“All right, I’m going out to build a fire.” Khalid said sheepishly. Emira obviously held sway over the man, but Elijah couldn’t blame him. Her playful innocence had softened Elijah’s skin, allowing her to get underneath it much faster than anyone ever had before.
The girl was something of a siren, it seemed, but it didn’t matter. It was too late, at this point, to be concerned with her intentions. Elijah knew resistance was futile. He had tried to fight it, but she had somehow stolen his heart; it was hers, as if it had been waiting for her all these years. His only hope was not to be eaten alive, at least not yet.
“Are you sure that’s the best idea? What if someone sees?” Elijah asked.
“We are in the middle of nowhere; surrounded on all sides by hills. Trust me, no one will see anything,” Khalid replied. He seemed certain, but Elijah still wasn’t convinced.
“I just think we should be a little more cautious,” Elijah suggested. He didn’t like the idea of having Emira out in the open while they were being hunted, especially with a large fire pointing out their exact location like a neon sign.
Khalid just stared at him. Clearly he didn’t appreciate being questioned about his ability to care for Emira. He was a dangerously stubborn man.
Khalid huffed threateningly before turning and stomping up the steps. The noise from his breath echoed down the stairwell in a deep growl.
Elijah got the message. He realized there was no way to change the man’s mind, especially not with words. Still, he wasn’t going to sit by and watch while anyone, including Khalid, put Emira’s life in danger.
It might have been hard for anyone else to understand how a couple of old coins could mean so much, but he was certain they were a sign. They had pointed Emira out to him; they had brought the two of them together. And he wasn’t about to let anything tear them apart, at least not until someone could give him a better explanation for his feelings and the staggering number of seemingly random events that had needed to unfold in order to bring him here, to this very moment… as if they were pawns, no more able to change their fates than all the men who had fallen beneath Elijah’s blade.
Watching Khalid storm up the steps, Elijah could feel his own anger and stubbornness rising to match Khalid’s. He started for the stairwell with every intention of stopping the man, who seemed now to think just like the beast he appeared to be. Suddenly, a soft hand resting against Elijah’s forearm forced him to stop.
He turned to face the small woman holding his arm. It was as if she were a lioness, able to sway his purpose with just a swipe of her beautiful paw. The only difference was her touch; it carried infinitely more power than any beast. Elijah looked into her eyes; her stare was condemning and sympathetic at the same time.
He knew what she wanted, but he also knew his first thought in this moment must be for her safety. Elijah knew his face and body were visibly tense, and most people would back away at the threat. Emira tugged on his arm and drew him in close, as if she knew he wasn’t going to let go easily.
Every nerve in his body was warmed and softened, as if he had been drugged. He knew it was the wrong decision, but there was nothing he could do. Her hold over him was growing with every touch; it now seemed impenetrable and inexhaustible.
He understood her silent plea and relinquished his obstinacy.
Chapter 79
“I’ll just go out and have a look around, then. Will you come?” Elijah was hopeful.
“You two go ahead; I’ll have a bath.” Emira twirled her hair as she spoke.
“It’s fine. I’ll just stay in and read for a while.” Elijah said. After the night’s occurrences, Elijah didn’t want to let her out of his sight.
“No, go ahead. I would like for you and Khalid to have a chance to get to know each other better. I’ll be fine. You’ll be just outside.” She seemed comfortable enough, and besides, Elijah was anxious to talk to the big man alone. He knew anyone coming in would be drawn to the fire first, and Elijah trusted deeply in his acute senses; nothing would sneak past him, not tonight.
Reaching the patio, Elijah could see Khalid in the distance. He was hunkered down in front of a pile of twigs and leaves. Soon, he piled on larger sticks. He stuffed a crumpled piece of paper under the wood and lit it with a silver Zippo lighter. Walking into the flickering firelight, Elijah dropped an enormous log right next to the fire.
The smell of burning wood lit his nose and his imagination. He was immediately transported hundreds of years back in time, to the night his mother had died. It was a memory that had never before surfaced. His subconscious must have noticed and remembered more than he realized in the terrible fury of that night.
*
He was back in his childhood bed. He was asleep, or mostly asleep.
“Tell me Esmeralda, or, I swear to God, I will cut your throat right now. I know your family. I know the stories, and I know now they are not just stories. It’s all real, isn’t it?” His father’s voice had been furious.
“I can’t tell you anything, because it is not real; they are just stories, legends. You have gone mad,” his mother had protested.
“You can’t lie to me Esmeralda. I have heard it from a source who is unimpeachable, and I know you are a part of it.” His father’s tone had transformed. He no longer sounded angry, but devoid of emotion altogether.
“If what you say is true, then what does it matter? If I were really part of some secret society bound to protect hidden truths, would I reveal them to you, even at the expense of my life?” Her voice lacked fear. It was ferocious and stubborn. Elijah had never heard her speak in that manner his entire life.
“Maybe not yours, but your children’s, perhaps? Roman, go get the small boy, now!” William shouted.
“No, please! Those are your children too.” Elijah could hear the fear pierce his mother’s voice.
