by Tish Thawer
* * * * *
(Loraine)
Once Christian thanked me for my help, I watched as he enveloped my crying daughter in his arms, then I felt myself starting to disappear. But this time it was different.
I didn't completely disintegrate, but instead I felt like I was traveling at light speed–like you used to see on those Star-Trek movies–and in the next second I was hovering over Jeremy as he laid in his bed with a beer in hand.
I hated to admit it but he looked content. I knew I'd never truly have my family back, and all I wanted was for them to be happy. But the thought of Jeremy being happy with the woman who killed me was too much for me to bear. I wished I could figure out how to appear and disappear whenever I wanted, because staring down at my husband knowing he was lying there waiting for my killer to join him in bed had me begging the gods to get me the fuck out of here.
* * * * *
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Confession
(Rose)
As we made our way to Evie's office, I asked Christian if he wanted me to wait outside so they could talk in private. His answer had been no.
So here we sat on the couch in Evie's office as we waited for Dax to join us.
"I assume Christian has shared the good news with you," Evie said with a smile on her face.
"Yes, he did. I'm so happy for him, but I understand that we need to wait to change me and that you don't want me to tell anyone else."
"Thank you for understanding. I just can't risk any of the clan accidentally biting one of Meredith's demons and having that knowledge to share."
Dax entered the office from behind Evie's bookshelf and took a seat in the chair next to the couch. "Terrance and the prisoner have been fed. I couldn't get any more information from Kennedy. His thoughts still remain fuzzy, but Terrance requested that we keep him posted on what we find out from Balam."
"I'm still debating on what we should do with Terrance. I do have a theory and a plan in mind, but I need a little more time before deciding for sure," Evie stated.
She then stood from behind her desk and walked around to join us, taking a seat in the remaining chair. "I did hear from Balam tonight, and what he explained was quite overwhelming. I'm not sure I've even had enough time to wrap my head around it, but here goes."
Evie relayed that after Balam and the elders completed their research, their theory was that since vampires came from Camazotz and demons came from Yum Camil, only a hybrid–a demon/vampire–would be able to kill an immortal demon, which Meredith and her army were quickly becoming.
Apparently, a stronger demon could kill another demon, but since Meredith was currently the strongest demon in existence, and the original Mayan demons were wiped out eons ago, the elders concluded that combining the two races was the only chance we'd have at killing an immortal demon.
Conversation erupted as the three of them tried to riddle out exactly how a vampire was supposed to bite and turn a demon. This theory sounded like an extreme long shot.
"Obviously our first problem is, we have no way of locating a demon. And how in the hell am I suppose to bite a demon and drain him to the point of death without becoming overtaken by the poison in his blood? Then, what happens if I am successful at turning him, and he rises with the ability to forge a mind bond with me, therefore gaining control of a Sire. This whole thing sounds completely fucked to me." Christian was frantically pacing and running a hand through his now jet black hair.
It was definitely going to take some serious brainstorming to figure out exactly how to make something like this work, but in the end I was confident we'd be successful. But first I had some research to do, and then it appeared I had a major confession to make.
* * * * *
(Meredith)
After almost two hours of mingling and chatting with everyone here, I was extremely pleased with how tonight had gone. No one had showed any signs of aggression from drinking the blood-spiked punch, but everyone seemed to unknowingly enjoy its effects.
I'd begun to clean up and was almost finished when I looked at my watch and noticed it was already getting close to eleven o'clock at night. I picked up my cell and dialed Jeremy to let him know I was running late.
"Hello."
"Hi, honey. It's me. Sorry I'm running late. We had a larger crowd than usual tonight and the clean-up is taking me longer than expected."
"No problem, babe. I'm just drinking a beer and waiting for you to bring your sexy ass home and join me in bed."
"Mmmm. That's all I needed to hear. I'll be out of here in five."
God, I really did love that man. Hearing his voice and imagining him lying naked in bed waiting for me had my thoughts drifting back to earlier tonight. I looked down at my stomach and rubbed a protective hand across it. I wonder if I'm really pregnant. It would be my dream come true, but at the same time, I wasn't sure that now was the best timing.
The vampires hadn't come looking for me yet, but I knew it would only be a matter of time before they did. And even though I wasn't planning on being the one to initiate any fighting, I wasn't going to stop forming my army. What was that old saying...the best defense is a good offense? Well, that was the plan I was actively implementing: create my army and prepare to defend myself and my kind.
As I finished my cleanup, I noticed one last thing I needed to take care of. The chair with the bent leg had found its way out of the alcove and was stacked with the others. I shook my head and grabbed the chair, wondering if all of this was such a good idea after all.
