by Aiden James
Nothing good. That’s all I knew. This wasn’t a creature given to mercy and fairness.
“You and Alaia would still be alive!” He sneered. “And the bloodline that I so loathe would still be feeding those whom I despise most of all!”
He leapt over the flames and landed less than a foot from me. Before I could scoot further away, he pinned my robe to the smoking ground with the sharp point of his scepter. He leaned down, our faces so close the smell of rotting flesh was greater than that of the burning village. Alaia whimpered as if she finally understood Ralu’s malice or that she had encountered the first creature in her life that didn’t immediately fall in love with her. I instinctively pulled her to my chest, and turned away in order to protect her. Whatever my fate, I was determined to fight to the death to try and save her.
“How touching,” Ralu said, sending a blast of his foul breath into my face. The urge to hurl up everything in my stomach was damned near impossible to hold back, but somehow I managed to keep it all in my throat. “But why prolong the inevitable? I will win, Txema, and you and your kind will soon be no more. Then, all of your vampire friends will have nothing to fight for, little to live for, and only me and my kingdom to kill for!”
He threw his head back and let out a thunderous roar of triumph, and lifted his sword to smite us. There wasn’t time enough to escape the heavy sword speeding toward my head. I did the only thing I could think of, and wrapped my body around my baby girl.
I awoke with a start.
Alaia was crying. At first, after I realized it was a hellish nightmare and not reality, I thought her cries were from early morning hunger. But, the sheer terror in her innocent face convinced me otherwise… so young, and yet not at all like a typical newborn. There was knowledge in her expression, like an old soul bringing keen understanding to a new lifetime.
“My precious Alaia… I’m so sorry,” I said, gently rocking her in my arms while gasping to catch my breath. My heart raced as if I had just finished sprinting around the village. “I’m so, so sorry.”
She continued to cry despite my efforts to soothe her, and would not calm down enough for me to feed her… at least not until full daylight arrived and Yangani and the eldest midwife entered my hut. She smiled as soon as she saw these familiar faces were very much alive and well.
As she cooed contentedly in Nagira’s arms, I realized what I’d previously feared as a possibility had, in fact, been proven true.
Alaia had experienced my nightmare with Ralu.
spent the entire day sitting on pins and needles. I hated saying goodbye to Yangani, Nagira, and Suddhodana at dusk, and I truly dreaded being on the run again, but after my dream last night and the violence our continued presence guaranteed, I knew we needed to leave as soon as possible. Knowing things would be much more dangerous this time since I carried a helpless newborn ratcheted up my anxiety.
Despite Alaia’s rapid development, she was still far too young to be traveling anywhere yet. Kazikli disagreed, and was quick to point out that instead of an infant only three days old, she seemed as if going on four weeks if her rate of growth and overall development were taken into full consideration. I was having an internal struggle―the village had accepted her as one of their own and I knew that any of them would die trying to protect her until she could physically run away from danger on her own without being helped or carried in some way. She wasn’t ready to leave the village. But I knew that faced with even the least of Ralu’s Chupacabras, all of them would die trying to protect her, and she would likely still be taken.
Kazikli was the first vampire to arrive that night, dressed for the modern world. He seemed unusually tense, as if he wanted to get things rolling instead of waiting for everyone to arrive.
I should’ve known then that something had happened—some new unforeseen development. Our previous plans discussed last night had already been changed.
“You’re looking dapper,” I said, both as a sincere compliment and a way to ease the tension he brought with him into my hut. “Since I know there isn’t a fancy nightspot within a hundred miles of us, and this doesn’t seem like the usual garb I’d expect from a vampire guarding his Indian fortress, what gives?”
I tried to sell my question with an impish smile, as in no way did I wish to needle him.
“You’ll be changing into something more cosmopolitan than we originally planned, too, Txema,” he said, indirectly answering my question. I knew the rest of the puzzle would begin to flesh out at any moment. “One of Racco’s 737s is awaiting us in Kathmandu.”
