The Vampiric Legacy of Benjamin Tally

By Corin Lockheart

Benjamin is an affluent member of his fair city. His clockwork soldiers keep it safe from the werewolves that live in the surrounding forest. This protection comes with a hidden price. The elixir needed to power the machines is made from human blood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Corin Lockheart
• Release date: Sep 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463266861

Corin Lockheart

Corin is an up and coming author with characters and stories to share. Currently, Corin lives a bit of here and there. Along with a bit of a circus, they travel around Washington State as needed. Picture to come...

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The Vampiric Legacy

Benjamin Tally

The Vampiric Legacy of Benjamin Tally

Published by Corin Lockheart at Smashwords

Book cover art by selfpubbookcovers.com/gharkness

A quick thank you to my editor and friend Crevan Grail

Copyright 2018 Corin Lockheart

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Chapter 1

The putrid, stagnant air given off by the stone walls of the lowermost part of Benjamin’s home didn’t bother him. He was used to such things. Blood dripped down through the troughs in a wooden table in front of him. Almost like a tapestry, a woman’s limp body hung over it. Below the table, a silver bucket with runes etched into it collected the blood.

Just a bit more sweetheart, Benjamin cooed. His voice tapped off the stone creating a reverberated echo. His eyes not focused on the voluminous naked form, but on the light stream of blood.

As the last drop rippled into the bucket, Benjamin was quick to scoop it up. Prior to draining the woman, he had laced the bucket with saw-scale venom. The viper’s venom would keep the blood moving smoothly. After the reaction had taken full effect, he poured the mixture into a large glass funnel. As the last drop filled the entry chamber, he released a valve allowing the blood to travel to a monstrosity of a clockwork machine. It quickly moved through the tubes into a large vat. He watched with bated breath, as it filled to meet the fill line.

This batch just might do it. Almost forgetting the corpse, Benjamin worked tirelessly through the night. Just as the sun started to peak over the building above, the six-foot vat was reduced to a mere two-ounce vial of unusually clear liquid.

This is it. Benjamin’s hands shook as he held up the vial into the dim light of the oil lamps.

The chime of the old clock from the hallway above shook Benjamin from his trance. He quickly, yet gingerly, placed the vial in a rack along with several others. His fingers brushed the solemn figure as he passed. No taller than a man, its newly placed gears waited eagerly. Quietly, it called for its next meal.

After moments like this, he felt that a walk in the morning would do any man some good.

Before stepping out the door, Benjamin paused. He looked to the mirror that hung neatly in the entry. Just under it was a small table, a French crocheted cloth covered the top of it. Crowing it was a crystal vase that he had purchased from Prague years ago. Deep red roses poured from its mouth. With a sentimental smile, he plucked one and gingerly wrapped it in a clean handkerchief.

With the flower in one hand and his cane and top hat in the other, Benjamin stepped out into the morning sunlight. He lightly winced before the shade of the brim of his hat softened the sun’s glow.

Children ran past his gate chattering and cheering. Their mothers gently pushed the carriages that held their younger siblings, smiles across their faces. Benjamin nodded to each as they passed him.

He watched the group for a moment before being interrupted by a woman’s voice, Mr. Tally. He turned to see a gently middle-aged woman, barely a wrinkle on her veiled face. I am glad I caught you. My husband was hoping to commission new clock-horses and guardians. There have been issues with the… the woman hushed herself as a few more children rushed passed them, only to pick back up once they were far enough along. The issues in the forests on the outskirts of town. More men have been found dead, ripped to pieces.

I will speak with him this evening during the council meeting. Have more been found?

The woman sighed, her face showed the issue weight heavily on her. Four. Then on top of it, Nettie… The woman looked around to make sure that no one was near. You heard that she had overdone herself with opium. The mortician went in this morning to find her body void of any blood.

Benjamin’s face twisted and twitched. Whomever the fiend is, I am sure the police will figure something out. The sooner the better.

I hope you are right. Werewolves in the forests, and now this… The woman was on the verge of tears as she spoke. Is no one safe?

I am sure it will also be discussed tonight. I fear I must be on my way. Good day madam. Benjamin tilted his hat.

A carriage passed him by