by Armae
“I have longed to hear you say those words and mean them, Neomina.”
“And I do.”
“I know that now. I can sense it in my soul.”
He pulled her close to him. The feel of her warm, silky flesh against his hard, cold body made Lazarus quiver. He couldn't remember feeling anything as wondrous as being one with Neomina. He marveled at the sensation of hot against cold, Neomina's warm body against his, and reeled in the madness she created in his soul. She made him whole and she made him long for his mortality. Lazarus was shocked by the realization. The sudden desire to revert to man overwhelmed him.
“Where is the amulet, Neomina?”
She stared at the table next to the bed. A small wooden box sat perched on top.
Lazarus followed Neomina's gaze and found the sacred relic. Concentrating on the box, he forced the top to lift. Inside sat the amulet containing Christ's blood. Lazarus willed the powers of his mind to bring forth the amulet and place it around his neck. He felt the heavy chain grace his flesh as the warm feel of gold brushed against his chest. A sudden change took over his senses.
Lazarus could feel the transformation occurring inside his body. The preternatural instincts vanished as did all his Vampyric abilities. He was suddenly aware of the man that had survived deep within and hidden for centuries by the darkness.
Warmth returned to Lazarus’ body. The heat that flowed through him made his flesh tingle. He caressed Neomina with his suddenly warm hand and reveled in watching her respond to him. For the first time in his life, Lazarus did not fear the beast that dwelled in him. He brushed his lips against the smooth skin of Neomina's neck and lingered there. His tongue explored her sweet flesh and tasted her every essence. He didn't have to hold back now. He had no need to keep himself in check for the Vampyre that ruled his soul slept in the presence of mortality.
Lazarus saw the world in a whole new light. He saw the world as did man, with beauty and awe. His body began to warm. The tingling sensation filled him from head to toe. He wondered why he had fought the idea for so long, why he never allowed himself the right to be man again.
He pulled Neomina to him and made them one by melding their bodies together. The pleasure was explosive and divine. He considered his present world to be an Eden made on earth and nothing less.
“Lazarus,” cried Neomina.
The sound of her voice sent him over the edge and plummeted him to pure ecstasy. “Be one with me Neomina. Be one with me in both body and spirit.”
She quivered beneath him and responded to the magic that grew from their union.
And at that very moment both Neomina and Lazarus knew their life together would never be the same again.
CHAPTER 28
At dawn, Montgomery waited in the chapel for Lazarus and Neomina to arrive. He had called to them earlier saying it was urgent for them to meet with him.
Lazarus entered the underground church and made his way toward the sitting angel. He took a seat in the front pew next to Monty.
“What stirs your soul, uncle?”
“Is Neomina coming, too? I want her to be here.”
No sooner did he speak than she appeared at his side.
“Why the urgency, Montgomery?”
“Please, have a seat.”
She obliged the angel and sat in the pew with him and Lazarus.
“I am to leave for Paradise on this day. Aurelia and Lucius are waiting for me.”
Tears welled in Neomina's eyes.
“I didn't think you would be leaving so soon.”
He reached out his hand and took hers in his palm.
“I will be back just as I told you before. If you have need of me call my name and I shall come to you. I wanted to bid you farewell before leaving and to tell you that the Conlon line lives on.”
Neomina stared at him in silence.
“It is true, my dear. You and Lazarus will have a family of your own. This I know for fact. But please promise me that however you choose to raise your children, you will not let the twins turn out to be like Althea and Byron.”
“Twins?” Lazarus raised an eyebrow in worry.
“Yes, nephew, twins.”
“Mortal twins?”
“They will be mortals that have Grigori souls with Tracker blood. The dark gift will be theirs only if they so desire it.”
“And the Tribe? What am I to do about leading them? As a mortal, I'm no help to them.”
“You will know what to do when the time comes. For now your concern must be with your new family.” Montgomery rose and unfurled his wings. “It is time for me to ascend to Paradise. My task here is now complete.”