“Then tell me. I know you know something,” William’s voice was dark and lacked any empathy whatsoever.
*
“Elijah, Elijah, are you okay?” Elijah was yanked back into the present; he could see a hulking figure standing before him, snapping his fingers.
“I’m fine, I was just thinking about some things from my past.” Elijah said. His face felt parched and cold, as if it were lifeless and drained of color, and, from the way Khalid was looking at him, Elijah could see it was.
“You know, I’m starting to like having you around to do all the grunt work,” Khalid joked as he sat on the bench-sized log Elijah had just dropped next to the fire. “What exactly is your story? How did you come to meet Ayda?” Khalid looked up from the fire and stared at Elijah with suspicion.
“I was an Assassin at Alamut in Northern Iran. Ayda was with Hulagu Khan’s army when they forced us to surrender. I made a deal with the Khan and stayed around; eventually Ayda and I became close.” Elijah stepped over the log and sat down beside Khalid.
“And just how long of a story do you have?”
“What do you mean?” Elijah stalled, but knew exactly what the big man wanted to know.
“I mean, just how long ago did your past actually begin? How long have you been consorting with blood-letters?” His tone was patronizing.
“I’m not what you think I am. I do want to kill my brother and my father. I have never fed on human blood, or any other kind. I know Ayda would have told you that; and if Emira told you what she overheard at the motel, I’m sure she would have mentioned that part, too.” Elijah’s voice got louder as his impatience with Khalid’s ignorant assumptions grew.
“Then what exactly are you?” Khalid asked.
“I believe it’s your turn to answer a few questions,” Elijah replied. The conversation had gotten a bit heated. “Tell me what the girl is, and why you try to hide it.” Elijah’s question was a not-so-subtle accusation.
“That is none of your concern. In fact, she is none of your concern,” Khalid stated with finality.
Elijah closed his eyes and rubbed the palms of his hands against
his temples. He was becoming more and more agitated.
“It is my business. It’s no coincidence she is here in the midst of all this madness, right where my father is looking for some object Ayda told me long ago will make him even more powerful. I need to know what’s going on. I need to know what you are and what your plans are for the girl.” He could see Khalid was growing anxious, because he began to shift positions nervously.
“I love that girl. You need to know that, but it is not the only reason I watch over her. She is very special. All I can tell you is, if the vampires found out what she is and got their hands on her, it would be disastrous, even catastrophic. Beyond that, I can tell you nothing,” Khalid admitted.
Elijah could see concern in his eyes, and he could also see he wasn’t getting any more from the man, at least not now. “I wonder why, then, my father did not notice anything different about her when he was holding her in his arms?” The question had been troubling Elijah since his father had disappeared.
“Luckily, vampires can’t see her light. If they could, we wouldn’t have a chance.” Khalid leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, dropping his forehead into his hands.
“Yes, I forgot; she told me that much. Does she know anything more?” Elijah asked. “About her importance I mean.”
“She knows enough, what she needs to know.” Khalid replied. “What would be the point in telling her more? So she can spend her life in paranoia, always looking over her shoulder, even more afraid than she already is? Would that be better?” Khalid’s voice got louder as he became more defensive. Elijah didn’t like it, but he understood the man’s feelings. “Now, let’s get back to you,” Khalid shoved his face close to Elijah’s.
“I don’t know what I am. I woke up this way,” Elijah shrugged. “There was no instruction manual or teacher to tell me who I was or to help me adapt. One minute I was lying helpless on the ground watching my family be brutally murdered by men I cherished most dearly. And the next thing I remember was waking with a strength and speed that defied everything I knew; everything about me had intensified, including my desire and my determination. You don’t have to worry about me; I’m not your enemy.”
“I hope you are right, but you understand it just doesn’t make any sense. I have been around a long time and have never heard of anything like that, anything like you. You and your father carry the same power and were birthed on the same day; you must carry the same curse. I don’t know what has come between you and your family, but when a family becomes immortal, it’s usually as a family. I’m willing to guess you had a hand in it.” Khalid’s words were a terrible accusation. His tone was condemning.
Elijah nearly flew through the air, and he was at Khalid’s throat in a split second. As they landed hard on the ground, Elijah’s grip tightened around Khalid’s neck. With tremendous force, Khalid thrust his body upwards and slung Elijah over his head.
By the time they hit the ground Khalid was already on top of him. Elijah could feel razor-like claws at his throat. With all his might, he pressed in on Khalid’s right elbow, just releasing the tension enough to get his hands beneath the big man’s torso. Pushing forward, Elijah slammed his palms hard against Khalid’s chest, lifting him a few feet into the air above him. Lifting his powerful thigh, Elijah thrust the heel of his shoe underneath Khalid’s chin and flung him backwards.
Khalid flipped over in midair and landed on his feet. Letting out a deep, bone-chilling growl, he turned around and ripped off his shirt. The two seemed equally matched and neither knew fear; their dark pasts had robbed them of it.
Chapter 80
“No, please, stop.” Elijah heard a shrill, small voice cry out behind him. He could tell Khalid had also heard it, as his fierce stare had shifted and was now focused behind Elijah.
