by Dylan Keefer
“Clayton! You’re okay? Where are you? What happened?”
Clayton sighed. “Give me a chance to answer one question at a time, Mei. I’m okay.” Mei let her head fall back on the bed with relief. Madi stood up and pointed out of the room mouthing that she was going to get a shower. Mei nodded. “We ran into some issues with the Dominion, and they have Larent.”
Mei shuddered. Guilt dripped from his voice, and she knew that it weighed heavily on him.
“What happened?”
“He—he told me to run. I got Ruth and her children, but it all happened so fast. If it hadn’t been for Madi’s blood, I don’t think we would have gotten out alive. Larent was wrestling with Dr. Boyle to save Ruth, and—and I couldn’t save him. I don’t know if he’s dead or if they kept him alive.”
“It’s not your fault though,” she said. “We will find out what happened to him, and we will go back for him.”
“Madi said that our hotel was compromised, but you’re in a safe place.”
“We are,” she said. “Are you coming to us?”
“In the morning,” he assured. “I’m in a safe place right now, and I dropped Ruth and the kids somewhere safe. Hopefully they can get out of town after a few hours sleep. I just want to make sure I don’t lead anything or anyone back to you.”
“Okay,” she closed her eyes. “I can’t wait to see you—to hold you.”
She could hear him breathing easier on the phone. “Me, too.”
Mei dropped the phone and fell onto the bed. Almost instantly, she was waking up on a wooden floor gasping for air. Her body was wet and cold. Everything inside of her ached. Faces stared down at her as she lay there.
“I told you not to lean overboard, child!” A voice echoed in her ear. “Didn’t I say that! Didn’t I!”
She knew that voice. Sitting up quickly, her eyes searched around until they found Serge’s. He was wet as well and breathing heavy. There was a glare on his face. Mei felt instantly embarrassed realizing that she had fallen overboard, and he had recused her.
“Leave her be, Serge!” a woman’s voice echoed. “She didn’t mean to fall. Poor child is cold. I’ll take care of her, and you get cleaned up as well.”
Mei felt small, but strong hands grabbed her gently by the shoulders. She looked up into the kindest eyes. Black as night hair on snowy skin.
“Are you okay?” Mei nodded. The woman helped her up. “Come with me?”
Mei followed the woman across the ship and down some stairs where there was a big area filled with small cots and blankets for beds. The woman grabbed a few pieces of clothing material from the floor and brought Mei behind a sheet that was hanging from the ceiling.
“Now, get out of those clothes and put these on,” the woman said. “Then come sit with me. I’m going to teach you something that is going to keep you out of trouble.”
Mei did what she was told. As she changed, she heard the woman begin to hum. She remembered the song as soon as she heard the melody. “Sweet princess. You are mine. You are mine. For all of time. As deep as the ocean and wide as the sea is my love for you.” The woman’s voice was so beautiful and…
Mei woke up trembling. She could feel her body shaking almost uncontrollably. She was laying on the bed in a fetal position. Suddenly, the door opened. Madi stood in front of her in just her underwear with a towel wrapped around her head. Her eyes widened when she saw Mei trembling on the bed with her fangs out. Madi rushed to the bed and climbed next to Mei wrapping her hands around the woman as tight as she could.
“It’s okay. You’re okay.” Mei wanted to close her eyes but didn’t dare for fear of triggering another vision somehow. She let the girl hold her. It felt good. For the second time that night, Mei was reminded that behind the wall of snarkiness and sarcasm was a very caring soul. Mei’s shaking started to subside. Her fangs retreated. She nestled into Madi’s arms. Her body felt good, and Mel realized how amazing her skin felt. She reached up and gripped Madi’s arm which wrapped around her waist. All was quiet for a moment as they simply breathed. Mei rotated in Madi’s grasp and lay facing the girl. Their faces were merely inches apart. There was something different than the passion that was usually in Madi’s eyes. Mei licked her lips.
“I don’t know how you are always so calming.”
