Gavin sighed. Where Ian had failed with Rachel’s mother, he had succeeded with Rachel, at least for a time. He realized he was having all the same insecurities that the old vampire had experienced many years earlier. “What happened then?” he said, prodding him to continue.
“Phillipine…the demon actually because my wife was long gone, gave birth to Rachel and almost killed her in the process. She was stillborn. The demon laughed at us and told us that if we let her go, that she’d bring Rachel back, that she could do that, that she had that kind of power. We made a bargain and she was true to her word. She held the babe to her breast and suddenly Rachel began suckling, then she was wailing, but not the cry of a newborn. This was different. Rachel was alive but in agony.”
Suddenly it was too much and the old vampire grew tired. He sat himself down on a tree stump, lowering his voice but forcing himself to continue on.
“I begged her to make it stop. That if there was anything left of a mother inside her not to let the baby suffer. I was letting her go and that should be enough, but she just laughed that horrible and hideous laugh that came deep from the bowels of hell. Angus had sent hunters after her, but I killed almost all of them to help her escape. I didn’t know where she was until now. Rachel was born in suffering, and she lived in suffering, and now perhaps, she’ll die that way.”
Gavin rested a hand on Duncan’s shoulder, squeezing as he did. “Not if we can help it.”
“If nothing is to be done, at least she will finally have some peace. She’ll be at ease…finally.”
“Duncan, Rachel may have suffered in the past but before Daniel put me in the ground we were happy. She was happy and she can be happy again.”
Duncan’s eyes brightened and Gavin saw a tiny spark of hope. “She was?”
“Yes, she had learned to control her voices and the fire. She can be a normal vampire if only we can get her through this. We can’t give up on her.”
Duncan stood, squaring his shoulders as he did. “You’re right. We’ll find this beast and he’ll help her whether he wants to or not. Then we just have to pray that it works. It’s still a long shot.”
“It is,” he said, “but it’s better than no shot at all.”
Chapter Eleven
“I spotted a young one around this area a week or so ago. He was just sitting over there but took off when he saw me.”
“Well, you’re faster than he is. Why didn’t you catch him?” Duncan said, smirking a little bit. “Surely he didn’t outsmart you.”
“No. He just wasn’t the one I wanted. I wanted to take Aries by surprise myself. I want him and I want him alone. I have plans.”
“I’m sure you do. As would I.”
A moment later the silence of the night was interrupted by a rustling of branches from far off. The two exchanged a look and crouched low, Gavin heading toward the sound and Duncan creeping off in the other direction. Whatever it was they’d have it cornered. The rustling was heard again and Gavin jolted toward it, wrestling an arm while Duncan came from behind and had the creature around the neck.
“What have we here?” Duncan said, tightening his grip on the satyr. “Out looking for a girlfriend I suppose eh?”
It was a young satyr. Gavin was sure it was the same one he had seen a few nights before. “Don’t kill me, I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Any other time I’d love to sit and debate with you about everything that’s wrong with you and your kind but I don’t have time for that right now,” Gavin spat. “Take me to Aries.”
“So you can kill him? I know who you are. I’ll never take you to him.”
Duncan tightened his grip and released his fangs. He bit down on the young creature and promptly spit the blood out. The wound poured freely as the boy screamed. “It’s only going to get worse from there if you don’t do what we’re asking. I’ll bite you over and over, and one of those bites will be fatal. How’d you like to bleed out all over the snow and have some other animal that’s lower than you on the food chain come along and feast on your sorry little carcass?”
“I won’t give him up. Not even if you torture me.” Duncan unhinged his jaw and struck again like an angry cobra. “Gods!” he screamed.
Gavin took his neck in his hand and squeezed ever so slightly to show him he’d break it if need be. “We need Aries. Rachel may die if he doesn’t come help her.”
Suddenly the satyr’s demeanor changed. “Rachel? The mother is unwell?”