“What? I thought we were supposed to take a small caravan of jeeps to the hills south of the Nepal border!” I said, unable to mask my surprise. I started to worry. “We’re not heading to your castle in India, are we?”
“I’m afraid not, Txema.” He glanced at my doorway before motioning for me to sit on the bed with him.
I was dressed in my favorite ceremonial robe—my most cherished tricivara—and one that Nagira had made especially for me. I wanted to wear it that night. Not to mention Yangani had spent more than an hour fixing my hair for the trip. Even my makeup was perfect, and in line with what is acceptable among the blended cultures in the region.
“Ralu’s armies made much more progress than we expected overnight,” he said, once we both sat together. His brow seemed more furrowed than I’d seen it before, and I took it as the heaviness of the situation he carried upon his shoulders. I got the distinct feeling he handles far more responsibility for Gustav than is generally known among his vampire peers. “One enormous army has managed to cut across India undeterred since Alaia’s birth three nights ago, and will soon reach the castle. We spent the last hour hiding anything of value and evacuating everyone—human servants and vampires alike.”
He didn’t have to spell out what would happen once that army got to the castle and didn’t find me or the vampires that have a vested interest in mine and Alaia’s survival.
“I had a nightmare about Ralu early this morning, right before sunrise,” I said. “He threatened to kill me, as he has before, but this time his threats included Alaia!”
I almost started crying again, like I already had many times throughout the day. I wasn’t worried so much about me as I was my precious little girl. I could still feel Ralu’s murderous intentions toward her, and the heartache radiated to the very core of my being.
“Yes, I know about the dream and your ongoing fixation since then about Ralu,” he said, his tone compassionate despite the coldness of his words. “And, I have no doubt every vampire within a hundred miles of the village could also hear you, if their passive attention was locked upon your essence as they slept.”
“What do you mean—I don’t understand?” I said, even though clear images to support what he meant appeared in my head. “How can anyone hear me if they’re sleeping?”
“Because you are the last bearer of the birthmark that is physically mature, and there are no others to dilute the signal emanating from your brain,” he said. “You might ask Chanson and the others when they arrive about what they picked up from you since this morning as they slept. I’m sure you’ll be surprised.”
He chuckled sadly and then looked at his watch, scowling in disgust. Apparently, my companions’ habit of running a few minutes late following each night’s sunset was an irritation for him.
“It’s more than that, Txema,” he said, eyeing me seriously. “The others need to fully understand you must not be left alone for even a few minutes from sunset to dawn.”
“Actually we do appreciate that fact, and I’m sorry we’re so late,” said Chanson, entering my hut with Tyreen and Raquel right behind her.
The men were both wearing light shirts with dark suits and the women were in eveningwear. It certainly looked as if everybody but me knew we weren’t going to the castle fortress in India that night. A momentary stab of anger and embarrassment came on once again that everyone else was in on the plan while I was kept in the dark, but
the joy of seeing them again soon replaced it.
“See, I told you that she’d still be here and that the big bad Ralu-wolf did not blow her straw house down!” Armando announced with delight. “My dear Monsieur de Sang, you simply must resist the urge to believe what they tell you about sadistic killers on Investigative Reports! Ritualistic pre-visits are for amateurs only! The real pros always strike without warning, and that’s how they get away with it like Jack the Ripper did!”
Armando added a lecturing forefinger and humorous grimace to go along with his mini-speech. Meanwhile, the rest of the vamps looked pained as they waited for him to finish. My entourage all eyed him like the class clown who took it one step too far, while Kazikli studied him as if deciding whether or not to let him live through the night.
Armando was unfazed, smirking insolently while offering me a compliment on my hair and dress. “You remind me of Sophia Loren as Lucilla in The Fall of the Roman Empire.” He brushed his hands lightly against my robe and hair, and then added a ‘primo’ sign with his thumb and forefinger to go with a playful wink.
“Sophia? I can see that, but much younger when she was Honoria in Attila,” said Garvan.
