by Leeah Taylor
“I don’t have a hangover, Markus,” he protested, shoving his head under his pillow to shut out any ray of light.
“Yeah that’s one for the books.” He balked at him. That was a hard idea for him to chew on. “Since when do you wake up sober on a Monday? And why are you staying at the farm?”
“Since I took a girl out on Sunday.” William sat up in his bed rubbing his eyes. “And I wanted some peace and quiet for once.”
“You what?” A crease formed into Markus’ brow. “Are you telling me my brother is that stupid?”
William forced himself out of bed, not feeling entirely rested from his sleep. And even less interested in being scolded by his brother first thing in the morning. He went into the master bath and closed the door. Leaning against the sink, William could feel the slightest bit of blood still lingering in his system. His eyes lifted to see his own reflection. For the first time, he didn’t see just anger. There was a hint of something more. It was the beginnings of love.
He switched his jeans for the pair of blue cotton pajama pants hanging on the back of the door. Taking in a breath, he pulled the door open again. Markus was sitting on the bed eagerly awaiting for him to emerge.
“You’re not going to go away, are you?” William groaned.
“Nope.”
“Is there coffee?”
“Well yeah, isn’t there always coffee when you wake up to me?” Markus reminded him.
The two men left the room and went down the stairs.
“So what are you doing, William? What girl are you talking about?” Markus questioned, following him into the kitchen.
“The other night I went out and had every intention of going to my usual place, but ended up at the bar in town. It was like I was drawn there. It was weird,” William began to explain to him as he poured a cup of coffee from the freshly brewed pot. “And I met a girl and she was so familiar. Like I knew her.”
“And taking her out accomplished what exactly?” Markus was baffled by the concept. He always knew his brother had a taste for human companionship, but it was also forbidden.
William shook his head, obviously not sure what it had accomplished. Other than falling for her even more.
“I don’t know. I guess I was hoping something would spark if I spent time with her,” he admitted. Markus poured some coffee as well and joined William at the table. Windows lined the walls of the kitchen and the natural light that poured in gave way to the untouched construction of the house.
“And did it?” he asked. William shook his head and grimaced as he took a sip of his too-hot coffee. Markus shook his head and silently chuckled.
“No, not really. But when she told me her last name, that same familiar feeling hit me hard. Do you remember mom or Craeden mentioning the name, Lorde?” William looked up at him, noting the twitch he had made at the name. “Sounds familiar, right?”
“Lorde? Like as in Tobias Lorde?” Markus ticked off without blinking.
William threw his head back and sighed, feeling ridiculous for not thinking of it.
“Tobias Lorde. That should have been a given the minute she said it. Why didn’t I think of that?” He was practically admonishing himself. But reminded himself that he had been distracted by everything about her. “Think it’s possible there is any relation?”
“I don’t know, maybe. The only way to know for sure is to go down and see Benton. If anyone knows anything it’s him,” Markus suggested. “Or better yet you could have asked her.”
“No, if she were related to Tobias that would make her one of us. And she is certainly not that. Trust me.” William quickly shut down the idea. He didn’t get that knowing feeling inside him. A feeling that would come on strong when something other than human came around. It was like a rock weighing down on your chest, getting heavier the closer one got.
“Okay, then you could go down to the Bottom,” his brother suggested again.
“Yeah I could,” he said, giving it more and more thought. “You know what, I’m gonna go today.”
“Do you want me to come with? Could be fun,” Markus offered with a glint of excitement in his eyes. Part of William wanted to tell him no, but that same feeling wanted him to come.
“Yeah I think that’s a good idea,” he agreed, already pushing up from the table and heading for the stairs. “Let me get a shower and we’ll be on our way.”
He showered quickly. There was something that connected him to Becca, and he was beginning to wonder if he knew more about her family than she did. That brought on a new set of questions.
Why didn’t she know what she was? Why was she living on the Surface as a human? Did she know and didn’t want him to know? How would she hide that?
Coming down the stairs, he seemed to shake the dozens of questions from his mind. For now there was only one. Was Tobias Lorde her father?
They left and took the country road deeper into its vast offering. Field upon field passed by, a house set out in the distance every ten or so miles. William loved the seclusion this part of Raymont offered. In town it was crammed with wall to wall homes, surrounding the small intimate town center. With one major street light and an old style pharmacy it was a picture of small town living.
“Are we taking the portal?” Markus asked, already recognizing the open field William had pulled off to.
“Yeah, I hate Traveling; you know that. I’d just rather take the drive and go through the portal than the latter,” he replied, putting the truck into park and getting out.
William had never fully embraced his Conjurer side. He knew the basics on how to conjure small objects from nothing, or move things if needed, and the basic knowledge on healing. But Traveling was something he’d never bothered to learn. It was an uncomfortable experience, and one he avoided as often as possible.
Going from one point to another freely by manipulating the space around you. It felt like the universe could rip you apart, and it felt like the world was trying to crush you.
