by J. G. Massie
“No!” I threw my hands in the air. “No, it isn’t that simple. If you kill Marco’s father, you’d start a civil war among the Noctem. Sure, some might stand with Marco, but others will be calling for his head for the planned assassination of his own flesh and blood. Only one thing is certain, neither side will join with the renegade humans who carried out the assassination! And if that isn’t enough, you will have forfeit your own life for nothing. Did you really think you would get out of there alive?”
“No, I didn’t,” he admitted freely. His nonchalance more than proved that his imminent death was barely an afterthought. He was going to kill Emilio, then openly accept whatever happened next.
I stared at him for a long while, not really knowing what to say. But when I finally spoke again, my words were from the heart. It was a question I had been wondering for some time now. “Do you have a death wish?” My voice was so quiet, I could barely hear it myself.
Turner stared back at me, his face a mask of calm and clarity. I didn’t know if that was because he half expected the question, or perhaps it was something he had been contemplating himself. “Not being afraid to die is not the same as wanting to die,” he answered. With that, he gave me a hard shoulder as he pushed past.
I hurried to catch up, but said nothing else as we walked along in silence. There was nothing more to say, and now we both had plenty to think about. If I was lucky, maybe I could still salvage what little was left of the morning hours. Another hour or two of sleep would do me just fine.
We rounded the last corner and stopped with our rooms just ahead. Marco’s door had just opened, and those two humans in white stepped out. Pale, sickly looking even. I gasped when I noticed them rubbing fresh bite marks on their wrists. So that’s what was going on here.
I had originally suspected some sort of foreplay, but nothing like this. These apparent slaves weren’t just toys to the Noctem, they were so much less than that. They were a low level food source and nothing else.
Seeing me look away in disgust, Turner clasped the sides of my head with both hands and turned me back. “You see?” he said, forcing me to watch. Marco stood halfway out the doorway, his lips glistening with red wetness. With a sneer, he backed away and closed the door. The humans skittered past us, neither daring to make any eye contact. As far as I could tell, they were little more than trained dogs at this stage.
It wasn’t until they were out of sight when Turner finally let go of me. Then he began laughing, shaking his head from side to side. “And you still think you can reason with these animals,” he scoffed. “It’s time for you to wake up, my innocent little Tessa. The underworld is not all rainbows and puppies as you seem to think it is. As a Keeper, sooner or later you will have to make some very hard decisions. Good thing one of us is still willing to do the dirty work when necessary.”
Still staring straight ahead, I hadn’t even realized Turner left until I heard his door latch shut. “It can’t all be like this,” I answered to no one, still trying to come to terms with what I had just seen. “It just can’t be.”
Dejected, a bit freaked out, I darted back into my room. I wanted to forget it all, but some things just can’t be unseen.
Chapter 4
Whether due to pure exhaustion, or just the urgent need to have my mind shut down for a while, I actually managed to go right back to sleep. The brief downtime was sure appreciated, for as long as it lasted anyway.
A gong-like chime rattled through my skull, invading my foggy dream state until I eventually opened one eye. Wincing with each piercing clang, I yanked the pillow down over my ears. What the heck was this? Realizing it wasn’t going to stop, I gave up and kicked back the covers. Scrambling to get dressed, I was already pretty certain I hated this place even after only one day.
Rushing out into the hall, I almost bowled right over the others who were waiting just outside my door. They looked as confused as I did, and that didn’t exactly fill me with confidence. “What is going on?” Isaac asked, eyes shifting around with a sense of urgency. “Is this a normal wakeup call around here, Marco?”
“Hardly,” he responded. “In fact, I haven’t heard that sound in many, many years. This is not good.”
“Wonderful,” Lindsey said, clasping her hands in mock excitement. “I don’t suppose it’s a welcoming surprise party?”
“Not my first guess,” Marco groaned. “Come, we had better go see what’s going on.”
