by S S Bazinet
Arel grinned broadly. “I do.”
Ninety-Four
PEGGY SAT AT the dining room table and stared wistfully into her china teacup. She studied the dark remains settled at the bottom. Did anyone really find answers in the disjointed pattern of the leaves? She didn’t.
And when I look for answers in myself, I’m coming up just as empty.
Tim glanced up from his plate, put his fork down and patted his stomach contentedly. “Great dinner, sweetie. The salmon was perfect.”
Tim’s glow of appreciation made her smile. “Do you want to finish mine?”
Tim checked out her plate. “You barely touched your meal.”
“I don’t have much of an appetite. I keep thinking about Kevin.”
“I thought we straightened that out when Arel was here. You might have been overly critical at times, but underneath it all, you wanted what was best for him.”
“This isn’t about me. I’m worried about Kevin’s relationship with Carol.”
“Kevin’s lost his confidence,” Tim said matter-of-factly.
Peggy sucked in a ragged breath and crossed her arms tight across her chest.
Tim offered her the kindest of smiles. “Not because of you, Peg. It’s what Arel said. Kevin is dealing with some very deep-seated issues.”
“I know, but I wish I could help, not like before, but as his friend.”
“Stop worrying so much. Look at Arel. He’s changed. Kevin can too.”
“Do you really think that he can handle this situation?”
“I don’t think it’s my right to make that judgment, just like I wouldn’t want him to judge me.”
“I guess that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life. And I don’t know how to stop. How can I not be afraid that he won’t handle something right?”
“Remember, Kevin’s a fighter. As a kid, you were always getting yourself in scrapes with the bullies. He was always there, bailing you out.”
Peggy’s mood shifted as she remembered being a girl who was small for her age, but she had a temper and a big mouth. “Goodness, you’re right. Didn’t we call him, Kevin the Brave?”
“Yeah, we did. And he had to be brave. That time he came to blows with Tommy Brewster was tough. The kid was bad news, and you told him where to get off.”
“I did,” she said with a blush of embarrassment. “He was a couple of years older than Kevin. I think I went too far with that one.”
“Yeah, he was ready to deck you, girl or no girl. But Kevin pushed you out of the way, and he got decked. Damn it, Tommy was only about twelve, but he could throw a punch.”
Peggy shivered. Being an adult, the incident took on a scarier flavor. “I remember Kevin getting up and going for him a second time. I don’t know who won the fight, but Kevin made an impression on Tommy. He didn’t bother me after that.”
“Right, that’s my point about Kevin.”
She paused and stared at the tea leaves again. “I know I’ve been hard on him, but I thought of Kevin as one of my knights. His job was to defend me.”
Tim laughed. “Was I one of them too?”
Peggy pulled him close and kissed him gently on the cheek. “You’re still one of my knights.”
“What about Kevin? Is he still part of your legion of helpers?”
“Yes, he is.” Peggy thought about seeing her brother sitting in the hospital bed. They had argued fiercely, but she knew that he would fight for her if she needed his help. She narrowed her brows. “Still, I just had a terrible thought.”
“What?”
“I think I’ve been Kevin’s role model for what a woman should be like. That’s why he went out with that horrid woman, Dahlia.”
“You’re not a horrid woman,” Tim objected.
“Maybe not, but I’m strong-willed. I’m used to getting my way around Kevin.”
“How would that explain Carol? She’s kind of your opposite.”
“That’s why Kevin doesn’t know what to do. She’s not bossing him around. That’s why he looks like a lost puppy.”
“On the other hand, maybe the puppy wants to grow up.”
Peggy noticed how bright Tim’s eyes could be when he looked at her. Sometimes they seemed so full of wisdom, a wisdom that helped her understand things about herself and about Kevin. “You’re right. Maybe Kevin’s ready for a change. I’ll have to remember that from now on.”
Ninety-Five
CAROL SAT IN the master bedroom waiting for Arel to return home. But why? Why did she care about where he was or when he was going to be back?
