SURVIVAL

by Karen Payton Holt

  Julian tracked Connor down, sitting in deep shadow in the tunnel outside Rebekah’s cavern. He slowed abruptly at the anguish radiating from every line of his friend’s body.

  Connor had stiffened into a hunched posture, one hand near his chin and a clenched fist resting on his knee, like a cinder-gray statue of Pompeii captured in a moment of despair. His sight remained locked on Rebekah’s sleeping form and without turning his head, he took in a deep breath. “How could I have done this to her?” His features were a blank slate. “I’ve been working it out. She must have been pregnant before we believed it to be safe. But I was always careful, so, how?”

  Julian’s silence weighed thickly in the air.

  Connor finally turned his head. “What do you know?”

  Relaxation followed by a rapacious appetite for physical release. Not hard to guess. “Anthony said the blood tests showed elevated chemical levels commonly found in vampires in revival sleep.” Connor’s calm acceptance was reassuring. This is not a new thought for him. “Anthony thinks the fatigue could be the side effect of the baby’s brain developing our stress reduction center.”

  Connor’s suspended hand finally dragged down over his cheek. “That’s what I feared.”

  He focused again on Rebekah’s face. In the dim light, the purple circles staining her closed eyes enlarged the sockets to the proportions of a skull.

  “That would mean her violent mood swings are a side effect of the baby’s brain developing the appetites controlled by rap-sleep.” Connor paused.

  Julian knew where the conversation was going. But Connor has to say it.

  “So, that leaves us with the baby developing a killing instinct and the bloodlust which guarantees our survival.” Connor’s frost-clouded eyes focused on Julian. “What happens next? Will Rebekah be flooded with murderous thoughts of grave sleep? And will there also be a feeding frenzy inside her fighting its way out?”

  Julian remained silent. There was nothing he could say.

  “Whatever it takes, I’m not losing her.” Connor stood up. “I’ll need Anthony and the hospital. We are not going anywhere.”

  Removing the two remaining vials of human blood from his pocket, Julian pressed them into Connor’s hand. “It is not much. But this will guarantee you four days. I’ll be back by then, on my own or... ”

  Connor looked into Julian’s saddened face, registering for the first time the flush staining his cheekbones. He knew Julian had risked a lot to give him the extra time; he knew how hard it was to stop when the scent which clawed at you finally flooded your throat.

  “Thank you, Julian. Four days will be enough.” Connor inclined his head and returned to studying Rebekah’s sleeping form. “I’ll move the others out.”

  Julian gripped Connor’s shoulder. “Good luck, I’ll do what I can.”

  Twenty minutes later, Julian crossed the River Thames and exchanging the fragrant memories of Leizle for the anticipated stench of exchanges with Serge revolted him.

  Arriving in his neighborhood of Richmond, he entered the house. Stripping his torn shirt and muddy pants from his body as he walked, he headed for the bathroom. He took his time returning his outward appearance to the usual façade, and a smile lit his green gaze as he relived the stolen moment with Leizle. Like Connor before him, he felt changed by the blood coursing through his veins – her blood brought with it the thrill of awareness.

  Dressing once more, he tidied his appearance, running his fingers through his hair until the mask of complacency was complete. Looking the part is half the battle.

  Julian’s focus for the next few days would be persuading Marius and Alexander to break with protocol. He needed them to accompany the council guardsmen and attend the capture of the human nest in person. The claim of forty humans is nonsense. The jurors will come down hard on Serge and Sebastian if they see that firsthand.

  Chapter 20

  A pair of grazing roe deer bounded urgently through the woodland undergrowth. Their short barks of alarm punctured the damp air in an echo of warning, and Connor enjoyed the explosive movement of their chaotic flight as he hunted them down.

  One animal died as Connor snatched it out of the air and buried his teeth in its neck in one powerful move. He rose smoothly to his feet, wiping blood from his face as he watched the female disappear. She’ll live to see another day. Connor hunted males in the interest of survival of the species; females would always be more valuable.