Emira. The thought frightened him; she might be in trouble. He quickly turned to see her nearly at his back. Her body collapsed into his like two puzzle pieces falling into perfect conjunction. He imagined it was like a double shot of heroin would feel to an addict after a long jones. He didn’t know if he was in love or addicted, or if there was a difference.
“You stupid boys! What are you doing?” She was nearly crying as she pounded her fist against Elijah’s shoulder, still wrapped in his arms. Elijah’s heart sank as he realized he had let his emotions get the better of him once again. He had upset Emira and possibly put her life at risk. The man before him might not be the one he would choose to accompany him on this journey, but he was the one who was here. He had proven himself strong, and willing to protect Emira, and for that, Elijah was thankful.
“I’m sorry. I promise it won’t happen again. I just got carried away.” Elijah whispered, his mouth pressed against her ear.
“No, it was my fault. I was poking my nose where it didn’t belong. I do apologize Elijah. Emira, I’ll be on the couch.” After apologizing Khalid gave Emira a hug before walking inside.
Chapter 81
“Let’s take a walk.” Emira turned back and took Elijah’s hand, pulling him forward, away from the fire.
“Where are we going?” He didn’t want to take her very far from the cabin.
“Don’t worry. We won’t go far,” she assured him. It was night, but a nearly full moon lit the fields and valley around them. Winding their way through a thicket of spruce trees, he found the strong smell of pine a welcome change from the nauseating effect of smoke from the fire.
“Can I ask you something?” she asked shyly.
“Sure,” Elijah sighed. He could imagine the questions reeling in her mind and braced himself for the worst.
“Well, are you… are you a v-vampire?” she stammered nervously. Elijah wasn’t sure whether she was afraid of offending him or of having her blood drained. “I mean, I know I asked you before, and I heard what you said to your brother, but—”
“No, I’m not a vampire. I mean, I don’t think so. The desire to consume blood has never burned in my mind or body. I have spilled enough blood to fill the heavens, but it has never found its way to my lips. It might sound silly, but as I told my brother, perhaps when he and my father lie dead beneath me, when my purpose is finished, my vow complete, perhaps then the ghost that keeps me alive will depart as well.” Elijah spoke in a low and solemn voice. This had been his hope for as long as he could remember.
“You want to die!” she gasped.
He was silent for a moment as he stopped and gazed, nearly unaware, at a pinecone lying at his feet.
“What I want is an ending; I want all this to be over. I want to close my eyes and fade away. There was an artist from your time, well, a little before your time, his name was Tupac Shakur, and his words reflect how I feel in a lot of ways. He embraced death; he said his only fear of death was coming back reincarnated. I think when a man, or a woman,” he gestured politely towards Emira, “has struggled for so long, it is only natural to desire an ending.” Elijah lifted his head and looked into her eyes.
“What about heaven? Don’t you want to go to a better place, a place filled with happiness?”
“No, I want an ending, endless unconsciousness. I truly hope, when I do die, that it can all be over, no heaven, no hell. Let it be finally the end of an ugly story and a wretched man.” Elijah was overcome with emotion as his eyes traced the soft curves of her face and bathed in her brilliant aura. “Life is pain. The Buddha taught that pain comes from our attachments, our desires, and he was right. Any form of consciousness that exists will have to come with those desires and attachments, love and hate, and it all leads to pain.”
He reached forward and caressed the side of her face as he brushed a wisp of hair behind her ear. “Believe me, when you have been around as long as I have, you understand just how much life is overrated. There is no version of an eternity, besides one where I do not exist, that would appeal to me. I just want this to be over, finally and truly.”
“Well, I hope that’s not the case. I will take the good with the bad before I give up on att
achment altogether,” she asserted.
“Tell me that again in a thousand years.” Elijah grinned.
She squeezed his arm tightly, resting her head against his shoulder as the pair walked a little further and came upon a small creek. They stood in silence for a long while, just listening to the music of water flowing from rock to rock.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, as she wrung her hands and then turned to Elijah. She seemed to see right through him.
“Sorry for what?” He turned and started back towards the cabin. Quickening her pace, Emira caught him by the hand once again and coaxed him to face her.
“I’m sorry for what happened to you and your family,” she said softly.
Elijah was quickly becoming uncomfortable. Once again his emotions were rising and falling like an elevator. He was not used to empathy, and he didn’t react well to it.
“Yeah, well, you weren’t supposed to hear about all of that,” he snapped, his tone growing colder and harsher by the moment.
“I didn’t really hear everything, but I heard enough,” she said, pulling him to her by the tips of his fingers.
Elijah pulled his hand away and continued walking. He was growing more and more uncomfortable about his feelings for her, about how she affected him. He couldn’t understand how, after so long, he could suddenly feel this way about someone again. How could he trust it?
He was afraid he was fooling himself, seeing what he wanted to see rather than what was truly there. Perhaps he was confusing his feelings for Sara with feelings for Emira, believing in a fantasy because of the coins hanging from her neck, quite possible the very coins he left to burn in the pyre.
She darted in front of him and blocked his path.
Apotheosis of the Immortal Page 32