Tears flowing from his bright blue eyes, he lovingly embraced both Lazarus and Neomina. “Only call my name and I shall return...” Montgomery's voice echoed in the distance as he vanished from man's world.
EPILOGUE
One Year Later
“Are you sure of this, Neomina?”
“Yes. You have given me the family I desired and shared my world. Now I want to give back to you that which you gave me. I want to share your world with you, Lazarus Conlon. I want to be part of your Tribe.”
“But what about Aaron and Briana? The children will need a mortal mother.”
Neomina reached for the Amulet of Christ that hung about Lazarus’ neck.
“We have the means to revert to our mortality whenever the need arises. I can raise our children in a loving manner regardless if I am mortal or Vampyre.”
“And what will the Trackers say?”
“I have decided to will my powers and my belongings, including the relics, to the twins. I have even informed Roderick of my decision. He has agreed to see to it that, when they are old enough, they will inherit both my seat and his on the Tracker Council. The twins will know both worlds.”
“Then I have no choice but to abide by your wishes, Neomina.” He took a deep breath and paused. It had been years since Lazarus last brought a soul across to the world of the Vampyre and years since he last bestowed the dark gift upon another soul. He prayed he would be up to the task this time around.
“The act is not an easy one, Neomina. I will need time to prepare and I must consult with my mother, Byron, Althea and Artemis. I will need their help in rehabilitating my soul after the deed is done. A soul cannot rehabilitate completely on its own.”
“The Tribe has been good to me this past year and I know now that they accept me as I am. With Percy no longer here to threaten them, they have been a happy, lively bunch. And therefore I can wait to be brought across. I will wait for you Lazarus. I will wait until the time is right.”
* * * *
The Tribe gathered in the forest surrounding Sanctum Hall and stood under the silvery glow of a waxing moon. They had witnessed many souls brought across over the centuries of their existence, but tonight's rite would prove more sacred than any from the past. Tonight Lazarus would take Neomina and formerly present her to his grandfather's people. In the moon's light he would make her Vampyre, bestow the dark gift on her soul and officially make her the mistress of his Tribe.
Waiting inside the keep, Lazarus paced back and forth in the great hall. His stomach seemed to knot tighter with each round of steps he took across the floor.
“Why are you so nervous, nephew?”
He spun around, shocked to hear Montgomery's voice behind him. His uncle emerged from the shadows.
“What are you doing here?”
“Do you think I would abandon you at a time like this?”
“Well, no. But I did not think to call upon you. In truth, I feared disturbing you, taking you away from Aurelia and Lucius.”
“Nonsense. They are quite capable of doing without me for a short while and understand fully that I will forever be your guardian.”
The angel handed Lazarus a silver pitcher and bowl.
“What is this for?”
“Your grandfather kept them in his villa during the years he lived in darkness. They ca
rried an endless supply of Paradisian fruits and wines. When he left this earthly existence, these belongings went with him. He asked me to give them to you for this occasion.”
The bowl and pitcher filled in an instant.
“The supply will never run dry, Lazarus. It is a gift from Romulus.”
His soul still lingering in a fit of panic, Lazarus took a deep breath. “What if I am making a mistake tonight? What if Neomina is not meant to be brought across? I will doom her soul.”
Montgomery unfurled his wings. He extended his massive feathery anatomy to its fullest span to reach out and touch Lazarus’ shoulders.
“Feel the presence of Paradise, nephew. Feel the flow of energy coming from my wings and absorb it into your soul. Paradise has a long battle ahead with the Dark Breed. It is necessary for the Tribes of the New Breed to continue and to grow. All things happen for a reason and all things happen because the Soul of Paradise so desires them to be.”
He hadn't thought about it like that before. But Montgomery's words made sense to Lazarus. He thanked the Heavens for sending him his uncle.
“God is God of all things, including God of Lucien and Hell. Nothing can be without Him.”
