Burying the Shadow by Constantine Storm

Author:Constantine, Storm
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: vampires, angels, fantasy, constantine
Publisher: Immanion Press

Canto Three

Section One

Gimel

‘So soft and uncompounded is their essence pure, not tied or manacled with joint or limb, nor founded on the brittle strength of bone like cumbrous flesh…’

Paradise Lost, Book II

A few weeks after I had projected my spirit out into the world, and had initiated certain vital processes, I returned to my body in Sacramante. It felt stiff from disuse, even though I’d only been away from it for a short time. Now the ingredients had been thrown into the cauldron; I could only wait until the slow fusion was complete, to discover what fascinating result they would produce.

Awaking to an autumnal chill, I felt as if I had been away for a hundred years. A questioning wind fluted around the high tower; above me, the black veils of the bed flinched restlessly to its tune. As I returned languorously to full consciousness within my body, the hayfield aroma of the plains slipped away from my memory, overcast by the echo of the last angry words I had exchanged with my brother, Beth. I was afraid of what might have happened in my absence.

Tamaris came to help me, when she heard me stumbling down the stairs of the high tower. She took me to my rooms, bathed my body and let me feed from her wrist as I floated in the perfumed water. The curtains were drawn against a glum afternoon, and lamps, fragranced with essential oils, were burning low. ‘Has anything... happened?’ I asked.

Tamaris’ dark eyes were cloudy with concern. She looked tired. Soon, we would have to perform the ritual for her rejuvenation. I didn’t want my faithful servants dying from neglect! ‘Lord Beth has been working hard,’ she replied.

I closed my eyes and relaxed into the water, grateful he was still in the house, at least.

‘Madam..?’ The tone of Tamaris’ voice suggested she was about to address a difficult subject.

‘Yes, Tamaris?’

‘We - Ramiz and I - are aware all is not right between you and Lord Beth.’

‘It could hardly have escaped you, dear Tamaris. We made enough noise about it!’

‘Well... we want you to know that Lord Beth has not...’ She screwed up her face in vexation.,

‘Speak, for the sake of Light! I won’t bite you!’ We both smiled at the joke. She stroked a sliver of amber-scented soap down my arm.

‘Avirzah’e Tartaruchi has not been near the house, and neither has Lord Beth been near his. We thought you should know that.’

‘Thank you. It is gratifying news.’ I stood up in the bath and Tamaris wrapped me in a voluminous towel. I would dress and then visit my brother.

I was relieved by the helpless welcome in Beth’s eyes, when I approached him in his brush court, although the ambience of the room itself was not that which I had expected to find. Gentle afternoon light came in through the north windows, and the room was full of tranquillity. Beth was dressed in a loose, paint-smeared shirt, the sleeves rolled back to his elbows. His

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