Lenore stood over the body.
“Old magic like that is very delicate,” she replied and held out her hand to Remy. “Give that to me.”
“What? This?” He glared at the knife. “How do I know you won’t use it against us?”
A violent gust of wind ripped the knife from his hand and tumbled the object on the ground, straight to Lenore. “I don’t need a magical knife to kill you.” She picked it up.
“Of course you don’t,” Anastasia said. “Just use your dark magic. That’s what you do.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
ANASTASIA
Anastasia stood in the foyer, quietly watching the horde of Brotherhood researchers entering and exiting Blind Bluff Manor. She did her best to memorize the faces of each one, yet there were so many, she eventually stopped.
The Brotherhood had rearranged into an organization she didn’t recognize from her past. Younger members poured in, bringing with them supplies as vampires remained outside to guard the perimeter.
Their presence not only annoyed Remy but also Hallie, who arrived moments after the fight ended. She mumbled under her breath while tending to Nathan’s body on the study floor.
Sia also reappeared and Anastasia didn’t question where the Adze Deamhan ran off to during the fight. She was content that everything was finally over and she couldn’t wait to put this behind her. For now, she refused to enter the study. She couldn’t cope and was nowhere near ready to face the carnage she left behind.
Meanwhile, the researchers inside the home catalogued furniture and other items. They wrote vicariously in their notepads, whispered in each other’s ears, and once in a while, she made eye contact with them. Lenore ordered some of them to examine the back area where Nathan hid the piece of the tablet. She ordered a group to head downstairs to search for any clues as to what happened to Kenneth.
“What did happen to him anyway?” Lambert stood next to her. “Do you think Amenirdis was stupid enough to let him go?”
Anastasia shrugged. “I no longer care anymore.”
“Well, you should. He does want to kill you for what you did to him.”
“Let him come.” She stared forward.
Lambert thumbed at the manor. “You know, I would’ve never expected Deamhan, vampires, and humans to work together for a common cause. It’s soothing on the eyes.”
“Times change. I think I truly understand that now.”
“I told Remy and the others that I’ll start on Nathan’s grave, near the side of the house.” He flashed the shovel in his hand to her. “I used to dig graves back when I was human for my friends who fell in battle. Still, I don’t think I will ever get used to it.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He nodded. “Come with me.”
She reluctantly followed. Being outside gave her a chance to feel the fresh air against her face and to free her senses from the many aromas inside the sanctuary. From where they stood, she could still see the altar which no one had yet dismantled and the Dark Curse tablet remaining there.
“Remy told me what Lenore did,” he whispered. “I’m thinking that maybe it’s the wrong idea to let her walk out of here with the tablet or anything magical, for that matter.”
“It’s not like anyone can stop her.” She slowed her walk. “It’s not my say.”
“Yes, you do have a say in it. That knife can kill you and it can also kill vampires.”
She leaned against the railing. “So you should agree that objects like that don’t belong out here, in the world with us. It belongs in a safe place, away from my kind and your kind.”
“But is it safer with the Brotherhood?” he asked. “They don’t have a great track record when it comes to Deamhan.”
“Deamhan don’t have a great track record when it comes to Deamhan.” She lowered her voice further. “What I want to know is why is she working for the Brotherhood and why didn’t anyone know her true identity before all this madness?”
“Are you sure she’s working for the Brotherhood, or if they’re working for her?”
She thought. “That’s the real question, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “Indeed.”
“Still, the safest place for those items isn’t here, with us.”
He placed his hand on her shoulder. “I just want to see if you’re comfortable with them being held in that Archive they have in San Diego.”
Sia exited the manor and with her head lowered, she placed her hand on her chest. “I’m not comfortable with them taking any items or Maris.”
Lambert turned. “I better get to digging.” He descended the steps and walked toward the right side of the manor.
“Where is she?” Anastasia asked.
“In Hallie’s room, resting.” The Adze Deamhan stood alongside her. “She went through a lot tonight.”
“But it’s finally over.”
She looked over her shoulder. “I hope so.” Her eyes narrowed in on the researchers in the manor.
“Something on your mind?”
“Plenty of things are on my mind. What did Lenore do to wake you?”
“Magic.”
Sia turned back. “The vampire is right. We shouldn’t hand over the tablet and Maris to them.”
Anastasia exhaled. “You think I enjoy handing over the two things that can end our species? I’ll tell Lambert what I told you. The tablet isn’t safe here and Maris… she… her life will always be in danger as long as she remains with us.”
“We are and will always be the better option.”
“Don’t play that ‘holiness is next to godliness’ shit with me.” Anastasia faced her. “You know damn well that isn’t the case. Take a strong look at what has happened since the tablet was taken from the Brotherhood Archives in the first place! Many Deamhan have died for what? Incantations that can give us immunity to sun and wood, or create a new type of Deamhan—like we really, really need more of us running around.”
“Fine. It’s obvious that you believe they’re better at protecting it than we are,” she finally caved in. “But in the end, it’s up to Maris if she wants to go with them or not.”
