Thicker Than Blood

by Shalini Boland

  ‘So will you come with me?’ Aelia asked, not put off by the widow’s jibes.

  ‘To your underground tomb?’ The widow cackled.

  ‘It’s not a tomb. It’s a refuge. It’s only temporary.’

  ‘That’s what you think.’

  ‘What do you think?’ Aelia said.

  ‘I think you talk too much.’

  And so, as always, the conversation ended.

  Back home, later that evening, Aelia began preparing the evening meal. They had collected an abundance of herbs and vegetables and Aelia was excited to cook something new for the widow – a summer vegetable dish she remembered helping her mother with.

  ‘I’ll prepare the food tonight,’ the widow said, shuffling over to the spring, where Aelia was washing some lettuce leaves.

  ‘Oh, no that’s alright. I was going to make us …’

  ‘I said, I’ll prepare it.’ The widow snatched the lettuce out of Aelia’s hands, causing her to drop most of it into the spring where it was carried away underground.

  Aelia was shocked and more than a little angry. The woman was getting ruder by the day. She stood up, dried her hands on her tunic and stalked off. It was a good thing she was leaving in a couple of days and if the widow didn’t want to come along, well that was just fine. She could stay here to be savaged by the barbarian horde. No, she didn’t really mean that, but the woman was impossible.

  Aelia stepped outside the cave and held up her hand to shield her eyes from the sun which was throwing out bright shafts of light as it slid down into the rocky landscape. Only two more days and she would be back with her family. She’d just have to grit her teeth and put up with the widow’s moods a little longer. She sat cross-legged on the dusty ground and watched a few birds streak across the sky, trying to make it home before nightfall. A warm breeze swirled about her and she closed her eyes for a moment. She sat there like that for a while, trying to rid herself of her annoyance at the widow’s behaviour.

  ‘Supper is ready.’

  Widow Maleina’s voice interrupted her meditation. She turned around, but the widow had already returned to the cave. Aelia sighed and got to her feet. She wouldn’t even attempt a conversation this evening. It was too exhausting and a complete waste of time.

  Aelia saw that the widow had made a stew. In Aelia’s opinion, it was far too hot for such a meal, but at least it smelled good. She realised she was starving, sat down and took a huge spoonful.

  ‘I didn’t mean to be quite so abrupt with you earlier,’ Widow Maleina said.

  Aelia almost choked on her food. Was the woman apologising?

  ‘I am grateful for your help these past few months,’ the widow continued. ‘You have earned your keep quite well. I would like you to know that.’

  ‘Umm. Thank you,’ Aelia murmured, before spooning in another mouthful.

  ‘You are a good girl,’ the widow said with a sad smile.

  And that was the last thing Aelia heard before the world went black.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Present Day

  *

  Okay, there was nothing else for it – Maddy was going to have to brave the shower. She felt so disgustingly grimy and vile that even a cold shower in the most rank bathroom in the universe was better than feeling this gross. And anyway, the thought of Alexandre seeing her like this, was too much for her ego.

  She was freezing to start with, so stripping off her clothes was not enjoyable. Her teeth chattered and her grimy flesh broke out in goose bumps. Maddy steeled herself for the squalor and stench of the bathroom, opened the door, turned on the light and strode in. She ignored the feel of the slimy floor, trying not to gag, and stood under the rusty shower head. Bracing herself for a freezing onslaught, she turned the metal dial on the wall.

  Cold brown water dribbled out onto her hair and skin. Too late, Maddy realised she should have tested the water before standing under it. She’d have to make the best of it now. But to her surprise and delight, the water gradually grew warmer and clearer until, after about twenty seconds or so, the muddy trickle had turned into a steaming hot jet of heaven. Oh my God, this was exactly what she needed. Her bones thawed out and her skin glowed with warmth and cleanliness. She could have quite easily stood there all day. Even without soap or shampoo, she felt a million times better.

