Sitting in the great hall that contained my father’s study, we sat by
the fire in two large wingback chairs. As the fire’s glow danced
upon our skin and warmed us, Jacob slowly began to speak. All the
while never taking his eyes from the fire as it danced in the hearth.
“Many years ago in the time of your grandfather, gypsies were a
prominent source of entertainment but feared because they were said
to control magic. Only, the magic they used was not the freakishly
comical waving of arms and pulling things from boxes with false
bottoms. Instead, it was gifts of darkness in which they would curse
people and foretell the future. Seen as servants of the devil, they
were hated and feared. Often left to beg for money and food. Your
grandfather took pity upon these people and took them in and gave
them shelter, food, and work for which he paid them handsomely which
made the villagers quite angry,” he said swallowing hard.
“Even now,” I said softly “they hate my father saying he is in league
with the devil because he once loved a gypsy woman.”
“Yes he did, but we shall get to that in due time,” Jacob said taking
my hand. “One day, the son of a gypsy heard a story that villagers
disguised as his people were going to the castle to kill your
grandfather, grandmother and father. Being loyal to your family, he
raced as fast as he could on foot back to the castle but arrived too
late. The battle for the lives of your family had already begun.
The young boy no more than your age found your mother and father and
led them to the secret tunnels where they were able to hide in a long-forgotten family crypt. When he found your grandfather he saved his
life by stabbing the man who was going stab your grandfather in
back. Out of rage in battle, your grandfather turned and killed the
young boy. Only after all was done, did he look over the dead and
dying and found him. For days, he tried to save the young boy’s
life, but God wanted the waif more. When the boy died, the body was
taken back to his mother who blamed your grandfather for destroying
her world. It was out of grief that she acted and placed a curse
upon your grandfather and father that you father would died a
terrible death in battle and come back a vampire. There is more to
the story, but only your father knows that part.”
“So what of the stories that my father fell in love with a gypsy
woman,” I said curiously.
“He did,” Jacob said smiling with a deep sadness now to his
face. “One evening when your father was returning from visiting a
business colleague he saw a sight that sickened him. Three villagers
were mishandling a young woman. He ordered his carriage to stop and
fought them. Taken the frightened and injured woman back to the
castle, he tended her wounds and took care of her until her health
returned. He learned that she was the orphaned daughter of a Baron
not well-liked for having taken a gypsy woman as his bride. Her name
was Lucy.”
“My mother,” I said looking at him in shock. “She was part gypsie?”
“Yes,” Jacob said smiling as he saw my face begin to glow. “When it
was learned what your father had done for her, many came to his gates
telling him she should be handed over to them and burned at the stake
for possessing the gifts of witchcraft as her blood was tainted. He
refused and instead, took your mother to the church was Don Rossario
baptized her and taught her the Christian ways. In time she became
accepted by most save the old ones. When it came time to give birth
to you, a servant loyal to the old ones slipped poison into the water
used to clean your mother after giving birth as well as the water she
was to drink. Two hours later, she was found dead. Your father was
heartbroken beyond words. As a result, those of us loyal to your
father along with Don Rossario have raised you and kept you safe in
the hours your father can not be with you as he watches over you by
night as you sleep.”
“Thank you for sharing these things with me Jacob,” I said with a
smile. “Now I know there are things you must do to prepare for my
father’s return. I’ll be in my room resting a bit. I was promised
by father that he would allow me to stay up this night longer with
him if I rested before he returned.”
“Very good,” Jacob said embracing me. “I’m sure when you speak to
your father tonight he will explain all.”