Transcribe
Translate
Vampire, whole no. 7, September 1946
31858063101335_008
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
inter-twining branches above the garden a shape awkwardly making its way through the air. It had a large dog-like head and in place of a beak there was a wide and strong looking mouth. From the sides of the head grew the wings, which appeared to have been made from some leathery material and trimmed with poultry feathers. Three stick-like appendages dangled from the base of the head, ending in enormous claws. In spite of its four-foot wingspread it made rough work of flying from its hidden roost, and there was a certain ridiculous quality in its flight -- and a horrid purposefulness. Opposite the Duprées it skimmed low over the pool and suddenly opened wide its mouth, shot out a blade-like tongue. The cabbage-like growth was neatly clipped off at the water's edge. And before it could submerge, the bird had twined its claws around it and dipped in ungainly flight toward the rear of the house, where old, wrinkled Malaloi tended the kitchen. With hot eyes Jules followed the awkward flight. Then he turned to Honre. "What do you expect to accomplish with such a preposterous thing? Nothing! With me, new vistas are ahead. But for you . . . pah!" He stood transfixed with fury. Honre shrugged calmly. "Perhaps something will occur to me. Mais oui, it usually does. Meanwhile, I must have another brain; that of the musician." For an instant the shuttered eyes lifted. Jules turned from his brother and walked slowly toward the house. In his mind's eye the vision of the cabbage - like plant underwent a change. The plant had become a head, a human head being carried from him. But the vision was none too clear and he could not tell whose it was. Suddenly he looked up and caught sight of Malaloi's black face peering from around a corner of the house. She had been watching the whole episode. Jules caught a slyness about her, a furtiveness that caused him to suspect, as he had often done before, that she was partial toward Honre and his work. Many times he had seen them whispering and nodding surreptitiously. Now, as he saw her, his throat tightened . . tightened . . numbing his brain . . numbing it till a feeling of utter defeat claimed him. Honre, still standing by the pool, sensed it and his low chuckle came to Jules' ears. Mockery was in his words: "My point, mon Jules -- touché!" Occasionally the Duprées partook of a strange repast -- a repast always prepared by Malaloi whose Hatian ancestry had been stained by things far more fearsome than mere voodoo practises. The Duprées, seeking things that were only spoken of guardedly, had found Malaloi and her strange forbidden arts int he tangled hill country of that Dark Little Island -- Haiti. And the veneer was indeed thin which separated savage lore from the science of the Duprées. Today, it was the head of the musician which Malaloi served them. It was her magic that made this possible and the Duprées -8-
Saving...
prev
next
inter-twining branches above the garden a shape awkwardly making its way through the air. It had a large dog-like head and in place of a beak there was a wide and strong looking mouth. From the sides of the head grew the wings, which appeared to have been made from some leathery material and trimmed with poultry feathers. Three stick-like appendages dangled from the base of the head, ending in enormous claws. In spite of its four-foot wingspread it made rough work of flying from its hidden roost, and there was a certain ridiculous quality in its flight -- and a horrid purposefulness. Opposite the Duprées it skimmed low over the pool and suddenly opened wide its mouth, shot out a blade-like tongue. The cabbage-like growth was neatly clipped off at the water's edge. And before it could submerge, the bird had twined its claws around it and dipped in ungainly flight toward the rear of the house, where old, wrinkled Malaloi tended the kitchen. With hot eyes Jules followed the awkward flight. Then he turned to Honre. "What do you expect to accomplish with such a preposterous thing? Nothing! With me, new vistas are ahead. But for you . . . pah!" He stood transfixed with fury. Honre shrugged calmly. "Perhaps something will occur to me. Mais oui, it usually does. Meanwhile, I must have another brain; that of the musician." For an instant the shuttered eyes lifted. Jules turned from his brother and walked slowly toward the house. In his mind's eye the vision of the cabbage - like plant underwent a change. The plant had become a head, a human head being carried from him. But the vision was none too clear and he could not tell whose it was. Suddenly he looked up and caught sight of Malaloi's black face peering from around a corner of the house. She had been watching the whole episode. Jules caught a slyness about her, a furtiveness that caused him to suspect, as he had often done before, that she was partial toward Honre and his work. Many times he had seen them whispering and nodding surreptitiously. Now, as he saw her, his throat tightened . . tightened . . numbing his brain . . numbing it till a feeling of utter defeat claimed him. Honre, still standing by the pool, sensed it and his low chuckle came to Jules' ears. Mockery was in his words: "My point, mon Jules -- touché!" Occasionally the Duprées partook of a strange repast -- a repast always prepared by Malaloi whose Hatian ancestry had been stained by things far more fearsome than mere voodoo practises. The Duprées, seeking things that were only spoken of guardedly, had found Malaloi and her strange forbidden arts int he tangled hill country of that Dark Little Island -- Haiti. And the veneer was indeed thin which separated savage lore from the science of the Duprées. Today, it was the head of the musician which Malaloi served them. It was her magic that made this possible and the Duprées -8-
Hevelin Fanzines
sidebar
