles and black, perfectly ironed trousers. A black wool scarf hung loosely around his neck.

David answered the door, ushering Seth in, and giving him a firm handshake. "You're just in time. I hope you don't mind scrambled eggs, sandwich, and tea?" he asked.

"I love tea." He replied.

"Good." David commented, and showed him to a small dining area, where the meals were arranged on the mahogany table. There were only two chairs situated opposite of each other.

So it's an interrogative session... Seth thought to himself with a chuckle.

"Please, have a seat." David offered politely, and Seth balanced himself on the chair across from him.

They were halfway through the meal when Mr. Clemonte finally looked up at his guest. "Again, thank you for helping out my daughter. I really appreciate it. We were starting to get worried." He thanked.

"It's nothing." Seth dismissed courteously, cutting through another sandwich, and taking a sip of the sweet mint tea.

"What do you do?" David questioned after a minute.

"I'm a psychiatrist." He replied.

David nodded in understanding. "Oh... so you were getting medications at the drugstore?" he pressed his advantage. "Ophelia told me she saw your car there." He quickly added, seeing the small flash of confusion that skidded past his guest's features.

Seth wanted to lash out and tell the man to mind his business, but he also understood his curiosity to know about the person that helped his daughter. He hid a sigh, and dropped his fork. Glancing up at David, he smiled a little and explained "I was actually returning from work and stopped by the drugstore to buy my grandfather's prescriptions."

"I don't mean to probe, but does your family live across the street, or are you the only one there?"

You are probing... Seth mentally replied, getting annoyed. He however, hid his annoyance and replied to David's question with another polite smile. "No. I live with my grandfather. It's just the two of us. Both my parents are dead." He said flatly, his voice taking a low edge.

David reclined back on his chair, feeling sympathy for the young man sitting across from him. "I'm sorry about that." He offered.

"It's fine." Seth replied, picking up his fork and digging back into the sandwich. His hands felt clammy and he gripped the fork so hard he almost bent the fine silverware. His family was a sensitive topic to him and he hated seeing people feel pity or sympathy for him. Parents died and left their children behind all the time... it was nothing to be all touchy-feely about.