by Tish Thawer
I jerked my head away and closed my eyes at the thought. I let the wave of despair wash over me and sunk into the fact that I had been completely wrong. I never should have changed her. So much for trusting my gifts. Ha! My gifts? What a joke.
It was then a surge within my chest caused me to open my eyes.
Loraine tightly held our severed cord while staring directly at me. Suddenly it was as if I could see through her eyes, and what I saw brought sweet relief to my previous hopelessness.
Dax and Evie were carrying me through the woods and thanks to my claircognizance flaring to life, I instantly knew we were headed home. I immediately regretted mocking my gifts as I looked across the misty space and watched as Rose closed her eyes and floated along with us.
It was in that instant I knew we still had a chance to survive this. All of us. I sank into my meditative state and threw my energy and thoughts directly through the cord at Loraine.
"Loraine. Can you hear me?"
"Yes! Oh thank goodness, Christian. Are you all right?"
"I am now. Everything is going to be just fine. But I do need your help."
"Of course. I'll do anything. Just tell me what you need."
"All right. I need you to open yourself up to me. Try to see my energy as it flows from me, through you, and into Rose. Can you do that?"
"Yes. I think so. When I grabbed the broken rope between the two of you, a surge of energy shot through me and has continued to flow at a steady pace ever since."
"Good. That's exactly what we need. I'm going to try to fuse my thoughts to the energy that is flowing between us, and hopefully this will allow me to reach Rose's mind."
"Okay, Christian. I'm ready."
Loraine closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her ghostly form started to glow a little brighter and I knew this was going to work.
I centered myself and brought the image of when I held Rose in my arms as I changed her to the forefront of my mind. I layered it with the words of the consort ceremony and in a surge of energy, cast my thoughts outward, through Loraine, and directly into Rose's heart.
* * * * *
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Battle Plans
(Meredith)
As the lights dimmed in the theatre, the idea of actually sitting through a movie right now struck me as utterly ridiculous. I was contemplating using my mind bond to force Jeremy to scrub the rest of our evening and call his "clients" back to meet him again. Unfortunately, I knew nothing like that would work. I was sure Jeremy would have a message saying they decided to go with another firm for their marketing when he returned to work on Monday. Now that they'd located me, they wouldn't need to keep up their fake roles any longer.
"I'm excited to see this movie, sweetheart. Thanks for waiting for me at the restaurant," Jeremy said.
"It's no problem, darling. I'm happy your new clients love the plan you've put together for them. Where are they from, anyway?"
"They said they were leaving in the morning to head back home, but they never actually mentioned were home was."
Dammit. I needed information, but they'd been careful to not give Jeremy any that I could use. As much as I wanted to buck and rage at that fact, there was no point in worrying about it now. So instead of contemplating about the looming fight, I decided to curl up next to Jeremy and enjoy our time together, because tomorrow I'd be immersed in blood and battle plans.
* * * * *
(Loni)
Renard and I arrived at the theatre, grabbed some candy, and claimed our seats in the highest row possible.
"When was the last time we actually went to see a film?" Renard asked.
"I don't know, which means it's been too long." I leaned in and kissed him long and slow. I loved making out at the movies. It brought back memories of when we'd first met at Grauman's Chinese Theatre almost eighty-six years ago.
Breaking our kiss, Renard laughed. "You don't want to miss the beginning, do you? It's starting."
After placing one last peck on his lips I turned my attention to the screen and spent the next two hours completely engrossed.
The movie was better than I expected and had even brought an unexpected tear to my eye a couple of times.
"Are you ready to head back to the apartment, or would you like to take another stroll through town before morning?" Renard asked as we made our way to the exit.
I was just about to voice my answer when I stopped dead in my tracks.
I found myself staring directly at Meredith and Jeremy. They were in the crowd just ahead of us, making their way to the side door that led directly to the parking lot.
Holy shit!!
"Holy shit! Renard, look. That's Meredith and Jeremy. They're right there in front of us!"
"Calm down, Loni. Don't give us away. Let's tail them and then we'll finally have some positive news to report to Evie."
We hung back and melded into the shadows that the dark theatre provided. With each step the couple took towards the exit, we mirrored them from our veiled position. It didn't take long until we all emerged from the theatre, at which time we raced around the corner, ensconcing ourselves in the dark alley that ran between the building and the parking lot.
"Do you still have them?" I asked.
"Don't fret, love. You know how good I am at my job." Renard winked. "We won't lose them."
