Island of the Gods

by C. M. Kane

  ‘Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.’ She cocked her head to the side. ‘Do you think you’re ready to meet the real Tae Rames?’

  Valaria raised her eyebrows as the raucous sound of music started. ‘Bring her on, Tae. I just know I’m going to love her.’

  Tae’s smile turned into a grin. ‘This song,’ she gestured to a largish man on the com-screen, who had just started to sing, ‘is how I’m going to live my life from now on. No more pretending, or trying to be someone I’m not, that’s over. I’m just going to be me, like it or not.’ she said. She closed her eyes, letting the lyrics wash over her as Meatloaf started singing Everything Louder than Everything Else. This was exactly how she was going to live what was left of her life. From now on she was going to have some fun. She was going to live every last second she had left to its fullest.

  Valaria, who was still looking at the panel, realised with a start that the smell of pheromones had vanished.

  CHAPTER 13

  It was an evening of firsts for Tae. After that first song Valaria had opened a couple of bottles of wine, whilst encouraging her to download more for them to listen to. Tae had only ever had half a glass of wine once a year, at the Festival of Bacchus. She was seventeen now though, and an adult, she knew she could drink what she wished -Theoretically.

  She had practiced her pheromone control again several times and had been able to stop them twice more. It was a start. Valaria was thrilled, and promised that with a couple more days of practice she would have it down pat.

  Tae had downloaded various music clips, which she thought that Valaria might like to watch as they drank and practiced. At one stage Valaria gasped and stared at the com-panel intently. She’d let out a long slow groan at a young singer called Jon Bon Jovi.

  ‘Oh, by the gods he almost looks wolven, doesn’t he?’ She’d groaned again. ‘Just add a little more height, some more bulk, and some pointed ears with those darling tufts of hair they have, and there you go.’ She made a low purring sound deep in her throat and proceeded to comment on the wonderful tightness of his clothes, and how she’d like to take them off him, preferably with her teeth.

  Tae laughed uproariously, feeling both very light-headed and light hearted. ‘What about Brohan?’ she asked, and then added as an afterthought, ‘Hey, I haven’t seen you around his place the last couple of days. It’s not because of something I’ve done, is it?’

  Valaria snorted and poured herself the last of the second bottle. ‘Apparently he sees himself as too old for me or some such Centaur shit. ‘I’ve only ten years left’,’ she quoted. ‘He decided it would be in everyone’s best interest if I didn’t come around anymore.’ She gulped down another mouthful, looking morose. ‘Stupid man,’ she muttered, half to herself.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Tae said, looking anything but. ‘But what in Hades name have you done with Valaria, the devastatingly beautiful queen of the Vampire half-bloods?’

  Valaria looked over at her. ‘Huh?’

  Tae waved her now empty glass around and continued. ‘The Valaria I know and love would take what a man said, examine it closely, and then proceed to throw it out the window. She’d then set about doing exactly what she wished. She would show him what a perfectly delectable, never to be missed morsel she was. She would also let him know that he would be an absolute fool to do anything other than fall at her feet, all while thanking the gods for her mere existence.’

  ‘Oh, I knew I was going to love the real you.’ Valaria laughed. ‘Didn’t I tell you that?’ She raised her glass. ‘You’re right about everything of course, especially that delectable morsel line. Which, I’ll be using at some point in the near future by the way.’ She took a large swallow of her wine then shook her head in disbelief. ‘Honestly, Tae. What on Earth was I thinking? Taking notice of a man for all the gods’ sakes! I mean, when was the last time a man ever knew what he needed?’ She rested her head against the back of the couch and looked up at the ceiling, a slow grin spreading across her face. ‘And I know exactly what I’m going to do to show him how utterly mistaken he is. He can’t say I didn’t warn him either.’ She looked back at Tae and raised her glass. ‘Here’s to victory, my darling little niece. May we both taste its sweet kiss.’

  Tae clinked her empty glass against Valaria’s and stood, a little light-headed, but feeling happy. ‘Well I’m off to bed. Only two more days of training left.’

