Twice Bitten

by Aiden James

  Such flattery. Yes, every woman loves a gracious compliment. But, in the short time I’d been dealing with immortals—both human and vampire—I had already learned the importance of having a well-calibrated bullshit meter on at all times.

  “Hmmm…I’ll do my best to live up to such a lofty statement,” I said, adding a knowing smirk to let him know his words were under official review.

  “No, I’m serious, Txema!” he protested, wearing a pained look that was at the same time playful. “I mean what I say…you are that beautiful.”

  Without waiting for another comeback from me, he gently took my hand and led me to the front of the plane. The first thing I looked for was my precious daughter, who was being held at the moment by Mercel. Dressed in a cute light blue ‘onesie’, she seemed enthralled with his slightly elongated nose and was trying to grab hold of it. But that fascination came to an end as soon as she saw me. As she had earlier that morning, Alaia immediately reached out for me to take her.

  “Hey, baby girl!” I squealed while taking her from Mercel. “Mommy’s missed you so much…yes, she has!”

  As amazing as all of the luxurious castles, boats, jets, and palaces that I had been inside of these past six months, to my heart they paled terribly in comparison to the loving look my daughter gave me. And as Racco commented earlier, her growth utterly astounded me. Every day she showed something beyond a subtle difference from the day before. Not even a week old yet, even Mercel found it hard to believe that Alaia wasn’t approaching five to six weeks in actual age.

  “Well, what do you think?” Racco motioned to the table that had been set up in front of the window next to the passenger cabin exit door. “This may be much more than you or I, or even Mercel, Stephen, and Julius can consume in a single afternoon.”

  Try two or three such afternoons, Racco dear. The crepes smelled incredibly good. Along with them, Julius had cooked an omelet, bacon, and added fresh fruit and what looked like fruit preserves. Everything was piled high, and there was no way in hell all of us could eat this much food in a day, much less in one meal.

  “Would you like champagne, wine, or coffee?” said Mercel. “Or, we have water if you prefer.”

  If this had been served earlier that day, I surely would’ve needed the coffee. But whatever was in the breakfast drink Racco gave me had completely eradicated my exhaustion and disorientation from the jetlag. I felt great.

  “Champagne, please.”

  Racco motioned for me to sit next to him, and I dug in. Literally. Of course, once I had eaten enough to curb the initial hunger, I noticed he hardly had placed anything on his plate. It occurred to me that he rarely ate much in my presence. It was a question that I meant to ask him about before, but one that was definitely inappropriate at that moment. Not unless I was prepared to feel like a cow if the half crepe he took was all this powerfully built man required for nourishment.

  “So, when are you going to tell me where we’re going today?”

  “It might be better to give you a little hint first, although I don’t expect for you to recognize the geography below us,” he said, motioning out the window.

  The angle of the sun indicated mid to late afternoon…maybe three to four o’clock. It sucked not having a watch handy.

  “How long did I sleep?” I wondered aloud, while trying to get a decent view of the earth below us. I could see definite mountainous terrain below that stretched for miles in any direction. “It looks like it’s way past brunch time.”

  “You slept for six hours—which your body needed,” said Racco, looking over my shoulder at the view below. “Right now it would be 1:20 p.m. in Paris, but we are three hours to the east in time zones. It is 4:20 p.m. thirty thousand feet below us, in Karachi, Pakistan.”

  “Is Pakistan where we’re headed??”

  I couldn’t hide the stress in my voice as it cracked. Immediately, I sought to reconcile his statement about ‘loving’ our next destination with the Taliban violence that had dominated primetime news until more dire issues like international deficits, global warming, and the ever-increasing Chupacabra vampire attacks took center stage.

  “You really do think I’m full of shit, don’t you?” He chuckled again. “I made a promise to Gustav not to tell you where we’re going, despite the fact Ralu could never reach you there even if he did know your exact whereabouts.”

  “So, I guess you’re not going to tell me, huh?” I smiled, and hoped he understood that I already regretted my earlier statement. I wanted to believe in Racco so badly…but it was going to be an ongoing war within my heart for a while.