“Very unwell,” Gavin said. “She’s close to dying, his child along with her if something isn’t done.”
“I need your word that you won’t harm him, or the rest of us. If what you say is true I can’t let a mother and son die. But how is it that a satyr can help a vampire avoid death? You are immortal are you not?”
“It’s a long story and time is wasting. I need to see Aries and I need to see him now.”
“A mother’s life is sacred, vampire. I’ll take you to him. But you must make me that promise. Both of you,” he said, inching his head around as best as he could to look at Duncan. Duncan let him go and the satyr fell to his knees, blood spilling on the snow as he did.
“Aye,” said Duncan. “We won’t harm any of you. We throw ourselves on your mercy, young beast. Please help us.”
The young satyr rose and gestured for them to follow, dragging his injured frame a little more slowly. They walked in silence until coming to the edge of the satyr camp. “Alright follow me in, no sudden movements. No blood baths. Remember your promise. You better not be lying to me.”
“We’re not,” Gavin said. With that they walked up to a group of satyrs who were sitting on the ground sharing what looked like a paste. What it was made out of Gavin didn’t know, but it smelled wretched. The meal was dropped and all of them stood at once, drawing their swords upon spotting the two vampires.
“Ramsay! You’ve led him right to us!” one of them cried, grabbing the young satyr and pushing him behind the group.
“They’ve come to ask for help. They say the mother is dying and that Aries needs to help her.”
“Don’t be such a fool. Vampires don’t experience long deaths. It’s a trick.”
“It’s not,” Gavin said speaking up. “Just let me talk to him. Nobody needs to die here tonight. I just want to speak with him.” They all looked at each other with doubtful silent glances. “Please?” Gavin said, softly.
“Get him,” the largest said to Ramsay. The boy nodded and ran off. For a few tense moments Gavin and Duncan stood with swords pointed at their chest. Gavin was genuinely nervous but Duncan just seemed like he was bored. He obviously didn’t take the threat seriously. He crossed his arms and waited as if he were simply standing in line at the bank.
“Do you fellas do any fishing?” Duncan said, his rich Scottish accent echoing in the encampment. “Used to be a lot of trout in that pond at one time.”
They all looked at each other as if not knowing what to say. Then a striking blonde satyr smiled sideways. “Not as many in there as there used to be, but some. We get some fish every once in a while.”
“Really? That’s a shame. I do love a good trout every now and then.” All the satyrs bobbed their heads in agreement. Gavin rolled his eyes at the absurdity of it all.
The young satyr appeared just then with Aries behind him, a look of frightened concern on his face. His voice was low. “Is it true?” he said.
“Yes,” Gavin told him.
The blonde turned directly to Aries, standing right between him and the vampires, lowering his voice to speak in a hushed tone. “I don’t like this. What if it’s a trap? He’s said he wants to kill you.”
“I know. But if he’s telling the truth I’ll have to take that chance. She is a mother and you know what that means, don’t you?” The blonde satyr bowed sadly.
“It’s not a trap, Aries. And you’re right. I do want to kill you. I’ve taken a lot of lives but I would get the most enjoyment of taking yours, and I wouldn’t even
get to feed. But I promise, if you come with me and at least try to help her, whatever happens, I won’t kill you. You have my word.”
Aries took a few steps forward and motioned to the rest. “Stand down,” he said. “I’m going with him. You know what to do if I don’t return.” They let their swords drop and Aries addressed Gavin. “Take me to her,” he said.
Chapter Twelve
Gavin led Aries into the room where they’d left Rachel and to his surprise, Holly and his mother had joined the group. He could see that Holly had recently fed, which was a welcome surprise. Although she was still weak and maintained her overall ghastly appearance, she seemed at least a little brighter. The color had come back into her cheeks just a bit and she was focused on Rachel, sitting at her side touching her cheek.
