Mira

by Leighann Phoenix

  Once inside the large lavish tent, Darius approached a heavy wooden table in the center of the main entrance. Pouring out wine for himself and Marcus, he waited patiently for the boy to ask his advice. He always did. Darius tapped his ring impatiently on the rim of Marcus’ cup, watching the surface of the warm red liquid ripple and the brown dust disappear into the drink.

  Without offering the cup to Marcus, Darius tipped his own cup to his lips. Marcus stepped up to the table and grabbed the other cup for himself. “So what do you suggest druid,” the boy said snidely, downing half the wine in one swallow. “The men desert my cause, and I admit that the circumstances of this march have been unnerving. The animals of the forest attack randomly and without warning. The night is unseasonably cold. Trees and brush seem to bar our path. Men grow ill with no cause.” Marcus finished the rest of the wine in his cup and stepped to the table to pour himself another. “Even an unsuperstitious man would see this march as cursed. What do your fellows do to us, and how do we stop it? Or are you as useless as my father used to say?”

  Darius had been losing his patience steadily, as Marcus became increasingly insulting and demanding. “Firstly, milord,” Darius answered, glaring at the boy, “your father never kept any man around who he did not see as worth something. Secondly, the animals may attack because of the cold. The cold may be because a local village paid no sacrifice as proper to the correct Gods. Once a man believes he is haunted, then all manner of things can be frightening, including plants overwhelming an unkempt path, and men in new places grow ill. Your father would have been able to offer such explanations to these men and control their fear before they allowed their imaginations to run them off. There is no proof that the circumstances of this miserable march were anything other than poor fate. For a group of men who don’t believe druids capable of what I claimed, you’re all certainly quick to blame the druids for things which could merely be nature.” Darius sipped his wine, staring into the boy’s eyes. “Unfortunately for both of us, you are too young and inexperienced to think of such things.”

  Marcus felt the wine seeping into his body more quickly than usual. Darius’ droning voice slipped to the back of his mind, and he stumbled toward his large chair. The room was already spinning. Suddenly Darius’ face was directly in front of his own.

  “That is why you have forced me to take the situation in hand. One way or another, I need to reach the Circle with enough troops to take control. You couldn’t have been just a nice compliant young man could you?”

  “Compliant young man,” Marcus echoed hollowly.

  Darius smiled. “That’ll do. Go to bed, get some sleep. We have a speech for the morning march. Then I want to gain some ground. They have to know I’m coming by now.”

  Without a word of protest Marcus got to his feet and followed Darius’ command. “I should have done that to him months ago,” Darius growled and then left the tent. Not to mention, his tainted blood will be the perfect trap for the vampire. I wonder what the elders would think if they knew that not all of their secrets have been kept as well as they believe.

  At the main entrance, he stopped and leaned toward the guard. “He doesn’t wish to be disturbed. Lord Novanus wants to sleep until morning. Summon me when he awakes.” The guard nodded, and Darius walked away from the large tent to go and find his.

  * * * *

  Aris realized her wrong turn when the rough hewn cave walls went on too long with no promise of turning into carved stone. “Mira said it only took a few hours of walking for her to find the right tunnels. I think I’ve been walking at least that long. And there’s no closet with a lantern.” The sound of her whispers echoing in the darkness offered little comfort.

  Collapsing against a cold damp wall, sharp stone bit into her shoulder. Aris ignored the pain and wrapped her arms around her shivering frame. It didn’t really matter how much Mira explained, Aris was cold, hungry, thirsty, and terrified. “This must be what it’s like to be blind,” she whimpered.

  First she considered trying to fall asleep, like Mira had. “That would make time pass more quickly.” But every little sound in the darkness drew her attention. “That was probably a mouse,” she whispered at a shuffling near her feet. “That was just a bat,” she cried at a shrieking noise echoing in the black. Aris turned sharply to look down the cave tunnel in the direction she thought she came from. “Footsteps,” she asked the darkness. Aris strained to stare into the emptiness, trying desperately to see something, anything. Suddenly she realized that he may be coming to get her.

