Soul Taker's Redemption

by A. S. Hamilton

  Jay: Hey Mum, Therion/Bastien said I can go home =D Called Yu already— sorry, I know, I should've txt you first but was 2 excited. Txt you when I get there.

  I replied: Great to hear, hun.

  I added a heart symbol, and then returned my attention to my monitor. I was translating a wiretap we had concerning the gang Archmore had aligned himself with in order to move his drugs. It was the only reason I was still on the taskforce and if Vietnamese interpreters were easy to find within the police force, I'd be on mandatory leave. As it was, Stuart, our taskforce leader had been reamed out by brass for letting me just accompany them to retrieve Jay. The only thing that saved him was that I found the children. Still, we had to be careful to make sure my role on the taskforce in no way tainted the case, especially in relation to Jay becoming both a victim and a witness. And, with direct threats to Jay being recorded, I was even more limited, now.

  Tien had been limited too. My step-sister and I were as close as if we were biological sisters and that caused problems with our jobs at times. We'd been fortunate so far and because Tien could speak Vietnamese as her first language, I'd almost been dropped from the taskforce. But Tien and Stuart had managed to make a convincing enough case for me to stay on. At my desk.

  Thus, whenever Jay told me she remembered something, I called someone else, Ivan for the most part as it was better if the same person took Jay's statements and she liked Ivan, felt comfortable with him. I kept out of it, merely facilitating the transfer of information and recording everything in a logbook so if it was ever questioned, we could show a clear chain of evidence. With that in mind I texted Ivan to let him know that Jay was returning home.

  Jay didn't want protective custody. Jay wanted things to return to normal. I closed my eyes.

  Jay was clearly in denial.

  I needed a break. I went to the break room and made a green tea. I tried not to think about it, but my resolve lasted barely a minute. Her and her protector in an intimate relationship. It was a nightmare. Not just because he was supposed to guard her, but because of what he was. He fed on spirits like hers. Once, Jay kept arguing, he didn't need to now. Could I trust that? Could I trust him with my daughter? And what were the options if he was removed from the situation? Those bat things had been horrific. Jay said there were more, different ones, scarier ones. No normal human could protect her from that kind of thing. Jay had explained what Therion had discovered and told me about the confrontation the vampires had turned aside. I understood we had little choice in this; Therion was her best protection. But I still didn't like it.

  I returned to my desk with my tea and tried to focus on work. Jay's arrival text came before Thomas's.

  Jay: Back home =). Had to deal with supply issue, so been here a little bit before I could txt. Bastien/Therion checking place safe before letting me upstairs. Having coffee with Yu. My own bed tonight.

  Her last comment was accompanied by a gif of a cat drinking coffee and a second gif of a puppy doing a gleeful somersault on a bed. I smiled, despite my worried mood.

  Thomas's text arrived while I was replying to Jay. It was a shorter confirmation and assurance they would keep Jay safe. I returned to my reply text to Jay: Do you want me to drop by after work?

  Jay: Y & N. I'd like to see you, but I'm exhausted. Want to look over the café after closing, then an early night. Tomorrow?

  I texted that tomorrow would be fine and then a thank you to Thomas before gently tossing my phone on some files on my desk and putting my chin in my hand and staring off into space. It seemed my daughter's safety was in the hands of other people. People I thought were more qualified to protect her both from Archmore's organisation and the creatures that worked for this Dark Realm entity. Ceri-talen, Jay called him. Therion had, after all, stopped the sniper from killing Jay, something we, the police, had not even had on our radar. And, according to Jay, Bastien, Thomas, and Therion had protected her from a veritable horde of creatures like the bat monster that had turned up in my backyard. It seemed the best thing I could do for my daughter was help progress the case that would hopefully put an end to the most serious threats to her safety from Archmore's organisation.

  A part of me, the mother part, just wanted to go to her. Hold her, keep her safe. The rest of me, the one that pursued a career in law enforcement, that part was content with working on the case. It was a job I did well and, aside from my daughter, there were a lot people who were being hurt, those abducted children and their families not the least of them. I'd joined the police force to help people, to protect them from scum like Archmore, from indifferent and brutal gangs focused on profit no matter the human cost.

