Thicker Than Blood

by Shalini Boland

  And now here was the place which led to freedom. She crossed the cave, saw the thick shapes of the pillars standing sentry-like outside. She blinked and took a breath and then she walked out of the cave and into the unforgiving brightness of the midday sun.

  Chapter Forty Two

  Present Day

  *

  Maddy’s eyes were wide. Focused on a point beyond Alexandre’s left shoulder. He swung around just in time to ward off a flying kick from a female vampire with glittering eyes and bared fangs. Behind her came an army of speeding shapes.

  ‘Get back!’ he yelled to Maddy. ‘Hide!’

  The female vampire now had her arms around his neck. She was trying to snap it. He twisted around and slammed her down onto her back. She was up in less than a second, her palm on his face and her spike heel grinding into his foot. He picked her up and threw her into the cliff wall, dislodging rocks and stones and chunks of snow which rained down on her. Then he turned his attention to a male who was trying to get past him to Madison.

  ‘Maddy, I told you to get out of here! Run. Hide. Now!’ But he knew no matter how fast she ran, she would not be able to hide from them. She disappeared from view behind a rock and he tried to head off the approaching vampire. They traded punches and kicks and then began to grapple in the snow. He had the creature pinned, but didn’t know how to incapacitate him. More vampires moved in. He couldn’t fight all of them at once. They were going to overpower him and there was nothing he could do about it.

  Alexandre felt another vampire jump onto his back, prising him away from the one on the ground. He tried to shake him off, but he wasn’t able to keep the other one pinned at the same time. He was losing control. And they were going to get Madison. He couldn’t let them…

  ‘Alex!’

  It was Jacques!

  Jacques and the others had arrived. He felt the vampire on his back disappear and when he turned his head he saw Freddie using some of the martial arts moves he’d been learning with Ben at an evening class. That vampire didn’t stand a chance. Alex allowed himself a small grin, before returning to the job of subduing the vampire beneath him. The creature had its teeth bared and was trying to bite him. Alex stuck his hand into the snow and picked out some small rocks. He smashed them into the vampire’s mouth. The rocks crumbled, but it gave Alex a couple of seconds to pick the creature up and sling him across the plain.

  Alexandre counted at least nine attackers. He and the others were badly outnumbered despite Zoe having joined them, but he couldn’t worry about that now. He saw his brother and sister and Freddie giving as good as they got, but he hadn’t spotted Leonora yet. He hoped she was alright. Zoe stood nearby, blocking all attempts from the Cappadocians to get past her. Stopping them from getting to Maddy.

  Suddenly, he felt another presence at the side of him.

  ‘I should have killed you when I had the chance.’

  Alexandre recognised that voice. He looked round. It was Sergell and he had Zoe by the throat. Suddenly, Alexandre was grasped either side by two vampires. He tried to shake them off, but they threw something around his neck. He felt cold metal burn into his skin and the power drain from his body. He growled and hissed, trying desperately to break free from his captors, but he couldn’t loosen their grip and the metal chain around his neck was sapping his energy somehow. What was happening?

  Next to him, Zoe’s eyes were wide with fear, but Alexandre could do nothing to free her either. He felt worse than useless. What did these damned creatures want with them? And where was Madison?

  ‘You’ve disappointed me, Zoe,’ Sergell said. ‘I gave you a home. I gave you eternal life and you betray me for a worthless girl and a group of weak fledglings. You picked the wrong side.’ He flung her towards Alexandre.

  Another of the Cappadocians put a chain around her neck and Alex saw that Jacques, Freddie and Isobel had also been chained. He locked eyes with his brother who shook his head in anger and frustration. Was everyone he loved to be persecuted or killed? He tried to wrestle the chain from his neck, but when he touched it with his fingers, the skin on his hands melted and a searing pain shot up his arms. What were these chains? Why did they burn so?

  ‘Silver,’ Zoe moaned. ‘Silver chains.’

  Alex hadn’t known silver was harmful to vampires. He wondered why, and wondered how he could get the damned things off.

