by Aiden James
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Txema, and I look forward to getting to know you and Alaia,” she said, her musical voice even smoother than my cousin’s. I liked her. “Please, make yourself at home, and know that whatever your heart desires, if it is in our power to make it happen, it shall be done for you.”
“I thank you, Mohini.” I looked over at my daughter, whose eyes were locked on her more tightly than mine had been.
“You may not learn their names right away, but in time you will get to know the rest of our little group quite well,” said Koimala, motioning to the rest of his clan who surrounded us. “From right to left we have Aadi, Abhaza, and Adripathi—the three ‘A’s as Racco likes to call them.”
These three looked like brothers in height and facial features. All were tall with classic Indian features such as beautiful brown eyes, dark hair, and brilliant smiles. More slender than Koimala, their builds were athletic in a runner sort of way. Each took turns bowing in acknowledgement. They reminded me of awkward teenage boys dragged against their wills to a high school dance.
Koimala noticed this, too, chuckling before moving on to the next three males.
“These are among the fiercest warriors in the vampire world,” he said, proudly. “Their names are Bhima, Chatur, and Ravana. Xuanxang will attest to their prowess in rebuffing the Mongolian vampires a millennium ago, when their imperialistic nation sought to colonize everything from Nepal to the Maldives Islands.”
I could tell these were older vampires, with similar multicolor eyes to Huangtian Dadi and Gustav, which left me more impressed by their deference to the apparent younger Koimala as their master. Their skin was a similar olive color to Mohini’s though lacked her elegant smoothness. Nonetheless, the members of this fearsome trio were all handsome.
“When my human life ended at twenty-eight, nearly fourteen hundred years ago, I forever lost the love of my daughters,” he said, with an edge of sadness in his voice. “But these companions in the eternal earthly life we share have at least equaled what I lost long ago. Their names are Asura, Kama, Prasad, Rupinder, and Sitara. Chanson and Nora will attest to how wonderful and helpful they will be to you and your daughter.”
All five came forward, and, unlike the guys, offered friendly smiles similar to Mohini’s. I could already tell that Alaia and I would gravitate more to the girls on this island. Unlike Mohini, these women appeared to have been full-blooded Indian in their earthly lives, and looked as if they were slightly older sisters to Aadi, Abhaya, and Adripathi.
“So, now that you have met everyone, it is time for us to feed,” Koimala said. He then turned his attention to our European female vampires. “Ladies, would you like to come with us tonight? Gustav and Xuanxang will be joining us.”
They all looked over at me, uncomfortably, as if afraid of offending me in some way. I’m sure it had everything to do with the way Koimala had presented the words ‘hunt’ and ‘feed’ for their dinner. But I had yet to see any vats or pitchers filled with blood anywhere around us. In fact, other than Racco’s staff, I had yet to see a single human being. I was half tempted to make a joke that Koimala and his circle of twelve vampires had eaten them all.
“You all have to feed,” I said, when the wait for their response started to get awkward. “Things might be a little different in this part of the world, so know that I’m not expecting something like ‘True Blood’ to be served here.” I gave a little shrug and then realized I hadn’t seen a single television. I hoped that they were readers.
At least Tyreen and Raquel got my joke, as they both laughed softly. I waited for them to patiently explain it to Chanson and Nora, and when I saw the relief light up their faces, I knew things would work out. I just had to make sure I didn’t think long about where they got their nourishment. Much the same way I had to not picture the pet milk cow named Margie that my Grandma Terese kept when I was a kid, whenever I ate a steak or hamburger.
“We’ll be back before long,” Chanson said, and gently kissed Alaia after Raquel relinquished her to me.
I heard multiple goodbyes as the vampires disappeared, leaving only Racco and me in the reception area. His crew began their task of unloading the plane, now that the area was vampire-free for at least a little while.
It could’ve been the romantic moment I had dreamt of for the past six months. Surrounded by such luxury, the night songbirds looked down at us from the highest entablatures atop the marble columns. Not to mention a near-full moon peered in through the open galleries on the floors above us.