I knew as long as I kept drinking my fill of human blood on a regular basis, I didn't have to worry about any of these boys surpassing me in strength and posing a threat, but I did have to worry about their egos and stupidity. I was going to have to meet with Damien again very soon to make sure he'd be able to keep his cousins in line. Because if he couldn't...I would.
* * * * *
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Rules
(Damien)
After the meeting was over, I told Meredith that with her permission I'd like to leave with my cousins in order to keep an eye on them, instead of staying to help her clean up as usual. She thought it was a good idea, waved goodbye, and said she'd give me a call tomorrow.
I was pleased with how the guys were handling the effects of the blood in their systems. But, after Meredith had put down her foot about no more tests earlier, we hadn't been able to find out if everyone in the group had increased in strength, or if it was just Raúl. So, I decided, the hell with Meredith's rules, and we were currently heading to the warehouse to conduct some tests on our own.
I disposed of the woman's body after I finished with her earlier, so that wasn't a concern. Besides, I didn't want to introduce them to killing and feeding directly from a person just yet. I couldn't risk any of my cousins becoming frenzied and growing stronger than myself. Instead, we were just here to test the limits of our strength.
"This is fucking amazing. I'd heard the stories that our ancestors used to drink human blood, but honestly, I just thought it was a crock of shit that fed into the tales of Mayan sacrifices and stuff like that. I had no idea it was true and could have this kind of effect on us," Raúl said.
"I was pretty shocked when Meredith first introduced me to it as well. She's the first of our kind to figure it out and begin the process of turning immortal."
"She's pretty fucking hot, cuz. Have you tapped that yet?" Juan never was known for his tact, so his crass statement didn't surprise me.
"No, Juan. I haven't tapped that yet, but trust me...I plan to." Their laughter and catcalls rang through the warehouse as we made our way inside.
Thinking about how much I wanted Meredith had me ready to demonstrate just how strong I'd become. Strong enough to take out her lame-ass boyfriend, Jeremy, that was for sure. The dip-shit demon who didn't even know what he was. What a joke.
* * * * *
(Terrance)
Watching my new cell-mate drain his blood bag had me
jonesing to get the hell out of here. I did not play well with others. Especially a strange vampire who'd drifted dark and was already demonstrating signs of aggression.
He was pleasant enough when Dax first brought him into the cell and secured his chains. But it didn't take long before he started bucking, growling, and baring his teeth at me. It was like watching a rabid dog throw a hissy fit.
Since I was able to focus on Meredith and everything she'd made me do, I knew that all of her blood had left my body. I wasn't sure why Evie was still holding me here. I wanted to ask the question, but already felt bad enough over everything I'd put them through and didn't want to be an ass by pressing the matter. I knew she'd let me out sooner or later. I just hoped it was sooner.
I leaned my head back against the cinderblock wall as I closed my eyes, and did the only thing that brought me peace. I started to think about Loraine.
The memories of her were the only thing that had seen me through this entire situation. Once my thoughts had started to clear, I focused on her beautiful face and how her laugh used to make me feel. It was truly a miracle that despite Meredith's manipulations, I'd genuinely fallen in love with her.
She never knew how I felt. She loved her husband, and therefore I chose to keep my feelings to myself. It was so easy and relaxing when we were together, and even though I knew she'd never reciprocate my feelings, it didn't diminish what I felt. There were times I wouldn't even feed from her, but we would just sit and talk instead. I knew if anyone heard me expressing these tender emotions, they would think I was being manipulated again, but that wasn't it. It was just Loraine and how she'd made me feel.
As I sat thinking about our time together, I felt a cool breeze brush past me as I relaxed into my memories. It almost felt as if she was here with me. I laughed at the stupidity of my thoughts. But in my own defense, sitting in a cell, chained to a wall, while listening to an infected vampire rant and rave, was a definitely a situation that lent itself to fantasizing about the woman I loved.
* * * * *
(Loraine)
After my plea to the gods, I felt myself start to disintegrate again. Thankfully I was sent whisking through space and escaped Jeremy's bedroom before Meredith came home.
When I felt my ghostly form solidify once again, I opened my eyes and received a surprise. I was in the basement cell of The Rising Pit with Terrance.
I quickly looked around for Rose or Christian, but only saw Terrance and...Kennedy. Yes, there was the information I needed. His name was Kennedy, and he was a vampire who was infected with demon blood. Rose's blood. Oh crap.
That still didn't explain why I was here, and then I received another info dump and settled down next to Terrance. The vampire who loved me.
* * * * *
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Rose
(Jeremy)
After waiting up for Meredith and welcoming her into our bed as planned, we spent the night in each other's arms and the thought of going back to The Rising Pit never crossed my mind again...until this morning.
