by Ilana Waters
“Sadly, no,” Titus replied. “Trust me, Callix, if I’d been the one to work that spell, you’d never have regained consciousness.”
“Ooo—scary!” said Rattler, wiggling his fingers in the air. “But idle threats are so . . . idle, don’t you think?” he sneered at my father.
“Watch it, Rattler,” said the vampire in the tight dress. “Don’t insult the great Titus Aurelius. Remember what Master said about him,” she snickered. “We wouldn’t want to make him angry.”
“There are many reasons why you shouldn’t invoke my ire, dear,” Titus replied. “If you’re lucky, you’ll never discover what they are.”
“I’m sure Merula meant no harm, Titus,” said Ferox. “But back to more important matters. Are any of you absolutely certain you haven’t seen or heard of that crystal? I was looking for it right before I ‘went to sleep,’ as it were.”
“Just any crystal?” said Abigail. “Could you be a little more specific?”
“Oh, I’m sure a witch would recognize it right away,” Ferox said. “I believe it goes by the name ‘Opener of Doors’?”
The crystal known as the Opener of Doors was back in the hotel safe, of course. About the length and breadth of a large thumb. The manager probably assumed it was an expensive watch, or something similar, when I’d handed him an object wrapped in velvet. But Ferox could never know that—under any circumstances.
“Can you tell us why you’re looking for it?” I asked. Ferox narrowed his eyes at me. “It may help us find out if anyone’s seen it recently.”
“I have my reasons,” Ferox replied, and said no more.
“You know, now that you mention it,” said Titus, pointing to Ferox, “I think that crystal was destroyed long ago.”
“Really.” It was a statement, not a question. Clearly, Ferox didn’t believe us.
“I’m afraid so.” Titus put his palms out. “But surely there are more intriguing amusements to occupy your time than searching for an old rock. What do you plan to do, Callix, now that you’ve essentially risen from the dead?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Ferox shrugged. Then he looked at us and grinned.
“I thought I’d start by ruling the world.”
Chapter 6
You could’ve heard a pin drop. I knew it! Titus said, looking at Abigail, then at me. We turned our attention back to Ferox, our hearts beating faster, energy hot at our fingertips.
“Right now I’m just making plans, gathering information and such.” Ferox rose from the chair and traced a finger along the column of stone behind him. “After all, it doesn’t pay to jump into these things unprepared, does it, Titus?” Ferox smiled at him.
“Or at all,” Titus said, his voice grave. “Are you certain you’ve thought this through, Callix? The world isn’t what it used to be. There’s a good chance you wouldn’t want it, or it might be too much to manage.”
Ferox laughed, an eerie sound whose echo made it seem there were five or six of him. “Oh, I’m quite fond of what I’ve seen so far. It could use a few improvements, of course. Vampires no longer skulking in the shadows, for one thing. Don’t you agree? Aren’t you tired of hiding, Titus? Of pretending? All of you must be.” He nodded his head to Abigail and me. “And I wouldn’t just make an ideal world for vampires; all manner of supernatural creatures would be welcomed. Worshipped, even . . . as long as they adhered to our rules.”
“You mean your rules,” Abigail said with fire in her eyes. “Why do I think humanity’s place on the ladder will be at a much lower rung than it is now?” Ferox and the other vampires laughed.
“Sacrifices do have to be made, my sweet. Sometimes you must cut off a limb to save the body.”
I’ll bet if we cut off his head, there would be a lot fewer human bodies, I said.
Not now, Joshua! my parents said in unison.
“But I’m rather surprised at you, Titus.” Ferox went to stand in front of him. Abigail and I drew even closer, automatically calling up more magic. My hands felt so swollen with it, they almost hurt. “I thought you’d be battling me for control right about now.” My father, however, stood stone-faced and unmoving.
“Actually, I’m content with the way things are,” Titus said. “I run a viable business, possess the wealth of a king, and have innumerable . . . employees to attend me. Why would I want anything more?”