Because he said that he wanted to help. Maybe he’s gone over to see Kevin.
She sniffled and let out a little despairing cry. “If that’s where you are, Arel, you’re wasting your time.”
Hearing herself, the resentful tone of her voice, she paused. Bitterness and loneliness were at the gates of her heart, ready to slam it shut.
But I can’t let that happen. I don’t want our baby growing up with a cold, angry mother.
She patted her tummy. “Whatever is between us, Kevin is your daddy. I don’t want you to think that he’s a bad guy.”
She knew deep down that Kevin was a good man, just a mixed-up one. “He’s so mixed up that he has no room for me or his child.”
She looked up, trying to find a more positive focus and noticed the impressionist painting on the opposite wall. A garden scene presented itself, with soft, pastel colors and a sense of tranquility as its theme. She wished that she could feel soft and tranquil, but she had to be tough. She wouldn’t give in to bitterness, but she’d have to forget about her heart’s desire. She had to forget about wanting Kevin’s love. From now on, she’d have to go it alone. She used a tissue to dab at her eyes when the thought made her cry.
And stop being a cry baby! Kevin’s given you no choice. From now on, you have to be the strong one.
Her stern order had the opposite effect. A fresh batch of tears began coursing down her cheeks. As she yanked more tissues from the box, she heard a gentle knock on the door. When she looked up, Michael stood in the doorway.
“May I come in?” he asked.
Smiling back weakly, she gestured him forward, quickly drying her face. Michael could be wonderful, but she didn’t want to talk about things that she couldn’t change. She pointed to the painting instead. “Is this new? I don’t remember seeing it before.”
Michael walked over and stared at the artwork. “It’s a beautiful piece, isn’t it? Arel purchased it recently and thought it would look good in here.”
She smiled back. “It reminds me of your garden. Maybe that’s why he bought it. I think he’ll hate seeing the winter kill everything.”
Michael glanced at her with a sparkle in his eyes. “It’ll all be back next spring. Everything has its season as they say.”
“No, I don’t think so,” she said in a forceful tone “Some things just die and never come back.”
Michael sat down next to her on the bed. “You miss Kevin, don’t you?”
She bit her lip hard so that she wouldn’t cry anymore. “How can he turn his back on me and on his own child?”
“Is that how you see the situation?”
“How else can I see it?” She glared at him with a green, teary gaze. “He doesn’t want either one of us.”
“Is that what he said?”
She twisted the tissue. “Not in words.”
Michael smiled. “I talked with him on a number of occasions when you two lived here. I didn’t get that impression.”
“What did he say?”
Michael reached out for her hand and held it in both of his. “I think that he wants you more than anything, but perhaps he doesn’t feel like he deserves you.”
“What would make him feel that way?”
“That’s something that you might ask him.”
She let out a sharp laugh. “How? Kevin won’t even talk to me.”
“Of course I will,” a voice called out.
&nb
sp; Carol’s eyes shot past Michael to the doorway. “Kevin! What are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for you. When I couldn’t find you, I called Arel. He said you were here.”
She studied him, the way he stood in the doorway, holding his ribs. His face was still raw, but his eyes were brighter than she’d seen them in a long time. She looked away and rubbed her nose with the tissue. “I didn’t know what else to do. Like I said to Michael, you clearly have no need of me in your life.”
Kevin took a few steps forward. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. You’re more important than anything. So is our baby.”
Carol took the tissue away and blinked back the tears. “Really?”
Forgetting his injuries, Kevin rushed over and knelt down in front of her. “Please, Carol, I know I’m totally dense most of the time, but I love you. I truly do. Please marry me!”
Michael smiled as he stood up and moved towards the door. “Excuse me. I think I’ll leave you two to talk in private.”
Ninety-Six
AREL SAT ON the couch smiling, listening to the happy laughter that was coming from the master bedroom. When Michael walked into the living room, he gave the angel a wave of triumph.