  Turning Aris began running. She only managed a few steps before tripping on something on the floor and sprawling on ground. “Hello,” she barely managed to squeak out. Scrapping her hands on the ground, Aris scrambled back up against the wall, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please,” she whimpered. “Lord Tiernay?”

  Rillan nearly left her there. I don’t know what I expected. As if anyone could be capable of instilling Mira’s soul in one of these sacrifices. Even Mira. No amount of training will change what they are.

  Rillan knelt next to the girl and stared at her, knowing that she had no idea how close he was. For the first time in his existence, he considered putting her out of her misery without waiting for permission. I don’t have time for this. I need to get out and inspect the so called army coming for me. To do that I have to feed. Somewhere in the back of Rillan’s mind was a futile hope that the army may actually be good enough to end all this.

  Rillan stared into the girl’s wide, tearful eyes with disgust. Uncertain whether the annoyance he felt was for himself or the new girl, Rillan forced the beast down and reached out for the girl.

  A terror-filled scream like nothing Rillan ever heard echoed in his ears. “By all the Gods, girl,” Rillan snarled, taking several steps back from her and covering his ears.

  Aris scrambled to her feet, feeling along the wall.

  “Calm down,” Rillan growled harshly.

  Flinching at the sound of his voice, Aris considered her options for running.

  Rillan could see the frantic look on her face and the desperate way she was cringing away from him. “Don’t be stupid. Come with me. There’s food and rest. We’ll deal with your inadequate training when you’ve had some time to think clearly.”

  Mention of food seemed to register with her. Rillan waited for Aris to gain some composure before reaching out for her again. She didn’t say a word, as he walked her down the halls toward the main tunnels. This is why they get left in the labyrinth for days, he groused angrily on the way back to his rooms.

  * * * *

  Mira stared sadly at the pile of flowers that the girls were gathering and weaving into wreaths and garland to decorate the stone circle for the ceremony. Helen pointed in different directions, and girls went running to take care of her orders. Mira’s head spun. Helen proved to be a most efficient planner; from the flowers to the clothing, even the handfasting cord.

  Holding out the cord for Mira to see, Helen waited for the lavish thanks and praise that she believed she deserved. The cord was woven from pearl white silk thread and speckled with tiny flowers and ivy. Helen beamed with pride. The cord was exactly what she wanted when she finally chose to be handfasted. She couldn’t imagine that any woman would not see the beauty in the simple cord.

  “Thank you Helen,” Mira said softly. “It’s gorgeous. If you hadn’t taken this all in hand, I don’t know that it would have been accomplished so quickly.” Mira’s voice trailed off, as she spoke. Standing, shakily turning the cord over and over in her hands, Mira began to cry.

  Helen smiled with pride, believing that the tears were of appreciation. She leaned in and hugged Mira gently. “I know how difficult it has been for you to come back to us after what happened. Even if Liam hadn’t asked me to help you, I would have wanted to.”

  Pulling away from Helen, as gently as she could, so that it wouldn’t be misinterpreted as an insult, Mira nodded, wiped the tears from her cheeks and went back to t
he round house and her bedroom. At least there, with the door closed, she could get some peace. All she wanted was sleep.

  At this rate we’ll be ready for the ceremony in a matter of days, she thought. The idea made her sick to her stomach. Closing the door behind her, Mira began sobbing. She threw herself down on her small bed, wrapped her blankets around herself, and closed her eyes. Sleep was long in coming, but a welcome reprieve to her thoughts.

  * * * *

  Rillan considered his next step carefully. He could tell, after the centuries of dealing with sacrifices, this one was going to take a lot of coddling. Unfortunately, he simply didn’t have the patience or ability to wait for her to come to him on her own terms.