  ‘Sir!’ Sergell called over his shoulder. ‘Sir, we have them subdued.’ He was addressing another vampire. An ancient being who came towards Alexandre with evil and destruction in his eyes. This vampire shimmered with power, his marble skin and golden hair alive with it. He was no foot soldier, but was dressed in ancient robes and a heavily embroidered cloak. Was this one of the Cappadocians he and his family had disturbed in that underground chamber all those years ago? It was very likely.

  Not for the first time, Alexandre wished they had never unearthed that hellish city. These creatures should still be buried in the cold belly of the earth. They should have remained undisturbed. And he, Alexandre, should have died a natural human death many years ago, along with his family. Instead, he was here, chained in silver and unable to defend the girl he loved. The girl who would still be safe if it wasn’t for him and his condition.

  ‘Who are you?’ Alexandre croaked, barely able to talk now. The chains had thoroughly incapacitated him.

  ‘The girl?’ The golden creature addressed Sergell, ignoring Alexandre’s question.

  ‘She is back there, Sir. In the cave.’

  ‘Good. His Imperial Highness wishes us to bring them all back to the city. But the girl, you can kill.’

  ‘No.’ Alexandre choked on the word. The silver chain was like a burning brand around his throat. He had to do something to save her before it was too late.

  ‘But we would be better to finish them all now,’ Sergell said. ‘They are no good to us. They will not …’

  ‘Would you like to tell his Imperial Highness what your thoughts are?’ the golden one said.

  ‘Of course I would never presume to …’

  ‘Fine,’ his leader snapped. ‘Then do as I ask. And bring out the girl. This chained fledgling seems to be fond of her. It would be amusing to watch him while you kill her.’

  Sergell bowed and retrieved Madison from her inadequate hiding place. She looked defiant. Her chin set and her eyes blazing, trying to keep up with Sergell as he dragged her through the messed up snow.

  ‘Please,’ Alexandre begged. ‘If you spare her, I will come willingly. I will serve you for eternity. I will be the best …’

  ‘Quiet.’ The golden vampire held up his hand. ‘You had an opportunity, but you did not take it. There is no plea bargaining here. It’s too late. Do it, Sergell.’

  The vampire ripped Madison’s coat away from her neck, bared his teeth and prepared to rip her throat out.

  The Marchwood Vampires moaned, a collective noise which reverberated throughout the snowy plain. Alexandre felt so much pain he couldn’t bear it. How could he watch the destruction of the girl he loved? He felt disgusted at himself that he could do nothing, that he was too weak to move, to even try to save his love. He bowed his head, unable to watch, but his captors yanked it up and forced him to look at her.

  This was it then. This was the end of his happiness.

  ‘Hello, Mislav.’ A voice rang out. A woman’s voice, confident and mature.

  Sergell stopped and turned his head to see who had spoken. So did everyone else. An old woman walked towards them, alone through the snow, her bright blue eyes fixed on the golden vampire. She was small with pale hair fixed in a bun at the back of her head. A dark woollen cloak was wrapped around her shoulders and she carried a basket on her arm.

  She will be slaughtered, Alexandre thought.

  ‘Sofia!’ Madison cried out.

  Maddy knew this woman? Alexandre’s confusion dulled his pain for a moment.

  ‘How do you know my name?’ the golden vampire, Mislav demanded of the woman.�
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  ‘Well that’s no way to greet an old friend,’ she replied. ‘It is I, Aelia. Don’t you remember me?’

  Chapter Forty Three

  Present Day

  *

  Alexandre realised the arrival of this woman had delayed Madison’s death. Perhaps all was not lost. If he could only get these chains off he would stand a chance of rescuing her from Sergell’s fangs.

  ‘What? What are you talking about?’ Mislav growled at the old woman. ‘Aelia was a young girl. You are old. How do you know about Aelia?’

  ‘I know I have aged, but do you really not recognise me?’

  ‘You have wandered into the wrong place at the wrong time, old woman.’ Mislav’s eyes blazed with anger. He crossed the snow to where she stood and grasped her chin in his hand, staring into her face.

  To the old woman’s credit, she didn’t flinch or look away.

  ‘Mislav,’ she said. ‘I remember the blue and silver room, the hot springs and the icy waterfall. I remember the night you found me outside and my horse disappeared. Who else would know those things?’

