The Mysterious Memoir of Madame Taper

The air was unseasonably cold forcing its way into the tiniest of places invading every home that afternoon. As the unwarranted chill was received so was the news of her grandmother’s passing. Her granddaughter sat by the open flame of her fireplace recalling every moment they had spent together. Her grandmother was effortlessly demure and mysteriously beautiful, a legacy she somehow had to follow. Tears that she’d forced herself to control came flowing in abundance for she had tried to remain brave for her Mother who seemed to take the news all too well. The lavishly decorated home was her grandmothers and as such, anything but quaint. Every room was full of priceless trinkets, handmade furniture, and luxury goods that only a lover of beautiful things would recognize. The muffled noise from a nearby television halted her darkened thoughts, it was a taped interview of her grandmother accepting her title of “Sexiest Woman Alive” from Genealogy Magazine. She focused her attention on the screen. Her grandmother sat across a handsome gray-haired man in a neatly pressed gray suit and tie.

“You’re 78?” The interviewer choked. “I am.” Her grandmother responded flashing a definitive stare. “Well, now we must know your secrets which you famously refuse to disclose.” “I use my own homemade products using recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. My body is tricked into remaining in a regenerative state.” The audience clapped wildly. “And, how does one get their hands on this family recipe?” “By referral only.” She answered softly. “What would you say to those who consider your secrecy to be selfish?” He recanted in modesty. “There are families with generations of powerful men in this country right now who have never shared their knowledge of wealth openly. You and I both know Mr. Ross that doors only open to those nearest to them.”

Madame Taper is what she was known as to those closest to her and after the interview, the rest of the world. Melanie didn’t want her fame, she wanted to be craved and just as admired. To command the attention of an entire room, the same way all the women in her family had. Her presence seemed small and docile which frightened her in secret for his was not the Taper way.

“I brought you here to help me sort through things not to watch old videos.” Her mother called walking into the room. Her mother’s charm and character were a sight to beheld characterized by her excellent taste in clothing and unique broaches. She had one for every outfit it seemed. Today she wore a bejeweled snake to match her metallic silver dress. “I just miss her so much.” Melanie said as her shoulders dropped. “She lived a long, full and beautiful life.” Her mother answered reassuringly hugging her tightly. “Why don’t you go up and organize her office, you’re good at that. Afterwards we can meet downstairs for lunch?” Unable to force a single word Melanie shook her head in agreeance and started up the stairs. The long hallway towards the office was decorated with 12 single hand painted portraits of women. The long line of Taper women hung proudly in the hallway each as gorgeous, poised and elegantly dressed as the next. Their dark hair and purple eyes, a trademark of the Taper women, seemed to follow her along in eagerness. Finally reaching her grandmother’s office, the cherry wood desk resting in the middle of the room once perfectly polished, was now covered with a thin layer of dust. A velvet emerald green swivel chair sat behind it invitingly which she fell into and twirled. She recalled her grandmother sitting behind the desk with gorgeous stationary writing countless letters to her friends. She had always preferred the personal touch of a well worded handwritten letter.

In mid twirl a slightly opened drawer with a vintage brass key sticking from the lock caught her eye. It was unlike any other compartment on the desk and even more peculiar, had an oak tree with a snake coiled around the trunk carved into it. The image was the same one from her family crest which proudly hung downstairs on a burgundy tapestry. Curiosity begging her hands to wield its desires forcing her mind to consider looking inside. She looked towards the entryway to make sure it was empty as she continued to toil over her thoughts. Finally, in act of bravery she opened the drawer causing the wood to creak as it glided towards her. Underwhelming it was empty, apart from a felt liner that protruded upwards as if someone clumsily attempted to put it back into place. She carefully removed the lining discovering a small black book beneath it with her family crest on the front. Her grandmother’s name was also embossed in gold across the bottom that seemed to gleam in the sunlight pouring in from the window. Desperate to make sense of the little book, she made up her mind that perhaps, it was left for her to see. Before she realized, she had untied the strip of leather wrapped around the book and had flipped to the first page.

“To my dearest daughter on your 16th birthday, for the memoires you must keep secretly, always.”