The moment we left the building, it was clear that something was very wrong. The dirt streets were packed, and everyone seemed just as confused as we were. But one thing was certain: these vampires liked us even less today than yesterday. Glaring as we inched our way through the crowd, it seemed as if each one was fantasizing about skinning us alive. I could actually feel their hatred rolling off them in waves.
Were there really this many vampires yesterday? It sure didn’t seem like it at the time. Isaac moved to my outside shoulder, firmly placing himself between me and any Noctem before they got any stupid ideas. Regardless of what Aleister said, it was pretty clear that the Sabbot prince carried a pretty big stick, even here in Noctem territory. A silencing glare from Isaac was all it took to send them backing away, but not without a returned hiss or two for good measure.
Even Mandla seemed to be having a bit of fun with it. After the occasional growl, followed by a subtle flex of his massive arms, vampires were practically tripping over themselves to get out of the big man’s way. Even though they outnumbered him by a ridiculous margin, no one wanted any part of the powerful werewolf.
As we drew closer, I could see Emilio standing on a dais just up ahead. At his side stood his henchmen, and Aleister of course. Did they go to the bathroom together too? I swear, that little weasel must be attached by an umbilical cord or something!
The bell finally stopped ringing, and Aleister stepped away from Emilio and made his way up near the front of the dais. Despite his withered, fragile appearance, the ancient vampire still had an aura of authority about him. There were a few murmurs of anticipation, but for the most part the crowd looked on with uneasy anticipation.
“Brothers and sisters,” he began, his frail voice rough and gravelly. “For centuries I have served you all, stood by your side even through the darkest of times. We may not have always agreed, but I have always respected, even welcomed the occasional difference of opinion. This is normal, is it not? Families fight, families disagree sometimes, but in the end it is that mutual love for one another that pulls us through. It is our ability to see past our differences and come together when it matters most.
“Through the years I thought we had seen it all. As a recognized branch of the underworld, we have withstood ongoing war, poverty, as well as hard times. But I was also there when we rose from the ashes and took our place among the vampire elite. The Noctem name is now synonymous with authority and power. Yes, my friends, I thought we had seen it all.” I didn’t miss the less than subtle hint when his eyes flickered in my direction. “That is...until now.”
He began to pace across the dais. With one hip higher than the other, he dipped deep with every other step, his knee buckling a bit with the uneven weight distribution. I honestly thought he might fall over. As he turned to face the vampires, a thoughtful finger scratched his chin. Comfortable with the ensuing silence, he waited a long while for the anticipation to build.
“But for my part, nothing has changed,” he continued. “I have served, and will continue to serve my people to the best of my ability. That, my friends, will never change. Now that I have made it clear where I stand, I ask that you direct your attention to the one true leader of the Noctem,” that time his eyes flickered toward Marco, “Emilio Draven.”
Aleister hobbled back and slunk down into a waiting chair as Emilio moved up to take his place. As far as I could tell, Aleister had just been testing the waters, trying to see where the vampires’ heads were before Emilio took over. I suppose his job was to serve as a buffer, as well as the
leader’s right-hand man.
“My children,” Emilio began. If it was quiet before, it was deathly silent now. “No doubt you’re wondering why I summoned you all this morning. As Aleister has so graciously pointed out, the Noctem have passed through many phases throughout the years. And with each and every challenge, we have come out stronger than before. But...”
He turned on the crowd sharply and threw his hands in the air. “The winds of change are upon us, my friends. It seems we are fast approaching a new era, a time of sweeping change and radical ideas. I am not opposed to change, as long as it does not fly in the face of logic. I think I speak for all of us when I say that it makes no sense to embrace change, just for the sake of change.”
For the first time, the murmurs of the crowd began to grow in intensity. I could feel their energy as they nodded their approval, some even pumping their fists in the air. Oh, boy, this was bad. Really, really bad.
