Final Days

by C. L. Quinn

  It took Alisa back a little. What an odd request from a stranger. But her smile was genuine and her manner gentle. Alisa could see no harm, so she nodded.

  Glancing at the big man beside her, the petite woman touched Alisa’s wrist, then slid her fingers into her palm. Her eyes captured Alisa’s, who realized she did not want to look away. A calmness came over her and she felt her body respond to the touch, a connection to this strange woman, not like the one with Koen, but as if she knew her.

  The woman stepped back, and with her hand still on Alisa’s wrist, she tilted her head and spoke.

  “You have a beautiful soul. Your journey does not end where you think it will.”

  “What makes you think I’m on a journey?”

  The woman nodded. “I know. It is a noble one. Ultimately necessary, I think. Have a great life, magnificent girl.”

  The French woman turned to the big man. He looked into Alisa’s blue eyes, smiled at her, and took the French woman’s arm to escort her to the elevators.

  How could she know? Did she know? It seemed like she did. Oh, God, could some people tell she was dying? Was there something they could see?

  She shook her head. No. It had to be a coincidence that she used that word, magnificent. It was common, wasn’t it?

  Alisa took the elevator to the third floor and closed the door to her room as soon as she was inside as if she could keep everyone and everything out. She was beyond exhausted. Was it her condition? She didn’t know. But she needed a shower and a full eight hours sleep. Thankfully, she was in the perfect place.

  As she lowered her bag, she felt a little dizzy and stepped over to the bed to drop down carelessly. Why was she dizzy?

  Probably the exhaustion and lack of food. As she walked to the bathroom, she began to drop her clothes. Shirt, bra, slacks, panties, all trailing from the bed to the bathroom.

  This shower had a big rainwater showerhead, and when she stepped beneath the warm water, it cascaded over her, droplets massaging tired, sore muscles. Her skin responded.

  She couldn’t help herself, she thought of Koen. That enormous powerful man, in her hands, her lips on him, bringing him to climax. It was perhaps one of the most fulfilling moments of her life.

  One thing she’d been grateful for when she found out she was terminally ill, was that she didn’t have a husband or lover in her life who had to go through the pain of losing her.

  How awful to imagine Koen having to watch her die. And yet, in a moment of clarity and truth, she knew she wanted to race back to Paris, find him, tell him about her illness, and have him stay with her until the end.

  Out loud, to an audience of one, she said what she wouldn’t admit any other time.

  “I don’t want to be alone.”

  But sanity returned and she remembered what her mother had burned into her mind. Nobody wants to be there for your troubles, child.

  It would be selfish to involve him. His heart meant more to her than her own comfort. She wasn’t afraid of dying, she knew that was a singular event and then it was over. But all the moments leading up to saying goodbye…that’s what scared her.

  After the shower, she wrapped herself up in the plush white robe provided by the hotel. When room service brought her cart, she pushed it aside and curled up on the bedspread. She fell asleep with her hand slid down between her legs and pretended that it was his.

  NINE

  THREE MONTHS LATER

  Jacob roamed around the site where their home was under construction. He had little exposure to the yurts that were primary residences here in what he privately referred to as “moonieville.” Yeah, he knew it wouldn’t fly, but that’s how he thought of the quiet village he would call home soon. His new wife, his mate, was up on the adjacent hill next to a stunning first blood vampire named Chione. Chione reminded him of Eillia because of her Asian heritage, her long dark hair and eyes, exotic and breathtaking.

  From that first day, Chione had assisted Starla in adapting to this village; expectations, first blood relationships, protocols. He thought she was very like an old fashioned handmaiden for Starla. Although Starla called her friend and family.

  Starla smiled at Chione, who placed a hand on Starla’s belly to feel the child within move. Their little boy, a first blood vampire, would be born in less than six months and they would begin their extremely unique lives as vampire parents. He was thrilled about the pregnancy and couldn’t wait to meet the child. The only part of it that he regretted was the child was not his. Not biologically.

  Coming from inside the biggest yurt in the community, a ridiculously large and handsome first blood vampire joined the women and kissed Starla lightly on her cheek. Man, he wanted to fucking punch the guy for touching her. But couldn’t. Well, wouldn’t. He actually really liked him. It was just that this situation was so bizarre, they were all still navigating the muddy waters of this odd relationship between two made vampires who were mated for life, and the first blood vampire who was the father of the child his woman carried. Insemination made the baby, not passionate lovemaking, so he had no reason to be jealous. Usually, he wasn’t. But when Ahmose touched Starla, even casually, his blood pressure shot up. A normal vampire reaction to another man near his mate. Ahmose would understand completely.

  Jacob headed up and joined them, giving Ahmose a too firm handshake. Ahmose smiled because he got it. He knew Jacob had seen the chaste kiss and reacted the only way a male vampire would. Grabbing Jacob’s other hand, he encased both in his and touched his shoulder. Jacob could feel the tension slip away. First blood manipulation, they called it “impressing,” a skill every vampire had, but couldn’t use on another vampire. Unless you were a first blood. The soft touch left the “impression” intended by Ahmose to relax and feel no anger. It worked well.