I remember exactly how and when my father had said this before. It was to the High Council after they demanded to know if he was in league with Ferox. And while he did run the largest and most extravagant casino in Las Vegas, I had the feeling he wasn’t being entirely truthful. I knew him too well. Once a man has had a taste of power on an epic scale, as he had in ancient Rome, nothing else will ever truly satisfy him.
“Is that so?” Ferox stroked his chin. “I don’t remember Titus Aurelius being so complacent. Bloody and ruthless, yes, but not complacent. What happened to you, Titus? It seems a few thousand years amongst the mortals has turned you into quite the cuddly kitten.”
Titus gritted his teeth. “I wouldn’t exactly say that.” I could almost see rage billowing inside him like black smoke. “Let’s just say I’ve seen the advantages of taking a more laissez-faire approach to things. And I don’t remember you being so calm and relaxed before. I think the last time I saw you, you were in the midst of beheading one of your most trusted advisors over a trifle.”
“Well, perhaps I agree that your laissez-faire approach—that’s French, isn’t it?—that whatever you’re doing now is the right tack,” Ferox said.
“For once, we agree on something.”
“Perhaps more than one thing,” Ferox continued. “Perhaps . . . we can see our way to ruling together. With me being at the head, of course.”
“Over my dead body and that of I everyone I care for,” was my father’s short reply.
Titus, Abigail warned.
Hey! I said. I thought we weren’t supposed to antagonize him. Was my father trying to get all of us killed now? I kept expecting him and Ferox to start strangling each other at any moment.
“Ah, then it’s only over your dead body, my friend.” Ferox’s smile faded. I thought for certain he’d try to take on Titus then, but the two just continued staring hard at one another. I almost wished someone would strike the first blow, if only to get it over with. Finally, Ferox spoke again.
“Of course, there’s no need to be concerned about that now.” He drifted lazily back to his chair. “I’ll do things slowly at first, and you’re welcome to join me. However, if you stand in my way, or thwart my plans . . .” Again came the hard stare, and this time it wasn’t just from Ferox, but from every vampire around him.
“Master, isn’t this all a bit much?” asked Rattler. He took off his cap and ran several pale, slender fingers through his hair. “Why don’t we just kill them now?”
I think our hearts all jumped in unison. This is it, I said to my parents. They didn’t voice any disagreement, and my mind quickly ran over several spells to use. Not that they would save us. I just wanted to take out as many of those bastards as I could before I went; maybe even Ferox himself. I saw Titus’s eyes dart rapidly around the room. In anyone else, this would indicate fear, but I knew from previous experience he was working out fighting maneuvers in his mind. Possibly some that including bouncing vampires off the walls.
But suddenly, it seemed premature, because Ferox merely chuckled and shook his head. “Now, Rattler, my son, why would I do that? We’re all such good friends here. Besides,” he tilted his head and looked at my parents and me, “if I killed them, and they did know where my crystal was, I’d never find it, would I?”
His crystal? we all said. But it was Titus who spoke first.
“I told you, old man. You’re wasting your time. As far as I know, that silly thing’s long gone.”
The vampire in the tight dress clucked her tongue. “Sire,” she said to Ferox, “they’re obviously lying. Can’t we just torture the crystal’s location out of them?�
�� She looked at her flawless nails and scowled. “I’m so bored.”
“Why don’t you try not torturing and killing people for a change?” I asked. “You know, mix things up a bit.”
“Now that really sounds boring.” She smiled wide, letting her fangs show.
I sighed. “My dear, being good is so difficult that if you’re bored, you’re doing it wrong.”
“Ahem. I think we’ll dispense with the killing,” Ferox said. “For now. But I do hope you three will let me know if you hear anything about my crystal. I think I could see my way towards an amicable departure if that were the case.” He rose from his chair again, stood in front of Titus, and put out his palm. “What’s the modern way to secure agreements? Shake on it?”
The look in Titus’s eye was merciless. “You give me that hand and you’re not getting it back.”
Ferox just smiled again. “Ah, there’s the Titus I knew. Wouldn’t have you any other way.”