  Eventually, Maddy felt sufficiently scrubbed, and so reluctantly turned off the water and returned to her room or cell or whatever it was. She used her vest top to dry her body and sighed as she stepped back into her dirty clothes. Now she just had to wait for that vampire chick to come back in again and then she could work on befriending her. She felt like it was only a matter of time before the girl came around. She’d brought her a cup of tea and spoken a couple of words already. Next time, she’d get a whole sentence from the girl if it killed her.

  It wasn’t long before the girl came back. She walked in and smiled at Maddy. It was small and quick, but it was an unmistakable smile. Maddy returned it with a hundred watt version of her own.

  ‘Come on then,’ Maddy said. ‘How long have you been a vampire? A hundred years? Fifty? Five hundred? Put me out of my misery, ple-e-ease. At least tell me your name.’

  ‘My name’s Zoe Marshall and I’ve only been a vampire for a year.’

  Maddy was shocked that the girl had answered. What a result. If she was honest, she hadn’t really expected her to reply.

  ‘Zoe … Hi … A year? Well I was totally off the mark.’

  ‘It feels like forever.’

  ‘I bet.’ Maddy was sitting on the bed, leaning up against the wall, her legs stretched out in front of her. Zoe put the tray of food on the bed and made to leave.

  ‘You can’t go now,’ Maddy said. ‘You have to tell me how you got to be a vampire.’

  ‘I don’t have to tell you anything.’ Zoe’s face darkened.

  ‘I didn’t mean … I just meant, it would be interesting to hear your story. Sorry if I made you angry.’

  ‘No, I’m not angry with you.’

  ‘Angry with who then?’

  ‘I’d better go,’ Zoe said.

  ‘No. Please.’

  ‘Sorry.’ The door slammed.

  ‘Shit. Nice one, Maddy.’

  Suddenly the door burst open again and Zoe appeared, sitting next to Madison on the bed in that disconcerting way that vampires have of materialising right next to you as if by magic. She leant back against the wall and began to talk.

  ‘I don’t really get why they told me not to talk to you. I mean, it’s not like I’m going to tell you where you are or why you’re here or anything. And, even if I did, what are you going to do about it? You can’t escape. This place is serious.’

  ‘Wow,’ Maddy said.

  ‘Yeah,’ Zoe replied. Although Maddy hadn’t said ‘wow’ in response to what Zoe had said. She said ‘wow’ because it was weird hearing all those words come out of Zoe’s mouth. Zoe, the quiet vampire chick who never spoke.

  ‘You have no idea how serious this place is.

  ‘Serious in what way?’

  ‘Oh, you know,’ Zoe said airily, waving her hands in a dismissive gesture.

  ‘No, tell me,’ Maddy replied.

  ‘Well, it’s ultra-secure. It’s not like a normal building or anything.’

  Maddy suddenly remembered her journey here when she’d woken up to that strange engine sound. Something occurred to her. ‘Am I still in England?’

  Zoe laughed. ‘I guess it won’t hurt to tell you that much. Nope, we’re not in the UK.’

  So that engine noise must have been a plane. That wasn’t how Maddy had pictured her first trip abroad. She’d had dreams of travelling first class to some sunny exotic destination with Alexandre, just the two of them for a few weeks of uninterrupted bliss. Instead, she’d been drugged, blindfolded and abducted to the Costa del Grotty Bathroom. At least the room service was alright.

  ‘Can you tell me what country we’re in?’

  ‘Better not,’
Zoe replied. ‘I’ve probably said too much already.

  ‘Thanks for bringing me that cup of tea … before.’

  ‘I used to love a cuppa,’ Zoe said. ‘That’s the kind of thing I really miss about being a human. It’s weird, the blood thing is amazing, but it kind of takes over. Whereas with food you have these little rituals and treats. It’s more interesting. More varied.’

  Maddy glanced sideways at Zoe. It was odd how comfortable she felt in her presence. She supposed that was because she lived with a bunch of vampires who were the loveliest, kindest, funniest people she knew. A wave of emotion made her eyes bright with unshed tears. She took a breath.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you don’t seem like the kind of person who would keep someone else locked up.’

  Zoe pursed her lips and stared at the wall.