“But when change presents itself in the form of a foreign entity with foreign priorities, then that, my friends, is where a line must be drawn.” The rising murmurs had now morphed into cheers, and I found myself reaching for Isaac’s hand. Unrattled, standing tall like a mountain, Isaac was my rock at times such as these.
“I, as well as every leader before me, has always followed our traditions with unbending loyalty. Once a vampire has served his time to the best of his ability, it is then time to pass the torch. That is the way of things, and no bloodline has ever, ever, been challenged.
“That is...until now!”
Oh no!
“Yes, such a challenge was made against my son’s authority.” A ripple of gasps moved through the crowd, heads twisting this way and that. It was strange watching these mystical creatures suddenly get so rattled.
“Who?” Marco snarled, pushing his way forward until he stood before his father. “My bloodline is pure and absolute, therefore there can be no grounds for such a dispute. Who would dare—”
“I dare.”
Vampires started to shuffle about, stepping aside to make room for whoever was making their way through. I’m not sure what I was expecting, maybe some hulking giant or a muscle-bound ghoul. But no, the young vampire who emerged from the crowd was about as unassuming as one could be. That is, unassuming for a vampire anyway.
Tall, but thin as a pencil, he looked like the kind of kid who would have had a pretty rough time in high school. I could certainly relate to that. As bald as bald could be, he sort of reminded me of a cross between One Punch Man and Mr. Clean. Standing straight as a board, his hands practically nailed to his sides, his blue-eyed glare certainly did not match his frail physique. Those eyes were hostile, deadly even. If looks could kill...
Marco barely even glanced at him before turning his focus back to Emilio. “This is wrong, Father, and you know it.” His tone was soft and dangerous, barely controlled rage ready to boil over at any moment. “And as of this day, you are still the one who leads the Noctem. Which means that you and you alone have the power to override this baseless challenge. A challenge to our bloodline!”
But when Emilio stood silent, Marco narrowed his eyes and bared his teeth. “But of course, you knew that already,” he hissed. “Which can only mean that this open challenge to our family name comes with your blessing as well.” His father’s ensuing silence was as clear as a thousand bells.
Marco’s demeanor changed in a flash. Head dropping, shoulders slumped. I hardly even recognized the normally cocky vampire. “Very well, then,” he conceded. “Since your decision is clearly based on an ancient mindset, I can only assume we will settle this in the ancient manner as well?”
A hint of a smile curled Emilio’s lips, the first real emotion he had displayed in some time. “Indeed.” He nodded. “We shall settle this challenge with a trial by blood, the first such trial to take place in centuries.” After that, it became difficult to hear him over the booming cheers. It was hard to tell who they were cheering for. Both? Neither? Perhaps they were just excited to get their fill of violence, no matter what shape or form.
“The trial shall take place...tonight!” Emilio shouted, straining to be heard. “Go now, and prepare to meet your end.” Although that message could have been meant for either, his eyes were still locked on Marco, and his tight grin had yet to fade.
Resigned to his fate, Marco nodded with a sigh. “Then if you will excuse me, Father, I must go and prepare.” Ignoring our pleas to hold up, Marco pushed past the first line of vampires and disappeared into the crowd like a ghost.
Chapter 5
We searched for hours. It got to the point where we wondered if Marco might have just lifted a boat and set sail for who knows where. But knowing Marco, that didn’t seem all that likely. My guess was that he would rather die than be proven a coward. Still, where the heck had he gone?
At one point, I had to send Isaac to go scrounge up some food for us. The ladies and I munched on a few strips of beef jerky as we moved, calling out for him every ten feet or so. If any of the locals knew where he was, they didn’t seem willing to drop any hints. A brief glare, followed by an indignant sniff before turning their backs, had become the standard greeting when we asked about his whereabouts.
“I see him,” Mandla said, pointing to a lone tree off in the distance. Sure enough, there he was hiding in plain sight. Eyes closed, hands on his knees as he sat Indian style on the grass, he looked to be meditating or something.