  Returning home, Connor paused on the edge of the pasture, his torso draped in the weak shadow cast by a clouded sky already streaked with pale lemon icing as the sun slipped towards the horizon. It’s almost time to leave. He raised his chin and closed his eyes as the warm breeze stroked over his bare copper-streaked chest. The hunt had been short, but satisfying.

  With a deep cleansing breath, Connor loped across the meadow into the eco-shelter tunnel. Making his way to the laundry cavern, he filled a bucket with water and emptied it over his head. He repeated the process, sluicing the water down his body until his chest was clean and the blood had lifted from around his fingernails. They know I’m a killer, but they don’t need to see it.

  As Connor pulled a clean black shirt over his damp body, he embraced the buzz of nervous energy which accompanied being well fed. He mentally thanked Julian for his sacrifice. He had three days left. It took Oscar, Harry, and Greg two days to make it cross country to the other camp with Seth. This group is larger, but three days should do it.

  All Connor had to do was get them to the rendezvous point. He could trust the men to get the group the rest of the way.

  He walked down the dimly lit tunnel until he reached the meeting cavern. Stopping on the threshold, he watched the group of humans moving purposefully around the space, loading up backpacks and tightening ropes. Their nervous excitement for tonight’s expedition wafted enticingly over his palette, even through the layers of cotton, wool, and oilskin, but the blade of hunger inside him was blunt. The hunt was well timed.

  Content that the preparations would be completed in time, and thoughts of Rebekah luring him away, Connor turned on his heel and went to find her. He had satisfied her appetite for him again and left her sleeping. The heartbeats of her and his child were always there on the edge of his consciousness. The baby never seems to sleep. The rounded swell of her stomach rolled restlessly in perpetual movement, and even when she slept, she groaned as the baby fought for room inside her.

  Sensing a human presence in the dining cavern, his speed slowed, and stepping over the threshold, he found himself alone with Leizle for the first time since Julian had left. She was deep in thought, her chin resting on her hand, and she jumped when he appeared.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “That’s okay.” Her smile lit up her face, and he could not help but smile in response.

  His smile softened as he registered the pallor of her cheeks and the raised bite mark on her neck. I wasn’t sure how Julian’s attentions would leave her. He had expected her to feel melancholy because Julian had left again.

  “You seem happy.” Connor lowered himself onto the seat opposite. “I told you he would come.”

  “You did, and I’m glad I waited.” She swallowed loudly. “Connor, will Julian ever find it easy to be with me?”

  “Honestly? Not a chance.” Connor’s laughter warmed his expression as he placed his cold hand over hers. “But don’t you see? There’s the proof. He would suffer anything to be with you.”

  “Is that how it is for you?”

  “Yes, but so much worse now. Part of me wants to turn back the clock.” His eyes closed for a moment. “If I had let her go that day, outside the hospital, would we be here now with her life in danger?”

  “How did it happen? The baby?” A tight grin of embarrassment flitted across Leizle’s face and, as the wound on her neck throbbed, the scent of her blood wafted to fill the space between them.

  Connor appreciated her aroma, and easily resisted the twist of
hunger in his gut. He covered his enjoyment with a raised brow of sardonic amusement.

  “Well not how... you know what I mean.”

  “I really don’t know.” Connor looked her in the eye. “So, don’t expect too much from Julian until we figure it out. He won’t want to see you in the same place.”

  Leizle nodded. “At least he’s agreed I can stay.” She smiled as she remembered how, holding her as if she was made of glass, he had asked her to leave with the others. She refused. When he had said “I want you to go”, his every touch on her skin made his words a lie.

  “I see everyone is getting ready,” said Connor with satisfaction.

  “Yes. Have you decided on the time?”

  “We will leave at sunset. Seth and his scouting party will meet us four miles into the wood. I’ll escort the group that far.” Connor inhaled deeply. “If you need me, Leizle, just shout. I will be no more than twenty seconds from her.”

  The silence stretched as the uncomfortable thought of being away from Rebekah drained his vitality. Is the grave sleep stage of pregnancy far away? Will it be quick, or a slow burning hunger? Connor’s features were pinched tight.

