by C. M. Kane
She frowned as she gathered her thoughts. ‘I don’t know why, but I do think you have restored the balance with nature that the Ancestors destroyed. But that being said, I also think that all of you so-called gods can be just as mean, petty and vindictive as any ancestor ever was. She snorted derisively. ‘It’s not as if we can tell you when you’re being an enormous arsehole though is it? No, we’re just stuck here living with your decisions whether we like them or not. Anyway, back to why I’m here having this little chat with you. I’ve volunteered to go to the Island tomorrow. I know you won’t be interested in this as it doesn’t affect you personally but, on the off chance you can hear me, I’m going to ask for a favour anyway. I just want a fair chance, the way the Island is supposed to be. All I want is for you to keep the other gods off my back while I’m in there okay. I’m not expecting you to help me personally. I know that helping people is usually not your style. I just want a fair chance to do what I need to without anyone’s interference. Alright?’
She rose from the cushion and after a moment’s brief hesitation she looked up, straight into the eyes of the statue. ‘And if even that’s too much for you to manage, then screw you. I’ll find a way to do it myself.’ With that, Tae turned and left.
***
Zeus lay on his bed, completely sated from the energetic round of sex he’d just had with two comely nymphs. He enjoyed Salernis, the planet was full of lusty creatures that were only too eager to satisfy his every whim, and he had been growing bored again before coming here. There was a discreet knock on his door. ‘Enter.’ He stifled a yawn with the back of his hand.
Elite Commander Tannan, his second-in-command, entered. ‘My lord.’ He bowed deeply, ignoring the nymphs. ‘I have a message that you may wish to hear,’ he paused delicately, ‘it’s from a supplicant.’ He glanced at the two naked nymphs who watched him with interest.
Zeus sat up. It had been over a decade since anyone had bothered him with a supplicant’s entreaty. Usually they were some foolish prayer for courage before a noble death, followed by a list of sins that were usually nothing he hadn’t already done himself a dozen times before at one time or another. Still, he was bored, and had finished with the nymphs for the time being.
‘Go.’ He commanded the nymphs. They jumped from the oversized bed and scurried out. ‘So, what is it this time?’ he asked Tannan. ‘The usual, courage and sin a confession?’ He yawned again and propped himself up against a stack of cushions.
Tannan took a deep breath. ‘Not exactly, my lord. I think the supplicant best answer you herself.’
‘A woman,’ Zeus said with barely concealed annoyance, some priest is going to pay for this, he thought. All women ever seemed to want is squalling brats, a man, or revenge for some petty insult, usually given by another woman.
‘Yes, my lord.’ Tannan pressed a silver button in a console bound to his wrist. A life-sized, three-dimensional figure immediately appeared on the floor.
Zeus leant forward. She was kneeling, but from what he could see of her figure and bowed head she was young, and might be quite attractive. A point in her favour, he instantly began to feel more magnanimous. Until she begun to speak that is.
By the end of her little speech Zeus’s first thought was to kill her immediately. His second was to kill her slowly. To insult him! Did she not comprehend to whom she spoke? Let alone the power he wielded. The girl stood up and he thought she was finished but she lifted her defiant green-eyed gaze directly to him, and told him to go screw himself if he wouldn’t help.
He sat there dumbstruck, filled with both rage and curiosity. Creatures, especially humans, did not speak to him like that. Apart from his brothers no-one did anymore, which was both gratifying and annoying. He, Zeus, leader of the gods, had just been told by a Terran child exactly where he could shove it, and all he could think of to say was ‘Why would anyone interfere in the Island?’ Quickly followed by, ‘I’m going to kill that child.’
Tannan frowned. ‘If I may make a suggestion, my lord?’
Zeus glared at him but nodded. Tannan was extremely bright and had never let him down with his strategies. The Vampire had been his most trusted advisor for over eleven hundred years. So highly valued, that Zeus had long ago gifted him with the nanites required to make him immortal by stopping the ageing process.