Portaling was William’s preferred method of traveling to the Bottom. A fixed point in certain locations across the globe. Enter from the Surface and right into the Bottom World. It was more like a doorway. No pain or unpleasant feelings. Just a few steps through a flash of darkness.
“Traveling wouldn’t be so bad if you would just do it more. After a while its effects wouldn’t be so harsh. Mostly residual.” Markus tried to convince him as they crossed the field towards a large, lone willow tree. It completely dwarfed the men as they came to its base, looking up at its massive beauty.
“I’d still rather Portal than Travel if it means coming here and seeing this beauty.” William defended his reasoning, giving him a sideways look. “But I understand why you Travel, obviously, but if I don’t have to, I don’t”
“Yeah, yeah. Come on, let’s get down there,” Markus scoffed at him.
He was determined, he hoped, to one day convince his stubborn brother to embrace his Conjurer side and see how much easier life could be if he did. For now though, he was more intrigued by this obvious connection between William’s forbidden love interest and the infamous Tobias Lorde.
The two men navigated their way to the back of the tree, to the secret portal door leading into the Bottom World.
Unlike the Conjurer Dimension that existed on its own plane separate from the Surface, the Bottom was an anchored world. It had a physical existence several hundred miles under the Surface of the Earth. And for thousands of years had gone undiscovered by humans, cloaked by magic. Where one could only get to the Dimension by Traveling, one could Travel or Portal to get to the Bottom.
William took the first step towards the tree, his foot disappearing as it entered the massive trunk. Another step and he vanished, passing through a short flash of darkness before coming out into an empty alleyway. The ground was wet from a fresh rain. An unnatural attribute of the Bottom.
From behind him, Markus emerged out of nothingness. Looking from one end to the other, the two brothers he
aded towards the sound of passing traffic and the hustle and bustle of city life. The Portal
The busy city that surrounded them was full of life. Taxis, cars, trucks and vehicles of all kinds filled the four-lane street. Skyscrapers reached high around them, with smaller storefronts here and there. The sky above was blue with passing clouds and a bright sun. Environmental influences like rain and sunshine were nothing more than an illusion, created with magic to give the Bottom inhabitants some semblance of living on the Surface. Without actually living there.
If humans ever stumbled upon the Bottom, and if it weren’t for the fact they would have to pass through a portal to do so, they would believe they had stepped right into New York City.
For most, it was illegal to reside on the Surface. There had to be a valid reason for doing so. Like being involved in politics or high profile jobs. Just as Benton had done during his years as a professor. Otherwise you were considered a Drifter. A person who had turned his back on the Bottom, his own species and more importantly, the Council.
Like William. The only thing that worked in his favor was that he had union amnesty and other laws prohibiting them from locating such people.
“I really hate coming here.” William noted, walking down the sidewalk, keeping an eye on the people surrounding them.
“Yeah, I know, but you want answers right?” Markus shrugged. “Don’t worry, it’s not like anyone is going to recognize you, and union amnesty protects you anyway.”
“Maybe, but it’s not even that. I just hate how fake it is here. Why can’t we all just live on the Surface among the humans? What’s so wrong with that?”
Markus gave William a quick look. He couldn’t understand his brother’s fascination with the human race. He had nothing against humans, but nothing good could ever come from being around them. The laws made sure of that.
“At one time there was nothing wrong with it, William. But it is what it is. Can’t change the laws.” Markus shrugged again.
They stopped in front of an antique looking store front. Not many realized that Benton’s book store was a book store at all. The windows were filled with antique lamps, trinkets and only a few books.
William had been there enough times though to know what treasures hid behind the misleading storefront windows.
A bell above the door chimed as they entered. The store was filled from floor to ceiling with books of all kinds.
William always felt like he belonged here, surrounded by books of all kinds. He appreciated a good book. Especially the classics; but what English Lit major wouldn’t?
Markus wasn’t easily impressed by the enormous collection before him. Books were not of any interest to him. He’d rather sit down with a cold beer and catch a football game.
Yet another indication of how different these two men were. Hardly twin brothers.
From the depths of the store, a short, lightly graying black man appeared and met them with a broad smile. He always welcomed a visit from William; he saw him as one of his greatest students. His protégé.
“William and Markus Marks. To what do I owe the pleasure?” He smiled big again, coming around the glass counter. Extending his hand to William, he grasped it tightly, letting his other hand come to rest over it. “Needing some new books, my boy? I may actually have a few you’ve never read before.”
“I truly doubt that. But no, that’s not why I’m here, Benton. How are you?” William asked, noticing how aged Benton had become since his last visit. The man had retired the year William graduated from college, and had come back to the Bottom to tend to his store full time.
“I’m well, boy, I’m well. So what can I do you for you both then?” he asked, motioning for the two men to follow him towards the back.
The aisles were narrow, books lining the shelves and some stacked in front of the cases with no room for a home on the shelves. William quietly smiled as he looked around, seeing that nearly twice as many books had come to stay in the little store since the last time. “Have a seat.”
He brought them to the only open space in the store, a small alcove that had a few chairs and a small wooden table. It was good for perusing a book or a few.