  It occurred to me that with her new-found relationship with Therion, Jay wanted to spend time with him in a place where her disapproving mother wouldn't turn up at any moment. I wish I could be okay with it. She was clearly in love and Therion, in his own way, was devoted to her. Perhaps, it would be better if I stayed focused on my work, let her enjoy the relationship while she could.

  Jay

  I was in my kitchen making a coffee when Amelia sauntered in through the front door. Therion and Bastien were still downstairs somewhere, scouting the area I presumed. It was just after four in the afternoon, so I was a little surprised when I received a text from her saying she was on her way over. I'd told her to let herself in.

  At seeing her frown, I said, 'You look perplexed...' I made it a statement, but my tone invited her to reply if she felt like it.

  Amelia smiled at me. 'He seems... less intense.' Her green eyes were sparkling with interest.

  I decided to pretend to not know what she was referring to. 'He? Therion? I gather without any further attacks from the Dark Realm, we're all feeling a little more relaxed. I thought you had to go to the office today.' I gestured for her to take a seat while I tamped my freshly ground coffee and got the milk ready.

  She sat on the end of the lounge with her legs crossed and her back very straight, somehow her posture reminded me of a cat sitting upright.

  'Oh, I do,' she rolled her eyes, 'although I suspect the urgency has more to do with the fact that visiting you here has me closer to the temptations of the city. I just wanted to say hi and see if there was anything I could do to help you resettle.'

  'But if you're coming Monday, won't that put you just as close to temptation, just at a slightly later date?'

  Amelia chuckled. 'Yes, but today is a Friday, when all the clubs are open, more people, more opportunities for mischief. Monday—'

  'Everything is closed. I didn't pick you for someone who gets up to mischief.'

  'Ah, well, that depends on your definition of mischief, going into nightclubs pounding with bass and packed with drunk, uninhibited, barely-clothed humans, and enjoying said atmosphere is, to someone brought up in Thomas's times, not just mischievous, but downright hedonistic.'

  'Sounds like more fun than waiting about for indescribable horrors from the Dark Realm to descend.'

  Amelia burst out laughing. 'Thomas would prefer that!'

  I looked about my apartment. I'd missed being here. I'd told Yu that I wanted her to continue in her management role for the moment. Despite being back home, I had a fair few things to work out.

  'Thankfully, I don't think that's too likely, considering they think it's safe enough for me to return,' I said.

  'And yet, I do not think that's why Therion seems almost cheerful,' Amelia said pointedly. Her smile was definitely suggestive as she raised her eyebrows meaningfully.

  I, too, raised my brows, but in mock surprise. 'Really, hmm, can't say I noticed,' I remarked with nonchalance.

  Amelia gave me a brief, withering look that collapsed into a smile. 'Fine, be discreet, but I just want you to know,' she met my gaze, 'I envy you.'

  I grinned. 'I kind of envy me, too.

  'He's hot, right?' she exclaimed and then, realising the outburst wouldn't have impressed her father, suddenly looked shy. 'Don't, uh, my father doesn't need to know I said that.'r />
  I found myself chuckling. 'If he doesn't want you in the city on a Friday night on the off-chance you might get up to mischief, I figure he'd be more stubborn than my mum about a relationship with a dark-angel.'

  'Understatement of the century.'

  For a moment Amelia sounded exactly like I had when I was fifteen, although I was sure she was well past the barely twenty-something she looked. And I think most of her age was due to artfully applied make-up.

  'I'm not sure how it's all going to work, though,' I said returning to the topic of me and Therion. 'With everything that's going on, that is. I'm hoping I can start concentrating on my business again.'

  I finished pouring the frothed milk and rinsed the jug before joining Amelia on the lounge with my coffee.

  'It must be great to be your own boss,' Amelia remarked wistfully.

  'There are bonuses,' I admitted, 'but it's not the kind of job where you clock in at nine and finish at five. You seem to have a fair bit of flexibility. You assist Thomas in his capacity as a clan leader, don't you?'