  “We’ll see,” he said, wearing a Cheshire grin. “For now, I will tell you this. It isn’t in Pakistan, and we’re not going back to Nepal or to Kazikli’s ancient fortress in India. Our destination is one of the most beautiful places in all of the world.”

  “I’ve got images of Fiji, with white sand beaches and soft ocean breezes,” I said, thinking of the last summer vacation I took with my parents and brothers. It was my high school graduation gift, which I could’ve spent with friends. I wanted it to be with my family instead…. It made me feel sad, but at the same time grateful for something to look back on fondly. “What can be better than that?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “Where we’re going is better than Fiji?”

  “Yes.”

  “And it has fantastic beaches that aren’t crowded and where the evening breezes caress your face as you walk hand and hand with someone special?”

  “Yes, again,” he said, pausing to study me. His eyes turned slightly brighter. “And there are fresh water lagoons fed by amazing waterfalls, too. My little island has it all!”

  “Your island?” I wasn’t completely incredulous. After all, Racco could state he had a space station at this point and I’d only be slightly surprised. “Where is it?”

  “Ah, there you see?” He laughed. “I knew it would come down to me having to tell you, and I will. But I can’t tell you yet…not until we are hundreds of miles from the mainland and over the Indian Ocean. That should keep us safe enough from certain flying vampires bent on killing everyone on this plane, especially you and Alaia.”

  ***

  Brunch was excellent, although in reality it was dinner. Afterward, we shared several glasses of champagne while watching the sun set on the west side of the plane as we veered south over the Indian Ocean. Alaia seemed at peace lying between our seats in the bassinet I brought out from Racco’s bedroom.

  When we were safely over the water, and twilight had settled upon the earth below, Racco told me that his island was part of a chain of about twelve hundred islands located just southeast from the southern tip of India. The Maldives. He also admitted, sheepishly, that he doesn’t really own the island, but has been leasing it for twenty-five years at a time since the mid-1970s. Before then, he paid a sum each year to the sultan monarchs who ruled from the mid twelfth century until the monarchy was abolished in 1968.

  “It’s a haven for immortals,” he told me, and that was before we both got a little tipsy. “That’s why I’m not worried about whether Ralu knows we are there or not. Surely Ralu already knows of the place, having waged war several hundred years ago and lost against one of my dearest friends who is the acting ‘ruler’ over the island in my stead. His name is Koimala.”

  “Is Koimala like you, or is he a vampire?”

  “Definitely he’s a vampire, but one that is different from any you’ve met so far,” he said, wearing that clever smile again.

  I believe Racco knew this information would cause more torment for me, since I had a ton of brand new questions about this vampire named Koimala. Rather than badger him for information, I decided to wait. Especially, since Racco told me that we’d be arriving on the island within the hour, and that I’d likely meet this latest vampire that night.

  The water below was a brilliant blue before darkness overtook us. Several of the islands were lit up brilliantly with an array of lights, but
none of these were our destination. After the plane moved beyond these islands, it abruptly dove into the deepening darkness. For nearly a minute, I had the irrational fear that we were going to crash head-on into the ocean. Racco especially made me worry, since he quickly secured my seatbelt while grabbing Alaia and holding her close to his chest. But, as if out of nowhere, a landing strip appeared before us, and our jet landed softly upon the runway.

  “You knew this was going to happen, and you didn’t tell me?” I scolded him, once the plane stopped moving. Through my window, I caught glimpses of a resort palace nestled beneath several tall palm trees. The three-story white marble building appeared well lighted, which made me wonder why I couldn’t see it from the air.

  “Ahhh, that was priceless seeing you panic for a moment,” he said, to which I slugged him playfully on his arm. “If only you had hung onto me for dear life, as I had hoped, this could’ve been the start to a fantastic night!”

  If nothing else, our long plane ride together allowed me to see a different side to Racco. Maybe things could work out between us after all. It was a perspective that brought a lasting smile to my face until shortly after we stepped down the portable staircase and onto the runway. The soft, warm breeze from the ocean caressing my face kept the illusion of lasting peace and happiness going. Even the polished marble steps ahead of us that led to the palace’s spectacular tall portico fed this perception.