  ‘Zoe?’ Madison prompted.

  ‘You know, you’re not the only one who’s here against her will. I’m not exactly …’

  Suddenly the door opened. A man swept in. Except it wasn’t a man. It was another vampire.

  ‘Out,’ he hissed.

  Zoe moved out of the door so fast she was a blur. Maddy stood, her heart hammering in her chest. The vampire was medium height with thick dark hair. His face was that of a teenager, but his black eyes and bearing were much older. He stared at Madison for a moment. She wasn’t usually lost for words, but the man had such a presence she felt fear like a palpable thing on her shoulder. Was he going to drink from her? The thought made her want to scream in terror. Then, just as suddenly as he had entered, he turned and left the room.

  With a thud of dread, Maddy realised he was probably going to be her new jailor. And what about Zoe? He’d looked really angry with her. Would she get into trouble? She hoped he wouldn’t hurt her. What if Zoe didn’t return? What would she do then? That male vampire didn’t look like the sort you made friends with. He was one scary dude. She was never going to get out of here. Think. Think, Maddy. What are you going to do now?

  *

  This was more like the Cappadocia Alexandre remembered, only now he was seeing it not as a mortal, but as a vampire. Last time, he had viewed the countryside from the back of a camel, gently swaying through the rocky landscape along a man-made trail, his eyes wide with naïve wonder. This time, he skimmed the dark surfaces of stone and rock and jumped any obstacles in his way. He climbed up rock faces, freefalling down valleys and stepping across streams as though they were small puddles.

  The others travelled close by and they matched each other’s speed, silently covering the dark miles. There were more settlements now and new roads stretched smooth and wide, where before had been only dusty tracks or nothing at all, but most of the terrain was still as it used to be. They were nearing the village of Zelmat and Alexandre thought back to the old woman who had originally told him the legend of the blood demons. What was her name? Havva Sahin. She would be long dead of course, as would her sweet grandchildren. Perhaps her descendants still lived here.

  Before long, they reached the rushing river where Alexandre had dived down into the cave all those years ago. He hoped he would still be able to recall where the entrance used to be. The fairy chimney markers were no longer standing and so he would have to trust to his memory. He scanned the river bank.

  ‘Is this it?’ Leonora asked, coming to rest at his side. ‘Is this the place?’ Her hair had come loose and she began pinning it back into place.

  ‘This is the river, but I’m not sure if this is the exact spot. Wait here a moment.’ Alexandre travelled along the river bank for a few miles. It only took him a minute or two. He suddenly remembered the cave had been located at a particularly wide section of the river and also, there had been a cliff on the opposite bank. Here, there was flat ground opposite, so this was not the spot. He retraced his steps and called to the others to follow him. Soon he came to an area which looked promising.

  ‘I think this is it,’ he said. ‘It may not be the exact location, but it’s near enough.’

  ‘So what do we do now?’ asked Isobel.

  ‘We walk. We listen. We scent the air and the ground. We use all our senses to find her.’

  ‘Let’s spread out,’ said Jacques. ‘We’ll cover more ground if we …’

  ‘No,’ Alexandre interrupted. ‘We stay together as agreed.’

  ‘How about if Freddie and I go together and you and …’

  ‘I said no!’

  ‘Fine. We’ll stay together,’ Jacques grumbled.

  ‘We stay in sight at all times.’

  ‘I said okay.’

  They travelled more slowly this time.

  Alexandre concentrated on everything around him. He smelt the frost on the ground and the fresh tang of pine needles in the wind. The earth beneath him felt solid and dense. Insects, lizards, snakes and rodents moved below him, but he could not sense anything more.

  ‘I cannot get a feel for anything below the surface,’ Isobel said giving voice to his thoughts. ‘I just feel the rocks beneath my feet. Nothing more.’

  The others murmured their agreement.

  ‘Perhaps the rock is too thick for our senses to penetrate,’ Leonora said.

  ‘I think you’re right,’ said Freddie. ‘It just feels like normal ground to me. I can’t tell if there are any caves below or not.’