Lazarus took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. His soul began to steady itself and a calm washed over him. He waited patiently for Artemis and Octavia. “Will you join us tonight, Montgomery?”
“I think perhaps I shall remain inside and enjoy the company of my grandniece and nephew. The rites of the Tribe are sacred and I wish to respect that.”
“But you of all beings are always welcomed.”
“Thank you.”
Dressed in a black velvet gown embroidered with rich silver threads depicting the Conlon wolf, Octavia entered the main hall. Her long ebony hair sat rolled in two coiled braids on either side of her head draped in sheer silvery fabric.
“Monty, so good of you to come.” With a sincere hug she embraced her angelic brother-in-law. “Have you seen the twins yet?”
“No. But I plan on watching them tonight while the Tribe gathers.” He paused. A sad expression crossed his face. “I remember when Lazarus was just an infant and I came to your villa the day he was made Vampyre in the days after Lucius died. I wished I could have seen my own son grow up, but I thank God for sending me to Lazarus.”
“Then you must promise to return often so you may see Aaron and Briana grow. Living among the Tribe, I'm sure they will have need of an uncle like you.”
Octavia looped her arm into Montgomery's and shuffled him off to see the twins. Lazarus was left once more to his own company.
Thoughts of the pending rites occupied his mind and caused him to tune out the rest of the world. He became so engrossed in his worries, he barely heard Neomina enter the room.
She moved across the chamber in silence. Turning about, Lazarus froze.
The beauty Neomina possessed was spellbinding. And she had long since enchanted him.
“Do you like my gown, husband?”
Silver folds of rich velvet and silk caressed Neomina's body like a glove. Lazarus fought viciously with the temptations stirring him at that moment.
“I have never seen a woman more beautiful than you, Neomina. Perhaps we should forget about the crossing over and return to our bed.”
She smiled. “I do not think that wise, husband. The Tribe would never let you get away with such actions.”
“No, they wouldn't, would they?”
She shook her head.
“Byron and Althea have worked long and hard for this night as have all the Tribe. I am elated they've agreed to welcome me among their family.”
“They have never had a true mistress before and I wonder how they shall take to this. In the past, when we fought, I always went out into the woods surrounding Sanctum Hall and kept company with the wolves. Now things are different. For the first time in my existence, I don't know what the future will hold.”
“Does that frighten you?”
“A little. I have a family to care for, a Tribe to rule and, first and foremost, a wife to please. The wolves understand the Tribe, but I cannot talk to them about other things such as you and the children.”
Neomina took a step closer to Lazarus. She reached out her hand and gently placed it on his cheek.
“Do you really fear for the Tribe and their adjustment to having a mistress or do you fear for yourself and whether or not you are doing the right thing tonight?”
He laughed. Neomina already knew him too well.
“Wife, I fear that when you are made Vampyre, I'll have no escape from your probing of my mind. How will I ever excite you if you know my every thought, my every move? I fear the dark gift runs stronger in your blood than it does in mine and I have yet to bring you across. The notion is quite frightening.”
She smiled. “Just think of the great team we'll make. And, if you ever tire of the Tribe, you can retake your mortality and leave Althea and Byron to me.”
“Oh, really? So tell me, wife, did you agree to our marriage solely to one day rule the Tribe?”
“Of course. Why else would I have wanted to be your wife?”
She laughed. The sound of Neomina's sweet voice calmed Lazarus. He loved his wife and would never want to hurt her. His tone grew serious as he stared at her.
“Are you really sure about this, Neomina? You can still change your mind, you know.”
“I have never been more sure of anything in my life as I am about wanting to be part of your world, Lazarus. I want us to be one completely.”
Wolves howled in the night outside Sanctum Hall.
“It is almost midnight, Neomina. We must go outside to join the Tribe.”
Lazarus took her hand and left the keep. He mounted a horse dressed in silver blankets and decorations. Neomina rode together with him as they made their way into the woods that surrounded Sanctum Hall.