  “Thanks, man. Still getting used to this.”

  “As am I. As are all of us. My people still do not believe your Starla chose you over me.”

  Jacob spread his arms.

  “I’m a fucking charming guy. Well, they’ll find out soon enough. The best man won.”

  Ahmose grinned. “I don’t know about the ‘best’ one, but the right one did. I am really pleased to welcome you to my family, Jacob, and to my community. Please know I think of you as a brother.”

  “I appreciate it. It’s going to get close, since we are sharing the job of father to these children.”

  Ahmose tilted his head.

  “I thought I’d be much more disturbed about that. I’m not.”

  “I guess it’s the destiny thing. You know, that you and Cherise believe this was meant to be exactly how it played out. That I had always been a part of this ordered chaos.”

  “I believe it to be so. We are not competitors anymore, my brother. This woman is well and truly yours. I am forever grateful you both accepted our destinies and these children can be born.”

  “It seems clear now you were right all along. Doesn’t mean I’ll ever get used to you touching my mate.”

  “I will endeavor not to. But I love that she is the mother of our children and every once in a while, I need to just let her know that.”

  “I get that, too. Just, try to do it when I’m not looking.”

  “Fair enough. Are you two pleased with the dwelling?”

  “Yeah. Not as big as yours.”

  “Nearly. And three extra rooms on the back for our children. The small one behind it is meant as a play area.”

  “Sweet. They’ll love that.”

  “Breakfast?”

  “Definitely. Need to mitigate the damage of all that wine last night. Your celebratory MoonShine is incredible. And highly inebriating.”

  “That’s what makes it so special. The party keeps going long after the music stops. If you have sex while high on it, it’s…well, just give it a try sometime.”

  Ahmose accepted the situation, but it was still difficult for him to imagine his Star with Jacob. He knew now he was just the sperm donor, but he missed the love he
might have had with her, if fate had been even a little less capricious and let her fall in love with him instead of Jacob.

  But he meant it when he told Jacob he was grateful to them. They did not have to do this. But they were here, risking their marriage to bring the children of the moon to him and this village. There were no words great enough to convey his appreciation and gratitude. So he would shower the couple with all the wonderful things he could over the coming years, give them a home forever, full of love and laughter, and a village that would be like family.

  Ahmose knew they would have a boy and then two girls. Starla would be assisted each time with insemination by another first blood vampire with an elaborate lab in southern France. Their son was growing right now inside the beautiful young vampire he had met just three months ago.

  He clipped Jacob on the shoulder, called up to Starla and Chione, and they all went down to join the community for the first meal after rising from their daylight sleep.

  Windari sat near the edge of the garden, watching Ahmose laughing with the usurper, the Shoazan who was pregnant with the child that she should bear him. Their leader had been searching for his Shoazan for centuries, but he’d never given her a chance. He did not know she could not have a first blood child, he had never let her fuck him to find out.

  Once, a very long time ago, during a solstice celebration, she’d gotten close. Both had been very drunk on MoonShine, and very, very horny. But at the last moment he’d pushed her aside and told her he was too tired and just needed to rest. He had very kindly told her she was lovely but not what he needed at that moment.

  She had hoped the next day he might be more amenable to beginning their relationship, but he’d gone back to his ever polite sickeningly sweet, kind manner. He would fuck a common human, but he hadn’t once fucked her.

  If she was the jealous or vengeful type, this could get ugly. Oh, wait…actually, she was the type. She’d been waiting too many centuries for him to decide to bed her. And now, the last straw. He’d chosen a newly made vampire to make a life with.

  Her pride could not allow this to stand. She deserved him and had waited too long for him to accept this. It was time to act. She’d always known that if something is in your way, you eliminate it. Simple. Quick extraction. Like that hideous twin the universe had saddled her with after birth.

  God. A perfect copy of herself. How awful. As they grew and her sister shadowed her, Windari had known she must get rid of her. Of course, she never meant to kill her. Just get her out of her life. But then it became apparent to Windari that her twin was more powerful than she was. With little deduction it was clear to the young Windari what was happening.

  She had been born part of two. And had to share her power and abilities with her twin. When it became obvious one evening in old Egypt that her sister was stronger than she was, Windari knew Tamesine had to die. It was the only way to get her power back from that unfortunate appendage she’d been saddled with by nature.

  Windari had made it quick. She wasn’t a cruel woman, and this was her sister. Taking her away from the community, because she knew they would never allow her to do this, she took Tamesine to the United Kingdom, to Scotland. And there, alone on a mountaintop, she’d hugged Tamesine, told her that she loved her, broke her neck and sliced her throat, her head severed almost completely. A first blood could not survive that severe an injury. Tamesine had looked up at her with shocked, pain-filled eyes and fell into a deep cavern crevasse that Windari pushed her into.

  She’d sat there for a long time afterward, appalled at what she’d done. Then, as night moved toward day, aware she needed to seek shelter, a small grin twisted her lips. She was finally one. Finally unique. The beautiful Tamesine no longer eclipsed her or vied for attention. Windari felt stronger.

  “I was right,” she’d called out loud, to herself and the universe. “She had my powers. I feel them return.”