“You think?” Armando’s left eyebrow crept up as if trying to appreciate Garvan’s point of view. “Sophia was only a girl back then, and Txema is now a woman—”
“That’s enough!” Kazikli shouted, pointing a long, sharp fingernail at them both. He waved it like a small wizard’s wand.
Armando and Garvan both watched it warily, as if believing the same magical powers emitted from his infamous cane could just as easily project from his finger.
When Kazikli was certain that he had their undivided attention, he continued. “We need to get her and Alaia out of here and on a jet plane destined for somewhere off this continent before Ralu’s army can prevent it!”
“I’m ready to go now, and if I need to change the way I’m dressed, we can do it on the plane,” I said, hoping for a way to keep things on a lighter level. Alaia seemed sensitive to the tension in the room and had stopped cooing. I gazed around the hut for anything she might need. I had already packed everything else I could think of in a small suitcase provided by Yangani. “Is there anything I’m forgetting?”
“No, Txema, there isn’t,” said Kazikli, his tone mellow once more. “In the event we do forget something, we’ll be able to replace it right away.”
“I’ll be happy to carry Alaia if you’ll take Txema with you,” Chanson said to him.
I’m not sure if she intended to offend Garvan, but I could tell he wanted to be the one to carry me.
Kazikli studied me and then looked over at Garvan, chuckling softly. “Actually, I think it will work best if Garvan carries Txema and Armando leads the way for them.” He directed his attention to Raquel and Tyreen. “You two ladies can go together and should lead the way for Chanson, who’ll be carrying very precious cargo.” He gave me a subtle wink that reminded me so much of my Papa.
“What about you? You’re coming with us, right?” Chanson’s lips pressed together in a tight line, as if this was an unexpected change to an arrangement discussed earlier between them.
“I absolutely wouldn’t miss this trip for the world,” he said. “I’ll rejoin you all before the plane leaves at eight o’clock tonight. There’s something I need to discuss with Gustav, and then Nora will journey to the plane with me.”
“Nora’s coming? That’s excellent news!” I felt my spirit lift higher. I love being around Nora. Aside from what I mentioned earlier, maybe it’s her nurturing air I so love. She reminds me of my mom’s better qualities.
“She’s finally healed enough to travel again,” said Kazikli. “As long as she can avoid direct confrontation with any of Ralu’s warriors, she’ll be fine. It’s my job to watch over her, and my only reason for carrying her instead of you, Txema.”
“I understand.” Really I did, since my biggest concern was keeping my baby safe. I trusted Chanson to protect Alaia as her own.
“Okay, let’s get going,” said Kazikli. “Girls, you first and then Chanson will follow. Next will be Armando, and then Garvan and Txema together. I’ll follow you until you clear Suddhodana’s realm, and then you’ll be on your own.”
Everyone nodded and exited my hut. I braced myself for the initial jolt, praying Alaia would be safe and sound on her first vampire flight.
I had forgotten what it was like to fly through the air at incredible speeds and dizzying heights while in the arms of a vampire. The last time I had such an experience was when I was back in college. Traveling through frigid Smoky Mountain air in mid-November, I mostly remember how cold I was―similar to when Kazikli carried me from the Himalayas in his pterodactyl form.
If only Garvan had warm human blood pumping through his veins during an experience like this, I might have melted against his powerful arms and chest. Sweet to a fault in his inner nature, he checked on me continually throughout our fifteen-minute flight to the tarmac at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our transportation out of the country looked like a bigger business jet than what we used for our trip to China back in November.
“If you need assistance climbing aboard, I will be delighted to escort you up the stairs,” said a young dark haired boy whom I recognized from that flight. “The plane will depart soon, in about—huh?”
Before he could finish, Garvan lifted me back in the air and we sailed through the open door next to the cockpit. The rest of our group followed suit, leaving this poor kid to stare at us all with his mouth dropped open as we floated into the plane. I guess not all of Racco’s servants had been exposed to vampire antics.