“Come, let me show you to your room,” said Racco. He smiled compassionately, while taking my left hand in his. I held Alaia in my right arm, up close to my chest. He led the way to a curved staircase near one of the waterfalls.
As I stated, this could’ve been an incredible moment that boded well for a night of passion. But, I couldn’t focus on Racco and what I’d like to share with him in my bed. Not with the tragedy that happened to Peter weighing so heavily upon my heart.
When we reached the second floor, I was amazed, more like a little stunned at first. My room was spacious and beautifully furnished with a large four-poster bed that appeared to be several hundred years old, along with a matching armoire. Even part of the bathroom, where one’s most personal business needed to be taken care of, contained the most lavish appointments. But, the shower/bath was out in the open, and where I expected to find windows above the marble railing that enclosed the room had nothing. The walls opened fully to the great outdoors, sort of like a partially enclosed backyard deck or patio.
Oh Joy. No privacy, and a good thing I didn’t have love on my mind.
“What do you think?”
Racco seemed to accept this on the same level as the impeccable arrangements contained in his former French castle, and even the chalet at the bottom of the remote Pyrenees location we skied down to last November. I might add that both of those buildings had enclosed walls with glass windows.
“I’m not sure yet.” I tried to picture myself eventually warming up to this arrangement.
The only thing I honestly liked was the sound of the ocean, which seemed louder here than it had downstairs in the reception area. I walked over to the ledge closest to the bed and peered out toward the beach. A soft, warm breeze caressed my face and body, and the moonlight danced on the waves. It was magical. The tension that had gripped my mind while deciding if I could handle a room like this began to ease. Even Alaia seemed to delight in the scenery, as she cooed quietly.
“It may take a day or so to get used to the lack of privacy,” he said, and I knew then that he’d been studying my reaction as I moved through the room. “But remember, other than my staff, you and I are the only human beings here. My employees will only visit your room when you want them to do so, and will otherwise stick to their quarters on the other side of the palace.”
Well, that made me feel a little better about it.
“I want to thank you, Racco, for saving our lives,” I said, voicing my conclusion to what surely would’ve happened to me and Alaia if he had not come to rescue us unwittingly in Nashville. If Racco hadn’t sought immediate resolution of where our relationship stood, Ralu would’ve surely made good on his threats to kill us.
I walked over and gave him a hug, and then kissed him on his cheek. I pulled away before he could seek more. His expression was a curious mixture of disappointment and regret, as if he could’ve somehow prevented the series of events that befell me.
“Give me time to sort things out,” I said, trying to be gentle. “My heart has been through a lot, and it’s not only my heart’s welfare I must consider.”
He nodded while alternating his somber gaze between Alaia and me.
“I’ll give you as long as you need,” he said finally. “But, remember that I’m not like the vampires. I can’t read your mind. So, when things change in your heart, you must tell me and not keep me guessing.”
“That’s fair,” I said, and reached out to grasp his
hand. “I promise you’ll be the first to know when my heart is free again.”
He smiled weakly and then left. I thought I might stay up until Chanson and the others returned. But after feeding and changing Alaia, my eyes grew progressively heavier, and I ended up falling asleep with her in my arms. It was the last thing I recalled when I awoke the next morning.
he birds were what woke me the next morning. Three of them at on one of the marble railings, and they looked like small green parakeets with crimson rings around their necks. They chirped merrily to one another and flew away once I sat up in my bed.
Someone had visited my room after I fell asleep, as a pink blouse and white shorts draped on a chair across from my bed, and white sandals sat on the floor nearby. A matching pink and white onesie had been laid out for Alaia.
I must admit that receiving such attention has always calmed my uneasiness since my vampire adventures began last year. Especially since every time something’s been left, it has always been a perfect fit. Seeing the clothes helped me feel better about our situation, and it didn’t hurt when a cool breeze from the ocean swept aside the tropical heat in my room.
I felt exhilarated and ready to face the day.