  What didn’t feed the image in my mind were the four dim figures that approached us before we reached the steps.

  “Bonjour!” said Racco, and his expectant smile made me think for a moment that these were friends of his. It turned out they were in a real sense…although when all four stepped under the glow from a nearby gas lantern he gasped in surprise.

  “You should consider yourself damned lucky that Txema and Alaia made it here safely!” said Chanson, angrily, while Raquel, Nora, and Tyreen stood next to her nodding their support for her seething words. “Otherwise, there would be hell to pay for you, Racco!”

  Although her words were for him, she eyed me angrily, as well. Nora and Raquel looked on with sullen expressions, while Tyreen looked as if she might cry. Correction, I could see the crimson stains on her face that said she had already cried.

  “How did you get here so fast?” I didn’t immediately realize how amiss this question was, and how many naughty things it implied.

  “Our jet flight took us to Bangalore, and from there we flew as vampires to save time,” she said, adding more fire to the serious bone she had to pick with us—to Racco, especially.

  “The pilots were instructed to bring you here,” said Racco, ignoring her original complaint. “Everyone is supposed to be here—even Gustav and those who stayed behind in Nepal and India are already here.”

  “They’ll be fine, I’m sure,” Chanson advised, evenly. “Perhaps you can send your personal plane for everyone else in the morning. But two members of your crew are dead, due to Ralu’s attack on Nashville last evening.”

  “What?” I suddenly felt my knees go weak. Ralu had actually followed us—namely me and Alaia—and more innocent people paid with their lives. “This can’t be…oh, my God!!…”

  “It’s worse than any of us could have anticipated, dear cousin,” she said, and the anger in her voice lessened. “Nearly a thousand people died last night, as Ralu went looking for you and anyone you came in contact with. The limousine driver and several patrons of the hotel you visited are dead. Guards were killed and the airport staff was decimated. We tried to help, as the attack happened right at dusk, which means Ralu somehow arrived in Tennessee before dawn, and had a sizable army ready for attack once the sun went down.”

  “They were too much for us, and all we could do was try and save the pilots and the stewardess assigned to our flight,” said Nora.

  “Where is Garvan, Armando, Franz, and Kazikli?” I felt as if my knees were about to buckle.

  I couldn’t fight the mental image of Ralu tossing their heads at my feet amid his horrid boisterous laughter. Meanwhile, all Racco could do was shake his head in disbelief. I could tell he never anticipated anything like this happening.

  “They all stayed behind, sister,” said Tyreen, to which the others sadly nodded. “And they did it for you…only you.”

  “Actually for you and Peter,” added Raquel, who then glared at Racco.

  “What’s going on with Peter?” Something bad had happened to him—I could feel it. Everything around me started to swirl and go dark. “Please tell me that he’s okay…. Please!!”

  “That’s not possible for us to say,” said Chanson, as I watched a single tear form in the corner of her right eye and draw a crimson stream upon her cheek.

  “What in the hell are you talking about?” said Racco, protectively, as he reached over and pulled me close. “Speak clearly, Chanson!”

  “I am speaking clearly!” she replied, glaring at him before returning a softer gaze towards me. “The reason it isn’t possible for me to say if he’s okay or not is because we can’t find him. He has disappeared, and our brothers have decided for Txema’s and Alaia’s sake to stay behind…to stay in Tennessee until they do find him!”

  Chapter 18

  Racco did have to carry me inside the palace—perhaps the most spectacular place I’d ever stepped into, despite my inability to appreciate any of it. It wouldn’t be until the next morning, when I saw the amazing frescos on the ceilings above and upon the walls in the clear light of day that I experienced the sense of awe and wonder that should’ve been my initial response upon our arrival.

