by Joshua Laack
Chapter 38
“Tabitha is ready to see you both privately. If you would please follow me.” He turned and began to walk away. Andrew set Johari down, but grabbed her hand before she could move too far away. Together they followed the guide through the back door in the room and deeper into the corridors of the palace.
They were taken to a spacious sitting room. Gregorr and Elizabet were inside talking to Tabitha, but on their entry, they stood and bowed to Tabitha before turning to Johari and Andrew.
“Thank you both for your strength today,” said Gregorr. Elizabet nodded her agreeance.
“We would not have been able to overcome this deceit without your help.” They both smiled and then went into another room off to the side of the sitting room. During this exchange, Tabitha remained seated. After they left the room, she motioned for the two to sit as well. There were several brown leather chairs and couches arranged into a semi circle in the center of the room.
“Is it safe to discuss anything in here?” Tabitha nodded, though a small frown formed on her face.
“Yes, we are private here and free to discuss whatever you wish.”
“Did the power you used have something to do with the fact that you aren't a Blood in the same sense that we are?”
“How in the world did you know that,” she asked? Tabitha looked at both of us, the surprise evident in her face. Johari also looked surprised.
“Did you tell him that,” Tabitha asked her? Johari shook her head.
“That was not my secret to share. I have told no one. I do not know how he knows.” Andrew felt himself blushing a little under their scrutiny, something he hadn't even been sure he could still do as an immortal.
“I apologize if I know something that is not supposed to be known, but I'm surprised that the fact isn't widely known. You smell quite a bit different than the rest of the Blood I have been around.”
“What did you just say?”
“What?” The two women spoke almost at the same time. Tabitha spoke again first. “What do you mean smell? Are you telling me that you can smell if someone is an immortal?” Andrew nodded.
“Yes, I first noticed it when Salem and the other one came to escort us here. Why are you so surprised? Can't any of you smell others?” Both women shook shook their heads in negation. “How do you tell if someone is a Blood or not?” There was a moment of silence and then Johari spoke.
“There usually is no need since we are such a small group and have excellent memories, we all usually just know who the others are. If there is one we do not know, it is because they are younger and at that point have not yet mastered complete control over their new selves. If you know what you are looking for, it is easy to see the difference between human motion and a Blood's. You are saying that you can smell a difference?” Andrew nodded.
“Yes, quite a bit of difference actually, though it is hard to describe what it is. I would describe it as how much life there is in an individual. Humans have bodies that smell alive, but blood that smells normal. Normal Blood like Salem or Johari have bodies that smell more preserved than alive, but blood that smells as if it had a life of its own. Tabitha, you smell as though you have the immortal blood, yet your bodies also smell alive, even more so than the humans do.” Tabitha pondered this a moment and then nodded.
“That makes a certain sort of sense, though I cannot differentiate the smell the way you obviously can. I understand where the difference would come from though. Lazarus and I are,” she paused for a moment and cleared her throat, “were, two of the first of our kind and our bodies are still completely human and even more alive than when we were humans. You as Blood do not have the fully alive bodies, just the knowledge and strength in the blood to keep the body from decaying or being damaged.” That made sense to Andrew, though there was still one thing he didn't understand.
“Even if you are the first, what makes you so different?”
“You and I share the same kind of blood, which descended from one of the first of us, but you don't share the same method of awakening. All of us died, but we were brought back to life through other means. This resurrection from the dead gave our blood the knowledge of life after death, but the rest of you were awakened by the blood, not truly resurrected.” Andrew's eyes widened as the names clicked in his mind. Johari hadn't been kidding when she said that Jesus was real and had been the creator of the Blood. Here were those who He had raised from the dead and they were the beginnings of the entire new race of beings.
“Why did He do it?”
“He set up this council and gave us the guidelines in which He wanted us to live. He informed us all that there was a purpose behind us becoming immortals as we had and that the purpose would become clear to us one day. It became clear to us as we discovered the demons in the world. We have been fighting them ever since.”
They chatted about the purpose of the immortals and about other things for a while, but both Johari and Andrew could see the sadness behind the smile on Tabitha's face. He couldn't imagine how difficult it must be to see someone you have been with for two thousand years throw that away and turn against everything you believed in. After a time, they mentioned that they would like to head for home. Tabitha nodded.
“I understand the desire. It is difficult for me to be long away from this place, though I do leave from time to time. In fact, if it is agreeable to you, I would like to visit you at your home in the future.”
“Of course! We would love to have you,” said Johari with a smile. “Feel free to come whenever you would like.” Andrew nodded his own agreement.
They both stood up and Tabitha stood with them. She stepped forward and shook Andrew's hand.
“It was a pleasure meeting you Andrew. I look forward to seeing what you are capable of with a little time and practice.” She moved over and hugged Johari. “I am overjoyed that you have found joy in your life. May it ever be as strong for you both as it is today.” She walked over to a small table in corner and pressed a button on the phone sitting on it. “Can you send in Salem please.” There was a brief pause and then a slight tap on the door. “Come in.” Salem opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind him. “Salem, please take them back to the airport and see them on their way home.” He nodded at her.
“Of course Tabitha.”
As they followed Salem out through the corridors of the massive building, Andrew thought about the last day. This trip had been an eye opener for him. He had not known anything about the time after his accident aside from the blurry memories. There was something strange about how he had turned that everyone appeared to be avoiding. Somehow, he had changed without being changed. He shouldn't be here. He realized as he smiled at Johari that it didn't matter. They were alive and they were going to be together forever. Johari smiled back and Andrew's world was the most beautiful thing, more beautiful than he had ever imagined could be possible.