“And what if they do not choose this -- gift?” Grimm asked.
“If your assumption is that we kill them, or eat them or some such barbaric horror, it is untrue,” John said. “The humans live with us as humans. They age, and die, and we care for them through all of it.”
“But they cannot leave?” Boots asked.
Jane looked at the table and shook her head. “No,” she said. “It is unfortunate, but it is about tribe safety and security, and the security of the Nosferatu.”
Suddenly, a great sadness washed across Persi.
“She and her sister were found wondering the woods after a flood took their home,” John said looking at Jane.
“Lidia has been gone for over a hundred years but I still grieve,” Jane said.
“You, your people feel emotions deeply.” Persi said.
Jane smiled. “Yes, for the long-lived it is a curse and a blessing.”
After Morris served dessert, Boots leaned into the table and looked at his guests. “It appears as though all three of you are new additions, or newer – younger – Nightwalkers, and you are not of aboriginal blood.”
John smiled, “Paa thought we were the best envoys, people more relatable to a civilized anglo government than ancient natives. We are not as far removed as the ancients.”
“Hmm, perhaps,” said Boots. “We are not as prejudice as all that. After all, Senator Landon Johnson was a slave himself, and as of last year’s elections, we have a second congressman whose parents were slaves.”
“And don’t forget, Forest Bloodmoon,” the new senator to Montana. He is from the Blackfeet nation.”
The Nightwalkers looked at each other. “Then perhaps it will not be as bad as the elder’s think,” Aiyana said.
“Perhaps not, but there is plenty of legend surrounding the Nightwalker tribes. Most people will need to be educated and this will take time,” Persi said.
John nodded. “Yes, it will take time, and we have time.”
“And there is the challenge of the Nosferatu,” Captain Grimm said. “They are the nightmare they are reported to be. This cannot be explained away, it will need special attention, yes?”
Persi pointed her spoon at him and nodded. “Tout a fait.” she said. She turned to look at the others and said, “Exactly.”
I’m afraid,” Jane said, “The Nos will always be a challenge, and our problem. We will recommend a reservation system to help us properly care for them while offering humanity some sense of safety.”
“Could they be moved, perhaps to a place outside the current corridor of expansion?” Persi asked.
“It is possible, of course, but we hope this will not be needed,” John said. “We have a home, and have lived there for hundreds of years. We should not be forced to leave our homelands.”
“You are saved by the ‘Acknowledgement of Tribal Lands Act of 1790,’ are you not?” Boots asked.
They nodded in unison though something floated just below that Boots could not read.
“So, back to the point, since you are indigenous, you cannot be forced to move,” Boots said, placing another spoonful of flan in his mouth, as if the issue was resolved.
Jane placed her spoon on the table and pushed her bowl forward. “Unfortunately, as we both know, the issue will not be resolved easily. We cannot guarantee the Nos will never attack humans, but we feel certain the level of attacks will be no more than that of any other dangerous animals. If we couple that with restricted areas, or at least warn people entering our lands – we think it is possible to give us the time we need.”
“The time you need to convert your hope into reality,” Persi said.
“Yes,” she smiled, “perhaps a hundred years or so, with incidence of attacks dropping with time, but I don’t think you understand our real challenge.”
“Yes?” Persi asked.
John spoke, “The challenge is that we must betray our responsibility about the Nosferatu, to gain the understanding of your leaders. Once we have exposed it and our role, we will have to accept the consequences.”
“If they refuse ...” Grimm said.
John cut him off, “If they say no, this is one thing, but if they act on this information, act against the Nos or against us – our responsibility to protect ourselves and the Nos is ...”
“It is who you are, part of your reason for being,” Persi said.
John nodded.
Persi continued, “And if you are pressed?”
All three Nightwalkers shook their heads. “This was why the elders were against our attempt,” Jane said.
Persi understood. “War.”
Chapter 24 – Secrets Are Not
The rest of the evening was dampened by the thought of war between human and vampire.
Boots lay in bed watching Persi finish her ablutions readying herself to retire. She brushed her hair, and tied it in a long pony tail with several pink ribbons. “This Nos thing, it will be a challenge,” he said to his wife.
“Have faith husband, there is a great deal of time between now and a possible war. Remember, what the Nightwalkers have to offer is quite substantial. Speaking from a purely investigative position, they could very well put us out of a job.”
“No, my dear, I suspect we will continue as the investigative arm because we are not limited by the sun. I suspect our friends will be trained as intelligencers. They are quick, quiet, and they do not appear as strong as they are so they can use that to their advantage. They are also impervious to normal modern weapons, with the exception of the sundowner round, and fire.”
“They also have that ability to read a person’s thoughts and emotions with a touch,” Persi added.
“Yes, there is that,” Boots said. “It would be invaluable in gathering reliable information.”
Persi drifted across the room, her white nightgown floating behind her.
“You move rather like one,” Boots said.
“Flatterer,” Persi said, climbing into bed.
Boots turned the flame down and the room darkened.
“Persi?” Boots asked.
“Yes, dear,” Persi said, snuggling up next to him, her voice held a sleepy quality.