Madi swallowed. “I’m scared to death—everyday. I’m surprised you can’t tell. You above anyone.”
“Really?”
Madi nodded. “I’m twenty-four, and no one knows a thing that I’m going through. If they did, they would think I’m a freak, and because of that I’m alone. Plus, I know there are a bunch of vampires out there who want to kill me. I’m scared.”
Mei wasn’t sure why, but she reached up and moved Madi’s hair back behind her head. “I don’t think you’re a freak. I’m here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”
Mei could feel Madi’s heart beating in her chest. She could hear how fast the beat was. Then she realized that her own heart was matching the beat.
“I’m sorry, but I have to,” Madi whispered. Mei felt the girl’s lips touch hers. She shuddered. This didn’t happen as far as she knew; at least not in the culture that she grew up in. It didn’t feel like it was with Milo or Clayton. It felt gentler and warmer. Mei fully embraced the kiss. Madi’s hand moved down her side and slowly under her dress. Mei gasped as her fingers caressed her inner thigh and then moved in between. Mei buried her head underneath Madi’s chin and propped her leg up inviting Madi’s hand to move around freely. She felt tingling sensations all throughout her body. Mei closed her eyes and gulped as Madi’s lips sucked on her neck and throat. Then Madi bit her ear and whispered.
“I know a spot.” Spot? A spot? Mei wasn’t sure what the girl meant, but she didn’t have to wonder long. Mei felt her body involuntarily buck and bridge. Every muscle in her body tensed up as she fought the urge to scream out. Instead she felt her fangs come out. Every inch of her wanted to explode. She jumped in the bed landing on top of Madi and ripping her bra off her. One hand grabbed one of her pale white breasts while the other dove in between Madi’s thighs and inside her without warning. Madi couldn’t control her reaction as much and threw her head back with a groan. Mei was nearly oblivious to what she was doing, but in her mind, everything was moving in slow motion. She could see every aspect of how Madi’s body reacted to her. Every muscle as her facial expressions changed. Every tremble and quiver. Everything.
“Stop! Stop!” Madi gasped and scrambled away from Mei. Mei exited her world of bliss and backed away herself.
“I’m sorry. What did I do?”
Madi fell back onto the bed. “Do? You rocked my world. I’ve never—and I mean never felt anything like that.”
Her chest rose and fell so rapidly, Mei though she might be having some sort of attack.
“You’re okay though?”
“Yeah. I am. I thought for sure you were going to break me. I didn’t want you to—um—cut me or anything.” Mei mentally kicked herself. She forgot. All it would take was one second of contact with Madi’s blood, and she could die. Madi looked at her and shook her head. “But you didn’t. You didn’t.”
Mei lay back down next to Madi, this time, the girl’s back was to her. She wrapped her arms around her waist. Her brain went back to going several thousand miles an hour. Just a few hours ago, she had been in Clayton’s arms. Things had been right. They had been so right. Then Madi blew into their lives. Her body still felt the effects of what had just happened. But she was confused. So confused.
Madi’s breathing became heavy and soon there was a light snoring. It made Mei smile. Either she fell asleep quickly, or she was extremely tired. Thinking about what the girl had gone through in just the past couple of days, Mei held a newfound respect for her. She had been attacked by a vampire, shot and then attacked by a group of vampires, been on the run and –Mei simply let her fingers run through her hair until she herself felt sleep coming over her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
>
Warmth from the sunshine in the lone window of the room was what woke her up initially, but she still wasn’t fully up. In the night, their bodies had shifted. Madi was spooning her. By the sound of her breathing, the girl was awake.
“Sleep well?” Madi asked softly. Mei nodded.
“And I don’t want to get up,” she groaned. Madi nodded.
“I don’t either. We can stay here for a few minutes and just let the sun bath us in its warmth.”
“That was very poetic,” Mei said. “Very artistically put.”