“Benton, you have family heritage books here, right?” William was quick to the point.
The old man eyed him curiously and considered the question. Taking the glasses from his face, he retrieved a handkerchief from his top pocket and began cleaning them.
“I do. Whom in particular are you looking for?” he asked, placing the glasses back on his face. William looked to Markus before answering.
“Lorde family?”
Benton raised a brow at the request, wondering what he could want with the Lorde family history. He didn’t say anything though; instead he pushed up from the table and disappeared. Markus looked over at William, but he only shrugged.
“You really like this kinda stuff?” Markus leaned over and whispered. William gave him an odd look.
“Dude I got a degree in English Lit. Are you really asking me that?”
“Ya know, not many people venture to look into the Lorde history,” Benton yelled to them from several aisles way, scanning the genealogy shelves. “Many just remember the name as a horrible smear on the Bottom history. But that’s speculation of course.”
Benton appeared back in the small alcove and set down a thick book. “What are you looking for anyway?”
“Did Tobias Lorde have a daughter or a wife?” Markus asked.
Benton sighed, he always knew someone would come poking around about Tobias Lorde. He had just never anticipated it would be William. “It is rumored that he had a wife and daughter. Actually, if you want the whole story, it’s rumored that he not only had one daughter but three. Triplets. But after the Fall, no such daughters or wife was found. Some said that they escaped to the Surface and others thought maybe he took them to the Dark, but no one really knows for sure.”
“But it is possible?” William questioned.
“Yeah, it’s possible but I can assure you that you won’t find those answers in this book. No, those secrets he took with him,” Benton revealed, pointing to the thick book in front of him.
William was disappointed but intrigued.
“Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t go to your mother with these questions.”
William and Markus both shot him a questionable look.
“Our mother?” Markus asked.
“Yeah, your mother. If anyone knows anything about Tobias Lorde, it would be her. Tobias and Merrick were best friends. They grew up together. And Caroline was married to Merrick. I thought you both knew that.”
Their mother had told them a grand story, or as William called it, lies. Before they were born the Bottom had been a place of acceptance. Species were free to procreate with other species. Vampires and Conjurers, Beasts and Magi and so on. Humans were a rare exception but were accepted under strict guidelines. But that was about as much as the prior Heir and Heiress had limited.
They had ruled with gentle hands and loving acceptance of all Nations.
An activist group by the name Council had set into motion a series of events to ensure their place on the throne. To do that they would have to obliterate an entire bloodline known as the Royal Vampyr. An ancient vampire bloodline created to carry on the embodiment of the Heir and Heiress. A king and queen who had ruled over the Bottom throughout the generations. If and when an Heir or Heiress passed on, their counterpart would sacrifice herself or himself in the name of love.
To continue on through the generations, their spirit would pass on to the next born male and female Vampyr born children.
But that had all stopped some 27 years earlier when the Council employed a trusted kingdom servant. A very particular individual, one who served the Heir himself, Viktor Burm. He was charged with killing off the bloodline all the way up to the throne. And he did so in exchange for the High Chair of the Council and rule of the Bottom world.
However, after the Heir and H
eiress were murdered, the Council and Viktor had accused Tobias Lorde and Merrick Marks of the crime. Forcing the men into the Dark World and into hiding for nearly as long.
Both Markus and William had been under the impression that Tobias and Merrick were nothing more than acquaintances. Two noble men of the kingdom. Best friends though. Since they were children. This was news to the brothers
For William this only furthered his belief that his father was nothing more than a murderer.
“I just never really thought she would be helpful. She always made it out to be that Merrick and Tobias only befriended each other after the Fall, not before.” William felt betrayed more than anything. Another lie to add to the ones he believed she had told him.
If only he knew how betrayed he would feel soon.
Benton shook his head. “No, those boys have been together since they were in diapers.”
He wasn’t sure why Caroline would choose to omit the fact, but assumed it was probably for the best, considering he knew the truth about the boys. And about so much more that had happened.
Benton went to say something when the door chimed, alerting them to a new customer. He stood up. “Duty calls, boys. Will you be taking the book, William?”
“No use for it now. I appreciate your time though.”
“Not sure I was much help, but I’m always happy to see the Marks boys,” Benton said. Picking up the book, he nodded for the boys to follow him through the maze, to the front of the store.
“It helped, Benton, more than you know,” William assured him, patting the man on the shoulder. “I’ll visit soon for those books you claim I haven’t read yet.”
“William and Markus Marks.” The voice caught both men off guard. “Should you even be on the Bottom?”
The brothers stopped as their eyes met their unexpected enemy, Caleb Burm, Viktor's son.
“Union Amnesty after the Fall.” William reminded him.
A treaty enacted by the Council to ensure children resulting from mingled relationships went unharmed. The Council had been many things but child-killers they were not. However, many parents had not been spared so easily. William’s and Markus’ own mother was one of the few who had escaped. And only because she belonged to the Conjurer Dimension. A free pass to most Conjurers that had been caught in mingled relations.