In a clearing in the distant woods, the Tribe gathered for the sacred ceremony. Octavia stood among them accompanied by her cousin Artemis. Althea and Byron waited for Lazarus. They approached him as he made his way to the gathered clan.
“My Lord, my Lady.” Althea curtsied and her brother bowed. The twin Vampyres were dressed in matching outfits of black velvet trimmed in silver. The pattern of a moon with a wolf's face emblazoned across the front repeated itself over their clothes. They accompanied Lazarus and Neomina as the two made their way through the Tribe.
“Is it like this every time a member is brought across?” questioned Neomina.
“No,” said Althea. “Not exactly. Most occasions are not as formal or as involved as is this one.”
“Were you brought across in a rite like this?”
“My brother and I were left as orphans. My mother died in childbirth and my father was killed in war. For years we lived with relatives until Aunt Octavia took us in and Lazarus brought us across. The ceremony was very private.”
Neomina suddenly felt sad for Althea and Byron. All they had were each other, and she now understood why they acted like they did. The world, she thought, must have seemed such an empty place to them.
They finally made it through the crowd. Showered by the silvery rays, Neomina and Lazarus stood in the moonlight.
“You look like the goddess herself, dear wife,” whispered Lazarus. He wanted the rite to be done with so he could return to Sanctum Hall and spend time alone with Neomina.
With great care he removed the Amulet of Christ from his neck and handed it to Octavia. The relic was then placed in its box and taken away by a group of Trackers for safekeeping.
Lazarus felt the Vampyre return. His senses heightened, tuning into the woods that surrounded him. He could feel the wolves, their beating hearts, their pumping blood. The darkness welcomed his return with open arms and cradled his soul in its bewitching lair. He was one with the world of night again.
Roderick joined the Tribe to take part in the rite. He gave Neomina's hand to Lazarus as a father would give his daughter in marriage.
“Do not disappoint me, Conlon,” whispered Roderick. “If I ever hear of a problem, I will hunt you down and put an end to the Tribe. Neomina is like a daughter to me. If ever any harm should come to her or to Aaron or to Briana, I will become your worst nightmare.”
“You have my word, as did Delacroix. Neomina is the world to me.”
“Then so be it.” Roderick turned to his niece. “You can still change your mind, Neomina.”
She shook her head, but remained silent.
“Then I wish you all the best, my child. Never fear to come to me or to the Trackers. Our blood will always run through your veins as it does with Lazarus and Octavia.”
Roderick kissed Neomina on the cheek and left for his home in the woods. He had expressed earlier that he had no desire to socialize among the Tribe or take part in their ceremonies.
Lazarus was now left to complete the deed. He felt the eyes of his kin fall upon him, their stares burning into his soul.
“I know I have asked you this before, but I must ask you again. Are you sure of this? Once you are brought across, there is no turning back. Even with the Amulet of Christ, you will still be Vampyre.”
“Yes, I know, and I still want to be a part of your world, Lazarus. I want us to truly be one.”
He took a deep breath and calmed his soul. The scent of Neomina's blood stirred him like it had in the past before he had taken back his mortality. The sweet fragrance of roses and fruit filled his nostrils. His teeth grew long and pointed and sought their drink. The hunger returned to tempt him, and for the first time in his life, he couldn't have been happier. He had used to hate the essence that stirred him, but now he welcomed it. Now he could safely satisfy the hunger.
Lazarus raised his hand and brought it to Neomina's neck. He gently pushed aside her long sun-kissed hair and swept it over her shoulder towards her back. Her scent danced on the night air filling his soul.
He pulled her toward him and took a moment to stare at the soft, smooth flesh that covered Neomina's swan-like neck. She was ripe for the taking and he knew it. The pulse that beat under her skin called to him and lured him to her throat.
Lazarus bared his fangs and hissed. The wolves howled under the moonlight and merged their souls with his. He was both man and beast wrapped in the essence of the Vampyre.