The floorboards creaked behind them and Anastasia smelled her offspring’s scent. Maris stood in the threshold with a black bag draped over her right shoulder. Her tired eyes turned from her to Sia and she spoke. “While I’m forever indebted to the Brotherhood for helping us, this is one part of the agreement that I can’t honor, that I won’t honor.”
Anastasia twisted her head in confusion. “You may not have a choice in this.”
“Yes, I do. This is my choice and I’m not going with them.” She stood by Sia’s side. “I’m going with her.”
“Are you sure about this?” Anastasia’s head filled with worried thoughts. The threat of her offspring had passed, for now, yet still there were Deamhan and Dorvo vampires out there who would eventually learn about how she survived the Dark Mother’s onslaught.
“I can finally say with ease that you’ve changed for the better.” She grabbed Anastasia’s hand. “Your life is here. Mine isn’t.”
Dread and the desire to protect her flooded her emotions.
“I should be grateful. There isn’t anything extinction inspired looming over my head. But all I can think about is Ayden and countless others who died so that I can experience this moment. All I can think about is watching you kill him.” Maris lowered her head. “In the basement, with you… I was at the lowest point in my life. I wanted you to kill me and you didn’t. You still fought for me, Anastasia.”
“And I’d do it again, if I had to.”
“And I believe you.” A smile briefly appeared on her face. “Still sometimes I think we’d all be better off if I was dead. If I could end this silly bloodline, Deamhan wouldn’t have to fear their extinction.” She leaned her head back.
“Listen to me.” She placed her hand on Maris’ shoulders. “What happened to you is in the past. As long as I’m with you, I won’t allow that to happ
en ever again. I can be good to you, now, like I should’ve been. I know that and I want to do that.” Unable to let the conversation end on a sour note, she pleaded once again for Maris to change her mind, but she refused.
“Everyone who has ever risked their life for me had to because I’m the one who can save or condemn our entire species. If I weren’t a descendant, none of them would be by my side and you would’ve never sired me all those years ago. My siblings wouldn’t have died to protect me. None of this…” She held her arms out in front of her. “…would’ve happened. I would’ve died like I was supposed to over a hundred plus years ago.” She rubbed her finger along the scar on her left check. “But I’m alive. Let me control my own life.” Any emotion vanished from her face, replaced with only a stone-like, mortified stare. “I didn’t ask to live forever. I didn’t ask to experience the deaths of those I loved, those I cherished. I didn’t ask for any of this but I have to live with it. Let me live, sire.” Her stone-cold look that had covered her face seconds earlier was now replaced with a look of concern. “The history of all Deamhan is in my blood. No matter how hard you try, you can’t change that.”
The Maris she knew wanted to explore the world and wanted to live her life free from all of that. Ayden promised that type of life for her and now that he was dead, Anastasia feared there was no one left to step in his shoes and keep that promise, except for her. “If that’s what you… want.” She took a step back.
“Yes, it’s what I want.” Maris confirmed her decision in a strong voice.
“We should go before the Brotherhood realizes that’s happening,” Sia whispered.
Anastasia stared at her offspring with pride. Maris had changed so much, from the teenage girl she sired to the strong Ramanga Deamhan who stood in front of her. “Don’t be a stranger, Maris, and if you need anything…”
“I’ll be fine.” She paused. “Please, do one thing for me.”
“Anything.”
“Ayden. Could you bury him… could you put him in a grave? I would like a location for him to come when I’m feeling… when I miss him… to talk to him.”
“Yes, I will do that.”
Maris nodded. “Thank you, sire.”
Anastasia turned to Sia. “Protect her.”
“Yes, I will with my life.” She pulled Maris in close to her as billowy, dark smoke appeared around her. “Goodbye, Anastasia.” They stepped back and before the clouds overshadowed them, she spoke again.
“Goodbye.” She watched as the smoke filtered away into the air. Part of her felt torn as she watched Maris’ face dissipate into the wind. She didn’t know if she’d ever see her alive again, but she hoped that wherever she traveled to, she’d find some kind of happiness there.
She collected herself and turned back to the manor. Remy appeared from the study, cradling Nathan’s body, wrapped in a thin, white sheet, in his arms. Their eyes met and she turned away, still unable to accept the atrocity.
“Lambert should be finished digging. I’ll join you soon.” She walked in and maneuvered around him, almost bumping into Hallie.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Ayden.” She stood in front of the study doors. “I promised Maris that he’d be buried.”
“Oh, I’ll tell Lambert to dig another one, a smaller one.”
Anastasia closed her eyes, relaxed, and stepped in. Near the fireplace, she saw a small towel on the floor. She removed it and forced herself to not look away from the pool of blood and bone.
Ayden never received his retribution and revenge for what she did to his sire. Although he wanted it badly, it was because of Maris that he placed those desires on hold. His main focus was to protect her and protect her he did, to his last stand. The words he spoke to her in her nightmare echoed through her brain. Although it wasn’t him, the image resembled his likeness close enough for her to feel uncomfortable.
She searched the study, eventually coming across the same bowl Krerina used back in New York. With her hand, she collected the remains, careful to not leave any of it behind.