They all looked up at the same moment, seeing Aries. He was quite a striking figure in any environment, but here in the dimly lit room of the sanctuary, crowded by vampires, he looked like a giant. His horns were almost scraping the ceiling and his hoofs clumped heavily on the floor as he walked. Holly stood, her mother taking her hand and helping her out of the way so that Aries could take her place on the bed.
His massive dark eyes grew sad upon seeing her, and then hardened into a fierce determination. He drew her up against his chest and moved the blanket back, pressing his hand gently on her stomach. “If I do this she may lose the boy,” he said, encircling her in his arms and stroking her hair. “And she may never conceive again.”
Gavin felt a grief settle into his body. That was not welcome news, but living without hope of children was better than not having her at all, and he’d take her any way she came.
“We can’t concern ourselves with that now,” Duncan said. “Just do what you can.”
Aries nodded. “Very well,” he said. And with that he climbed into bed, positioning himself just behind her. He took her in his arms so that her head was resting on his chest and began whispering to her as he blanketed them both, cocooning them together. He was whispering something in another language and Rachel opened her eyes, responding instinctually. She seemed to recognize Aries, giving him a weak smile. He returned it, kissed her forehead and her eyes closed once again. “Sleep,” he whispered to her in English.
All of them stood watch as the large creature began to rock the sleeping vampire in his arms, saying words none of them had ever heard before. Suddenly tiny beads of sweat began forming on Rachel’s forehead and she moaned heavily, as if in pain. Aries tightened his grip on her knowing what was about to come next. She convulsed as he continued to chant softly, her skin reddening with each word.
Then the screaming began. Rachel opened her eyes and began contorting violently as Aries held on to her, trying to keep her still. Aries himself seemed to grow warmer and within moments the entire room was flush with heat. Rachel went between whimpering softly and screaming uncontrollably as her body thrashed and twisted itself in awful ways. Aries held her as still and as best as he could but she was strong and he lost his grip on her several times, having to grab her and pull her close to him again and again.
It went on for hours, and finally, just before the sun was about to rise it ended. Rachel let out a final sob, burying her head in Aries’ shoulder as he lay her down on the pillow and kept her body close to his as she drifted down into unconsciousness.
Aries lifted his head off the pillow, his breath ragged and weak. “I’ve done all I can do,” he said, barely able to keep his eyes open.
Holly who had been watching all night, never taking her eyes off Rachel, stood and Gavin helped her once again to Rachel’s side. Lowering her head to the exposed skin of her shoulder, Holly bit down sucking in slightly. She was silent in contemplation for a moment as everyone waited for her to speak. Gavin felt like he was going to lose his mind if she didn’t say something soon.
“Well?” he said, unable to stand it any longer.
Holly breathed deeply and made her pronouncement, every word an effort. “The blood is clean. She’ll live.”
A hiss of relief ran through everyone in the room. Everyone except Aries. “And the boy?” he asked, his voice breaking.
Holly gently moved Rachel on to her back and peeled the blanket, wet from sweat, away from her body. She pressed her fingers down into the soft flesh of Rachel’s abdomen feeling around carefully, and then finally put her ear to the spot where the new life had been growing just beneath the surface.
The entire room filled with tension again as Holly listened, then finally she picked her head up. Smiling weakly she covered Rachel with the blanket again as best she could. “He lives,” she said. “His heart is strong.”
Gavin wanted to cry with relief. With everything in him he wanted to take her in his arms and hold her. She was going to live and he had never felt more grateful. Aries beat him to it however, taking her against him in the bed once more. The sight of the large satyr lying next to her, his oversized body eclipsing hers made him furious. Aries didn’t even notice. “Thank the gods,” he said, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Just then Aries noticed something around her neck. “Where did she get this?” he said, holding in his hand a small charm that looked like a satyr horn.
“I don’t know,” Gavin said. “She was wearing it when we took her back from Halifax. What is it?”
“It’s the pendant of Vagitanus. The god that watches over the newly born. You really don’t know how she’s come to have it in her possession?”
“No. She must have found it in Halifax somewhere I guess.”