  At my question, Amelia heaved out a sigh. 'Yes, and it is more flexible than other jobs. I wasn't sure about it though, so I don't have an official position or duties.'

  'Well working with family isn't guaranteed to be a picnic,' I pointed out. 'You were wise to take up the option of trialling it to see how you get on.'

  My compliment received an uncertain sound of agreement. 'Thomas wants me to formalise things.'

  'But you don't want that?'

  'Mmm, to be honest, I'm not sure. A permanent role would be better paid and he could hire me an assistant. I like what I'm doing. I mean, it's certainly challenging, but it's kind of good how I can throw a little weight around, you know? I just have to say I represent the Clan Leader and doors open. If I take the role officially, there'd be more of that, but I'd also have to appear in court to act on his behalf and at formal meetings.'

  'So it could be even more rewarding to formally take it up.'

  Amelia nodded. 'But it's a lot of responsibility.'

  I grinned. 'I've seen you in action, you can handle it.'

  'Really? Thanks, it's nice to hear it from someone who's not family.'

  'I get that. Have you thought about working outside the clan business? Doing something on your own?'

  Amelia rolled her eyes upwards as she groaned. 'Thomas would think it was the end of the world.'

  'Tell him you want to learn to navigate the world without the safety net so close. You definitely have great organisational skills, there are any number jobs you could do. Perhaps one of the best ways of finding out what you want to do is to try a few of them out.'

  Amelia fidgeted with a delicate gold watch. 'It's a bit more complicated for a vampire. I have tried to branch out a little a couple of times already.'

  'Oh?'

  'You know those cans we drink from?'

  'The ones that heat up— you had something to do with those?' I didn't try to keep the admiration from my voice, those cans were uber-cool, or warm, to be more precise. I settled on a less-confusing response. 'They are amazing, Amelia.'

  'They were my idea. Thomas made me study. From primary level right on up.'

  'Made you?' Although I agreed with the principle, it sounded a little aggressive.

  'Oh, I shouldn't have said it like that. I didn't mind, but vampires are not normally required to do that kind of thing. That's one of the things I appreciate about Thomas; no matter who he takes responsibility for, he insists they get an education. He says knowledge will empower you. I liked science and literature the most and I often read well outside the subjects I was studying. Anyway, I came across these cans in a department store— this will interest you— they were cans of coffee and you pushed this button on the bottom and they heated up and I thought: that would be a brilliant way to heat up blood to body temperature.'

  She had started to become more animated as she continued, her passion for the project was obvious. And now she was talking pretty fast too, I almost missed the significance of the reference to body temperature.

  'I figured out the design and then I told Bastien and Thomas about it. Thomas wanted to give it to a team, but thankfully Bastien saw how much it meant to me. He persuaded Thomas to let me stay involved and be in the lead. Bastien's good that way.' Her tone had changed, becoming more subdued. 'Thomas and Bastien argued more frequently than normal. They said it was over court business, but I heard enough to know Thomas wanted me to focus on my studies alone and not to spend any time away from work— I was interning then.'

  'It sounds like you will have someone in your corner if you do decide to explore your options, though.'

  Amelia sighed again. 'I don't want to be the cause of friction between them.'

  'I think it's important though. You need to tell Thomas that you want some more independence or he is likely to think you're happy enough.'

  She huffed softly, giving me a look that said she knew I was right, but she didn't want to admit it and then looked away.

  'Confrontation is never fun, but you have to learn to assert yourself.' I realised I was sounding a little lecturing and added, 'Sorry, I didn't mean to sound preachy.'

  'I'll think it over,' she said, giving me a smile that said I was forgiven. Her expression became apprehensive. 'I think you're right. Thomas means well and Bastien, even though he often stands up for me, is also very protective, so I'm very sheltered. I think I need some time away from them. Not all the time…'

  'Just enough time created by working in a job of your choosing, perhaps?' I suggested.

  She nodded, her striking, green eyes lighting up. 'Yeah. Although, if I decide to do that, it may push back my Independence.'

  When she said independence, I didn't think she meant it in the way I meant it, it sounded like a title, like something she had to achieve officially.