  Leizle cleared her throat, calling his attention back.

  Suddenly intense, he met her gaze. “It’s not too late, you know. Julian will find you when this is over.”

  “I will stay,” she said. “For Rebekah. But honestly? For me too.”

  Connor nodded as he rose to his feet. “Anyhow, if you change your mind... But for now, I have to go.” With a brief wave, he left.

  “Never going to get used to that,” Leizle muttered as she stared at the suddenly empty space, resisting the urge to look behind her in case he was kidding around.

  <><><>

  Connor left the communal areas behind, taking his time to walk along the narrower passageways leading down into the living caverns.

  With the vampire community fifteen years out of hiding, Connor was out of practise at pretending to be human. Unchecked, his explosive preternatural force was alarming, and if he was going to escort the humans through the woods tonight, they could do without that kind of excitement.

  His eyes swept the profile of the tunnels, which provided the constant of an easily regulated, sheltered existence. Connor wondered how the eco-shelter humans would take to the harsher alfresco existence of Seth’s group of survivors.

  They had an Anderson shelter approach to underground living; sleeping in camouflaged bunkers buried in the woodland floor, when in hiding from vampires and the elements. But, in essence, they were tree dwellers. Mature trees of immense girth grew to over twenty meters high, and their broad leaved foliage provided concealment for the wooden hideouts constructed within the span of their branches. From what Greg had said, they scaled the trees using wooden pegs, and footholds gouged into the tree bark.

  Of course their survival owed itself, almost entirely, to blind luck. Situated half way between Maidstone and London, the camp location of Seth’s tree dwellers fell into an area outside the hunting ranges of the surrounding vampire hives.

  As Connor drew nearer to her cavern, he tuned into Rebekah’s vital signs. She has company. Uncle Harry. Connor enjoyed the buzz of pleasure he detected running through her, and as much as he feared for her, he would watch from a distance. Her serotonin levels were normal, and happiness, sleep, and appetite were once again in harmony. But for how long?

  Stepping silently over the threshold, he melted into the shadows and leaned back against the wall. Rebekah’s pulse raced and he smiled. Her pleasure at his arrival radiated the warmth of happiness through him, too.

  She was sitting on a chair, and to him she was perfect, even though her tousled blond hair was a tumbled mess of golden strands, and the purple smudges around her eyes sockets persisted.

  She had worn the masks of anger and desire every waking moment for so long that, seeing her now, with her features relaxed made him smile. He contented himself with watching her hands stroking perpetually over her stomach, and breathing in the warmed honey accent of her scent. She’s glowing today.

  Catching sight of Harry, Connor did not need his preternatural senses to see the sadness on the old man’s face. He doesn’t want to leave Rebekah. I can understand that.

  “I should have visited more often, Rebekah. I do know that.” Harry flushed with embarrassment. “I blame myself.”

  For Harry, his guilt over his part in Douglas’ treatment of Rebekah made burying himself in his work an easy option, and Lord knows, he had plenty to do. Anthony had taken over the task of providing Harry with all the chemicals and pills needed. Ensuring the eco-shelter community had a stock pile of beta-blockers and pheromone suppressants was a very convincing way for Harry to keep his mind busy, and to avoid thinking about what had gone before. That he had sold Rebekah out.

  “It’s all right, Harry.” Rebekah smoothed her palm over the tumbling movement of her child as she looked into his sad face. Just the thought of Douglas still chilled her to the bone, and forgiving Harry should be hard, but Connor and the baby made it easy. Douglas making me his wife compelled Connor to act. Without one, there would not have been the other, so, yes, I can forgive him. “I’m happier than I ever thought possible,” said Rebekah quietly.

  “I’ll always be sorry. But, if you are happy now, then I am glad.” Harry’s anxious gaze moved to Rebekah’s stomach and it was clear he couldn’t understand her happiness. Connor may be honorable, but he was still a vampire.

  “I wish you could come with us. Will you be okay?” Harry nodded self-consciously at the baby. “Will you let me know?”