  The following day’s training started much the same as all the rest. Except for when she returned to Brohans house around one o’clock. When she jogged in for lunch she was greeted by the sight of Valaria lounging stark-naked on Brohan’s armchair where he usually ate his breakfast. As Tae approached she could hear him beseeching her.

  ‘Please, don’t make this any harder than what it is.’

  At which point Valaria had looked down at his crotch pointedly, a highly amused expression lighting her features, as she murmured ‘Well I don’t think that’s possible do you?’ She looked up again as Tae approached them. ‘Hi, Tae, is it lunch time already? As you can see, I took your advice.’

  Brohan swung around. ‘You did this?’

  Tae burst out laughing. ‘I’m just going in to get some lunch. I’ll be out of your way in a couple of minutes.’ She ran inside, quickly grabbed some fruit and cheese and took off to the swimming hole, laughing her head off at the sight of Brohan trying desperately to throw a quilt over Valaria, who kept kicking it off. She knew who would win this battle, so she decided to train by herself for the afternoon.

  Three hours later she strolled back, hoping they’d had enough time to get themselves sorted. They were both sitting on the verandah, fully dressed, with drinks in their hands. Valaria looked extremely pleased with herself, and Brohan sported a small bite mark on his neck.

  ‘So, it’s the last day tomorrow. Anything special you want me to practice?’ she asked with a grin.

  ‘No, honey,’ Valaria said, a wicked glint in her eyes. ‘Brohan and I have been talking, and we think it’s time we asked you a few questions.’

  Tae frowned, puzzled as to what was going on. ‘Sure,’ she said. ‘What do you want to know?’

  ‘I think I better start,’ Valaria said. ‘Do you get periods like humans?’

  Tae blushed and shuffled around a little. ‘No.’

  Valaria nodded. ‘That’s probably your Vampire blood. We don’t have bodily functions like humans. Excellent, that’s actually good news. What about hair then?’

  Tae looked bewildered and pulled her ponytail around.

  ‘No sweetie. I mean on your body, under your arms and on your vagina,’ Valaria said exasperated.

  Tae could actually feel her face heating up, she was pretty sure she had never felt so embarrassed in her entire life. She glanced over at Brohan who seemed to be looking at her with mild curiosity.

  ‘No,’ she repeated, blushing scarlet.

  ‘That’s another Vampire trait. Apart from our heads, we’re all as bald as the god Vulcan. So, are you a virgin?’ she continued.

  Tae’s eyes widened in shock. ‘Wh-wh-what?’

  ‘A virgin sweetie, have you had sex? I’m guessing you are, especially as you are only now getting your pheromones, but Brohan isn’t so sure after seeing you in that dress the other day.’

  What the hell? She thought, whilst looking straight at Valaria, she couldn’t even glance at Brohan now. ‘I’m not sure why it’s important, but yes, I am.’

  On the bright side at least there’s no way this can possibly get any more embarrassing, she consoled herself.

  Valaria looked smugly over at Brohan. ‘I told you.’ She turned back to Tae. ‘Well, we thought that since there’s only one day left until the Island, and as you are now seventeen, Brohan and I could drive you into Thortown or Ballan tomorrow. We can take you to the House of Aphrodite. I personally know a couple of pleasure givers that will make your first time truly memorable. We’ll just wait until you’re done, then bring you back home.’ Valari
a smiled, looking totally delighted at the idea.

  Nope, wrong again. Tae was surprised she hadn’t set fire to the house her face was radiating so much heat. She didn’t know where to look, at this moment she’d rather be facing an enraged Jaden then her aunts and Brohans questioning, along with their “generous offer”.

  ‘Tae,’ Brohan said, ‘your own mother would have offered you the same opportunity, and as she isn’t here we thought it was our duty. Besides, every warrior visits a House before battle. It’s good luck.’

  Oh by all the gods, aren’t they ever going to stop, she thought desperately. ‘I, uh … I appreciate the thought but, really, I’m fine. And I don’t want to lose control over my pheromones, not now I’m finally getting the hang of them,’ she added as an afterthought.