“Oh she wouldn’t just find it anywhere. It’s very rare. There are very few of them. No matter. I’m sure she’ll tell us when she wakes.” All at once when Aries finished speaking he lost consciousness.
Gavin came toward him with the intent on removing him from Rachel’s bed. The sight of it made him sick and now that there was no need of it he couldn’t stand to look at him lying next to her one second longer. A small, frail hand brushed up against his just as he was about to touch Aries. “Leave him,” Holly said. “To be safe.”
He knew it was true and so backed off, but not without a sick familiar feeling gnawing away in the pit of his stomach. He took a chair and sat right next to the beast so that he could grab him the moment he woke up and get him away from her as fast as possible. Holly’s parents took her back to her room to lie down and now only Angus and Duncan remained with them.
Gavin was lost in his thoughts when Angus spoke up. “Who’s we?” he said.
“What?” Gavin said, turning to face the clan leader.
“Who’s we? You said she had that charm around her neck when we took her from Halifax. Who was with you?”
Gavin froze for a moment not knowing what to say. “I was,” Duncan said.
“You? If you were with him why did he have to run off and get you?”
“I felt there was nothing else I could do so I went back to the mountain. I just wanted to make sure she got to Gavin safely.”
All three stared at each other for a long moment, Gavin knowing that Angus didn’t believe him. He waited for the next counter to the answer Duncan had given him but none came. For whatever reason Angus had decided not to push it. “I’ll leave you be then,” he said.
When they were finally alone Duncan asked, “Are you going to put Ian back in the ground, creature talker?”
“I don’t know how I would do that. I told him I’d let him go and he agreed to stay far away.”
“Well, I’ll leave it up to you. If you need me to help you rebury him I will.” Gavin nodded.
“Duncan, I think we should tell her everything when she wakes up. She has a right to know. In fact I think she’d be happy to know.”
“No,” Duncan said, the alarm in his voice making itself known. “I abandoned her. She won’t understand.”
“I think you’re wrong. I think she’d understand, especially now that she’s going to be a mother herself.”
Duncan lowered his head in shame. “Perhaps. But if s
he should reject me it would be like losing Phillipine all over again. It would not be like the breaking of a blood bond, but she’s my blood just the same, and I don’t know that I could take it a second time. Last time it almost killed me.”
“That’s why you isolate yourself isn’t it? Because of her.”
“Yes, creature talker. But that’s my cross to bear, and not hers or yours. I just want her to be happy. I want her to be well. Now that we’ve cleansed the blood there’s something else I have to do.”
“What’s that?”
“The demon must be put down. Ian will help me, I’m sure.”
“I want to go too.”
“No Gavin, you’re needed here. Ian and I have a score to settle with that wretched being. Now that we know where it is we can put it down once and for all. It’s a good thing you’re going to do,” he said, changing the subject.
“What is?”
“Raising that boy. A lesser man would abandon her, but not you.” Duncan stood, clasping him on the shoulder as he made his way out. “If nothing else I can be sure that my daughter married well.”
Gavin couldn’t help but smile as the old vampire shut the door behind him. He hadn’t thought about gaining his approval, but it felt good to have it. He had felt like such a failure in the time he’d been Rachel’s guardian that it meant a lot.
He watched her sleep, fixing his eyes on her face and mentally blocking out Aries. In that moment what Duncan had said hit home even more. Oh Christ, he thought, I’m going to be somebody’s father!
Chapter Thirteen
A few hours later Aries grunted, rolled over and sat up, rubbing his temples like he had a hangover. He smiled down at Rachel and was about to stroke her cheek when Gavin grabbed his hand, yanking it away.
“Easy. I need that hand. Boy, that’s gratitude for you.”
“Have you done all you need to do?”
Aries reached down once more, feeling Rachel’s stomach, smiling to himself. “Yes. I’ve done all that I can.”
The Vampires of Soldiers Cove: The Unborn Page 15