I decided it was something I was going to do on my own. I wasn't sure why Meredith was against going to the club, but I didn't want to pressure her to go with me if she didn't want to. And if I was being honest with myself, I didn't really want to hear why she thought it was a bad idea.
I kissed her goodbye as I threw my suitcase into the backseat of my car. I was once again headed to Seela for another business meeting that would keep me overnight. How convenient. The timing of this meeting had me penciling "Friday night at The Rising Pit" into my day-planner.
As I made the normal pit-stops on my way out of town–the cleaners, the Coffee Hut, and the Donut Mill–I thought about what I'd say to Rose if I was lucky enough to actually find her.
Obviously, we'd have talk about the accident and why she'd practically gone off the deep end and attacked Meredith. But we'd also have to discuss what was going to happen next.
Since I'd sold the old house and moved in with Meredith, I honestly didn't see my twenty-one year old daughter wanting to live with me and the woman she'd attacked. I could continue to dream about Rose coming back to me, but I had to be realistic, it was something that just wasn't going to happen. But as long as I knew she was okay and that we'd be staying in contact, I supposed it was finally time I let my little girl go.
Halfway into my trip, my cell phone rang, showing a number I didn't recognize.
"Hello. This is Jeremy."
The line was silent. I looked down at the display to make sure I hadn't dropped the call, but it still showed as active. "Hello?" I didn't hear any breathing or background noise at all.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" Again, silence. But, just as I was about to flip the cell closed I heard, "Dad. It's me...Rose."
It was now my turn to be silent. Tears filled my eyes and I eased my car onto the shoulder. "Rose? Honey, is that really you?"
"Yeah, Dad. It's me. Are you alone?"
"Oh, baby, it's so good to hear your voice. And yes, I'm alone. I'm in my car. Where are you? I'm actually headed back to Seela today."
"That's great. I'm still in Seela. Is there any way you could meet me somewhere today?"
"Just tell me when and where."
* * * * *
(Rose)
After listening to Christian, Evie, and Dax argue about the finer points of creating a vampire-demon hybrid for the past two hours, I finally decided to call it a night. Once Christian joined me, he delivered the disappointing news that they were no closer to figuring anything out than they were before.
Well, I had many things of my own to figure out, and my first bit of research was going to involve my dad. I'd warned Christian that I was going to be reaching out to him soon. I just hadn't clarified that I would be doing it tomorrow. I'd decided I would call my dad in the morning and see if I could arrange a meeting with him during the day, while Christian and the clan slept. I didn't think I had anything to worry about from Meredith because I'd planned to make sure that Dad would be coming alone.
I snuggled up next to Christian just before he went comatose. I figured I'd better get a few hours of sleep before putting my plan in motion. Just the thought of seeing my dad was exhausting. Exciting, but exhausting. I knew he'd have tons of questions, and to be perfectly honest, I didn't know how I was going to answer any of them. But I knew it was time, especially with how things were about to change.
* * * * *
(Christian)
I couldn't believe I'd just become the new Sire, only to be faced with such an impossible situation. What Balam and the elders had come up with as "our best chance," was absolutely ludicrous. I was pissed at the prospect of having to bite a demon and risk permanently drifting dark, but the real problem came from that damn mind bond they were able to forge. How could we risk a Sire, any Sire, ending up under the control of a demon? This simply wasn't going to work. We'd have to find another way.
I knew my hair and eyes were most likely still drifting even as I reached my room, but seeing Rose lying in there with her long blonde hair splayed over my pillow had me relaxing instantly. I should have followed her out of Evie's office and spent that time finishing what we'd started earlier, but I couldn't. I had to stay behind and continue to talk circles about what we should do.
As I laid down next to Rose, I informed her that we hadn't gotten any closer to finding a solution to the problem, then I opened my arms to her, letting her snuggle close.
I wasn't going to let this new problem take the enjoyment out of the simple things like this. Holding the woman I loved as I fell comatose. No matter how bad things seemed, all I had to do was put my arms around her and everything was right in my world once more.
* * * * *
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Puzzle
(Evie)
"I think we have something else to consider here. We know that once the demon blood works its way out of your system, you'll drift back to normal, just like Terrance. And until then, we
can just keep you locked up so you won't be a risk."
I was trying to explain to Christian that the risk might be minimal if we planned ahead. If our only hope of destroying a demon was to create a hybrid, then that was exactly what we needed to do. Was it going to be tricky? Yes. But what other choice did we have? Balam had explained that since the old demon gods were no longer present in our world, this was our best chance.