  The grand marble statues and tall columns along the corridor to the main reception area featured the Indo-saracenic architecture style prevalent in many palaces in India and Pakistan. It’s also a style that Racco later told me that he so loves. Along with dramatic fountains, clear blue pools, and colorful birds flitting about inside the palace, it seemed like a place straight out of mythology—as if we had stepped inside Mount Olympus itself. A pair of waterfalls fed a much larger pool inside the reception area.

  But again, I was too distraught to linger long on what my latest surroundings were like. Something terrible had happened to the only man I had ever truly romantically loved. I knew in my heart that Peter’s misfortune was completely my fault.

  “I am so sorry, Txema,” said Racco as he held me in his arms. The man I had lusted for, and who still stirred desire within my mind and body, softly stroked my neck. Perhaps to comfort, or distract me from thinking about the news we’d just been given by Chanson. “I pray that Kazikli finds Peter and keeps him safe.”

  “His life will never be the same, poor soul,” said Chanson. She and the others surrounded Racco and I as we sat upon a Roman styled couch. “I’m afraid that even if he is found, there is worse news for him.”

  “How so?” I looked up at her through my tear-clouded gaze. She gently wiped my cheeks with the back of her cool hands.

  “His mother and father were among those who died during the attack…along with an unidentified young woman,” she said, tenderly, and then sat down on the couch next to Racco and me. “That information came from Franz, when he returned to the plane to advise us to go ahead and leave without him and the others. He said it’s what he and Garvan found when they arrived at the house belonging to Peter’s parents. Franz later told me that Kazikli knows where to find us once they’ve recovered Peter—either alive or dead….”

  Her words faded as she looked up. A tall and powerfully built Indian male suddenly appeared behind Nora and Tyreen.

  “It appears we are reuniting with you, my good friend, at a less than opportune time,” he said to Racco. Dressed in a white tunic, he carried a jeweled gold scepter similar to the ones that Huangtian Dadi and Gustav held when they met with the European vampires shortly after our arrival in China back in November. “We would like to welcome your companions!”

  Racco gently pulled away from me and stood up to greet this other male, a vampire whom I as
sumed must be Koimala. They shared a warm embrace that seemed to have been muted on my account. As the two separated from their embrace, nearly a dozen other vampires appeared around us. Dressed in similar tunics or sarongs, this group was split evenly between male and female.

  “I am indeed Koimala,” said this latest vampire to me. He offered a generous smile that was a little more frightening than what I was used to. Two long canines on his lower teeth matched the fangs on his top row. Along with his gold, effervescent eyes, the extra teeth made him resemble a predatory big cat. Even so, I had no doubt that most women would still consider him gorgeous. Flawless, reddish skin along with sleek features, his flowing, black hair hung in waves upon his broad shoulders. And while all male vampires I’ve ever met are powerfully built, this one’s sculpted physique made him truly look like a Greek or Hindu god. “I welcome you to my realm, Txema!”

  He reached for my hand, which I tentatively extended to him. His touch was surprisingly warm, and his eyes bore a playful glint, as he surely understood my timid reaction. He lightly kissed the back of my hand.

  “Welcome to the rest of you, as well!” he said to my female companions, focusing the most on Raquel, who presently held Alaia. He lingered on my baby for a moment before looking over his shoulder toward Gustav, whom I hadn’t noticed until then. “I have not seen one of these in nearly three hundred years—is that not when Jacqueline and Marissa were born?”

  “Yes, that is correct,” said Gustav, who eyed me worriedly. Dressed in a more modest black robe than I had seen him wear before, he shook his head when Racco motioned to him.

  “Hmmm.” Koimala nodded thoughtfully as he turned his attention back to Alaia again.

  Despite my tears, my daughter had been fairly quiet since we encountered my guardians on the runway outside the palace. I would’ve taken her back by then from everyone that had held her, except she seemed quite content to let Raquel gently bounce her while her momma bawled her eyes out nearby. I didn’t wish for my daughter to share my emotional pain—especially considering her possible telepathic connection to me thus far. If Peter was dead, I’d rather have her tune into that frequency when she was older and could effectively deal with whatever pain it meant for her as his daughter.