  'Independence?'

  'Oh, when you become a vampire, you have to, I'm not sure how to describe it. I guess you could say you have to serve an apprenticeship of sorts. The one who created you has responsibility for you until you learn not just to be a vampire, but to navigate vampire society.'

  'And when you complete this apprenticeship you become independent?'

  Amelia leaned back and smiled. 'That's right. It's kind of like graduating.'

  'Can I ask how you became a vampire?'

  Amelia looked away for a moment and when she looked back her expression was uncertain.

  'I'm sorry—'

  'No, it's okay,' Amelia assured me. 'We're not allowed to discuss the how, but the why is okay, I guess.'

  'I'd rather not get you into trouble.'

  'It's not that, but my death was traumatic, as was my life before I became vampire.'

  'Oh. Well, same things goes; if you'd rather not…'

  Amelia looked past me for a moment as she considered whether she would say more. I was very curious, but I didn't want to push the bonds of a new friendship. I was just about to emphasise that it was okay and change the subject when she spoke.

  'Making a human a vampire is not something that can be done on a whim. There are rules. Most of the time a vampire has to apply to the Court, but there are circumstances that are considered acceptable reasons. Take your circumstance, for example—'

  'Mine?'

  Amelia nodded. 'Mmhmm. Sometimes when a yulari is targeted by gods like Ceri-talen, Bastien and Thomas will change them. Something about the change alters their spirit and Ceri-talen loses interest in them.'

  That was news. Big news. Therion and I had talked at length about my circumstances and the options open to me, but he had never mentioned becoming a vampire.

  Amelia noted my frown. 'They don't always do it, sometimes it's too risky, the change is more often fatal than it is successful. In my case, I was dying anyway.'

  That was probably why Therion hadn't brought it up. I didn't want to die, but perhaps being a vampire would give me the strength to fight Ceri-talen's servants myself. After a
ll, the vampires had defended themselves quite effectively against them.

  Amelia seemed to be able to tell what I was thinking. 'Even if you survive to become vampire, you won't be as strong as those protecting you for some time. Most of them have at least a century on me. I'm only just beginning the more intensive combat training required to take part in confrontations. They're old enough to get through the day, with sufficient blood, whereas I can only manage a few extra hours. Occasionally I can be up longer if I have more blood, but it's not something I can get away with regularly.'

  And there went my fantasy of a quick fix to my problems. Amelia was starting to sound stressed, so I decided to change the subject slightly. 'Was it a difficult transition? Becoming a vampire, I mean.'

  Again, she paused, hesitation in her expression. I kept silent, hoping she would speak, feeling guilty for my hope as I was fairly certain neither Thomas nor Bastien would approve.

  'The actual change… that was excruciating.'

  'But once it was over?'

  'Everything after that was easier in comparison, but not necessarily easy.' Amelia looked down and started fidgeting with her watch again. 'I like you, Jay. I mean, I don't have many non-vampire friends and it's kind of nice.' At my look of puzzlement, she explained. 'With vampires even if there's no agenda, I still have to be careful about what I say and how I behave. With you, well, there are still things Thomas and Bastien think are better not discussed, but I'm not being judged and my opinions and behaviours won't be brought up at court or tossed around the vampire gossip mill. It's more relaxing.'

  'But there are still things that Thomas and Bastien think you should not tell humans and this topic comes close enough to crossing that line that you're not comfortable speaking openly.'

  She let out a sigh. 'You're just curious. It's natural. And I can talk about why I became a vampire, just not the details of how.'

  I nodded. 'You said that earlier and I'm fine with whatever you feel comfortable saying or not saying.'

  My assurances received a smile and then her expression sobered as she sat forward and looked down. 'My human father was violent. My mother was trying to get me into a convent, she thought I'd be safer. They argued about it often. He was worse when he was drunk and she should have known better than to fight with him. He started to hit her. I tried to intervene. He shoved me hard and I… I hit my head on the fireplace. Bastien and Thomas were staying at the tavern next door. They overheard the confrontation. By the time they got there, my father had killed my mother. Choked her to death…'