We watched as Jeremy and Meredith walked down the street hand in hand, until they rounded the corner and came to the parking garage of a tall office building. The deep expanse of shadows the garage provided allowed us to get even closer. We continued to watch as the couple entered their car and pulled out of the structure and onto the street.
We tailed them for a few blocks and were stunned when we all arrived back at our apartment building.
"What the fuck? How is this even possible?" I asked Renard.
"Guess we know who the blur on the twentieth floor was now, don't we?"
I squinted my eyes and scrunched my nose at him. I'd told him we should have checked that out before. I couldn't believe the demon bitch we'd been looking for this whole time was literally living right above us. I was in shock. We hung back until the elevator closed and then watched as the numbers ascended, finally confirming our assumption when they halted at "20."
We immediately raced up the stairs and practically flew into our apartment. Renard had his cell phone open before I'd even shut the door.
"Evie. We have news. Wait...what? Now?"
I didn't like the panic I heard in Renard's voice.
"All right. We'll be right there," he stated.
"Why didn't you tell her about Meredith? What's going on?"
"We have to leave...NOW!"
* * * * *
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Piece of Cake
(Meredith)
After returning to the apartment I was resolved to the fact that my attack on the vampires needed to happen sooner rather than later. I refused to continue being stalked, which was exactly how I felt, now that another set of vampires had found me. No. It was time to take our stand.
I used my mind bond to send Jeremy straight to bed, then made my way to Lupé's with multiple donors in tow.
"Meredith, you need to control yourself. There are too many dead bodies piling up," she declared.
I looked across the lawn and saw my entire demon army drinking human blood straight from the source; I could only smile at my guaranteed victory. "I'm sorry you disagree with my methods, Lupé, but you are the one who suggested we bring everyone in to help get revenge for Damien's death, and now that I want to actually attack the vampires responsible, you're getting cold feet?"
I didn't wait for her response before placing my mouth back over the open wound of the woman currently dangling from my grasp.
"You have become lost in the blood, child. You are not thinking clearly. You can't just go to The Rising Pit and declare war. You have no idea what will happen if you do."
"That's where you're wrong. I
know exactly what will happen. We'll engage them in a fight and once they ingest our blood, we'll be able to forge a mind bond with them. Then I'll force their Sire to eliminate her entire clan. Piece of cake."
"Piece of cake? Meredith, you know that won't work. They won't bite any of you. They are very aware of the poison our blood holds for them. No. This plan is bound to fail and I won't be a part of it."
I was sick to death of having to explain myself. I let my eyes flare and dropped the now dead woman to the ground. Taking a step towards Lupé, I made sure to keep my voice low and stern when I gave her my response.
"Who said anything about them needing to bite us?"
* * * * *
(Rose)
I could feel that my physical body had come to a stop. I was hovering in midair in both the real world and this dream-like state.
I watched as the man sat on the ground, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes, while the white woman remained immobile between the two of us. She, too, had closed her eyes and was now emitting a light glow.
Uninterested in what either of them were doing, I closed my eyes as well. However, the moment I did, I was hit with a massive surge of energy.
I shuddered as if I'd been struck by a physical blow but once I recovered, images started to invade my mind, accompanied by words that caused my heart to race.
My thoughts grew calm as I heard his voice inside my head. "Your life to me, my life to you, through this bond our love is true. Whatever shall come, we share in whole. Life to death, eternity our goal."
My body shook once again. The phrase kept repeating as the images spun as if on a film reel. Moments of me––the me I used to be––and this man locked in a passionate embrace; the two of us kissing, naked in bed; myself working at the club, the club I now recognized as The Rising Pit. All these memories threatened to overwhelm me if not for the mantra repeating in my head.
"Your life to me, my life to you, through this bond our love is true. Whatever shall come, we share in whole. Life to death, eternity our goal."
Finally recognizing the man, I called out, "Christian!" Staring at me from across this open expanse was Christian; my lover, my Sire, my life. He had turned me into the hybrid in hopes of stopping Meredith, the demon bitch who was controlling my dad. Everything rushed back to me in a split second. More and more energy surged between the two of us as the cord that held our bond in place started glowing ever brighter as pulsing, bright golden strips of light raced from him to me.
The white woman's form grew brighter and brighter, until it shown like the midday sun. As a massive burst radiated from her she fell to the ground and our cord was fused together once more.
Christian raced to the woman...Oh my god...to my mother!
"MOM!!!"