“Except dead, apparently,” said Abigail.
Ferox merely glanced at her. “It was lovely meeting you all. I wonder if I might have a private word with your son before you go.”
“Absolutely not,” said Titus at the same time Abigail snorted, “In hell!”
Ferox looked at me. “I think the one who makes the decision really ought to be Josh-u-a. Of course, my boy, if your parents need convincing . . .” He turned his head to several of his vampires, who all stepped forward with menacing grins. “I have quite a few parties willing to take on the task.”
Titus started rolling up his sleeves and marching toward the other vampires. I think he was particularly eager to get his hands on Rattler again. But I caught up and grabbed him by the shoulder before he could get very far.
“No, Father. I’ll do it. Please, you have to trust me.” I said the last part in Latin, the language of my childhood we sometimes still used.
Titus’s face softened, but only a little. “We’ll be right here if you need us,” he said, also in Latin. He moved back to stand with Abigail, putting his arm around her shoulder as she watched me walk away with pained eyes. Titus’s expression was unreadable, as always. The other vampires seemed almost disappointed there wouldn’t be a brawl.
Ferox placed his hand on my arm and led me to a wall next to a large, discolored section of stone. He motioned to one of his lackeys, who pushed the stone inward to reveal a hidden antechamber. I took one last glance around the cavernous room, then went inside. I waited until Ferox looked away to swallow hard.
The room was sparsely furnished, though it did have a large wooden table with some ancient texts scattered across it. I wondered if this was what Ferox had been using to catch up on two millennia of human history. Frankly, I thought he’d have been better off with a laptop and an Internet connection, but I kept that to myself. He motioned for me to sit in one of the carved wooden chairs; like the one in front of the stone column, it was hundreds of years old. We both sat, and I tried to keep my face as blank as my father’s.
“So, you’re a mage, then?” Ferox said affably, rubbing his hands together. “That’s a person with human weaknesses, but many of an immortal’s strengths. Society didn’t have much use for them, from what I recall.”
“Well, I’m afraid society hasn’t changed much,” I said warily. Is this why he called me in here?
Ferox laughed softly and shook his head. “Mortals can be so foolish, can’t they? A person of your skill . . . they probably need you more than they know. I, for one, think you can be very useful.”
“Ah, thank you. But I’m not sure we’d agree on the definition of usefu—”
“How old are you, truly?”
“I beg your pardon?” Where is he going with this?
“Do you have the power, as witches do, to stop aging whenever you wish? Are you immortal like your mother and father?”
“I . . . I’m not sure.” Why would Ferox care, anyway? Wasn’t he contemplating killing us not that long ago?
“A dark feeling, that.” He leaned back in his chair. I, on the other hand, sat ramrod straight. I couldn’t hear anything through the stone door. I prayed Titus and Abigail weren’t faring poorly on the other side. “I remember it from when I was mortal. The mere thought of death brought an overwhelming fear. You must be very brave to face it every day.”
“Bravery’s just a trick in the toolbox,” I said. “One I take out when necessary.”
“Clever boy! Still, you must employ that particular tool fairly often. After all, to take back your mother as you did was no small feat.”
Crap. He definitely knew I killed his first set of minions. Was that what this was about?
“I had help.” I tried to take a deep breath without it showing, which is more difficult than it sounds.
“Ah, yes. Titus was with you.” Ferox stroked his chin. “Still, he did not accomplish it alone. To hide the superb gifts you must have is just . . . tragic. It’s the mortals’ fault this is the way of things, yes? Yet you still care for them. Your baiting my young ones out there—”
“I wasn’t baiting!”
Ferox laughed and shook his head.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to offend,” he said. “I quite enjoyed it. They need a little riling up now and again. But it did give away your feelings towards mortals. You seem to stand with them more than against.”
“A person has to stand for something.” Like keeping maniacs from taking over the world.
“Indeed,” Ferox said slowly. His eyes took on a sheen I recognized in vampires when they desired something intensely. This time I had to fight the urge to swallow hard.