“Did you inform Aiyana to move her sleeping space to a different location, preferably in the guest quarters?”
“My love, they will be sewing and making new attire until morning,” Persi said, already half asleep. “By that time we shall be waking.”
“So, is that a yes, or no?” Boots asked.
“Yes,” Persi said and rolled off him and faced away.
“Yes, you did or ...”
A soft snore came from Persi.
“Persi? Dear heart?” Boots tried.
He sighed and threw the covers back. Moving across the floor and barely missing the bed leg, feeling it slide past his small toe, he locked the door.
****
Persi awakened, in the morning and rolled over to Boots. She ran her finger down the outline of his ear, attempting to induce him into some passionate activity, but he was sound asleep.
“Well, if that doesn’t beat all.” Irritated, she climbed from bed and prepared for her day. She had finished bathing and had pulled one of her nice traveling dresses on when the door latch unlocked of its own volition and the door slowly opened. Persi grabbed for a weapon but what appeared in her hand was her tortoise shell hair brush. She shrugged, I have killed with less.
Quicker than Persi expected, the naked form of Aiyana slipped in, clothes draped over one arm. She shut and locked the door, then moved to the clothes locker.
“My husband will not be comfortable with you in residence,” Persi said.
Aiyana did not turn, and did not seem surprised, but opened the locker and hung her new clothes on the hooks.
Persi continued, “We could find an equally suitable place for you to rest, perhaps in one of the guest rooms?”
Aiyana turned, her marble skin glowing in the morning light seeping in around the curtained window. She
looked at the rug, the dark stain had faded through Morris’ ministrations.
“What is the matter?” Persi asked, moving closer to the young woman.
“I cannot sleep elsewhere, it does not feel right,” she said.
“My dear, you simply cannot stay here. Boots will ...”
“Does he know your secret?” Aiyana asked in a whisper, not looking up.
Persi stopped.
Aiyana looked her in the eye. “Why is it a secret?”
“Uhm, just to be certain we are speaking of the same thing, what is my secret?”
Aiyana’s gaze dropped to Persi’s midsection.
“Well, perhaps. I had not actually confirmed that myself,” Persi said.
Aiyana smiled, just barely visible in the dim light. “You know, in your heart of hearts, you know.”
“Yes, I suppose. It is quite inconvenient,” Persi said, placing her hands on her hips, “It will cause me to leave my current employment. However, our marriage has already jeopardized it so I suppose it was only a matter of time.”
Aiyana narrowed her eyes. “Why do you call them an, ‘it’? Are they not human?”
Persi stepped back. “Actually, until now I had not known it was a he or a she, let alone a they,” Persi said, moving her hands to her stomach.
“A boy and a girl, and ...”
“Stop, please, I ... we are not meant to know these things.”
Aiyana’s mouth quirked at the edges, “Perhaps you will let me sleep here, at least once more?”
Persi thought about it for a second and nodded. “But I will lie if he catches you,” she added.
Aiyana shrugged before crawling into the locker and shutting the door.
****
Boots awoke late and slipped from bed. He had not slept well and Persi had already gone. He had a vague memory of his wife whispering in his ear, and hands upon his body, then something that sounded like, ‘Well, if that doesn’t ...’ but he never awoke fully, and the memory sat adrift, just outside his consciousness.
He used the toilet, still somewhat in awe of the technology, and then poured water into the basin, noticing the pitcher had been topped off after Persi’s use. He chided himself for not hearing Morris enter his room. Many a time had his light sleeping saved him from the assassin’s knife.
He could have called for the young man to bring hot water but he figured he was busy supplying breakfast, so he shaved with cold. It was nothing new to him. He had spent days, weeks even, during the war, then afterwards with the Stanley Expedition, forced to keep himself presentable with few modern conveniences to aid him, including hot water.
Persi had laid his clothes across a chair back and as he dressed, his stomach growled. He picked up the waistcoat and as he slipped it on, noticed a small rip in the corner of one of its pockets. “This will never do,” he said walking to the clothes locker.
He opened the closet door and stepped back, disturbed to see a naked Aiyana curled up. Items of clothing hung from the surrounding hooks. Shaking his head, and resolving to ensure his wife spoke with their guest, he moved to the next clothes locker where his waistcoats now hung next to Persi’s corsets.
It was a bright clear morning as Boots entered the dining area, the light filtered through the exterior ports and the smell of delicious food still hung in the air. The sooty, Nicholas, appeared as Boots sat. The young man was clean. Actually, bathed and scrubbed clean, a steward’s uniform hung loosely about him, obviously borrowed.
Nicholas moved quickly to the table and helped Boots into his chair. “Thank you, Nicholas. You have ascended to the ranks of steward I see.”
“Yes sir, Mister Morris’ request. I help him with the steward side of his job, then return for half a shift in the engine room. Cap’n Grimm says he will be on the lookout for a new sooty to replace me, and I will take on Mister Morris’ old duties.”
“Are you in agreement with this arrangement?”
“Oh, yes sir. I’m an airman through and through. Don’t want to be a sooty forever, do I.”