“You and Alaia will sit near the front with me,” said Chanson, once the stewardess closed the door behind her. The passenger cabin was much bigger, and the interior quite plush, with quite a bit of space between the leather swivel chairs.
I recognized our young blonde stewardess as well, as she had provided the ‘snack’ for Tyreen on our previous trip. Her nametag said Michelle and she looked at us all nervously―especially Tyreen, who couldn’t resist smacking her lips and exposing the wetted tips of her fangs at her. She scurried down the aisle to where the rest of the staff was gathered. They all looked warily at us.
If nothing else, our trip would be an interesting affair. My only disappointment was that again Racco was nowhere in sight, although this time I was ready for his absence.
“Where are we going anyway, or do you know?”
I awaited Chanson’s answer while letting my daughter grasp my index finger―something she loved to do in those first few weeks. Alaia smiled when I snuggled up to her and touched my nose to hers, and told her how much Mommy adores her little girl. Meanwhile, Chanson was busy organizing the others, and I wasn’t sure if she’d even heard my question.
“I’m not entirely sure yet, as Gustav and Kazikli were going to determine the destination after they learned more about Ralu’s latest advances,” she finally said, once she returned to her seat next to mine. Tyreen and Raquel sat across the aisle from us, and Garvan and Armando sat in the chairs toward the back of the cabin from them. It sort of looked like ‘girls versus guys,’ except for the seats in front of us reserved for Nora and Kazikli. “All I can tell you right now is our initial stop will be someplace in Europe, and then there will be several different options to consider. A bigger plane gives us extra alternatives in case we need them.”
“Options or alternatives for our new home?” I hated her vagueness despite the fact she probably didn’t know any more than she shared.
“Yes… or at least the next place where we can safely stop and rest before moving on.” She eyed me seriously, and yet a wan smile tugged on the corners of her mouth. “I’m really not trying to play a game here. I don’t know enough yet to give you something more specific.”
I nodded and returned her weak smile. I felt less inclined to speak my mind now that she and the other vampires could once again read my thoughts. I me
an, why bother? Hell, they’d likely already know the answers to my questions before I could organize them into coherent speech.
“We still like to hear your sweet American accent, Txema, so don’t quit talking on our account.” Armando’s playful voice floated in from behind me. He absently spun the chair on its swivel like a bored little boy, drawing a look of annoyance from Garvan. “Besides, it beats the hell out of listening to anything Garvan has to say.”
He reached over as he swiveled past, and poked Garvan in the side, who feigned a physical injury. So much like brothers, I wondered what one would do without the other, should they ever be separated for a lengthy period.
“Oh, there would be plenty of things I could do with some peace and quiet, like read a few books, watch television undisturbed, not worry about being thrown out of movie theatres and burlesque clubs, things like that.” Garvan returned the jab to Armando’s side when he passed by again. Armando howled in fake pain while Garvan rolled his eyes.
“Maybe that’s your problem, Monsieur,” said Armando, still acting as if he had been mortally wounded. “How does one enjoy a burlesque show in peace and quiet? Unless, I suppose, by staring at a taped performance on a computer or cell phone while doing naughty things to one’s self, no?”
“I’m pretty sure that would be small potatoes compared to the sites you had bookmarked on the iPad we bought Txema before she disappeared on us, Armando,” said Raquel, gently rocking back and forth in her seat while she watched the boys at play, her expression almost envious. “You should be grateful Huangtian Dadi confiscated it when we left Xu Zheng Palace or you might’ve found yourself arrested by the custom’s police sometime tonight!”
“So, do you think that lecherous old dragon threw the only piece of twenty-first century technology he’s ever held into the Yarlung Tsangpo River, as he threatened to do?” asked Armando, abandoning his twirling game to study her. His expression was thoughtful and sincere…although his main audience of Tyreen, Raquel, and Garvan surely knew better. “Or, do you think he thought better of it, and now spanks his wee little monkey every night to the Library of Licentiousness I created for him? Hmmm, on second thought I’d rather not picture that.”