‘I don’t think it would be wise to kill the child.’ At Zeus’ glare he continued quickly. ‘Just yet, that is. After all, my lord, you can always kill her later, at your leisure. We can’t resurrect her if she’s dead though, and she might have inadvertently shown us something that has been kept from you by one or more of the other gods.’
‘Which brings me back to my original question,’ Zeus said, calming down at Tannan’s advice. ‘Who would want interfere with the Island, and why?’
‘I’m not sure, my lord. But if one of the other gods is interfering and moving against this girl personally, then there must be an excellent reason. And, if there’s a reason, then you should definitely know about it, after all, the Island should have no interference - ever.’ He paused. ‘Whether she knows it or not, this child may have provided you with excellent information. Perhaps, instead of killing her for her disrespect, we should watch her and see what happens. Besides, no god has been to watch the Terran Island for some time. It might be amusing, not to mention useful, to see what a visit from the mighty Zeus himself shakes free from the tree.’
Zeus replayed the message with the sound off just to assess the girl. ‘Yes, it might at that. It might even prove amusing to see what the little snip does, given the free hand she wants. She probably called Aphrodite a wizened old whore monger, or Hera an addle brained bitch.’ He laughed and continued to stare at the now frozen image. His eyes narrowed. ‘She volunteered didn’t she say? You know, just looking at her I get the distinct impression she’s up to something.’
Tannan looked at the defiant green eyes staring at them. ‘Yes, my lord, she did say she volunteered, and that she needs your help so she can do what she needs to. It’s an odd choice of words, although exactly what she could be up to has me baffled. I shall of course send agents to her home town immediately, to find out any information they can about her.’
‘Excellent,’ Zeus said. ‘I think it might be time for Commander Vesh to renew his hunting skills. Send him to the WLE Headquarters as soon as we arrive and tell him … tell him to protect her from all bar the others condemned to the Island.’
Zeus swung his long legs over the bed and onto a plush rug. ‘And tell the captain to change heading to the portal. I want the Olympus to arrive at Terra by tomorrow. Make sure she’s at full battle readiness at all times. I don’t want any unwelcome surprises.’ He looked back at the now empty bed. ‘Better make sure those nymphs are still on board too. I might need the amusement.’
Tannan bowed again. ‘As you wish, my lord.’ He turned and hurried from the room.
CHAPTER 16
By the time Tae arrived back at Valaria’s she felt as though a large black cloud was hanging over her. She didn’t want to talk, she just wanted to go to her room and hide, perhaps cry. Anything but face anyone. Valaria took one look at her morose mood as Tae walked into the living room and snapped her fingers.
‘C’mon girl, we have work to do. Into the shower, then meet me outside.’
Once she’d had her chem shower Tae came out in an old robe to find Valaria, once again stark-naked, lounging in a large round pond and drinking from a glass of wine. Another four bottles and a full glass stood near her head. She grinned at Tae.
‘C’mon in. The water’s fine.’
Tae couldn’t help but smile as she dropped her robe. So much for morose moods, apparently they couldn’t exist in any land occupied by Valaria. She hopped into the pool, feeling the first shock. ‘It’s warm,’ she said with delight.
Valaria grinned. ‘Barry Willard dropped off an old solar blanket he had. It’s been on all afternoon.’
Tae sat down, the water coming to
rest just beneath her breasts. She straightened out and ducked under, soaking herself from head to foot. When she couldn’t go without breath a moment longer she resurfaced gasping.
‘Here.’ Valaria passed her a full wineglass.
Tae took it, sipping the sweet, red liquid gratefully, as she leant back to relax fully Soola and Margarete came out. Soola carried another two bottles of wine and her small com-panel which was now blaring out music. Tae’s mood lifted another notch when she heard Soola was playing Geronimo, one of Tae’s new favourite songs. Margarete carried a large platter of sweets, which she plonked down beside the pair.