“Where is Maris?”
Anastasia looked up at Lenore who stood in the doorway. “She’s gone.” She turned back to the remains.
“Gone?” Lenore repeated in disbelieve.
“She and Sia left.”
“Where did they go?”
“I didn’t ask.”
“The agreement was that we’d take Maris and the Dark Curse tablet back to San Diego.” She stepped into the room.
“You have the tablet. That should be good enough.”
“I helped all of you. Without me, the Pure Deamhan would’ve been released from Limbo.”
“Yes, and we thank you for that.” Anastasia lifted her head. “But let’s not forget. You never told us who you really are. You can’t blame us for being a little skittish after we found out.”
She exhaled loudly. “I didn’t think that would matter.”
“It mattered to Maris. She didn’t feel comfortable with anyone who is cut from the same cloth as the Defiler and Krerina.”
She smacked her lips. “You damn Deamhan are so ungrateful.”
“Remy and the others may not know but I know what happened to the dark magic within Amenirdis.” She scraped the last remains into the bowl. “I know you siphoned it.” She waited for Lenore to refute her claim but she didn’t. “Why did you want all that power?”
“I already told you. Power like that can’t just disappear.”
She didn’t believe her. “Go back to the Brotherhood. Tell them you got the tablet and they should be good with that.” She maneuvered around Lenore and into the foyer. “Does the Brotherhood actually know how important you once were to Amenirdis?” She didn’t wait for Lenore to tell her what she already knew. Their conversation perked the ears of the few researchers who remained in the foyer. They stood silent, watching her every movement. “Of course they do,” Anastasia smirked. “Why else would they’ve sent you?”
“We’re not done here.”
“Yes, we are. If you’ll excuse me. I have a funeral to attend to. Take your dark magic and your researcher friends and get the hell out of my sanctuary.”
***
“Are they still here?”
Anastasia looked back at the manor. “They’ll be leaving shortly.”
“Good riddance.” Remy folded his arms. “They smell like wet paper and unsharpened pencils.”
“Oh, you know you don’t mind that they’re here.” Lambert finished digging the shallow hole for Ayden.
“I don’t want them here. They need to leave, especially Lenore, and I hope she takes Krerina’s corpse with her… whatever’s left of it.”
“They should be gone by the time we’re done here.” Anastasia carefully placed the bowl in the grave and Lambert covered it with dirt before tossing the shovel aside.
He knelt next to Nathan’s body. “Oh, my friend.” He pulled back the sheet and glazed his fingers over the bloodied wound on his neck. “How I’ll miss you.”
Nervous, Anastasia quickly turned away.
“Now I wish I would’ve spent more attention at church when I was human.” Remy jumped in the grave and pulled the body into it. “Aren’t we supposed to say last rites or something? It’s been too long.”
Hallie quietly knelt by the edge with her hands in prayer. With all eyes on her, she did her task carefully and with respect. Lambert also dropped to his knees.
“I don’t remember much about my Catholic upbringing but I guess this should be… good enough.” Remy knelt, and placed the palms of his hands together. “Ana, you joining us?”
She placed the palm of her hands together and they all prayed in private and solidarity.
It felt like hours before Remy made the sign of the cross over his chest and stood. “Anyone have any words… or something?”
“I’m not one for last words.” Anastasia stepped away from the short service and turned back to the manor.
“Nathan saw th
e best in all of you, even you, Anastasia,” Lambert spoke up.
“That was his mistake.”
“No, I don’t think that was a mistake at all. It was a blessing.” He patted her shoulder. “Just remember that before you sink your teeth into a human’s neck.”
~end
GLOSSARY
Ancient Deamhan - any Deamhan over the age of 500.
Adze - Part of the “Second Four” of Deamhan created by the Kashshapu, these Deamhan fed by using their hands and consuming the psychic energy of their victims like Lugat Deamhan. They were also called “shadow walkers” because of their ability to travel in the shadows. Adze were excellent assassins. They are now considered extinct.
Bond - A mental attraction usually associated with a Deamhan and those they’ve sired (offspring.) These bonds can also be broken and on rare occasions they can be created between Deamhan from different clans and/or Deamhan with no relation to one another.
The Brotherhood - Created in 516 A.D. by locals in peasant villages throughout Europe, their main goal was to study, research, and document Deamhan. As centuries passed, this group transformed from a secret society to a worldwide organization. There are two known positions for members: Researchers and Mercenaries. Researchers are assigned to specific Deamhan to gather intel from a distance while Mercenaries are trained to protect the organization. Other members can also hold high positions in the organization such as Region Leader and President of certain geographical areas in countries around the world. The American capital of their headquarters is located in San Diego, California. This location holds the most valuable historical artifacts relating to the Deamhan in the Archives, a secured location in the basement that is kept under heavy guard and protection.
Dark Curse - The Dark Curse is a tablet that holds the written spells used to create Deamhan and Limbo. The original tablet was lost to time, only to resurface years later, broken into two pieces. Currently one piece is held in The Brotherhood archives and the other is still missing.
Divination (Deamhan Chronicles Book 4) Page 23