  ‘And I definitely can’t tell if there are any people down there. Human or vampire,’ said Isobel.

  ‘Sshh.’ Alexandre held up his hand for silence. ‘We have company.’ He tensed his body. There were four of them coming this way, travelling quickly. He knew they were about to have a confrontation with these creatures and he wished he could send the others away to deal with it on his own. The fear for his siblings and friends was worse than his apprehension at meeting these powerful beings.

  They came to a stop only a few yards away. Four male vampires dressed in modern clothing.

  ‘No need to be nervous,’ one of them said. ‘We don’t bite.’

  The other three laughed at their companion’s humour.

  ‘Where is she?’ Alexandre asked, praying his voice would remain steady. It did.

  ‘Hello, pleased to meet you. My name is Sergell.’ He looked young, but Alexandre knew this vampire was old. Older than him. Much older.

  ‘Where is she, Sergell?’

  ‘And you must be Alexandre,’ he continued.

  Alexandre took a step forward.

  ‘Now, now.’ Sergell held up a hand. ‘We are soon to be family. We don’t want any unpleasantness.’

  ‘You started this unpleasantness when you took Madison.’

  ‘I can see this is not getting us very far. Return to your hotel. Relax, enjoy the scenery and come to the city in two days’ time as agreed.’

  ‘Nothing has been agreed,’ Alexandre snarled. ‘Nothing!’

  Leonora put a warning hand on his arm. ‘We will return on the 21st,’ she said.

  ‘Very good,’ Sergell replied.

  The four strangers left as quickly as they had arrived.

  ‘Why did you say that?’ Alexandre growled at Leonora.

  ‘To avoid trouble. We don’t want to fight them now, without having found Madison.’

  ‘Yes. I know you’re right, but to give in so easily ...’

  ‘They were the real deal,’ Jacques said. ‘I thought we were scary. But those vampires are like …’

  ‘I know,’ Freddie agreed. ‘You could feel the power coming off them in waves. And they knew it too.’

  ‘What are we to do, Alexandre?’ Isobel asked. ‘We cannot go up against these creatures. They will crush us.’

  Alexandre shook with anger and impotence. He knew the vampires had been laughing at them. He and the others were way out of their depth here. They would not be able to take them by force. Not for the first time, Alexandre wished he had destroyed the Cappadocian back when he’d had the chance. Now that evil creature had set himself up as leader once again, with layers of protection surround
ing him. It made Alexandre crazy to think that Madison was beyond his reach. He couldn’t bear to think of her alone and afraid, not knowing what was going on. And it was all his fault. If he couldn’t keep her safe, what good was he to her? She was in danger because of him, because of what he was.

  He couldn’t let Maddy down. Already, he missed her so much that nothing felt right. His world felt bleak and empty without her and it hit him again just how much he loved her. He and the others would have to rethink their non-existent strategy to get her back. With a fresh lurch of despair, he realised they would need a miracle.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Cappadocia, 575 AD

  *

  The blackness was heavy, pushing down onto her face and chest until she couldn’t breathe anymore. The terror of not being able to take a breath made her forget who she was. The air was leaving her lungs, sweat prickled all over her body and a rushing sound filled her ears. She couldn’t talk or see or move. This wasn’t real, was it?

  *

  She heard a murmur. It was a rasping, dry sound that made no sense. Aelia felt a pain in her throat and realised it was she who was making the murmur. She tried to remember what had happened: She lived with the widow … had been with her for years. There was a trip to the valley to gather mushrooms and wild vegetables. They had returned home and the widow had treated a couple of patients. They had sat down to eat their evening meal and, for the first time ever, the widow had been quite pleasant. And then … she couldn’t remember anything else.

  ‘Awake?’

  Aelia recognised Widow Maleina’s voice. As she opened her eyes, the widow’s face shimmered into focus.

  ‘What happened?’ Aelia croaked.

  ‘You had a fever. But you’ll be fine.’

  ‘I feel awful.’

  ‘You look awful.’ The widow laughed.

  Aelia attempted to roll her eyes, but she was too weak even for that.