‘Party time Tae.’ Soola smiled as she stripped off and jumped in. Tae and Valaria whistled at her and she grinned, flashing her bottom and smacking it before she sat down. Margarete hesitated a moment before she, too, stripped off at the urging of the others.
The rest of the day and into the evening consisted of drinking, eating, laughing, and listening to ribald stories of men and their antics, as told by Valaria and Margarete. Tae had promised to scream if Valaria so much as mentioned anything sexual with Brohan. At around nine thirty, when they were all extremely tipsy, someone dared everyone to run around the block naked. Tae couldn’t remember who it was exactly, but she had suspicions that it was Valaria. She had vague recollections of all four of them deciding it was an excellent idea. They’d taken off out the side alley, running naked and shrieking around their small block before returning, laughing their heads off.
Tae thought she remembered seeing Trevor and Brian standing outside the local bar with shocked looks on their faces, then grinning and waving as the women rushed by. Tae had arrived back first with Soola, quickly followed by Margarete and Valaria. The laughing foursome hopped back into the cooling water, letting it wash away the sweat from their bodies.
She looked at each of the three women. She found it sad that some people held them in low regard, simply because they lived and worked in a run-down establishment. Each one of them was strong, kind, intelligent and loyal, and each one would stand beside a friend through thick and thin. She raised her glass. ‘To friends and family,’ she said. ‘May they always know when to throw a party.’ They clinked their glasses together and drank.
Tae dunked herself under again, and then rose. ‘Sorry to have to be a party pooper but I think I need some nap time. It seems I have a big day coming up tomorrow.’
‘Here.’ Valaria fished behind her for a moment and then handed her a small green pill.
‘What’s this?’ Tae asked as she reached for it.
Valaria grinned. ‘It will stop you having a hangover tomorrow. Brohan made me promise to give it to you before you went to bed, with instructions to drink two large glasses of water with it.’
Soola looked at the pill. ‘Do we get one too?’ she slurred.
‘Hades no,’ Margarete said grinning. ‘I want you to remember exactly what a hangover is like, and why it’s best not to drink so much.’ Soola was about to protest but Margarete turned to Tae, wishing her good night before Soola could open her mouth.
Tae thanked them all again for the party. She had honestly never had so much fun in all her life. She went inside, taking the pill and water as ordered, and staggered into her room. She was asleep a minute after she lay down, too exhausted and drunk to think about the coming events, just happy in the here and now.
CHAPTER 17
The next morning seemed to go by in a flash for Tae. One minute she was getting out of bed and then she was standing in front of her mirror, fully dressed and ready to go. She felt frightened, yet strangely calm with what she was about to attempt. She knew there was an excellent chance she was going to die very soon, so being afraid was okay, she simply accepted it instead of letting it control her.
She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, letting her mind come to terms with what was coming. If I’m going to die then I’m going to do it like a warrior. They are not going to take me down easily. I’m not going to die like some stupid, frightened, small–town child. I’m going to make Brohan proud. They’re going to remember the name Tae Rames. Screw the gods, and the ships they flew in on.
A knock sounded at the door a little later. ‘Tae, sweetie?’ It was Valaria, Tae stood up. ‘It’s time,’ Valaria said, just as she opened the door. They looked at each other for a brief moment before Tae nodded silently, then she walked out to Valaria’s darter without saying another word.
Valaria followed her, concerned at her niece’s stoic demeanour. She knew Tae desperately wanted people to remember her in a certain way, brave, fearless and laughing. She jumped into her small darter trying to think of some way to lift the girl’s spirits. I guess it’s time for another story, she thought. She wanted Tae to arrive at the meeting smiling, and she had just the story to tell her. Valaria turned as she reached forward to start the small vehicle. ‘Well I guess I better tell you a little story before you go. So you’ll be ready in an emergency, in case it should happen to you on the Island.’ she said.
Tae immediately stopped thinking about what was about to happen to her as she turned to concentrate on what Valaria was saying.
‘Do you know how I came into fang?’ Valaria asked as she pulled away from the curb. Tae shook her head, as her initial bout of fear now turned to curiosity.