“Thank you,” Madi giggled. She scooted in close until Mei could feel her breath on the side of her face. Madi began to hum softly. Mei smiled. She had a beautiful voice. It was enough to almost lull her back to sleep. Suddenly, she stiffened. Madi stopped. Mei jumped out of the bed with panic in her eyes. Madi sat up expressing concern in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Wh—where did you hear that song?” She pointed at Madi. “The one you were just humming? Where did you learn that song?”
Madi sat up on the edge of the bed. “My mom used to hum it to me when I was a girl. She—um—she said that it was passed down from her mother and her mother, too. Why?”
Mei put her hands over her mouth. She was surprised that Madi’s humming hadn’t triggered a vision.
“Madi, that is the song that has been in my visions. In all my visions, that song has been hummed or sung, and I’ve never heard it before. At least, not that I remember.”
Madi stood up. “That’s impossible. That isn’t even a real song. It’s a family song. Only my family knows it.”
“That you know of. My last vision,” Madi said while pacing, “I was on a ship. I was a little girl, and there was a woman who sang that song to me when she was taking care of me.”
“Well, I’m sure that I had relatives on my mom’s side that came over here at some point,” Madi said. “You don’t seriously think that you traveled with one of them and happened to hear that song, do you? I mean, that’s pretty—that’s crazy.”
“It’s possible.”
The girls got dressed and stepped out into the hallway. Smells of eggs and bacon filled the air. When they walked into the tiny kitchen and dining room, Mei did a double take at seeing Clayton sitting at the table with the priest. Both were eating and drinking coffee.
“Well, look who finally woke up?” Eric said. He started to get up but saw that Madi was already heading to the cabinet to grab plates for her and Mei. She was so forward. Mei knew that there was some history between Madi and Eric, but Eric didn’t seem as comfortable with her around as she acted being around.
“You could have woken us up,” Madi said to Eric.
“I tried,” Clayton said. Mei felt a twinge of panic. What did Clayton think about her and Madi sharing a bed together? She had been covered in the dress, but Madi was practically naked. He looked over at her. “You two were pretty out of it, and you looked cute.”
The ‘cute’ part was meant for Mei. She could see the playfulness in his eyes, and she breathed a sigh of relief. He embraced her as she walked over to give him a hug.
“I’m sorry about Larent,” she said. “It must have been awful.”
“You think he’s still alive?” Madi asked. Clayton shook his head. Eric took a sip of coffee.
“He is with ancient vampire royalty. They don’t kill for sport. They kill because there is a purpose. I’m betting your guy is still alive.”
“Well, with us having the tech that they want, we’re going to have a very high price on our heads,” Madi fixed a plate of food for Mei and handed it to her with a wink—a wink that Clayton caught. He frowned as Madi went to sit by Eric, but didn’t say anything. Mei sat next to Clayton.
“So, they know who we are, but we don’t have any clue how to find them?” Mei said. Madi shook her head.
“We have a couple of clues. The first being your necklace.” Mei reached for it as it hung around her neck.
“The necklace was used to curb her vampire nature,” Clayton said.
“And it was used to keep her under control. This wasn’t just about slowing down the process, this is to keep her hidden. I can feel the power of the necklace,” Madi said. “It’s not as strong any more. I think Mei’s powers are overpowering it somehow.”
“Now that she is awake and using her powers,” Clayton surmised. Madi nodded. She looked at Mei. “You are a full vampire and full human. That’s never happened before.”
“But who are they?” Mei asked. “That’s what I want to know.”
“That’s where our second clue comes into play.” Madi slapped a piece of paper down on the table and sat back. “I stole this off Dr. Boyle’s computer. It’s a code of some sort. I actually think it’s a map to show where and how to get in touch with the Dominion. I can’t believe that he hasn’t had more personal contact with them at some point.”
Eric grabbed the paper and laughed. “This? This is your clue?” Madi nodded.
“What’s so funny,” Clayton asked. Eric shook his head.
“These are Bible verses,” he said. Clayton grabbed the paper and skimmed over the words.