Even Alaia seemed excited, giggling as I spent a few minutes playing peek-a-boo with her. After taking care of her needs and dressing her in her latest outfit, I laid my bedclothes on the floor and headed for the exposed shower right outside my bathroom. All the while, I wondered if any peeping toms were watching from some remote place. At least the water was incredible. It felt so warm and gentle that I would’ve loved to spend more time under the light spray if not for my paranoia and unease at being exposed. Still, I wondered about how peaceful it could be if I could ever get over the fact it was right out in the open. Once dressed, with only light makeup that morning, I picked up Alaia and carried her out, hoping to find other human beings for conversation and something to eat.
The sound of a harp drifted in from somewhere close. The harpist was quite skilled, although the hauntingly beautiful music was unfamiliar to me. I followed it, strolling past the reception area and through a small alcove. When I emerged from the alcove into a walled garden, I gasped.
A variety of large predatory felines lounged about upon marble pedestals scattered about an indoor lagoon fed by a pair of natural waterfalls. The largest cats perched between the falls, a male lion on the tallest platform, a lioness slightly below him. Two white tigers sat on either side of the lions, and further away past the waterfalls, two jaguars reclined. One was black, the other white—a cheetah, and two spotted leopards.
All lazed about as if in a zoo exhibit, but none of the animals seemed forced into this arrangement. They could easily jump down from their pedestals and race around the lagoon to reach me in a matter of seconds. A glint drew my gaze to the top of the harp a short distance below the lion, and I couldn’t imagine what kind of idiot would have a death wish to play music in such close proximity to one of mankind’s most feared predators.
I stood for a moment in awe. When none of the great cats reacted to me, the true grandeur of the place sank in. The room contained an enormous garden that, despite the palace’s lavishness, I never expected. A wide variety of exotic flowering trees and plants grew beneath a glass enclosure over the top of the immense room. Individual panes set in a sprawling white marble frame gave it the feel of a greenhouse. The sides were left open, much in the same way as my bedroom. Huge white marble pillars supported the ceiling and jutted up along the sides of the garden, each adorned with intricate gold designs. In the midst of this marvelous place sat a beautiful blue lagoon, with a fabulous golden fountain in the middle depicting a collage of sculptured Hindu deities.
Similar to the much smaller pool inside the palace, a pair of natural waterfalls fed the lagoon.
“They take turns playing it, since the harp itself is shaded from the sun,” said a familiar voice.
I whirled to find Racco less than twenty feet to my right, standing in the shade from a mangrove tree, wearing khaki shorts and a short sleeve safari shirt he fit the part of wealthy conservationist. His dimpled smile gave away that he’d observed my awed expression from the moment I entered. My heart beat faster as he walked over to me.
“Well, good morning to you, too!” I said, while I sought to protect my emotions from the sudden flurry of my hormones. “And, who are ‘they’ that you’re referring to?”
“Why, our hosts of course!” he said gleefully. “But you can’t really see much from here. Allow me to escort you to a table with a fine view of our breakfast entertainment.”
He held out his arm for me to take, as if he was an usher at an ancient airy cathedral, and I was a little old lady in need of support. I’m sure it was all in fun. I slid my fingers down the length of his muscular arm and grasped his hand instead. He paused to study my yearning expression, his smile widened a touch, and he proceeded to lead me along a marble path toward the lagoon.
A myriad of birds singing from the upper branches of immense coconut palms enhanced the exotic melody and the soft crash of the waterfalls. We soon arrived at a table under a tasseled umbrella, where Mercel waited by a wooden chair already pulled out for me. Attired similarly to Racco, he lacked the skittishness he had the last time he prepared a meal for me. He seemed perfectly at ease, despite the presence of dangerous big cats on the loose nearby.
“We had a little batter left over from yesterday, would you like a fresh crepe?” said Mercel, motioning to a small stand set up next to the table. “It will be the last one for a little while, until we get our first shipment of cooking supplies and other necessities from the mainland in a few days.”