‘Now, please picture House Salesh, where I grew up. Although Vampires, by nature are … well, lusty devils.’ She cast Tae a quick glance. ‘My grandfather tried his damnedest to knock any form of sexuality from every member of his family. Personally I think it’s because he was attracted to both sexes and frowned on it for some reason.’ She shrugged. ‘To tell the truth, I’m surprised he even managed to sire kids himself, what with having to have sex and all, so there were no fangs or pheromones shown at the house except in anger, which was acceptable.’
Tae tried to imagine the stifling surrounds her effervescent aunt grew up in and couldn’t.
‘Now, being a human, my mother knew nothing much about the fangs and pheromone problems that can occur as vampires come into their sexuality. She certainly didn’t know they could switch on all at once in an avalanche of emotions. And because everyone looked down on her, no-one bothered to tell her, Tamuer, or myself, what could happen when we reached sexual maturity. My father was basically useless in these things and left the children to his woman to raise. Anyway, Vicente, my grandfather, had invited Zandor, the leader of House Morn, over for a banquet and to discuss a future alliance. All the choicest, most attractive house slaves were lined up against one wall, to be used as food for the honoured guests.’
Tae blanched at Valaria’s description of the banquet.
‘Oh, they were very rarely killed. A full-blood vampire doesn’t need to consume much blood to live, but deaths have been known to happen with those just learning to feed, which is why they are usually supervised until they gain some control over themselves. Now, I was fifteen and even more innocent than you are, if you can believe that. I had never seen a full-blood wolven in the flesh but I knew that Zandor had one as the head of his personal guard. So, to catch a glimpse of him, I very cleverly, or so I thought, lined up just behind the slaves and waited. When they entered the hall I couldn’t quite see him. Slowly, people started to choose their lunch. I was hidden behind a couple of young girls when Zandor’s son marched up, pointed at me and said, you, come! Well, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I kind of backed up a bit. The little snot threw the other two girls out of the way and grabbed me, digging his nails into my arm deliberately. My immediate reaction was rage of course, so I hauled off and slugged the bastard in the face, as hard as I could.’
Tae started giggling at that, as Valaria smiled in happy remembrance before she continued.
‘The next minute I knew there was six feet seven of beautiful, angry wolf towering in front of me. I can still see him,’ she said wistfully. ‘Those flashing brown eyes and heaving chest, not to mention those glorious muscles that were simply everywhere I looked.’ She sighed. ‘Of c
ourse it was at that exact moment that my fangs dropped in front of everyone. My pheromones then exploded from me for the first time with the force of a small bomb, making pretty much every male in the hall sit up and take notice, if you know what I mean. In the meantime I was totally overcome by the sudden onslaught of emotions and did what any lust–crazed, self-respecting girl would do. I went for his neck.’
Tae snorted and put her hand over her mouth to stop from laughing out loud.
‘My grandfather launched himself at me as Drae - the wolven in question. The poor man was doing his damnedest to bring himself under control, all while holding me at arm’s length. Meanwhile, I was busy trying to latch onto any part of him, like a starving dog on to a juicy bone. Tamuer, who had been watching all of this from nearby was no help, he just started laughing his head off. Finally, in desperation my grandfather put me in a headlock and marched me from the room. All the while Zandor’s son was still lying in an unconscious heap on the floor where he’d fallen after I hit him.’
Tae didn’t bother to try to hide her laughter anymore, this was just too hilarious.
Valaria smiled happily. ‘The truly great thing about it was that Vicente had requested Zandor bring his son along so he could consider me as a future bride to link our noble houses.’ She smirked with obvious satisfaction. ‘They didn’t stick around long enough for him to even wake up. I saw Drae carting him out to a jumper from the window of my locked room. Although Drae did look up at me as I stood at my window. Of course I winked and grinned at him, he grinned back at me. I often wonder what might have happened if I’d come across him outside, while we were alone.