“Good man,” Boots said. “With that attitude as your compass you will find your way to Captain one day.” Boots glanced around the room. “Now tell me, what has my good wife left me for breakfast?”
Nicholas looked at him, confused.
“Just bring me breakfast. I’m sure whatever Cook has made will suffice,” Boots said.
Nicholas made a jerky bow and left just as Persi, entered the room followed by Morris.
“So, with the addition of the small garden, chickens and three goats, we will need to descend fewer times and thereby make better overall travel times,” Persi finished as they approached the table.
“Yes ma’am. And the small garden for greens, remember. Kale, collards and cabbage are very cold hardy, and could be grown on the deck in decorative wooden planters so as not to take away from the utility of the space,” Morris said.
“Yes, I believe we can proceed with a trial, say – six months?
Morris nodded.
“Well then, work up the logistics, materials needed and weight constraints with Captain Grimm. Speak with the Engineer to arrange for the new water piping for your irrigation needs.”
“Yes ma’am, and thank you. You won’t regret it,” Morris said.
She smiled and finally saw Boots sitting at the table. “Oh, hello, dear, did you have a good sleep?”
“It was sufficient, thank you. Am I to understand we are now going to be aerial farmers?”
“Boots, don’t be ridiculous. A dozen chickens, three goats and few planters does not a farm make,” Persi said, smiling and taking a seat next to him. “But yes, Morris’ idea for allowing us to sustain ourselves, have fewer or shorter stops for supplies and thus make better time.”
“I am intrigued, and speaking of intrigued...”
Persi looked at Boots whose forehead had wrinkled.
“Oh for Pete’s sake, the sun was up, I couldn’t very well throw her out of the room. We can speak to her again at dinner. Aiyana says she cannot sleep elsewhere.”
Boots continued to look at Persi, though his forehead had relaxed.
“That’s what she said. Perhaps Jane can talk to her.” Persi said, then smirked. “And besides, I thought men liked a woman’s naked form.”
Boots saw the trap. “Perhaps, but you are the only naked form I wish to see.”
“Hmm,” Persi said, “Well played, husband.”
Chapter 25 – Missing Nosferatu and Stories of Dark Ones
The Daedalus was making final preparations for landing outside Denver when the Nightwalkers awoke. They appeared in the dining area as the sun sank below the mountains, the women dressed in their newly tailored clothes, and John in a combination of garments donated by Grimm, Parry and Boots. Persi thought he, “cleaned up well,” as the expression went.
Aiyana and Jane wore a style she recognized from their first meeting- britches, a knee-length skirt, and tunic that hung just below the waist. As Persi looked, she recognized the fabrics from the blankets, sheets, and she thought the trim around the neck and hem of the tunic must be the blue walking dress she had given to them. While John wore donated shoes, the two women wore a type of sandal, the sole made from a thick piece of leather, perhaps from a stoker’s apron, liberated from a sooty. The straps seemed to be cut from, Well, she smiled, Perhaps the gentleman will not notice one of his braces is missing.
“Sleep well?” Persi asked.
They all nodded agreement.
“We are descending?” John asked as Nicholas and Morris began bringing dishes to the table.
“Yes, sitting down outside of Denver. We will anchor out and use our velocitor to go into town tomorrow. We need to investigate, to see if anything is known about a facility in or around Aspen.” Boots said. “The newspaper should know something.”
John looked at the other two Nightwalkers and Aiyana nodded. “There is no need to stop in Denver,” Aiyana said, “The place you are looking for is slightly south
west of the town, midway up a mountain.”
All the non-vampires stopped filling their plates and faced the other three. “Excusez moi, Bella, but you know this how?” Grimm asked.
“We, I, can ... communicate with the local Nightwalkers. They tell me there is activity at this place. It is a place of man and machines, and it hums and lights flash.”
“Sounds promising,” Persi said.
She turned to Jane and John. “There is a problem I have not spoken of but I will speak of it now since it affects us all.”
There was silence.
“There is a man. He is from another country, from an old European country, and he is a scientist and the one who makes lightning come from the building at night,” Aiyana said, “but he is not the one in charge. The one in charge, the one who gives orders to the scientist, and the workers, he they call, ‘the Duke,’ and he has other power.” She looked at John and Jane. “The power the elders speak of, the dark power.”
“We have heard of this Duke. He is the one we are looking for,” Persi said.
Boots looked at Grimm and Parry. “Gentlemen, I am sorry to interfere with your dinner, but please take a break to inform your men that we will continue west to Aspen. Once we arrive, we will speak further of how to proceed.”
The two nodded and excused themselves from the table.
Aiyana hadn’t broken her gaze with the other vampires and suddenly Jane gasped, and John pushed himself away from the table. “This cannot be,” he bellowed.
Persi raised her voice, “Mr. John, manners at the table, please.”
“I am sorry,” he said. “Please forgive me.”
“Forgiven,” Persi said with a smile. “Now, what has moved you to such a state?”
John looked at Persi, his face a mixture of anger and horror. “The tribes think this Duke has been involved in some disappearances of local,” he hesitated, “of people.”
“Then we will anchor outside Aspen and render what assistance we can to local Sherriff. This must not be allowed.” Persi said.
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