  Did she? Well, it would come. She no longer shared her life with that parasite.

  Before the sun rose, Windari hurried away and let herself forget there ever was a sister born with her.

  So, back to the matter at hand. Another parasite to eliminate. The marginally attractive Shoazan that her powerful master, Ahmose, son of the moon, thought he was smitten with. It had worked for her before to simply get rid of the problem. It would work well for her again. It was a shame about the first blood baby, but collateral damages were acceptable. Windari felt certain that she’d be able to provide her chosen mate the offspring this woman would not. She just needed to get the little wench to the waterfalls without anyone knowing they left together.

  Starla held Chione’s arm as they walked to breakfast, Jacob casually conversing with Ahmose about cabinetry. The night was warm, but a little cooler than it had been when they were there late this summer. The sparkling stars winked down at the four newly formed relationships.

  Everything had worked out perfectly. She and her mate were moving to Zambia to raise their children in a community of first bloods that was safe and nurturing. Starla had loved these people from the beginning. The insemination had gone without a hitch, but most importantly, her mate and the biological father of these children-to-come were getting along. Starla felt certain now that they could successfully blend their two households and raise these children with the love and support they deserved. At this moment, with her dear friend at her side, the new baby warm and growing inside her, and the two men she loved more than any other laughing as they walked to breakfast, she could not possibly imagine a better life.

  As they arrived at the garden where four large tables were set up with a wide variety of choices for the many vampires who would dine tonight, Jacob sat her at one of the café tables in a comfortable chair.

  “I’ll get your food, baby. Just relax,” he said with a kiss on her forehead.

  Chione smiled at her as Jacob left with Ahmose.

  “You are a lucky woman, mistress. Two of the handsomest men taking care of you, loving you.”

  “I know. Still, I hope Ahmose finds the woman of his dreams sometime soon. He’s such a special man. He told me that he is ready to be in love.”

  “I understand the feeling.”

  Starla laid a hand on Chione’s arm.

  “I know you would, as well. Your mate will come, my darling friend. You are too beautiful of a soul not to have the universe bring him to you.”

  Chione shook her head.

  “I know I must leave to find him. I know this like I know the moon. I will not find him here and he will not come to me.”

  “I don’t want you to leave! You need to be here for my children. They will need your excellent guidance.”

  “Oh, I would never stay away. But there will come a time when I will go. I do not know when or for how long, but I will know when the time arrives.”

  “Then I hope it is soon. I would love to see you happy and in love. And back here with us. You are a sister to me, Chione, and I just cannot imagine my life without you now.”

  “I feel the same, mistress.”

  “Then stop this mistress stuff. Starla. Or Star.”

  “Thank you. But you are Shoazan. With your relationship to our master, you are like a queen here.”

  “Bullshit. I’m just like everyone else. A girl from Wilkes-Barre, Alaska who just happened to have the right stuff. Don’t make me something I’m not, my friend.”

  Chione smiled and nodded, but she didn’t say she would no longer use the term of respect she had from the moment she met Starla.

  Jacob arrived back to the table with two heaping platters of food.

  When Chione stood to go get her first meal, Ahmose was coming back with two heaping platters as well, and set one in front of her. She didn’t know how to react. The master bringing food to her. That was unprecedented.

  Starla watched with a smile as Chione stood frozen.

  “Say thank you, Sweetie.” She urged.

  Chione dropped into her seat beside Starla, murmured
‘thank you master’ quickly with downcast eyes, and picked up her fork.

  Ahmose seemed uncomfortable, too, as he took a seat closer to Jacob than the women. He glanced up at Jacob and smiled.

  Starla rolled her eyes. Men. Vampire or human. Pretty much the same.

  Later that night, Jacob sat in the garden behind the yurt that would be their home. It was nearly finished, and he had to admit it was incredibly beautiful for what he called a glorified tent.

  Fireflies. Everywhere. He hadn’t known there were fireflies in Africa. As a boy, he had loved the magical insect that he could hold in his hand and study the glow. Bio-illumination. He hadn’t understood that then. Although now he knew first blood vampires could sometimes do it.

  He and Starla had been living here now for only a week and he couldn’t believe how much like home it already felt. While Starla finished a shower, he waited in the enclosed garden Ahmose’s construction team had built behind their home. The workers, who were mostly human, slept at night and worked by day.

  Huge white flowers surrounded the entire garden, vining wildly over intricately detailed trellis’s that defined the perimeter. He sat quietly watching the fireflies in their endless dance of allure and competition. Earlier this year, he’d felt like he was dancing to keep up, too. He’d had no idea what was missing from his life until Starla showed up. And now he was in love…mated…to the perfect woman.

  With a vampire child on the way. He sat back with a satisfied sigh and sipped the smooth white wine created by vineyards here in the village. Easily the best he’d ever had. He had found Starla just as she had been found by Ahmose, who knew Starla was able to bring his children into the world. Crazily, it had all worked out, although it might not have.

  Ahmose had let himself become aligned with a psychotic woman named Crystal who had an obsession with Jacob, helped her to abduct him in the hope that Starla would come to him then, but then rescued Jacob in guilt.