Nova Nocte (Book 2): Quarantined in Chaos
Page 21
The night ticked away and everyone grew more restless. Allen and Garret slept. They were exhausted, full, and literally drained. The dawn was nearing when Chase came out to say she was finally going into delivery. Thankfully the waiting room was in the middle of the building preventing any serious issues with windows.
“I guess we’re in the hospital for the day.” Daemon commented.
“That’s fine. It will allow us some time to see the baby.” Cal brought a tray gourmet coffee from the cafeteria and handed them to the nurses. “Please enjoy these. And thank you for taking such good care of our friends. Please tell us as soon as you know something.”
The woman in scrubs accepted and passed around the cups of warm caffeine.
“Thank you sir. I’ll be sure to let you know. In fact, I’ll go check on things for you.”
“You’re too kind.”
He turned to me and Daemon.
“What? A little kindness never hurts.”
“You’re so happy right now.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? Squirrel, I adore children and two of our friends are having one right now. I know we must leave tonight, but every good day is worth cherishing.” He took a seat next to me. “It’s the only way to offset the long span of tough nights and harsh memories.”
The nurse came back to tell us Sunny was doing fine, Chase had fainted but was better now, and the baby would be with us soon. After a few jokes at Chase’s expense, we sat reading old magazines for another hour. It was a great feeling to be reading old magazines and have them actually be informative.
Chase came barreling through the doors.
“It’s a boy! I have a son.”
We all jumped to and celebrated with hugs and handshakes. The poor nurses got an earful from our messy lot.
“Can we see him?” I asked.
“Yeah, come on back. The doc said two at a time, but he’s gone and the nurses said we can all go back if we are quiet.”
Cal shot me a ‘told you so’ glance and bounded after the new father.
Sunny was covered in sweat and looked like hell. A happy, glowing, bundle of hell holding a tiny bundle of heaven.
“He’s so cute. Look at that tiny nose.” Daemon leaned down and looked at the baby’s face. The rest of the pink child was swaddled snugly in a soft blanket. “Sunny, Chase...” He looked at both of them. “...you two do good work. I demand that you make more.”
Sunny laughed and stroked the baby’s cheek. Chase puffed out his chest and put his arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“Trust me I plan to practice as much as possible.”
Sunny threw him the Mom Glare and he added ‘Just kidding.’ to the statement.
I watched as the baby yawned. Cal almost peed himself at the sight.
“What’s the lad’s name?”
The parents exchanged glances.
“Actually, we’ve agreed to call him Cal.”
The ancient Undead stopped breathing and sat down. His lip trembled as he blinked his watery eyes.
“I’m honored beyond words.”
Daemon gave the namesake a soft punch on the shoulder. I leaned down to give him a small hug.
“If you hadn’t arrived in camp, we wouldn’t have made it. Squirrel did a lot for us and Daemon arrived eventually, but you had the knowledge and skills to help us. Little Cal wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.” Sunny said.
Chase shook Cal’s hand.
“Besides, now we’ll always remember you. Even when we can’t remember everything, we will always know you were important to us.”
The nearly two thousand year old Roman soldier and vampire burst into tears. And woke the baby.
CHAPTER 38 MARCH 15TH - YEAR 2
Arriving back at our hotel is bittersweet. Our friends no longer know us. We spent a blissful day taking turns holding Little Cal and reminiscing. Then twilight fell and the process of glamouring our fellow survivors wore on us. Daemon and I barely held it together. Caelinus had to do Allen and Garret because he kept breaking down trying to put Sunny under.
I tossed my stuff on the burgundy carpet and sank into an armchair. I let my mind wander, taking in the last few days. I drifted but not too far within. Daemon shrugged out of his shirt.
“I’m taking a shower. I feel disgusting.”
The Roman looked at me with his sorrow covering his face.
It really hurts him to let them go and never find out how they end up. After all these years and centuries, I guess there’s no way to not care.
“Squirrel, maybe you should join him. I think I’ll retire to my room next door. Come by after, please.” He picked up his discarded luggage. “But, please, take your time together.”
He ambled slowly to the door and left. Daemon grinned.
“Not a bad idea. Care to join me?”
I answered by striding past him and hooking my finger into the front of his jeans.
###
“Well, we’re going to have to pay for that.”
Daemon sighed and laced up the new shoes he’d bought online and had delivered to the room. My stack of clothes sat beside him, disheveled from our second round on the bed.
“It’s not my fault that these beds aren’t made for vampire sex.” He gestured at the caved in portion. “Box springs aren’t supposed to be that flimsy.”