  Standing in the shadows of her doorway, he watched her sitting at the dressing table brushing her hair. She had been brushing for over an hour; sitting, staring in the mirror. Her manor and demeanor annoyed Rillan and reminded him of why he had taken to doing things as he did. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself the torment of imagining Mira waiting for him, smiling at him, and wanting him.

  Thoroughly disgusted with himself, Rillan stepped out of the shadows. Catching site of Rillan in her mirror, Aris dropped her brush and gasped. She whirled around to face Rillan, abject terror streaking her features.

  “Take off your clothes and lie down on the bed girl,” Rillan growled callously.

  Aris shook her head and backed up into the dressing table. “M—Mira said you would wait until I was ready,” she blurted.

  “I would. If I had time. But I have an assignment. I’ve waited as long as I’m able,” he growled. Frustrated, Rillan let his better half through, in the hopes of reassuring the girl. “I’ll make it as short as possible. Just do as you’re told,” he added in a softer tone.

  The change in his approach appeared to comfort Aris some. She reluctantly began to undress. A blush started in her cheeks and spread across her entire body. Rillan was far from immune to the sight of the beautiful young girl standing naked in front of him. His eyes caressed her flesh, in a way he knew his hands could not.

  Rillan took in her brown hair and dark blue eyes. Her flawless pale skin was deepening to a dark pink, as he looked her over. “Lay down on the bed,” he said gently.

  Timidly, Aris moved over to the bed and crawled to the middle. The basest side of Rillan’s animalistic tendencies always enjoyed watching them crawl across the bed. He considered the curve of her back, her soft thighs, and the innocent way her sex peeked from between her legs, as she moved to the middle of the bed. Just like all the others, when she realized what he was looking at she sat down and laid back, closed her eyes and waited in embarrassment for what would happen next.

  Rillan pulled his shirt off and tossed it across the chair. He didn’t know how far he was going to take this, but he hated cleaning blood off his clothes. Kneeling on the bed next to the naked girl, he realized that he never asked her name. Staring down into her fear marred faced, he knew that he didn’t actually care what it was.

  Aris felt the weight on the bed and lay trembling in anticipation of what he would do to her. She kept telling herself, Mira said to keep your eyes closed. Don’t open your eyes and just wait. He’ll make the pain worth it. He’s a good man. He only needs sympathy.

  The smell of fear assailed Rillan’s nostrils, he could hear her heart racing in her chest, and her breathing was raged and choppy. Stupid girl is going to hyperventilate. The human portion of his soul hating the smell of fear and knowing that he was the cause retreated, and the vampire stole control of Rillan’s body. Black bled from his pupils, until it filled his eyes sockets. His skin pulled taught to his features, paper thin and pasty white. His lips pulled back from his teeth, causing the needle filled mouth to illustrate the vicious predator which lay within. Leaning down near her, what little humanity was left in his control at that moment reached for her gently, in an attempt to warn her that he was going to start.

  With the touch of his hand on her shoulder, all thoughts in Aris’ mind went blank. Her eyes flew open, and she stared wide-eyed into the face of the vampire about to feed on her. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. The odor of fear became overwhelming, and that was joined with the reek of ammonia. She peed herself, he thought angrily. All sympathy fled, and Rillan grabbed Aris by her shoulders.

  “You want something to fear? I can easily oblige,” the vampire growled. Holding her squirming body down, Rillan reared back, giving Aris a full view of the mouth that was about to rip her shoulder apart. Bending down, Rillan bit hard on the join between her neck and her shoulder.

  Aris shrieked. Pain seared through her body, followed by an intense burning. “Please,” she begged, in between breaths. The protests and screaming only seemed to spur him on. This isn’t what Mira said it would be. This isn’t what Mira said it would be. This isn’t what Mira said it would be. Aris’ mind whirled with fear and confusion until finally it went blank.

  Rillan finished feeding and stood up. Looking down at the girl, he threw a blanket over her body, grabbed his shirt and stomped off down the hall. He had duties to perform, before he left.