Michael smiled too. “I take it that you heard Kevin’s proposal?”
Arel chuckled. “It wasn’t the most romantic way of asking for her hand again, but it was certainly loud and sincere.”
“So how did you achieve this miracle?”
Arel’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t pull that naive act on me. You know just about everything that goes on with all of us.”
“Perhaps.”
Arel laid back on the sofa and stared dreamily into space. “The truth is that I don’t know how I pulled it off, but I’m sure you and your cohorts had a hand in it.” He glanced at Michael. “Thank you, I needed all the help I could get. I’ve never encountered a person as stubborn as Kevin. I’m exhausted after our little tug of war.”
“Yes, stubbornness is a rather difficult trait to handle,” Michael said with a quiet sigh.
Arel crossed his arms. “I slaved for hours over the stove making Kevin that delicious soup from scratch. Then he refused to even open his mouth.”
Michael’s brows went up. “How do you know it was delicious? Are you saying that you actually tasted it?”
“Michael, you know that I can’t eat.”
“Well, that’s not technically true—”
“Whatever, but when I’ve tried eating, food doesn’t want to stay down.” He glanced at Michael with questioning eyes. “You’re not suggesting that I start trying to eat, are you? Do you want to clean up vomit all day?”
Michael backed away a few steps. “Eating is totally optional.”
Arel sighed out his agreement. “Besides, you have enough to do without worrying about my sensitive stomach.”
“Yes, in fact I better go out and get started on the garden. Carol reminded me that winter is coming.”
Arel pushed himself up into a sitting position and gave Michael his most genuine look of sincerity. “I’ll help you. It’ll be my way of showing my appreciation for everything.”
“There is a lot to do.”
Arel’s sincerity faded into a sigh of resignation. He loved flowers, but gardening wasn’t a favorite activity. “I’ll go change my clothes.”
“Maybe you should stay here.”
“Why?”
“You should stick around, just in case Carol or Kevin needs something.”
Arel’s face brightened. “You’re right. With those two, you never know.”
“True,” Michael said as he continued towards the back of the house.
“And in the meantime, maybe I’ll meditate,” Arel called after him.
Michael turned and gave him a knowing grin. “Or maybe you should take a nap? Like you said, straightening out lives can be an exhausting business.”
“I’m fine,” Arel protested. Then he paused, realizing that Michael was teasing him. This wasn’t the first time that Arel had escaped garden duty. “And I will help you later, I promise.”
“Actually, I’ll enjoy a little quiet time,” Michael insisted.
He knew Michael was graciously letting him off the hook.
But he’s right about my needing a nap.
He laid down again, listening to another outburst of laughter that came from the master bedroom. A moment later, he heard the door being closed. More giggles came through anyhow. Carol’s cheerful outbursts were evidence that there was hope for the young couple.
He let out a sigh of contentment. Maybe he was a miracle worker. Didn’t he go back to a lifetime where Kevin’s soul had been stuck? Didn’t he convince the younger man not to give up on himself?
Or maybe I simply reminded Kevin that he’s a good man in the here and now.
He let the questions and the day’s events slip away. He’d take Michael’s suggestion and relax, maybe doze off. He closed his eyes. “No more drama for awhile.”
“You can sleep when you’re dead, Arel.” The voice was forceful and familiar. “And since we are what we are, we don’t have to worry about dying, do we?”
Arel’s eyes flew open as he jerked upright. He scanned the room. There was no one there, but he was suddenly wide awake. His heart was pounding. Had he heard correctly? Was that William’s voice? Where was it coming from?
The voice sounded inside his mind again. “I’m looking for you, old friend. It’s time for us to get reacquainted.”
Thank you for taking the time to read Michael's Blood, the first book of my series, The Vampire Reclamation Project. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author's best friend and much appreciated. Thank you. – S. S. Bazinet
The story continues in book two, Arel's Blood!
To get you started, the first few chapters are included. Enjoy!