I kissed him and sat on his lap to button up my new shirt. I hoped the blue would look good against my paling skin. Daemon nibbled on my ear and I felt his new dungarees getting tighter below me. I wiggled as I slid on my own pants.
“That’s cheating.”
“Too bad. You know we don’t have time to play again before meeting up with Cal.”
I bent over to put on my sneakers. The heat on my butt from the laser gaze he had on it was entertaining.
“He said take our time.”
I turned around and kissed him. After a minute of doing a tongue tango, I pulled back.
“Yes, but after three hours, we’re pushing it. Besides, we need to know what we are doing when we have to check out and get settled somewhere else before dawn.”
He pouted and wrinkled his nose.
“Fair enough. Just give me a minute before we leave.”
“Why?”
He stared at me and tilted his head.
“Oh, right.” I blushed and gathered our stuff into the dry-cleaned duffle. “Just let me know when you’re a little less ready.”
Five minutes later, Daemon knocked on his mentor’s door.
“Come in.” Cal’s eyes were puffy and his nose red.
He’s been crying in here alone this entire time.
I felt guilty.
We should’ve cleaned up and come right over to keep him company. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. Sometimes I’m a sucky friend.
I gave the Roman a peck on the cheek and a smile. He forced one in return and indicated we should sit down. He pulled out a chair for me and offered Daemon the one across the room.
“I know this has been a difficult venture.” He started but faltered. His possessions were laid out on the end of the bed to my right. I gazed at the crusty clothes, short sword, fire kit, bandages, and basic tools. I let my thoughts wander while he composed his.
He’s had to go through this loss countless times as he’s moved on. It still affects him like this, but he does it. I can face this, too.
I felt the smile creep onto my face.
I’ll always have Cal and Daemon. They are my family now. Forever. I kept my promise to my parents and Owen. And the one to Sunny and Chase. I can let this all go and start fresh. My own Nova Nocte with them.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Cal started again. I kept my eyes closed as I forgave myself all my past horrors and breathed them out.
“There are few things tougher than losing loved ones. Having to let them go because it must be done is harder still.”
Goodbye past. You made me a survivor. You led me to a new life with a new friend and a new
love. Goodbye and thank you. You made me Squirrel, but now I’m myself again. I’m Rhiannon.
The tug to withdraw disintegrated and was gone. I marveled at the freeing sensation I had yet to feel since being turned. I listened as Cal spoke; I heard him moving as he talked.
“I’ll always love you both as family. But what has to be must be.”
I opened my eyes preparing to tell him that he needn’t fret over me anymore. Daemon screamed as Cal’s sword blade sped towards my head.
END BOOK TWO OF NOVA NOCTE SERIES
Book 3: Retaking Oblivion coming in 2015
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About the Author
Melissa Gibbo is the author or After The End and has been living and working in the Orlando area for nearly ten years. During this time she has worked at both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. She has a large extended family, a loving wife, and two crazy but loved cats. Melissa grew up in Columbus, Georgia and visits as often as possible.
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Table of Contents
Copyright
CHAPTER 1 NOVEMBER 25TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 2 NOVEMBER 26TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 3 NOVEMBER 27TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 4 NOVEMBER 28TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 5 NOVEMBER 30TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 6 DECEMBER - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 7 DECEMBER 4TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 8 DECEMBER 5TH-12TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 9 DECEMBER 13TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 10 DECEMBER 14TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 11 DECEMBER 15TH & 16TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 12 DECEMBER 17TH-20TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 13 DECEMBER 24TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 14 DECEMBER 25TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 15 DECEMBER 26TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 16 JANUARY 3RD & 4TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 17 JANUARY 5TH-8TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 18 JANUARY 9TH-11TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 19 JANUARY 12TH-19TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 20 JANUARY 20TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 21 JANUARY 21ST-30TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 22 JANUARY 31ST- FEBRUARY 2ND - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 23 FEBRUARY 3RD - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 24 FEBRUARY 4TH-18TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 25 FEBRUARY 19TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 26 FEBRUARY 20TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 27 FEBRUARY 21ST - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 28 MARCH 1ST - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 29 MARCH 3RD - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 30 MARCH 5TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 31 MARCH 6TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 32 MARCH 7TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 33 MARCH 8TH-10TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 34 MARCH 11TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 35 MARCH 12TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 36 MARCH 13TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 37 MARCH 14TH - YEAR 2
CHAPTER 38 MARCH 15TH - YEAR 2
Book 3: Retaking Oblivion coming in 2015
About the Author
Connect with Melissa