  “Of course.” Rebekah’s eyes wandered over the cavern walls until she found Connor’s face. Her breath caught, as always, at the sight of his raven black hair and intense pewter gaze. Until recently, she had seen him through desire hazed eyes and committed every nuance of his expressive face to memory, but now, with crystal clear vision restored, he was more beautiful than she remembered. “Of course we will,” she whispered.

  Connor appeared suddenly beside them as his need to be with her overwhelmed him.

  Startled, Harry said, “I love you, Rebekah.” Jumping awkwardly to his feet, he flicked a glance up at Connor as he moved to go.

  “Harry,” said Connor, quietly.

  Harry stopped moving, riveted by Connor’s stare.

  “Make sure everyone takes beta blockers and uses the suppressant spray before we leave.” Without looking away, Connor reached for Rebekah’s hand, circling his thumb over the inside of her wrist. “Julian gave us four days, but it’s better to be prepared, in case the group need to hide.”

  Harry’s preoccupation clouded his rheumy eyes. “I’ll go back to the meeting cavern and make sure they are all ready.”

  “It will be tough for a while. But if you listen to Seth, it will work out.”

  “About Seth and the others, how many are there?” asked Harry.

  “Seth will have three scouts with him.” Connor stood very still, sensing that Harry wanted to bolt. “I dropped off pills and spray when I delivered the antibiotics for his boy. They are coming a lot closer than last time, so will be dosed up too.” Connor had also told Seth to leave his boy at home. He had been clear on that. Able bodies only on this trip, it’s too important.

  Harry began muttering to himself as he moved quickly across the cavern and out of the door.

  Connor turned to Rebekah. “We’re leaving in the morning, but I’ll be only seconds away, I promise.” He dropped to his knees in front of her, spreading his hands over her stomach as he looked up into her face. “Nice to have you back, my Rebekah, not that I didn’t enjoy your… appetites.” His brow lifted suggestively.

  Rebekah smiled at him. “Can’t stand the pace, huh?” she murmured. She may have had no control, but she remembered every moment, and a flush stained her cheeks red.

  Her love filled Connor’s chest with warmth, and, as his hunger washed over his palette, he smiled back. “Oh I could go a fe
w more rounds, but honey, I missed you.” Rising to his feet again, his fingers drifted over her cheek as he settled a gentle kiss on her lips.

  <><><>

  Julian moved through the wet streets of London on his way to the council buildings, happy, for once, that he would be presiding in council for the usual mundane range of offences. Sebastian had yet to provide the coordinates the court waited for. He glanced at his watch, as he always did whenever the sands of time streamed through his thoughts. I still have time to stir Marius and Alexander into action. Because Serge had made the court application, he would be the council representative out in the field during the humans’ capture. And that will not do.

  A stench of rotting meat assailed Julian’s nostrils as he passed along the eastern boundaries of Hyde Park and, ironically, he knew the odor instantly, this time. Sebastian. Lying in wait.

  Julian carried on walking, and as Sebastian stepped out of the trees on his left, Julian shot out his arm and closed his fingers around the young vampire’s windpipe. “You’ve picked the wrong day to cross me, Sebastian,” Julian spat, glaring into the muddy hazel eye that widened in surprise, and ignoring the milk-white dead pool of the other.

  Sebastian froze for a moment before he grinned.

  Julian eased his grip enough to allow speech. “Well, talk, that is why you’re here.”

  “You know there aren’t forty humans because you’re protecting them,” Sebastian croaked, his eye glinting. “Guilty of ‘threatening the food supply’, Principal?”

  “That’s a very bold accusation, Sebastian.” The urge to snap his neck twitched through Julian’s fingertips. How much rope shall I give him?

  “I saw you.” Sebastian’s throat gurgled with the venom which could not drain past Julian’s fist. “You, Doctor Connor, and eight guardsmen. Does that ring a bell?”

  Julian’s eyes glazed with manufactured boredom. “Go on.”

  “No one else needs to know.” Sebastian’s lowered tone shared his confidence. “I have yet to give the council the information they need to despatch the guardsmen. At the moment.” He tapped his temple. “It’s still locked in here.”