AREL'S BLOOD
Chapter One
AREL'S GUT WAS on fire, searing his tissues, consuming his energy. But he was familiar with fever and pain. When he was a child, misery was his constant companion. He'd learned that he couldn't cope with it. He endured it. Now he had to go a step further, he had to ignore it. Carol was in trouble. Her life was on the line, and his mind was issuing orders.
Go back to her bedside! Help her!
But how could he obey those orders? Tim was literally dragging him down the hospital corridor, putting distance between Arel and Carol’s room. Arel struggled against the iron grip Tim had on his arm, but he couldn’t successfully battle Tim’s mass and strength, especially in his weakened condition. At six-foot-three, Tim was four inches taller than Arel. He also had the beefed-up body of a pro ballplayer. Arel came from an English lineage. He bore the slender, genteel frame of an upper-class bloodline. Still, he had to do something to get Tim's attention. He glared up at his captor and barked out a hoarse appeal. “Tim! You have to let me go back to help!”
His croaky-voiced order seemed to backfire. Tim stiffened his jaw and stepped up his forward pace. Arel continued to resist, but spasms of pain were gripping his gut, making his knees want to buckle. The hospital-green walls were closing in on him. The antiseptic smells had a suffocating effect. He couldn’t manage enough air. He took short, gasping breaths, trying to get a little oxygen. His pleas came out in breathless spurts. “You’re supposed to be my friend! Why won’t you listen to me?”
Tim finally gave him a quick, scowling glance as they neared the end of the hallway. That’s when Arel noted that Tim was puffing away too. It was a small victory. Maybe Arel was putting up a better fight than he thought. But his triumph was useless, wasn’t it? He had no choice but to follow as Tim slammed through a pair of swinging, hospital doors. Luckily, his forced march ended when Tim came to an abrupt stop a few feet beyond the doors.
As Arel tried to catch his breath, he noticed that Tim was scanning the busy waiting area that adjoined the hallway. He saw the person Tim was searching for. A
blond-haired man sat in a corner of the room. When Tim waved to him, the man acknowledged the gesture and stood up.
Tim urged the man on in a weary voice. “Michael, get over here fast. Arel is really going nuts.”
Arel took the opportunity to jerk free from Tim’s grasp, but a bout of dizziness made him brace himself on his knees. “Don’t get Michael involved,” he huffed. “He doesn’t know anything about childbirth.”
Tim shot him an imploring look, but he didn’t reply.
Michael’s face was calm and serene as he walked over to join them. Only his eyes showed any reaction to the situation. They flickered with concern when he looked at Arel.
Tim’s face relaxed a little. “Please talk some sense into this guy,” he begged.
His request made Arel come to attention. He stumbled forward and grabbed Michael’s shirt. “Michael, tell Tim to stay out of this. Carol needs me.”
“I don’t think so,” Tim countered. “Arel’s upsetting her. They had to toss him out of the birthing room for her sake and his.”
Arel tightened his grip, forcing Michael to look at him. “I was a little nervous, that’s all. The bottom line is that I can help.”
Tim ignored Arel’s comments and continued on with his full disclosure of facts. “Arel fainted twice trying to help.”
Arel’s face went flush with humiliation, but he couldn’t deny the truth. When he was under extreme duress, he passed out. It was one of his body’s defense strategies. He shut out the world and all its pain by losing consciousness. How many times had the world gone black when he was really upset? How many times had his friends, Tim and Kevin, intervened when his body was making a quick trip to the floor? As time passed, he was making headway, gaining control over his physical response, but this wasn’t one of those times. Still, he looked back at the hospital doors with resolve.
“I don’t care how many times I faint. I can’t bear the thought that Carol is suffering.” Arel’s statement was filled with all the passion he could manage. His lungs were heaving in and out like a broken bellows. Why did a hospital always make him feel like he was a mountain climber who couldn’t catch his breath? He slowly released Michael’s shirt, giving himself time to get more oxygen. “Listen, both of you. Just give me five minutes. I promise to make everything better.”