  Valaria frowned and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. ‘Well, you have a point I suppose, but if you change your mind before tomorrow night we’ll still have plenty of time, okay? So don’t be shy.’

  Tae sagged in relief at the reprieve. ‘I won’t, I promise. Anyway, I’m off to practice some more. I’ll leave you two love birds alone so you can um, catch up.’ Desperate for a little revenge of her own she stared pointedly at the bite on Brohan’s neck, and was delighted to see a guilty flush creep onto his face. She sprinted off laughing before anyone could think of any other wonderful things that she might enjoy.

  Valaria came home a couple of hours later, singing happily to herself. ‘Everything’s sorted,’ she chirped as she came through the door. ‘Poor man’s now unhappily happy about the whole thing.’ She smiled smugly. ‘He almost made it until you reached the tree line before he swept me into his arms and then to his bed, where he did wicked things to me, at my encouragement, and direction, of course.’ She winked at Tae.

  Tae grinned, well at least something good has come out of all this, she thought as she left to have a quick chem shower.

  When she returned they continued her practice session with hugely better results. She was now able to stop her pheromone release twelve times out of fourteen, and she still had a whole day of practice left. She was delighted with herself and Valaria was amazed at the turn around, eventually putting it down to both her own fabulous teaching skills, and the fact that Tae had obviously inherited her quick mind.

  Valaria had then flicked through the com-channels until she found the Island, she had now started watching, along with Tae, to see how many entrants were left and to discuss the terrain with her. Tae would get to see which hunters were assigned to them at the WLE Headquarters during her initial briefing. She had brought the carving knife from home for her weapon, it was a good strong knife, and she had honed the blade until it was razor sharp. Valaria had already sewn some heavy plastic sheeting into her coat but had added that, from the looks of it, Tae might be about to have her first lucky break.

  The weather forecast was for rain from the second day after her entry to the fourth, and for light patchy drizzle for another two days thereafter. If she didn’t need it to collect water from the trees, she could use the plastic to help keep her dry. As an added advantage she could also use it to sleep on so she didn’t get soaked from the ground overnight. It was either the light weight coat with the plastic, or she would have to buy a new one that was already waterproof. She didn’t have the credits for that, besides, the plastic could prove to be far more useful to her.

  ‘Before I go to bed I’ve been meaning to ask you something,’ Tae said curiously. ‘So, um what about fangs?’

  Valaria looked at her thoughtfully. ‘It’s something you might not have to worry about, being a quarter blood. Most times a Vampire only comes into fang when threatened, or in attack mode. That’s not forgetting hungry or sexually aroused, then they’ll also drop fang.’

  ‘How do they work?’ she asked Valaria curiously.

  ‘They are hidden above and between our two front teeth, and the two next to them,’ she said, still channel flicking. ‘When needed we just, well … drop them, so to speak. Each fang is able to suction blood quite quickly. It transfers from the fang itself into the mouth via an opening that appears at the back of the gums after the fangs have dropped down completely.’ She jumped up and came over to Tae. ‘Open up sweetie.’

  Tae opened her mouth and Valaria pulled her top lip up and looked at her gums closely, she then felt around with her finger. ‘I can’t see anything, but there definitely feels like there’s something there. It may be teeth, but even if they are there they might never drop. Although,’ she said thoughtfully, ‘you’ve been noticing men’s pulses lately, so it looks likes there’s a strong possibility they’ll drop soon.’ She started grinning again. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve changed your mind about tomorrow? They’re more likely to drop in the heat of passion you know.’

  Tae pulled her head back quickly. ‘No thanks.’ And it was only one man, not a gaggle of them, she thought guiltily. ‘I think I’ll have an early night, there are a few things I want to do over the com-watch.’ She smiled slyly, if I can. ‘Anyway, I’m off to bed. Oh, and I am glad about you and Brohan.’

  Valaria smiled back. ‘Thanks sweetie, so am I. As I told him, ten years is better than none, hey?’