The strangeness of the message intrigued her even further and as if she were possessed to do so, she flipped to the next page. The handwritten text detailed her Grandmothers birthday party and how she had missed her father, secretly wishing he could have been there. Her thoughts were sad and full of so much longing. As she continued to silently read through the passage oddly, the pages began to rustle. Out of thin air a red ribbon protruded through the top of a page near the back. The book wriggled and flew towards the marked position settling on a page. Melanie’s eyes widened. She wanted to put the book back where she found it and leave the office never to return. Whether it was the cup of her curiosity running over or the fear that implanted her firmly into the chair, she pulled the book towards her eye line. The top of the page was dated January 4th 1993.

“I have finally found a man that is able to resist my charms. He’s very handsome and a little high profile, he’s a television reporter. I could feel as he stared into my eyes and felt nothing for me. My mother told me that a few men could resist the Taper gaze, but I was still shocked to experience this none the less. I invited him for a drink tonight out of curiosity and maybe, boredom. I may have my work cut out for me nevertheless, I’m starving in this city. Maybe I should’ve gone for an easier meal.”

Melanie replayed the final sentence from the passage again in her head, confused. She spoke of him as if he were an insect that had found himself inside of her web. She quickly turned the page to find an old newspaper article taped inside with a headline that read “Famous Interviewer Elton Ross Mysteriously Found Suffocated In Car”. She was then disturbed even further to see her grandmother’s lipstick covered kiss marking the bottom of the article as if she sealed it with pride. What had happened to him? Her fear elevated as she allowed herself to picture her grandmother as his killer. Had she found her secret journal that detailed her excursions? Her stomach felt weak as she finally noticed the next page over was written in red ink and to her surprise, addressed to her.

“My dearest Melanie, if you are reading this it’s close to your 16th birthday which is a very special rite of passage in our family. The Taper women have always been a part of something that is beyond reason of explanation. I will disclose many secrets to you, and more should you wish to become a part of what makes this family so special. I have written this page lovingly, to help you decide between the paths which I am about to explain to you. They will write the rest of your life. You are a part of a long line of not only powerful, bright, and exceptional women but also supernatural creatures. We are of the bloodline of the Serpentae who carry the genes of Medusa. The demi-goddess was very real and the first of our species. Unlike her, we live eternally feeding off the essence of men. As we do so, we remain beautiful forever and have incredible gifts. I know what you’re thinking after reading my memoir, we are not monsters nor are we murderers. We even produce pheromones that make the feed completely painless. Your mother and every woman in our bloodline carry the Serpentae gene.

Now, for the paths you must choose between. You may choose to live a normal life. Should you wish this, place the book back in the drawer without touching the key and close it. You will have no recollection of this information and you will also live out the rest of your life within a normal span as the gene will go dormant. Sadly, you will also be left barren. Thus, is the way of a Serpantae. If you choose to join us which we hope you will your life will never be the same and you will live a life of freedom. Simply close the book, place it back in the drawer and turn the key in the lock. Shortly after your Serpantae eyes will open. Lastly, you have also inherited $20,000 which you may use to start anew or to enrich the start of your journey as a practicing Serpantae. Forevermore, we will love you no matter the choice you make.”

Melanie slowly looked up from the book in a daze. Like a puzzle piece affixing to its mate, this was the moment of destiny she had always felt approaching. Somehow, she knew that all she had read was true and no matter what, her life would change for good. Silence engulfed the room for what seemed to be hours. Finally, she closed the book and carefully placed it back inside of the drawer. Her hand gripped the drawer shakily and without hesitation, she turned the key. Suddenly, it began to heat glowing a bright orange color burning her hand. Gasping from the pain, she looked over her flesh. There, burned deeply into her thumb and index finger was her family crest. Her vision began to blur and the room darkened. She rubbed her eyes vigorously while trying to walk towards the doorway. Stumbling into the hall her vision returned allowing her to make out her surroundings. She immediately noticed that everything was sharper, brighter and the appearance of the women in the portraits had changed. Their necks were elongated while their faces remained beautiful but were covered in iridescent scales. A door to her right that lead to the basement creaked open and on a table next to it sat a little black book with her Mother’s snake broach off to the side. The book had Melanie’s name embossed at the bottom in gold letters underneath her family crest.

Hesitantly, she clutched the opened door slowly pulling it back. The familiar smell of her grandmother perfume traveled through the doorway. Her heart pounded as she walked down the stairs to see women from her bloodline waiting for her at the bottom. They were clapping and holding champagne glasses in their hands. Her mother and grandmother stood in the middle of the crowd proudly and teary eyed. Melanie gripped her book as feelings of excitement overwhelmed her. An eternal life filled with endless possibilities was far greater than a temporary mundane existence she thought. After all, this was the taper way.