* * * * *
(Christian)
The moment Loraine opened herself up to my energy I knew I'd be able to save Rose. I felt our connection strengthen with each passing moment.
I sent random images of us together, along with the words from our consort ceremony, on a repeating cycle into her mind. Images and words that I hoped would bring her back to me.
Once I felt my energy fuse with hers I opened my eyes. I wanted to cry at the scene before me. Bright golden streams of light were shooting down our ethereal cord, brightening Loraine as they passed through her on their journey towards Rose. My Rose.
She was currently looking right at me through silvery-blue eyes. Her hair was starting to lighten but quickly drifted past her usual blond, settling instead on pure white. Her wings, too, were transforming, losing their hideousness and changing into something more dainty and angelic, though they remained black as night. She was a sight to behold.
I shielded my eyes as the light Loraine was emitting reached its pinnacle, bursting from her and knocking her to the ground as our ethereal cord was fused back together.
I raced to her side as Rose cried out, "MOM!!"
* * * * *
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Horrible Sadness
(Rose)
Everything was happening so fast. Memories of my life flooded my mind and now I was staring at the ghostly form of my dead mother, lying on the ground before me.
"Christian, how is she here? What's happening?"
Christian reached up and smoothed my hair with his hand. The emotion in his eyes had me melting but both of our focus was brought back to my mother as he began to explain.
"Rose, I think your mother just saved us. She was the conduit that kept our bond whole until I had a chance to bring you back from drifting dark."
I looked at my mom and was flooded with such gratitude but also a horrible sadness. I wanted to scoop her into my arms, but knew I couldn't as my hands would mist right through her.
"Is she really gone this time?" I asked.
"Yes, Rose. I think she is."
* * * * *
(Christian)
I held Rose in my arms on this astral plane as she mourned her mother's death for a second time. When Loraine's body finally shimmered and dissolved into the ether like a million tiny fireflies, I worried that Rose wouldn't be able to handle the overwhelming grief of such a tragic event. But as I held her tight, and thought about the transformation she'd just gone through, I knew that the love we felt for one another was so strong that we'd never have to worry about losing each other again.
"Rose. I think when you're ready, if we just concentrate on our conscious selves, we should be able to break free from this place and awake back in our actual bodies."
"Okay, Christian. I think I'm ready," she replied.
We both stood and held hands, closed our eyes, and allowed our thoughts to meld. I tried scanning her, and for the first time ever, I could actually read her thoughts. I could see that her physical form was hovering just outside The Rising Pit.
My eyes flew open and I found myself lying on my bed. I raced from my room and up the stairs and straight out to my beautiful wife who was waiting for me.
The moment I stepped in her direction, her eyes too snapped open and she slowly drifted to the ground. Evie and the rest of the clan gathered behind me. Apparently, they too had witnessed Rose's transformation from inside the club.
"Christian? Are you all right?" Evie asked in a low whisper.
"I'm fine. We're both fine." I nodded at Rose.
A smile crept across her face and within seconds she was nestled in my arms again. I hugged her fiercely, taking care not to crush her soft wings.
"Christian. I love you so much!"
"I love you too, Rose. I'm so sorry about your mother. I wish there had been time for you to actually speak with her."
She didn't say another word but simply buried her head in my chest and let her soft tears continue to fall.
* * * * *
(Meredith)
The moment I'd grabbed Max and forced my bleeding arm into his mouth, everyone started screaming at me.
"Shut up! You will not question me! I am your leader and I know what I'm doing will work."
I threw Max to the ground and tested the mind bond I'd just forged with him by instructing him to pick up the knife that rested on the decrepit picnic table nearby.
I was thrilled when he did exactly as I'd instructed.
A hush came over the crowd and everyone stared at me with a mix of fear and respect. I knew this was the demon equivalent of being a vampire's Sire. Once my demons ingested my blood, they'd do exactly as I commanded. The similarities between our races where shockingly obvious the closer I looked.
"I know you won't agree, but by Max making this sacrifice, we will be able to defeat the vampires in one swift move. All we need to do is get his blood into their Sire and I'll be able to control them all."
The shocked expressions and wide-eyed stares that I received in return pissed me off. How dare they not fall in line with my plans? What about this didn't they understand? The loss of one would guarantee our victory. What the fuck is their problem?
"Mer
edith. Max isn't just a soldier in your army, he's my nephew and a part of this family. How can you even consider doing this?" Lupé questioned.
"Just like this."
I sent the command for Max to cut his own throat and rushed to his side to place a collection bucket beneath him as he fell to the ground.