“I’m not a religious man, but I’d know the Bible when I was reading it.” He gave the paper back to Madi. “Any idea what they are supposed to symbolize?”
“Beats me,” she sighed. “I figured maybe a priest would know.” She looked at Eric with a sweet and innocent gaze. He shook his head.
“You can’t drag me into this, Madi, I told you.”
“You told me that I shouldn’t do this anymore,” Madi countered. “I’m not. I have them, and I have you.”
“And I gave you someone to talk to,” Eric said standing up from the table. “I gave you Father Elias Moore, and I gave you Father Rickert. I helped.”
She grabbed the paper and held it up to him. “Then it wouldn’t hurt to help just a little more,” she said. “It’s the last thing. I pro—well, I won’t promise, but I will try strongly.”
Eric looked at Mei and Clayton who looked down at their plates. He sat back down and snatched the paper from her hands. He poured over the words.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the livestock and every creeping thing that creeps on the Earth. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden to work it and keep it.
“Something is missing,” he said. The others perked up. Eric pulled out his phone. “I’m pulling up my Bible app.”
Mei gave a strange look. “You can have the Bible on your phone?”
“You can have pretty much anything on your phone now,” Clayton said. “You should have seen Larent’s car.”
“Okay,” Eric said. “Let’s look at these verses. I believe this is King James Version.”
“King James?” Mei said. “You mean, King James in England?”
“Wow,” Madi said. “I keep forgetting that you are over four hundred years old. Yeah, Mei. I think he was alive during your time.”
Mei tried to push it out of her mind. She wasn’t going to be able to wrap her mind around it. She motioned for Eric to go on.
“Actually, it is the English Standard Version, and well, there are some words missing from the specific verses,” Eric said. “For instance, the word ‘over’ is missing in this first verse. It should be ‘and over every creeping thing that creeps on the Earth’.”
“Seems like a big stretch to me,” Clayton said. “What other words are missing?”
“The word ‘sea’ is missing. It should be ‘have dominion over the fish of the sea’. And let’s see wh
at else.” He used his finger to trace where he was on the page. “And right here. ‘Behold, I give you the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all of the enemy’. The words ‘the power’ should go in there. And in the last line, it should say ‘the garden of Eden’ not just garden.”
“So, we have ‘over sea the power of Eden’,” Madi said. “It makes no sense to me.”
“Well, if this is the code, and I still think it’s a big stretch,” Clayton said. “We need to figure out what this means. Who can help us with that?”
“Father Elias Moore,” Eric said. “I think he can help you, and I think it would be good for you all to get out of Boston for a bit. Salem is a good place to go.”
“Salem? He is in Salem?” Mei said. “That’s where my visions have been leading me.”
“And that’s also where Madi’s mother lives,” Eric said with a sly smile. Madi groaned.
“I thought that priests were supposed to be kind and holy,” she said. “You’re mean.”
Eric shrugged. “You need to go see her.” Madi started to protest, but Mei chimed in.
“He’s right,” she said. Madi looked at her and suddenly remembered why Mei agreed with Eric. Mei filled in the two men about the song that had been plaguing her in her dreams. “Then, we really need to get out of here and go to Salem,” Clayton said. “Maybe we can find some new clothes and stuff along the way.”
“And I’ll keep my eyes and ears open while you’re gone,” Eric said. “Madi knows how to get in touch with me.”
The four of them stood up from the table, and Madi grabbed the paper. “Well, it’s off to Salem. The sooner we get answers, the sooner we can start bringing the fight to the Dominion.”
“And the sooner we can rescue Larent,” Clayton added.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
He could barely open his eyes. In fact, it hurt like being burned a thousand times by a hot iron. Larent struggled to see past the bright light that immediately started a pounding headache. He tired testing the other parts of his body. His legs had no feeling in them. He tried desperately to move his hands and arms. Nothing. He had to open his eyes to see what was going on. Come on, Larent. Just open them.