“There you are,” I scolded, racing over so I could loom over him like an angry parent. “We’ve been looking all over for you. Why were you hiding from us?”
“I wasn’t hiding,” he said, eyes still closed with his chest puffed out. “I’ve been sitting right here the better part of the day. If you were really looking as hard as you claim, then I can only assume that you must be very bad at looking.”
“Marco, this is no time for jokes,” Lindsey said, dropping down to one knee in front of him.
“I agree.” He opened one eye, then sighed before throwing his back against the tree. “And I assure you I’m in no laughing mood.”
Lindsey snapped her fingers in his face in an attempt to keep him focused. “What can we do? How can we help? There must be something—”
“Oh, you were there.” He twirled a dismissive hand in the air. “The challenge was issued in front of everyone, then backed by my own father no less. It is done, and there is nothing any of you can do.”
“Not so fast,” Turner said, taking a knee next to Lindsey. “Although I’m not exactly sure how these tournaments are supposed to work among your people, I still might be able to help.” He started rubbing his hands together. “I just might be able to offer a bit of magical aid that could assist you in—” The incredulous look on Marco’s face stopped him cold.
“We werewolves have similar traditions,” Mandla interrupted. The giant of a man stepped forward, chest puffed out and appearing even larger than usual. “But we may choose a champion to fight in our place. If you wish, I will be that champion for you, Marco.” He cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck.
“You will do no such thing!” Lindsey exclaimed, placing a hand on his chest as she rose. “I forbid it! Your place is with me, and I will not risk—”
“Stop it, all of you!” Marco said, slashing his hand down in a chopping motion. “Look, I understand how you see my kind, but you are wrong on many fronts. Believe it or not, we are not the honorless demon savages you believe us to be. In fact, the Noctem are driven by honor almost exclusively. I dare not accept any magical aid, or choose a champion to fight in my place. Even if I were to win, what would I gain under such circumstances? Allowed or not, it would still be seen as a sign of weakness. Who would follow me after such a shameful display of cowardice?”
“Marco, everyone is just trying to help,” I pointed out.
“Well, perhaps you all should stop!” he snapped. But after a few moments his eyes softened, and he quickly dismissed his own words with a wave of his hand. “I’m sorr
y, I know you’re just trying to help. But you can’t, and that’s the point I’m trying to make. You are outsiders, and as such you have no idea what you’re dealing with here. All I can do is prepare myself mentally for what is to come.”
“Isaac,” I said in a hushed tone. When he looked at me, I rolled my shoulder and cocked my head. He took the hint, and the two of us separated from the group. “Um, what’s going on with you?” I asked once we were alone. “You were being awfully quiet back there.”
“I had nothing to add,” he replied with a shrug. “I am familiar with the Noctem’s ways, so I already knew—”
“Cut the bull.” When I stepped up close to his chest, I got a nose full of his spicy scent. It was distracting to be sure, and I had to fight to stay focused. “Isaac, it’s me. Just tell me what’s really going on here. The truth this time.”
Isaac glanced back, as if worried that someone might hear him. “The man who challenged him,” he began. “Lucian.”
“Lucian? You know him?” I asked, a little surprised he knew any of the Noctem’s names aside from Marco.
“I do,” he admitted. “Rather well, actually. But the only reason I do is because...” He hesitated, swallowing the lump growing in his throat. Where was all this emotion coming from? “Lucian is— Well, was Marco’s best friend.”
I needed a moment to let that sink in. “Marco’s...friend?” I glanced back at Marco, who was still sitting under the tree. I didn’t see it at first, but now it was obvious to me. He wasn’t just angry that someone had challenged his blood right, he was hurt. He had been betrayed by someone he knew well. I could only imagine what that must feel like.
“Best friend,” Isaac repeated. I could see the sadness in his eyes as well. “There was a time when they were inseparable, but now...”