  Although his face was already pale as moonlight, Mislav visibly blanched. His cool composure evaporating into the chill night sky.

  ‘Who have you been talking to?’ he said. ‘You are spouting rubbish. Old wives’ tales and nonsense. I do not have time for this.’ He snapped his fingers and one of his minions bared its teeth and came over to where Aelia stood, preparing to bite her.

  Alexandre was shocked at what happened next. The frail old lady tossed the six foot vampire away from her and into the snow covered darkness. Another took its place, but she gave out the same treatment. Mislav snarled and grabbed her. His fangs were millimetres from her neck but she held him at bay.

  ‘Bite me and I’ll send you all back to sleep for another few hundred years,’ she said.

  Complete silence descended. Alexandre wasn’t sure if he had heard her correctly.

  ‘What do you know of The Sleep?’ Mislav said. ‘I demand you tell me.’

  The woman gazed around at the vampires and their prisoners. Then she turned her attention back to Mislav.

  ‘Do you really not know me, Mislav? Look at my face. Look beneath the wrinkled skin and greying hair.’

  ‘You might share the same eyes, that is all,’ he snapped.

  ‘And they are not enough to convince you?’ she asked.

  ‘Perhaps you are a descendant. But that is not enough to save you.’

  ‘Once, long ago,’ she began, ‘you fought the other demons to keep me. You had me turned by your emperor. You thought I was your plaything. But I was a weapon sent to destroy you all.’ Her voice rang out, strong and clear.

  ‘A weapon? What are you talking about? Who are you really?’

  ‘I told you, I am Aelia.’

  ‘Aelia?’ Mislav’s voice softened. He put a finger under her chin and tipped her face up to the moonlight, staring at her. ‘Can it really be you? But if it is, you have aged. How can this be? You were one of us.’

  ‘I will tell you everything. But first he needs to leave Madison alone.’ She pointed to Sergell whose fangs still hovered over Maddy’s exposed throat.

  Alexandre wondered how she knew Madison. He was grateful for her request. Could he dare to hope Maddy was safe? Not yet.

  ‘And all these chains need to come off,’ she continued. ‘Silver chains. How barbaric.’

  ‘Aelia,’ Mislav smiled. ‘If it is you, since when do you order me around?’

  She smiled back. ‘Since I have the power to put you back to sleep for another fifteen hundred years. Chains. Off. Now,’ she said.

  Mislav nodded to his minions and, with gloved hands, they removed the clinking silver. Alexandre immediately felt his strength returning, the skin healing where the metal had bitten into his neck. Now he had a fighting chance again.

  ‘You need to tell me what you are doing here, Aelia,’ Mislav said.

  ‘I thought you said your name was Sophia,’ Madison interrupted, her voice trembling.

  ‘Silence, human,’ Mislav barked.

  Alexandre bristled at the way Mislav had shouted at her. He tried to catch Maddy’s eye, but she was looking at the woman.

  ‘My name is Sophia, the woman replied. ‘It is Aelia, it is Sarah, it is Havva. My name has changed many times over the centuries.’

  ‘Havva Sahin! I thought I recognised you.’ Suddenly, Alexandre remembered this strange lady. She turned to face him.

  ‘Yes, it is I. Hello, Alexandre. It’s been a while.’

  He remembered Havva’s strange words of warning all those years ago when he was still a mortal, remembered her telling him to heed the legends and leave the city undisturbed. But he had ignored her words as the ravings of a delusional old woman. And he and his family had gone on to unleash the demons from their sleep. But he had paid the price for not heeding her – for he had lost his parents and been cursed to live as a blood drinker for all eternity. He bowed his head in shame as she looked at him.

  ‘Send your demons away, Mislav,’ Aelia said, turning to the golden vampire. ‘Come and sit and hear my story if you will. It is time you heard the truth.’

  ‘His Imperial Highness is expecting me to return with these fledglings. My vampires can take them to the city while I listen to your story.’

  ‘No,’ she said. ‘The ‘fledglings’ will stay and hear my story too and then they will be free to go.’