“Still, you are an outsider and—what’s the modern word?” Ferox said. “A misfit as far as mortal and supernatural circles are concerned.”
“I guess I don’t fit in anywhere,” I said bitterly. Why does Ferox have to be so blunt about it?
“It’s just as I thought. Still, I must admit, you fascinate me, young man,” he murmured. Ferox looked at me like I was a species of bird he’d never seen before.
“Thank you. I’m flattered.” And incredibly sickened at the same time.
Ferox continued staring at me, smiling, saying nothing. Finally, he sighed. “And you’re sure you know nothing about this crystal, hmmm? Nothing at all?”
“There’s nothing I can tell you,” I replied honestly. Because I will never reveal where that crystal is, no matter what you do to me.
“I see. Well, perhaps that will change with time.” I was about to say something to the contrary when Ferox stood up and motioned to the door.
“Until then,” he said, the hardness returning to his voice, “I do hope you and your parents have a pleasant evening.”
***
Ferox watched his three guests leave through the same door they came. The other vampires smirked and traded knowing looks; the encounter had been more entertaining than expected. Someone struck up a fiddle, and a few of the men grabbed their women and began dancing with them. Soon, everyone was laughing and carrying on as if they were at a ball. Most everyone, that is.
Rattler stood at the head of the staircase with Ferox, gazing where Joshua and his parents had gone.
“I’m sorry, Sire,” he said. “I know we’re still no closer to finding the crystal.”
“Perhaps,” Ferox said slowly, his eyes peering into the distance. “Or perhaps we are.”
“Sire?” Rattler furrowed his brow. When Ferox didn’t reply, Rattler spoke again.
“Do you really believe what that Aurelius fellow said, Your Grace? That he has no desire to rule?”
“No, I don’t.” Ferox continued looking to where his rival had disappeared into the darkness, and smiled. A few seconds later he spoke again, his voice commanding and low:
“You know what to do.”
Chapter 7
When I finally stepped out of my conference with Ferox, I was relieved to see Titus and Abigail were unharmed. The vampires had just been taunting them; Abigail later reported that she had
to stop Titus from pounding Rattler several times. Poor Titus. I knew an assault on his ego was almost worse than one on his person.
You can imagine how relieved we were to drive back to Rome, all alive and in one piece. As we made our way back into the city, I marveled at the simple beauty of it. It’s a wonder to be in a place so ancient that the closest thing to a newcomer is the Vittoriano—that ostentatious typewriter of a building erected a mere century ago. Titus, of course, thought it was hideous.
At stoplights, I peered down cobblestoned alleyways with hanging flower boxes and scores of cats everywhere. While there are a fair number of humble apartment buildings and narrow streets, other things here are enormous—the monuments, the boulevards. Go a few blocks in any direction, and it can be hard to describe the grandeur of Rome, even as a modern city. It’s not an exaggeration to say one’s first impressions of it are larger than life. No wonder Ferox wanted to start an empire here.
We fairly stumbled our way into Titus and Abigail’s hotel suite. For witches and mages, just holding magic for so long is enough to leave us exhausted. From the way Titus heaved onto a couch with a sigh, I think he was as worn out as we were from the tension. Of course, he wouldn’t say it. But despite feeding earlier, his face now had a hollow, sagging quality to it.
“So what did Ferox want when you spoke to him?” Abigail asked me. She pulled the stopper out of a decanter and looked down into it. Shaking her head, she replaced the stopper and sat next to Titus on the couch. I sat in a chair opposite them.
“I don’t know, exactly. The whole conversation was odd.” I loosened my collar and ran my fingers through my hair. “He loathes mortals; that much is clear. I’m not sure how he feels about mages. He thinks I can be useful, but I’m not certain how. Oh, and he pressed me about the crystal, naturally.”
“Naturally.” Titus nodded and sighed again. “No doubt it has something to do with how you can be useful.” Suddenly, he sat up and stared at me. “You didn’t tell him anything, did you?” Abigail and I stared back at him, slack-jawed.