“Sure, why the hell not!” I added a playful smile while I handed him the empty plate set before me. “I’m feeling really hungry this morning, so if you don’t mind I’ll take a couple. Oh, and can we get something for Alaia… is there any more formula?”
“Mademoiselle, you are in luck,” he said. “Racco made sure we brought extra formula and powdered milk.”
I completely missed whatever he said after that. Following a slight nudge from Racco, who had taken his seat next to me, my attention shifted to the harpist directly across from us on the other side of the narrowest section of the lagoon.
“No fucking way,” I whispered, as I watched him gracefully work the strings, relying on obvious supernatural dexterity. His fingers moved so swiftly across the strings it was impossible to define the pattern. It made better sense to focus on the face and not the blur―the face of one of the young male vampires from last night. “Shouldn’t he be exploding into flames at any moment?”
“Didn’t I tell you these vampires are different?” said Racco, turning impish once I shot him a warning look. “They can stand some daylight, but only in small amounts before they have to switch places with another.”
“How can they do that if only one of them is out here in the sunshine?”
“Shush! They are already preparing to make a change. Abhaya is getting ready to relieve Aadi,” he said, while taking his traditional half crepe from Mercel. I could almost hear him go ‘oink-oink’ when he looked at the two hefty crepes laden with crème and mango slices on my plate.
“Where is Abhaya? I only see the lone vampire,” I said, taking a small bite from my crepe. As if that would somehow make me seem daintier. Meanwhile, Mercel left to prepare a baby bottle. I was about to say something smart-ass about Racco’s middle-aged eyesight when I noticed Aadi had started to look uncomfortable. Light steam rose from his body as if he was being cooked at a hotter temperature than our French pancakes. “What the fu-”
I couldn’t even finish my ‘unladylike’ comment. Nor could I say anything else, at least until the transformations I witnessed had fully registered in my brain.
Before Aadi could begin to combust, the white jaguar climbed down from its perch and trotted over to the harp. By the time the feline reached it, the jaguar had disappeared, and Abhaya took its place. The shift
occurred so fast my human eyes couldn’t discern the change. One second a white jaguar, the next a quite naked young stud. I turned my attention to the sky, which was also quite naked (albeit of clouds), and not nearly as uncomfortable for me to look at.
Meanwhile, Aadi had disappeared. But I was pretty damned sure he had shifted into an albino cheetah that climbed atop the marble pedestal Abhaya had vacated moments earlier.
“Are they magicians then, like Kazikli? Is that how they change?”
“No, this is simply what they are.”
“That’s unbelievable,” I said to Racco, who smiled proudly in response. Abhaya began to play a new song, and looked at us knowingly as he worked his musical magic. This time I did recognize the piece, one of Mozart’s piano concertos. “It’s all so incredibly un-fucking unbelievable!”
“To my knowledge, this is the only bloodline who are afflicted this way,” he said, after nodding thoughtfully to my ruffian observation. “Nearly thirteen hundred years ago, Koimala searched the entire world for others like himself. Most of the vampires are locally grown, so to speak.” He laughed. “The warriors and his lover, Mohini, came from an island in the Pacific that has long since been underwater, and was once the capital province for the lost continent of Mu.”
Mercel arrived with a bottle, which curtailed this discussion for a few minutes. After Alaia was content and I had a chance to make a bigger dent in my breakfast, I asked the foremost questions I’d been thinking about.
“So, I assume the rest of the felines across the way are Koimala and everyone else, correct?”
“Yes, of course,” he said.
“Can you tell me who’s who?”
“Well, let’s see… the lions of course, are Koimala and his queen, Mohini. The tigers are Bhima and Chatur, and the black jaguar is Ravana. The rest often interchange with one another, but they are the girls and boys in the group.”
The male lion, who had been staring at us for the past few minutes, jumped down from his pedestal. He let out a muted roar while shaking its mane, and rubbed noses with the lioness. I turned to Racco to comment on the apparent love between Koimala and Mohini, when Koimala appeared out of thin air before us under the umbrella.