  ‘Aelia, you are trying my patience. I am pleased to see you, but I will not take orders from you.’

  ‘You will, Mislav. Or I will send you all back into your coma and then I will destroy you while you sleep. I have a plague in my blood.’

  Aelia held her ground as Mislav lost all composure and grabbed her by the hair. She slid a knife from her sleeve and pierced the tip of her finger, holding the dark bead of blood up to his face. Mislav let go of her hair and took a step back.

  ‘You are wise to keep your distance,’ she said, ‘for this blood will render you helpless as the proverbial kitten. Send your vampires away and when you return, you can tell his Imperial Highness that you just saved his kind from total destruction. I’m sure he will forgive you the loss of a few fledglings in return for his life.’

  Mislav considered her words.

  ‘She’s a lying witch, Sir,’ Sergell called out. ‘I can finish her off if you’ll let me.’

  ‘No, Sergell. You and the others return to the city. I will follow shortly.’

  ‘But, Sir … You surely cannot …’

  Mislav turned his back on Sergell and stared at Aelia.

  ‘I missed you when you left,’ he said. ‘I thought you might have destroyed yourself … walked out into the sunlight. You were not happy.’

  ‘No, I was not.’

  ‘Well?’ Mislav turned to Sergell. ‘What are you waiting for? All of you. Leave now. I will return soon.’

  Sergell did as he was told. He took his small army of vampires and left them.

  Chapter Forty Four

  Present Day

  *

  As soon as Sergell and his vampires had left the snow-covered plain, Alexandre rushed to Madison’s side, joined by the others.

  ‘Are you alright, Madison? Did he hurt you?’

  ‘No, but I really thought that was it.’ She took a breath. ‘I thought I was going to …’

  ‘I know.’ Alexandre interrupted her before she had a chance to say the word. He put his arm around her shoulders and brought her close to his chest.

  ‘What do you make of the woman?’ Isobel asked.

  ‘She is Havva Sahin,’ Alexandre said, almost to himself. ‘I cannot believe it.’

  ‘I thought Havva Sahin was human,’ Jacques said.

  ‘So did I,’ Alex replied. ‘And yet she is not a vampire either.’

  ‘She saved me,’ Maddy said. ‘She rescued me from the cold and brought me here. This is where she lives. This cave behind us.’

  Aelia’s voice rang out.
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  ‘Come,’ she said to Mislav and the others. ‘Let us go inside. And there we shall sit and make a pretence at being civilised for a few moments. I will tell you my story and then you can leave.’ She sucked the blood off her finger and walked into the cave, sheathing her knife. Mislav and the others followed.

  The cave was large and clean. Food had been cooking on a fire which had almost burned down to nothing. Havva, or Aelia as she now seemed to be calling herself, threw a log on the embers and settled down on a large boulder in the corner of the cavern. Mislav sat close by.

  Alexandre followed Madison to a mattress on the rock floor. She sat and leaned back into him and he kissed her head, entwining her fingers in his. But Alexandre did not for one second take his eyes off Mislav. This was a demon cut from the same cloth as the Byzantine emperor – a cold and emotionless being with no heart. Havva Sahin might feel comfortable talking to him, all cosy and chatty in her cave, but Alexandre did not. That creature had given the order for Madison’s death. It took all of Alex’s willpower not to reach across and smash his head into the fire, which was now blazing furiously. But he wanted to hear Aelia’s story and guessed she wouldn’t take kindly to vampires fighting in her home.

  Everyone settled into a space, waiting for her to begin, but Alexandre suddenly realised that someone was not with them. That they had not been here from the start.

  ‘Where is Leonora?’ he whispered to Freddie.

  ‘She said she had something to do. That she would find us later.’

  Alexandre did not have time to wonder about this, as Aelia had begun her story. She was telling them of her entrance to the underground city, armed with a box containing the blood plague. As she continued with her tale, Alexandre found himself impressed by her selflessness and bravery; although she did not boast of her deeds and did not expect any pity.

  Mislav’s face showed anger and incredulity. It was clear he was not enjoying her tale at all.

  Soon she came to the part where she had left the city in despair, expecting the sunlight to kill her.