  Dressing to leave for the approaching army, Rillan stared at the two small packages on the chest at the foot of his bed. He had been debating when he should give them to her. In case I don’t come back from this, he thought. Picking up the two small packages, he shoved them into his pockets and strode down the hall. He couldn’t decide if the idea of not coming back was comforting or disturbing.

  The halls echoed with is footsteps, as he made his way out: Mira’s room, the rooms he had left the new girl in, the library and study. As he left the caves, no wind stirred. There were no clouds. The moon shone brightly enough to give the feel of day to Rillan, who was so used to the total black of his caves. The moonlight made it an easy thing for the vampire to slip through the ancient forest, into the small druid town, and to the round house that had forever been home to the sacrifices.

  Rillan wasn’t sure if Mira was in the round house, but he figured it was the best place to start. If he had to search every house in the small town, he would find her before he left. Fortunately his guess paid off. He felt as though he was drawn to her. Circling the round house he peered into each of the small windows until a figure in one of the beds caught his attention.

  Rillan knew Mira’s frame, even covered in blankets. Slipping in through the window, Rillan stood next to her bed, staring down at her tear streaked face, wondering what hurt her and caused her to cry herself to sleep. All he wanted was to find the source of her pain and destroy it. He felt so helpless standing there, looking down at her, and knowing there was truly nothing he could do to fix what hurt her.

  At length, he tore his eyes from her quiet form and looked around for a place to leave the packages. The room she slept in was small. It was made even smaller by the piles of ceremonial decorations strewn about. In one corner, carefully folded and draped across a small chair, Rillan spied an intricately embroidered chemise and skirt. Walking over to the clothing, he felt as if his chest had been ripped open and his heart torn out. A handfasting cord lay across the top of the pile of clothing.

  Closing his eyes Rillan took several deep breaths. This is why you sent her back, he told himself. You knew that she would be wanted. She’ll be able to have children, live in the sun, and be happy. Rillan opened his eyes, half hoping that when he did the clothing and especially the cord would have vanished. But there they were, gleaming in the moonlight.

  Reaching into his pockets he withdrew the two carefully wrapped packages. He placed them atop of the cord. Before he left, he walked back over to Mira’s sleeping form. Bending down, he placed a small kiss on her lips, smelled her hair, and whispered softly, “All the blessings of the Gods be on you, sweet one.”

  Mira’s eyes shot open. Touching her lips, she couldn’t believe that it was a dream. “Rillan?” She sat up in bed and looked around the room, her eyes examining the shadows for any sign of him. Nothing? As Mira lay
back down and closed her eyes, more tears squeezed out from beneath the lids. I could have sworn I heard him. I must be going insane, she thought. It was several hours of lying in bed with her eyes squeezed closed and her thoughts churning, before she fell fitfully back to sleep.

  Chapter 13

  Lilith stood in the shadow of a large elm with several elders, watching the sacrifices scurry about planning the handfasting of Liam and Mira. The entire town was focused on preparations for the handfasting. Though it wasn’t standard for everything to stand still for one random ceremony, it was the town’s way of avoiding thinking about the danger coming.

  An older man with a long gray beard and wrinkled leather skin sighed heavily. “The army is only a day or two off. We’ve no word from the vampire. Should we stop them and prepare for war?”

  “What war?” Lilith harrumphed. “If the army attacks us, no matter how weak Rillan ap Tiernay says they may be, we will be slaughtered as livestock. We’ve no weapons, no knowledge of weapon use. What do you propose? Pitchforks and pails as swords and shields?”

  The old man shook his head and sighed again. “I don’t like waiting for death, Lilith.”

  “Isn’t that what we do every day? We all die.”

  “Leave it to you to get philosophical about the matter.”

  “No,” Lilith said, turning toward him. “Not philosophical, merely practical. Fewer people will die if we surrender without fuss. You know that. We, long ago, became too used to our protected existence. Change isn’t a bad or good thing. It simply is.”

  “And if the army arrives to ‘change our existence’,” he said sarcastically, “during a handfasting ceremony?”