  Tae nodded and headed to her room to work on a little idea she’d had. Once in her room she sat on her bed and raised her hand to her com-watch. She wasn’t sure whether or not what she had in mind was even possible. Since her breakthrough talk with Valaria, she had begun to feel more daring and, well, a lot more naughty than usual. There was an excellent chance that she would probably die soon, so she had decided to pull a little prank of her own and go out in style. She wanted her name to be on the WLE warriors’ lips, she wanted her potential murderers to remember her in some way for the rest of their lives. So she decided to enact a little post death revenge, at the same time as having a little fun. She knew the WLE Headquarters, where she would be taken the day after tomorrow, was totally self-contained. It existed beside the banks of a scenic lake in what was once the South Island of New Zealand, it was now simply known as WLE Headquarters. Several towns, large and small, spread out to support a thriving population, and Tae now used that to her advantage.

  She sent her nanites to check suppliers and deliveries of Cadmium Red, a blood red chemical the WLE warriors used to dye their sword blades on the base. This was a tradition started with the supposed death of Loki, as it was Loki who had thought of the plan to have the warriors made into guardians of the law in the first place. As they were originally supposed to have been under his jurisdiction, to honour his memory each warrior would coat their battle sword with Cadmium Red on the first of every month, which was tomorrow. This was supposedly to simulate Loki’s spilled blood. They would also renew their personal oaths to uphold the values that Loki had died to protect.

  Tae found the supplier and tracked through their network to find out which system the WLE used for the dye. She then tracked the Drav for the chem showers the same way. Once she had found the right systems she ordered the WLE computer to change the Cadmium Red for the Drav, and vice versa. The system that controlled them was classed as non-critical, so access was not restricted. Much to her delight she found gaining entry to its controls relatively straight forward. The chemical delivery system was fully operated by robotics once the chemicals were delivered. Unless someone personally took it upon themselves to check each individual system, no-one would be the wiser until tomorrow morning – after their shower.

  She finished and logged off, unable to stop laughing at what she had just done. Although Cadmium Red was totally harmless in itself, it was notorious for staining. Whoever used the Chem showers on the base tomorrow would be in for a very nasty surprise, because she’d just made sure that every shower would be changed at 3 a.m. from Drav to Cadmium Red. She only wished she could be there to see the results.

  She certainly wasn’t worried about any repercussions to herself, after all, what could they do? She would be handing her com-watch over to them when she arrived, so even if they
did eventually track it back to her she would be on the Island, and they would already be hunting her. She laughed light-heartedly. By the gods, I hope this works, she thought. And I hope I get to at least see some evidence of it.

  She sat the watch beside the bed, turned on the com-panel and called up ACDC, then happily sang along with them about being a Livewire. She was more relaxed than she had been in what felt like years. All it would take to be perfect would be for Jason and Kresley to be home with her. No, she amended, for them to be safe somewhere else, but without her. She realised that she was surprisingly content without her mother around. Now that she was no longer always trying to pretend to be someone she wasn’t, she felt like her old happy self. She supposed this was probably because she didn’t feel as if she were letting her mother down in some way, or that she was being secretly judged and found wanting. She loved her mother and felt a little mean-spirited for her thoughts, but if she were honest, she’d always felt her mother was a little disappointed that she wasn’t a girly girl, one who loved to dress up in pretty clothes and date boys. Those days were past now, thanks to Valaria. Since their little talk she had done a lot of honest introspection.

  Tae now accepted she was okay just the way she was, and she was now going to grab each day with renewed vigour. She might be going to die soon, but she was determined that she was going to have a little fun while she could, as long as it didn’t hurt anyone. Well, anyone nice that is.

  CHAPTER 14

  When she arrived at Brohan’s the following morning she found him sitting in his usual chair on the verandah, another chair pulled up beside his own. A plate of warm buttered rolls and what looked like a jar of strawberry jam, sat on the table in front of the chairs. Brohan popped up and disappeared inside the house when he saw her at the fence. By the time she arrived he was already on his way back out with two steaming mugs of coffee.